262 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. XIII.
fisherman he was made a disciple. The loss is little ; but we think it a great matter if we part with om' superfluities, with the tenth part of a child's portion for Christ's cause, and owning Christ's interest, or the propagation of religion. Nay, if we suffer but a disgraceful word, or discountenance, or a small inconvenience in our name, or estates, we are apt to say with Peter, ' What shall we have therefore ? ' Thoughts of merit are natural, and we put a high price upon our petty services ; what shall we be the better? But observe Christ's answer: 'And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel/ Pray mark, Christ pardoneth the infirmity of the demand , there was somewhat of pride in it, and somewhat of fleshiness, in having respect to a carnal reward; the dreamed-of earthly honours, that Christ would share and divide among them ; but Christ passeth it over, and gives a gracious answer. Nay, mark, Christ promiseth a greater reward than Peter could expect, ' a kingdom to each of them in the regeneration.' I shall not examine that expression, that doth not so suit with my purpose ; but I observe, that though the things we do and suffer for Christ be not worthy to be spoken of, yet the least thing, if done in sincerity, will be highly esteemed and richly rewarded ; Christ will intercede for thee, and plead for thee with his Father, and if once he openeth his mouth, thou canst never miscarry. The apostle saith, Heb. vii. 25, 'He is able to save to the utmost all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever livetli to make intercession for them.' Christ, when he hath begun to intercede, doth not give over till thou hast honour enough for honouring him ; ' He will save thee to the utmost.' Oh! why should we be prejudiced against the service of Christ? Certainly we shall be no losers in the end. Christ will not be behind hand with you ; he is making way for your everlasting glory by his constant intercession. Now therefore be not troubled ; you need not seek another paymaster than Christ; we have something in hand, there is present comfort, besides what we have in hope.
Use 2. Exhortation ; to press us to glorify Christ. Order your lives so that Christ may plead, ' Father, I am glorified in them." I do not press you now to glorify God in general, but to glorify Christ as mediator.
But what is it to glorify Christ ? I answer — ■ 1. You will glorify him by faith. Christ is glorified, when you acknowledge his person and office, as revealed to you in the word, and accordingly build your hopes and comfort on him. Now faith hath a double office — it accepts Christ from God, and presents Christ to God; it accepts Christ in the word, and maketh use of him in prayer.
Let us speak of both these.
[1.] It accepts Christ. When men slight the offers of Christ which God maketh to them, they dishonour him exceedingly ; it is a con- tempt cast upon the Son of God, as if he were not worth the taking : Acts iv. 11, ' This is the stone whicli was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.' God made him a glorious foundation of hope and comfort, and you pass him by as nothing
Ver. 10.] SERMONS UPON JOHN xvn, 263
worth ; it is a high scorn put upon the choice of God, and the excel- lency of Christ. You look upon him as rubbish, not worth the re- garding, and God sets him out as a precious stone : Mat. xxii. 5, ' But they made light of it, and went their ways ; one to his farm, another to his merchandise,' d/jb€X'>]aavTe<i ; they would not take it into their care and thoughts. A careless disregard of the offers of the gospel offendeth God exceedingly ; you slight the wisdom of the Father and the love of Christ. God employed all his wisdom in the contrivance of grace ; the gospel is the masterpiece of heaven. The Father dis- covereth the riches of his wisdom, and Christ paying a ransom, obeying and dying, discovered the riches of his love and grace ; and when this is offered to you, you will not take it into your care and thoughts ; it is the greatest dishonour you can cast upon him. But now, ' To them that believe, Christ is precious,' 1 Peter ii. 7. rt/z-r; ; they can see nothing so worthy their study, and time, and care, and thoughts. This is the sum of their desires, that they may take Christ as God offereth him ; all other things are but aKvj3aXa, dung and dog's- meat in comparison of the excellency of him, ' that I may be found in him,' Phil. iii. 9, By this esteem and care Christ is exceedingly glori- fied.
[2.] It presents Christ. In all our endeavours to God we must build our acceptance on the merits of Christ : John xiv. 1, ' Ye believe in the Father, believe also in me.' There is a belief in God and a belief in Christ, in his merits. We should never go to God but we should take Christ along with us ; in all your addresses make use of him. Whenever you have to do with God, you must go to him in Christ ; and you must go to him with a confidence that you shall speed the better for his sake : Eph. iii. 12, 'In whom we have boldness, and access with confidence, by the faith of him.' A man may use some liberty and freedom with God when he hath Christ on his side, and offer up his prayers to God in the mediation of his beloved Son. Out of Christ we can see nothing but majesty armed with wrath and power ; but now, when you make use of Christ as a mediator, you may take hold of God with both hands ; justice and mercy are on your side, you have merits to urge as well as requests. But, alas ! how little do we glorify Christ in our addresses to God. We come with little hopes, with little confidence, our best is but guess and conjecture. Thus by faith should we glorify Christ. Low and base apprehensions that men have of Christ dishonour him.