effect of Man's Rebellion or of his First Sin II. As this in part sets out the Nature of this fearful Breach by reason of Sin on Man's part so also hereby God is become an Enemy to Man and hence David saith The face of the Lord is against them that do evil to cut off the remembrance of them from the Earth Some conceive by the Face of God here is meant his Anger because Anger discovers it self in the Face others think by the Face of God in this place is meant all his Attributes his Justice Wisdom Power Holiness c. are set against them 2. GOD is said to abhor the ungodly the wicked boasteth of his hearts desire and blesseth the covetous whom the Lord abhorreth This is an amazing Text and enough to terrifie all greedy Worldlings or covetous Persons and such that commend and bless them True all Sinners are abhorred upon the account of Sin ' yet none more hated and abhorred than the covetous Person is Covetousness is Idolatry 3. It is said That God is angry with the wicked every day if he return not he will whet his Sword he hath bent his bow and made it ready he hath also prepared for him the instruments of Death he hath drawn his Sword his Bow is bent and his Arrows are on the string ready to shoot Ah! Who is able to Encounter with such an Enemy or to stand before his Indignation 4. He hath laid all Mankind as considered in the First Adam under the Curse of the Law Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them yea the Elect themselves by Nature are Children of Wrath as well as others All the World is become guilty before God such is the Nature of the Breach through Man's Sin and Disobedience in breaking the Law of the First Covenant 5. The Wrath of God abides upon all them that believe not Brethren the Sentence is past upon all the whole Race of Mankind in the First Adam even the Sentence of Everlasting Death They are all condemned already tho the Sentence is not presently executed IV. Proposition That the Breach betwixt God and Man was occasioned by the violation of the First Covenant which God entered into with Adam as the Common or Publick Head and Representative of all Mankind which Covenant was a Covenant of Works I say God gave a Law or entered into a Covenant of Works with the First Adam and his Seed and in that Covenant he gave himself to be our God even upon the strict and severe condition of perfect Obedience personally to be performed by Man himself with that Divine Threatning of Death and Wrath if he broke the Covenant In the Day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Yet some may doubt as one observes whether this was a Covenant of Works because here is only a threatning of Death upon his Disobedience to this one positive Law Answ. But as he well observes Man in his First Creation was under a Natural Obligation to universal compliance to the Will of God and such was the Rectitude of his Nature it imports an exact Conformity to the Divine Will there being an inscription of the Divine Law upon Adam's heart which partly still remains or is written in the hearts of the very Gentiles tho much blur'd which is that light which is in all or that which we call The light of Nature Tho evident it is that God afterwards more clearly and formally repeated this Law of Works to the People of Israel it being written into Two Tables of Stone tho not given in that Ministration of it for Life as before it was to Adam yet as so given it is by St. Paul frequently called the Old Covenant and the Covenant of Works which required perfect Obedience of all that were under it to their Justification at God's Bar and so made Sin appear exceeding sinful and tended to aggravate Man's Guilt and Misery upon his Conscience tho the Design of God hereby was to discover unto Man how unable he was in his Fallen State to fulfil the Righteousness of God that so that Law together with the Types and Sacrifices might be a Schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. Now in that Ministration of the First Covenant given to Israel when they came out of Egypt there seemed to be a mutual Contract and Stipulation betwixt God and them God enjoin'd perfect universal and continual Obedience of them and they promised and covenanted formally so to do 2. Brethren Pray consider The First Covenant required Perfect Righteousness of Man as the condition of his Justification c. and that not enjoined by the Holy God as a simple act of his Sovereignty as some conclude but as it resulted from his Holiness and the Rectitude of his Nature It being inconsistent with the Justice Holiness or Purity of God's Nature to justifie any Man who is not perfectly righteous or wholly without sin even in Thought Word and Actions 3. That Adam before the Fall had Power to answer this Covenant of perfect righteousness and which he was obliged to do yet had no Surety to engage to God for him 4. Moreover he breaking this Covenant as you have already heard he was utterly undone and all his Off-spring in him and his Credit being lost for ever with God the Lord will not Treat with him any more nor enter into any Terms of Peace without a Surety and that too upon the Foundation of a better Covenant or not at all V. Proposition That there was none in Heaven nor Earth I mean neither Men nor Angels that could make up that Breach which Sin hath made between God and Man And as no Man nor Angel could do it so no Repentance no Tears tho Tears of Bloud no Reformation nor any Sacrifice no not a Thousand Rams nor Ten Thousand Rivers of Oil nor the fruit of the Body I say none of these could atone for the Sin of the Soul or make our Peace with God It is not enough for a Man to say he will sin no more for he hath sinned and stands obliged to God to pay Ten Thousand Talents and yet hath not one Farthing to repay neither will God forgive one Rebel or any Debter the least Mite as a simple act of Mercy but doth require a Full Satisfaction for the whole Debt Moreover Man is both a Debter and a Criminal VI. Proposition That God presenteth himself not as an unreconcilable Enemy for tho he be Just yet he is gracious Mercy and Goodness are a like glorious Attributes or Properties of his Nature as Justice Holiness c. Yet the Display of his Favour Love Mercy and Goodness ought to be considered with respect had to his absolute Sovereignty He was my Brethren No more obliged to magnifie his Mercy in a Surety and Saviour to Mankind than he was to
Divine Wrath brought him down to the Earth 3. Christ our Mediator must be God otherwise his Suffering or the purchase of his Blood could not have merited all that Grace and Glory for all God's Elect which indeed it did Brethren there is a difference between a full Satisfaction or Payment of Debts and a Price that is laid down not only to do that but also to merit and purchase a Right to great Riches high Priviledges and Honour Now if Christ had only paid our Debts or satisfied the Justice of God as to his vindictive Vengeance tho we thereby had been delivered from Hell yet that Payment could not have raised us up to Heaven no it is through the Merits of that Infinite Price Christ laid down that we come to be the Sons of God and Heirs of Glory and all this is through the Dignity of his Person and infinite Value and Worth of his Purchase as being God and also as it was the Grant of God the Father to Christ in the Covenant of Peace as the result of those Transactions 4. He must be God because otherwise he could not have subdued and overcome all his and our Enemies What meer Man is able to wrestle with and overcome Satan and all the Powers of Darkness Or how could he have prevailed against Death Overcome and have subdued Death I will ransom them from the Power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction And hence Christ says Destroy this Temple awd in three Days I will raise it up again This he could not have done except he had been the Eternal God Now this is sometimes attributed to the whole