fulfilled his Law and conversed many yeares among men and that therein while he did so he gave us many blessed experiments of his love and mercy to poore sinners in healing the sick in giving sight to the blinde in raising the dead And while he conversed among men he taught and discovered in a great measure the mysteryes of his Fathers counsells to us that else we could never have known and gave us a holy patterne and example of life in humility and patience and delligence and prayer and thankfulnesse All these things are good newes and glad tidings to poore sinners every part of them Then the Gospel tells us that this Lord Jesus Christ after he had walked among men for many yeares together that then as a Publicke person and second Adam and our Surety he did lay downe his life and die for our sins But you will say Where is the good newes from that Hence it is that poore sinners are reconciled to God they are made friends with God Hence it is that poore sinners are redeemed from all their enemies sin and death and wrath and curse and hell all these by the death of the Lord Jesus are removed Then the Gospel tells you that Jesus Christ as hee died for our sins so he rose againe for our justification he rose againe from the dead the third day whereby poor sinners are assured that they are justified and freed from all their sins and whereby they shall rise to grace here and their soules and bodies shall rise to glory hereafter with Christ and whereby they shall rise out of all afflictions also in due time For the resurrection of Christ is the ground of our resurrection out of afflictions in this world and every tittle of this is glad tidings and good newes to poore sinners Then the Gospel tells you that after his resurrection he conversed with his Disciples and not with the world and that he met with his Disciples from one mountaine to another from one Towne to another for a few dayes after and there he made many precious Prayers to his Father for them and for all that should believe in him and there he gave them instructions and directions how they should order the Churches of God and Preach the Gospel to the end of the world And then you know the Gospel tells us that he went up into heaven and from heaven as soone as he came there he sent his holy Spirit to us to unite us to Christ to be our Intelligencer to make known the heart of Christ to us to lead us into all truth to comfort us in all distresses and to make intercession in us till we come to heaven where he is And the Gospel tells us this good newes that when he went to heaven he made way for poore sinners to come there and that there he intercedes for us and there succours us and pities us when we are in the flesh as he was once Then the Gospel tells us that in due time he will come againe from heaven as he went and bring a Crowne with him and actually subdue all his peoples enemies and give them the same glory that he hath and they shall be one with God for ever as he is he will come and take poore sinners to himselfe that they shall be where he is and as he is world without end The Gospel tells you moreover that all this love and grace and mercy and salvation by Jesus Christ here and in Heaven it is all made sure to us by an everlasting Covenant sure perfect in every point as David saith And this Covenant is sealed with the blood of the Testator the Lord Jesus that it might be sure and he hath also sent Pastors and Teachers to make known this Gospel and he hath given the seale of the Lords Supper and Baptisme to confirme this Gospel Put all together and from the first to the last you shall not finde in the Ministery of the Gospel if it be truely and soundly opened any sillable but what is wholesome and comfortable and sweet and glad tidings to the worst sinners Only to cleare it more fully to you there are some objections that you may make for Beloved it were a happy thing if we did fully understand this Lesson and fully believe it therefore that it may sink into your hearts I will tell you all that I know can be said against it One objection is you will say the Ministery of the Gospel is not so very good because we poore sinners doe not heare any thing in it for the body we doe not heare any thing in it of honour and wealth we see people as poor after they receive Christ as ever they were and it may be poorer and if God did mingle in the Gospel earthly things with heavenly than it were good newes worth the hearing Beloved concerning that I answer but in two