that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him whose Names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World Rev. 21.27 None shall enter in who are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life The Book of Life is there attributed to Christ because he took this solemn Charge upon himself to conduct the Heirs of Salvation to Glory He is to see they come to him John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me He knoweth them by Head and Poll Isa. 49.12 Behold these shall come from far and lo these from the Land of the North and from the West and these from the Land of Sinim Man by Man they are told out to him 2. He is to keep them and look after them Though there be many thousands yet every single Believer falleth under the care of Christ and accordingly he knoweth their Names and their Necessities John 10.3 He calleth his own Sheep by Name and leadeth them out He knoweth his Sheep by Name John Anna Thomas As the High Priest carried the Names of the Tribes upon his Bosom so Christ knows the Names of all the Flock of God There is not a poor Servant or Scullion who are despicable Creatures in the World but Christ looks after him Psal. 34.6 This poor Man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his Troubles Poor Soul he is under such Temptations encumbred with such Troubles in such a Task or Service my Father gave me a charge of him I must look to him So many Lambs as there are in the Flock of Christ there is not one forgotten 3. Christ is to give an account of them unto God He doth it by his constant Intercession of which this Prayer is a Copy They have kept thy Word I am glorified in them Christ is speaking good words of them to the Father He giveth you a good Report behind your back Satan is an Accuser he loveth to report ill of Believers but Christ telleth the Father how his Lambs thrive It is a grief to your Advocate when he cannot speak well of you in Heaven But solemnly he will do it at the last Day when he is to present the Elect to the Tribunal of God Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the Children which God hath given me Oh it is a goodly sight to see Christ and all his little Ones come together to the Throne of Grace There is not one forgotten in the presence of Christ and all his Angels Christ will not be ashamed to own a poor despicable Boy a Man-Servant or a Maid-Servant so they be faithful Luke 12.8 Whosoever shall confess me before Men him shall the son of Man also confess before the Angels of God I died for this poor Creature and shed my Blood for him This is intended 1 Cor. 15.24 Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God even the Father A Kingdom is sometimes put for the Form of Government sometimes for Subjects governed the Kingdom that is the Church is solemnly presented as a Prey snatched out of the Teeth of Lions Ephes. 5.27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Christ will present his Bride in triumph Vse 1. Comfort to Believers 1. Concerning the safety of their eternal Estate Christ bargained for thee by Name That the Father and the Son should pitch upon such a forlorn and wretched piece of the Creation as thou art and they should talk together of thy Heaven Son this is one for whom thou must die that thy Name should be in the Eternal Register written with the Lamb's Blood in his own Book of Life I must have a care of him Ay you will say this were an excellent Comfort if I were sure I were one of them that is given to Christ. I Answer If he hath given Christ to you he hath given you to Christ. God maketh an offer in the Gospel Are you willing to receive him for Lord and Saviour then you put it out of question To as many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Children of God You are Fellow-Heirs with Christ Christ is given to you in time 2. In your particular straits Christ hath a care of you Do you think he will break his Engagement Christ hath plighted his Truth to God the Father Our groundless Jealousies question the truth of Christ's Word and Solemn Agreement When we say the Lord hath forgotten me this is in effect to say Christ is not faithful in his Charge The Prophet chideth them Isa. 40.27 Why sayest thou O Jacob and speakest O Israel my Way is hid from the Lord and my Judgment is passed over from my God God doth not take notice of my Case such mistrust is a lie against the care of Christ. Vse 2. To press us especially humble Sinners you that walk in darkness to come under these sweet Hopes God hath laid Souls to Pledg in the Hand of Christ Why should we be scupulous All the Father's Acts are ratified in time by Believers He ordaineth we consent he chuseth Christ for Lord and King They shall appoint themselves one Head Hosea 1.11 So he hath given Souls to Christ so should you 1. Commit your Souls to him by Faith this answereth to Christ's receiving the Elect by way of Charge 1 Pet. 4.19 Let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator A Man ventureth upon Duty and trusteth God with his Soul Psalm 31.5 Into thy Hands do I commit my Spirit Paul knew Christ was an able and trusty Friend 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day Committing the Soul to God is a Notion often used in the matter of Faith and doth most formally express the nature of Trust and Adherence He is willing to receive your Souls and he is able to make good the Trust. Therefore in all Times of Distress and Danger when all things are dark to us upon the Warrant of the Gospel let us commit the Soul to Christ to be kept to Salvation Refer your selves to his care for Pardon Defence Support and Glory 2. Consecrate your selves to Christ. Committing noteth Trust Consecrating Obedience You commit your selves to his Care you resign and yield up your selves to his Discipline Committing answereth the Charge but Consecration the Grant Rom. 12.1 I beseech you therefore Brethren by the Mercies of God that you present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable Service By full consent a Man imbarketh with Christ and is resolved no longer to be at his own keeping and disposal Psalm 119.94 I am thine save me for I have
Judge but to save yet sometimes beamed out his Majesty as in the miracle of the great draught of Fishes Luk. 5.3 but especially when his Enemies fell backward with a look or word from his Mouth John 18.6 His whipping the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple Math. 21.12 And at his Transfiguration his Disciples were afraid Mat. 17.6 If his Voice was so terrible in the dayes of his flesh what will it be then He came at first in the form of a Servant Phil. 2.6 7. Now he cometh as Lord and Heir of all things Heb. 1.2 Then he came in the Similitude of sinful Flesh Rom. 8.3 Now without sin Heb. 9.28 Then he had a fore-runner John the Baptist The voice of one crying in the Wilderness Mat. 3.3 Now the Arch-Angel 1 Thes. 4.16 Then he had twelve Companions poor Fisher-men now with Saints and Angels his holy ten thousands Jude 7. Then he raised some few to Life now All shall hear the voice of the Son of God and live John 5.28 Then he came riding upon an Ass now he shall come in the Clouds of Heaven and the Judge shall sit in the Throne of Majesty summoning the World to appear before him As this will be comfortable to the Godly so terrible to the unprepared 3. Because of his work when he cometh which is to Judge the World and to make a strict enquiry into the wayes of men Revel 20.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of Life and the dead were judged out of the things that were written in the books according to their works All actions are set in order Psa. 50.21 with such impartiality and strictness that we should all tremble at the thought of it Surely if we did believe these things we would prepare our selves accordingly Acts 17.31 He hath appointed a day wherein he will Judge the world in righteousness God governeth the world now in Righteousness but the Justice of God hath not its full scope and measure God useth patience to the wicked and doth not give the godly their full reward God is arbitrary in his Gifts but not in his Judgments all are under a Rule either the law of Works or the Gospel-law Jam. 2.12 13. So speak and so do as those that are to be judged by the law of liberty 4. After Judgment Sentence is pass'd never to be reversed again Here there is a possibility of retrieving it by Repentance for here 't is Sententia legis but there 't is Sententia Judicis there is no appeal from this Sentence here sentence may be repealed Ezek. 18.12 If the wicked shall turn from his sins that he hath committed and keep my Statutes and do that which is lawful and right he shall surely live he shall not die Therefore we have need to provide for this day 5. Prepared or unprepared we must all go forth to meet the Bridegroom Therefore we had need to consider with our selves whether we are in case to meet him or no. Others think we make too much ado about it but this is the great thing that should take up our care and thoughts whether we are upon a sure bottom for Eternity Luk. 10.42 This is the one thing necessary Alas that we should make no greater matter of it and set our selves about it with no more care and seriousness Psa. 27.4 'T is necessity and our own necessity and a necessity for so great an end not to live honourably and comfortably in the world but for ever with God In reason necessary things should be preferred before superfluous that which cannot be spared should be first regarded USE 1. Is to quicken you to rouse up your selves And 2. To trim your Lamps Gods messengers in all Ages have raised the cry Enoch long ago Jude 14 15. Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints He speaks of it as a thing in being and actually in view so do we call upon men If we had a deeper sense and more lively apprehensions of that day surely we would more bestir our selves 1. To rouse up our selves Shake off sloath and security 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the gift that is in thee Isa. 64.7 There is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee There is need of awakening our selves yet more and more Conscience is too sleepy the Will too remiss the Affections are dead and earthly and are not so active and powerful upon our Hearts as they were wont to be Oh do not rest in a lukewarm drowsie Profession but seriously bestir your selves 2. Trim up your Lamps That is let your Practice and Profession of Godliness be more lively and powerful and Grace kept in constant exercise Having your loins girt and your lamps burning Luk. 12.35 Oh 't is a blessed thing to be found so doing You will never do so 1. While you content your selves with a little Religiousness by the By and do not make Godliness your main work and business Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling 2. While you content your selves with doubtful questionable Grace and do not put it out of all doubt 1 Pet. 1.10 11. Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure that so an abundant entrance may be ministred unto you 3. You will never do so while you content your selves with a little general Religion without looking into every part and point of Duty 1 Pet. 1.15 Be ye holy in all manner of Conversation Wherein you are to exercise your Obedience to God Acts 26.7 8. Vnto which promise our twelve Tribes instantly serving God night and day hope to come 4. You will never do so 'till your minds be taken off from the present World and more deeply fixed upon the World to come Matth. 6.21 'Till that be your treasure Col. 3.1 Set your affections upon things above Our Affections often cool being scattered too much upon present things we have little or no thoughts of our spiritual Journey 1 Pet. 1.13 Gird up the loins of your minds be sober and hope to the end for the Grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 'T is meant of the Affections 'T is the lively expectation of blessedness to come that keepeth us in life and exercise Secondly We now come to the consideration of it as to the foolish Virgins they all arose and trimmed their Lamps The foolish Virgins made a fair flourish on their part it noteth their vain Confidence as if they were as ready to meet the Bridegroom as the wise though the event sheweth the contrary So that on their part it doth not note so much their serious Preparation as their foolish Presumption Doct. 2. Many think they have Grace enough to meet Christ at his coming when the event sheweth no such matter Or Many have great Confidence of the goodness of their Condition that will be found foolish Virgins
is not so tender of his Works as of his Word It is more firm and stable than the Frame of Heaven and Earth that shall be dissolved but not the least Point of Truth shall fail Heaven and Earth do only continue till all that is prophesied of 〈◊〉 the Word be fulfilled His Word endureth for ever We shall have the Comfort of it in Heaven when all these things are melted 2. Nay which is more the Treason plotted against Christ taketh place that 〈◊〉 Word may be fulfilled and one main Reason why Christ came into the World was to accomplish the Word tho it cost him his Life yet saith he Heb. 10.7 Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me to do thy Will O God Promises shall be fulfilled tho most difficult for God to grant or us to believe Rather than God baulk from his Word God would send his Son to die for a sinful World Vse 1. Wait for the Accomplishment of Prophecies fear the Truth of Threatnings Hos. 7.12 I will chastise them as their Congregation hath heard Isa. 34.16 Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord and read No one of these shall fail none shall want her Mate For my Mouth it hath commanded and his Spirit it hath gathered them Look into the Book of the Law where these Curses are recorded When the Day of Execution cometh take this Prophecy into your hands see if any of these be found wanting not one thing shall fail This is the Unhappiness of Ministers all other Professions are believed when they discover Danger But who hath believed our Report It is our Duty to observe all Occurrences and compare the Rule and Event together and observe what Truth God makes good by what is fallen out and come to pass And so wait for the Accomplishment of Promises whatever Inconveniences fall out they shall be fulfilled When a Promise is thrown into the Fire it shall come out again and be fulfilled in its due time Vse 2. Here is Comfort to the Godly against the Wrath of their Enemies God hath a hand not only in Sickness and Famine but the Treasons of Men against Christ. If the Rod smites it is in the Father's hand Let Men live how they will yet God will have his Will if not his Will of Command his Will of Decree His Glory shall prevail at last You cannot hurt God whether you will or no he will be glorified SERMON XXI JOHN XVII 13 And now come I to Thee and these things I speak in the World that they might have my Ioy fulfilled in themselves OUR Lord is still amplifying that Argument of his own Departure and the Disciples danger in the World and so justifieth his earnestness in Prayer for them I come to thee and must leave their Company and therefore I have need to make some provision for them In the Argument of this Text Christ sheweth what was his special Aim in the whole Prayer He is so earnest not to blemish the Father as if he were backward and wanted Mercy but for their Comfort that they might know what Prayers were laid up in store for them and to give them a taste of his own Care He prayeth with them that they might know how he prayed for them Christ would have something left upon Record as a Pledg of his Affections to the Church These things I speak in the World c. In the words not to speak of the Occasion I come to thee which signifieth not his Address in Prayer but his Ascension to God as was cleared before Vers. 11. In the rest of the words we have Christ's Action and Christ's Aim The Comfort of the Disciples where we have the Author My Joy the Manner how received for quantity fulfilled the Quality in themselves And these things I speak in the World That is make this Prayer in their hearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I speak it signifieth Prayer with an audible Voice elsewhere he useth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And here a Record and Patern is left for the use of the Church in all Ages That they may have my Joy What is the meaning of that 1. Because he rejoiceth in our Good My Joy and your Joy are distinguished John 15.11 These things have I spoken to you that my Joy should be fulfilled in you and that your Joy might be full There is nothing maketh the Heart of Christ so glad as to see his Members thrive in Peace and Grace So the Apostle Paul Phil. 2.2 Fulfil ye my Joy Nothing could be more comfortable to Paul than to see the Philippians thrive in Grace Thus some interpret it actively of the Joy which Christ hath in the good of his Members But I suppose it is rather to be taken passively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in themselves 2. Others think that by my Joy is meant a Joy like mine when they feel the same Desires kindled in their Hearts they may be comforted with the workings of the same Spirit of Prayer in them that is feel such a Joy as I feel in uttering these Requests But this doth not run so smoothly 3. My Joy because he is the Author of it Gaudium ex me Joy which I work as Mediator and Redeemer Of our selves we have nothing but Despair and Trouble Isa. 57.19 I create the Fruit of the Lips Peace Peace to him that is afar of and to him that is near and I will heal him We possess it but it is Christ's Joy he worketh it and causeth it by his Spirit elsewhere it is called Joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess. 1.6 4. My Joy because he is the Object of it Gaudium de me that that Joy which they have conceived from my Presence with them or care of them may not be lessened but increased that this Spiritual Joy may be fulfilled These two latter are of chief regard May be fulfilled not only accomplished but be abundant as Chap. 15.11 That your Joy may be full The filling up of Joy is a Phrase proper to S. John Ch. 3.29 This my Joy therefore is fulfilled saith John the Baptist because he heard the Bridegroom's Voice So 1 John 1.4 These things we write unto you that your Joy may be full And 2 Epist. 12. vers I trust to come unto you and speak face to face that our Joy may be full Possibly this Joy is called a Full Joy not with respect to it self but with respect to other Joys In it self it is always a growing and receiveth a daily increase till it be perfected in Heaven Here we have but some fore-running Beams of the Noon of Glory the first Fruits of the Harvest The Joy of the World is a lank empty Joy In themselves that is in their Hearts by their own feeling and experience they have need of something within for they have nothing without John 16.33 In the World ye shall have tribulation but be of good comfort I
A Second Volume OF SERMONS PREACHED by the Late REVEREND and LEARNED Thomas Manton D. D. In Two PARTS The FIRST Containing XXVII SERMONS ON The Twenty Fifth CHAPTER of St. MATTHEW XLV ON The Seventeenth CHAPTER of St. IOHN AND XXIV ON The Sixth CHAPTER of the Epistle to the ROMANS PART II. Containing XLV SERMONS ON The Eighth Chapter of the Epistle to the ROMANS AND XL. ON The Fifth Chapter of the Second Epistle to the CORINTHIANS WITH ALPHABETICAL TABLES To each Chapter of the PRINCIPAL MATTERS therein Contained LONDON Printed by J. Astwood for Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard MDC.LXXXIV TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM Earl of Bedford BARON of THORNAVGH AND KNIGHT of the Most Noble Order of the GARTER My LORD IF the Soveraign Disposer of all things had continued the Life of the Author of the following SERMONS he had express'd his Thankfulness for your Real and Noble Favours by the Dedication of the best Fruits of his Studies to your Lordship But since it hath pleased God to remove him from the Church on Earth to the Church in Heaven I am desired by his most near surviving Relation to comply with his Intention by Inscribing your highly Honourable Name in the Frontispiece of this Work Your Lordships Esteem of the Author and most free Kindness plac'd him in an Eminent Station and how faithfully he discharged his Publick Ministry for those great and most worthy Ends the Glory of God and the Salvation of Souls as there is a full Testimony given by many sincere and understanding Persons of all Ranks that were the happy Partakers of it so it is evident to others by the several Volumes of most useful SERMONS Printed since his Decease These had been more Exact and worthy of your Lordships perusal if they had been publisht by himself But such as they are I doubt not but they will be very Acceptable for the heavenly Matter contained in them I shall not Record here the many excellent Vertues that are Conspicuous in your Lordship and truely adorn your Honour but I cannot forbear to mention the Foundation of them Sincere and Solid Piety so clearly discovered in a most Christian Deportment under your heavy Afflictions Surely that Reverence and meek Submission to the high and Holy Providence of God that humble Trust in his Mercy which so admirably appeared in your deep Distress was from the Divine Spirit whose glorious Attribute is The Comforter I shall Earnestly pray That God who turneth the shadow of Death into the Morning will be pleased alwayes to Support you with his Reviving Presence that he will guide you by his Counsel through this Afflicting World and bring you to his Glory I am My LORD Your Lordships very Humble and Obedient Servant WILLIAM BATES To the READER Christian Reader OVR blessed Lord calling the Multitude to some account of their so free and frequent motions in going to hear the first Gospel Preacher John the Baptist doth it in these terms Matth. 11.7 8. What went you out into the Wilderness to see A Reed shaken with the wind But what went ye out for to see A man cloathed in soft Rayment They that wear soft Cloathing are in Kings houses But what went ye out for to see A Prophet yea I say unto you and more than a Prophet V. 11. Verily I say unto you that amongst them that are born of Women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he Teaching us several things by that speech relating to the Religious action of hearing the Word and to a true Gospel Minister With reference to the former 1. That he that goeth out to hear ought in the first place to propound to himself a due End 2. That men may propose to themselves in such motions very false and undue Ends such as going to see Reeds shaken with the wind men cloathed with soft Rayment c. 3. That the true End men should propose to themselves should be not to hear a Philosopher or an Orator but a Prophet which term signifieth a Person revealing the Will of God for the signification of that term is not to be restrained to one onely from God revealing things to come but publishing the Divine Will whether relating to future things or things before revealed which is evident not only from the application of it to the Baptist but to any that will consider that Predictions of future Contingencies was the least part of any of the ancient Prophets work This is that true and more special End which every good man ought to propound to himself when he goeth to hear as a Religious action whose Object is not a meer sound which is the Object of hearing considered as a natural Act but of the joyful Sound Nor can there lye any Obligation upon any religiously to hear any thing but the will of God which a Discourse doth not cease to be by the addition of mans words for the Explanation or Application of any part of the divine Will by such as God hath betrusted with that Employment more than an Embassadors message ceaseth to be his Masters will because delivered in his own words thô to the Sense of his Instructions Which thing well digested would not only teach Ministers what and how to preach but the People also what and how to hear according to the direction of their Lord. If our End in hearing were to tickle our Ears with a Sound our Reason would guide us to hear such whose Language is as the voice of one that hath a Lovely Song and can play well on an Instrument If our end were to promove our selves in Critical Learning or improve our Reason the same Reason would guide us to choose to hear the best Philosophizers or Grammarians such as best understood the Niceties of words and varietyes of Syntax But if our end be to hear a Prophet one that should reveal Gods mind unto us and to make it more intelligible that by it we may be more improved in Knowledge Faith Love Obedience and other Habits fitting us for the Kingdom of God and Eternal Salvation the same reason will teach us to hear the most substantial scriptural and practical Sermons that we can as being most accommodate to the true end of our action to which every wise man proportioneth mediate actions And indeed all other Discourses are abusively called Preaching and Athens were a more proper place for them than a Preachers Pulpit God hath seemed to have reserved it for a great Blessing to the last age of the World that for ought appears to us from any Books it hath been more fertile of such Preaching than any since that of the Apostles The ancient Church had Persons that did famously in their Generations such were Chrysostom in the Greek and Augustine in the Latine Church but besides that they were but very few whose reads the one and the
