iii. 3. and his increasing purity will confirm his hope. Believe it
christians, as your life and practice grows more divine and undefiled,
the image of Christ will appear in you with fairer evidence, and raise
your hopes of dwelling with him to the joys of assurance. Many a soul
has gone to heaven as in a chariot of triumph, after some years of their
practice of christianity, who, at their first profession of it, were
oppressed with many doubts and fears, and were often trembling upon the
borders of despair. Life was their blessing indeed, when it taught them
to die with faith and honour, and enter into the world of spirits with
divine joy.
Let it be said then concerning you, O christians, that you sensibly
approach nearer to heaven every month of your continuance upon earth,
and that you look more like the inhabitants of that upper world, by how
much the longer you continue in this lower state; that when you depart
hence, you may be assured of a joyful admission into paradise. May your
graces shine bright, and your evidences for heaven appear so glorious
and incontested, that there may be no tremblings about your heart in
that solemn and important hour; no doubtful flutterings or frights on a
deathbed, but that you may find the gates of glory open before you, that
you may see your way clear through the dark valley, and have a rich and
abundant entrance into the kingdom of your God on high.
VI. Life is yours, that by a due improvement of it your crown of glory
may be enlarged, and your seat advanced in heaven.
That there are different degrees of honour and joy conferred on the
saints above, according to their different characters and capacities, is
a doctrine that hath so much countenance and evidence from scripture,
that we can no longer justly doubt of it: And, I think, I have made this
appear by incontested proofs in another place[40]. If you are zealous
for the cause of Christ, and active in his service through all the
stages of life, and your old age be crowned with abundant fruits of
righteousness, your reward in glory shall bear a proportion to these
labours, and the length of your time on earth shall give a glorious
addition to your recompence in the heavenly world; 1 Cor. xv. 58. _Be ye
stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for as
much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord._ What a
shame and pity is it that you or I should have a long life on earth, and
but a low rank or a little portion of reward in heaven!
But to animate your zeal, I would humbly propose yet a more surprizing
advancement in glory, to the diligent improvers of life and grace. What
if the services you do for God on earth should still bring forth new
fruit among men long after your death? and if your happiness should be
ever increasing in this proportion? When the great Judge comes, he will
surely _reward every one according to their works_: But in Jer. xvii.
10. it is said, _God will not only give to every man according to his
ways, but also according to the fruit of his doings_? What if our
labours, our prayers, our pious works and words, or our examples on
earth should go on to produce this divine fruit, even the conversion of
souls when we are in heaven? And what if the rich and overflowing grace
of God should reward us on this account with growing glories? And _those
who turn many to righteousness in this manner, should shine as stars
with increasing lustre_?
Some divines have supposed, that the mischievous influence of the works
and lives of the wicked shall increase their torment: And perhaps,
Jeroboam, who set up the calves at Dan and Bethel, and who made the land
of Israel to practise idolatry for some hundreds of years after his own
death, might feel yearly more intense agonies of conscience, and his
hell grow seven times hotter. This is a dreadful thought, and should
terribly awaken and impress those sinners who have diffused their
iniquities far and wide, who have corrupted whole families, and cities,
and nations, and spread their poison through succeeding ages. And why
may not the joy and crown of St. Paul increase and brighten by the
conversion of sinners, through sixteen hundred years, by the influence
of his holy writings amongst all the christian nations? And thus not the
Thessalonians alone, but the inhabitants of Great Britain, shall be the
matter of his glory and joy! O it is a blessed thing to multiply good
instructions, and counsels, and exemplary practices of holiness; and to
hear of them after we have gone to heaven, either by ministering angels,
or by souls newly arriving there, that they still yield on earth a
further crop and harvest of honour to Christ, and profit to men. Such
tidings as these cannot but raise and advance our own joys.
As your zeal and labour in active service shall find a retribution every
way answerable, so your patience under sufferings shall meet with a
proportionable reward; 2 Cor. iv. 17. _For our light afflictions, which
are but for a moment, are working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory._ Life is the only season, as I shall shew
afterwards, for this sort of exercise; and the longer we endure sorrows
here honourably, the richer shall our reward be hereafter, though the
reward is not of merit but of free grace.
How many saints are there in heaven exalted to eminent stations in that
upper world, and some who wear, perhaps, the crown of martyrdom, and
enjoy the prizes of victory over a thousand temptations, after they have
run a long race in christianity? And yet many of these, it may be, would
have possessed but a low station, and a little share of honour and
happiness in those heavenly regions, if they had been cut off from the
earth in their younger days, and been called away to heaven immediately
after their conversion. Surely, if you have spent many years in public
labour for Christ, and zealous devotion, you have endured cruel
mockeries, imprisonments and sharp sorrows, for the sake of Christ and
his gospel, and through the course of a long life, have borne a constant
testimony to the faith of Jesus, there are superior glories suited to
your character in heaven, which wait your arrival there.
Thus I have made it appear, in various instances, that temporal life
itself, and the continuance of it, becomes a real advantage to a true
christian: which was the first thing I proposed. But here is an
objection which may be raised against this doctrine, _viz._ “Do not some
true christians fall into grievous sins, when their life is prolonged,
whereby their conscience is wounded, their garments defiled, their
profession blemished, and the holy name of God and Christ blasphemed? Is
long life therefore any blessing to christians, since we are so
uncertain how we shall behave, and especially if we behave ill?”
Answer 1. The great and natural design, and tendency of our continuance
in life, is to do more service for God and men, and obtain more
blessings for our own souls; to grow more fit for heaven, and to raise
and enlarge our crown. If we abuse the time given us for these blessed
purposes, and indulge to sinful lusts or follies, it is highly criminal
in us, and we alone must bear the blame.
2. Sometimes those very sins have been so impressed upon the
conscience by the convincing spirit, as to become a means to awaken
degenerate christians to greater watchfulness, greater tenderness of
conscience, and greater degrees of humility, of spirituality, and
heavenly-mindedness: Those very falls have been made an occasion of
their rise and growth in christianity by the grace of that God, who
turns darkness into light, and a curse into a blessing.
But where it is not so, God is not to be charged with injustice, in not
raising us to higher degrees after our falls; our negligence and
criminal indulgences of temptation, have justly forfeited his peculiar
favours: And it must still be confessed, it is our own fault where
length of life is not attended with growth in grace, and meetness for
superior glory.
I should now proceed to the second general head proposed; but not having
room to finish all my design at once, I shall conclude this discourse
with these two reflections:
First Reflection.—What a rich advantage is put into the hands of a young
convert! When a sinner, in his younger years of life is changed into a
saint, what a blessed privilege is granted him by divine grace? And what
a glorious opportunity is afforded him, the improvement whereof may
reach to everlasting ages!
Happy soul, who art reconciled to God betimes, and a thousand sins in
the following course of thy life are hereby prevented! Happy soul, to
whom Christ has manifested his love in the beginning of life, and saved
thee betimes from eternal death! According to the course of nature, thou
hast a prospect of doing long service for thy Lord and thy God. Awaken
all thy thoughts; consult, contrive, and seek divine advice what thou
shalt do for his honour, who hath given thee so early a salvation. Pray
for the direction of the blessed Spirit, to mark out the paths of thy
feet, and to employ thy head, thy hands, and thy tongue, in the most
honourable manner for thy God, and the most useful for the good of men.
Remember, every hour of thy time is a part of thy treasure: Let it not
be said at last, it was a prize put into the hands of a fool that had no
skill nor heart to use it. God, even thy God, expects a daily revenue of
glory, as the just improvement of this treasure. Let a holy zeal be
kindled within thee, to do glorious services for thy Creator and thy
Saviour, and to shew thy large returns of love to him who hath first
loved thee. Let a pious ambition set all thy powers at work to do some
uncommon good for men, and to be made an extensive blessing to all that
are near thee, arise, and shine long, as a fair example of holiness in a
dark and wicked world, and let every year of life brighten thy character
on earth and enlarge thy reward in heaven. Be not content merely to get
safe within the walls of paradise; the thief on the cross, who was
called at the last hour of life, obtained this privilege; but let thy
ambition rise higher, and reach at some of the more exalted stations in
that kingdom. Then shall it appear that life is thine in the sweetest
sense, when every stage and period of it shall add new honours to the
name of thy God, give new blessings to the world, and advance the joys
of thy own eternity.
