the grace of Christ and in Christ is seasonable when the soul is under temptation and under Affliction Is not that a lofty and a lovely expression For peace I had great bitterness Isa 38.17 but thou in love to my soul hast delivered it from the pit of corruption for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back 10. Grace in Christ is surpassing grace Sin is an evil thing Sin is an evil the evil of evils Ther 's evil and nothing but evil in sin Sin is evil but grace is good sin is worse but grace is best Sin is a large Field a large Territory but grace is a larger Sin is the largest Territory in the World but grace Mans Ephah is full of sin but Gods Ephah is fuller of grace Mans cup is full but Gods cup is over full and that for an Eternity For as sin has reigned unto Death Rom 5. 〈◊〉 so hath grace reigned through righteousness unto eternall life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Here is sin reigning unto death but here 's grace reigning unto Eternal life The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal life Rom. 6. 〈◊〉 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ther 's sin enough in man to damn man ther 's grace enough in Christ to save man Ther 's sin enough in man to damn man and that for an Eternity ther 's grace enough in Christ to save man and that for an Eternity 3. How this grace is in Christ that is sufficient for a Christian under temptation Grace is in Christ two wayes Formally and causally 1. Formally Grace is in Christ Formally as in the subject of it Christ is the God of grace In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God But what then The word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us and we beheld his glory Jo. 1.1 14 the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth 2. Causally Grace is in Christ Causally as in the fountain of it As Christ is the God of it so he is the giver of it for he is thee head of the Church Col. 1.13 And he is thee head of the body the Church Now thus Christ is in a manifold respect 1. Because Christ is above the Church and ruleth it as the Head guideth the body Christ is soveraign as well as Saviour and Surety He is therefore called King of Saints Rev. 15.3 2. Because Christ conveyeth Life into the Church as the Head to the Members Christ giveth life to the Church Maintaineth life in the Church yea Christ in the Churches life Col. 3.4 When he who is our life shall appear 3. Because Christ provideth for the Church as the Head doth for the Members Christ gives the Church Manna yea Christ doth not onely feed the Church but is the Churches Food and he is at once Meat and Medicine I am the bread of life Jo. 9.48 4. Because Christ Participates with the Church in the same nature with it as the Head doth with the Members For we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities Heb. 4.15 but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin 4. Why there is in Christ for a Christian a sufficiency of Grace under temptation In a three-fold respect God Christ and the Christian. 1. In respect of God God 2 Tim. 2.16 because his foundation standeth sure The foundation of God standeth sure having this Seal the Lord knoweth them that are his God knoweth those all those that he hath given unto Christ and he hath laid up in Christ a sufficiency of grace for these that they may not miscarry for an Eternity 2. In respect of Christ because he is to lose none that are given unto him Christ While Christ was in the World he kept his and upon his going out of the World he ingaged the Father to keep them As God knows all that are given unto Christ so Christ is to keep all that are given unto him Jo. 17.11 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy Name those that thou hast given me have I kept and none of them is lost but the Son of perdition that the Scripture may be fulfilled Jo. 17.12 But where did the Scripture speak this of Judas Let his dayes be few and let another take his Office Psa 109.8 3. In respect of the Christian As there is a sufficiency of grace in Christ upon Gods account and upon his own Christian so upon the Christians 1. In order to the strengthening of the Christian Ther 's a fulness of grace in Christ for Christians that Gods power may be made known yea 2 Cor. 12.9 10. made perfect in mans weakness This appears by the words after the Text for speaking of his grace as sufficient in the Text he gives this reason For my power is made perfect in weakness and when I am weak then am I strong When I am weak in flesh I am strong in Spirit when I am weak in my self I am strong in my Saviour Christ can say Paul thou art weak but I am strong yea I am strength The strength of Israel that cannot lye Now there is a Sufficiency of grace in Christ that a Christian may be strengthned under all his troubles and trials under all his Temptations and Tribulations 2. In order to the smiling of the Christian We use to say a Christian life is like a Courtiers life for upon the favour or disfavour of the Prince depends the Comfort or discomfort of the Courtier Thus upon the smiles or frowns of Christ depend the comfort or discomfort of the Christian A Christian is like the Marigold concerning which they say that it opens with the shining and shuts with the setting of the Sun If the Sun of Righteousness set