Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 7
Sermon, VII. UTMOST DILIGENCE Needful, to obtain SALVATION.
PHIL. II. 12.
— Work out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling.
WHen the Firſt Man Adam rebell'd againſt God; all his Poſterity were involv'd in that Rebellion. He being their common Father, Head and Repreſentative; they all ſinn'd in him and fell with him in that firſt Tranſgreſſion. And by being involv'd in Sin, they became liable to miſery too. By one man ſin entred into the World, and death by ſin; and ſo death hath paſſed upon all men, for that all have ſinned, Rom. 5.12. In Adam all Die, 1 Cor. 15.22. All men deſerve Eternal Miſery, Eternal Damnation for their ſinning againſt God. For the Wages of ſin is Death, Rom. 6.23. Tho' all Men deſerve Damnation, yet God has deſigned Salvation to ſome; and has ſent his only Begotten Son to ſave them, 1 Tim. 1.15. This as a faithful ſaying worthy of all acceptation, that Chriſt came into the World to ſave Sinners. Chriſt came into the World on purpoſe to ſave Sinners, and none elſe can do it. For there is Salvation in none other, neither is there any other name given under Heaven among men whereby we can be ſaved, Act. 4.12. But who are thoſe whom Chriſt will ſave? Why all that believe in him. Whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall not periſh but have Everlaſting Life, Joh. 3.16. He'll ſave thoſe that Obey him. Heb. 5.9. He became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. Thoſe who heartily repent of their Sins, and truſt in Chriſts Righteouſneſs for Juſtification, and yield unfeigned Obedience to his Precepts, ſhall be ſaved by him. The Lord Jeſus will ſave them from the Wrath and Curſe of God, from Hell, from Eternal Miſery; and will make them Eternally Bleſſed and Glorious in the Heavens. All that call themſelves Chriſtians, do at leaſt pro…eſs and pretend to hope for ſuch Salvation as this. Jeſus, ſignifies a Saviour, why do they call themſelves the Diſciples and Subjects of Jeſus Chriſt; why do they call him Prince and Saviour, unleſs they expect Salvation by him? Well, ſince they pretend to expect ſuch Salvation, they ſhould carefully walk in the way that leads to it; And this is the meaning of our Text, Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling; the Explication whereof may be conſider'd under this,
DOCTRINE. It is the Duty of Chriſtians to work out their Salvation with fear and trembling.
Here we may Inquire,
I. What's meant by Chriſtians working out their Salvation?
II. What's meant by working out their Salvation with fear and trembling?
III. Why ſhould they ſo work out their Salvation?
QUESTION I. What's meant by Chriſtians working out their Salvation?
The firſt Anſwer to this Queſtion, is Negative; it does not mean that they ſhould or can, purchaſe, merit or deſerve any part of their Salvation. Sinners have merited Damnation, by breaking Gods Law; but they cannot merit Salvation, by any or by all their doings and ſufferings. Indeed Jeſus Chriſt has merited Salvation, for all thoſe who ſhall obtain it; yet thoſe who receive it, do not deſerve it. 'Tis Gods free Gift to them, Luk, 12.32. It is your Fathers good pleaſure to give you the Kingdom. The Gift of God is Eternal Life, Rom. 6.23. This Salvation is purchaſed for, but not by, thoſe who obtain it. As it comes from God, from Chriſt to them, 'tis a Gift, 'tis the fruit of meer, free, ſovereign Love, Grace and nothing elſe. There are ſome Qualifications neceſſary to be found in Perſons, in order to their compleat Salvation; as Faith, Repentance, Holineſs, without theſe no Man ſhall ſee the Lord. Yet theſe Inherent qualifications, do not merit or deſerve Happineſs; they are rather parts of the Sinners Salvation, and preparatory to the perfection of it. And even theſe qualifications, are alſo the Gifts of God. So is Repentance (Act. 5.31.) and Faith, (Eph. 2.8.) it is of Chriſts fulneſs, that Perſons receive Grace for Grace. He is the Spring and Fountain of their Grace and Holineſs: he works in them both to will and to do of his own good Pleaſure. So that the Sinner's perfect compleat Salvation, is Gods Gift; all thoſe qualifications in the Soul which are neceſſary hereunto, are alſo Gods Gifts: therefore the Sinner cannot purchaſe, merit or deſerve Salvation. This is the Negative Anſwer.
