Iudge of all the Earth do right God would not punish one more than another but that his Sin is greater It is true all Sins are equally hainous in respect of the Object or the Person against whom Sin is committed viz. The Infinite God But in another Sence all Sins are not alike hainous Some Sins have more bloody Circumstances in them which are like the Die to the Wooll to give it a deeper Colour Quest. What Sins may be said to be more hainous than others Resp. 1. Such Sins as are committed without any occasion offered A Man swears or is angry and hath no Provocation The less the occasion of Sin is the greater is the Sin 2. Such Sins are more hainous that are committed presumptuously Under the Law there was no Sacrifice for Presumptuous Sins Numb 15.30 Quest. What is it to sin presumptuously which doth heighten and aggravate Sin and make it more hainous Answ. To sin presumptuously is to sin against Convictions and Illuminations or an enlightned Conscience Iob 24.13 They are of those that rebell against the Light Conscience like the Cherubim stands with a Flaming Sword in its Hand to deterr the Sinner yet he will sin Did not Pilat sin against Conviction and with an high hand in condemning Christ He knew that of Envy the Jews had delivered him Matth. 27.18 He confessed he found no fault with him Luke 23.14 And his own Wife sent to him Have nothing to do with that just Man Matth. 27.19 Yet for all this he gave the Sentence of Death against Christ. Here he sinned presumptuously against an enlightned Conscience To sin ignorantly doth something extenuate and pare off the Guilt Iohn 15.22 If I had not come ye had had no sin That is your Sin had been less But to sin against Illuminations and Convictions doth inhance and accent Mens Sins These Sins make deep Wounds in the Soul Other Sins fetch Blood these are a Stab at the Heart Quest. How many ways doth a Man Sin against Illuminations and Convictions Answ. 1. When he lives in the total neglect of Duty He is not ignorant that it is a Duty to read the Word yet he lets the Bible lie by as rusty Armour that he seldom makes use of He is convinced that it is a Duty to pray in his Family yet he can go Days and Months and God never hear of him He calls God Father but never asks him Blessing Neglect of Family-Prayer doth as it were uncover the Roof of Mens Houses and make way for a Curse to be rained down upon their Table 2. When a Man lives in the same Sins which he condemns in others Rom. 2.1 Thou that judgest another dost the same things As Austin saith of Seneca He wrote against Superstitions yet he worshipped those Images which he reproved One Man condemns another for rash censuring yet lives in the same Sin himself A Master reproves his Apprentice for Swearing yet he himself Swears The Snuffers of the Tabernacle were of pure Gold They who reprove and snuff the Vices of others had need themselves to be free from those Sins The Snuffers must be of Gold 3. When a Man sins after Vow Psal. 56.12 Thy Vows O God are upon me A Vow is a Religious Promise made to God to dedicate our selves to him A Vow is not only a Purpose but a Promise Every Votary makes himself a Debtor he binds himself to God in a solemn manner Now to Sin after Vow to vow himself to God and give his Soul to the Devil must needs be against the highest Convictions 4. When a Man sins after Counsels Admonitions Warnings he cannot plead Ignorance The Trumpet of the Gospel hath been blown in his Ears and sounded a Retreat to call him off from his Sins he hath been told of his Injustice living in Malice keeping bad Company yet he would venture upon Sin This is to sin against Conviction it aggravates the Sin and is like a Weight put in the Scale to make his Sin weigh the heavier If a Sea-mark be set up to give Warning that there are Shelves and Rocks in that place yet if the Mariner will fail there and split his Ship it is Presumption and if he be cast away who will pity him 5. When a Man sins against express Comminations and Threatnings God hath thundered out Threatnings against such Sins Psal. 66.21 God shall wound the hairy Scalp of such an one as goes on still in his Trespasses Yet tho God set the point of his Sword to the Breast of a Sinner yet he will commit Sin The Pleasure of Sin doth more delight him than the Threatnings affright him He like the Liviathan laughs at the shaking of a Spear Iob 41.29 Nay he derides God's Threatnings Isa. 5.19 Let him make speed and hasten his Work that we may see it We have heard much what God intends to do and of Judgment approrching we would fain see it For Men to see the Flaming Sword of God's Threatnings brandished yet to strengthen themseâ—ves in Sin is in an high manner to sin against Illumination and Conviction 6. When a Man sins under Affliction God doth not only thunder by Threatning but hath let his Thunderbolt fall he hath inflicted Judgments on a Person he may read his Sin in his Punishment yet he sins His Sin was Vncleanness he hath wasted his Strength as well as his Estate he hath had a Fit of Apoplexy yet tho he feels the smart of Sin he retains the Love of Sin This is to sin against Conviction 2 Chron. 28.22 In his Distress did he trespass yet more this is that King Ahaz This doth inhance and make the Sin greater than other Sins For sinning against an enlightned Conscience First Is full of Obstinacy and Pertinaciousness Men can give no Reason make no Defence for their Sins yet they are resolved to hold fast Iniquity This is desperate Wilfulness And Voluntas est regula mensura actionis The more of the Will in a Sin the greater the Sin Ier. 18.12 We will walk after our own Devices Tho there be Death and Hell every step we will march on under Satan's Colours This made the Sin of the Apostate Angels so great because it was wilful they had no Ignorance in their Mind no Passion to stir them up there was no Tempter to deceive them but they sinn'd obstinately and out of Choice Secondly To sin against Convictions and Illuminations is joyn'd with slighting and contempt of God It is bad for a Sinner to forget God but it is worse to contemn him Prov. 10.13 Wherefore do the wicked contemn God An enlightned Sinner knows that by his Sin he disobligeth and angers God but he cares not whether God be pleased or no he will have his Sin Therefore such an one is said to reproach God Numb 15.30 The Soul that doth ought presumptuously the same reproacheth the Lord. Every Sin displeaseth God but sins against an enlightned Conscience reproach the Lord. To contemn the Authority
owe God themselves to pay it in part and do not look to have it all forgiven But why did Christ teach us to pray forgive us our sins if we can of our selves satisfie God for the wrong we have done him This Doctrine robs God of his Glory Christ of his Merit and the Soul of Salvation Alas is not the lock cut where our Strength lay are not all our Works fly-blown with sin and can sin satisfie for sin this Doctrine makes men their own Saviours it is most absurd to hold for can the Obedience of a finite Creature satisfie for an infinite Offence Sin being forgiven clearly implies we cannot satisfie for it 2. From this word Vs forgive us we learn that pardon is chiefly to be sought for our selves For tho' we are to pray for the pardon of others Iam. 6.16 Pray one for another yet in the first place we are to beg pardon for our selves What will anothers pardon do us good every one is to endeavour to have his own name in the pardon A Son may be made free by his Fathers Copy but he cannot be pardoned by his Fathers pardon he must have a pardon for himself In this sence selfiâ—hness is lawful every one must be for himself and get a pardon for his own sins Forgive Vs. 3. From this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OVR Our sins we learn how just God is in punishing us the Text saith Our Sins we are not punished for other mens sins but our own Nemo habet de proprio nisi peccatum Augustine There 's nothing we can call so properly ours as sin Our daily bread we have from God our daily sins we have from our selves Sin is our own Act a web of our