himself thus to shew that the Father hath not only given him this portion in the Lump before the world was but that those that he hath so given he will give him again that is will bring them to him at the time of their conversion for the Father bringeth them to Christ Joh. 6. 44. As it is said She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle work That is in the righteousness of Christ for it is God that imputeth that to these that are saved Psal. 45. 14. 1 Cor. 1. A man giveth his daughter to such a man first in order to marriage and this respects the time past and he giveth her again at the day appointed in marriage And in this last sense perhaps the Text may have a meaning that is that all that the Father hath before the world was given to Jesus Christ he giveth them again to him in the day of their espousals Or Thirdly In that Christ saith giveth instead of hath given he may do it to shew that this gift of the Father to him is now as new as sweet as pleasant and desirable as if it had never bin given before Things that are given among men are oft-times best at first to wit when they are new and the reason is because all earthly things war old but with Christ it is not so this gift of the Father is not old and deformed and unpleasant in his eyes and therefore to him 't is always new When the Lord spake of giving the Land of Canaan to the Israelites he saith not that he had given or would give it to them but thus The Lord thy God giveth thee this good Land Deut. 9. 6. not but that he had given it to them while they were in their Fathers Hundreds of Years before Yet he saith now he giveth it to them as if they were now also in the very act of taking possession when as yet they were on the other side Jordane What then should be the meaning Why I take it to be this That the Land should be to them alway as new as new as if they were taking possession thereof but now And so is the gift of the Father mentioned in the Text to the Son it is always new as if it were alwayes giving All that the Father giveth Me. In those words you find mention made of two persons the Father and the Son the Father giving and the Son receiving or accepting of his Gift This then in the first place clearly demonstrateth that the Father and the Son though they with the Holy Ghost are one and the same Eternal God yet as to their personality are distinct The Father is one the Son is one the Holy Spirit is one But because there is in this Text mention made but of two of the three therefore a word about those two The Giver and Receiver cannot be the same person in a proper sence in the same act of giving and receiving He that giveth giveth not to himself but to an other the Father giveth not to the Father to wit to Himself but to the Son the Son receiveth not of the Son to wit of Himself but of the Father so when the Father giveth Commandment he giveth it not to himself but to another as Christ saith He hath given Me a Commandment Joh. 12. 49. So again I am one that beareth witness of my self and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me Jo. 10. 18. Further here is something implyed that is not expressed to wit that the Father hath not given all Men to Christ that is in that sence as is intended in this Text. For then all should be saved He hath therefore disposed of Satan another way He gives some up to Idolatry He gives some up to uncleanness to vile affections and to a reprobate mind Now these he disposeth of in his Anger for their destruction Acts. 7. 42 Rom. 1. 24 26 28. that they may reap the fruit of their doings and be filled with the reward of their own ways But neither hath He thus disposed of all men he hath even of Mercy reserved some from these Judgments and those are they that he will Pardon as he saith for I will pardon them whom I reserve Jer. 50. 20. Now these he hath given to Jesus Christ by Will as a Legaey Hence the Lord Jesus sayes This is the Fathers Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day Joh. 36 29. The Father therefore giving them to Him to save them must needs by so doing declare unto us these following things 1. That he is Able to answer this designe of God to wit to save them to the uttermost Sin the uttermost temptation c. Heb. 7. 25. Hence he is said To lay help upon me that is Mighty Mighty to save And hence it is again that God did even of old promise to send his people a Saviour a great one Psal. 89. 19. Isa. 63. 1. To save is a great work and calls for Almightyness in the Undertaker hence he is called the Mighty God the Wonderful Counseller c. Sin is strong Satan is also strong Death and the Grave are strong and so is the Curse of the Law therefore it follows that this Jesus must needs be by God the Father accounted Almighty in that he have given his Elect to him to save them and to deliver them from these and that in despite of all their Force and Power Yea he gave us Testimony of this his Might when he was imployed in that part of our deliverance that called for a Declaration of it He abolished Death He destroyed him that had the power of Death he was the Destruction of the Grave he hath finished Sin and made an end of it as to its Damning effect upon the Persons that the Father hath given him He hath vanquished the curse of the Law Nailed it to his Cross Triumphed over them upon his Cross and made a shew of these things openly 2 Tim. 1. 10. Heb. 2. 14 15. Hos. 13. 14. Dan. 9. 24. Gal. 3. 13. Col. 2. 14 15. Yea and even now as a sign of his Triumph and Conquest he is alive from the Dead and hath the Keys of Hell and Death in his own keeping Revel 1. 18. 2ly The Fathers giving of them to him to save them declares unto us that he is and will be faithful in his Office and that therefore they shall be secured from the fruit or wages of their Sins which is Eternal Damnation And indeed it is said even by the Holy Ghost himself That he is faithful to him that appointed him that is to this work of saving those that the Father hath given him for that purpose as Moses was faithful in all his House Yea and more faithful too for Moses was faithful in Gods house but as a Servant But Christ as a Son over his own house