words All the happinesse of this world consists either in honour or wealth As for honour if you believe in God if you receive Jesus Christ the Gospel brings you tidings that whereas now you are poore people that no body cares for you shall be Kings and Queens as Christ is a King so you shall be Kings and his daughters shall be Queenes Nay you shall be Princes in all Lands You know earthly Kings are but Princes in their severall Kingdomes as the King of Spaine and the King of England c. But the Saints for honour are Princes in all Lands They shall binde Kings in Chaines and Nobles in fetters of Iron such honour have all his Saints You must look on it beloved with a spirituall eye And if there be any reallitie in that that they call honour this is not a notion but there is more reallitie in spirituall honour than in Carnall Take carnall men that call you honourable and worshipfull and the like you know all these are but words and a puffe of winde when they are present but they are hatefull and hate one another when they are gone as the Apostle saith But if a man receive Christ in the Ministery of the Gospel there is true honour that is such a man will be respected in the hearts of others not only in the eyes of God and godly men but in the hearts of the wicked for in their hearts they will say such a man is an honourable man such a woman is an honourable woman they will not do any thing against their consciences and disobey Christ they had rather die Beloved there is more realitie in this honour you shall be Princes and Kings and Queenes And then you shall have innumerable companies of Angels you shall be in as glorious a condition as they and somewhat better you shall have them to waite on you You consider not this because you settle not your selves to search spirituall priviledges you shall have an innumerable company of Angels to waite on
we read that there was perfect Gospel or only good newes and glad tidings for the bad newes was now all gone And so it is to be understood here Goe preach the Gospel As if he should say I doe not my disciples bid you goe and give them now good newes and then bad to give them a little of the Law and a line of Gospel but goe preach the Gospel emphatically that is meerly purely Gospel for now Christ is risen from the dead and now the Gospel in the purity and simplicity is erected Goe preach the Gospel To every creature What should be the meaning of that We know that in the Scripture language creature most usually signifies not men but beasts things without life as in Rom. 8. you have it twice or thrice The creature groaneth the beasts and the woods and every thing that God hath made as being a name somewhat too low for men in the ordinary Scripture expression Yet so as it comprehends men for men also are sometimes called creatures Now what should the meaning of this be that now the Gospel being to be purely and fully and compleatly set up whether the Lord Jesus would have them preach and make known glad tidings to all creatures that is that even the bruit beasts and these creatures without life that they should have glad tidings and good newes from the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ I will not averr that it is so that that is the meaning of it but surely beloved there is no creature under heaven but hath a great deale of glad tidings and good newes from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for we read Rom. 8. that the creature groanes and the creature exspects deliverance and redemption All these creatures by sinne are brought into slavery and certainly they shall partake of the libertie of the Sonnes of God there is a redemption for them out of slavery as well as for men by the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ But what that shall be or in what sort I cannot determine Now whether you will understand it so that our Lord Christ meant not men and women only but that by creature the poore creatures that are without life and bruit beasts and all might understand the precious worth of this Gospel Or take it more restrained as generally the godly doe that by creature here is meant the Gentiles in opposition to the Jewes for they knew that they were to preach the Gospel to the Jewes which they also did before the resurrection but now saith Christ Goe preach the Gospel to every creature That is now I will have no distinction of persons I doe not now say take heed of the way of the Samaritans but goe which way you will goe to the Gentiles to Sinners to any men or women that you can call creatures Scithians Barbaririan bond or free goe and preach the Gospel to them bring them glad tidings and newes that Iesus Christ hath brought life grace salvation freely for them That this is the meaning compare it with Mat. 28. 