in a Cloud 't is as Death to the Christian but if this Sun of Righteousness break thorough a Cloud 't is as life to the Christian Christ will not alwayes frown lest the Spirit should fail before him and the soul which he have made If ever a drooping desponding despairing soul be comforted Christ must be the Text and the Preacher too I even I am he that comforteth thee Now there is a sufficiency of grace in Christ in order to a Christians comfort Jo. 6.63 The words that he speak they are Spirit and they are Life 3. In order to the feeding of a Christian Ther 's a sufficiency of grace in Christ that the Christian may feed upon the promiss that when he hath nothing in his purse he may find enough in the promiss and when he hath nothing in his private hand he may find enough in his publique head Feeding upon the promise is believing in the promiss for the promiss is a ground for Faith as the precept is a Rule for Obedience
calls when he will Caesar when he saw Alexanders Statue wept having though young done so much when himself had done so little Dost thou see a green one in the way to Heaven when thou a gray one art in the way to Hell Here 's cause for mourning but not for despairing because God who can have mercy on whom he will will have mercy when he will 2. To those in a state of Grace 1. Art gray but gracious make then death familiar There are few that have much familiarity with Christ when they die but those that have made death familiar before they die That 's the soul that goes singing home when he dies that makes death familiar while he lives That 's the soul that can laugh death in the face when he dies that makes death familiar while he lives This is the soul that through grace can say Oh death where is thy sting Oh grave 2 Tim. 4.6 where is thy victory Paul had not only a knowledge that he should not long live before he died for he could say I know the time of my departure is at hand Phil. 1.23 but he had made death very familiar while he lived for he could say I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far much better Man is a Mass of Mutabilities be daily therefore reading Lectures upon thy mutability Man is but a wink of life be daily therefore reading Lectures upon thy mortality the Heathens Embleme for life Oculus apertus oculus clau 〈◊〉 was an eye opâ—n and for death an eye shut as if there were no more difference between the living and the dying but the twinkling of an eye 2. Art gray and gracious multiply cries then for thy children if thou hast children Thus Abraham did Oh that Ishmael might live in thy sight Now he having such a spirit of Prayer would not only pray for the life of his body but also for the life of his soul according to my Charity towards him Thus David did for the child he had by Bathsheba at first the child was sick He prayed and fasted and lay upon the earth all night Now David 2 Sa. 12.16 having such a spirit of Prayer such is my charity concerning him also did not only pray for the life of the body but also for the life of the soul Have not many sick children and some sinful children multiply cries then for these Oh Lord make this Ishmael an Isaac Oh Lord make this Esau a Jacob Oh Lord make this Cain an Abel Oh Lord make this Benoni a Benjamin this son of sorrow a son of my right hand Oh Lord make this Dinah a daughter of Abraham this wandring daughter a believing daughter 3. Art gray and gracious and hast children concern thy soul then with their Education Good Parents good Masters good Tutors and good Guardians are many times great Blessings to Children Now that Parents are to look after the Education of their Children ther 's both Precept and President Precept Commands are Obligatory the Commands of God and Christ are not to be Dispenced with these are to be Dispatched not Disputed a Dispensation from the Italian-Monster is altogether Insignificiant as to these Commands Now that there is a Parental obligation for a filial Education is evident And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath lest they be discouraged Eph. 6.4 but bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. Nutriment of Soul as well as Nourishment of Body should be in the Parents Eye If the Father be desirous that the Body of the Child should grow bigger he is to be more then desirous that the soul of the Child should grow better Only take heed to thyself Deu. 4.9.10 and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the dayes of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons Specially the day that thou stoodst before the Lord thy God in Horeb when the Lord said unto me Gather the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the dayes that they shall live upon the Earth and that they may teach their Children This is still evident by what follows These words which I command thee this day Deu 6.6 7. shall be in thy heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Once more Isa 38.9 The Fathers to the Children shall make known thy Truth 2. President How careful were the Heathen that Chidren might have Education Morally good Now not Christian Parents Believing Parents endeavour an Education Spiritually good An Vnbroken heart and an Vnchatechised head Gen. 18 19. will keep distance enough between a Sinless Creator and a Sinfull Creature Is there not sufficient