tlse. I would apply it thus — If God takes purposes for performances, and accounts things done when really purposed, let us take God's pro- mises for performances ; if God saith, it shall be done, account it as if it were done — ' Babylon is fallen, is fallen,' Rev. xiv. 8.
VeR. 19.J SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 3G9
SEPtMON LIII.
Accounting that Godioas able to raise him up, even from the dead ; from whence also he received him in a figure. — Heb. xi. 19.
Here we have —
1. The workhig of his faith under tliis trial — Accountinj that God loas ahle to raise him up, even from the dead.
2. The fruit and success of it — from ivhence also he received him in a figure.
First, See the manner liow his faitli wrought — Xoyi^o/j,6vo<;, 'Accounting,' or reasoning. AViien we have any notable work to do, we are full of thoughts and full of reasonings. The soul of man being an understanding essence, it will not be settled without sound reason. Now in all these debates it is excellent when reason serves faith, when that which was wont to be an enemy is made a servant and. handmaid to faith. Nothing is so great an enemy to faith as reason, and the perverse disputings of our own mind ; but when reason is made a handmaid, it is an excellent advantage. Abraham reasoned, ' God was able to raise him up.' What shall we learn from this reasoning of Abraham ?
Obs. 1. In difficult cases we must take the duty part to ourselves, and refer the event and success to the power of God.
We must do our work ; let God see to the fulfilling of his promises, and let us see to the discharge of our duty. Abraham offered Isaac, he reckoned ' God was able to raise him up; ' let him see to that : 2 Sam. X. 12, ' Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God ; and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.' This is the right way ; let us mind that which is our work, and leave to God that which is his work. To be troubled about events, carking about the success of things, is to take God's work out of his hands, and neglect our own. In every work there is a duty and a the burden. What shallwe do? that is the question which concerns duty ; but what shall become of us ? that is the question which concerns burden. The duty belongs to us, and the burden, that must be turned off upon God : Ps. Iv. 22, ' Cast thy burden upon the Lord, he shall sustain thee.' If a man were to go a journe3^ would he take a burden upon him ? Look, as God laid your sins upon Christ, so he will have your burdens to be cast upon himself — ' Cast your care upon the Lord, for he careth for you,' 1 Peter v. 7. It is no more dishonour to God to bear our burdens than for Christ to bear our sins. I shall urge two arguments.
1. It will ease the soul of a great deal of trouble. In all doubtful events carking and trouble ariseth from encroaching upon God, from minding more work than what is our own. For instance, in duties of your calling, in dangers, when God calls you to go through them, as women with child, or in the main duties of religion, mind what is your duty, and refer the success and event to God : Phil. iv. 5, ' Be careful for nothing.' What ! must we be careless, senseless ? I answer, No, not careless of the work, nor senseless of the danger ; but we must do
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370 SERMOKS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LIII.
the work, and refer all to God as to tlie success ; we must be mindful of the danger, and then commend it to God by prayer. We would not be so uncomfortable as we are if we would learn this, if we would not cark after the event what we shall eat, what w^e shall drink, or wdiere- withal we shall be clothed, and what will become of us, but turn that upon God. In any danger, when a call is evident. What would God have me to do ? is our question, not, What will become of me ?
2. It would keep us upright. AVhen men will be meddling with more than belongs to them, they will turn aside to crooked ways. It is fear of success, and distrust of the event, makes us to act unworthily. When we are troubled about the event, we shall either neglect duty or take such a course as is more likely to carnal reason. If Abraham had taken care of the promise, Isaac had never been offered ; but Abraham takes care of the command; the promise was God's part, and God's work in the covenant. Always the cause of miscarrying is stepping out of our bounds, and taking of God's work out of his hands.
Ohs. 2. To encourage us to cast our burden upon God, we should consider his fidelity and his ability, or his truth and his power.