The Second Anſwer is Affirmative, A Chriſtians working out his own Salvation, ſignifies, his walking in thoſe ways, doing thoſe things which lead infallibly to Eternal Salvation. When a Perſon lives in the Exerciſe of Repentance, of Faith in Chriſt, and yields ſincere Obedience to the Goſpel; he may then be ſaid to work out his own Salvation, becauſe he takes the only courſe, walks in the only way that leads to Salvation. For thoſe who obey not the Goſpel, ſhall not be Saved, but be puniſhed with Everlasting Deſtruction, 2 Theſ. 1.9. 'Tis not enough for Men to ſay, Lord, Lord; but they muſt do the will of God, elſe they ſhall not enter into the Kingdom, Mat. 7.22. In ſhort and in general, a Perſon may be ſaid to work out his own Salvation, when he lives as the Goſpel directs, when he does what Gods Word requires of him. But then, this Obedience muſt have theſe qualifications, it muſt be Sincere, Univerſal, Conſtant.
1. It muſt be Sincere. There's no Salvation without Faith in Chriſt. He that believeth not ſhall be damned, Mark. 16.16. Now true Faith, it purifies the Heart (Acts 15.9.) and works by Love, Gal. 5.6. It ſhows it ſelf in Works of Obedience. By Faith Abraham — obeyed, Heb. 11.8. Faith without works is dead, Jam. 2.26. Yea, true Faith puts the Perſon upon yielding ſincere Obedience to God: He not only does the Things which God commands, but he does them becauſe God commands them, out of Love to God, with a deſire to Pleaſe and Glorify him. The Hypocrite does many Things for the Matter of them, which God commands; yet his doing them can ſcarce be call'd Obedience, becauſe he is not heartily mov'd thereto by Gods Authority, and with a deſign to pleaſe him; but rather with a deſign that he himſelf may be applauded by Men. Thus all things which the Phariſees did, they did to be ſeen of Men, Mat. 23.5. But the true Saint acting as ſuch, is mov'd from a Principle of Obedience to God, aiming at his Glory. He deſires to glorify God with Body and Spirit; whether he eats, drinks, or whatever he does, 1 Cor. 6.20. & 10.31. He deſires that Christ may be magnified in his Body, whether it be by Life or Death, Phil. 1.20. Perfect, ſinleſs Obedience, the Saints cannot arrive to in this World; but ſincere Obedience they may and do arrive at.
2. It muſt be Univerſal. Hypocrites will pick and chuſe among Gods Precepts; they'll do the external, material Part of what's required by ſome of them, but they wholly diſregard others. But the true Believer in a becoming Temper, has Conſcientious Regard to all Gods Commandements. David had reſpect to them all, and ſaid to God, I eſteem all by Precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every falſe way, Pſal. 119.6.128. Our Lord Jeſus deſcribes his Diſciples, his Friends that are Journeying in their Way to Salvation: Joh. 15.14. Then are ye my Friends, if ye do whatſoever I command you. Chriſt's Yoke is eaſy, his Burden Light, his Commands not grievous but precious to the Heirs of Salvation.
