and death And beside this slight and cunning it hath strength and power to draw by lusts into destruction and perdition 1 Tim. 4 9. and to carry the soul headlong So that it makes the mans case miserable Rom. 7 24. All which would say that the beleever should call in other help than his owne and remember that through the Spirit he must mortifie the deeds of the body Rom. 8 13. 7. And therefore the beleever must lay aside all his carnall weapons in dealing with this adversary and look out for divine help assistance even for the promised Spirit through which alone he can be instructed inabled for this great work for of himself he can do nothing not so much as think a good thought as of himself 2 Cor. 3 5. faâ—… lesse will he be able to oppose such a mightie adversary that hath so great many advantages and therefore all his carnall meanes purposes vowes fightings in himself will but render himself weaker a readyer prey unto this adversary which gaineth ground while he is so opposed It is Christ alone and his Spirit that can destroy the works of the devil and kill or crucify this enmity 8. So that the beleever must have his recourse for help and succour here unto Iesus the Captaine of salvation and must follow Him and fight under his bâ—…nner make use of his weapons which are spirituâ—…ll fight according to his counsell and conduct taking Him as a leader commander lying open for his orders instructions waiting for the motions of his Spirit following them and thâ—…s oppose fight against this deadly enemie with an eye alwayes on Christ by â—…aith depending on Him for light to the minde resolution to the will and grace to the whole soul to stand in the battel and to withstand all assaults and never engadge in a disput with this enemie or any lust or member of this body without Christ the Principall that is the soul would dispaire in it self and be strong in Him and in the power of his might by faith gripping to Him as Head Captaine and Commander in chiefe resolving to fight in his strength and to oppose through the helpe of his Spirit 9. And for this cause the beleever would eye the covenant of Redemption the basis of all our hope and consolation wherein finall and full victory is promised to Christ as head of the elect viz that He shall bruise the serpents head and so that in Him all his followers and members of his mysticall body shall lift up the head and get full victory at length over both sin and death Now it is God thâ—…t giveth us the victory through our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 15 57. The bâ—…leever would also eye by faith the covenant of Grace where in particularly this same victory is promiâ—…ed to the beleever in and through Jesus Rom. 16 20 the God of peace shall brâ—…ise Satan under your feet shortly and Sin shall not have dominion over you for yee are not under the law but under grace Rom. 6 14. The beleever I say would look out by faith unto and lay hold on these and the like promises and thereby get strength conveyed to him self whereby he may strive lawfully and fight valiently and oppose with courage and resolution 10. Further the beleever would eye Christ as a fountaine of Furniture as a full and compleat magazine standing open ready for every one of his honest souldiers to run to for new supply of what they want so that whatever they finde wanting in their Christian armour they must run away to the open magazine Christs fulnesse that standeth ready for them and by faith take put on what they want stand in need of in their warfare If their girdle of truth be slacked loosed or weakened and they be meeting with temptations anent their hypocrisie and Satan objecting to them their double dealing of purpose to discourage them and to make them fainte give over the fight they must away to Him who is the Truth that He may binde on that girdle better and make their hearts more upright before God in all they do And if their breast plate of righteousnesse be weakened Satan there seem to get advantage by casting up to them their unrighteous dealings towards God or Men they must flee to Him who only can help here and beg pardon through his blood for 〈◊〉 failings and set to againe a fresh to the battel If their resolution which is understood by the preparation of the gospell of peace grow weak it must be renewed in Christs armory and the feet of new be shode therewith If their shield of faith beginne to fail theâ—… away must they get to Him who is the Author finisher of faith Heb 12 2. And if their helmet of hope beginne to fail them In this armory alone can that be supplied And if their sword be blunted in their hand or they unable to weild it aright the Spirit of Jesus can only teach their hands to fight and instruct them how to mannage that usefull weapon with advantage Thus must the beleever be strong in Him and in the power of his might Ephes. 6 10. He is their God that girdeth them with strength and maketh their way perfect He maketh their feet like hindes feet setteth them upon their high places He teacheth their hands to war so that a bow of steal is brocken by their armes He giveth them the shield of Salvation His right hand upholdeth them He girdeth with strength unto the battell c. Psal. 18 vers 32 33 34 35 39. c. 11. For the further strengthening of their Hope Faith Confidence beleevers would eye Christ as hanging on the crosse and overcomeing by death Death and him that had the power of death the Devill so as meritoriously purchaseing this redemtion from the slavery of sin and Satan and particulary from the slavery of that body of death and of the law of sin death for the Apostle tells us Rom. 8 2 that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus doth make us free from the law of sin and death and that because as he sayeth further vers 3 4. what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his owne son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh That the rigâ—… teousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us So that the beleever may now look upon that enemy how fearfull so ever it appear as condemned and killed in the death of Christ. He having laid downe the price of Redemption hath bought this freedom from the chaines fetters with which he was held in captivity faith then on the death of Jesus satifying justice for the poor captive may should support and strengthen the hope confidence of the beleever that he shall obtaine victory at length 12. And it will
further confirme the hope and faith of the beleever to look to Christ hinging on the crosse and there vanquishing and evercomeing this 〈◊〉 as a publick person representing the elect who died in him and virtually and legally did in him overcome that Jailour and break his fetters and the soul now beleeving may yea should reckon it self in Christ dying as it were upon the crosse and there overcomeing all those spirituall enemies likewise sayeth the Apostle Rom. 6 11. Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin From hence even while fighting the beleever may account himself a conquerour yea more then a conquerour through Him that loved him Rom. 8 37. Now faith acting thus on Christ as a publick person dying and overcomeing death and sin the beleever may not only inferte the certainty of victory knowing that our old man is crucified with Christ Rom 6 6. but also from the crosse of Christ draw strength to stand fight against the struglings of this vanquished and killed enemy They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections lusts Gal. 5 24. But how even by the crosse of Christ for thereby is the world crucified unto me sayeth the Apostle Gal. 6 14. I unto the world your old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed Rom. 6 6. 