Account that nothing is lost Rev. 20.12 The Books were produced the Book of Conscience and the Book of Gods Remembrance one of these is in the Sinners keeping and yet it cannot be blotted out nor defaced but at the day of Judgment Conscience shall be extended to the Recognition of all our Wayes Now these Books of Account that are kept between God and the Creature are somewhat like the Books of Merchants of Debtor and Creditor what returned and what received Gods Mercies to us are Booked so are our Returns That Gods Mercies are put upon the Book and Register appeareth by the Expostulations used in Scripture when God proceedeth to any particular Judgment As for instance Opportunities of Grace and instructions of the Word the Word Preached 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 24.14 And the Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World for a Witness unto all Nations and then shall the End come God keepeth exact Account Behold these three years came I seeking Fruit Luke 13.7 This second Epistle write I unto you 2 Pet. 3.1 He taketh notice of a former God remembreth the Prophets words when the Prophets are dead and gone Every pressing Sermon every Notable Help This second Miracle did Jesus 〈◊〉 Cana of Galilee Joh. 4.54 Christs special Works and Manifestations of himself ought to be marked and kept in memory God doth so for Deliverances from Danger Isa. 11.11 The Lord shall arise the second time for the Deliverance of his People He taketh notice that he has been once at it and would be again So what Talents and Gifts we have had whether five two or one Secondly On the other side all the good that we do therefore the Apostle speaketh of Fruit abounding to his Account Phil. 4.17 The Lord taketh notice of our Faithfulness in evil times Mal. 3.15 16. And now we call the Proud happy yea they that work Wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even dilivered Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and a Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his Name 1 Kings 19.18 Acts 17. ult Kindness to his Servants Mat. 10.42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a Cup of cold Water only in the Name of a Disciple he shall not lose his Reward Eccles. 11.1 Cast thy bread upon the Waters and thou shalt find it after many days 't is not lost On the other side Injuries done to his People he hath a bottle for their Tears and a Book for their Sorrows Psal. 56.8 All the Snares contrived Deut. 32.34 Is not this laid up in store with me and sealed up among my Treasures Job 13.27 Thou lookest narrowly to all my Paths thou settest a Print upon the Heels of my Feet Every Action leaveth a Track every Word Mat. 12.36 every Thought 1 Cor. 4.5 VSE Is our Account ready against that great day of Audit Most neglect it put off the thoughts of it Take occasion hence to reckon with your selves aforehand and see what an Account you can give to Conscience we should prepare more for this Solemn day of Reckoning and therefore should take notice of what we do and what we receive we had need keep a Register of every days Work and every days Mercies There are three Questions in Scripture often put them to your Hearts Deut. 32.6 Do ye thus requite the Lord O foolish People and unwise is not he thy Father that hath bought thee hath he not made thee and established thee Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Isa. 5.4 What could I have done more for my Vineyard that I have not done in it Wherefore when I looked for Grapes behold it brought forth wild Grapes The Profit of daily arraigning Conscience is great 1. It keepeth us sensible of our Duty maketh us often have recourse to Grace when we continually observe our Sins Duties Afflictions Mercies Comforts Opportunities of receiving Grace and do but intermingle this thought that one day for all these I must give an Account 2. It presseth us to be more earnest for pardoning Mercy and every day to make even This is the great Folly of men that they put off Sin when God doth not put it away There is an Expression often used in Scripture Their Iniquities shall find them out this Notion of Accounts will help us to understand it 'T was committed many years ago never heard of it since but at length they shall hear of it God reckoneth with them If men escape and prosper a Month or a Year or two they think all is forgotten but at length it findeth them out Sins are called Debts and all Debts lie upon Account against us till they be cancelled Augustus bought his Quilt of one who slept securely when he Owed an hundred Thousand Sesterces We may wonder at the Security of Sinners who sleep when their Damnation sleepeth not They run upon the score and never think of a Reckoning Solomon adviseth a man in debt not to sleep till he be delivered like a Roe from the Hunter Prov. 6.4 5. 'T is good Advice to us to get our spiritual debts discharged Psal. 51.1 Blot out my Transgressions Christ hath taught us to pray for daily Pardon as well as daily Bread The thought of these Records that are kept and the Account we must make should quicken us to it Oh what a Clamour will our Sins make when God sets them all in Order before us Psal. 50.21 Thousands of vain Thoughts light Words and Sinful Actions much mispense of time Abuse of Mercies we know not how soon God will put the Bond in Suit other Debts have a day of Payment fixed but this God hath reserved in his own Breast when he will call us to an Account 3. It Presseth us to live always as those that are to give an Account Paul quickned himself to diligence upon this Consideration 2 Cor. 5.9 10. If we were never to be called to an Account we should do God all the Service that possibly we can we are so much Obliged to him but he hath set a day wherein he will reckon with us Oh what Watchfulness what Diligence and Faithfulness should this produce in us Jam. 2.12 So speak and so do as those that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty We read in the Story of Albigenses when the President of St. Juliers coming to Angrogne would have forced a man to Re-baptize his Child in the Popish way he prayed the President that he would give it in Writing and sign it with his own hand that he would discharge him before God and take the Peril upon himself This made him relent and Profess his Trouble Conscience is startled at Gods Records if a man should do nothing and speak nothing but what is to be registred and proclaimed at the Market-Cross how watchful would he be All is Recorded the Books will
Believers is Holiness Therefore if his Judgment be right by producing this Fruit and Effect it must be justified A Judge is to proceed Secundum regulas Juris allegata probata as to the partyes judged And because in the day of Judgment the Covenant of Grace hath the force of a Law therefore it belongeth to Christ as a Judge to see we have fulfilled the Condition of it which is Faith And that our Faith is true is proved by Works When we are first pressed with Sin because the Promise of Justification or Remission of Sin requireth Faith it must be embraced by Faith and taken hold of by Faith our Faith must pitch upon it draw Comfort from it even before good Works are done by us But because the next Accusation will presently arise as if our Faith were not true we must be justified from this Accusation by good Works Not be contented with one or two good Works but abounding in all that thus we may be justified more and more and approved by our Judge 4. That Faith is implyed in all the Works mentioned is evident 1. From Christ's scope The Manner of judging those in the Visible Church is intended And 2. The Expression sheweth it for 't is Christ they respected in his Members Now it requireth Faith to see Christ in a poor Beggar or Prisoner to love Christ in them above our worldly Goods and Actually to part with them for Christ's sake Self-denyal is the Fruit of Faith 'T is not meerly the Relieving of the Poor but the doing of it as in and to Christ. 3. There is a near link between Faith and Works Faith is not sound and perfect unless it produce these Works and these Works are not acceptable unless they were the VVorks of Faith and done in Faith II. The Second Doubt is Whether the good Works of the Faithful shall be only mentioned and not the Evil I Answer So some would collect from this Scheme and Draught set down by Christ 'T is a Probleme disputed with Probabilities on both sides by good Men. Some reason from the terms by which Pardon is expressed As by the Blotting out of Sin Remembring Transgressions no more Cast into the depths of the Sea 'T is like God will cover them because repented of and forgiven in the World On the other side they urge The exact Reckoning Rev. 20.11 The general Particles 2 Cor. 5.10 and â—ccles 12.13 And that for every Idle word that men shall speak they shall give an Account thereof in the day of Judgment Matth. 12.36 I would not interpose I cannot say absolutely that their Sins shall not be mentioned at all for Acts 3.19 't is said Repent â—e therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of Refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Certainly not to their Trouble and Confusion Possibly not particularly These Scriptures are not cogent to prove they shall For it may be meant distributively All the Evil of the Wicked and the Good of the Godly Howevever these Scriptures should breed an Awe in our Hearts III. A Third Doubt is That only Works of Mercy and Charity rather than Piety are mentioned by our Lord and Saviour I Answer 1. 'T is clear that the Special is put for the General and an Act of Self-denying Obeaâ—nce is put for all the rest In other Places a more general Expression is put as Matth. 16.27 For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels and thâ—n hâ— shall reâ—ard every Man according to his Works And 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad And Rev. 20.12 And I say the Dead small and great stand before God and the Books â—ere opâ—ned and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life And the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their Works And therefore Acts of Mercy are not intended to be cryed up alone as separate from all other Acts of Piety and Charity to God and Men yea all Acts of Charity for which we are accountable unto God are not mentioned Comforting the Afflicted Reproving the Faulty Instructing the Weak Counselling the Erring Praying for others Therefore under these Works of Charity all the Fruits of Faith are understood and the real gracious Constitution of the Heart that must produce them 1 Cor. 13.3 And though I bestow all my Goods to feed the Poor and though I give my Body to be burned and have not Charity it profiteth me not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But Christ doth not express that so plainly because he would shew that this Judgment shall proceed according to what is visible and sensible 2. Christ singled out Works of Mercy for the Evidence because the Jews had been more exact and diligent in the observing the Ceremonies of External Worship but negligent of these things Therefore doth God so often by the Prophets tell them of Mercy above Sacrifices Hosea 6.6 For I desired Mercy and not Sacrifice and the Knowledge of God more than burnt Offerings And Mercy above Fasting Isa. 58 6 7. These are Duties never out of Season and including a real Benefit to Mankind God preferreth them before External Rites of Worship 3. These are most evident and sensible Discoveries and so fitted to be produced as Fruits of Faith There is a Demonstration of the Soundness of it A signis notioribus These are most conspicuous and so fittest to justifie Believers before all the World who reckon Good and Evil most by the Bodily Life Therefore doth Christ instance in Acts of Bodily rather than Spiritual Charity Not in Reproving Converting Counselling but in Feeding and Cloathing 4. These are Acts wherein we do exercise Faith and Self-denyal In imparting Spiritual Gifts to others we lose nothing our selves as our Candle loseth nothing by communicating Light to another Christ would have us venture something on our Heavenly Hopes and not please our selves with a Religion that costs us nothing and puts us to no Charges Alms is an expensive Duty here is something parted with and that upon Reasons of Faith Eccles. 11.1 Cast thy Bread upon the Waters for thou shalt find it after many Dayes Prov. 19.17 He that hath pity upon the Poor lendeth unto the Lord and that which he giveth them will he pay it again 5. Christ would hereby represent the Excellency of Charity and commend it to the Covetous niggardly World 'T is the Duty wherein we do very much resemble God and Christ And all his Followers should be like him These are all Works of God To Feed the Hungry Cloath the Naked Visit the Sick we imitate him in this are Instruments of his Providence Mercy is a very lovely thing an imitation of the Divine Nature Our Lord told us Act. 20.35
ask Assurance is a ground of the more earnest Request When Daniel understood by Books the number of the Years then he was most earnest in Prayer and when Elijah heard the sound of the Rain he prayed Prayer is to help on Providences that are already in motion That thy Son also may glorify thee Here is another Argument It is usual in Prayer to speak of our selves in a third Person so doth Christ here That thy Son may glorify thee This may be understood many ways partly as the Glory of the Son is the Glory of the Father partly by accomplishing God's Work that I may destroy thy Enemies and save thy Elect partly by the preaching of the Gospel in Christ's Name to the Glory of God the Father He doth as it were say I desire it for no other end but that I may bring Honour to thee From this Clause 1. Observe That God's Glory is much advanced in Jesus Christ. In the Scriptures there is a Draught of God as Coin bears the Image of Caesar but Caesar's Son is his lively Resemblance Christ is the living Bible we may read much of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. We shall study no other Book when we come to Heaven for the present it is an advantage to study God in Jesus Christ. The Apostle hath an expression 2 Cor. 4.4 Lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Christ is the Image of God and the Gospel is the Picture of Christ the Picture which Christ himself hath presented to his Bride There we see the Majesty and Excellency of his Person and in Christ of God And Vers. 6. the Apostle saith To give the Light of the Excellency of the Knowledg of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. In Christ we read God glorious in his Word Miracles personal Excellencies Transfiguration Resurrection we read much of God There we read his Justice that he would not forgive Sins without a plenary Satisfaction If Christ himself be the Redeemer Justice will not bate him one Farthing His Mercy he spared not his own Son What scanty low Thoughts should we have of the Divine Mercy if we had not this Instance of Christ His Truth in fulfilling of Prophecies Psal. 40.7 8. Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart This was most difficult for God to grant for us to believe yet rather then he would go back from his Word he would send his own Son to suffer Death for a sinful World All things were to be accomplished though it cost Christ his precious Life God had never a greater Gift yet Christ came when he was promised He will not stick at any thing that gave us his own Son His Wisdom in the wonderful contrivance of our Salvation When we look to God's Heaven we see his Wisdom but when we look on God's Son we see the manifold Wisdom of God Ephes. 3.10 The Angels wonder at these Dispensations to the Church His Power in delivering Christ from Death and the glorious Effects of his Grace His Majesty in the Transfiguration and Ascension of Christ. O then study Christ that you may know God There is the fairest Transcript of the Divine Perfections the Father was never published to the World by any thing so much as by the Son 2. Observe Our Respects to Christ must be so managed that the Father also may be glorified for upon these terms and no other will Christ be glorified 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the Promises in him are Yea and in him Amen to the Glory of God by us Phil. 2.10 11. That at the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow and every Tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father John 14.13 Whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son Look as the Father will not be honoured without the Son John 5.23 That all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him so neither will the Son be honoured without the Father I condemneth them who out of a fond respect to Christ neglect the Father As the former Age carried all respect in the Name of God Almighty without any distinct reflection on God the Son So many of late carry all things in the Name of God the Son that the Adoration due to the other Persons is forgotten The Wind of Error doth not always blow in one Corner When the heat of such an Humour is spent Christ will be as much vilified and debased Our Hearts should not be frigidly and coldly affected to any of the Divine Persons 3. Observe It is the proper Duty of Sons to glorify their Father Mal. 1.6 If I be a Father where is mine Honour Mat. 5.16 Let your Light so shine before Men that others seeing your good Works may glorify your Father which is in Heaven How must this be done 1. By reverend Thoughts of his Excellency especially in Worship then we honour him when we behave our selves before him as before a great God this is to make him glorious in our own Hearts When we conceive of him as more excellent than all things Usually we have mean base thoughts by which we streighten or pollute the Divine Excellency 2. By serious Acknowledgments give him Glory Rev. 4.11 Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast created all things and for thy Pleasure they are and were created Now this is not in naked ascriptions of Praise to him pratling over words but when we confess all the Glory we have above other Men in Gifts or Dignity is given us of God this is to make him the Father of Glory Ephes. 1.17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledg of him 3. When we make the advantage of his Kingdom the end of all our Actions 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether ye eat or drink or whatever you do do all to the Glory of God Phil. 1.20 Christ shall be magnified in my Body whether it be by Life or by Death Christ had glorified him yet he seeks now to do it more Self will be mixing with our Ends but it must be beaten back We differ little from Beasts if we mind only our own Conveniences 4. By making this the aim of our Prayers We should desire Glory and Happiness upon no other terms Ephes. 1.6 To the Praise of the Glory of his Grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved It is a mighty encouragement in Prayer when we are sure to be heard John 12.28 Father glorifie thy Name then came there a Voice from Heaven
from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you The Spirit cannot leave his dwelling-place It is said John 5.24 He that heareth my Word and believeth on Him that sent me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into Condemnation but is passed from Death unto Life The change is wrought as soon as we begin to be acquainted with God in Christ. 2. Presently after Death there is a further progress made As soon as the Soul is separated from the Body it begins to live gloriously It is with Christ Phil. 1.23 I desire to depart and to be with Christ it is in Christ here but not so properly with him And it is in Paradise Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise In Abraham 's Bosom Luke 16.25 He seeth Abraham a far off and Lazarus in his Bosom And enjoyeth the Fruit of good Works Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord From henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their Labours and their Works do follow them There is not only a cessation from Sin and Misery but an enjoyment of Glory and the Body resteth without pain and labour till the Resurrection as in a Bed Isa. 57.2 He shall enter into Peace they shall rest in their Beds each one walking in his uprightness 3. After at the Resurrection of the Body there is a consummation of all Joy That is called the Day of Regeneration Mat. 19.28 Body and Soul shall be renewed perfectly for Immortality and Glory Then we live indeed therefore Christ saith John 11.25 I am the Resurrection and the Life All is consummate and full then Death hath some Power till that day Vse 1. To press us to labour after this Holy Life John 6.27 Labour not for the Meat that perisheth but for that Meat that endureth unto everlasting Life which the Son of Man shall give you Grace is the Beginning and Pledg of it It is the Beginning and Seed of Life this is an immortal Spark that shall never be quenched It is the Pledg 1 Tim. 6.19 you may seize Life as your Right and Inheritance Oh labour for it This Life is made bitter that thou mayest desire the other Consider all dependeth on thy State in this World Either thou art a Child of Wrath or an Heir of Life Wicked Men do die rather than live in the other World It is better not to be than to be for ever miserable to lie under the Wrath of God to be shut out of the Presence of God for evermore Vse 2. Bless the Lord Jesus Christ for opening a Door of Life for them that were dead in and by Sin The Tree of Life was fenced by a flaming Sword no Creature could enter till Christ opened the Way 2 Tim. 1.10 By his appearing he hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel Christ came from Heaven on purpose to overcome Death and take away the Sting of it and he is gone to Heaven on purpose to make way for us Our Life cost Christ his Death John 16.5 Now I go away to him that sent me To as many as thou hast given him Let us see the import of this Phrase 1. How we are said to be given to Christ. 2. Who are they that are given to Christ. 1. How we are said to be given to Christ. 1. By way of Reward There was an eternal Bargain and Compact Isa. 53.10 When thou shalt make his Soul an Offering for Sin he shall see his Seed c. We are Members of his Body Children of his Family Subjects of his Kingdom This is a ground of Certainty to the Elect The Lord knoweth those that are his 2 Tim. 2.18 He made no blind Bargain he had leisure enough to cast up his Account from all Eternity 2. By way of Charge to be redeemed justified sanctified glorified John 6. 37 38 39 40. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out For I came down from Heaven not to do mine own Will but the Will of him that sent me And this is the Father's Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last Day And this is the Will of him that sent me that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting Life and I will raise him up at the last Day When the Elect were made over to Christ it was not by way of Alienation but Oppignoration they were laid to Pledg in his Hands and God will call Christ to an account None given to him by way of Charge can miscarry You trust Christ and God trusted him with all the Souls of the Elect. 2. Who are they that are given to Christ I Answer The Elect are intended in this Scripture as is clear He hath a Power over all flesh but to give eternal Life to as many as are given to him So Vers. 24. I will that all they whom thou hast given me may be with me None but the Elect are saved So Vers. 10. All mine are thine and thine are mine Where Christ's Charge and the Father's Election are made commensurable and of the same extent and latitude They are opposed to the World Vers. 9. I pray for them I pray not for the World but for them whom thou hast given me for they are thine I confess it is sometimes used in a more restrained sence of the Apostles and Believers of that Age as Vers. 6. Thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy Word And Vers. 12. Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the Son of Perdition These were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Elect of the Elect. I confess sometimes the Word is used in a larger sence for Christ's universal Power over all Flesh. Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession not by way of Charge but by way of Reward they were given to him or rather a Power over them was given to him There is a peculiar difficulty Vers. 12. concerning the Son of Perdition how he was given to Christ. But I shall handle it when I come to that place Christ having spoken of the Apostles keeping his Word taketh occasion to speak of Judas his Apostacy Note hence 1. That there was from all Eternity a solemn Tradition and Disposition of all that shall be saved into the Hands of Christ. All God's Flock are committed to his keeping This giving Souls to Christ was founded in an eternal Treaty Isa. 53.10 Christ received them by way of Grant and Charge he hath a Book where all their Names are recorded and written Rev. 13.8 All
belongeth to them that are of full Age who by reason of use have their Senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil. 2. That Fundamentals in the Scripture are clear and certain God hath not left us in the dark but pointed out a clear way to Heaven of Faith and good Works Ephes. 2.10 We are his Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them It is a disparagement to the Word to make it an uncertain Rule The Way to Heaven is beaten and we may observe the Track and Foot-prints of the Flock It is a good Observation of Chrysostom That the Saints do not complain of the darkness of the Scripture but of their own Hearts Open thou mine Eyes not make a new Law 3. These necessary Doctrines must be entertained without doubt and hesitancy It is dangerous when Foundation-stones lie loose We are pressed to stand fast in the Faith 1 Cor. 16.13 and to hold the Profession of it without wavering Heb. 16.23 Not to enquire after the Gods of the Nations Deut. 12.30 and Gal. 1.8 Though an Angel from Heaven should preach any other Doctrine to you than that which ye have heard let him be accursed The notion of new Light chiefly aimeth at undermining the old Doctrine of the Scriptures For the main of Religion a Man should be setled above doubt and contradiction Till we have certainty there cannot be Grace the Soul is not brought under the Power of Truth for things that are controversial have no efficacy and force The great hindrance of Saving-knowledg is that natural Atheism and those habituated Doubts which are found in the Heart 4. We must be zealous for lesser Truths when we have received them upon certain Grounds Every piece and parcel of Truth is precious a little Leaven of Error is dangerous Gal. 5.9 A little Leaven leaveneth the whole Lump Error fretteth like a Gangrene and grows still higher and higher Men think it is enough to be careful of Fundamentals all other Knowledg is but Scientia Oblectans for delight not safety Oh it is dangerous to stain the Understanding though you do not wound it There are Maculae and Vulnera Intellectûs It is dangerous to be wanton in Opinions that seem to be of a smaller concernment Men that play with Truth leave themselves open to more dangerous Errors Some say Fundamentals are few believe them and live well and you are saved This is as if a Man in building should be only careful to lay a good Foundation no matter for Roof Windows or Walls If a Man should untile your House and tell you the Foundation the main Butteresses are safe you would not be pleased Why should we be more careless in Spiritual Things 5. Take up no Practices nor Principles but upon full conviction This imposeth a necessity of often change or at least of frequent doubting Men do not search but act out of blind Obedience and then they are liable to seduction 1 Thess. 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good It is a pertinacy not a constancy when I have no clear warrant A Christian should be able to give an answer to every Man that asketh him a reason of the Hope that is in him with meekness and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 otherwise we shall never be able to secure our Practices and Opinions against the Objections in our own Hearts and answer the Sophister in our own Bosoms 2. Observe That no Knowledg is sufficient to Life Eternal but the Knowledg of God and Christ. I am to prove 1. No other Knowledg is sufficient 2. How far this is enough for such an End and Purpose The Scripture asserts both for the words are exclusive and assertive there is no other Knowledg and this is sufficient 1. No other Knowledg is sufficient to Life Eternal I shall prove it by two Arguments 1. Out of Christ we cannot know God The Gentiles had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 something that was known of God Rom. 1.19 20. which served to leave them without excuse but not to save their Souls The Apostle instanceth in such Attributes as are obvious but more terrible than comfortable as Eternity Power c. They had some loose thoughts of his Godhead and Power but no distinct view of his Essence that is reserved for the Scriptures The Scriptures are the Picture of Christ and Christ is the Image of the Father 2 Cor. 4.4 Lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine upon them God never made out himself to the World in that latitude and greatness as he hath done to the World in Christ. In Christ's Person and Kingdom the Majesty of God is known in the Divine Power of his Operations the strength of God in the excellency of his Benefits the Love of God The wisest Heathens that had no other Glass than the Book of the Creatures whereby to dress up their Apprehensions could only see a first Cause a first Mover a Being of Beings some great Lord and Governor of the Order of the World whom they mightily transformed and misfigured in their Thoughts they knew nothing distinctly of Creation and Providence of the Nature of Worship which is necessary for whosoever is saved must not only know God's Essence but his Will for otherwise we shall but grope as the Heathens did Acts 17.27 That they should seek the Lord if haply they should feel after him and find him We cannot seek him to satisfaction 2. Without Christ no enjoying of God It must be such a Knowledg as bringeth God and the Soul together Now between us and him there is a great Gulph all gracious Commerce is broken off between God and the fallen Creature John 14.6 No Man cometh unto the Father but by me No free Trade unto Heaven but by Jacob's Ladder John 1.51 Hereafter you shall see Heaven open and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man There is no Access but by Christ and so no Salvation but by him Acts 4.12 Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is none other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved In the fallen State of Man there is need of a Mediator in Innocency we might immediatly converse with God God loved his own Image What could a just and holy Man fear from a just and holy God But now that of God's Creatures we are made his Prisoners we can expect nothing of Mercy because he is just Guilty Nature presageth nothing but Evil. Rom. 1.32 Who knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death The great Question of the World is Wherewith shall I appease him to give his Justice content and satisfaction Mich. 6.8 In all the Inventions of Men they could never find out a sufficient Ransom to expiate Sin to reconcile God to sanctify humane Nature that we might have commerce with Heaven 2.
