V.

that Sin and Sorrow with which we are in- SERM. ceffantly befet?How can we be contentedly Strangers to all that folid, constant Joy, which is the portion of the Bleffed? Have not the foregoing Thoughts warmed and animated us? Do they not even make us impatient of Earth and Flefh ?——But this is our time and state of SufferingThose bleffed Saints had theirs before us

A little more Faith and Patience will carry us through all to that unspeakable Bleffedness whereof we have now been entertaining ourselves with an imperfect View; and of which they are fafely and for ever poffeffed.In the mean time we must continue working, waiting, watching and praying- and we shall reap if we faint not. Reap that full Harvest of Light and Gladness which is now fown for the Righteous and Upright in Heart.

SER

SERMON VI

The future HAPPINESS of the RIGHTEOUS.

PSALM Xcvii. 11.

Light is fown for the Righteous; and Gladness for the Upright in

Heart.

I

N these Words the following things are obfervable.

I. The Character that is here given of good Men, They are Righteous and Upright.

II. Their present State implied, Darkness

and Sorrow.

III. Their

III. Their future Happiness expreffed, SERM. ALight and Gladness.

Laftly, The Metaphor under which this

is defcribed, Light is sown for the
Righteous.

The three first of these I have particularly confidered in the two preceding Discourses. I come now to the last thing propofed, and that is,

IV. To examine into the Beauty, Propriety and Import of the Metaphor under which the Promise in the text is made, Light is SOWN for the Righteous, &c.

This is a Metaphor often used in the facred Writings. Solomon tells us, that to him that foweth Righteousness shall be a fure Reward, Prov. xi. 18. and, that he that foweth Iniquity fhall reap Vanity, Prov. xxii. 8. In like manner the Apostle Paul tells us, that whatever a Man foweth that shall be reap, Gal. vi. 8.

Now by attending to the import of this Metaphor, fo common in Scripture, we may be able to throw fome Light upon the Subject in the text where it is ufed, and illu

ftrate

VI.

SERM. ftrate fome particulars relating to it in a

VI. plain and easy manner.

And it feems naturally to imply the following things.

1. That fomething must be done by the Righteous now, in order to their being partakers of that Happiness which is prepared for them in Heaven. The Husbandman can never expect a Crop if he never fows. If he neglects his Season, in vain will he look for a Harvest.

2. Though the future Bleffedness of the Righteous must now be fown by themselves, yet it is nevertheless the free Gift of GOD. The Hufbandman can do no more than prepare his Ground, and throw in his Seed, the rich and plenteous Harvest that enfues he owes to the Bounty of Heaven.

3. That the Saints on Earth fhould patiently wait for their Glory in Heaven. So the Hufbandman waiteth for the precious Fruit of the Earth, and hath long Patience for it, Jam. v. 7.

4. That they should encourage themselves with the Hopes and Profpects of it, and thankfully acknowledge thofe Providences, and Difpenfations, which tend to prepare and fit them for it; as the Hufbandman does thofe

thofe fruitful and fuitable feafons which raise SERM. his Hopes of a plentiful Harvest.

Of each of these particularly;

1. Something must be done by the Rightebus now, in order to their being Partakers of that Happiness which is prepared for them in Heaven. The Hufbandman can never expect a Crop, if he never fows. If he neglect his Season, in vain will he look for a Harveft.

The Hufbandman, you know, before he fows his Seed, takes care to prepare his Ground, by rooting out those noxious Weeds which would prevent the Growth of the Corn, and then, to get it into Heart and Order, he dreffes and manures it in the best manner he can, and then after proper Tillage and Culture, he throws in the best Seed he can procure at the proper Seafon; and fo leaves it with due Tendence and Watchfulnefs to the Bleffing of Heaven. In this manner then muft we proceed if we would fow to ourselves Righteoufnefs.

1. We must endeavour to root out of our Hearts thofe finful Prejudices and Affections, and thofe worldly Lufts and Cares VOL. II. which

K

VI.