None other please God Page 70 Spirit of Renovation what Page 162 Precedes Adoption Page 169 Reprieve forfeited by us Page 3 Religion what Page 36 Of carnal men what Page 107 Every man will have some Page 107 What its end Page 109 Reaping as we sow Page 95 Resignation of our selves to God nature knows not Page 65 Resisting is in part conquering Page 370 Resist not the spirit a Sanctifier Page 150 'T is dangerous Page 150 Rewards and punishments necessary Page 21 143 Lawful to look to them Page 142 143 Radication of Grace Page 82 Reason enslaved in flesh-pleasers Page 117 Rejoycing sensually very unsuitable to our state Page 204 Repentance what Page 34 36 Necessary to begin our interest in New-Covenant Page 36 Reverence and filial fear Page 165 Rigors external and Popish not acceptable Page 121 Restraining Grace Page 122 Resurrection whence Page 92 Effected by the Spirit of holiness now dwelling in Believers Page 93 Is work of the whole blessed Trinity Page 94 Of the spirit and Christ Page 95 Blessed Resurrection to holy ones Page 95 Onely of man Page 201 Resurrection of Christ influenceth our Iustification Page 346 How Page 347 Rights and Prerogatives of children of God Page 206 Right we have is limited of trust and accountable Page 101 196 Lest by the fall yet witked men have a civil Right Page 196 Rule of Believers obedience Page 73 S SAcrament of Lords Supper what Page 32 Spirit of Adoption suits it well Page 167 Hope suits it Page 235 Safety is to keep our selves from our selves Page 49 Is in our Iustification Page 237 Sacrifices for sin and their effects Page 31 Sanctification imperfect matter of wailing Page 1 Is obedience to the better principle in a subject is denial of following the worst principle Page 1 6 How wrought and increased Page 6 Effect intended by the death of Christ Page 34 35 Accompanieth Iustification Page 35 Comfort grows with it Page 150 Satans hand in our afflictions to draw us from God Page 365 Satans design against God and man in his tempting us and how defeated Page 29 He burrieth some into sin Page 40 Is executioner Page 97 Rules where spirit of God doth not dwell Page 98 Satisfaction to God Iudge Page 342 Seal of the spirit what and why given Page 42 96 Sanction of a Law what Page 12 Scripture witness is the spirits witness Page 172 Self-love blindeth us Page 253 Senses must be kept under the government of Reason Page 116 Shame of Believers turned into Glory Page 185 Sincerity for a time in particular things Page 260 Yet man hypocrite Page 286 Sin indwelling breeds fear of condemnation Page 1 Every new sin makes our claim doubtful Page 8 205 Ever hurts us Page 103 Lives tho dying in believers Page 119 124 125 All kinds of Sin in Believers Page 126 127 Each Sin hath several ways of acting Page 127 128 Is Mortal if not mortified Page 128 What Sin consistent with life Page 234 Sin condemned what Page 31 It s double power destroyed Page 32 Sin is a disesteem of God Page 144 108 Seen aright onely by the light of the spirit Page 133 Think of it as 't is greatest evil Page 144 All that came in by Sin shall be destroy'd Page 201 Is enemy to all creatures Page 213 State of man fourfold Page 205 Soul propends to its old friend and mate the body Page 97 Slaves are they who cannot peruse true happiness Page 204 Slavish fear what Page 63 153 Service what Page 154 When prevails Page 158 Far from Conversion Page 160 Sons of God Page 150 How we are Page ib. Subsistences three in the Divine Nature Page 64 Subjection to God inseperable to the creature Page 102 108 Spirit what Page 6 In every Christian Page 74 80 82 Prevalent Page 77 82 And how known Page 7 Its object Page 7 Given by Christ Page 9 17 What Page 14 Somewhat of the Spirit given to Heathens Page 17 18 More to Iews Page ib. Most to us in hearing the Gospel Page 18 All Believers have it but not in equal degrees Page 19 Evidence of having it Page 20 Spirit of Bondage and Adoption Page 25 Acteth grace in Believers Page 40 Things of the Spirit Page 47 To be minded more Page 52 53 To be chosen and valued pursued and sought in Gods way Page 54 Above other things and with Prayer Page 53 Spiritual mindedness what Page 59 Spirit Of Adoption what Page 61 Spirit Not to be resisted but obeyed universally constantly Page 78 79 What to have the Spirit Page 81 Without it we can do nothing Page 83 Is such evidence of true Christians Page 83 84 Its qualities Page 84 Effects Page 85 Never given in anger Page 85 Procure the Spirits presence Page 85 Get more of it and how Page 86 What it is Page 93 Is an eternal principle of happiness Page 90 How he dwells in Christians Page 93 94 Cause of our Resurrection Page 95 96 98 139 Mindeth us of our duty Page 100 Co-operates in Mortification Page 152 153 And how Page 132 133 135 136 Guides the godly Page 146 Sweetly and effectually Page 151 Supports Page 245 T TAste of things shews what men are Page 56 118 Temptations suited by Satan to hearts Page 116 Matter of groaning Page 217 Terrors of conscience restrain from sin Page 122 Foretaste of Hell Page 184 Thoughts discover what we are Page 43 45 56 Are of three kinds Page 55 Good of God to be cherished Page 159 Deep and ponderous about eternal things Page 185 Are known seen by God Page 257 Threats sure Page 111 Verified in Christs death Page 112 Lawfully used now against sinners Page 112 Of use to Adam innocent Page 112 Temporal things bewitch such as compare them not with eternal Page 182 How these should be compared Page 182 183 Trinity engaged distinctly in the work of our Salvation Page 14 Glorified in it Page 35 Unfolded Page 94 Temple of holy Spirit eternally shall glorified Bodies and Souls be Page 184 Tenderness of Spirit least we omit good or commit ill Fruit of love and spirit of Adoption Page 165 Tender hearts of Gods children most sensible of afflictions and sorrows Page 218 More burdened by sin Page 218 Testimony of Scripture is Testimony of the Spirit Page 172 Discovers what is done in us by grace Page ib. 173 With conscience which proceeds with reason Page ib. And both concur to the same Testimony Page 173 What to be done to get it Page 174 Titles tho greatest yet less than this Title Children of God Page 169 Torments for the bad after this life Page 22 Tryals in highest degrees to be respected by us Page 359 These discover our graces and what Page 360 361 Tribulations what Page 351 All conquered by our fervent love of Christ Page 370 And its appendages foreseen and felt to differ Page 371 Troubles of Christians many and great Page 372 And why Page 353 Truths tho small must be
1 The kinds of Parables Argumentative and Representative Page 1 Patience of God to Sinners Page 198 Prayer what a Praying Frame is Page 74 Watching to Prayer in Prayer after Prayer what it is Page 75 Poor three sorts of Poor Devil's Poor Christ's Poor the World 's Poor Page 189 Power of Christ as Lord and Owner distinct from his Power as Governour and Ruler Page 81 The Right Christ hath to this Power Page 81 Christ cannot be divested of this Power Page 82 Power in Man to convert himself need not be dsputed but our Duty to be regarded Page 129 Perseverance in Christs Service Motives to press it Page 47 Personal qualifications we are to be careful of if we would be saved Page 51 Prejudices of carnal men against God Page 113 114 They are very natural to us Page 114 Preparation for Christs Second Coming the faithful prepare for it Page 40 Reasons for it Page 43 How the Scripture presseth it on us Page 40 It must be speedy and constant Page 77 Preparation for Heaven wherein it consists Vid. Readiness for Heaven Page 62 When the actual Preparation for Heaven should be made Page 62 63 Preparation of Heaven how and by whom the Kingdom of Heaven is prepared for us Page 170 For whom it is prepared Page 170 When it was prepared Page 171 Principles false Principles in doing good Page 15 A double Principle in Children of God Flesh and Spirit Page 27 Profession two-fold Vocal and Real Page 11 Not to be neglected Page 11 Not to be rested in and why Page 11 Profession of wicked men will fail them and when Page 47 48 Why the Profession of Wicked men will fail them Page 48 Punishment of Hell may stand with Gods Mercy Page 193 Punishment of Loss greater than Punishment of Sense Page 203 What the Damned lose in Hell Page 134 203 The loss of God's Sight in Hell great grief to the wicked Page 135 204 The greatness of the Loss the Damned have in Hell Page 204 Punishment of Sense what it is Page 205 Q. QUalifications personal we are to be careful of if we would be saved Page 51 R. REadiness for Heaven habitual and actual what Page 62 Why those only that are ready shall enter into Heaven Page 63 Receiving Christ what is required to it Page 58 Religion a little Religion reproved Page 18 Reasons of it Page 18 Negligence Inconsideration unmortified Lusts and Vnbelief destructive to Religion Page 18 19 Repentance late seldom true Page 69 Reputation of being good people not to be rested in Page 19 Resurrection of the Body proved Page 33 Whether Infants shall rise Infants or all in the state of grown persons Page 156 Reward the greatness of the Reward of Heaven Page 184 Riches why God sometimes giveth Riches to his People Page 181 Rich men should employ their Talents for the relief of the Poor Page 188 Reasons of it Page 189 Righteousness of Christ and of the Saints difference between them Page 49 Righteousness of God in the last Sentence Page 210 S. SAcrament Preparation for it necessary Page 21 How we should come to the Sacrament Page 22 Whether those that doubt of the truth of their Grace should come to the Sacrament Page 23 Salvation of our Souls to be regarded next to the Glory of God Page 91 Security Vid. Slumbring and Sleeping Self-denyal wherein it is seen Page 173 Senselesness of Mercies or Judgments the evil of it Page 29 Separation there shall be a Separation of good and bad at Iudgment-day and why Page 164 Sheep the godly are as Sheep and wherein it appears Page 163 How to know whether we are Sheep or Goats Page 164 Christ tender of his Sheep Page 162 Shepheard Christ represented as a Shepheard Page 161 Christ a good Shepheard a Great Shepheard and chief Shepheard Page 162 The Properties of a good Shepheard and how applyed to Christ. Page 161 How Christ is a great Shepheard Page 163 Sin a wrong to God Page 145 The Children of God apt to fall into Sin Page 24 Why we should watch to avoid Sin Page 73 Sins of Omission and Commission what they are Vid. Omissions Sinners add sin to sin and God in Hell adds wrath to wrath Page 198 Sleep moral what it is Page 23 Sleep spiritual what it is Page 24 Total and partial Page 28 29 When and how far it may seize on Christians Page 25 26 Whence it comes to pass Page 27 Slumber the cause of Sleeping Page 28 The Effects of it Page 24 The Signs of it Page 29 Motives against it Page 30 Directions to avoid it Page 31 Sloath in particular Callings the evil of it Page 123 Arguments to rouse us out of it Page 124 Sloath spiritual what it is Page 116 Who the spiritually Sloathful are Page 124 The evil of spiritual Sloath. Page 117 A sloathful Servant a wicked Servant Page 117 Signs when it comes on us Page 120 Motives that draw us to it Page 117 Means against it Page 119 Slumbring and Sleeping what it means Vid. Sleep Page 23 Slumber the Cause of Sleeping Page 28 Son of Man why Christ at his second Coming is called Son of Man Page 141 Sorrow of the Damned in Hell Page 136 Soveraignty of Christ in governing the World whence it accrews Page 145 Spirit how it dwells in Believers Page 13 The Testimony of the Spirit is usually given on the exercise and abounding of Grace Page 53 State of our Persons how to judge of it Page 41 Sympathy Christ takes what is done to his People as to benefits and injuries as done to himself Page 188 T. TAlents what may be accounted Talents Page 88 The various kinds of Talents Page 89 The diversity of Talents given to us Vid. Diversity Page 26 86 89 For all our Talents we must be responsible Page 83 93 99 All Talents are to be improved for God Page 84 87 88 Every one hath some Talent or other to improve for God Page 85 The Reasons why they are to be improved Page 92 The End wherefore Talents are to be improved Page 91 Motives to improve them Page 93 They are increased by being improved Page 93 Among those that improve Talents all are not alike fruitful Vide Hiding Talents Page 95 To whom the gain and increase of our Talents is to be accountable Page 91 What it is to trade with Talents Vid. Trading Page 90 In what sense they may be said to be lost Page 130 Talents not improved shall be lost Page 130 How these Talents are lost in this World Page 130 Temptations great Temptations require great Grace Page 52 Tender Christ tender of his Flock Page 162 Thoughts the usual ill Thoughts that Hypocrites have of God Page 113 Time want of Time no Excuse to sloathful Servants Page 122 Titles of Honour given to Christ must be verified by suitable practice Page 65 Torments of Hell to preach them profitable to good and bad Page 134 Hell a place of inexpressible Torments
Page 133 Hell a state of Torment as well as a state of Death Page 193 Hell a State of Torment and Place of Torment Page 193 The greatness of the Torments of the damned Page 207 Torments of the Body what they shall be Page 206 Torments of the damned why eternal Page 208 Eternity of Hell Torments consistent with Gods Iustice. Page 194 Few believe the Torments of Hell Page 195 Trimming of Lamps what it signifies in the Wise Virgins Page 40 What it signifies in the Foolish Virgins Page 40 Who do not trim their Lamps Page 41 Trade what it is to trade with our Talents Page 90 In trading for God our Returns must carry proportion to our Receipts Page 94 Reasons of it Page 95 Cautions in judging of our Returns in Trading Page 94 U. UNion of Believers with Christ represented by Marriage-Union Vid. Marriage Page 56 The Benefits of Union with Christ. Page 57 Virgins Visible Professors why so called Page 3 Virgins foolish why many have great confidence of their good Estate that shall be found foolish Virgins at last Page 45 Visible Church the State of it in this World Page 4 W. WAtching spiritual what it is Page 72 Watching as it respects our present state to avoid sin and do good considered Page 74 75 Reasons why we should watch to avoid sin Page 73 Watching unto Prayer in Prayer after Prayer what Page 75 Watching as it respects the future State opened Page 75 Who are to watch Page 78 Reasons why we should watch Page 77 The Causes of it Page 73 How long we are to watch Page 78 The Blessing promised to watching Page 78 The danger of not watching Page 78 Means to help to Watchfulness Page 79 Wisdom of Christ Divine and Humane explained Page 143 Wisdom Spiritual wherein it lyes Page 22 Wonder a great Wonder that any should reject the Christian Faith Page 136 214 And that any should embrace it and live sinfully Page 137 214 Three Causes of it Page 137 The Reward of the Righteous at the day of Iudgment shall be matter of wonder to them Page 183 The Reasons of this wonder Page 183 Work Christ appointed every man his work at his departure Page 84 How good Works must be performed Page 180 The Godly described by their fruitfulness in good Works Page 206 Comfort to sincere Christians from their good Works Page 180 The doing some good Works cannot excuse men for the omission of others Page 180 The respect of good Works to the future sentence Page 178 Works assigned as a Reason of the Sentence of Absolution at the last day Page 174 Works at the last day produced as an Evidence of Faith Page 175 Trusting in Works very natural but very dangerous Page 179 Works are not the moving Cause to incline God to give us Christ. Page 179 Nor the Instrument of applying the Merits of Christ. Page 180 Yet no man can maintain his Comfort without them Page 182 Worm that never dyes what it is Page 206 Wrath of God the greatness of it Page 207 Some Instances of it Page 208 FINIS A TABLE OF SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED In the SERMONS on the 25 th of MATTHEW  Chap. Vers. Pag. EXodus 34 5 6 7. 112 Job 11 20. 47 Psalm 32 31. 13 141 3. 79 Proverbs 3 16. 199 19 15. 28 26 9. 121 Ecclesiastes 10 2. 14 Isaiah 30 33. 192 Jeremiah 17 11. 207 Hosea 2 19 20. 59 Zechariah 11 17. 131 Matthew 6 3. 183 11 23. 130 26 45. 26 28 10. 187 188 Luke 13 7. 206 Acts 20 21. 14 24 10. 7 Romans 2 12. 159 9 11. 200  22. 199 1 Corinthians 3 8. 107 2 Corinth 11 2. 3 Ephesians 2 10. 14 4 18. 12 6 8. 107 Colossians 1 24. 36 2 Thessalon 1 9. 149 2 Timothy 2 12. 66 Titus 1 16. 14 2 12 13. 42 Hebrews 2 11. 187 6 12. 119 8 10. 13 10 22. 22 James 3 16 17. 93 1 Peter 1 3. 172  7. 104 2 Peter 1 4. 12  7. 186 3 11. 40  14. 42 1 John 2 16. 74 Revelations 20 12. 102 21 8. 209 ERRATA in the Sermons on the 25 th Chap. of St. Matthew The Reader is desired to Correct these following Errors with some others less material which have been occasioned by the faultiness and Imperfection of the transcribed Copy PAge a. line 51. for thus read as l. 52. for grew r. drew l. 53. r. so he was ib. for to r. from p. 4. l. 39. r. meant of p. 12. l. 51. dele of p. 18. l. 8. for never r. neither p. 21. l. 31. r. not to waste it l. 49. for Transfiguration r. Presignation p. 22. l. 43. for Wisdom is r. Rectum est p. 47. l. 56. r. hope of p. 48. l. 43. r. profession and l. 44. dele without that l. 45. dele should l. 46. r. Now these Temporaries p. 51. l. 19. for that we might r. but we must l. 36. r. in the names of their little ones avouch God to be their God p. 55. l. 48. dele 3. p. 57. l. 9. for name r. terms p. 59. l. 46. r. he comes p. 63. l. 56. r. would not now die p. 66. l. 13. r. if he were not heard and l. 61. for assigneth r. ascribeth p. 67. l. 25. for beareth r. leaveth l. 26. for thereto r. on them p. 69. l. 8. r. ever be l. 34 35. dele not fully p. 70. l. 16. for indefinitè r. distinctè p. 71. l. 3. for separate r. despise l. 5 6. for promote r. promise p. 76. l. 8. r. they both see things future and things future with clearness and certainty l. 11. r. the light of Faith l. 16. for design r. Decree ib. for they are r. that Decree is p. 79. l. 6. after Judge adde before they are ready to be judged p. 81. l. 50. for commutative r. cumulative p. 82. l. 47. for Duty r. Entity p. 84. l. 33. dele and undertakes p. 92. l. 9. for is r. as p. 94. l. 15. dele mans l. 38. after boldeth adde Crescentibus donis crescunt rationes donorum Gregory p. 97. l. 24. for Ministry r. Minister p. 104. l. 53. for Fruits r. Smells l. 53 54. for Pleasure consists r. And lastly p. 105. l. 17. r. delight to meet them l. 25. for This r. His p. 114. l. 47. dele by their failing p. 117. l. 48. dele no p. 121. l. 61. r. a sleight Eye p. 124. l. 27. for Many r. Man l. 41. dele First l. 42. dele Who p. 127. l. 4. dele or p. 141. l. 35. for of r. at ib. after coming dele l. 40 41. for Soul and Body r. humane Body p. 146. l. 18. for with r. without l. 39. r. bonum p. 155. l. 26. r. You have no cause l. 29. r. The wayes of God are condemned p. 163. l. 28. for lively r. live l. 44. for Comforts r. People p. 172. l. 47. r. of the Inheritance of the Saints p. 179. l. 20. for because r. besides p. 184.
