Business in Heaven and he is not unmindful of it 3. The Spirit prepareth us without which all the rest would come to no effect For it is the Wisdom of God to dispose all things into their apt and proper Places Therefore the Persons are prepared as well as the Place Rom. 9.23 Vessels of Mercy which he hath aforehand prepared unto Glory He worketh Faith in their Hearts giveth them a Title and by sanctifying prepareth them for the Possession and Enjoyment of it He that worketh us for this self-same thing is God 2 Cor. 5.5 Thirdly The Application or Appropriation of this Preparation to the Persons that shall now enjoy it For You Which respects not only the Qualification but the Persons 1. Not only for such as you but for you particularly In the general Heaven was prepared for Believers God never intended Unbelievers should have such a Glorious Estate Such as love the world do not prize nor long for this Happiness and therefore 't is fit they should never enjoy it for though the preparation be a work of abundant Mercy yet that mercy is so tempered and limited by his Wisdom and Justice that it will not permit him to give such holy things to Dogs or cast Pearl before Swine No 't was prepared to be enjoyed only by Believers and holy ones 2. For you personally and determinatively This is most agreeable to Christs scope and sense for all the Conditions were also prepared for them God did elect us to Faith and Holiness as well as to eternal Life Faith is the fruit of Election not a cause he did not choose us because we were holy or because he did foresee that we would be holy but that we might be holy Eph. 1.4 That being sanctified and renewed by the Spirit we might be placed in the new Jerusalem For you in Person that is Christs meaning Fourthly The Antiquity or ancientness of this preparation From the foundation of the world that is from all Eternity for the Scripture goeth to the highest point of time unto which we can ascend in our thoughts so that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As 't is expresly said Eph. 1.4 Before the foundation of the world The Phrase is ordinary in Scripture and is as much as to say From all Eternity or before any time was for Gods purposes are as he is eternal and without beginning therefore if we speak of Gods intention and purpose it was before all worlds Those that understand this For you that is for persons so qualified will deny the meaning of the Phrase to be That the dignities of the Kingdom of Heaven were designed to be the reward of all the faithful Servants of Jesus Christ before all worlds and they that know the Scriptures cannot but conclude that from all Eternity he made choice of us to be justified sanctified and glorified The Elective Love of God is of an ancient standing even from all Eternity and therefore most free there being nothing in the Elect before they had a being to move his Love towards them and this will be the glory of his Grace at that day that we are invited into that Estate that was prepared for us long before and who are we that the thoughts of God should be taken up about us so long since Tit. 3.2 Which God that cannot lie promised before the world began So 2 Tim. 1.9 Who saved us and called us with an holy Calling according to his purpose and Grace which was given to us in Christ before the world began He Indented then with Christ to bring us to what we shall at last enjoy but if any morosely insist upon the Phrase because it doth not necessarily signifie Eternity we must then understand that though the Purpose of God were from everlasting yet the things designed and acted by him they take their beginning in time or with time and so the words must be understood 1. Of preparing the place which shall be the state of the Blessed The third Heaven is the dwelling place of the Saints which was framed about the beginning of the Creation so good and gracious was our God that he did not make Man or Angel 'till he prepared a place convenient for them Or 2. To the Promise presently made upon Adam's fall but the former Exposition is more simple Well then you have heard what Entertainment the faithful shall have from Christ at his Coming so far as our dull Minds can conceive of it and with weak and Imperfect words can express it to you Now let us see what Use we may make of all this VSE 1. Let us be convinced that there is such an Estate and will be such a Time and that there is no true Blessedness but this enjoyment of God in the Kingdom of Heaven that we shall then have The World hath been much puzled about disputes of Happiness and the way to it The Philosophers some placed it in Knowledge some in that Vertue which they knew some in Pleasure some in this some in that Austin out of Varro reckoneth up two hundred eighty six Opinions about the chief good They erred thus because they sought it in so many things whereas it consists in one The enjoyment of God and because they sought it in this World where all things are mortal and frail and we can find not one thing that can make us compleatly happy This discovery was left for the Scriptures which teach us that our Happiness lyeth in God alone and that our perfect enjoyment of him in Body and Soul is reserved for Christs coming when there is a perfect Conformity to God and