Tunc demum a peccatis desistam, cum haptizatus ero. Conviction would not let men sin so freely if they did not make fair promises of reformation : this is making a Christ of your repentance and prayers. So some men moil in the world, and dream of a devout retirement hereafter ; thus rich they will be, and then they will live privately, and mind religion.
[2.] Sometimes the indulgence is post-dated, which is most grossly done by them that perform duties with an aim either to excuse or to promote sin : Prov. xxi. 27, ' The sacrifice of the wicked is abomina- tion : how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind ? ' as Balaam's altars were built, and sacrifices made with this intent, that he might curse Israel, Num. xxiii. ; or more closely, by others who would redeem their negligence in one duty by the frequent perform- ance of another, and please Grod by what doth not displease themselves ; as the Jews hoped to repair their want of mercy by the multitude of their sacrifices. The Pharisees tithed mint and cummin to excuse themselves' from the weighty things of the law, Mat. xxiii. 23. Con- science, like the stomach, will be craving ; and a man must do something to keep it quiet, as by a moral course, or some formal acts of piety. By others it is done yet more closely, that grow vain and wanton after some solemn duty : Ezek. xxxiii. 13, ' If he trust to his own righteous- ness, and commit iniquity,' &c. Many times we find that the heart groweth loose, licentious, vain, wanton, and proud after solemn duties, which argueth a secret confidence in wliat we have done ; thus Josiah's breach with God was ' after his preparing the tem])le,' 2 Chron. xxxv. 20.
2. With respect to mercies ; and so observe the frame of your hearts in the want of mercies, or in the enjoyment of them.
[1.] In the want of mercies. Men expect blessings out of a conceit of some worth that is in themselves, and ascribe too much to their own duties. AVe all disclaim it ; but it may be known by this, if we murmur when God doth not come in at our times and seasons. Those that prescrilie to God do ascribe to themselves : Isa. Iviii. 3, ' Where- fore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge ? ' Luke xviii. 11, 12, ' I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican : I fast twice in a week, I give titlies of all that I ])ossess.^ Because we do not break out into such bold challenges, we think ourselves innocent ; but murmuring argueth some thought of desert. Where nothing is due, we cannot complain if nothing be given. The ])lea of works may be plainly read in our discontents ; if God be not a debtor, why do we then complain ?
[2.] In the enjoyment of mercies, men secretly ascribe to themselves, as if God did see more in them than others : Deut. ix. 4, ' Speak not in thy heart, after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land.' It rather manifests itself in thoughts than words. Now because these thoughts are not always impressed on conscience, men evade it ; but here you will discern it again by some disdain at providence. Spiritual pride, or conceit of our own worth, entertaineth crosses with anger, and blessings with disdain ; discontent or disdain will discover it to you : Mai. i. 2, ' I have loved you, saith the Lord : yet ye say. Wherein hast thou loved us ? ' By a gracious, humble
VeR. 4.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL 7
heart all mercies are received with admiration. Where sin is great nothing can be little, nothing is theirs but sin ; therefore they wonder that anything should be theirs but punishment: Luke. i. 43, * And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me ? * so 2 Sam. vii. 18, ' Who am I, 0 Lord God ? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto ? '" Not, Wherefore have we fasted ? but whence is it ? and what am I that God should do thus and thus for me ? Do but compare Mat. vii. 22, ' Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not ])rophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works ? ' — they plead their gifts and employments in the church — with Mat. XXV. 38, 39, ' Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave thee drink ? when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in ? or naked, and clothed thee ? or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee ? " The one wonder God should reject them, wlio had done him so much service ; the other wonder Christ should take notice of such worthless services, though none perform duties with uiore care, none overlook them with more self-denial.