VeR. 6.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 163
that we might seek after him. God needed not seek the creaxures, he nad ha]')piness enough in himself ; but we needed such a creator. He that hides himself from the sun impairs not the light thereof. We derogate nothing from God, but it is a loss of benefit to us that we seek him not, for the present and for the future. If you seek him, you shall be happy for the present ; for the God of Jacob hath pawned his word to you that none shall seek him in vain : ' Isa. xlv. 19, ' I said not to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain ; and Ps. xxii. 26, ' They shall praise the Lord that seek him.' You will have cause to bless God ere the search be over. And for the future : Amos v. 6, ' Seek the Lord, and ye shall live well then.' Here is the great work and business of your lives, diligently to seek after God. Though it may be at first you do not find him, yet comfort thyself that thou art in the seeking way, still in pursuit of him. Better be a seeker than a wanderer : Ps. xxiv. 6, * This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, 0 Jacob.' Though thou dost not presently feel the love of God, and hast no assurance of thy pardon, nor sensible comfort from his Spirit, yet continue seeking ; here is your business, here is your work.
2. Why is this put here, ' He that cometh to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him'? (1.) It is put exclusively. Privileges in scripture are propounded with their neces- sary limitation ; we disjoint the frame of religion, if we would sever the reward from the duty. God is a rewarder, but to whom ? To the careless, to the negligent ? Oh, no ! he will be an avenger to them : Ps. ix. 17, ' The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God ; ' not only they that deny God, but they that forget God, that do not seek after him. As they cast God out of their mind and affections, so God will cast them out of his presence. (2.) It is put inclusively : God will impartially reward every one that seeks him, without any distinction. The door of grace stands open for all comers. Every one that seeketh God finds entertainment, not only in regard of the answers of grace for the present, but as to eternal recompenses hereafter.
[1.] For the present. Oh, do not conceive of God after a carnal manner ! It was the corrupt theology of the gentiles, Dii magna curant, parva negligunt, that the gods did look after great things, but small and petty things they left to others, as if the great God did act according to the advice of Jethro to Moses: Exod. xviii. 21, 22, ' Thou shalt appoint rulers of thousands, hundreds, and fifties, and tens, and let them judge the people at all seasons : and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge.' But the Lord's providence here in the world extends to every one that seeketh him, and he hearkens to the prayers of the poorest beggar as well as the greatest monarch ; persons despicable in the world may find audience and acceptance with God : Ps. xxxiv. 6, ' This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him ; ' David speaks it of himself, when he w^as a ruddy youth following the ewes great with young. There is none among the sons of men that hath cause to say as Isa. xl. 27, ' My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God ;' that is, God hath so much to do in the world that he forgets me, he doth not mind my case ; for the Lord hath a providence.
164 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XXXIV.
[2.] Hereafter they will find in him a rewarder. There is none so poor but he will find God makes good his promise. There is a notable expression, Eph. vi. 8, ' Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.' He speaks to encourage servants (who at that time Avere slaves) in singleness of heart to go about their duty. Even the basest drudgery of servants is a doing good, and comes within the compass of those good Avorks which God will take notice of. God does not look to the external splendour of the work but to the honesty and sincerity of it, though it be of a poor drudge and slave that is fiiithful in his calling. Nay, God will rather forget princes, lords, and mighty men of the earth, vain and sinful potentates, than pass by a poor servant that fears him. You find that God gave the angels charge over Lazarus' soul, Luke xvi. 22, ' The beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.' The beggar's soul is thus conducted in state to heaven. Whoever seeks him will be sure to find him a rewarder.