60 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XXII.
walked contrary to tlie times ; it is an owning of God when others forsake him. But then, affirmatively, the great aim must be pleasing God alone ; he is our companion. This must be the aim and scope of onr lives, to please God; we must study to please him, and give him content in all things.
Quest. But if you will ask. Whether an actual intention of pleasing God in every good action be always necessary ?
Ans. It is very convenient, but not absolutely necessary. A son is careful to please his father, though he doth not always actually think of it ; there is a general and habitual intention, though in every act of duty the thought be not continued. Many good actions may pro- ceed from the force of the habitual intention, when the actual inten- tion or thought ceaseth ; as an arrow from the aim of the archer, when his eye is taken off from the mark ; or rather, a man that journeys to such a place doth not always think of liis journey's end ; but we should retain it in our thoughts as much as we can, that the heart may be more upright, and for the prevention of evil and carnal reflec- tions : Rom. vii. 21, ' When I would do good, evil is present with me.' In short, a purpose of humouring the world or displeasing God cannot stand with grace.
(.5.) A continual dependence upon God and a confidence of his assistance : Gen. xvii. 1, ' Walk before me ; ' it is different from the phrase of Enoch walking with God ; that is, maintain a courage and confidence becoming my presence. A man may trust himself in God's company and defence. They that are always in the king's presence are sure of his favour and defence if they be in distress ; God is at hand, and they may cast themselves into the bosom of providence in all dangers and troubles, and wait for the divine help. Usually we tor- ment ourselves with unnecessary cares and fears about the event and success of things : a man that is in God's presence may refer himself to his care and protection. That this is plainly intended in this exposi- tion, is clear by what is said in Acts ii. 25, ' I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for here he is at my right hand, that I should not be moved.' When a man walks with God, whenever he enters into the combat and list, God will be his second, ready to fight for us, in us, and by us. To open that expression, ' He is at my right liand.' When a man is at the right hand of God, that notes honour and glory put upon the creature ; but when God is at the right hand of man, that notes help and aid. If the world offers foul play in our christian course, it is in God's presence ; our second will come to our rescue. He that walks with God walks safely ; when the devil is at our right hand, God is there to check the devil. The way to heaven is a danger- ous journey, it lies through a howling wilderness ; we shall meet with wolves and bears in the shape of men, and therefore woe be to him that is alone ; but now when we have such- good company, we may adventure freely, when God himself is our guide and leadei'.
(6.) Contentation. You must give up yourselves to God's disposal to shorten or lengthen out the journey as he shall see cause ; for you walk with God, and follow the Lamb wheresoever he goes ; so as, wherever God leads you, you must follow. Heaven is the place of rest, but for the time of our translation we must not be our own carvers.
VeR. 5.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. Gl
It is good to groan and long for home, but still we must wait God's leisure ; it is he that appoints the way and the stages of the journey. It is said of David, Acts xiii. 30, ' After he had served his own gene- ration by the will of God, he fell asleep.' The will of God doth determine how long David was to serve him. We have a wise com- panion, and he knows the way to glory better than we, and he knows by what methods to bring us to glory. When God hath no further work to do by us, then he will give us our wages : Job xiv. 14, ' All the days of my appointed time will I wait till ray change come ; ' our time is appointed, therefore we must wait. The walk in paradise is more pleasant than in the garden of the church ; but the time of change is appointed ; if it comes sooner than we expect, it is no loss ; if it comes later, we must be contented. They that walk with God in earth cannot be separated from him in heaven, therefore it is no loss ; for if you change place, you shall not change your company ; you shall be nearer to him, and have sweeter communion with him, and you shall walk with him in a more glorious way. The heavenly state is de- scribed thus, Kev. iii. 4, ' They shall walk with me in white ; ' that is, in perfect joy and innocency, without sin and without temptation. Our garments here are often defiled, black, and spotted; but there ' they shall walk with me in white.' When we walk with God in the upper garden of paradise, there we shall have the same company in a better way ; or, suppose the Lord should leave you to be harassed and worn out with the troubles of the world, if it come later, yet we must wait. The wise God knows when we are fittest for glory, and when glory is fittest for us : Job xiv. 5, ' His days are determined, and the number of his months are with thee ; thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass ; ' days and months to a precise time, all are defined by God. We live not at our own pleasure, nor at the pleasure of any creature ; therefore though your pilgrimage be prolonged, you must be contented. Consider the precedent, Gen. v. 22, ' Enoch walked with God three hundred years : ' he spent three hundred years in communing with God — a long age, and, as matters then went, very degenerate. But consider, the way should not be very tedious when we are in God's company ; therefore when in trouble, we must refer ourselves to our guide, and with meekness, quietness, and contentation, we must follow him.