to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou best sent The Heathens had many Moral Vertues but unless God did reveal himself to them by extraordinary ways which we cannot judg of all their priviledg was ut mìtiùs ardeant their Works being but splendida peccata If any now may be saved without Christ Christ is dead in vain and we may want the whole Gospel and yet be safe the Philosophy of Aristotle and Seneca would be the Way and Power of God unto Salvation as well as the Gospel We must have a care left by going about to make them Christians we make our selves Heathens Vse 2. Let us bless God for the Gospel that revealeth God and Christ. Many Nations are spilt on the World without any Knowledg of God and Christ and are as Sheep whom no Man taketh up blessed be God for our Privileges When we look to the Hole of the Pit from whence we were digged we shall find our selves as barbarous as others Portenta diabolica penè Aegyptiaca Numina vincentia saith Gildas of our Idols God threatneth Israel Hos. 2.3 I will strip her naked and set her as in the day that she was born If we should despise the Gospel abuse the Messengers of it God will return us to our old Barbarism and we that were so shy of letting in Popery should usher in Atheism When the Professors of the Gospel were banished Cambridg and Peter Martyr heard the Sacring Bell he said There is the Gospel's Passing-Bell It would be sad if we should hear such a sound The Ministry I may speak it without arogancy are the only visible Party that uphold the Life of Religion in the Land the Lord knows what may be the sad Fruits of their Suppression if either these Lights should be extinguished by Violence or be starved for want of Oil Methinks our Message should make our Feet beautiful We preach God and Christ If we be a little earnest for the Faith of the Saints remember it is for the good of your Souls it cannot be Zeal for our Interests for this is the way to endanger them bear with us it is in a Case of Salvation or Damnation If we be besides our selves it is for Christ 2 Cor. 5.13 If we seem to hazard all many Nations to whom God hath denied the Mercy would welcome it with all Thanksgiving when God hath opened a Door of Hope to the Indians it may be it will be more precious Vse 3. Study God in Jesus Christ. This is the most glorious Subject of Contemplation there we may find him infinitely just and yet merciful pardoning Sinners yet salving the Authority of this Law there we may see God and Man in one Person and the Beams of Divine Majesty allayed by the Vail of Humane Nature in the Godhead of Christ we may see his Power in his Humane Nature his Love and Condescension He is our Lord and yet our Brother a Man and yet God's Fellow and Equal Zech. 13.7 Awake O Sword against my Shepherd and against the Man that is my Fellow saith the Lord of Hosts He would have a Mother on Earth that we might have a Father in Heaven our Relation and Alliance to Heaven groweth by him In Christ only can we look upon God as a Father Deum absolutum debent omnes fugere qui non volunt perire otherwise we shall perish and be overwhelmed with despair Again Non solum periculosum est sed etiam horribile de De◠extra Christum cogitare In Trials and Temptations it is dangerous to think of God alone to consider him out of Christ but here infinite Majesty condescendeth to converse with you The Indian Gymnosophists would lie on their Backs and gaze on the Sun all day Oh how should we by the deliberate Gaze of Faith reflect upon this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.16 this glorious Mystery fit for Angels to look into Only get an Interest in it or else it will be more cold and comfortless thy God and thy Christ that is another thing when thou canst own God as thy Father and Christ as thy Brother Luther saith Deus magis cognoscitur in praedicamento Relationis quà m in praedicamento Substantiae To know God in relation to us is far sweeter than to be able curiously to discourse of his Essence John 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you When we know God in Christ and Christ in us this is to know him indeed not only be hear-say but acquaintance to know him so as to love him and enjoy him Vse 4. To press us to seek Salvation in no other but in God through Christ. Come to Christ you are in need of Salvation and there is no other way Acts 4.12 Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved Christ is an Alsufficient Saviour able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God through him Heb. 7.25 a Plaster broad enough for every Sore do you cast your selves upon him see if he will refuse you John 6.37 He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast off Now I shall come to the Particulars that are to be known concerning God and Christ. First Concerning God Doct. 1. That there is a God This is the Supream Truth and first to be known Heb. 11.6 They that come to God must believe that he is The discussion is not needless Though it be impossible to deface those Impressions of the Deity which are engraven upon our Hearts yet the drift of our Desires and Thoughts goeth this way as if there were no God Psal. 10.4 The Wicked through the pride of his Countenance will not seek after God God is not in all his Thoughts All his Thoughts are there is no God Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God Though he durst not speak it out yet he saith it in his Heart he entertaineth some such suspicious Thoughts and Desires about this Matter Those that are guilty of Treason would fain destroy the Court-Rolls so carnal Men would destroy all Memorials of God Yea many of the Children of God feel this Temptation Is there a God It will be not lost labour to answer the Inquiry I shall pitch upon such Arguments as are every Man's Mony 1. God is evidenced by his Works 1. Of Creation The World is a great Book and Volume the Creatures are Letters the most Excellent are Capital Letters If you cannot read the Beasts will teach you Job 12.7 8. Ask now the Beasts and they will teach thee and the Fowls of the Air and they shall tell thee Or speak to the Earth and it shall teach thee and the Fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee Who knoweth not in all these that the Hand of the Lord hath wrought this The mute Fishes that can hardly make any sound
of the same Nature with them that sinned 4. It implieth the Quality of Christ's Office he is the Messenger of Heaven and therefore called the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 He is sent by God after lost Sinners He is called the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession Heb. 3.1 God sendeth out a Messenger to bring Sinners to himself as Wisdom sent out her Maids but Christ is the chief Messenger and Apostle And mark he is called there not only the Apostle but High Priest partly to shew that in all Ages of the Church Christ is the chief Officer therefore the highest Calling both in the Jewish and Christian Church is ascribed to him but chiefly to shew that Christ as he is the Ambassador to treat with us from God so the High Priest to treat with God and appease his Wrath for us Christ is the Messenger that goeth from Party to Party if he had not been sent to us we should neither know God nor enjoy him he came from God to Men that he might bring Men to God There was no knowing of the Father without him Mat. 11.27 No Man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any Man the Father save the Son and â—e to whomsoever the Son shall reveal him There is no coming to the Father without him John 14.6 I am the Way the Truth and the Life no Man cometh to the Father but by me He came from Heaven on purpose to shew us the Way and to remove all Obstacles This is Christ's Office 5. It implieth the Authority of his Office Jesus Christ had a lawful Call He was designed in the Council of the Trinity his Holiness Miracles and Divine Power are his Commission Him hath God the Father sealed John 6.27 As every Ambassador hath Letters of Credence under the Hand and Seal of him from whom he is sent Christ is the Plenipotentiary of Heaven he hath his Commission under the Seal of Heaven all is valid that he doth in the Father's Name he hath authorized the Redeemer Which is not only for the Comfort of our Faith Christ entred upon his Calling by Authority which I shall improve by and by but for moral Instruction to look to our Mission Christ came not till he was sent It is not good to cast our selves upon Offices and Places without a lawful Call and Designation of God In Ordinary Functions Education and Abilities are Call enough and there we must keep It is a tempting of Providence to think God will bless us out of our way A desire of change usually proceedeth from Disdain or Distrust or a thirst of Gain all which are sinful But now in higher Callings there must be a solemn Mission Rom. 10.15 How shall they preach except they be sent they must be authorized by God the Rules he hath left in the Church Our Lord Jesus Christ did not glorify himself by Intrusion He had a Patent from the Council of the Trinity indited by the Father accepted by himself and sealed by the Holy Ghost Vse It sheweth three Things 1. The Love of God Here are many Circumstances to heighten it in your Thoughts that he would not trust an Angel with your Salvation but send his Son he is to come in Person 1 John 4.10 Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins He thought nothing too near and too dear for us Usually Man's Love descendeth and all his Happiness is laid up in his Children Again God had no Reasons he was moved by his own Goodness he had Reasons to the contrary we were Enemies but he sent his Son for Enemies Rom. 5.10 If when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son c. What was his Son sent for not to treat with us in Majesty but to take our Nature to be substituted into our Room and Place Oh praise the Father Ephes. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings in heavenly Places in Christ. 2 Cor. 1.3 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort 2. Christ's Condescension He submitteth to be sent Psal. 40.7 8. Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart We could never have asked so much as God hath given He would not only borrow our Tongue to speak to us but our Bowels to mourn for us and our Bodies to die for us He layeth aside his Majesty and taketh on himself the condition of a Servant It is irksome to us to go back ten degrees in Pomp or Pleasure upon just and convenient Reasons Oh the wonderful self-denial of Christ he laid aside the Majesty of God and submitted to the greatest Abasement and Suffering 3. The value of Souls and Spiritual Privileges If we despise them we put an Affront upon the Wisdom of Heaven and undervalue Christ's Purchase Freedom from Sin Justification Holiness they are the only things Christ was sent from Heaven to purchase them Gold and Silver would not buy them Mony is not currant in Heaven though it doth all things in the World 1 Pet. 1.18 We are not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold from our vain Conversations but with the precious Blood of the Son of God as of a Lamb without spot and blemish Christ must come from Heaven and take a Body and shed his Blood Scourge your Hearts with that Question Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Sure we should be more serious and think that worthy of our best Endeavours and greatest Earnestness which Christ thought worthy a Journey from Heaven and all the pains and shame he suffered Secondly The next thing in the Text is That he is Jesus Mat. 1.21 Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins It is there interpreted to signify a Saviour an Angel himself is the Expositor so here Christ is sent to be a Saviour that is a principal Object of Faith to look upon Christ as the Saviour of the World A Saviour properly is one that delivereth from Evil Now Christ doth not only deliver us from Evil from Sin the Wrath of God the Accusations of the Law and Eternal Death but positively he giveth us Grace and Righteousness and Eternal Life He is a Saviour to defend us and a Saviour to bless us Psal. 84.11 The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield he will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly The Mercies of the Covenant are Privative and Positive Many enter into a League that they will not hurt one another but God is in Covenant with us to bless us If Christ had only procured some place for us
his Father's Work till he had brought it to some Issue and Period and doth not sue out his own Glory till our Redemption was first finished Phil. 2.7 He became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross the accursed Death of the Cross. Christ carried Sinners in his Heart to his dying day he never repented of his Bargain John 13.1 Having loved his own that were in the World he loved them unto the end When he had most cause to loath Sinners then he loved them in his bitter Agonies and the Horrors of his Cross Christ did not repent of his part Plead the Eternal Covenant you have God's Oath that he will never repent of Salvation this way Psal. 110.4 The Lord hath sworn and will not repent Thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Christ was not weary of suffering for Sinners and God will not be weary of pardoning them Again Christ was faithful in the days of his Flesh he hath lost nothing by going to Heaven he will finish what he hath begun 1 Thess. 5.24 Faithful is he that hath called you who also will do it This smoaking Flax will be blown up into a Flame These Infant-Desires are Buds of Glory this decay of Sin will come to an utter extinction 2. It noteth the compleatness of our Redemption All is finished When he had set all things at rights then he departed Christ hath not left the Work imperfect to be supplied by the Merit of our own Actions we are not half purchased Heb. 10.14 By one Offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Christ would not have died if the Work had not been done and if there were any thing yet to do he would die again But Christ hath no more Offering to make nor Suffering to endure but only to behold the Fruit of his Suffering He hath not purchased a possible Salvation whose efficacy dependeth on the Will of the Creature nor the Remission of some Sins and left others upon our score nor made purchase of Grace for a small time but perfected for ever them that are sanctified Popish Satisfaction the loose possible pendulous Salvation of Arminians and the Doctrine of the Apostacy of the Saints are all Doctrines prejudicial to the full Merit of Christ. It is all finished there is enough done to glorify God and save the Creature Justice could demand no more for all Engagements Christ is not ashamed to plead his Right at the Bar of Justice and to avouch his Work before the Tribunal of God This it is finished is like Christ's Seal to the Charter of Grace Now take it and much good may it do you Oh that we could rest satisfied with the Merit of Christ as Divine Justice is satisfied What should trouble the Creature when Christ hath entred his Plea Father it is finished there is enough done Christ hath no more to do but to sit at the right Hand of God and to rejoice in the welfare of the Saints there remaining nothing for us but to make our Claim and to live in Joy and Thankfulness Christ did not compound but pay the uttermost Farthing Rom. 8.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus there is not one Curse left When Israel was brought out of Egypt it is said A Dog shall not move his Tongue against you Exod. 11.7 Neither the Law nor Wrath nor Conscience nor Satan hath any thing to do with you the Prison is broken up the Book cancelled the Bill nailed to Christ's Cross tâ—â—t it may never be put in Suit again The Devil may trouble you for your Exercise but bear it with comfort and patience you have an Advocate as well as an Accuser Oh that we had a Faith suitable to the height of these Mysteries that we could behold the Salvation of God in our serious Thoughts and eccho to Christ's Cry It is finished it is finished It is not a full grown Faith till we break out into some triumph the Child may now play upon the Cokatrices Hole I am much indebted to Justice but Christ hath paid all Which thou hast given me to do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is the same word with that Vers. 2. Thou hast given him Power over all Flesh. And now the Work which thou hast given me to do God that gave him his Power gave him his Work Augustine interpreteth the Word somewhat nicely Non ait jussisti sed dedisti ibi commendatur evidens gratia quid enim habuit quod non accepit etiam in unigenito humana natura If you allow this Interpretation as certainly this rigor of the Word will bear it then we may 1. Observe That the Privileges of the humane Nature of Christ are by Gift Whatever the Manhood of Christ was advanced to by dwelling with God in a personal Union it was by the mere Grace of God The Apostle referreth it to the Father's Pleasure Col. 1.19 It pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell God would make Free Grace appear in none so much as in our Head and set out Christ as the Example of his gracious Election Whatsoever Honour the Humane Nature of Christ had it had it by Grace and Gift it was chosen to this Honour Certainly we should ascribe all to Grace if Christ himself did if he accounted it a Gift that his Humane Nature was taken into the Honour of the Mediatory Office 2. We may Observe That Work it self is a Gift Christ speaketh thus of the Work of the Mediatory Office which was sad Work labouring in the Fire in the Fire of the Divine Wrath and Displeasure Elsewhere it is said of our Faith and Suffering Phil. 1.23 Vnto you it is given on the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake it is given of Grace we should couet Duty an Honour and Service a Privilege Hosea 8.12 I have written to him the great things of my Law Honorabilia Legis meae But I rather interpret it of giving in Charge thou hast put this Office upon me of redeeming Mankind and this Work I have done The Note from hence is Observe That Christ had his Work appointed him by God Psal. 40.7.8 Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart It is a great condescension of Christ that he would come under a Law and as a Servant take Work upon his own Shoulders The Apostle saith He came in the form of a Servant Phil. 2.7 He was a Prince by Birth yet he came as a Servant of the Divine Decrees He spake of Commandments that he received from the Father He wholly devoted himself to his Father's Will and Man's Benefit O admire the proceedings between the Father and the Son by way of Command and Promise the Transactions of Heaven are put into a Foederal Form and
some live by Manual Labours others by more Noble Employments as Magistrates Ministers who study for Publick Good Manual Labour is not required of all because it is a thing that is not required propter se as simply good and necessary but propter aliud as for Maintenance and Support of Life to ease others and to supply the Uses of Charity Ephes. 4.28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his Hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth When the Ends of Labour cannot otherwise be obtained then Handy-Labour is required All others are to serve their Generation according to the Will of God Acts 13.26 As Instruments of Providence to serve the Common Good to promote the Welfare of their Family Neighbourhood Country Those that spend their whole Life in Eating Drinking Sporting and Sleeping are guilty of brutish Idleness one of Sodom's Sins Ezek. 16.49 Behold this was the Iniquity of thy Sister Sodom Pride Fulness of Bread and abundance of Idleness was in her and in her Daughters And therefore those that are freed from Service and Handy-Labour are not freed from Work and Business If any Man must be allowed to be Idle then one Member must be lost in the Body Politick A Man is born a Member of some Society Family or City and is to seek the good of it he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We see in the Body Natural there is no Member but hath its Function and Use whereby it becometh serviceable to the whole All have not the same Office that would make a confusion but all have their Use either as an Eye or as a Hand or as a Tooth So in the Body Politick no Member may be useless they must have one Function or another wherein to imploy themselves otherwise they are unprofitable Burdens of the Earth Again every Man is more or less intrusted with a Gift which he is to exercise and improve for the good of others and at the day of Judgment he is to give up his Accounts as you may learn from the Parable of the Talents Mat. 25. If he hath but one Talent it must not be hidden in a Napkin Well then if every Man hath a Gift for which he is accountable to God he must have a Calling 1 Cor. 7.17 But as God hath distributed to every Man as the Lord hath called every Man so let him walk and chuse his state of Life Besides a Calling is necessary to prevent the Mischiefs of Idleness and those Inconveniences that follow Men not employed Standing Pools are apt to putrify but running Waters are sweetest an idle Man is a Burden to Himself a Prey to Satan a Grief to the Spirit of God a Mischief to others He is a Burden to himself for he knoweth not what to do with his Time in the Morning he says Would God it were Evening and in the Evening would God it were Morning The Mind is like a Mill when it wanteth Corn it grindeth upon it self He is a Prey to Satan the House is emptied swept and garnished And then he goeth and taketh with himself seven other Spirits more wicked than himself and they enter in and dwell there Mat. 12.44 45. The Devil findeth them at leisure When David was idle on the Tarras he was tempted to Adultery Birds are seldom taken in their Flight but when they pitch and rest on the Ground He is a Grief to God's Spirit Ephes. 4.28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his Hands that he may have to give to him that needeth with Vers. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God Idle Men quench the vigor of their Natural Gifts and lose those Abilities that are bestowed on them He is a Mischief to Others 2 Thess. 3.11 For we hear there are some that walk among you disorderly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 working not at all but are busy-bodies They that do nothing will do too much no Work maketh way for ill Work or for Censure and busy inquisition into other Mens Actions and so they prove the Fire-brands of Contention and unneighbourly Quarrels There must be a Calling and a Work to do 3. This Work is given them by God He appointeth to every one his Task and will be glorified by no Works but what are by himself assigned to them in their Station 1. By his Word 2. By his Providence 1. By his Word There is no calling and course of Service good but what is agreeable to the Word of God Psal. 119.105 Thy Word is a Light unto my Feet and a Lamp unto my Paths We must not settle in a sinful course of Life Men may tolerate Evil Callings but God never appointed them As for instance if any Calling and Course of Life be against Piety Temperance Justice it is against the Word Titus 2.12 Teaching us that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Against Piety as to be an Idolatrous Priest or to make Shrines for Idols which was Demetrius his Calling in Ephesus and Tertullian in his Book de Idolatria sheweth this was the practice of many Christians to get their Livings by making Statues and Images and other Ornaments to sell to Heathen Idolaters Against Justice as Piâ—â—cy Usury and other oppressive Courses Against Sobriety as such Callings as meerly tend to feed the Luxury Pride and Vanity of Men so Mountebanks Comedians Stage-Players It were endless to instance in all In general the Calling must be good and lawful 2. By his Providence which ruleth in every thing that falleth out even to the least Matters especially hath the Lord a great Hand in Callings and appointing to every one his Estate and Condition of Life In Paradise God set Adam his Work to dress and prune the Trees of the Garden Gen. 2.15 And still he doth not only give Abilities and special Inclinations but also disposeth of the Education of the Parent and the Passages of Mens Lives to bring them to such a Calling Isa. 54.16 Behold I have created the Smith that bloweth the Coals in the Fire and that bringeth forth an Instrument for his Work Common Trades and Crafts are from the Lord. The Heathens had a several God for every several Trade as the Papists now have a tutelar Saint but they rob God of his Honour he giveth the Faculty and the Blessing Isa. 28.24 to the end His God doth instruct him to discretion and doth teach him c. He giveth the State and appointeth the Work Your particular Estate and Condition of Life doth not come by Chance or by the Care Will and Pleasure of Man but the Ordination of God without whom a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground In the higher Callings of Ministry and Magistracy there is a greater solemnity But how should a Man glorify God in his Place and Station wherein God hath set him Answ. 1. Be
