2. Of all men, virtuous good men are more miserable than others, if you consider their temper and the state of the world. Their temper ; they deny themselves the pleasures of the flesh, and the world too often depriveth them of the ordinary comforts of life. They deny themselves the irregular pleasures of the flesh, as being an impediment to goodness, and that sense and appetite may not carry them against the dictates of reason, and so, instead of being led by conscience, as they ought, they serve their brutish passions and inclinations, as others do. This is the difference between them and others : ' They do not run with them into the same excess of riot,' 1 Peter iv. 4. But besides this, they are subject to many tribulations and persecutions. We often see that instruments of public good are made sacrifices of public hatred. The bad will hate the good, as differing from them, and disgracing that kind of life which they affect : Prov. xxix. 27, ' He that is upright in the way is abomin- ation to the wicked.' They have a malignity and enmity to that good- ness which they want themselves, and therefore deal worst with those that deserve best at their hands, because they cannot so quietly take satisfaction in their lusts, whilst others about them excel in virtue and holiness.
3. Of all good men, the profane carnal world is more enraged against christians than others. Probity and honesty in the heathens hath met with opposition in the world ; and some among them, that would reform a depraved and disordered age, have met with sore troubles, and been hurried even unto death foi- seeking to stop the inundation of public vices. But especially hath this been the portion of christians : 2 Tim. iii. 12, ' All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.' Christianity is the more violently opposed because it
SERMONS UPON 1 CORINTHIANS XV. 19. 127
carrieth us to an higher pitch of purity and holiness than bare moraUty doth ; for therein men are more devoted to God, and do most resemble him, as they are made partakers of the divine nature. Therefore a true, constant, christian course doth more enrage the world. Besides, it is most contrary to those diabolical impostures which have prevailed over the nations, and are entertained by them with much veneration, as being received by a long tradition from ancestors. Therefore the devil ever had a greater rage against this way ; and many of the truths of it are not only mysteries, and therefore contradicted, but mysteries of godliness, tending to imbue men with right thoughts of God, and do more shake the interests of the devil's kingdom. Thence hath it been that christians have been worse used than other good men ; and so, considered as to their outward estate, are of all men most miserable.
4. To induce men to lead such an holy godly life, which exposeth them to so many miseries, such motives are necessary as are greater than the temptations of the world; partly with respect to Christ, for Christ is so good that he would not impose this duty upon us without a sufficient recompense for our losses and troubles ; for he came not to make us miserable, but happy, to save, not to destroy, that the world might have benefit by him, and not loss and trouble. We have a two- fold apprehension of God, as an holy and happy being. There is in his nature, to dyadop, goodness, and to jjcaKupiov, blessedness ; accord- ingly Christ hath made a discovery of him to us when lie came to plant godliness and holiness in the world. He hath revealed him as a God of infinite purity and blessedness, that, by imitating him in purity, we might be made partakers of his blessedness ; or that, self-denyingly carrying on a life of holiness here, we might have our blessedness in a better life hereafter : his calling is an high and holy calling. And partly with respect to us : In this state of frailty, this living godly in Christ Jesus cannot be carried on unless our natural and sensual inclination be overruled by the bias of a stronger affection. The flesh in us is importunate to be pleased ; and therefore when our troubles and trials are sore and manifold, what shall we do if we have not such higher motives as may rationally prevail with us ? The voice of nature is. Spare the flesh ; Ijut the voice of faith is, Save the soul. Now if this salvation be not greater than the temptations of the present life, how shall we row against the stream of flesh and blood, and run all hazards with Christ ?
5. Christ hath promised an happiness that will countervail all these afflictions. There is a fourfold comparison which believers usually make, or in scripture are taught to make, between this life and the next ; as —
[1.] Sometimes they compare temporal good things wuth eternal good things, or the portion of a carnal man with the happiness of a child of God : Ps. xvii. 14, 15, ' From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. But as for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness ; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.' That is, the rich and great men of