Picture of Iupiter on the Wall committing Adultery Quo pacto se non faceret cum in Templo adorare cogeretur Jovem potius quam Catonem But our God is Pure as appeareth by his Laws which are all Holy Just and Good Psal. 119.140 Surely such holy Precepts could come from none but a Pure and Holy God As also by the Work of his Spirit on his People Ephes. 4.24 And that ye put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness And 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Gâ—ory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. He puts into us a Nature that is very tender and shie of Sin troubled at it in others 2 Pet. 2.7 8. And delivered just Lot vexed with the filthy Conversation of the Wicked For that Righteous Man dwelling amongst them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous Soul from day to day with their unlawful Deeds He that made the Eye shall not he see He that put into us a clean Heart is not he Pure and Holy This appeareth also by the dispensations of his Providence Hab. 1.13 Thou art of purer Eyes than to behold Evil and canst not look on Iniquity Wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously and holdest thy Tongue when the Wicked devoureth the Man that is more Righteous than he Judgments on Sinners so on his own People Prov 11.31 Behold the Righteous shall be recompenced in Earth much more the Wicked and the Sinner As for Instance in David The Child died his Daughter is defloured Ammon slain Absolon is in Rebellion his Wives Ravished himself Banished from his House and Kingdom Eli's Sons slain the Ark taken his Daughter-in-Law died himself brake his Neck But chiefly in the very Foundation of the Gospel the Son of God dieth a Shameful Painful Accursed Death before God wouâ—d relax the Rigour of his Law and set a-foot the Gospel And all that there might be a perfect Demonstration of his Justice and Holiness and displeasure against Sin Rom 8.3 For what the Lâ—w could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh. 2. The very nature of this Calling enforceth this Sanctification or setting Man apart from a common to a sacred use For it is a calling us not only from Misery to Happiness but from Sin to Holiness and the one is indispensibly necessary to the other For none but those who are in an holy Estate can be in a blessed Condition Our calling is sometimes called a Heavenly Calling Heb. 3.1 Sometimes an Holy Calling 2 Tim. 1.9 Therefore the chief subordinate end is Holiness Rom. 1.7 Called to be Saints from the Devil the World and the Flesh to God 3. The grace and favour which is shewed in our Calling obligeth us to be Holy in point of Gratitude For when we consider in what a sinful estate God found us how freely he loved us and that with a discriminating differencing Love when he passed by others worthier than we and to what estate he is ready to advance us to the enjoyment of himself amongst all those that are Sanctified by Faith All these are as so many strong Bonds and Obligations upon us to walk worthy of God who hath called us to his Kingdom and Glory in Iesus Christ 1 Thess. 2.12 Worthy of his Grace in Calling worthy of the Glory to which we are Called that is with the worthiness of Condecency not of Condignity We cannot fully answer this Grace but we must do that which will become it 4. This Calling enableth us to be Holy because it giveth us all things necessary both to holiness of Heart and Life 2 Pet. 1.3 According as his Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto Life and Godliness through the knowledg of him that hath called us to Glory and Vertue Now this Grace must not lie idle otherwise we receive the Spirit in vain 2. The Ultimate end to obtain the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The same expression is 2 Pet. 5.10 The God of all Grace who hath called us to his Eternal Glory by Christ. Iesus It is his Glory Mark 1. Here is Glory 2. It is the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1. It is Glory for Body and Soul the Glory is so great we cannot utter it and conceive it Now a little is revealed to us but then it shall be revealed in us 1. The Soul is not annihilated after Death nor doth it sleep till the Resurrection nor is it detained by the way from immediate passing into Glory but assoon as it is loosed from the Body is admitted into God's Presence and gathered unto the Souls of just Men made perfect where it seeeth God and loveth him and enjoyeth what it seeth and loveth For as soon as we are loosed from the Body we are present with the Lord. And therefore tâ—e first benefit we receive in the other World is the Salvation of the Soul 1. Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your Faith even the salvation of your Souls It flitteth hence to God 2. The Body hath its glory also in due time For when it is raised up out of the Grave it will be another kind of Body then we now have both for Impassibility Clarity Agility For Impassibility called Incorruption Clarity called Glory Agility called Power Subtilty called a Spiritual Body by the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.42 43. It is sown in Corruption it is raised in Incorruption It is sown in Dishohonour it is raised in Glory It is sown a Natural Body it is raised a Spiritual Body 1. Impassibility doth not only exclude Corruption for so the Bodies of the Damned are preserved for ever but all grievanceâ— and pain Rev. 21.4 There shall not be any more pain 2. For Glory a shining Brightness The Righteous shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father Matth. 