own spinning How righteous therefore is God in punishing of us we sow the seed and God only makes us reap what we sow Ier. 17.10 I give every man the fruit of his own doings When we are punished we do but tast the fruit of our own grafting 4. From this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sins see from hence the multitude of sins we stand guilty of we pray not forgive us our Sin as if it were only a single debt but sins in the plural so vast is the Catalogue of our sins that David cries out Who can understand his Errors Ps. 19.12 Our sins are like the drops in the Sea like the atoms in the Sun they exceed all Arithmetick Our debts we owe to God we can no more number than we can satisfie Which as it should humble us to consider how full of black Spots our Souls are so it should put us upon seeking after the pardon of our sins and this brings to the second Vse Exhort To labour to have the forgiveness of sin sealed up to us How can we eat or drink or sleep without it 'T is sad dying without a pardon This is to fall into the Labyrinth of Despair of this the next time Vse 2. Let us labour for the forgiveness of sin If ever this was needful then now when the Times ring Changes and Dangers seem to be marching towards us Labour I say for the Forgiveness of sin this is a main Branch of the Charter or Covenant of Grace Heb. 10.12 I will be merciful to your Unrighteousness and your Sins and Iniquities I will remember no more It is Mercy to feed us but it is rich Mercy to pardon us this is spun and woven out of the Bowels of Free-grace Earthly things are no signs of God's love he may give the Venison but not the Blessing but when God seals up Forgiveness he gives his Love and Heaven with it Psal. 21.3 Thou settest a Crown of pure Gold on his head A Crown of Gold was a Mercy but if you look into 103. Psalm you shall find a greater Mercy v. 3 4. Who forgiveth all thine Iniquities who crowneth thee with loving-kindness To be crowned with Forgiveness and Loving kindness is a far greater Mercy than to have a Crown of pure Gold set upon the Head it was a Mercy when Christ cured the palsy man but when Christ said to him Thy sins are forgiven Mar. 2.5 this was more than to have his palsy healed forgiveness of Sin is the Chief thing to be sought after and sure if conscience be once touched with a sence of Sin there 's nothing a man will thirst after more than forgiveness Ps. 51.3 My Sin is ever before me this made David so earnest for pardon Ps. 51.1 Have Mercy upon me O God blot out my Transgressions If one should have come to David and asked him David where is thy pain what is it troubles thee is it the fear of shame which shall come upon thee in thy Wives is it the fear of the Sword which God hath threatned shall not depart from thy House he would have said No it is only my sin pains me My Sin is ever before me Were but this removed by forgiveness tho' the Sword did ride in circuit in my Family I should be well enough content When the Arrow of Guilt sticks in the Conscience nothing is so desirable as to have this Arrow plucked out by forgiveness Oh therefore seek after the Forgiveness of Sin can you make a shift to live without it but how will you do to die without it will not death have a sting to an unpardoned Sinner how do you think to get to Heaven without forgiveness as at some solemn Festivals there 's no being admitted unless you bring a Ticket so unless you have this Ticket to shew Forgiveness of Sin there 's no being admitted into the Holy Place of Heaven Will God ever Crown those that he will not forgive O be ambitious of pardoning Grace When God had made Abraham great and large Promises Abraham replies Lord what is all seeing I go Childless Gen. 15.2 so when God hath given thee Riches and all thy heart can wish say to him Lord what is all this seeing I want Forgiveness let my pardon be sealed in Christ's Blood A Prisoner in the Tower is in an ill Case notwithstanding his brave Diet great Attendance soft Bed to lie on because being Impeach'd he looks every day for his Arraignment and is afraid of the Sentence of Death In such a Case and worse is He that swims in the Pleasures of the World but his sins are not forgiven A guilty Conscience doth impeach him and he is in fear of being Arraign'd and Condemn'd at God's Judgment-Seat Give not then sleep to your Eyes or slumber to your Eye lids till you have gotten some well-grounded hope that your sins are blotted out Before I come to press the Exhortation to seek after forgiveness of Sin I shall propound one question Quest. If pardon of Sin be so absolutely necessary without it no Salvation what is the Reason that so few in the world seek after it If they want health they repair to the Physitian if they want Riches they take a Voyage to the Indies
my Sin nay in spight of it this causeth admiration Who is a God like thee A Man that goes over a narrow Bridge in the Night and the next morning comes and sees the danger he was in and how miraculously he escaped he is stricken with admiration So when God shews a Soul how near he was a falling into Hell and how that this Gulph is shut all his sins are pardoned he is amaz'd and cries out Who is a God like thee that pardonest iniquity That God should pardon one and pass by another One taken another lest this fills the soul with wonder and astonishment 4. Where-ever God pardons sin he subdues it Micah 7.19 He will have compassion on us he will subdue our iniquity Hebr. Iickbosh sub jugo ponet Where Mens persons are justified their lusts are mortified There is in sin vis Imperatoria Damnatoria a Commanding Power and a Condemning Then is the condemning power of sin taken away when the commanding power of it is taken away Would we know whether our sins are forgiven are they subdued If a Malefactor be in prison how shall he know that his Prince hath Pardoned him if the Jailor come and knock off his Chains and Fetters and lets him out of Prison then he may know he is Pardoned So How shall we know God hath pardoned us if the Fetters of sin be broken off and we walk at liberty in the ways of God Psal. 119.45 I will walk at liberty this is a blessed sign we are pardoned Such as are washed in Christ's blood from that guilt are made Kings to God Revel 1.6 as Kings they rule over their sins 5. He whose sins are forgiven is full of Love to God Mary Magdalen's heart was fired with love Luk. 7.47 Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much Her love was not the cause of her Remission but a sign of it A pardoned Soul is a monument of mercy â—nd he thinks he can never love God enough he wisheth he had a Coal from God's Altar to inflame his heart in love he wisheth he could borrow the Wings of the Cherubims that he might fly swifter in Obedience a pardoned Soul is sick of love He whose heart is like Marble lock'd up in impenitency that doth not melt in love a sign his pardon is yet to seal 6. Where the sin is pardoned the nature is purified Hos. 14.9 I will heal their backslidings I will love them Every Man by Nature is both guilty and diseased where God remits the guilt he cures the disease Psal. 103.3 Who forgiveth all thy Iniquities who healeth all thy Diseases Herein God's pardon goes beyond the King's pardon the King may forgive a Malefactor but he cannot change his heart he may have a thievish heart still But God when he pardons changeth the heart Ezek. 36.26 A new heart also will I give you A pardoned Soul is adorned and embellished with holiness 1 Joh. 5.6 This is he that came by water and blood Where Christ comes with Blood to justifie he comes with Water to cleanse Zac. 3.4 I have caused thy iniquity to pass from thee and I will cloath thee with change of raiment I will cause thy iniquity to pass from thee there is Pardoning Grace and I will cloath thee with change of raiment there is Sanctifying Grace Let not him say he hath pardon that wants Grace Many tell us they hope they are pardoned but were never sanctified Yea but they believe in Christ But what Faith is it a Swearing Faith a Whoring Faith the Faith of Devils is as good 7. Such as are in the number of God's People forgiveness of sin belongs to them Isa. 40.1 Comfort ye my People tell them their Iniquity is forgiven Quest. How shall we know that we are God's Elect People R. By Three Characters 1. God's people are an humble people The livery which all Christ's people wear is Humility 1 Pet. 5.