S. Consider, as the greatness of the salvation, and the completeness of the Saviour, so the excellency of the gospel ; how it manifests and sets out this saviour, not in shadows and types, but with clear and express explication. God bestowed many benefits upon the old church, which were great enforcements to godliness, but not so powerful and effectual, because they were but shadows of salvation. Things that grow in the shade come not to such perfection as things that grow in the sun. In the Old Testament they had many blessings, but they were typical ones, and lasted but for a while ; they had many saviours, that delivered them from the houseof bondage, led them through the Red Sea, and throujrh the desert into Canaan ; delivered them from their enemies,
VeR. 11.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 61
destroyed the nations round about them ; but now these were shadows of good things to come. The New Testament shows what is the mean- ing of all these ; that we are delivered from the devil, and led into heaven, and brought to the possession of eternal life by Jesus Christ. The Old Testament speaheth of calling Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, and separating his seed as a people to God. We can speak of election, that we may obtain the adoption of sons. The Old Testa- ment speaks of multiplying the seed of the Jews as the sand of the sea ; the New Testament speaks of the multitude of converts, a great num- ber which none can number. The Old Testament speaks of the bringing out of Egypt ; the New, of bringing sinners out of the power of darkness. The Old Testament mentions the Ked Sea ; the New, the grace of baptism, or Eed Sea of Christ's blood. The Old Testament speaks of God's providence in the wilderness, how the people of Israel were led up and down for forty years, and fed, and clothed, and de- livered ; the New Testament speaks of God's providence over his church during the whole state of the present world ; how he guides us by his counsel, till he brings us to his glory : Ps. Ixxiii. 14, ' Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory.' They were led into the land of Canaan by Jordan, and we have en- trance into heaven by death ; they could speak of judges and kings that were glorious, and did worthily in their generations, but the New Testament shows all that have an interest in Christ shall judge the world together with Christ at the last day : 2 Cor. vi. 2, ' Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world ? ' and as kings shall reign with Christ for evermore, and be far more glorious than Solomon in all his glory. Their piety was like a plant that grows in the shade ; now the sun is risen, which scattereth his light, heat, and influences.
4. Consider what should be God's aim in the designation of his providence, that he hath brought it and laid it before you : Acts xiii. 26, 'To you is the word of this salvation sent.' The apostle doth not say. We have brought it to you, but, God sent it. God hath a special hand in bringing the gospel. If you accept it, it will be God's token sent to you in love ; for the present it is God's message, sent for your trial. There is a mighty providence that accompanieth the preaching of the gospel. You will find the journeys of the apostles were ordered by the Spirit, as well as their doctrine ; as Acts viii. 26, ' The angel of the Lord said to Philip, Arise, go towards the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.' If they went north or south, it was not by their own good affection, or by the inclination and judgment of their own reason, but by the direction of the Spirit. So Acts xvi. 7, ' They assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not.' They were not left to their own guidance and direction, but still they were carried up and down by the Spirit : ' As prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,' 2 Peter i. 21. So also the delivery of it, to Avhat people it should be disclosed, was not by the direction of men, but by the Holy Ghost. The apostles had not only their commission what they should do, but where they should preach it. If God send a minister to you to preach this grace that bringeth salvation, do not look upon it as a thing of chance. The
62 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. II.
gospel doth not run by chance, and merely according to the intention and designment of men, nor in an orderly stated course as the sun, but by the special direction of God. You would stand admiring, and think it a special benefit in a time of drought if the rain should fall on your garden and upon none else, as it did upon Grideon's fleece ; or if the sun shouldbe shut up to others and shine in your horizon, as it did in Goshen. Such a distinction hath God made in sending of the gospel ; it is darkness to others, but a sun to you. God hath a special hand in the progress of the gospel ; certainly the preaching of it in power, there is much of God in it. The word goes from place to place ; if you accept it not, God will go to another. When the Jews refused the salvation of God, it is sent to the gentiles : Acts xxviii. 28, ' The salvation of God is sent unto the gentiles, and they will hear it.' It is not tendered unto you out of necessity, but by way of trial, out of God's choice. God cannot want clients ; when you yourselves are thrust out, others may get in. You may want salvation, but God cannot want guests at the feast he hath prepared.