acquiesce in this compleat mediation of his This is to beleeve on him to rest on him Ioan. 3 18. 1 Pet. 2 6. as an alsufficient help This is to cast the burden of a brocken covenant of a guilty conscience of deserved wrath of the curse of the law c. upon Him that He may bear away those evills from us This is to put on the Lord Iesus in part Rom. 1â—… 14 to cover ourselves with his righteousnesse from the face of justice to stand in this armour of proof against the accusations of Law Satan and an evill conscience This is to flee to him as to our city of refuge that we may be saife from the avenger of blood This is to make him our refuge from the strome of Gods anger and a shadow from thâ—… heat of his wrath Esa. 25. 4. and our hideing place from the winde and a covert from the tempest and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land Esai 32 2. When we hide ourselves in him as the compleat cautioner that hath fully satisfied justice and desire to be found in him alone not having our owne righteousnesse which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousnesse which is of God by faith Phil. 3 9. This is to lay our hand on the head of the sacrifice when we rest on this sacrifice and exspâ—…ct salvation through it alone This is to cast our selves in Christs armes as peremptorily resolving to goe no other way to the Father and to plead no other â—…ighteousnesse before Gods barr but Christs That is faith yea the lively acting of Iustifying faith Thus then is Christ made use of as the way to the Father in the point of Iustification when the poor wâ—…kened sinner convinced of his sin and misery of his owne inability to help himself of the insufficiency of all meanes beside Christ of Christs alsufficiency readinesse and willingnesse to helpe of the equitie and reasonablnâ—…sse of the conditions on which he is offered and life through him is now content and fully satisfied with this way actually renunceing all other wayes whatsomever and doth with heart and hand imbrace Iesus Christ take him as he is offered in the gospell to make use of him for all things to leane to him and rest upon him in all hazards and particularly to refuge it self 〈◊〉 his wings and to rest there with complacency satisfaction delight and hide it self from the wrath of God all accusations Yet it would be knowne that this act of faith whereby the soul goeth out to Christ and accepteth of and leaneth to him is not alike in all for 1. In Some it way be more lively strong active like the centurious faith that could aâ—…gue syllogistically Matth. 8 8 c. which Christ looked upon as a great faith a greater whereof he had not found no not in Israel vers 10. and like the faith of the woman of Canaan Mat. 15 21. c. that would take no nay say but of seeming refuâ—…eals did make arguments which Christ commended as a great faith vers 28. But in others it may be more weak and fainting not able to reason aâ—…ight for its owne comfort and strength as Mat. 6 30. â—…ut is mixed with much feare as Math. 8 26. yea and with much faithlesnesse so that the soul must cry Lord helpe my unbeleef Mark 9 24. 2. In some the acts and actings of this faith may be more clear and discerneable both by themselves and by spirituall on-lookers In others so covered over with an heape of doubts unbeleef jealousie other corruption that the actings of it can hardly or not at all be perceived by themselvs or others so that nothing shall be heard but complaints feares doubtings and objections 3. In some this faith may have strong and perceptible actings wreastling thorow much discouragment and opposition and many difficulties as in that woman of Canaan Matth. 15. runing thoâ—…ow with peremptory resolutenesse saying with Iob. Cap. 13. 15. though he stay me yet will I trust in him and thus taking the kingdome of heaven with violence In others it may be so weak that the least opposition or discouragement may be sufficient to make the soul give over hope almost dispaire of overcomeing and wining thorow be as a bruised reed or a smoaking flax 4. In some though it appeare not strong violent or wilfull in a manner in its actings yet it may be firme fixed resolute in staying upon Him Esa. 26 3 4. and trusting in Him Psal. 125. 1. resolving to hing there and if it perish It perisheth In others weak bashful 5. In some it may be yet weaker going out in strong vehement hungerings Mat. 5 6. The man dar not say that he doth beleeve or that he doth adhere to Christ and stay upon him yet he dar say he longeth for him and panteth after Him as ever the hart doth after the waâ—…ter brooks Psal. 42 1 2. he hungereth and thirsteth for him and cannot be satisfied with any thing without him 6. in some it may be that weak that the soul can only perceive the heart looking out after Him upon little more ground than a may be it shall be helped Esai 45 22. They look to Him for salvation being convinced that there is no other way and resolved to follow no other way they resolve to lye at his door waiting and looking for à sight of the kings face and to lye there waiting till they die if no better may be 7. In some it may be so weak that nothing more can be perceived but a satisfaction with the tearmes of the covenant a willingnesse to accept of the bargane and an heart consenting thereunto though they dar not say that they actually close therewith yea nor dar say that they shall be welcome Revel 22 17. 8. In some it may be so weak and low that they cannot say that they have any right hunger or desire after Him nor that their heart doth rightly and really consent to the covenant of grace yet they would faine be at it and cry out oh for a willing heart O for ardent desires O for a right hunger and they are dissatisfied and can not be reconciled with their hearts for not desireing more hungering more consenting more so that if they had this they would think themselvs happy and upmade And thus we see their faith is so low that it appeareth in nothing more manifestly than in their complainings of the want of it So then the poor weak beleever needeth not be so far discouraged as to dispaire and give over the matter as hopelesse lost let him hang on depend and waite a week faith to day may become stronger within a short time He that laid the foundation can and will finish the building for all his Works are perfect And a weak faith when true will prove saving and lay hold on a saving
Him in a day of tryall Confession of Him must be made with the mouth as with the heart we must beleeve Ro. 10 9. Let corruption speak against this what it will because it is alwayes desireous to keep the skinne whole yet reason cannot but say that it is equitable especially seing He hath said that whosoever confesseth Him before men He will confesse them before his Father which is in heaven Mat. 10. 32. And that if we suffer with Him we shall also reigne with Him 2 Tim. 2. 12. Is He our Lord and Master and should we not owne and avouch Him Should we be ashamed of him for any thing that can befall us upon that account What Master would not take that ill at his servants hands Hence then we see that there is nothing in all the conditions on which He offereth Himself to us that can give the least ground in reason why a poor soul should draw back and be unwilling to accept of this noble offer or think that the conditions are hard But there is one maine Objection which may trouble some and that is They cannot beleeve faith being the gift of God it must be wrought in them How then can they goe to God for this and make use of Christ for this end that their souls may be wrought up to a beleeving consenting to the bargan and hearty accepting of the offer To this I would say these things 1. It is true that faith is the gift of God Ephes. 