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be ye cloathed with humility 1. A sight of God's Glory humbles Elijah wrapped his Face in a Mantle when God's Glory passed by Job 42.5 Now mine eye seeth thee wherefore I abhor my self The Stars vanish when the Sun appears 2. A sight of sin humbles In the Glass of the Word the godly see their spots and these are humbling spots Lo saith the Soul I can call nothing my own but Sins and Wants this humbles An humble Sinner is in a better condition than a proud Angel 2. God's people are a willing people Psal. 110.3 Gnam nedabot a people of willingness Love constrains them They serve God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 freely and out of choice They stick at no service they will run through a Sea and a Wilderness they will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth 3. They are an heavenly people Stars Joh. 17.16 Ye are not of the World As the Primum mobile in the Heavens hath a motion of its own contrary to the other Orbs So God's people have an heavenly motion of Soul contrary to the Men of the World They use the World as their Servant but do not follow the World as their Master Phil. 3.20 Our conversation is in heaven Such as have these Three Characters of God's people have a good Certificate to shew that they are pardoned Forgiveness of sin belongs to them Comfort my people reâ—t them their iniquity is forgiven 8. A sign we are pardoned if after many storms we have a sweet calm and peace within Rom. 5.1 Being justified we have peace After many a bitter Tear shed and Heart-breaking the Mind hath been more sedate and a sweet Serenity or Still-Musick hath followed this brings tidings God is appeased Whereas before Conscience did accuse now it doth secretly whisper comfort This is a blessed Evidence a Man's sins are pardoned If the Bailiffs do not Trouble and Arrest the Debtor it is a sign his Debt is Compounded or Forgiven So if Conscience do not Vex or Accuse but upon Good Grounds whisper Consolation this is a sign the Debt is Discharged the Sin is Foâ—given 9. A siâ—n sin is forgiven when we have hearts without guile Psal. 32.1 2. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile Qu. What is this to be sine fuco without Guile 1. He who is without guile hath Plainness of heart He is without collusion he hath not cor dupâ—ex a double heart His heart is right with God A Man may do a Right Action but not with a Right Heart 2 Chr. 25.2 Amaziah did thaâ— which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart To have the heart right with God is to serve God from a Right Principle Love by a Right Rule the Word to a Right End the Glory of God 2. An heart without guile dares not allow it self in the least sin He avoids secret sins He dares not hide any sin as Rachel did her Fathers Images
they know Matth. 12.50 Whosoever shall do the Will of my Father in Heaven the same is my Brother and Sister That is he is dear to me as if he had a Natural Alliance in Blood nay far dearer for many of Christ's Kindred in the Flesh are in Hell but where there 's a Spiritual Consanguinity there 's no fear of perishing Such as know Christ's Will and do it not are Strangers to Christ and he will say I know you not But if you that know to do good do it Christ will know you sure he will know his kindred his Sisters and Brothers 2. To know to do good and do it sets a Crown upon the Gospel Rom. 16.19 Your Obedience is come abroad unto all Men not your Knowledge but your Obedience When Christians do what they know are eminent in Humility and Charity when they walk exemplarily this adorns Religion To know to do good and not to do it hardens others in Sin scandalizeth Religion and makes People ready to turn Atheists When some of the Spaniards came into Hispaniola the Spaniards carriage being loose and prophane the Indians asked them What God they served they answered the God of Heaven the Indians replied Sure your God is not a good God that hath such bad Servants Thus to know to do good yet not do it puts a scar in the Face of Religion and brings an evil report upon it but to do what we know Trumpets forth the Fame of the Gospel and makes them that oppose it to admire it 3. To know to do good and to do it entitles you to Blessedness Iam. 1.25 He shall be Blessed in the Deed not for the deed but in the deed God will not only pour golden Oil of Temporal Blessings on you give you Corn and Wine but he will bless you with Salvation Heb. 5.9 He became the Author of Salvation to all them that obey And that you may do what you know beg the Holy Spirit God hath promised to give us his Spirit to make us walk in his Statutes Ezek. 36.27 Lex jubet gratia juvat The Word commands the Spirit inables The Word is a Star to direct us the Spirit is a Load-stone to draw us The Word Anoints our Eyes the Spirit Guides our Feet into the Path of God's Commandments 3 Doct. That he who knoweth to do good and doth it not is of all others most guilty to him it is Sin Crimson Sin that is it is heinous Sin Capital Sin Sin emphatically Sin with a Witness and punished with a Vengeance Such an one is a notorious desperate Sinner he knows he should abstain from such Sins because the Law of God forbids them yet he goes on in those Sins he knows he should do such Duties because the Law of God enjoins them Sanctifie the Sabbath be just in his Dealings but though he knows to do good yet he doth it not such a one is a desperate prodigious Sinner he Sins with a Witness And the Reason is because he that knows to do good yet doth it not he Sins presumptuously Under the Law there was a Sacrifice for Sins of Ignorance but for presumptuous Sins there was no Sacrifice Numb 15.30 The Soul that doth ought presumptuously the same reproacheth the Lord and that Soul shall be cut off from among his People Quest. What is it to Sin presumptuously Answ. To Sin presumptuously is to Sin against the Light which shines into a Man's Conscience i. e. A Man is convinced those things he doth are Sin Conscience saith O do not this great Evil Conscience like the Cherubims hath a flaming Sword in its Hand to afright and deterr the Sinner yet he will pluck the Forbidden Fruit This is to Sin presumptuously To Sin ignorantly doth something extenuate and take off from the Sin it excuseth à tanto Ioh. 15.22 He had had no Sin It may be supposed that if the Man had known the thing had been so Evil he would not have done it but he that Sins knowingly is a Presumptuous Sinner he Sins with his Eyes open he is like one that hath a Torch in his Hand and yet runs into the Pond and drowns himself Iob 24.13 They are of those that Rebel against the Light This is desperate this is to be worse than Balaam for when he saw the Angel before him with a naked Sword he durst not go on but the presumptuous Sinner though he sees the Flaming Sword of God's Wrath before him yet he will go on in Sin O Sinner thou art making way for thy own Torment thou that sinnest against the Light of Conscience thou stuffest the Pillow of Conscience with Thorns on which thy Head must lie to all Eternity If a Man Sins out of Ignorance saith Aristot. when he knows it he repents if out of Passion when the Passion is over he weeps but he that Sins knowingly against his Conscience he is set upon Sin and he will hardly be reclaimed Now there are two aggravations of this presumptuous Sin viz. Sinning against the Light of Conscience And to know to do good yet not to do it 1. This sinning presumptuously against Conscience is after Councils Admonitions Warnings Such an one cannot say he was never told of his Sin he hath had Ministers rising up early who have told him what a damnable Thing Sin was yet he would venture on so that now he hath no excuse Iohn 15.22 Now you have no Cloak for your Sin