Trinity sometimes to the Father sometimes to the Holy Ghost so it is sometimes attributed to Jesus Christ which shews that the three Persons are all but one and the same God 5. He must be God in respect of his Work as Mediator in reference to Man for he was obliged to quicken all God's Elect who in the first Adam were dead in Sins and Trespasses and raise them from that Spiritual Death and overcome the Power of Sin and Satan in them as well as for them This brings me to the next Thing II. Jesus Christ also as Mediator of Peace must be Man 1. He must be Man because he must work out a Righteousness in the same Nature that had sined Man was obliged to keep the Law perfectly and this must be done by Man if ever he be Justified with God for God will in no wise clear the Guilty True this is not required in the Covenant of Peace to be done in the Person of every elect Sinner ' but in the Person of Christ who is the Representative of every one of them For as we were all made Sinners by one Man as the Head and Representative of all his Seed so we became Righteous by the compleat and perfect Obedience of one Man as the Head and Representative of all his Seed for as the Law being broken by one Man is imputed to all his Seed so the Law being compleatly kept by one Man Jesus Christ is imputed to all his Seed For as by one Man's Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of one shall many be made Righteous Moreover Justice required that the same Nature that broke the Law should keep the Law tho room for a Substitute or Surety was reserved in the Wisdom and Council of God 2. Christ must be Man because he must die now God as God I mean the Godhead could not die Man must die to satisfie offended Justice for the Breach of the Law therefore Christ must be Man and die And by Vertue of the Union of the Divine Nature with the Humane Nature in his Person the Death of Christ was a full Satisfaction to the Justice of God 3. He must be one with us or else how could his Obedience be imputed to us For as our Sins was imputed to him so his Righteousness is imputed to us 4. He must be Man that he might be a Merciful High-Priest being touched with the feeling of our Infirmity he must have access to both he was to deal with God for Man and for God with Man Jesus Christ ought to be of the same Stock with those he Redeemed or Sanctified to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of one Stock of one Blood saith a worthy Author That by the Law of Propinquity of Blood he might have right to redeem us Goel the next of Kin had an Obligation upon him to redeem his Brother's Land if Mortgaged If thy Brother be waxen poor and hath sold away some of his Possession and if any of his Kin come to redeem it then shall he redeem that which his Brother sold. So of Persons If sold after he is sold he may be redeemed again one of his Brethren may redeem him So Christ is called Goel Job 19.25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth Christ is our Kinsman not only true Man but the Son of Man true Man he might have been if God had created him out of nothing or he had brought his Substance from Heaven but he is the Son of Man descended from the Loins of Adam as we are and so doth redeem us not only Jure proprietatis by virtue of his Interest as our Creator but Jure propinquitatis by virtue of Kindred as one of the same Stock and Lineage as the Son of David as well as the Son of God for Christ Jesus of all the Kindred was the only one that was free and able to pay a Ransome for us 5. He must be Man as the said Author notes That we might find a Fountain of Holiness in our Nature God hath poured out upon his Humane Nature such a measure of Holiness that he might be a common Fountain to all the Elect of his Fullness have all we received and Grace for Grace Christ as God-man is the Fountain from whence we receive all Grace 6. To give us a Pledge of that Tenderness of his Love and Compassion towards us for he that is our Kinsman Bone of our Bone and Flesh of our Flesh will not be strange to his own Flesh especially since he is one that is so not by necessity of Nature but by voluntary Choice and Assumption we could not have such familiar and confident recourse to an Angel or to one of another or different Nature from ours this made Laban tho otherwise a churlish Man kind to Jacob Surely thou art my Bone and my Flesh. III. Christ must be God and Man if he be a fit Mediator betwixt God and Man i.e. he must take our Nature into Union with his Godhead and that 1. That we might mystically be united to God or draw near to God and so be raised up into a glorious and happy State for the Spring or Foundation of our Happiness riseth from the
Night he prayed he feared he cryed with strong Crying and Tears the Pangs of Hell took hold of him no Man ever felt what he felt in his Soul he poured forth his Soul to Death or came under a Spiritual Death My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 2. Consider what an Ignominious Death he suffered to be hanged on a Tree was a Death which none but Slaves and notorious Malefactors endured the Lord of Heaven and Earth suffered the Punishment of a vile and cursed Offender and all this to make our Peace 3. Consider how painful this Death was â—y Brethren it was not only a shameful and igâ—ominious Death but also a very painful and â—ingering Death for from his Scourging by Pilot to his giving up the Ghost it is observed it was six Hours all which time he was in bitter Torture and Anguish both in Soul â—nd Body too he suffered from Heaven from Earth and from Hell 4. Consider it was also a cursed Death He was made a Curse for us as it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree and all this to make our Peace 5. Consider when this was done even at such a time when Multitudes were come out of the Countries round about to Jerusalem to keep the Feast who no doubt had heard of the great Fame of Christ and of his mighty Miracles and longed it is like to see him and now for them to behold this Person thus Mocked Scourged and Hanged on a Tree as a Miserable Wretch must needs wound his tender Heart but all this he bore to make our Peace which abundantly proves he was inclined to Peace willing to make our Peace and appease God's Wrath. 6. Consider his most importutate Endeavours to bring poor Sinners to accept of that Peace which he hath made 1. What Arguments doth he use 2. How long he doth wait knocking at their Doors 3. And what Repulses doth he daily meeâ— withal and sustain and what abominable Affronts doth he suffer from Unbelieving and Hard-hearted Sinners O how much is he for Peace VI. A Mediator must be of a yielding and condescending Spirit one that can comply with each Party not Self-will'd nor seeking his own Honour c. Our Lord Jesus Christ condescended in every thing to do his Father's Will nevertheless Not my Will but thy Will be done tho he was a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered He stuck at nothing I did not withhold my Face from Shame and Spitting No Mediator ever condescended as Christ did He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own Glory but he that seeketh his Glory that sent him the same is true and there is no Vnrighteousness in him All his whole design in his working about our Redemption and Reconciliation was to advance his Father's Glory and he complied to do whatsoever was requisite in order thereto VII A Mediator ought to be cloathed with Power I mean not only with a legal Authority for that I have spoken to already but to be one that hath Ability Wisdom and Discretion to make up the Breach that is between Parties at variance every one is not in a capacity to become a Mediator were they called to that Office for want of Ability Now our Lord Jesus Christ is mighty in Power He is mighty to save 1. He is every way capable to accomplish the Work of making Peace and Reconciliation with God He