19. Goe therefore teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Here it is goe preach to every creature there it is goe teach all nations I will have no partition or distinction between them saith Christ I gave you leave and often bid you teach the Jewes before but now goe teach the Gentiles for the world was then divided into those two parts Jewes and Gentiles goe teach the Gentiles goe teach every creature But some may say Why doth not our Lord then say goe teach the Gentiles as well as the Jew Why doth he call them creatures I answer it is not an ordinary expression to call men creatures in the Scripture But the reason as I conceive is this because the Gentiles were great sinners and the greatest of sinners And that you shall see clearly in divers places as in Mat. 5. where Christ forbids us to take care for tomorrow what we shall eat and what we shall drink why for saith he after these things the Gentiles seek that is the worst of sinners and we must not be like them So in Ephs. 4. the Apostl would not have them darkned in their understandings and walk as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mindes So in 1 Pet. 3. It is an ordinary expression in Scripture where great sinners are spoken of either they are called Gentiles or else compared to Gentiles Col. 2. Are wee not Jews and not sinners of the Gentiles that is the Gentiles were the greatest sinners that were now they being the greatest sinners the Lord calls them creatures and not men because it is an ordinary expression in Scripture to call wicked people beasts rather than men Isaiah 11. they are called Beares and VVolves and Tigers and Foxes and Doggs and Bulls c. So in Hos. 1. compared with 1 Pet. 3. You that were not a people saith Peter hath God made his people They were not a people God will not ordinarily vouchsafe wicked men and women the name of people but they were not a people What were they then They were Dogs for filth inesse Foxes for cunning Tigers for cruelty and Beares and such kind of creatures Therefore the Jews were called the people of the Lord not onely to distinguish them from others but they were called the people of God as we see in Exodus it was a priviledge to be accounted a people first and then the people of the Lord Therefore the Lord Jesus because hee would not have his Disciples make any exception hee calls them creatures as if he should say my Disciples though they be so sinful that according to the ordinary Scripture language you cannot call them men and women or people yet they are creatures and goe preach the Gospel to every creature go to the Gentiles the greatest sinners in the world whom I will not vonchsafe to call a people yet they are creatures goe preach the Gospel to them So that now I am come to the lesson which we are to observe and that is this That the Ministerie of the Gospel especially after the resurrection of Jesus Christ Containes nothing but glad tidings and good newes even to the worst of sinners Creatures that were so bad that they could not be called men and women yet saith Christ goe preach the Gospel pure Gospel gladtidings to them I say the Ministery of the Gospel if it be rightly dispensed doth not containe a tittle in it but perfect good newes and glad tidings to the heart of the worst of sinners For this is the proper difference between the Law and the Gospel The Law speaks good newes but only to the righteous if thou doe well thou shalt be rewarded if thou fulfill the Law thou shalt have life the Law speakes well to a man quatinus as a righteous man but the