he was Wise Powerful and Good but they were unhappy in their determination of his Worship they sat a brood and proved but Fools They professed themselves to be Wise but became Fools Rom. 1.22 While they intended him Honour they carved to him the greatest contempt whilst they would express him in the Image of the Creatures they dishonoured him Natural Light is but small in it self and Corruption maketh it less They knew nothing of the misery of Man and the Remedy by Christ our Fall in Adam Original Sin and the Work of Redemption were Mysteries to them they could not dream of these things when they were revealed they counted them Foolishness They spoke of Vertue as a moral Perfection of Vice as a stain of Nature but nothing of Righteousness and Sin as relative to the Covenant of God God used the Heathen as Instruments to put Nature to the highest extent How may we pity them that they could go no further and admire God's Mercy to us that we being weaker than they in natural Gifts are yet stronger in Grace that a Boy out of a Catechism should know more than they Their Misery was great in abusing the Light of Nature our Misery will be greater and Damnation double if we abuse the Light of Nature and Grace 2. Above the Jewes whom God acquainted with his Statutes above all other Nations They knew little of the Name of God in comparison of what we know Therefore Moses desires to know God's Name Exod. 3.13 And it is said Judges 13.18 Why askest thou after my Name seeing it is secret The Divine Glory was hidden and under a Vail In those Appearances of Christ little was known in respect of what was known at his Incarnation It is spoken in reference to the present Dispensation Some notice they had of this Mystery God acquainted them with his Name by degrees as Exod. 6.3 I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the Name of God Almighty but by my Name IEHOVAH was I not known to them God had made himself known by other Names to the Fathers by the Name of God Almighty the Name IEHOVAH that should be an Appellation among his gathered People giving a Being to his People and making good his Promises Afterwards I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac the God of Jacob as more relating to the Covenant Afterwards Jer. 23.5 6. I will raise up to David a Righteous Branch this is the Name whereby he shall be called THE LORD OVR RIGHTEOVSNESS Then God will be known by his Grace justifying his People and accepting them for Christ's sake But in the New Testament all is open and clear he is called the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephes. 1.5 Then God the Father and the Mediator were clearly made known Alas the Jewish Church knew little of the Doctrine of the Trinity the Distinction of the Persons the Quality of the Mediator the Way of Salvation What they knew was obscured and the Doctrine of the Messiah horribly depraved Vse Let us bless God for the Word and take heed unto it as to a Light shining in a dark Place What would be our Condition if we had not the Scriptures among us We should be no better than Salvages in the Wilderness or as the Body without the Soul the Earth without the Sun God might immediately have revealed himself to Man he that made the Heart can instamp it with the Knowledg of his Will But he would state his Doctrine into a setled Course that we might not coin Oracles to our selves or obtrude Fancies on others We have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as to a Light that shineth in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.19 He knoweth to what Liberty we incline in preaching Divine Things No more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of those divers Ways and Manners wherewith God spake in times past to our Fathers by the Prophets Heb. 1.1 After the closing of a perfect Canon there needed nothing but ordinary Revelation This is sufficient to Salvation if there were no Book else if the World were full of Books and this only were wanting there were no certain way nor Rule to Heaven Here is God's Heart discovered to us and our Hearts to our selves it is a ray of the Face of God in Christ. John 1.18 No Man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son of God that lay in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him Satan hath been ever maligning this Light that he might more securely domineer in the World Christ undertook he would declare God's Name to his Brethren and here he hath done it O let it it come with Divine Authority upon your Hearts in all the Precepts Promises Threatnings of it that you may come to a nearer sight of God and your selves 4. Observe The Necessity of a Divine Light before we can understand the Things of God I have manifested thy Name c. 1. There must not only be an outward sure Rule of Doctrine but an inward Light We can have no savory Apprehensions of the Things of God till Christ himself become our Teacher the Son of God must always be the Interpreter of his Father's Will He is the Word that speaketh to the Heart All Men by Nature are ignorant of the Name of God without any saving-Knowledg Ephes. 5.8 Ye were sometimes Darkness not only in the Dark but Darkness it self but now ye are Light in the Lord that is enlightned by his Spirit This is proper to the Elect those who are given to him The Church is Christ's open School the Scriptures our Book the Ministers are the Ushers and Christ is the inward Teacher Some are only taught by the Ministers others are taken aside and taught by Christ himself in private His Publick Lectures are read to all Hearers but the Elect are taught of God John 6.68 Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the Words of Eternal Life Others may hear the Word but they perish in their own blindness and unbelief Some play the Truants in Christ's School they will not hear they pass Judgment on themselves Acts 13.48 As many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed The whole City was met to hear but none believe but the Elect and the Apostle doth not say As many as believed were ordained to Eternal Life but as many as were ordained believed It is not given to all Matth. 13.11 It is given to you to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given All the Difference is in the Will of God so that the Scholars in this kind are the Called according to his Purpose Christ's teaching is of no larger extent than his Father's Election Some School-masters besides their common Care do teach such Children a-part as they love most they take them and point with the Finger So doth Christ manifest himself to those that are
Father in Heaven the Son on the Cross the Spirit in our Hearts We are given to Christ but Christ is given to us by the Spirit our Interest is wrought and applied by the Holy-Ghost It is the Spirit of the Father the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ who is his Executor he is to see Christ's Will accomplished he is Christ's Vicar in his Kingly and Prophetical Office 2. Vse Let us consecrate and give up our selves to Christ. Walk as his 1 Cor. 3.23 Ye are Christ's and Christ is God's Look for all from him by dependance on him be whatever you are to him to his Glory You are given up to him you are not at your own dispose neither Tongue nor Heart nor Estate is thine God gave it and if thou are a Christian thou hast given up thy self to him SERMON IX JOHN XVII 6 I have manifested thy Name unto the Men which thou gavest me out of the World thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy Word Secondly THEY are committed to him by way of Charge In opening this I shall enquire 1. Who are the Persons that are thus given to Christ I answer The Elect and no other They are given to him out of the World a selected Company as in the Text Those whom thou hast given me such as shall surely and infallibly be brought to Grace and conducted to Glory John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me And Vers. 39 40. This is the Father's Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last Day And this is the Will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have Everlasting Life and I will raise him up at the last Day And can the Father's Will be disappointed I wonder what can Men object against so plain a Scripture and when they are come they cannot miscarry This is the Will of him that sent me that of all that he hath given me I should lose nothing not a Leg not a piece of an Ear Christ hath received a special Charge But you will say It is said John 17.12 Those which thou hast given me I have kept and none of them is lost but the Son of Perdition So it seemeth some may be lost which are given to Christ. I Answer 1. The word given is there used Indefinitely for those given to Christ by way of Reward as well as those given to him by way of Charge Hypocrites because of their External Vocation are said to be given to Christ by way of Ministry and Service but not by way of special Charge That is notable which Christ saith John 13.18 I speak not of you all I know whom I have chosen but that the Scripture may be fulfilled He that eateth with me hath lift up his Heel against me Where he sheweth plainly that one of them was not of the Number of the Elect and should not receive the Privileges of his especial Charge Though he was chosen to the Calling of an Apostle yet not to Eternal Life Christ knoweth the number of the Heirs of Salvation and who only are given him by way of Ministry and Service of the Church 2. I may Answer by interpreting the Phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The words are not acceptive but adversative none of them is lost but the Son of Perdition is lost the words are not rendred except the Son of Perdition but but the Son of Perdition it is not nisi but sed There is no exception made of Judas as if he had been given to Christ and afterward had fallen away It is not nemo nisi Filius Perditionis but when he had mentioned their keeping he would adversatively put the losing of Judas This Phrase or manner of Speech is often used in Scripture So Rev. 21.27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where the words are not exceptive for then it would follow that some which work Abomination should enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but adversative these shall not enter but others shall enter So Mat. 12.4 It was not lawful for him to eat neither for those which were with him but only for the Priests 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is not exceptive as if the Priests were of David's Company 2. What was this Charge It will be opened by considering What the Father proposed concerning the Elect and what the Son undertook 1. What the Father proposed The words of Heaven are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unutterable words which it is not lawful for a Man to utter 2 Cor. 12.4 Those secret ways of Discourse and Communication between the Father and the Son are to be adored with reverence and deep silence were it not that the Spirit of God hath put them into such Forms as are sutable to those Transactions and Intercourses which are between Man and Man It is usual in Scripture to put the Passages between God and Christ into Speeches Psal. 40.6 7 8. Sacrifice and Offering thou didst not desire mine Ears hast thou opened Burnt-Offering and Sin-Offering hast thou not required Then said I Lo I come In the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right Hand until I make thine Enemies thy Footstool The Father came to Christ and did as it were say to him Son I am loth that all Mankind should be lost and left under Condemnation there are some whom I have chosen to be Vessels and Receptacles of my Mercy and Goodness and because I am resolved that my Justice shall be no loser you must take a Body and die for them and afterward you must see that they be converted to Grace justified sanctified guided to Glory and that not one of them should miscarry for I will take an account of you at the last Day It is easy to prove all these things out of Scripture That there are a certain definite Number See 2 Tim. 2.19 The Foundation of the Lord standeth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth those that are his There is no Lottery nor Uncertainty in the Divine Decrees the Number is stated sealed none can add to it or detract any one Person that Christ received a Command to lay down his Life for John 10.18 This Commandment have I received of my Father for them only I lay down my Life viz. for my Sheep That Christ is to see them converted to Grace John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me
and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out And without miscarrying guided to Glory John 10.28 29. I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my Hand My Father which gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's Hand That Christ is to give an Account of Bodies and Souls John 6.39 And this is the Father's Will that hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last Day Which accordingly he doth Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the Children which God hath given me 2. What Christ undertook The whole Proposal of the Father Psal. 40.8 Lo I come to do thy Will O God! Christ consented to all the Articles of the Eternal Covenant not only to take a Body to die but to take a particular Charge of all the Elect as Judah interposed for Benjamin so doth Christ for the Souls committed to him Gen. 43.9 I will be Surety for him of my Hand shalt thou require him if I bring him not to thee and set him safe in thy presence let me hear the blame for ever So doth Christ say concerning all the Persons that fall under his Charge If I do not see them converted justified sanctified conducted to Glory count me an unfaithful Undertaker and let me bear the blame for ever 3. The Ground of this Charge Why the Father doth not save them by his own Power but committed them to the Son I Answer 1. Partly in Majesty God would not pass our Grace but by a Mediator and therefore when he was resolved that he would not lose the whole Race of Mankind but repair his Image in some of them and had selected whom he pleased out of the Mass yet in Majesty he would not immediately communicate Grace to them but by Christ. There is a difference between Man in Innocency and Man fallen Man in Innocency had immediate Communion with God God was present with his Image But now Man fallen needeth a Mediator our Approaches to God are unhallowed his Presence to us is dreadful 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made to us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption The Heathens were sensible of the necessity of Intermediate Powers it is strange you will say or else what shall we make of that 1 Cor. 8.5 6. For though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be Gods many and Lords many But unto us there is but one God the Father of whom are all Things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him 2. In Justice Though God were resolved to shew Mercy to the fallen Creature yet he would carry on his Act of Grace in such a way that Justice might be satisfied for Sin Rom. 3.25 26. Whom God had set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the remission of Sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his Righteousness that he might be just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus Therefore for satisfaction of his Justice he sent his Son into the World that taking our Nature on him he might therein suffer for our Offences and mediate a Peace betweeen God and fallen Man and that not by bare Intreaty but by Satisfaction therefore we are given to Christ. I confess it is hard to say that God by any Necessity of Nature required this Satisfaction the Exercise of his Justice is free and falleth under no Laws but it was most convenient to preserve a due sense and apprehension of the Godhead 3. In Love and Mercy God was resolved that the Heirs of Salvation should infallibly be conducted to Everlasting Life he would not be defeated of his Purpose and therefore would have them quickned by virtue of that Power and Life that was given to Christ. God would now deal with us upon sure Terms and take order sufficient for attaining his End and therefore he would not trust us with any but his own Eternal Son that nothing might be wanting There is not only a Command laid upon us but a Command and a Charge laid upon Christ. Christ is a good Depository of such Care and Faithfulness that he will not neglect his Father's Pledg of such Strength and Ability that nothing is able to wrest it out of his Hands of such Love that no Work can be more willing to him he loveth us far better than we do our selves or else he had never come from Heaven for our sakes of such watchfulness and care that his Eyes do always run to and fro throughout the Earth that he may shew himself strong in the behalf of them that trust in him Providence is full of Eyes as well as strong of Hand Were we our own Keepers we should soon perish but Christ is charged who is a loving faithful able Keeper who is resolved to preserve us safe till he doth at the last day present us to the Father Vse 1. It informeth us of two things 1. Of the Certainty of the Elect's Salvation If the Elect should not be saved Christ should neither do his Work nor receive his Wages How can they miscarry that are Christ's own Charge He hath such Power that none can pluck them out of his Hands John 10.28 He had need of a stronger Arm than Christ that must do it When you can pluck him out of the Throne then he may lose his Flock He hath Grace enough to convert them John 10.10 I am come that they might have Life and that they might have it more abundantly and he hath Power enough to keep them John 10.28 I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my Hand Shall we say that the Son though he hath Power wants Will This is Blasphemy he came down from Heaven with this Resolution John 6.38 I came down from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me Now this is the Father's Will that they should come and that they should not be lost and it is Meat to Christ to accomplish it John 4.34 My meat is to do the Will of him that sent me and to finish his Work Now it is a Rule Qui potest vult facit He that can do and will do doth it undoubtedly 2. It informeth us of Christ's distinct and explicite notice of the Elect. 1. Of their Persons he knoweth the definite Number all their Names he lieth in the Father's Bosom knoweth his Secrets he is worthy to open the Book Rev. 5.4 5. and he hath a Register of his own wherein their Names are recorded Rev. 13.8 Whose Names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life Man by Man Name by
our Sins This had its rise from the Grace and Mercy of the Father But let us see what the Father doth in the Business of our Redemption that we may with comfort look upon Christ as a constituted authorised Mediator by the Decree and Counsel of Heaven 1. As the Supream Author it was the Father's Contrivance and Motion to Christ to regard the Case of Sinners I look and there is no Intercessor I see there is none fit to go between fallen Man and me Son you shall take their Case in Hand And therefore he is said to give Christ John 3.16 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son In the purpose of his Thoughts to send Christ Gal. 4.4 When the fulness of the Time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman I shall open it in the next Verse To sanctify him John 10.36 Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the World c. to consecrate him for the great Work of Redemption as when a thing is set apart for Divine Uses and Purposes it is said to be sanctified so was Christ sanctified when he was set apart for the Work of Redemption Nay to seal him John 6.37 Him hath God the Father sealed a Metaphor taken from those who give Commissions under Hand and Seal Christ is a Mediator confirmed and allowed under the Broad Seal of Heaven So Heb. 10.5 A Body hast thou prepared for me And Vers. 7. Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me to do thy Will O God as if God had set down in a Book a Dâ—aught and Model of his Designs and then shewed it to Christ. 2. As the Supream Cause in whom Divine Power was eternally resident he assisteth Christ in the accomplishment of this Work and qualifieth him for his Office with Power and Mercy Christ in his own Person would shew us the Fountain from whence all Mercies do arise Psal. 45.7 He was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows the Father is not only said to beget him but to anoint him His compassionate Spirit he received from the Holy Ghost Luke 4.18 The Spirit of the 〈…〉 on me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach the Gospel c. God gave him tenderness and bowels to poor broken-hearted Sinners So for Power and Strength John 5.19 The Son of Man can do nothing of himself as separate and distinct from the Eather not out of any weakness but because of the Unity of the Essence as God and on the foederal Agreement as Mediator 3. As Supream Judg he appointeth his Sufferings and the measure of the Satisfaction he was to make Acts 4.28 To do whatsoever thy Hand and thy Counsel determined before to be done Whatever Men did to him it was by his Hand and Counsel We must look to an higher Court from God's Providence to God's Decree If it had been done without his knowledg and consent nothing would have been done for our Salvation Him being delivered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the determinate Counsel of God ye have taken Acts 2.24 a word taken from Alms to Beggars We wanted a Price for our Redemption and God gave it out of his own Treasury Rom. 4 ult He was delivered for our Offences a Metaphor taken from a Judg who delivereth up the Malefactor into the Hands of the Executioner Christ was delivered by God as our Surety one that by his Decree was to be responsible to his Justice for Man's Sin The Father was to reward him for this by raising him from the dead and to give him leave to return to his own Glory therefore he asketh leave to return to Heaven Vers. 5. And now O Father glorify thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was After the Price and Ransom was paid the Father was to give Christ a Power to rise from the Dead and to go into Heaven There is Potestas and Potentia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ had Power in himself and leave from the Father till the Father should declare himself to be satisfied Christ was not to be dismissed from Punishment Our Surety was not to break Prison but honourably to be brought out by the Judg for this was the Assurance God would give the World Acts 17.31 He will judg the World in Righteousness by the Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead It is not only an Effect of the Divine Power but an Act of Divine Justice And being raised up he is to be crowned with Glory and Honour as having abundantly done his Work for the Salvation of Creatures Heb. 2.9 We see Jesus for the suffering of Death crowned with Glory and Honour The Father's Heart was so taken with it that he honoureth Christ for this Reason And again he giveth Power and Authority to save Sinners Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and forgiveness of Sins He hath raised him up to be a Prince of Salvation Here is the end of all that Christ as Mediator might be in a Capacity to bring Souls to Heaven And in this Work there is a constant co-operation of the Divine Power 1 Cor. 1.30 Of God he is made to us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption All the Emanations of Grace come originally from the Father in and through Christ to all his Members Vse 1. Comfort What would have become of us if the Father himself had not found out such a Remedy God had Power to punish Sins in our own Person he needed no Mediator To save Sinners is not proprietas divine naturae but opus liberi consilii it dependeth on God's Appointment and if Christ had been a Mediator only by the Vote of the Creature he might have been refused Exod. 32.33 Whosoever hath sinned against me him will I blet not of my Book These is much in the Father's Act. Now God hath given Christ a Faculty to this purpose when we go to God we may offer a Mediator authorized by himself thou hast sent thy blessed Son to be a Mediator for me 2 Epist. John 9. He that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath the Father and the Son You may urge it upon your Fears and Suggestions of Satan God is not only the wronged Party but Supream Judg it is no matter what Satan saith or your own Hearts say if the Lord hath said he will accept Sinners in Christ. Rom. 8.33 34. Who shall lay 〈◊〉 thing to the charge of God's Elect It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died Who can condemn Satan may say I can and Conscience I can God whose Act is Sovereign doth acquit God hath so great an interest in Christ that he can deny him nothing John 14.31 That the World may
Bargain that Christ made for his Father was only an Interest in Souls 2. By way of Charge This again is only proper and peculiar to the Elect they were given to Christ by way of Charge to be redeemed justified sanctified glorified given not by way of Alienation but Oppignoration laid at pledg in his Hands so that none of them can miscarry I shall name some places to prove this way of giving John 6.37 38 39. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me c. Where you see they shall surely and infallibly be brought to Grace and as infalliby be conducted to Glory and when they come they cannot miscarry This is the Father's Will that hath sent me that of all that he hath given me I should lose nothing Christ hath received a Charge he is to look to all God's Flock not to lose a Leg or a piece of an Ear. So John 10.28 29. I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my Hands My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no Man shall pluck them out of my Father's Hands Where see Christ's Power and Faithfulness is engaged by the Father's Gift for the Preservation of the Saints So that we see what it is to be given to Christ to become his Reward his Charge III. A third Question yet remaineth Why is it mentioned here The Phrase as I said is often used in many Verses of this Chapter but the Repetition is not needless it is not an empty Tautology but repeated for the more ample Consolation and Instruction of the Apostles that in the midst of their Troubles they might look upon themselves as given to Christ and so the more interested in a sure Preservation for God is bound to make good his Grant and Christ his Trust. Christ pleadeth his own Faithfulness Vers. 12. While I was with them in the World I kept them in thy Name those which thou gavest me I have kept He made good his Trust and therefore now pleadeth with the Father that he would make good his Grant I am no more in the World do thou keep them and he useth the same Argument those which thou hast given me that swayed with him to keep them and he knew the Father would take care of them for the same Reason Well now having laid this Foundation let me Observe That this is a Ground of solid Consolation and Establishment to the Elect that they are by the Grant of God the Father given and committed to God the Son as his Purchase and Charge The Point is genuine for this giving is by way of Gift and Charge and this giving is proper to the Elect as we have proved and it is here urged as a ground of Establishment and Consolation Christ expresseth the Elect by such a Character Those which thou hast given me not only to specify the Persons but to declare the ground of Audience keep them because they are those which thou hast given me Therefore in following of it I shall use this method I. I shall more largely explain the Manner of God's Grant and Donation to Christ. II. I shall shew you how it is a Ground of Establishment and Consolation III. I shall enforce all by Application 1. To open the Nature of the Grant let us again resume the Distinction of giving by way of Reward and Charge These two answer to one another as Work and Wages Christ taketh upon himself a Charge of Souls and all his Reward is that he may have an Interest in them Let us begin with the Charge the Work first and then the Wages 1. They are given to him by way of Charge What his Charge was will be opened by considering What the Father proposed concerning the Elect and how the Son undertook it 1. What the Father proposed The words of Heaven are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 12.4 Words which it is not lawful for a Man to utter Those secret ways of Discourse and Communication between the Father and the Son are to be adored with Reverence and deep Silence were it not that the Spirit of God hath put them into such Forms as are suitable to the Transactions and Intercourse which pass between Man and Man It is usual in Scripture to put the Passages which concern God and Christ into Speeches Psal. 40.6 7 8. Sacrifice and Offering thou didst not desire mine Ears hast thou opened Burnt-Offering and Sin-Offering hast thou not required Then I said Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right Hand until I make thine Enemies thy Footstool The Father came to Christ and did as it were say to him Son I am loth that all Mankind should be lost and left under Condemnation there are some whom I have chosen to be Vessels and Receptacles of my Mercy and Goodness and because I am resolved that my Justice should be no loser you must take a Body and die for them and afterwards you must see that they be converted to Grace justified sanctified guided to Glory and that not one of them doth miscarry for I will take an account from you of them It were easy to prove all these things out of Scripture to wit That there are a certain definite Number whom God chuseth to be Vessels of Mercy 2 Tim. 2.19 The Foundation of the Lord standeth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth those that are his There is no Lottery nor Uncertainty in the Divine Decrees the Number is stated and sealed none can add to it nor detract or take away any one Person And that Christ received a Command to lay down his Life for them and for them only John 10.15 I lay down my Life for my Sheep And Vers. 18. This Commandment have I received of my Father The Description is a Limitation it is for his Sheep God would have none of Christ's Blood to run waste That he is to do this that the Honour of Justice may be salved and so Mercy have the freer course Rom. 3.25 26. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the remission of Sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say his Righteousness that he may be just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus The Son was not only to use Intreaty but to make Satisfaction not that God by any Necessity of Nature required it the exercise of Justice is free and falleth under no Laws but it was most convenient to preserve a due sense and apprehension of the Godhead That Christ was to see them converted it was the