13. The beleever being dead indeed unto sin through the crosse of Christ is to look upon himself as legally freed from that yock of bondage under sin death The law hath dominion over a man so long as he liveth Rom. 7 1. but by the body of Christ beleevers are become dead to the law vers â—… That law of sin death which hath dominion over a man that liveth still in nature and is not yet by faiâ—…h planted in the likenesse of Christs death noâ—… buryed with him by baptisme into death Rom. 6 4 5. hath not that dominion over beleevers it had once for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made them free from the law of sin death Rom. 8 2. So that now the beleever is free from that tyranny and that tyrant can exerce no lawfull jurisdiction or authority over him and therefore he may with the greater courage repell the insolencies of that tyrant that contrare to all right and equity seeketh to Lord it over him still They are no lawfull subjects to that cruell and rageing Prince or to that spirituall wickednesse 14. So that the beleever renunceing that jurisdiction under which he was formerly and being under a new husband and under a new law even the law of the Spirit of liâ—…e in Christ Iesus is to look upon all the motions of sin as illegall and as treasonable acts of a tyrant The old man being crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed the beleever is not any more to serve sin Rom. 6 6. And being now dead they are freed from sin vers 7. and are married to another even to Him who is raised from the dead so they should not serve sin but bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7 4. therefore look upon all motions of the flesh and all the inclinations and stirrings of the old law of sin as acts of treachery and rebellion against the right and jurisdiction of the beleevers new Lord Husband and are therefore obliged to lay hold on this old man this body of death and all the members of it as traitours to the rightfull King Husband and to take them prisoners to the King that He may give out sentence and execute the same against them as enemies to his kingdome and interest in the soul They being now no more servants of sin but of righteousnesse Rom. 6 18. they ought no more to yeeld their members servants to uncleannesse iniquity unâ—…o iniquity vers 19. and being debters no more to the flesh to live after the flesh Rom. 8 12. they are to mortifie the deeds of the body through the Spirit vers 13. and to crucify the flesh with the affections lusts Gal. 5 24. that is by bringing them to the crosse of Christ where first they were condemned and crucified in their full body and power that a new sentence as it were may goe out against them as parts of that condemned Tyrant and as belonging to that crucified body 15. So that the beleever that would carry faithfully in this matter and fight lawfully in this warfare and hope to obtaine the victory through Jesus Christ must bring these Traitours that appeare in their sinfull motions and lusts in the soul working rebellion against the lust authority and equitable lawes of the lawfull Prince Iesus before the tribunal of Him who hath now gote all power and authority in heaven and earth Mat. 28 18. and hath all judgment committed to Him Ioh. 5 22. And to this end both died and rose revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living Rom. 14 9. that He may execute justice upon the Tâ—…aitor head and members that He may trâ—…mple these devils under and bruise the head of these serpents within us The beleever then is by faith in prayer to carry these open enemies to Christ and declare and witnesse against them as Traitours by what mischief they have done in the soul by their hindering the righteous lawes of the king to be obeyed and constraining forceing what by arguments or allurements and what by forceable inclinations and pousings to disobedience and a counteracting of Christ and he should urge and plead upon the fundamentall lawes of the land viz the articles of agreement betwixt the Father and the Son and the faithfull promises of the Covenant of grace and upon Christs office as King and Governour and his undertaking as Mediator upon the merites of his death and sufferings upon his dying as a common person upon the constitution of the gospell whereby they are in law repute as dying in him and so free from the law of sin and death and upon their relation to Him as their new Lord Head Husband King Commander c. Upon these arguments I say to plead for justice against the rebell that is now brought to the barre and so by faith leave the prisoner in His hand that He may in his own time and way give a second blow unto the neck of this implacable and rageing enemy that he may noâ—… rise up to disturbe the peace of the soul as before or to trouble impede and molest the soul in paying the homage and obedience due to his lawfull Master and Soveraigne King Jesus Cautions Directions For furder clearing of the premises I would propose a few particulars for caution direction as 1. This work of laying the burthen of this businesse on Christ by faith would be gone about with much singlenesse of heart aimeing at the glory of God and the carying on of his work in the soul and not for
which He purposed in himself 7. Beside Christ's Death and Resurrection which give ground of hope of pardon of dayly out-breakings there is likewise his Intercession usefull for this end for sayeth the Apostle Iohn 1 Epist. 2 1. 2. If any man sin we have an advocat with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and He is the propitiation for our sins This intercession of his 〈◊〉 a special part of his Priesthood who was the great Highpriest Heb. 4 14 16. and a compleating Part Heb. 8 4 9 8. and upon this account 〈◊〉 that He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God through Him because He liveth for ever to make intercession for them Heb. 7 25. for by his intercession is the work of redemption carryed on the Purchased benefites applyed and particularly new grants of remission are through his intercession issued forth He pleading and interceeding in a way suteable to his glorified condition upon his death and propitiation made while he was upon the crosse accepted of the Father and declared to be accepted by his resurrection asoâ—…sion and sitting at the Fathers right hand And thus as beleevers are reconciled to God by Christs death they are saved by his life Rom. 5 10. So that Christ's living for to be an intercessour makes the beleevers salvation sure and so layeth down a ground for taking away of dayly outbreakings which if not taken away would hinder and obstruct the beleevers salvation 8. And as for the condition requisite to renewed pardon viz faith and Repentance Christ is the worker of both for He is a Prince exalted to give Repentance first and last Act. 4 30. and as He is the author of faith so He is the finisher of it Heb. 12 2. As to the second particular namely what beleevers should do for getting the guilt of their dayly failings and outbreakings taken away by Christ or how they should make use of Christ for this end I shall for clearing of it propose those things to consideration 1. We would beware to think that all our after actuall transgressions are actually pardoned either when Christ dyed or when we first beleeved in Christ as some suppose for sin cannot properly be said to be pardoned before it be committed David was put to sue out for pardon after his actuall transgression was committed and not for the mere sense and feeling of the pardon or the intimation of it to his Spirit when he cryed out Psal 51 2 blot out my transgressions wash me c. vers 9 hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities and vers 14. deliver me from blood guiltinesse Sure when he spoke thus he sought some other thing than intimation of pardon to his sense and conscience for that he desired also but in far more clear expressions vers 8. make me to hear joy and gladnesse c. and vers 12. restore unto me the joy of thy salvation c. Scripture phrases to expresse remission import this viz Covering of sin Pardoning of debts Blotting out of sins Hideing of God's face from sins not Remembering of them Casting of them behinde his back Casting of them into the sea Removing of sins Psal. 103 12. a lifting off of sin or Taking it away a Non-imputation of sin Psal. 33 1 2. These and the like phrases though many of them be metaphoricall yet do all of them clearly evince that sin must first have a being before it can be pardoned The same is clearly imported by the gospel conditions requisite before Pardon such as acknowledgment of sin 1 Ioh. 1 9. which we see was practised by the worthies of old David Psal. 32. 