is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God He is called God's Arm and the Man of his Right Hand Let thy Hand be upon the Man of thy Right Hand upon the Son of Man whom thou madest strong for thy self Let thy Hand of Justice be upon him take Satisfaction in him Beloved whatever Justice required the Holiness of God required the Veracity of God required or the Law of God required in order to our Peace Christ is able to answer all I that speak in Righteousness mighty to Save 2. Moreover whatsoever our deplorable Condition and Necessities do require in order to our Peace and Restoration he is able to answer it fully also 1. He is able to encounter and overcome Satan and as he hath done this in his own Person for us so he also doth it in us for naturally we were in Satan's Chains even Captives to the Devil the strong Man armed held us fast but Christ being cloathed with greater Power hath delivered us out of Satan's Hands He was Anointed to set at Liberty those that were bound 2. He hath overcome Sin or destroyed that Enemy This was part of his Work i. e. To make an end of Sins and to make Reconciliation for Iniquity and to bring in everlasting Righteousness c. That is to make an end of Sin as to the Guilt Condemning Power and Punishment thereof and at last he will make an end of the very Being of Sin also in all his People 3. To overcome the World In the World yâ—â— shall have Tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the World As he overcame the World in all its Snares Temptations Flatteries and Frowns for us so through him we shall overcome the World also We overcome in him and shall by him or through his Aid and Assistance at last and so sit down with him on his Throne 4. He is able to open blind Eyes This he was also Anointed to do even not only to proclaim Liberty for the Captives But the recovering of Sight to the Blind for we by Nature were all born Blind and none but Christ can give us Sight or open the Eyes of our Understanding 5. He hath Power to raise the Dead The Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live You hath he quickned that were dead in Sins and Trespasses Not one Soul could receive any benefit by his Mediation unless he had been cloathed with power to raise dead Lazarus from the Grave I mean every elect Sinner dead in Sin 6. To change our Rebellious Hearts or bow and bend our stubborn Wills or to make the Unwilling Will willing which he doth in the Day of his Power And so to take away that Enmity that naturally was in our Hearts against God or remove all our Vitious Habits or that averseness that was in us to God and to the things of God or to Circumcise our Hearts to love the Lord our God which could not be done by any but by one cloathed with a creating Power for it is he that forms the Image of God again in us 7. To cloath the naked Soul by putting on the Robe of his own Righteousness upon it 8. To raise us up from the Dead at the last Day I will ransom them from the Power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Moreover 9. He
Faith and Perseverance compare this with Rom. 8.32 My Brethren 't is the same All or World that Christ promised that he would draw to him and that he takes away the Sin of Moreover if he had reconciled the whole World to God he would have prayed for the whole World but that he saith he did not yet he prayed for all he died for III. Because the Gospel discovers the Meritorious Cause or Foundation of our Reconciliation viz. the Death of Christ this was that Sacrifice that turned away God's Anger and Vindictive Wrath and Vengeance He saw the Travel of his Soul and was satisfied IV. Because the Gospel contains mutual Reconciliation not only an account of God's Reconciliation to us but also our Reconciliation to him which is through the receiving the Atonement God is reconciled in Christ by his Wrath-appeasing Sacrifice but the Gospel shews that Sinners are not actually reconciled to God until they are by the Spirit united to Christ and believe in him having that Natural Enmity removed that is in their Hearts against God V. The Gospel is the instrumental means through the Spirits Operations of the Sinner's Reconciliation to God We pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God It is called the Power of God to Salvation because therein the Righteousness of God is revealed Vers. 17. It is my Brethren an Instrument of his Power or a powerful means ordained of God to this purpose it having an excellent and efficacious Influence attending it through the Spirit where it is proclaimed and received My Brethren Faith Regeneration Convertion or Holiness do not reconcile us to God no no nothing doth that but the Blood of Christ. And this I might make appear 1. Because our Reconciliation on God's part is by the Death of Christ For when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son Hence we are said to be Justified by his Blood that is Meritoriously yet Materially it is by his Active as well as his Passive Obedience 2. Because our Reconciliation on God's part I mean his being Reconciled to us is antecedent to Faith Regeneration c. your Faith doth not make your Peace tho it be an Instrument by which you receive that Atonement that Christ hath made 3. Faith c. is an effect of our Reconciliation that we may be actually acquitted and saved from Sin and Wrath in our own Persons and have it evidenced to our own Consciences it is our receiving that of Christ which he received for us upon his Discharge as our Head and Surety Much more being now Justified by his Blood we shall be saved through him Therefore Christs Blood must be the appeasing Sacrifice that delivers us from the Wrath we lay under 4. Nay my Brethren Justification is the Effects of Reconciliation for had not Christ satisfied Divine Justice for us we had not been pronounced Just or Righteous in him the Prisoner is acquited as the Effects of the Payment of his Debts his believing his Debts are paid and the Law and justice satisfied doth not pay his Debts tho a Sinner is not in his own Person actually discharged until he doth believe or leastwise in his own Conscience True Jesus Christ as Mediator doth both these i. e. he pays our Debts and knocks off our Chains he makes the Atonement and sprinkles the Blood upon our Consciences by his Spirit if Reconciliation was the bending of our Hearts to God to believe in him and love him why should Faith and Sanctification be laid down as the End and Effect of this Reconciliation Yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death to present you Holy and Vnreprovable in his Sight VI. A Proclamation discovers or reveals who they are that shall receive the Blessings of that Peace which is made and upon what Terms So my Brethren the Gospel makes known who they are that are comprehended in that Peace our Lord Jesus Christ had made viz. all that God hath Elected or Chosen in Him or all his Seed or all that the Father hath given to him or if you please all that do believe in him and also it shews upon what Terms viz. wholly of meer Grace and Favour By Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God not of Works least any Man should boast not by any Act of the Creature not by his Faith and sincere Obedienceâ— nor by Works of Righteousness that we have done either in Obedience to Law or Gospel See Rom. 11.6 the Terms are without Money and without Price VII Some Proclamations proclaim Peace so my Brethren the Gospel Proclaims our Peace with God Peace Peace to them that are afar off and to them that are nigh It proclaims Liberty to the Captives c. Hence our Lord saith to his Disciples That which ye have spoken in the Ear shall be proclaimed on the House Top And came and preached Peace or proclaimed Peace to you which were afar off and to them that are nigh And hence the Gospel also comes so to be called for what is Gospel but glad Tydings good News Peace on Earth good Will to Men It is called the Joyful Sound