The Great Corruption of Subtle Self, Sermon 7
SERMON VII
Matth. 16. Verſe 24. Then ſaid Jeſus to his di… ciples, If any man will come after me, let hi… deny himſelf, and take up his croſs, and follow me.
THE buſſineſs of following Chriſt aright, is one of the greateſt, and graveſt, of the moſt concerning, and highly momentuous buſſineſses in the World, in compariſon with which, all others are but buſſineſſes in the By; which our Lord knowing infallibly well, would have all His Diſciples to know it alſo, and to acknowledge it; and therefore inſiſts the more in it, holding forth the indiſpenſablie requiſit qualifications of his followers, viz. That they muſt deny themſelves, and take up their croſs, which two qualifie, fit, and prompt for the thrid, to wit, following of him.
We ſpoke ſomewhat of taking up the Croſs, as it holds forth the caſe that Chriſts followers are in, ordinarily in the World, and it is to have the Croſs, ſome one ſad affliction, or another, where we conſidered it, as a Duty that they are called to; being commanded to take it up, when they meet with it, not to ſhift it, but to ſtoup pleaſantly to the taking of it on, and to bear it chearfully after him; Now ere we come to ſpeak of the Uſes, that Chriſt aims at in all this; we would take notice of that word …aſt in, not ſure …y gueſs, but purpoſly, His Croſs; whereby it …eems, he puts a difference betwixt the common afflictions of all, and the more particular afflictions of this and that Believer; as if he had ſaid, it is not enough, that Believers ſhould ſubmit to afflictions in common, but they muſt ſubmit to …heſe particular afflictions that are theirs, or ſhaped out to them in particular, this, and that, and …he other; every Believer hath his own particular affliction, or croſs, beſide that which is common to all, which he is called to ſubmit unto and take on, Whence Obſerve, That theſe who would follow Chriſt aright, muſt not pitch upon waill, or make choice of their own Croſs, but ſubmit unto that Croſs that is particularly carved out for them, and allotted to them; Which leads us to touch on theſe two things; one whereof is, that beſide the lot which all Believers have in common, under publick calamities, every Believer, and Follower of Chriſt hath his own Croſs, particularly ſhaped out for him; whether it be a diſtinct particular Croſs, or that which is common and publick but accompanied with ſome peculiar circumſtances, in reference to him; The other is, That the Believer in Jeſus Chriſt, ſhould welcome the Croſs, as it is circumſtantiated to him, and as it is his particular Croſs; we need not ſpeak of the firſt of theſe diſtinctly by it ſelf, it being obviouſly implyed in the Second Our Lords words are clear to this purpoſe, Matth 23.4. Behold, I ſend unto you wiſe men, and Prophets, and ſome of them ye ſhal kill, and crucifie ſome of them ye ſhall ſcourge in your Synagogues and perſecute them from city to city; Where he ſpeaks of ſeveral ſorts of Croſſes, that men approven of God ſhal meet with, and which the… muſt take up, and carry after him, as he is pleaſed to carve them out to them; the experience o… all the Lords People, in all Ages, and times further clears, and makes it out; there are non… of the Saints who have not had their own Croſs; there have been ſome, who have been crucified, and killed, ſome ſcourged, and others perſecuted from city to city, &c. Abel, Abraham, Moſes, David, Job, Jeremiah, and the reſt had all the Croſs, yet was there ſomething in ones Croſs that was not in anothers; So Heb. 11.36, 37, 38. Where the account of Believers Sufferings is ſummed up, it is ſaid, That ſome had tryal of cruel mockings, and ſcourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and impriſonment, they were ſtoned, ſaw… aſunder, &c. Some had one ſort of tryal, ſome another, as the wiſdom of God thought meet to allot to them: we need not here deſcend to particulars, ſome are croſſed in the ſpoiling of their Goods, ſome in their Children, ſome have their Children taken from them by Death, ſome have them preſerved alive to be a croſs to them, ſome have croſſes in their own Perſons, ſome in their Families, ſome are under poverty and