I answer — There is a twofold heart — a heart that is hard against God, and soft for God ; and a heart that is hard for God, and soft against God. The first, w^hen it is bold in sinning, but fearful and soft in troubles. As Deut. xx. 8, ' The fearful and the soft-hearted.' ^ But now the heart which is hard for God, and soft against God, is the heart which is a coward in sin ; but like a lion, undaunted in all manner of sufferings. They will trust in God though he kill them, and can confront the greatest dangers, and yet tremble at the least offence against God, and dare not do it. Now saitli Paul, You
330 THE FIFTEENTH SERMON. [ACTS XXI. 14.
break my heart ; that is, even weaken my couraf^e, and take me off fn»m my purpose.
3. Observe tlieir discretion, that ' when he would not be persuaded, they ceased.' Eitlier Paul told them what intimation he had from God, or else they thought so wise a man as Paul would not thrust himself upon danger without a warrant. It is the disposition of humble spirits not to be peremptory of their own conceits, but to submit to those that are wiser than themselves. Mat. iii. 15, John would not at first admit Christ to his baptism, out of reverence to him, and humility. But saith Christ, ' Suffer it to be so now.' When he was informed of Christ's mind, then he suffered him. So those that were so zealous for inclosing of the common salvation, ' When they heard that God had granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life,' Acts xi. 18. It sliowetli we should not be too stiff in our private conceits and humours, when a plain evidence appeareth to the contrary, — a lesson that men have great need to learn.
4. Their piety, the ground of their discretion : ' The will of the Lord be done.' Tlie scripture speaks : —
[1.] Of God's determining and decreeing will: Eph. i. 11, 'He doth all things according to the counsel of his will.'
[2.] Of his api)roving or liking Avill : Rom. xii. 2, * That ye may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.'
The text speaks not of his commanded, but of his intended will ; not of his will to be done hy us, but of his will to be done upon us. God's intended will is either — (1.) Secret, before the decree bring forth the issue and event ; (2.) or else declared by the event. While it is secret, we pray for the accomplishment of it : Jer. xxix. 11, ' I know the thoughts tiiat I tiiink towards you.' &c. And we conceive all our desires with submission to it. But now we speak of his will revealed and declared in his providence. There is a submission required to both.
1. To God's intended will, while it is yet kept secret.
That in every business we should ask his leave and blessing. It is a piece of religious manners to begin with God.
[1.] His leave, as Judges i. 1 : ' Shall I go up and fight against the Canaanites, or shall I not ? ' And thus Jehoshaphat would inquire of the prophet, * Shall I go up to Piamoth-Gilead, and prevail?' The honest heathens had this principle, A Jove principium, that every action was to be begun witli God.
Balaam had a conscience this way, he would inquire of God before he would })roceed either to curse or bless. By this means we ac- knowledge God, our dependence upon him, and his dominion over us. It is robbery to use any goods without the owner's leave. We and all ours are the goods of God. God hath such a dominion over us as a man hath over his goods ; not only a dominion of jurisdiction, as governor in law, but a dominion of ])ropriety. Tlierefore in journeys, in removing of our dwelling, in disposal of our children, God must not be left out, but be treated with in tiie first i)lace.
[2.] His blessing. When the event is uncertain, beg the Lord's concurrence, and the blessing of his providence : Jer. x. 23, ' 0 Lord,
Acts XXI. 14.] the fifteenth sermon. 331
I know the way of man is not in himself ; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.' Man cannot manage his own actions with any comfort or success ; tlierefore we must beg it of God, whose will doth all in the case. So Gen. xxiv. 12, ' And he said, 0 Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day.' We are to desire all may speed while we are in God's way. It is a vain thing to promise ourselves great matters without the leave and blessing of providence ; for our lives and actions, and all which con- cern us, are in God's hands.
2. We must refer the event to his determination. This is a great part of trust in God, and of quietness of mind, when we are so per- suaded of the Lord's goodness, wisdom, and power that we leave the event to him, and refer it that he shall cast it as he pleaseth, being so sensible of the power of his providence, and so confident of the good- ness of his conduct. Submitting all things to God's will after the event is patience, and submitting all things to God's will before the event is a notable piece of faith. When I trust God absolutely, let him do with me what he pleaseth ; but I know he is a good God, and he will do nothing but what is good, and what is for the best. We are obliged in all things we design to be subordinate to God's will, and to accept of it : Kom. i. 10, ' Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you ; James iv. 15, ' We ought to say, If the Lord will ; ' 1 Cor. iv. 19, ' But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will.' So in many other places. This was a truth evident to the heathens. Plato brings in Alcibiades asking Socrates how he should speak of future events, and in what manner he should express himself ; and Socrates answers, Even as God will. To use such an express reserva- tion in all our undertakings is profitable to beget reverence in our- selves, and to instruct others. Thus far the light of nature teacheth men. I confess it is not absolutely necessary in all cases to express ourselves so, but this disposition should be in our minds : 1 Cor. xi. 34, ' And the rest will I set in order when I come.' He doth not say there, ' If God will,' but yet he reserves that. 1 speak this as the lowest thing, that we be not too confident of events, but refer them to the Lord's will. But a child of God goeth higher : he knows he hath a good God, a heavenly Father, which guides all things in wisdom, power, and goodness. And the event may be against his desires, ap- petites, conceits, fancies, but he knows God will govern and do better for him than his own choices. He trusts all to God.