an end of Baptism A Man is hungry and when his Time comes to eat he hath no Victuals yet he sits him down as if he did eat will this feed and nourish him So men now a days they have a Baptism wherewith they are baptized but Baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire is the right Baptism therefore do not baptize until you find the Holy Ghost this will be far better this is the Baptism that they which come to know it are sure of Salvation by it for by this Baptism they are born up and tinctured in their Souls with the Divine Spirit of Christ Jesus proceeding from the Father and the Son till they receive his Likeness and so die unto Sin As many as were baptized were baptized into Christ's death He openeth it himself in that he died he died unto sin once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God so that they that were baptized were baptized into Christ's Death and you that are dead unto sin how should you live any longer therein These that were baptized lived without Sin can that be true never any lived without Sin but Christ only Yes saith the Apostle you that were free from sin are alive to righteousness their Life stood before in Sin and now that Life is taken away by Baptism and they are alive to Christ and he that liveth he liveth to God â—e that comes to be partaker of the first Resurrection if he live Ten Twenty Forty or an Hundred Years he liveth to God he liveth no more in the Pomps and Vanities of the Woâ—ld and the sinful Lusts of the Flesh but he liveth unto God This Baptism whosoever comes to be baptized with it shall be saved so that we do not deny Baptism But we hear say That you deny the Lord's Supper We had never such a Thought God knows there is nothing that our Souls long after more but people have been making a kind of Work of their own they have lost a Reality and make Shadows as Children do who when they see things made in the House for Service they will make the like in Sand and Clay People do not see what a great thing it is to attain to the Supper of the Lord as things came into an Evangelical Opening they spake then more lively and freshly of things Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man open to me I will come in and sup with him and he with me For the understanding of this Text If you go and examine and search all the Commentators you can find see what the learned Men say of it see if they do not apply this to the Inward Call of the Spirit and Grace of Christ to let him into our Hearts and would one think that those that wrote these things should be against the Spiritual Dispensation of things They say that this knocking at the Door of the Heart signifies the Call of God's Spirit at the Door of the Heart There are two sorts of Sinners that God knocketh at the Door of their Hearts one is a Man that is weary of his Sin for his part he wisheth that he might never sin more As soon as he perceives the Knock and is called upon to let in the Grace of God to help him against Temptation he freely opens his Heart to receive it and saith With all my Heart I will entertain and welcome the Grace of God glad I am that God hath had so much Patience towards me and since God offers his Grace I will embrace this Grace of God above all Pleasures and I will take it into my Heart the Grace of Christ is the greatest Jewel that I know Honest Paul he took this Course and prayeth Lord take away this Tempter here is a Temptation that troubleth me and I am not willing to yield for all the Devil follows me with it He cried unto the Lord and besought him three times earnestly to take away the Temptation And the Lord answers him My grace is sufficient for thee What matter if the Tempter buffet thee and the Temptation trouble thee hast thou not received my Grace into thy Heart thou art a Believer and thy Trust is in me and my Grace is sufficient for thee Let the Tempter do his worst keep thou to the Grace of God and thou wilt withstand and overcome the Temptation when it comes If a Man openeth his Heart and receiveth Christ when he comes then you shall find such an Alteration in that Man that go and carry him the same Temptation which prevailed over him the last Week it will not do with him now tho' he be as weak as Water and as prone to Corruption and Iniquity as before yet now having a Faith begotten in him that the grace of God will defend him he keeps out of the Devils Snares Now this Man trusting in this grace till his Sin and Iniquity be purged out now is the time to spread the Table there is a clean Heart and the Heavenly Guests are now come and the Dainties of the Kingdom are brought to him for his Nourishment Now saith Christ I I will come in and sup with him and my Father also will come and we will sup with him and he with us This never happens to any Body so long as the Table and Heart is foul for the Table must be clean and the Devil and Sin thrown out and then will the Lord confirm and ratify and seal the Covenant so that here is a Seal with a Witness When a Man hath this Testimony of the Love of God that God is reconciled to him in Christ then Christ will come in and he will bring his Father and they will sup with him and this is that which will give compleat satisfaction to such a Soul All the Tongues of Men and Angels are too short to speak of these things as they are in themselves but they are all manifested by the Spirit All the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God are manifested by the Spirit of God now to say there is no Spirit to be regarded now adays that is as much as to say we must never regard the Kingdom of God for no Man can discern the things of God but the Spirit of God no Man can tell what they be As no Man can know the things of a Man buâ— the Spirit of God But I must look to this and the other Form and Mark and Method about them for we can know nothing of the things of God themselves I hope you are all of another Judgment and believe that this is a Trick and Cheat of the wicked one People do find the Spirit and will feel it if they will wait upon the Motions of it I do not only mean when you are here together but when you are separated one from another when you feel the Motions of thiâ— good Spirit embrace them and make them yours This Spirit is a Gift that is given so may a Shilling or a piece of
