Vol XL 2
354 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VL [SeR. XXII.
1. Because of the present fruit, sanctification or holiness, which daily increasing in them, breedeth comfort and confidence, and will never be matter of shame to them.
2. Because of the final issue ; eternal life is the consummation of it. The matter doth not rest in sanctification, but looketh further ; at last they obtain everlasting happiness, the hope of which breedeth joy and comfort in us.
Well, then, it rests upon me to prove two things : that this life is the most amiable life, because of the pleasure and honour that doth accompany it : the pleasure, because of the end ; the honour, because of the work.
First, The pleasure of a life spent in God's service. Man is ever inviting himself to some delight, and so far nature and grace are agreed ; but the difi'erence is, where true pleasure of mind is to be found. Man in his natural estate consults with flesh and blood, for then the beast rideth the man, and he careth for the body more than the soul, and nothing is sweet and pleasant but what gratifieth sensual appetite ; but this soon bringeth slavery upon us ; for it was our old bondage and servitude to prefer appetite before reason and conscience : Tit. iii. 3, ' We were sometimes disobedient, serving divers lusts and pleasures.' These delights corrupt the mind, and make it an incom- petent judge of what is true and sincere pleasantness to such a creature as man is, who hath a conscience, and is capable of an immortal estate, and to give an account of his actions to the God that made him. And besides, they pervert the heart, and dull our desires and endeavours towards better things, and breed such a peace as is not the quiet and repose of the soul in God, but a numbness and deadness of conscience as may be called carnal security, rather than a true and solid peace. But by grace we are invited to more chaste and rational delights, such as ennoble the soul, and raise it to God ; whose matter is not base and dreggy, but heavenly and spiritual, and cannot ensnare nature by any excess, but perfect it : so that a man shall live as a man, not as a beast, and have a solid peace, and durable comfort and confidence, that will not fail him in any condition ; and this pleasure we can only have by having our fruit unto holiness.
I prove it thus : —
1. It is pleasant to do good ; there is a pleasure and a peace that resulteth from the very rectitude of our actions : Ps. cxix. 165, ' Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.' Our will is conformed to the law and will of God. Now the compli- ance of our will with the will of God carrieth a quieting pleasure with it, for then it agreeth with its proper rule and measure ; all is right as it should be. Our subjection to God is to the soul as health to the body ; when all the humours and members of the body keep their due proportion, temper, and place, according to the intention of nature, a man findeth himself at ease both in his work and in his rest, and as to his body, he enjoy eth himself with full contentment of mind. It is so as to his soul, when sense and appetite is subordinated to reason, and reason guided by the will of God ; all is in its proper place, and there must needs be a serenity and contentment of mind.
2. God owneth him theit liveth in his service \ for those that love
VeR. 22.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 355
him, and keep his commandments, he will love them, and manifest himself to then, John xiv. 21, 23. Two ways doth God own them, —
1.] He will forgive their sins.
"2.] Assure them of his love.
l.J He will forgive their sins. How can any man be truly cheerful, till his sins be forgiven ? If conscience be but a little awakened, in the midst of all his mirth he would see a sharp sword hanging over his head by a slender thread, and ready to drop upon him every moment, and that all his jollity is but like dancing about the bottomless pit, into which ever and anon he is ready to tumble. Nay, let him stifle conscience as much as he can, he can never totally get the victory of it, but he hath his qualms and pangs and hidden fears, and stinging remorse of conscience, which, though not always felt, are soon awakened. So that, if you could dig a carnal man to the bottom, you will find that he is never truly and sincerely merry. Suppose none of this ever felt, yet you must grant that there cannot be a man who ever recollects his ways or life, and hath any serious consideration why he came into the world, or where he shall be when he goes out of it but this trouble is revived, and will haunt him, and sour his contentments, and put a damp upon all his mirth. But now he that hath sued out his pardon, and being made free from sin, is become a servant unto Grod, and so hath his fruit to holiness ; he hath true and solid cause of rejoicing, for God owneth him as one that is pardoned and adopted into his family, and admitted into fellowship with him : 1 John i. 7, ' If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.' His great care is over ; his wounds are healed ; he hath got rid of his great sore and burden, which made his soul sit uneasy with him : Mat. ix. 2, * Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.' When the guilt of sin ia taken away, the root of all trouble is taken away.