132 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XXII.
and no other cause ; and therefore in whatever we dehberately purpose and resolve upon, the glory of God must have the casting voice : 2 Cor. i. 17, ' The things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh ? ' that is, am I swayed by carnal motives ? A christian should not lightly and rashly resolve upon any course, hut con- sider how it may conduce to the glory of God. Thirdly, Our actions civil and sacred, all the pots in Jerusalem, must have God's impress, Holiness to the Lord, as well as the utensils of the temple, Zech. xiv. 21. In a king's house there are many officers, but all to serve the king ; so in a christian's there are many duties, of several kinds, but all must have an aspect upon, and a tendency to, the glory of God ; I must mind it in the closet, mind it in the shop, mind it in the family. Fourthly ,For enjoyments : I must value them more or less, as they conduce to the glory of God. In every thing I must ask, What doth it ? Eccles. ii. 2. How doth it contribute to my great end ? The delight in an estate is not in the possession but use, for that hath a nearer connection with the glory of God ; the delight in an ordinance, as it givetli out more of God, enableth me more to honour him ; the delight in graces, as they incline me to God ; in Jesus Christ, as he bringeth me to him, and fits me for him. Now these things being so, I must rouse up both these, more to regard the glory of God, that it may influence and govern their actions. Consider these motives : —
1. God will have his glory upon you, if not from you, for he is resolved not to be a loser by the creation of man ; for, ' he made man for himself, and the wicked for the day of evil,' Prov. xvi. 4 ; and Levit. X. 3, ' And before all the people I will be glorified.' God will have his glory, that is certain ; he will have the glory of his justice in the day of wrath and evil, if not the glory of his grace and holiness in the day of his patience and mercy : therefore he will be glorified by 3'ou, or upon you. Some give him glory in an active, some in a passive way ; if he have not the glory due to his command, he will right himself in the course of his providence. How sad that will be, judge you. For then we shall serve for no other use, but to set forth the glory of his vindictive justice,
2. He taketh notice of it, and is well pleased with it, when we glorify him here in the world. It is one of Christ's pleas for his dis- ciples, John xvii. 10, ' Father, I am glorified in them.' He is an advocate in heaven for those who are factors for his kingdom here upon earth ; which is a comfort to all those who sincerely set them- selves to promote the glory of God, and the good of the church. The more our endeavours are to glorify God and Christ, the more confident we may be of Christ's mediation, that he is negotiating our cause in heaven.
3. We shall be called to an account, what we have done with our time and talents, and interests, and opportunities : Luke xix. 23, he will ' require his own with usury ; ' what honour he hath by our gifts and graces, estate or esteem, relations and services ; how glorified, as magis- trates, ministers, parents, masters, husbands, wives, children, servants. Beasts are liable to no account, because they have no reason and con- science ; they are ruled by a rod of iron, to glorify God in their kind passively. We are left to our own choice ; therefore we should mind
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. 133
it seriously. If you do not ask yourselves why you came into the world, what will you answer at your appearance before God's tribunal ? Job xxxi. 10, ' When he shall rise up, what shall I answer him ? ' I beseech you consider what you will say, when the master returneth, and taketh an account of your dispensation ; you were sent into the world for this business, to serve the Lord. What will you say, when you cannot shift and lie ? Will this be an answer, I spent my time in serving my own lusts ; I was drowned in worldly cares, never thought of pleasing God, or glorifying God ? As if an ambassador that is sent abroad to serve his king and country should only return this account of his negotiation — I was busied in courtships, and cards and dice, and could not mind the employment you sent me about. Or as if a factor that is sent to a mart or fair, should stay guzzling in an inn, or ale-house, and there spend all his money, which was to be em- ployed in traffic. Oh, what a dreadful account will poor souls make, that have spent their time either in doing nothing, or nothing to purpose, or that which is worse than nothing, that will undo them for ever !