13.43 Stephen's Face shone in this Life as it were the Face of an Angel Acts 6.15 And Moses his Face shone by Converse with God in the Mount Exod. 34.30 Our Bodies shall be likened unto his glorious Body Phil. 3.21 In the Transfiguration His Face did shine as the Sun and his Rayment did shine as the Light 3. For Vigour Activity and Strength It shall always be in the height and excellency of it God preserved Moses his natural Vigour for a long time Deut. 34.7 but glorified Bodies shall for ever remain in an eternal spring of Youth 4. Subtilty as Spiritual Body Here we live an animal Life after the manner of Sensitive Creatures maintained by Meat Drink Sleep But hereafter the Body shall live after the manner of Spirits having no need or use of these things There we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels of God Matth. 22.30 and 1 Cor. 6.19 Our Bodies
upon it so many errors in Doctrine corruptions in Worship and Tyranny in Government that if a man could be saâ—ed he is saved but as by fire 1 Cor. 3.13 and no man that hath a care of his Soul wiâ—l either embrace Popery or continue in it where the way is plainest there are difficulties enough and the righteous are scarcely saved and therefore in a questionable way none should venture Worshipping of Angels and Saints departed and Images are no light thing Nor will a serious Christian chuse that way where the Doctrines of the Gospel are so exceedingly corrupted and there is such a manifest invasion of the Authority of Christ by câ—allenging an Universal Headship over his Church without his leave and this maintained by errors and persecutions 3. We must distinguish of those that lived under Popery rather as Captives under this Tyranny than voluntary Subjects of this Kingdom of Antichrist As many holy men did in former times groaning and mourning under the abominations rather than countenancing and pâ—omoting them To these God speaketh when he said Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues They were his people while they were there These were as those seven thousand in Israel that had not bowed the knee to Baal Rom. 11.4 4. There is a difference to be put between those that err in the simplicity of their hearts knowing no better and tâ—ose that withstand the light upon carnal reasons and will not retract their errors though convinced of the degeneration of Christianity For simple ignorance is not so damning as obstinate error Luke 12.48 But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes c. and 1 Tim. 1.13 But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief The Scriptures many times condemn a way as a way of ruine but all in that way are not damned as John 4.22 Salvation is of the Iews There it is eminently dispensed and yet therefore it followeth not that all the Samaritans were damned Some among them though tainted with the errors of their Country might have such knowledge of the law of God and love to him as might be effectual to Salvation 5. We must distinguish between Papists so living and so dying many by Gods grace may have repentance conferred upon them at death and though they lived Papists might die as reformed Christians seeking Salvation by Christ aloâ—e in the way of true Faith and Repentance and so the Lord may manifest his compassion to them pardoning the errors of their lives 6. We must distinguish Times God might dispense with many in the times of universal darkness and Captivity more than he doth afterwards when the light of the Gospel breaketh forth and his Trumpet is sounded to call them forth Whosoever shall compare Iohn Fierus and Iohn Calvin will find they were assisted by the same Holy Spirit of God though the one lived and died a Papist and the oâ—â—er was â—n eminent instrument in reforming tâ—e Church of God but an ignorant fear of separation from the Catholick Church caused many to do as they did but much more doth it hold good in the times before Our Fathers if alive would not have condemned us nor should we condemn them being dead before they had these advantages which we now enjoy Illi si reviviscerent c. saith Austiâ— in a like Case 7. We must distinguish between Popish Errors some are more Capital as Adorations of Images Inovocation of Saints Justification by the merit of Works Inhibition of the Scriptures c. others not so deadly as when too much reverence is given to Ecclesiastical Orders and Constitutions Penance Auricular Confession Fasting c. Now though the Case of a reâ—l Papist who is compleat in this mystery of Iâ—iâ—uity and refuseth hateth persecuteth the truth offered be desperate yet the Lord â—ay in tender mercy accept of other devout Souls who yet live in that way if they hold the head and the foundation 1. Vse Let us not think Popery a light thing which the Lord so peremptorily threatneth Surely it is no liâ—â—â—e mercy that we are freed from it Therefore we should be thankful for the light we have and improve it well while we have it and hold it fast What hope soever we may have of men living in former times and foreign Countries where they knew no better but after such express warnings what hope can we have of English Papists considering the time when Rome is not grown better but worse and what was common opinion is now made an Article of Faith and when the truth is taught and so clearly manifested so that for any by their own voluntary choice to run into Popery it is a pâ—ain