3. It must it Conſtant. If our Righteouſneſs be as the morning Cloud and early Dew, which ſoon paſſeth away; as the Seed ſown in ſtony Ground, which ſoon withers and comes to nothing, we ſhall never obtain Salvation. None but the Perſevering Saint ſhall get to Heaven. If any Man draw back, Gods Soul will have no Pleaſure in him. We muſt not be weary in well doing, if we would Reap the Harveſt of Eternal Jo… ▪ 'Tis by patient continuance in well doing, that we ſhould ſeek for Glory, Honour and Immortality, and ſo obtain Eternal Life, Rom. 2.7. When Chriſtians yield ſuch Obedience as this to the Goſpel of Chriſt, they may be ſaid to work out their Salvation; for they walk in that Path, that Way of Faith and Obedience which leads to Everlaſting Bleſſedneſs. We may in the next place enquire,
QUESTION II. What's meant by working out their Salvation with Fear and Trembling?
Here alſo, the firſt Anſwer muſt be Negative. It does not mean that they ſhould nouriſh in themſelves a Principle of ſlaviſh Fear. It does not mean that they ſhould give way to overwhelming Melancholly, to ſinking Doubts, Fears, Diſpondencies; that they ſhould be filled with amaving Horrors, Terrors and Anguiſh; that they ſhould ſpend their whole Time in Weeping, in Sighs and Tears and Groans, refuſing Comfort to their Souls. I ſay, it does not mean that they ſhould thus live. For the ways of Wiſdom are ways of pleaſantneſs, and all her paths peace, Prov. 3.17. And Chriſtians are Required to lead Lives of Gladneſs, Joyfulneſs and Thankſgiving. They ſhould rejoyce in the Lord, rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God, Phil. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord always; and again I ſay rejoyce. Chriſtians ſhould lead gladſome, thankful, chearful Lives.
The ſecond Anſwer is Affirmative. Their working out their Salvation with Fear and Trembling, ſignifies, that they ſhould uſe utmost Care, Caution, Diligence, Circumſpection in this grand Affair. They ſhould maintain in their Hearts, a conſtant, holy Jealouſy and Godly Fear, leſt they ſhould miſs of that endleſs Salvation they hope for, or carry it amiſs while they pretend to ſeek after it. The Precept is much of the ſame Import with thoſe, Pſal. 2.11. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoyce with trembling. 2 Pet. 1.10. Give diligence to make your calling and election ſure. Heb. 12.15. Looking diligently, leſt any Man fail of the Grace of God.
When the Apoſtle ſays, Work out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling, 'tis as if he had ſaid,
Take heed to your ſelves: Don't think you are past all danger, dont be ſecure, idle, ſlothful, careleſs. See to it, that your Hearts are right with God, ſtedfaſt in his Covenant; and that your Converſation be anſwerable. You have many Enemies that would obſtruct your Salvation, and hinder you from walking in the way that leads to it; therefore have your Eyes open, be on your Watch and Guard, that you may ſee your dangers and eſcape them, and ſee your Enemies and conquer them. Walk circumſpectly, not as Fools but as Wiſe redeeming the time. Be jealous of your ſelves, be cautious and watchful, leſt you indulge any Sin, leſt you provoke God. Uſe utmoſt conſtant Care, Prayer, Diligence to walk very humbly, cloſely, exastly with God; that ſo you may obtain that compleat Salvation, that is promiſed to his faithful Servants.
This ſeems to be the plain import of that Fear and Trembling, with which Chriſtians ſhould work out their Salvation. They can't be too Careful, Cautious, Prayerful, Watchful, Diligent that they may get ſafe to Heaven at laſt. Therefore we proceed to,
QUESTION III. Why ſhould they ſo work out their Salvation?
Why ſhould they uſe ſo much Caution, Care, Watchfulneſs, Prayerfulneſs, Diligence in this Affair? What are the Reaſons or Conſiderations, which ſhould move them to do thus? For Anſwer, they are ſuch Conſiderations as theſe, viz.
