II. I am now, in the second place, to show you how faith will carry- it under other perplexities, that either are present or are coming upon us. And here I shall show you, — 1. How we may live by faith, under all the reproaches and persecutions that do or may befall us, upon the account of that order and fellowship of the gospel, of that way of God's worship, which we do profess. 2. How we may live by faith, with reference unto the returning upon us of antichristian darkness and cruelty, if God shall suffer it so to be. 3. How we may live by faith under an apprehension of great and woful decays in churches, in church members, in professors of all sorts, and in the gradual with- drawings of the glory of God from us upon that account.
1. How may we live by faith, with reference unto those reproaches, thaT scorn and contempt, which are cast upon the ways of God which we profess, that worship of God wherein we are engaged, and that order of the gospel that we do observe, with the persecutions that will attend us upon the account thereof? Truly, I may say of it as the Jews said to Paul about Christianity, Acts xxviii. 22, " As for this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against." The whole world seems to be combined, that the name of Israel, in this way, may no more be had in remembrance. There are few that are con- cerned about these things while it is well with them, their families, their relations, estates, inheritances. Let the ways of God be re- proached, what is that to them ? they are not concerned in it. They
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cannot say, as the psalmist doth, when he speaks in the person of Christ, Ps. lxix. 9, " The reproaches of them thai; reproached thee are fallen upon me." Perhaps some of us are more sensible than others (or, at least, have reason so to he) of those reproaches that are conti- nually cast upon the ways of God, seeing they are more particularly upon us; but to those that are not Concerned in this scorn and con- tempt, I would say three things: —
First. What evidence have you that you have a concern in God's glory ? For these things are those whereby God is glorified in this world ; and if you are not concerned when there are so many reflec- tions thrown upon it, pray consider what evidence you have in your- selves of any concernment in the glory of God.
Secondly. What evidence have you that you have a love to these things, that can hear them reproached, scorned, contemned, and never be moved at it ? An honest, good man, would find himself concerned if his wife or children were reproached with lies and shameful things, because of his interest in them ; but for them that can hear the ways of God reproached every day, and, so long as it is well with them and theirs, are not concerned thereat, — they can have no evidence that they have a love unto them. Nehemiah cries out upon such an occasion, chap. iv. 4, " Hear, 0 our God ; for we are despised : and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity." God hath made special promises to such as are thus concerned: Zeph. iii. 18, "I will gather them," saith he. Whom will he gather? " Them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden." The solemn assemblies were reproached and mocked; and there were some of them (not all) to whom this reproach was a burden. " These," saith God, "I will gather;" — "gather them under my gracious protec- tion."
Thirdly. To add one Word more: If you are not concerned in the reproaches that are cast upon the ways of God, 'persecution shall awaken you, and either make you concerned or put an end unto all your profession.
Now, the inquiry is, how, under these difficulties that we have to conflict withal, we shall glorify God, and pass through them without loss, — unto our spiritual advantage?
The apostle, in the 10th chapter to the Hebrews, where he de- scribes this very condition I have been speaking of, doth fully direct us. " Ye endured," saith he, " a great fight of afflictions ; partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions ; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods," etc., verses 32-34. But how shall we carry
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ourselves under this condition here described? "Now," saith he, verse 38, " the just shall live by faith."
What is the work of faith in this condition, that we may glorify God, and carry it through to a good and comfortable issue to our- selves? Call your own hearts to an account, and see how faith will work to give you support and supply. I will tell you what I am labouring after in my own heart; and the Lord direct you to find out what will be more useful! What will faith do in such a case? I answer, — -