Corruption that was grown up in thy nature in the time of thy alienation prevails still upon thee contrary to thy Faith and there is no coming to obtain this Baptism but by sinking down into that which will slay thee that which will kill thee But there is such a shifting to save ones Life there are so many twistings and twinings of People to save their Lives that at last they lose them but there are none that could ever find that Life that is Eternal but those that are willing to be given up to the Dead and submit to this Baptism that is by the Holy Ghost and by Fire these only do come to Life they come to the Resurrection for you never knew any that dyed this Death but they rose again it is as impossible for Death to hold any one down that is buried in this Baptism as it was impossible to hold Christ down when he was in the Grave The same power that brought again our Lord Christ from the dead the same power it is that quickens us while we remain in these mortal Bodies after we have sustain'd this Death and Crucifiction But who can believe this Saying for this is a hard saying who can bear it Is it not enough that I am a Believer which makes me a Friend and entitles me to a Community among you and as long as I hold the Truth and profess the Truth I am looked upon as one of your Society This is very true this doth entitle People unto the outward Privivileges of the Church of Christ but there is another inner Court that lies under the Angel's Reed the measuring Reed that is to be measured the Temple is measured and every Worshipper in the Temple is measured there was an outward Court that was for representing the Church of God in general from the particular the outward Court was not measured that the Gentiles might come in the unbaptized People which were never regenerated they might come so far as the outward Court but this did not entitle them to the Privileges of the House of God nor to any Worship or Sacrifice that was accepted upon God's Altar It concerns you and me my Friends to be serious about Matters of this Moment and Importance and not spend your Dayes and as it were speak by rote under an airy Profession though of Truth it self without considering what Progress you have made what benefit you have obtained and whether you are come not only to the shadow of good things to come but to the very Substance of the heavenly things for the comers to the outward worship could never with those Sacrifices they offer'd be made perfect the comers thereunto were not made perfect as to things pertaining to the conscience speaking there of the outward worship Heb. 10.1 but coming to the heavenly things whereof the other were but a shadow they made People perfect as to the Conscience and did bring them to Salvation The Apostle alludes to this Baptism for he speaks in a Figure of the Eight persons that were saved in Noah 's ark then he brings down the Allegory to Christian Baptism not only to the Baptism of John the fore-runner of Christ that preached of Christ but to the Christian Baptism it self by the like figure whereof baptism now saveth us saith the Apostle not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good Conscience What doth he mean by Baptism saving us He means the answer of a good Conscience towards God through the resurrection of Christ from the dead so that Christian Baptism did bring along with it the cleansing and putting away of all sin out of the conscience that might bring them under Doubts and Scruples and then there is an arising of Jesus the Saviour in the Conscience the Mediator that brought them to answer for them in the Sight of God for if People be conscious of Sin and do leave off their Sin this doth not yet cleanse the Conscience for there still remains a Conscience of Sin 't is not the leaving off our Sin that makes our Attonement with God or that expiates our Guilt or doth away the Guilt of the Sins that we have committed but there must be a forsaking and a leaving off Sin by the Vertue and Power of the Spirit by which we are enabled not only to leave off Sin but are guided and directed to the Mediator whose blood alone reconcileth us to God and cleanseth us from all sin If I should never commit a sin while I live it is not this simply in it self that will make me have the answer of a good Conscience in the sight of God for there remains the guilt of sin contracted in the Days of unbelief which is a bar and hinderance that none can approach the Holy God but in the attonement and Salvation that comes by Jesus Christ for all that believe and obey the Gospel are accepted in Christ and upon the account of Christs precious Blood that cleanseth us from all sin and unrighteousness Whom doth it cleanse those only that forsake their sins and by his power are brought to a holy life they by the vertue of his power and the cleansing of his Blood come to have their former sins removed from them as far as the East is from the West But what is this to them that remain in their Sins what is this to them that are not baptised for the dead that have not put off the old Man nor put on the new Man but have only put on the name and profession of Christ and put on the outside of him his Garment but have not put him on they are not Created again in Christ Jesus unto good works that they might walk in them no wonder there remains a conscience of sin in them there is a Bar that hinders them from the sight of the glory of God and from real and true satisfaction concerning their attonement and reconcilation with God and this hinders them from the enjoyment of that peace that passeth understanding and it is no wonder because they are not come to this baptism that brings the answer of a good conscience in the sight of God they are not risen with Christ how should they for they are not buryed with him Rom. 6.3 know ye not that so many of us saith the Apostle as were baptised into Christ were baptised into his death therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life here is a change figured out between them that had partaken of the spiritual baptism and were come again to the participation of life in the resurrection of Christ Jesus and those that were not baptized So it is now with every one that cometh to believe the truth and maketh a profession of it there is a way cast up and there is a door opened for salvation
Nations of Europe now inhabited with such a People that are calling upon the Name of the Lord but every one worshipping their own Gods one makes Gold and Silver his God another makes his Pleasure his God another his Honour another this that and the other Lust and they bow down to them that is they yield themselves to their Lusts concupisence and corruptions that they stand in unity with but they call upon the Name of the Lord too they do apply themselves to some kind of form of worship which they say is unto the immortal and invisible God but alas they come not to the Knowledge of God by this All that the Priests could do that the King of Assyria sent back they brought not the Samaritans to the Knowledge of the God of Israel they only brought them to a Report of such a God that had set up such a Law They had the Report of it and for fear that the Lions should tear them in pieces they would enter into that Form but they worshipped their own Gods still So it is now People do not come to the Knowledge of the true God the living God by entring into any Form of Religion for