The Church complaineth Psalm 102.10 Thou hast lifted me up and cast me down A sad dejection after some comfortable Elevation All outward Glory is like a glass transparent but brittle Paul was wrapt in the Third Heaven and was full of unspeakable Ravishments and Revelations yet presently he talketh of a Thorne in the Flesh. Now at your best think of this that you may inure your Thoughts to Changes and settle your solid Happyness in God David when he had a Glorious Victory speaketh of loosing and Gods blasting their Armies Psalm 60.10 compared with the Title He acknowledgeth past Judgments as the fruit of God's Displeasure In the Roman Triumphs there was one to remember them of their Mortality in the midst of their Pomp. Yea under the Law Leavened Cakes were allowed in Peace-Offerings and Sacrifices of Thanksgiving which were forbidden in other Sacrifices Levit. 7.13 He shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace-offerings To teach us to temper our Joyes with the Thought of Sorrow and Affliction A SERMON On LUKE xxii 31 32. And the Lord saith Simon Simon Behold Sathan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren IN the words observe two things 1. A warning of Danger approaching in the 31. verse 2. A Comfort propounded in the 32. verse 1. In the first branche observe 1. The Person to whom Christ directeth his words to Peter Though they concerned all the rest for it was not him only whom Sathan desired to sift but all of them But Christ speaks to him in particular because it most concerned him The Devil would vex all of them but our Lord foresaw that he would more grievously fall than his fellow Disciples and being more fervent and confident than the rest was more exposed to Temptations and when he addresseth his Speech to him he calleth him not Peter but Simon It was Matthew 16.18 Thou art Peter and upon this rock will I build my church q. d. The Name by which thou art known to me signifieth a Rock and Stone But this was when he uttered his good confession but now he was to be an Instance of Humane Frailty he calleth him not Peter but Simon And mark the ingemination of his Simon Simon This doubling of his Name doth partly intimate Affection and is as much as to say My dear Simon partly to stir up a serious attention that he might mark what is said 2. The danger it seâ—f Behold Sathan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat Where observe 1. The Author and Procurer of this Trouble the Devil called here Sathan that is an Adversary Our danger is mainly from the Devil he hath a great hand in the troubles of Gods People He assaulteth them himself by his Wills and Fiery Darts Eph. 6.11 and 16. and stireth up his Instruments to persecute them Luke 22.53 This is your hour and the power of darkness That was the time when the Devil and his Instruments were permitted to work their Wills on Christ When the Shepheard was smitten and the Flock scattered abroad 2. The way how he bringeth it about he hath desired to have you It intimateth two things 1. He asketh leave for Sathan and his instruments cannot touch any of Gods Children without Gods permission Therefore he asketh leave to have the Disciples of Christ in his power to vex them So for Iob he has leave to touch his substance but must not meddle with his person Iob 1.11 12. But put forth thine hand now and touch all that he hath and he will curse thee to thy face And the Lord said unto Sathan behold all that he hath is in thy power only upon himself put not forth thy hand Then to afflict his Body with Biles and Soars but he must spare his Life Iob 2.5 6. But put forth thine hand now and touch his bone and his flesh and he will curse thee to thy face And the Lord said unto Sathan Behold he is in thine hand but save his life Nay he was fain to ask leave to enter into the herd of Swine Mat. 8.31 So the Devil besought him saying if thou cast us out suffer us to go away into the herd of swine Surely then the Flock of Christs Sheep need not be troubled If the bristles of the Swine be numbred much more are the hairs of your heads 2. It is a kind of suing out of his right The word signifieth the putting in of a Plea and Suit not a bare asking leave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poposcit vos ad poenam Sin giveth Sathan some right of claim and when we have committed some Sins we provoke God to give us over to Sathan to be disciplined Therefore this desiring to have you is his accusing you to God and requiring that he may have the shaking of you For the Devil is an Adversary 1 Pet. 5.8 Because your adversary the devil as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devour The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Adversary Sathan is an Enemy at Law he is alwaies inditing and accusing you before God that he may get you into his power and reach Oh how watchful should the Children of God be when they have an Adversary that pleadeth Law and Equity on his side and pursueth his right against them to bring them to the Tryal But how could he do so in the case of the Apostles and of Peter in particular Possibly it might be something criminously done by them in that contention