shall live by faith The great scope of the eleven first Chapters is to prove Justification by faith in Christ against those that did hold Justification by works of the Law he layeth down his position in this cause and bringeth in this The just shall live by faith And hee doth oppose Justification by Faith to Justification by the Law Gal. 3.11 But that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God it is evident For the just shall live by faith 2. As it relates to a Christians Sanctification Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in mee and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved mee and gave himself for mee Though the main argument here is Justification yet this living by faith is in respect of Sanctification chiefly at least which I think the scope of the place yeelds for Paul having vers 19. laid down this as an argument why a beleever cannot be justified by the Law because hee is dead to it that hee might give a reason of this likewise why a beleever is dead to the Law or must needs be so he glides off from the main argument of Justification into this of Sanctification as by the by that I might live to God What is that Why perform obedience now to God or bring forth fruit to God as Rom. 7. v. 4 5 6. Wherefore my Brethren yee also are become dead to the Law by the body of Christ that yee should bee married to another even to him who is raised from the dead that wee should bring forth fruit unto God Which argument being now digressed into hee prosecutes in the next verse wherein as is clear hee goes on to speak of Sanctification for hee speaks of Christs living in him which is not our Justification that is by Christ without us and so his living by faith is to bee understood in respect of that viz. Sanctification which in the former verse and beginning of this hee was speaking of 3 As it relates to a Christians Expectation or waiting So Habak 2.4 For the Vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speake and not lye Though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry Behold his soule which is lifted up is not upright in him But the just shall live by his faith Speaking of the Vision delayed hee saith The just shall live by faith i.e. expect the coming thereof and wait for it in a way of beleeving 4 As it relates to a Christians perseverance So Heb. 10.38 Now the just shall live by faith but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Which words if you compare them with the foregoing verse seem to bee of the same sense with them in Habakkuk to bee spoken of a life of expectation vers 37. For yet a little while and hee that shall come will come and will not tarry Now the just shall live by Faith But compared with the following words in this and the next verse they concern perseverance because in this verse drawing back is set in opposition to living by faith and again vers 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition but of them that beleeve to the saving of the soul Beleeving is set in opposition to drawing back In these places we have a four-fold life 1 Of Justification 2 Of Sanctification 3 Expectation 4 Perseverance In every of which we are to live by faith or we are to live by faith for these four things in an especial manner viz. Justification Sanctification Expectation and Perseverance Quest 2. How doth faith act or what is it that faith doth in those persons which live by faith as touching either of these things Answ In order to which I shall premise this word That I shall not go about to prescribe any one way or order that the Spirit of God while it enables a soul to live by faith in either of these walks in or works in so as to tye up all Saints to that way or manner of working which experience teacheth to be dangerous and to administer matter of stumbling to poore souls for as the Wisdome of God in his VVord is manifold so the workings of the Spirit of God in the hearts of the faithful through which they are enabled to live by faith are manifold and various though in the substance all agreeing As in our Justification so in all the rest one is enabled to live by faith herein from such a principle another from such a principle yea the same person looking upon himself at sundry times shall finde that one while his faith springs from one principle or consideration another while from another As for example perhaps to day I beleeve my Justification and go on beleeving it for a week or a moneth together from such a consideration as this viz. God hath made a Covenant with me in his Son and this is unchangeable as not made upon condition of my obedience so noâ— broken by my disobedience and hence I beleeve I am justified Another while perhaps this principle is not so lively and vigorous as to keep up my faith but then another doth it as this God justifies the ungodly now saith the soul though I cannot say I am a Saint yet this I can say I am an ungodly one well God justifies the ungodly this is a precious truth I own it I cleave to it I am an ungodly one a Sinner I beleeve God justifies me VVhen this hath kept up faith a