Teaching of Christ. Providence doth not hinder Prayer Page 1â— Providence of God in guarding Man is observable Page 172 R. REading the Scriptures the advantage of it Page 27 Scriptures to be read with Prayer Page 28 Receiving Christ what it is Page 389 What it is to receive Christ with all the Heart Page 94 Receiving the Word what it is Page 92 What it is to receive the Word with all the Heart Page 93 Reconciliation the Mercy of God in seeking Reconciliation with us Page 28â— Redemption In the work of Redemption the Father the supream Author supream Cause supream Iudg. Page 86 87 Vniversal Redemption disproved Page 105 Covenant of Redemption vid. Covenant Reformation after Trials and Reformations come Trials and Probations Page 194 God oftentimes promotes Reformation by Troubles Page 194 What Call the first Reformers had Page 277 Rejoycing what reason a Christian hath to rejoyce Page 189 Religion no Religion but the Christian Religion the way to Salvation Page 32 Repentance the Ingredients of it Page 179 Repetition of the same Truths grievous to Nature and why Page 220 But profitable to Grace and why Page 220 Not to be grievous to us Page 221 Directions to Ministers in repeating the same Truths Page 222 Resemblance between us and Christ as the Son of God and as Mediator vid. Likeness Page 323 Respect of the World to be suspected Page 201 Restraint wicked Men restrained from Persecution by the Conviction of Sin on their Hearts Page 316 Resurrection how Christ was raised by the Father and how by himself Page 266 Revelation of God's Will to Adam to the World to the Church Page 240 241 Various manners of Revelation of God's Will 1. By Word without writing 2. By Word and writing 3. By writing alone vid. Scriptures Page 241 242 Reverence to be used in Prayer Page 3 138 Right God hath a Right to all we have Page 55 Righteousness of God how God is said to be righteous Page 367 Rule God's Act his Rule Page 238 There must be some Rule from God to guide the Creatures Page 261 Light of Nature not a sufficient Rule to fallen Man Page 239 S. SAcraments promote our Ioy. Page 190 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper the end of it Page 293 Sacrifice how Christ was both Priest and Sacrifice Page 288 Christ offered himself a Sacrifice Page 288 This Sacrifice Christ offered not for himself Page 288 But for all the Elect. Page 289 Sadness of Spirit the causes of it Page 188 In some it deserves Pity in others Rebuke Page 187 In Christians disproved Page 187 It brings a Scandal on Christ's Spiritual Kingdom and on the Ways of God Page 188 A Christian hath cause of Ioy when he hath Sorrow and Sadness of Spirit Page 188 Salvation next to God's Glory Christ's Aim was our Salvation Page 13 The business of our Salvation put into safe Hands Page 158 No Salvation out of the true Religion Page 236 Sanctification the various senses of the Word Page 226 287 293 It is actual Election Page 227 The difference between Civility and Sanctification Page 237 The efficient cause of it God Page 229 We cannot sanctify our selves Page 229 Means cannot do it without God Page 229 The Instrument of it the Word of God Page 231 233 Chiefly the Gospel Page 233 The Gospel worketh not without the Spirit Page 233 This must be received and applied by Faith Page 233 How Faith sanctifies Page 234 How we are sanctified by the Word Page 291 Why God sanctifieth by his Word Page 234 The Word of God is morally accommodated to this Page 235 The Excellency of Sanctification Page 227 Why we should pray for it Page 227 It is God's aim in all his Dispensations Page 227 The end of Christ's Death Page 290 Those that are sanctified need to be sanctified more and more Page 230 Sanctify what it is to sanctify God Page 243 What Christ's sanctifying himself signifies Page 290 Why Christ sanctified himself Page 290 Satisfaction of Christ the value of it Page 102 Saviour how Christ saves us Page 42 Scholars Believers Scholars of Christ's School Page 74 157 Scriptures the necessity of the Scriptures or written Word Page 241 The advantage we have by the Scriptures above what the Iews and Gentiles had Page 68 We are to bless God for the Scriptures Page 245 The Scriptures not corrupted Page 254 The aim of the Scriptures Page 261 To be the Iudg of Controversies Page 262 To be the constant Rule of Faith and Manners Page 262 Reading the Scriptures vid. Reading Divine Authority of Scriptures why we should inquire into it Page 242 Sufficiently assured to us Page 245 More Reason to believe than doubt it Page 261 How to settle the Conscience concerning it Page 261 What they shall do that stagger about it Page 244 Whether wicked Men can have any absolute assurance of the truth of it Page 243 Arguments to prove it Page 246 External 1. How God hath owned them Page 246 2. How the Church hath owned them by Tradition by Martyrdom Page 255 256 The Churches duty to the Scriptures Page 255 What respect we ought to bear to the Churches Testimony Page 255 3. How the malignant World hath owned them Page 256 Internal Arguments Page 257 1. The manner and form of them Page 257 The Majesty and yet the Simplicity of the Stile of Scriptures Page 257 The Harmony of the Scriptures Page 258 The Impartiality of them vid. Penmen of Scriptures Page 259 2. The matter of Scriptures vid. Precepts Promises Doctrines Histories Prophecies Self-Conceiâ— the causes of it Page 365 Self-Murder the sinfulness of it Page 212 Sending of Ministers vid. Mission of Ministers Sent Christ was sent by the Father Page 263 What it implys Page 25 40 264 The ends of it Page 267 Christ's Condescension in submitting to be sent Page 269 Sending of Christ and sending the Apostles compared Page 270 271 Separation a great Crime Page 165 What grounds of Separation warrantable Page 165 Shame the way to Glory Page 10 Sight of Christ the greatness of the Priviledg Page 360 vid. Vision Sin committed against God chiefly as the wronged Party and highest Iudg. Page 86 263 Makes God stand at a distance from us Page 335 Sin prevails by degrees Page 176 Wilful Sins the danger of them Page 174 Sitting of Christ at God's Right-hand what it implys Page 62 Snares the World full of Snares Page 214 Sorrow the Nature of Man more acquainted with Sorrow than Pleasures Page 186 vid. Sadness of Spirit Spirit how it confirms the Word Page 27 85 Given to promote Vnity Page 164 Testimony of the Spirit how discerned Page 253 How we should know whether we have the Spirit of Christ. Page 306 386 Spirit of the World to be avoided Page 207 How it maybe discerned Page 207 Success to be desired by Ministers Page 277 Of the Doctrine the Scripture teacheth Page 246 Sufferings of Christ the greatness of them Page 287 He willingly underwent them
God with all the heart Page 163 How it is consistent with a Christian's defects Page 163 How far we are obliged to Love God with all the heart Page 164 How it is consistent with Love to Relations c. Page 165 Decay of Love incident to the people of God Page 156 What is not a Decay of Love Page 157 What it is Page 159 The greatness of the evil of it Page 158 The causes of it Page 160 The commonness of it Page 158 Many are surprized with it that are little sensible of it Page 158 How to prevent it Page 161 How to recover our Decayed Love Page 162 M MAdness Christianity accounted Madness by the men of the World Page 123 Reasons of it Page 124 What in Christianity is accounted Madness Page ib. The way of the wicked is properly Madness Page 125 Demonstrations of it Page 126 Mediator Christ a fit Mediator Page 220 What Christ was to do as Mediator Page 88 Men God dealeth with men by men and the reasons of it Page 238 Ministers are God's Ambassadors Page 240 Their duty as such Page 241 How to be received and entertained by us Page ib. The value and authority of their Office Page ib. Credit and respect to be given to their Message Page 241 242 They must treat with people with Love and sweetness and Meckness and Patience Page 242 Christ Spirit Ministry must not be separated Page 239 v. Men. Mortality swallowed up of Life in the other World Page 35 Mortifying sin how to improve the Death of Christ to the Mortifying of sin Page 182 N NEw Creature The necessity of the New Creation Page 204 What it is to be New Creatures Page 201 202 Why likeness to God is called the New Creature Page 203 God the Author of the New Creature Page 207 God the Author of the New Creature as reconciled in Christ. Page 213 How the New Creature flows from our Vnion with Christ Page 203 Why the New Câ—eature cannot be satisfied with the World Page 51 Evidences of being New Creatures v. Renovation Page 206 New Heart what it is Page 206 Non-Imputation of sin v. Imputation O OBedience the difficulties of obedience how sweetned Page 73 Obedience the great Evidence of Love Page 166 The properties of that Obedience that flows from Love Page 166 Marks of sincere Obedience Page 102 Odium abominationis inimicitiae explained Page 246 P Pain of sense in Hell twofold Page 105 Pauls Testimony of his sincerity Page 118 All Ministers and Christians may have the like Testimony of their Sincerity Page 119 How he commends himself to the Corinthians Page 118 Pardon of Sin the necessity of having Sin pardoned Page 231 The great difficulty of having Sin pardoned when once committed Page 230 God's readiness to pardon Sin Page 232 God pardons Sin not as the party offended only but as the Supream Iudge Page 227 The Excellency of this Priviledge Page 232 The good depending on pardon of Sin in this life and in the next Page 222 223 Pardon of Sin the proper Priviledge of the New Covenant Page 231 It 's a branch of our Reconciliation with God Page 225 Reasons to prove it so Page 227 They that are reconciled to God had need still to beg pardon of Sin Page 225 What those that are reconciled ask in asking a pardon Page 226 The design of pardon of Sin laid in God's Eternal Decree Page 223 It was purchased by Christ when he paid a Ransom for us Page ib. Pardon of Sin is chiefly eyed in the Death of Christ. Page 230 We are actually pardoned when we believe and repent v. Faith and Repentance Page 224 We are sensibly pardoned when God gives Peace and Ioy in believing Page 225 We are fully and compleatly pardoned at the Day of Iudgment Page ib. Pardoning Mercy breedeth and feedeth Love to God Page 230 Pardon of Sin an inviting Motive to Holiness Page 228 229 Perfection to be striven for Page 164 Persuasion Ministers to persuade men Page 115 What this Persuasion implies Page 114 People to persuade themselves Page 115 Pleasing God what makes us active in it Page 75 Why we should labour to please God Page 76 Pleasing God more to be regarded than pleasing of Men. Page 77 Pleasing of Men how far condemned Page ib. Pleasures of this Life to be used sparingly Page 70 Power of Man to convert himself the Absurdities that follow it Page 210 It is only in the Power of God to convert the sinner v. Conversion Not only the Power to will but to work when converted is of God Page 210 Preaching of the word necessary and the Reasons of it Page 237 The congruity and decency of this Dispensation Page 237 Presence with Christ in Heaven better than remaining in the Body Page 69 Our Happiness in another World lyes in presence with the Lord. Page 63 Reasons of it Page 64 To be desired by the Saints Page 68 Why the Saints desire it Page 54 Profession of the name of Christ without conformity to his Laws not valuable Page 197 Providence mercies of daily Providence declare much of the goodness of God Page 153 Punishment of sinners in Hell everlasting Page 106 Everlasting Punishment consistent with Gods Iustice. Page ib. Punishment of sense or Loss which is the greater Page 64 Q. QUalification of those that shall have a blessed Estate in Heaven Page 10 R. REcompence different Recompences at the day of Iudgment Page 114 Reconciliation What it is to Reconcile Page 215 The nature of this Reconciliation Page 217 The Revelation of the way of Reconciliation is a great blessing Page 235 How Reconciliation in Scripture is ascribed to God the Father to Christ and to believers themselves Page 216 How far Christ is concerned in it opened Page 219 God in the work of Reconciliation will keep up the honour of his Iustice Holiness and Truth Page 219 The Reconciliation is mutual between God and man and man and God Page 215.217 Why the Scriptures generally insist on our being Reconciled to God Page 215 The necessity of being Reconciled to God Page 244 VVhy God is said to Reconcile the world indefinitely to himself Page 214 Gods condescension in this matter Page 248 The greatness of the Mercy and Grace of God in our Reconciliation Page 220 The value of the Priviledges Page 249 The great dishonour we do to God in refusing it Page 249 The Priviledges and blessings that depend upon and accompany it Page 218 249 By Reconciliation our State is as good or better than it was in Innocency Page 217 Pardon of Sin a branch of our Reconciliation v. Pardon Page 225 God the Author of the New Creature as Reconciled to us in Christ. Page 213 The End of our Reconciliation is walking in a course of Holiness Page 229 Every thing in it implies Holiness Page 219 What is to be done on man's part that he may be Reconciled to God Page 243 Our Right to this Priviledge is begun as soon as