instance Prayer Hearing or any Ordinance or Church-Fellowship these give give not Men the Knowledge of God there is but one way to come to that but only one Men have found a great many it is past your Skill and mine to reckon up the many ways that Men have found out upon the Face of the Earth how they might come to the Knowledg of God and to Peace and Reconciliation with him but they have only play'd the Fools and spent their Time in vain especially they that own the Scriptures of Truth to be a true and faithful Record of the Mind and Will of God they play the Fool abominably for the Scripture that they give so much Reputation to in their Profession doth testifie the way is but one and there is no other way for People to be reconciled to God than by coming in to Christ to be found in him to be regenerated and born into his Nature and have his Qualities put upon them That as he was pure they may be pure that 〈◊〉 that sanctifieth and they being sanctified 〈◊〉 him may become both one and so be recâ—â—ciled to the father through him This you know is the common Profession of Christendom or at least of our Nation And in other Nations the common Profession is There is no Mediator but one no Reconciler but one Indeed some others hold there may be other Mediators and that there are others that may contribute to them by their Mediation and by their Prayers and Merits but the generality of the Nation are otherwise Now for People to fall out and say my way is best and thy way is not best and to fall into Contests about many ways when the Scripture concludes but one Way is not well We were better all agree about this Doctrin That there is no possibility of Reconciliation with God since we are fallen out with him and since Sin hath made a separation there is no way of being reconciled again to God but by and through our Lord Jesus Christ nor by him neither unless we receive of his Spirit to quicken us nothing can quicken us enliven us or recommend us to God but the Spirit of Christ operating and working in our Hearts that he may prepare us for the Father's Kingdom If People would agree upon this there would be an end of all Labour and Toyl and Jangling about the right way for the Consequence and Conclusion would be thus That Man that doth not know in himself the â—anctifying Power of the Spirit of Christ Jesus he is out of the way to Reconciliation with God let his Form and Profession be what it will If therefore he be reconciled to God it must be by and through the Mediator and he will never recommend him to the Father till he hath made him a Temple to let in the Spirit of Christ to work in his Heart to fit him for the Kingdom of God And Men have no other way to come to it for though they be zealous in every Prayer and Form it signifies nothing to any great purpose their Hope will be frustrated There is no other way saith Christ of coming to the father but by me I am the way the truth and the life If I am out of the Truth I am out of the way and if I am out of the way then I cannot come to the end of the Way This is plain reasoning among Men If I tell a Lie that is out of the Truth If I have vain Communication or deceive or wrong my Neighbour that is out of Truth what is manifest in my Conscience to be contrary to the Truth if I am in it I am out of the way though I be strict in the way as to Profession yet I am out of the Way to God I am out of the Truth there is no way to God but by Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life whoever is out of him is out of the Way which made the Apostle say That his labour endeavour and desire was that he might be found in Christ not having his own righteousness but having on the righteousness of Christ Jesus Many Men think to recommend themselves to God by their righteous just and honest Dealings and doing Wrong to no Body This is good in it self but doth not recommend us to God unless it be done by the righteous and holy Spirit of Christ Jesus unless it be of his Working he must have the working of Righteousness and Truth in us he must plant it and it must grow by his working if it be acceptable to the Father for without me saith Christ you can do nothing A Man out of Christ a Stranger to his Spirit may do something but nothing available to the well-being of his Soul till he have Reconciliation by Christ Jesus If he be reconciled to God this Mediator must be the Reconciler and he must fit and prepare him for Reconciliation with the Father All the Divisions Sorts and Sects of Religion they all come to an end if this Measuring Line be laid to them they all appear too short and there is nothing will do a Man good but that Religion that obligeth and tyes him to the good Pleasure of God through the Spirit of the Mediator which he feels working in him by which he is raised from Death to some degree of Life When he is sensible what a Burthen sin is to his Life and that godly Life which he hath is burthened with every Sin and oppressed with every vain Thought and every vain Word If he be not in some measure quickned 〈◊〉 â—ot sensible of this Burthen but being quickned he is sensible of the Burthen that lies upon his Life by reason of his Sin and then being under the Weight of his Sin he calls to God
have an Eye to Christ the Author and Finisher of their Faith when Men have a reference to their Faith in Christ this makes their Duty acceptable I cannot do it except the Lord strengthen me therefore I will have respect to the Mediator Christ Jesus who was sent for a Light into the World God sends forth his Grace to every one to lay hold on that generally believe that tho' they are unable to do what God requires yeâ— he will enable them to do it 〈◊〉 aâ— many as receâ—ved him to them he gave Power to become the Sons of God tho' they were the Devils Children before He is the same yesâ—erday to day and for ever He abides alâ—â—â—s the same in his Grace to Men he is in his operation to them the same he offers Grace to them that are out of a frame of Mind to receivâ— it they may know that his Power will givâ— them Ability and that whatsoever they do of themselves will prove fruitless because it is not done in Christ's Name and Power and so not acceptable to God The greatest thing that we are to be concern'd about if we will be Religious and concern our selves about divine Matters about the Kingdom of God and the World to come is to see what frame of Mind we are in at present whether the high Places are taken away whether we are not exalted in our own Conceits of Knowledge and Wisdom and reckon not to be beholden to him for his Grace If we be highly conceited and think we can stand upon our own Legs the high Places are not taken away Men are not prepared to seek the God of their Fathers therefore let every one mind turning to God and see how it is with you see whether there be a Mind brought low enough to be subject to Christ and to the gracious Teachings of his Spirit A Man may say I can make a good Sermon I can make a good Prayer and Exhortation and I can make a Book â—nd 〈◊〉 it abroad I can do all this by mine own Pâ—â—ts and Abilities so thou maist and maist maâ—e it all full of good Words but thou canst never make it acceptable to God for without me saith Christ you can do nothing Tâ—â—â— must have the assistance of the Spirit of Christ else thou canst not make a good Prayer nor a good Book nor any thing good God esteems the very Plowing of the Wicked to bâ— an Abomination to him Where the Mind is not exercised by the Spirit of God if he should pray from Morning to Night and spend all his Days in Pennance it will do him no good If I saith David regard Iniquity you may think I am a Man in favour with God a Man after Gods own Heart yet if I regard Iniquity in my Heart the Lord will not hear my Prayer What signifies Prayers and Sermons made of good Words if they come not fâ—â—m a Heart separate from Iniquity If it be not so it will do no good at all in point of Acceptance with God O let the fear of the Lord enter upon every Heart wait all to feel the Divine Power of the Lord that brings down every high Thought that so you may look to the Preparation of your Heart that is a right Preparation when People are so low so broken and so tender that they are nothing in their own Eyes but what the Lord will make them to be Then they are as Clay to the Hands of the Potter they are fashioned by his Hands and 〈◊〉 the Worâ—â—anship of God in Chrâ—â—â— Jeâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—e one Mediator between God and Mâ—â— They must bear Christ Jesus his likeness 〈◊〉 his hâ—â—â—enly Image they must â—â—ve hiâ—â—ualities and have the same Minâ— in them that was in him I do always that which pleaseth my Father saith the Lord Jesus Christ Indeed he hath the doing of things in the Hearts of Men and God is pleased with him and where Men have the doing of them themselves they are thrown back as Dung in their Faces where any aim at infallible Justification where Men have a right preparation of Heart so to seek the God of their Fathers as to find him and be accepted of him it is through Jesus Christ in whom he is well pleâ—â—â—â— In all your Assemblies Prayers Exercises and Meditations you must be separated and drawn oâ—â—â—â—m your former Lovers and you must be joined to him that God hath sent to be a â—eader and a Guide unto you then you will find daily his Assistance and as you have Assistance from him you will find Acceptance wiâ—â— God and he will shew you the Father and that and nothing else will satisfy the Soul hungring and thirsting after God Shew us the Father and it sufficeth us So when Christ the Mediator comes to have wrought so far as the purifying of the Soul and the sanctification thereof and thereby fitted it for his Glory such holy Souls 〈◊〉 behold his Glory For the Lord 〈…〉 Grace and Glory and no good thing will 〈◊〉 hold from them that walk uprightly That you may be brought to this State and â—ept and preserved in it that the Heavens may rain down Fatness upon you and that you may feel the living Vertues that flow from Christ to every Member this is the Labour and Travel of the Servants of God for their own Souls and the Souls of others that are in Unity and Fellowship with the Holy Spirit SERMON VI. Captive Sinners set free by Jesus Christ Preached at Devonshire-House April 29th 166â— THere is nothing will make People live to God but that which they received from God For as all Men by Nature are in a state of Death so there must be something beyond Nature to make them alive again and that â—s it that every one ought to wait upon God 〈◊〉 that you may feel something that is supernatural And that you may be acquainteâ— with God's Gift The gift of God saith the Scripture is eternal life Many find a Life in this World that is not the Gift of 〈◊〉 The Life that People have in Sin it is not the Gift of God the Delights and Pleasures of this World are become a Life unto them The World is that to which every one must die they that are not dead to that they live all to themselves they do not live to God for none can live to God but by the Life that comes from him That which People receive of Man gathers them unto Man that which they receive of God carries them to God So Men have made Gatherings and have communicated of what they have to one another and by vertue thereof have made them a People Many Men have gathered many People â—â—ny Churches and they live to them that gathered them they do not live to God for want of receiving something from God 〈◊〉 all they that come to receive the Gift of God they die to the World and they come to live such a Life as the World doth
upon â—oâ—'s Sanctuary this Priests Lips shall preserâ—e knowledge All that come to God's Church are taught of this Priest he is a high one the high priâ—â—â— of our profession we have not such another he is not set up by a Carnal Commandment his Induction came not from any Priest in this World but his Induction came from the God of Heaven and Earth his Father set him up for a Priest he comes by a heavenly Induction and Commission he is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek not after the Order of Aaron If you come to God's Church you may hear this Minister Some have called a House of Stone 〈◊〉 Wood a Church but that will not do noâ—â— therefore there are People that know better than they when they gather Churches of living Stones Men and Women are gathered to these Churches Now the Apostle saith the Church is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ if you will come to Church you must come to Jesus Christ the Church is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the general Assembly the Congregation of his faithful People What do you mean by a Church Ask a learned Man that understands Greek and Hâ—brew what is the meaning of the Word A Church saith he is the Congregation of the Faithful it is an Assembly of the Faithful People congregated together Where must they meet they must meet in the general assembly of the first-born whose names are written in heaven The Hebrews were come to that Church though they lived many hundred Miles asunder in Asia Cappadocia and Bythinia You are come to the general assembly of the first-born there is a Priest there is the high priest of our profession the Lord Jesus Christ who is a priest after the order of Melchisedeck not after the order of Aaron How long is this Priest like to stay in his Priesthood For ever He is a priest for ever not after a carnal commandment but the power of an endless life The Priests that were after Aaron's Order they could not continue Death snatched one away then they must have another Priest but here is one that hath a Priesthood higher than the Heavens by the Power of an endless Life Here