Blessed is the People that know the Joyful Sound c. Not they that only hear it but that know it it is that which when known and received pacifies a Wounded Conscience VIII A Proclamation of Peace and Pardon is that which a Self-condemned Traytor takes hold of and presently submits himself with Tears and falls down at his Sovereign's Feet being broken to Pieces at the Thoughts of his Prince's Clemency and Free Pardon Also it gives an Assurance to all such of Pardon and Peace So my Brethren the Gospel is that which Sin-convicted and Self-condemned Sinners and Stubborn Rebels against God takes hold of and it is this that breaks and melts their hard Hearts What hear that their Peace is made and God reconciled Nay and that he has Sacrified his own Son to this very end this breaks the Heart of Stone and brings the Rebel to lay down his Arms and to take hold of Pardon And it gives to each poor Sinner also an assurance of Mercy he brings the Proclamation as it were to God and pleads his Pardon Where the Word of a King is there is Power The King's Word and Promise saith the Soul is passed in his Proclamation that I shall have Free Pardon and here it is IX A Proclamation is Written nay Printed that it may be read and known of all Men so God in his Providence hath caused his Gospel to be Printed that it may be read and known to all to whom it is sent it was first Written as Holy Men speak as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and since it has been Printed also X. A Proclamation is set up in the Market-place
in him 2. To consider the Time allowed you is this present time Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the Day of Salvation 3. To consider the Danger of rejecting neglecting or refusing Peace and Salvation by Jesus Christ How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Know O Sinners that Ministers set Life and Death before you Hear and your Souls shall live but he that Believeth not shall be Damned He that Believeth hath Everlasting Life but he that Believeth not shall not see Life but the Wrath of God abideth on him What do you say Sinners Will you strive to take hold of Jesus Christ Believe in him cry to him for Faith resolve to lay down your Arms What Answer shall I return to my Great Master Do not make a Pause but speedily come to a Resolution your Lives are uncertain Lastly This severely reproves all that cast Affronts or Contempt through Pride Envy or Prejudice upon any one of Christ's Ambasdors or that abase deride or raise up evil Reports on him Christ takes it all as done to himself also it reproves such who account them as their Brethren and shew them no more respect than to others may be not so much but slight and despise them and hardly speak Friendly to them not considering the Place and Office they are in But no more at this time SERMON VII Shewing the Nature of the Proclamation of the Gospel and the Terms thereof ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Doct. THAT there is a Covenant of Peace made or agreed on and stands firm in the behalf of all God's Elect. We shewed you that this Peace is proclaimed 1. What the Proclamation is 2. Who the Ambassadors are that Christ hath appointed to proclaim it I shall now proceed to the next thing under this Head 3. I shall open the Nature of this Proclamation And then 4. Shew you the Terms upon which Peace is offered Would you know what is contained in this Proclamation First Then know it contains a clear and full Declaration of all those Covenant Transactions between the Father and the Son about the Restoration of lost Sinners before the World began the Gospel reveals those Mysteries that were hid from Ages and Generations It is called The Revelation of the Mysteries which were kept secret since the World began Not only that Mystery that the Gentiles should be Fellow Heirs of the Inheritance but the Mystery of the Covenant Purpose and Design of God and also of the Incarnation Life Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession of Jesus Christ. I say it contains the Revelation of the Mystery of these things and not only the History of them I. It reveals that Infinite Love Mercy Grace and Goodness of God 〈◊〉 to lost and undone Sinners which astonisheth the very Angels of God to behold To make all Men see what is the Fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the World hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God The Good Angels are not Teachers of these Mysteries but Learners and Admirers of them the Gospel is to them as a Mirror or Looking-glass to behold and contemplate the Divine Wisdom of God in every appearance of it but especially in this the last and great Revelation thereof II. It reveals the great Love of God the Father In this was manifested the Love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son that we might live through him That he might die to raise us to Life to be Crown'd with Thorns that we might be Crown'd with Glory to be made a Curse for us that we might be made the Blessing of God in him there could be no higher demonstration of God's Love than this is III. It reveals the Love of Christ which hath a Breadth a Length a Depth and a Heighth in it and passeth Knowledge Is it not an amazing Declaration or Revelation of the Infinite Love of Jesus Christ our Lord Who tho he was God should condescend to die for such vile Rebels and wretched Sinners as we were Hereby perceive we the Love of God because he laid down his Life for us from that near and intimate Union between the Divine and Humane Nature in the Person of Christ Christ's Life is here called the Life of God as elsewhere his Blood is called the Blood of God God is said to purchase the Church with his own Blood IV. This Proclamation is a Declaration or a Revelation that God in Christ is reconciled to his Elect that is the Price is paid tho the Blood may not be yet sprinkled When we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son Through the Blood of his Cross God is satisfied and his Wrath is appeased that the Atonement is madefully perfectly and for ever by one Sacrifice he hath perfected for ever them that we Sanctified V. It doth not only declare but also proclaim this Peace and Reconciliation Deliverance is proclaimed to the Captives The Lord hath Anointed me to Preach good Tydings to the Meek he hath sent me to bind up the Broken-hearted to proclaim Liberty to the Captives and the opening the Prison to them that are bound To proclaim the acceptable Year of the Lord c. or the Year of the Great Jubilee The Sinner is told his Debts are paid requiring him to believe this nay Proclamation is made of Free Pardon to all that believe That they shall not perish but have Everlasting Life and that God hath received the uttermost Farthing of our vast Debt and that Christ hath received a Discharge as our Surety for all the Elect and that he hath not done what he did in part or by halfs but that it is fully wholly and compleatly done and that for ever our Faith adding nothing to that Satisfaction The Gospel doth not proclaim a Conditional Peace or Reconciliation or that God is only reconcilable so that if the Sinner performs his part God will be fully reconciled that is if the Sinner repents believes is Regenerated or answers the Rule of the Promise as some speak I know no such Conditional Gospel or Proclamation but those Conditions which Jesus Christ was to perform which was not only to reconcile God to us but us also to God Can that be the Condition of Life on our part which Christ hath engaged in the Covenant to do viz. to bring us into a State of Peace Them I must bring Nay God hath promised to give us a new Heart and put a new Spirit into us Moreover Christ is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and Remission of Sins
