VeR. 4.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS Xf. 17
2. Because when our graces are exercised, then there is most rational likelihood that we shall receive this testimony from God. Consider it with respect to either witness that must concur to the settling your peace : for look, as under the law everything was to be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses, so it is in the great matters of our peace like- wise. There is the Spirit and the renewed conscience, by which our peace is established ; and if we consider either, we shall find we are most likely to receive this testimony when grace is exercised. Look upon it—
[1.] On the Spirit's part. Those raised operations of grace are the special fruits of the Holy Ghost ; he not only works grace at first, but he gives actual help for the exercising of it ; and therefore when he hath moved and stirred us most, he is most like to seal. It is the con- stant method of the Spirit first to work grace, and then to seal it ; the more conspicuous the work, the more of this sealing may we expect.
[2.] It is more rational upon our part ; for the more our graces are exercised, the more they are in view of conscience. Grace exercised and drawn out into action is more apparent and sensible to the soul ; acts are more liable to feeling than habits. Fire in a flint is neither seen nor felt, but when knocked against a steel, then you may discern it ; so when we draw out that which lies hid in the soul, then conscience can take the more notice of it. Boots under ground in winter are not observed till they shoot forth in the spring ; the stream is seen when the fountain is hid ; the apples, leaves, blossoms, and buds are visible when the life and the sap is not seen ; so acts are taken notice of by conscience when useless habits lie out of sight ; or if they be drawn out by imperfect operations, when our motions are faint and weak, they are like the waters of Siloah that run slowly — a man can hardly discern whether it be living water or a standing pool. No wonder our comfort is so weak, when sanctification runs so slow, and is scarce to be dis- cerned. By experience we find that raised operations bring comfort and peace with them ; we feel a great calmness and serenity in our consciences after some solemn duty, because conscience can sweetly reflect upon the exercises of grace, and quiet itself with the discharge of its own duty ; then there is a peace and contentment within the soul.
3. I prove it by the rule of proportion. Look, as great sins destroy our comfort, so also the raised exercise of graces in duty increase our comfort. Scandalous sins, like a blot upon our evidences, do obscure them, waste conscience, and eclipse our comfort ; and when we return to folly, we smart for it : Ps. Ixxxv. 8, ' The Lord will speak peace to his people ; but let them not return to folly,' implying they hazard all their comfort when they give way to great corruptions : so on the contrary side, when we exercise our graces, they administer comfort. All that can be objected against this is, that there is no merit in duties as there is in sins ; but though duty do not merit comfort, yet it is the measure of it, for hereby the heart is prepared for peace, and usually according to the preparation of the heart ; so God comes in with the supplies of comfort : Ps. x. 17, ' Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear/ When the heart is mightily drawn out in duty, answerable
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18 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeK. XIX.
are the returns of God's grace. Vessels thus prepared are of a laro:er size, and can receive more of the bounty of God : Jer. xxix. 13, 'Ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall searcli for me with all your heart.' God's answers of grace are according to the excitations of grace. 4. Because it is the best way to bring us to improve comfort. That which Cometh from God and in God's way leadeth us again to God. There is nothing which raiseth the soul to such a degree of reverence and to such a wonder of grace as the experiences of duty do ; then the heart is full of joy and the mouth full of praise, and God hath all the honour : these are the lasting experiences that both endear God and endear the ways of God to us. (1.) They endear God : Ps. cxvi. 1, 2, ' I will love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my suppli- cation ; because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.' (2.) They endear the ways of God to us. Comforts received in the way of duty come double to us : Ps. cxix. 93, ' I will never forget thy precepts, for by them thou hast quickened me ; ' I will never forget such a sermon and such an ordinance wherein I have received such quickenings and such sweet enlargements from the Lord. The myrrh which Christ had left upon the handle of the lock made the spouse more earnest after Christ. What made David pant after God ? the sweet experiences of duty : Ps. Ixiii. 2, '' To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.' Look, as when the springs are low, a little water cast into a pump brings up a great deal more ; so when God hath cast a few experiences into the soul, it breeds more affection, more love, and more joy. _ Now it is no wonder vain spirits question duties when Cod never ministered comfort to them that way ; they are full of satanical illusions and fanatic joys and conceits of comfort in the neglect of ordinances, but they never received the solid comfort of ordinances.