Sermons on Various Subjects Volume 1, Sermon 1
SERMON I.
Worldly Buſineſs no Plea for the Neglect of RELIGION.
MATTH. viii. 22.
Let the Dead bury the Dead.
ST. Paul preaching at Athens, tells them, that as he paſſed by and beheld their Devotions, he perceived they were in all Things too ſuperſtitious. But was this Apoſtle to riſe, and come publiſhing the Glad Tidings of Salvation in any of our populous Cities, he would ſee no Reaſon why he ſhould charge the Inhabitants with this; but rather, as he paſſed by and obſerved the Tenor of their Life, ſay, I perceive in all Things ye are too Worldly minded; ye are too eagerly bent on …ſuing your lawful Buſineſs; ſo eagerly, as … …holly to neglect, or at leaſt too heedle…ly … on the one Thing needful.
There cannot then be a greater Charity ſhewn to the Chriſtian World, than to found an Alarm in the… …, and to warn them of the inexpreſſible Danger of continually graſping after the Things of this Life, without being equally, nay a Thouſand times more concerned for their Well-being in a future State.
And there is ſtill the more Occaſion for ſuch an Alarm, becauſe Worldly-mindedneſs ſo eaſily and craftily beſets the Hearts of Men. For out of a ſpecious Pretence of ſerving GOD in labouring for the Meat which periſheth, they are inſenſibly lulled into ſuch a ſpiritual Slumber, as ſcarce to perceive their Neglect to ſecure that which endureth to everlaſting Life.
The Words of the Text, if not at firſt View, yet when examined and explained, will be found applicable to this Caſe, as containing an admirable Caution not to purſue the Affairs of this World at the Expence of our Happineſs in the next.
They are Words of JESUS CHRIST himſelf: The Occaſion of their being ſpoken was this,—As he was converſing with thoſe that were gathered round about him, he gave one of them an immediate Summons to follow him: But he, either afraid to go after ſuch a perſecuted Maſter, or rather loving this preſent World, ſays, Suffer me firſt to go home and bury my Father, or, as moſt explain it, Let me firſt go and diſpatch ſome important Buſineſs I have … in Hand. But JESUS ſaid unto him, Let … Dead b… their Dead; Leave Worldly Buſineſs to Wordly Men, let thy ſecular Buſineſs be left undone, rather than thou ſhouldſt neglect to follow me.
Whether this Perſon did as he was commanded, I know not; but this I know,—That what CHRIST ſaid here in Perſon, he has often whiſpered with the ſmall ſtill Voice of his Holy Spirit, and ſaid to many here preſent, that riſe up early and late, take Reſt and eat the Bread of Carefulneſs, Come draw off your Affections from the Things of this Life, take up your Croſs and follow me. But they, willing to juſtify themſelves, make Anſwer, LORD ſuffer us firſt to bury our Fathers, to diſpatch our ſecular Affairs. I ſay unto all ſuch, Let the Dead bury their Dead, let your Worldly Buſineſs be left undone rather than you ſhould neglect to follow him.
From the Words thus explained naturally ariſes this Propoſition,—That no Buſineſs, tho ever ſo important, can juſtify a Neglect of true Religion:
The Truth of which I ſhall firſt ſhew, and then make an Application of it.
I. Firſt then, I am to prove that no temporal Buſineſs, though ever ſo important, can juſtify a Neglect of true Religion.
By the Word Religion I do not mean any Set of moral Vertues, and partial Amendment of ourſelves, or formal Attendance on any outward Duties whatſoever: but a thorough real Change of Nature wrought in us by the inviſible, yet powerful Operation of the Holy Ghoſt, preſerved and nouriſhed in our Souls by a conſtant Uſe of all the Means of Grace, evidenced by a good Life, and bringing forth the Fruits of the Spirit.
This is the true and undefiled Religion, and for the perfecting this good Work in our Hearts, the eternal Son of GOD came down and ſhed his precious Blood; for this End were we made, and ſent into the World, and by this alone can we become the Sons of GOD. Were we indeed to judge by the common Practice of the World, we might think we were ſent into it for no other Purpoſe than to care and toil for the uncertain Riches of this Life: But if we conſult the lively Oracles, they will inform us, that we were born for nobler Ends,—to be born again from above,—to be reſtored to the Divine Likeneſs by JESUS CHRIST our Second Adam, and thereby be made meet … inherit the Kingdom of Heaven; and conſequently, there is an Obligation laid upon all, even the moſt buſy People, to ſecure this End; it being an undeniable Truth, that all Creatures ought to anſwer the End for which they were created.