Second Reflection.—If life be such a privilege to a christian, and be a
part of his treasure in this sense, then what a dismal account hath an
old sinner to give, who hath wasted life and time in folly and guilt,
and no part of it hath been improved for his eternal happiness.
O miserable creature! Neither life nor death is thine. Bethink thyself a
little, and review the dismal scene: Say to thy soul, “What have I been
doing these fifty or sixty years? I came into life guilty and unclean,
and am now upon the borders of death unclean and guilty still. I was
born a child of wrath, and am a son or daughter of wrath still. I was by
nature an enemy to God, and I am an enemy to God still, and have no
interest in his love. Life was given me that I might seek reconciliation
and grace; but I have neglected and abused offered grace, and am not yet
reconciled to my almighty and offended Maker. The Judge is just at hand,
methinks I hear the sound of his chariot-wheels, and a dismal account
have I to give of all my wasted life. I have done no real service for
God, nor have given an example of holiness to men: but alas! I have been
a pattern of iniquity, or at least, I have followed a multitude to do
evil: Every year have I heaped up to myself new treasures of wrath in
hell, instead of securing a crown in heaven, and advancing my station
and my joy there. Is there any hope for me in the poor remains of life
that may yet be allotted me? Is the grace of the gospel sufficient to
save such a wretch as I am?”
“Yes, O sinner, it is sufficient, for Jesus Christ came into the world
to save sinners, even the very chief of them. There is grace in the
heart of the Father to receive thee; there is sufficient virtue in the
blood of Christ to cleanse away all thy guilt; there is influence enough
in the blessed Spirit to soften thy heart, and renew thy nature, though
thou art an old hardened rebel, and a transgressor from thy very
infancy. Lose not a moment more, but set about the work in good earnest;
trifle no longer with grace, thou who art on the borders of the grave;
fly to the hope that is set before thee; beg salvation of God with daily
and nightly tears, and give him no rest till he hath heard thee. Such an
importunity is like to be successful; and then, though thy temporal life
hath been no benefit to thee hitherto, yet the last moments of it may
possibly be accepted, and prevent thy everlasting death. God who is rich
in mercy, may bestow on thee some humble place in heaven, but thou canst
not expect to shine amongst the brightest saints. Thou mayest be blessed
among the dead who die in the Lord, and rest from thy sorrows and thy
sins; but thou hast scarce any good works to follow thee. Thy works in
all the sprightly years of thy life, have been matter of guilt and
shame, and it is infinite mercy, that they shall be remembered no more,
But if thy heart be broken for sin, and healed by the blood of Christ,
thy humble repentance, and thy holy faith in the few remaining days of
old age, and death, shall be accepted through the abounding grace of the
gospel. The dying thief on the cross forbids thee to despair utterly,
though thou hast run a terrible risk, and ventured on the borders of
destruction: And if thou art saved at last, it is so as by fire, it is
like a brand plucked out of the burning, or as a man escaping naked out
of the flames, and passing on the very brink of hell into everlasting
life.”
The Recollection of the doctrinal part.—“And is life the only space
given me to be reconciled to God, and am I still a stranger and an
enemy? Have I wasted away so many years of this golden season of hope,
this day of mercy, and have I not yet received this mercy, nor laid hold
on this hope set before me: Search, examine, enquire, what is thy state,
O my soul? And if thou art yet a child of wrath, and unreconciled to
God, make haste and fly for refuge to the grace of the gospel. Cry
mightily for repentance and forgiveness in the name and blood of Jesus.
Let no more days of thy life pass away in such a dangerous and dreadful
state, lest life should come to a speedy period, and then thou art
banished from grace and hope for ever.
