VeR. 23.] SERMONS UPON 1 PETER I. 23. 313
Well, now, let me go on with my exhortation. Since we are to labour after that which God will give, let me persuade you earnestly to desire, and carefully to endeavour after, this great benefit. But what is it that we are to do ? (1.) Something to prepare for this work : (2.) Something that doth more immediately concern the work itself.
L By way of tendency and preparation thereunto.
[1.] Observe what God doth to awaken your hearts, either by the touches of his providence or the motions of his Spirit. It is our great advantage to observe God's approaches : Isa. Iv. 6, ' Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.' He is nearer sometimes than at other times. There is a time of finding, if we have the skill and heart to take hold of it. Don't lose sucli an advantage as you will not lightly have again, when by your frowardness and negligence you let it pass out of your hands. Take heed, then, of carnal shifts and delays, and putting off God when he doth so fairly draw nigh unto thee, lest he be gone and never come more. As he biddeth his disciples shake off the dust of their feet against such as would not receive them when they tendered themselves to them : Mat. X. 13, 14, 'And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it ; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoso- ever shall not receive nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet;' Acts xiii. 46, 'Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word should first be spoken to you ; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the gentiles.' So God may take his leave when you will not suffer him to go on with his work in thine heart. Take heed of curing tlie evil spirit with an instrument of music.
[2.] Somewhat you must do yourselves besides this involuntary impression from without. I shall not instance in reading, hearing, or the general means, but only such as concern a closer application. The want of such is the main reason why men, though there be such a necessity upon them, do not look after the new birth, and they are consideration and examination.
(I.). Consideration. Reason with yourselves: For what end were you made ? and what shall become of you to all eternity ? Ps. cxix. 59, 'I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies;' Ps. xxii. 27, ' All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindred of the nations shall worship before thee. Men go on in a senseless security, never thinking of God, nor of their own salvation, nor dreaming of any other world but this wl)ich they now enjoy, wherein they place their happiness, without desire or hope of a better estate. Oh, but if men would rouse up themselves, and consider that all the world are going to heaven or hell, and that in one of them there must be their long home or final abode, and that witliin a short time, they could not but be more serious, and see whether they are qualified to enter into tlio kingdom of God, yea or no. Oh, then, bethink yourselves how dangerous and woful will your condition be if you should be as Adam left you ; if you sliould not be born again, and become a new creature ; for new creatures are the only inhabitants of the new Jerusalem.
311 SERMONS UPON 1 PETER I. 23. [SeR. II.
(2.) Examine aud reflect upon tliine own estate, wliethev indeed thou art born again, yea or no. What you have to depend upon ; a duty which God often presseth us to: 'Let a man examine himself,' 1 Cor. xi. 28 ; and ' Commune with your own hearts upon your beds,' Ps. iv, 4 ; ' Search and try your ways, and turn to the Lord ; ' ' Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith ; prove your own selves : know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates ? ' 2 Cor. xiii. 5. A man that hath a conscience may reflect upon his own ways, and say. How is it with me ? is the image of God formed upon me ? But men are loath to examine, for they are afraid of raising such spirits as tliey cannot easily lay again ; and being intoxicated with the sweetness of carnal peace, and being impatient of labour and trouble, will not deal seriously with their own hearts. And therefore, here the work sticketh in their hands ; either they do not examine, or else break up the court before things come to a full hearing and decision. All is quiet now ; they make no question of the love of God, and have no sciiiple about their condition ; and why should they trouble themselves ? they shall but open the door to fears, and scruples, and perplexities, and weaken their confidence in God ; for so they call the security of the flesh. They have a mind to sleep securely in their sins, and have many pleasing dreams of their own good condition, and the devil lets them alone. Foolish creatures will not remember that they are in danger of a more severe search when God sliall lay open the secrets of men's hearts.