2. Why God permitteth them to be in the world ; he might have taken them to himself, and glorify them as soon as sanctify them, or else have gathered them into some island, some obscure angle and corner of the world, out of harm's way. But I answer — That doth not suit with God's dispensations : John xvii. 15, ' I pray not that thou wouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil' The Lord hatli some ends to be accomplished. He can at first conversion make us perfect and glorified saints; it is his wisdom to take a time ; as Absalom was not to see the king's face presently, so we must wait our time.
[1.] For his own glory. The sweetness and power of grace is more discovered in this worldly estate. It is more wonder to maintain a candle in a bucket of water than in a lanthorn, or a spark in the midst of the sea : ' God's power is made perfect in weakness,' 2 Cor. xii. 9 ; that is, it is more gloriously discovered. Excellent things suffer a kind of imperfection till there be an occasion to discover them ; therefore the apostle would glory in infirmities, as they occasioned a greater exercise of the divine grace. In this worldly estate, grace is discovered not only l)y its operation, but l)y conquest and victory ; not only as it worketh, but as it fighteth : 1 John iv. 4, 5, ' Ye are of God, little children, and liave overcome them, because greater is he that is in you than ho that is in the world : they are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.' There is a spirit that worketh in the saints, and a si)irit that worketh in the world ; these two are conflicting; the W'Orld is the lists and place of battle, but Satan is
VeR. 11.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 2S5
beaten in his own territory : ' Stronger is lie that is in you than he that is in the workl.' The saints may be molested, but not overcome. Still God hath his elect, and Christ his members, though Satan hath so many factors and agents for his kingdom. Look, as Israel was sent into Egypt that God's power might be made known — * For this cause have I raised thee uj), for to show in thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth,' saith God to Pharaoli, Exod. ix. 16 — so we are in the world that his power may be known. We had missed many wonderful passages of providence if Israel had not been in Egypt. God will have us take many experiences of the sweetness and power of grace along with us to heaven. As travellers at night talk of the foul way and the dangers of the journey, so in heaven we shall discourse of the praises of our Kedeemer, and his wise and powerful conduct. God would have us take these frequent experi- ences of grace along with us.
[2.] To try us. Were it not for the worldly state, there would be no place for temptation, nor room for the exercise of grace. He will not glorify us as soon as convert us ; neither can we expect to go sing- ing to heaven, and without blows : Heb, vi. 12, ' Be ye followers of them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.' Never any went to heaven, but there was a time to exercise both his faith and patience ; we are to run and fight, this is common to all the saints. In the way to heaven many things will befall us, that will make it seem unlikely that we shall ever come thither ; so we have need of faith ; and troulDles must have their turn ere heaven be possessed, so we have need of patience. Why should we look for a peculiar privilege ? 1 Peter v. 9, * The same afflictions are accom- plished in your brethren that are in the world.' All the saints are troubled with a busy devil, a naughty Avorld, and a corrupt heart. Name but one saint of God that hath been excused, that went to heaven without trials and temptations. That quiet estate which you dream of is without precedent. The cross is the badge of this society ; as Elijah said, ' Am I better than my fathers ?' You are not better than all the saints, than your other brethren that are in the world. You should be ashamed to be alone, and never called out to exercise. There is a measure of sufferings ajipointed, and every member must take his share. It is distributed by a wise hand, so much for the head, so much for the shoulders, so much for hands and feet : Col. i. 24, ' Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh.' Would we only be irregular, and refuse to take our burden ? Briefly, there would be no temptation, no trial, were it not for the worldly estate, but here we must look for it. The skill of a mariner is known in a storm, and so is our fortitude and other graces tried and discovered. I have read in the lives of the fathers of a devout man that being one year without any trial, cried out, Domine, Teliquisti me, quia non me visitastl hoc anno — Lord ! thou hast forgotten me, and for a whole year hast not put me upon any exercise. Those whom God will make most perfect, he putteth them upon the greatest trials. Abraham had never been represented as the tather of the faithful if he had not been exercised so much, with so many hazards and temptations.