Ministers forced on people 2. 28 Gospel Ministers to be imbraced 2. 45 see stumbling-blocks Afflictions moderated to the Saints 2. 20 Modestie a law of nature 1. 119 Common multitude cause of the present contentions 1. 134 N Nature THe law of nature to be looked too 1. 118 Gods ordinary commands agree with the law of nature 1. 119 Contrary names put upon men and things 1. 101 Names of persons and things changed by the Devill 1. 131 Service of naturall men hard 1. 33 Magistrates may determine in necessary indifferent things 1. 109 The Ministery of the Gospel nothing but good news 2. 6 Latitude of Saints in the new Testament 1. 12 see grace liberty O Offended see law OFfices and officers in the new Testament 1. 17. Saints tyed more strictly of Old 1. 8 see lawfull grace Punctuall lawes in the Old Testament 1. 15. Old Testament spirit what 1. 95 Sign of an old testament-spirit 1. 91 How men deprive themselves of opportunities 1. 147 Christians must walk orderly 1. 86 Things done disorderly how 1. 87 What hinders men from winning others 1. 53 see law P Papists HArdnesse of Papists service 1. 33 Men offended that their party is spoken against 1. 163. see engagement Posseover strictly observed 1. 16 What actiins tend to Peace 1. 71 The way to peace 1. 100. 122 No peace to the wicked how 2. 34. see selfe prosperity Some men thinke truth alway goes with persecution 1. 175 Persecution of Saints a priviledge 2. 19 Decency in respect of a Christians person 1. 78 Place of meeting to worship how to be determined 1. 108 Pope his practise 1. 48 Power given in the Gospel to doe what is required 2. 23 Practise see Pope Bishops Things worthy praise what 1. 85 Praise only to God 1. 86 Of preaching 1. 116 Precepts of severall sorts 1. 56 see rule Prejudice inconvenient 1. 172 Of Presbytery 1. 49 Falle Presbytery 1. 101 True Presbytery 1. 102 Presbytery and Independents wherein they differ Ibid Presbyterians judgment 1. 124 Contention from carnall Presbyterians 1. 129 Principles and ends of carnall Presbyterians 1. 136 see contention Principles see Presbytery Priviledge see persecution Outward prophanenesse by whome allowed 1. 43 Decency in respect of profession 1. 80 Profit meant by expediency 1. 66 Profit how brought by actions expedient 1. 68 profitable see sin Truth goes not alway with prosperity 1. 173 Prosperity sometimes goes with truth 1. 75 Of singing Psalmes 1. 115 Things pure what 1. 85 Q Christians full of Questions why 1. 140 R THe Saints must be dealt with rationally 1. 110 Reason of three sorts 1. 117 Right reason what Ibid Rediculous to tie the Saints where Christ hath not 1. 50 Religion presented by some as rediculous 1. 146 Christ came to work redemption 2. 14 Decency in regard of a Christians relation 1. 79 Religion see endlesse burthen Things of good report what 1. 85 Benefit by Gospel reproofe 2. 31 Right hand errours 1. 44 Rigour not to be used in determining things 1. 111 The Law the outward and the Spirit the inward rule 1. 13 What precepts or examples make a rule 1. 58 To walke all by the same rule 1. 103 Every thing in Scripture not a rule 1. 166 see Scripture S SAlvation to be accepted of from Christ 1. 37 Wrong wayes to salvation 2. 12 Rules mis-drawen from Scripture 1. 168 Heed in drawing rules from Scripture 1. 169 see Canon Rule Decency in regard of season 1. 82 The way to peace in a mans self 1. 138 Self a hindrance to expedient walking 1. 177 Ministers not to run before they be sent 2. 51 The Saints under the old Testament servants 1. 17 Decency in regard of sex 1. 80 Engagement to sinners to come to Christ 1. 26 Leaving of sin profitable 2. 21 God makes no peace with sinne 2. 35 Salvation offered to sinners as sinners 2. 36 see lawfull singing see Psalmes Difference small between Indedependents and Presbyterians 1. 125 Sobriety a help to expedient walking 1. 177 Saints in the new Testament sonnes 1. 17 Expedient actions for the good of the soul 1. 74 The service of the devil will one day be soure 1. 34 Saints in the new Testament have more of the Spirit 1. 19 Christs Kingdom spiritual 1. 20 The Spirit enables to doe what is required 1. 35 Spirituall things to be studied 1. 105 Spiritual Christians their carriage 1. 141 Spirituall things by whom relished 1. 155 Spirit by whom restrained 2. 29 see rule Ministers to woe men as spouses for Christ 1. 28 Strength not given to keepe lawes of our owne making 1. 139 Men strive about unlikely things 1. 126 Men strive about that they cannot proue 1. 127 Doctrine not to be abused to strife 1. 165 Gospel way a strict way 1. 94 To be strict in point of expediency 1. 98 Stumbling-blocks keep men from Christ 1. 27 Stumbling-blocks removed 1. 162 Saints now tied chiefely to the substance of things 1. 23 see supper To submit to Christs laws 1. 38 To look to our principles against times of suffering 1. 176 Supper of the Lord how ordained 1. 16 Substance of the Lords Supper set downe 1. 24 Sweetnesse in the Devils service whence it is 1. 34 Sweetnesse in Christs service not tasted Ibid T EVery thing in the Gospel glad tidings 2. 11 Gospel tidings great and true 2. 