President for this Practise Did not Abraham read Divinity Lectures to his Family Take the Testimony of God himself For I know him that he wlll Command his Children and his Household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to doe Justice and Judgment c. Thus Abraham did and did there not grow upon the Stalk of his Instructions as as eminent service and obedience to the Father of flesh and to the Father of spirits as ever was was not Isaac willing to offer his Throat to the sacrificing Knife was not Isaac's faith great as well as Abrahams the sons as well as the fathers And was not the son's life as dear to him as the fathers son was to him Once more and no more as to this I will open my mouth in a Parable I will utter dark sayings of old which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their childrer shewing to the generation to come the Praises of the Lord c. for he established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israâ—l which he commanded our fathers that they should makâ— them known to their children that the generation to come might know them even the children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children Ps 78.2 3 4 5 6 7. That they might set their hope in God and not forget the Works of God but keep his Commandments Question 1. But what Reasons may be given besides Precept and President why Parents should Concern their Souls with the education of their Children Solution 1. Because of its ordinary Tendency Train up a Child in the way he should goe what then and when he is old he will not depart from it In which words Pro. 22. â— you have the Fathers Duty and the Childs Mercy the one to train up when young the way he should goe the other to be trained up when young the way he
Armed man and like a Mighty Stream threatning to bear down all before it Oh what Generation is the next like to be if this be thus Vpon Pauls healing the impotent man the cry was Gods are come down to us in the likeness of men Act. 14 1â— But may not the cry now be Devils are come up to us in the likeness of men Are there not many men now like so many Incarnate Devils Do they not look upon Oaths as the greatest Rhetorick and upon Adultery as the greatest Pleasure Do they not look upon Murder as a just revenge and upon Polygamy as an Ornament to worldly Grandure If this Generation be thus what is the next Generation like to be I have read of one Father and 't was pity there should be that one to read of who liked his Children the better for resembling him in wickedness I have also read of others who hearing their Ancestors were gone to hell said that they would go thither too Do not many Parents now seem to be unwilling to go to hell without their Children indulging them in all manner of Impiety and Impurity Is it not enough for them to go to hell but must their Children follow them Certainly now these things considered it is incumbent upon Parents to look after the Education of their Children 2. To the Young Now these have Grace or have it not To these therefore distinctly 1. To the Young that have Grace I have two words to these 1. Art Green and yet hast Grace Admire then the Riches of Free-Grace Hath God plucked thee as a brand out of the Fire and left the rest of the Children to dwell with everlasting Burnings Oh infinite mercy Art not only born but born again born of water and of the Spirit Oh Matchless mercy Are not only many young ones but many old ones yet in their blood bleeding to death and 't is to be feared an Eternal death and hath Jehovah God said unto thee Live Oh Admire then the Riches of Free-Grace Oh let this be thy Holy and thy Heavenly boasting in all places 1 Cor. 15.10 and amongst all Persons By the grace of God I am that I am 2. Art Green and yet hast Grace Be joyous then thy Joy may be greatest when thou art Oldest Polycarpus could say when he was old Thus many years have I served my Master Christ and hitherto hath he dealt well with me Those are like to have most Peace when and while they are old that have Grace when and while they are young For thou art my hope Oh Lord God thou art my trust from my youth Psal 71.5 17 18. Oh God thou hast taught me from my youth Now also I am gray-headed for sake me not 2. To the young that have not grace Art young and hast not grace set then upon this work and Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Oh now begin to concern thy soul with the concerns of thy soul Quest But what Directions may be given to young ones that are graceless ones Solut. 1. Look not upon death at a distance in the days of thy youth Many if not most young persons look upon death at a distance and 't is death to them to think upon death Oh how many young persons are there that greedily swallow down that of the Psalmist Psal 90.10 The days of our years are three score years and ten or according to the Margent As for the days of our years in them are seventy years Oh say not we have Calculated our Nativity and we finde our years to be three score years and ten Is there one of threescore and ten that lives to threescore and ten 2. Shun the Occasions of sin in the days of thy youth If thou wouldest not fall down of â—he Plague keep clear of the Pest house May not I say with that great Doctor of the Gentiles Flee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 