3. Constantly. It is in the present world as long as we are here, without any limitation, and therefore it hints final perseverance, with- out which as good we had never begun. It is notable that under the law the Nazarite, if he had made a vow, he should touch no wine or anything that was forbidden for so many days or months; but if he had defiled himself before the days of his purification were accomplished, he was to begin again : Num. vi. 12, ' The days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.' So when we have renounced the vanities and delights of the world, and given ourselves to God, all is lost when we turn apostates, and go off from a course of godliness ; Ezek. xviii. 24, ' But when the righteous turneth away from his right-
166 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14, [Ser. XL
eousness, and committeth iniquity, and doth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doth, shall he live ? all his righteous- ness that he hath done shall not be mentioned ; in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.' As good never have begun if we fall off and tire before we come to the end ; nay, in some respect it would have been better if we had never begun than not to have continued ; for it is said, ' The latter end is worse with them than the beginning,' 2 Peter ii. 20. A male- factor who hath made an escape out of prison, if he be taken again, he is loaded with chains and irons ; so when any have made some show of escape out of the devil's clutches, by keeping a constant course of duty and communion with God, and then turns and breaks off again, none in such bondage and slavery as they. Nay, and this apostasy is a mighty dishonour to Christ, as well as a disadvantage to yourselves ; for a man that hath begun to be strict, and careful, and holy, and righteous, and profess himself to be taken out of the kingdom of dark- ness, and made experience of the ways of Christ, yet if he falls off, he doth as it were after trial pronounce to the world that Satan's service is better than Christ's. As Jacob kept wrestling till daylight appeared, and would not let go his holdfast, so till the morning of glory come, still keep on and continue your courage. Or as Elisha would not leave his master till he was taken from him into heaven, so be constant to the last ; let the world know you see no cause to leave Christ or to be weary of his service, and to begrudge the strictness of religion. Mat. xx., you read some w^ere called into the vineyard sooner, some later, but they all kept working to the end and clo-se of the day. There is a dift'erent time of calling ; some begin witli God in infancy, some in riper age, but none must be weary of well-doing. But how apt are w^e to turn aside from God ! Our righteousness must be as the morning light, that always increaseth till high-noon ; but our righteousness is like the morning dew, it is gone as soon as the sun breaks out in strength and power. We have a great many resolutions when we be- gin a course of godliness, but soon grow wear}^ Look, as a tired horse is ready to turn in at every inn, so upon every occasion and temptation we are ready to turn away from God. But it is not enough to begin to live godly, strictly, righteously, but while life lasteth you must hold on in God's ways ; it must be during your whole present state and abode here in the world.
II. The reasons why this duty of our heavenly calling must be in the present world.
1. Because this is the time of grace. There is no other time to get the favour of God and an interest in heaven but here upon eartli. Now we have the means, hereafter the recompenses. Now Christ saith, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,' Mat. xi. 28 Hereafter he will say, ' Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the king- dom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,' Mat. xxv. 34. Now he calls us to receive grace, hereafter we must receive either ven- geance or glory. In the angels' song we find, Luke ii. 14, 'Peace upon earth.' Here God jiroclaims tidings of peace and reconciliation to the creature, if it will submit to God. Now the golden sceptre is held out, and you will liave no more such a season. This is God the
.VeR. 12.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 167
Father's, God the Son's, and God the Spirit's time, but after this life you shall have it no more ; it is the time of God the Father's patience, and these are the days of the gospel when God the Son is offered to us; and now we have the advantage of the Spirit's impulses, and his con- victions upon our hearts : but after this life there is neither prophecy, nor gospel, nor conviction, nor means offered any more ; then comes .recompense and retribution. Zanchy speaks of some which had a fancy that the gospel should be preached hereafter in the other world to those that never heard of Christ in this world ; as to children, to Turks and pagans. To justify this conceit, they allege that place : 1 Peter iii. 19, ' By which he went and preached to the spirits in prison.' But that is a clear mistake. The apostle speaks there how the Spirit of God went forth by Noah's preaching in warm conviction upon the hearts of those that are now in prison, that were sometimes disobedient to the warn- ings of Noah, and are now held with chains of darkness in the prison of hell But however there is nothing to this world. Now you have the means, and God's golden sceptre is held out. Now Christ saith, Come ; but if you refuse, hereafter he will say, Depart : ' Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation,' 2 Cor. vi. 1.