Communion with him 1 Joh. 3.2 Beloved we are now the Children of God but it doth not appear what we shall be but we know when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is The Lord revealeth his Truth to us in the Word but before we can be convinced of it we must be enlightned by the Spirit for spiritual things can only be spirtually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 We may talk of these things by rote one to another and have an assent to them which is call'd a Non-contradiction though not a positive understanding and Conviction of the truth of them Believest thou this Joh. 11.26 2. When we believe it let us look for it and long for it and live in the hopefull expectation of this blessed time when all these things shall be accomplished Therefore if we believe such a thing we must long for it and live in the hope of it Titus 2.13 Looking for the blessed hope Hope sheweth its self 1. Partly by frequent and serious thoughts and delightful Meditations of the thing hoped for Thoughts are the Spies and Messengers of Hope it sendeth them into the Land of Promise to bring the Soul tydings thence 'T is impossible a man can hope for any thing but he will be thinking of it for 't is the nature
career of Sin 1 Cor. 11.32 For when we are judged we are chastned of the Lord that we may not be condemned with the World How many Disappointments did we meet with in a carnal Course As David said to Abigail 1 Sam. 25.32 33. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which seâ—â— thee this day to meet me And blessed be thy Advice and blessed be thou which hast kept â—â— this day from coming to shed Blood and from avenging my self with mine own Hand O how sweet is it to see Eternal Love in all that befalleth us It will be our speculation in Heaven we shall know as we are known and be able to interpret all the Windings and Circuits of Providence Vse 3. It shameth us that we adjourn and put off our Love to God till old Age when we have spent our strength in the World and wasted our selves in Satan's Work we dream of a devout Retirement O consider God's Love to us is as ancient as his Being and are not we ashamed that we should put off God till the latter and none decrepid part of our Lives It is a commendation to be an old Disciple and God loveth an early Love Jer. 2.2 Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the Kindness of thy Youth the Love of thine Espousals before our Affections are prostituted to other Objects Under the Law the first-Fruits were the Lord's he should have the First God's Children are wont to return Love for Love and like Love therefore let it be as Ancient as you can Do not say Art thou come no torment me before my time and dream of a more convenient Season Vse 4. It teacheth us to disclaim Merit 1. God's Love was before our Being and Acting Paul out of a less Circumstance concludeth Election not to be of Works Rom. 9.11 For the Children being yet â—â—-born neither having done Good or Evil that the Purpose of God according to Election might stand not of Works but of him that calleth it was said The Elder shall serve the Younger God's Election is before all Acts of ours therefore we deserve nothing but all is from God It is not a thing of Yesterday our Love is not the cause of God's neither is it a fit Reward and Satisfaction Object But doth not God foresee our good Works or at least Faith and final Perseverance He knew who would believe the Gospel who would live Holy and who would remain in their Sins I Answer If this were true there were not such a gracious Freedom in Grace It is true God foreseeth all things that shall be but first he fore-ordaineth them Prescience includeth and supposeth Preordination things are not because they are foreseen but they are foreseen because they shall be From Predestination issueth Faith Sanctification Perseverance So that we are not chosen because we are Holy but to be Holy Ephes. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love And to be rich in death James 2.5 Hearken my beloved Brethren Hath not God chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him As Paul saith of himself 1 Cor. 7.25 I give my Judgment as one that hath obtained Mercy of the Lord to be faithful not that God foresaw that he was so Our Ordination to Life is the Cause of Faith Acts 13.48 As many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed 2. When we were we were not lovely there was nothing to excite God to shew us Mercy Our natural Condition is described Titus 3.3 For we our selves also were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures living in 〈◊〉 and Envy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hateful and hating one another All are abominable and worthy of hatred yet one hateth another as if he were lovely and the other only abominable There are two Causes of Self-conceit we have not a Spiritual Discerning and are partial in our our own Cause and guilty of Self-love 1. We have not a Spiritual Discerning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we are filthy deformed hateful in the Eyes of God stink in the Nostrils of God If we see a deformed Creature overgrown with Scurf and Sores or a stinking Carkass we turn away the Head in great abomination and cry O filthy yet we are