442 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SfiR. XII.
self,' and will never be a steward and factor for God. And this is to be wise for the present. But the wisdom we speak of is to be wise for the future, that it may be well with us to all eternity ; and that is the wisdom that is ' pure and peaceable/ and full of good fruits ; for that is the truest wisdom; it serveth :iil turns, and provideth for God and self too : that is a holy self-seeking, to seek self in God : it hath what the other affecteth in a more sincere way of enjoyment, ' Honour with God,' Eom. ii. 7; 'Pleasures with God,' Ps. xvi. 2; 'Rich towards God,' Luke xii. 20; 1 Tim. vi. 18, ' Rich in good works, that they may lay bold of eternal life.' This prudence would serve the turn, and make a man take all advantages of doing good.
[2.] Faithful : 1 Cor. iv. 2, ' Moreover, it is required of a steward that a man be found faithful ; ' that he sincerely seek the glory of God, and watch all advantages to promote his Lord's interest, and carry himself well in his trust.
[3.] Industry, that he stir up himself, 2 Tim. i. 6 ; 2 Tim. iv. 14, ' Neglect not the gift that is in thee.' Oh ! let us not be idle, but hunt out occasions of doing good.
Doct. 2. In trading, our returns must carry proportion with our receipts.
' He that had five talents gained other five, and he that had two gained other two.' God will not accept of every man's rendering for the mercies of common providence, deliverances ; 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, Hezekialrrendered something, but not according to the benefit received. Nor for the mercies of his covenant, justification, or pardoning mercy: Luke vii. 47, ' Her sins, which are many, are forgiven ; for she loved much : but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.' All love requireth love, and an answerable degree. So for sanctification : he expecteth more from them to whom he hath given more grace : 1 Cor. xv. 10, ' But by the grace of God I am what I am ; and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all ; yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.' And in general, of all talents, ordinances, he expecteth improvement suitable, clear knowledge, strong faith, more ready obedience : Luke xii. 47, 48, ' And the servant that knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes : for unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required.' Otherwise his judgments will make it evident : Amos iii. 2, the valley of visions had the heaviest burthen. So for gifts of the mind. God expecteth service according to their measure : Eph. iv. 16, ' That which every joint snpplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part ;' according to that place they hold in the body. No member is either dead, or idle, or living and working only to itself, but every one is to contribute for the good of others according to its measure. So for estate. God looks for more from them whose superfluities are larger than others enjoy, that they should be ' rich in good works,' 1 Tim. vi. 18. God accepteth the widow's two mites, that was more than the abundance of the rich ; for ' she cast in all that she had,' Luke xxi. Still the rule holdeth.
Vers. 16-18.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 443
The account riseth with the gifts ; and God will accept that at one man's hands that he will not accept of another, whose capacities and opportunities are greater, who have more time to spend in his imme- diate service, more wealth to bestow, more advantages of acquainting themselves with God. Only let me give you two cautions in judging of our returns.
First, That in gifts, either of mind or of the body, our faithfulness is measured by our endeavour, and not by our success. Dominus non considered, saith Jerome, lucri magnitudinem, sed studii voluntcdem. The crown of faithfulness and the crown of fruitfulness do both adorn the person that wears them. Though they be not gathered, yet our work is with God : Isa. xlix. 4, ' Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judg- ment is with the Lord, and my work is with God.' Though little fruit and effect on men, yet not the less regarded and rewarded by God.
Secondly, That in the laying out of our gifts, God doth not measure them by the quantity and value of what is given, but by the affection and heart of the giver. Affectus pretium rebus imponit, saith Ambrose; which is a comfort to the poorer sort, who have but little to give and contribute to good uses : 1 Cor. viii. 11, ' If there be first a willing mind, a man is accepted according to what he hath, not according to what he hath not.' So in other things ; the smallness and meanness of the benefit doth not diminish God's estimation of man's love and affection. On the other side, it is an awe to the great and rich. All those pompous services, if not a real mind, are not accepted, 1 Cor. xiii. 1. God loveth non copiosum, sed hilarem datorem, not a large, but a cheerful giver.