260 SEBMONS UPON ACTS II. ^7, 38. [SeR. III.
science tlien there is hopes of them ; then they are serious, and mind things.
4. It expresseth their resignation. They do not stand hacking and dodging, but with readiness of mind offer themselves to be directed by the apostles : ' Men and brethren, what shall we do ? ' As if they had said, We will do anything that you shall enjoin. This is the fashion and manner of those that are in a hopeful way of conversion. They are wont to resign and offer themselves to be guided by Christ in his own way to heaven, without reservation : Acts ix. 6, ' Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ? ' ready to obey him in all things. They do not dispense with some things, and say, Thus far can we go, or, The Lord be merciful to me in this ; but absolutely, ' What shall we do to be saved ? ' There were some that would follow Christ upon conditions : Luke ix. 59-62, ' And he said, Follow me ; but he said. Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. And Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury the dead ; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. Another said. Lord, I will follow thee ; but let me first go and bid them farewell which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man having put his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is fit for the kingdom of God.' Herod did many things ; and the young man had a forwardness, and a longing desire. Now what is the reason they are so pliable to God's will, so ready to obey him in all things, without reserving any sin or lust ? Partly because they see an absolute necessity of coming out of the condition in which they are. Turn and live, sin and die : Ezek. xviii. 32, * For I have no pleasure in him that dieth, saith the Lord ; wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.' There- fore they are willing to be and do anything to come out of it. God being peremptory to punish sin, they must be as peremptory in forsak- ing sin, unless they mean to perish for ever. And partly because they think any condition more tolerable than that under which they are ; for now they feel the evil they never felt before : Ps. xxxviii. 4, ' For mine iniquities are gone over my head ; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.' Therefore, if God will prescribe any terms to them, they will accept them. The evil of sin is so great, that there is no evil equal to it, no good that can countervail it. There is a pressing necessity on the souL These are the considerations that prevail in this condition, before regeneration, or a real bent of heart towards God, and sound consent be wrought.
Use 1. Is reproof of our carelessness. We busy ourselves about the smallest matters : 1 Cor. vi. 2, speaking of the things of this life, he calls them ' the smallest matters.' We will ask, What shall become of us ? We are anxious about events, but not careful about duties ; and this for the outward man, What we shall eat ? not, ' What shall I do to be saved ? ' this question is very rare. A few poor, humble, broken-hearted christians, and some that are fallen under the chasten- ing of the Lord, and are ready to die, they see the need and worth of salvation ; but go up and down among people everywhere, we have no such questions as this. Now many live twenty or thirty years, and never question with themselves, Where am I ? whither am I going ? what shall become of me to all eternity ? Oh, that we could more frequently, more seriously, put this question, and were more diligent and
VeR. 37.] SERMONS UPON ACTS II. 37, 38. 261
earnest to o:et it resolved. There is another question to make way for this : Jer. viii. 6, ' What have I done ? ' And then there is another question after this: Hosea xiv. 8, 'What have I any more to do with idols?' These are the questions to be put to conscience. Certainly if you were troubled for sin, this would be your main inquiry ; but in most people this is not in all their thoughts. Oh, how do we forget our- selves and our main errand in the world ! How little do we mind that which most concerneth us ! One drudgeth for riches, and another giveth up himself to pleasures. Hardly have we a thought wherefore we were born, and what will be the end of things ; and therefore this is the least part of our care, how we shall do to be saved. Some that seem a little affected yet are not soundly awakened, have not such a care as so weighty a business doth require ; like those that are heavy to sleep, that hear a great noise in the night, of wind, and rain, and thunder, or fire, are a little disturbed, but lie down and sleep again, and trouble themselves no more with it.