1. Many have ſeem'd very likely to obtain Salvation, and yet have miſs'd of it at laſt. Alas, how many ſuch? Many are but almoſt, not altogether, perſwaded to be Chriſtians, ſuch will ſurely periſh if they continue ſo. Many make an open full Profeſſion of the true Religion, and yet periſh at laſt. When God brought Iſrael out of Egypt, and propos'd his Law and Covenant to them; what ſaid they to it? Why they readily promiſed Obedience, ſaying, All that the Lard hath ſaid, will we do, and be obedient. All the People anſwered with one voice and ſaid, all the words which the Lord hath ſaid will we do, Exod, 24.3, 7. We cannot deſire Men to ſay more than this. Who could bid fairer for the Earthly Canaan, or the Heavenly one either, by their Profeſſion, than theſe did? Yet after this fair ſhow, Multitudes of them periſhed by their Wickedneſs, their Unbelief and Diſobedience. They could not enter in becauſe of unbelief, Heb. 3.19. The Stony ground hearers, they imbraced the Goſpel, yea they did it with Joy too; they made a fair ſhow of Religion, yet they had no Root in themſelves; the hot Sun of Perſecution, withered and deſtroyed the fair ſhows they had made, Mat. 13. chap. Judas was one of our Lords Twelve Diſciples, and for ought we know, was in general blameleſs in his outward behaviour, 'till he diſcovered himſelf to be the Son of Perdition by betraying the Lord of Glory. Some have Preached and Prophecied in Chriſts Name, and in his Name have caſt out Devils, and done many wonderful works; and yet were Hypocritical in all, and ſhall at laſt be numbred among the workers of Iniquity, Mat. 7.22, 23. And does not conſtant Experience ſhow, that many (who to Mans Judgment) made a good beginning, were Sober, Vertuous, Pious; have afterwards fallen into ſcandalous courſes of wickedneſs, and lived and dyed in them? Many (to the eye of Men) have bid fair for Heaven, and yet turned into Hell at laſt. Therefore O Chriſtian, Fear and Tremble, uſe utmoſt care and diligence leſt thou prove ſuch an one. The Apoſtle Paul was careful and watchful, leſt after he had Preached to others; he himſelf ſhould prove a Caſt-away, 1 Cor. 9.27. Surely there ſhould be as great care in us. How woful, doleful, dreadful would it be; if after we have made fair ſhows of Religion, and fed our ſelves with hopes of Heaven a great while, we ſhould be tumbled down into the Torments of Hell? Doubtleſs there are many now in Hell, who for a while made as fair a ſhow for Heaven as to outward appearance, as any of us do. This ſhould make us look about our ſelves.
2. Many of Gods ſincere Children, have thro' Unwatchfulneſs fallen into great Sins. When they have been off their Watch and Guard, their Spiritual Enemies (Temptations and Corruptions) have given them very ſore Falls. Lot's Righteous Soul was vexed with the filthy Converſation of the Sodomites, 2 Pet. 2.7, 8. Yet ſoon after, he himſelf was guilty of great Filthineſs, of repeated Drunkedneſs, and repeated Incest, even Inceſt with his own Daughters, Gen. 19.30. Aaron was a Godly Man, between Eighty and Ninety Years old, and yet join'd in making a Golden Calf to be worſhipped by the Iſraelites. Oh vile Iniquity! After this, Holy Moſes, the Meekeſt Man in the World, ſpake unadviſedly with his Lips, provoked God, and excluded himſelf from entering into the earthly Canaan. David, that Man after Gods own Heart, after he had received many wonderful Deliverances, and great Advancement, became guilty of Adultery and Murder. Solomon, after the Lord had appeared to him twice, became guilty of vile Idolatry. The Apoſtle Peter, he denyed Chriſt with Curſing and Swearing. What ſhall we ſay to ſuch things as theſe? Surely we ſhould look on them as awful, ſolemn Warnings to us: They are written for our Admonition, that he who thinketh he ſtandeth, may take heed lest he fall, 1 Cor. 10.11, 12. Have ſuch eminent Saints, after long ſtanding in Grace, after many particular Victories over their Spiritual Enemies, and after having done eminent Services for God; yet fallen into ſuch Sins as the Scripture aſſures us they have? Then what will become of us? Are we ſure, that we ſhall never fall as they have done? No, we are not ſure of any ſuch thing. If we do know that we are ſincere Believers, then we may know that we ſhall not finally fall away; but ſhall be kept by the power of God thro' Faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. But we dont certainly know, that we ſhall be kept from ſore falls, even into ſcandalous Sins. Therefore the falls of the Godly, ſhould greatly quicken us to be very careful, watchful, diligent in walking in the way that leads to Salvation. The falls, wounds, groans of others; ſhould be as a continual Alarm in our Ears, putting us continually on our watch and guard.