all so before God A Toad a stinking Carkass cannot be so loathsome to us as a Sinner is to God If a Man had but a Glass to see his own natural Face he would wonder that God should love him Indeed we have a Glass but we have not Eyes What could God see in us to excite him to shew Mercy God is not blinded with the vehemence of any Passion yea the Object is uncomely uncomely to a Spiritual Eye much more to the Father of Spirits 2. Self-love blindeth us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If Men would hold together and like one another all would be well but now we cannot love one another and live with one another in safety we seem such odd Creatures Fratrum concordia rara est We are hateful Creatures to God to Angels to Devils to our Selves Object But some are more civil and refined Answ. It is true Natural Corruption doth not break out in all with a like Violence but a benummed Snake is a Snake a Sow washed is not changed As when the Liver groweth other parts languish one great Lust intercepteth the nourishment of other Corruptions Object But do not some use Free-Will better than others Sure God loveth them more Answ. No not according to the Works which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us Tit. 3.5 God's Original Motives to do good are from himself Vse 5. We are not to measure God's Love by Temporal Accidents that which cometh from Eternity and tendeth to Eternity that is an evidence of his special Love Eccles. 9.1 No Man knoweth either Love or Hatred by all that is before him The Pleasures of Sin are for a Season Heb. 11.25 and Afflictions are for a season but Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places which come from Heaven and tend to Heaven which have no dependance upon this World whether it stand or no these evidence the best Love God's special Mercy Why they were devised before ever the Foundations of the World were laid and it is most of all shewed when the World is at an end Therefore moderate your desires of Earthly Things which the Apostle calls this World's Goods 1 John 3.17 they are of no use in Eternity And bear Afflictions with more Patience you do but lose a little for the present that you may be safe for ever Hic ure hic seca ut in aeternum parcas Vse 6. It presseth us to get an Interest in this Eternal Love How shall we discern it 1. By the Scope and Aim of your Lives and Actions Do you labour for another World 2 Cor. 4.18
and unseen But other qualifications are necessary beyond these already mentioned 1. It must be something promised by God 2. Believed by us before we can hope for it 1. Such future things as God hath promised to bestow upon us These are the matter and object of our faith and hope the promise giveth us notice and the promise giveth us assurance First Notice We can have no other certain knowledg of their futurity but by Gods promise the light of nature or reason giveth a shrewd guess at a future estate but the certain knowledg we have by Gods Word there life and immortality is brought to light 2 Tim. 1.10 He brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel There we have the clear prospect of it the Heathen had nothing but the light of nature to guide them spake doubtfully of a future estate like men travelling on the hills and see the spire of a steeple at a distance sometimes they have a sight of it and presently they lose it and so cannot certainly tell whether they saw it yea or no but all is clear full and open in Gods promise 2. Certainty and assurance for it conveyeth a right to us upon certain terms for he that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life John 3.36 Hath it in the offer and promise of God if he will fulfil the condition required not only shall have it at the close of their days but they have the grant already and therefore wait for 〈◊〉 â—â—uition as we are fulfilling the conditions we gain more security and confidence that we shall have it 1 Tim. 6.12 Fight the good fight of faith lay hold on eternal life V. 19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation that they may lay hold on eternal life The meaning is challenge it for theirs In short our expectation must be grounded on some promise or else 't is but a fancy and presumption 2. The thing hoped for must be believed by us For there can be no expectation of things not seen till there be faith which is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 First There is a firm assent by faith we are as confident in some measure of those things as if we saw them with our eyes or as we are of those things which we daylie see then after this assent there followeth earnest expectation For hope maketh the assent practical Though God promise never so much yet if we believe him not we expect nothing therefore faith is necessary look as to bodily sight there needeth an object to be seen and an eye by which we see so in spiritual sight the promise sets the object before us Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus and Heb. 6.18 lay held of the hope set before us But the eye is faith which though it cannot give us sight it giveth us foresight we have heard of it though yet we have not seen it and see it by the eyes of the mind as it is contained in the promise of the everlasting God though we