1. Something might be observed from the illative particle : it is inferred from their making void of God's law.
Doct. In times of defection, when others slight, contemn, and for- sake the ways of God, we should approve and esteem them the more.
The reasons are —
1. To make amends for the contempt of others : 2 Peter iv. 14, ' On their parts he is evil spoken of ; on your part glorified.' Let not God want his glory; if he be dishonoured by their sins, he should be the more honoured by your obedience. It concerneth us to look that God be no loser. As the sea, what it losetli in one place, it gaineth in another; or as a river, what it loseth in breadth, and is pent within narrow channels, it gets in depth ; so you should give him the more
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respect the more it is denied him by others ; the sincere professors of the name of God should be the more earnest.
2. To show that we do not choose the ways of God upon foreign reasons, as public countenance and consent. Many men owe their religion not to grace, but to the favour of the times ; it is in fasliion ; they may profess it at a cheap rate, because none contradict it. Indeed it showeth they are extremely bad, that are bad when they may be good without any loss to themselves ; but it doth not show they are good, that are only good in good times. Dead fish swim with the stream. They do not build upon the rock, but set up a shed leaning to another man's house, which costs them nothing ; carried with a multi- tude, are not able to go alone in a good way ; if they be religious, it is for others' sakes. Then is integrity discovered when persons dare be good in bad times, as Noah was said to be an upright man, because he was perfect in his generation : Gen. vi. 9, ' When all flesh had cor- rupted their way.' And so it is said. Job vii. 9, ' The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger ;' that is, when there are discouragements and oppressions, as a resolved traveller holdeth on his journey, whether he meeteth with fair way or foul, good weather or bad.
3. There is an antiperistasis in grace as well as nature. Every quality, when it is pent up, is the stronger. Stars shine brightest in the darkest night. Fountain-water is hottest in winter, when the heat is pent up. In bad times good men are best ; wicked men's badness exerciseth and increaseth good men's graces. The more odious sin appeareth in them, the more grace is strengthened in the saints ; their looseness maketh you strict ; their vanity and carelessness maketli you serious ; theii' intemperance maketh you sober ; their worldliness and sensuality maketh you spiritual ; as they are instances of the cursed vigour of nature, you are instances of the sacred power of grace, Phil, ii. 15, shining as lights in the world ' in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation ;' to be eminently holy among a company of profane, godless, atheistical spirits, showing forth the lovely beauty of holiness.
4. To show the difference between the people of God and others ; and this is a fruit of God's eternal choice. God hath made a differ- ence in the j)m'P^s^s of his grace, and they discover the difference in the course of their conversations : John xvii. 25, ' The world hath nol known thee, but these have known thee, that thou hast sent me, and hast chosen them out of the world.' The opposite ignorance and obstinacy of the world showeth their acknowledgment of Christ was of more value and acceptation. When the world neither knew nor believed on him, but rather opposed and persecuted him, thej'' owned Christ, and so walked in a countermotion to the times.
5. To defeat the enemies' purpose, which is to hinder the success of the gospel, and destroy all affection and respect to the word and ways of God, and that the service of God should fall to the ground ; as we hold a staff the faster, when one would wrest it out of our hands : Titus i. 9, ' Holding fast the faithful word.' The pastor of the church should be good at holding and drawing, as the word signifieth ; so people's zeal should be the more kindled in the worst times. God hath a number that do fear him ; Christ is never a king without subjects,
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nor a head without a church ; he ruleth in the midst of his enemies, Ps. ex. 1 ; tliereforc lie hath some to rule over. Wiierc Satan's throne is, there he hath some to confess his name. Elijali thought himself left alone, yet then God had reserved to himself seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal.
Use. It is very seasonable for us in these times to mind this ; therefore —
1. That we may increase in practical godliness. Now wickedness is broken loose and the law is made void, this should not damp our zeal, but quicken it. You should walk with God, as Noah and David did, in the worst of times: yea, the badness of the age you live in should make you the more wise, more circumspect, more humble, more heavenly ; as fire burnetii hottest in the coldest weather. Study to serve God in thy generation. A man that is not good in the age he liveth in, would never be good. A lily will thrive in a wilder- ness, and a brier is but a brier though it grow in paradise. Their fury in sin should warn you of your duty to God. Shall a lust prevail more with them to damn themselves, than the love of God and the hope of salvation with you ? shall they act more regularly to their ends ? What zeal and earnestness have they in their course, and how open and bold-faced in sin ! We read that Pambo wept when he saw a woman dressing herself curiously to please her wanton lover, to see her take so much pains to undo her soul, and that he had not been so careful to please God, and provide things honest in the sight of God, as she to please herself.