3. God uſeth his ſovereign pleaſure, in giving forth grace to the Children of Men. We cant obtain Salvation, unleſs we are ſincerely and practically Godly; and we can't be ſo, without the help of Divine Grace. Without Chriſt we can do nothing, Joh. 15.5. We are not ſufficient of our ſelves to think any thing as of our ſelves; but our ſufficiency is of God, 2 Cor. 3.5. Now God acts as a Sovereign Lord, in giving forth his Grace: God is not our Debtor. If we wont hear him to day, he is not oblig'd to call on us to morrow. If we wont comply with his holy motions now, he's not oblig'd to continue them to us. This conſideration ſhould quick…n us, to be careful and diligent in obeying God, leſt we provoke him to withdraw his Influences. Yea in our Text, the Apoſtle ſeems to have reference to this Argument. For when he had ſaid, Work out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling, his very next words (which have an Argumentative reference to them) are, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do, of his own good pleaſure. As if he had ſaid,
You can't work out your Salvation without the help of Gods Spirit, he affords his help according to his own ſovereign pleaſure: he may work when he will, and ceaſe working when he will. If you carefully and diligently receive and comply with his gracious Influences; you may expect they ſhall he continued: to him that hath ſhall be given. But if you are careleſs, ſlothful, negligent; then remember God works at pleaſure, you dont know how ſoon or how far he may withdraw. Therefore let holy fear, quicken you to utmoſt diligence.
God once ſaid, Gen. 6.3. My ſpirit ſhall not always ſtrive with Man. O Chriſtian, fear and tremble, l…ſt thou ſhouldeſt provoke God to withdraw the Influences and Motions of his good Spirit. If hitherto thou haſt been a Chriſtian, only in Name and Profeſſion; then ſpeedily comply with Gods call, heartily imbrace Chriſt on Goſpel Terms, leſt by thy ſlothful wickedneſs, God be provoked utterly to withdraw his gracious Influences, and ſo thou periſh for ever. On the other hand, if thou haſt true Regenerating Grace in thee, and ſo ſhalt never finally fall away and periſh; yet be careful and diligent to obey God, and comply with his holy Motions, leſt he leave thee to fall very foully, to the darkening of thine Evidence for Heaven, and the wounding of thine own Conſcience. Davids great Sins, darkened his Evidence for Heaven, ſorely wounded his Conſcience; his inward troubles were as grievous as broken bones, Pſal. 51.8. Peters groſs Sins, caus'd bitter weeping. Well then, be careful and diligent in working out your own Salvation, becauſe God acts as a Sovereign Lord in giving forth his gracious Influences.
