2. This trouble did arise from sorrow and immoderate dejection, because of the loss of Christ's bodily presence : John xvi. 6, ' Because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your hearts.' Usually upon the loss or absence of some prized comfort we let loose the reins of our affections, and keep no moderation in our sorrow and grief, as if God could not supply the loss of the creature by the presence of his Spirit.
3. Indignation, or a fretting dislike of God's dispensations. That this was a part of the disciples' trouble appeareth from Christ's whole discourse with them. The bodily presence of Christ was comfortable to them upon a spiritual account, as they enjoyed many a sweet instruc- tion by it ; but they also looked for great things in the world, and were confounded with the disappointment of their expectations. The tem- poral kingdom ran in their minds, and therefore the news of liis igno- minious death was so afflictive to them. Our Lord taxeth them for tliis, but in a gentle condescending manner, that for want of faith and love they were so unsatisfied with God's design, which was so expedient and useful for them and the world. Now this is the usual ground of our troubles ; we set up an anti-providence in our hearts, and obtrude some model and scheme of our own upon God, which if he doth not comply with, we are troubled. But God's way is more for our real good, though our own way suiteth better with our fancy and vain opinion.
II. Why christians should not let their hearts be troubled.
1. It is very incident to us. We have somewhat within us and without us which will always be an occasion of trouble. There is cor- ruption within, and an evil Avorld without. A believer is not to become' as a stock or stone, or cease to be a man ; our flci-'h is not as the strength
SERMONS UPON JOHN XIV. 1. 349
of brass, nor are our sinews iron. Our Saviour himself was troubled : John xii. 27, ' Now is my soul troubled.' But his trouble was like the shaking of pure water in a crystal glass, there was no mud at bottom. Certainly it is lawful and requisite to be sensible, and to be affected with our condition ; but we are apt to exceed in our fear and grief, and so it becometh a fault. There is a dejection and discouragement which cloggeth us in our duty, and causeth sinful negligence and deadness of heart ; this is a distemper which we should oppose by all spiritual means.
2. This is contrary to our duty and obedience, which consisteth partly in a subjection to God's governing will, revealed in his laws ; partly in a submission to his disposing will, discovered in his providence.
[1.] For the first. The case is clear there ; if God hath forbidden cares and fears and immoderate sorrows ; if he hath said, ' Be careful for nothing,' Phil. iv. 6 ; and ' Fear them not therefore,' Mat. x. 26 ; and ver. 28, ' Fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul ; ' and again, ' Weep as if you wept not,' 1 Cor. vii. 30 ; and ' Mourn not as men without hope,' 1 Thes. iv. 13. But such is the goodness of our God, that he hath said all this and much more, and so made our comfort and cheerfulness a great part of our work, and hath made it unlawful for us to be miserable, and to pierce ourselves through with divers sorrows. The Lord foresaw what sinful anxiety was inci- dent to us because of our difficulties and discouragements, and how we would be distracted in our duty if he should leave the burden of care and sorrow upon us ; therefore he would only have us mindful of our duty, leaving all success and events to him. A small matter occasioneth much vexation of spirit to us when we take the care of it upon our- selves ; therefore it is not only our privilege that we may, but our duty that we must, disburden ourselves of these distrustful fears and cares and sorrows. It is his peremptory command, which his people must not disobey, unless they will incur his displeasure.
[2.] A submission to his providence. He is absolute Lord, to dis- pose of our persons and conditions as it shall seem good in his sight ; for he is our potter, and we are his clay : Isa. xlv. 9, * Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker : let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth : shall the clay say to him that formeth it, What makest thou ? ' Therefore we must not be troubled when he exerciseth this his sovereignty : Job xxxiii. 13, 'Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not an account of any of his matters.' Who shall be judges and arbitrators to take the account of his proceedings ? and before whom will you call him to render a reason of his actions ? No ; he ruleth with absolute dominion and sovereignty, but yet showeth himself a loving and tender Father to his people : Mat. vi. 32, ' Your heavenly Father knoweth you have need of all these things.' The Lord will keep off dangers, provide everything needful, and is more solicitous for your well-being than you can be yourselves. There is a constant fatherly providence watching over his people for good ; if we do believe it, why are our hearts troubled ? Let our Father take his own way to bring his children to glory : Luke xii. 32, ' Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.' That clause concerneth not only our final blessedness, but all the ways and means which conduce thereunto.