want, ſome are under reproach and contempt, and ſo forth: If ye would have ſome reaſons of this Point, ye may take theſe ſhortly. The Firſt whereof may be drawn from Gods infinit Wiſdom, and abſolute Soveraignity, he thinks meet that it ſhould be ſo; as the Potter hath power over the clay, to put it in what form or ſhape he will, much more hath he, the great God, who is former of all things, power over his own creatures, to exerciſe, & handle them as he thinks good; to which purpoſe there is much …xcellently diſcourſed in the Book of Job; He think fit to exerciſe one Perſon this way, and ano her that way, and who may ſay to him, what doeſt thou? he is not …ound to give a reaſon of his acti…s. 2ly. There are ſome reaſons relating to us, and our condition, and to the end that God hath before him, in this variety, which ſhew, that it is good it ſhould be ſo: As 1. There muſt be a ſuitableneſs betwixt the Croſs and the Perſon, every Believer is not in a like caſe, and therefore there is reaſon, that there be ſome difference among them, in reſpect of their Croſſes; they have their ſeveral Idols, and theſe require ſeveral and ſuitable Croſſes, to bring, and keep them down; as for inſtance, when ones predominant is Pride, and Self conceit, he readily ſo diſpoſeth, that contempt and reproach are made to meet ſuch a man, as moſt ſuitable to beat down that Idol; If his Idol be covetouſneſs, he can, and oftentimes doth make Riches take wings and flee away, or he cankereth, and imbittereth them, ſome one way or another; If the Idol be ſtrength of body, he readily by pain, or ſickneſs layes him low, and on his back; or, if the Perſons Idol be his Children, (as its very probable Abſalom was Davids) he readily either removes them by Death, or blaſts all expectation conceived … them, ſo that they become the greateſt inſtruments of their trouble and grief; This great an… Infinitely ſkilful Phyſician gives not the ſame Po… tion to all his diſeaſed Patients, but varieth it according to the nature of the diſeaſe, and conſtitut… on of the ſeveral Perſons. 2ly There muſt be a ſui… ableneſs betwixt the Croſs, and Gods end; if hi… end be a tryal of the Perſon, that will be a try… to one which will not be ſo to another; and as h… hath ſeveral ſorts of Perſons, ſo he hath ſevera… Graces to try; which requires ſeveral ſorts o… Croſſes, Some would think but little of the wan… of wealth, if they had their health, therefore h… exerciſes them with ſickneſs, and infirmitie o… body; others could much ſubmit to the want o… both, but cannot endure to have their name rubbed on, and he will needs have that to be thei… tryal; if one mans exerciſe were but juſt th… ſame exerciſe of another, he would think th… leſs of it: and therefore in reference to all theſe it is very ſuitable and congruous to the Follower… of Chriſt, that they ſubmit to their own Croſs, to the Croſs that is carved out to them in partiticular; ſweetly to ſubmit to the preſent Croſs and as it is circumſtantiated, is the preſent duty; therefore our Lord Jeſus ſayes, The cup that my Father hath given me, ſhall I not drink it? He hath a cup mixed and prepared to him peculiarly, which he takes and drinks out pleaſantly; as it is every Believers duty, not only to reſolve in the general, to take on the Croſs, but alſo to take on his Croſs in particular, to drink the cup mixed with ſuch and ſuch ingredients, ſuited to them, and put in their hand, as their tryal. …ly. There is a ſuitableneſs betwixt the Croſs, …nd the good that the Lord intends thereby to …he Believer, a ſuitableneſs betwixt the Phyſick …nd the Diſeaſe; the Plaſter and the Wound de…igned to be cured and healed: It is therefore …ery abſurd to think, or ſay, any croſs but this, …ven as abſurdly unreaſonable, as it would be for … ſick man to ſay, If I had gotten the Pils, or Potion that ſuch another Perſon got, I could have digeſted it, would have been the better of …t, but I cannot away with this bitter, and very …npleaſant one; Whereas the phyſick that the other Perſon got, would have done thee no good …or ſuited to thy Diſeaſe; for the good of the Phyſick lyeth in this, that it is exactly ſuited to …he diſeaſe whereof thou art Sick.