4. Sloth and Negligence in Chriſtians above their Salvation, is a very great Sin; and often occaſions very great Evils. 'Tis it ſelf a very great Sin, for 'tis plain Diſobedience to Gods Command. He bids them keep their Hearts with all diligence; ſeek firſt the Kingdom of Heaven; ſtrive to enter in at the ſtrait Gate; and to look diligently, leſt they fail of the Grace of God. So that Sloth in this Matter is plain Diſobedience to God; and 'tis alſo a practical Deſpiſing and Contemning of his offered Mercy▪ and as 'tis a great Sin, ſo it often procures great Evils. When Chriſtians are ſlothful and negligent in the Concerns of their Souls, they often become guilty of great remarkable Failings, viſible and offenſive to others; yea, they ſometimes fall into groſs Scandals. And this ſurely does very much hurt; it brings great Diſhonour to the Name of God, of Jeſus Chriſt. Davids Adultery and Murder, gave the Enemy great occaſion to Blaſpheme, 2 Sam. 12.14. O Man, if thou art a true Saint, and in a right Temper; then ſurely nothing will be ſo dear to thee, as the Glory and Honour of God, of Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Chriſt has lov'd thee, given himſelf a Sacrifice for thee; he has died that thou mayſt live: he has been loaded with Shame and Scorn from Men, that thou mayſt be crown'd with Glory: And canſt thou Diſhonour this glorious and gracious Redeemer? Canſt thou wound his Name and Intereſt? How canſt thou bear the Thoughts of this? Well, if thou wouldſt not diſpleaſe and diſhonour thy tender hearted, heavenly Father, thy precious and dear Redeemer; then be not ſlothful, but moſt careful and diligent in working out thine own Salvation. Again, if thou ſhouldſt be careleſs, and fall into great Sins, this would greatly grieve the Holy Spirit of God; the contrary whereto is expreſly commanded; Eph. 4.30. Grieve not the holy Spirit, whereby you are ſealed to the Day of Redemption. O Believer in Chriſt, wouldſt thou not grieve that Holy Spirit, which enlighten'd thy dark Mind, ſoften'd thy hard Heart, made thee a new Creature and a Child of God? Wouldſt thou not grieve that Holy Spirit, who alone can aſſiſt, refreſh and comfort thee, and lead the ſafe to Glory? Then work out thy Salvation with Fear and Trembling, with utmoſt Care and Diligence. Again, if thou ſhouldſt be careleſs, ſlothful, and fall into great Sins; this might greatly hurt others: They may be ſcandaliz'd, offended, prejudic'd againſt the Ways of God for thy ſake. It may be thy ill Example may be an occaſion of their hardening in Sin and periſhing for ever. Some think, Da…id's Scandals occaſioned the Ruin of Multitudes. And how canſt thou bear the Thoughts of this, that thy Sin, thy ill Example ſhould hurt the Souls of others? Art thou not bidden to make thy light ſhine before others, that they ſeeing thy good works, may glorify thy Father which is in Heaven, Mat. 5.16. If thou wouldſt not hurt but benefit, others by thy Example; then work out thy Salvation with Fear and Trembling. Again, if thou ſhouldſt be ſlothful and fall into groſs Offences, this might greatly wound thine own Soul and Conſcience (as was hinted but now of David and Peter) therefore if thou wouldſt avoid unutterable wounds, ſtings, laſhes of Conſcience; and wouldſt injoy true inward peace and ſerenity of Soul; then work out thy Salvation with Fear and Trembling. Indeavour to be inoffenſive in word and deed; give no occaſion of ſtumbling and finding fault, no not ſo much as to thine own Conſcience. Make a buſineſs of Religion; exerciſe thy ſelf to have always a Conſcience void of offence, both towards God and Men.