these two general Heads 1. He Consenteth to the Truth of all those sayings that Testifieth that Sin is most abominable in it Self dishonourable to God and damnable to the Soul of Man Jer. 44. 4. Rom. 2. 23. Chap. 6. 23. 2 Thes. 2. 12. 2. In that he believeth as the Word hath said that there is in the Worlds best things Righteousness and all Nothing but Death and Damnation Rom. 7. 24 25. Chap. 8. 2 3. 2 Cor. 3. 6 7 8. Secondly He Honoureth Christs Person in that he believeth that there is Life in Him and that he is able to Save him from Death Hell the Devil and Damnation Heb. 7. 24 25. Thirdly He Honoreth him in that he believeth that he is Authorized of the Father to give Life to those that come to him for it Joh. 5. 11 12. Chap. 17. 1 2 3. Fourthly He Honoureth the Priest-Hood of Jesus Christ. 1. In that he believeth that he alone hath made Attonement for Sin Rom. 5. 2. In that he believeth that Christ hath more Power to Save from Sin by the Sacrifice that he hath Offered for it than hath all Law Devils Death or Sin to Condemn Acts 13. 38. Heb. 2. 14 15. Revel 1. 17 18. Thirdly In that he believeth that Christ according to his office will be most faithfull and mercifull in the discharge of his office 1 Joh. 2. 1 2 3. Heb. 2. 17 18. Fourthly Further he that cometh to Jesus Christ for life taketh part with him against Sin and against all the ragged and imperfect righteousness of the world yea and against false Christs and damnable errors that set themselves against the worthiness of his merits and sufficiency Fifthly Therefore as Noah at Gods command thou preparest this Ark for the saving of thy self by the which also thou condemnest the world and art become Heir of the righteousness which is by faith Heb. 11. 7. Wherefore coming sinner be content he that cometh to Jesus Christ believeth too that he his willing to shew mercy to and to have Compassion upon him though unworthy that comes to him for life And therefore thy Soul lieth not only under a special Invitation to come but under a Promise too of being accepted and forgiven Mat 11. 28. All these particular parts and qualities of faith are in that Soul that comes to Jesus Christ for Life as is evident to any indifferent Judgment For will he that Believeth not the Testimony of Christ concerning the baseness of Sin the insufficiency of the Righteousness of the World come to Christ for Life No. He that believeth not this Testimony of the word comes not He that believeth that there is Life any where else comes not He that questions whether the Father hath given Christ power to forgive comes not He that thinketh that there is more in Sin in the Law in Death and the Devil to Destroy than there is in Christ to Save comes not He also that questions his faithful Management of his Office of Priesthood for the salvation of sinners comes not Thou then that art indeed the comeing Sinner believest all this True perhaps thou dost not believe with that full Assurance nor hast thou leisure to take Notice of thy Faith as to these Distinct acts of it But yet all this Faith is in him that cometh to Christ for Life And the Faith that thus Worketh is the Faith of the best and purest kind because this Man comes alone as a Sinner and as seeing that Life is and is to be had only in Jesus Christ. Before I conclude my Answer to this Objection take into thy consideration these two things First That the Cities of Refuge were Erected for their sakes that were dead in Law and that yet would live by grace even for those that were to fly thither for life from the avenger of blood that pursued after them And it is worth your Noting that those that were upon their flight thither are in a peculiar manner called the people of God Cast ye up Cast ye up saith God prepare ye the way take up the stumbling blocks out of the Way of My people Isa. 57. 14. This is meant of preparing the way to the City of refuge that the slayers might escape thither and live which slayers are here by way of speciality called the people of God even those of them that escaped thither for life Secondly Consider that of Ahab when Benhadad sent to him for life saying Thus saith thy Son Benhadad I pray thee let me live Though Benhadad had sought the Crown Kingdom yea and also the life of Ahab yet how effectually doth Benhadad prevaile with him Is Benhadad yet alive said Ahab he is my brother yea go ye bring him to me so he made him ride in his Chariot 1 King 20 chap. Coming Sinner what thinkest thou if Jesus Christ had as little Goodness in him as Ahab he might grant an humble Benhadad life thou neither beggest of him his Crown or Dignity Life eternal life will serve thy turn how much more then shalt thou have it since thou hast to deal with him who is goodness and mercy it self yea since thou art also called upon yea greatly encourraged by a promise of life to come to him for Life Read also these Scriptures Numb 35. 11 14 15. Josh. 20. 1 2 3 4 5. Heb. 6. 16 17 18 19 20. Objection 2. When I say I only seek my self I mean I do not find that I do design Gods Glory in mine own Salvation by Christ and that makes me fear I do not come aright Answer Where doth Christ Jesus require such a Qualification of those that are coming to him for Life come thou for Life and trouble not thy head with such Objections against thy Self and let God and Christ alone to Glorify themselves in the Salvation of such a worm as thou art The Father saith to the Son Thou art my Servant O Israel in whom I will be Gloryfied God propoundeth Life to Sinners as the argument to prevail with them to come to him for Life and Christ sayes plainly I am come that ye might have Life John 10. 10. He hath no need of thy designes though thou hast need of his Eternal Life pardon of Sin and Deliverance from Wrath to come Christ propounds to thee and these be the things that thou hast need of besides God will be gracious and merciful to worthless undeserving wretches come then as such an one Therefore lay no stumbling blocks in thy way to him but come to him for life live Joh. 5. 34. Chap. 10. 10. Chap. 3. 36. Mat. 1. 21. Prov. 8. 36 37. 1 Thes. 1. 10. Joh. 11. 25 26. The Jayler was only for knowing at first what he should do to be Saved But Paul did not so much as once ask him what is your End in this Question do you design the Glory of of God in the Salvation of your Soul He had more wit he knew that such Questions as these would have
