358 SEKMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LI.
out of our fool's paradise. We promise ourselves too much when we dream of nothing but pleasure and contentment, as if we would go to heaven without exercise, without warrings within and fightings with- out. God hath but one Son without sin, but he has none without a cross. We must all be tried before we get to heaven. Partly, that we may try how we can bear them in imagination. It is good to suppose the worst ; it hurts not. See the suppositions of faith, Ps. xxiii. 4, * Yea, though I walk through the valley and shadow of death, I will fear no evil.' He compares himself to a sheep. Suppose I should be like a poor sheep wandering in the night when beasts of prey come out, ready to be devoured every moment. Presumption is a coward, and a runaway ; it cannot endure to think of evil, or to look the enemy in the face ; but faith meets it in the open field, provides for it when evil is not present; it makes su[)positions : Hab. iii. 17, ' Suppose the fig-tree should not blossom,' &c. Suffer fear to pi'ophesy, that faith may be the better prepared. Suppose the Lord should turn the tables, and bring on such a sad condition — nothing to help me, no friends to stand by me, all my children and near relations taken from me, all the supports and comforts of the present life should fail me, — what then ? Thus faith sup})oseth evils that are feared, and then they are n^ore comportable. Before we take u]) a burden we poise it, and are wont to make an essay of our strength, that we may fit our back and shoulders to it ; so it is good to poise our burdens before God lays them upon our backs. What if God put me upon such a trial ? And as we should look for it ; so —
2. Prepare for it : let us get soundness of grace, and strength of grace.
[1.] Get soundness of grace into your hearts. A hireling, when he comes to trial, will be changeable : guile of spirit will never hold out. Many have made a fair profession, but when put to trial, they have fallen foully. God loves to unmask hypocrites, to take off their disguise : Prov. xxvi. 2G, ' The wicked shall be .showed before the congregation ;' and therefore it is good to prepare for them, to get soundness of grace, that you may be able to bear them. They that have no root cannot endure scorching weather. When the tree is soundly shaken, rotten apples fall to the ground ; so in great trials guile of spirit will fail. And then —
[2.] Get strength of grace. Why ? we cannot set bounds to trouble ; we know not what God may do, and we must prepare for the worst. A little grace and a strong temptation will not do well together; there- fore take heed, be not overlaid, and overcome. We are to look after not only truth, but growth of grace ; to grow more holy, heavenly, humble ; but above all, to increase in faith every day — ' I have prayed that your faith fail not,' Luke xxii. .52. Chafi" is lost in tossing from side to side, but full-eared corn remains behind. This is our Saviour's direction to the apostles: Mat. xxvi. 41, 'Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.' They had not received as yet the promise of the Spirit ; they were weak, they had not such soundness of grace as was fit for trial ; therefore ' watch and ])ray,' that is, look for trial and pray for grace, for the full measures of the S[)irit, that you may not be overcome. As, you know, the steward, Luke xvi. 3, was preparing — What if I should be turned out of my stewardship ? how shall I live
Vers. 17-19.] seruoxs upon Hebrews xi. 359
then ? So it is good to see how you shall live in a dear year when creatures fail, when the Lord turns the tables, when the course of his providence alters. Have I a God to trust to ? have I grace to bear me out ?
3. When you are upon your trial, see that you discover nothing but what will become obedience and submission to God — no impatience, no murmuring, no worldliness, no distrust of God. God taketh much notice of your behaviour then, and your sincerity is put to the test. What doth the trial bring forth ? Hab. ii. 21, ' Behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him ; but the just shall live by his faith.' If it bring forth pride, swelling against God's sovereignty, censures of his providence, distrust of his fatherly love, it is a sad case ; l»ut if ii produce a lively exercise of faith, oh what a confirmation will this be to you ! So that it is of great importance to your peace to see how you carry yourselves. Wlien the vessel is pierced, it discovereth the liquor that is within, whether it be thick, or dreggy, or musty. Now God Cometh to pierce us, to give vent to that which is within us.