2. It gives strength and support to all the graces of the spiritual life. The great design of religion is to bring us to a neglect of present happiness, and to make the soul to look after a felicity yet to come ; and the great instrument of religion, by which it promoteth this design, is faith, which is as the scaftold and ladder to the spiritual building. It is useful to all the other graces, whether they be doing or suftering graces. AVe are assaulted on every side, both ' on the right hand and on the left,' as the apostle saith, 2 Cor. vi. 7 ; on the one side by the pleasures of the flesh, on the other side by the frowns of the world ; and therefore the armour of righteousness must be fitted on both sides, that we may be strengthened on the right hand against the pleasures, profits, and honours of the world, and on the left hand against troubles, disgraces, and bitter persecutions. If we would stand our ground, and be faithful in the business of our heavenly calling, we must look for these two things, to do for God, and to suffer for God ; for these two ways a christian approves himself to God ; by suffering we declare our loyalty, by doing we perform our homage.
Ques. Indeed it is a pretty question, In which of these we manifest most love to God, either mortifying our lusts, ©r renouncing our interests— to which the chiefest crown of honour is due .'' whether to
334 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. II.
be set upon the head of the suffering faith, or the active or doino" faith ?
Sol. It may be pleaded on the one side, that in holiness, or the active part of duty, we only give away our ill-being for Christ by crucifying our lusts, which are enemies to our peace as well as to the crown of heaven ; but by suffering, we lose being and well-being, our lives and livelihood, and all for Christ ; therefore it seems there should be more love in that. But on the other side, it may be pleaded thus, that there are many that suffer for Christ, who sacrifice a stout body to a stubborn mind ; and because they are engaged they will suffer, yet are not able to quit a lust for him. And it may be pleaded, the victory is less over outAvard inconveniences, than inward lusts which are rooted in our nature, and so more hard to be overcome ; and the enduring trouble and hardship is more easy than subduing of sin, and that it is the sharpest martyrdom a man can endure to tame his flesh, majns in, castitate vivere, qicam j^ro cast Hate inori — it is a harder thingTto be a holy person than to be a martyr. Thus you see each part indeed hath its difficulties, which I have mentioned ; partly to satisfy them that are not called to suffer, yet thou hast employment enough by faith to mortify thy lusts, and indeed there is the harder work ; it is more easy to withstand an enemy than a temptation. When we conflict with an enemy, we do but conflict with an arm of flesh and blood ; but when the apostle speaks of the inward warfare, he saith, Ephes. vi. 12, ' We fight not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers.' And partly to show, that there are inconveniences on both hands, and a great deal of difficulty, and there is need of all the strength that possibly we can have, both for doing and suffering. We need faith on either side, that we might be holy and willing to do for God ; and that we may be courageous and willing to die for God.
But why should I debate this difference ? Let me compound it rather ; holiness and suftering must both go together, for no one can suffer for Christ, but they whose hearts are drawn forth to love him above all things. The priests under the law were to search the burnt- offering, and if it were scabby, or had any blemish upon it, it was to be laid aside and not ofiered. The Lord doth not desire a scabbed carnal man should suffer for him. He that keeps the commandments is best able to suffer for them. In Mat. v., first Christ saith, ' Blessed are the pure in heart,' ver. 8, then, ' Blessed are they that suft'er for righteousness' sake,' ver. 10. The blessing of martyrdom is put in the last place, implying that a martyr must have all the precedent graces of meekness, humility, poverty of spirit, &c. Therefore we must look for doing the will of God, and suffering the will of God, before these promises be accomplished, and the things we hope for brought about,
[1.] To suffer for God. It is oftentimes a crime to be faithful to Christ's interests, and a matter of danger to be a thorough christian ; when men are exposed to aflronts, and troubles, and disgraces, they need all the wisdom and grace that possibly they can get together. Now faith is ' the substance of things hoped for ; ' there will be our best furniture ; why ? for this will teach us to counterbalance our temptations with our hopes. It puts your hopes in one balance, when the devil puts the world with all terrors, disgraces and losses in the