of the Disciples about Primacy and Superiority who should be chiefest Mentioned verse 24. And there was a strife among them which of them should be accounted greatest And the indignation of the ten against the two Brethren Iames and Iohn and in that contest Peter might be most faulty he being with them two Those of the Disciples whom Jesus most loved Peter Iames and Iohn were often admitted to his privacies when others were excluded Oh it is a sad thing when we give occasion to Sathan to demand us to the Judgment 3. His aim and purpose to sift you as wheat that is to toss and shake you as Grain in a Sieve The meaning is The Devil would have permission from God wholly to subvert you and cast you away A great Judgment is expressed by this Phrase Amos 9.9 I will sift the house of Israel among all nations like as corn is sifted in a sieve This is the Devils aim utterly to destroy God's People But he can obtain no more than to shake and molest them for Tryal In sifting two things are considerable 1. The Agitation or tossing of the Corn now this way now that way from one side to another 2. The Separation of the Wheat from the Chaff The Devil only intends the former but God the latter He would have Peter and the rest of
1 John 3.8 The Devil sinneth from the beginning Therefore he is not so destroyed as if he did no more desire the Ruine and Destruction of Men. He is as malicious as ever The Devil is always at the old Trade of destroying Souls and watcheth all Advantages and observeth our Motions and Inclinations to make use of them 2. Affirmatively it remaineth that it is ratione Potentiae in regard of his Power But the Question returneth How far is his Power destroyed For he still governeth the Wicked and possesseth a great part of the World Therefore the Devils are called Ephes. 6.12 the Rulers of the Darkness of this World He molesteth the Godly whether considered singly and apart or in their Communities and Societies Singly and apart he may sometimes trouble them and sorely shake them as Wheat is winnowed in a Sive Luke 22.31 Simon Simon Behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as Wheat And in their Communities and Societies Psal. 129.1 2. Many a time have they afflicted me from my Youth may Israel now say Many a time have they afflicted me from my Youth Answ. Though he may afflict and molest the People of God yet he cannot totally prevail over them 1. There is enough done by way of Merit to break the Power of Satan or that whole Kingdom of Darkness which is united under one Head called the Devil The Price and Ransom is fully paid for captive Souls The Lamb of God taketh away the Sin of the World John 1.29 There need no more to be done by way of Merit and Satisfaction to bruise the Serpent's Head and to dissolve that woful Work which he hath introduced into the World Now not only the Comfort of particular Believers is ascribed to the Death of Christ but the Success of the Gospel over false Religions as 1 Pet. 1.18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold from your vain Conversation received by Tradition from your Fathers but with the precious Blood of Christ. He purchased the Power of recovering Souls out of their Apostacy at a dear rate Therefore though the Superstitions of the World were entailed on People by a long Descent yet when we go forth to preach the Gospel in the Virtue and Value of the Blood of Christ that will work mighty Wonders for the Destruction of the Kingdom of the Devil 2. Christ is upon the Throne and we are under his Protection therefore the Devil cannot totally prevail as to those who have Interest in him As to single Believers Iohn 10.28 None is able to pluck them out of my Hand Or as to their Communities and Societies Matth. 16.18 Vpon this Rock will I build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it The Gates of Hell signify the Power and Policy of Hell for there was their Armoury and their Counsel Christ expecteth their most subtile and furious Assaults but all should be but as the dashing of Waves against a Rock end in Foam and Shame to the Aggressors and Assailants So that besides his Merit on the Cross there is his Power in Heaven as now sitting upon the Throne 3. The Victory is carried on so as that our Duty and Trials may not be excluded 1 st Though Satan's Head be crushed yet still there is room for our Duty that we may use the Means for our Safety as good Souldiers of Christ and live as in a continual Fight These are set down 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Be sober and vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the Faith 1. Sobriety or an holy Moderation as to the Comforts and Delights of the present Life The Devil the Flesh and the World are in Conspiracy By the Baits of the World he inticeth our Flesh to a neglect of God and heavenly things therefore we must use the World as if we used it not lest our Hearts be burdened and depressed and disabled from seeking after our great End and Happiness 2. Vigilancy and Watchfulness is necessary that we may stand upon our Guard avoiding Snares and forecasting Hazards lest we fall as a ready Prey into the Mouth of the Tempter 