escape them and in conclusion come to him There are a company of shall-comes in the Bible that doth secure them Not but that they may be assaulted by them yea and also for the time intangled and detained by them from the Bishop of their Souls but these Shall-comes will break those Chains and Fetters that those given to Christ are intangled in and they shall-come because he hath said they shall-come to him Indeed errors are like that whore of whom you read in the Proverbs that sitteth in her seat on the High-places of the City To call Passingers who go right on their way Pro. 9. 13 14 15 16. But the persons as I said that by the Father are given to the Son to save them are at one time or other secured by Shall-come to me And therefore of such it is said God will guide them with his eye with his counsels by his spirit and that in the way of peace by the springs of water and into all truth Psal. 32. 8. Psal. 73. 24. Joh. 16. 13. Luk. 1. 79. Isa. 47. 10. So then he that hath such a guide and all that the Father giveth to Christ shall have it he shall escape those dangers he shall not Err in the way yea though he be a fool he shall not Err therein Isa 35. for of every such an one it is said Thine cars shall hear a word behind thee saying This is the way walk in it when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left Isa 30. 21. There were Thieves and Robbers before Christs coming as there are also now But saith he The sheep did not hear them And why did they not hear them but because they were under the power of shall come that absolute promise that had that grace in it self to bestow upon them as could make them able rightly to distinguish of voices My sheep hear my voice But how came they to hear it why to them it is given to know and to hear and that distinguishingly Joh. 10. 8 16. Chap. 5. 25. Eph. 5. 14. Further the very plain Sentence of the Text makes provision against all these things for saith it All that the Father giveth me shall come to me that is shall not be stopped or be allured to take up any where short of Me nor shall they turn aside to abide with any besides Me. Shall Come to me To me By these words there is further insinuated though not expressed a double cause of their coming to him First There is in Christ a fulness of Al-sufficiency of that even of all that which is needfull to make us happy Secondly Those that indeed come to him do therefore come to him that they may receive it at his hand For the first of these There is in Christ a fulness of all Sufficiency of all that even of all that which is needfull to make us happy Hence it is said For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell And again Of his fullness all we have received and grace for grace Colos. 1. 19. Joh. 1. 16. It is also said of him that his riches is unsearchable The unsearchable riches of Christ Ephes. 3. 8. Hear what he saith of himself Riches and honour are with Me even durable riches and righteousness my fruit is better than Gold yea than sine Gold and My revenue than Choice silver I lead in the way of Righteousness in the midst of the paths of Judgement that I may cause them that love Me to inherit Substance And I will fill their treasures Prov. 8. 18. 19 20. 21. This in general but more particularly First There is that Light in Christ that is Sufficient to lead them out of and from all that darkness in the midst of which all others but them that come to him stumble and fall and perish I am the light of the world saith he he that followeth me shall not abide in darkness but shall have the Light of Life Joh. 8. 12. Man by nature is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knows not whither he goes for darkness hath blinded his eyes neither can any thing but Jesus Christ lead men out of this darkness Natural Conscience cannot do it the Ten Commandments though in the heart of man cannot do it this prerogative belongs only to Jesus Christ. Secondly There is that life in Christ that is to be found no where else Joh. 5. 40. Life as a principle in the Soul by which it shall be acted and enabled to do that which through him is pleasing to God He that believeth in or cometh to me saith he as the Scriptures have said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water Joh. 7. 38. Without this life a man is dead whether he be bad or whether he be good that is good in his own and other mens esteem There is no true and Eternal life but what is in the Me that speaketh in the Text. There is also life for those that come to him to be had by faith in his flesh and blood He that eateth Me even he shall live by Me Joh. 6. 57. And this is a life against that Death that comes by the guilt of sin and the curse of the Law under which all men are and forever must be unlesse they eat the Me that speaks in the Text. Whoso findeth Me saith he findeth life deliverance from that everlasting death and destruction that without Me he shall be devoured by Prov. 8. Nothing is more desirable than life to him that hath in himself the Sentence of Condemnation and here only is life to be found This life to wit Eternal life this life is in his Son That is in him that saith in the Text All that the Father hath given Me shall come to Me 1 Joh. 5. 10. Thirdly The person speaking in the Text is he alone by whom poor sinners have Admittance with and Acceptance to the Father because of the Glory of his righteousness by and in which he presenteth them amiable and spotless in his sight neither is there any way besides him so to come to the Father I am the way sayes he the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by Me Joh. 14. 6. All other ways to God are dead and damnable the destroying Cherubins stand with flaming swords turning every way to keep all others from his presence Gen. 3. 24. I say all others but them that come by him I am the door by Me saith he if any man enter in he shall be saued Joh. 10. 1 2. The person speaking in the Text is He and only He that can give stable and everlasting peace therefore saith he My peace I give unto you My peace which is a peace with God peace of Conscience and that of an everlasting duration My peace peace that cannot be Matched net as the world gived give I unto you for the worlds peace is but Carnal and Transitory but mine is Divine and
Revel 12. Luk. 20. 35. Secondly and more Particularly First Christ hath Everlasting Life for him that cometh to him and he shall never Perish For he will in no wise cast him out But for the rest they are Rejected Cast out and must be Damned Joh. 10. 27 28. Secondly Christ hath Everlasting Righteousness to cloath them with that come to him and they shall be covered with it as with a Garment But the rest shall be found in the Filthy Rags of their own stinking Polutions and shall be wrapt up in them as in a Winding-sheet and so bear their Shame before the Lord and also before the Angels Dan. 9. 24. Isa. 57. 2. Revel 3. 4 18. Chap. 15. 16. Thirdly Christ hath pretious Blood that like an open Fountain stands free for him to wash in that comes to him for Life And he will in no wise cast him out But they that come not to him are Rejected from a Share therein and are left to ireful Vengeance for their Sins Zech. 13. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Job 13. 8. Chap 3. 