23.22 3. Be very conversant with the holy Scriptures of truth in the days of thy youth Be much in reading the Scriptures Oh there 's no book like unto this Book Oh soul this Book is the Book of Books Other Books are called the books of men but the Bible is called the Book of God Oh turn over these leafes and converse these lines On soul in those lines thou mayst read the Love that Christ had to little ones Suffer children yea little children saith Christ to come unto me and forbid them not Mat. 19.14 for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven 4. Wait at Wisdomes Gates and in her Galleries in the days of thy youth Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word Preached Jam. 1.19 May not I say to thee as the Apostle did Be swift to hear slow to speak slow to wrath 5. Look upon thy self as lost in the days of thy youth Suppose Parents gracious yet they cannot entail grace upon their Posterity Oh Child believe me thou canst not go to Heaven by thy Fathers Copy thou must have a Christ of thine own Grace of thine own or dying thou wilt be damned and thaâ— for an eternity Mar. 16.16 He that believeth not shall 〈◊〉 damned not may but shall be daâ—ned Look unto Christ in the days of thy youth Thou art a Sinner Lastly but Christ is a Saviour thou art a great sinner but he is a great Saviour Oh Child Luk. 19.10 thou art lost but Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost Not only to save but also to seek in order to saving that which was lost But to close this Discourse If thou hast any love to thy self love to thy soul concern then thy soul with the concerns of thy soul in the days of thy youth Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3.11 Heart Keeping the hardest Keeping PROV 4.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the Issues of life THAT Solomon is the Author of this Book in general is generally acknowledged but he is so the Author of this as David is of the Psalms for as the whole Book of Psalmes is not Davids so the whole Book of Proverbs is not Solomons A Proverb and a Parable differ more in sound then in sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are of very near Affinity for they are are the speeches of wise men yea they are the Extracts and spirits of wisdom I will open my Mouth in a Parable Psal 78.2 I will utter dark sayings of old These are called Aenigmata dark Sentences To understand a Proverb and the Interpretation Prov. 1.6 the words of the wise and their dark sayings So that a Proverb properly signifies a Parable and a Parable properly signifies a Proverb Sed quid moror istis Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life In these words you have a Duty imposed and
sufficiency of grace for a Christian Method under temptation 5. What Vse may be made of this that the grace which is in Christ is sufficient for a Christian under temptation 1. Whether there be a sufficiency of grace in Christ for a Christian under temptation Will it not be lost labour and as it were to hold a candle to the Sun at noon to go about to prove this That there 's a fulness of grace in Christ is Evident Herein the great Doctor of the Gentiles is positive Col. 1.19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell The word Father is supplied in the English Translation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for it pleased so the Greek that is if I mistake not it pleased both the Father and the Spiit that in the Son should dwell but what fulness yea all fulness For it pleased that in him should all fulness dwell All fulness of grace or a fulness of all grace Col. 2.5 In Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead Personally Here 's fulness yea all fulness yea all the fulness of the Godhead yea all the fulness of the Godhead and that Personally Once more the Apostle speaking of Christ as Head and the Church as Body speaks of the Church as the fulness of Him and of Him as the fulness of the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And gave him to be Head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Or according to the Greek filling all things in all things 2 VVhat manner of grace this grace is that is in Christ and is sufficient for a Christian under temptation 1. Grace in Christ is free grace 'T is Grace and therefore free 't is free and therefore Grace 'T is Grace no way unless free every way Wine and Milk may be had without money and without price yea Grace and Glory are had without money and without price Jehovah God is a Sun and a Shield he giveth Grace and Glory Grace here glory hereafter grace upon earth glory in heaven are given they are Donatives Grace in Christ and from Christ is free Eph. 4.7 t To every one of us is given graâ—e according to the measure of the gift of Christ 2. Grace in Christ is formidable grace Grace in Christ is able to weather any storm every storm How prodigious soever the winds of temptation be and how impetuous soever the waves of tribulation be grace in Christ is able to weather all The temptations of Christ were great but grace in Christ weathered all He went out conquering and to conquer And as grace in Christ so grace from Christ weathers all As the temptations of Christ were great so the temptations of a Christian are great and yet grace from Christ weathers all When I said