on his head nor the Entertainments made him when he lived upon earth but the feeding and cloathing of his hungry and naked Servants The greatest part of Christians never saw Christ in the Flesh But the Poor they have alwayes with them Kindness to these is Kindness to him Again Among these he doth not mention the most Eminent the Prophets and Apostles or the great Instruments of his Glory in the World but the least of his Brethren even those that are not only little and despicable in the esteem of the World but those that are little and despicable in the Church in respect of others that are of more eminent Use and Service Again The least Kindness shewn unto them Mat. 10.42 Whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a Cup of cold water in the name of a Disciple verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward He had spoken before of kindness to Prophets and righteous Men Men of Eminent Gifts and Graces then ordinary Disciples among these the least and most contemptible either as to outward Condition or State of Life or to Use and Service and it may be inward Grace Now all this sheweth what value Christ sets upon the meanest Christians and the smallest and meanest Respect that is shewed them The smallness and meanness of the Benefit shall not diminish his Esteem of your Affection any thing done to his People as his People will be owned and noted When the Saints that newly came from the Neglects and Scorns of an unbelieving World shall see and hear all this what cause will they have to wonder and say Lord who hath owned thee in these Alas in the World all is quite contrary Let a Man profess Christ and resemble Christ in a lively manner and own Christ thoroughly presently he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set up for a Sign of Contradiction and that not only among Pagans but Professing Christians yea by those that would seem to be of great note in the Church as the Corner-stone was refused by the Builders 1 Pet. 2.7 And therefore when Christ taketh himself to be so concerned in their Benefits and Injuries they have cause to wonder Christ was in these and the World knew it not 3. At the Greatness of the Reward That he should not only take notice of these Acts of Kindness but so amply remunerate them In the Rewards of Grace God worketh beyond humane Imagination and Apprehension 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the Heart of Man the things God hath prepared for them that love him We cannot by all that we see and hear in this World which are the Senses of Learning form a Conception large enough for the Blessedness of this Estate Enjoyers and Beholders will wonder at the Grace and Bounty and power of their Redeemer 'T is transcendent hyperbolical weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Where is any thing that they can do or suffer that is worthy to be mentioned or compared with so great a Recompence When these Bodies of Earth and Bodies of Dust shall shine like the Stars in Brightness these sublime Souls of ours see God face to face these wavering and inconstant Hearts of ours shall be immutably and indeclinably fastned to love him and serve him and praise him as without Defection so without Intermission and Interruption and our Ignominy turned into Honour and our Misery into everlasting Happiness Lord what Work of ours can be produced as to be rewarded with so great a Blessedness VSE That which we learn from this Question of theirs supposed to be conceived upon these Grounds is 1. An humble Sense of all that we do for God The Righteous remember not any thing that they did worthy of Christ's Notice and we should be like-minded Nehem. 13.22 Remember me O my God concerning this also and spare me according to the Greatness of thy Mercy When we have done our best we had need to be spared and forgiven rather than rewarded On the contrary Luk. 18.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus to himself God I thank thee that I am not as other Men are Extorioners Vnjust Adulterers or even as this Publican And those Isa. 58.3 Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not wherefore have have afflicted our Souls and thou takest no Knowledge They challenge God for their Work None more apt to rest in their own Righteousness than they that have the least Cause Formal Duties do not discover Weakness and so Men are apt to be puffed up they search little and so rest in some outward things 'T is no great Charge to maintain painted Fire The Substantial Duties of Christianity such as Faith and Repentance imply Self-humbling but external things produce Self-exalting They put the Soul to no stress Loaden Boughs hang the Head most so are holy Christians most humble None labour so much as they do in working out their Salvation and none so sensible of their Weaknesses and Imperfections Old Wine puts the Bottles in no danger there is no Strength and Spirits left in it So do formal Duties little put the Soul to it On the other side they are conscious to so many Weaknesses as serious Duties will bring into the View of Conscience and have a deep Sense of their Obligations to the Love and Goodness of God and a strong Perswasion of the Blessed Reward None are so humble as they They see so much Infirmity for the present so much Obligation from what is past and such sure Hope of what is to come that they can scarce own a Duty as a Duty None do Duties with more Care and none are less mindful of what they have done They discern little else in it that they contribute any thing to a good Action but the Sin of it This is to do God's Work with an Evangelical Spirit doing our utmost and still ascribing all to our Mediator and blessed Redeemer 2. What Value and Esteem we should have for Christ's Servants and Faithful Worshippers Christ treateth his Mystical Body with greater Indulgence Love and Respect than he did his Natural Body for he doth not dispense his Judgment with respect to that but these He would not have us know him after the Flesh 2 Cor. 5.16 Please our selves with the Conceit of what we would do to him if he were alive and here upon Earth but he will judge us according to the Respect or Disrespect we shew to his Members even to the meanest among them To wrong them is to wrong Christ Zech. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of his Eye The Churches Trouble goes near his Heart which in due time will be manifested upon the Instruments thereof To sleight them is to sleight Christ He that despiseth you despiseth me To grieve and offend them is to grieve and offend Christ. Matth. 18.10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little Ones for I say unto you That in
Heaven their Angels do alwayes behold the Face of my Father which is in Heaven Did we but consider the Value Christ puts upon the meanest Christian we would be loath to offend them What Comfort Love Kindness you shew to them 't is reckoned by Christ as done to himself If we would look upon things now as they shall be looked upon at the Day of Judgment we would find our Hands and Tongues tyed and bridled from injuring Christ's faithful Servants yea we would shew more of a Christian Spirit in relieving their Bodily and Spiritual Necessities and doing Good upon all occasions 3. It teacheth us to take off our Thoughts from things Temporal to things Eternal both in judging of our selves and others The great Miscarriage of the World is because they measure all things by Sense and visible Appearance Now we are the Sons of God but it doth not appear what we shall be 1 Joh. 3.2 Heirs in the World are bred up suitable to their Birth and Hopes but God's Sons and Heirs make no fair Shew in the Flesh. 1. Do not judge amiss of others God's People are a poor despised hated scorned Company in the World as to visible Appearance and what Proof of Christ is there in them Who can see Christ in an hungry Beggar or the glorious Son of God in an imprisoned and scorned Believer Or one beloved of God in him that is mortified with continual Sicknesses and Diseases Lord when saw we thee an hungred or sick and in Prison A Pearl or a Jewel that is faln into the Dirt you cannot discern the worth of it till you wash it and see it sparkle A Prince in disguise may be justled and affronted To a common Eye things go better with the Wicked than with the Children of God They enjoy little of the Honour and Pleasure and Esteem of the World and yet they are the Excellent Ones of the Earth Psal. 16.3 If you can see any thing of Christ in them of the Image of God in them you will one day see them other manner of Persons than now you see them or they appear to be These will be owned when others are disclaimed and glorified when they are rejected and banished out of Christ's Presence And though your companying with them be a Disgrace to you now 't will then be your greatest Joy and Comfort 2. Do not judge amiss of your selves When the World doth not esteem of us but is ready to put many Injuries upon us and to follow us with Hatred and sundry Persecutions we are apt to judge our selves forsaken of God that we have no Room or Place in his Heart or else these things would not befal us Oh no! Christ may be imprisoned in his Members banished in his Members reduced to great Streights and Exigencies in his Members yea by the Hand of God you may be made poor and hungry and naked but all this shall be recompensed to you We must not walk by Sense but by Faith 2 Cor. 5.7 Time will come when they that wonder at our Afflictions shall wonder at us for the Glory that Christ will put upon us when you and all the Saints about you shall say Little did I think that a poor base laborious miserable Life should have such a glorious End and close Christians wait but a little time and you will have more cause to wonder at the Glory that shall be revealed in you than at the Afflictions you now endure Secondly We now come to Christ's Answer and Reply to this Question Wherein 1. Take notice of the Note of Averment and Assurance Verily I say unto you I do the rather observe it because I find the like in a parallel Place Matth. 10.42 Verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his Reward This sheweth that 't is hardly believed in the World but yet 't is a certain Truth 2. The Answer its self wherein the former Passages are explained of Christ's being hungry thirsty naked exiled imprisoned the Riddle is opened What is done to the Afflicted Christ taketh it as if it were done to him in Person In this Answer observe 1. The Title that is put upon Afflicted Christians they are his Brethren 2. The Extent and Vniversality of this Title the meanest are not excepted The least of these my Brethren The Meanest as well as the most Excellent the Poor the Abject of the World believing in Christ are accounted his Brethren 3. The particular Application of this Title to every one of them To one of the least of my Brethren We cannot do good to all yet if we do good to one or to as many as are within our reach or the compass of our Ability it shall not be unrewarded 4. The Interpretation of the Kindness shewed to these Brethren What you have done to the least of these my Brethren you have done it unto me 1. I shall first consider the Force and Importance of these Expressions 2. Their Scope and Intendment here which is to bind us to Acts of Charity and Relief to Christ's poorest Servants First For the Force and Importance of these Expressions And there first observe That whoever believeth in Christ are accounted as his Brethren and Sisters and he will not be ashamed to own them as such at the last Day Here I shall shew you 1. Who are Brethren 2. What a Priviledge this is First Who are Brethren Some by Brethren understand Mankind And so What you have done to the least of my Brethren in their Sense is to the meanest Man alive Partaker of that Humane Nature which I have honoured by assuming it But that is Brethren in the largest Sense No that 's not his meaning here Upon what grounds Charity is to be expressed to them I shall shew you more fully by and by To do good to a poor Man as to a poor Man is a Work of natural Mercy but to do good to a poor Man as he is one of Christ's Brethren is a Work of Christian Charity 2 Pet. 1.7 And to Brotherly kindness Charity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is distinguished There is a more kindly and tender Affection that we owe to those who are Children of the same Father or are in Charity bound to judge so by sympathizing with them in Trouble supplying their Necessities every way studying to promote their Spiritual and Temporal Welfare But a general Love to all we must thirst after and endeavour the true Good of all to whom we may be profitable But the Title of Brethren to Christ groweth from Faith by which we are made the Children of God Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God And therefore Christ calleth them Brethren And 't is very notable to observe Heb. 2.11 For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren Mark The Kindred
not without Success and Fruit. This Phrase Kept thy Word is very significant it implieth not only outward Hearing but Knowledg Mat. 13.23 He that receiveth the Seed into good Ground is he that heareth the Word and understandeth it c. Nay not only Knowledg but Assent and Believing embracing the Promises of the Gospel Luke 8.15 Having heard the Word keep it and bring forth Fruit with Patience Not only Assent but the Fruits of Love and Obedience 1 John 2.4 He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Liar and the Truth is not in him Not only single Obedience but constant Profession and Perseverance Prov. 16.20 My Son keep thy Father's Commandments and forsake not the Law of thy Mother They have not failed as Judas Now there is a twofold keeping of the Word a Legal keeping and Evangelical The Legal keeping is absolute and perfect Obedience if there be but the least failing Moses accuseth and condemneth you The Evangelical keeping is filial and sincere Obedience Those Imperfections Christ pardoneth when he looketh back and seeth many Errors and Defects in Life as long as we bewail Sin seek Remission strive to attain Perfection All the Commandments are accounted kept when that which is not done is pardoned Thy Word He doth not say my Word but thine He elsewhere referreth his Doctrine to the Father John 7.16 My Doctrine is not mine but his that sent me So here he mentioneth the Divine Authority of his Doctrine 1. Observ. Christ speaketh good of his People to his Father Satan is an Accuser he loveth to speak ill of Believers but Christ telleth his Father how his Lambs thrive It is a grief to your Advocate when he cannot speak well of you in Heaven and say They have kept thy Word I am glorified in them How grievous is it when your very Advocate is forced to be an Accuser Isa. 49.4 I have laboured in vain and spent my Strength for nought I have sent my Gospel and it doth no good it is Christ's complaint against the Obstinacy of the Jews Again whom will you imitate Christ or Satan To slander and accuse is the Devil's Property we should be more tender in divulging the Infirmities of the Saints it is the Devil's work Christ when he prayeth for his Enemies he mollifieth their Crime and softneth it with a gentle Interpretation Luke 23.34 Father forgive them they know not what they do Christ excuseth Satan accuseth 2. Observ. Again They have kept thy Word Christ speaketh good of them tho they had many failings The Disciples often miscarried were of weak Faith passionate when when they met with Disrepect Luke 9.54 Lord wilt thou that we command Fire to come down from Heaven and consume them But Christ returneth this general Issue They have kept thy Word So James 5.11 Ye have heard of the Patience of Job Yea and of his Impatience too when he cursed the Day of his Birth but the Spirit of God putteth a Finger on the Scar. It is a ground of Hope notwithstanding many Weaknesses and Failings Christ loveth not to upbraid us with Infirmities We commend with Exceptions and when we seem to praise we come in with a But like a Stab under the fifth Rib Yea we blast much Good with a little Evil as Flies only go to a sore place 3. Observ. It is the Duty of God's People to keep his Word It is the greatest Commendation Christ could give his Disciples They have kept thy Word Mark Christians It is not your Duty to hear the Word only but to keep it not to know the Word only but to keep it Rickets cause great Heads and weak Feet We are not only to dispute of the Word and talk of it but to keep it We must neither be all Ear nor all Head nor all Tongue but the Feet must be exercised Now what is it to keep the Word We are said to keep it when we watch over it that it be not lost by our selves nor taken away by others It noteth three things that it must be impressed on our Hearts expressed in our Lives retained in our Conversations 1. To keep the Word is to feel the Force of it in our Hearts that our Hearts may be more bent and set towards God for else the Word is lost to our selves A Man may better his Knowledg by the Word but yet he doth not keep it nor feel the Virtue and Force of it The Brains may be warmed when the Heart is not and we may keep the Notion when the Motion is gone and lost Oh consider We know God as we love him we know him aright when we know him as we are known he knoweth us to love us to chuse us to gain us to himself and to Christ. So should we know him for our Portion to have no rest till we have an Interest in Christ. 2. It must be expressed in our Life Luke 11.28 Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it To keep the Law is to live according to the Prescript of it 3. There must be a Perseverance to retain it in our Conversations Rev. 3.18 Thou hast kept my Word and hast not denied my Name Do we thus keep the Word all dependeth on it John 14.15 If ye love me keep my Commandments Christ conjureth us by all the Love we bear to him Vers. 23. If any Man love me he will keep my Words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him If there be any Faith in the Heart by which we esteem Christ we must not only keep it in Memory but keep it in Faith Do you honour him in your Lives Can we venture any thing to keep the Word when the World would take out Crown from us Vse We may know when Christ will speak good of us not when we hear and when we are taught but when we keep the Word yet this we must do understand and keep his Word not Customs not Traditions of Ancestors nor Fancies we must receive his Word as his Word 1 Thess. 2.13 For this cause 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 SERMON X. JOHN XVII 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee IN this Verse there is another Argument why he should be heard for the Apostles which may be taken either from the Towardliness of the Disciples or the Fidelity of Christ The one is implied in the other the Towardliness of the Apostles in discerning the Divine Nature and Mission of Christ the Fidelity of Christ in referring all to his Father they know it and I have taught it them for he urgeth not only their Proficiency they have known but his own Faithfulness he had glorified his