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit your selves like Men be strong The first Point of a Christian Souldier is to watch Conscience must stand Porter at the Door examining what cometh in and what goeth out The Devil watcheth all Advantages against us that he may spy where we are weakest and if the Enemy watch and we sleep we cannot be safe 3. Stedfast Resistance in the Faith When we are yielding Satan gets ground but when we believingly and stedfastly resist he is discouraged This stedfast Resistance in the Faith is first Adhering to the Privileges of the Gospel as our Happiness secondly Persevering in the Duties thereof as our Work resolving not to let go our hold but by patient Continuance in Well-doing to wait for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus unto eternal Life Now if Christ should so destroy the Devil as to exempt from this Duty the whole Gospel would be in vain and the Promises and Precepts of it to no purpose and all the Furniture of Grace which Christ hath purchased for us and promised to us be lost and useless Surely Christ hath not so crushed the Serpent's Head but that we need to be sober and watchful and stedfast in the Faith otherwise we were not his Souldiers but his Enemies 2 dly Not to exempt us from Trials of our Sincerity God will have all Obedience to be tried and honoured by Opposition and sometimes by sharp and grievous Opposition Rev. 2.10 The Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that you may be tried Thus Iob was remitted to Satan for his Trial chap. 1.12 And the Lord said unto Satan Behold all that he hath is in thy Power And Paul had his Messenger of Satan for his Trial to see what shift he could make with sufficient internal Grace under outward and vexatious Evils 2 Cor. 12.7 8 9 10. Now better undergo the fiery Trial than the fiery Torment Tried we are then but not destroyed God may let loose the Wolf to drive us into the Fold and exercise us with Temptations but not suffer us to be overwhelmed 4. In the external Management of the Mediatorial Kingdom there are many Vicissitudes and Interchanges of the outward Condition of the Church Sometimes God doth notably defeat Satan and his Instruments and the Devil's Kingdom visibly goeth to wrack As at the first Promulgation of the Gospel though the World was captivated under Satan rooted in former Superstitions yet Christ prevailed and got ground by the Rod of his Strength and the Word of his Kingdom Tho Satan every-where had his Temples wherein he was worshipped and his Oracles were resorted to with great Reverence Till the Hebrew Child silenced him he are the Fat
is true Conversion where they are not only changed but quickned Heathens have been changed from Prophaneness to a moral course If you pretend to close with Christ and find no Life you can take no comfort in your Faith it is but a Cloud a Fancy John 10.10 I am come that they might have Life and that they might have it more abundantly So for Repentance and trouble for Sin if no Zeal follows it it is naught Rev. 3.19 Be zealous therefore and repent So for being Members of the Church you cannot take comfort of being Christ's Members without Zeal for all the true Members of Christ's Mystical Body are living Stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye also as lively Stones are built up a Spiritual House It is true in the outward Building there are some carved Stones So in the visible Church there are many polished with Gifts which may serve in their place to hold up the Building but they are not living Stones for they want Life And then for Hope it is but a Fancy and Dream if we be dead and sluggish It is called a lively Hope 1 Pet. 1.3 And if thou art drowsy still and neglectful of God surely thou art but in a Dream Canst thou take Comfort in this that thou art a constant Hearer of the Word if thou art as backward to Holiness and good Works as ever Phil. 2.16 Holding forth the Word of Life The Word is the Word of Life it doth not leave us dull slow and backward If there be not Life and Zeal all is nothing 11. Consider how odious want of Zeal is to God He will not own a cold careless neutral Spirit Rev. 3.16 So then because thou art luke-warm and neither hot nor cold I will spue thee out of my Mouth Cold lazy Professors that have nothing but a dead Form are as luke-warm Water to the Stomach and there is nothing the Stomach nauseates so much as that which is luke-warm So will God cast them out with much loathing he will uncase and pluck off their Masks and reveal them to the Congregation and make them odious this is worse than stark cold It is not enough that we are not violent against the Ways of God but are you zealous for God otherwise you are odious to God Mat. 25.30 Cast ye the unprofitable Servant into outer Darkness and not only the grosly Wicked but the unprofitable Servant Though he did not abuse his Talent nor embezel it away yet he hid it in a Napkin If you hide your Talent be it Parts Estate or Authority are you then zealous for God Useless Sapless Lifeless Christians incur the Penalty of Damnation as well as the openly Wicked they are cast into Hell therefore rest