"What a happiness is this, that the more a man is interested in the good of another man, the more glory, if he be a means of any good in him ! He shall have good, and you shall have glory.
The best things in natm-e are communicative and difi'usive. The sun gives light to the whole world. So the best man is most fruitful, and com- municative. He labours to gain all men by his acquaintance. He knows this, that he is not for himself. He is redeemed for the houom- of Christ. And then he Imows that another's good will be my glory. It will increase my glory, and be the object of my glory.
On the contraiy, we see a company of wretched, despicable creatures, (let their outward estate be as glorious as it will ; but I speak of them as Christian eyes judge and esteem of them), that draw others on to the same course with them. If they be blasphemers themselves, they glor}' to make others so ; if they be given to sensuality, they labour to make others sottish as themselves ; if they be given to filthiness, they draw others to communion with themselves. Well ! will these people be much for their rejoicing in the day of the Lord, think you ? "What will they do when they think of others, such as they have neglected altogether, that God gave them charge of '? The veiy thought of them, instead of making them rejoice, it will make them astonished. I betrayed his soul, — he was my fi'iend, — or my servant, — I let him live in such sins. Good neglected will torment us hereafter. But then ill infused, by example, and by word, I poisoned him ; suppose I have repented myself, but perhaps the person that I have drawn to communion in my sin, hath not repented ; what a torment will this consideration be ! Good neglected wUl be matter of torment, much more evil infused, poison infused. When we shall see at the day of judgment, instead of a company that we have gained to God, and been a means to further their salvation, we shall see a company that we have infected with our ill example, and our evil persuasions, this will be in hell an increase of torment.
One will curse another, and say. You brought me hither. The father will curse the son. To get riches for you I cracked my conscience, and lost my soul. And the son shall curse the fiither. By j'our riches that you left me, I lived a base and sensual life, whereas perhaps I might have trusted to my good endeavours otherwise. So here shall be cursing. The friend shall curse his friend. You might have told me of this, you strengthened me in evil courses.
As it will be our glory when we shall see such and such, as God hath used as instruments to do good unto ; so it will be a torment indeed to think, such and such I neglected and betrayed, such and such I corrupted. I beseech you, therefore, take heed of it.
VOL. III. X
822 COMMENTARY ON
And would you have matter of joy in this world, that should joy you when nothing else will joy you ? (as St Paul was in affliction oft) what comforted St Paul ? First, his own conscience, that ho was a good Christian, an heir of heaven, a good apostle. But when he wanted joy, what would he do V when he had no liberty, but was imprisoned, when ho had nothing, then he considered, how hath Christ dignified me to do good to others ? This hon- ouring of him to do this, it comforted him more than all his imprisonment, and abasement, and roi)roiU'lK'S could discourage him ; the conceit that God did use him as an honourable instrument for his honour and service, to do good to others.
So the testimony of our conscience, that God hath used us to do good to others, not only to make me to gain heaven, but to be an instrument to gain others, this will comfort us in the world, come what will.
Use. This should stir up those that have to deal with the souls of others, (not only ministers, but all others), that have any committed to them, that they should labour to make them good, to work upon them for the good of their souls, that they may have them as matter, and objects, of their joy at that day. If they do not, as I said, when they are presented to them as persons whom they have neglected and betrayed negligently for want of instruction, and reformation of their lives, and as persons whom they have infected with their ill example, which is worse, alas ! what matter of horror will they be. They will not say of them as St Paul saith here, ' You are my joy, and m,y ci'own, and my gloiy,' but they will be matter of horror. These be they that I have betrayed, and neglected, and infected, and brought to hell, to this cursed condition with myself. It will be an in- crease of the torments of hell at that day, all those whom we have hurt any kind of way.
But what shall it be then of those that have opposed goodness ? that have not only betrayed others by neglect, but have maligned good where they have seen it ? What will become of them, that are so far from mak- ing others good, that they have despited the image of God in others, and have exercised their bitterness upon Christ in his members and ministers ?