II. A seasonable Covenant in respect of the Revelation or Manifestation of it even just as Adam had sinned and when Divine Justice was ready to lift up his direful Ax of Divine Vengeance How seasonable is it for a poor condemned Criminal to hear of a Pardon just when he is brought to the place of Execution and the Halter is put about his Neck or the Ax lifted up to Cut off his Head III. It is a seasonable Covenant in respect to the application of the blessings thereof to a poor Sinner 1. 'T is by the Spirit applyed when the sinner sees he is Condemned being under the sense of Sin Wrath and Condemnation beholding himself just dropping into Hell then this Covenant is opened and the blessing of free Justification and Pardon is applied 2. When the Soul and Conscience of a sinner is wounded and his wounds bleed then is the Balm of the Covenant applied to heal him 3. When the Sinner sees he is pursued by the Avenger of Blood and sees no way to escape then his Eyes are opened and he is directed to fly to the City of refuge the way being made plain and easie and the Holy Spirit directs the Soul to Christ and crys Refuge Refuge 4. When the Sinner sees he is so sick that he can't live even then the Physician provided in the Covenant comes immediately and pours in his Oyl and Wine When I passed by and saw thee polluted in thy Blood I said unto thee live Ye I sware unto thee and entred into Covenant with thee saith the Lord and thou becamest mine Eighthly It is a Sure Covenant Ordered in all things and sure Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your Souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David I. It is a sure Covenant because it is made with such a Surety as Jesus Christ is it is not made primarily with us but with Christ for us and with us in him the sure mercies of David That is our Lord Jesus Christ he is the true Antitipical David Sure because they are Mercies granted to us thro' Christ's suretiship and when a Sinner is brought into the bands of the Covenant God is said to make this Covenant with him i. e. he actually entering then thro' Christ into Covenant with God but our standing then in it is upon the account of Christ's Covenant with the Father for us II. It is a Sure Covenant because it stands upon the absolute purpose and unchangeable Decree and Councel of God My Mercy will I keep with him and my Covenant shall stand fast with him My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my mouth Hence the absolute Decrees of God are compared to mountains of Brass Zach. 6.1 Denoting how unmovable stedy and unchangable his Councels are nay Tho' the Mountains should depart and the Hills be removed yet saith the Lord my loving kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed c. All Covenant-Mercys are according to God's Eternal purpose which be purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord The Covenant stands not only as the act of God's Eternal Wisdom but as his Eternal Decree and Purpose before all Worlds III. The Covenant of Peace is sure because it is confirmed by the witness of the Holy Ghost 1. The Spirit of God was a witness to the Covenant when it was made 2. Moreover it was confirmed in the promulgation of it by the Holy Ghost by wonderfull Miracles for what served all those Miracles more clearly for than to confirm the Authority of the Mediator and the verity and stability of the Gospel Covenant IV. Furthermore The Covenant was as you heard confirmed by the Blood of Jesus Christ therefore it is a sure Covenant V. The Covenant is sure because it is confirmed by the Promise and Oath of God Once have I sworn by my Holiness that I will not lye to David his Seed shall endure for ever and his Throne as the Sun before me This is as the waters of Noah unto me for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the Earth so have I sworn that I will not be wrath with thee nor rebuke thee compared with Heb. 6.13 16 17 18. VI. It is a Sure Covenant to all Gods Elect because the Execution of it is put into Christ's own hands he is the Executioner of his own Will and Testament for tho Christ was dead yet he is alive I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive forevermore Christ sees his last Will and Testament fully executed by his Spirit Ninethly It is a Covenant of Peace this is the Name that is given to it in my Text which also shews it is of an excellent and precious nature I. 'T is a Covenant of Peace with God God is hereby reconciled to us and we to him and that for ever II. Hereby we come also to have peace in our own Souls or peace of Conscience nor indeed can we ever have true peace any other ways For can your repentance give you peace of Conscience Can Tears of Blood apease Divine Wrath or satisfy Divine Justice Can Reformation of life give you Peace or your inherent Sanctification or pious and religious duties Do you fetch your peace from thence If you do your peace will be turned into trouble and anguish of Spirit or can your lively and spiritual Frame give you true and lasting peace I affirm 't is a false peace that is simply grounded on a lively and Spiritual Frame or disposition of Heart for there can be no true peace of Conscience but by Jesus Christ thro' the Blood of the everlasting Covenant He is our peace c. He will speak peace to his People Not as the World giveth give I unto you Dare a Man plead his Faith or good Duties to Justifie him and so from thence fetch his peace and comfort alas What unrighteousness cleaves to our righteousness what doubtings attend our Faith and what wandrings of heart attend us in our best Duties nay may we not find some Hypocrisie in us also tho in the main we are sincere our peace is only had in Christ. III. 'T is only by the peace made by Christ as is revealed in this Covenant that a poor wounded disparing and distressed Soul comes to have peace I once cited a passage out of Dr. Owen being pious Anselem's directions to a poor tempted Soul on a Death-Bed let me repeat it here once again Minister Dost thou believe thou canst not be saved but by the Death of Christ. ' Sick-man Yes I do so believe Minister Then let it be said unto thee go and whilest thy Soul abideth in thee and put all thy confidence in Christ's death alone place thy trust in no other thing commit thy self wholly to
Christ's death cover thy self wholly with his death wrap thy self wholy in his death and if God would judge thee say Lord I place the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and thy Judgment and no other ways will I contend with thee And if he shall say unto thee thou art a sinner say I place the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and my sins and if he shall say unto thee that thou deservest Damnation say Lord I put the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between thee and all my sins and I offer his Merits for my own which I should have and have not If he shall say that he is Angry with thee say Lord I place the death of Christ between me and thine Anger O Sinner here is thy relief it is in the Blood of the Covenant it is Christ's death under all Fears Temptations Dispair and Anguish of Soul here is peace even under the accusations of thy own Conscience and Satan's temptations even in Life and at the hour of Death O Blessed Covenant of Peace Who is it that is just a going to God's Tribunal that dares to plead what he hath done or is wrought in him alas all hands will be weak all hearts faint and all felf-confidence will faâ— them This Covenant is therefore all oâ—â— Hope our Peace and all our Salvation and in it there is indeed a Salve for every Sore VSE 1. Sinner take hold of this Covenant and tho thou art an Eunuch i. e. a poor dâ—â— barren and fruitless Soul yet if thou takâ— hold of God's Covenant or canst but geâ— Faith to take hold of Christ God will givâ— thee a Name in his House better than that oâ— Sons and Daughters 2. Saints do you fix your eyes also upoâ— this Covenant to plead the Blood and Merits of Christ in this Covenant Rest alonâ— upon the Lord Jesus and on the Faithfulnesâ— of