is the Priest of God's Church and the Teacher of God's People so that when God's People come to Church that is to God the Father there Christ teacheth them according to the old Prophecy I will teach my people my self We have laboured to bring People to this Teaching that they might come to the Knowledge of the Living God Now there needs none to teach them for they are taught of God blessed be God our labour hath not been in vain we see the fruit of our labours and are satisfied We have been labouring to bring Men to know the Lord new all shall know the Lord from the greatest to the least and bow before him and worship him they hear that their high priests lips shall preserve knowledge If they do amiss he chastiseth them for it if they do well then he comforteth them by his Spirit Now our Labour is that all may be brought to this and that every one may know the Lord and may fear him and serve him and worship him in his Temple Our Bodies are a Temple for that use to worship God in know you not that youâ— bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost you musâ— worship in your selves you must go into youâ— selves you must know the Exercise of the Graces of the Spirit in your selves and thâ— Workings of the Spirit of Truth in youâ— selves and that your Souls that are in yoâ—â— Bodies may be bowed to the Power of the Spâ—rit and that your Worship must be in the Spirit you must pray in the Spirit and give Thanks in the Spirit Though those that set up Worship in the Church talk 〈◊〉 Divinity and Religion in every part of it yet the Substance of all the Shadows of the Law are fulfilled in the Gospel the Substance of all the Modes and Rites and Forms of Religion are fulfilled in the Gospel-way So then let every one compare and examine their State and consider how the case stands between them and their Maker what Knowledge they have of God and what Trust they have put in him that so they may be persuaded and prepared to come within the Pale of this Church But you must first come out of the World else you can never come into that Church that is in God if you be in the World you must go to the World's Church and be the Members of the World's Church and you shall have this for your Pains the World will love you but if you come out of the World's Church into God's Church the World cannot love you Be as good as thou wilt thou canst never bâ— so good as Christ Jesus and they loved him not because he was not of the World if you were of this world saith Christ the world would love its own but since you are not of the world but I have taken you out of it therefore the world hates you if they do so to the green tree â—hat will they do to the branches Are you better than I saith our Saviour the servant is not greater than his Lord Those that are the Disciples of Christ must be content to be persecuted reviled and hated for his names sake for thus they treated him who 〈◊〉 holy and harmless and undefiled who gave them a good Example and who did them no hurt but did them good yet the World hated him and it is but reasonable that you should suffer from the World in the same manner and bear it at their Hands If you come to this Church that is in God the Father and Jesus the mediator the church of the first-born that are written in heaven and come out of the World's Church then the World will be about your Ears all the World will set themselves against this Church against the Woman that shall bring forth a Birth that shall rule over the Nations There appeared a great wonder in heaven a woman cloathed with the sun and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars and she being with Child cryed travelling in birth and pained to be delivered And there also appeared another wonder in heaven a terrible thing and behold a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns and the dragon stood before the woman that was ready to be delivered for to devour her child as soon as it was born and she brought forth a man child that was to rule all nations with a rod of iron and her child was caught up to Gâ—â— and to his throne When the Dragon 〈◊〉 ready to devour this Birth God took it into his own Care in spite of the Devil and all his Instruments and he will save the Child and preserve the Woman he that fits in heaâ—â—â—â—ill laugh at his Enemies and defeat them 〈◊〉
and yet knows in his own Conscience that he is condâ—mned he believeth a Lie he is seduced and deceived A Man cannot be justified â—y Christ when the Spirit of Christ condemneth him Such 〈◊〉 whâ—â—â—e comes to lay down his Head upâ—â— his Dying Pillow all his Faith will fly away I 〈…〉 with some Instances lamentable I◠〈…〉 those thaâ— were called Christians 〈…〉 made a Profession of Religion an◠〈…〉 have laid down their Heads in So◠〈…〉 this be your Mistake consider while y◠〈…〉 Time â—â—at you may die in Peacâ— Now 〈◊〉 Proposition and Tâ—â—der o◠〈…〉 Loâ—â— of God 〈◊〉 Mankind hath alâ—â—ried that Limitâ—â—â—on with it that is 〈◊〉 in the World ought to observe If a Man hope to be saved by Christ he must be ruled by him Iâ— is contrary to all manner of Reason thâ—â—â—he Devil should rule a Man and Christ be his Saviour The whole tenour of the New Testament is against it pray read it as oft as you pâ—â—â—se for it is a good Exercise you will find the true Christian's Faith to be this That he that hath Faith in Christ hath an Operation upon him for the Cleansing his Heart and purifying and purging his conscience from dead works that he may serve the living God though he hath been a Servant of the Devil it will make hâ—â—r leave his former Servitude and bring him under the Influence of another Law the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus which will make him free from 〈◊〉 law of sin and death The Apostle sets down â—he several Conditions he had â—â—ssed through I was alivâ— without the law once he thought himself a Man a brave Man a Man of Understanding thâ—â— had profited among the Jews I was alive having respect to that Law which should have been my Goverour but when the commâ—ndment came sin revived and I died He hâ—d â—ead the Law the Commandment many 〈…〉 and had been at the reading of it in the 〈…〉 â—gue but there was a coming of the Comâ—â—ndment which he had not been acquainted â—ith there was a Writing of thâ— Law of God in his Heart when he 〈◊〉 to this inward World upon him â—â—â—re was thâ—â— the 〈◊〉 he lived When the 〈◊〉 came Sin revived and I died There was a professing Life he formerly liâ—â—d but he was slain by the Power of thâ—â—â—â—manâ—ment it laid him in the Dust as a â—â—ain Man when he was in a 〈◊〉 condition he found out that Law in him that was the Law of Sin and Death and this caused a Combat and a War in him I find a law saith he that whâ—â— I would do good evil is present with with me for I delight in the law of God in the inner mâ— but I see another law in my