Some indeed are for confining Religion to the Clergy, and think it only belongs to thoſe who ſerve at the Altar: But what a fatal Miſtake is this, ſeeing all Perſons are indifferently called by GOD to the ſame State of inward Holineſs? As we are all corrupt in our Nature, ſo muſt we all be renewed and ſanctified. And though it muſt be granted, that the Clergy lie under double Obligations to be Examples to Believers in Faith, Zeal, Charity, and whatever elſe is commendable and of good Report, as being more immediately dedicated to the Service of GOD; yet as we have been all baptized with one Baptiſm into the Death of CHRIST, we are all under the Neceſſity of performing our Baptiſmal Covenant, and perfecting Holineſs i… the Fear of GOD: For the Holy Scripture point out to us but one Way of Admiſſion into the Kingdom of CHRIST,—through the narrow Gate of a ſound Converſion: And he that does not enter into the Sheepfold, whether Clergy or Layman, by this Door, will find to his everlaſting Confuſion, there is no climbing up another Way.
Beſides, what a groſs Ignorance of the Nature of true Religiou…, as well as of our own Happineſs▪ does ſuch a Diſtinction diſcover? For wh… does our Saviour by willing us to be religious require of us, but to ſubdue our corrupt Paſſions, to root out ill Habits, to engraft the Heavenly Graces of GOD's moſt Holy Spirit in their room; and, in one Word, to fill us with all the Fulneſs of GOD?
And will Men be ſo much their own Enemies, as to affirm this belongs only to thoſe who miniſter in holy Things? Does it not equally concern the moſt active Man living? Is it the End of Religion to mak… Me… happy, and is it not every one… Privilege to be as happy as he can? Do Perſons in Buſineſs find the Corruptions of their Nature, and Diſorder of their Paſſions, ſo pleaſing, that they care not whether they ever regulate or root them out? Or will they conſent that Miniſters ſhall be alone Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light?—If not, as they deſire the ſame End, why will they not make Uſe of the ſame Means? Do they think that GOD will create a new Thing upon the Earth, and contrary to the Purity of his Nature, and Immutability of his Counſel, admit them into Heaven in their natural State, becauſe they have been encumbred about many worldly Things? Search the Scriptures, and ſee if they give any Room for ſuch a groundleſs Hope.
But farther, one would imagine there was ſomething of the higheſt Concern and utmoſt Importance in our temporal Affairs, that they ſhould divert ſo many from purifying their Hearts by Faith which is in CHRIST JESUS.
A covetous Miſer, who neglects Religion by being continually intent on ſeeking great Things for himſelf and thoſe of his own Houſhold, flatters himſelf he herein acts moſt wiſely, and at the ſame Time will cenſure and condemn a young Prodigal, who has no Time to be devout, becauſe he is ſo perpetually engaged in waſting his Substance by riotous Living and following of Harlots. But yet a little while, and Men will be convinced, that they are as much without Excuſe who loſe their Souls by hunting after Riches, as thoſe who loſe them by hunting after ſenſual Pleaſures. For though Buſineſs may aſſ…ne an Air of Importance, when compared with other trifling Amuſements, yet when put in the Ballance w… the Loſs of our precious and immortal Souls, it is equally frivolous,—According to that of our Saviour, What ſhall it profit a Man, if he ſhall gain the whole World and loſe his own Soul; or what ſhall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul?