36. Fourthly Christ hath precious Promises and they shall have a Share in them that come to him for Life For he will in no wise cast them out But they that come not can have no Share in them because they are True only in him For in Him and only in Him all the Promises are Yea and Amen Wherefore they that come not to him are no whit the better for them Psal. 50. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 20 21. Fifthly Christ hath all Fulness of Grace in himself for them that come to him for Life And he will in no wise cast them out But those that come not to him are left in their Graceless State and as Christ leaves them Death Hell and Judgement finds them He that findeth me saith Christ findeth Life and shall obtain Favour of the Lord but he that sins against me wrongeth his own Soul All that hate Me love Death Prov. 8. 33 34 35 36. Sixthly Christ is an Intercessor and ever liveth to make Intercession for them that come to God by him But their Sorrows shall be multiplyed that hasten after another or other Gods their Sins and Lusts Their Drink-Offerings will he not offer nor take up their Names into his Lips Psal. 16. 4. Heb. 7. 25. Seventhly Christ hath wonderful Love Bowels and Compassions for those that come to him For He will in no wise cast them out But the rest will find him a Lyon Rampant he will one Day tear them all to peices Now Consider this saith he ye that forget God lest I tare you in peices and there be none to deliver you Psal. 50. 22. Eighthly Christ is He by and for whose sake those that come to him have their Persons and Performances accepted of the Father And he will in no wise cast them out But the rest must flye to the Rocks and Mountains for Shelter but all in vain to hide them from his Face and Wrath Revel 6. 15 16 17. But again These Words Cast out have a special Look to what will be hereafter even at the Day of Judgement For then and not till then will be the great Anathema and Casting out made manifest even manifest by Execution Therefore here to speak to this and that under these two Heads As 1. Of the Casting out it self 2. Of the Place into which they shall be cast that shall then be cast out First The Casting out it self standeth in two Things 1. In a Preparitory Work 2. In the manner of Executing the Act. The Preparitory Work standeth in these three Things First It standeth in their Separation that have not come to him from them that have at that Day Or thus At the Day of the great Casting out those that have not now come to him shall be separated from them that have for them that have He will not cast out When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory and all the Holy Angels with him then he shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory and before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a Shepheard divideth the Sheep from the Goats Matth. 25. 31 32. This dreadful Separation therefore shall then be made betwixt them that now come to Christ and them that come not And good Reason for since they would not with us come to him now they have time Why should they stand with us when Judgement is come Secondly They shall be placed before him according to their condition they that have come to him in great Dignity even at his right hand For he will in no wise cast them out but the rest shall be set at his left hand the place of disgrace and shame for they did not come to him for Life Distinguished also shall they be by fit terms Those that came to him he calleth Sheep but the rest are Frowish Goats And he shall separate them one from another as the Shepherd divideth the Sheep from the Goats and the Sheep will he set on the right hand next Heaven Gate for they came to him but the Goats on his left to go from him into Hell because they are not of his Sheep Thirdly Then will Christ proceed to conviction of those that came not unto him and will say I was a stranger and ye took me not in or did not come unto me Their excuse of themselves he will slight as dirt and proceed to their final Judgment Now when these wretched rejectors of Christ shall thus be set before him in their sins and convicted this is the preparitory work upon which follows the manner of Executing the Act which will be done First In the presence of the Holy Angels Second In the presence of all them that in their life-time came to him by saying unto them Depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels with this Reason annexed to it For you were cruel to me and mine particularly discovered in these words For I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat thirsty and ye gave me no drink I was a Stranger and ye took me not in Naked and ye Clothed me not Sick and in Prison and ye visited me not Mat. 25. 41 42 43. Lastly Now it remains that we speak of the place into which these shall be cast which in the general you have heard already to wit the Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels but in particular it is thus described First It is called Tophet For Tophet is ordained of Old yea for the King the Lucifer It is prepared he hath made it deep and large the pile thereof iâ— Fire and much Wood and the Breath of the Lord like a stream of Brimstone doth kindle it Isa. 30. 32. Secondly It is called Hell It is better for thee to enter into Life halt or lame than having two feet to be cast into Hell Mar. 9. 45. Thirdly It is called the
was Anointed when on Earth to be a Saviour Luk. 3. 22. 3. He did the Works of a Saviour As First He Fulfilled the Law and became the End of it for Righteousness for them that believe in him Rom. 10. 3 4. Secondly He laid down his Life as a Saviour He gave his Life as a Saviour He gave his Life as a Ransom for many Mat. 20. 28. Mar. 10. 45. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Thirdly He hath Abolished Death Destroyed the Devil put away Sin got the Keys of Hell and Death is Ascended into Heaven is there accepted of God exalted of God and bid Sit at his Right Hand as Saviour and that because his Sacrifice for our Sins pleased God 2 Tim. 1. 10. Heb. 2. 14 15. Ephes. 4. 7 8. Joh. 16. 10 11. Acts 5. 30 31. Heb. 10. 12 13. Fourthly God hath sent out and proclaimed him as Saviour and tells the World that we have redemption through his Blood that he will Justifie us if we believe in his Blood and that he can Faithfully and Justly do it Yea God doth beseech us to be reconciled to him by his Son which could not be if he were not Anointed by him to this very End and also if his Works and undertakings were not accepted of him as considered a Saviour Rom. 3. 24 25. 2 Cor. 5. 