2 8. and that it is He alone who worketh in us both to will to do Phil. 1 29 and none cometh to the son but whom the father draweth Iohn 6 44. and it is a great matter and no small advancement to win to the reall faith and through conviction of this our impotency for thereby the soul will be brought to a greater measure of humiliation and of despaireing of salvation in it self which is no small advantage unto a poor soul that would be saved 2. Though faith be not in our power yet it is our duty Our impotency to performe our duty doth not loose our obligation to the duty so that our not beleeving is our sin and for this God may justly condemne us His wrath abideth on all who beleeve not in his Son Jesus and will not accept of the offer of salvation through the crucified mediator And though faith as all other acts of grace be efficiently the work of the Spirit yet it is formally our work we do beleeve but it is the Spirit that worketh faith in us 3. The ordinary way of the Spirit 's working faith in us is by pressing home the duty upon us whereby we are brought to a despairing in ourselves and to a looking out to Him whose grace alone it is that can work it in the soul for that necessary 〈◊〉 and breathing without which the soul will not come 4. Christ Jesus hath purchased this grace of faith to all the elect as other graces necessary to their salvation and it is promised and convenanted to Him that He shal see his seed and shall see of the travell of his soull Esai 53 10 11. and that by the knowledge of him that is the rationall and understanding act of the soul griping to and laying hold upon Him as he is offered in the gospell many shall be justified Ibid. Hence he sayeth that all whom the father hath given to Him shall come unto Him Ioh. 6 37. and the Apostle tels us that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Him Ephes. 1 3. 5. Not only hath Christ purchased this grace of faith and all other graces necessary for the salvation of the elect but God hath committed to Him the administration and actuall dispensation and outgiving of all those graces which the redeemed stand in need of Hence He is a Prince exalted to give repentance and forgivenesse of sinns Act. 5 31. all power in heaven and earth is committed unto him Mat. 28 18 19. Hence He is called the author and finisher of faith Heb. 12 v. 2. and He telleth his disciples Iohn 14 13. 14. That whatever they shall ask in his name He will do it He is made Prince and a Saviour having all judgment committed unto him Iohn 5 22. and He is Lord of all Act. 10 36. Rom. 14 9. 6. Hereupon the sinner being convinced of his lost condition through sin and misery of an utter impossibility of helping himself out of that state of death of Christ's alsufficiency and willingnesse to save all that will come to Him and of its owne inability to beleeve or come to Him for life and salvation or to lay hold on and leane to his merites and satisfaction and so despaireing in himself is to look out to Iesus the author of eternall salvation the foundation and chiefe corner stone the author and finisher of faith I say the sinner being thus convinced is thus to look out to Iesus not that that conviction is any proper qualification prerequisite as necessary either to prepare dispose and fit for faith or far lesse to merite any manner of way or bring on faith But because this is Christ's methode to bring a soul to faith by this conviction to the glory of his grace The soul naturally being averse from Christ and utterly unwilling to accept of that way of salvation must be redacted to that straite that it shal see that it must either accept of this offer or die as the whole needeth not a physitian so Christ is come to save only that which is lost and his method is to convince the world of sin in the first place and then of righteousnesse Iohn 16 8 9. 7. This looking out to Iesus for faith comprehendeth those things 1. The Souls acknowledgement of the necessitie of faith to the end it may partake of Christ and of his merites 2. The souls satisfaction with that way of partaking of Christ by a closeing with Him and a resting upon Him by faith 3. A sense and conviction of the unbeleefe and stubbornnesse of the heart or a seeing of its own impotency yea and unwillingnesse to beleeve 4. A persuasion that Christ can overmaster the infidelity wickednesse of the heart and worke up the soul to a willing consent unto the bargane 5. A hope or a half hope to speak so that Christ who is willing to save all poor sinners that come to Him for salvation and hath said that He will put none away in any case that cometh will have pity upon him at length 6. A resolution to lye at his door till he come with life till He quicken till He unite the soul to Himself 7. A lying open to the breathings of his Spirit by guarding against every thing so far as they can that may grieve or provok Him and waiting on Him in all the ordinances He hath appointed for begetting of faith such as reading the scriptures hearing the word conference with godly persons and prayer
would be also eyeing Christ by faith as his store house and generall Lord dispensator of all the purchased blessings of the Covenant which he standeth in need of and looking on Christ as standing engadged by office to compleate his work of salvation and to present him with the rest to himself holy without blemish yea and without spote or wrinkle or any such thing Ephes. 5 27. 3. He would by faith gripe to the promises both of the generall stock of grace the new heart heart of flesh and the Spirit to cause us walk in his statutes Ezech. 36 26 27. and of the severall particular acts of grace that he standeth in need of such as that Ier. 30 8. I will cleause them from all their iniquities c. so Ezech. 36 25 Ier. 31 19. as the Church doth Micah 7 9. He will subdue our iniquities c. And so having or gripping these promises we are to cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh Spirit and perfect holinesse in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7 1. 4. As the beleever would by faith draw out of Christ through the conduite of the promises which are all yea amen in Him 2 Cor. 1. 20. grace strength knowledge courage or what ever his fight in this warfare calleth for to the end he may be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Ephes. 6 10. So he would by faith roll the weight of the whole work upon Christ and thus cast himself and his care and burden on Him who careth for him 1 Pat. 5 7. Psal. 37 5. 55 22. and so go on in duty without anxiety knowing who beareth the weight of all and who hath undertaken to work both to will and to do according to his good pleasure thus should the work be easie and saife when by faith we roll the burden on Him who is the chosen one fitted for that work and leave it on Him who is our strength patiently waiting for the outgate in hope Thus the beleever makes use of Christ as made of God Sanctification when in the use of meanes appointed eyeing the covenant of grace and the promises thereof and what Christ hath done to Sanctifie and cleanse his prople he rolleth the matter on Him and exspecteth help salvation victory through Him CAUTIONS But least some should be discouraged and think all this in vaine because they perceive no progresse nor grouth in grace for all this but rather corruption as strong and troublesome as ever I would say a few things to them 1. Let them search and try whether their short-coming and disappointment doth not much proceed from this that the matter is not so cleanly cast over on Christ as it should be Is it not too oft found that they goe forth to the battell in their own strength lippening to their owne stock of grace to their own knowledge or to their duties or the like How then can they prosper 2. Let them mourne as they get any discovery of this and guaird hereafter against that corrupt by as of the heart which is still inclining them to an engadgment without the Captane of their salvation and a fighting without the armour of God 3. Let them try and see if in studying holinesse they be not led by corrupt ends and do not more laboure after sanctification that they may be more worthy and the better accepted of God and that they may have quietnesse and peace as to their acceptance with God as if this were any cause matter or condition of their righteousnesse and justification before God then that they may shew their obedience to the command of God 1 Thes. 4 3. Ephes. 