Chapter 9: Unprofitable Christians Reproved
The fourth and last sort of persons, that fall under the lash of a sharp and just reproof, is, unprofitable Christians, who, though they be sincere for the main, and have the root of the matter, yet have not yet arrived to this treasure: Alas, Sirs, there's none of us, but we have too much bad, and too little good treasure in our hearts. We cannot but know all the wickedness that our hearts are privy to, and cannot our consciences discover an emptiness and vacuity of good? Oh what a chaos and confusion is in our hearts! and from where does this come? Have we not had means of gathering a large treasure? What have we done with all our ordinances, sermons, sacraments, mercies, afflictions? If we had been diligent, we might have furnished our souls with truths, graces, comforts, and experiences: What could have been done more for us? And have we a treasure proportionable to our enjoyments? From where then are we so unfit for, and untoward in duties? So slight, dead, and trifling in performances? So unprepared for, and unprofitable under ordinances? So unthankful for mercies, discontented under crosses? So weak in resisting temptations, subduing corruptions? So unwilling of, and unsuitable to communion of saints? Oh from where is it, that we are so apt to sit loose from God? So little fit for fellowship with him, and so much at a distance from him? Certainly the reason is obvious, we have not such a treasure as becomes saints: Especially, the great reason why we are so little skillful in the heavenly duty of meditation, is the want of a treasure of holy thoughts, when we are alone, we cannot fix our minds upon a heart-affecting subject, or at least cannot pursue it, till our hearts be deeply affected, but our thoughts are off and on, very inconsistent, incoherent, independent, like the rambling discourses of a madman, or the ranging motions of a spaniel, or like the eyes of a fool, that are in the ends of the earth: We run from object to object in a moment, and one thought looks like a mere stranger on another, should our thoughts be patent, or an invisible notary that's acquainted with them, write them down, and repeat them to us, how should we blush and be confounded in the rehearsal? As it's recorded of Doctor Potter, that hearing the fellows of the College talk of trivial things, said nothing, but after they had done talking, he thus addressed them. And now my masters, will you hear all your extravagant discourses, for I have strictly observed and marked what you said, and he told them every bit: So suppose some should present to our ears or eyes a relation of our wild imaginations in one hour's time, what a strange medley of nonsense would there be? We may say the Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity (Psalm 94:11). When we have summed up all the wanderings, reasonings, and discourses of the mind, we may write this at the bottom, as the total sum, All is vanity: nothing but vanity, indeed vanity in the abstract. And what is the reason of all this, but a want of the aforementioned treasure, a stock of truths, graces, comforts, experiences.
I shall propound these four considerations, briefly for the saints' conviction and humiliation: 1. Are not these spiritual things worth hoarding up? Look about you, through the whole creation, and see if you can find any thing better to make a treasure of; David says, I have seen an end of all perfection (Psalm 119:96). All outward enjoyments are a scant garment that cannot cover us, or rotten rags, and are soon worn out; but one part of this treasure, that is, God's commandments, is of a large extent, hence says that good man; your commandments are exceeding broad, they reach from heaven to earth, from great to small, to all sorts of sinners, to all the faculties of the soul, to and through all eternity, thus long and broad is the Christian's treasure, where then can you improve yourselves for a treasure? Spiritual blessings have all dimensions of perfection, these are the cream and flower of all blessings, no other treasures avail in the day of wrath; if heavenly things be not worth looking after, what are? Should not spiritual persons set their hearts on spiritual riches? Are not these most suitable to your immortal souls, and spiritual principles? Have not you been married to Christ (Romans 7:4), and can you be content to be without any part of your dowry? Are not you risen with Christ (Colossians 3:1-2), and should you not then seek after things above? Are not the things of God Magnalia, great things of eternal concern? And did you not prize them at a high rate at your first conviction? And was not that your motto [non est mortale quod opto] I seek not, I pursue not mortal things, temporary, fading enjoyments? And are not these as much worth inquiring after now, as formerly? Yes certainly, these do not decay through age. It was the matters belonging to the old covenant, or Legal-dispensation that decayed and grew old, and so by degrees did vanish away (Hebrews 8:13). New-covenant mercies, are the sure mercies of David (Isaiah 55:3), and they are always fresh and green. Hence says the Church in (Song of Solomon 1:16) — Also our bed is green, that is, our mutual delights in each other are lively, sweet and satisfying, never glutting, as earthly delights are; He that drinks of these living waters shall never thirst (John 4:14), that is, after muddy waters of earthly comforts, but shall more ardently thirst and pant after the living God; Well sirs, look to it, there's nothing worth desiring, but these heavenly treasures: if you can find any better, take it, much good may it do you, yet brag not of your bargain, till you see the issue.
