[5.] The carnal and unsanctified rejoice in earthly things, as pleasing their flesh; and so do the godly also, as far as flesh remaineth in them. But this is our weakness, and so really our disgrace. High thoughts of worldly pomp and greatness show how little we have of a christian spirit. A christian should affect a mortified heavenly life, and value himself and others by better enjoyments. A minister, if he glory in his great- ness and honour, is not a preacher of the cross, but an enemy to it. It is a greater glory to him to be much in the spirit, much in labours, much in afflictions, than to live in pomp, and flow in ease and wealth, and enjoy great revenues. In hoc successisti non Petro, sed Constantino, saith Bernard to Eugenius — In this you succeed not Peter, but Constantine. Christ had not where to lay his head ; his witnesses prophesied in sackcloth. Their true glory is to be mortified, holy, heavenly ; not to affect grandeur and precedency ; that is a disgrace to the preachers of the cross. So for private christians ; they should value themselves and others by their grace rather than pomp.
(1.) Themselves. A christian should not glory in this, that he is wealthy, that he thriveth when others are in misery, and so God loveth him better than others. If a stalled ox had reason, would he be so senseless to think his master loveth him better than his fellows because his food is more liberally provided for him, when he is but fatted for the slaughter ? As Haman was deceived in misconstruing the queen's invitation of him to a banquet, as a matter of special grace to him, when she did it to have better opportunity to accuse him ; so are these deceived in judging God's intention, or the happiness of their condi- tion. Have you dignities, honours, and high places in the world ? Do you flow in wealth ? Glory not in this as any part of your felicity ; all may be blasted in an instant ; it may be given you for a snare. Christ gave his Spirit to the rest of the disciples, but the purse to Judas, who was a robber and a thief. Miserable wretches, that shall perish to all eternity, may have more than you have. Are you applauded by men ? Will this endear you to God, or abate the least part of your pain in hell? The greatest cause of rejoicing is that you have enough, without all this, in God. If you are advanced on the pinnacle, they that are below are on the safer ground ; your wealth will not take away your guilt nor open heaven's gates to you. Are you clothed with gorgeous attire ? Glory not in this ; the true ornament is grace : 1 Peter iii. 3, 4, ' Whose adorning, let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel ; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great value.' Pride is a greater shame than poverty. The emptiest person may have the best attire. It is not your outside showeth your worth, no more than a rich saddle and
142 SERMONS UPON PH1LIPPIANS III. [SER. XIV.
trappings show a good horse. All this is not matter of globing or blessing yourselves.
(2.) Nor value others. Those that have high thoughts of worldly- pomp and wealth do not only bless themselves, but admire others for these things : Ps. x. 3, ' The wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.' They slight the true christian, and have respect to him that weareth the gold ring and gay clothing : James ii. 1-3, ' My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with agold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place ; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool.' They think it a fine thing to be high. And on the con- trary, grace teacheth us to value the godly poor : Ps. xvi. 3, ' But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight ; ' Ps. xv. 4, ' In whose eyes a vile person is contemned ; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord.' They value a poor man that is godly above a rich man that is wicked, and have a hearty honour and respect for them above the greatest men in the world. When you think too meanly of the estate of poor believers, and admire the rich, you glory in that which should be no glory to a christian.
[6.] This is to bid defiance to your religion which you profess, and to glory in your shame, when you bless yourselves more for having an estate in this world than an interest in the promises. This is as if one that would be accounted a prudent grave man should glory that he hath found a pin. Alas ! the world is too low to be a believer's glory ; his higher hopes do cloud and disgrace all these things. Who is your Saviour ? A crucified Christ. What is the glory of your religion, but mortification, as the blessed effect of his cross ? To glory in any creature, as opposite to Christ and divided from Christ, is to glory in your shame. Carnal glory will shortly make those ashamed that use it. So also when you account a sinful retreat or escape from the cross to be better than disgraceful suffering, this is contrary to the temper of true christians. See Heb. xi. 26, Acts v. 41. Let others be ashamed of their master, their religion, their God, yet be not you.