Reasons — (1.) Because the men are altered ; (2.) Because their work is altered.
1. The men are altered, both in their judgments and affections.
[1.] In their judgments. The pride of their carnal reason is sub- dued ; or rather, their reason is set free from the captivity of brutish passions. Now they know what sin is, the nature of it, and tlie danger of it, and what necessity lieth upon them to part with it. Formerly they lived by sense, and were under the power of brutish lusts, and they thought it more than needs to wind up men to such a pitch of holiness, or to call upon them to be so watchful, serious, and diligent ; that this niceness and fond scrupulosity was over-doing. Now they see it is but necessary strictness ; that these were their best friends. Smart experience openeth their eyes. They now feel the evil they never feared before ; and by experience and sensible proof they see the deceit of them that cried, Peace, peace, that declaimed against strictness, and hated those that taught them the way of salva- tion : Prov. xxviii. 23, ' He that rebuketh a man, afterward shall find more favour than he that flattereth with his tongue.' Rubbing an itch breedeth soreness and rawness.
[2.] Their affections are altered, the stubbornness of their hearts is subdued: Job xxiii. 16, Tor God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me.' Before, Shall they pine and wliine, and tremble at the word ? No ; they are no such babies. Till the arrows of Christ stick fast in the heart, they do not fall down before the truth : Ps. xlv. 5, ' Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies, whereby the peoi)le fall under thee.'
2. Their work is altered. They mind that which requireth a minister's work, the salvation of their souls. They slight God and their souls, and therefore may well slight God's ministers. There is no work for them to do.
Use 1. To press ministers to evidence themselves to men's consciences rather than their lusts. Make known the truths of God sincerely to
256 SERMONS UPON ACTS II. 37, 38. [SeR. III.
them : 2 Cor. iv. 2, 'But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God ; ' 2 Cor. v. 11, 'Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men ; but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences/ You are accounted enemies for a while ; but if ever God touch their hearts, they Avill love you, when they are freed from the slavery of their lusts. It is not those that have quaint notions and rhetorical flourishes, that cry, Peace unto them, that will then serve their turn.
Use 2. Is information, that he that hath a secret grudge and distaste against God's faithful servants and messengers was never kindly wrought upon. He might be touched at heart, but was not pricked at heart. They are sensible of a light that troubleth them, not a kindly remorse that maketh them to ask advice and counsel. If they had any true pangs of conscience, it would be otherwise.
Secondly, Their question, ' What shall we do ? ' that is, do to escape the deserved punishment, do to obtain remission of sins, do to be saved ? Acts xvi. 30, as may be gathered by parallel places, and out of the apostle's answer, ' Repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins ; ' and, ' Save yourselves from this untoward generation.' The jwint is —
Boct. That men are at a good and hopeful pass when once they come anxiously and fervently to ask, ' What shall we do to be saved ? '
This is the usual question of men wounded in spirit and in straits of conscience : Acts ix. 6, ' And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? ' Luke iii. 10, 'And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then ? ' Acts xvi. 30, ' And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved ? ' Job vii. 20, ' What shall I do unto thee, 0 thou preserver of men ? '
1. It is a weighty question.
2. When it is fitly proposed, it argueth a good and hopeful con- dition and state of soul.
1. It is a weighty question. The case is not for another, but for themselves. We read of an impertinent question put forth by Peter to Christ: John xxi. 21, 'Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, what shall this man do ? ' But here it is, ' What shall we do ? ' Many do not look inward, but are busy about the concerns of others. It is not, What shall he do ? but, ' What shalhwe do?' It is not about in- tricate doubts, and nice debates, or the decision of scholastical questions, but a necessary thing. Curious questions argue too much levity and wantonness in those that propose them. Many that are heart-whole dispute and wrangle about nice things, but these ask advice. Those that wholly give up themselves to nice debates neglect the main profit- able matters. A man in straits and pangs of conscience is not in a condition to trouble himself with niceties ; he is in danger of hell, and his care is how he shall do to escape it. It is not about the body, but the soul ; not for necessaries for the outward man. There are questions of that nature which we are apt to put : Mat. vi. 25, ' What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we put on ? ' ' Take