2. Are you in any danger of having too much of these things? Surely there's no [nimium or] superfluities in the internals of religion: in the outward part too much may be done (though not if a man keep to the Rule) so that in some respects one may be righteous over-much, that is, in either a self-willed superstitious way, or else in an unseasonable or unmeasurable performance of religious duties, to tire out a tempted soul, and run the Christian off his legs. But for inward graces, sanctified knowledge, and real holiness, there can never be an over-plus, or excess — while you are on this side the line, you'll be short of perfection. Let Festus-like sots say, that much learning makes professors mad; let us study to increase and abound more and more in knowledge, faith, love, humility, experience; as Paul pressed forward, if by any means he might attain to the resurrection of the dead, forgetting what was behind, and reaching forth to what was before. Moses's Ark had staves for removing further. Jacob's Ladder had stairs for ascending higher. Christians must sing the song of degrees in this world, and should seek to be renewed day by day. We must not sit upon and be satisfied with our measure, but work hard to make it a treasure. We must strive both for fullness of grace, and fullness of joy. It is possible a Christian may attain to a full assurance: indeed, that joy unspeakable, and peace that passes all understanding, that he may think he has enough, as I have heard of a good soul that enjoyed such abundant tide of comfort, that he desired the Lord to stay his hand, lest the vessel should [reconstructed: overflow] (though this is [reconstructed: not] ordinary for every believer, not at [reconstructed: all] times for any) so that some may possibly have as much comfort as they can desire. But I never read, or heard of that saint that had too much grace, or so much as they desire. All have bewailed their defects, living and dying: and the best men have been most covetous of divine things, young and old. It is said of good Mr. Herbert Palmer, when he was of the age of four or five years, that he would cry to go to his lady-mother, that he might hear something of God. And of old Grynaeus (that savory German divine) it is recorded, that when some persons were discoursing by his deathbed, he lifted up himself, saying, I shall die with more comfort, if I may die, learning something for the good of my soul. Now sirs, who, or what are you? Are you wise enough, good enough? Are you afraid of being too like God? Or of having too much of God in and with your souls? Are you loath to get too ready for, or too readily into Heaven? Alas, alas, you may call your estate into question, if you say you have grace enough, or are good enough, or if you slacken your endeavors to get more grace upon a conceit you have enough. It is as natural for a living saint to call for grace, as for a lively child to cry for food. Insatiable desire after grace is a clear test of the truth of grace. Oh, shame yourself then for your neglect, and humble your soul for your non-proficiency.