2 10. Ioh. 15 16. and expresse their thankfulnesse to Him and glorifie God Mal. 1 6. Mat. 5 16. Iohn 17 10. Ephes. 4 30. and if so they ought to acknowledge Gods goodness in that disappointment seing thereby they see more and more a necessity of laying aside their own righteousness and of betaking themselves to the righteousnesse of Christ and of resting on that alone for peace and acceptance with God 4. They would try and see if their negligence and carelesnesse in watching and in the discharge of duties do not occasion their disappointments shortcomeing God sometimes thinks fit to suffer a lion of corruption to set on them that they may look about them and stand more vigilantly upon their watch tour knowing that they have to do with a vigilant adversary the devil who as a roaring lion goeth about seeking whom he may devoure 1 Pet. 5 8. and that they fight not against flesh blood but against Principalities against powers against the Rulers of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse in high places Ephes. 6 12. It is not for nought that we are so often commanded to watch Mat. 24 42. 25 13. 26 41. 14 38. Luk. 21 36. Mark 13 33 34 35 37. 1 Cor. 16 13. 1 Thes. 5 6. 1 Pet. 4 7. Col. 4 2. through the want of this we know what â—…efell David and Peter 5. They would try and see whether there be not too much self confidence which occasioned Peter's foule fall God may in justice and mercy suffer corruption to break loose upon such at a time and tread them underfoot to learne them afterward to carry more soberly and to work out their salvation with fear trembling Phil. 2 12. remembering what a Jealous holy God He is with whom they have to do what an adversary they have against them and how weak their owne strength is 6. This would be remembered that one may be growing in grace and advancing in holinesse when to his apprehension he is not going forward from strength to strength but rather going backward It is one thing to have grace and another thing to see that we have grace so it is one thing to be growing in grace and nother thing to see that we are growing in grace Many may question their grouth in grace when their very questioning of it may evince the contrary for they may conclude no grouth but rather a back going because they perceive moe and more violent and strong corruptions and hidden works of darknesse and wickednesse within their souls than ever they did before while as that great discovery sheweth the Increase of their spirituall knowledge and an increase in this is an increase in grace So they may question and doubt of their grouth upon mistakes as thinking corruption alwayes strongest when it makes the greatest stirre noise Or their complaints may flow from a vehement desire they have to have much more sanctification which may cause them overlook many degrees they have advanced or some such thing may occasion their darknesse and complaints yea God may think it fittest for them to the end they may be keeped humble and diligent to be in the dark as to their progresse whereas if they saw what advancement progresse they had made in
after more of righteousness in the secrete engagements of the heart to God in Christ in these burstings of heart and bleedings of soul to which God alone is witnesse because of shortcomeing in holinesse because of a body of death within and because of that law in the members warring against the law of the mind and bringing often into captivity to the law of sin as it growes upward in a profession and this is that pure Religion and undefiled before God which is both most pleasant to him and profitable to the soul. But to make the difference betwixt dead morality in its best dress and true godlinesse more cleare and obvious that the loveliness of the one may engage men into a loathing of the other this dead caâ—…ion and stinking carcaâ—…e of rotten morality which still stinks in the nostrills of God even when embalmed with the most costly ointments of its miserably misled patrons we say that true godlinesse which in quality and kinde differs from this much pleaded for and applauded morality a blake heathen by a â—…el kinde of Christians baptized of late with the namâ—… of Christianity and brought into the temple of the Lord concerning which he hath commanded hat it should never in that shape and for that end it is introduced enter into his congregation and the bringers for their pains are like to seclude themselves for ever from his presence It respects Jesus Christ. 1. As its Principle 2. As its Paterne 3. As its Altar and. 4. As its end First I say true holinesse in its being and operation respects Jesus Christ as its principle I live said that shineing saint yet not I but Christ liveth in me as that which gives religion its first being is the religation of the soul to God so that which gives it motion and drawes forth that life into action is the same God's working all their works in them and for them so that in all they do they are workers together with God every act of holinesse is an act of the soul made alive unto God through Jesus Christ and quickened to each action by the supervenience of new life and influence therefore says Christ without me you can do nothing it is not being out of me you can do nothing for he spoke it to those who were in him but if ye leave me out in doing all ye do will be nothing It s Jesus Christ who gives life and leggs so that our runings are according to his drawings my soul followeth hard after thee said that holy man but whence is all this life and vigour Thy right hand upholdeth me O it is the upholdings and helpings of this right hand enlargeing the mans heart that makes a runing in the way of his commandâ—…ents it is he who while the saints worke-out the work of their own salvation workâ—…th in them â—…th to will and to do It is he who giveth power to the faint and who to them that have no might encreaseth stâ—…ength so that the poor lifelesse languishing ly by is made to mount-up with Eagles wings and suâ—…mount all these difficulties with a holy facility which were simply insuperable and pure impossibilities now the man runs and doth not weary because Christ drawes and he walks and doth not faint because Christ in whom dwels the fulnesse of the God-head bodily dwels in him and walks in him and dwels in him for that very end that he may have a compleatnesse and competency of strength for duety all grace is made to abound unto him that he alwayes having all sufficiency in all things may abound unto every good work he is able of himself to do nothing no not to think any thing as he ought but he hath a sufficiency of God whereby he is thorowly furnished unto every good work so that he may say I am able for all things it is more then I am able to do all things as we read it its just import is I am able to do all things and to endure all things and that which keeps it from vain boasting is what is ad led through Christ which strengtheneth me or putting power in me or rather impowering me which is by a supervenient act drawing forth life into a livelinesse of excercise according to the present exigent There is a power in a saint because Christ is in him that over powers all the powers of darknesse with out and all the power of indwelling corruption within so that when the poor weak creature is ready to despond within sight of his duty and say because of difficulty what is my strength that I should hope Christ saith despond not my grace is sufficient forthee and my power shall rest upon thee to a reviveing thee and raising thee up and putting thee in case to say when I am weake then am I strong his strength who impowers me is made perfect in my weakenesse so that I will glory in my infirmities and be glade in being graces debtor But what power is that which raiseth the dead finner and carries the soul in its actings so far without the line and above the sphere of all natural activity when stretched to its utmost O it is an exceading great power which is to them ward who beleive that must make all things how difficult so ever easie when he works in them to will and to do