my foot slippeth thy mercy Oh Lord held me up Psal 94.18 3. Grace in Christ is attracting grace There is not a greater naturalness in the Loadstone to draw Iron to it then there is in the grace of Christ to draw the soul to Christ. The grace of God and of Christ have a mighty Influence Moses spake from Mount Sinai Christ spake from Mount Zion Moses by his thundering did not draw to Christ but Christ by his grace draws to himself Can. 1.4 I drew them with cords of a man with bands of love And as Christ draw unto himself so after himself in a way of grace Draw me and we will run after thee 4. Grace in Christ is abounding grace Grace in Christ is grace in the Fountain now grace in the Fountain is for Quality and Quantity ever the same Grace in Christ is grace in the Ocean now how empty soever the channel is the Ocean is full always full I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely Ther 's abundance of grace in Christ so much I cannot tell how much grace in Christ is a wonderful Deep and my Line cannot sound this Depth In Christ there are deep Ditches which cannot be sounded and rich Deeps which cannot be Exhausted Where sin abounded grace did much more abound Rom. 5.20 5. Grace in Christ is abiding grace Grace in a Christian though it may decay yet it cannot dye Grace in a Christian must continue until grace goes into glory when Time goes into Eternity Now if grace be thus in the stream what is it then in the fountain Grace in Christ is lasting yea everlasting As from Eternity to Eternity Christ is God so from Eternity to Eternity he is good and gracious and can as soon cease to be God as to be good Psal 103.17 cease to be God as to be gracious The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting or thus The mercy of Jehovah is from eternity to eternity upon them that sear him and his righteousness unto childrens children The Mercy of the Lord endureth for ever 6. Grace in Christ is commodious grace Is not Advantage in every mans eye Grace is very Advantagious it brings Salvation along with it By grace ye are saved Is not Salvation a great thing Bâ—n 2.5 Is not Damnation a bitter Pill and potion Is not Salvation a sweet morsel This is by grace and this grace is laid up in Christ This Gold layes in this Ore Salvation and all in a Tendency unto Salvation runs in the veins of free-grace The whole Fabrick of Salvation is laid in grace 7. Grace in Christ is Efficatious grace The Man that fell among Theeves was left by the Priest and the Levite as they found him but Christ by his grace had compassion on him What men and means cannot do Christ by his grace can do without men and means What men and Angels cannot do Christ by his grace can do That grace which bringeth Salvation teacheth also to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts that we may walk soberly and righteously and godly in this present world Tâ—â— 2.11 12. 8. Grace in Christ is suitable grace What so suitable for a sinner as a Saviour What so sovereign against sin as grace Ther 's no Physick more suitable for the Body then grace is for the Soul Is not Bread suitable for the hungry Water for the thirsty so is grace for the soul that is sick of sin If any man thirst let him come unto me Joh. 7.37 and drink If any man if any one so the Greek Man or Woman let that man and that woman come unto me and drink Bread and Water are suitable for the hungry and thirsty 9. Grace in Christ is seasonable grace Every thing we say is beautiful in its season and the more seasonable any thing is the more beautiful it is The season of a mercy greatly accent the mercy As the Death of Christ was in season While we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us and in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly So
Man liveth not by bread only how then but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Now the promiss is a full breast Mat. 4.4 and God delights that Faith should draw it 4. In order to the fraughting of the Christian Christ will lade the soul with Experiences and that in a double respect 1 In respect of himself Christ would have every Christian to have something in hand something in store against a rainy day against a winter day Christ would have the Christian to lay up in store a good Foundation for the time to come and to remember the days of Old Agracious reflection of former experiences is a good relief to the soul under future Extremities Oh say the soul I was in the Depths at such a time but Christ kept my head above water VVe had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the dead 2 Cor 1.9.10 who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us The Apostle argues from former Experience 〈◊〉 future Deliverance 1. In respect of Others There 's a sufficiency of grace in Christ that a Christian may not only have a word for himself but also a word for others VVho comforteth us in all our tribulations Why That we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble 2 Cor. 1.4 but how By the comforts wherewith we our selves are comforted of God Christian converse often prove thorough the riches of free-grace Christian comfort Now as there is a sufficiency of grace in Christ that we may be comforted For instance so that we may comfort one another Ch saith one I am tempted tempted to curse God and dye Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Bless and curse not 2. Oh Rom. 12.14 saith another I am under various temptations my temptations are many and mighty too Oh saith the other so have I been but then this word was given in Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Iam. 1.12 3. Oh saith another but I am afflicted afflicted and ready to dye Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in In all their affliction he was afflicted He was affected with their affliction â—sa 63.9 and under their affliction they had his affection 4. Oh saith another I am reproached They lay to my charge things that I know not Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake Mat. 5.11 .. 