do not and cannot see it with the eyes of the body Compare it with reason By reason we apprehend more than we see for we see effects in their causes but that is but probable foresight for many things intervene between the cause and the effect by faith we foresee the blessing in the promise by reason we see things beyond sense so far as natural probabilities will carry us by faith we see things beyond reason so far as the promises of good invite us to a better hope But how can we surely hope for that we see not which neither sense nor reason can inform us of Answer 1. This glory is not a fancy 't is seen by many in our nature that now possess it and by the word of God you are invited to follow them in the same course of holiness and godliness that you may in time see it also Heb. 6.12 be ye followers of them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises propound the same noble end and the same holy course and matters of faith will in time become matters of sense Now though the end be unknown the way is so good and holy and justifiable by reason that we should venture the imitation of them not their holiness only but their faith Heb. 11.13 they lived and dyed in this faith their life was holy and their death was happy that are gone into the other world But you will say If we could talk with any of these that are gone into the other world Luke 16.30 31. And he said Nay father Abraham but if one went unto them from the dead they would repent and he said unto him They have Moses and the Prophets and if they will not hear them neither will they be perswaded if one should come from the dead They are out of the sphere of our commerce their testimony is not convenient for the government of God who will not govern the world by sense but by faith and besides you have better hopes Moses and the Prophets there is more reason to perswade a man the Scriptures are true than to believe a message brought him from one among the dead 2. One that hath seen and is an infallible witness hath testified to us of the truth of these things we hope for John 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten son which is in the bosome of the father he hath declared him Christ perfectly saw and knew all that he hath told us of â—od and the world to come John 3.11 Verily verily I say unto thee We speak that which we know and testify that we have seen and ye receive not our witness so that our faith and hope goeth on sure grounds so verse 32. What he hath seen and heard he testifieth and no man receiveth his testimony A good man whose testimony is valuable that hath been in a strange country and testifieth what he hath seen there of it would not we believe him Christ that came from the other world and told us of the blessedness of it deserveth the credit of a good man he used a faithful plainness John 14.2 if it were not so I would have told you But more of a Teacher sent from God who confirmed his message by miracles and laid down a Doctrine holy and good and shall not we receive his testimony concerning these things he had perfect knowledge of assured us of the truth of them shall we not receive his testimony 3. Those that saw him and conversed with him were not only authorized by him to shew us the way to Eternal life but saw so much of it themselves as the mortal state is capable of yet enough to prove the reality of the thing 1 John 1.1 2 3. That which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the word of life for the life was
please himself in that he suffers affliction in this world these may be the beginnings of sorrow miserable here and miserable hereafter There are wicked Poor and wicked Rich some have a double Hell here and hereafter too Do not think Death will be an ease Son in thy life-time thou receivedst thy good things There are Lazarus's in Hell as well as in Abrahams bosom IV. Origen's Charity was too large Origen and after him Gregory Nyssen and others dreamed of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a flaming River through which the wicked pass and so be happy and that so all are saved even the Devils themselves abusing Rom. 5.18 and 1 Cor. 15.2 There is an increase of Torments but no decay then 't will be said Go ye Cursed into everlasting fire Secondly Let us now speak of the Persons Sentenced Here is a double Description of them 1. From their Posture On the left hand 2. Their Quality in that Title and terrible Compellation Ye Cursed 1. Their Posture On the left hand It noteth not only the more ignominious place but hath respect to their Choice the Right hand is more honourable among all Nations The Innocent were to plead their cause on the right hand the Guilty at the left but it hath respect to their own Choice they seek after left-hand Mercies Psal. 16.11 At thy right hand are Pleasures for evermore Eternity that is at Gods right hand So Prov. 3.16 Length of dayes is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour At the last day wicked men have but their own choice As Darius distinguished between his Followers Some love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so in the World there is a distinction some love the Gift better than the Giver make a sinister 〈◊〉 choose greatness honour worldly pleasures A man may know his future 〈◊〉 by his present choice Wisdom standeth inviting with both her hands 〈◊〉 In her right hand is length of dayes here is Eternity of pleasure all the world runneth to the left hand Riches and Honour look more lovely than length of dayes in a carnal eye Which will you have here in the Church you will say Eternity by all means but the course of your Lives saith Riches and Honour these take up your time care and thoughts 2. Let us see the Title or terrible Compellation Ye Cursed not by Men but by God Many are Blessed of God that are Cursed of men Matth. 