4. God hath chosen this way as most fit to advance his glory ; he will give us little in hand, that he may daily hear from us, and we may seek our supplies from him ; for the spirit of adoption was given us that we may cry, ' Abba, Father.' And also that his power may be perfect in our weakness. By infirmities, weaknesses, and wants, his fatherly love more appeareth to us than in an absolute and total exemption from them. God would not hear so often from us, nor should we have such renewed experiences, to revive the sense of his
458 SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN III. [SER. II.
love and grace, which otherwise would be cold and dead in our hearts, were it not for those wants and afflictions during our minority and nonage.
Use 1. Be contented to be hidden from and hated by the world, if the course of your service expose you to it. As much as in him lieth, a christian should seek to be at peace with all, gain the good-will of all, that his service may not be obstructed. But none can carry it so innocently and meekly but he will meet with some opposition ; but we should not stumble at the cross, be deterred from a course of godliness, or discouraged in God's stricter ways, because of the vexations and afflictions which accompany them. To this end —
1. Look upon things not as what they are esteemed to be now, but what they will be hereafter ; now is the trouble, then the reward. If the blind see not these things, you should see them, 2 Peter i. 10. Present time is quickly past, therefore we should not look at things what they seem at present, but what they will prove to all eternity. Present pleasures, profits, or honours, may easily be counter-balanced by final shame. The derided, vilified believer, oh, how glorious a creature will he be, when Christ shall give him bis eternal reward ! Mat. v. 11, 12, ' Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and perse- cute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you, for my name's sake. Kejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.'
2. Thankfully consider the benefits you have now by holiness, as well as the afflictions. The least cross is usually taken notice of more than all the advantages which follow holiness. Is your Father strange to you now ? Doth not he give an hundred-fold ? Mark x. 30 ; and give you that which is infinitely more worth than that he taketh from you ? The world may be bought too dear, but not salvation and the comforts of the Spirit. Yea, as to outward things, you are not cast out of the care of his providence : 2 Cor. iv. 9, ' Persecuted, but not for- saken ; cast down, but not destroyed.' Though we wrestle with difficulties, yet are supported and maintained ; our heavenly Father is fatherly still.
Use 2. Do not affect appearances, nor live by opinion, but content yourselves with the favour and approbation of God; an hypocrite's outside is the best, because he seeketh to please men. But count the inward life the best life, that inward adorning, the hidden man of the heart. The nettle mounteth on high when the violet shroudeth itself under its own leaves, and is only found out by its smell and fragrancy. A christian is satisfied with the honour that cometh of God only. Con- sider well —
1. Of the honourable estate and privileges to which believers are called, to be sons of God and friends of God.
2. The honour of his approbation in our consciences, and the testi- mony of our integrity, if approved of God and accepted of God, 2 Cor. v. 9, 2 Cor. x. 18. A good opinion of ourselves, and others' good opinion of us, cannot be so comfortable to us as the testimony of God concerning our sincerity.
3. His respects are many times made conspicuous to the world: ' Those that honour me, I will honour.' When a man sincerely sets himself
VER. 2.] SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN III. 459
to exalt God, God will take care to honour him in the sight of the world when it is convenient.
4. God's approbation and testimony of us at the day of judgment, 1 Cor. iv. 5 ; 1 Peter i. 7, ' That the trial of your faith may be found to praise and glory.'
5. Eternal glory in heaven : Kom. ii. 7, ' To them who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, eternal life.'
Use 3. If your privileges be hidden, let your graces appear in their fruits and effects. Little of your happiness is seen, but your holiness should be apparent and visible ; it is for the honour of God that his children should be like him, Mat. v. 16, and 2 Thes. i. 12. If your condition be obscured and darkened by afflictions, let it not be obscured and darkened by sins ; and though you live not in a perpetual tenor of happiness, yet there must be a constant course of holiness ; no greatness like that of a gracious spirit.
Use 4. Be contented with a mean condition ; it is not the day of the manifestation of the sons of God : though others that are wicked have a larger allowance, God doth not misplace his hands, as Joseph thought of his father, that he did not place his hands on the right head, Gen. xlviii., when he saw Ephraim preferred before Manasseh. In what a poor condition was the only-begotten Son of God when he lived in the world ! Though you do not enjoy the pleasures, honours, riches, and esteem that others do, yet if you enjoy the favour of God, it is enough ; though mean, yet heirs of glory, James i. 5. God doth not esteem men according to their outward lustre, 1 Sam. xvi. 7.