18 19 20 21. Fifthly God hath received already Millions of Souls into his Paradice because they have received this Jesus for a Saviour and is resolved to cut him off and to cast him out of his presence that will not take him for a Saviour Heb. 12. 22 23 24 25 26. I intend brevity here therefore a word to the Second and so conculde How it appears that he hath Power to cast out This appears also by what follows First The Father for the service 〈◊〉 he hath done him as Saviour 〈◊〉 made him Lord of all even Lord 〈◊〉 Quick and Dead For to this 〈◊〉 Christ both Died and Rose and Revived that he might be Lord both of the Dead and Living Rom. 14. 9. Secondly The Father hath left it with him to quicken whom he will to wit with saving Grace and to cast out whom he will for their Rebellion against Him Joh. 5. 21. Thirdly The Father hath made him Judge of Quick and Dead hath committed all Judgment unto the Son that all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22. Fourthly God will Judge the World by this Man the day is Appointed for Judgment and he is Appointed for Judge He hath Appointed a day in the which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man Acts 17. 31 32. Therefore we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ that every one may receive for the things done in the Body according to what they have done If they have closed with Him Heaven and Salvation if they have not Hell and Damnation And for these Reasons he must be Judge First Because of his Humiliation because of his Fathers Word he humbled himself and he became Obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Therefore God hath highly Exalted him and given him a Name above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every Knee should bow both of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earth and that every Tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father This hath respect to his being Judge and his Sitting in Judgment upon Angels and Men Phil. 2. 7 8 9 10 11. Rom. 14. 10 11. Secondly That all Men might honour the Son even as they honour the Father For the Father Judgeth no Man but hath Committed all Judgment unto the Son that all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. Thirdly Because of his Righteous Judgment this work is fit for no Creature it is only fit for the Son of God For he will reward every Man according to his Ways Rev. 22. Fourthly Because he is the Son of Man He hath given him authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 27. Thus have I in brief passed through this Text by way of explication my next Work is to speak to it by way of Observation but I shall be also as brief in that as the Nature of the thing will admit All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. ANd now to come to some Observations and a little briefly to speak to them and then conclude the whole The words thus Explained affords us many some of which are these First That God the Father and Christ his Son are two Distinct Persons in the God-head Secondly That by them not Excluding the Holy Ghost is contrived and determined the Salvation of some of fallen Man kind Thirdly That this contrivance resolved it self into a Covenant between these Persons in the God-head which standeth in giving on the Fathers part and Receiving on the Sons All that the Father giveth me c. Fourthly That every one that the Father hath given to Christ according to the mind of God in the Text shall certainly come to him Fifthly That coming to Jesus Christ is therefore not by the will wisdom or power of man but by the gift promise and drawing of the Father All that the Father giveth me shall come Sixthly That Jesus Christ will be careful to receive and will not in any wife reject those that come or are coming to him And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out There are besides these some other Truths implyed in the Words As Seventhly They that are coming to Jesus Christ are oft-times heartily afraid that he will not receive them Eightly Jesus Christ would not have them that in Truth are Coming to him once think that he will cast them out These Observations lie all of them in the Words and are plentifully confirmed by the Scriptures of Truth but I shall not at this time speak to them all but shall pass by the first second third fourth and sixth partly because I design brevity and partly because they are touched upon in the Explicatory part of the Text. I shall therefore begin with the Fifth Observation and so make that the first in order in the following discourse First Then Coming to Christ is not by the will wisdom or power of Man but by the gift promise and drawing of the Father This Observation standeth of two parts First that coming to Christ is not by the Will Wisdom or Power of Man Secondly But by the Gift Promise and Drawing of the Father That the Text carrieth this Truth in its bosom you will find if you look into the Explication of the first part thereof before I shall therefore here follow the Method propounded First That coming to Christ is not by the will wisdom or power of man this
he will in no wise cast out Therefore Jesus Christ would not have him that in Truth is coming to him Once to think that he will cast him out Fourthly If Jesus Christ should allow them Once to think that indeed are coming to him that he will cast him out he must allow them to think that he will despise and reject the Drawing of his Father For No Man can come to him but whom the Father draweth But it would be high Blasphemy and damnable Wickedness Once to imagine thus Therefore Jesus Christ would not have him that cometh Once think that he will cast him out Fifthly If Jesus Christ should allow those that indeed are coming to him Once to think that he will cast them out He must allow them to think that he will be Unfaithful to the Trust and Charge that his Father hath committed to him which is to Save and not to Lose any thing of that which he hath given him to Save Joh. 6. 36. But the Father hath given him a Charge to save the Coming-Sinner Therefore it cannot be that he should allow that such an one should Once think that he will cast him out Sixthly If Jesus Christ should allow that they should Once think that are coming to him that he will cast them out Then he must allow them to think that he will be unfaithful to his Office of Priest-hood For as by the first part of it he paid Price for and Ransomed Souls so by the Second Part thereof he continually maketh Intercession to God for them that come Heb. 7. 