[2.] Ministers ; this is usually their portion ; few of the apostles and prophets came to a natural death. As their calling is eminent, so are their sufferings : James v, 10, ' Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have suffered in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffer- ing affliction, and of patience.' He doth not say. Take them for an example of holiness, but of suffering and patience. They were the wortliies of God, eminent for holiness, yet chiefly for sufferings. The prophets, that were God's own mouth, sheltered under the buckler of
VeR. li.] SERBIOI^S UPON JOHN XVII, 367
tlieir special commission, and the singular innocency and holiness of their lives, and yet they suffered ; what recompense did they receive for all their pains, but saws and swords and dungeons? Now the ministers of all ages are mustered and enrolled for the same war with the prophets and apostles ; we maintain the same cause, though with less vigour and strength, and we expect the same crown ; why should we grudge to drink of the same cup ? In these latter times, Grod hath reserved the ministry for all the contempt and scorn that villany and outrage can heap upon their persons. But why should we look for better entertainment ? You would think the world should hate false teachers ; surely they have most cause : but if they slight us, and neglect to provide for us, remember it is a wonder that they do not persecute us. But this falleth out partly by the malice of men, partly by the providence of God.
(1.) By the malice of men. To preach is to bait the world. Prce- dicare nihil aliud est qicam derivare in se furoi^em mundi. We are to cross carnal interests, to wrestle with vile affections, to pull the beast out of men's hearts ; and we are like to be bruised in the con- flict : 1 Cor. XV. 32, ' I have fought with beasts at Ephesus ; ' most probably the rude multitude, that were ready to tear him in pieces when he cried down the worship of Diana. Carnal interests are very touchy, worse than vile affections. The doctrine of the gospel cannot be preached in power, but it draweth hatred upon the person that preacheth it : John vii. 7, ' The world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because I testify of it that the works thereof are evil' We are to contest with public miscarriages ; interests and powers stir up the malice and rage of men ; sore eyes cannot endure the light, nor a guilty conscience the word : John iii. 20, ' For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, n'either cometh he to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.' The Ethiopians curse the sun: Kev. xi. 10, ' The two witnesses tormented them that dwell on the earth.' This drowsy world would fain take a nap and sleep, were it not for some bawling preach- ers. Proud, covetous, carnal men, men wedded to their interests, will hate us, if we preach in good earnest ; as a good thresher maketh the straw to fly about his ears. Nay, and errors are more touchy than sins ; a drunkard is more patient of conviction than a seducer. Errors take away the light of reason, and leave nothing but the pride of reason. A drunkard standeth upon lower ground ; his practices can- not endure the test of the light of nature ; but every erroneous person thinketh he standeth upon the upper ground, because of the height of his pride and the plausibleness of his notions.
(2.) By the providence of God. Preachers are like Gideon's lamps in earthen pitchers. Possibly the apostle may allude to it when he saith, ' We carry this treasure in earthen vessels,' 2 Cor. iv. 7. Now, as when the pitcher is dashed to pieces, the lamp breaketh out to the amazement of the adversaries, so the sufferings of ministers are a great confirmation to their doctrine.
Use 1. Advice to us — (1.) To prepare for sufferings; (2.) When they come, do not count it strange.
First, To prepare for sufferings. It wnll do us no hurt to be pre- pared for sufferings. It hath ever been the lot of God's people to be
3G8 ^SERMON'S UPON JOHN XVII. [SeK. XXII.
obnoxious to tlie workr« liatretl, and we oui'selves cannot look for any exem})tion. I shall lay down several probabilities, to show when God is about to bring trouble on tlio churcli.
1. Observe, that after God hath laid in many spiritual comforts, there comes a time to lay them out again ; and after great receipts, we are put upon great expenses. The disciples first enjoyed Christ's presence and ministry, and then were exposed to a dreadful persecution. John xi., Christ biddeth them 'make use of light, because darkness was coming upon them.' Never was the gospel powerfully preached but trials came : 1 Thes. i. 5, ' For our gospel came not unto you ia word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.' And it follows, ver. 6, ' Ye received the word with much affliction.' God will try how we can live upon the comforts of the gospel. Castles are first victualled, and then besieged: Heb. x. 32, ' After ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions.' The churches of Asia had horrible desolations after a powerful ministry. The Germans, after a sufficient promulgation of the gospel, suffered many sad years.