“But if the character of a sincere penitent, and a holy christian be
found with thee, if thou art partaker of the love of God, through the
grace of Jesus, then _bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is
within me praise his holy name_, that he has not cut me off in the days
of my enmity to God, unsanctified, and unpardoned; that he has
lengthened out my life and the seasons of his mercy, till he has changed
my sinful nature, and secured me in the covenant of his grace.
“Is life given me as an opportunity of service to my Lord Jesus? It is
he that has redeemed me: it is he that has laid out his valuable life
for me, what shall I do, O my Saviour, to make some humble returns of
acknowledgment and love? O let my useless and unserviceable years be
forgiven, and let the remains of life, whether long or short, be all
devoted to the interests and honours of my Redeemer. Were it possible
for the saints, after they have dwelt some time in heaven, to come down
and dwell on earth again how would they multiply their labours, and lay
out their new life in more activity and service for their God and
Saviour? When they have found and tasted what a heaven of happiness
succeeds the short labours of life, how would they double all their zeal
and diligence, and be grieved they could do no more? When they have seen
and conversed with their beloved Lord, and beheld him face to face, with
how much warmer love would they engage in his service? Surely they would
all cry out, that the longest life on earth is much too short to shew
their zeal, affection, and gratitude to so divine and glorious a friend.
Think of this, O my soul, and remember, if thou ever arrive safe at
heaven, thou wilt wish thou hadst done more for thy beloved Lord here on
earth.
“Is this mortal life continued to me that I may spread a savour of piety
amongst my fellow-creatures, and set a religious example to men? Lord,
suffer me to do nothing that may lead sinners astray from thee. Pardon
all the evil examples I have ever given, and let my future conduct shine
in holiness, as a pattern to those that are round about me. Methinks, I
would convince the world that religion has something excellent and
divine in it, and encourage them to the practice of strict godliness.
“Is life prolonged that I may be profitable to mankind, and have I lived
thus long already to so little purpose? Though my goodness extends not
unto thee, O Lord, yet I entreat that my fellow-creatures may be the
better for me while I continue amongst them. O may the God of Abraham
bestow on me that rich favour which Abraham received in those divine
words of promise, _I will bless thee, and I will make thee a blessing_;
Gen. xii. 2. I would fain live useful and beloved, that I may die
desired and lamented. What a shameful thing is it when I go out of the
world, that my acquaintance should say, He is gone, but there is no loss
of him.”
“Have my days been prolonged thus far that my hopes of heaven might be
daily increasing, that my evidences of adoption might grow stronger
daily, and my soul be more prepared for heaven: Look inward then, O my
soul: Hast thou acquired a more divine and heavenly temper than in years
past? Art thou wrought up to a greater meetness for the inheritance on
high? Are thy desires, thy appetites, and all thy powers more fitted for
the business of heaven, and attempered to the blessedness of the upper
world? Art thou growing fitter still for the sight of God, for converse
with Christ, for the company of saints and holy angels? How are thy days
and months, and years run out to waste, if thou art so much nearer
death, and yet art not so much riper for heaven?
“And is it possible that a length of life should be so improved, as that
my crown of glory, and my portion of happiness may be enlarged
hereafter? Let my holy ambition awake at such a hint as this, and let me
aspire to a superior rank among the blessed, by employing every part of
life to the most noble and excellent purposes for which life is granted.
Let me ever abound in the work of the Lord, since I am assured that no
part of my labours shall be in vain in the Lord, or want its proper
recompence. Though it is the blood of my Redeemer that has purchased all
the prizes and crowns in heaven; yet if I am a swift runner in the
christian race, and the race itself be long, I am fitted to receive the
fairer prize: And if I am an active and victorious soldier in the army
of Christ, and have served faithfully through a tedious war, I may have
reason to hope for a brighter crown. We may humbly wait for a reward in
proportion to the work, according to the encouragements of the bible,
while we still acknowledge that it is free and sovereign grace both
enables us to hold out working, and bestows the rich reward.” _Amen._
HYMN FOR SERMON XXXIX.