according to the working of his mighty power or as it is upon the margent more emphatick of the might of his power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand c. he that raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead raiseth up beleevers also by Jesus and being raised and revived by him to walk in new nesse of life the life of Jesus in its communications of strength is manifest in their mortal flesh according to that of the same Apostle the life that I live in the flesh sais he I live by the faith of the Son of God faith brings in Christ in my soul and Christ being my life carries out my soul in all the acts of obedience wherein though I be the formal agent yet the efficiency and the power by which I operat is from him so that I can give no better account of it then this I not I. But who then if not you The grace of God sais he which was with me But this mystery to our bold because blind moralists of an indwelling Christ working mightily in the soul is plain madnesse and melancholy however we understand his knowledge in the mystery of Christ who said the life I live in the flesh c. and from what we understand of his knowledge in that mystery which he had by revelation we understand our moralists to be men of corrupt minds who concerning the faith have made shipwrack but what is that the life I live in the flesh c The â—…port of it seems to be this if not more while I have
c. 8. A waiting with patience on Him who never said to the house of Iacob seek me in vaine Esai 45 19. still crying and looking to Him who hath commanded the ends of the earth to look to him and waiting for him who waiteth to be gracious Esai 30 18. remembering that they are all blessed that waite for him Ibid. and that there is much good prepared for them that waite for Him Esai 64 4. 8. The sinner would essay this beleeving and closeing with Christ and set about it as he can seriously heartily willingly yea and resolutely over the belly of much opposition and many discouragements looking to Him who must helpe yea and worke the whole work for God worketh in and with Man as a rationall creature The soul then would set the willingnesse it findeth on work waite for more and as the Lord is pleased to commend by his Spirit the way of grace more unto the soul and to warme the heart with love to it and a desire after it strick the yron while it is hote and looking to Him for help gripe to Christ in the covenant and so set to its seal though with a tembling hand and subscribe its name though with fear and much doubting remembring that He who worketh to will must work the deed also Phil. 2 13. and He that beginneth a good work will perfect it Phil. 1 6. 9. The soul essaying thus to beleeve in Christ's strength and to creep when it can not walk or run would hold fast what it hath attained and resolve never to recall any consent or half consent it hath given to the bargane but still look forward hold on wreastle against unbeleefe and unwillingnesse intertaine every good motion of the Spirit for this end and never admit of any thing that may quench its longings desires or exspectation Nay 10. If the sinner be come this length that with the bit willingnesse he hath he consenteth to the bargane is not satisfied with any thing in himself that draweth back or consenteth not with the little skill or strength he hath is writing downe his name and saying even so I take Him and is holding at this peremptorily resolving never to goe bake or unsay what he hath said but on the contrare is firmly purposed to adhere as he groweth in strength to grippe more firmly and adhere to Him he may conclude that the bargan is closed already and that he hath faith already for here ther is an accepting of Christ on his owne tearmes a reall consenting unto the covenant of grace though weak and not so discernable as the soul would wish The soul dar not say but it loveth the bargane and is satisfied with it and longeth for it and desireth nothing more than that it might partake thereof and enjoy Him whom it loveth hungereth for panteth after or breatheth as it is able that it may live in Him be saved through Him But Some will say If I had any evidence of God's approbation of this act of my soul any testimony of his Spirit I could then with confidence say that I had beleeved accepted of the covenant and of Christ offered therein but so long as I perceive nothing of this how can I suppose that any motion of this kinde in my soul is real faith For answere 1. We would know that our beleeving and God's sealing to our sense are two distinct acts and separable and oft separated our beleeving is one thing and God's sealing with the holy Spirit of promise to our sense is another thing and this followeth though not inseparably the other Eph. 1 13. In whom also after that yee beleeved yee were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise And so 2. We would know that Many a man may beleeve yet not know that he doth beleeve He may set to his seal that God is true in his offer of life through Iesus and accept of that offer as a truth and close with it and yet live under darknesse doubtings of his faith long many aday partly through not discerning the true nature of faith partly through the great sense and feeling of his owne corruption and unbeleefe partly through a mistake of the operations of the spirit within or the want of a clear distinct uptaking of the motions of his owne soul Partly because he findeth so much doubting and feare as if there could be no faith where there were doubting or fear contrare to Mark 9 24. Mat. 8 26. 14 31. Partly because he hath not that perswasion that others have had as if there were not various degrees of faith as there is of other graces the like Therefore 3. We would know that many may really beleeve and yet misse this sensible sealing of the Spirit which they would be at God may think it not yet seasonable to grant them that lest they forget themselves and become too proud and to traine them up more to the life of faith whereby He may be glorified and for other holy ends He may suspend the giving of this for a time 4. Yet we would know that all that beleeve have the seal within them 1. Iohn 5 10. He that beleeveth on the Son of God hath the witnesse in himself that is He hath that which really is a seal though he see it not nor perceive it not even the work of God's spirit in his soul inclining and determineing him unto the accepting of this bargan to a likeing of endeavouring after holinesse and the whole gospel clearing up what faith is is a seal confirmation of the businesse So that the matter is sealed and confirmed by the word though the soul want those sensible breathings of the Spirit sheding abroad his love in the heart and filling the soul with a full assurance by hushing all doubts and feares to the door yea though they should be a stranger unto the Spirits witnessing thus with their spirits that they are the children of God and clearning up distinctly the reall wotâ—… of grace within their soul and so saying in effect that they have in truth beleeved But enough of this seing all this and much more is abundantly held forth and explained inthat excellent usefull treatise of Mr. Guthries intituled The Christians great interest CHAP. V. How Christ is to be made use of as the VVay for Sanctification in generall HAving shown how a poor soul lying under the burden of sin wrath is to make use of Iesus Christ for righteousnesse justification and so to make use of Him goe out to Him and apply Him as He is made of God to us righteousnesse 1. Cor. 1 v. 30. and that but briefly this whole great businesse being more fully and satisfactoryly handled in thâ—…t fore mentioned great though small Treatise vix The Christians great Interest We shall now come and show how a beleever or a justified soul shall furder make use of Christ for Sanctification
