3. We must be dead to esteem, credit, and reputation, as well as other things, or else we are incapable of the kingdom of heaven : John
496 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CLVIII.
V. 44, ' How can ye believe, that seek honour one of another, and seek not llie honour that conieth of God only?' John xii. 41, 42, ' These thhigs said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Never- theless among the chief rulers also many believed on him ; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they sliould be put out of the synagogue.' It is not enough to deny brutish pleasures, to escape sordid covetousness, but all ])rizing of our own credit, content to be nothing, that Christ may be all in all, or else there is some affec- tion not yet subdued to Chiist's interest; any interest of ours that Cometh into competition with Christ must be denied.
4. This is the true fortitude. We all affect to be counted men of spirit and courage ; there is not a greater evidence of it than when we can endure contempt for Christ. Military valour depends upon bodily spirits ; it is a more brutish thing. Peter, that ventured upon a band of men, was overcome by the weak blast of a damsel's question. He that can in a generous contempt count man's day nothing : 1 Cor. iv. 3, ' But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment,' &c.
5. The more despised in the world for righteousness' sake, the more honourable with God. If they could hinder your esteem with him it were something, 2 Cor. x. 18. He is approved whom the Lord com- mendeth. They will ever be of great account in heaven that have washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, and kept themselves unspotted from the world, and are clothed with the sun and have the moon under their feet, Eev. xii. 1. The true and afflicted despised church is in the eyes of God fair as the sun, pure as the moon, Cant, vi. 10. You are an elect seed, a royal priesthood, 1 Peter ii. 9.
6. If we cannot endure a little disgrace for God, what shall we do when called to resist unto blood ? Jer. xii. 5, ' If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, how canst thou contend with horses ? ' Scommata nostra ferre non i^otes, &c.
7. God hath his times of bringing you into request again : Ps. xxxvii. 6, ' He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon-day ;' Zeph. iii. 19, ' Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee, and will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out, and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.' All God's chil- dren were despised in their time, and yet afterwards were honoured. There is a resurrection of names as well as persons. Abraham gave Isaac his son to God in sacrifice, and received him again ; so we re- ceive our names from reproach and contempt. He that draweth light out of darkness is able to revive our credit and esteem ; if not in this world, yet in the world to come we shall be glorious, though our con- dition be never so contemptible here ; our reward is not in this life. When he dies, the beggar is carried into Abraham's bosom. Would you be in the condition of Dives or Lazarus ? to wallow in ease and plenty, and go to hell, and be cast out with the devil and damned spirits ? or to be poor and despised here, to be carried by angels into the presence of God hereafter ? So at the day of judgment : Mat. x. 32, ' Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I con- fess also before my Father in heaven ; ' we shall be publiclv owned.
V
VeR. 141.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 497
8. Great contempt shall be poured upon those that now contemn you. When Hanun offered injury to David's servants, he took severe revenge of it. God will require an account of all the wrongs and affronts that are put upon his servants. The wicked shall be made the scorn of good men and angels : Ps. Hi. 6, 7, ' The righteous also shall see and fear, and laugh at him. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness ; but I am like a green olive- tree,' &c.
Bod. That though our condition be small and despicable, yet we should be still faithful in our respects to God and his word.
1. The temptation will not excuse us. Usse honum facile est, uhi quod vetat esse remotum est. Our trial is expressly mentioned in the promise, as necessary lor our crowning : James i. 12, ' When he is tried ; ' when the temptation is over, the trial is past. It is no praise for a woman to be chaste that hath no suitors. Adam was tempted by Eve, and Eve by Satan, yet both bore their burden. Si ta.ceret Deus et loqueretur Satan, <fec. Why should we hearken to Satan's sugges- tions rather than God's admonitions ?