There is seldom a time when Religion is not difficult and doth not put us on some Inconvenience if not upon the Displeasure of a Magistrate yet of Carnal Friends if not for some main Truths of Christianity yet for some of Christ's lesser Institutions present Truths usually go cross to Interests 3. The less Trouble abroad the more at home if you do not conflict with a naughty World yet with a naughty Heart There are Doubts in point of Comfort Difficulties in point of Obedience A Christian in good earnest never meeteth with a sleepy lazy time all calm and rest It is good to be jealous of our selves it doth not weaken our confidence in Christ but our fleshly security Object 5. But I have many self-ends and do what I can they will be interposing and I can do nothing for Christ but am ready to be byassed by some carnal Aims Answ. It is impossible to think to be without Failings as to our Ends and Principles as well as the manner of Duty But a Christian is judged by his main scope and purpose of his Life If this be the main thing Christ will own you and intercede with God for you SERMON XIV 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 HITHERTO Christ had argued with the Father and shewed many Reasons why he would pray for the Disciples Now he cometh from Arguments to Requests Here the Prayer it self beginneth His first Request is that God would have a care of them when he was gone from them as a Father when he is about to die commendeth his Children to the care and tutelage of a near Friend so doth Christ commend his Disciples to God And now I am no more in the World c. The Circumstances notable in the Verse are these First The Occasion of the Prayer wherein there is a new Cause and Reason why he commendeth them to the Father And now I am no more in the World but these are in the World and I come to thee Secondly The Compellation of the Party to whom the Prayer is made Holy Father Titles are suted to Requests Rom. 15.13 Now the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing Thirdly The Matter of the Prayer for perseverance in Grace Keep through thine own Name Fourthly The Parties prayed for those which thou hast given me An Argument often urged before Fifthly The End of the Prayer or of the Blessing asked in Prayer that they may be one which is amplified by the exemplary Pattern as we are one Or rather the whole is a new Request two Matters are prayed for Conservation from Evil and Perfection in Good Christ prayed for Conservationem à Malo Perfectionem in Bono In this Verse there is a large Field of Matter Let me explain the Words and then raise some practical Observations First I begin with the Occasion I am no more in the World That is by and by I shall be no more Christ was yet in the World for he saith Vers. 13. These things I speak in the World still subject to the Miseries of it his Passion was not over his sorest Combat was at last and that was nigh at hand but Christ went to it with such a resolved mind that he seemed already to be exempted from a Worldly Condition But how no more in the World since he saith I am with you to the End of the World He is Spiritually still with us but he was about to withdraw his Corporal Presence But these are in the World I am almost on Shore but these are still to remain at Sea floating upon the Waves out of the Duty of their Calling they are to stay behind and must expect Tempests Labours Dangers and Persecutions Infirmities within and Temptations without The World is a Step-Mother to the Saints Christ pitieth their Case that they are to stay in the World as those that are in the Haven pity their Fellows that are left behind at Sea in the midst of the Storm And I come unto thee An Explication of what he said before I am no more in the World only it addeth something more I am no more in the World implieth only his Death but I come to thee his Ascension It is expressed before John 16.5 I go my way to him that sent me I go to the Father Vers. 10. I am about to enter into the Glory of the Father It doth not signify as Lyranus would have it I come to thee in Prayer by way of Address and Supplication but I come to be with thee in Glory Mark there was a great deal of Time yet to pass forty Days after the Resurrection Faith presents Things future as present in this sence we enter Heaven before our Time In this Clause the Occasion I observe three Things I. Christ's Ascension Father I come to thee II. The necessary ceasing of his Corporal Presence by virtue of that Ascension I am no more in the World III. Christ's care to make up that Defect to his People it is the Occasion of the present Address to God Of these in their order I. Of Christ's Ascension I come to thee Here 's 1 st The History 2 ly The Reasons 3 ly The Benefits 4 ly The Use that we may make of it 1 st The History of Christ's Ascension There are many Circumstances I shall touch upon them briefly 1. The Time when he had finished his Work not only of Doing and Suffering but giving sufficient Instrustions to the Apostles about his Kingdom Acts 1.3 He was seen of them forty days speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God As Hezekiah was to set his House in order before he died Isa. 38.1 So Christ would not ascend into Heaven till he had set all at rights upon Earth Christ would have his House well governed after his Death and therefore stayeth forty Days to give Instructions 2. The Place from whence he ascended from the Mount of Olives Acts 1.12 A Mount an high and eminent Place to ascertain them of the Truth of his Ascension he did not withdraw himself secretly as at other times but in open view The place is yet again notable the Mount of Olives was the Place from whence he went to be crucified the same Mountain yielded him a Passage to his Cross and his Crown there his Pains and Torments began in the Garden of that Mount and thence he ascended How often doth the Lord make that Place that hath been the Scene of our Sorrows to be the first Steps to our Rising and Advancement Where-ever the Saints die they have their Olivet in the Prison on the Scaffold their Sick-Beds where they have been wracked with tormenting Pains As sometimes with Wicked Men the Place of Si◠is the Place of Vengeance So Ahab's Dogs licked up his
a Christian hath to rejoyce Secondly By what means he may get keep and maintain it First What Reasons a Christians hath to rejoice The Causes of Joy may be referred to his past Estate his present Interest his future Hopes 1. The Remembrance of his past Estate A Christian may stand wondring at the Change which God hath made in his Soul 1 Pet. 2.9 That ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvellous Light The Light is the more marvellous because of the foregoing Darkness Past Miseries are sweet in the remembrance It will be a part of our happiness in Heaven to look back as Travellers in the Inn discourse of the dangers and dirtiness of the Way It is matter of renewed Joy to see how the Weeds of Sin are rooted out how the Buds of Grace begin to grow in the Garden of our Hearts No Man looketh on the Sea with more comfort than he that hath escaped the dangers of a Shipwrack as the Israelites when they saw the Egyptians dead on the shore sung a Song of Triumph so doth a Christian rejoice when he considereth his Change what he was what he is 2. His present Interest Sense and Feeling We have Mercies in Hand as well as Mercies in Hope something exhibited as well as promised God's Eternal Love with all the Blessings that issue thence of Justification Sanctification c. Paul triumphs in this Rom. 8.37 Nay in all these things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us God hath adopted them to be Children Heirs of his Heavenly Kingdom if the World maketh War against them they have Peace with God they are in a reconciled Estate in frame of Heart they are regenerate they have the first Fruits of the Spirit sweet experience of Grace not only the Wine of Canaan but the Clusters of Canaan they have Communion with God tho banished from Men. It is the nature of the Mind to delight it self in the possession of any solid Good No Good can satisfy but the Supream this we are in part possessed of as soon as Grace is wrought in the Heart 3. His Future Hopes Heb. 3.6 If we hold fast the Confidence and the rejoicing of Hope firm unto the End We are Heirs apparent to the Crown of Heaven We may rejoice in what we possess we may Glory in what we hope for This ravisheth the Heart to think of it we shall have what infinite Mercy will bestow infinite Merit purchase and the ample Promises of the Reward hath revealed The Body of Sin will be destroyed and we shall be out of the reach of Temptations Secondly By what means it is maintained God hath appointed Graces and Ordinances for this End 1. Graces Faith Hope and Obedience 1. Faith it is a help to Joy it representeth the Excellency Truth and Reality of Spiritual Things That which we rejoice in must be good true present All Joy ariseth from the presence of some good either in actual Possession or firm Expectation Thus doth Faith Heb. 10.34 Knowing in your selves that in Heaven ye have a better and an induring Substance Faith is not an Opinion or wild Guess Heaven is a pleasing Fancy to a Carnal Man but it is a Reality a Substance an induring Substance to a Believer The World is a Fashion perishing moveable It is the nature of Faith to make Things absent present it giveth a Being to Hope it sets up a Stage in the Heart of a Believer where God is represented acting whatever he hath promised and this not by a naked Fiction or empty Speculation as a Man may frame Idea's of Things that never shall be as in the Dream and Dotage of a distempered Fancy they make a Soul as if seen with bodily Eyes Faith gives to its Object not only a naked Representation but an actual Presence 2. Hope This dependeth much on Faith it is an earnest elevation of the Mind to look for what Faith counteth real Now Hope ravisheth the Soul as if it had its Head above the Clouds Rejoicing in Hope Rom. 12.12 Joy is proper to Enjoyment but Hope serves instead of Enjoyment they feast and entertain their Souls with their glorious Hopes 3. Obedience Faith giveth the Title Hope the Sight Obedience the Evidence therefore it is necessary to the establishing of Joy Nay it hath an effective Influence it is God's Method first he poureth in the Oil of Grace before the Oil of Gladness Heb. 7.2 First being by Interpretation King of Righteousness and after that also King of Salem that is King of Peace Rom. 14.17 The Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Sin taketh away Joy and Peace the whole strength of Men and Angels cannot make the Conscience of a Sinner to rejoice Yea the Children of God must take heed that they do not violate Peace of Conscience by allowing the least Sin You are to walk so that you may be in a condition capable of Joy none walk sweetly but they that walk strictly Acts 9.31 They walked in the Fear of the Lord and in the Comfort of the Holy Ghost that is a sweet Couple 2. Ordinances I shall name them 1. The Word The Joy that Hypocrites have is from the Word Heb. 6.5 They have tasted the good Word of God A Temporary Faith findeth Joy in the Word all the fault is it is but a taste some slight experience which they do not continue and maintain Here is represented Fuel for Faith and Hope God's infinite Mercy Christ's infinite Merits the Glory of the Next World Joy it is as it were the Blaze of the Soul Love keepeth the Fire burning but now if we would have it blaze and flame up we must come to the Word this is the Bellows When the Angel preached the Gospel he said Luke 2.10 Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all People We come to hear good News from Heaven tho an Angel be not the Messenger yet the Message is the same God openeth his Heart to us 2. Prayer wherein we open our Hearts to God it hath a pacative Virtue Many Psalms begun with Anguish end with Triumph as if he had received good News that his Affairs were altered Hannah when she had prayed her Countenance was no more sad 1 Sam. 1.18 God is the Father of Mercies the God of Consolations 2 Cor. 1.4 The nearer to him the nearer to the Fountain of Joy there are Joys felt in Prayer by retiring into God's Presence Psal. 16.11 In thy Presence there is fulness of Joy at thy right Hand there are Pleasures for evermore Heaven is a Place of Joy because of the constant Communion we have with God there God doth not love to send us away sad 3. Sacraments because of sweeter Experiences Cant. 1.4 We will be glad and rejoice in thee we will remember thy Love more than Wine They are sealing
testimony to their Consciences that they could find nothing against them but in the matter of their God Dan. 6.5 They have no real matter against them and therefore feign and suppose these Crimes to justify their Opposition for they devise Crimes because they find none 5. Because if a Man be Strict and Conscientious Mortified sober of Life and Behaviour the World is apt to judg him one of such an hated Party As if any named the Name of God with reverence they suspected them for Hereticks if they said if the Lord will And we read in the Story of the French Martyrs when Sanpanlius reproved a Man for Swearing he was presently suspected to be a Hugonot and so condemned As if it were said in the Language of the Damsel to Peter Thou art one of them for thy Speech bewrayeth thee If any were humble mortified serious the World suspecteth them 6. The Consciences of Wicked Men are as a thousand Witnesses Non amo te Sabedi c. Ask Conscience what is the matter they cannot look upon them without fear and shame Their Heart riseth against them and what is the Reason All regular Affections may be justified the Cause is bad and Men are loth to render it 7. It appears by the Joy that Wicked Men take when they have any thing offered to justify their Opposition as suppose by the Scandals of any that profess the Ways of God as the Heathens took an advantage from the impurity of the Gnosticks to defame all Christians Regular Zeal is accompanied with Compassion and flyeth not from the Persons to the Cause from the Faulty to the Innocent to the whole Generation of the Just. It is Hatred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Haman thought scorn to lay hands upon Mordecai alone but sought to root out the whole Seed of the Jews Esther 3.6 SERMON XXIII JOHN XVII 14 I have given them thy Word and the World hath hated them because they are not of the World even as I am not of the World III. HAVING Given the Instances and Discovery of the World's Hatred to the People of God I now come to the Reasons thereof 1. Difference and Estrangement in course of Life is a provoking thing Therefore Men that live in any sinful course are loth that any should part company with them 1 Pet. 4.4 Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to all excess of Riot speaking evil of you Therefore they hate them because of the difference in course of Life Now this Suitableness and Oneness of Course can never be between the serious Worshippers of God and others There is a contrariety in their Dispositions the one have the Spirit of the World the other have an heavenly