X. alfo in its own nature adapted, and made fuit- SERM. able. Let this be a proof to you (as if he had faid) that there is a certain excellency of power accompanying that light, which we are appointed to convey to the world; namely that we, who are thus intrusted, though we are but a company of earthen veffels, are not for all that presently knocked afunder by being on every fide ftruck at, and'dashed against. We are indeed troubled on every fide, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in defpair; perfecuted, but not forsaken; caft down, but not deftroyed. Certainly there was fomewhat more than ordinary in this matter, that a little light fhould fo preferve veffels of earth, that they could not be broken. There was an excellency of power went along with it. And this is brought for a proof of it, that their fpirits were sustained and upheld in defiance of furrounding troubles. Our fpirits are not broken, we are still where we were, whatever affaults are made upon us from without. This is that which the Apostle fays here, and is manifeftly the defign and fcope of the words. AND in these and the following words we have the Apostle very curiously criticifing about the degree of the afflictions, which he, and others in his circumstances were expofed to, or the extent and limits of them; that they reached fo far, to a certain point or degree, but no further. And he makes, as you fee, a fourfold distinction between trouble on every fide, and diftrefs; perplexity, and defpair; perfecution, and VOL, and defertion; dejection, and deftruction: yieldII. ing the former as to each of these, but denying the latter. AND as to this paffage which we have chofen to speak unto, We are troubled on every fide, yet not diftreffed: we are to confider the subject, that is common to this, and all the reft; and then what is faid about it by way of affirmation, and by way of negation. Ir is very true, the Apostle doth more directly speak here of a particular fubject; that is, of fuch perfons as were intrufted with the miniftry and difpenfation of the Gofpel: We have this treasure in earthen vessels, we are troubled on every fide, &c. But yet the fame persons were confiderable too in a capacity, that was common to them with all other Chriftians. And he fpeaks in that guife before, of fomething that must be understood as common to Chriftians in general; and not appropriated to ministers only: and that is, the having the light to fhine into their hearts; that light of the knowledge of the glory of GoD, in the face of Jefus Chrift. This was not peculiar unto them alone. It having fhone first into the minds and hearts of the Apostles; from thence, as its inftruments, this light was further conveyed, and transmitted unto others. We take [we] therefore in that more exclufive fenfe, or as it holds forth to us a larger fubject; namely Chriftians as fuch, who are fo in fincerity and truth; and I would obferve to you, THAT THAT it is very poffible to be incompaffed SER M. with furrounding troubles, and yet at the fame X. time not to be in diftrefs. Or, if we take it' with application to the fubject; fincere Chriftians, even then, when they are furrounded with troubles on every fide, may yet be exempted from diftrefs may be troubled on every fide, yet not diftreffed. And that this may be more diftinctly spoken to, we are to confider, FIRST, Of whom this is faid. SECONDLY, What it is that is faid of them. THIRDLY, Upon what grounds. FIRST, We are to confider of whom this is faid. I have already in general told you, that we may justly extend it to all Chriftians that are fincere; that is, who are intirely fuch, and who faithfully perfevere. I. To thofe, who are intirely fuch, or are Chriftians throughout who do not content themfelves with this, or that piece of religion; but have gotten the whole and intire frame of it. It is very poffible, that the whole of religion may not, by thefe troubles on every fide, be ftruck at all at once. But if a man be an intire Christian, by the concurrence of all the integral parts which belong to fuch a character, it is likely that he will fome time or other find himself troubled on every fide; and yet may find himself alfo VO L. also exempted from distress. The Apoftle tells II. us, that All that will live godly in Chrift Jefus, fball fuffer perfecution. It was poffible to be a fober man, and a pious man (as piety went in the pagan world) and yet not be perfecuted. But if a man would be a godly man in Jefus Chrift; if he would add Chriftianity, in that state of things, and at that time, to his profeffion of piety then as if the Apoftle had faid, let him look to it, he will be perfecuted; and then he had need to look to this alfo, that he be not diftreffed. II. THE true Chriftian of whom we peak is also one that faithfully perfeveres. Having been once an intire Christian, by the concurrence of all that was requifite to make him fo, he con→ tinues to be what once he was. Otherwife, by laying afide this or that piece of religion, when that comes to expose him to danger, the cafe would be altered. He neither would be expofed to affliction, nor fo much need the fupport. If I did preach circumcifion, fays the Apostle, when the doing of that was fo great a falvo to a man, why should I then fuffer perfecution? I should then be liable to no trouble, the offence of the crofs being ceased. It were (as if he had faid) an eafy matter for me to avoid the stroke, if I could wave such a particular piece of Christian truth, and fuch a part of Chriftian duty; as this very juncture of time did challenge my owning and X. and afferting even to the utmost hazard., I SERM. were well enough if I could difpenfe in this matter: but because I cannot, the offence of the cross is not likely to ceafe; I fhall have that in my way if I were apt to stumble at it. SECONDLY, We are next to confider what it is that is here faid of thefe perfons. Something is faid affirmatively, to fhew the extent of the present affliction; and fomething negatively, to fhew the limitation of it. I. THAT which is faid by way of affirmation, and to fhew how far the prefent affliction did extend is this; We are troubled on every fide. It reached fo far as to give trouble on every fide. Here we are to confider what fort of trouble that is, in refpect of the nature of it; then in respect of the degree of it. 1. IN refpect of the nature of it, it is plain it was external trouble. The very word there ufed*, fignifieth dafhing a thing from without. As the beating and allifion of the waves against a rock make no trouble in the rock, no commotion there; but a great deal of noife, clamour and tumult round about it. That is the fort of trouble which that word in its primary fignification holds forth to us; and which the circumstances of the text declare to be the fignification of the thing here meant. And then we have next to confider, VOL. II. L * θλιβόμβροι. 2. |