[2.] As to zeal in profession and practice. Certainly it is our duty to keep up our vigour to the last, for they that ' are planted in the house of the Lord should bring forth fruit in old age,' Ps. xcii. 14. The older they grow they should be the more fruitful. Enoch kept up his communion with God throughout his whole life : Gen. v. 23, 'Enoch walked with God,' after he begat sons and daughters. And it is the' commendation of Mnason of Cyprus, that he was 'an old disciple,' Acts xxi. 16 ; one that was rooted in the doctrine of the gospel, and had for a long time owned Christ. But oftentimes it falleth out that they that are longest. at work do not always the most or best service.
This may fall out two ways —
(1.) By the larger measures of grace vouchsafed to the latter converts above others, of which no reason can be given but God's will. He is arbitrary in his gifts, but not in his judgments. In converting grace^ as to time and degree, he acts w^ dominus, as a free lord : Rom. ix. 16, * It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.' But in rewarding grace, he acteth ut rector et judex : 1 Cor. ix. 24, ' So run that you may obtain.' They that have done most, and served him longest, are most richly rewarded. But in mere donatives God will do with his own as he pleaseth. Instances in David : Ps, cxix. 98-100, ' Thou hast made me wiser than mine enemies, wiser than my teachers, wiser than the ancients/ God may furnish the younger with larger gifts of prudence, knowledge, boldness, zeal, and industrious activity. So Paul : 1 Cor. xv. 10, ' But by the grace of God I am what I am : and his grace which was bestowed on me was not in vain ; but I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was in me.' Now this might affect the apostles, who being leavened with carnal conceit, dreamed of great offices in the kingdom of the Messiah, that might become others more worthy than they, richly furnished to do God and the church service.
(2.) By the fault of those that did formerly excel ; by their pride.
SEEMON UPON MATTHEW XIX. 30. 45
carelessness, and security, they may be thrown back behind many, who fur a time had nothing of God and goodness in them.
{1st.) For their pride ; if they be conceited that they deserved more at God's hand than others. Many who, in tlie conceit of their own merit, were first, shall, in the course of God's dispensations, be found last : James iv. 5, 6, ' Do ye think the scripture saitli in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy ? But he giveth more grace.' The •envious, proud spirit is blasted : ' The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy, but he giveth more grace ; wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.' Now, of all pride, spiritual pride is most jirovoking : as the pride of the legal justiciary : Luke xviii. 9, 14, * And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in them- selves that they were righteous, and despised others. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other : for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth him- self shall be exalted.' The humble publican is preferred before the conceited pharisee. So the elder brother, who impersonateth those who grow conceited of their own profession, and envieth the grace of God to others : Luke xv. 29, ' And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment, and yet thou never gavest me a kid that I might make merry with my friends.' If any of this leaven get into the hearts of God's children, God will prefer others before them. He will have his grace magnified and adored. And we must cherish an humble sense of all that we suffer and do for him, that we are nothing and that he is all.
{2d.) Their laziness. They do not improve and grow according to their standing, and the many advantages they have by so long acquaint- ance with God ; but are apt to grow dead, drowsy, formal, and custom- ary, and go on in a tract of duties without any life and vigour, Luke viii. 18. He that usetli not grace shall not increase it ; whereas others' diligence shall be blessed. Some start up that have more grace in a little time than they that have been getting many years.
(3d.) It may come to pass through their security. When they have had some losses for Christ, they may think alb their trials are over. A man of long standing, being secure of salvation, may grow negligent, and supposing that he hath grace, and is possessed of the love of God, there needeth not such diligence as when he was doubtful ; and if he go round in a course and tract of duty, and avoid grosser sins, it is enough, and he is now past all danger ; and so is tempted to leave his first love and zeal, Eev. ii. 4. After the first labours of regeneration, and the difficulties of reconciliation with God, are past over, and he hath gotten some peace, and confidence, and freedom from the terrors of the law, then he is in danger of security, by which means all runneth to waste in the soul, and our nakedness will soon appear. Take, for an instance, David and Joseph. The one will show us the danger of laying aside of our fear and caution, the other the benefit of a constant watchfulness and circumspection : 2 Sam. xi. 2, 3, ' And it came to pass in an eveningtide that David arose from off his bed, and walking upon the roof of the king's house ; and from the roof he saw a woman wash- ing herself ; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And