The Uſe of it Serves to teach us, not to half our ſubmiſſion to the Croſs, nor to think a ſubmiſſion to the Croſs in general will do the turn; ſome are ready to ſay, that they would ſubmit to any thing but this; or, this is a thing that they cannot endure; but if it were not a Croſs of that ſadly exerciſing nature, it would not ſuit your condition; Therefore there would be 1. A ſubmiſſion to the kind of the Croſs, and as it is circumſtantiated; whether it be a Croſs on our Body, Goods, Name, Children, Huſband, Wife, &c. Whether it be a Croſs that we have more eaſe under, or a Croſs that doth continually trouble us. 2ly. There would alſo be a ſubmiſſion to the time of the coming on of the Croſs, or to the time whence it bears date; one will be ready to ſay, I could ſubmit to this Croſs, but its come upon me unſeaſonably, when as, if all things were well known, and conſidered, it wo… be found to come very ſeaſonably. 3ly. The would be ſubmiſſion to the continuance of t… Croſs and affliction, whether for a day, mone… or a year, or throughout thy whole lifetime, it were even from thy youth up, to thy dyt day, there muſt be a ſubmiſſion to Gods ter… day, and date of expiration. 4ly. The… would be ſubmiſſion to the meaſure and degr… of it, wh…tever meaſure or height God is pleaſ… to bring our affliction and Croſs unto, it muſt … ſubmitted to, for it hath probably come to greater meaſure, and a higher degree in ma… of the Saints before us, who were ſawn aſund… stoned, ſlain with the ſword, who wandered abo… in ſheeps-skins, and goats-skins, being deſtitu… afflicted, tormented. Finally, There would … ſubmiſſion, as to the Parties or Perſons fro… whom it comes more immediately; Som… think, and will be ready to ſay, that they coul… indure a Croſs, but think it hard, and intole… able to indure it, from ſuch and ſuch Perſon… from ſuch and ſuch Inſtruments, as from Hu… band, or Wife, Parent, or Child, Brother, o… Siſter, Kinſman or Friend, &c. But from whomſoever it comes, whether from Friends or Fo… from Countrey men, or Strangers, from Falſe brethren, or from He…thens, it muſt be ſubmitted unto; for herein the…e is nothing ſtrange and ſubmiſſion, in this reſpect, is a part of ou… beautiful conformity, to the great Patern, ou… bleſſed Lord Jeſus, whoſe croſs, affliction, and tryal it was, to have Heaven, and Earth, and Hell, the Gentiles, and People of the Jews, and theſe that did eat bread at his own table, combyning againſt him: very readily, and ordinarly, when we dare not fret at the Croſs, in the general, or as to the ſubſtance of it (to ſpeak ſo) we will pitch on ſome circumſtance or particular of it, and carp at that; but it is not right, and ſuitable ſubmiſſion, which is not to the Croſs, as ſo circumſtantiated, and ſuited to our particular condition.
The 2d Uſe Serves, for tryal of our ſubmiſſion; right and kindly ſubmiſſion is univerſal, and abſolute, and teacheth us to preſent a blank to God, and to allow him to put in, or write down, what Croſs he thinks good, as to the matter, and manner of it, the time of it's coming, the continuance of it, the meaſure or degree, the Parties and Inſtruments from whom, and all the other circumſtances of it.
The 3d Uſe Serves, for diſcovery, and reproof; if we examine our ſelves narrowly, and impartially by this, it will be found, that there is much which we account, and call ſubmiſſion, that is not worthy that name; O! how ſadly doth it reprove the practice of many of us, who, if not in whole, yet in part preſume to offer, at the carving out of our own condition, and croſs to God, and do not ſweetly ſubmit to his carving of it out to us; quarrelling Gods wiſdom, as if this and that were not rightly done, reflecting on his skill, as if he had not taken up our diſeaſe …right, or had not ſuited the cure unto it; God hath thought good, not only to afflict Scotland, but in ſuch a manner, and meaſure, and by ſuch inſtruments, overturning Church and State, pouring contempt and reproach upon us, at home, and abroad, opening all mouths againſt us, and redacting us to ſlavery and bondage; It is this, that the People of God are called to ſubmit unto, in all it's ſad circumſtances, and n… to fret at ſuch a diſpenſation, nor to take up a… prejudice at holineſs, becauſe of it, nor to ſuff… our paſſions ſinfully to riſe againſt inſtruments and wherein it is otherwi…e with us, we are ce… tainly reproof worthy.
