SERMONS UPON LUKE XII. 48. 373
hath been amongst them; Ezek. ii. 5. So that all the fruit is, God is clear when he judgeth, but they have no saving benefit by all this.
7. That in improving what is committed to our trust, our returns must carry proportion with our receipts: Mat. xxv. 16, 17, 'He that had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made them other five talents ; and likewise he that received two, he also gained other two.' God will not accept of every rendering. For the mercies of common providence, it is said, 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, he ren- dered something, but ' not according to the benefit done unto him.' So for the mercies of his covenant ; where he pardoneth much, he expecteth to be loved much : Luke vii. 47, ' Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much ; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.' So for sanctification ; he expecteth more from them to whom he hath given more grace. Paul saith, 1 Cor. xv. 10, ' I laboured more abundantly than they all.' So for all other talents, ordinances, and means of knowledge. God expecteth more from them to whom they are vouchsafed, than from another people ; as is evident in his judgments : ' You only have I known of all the nations of the earth, therefore will I punish you for your iniquities.' The valley of vision had the sorest burden, Isa. xxii. 1. Yea, it is more easy to be saved for some than others. Kighteousness consists in a proportion, which holdeth good both in our duty and God's judgments. But of this hereafter.
8. Consider how many encouragements God's stewards have to be faithful.
[1.] His right is clear, as appearethhy this double plain argument. God doth dispose of these gifts at his own pleasure by his providence, and l)y his laws he hath regulated the use of them, that thus and thus we shall employ them.
[2.] God hath given a liberal allowance to every steward which he employeth. He is well provided for ; for he is an instrument of God's providence, first to provide for himself, and for his own : 1 Tim. v. 8, ' But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.'
[3.] Besides the gifts we are entrusted withal, there is co-operating grace to help us to be faithful : Phil. ii. 13, 'He worketh in us, both to will and to do ; ' else we should swallow the gift, and little mind the use : Col. i. 29, ' Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.'
[4.] There is an eternal reward to the faithful : Mat. xxv. 23, ' Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' All his servants shall be highly dignified, as those whom Christ delishteth to honour.
374 SKUMONS UPON LUKE Xll. 48.
SERMON 11.
For unto ivJiomsoever much is given, of Mm shall be much required; and to ivhom men have committed much, of them will they ask the more. — Luke. xii. 48.
DocT. 2. These gifts are not given to all in the same measure ; for in the text there is intimated a difference in the distribution ; some have ' much,' others have ' little.'
This is a thing often inculcated in scripture, as worthy to be taken notice of, and seriously improved by us. Therefore I shall give you — (1.) Some observations concerning it; (2.) The reasons of it; (3.) The uses.
I. Observations.
1. That every one hath some gift or other to be improved for God ; some relation, some opportunity and advantage, whereby he may glorify his Father which is in heaven, honour the gospel, and be useful to others. In the parable of the talents, one had five talents, another two, another one ; he that had least had one, Mat. xxv. 15. Some have public offices, and move in a higher sphere. Others are in a private condition, where they may glorify God as masters or as servants, as parents or children, husbands or wives, by performing the duty of their places. Fidelity in the meanest piece of service is acceptable to God, and tendeth to his glory and honour : Eph. vi. 8, ' Knowing that what- soever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.' He taketh notice of the poor bond- servant, who serveth God in his calling as well as of the freemen and masters ; for God looketh not to the splendour and greatness of the work, but the honesty and sincerity of the doer, how mean soever he be. And this tendeth to God's honour : Titus ii. 10, ' Showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.' Eeligion is commended and well spoken of by means of the good carriage of a poor servant. Dent imperatores tales, tales exactores Jisci, &c. It is very notable that every one offered to the use of the tabernacle in Moses' time, gold, or silver, or brass, or chittim wood, or goats-hair, or badgers skins ; some that which was more expensive, others that which was more cheap and common, but every one accord- ing to his several ability. So when Christ went to Jerusalem, some strewed the way with garments, others cast down branches ; some cried, Hosannah ; that was all they could do. The meanest service hath its use, and is not without a reward : Mat. x. 41, 42, ' He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward ; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward ; ' and whosoever shall give to one of these little ones a cup of cold water, only in the name of a dis- ciple, verily, I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.' That is, he that doth support and enable a prophet to do the work of him that sent him, shall receive the same reward that he should, if he had been sent to prophesy ; yea. the same as if he had received him that sent him, even Christ that sent the apostles, or God that sent Christ : ' For