4. Out of gratitude since God hath advanced us to so great a privilege : ' Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God ! ' Hath God put such honour upon us that we should be his children, provided such a blessed estate for us hereafter, and shall not we prepare to receive it ? 1 Thes. ii. 12, ' That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you to his kingdom and glory ; ' 1 Thes. iv. 1, ' Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.' In gratitude we are bound to consider what will please or displease God. If we expect our happiness from him, it is our concernment to serve and please him.
SERMON V.
And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, as he is pure. — 1 John iii. 3.
I come now to the application.
Use 1. To show the misery of those men that could never endure this purity of heart and life.
1. Do you count it a happiness to see God and be like him ? If you do, why do you not desire it, and endeavour it now ? Nothing can be the object of our eternal delight and satisfaction but what is the object of our present desires and endeavours. It is impossible that the soul can be satisfied with any delight and complacency in anything which formerly it was not desirous of. If you desire it not, God doth you no wrong to deny it you ; he will not receive any into his blessed presence to whom it will be a burden. Satisfaction is the fulfilling of
480 SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN III. [SER. V.
our desires and the rest of our motions. If you desire it, why do you shun God's presence now, and no more endeavour to be like him? Answer this question which way you will, it will either cut off your future hopes, or else condemn your present practice as altogether unsuitable and inconsonant thereunto.
2. Are you in a posture to meet with God ? Joseph washed himself when he was to come before Pharaoh ; so did the Israelites when they came to God to hear the law. Pray what have you done to prepare for this solemn interview ? Every one of you must shortly appear before God, and will you appear as a shame to your Redeemer ? How will you then look him in the face with this proud, vain, carnal heart or worldly affections ? Are you fit to go among the blessed spirits that are made perfect ? Do I expect to tread Satan under my feet shortly, and shall I give him entertainment in my heart now ? to have sin wholly subdued, and yet cherish it? to be a follower of the Lamb to all eternity, and now walk according to the course of this world ? When you are wallowing in your filthiuess, is this purifying yourselves as Christ is pure ?
Use 2. To press us to endeavour after this purity. I must enforce it upon all sorts, young and old. First for the young: Ps. cxix. 9, ' Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.' He doth not say direct and order, but ' cleanse his way.' We are from our birth polluted with sin. A child is not like a vessel that cometh out of the potter's shop, indif- ferent for good or bad infusions ; but the vessel is fusty already, hath a smatch of the old man, and must be cleansed. But then, secondly, for the old, because these are hastening into the other world apace, and therefore must hasten their preparations, and be more diligent in purifying their souls, being shortly to appear before the holy God : 2 Peter iii. 14, ' Let us give diligence, that we may be found of him in peace, without spot and blame:' I must press it upon persons of a public relation, as the apostle doth upon the officers of the church : 1 Tim. iii. 9, 'Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.' Soundness of religion is best retained there where there is not only a clear head but a pure heart, as we put precious liquors in a clean vessel which are apt to be corrupted in a foul one. And also upon all christians in a private station, for without purity of heart no man shall see God, which is the common felicity of all the saints. And therefore purity of heart and life is their common character and qualification : Ps. lxxiii. 1, ' Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are of a clean heart.' All are not Israel who are of Israel : the Israel of God are those that are clean of heart. So high and low, rich and poor. God doth not respect men according to their outward condition, but their purity and cleanness of heart. The question is put, Ps. xxiv. 3, 4, ' Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? Who shall stand in his holy place?' And it is the most important question that can be put. And the answer is, 'He that hath clean hands and a pure heart.' Every one is not promiscuously admitted into heaven, and brought into his blessed presence, but only such as have clean hands and hearts. Sion hill is a figure both of the church and heaven.