324 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [Ser. XV.
fleshly lusts by which the rest of the world are captivated ; and as a comforter he supporteth us in the greatest trials and afflictions. So that all the persons in the Trinity receive due honour from us. We add nothing to God, but we are to tell the world what he is.
(2.) I will prove that this was God's end in enlightening us, and calling us with a holy calling : 1 Peter ii. 9, ' But ye are a chosen generation, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people ; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of dark- ness into his marvellous light.' We should illustrate and make his glory more conspicuous, who hath wrought such a gracious and power- ful change in us. First, we wonder at the light ourselves, and then cause others to wonder at it. That which is God's end in bestowing all these privileges should be our great end and the business of our lives, namely, to show forth his perfections in the world. Our being called out of darkness into light is a favour, an honour, and a trust. It is a favour, considering our wretched estate ; before we were in darkness, and saw no light, neither knew our misery nor remedy. It is an honour, considering the grace and happiness we are called unto, to be sons of God, and heirs of glory, translated to a state of light, life, and liberty. And it is a trust, for this light is a talent that must be improved for God ; every one is to be accountable for what he hath received. Being made objects of his special grace, we are bound also to be eminent instruments of his glory in the world, and therefore not suffer this work to die upon our hands.
[2.] Our obligations to men ; there is a debt of duty which we owe to them. Surely it becometh every one that is graced and favoured by God to be a singular benefactor to the world, and being himself drawn into the light, he should promote the kingdom of light, life, and love to others : Luke xxii. 32, ' And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.' Besides, as creatures which are of a bastard production never procreate and bring forth after their kind, so mongrel christians mind not this work. But true grace filleth us with compassion and love to souls ; and them that are possessed with it, as fire turneth all about it into fire, so they endeavour to make others like themselves ; a good man is a common good. Certainly it is every man's duty in some considerable degree to do good to the world, and to be mutually and signally active for the true and real interest thereof. Now the more we seek to draw them out of that evil way and state they are in, the more do we show our zeal for the public good ; and the more corrupt the world is, the more should it stir up our pity, and the more intent should we be, upon all occasions, to represent the evil of their ways by a contrary conversation. Nothing but the light of holiness will invite them to regard religion, and embrace its ways, and submit to its power ; when it is commended in the sight of men, not only by words, but by deeds, it is set forth with greater advantage. If we honour our religion in words only, we are but as a sounding brass nnd tinkling cymbal. But the light that shines forth in deeds pierceth the heart and wounds the conscience to the quick, and the better may we expect to reclaim them from the way of perdition wherein they walk.
Secondly, The benefits that come thereby,
[1.] If it rests only in conviction, it is a great safety to religion, a
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 325
blessing Christ prayed for : John xvii. 21, * That the world may believe that thou hast sent me ; ' and ver. 23, ' That the world may know that thou hast sent me.' The bare conviction of the world is a great blessing : John xvi. 8, * And when he is come, he will reprove (or con- vince) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.' It is promised the Spirit shall convince the world ; not convert, but convince ; and not only the unregenerated and unconverted world, but the repro- bate lost world, who finally persist in their impenitency and disobed- ience. It conduceth much to the advancement of Christ's kingdom. As, for instance, is it not a mighty advantage that the careless and serious read the same bible, own the same baptism, and have the same creed, though they do not both attain salvation by it ? Many speak highly of God that do not own him and choose him for their God : Dan. ii. 47, as the great king Nebuchadnezzar answered Daniel, ' Of a truth it is, that your God is a God, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldst reveal this secret ; ' Acts v. 13, * And of the rest durst no man join himself to them, but the people magnified them.' Some have an honourable esteem of the people of God. Besides, it cleareth God's process at the last day : Mat, xxii. 12, ' How camest thou in hither, not having a wedding-garment ? and he was speechless.' He came in thither though he had not a wedding- garment. Again, their conviction conduceth to other men's conversion. As the Samaritans believed when their great leader, ' to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest,' Acts viii. 10, professed the faith and was baptized, ver. 13, though he still remained ' in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity,' ver. 23. It is no small benefit that Christianity hath gotten such esteem as to be made the public profession of nations. It is for the safety of the church. These con- victions, though they do not change their enemies' hearts, yet they break their fierceness, that they are not such bitter enemies. Pliny, moved by the piety of christians, obtained a mitigation of persecution. Hatred is restrained by fear. A carnal christian hateth a godly man, and feareth him. Once more, conviction may bring on profession and a temporary faith, and so the church hath benefit by their gifts or by their protection. If men of power, they serve as a hedge of thorns about a garden of roses; if men of parts, they may be of use to defend the common Christianity, and may serve, as the Gibeonites, to be hewers of wood and drawers of water ; or as they that built Noah's ark, who perished themselves in the flood : as a living tree may be supported by a dead post. The church hatli great benefit by carnal men's gifts.