membe◠〈…〉 against the law of my mind and b◠〈…〉 into captivity to the law of 〈◊〉 which 〈…〉 members Now this brâ—â—ghâ— him 〈◊〉 a Poverty of Spirit into a Sense of his miâ—â—â—â—ble Condition and then he cries out O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death Now some People in this Day they are like the Apostle they have a law in their mâ—mbers warning against thâ— lâ—w of their minds the good that they would dâ—â—â—ey do not and they can go no further But the Apostle Paul did reach further though he did not in that state know Deliverance yet 〈…〉 that he should be delivered and that he 〈…〉 be miserable all his Days Thus haâ—ing 〈…〉 Romans into the several Staâ—â—s through whâ—â—â— he passed he brings them to a furtheâ— Sâ— The law of the spirit of life in Christ 〈◊〉 hâ—th made â—e free from the law of sin 〈◊〉 deâ—â—â— And now there is no condemn◠〈…〉 â—â—em that are in Christ Jesus How sh◠〈…〉 know this They walk not after the flesh 〈◊〉 after the spirit Nâ— Pâ—ul was come to that sanctified state tha◠〈◊〉 of Freedom and Liberty which Christ â—esus will bring all those unto that believe â—n him Holy Men in former Days did experience and find a greaâ— Strife and Warfare in their own Hearts they would do all well and exercise a conscience void of offence towards God and towards man but there is a Law of Sin that wars in their Members if we yield to it it leadâ— to Sin and Death but if we yield our selves to the law â—f the spirit of life there is a Power tha◠〈…〉 â—ved from the Mediator that will â—â—anslate the Soul out of the kingdom of darkness and Sin which the Devil is the Prince of and bring it into the kingdom of God's dear Son There must be a real Change wrought in us before we can come tâ— God and to Fellowship and Commâ—â—ion wiâ—h God which â—lone can make th◠〈◊〉 happy Let this be tâ—e Exercise of eâ— one of us to adore and magnifie and 〈◊〉 Mercy and the kindness of God â—hat 〈…〉 not withdrawn his Spirit from yo◠〈…〉 hath placed a Mâ—n for in your 〈…〉 â—s upon you to cease to do evil 〈…〉 and to consider that the 〈…〉 sin is death Here is a Sin I may â—mit it there is a Temptation beofre me 〈◊〉 I know there is a Bait and a Hook 〈…〉 swalloâ— it if I will but if I do iâ— will 〈…〉 â—y Râ—th Would I come to eternâ—l Death and have my Portion with Lyars and wicked Persons in the Kingdom of Darkness Where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched or would I have my Portion with Saints and Angels If I would have my Portion with the blessed in the Kingdom of God when I die I must walk in the way that leads to it but the Gate is strait and the way narrow and few there be that find it Labour then to be one of those few But what signifies our Labour some may say if we can do nothing that is good not so much as think a good thoâ—ht What signifies our Labour all the Labours and Endeavours in the whole World cannot â—â—â—ke a Man happy I now speak to a People to whom God doth vouchsafe the Help and Assistance of his Gracâ— and Spirit and the Visitations of his Love and Power you mu◠〈…〉 â—ndeavour to do somethâ—â—g if a Man enâ—â—avour with the help of 〈…〉 â—ie may doâ— great deal of good and 〈◊〉 a great deal of Evil Though all our Endeavours in our own Power and Strength can signifie nothing yet they are required by God and â—y joyning them with his Grâ— and layinâ—â—old of Opportunities by 〈◊〉 Assistance we may do whâ— God will aâ— But if a Man do 〈◊〉 thing in his own Poâ— and Strength whether Prayer Hearing Râ—â—ing Meditation or any other Duty he ha◠〈◊〉 good let it â—â—one I would consider you as those that God hath followed with his Grace and the Manifestation of his Spirit this is given to every Man to profit withal and every Man hath Opportunity to work with it but he must work while it is day for the night
cometh when no man can work Let every one of us that are now met together labour to be sensible of the Love of God to us and love him above all and express our Love by a willing and persevering Obedience that we may have the love of God shed abroad upon our hearts by the Holy Ghost and offer up living Praises to him through Jesus Christ â—ho hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made to kings and priests unto God and his father To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and â—ver Amen SERMON X. Salvation from Sin by Jesus Christ Preached at Devonshire-House August the 9th 1691. IT is a general Doctrine in the World That no man by any means in the World can ever be set free from Sin in this Life This is universally received almost among all Christians in all Churches one and another tho' they differ never so much in other things yet they agree in this so that this Doctrine hath â—ot a Sway in the World and it is accounted a great Delusion and a Heresie and a grand Error for any to question the Truth of it Now while a Man is of that Belief That there is an impossibility of living without Sin and of breaking down the Kingdom of Satan in any one Soul in the World How can Men hope or believe that Righteousness should prevail in the Heart of one Man Therâ— neither King nor Beggar if he be a Bishop 〈◊〉 a Gospel Minister the Devil must have a Rulâ— and Goverâ—â—ent in him so long 〈…〉 this World As long as this is believe 〈◊〉 not possible that the other Belief should tâ— place It is madness to think that I must bâ— under the Rule and Government of Satan if I am under the Government of the Son of God And it is still greater madness to say That Christ and the Devil are both my Governours and Rulers It is prodigious Folly and Madness to speak after this manner This Belief prevails over all Men over the Wise and Mighty and Noble and Learned that they can never be freed from the Power of Sin in this World but that the Devil will lead them into Sin every Day leâ— Men be never so sober never so abstemious in their Lives let them spend never so many Hours in Prayer every Day let them come to Meetings and hear Sermons and write them and repeat them and do what they will here is a Bar of Unbelief that lies in the way that makes Men depart from the living God and his Power and lose the Benefit they should receive from Christ And therefore they go to fetch it another way that is to have the Righteousness of Christ imputed to them and they shall be holy and pure in the sight of God when they are polluted in their own Eyes and when they see their daily Failings Infirmities and Corruptions yet God may not see them but that he sees them Holy Just and Righteous in his Son What strange kind of Doctrine is this I must prâ—sume that God will see me in his Son Jesus Christ when I never was in Christ How can this be He that is in Christ 〈◊〉 new creature old things are done away and 〈◊〉 things are become new But if there be Oâ— things remaining still and I be not becomâ— New shall I presume that I am in Christ and that God