(4.) Fourthly, And then living to the Lord implieth, that all Christians' counsel and advice is how to lire to Christ. Heaven is always before him, because his way is to God and to Christ. Other men will rage and swell, though they know well enough they arc out of the way, when they be put in mind of it. But a gracious man is glad to have any Scripture opened that may give him more light, cither by a discovery of a sin or duty, because he now knoweth an enemy and friend, which before he knew not, and hath learned a duty which before he was ignorant of ; for it is his scope and endeavour to set himself in the way of living to Christ.
(5.) Fifthly, He that livcth to Christ hath likewise this quality, he is not carried on his course bij false ivinds ; he doth not sail by a false compass. Though the world encourageth or discourageth him, all is one, he regardeth it not. His care is wholly taken up in the service of his God. And with Joshua, think the world what it will, ' he and his house will serve the Lord,' Josh. xxiv. 15; and with holy David will resolve to be yet ' more vile for God's glory,' 2 Sam. vi. 22. And though he getteth disgrace in the world, he regardeth it not, but is willing to suffer it, so that his God may be honoured, knowing he shall not be a loser by the bargain.
Other men, if so be they are disgraced, they are so shallow in religion, that they are quickly taken off, because the truth hath no root in them, like the bad and naughty* ground. And not only so, but they will speak contrary to the truths in their consciences ; but, alas ! one day they shall know that God accounteth them as his enemies.
(6.) Sixthly, Again, a true Christian iviU live to the church of Christ. For we are members of Christ. We ought to labour for the advancement of the truth of his religion, the kingdom of Christ ; and to be of the same spirit with good Nehemiah, ' that all may be well with us, when the church of God prospereth,' ii. 20, and groweth up in the world, getting victory over all her enemies.
Now carnal men live not at all to Christ ; they care not whether religion sinketh or swimmeth. Tell them of heavenly matters. Tush, they are not for them. But God doth hate such persons ; for as they regard not to serve God, or to own Christ in their lives, so he will not own them at their deaths. As in prosperity they are not on his side, neither will own his part, which one day will prove the best, so in times of trouble they cannot expect or look for any favour or mercy from him.
And to add one thing more, though it must be our chief aim to look to Christ, yet God allows us to look also to our own salvation, how to be saved and happy in another world. God hath joined these two together, as one chief end and good. The one, that he might be glorified ; the other, that we might be happy : and both these are attained by honouring and serving him. And this is no self-love ; for we cannot seek our salvation but in honouring God and yielding f the means that he hath sanctified for us, which is to cast ourselves on him for our salvation in his way. Thus
"•■■ Cf. Mat. xiii. 3, seq., ' Naughty' = worthlesss. — G. t Qu. ' yielding to ' ?— Ed.
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our Lcippiness and God's chief end agree together. As when there he two lines about a centre, one drawn within the other, a third hnc cannot he drawn from the utmost Hne to the centre without cutting the line within, because it is included within the other, so our salvation and happiness is within the glorj' of God, and we live to Christ, not only in serving him, but in seeking our own souls ; and what a sweetness is this in God, that in seeking our own good we should glorify him.
This likewise teacheth us to live to Christ in a way of humility and self- denial. God will not deny to teach the humble and lowly soul his ways. And thus a gracious man is fit for all the counsels of God, as a carnal heart is fit for all the services of the devil. Therefore let us dedicate oux-selves and services to God, for happy are they that can lose themselves in God, and be swallowed up in the love of Christ. Certainly, there is never better finding of ourselves, than when we are thus lost. And therefore I beseech you, whatsoever our corruptions have been heretofore ; let us now know it is heavenly wisdom to seek Christ's glory in the use of the blessed means sanctified for that end.
Surely we have all been baptized ; and what is our baptism, but the renouncing of the world, the flesh, and the devil ? Our life is for nothing but to live unto God. And having entered into covenant in baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, that we intend seriously to lead a new life, we must not trifle with God ; he will not be dallied with. It is not only suflicient that we have spent our precious time amiss, but more than suflicient. For time will come, if we belong to Christ, in which we shall lament for spending our time in the pursuit of our own vanities.