26. There is another way of taking thought for the morrow, which is equally forbidden inthese words. It is possible to take thought in a wrong manner, even with regard to spiritual things; to be so careful about what may be by and by, as to neglect what is now required at our hands. How insensibly do we slide into this, if we are not continually watching unto prayer? How easily are we carried away, in a kind of waking dream, projecting distant schemes, and drawing fine scenes in our own imagination! We think, what good we will do, when we are in such a place, or when such a time is come! How useful we will be, how plenteous in good works, when we are easier in our circumstances! How earnestly we will serve God, when once such an hindrance is out of the way.
Or, perhaps, you are now in heaviness of soul: God, as it were, hides his face from you. You see little of the light of his countenance; you cannot taste his redeeming love. In such a temper of mind, how natural is it to say, “O how I will praise God, when the light of his countenance shall again be lifted up upon my soul! How will I exhort others to praise him, when his love is again shed abroad in my heart? Then I will do thus and thus: I will speak for God in all places: I will not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Then I will redeem the time. I will use to the uttermost every talent I have received.” Do not believe thyself. Thou wilt not do it then, unless thou dost it now. He that is faithful in that which is little, of whatsoeverkind it be, whether it be worldly substance, or the fear or love of God, will be faithful in that which is much. But if thou now hidest one talent in the earth, thou wilt then hide five: that is, if ever they are given; but there is small reason to expect they ever will. Indeed unto him that hath, that is, uses what he hath, shall be given, and he shall have more abundantly. But from him that hath not, that is, uses not the grace which he hath already received, whether in a larger or smaller degree, shall be taken away even that which he hath.
27. *And take no thought for the temptations of to-morrow. This also is a dangerous snare. Think not, “When such a temptation comes, what shall I do, how shall I stand? I feel, I have not power to resist: I am not able to conquer that enemy.” Most true: you have not now the power which you do not now stand in need of. You are not able at this time to conquer that enemy; and at this time he does not assault you. With the grace you have now, you could not withstand the temptations which you have not. But when the temptation comes, the grace will come. In greater trials you will have greater strength. When sufferings abound, the consolations of God will in the same proportion abound also. So that in every situation, the grace of God will be sufficient for you. He doth not suffer you to be tempted to-day, above that ye are able to bear. And in every temptation he willmake a way to escape. As thy day, so thy strength shall be.
28. *Let the morrow therefore take thought for the things of itself; that is, when the morrow comes, then think of it. Live thou to-day. Be it thy earnest care to improve the present hour. This is your own; and it is your all. The past is as nothing, as though it had never been. The future is nothing to you: it is not yours: perhaps it never will be. There is no depending on what is yet to come; for you know not what a day may bring forth. Therefore live to-day: lose not an hour: use this moment; for it is your portion. Who knoweth the things which have been before him, or which shall be after him under the sun? The generations that were from the beginning of the world, where are they now? Fled away: forgotten. They were; they lived their day; they were shook off the earth, as leaves off of their trees. They mouldered away into common dust. Another and another race succeeded; then they followed the generation of their fathers, and shall never more see the light. Now is thy turn upon the earth. Rejoice, O young man, in the days of thy youth. Enjoy the very, very now; by enjoying him, whose years fail not. Now let thine eye be singly fixed on him, in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Now give him thy heart: now stay thyself on him: now be thou holy as he is holy. Now lay hold of the blessed opportunity of doinghis acceptable and perfect will. Now rejoice to suffer the loss of all things, so thou mayst win Christ.
29. *Gladly suffer to-day, for his name’s sake, whatsoever he permits this day to come upon thee. But look not at the sufferings of to-morrow. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Evil it is, speaking after the manner of men: whether it be reproach or want, pain or sickness. But in the language of God, all is blessing: it is a precious balm, prepared by the wisdom of God, and variously dispensed among his children, according to the various sicknesses of their souls. And he gives in one day, sufficient for that day; proportioned to the want and strength of the patient. If therefore thou snatchest to-day what belongs to the morrow, if thou addest this to what is given thee already, it will be more than thou canst bear: this is the way not to heal, but to destroy thy own soul. Take therefore just as much as he gives thee to-day: to-day do and suffer his will. To-day give up thyself, thy body, soul and spirit, to God, through Christ Jesus: desiring nothing, but that God may be glorified in all thou art, all thou dost, all thou sufferest: seeking nothing, but to know God, and his Son Jesus Christ, through the eternal spirit: pursuing nothing, but to love him, to serve him, and to enjoy him at this hour, and to all eternity!
Now unto God the Father, who hath made me and all the world; unto God the Son, who hath redeemed me and all mankind; unto God the Holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me and all the elect people of God: be honour, and praise, majesty and dominion, for ever and ever! Amen.
SERMON XXX.
UPON OUR LORD’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
Discourse X.
Matt. vii. 1–12.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.