while then it may be the life and vigour of this goes off the heart too and then come another as this The righteousness of Jesus Christ by which poor sinners are justified is a perfect compleat righteousness this righteousness is given to those that beleeve to such he becomes the Lord their righteousness I am a poore Sinner of my own I have no righteousness this I do I cleave to his righteousness which is persect and able fully to justifie my poor soul and I do in some measure beleeve that I have a share in this righteousness it is mine and that I am thereby justified in the sight of God These Principles with many others though diverse in themselves yet do they sweetly agree in the maine all leading the soul to something without for justification And truly this premisal is very necessary and material for how ordinary is it with poor souls if so be their faith hath been carried out from such a principle and they hear another in relating his experience hath been carried out from another to question the truth of their own at least to have some jealousies about it yea some poor souls are sometimes ready to stagger when they look upon themselves and consider the last moneth or the last year I had much strength and ability to beleeve from such a
certain ground to conclude thou art none of them why shouldest thou refuse Reason saith Why not thou But now a soul that liveth by faith that liveth above reason when it can see nothing in reason to beleeve What was there in reason for Abraham to ground his faith upon when hee was an hundred years old that hee should have a childe And the three Children when going to the fiery furnace to say Our God will deliver us Faith out-mounts Reason Faith will apprehend safety and deliverance where reason can apprehend nothing but ruine A soul that liveth by faith beleeveth himself to be a Son of God and justified when many times if one cometh to him and asketh why hee beleeveth He is able to give no other reason but this because hee doth beleeve because God hath inabled him to beleeve the promise is to him and saith the soul I finde in some measure through the grace of God I am able to beleeve to hang upon it Differen 7. The life of faith reasoneth it self in all its reasonings to God the life of sense reasoneth it self from God There is no greater difference between a man that liveth by faith and sense than in the reasonings Take a soul that liveth by faith lay what premises you will before him yet he will draw up arguments to draw himself to God Tell him his sins are great O then mercy will bee great in pardoning them Pardon my sins for they are great Psal 25.11 Tell him afflictions are upon him for his sins if so then God is a Father I do not say Every one that is afflicted God is a Father to but I tell you how one that liveth by faith will reason himself to God by it and turn the Devils weapons upon himself If corrected then a childe so the Apostle reasoneth If you endure chastisement God dealeth with you as with Sons Heb. 12.7 Hee maketh it an argument to reason himself to God Whatever you can set before him hee will reason himself to God by it Tell it that it hath no righteousness of its own O then I have the more need to go to Christ But a soul that liveth by sense lay never such comforts precious truths before him that anothers soul would reason himself Heaven-ward from yet hee will reason himself Hell-ward by them Lay never so much of the unsearchable riches of Christ before him yet hee will from all reason himself from God Differen 8. The life of sense maketh a man principally industrious in the matters of his own comfort and salvation but the life of faith principally in Gods glory Take a soul that liveth by sense the great Query is What shall I do to bee saved to attain Jesus Christ pardon of sin assurance of pardon They are good Questions I wish all had them But such a soul doth not finde much time for acting for God because all his time is taken up in acting for himself how shall I do for pardon to get the love of God This is usual in new beginners and others so long as they live by sense as Peters Converts and the Gaoler But a soul that liveth by faith is chiefly industrious for Gods glory this we may see in the Apostle Paul though hee was not careless of his salvation yet hee doth seem to overlook it set it by 2 Tim. 1 11 12. Whereunto I am appointed a Preacher and an Apostle and a Teacher of the Gentiles for the which cause I also suffer these things nevertheless I am not ashamed for I know whom I have beleeved and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day As if hee had said I am so taken up with the work of God of conversion and building up poor souls that I run all hazards suffer all things for the Elects sake O but will some say Paul what will you do for your self for your own soul Will you leave that at sixe and sevens O no I would no have you think so this I do I commit that to God I say Lord do thou take the care of the salvation of a poor creature Lord I commit that to thee and trust that with thee I desire to do thy work Rom. 9. v. 1 2 