After Reproofs and Caveats now to persist in Sin it gives a Dye and Ticture to the Sin Thou that livest in Malice Uncleanness and neglect of Family Duty think how often thou hast been warned of Sin We read if the Prophet had warned another Ezek. 33.9 If thou warn the Wicked of his way to turn from it if he do not turn from his way he shall die in his Iniquity this made Saul's Sin Presumptuous and it is called Rebellion because the Prophet had warned him and given him express charge utterly to destroy Amaleck yet he spared Agag and the best of the Sheep and Oxen 1 Sam. 15.9 This was Rebellion and for it he lost his Kingdom To Sin against Conscience and to do it after warning doth give an Accent to Sin as the Dye to Wool or as a Weight put in the Scale which makes it weigh heavier Oh! take heed all you that go on in Sin presumptuously there hath been a Trumpet blown in your Ears you have been told what Sin would cost you God himself will draw up the Charge against you and this will be put in your Indictment It was after warning If a Sea-mark be set up to give notice that there are Shelves and Rocks in isto loco yet if the Mariner will Sail there and split his Ship he is presumptuous and none will pity him because there was a Sea-mark set up to give him warning of the danger 2. T is an aggravation to sin presumptuously against Conscience when it is after Afflictions After God hath
a saying of Luther Quos Deus vult perdere c. whom God intends to destroy he gives them leave to play with Scripturre Use 3. of Exhortation If the Scripture be of Divine Inspiration then be exhorted 1. to study the Scripture it is a Copy of God's Will be Scripture Men Bible Christians I adore the fulness of Scripture saith Tertullian In the Book of God are scattered many Truths as so many Pearls Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures Search as for a Vein of Silver This blessed Book will fill your Head with Knowledge and your Heart with Grace God wrote the two Tables with his own Fingers and if God took pains to write well may we take pains â—o read Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 The Word is our Magna Charta for Heaven shall we be ignorant of our Charter Col. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell in you richly The Memory must be a Table-Book where the Word is written To make us read the Word consider 1. There is Majesty sparkling in every Line of Scripture Take but one Instance Isa. 63.1 Who is this that cometh from Edom with died garments from Bozrah this that is glorious in his apparel travelling in the greatness of his strength I that speak in righteousness mighty to save Behold here a lofty magnificent stile what Angel could speak after this manner Iunius was converted by reading one Verse of Iohn he beheld a Majesty in it beyond all Humane Rhetorick 2. There is Melody in Scripture This is that blessed Harp which drives away sadness of Spirit Hear the sounding of this Harp a little 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Iesus Christ came into the World to save sinners he took not only our Flesh upon him but our Sins And Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest How sweetly doth this Harp of Scripture sound what heavenly Musick doth it make in the Ears of a distressed sinner especially when the Finger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this Instrument 3. There is Divinity in Scripture It contains the Marrow and Quintessence of Religion The Scripture is a Rock of Diamonds a Mystery of Piety the Lips of Scripture have Grace poured into them The Scripture speaks of Faith Self-denial and all the Graces which as a Chain of Pearl adore a Christian. The Scripture excites to Holiness it treats of another World it gives a prospect of Eternity Oh then search the Scriptures Make the Word familiar to you Had I the Tongue of Angels I could not sufficiently set forth the Excellency of Scripture It is a spiritual Optick Glass in which we behold God's Glory it is the Tree of Life the Oracle of Wisdom the Rule of Manners the heavenly Seed of which the New Creature is formed Iames 1.18 The two Testaments saith Austin are the two Breasts which every Christian must suck that he may get spiritual Nourishment The Leaves of the Tree of Life were for Healing Rev. 22.2 so these Holy Leaves of Scripture like those Leaves are for the healing of our Souls The Scripture is profitable for all things If we are deserted here is the spiced Wine that cheers the heavy heart If we are pursued by Satan here is the Sword of the Spirit to resist him If we are diseased with Sins leprosy here are the Waters of the Sanctuary both to Cleanse and Cure Oh then search the Scriptures There is no danger in tasting this Tree of Knowledge There was a Penalty laid at first that we might not taste of the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.17 In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die But there is no danger of plucking this Tree of Holy Scripture if we do not eat of this Tree of Knowledge we shall surely die Oh then read the Scriptures Time may come when the Scriptures may be kept from us Quest. How should we so search the Scriptures as to find Life Answ. 1. Read the Bible with Reverence think every Line you read God is speaking to you The Ark wherein the Law was put was over-laid with pure Gold and was carried on Barrs that the Levites might not touch it Exod. 25.14 And why was this but to breed in the People Reverence to the Law 2. Read with Seriousness 'T is Matter of Life and Death By this Word you must be tried Conscience and Scripture are the Jury God will proceed by in Judging of you 3. Read the Word with Affection Get your Hearts quickned with the Word go to it to fetch fire Luke 24.31 Did not our hearts burn within us Labour that the Word may not only be a Lamp to direct but a Fire to warm Read the Scripture not only as an History but as a Love-Letter sent to you from God which may affect your Hearts 4. Pray that the same Spirit that wrote the Word may assist you in the reading of it that God's Spirit would show you the wonderful Things of his Law Go near saith God to Philip joyn thy self to this Chariot Acts 8.29 So when God's Spirit joyns himself with this Chariot of the Word then it becomes effectual 2. Be exhorted to prize the Word written Iob 23.12 David valued the Word more precious than Gold What would the Martyrs have given for a Leaf of the Bible The Word is the Field where Christ the Pearl of price is hid In this Sacred Mine we dig not for a Wedge of Gold but a Weight of Glory 1. The Scripture is a Sacred Collyrium or Eye-salve to illuminate us Prov. 6.23 The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem Alexandrinus The Scripture is the Card and Compass by which we Sail to the New Ierusalem 2. The Scripture is a Soveraign Cordial in all Distresses What are the Promises but the Water of Life to renew fainting Spirits Is it sin troubles there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 65.3 Iniquities prevail against me as for our Transgressions thou shalt purge them away or as it is in Hebrew Te eapperem Thou shalt cover them Is it outward Affliction disquiets there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 91.15 I will be with him in trouble not only to behold but to uphold Thus as in the Ark was laid up Manna Promises are laid up as Manna in the Ark of Scripture 3. The Scripture will make us wise Wisdom is above Troubles Psal. 119.104 By thy Precepts I get understanding What made Eve so desire the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.6 It was a Tree to make one wise The Scriptures teach a Man to know himself they discover Satan's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 snares and stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 They make one wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 O then highly prize the Scriptures I read of Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation she received the Bible presented to her with both her Hands and kissing it laid it to her Breast saying That that Book