our looking long and waiting and asking and labouring and yet seeing no sensible advantage Such and such a beleever sayeth the soul made great progresse in a short time but I come no speed for as long as I have been at this school O! we should beware of limiteing the holy one of Israel Let us be at duty and commit the event to Him 9. It is not a fit time to take the measure of our graces as to their sensible grouth and fruitfulnesse when devils are broken loose upon us temptations are multiplyed corruptions make a great noise and we are meeting with an horrible tempest shaking us on all hands for it will be strong grace that will much appear then It will be a strong faith that will say though He kill me yet will I trust in Him At such a time it will be much if the man keep the ground he hath gained though he make no progress It will be much for a tree to stand and not be blowne out of the ground in the time of a strong and vehement storme of winde though it keep not its flourishes yeeld not fruit The trees which in a cold winter day bear neither leafs nor fruit must not be said to go back nor not to grow because when the spring cometh againe they may revive and be as fruitfull as ever 10. We would not alway measure our graces by what appeareth outwardly for there may be some accidental occurrence that may hinder that and yet grace be at work within doors which few or none can observe The Believer may be in a sweet and gracious frame blushing before the Lord yâ—…a melting in love or taken up with spirituall meditations wondering when as to some externall duties it can finde no present disposition through some accidentall impediment or other so that to some who judge most by out ward appearance no such thing as the active working of grace in life can appeare 11. We would think it no small measure or degree of holinesse to be with singlenessâ—… of heart pursueing it even though it should seem to flee from us to be earnestly panting after it and hungering and thirsting for it Nehemiah thought this no small thing when he said Neh. 1. last O Lord I beseech thee let now thine eare be attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to feare thy name 12. Whatever measure of holinesse the beleeveâ—… win to he would take speciall heed that he place no part of his confidence of his being accepted and justified before God in it as if that could come in as any part of the price to satisfy justice but when he hath done all let him call and account himself an unprofitable servant Though beleevers will not be so grosse as to speak thus yet sure their justifying of their holding aback from God because they finde not such a measure of grace and holinesse as they would have looketh too much this way and sayeth that they leane too much hereunto in the matter of the acceptance of their persons before God Now this would be specially guairded against lest their labour be in vaine Objections answered An Objection or two must here also be removed and first some may say That though they have been labouring and striveing and working now for some long time yet they can perceive no advancementâ—… they are as far short as ever Answer 1. Hath it not been found that some have compleaned without cause Have not some complained of their fruitlesnesse and want of grouth that other good Christians would have thought themselves very happy if they had but advanced half so farre as they saw them to have done 2. But be it so as it is alleiged what if the fault be their owne what if the cause of this be that they attempt things in their owne strength leaning to their own understanding or habites of grace or meanes c. and that they do not go about duties with that single dependence on Christ that is requisite nor do they suck life strength and sap from Him by faith through the promises nor give themselvs up to Him by faith that He may worke in them both to will and to do Should not this be seen mourned for and helped 3 If all this shortcoming and disappointment cause them lye in the dust and humble themselves more and more before the Lord the grace of humility is growing and that is no small advantage to be growing downward 4. Withall they would do well to hold on in duty looking to Christ for help and rolling all difficulties on Him give themselves away to Him as their Head and Lord and so continue their life of faith or their consenting to let Christ live in them by faith or work in them by his Spirit what is welpleasing in his sight and waite for the blessing and fruit in God's own time Next it will be Objected Though we might wait thus yet how unedifying are we unto others when there appeareth no fruit of the spirit of grace 〈◊〉 Answer A Christian behaviour and deportment under the sence of fruitlesnesse expressing an holy submission of soul unto God as Soveraigne much humility of minde before Him justifying of God and taking guilt to themselves with a firme resolution to waite on patiently in the use of meanes appointed cannot but be edifying to Christian soules such exercises being really the works and fruit of the Spirit of grace working within But thirdly Some may say How are then the promises of the covenant made good Answere 1. The same measure of sanctification and holinesse is not promised to all 2. No great measure is promised to any absolutly So much indeed is secured to all beleevers as shall carry them to heaven as without which they cannot see God but much as to the degrees depends on our performing through faith the conditions requisite to wit on condition of our abideing in the vine of our acting faith on Him c. and when these the like conditions are not faithfully performed by us what can we exspect So the Lord hath appointed a way wherein He will be found and will have us to waite for strength and influence from Him and if we neglect those meanes which He hath appointed how can we exspect the good which He hath promised in the use of these means 3. The Lord hath his owne time of making good all his promises and we must not limite Him to a day 4. Hereby the Lord may be trying and exerciseing thy Faith Patience Hope Dependence Submission Diligence c. and if these be in thee and abound they shall make that thou shall neither be barren noâ—… unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Pet. 1 11. But lastly it will be enquired what can support the beleeving soul in this case Answere 1. The consideration and saith of the covenant of Redemption wherein both the Fathers engadgment to the Son and the Sons engadgment to the Father secureth
commend ourselves to God thereby that we may obtaine pardon 4. The beleever would consider seriously the dreadfulnesse of their condition who are lying under the lash of the law for sin The law sayeth cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the law and every sin is a transgression of the law so that acording to law and justice they are in hazard for evry sin in it self exposeth the sinner to eternal wrath sin being an offence against God who is a righteous judge and a breach of his law A right sight and apprehension of this would serve to humble the sinner before God and make him more earnest in seeking out for pardon that this obligation to punishment might be removed 5. The beleever would not only consider the sin it self but also take notice of all its Aggravations There are peculiar aggravations of some sins taken from the time manner and other circumstances which rightly considered will helpe forward the work of humiliation And the sins of beleevers have this aggravation above the sins of others that they are committed against more love and speciall Love and against more opposition and contradiction of the grace of God within the soul against more light and conviction c. and therefore their humiliation upon this account ought to be singular and serious So was it with David when he took notice of the speciall aggravations of his sin Psal. 51 4 6 14. and Ezra cap. 9. Nehemiah Cap. 9. and Daniel Cap 9. This considering of sin with its due aggravations would helpe to prize mercy at an high rate and cause the soul more willingly waite for and more seriously seek after Remission knowing that God is more angry for great sins than for sins of infirmity and may therefore pursue the same with sorer judgments as He broke David's bones withdrew his comforts c. 