express Will of God John 6.38 39. For I came down from Heaven not to do mine own Will but the Will of him that sent me And this is the Father's Will that hath sent me that of all which he hath given I should lose nothing but should raise them up again at the last Day and by conversion to be possessed of all the Privileges of the Gospel and without miscarrying to be guided unto Glory John 10.28 29. I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my Hand My Father that gave them me is greater than all and no Man is able to pluck them out of my Father's Hand they are One and act by joint Power and joint Consent And after all this he is to give an account of Bodies and Souls John 6.39 That of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise them up again at the last day Which accordingly he doth when he presents the Kingdom to the Father and appeareth before him with all his little Ones as a Prey snatched out of the Teeth of Lions Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the Children which God hath given me 2. What Christ undertook the whole Proposal of the Father was accepted Psal. 40.7 8. Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart Christ consented to all the Articles of the Treaty and eternal Covenant not only to take a Body to die but to take a particular Charge of all the Elect. As Judah interposed for Benjamin so doth Christ for all the Souls committed to him Gen. 43.9 I will be Surety for him of my Hand shalt thou require him if I bring him not to thee and set him safe in thy Presence let me bear the Blame for ever So doth Christ say concerning all the Persons that fall under his Charge If I do not see them converted justified sanctified saved count me an unfaithful Undertaker and let me bear the Blame for ever 2. By way of Reward As in a Covenant there is not only a Duty incumbent but a Benefit accruing to the Party that contracteth So Christ in this eternal Treaty dealt with God by way of Bargain and Purchase his aim was to get a special Interest in and Relation to Believers as Mediator This was all the Gain he reckoned of Isa. 53.10 When thou shalt make his Soul an Offering for Sin he shall see his Seed he shall prolong his Days and the Pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his Hand And therefore by virtue of this Purchase he hath many Relations to them they are given to him as Subjects of his Kingdom as Scholars of his School as Children of his Family as the Spouse of his Bosom as the Members of his Body All these Relations I shall insist upon for this was the Honour granted to Christ upon his Obedience I mean he counted it an Honour and bought it at a dear rate and yet was contented with the Purchase Alas nothing could be added to the Greatness of his Person who was equal with the Father in Glory and Power the Privileges of the Incarnation were but as so many milder Humiliations but he was so tender of Souls that he was pleased to take it as a Gift from his Father and a Reward of all his Services Mark it nothing else could bring Christ out of Heaven into the Manger the Wilderness the Cross the Grave but to get an Interest in your Souls Isa. 53.11 He shall see of the Travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied What did he gain by all his Expence of Blood and Sweat his Temptations Agonies taking our Nature bearing our Burden but to see you safe in the Arms of Mercy that he might be your King your Prophet your Priest your Head Next to the Title of The Son of God Christ valueth that of being Head of the Church And see how the Relations are diversified that he might come nearer and closer to us a King is a more large Relation a Master hath a more particular Inspection a Master may be faithful and careful but he hath not the Bowels of a Father a Father is very tender but the greatest Intimacy is between Husband and Wife we are the Wife of his Bosom if Husband be a Relation too remote because the Union is civil he comes nearer to us yet he will be our Head we his Members where the Union is natural Let us go over these severally 1. We are given to him to be Subjects of his Kingdom Christ is Lord of all the World but he prizeth no Title like that of King of Saints Rev. 15.3 No Throne to him like the Conscience of an humble Sinner the Heart is his best Presence-Chamber there is his Throne of State set He had an eternal Right together with the Father and Holy Ghost but he would come and suffer and be crowned with a Crown of Thorns that he might have a new Right as Mediator and have the Crown of Glory put upon his Head in the Church Therefore it is said Act 5.31 That upon his Resurrection God hath exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance unto Israel and forgiveness of Sins The Grant was made long before when he first contracted with Christ about the Salvation of the World but when the Price was paid then it was made good There is never a Subject Christ hath but he is bought and with the dearest price his Soveraign's own Blood Mat. 20.28 The Son of Man gave his Life a Ransom for many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In other Kingdoms many Subjects die that the Prince may be seated in the Throne but here the Prince dyeth for the Subjects sakes that he may govern his spiritual Realm with Peace and Quietness And as the Price was great so the Father hath made him a large Grant Christ's Empire is universal properly he is the Catholick King there are no Bounds and Limits of his Kingdom first or last in all the habitable Parts of the Earth there are or shall be some that acknowledg his Scepter Isa. 49.12 Behold these shall come from far and â—o these from the North and from the West and these from the Land of Sinim From the East West North South Jews Gentiles the Jews that are now his Enemies shall acknowledg his Soveraignty Hos. 1.11 Then shall the Children of Judah and the Children of Israel be gathered together and appoint themselves one Head and they shall come up out of the Land As the Tribes flocked to Hebron to crown David so shall these to crown Christ and this Royal Garland shall Christ wear to all Eternity It is true it is said 1 Cor. 15.29 He shall resign up the Kingdom to the Father I answer In Kingly Dignity there are two things Regia Cura and Regius Honor Kingly Care by which he ordereth and defendeth his
our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 2. John v. 9. He that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son God will make good his Gift and Christ his Trust. God bestowed us upon his Son to oblige Christ to the greater respect and Christ hath bought us of his Father that the Gift might be sure and certain The Son loveth us because the Father required it the Father loveth us because the Son merited it If Christ be faithful to his Father or the Father be loving and respectful to Christ we cannot miscarry We have an Interest in the Father who is the Fountain of Mercy in the Son who is the Golden Pipe and Conveyance God made the Elect to be Members of Christ's Body that he might redeem them and Christ made them Children of God's Family that he might love them and bless them Electing Love and Christ's Purchase are the two Fountains of Salvation God who is the supreme Judg offended Party first Cause and Fountain of Blessing he requireth the Son to die for us and Christ hath undertaken it and made good his Word 2. God hath put the Business of our Salvation into safe hands He would not be defeated of his Purpose therefore he hath given the Elect to Christ that they may be quickned by virtue of that Power and Life which was given to him He would deal with us upon sure Terms and therefore took Order sufficient to attain his End he would not trust us with any but his own Eternal Son There is a Charge laid on Christ who is a good Depository of such care and faithfulness that he will not neglect his Father's Pledg of such strength and ability that nothing can wrest us out of his hands for he that doth it had need of a stronger Arm than Christ's John 10.28 29. Of such Love that no Work can be more pleasing to him he loveth us far better than we do our selves or else he would never have come from Heaven for our sakes Of such Watchfulness and Care that his Eyes do always run to and fro throughout the Earth Providence is full of eyes as well as strong of hand As the High-Priest bore the Names of the Tribes upon his Breast and Shoulder so doth Christ the Memorial of every Saint he knoweth their Names and their Necessities tho many Thousands in the World yet every single Believer falleth under the care of Christ as if none besides him he knoweth them by Head and Poll their Wants Necessities They are written in the Lamb's Book of Life Rev. 13.8 Christ keeps a Register of them There is not only God's Book of Remembrance but the Lamb's Book of Life He knoweth every distinct Sheep by Name and constantly giveth an Account of them to God I am glorified in them It is grievous to our Advocate when he is forced to be an Accuser He taketh a distinct and explicite Notice of them Isa. 40.27 Why sayest thou O Jacob and speakest O Israel My Way is hid from the Lord and my Judgment is passed over from my God Psal. 34.6 This poor Man cried and the Lord heard him and delivered him out of all his Troubles If it were not for this our Keeper we should surely perish but Christ is our Keeper who is faithful loving able watchful Qui potest vult facit Christ's own Charge cannot miscarry If the Elect should not be saved Christ would neither do his Work nor receive his Wages Vse To press us to come under these sweet Hopes There is nothing wanting but the clearing up of our Interest that you may be of the number of those that are given to Christ. You will know it by God's Act towards you and by your Act towards God 1. By God's Act towards you If we be given to Christ Christ is given to us We are given to Christ before all time and in time Christ is given to us by converting Grace he and we are brought together God makes an Offer in the Gospel Are we willing to receive him for Lord and Saviour Then you put it out of question Are you moved by the Spirit to receive him upon God's Offer Conversion it is as it were an actual Election By original Election the Heirs of Salvation are distinguished from others in God's purpose so by Conversion or actual Election they are visibly distinguished What Excitements of Grace can you speak of that urge you to come to Christ All that are given to him come to him 2. By your Act towards Christ. All the Father's Acts are ratified in time by Believers He ordaineth we consent he chuseth Christ for Lord and King and they shall appoint themselves one Head So God's giving of Souls to Christ is ratified by the Believers Act. As there is a double giving on his part by way of Charge and by way of Reward so there is a double Act on our part committing and consecrating our selves to Christ. 1. Committing our selves to Christ. Can we wholly and absolutely resign up our Souls into his hands The Father is wiser than we he knew well enough what he did when he commended us to his Son Faith is often expressed by committing our selves to Christ it answereth the Trust the Father reposed in him 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which I have committed unto him against that day This is not an easy matter it argueth a sense of Danger a sollicitous Care about the Soul and an advised Confidence What care hast thou ever taken to lay thy Soul safe What confidence hast thou of Christ's Ability Didst thou think thou couldst be safe without him Thou wouldst be an unfaithful Guardian Knowingly canst thou venture Eternity on thy present State 2. Consecrating our selves to him Rom. 12.1 I beseech you by the Mercies of God that ye present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable to God which is your reasonable Service Then walk as his it is dangerous to alienate Things once consecrated 1 Cor. 3.23 Ye are Christ's Whatever you have you must give up to him for his Glory You have nothing at your own dispose neither Tongue nor Heart nor Estate as long as a Man reserves to himself an Interest he will miscarry Nabal called what he had My Bread and my Water and my Flesh 1 Sam. 25.11 Did you ever make a serious Resignation of your selves to God Psal. 119.94 I am thine save me for I have sought they Precepts SERMON XIX JOHN XVII 11 And now I am no more in the World but these are in the World and I come to thee Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are Fifthly THE Last Circumstance That they may be one as we are is the Aim of Christ's Request which is Unity and Consent among the Apostles It is illustrated by the
needs be true for God is so infinitely Wise that he cannot be deceived and so infinitely Just and True that he will not deceive us and so Omnipotent that he cannot be jealous of our Knowledg and so Gracious that he is not envious of our Knowledg as the Devil would insinuate Gen. 3.5 For God doth know that in the Day ye eat thereof then your Eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing Good and Evil. It will be no infringement to his Interest if we should know his Nature and his Will But the great Question is What we should take for the Word of God Now that we may have a sure ground in this Kind let us consider how he hath revealed himself to Man The Dispensations of God are several 1. To Adam 2. To the World 3. To the Church 1. To Adam His Bible was his Heart the Law was written there and God preached to him immediatly and by Oracle gave him all extraordinary Commands and the Book of the Creatures for his Contemplation not so much to better his Knowledg as to increase his Reverence 2. To the World to Heathens God gave the Book of Nature which was more than they made use of and therefore he stopt there Psal. 19.1 2 3. The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his Handy-Work Day unto Day uttereth Speech and Night unto Night sheweth Knowledg There is no Speech nor Language where their Voice is not heard c. This Revelation God hath made of himself even to all Nations they have Sun and Moon to look upon and the Structure of the Heavens to behold which are as so many Pledges of the Excellency and Infiniteness of God Rom. 1.19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest to them for God hath shewed it unto them For the invisible Things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the Things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Acts 14.17 Nevertheless he left not himself without Witness in that he did good and gave us Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons filling our Hearts with Food and Gladness In the Book of Nature there is the rough Draught of God's Will Trismegistus said it was Liber unus Divinitate plenus Creation was nothing else but one Book that was full of the Glory of God and his Excellency God Spake to them by Things not by Words This with some Instincts of Conscience the Relicts of the Fall was all the Heathens had Conscience was God's Deputy to put them in mind of a Judg and the Heavens put them in mind of a God Look as Job's Messengers said I alone am escaped to tell thee so there are some few Reliques and Principles alone escaped out of the Ruins of the Fall to tell us somewhat of God and somewhat of a Judg. That Light proclaims every where and speaks to every Nation and proclaims it aloud to all People Kindred and Tongues of the Earth Take notice there is one infinite eternal God that made us and you and all things else God's refreshing the parched Earth with Showers of Rain shews how willing he is to be gracious to poor hungry Creatures Fruitful Seasons shew us the abundance of his Mercy The decking the Heavens with Stars and the Earth with Plants shew us what Glory he can put upon the Creatures This Language may be gathered out of the Creation and thus did God speak to all Creatures by the Voice of his Creatures 3. To the Church And the Dispensations of God to the Church have been various and diverse Heb. 1.1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spake in Times past unto our Fathers by the Prophets c. He spake his Mind by pieces that is signified by the Word now he gave a piece of his Mind and then a piece And he hath spoken also in sundry manners by several ways of Revelation The Church never wanted sufficient Revelation nor Means of Knowledg to guide them to the Enjoyment of God and true Happiness God's Dispensations to the Church may be reduced to three Heads There was 1. His Word without Writing 2. Then Word and Writing 3. Then Writing only 1. There was the Word without Writing by Visions Oracles and Dreams by which he manifested himself to Persons of the greatest Sanctity and Holiness that they might instruct others and impart the Mind of God to others Now mark this Dispensation was sure enough to guide them to Communion with God why Because the People of the World were then but few Families and the Persons intrusted with God's Message were of great Authority and Credit therefore sufficient enough to inform that present Age of God's Counsel and which was another Advantage they lived long to continue the Tradition with certainty to others for hundreds of Years Vision and Tradition was sure enough for as 't is observed by some three Men might continue the Tradition of the Counsel of God from Adam till Israel went down into Egypt There was Adam first God taught him by Oracle and he taught others he lived a long time Methuselah lived with Adam two hundred forty three Years and continued until the Flood then Seâ— lived with Methusalah ninety eight Years and flourished about five hundred Years after the Flood and Isaac lived fifty Years with Sem and died about ten Years before Israel's descent into Egypt So that Methuselah Sem and Isaac might continue the Knowledg of God and preserve the Purity of Religion from Adam's Death till Israel's going down into Egypt for so many hundred Years This was God's Dispensation to that Church 2. Afterwards there was both Word and Writing God's Word was necessary for the further revealing and clearing up of the Doctrine of Salvation which was revealed by pieces And Writing was necessary partly because in process of time Precepts were multiplied and it was needful for Mens Memories that they should be registred in some publick Record and partly because the long Life of God's Witnesses was much lessened and the Corruption of the World was increased and Satan began to imitate God by Oracles Visions and Answers and Idolatry and Superstition crept into the best Families Into â—erah's Josh. 24.2 Your Fathers dwelt on the other side the Flood in old Time even Terah the Father of Abraham and the Father of Nachor and they served other Gods And Jacob's Family was corrupt Gen. 35.2 Then Jacob said to his Houshold and to all that were with him Put away the strange Gods that are among you and be clean and change your Garments The People were grown numerous enough to make a Commonwealth and a Politick Body and it was fit they should have a publick Record and common Rule and therefore to avoid Man's Corruptions and to give a stop to Satan's Deceits the Lord thought fit there should be a written Rule at hand for
the Trial of all Doctrines God himself wrote the first Scripture that ever was written with his own Finger Exod. 24.12 And the Lord said to Moses Câ—me up to me into the Mount and be there and I will give thee Tables of Stone and a Law and Commandments which I have written that thou mayest teach them And then commanded Moses and the Prophets to do the same Exod. 17.14 And the Lord said unto Moses Write this for a Memorial in a Book And Exod. 34.27 And the Lord said unto Moses Write thou these Words for after the Tenor of these Words I have made a Covenant with thee and with Israel So he bids Jeremiah Chap. 36.2 Take thee a Roll of a Book and write therein all the Words that I have spoken thee And so God spake to all the Prophets tho it be not exprest and by inward Instinct bids them write their Prophecies that it might be a publick Record for the Church in all Ages Now this Way was always accompanied with Prophetical Revelations until Christ's time who as the great Doctor of the Church perfected the Rule of Faith and by the Apostles as so many Publick Notaries consigned it to the use of the Church And so when the Canon was compleat then John as the last of the Apostles and outliving the rest closed up all and therefore closeth up his Prophecy thus Rev. 22.18 19. For I testify unto every Man that heareth the Words of the Prophecy of this Book If any Man add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any Man shall take away from the Words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the holy City and from the Things that are written in this Book Which sealeth up the whole Canon and Rule of Faith as well as the Book of the Revelations And therefore 3. There is now Writing only without the Word without Visions and Revelations There needeth no more now because here is enough to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. And that from a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works It is sufficient to make us wise to preach and you wise to practise It is now certain enough God hath left a publick Record that we might not spend our time in doubting and disputing And it is full enough you need nothing more either to satisfy the Desires of Nature or to repair the Defects of Nature to satiate the Soul with Knowledg For God hath given to the Church sufficient Instruction to decide all Controversies to assoil all Doubts and to give us sure Conduct and Direction to everlasting Glory III. The next Question is Of what Concernment it is to enquire of the Truth of the Scripture Many think that such a Discussion needs not because this is a principal matter to be believed not argued and Arguments at least beget but an humane Faith Yet certainly it is of great necessity if you consider four things 1. It is good to prepare and induce carnal Men to respect it and to wait for the Confirmation of the Spirit An Humane Faith maketh way for a Divine when Men hearken to the Word upon common grounds God may satisfy them as those John 4.42 Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Son of the Living God They first believed upon the Woman's Report and then upon their own Experience So it is good to establish sound Grounds that we may know the Truth of God first upon Hear-say and afterward upon Experience This way we induce and invite Men to make a Trial. 2. Because it giveth an additional Confirmation and greater Certainty to the People of God Foundation-Stones can never be laid with exactness and care enough For if you mark it you will find all doubting in your Belief all disproportion in your Practice ariseth from this because the supreme Truth is not setled in the Soul We ought to believe it more and more then it stirs up greater Reverence greater Admiration and makes way for your Delight and Joy to have your Charter cleared It is good to look upon this Argument that it might further Our Comfort and that this Fire may be blown up into a Flame and that Truth may have more Awe upon the Conscience 3. It awakeneth them that have received the Word upon slight grounds to be better setled Most Men look no further than humane Authority and publick Countenance they have no other grounds to believe the Scriptures than the Turks to believe the Alcoran because it is the Tradition of their Fathers Most Mens Belief is but an happy Mistake a thing at peradventure and they are Christians upon no other grounds than others are Turks God loveth a rational Worship he would have us to render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Reason of the Faith that is in us But they are Christians by Chance rather than Choice and solid Reason it is because they know no other Religion not because they know no better Well then that you may be able to justify your Religion For Wisdom is justified of her Children Mat. 11.19 that you may take up the Ways of God upon a rational Choice it is good to see what Grounds and Confirmations we have for that holy Faith we do profess 4. That we may know the distinct Excellency of our Profession above all other Professions in the World The Daughters of Jerusalem are brought in asking the Spouse Cant. 5.9 What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved O thou fairest among Women What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved that thou dost so charge us What can you say for your Christ and for your way of Salvation and for your Scriptures above what other Men can say for their Worship or their Superstition A Christian should know the distinct and special Excellency of his Profession Jer. 6.16 God bids us Stand in the way and see and ask for the old Paths Where is the good Way It is good to survey the Superstitions we have in the World and compare the Excellency of our holy Profession with other Professions In Scripture we are required not only to glorify God but to sanctify him Isa. 8.13 Sanctify the Lord of Hosts in your Hearts So 1 Pet. 3.15 Sanctify the Lord God in your Hearts and be ready always to give an Answer to every Man that asketh you a Reason of the Hope that is in you with meekness and fear Now what is it to sanctify It is to set apart any thing from common Uses This