_The Right Improvement of Life._
And is this life prolong’d to me?
Are days and seasons given?
Shall I not then prepare to be
A fitter heir for heaven?
I’ll never let these moments pass,
These golden hours be gone;
Lord, I accept thy offer’d grace,
I bow before thy throne.
Now cleanse my soul from ev’ry sin,
By my Redeemer’s blood;
Now let my flesh and heart begin
The honours of my God.
Let me no more my soul defile
With sin’s deceitful toys;
Let chearful hope encreasing still,
Approach to heavenly joys.
My thankful lips shall loud proclaim
The wonders of thy praise,
And spread the savour of thy name,
Where e’er I spend my days.
On earth let my example shine;
And when I leave this state,
May heaven receive this soul of mine
To bliss divinely great.
Footnote 40:
Treatise on Death and Heaven, discourse II. sect. 2.
SERMON XL.
_The Privilege of the Living above the Dead._
1 COR. iii. 22.——Whether life or death,——all are yours.
When these words were explained, this doctrine was drawn from the first
part of them, _viz._ “When life is given or continued to the saints, it
is for their advantage.”
The first thing proposed, in our meditations of this truth, was to make
it appear by a variety of instances, that life is designed for the
benefit of christians. I proceed now to the
Second, _viz._ to amplify and confirm this doctrine yet further by
representing what various graces may be exercised on earth, which can
have no place in heaven; and to discover in what respects, a living
christian may be said to have some advantage over the saints that are
dead.
1. The first grace I shall mention, which belongs only to this life, is,
faith of things unseen, whether present or future; for in heaven this
sort of faith is ended and lost; it vanishes into sight; 1 Cor. v. 7.
Here in this world we walk by faith, and not by sight; but in the world
above, we shall live by sight, and not by faith. _Blessed are those
souls_ on earth, _who have not seen, and yet have believed_; John xx.
29.
Hereby the living christian doth much honour to God, and offers him a
revenue of such glory, as can never be offered to him among all the
saints and angels on high. To believe that there is a God who made all
things, among a world of atheists, that deny him that made them; to
carry it toward an unseen God with a solemn awe of his majesty, and deep
reverence and submission to his will, in the midst of thoughtless
sinners who deride religion, and live without God in the world; to
believe that the bible is the word of God, notwithstanding all the
difficulties contained in it, and all the bold and subtle cavils that
infidels have raised against it, to make this word the ground of our
religion, the rule of our practice, and the foundation of our hopes, in
the midst of an age of deists and heathens, that laugh at our bible and
our belief together: These are noble instances of a militant faith in a
world of infidelity. To believe that Jesus of Nazareth, who was hanged
upon a tree without Jerusalem, and died there, is the only begotten Son
of God, the Maker and the Saviour of the world, to believe that he now
lives and governs all things at the right-hand of his Father, and to
trust in him who died upon the cross to give us a crown of eternal life;
these are such exercises of the grace of faith, as have no place in the
world of sight, where every saint beholds him face to face: Such acts as
these, are only suited to our present state of absence from the Lord,
and yet they are highly honourable to God and our Redeemer, _whom having
not seen we love, and in whom, though now we see him not, yet believing,
we rejoice with joy unspeakable_:—2 Pet. i. 8.
To believe that there is a heaven of glory far above the clouds, where
our Lord Jesus Christ has dwelt in his human nature almost two thousand
years, and where ten thousands of his blessed saints and angels are for
ever enjoying divine consolations; to maintain a firm belief that there
is a reward for the righteous laid up on high, while they are here
trodden to the dust; to believe there is a hell, an unseen world of
misery and torture, where damned spirits are punished for their
rebellion against the great God, and shall for ever suffer the weight of
his indignation; and to walk through this world with a holy negligence
and contempt of it under the influence of these future invisibles, these
eternal joys and eternal sorrows: This is a faith that gives much glory
to God, while we live, and speak, and act, while we suffer and endure,
as seeing him who is invisible, and firmly believing all the joys and
terrors of another world, which are hidden from us by the veil of flesh
and blood.