6. The beleever would be convinced of an impossibility of doing any thing in himself which can procure pardon at the hands of God should he weep cry afflict himself pray never so all will do nothing by way of merite for the taking away of the least sin that ever he commited and the conviction of this would drive him to despaire in himself and be a meane to bring him cleanly off himself and to look out for mere mercy in Christ Jesus So long as through the deceitfulnesse of Satan the false heart inclineth to the old byas and hath its eye upon any thing in it self from whence it draweth its hops and expectation of pardon and acceptance it will not purely act faith on Christ for this end and so he will lose all his labour and in end be disappointed Therefore the beleever would guard against this and that so much the more that the false deceitful heart is so much inclined thereto and that this deceit can sometime work so cuningly that it can hardly be discerned being fairded over with many false glosses and pretexts and that it is so dishonourable to Jesus and hurtful and prejudicial to the soul. 7. The beleever would act faith on the promises of pardon in the new covenant as having a right to them through Jesus Christ and challenge with humble boldnesse the fulfilling of the same according to that 1. Ioh. 1 9 If we confesse our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins So that the beleever may not only take hold of mercy and grace in God as an incouragement and invitation to go to God for pardon but even of the justice and righteousnesse of God because of his faithful promises and the beleever would have here a speciall eye to Christ in whom all the promises are yea and amen and look for the accomplishment of them through Him and for his sake alone 8. Faith would eye Christ as hanging upon the crosse and offering up himself through the eternall Spirit a sacrifice to satisfie divine justice for all the sins of his own chosen ones we cannot think that Christ bare but some of their sins or only their sins committed before conversion and if he bare all as the Father laid all upon Him the beleever is to lay hold on Him by faith as hanging on the crosse as well for taking away of the guilt of sins committed after conversion as before His sacrifice was a sacrifice for all and He bare our sins without distinction or exception in his owne body on the tree 1. Pet. 2 24. David had his eye on this when he cryed out Psal. 51 7. purge me with hysope hysope being sometimes used in the legall purifications which typified that purification which Christ really wrought when He gave himself a sacrifice for sin Levit. 14 6. Num. 19 18. 9. The beleever looking on Christ dying as a Mediator to pacifie the wrath of God and to make satisfaction to the justice of God for the sins of his people would renew his consent unto that gracious and wise contriveance of heaven of pardoning sins through a crucified Mediator that mercy and Justice might kisse each other and be glorified together and declare againe his full satisfaction with Christ's satisfying of justice for him and taking away the guilt of his sins by that blood that was shed upon the crosse by taking those sins whereof now he standeth guilty and for which he is desireous of pardon and by faith nailing them to the crosse of Christ and rolling them on his shoulders that the guilt of them as well as of the rest might be taken away through the merites of his death and satisfaction Thus the beleever consenteth to that noble act of free grace whereby the Lord made all our sins to meet together on Christ when he taketh those particular sins wherewith now he is troubled and casteth them in into the heape that Christ as the true scape-goat may carry all away This is to lay our hands on the head of our sacrifice 10. The beleever hath another ground of comfort to grippe to in this case and that is Christ's eternall Priesthood whereby he makes intercession for the transgressions of his people and as their advocate and atturnay with the father pleadeth their cause whereby he is able to save them to the last and uttermost step of their jurnay and so to save them from the guilt of all casuall and emergent sins that might hinder their salvation So that the beleever is to put those sins that now he would have pardoned into the hands of Christ the everlasting intercessour and alsufficient advocat that He by vertue of his death would obtaine a new pardon of these their failings and transgressions and deliverance from the guilt thereof and their acceptance with the Father notwithstanding of these transgressions 11. Thus beleevers eyeing Christ as Dying Riseing againe Ascending and as Sitting at the Fathers right hand there to be a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck and to interceed for his owne and to see to the application of
with clouds and doubteth of its interest in Christ it would then put it out of doubt by fleeing to Him for refuge from the storme of God's indignation and lay hold on Him as He is offered in the gospel and thus renew its grips of Him as the offered alsufficient Mediator and frequent direct acts of faith will helpe at length to a reflex act The soul that is daylie running to Christ according to the covenant with all its necessities and laying hold on Him as only able to helpe will at length come to see that it hath beleeved on Him and is made welcome by Him and accepted through Him So that rëterated acts of faith on an offered Cautioner and Salvation will dispel at length those clouds of darknesse that trouble the soul. 7. Such souls would beware of making their bands stronger and their darkness greater by their â—…olly and unwise carriage for this cause they would beware 1. To cry out in despondency of Spirit as if there were no hope and to conclude peremptorily that they are cut off and it is in vaine to waite any longer for this course will but darken them more and multiply the clouds over their head 2. To run away from Christ through unbeleef and dispaire for that will make their case yet worse 3. To walk untenderly and not circumspectly for the moe sins appear the lesse light will be had O but souls would be tender in all their conversation at that time and guaird against the least sin or appearance of evill 4. To fret and repine against God because of that dispensation for that will but entangle the soul more and wreath the yock straiter about its neck and put it self furder out of case to be relieved and to receive light 8. Lastly such would do well not to limite the holy one of Israel but to waite with patience till his time come to speak-in light to the soul knowing that such as waite upon Him shall never be ashamed Esai 49 23. because He waiteth to be gracious and therefore blessed are they all that waite upon him Esai 30 18. Quest. But what if for all this I get no outgate but my distress and darkness rather grow upon my hand Ans. That such a thing may be I grant the Lord thinking it fit 1. To exercise their faith dependence patience hope and desire more 2. And to discover more unto them their own weakness faintings faithlesness 3. To shew his absolute power and soveraignity 4. To make his grace and mercy more conspicuous remarkeable at length and. 5. To traine them up in away of dependence on him in the dark and of leaning to him when walking in darknesse yea and in a way of beleeving when they think they have no faith at all and for other holy ends Yet the soul would not despond for there are several things that may serve to support and beare up the heart even in that case as 1. This is not their case alone Others have been in the like before and many have had the like complaints in all ages as is known to such as have been acquanted with exercised souls 2. It may yeeld peace and comfort to know that they are about duty when looking to Him and depending upon Him and waiting for his light 3. The promises made to such as waite for Him may support the soul and yeeld comfort 4. The distinct knowledge and uptaking of their condition though it be comfortable and refreshing yet itis not