4. Reason. It is necessary to have this prepartion of heart, that we may the better deny other things. Life is that which maketli us capable of all the contentments of the flesh and pleasures of the world, and maketh them valuable to us. Now this is a blow at the root, we are prepared for mortification ; when we can deny life itself, we can deny all the appendages of life. Therefore so much of Christianity being exercised in self-denial, our Lord would have us once for all bring ourselves to the highest point, that we may do other things the more easily. The apostle's bonds and afflictions did not move him, because he did not ' count his life dear to him,' Acts xx. 24. And certainly a man is never dead to the world, and the interests of the animal life, till he be dead to life itself, and is willing to part with it when God pleaseth.
5. This life must be quitted. Now God will have it quitted in obedience ; for things of mere necessity have no moral worth in them. Now it is a mighty help to die willingly and comfortably, when we can once lay life at Christ's feet.
Use. To inform us —
1. That Christianity wholly draweth us to another world; for life itself is one of the interests that must be hazarded for Christ's sake : 1 Cor. XV. 19, 'If in this life only we had hope, we were of all men mo.st miserable.' Christ would never proselytise us to a religion that should make us miserable. Now it would do so if our only happiness were in this life ; for it requireth us not only to deny the conveniences of life, but life itself.
2. Those that take God's word for the other world must expect to have the strength of their faith and love tried. All along this hath been God's way. God would not confirm Adam in innocency before he had let loose a trial upon him ; wherein he, failing, brought misery
388 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VUL [SeR. XL VI.
upon himself and his posterity. After the breach, the father of the faithful is tried: Geu. xxii. 1, with Heb. xi. 17, 'By faith Abraham, when he was tried.' And still God continueth the same course to all believers : James i. 12, ' Blessed is he that endureth temptations ; for when he is tried, he shall receive a crown of life.' In the primitive times their baptism was a presage of their slaughter.
3. Those that expect to be tried had need to be well prepared by a due knowledge of the cause, and foresight of, and resolution against, all known dangers.
[1.] By a due knowledge of their cause ; that it may be sure it can be said for God's sake. The cause is sometimes more clear and unquestionable, as when it is for a great essential point, and here our courage should be more clear ; for then there can be no doubt in the mind whether the cause be good or not, and then all the comforts of Christianity do fall upon the soul directly, and with great power and efficacy ; or else more dark, when it is for a particular truth or duty.
First, It may be for the pi'ofession of a particular truth, which we are to own in its season, for we must be established in 'the present truth,' 2 Peter i. 12. What is the present truth the godly-wise will soon discern. Whoever compiled the creed, yet the observation is in a great measure good, that the controversies that have happened in the church have succeeded according to the method and order of the articles therein contained. The controversy with the heathen was about the one only and true God ; with the Jews, and afterwards with the pseudo-christians, about Christ, his person, natures, offices, states ; then about the Holy Ghost, his personality and operations in converting the elect ; then about the church. Now, in all such con- troverted truths we must show the same zeal the faithful did in former ages. But to return ; though it be but for a particular truth, yet we must show our fidelity to Christ. For then we have an occasion to show that our hearts be true to God, and very sincere — when we are willing to suffer anything from man rather than renounce the smallest truths of God ; for though the matters for which we suffer be not great, yet sincerity is a great point ; and though profession thus be forborne, and of exceeding great moment to our ]ieace in some points, yet we 'can do nothing against the truth,' 2 Cor. i. 8. I am not bound always to profess in lesser things ; yet, if they will bind me against it, I am to endure all manner of displeasures rather than yield to the lusts and wills of men. Eating of swine's flesh was no great matter, but when they would compel them to it, in affront to God's institution, contempt of God is a great matter, Heb. xi. 25, 36, 37. I say the more of this, because men are apt to translate the scene of their duty to former times or foreign places, if to turn infidels and Turks; as the Jews, if they had lived in the prophets' days : Mat. xxiii. 30, ' If we had been in our fathers' days, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets,' How doth God try thee in thine own age ?