25. But he cannot allow us to question his Faithful Execution of his Priest-hood Therefore he cannot allow us Once to think that the Coming-Sinner shall be cast out Seventhly If Jesus Christ should allow us Once to think that the Coming-Sinner shall be cast out Then he must allow us to question his Will or Power or Merit to Save But he cannot allow us Once to question any of these Therefore not Once to think that the Coming-Sinner shall be cast out 1. He cannot allow them to question his Will For he saith in the Text I will in no wise cast out 2. He cannot allow us to question his Power For the Holy Ghost saith He is Able to save to the uttermost them that come 3. He cannot allow them to question the Efficacy of his Merit For the Blood of Christ cleanseth the Commer from all Sin 1 Joh. 1. Therefore he cannot allow that he that is coming to him should Once think that he will cast him out Eighthly If Jesus Christ should allow the coming sinner Once to think that he will cast him out he must allow him to give the lie to the manifest testimony of the Father Son and Spirit yea to the whole Gospel contained in Moses the Prophets the book of Psalms and that commonly called the New-Testament But he cannot allow of this therefore not that the coming sinner should Once think that he will cast him out Ninethly Lastly If Jesus Christ should allow him that is coming to him Once to think that he will cast him out He must allow him to question his Fathers Oath Which he in truth and Righteousness hath taken that they might have a strong Consolation who have fled for refuge to Jesus Christ But he cannot allow this therefore he cannot allow that the coming sinner should once think that he will cast him out Heb. 6. I come now to make some General Use and Application of the whole and so to draw towards a Conclusion THe First Use a Use of Information And it Informeth us That Men by Nature are far off from Christ. Let me a little improve this Use by speaking to these Three Questions 1. Where is he that is not coming to Jesus Christ 2. What is he that is not coming to Jesus Christ 3. Whether is he to go that cometh not to Jesus Christ First Where is he 1. Answ. He is far from God he is without him even alienate from him both in his Understanding Will Affections Judgment and Conscience Ephes. 2. 12. chap. 4. 18. 2. He is far from Jesus Christ who is the only Deliverer of Men from Hell-Fire Psal. 73. 27. 3. He is far from the Work of the Holy Ghost the Work of Regeneration and a Second Creation without which no Man shall see the Kingdom of Heaven Joh. 3. 3. 4. He is far from Righteousness from that Righteousness that should make him Acceptable in God's Sight Isa. 46. 14. 5. He is under the Power and Dominion of Sin Sin reigneth in and over him it dwelleth in every Faculty of his Soul and Member of his Body So that from Head to Foot there is no place clean Isa. 1. 6. Rom. 3. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18. 6. He is in the Pest-house with Uzziah and excluded the Camp of Israel with the Leapers 2 Chron. 26. 21. Numb 5. 2. 7. His Life is among the Unclean He is in the Gall of Bitterness and in the Bond of Iniquity Job 36. 14. Act. 8. 23. 8. He is in Sin in the Flesh in Death in the Snare of the Devil and is taken Captive by him at his Will 1 Cor. 15. 17. Rom. 8. 8. 1 Joh. 3. 14. 2 Tim. 2. 26. 9. He is under the Curse of the Law and the Devil dwells in him and hath the Mastery of him Gal. 3. 13. Eph. 2. 2 3. Acts 36. 18 10. He is in Darkness and walketh in Darkness and knows not whither he goes for Darkness has blinded his Eyes 11. He is in the Broad-way that leadeth to Destruction and holding on he will assuredly go in at the Broad-gate and so down the Stairs to Hell Secondly What is he that cometh not to Jesus Christ 1. He is counted one of God's Enemies Luk. 19 14. Rom. 8. 7. 2. He is a Child of the Devil and of Hell for the Devil begat him as to his sinful Nature and Hell must swallow him at last because he cometh not to Jesus Christ Joh. 8. 44. 1 Joh. 3. 8. Mat. 23. 15. Psal. 9. 17. 3. He is a Child of Wrath an Heir of it 't is his Portion and God will repay it him to his Face Ephes. 2. 1 2 3. Job 21. 29 30 31. 4. He is a Self-Murder he wrongeth his own Soul and is one that loveth Death Prov. 1. 18. Chap. 8. 35 36. 5. He is a Companion for Devils and Damned Men Prov. 21. 16. Mat. 25. 41. Thirdly Whither is he like to go that cometh not to Jesus Christ 1. He that cometh not To him is like to go Further from him for every Sin is a Step further from Jesus Christ Hos. 11. 2. As he is in Darkness so he is like to go on in it For Christ is the Light of the World and he that comes not to him walketh in Darkness Joh. 8. 12. 3. He is like to be removed at last as far from God and Christ and Heaven and all Felicity as an Infinitie
God can remove him Mat. 12. 41. But Secondly This Doctrine of coming to Christ informeth us Where poor destitute Sinners may find Life for their Souls and that is in Christ This Life is in his Son he that hath the Son hath Life And again Whoso findeth me findeth Life and shall obtain Favor of the Lord Prov. 8. Now for further Enlargement I will also here propound three more Questions 1. What Life is in Christ 2. Who may have it 3. Upon what Terms First What Life is in Jesus Christ 1. There is Justifying Life in Christ. Man by Sin is Dead in Law and Christ only can deliver him by his Righteousness and Blood from this Death into a State of Life For God sent his Son into the World That we might Live through him 1 Joh. 4. 9. That is through the Righteousness which he should accomplish and the Death that he should dye 2. There is Eternal Life in Christ Life that 's endless Life for ever and ever He hath given us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. Now Justification and Eternal Salvation being both in Christ and no where else to be had for Men Who would not come to Jesus Christ Secondly Who may have this Life I answer Poor Helpless miserable Sinners Particularly 1. Such as are willing to have it Whosoever will Let him take the Water of Life Revel 22. 17. 2. He that Thirsteth for it I will give to him that is a Thirst of the Fountain of the Water of Life Revel 21. 6. 3. He that is weary of his Sins This is the Rest whereby ye may cause the Weary to rest and this is the Refreshing Isa. 28. 12. 4. He that is Poor and Needy He shall spare the Poor and Needy and shall save the Souls of the Needy 5. He that followeth after him crying for Life He that follows me shall not walk in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life Joh. 8. 