c. I say the truth in Christ I lie not my conscience also bearing mee witness in the Holy Ghost that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart for I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh How exceedingly is hee carried out after the conversion of the Jews it wil be a glorious time Paul was so desirous of it that God might have much glory that he seemeth to forget himself If the Jews be called the whole world shall bee filled with the glory of God and I did not care what became of me though I were accursed And that the Apostle meaneth as he said that hee did prefer the glory of God which hee saw should have much advantage by the conversion of the Jews before his own salvation the Apostle averreth it with many circumstances I say the truth and lye not my conscience bearing mee witness Surely hee cometh to utter some strange thing that few will credit therefore hee saith I speak the truth which clearly argueth that the Apostle was to speak some strange thing that they that should read or hear would hardly beleeve it was true So a soul that liveth by faith is principally industrious about the glory of God I do not speak it as that I have attained but that the Saints as Paul had attained I come now to the next Question Quest 3. Wherein is this life of Faith to bee exercised Answ In handling of this I shall shew 1 The things themselves whereabouts faith is to bee exercised 2 How faith in those persons that live by faith acts or what faith doth in either of these Quest 1. What are the things themselves whereabouts faith is to be exercised Ans Concerning this I told you in general that this living by faith extends it self as far and wide as our necessities wants fears or doubts stretch themselves to all good expected and hoped for to all evil present or feared for the procuring of the one and the averting or removing of the other in so large a field should I gather up all particulars I might tire my selfe and you I shall therefore draw things into as narrow a compass as conveniently I can This phrase of living by faith I do not finde in all the Scripture to bee used but five times once in the Old Testament as Han. 2.4 and four times in the New viz. Rom. 1.17 Gal. 2.20 Chap. 3.11 Heb. 10.38 Now in these five places it is taken as it seems to me four several wayes 1 As it relates to a Christians Justification Rom. 1.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written The just
is one reason why God bids us so much to pray one for another that by improving one anothers graces wee might have more love each to other 12 Take as little notice as possible may bee of injuries Many times it may bee I take notice of a little matter a trifle and this sets my spirit a boyling and quencheth my love to my brother and my brother hee seeth mee so captious that I take snuffe for every trifle and this raiseth his spirits and incenseth them more against me Therefore the best way to maintaine love is not to take notice of injuries no further then as I am bound to do sometimes it is my duty to do it when as I see my brother in injuring me doth highly offend against God then it is not my pride but rather my self-denyal to take notice of it Thus much of the second thing How Saints may have their hearts brought up to the practice of this duty 3 Is to answer some Objections which lye in the way to hinder it Object But some will say I know as well as you can tell mee that I should love Saints and so I do but I do not think such and such to bee Saints Ans 1. Is he such a one who in the judgement of other as godly as thy self and it may be more unprejudiced and who both know him and his conversation as well and it may be better than thou doest is accounted a Saint and doest thou know nothing of him to evidence the contrary which they do not then though this bee not sufficient ground for thee to conclude him a Saint yet so much ground there is that without breach of charity thou canst not conclude the contrary Let mee tell you that some of Gods people when they see ground to question anothers sincerity yet he professing himself to bee a true Saint and other godly men so esteeming of him if the ground be not very clear and evident when they shall come to pass any censure upon such a one their hearts will smite them and they will reply upon themselves why should I be suspitious of such a one this is my base corruption hee may for ought I know bee ten times better than I and more holy in Gods sight than I c. 2 Let me by way of answer farther tell thee that it is not necessary thou shouldest certainly know him to bee a Saint whom thou lovest but it is a ground sufficient for thee to love if hee appear to bee so and thou seest nothing expresly to the contrary If I should onely love those whom I certainly know to bee Saints and should bee or a censorious spirit I might it may bee sometimes see cause to question whether or no I should love any and if others should bee diligent observers of my actions and walk by this rule might they not sometimes it may bee see ground to question whether or no they ought not to