will see me in his Son When People come to use the Understanding that God hath given them the will look upon themselvâ—â— as barred out by their Unbelief that the Nations have drunk in and it is as sweet to them as the Honey and the Honey-Comb But blessed be God many have vomited it up already If they would have placed this Doctrine upon Man's Natural Ability I would have said Amen to it I know there is none of us all have a natural Ability anâ— Power to deliver his own Soul from Sin and Satan but when they come to place it upon God that though the Lord make bare his arm and reveal his power though they come to have the Grace of God that still they could not be delivered from Sin this hath Blasphemy at the bottom of it The other reflected upon man's Power this reflects upon the Power of God Almighty That the Devil hath got such a Power over us that God hath noâ— Power over us nor cannot have Power aâ— Dominion over us so that of a whole Nâ—tion he cannot have one Man to serve him Much might be said in answer to this When Men are once willing to serve Goâ— they will be willing to leave the Seâ—vice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Devil There is no way to answer that good Wish but by waiting upon God for the revealing of his Power I pray God that when you come to a Meeting you may say Lord let thy Power go forth upon my Heart Let thy Arm be made bare and deliver me from the Power and Dominion of Sin Some will say they feel God's Power in a Meeting I feel the Power of God workinâ— upon my Heart in order to the taking away Sin and Transgression and giving me Victory over it through the Lord Jesus Christ If they feel this Power of God upon them it is their Duty to believe it and depend upon it If I believe it I must wait for the Dictates of it and believe that I shall be able to do all things â—hrough Christ that strengthens me Then Faith will come forth into Works and appear to be a living Faith You may remember what the Apostle James saith As the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also As soon as a Man comes to joyn with the mighty Power of God he will be able to withstand Temptation If he comes into evil Company he will deny them and not comply with them 〈◊〉 will find then something of a Power 〈◊〉 Ability to serve God though he is â—ot come to Perfection yet he is walking 〈◊〉 the way of Holiness and pressing forward towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus He will say I am got a little â—â—arer than I was towards the place where I would be towards that Life which I wâ— live and die then let Death come wheâ— pleaseth God it shall be welcome This is the wickedness of many in thâ— World they will not live such a Life as they would be willing to die in They cannot come at it unless it be given them to believâ— for it is the Gift of God they must come to thâ—â— Governour and Leader which goes beâ— to the Gift of God which is eternal lâ—fe then let Death come when it will if I have the Gift of eternal Life It is a miserable thing to think that there arâ— divers that have not laid hold of eternal Life It is manifested that we may lay hold of it there is a Hand of Faith joyning with it When a Man comes to lay hold of
eternaâ— Life this Life will purifie him and sanctifiâ—â— him at least by degrees till he be wholly sanctified in Body Soul and Spirit This iâ— that which the Apostle writes in one of his Epistles Your salvation is nearer than when you at first believed When they first believed their Salvation was a pretty way off He describes Salvation to be the End of theiâ— Faith and Hope When a Man comes to be delivered from his Sins he shall serve God without fear but when a Man comes to livâ— by Faith he shall overcome he is a 〈◊〉 Soldier of Jesus Christ and he must fight vâ—liantly under his Banner till he gets a Viâ—â—â—ry over all his Enemies and then his Salâ—â—tion is much nearer than when he at first beâ—ieved I would I could say so of some of you for I fear you Salvation is farther off Some go stragling here and there as Sheep not having a Shepherd this is that which my Spirit is intent upon You that are Travellers towards the Kingdom of God it is the wonderful Grace and Mercy of God that evâ—â— it should come into your Minds to seek the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof They that have obtained this Mercy from God shall receive and enjoy other Mercies better Mercies blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness That is one Mercy but there is another Mercy They shall be filled they shall be satisfied When a Man comes to this he must take up a daily Cross and exercise Self-denial but if he follows Christ he shall be satisfied he shall then have nothing but Peace and Joy he shall then sing Praises and Glory to God in the highest and to the Lamb for ever There is none can understand the Glory that is laid up for those that take up their Cross and follow Christ and love his Appearing This is the great Blessing that God doth give unto his People He hath sent his son Jesus to bless us and turn us from our iniquities This is a Blessing indeed Take heed that you do not admit of any new Terms Do not think to bring God Almighty to new Articles the Terms are declared and concluded on already If you will obtain the Blessing you must be turned eveâ—â—one of you from your Iniquities the Terms are already made the Law of God must be written in the heart and inward thoughts and you must close with that Power that will write the Law in your Hearts and by travelling towards the Kingdom of God you will see the coming of that Kingdom into you It was the Joy of my Soul that I saw the Kingdom of Christ would be set up in my Heart before it was set up there then I saw the Lord's wonderful Work and a great Alteration in me when the Lord was pleased to wean me from the World's Breast and take off my Heart and wean it from worldly Lusts from the World's Joys and Pleasures and Fashions and the World's Honour and Reputation I saw the Lord was pleased to wean me from these things and brought me to an holy Resignation to give up my Heart to him If I have Joy it must be from the Holy Spirit if I have Pleasure it must be in the presence of God who in the multitude of my thoughts within me made his Comforts to delight my soul and if he bring not Comfort to you you will never have it you cannot expect it till you do believe and when 〈◊〉 have Faith you can feel the Kingdom of God within you There must be the New Bâ— the Work of Regeneration for except a mâ— be boâ—â— again be cannot see the kingdom of God there must be a translation from Death to Life there must be a turning out of the old Bottom and a fixing â—pon a new Bottom upon Christ Jesus the rock of ages there must be a Subjection to his Holy Power and Government else you cannot see the Kingdom of God Many have gone on in a Profession