(1.) For our entrance into the christian estate, or recovery out of the apostasy of mankind, faith and repentance : Acts xx. 21, ' Testifying to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.' When we are willing to return to God, as our lord and happiness, by the Mediator Christ Jesus, by his renewing renovating grace, condemning our former ways, and humbly imploring the grace of our Redeemer, and waiting for it in all the insti- tuted means. These are the remedial duties which concern our relief and deliverance from that sin and misery wherein all mankind are involved, and this is our beginning to do well.
(2.) Our progress in the new state. Those duties are set down, Titns ii. 12, ' Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.' There are but three beings in a moral consideration — God, our neigh- bour, ourselves. The three adverbs are suited to them. (1.) Soberly, that implieth self-government, or the right ordering of our passions and appetites : for sobriety is a holy moderation in the use of all worldly things. (2.) Righteously, that implieth a carrying ourselves to all men with mercy, and all good fidelity in our relations as parents, children, husbands, wives, rulers, subjects. (3.) Godly, that implieth a holy subjection to God's commanding and disposing will, and also an entire dependence upon him, and constant communion with him. Well, then, to do well is to humble ourselves for our sinful and miser- able estate by nature, to implore God's grace in Christ, and resolvedly to betake ourselves to a holy course, bridling our passions and affections, and taking more care for the soul than the body, that is sobriety. As to men, we must not only mind the negative, to prevent wrong, Alteri nefeceris quod tibi fieri non vis, not to do to others what we would not have them do to us ; but the positive, as set down, Mat. vii. 12, 'What ye would men should do unto you, do even the same unto them,' that ye may do good to the uttermost of your power. As to God, that we love our Creator, and live to him, not breaking his laws for all the world. Therefore all those that prefer the body before the soul do not subordinate all things they affect to eternal happiness ; that gratify the flesh to the wrong of the soul, they do not do good ; all that are self-lovers and self-pleasers to such a degree that others are wronged, yea, so far as they are not helpful to others to the uttermost of their power, do not do good ; all that live in the neglect of God do not carry them- selves with that reverence, delight, and trust which is due to so wise, good, and powerful a being as God is ; they are not well-doers.
278 SERMONS LTOX 2 TUESSALOXIAXS I. [SER. IX.
[2.] Continuance in well-doing. We must continue this care of pleasing God in all the duties he hath required of us to the end : Luke i. 75, ' In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives.' In a journey it is not sufficient to go a mile or two, but we must hold on our course to the journey's end ; so we must never give over well-doing while we are in the world. Some are good for a pang or fit ; but, 'Oh, that they had a heart to fear me, and keep my com- mandments always ! ' Deut. v. 20. The law bindeth continually, and grace planted in the heart should influence all our actions. God's eye is always upon us, and we are every hour and moment anew obliged to him for his benefits ; therefore our duty should last till we attain our end, lest we lose our crown, and the benefit of all we have done already. There are always the same reasons for going on that there were for beginning at first ; the same bond of duty lieth upon you, the same hopes are laid before you, the same helps and encouragements, and there can be no temptation great enough to recompense this loss of glory, and honour, and immortality.
3. The manner of pursuit, with diligence and patience.
[1.] Diligence, ' They seek it,' which implieth not only a hearty desire, but an earnest endeavour : ' First seek the kingdom of God,' Mat vi. 33, that is, with such an affection as is not controlled by other affections ; this must be their chief business, all must give way to this. Many desire this glory, but they are soon put out of the humour, and take up with the pleasures, honours, vain delights, and profits of the world. Surely if we heartily desire it, something must be done in order thereunto, and done with all our might : John vi. 27, ' Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for the meat which endureth to everlast- ing life ; ' Phil. ii. 12, ' Work out your salvation with fear and trem- bling ; ' Phil. iii. 14, 'Press towards the mark.' You will never come to the enjoyment of this happiness with idleness and cold wishes ; we must desire it so as to labour after it in the first place. Many do something, but it is little or nothing to the purpose ; the strength of their endeavours runs in another channel. It may be they pray for it, but do not live accordingly.