5. A Chriſtians working out his own Salvation, is a matter of great weight and Importance; therefore he ſhould be moſt careful and diligent in it. 'Tis exceeding ridiculous for Perſons to be ſerious in nice, needleſs, triffling matters; and yet triffling in what is weighty and important. Yet too many, yea the moſt of Men are ſo. What will become of the Impenitent Sinner? Why he muſt lie under the guilt of Sin, under the Wrath and Curſe of God forever. He muſt burn in Hell for ever; be ſtung, laſh'd, tormented with his own Conſcience forever; dwell with exaſperated inraged Devils for ever; be inconceivably miſerable in Body and Soul to all Eternity. And is it not a matter of great weight and importance, to eſcape ſuch miſery as this? Should not utmoſt care, prayer, diligence be imploy'd in the matter? How much care, pains, coſt will Men ſometimes be at, to eſcape ſome ſmall temporary evils? Surely then, they ſhould ſpare no care, pains, watchfulneſs and diligence that they may flee from the Wrath to come, and eſcape that Divine Vengeance which is inſupportable. Ordinarily, Men wont grudge any pains, nor ſtick at difficulties, to preſerve their Houſes when on Fire; their Eſtates, and much more their Lives when in danger. And ſhould they not be ten Thouſand times more ſollicitous for their Souls, that they may eſcape Everlaſting Inconceivable miſeries? Yes indeed they ſhould. For what ſhall it profit a Man if he gain the whole World, and loſe his own Soul? or what ſhall a Man give in exchange for his Soul? Mat. 16.26. On the other hand, what is the portion of thoſe that rightly work out their own Salvation? Why they ſhall have a far more exceeding, and an Eternal weight of glory; a never fading Crown; they ſhall dwell with God and Chriſt forever; ſhall have fulneſs of Joys, and rivers of Pleaſure for evermore. They ſhall poſſeſs greater Good than Eye hath ſeen, Ear heard, or the Heart of Man is capable to conceive of. And ſurely, 'tis a matter of greateſt weight and importance, For Men to ſtrive after this: Surely they ſhould uſe utmoſt Care and Diligence to obtain this Happineſs. How much care, coſt and pains will Men ſometimes be at, to build one Houſe, or one ſingle Ship? How will they break their reſt, jade and tire their Bodies and Minds, hazard Health and Life too; to increaſe their Outward Eſtate, their Earthly Treaſures? And ſhould they not be abundantly more concern'd for Heavenly than Earthly Treaſures? Indeed they ſhould. Scarce any that calls himſelf a Chriſtian, will deny it in words; tho' Thouſands do in their actions. Doubtleſs there are many who call themſelves Chriſtians, that never in their Lives took half ſo much pains to get to Heaven; as they have to get Twenty Shillings, yea to get a leſs value. But ſuch are Fools and Mad-men (let their pretence to wiſdom be what it will) all will count them ſo very quickly. Let a real Chriſtian ſeriouſly conſider, of how great weight and importance it is to work out his own Salvation; and then let him be ſlothful and careleſs if he can. Sure I am, the greateſt car and diligence ſhould be us'd, to avoid the greateſt evil and obtain the greateſt good; therefore it ſhould be imploy'd in working out our own Salvation.
6. A Chriſtian has many Enemies to hinder the working out his Salvation, therefore he ſhould be the more careful and diligent an doing it. When a thing is found to be abſolutely neceſſary (as the working out our Salvation, is already prov'd to be) then the difficulties that lie in the way, ſhould not diſcourage but animate us, and make us the more reſolute and diligent. Well, there are many difficulties which lie in the way, and tend to hinder a Chriſtian from working out his own Salvation. In this grand work, Perſons meet with difficulties from the World, the Devil, and their own Lusts.
1. From the World. The World is a bewitching thing to Men, ever ſince they firſt forſook God the Fountain of Living Waters. If any Man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him. Friendſhip with the World, is enmity with God. Men muſt by Faith overcome the World, or elſe they can never get to Heaven. They ſhould keep themſelves unſpotted from the World, if they would be pure and undefiled in Religion, Jam. 1.27. Alas, Men Souls are much endangered by the World, by it's Proſperity and Adverſity.
1. By its Proſperity. When Rich and Proſperous, they're in danger of forgetting God, of being proud, highminded, and of truſting in uncertain …iches. When the Fields of the Fool brought forth plentifully, he then thought of Eating, Drinking, and Luxurious licencicus meriment for many Years to come, Luk. 12.19.
2. By i… … …ty. When Perſons are very Poor, …ow apt are they very often to Steal, Rob, Lie, Cheat, Defraud; at leaſt to Fret, Murmur, Repine and to be diſcontent? And theſe things are very obſtructive to their Spiritual and Eternal Good. This preſent World in an evil World, (Gal. 1.4.) and may well be reckon'd among the Spiritual Enemies of a Chriſtian, among the difficulties which tend to obſtruct his Salvation. There's no Experienced Chriſtian, but meets with ſo much difficulty from the World in his Spiritual concerns; as call for his very great care and diligence to oppoſe it.
