3. A serious consideration of the object propounded to choice ; for otherwise, through inadvertency, the poorest paltry vanities may be preferred before the most excellent things in the world. Men do not consider, they do not weigh things : Eccles. v. 1, ' They consider not that they do evil.' They consider not 'there is a lie in their right hand,' Isa. xliv. 19, 20. Therefore, to make a right choice, we should beg of God to be free from a blind, injudicious mind, from a depraved heart, and from a slight and frothy spirit, that we may judge, resolve, and choose what is best for our souls, and weigh all things in a true and impartial balance.
3. That there can be no due or right consideration without a com- parison, and giving everything its due weight. For so the apostle represents Moses ; on the one side he considers what he was to quit — ' the treasures of Egypt ; ' on the other side, what he was to incur and run the hazard of — 'the reproach of Christ,' disgraceful sufferings; and to flesh and blood reproach is more than pain. Therefore he compared these things together. The treasures of Egypt were great, but of a finite value, and there is an infinite recompense of reward which God had set before him. The reproach of Christ was bitter, but it was the way to glory. Man has a power thus to compare things, and traverse them in his mind ; Isa. xlvi. 8, ' Remember this, and show yourselves men ; bring it again to mind, 0 ye transgressors.' Consider well of it, and do not rush on like brute beasts. Everything must be brought to the balance of the sanctuary ; we have no way else
VeR. 26.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 4G7
to clear our mistakes, aud prevent tlie delusions of the flesh, than by serious comparing of things and things.
4. Because the comparison lies between things present and things to come, faith must guide us, that sense may not mislead us ; for all this is made the fruit of his faith. IVIoses looks off from the world to the recompense of reward. The treasm-es of Egypt were before his e}es, but he removes his mind to another object, the joys and glory of heaven. Things of sense are known easily, aud known by all, but things of faith are only known by them who are enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Present things are comfortable to our sense, but tliey are nothing to what faith propounds ; and therefore we must look upon these things through the spectacles of faith. Earthly treasures, com- pared with the treasures of heaven, will appear no more than trash and dung, if we had but this enlightened mind to apprehend the worth and certainty of these heavenly things. Therefore, all your care must be that these things may be clearly seen and much eyed, that the S})irit may first open the eyes of our minds, and then keep them open, Eph. i. 18. That we often think of the hope of Christ's calling, for this is that which strikes all temptations of sense dead Three things are here.
[1.] We must be persuaded that all disgraceful sufferings for Christ shall have their recompense: Mat. v. 12, 'Eejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.' There is a reward, and a reward due by covenant, to all such as are faithful to God, and shall in time be given to them ; but not of merit, but of grace ; our suffer- ings do not merit the reward, but qualify us for the enjoyment of it, and give us a title by virtue of God's promise, upon the account of Christ. Surely God is so good that we can be no losers by him ; he will not suffer anything to be done or suffered for his sake without a recompense.
[2,] As there is a reward, so it is so great that all the treasures of the world cannot purchase it, nor parallel it, and therefore it is a folly to part with it for trifles. There is a double fxcadairohoaia, a double recompense, pcence et pnemii, the recompense of punishment, and the recompense of reward. Both may be considered ; wealth and greatness, with the neglect of God and his children, and interest in the world, is punished with the flames of hell ; but affliction and reproach for Christ is rewarded with heaven and bliss. The recompense of punish- ment is to be made use of when the temptation hath invaded us ; when the heart begins to run into the snare, then we must make use of that part of the Spirit's discipline. Ay, but at other times, when we are not in such great danger of miscarrying, here we must think of the recompense of reward, of the great blessings Christ hath provided, the heavenly bliss he hath provided for his people. Now, there is no com- parison between the things that are of this world and this blessedness : Rom. viii, 18, ' I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us ; ' 2 Cor. iv. 17, ' This light affliction, that is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.^