would venture upon that probability Now here is not only a possibility of gaining but you are threatned with horrible Torments everlasting Death and Horror more than is propounded in any Religion Do not think this is a foolish Credulity the Simple believeth every Word there is none more foolishly credulous than the Atheist and the Antiscripturist who withhold their Assent from the Word of God upon very slight Reasons and venture their Salvation upon them 2. Do not in such a Matter rest upon the Credit of any Man but seek to have a firm Ground in your Consciences an inward Certioration from the Spirit of God Phil. 1.9 This I pray that your Love may abound yet more and more in Knowledg and in Judgment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all sence Wait till you have an inward feeling He that is led by a Man into the acknowledgment of the Truth will be led off again by Men. There will be no stability till you have an inward Assurance 2 Pet. 3.16 Beware lest ye also being led away with the Error of the Wicked fall from your own stedfastness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every Child of God should have some Ballast in his own Spirit some Ground and Experience upon which he durst venture his Soul Labour for this proper Ballast and Stedfastness of your own And for your Comfort let me tell you if you with a humble and pious Mind wait upon God you will not want it long He that with a sincere mind and studiousness of his own Salvation desires to find out the Truth of the Scriptures certainly God will settle him Vse 2. Here is Advice to the People of God 1. Prize this way of Dispensation bless God for it that the Rule of Faith is put into a setled Course the greatest Gift next the Lord Jesus Christ that the World ever had The Scriptures are God's Charter given to Man the Evidence of his Happiness by which he holds Heaven and Grace and all his Privileges in Christ. Tho the Bible alone were extant in the World here were sufficient Direction a Doctrine full enough to guide us to Happiness and tho all the World were full of Books if the Bible only were wanting you would have no sure Doctrine Some Books are of Satan's inditing they that are full of Filthiness and Folly Other Books smell of Men there is not any other Book in the World but hath something of Man in it and a humane Spirit But this is all of God this is the Truth the Touchstone of Words and Deeds Other Writings speak Man's Heart but this speaks to Man's Heart with a Divine Power this is the Book that is the best discovery of God's Heart to us and our own to our selves it is the Touchstone not only to try Doctrines but to try all Mens Dispositions how we stand affected to him 2. Rest in the certainty of this Doctrine We are foolish Creatures and would give Laws to Heaven and indent with God to believe upon our own Terms Look as the Devil would indent with Christ Mat. 4.3 If thou be the Son of God command that these Stones be made Bread So we indent with God If it be his Word let God testify it by some Oracle or some visible Dispensation We think it were better and that the World had more Assurance when God spake in divers manners than when the Canon and Rule of Faith is closed up and he speaks by Writing only and not by Voice No God's Terms are surer than if a Man should come from Hell and speak to them We are apt to think if a Messenger should come up in Garments of flaming Fire and preach of the Horrors of the World to come then there would be no Atheists but there is a far greater certainty in such a Dispensation as we are now under Luke 16. 30 31. If one went unto them from the Dead they will repent And he said If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded tho one arose from the Dead Satan still appears to the blind World in horrible shapes to terrify them so would we look upon this as an horrible shape as the malice and cunning of the Devil Nay it is surer than if an Angel should come from Heaven to preach the Gospel to us for that would not be such an absolute Assurance Gal. 1.8 For tho we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Nay it is more sure than an Oracle from God tho that is as sure in it self because it is from the true God yet it is not so sure to us 2 Pet. 1.19 We have a more sure Word of Prophecy More sure than what Than Visions and the Voice from the excellent Glory He alludes to that Voice which came from Heaven Mat. 3.17 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Ay but saith he We have a more sure Word of Prophecy Therefore rest in this way of Dispensation do not blame God as if he had ill provided for the Comfort and Safety of the Church 3. Improve it to a solid Hope and Comfort it is the Word of God and venture upon it If you be deceived God hath deceived you as the Prophet saith Jer. 4.10 Venture upon the Promises of God entertain the Precepts of it as if God himself had spoken them 1 Thess. 2.13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of Men but as it is in Truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe When you hear any particular thing prest out of the Word entertain it as if God spake from Heaven What will you venture upon God's Word in a way of Suffering And what Lust will you thwart and crucify that God by his Word commands SERMON XXVIII JOHN XVII 17 Sanctify them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth NOW I proceed to the Arguments that prove the Scriptures to be the Word of God First Some are Extrinsical and do lie without the Scriptures Secondly Some are Intrinsical and lie within the Scriptures themselves as being taken from the Matter and Form of them First Extrinsical Arguments There I shall shew you I. That God hath owned the Scriptures for his Word II. The Church hath owned them as God's Word III. The Malignant World in their way hath owned them that is upon that respect they have opposed them I. God hath owned them several ways By the wonderful Success of that Religion which the Scriptures establish Preservation Miracles Accomplishment of Prophecies Promises and Threatnings by Concomitancy of Grace Testimony of the Spirit by particular Judgments and Punishments of those which have abused the Scriptures First By the wonderful Success of that Doctrine and Religion which the Scriptures do establish Certainly if we think that
Signs and Wonders were not ordained for the Stage and Scene to cause admiration and pastime for every wanton Spectator Again I observe that generally these Miracles were Actions of Relief and Succour not meerly of Pomp and Glory and tended to deliver from the Miseries of Soul and Body as Blindness Sickness and Devils I remember but two of Christ's Miracles that were destructive blasting the Fig-tree and drowning the Herd of Swine in other Miracles he was exercised in curing the Sick raising the Dead casting out Satan c. Object 1. Ay but we have none now Answ. It is not necessary because the same Doctrine and Rule is continued to us without change That which is extraordinary must be proved by extraordinary Means Miracles wrought where there is no necessity are liable to suspicion When Christ's Doctrine was new and the Calling and Function that he exercised in the Church new then were Miracles wrought to confirm them The Lord's manner hath always been when he erects any new Worship and Service to give testimony to it from Heaven as Trees newly set need watering which afterwards we discontinue Upon the delivery of any new Law or Truth to the World natural and ordinary means of Conviction are wanting None now pretendeth to be an extraordinary Messenger from God the Doctrine is ordinary and the Call ordinary and why should we expect extraordinary Confirmation the Old sufficeth And by the consent and experience of many Ages and its own Reasonableness Christianity hath gotten a just Title to humane Belief and there we must submit John 20.30 31. And many other Signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his Disciples which are not written in this Book But these were written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God God hath given us the Report and Record of the old Miracles which is enough to beget Faith in them that have a mind to believe rather than wrangle We think it had been better if God had continued this sensible Confirmation but we must not give Laws to Heaven Because we have so much Light and other Inducements of Faith God will govern us by Wisdom and not by Power It is true Men are less apprehensive of his Wisdom than of the sensible effects of his Power but because we have otherwise Confirmation sufficient now doth God try us whether we will turn Atheists and Antiscripturists and upon light suspicion misbelieve Object 2. How shall we know that those Miracles were done since we saw them not we have but Fame and Report which oftentimes is no Friend to Truth Answ. We have the Report of Men that lived in that Age who were only fit Witnesses in this Case and were Persons of singular Holiness and Credit and they were those that sealed it with their Blood and therefore their Report is of as great Authority and Certainty as if we had seen them our selves And besides the Report is ancient constant not contradicted by the vigilant Adversaries of that Age with them which would be a madness if they were false and counterfeit since they might so easily enquire into the Truth of the Report Foreign Histories testify that such things were done tho they seek to deprave the Actions as if done by the Power of Satan And hitherto the Church hath maintained the Truth of them against all Opposers But of this hereafter Vse To press us to reverence the Word of God since God hath owned it by Miracles and sealed up Instruction as the Expression is Job 33.16 that is ratified it by extraordinary Dispensations The Apostle proveth that the Despisers of the Gospel will have a sorer Judgment than the Despisers of the Law Heb. 2.2 3 4. For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every Transgression and Disobedience received a just Recompence of Reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with Signs and Wonders and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own Will The Transgressors of the Law tho they did not see God giving it upon the Mount were punished and so will the Disregarders of the Gospel tho they did not see the Miracles It is better to believe than to make trial there are no Atheists and Antiscripturists in Hell they feel the Truth of what they would not fear Nay when God hath owned it if you neglect it or receive it carelesly or do not study it tho you do not openly oppose or secretly question the Authority of it if you neglect it God will deal severely with you The Miracles were then wrought and the Doctrine needeth not often Confirmation Thirdly The Accomplishment of Prophecies Threatnings Promises as if God had made the Word a Rule of proceeding and the whole Government of the World were managed in a conformity to the Scriptures for his whole Providence is but a Comment upon it 1. Prophecies How have they always been accomplished as set down in the Word Isa. 41.23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter that we may know that ye are Gods A Man may foretel things that depend on Natural Causes as Snow Rain Heat Cold Eclipses but things meerly contingent depending upon the Free Grace of God or Free Will of Man are foretold in the Word as the Rejection of the Jews and the Calling of the Gentiles are clearly spoken of and clearly accomplished The Scripture is not only an Authentick Register of what is past but an infallible Prognostication of what is to come nothing good or bad befel but that which was foretold 2. So for Threatnings God governeth the World by this Rule Threatnings have been accomplished Hosea 7.12 I will chastise them as their Congregation hath heard A Man might have the History of the Jews from Time to Time out of the Threatnings of Moses and prophetical Predictions and extract the Life of Christ out of the Writings of the Prophets Object But Threatnings many Times are not accomplished Answ. The Prerogative of Free-Grace many times doth interpose and God worketh extra ordinem God hath reserved this Liberty to himself he is not bound tho we are It is for his Honour that it should be so as all humane Laws allow the chief Magistrate a liberty of Pardoning There is difference between Laws and Decrees the Threatnings are the Sanction of the Law 3. Then for Promises We never waited upon God and put forth Hope according to a Promise but it was made good to a tittle Joshua 23.14 Behold this day I am going the way of all the Earth and ye know in all your Hearts and in all your Souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you all are come to pass unto you and not one thing hath failed thereof He was about to die and therefore
that looketh upon the Gospel in the Light of Parts and External Tradition hath a Model of Truth in his Brain but these find it impressed upon their Hearts there is Light and Fire Wait for this Witness Sixthly By the wonderful preservation of Scriptures even to our Times There is no Doctrine so ancient it describeth the whole History of the World from the very Creation Moses was ancienter than the Gods of the Heathens No Doctrine can produce such Records of the Original of the World The Doctrine of the Gospel is as Old as Paradise where God preached it to Adam Gen. 3.15 I will put enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy Seed and her Seed It shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Heel The Foundation was laid long since tho it was more explicitly revealed upon the coming of Christ. None so much oppugned We have some ancient Writings of the Heathens tho nothing so ancient as Scripture Other Writings by tract of Time have been much mangled tho they have been cherished by Men as not contrary to their Lusts but the Scripture is still opposed persecuted maligned and yet it continueth Psal. 129.1 2. Many a time have they afflicted me from my Youth may Israel now say Many a time have they afflicted me from my Youth yet they have not prevailed against me The Church hath been always bred up under Afflictions Enmity against it began betimes yet still it holdeth up its Head Errors are not long-lived 1 Cor. 3.12 13. Now if any Man build upon this Foundation Gold Silver precious Stones Wood Hay Stubble Every Man's Work shall be made manifest For the Day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by Fire and the Fire shall try every Man's Work of what sort it is The World hath had time enough to enquire into the Scripture and to discover the vanity and falshood of it if there were any Nay not only the main Doctrine of the Scripture hath been continued but no part of it is falsified corrupted or destroyed The World wanted not Malice nor Opportunity the Powers of the World were bent against it and corrupt Persons in the Church were always given to other gospelling Gal. 1.6 7. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the Grace of Christ unto another Gospel Which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. 1 Tim. 6.3 If any Man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words c. But still the Scriptures are wonderfully preserved as the three Children in the Furnace not an Hair was singed not a jot or tittle of the Truth is perished or corrupted If it were corrupted it must be before Christ's Time or after it not before then Christ would have noted it not after for then the Parts would not agree but we find no such thing but an exact Harmony Nor is there any lost for here is a sufficient Instruction and Guide to Happiness Christ hath promised not a tittle shall fall to the ground The Word hath been in danger of being lost but the Miracle of Preservation is therefore the greater In Joshua's Time there was but one Copy of the Law In Dioclesian's Time there was an Edict to burn their Bibles and Copies were scarce and chargeable and yet still it hath been kept Seventhly By his Judgments on those who have reviled abused and persecuted this Truth The Records of all Ages witness to this The whole Jewish Nation was destroyed for opposing the Doctrine of the Gospel After the slaughter of the Prophets and murder of Christ God let them alone for forty Years and then Wrath came upon them to the uttermost the People were carried captive contrary to the Roman Custom the Land lost its fertility Look into succeeding Times very few Persecutors went to the Grave by a natural Death Particular Stories are full of the Judgments of God executed on them Julian the Apostate confessed Christ had the best at last Vicisti Galilee and so died blaspheming Lucian that railed against God and his Word as he returned from a Supper his Dogs fell mad and tore him in pieces Eusebius reports of a certain Jew that took upon him to apply a sentence of the Word to a prophane End to make a Jest of Scripture was stricken with blindness till he made confession of his Fault Appion scoffing at Scripture and at Circumcision had an Ulcer growing in the place of Circumcision as Josephus reporteth God is very angry when Men are partial in the Law tho they do many good things Rev. 22.18 19. For I testify unto every Man that heareth the words of the Prophecy of this Book If any Man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any Man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City and from the things which are written in this Book SERMON XXIX JOHN XVII 17 Sanctify them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth II. THE Church hath owned the Word You see how God hath owned it he saith it is my Word Let us see how the Church hath owned it Here I shall shew three things 1. What is the Church's Duty to the Word 2. What Credit and Value we ought to put on the Churches Testimony 3. How the Church hath witnessed to the Word in all Ages 1. What is the Churches Duty To keep the Word and to transmit it pure to the next Age that nothing be added nothing diminished that it be published to the present Age and transmitted pure to the next Rom. 3.2 Vnto them were committed the Oracles of God We are Trustees Jude 3. Earnestly contending for the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints 1 Tim. 3.15 The Church of the Living God the Pillar and Ground of the Truth The Church is to hold it forth as a Pillar doth a Proclamation that it may not be lost and extinguished This is the Jewel Christ hath left his Spouse as the Law was kept in the Ark. 2. What respect we ought to bear to the Churches Testimony To hearken to it till we have better Evidence We do not ultimately resolve our Faith into the Churches Authority for the Authority of the Church is not Absolute but Ministerial as a Royal Edict doth not receive Credit by the Officer and Crier he only declareth it Yet the Church's Testimony is not to be neglected for Faith cometh by hearing Rom. 10.14 It is a preparative Inducement John 4.42 Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the World If we would know the Truth of a thing before we have experience go to them that have experience the judgment of others whom we respect and reverence causeth us
to have a good opinion of a thing till we make trial The Testimony of the Church hath inclined us to think that the Scriptures are the Word of God not that the Church can make and unmake Scripture when it pleaseth as a Messenger that carrieth Letters from a King doth not give Authority to them 3. How the Church hath witnessed to the Truth of the Scriptures in all Ages Partly by Tradition partly by Martyrdom 1. By Tradition Holy Books were indited one after another according to the necessity of Times and still the latter confirmed the former Moses was confirmed by Joshua Chap. 23.6 Be ye couragious to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses And Joshua and others by succeeding Prophets and all were confirmed by Christ Luke 24.44 These are the Words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and 〈◊〉 the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning me For the New Testament it was confirmed by all the succeeding Ages of the Church Christians different in other things yâ—t agreed these to be the Writings of the Apostles So that we have a more general consent than we have about any other Matter probable in the World Men of excellent Parts and Learning that were not apt to take Matters on trust all assent to Scripture as the publick Record for the trial of Doctrines When Heirs wrangle they go to the Last Will and Testament 2. By Martyrdom The Patience and Constancy of the Martyrs who have ratified this Truth with the loss of their dearest Concernments yea even of Life it self Rev. 12.11 They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their Testimony and they loved not their Lives unto the Death It is possible that a Man may suffer for a false Religion and sacrifice a stout Body to a stubborn Mind but because there is counterfeit Coin is there no true Gold The Devil's Martyrs are neither so many for number nor for temper and quality so holy so wise so meek as Christ's Champions The Christian Religion can shew you Persons of all Ages Young and Old of all Sexes Men and Women of all Conditions of Life Noble and of low Degree of all Qualities Learned and Unlearned Persons that could not be suspected to be mopish or melancholy or tired out with the Inconveniences of an evil World but were in a capacity to enjoy temporal Things with the highest delight and sweetness and yet counted not their Lives dear to them to confirm the Truth of this Word What is dearer to Men than Life And this not out of any desire of vain Glory their Death being accompanied with as many disgraceful as painful Circumstances not out of any sensless stupidity or fierceness of Mind they being of a meek Temper and blamed for nothing else but their constancy in asserting that Truth which they professed not out of any confidence in their own strength in bearing those horrible Cruelties that were inflicted upon them but humbly committing themselves to God and imploring his Strength did deliberately and voluntarily give up themselves to be cruelly butchered and tormented as a Testimony of the Power of this Truth upon their Hearts some of them kissing the Stake thanking the Executioner others wrestling a while with Flesh and Blood and natural desires of Life yet the Love of the Truth prevailing came at length to encounter the Horrors of a cruel Death with a well-tempered Constancy and Resolution which certainly in so many thousands even to an incredible Number could not be without some Divine Power and Force upon their Souls That all this should be done by Persons otherwise of a delicate tender Sense and a meek and flexible Spirit what should move them to it but the Power of the Truth This being a Religion of little Reputation in the World which the Philosophers and Disputers of that Age sought to batter down with Arguments the Politicians with all manner of Discouragements the Orators with a Flood of Words the Tyrants with Slaughters and Torments the Devil by all manner of Crafts and Subtilties What had the poor Christians before their Eyes but Prisons and wild Beasts and Gibbets and Fires and Racks and torturing Engines more cruel than Death They had Flesh and Blood as well as others a Nature that continually prompted them to spare themselves as well as others Life was as dear to them and their care of their Families and Little-ones as great their respect to Parents and Friends as much in them as any yea more Religion requiring natural Affection in the highest Exercise and intendering their Hearts with a sense of their Duty Yet rather than give their Bibles to be burnt or be led away from their Religion they could trample upon all Certainly such an invincible constancy could not be imputed to any rigid Sullenness or foolish Obstinacy or distempered Stiffness but meerly to the love of Truth which prevailed over all other Concernments Let it shame us that they could part with Life and all their Interests for Christ and his Truth and we cannot part with our Lusts they with their well-being and we not with our ill-being Could they suffer the Persecutors to destroy their Bodies and will not we suffer the Fire of the Word to consume our Lusts Reason and Conscience is calling upon us to quit these things and yet we hug them to our great Prejudice we to whom a little Duty is so irksome a little pains in Prayer so tedious what would we do if the Fires were kindled about us and we were every day to carry our Life in our Hands and could look for nothing but Halters and Stakes and Instruments of Destruction Surely our Spirits are too silken and soft for such a Religion so abstracted from Ease and Pleasure and worldly Interests III. The Malignant World hath owned it the deadly hatred of the Devil and the constant opposition of wicked Men is a proof of it The Malignant World know it and therefore they hate and oppose it The Reason of the Argument is because the Heart of Man is naturally averse to God 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Now that which all wicked Men do universally and constantly oppose and malign certainly that is of God As Christ saith of his own Disciples John 15.19 If ye were of the World the World would love its own but because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World therefore the World hateth you So may we reason If the Scriptures were of Men if devised by them and suitable to their Lusts and Humours the Men of the World would receive them with a great deal of stillness Flesh and Blood would love its own But carnal Men have constantly
