[♦] inserted the word “that” per Errata
*8. “But we must stay a little; another time may do better: we may do more good by a little delay.” Where has God given thee leave to delay till the next moment, what may be done at this? To let slip an opportunity, in order to reserve thyself for some more favourable time? St. Paul bids us redeem the time, or (more exactly according to the Greek) buy up every opportunity, i. e. lay hold of it, as soon as ever it offers. Reserving thyself for a more convenient season, proceeds purely from false prudence. This reserve accustoms thee to hypocrisy; it continually strengthens the fear from which it flows, and will hinder thee from ever meeting with an opportunity to exert the true power of faith.
9. “To undertake a thing, without being able to effect it, does more hurt than good; therefore ’tis better not to begin.” Thou dost well to compute the charge of building before thou beginnest to build the tower. But whence wilt thou procure the charge? From thy own ability? No; that never can reach it. Begin thy work with full reliance upon God, and draw thy supplies from almighty goodness and wisdom; and, by this means, thou wilt be enabled to accomplish, at his cost, the work once begun.
*Or if God, for holy reasons, should not prosper thy endeavours, it will be a comfort to thee, that thou hast done thy part; and thy conscience will be more easy, than if thou hadst distrusted God, and so never set about it. Perhaps he trieth thee hereby, and though it has not succeeded now, it may at another time. Perhaps thy very endeavours may stir up many to an imitation of thy zeal. But if thou shouldst be disappointed in all thy good purposes, shouldst thou conclude, that thy work of love had been in vain? Examine thyself, whether thy desire of open success in all things, be not the effect of pride lurking within? Be thou satisfied with the inward victory, a true Christian can never be deprived of; which consists in thy continuing unwearied in the patience of hope.
10. “But we can’t do all at once.” Thou unprofitable servant, shouldst thou therefore bury thy talent in a napkin, and do nothing at all? Thou knowest not what thou canst do, or rather, what God can do by thee. If thou wilt but lay aside the fear of man, and set out boldly in his strength, God is able to do for and by thee exceeding abundantly, above all that thou canst ask or think.
11. “However, we ought to go fair and softly to work, and to do what good we can, considerately and by degrees.” Ay, this is something indeed,—If we could but persuade the devil to go fair and softly too! But alas! he walketh about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. What hast thou then to do, but to resist him stedfast in the faith, and to press on in the power of the Holy Ghost? The devil laughs at all thy fair and softly: give him but time, and he will not lose a moment. And the blood of those whom thy softliness hath destroyed, will God require at thy hands.
12. “But an edge too sharp is easily turned.” If thou wouldest infer hence, that we should not contend earnestly for the faith; that it is not always good to be zealously affected in a good thing; or that we may sometimes hide our zeal, wink at the faults of our neighbours, or otherwise dissemble with them: this is all false prudence; this is directly contrary to the cross of Christ. It is but just that we shew love and meekness towards all men; especially when we declare to them the overflowing kindness of God. But at the same time we must use all possible earnestness, lest our love be made a cloak for wickedness. And whenever we do not, unbelief and the fear of man are at the bottom of our hearts; however we labour by these specious words to excuse our being neither hot nor cold.
13. “But it is visible what great disorders arise when people are too forward.” ’Tis very possible that young and unexperienced Christians, may at first make false steps. And this mote in their eye, you presently discern; nay, and perhaps triumph over them. Take heed to thyself: we ought to bear with the faults of beginners, with great gentleness and compassionate love: and if we think ourselves more knowing than they, to set them right in the spirit of meekness. But God looks not on things with thy eyes. There is a vast difference between one that is still spiritually dead, and one that has recovered life from God, tho’ he is still weak and encompass’d with infirmity. Thou who art stronger, draw not back because he is weak. Break thou thyself thro’ those impediments, which he could not: and shew others by thy example, how to serve God with more purity and wisdom.
14. “By too open a declaration, we may hinder a great deal of good that otherwise might be done; nay, over-turn all: whereas, by a prudent concealing of ourselves, we may do a great deal of service.” This is nothing but another piece of false prudence: for tho’ ’tis true that an understanding man finds a time for silence as well as for speaking; yet a true Christian ought to trust in God, that he will so far bless the good he aims at, as that no other good undertaking will be hindered by it. If thou hast not this stedfast confidence in God, the devil will be sure to delude thee at pleasure; always representing such phantoms, as will make thee let go what thou hast in thy hand, to catch at a shadow.
’Tis matter of wonder that there are many who, tho’ they can’t name so much as one man whom they have really converted to God, yet will not in any one particular vigorously break thro’ opposition, “for fear of overturning all.” All! why thou hast never yet built up any thing, which can be overthrown. But if God hath done some good by thee already, then I doubt not but he will do more. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life.” “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee,” is his promise to thee and all his servants. And with this promise every true servant of God may bid defiance to all the world. Remember, “to him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin.” Let us but follow this rule with singleness of heart, and resign to God the care of what is to come. For no good can ever be better advanced, than when one wedge drives another; and we daily grow more bold, in heartily promoting the cause of Christ, and the good of his church.