Spirit 1 Cor. 2.12 They are employed in the Service of contrary Masters Christ and Mammon Mat. 6.24 Christ and Belial 2 Cor. 6.15 They are guided by contrary Rules the Law of Sin and the Law of Righteousness the Customs of the World and the Will of God And they are carried in all their Ways and Actions to contrary Ends the one living for earthly the other for heavenly Things Whence it must necessarily follow that they must continually cross one another in the Course of their Conversation 2. This is not all it is not only a Difference but a Difference about Religion and usually Hatreds that arise from Difference in Religion are very deadly that which is for the Restraint of Passion is made the Fuel of it and instead of a Judg a Party The Samaritans and Jews could not endure one another The nearer they agree the Strife is the greater when they are outstripped in that Form Proximorum odia sunt acerrima A Turk hateth a Jew more than a Christian a Jew hateth a Christian more than others So in the other Subdivision the nearer and more conjoined in a common Profession the greater the particular Breach and the Hatred more fierce 3. It is not only difference about Religion but between the true Religion and false False Worships tho never so different may better agree together than the false with the true as Darkness and Darkness will better suit than Light and Darkness and one Error will give better Quarter to another than either will to the right Worship of God The Heathens tolerated the Epicureans that denied Providence and took away all respect and care about Divine Matters and yet persecuted Christians The strict Profession of the Name of the true God enrageth more than to say There is no God The Romans when they had captivated any Nation worshipped the Gods of it except it were Jehovah the God of the Jews yea afterward tho the Jews were equally against the Idolatries of the Gentiles as the Christians yet they were not so generally hated and persecuted So that Hatred and Persecution is the Churches Lot and the evil Genius that followeth the Gospel where-ever it goeth Other Religions tho much different among themselves can agree well enough and live together in Peace when the malignity of the World is turned upon that which is true Under Rome-Antichristian the Jews were tolerated but not Protestants But why is there such a Spite and Enmity at the sincere and serious Profession of the true Religion It is needful to speak to this that we may search this Sore to the bottom Holiness is lovely and there is a natural Veneration of what is strict and Godliness in the Power of it tendeth to Love and Meekness and teacheth Men Patience in Wrongs and Readiness to give and to forgive to do good to all to pass by Injuries and to render good for evil Why should such an amiable Thing be hated I answer 1. The Devil's Instigation is one great Cause he hath great Wrath against the Saints their Increase presageth his Ruine Rev. 12.12 The Devil is come down unto you having great Wrath because he knoweth he hath but a little Time And he hath great Power over wicked Men Ephes. 2.2 The Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience As he worketh other Sins in them so this Sin of Hatred and Trouble to the Saints John 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil and the Lusts of your Father ye will do he was a Murderer from the beginning And Cain is said to be of that wicked One 1 John 3.12 They are his Seed and there is an old Enmity between the Seeds The original Cause is Malignity against God Rom. 1.30 Haters of God It is a part of Original Sin they hate God and hate his Saints God should speed no better than his Saints if he were in their Power But the actual Cause is 2. On Man's part and there seemeth to be a double Reason Pride and Envy Pride is impatient of Reproof and Envy looketh with an evil eye upon their Privileges and Advantages in Christ. 1. Pride which is impatient of Reproof Strictness is an Object reviving Guilt Heb. 11.7 Noah
moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his Family whereby be condemned the World Your Life is a Reproof that maketh them ashamed John 7.7 The World hateth me because I testify of it that the Works thereof are evil Every wicked Man loveth another velut fautorem adjutatorem excusatorem sui criminis One wicked Man doth not put another to the Blush It is no shame to be black in a Country of Negroes where all are black Their Conversation is a living Reproof Thy Guilt is upbraided by their righteous Works their Conversation upbraideth thy Conscience the sense of thy Guilt and Negligence is revived by their righteous Works and serious Diligence in Heaven's Way We are impatient of a verbal Reproof much more of a real Their holy Lives beget a Fear and Awe Mark 6.20 Herod feared John knowing that he was a just Man and holy and observed him Christ saith here not only I have given them thy Word but They are not of the World They do not only teach things contrary to the World but live contrary to the World Many a strict Preacher may be a carnal Man and the World and he may agree well enough They look upon Sermons as Words spoken of course it is the holy Conversation that enrageth most as Elephants are enraged with gorgeous Apparel They have no Vail and Cloak for their Sins Thieves rob in the Night they would fain extinguish the Light The World cannot endure to be condemned from that Light that shineth from the Godly as the Sun is burdensom to the Owl and other Night-Birds John 3.19 20. This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men loved Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds were Evil. For every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh he to the Light lest his Deeds should be reproved 2. Envy at God's Favours bestowed on them 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 Cain was not only upbraided by Abel's better Sacrifice but envied God's acceptance of him Gen. 4.4 5. Joseph's party-coloured Coat and his Father's Favour stirred up envy in his Brethren This is the difference between Envy and Emulation Envy is accompanied with Laziness as Emulation with Industry There is between the Good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a good contention Heb. 10.24 who shall be most forward Emulation is good if separated from Carnal Aims but Envy which is accompanied with Sloth maketh a Man malign that Good which is in others Envy hath an evil Eye it cannot look upon Goodness without grief When others are at the top of the Hill and they lie lazily at the bottom they fret at those which are at the top they will not put in for the Privileges of Christianity and therefore are troubled with those that do so Divine Grace hath made a distinction and those whom God blesseth to be Objects of his Love the World chuseth to be Objects of Hatred Vse 1. If the Children of God have the World's respect at any time they have need to look to their Consciences Do not you symbolize with them in Carnal Practices Luke 6.26 Cursed are you when all Men speak well of you for so they did to the false Prophets Phocion upon a general applause went home and said Quid mali feci Do not you at least let fall the Majesty of your Conversation A Child of God may find external Favour as the three Children did in Babylon by God's over-ruling Power on Men's Spirits Prov. 16.7 When a Man's ways please the Lord he maketh his Enemies to be at peace with him The World may do it in design as Hannibal abstained from Fabius his Fields to render him suspected or else to oblige by Courtesies and gain them to their Faction and Party However you have cause to look to your selves it is ill to be sollicited as a chast Matron is troubled to be sollicited to Lust. Have not you given them some advantage Do not you share with them in their Wickedness When the World's Respects run out so fairly and smoothly towards you you have cause to suspect your selves At least take the more heed that you do not seek to make your Conversation more pleasing by suiting your self to the Customs and sinful Courses of Carnal Men. Vse 2. To press all to avoid this Sin and Snare of Death especially in these Times of Dissention Oh take heed whatever you do whatever Differences you cherish or whatever Party you stick to that you be not guilty of Hatred against the Power of Godliness Let not the Saints act the Wickeds part The spirit of Enmity seeketh other Pretences Hold not Communion with the wicked World in their malignity and spight against God's Children 1. It is a mark of a Child of the Devil the express Image of Satan Thereby our Saviour convinced the Jews to be of their Father the Devil because they hated him that came from God John 8.40 41. But now ye seek to kill me a Man that have told you the truth which I have heard of God this did not Abraham Ye do the Deeds of your Father And Vers. 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil and the Lusts of your Father ye will do he was a Murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth because there is no Truth in him And St. John 1 Epist. 3.10 In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother This manifests Men to be the Children of Satan because they love not their Brethren as Cain loved not Abel You express the Image of Satan to the Life when this is the ground of your hatred 2. It is very provoking Sin and it is the more provoking because we enjoy so many Benefits by them It is sad to hate Men for their Godliness for Christ's Names sake Look as it is a commendation of Kindness on the one side so it is an aggravation of Injury on the other Mat. 10.42 Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little Ones a Cup of cold Water only in the name of a Disciple verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his Reward The height of this Sin is the Sin against the Holy Ghost the wilful persecuting of the known Truth therefore take heed that you be not guilty of any spice and degree of it 3. It is possible for them that profess Religion to hate one another for their strictness in that Religion Pseudo-Christians may be hot and violent the Beast pusheth with the Lamb's Horns Rev. 13. Isa. 66.5 Your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my Names sake said Let the Lord be glorified Men that are Brethren that had great pretences of Zeal hate you for my Name 's sake
While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are Temporal but the things which are not seen are Eternal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What is your Heart set upon and what do you make your Scope and Aim A Child of God prayeth professeth in order to Eternity A Man shall know his general Scope by what satisfieth him Are you contented with the World to have your Names written in Earth to have your whole Portion in this Life for other things you will give Goda Discharge Luther would not give God an Acquittance Valde protestatus summe nolle sic à Deo satiati Grace must have Eternity for it would fain answer God's Love it would live for ever for ever to praise God and serve God All the World will not satisfy it without this eternal enjoiment of God 2. Have you an Eternal Principle Is there a Life begun that cannot be quenched Is the Immortal Seed conveyed into your Hearts 1 Pet. 1.23 Being born again not of Corruptible Seed but of Incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever Then certainly thou art loved from Eternity for thou hast a Pledg of it First or last there is a Work wrought in their Souls that can never be undone and disannulled something that is of an Everlasting Nature And therefore what Seeds of Eternity hath God planted in your Hearts Common Graces and Moral Vertues these are of no long continuance the Soul must have an abiding Work an immortal Work 3. You may know it by this you will be much in Trial whether this be wrought in you or no whether there be such an Eternal Principle conveyed into your Hearts Morality is puffed up never suspects it self and common Grace puts us into good Moods now and then gives some tasts and flashes Heb. 6.4 5. They were once enlightned and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good Word of God and the Power of the World to come Morality doth not labour to see that all is sure and safe and Common Grace only gives us some Taste and Flashes But a Child of God is looking after the Unction that will abide the Seed that remaineth and is careful to see that there is Grace and to be increasing in Grace and is always examining whether it be real SERMON XLIII JOHN XVII 25 O Righteous Father the World hath not known thee but I have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me OUR Lord had laid down the Object of his Prayers and the Matter of them and now he comes to the Reasons tho in such affectionate Addresses to God we should not be anxious in stating the Method Some conceive this a Doxology as Mat. 11.25 26. 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 Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight He had fully discharged his Office as a Prophet and therefore giveth Thanks But I rather look upon it as a part of Supplication He had made his Will and Testament and now alledgeth the Equity of it Here First A Compellation O Righteous Father Secondly The Qualification of the Disciples for that Glory which he sought for them Saving Knowledg Which is illustrated I. By its Opposite the affected and obstinate Ignorance of the World The World hath not known thee II. By its Efficient and Exemplary Cause but I have known thee First A Compellation Righteous Father In which there is an Argument secretly couched For always Titles of God are suited to the Matter in Hand It is brought to shew the Reason why the World is excluded the participation of Heavenly Glory and the Equity in bestowing it upon the Elect. He had before called him Holy Father now Righteous Father God is Just and Righteous two manner of ways in a Legal and in an Evangelical Sense In a Legal Sense his Justice is rewarding Men according to the Merit of their Actions Thus he dealeth with the Reprobate lost World In the Evangelical Sense God's Righteousness doth not regard the Merit of their Actions but the State of the Person and judgeth them rather according to what they have received than what they have done And so God dealeth with the Elect and Reprobate the one are rewarded according to their Works the other according to their State evidenced by their Works to both God is just So that I might 1. Observe That in the Condemnation of the World God is just tho they remain in blindness 1. Because God hath done enough God is aforehand with them they have more Means than they use well The Gentile World had Light enough from the Creatures to convince them of the True God Rom. 1.19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in 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 Yet they would not acknowledg the True God The Jewish World had Miracles enough to convince them of the true Messiah Joh. 15.24 If I had not done among them the Works that no other Man did they had not had Sin but now they have both seen and hated me and my Father The Carnal World within the Pale of the Church have had means enough to be better and tho it be blind in the things of God yet the Lord is clear Isa. 5.4 What could I have done more for my Vineyard than I have done in point of External Administration The Lord loveth to be clear when he judgeth Psal. 51.4 compared with Rom. 3.26 In all Debates he loveth the Victory Isa. 65.2 I have spread out my Hands all the day unto a rebellious People which walketh in a way which was not good after their own Thoughts None goeth to Hell for want of warning Mat. 23.37 O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but ye would not 2. They have not done their part They dally with Means scorn Wisdom their Weakness is wilful and their Blindness affected The Things of God must be spiritually discerned but they are folly to them 1 Cor. 2.14 For the natural Man receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discerned There is not only an Impotency but a Scorn there is a positive Enmity as well as an Incapacity John 3.19 This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men loved Darkness rather than Light because