Zin because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the Children of Israel 4. Another Quality to be discerned in the Manner and Form of the Scriptures is the Harmony and Agreement that is to be found in them all along notwithstanding the diversity of Times Places and Persons still there is an increase of Knowledg and Dispensations rise higher and higher as the Light increaseth till Noon-day but there is no difference Luke 1.70 As he spake by the Mouth of his Holy Prophets which have been since the World began One Mouth many Prophets They lived in such distant Ages handled such diversity of Arguments yet all conspired in promoting the same Truth which is now revealed to us in the New Testament There is a great difference of Style some speak with more loftiness and majesty others with greater familiarity and humility of Expression yet all promoting the same thing There is a difference in the manner of Prosecution yet an exact harmony in the Substance and essential Quality of their Writings not only in their general drift and scope to set out the Glory of God and the Good of Mankind but in the matter handled without any spice of secular Vanity as is to be seen in other Writings So that one and the same Spirit appeareth throughout the whole 1 Cor. 12.4 Now there are diversities of Gifts but the same Spirit Yea there is not only a diversity of Style but a different degree of Light according to the increase of God's Dispensations yet there is an Harmony God's Name and Style and the Mystery of Christ was made known to the Church by degrees the solemn Title and Style of God was not one and the same from the beginning of the World but tho they were divers yet they were not one contrary to another but one perfecting the other He is called by Melchisedeck The most High God Possessor of Heaven and Earth Gen. 14.19 Afterwards by reason of his Covenant with Abraham 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God Alsufficient Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty God or the Alsufficient God walk before me and be thou perfect Then when he was put to it he made known himself by the Name of Jehovah Exod. 6.2 3. And God spake unto Moses and said unto him I am the Lord. And I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the Name of God Almighty but by my Name IEHOVAH was I not known unto them And after the appropriation of the Covenant to the Family of the Patriarchs he is called the God of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob Exod. 3.15 The Lord God of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob hath sent me unto you This is my Name for ever and this is my Memorial unto all Generations Then upon experience of God's care of them he is called Exod. 20.2 The Lord thy God which hath brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Then the Lord that brought his People out of the North Country Jer. 23.7 8. Therefore behold the days come saith the Lord that they shall no more say The Lord liveth that brought up the Children of Israel out of the Land of Egypt But the Lord liveth which brought up and which led the Seed of the House of Israel out of the North Country and from all Countries whither I had driven them and they shall dwell in their own Land Then when the Sun of Righteousness was risen the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope c. 2 Cor. 1.3 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort Ephes. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places in Christ. So for the Mystery of Redemption First it was revealed to Adam to be by the Seed of the Woman Gen. 3.15 I will put enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy Seed and her Seed It shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Heel Then to Abraham by thy Seed Gen. 12.3 In thee shall all the Families of the Earth be blessed which was repeated to Isaac to cut off Ishmael then to Jacob to cut off Esau. Then it was revealed out of what Tribe he should come viz. out of Judah Gen. 49.10 The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the Law-giver from between his Feet until Shiloh come Then that he should come of David's Line Isa. 11.1 There shall come forth a Rod out of the Stem of Jesse and a Branch shall grow out of his Roots And that he should be born of a Virgin Isa. 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall conceive and shall bear a Son and shall call his Name Immanuel There is a difference of manifestation yet still an Harmony as there is a difference between a small Print and a great Print but the Matter is the same The Mystery of God manifested in the Flesh is set forth in a fairer Edition 5. There is one Character more in the Form and Manner of these Writings and that is Impartiality Kings and Subjects are bound by the same Laws liable to the same Punishments encouraged by the same Promises If the Scriptures were only a Politick Device to keep Subjects in awe there would be some exemption for Potentates but they are alike obnoxious to God's Judgment and the same Tophet that is provided for the Peasant is provided for the Prince Isa. 30.33 For Tophet is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared he hath made it deep and large c. Tophet was a Valley where the Idolatrous Jews were wont to burn their Children therefore as a fit Type of Everlasting Punishment it is put for Hell it is capacious enough to receive all King and Subject Now the Scriptures that threaten Potentates as well as others must needs be a Law that cometh from an higher than the Highest Who would presume else to threaten those in Power Rev. 20.12 And I saw the Dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which was the Book of Life and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their Works On this side the Grave there is a distinction between Man and Man but all are alike obnoxious to Christ's Judgment and all stand in dread of it There is enough in the Scriptures to astonish the Heart of the mightiest Potentate and make it tremble II. Now from the Matter of the Scriptures I am much prevented from what is published on James 1.18 But let me speak something now All that is spoken in the Scripture may be reduced to these five Heads Precepts Promises Doctrines Histories Prophecies Now all these
precious Ointment upon the Head that ran down upon the Beard even Aaron 's Beard that went down to the Skirts of his Garment So our Head is anointed with the Oil of Gladness for our sakes Christ received the Spirit without measure in our Nature as Holiness Pity and the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Look as when an Ambassador is sent forth there is not only a designation of his Person but he is furnished for his Emploiment and Work So is Jesus Christ sent forth that is his Person not only designed and chosen in Grace and yet in Wisdom but also furnished with all manner of Endowments in our Nature Grace and Strength for his Work as our Head 3. This Sending implies Authority and noteth a Commission sealed to him so that he was an Authorized Mediator or an Ambassador with Letters Patents from Heaven This is the principal thing intended in this Sending the Call and Authority Christ had to do his Office Heb. 5.4 5. No Man taketh this honour to himself but he that was called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an High Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee He was designed in the Council of the Trinity And as every Ambassador hath Letters of Credence under the Hand and Seal of him from whom he is sent that he may be acknowledged as his Deputy to act for him So Christ is sent as God's Deputy into the World to act and deal for him and the Apostles they are thus sent from Christ to act and deal for Christ. Here the Comparison chiefly holds As thou hast sent me into the World that is given me Authority to execute the Office of a Mediator So have I sent them I have given them Authority to preach in my Name and to deliver the Gospel to others This sending of Christ it maketh all that Christ doth in the Father's Name to be valid which is much for the comfort of our Faith Christ is not a Mediator by the right or meerly by the desire of the Creature or by his own Interposition but he is sent and authorized you may plead it with God he hath sent him to save Sinners You know Moses when he interposed on his own accord Exod. 32.32 Forgive their Sin and if not blot me I pray thee out of thy Book which thou hast written Tho it was an high Act of Zeal in Moses yet God refused it Vers. 33. And the Lord said to Moses Whosoever hath sinned against me him will make I blot out of my Book So if Christ had been set up as Mediator by the Right and Desire of the Creature only he might have been refused but he was authorised by God he did not glorify himself by invasion of the Mediatory Office but had a Patent from the Council of the Trinity indited by the Father accepted by himself sealed by the Holy Ghost evidenced to the World by his Personal Endowments and by his Miracles Thus you see what this Sending is it implies the Designation of the Father the Qualification of his Person for the Work and his Authority to execute it in his Name III. To what purpose was he sent into the World I Answer To perform the whole Duty of the Mediator but principally to redeem and instruct the World those two Offices of Prophet and Priest Christ performed upon Earth The Apostle toucheth upon them Heb. 3.1 Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ. Mark the Apostle mentioneth but two Offices but they were the highest in both the Churches the High Priest was the highest Officer in the Jewish Church therefore he saith he was the High Priest of our Profession And an Apostle was the highest Officer in the Christian Church therefore he saith he was the Apostle of our Profession And he mentions but these two because these were the two Offices Christ chiefly performed upon Earth he came to preach the Gospel which we profess so he is the Apostle of our Profession and he came to ratify it with his Blood so he is the High Priest of our Profession In short he came to deal with God and with Men To deal with God and so is an High Priest to pacify God to offer such a Sacrifice as might satisfy God and he came to deal with Men and so be is an Apostle to open the everlasting Gospel to bring it out of the Bosom of God to our Hearts His Kingly Office was but little exercised upon Earth We have a glimpse of his Kingly Office or rather of his Divine Nature in turning the Mony-Changers out of the Temple but it was little exercised upon Earth Why because this was the time of Christ's Humiliation Now the Kingly Office suits more with the Exaltation of Christ when he comes the second time then he comes to exercise his Kingly Office to reign and scatter his Enemies and shew his Kingly Power but now he came to teach and to suffer That is the Reason why his Kingly Office is made the Consequent of his Resurrection Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right Hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give Repentance to Israel and Forgiveness of Sins Was not Christ King of the Church and King before his Resurrection I Answer As God so he was a King from all Eternity and in the days of his Flesh he was our Mediator therefore certainly King Priest and Prophet but in the World he did not come to possess his Kingdom but only to preach it and divulge it Therefore he saith to Pilate John 18.36 My Kingdom is not of this World if my Kingdom were of this World then would my Servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews but now is my Kingdom not from hence Christ came to bear witness that he was King but did not come to possess his Kingdom and act as a King As soon as ever he was consecrated to be a Mediator he was King Priest and Prophet of the Church Look as David was King before God as soon as he was Anointed long before he possessed the Throne and was crowned at Hebron 1 Sam. 16.13 for he was King when he wandred up and down and was hunted like a Flea or like a Partridg upon the Mountains So Christ in the time of his Humiliation was a King but did not exercise his Kingdom Chiefly then he was sent into the World the first time to redeem and instruct the World To redeem the World 1 John 4.10 God loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins This was Christ's first Errand to make Satisfaction for Sins afterwards he will come to destroy his Enemies at his second coming And to instruct the World that is of special consideration in this place As thou hast sent me into the World so have I sent them into the World Christ sent Disciples as a Prophet and in
this sense he is the Apostle of our Profession an Ambassador sent from Heaven God's Representative in this sense he is called the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 The solemnest Messenger that ever God sent into the World Isa. 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good Tidings unto the Meek c. Christ was anointed principally for this Work to preach the Gospel he came from Heaven to shew us the Way of Life Heb. 1.1 2. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in Time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last Days spoken unto us by his Son He hath spoken to us by Apostles Pastors and Teachers Why doth he make mention only of Christ Because in the Roll of Gospel-Preachers Christ is the First Christ's Name is first enrolled he was first in Commission and he sent forth Apostles and the Apostles others The Mystery of Redemption was never clearly known till Christ came to preach it then all the deep Counsel of God for Man's Salvation came out which was hidden before Christ brought out of God's Bosom the Doctrine of the Gospel APPLICATION We learn hence many Things As 1. The distinction of the Persons in the Trinity Christ is a distinct subsistence from the Father for he that sendeth and he that is sent are distinct Mark it implies a Distinction but not an Inferiority against the Arrians Persons equal by mutual consent may send one another as the Elders of Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas but it doth not follow that they were inferior to the Elders of Antioch So here it implies Distinction but not Inferiority 2. The Knowledg of Christ's Person he was sent into the World therefore is God-Man He was one that was sent therefore had a being before he was Incarnate and was sent into the World therefore there was an Assumption of the Humane Nature 3. It sheweth us the Love of God he would not intrust an Angel nor Arch-Angel with our Salvation but sent his Son 1 John 4.10 Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins There is nothing too near nor too dear for us It will take the more wih us if we consider the infinite complacency and contentment God had in Christ yet he sent his Son Man's Love is defensive he loves his Children out of design of Immortality because he lives in them God had no reason to do so he had many reasons to the contrary yet he sent his Son to die for us when we were Enemies And his Son is sent What to do Not only to treat with us not only to borrow a Tongue to speak to us but to take a Body to die for us to be substituted in our room and stead 4. It informs us of the great condescention of Christ that he submitted to be sent Psal. 40.7 8. Then said I Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart He was ready when God would send him like a Servant ready to be dispatched upon his Errand That Christ would be sent that he would take our Nature not while it was innocent but when it was guilty liable to the Wrath of God when all Mankind were proclaimed Traytors and Out-Laws and whoever partaked of our Nature was to partake of our Sorrow yet then was Christ sent he came in the similitude of sinful Flesh Rom. 8.3 Christ did not partake of the infection of our Nature he was not a Sinner by being born of our Stock the Infection was stopped by the Holy Ghost but he took our Nature when it was sinful tainted with Sin and in this Message and Errand he laid aside his Majesty and by an unspeakable dispensation he abstains from the full use and exercise of the Godhead not from Godhead it self Therefore he prays John 17.5 And now O Father glorify thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was He begs for his Glory again which he had laid aside for a while It cannot be meant of the Divine Nature for to that nothing can be given it cannot be meant of Humane Nature because that is not capable of the Glory which Christ had before the World was the meaning is he desires to be restored to the full use of the Godhead from which he had abstained by an unspeakable Dispensation a long time and by the interposition of his Humane Nature the Glory of the Godhead was as it were eclipsed as a Candle in a Dark Lanthorn and therefore he desires that the Vail might be taken away and he might return again to the full use of the Godhead having done his Work It is irksome to us to go back a few degrees in Pomp and Pleasure even upon just and convenient Reasons but how did Christ condescend and stoop when he was thus sent into the World by God for our sakes 5. Here is some ground of Comfort to them that believe you may offer to God a Mediator of his own chusing one that was authorized by himself When you plead with God you may say Lord thou hast sent thy Son Or when you plead with your own Hearts you may urge thâ—m with this God sent him to be helpful to my Soul These things may be observed from the first thing the Mission of Christ. SERMON XXXI JOHN XVII 18 As thou hast sent me into the World even so have I also sent them into the World Secondly I Come to the Mission of the Apostles So have I sent them into the World as thou hast sent me The words intimate a comparison between God's sending of Christ into the World and Christ's sending the Apostles into the World But how doth the Comparison hold good Christ was sent to Redeem they to Preach the Apostles were no Redeemers Christ was sent not only as a Prophet but as a Priest as we have seen before And again for the manner Christ was sent by being Incarnate God-Man in one Person he must be Man if sent but they were Men and therefore there is a difference Christ was sent as the Supream Officer of the Church as God with Original Authority they as Ministers and Servants Christ could teach immediatly outwardly by his Word inwardly by his Spirit they only outwardly How then could it be said As thou hast sent me into the World so have I sent them into the World I Answer There is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some Likeness but not an Equality As the Union of the Apostles is compared with the Unity of the Trinity so the Mission of the Apostles with the Mission of Christ. The Similitude holdeth in several Things they were Authorized Ministers and Officers of the Church as Christ was Christ was authorized by
God and the Apostles by Christ they were his Deputies and Representatives as he was God's that is the Notion of Apostle or one sent in the New Testament not as bare Messengers but as Proxies see Hammond and we read of Messengers of the Churches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Churcheâ— Deputies and Representatives Yea they had Power to send others as Christ had The World was bound to acknowledg them for such To despise Christ was to despise God whose Deputy he was and to despise them was to despise Christ to hear them was to hear Christ and to hear Christ was to hear God Mat. 10.40 He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me And Luke 10.16 He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me But why doth Christ urge this Argument in this place They were sent and sent as I was sent I Answer It is an Argument as to God and it is a ground of Hope to the Apostles An Argument fit to be urged to God in Prayer they are sent as I was Thou didst send me to redeem the World out of thy Grace and they are sent to preach this Redemption and therefore it is fit they should be preserved and sanctified It is a fit ground of Hope for the Apostles to meditate upon they were sent as Christ was If they be in great Poverty want the help and assistance of the World so did Christ. All God's Witnesses prophesy in Sackcloth Well then here we have the first rise of a Gospel-Ministry Christ was sent by God the Apostles by Christ and others are their Successors authorized and sent by them The Points which I shall handle are two First The Necessity of a Call to the Ministry Secondly The Dignity of those that are so called Both are implied in the word sent Before I enter upon the Discussion let none take offence that I apply that to the Ministry in general which is spoken of the Apostles in the Text I have sent them Which I do for two Reasons 1. Partly because we may compare ordinary Ministers and the Apostles together if their Mission be compared with Christ's As Christ's Mission had something extraordinary and peculiar by which it was distinguished from the Mission of the Apostles so the Apostles Mission hath something peculiar but both agree in this that they must be sent this they have in common Rom. 10.14 How can they preach except they be sent Mark the Apostles were sent as Christ was sent tho Christ was sent to redeem as well as to prophesy and teach and so Ministers are sent they must be authorized as well as the Apostles tho the Apostles had somewhat peculiar and proper to that Office as the Infallibility of Doctrine power of working Miracles the largeness of their Circuit which was the whole World whereas ordinary Ministers are set over one Church and fastned to one place Again the Apostles were appointed to write Scriptures and Pastors and Teachers to apply Scripture The Apostles were authorized by Christ himself received their Call immediatly from his Mouth ordinary Ministers are called by a Power derived Yet they both agree in this that they serve in the Work of the Gospel and that they are Officers that must be called and sent as not only they are the King's Officers who are immediatly appointed by the King but those also that are appointed by subordinate Powers 2. Partly because a part of the Comparison lieth in this that as Christ was sent by God and had Power to call others so the Apostles were sent by Christ and had a Power to send and constitute others and so the Succession was to continue That this was a part of their Power appeareth because Christ when he gave them their Commission saith He will be with them to the end of the World Mat. 28.20 that is with them in their Persons and their Successors who are taken into the same Patent and Commission and have a Power to call others to the end of the World and therefore the Apostles ordained Elders in every City Acts 14.23 And those Elders ordained others as the Apostle giveth leave to Titus so to do Tit. 1.5 For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee Christ was not only sent to be a Prophet himself but to authorize others So the Apostles not only were sent to preach the Gospel themselves but to authorize others and they others even to the end of the World This being premised I come to handle First The Necessity of a Call That none can enter upon this Work or upon the Office of the Ministry without a Call is I suppose out of controversy All the Difficulty will be to shew you what a Call is Gifts meerly do not make a Call but something else Now a Call is either Extraordinary or Ordinary 1. Extraordinary and that is an immediate Call from God himself by Voice Vision or Oracle or by Christ in Person So was Moses called to his Office so the Baptist so the Apostles and so also was Paul called because he had not seen Christ in Person which it seemeth was necessary to the Call of an Apostle he was called by Christ appearing from Heaven and therefore he saith Gal. 1.1 Paul an Apostle not of Men neither by Man but by Jesus Christ c. Now this extraordinary Call may be pretended but cannot be expected in these latter dayes Many have pretended to an extraordinary Call Eusebius in his â— th Book tells us of some that pretended they had a Book sent from Heaven according to which they were to instruct their Disciples And Sozomen speaketh of a Monk that pretended that the Instruction that he offered to the Church was written by an Angel And since in all Ages especially in ours do Men pretend to Illâ—minations Teachings and Voices within Thus it may be pretended but it cannot be expected For an immediate extraordinary Calling hath only place in establishing a new Doctrine But now the Canon of Faith is closed up This Doctrine of the Kingdom is to be preached to all Nations till the end come Mat. 24.14 And the Ordinances of the Church are setled and put into a stated course till Christ come and therefore we cannot reasonably expect new Miracles and new Calls And besides every extraordinary Call is manifested by some Vision Miracle or special Effect and Gift of the Holy Ghost by which the Truth of that Calling may be made out to others and hath been always sealed with extraordinary Effects which are ceased in these Days 2. The Ordinary Call then is that which we should chiefly regard and that is two-fold either Inward or Outward 1. The Inward Calling that is to be regarded in the first place Be sure you be Ministers of Christ's making There
times because of our blockishness Col. 2.3 In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Hidden not that they should not be found out but because they are seen by the Eye of Faith Hidden because deposited there to be dispensed to us God made Christ a Storehouse to furnish all our Necessities 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Wisdom to give us Spiritual Illumination Be not discouraged it is not the Pregnancy of the Scholar that prevaileth here but the Excellency of the Teacher If Christ be the Teacher no matter how dull the Scholar be Pride in Parts hath been in hinderance but Simpleness hath never been an hinderance Psal. 19.7 The Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the Simple Jer. 31.33 34. I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my People And they shall teach no more every Man his Neighbour and every Man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord. Mat. 11.25 I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the Wise and Prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes God can give to shallow and weak People great understanding in Spiritual Things as he cured him that was born blind John 9. 2. With Earnestness cry for Knowledg and lift up thy Voice for Vnderstanding Prov. 2.3 Many times God withholdeth Knowledg that we may cry for it especially when the Case is doubtful and litigious John wept when the Book was sealed with seven Seals Rev. 5.4 We need to cry for all Grace but especially for Saving-Knowledg Let us groan and sigh when we are in the Dark 1. Consider the Necessity of Knowledg The blind Man cried after Christ because he knew what it was to want Eyes Luke 18.41 Lord that I may receive my Sight We are not sensible of our natural blindness as we ought to be There is Ignorance and Folly in all but Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg in Christ. If we are not ignorant yet we are indiscreet Men know not how to guide and order their Course Certainly if you were acquainted with your selves you would not hold your peace 2. Consider the Excellency of Knowledg All Knowledg is Excellent as all Light is Comfortable Knowledg is your Excellency above the Beasts that you have Receptive Faculties capable of knowing and understanding Things that you are intelligent Creatures this is your advantage above the Beasts But Saving-Knowledg is far more excellent even the Knowledg of God in Christ. This is the Glory of a Man Jer. 29.23 24. Let not the wise Man glory in his Wisdom neither let the mighty Man glory in his Might let not the rich Man glory in his Riches But let him that glorieth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord c. If Men should be able to dispute of every thing that might be known from the highest Star to the lowest Shrub this Knowledg is nothing to the Knowledg of God in Christ which is far better than all the Knowledg of the Questionists and Disputers of this World The Fear of God that is the best Excellency and that is it which Christ teacheth I observe the Providence of God in that one thing viz. Solomon had wrote many Books of Philosophy which are not extant when the Books of some Heathens as Aristotle's Book de Animalibus c. are extant but his Books of the Fear of God are preserved by a special Providence not one of them lost we may want the other without any loss of true Wisdom but we cannot want these And therefore you are more concerned in the getting of Saving-Knowledg than you are aware of Light was the first Creature that God made so it is the way by which all Grace is wrought in the Soul for in all Communications of Grace God beginneth with the Understanding Jer. 31.19 After I was instructed I smote upon my Thigh He makes the Creature to submit to his Providence to be contented in all Estates and Conditions Phil. 4.12 In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need God draws you to Christ but his drawing is accompanied with a Teaching John 6.44 No Man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him Ver. 45. And they shall be all taught of God Every Man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me God's drawing is not a blind Force but there is a teaching with it God loves rational Service not blind Obedience And therefore cry for Knowledg and run to Christ that he may teach you and lead you into the Paths of Righteousness SERMON XLIV JOHN XVII 26 And I have declared unto them thy Name and will declare it that the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them THIS is the second Reason taken from the Benefits Christ had bestowed upon them Here is his Gift and his Aim In the first what he had done what he will do Where 1. Quid the Manifestation of his Father's Name 2. Quibus to whom principally to the Apostles and from them to Believers 3. Quomodo I have that is by his Ministry upon Earth and I will in the pouring out the Spirit and his Discourses with them after the Resurrection All that needeth Explication is What is meant by God's Name Answ. The use of Names from the beginning was a distinction to separate Creature from Creature by their Appellations At first Adam gave Names to the Beasts that their Species and Kinds might be distinguished for Beasts are distinguished only by their Herds and Kinds But the Names which Men bear are individual and particular Man being an excellent Creature made for Rule and Commerce and therefore is to be known not by his Kind but Name But now what is God's Name Where there are many there is need of Names but where there is but one the singularity is distinction enough But yet God hath his Name by way of distinction from Creatures so we have a Negative Name removing the Imperfections of the Creature and to distinguish him from those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods that are so called and his Name is a Jealous God Exod. 34.14 For thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose Name is Jealous is a Jealous God And by way of Notification that we may conceive of him aright as Names are not only distinctive but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Damascen So all that by which he is known or distinguished that is his Name and so God hath many Names because one cannot enough express him his Works are a part of his Name but chiefly his Word the Doctrine
