414 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. XXVI,
with God ; there must he an eschewins: what God forhiddeth, and a jiractising what God commandeth. Tims are we ohliged from our approver, our principles, our encouragements, our rule.
Use. Let it press us not to rest in abstaining from sin. Men are not vicious, but they are not sanctified. The pharisees' rehgion ran upon negatives.
1. Both are ahke contrary to the new nature.
2. Both are alike disserviceable to the work of grace.
3. Both are hated by God.
1, Both are contrary to the new nature ; it hateth evil and loveth good. There is a putting off and a putting on : Eph. iv. 22, ' That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts ; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.' It is indeed a question where the trial of a christian lieth most sensibly, in mortification or vivification ? in a hatred of sin or in the practice of duty ? It may be alleged that our nature doth more easily close with precepts than prohibitions. We are many times content to do much ; if the law require this or that, we yield and consent to it ; but to be limited and debarred of our delights, this is most distasteful. Men that love sin cannot endure restraints : Oh ! that there were no bonds ! And therefore, to meet with man's corruption, the decalogue consists more of prohibitions than precepts ; the fourth and fifth com- mandments are only positive. But then, on the other side, it may be alleged that many that live a civil life, and do no man wrong, have no care of communion with God, and that sins trouble the conscience more than want of grace. Natural conscience doth not use to smite for spiritual defects. Sins work an actual distemper and disturbance to reason. It is the new nature that maketh conscience of duties, and of obeying God's precepts, therefore the new nature is here most tried; but yet both must be regarded.
2. Both are alike disserviceable to the work of grace. It is another question whether we are more hardened by sins of omission or by sins of commission ? For sins of commission, it may be alleged that they stun the conscience, like a great blow on the head, and cast grace into a swoon. David's adultery put all out of order : 2 Sam. xii. 14, ' How- beit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child which is born of thee shall surely die.' He lay in a spiritual swoon till the child was born. But then on the other side, neglect of duty depriveth us of the influences of grace, and hardens us insensibly. An instrument, though never so well in tune, yet if you let it alone, it will soon be out of order, worse than if a ntring were broken. After some great and sudden fall into sin, there may be a recovery, as in David's case, but it is hard to recover out of long neglects ; therefore sins of omission are more dangerous than sins of commissi'on. And if your communion with God be not constant, the heart contracts rust. A key that is seldom turned is rusted in the lock; by neglect and omission of God and duties the heart is wonderfully hardened and estranged from God. Gifts and graces languish and perish in idleness : 2 John 8, ' Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought.'
YeR. 17.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 415
Standing pools are apt to putrify ; and sins increase as well as unfitness for duties, the motions of the Spirit are quenched.
3. Both are odious to God. It is a question whether God hateth most the careless sluggish person or the outwardly vicious. A barren tree cumbereth the ground, and is rooted out, as well as the bramble. It is not enough that a servant do his master no hurt, but he must do his work, A husbandman is not contented that his land does not bear him briars and thorns, but it must yield him good grain. It is not enough to say, I am no swearer, no drunkard. What communion have you with God ? What motions and feelings of the power of holiness ? Want of grace depriveth a man of happiness. As you Avould not be damned in hell, so you should get evidences for heaven. Negative righteousness in abstinence from sin the brutes and inani- mate creatures have ; it is improper and lame. Omission of good duties is a more general means of destruction than commission of evil ; but then commission of evil is ever accompanied with omission of good, but omission of good is not always accompanied with commis- sion of evil. He that doth evil dishonoureth God more, but he that omitteth good disadvantageth himself more. Sin is more odious than want of grace in itself ; yet want of grace, considering our advantages, may provoke God as much as commission of sin.
Secondly, To whom he prays : * Holy Father, sanctify them.' Observe, it is God must sanctify us ; we cannot ourselves, and means will not without God.