From this, and the former Doctrine, concer… ing chearful bearing the Croſs of Chriſt, ſom… will be ready to Obj ct, and ſay, we would no… care to take on any, or to incounter any difficulti… if we knew it were Chriſts Croſs; Yea, we woul… think it an honour to ſuffer, if it were on th… account of giv…ng a teſtimony to him; but it our great doubt, that any Croſs we are unde… cannot be called Chriſts Croſs; and when w… cannot diſcern it to be of that nature, we ca… neither have that ſweet peace, in ſubmitting t… it, nor can we with that cheerfulneſs bear it … becomes: To which I Anſwer. 1. Chriſts Cro… conſiſts not always in the meaſure of the afflict on that thou indureſt; it may be a part of Chriſ… Croſs, when it is but a word of reproach, a tau… or mock, that thou ſuffers; Therefore it is ſaid Gal. 4.29. He that was born after the fleſh pe… ſecuted him that was born after the ſpirit, &c. No… it is clear from Gen. 21.9. That this perſecutio… was Iſhmaels mocking of Iſaac; and Heb. 11.3… Some of theſe worthies had tryal of cruel mockings: There is by the way a deceit that woul… be taken heed to here; ſome flatter themſelve… ſo far, as to think that they would lay dow… their life for a Teſtimony to Chriſt, who y… cannot abide a reproach or mock; but is it likely they would ſuffer the loſs of Life for Chriſ… who cannot indure to be called Hypocrites, o… to be reproached, or ill-ſpoken of unjuſtly, … ſeditious Perſons, and troublers of Iſrael? But …o hold cloſs by our point in hand; even that would be looked upon, as a part of ſuffering for Chriſt, and ſo a part of his Croſs; which in the firſt riſe of it is for him, or for ſomething of his work in thee; were it but a mock, or a reproachful word betwixt Man and Wiſe, Parent and Child, Child and Child, Servant and Servant, Neighbour and Neighbour, when ſomewhat of God in the Perſon draws out the reproach, it is a part of Chriſts Croſs. 2ly. We would not alwayes limit ſuffering for Chriſt to the main, and fundamental things of the Goſpel, (for which Chriſtians think, if they were called to ſuffer, they would be chearful in their Sufferings) but though they be things leſs thought of, and comparatively of leſs moment indeed, if it be a point of real Truth, or Dutie, It is Suffering for Chriſt, when we are called to Suffer on that account; John the Baptiſt did not Suffer fo… the Goſpel, or for any great Goſpel-Truth ſtrictly taken, but for a reproof given to Herod, for ſaying, that it was not lawful for him to have his brothers wife, for bearing witnes to a point of truth concerning what was moral; and yet doubtleſs he was a ſharer of Chriſts Sufferings in that particular; There is not in ſome reſpect, a more and a leſs in the matter of Duty, and in the matter of Truth, or in re…pect of Suffering on the account of, or for Truth; but if it be indeed Duty, or Truth, it is to be Suffered for, and is as w…ll approven of God, and hath a comfortable Out gate, as well as Suffering for that, which ſimply conſidered, is of far greater moment, and this comparatively but of little; This is clear in the example of Moſes who would not leave a hoove behind him; … Daniel, who would not ſhut his windows; an… in Mordecai, who would not bow the knee … Haman; all which many would have thought w… little to be ſtuck at, and far leſs to hazard all o… yet having found theſe things to be Duties t… which they were in Conſcience oblidged, the… diſcerned no ſuch diſtinction in the command … God, betwixt leſs and more, in the matter o… Duty, ſo as to allow them to abandon, and d… ny the leſſer more than the greater; nothing … too little to ſuffer for, that God has commanded 3ly. It is not only Chriſts Croſs, when we Suffe… immediately for duty to him; but alſo, whe… we Suffer for Duty to men, if it be commanded by him; Suffering for a Duty of the Secon… Table of the Law, is Suffering for Chriſt, as we… as Suffering for Duties of the Firſt Table; an… not, as many think, that it is only Suffering for Chriſt, when it relates to Duties of the firſt Table; A Chriſtian Child, no doubt, may Suffer, for performing, or for not neglecting Dutie to his Father, and ſo for Chriſt; and the Apoſtle ſpeaking to Chriſtian Servants, 1 Pet. 2.19. Tells them, If ye indure grief, ſuffering wrongfullie, for conſcience towards God, it is thankworthie, and Chap. 3.14. He ſayes to all, If ye ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake, happy are ye; Whatever be a mans Dutie, it hath the promiſe of happineſs, whether it be a Dutie rela…ing to the Firſt, or to the Second Table, when he Suffers for it; and ſo it's ſuffering ſome way for Chriſt. 