withdraw their love from mee would I bee willing they for every failing they see in mee should do so Let mee then take heed of doing that to others I would not have done to my self Therefore I say it is enough for thee and mee that those whom we love appear to bee Saints and we do not see clear and evident ground to the contrary though really they are not so And doth not Christ intimate as much when hee tells his Disciples Whosoever shall give a cup of cold water in the name of a Disciple Mat. 10.41 42. Yea let mee tell you that a true Christian hath many times as much comfort in a deed done to one as a Saint though he should bee none hee judging the best as though hee were a Saint indeed As for example I give an Alms 3 Take heed thou doest not as many do make this an object to colour over some corruption Thou hast a corruption in thy heart will not let thee love such a one and to hate him and satisfie thine own conscience sayest hee is not a Saint 4 What if he should bee a Saint What if God at the day of judgement should own him as one as one saith of one abusing a Scripture what if at the judgement day this should not be the meaning of the Text So what if this thy interpretation of thy Brother that hee is an Hypocrite should not be Gods 2 Object But he is not of my opinion Answ Thou art in a miserable condition if thou lovest thus If thou hast no better evidence for Heaven than this love such love will not evidence thou lovest God but thy self 2 Hee differs from thee how if his should be truth and thine error May not such a thing bee 3 Hast thou done thy duty in matter of practice to bring him out if not wilt thou blame him because hee goes from his duty in matter of opinion 4 How if Christ should measure out to thee in the same way Say soul you love onely those that are of your opinion you are not of mine because you do not love Saints as Saints which is my minde should bee done therefore expect no love from me 3 Object But he hath so many corruption I cannot love him Answ God doth love him notwithstanding 2 Wouldest thou bee willing God should deal thus by thee 3 If thou wilt not love till Saints bee perfect then thou wilt never love Vse This reproves many Consider 1 How sad will it bee to have Saints go and tell God of their wrongs 2 How wilt thou bee ashamed when Christ shall vindicate his Saints 3 What wilt thou do when Christ shall come Mat. 24. last 4 Christ takes all done to Saints as to himself Saul Saul Why persecutest thou mee 5 It is a signe of a graceless heart 1 Joh. 2.9.11 Hee that saith hee is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness even untill now But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither hee goeth because that darkness hath blinded his eyes Chap 3.15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer and yee know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him Chap. 4.8.20 Hee that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love If any man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a lyar For hee that loveth not his brother whom hee hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen Vse Love one another Consider how the Apostle urgeth this Eph. 4. begining and beg for it as one for life Phil. 2. begining Of Offences Mat. 18.7 VVoe unto the world because of offences IN the words read we have First a fearful woe coming upon the world viz. the men of the world such persons as are without Christ and God in the world Woe unto the world Secondly The inlet of this fearful woe unto the world what that is which is the original cause of the woe or that opens the door to the woe to come in upon the
world that is OFFENCES By offences here are not meant those Works of Darkness which the men of the world commit Drunkenness Swearing Sabbath-breaking Adultery c. which Sinners in the world roule in these bring a woe but not the woe here spoken of but by Offences here are understood those offences which others commit but men of the world take up to their hardning so that the offence here which hath the woe hanging upon it is offence taken not barely offence given Observe Doct. 1. Though just occasion may be given of offence yet an offence may be so taken as that a man may undoe himself bring a woe upon himself in the very taking of it Doct. 2. An offending person doth not only damage himself but doth also wonderfully damage others 1 He damageth Christs little ones as vers 6. and that principally by shaking their faith offences are a shaking thing they shake the faith of beleevers and therefore it is that Paul when he had declared the sad fall of Himaeneus and Philetus two that formerly had been of great note and eminency in the Church hee knowing what a shaking thing this would be to the poor to the faith of Gods people especially the weak he straightway adds this The foundation of God stands sure 2 Tim. 2.18 19. as to say I know poor hearts this news that Himaeneus and Philetus men of such eminency are fallen so foulely will shake you make yon ready to question all and conclude you shall certainly perish one day it such fall