[3.] That we may be forearmed with resolutions. They that take a walk for recreation do not prepare for all weathers, as they that resolve upon a journey ; or they that go to sea for pleasure, if they see a storm coming, easily go to shore again, but they that go for business resolve upon all hazards to finish their voyage. Now, that we may resolve to make a thorough work of Christianity, and to hold on our Avay in Christ's strength notwithstanding all difficulty, our Lord would have us to sit down and count the charges, Luke xiv. 28, to consider what it will cost us to go to heaven ; not to discourage us, but to provoke us to put on the more resolution, lest we tire when we find more difficulty than we did expect, and that we may resolve to hold on with God, whatever it cost us.
Use 1. This shows us the reason of that presumption which is so common. We use to say that despair kills thousands, but presumption its ten thousands. What is the reason that many presume ? Oh ! the difficulties of salvation are not well weighed. True hope is a middle thing between presumption and despair ; the object of hope is honum, ftduTum, arduum, sed possibile. Hope considers its object as hard, for that which is easy to come by is as if it were already enjoyed ; a man cannot be said to hope for that which he may have with the turn of his hand. Well, then, it considers the good to come as difficult, to awaken diligence and serious endeavours ; but then it considers it as possible, for otherwise we are really discouraged from looking after it; for why should we look after that which is impossible ? Paul's mariners gave over working when all hope that they should be saved
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was taken away, Acts xxvii. 20. But now presumption leaves out the difficulty, and reflects only upon tlie possibility. Some may be saved ; surely God will not damn all his creatures ; therefore I shall be saved. But suppose the contrary, few are saved ; then what shall become of me ? On the other side, despair reflects only upon the difficulty, and leaves out the possibility. Oh ! it is hard, it is impossible with men, there- fore they give it over. I shall make no work of it, saith despair. Now the scripture, that would breed and nourish in us a true hope, doth all along lay forth the difficulty, to prevent slightness of spirit, and yet represents the possibility to prevent despair ; the difficulties to quicken our endeavours, and the possibility to encourage men to hope for the grace of God.
2. It presseth us to mortify our addictedness to present things. 0 christians ! if you could overcome the world, you pluck out the root of all temptations, and then the commandments of God would not be grievous : 1 John v. 3, 4, ' For this is the victory whereby we overcome the world, even our faith ; ' the world is the great let which hinders us from keeping the command, from being so exact, punctual, and sincere with God. Overcome the world, and the work will be easy. Take heed of pleasing the flesh, or letting the world have too great an interest in your hearts ; let it not seem a great thing in your eye. Until your hearts are drawn off" from present things, and you are wholly baptized into that spirit that suits with the world to come, to make that your main care and desire, you will never prosper in heaven's way, until your thoughts be loosened from the world, and you are carried out more to heaven and heavenly things. Consider, wliy should you be addicted to present things ? You that are strangers and not inhabitants, your happiness lies not here : ' If our hopes were only in this life, we were of all men most miserable,' 1 Cor. xv. 19. "We are but probationers for heaven : * Our conversation should be in heaven,' Phil. iii. 20.
3. To fortify us against the difficulties in the way of salvation. You must be at some pains and labour : John vi. 27, ' Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat that endureth unto everlasting life.' Do not slacken your endeavours. To quicken you, consider —
[1.] If you love your salvation, you will be at some cost about it. It it is a sign you make no reckoning of heaven, and have no great sense of things to come, when you grudge your pains ; it is a sign you slight it when you are so slow in the pursuit of it : Phil. iii. 14, ' I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' Oh ! did you value heaven, or had you any esteem of heavenly things, you would not think much of a little pains, of striving with God in prayer, of wrestling, and denying your lusts, to bring your hearts to a readiness and cheerfulness in the service of the ever-living God. No trade in the world you can drive on by idleness. Who ever prospered in any course of living if he followed it with a slack hand ? We cannot think to have those great invisible things of the Lord's Idngdom and his glory if you will do nothing for it.