[3.] We need press this sound belief of the world to come ; because whatever men pretend, eternal life is little believed in the world. The
444 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SbR. Ill,
most part of those men wlio live in the common light of Christianity are purblind, and cannot see afar off, or look be^'ond the grave. God's own children have too cold and doubtful thoughts of this estate, not such a lively, clear, and firm persuasion of things to come, but that it needeth to be increased more and more. The apostle prayeth for the converted Ephesians, ' that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and reve- lation, in the knowledge of him ; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,' &c., Eph. i. 17, 18. That is, more clearly see, and more firmly believe, those good things which they should enjoy in heaven. Alas ! we are so taken up with trifles and childish toys that our faith is very weak about these excellent blessings.
The evidences that it is little believed are these : — [1.] Because we are far more swayed with the promises of small temporal advantages than we are with the promise of eternal life. The blessings we expect in the other world are far more excellent, and more glorious in their nature and certain in their duration, yet they have less influence upon us than poor, paltry, perishing vanities. What should be the reason ? I answer, When a thing of less weight weigheth down a greater, we judge then the balances are not equal. The soul doubteth of things to come, but readily closeth with things present. Who would prefer a cottage before a palace ? a lease for a year before an inheritance ? There is no comparison between the things themselves, but we are not equally persuaded of things to come, and things in hand, and of a present enjoyment. Cyprian bringeth in the devil vaunting against Christ. Ostende tuos tales munerarios, 0 CJmnte, &c. — ' I had not heaven to bestow upon them, nor eternal happiness to propound to them, only a little carnal satis- faction in the pleasures of sin, that are but for a season : yet among all thy pensioners, 0 Christ, show me one that is so ready to follow thee as they are to follow me.' If we had faith as Moses had, v/e would ' choose i-ather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,' Heb. xi. 2.5. But alas ! those that believe as christians live as heathens, a little profit and a little pleasure in the world is enough to sway with them to run the hazard and forfeiture of all their hopes in the world to come.
[2.] Surely men do not believe heaven, because they are so little affected with it. Affections follow persuasion : Heb. xi. 13, ' Being persuaded of them, embraced them.' We would find more consider- able stirrings of joy and thankfulness when we hear of these promises, or read of them, or think of them. If a poor man did understand of some great inheritance bequeathed to him, he would often think of it, rejoice therein, long to go and see it, and take pos.session of it. There is a promise of eternal life left with us in the gospel, of being heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ ; who putteth in for a share, thinketh of it, rejoiceth in the hopes of it, longeth for it, is earnestly stirred up to put in his claim.
[3.] Because we do so little labour after it. Negligence is the fruit of unbelief. That is evident. Because when the Holy Ghost would cure our neglects, it doth not so much discourse of the worthiness of
VeR. 1.] SERMONS DFON 2 CORINTHIANS V. 445
our hopes as of the certainty of them, Heb. ii. 3, 4. And when it would provoke us to dihgence, it thiuketh it is enough to say the gospel is no fable, 2 Peter i. 5-10, with the 16th. There is the argument. For out- ward advantages, be they certain or uncertain, men will endure great pains. For certain : a man toileth hard all day for a small piece of money, for a shilling or so ; do we seek heaven with a like earnestness, do we serve Grod instantly day and night that we may come to the blessed hope ? Certainly if we were more persuaded of it we would think all pains too little, nothing more than needeth. Nay, for uncer- tain gains, as merchants, how many hazards do they run, to increase their substance by traffic ? We are not uncertain, as we pretend, why do not we more abound in the work of the Lord ? Why do not we seek heaven in the first place ?
[4.] Because we are contented with so slight assurance as to our title and interest. In matters of weight men would be upon sure terms, and labour to bind the bargain as strong as they can by earnest, by covenants, by witnesses. Do we labour to make all so sure and clear as to heavenly things, to get the earnest of the Spirit, to have certain evidences to show? 2 Peter i. 10; Heb. iv. 1, ' Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.' We should put it out of all question, as not come short, so not seem to come short, or give any api^earance of coming short. Alas ! any fond presumption or slight hope serveth the turn, or we leave things at six and seven, at a mere hazard. If our belief were more strong, this could not be.