God in his promises in this Covenant foâ— tho thou knowest nothing of thy self yet thâ—â— art not thereby Justified nor can thy sâ—â— condemn thee if thou art in Christ for thoâ— art perfect in him touching thy Justification before the Throne of God 3. With what comfort then mayst thou 〈◊〉 Believer take the Sacrament as a Token 〈◊〉 the Covenant-blessings Yea thou takest iâ— as a pledge from God that all his wrath 〈◊〉 over in Christ and that Divine Justice is satisfied towards thee in Christ and that all thâ— Sins are for ever pardoned that God is thâ— Father Jesus Christ is thy Saviour and Heaven is thy Inheritance but here I shall Conclude at this time SERMON X. Shewing the Covenant of Peace is a try'd Covenant that it is but one Intire Covenant viz. That the Covenant of Grace and Rededemtion are not Two distinct Covenants as some lately affirm but only one and the same Covenant That t' is a Covenant full of the Strongest consolation and lastly an Everlasting Covenant ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee I AM upon the opening the nature of the Covenant of Peace or to shew you what kind of Covenant it is I have passed thro an Induction of Nine Particulars already shall proceed Tenthly It is a Try'd Covenant I. All the faithfull Children of God venturâ— their Souls and their Salvation upon it and never failed any one of them Adam no douâ—â— ventured his Soul and Salvation thereon 〈◊〉 did Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Holy Patriarchs and all thâ— Holy Prophets and the Apostles of Jesus Chrisâ— together with all the Saints both in thâ— times of the Old and New Testament anâ— they all found it having try'd it a Sure Covenant II. Multitudes of Souls departed this Liâ— are already made Perfect in Heaven by thâ— Grace and Blessings thereof they find it tâ— their own unspeakable Joy and Comfort a sum and happy Covenant For it was by the Merits and Righteousness of Jesus Christ or blooâ— of the Everlasting Covenant they are all goâ—â— to Heaven III. Never did any person venture 〈◊〉 Soul upon Jesus Christ by vertue of this Covenant by Believing truly on him but 〈◊〉 found it a Firm and saving Covenant 〈◊〉 how many have try'd and found it so tâ— be IV. Satan that great enemy of Believers and of the Souls of Men hath often tryd 〈◊〉 and endeavoured to shake the hopes of Believers and break this Covenant but hâ— to his shame and confusion sees that he cannoâ— break the bonds thereof Eleventhly It is one intire Covenant i. e. the Covenant that was made with Christ â—rom Eternity is the Covenant of Peace and â—econciliation or the Covenant of Grace â—s well as of Redemption For 1. Was it not made with him as our Coâ—enanting Head and so in him with all Gods â—lect and for them Some of late times would â—ave this Covenant to be a Covenant of Reâ—emption and not the Covenant of Grace â—nd Reconciliation but a distinct Covenant â—nd so plead for Two Covenants besides the â—ovenant of Works which we read no where â—f in the Holy Scriptures 2. Was it not wholly of the Free Grace â—f God yea and the highest Act and Deâ—onstration thereof that he was pleas'd to â—nter into that Covenant with his own Son â—s our Surety and Mediator 3. Was not all the good which we receive â—n time promised to us in Christ before the World began See Tit. 1.2 Nay was not all â—race given Foederaly to us in Christ in that Covenant See 2. Tim. 1.9 Who hath savâ—d us and called us not according to our works â—ut according to his own purpose and Grace which â—as given to us in Christ before the World beâ—an 4. Was it not that Covenant that was made â—etwixt the Father and the Son that Christ was made the Mediator and Surety of and Confirmed by his death and did not he unâ—ertake to Die for all Gods Elect when the Fulness of time was come Or was not God in Christ in and by vertue of that Covenant from everlasting a reconciling the World to himself And if so Was not the Covenant made with Christ of Redemption a Covenant of Peace and Reconciliation also Was it not representitively made then for us in Christ and actually made with us by Application and that it might be thus Apply'd to us in time did not Christ engage to see it done for us before time in that Holy Covenant then agreed on 5. Is there any one Promise one Blessing or one Priviledg which we received which was not Primarily granted to Christ for us in that Covenant viz. That our Acceptation should be in Christ that our Justification should be in him and our Sanctification should be in and by him c 6. Was not the Covenant of Redemption made with Christ as a Publick Person a Second Adam And if so was it not made in him with all his Seed Take here what a
Jesus Christ is their Security 11. Their Union with Christ which is an undissolvable Union is their Security 12. The Inhabitation of the Holy Ghost is their Security it remains and shall remain in all true Believers for ever they have it as a Principle of eternal Life and as an Earnest Witness Pledge and Seal of Glory to come unto them APPLICATION Infer O the Wonder of Divine Goodness How amazingly doth it flow forth in this Covenant to sinful Mankind As one Notes Herein we may see the Scheme and Model of his Thoughts the Method of his Councils and Treaties of Man's Recovery Behold the Motions of his Goodness in its descent to Earth and ascent to Heaven carrying at last the Creature with it to the wearing a Crown upon its Head Here is a Medicine provided before the Disease a Pardon for Traitors before the Rebellion broke out 2. We infer from hence That the Christian Religion Revealed Religion excels all Religions in that it shews the way of Peace with God 3. What greater Demonstrations of Love of Infinite Love could God give What give himself to us What hath he more all Happiness is comprehended in God 4. Behold the Excellency of Faith as it applies Christ and takes hold of him and gives Peace to a Poor Troubled and Wounded Spirit and also see what sure footing and firm foundation there is for Faith in this Covenant 5. Moreover from hence you may see the strength and sufficiency of Christ in all the Concerns of his Mediation together with his Excellencies How precious is he who is made all in all things to us 6. Reproof But how doth this reprehend their Folly and Ignorance who affirm that Believers yea Justified Persons may finally and totally fall away and perish How are such here detected Terror It may also be for Terror to such who think they are God's People and yet are Unbelieving and Prophane Persons they glory they are Christians born of Christian Parents nay Protestants and know the Articles of their Religion and were Baptized as they call Sprinkling but are Swearers Drunkards Vnclean Persons Proud and Covetous ones c. Alas what will their Religion signifie You hear who are God's People and what kind of People they are 7. It also shews you the Necessity of Regeneration and Union with Christ and that you must renounce all for his sake that was once gain to you or you must perish for ever 8. Lastly What Comfort is here for all drooping Believers weak in Faith What in Covenant with God and yet fear What are you put into Christ's Hand and yet doubt Has God given you such Security that your Persons are accepted your Sins pardoned for ever and yet hang down your Heads All is yours whether you know it or not God is yours Christ is yours Pardon is yours Peace is yours Strength in Weakness is yours Succour in Temptation c. Life is yours Death is yours i. e. for your good Death that is so great an Evil and so dreaded by the Wicked is yours that is your great Gain yea a mighty Blessing to you Bread is yours Bread for your Souls and Bread for your Bodies even all that God sees good for you is yours SERMON XIII Shewing what a Glorious Trade is opened to Heaven for poor Sinners by the Covenant of Peace ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Doct. THAT there is a Covenant