VeK. 24.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL , 441
hands, as ready to part with them at God's call. There may be a degree of resolution in some more strong than others, in some a greater deadness to the world, and a greater sense of the world to come than in others, but all must have it in some measure and degree, and be willing thus to part with all for God's sake.
3. It is of great use to shame us, that we have no more profited in the gospel. Mark why I give you this note. Moses was of this dis- position and temper, though he lived in the court of a heathen prince ; and should not we be of this disposition and temper who live in the bosom of the church, where we have the benefit of being trained up in the institutions of Christ, and have the example of self-denying chris- tians ? Moses had no such example in Pharaoh's court ; what instruc- tions he had I cannot tell, it is not mentioned ; possibly he had some concealed converse with his parents or brethren, the people of Israel, who might inform him of some divine and saving truths which might produce this faith ; but it was much that in the midst of these temp- tations those truths did so prevail with him. But, however, God sup- plied the lack of means by extraordinary grace. Certainly then we should be ashamed that are born and bred up in the church, and live where the light of the gospel doth continually shine upon us, and at the door of whose hearts God is continually knocking, and who have so many helps and means to improve the principle of faith to a more complete self-denial. ^Ye should giow more dead to all things that are of a worldly nature.
4. It is useful to wean us from the world. It is good for the children of God to wean themselves from the world by all kinds of instances. Present things seem so glorious, and taste so sweet to the flesh, that they strangely infatuate and captivate our minds, and seem to promise us rare contentment and happiness, that we have much ado to check this worldly expectation. Therefore men seek after these things, and pursue them earnestly and eagerly, hoping and expecting much good from them ; and if once they possess and enjoy them, they are loth to quit them, preferring them before heaven and happiness. Yea, the flesh within us is so greedy of the bait, that though we see the hook, yet we are ready to swallow it. Therefore it concerns us mightily to take all occasions to wean us from the world. Now the instances and examples of God's children are one means, when the Lord hath enabled them, even those that have not those advantages of instruction we have. It is a mighty thing that may be urged against temptation. Moses here, the man of God, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter ; thou art not called to deny so much of the world as he ; he lived in the court that was the centre of all pleasure, and he was a great man there, the son of Pharaoh's only daughter. Think of this instance, that it may deaden your desires. The more excellent God's children are, the more they are contemning the world, and still calling off their hearts from it. Abraham left his father's house ; Moses left Pharaoh's court. Surely these are not the good things we should look after. They are ' the smallest matters,' 1 Cor. vi. 2. There is a better portion reserved for us.
5. This is very necessary, to teach us to value our spiritual privi- leges by Christ. We have not high thoughts enough of these privi-
442 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XT. [SeR. LIX.
leges. Do you know the worth of them? Moses, that had experience of the pleasures, treasures, and honours of Egj'pt, left all that he might attain them. Ko earthly thing is to be compared with tlie fruition of the favour and fellowship of God, yea, and the service of God. Moses left all for that which God hath bestowed or will bestow upon his people — 'Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.' Oh, therefore, value your own mercies ! The most painful condition of life joined with any measure of communion with God is better than the most quiet, easy, plentiful condition without it : Ps. Ixxxiv. 10, ' A day in thy courts is better than a thousand ; I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.' Better be in any mean service and ministration about God than enjoy all honours. And now will you repine and grudge if God hath given you his favour, though he keeps you low and bare ? If wicked men grow fat with common mercies, why should we wax lean from day to day if God hath vouchsafed us better things ? Ps. xvii. 14, 15, ' They have tlieir portion in this life, whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure ; they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness ; I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.' Worldly men have a sweet portion, they ransack all the storehouses of nature, all delicacies are brought to their table, they are well fed and well clothed, they have lands, and heritages, and mansions, which they leave to their children. Oh, but God hath given you communion with himself — ' This should put more gladnessinto your heartthan in the time that their corn and wine increased,' Ps. iv. 7. We have no reason to envy wicked men their life of ease, pomp, and honour, for God hath better things for you, which all wise men would quit all other things for.