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178 SEKMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XIL
midst of the angels. We are weaned from the world by looking for better things, and so the world is outshined. As a man that hath looked upon the sun, his eyes are dazzled, and cannot see an object less glorious, so when we look within the veil upon our blessed hopes, the glory of the world is obscured. The apostle renders this as a reason why Abraham was a stranger in the promised land, there where he had- most right, yet he dwelt in tents : Heb. xi. 9, 10, ' For he looked for a city which hath foundations.' Abraham had other expectations ; he did not look upon the walled cities of the Amorites, but upon heaven that was founded by God himself ; he had other thoughts. They that live to the world and to the flesh never tasted what eternal life means. Look, as the Israelites longed for the flesh-pots of Egypt before they Lad tasted the clusters of Canaan, so here the heart is carried out after better things. The soul must have some oblectation and delight, for love cannot be idle ; it is carried out to present things if we know no better. See how fitly they are joined together in the text : ' Deny- ing worldly lusts, and looking for the blessed hope;' thereby do we come to deny worldly lusts, by looking for the blessed hope. We should soon return to worldly lusts if we do not often look up and con- sider what God hath provided for us in heaven. A man whose heart is much in heaven, his affections are pre-engaged, and therefore the world doth him little hurt. Birds are seldom taken in their flight, but when they pitch and rest. Oh ! if we had more of these heavenly flights ; if the soul did mount upward more, it would better escape the snares of worldly things.
3. It urgeth to care, diligence, and constancy in obedience. Hope is the great spring that sets the wheels a-going : Phil. iii. 13, 14, ' For- getting those things that are behind, and reaching forward towards those things that are before, I press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ.' What is the reason Paul was so earnest that a little grace would not content him, but he was striving for more so earnestly and zealously? He was called to enjoy a high prize, a glorious reward. There is an excellent glory set before us ; this race is not for trifles. Christians are the more cold and careless in the spiritual life because they do not oftener think of heaven. The end quickens to the use of means ; as it is the measure of the means, so it sweetens the means, notwithstanding all difficulty. Why ? Because it will bring us to such an end : 1 Cor. xv. 58, ' Be ye steadfast, unmov- able, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; forasmuch as you know your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.' You can never do enough for the Lord. Why ? ' Your labour is not in vain in the Lord.' This will make you to be instant and earnest, and to hold out to the end in the midst of difficulties ; heaven will pay for all. You have no cause to begrudge God any service ; though it put the body to pains and labours, do not spare it ; Christ will honour it sufficiently. The apostle hath an expression, 2 Thes. i. 10, ' That Christ will be glori- fied in his saints, and admired in all them that believe.' The soul will remember the body as Pharaoh's butler did Joseph. How ? In prayer and fasting and holy exercises. And when Christ comes to raise the body, he will put so much glory and clarity upon it that the angels shall stand wondering what Christ is about to do with a poor creature
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 179
that is but newly crept out of dust and rottenness. Before a feast we use to take a walk. There is a world of glory provided for us in heaven. Though the work of God be painful, yet it is very fruitful. God will reward you as much as you can desire ; and this makes you to be earnest and zealous, and to labour in the spiritual life. We com- pare the pains of duty with the pleasure of sin, but the compari.^on is not rightly made ; you should compare the pleasure of sin with the reward. I confess you may compare Christ's worst with the world's best, the pains of duty with the pleasure of sin ; the former is more sweet to a gracious heart ; but the comparison should rather be made thus : compare the base dreggy pleasures of sin with those pure pleasures that are at God's right hand, and with the happiness that is to come, which we expect in Christ.
4. It maketh us upright and sincere in what we do. That is hypocrisy and guile of spirit to look asquint upon secular rewards. Ton know the hypocrites that Christ taseth, when they pray, fast, and do other duties to be seen of men, ' they have their reward,' Mat. vi. 2. They have given God a discharge, they look for no more than they have already. As hired servants must have present wages and pay in hand, they wait not for the inheritance as children do. So carnal affections they look to the rewards here below. If they m ay have the world, and live in honour and pleasure here, they give God an acquittance for anything else. But now this is sincerity to make God our paymaster to do all we do upon the encouragement of the blessed hope : Col. iii. 24, ' Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inher- itance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.' You have a master good enough, you need not look elsewhere for your wages. And nothing on this side heaven will satisfy the soul, nothing but these glorious hopes.