O but be not discouraged for you though you are weak in your selves yet you are of Gods foundation and that stands sure c. 2 The offending person damageth the world and that with the greatest damage that can be what greater damage can a man do to another than to bring the Wrath of God yea a woe from God upon him this he doth Woe bee unto the world The observation that I have chosen out of these words to insist upon is this viz. Doct. Offences they are a real and a heavie judgment upon the world or the woe of offences it falls upon the world My intent here is not to handle the common place or scandal or offence my Text having narrowed me up into too small a roome for such a design but only to speak of offence as the same hath an influence upon the world and the men of the world and that for the drawing down of woe and judgement upon them and so in the carrying on my Doctrine I shall shew 1 What an offence is 2 That there is an aptness in the world to be offended 3 That offences are a judgement a real and heavie judgement upon the world 4 Why do offences fall as a judgement upon the world 5 When do Christians justly offend the work First What an offence is Ans An offence is that by which another is stumbled or which hath in it a tendency to stumble another as that which he ought not and it is sin in him to be stumbled at as at the ways works cause truths promise people of God when a thing or action doth really stumble or minister occasion of stumbling to another as touching these or any of these that may be called an offence Hence in Scripture a stumbling stone a rock of offence are joyned together as synonimous expressions whereof the one doth but open the other as Rom. 9.32 33. 1 Pet. 2.8 Christs poverty and meaneness was a stumbling-block to the Jews in the way of their receiving of him and their fall upon this is called a being offended Mat. 13.57 The preaching of a Crucified Christ and Salvation by such a one was a great stumbling-block to that people they could not beleeve that he that was Crucified and shamefully intreated at Jerusalem was their Messiah for they expected that their Messiah should bee some great Potentate and that it he did dye as is the opinion of some of the Jews he is to dye yet that he should dye a more glorious death neither could they beleeve that Salvation was attaineable by this Christ therefore saith the Apostle We preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling block Christ in this low and suffering condition was a stumbling block now it is observeable that as Christ crucified is called a stumbling block so the Cross is called an offence Gal. 5.11 the one explaining of the other and opening the nature of the other then it the offence of the Cross ceased Secondly That there is an aptness in the world to be offended appears 1 They lye in wait for them and therefore very apt so soon as ever offences arise to take them up 2 A small thing will offend them that man is apt to bee offended that a little thing offends who will be offended at that another easily passeth over now a little a very little thing will offend the world what poor petty offences did the Scribes and Pharisees take up against Christ one while they are offended because hee cureth diseased persons another while because Publicans and Sinners came to hear him preach another while because his Disciples passing through a Corn field plucked a few cars on the Sabbath another while because when they went to meat they did not wash their hands certainly there must bee an aptness to bee offended where such petty things offend 3 They will be offended at good that man is surely apt to take offence that will bee offended at good which all ought to love none to be offended at but the world will Christ preacheth the Gospel a good act the world are offended at that raiseth Lazarus out of his Grave a blessed and glorious act offended at that Paul preached Justification and Salvation by Grace alone a holy blessed doctrine yet the world are offended at that 4 If no offence be given they will make offences rather than not be offended the Pharisees and Priests are offended at Christ because he said destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up Joh. 2.19 yet it is clear they made this offence for they knew his meaning well enough and so soon as he was dead they speake it out This deceiver said after three days I will rise again Mat. 27.63 5 They will take up what may offend them upon easie trust never searching the proofe of it Joh. 7.52 Search and look for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet only the report of the vulgar for this 3 That offences are a judgement a real and heavie judgement upon the world there is a woe the world because of these as appears in four or five things 1 The beauty and glory of the ways works truths people of God are thus vailed from the eyes of the world offences are as a scar upon the face though a face may have much beauty yet if there be a scar or scars upon it that obscures the beauty to the eyes of the beholder the ways and works of God have abundance of