defection from Christ to Antichrist and wilfully to drink that poison which will be the bane and ruine of your Souls 2. The great reason why God sent this Judgment upon the Christian World is to punish those that received not the love of the Tâ—uth Here I shall enquire 1. How many ways men â—ay be said not to receive the love of the â—ruth 2. How just their punishment is fâ—r such a sin 1. Iâ— stating this sin 1. It is supposed that â—he truth and doctrine of Christ is made known to a people yea cometh among them with great Evidence Conviction and Authority For it is not the want of means but want of love that it is charged on them And the plenty of means aggravateth their fault and maketh their Condemnation the â—ore just John 3.19 This is the Condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness more than light The truth was not for their turns but was contrary to their lusts and passions and prejudices and these they preferred before the light of the Gospel shining to them 2. That as inevidence of doctrine was not the cause of not receiving the truth so not bare weakness of understanding no it is not weakness but wilfulness which is here intimated not a defect of their minds but their hearts Joh. 8.15 Because I tell you the truth ye believe me not It was not weakness but prejudice hindred their believing They despised the grace of God yea hated it for their lusts sake Their lusts lie more in opposition to the truth than speculative doubts and errors Luke 16.14 And the Pharisees who were covetous when they heard all these things they derided him the words are blew their Noses at him The sensual carnal and ungodly World scorneth heavenly doctrine and pure Christianity is distasted by false Christians Err in mind err in heart 3. It is not enough to receive the truth in the light of it but we must also receive it in the love of it or it will do us no good To make the truth operative 1. Knowledge is necessary and also Faith and then Love Knowledge for without knowledge the
â—e is Ephes. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not â—aving Spot or wriâ—kle or any such thing but that it should be Holy and without Blemish Then it is a glorious Church Christ hath done his whole Work Holiness is the Beauty of God himself Exod. 15.11 and puts an Excellency on us if we love it and imitate it Prov. 12.26 The Righteous is more excellent than his Neigbour But the way of the Wicked seduceth them We do not only excel other Men but we are more amiable in the sight of God Prov. 11.20 The Upright is his delight In short it is a part of Salvation it self and a Means to that which remaineth Act. 26.18 Inheritance among them which are Sanctified by Faith in Christ Iesus 3. Let us reflect upon our selves Have we God's Call Have we obeyed the Gospel This will clear up your Election to you 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure For if ye do these things ye shall never fall Do you find such a belief wrought in you by the Spirit as begins in brokenness of Heart and ends in Holiness for Christ came to call Sinners to Repentance Matth. 9.14 That is Men sensible of Sin to holiness of Heart and Life to return to God that we may first live to him and then with him 4. To improve the belief of the Glory promised 1. To sweeten Obedience or a câ—â—se of Holiness which for the present is so tedious to the Flesh. Now here is our Labour hereafter our Recompence 1 Cor. 5.58 Every day we should grow more meet for his Glory Col. 1.12 2. To a contempt of all Worldly Things good or evil If good many are pleased with this World 's good Things but have no affection to Spiritual and Heavenly Things Like the rebellâ—ous Israelites who more desired the Onions and Garlick of Egypt than the Milk and Honey of the Promised Land or the Celestial Manna Numb 11.5 6. Worse than Prodigals that rest satisfied with Husks of Swine than Bread which is in their Father's House They have their good Things Now we should remember we are called off from these Things from dreggy Contentments base Injoyments to the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 3. The evils of the World Crosses Afflictions After we have suffered a while the God of all Grace who hath called us unto his Eternal Glory by Christ Iesus make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you And 2 Tim. 2.11.12 It is a faithful saying For if we be dead with him we shall also live with him If we suffer we shall also reign with him Our Afflictions are both breves leves light and momentary 2 Cor. 4.17 For our light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Our sufferings are small if compared with the Reward The time short if compared with Eternity There is a two-fold Eternity that eternal Death which the Wicked must endure that eternal Life which we enter into This should sweeten all bitter Waters 4. To dispose and prepare us for Death The contemplation of Immortality hath left strong impressions on the Hearts of Heathens some Burnt themselves as impatient to tarry longer If a dark view vain hope cause this what should a sure Promise and Earnest of the Spirit do 2 Vse To the Called 1. Bless God for this Calling The woful Estate out of which we are called and the blessed Eâ—tâ—te into which we are entered compared togethâ—â— should make us wonder 1 Pet. 2.9 Ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous Light 2. Walk answerably Ephes. 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called And 1 Thess. 