Justice of God Rom. 1.32 They knew the just judgment of God that they that do such things are worthy of death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His righteous dealing He hath revealed his wrath from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men Men are convinced in their own consciences that they are liable to his condemnation and judgment The barbarous people of Melita had a sense that divine vengeance followed sinners Acts 28.4 He is a murderer whom tho he hath escaped the sea vengeance suffereth not to live Therefore till Gods Justice be appeased a man can have no satisfaction in him 2. The next reason Because of the deepness of the impression the conscience of sin is not easily blotted out man is conscious to himself that he hath offended God and deserved his wrath and this trouble and fear is not easily appeased nor the wounds of conscience healed The Apostle still goeth upon this argument against the Jews that the Sacrifices could not make the Worshipper perfect as appertaining to the conscience Heb. 9.9 That is perfectly remove the guilt or the fear of condemnation and punishment Heb 10.2 The worshippers were never so purged as to have no conscience of sin so that the expiation and purging out of sin is no slight thing 3. After grace received much of our old bondage remaineth with us for all their life time they are subject to bondage Heb. 2.15 We carry these shackles with us to Heaven Gates Which cometh to pass partly through the imperfection of our graces 1 John 4.17 18. Herein is our love made perfect that me may have boldness in the day of judgment because as he is so are we in the world There is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not perfect in love 'T is possible a man may be justified but because his love doth not prevail to a greater obedience to God or conformity to Christ therefore some of that fear which hath torment in it yet remaineth and we have not that confidence which may imbolden us against the fears of condemnation or the terrors of the judgment As faith worketh by love and love produceth its effect which is obedience to God and conformity to Christ the fear of being condemned is cast out and the conscience is more soundly established and partly because God seemeth to revive these condemning fears by many harsh corrections which look very wrath-like an instance we have 1 Kings 17.18 The Woman of Sarepta when her only Son died she said to Elisha What have I to do with thee thou man of God art thou come to call my sin to remembrance to slay my son She thought that that Providence intimated that God began to reckon with her about her sins this may be a mistake for Gods Providence must be expounded by his word The grievous bitterness is intended for good not for evil to prevent condemnation not establish it as the concluded determination and sentence of our Judg 1 Cor. 11.32 We are chastned of the Lord that we may not be condemned with all the world However you see these fears are soon revived in us by bitter and grievous providences which make us unravel all our hopes and question whatever God hath done for us and partly too God may do it by some judicial impression on the conscience Job 13.26 27. Thou writest bitter things against me and makest me possess the iniquities of my youth Thou puttest my feet into the stocks and lookest narrowly unto all my paths thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet He speaketh there as if God did pursue him as one that was not justified the wounds of an healed conscience may bleed afresh and sins long ago committed may be raked out of their graves and like walking Ghosts stare in the face of conscience and they may be apt to suspect all is wrong and that they are still liable to the condemnation of God God may permit this upon new provocations when we walk not humbly and cautiously with him and do not cherish the fervency of our love to him and the tenderness of our consciences Now all this sheweth how hard a matter it is to get rid of the fear of condemnation before justification there is guilt law conscience against us the law condemneth hearts condemn and God himself seems to condemn us after justification imperfection of grace sharp afflictions and sad thoughts about past sins these seem to condemn us 3. The sure and solid grounds of a believers peace Before our conscience can be established these three things must be done 1. Gods Honour secured 2. The Law satisfied 3. The conditions of the Gospel fulfilled 1. Gods honour secured by a fit demonstration of his Justice and Holiness which are the two Attributes which do revive our guilty fears His justice concerneth the rewarding of the obedient and punishing the transgressors according to his law The government of the world is secured by keeping up the honour of his justice Gen. 18.25 Shall not Judge of all the earth do right And Rom. 3.5 6. Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance God forbid How then shall God judge the world Certainly the government of the world is not provided for if there be not a means to keep up the honour of his justice for God is not to be looked upon as a private party wronged but the Governor and Judge of the world who must have satisfaction or declare his righteousness His holiness must be demonstrated also or his displeasure against sin which is sufficiently done by the sufferings of Christ which put an everlasting brand upon sin Rom. 8.3 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh At Golgotha we have the truest sight of sin 2. His law satisfied and the authority thereof kept up Gal. 4.5 6. Christ was made under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of Sons Christ was made under the law moral which all are subject unto as obedience unto natural parents Luke 2.51 Positive and Ceremonial which the Jews were bound to obey Matth. 3.15 More particularly the law of a Redeemer and Saviour so he was obliged to die for us Psal. 40.6 7 8. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire my ears hast thou opened burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book 't is written of me I delight to do thy will O my God yea thy law is in my heart This was the noblest piece of service or the highest degree of obedience that ever could be performed to God Rom. 5.19 By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross. And Heb. 5.8 9. Though he was a Son yet learned he
them that do well and evil with them that do evil That every man should reap according to what he hath sown Therefore those whom Christ will receive into Everlasting life must appear faithful and obedient for then God will judge the world in righteousness Acts 17.31 Now in patience towards the wicked now by way of exercise and tryal of his people 2. The certainty of the Event The hour is coming John 5.28 That there is such a time coming he ill deserveth the name of a Christian who maketh any Question of it But because many live as if they shall never be called to an account I shall evidence that certainly we shall appear both by natural Light and Scripture 1. Let the evidence of Reason be heard so far as it will go Reason sheweth that it may be and argueth 1. From the nature of God There is a God That God is just and 't is agreeable to his justice that it should be well with them that do well and ill with them that do evil These are principles out of dispute and foundations in the structure and building of the Christian Faith Here the best suffer most and are exercised with poverty disgrace scorn and all manner of persecutions and the wicked live a life of pomp and ease how shall we reconcile these things with the notions which we have of God and his Providence No satisfactory account can be given but this The wicked are reserved to future punishment and the Godly to future reward Here the goodness of God towards the good and the justice of God towards the wicked is not enough manifested therefore there is a day when his Judgment shall be brought to light and his different respect to good and bad made more Conspicuous 2. From the providence of God There are many Judgments which are pledges of the general Judgment that at length God will Judge the whole world for sin As the drowning of the Old World the burning of Sodom the destruction of Jerusalem these are as a warning to all for 't is said Jude 7. these are set forth as a warning to all that should live ungodly God is the same still Gal. 3.20 God is one that is in one mind of punishing the wicked without variation and change he hateth the sins of one as well as of another If he would not put up the iniquities of the Old World he will not put up the iniquities of the New if he punished the iniquities of Sodom he will punish the iniquities of others who sinned in like manner God is not grown more indulgent to sin than he was before though it be not now there will be a time when he will call them to a reckoning In every Age he keepeth a petty Sessions but then will be the general Assizes When man first sinned God did not immediately execute the Sentence of his Law upon him but giveth him time of Repentance till he dieth As he giveth every man time and space so he giveth all the World for he would not have all the World to be born at once and die at once but to live in several successions of Ages from Father to Son throughout divers generations till we come to that Period which his Providence hath fixed Now as he reckoned with every man particularly at his death so with all the World at the end of time Particular Judgments shew that God is not asleep or unmindful of humane Affairs but the general Judgment is deferred till then 3. From the Feelings of Conscience After sin men are troubled though there be none about them in the World to call them to an account or though the fact be done so secretly that it is not liable to an humane Tribunal Nature is sensible that there is an higher Judgment that Divine Justice must have a solemn Triumph Conscience is afraid of it Heathens are sensible of such a thing Rom. 1.32 Who knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death Foelix trembled at the mention of it which sheweth there is an easie reception of such a Truth Acts 24.25 There is an hidden fear in the Consciences of all men which is soon revived and awakened by the Thoughts of this Truth Every guilty person is more or less held in the Chains of darkness which sheweth how easily this Truth can insinuate it self into a rational mind 2. Faith sheweth that it shall be The light of Faith is more certain and more distinct 'T is more certain for it buildeth upon a Divine Testimony which is more infallible than the ghesses of Reason And 't is more distinct for Nature could never find out the circumstances of that day as by whom this Judgment shall be managed and in what manner that God hath appointed one Man by whom he will judg the World in Righteousness that he shall come in the glory of his Father and all the holy Angels with him Faith concludeth this certainty 1. From that Revelation which God hath made in his Word Matth. 13.49 50. So shall it be at the end of the World the Angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just and shall cast them into the Furnace of Fire there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Joh. 5.28 29. The hour is coming in the which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Heb. 9.27 And it is appointed unto men once to die and after this the Judgment Rom. 14.12 So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God Matth. 12.36 37. But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned Rev. 20.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works And in many other places for this being a necessary Truth is more plentifully revealed than others of lesser importance This was the great Promise ever kept afoot in the Church Scoffers took notice of it saying Where is the Promise of his coming The Apostle Jude intimateth the Ancient Promise of it Jude v. 14. And Enoch also the seventh Son from Adam prophesied of these things saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints And it hath been revived in all Ages by Moses and David and Daniel and Joel Zechary and Malachi and more clearly by Christ himself and his Apostles every where Now we may reason that hath God been faithful in all things will not fail at last he hath ever stood to his Word when more unlikely things have been
a wedding Garment and he was examined the man was speechless Matth. 22.12 When every one is particularly observed and tryed there is nothing to reply but glorifying God Jude 15. 2ly Satisfaction of the World in the righteousness and justice of Gods proceeding When every person is arraigned and every work is manifest it cleareth Gods Justice in rewarding his own and in punishing the wicked and ungodly 1. It cleareth his justice in rewarding the faithful they undergo the tryal and though they have failings yet for the main their faith is found to praise and honour and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.7 When his people come to be Judged and have been found obedient to his commands Faithful under tryals patient under all sufferings and inconveniencies 'T is a faith that may be owned before men and Angels Christ will confess them before God Men and Angels Rev. 3.5 So in punishing the wicked Josh. 7.19 God is glorifyed by the Creatures conviction and acknowledgement Psal. 51.4 I acknowledge mine iniquity that thou mayst be justified when thou speakest and clear when thou Judgest God is justified when the Creature is rewarded according to his own deservings God overcometh and we are cast in the plea and suit 2. The word signifieth to be made manifest And so importeth that we must all be manifested or laid open before the Judgment seat of Christ our persons must not only appear but our hearts and ways be tryed 'T is said Luke 12.2 There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed nor hid which shall not be made known 'T is brought as a reason against Hypocrisy the innocency of Gods Servants is beclowded for a while and the sin of men lyeth hid for a while but at length all shall be open hypocrisy shall be disclosed and sincerity shall be rewarded So 1 Cor. 3.13 Every mans work shall be manifested All the ways and works of wickedness though acted in never so secret a manner shall be laid open The Scripture telleth us at the Judgment Eccl. 12.14 God shall bring every work into Judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil The final doom shall repeal all the Judgments of this life and repair them abundantly many things that are varnished with a fair gloss and pretence here shall then be found filthy and abominable and many things disguised with an ill appearance to the World shall be found to be of God approved and allowed by him So 't is said 1 Cor. 4.5 That Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the Counsels of the heart and then shall every man have praise of God When every mans intentions and purposes actions and spring of actions shall be displayed then they that deserve blame shall be discovered and the sincere and upright Justifyed and commended Well then the Scripture shews they shall be made manifest and when made manifest In the general there are two places demonstrate it one is Psal. 50.21 I will reprove thee and set thy sins in order before thine Eyes All the ways and circumstances of sin shall be so represented to the conscience that the sinner shall not be able to deny or excuse evade or forget but ever be vexed with the remembrance of his past folly and ever see his sins before him as if fresh committed The other place is Rev. 12.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before the Lord and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of life and the dead were Judged out of these things which were written in the Books according to their works There are Books and another Book there is the Book of conscience and the Book of Gods remembrance Mal. 3.16 In these Books all things are written which belong to the Government and Judgment of the Rational Creature our good and evil is all upon record our means and mercies and our unthankfulness and unprofitableness under them Jer. 17.1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of Iron and the point of a Diamond Not only in their consciences but before God Isa. 65.6 Behold it is written before me God doth not forget or pass over but note and remember Now these Books are opened at the last day there is not one Book but Books the Book of Scripture is opened as a rule the Book of Conscience as a witness and the Book of Gods remembrance as the notice or Judges knowing both persons and facts But more particularly how are we manifested 1. By the knowledge of the Judge We may hide our sins from men but not from God from the World and from our selves but Christ shall perfectly discover them and bring them forth into the light and shew themselves to themselves and to the World and all their shifts will not serve the turn God observeth men now and observeth them in order to judgment Psa. 33.13 14 15 16. The Lord looketh from Heaven he beholdeth all the Sons of men from the place of his Habitation he beholdeth all the inhabitants of the Earth he fashioneth their hearts alike he considereth all their thoughts Though God resides in Heaven yet he beholdeth all and every of their actions yea their most secret thoughts He fashioneth their hearts alike Sept. One by one He is the former of their Souls as well as their Bodys and knoweth the Operations of their hearts as well as their outward actions Men think otherwise Ezek. 9.9 They say the Lord hath forsaken the Earth the Lord seeth not When he came to mark the Mourners and to distinguish them from the Sinners Psa. 94.7 They say the Lord shall not see neither shall the God of Jacob regard it These are mens Brutish Atheistical thoughts and so go on and are regardless of the Judgment But then your Judge shall Convince you upon his own knowledge A Judge is not disabled from being a witness The Woman of Samaria said John 4.29 Come and see a man that told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ Christ knoweth all that men do and is able to produce their lives by tale and number even those passages which were most secret there needeth no proof to our Judge for all is open and naked before him 2. The Good Angels may be produced as witnesses they have an inspection over this lower World are Conversant about us in all our ways and are conscious to our conversasations Psa. 91.11 He shall give his Angels charge over thee they shall keep thee in all thy ways Reverence is pressed upon us in Scripture in this respect Eccl. 5.6 Suffer not thy Mouth to cause thy flesh to sin neither say thou before the Angel it was an errour All the business is what is meant by the Angel There some understand it of the Angel of the covevenant the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Searcher of hearts who will not be mocked who cannot be deceived
Name they are all written there as the High Priest carried their Names in his Breast so doth Christ thy Name is ingraven on his Heart John 10.3 He calleth his own Sheep by Name and leadeth them out Clement also with other my Fellow-Labourers whose Names are in the Book of Life Phil. 4.3 John Anna Thomas Clement they are recorded and Christ takes such special notice of them as if there were none other in the World 2. Their Condition and Necessities How obscure and poor soever they be in the account and reckoning of the World Psal. 34.6 This poor Man cried and the Lord heard him Poor Soul he is liable to such Temptations overwhelmed with such Troubles he crieth to me to help him It was the Theology of the Gentiles Dii magna curant parva negligunt That the Divine Powers did only take care of the great and weighty Concernments of the World but neglected the lesser Isa. 40.27 Why sayest thou O Jacob and speakest O Israel my Way is hid from the Lord and my Judgment is passed over from my God Vse 2. It perswadeth us wholly and absolutely to resign up our selves into Christ's Hands The Father is wiser than we he knoweth well enough what he did when he commendeth us to his Son Let us give up Bodies and Souls to Christ all that we have Faith is often expressed by committing our selves to Christ it answereth the Trust the Father reposed in him 1 Pet. 4.19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator The Apostle knew what he did when he trusted Christ with his Soul 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day Is thy Soul laid a Pledg in Christ's Hands It is no easy Work That we may know what it is let me open it a little 1. You must chiefly commit your Souls to him Most Men lose their Souls to keep the Body That which a Man chiefly looketh after is his Jewels and precious Things in a dangerous Time to commit them to the Custody of a Friend So a Christian whatever becometh of him in the World he is careful to lay up his Soul in Christ's Hands that it may be kept from Sin and the Consequents of Sin Alas while we have it in our own keeping it will soon miscarry Now concerning this committing the Soul to Christ let me observe 1. That this Act is most sensible in time of deep Troubles and Death when we carry our Lives in our Hands trust Christ with your Souls Psal. 31.5 Into thy Hands I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth So Christ Luke 23.46 Father into thy Hands I commend my Spirit Can we trust Christ upon the warrant of the Gospel when Troubles are nigh and Fears of Death Lord take my Spirit as Stephen Acts 7.59 Lord Jesus receive my Spirit We must do it in our Life especially as often as we renew Covenant but then most sensibly when we come to die Jesus Christ is always the Depository of Souls but when we come to die or are in special Troubles then we are chiefly sollicitous about our Souls as when a House is a burning we are not careful about our Lumber but run to fetch our Jewels to put them in a safe Hand 2. Whenever we do it it must be an advised Act. A Man must be sensible of the Danger he is in of the many Temptations to which he is exposed what a sorry keeper he is of his own Heart Satan could fetch a prey out of Paradise Judas out of Christ's Company What Abilities Christ hath 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day Presumption is a Child of Darkness it cometh from Ignorance and Incogitancy Faith is deliberate and advised a Christian can verture his Soul upon Christ's Grace notwithstanding Infirmities upon Christ's Power notwithstanding Temptations this precious thing is daily in danger yet I can trust it in Christ's Hands he that made it can best keep it and guide us by his Grace and direct us in this dangerous Passage 3. It must still be accompanied with some Confidence We must be quieted I am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him We should not distrust when we have resigned our selves to the care and tuition of his Spirit Christ's charge will be safe from danger It is our weakness to be full of Doubts and Fears We may be assaulted but we are safe in the Father's Purpose and the Son's Protection Too much confidence in Sanctification and too little in Justification will unsettle us 4. There must be a care of Obedience Lord Jesus receive my Spirit Commit your Souls to him in well-doing 1 Pet. 4.19 Sins will weaken Trust an impure Soul cannot be committed to Christ's Custody Would we commit Dung to a Friend to keep There must be a giving up our selves to him in Love as well as committing our selves to him in Faith John 12.26 If any Man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my Servant be 5. It must arise from a chief care of your Souls Most Men are negligent herein they watch over their Goods but neglect their Souls and lose their Souls to keep these Trifles What account can they make to God at the last day These live as if they had no Souls and can they be said to commit their Souls to God 2. We must give up our Bodies to him and the conveniencies of the Body to let him dispose of us according to his Pleasure We shall have a Body at the last day and that Body will have Glory enough that falleth under Christ's charge John 6.39 This is the Father's Will that hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day He that cannot do the lesser it is impossible he should do the greater He that will not trust God with his earthly Substance Credit Estate how will he trust God with his Soul for eternal Salvation Which is easier to say thy Sins are forgiven thee or to say Arise and walk Mark 2.9 It is more difficult to believe for Salvation but bodily inconveniencies are more pressing and sensible The Welfare of the Body must not be committed to Wealth or Wit but to Christ A Christian is not troubled what shall become of him he leaveth himself to Christ's Disposal which is the way to allay his Cares and Fears III. The Third Argument is what they had done In the next Clause They have kept thy Word Here is another Reason their Obedience He had mentioned what the Father had done now what they had done His Ministry with them was