(4.) They are described by their fruitfulness in good works, and acts of self-denying obedience, Mat. xxv. 84, 35, &c. ; 1 Tim. vi. 18, 19, ' That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on etei'nal life;' 1 John iii. 19, 'Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.' Hereby? By what? If we love not in word and in tongue only, but in deed and in truth. Heaven is esteemed but a fancy to them, that men will venture nothing for the hopes of it. What have you done to show your thankful- ness for so great a mercy tendered to you? A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing ; I am sure it will yield you no comfort and hope ; good words are not dear, and a cold profession costs little or
438 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. II.
nothing. Do you think religion lieth only in hearing sermons, or a few cursory prayers or drowsy devotions? We should mind those things about which we shall be questioned at the day of judgment. Have you visited, have you clothed, owned the servants of God when the laws frown upon them — comforted them in their distresses? Wherein really have you denied yourselves for the hope of glory ?
[2.] The several dispositions and persuasions in point of certainty as to their interest in this state of blessedness. To some it is but a bare possibility. To others there is a probability. A third sort have gotten so far as conditional certainty. Others have an actual certainty, or firm persuasion of their interest.
(1.) To some the hope of heaven is but a bare possibility. As to the careless christian who is yet entangled in his lusts, but God con- tinueth to him the offer of salvation by Christ ; these may be saved if they will accept this offer. It is impossible in the state wherein they are, but their hearts may be changed by the Lord's grace : Mark x. 27, ' With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible.' He can make the filthy heart to become clean and holy, the sensual heart to become spiritual and heavenly. There are many bars in the way, but grace can break through and remove them. It is night with them for the present, but we cannot say it will never be day. The possibility removeth prejudices, aggravateth their evil choice : Jonah ii. 8, ' They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercies ; ' they are called their own because they might have been theirs. By following vain courses they deprive themselves of happiness which might have been theirs. It is their own by offer. God did not seclude or put them away, but they did seclude and put away themselves; 'Judge themselves unworthy of eternal life,' Acts xiii. 46. And it is an encouragement, when their consciences are touched with any remorse, salvation is yet possible. When there is but a slender possibility, yet use the means : Acts viii. 22, ' Kepent and pray,' &c. If perhaps, or if it be possible.
(2.) To others there is a probability, or a probable hope of eternal life. This is more than possible ; as when men begin to be serious, or in some measure to mind the things of God, but are conscious to some notorious defect in their duty, or have not such a soundness of heart as may warrant their claim to everlasting blessedness — almost a chris- tian, not far from the kingdom of God. As those that have the grace of the second or third ground, they receive the word with joy, but know not what trials may do ; they liave good sentiments of religion, but they are choked or obstructed by voluptuous living or the cares of this world. Now, some such things may befall weak believers ; they dare not quit their hopes of heaven for all the world, though not actually to claim it or say it is theirs. Now, probabilities must encourage us till we get a greater certainty, for we must not despise the day of small things ; this state must not be despised ; Christ will not despise smoking flax.
(.3.) A conditional certainty, which is more than probable, or possible; that is, when we set ourselves in good earnest to perform the condi- tions' required in the promises of the gospel, and upon the hopes offered to us, deny ourselves, sacrifice our interests, heartily exercise
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ourselves to godliness. Such a certainty is described Eom, ii. 7, and Kev. ii. 10. I am sure to find salvation and eternal life if I continue in this way, and, by the grace of God, I am resolved to continue. Much of the life of Christianity lieth in this kind of certainty. I do not doubt of the rewards of godliness, ex parte Dei ; no, I know that the rewards of godliness are sure and steadfast by his promise; to doubt of that would detract from the truth, goodness, and power of God. But ex parte nostri, my own qualification is not so positive and clear that I can determine my own riglit, but I have support and some comfort in this way. This conditional hope and certainty is absolutely necessary to all acts of grace.