5. Oh saith another but I am persecuted and persecution in plain English is hunting a hunting after the soul to take it Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in persecuted but not forsaken 2 Cor. 4.9 6. Oh saith another but I am hated hated of Neighbors hated of Relations Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Marvel not my brethren if the World hate you 1 Jo. 3.13 7. Oh saith another but I am impoverished I am reduced to a low Ebbe I have very little Meal in my Barrel and Oyle in my Cruse Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Mat. 6.36 Take no thought for the morrow for the morrow shâ—ll take thought for the things of it self 8. Oh saith another I am unbelieving and my Faith is at a low Ebbe Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in 2 Ti. 2.13 Though we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself 9. Oh saith another but I have high and hard thoughts brutish and blasphemous thoughts wanton and Worldly thoughts Oh saith the other so have I had but then that word was given in I know the thoughts that I think towards you Jer. 29.11 saith Jehova thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end Or according to the Margent End and Expectation 10. Oh saith another my grace is weak and my Corruption strong yea my corruption is sometimes stronger then my grace Oh saith the other thus it have been with mee but then this good Text and great Truth was given in My grace is sufficient for thee Thus a Christian converse prove a Christian comfort and to this End among others is thâ—re a sufficiency of grace in Christ that we may be comforted and consequentially comfort one another What Vse may be made of this But Fifthly that the grace which is in Christ is sufficient for 〈◊〉 Christian under temptation I have only one Vse to make of this Vse and that 's by way of Counsel If there be in Christ for a Christian a sufficiency of grace under Temptation suffer then the â—ords of Exhortation But here I would speak to two sorts of Persons Those out of Christ those in Christ 1. To those out of Christ 1. Art out of Christ Tremble then for thou art without Grace As no Sun no Light no Fountain no Stream no Fire no Heat So no Christ no grace and no grace no glory Oh who that hath grace in his private Hand and in his publique Head would if he could be in thy condition for a World for a thousand Worlds if there were so many for thou art Christ-less and so Grace-less As the Apostle upon the believing Hebrews imposeth this so he encourageth the believing Hebrews unto this Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy Heb. 4.16 and find grace and help in the time of need But oh soul what wilt thou do when a Storm come when a tempest come what wilt thou do when sickness come when death the King of Terrors come if thou hast not Christ thou hast not grace to help in that time of Need But what shall I do whither shall I go Quest If to be Christ-less be so be Grace-less if to be Grace-less be to be Glory-less what shall I do whither shall I go Go unto Jesus If thou wouldest have grace go unto Jesus for it Did Pharaoh say go unto Joseph may not I then sâ—y unto thee go unto Jesus There is no grace out of a Christ Solu Gen. 41.55 Jo. 1.17 The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ As Christs grace is sufficient for the supportation of a soul in himself so for the Salvation of a soul out of himself As his grace is sufficient for the Sustentation of a soul in himself so for the Sanctification of a soul out of himself My grace is sufficient for thee Art in Christ Triumph then ther 's grace enough in Christ for thee Secondly to those in Christ under the greatest Trials and Troubles under the
confirming of it the applying of it 1. The Explaining of it Now here I shall enquire after three things 1. What this Sin is that Fools make a mock at 2. What this Mocking is that Fools make at Sin 3. What these Fools are that make a mock at Sin 1. What this Sin is that Fools make a mock at Description Sin in the Nature and Notion of it is a transgression of the Law Sin supposeth a law in being for where there is no law there is no transgression But where there is sin Ro. 4 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is a law a transgression of that Law Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth the Law for sin is a transgression of the Law Or according to the Greek text And Sin is Lawlesness Yea Sin is not only the transgression of a Law but of a good Law Ro. 7.12 For the Law is holy and the Commandment holy just and good Yea the transgression Ps 89.30 31. not only of