12. Thirdly Upon what Terms may he have this Life Answ. Freely Sinner Dost thou hear Thou may'st have it Freely Let him take the Water of Life Freely I will give him of the Fountain of the Water of Life Freely And when they had nothing to pay he Frankly forgave them both Luk. 7. Freely without Money or without Price Ho! Every one that Thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money Come ye Buy and Eat Yea come buy Wine and Milk without Mony and without Price Isa. 55. 1. Sinner Art thou Thirsty art thou Weary art thou Willing Come then and regard not your Stuff for all the Good that is in Christ is offered to the Coming-Sinner without Mony and without Price He has Life to give away to such as want it and that have not a Penny to purchase it and he will give it Freely Oh What a blessed Condition is the Coming-Sinner in But Thirdly This Doctrine of Coming to Jesus Christ for Life Informeth us That It is to be had no where else Might it be had Any where else the Text and Him that spoke it would be but little set-by For What great Matter is there in I will in no wise cast out if another stood by that could Received them But here appears the Glory of Christ that none but He can Save And here appears his Love that though none can Save but He yet he is not Coy in Saving But him that comes to me saith he I will in no wise cast out That none can Save but Jesus Christ is evident from Acts 4. 12. Neither is there Salvation in any other and he hath given us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son If Life could have been had any where else it should have been in the Law but it is not in the Law For by the Deeds of the Law no Man living shall be Justifyed and if not Justifyed then no Life Therefore Life is no where to be had but in Jesus Christ Gal. 3. Quest. But why would God so order it that Life should be had no where else but in Jesus Christ Answ. There is Reason for it and that both with Respect to God and to Us. First With Respect to God First That it might be in a way of Justice as well as Mercy And in away of Justice it could not have been if it had not been by Christ because He and He only was able to answer the Demand of the Law and give for Sin what the Justice thereof required All Angels had been Crushed down to Hell for ever had that Curse been laid upon them for our Sins which was laid upon Jesus Christ But 't was laid upon Him and He bare it and answered the Penalty and Redeemed his People from under it with that Satisfaction to Divine Justice that God himself doth now proclaim That he is Faithful and Just to forgive us if by Faith we shall venture on Jesus and trust to what he has done for Life Rom. 3. 24 25 26. 1 Joh. 1. 9. Secondly Life must be by Jesus Christ that God might be Adored and Magnifyed for finding out this Way This is the Lord's Doings that in all Things he might be Glorifyed through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thirdly It must be by Jesus Christ that Life might be at God's dispose who hath great Pity for the Poor the Lowly the Meek the Broken in heart and for them that others care not for Psal. 34. 6. Psal. 138. 6. Psal. 25. Psal. 51. 17. Psal. 147. 3. Fourthly Life must be in Christ to cut off boasting from the lips of men This also is the Apostles reason in Rom. 3. 26 27. And Ephes. 2. 8 9 10. Secondly Life must be in Jesus Christ with respect to us First That we might have it upon the easiest Termes to wit Freely as a gift not as wages was it in Moses hand we should come hardly at it Was it in the Popes hand we should pay soundly for it but thanks be to God it is in Christ laid up in him and by him to be communicated to sinners upon easie Termes even for receiving accepting and imbraceing with Thanksgiving As the Scriptures plainly declare Joh. 1. 11 12. 2 Cor. 11. 4. Heb. 11. 13. Col. 3. 13 14 15. Secondly Life is in Christ for us that it might not be upon so brittle a foundation as indeed it would had it been any where else The Law it self is weak because of us as to this But Christ is a tryed stone a sure foundation one that will not fail to bear thy burden and to receive thy Soul coming sinner Thirdly Life is in Christ that it might be sure to all the seed Alas the best of us was life left in our hands to be sure we should forfeit it over and over and over or was it in any other hand we should by our often backslidings so offend him that at last he would shut up his bowels in everlasting displeasure against us But now it is in Christ it
16. Thirteenthly Faith purifieth the Heart but Unbelief keepeth it polluted and impure Acts 15. 9. Tit. 1. 15 16. Fourteenthly By Faith the Righteousness of Christ is imputed to us but by Unbelief we are shut up under the Law to Perish Rom. 4. 23 24. Chap. 11. 32. Gal. 3. 23. Fifteenthly Faith maketh our Work acceptable to God through Christ but whatsoever is of Unbelief is Sin For without Faith it is impossible to please him Heb. 11. 4. Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. Sixteenthly Faith giveth us Peace and Comfort in our Souls but Unbelief worketh Trouble and Tossings like the restless Waves of the Sea Rom. 5. 1. Jam. 1. 6. Seventeenthly Faith makes us see Preciousness in Christ but Unbelief sees no Form Beauty or Comlyness in him 1 Pet. 2. 7. Isa. 53. 1 2 3. Eighteenthly By Faith we have our Life in Christ's Fulness but by Unbelief we starve and pine away Gal. 2. 20. Nineteenthly Faith giveth us the Victory over the Law Sin Death the Devil and all Evils but Unbelief layeth us Obnoxious to them all 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. Luk. 12. 46. Twentyeth Faith will shew us more Excellency in Things not seen than in them that are but Unbelief sees more in Things that are here than in Things that will be here-after 2 Cor. 4. 18. Heb. 11. 24 25 26 27. 1 Cor. 15. 32. Twenty-First Faith maketh the Ways of God pleasant and amiable but Unbelief maketh them heavy and hard Gal. 5. 6. 2 Cor. 12. 10 11. Joh. 6. 60. Psal. 2. 3. Twenty-Second By Faith Abraham Isaac and Jacob possessed the Land of Promise But because of Unbelief neither Aaron nor Moses nor Mirian could get thither Heb. 11. 9. Heb. 3. 19. Twenty-Third By Faith the Children of Israel passed through the Red Sea but by Unbelief the Generality of them perished in the Wilderness Heb. 11. 29. Jude 5. Twenty-Fourth By Faith Gidion did more with Three-hundred men and a few empty Pitchers than all the Twelve Tribes could do because they believed not God Judg. 7. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. Numb 14. 11 44. Twenty-Fifth By Faith Peter walked on the Water but by Unbelief he began to sink Mat. 14. 