5.12 Blessed are ye when men shall Curse you for righteousness sake 'T is no boot to have the worlds Blessings yet observe the difference vers 34. he saith Come ye blessed of my Father but he doth not say Cursed of my Father Partly because Cursing is alâ—â—num opus his strange work it doth not come so freely and kindly as Mercy The Blessing cometh of its own accord without and before the Merit of the Creature but not the Curse till we force it and wrest it out of Gods hands Partly because Christ would pass his Sentence in a convincing way and therefore he doth not pitch Damnation upon the Decree and Council of God as he doth Election 'T is Blessed of my Father his Love is the only cause but Ye Cursed 'T is good to observe the tenderness of the Scripture when it speaketh of the execution of the Decree of Reprobation that they may not cast the blame upon God Their Damnation is not cast upon his Decree but their own deservings You may see the like difference Rom. 9.22 Endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to Destruction But then vers 23. The vessels of mercy which he hath aforehand prepared unto glory He endureth the one but he fitteth and prepareth the other he created them and permitted them to fall in Adam justly hardeneth them for refusing his will but themselves prepare their own Hell by their natural corruption and voluntary depravation following their Lusts with greediness Speaking of the Elect 't is said He hath prepared but of the Reprobate 't is said he is fitted the Reprobates bring something of their own to further their Destruction pravity and naughtiness of their own every man is the cause of the Curse and Eternal Misery to himself but God is the cause and Author of the Blessing Thy Destruction is of thy self but in me is thy help found The Elect have all from God he prepareth them for Heaven and Heaven for them without any Mâ—rit of theirs The Reprobate is not Damned simply on Gods Pleasure â—ut their own desert before he would execute his Decrees there is an Interposition of 〈…〉 aâ—d Folly Object But 't is said Rom. 9.11 Before the Children had done either Good or Evil 't was said Esau have I hated So that it seemeth that they are cursed and hated of God before any Merit and Desert of theirs I Answer There is a twofold Hatred 1. Negative Or 2. Positive 1. Negative Hatred is Noluntas miserendi a Purpose not to give Grace a nilling to give Grace And then 2. There is a Positive Hatred which is Voluntas puniendi condemnandi In other terms there is Praeterition and Predamnation For the former God hateth them as he will not give Grace for he is not engaged And 't is a great Mercy that when all are worthy of Punishment yet that he will choose some to Life And for the latter Punish and Damn them he doth not till they deserve it by their own Sins Therefore it stoppeth the Mouths of them that blaspheme the Holy One of Israel as if he did create Men for Death and the Pains of Hell Hosea 13.9 O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self They are compassed with a Fire of their own kindling Isa. 50.11 But 't is time to return Wicked Men are cursed of God and God's Curse is wont to take place 'T is no easie matter to get rid of it the Curse of the Law sticketh to them at the last Day and shall eternally He doth not say Be ye Cursed but Go ye Cursed They were Cursed before they came to the Tribunal of Christ. Those that are condemned to Hell are such as remain under the Curse of the Law And who are they Final Unbelievers First Every Man by Nature is under the Curse For till we are in Christ we are under Adam's Covenant and Adam's Covenant can yield no Blessing to the fallen Creatures Gal. 3.10 As many as are under the Works of the Law are under the Curse for 't is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them The Law requireth perfect perpetual and personal Obedience God did disannull the Covenant made with Adam presently upon the Fall but the Curses stand in full force against those that have not changed State but are only Children of Adam And wicked Men will find it so at the Day of Judgment for they shall have Judgment without Mercy whereas others are
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