faces fills them with shame and horrour When the Sinner sees an Hand-writing on the Wall of Conscience his Countenance is changed Many have hanged themselves to quiet their Conscience Tiberius the Emperour a bloody Man felt the Lashes of his Conscience he was so haunted with that Fury that he told the Senate he suffered Death daily And what is it should put a Man's Conscience into such an Agony but the Impression of a Deity and the Thoughts of coming before God's Tribunal Those who are above all Humane Laws yet are subject to the Checks of their own Conscience And it is observable the nearer the Wicked approach to Death the more they are terrified and Conscience gives a louder Alarm to them And whence is this but from the apprehension of Judgment approaching The Soul being sensible of its Immortal Nature trembles at him who never ceaseth to Live and therefore will never cease to Punish 3. That there is a God appears by the Consent of Nations by the Universal Vote and Suffrage of all Nulla gens tam barbara cui non insideat haec persuasio Deum esset Tully No Nation so barbarous saith Tully as not to believe there is a God Though the Heathen did mistake in their Devotion they did not worship the true God yet they worshipped a God They set up an Altar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the unknown God Acts 17.22 They knew a God should be worshipped though they knew not the God whom they worshipped Some did worship Iupiter some Neptune some Mars rather than not worship something they would worship any thing 4. That there is a God appears by his Prediction of Future Things He who can foretel things which shall surely come to pass is the True God God foretold that a Virgin should conceive he prefixed the time when the Messias should be cut off Dan. 9.76 he foretold the Captivity of the Iews in Babylon and who should be their Deliverer Isa. 45.1 This is such a strong Argument to prove a Deity as God himself useth it to prove he is the True God and that all the Gods of the Heathens were Fictions and Nullities Isa. 41.22 Testimonium Divinitatis est Veritas Divinationis Tertul. To foretel Things contingent and which depend upon no natural Causes is proper to a Deity 5. That there is a God appears by God's unlimited Power and Soveraignty He who can work and none hinder him is the True God but God can do so Isa. 43.13 I will work and who shall let it Nothing can hinder Action but some Superiour Power but there is no Power above God all Power that is is by him therefore all Power is under him he hath a mighty Arm Psal. 89.13 He sees the Designs Men drive on against him and plucks off their Chariot Wheels he maketh Diviners mad Isa. 44.25 he cutteth off the Spirit of Princes He bridleth the Sea gives check to the Leviathan binds the Devils in Cains he acts pro arbitrio he doth what he will I will work and who shall let it 6. There are Devils therefore there is a God Atheists cannot deny but there are Devils and then they must grant there is a God We read of divers possessed with the Devil The Devils are called in Scripture Cashegnirini Hairy ones because they oft appeared in the form of Goats or Satyrs Gerson in his Book De probatione Spirituum tells us how Satan on a time appeared to an holy Man in a most glorious manner professing himself to be Christ the old Man answered I desire not to see my Saviour here in this Desart it shall suffice me to see him in Heaven Now if there be a Devil then there is a God Socrates an Heathen when he was accused at his Death confessed that as he thought there was a malus genius an Evil Spirit so he thought there was a Good Use 1. Seeing there is a God this reproves such Atheistical Fools as deny it Epicurus denied that there was a Providence saying That all things fell out by Chance Diagoras He that saith there is no God is the wickedest Creature that is he is worse then a Thief who doth but take away our Goods from us but the Atheist would take away our God from us Joh. 20. They have taken away my Lord. So we may say of Atheists they would take away our God from us in whom all our Hope and Comfort is laid up Psal. 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart There is no God He durst not speak it with his Tongue but said it in his Heart he wished it Sure none can be Speculative Atheists The devils believe and tremble Jam. 2. I have read of one Arthur a professed Atheist who when he came to die cried out he was damned But though there are few found who say There is no God yet many deny him in their Practices Tit. 1.16 In works they deny him Cicero said of Epicurus Verbis reliquit Deos resustulit The World is full of Practical Atheism most People live as if they did not believe there was a God Durst they lie defraud be unclean if they believed there were a God who would call them to account If an Indian who never heard of a God should come among us and have no other means to convince him of a Deity but the Lives of Men in our Age sure he would be of Protagoras his mind who did hang in a doubtful suspence and did question Whether there were a God Utrum Dii sint non ausim affirmare Use 2. Seeing there is a God he will deal righteously and give just Rewards to Men. Things seem to be carried in the World very unequally The wicked flourish Psal. 73. they who tempt God are delivered Mal. 3.15 The ripe Clusters of Grapes are squeezed into their Cup and in the mean while the godly who wept for sin and served God are afflicted Psal. 102.9 I have eaten Ashes like Bread and mingled my drink with weeping Evil Men enjoy all the Good and Good Men endure all the Evil. But seeing there is a God he will deal righteously with Men Gen. 18.25 Shall not the Iudge of all the World do right Offenders must come to punishment The Sinners Deaths-day and Dooms-day is a coming Psal. 37.13 The Lord seeth that his day is coming While there is an Hell the wicked shall be scourged enough and while there is Eternity they shall lye there long enough and God will abundantly compensate the faithful Service of his People They shall have their white Robes and Crown Psal. 58.11 Verily there is a Reward for the Righteous verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth Because God is God therefore he will give forth glorious Rewards to his People Use 3. Seeing there is a God woe to all such as engage this God against them he lives for ever to be avenged upon them Ezek. 22.14 Can thine heart endure or can thine hands be strong in the day that I shall
a Law and they brake it therefore he punisheth them justly 2. God is just in punishing the Wicked because he never punisheth them but upon full Proof and Evidence What greater Evidence then for a Man 's own Conscience to be Witness against him There is nothing God chargeth upon a Sinner but Conscience doth set Seal to the Truth of it Use 1. See here another Flower of God's Crown the is just and righteous He is the Exemplar and Pattern of Justice Object But how doth it seem to stand with God's Justice that the Wicked should prosper in the World Prov. 12.1 Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper This hath been a great stumbling and been ready to make many question God's Justice Such as are highest in sin are highest in power Diogenes seeing Harpalus a Thief go on prosperously said Sure God had cast off the Government of the World and minded not how things went here below Resp. 1. The wicked may be sometimes Instruments to do God's work though they do not design his glory yet they may promote it Cyrus Ezra 1.7 was instrumental for the building God's Temple in Ierusalem There is some kind of Justice that they should have a Temporal Reward God lets them prosper under whose Wing his People are sheltred God will not be in any Man's debt Mal. 1.10 Who hath kindled a fire on my Altar for nought 2. God lets Men go on in sin and prosper that he may leave them more inexcusable Rev. 2.21 I gave her space to repent of her Fornication God adjourns the Sessions spins out his Mercies towards Sinners and if they repent not his Patience will be a Witness against them