51. Nehemiah Cap. 9. Ezra Cap 9 Daniel Chap. 9. Confessing and Forsaking of it Prov. 28 13. Sorrowing for it Repenting of it and laying hold on Christ by faith c. The reason why I propose this is not only to guaird against this antinomian error but also to guaird the soul from security to which this doctrine hath a naturall tendency for if a person once think that all his sins were pardoned upon his first beleeving so that many of them were pardoned before they were committed he shall never be affected for his after transgressions nor complean of a body of death nor account himself miserable upon that account as Paul did Rom. 7 24. nor shall he ever pray for remission though Christ hath taught all to do so in that patern of prayer nor shall he act faith upon the promises of pardon made in the covenant of grace for after transgressions or for transgressions actually committed Ier. 31 34. 3â—… 8. Heb. 8 12. and so there shall be no use made of Christ for new pardons or remissions of new sins 2. The beleever would remember that among other things antecedently requisite to remission of posterior actuall transgressions gospel Repentence is especially required Luk. 13 3. Mat. 3 2. Ezeck 18 28 30 32. Luk. 15 17 18 Hoâ—… 2 6 7. Ezech. 14 6. whereby a Sinner through the helpe of the Spirit being convinced not only of his hazard by reason of sin but also of the filthinesse and hatefulnesse of sin and having a sight of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus to sinners turning from their sin doth turne from those sins unto God with a full purpose of heart in his strength to follow Him and obey his lawes and hereby the soul is brought to loath its self and sin and is made willing to desire seek for accept of and prize remission of sins This makes them more warry in time coming and carefull for behold sayes the Apostle 2 Cor. 7 11. This self same thing that yee sorowed after a godly sort what carefulnesse it wrought in you yea what clearing of yourselves what indignation yea what feare yea what vehement desire yea what Zeal yea what revenge c. Thus is God glorified in his justice Psal. 51 4. and his mercy is acknowledged in not entering with us into judgement nor casting us into hell as He might have done in justice 3. Yet it would be remembered that though it hath seemed good in the Lord's eyes to chuse this method and appoint this way of obtaining pardon of sins dayly committed for the glory of his grace and mercy and likewise for our good we must not ascribe too much unto Repentance in the matter of pardon we must not make it a cause of our remission either efficient or meritorious we must not think that it hath any hand in appeaseing the wrath of God or in satisfying of justice pardon must alwayes be an act of God's free grace unmerited at our hands procured alone through the merites of Christ we must not put repentance in Christ's room and place nor ascribe any imperfection unto his merites as if they needed any supply from any act of ours we must beware of leaning to our Repentance and godly Sorrow even so far as to think to
And through Him the sting of death which is sin is taken away 1 Cor. 15 56 57. 3. He reconcileth to God taking away that distance and enmity 2 Cor. 5 20. and so He is our peace and peace-maker purchaseing accesse to us to the Father Ephes. 2 14 16. 3 12. 4. He also delivereth from the power of sin and corruption Rom. 7 24. 5. And from all those spiritual stroakes such as blindnesse hardness of heart c for He is our light and hath procured a new heart for us even â—…n heart of flesh 6. So delivereth He from hell fire having satisfied justice and having brought life and immortality to light And He giveth life eternal as â—…e see Rev. 2. 3. Oh! it is sad that Christ is so little made use 〈◊〉 and that so many will forsake the fountaine of â—…wing waters and dig to themselves brocken cisteâ—…s that can hold no water and slight despise â—…d undervalue the gospel of Christ which bringeth life and immortality to light Oh! if the consideration of this could move â—…ch as never found any change in themselves to â—…to and make use of Jesus Christ for life and would for this end 1. Cry to Him that He would make them â—…ensible of their deadnesse and waken them out of their deep sleep 2. Cry to Him to set them a work to renunce â—…ll other helpe beside his as being utterly unable â—…o quicken and put life in them 3. Cry to Him that He would draw and determine their souls to a closeing with Him by faith â—…lone to a hearing of his voice to an obeying â—…f his call to a following of his direction to a giving up of themselves to Him leaning to Him â—…d waiting for all from Him alone in a word to â—…ake Him for their life in all points and to leane â—…o Him for life and to expect it from Him through â—…th in the promises of the gospel Next This being spoken to the disciples whom â—…e suppose to have been beleevers it will give us â—…round to speak of it in reference to beleevers and 〈◊〉 yeeld three points of truth which we shall briefly â—…ch and then come to speak of use-making of â—…hrist as the Life in some particular cases First It is here clearly presupposed that even beleevers have need of Christ to be life unto them so have their fits of deadnesse If it were not so why would Christ have said to beleevers that He was life And daylie experience doth abundantly confirme it For 1. They are oft so weak and unable to resist temptation or to go about any commanded duty as if they were quite dead 2. They are oft so borne down with discouragement because of the strength of opposition which they meet with on all hands and because of the manifold disappointments which they meet with that they have neither heart nor hand and they faint and sit up in the wayes of the Lord and cannot go thorow difficulties but oftimâ—… lye by 3. Through daylie fighting and seeing no victory they become weary and faint hearted so that they lie by as dead Esai 40 29. 4. They oft fall sick and decay and have need of restauration and quickning 5. The want of the sense of God's favour and 〈◊〉 the comforts of the holy ghost maketh them 〈◊〉 dwine and droup and look out as dead 6. While under soul desertions upon one account or other they look upon themselves as fâ—… among the dead that is as dead men of the society of the dead with Heman Psal. 88. 7. Yea many times they are as dead men â—…d captive in chaines of unbeleef and corrupâ—…ons as we see David was when his heaâ—… panted and his strength failed him and 〈◊〉 light of his eyes was gone from him Psal. 38 10. 8. Many times the frequent changes and ups and downs they meet with take all courage and heart from them that they become like men tossed at sea so as they have no more strength And many such things befall them which make them look as dead and to stand in need of quickening reviveing and strengthening cordialls from Him who is the Life And thus the Lord thinketh good to dispense with his owne people 1. That they may be keeped humble and know themselves to be indigent creatures needing influences of life daylie 2. That they may have many errands to Him who is the Life and have much to do with Him and depend upon Him continually 3. That He may shew himself wonderful in and about them giving proof of His skill in quickening the dead and in bringing such thorow unto everlasting life who were daylie as it were giving up the ghost and at the point of death 4. That heaven may be heaven that is a place where the weary are at rest Iob. 3 17. and the troubled rest 2 Thes. 1 7. And where the inhabitants shall not say they are sick Esai 33 vers 24. 