110 SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN III. [SeR. XIX.
3. Because it was fulfilled in our head : John xv. 18, ' The world hated me before it hated you.' If the world hated Christ, no wonder if it hate us ; if Jesus Christ, who never committed sin, who came into the world with a design of love, to do mankind the greatest good, was liated so far as to be put to a shameful death. Jesus Christ was the greatest enemy to sin that ever was born ; he hath endured the contra- diction of sinners before us. Therefore if we are heirs to his sufferings, and that enmity which began with him, and it light upon us for his sake, should we marvel and strain at it ? Nothing should seem grie- vous to a believer which he hath once tasted. If Christ drank of the bitter cup himself, he will have the more sympathy towards us when we pledge him in it. In short, it is a valuable preferment, the fellow- ship of his sufferings, and conformity to his death.
4. That which ever from the beginning of the world hath been the lot of good and holy men should not be marvelled at : Mat. v. 12, ' So persecuted they the prophets which were before you.' The best have undergone these troubles, and surely we are not better than our fathers, 1 Kings xix. 4.
5. That which is necessary to mortify the old man, and break the force of our pride and carnal affections, to try our patience, to reclaim us from our wanderings, to awaken in us a more earnest pursuit of things to come, to keep us from surfeiting of ease and prosperity, and to cut off the fuel and provisions of our lusts, should not be marvelled at ; but this discipline is necessary for all those things : 1 Peter i. 6, ' If need be ye are in heaviness for a season, through manifold tempta- tions.' The scriptures abundantly show this everywhere. Therefore let us not marvel if we meet with trouble and opposition from men for Christ's sake ; it hath ever been so, and will be so, and shall we be surprised and perplexed at it ? If men use to be startled or surprised, it is at something that is strange. The wonder is rather of the other side, if there be any remission of this enmity, considering the disposition of the world.
Use 1. Is to persuade us to venture upon the profession of Chris- tianity with this resolution, to bear patiently the frowns and hatred of the world. Christ telleth us the worst at first. Mat. xvi. 24, and is therein contrary to Satan, who showeth us the bait but hideth the hook ; but Christ telleth us that, when God seeth fit, we must be willing to encounter temptations and the displeasures of the world ; whether they come or no, we must arm ourselves with a mind to endure them. God never intended Isaac should be sacrificed, yet he will have Abraham lay the knife to his throat. To think of going to heaven, and yet dream of a life of ease and peace, free from all manner of troubles and afflictions for conscience' sake, it is all one as if a soldier going to the war should promise himself continual peace with the enemy, or a mariner going a long voyage should imagine a perpetual calm. Therefore you must reckon upon the scorns of the woild, the distaste of carnal friends, the oppositions of the fro ward part of man- kind, and be ' shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,' Eph. vi. 15. Have a resolved mind to go through thick and thin, and to follow Christ in all conditions.
Use 2. Fortify your minds against the world's hatred by such con-
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN III. Ill
siderations as may best support you. Though you be hated of the world, it is enough that you are beloved of God and accepted by God ; that is a christian's greatest ambition, 2 Cor. v. 9, greatest joy, Ps. iv. 6, 7. When God smileth, it is no matter who frowneth.
2. God will take your case in hand, and then whatever you lose by the hatred and wrath of man shall be compensated to you and made up to you by the love of God : 2 Thes. i. 6, 7, ' Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you ; and to you that are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels.'
3. That faith and love to God tried is better, and will yield more comfort, than bare faith and love without trial : 1 Peter i. 7, ' Knowing that the trial of your faith is much more precious than gold that perisheth, that your faith may be found to praise, glory, and honour, at Chiist's appearing.' ' It is the self-denying obedience that yieldeth most comfort ; when graces are proved so as to be approved, then they have the clearest evidence in our conscience.
4. The way to live happily is to obey the will of God rather than to obey the lusts of men ; for by pleasing of God, though you seem to endanger your interests, you do best establish them : Prov, xvi. 7, ' When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.'