VeR. 16,] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 365
for such a time as this ? ' Some seem to be made and raised up by providence for such a turn. We read of Paul, Acts xvii. 16, ' His spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idol- atry.' Impulse of spirit, though it make not new duties, yet it deter- mineth the circumstances of a duty already known. Sometimes a word in season doth mightily prevail for instructing, comforting, and converting of others. So we must not neglect the seasons of visiting, feeding, clothing, when God casteth us upon the occasion : 1 John iii. 17, ' But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwell- eth the love of God in him ? ' When Christ so happily met with the woman of Canaan, he falleth a- talking with her for the good of her soul, John iv. 7. But for improving the season, more afterwards. Let it suffice to intimate now, that everything is beautiful in its season : Eccles. iii. 17, ' There is a time for every purpose, and for every work.' Blood out of its proper vessels soon corrupts ; so things done out of their season do more hurt than good.
II. The use we must put it to when we have gotten this commodity into our hands. It is a precious commodity ; you should never let it go but for something better than itself. There are two great ends, the glorifying of God, and the saving of our own souls.
1. One great end in employing our time is the glorifying of God : John xvii. 4, ' I have glorified thee on earth ; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.' So should every christian say when he Cometh to die. Christ had his work, and we have ours. Christ's work was the work of mediation ; ours the work of constant service and thankfulness. We must employ all our talents of gifts, place, and relation, to God's glory. All things glorify God in the event, the wrath of man not excepted ; but this must be our choice and scope : ' The wrath of man shall praise thee,' Ps. Ixxvi. 10. The fierce en- deavours of his enemies ; it is no thanks to them, but to the wisdom of his providence ; it doth not lessen their fault nor punishment. But we must actively glorify God, not passively and objectively only. We are made for this end : Prov. xvi. 4, ' The Lord hath made all things for himself.' And we are made new creatures for this end : Eph. i. 12, ' That we should be to the praise of his glory.' The saints above spend all their time in glorifying God without difficulty, strife, and danger ; it cost them no shame nor pain, neither trouble nor loss of life or limb ; but we must glorify him upon earth in the midst of opposi- tion, if we would be glorified with him in heaven, and be out of gun- shot as they are. We are more careful of events than duties. When the days are evil we are apt to inquire, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name ? Do not ask what God will do, but consider what you must do. You must glorify him though he be dishonoured by others ; and you should trouble yourselves more with what you should do than what shall become of you,
2. The other great end is the saving of our own souls ; that is the use of our time : 2 Peter iii. 14, ' Be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.' Because the apostle's words give me a fit method, 1 shall a little insist on them.
[1.] Our great work is to enter into God's peace, to be found of him
366 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SeR. XIX^
in a renewed and reconciled estate. This is of unspeakable impor- tance, and this is opus diei in die suo, the business of our day : Luke xix. 42, ' If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day. the things which belong unto thy peace ; ' and Luke ii. 14, ' Peace upon earth.' The day was given you to make your peace. AH man- kind was lost in Adam ; God will give them a day to come in and recover themselves. Some men have but thirty, some forty, some fifty, some sixty years ; but alas ! the most part do not mind the work of the day. Surely this is your great business. It is a work worthy your time, and all the labour you bestow upon it. It is a most necessary work: Luke x. 42, 'One thing is needful.' It is a most excellent work to be in a state of amity with God, to have the great breach made up, and difi'erence compromised: Kom. v. 1, ' Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.' And the lltli verse, ' We have joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.' It is a most profitable work, for it procureth us the blessings of this life, and of a better: Mat. vi. 33, 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you ; ' 1 Tim. iv. 8, ' Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.' It is better for soul and body : 1 Cor. xv. 58, ' Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; forasmuch as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lord.' How comfortable will it be when we go out of the world, to say with Christ, John xvii. 4, ' I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do ; ' with Paul, 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8, ' I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day : and not to me only, but to all them also that love his ap- pearing ; ' with Hezekiah, Isa. xxxviii. 3, ' Eemember now, 0 Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.' It is a great contentment to a mariner, after a dangerous voyage, to come safe ashore.