2. Else we cannot comfortably enjoy communion with God for the present. How can we come before him, if we know not whether he will accept an offering at our hands? They who, being in a state of faith and reconciliation, make it their endeavour to please God, have God ever with them : John viii. 24, ' He that sent me is with me. The Father hath not left me alone, for I do always the things that please him.' They that would have the comfort of God's presence and company in all conditions, they ought to set themselves to please God, and observe his will in all things ; and when we have any special business to do with God : 1 John iii. 22, ' And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.' So that while we are present, we are accepted of him.
3. We cannot have a cheerful fruition of the creature and worldly enjoyments till God accepteth us ; Eccles. ix. 7, ' Eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God accepteth thy works.' Till we are in a reconciled estate, accepted by God, all our comforts are but as stolen waters, and bread eaten in secret, like Damocles' banquet, while a sharp sword hung over his head by a slender thread. But now when our persons and ways are pleasing unto God, then all these comforts are sweet and satisfactory ; we taste God's love in them, and can use them as his blessings, with cheerfulness and thankfulness.
4. That which maketh us more lively and active in our course of pleasing God is (1.) The future judgment; (2.) The hope of our presence with him.
[1.] The future judgment. That I gather from ver. 10, Tor we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ.' There will certainly come a day when every person that ever lived in this world shall be judged by God, and this day is sure and near. In this life we are always expecting an end, and carried in a boat that is swiftly wafting us towards eternity. Now whom should we please, and with whom should we seek to be accepted ? A vain world, or frail man, or the God to whom we must strictly give an account ? vSurely this universal, impartial judgment bindeth us to carry it so that we may be accepted with God.
[2.] The hope of our presence with him, and the beatifical vision and fruition of him ; for in the context he speaketh of presence and sight, and then he saith, ' Wherefore we labour.' We are so sluggish and back^vard, because we seldom think of the world to come ; earthly things are the great poise to an earthly mind, but heavenly things to a heart that is spiritual ; that is their motive. There are many such wherefores in the scripture : 1 Cor. xv. 58, ' Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let us be steadfast and unmovable. always abounding in the work of the Lord ; ' and Heb. xii. 28, ' Wherefore we, receiving a
42 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XII.
kingdom wliicli cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.' There being siicli an eminent and excellent state of glory, and we being candidates and suitors for it, how should it quicken us to use all diligence, that we may be accepted of Grod, and admitted into the fruition of it. The apostle telleth us, Phil. iii. 1-i, ' I press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' Paul had his eye still upon the mark, that he might steer his whole course in order to it ; the thoughts of the prize, and worth of the reward, made him press forward through difficulties and discouragements. Tiie more we have this glory in our thoughts, the more shall we be heartened against faintings and failings, which we shall ever and anon be tempted unto. Secondly, Some reasons of tlie point.
1. We were made and sent into the world for this end, that by a constant course of obedience we miglit approve ourselves to God, and finally be accepted of with him, and received into his glory. It is good to consider tlie end why we were born and sent into the world : John xviii. 37, ' To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the workb that I should bear witness unto the truth.' Surely man was made for some end, for tlie wise God would make nothing in vain. Now what is man's end ? Not to fill up the number of things, as stones ; and not to wax bulky, and increase in growth and stature, as trees ; not to eat and drink, and serve appetite, as the beasts ; not for the earth ; the end is more noble than the means ; not dig for iron with mattocks of gold. The earth was made for us to be our habita- tion for a while, not we for it. Surely God made all things for himself: Prov. xvi. 4 ; and Rom. xi. 36, * For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things ; ' so we especially, who have the faculties of heart and mind to know him, and love him, and serve him, and enjoy him for ever. Now we seek after him, our whole life is a coming to God. We have not enough of God here to satisfy the soul, only enough to direct and incline us to seek more ; and every one that seriously mindeth his end, maketh it his trade and daily work : John vi. 38, ' I came from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.'