mâ—ny Years and never saw the Beauty of it every little Trifle in the World hath diverted them and drawn them away This and the other Pleasure hath drawn away their Hearts they have seen the Glory of the World which hath captivated them But those that make a profession of the Truth and have seen the Beauty and Glory of the Kingdom of Christ they should be shy of returning to the World again for the Apostle saith It happened to them according to the true proverb The dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them They made a Profession and were Members of a visiblâ— Church and had a Name to live but they were inwardly dead the Sight of the Kingdom of God is not given to such but unto Babes that have a Divine Birth and that desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby God hath hid these things from the wise and prudent and â—â—vealed them unto babes You that are hâ—re this day I speak to thoâ—â— that would receive some Kindness from Goâ— and thâ—t desire 〈◊〉 â—nowledge of his ways and that the Myâ—â—â—â—s of his Kingdom may be revealed to yoâ— let your Minds be retirâ—â— and you shall find â—he great things bâ—longâ— to your Peace made known to you We have spoken much of this but I would not have yoâ— know it only by 〈◊〉 Sayings but 〈◊〉 have you g◠〈…〉 â—ur selves toâ—ke whâ— God hath not bestowed this Grace and â—sing upon you If God hath given you Grace do not turn it into wantonness do not abuse the Grace of God What is it that you dâ— when the Grace of God â—â—th convinced yoâ—â—hat such and such a thing is Sinâ— and if yoâ— do it 〈◊〉 â—ll tend to your Ruine Da◠〈…〉 venturâ—â—o commit Sin after you are convinâ— of it O take heed of doing despite 〈◊〉 spirit oâ— grace and of gâ—â—â—ving the holy sâ—â—rit whereby you are sealed 〈◊〉 the day of â—â—demption I wish that the weight of this Consideraâ—â—â—â— might lie upon you and that a holy Dâ—eadâ— Aw of God miâ—ht be wrought in yo◠〈…〉 that you m◠〈…〉 kept from sinnin◠〈…〉 God You know there is a general O◠〈…〉 against presumptuous Sinning Sinning 〈◊〉 Light Why should not we all cry ou◠〈…〉 it It is a most dreadful thing for any 〈◊〉 to sin against his Knowledge and Conviâ— if any of us have been guilty of 〈◊〉 against Light let such a one say I havâ— Iniquity I will do so no 〈◊〉 but enter into Covenant with the Lord and say O Lord so far as thou hast re◠〈…〉 â—y Wâ— unto me I will obey it I w◠〈…〉 light to 〈◊〉 thy Will O God tho' I 〈◊〉 mine own Will Whatever I cross I will noâ— cross God's holy Spirit by which I may
Artificial Rarities in every County in 〈◊〉 With several curious Sculptures pr. 1 s. 17. The History of the Kingdom oâ—â—ing an Account of the Ancient inhabitanâ—â— all the Battles Sieges and other consid◠〈…〉 actions both Civil and Military in 〈…〉 from the first Conquest thereof un◠〈◊〉 â—till its entire Reduction by His Majâ—â—â—gether with the most remarkable P◠〈…〉 since happened there to this time 〈…〉 18. The English Heroe Or Sir 〈…〉 Revived Being a full Account of t◠〈…〉 Voyages admirable Adventures n◠〈…〉 â—ries and Magnanimous Atchievemenâ—â—â—liant and Renowned Commander As 〈…〉 in 1572. to Nombre de Dios in the Weâ— â—â—ey saw a Pile of Bars of Silver ne◠〈…〉 〈…〉 â—s Voyagâ— into Aâ—â—â—icâ— in 〈…〉 the Towns of St. Jâ—go St. Domingo Ca◠〈…〉 Augustine IV. His last Voyage into thâ—â—â—â—tries 〈◊〉 1595. with the manner of his Death â—urial Revised Corrected and very much enâ—â—ged reduced into Chapters with Contents and â—tified with Pictures By R. B. Price 1 s. 19. Two Journeys to Jerusalem Containing first â—count of the Travels of two English Pilgrims 〈◊〉 years since and what Admirable Accidents be◠〈◊〉 â—em in their Journey to Jerusalem Grand Caro◠〈◊〉 â—andria c. 2. The Travels of 14 English Mer◠〈◊〉 in 1660. from Scanderoon to Tripoly Joppa 〈…〉 Jerusalem Bethlehem Jericho the River of Jor◠〈…〉 the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah and back aâ— to Aleppo To which is added a Relation of the 〈◊〉 Council of the Jews assembled in the plains of 〈…〉 in Hungary 1650 to examine the Scriptures â—cerning Christ By S. B. an English-man there â—resent With the notorious delusion of the Jews 〈…〉 â—erfeit Messiah or false Christ at Smyrna 〈◊〉 â—666 and the event thereof Lastly The Extirâ—â—tion of the Jews throughout Persia in 1666. Epistle 〈…〉 to our Saviour with our Saviours Answer Bâ—â—â—tified with Pictures Pr. 1 s. 20. The History of the Nine Worthies of the 〈◊〉 Three whereof were Gentiles 1. Hector 〈◊〉 Priâ—miss King of Troy 2. Alexander the 〈◊〉 King of Macedon and Conquerour of the 〈◊〉 Julius Caesar first Emperor of Rome 〈◊〉 Jews 4. Joshua Captain General and Leader 〈◊〉 to Canaan 5. David King of Israel 6. 〈…〉 â—heus a valiant Jewish commander against 〈…〉 â—ny of Antiochus Three Christians 7. Ar◠〈…〉 Brittain who couragiously defended his Couâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—lives â—â—ruly actions 〈…〉 Death Illustrated with Poems and th◠〈…〉 each Worthy By R. B. Pr. 1 s. 21. Female Excellency or the Ladies Gloâ—â—strated in the Worthy Lives and Memorable 〈◊〉 of nine Famous Women who have been renâ— either for Vertue or Valour in several Agâ— World As 1. Deborah the Prophetess 2. 〈◊〉 valiant Judith 3. Queen Esther 4. The 〈◊〉 Susannah 5. The Chast Lucretia 6. Vâ— Britain in the Reign of Nero Emperor 〈◊〉 containing an account of the Original Inhâ— Britain The History of Danus and of his 5. â—ters who murdered their Husbands in onâ— Of the valour of Voadicia under whose coâ— Britains slew 70 thousand Romans with maâ— remarkable particulars 7 Mariamne Wife 〈◊〉 Herod 8. Clotilda Queen of France 9. Aâ— Princess of Spain The whole adorned with 〈◊〉 and pictures to each History By R. B. Pr. 〈…〉 22. Unparallell'd Varieties or the Maâ—ons and Passions of Mankind displayed in 〈◊〉 notable Instancss and Examples discâ— transcendent Effects 1 Of Love Frieâ— Gratitude 2 Of Magnanimity Couragâ—â—ty 3 Of Chastity Temperance and Hâ— on the contrary the tremendous Consâ— Hatred Revenge and Ingratitude 5. Oâ— Barbarity and Treachery 6 Of Unchaâ—â—perance and Ambition Imbellish'd with 〈◊〉 Figures Price 1 s. 23. The Kingdom of Darkness or t◠〈◊〉 of Demons Specters Witches Apparitioâ—â—ons Disturbances and other wonderful aâ—â—tural Delusions mischievous Feat◠〈…〉 〈…〉 â—ther with a 〈…〉 â—tions and Alle◠〈…〉 of the Age who 〈…〉 with Pictures 〈…〉 â—s Price 1 s. 〈…〉 â—lations Divine and Moral 〈…〉 â—s A. L. Capel Baron of 〈…〉 â—ith some account of his Life 〈…〉 Letterâ— to his Lady the day be◠〈…〉 â—k Behaviour and last 〈…〉 also the Speeches and 〈…〉 the Earl of Holland who 〈…〉 his pious Advice to his 〈…〉 〈…〉 â—ngs Entertainment in two 〈…〉 Ten pleasant Relations of 〈…〉 â—e Accidents and Occurrences 〈…〉 â—es with their Explanati◠〈…〉 â—tions and Morals upon each 〈…〉 Pictures for illustrating 〈…〉 Excellently accommo◠〈…〉 or Young and useful 〈…〉 â—versation Price 1 s. â—INIS