4ly. We would not limit Suffering for Chriſt to a direct Suffering for him, as when the quarrel, oppoſition, or perſecution is ſtated down right on his account, or for his ſake; for there is an indirect Suffering for Chriſt; as when men are aſhamed …o afflict, or perſecute directly and expre…ſly for Chriſts ſake, or for any thing of Chriſt, that appears in ſuch a Perſon, or Perſons, they pretend ſome other ground of quarrel, but ſtill from a ſecret Heart-picque and prejudice at ſome what of Chriſt in them; as it may be, they will call them ſeditious, unclean, intemperat, and the like, and under that diſguiſe put upon them, perſecute them, blaſt their reputation, and defame them; while in the mean time, the true & principal, if not the alone ground of the quarrel is, a malicious hatred of ſomewhat (as I ſaid) of God diſcovered to be in the Perſon or Perſons, and not hatred of the ſin, wherewith they reproach them; otherwiſe they would hate that ſin in themſelves and in others, which yet they do not; a plain evidence, that the Perſons either ſuppoſed, or real Sin, is not the ground of the quarrel, however pretended, but that they reproach them with it on a malicious deſign, thereby to obſcure, and cry down the good that is in them; ſuch men will not readily ſay, this or that man is a godly man, and therefore he muſt ſuffer, but he is this, and that and the other odious thing, and therefore away with him, he is not worthy to live, as they ſaid of Jeremiah; and how often were the Apoſtles perſecuted under the falſe pretex… of their being turners of …he World up ſide-down? and that horrid and helliſh things were moſt falſly charged by perſecuting Pagans, on the Primitive Chriſtians, that under that diſguiſe they might the more freely perſecute them? yet all theſe were for Chriſt, 5ly. We would not limit ſufferings for Chriſt, to things ſimply lawfull, or unlawfull, for it may be, ſometimes for things indifferent in their own nature, which y… being ſo and ſo circumſtantiated to us, may dra… on Suffering; and theſe Sufferings may be Suffe… ings for Chriſt; a thing may be indifferent, an… lawfull to ſome, which to others ſtated unde… ſuch and ſuch circumſtances may be accounted… receding from ſome part of a juſt Teſtimony, o… a refuſing to give a Teſtimony; even though th… matter be not (as I ſaid) ſuch in it ſelf, an… in it's own nature, yet it may be ſo circumſtantiated to ſome Perſons, as it may be lyable to tha… conſtruction, if they ſhall recede from, or for bear it; as in the example of Daniel, who ſuffers for opening his windows, which was a thin… indifferent in it ſelf, & not eſſential to his wor… ſhiping of God; but having uſed to open his windows, and pray towards Jeruſalem before, and now being brought on the Stage, and a Decre… having gone forth from the King, that none ſhould put up a Petition to any God or man, bu… to the King only, for ſo many dayes, he finds himſelf bound in Conſcience, and that on very juſt ground, to do as he had wont to do before, and that on the manifeſt hazard of his life, leaſt his malicious enemies ſhould have it to ſay, that he receded from his Duty, and that he thought more ſhame now, or was more afraid now, than… before to worſhip the true God. 6ly. We would not limit Sufferings for Chriſt, to wrongs and injuries that come at us mediatly, by evil men, as the inſtruments; for the Croſs may ſometimes come immediately from the hand of God, as Pain, Sickneſs, Scarcity, Want, &c. may come that way, and we can blame no inſtruments for them, and they may be caſual and accidental, as to us (though nothing be ſo in reſpect of Divine Providence) yet even theſe may …e Sufferings for Chriſt, though not in reſpect of …he matter, yet in reſpect of the manner, viz. When they are chriſtianly ſubmitted to, and …atiently born, with reſpect to Chriſts honour, …nd the Soveraignity of God, which ſo overaweth, and keepeth down our Corruption, that …ave dar not fret nor repine under Gods hand; when ordinary Croſſes are thus born, they come in amongſt the Sufferings for Chriſt; Therefore Paul reckoning up his Sufferings, 2 Cor. 11. He brings in his Ship-wracks, and other Croſſes in his voyages by Sea, in the proſecution of his calling, his hunger, and thirſt, &c. So that, even in theſe, Chriſtains may come in to ſhare of the conſolation that flows from patient bearing of the Croſs, and have them reckoned to them as Croſſes for Chriſt in ſome reſpect, becauſe the ſame principle of Love that puts them to bear the Croſs, that comes on them directly for Chriſt, and the Goſpels ſake, makes them bear theſe other Afflictions, and they walk by the ſame Rule, and have the ſame End before them in them, that they have under direct and more proper Sufferings for Chriſt; therefore they may ſome way partake of the ſame name; and when Scripture ſpeaks of the Croſses of Gods People, and of their being chaſtened every morning, it ſecludes not this immediat ſort of Suffering from Gods own hand, more than that which is mediat, by the intervention of Inſtruments, from coming into the account, and reckoning of Sufferings for Chriſt; which is not a little comfortable.