absolutely necessary A soul may be a saved soul though those clouds should continue to its dying day and though as long as they lived they should never get a clear discovery of their gracious state but spend their dayes in mourning complaineing and crying out of darknesse c. 5. Such a soul should think that its much that he is keeped out of hell so long and sure the thoughts of what he is and of what he doserveth may make him sober and not to think much though he reach not so high as to see his name written in the book of life 6. They would know that full assurance of hope and of faith is but rare and even such as have it do nor ordinarily keep it long So that it should not much trouble them if after all their paines they cannot win at it 7. If they win to any real ground of hope how small so ever they should think much of that for many dear to Christ live long and never know what so much is 8. It is no small matter that they are not sincking in the gulfe of inconsideration and plagued with an indifferency in these matters but are made to value Christ and an interest in Him at such a rate 9. Their going to Christ with all their wants laying all on Him and their making that their daylie exercise may keep up their hearts from fainting yea and fill their souls with joy for that is really the exercise of faith And the great and gracious promises are made to such as beleeve and not to such only as know they do beleeve I grant such as know not that they do beleeve cannot draw comfort from these promises yet it is as true that one may by reflecting on the actings of his own soul see and know that really he is going out to Christ forsaking himself casting his burden on Him waiting and depending upon Him when yet he will not say that he doth beleeve and when he seeth this working of soul toward Christ he is obliged to beleeve that he beleeveth and thereupon rejoyce in the hope of the great promises And however the very sight and knowledge of this acting and motion of soul may give them some comfort though they shall not take it for faith because it is the way of duty and it is the thing which the gospel calleth for and because they cannot show an instance of any one soul that did so and perished But the truth is the right understanding of the nature of faith would cleare many doubts and prevent many questions I come to speak a little to the last case which I shall handle which is CHAP. XVIII How we shall make use of Christ as the Truth that we may win to right and suteable thoughts of God This is a case that much troubleth the people of God They cannot get right and sutable thoughts of God which they earnestly desire to have nor know not how to win at them And certane it is He only who is the Truth and came out of the bosome of the Father can helpe here Therefore for our use making of Him for this end It would be remembered 1. That the minde of man through the fall is nothing but a masse of ignorance and blindenesse that the understanding is darkned Ephes. 4 17 18. And naturally we are in darknesse 1 Iohn 2 9 11. Yea under the power of darknesse Col. 1 13. And which is more our mindes naturally are filled with prejudice
all delusions which some time they had felt and seen in themselves which is a sad distemper and which grace in life would free the soul from This proceedeth which is the second particular partly from God's hideing of his face and changing his dispensations about them and compassing them with clouds and partly from themselves and their owne mistakes as 1. Judging their state not by the unchangable rule of truth but by the outward dispensations of God which change upon the best 2. Judging their state by the observable measure of grace within them and so concludeing their state bad because they observe corruption prevailing now and then and grace decaying and they perceive no victory over temptations nor grouth in grace c. 3. Judging also their state by others and so they suppose that they cannot be beleevers because they are so unlike to others whom they judge true beleevers This is also to judge by a wrong rule 4. Judging themselves by themselves that is because they look so unlike to what sometimes they were themselves they conclude that their state cannot be good which is also a wrong rule to judge their State by 5. Beginning to try and examine their â—…ase and State and comeing â—…o no close or issue so that when they have done they are as uncleare and uncertaine what to judge of themselves as when they began or 6. Taking little or no paines to try themselves seriously as in the sight of God but resting satisfied with a superficial trial which can come to no good issue 7. Trying and examineing but through the slight of Satan and because pitching upon wrong marks comeing to no good issue but condemning themselves without ground 8. There is another thing which occasioneth this misjudging to wit the want of distinctnesse and clearnesse in covenanting with Christ and the ignorance of the nature of true saving faith As to the third particular How Chist is Life to the beleever in this case I Answere Christ manifesteth himself to be life to the soul in this case 1. By sending the Spirit of life that Enlighteneth Informeth Perswadeth and Sealeth 2. By actuating grace so in the soul that it manifesteth it self and evidenceth it self to be there as the heate and burning of a fire will discover it self without other toakens The fourth particular to wit how the soul should be exercised or how it should imploy Christ for an outgate out of this hath been abundantly cleared above where we shewed that beleevers in this case would 1. Be frequent in griping Christ and closeing with Him as their alsufficient Mediator and faith thus frequently acting on Him may discover it self at length 2. Look to Christ that hath eye salve and is given for a witnesse 3. Keep grips fast of Him though they be in the dark and walk on griping to Him 4. Keep love towards Him and his working and in exercise 5. Beg of Him to cleare up their state by his Spirit explaining the true marks of grace and discovering the working of grace in the soul. But it will be said and so I come to the last particular what if after all this I remaine as formerly as unable to judge aright of my State as ever Ans. Yet thou would continue griping Christ loving Him looking to Him casting a lost dead soul with all thy wants upon Him and minde this as thy constant work Yea thou would labour to be growing in these direct acts of faith and learne to submit to God herein knowing that those reflect acts are not absolutely necessary and that thou should think it much if He bring thee to heaven at length though covered with a cloud all thy dayes Obj. 2. But others get much more clearnesse Ans. I grant that yet know that every one geteth not clearnesse and such as have it have it not in the same measure and must God give thee as much as He giveth to any other What if thou could not make â—…hat use of it that others do but wax proud thereby and forget thy self Therefore it will be best to give God liberty to dispense his favours as He will and that thou be about â—…hy commanded duty the exercise of faith Love Feare Patience c. Obj. 3 But if at any time I gote a sight of my case it would be some peace and satisfaction â—…o me Ans. I grant that what knowest thou but â—…hou may also get that favour ere thou die Why â—…hen will thou not waite his leasure Obj. 4. But the want of it in the mean time maketh me go heartlesly and discouragedly about â—…ommanded duties and maketh that I cannot apply things distinctly to my self Ans. Yet the word of command is the same â—…he offer is the same and the encouragement is the same why then should not thou be going â—…on leaning to Christ in the wildernesse even though thou want that comfortable sight Obj. 5. But it is one thing to want a cleare â—…ight of my state it is another thing to judge my self to be yet in the state of nature and this is my case Ans. I grant this is the worste of the two yet â—…hat if thou misjudge thy self without ground â—…hould thou not suffer for thine own