2. From the Devil. The Devil is a Lye… and Murderer from the beginning; a grand Enemy of Souls: He's the old Serpent, who ſtung and poyſoned all Mankind in the Fountain-head, the firſt Adam. He is full of Subtlety, Spite and Malice; and employs all his Skill and Induſtry, to hinder Men from being Holy and Happy. He has many Wiles, Methods, Stratagems to Ruin them. The Conſideration of ſuch an Enemy, ſhould make the Chriſtian exceeding careful, watchful, diligent in working out his own Salvation. The inſpired Apoſtle Peter thought ſo, when he ſaid, 1 Pet. 5.8. Be ſober, be vigilant, becauſe your adverſary the Devil walketh about as a roaring Lyon, ſeeking whom he may devour. So the Apoſtle Paul, having mentioned the Devils, the fallen Angels, thoſe Principalities, Powers, ſpiritual Wickedneſſes as Enemies to the Chriſtian, he bids him Arm; Put on the whole Armour of God, mentions the Shield, Helmet, Sword, &c. All muſt be put on, all diligently and carefully employed, to withſtand ſo dangerous an Enemy as the Devil is, Eph. 6. latter end. Thoſe who are ſlothful and careleſs, as though they had no envious Devils plotting againſt them; are moſt under their Power and moſt hurt by them. Thoſe receive moſt Miſchief from him, who are leaſt Jealous of him, leaſt watchful againſt him.
3. From their own Luſts. Their Luſts do war in their Members, Jam. 4.1. They war against their Souls. They are deceitful Luſts; that is, they would turn them out of the Way, out of the true Way of Faith and Holineſs, which leads to Glory. The beſt of Chriſtians have indwelling Luſts, which often put them upon the Evil they would not, and hinder them from doing the Good which they would: When they would do Good, Evil is preſent with them. Holy Paul met with a great Conflict with his own Luſts; and ſaid, Rom. 7.23, 24. I find a Law in my Members, warning against the Law of my Mind, and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin which is in my Members. O wretched Man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this Death? Surely, the conſideration of theſe conſtant, dangerous Enemies, ſhould make the Chriſtian uſe utmoſt Care and Diligence, in working out his own Salvation.
USE.
We may hence ſee,
1. Many call themſelves Chriſtians, who don't work out their Salvation with Fear and Trembling. Many profeſſed Chriſtians, ſeem to have little or no Concern or Care to get to Heaven. They pretend to hope for it, but will take no Pains for it: They pretend to hope for Heaven, but walk in the broad Way to Hell. If they have the Form, yet they deny the Power of Godlineſs. Though they profeſs to know God, yet in works they deny him; being abominable, diſobedient, and to every good work reprobate, Tit. 1.16. But woful and dreadful will their Condition be, if they don't ſpeedily amend, by unfeigned Faith, Repentance, and practical Godlineſs.
2. We ſhould all be quickned to work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling. Our Time is ſhort, our Work great; therefore greateſt Speed, Care, Diligence is very needful to be uſed. Motives have been mentioned already: By way of Direstion I would ſay,
1. Let us be much in Self-Examination about what's paſt, and Serious Conſideration about what's to come. Let us Examine what's paſt, and be deeply humbled for our Sloth and Negligence. Let us likewiſe ſeriouſly conſider what's to come, even Death, Judgment, Eternity, and what's like to become of us. Serious Meditation on theſe things may prove very profitable to us.
2. Let us be much in Prayer to God, for his Grace to help us. Pſal. 25.4, 5. Shew we thy ways, O Lord, teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me. Pſal. 119.133. Order my ſteps in thy Word, and let not any Iniquity have Dominion over me.