and his Justice will be more cleared in their Condemnation Psal. 51.4 That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest 3. God doth not always let the wicked prosper in their sin some he doth punish openly that his Justice may be taken notice of Psal. 9.16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth that is his Justice is seen by striking Men dead in the very act of sin Thus he struck Zimri and Cozbi in the Act of Uncleanness 4. If God do let Men prosper a while in sin his Vial of Wrath is all this while filling his Sword is all this while whetting and though God may forbear Men a while yet long forbearance is no forgiveness The longer God is taking his blow the heavier it will be at last as long as there is Eternity God hath time enough to reckon with his Enemies Justice may be as a Lion asleep but at last this Lion will awake and roar upon the Sinner Doth not Nero and Iulian and Cain now meet with God's Justice Object But God 's own People suffer great Afflictions they are injured and persecuted Psal. 73.14 All the day long have I been plagued and chastned every morning How doth this stand with God's Justice Resp. 1. That is a true Rule of St. Austin Iudicia Dei possunt esse occulta non injusta Gods ways of Judgment are sometimes secret but never unjust The Lord never Afflicts his People without a Cause so that he cannot be unjust There is some good in the godly therefore the wicked afflict them there is some evil in them therefore God afflicts them God's own Children have their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their blemishes 2 Chron. 28.10 Are there not with you even with you sins against the Lord These Spiritual Diamonds have they no flaws Do not we read of the Spots of God's Children Deut. 32.10 Are not they guilty of much Pride Censoriousness Passion Worldliness though by their Profession they seem to resemble the Birds of Paradise to fly above and feed upon the Dew of Heaven yet as the Serpent they lick the dust And these sins of God's People do more provoke God than others Deut. 32.19 Because of the provoking of his sons and daughters The sins of others pierce Christ's side these wound his heart therefore is not God just in all the Evils that befal them Amos 3.2 You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth therefore I will punish you for your Iniquities I will punish you sooner surer sorer then others 2. The Trials and Sufferings of the godly are to refine and purifie them God's Furnace is in Sion Isa. 31.9 Is it any Injustice in God to put his Gold into the Furnace to purifie it Is it any Injustice in God by afflicting his People to make them partakers of his Holiness Hebr. 12.10 What doth more proclaim God's Faithfulness than to take such a course with them as may make them better Psal. 119.75 In faithfulness thou hast corrected me 3. What Injustice is it in God to inflict a lesser Punishment and prevent a greater The best of God's Children have that in them which is meritorious of Hell Now I pray doth God do them any wrong if he useth only the Rod where they have deserved the Scorpion Is the Father unjust if he only corrects his Child who hath deserved to be disinherited If God deals so favourably with his Children he only puts Wormwood in their Cup whereas he might put Fire and Brimstone they are rather to admire his Mercy than complain of his Injustice Object How can it stand with God's Justice that all Men being equally guilty by Nature God should pass by one and save another why doth not he deal with all alike Resp. Rom. 9.14 Is there unrighteousness with God God forbid Job 8.3 Doth the Almighty pervert justice 1. God is not bound to give an account of his Actions to his Creatures If none may say to a King what dost thou Eccles. 8.4 much less to God It is sufficient God is Lord paramount he hath a Soveraign Power over his Creatures therefore can do no Injustice Rom. 9.21 Hath not the Potter power over the Clay of the same Lump to make one Vessel to honour and another unto dishonour God hath a liberty â—eâ—t in his own Breast to save one and not another and his Justice is not at aâ—l impeach'd or blemished If two Men owe you Money you may without any Injuâ—tice remit the Debt to one and exact it of the other If two Male-factors be condemned to die the King may pardon one and not the other He is not unjust if he â—ets one suffer because he offended the Law nor if he save the other because he will make use of his Prerogative as he is King 2. Though some are saved and others perish yet there is no unrighteousness in God because whoever periâ—heth his destruction is of himself Hos. 13.9 O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self God offers Grace the Sinner refuseth it Is God bound to give Grace If a Chyrurgion comes to heal a Man's wound he will not be healed but bolts out his Chyrurgion is the Chyrurgion bound to heal him Prov. 1.24 I have called and ye refused Psal. 81.11 Israel would none of me
this should much encourage us to look up to him and hope for Audience in Prayer We might indeed be afraid to present our Petitions if we had not Christ to deliver them Branch 4. The sad Condition of an Unbeliever he hath none in Heaven to speak a word for him Joh. 17.9 I pray not for the world As good be shut out of Heaven as be shut out of Christ's Prayer Christ pleads for the Saints as Queen Esther did for the Iews when they should have been destroyed Let my people be given me at my request Esth. 7.3 When the Devil shows the Blackness of their Sins Christ shows the Redness of his Wounds But how sad is the Condition of that Man Christ will not pray for Nay that he will pray against As Queen Esther petitioned against Haman and then his Face was covered Esth. 7.6 and he was led away to Execution 'T is sad when the Law shall be against the Sinner and Conscience and Judge and no Friend to speak a word for him There 's no way then but Jaylor take the Prisoner Branch 5. If Christ makes Intercession then we have nothing to do with other Intercessors The Church of Rome distinguisheth between Mediators of Redemption and Intercession and say The Angels do not redeem us but intercede for us and pray to them But Christ only can intercede for us Ex Officio God hath consecrated him an High-Priest Heb. 5.6 Thou art a priest for ever Christ intercedes Vi pretii in the Vertue of his Bloud he pleads his Merits to his Father the Angels have no Merits to bring to God therefore can be no Intercessors for us Whoever is our Advocate must be our Propitiation to pacifie God 1 Joh. 2.1 We have an advocate with the Father Verse 2. And he is our propitiation The Angels cannot be our Propitiation ergo not our Advocates 2. Use of Tryal How shall we know that Christ intercedes for us They have little ground to think Christ prays for them who never pray for themselves Well but how shall we know Resp. 1. If Christ be praying for us then his Spirit is praying in us Gal. 4.6 He hath sent forth his spirit into your heart crying Abba Father And Rom. 8.26 the Spirit helps us with Sighs and Groans not only with Gifts but Groans We need not climb up into the Firmament to see if the Sun be there we may see the Beauty of it upon the Earth so we need not go up into Heaven to see if Christ be there interceding for us let us look into our Hearts if they are quickned and inflamed in Prayer and we can cry Abba Father by this interceding of the Spirit within us we may know Christ is interceding above for us Resp. 2. If we are given to Christ then he intercedes for us Joh. 17.9 I pray for them whom thou hast given me 'T is one thing for Christ to be given to us another for us to be given to Christ. Quest. How know you that Resp. 3. If thou art a Believer then thou art one given to Christ and he prays for thee Faith is an Act of Recumbency we do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rest on Christ as the Stones in the Building rest upon the Corner-stone Faith throws itself into Christ's Arms it saith Christ is my Priest his Bloud is my Sacrifice his Divine Nature is my Altar and here I rest This Faith