5. That they may be taught more the life of faith and of dependence on Him and trained up in that way 6. That He may be owned acknowledged and submitted unto as a Soveraigne God doing what He will in heaven and in earth For all this there is no cause that any should take up any prejudice at christianity for for all this their life is sure and the outgate is sure and saife Nor would they think it strange to see beleevers oft mourning and drouping seing their case will oft call for new supplies of life Their fits are not known to every one nor doth every one know what lyeth sometime at their heart Nor would they think it such an easie matter to win to heaven as they imagine and so deceive themselves The righteous are saved through many deaths And as for beleevers They would not think it strange to meet with such fits of deadnesse nor thence conclude that all their former work was but delusion and that they are still into the state of nature But rather observe the wisdome faithfulnesse and power of God in bringing their brocken shipe thorow so much brocken water yea and ship wracks and his goodnesse in ordering matters so as they shall be keeped humble watchful diligent and constant in dependence upon Him who is and must be their life first and last And hence learne a necessitie of living alwayes neare to Christ and depending constantly upon Him by faith for he being their life they cannot be without Him but they must die and decay Secondly We hence learne That under all these fits of deadnesse to which his people are subject nothing without Christ will helpe Not 1. All their paines in and about ordinary meanes prayer reading hearing meditation conference c. They will all cry out that help is not in them for He is the Life 2. Nor extraordinary duties Such as fasting and prayer and vowes these will never revive quicken a drouping or fainting sickly soul for they are not Christ nor the Life 3. Nor will
iniquity Luk. 13 26 27 were not the jewes much in duties outward ordinances and yet see how the Lord rejecteth them all Esa. 1 11 12 13 14 15 66 3. 6. Much knowledge doth deceive many They think because they can talk of religion speak to cases of consciences handle places of scripture and the like that therefore all is right with them when alas that is but a slippery ground to stand upon The Phariâ—…ees sat in Moses seat taught sometimes sound doctrine and yet were heart enemies to Jesus Mat. 23. And will not many think to plead themselves in to heaven By saying that they have Prophecyed in his name Mat. 7 22 There is a knowledg that puffeth up 1 Cor. 13 2 Some there are whose knowledge seemeth to be operative and practicall and not meerly speculative Some may escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord Saviour Iesus Christ and yet againe become entangled therein overcome so that their latter end is worse than the beginning See 2 Pet. 2 20 21 22. knowledge I grant is good but it is not Christ and so it is not the way to the Father and many alas leane to it are deceived at last 7. A kinde of seeming seriousnesse in the performance of duties and in seeking of God deceiveth many They think because they are not conscious to their owne dissembling but they look upon themselves as earnest in what they do that therefore all is well Sayeth not Christ that not every 〈◊〉 that sayeth Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of God Mat. 7 21 that is not every one that reneweth their sutes ingeminateth their desires cry and cry over againe and as it were will not give it over And yet they come short of their expectation did not the foolish virgins seem earnest and serious when they continued waiting with the rest and at length cryed Lord Lord open unto us and yet they were keeped at the door Many consider not that there is a secret and closse hypocrisie that some may be under and not know it as well as a grosse hypocrisie and dissimulation which may be easily observed Will not many seek to enter in that shall not be able Mat. 7 13. Luk. 13. 24. 8. Many may deceive themselves with this that they are looked on by others godly discerning persons ministers as good serious Christians and that they carry so handsomely and faire that no man can judge otherwayes of them than that they are good serious seekers of God But alas the day is comeing which will discover many things and many one will be deceived both of themselves of others Not he who commendeth himself is approved but whom God approveth 2 Cor. 10 18. Therefore Paul exhorts Timothie to study to show himself approved unto God 2 Tim. 2 15. Men look only on the outside and cannot see in to the heart but God searcheth the heart and it is an easie matter to deceive Men But God will not be deceived 9. Some may suppose themselves in a saife and sure way if they out stripe others in religious dutyes and be much in extraordinary dutyes when alas for all that the heart may be rotten The Pharisee fasted twice a week Luk. 18 12. and yet was but an enemie to Christ. O how deceitfull is the heart of Man 10. Inward peace and quietnesse of conscience may deceive some and they may suppose that â—…ll is right with them because they do nothing over the belly of their conscience Their heart doth not accuse them of falshood and dissimulation in their way with God or Man but they do all things according to their light No doubt that young Man Luk. 18 21. spoke according to his judgment and light when he said all these things have I observed from my youth And Paul sayeth of himself Act. 23 1. that he had lived in all good conscience before God till that very day Meaning that even while he was a Pharisee unconverted he had not thortured his conscience nor done any thing directly against it but had alwayes walked according to his light See Act. 26 9. 11. A way of Zeal may deceive many who may think their case unquestionable because they are Zealous for their way and as they think their Zeal is pure zeal for God was not Paul while a Pharisee very Zealous when out of zeal to his way he persecuted the Church Phil. 3 6. See my zeal for the Lord could a Iâ—…hu say 2. King 10 16. and the jewes had a zeal of God but not according to knowledge Rom. 10 2. and Christ tells us that such as should persecute the Apostles unto death wouldthink they did God good service Iohn 16 2. 12. Some also may put it beyond question that they are in the right way because they are more strick in all their wayes than others and will not so much as keep fellowship or company with them saying with those Esa. 65 5. Stand by I am holier than thou come not neare to me who yet are but a smoak in Gods nose a fire that burneth all the day 13. Some may rest on and deceive themselves with their great attainments and more then ordinary experiences When alas we see to what a hieght some may come and yet prove nothing Let such souls read with trembling that word of Paul Heb. 6 4 5. where we see some may come to be enlightened to taste of the heavenly gift to be made partakers of the holy ghost to taste the good word of God the powers of the world to come and yet prove castawayes taking these expressions as pointing forth some thing distinct from reall grace Many such false wayes wherein Men please themselves might be mentioned By these every one may see cause of Searching trying over over againe It is a dreadfull thing to be deceived here and it is best to put it to a tryall when there is a possibility of getting the matter helped and many may feare and tremble when they see they are not yet come the length of many such as sit downe without Christ and lose all their labour O if this could put people to a serious examination tryall of themselves and of the nature of that way wherein they are rest at present Thirdly We might here observe That this true living way is but one for all There is but one Mediator betwixt God Man 1 Tim. 2 5. One Mediator for both old new Testament the Seed of the woman Howbeit the Lords dispensations with his people in that one way may be various as his way with his people under the Law is different from his way with his people under the gospell and his dispensations with individual beleevers whether under the law or under the gospell is not the same in all things And this should teach us to relinquish our owne wayes and to enter into this one only way and it