2.12 That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory SERMON XIII 2 Thess. 2.15 Therefore Brethren stand fast and hold the Traditions which ye have been taught whether by Word or our Epistle THE Apostle after he had comforted the Thessalonians he exhorteth them to constancy in the Truth what-ever temptations they had to the contrary The Comforts he propoundeth to them were taken 1. From their Election vers 13.2 From their Vocation vers 14. His Exhortation is to Perseverance Therefore Brethren c. In the words observe 1. The Illative Particle Therefore because God hath chosen you and called you and given you such advantages against Error and Seduction 2. The Duty inferred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stand fast It is a Military word you have the same in other places 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye stand ye fast c. Ephes. 6.14 Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth The word intimateth Perseverance 3. The Means of Perseverance Hold the Traditions which you have bin taught whether by Word or our Epistle Where observe 1. The Act. 2. The Object 1. The Act 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold with strong hand The word implyeth a forcible holding against Assaults whether of Error or Persecution The Thessalonians were assaulted in both kinds the Heathens persecuted them and some were gone abroad that began the Mystery of Iniquity and were ready to pervert them 2. The Object which is propounded 1. By a common and general term The Traditions which ye have bin taught 2. By a distribution Whether by Word or our Epistle I. The common and general term The Traditions which ye have bin taught There are two sorts of Traditions Humane and Divine First Humane Traditions are certain external Observances instituted by Men and delivered from hand to hand from Progenitors to their Posterity These may be either besides or contrary to the Word of God 1. Beside the Word as the Institutions of the Family of the Rechabites in the observance of which from Father to Son they were so exact and punctual that God produceth their example to shame the disobedience of his People Ier. 35.6 7. Jonadab the Son of Rechab our Father commanded us saying Ye shall drink no Wine nor build Houses nor plant Vineyards c. 2. Contrary to the Word of God such as were those of the Phariseeâ— Matth. 15.2 Why transgress ye the Commandment of God by your Traditions Humane Inventions in Religion are contrary to and destructive of Divine Laws Secondly Traditions Divine Are either Heavenly Doctrines revealed by God or Institutions and Ordinances appointed by him for the use of the Church These are the Rule and Ground of our Faith Worship and Obedience The whole Doctrine of the Gospel is a Tradition delivered and conveyed to us by fit Messengers such as the Apostles were 1 Cor. 11.2 Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember me in all things and keep the Ordinances Marg. Traditions as I delivered them to you So that holding the Traditions is nothing else but perseverance in Apostolical Doctrine II. The Distribution that
Benefits Therefore it is not the special but the general Love which first draweth in our hearts to God yea the Saints after some Testimonies received of God's special Love still make this to be the great ingaging Motive Gal. 2.20 I live by Faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Well then this is most likely to be meant by the Apostle II. This must needs give great boldness in Prayer 1. By this we see the God's Love is not a cold ineffectual Love that consists only in raw wishes but an operative active Love that issueth forth to accomplish what he intendeth to us though by the most costly means and acted at the dearest rate God is good and doth good Psal. 119.68 He hath a Love to us and will do good to us Our Love many times goes no further than good Wishes or good Words Be warmed be cloathed but giveth not those things which are needful to the Body Iames 2.16 but God resteth not in kind Wishes but giveth a full demonstration of it If Christ be needful to â—he Saints they shall have him if God spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 2. It is an act of such infinite Love in God to give us Christ to die for us such as may raise our wonder and astonishment God's Love is an unmeasurable Love â—nd so inlargeth our expectations and capacity for the reception of other things Ephes. 3.18 19. That ye may comprehend with all Saints to know what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the Love of Christ which passeth knowledg that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God There is such an immensity in the Love of Christ as raiseth our desire and hopes to expect all other things from God that belong to our Duty and Happiness If God will do this what will he not do for those whom he loveth He that hath given the greatest Gift will not stick at lesser things He that hath given a Talent shall he not give a Penny He that hath given Christ will he not give pardon to cancel our Debts Grace to do our Duty Comfort to support us in Afflictions Supplies to maintain and protect us during our Service Finally Will he not reward us when our Work is over Reconciliation by his Death is propounded as more difficult than Salvation by his Life Rom. 5.10 For if when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life 3. It is a Gift in order to other things and therefore he will compleat that Gift Christ came to purchase all manner of Blessings for us the Favour of God The â—ruition of God the everlasting Fruition of God in Glory and all things by the way nâ—câ—â—sary thereunto There are two Argumâ—â—â— implied 1. That God may now do us good without any impeachment of his Honour His Justice and Holiness is sufficiently demonstrated the Authority of his Law and Truth of his Threatnings kept up Rom. 3.25 26. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his Righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Iesus 2. That after God by an antecedent bounty hath layed the Foundation so broad and deep the consequent bounty which is as the upper Building for which this Foundation was intended will be laid on also It was said of the foolish Builder That he began and was not able to finish Surely the wise God if we be qualified and put no impediment on our part will finish what he hath begun 4. Because the giving of Christ sheweth how freely God will give all things to us he gave Christ unasked unsought to in this instance we see his free and undeserved love This was love to Rebels and Enemies when the World had corrupted their way and cast off God then Christ died for us a consideration which serveth to support our Confidence notwithstanding the sense of our unworthiness In the Covenant of Grace great and wonderful Mercies are given out to a world of Sinners and to our selves among the rest we see how loth God is Sinners should perish That sins may be pardoned if we will accept God's terms that hath given such general testimony of his Love to Mankind his Love to miserable sinners That is willing they should be reconciled that there is not so much difference between us and others as between him and all Now this incourageth us to fulfil the Conditions of the Gospel notwithstanding our unworthiness of the Privileges thereof 1. Vse is Caution Let us not have wrong thoughts of God when we come to him We think of God the Father as one that is all Wrath and Justice and unwilling to be reconciled to Man or brought to it with much difficulty No Christ came on purpose to show the Love and Loveliness of God to us for our Redemption came first out of the Bosom of God and Christ's mission into the World and dying for Sinners was the fruit of his Love and mainly for this end to give us a full Demonstration of the Love of God and his pity to the lost World of Sinners that when our Guilt had made him frightful to us we might not fly from him as a Condemning God but love Him and serve Him and pray to Him as one willing to be Reconciled to us therefore take heed what Picture of God you draw in your Minds Light and heat are not more abundant in the Sun than Love is in God 2. Vse of Direction to us How to conceive of God in Prayer as one that loveth us We have gained a great point when we are peâ—â—uaded of this and can come with this thought into his Presence that I am praying to a God that loveth me and will do me good You will say If I could come to that I have gained a great point indeed But what hindreth There is I confess a two-fold Love his General Love and his Special Love His General Love which intendeth Benefits to us and his Special Love which hath already put us in possession of them His General Love to the lost World and his Love and Mercy to us in particular putting us in possession of the saving Benefits purchased and intended 1. The General Love to the lost World that is a great thing the Devil seeketh to hide and obscure the wonderful Love of God revealed in our Redeemer that we may still fly from God as more willing to Punish than to Save and many poor dark Creatures gratifie his design We are still seeking signs and tokens of God's Love something to warrant us to come to God by Christ and to persuade us
that we shall be welcome if we do so and because we cannot find any thing in our selves that he will admit us we are troubled But all this while we are but seeking the Sun with a Candle What greater evidence of God's willingness to receive you than the Death of Christ than the Institutions of the Gospel This is above all Evidences that he sent his Son to die for us This is like the Iews who when they had seen many Wonders wrought by Christ would still have a new Sign the greatest Sign is given already Christ dying for a sinful World Men and Angels cannot find out a Sign Pledg and Confirmation of the Love of God above that Yet if that be not enough we have another Sign the Promises and Invitations of the Gospel which show his willingness to welcome Sinners Salvation is offered but not to named but described Persons Therefore if we are willing to come under these hopes upon God's Terms this may satisfy our scrupulous Minds there is no Bar put to us but what we put to our selves by our refusing the Grace as God offereth it Certainly God's Love and Mercy to lost Mankind is our first motive and his willingness to impart good things to them upon his own Terms and surely he is well pleased with our acceptance of them 2. There is Special Love where this Grace is applied to us Ephes. 