And now what need we any farther Proof? We have heard the Deciſion out of CHRIST'S own Mouth. But becauſe it is difficult to convince them of this important Truth, whoſe Hearts are blinded by the Deceitfulneſs of Riches, ſo that we had need cry out to them in the Language of the Prophet, O Earth, Earth, Earth, hear the Word of the LORD. I ſhall lay before you one Paſſage of Scripture more, which I could wiſh were written on the Tables of all our Hearts. In the xivth of St. Luke, the 18th and following Verſes, our bleſſed LORD puts forth this Parable,—A certain Man made a great Supper, and bad many, and ſent his Servant at Supper, Time, to call them that were bidden: But they all, with one Conſent, began to make Excuſe. The one ſaid, I have bought a Piece of Ground, and I muſt needs go ſee it, I pray thee have me excuſed. And another ſaid, I have bought a Yoke of Oxen, and I muſt needs go and prove them, I pray thee therefore have me …ſed. So the Servant returned, and ſhewe…. Maſter all theſe Things.—And what follows … Did …he Maſter accept of their Excuſes? No, the Text tells us the Good Man was angry, and ſaid, that … of thoſe which were bidden, ſhould taſte of his Supper. And what does this Parable teach more or leſs, than that the moſt lawful Callings cannot juſtify our Neglect, nay, that they are no longer lawful when they in any wiſe interfere with the great Concerns of Religion? For the Marriage Supper here ſpoken of, means the Goſpel; the Maſter of the Houſe is CHRIST; the Servants ſent out, are his Miniſters, whoſe Duty it is from time to time, to call the People to this Marriage Feaſt, or, in other Words, to be religious. Now we find thoſe that were bidden, were very well and honeſtly employed. There was no Harm in buying or ſeeing a Piece of Ground, or in going to prove a Yoke of Oxen; but here lay their Fault,—They were doing theſe Things when they were invited to come to the Marriage Feaſt.
Without doubt, Perſons may very honeſtly and commendably be employed in following their reſpective Callings; but yet, if they are engaged ſo deeply in theſe, as to hinder their working out their Salvation with Fear and Trembling, they muſt expect the ſame Sentence with their Predeceſſors in the Parable, that none of them ſhall taſte of CHRIST'S Supper; for our particular Calling, as of this or that Profeſſion, muſt never interfere with our general and precious Calling as we are Chriſtians. Not that Chriſtianity calls us entirely out of the World, the Holy Scriptures warrant no ſuch Doctrine.
It is very remarkable, that in the Book of Life, we find ſome al…oſt of all kinds of Occupations, who notwithſtanding ſerved GOD in their reſpective Generations, and ſhone as ſo many Lights in the World. Thus we hear of a good Centurion in the Evangeliſts, and a Devout Cornelius in the Acts; a Pious Lawyer; and ſome that walked with GOD, even of Nero's Houſhold, in the Epiſtles; and our Divine Maſter himſelf in his Check to Martha, does not condemn her for minding, but for being cumbered or perplexed about many Things.
No, you may, nay, you muſt labour, out of Obedience to GOD, even for the Meat which periſheth. But then, that I may in the Second Place apply what has been ſaid,
I beſeech you, by the Mercies of GOD, in CHRIST JESUS, let it not be at the Expence of that which endureth to everlaſting Life; for to repeat our Bleſſed Saviour's Words, What ſhall it profit a Man, if he ſhall gain the whole World and loſe his own Soul; or, What ſhall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul?
Were we always to live in the World, then worldly Wiſdom would be our higheſt Wiſdom: But foraſmuch as we have here no continuing City, and were only ſent into this World to have our Natures changed, and to fit ourſelves for that which is to come; then to neglect this important Work for a little worldly Gain, w… is it but with profane Eſau, to ſell our Birthright for a Meſs of Pottage.
Alas! how unlike are Chriſtians to Chriſtianity, they are commanded to ſeek firſt the Kingdom of GOD and his Righteouſneſs, and all other real Neceſſaries ſhall be added unto them; but they are fearful (O Men of little Faith) if they ſhould do ſo, all other Neceſſaries would be taken from them: They are ſtrictly forbidden to be careful for the Morrow, and yet they reſt not Night or Day, but are continually heaping up Riches for many Years, tho' they know not who ſhall gather them. Is this acting like Perſons that are Strangers and Pilgrims upon Earth? Is this keeping their Baptiſmal Vow? Or rather, Is it not directly apoſtatizing from it, and deſerting the Service of JESUS CHRIST, to liſt themſelves under the Banner of Mammon?
But what will be the Hope of ſuch Worldlings, when GOD ſhall take away their Souls? What if the Almighty ſhould ſay to each of them, as he did to the rich Fool in the Goſpel, This Night ſhall thy Soul be required of thee; Oh then, what would all thoſe Things profit them, which they are now ſo buſy in providing?
Was Eternal Life, that free Gift of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, to be purchaſed with Money; or could Men carry their Stocks beyond the Grave to buy Oyl for their Lamps, i. e. Grace for their Hearts, when they ſhould be call'd to meet the Bridegroom, there might be ſome Reaſon why GOD might well bear with them: But ſince their Money is to periſh with them: ſince it is certain, as they brought nothing into the World, ſo they can carry nothing out; or ſuppoſing they could, ſince there is no Oyl to be bought, i. e. no Grace to be purchaſed when once the Lamp of their natural Life is gone out; Would it not be much more prudent to ſpend the ſhort Time they have here allotted them in buying Oyl while it may be had, and not for Fear of having a little leſs of that which will quickly be another Man's, eternally loſe the true Riches?