a good Law but also of Gods Law If his children forsake my Laws and walk not in my judgements If they break my Statutes and keep not my Commandments So that Sin is the transgression of a Law of a good Law of Gods Law Now the Law forbids not onely the doing of evil whether in thought word or deed but also commands the doing of good So that to omit the good commanded as well as commit the evil forbidden is Sin As it is true against the Fruits of the spirit there is no Law no Law of Condemnation It is as true Gal. 5.23 Gal. 5.19 20 21. against the works of the flesh there is Law for they are all against the Law Whatever then doth transgress the Law of God in whole or in part for Whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point Jam. 2.10 he is guilty of all Is therefore a sin and therein a sin whether it brake an Affirmative or a negative precept that is whether it be the Omission of Good or Commission of Evil. 2. What this mocking is that Fools make at sin To this Negatively and Positively 1. To mock Negativly is to beguile Thou hast mocked me these three times said Delilah to Sampson Judg. 16.15 But thus you are not to unstand it here 2. To mock is to deride Now this Derision is either inward or outward 1. Inward Then persons are said to mock when from their hearts they deride God in his Goodness VVord and Ordinances with hypocritical mockers in feasts Psa 35.16 2. Outward Now this is by Gesture and by Actions 1. By Gesture All that see me laugh me to scorn Psa 22.7 they open the lip they shake the head But thus you are not to understand it here 2. By Actions Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings yea Heb. 11 3â— moreover of bonds and imprisonments But thus you are not to understand it here 2. Positivelâ— 2. To mock is to speak lightly and sparingly of sin A person then mocks at sin when he speaks of it as Lot of Zoar Is it not a little one Thus the wicked Papists Gen. 19.20 wickedly distinguish between sins Venial and Mortal a distinction not legible in the holy Scriptures of truth Paul who was of the highest stature in grace though not in Nature speak expresly The wages of sin is Death Not only the wages of this sin Ro. 6.23 and that sin but of any sin is death the second death Eternal death When persons speak of sin as many do of Ceremonies are not these little ones to wear this that to read and bow c. are not these little ones so to speak this and do that are not these little things To speak thus is to make a mock at sin and thus you are to understand it in the Text Fools make a mock at sin that is they speak lightly and sparingly of it 3. Who these Fools are 1. Negatively that make a mock at sin To this Negatively and positively But to this Generally and then particularly 1. Generally A Fool liberally is an Ideot one destitute of wit a Person of little or no Capacity or Discretion Thus the wise and the foolish are opposed Eccl. 2.1 Who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool 1. By Fools sometimes understand those that acknowledge themselves to be so 2 Particuâ—â—â—ly 1. Cor. 3.18 Let not a man deceive himself if any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise That is saith Musculus let him be a Believer Christians formerly were called Credentes believing ones as if their Faith had been their Folly when 't is the greatest Folly to be without Faith But thus you are not to understand it here 2. By Fools sometimes understanding those that are accounted by others so â— Cor. 4. â—0 We are fools for Christs sake Accounted so by the World thus not to be understood here 3. By Fools sometimes understand those that have onely Oyle in their Lamps Five of them were wise Mat. 25.2 and five were foolish The wise were those that had Oyle in their Vessels as well as in their Lamps the foolish were those that had Oyle in their Lamps but not in their Vessels but thus you are not to understand it here Fools make a mock at sin 4. By Fools sometimes understand those that though they have knowledge and faith yet they have much Ignorance and unbeleif remaining in them Luke 24. â—5 Oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken But thus you are not to understand it in the Text Fools make a mock at sin 5. By fools sometimes understand worldly men Thou fool Lu. 12.20 this night shall thy soul be required of thee But thus you are not to understand it in the Text. 2. Positivly 2. By fools sometimes understand wicked men The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Thus you are to understand it in the Text. Fools make a mock at sin Psa 14.1 Wicked men that do not only work wickedness but make wickedness their work are the fools that make a mock at sin They that play with sin as the Fish with the bait and sport with the Devil they are the fools that make a mock at Sin Fools make a mock at Sin But if we look no farther then the Text and Context 't is legible for fools are opposed to the righteous Fools make a mock at sin but with the righteous there is favour These righteous ones are those that are spiritually and actually so that are concerned in an imputed and imparted righteousness 2. The confirming of it Now here I shall enquire after two things Whether fools make a mock at sin and why fools make a mock at sin 1. Whether fools make a mock at sin If to make a mock at sin