[4.] But chiefly is this difference to be understood with respect to spiritual things ; that we have the means of grace, and are called to the knowledge of the truth, while others are left to their own ways, sitting in the shadow of death. Surely it is a great favour that we are not put to spell God out of the dark book of the creatures, that we are not put to learn the majesty of God from those natural apostles the sun and the moon, nor his goodness from showers of rain and fruitful seasons. But shall not God have the thanks and praise : Ps. cxlvii. 19, 20, 'He showed his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation ; and as for his judgments they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.' There is a kind of elec- tion and reprobation within the sphere of nature, or the dispensation of external hieans as they are ordered by God's providence. The benefit of scriptures and ordinances is a great benefit. How much hath God done for us above many others ? Our lot might have fallen in places of the greatest idolatry and antichristian barbarism, whei'e we might have sucked in prejudices against the gospel with our milk ; but to
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have a standing there where salvation is usually dispensed is a great mercy.
[5.] Is it that you have many common gifts and graces which are denied to others ? Some have great gifts for the good of the body mystical. Common christians have common gifts, some have what others have not : Heb. vi. 4-6, ' For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance,' &c., compared with ver. 9, ' But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salva- tion, though we thus speak.' To be nearer the kingdom of heaven is an advantage, and to have some common work of the Spirit, as com- punction : ' After I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh,' Jer. xxxi. 19. Awakening grace : Eph. iv. 14, ' Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light,' 2 Tim. ii. 16, ' That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will' God's reproof : Prov, i. 23, ' Turn ye at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my Spirit upon you ; ' Job xxxvi. 10, ' He openeth also their ears to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.' God sanctifieth providences to make us serious : Ps. xciv. 12, ' Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, and teachest him out of thy law.'
[6.] Is it that j'ou are a christian, not by outward profession, but spiritual acquaintance with God ? Gal. i. 15, ' It pleased God who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me.' There is a revealing Christ to us, and a reveal- ing in us, that you are not carnal, obstinate, unbelieving, as others, but '■ chosen otit of the w^orld,' John xv. 19, and 1 John v. 19, ' We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness ; ' that we are separated from the world, and called to the communion of God in Christ.
[7.] Is it that you are enabled in this estate to do anything that con- cerneth the glory of God ? The Komans were wont to cast garlands into their fountains ; so we must ascribe all to God : 1 Cor. xv. 10, 'By the grace of God I am what I am ; ' Luke xix. 16, ' Thy pound hath gained ten pounds.' You must not rob God, and put the crown on your own head. No ; all must be laid at his feet : Eev. iv. 10, ' The four-and-twenty elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne.' They have their crowns from him, and hold them. of him, and their only design is to improve them for him,
[8.] That among the serious worshippers of God there is any differ- ence between you and others, either in gifts or graces, or knowledge of his will : John xiv. 22, * Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not unto the world ? ' That you are not lost in the crowd and throng ; that God should call you out to any eminency of service. There is great difference among the people of God in degrees of grace. All barks that sail to heaven, do not draw alike depth.
I have instanced in all this, because this concerneth the people of God more than others, to keep them free from boasting. Pride in
368 SERMONS UPON LUKE XII. 48.
others feedeth upon empty shadows, but in God's people on the best things, such as spiritual gifts, graces, privileges, singular mercies, and deliverances. Paul's abundance of revelations was ready to puff him up : 2 Cor. xii. 7, ' And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there w^as given unto me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure .' Hezekiah had received a remarkable deliverance : 2 Chron. xxxii. 24, 25, ' In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord ; and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him, but his heart was lifted up,' &c. And it is in them most unnatural to be proud of that which is given to destroy pride, for grace is given to humble us. They are common, not sanctifying and saving gifts that puff up: 1 Cor. viii. 1, 2, 'Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth : and if any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he know- eth nothing yet as he ought to know.' Pompous gifts are of a more swelling nature than spiritual grace, so that you bring a suspicion on your gifts and graces if you are proud of them'; that they are common, not sanctifying saving gifts. Besides the danger, you take the cour.se to provoke God to bereave you of his gifts, when you are puffed up with what should be used for the glory of God. If we .should do so, he provideth a sharp cure ; witness Paul's ' thorn in the flesh,' 2 Cor xii. 7.