of Peace made or agreed on and stands firm in the behalf of all God's Elect. I Am upon the Fourth General Head of Discourse Namely to shew you what is given granted or vouchsafed to all those that are brought into Covenant with God I have passed through an Induction of twelve Particulars upon this account Thirteenthly The last Priviledge or Blessing that is hereby procured and granted which I shall speak to now is that of a Free Trade to Heaven This you know is one of the great and chiefest Blessings that follows a Peace made between Princes and States on Earth I. War stops up or interrupteth all Trade and Commerce betwixt those Kingdoms and States that are at War one with another the sad and bitter Effects of this we in this Nation have lately felt by means of the late War which now is happily ended even so my Brethren all Spiritual Trade and Commerce betwixt God and Man was stop'd and utterly interrupted by that fearful War which was occasioned by our Sin and Rebellion against God in the first Adam The Flaming Sword that turned every way was a Token of this Poor Man could not now make any approach to God no Trading to Heaven any more for Mankind until his Peace is made or procured 1. God will not admit Sinners to receive any of his Special Spiritual Saving and Soul-inriching Commodities tho through his great Bounty and Goodness he doth give forth common Gifts or Earthly good things to his Enemies 2. Nor will God receive of Man any thing that he hath or can do or offer to him until his Peace is made and his Person accepted in his sight for Sinners Hearts being departed from God their very Prayers and all their Services are Abomination unto him and hateful in his Sight So that all ways of Blessed Intercourse betwixt God and Man were stoped up and the Streams of that River by which all Spiritual Blessings must come to them are stayed viz. the Holy Spirit besides Thieves Pyrats and Robbers were let out upon them I mean Satan and all the Powers of Darkness and thus was Mankind brought to utter Beggery for all their original Riches or Righteousness and Blessed Treasure was utterly consumed by means of that first Act of Rebellion nor was there any ways left to Mankind to get one Penny to help or relieve themselves in their Necessity But no sooner was there News brought of this Covenant of Peace or it was published to our first Parents in that Promise The Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpent's Head But there was a Free Trade opened again for all Believers tho it was then but darkly discovered Now in speaking unto this great Grant Blessing and Priviledge I shall endeavour to do four things 1. Shew you what I mean by this Free and Open Trade to Heaven 2. Prove that this Priviledge is granted as the Effects of the Covenant of Peace 3. Shew you that this is the best Trade or Traffick in all the Earth viz. our Spiritual Trading to Heaven by Jesus Christ. 4. Apply it 1. By this Trade or Traffick to Heaven I mean our free Intercourse or Access to the Father 2. God's free and kind distribution or giving forth the best of Heaven unto us when we come or approach unto him by Jesus Christ or in this new and living way and that to the inriching of our Souls not only my Brethren barely to supply our Wants and pinching
so Good yea so Precious so Sweet in his Love and Favour that I am not able to express it as if he should say Therefore pray taste your selves and then by experience you will find it to be as I say Solomon also found by experience this was the best Trade Wisdom is better than Gold and to get Vnderstanding rather to be chosen than Silver Yea better than Rubies all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it Solomon had the experience of all other Things he had Riches in abundance Honours beyond all Men on Earth and Pleasures of all sorts and such Wisdom also which no meer Man ever attained to yet he cries out Vanity of Vanity all things are Vanity Doubtless God might let him try the Nature of all Worldly good or whatsoever the Heart of Man could desire that by him all Men might know even by his Experience the emptiness and vanity of them no Man ever decry'd the Vanity of all things under the Sun more than he did And in the close of all by that experience he had how doth he commend Spiritual Things or the Merchandise of Wisdom i e. the Love and Favour of God in Christ or our Lord Jesus Christ himself whom he sets forth under the Name of Wisdom Moreover Moses chose rather to Trade in these rich and rare Commodities than in all the Treasures and Glories of Egypt or of Pharaoh's Court nay he esteemed the Reproaches of Christ greater Riches or much better than all the Riches and Treasures of Egypt or all the Pleasures of Sin for a Season Also you may take Paul's Experiences on this account What says he But what things were Gain to me those things I counted Loss for Christ yea doubtless I account all things but loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but Dung that I may win Christ. In his Judgment all things in comparison of Christ were but as Dung or Dogs-meat O! that every Soul that hears me this Day would but endeavour to play such a Game as Paul did or get such Experiences as he had 5. By this Trade also the Soul is inriched with all the Promises of God precious Promises exceeding great and precious Promises Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises Whereby that is through the Knowledge of God in Christ That by these ye may be Partakers of the Divine Nature Those Promises by which we partake of the Nature or Image of God must needs greatly inrich the Soul it is by and through them we attain to an Impress of the Divine Nature or Divine Qualities and Dispositions as Knowledge Righteousness Mercy Goodness Holiness c. They are full Promises suitable Promises suited to every Condition and seasonable Promises and also sure and certain Promises 6. Because this Trade inriches both the Soul and Body too they that drive this Trade in a right manner shall have their vile Body changed and made in likeness to Christ's Glorious Body and be Crowned with Glory for evermore 7. This Trade through Faith in Jesus Christ gives the Soul full Satisfaction it fills it with Joy and Comfort for as hereby we come to have a likeness to God so also to have Communion with God and Jesus Christ it is therefore a most sweet and honourable Calling it makes us happy while we live and happy at Death also Thus in respect of the Subject these Merchandises do inrich it appears it is the best Trade in all the Earth Secondly This will further appear by considering of the Nature of the things about which the Soul Spiritually Trades I. They are Things of great Worth Riches or of an Inestimable Value This appears 1. In respect of the great Price by which they were bought which was the Blood of Jesus Christ they cost an Infinite Sum of rich Treasure 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Who would not highly account of Things bought with such a Price and part with all things for them as Paul did The Merchant-Man sold all he had and bought the Pearl of great Price The Redemption of the Soul is precious c. That which is most costly is commonly most preferred My Brethren Jesus Christ did not over-buy them he never repented that he laid down so great a Price to purchase them for us O costly Ware saith one O dear bought Goods For which the Pearl of great Price went Will you not value those things highly which the Son of God bought with his own Heart's Blood 2. They are Heavenly Things Heavenly Riches What are the Nature of all Earthly Things to Heavenly Things Alas God gives the Things of this World to his Enemies to such that hate him What said Luther of all the Turkish Empire It was but a Crust that God casts to a Dog Brethren we shall never fully know the Worth and Nature of Heavenly Things till we come to Heaven 3. They are Incorruptible Things and Things that