is seen by the Effects of it a refining Work and a resigning Work it purifies the Heart there is the refining Work it makes a Deed of Gift to Christ it gives up its Use its Love to him 1 Cor. 6.19 There is the resigning Work of Faith These that believe are given to Christ and have a part in his Prayer Joh. 17.20 Nor do I pray for these alone but for all them that shall believe on me 3. Use of Exhortation Branch 1. It stirs us up to several Duties 1. If Christ appears for us in Heaven then we must appear for him upon Earth Christ is not ashamed to carry our Names on his Breast and shall we be ashamed of his Truth Doth he plead our Cause and shall not we stand up in his Cause What a mighty Argument is this to stand up for the Honour of Christ in Times of Apostacy Christ is interceding for us Doth he present our Names in Heaven and shall not we profess his Name on Earth Branch 2. If Christ lays out all his Interest for us at the Throne of Grace we must lay out all our Interest for him Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Trade your Talents for Christ's Glory there 's no Man but hath some Talent to trade one parts another Estate Oh trade for Christ's Glory spend and be spent for him Let your Head study for Christ your Hands work for Christ your Tongue speak for him If Christ be an Advocate for us in Heaven we must be Factors for him on Earth every one in his Sphere must act vigorously for Christ. Branch 3. Believe in this glorious Intercession of Christ that he now intercedes for us and that for his sake God will accept us In the Text Who maketh Intercession for us If we believe not we dishonour Christ's Intercession If a poor Sinner may not go to Christ as his High-Priest believing in his Intercession then are we Christians in a worse Condition under the Gospel then the Iews were under the Law they when they had sinn'd had their High-Priest to make Atonement and shall not we have our High-Priest Is not Christ our Aaron who presents his Bloud and Incense before the Mercy-seat O look up by Faith to Christ's Intercession Christ did not only pray for his Disciples and Apostles but for the weakest Believer Branch 4. Love your Intercessor 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Iesus Christ let him be Anathama Kindness invites Love had you a Friend at Court who when you were questioned for Delinquency or Debt should plead with the Judge for you and bring you off your Troubles would not you love that Friend So it is here how oft doth Satan put in his Bills against us in the Court now Christ is at the Judge's hand he sits at his Father's right hand ever to plead for us and to make our Peace with God O how should our Hearts be fired with Love to Christ Love him with a sincere and superlative Love above Estate Relations Bern. Plusquam tua tuos and our Fire of Love should be as the Fire on the Altar never to go out Lev. 6.13 4. Use of Comfort to Believers Christ is at work for you in Heaven he makes Intercession for you Oh but I am afraid Christ doth not intercede for me Quest. I am a Sinner who doth Christ intercede for Resp. Isa. 53.12 He made intercession for the transgressors Did Christ open his sides for thee and will he not open his mouth to plead for thee Quest. But I have offended my High-Priest by distrusting
Wind blowes no wonder Men go full sail in sin when the Devil the Prince of the Air blowes them Thus it is till the kingdom of Grace come Men are under the power of Satan who like Draco writes all his Lawes in blood 6. Till the kingdom of Grace comes a Man lyes exposed to the Wrath of God And who knowes the power of his anger Psal. 90.11 If when but a spark of Gods Wrath flyes into a Mans Conscience in this Life it is so terrible what then will it be when God stirs up all his anger So unconceivable torturing is Gods Wrath that the wicked call to the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from it Rev. 6. 1st The Hellish torments are compared to a fiery lake Rev. 20.15 other fire is but painted in comparison of this And this lake of fire burns for ever Mark 9.44 Gods breath kindles this fire Isa. 30.33 and where shall we find engines or buckets to quench it Time will not finish it tears will not quench it To this fiery Lake are Men exposed till the kingdom of Grace be set up in them 7. Till the kingdom of Grace come Men cannot dye with comfort only he who takes Christ in the armes of his Faith can look Death in the face with joy But it is sad to have the king of Terrors in the Body and not the kingdom of Grace in the Soul 'T is a wonder every Graceless person doth not dye distracted What will a Grace-despiser do when Death comes to him with a Writ of Habeas Corpus Hell followes Death Rev. 6.8 Behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was death and hell followed him Thus you see what need we have to pray that the kingdom of Grace may come He that dyes without Grace I may say as Christ Matth. 26.24 It had been good for that-man he had not been born Few do believe the necessity of having the kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts as appears by this because they are so well content to live without it Doth that Man believe the necessity of a Pardon that is content to be without it Most People if they may have Trading and may sit quietly under their Vines and Fig-trees they are in their kingdom though they have not the kingdom of God within them If the Candle of Prosperity shine upon their head they care not whether the Grace of God shine in their hearts Do these Men believe the necessity of Grace Were they convinced how needful it were to have the kingdom of God within them they would cry out as the Jaylor Acts 16.30 What shall I do to be saved Quest. 3. How may we know that the Kingdom of Grace is set up in our hearts Answ. It concerns us to examine this our Salvation depends upon it and we had need be curious in the search because there is something looks like Grace which is not Gal. 6.3 If a man think himself to be something when he is nothing he deceives himself Many think they have the kingdom of Grace come into their heart and it is only a Chimera a golden dream Quam multi cum vana spe descendunt ad inferos Aug. Zeuxis did paint grapes so lively that he deceived the living birds There are many Deceits about Grace Deceit 1. Men think they have the kingdom of Grace in their hearts because they have the means of Grace they live where the silver trumpet of the Gospel sounds they are lift up to Heaven with Ordinances Iudg. 17.13 I have a Levite to my priest sure I shall go to Heaven The Iewes cryed Ier. 7.4 The temple of the Lord The temple of the Lord we are apt to glory in this the Oracles of God are committed to us we have Word and Sacrament Alas this is a fallacy we may have the means of Grace yet the kingdom of Grace may not be set up in our hearts we may have the kingdom of God come nigh us Luke 11.20 but not into us the sound of the Word in our ears and not the savour of it in our hearts Many of the Iewes who had Christ for their Preacher were never the better Hot clothes will not put warmth into a dead Man Thou may'st have hot clothes warm and lively Preaching yet be Spiritually dead Mat. 8.12 The children of the kingdom shall be cast out Deceit 2. Men think they have the kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts because they have some common works of the Spirit 1. They have great enlightnings of mind profound knowledge and almost speak like Angels drop'd from Heaven but the Apostle supposeth a case that after Men have been enlightened they may fall away Heb. 6. Quest. But wherein doth this illumination come short Answ. The illumination of Hypocrites is not vertual it doth not leave an impression of Holiness behind 't is like weak Physick that will not work The mind is enlightned but the heart is not renewed A Christian is all head but no feet he doth not walk in the wayes of God 2. Men have had convictions and stirrings of Conscience for sin they have seen the evil of their wayes therefore now they hope the Kingdom of Grace is come but I say convictions though they are a step towards Grace yet they are not Grace Had not Pharaoh and Iudas convictions Exod. 10.16 Quest. What makes convictions prove abortive wherein is the defect Answ. 1. They are not deep enough A Sinner never saw himself lost without Christ. The seed that wanted depth of earth withered Matth. 