not in a dead Form 12. Consider how dishonourable it is to the living God to serve him with a dead Heart and cold Affections when he hath indented with you upon such glorious and noble Terms Heathens that worship the Sun offer to him a flying Horse because of the swiftness of his Motion 2 Kings 23.11 He took away the Horses that the Kings of Judah had given to the Sun So our worshipping of the living God must not be dead and cold Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without Spot to God purge your Consciences from dead Works to serve the living God God that is a living God must have lively Service but Men worship him as a dead Idol In an earthly Matter we would not be so cold and careless in our Treaties and Transactions Malachi 1.8 Offer it to thy Governour will he be pleased with you or accept your Person saith the Lord What you do it must be done with all the Heart and all the Might Consider Religion is not a Fancy You do not worship the Vanities of the Gentiles therefore be not dead cold and careless You worship the living God and he will be served with Life Zeal and strength of Affection SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18 SERMON I. HEB. VI. 18 That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie we might have a strong Consolation who have fled for Refuge to lay hold upon the Hope set before us TO give you the Occasion of these Words we must look back into the Context The Apostle proveth the firmness of the Promises and yet the great need of Faith and Patience e're they be accomplished He proveth both by the Instance of Abraham who was long exercised in waiting and had God's Promise ratified with the most solemn Assurance that can be conceived under Heaven with an Oath which is held sacred and inviolable among all Nations But here some might object That if Abraham had such a special Assurance from God what is that to us To this the Apostle replies That tho God's Oath were given to Abraham yet it concerns all the Heirs of Promise every Believer hath the same ground of Certainty that Abraham had so it is asserted ver 17. Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the Heirs of Promise the Immutability of his Counsel confirmed it by an Oath There is an Emphasis in the Phrase more abundantly God's Oath was not given out of Necessity but out of Condescension Not out of Necessity as if his Word was not valid and authentick without an Oath but he would give his Oath that over and above and by all solemn ways of Assurance the Lord would provide for our Certainty and Assurance that we might have strong Consolation upon solid Grounds That by two immutable things c. In the Words we have the Purport and the Aim of God's Oath which is to give Believers more solemn Assurance Take notice of three things 1. The Ground of this Assurance That by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie 2. The Fruit of this Assurance That we might have strong Consolation 3. The Persons to whom God hath given this Assurance we who have fled for Refuge to lay hold of the Hope that is set before us Sutable to the three Parts there are three main Points I. God's Word and Oath are the immutable Grounds of a Believer's Certainty and Confidence II. That the Fruit of this Confidence and Certainty is strong Consolation III. That the Persons to whom God hath deposited his Oath and by it administreth so strong a Comfort and Consolation are those who fly for Refuge to take hold of the Hope that is set before them Doct. I. That God's Word and God's Oath are the immutable Grounds of a Believer's Confidence and Certainty for these are the two immutable things spoken of I shall speak of each distinctly First God's single Word is an immutable Ground having this you have enough And so it will appear if you consider the Power and the Certainty of it 1. The Power of God's Word His Word is nothing else but the Declaration of his powerful Will the Force of it was discovered in creating
Head of the wicked State Sentence was past before and the Devil feareth it Matth. 8.29 Art thou come to torment us before the time He was condemned before but then the Sentence is fully executed upon him he is finally punished and shall for ever remain among the damned 2. Non ratione malitiae not in regard of Malice and Enmity for the Enmity ever continueth between the two Seeds and Sathan will ever be doing though it â—e to his loss 1 Iohn 3.8 He sinneth from the beginning and therefore he is not so destroyed as if he desired not the ruine and destruction of Men. He is as malicious as ever He is alwayes at the old trade of destroying Souls and watcheth all advantages to that end and purpose 2 Pet. 5.8 The Devil like a roaring lyon goeth about seeking whom he may devour 3. Then affirmatively it remaineth that it is Ratione potentiae in regard of Power but how far is his power destroyed For still he governeth the wicked and possesseth a great part of the World The Devils are called Eph. 6.12 Rulers of the darkness of this world The Gods of the Heathen Idolatrous Superstitious World and still he molesteth the Godly whether considered singly and apart or in their Communities and Societies Singly he may sometimes trouble them and soarly shake them as wheat is tossed to and from when it is winnowed in a Sieve Luke 22.31 or in their Communities and Societies The Devil by his Instruments may soarly distress them Psalm 129.1 2. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth upward that is from the beginning of their being a People unto God or else corrupts them 1 Cor. 11.3 I fear least by any means Sathan should corrupt you and therefore we must see how far his power is destroyed I Answer 1. It may be considered either 1. With respect to Christ the Author of our Deliverance Or 2. With respect to Men who are the Subjects of this Deliverance or the Persons delivered 1. With respect to Christ our Deliverer 1. There is enough done by way of Merit to break the Power of Sathan or that whole Kingdom of Darkness which is united under one Head called the Devil The Price and Ransom is fully paid for Captive Souls and there needeth no more to be done by way of Merit and Satisfaction to dissolve that woful work which Sathan hath introduced into the World Col. 2.15 He hath spoiled principalities and powers triumphing over them on his cross 1 Iohn 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil Both these places shew there is enough done for the benefit of particular Believers and for the success of the Gospel over false Religions He hath devested evil Spirits of their Power thrown them out of their Temples silenced their Oracles he hath made it publickly discernable by the suâ—cess of the Christian Religion in the World he hath purchased the power of recovering Souls out of their Apostacy at a dear rate 1 Pet. 1.18 We are not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold but with the precious blood of the Son of God Well then the value of the Blood of Christ is sufficient 2. Christ is upon the Throne and we are under his protection Therefore the Devil cannot totally prevail over those that have an Interest in him either as to single Believers Iohn 10.28 And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my hand Or to their Communities and Societies Matth. 16.18 Vpon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it The Gates of Hell signifie their Power and Policy there was their Armory and there they sate in Counsel Christ expecteth their most fierce and furious assaults but all should be to no purpose but as the dashing of the waves against a Rock which ends in foam and the shame of the Oppressors and Assailants So that besides his Merit on the Cross there is his Power in Heaven where he is to rule in the midst of his Adversaries Psalm 110.1 Sit at my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool There he is exalted in that Humane Nature which he had assumed to the highest pitch of Glory Majesty and Authority 3. Though there be not a total destruction of the Kingdom of Sathan yet it remaineth in an absolute subjection to the Throne of the Mediator The Kingdom of Sin and Sathan are so far destroyed as not to hinder Gods great Design the Demonstration of Mercy to the Elect and to be subservient to the Demonstration of his Justice towards others who either contemn or neglect the Remedy offered that the Elect may obtain though the rest be hardned 2 Thess 9 and 13. Even him whose coming is after the working of Sathan with all power and signs and lying wonders c. But we are bound to give thanks alwaies to God for you brethren because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth 4. Christ will in time destroy all opposite Reigns and Kingdoms some sooner other latter but there will be an Universal and Absolute subjection to Christ at the day of Judgment when Infernal Spirits shall bow the knee to him Isa. 45.23 compared with Phil. 2.10 He hath given him a name above every name that at the name of Iesus every knee shouâ—d bow And Rom. 14.10 11. The Mistery of Iniquity will then be finished and come to nothing and the Saints shall judge the Evil Angels 1 Cor. 6.3 that is when they are crowned they shall pass Sentence against the Evil Spirits But in the mean time you will say we are assaulted Therefore 2. With respect to Men who are to be delivered so Sathans Power may be considered with respect to single Persons or his Interest in the corrupt World 1. As to single and individual Persons So Sathans Power over them is by reason of Sin which was introduced into the World by his Subtilty and Malice Now these may be considered with respect to Conversion and Confirmation 1. Conversion When the Reign of Sin is broken they are rescued out of Sathans hands Col. 1.13 Who hath delivered us from the power of Sathan and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son And Acts 26.18 To turn us from darkness to light and from the power of Sathan to God Luke 11.21 When a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted 'T is the fruit of his Victorious Grace As long as Sin reigneth Sathan is in peaceable possession For when he had lost his Seat in Heaven he affected to set up a Throne in the Hearts of Men and to Lord it over them as his Slaves But now the reign of Sin is broken when he puts an Enmity into your Hearts against