Thieves can't steal and Things that corrupt not perish not they are not the worse for keeping their Nature changes not all other things perish in the using and as our Lord shews Moth and Rust corrupteth them But God is unchangable and Christ is the same Yesterday to Day and for ever The Word of God is incorruptible which liveth and abideth for ever 4. They are Vnsearchable Riches no finding out perfectly either the Quality or Quantity of this vast Mine of rich Treasure To me who am less than the least of all Saints is this Grace given That I should Preach among the Gentiles the Vnsearchable Riches of Christ What are the Spanish Gold Mines or the Riches of Mexico or Potosi to Christ's Riches Mines of Gold may be exhausted or such that have those Mines may be poor as the Spaniard is Brethren Millions of Millions live upon Christ yet his Treasure is full the Riches of Christ are permanent abiding Riches With me are durable Riches and Righteousness 5. The Riches procured by this Covenant in this Trade are not only Soul-satisfying but also Soul-fatening Riches Eat that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in fatness These were those Riches that satisfied Divine Justice and appeased Divine Wrath and that quiets a guilty and wounded Conscience they fill the Soul faten the Soul They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures They shall be fat and flourishing c. 6. They are certain Riches the Riches of this World are called Vncertain Riches they make themselves Wings and fly away Besides they will not avail in the Day of Wrath they will stand in no stead then nor any ways profit the Wretched Sinner at Death nor in the Judgment Day But Godliness is profitable for all things
't is great gain every ways profitable at all times in all States and profitable to the Soul and Body too 7. The Things that Believers Trade in are the best Things of Heaven the best Things of God he has no better Things to bestow as you have heard all good is comprehended in these Riches and hence these Things are only given to his own People to his Beloved ones as a Pledge of his Eternal and Special Favour in Christ. What exceeds himself His Son his Spirit his Love his Grace his Peace Peace with God Peace of Conscience and Joy in the Holy Ghost and Eternal Happiness in Heaven 8. They are Eternal Things The Things that are seen are Temporal but the Things that are not seen they are Eternal These are Everlasting Wares you shall carry them out of the World with you These things have I spoken that my Joy might remain in you and that your Joy might be full O! what a Trade by this Peace is opened to Believers Thirdly This is the best Trade in respect of our Blessed Correspondent whom we Trade with or who manages all our Affairs at the Court of Heaven namely Jesus Christ. I. Consider that the Father hath put the Management of all our Affairs into Christ's Hands as our great Trustee Moreover every true Believer has committed himself and all his Concerns to Jesus Christ The Poor committeth himself unto thee II. Consider his Power he is the King of Heaven and Earth All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth he is the Mighty God this made Paul say For I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that Day I have committed my self to him my Soul to him my Life and all I have and hope to receive to him and I doubt not of his Power and Ability to keep it III. Consider of his Faithfulness other Correspondents oftentimes deceive and prove unfaithful Stewards but Jesus Christ is Faithful he never failed any one poor Soul that truly trusted in him God is Faithful and Christ is called A Faithful High Priest c. IV. Consider of that great Price he gave for all those Things which we Trade with him for Moreover and that he bought them for us and has opened a Blessed and sure way of Conveyance of them and besides he hath obliged himself by Covenant to give them down to us as we need them V. Consider of that Relation Believers stand in to him and of his Infinite Love and Affections to them he Trades or Intercedes for his Friends for such he ransomed with his own Blood for his Spouse whom he hath betroathed to himself for ever VI. Consider what Returns he makes some venture much and that which is great in worth but hardly sometimes have returns of the full intrinsical value again but thus doth not Jesus Christ deal with us First Christ makes great and vast Returns 1. To appoint them that mourn in Sion to give them Beauty for Ashes Beauty especially Spiritual Beauty is a precious Thing but what are Ashes worth What are our Duties Our Fastings and Prayer and Humiliations Why of no more worth then a little Ashes Yet here is Beauty returned for Ashes yea Beauty on the Soul Glorious Beauty 2. And the Oyl of Joy for Mourning we mourn and weep for our Sins well and pray what are a few Tears good for Are these of any worth in themselves No certainly Yet Christ makes returns of the Oyl of Joy for this Mourning or in lieu of these Tears even the Holy Spirit which fills the Soul with Joy and Comfort 3. And the Garment of praise for the Spirit of Heaviness Christ approves of Sadness of Heart that rises from that Sense we have of that Unworthiness that is in us and of that Dishonour which is done to him But how little Worth is there in this Heaviness as in it self But he returns the Garment of praise i. e. he cloaths the Soul in Beautiful Garments all these Expressions shew that whatsoever we receive is in a way of Free Grace and that there is no Worth in our Duties and also that Christ in a way of Grace will make Blessed Returns My Brethren Rewards of meer Grace are far greater than those of Debt as I have often told you But further 4. He that gives or ventures a Cup of cold Water to a Disciple in the Name of a Disciple shall not lose his Reward This is a small thing indeed yet here is a great Return for this when given to a right Object and to a right End and if he that gives or ventures a Cup of cold Water has such Returns what shall he have that ventures his All yea his very Life 5. And every one that hath forsaken Houses or Brethren or Sisters or Father and Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my Name sake shall receive an hundred fold now at this time and in the World to come Eternal Life An hundred fold is a wonderful Return as when a Man that ventures one Pound to Sea to India or to any other place and receives a Hundred Pounds in lieu of it 't is a mighty Return but this is more in Quantity and better in Quality and that in this Life an Hundred fold here and a Crown of Glory in the Life to come Who would not Trade with such a Correspondent or not enter into such a Calling Will you not this Day become Spiritual Merchants What do you say II. He will fill our Treasures and that with Riches and Honours yea with durable Riches and Righteousness That I may cause them that love me to inherit Substance and I will fill their Treasures III. He hath promised to return Glory in Heaven for Sufferings on Earth For I reckon the Sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us Let us weigh one against the other and see what a vast difference there is For our light Afflictions that are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory But did I say these Returns are for what we venture No no not for but in venturing in keeping Christ's Precepts there is an exceeding great Reward For all Returns are in a way of Free Grace 't is a Free Trade 1. Without Money and without Price without Money or Monies worth We Trade for nothing receive nothing for what we had or give for it as you have heard 'T is true Buying denotes our parting with something that is our own that we may have that we want But what is ours which we must part with Is it of any worth We must 1. Part with all our Sins Evil Courses Evil Habits and old Companions 2. With our old Hopes of Heaven 3. Our own Righteousness in respect of