Isa. 58.5 They afflict the soul for a day or bow down the head like a bulrush and so in the external actions of other Duties That this deceit may be more strong they exceed in outward Observances and that produceth Superstition or some by-Laws of our own by which we hope to expiate our sins as to whip and gash our selves Micah 6.6 7. Wherewithal shall I come before the Lord and â—ow my self before the high God shall I come before him with burnt-offerings with calves of a year old Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oyl shall I give my first-born for my transgression the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul On the other side if mens Tempers Education and strain of Religion carry them to another way and they are all for the Grace of the Gospel without the Rudiments of men the Devil knows how to charm and lull Souls asleep in sin by that way of Profession also and so many take liberty to sin under the pretence that God may have more occasion to exercise his mercy and our proneness to please the flesh is countenanced by presumptions of Grace and the supposition of unreasonable Indulgences of God to the faulty Creature Psal. 50.21 These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thy self God will not be so severe as is commonly imagined and so lessening Gods Holiness they abate their Reverence of him Psal. 68.19 20 21. Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits even the God of our salvation Selah He that is our God is the God of salvation and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death But God shall wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses He seeketh to obviate their conceit how great soever the riches of his Bounty and Grace offered in Christ be yet he is irreconcileable to those that cease not to follow a course of sin 3. This conceit is strengthened in us because many that profess Christianity live licentiously All sins propagate their kind and among others abuse of Grace we see others have great hopes and confidence in Christ notwithstanding their carnal and worldly course of living and self-love prompteth us that we may hope to fare as well as they and so we leaven one another with a dead loose carnal sort of Christianity instead of provoking each other to love and good works Heb. 10.24 Self-love is very partial and loth to think evil of our condition now this cannot be justified by the Laws of Christianity yet it is often justified by the lives of Christians after this Rule they live in the World and we think we may do as others do 4. There is another cause that is Satan who abuseth the weakness of some Teachers and the ignorance of some Hearers to misapply the Grace of the Gospel and the comforts of Justification to countenance their sins The Devil knoweth we will not receive his Doctrine in his own Name and therefore doth what he can to usurp the Name of Christ and to obtrude his Commands upon us in the Name of Christ and so conveyeth poison to you by the Perfume of the Gospel and if he can set Christ against Christ his Merits and Mercy against his Government and Spirit his Promises against his Laws Justification against Sanctification he knoweth that he obtaineth his end and purpose that the Gospel which was set up to destroy the works of the Devil will be a means to cherish his Kingdom in the World And on the Hearers part he abuseth them also carnal hearts turn all into fuel for their lusts and with the more pretence if they can alledge a Dispensation from God himself to serve and please the flesh and no harm shall come of it A little trusting in Christ shall serve the turn though they live never so impure lives I ascribe all this to Satan because all Errour is from him who is the Father of Lyes who often obtrudeth upon the simple credulity of Christians his own Gospel instead of Christ's and by a partial representation of Christs Gospel destroyeth the whole II. I come now to make good the Charge First That this inference is very unjust and ill grounded The Pretence here are those words of the Apostle in the two last verses of the former Chapter Moreover the Law entred that the offence might abound but where sin abounded grace did much more abound That as sin hath reigned unto death even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. These words yield no such consequence To evince which 1. I shall state the meaning of those words 2. Show the unjustness of this illation from them 1. For the meaning the Apostle sheweth the Law was given to the Israelites by Moses not that they might be justified thereby but that sin and punishment to which we are liable by reason of sin might the better be known and so the Grace of God in Christ which justifieth us notwithstanding the grievousness of sin might be the more esteemed and we might the more earnestly fly to it for Sanctuary and Refuge and the Curse might drive us to the Promise For there are two things which the Law discovereth 1. The multitude and hainous nature of our offences it entred that sin might abound not in our practice but in our sense and feeling as being more apparent and awakening more lively stings in our Consciences If a rugged and obstinate People sin the more that is not the fault of the Law but of our corrupt Nature which always tendeth to that which is forbidden it only took occasion from the commandment Rom. 7.8 The proper effect of the Law was to give us more convincing and clear knowledge of Duty and Sin or to be a means to aggravate sin to render it more exceedingly hainous as being against an express Law of Gods own giving with great Majesty and Terrour 2. The other use of the Law is to give us an awakening sense of the punishment due to sin as it exposes us to temporal and eternal death vers 21. and so our deliverance and life by Christ might be more thankfully accepted who by his Mercy hath taken away the condemning and reigning power of sin by granting pardon of it and power over it so that as a great and mortal disease maketh a Physician famous if he cureth it so sin maketh the Grace of Christ more conspicuous and glorious 2. The injustice of the Illation 1. There is a difference between causa per se and causa per accidens a Cause and an Occasion though the abounding of sin helpeth to advance Grace it is not of it self but by accident by Gods over-ruling Grace therefore it is a desperate Adventure to try Conlusions to drink rank Poison to experiment the goodness of an
is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead To convert Souls to God there needeth a mighty working of efficacious Power which exceedeth all contrary power which might hinder and impede that work Men by Nature are averse from God the Devil seeketh to detain them from him and his powerful Engine is the World But now if they are to be raised as Christ was raised what can oppose this work So that we have not only the Merit of his Humiliation but the Power of his Exaltation And besides that this Power is likely to be exercised for us we may consider that Christ is said to rise by his own Power Joh. 2.19 Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up Joh. 10.17 I lay down my life that I may take it again and to be raised by the Power of his Father which noteth Authority to rise again and having fully done his work upon which account he is said to be brought again from the dead Heb. 13.20 and the Apostle inferreth from thence vers 21. Being made perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ. Now if both these be implied in Baptism it doth mightily oblige the Parties baptized to look after the effect of these two Acts of Christ Mediation for Christians should not only believe the Death and Resurrection of Christ but feel it by the Merit of his Death and Efficacy of his Resurrection we obtain this new life and both are the causes of our dying to sin and living to God Secondly What it sealeth or confirmeth The new Covenant wherein God hath promised the gift of the Spirit to renew sanctifie and heal all those that enter into it We have the Grace to destroy sin by virtue of the Death and Burial of Christ but the Promises are in the new Covenant That the new Covenant is sealed in Baptism see Mat. 28.19 20. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall de damned Now the great Promise of the new Covenant is the Spirit to renew and cleanse the Soul Surely this is properly signified in Baptism Joh. 3. 5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God And Tit. 3.5 According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost As the body is washed with water without so is the Soul cleansed by the Spirit within As at the Baptism of our Saviour the descending of the Holy Ghost upon him was a visible Pledge of what should be done afterward for at his Baptism the fruit of all Baptisms was visibly represented we are admitted Children of his Family as Christ was declared to be the well beloved Son of God Mat. 3.17 and we have the Spirit of his Son Gal. 4.6 Because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father As God promiseth to pour out water on him that is thirsty and floods on the dry ground so to pour out his Spirit on the seed and his blessing upon thy off-spring Isa. 44.3 And the Spirit it self is figured by Water Joh. 4.14 Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life Joh. 7.37 If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink Rev. 22.17 Let him that is a-thirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely Now unless we will receive this Grace in vain we are bound to wait for and obey the Spirits motions either by way of restraint or excitation Rom. 8.13 14. If ye through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God we that pretend to come to God for this Promise of the Spirit as in Baptism we do Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Thirdly It obligeth as there is a kind of undertaking to shew forth the likeness of Christs Death and Resurrection by our submission to it Our receiving Baptism implieth two things 1. A publick and open Profession 2. A solemn Bond wherewith we bind our Souls 1. A publick and open Profession wherein we profess a Communion with Christs Death and Resurrection or to dye and rise with Christ. In the general that Baptism is an open Profession for it is required as a sign of the Faith that is in our hearts Rom. 10.10 With the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation And Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost As Circumcision was the Badge of the Jewish Profession so is Baptism of the Profession of Christianity Therefore the Jews are called Circumcision and we are called the purified people Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works and those that are purged from their sins 2 Pet. 1.9 And more distinctly what we profess is plain and evident in this Ordinance we profess to dye and rise with Christ. 1. Death yea in the Text not only and simply to be dead but to be buried with Christ. If Baptism expresseth an image of Burial and every Burial supposeth Death not only of Christ but us surely we are bound not only to dye unto sin at first but to make our mortification more thorough and constant for as Burial noteth the continuance of Christs Death so should we persevere and increase in the mortification of sin for Burial is a continued dying to sin we should not only renounce and give over all the sins of our former lives but presevere in this resolution and increase in our endeavour against sin daily A Christian living in sin and serving his lusts is like a Spectre and Ghost arisen out of the grave 2. So for Christs Resurrection In this Ordinance we profess to rise again with Christ and therefore should not only put off the old Man or body of sin but have an earnest impulsion within our selves to the duties of Holiness and
Churches had rest and were edified walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost Alas the first Christians suffered more willingly for Christ than we speak of him and went to the stake more readily than we go to the Throne of Grace our peace and comfort will cost us more in getting therefore we should be more eminent in service 2 Partly that we should be more mortified to the world he that liveth a flesh-pleasing life becometh an enemy to God without temptations James 4.4 Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity to God Man under trouble is forced you yeild of your own accord your act is more voluntary they for a great fear you for a little pleasure hazzard the hopes of eternal life 3 Partly to be more ready to communicate and distribute to the necessities of others 1 John 3.17 But who so hath this worlds goods and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him He that cannot part with this worlds good things freely will be loath to part with them by constraint how will you take the spoiling of your goods joyfully Heb. 10.34 when you part with them as with a drop of blood Surely he that grudgeth at a commandment will murmure at a providence 4 Partly to bear lighter afflictions patiently Jer. 12.5 If thou hast run with foot-men and they have wearied thee how canst thou contend with horses If you cannot bear a disgrace a frown a loss of dignity and honour and preferment how will you bear the loss of life Heb. 12.9 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin 5 Partly by diligence in the Heavenly life a man traineâ—h up himself to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ by degrees by meekness and poverty of spirit and humility he is fitted to endure tribulation by resignation and resolute dependance on God to endure distress by weanedness from house and home to endure persecution by sobriety to endure famine by modesty in apparel to endure nakedness by close retirements to endure a prison by carrying our life in our hand to endure peril by heavenliness of mind to endure death malum est Impatientia boni If it be irksome to put the body to a little trouble for holy duties how will you endure tortures and sufferings to such an eminent degree as they did 5. That we should not be dismayed when troubles come actually upon us 't is not in the power of any persecutor on earth to put us out of the favour of God What do we suffer tribulation and do any enter into the kingdom of God without it And we have that promise of rest which will sweeten it Distress Christ was non-plust John 12.28 You must stick the closer to God who will relieve you in your distresses Persecution The Lord Jesus in his cradle was carryed into Egypt Matth. 2.14 We that know no home in the world should know no banishment Jesus Christ had not where to lay his head Famine Man liveth not by bread only better our bodies famished than our souls if we have God to our Father we have bread to eat the world knoweth not of Nakedness Better pass naked out of the world than go to Hell with gay apparel your rags are more honourable than the worlds purple Is it peril No danger so great as losing Christ and his salvation Sword 'T is the ready way to send you to Christ who is your bountiful Lord and Master and to loose you from the body that you may be ever with the Lord. 2. Doctrine That nâ—ne of these things can dissolve the union between Christ and Believers 1. That there is a strict union between Christ and believers the Scripture doth every where manifest it and the word separate here implyeth it for nothing can be separated but what was first conjoyned He is the head and we are the members we are the Spouse and he is the Husband 1 Cor. 12.12 He is the head of the Church and the Saviour of the body Eph. 5.23 He is the root and we are the branches John 15.5 he is the stock and we are the graft or cyons Rom. 6.5 2. This union is by the Spirit on Christs part and faith on ours By the Spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 But he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit 1 John 3.24 And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us The bond on our part is faith for Gal. 2.20 And the life that I live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God and he is said to dwell in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 3. Both these bonds imply love which makes the union more firm and indissoluble The Spirit is given as the great fruit of Christs love so is our faith and when once it comes so far that Christ in love hath given his Spirit and we by faith love him again nothing can unclasp these mutual imbraces by which Christ loveth us and we love him The Holy Ghost as the bond of union is given us as the fruit of his love Christ prayeth John 17.26 That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them What is the love wherewith God loved Christ The gift of the Spirit John 3.44 45. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the Spirit by measure to him The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand This love is manifested to us and so is Christ in us And then faith on our part is a faith working by love Gal. 5.6 Christ hath hold of a believer in the arms of his love and so a believer hath hold of Christ. A Christian is held by the heart rather than by the head only some mens Religion lyeth in their opinions barely and then they are always wavering and uncertain bare reason will let Christ go when love will not permit us to leave him If men have a faith that never went deeper than their brains and their fancies this opinion or bare superficial assent will let him go but 't is the faith that worketh by love which produceth this stable and close adherence A Christian is loath to leave Christ to whom he is married who hath so loved him and whom his soul so loveth Again the heart is Christs strong Cittadel or Castle where he resideth and maintaineth his interests in us A sinner will not leave his lusts and worldly profits because he loveth them and so a Christian is loath to leave Christ because of his love to him Faith resents to the soul what Christ hath done for us washed us in his blood and reconciled us to God espoused us to himself and spoken peace to our souls 4. That Christs love is the cause and reason of ours and therefore the stability of our love