48 Gospel tidings to be spread abroad Ibid Tie see ridiculous Time of publique worship by whom to be aetermined 1. 107 Comforts against troubles 2. 51 Things true what 1. 84 Saints of old as children under tutours 1. 18 V SIgne of unbeliefe 2. 36 understand see liberty Unsetlednesse in Religion whence 2. 37 W VVatchfulnesse a help to expedient walking 1. 179 Weak Christians cause contentions 1. 129 Nothing commanded by God to be weakened 1. 165 Some make the way wider than Christ hath made it 1. 40 Expedient actions tend to the winning of others 1. 73 see others Carnall wisdome a hindrance 1. 176 Spirituall wisdome a help to expedient walking 1. 177 God wil interpret his own word 1. 174 Fancy to be subjected to the word 1. 178 Notions to be followed as they agree with the word The maine work of salvation done already 1. 29 Liberty in the externalls of Gods worship 1. 15 No liberty in the substance of Gods worship Ibid The maine work done concerning worship 1. 104 Y Yoake of Christ what 1. 9. READER THe number of the Pages in the latter three Sermons beginning with 1 2 3 c. For thy ease in the use of the Table I have set down what is contained in the nine former Sermons as Part 1. In the three latter as Part 2. Whereby with ease may be found any head in either T. S. Act. 17. 21. Judg. 3. 21. 2. King 9. 6 Mat 28. 19 Luk. 2. 10 Joh. 3. 16. Heb. 6. 8. Isa. 52. 7. 2 Sam 18. 27. The words opened Gospel what meant by it Creature what meant by it Gentiles called creatures Quest Answ. Gentiles the worst of sinners Doct. The Ministery of the Gospel containes nothing but good newes to the worst of sinners Difference between the Law and the Gospel Nothing but good newes now in the Gospel Heb. 12. 18. 19. c. opened Every particular in the Gospel glad tidings The Gospel shewes mans wretched condition 2. The wrong wayes and meanes that men use for salvation 3. It holds forth Gods love to sinners 4. Gods love fruitful 5. Christ came to work redemption 6. Christ died for us 7. He roase from death 8. Conversed with his discipls 9. Ascended into heaven 10. Intercedes for us 11. shall come to judgement 12. Gods Covenant Object Concerning outward things Answ. Psalme 45. Psal 149. Spirituall honour reall Angels waite on the Saints Saints right to outward things Object The Gospel brings persecutions Ans. 1. they are priviledges 2. They are moderated Object The Gospel requires men to forsake sin Answ. 1. Leaving of sin profitable The Gospel teacheth to hate sinne Object The Gospel requireth dutie Answ. 1. Not on paine of damnation 2. The Gospel gives power to do what it requireth 3. Gospel duties few and easie 1. Cor. 15. Object The Gospel requires Faith Answ. The Gospel breeds faith Object Discipline and government in the Gospel Ans. Two wrong governments since Christ Papacie Episcopacy Evils in both governments 1. Concerning their power 2. Their Lorldlines in two things 1. In imposing lawes on mens consciences 2. In sorcing men to obey those lawes 3. Forcing Ministers Officers on the people 4. Their power excercised against the Saints 5. Restraining the Spirit in preaching praying 6. Their lawes backed by secular power The two worst things in the Gospel good newes 1. Reproofe Benefit of Gospel reproofe 2 Excomunication Object No peace to the wicked Ans. three Wayes 1. It is rather Law than Gospel 2. God will not make peace with sin though hee doth with sinners 3. No peace to men that continue in sin under the Gospel Object Answer How judgments are pronounced against sinners Quest Ans. Continuance in sin a signe of unbeliefe use 1. To learne that in the Gospel salvation s offered o sinner s sinners Unsetlednesse in religion whence Many doe little for God why Use 2. To labour for aperfect spirit of adoption Full spirit of adoption what Feares horrours whence The damnation of them that refuse the Gospel just Damnation mentioned frequently in the new-Testament why Whose destruction God laughs at Vse 2. Gospel Ministers to be imbraced use 5. To hearken to and inquire after the Gospel Gospel tidings great and true use 6. To spread these glad tidings to others Gospel-preaching not to be hindred New light discovered in these dayes Cautions Learning not to be disparaged Men not run before they be sent Vse 7. Comfort against present troubles Vse 8. 1. Not to corrupt the Gospel 2. Not to mingle Law and Gospel 2. It is legall to do good or abstain from evill for fear of judgment Cause of divisions Vse 9. To receive the Gospel 1. To beleve it 2. Embrace it with joy 3. To give up our selves to it