Secondly, How?
1. Accurately and seriously. Usually we content ourselves with
214 SERMON UPON 1 PETER I. 12.
running cursory thoughts, never sit and pause with ourselves what manner of saviour and salvation this is, what is required of them that would be partakers of it, and so content ourselves with a superficial view, without an accurate inspection. Slight and shallow apprehen- sions leave no impression on the soul. The hen that often straggleth from her nest sufferethher eggs to chill. We should dwell upon these tilings till they produce a clearer knowledge, a firmer belief", an higher estimation, a greater admiration ; for this is to resemble angels : Eph. iii. 18, ' That we may comprehend with all saints the depth, and length, and breadth, and height;' all whicli begets solid comforts. When the mind is wholly taken up with other things, the soundest knowledge worketh not.
2, Spiritually, profitably, practically. Our business is not so much to know new truths about the gospel, as to know them in a more use- ful manner. Let us pry into these things as the angels do, not to satisfy our curiosity with a little notional knowledge, or out of pride, that we may pertinently discourse of them, or hold up an argument about them, but that God may be glorified and admired in the person of the Kedeemer, and our souls delighted for our comfort and quicken- ing, and weaned from the vanities of the world : ver. 13, 'Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus- Christ.''
Thirdly, Why ?
1. Because it is an honourable employment to look into the mysteries of salvation, and to be much conversant about them. It will be a great part of our happiness and work in heaven to behold Christ's glory : John xvii. 24, ' Father, I will that those whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory.' All our faith, hope, and labour tendeth to this. The queen of Sheba took a long journey to behold the glory of Solomon, which did so ravish her that her spirit even fainted within her ; and yet that was but an earthly, temporal, fading glory. But to behold the majesty and greatness which Christ our Redeemer hath at the right hand of God is the great work which we have to do to all eternity ; therefore now we should busy ourselves about these things, that our mouths may be filled with praise and thanksgiving.
2. Because it is delightful to gracious hearts. God findeth a delight in Christ, and shall not we ? There is more in the gospel than a vulgar eye taketh notice of, or our first apprehensions represent unto us. Shall angels wonder at these things, joy and delight in these things, andshall we slight them ? Paul counted all things 'dung in compa- rison of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ,' Phil. iii. 8 ; and 1 Cor, ii. 2, ' I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.' Surely unless our thoughts are lawfully diverted or suspended we should think of no other thing. Austin cast away Tully quia nomen Ghristi non erat ihi, because the name of Christ was not in it.
3. It is useful.
[1.] That all created glory may wax dim, and be more obscured in our eyes ; their power is nothing, their loveliness is nothing in com- parison of Christ; this should take up thy soul, and draw off thy
SERMON UPON I PETER I. 12. 215
observation from deluding vanities, such as riches, and honours, and pleasures. As the light of a candle is scarce seen when the sun shineth brightly, so all the tempting baits of the flesh are nothing when the glories of Christ are considered by us. See ver. 13, * Where- fore gird up the loins of your mind, and be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.' So for affrighting terrors ; what are potentates and powers to him ? All authorities and powers, lawful or usurped, must be sub- ject to Christ : 1 Peter iii. 22, ' Who is gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God, angels, and authorities, and powers being made subject unto him.' This promoteth the joy and constancy of believers under sufferings.
2. To draw out our hearts after him : John iv. 10, ' If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee. Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked, and he would have given thee living water.' Looking after these things is in order to choice: Mat. xiii. 45, 46, ' The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls, who, when he hath found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.' What are all things in the world if set against Christ and his salvation ?
3. That we should converse with him in holy duties with more reve- rence : Heb. xii. 25, ' See that ye refuse not him that speaketh ; for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven ; ' Heb. ii. 3, ' How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation ? which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.' Now, shall we scarce vouchsafe these things a serious thought? The angels are concerned in a way of duty, not in a way of benefit ; it is their duty to worship Christ : Heb. i. 6, 'And again, when he brought his first- begotten into the world, he saith. And let all the angels of God wor- ship him ; ' but not by way of recovery ; and yet they desire to look into this glorious mystery.