2. They differ from the young men in Christ. Before I tell you how they differ from them, I must acquaint you that there are two sorti
TEE. 13, 14.] SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN II. 12-14. 429
of babes or little children. First, Some are as it were in the birth, inter regenerandum : Gal. iv. 19, 'My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, till Christ be formed in you.' They are such as have good motions and inclinations to spiritual and heavenly things, but they are so often interrupted by the discovery and breaking out of the carnal nature, that we cannot yet say that Christ is formed in them ; yet there are hopeful intimations that the work is a-doing, though the doctrine and practice of the gospel is not so purely and perfectly received. Secondly, The other are such as hang upon the breast, as infants new born : 1 Peter ii. 2, ' As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby ; ' who have much ado to maintain life between one duty and another. These differ from the young men, partly because they are raw and inexperienced, and so are guilty of many oversights, are more easily deceived by Satan and his instruments : Eph. iv. 14, ' That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.' And partly because they are ignorant of the power of corruption, and the many inordinate lusts and passions which lurk in them, and often break out to their dishonour and discourage- ment. Therefore the apostle mindeth such, 1 Peter i. 14, ' Not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts of their ignorance.' Weaknesses and infirmities are most rife then. And partly because they do not understand their duty in their first entrance upon their christian course so well as they do afterwards, and therefore either cleave to things out of blind zeal, or else condemn them out of rash- ness and indiscretion : Eom. xiv. 1, ' Him that is weak in the faith receive, but not to doubtful disputations.' They are easily carried away with a vain show, and either allow or condemn things without due warrant. And partly because they are not so strong as the young men, nor so full of spiritual confidence, but are full of fears, as little children are easily frighted with anything. Their faith being little, doubts arise and fears prevail : Mat. vi. 30, ' 0 ye of little faith ! ' Mat. viii. 26, * Why are ye fearful, 0 ye of little faith ? ' Mat. xvi. 8, ' Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, 0 ye of little faith ! ' Weak christians are timorous, not being used to conflicts and difficulties, perplexed with doubtful thoughts. Christ saith, John xvi. 12, ' I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.' Through their incapacity they cannot take in many truths ; they who have the Spirit in some measure may yet remain incapable of some divine truths, and do continue under many weaknesses and errors of mind, and are apt to stumble and quarrel at many truths. As weak shoulders shrink under heavy burdens, so do weak under- standings and light and pre-occupied affections under spiritual and heavenly truths ; or as weak stomachs cast up the strong meat which they cannot digest. So the apostle : 1 Cor. iii. 2,3, ' I could not speak to you as spiritual, but as to babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet are ye able.' By ' milk,' he meaneth the plain doctrines of the christian religion ; by * meat,' the more exact discussion of these points.
430 SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN II. 12-14. [SER. VL
3. We must distinguish these from the carnal or the temporary ; for though they be not so heavenly, so prudent, so strong as the more grown christians, yet there is a clear distinction between them and the unconverted.
[1.] They have the common spirit of all christians. God's favour is all in all to them, insomuch as they cannot be satisfied without it : Ps. iv. 6, 7, ' Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time when their corn and wine increased.' This is that they long after, and labour after, and wait for, that they may understand how God is affected towards them. About this their thoughts are chiefly occupied, and upon this they lay out their time and care : Ps. xxvii. 4, ' One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.' Now the temporary have never this high esteem of the favour of God as to prefer it simply and com- paratively above all other contentments whatsoever.
[2.] Though their main care be about getting off the guilt of sin for the present, yet there is an unfeigned purpose that they may not in the smallest matters offend and displease God, but to the utter- most of their knowledge they are careful to perform their duty. There is in them that good and honest heart : Luke viii. 15, ' But that on the good ground are they who in an honest and good heart have heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience ; ' though there be many weaknesses and inadvertencies, because they know not the corruptions of their own hearts, nor the force of temptations, and it may be do not so fully understand their duty.