3. We may leave a testimony in the consciences of others, if we keep up the majesty of our conversations; for such is the excellency and honour
106 SEKMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XIX.
of religion and godliness, that when it shineth in its strength it dazzleth the eyes of beholders, even of wicked men, and maketh them wonder at it, and stand in awe of it. And where it is evident and eminent it will do so indeed ; where christians are christians in a riddle, and show forth more of the flesh than of the spirit, there is no such thing ; but where religion is in life and vigour it will discover itself : as John's sanctity extorted reverence and regard from Herod, Mark vi. 20, ' Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and strict man.' Holiness is the image of God, and so far commendeth its reverence and esteem ; as the image of God in Adam was a terror to the beasts, and when nothing but the natural image was left, Gen. ix. 2, ' The fear and dread of you shall be upon every beast of the field ; ' so much more the spiritual image of God. Ahab stood in fear of Elijah. Certainly a godly life is convincing, and darts awe into the conscience. It is convincing either potentially or actually. Potentially, such as is apt to convince, and of its own nature tendeth thereunto, as Christ saith, John vii. 7, ' The world hateth me because I testify of it, that their works were evil.' Not only by reproofs, but conversation; the world would not acknowledge it, but they felt it ; so those that bear witness against the evil courses of the world, either by the holi- ness of their doctrine or innocency of life, do convince others ; they have a testimony in their consciences, though they will not acknow- ledge it. Or actually, which doth so convince, that it draweth out an acknowledgment. The former may be without the latter, as the sun is apt to enlighten, but it cannot make a blind man, or one that winketh hard, see. But, however, christians should live convincing lives, as pure streams run, though none drink of them. They may convert others, for conversion is facilitated by good conversation; yet religion is honoured by the testimony in their consciences, though they will not acknowledge it, at least it will be a testimony at the day of judgment against impenitent sinners.
Thirdly, All these we should look after — the approbation of God, the testimony of conscience, and a testimony in the consciences of others. In a moral consideration there are three beings — God, neigh- bour, self ; and therefore we should approve ourselves to God, and look after this threefold approbation.
1. The approbation of God must be chiefly sought after first. We cannot be sincere without it. For sincerity is a straight and right purpose to please God in all things ; and this should be our aim, to approve ourselves to God in all that we do, and therefore should do all things as in his eye and presence : Gen. xvii. 1, ' Walk before me, and be thou upright ; ' and Luke i. 75, ' In holiness and righteous- ness before him, all the days of our lives.' This is it which maketh men conscientious in all their actions, when they remember that they are now acting a part before the great God, who looketh on, either to reward or punish ; it checketh sin, though never so secret, and though it might be carried on with security enough from men ; yea when we may sin not only securely, but with advantage and profit : Gen. xxxix. 9, ' How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God ? ' So, Job xxxi. 4, ' Doth he not see my ways, and count all my steps ? ' therefore he durst not give way to any sin. So, Ps. xliv. 21,
Vers. 11. 12.] sermons upon 2 cordtthians v. 107
* Shall not God search this out, for he knoweth the secrets of the heart ? ' Secondly, it maketh us faithful in all our duties and services, when we strive to approve ourselves to God, and do all as in his presence, to the praise and glory of his name, and can appeal for our fidelity to no other judge but the great searcher of hearts, from whom we cannot be concealed. The apostle instanceth in two callings; one of the highest, and one of the meanest. One of the highest and of most importance to the other world, that of a minister : 2 Cor. iv. 2, 'Commending ourselves to every man's conscience, as in the sight of God ; ' and 1 Thes. ii. 4, ' So we preach the gospel, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.' A minister will never be faithful unless he first study to approve himself to God, and behaveth himself as in God's eye and presence, and one that is to give an account to God. So in the lowest, a christian servant, Eph. vi. 6, 7, ' Not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good-will doing service, as to the Lord, not to men.' So, Col, iii. 22, ' Not with eye- service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.' So, Titus ii. 10, ' Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.' A christian servant useth all diligence in his master's business, whether he be absent or present, and fidelity in all things committed to his trust, though he might be false with secrecy enough ; because he fears God, and would approve himself to him. Well, then, we must study to approve ourselves to God, and be alike in all places and companies, for all things are manifest to him.