our salvation there is such a temperament of both that they shine with an equal glory 3. We are justified by faith Acts 13.39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses certainly none are justified in a state of impenitency and unbelief 't is not enough to look to the first moving cause the grace of God or the impetration of it by the blood of Christ but how it is applied to our selves and what right we have For the righteousness of Christ is none of ours till we do repent and believe let us see how our title doth arise when we thankfully seriously and broken-heartedly accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour then we are found in him not having our own righteousness 4. We are justified by works and not by faith only by which are meant the fruits of sanctification for true faith and true holiness will shew its self by good works faith giveth us the first right but works continue it for otherwise a course of sin would put us into a state of damnation again therefore at the last judgment these are considered Revel 20.12 And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works Matth. 25.35 36. For I was an hungry and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in naked and ye cloathed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me Faith is our consent but obedience verifieth it or is our performance of what we consented unto the one as covenant making the other as covenant-keeping we are admitted by covenant-making but continued in our priviledges by covenant-keeping Psal. 25.10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his Covenant But yet a little more must be said to reconcile the two Apostles Paul saith A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law Rom. 3.28 and James saith Chapt. 2.24 Ye see then how by works a man is justified and not by faith only There is a two-fold charge commenced against us as sinners and breakers of the law as hypocrites and unsound believers To the first we have nothing but the merits of Christ to plead to the second a fruitful obedience or else Paul in the opposition between works and faith meaneth by works legal observances by faith true Christianity The Jews boasted of their legal observances to the rejection of the faith of Christ and James by faith a dead faith and by works Christian duties or acts of obedience to God not external observances of the law of man 4. Why no charge or accusation can lie against them whom God justifieth 1. Because God is the supream law-giver to appoint the terms and conditions upon which we shall be justified and when he hath stated them and declared his will who shall reverse it or revoke it Heb. 6.17 18. Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie we might have strong consolation No cause of revocation can be imagined in God or out of God within God not want of wisdom for nothing can fall out but what he foresaw at first Psal. 110.4 The Lord hath sworn and will not repent Not inconstancy of will for he is not as man that he should repent 1 Sam. 15.29 Nor can his will be frustrated through any defect of power for he is Almighty Nothing without God neither Devils nor Angels nor Men have power to null and frustrate the force of his constitutions The New Covenant is his resolved will and purpose not to be altered surely in making it God determineth of his own and not another's right 't is in his power to absolve or condemn upon what terms he pleaseth therefore if out of his Soveraign will he hath put our justification in such a course who can reverse it 2. Because the promise of justification is built upon Christs everlasting merit and satisfaction and therefore it will hold good for ever Heb. 10.14 By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Christ procured these promises for us and that by his death therefore everlastingly they hold good 2 Cor 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen and called the everlasting Covenant 'T is even become the interest of God to justifie us that he may not lose the glory of his grace and the merit and oblation of Christ Isa. 53.11 By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities He that hath born our sins all this cost would be in vain if he should not pardon and justifie There is such a value in the death and obedience of Christ that the Scripture puts a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon it compare it with the influence of Adam as a common root Rom. 5.17 18. For if by one mans offence death reigned by one much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life And with the legal sacrifices Heb. 9.13 For if the blood of Bulls and Goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ c. There is the same reason in both besides institution and appointment there is an intrinsick value 3. Because 't is conveyed by the solemnity of a Covenant now God by his Covenant hath made it our right his justice is ingaged 1 John 1.9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the righteous Judge shall give me at that day By solemn promise you convey a right to another in the thing promised so doth God 4. When we believe God as the supream Judge actually determineth our right so that a believer is rectus incuria hath his quietus est Rom. 4.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And then who can lay any thing to our charge to reverse Gods grant 5. The Lord as the soveraign disposer of mans felicity doth many times uncontroulably give us the comfort of it in our own consciences Job 34.29 When he giveth quietness who can trouble and when he hideth his face who then can behold him whether it be done against a nation or against a man only None can obstruct the peace which he giveth Gods dispensations whether for good or evil are effectual