this being a particular about which they are ofttimes much exercised and perplexed That we may therefore in some weak measure through the helpe of His light and grace propose some things to cleare up this great and necessary truth we shall first speak a little to it in the generall and then come to cleare up the matter more particularly Before we speak of the matter in generall it would be remembered first That the person who only is in case to make use of Christ for Sanctification is one that hath made use of Him already for Righteousnesse justification for one who is a stranger to Christ and is living in nature hath no accesse to Christ for sanctification He must be a beleever and within the covenant ere he can make use of the grounds of sanctification laid down in the covenant One must first be united to Christ and justified by faith in Him before he can draw any vertue from Him for perfecting holinesse He must first be in Him before he can grow up in Him or bring forth fruit in Him And therefore the first thing that souls would goe about should be to get an union made up with Christ and be cloathed with his righteousnesse by faith and then they have a right to all his benefites first they should labour to get their state changed from enmity to peace reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Yet next it would be observed That when it is said that one must be a beleever before he can go to Christ make use of Him for holinesse sanctification it is not so understood or said That one must know that indeed he is justified by faith before he can make any use of Christ for sanctification One may be justified and a beleever yea and growing in grace through Iesus Christ and so actually improving the grounds of sanctification and making use of Christ for this end and allowed thereunto and yet win to no certainty oâ—… his union with Christ of his justification through faith in Him noâ—… of his faith But thirdly if it be said How can a soul with confidence approach to Christ for usemaking of Him in reference to sanctification that is still doubting of his state and regeneration I answere It is true a clear fight of our interest in Christ by faith would be a great encouragement to our confident approaching to and usemaking of Him in all things and this consideration should moâ—…e all to a more earnest search study of the marks evidences of their Interest a good help whereunto they will finde in the forementioned book I shall only say this here That if the soul have an earnest desire tâ—… be sanctified wholly and to have on the image of God that he may glorifie Him and panteth after holinesse as for life that he may look like Him who is holy maketh this his work and study sorrowing at nothing more than at his short coming crying out and longing for the day when he shall be delivered from a body of death and have the old man wholly crucified he needeth not question his interest in Christ warrant to make use of Him for every part of sanctification for this longing desire after conformity to Gods law and panting after this spiritual life to the end God may be exalted Christ glorified otherâ—… edified will not be readyly found in one that 〈◊〉 yet in nature It is true I grant some who designe to establish their owne righteousnesse and to be justified by their owne works inherent holinesse may wish that they might be more holy and lesse guilty and for some other corrupt ends they may desire to be free of the power of some lust which they finde noxious troublsome and yeâ—… retaine with love and desire some other beloved lusts and so have a heart still cleaving to the heart of some detestable thing or other But gracious souls as they have respect to all the commands of God so they have not that designe of being justified before God by their works nor do they study mortification or sanctification for any such end nay they no sooner discover any by as of their false deceitfull hearts unto any such end but as soon they disowne it and abhore it So that hence believers may get some discovery of the reality of their faith and interest in Christ and of their warrand yea duty to make use of Christ for sanctification Tâ—…s premised we come to speak some thing in the generall of beleevers usemaking of Christ as made of God to us Sanctification and for this end we shall only speak a little to two things first we shall show upon what account it is that Christ is called our sanctification or made of God to us sanctification as the Apostle's phrase is 1. Cor. 1 30. or what Christ hath done as Mediator to beginne carry on to perfection the work of sanctification in the soul. And secondly How the soul is to demeane it self in this matter or how the soul is to make use of improve what Christ hath done for this end that it may grow in grace and perfect holinesse in the fear of God As to the first we would know that though the work of sanctification be formally ours yet it is wrought by another hand as the principal efficient cause even by the Father Son and Holy Ghost The Father is said to purge the branches that they may bring forth more fruit Iohn 15 1. 2. hence we are said to be sanctified by God the Father Iud. vers 1. The Son is also called the sanctifier Heb. 2 21. He sanctifieth cleanseth the Church with the washing of water by the word Ephes. 5. â—…6 The Spirit is also said to sanctifie 2. Thes 2 13. 1 Pet. 1 2. Rom. 15 16. Hence we are said to be washed sanctified by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 6 11. But more particularly we are said to be sanctified in Christ. 1. Cor. 1. 2. and He is made of God to us sanctification 1 Cor. 1. 30. let us then see in what sense this may be true and 1 He hath by his death blood procuâ—… that this work of sanctification shall be wrought carryed on for he suffered without the gate that He might Sanctifie the people with his owne blood Heb. 13 12. we are saved by the washing of regeneration renewing of the holy ghost which He shed on us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour Tit. 3 5 6. He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2 14. Thus our sanctification is the fruit of his death purchased by his bloodâ—… He gave himself for his church that he might sanctifie it Ephes. 5 25 26. â—… He dying as a cautioner publick person beleevers are accounted in law to be dead to sin in Him Hence the Apostle tells us Rom. 6 3 4
hence we are said to be chosen in him before the fundation of the world that we should be holy c. Ephes. â—… 4. and aâ—… dying for themâ—… for He gave himself son the church that He might sanctiâ—…y cleanse it that He might present it to himself a glorious church that it should be holy Ephes. 5 25 26 27. He hath reconciled them in the body of his flesh through death to present them holy Col. 1 21 22. So that the noble 〈◊〉 of Redemption may found the 〈◊〉 hope and expectation of the beleever upon â—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First upon the account of the Fathers faithfulnesse who promised a seed to Iesus Viz. such as should be his children and so be sanctified through Him and that the pleasure of the Lord which in pâ—…rt iâ—… thâ—… work of sanctification should prosper in his hand And next upon the account of Christs undertaking and engaging as is said to bâ—…ing his sonâ—… and daughters to glory which must be through sanctification for without holinesse no man shall see God And they must look like himself who is a holy Head a holy Husband a holy Captane and therefore they must be holy members a holy spouse holy souldiers So that He standeth engaged to sanctifie them by his Spirit and word and therefore is called the Sanctifier Heb. 2 11. for both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one Yea their union with Christ layeth the foundation of this for being joyned to the Lord they become one Spirit 1 Cor. 6 17. and are animated and quickened by one the same Spirit of life and grace and therefore must be sanctified by that Spirit 10. The beleever likewise would act faith upon the promises of the new Covenant of grace strength life c whereby they shall walk in his wayes have Gods lawes put into their mindes and write into their hearts Heb. 8 10. Ier. 31 33. and of the new heart and new spirit and the heart of flesh and the Spirit within them to cause them walk in his wayes or statutes and keep his judgments and do them Ezech. 