* Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord.' So when the wicked in the sight of the godly are driven into their torments, they have a greater apprehension of their Redeemer's mercy.
Use 1. To press us to believe these things. Most men's faith about the eternal recompenses is but pretended ; at best too cold, and a speculative opinion rather than a sound belief, as appeareth by the little fruit and effect that it hath upon us ; for if we had such a sight of them as we have of other things, we should be other manner of persons than we are, in ' all holy conversation and godliness.' We see how cautious man is in tasting meat in which he doth suspect harm, that it will breed in him the pain and torments of the stone and gout or
VeR. 10.] SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. 89
colic ; I say, though it be but probable the things will do us any hurt. We know certainly that the wages of sin is death, yet we will be tast- ing forbidden fruit. If a man did but suspect a house were falling, he would not stay in it an hour ; we know for certain tiiat continuance in a carnal state will be our eternal ruin ; yet who doth flee from wrath to oome .'' If we have but a little hope of gain we will take pains to obtain it. We know that 'our labour is not in vain in the Lord.' Why do we not abound in his work ? 1 Cor. xv. 58. Surely we would do more to prevent this misery, to obtain this happiness, when we may do it upon such easy terms, and have so fair an opportunity in our hands ; if we were not so strangely stupified, we would not go to hell to save ourselves a labour. There are two things which are very wondrous ; that any man should reject the christian faith, or that having embraced it, should live sinfully and carelessly.
Use 2. Seriously consider of these things. The scripture everywhere calleth for consideration.
Think of this double motive, that every man must be judged to ever- lasting joy or everlasting torment. These things are propounded afore- hand for our benefit, and instruction ; we are guarded on both sides ; we have the bridle of fear and the spur of hope. If God had only terrified us from sin, by mentioning inexpressible pains and horrors, we might be frighted and stand at a distance from it ; but when we have such encouragements to good, and God propoundeth such unspeakable joys, this should quicken our diligence. If he had only promised heaven, and threatened no hell, wicked men would count it no great matter to lose heaven, provided that they might be annihilated ; but when there- is both, and both for ever, shall we be cold and dead ? We are undone for ever if wicked, blessed for ever if godly ; let us hold the edge of this truth to our hearts ; what should we not do that we may be ever- lastingly blessed, and avoid everlasting misery ? It is no matter what we sutler in time, and endure in time.
Use 3. Improve it, first, to seek a reconciliation with God in the way of faith and repentance. A man that is under the sentence of death, and in danger to be executed every moment, would not be quiet till he get a pardon. All men by nature are children of wrath, as a son of death is one condemned to die ; so it is an Hebraism. Now ' run for refuge, to take hold of the hope that is set before you,' Heb. vi. 18 ; ' Make peace upon earth,' Luke ii. 14 ; * Agree with thine adversary quickly, while he is in the way,' Luke xii. 58, 59; 'Now God calleth to repentance,' Acts xvii. 30, 31 ; ' Oh, labour to be found of him in peace,' 2 Peter iii. 14. How can a man be at rest till his great work be over ?
Improve it to holiness and watchfulness, and to bridle licentiousness and boldness in sinning : Eccl. xi. 9, ' Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thine heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth ; walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes, but know thou, for all these things God will bring thee to judgment,' as cold water cast into a boiling pot stops its fury ; 1 Peter i. 17, ' And if ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth every man, according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.' Say as the town-clerk of Ephesus : Acts ix. 40, ' We are in danger to
90 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [Ser. XVIII.
be called in question for this day's uproar.' I must give an account for idle words, careless praying, and unprofitable mis-spending of time. / _
3. Improve it to patience under ignominy and reproaches. Thy innocency will appear on thy trial ; if in an abject condition, the upright shall have dominion in the morning ; afflictions and persecutions will then end, and thou shalt have thy reward : 1 Thes. i. 6, 7, ' And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Ghost, so that ye were examples of all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia ; ' and, 1 Cor. xv. 58, 'Wherefore, my beloved, be stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.'