a great Diligence Sobriety and Watchfulness before we can have it 1 Pet. 1.13 and Heb. 6.11 We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of Hope unto the end The first Hope may be accompanied with some doubts of our Salvation or the rewards of Godliness ex parte nostri as it belongeth to us not ex parte Dei as promised by him For this Hope apprehendeth all there as sure and stedfast but our own qualification is not so evident In short the Conditional Hope is absolutely necessary in all Christians the latter is very desirable that we should have an assurance on our part of the thing Hoped for but that always cannot be Now Hope sheweth itself both by looking and longing 1. Looking Hope is often described by that act Jude 21. Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life So Tit. 2.13 Looking for the Blessed Hope and in many other places 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stretching out the Head Rom. 8.19 as Sisera's Mother and her Ladies looked through the Lattis We should dwell more upon the thoughts of the world to come and live in the constant expectation of it The vigour of the Spiritual life is abated as this act is abated For when our thoughts of Heaven grow cold heartless raw and unfrequent we grow remiss in our Duty 2. Longing Can a Man believe Blessedness to come and not long to injoy it have an House above and not come at it desiring to be at home The Saints are groaning longing for it Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 5.2 3 4 5. Mind and heart are both set awork by Hope a Tast will make us long for more III. Prepare and diligently seek after it in the way of Holiness A Christians life is a continual pursuit or seeking after eternal happiness Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Col. 3.1 If ye be risen with Christ seek the things which are above Mat. 6.33 First Seek c. This is his work and his business His whole life is a continual motion towards this eternal and glorious estate every step an approach nearer Rom. 13.11 and the nearer the more earnest quo propius fruimur as natural motion is the swifter the nearer the center Faith and Hope set all the wheels a going I press onward because of the high Prize of the Calling of God in Christ Phil. 3.14 still getting more Grace more fitness We have no reason to begrudge Gods service when we consider what Wages he giveth We do but talk of eternal life not believe it when we do no more in order thereunto What Labour and hazards do men expose themselves unto for a little of the present world and surely if men did believe the world to come our industry care and thoughts should be more laid out upon it A man that spendeth all his time and care in repairing the House he dwelleth in for the present but speaketh not of another House nor sendeth any of his furniture thither will you say such a man hath a mind or thought to remove that spendeth the strength of his Life and cares on worldly things Surely he doth not believe a Blessed Eternity We work as we do believe if indeed we are perswaded of such an estate why do we no more prepare for it IV. Clear up your own Interest We know we have And henceforth there is laid up for me c. 2 Tim. 4.8 There are many necessary duties which can hardly be done without a sense of your Interest Therefore you should not be satisfied in the want of it As to rejoice in the Lord always to bear the afflictions of the present Life not only with a quiet but with a joyful mind which the Scripture often presseth now who can rejoice in afflictions who is not perswaded they work for Eternal good They are bitter to sense nature and grace teach us to have a feeling of our Interests and to be affected with Gods providence when we maketh a breach upon us The afflictions cannot be improved if we have not some sense of them But now not to be broken with difficulties and Crosses yea to rejoice in them surely that requireth some Interest in better things If God will whip us forward that we may mend our pace towards Heaven the Christian seeth that he hath no cause to complain None of these things move me saith Holy Paul Acts 20 th 29. so I may Finish my Course with Joy Another duty is to Love the appearing of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 4.8 Who can long for this appearance but those that are assured of welcome at his coming to whom he cometh as a Redeemer and not as a Judge They say even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Another duty is to desire to be dissolved to get above the fears of death How can they desire to be dissolved who have not made sure of another place to go to Well then you must give all diligence to clear up your own Interest V. Improve it to the vanquishing of Temptations 1. Those which arise from the delights of sense or the pleasures honours and profits of the world The proper notion of a Christian is that of a stranger and pilgrim and the duty of strangers and pilgrims is to abstain from fleshly lusts 1 Pet. 2.11 And the force and strength of it ariseth from our confidence in the promises Heb. 11.13 The great use of Faith is to teach us to reject those â—orbid and bewitching pleasures which would withdraw us from looking after those pleasures which are at Gods right hand for evermore Those deceitful riches which would beguile us of the better and enduring substance those slippery and vanishing Honours which would bereave us of the Glory from whence we shall never be degraded To beget an holy weanedness and moderation in us to all these things Vse 2. 2dly To comfort and support us under all the afflictions and sorrows of the present Life of what nature soever they be 1. Against all fears Luk. 12.32 We must look for hardships here in the world but all will be made up when we get home to God therefore bear up with a generous confidence 2dly When pained in sickness and full of the restless weariness of the flesh Consider I shall shortly be in Heaven and there Everlastingly at ease Psal. 73.26 My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my Heart and my portion for ever 3dly Against Imprisonment when shut up in a streight nasty Room Oh! What a comfort is it to consider I shall be with Christ In my Fathers House are many Mansions Joh. 14.2 4thly against loss of fading Riches Heb. 10.34 That took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance My solid estate lyeth elsewhere out of the reach of Thieves and Flames 5thly Against loss of Love and
innocent contentedness and humble submission if Rich by liberality and publick usefulness when well I will glorify God by my health being hard at work for him when sick by meekness and patience if a a Magistrate by my zeal and activity if a Minister by diligence and faithfulness if a Tradesman by my righteous and conscionable dealing So that from Christ to the meanest Christian from the King to the meanest Skullion all should be at work for God for every man is sent into the world for some cause and born for some end or other to act that part upon the stage of the world which the great Master of the Scenes appointeth 4. All our sufficiencies gifts and abilities were given us for this end Every man hath some gift more or less as well as some relation as Matth. 25. Every man received his Talent and he that had but one Talent was to give an account of it Now all these must be improved for God As the Husbandman when he scattereth his Seed on the Earth looketh for a crop and increase So when God scattered his gifts 't was not to disposses himself but that they might be used for his glory Every gift and grace received is not barely donum a gift but Talentum a Talent We are Stewards and not owners not to act for our selves but to honour our Master Therefore what honour and glory hath God by our gifts and graces God hath dominium we have but dispensationem 'T is ours for use but not ours for injoyment as a Factor intrusted with his Masters goods at length it will be seen how we have improved them 5. The end much varieth the nature of the action It maketh an act to be of another kind an indifferent action by the end may become a duty a meal is an act of Worship Alms a Sacrifice Heb. 13.18 Trading for God an act of Religion as well as Prayer On the other side a duty by the end may become a sin as Prayer is howling Hos. 7.14 when it hath only a natural or a carnal end Fasting the bending of a Bulrush Isa. 58.5 Obedience Murther Hosea 1.4 Jehu did not the Lords work sincerely but for his own base ends and interests he was Anointed at Gods command to execute Judgment on Ahabs house 2 Kings 9.6 7. And was Temporally rewarded for it 2 Kings 10.30 his Children to the fourth Generation should sit on the Throne of Israel yet I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu Why Because he did it only to get a Kingdom to himself and though he executed Gods Quarrel on Ahab and his House yet he clave to the Idolatry of Jeroboam for securing his interest So Reformation may be a covetous design Non pietate everterunt idola sed avaritia Indeed an act for the matter â—inful is not altered by the end for I must not do evil that good may come thereof nor use the Devil to serve God But how vile is it then to make God serve with our Iniquities and use his Worship as a stale to our own ends SERMON XXII 2 Cor. 5.13 For whether we be besides our selves it is to God or whether we be sober it is for your cause USE is to press you to make this your great aim to Glorify God You must take care not only negatively that God be not dishonoured but positively that he be honoured and glorified by you and that in all states and Conditions and also in all businesses and imployments Some have wholly deviated from their great end and are not yet come to themselves and live unprofitably in the World and do nothing but Eat and Drink and Play and Sleep they live to themselves and to their own ease and carnal delights Alas what are these men good for To what end have they reason and Conscience Some things if they be not good for one thing yet are good for another But a man if he doth not know God and love God and delight in God and seek the Glory of God is like the wood of the Vine Ezek. 15.2 3 4. Good for nothing Not so much as to make a pin whereon to hang any thing Good for nothing but to be cast into the fire and to reflect upon the Glory of his justice to be fuel for the Lords indignation 2dly Another sort are those who are convinced they should live to God and do now and then look after him but are not so overcome by grace as that this should be the over-ruling principle in their hearts The last end is principium universalissimum it should have an universal influence upon us and be minded and regarded in all our desires purposes actions injoyments relations Gods Glory should be at the utmost end of every business nothing is good that is not directed to the last end 'T is done to the flesh and not to God 'T is impertinent to our great scope First in all our desires if we desire increase and estate 't is to honour God with it Jam. 4.3 Agur measureth every estate by ends of Religion Pro. 30.8 9. Nay Spiritual things must be desired in order to Gods Glory Eph. 1.6 We must not please our selves meerly in the Consideration of our own Happiness and personal benefit but as Gods Glory is promoted by it 2dly Our purposes dependance is the proper notion of a creaâ—ed being Man hath God for principium finem 'T is no more lawful for a man to abstain from respecting or seeking his end than it is possible not to depend on his principle The Creature is from another and for another Man is for Gods Glory and for no other end As he is from Gods Power and no other cause And therefore in whatever we deliberately purpose and resolve upon the Glory of God must have the casting voice 2 Cor. 1.17 The things that I purpose do I purpose according to the flâ—sh That is am I swayed by carnal motives A Christian should not lightly and rashly resolve upon any course but consider how it may conduce to the Glory of God 3dly Our actions civil sacred all the pots in Jerusalem must have Gods impress Holiness to the Lord as well as the utensiles of the Temple Zach. 14.21 In a Kings House there are many officers but all to serve the King So in a Christians there are many duties of several kinds but all must have an aspect upon and a tendency to the Glory of God I must mind it in the closet mind it in the shop mind it in the family 4thly For injoyments I must value them more or less as they conduce to the Glory of God In every thing I must ask what doth it Eccl. 2.2 How doth it contribute to mâ— great end The delight in an estate is not in the possession but use for that hath a nearer connection with the Glory of God The delight in an ordinance as it giveth out more of God or inableth me more to honour him The delight
of the tumults and confusions of the present World 't is wrought in us by the Spirit these graces as they are created after God so created by God After God after his image Wisdom Power and Goodness are the three great attributes to which answer Light Life and Power or which is all one Faith Hope and Love Faith as the eye and Love as the heart this life is received by Faith and acted in Love Hope as the strength and reason sheweth it as well as Scripture Faith we cannot have of our selves for by sense we only see things that are before us By reason things future as they are contained in their causes may be seen if nothing hinder but things Spiritual invisible and wholly future cannot be seen with any certainty but in Gods light as he revealeth the object and openeth the faculty Love we cannot have of our selves for man being a fleshly creature his love accommodateth its self to the interests of his flesh suppose it to be placed like a needle between two loadstones between God and the World surely it will be drawn away by what is strongest and nearest self-love being guided by concupiscence tendeth towards the Creature till it be mastered by grace Those pleasures which enter into the Soul by the gate of the senses will corrupt our love till an higher pleasure let in by the understanding divinely enlightned and into the will draw it another way for before the understanding is daz'ed with false light or obscured by real darkness that it can hardly discern good from evil Such is the treachery of the senses and revolt of the passions and the will perverted by concupiscence hath no inclination but to what is evil Hope which floweth from love that cannot be for till God be our chiefest good how shall we seek and long for the time when we shall fully injoy him with any life seriousness and comfort 5. All things belonging to the new creature the Scripture ascribeth to God Take that noted place Phil. 2.13 For God worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure All that we will and all that we do in the Spiritual life is of God Mark here First he did not only give us the natural faculties at first God as the Author of nature must be distinguished from God as the Author of grace that is another sphere and order of beings 't is one thing to make us men another thing to make us Saints or Christians We have understanding will and affections and senses as men but we are Sanctified as Christians 1 John 5.20 He hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true Secondly God doth not only concur to the exercise of these faculties as a general cause as he doth to all the creatures Acts 17.28 We cannot stir nor move without him general providential assistance is necessary to all things or else they could not subsist as the fire could not burn the three Children though he did not destroy the being of property of it only suspend his influence So God is said to give the seeing eye and the hearing ear not only the rational faculty but the exercise but this is not enough as the act is from God so the graciousness of the act Thirdly To come more closely to the thing in hand God doth not only work meerly by helping the will but giving us the will not by curing the weakness of it but by sanctifying it and taking away the â—infulness of it and sweetly drawing it to himself If the will were only in a swoon and languishment a little excitation outward or inward would serve the turn but 't is stark dead they do but flatter nature that say of it as Christ of the Damosel she is not dead but sleepeth Gods grace is not only necessary for facilitation that we may more easily choose and pursue that which is good as an horse is requisite that a man may pass over his Journey more easily which otherwise he might do on foot with difficulty No 't is impossible as well as difficult till God giveth us the will and deed Fourthly God doth not only give a power to will if we please or a power to do if we please but he giveth to will and to do the act of willing and doing Adam had posse quod vellet but we have velle quod possimus he had a power to avoid sin if he would but we have the will its self but he worketh powerfully and efficaciously that is to say the effect succeedeth Ezek. 36.27 A new heart will I give to you and a new Spirit will I put into you and cause you to walk in my ways If this were all the grace given to us for Christs sake that we might be converted if we would divers absurdities would follow 1. 