^ Qu. ' KOI.VOVS ' ? — Ed. VOL. X. 2 A
370 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR, XXII,
I shall say no more, but that it is a doctrine fit for a worldly age. The disciples had such a dream, and Christ cureth it by those threaten- ings, Mat. xxiv. But because that was not a sufficient cure, but after Christ's resurrection they ask, Acts i. 6, ' Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom unto Israel ? ' therefore there were many persecu- tions in the primitive times. If ever God should send a scourge, men would complain of their affecting worldly greatness, and aspiring to raise their families.
Secondly, When sufferings come, do not think them strange : 1 John iii. 13, ' ]\Iarvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.' AVonder is for things unusual. We do not wonder at the darkness of the night, as we do at the darkness of an eclipse. Therefore if any thing were a marvel, this were, that ever it should be otherwise, that you ever see the church of God to have any ease and peace. We may stand wondering at the bounty of God, that we have so much peace as we have. The church must have a time of learning and training up, and must be in the school of afilictions and persecutions : 1 Peter iv. 12, 13, ' Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings.' Alas ! why should it now seem strange ? Christ had foretold it, the constant experience of the church ratifies it. The disposition of the world is the same ; Satan never did, nor ever will turn christian ; and the world will never leave its old wont. Why should we wonder at these things ? When ministers are put to hardships, it may be their revenues straitened, scanted, why should we think it strange ? The apostles had not so much. Paul was put to a hard shift for his living, to make tents. Obadiah fed the prophets, by fifty and fifty in a cave, with bread and water. Your means are short and straitened by the malice of men, the apostles had no standing revenues, and were put to hard shifts for a livelihood. Therefore do not think it strange ; it is the bounty of God that it is no worse.
Use 2. Of caution.
1. Before you choose any way, do not judge of things by the world's hatred or applause. Why ? ' I have given them thy word, therefore the world hateth them.' A philosopher could say, Nunquam tam hene agitur cum rebus humcmis, ut meliora 2^lciceant ijluribiis — It was never so well with the world that the best things could please the most ; therefore the world may appear against the ways of God. Be not swayed by their opinion in taking up the course of thy profession.
2. If thou art convinced, do not defer profession till the times are more quiet. This is the deceit of men's hearts. Alas ! when will the ways of God be exempted from persecution ? You may expect it a long time. Will Satan ever be at an agreement with God ? Do you ever think to hear of a Jesus without a cross ? As the husbandman stands expecting till the river be drawn dry, and still it runs with a constant stream, so you may expect till the times be more quiet, and the ways of God exempted from trouble ; but the children of God must constantly expect trouble in the world. The devil hath a potent and powerful faction in the world.
3. If thou dost profess the ways of God, take heed of giving Christ
VeR. 14.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 371
a short allowance ; but first sit down and count the charges ; come what will come, here I will stick : Luke xiv. 26, 27, ' If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother, and wife and children, and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my dis- ciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it ? ' &c. Thus should you resolve upon sufficient evidence and demonstration. When a man hath set apart such a sum of money for building, he spends willingly and freely while that lasts ; but after that is gone, every penny goes from him with grudging. So sit down and count the charges, and give Christ a large allowance.
4. If thou dost profess, do not allay the world's hatred by any carnal means, by abating one jot of your zeal, or by any fond compliance ; for honour or dishonour, for esteem or disesteem, put it into the hands of God : Prov. xvi, 7, ' When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him ; ' as he made Jacob find favour with Esau, the three children in Babylon in the eyes of the prince. God hath the key of every man's heart and respect ; we must not break open the door by carnal compliance. God hath a golden key, and he can open it ; you must not force conscience, that your interest may be favoured.