But 2dly. Some will Object, and ſay, we would have peace, if we knew when we are called to Suffer for Chriſt, but we know not when or whether we be called in this, and that part… cular to Suffer; this is an Objection that uſeth t… be made, and a queſtion that uſes to be moved and debated, more eſpecially, by ſuch as have no great mind to Suffer; If it be asked then when are Chriſtians called to Suffer? We A… ſwer, it Is beſide our ſcope and deſign, nor is … eaſie, if at all poſſible to aſſign particular, an… exact Rules of tryal and direction in all the emergent caſes, wherein Chriſtians may be called to Suffer; Theſe being ſo …ery many, and ſo various, there being withall ſo much need o… ſingleneſs, impartiality, and Se f denyal, in th… application even of general Rules, yet we ſhall touch on ſome general inſtances of Caſes wherein we are called to Suffer, as namely, First. When we cannot keep by our Duty, and eſchew S…ffering, but by taking our ſelves to ſome ſinfull midſe; I mean of whatever nature the Duty be, and of whatever nature the ſin be, when the midſe is ſinfull; it will, I ſuppo…e, be granted by all, that we are bound to prefer Suffering to ſin. 2ly. When the midſe is not only directly ſinfull, but when we cannot eſchew Suffering, but ſinfullie, we are called, in that Caſe to Suffer, for the mean may be lawfull in it ſelf, and yet ſo circumſtantiated, that to us it may be ſinful; as a man may, through want of preſent light be doubtfull, whether or not he may uſe ſuch and ſuch a mean to eſchew Suffering, and he is not wilfully cheriſhing his ignorance; only he knoweth not for the time, whether it be lawful for him or not, to uſe ſuch a mean, if he ſhould in that caſe, do ſuch a thing, he ſhould do it doubtingly, & ſo ſinfully; and till God give more clearneſs, it is better for ſuch a man to hazard on Suffering; for if in that caſe, he uſe the mean, or …o the thing, he will do it ſinfully; though in it ſelf, and it may be to another, it be not ſinful. 3ly. When we cannot without ſin, eſchew ſome manifeſt prejudice to the work of God, or ſome notable reproach on his People, even though the mean be lawful in it ſelf, we are called in that caſe, rather to Suffer, for though the mean be lawfull, yet if it ſhould be uſed by us, it is very probable, it would derogat from, and reflect upon our profeſſion, and be matter of ſtumbling to the People of God, and miniſter occaſion to adverſaries, to inſult or ſpeak ill; as for inſtance, it was not ſimply unlawful, or ſinfull, for Nehemiah to flee to ſave his life, yet he ſays, ſhould ſ…ch a man as he flee? He finds on due conſideration, that for ſuch a man, in ſuch a place, and ſo ſtated to flee, would have been a reproach to his profeſſion, and would have ſtumbled many; therefore he judges it unſuitable to redeem his life at the too dear rate of ſuch a repro…ch, and that he is called rather to hazard on Suffering: men would not be vain, and carnal in …eking to maintain their own credit, in a ſuffering time; yet they would concernedly ſee to the credit of the Goſpel, and of their profeſſion; and it is on this ground, that Paul goes in many of hi… Suffe…ings, that by his Sufferings others may be ſtreng…hned, ed…fied and confi…med, and ma…e m… hold, and no wayes prejudiced, and the mou…hs of adverſaries ſtopped, that were ready to take advantage, and ſpeak evil; and to come by theſe ends, he rejoyced in Sufferings. A 4th. Caſe is, when our doing of ſuch and ſuch a thing hath a longer train of conſequents following it, than the… is any great matter in the thing it ſelf, whic… may give advantage to the enemy, or may bri… prejudice to Gods Work, or to his People, we a… called, in that caſe, rather to forbear, and ha… ard on Suffering; as for example, it was but … little thing in it ſelf, for Daniel to ſhut the wi… dows, and for Mordecai to bow before Haman But when either of theſe is conſidered, with th… train that followed on it; whileſt thereby it … attempted, to beat them from their ſtedfaſtneſ… their yielding to ſuch a thing, would have give occaſion of boaſting, rejoycing, and triumph t… the enemy, and of ſorrow and ſadneſs to th… People of God, and might ſeem to be a recedin… from a called for Teſtimony; and upon theſe conſ… derations they find themſelves concerned & clea… ly called, rather to hazard on Suffering, than … do ſuch a thing, which in other caſes migh… have been done: This Caſe, as alſo the former call for much Holy Wiſdom, Prudence, an… Self denyal, and much Light and Direction from God; and I have inſtanced them for this cauſe that we may not think, that we are not called to Suffer, when the thing is little, or ſuch a in other Caſes, or in other Circumſtances might be done; It is true, the thing may be little conſidered ſimply, and in it ſelf, and if there were no more following on it, is ſuch as might b… done; but when we ſee it is deſigned, and made uſe of to be, as it were, a needle to draw with i… a long threed of conſequences, and to bear and bind upon us ſuch things, that in Conſcience we cannot comply with, nor allow of; we are not in that caſe to conſider, and weigh the thing, as abſtracted from, and diveſted of the conſequents …d circumſtances thereof, but as it is attend… by, and cloathed with them; we ſhall not …ſtance any more particular Caſes: but earneſt-beſeech every one gravely to perpend, and …nder theſe, as they ſhall find themſelves in …ch and ſuch circumſtances to be concerned, …nd always to remember, that it's better to …oiſe to ſuffer affliction than ſin, or the pleaſures … it, which indure but for a ſeaſon.
2ly. From Chriſts requiring, that the Croſs …ay be taken up, and born, as it leads unto, …nd furthers, in the following of him, and as … fits and prompts, for following of him, Ob…ve, in a Word (for we haſten to a cloſe) …hat ſuffering of it ſelf, never profiteth, or ad…antageth men in the way of holineſs, nor is it ac…ptable to Chriſt; but only as it fits for follow…g of him, and furthers …s therein; For Croſſes …nd Afflictions are common to good and bad; …nd that which makes croſſes and afflictions ac…eptable to him, and profitable, comfortable, …nd lovely to Believers, is this, that they are …leſſed towards their furtherance, in following …f him, towards their advances in conformity to …im, and communion with him:
For Uſe, Take this as the great Scope, and …pſhot of Sufferings, and take it alſo for a mark, …o try right Suffering by; It is not the mea…ure of Suffering, but Suffering, as it hath this …weet fruit growing on it, even progreſs in likeneſs to Chriſt, in holineſs, and in fellowſhip with him, that makes it pleaſing to God on Chriſts account, and profitable to us; and indeed it may make a very ſad and humbling diſcovery of our preſent condition, as to moſt of us; our Sufferings have not been few, and have met with ſeveral ſad diſpenſations; … alas! how little h…ve they participat of the … ture of the Croſs of Chriſt? It's t…e, in reſpect the material cauſe of them they have been …or h… yet in ſo ſa… as few are bettered, & fa…th …o holineſs by them, and made to run after him, in … way of hi… Commandments; we may ſadly ſay, th… hath been but little, lament…bly … …ff…ing Chriſt: we have much reaſ… …o …ear, that as have many things to count ſ…, in reference t… greatly abuſed glorious Goſpel, ſo his inpar…icu… abuſed Croſſes & Afflictions; he hath ſmitten … and we have not ſuitably grieved neither have … turned to the hand that ſmote us; ah! what pro… ing is there in reſpect of the inward mortificati… of Sin, and of delight in God; or in reſpect of a … ſible holy, and examplary converſation becom… the Goſpel of Chriſt, by all our Sufferings? Is the not, beſide theſe great defects as to the power godlineſs, ſome wearing out of the very form of … that had wont to be? abuſed Croſſes may be very ſad article in our Libel and Indirement; an… when we grow not better by Croſſes, we read… grow worſe.
