VeR. 21.] SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN Ilf. 191
[3.] Those that set their hearts to fulfil their covenant- vow : ver. 22, * Whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his command- ments, and do the thiogs which are pleasing in his sight.' Now those, if their hearts do not condemn them of doubling, and dealing insincerely with God, they have liberty and confidence : Gal. vi. 16, 'As many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, as upon the whole Israel of God.' On the contrary : Ps. Ixvi. 18, ' If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' In short, then, those that allow no sin, complain of it, fight against it, and study to please God in all things, and abound therein more and more ; those are declared to be sincere that seek to be without ofience, Phil. i. 10. If men walk crookedly, they break their confidence, and cannot look God in the face with any comfort.
[4.] That the case be well studied and weighed before conscience pronounceth and passeth the doom, for the heart is very deceitful : 1 Cor. xi. 29, ' Let a man examine himself ; ' 2 Cor. xiii. 5, ' Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith ; prove yourselves ; ' when a man well knowing his duty doth often search and examine himself, his conformity and inconformity thereunto, to see if any of these be wanting. Blind men cannot judge of colours. If no hearty consent to the covenant of grace, founded in the blood of Christ, he hath not taken the course to pacify conscience. If it be not his hearty and daily endeavour to please God, it is impudence, not confidence ; if there be slightness before the matter be debated, and doth undergo a full trial and hearing, it is rashness and presumption, hypocrisy and senseless overweening.
Use 1. That liberty in prayer is so great a mercy, that we should rot easily sin it away, and make our sincerity questionable ; the heavenly trade is then interrupted, and comfortable commerce between God and us broken off. Before we come into God's glorious presence, he first traineth us up by inviting us into his gracious presence, and the throne of grace is the porch of heaven. God taketh this course, not only to settle our affections, that we may begin that acquaintance here which there shall be perfected and consummated, but to try our confidence. If we cannot come to God in prayer, how shall we come to God in heaven, and in a dying hour cheerfully set sail for eternity, and launch into the other world ? Now whilst we are insincere, serious prayer is irksome ; we can have no delight in God's company, or com- fortable thoughts of him ; while we indulge any secret sin, every duty is a penance to us. Therefore do not lose your liberty and openuess of heart to God, but preserve the friendship settled in the covenant of grace inviolable and entire.
2. That God's presence, which is the comfort of the faithful, is the burden of the carnal and the guilty. The presence of God is terrible to sinners ; they think they are never better than when farthest off from God and most forget God. The devil and the wicked sympa- thise : Mat. viii. 29, ' What have we to do with thee, Jesu.s, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time .^' Job xxi. 14, ' They say unto God, Depart from us, we desire not the know- ledge of thy ways.' God's presence and company is a burden to them. Now into what a miserable condition hath sin brought men ! It hath
192 SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN III. [SeR. XXVIII.
changed their joy and content into the greatest terror. Wicked men can neither fly from God's presence, nor yet well endure it.
Use 2. To press christians to keep a good conscience. If you wouM maintain your liberty and confidence towards Grod, carry yourselves so that conscience may not condemn you. There are so many blessed fruits accompany it, that we should value it the more. If you have it not, you want liberty in prayer, here mentioned ; no hope of glory, no sweetness in the word, no readiness in duty, nor strength to resist sin, nor comfort in distresses and afflictions. But if you have it, you can- not conceive the joy that accompanies it : Kev, ii. 17, ' To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna ; and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a name written, which no man knows but he that receives it.' It makes the thoughts of God sweeter, for he is your Father ; his mercy, for it is your portion. His justice is not your terror, but support. His wrath you have escaped ; as the Israelites looked back on the Eed Sea, and saw their enemies drowned and they escaped. His world of creatures are for your use and service ; heaven is your Father's palace ; Christ is your Redeemer and Saviour : the word is your charter ; ordinances and prayer the porch of heaven ; the Lord's supper the table God keepeth for his children.