36 26 27. and the like wherewith the scripture aboundeth Because these are all given over to the beleever by way of Testament and legacy Christ becoming the mediator of the new Testament that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance Heb. 9 15. Noâ—… Christ by his death hath confirmed this Testament for where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death ' of the testatour for a Testament is of force after men are dead vers 16 17. Christ then dying to make the Testament of force hath made the legacy of the promises sure unto the beleever so that now all the promises are yea and amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1 20. He was made a minister of circumcision to confirme the promises made to the Fathers Rom. 15 8. That the eyeing of these promises by faith is a noble meane to sanctification is cleare by what the Apostle sayeth 2 Cor. 7 1. Having therefore these promises let us cleanse ourselves perfecting holinesse in the feare of God And it is by faith that those promises must be received Heb. 11 33. So that the beleever that would grow in grace would eye Christ the fundamentall promise the Testatour establishing the Testament and the excutor or dispensator of the covenant and exspect the good things through Him and from Him through the conduite and channell of the promises 11. Yet further beleevers would eye Christ iâ—… his Resurrection as a publick person and so look on themselves and reckon themselves as riseing virtually in and with Him and take the resurrection of Christ as a certane paune and pledge of their sanctification for so reasoneth the Apostle Rom. 6 4 5 11 13. we are buryed sayâ—…s He with him by baptisme into death that likeas Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 of life for we shall â—…e 〈◊〉 also in the likenesse of his resurrection and if we 〈◊〉 dead with Christ we beleeve that we shall also live with him therefore reckon ye also yourselves to be alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord and yeeld yourselves unto God as these that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousnesse unto God The right improving of this ground would be of noble advantage unto the student of holinesse for thence he might with strong confidence conclude that the work of sanctification should prosper in his hand for he may now look upon himself as quickened together with Christ Epes 2 5. Christ dying and riseing as a publick person and he by faith being now joyned with him and united to him 12. Moreover this Resurrection of Christ may yeeld us another ground of hope and confidence in this work for there is mention made of the power of his resurrection Phil. 3 10. So that by faith we may draw strength and vertue from Christ as an arisen and quickened Head whereby we also may live unto God and bring forth fruit unto him and serve no more in the oldnesse of the letter but in the newnesse of Spirit Rom. 7 4 6. He was quickened as an Head and when the head is quickened the members cannot but look for some communication of life therefrom and to live in the strength of the life of the head See Col. 3 1 2. 13. Faith may and should also look to Christ as an intercessor with the Father for this particular Iohn 17 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth and this will adde to their confidence that the work shall go on for Christ was alwayes heard of the Father Iohn 11 41 42. and so will be in this prayer which was not put up for these few disciples alone The beleever then would eye Christ as engadging to the Father to begin and perfect this work aâ—… dying to purchase the good things promised and to confirme the same as quickened and riseing aâ—… head and a publick person to ensure this work and to bestow and actually conferre the graces requisite and as praying also for the Fathers concurrence and cast the burden of the work on Him by faith knowing that He standeth obliged by his place and relation to his people to beare all their burthens to work all their works in them to perfect his owne work that He hath begun in them to present them to himself at last a holy bride to give them the Spirit to dwel in them Rom 8 9 11 and â—…o quicken their mortall bodyes vers 11. and to lead them vers 14. till at length they be crowned and brought forward to glory This is to live by faith when Christ liveth acteth and worketh in us by his Spirit Gal. 2 20. Thus Christ dwelleth in the
grace and holinesse and salvation to the beleever And whatever we be They will be true to each other our unbeleef will not make the faith of God of none effect 2. The consideration of the noble and faithfull promises contained in the covenant of Grace which shall be all made good in due time 3. If we be humbled under the sence of ouâ—… failings and shortcomings and made to mourne before the Lord and stirred up to more diligence and seriousnesse that may yeeld comfort to our soul. If we be growing in Humility godly Sorrow Repentance Diligence and be gripping faster by faith to the Root we want not ground of joy and support for if that be we cannot want fruit 4. It should be matter of joy and thanksgiving that the beleever is keeped from turning his back on the way of God aud keeped with his face still Zion-ward though he make but little progresse yet he is still looking forward and creeping as he may waiting at God's door begging and asking studying labouring and endeavouring for strength to go faster 5. It is no small matter of peace and comfort if we be keeped from fretting grudging and repineing at the Lords dispensations with us and be taught to sit silent in the dust adoreing His Soveraignity and ascribeing no iniquity to our maker CHAP. VIII How to make use of Christ for taking the guilt of our dayly out-breakings away THe next part of our sanctification is in reference to our dayly failings and transgressions committed partly through the violence of temptations as we see in David and Peter and other eminent men of God partly through dayly infirmities because of our weaknesse and imperfections for in many things we offend all Iam. 3 2. and if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us 1 Iohn 1 8. A righteous man falleth seven times Prov. 24 16. There is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccles. 