folly and â—…hom can thou blame but thy self And if thou judge so thou cannot but know that it is thy duty to do the thing that thou supposeth is not yet done that is run away to Christ for life and salvation and rest on Him and abide there and if this were frequently renewed the grounds of thy former mistake might be easily removed Yet further I would adde those few things 1. Take no pleasure in debateing against your own soul for that is but to serve Satans designe 2. Be not too rash or ready to drink-in prejudices against the work of God in your own souls for that is to collude with Sathan against your selves 3. Make much of any little light He is pleased to give were it but of one mark and be not ill to please for one scriptural mark as love to the brethren may sufficiently evidence the thing 4. See how thy soul would like the condition of such as are carnal profane carelesse in the matters of God and if thy soul doth really abhore that and thou would not upon any account choose to be in such a case thou may gather something from that to thy comfort But enough of this case here CHAP. XXVI How is Christ as the Life to be applyed by a soul that misseth God's favour and countenance THe sixt case that we â—…hall speak a little to is a deadnesse occasioned by the Lord 's hideing of himself who is their Life and the fountaine of life Psal. 36 9. and whose loving kindnâ—…sse is better then life Psal. 63 3. and in whose favour is their life Psal â—…0 5. A case which the frequent complaints of the Saints manifest to be rife enough Concearning which we shall 1. Shew some of the consequences of the
strong Mediator Moreover as to the acting of faith on Christ's death and sacrifice for stopping the mouth of Conscience Law Satan and for opposeing to the pursueing Justice of God because of sin It may some times be strong distinct clear and resolute At other times againe be weak mixed or accompanyed with much feare perplexity doubting and distrust because of their owne seen unworthinesse many failings doubtings of the sincerity of their repentance and the like This is a maine businesse and of great concearnment yet many are not much troubled about it nor exercised at the heart hereabout as they ought deceiving themselves with foolish imaginations for 1. They think they were beleevers all their dayes they never doubted of Gods grace and goodwill they had alwayes a good heart for God though they never knew what a wakened conscience or sense of the wrath of God meaned 2. Or they think because God is mercifull he will not be so severe as to stand upon all those things that Ministers require forgetting that He is a just God and a God of truth that wil do according to what He hath said 3. Or they suppose it is an easie matter to beleeve not such a difficult thing as it is called not considering or beleeving that no lesse power than that which raised Christ againe from the dead will worke up the heart unto faith 4. Or they resolve that they will do it afterward at some more convenient season not perceiving the cunning slight of Satan in this nor considering that faith is not in their power but the gift of God and that if they lay not hold on the call of God but harden their heart in their day God may judicially blinde them so that these things shall be hid from their eyes and so that occasion they pretend to waite for never come Oh if such whom this mainely concearneth could be induced to enter into this way considering 1 That except they enter into this way they cannot be false the wrath of God will pursue them the avenger of blood will overtake them no Salvation but here 2 That in this way is certaine Salvation this way will infallibly lead to the Father for he keepeth in the way and bringeth saife home Exod. 23 20. 2 It s the old path and the good way Ier. 6 16. all the saints have the experience of this who are already come to glory and. 4. It is a high way and a way of righteousnesse wherein if very fools walk they shall not wandâ—…r Esai 35 8 9 and if the weak walk in it they shall not fainte Esai 40 31. 5. That except this be done there is no advantage to be had by Him His death all his sufferings as to those persons that will not beleeve and enter into him as the way to the Father are in vaine 6. Yea such as will not beleeve in Him say in effect either that Christ hath not died nor consecrated away through the veile of his flesh or that all that He hath done suffered is not sufficient for bringing a soul home to God or that they can do their owne businesse without him and that it was a foolish and vaine thing for Christ to die the death for that end or lastly that they care not for salvation they are indifferent whether they perish or be saved 7. That as to them the whole gospel is in vaine all the ordinances all the administration of ordinances all the paines of Ministers are in vaine 8. That as to them all Christs intreaties motives allurements patience and long suffering his standing at the door and knocking till his locks be wet with the dew c. are in vaine yea they are contemptuously rejected despised slighted undervalued 9. That all the great promises are by such rejected as untrue or as not worthy the seeking or having and that all the threatnings on the other hand are not to be regairded or feared 10. In a word That heaven and the fellowshipe of God is not worth the seeking and that hell and the fellowshipe of devils is not worth the fearing Or that there is neither a heaven nor a hell and that all are but fictions and that there is no such thing as the wrath of God against sinners oâ—… that it is not much to be feared If it be asked what warrand have poor sinners to lay hold on Christ and grippe to him as made of God righteousnesse I answere Our absolute necessity of him is a ground to presse us to go and seek help and reliefe we see we are gone in ourselves and therefore are we allowed to seek out for help elsewhere 2 Christ's alsufficient furniture whereby he is a qualified mediator fitted with all necessaries for our case condition having laid downe a price to the satisfaction of justice is a sufficient invitation for us to look toward him for helpe and to waite at that door 3. His being appointed of the Father to be mediator of the covenant and particularly to lay down his life a ransome for sin and Christs undertaking all his offices and performeing all the duties thereof conforme to the covenant of redemption is a strong encouragement to poor sinners to come to Him because He cannot deny himself and he will be true to his trust 4. The Fathers offering of him to us in the gospell and Christs inviteing us who are weary and heavy loaden yea calling and commanding such to come to him in his owne and in his Fathers name under the paine of his and his Fathers wrath and everlasting displeasure exhorting further and requesting upon tearms of love pressing earnestly by many motives sending out his ambassadours to beseech in his stead poor sinners to be reconciled and to turne in to him for life and salvation yea upbraiding such as will not come to him all these are a sufficient warrant for a poor necessitous sinner to lay hold on his offer And further to encourage poor souls to come unto him all things are so well ordered in the gospel as that nothing occurreth that can in the least prove a stumbling block or a just ground of excuse for their forbearing to beleeve and to accept of his offer all objections possible are obviated to such as are but willing the way is cast up and all stones of stumbling cast out of it so that such as will not come can pretend no excuse They cannot object the greatnesse of their sins for the greater their sins be they have the greater need of one who is sent to take away sin and whose blood purgeth from all sin 1 Joh 1 7. what great sinner did he ever refuse that came to him and was willing to be saved by him Is ther any clause in all the gospel excludâ—…ing great sinners Nor need they object their great unworthinesse for â—…e doth all freely for the glory of his free grace 〈◊〉 got any good of him for their worth for no man ever had any