3ly. From our Lords requiring from all that w… come after him, the taking up, and bearng of h… Croſs, as it fits following of him Obſerve, That the right taking up and bearing of the Croſs notably qu… lifies and fits men for following of Chriſt; Therefor… do… he here propoſe i…, as a fit & ſuitable midle, fo… coming at that end; It i… not the Croſs co…ſidere… ſimply, and in it ſelf (as I ſaid) that fits for following of Chriſt, but the kindly ſubmitting to, & bea… ing of it, that hath this bleſſed fruit & effect; Lam. 3.27. It is good for a man (ſaith Jeremiah) that he …r the …ock in his youth, he ſits alone, & keeps ſilence … Kindly ſubmitting to the Croſs, makes humble …d patient, & ſuffers not the afflicted man to fret, …r to preſcribe to God; many take on the Croſs, …ou do not (to ſpeak ſo) bear it; and many bear when it is in a manner ſo bound on them, that …ey cannot get it ſh…ken off; who yet fret, repine …d grumble under, & greatly weary of it, as an in…lerable burden; but this kindly bearing of it, …akes ſilent & ſweetly ſubmiſſive of the afflicted …rſons own accord; If ye indure chaſtening (ſayeth …e Apoſtle, Heb. 12.7.) God dealeth with you, as …ith Sons; This genuine & kindly exerciſe under …e Croſs, beſpeaks a clearing and comforting evi…ence of Son-ſhip.
The Uſe of it ſerves, in ſhort to diſcover to us …e great let & obſtruction that lyeth in the way …f our ready, reſolute & chearful following of Chriſt …ven our not being folding, yielding, toward, and …actable to the Lord, by the Croſs, but much in…lining either to ſhift, or ſhake it off; either to fret …nder it, or at beſt prepoſterouſly to ſeek after a …hange of it; of what ever nature it be, whether a …hare of that which is more common & publick, or …om whatmore particular, & domeſtick or perſonal; we ſhould have it for our great work and taſk, to bear, and by hearing, to be benefited and bettered by our Croſs; to be alwayes in a poſture of readineſs to Suffer, which will lay our pride, & keep down our eaſily diſcompoſing and diſtempering paſſions, it would contribute to the grouth of Grace, and would through Gods bleſſing, be as a weeding-iron to draw up the weeds of corruption from among the herbs, and would make them die, which alas! often grow ranker than herbs; … Croſs rightly born would, in a word, notably h… to follow Chriſt.
4ly. Obſerve, but in a ſhort word, That there … no following of Chriſt aright, unleſs we reſolve … take up and bear patiently, and pleaſantly our o… particular Croſſes ſhaped to us; If any man (ſayeth o… Lord he…e) will come after me, let him take up his cr… and follow me; The way of following of Chriſt, is … hedged as it were, with thorns, that through ma… Tribulations & Afflictions all that will follow hi… muſt needs enter into the Kingdom of God; an… the Chriſtian race, and c urſe of Godlineſ… hath … many enemies on all hands, and from all quarte… that the man who reſolves not to ſuffer for Chriſ… will make no progreſs in it; There is nothing mor… frequently propoſed unto, and preſſed upon … the profeſt followers of Chriſt than this; and it … here laid down by him, as one of the firſt, & gre… articles of his capitulation (to ſpeak ſo) with a… that will come after him; the neceſſity whereof i… powerfully preſſed, and put home by all theſ… weighty arguments which follow our Text, to th… cloſe of the Chapter, which are all linked together with this, that if any man will come after Chriſt, he muſt deny himſelf, take up his croſs and follow him; who is infinitly worthy to be followed, notwithſtanding all the Croſſes that attend and follow his followers, while they ſojourn in this preſent evil, ſinfull and troubleſome Wo…ld, out of which, when they ſhall be gone, they will exchange their Croſs for… an incorruptible Crown.
FINIS.
End of the text · James Durham, The Great Corruption of Subtle Self (1686)