7 20. and Solomon further sayeth 1 King 8 46. that there is no man that sinneth not This being so the question is how Christ is to be made use of for taking of these away For satisfaction to this it would be considered that in those dayly outbreakings there are two things to be noticed first there is the Guilt which is commonly called Reatus poenâ—… whereby the transgressour is liable to the sentence of the law or to the penalty annexed to the breach thereof which is no lesse then God's curse for cursed is every 〈◊〉 that abideth not in all things which are 〈◊〉 the law to do them Gal. 3 10. Next there is the â—…taine or blote which is called Reatus culpâ—… whereby the soul is defiled and made in so far incapable of glory for nothing entreth in there which defileth and of communion and fellowshipe with God who is of purer eyes then He can behold iniquity So that it is manifest how necessary it is that both these be taken away that they may not stand in ouâ—… way to the Father And as to both we must make use of Christ who is the only way to the Father And this we shall now cleare and first speak of the taking away of the Guilt that is contracted by every sin and for this cause we shall briefly speak to two things first Shew what Christ hath done as Mediator for this end that the guilt contracted by our dayly failings and outbreakings might be taken away Secondly shew what the beleever should do for the getting of guilt taken away in Christ or how he should make use of Christ for reconciliation with God after transgressions or for the taking away of the guilt that he lyeth under because of his violation of the law As to the first We say Christ for taking away of Guilt contracted dayly hath done these things 1. Christ laid downe his life a ransome for all the sinns of the Elect both such as were past before they beleeved and such as were to be committed after His blood was shed for the remission of sinâ—… indefinitly and without distinction Mat. 26 28 â—… And this was done according to the tenour of the covenant of Redemption wherein the Fatheâ—… caused all our sins to meet together on Him Esai â—…3 6. and made Him sin or a sacrifice for sin indefinitely 2 Cor. 5 21. and so did not except the sins committed after conversion 3. Having satisfiedjustice and being risen from the dead as a Conquerour He is now exalted to be a Prince to give Repentance and Remission of sins Act. 5 31. Now repentance and remission of sins his people have need of after conversion as well as before conversion 4. There are promises of pardon and remission of sins in the new covenant of Grace all which are sealed and confirmed in the blood of Jesus Ier. 31 34. for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more and Chap. 33 8. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned against me and whereby they have transgressed against me Esai 43 25. I even I am he that bloteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins 5. Though there be no actuall pardon of sins till they be committed and repented of according to the tenor of the gospell Matth. 3 2. Luke 13 3. Act. 2 38. 8 22. yet while Christ beare all the sins of his people upon the crosse they were all then virtually and meritoriously taken away of which Christ's resurrection was a certane pledge and evidence for then gote He his acquittance from all that either law or justice could charge Him with in behalfe of them for whom He laid downe his life a ransome Rom. 8 33 34. who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died or rather that is risen againe c. 6. So that by vertue of Christ's death there is a way laid down in the covenant of grace how the sinns of the elect shall be actually pardoned viz. That at their conversion and first laying hold on Christ by faith all the sins whereof they then stand guilty shall be actually pardoned and forgiven in their justification and all their after sins shall also be actually pardoned upon their griping to Christ of new by faith and turning to God by repentance And this way is agreed to by Father and Son and revealed in the gospel for the instruction and encouragement of beleevers and all to the glory of his free grace In whom we have redemption sayeth the Apostle Ephes. 1 7 8 9. through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his grace wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure
5 6. that as many of us as are Baptized into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his death and that therefore we are buryed with Him by baptisme into death and are planted together in the likenesse of his death yea and that our old man is crueified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed that hence forth we should not serve sin whence beleevers are warranded commanded vers 11. to reckon themselvs to be dead indeed unto sin and therefore sin should not reigne in their mortall bodyes to fulfill the lusts thereof vers 12. This is a sure ground of hope comfort for beleevers that Christ dyed thus as a publick person and that by vertue thereof being now united to Christ by faith they are dead unto sin by law and sin cannot challenge a dominion over them as before their conversion it might have done and did for the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth but no longer wherefore beleeving brethren becomeing dead to the law by the body of Christ are marryed to another even to Him who is raised from the dead that they should bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7 1 4. 3. Hence It followeth that our old man is crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed Rom. 6 6. So that this old tyrant that oppresseth the people of God hath got his deaths wounds in the crucifixion of Christ shall never recover his former vigour activity to oppresse beare down the people of God as he did He is now virtually through the death of Iesus killed crucified being in Christ nailed to the crosse 4. His resurrection is a paune pledge of this sanctification for as He died as a publick person so He rose againe as a publick person we are buryed with Him by baptisme that likeas Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6 4. and beleevers are said to be planted together with him in the likenesse of his resurrection vers 5. and they shall live with Him vers 8. and therefore they are to reckon themselvs alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord verse 11. we are raised up together Ephes. 2 6. 5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of redemption betwixt the Father the Son Esa. 52 15. so shall he sprinkle many nations Cap. 53 10. He shall see his seed and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Christ then having this promised to Him must see to the accomplishment thereof and will have it granted to him seing He hath fulfilled all that was engadged to by Him having made his soul an offering for sin 6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace Ier. 33. 8. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity Ezech 37 23. and I will cleanse them So Chap. 36 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse from all your idols will I cleanse you Now all the promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed to us in the Mediator for in Him all the promises are yea amen 2. Cor. 1 20. 7. He hath also purchased made sure to his owne the new nature and the heart of flesh which is also promised Ezech. 36 26. 11. 19. Ier. 32. 39. This is the new lively principle of grace the spring of sanctification which cannot be idle in the soul but must be emitting vitall acts natively Yea through Him are beleevers made partakers of the divine nature which is a growing thing young glory in the soul. 2. Pet. 2 3 4. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertaine unto life godlinesse through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory virtue whereby are given unto us exceeding great precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature c. 8. The Spirit is promised to cause us walk in his statutes Ezech. 36 27. Now all these promises are made good to us in Christ who is the cautioner of the covenant yea He hath gotten now the dispensing and giving out of the rich promises of the covenant committed unto Him so as He is the great Lord treasurer and administrator of the great glorious purchased blessings 9. There are new waterings breathings gailes of the Spirit given in Christ. Esai 27 3. He must water his garden or vinyaird every moment This is the north winde the south winde that bloweth upon the garden Cant. 4 16. He must be as the dew unto Israel Hos. 14 5. 10. Through Christ is the beleever brought into such a covenant state as giveth great ground of hope of certane victory He is not now under the law but under grace and hence inferreth the Apostle Rom. 6 14. That sin shall not have dominion over them Being now under that dispensation of grace whereby all their stock is in the Mediators hand at his disposall and not in their own hand power as under the covenant of works there is a sure ground laid down for constant supply furniture in all necessities 11. Christ hath prayed for this Iohn 17. 