2.4 5. But God who is rich in mercy for his great Love wherewith he loved us hath quickned us when we were dead in Trespasses and Sins He did not begin to love us when we were converted that is of a more ancient and eternal Rise but when he did begin to apply his Love to us and this is no ordinary but great Love when God was angry with us and pronounced Wrath on us in the Sentence of the Law and appeared as an Enemy in the course of his Providence and the apprehensions of our guilty Fears then to be Reconciled and surely this is a great advantage to draw nigh to God as a Reconciled Father This is the Object of our everlasting Love and Joy Rom. 5.11 And not only so but we also joy in God through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom we have now received the Atonement And this is a prop of confidence in Prayer Could we once believe that he dearly loves us and is reconciled to us and taketh us for his Children that he delighteth in our Prosperity Oh how chearfully could we come into his Presence John 16.27 The Father himself loveth you because you have loved me and believe that I came out from God They have not only his Intercession but the Father 's especial Love which is the ground and hope of Audience Now this particular Interest dependeth on something wrought in our Souls by the holy Spirit our Lord mentioneth two things their Faith in Christ and Love to God 1. Faith in Christ or a thankful acceptance of him as our Lord and Saviour therefore called receiving Christ and entitleth us to the Privileges of Christ's Children John 2.12 To as many as received him to them gave he liberty to become the Children of God even to as many as believe in his Name 2. Love to God John 14.21 He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and be that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and manifest my self to him And Vers. 23. If any Man love me he will keep my Words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him We cannot perceive our Interest in the special Love of God but by our Sincerity Faith in Christ and Love to God When we see God's Love taken in our Hearts we may know that he loveth us especially the latter for by the latter the former is manifested also Gal. 5.6 Faith worketh by Love Now the evidences of sincere Love to God are seeking after God and delighting in him if you cannot find the latter the former will evidence it to you Prov. 8.17 I love them that love me and those that seek me early shall find me The desiderium unionis the desiring seeking Love if it be serious and earnest it is sincere though you find not such delightful apprehensions of his Grace to you Clear that once and when you come to Prayer you may know God loveth you and the dearest Friend we have in the World hath not the thousandth part so much as he yea the highest Angel doth not love God so much as he loveth the lowest Saint God loveth like himself becoming the Greatness and Infiniteness of his own Beeing and with this persuasion pray to him Secondly The second ground of Audience is from the fruit of his Love as demonstrated in the New Covenant wherein we have the matter of everlasting Consolation Surely this Clause respects not the effect and sense in our own Hearts but respects the Matter and Object of our Comfort for he prayeth for the Application of it afterwards Comfort your Hearts c. And besides nothing is more fleeting and oftner interrupted than our Comfort in this Life It would contradict plain sense to call that Comfort which Christians feel and actually enjoy everlasting Comfort Therefore I understand it of the Matter and observe this Doctrine That God hath given all true Believers solid ground of perpetual and endless Comfort I will prove it by three Arguments 1. The Comforts propounded are of an everlasting Tendency and Benefit Pardon and Life to free us from everlasting Death and to bring us into the possession of everlasting Happiness when our Souls and Bodies shall be for ever glorified in Heaven Now the Consolation grounded on the promise of Eternal Life whatever it be in our feeling is in its causes and foundation Eternal The Scripture often insists upon this 1 John 2. 25. And this is the Promise that he hath promised us even Eternal Life Heb. 5.9 And being made Perfect he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him We have by Christ deliverance from Sin and and all the Consequents of it not only for a time but for ever Eternal Peace and Felicity is our Portion So it is said Psal. 119.111 Thy Testimonies have I taken for an Heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my Heart It is not an Heritage to lean upon for a while as all our Worldly Comforts are but for ever So Psal. 73.26 God is my Portion for ever That is when all other things fail have spent their allowance can afford us no more relief then we begin to enjoy our true and proper Portion It were endless to heap up places Man for his Sin was cast out of Paradise but surely in the other World there is no change of Estate for Men are past their Trial and must be what they are for ever If you could imagin as some have had the large charity to conceit it