13.5 These convictions are like blossoms blown off before they come to maturity 2. These convictions are involuntary the Sinner doth what he can to stifle these convictions he drowns them in Wine and Mirth he labours to get rid of them as the Deer when it is shot runs and shakes out the arrow so doth he the arrow of conviction Or as the Prisoner that files off his fetters and breaks loose so a Man breaks loose from his convictions His corruptions are stronger than convictions 3. Men have had some kind of humiliation and have shed tears for their sins therefore now they hope the Kingdom of Grace is come into their hearts But this is no infallible sign of Grace Saul wept Ahab humbled himself Quest. Why is not humiliation Grace Wherein doth it come short Answ. 1. Tears in the wicked do not spring from love to God but are forced by affliction Gen. 4.13 as water that drops from the Still is forced by the fire The tears of Sinners are forced by Gods fiery Judgments 2. They are deceitful tears lachrymae mentiri doctae Men weep yet go on in sin they do not drown their sins in their tears 4. Men have begun some reformation therefore sure now the Kingdom of Grace is come But there may be deceit in this 1. A Man may leave his Oaths and Drunkenness yet â—â—ill be in love with Sin he may leave Sin
did not beseech but knock as if they did not doubt to be let into Heaven yet to these Christ saith I know you not whence you are Depart from me ye workers of iniquity Therefore fear and tremble least any of us miss of this Kingdom of Heaven Secondly This fear is necessary if we consider what a loss it is to lose the Heavenly Kingdom All the tears of Hell are not sufficient to lament the loss of Heaven They who lose the Heavenly Kingdom lose Gods sweet Presence the ravishing viewes and smiles of Gods Glorious Face Gods Presence is the Diamond in the Ring of Glory Psal. 16.11 In his presence is fulness of joy If God be the Fountain of all Bliss then to be separated from him is the Fountain of all Misery They who lose the Heavenly Kingdom lose the Society of Angels and what sweeter Musick than to hear them praise God in Consort they lose all their Treasure their white Robes their sparkling Crowns they lose their hopes Iob 8.14 Whose hope shall be cut off Their hope is not an Anchor but a Spiders Web If hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov. 13.12 what then is hope disappointed They lose the end of their being Why were they Created but to be enthronâ—d in Glory Now to lose this is to lose the end of their being As if an Angel should be turned to a worm There are many aggravations of the loss of this Heavenly Kingdom 1. The eyes of the Wicked shall be opened to see their loss now they care not for the loss of Gods Favour because they know not the worth of it A Man that loseth a rich Diamond and took it but for an ordinary Stone is not much troubled at the loss of it but when he comes to know what a Jewel he lost then he laments He whose Heart would never break at the sight of his sins shall now break at the sight of his loss Phinehas his Daughter when she heard the Ark was lost cryed out The Glory is departed 1 Sam. 4.21 When the Sinner sees what he hath lost he hath lost the Beatifical Vision he hath lost the Kingdom of Heaven now he will cry out in horrour and despair The Glory the everlasting Glory is departed 2. A second aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom will be that Sinners shall be upbraided by their own Conscience This is the worm that never dyes Mark 9.44 viz. a self-accusing Mind When Sinners shall consider they were in a fair way to the Kingdom they had a possibility of Salvation though the door of Heaven were strait yet it was open they had the means of Grace the jubilee of the Gospel was proclaimed in their ears God called but they refused Jesus Christ offered them a plaister of his own Blood to heal them but they trampled it under foot the Holy Spirit stood at the door of their heart knocking and crying to them to receive Christ and Heaven but they repulsed the Spirit and sent away this Dove and now they have through their own folly and wilfulness lost the Kingdom of Heaven This self-accusing Conscience will be terrible like a venomous Worm gnawing at the Heart 3. A third aggravation of the loss of Heaven will be to look upon others that have gained the Kingdom the happiness of the Blessed will be an eye-sore Luke 13.28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the kingdom of God and you your selves thrust out When the Wicked shall see those whom they hated and scorned to be exalted to a Kingdom and shine with Robes of Glory and they themselves miss of the Kingdom this will be a dagger at the heart and make them gnash their teeth for envy 4. A fourth aggravation is this loss of the Kingdom of Heaven is accompanied with the punishment of Sense He who leaps short of the Bank falls into the River such as come short of Heaven fall into the River of Fire and Brimstone Psal 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into hell And how dreadful is that If when but a spark of Gods Anger lights into the Conscience here it is so torturing what will it be to have mountains of Gods Wrath thrown upon the Soul Psal. 90.11 Who knoweth the power of thy anger The Angel never poured out his Vial but some woe followed Rev. 16.3 when the bitter Vials of Gods Wrath are poured out Damnation follows Dives cryes out O I am tormented in this flame Luke 16.24 In Hell there 's not a drop of Mercy There was no Oyl or Frankincense used in the Sacrifice of Jealousie Numb 5.15 in Hell no Oyl of Mercy to lenifie the Sufferings of the Damned nor Incense of Prayer to appease Gods Wrath. 5. A fifth aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom will be to consider on what easie and reasonable terms Men might have had this Kingdom If indeed God had commanded impossibles to have satisfied his Justice in their own Persons it had been another matter but what God did demand was reasonable only to do that which was for their good to accept of Christ for their Lord and Husband only to part with that which would damn them if they kept their Sins these were the fair terms on which they might have enjoyed the Heavenly Kingdom Now to lose Heaven which might have been had upon such easie terms will be a cutting aggravation it will rend a Sinners Heart with rage and grief to think how easily he might have prevented the loss of the Heavenly Kingdom 6. It will be an aggravation of the loss of Heaven for Sinners to think how active they were in doing that which lost them the Kingdom they were felo de se. What pains did they take to resist the Spirit to stifle Conscience they sinned while they were out of breath Ier. 9.5 They weary themselves to commit iniquity What difficulties did Men go through what did they endure for their Sins how much shame and pain how sick was the Drunkard with his cups how sore in his Body was the Adulterer and what marks of his sin did he carry about him What dangers did Men adventure upon for their Lusts they adventured Gods Wrath and adventured the Laws of the Land O how will this aggravate the loss of Heaven how will this make Men curse themselves to think how much pains they were at to lose happiness How will this sting Mens Consciences to think had they taken but as much pains for Heaven as they did for Hell they had not lost it 7. Aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom it will be an eternal irreparable loss Heaven once lost can never be recovered Worldly losses may be made up again if a Man lose his Health he may have it repaired by Physick if a Man be driven out of his Kingdom he may be restored to it again as King Nebuchadnezzar was Dan. 4.36 My honour returned to me and I