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth where the Lord is praying that his disciples might be more more sanctified and so fitted qualified for the work of the ministrie they were to be imployed in And what He prayed for them was not for them alone but also for all the elect proportionably who are opposed to the world for which He did not pray v. 9. 12. He standeth in relation to beleevers of a Vine or a Root in which they grow as branches so that by abiding in Him living by faith in Him and drawing sap from him they bring forth fruit in Him Iohn 15 1 2 4 5. Their stock of grace is in Him the root and He communicateâ—…h sap and life unto his branches whereby they grow floorish and bring forth fruit to the glory of God 13. Christ hath taken on Him the office of a Prophet and Teacher to instruct us in the way wherein we ought to goe for He is that great Prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up and who was to be heard and obeyed in all things Deut. â—…8 15. Act. â—… 2â—… and 7 37. He is given for a witnesse a leader Esai 55 4. and we are commanded to hear Him Mat. 17 5. Mark 10 7. 14. He hath also taken on Him the office of a King Psal. 2 6. Mat. 21 5. Esai 9 6 7. Phil. 2 8. 9 10 11. and thereby standeth engadged to lubdue all their spirituall enemies Satan corruption Psal. 110. He is given for a leader and commander Esai 55 4 and so can cause his people walk in his wayes 15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions failings He hath provided a fountaine for us
rebelliousnesse in the will irregularity disorder in the affections whereby the soul is unfit for any thing that is good prone to every thing that is evil Rom. 3 10 20. Ephes. 2 1 2 3. Rom. 5 6. 8 7 8 whence proceedeth all our actual transgressions Iam 1 14 15. And moreover sometimes the soul is given up to a reprobat minde Rom. 1 28. to strong delusions 2 Thes. 2 2. to hardnesse of heart Rom. 2 5. horror of conscience Esa. 33 14. to vile affections Rom. 1 26 and the like spiritual plagues which though the Lord inflict on some only yet all are obnoxious to the same by nature can exspect no lesse if the Lord should enter with them into judgment And finally as to what is future of this kinde they are being fuel for Tophet obnoxious to that malignant sinful blasphemous and desperat rebellion against God in hell for ever more O how lamentable upon this consideration must the condition of such be as are yet in the state of nature Oh if it were but seen and felt But alas there is this addition to all that people know noâ—… this they consider it not they beleeve it not they feel it not they see it not and hence it cometh to passe that 1. They cannot bewail and lament their condition nor be humbled therefore 2. They cannot nor will not seek after a remedie for the whole will not trouble themselves to seek after a physician And sure upon this account their case calleth for pity and compassion from all that know what a dreadful thing it is to be in such a condition and should stirre up all to pray for them and to do all they can to helpe them out of that state of sin and misery which is dreadful to think upon Should not the thoughts and consideration of this put us all to try and search if we be yet translated from death to life and delivered out of that terrible and dreadful state and made partakers of the first resurrection It not being my purpose to handle this point at large I shall not here insist in giving marks whereby this may be known and which are obvious in Paul's Epistles to be found handled at large in several practical pieces chiefly in Mr. Guthries Great interest I shall only desire every one to consider and examine 1. Whether or not the voice of Christ which quickeneth the dead hath been heard and welcomed in their soul This is effectual calling 2. Whether or not there be a through change wrought in their soul a change in the whole Man so as all things are become new 2 Cor. 5 vers 17 3. Whether or not there be a Principle of life within And they be led by the Spirit 4. Whether or not there be a living to the glory of the Lord Redeemer And when by impartial tryal a discovery is made of the badness of our condition should we not be alarmed to look about us and to laboure by all meanes for an outgate considering 1. How doâ—…lful and lamentable this condition is 2. How sad and dreadful the consequents of it are 3. How happy a thing itis to be delivered from this miserable and sinful condition and. 4. How there is a possibility of outgate Finally It may break a heart of stone to think how people that are in such a condition are so unwilling to come out of it for 1. How unwilling are they once to suspect their condition or to suppose that it may be bad and that they may be yet unconverted 2. How unwilling are they to sit down seriously to try and 〈◊〉 the matter and to lay their case to the touch-stone of the word 3. Yea how unwilling are they to heare any thing that may tend to awaken them or to discover unto them the badness of their condition 4. How ready to stiffle challenges of conscience or any common motion of the Spirit which tendeth to alarme their soul 5. How great enemies are they to such ordinances as serve to awaken sleeping consciences 6. And how do they hate such ministers as preach such doctrine as may serve to rouz thâ—…m up and set them a work about their own salvation Secondly We learne hence That without Christ there is no imaginable way of delivery out of this natural state of death No other name is given under heaven whereby we can be saved Act. 4 12. and angels can make no help here nor can one of us deliver another the redemption of the soul is more precious then so Psal. 49 7 8. Not is there any thing we can do for ourselves that will availe here all our prayers teares whipeings fastings voâ—…es almes deeds purposes promises resolutions abstenance from some evils outward amendements good morality and civility outward religiousnesse yea and if it were possible our keeping of the whole law will not helpe us out of this pit And we may weary ourselves in such exercises in vaine for they will prove but bodylie exercises that profite little And when in this way we have spent all our time parts spirits and labour we shall at length see and say that we have spent our money for that which is not bread This should put all of us to try what itis which we leane to for life and what it is the consideration whereof giveth us peace and quietnesse when the thoughts of death judgment hell and the wrath of God come upon us and trouble us for if it be any thing beside Christ that our soul leaneth to and that we are comforted by and found all our hopes upon we will meet with a lamentable oh for ever lamentable disappointment Be sure then that our hearts renunce all other wayes and meanes of outgate out of this death beside Jesus the Resurrection and the Life else it will not be well with us Thirdly We see here That delivery out of this natural state of death is only had by Christ for He alone is the Life and the life that is in Him is suiteable and excellent Hence he is called the bread of life Iohn 6 35 48. The resurrection and the life Iohn 11 25. The water of life Revel 21 6. 22 17. The tree of life Revel 22 2 14. The Prince of life Act. 3 15. our life Col. 3 4. The word of life and life it self 1 Iohn 1 1 2. And as He is a suitable and excellent life so is He an alsufficient and perfect life able every way to helpe us and to deliver us from all the parts of our death For 1. He delivereth from the sentence of the law Rom. 5 17 18. undergoing the curse of the law and becomeing a curse for us 2 Cor. 5. last 2. He taketh away the curse and sting of all temporal plagues yea and of death it self causeing all work together for good to such as love Him Rom. 8 28. He hath killed Him that had the power of death that is the devil Heb. 2 14.