Do you certainly know what treasure you may need? When you go a journey, you take money enough, because you cannot tell but you may be put to extraordinary expenses: and truly, in your journey to heaven, you may be put to unexpected charges: you little know what a day may bring forth: it may bring forth a burden for your back; God may call you to sharp service in a way of duty and difficulty: You are sure to go through a purgatory to glory; the way to Heaven is straight and narrow, and you must crowd hard to get in, and thrust through: through manifold temptations, and tribulations you must enter into Heaven; It's an irrevocable decree of Heaven, that he that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution. We have had fair weather hitherto, but the greater storm is behind: we have not yet resisted to blood, but we may be put to it. Be you sure, as long as the Devil is in Hell, and Antichrist on earth, there will be persecutions raised against the Church in some part of it or other, indeed, and his dying blows may prove the heaviest to the Reformed Churches: Woe to those that are unprovided for that sharp day; Oh, what piteous shirking will there be to save the skin, and damn the soul? O Christians, get furnished for this encounter, we little know whom it may reach, or how long the storm may last. You had need get strengthened with all might — to all patience and long suffering with joyfulness, lest if your patience be short, and sufferings long, you fail in the way, and fall short of your Crown. What a sad plight are those seamen in that made but a scant provision, and meet with a long voyage. It was a good saying of Reverend Mr. Dod; That this is the difference between a Christian that's provided for troubles, and one that is not; that the one are but blows on the harness, but the other are blows on flesh. Aelian says, that in Libya men slept with their boots on because of the scorpions, that they might not sting them. We had need also be well shod, or booted with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, that is, with a disposition and resolution to walk in the most thorny way, and stinging company of wicked men, that we may follow the Lamb whichever way he goes. We had need to count the cost in the profession of religion, we do not know what God may call us to do, or to endure. Great services require great strength, that we may neither be weary of, nor weary in the Lord's work, we must lay in much, that we may lay out much for God, we know not what God will call us to use. When Israel was to go out of Egypt, Moses would take the cattle, and not leave a hoof behind: For, says he, we know not with what we must serve the Lord till we come there (Exodus 10:26). Therefore must they also borrow jewels to be thoroughly furnished; and the Egyptians were more willing to lend them, says a learned man, because themselves were decked with jewels, that they might be more acceptable to their fine-decked deities. So you do not know with what sort of graces, or truths you must serve the Lord: only let us get furnished with all instituted qualifications, that we may be so adorned and armed as the Lord may take pleasure in us, and that we may get through services and sufferings with glory to God, credit to religion, and comfort to our own souls. Those are unwise Christians, that lose their time, and are not furnished for the tempests of a sea-voyage; since no man knows what he must need.
Neglect in this regard is a dishonor to God, and a disparagement to the treasures of grace. Why are you being the King's son, lean from day to day, said Jonadab to Ammon (2 Samuel 13:4). So say I, from where proceeds this leanness? Is there not meat enough at your Father's table? Store sufficient in your Master's treasury? Do not you disparage the means of your supply? and bring an ill report on the good land? God is not a hard master, but distributes liberally an abundant dole of grace: why then are your souls no better thriving in religion? The reason is not in God, but in yourselves: You are not constrained in him, but in your own bowels, as Paul in another case. Now, as a recompense of his love and munificence, be you also enlarged. Indeed, it does (as it were) ease God's heart to be communicating of his goodness; It did please him infinitely from eternity, to think of expending riches of grace upon sinners in time. But he can be perfectly and perpetually happy without you, it does chiefly concern you to fetch all from him; that you also may be happy in the enjoyment of him. Are you afraid of being happy? Who, [reconstructed: you] foolish man would forsake his own mercies? Shall God set up an office of grace in Christ, and will indigent souls take no notice of it? You cannot grieve him worse than to neglect his infinite condescension, and tender affection. If a mighty King should open his treasures, and bid men come, and bring their bags, and take as much as they desired, do you think they would neglect this occasion of enriching themselves? Surely no, they would rather fetch bag after bag, (for scarce is any weary of taking money) and with the poor woman in sacred story, borrow vessels that may contain larger treasures. The God of Heaven has made a glorious proclamation of scattering precious treasures. Do you question, whether he intends as he speaks? God forbid; Or, do you fear being welcome? Why, you are most welcome when you come for the greatest share. Do you fear unworthiness will hinder you? I say, sense of unworthiness will help you to be capable of greater receipts. Do you fear these treasures of Heaven will be exhausted by the myriads of souls that are supplied from them? Know it, sirs, the royal exchequer is as rich this day, as it was when Christ was first promised, or the first man saved; these are riches of grace, an inexhaustible spring: distribution does not impair its fullness, no more than the sun's shining does rob it of its innate and native light. Oh then, why are our souls so poor and pining? The Lord humble us that we have no more, when there is so much to be had in our all-sufficient treasury.
