George Whitefield
Sermon 56
An Exhortation to the People of God not to be discouraged in their Way, by
the Scoffs and Contempt of wicked Men
Hebrews 4:9, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."
When we consider the persecutions they are exposed to, who live
righteously and godly in this present world; it is amazing to consider,
that the people of this generation should be so fond of a name to live,
while they are in effect dead. The people of God are to expect little else
but troubles and trials while they are in this world; common experience is
a contradiction to my text, that there is a rest to the people of God; but
the author of the Hebrews, when speaking of this rest, did not mean that
they should have a rest here. No; he too well knew that the people of God,
all who would seek and serve the Lord Jesus, must be despised, hated,
scoffed, slandered, and evil entreated; but the time was hastening when
they should have a perfect rest: there is a rest laid up for them, and this
is an encouragement for you, my brethren, to hold on, and hold out your way
rejoicing; after death there will be a rest for ever; at judgment, you
shall be taken up to dwell with the Lord Jesus Christ; and there, you shall
be for ever exempted from sin; you shall rest from all manner of sorrow,
and be no more troubled with the temptations of Satan. Now, you can set
about nothing for the glory of God, or for your own soul's welfare, but the
devil is dissuading you from it, or distracting you in it, or discouraging
you after it. Here we are scoffed and derided; as the world hated the Lord
Jesus Christ, so will it hate you: but be not discouraged, though we are
here the scorn and offscouring of all things; and are as a gazing stock to
men and angels. Though they put us out of their synagogues, cast out our
name as evil, and look on us as persons unfit for their company; yet, in
that rest which is prepared for you, my brethren, we shall then be gazed at
for our glory, and they shut out of the assembly of the saints, and
separated from us, whether they will or no; unless the Lord Jesus Christ,
by his free, rich, and sovereign grace, brings them unto himself.
The letter-learned Scribes and Pharisees of this day, look on us as
madmen and enthusiasts; but though they make so much noise about the world
enthusiast, it means no more than this, one in God; and what Christian can
say, he is not in God, and God in him? And if this is to be an enthusiast,
God grant I may be more and more so; if we being in Christ, and Christ in
us, makes us enthusiasts. I would to God we were all more and more
enthusiasts. They now think it strange, that we run not with them into all
excess of riot, and because we will not go to the devil's diversions with
them, therefore they speak evil of us. We cannot now go along the street,
but every one is pointing out his finger with scorn, and cries, Here comes
another of his followers; what! You are become one of his disciples too!
But there is a rest which will be a complete deliverance for you. Let none
of these things move you; for, though you are thus treated here, consider,
you shall in heaven have no discouraging company, nor any but what will be
an assistance to you; you will have no scoffer there, all will be ready to
join with heart and voice in your everlasting joy and praises. You will not
be counted enthusiasts, madmen, and rabble, in that rest which remaineth
for the people of God. Therefore, possess your souls in patience; account
it matter of joy when you fall into tribulation; God, in his own time, will
deliver us; let not their hindering us from preaching in the church, be any
discouragement; do not shrink, and draw back, because of opposition; be not
ashamed of your work or master; but hold fast your integrity. You must
expect to go through evil report, and good report; fear not the violence of
unreasonable men; let them hate you, and cast you out for the Lord's sake,
behold he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed: therefore
hold on, and hold out to the end. Be steadfast and patient, and bear the
troubles of the world; if you are the people of God, there is a rest
provided for you, which you shall certainly obtain.
I shall not speak unto you, Pharisees, this morning, nor to any,
except to you who have experienced the pangs of the new-birth, or are at
present under them, and who know what it is to love the Lord Jesus in
sincerity and truth: do not be discouraged, or think hard of the ways of
God, my dear brethren, because you are not loved by the men of this world;
if you were of the world it would love you; it would then be pleased with
your company; it would not thrust you from a tavern, or an alehouse; it
would not dislike you for singing the songs of the drunkard, or for going
to plays, balls, or other polite and fashionable entertainments, as they
are called; no, these the children of the world like; but if you will sing
hymns and psalms, and go to hear what God hath to say unto your souls, and
spend your time in reading, praying, and frequenting religious assemblies,
then it is that they dislike you, and thrust you out of their company, as
unworthy thereof; but let none of these things move you, for the rest which
Jesus Christ hath prepared for you, is an ample recompense for all you may
meet with here.
This rest is the fruit of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ: O how
will it fill our souls with love, to think that through the streams of this
blood, we have overcome the violence of the world, and the snares of the
devil. My dear brethren, be not discouraged at the treatment you meet with
here, but let it be a means to stir you up to advance in the love of the
Lord Jesus Christ, who hath prepared a rest for you. Can you consider, what
Christ has done and suffered for you, and have your hearts stupefied with
vile and senseless pleasures? Can you hear of a panting, bleeding, dying
Jesus, and yet be dull and unaffected? Was there any sorrow like unto his
sorrow? And all this, he underwent to save you, who were vile, and
polluted, and by nature, since the fall, a motley mixture of the beast and
devil. Jesus Christ, by dying upon the cross, intended to take away the
devil and beast from your heart, and to prepare it for himself to dwell in.
Think of the love of this your Jesus, and then, will a little reproach and
scorn move you? Sure it will not. I hope better things of you, and things
that accompany salvation.
O think with what pleasing astonishment you will see the Lord Jesus
Christ, when he comes to take you to his rest: now his heart is open to us;
but our hearts are shut against him; then, then, his heart shall be open,
and ours shall be so too. O my brethren, how will your love be increased?
With what raptures will you see the Lord Jesus Christ? Therefore, undergo a
few reproaches here patiently, and revile not again. Let them say what they
please of me, the reproaches, scorns, and contempt of this world, will no
ways hurt me, but will recoil upon their own heads; leave it to the Lord,
who knows what is best for you and me: do not question his love; he will be
with you; only do you, who have tasted the Lord to be gracious, follow hard
after him.
And now, let me speak a word unto you, who have not yet experienced
the love of Christ to your souls, but are waiting for his appearance. I
shall be but very short, because I would not break in upon the duties of
the day.
I shall speak unto you a word of invitation; even, to wait still on
the Lord; do not forsake him, though he may not answer your petitions at
once or twice seeking unto him; hold on, do not leave seeking him, and you
shall have an answer of peace; remember the poor man who was lame, and had
lain at the pool of Bethesda thirty-eight years for relief, yet at last he
found that it ...
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