glad and rejoice in thee we will remember thy Love more than Wine the Vpright love thee God's Ordinances are not empty there is some participation 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we brake is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ Vse 5. Consider the ends why God giveth us Comfort it is to fortify us against the Enemies of our Salvation so far as they are vexing and troubling and molesting us in the way to Heaven The Spirit hath two great Offices to be a Sanctifier and Comforter and both serve all the needs of Christians When we are inticed to Sin he helps us as a Santifyer when we are discouraged in God's Service he helps us as a Comforter And therefore Christians are to consider their condition and what their present state requireth for God dispenseth his Grace according to the Assaults made upon them by the Enemies of their Salvation As for instance Our Enemies are the Devil the World and the Flesh these we renounced in Baptism And in the progress of Christianity these are those with whom we conflict and must overcome As for instance The Devil is a tempting Devil who seeketh to draw away the Saints from God and by the love of the Flesh to weaken our Love and Obedience to our proper and our rightful Lord. Now what are we to do in this case to beg Comfort and Peace that we may not be troubled though we yield unto his Temptations Alas this were to turn the Grace of God into Wantonness No we are to be sober and watchful 1 Pet. 5.8 to use all the Rules of Sobriety and Vigilancy that our Worldly Comforts may not be a snare to us Sobriety is an Holy Moderation in the use of all earthly things Vigilancy is an Holy Diligence and seriousness in the use of Means and also add to both the help of the Sanctifying Spirit that we may keep up our Love to God and be faitful in our Obedience to him But the Devil is not only a tempting Devil but a vexing and disquieting Devil who accuseth us before God day and night Rev. 12.10 raiseth in us many troublesome Fears to make our Service uncomfortable and tire us and clog us What is our Duty then to beg the help of the Comforter not only to shew Love to God but that we may have some persuasion of his Love to us and quench his fiery Darts that we may go on chearfully in our Work because the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shorâ—ly Rom. 16.20 So for the World The World is a tempting World drawing our Affections from God and Heaven to present things and when it smileth on us in incroaches upon our Heart more and more 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present World Now what is our business then to beg comfort and assurance of God's Love No that would be our Bane there is work for the Sanctifier rather than the Comforter that the worldly Spirit may be subdued in us there is need of Mortification rather than Assurance that we may be crucified to the World Gal. 6.14 But sometimes the World is a Persecuting World and reproacheth and troubleth us with all manner of vexations then there is work for the Comforter to seal up to our Souls the Love of God or Interest in Christ John 16.33 These things have I spoken to you that in me ye â—ight have peace in the World ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the World and to become to our Souls the Earnest of eternal Glory Comfort is for Tribulation at other times we are glutted with it but then it is our great support When all tâ—ings fail we feel the great necessity of the Joys of Faith It is good to time well our Duties David saith Psal. 56.3 What time I am afraid I will trust in thee So for the Flesh it inticeth us Iames 1.14 Every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed Many times it draweth to Actual Sin by indulgence to its desires yea disposeth us often to Apostacy and falseness of Heart for Apostacy usually begins at falseness of Heart when the fleshly Mind and Interest is not throughly overcome Well when we are conscious to this what shall we do in such a case Certainly the great and proper Work is to beg the Spirit and implore the Spirit as a Sanctifier and to be more obedient to his sanctifying Motions Comfort will come in time Well but the Flesh is not only inticing but troublesom and grievous to the Saints witness Paul's groans Rom. 7.24 Oh wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this Death We are quite wearied and tired out with the importunity of its motions we would serve God more purely and perfectly Then there is work for the Comforter and confidence in his Operations to help the faithful Soul Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perform it unto the day of Iesus Christ. Then it is seasonable to remember the Covenant we are under Rom. 6.14 For Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the Law but under Grace The serious striving Soul will not be left destitute Thus must we expect Comfort Vse 6. Remember that Comfort hath a latitude in it and is expressed by divers words 1. Sometimes by it Support is implied when the sense of Sin and fear of God's Wrath is not altogether removed and taken away but so mitigated and abated that Hope doth more easily prevail in the Soul than Fear And we resolve to wait on God though we cannot so fully clear up our Interest in him You have many Conflicts and Fears yet some Hope and Expectation towards God Jonah 2.4 5. I am cast out of thy sight yet will I look again to thy Holy Temple Resolute adherence giveth great support Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him I will maintain my own ways before him He dependeth merely on the Covenant 2. Peace or some rest from Troubles and accusations of Conscience there is some calm and quiet of Soul Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy Assaulted with none or light Fears Iohn 16.33 In me ye shall have Peace I will give you Peace though not full Spiritual Suavities 3. The third word is Joy 1 Pet. 1.8 Ye rejoice with Ioy unspeakable and full of Glory In Peace all things are quiet they have no anxious Thoughts but in Joy there is a sensible motion of Pleasure and Delight they are feasted with the pleasures of Faith Love and Hope Let us then bless God for any degree of Comfort SERMON XVIII 2 Thess. 2.17 And stablish you in every