〈◊〉 Christ dyed at uncertainties and 't is in the power and pleasure of mans will to ratify and â—â—â—strate the end of his death for 't is a contingent thing whether a man will turn to God yâ—â— or no. No 't is not so left it doth not depend upon mans 〈◊〉 with Iâ—hâ— 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me â—â— Man would be the principal cause of his own conversion and so would rob God of the glory of his free grace and put the honour of it on the liberty of mans will for grace giveth an indifferency he may or he may not but free will hath the casting voice a power to repent or believe he hath from God but the determining act is from himself which is more noble for he doth more that doth will and work than he that giveth a power to will and work As 't is a more perfect thing to understand than to be able to understand the act is more perfect than the power actus secundus est nâ—bilior quà m primus We should then expect from God no other grace but a power to repent and believe but it 's left to our wills to make it effectual or frustrate is this all No God doth not only give a power to believe but faith a power to repent but repentance its self not such grace as is effectual only as mans will is pleased to use it or not to use it but victorious grace such as conquereth the heart of man and sweetly subdueth it to God 3. Look to the prayers of the faithful dispersed every where in the holy Scriptures and they understand this of effectual grace Create in me a clean heart saith David Psa. 51.10 And Paul prayed Heb. 13.21 The Lord make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is pleasing in his sight Grace effectual by its self is prayed for not a grace that giveth the possibility only but the effect not only such as doth invite and solicite us to good but such as doth incline and determine us to good 4. This grace we give thanks for not for a power
First Let me observe to you that there is a twofold fear Filial and Servile Child-like and Slavish The one is a lawful and necessary fear such as quickneth us to Duty Phil. 2.12 And is either the fear of Reverence or the fear of Caution The fear of Reverence is nothing else but that awe we are to have of the divine Majesty as Creatures or our humble sense of the condition place and duty of a Creature towards its Creator The fear of Caution is a due sense of the Importance and Validity of the business we are engaged in in order to Salvation certainly none can consider the danger we are to escape and the blessedness we aim at but will see a need to be serious And therefore this fear is good and holy 1. But there is besides this a slavish fear which doth not further but extreamly hinder our work For though we are to fear God yet we are not to be afraid of God This is that which the Apostle calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opposite to the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8.15 and a cowardly fearful Spirit opposite to that Spirit of Power and Love and of a sound Mind which is the principle of all faithful Service to God They that are under the Spirit of bondage serve not God as Children serve a Father but as Slaves serve an hard and cruel Master Fear is the inseperable Companion of this Spirit which must needs be a great hinderance to our Duty because it begets hatred to God and the torment it bringeth to our selves As it breedeth Hatred to God Oderunt quem metuunt quem odimus periisse cupimus when we only dread God for his Vengeance we keep off from him as a dissolute servant hateth that Master who would scourge him for his Debaucheries The Nature of this fear is to drive us from God Gen. 3.7 10. I was afraid So because of the Torment it bringeth to us Eph. 4.18 For the legal Spirit 't is called a Spirit of bondage Rom. 8.15 It hath fear and torment in it and is an Enemy to us for it banisheth all those sweet Principles which should enliven our Service as Love to God and Delight in our work which doth enliven and inspire every thing that we do with an earnest Spirit But where Love is wanting and all the Comfort that should accompany our duties 't is lost either a man doth nothing or all that he doth is in a compulsory manner by meer force and so our hands must needs be weakned in Gods Service if we be not totally discouraged For often it endeth in a Despair of pleasing or being accepted with God There is a lazy sottish Despair as well as a raging tormenting Despair Jer. 18.12 There is no hope we will walk in the Imagination of our own Hearts Cast off all care of the Souls Welfare This was the fear of the sloathful Servant in the Text and such a fear have many others in the bosom of their hearts by which they can never do any thing effectually in the business of Religion by reason of their-strong Prejudices occasioned by their own tormenting fear 2. That this fear is begotten in us by a false opinion of God that rendereth him dreadful rigorous and terrible to the Soul The Servant in the Text doth not only say I was afraid but giveth a reason of it I knew that thou wert an hard man reaping where thou hast not sowed and gathering where thou hast not strawed A parabolical speech to set forth a cruel Tyrant that doth exact upon those that are under him without Mercy and Reason Our Affections follow our Apprehensions and we either love or fear according to the inward notions that we have of God in our minds They that know thy name will trust in thee Psal. 9.10 If we had righter notions of God we would love him more and trust him more But when we conceive amiss of him accordingly we are affected to him And therefore we should take heed what Picture we draw of God in our minds for if we have only such apprehensions as render him grievous and burdensome to us these thoughts will leven our Hearts and make us either neglect his Service or do it by constraint in a very awkward and uncomfortable manner If the Devil can bring you to have a base opinion of God as cruel and tyrannical and once possess you with sowre thoughts and fretful Jealousies or harsh surmises of his Government it will turn all your love and obedience into hatred and slavish fear Therefore those that consider that Love is the great principle of Obedience should also consider that there is nothing so necessary to breed love as good thoughts of God and a due sense of his goodness in Christ come to this once and then all that he requireth and doth will be acceptable to us His Laws will not be grievous nor his Providences seem burdensom to you nor his Judgments intolerable How can you love him till you represent him as an Object of Love one upon whom you may chearfully depend for Life and Defence and from whom you may comfortably expect the Rewards of Obedience Therefore take heed of painting out God in your thoughts as an hard Master The Apostle telleth us Heb. 11.6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him As soon as we apprehend his Being we should also pitch upon his Bounty and Goodness First That he is and then That he is a Rewarder There is in all men some Impression of a Godhead which is clearly understood and seen by the things that are made Rom. 1.20 This Apprehension of God calleth for Worship for next that God is we must believe he must be Worshipped Joh. 4.24 These two notions live and dye together they are clear and blotted out together As the apprehension of God is clear and more deeply engraven upon the Soul so is this notion of mans Duty of Worshipping God clear and imprinted upon the Soul also The one Impression cannot be worn out without the other But now want of a true Knowledge of God breedeth slavish fear fearing God in excess rather than loving him in any tolerable measure because a man naturally looketh upon God with the same eye that a Malefactor doth upon his Judge Fear is more natural to carnal men because a bad Conscience is very suspicious and our sense of Gods Benefits is not so great as the sense of our bad deservings is quick and lively Therefore naturally we have no other notions of God than as a rigid Law-giver and severe Avenger The Heathens who in all their Worship discovered the natural Sentiments of Religion that are in the Hearts of men observed this in the Straits Vt prius placarent iratos Deos c. Wrath and Anger were the first thoughts they had of a Divine Power and 't is as true among Christians Guilty Nature is more presagious of
evil than of good when it is serious 'T is true wicked men cry out God is merciful and that is generally the cause of their Laziness and sleightness in Religion but it is when they do not mind what they say these are but sugared words in their Tongues when they are serious they have other thoughts Bondage is more natural than Liberty Fear than Hope because of the Covenant we are under which is a Covenant of works a Ministry of Death and Condemnation and so begetteth fear and representeth God as terrible yea 't is found in those that are more serious and have some beginnings of a good work upon their Hearts they are too apt to entertain ill thoughts of God and looking upon him in the glass of their guilty fears represent him as harsh and inexorable All their terrours and troubles are raised by false Apprehensions of God and therefore the course of their Obedience groweth the more uncomfortable This is a truth that the Law and Grace contendeth for the mastery in every Heart that entertains thoughts of Religion not only Corruption and Grace but the Law and Grace And as their Law-notions prevail so their slavish fear increaseth but as the Gospel Apprehensions prevail so their Love of God increaseth and their comfortableness in Religion Therefore still the Caution is bound upon us to take heed what Notions we have of God and that we have not any diminishing extenuating thoughts of his goodness and mercifulness that we do not look upon him as one that lyeth upon the catch to spy out Advantages against us for that thought will mightily weaken our hands in the Lords work Do not think of him as one that delights in the Creatures misery No rather in shewing Mercy and Goodness and as ready to give out Grace to the humble that lye at his Feet however he dealeth with the stubborn and obstinate Refusers of his Grace And therefore if I may digress into Application while I am yet in some doctrinal Considerations I would advise First That to preserve the Sense of Religion in the general men would consider how much God standeth upon the Credit of his Goodness and that he giveth them no cause of discouragement as from him Mich. 6.3 O my People what have I done unto you wherein have I wearied you That his Commands are not grievous Mat. 11.29 1 John 3.5 That the Tryals sent by him are not above measure 1 Cor. 10.13 nor his Punishments above deservings Neh. 11.9 13. That he is not hard to be pleased nor inexorable upon our infirmities Mal. 3.17 These things should be constantly in our minds for the Vindication and Justification of God from our natural Jealousies and evil Surmises that we have of his Conduct and Government Secondly I would advise poor trembling Souls that are alarmed by their own fears which represent God as an Enemy and standing at a distance from them that they would study the Name of God For surely things are known by their Names and poor disconsolate Souls are bidden Isa. 50.10 To trust in the Name of the Lord c. Now what is the Name of God Even that which he proclaimed Exod. 34.5 6 7. I am the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in Goodness and Truth keeping Mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sin Therefore take all his Name and meditate upon it Satan laboureth to represent God by halfs only as a consuming Fire as cloathed with Justice and Vengeance Oh no! 't is true he will not suffer his Mercy to be abused by contemptuous Sinners he will not clear the guilty though he waiteth long on them before he destroyeth them but the main of his Name is his Mercy and Goodness Take it as God proclaimeth it and see if you have any reason to have hard thoughts of God you will find that though he be an high and holy one yet he is willing to be treated with That he is great but yet good ready to receive returning Sinners if thou hast sin and misery Christ hath Compassion and Pity he is the Father of Mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 Misericors est cui alterius miseria cordi est Mercy hath its name from Misery and is no other thing than laying anothers misery to heart not to despise it nor to add to it but to help it And therefore if thou be miserable and knowest it indeed his Nature giveth a strong inclination to succour the miserable I but saith the convinced Soul there is nothing in me to be regarded the Lord telleth I am gracious and Grace doth all freely and from a self-inclination it giveth all the Qualifications he requireth but I have been long a presumptuous Sinner Why God telleth you his Name is long-suffering He that gave not the Angels one hours space for Repentance hath long delayed the Execution of our Sentence and calleth us to himself that we may escape the Condemnation of Angels But I am exceeding perverse and wicked The Lord telleth you He is abundant in Goodness I am full of fears and doubtings Still he is abundant in goodness and Truth I have abused much Mercy and can Mercy pity me The Lord telleth you He keepeth Mercy for thousands and can forgive Iniquity Transgression and Sin His Treasure of Mercy is not soon spent and exhausted no sin can exclude a willing Soul Mercy will pardon thy abuse of Mercy if thou repentest of it Thirdly To the People of God who having a clearer sense of their Duty and a larger Heart towards God than others have and so are the more troubled for the Poverty of their Graces and weakness and Imperfection of their Services than others are which may breed Bondage and uncomfortableness I would have them consider that Humility and Meekness doth still become them but not Dejection and Despondency of mind that they should ever be complaining fearful and disconsolate We have not an hard Master he hath made Joy a part of our work Phil. 4.4 He gave his Son Luk. 1.74 75. That being delivered from our Enemies we might serve him without fear in Holiness and Righteousness We should consider that he is ready to bear with failings where there is an upright heart That God accepteth what we can through Grace well and comfortably perform 'T is a general Maxim of the Gospel though spoken upon a particular occasion 2 Cor. 8.12 That if there be a willing mind it is accepted according to what a man hath not according to that he hath not That the God whom they serve in the Spirit can put a finger on the scar. Ye have heard of the Patience of Job Jam. 5.11 Ay and we have heard of his Impatience too his cursing the day of his Birth and his bold Expostulations with God But this is pass'd over in silence and his Patience commended Nothing should be a discouragement from serving chearfully so good and Gracious a God who is so ready to accept and assist us 1 Pet.