1 Qu. ' capacity ' ? — Ed.
VER. 11.] SERMONS UPON 2 TFIESSALONIANS I. 321
not in the most exquisite entertainments of sense ; especially when this contemplation is employed about divine truths, such as reconcilia- tion with God and eternal life. But the pleasure of contemplation is nothing to the pleasure of practice, for then we find these things verified and confirmed in ourselves. Contemplation giveth us only a sight, but experience a taste, and so we are more deeply and intimately affected with them : 1 Peter ii. 3, ' If so be we have tasted that the Lord is gracious.' Besides, the delight of contemplation is more vanishing, but the taste of these things is kept up on our hearts by a serious and constant obedience ; it abideth with us, and the pleasure is more durable ; it is but a flash of joy that is stirred up by contemplation, but the delight of practice and fruitful obedience is constant, solid, and permanent. Every holy action is rewarded by peace of conscience, and our right to heaven is more confirmed.
6. A christian will be judged at the last day, not by what he hath believed, but by what he hath done ; not by what he hath approved, but by what he hath practised. Many profess faith and love, but if it be not verified in our practice, they are not accepted with God : 1 Peter i. 17, ' If ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear ; ' Kev. xx. 12, ' The dead were judged according to their works.' God will judge men according to their works, and what they have done in the flesh, whether it be good or evil : John v. 29, ' They that have done good shall rise to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.' So that according to the doctrine of Christ, we must be judged, not by faith, but by the work of faith ; and shall be either justified or condemned at the last day, according as our faith hatb been barren, or else operative and fruitful in good works ; even though we be judged according to the law of grace, this must be the process.
Use 1. Information. That we should not judge of our spiritual condition by an airy religion, that consists in contemplation only, nor rest in an idle faith : James ii. 20, ' Show me thy faith by thy works ; ' for faith without works is dead. The practical christian is most sure to be guided right in point of opinion : John vii. 17, ' If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.' To have more solid comfort : John xv. 11, ' These things have I spoken, that my joy may remain in you.' And certain acceptance with God at the last day : Mat. xxv. 21, ' Well done, good and faithful servant/ &c. It is not the sharp wit, the firm memory, the nimble tongue, but the fruitful life, the obedient practice, which then will be respected. If our work do not correspond with our faith and profession, it is a prac- tical lie and cheat, which God will soon find out and discover.
Use 2. For caution. See that your work be the work of faith. Moralities are not kindly, unless they proceed from love to God and faith in Christ : ' For without faith it is impossible to please God,' Heb. xi. 6 ; and till we be married to Christ we cannot bring forth fruit to God, Rom. vii. 4. All that justice, temperance, charity, is but a mock grace and bastard holiness, as the children born before marriage are illegitimate. Good works are but wild fruit, unkindly, till they have this principle ; there is no living to God that can be carried on to
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any purpose till we are persuaded of his love in Christ, who hath pur- chased pardon and life for us. Yea, we are utterly unable to live to God without the grace of the Redeemer : Gal. ii. 20, ' The life I now live is by the faith of the Son of God.' The knowledge of him and the mysteries of his grace is our great motive, and his Spirit is our proper principle and cause of holy living.
Use 3. To press us to accomplish the work of faith.
1. This may be well afforded, if we consider what Christ is, and what he hath done for sinners, and what he will do ; our obligations past, our privileges present, and our hopes to come. When we consider what Christ hath done for us, and is, and will be to us, have we the heart to refuse any of his commands ? Out of what rock were we hewn, that we can stand out against all these charms of grace ? Unnatural, unthankful creature, that canst deny a loving Saviour, who requireth nothing of thee but what is for thy good !
2. The divine power is engaged for thy defence: Eph. iii. 16, 'That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strength- ened with might ; ' and Eph. vi. 10, ' Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might ; ' 2 Peter i. 5, ' Give all diligence to add to your faith virtue.' You will meet with difficulties in carrying on the work of faith ; but be not discouraged, God is on your side, and Christ will bear all your expenses to heaven. He that was perfected by sufferings will not suffer you to be destroyed by them. You conquer not in your own strength, but by the power of his Spirit. Say then, 2 Tim. i. 12, ' I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him unto that day.'