What think you? Is it to be ſuppoſed that it grieved that covetous Worldling before mentioned, when his Soul ſprung into the Worl… of Spirits, that he could not ſtay here till he had pulled down his Barns and built greater? Or think you not that all Things here below ſeemed equally little to him then, and he only repented that he had not employed more Time in pulling down every high Thought that exalted itſelf againſt … and building up his Soul in … and Fear of GOD?
And thus it will … all unhappy Men, who like him are diſquieting themſelves in a vain Purſuit after worldly Riches, and at the ſame Time are not rich towards GOD.
They may, for a Seaſon, ſeem excellently well employed in being ſollicitouſly careful about the important Concerns of this Life; but when once their Eyes are opened by Death, … their Souls launched into Eternity, they … then ſee the Littleneſs of all ſublunary … and wonder they ſhould be ſo beſotted to the …ings of another Life, while they were, it …, applauded for their great Wiſdom and … S…city in the Affairs of this World.
Alas! how will they bemoan themſelves for acting like the unjuſt Steward, ſo very wiſely in their temporal Concerns, in calling their reſpective Creditors ſo carefully, and asking how much every one owes to them, and yet never remembring to call themſelves to an Account, or enquire how much they owed their own Great LORD and Maſter?
And now what ſhould I ſay more? The God of this World, and the inordinate Deſire of other Things, muſt have wholly ſtifled the Conſcience of that Man, who does not ſee the Force of theſe plain reaſonings.
Permit me only to add a Word or two to the Rich, and Perſons that are freed from the Buſineſs of this Life.
But here I muſt pauſe a while, for I am ſenſible that it is but an ungrateful, and, as ſome may imagine, an aſſuming Thing, for ſuch a Novice in Religion to take upon him to inſtruct Men in high Stations, and who perhaps would diſdain to ſet me with the Dogs of their Flock.
But however, ſince St. Paul, who knew what beſt became a young Preacher, commanded Timothy, young as he was, to exhort and charge the Rich with all Authority. I hope none here that are ſo will be offended, if with Humility I beg leave to remind them, tho' they once knew, that if Perſons in the moſt buſy Employs are indiſpenſably obliged to work out their Salvation with Fear and Trembling, much more ought they to do ſo, who are free from the Toils and Incumbrance of a lower Way of Life, and conſequently have greater Opportunities and Leiſure to prepare themſelves for a future State.
But is this really the Caſe, or do we not find by fatal Experience that too many … …oſe whom GOD has exalted above their Breth… who are cloathed in Purple and fine Linnen and fare ſumptuouſly every Day, by a ſad Abuſe of GOD's great Bounty towards them, think that their Stations ſet them above Religion, and ſo let the Poor who live by the Sweat of their Brows, attend more conſtantly on the Means of Grace than they.
But woe unto ſuch rich Men! for they have received their Conſolation. Happy had it been if they had never been born: For if the careleſs irreligious Tradeſman cannot be ſaved, where will the luxurious and wicked Gentlemen appear?
Let me therefore, by way of Concluſion, exhort all Perſons, High and Low, Rich and Poor, one with another, to make the Renewal of their fallen Nature, the one Buſineſs of their Lives, and to let no worldly Profit, no worldly Pleaſure divert them from the Thoughts if it. Let this Cry, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, be ever ſounding in our Ears; and let us live as Creatures that are every Moment liable to be hurried away by Death to Judgment: Let us remember that this Life is a State of infinite Importance, a Point between two Eternities, and that after theſe few Days are ended, there will remain no more Sacrifice for Sin; let us be often asking ourſelves, How we ſhall wiſh we had lived when we leave the World? And then we ſhall always live in ſuch a State as we ſhall never fear to die in. So that whether we live, we ſhall live unto the LORD; or whether we die, we ſhall die unto the LORD; ſo that living or dying we may be the LORD's.
To which End, Let us beſeech GOD, the Protector of all them that put their Truſt in him, without whom nothing is ſtrong, nothing is holy, to increaſe and multiply upon us his Mercy, that he being our Ruler and Guide, we may ſo paſs through Things Temporal, that we finally loſe not the Things Eternal; through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD.