A Body of Practical Divinity, Sermon 83 · Part 3 · Section 2
VSE II. Of Reproof.
1. Branch. It reproves such as do not at all look after this Kingdom of Glory: As if all we say about Heaven were but a Romance, they do not mind it. That they mind it not appears, because they do not labour to have the Kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts. If they have some thoughts of this Kingdom, yet it is in a dull careless manner, they serve God as if they served him not; they do not vires exerere, put forth their strength for the Heavenly Kingdom. How industrious were the Saints of old for this Kingdom; Phil. 3.13. Reaching forth unto those things which are before: The Greek word is foreign, stretching out the neck; a Metaphor from Racers that strain every limb, and reach forward to lay hold on the prize. Luther spent three hours a day in Prayer. Anna the prophetess departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day, Luke 2.37. How zealous and industrious were the Martyrs to get into this Heavenly Kingdom! they wore their Fetters as Ornaments, snatched up Torments as Crowns, and embraced the Flames as chearfully as Elijah did the fiery Chariot, which came to fetch him to Heaven; and do not we think this Kingdom worth our labour? The great pains the Heathens took in their Olympick Races when they ran but for a Crown made of Olive intermixed with Gold, will rise up in Judgment against such as take little or no pains in seeking after the Kingdom of Glory. The dulness of many in seeking after Heaven is such, as if they did not believe there were such a Kingdom, or as if it would not countervail their labour, or as if they thought it were indifferent whether they obtained this Kingdom or no, which is as much as to say, whether they were saved or no, whether they were Crowned in Glory, or chained as Gally slaves in Hell for ever.
2. Branch. It reproves them who spend their sweat more in getting the World, then the Kingdom of Heaven, Phil. 3.19. foreign, who mind earthly things; the World is the great Diana they cry up, as if they would fetch happiness out of the earth, which God hath cursed: They labour for and Honour Riches; many are like Korah and Dathan, the earth swallowed them up, Num. 16.32. So the earth swallows up their Time and Thoughts; these, if they are not Pagans, yet they are Infidels; they do not believe there is such a kingdom; they go for Christians, yet question that great Article in their Faith, Life Everlasting; these, like the Serpents, lick the dust. O what is there in the World that we should so idolize it! when Christ and Heaven are not regarded; what hath Christ done for you? died for your sins; what will the World do for you? can it pacify an angry Conscience? can it procure Gods Favour? can it flee death? can it bribe your Judge? can it purchase for you a place in the kingdom of heaven? O how are Men bewitched with worldly Profits and Honours; that for these things, they will let go Paradise. It was a good prayer of St. Bernard, Sic possideam…u mundana, ut non perdamus aeterna —Lo, let us so possess things temporal, that we do not lose things eternal.
3. Branch. It reproves such who delay and put off seeking this kingdom till it be too late; like the foolish Virgins who came when the door was shut▪ Mora trahit periculum. People let the Lamp of Life blaze out, and when the Symptoms of death are upon them, and they know not what else to do, now will look up to the kingdom of Heaven: Christ bids them seek Gods kingdom first, and they will seek it last; they put off the kingdom of heaven to a Death-bed, as if it were as easie to make their Peace as to make their Will. How many have lost the Heavenly kingdom through Delays and Procrastinations. Plutarch reports of Archias the Lacedemonian, being among his Cups, one delivered him a Letter and desired him to read it presently, being of serious business, saith he seria cras, I will mind serious things to morrow, and that Night he was slain. Thou that saiest thou wilt look after the kingdom of Heaven to morrow, knowest not, but that thou maiest be in Hell before to morrow: Sometimes death comes suddenly, it strikes without giving warning: What folly is it putting off seeking the kingdom of heaven, till the day of Grace expire, till the radical moisture be spent; as if a Man should begin to run a Race when a fit of the Gout takes him.
4. Branch. It reproves such as were once great Zealots in Religion, and did seem to be touch'd with a coal from Gods Altar; but since they have cool'd in their Devotion, and have left off the pursuing the Caelestial kingdom, Hos. 8.3. Israel hath cast off the thing that is good; there is no face of Religion to be seen, they have left off the House of Prayer and gone to Play houses; they have left off pursuing the Heavenly Kingdom.
Quest. Whence is this?
Resp. 1. For want of a supernatural Principle of Grace: That Branch must needs dye which hath no Root to grow upon: That which moves from a Principle of Life lasts; as the beating of the Pulse; but that which moves only from an artificial Spring; when the spring is down the motion ceaseth: The Hypocrites Religion is artificial not vital, he acts from the outward spring of Applause or Gain, and if that spring be down his motion towards Heaven ceaseth.
2. From Unbelief, Heb. 3.12. An evil heart of Vnbelief, departing from the living God. Psal. 78.22. They believed not in God. Verse 41. they turned back—Sinners have hard thoughts of God, they think they may pray and hear, yet never the better, Mal. 3.14. they question whether God will give them the kingdom at last, then they turn back, and throw away Christs Colours; they distrust Gods Love, no wonder then they desert his Service; Infidelity is the Root of Apostacy.
3. Men leave off pursuing the heavenly kingdom; it is from some secret Lust nourished in the Soul, perhaps a wanton or a covetous Lust: Demas for love of the world forsook his Religion, and afterwards turned Priest in an idol Temple. One of Christs own Apostles was caught with a silver Bait: Covetousness will make Men betray a good Cause, and make shipwrack of a good Conscience; if there be any Lust unmortified in the Soul, it will bring forth the bitter fruit either of Scandal or Apostacy.
4. Men leave off pursuing the Kingdom of Heaven out of Timorousness; if they persist in Religion they may lose their Places of Profit, perhaps their Lives. The reason (saith Aristotle) why the Camelion turns into so many Colours, is through excessive fear. When Carnal fear prevails, it makes Men change their Religion, as fast as the Camelion doth its Colours: Many of the Iews who were great followers of Christ, when they saw the Swords and Staves deserted him. What Solomon saith of the Sluggard, is as true of the Coward, he saith, there is a Lyon in the way, Prov. 22.13. he sees dangers before him, he would go on in the way to the Kingdom of Heaven, but there is a Lyon in the way. This is dismal, Heb. 10.38. If any Man draw back, in Greek foreign, if he steals as a Soldier from his Colours, my Soul shall have no pleasure in him.