21 22 23 24 Thus might many more be added which for brevity sake I omit Beseeching every one that thinketh he hath a Soul to Save or be Damned to take heed of Unbelief Lest seeing there is a Promise left us of Entering into his Rest any of us by Unbelief should indeed come short of it The Second Use a Use of Examination WE come now to a Use of Examination Sinner Thou hast heard of the Necessity of Coming to Christ also Of the Willingness of Christ to Receive the Coming-Soul Together with the Benefit that They by him shall have that indeed come to Him Put thy self now upon this Serious Enquiry Am I indeed come to Jesus Christ Motives plenty I might here urge to prevail with thee to a Conscientious Performance of this Duty As 1. Thou art in Sin in the Flesh in Death in the Snare of the Devil and under the Curse of the Law if thou art not coming to Jesus Christ. 2. There is no way to be delivered from these but by coming to Jesus Christ. 3. If thou comest Jesus Christ will Receive thee and will in no wise cast thee out 4. Thou wilt not Repent it in the Day of Judgement if now thou comest to Jesus Christ. 5. But thou wilt surely Mourn at last if now thou shalt refuse to come And 6. Lastly Now thou hast been invited to come now will thy Judgment be greater and thy Damnation more fearful if thou shalt yet Refuse than if thou hadst never heard of Coming to Christ. Object But we hope we are come to Jesus Christ Answ. 'T is well if it proves so But lest thou should speak without Ground and so fall unawares into Hell Fire Let us Examine a little First Art thou indeed come to Jesus Christ What hast thou left behind thee What didst thou come away from in thy Coming to Jesus Christ When Lot came out of Sodom he left the Sodomites behind him Gen. 19. When Abraham came out of Chaldea he left his Country and Kindred behind him Gen. 12. Acts 7. When Ruth came to put her Trust under the Wings of the Lord God of Israel she left her Father and Mother her Gods and the Land of her Nativity behind her Ruth 1. 15 16 17. Chap. 2. 11 12. When Peter came to Christ he left his Nets behind him Mat. 4. 18. When Zacheus came to Christ he left the Receipt of Custom behind him Luk. 19. When Paul came to Christ he left his own Righteousness behind him Philip 3. 7 8. When those that used Curious Arts came to Jesus Christ they took their Curious Books and burned them though in another Man's Eye they were counted worth Fifty-Thousand Peices of Silver Acts 19. 18 19 20. What say'st thou Man Hast thou left thy Darling Sins thy Sodomitish Pleasures thy Acquaintance and vain Companions thy unlawful Gain thy Idol Gods and Righteousness and thy unlawful Curious Arts behind thee If any of these be with thee and thou with them in thy Heart and Life thou art not yet come to Jesus Christ. Secondly Art thou come to Jesus Christ Prethee tell me VVhat moved hee come to Jesus Christ Men do not usually come or go to this or that Place before they have a Moving Cause or rather a Cause moving them thereto No more do they come to Jesus Christ I do not say before they have a Cause but before that Cause moveth them to come What say'st thou Hast thou a Cause moving thee to come To be at present in a State of Condemnation is Cause sufficient for Men to come to Jesus Christ for Life But that will not do except that Cause move them the which it will never do until their Eyes be opened to see themselves in that Condition For it is not a Man's being under Wrath but his seeing it that moveth him to come to Jesus Christ. Alas All Men by Sin are under Wrath yet but few of that All came to Jesus Christ And the Reason is because they do not see their Condition Who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come Mat. 3. 7. Until Men are warned and also receive the VVarning they will not come to Jesus Christ. Take three or four Instances for this 1. Adam and Eve came not to Jesus Christ until they Received the Alarum the Conviction of their Undone State by Sin Gen. 3. 2. The Children of Israel cryed not out for a Mediator before they saw themselves in danger of Death by the Law Exod. 20. 18 19. 3. Before the Publican came he saw himself lost and undone Luk 18. 13. 4. The Prodigal came not until he saw Death at the Door ready to devour him Luk. 15. 17 18. 5. The Three-Thousand came not until they knew not what to do to be Saved Acts 2.
thou hast found glory in him glory that Surmounts and goes beyond Thou art more glorious than the mountaines of pray Psal. 76. 4. Fifthly What shall I say thou hast found Righteousness in him Thou hast found rest peace delight Heaven glory and eternal life Sinner be advised Ask thy heart again saying Am I come to Jesus Christ For upon this one question Am I Come or am I Not Hangs Heaven and Hell as to thee If thou canst say I am come and God shall approve that saying Happy Happy Happy man art thou but if thou art not come what can make thee happy Yea what can make that man Happy that for his not coming to Jesus Christ for life must be damned in Hell The Third Use a Use of Encouragement COming Sinner I have now a word for thee be of good comfort He will in no wise cast out Of all men thou art the blessed of the Lord the the Father hath prepared his Son to be a Sacrifice for thee and Jesus Christ thy Lord is gone to prepare a place for thee Joh. 1. 29. Heb. 10. Joh. 14. What shall I say to thee thou comest to a full Christ thou canst not want any thing for Soul or body for this World or that to come but it is to be had in or by Jesus Christ As it is said of the Land that the Dannits went to possess So and with much more truth it may be said of Christ He is such an one with whom there is no want of any good thing that is in Heaven or earth A Full Christ is thy Christ. First He is full of Grace Grace is sometimes taken for love and take it so here He is full of love never any loved like Jesus Christ. Jonathans love went beyond the love of Women but the love of Christ passes knowledge It is beyond the love of all the Earth of all Creatures even of Men and Angels His love prevailed with him to lay aside his Glory to leave the Heavenly place to cloth himself with flesh to be born in a Stable to be laid in a Manger to live a poor life in the World to take upon him our sicknesses infirmities sins curse Death and the Wrath that was due to man And all this he did for a base undeserving unthankfull people yea for a people that was at Enmity with him For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly For scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die But God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us Much more then being now justified we shall be saved by his life 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 Rom. 5. 6 7 8 9 10. Secondly He is full of Truth Full of grace and truth Truth that is faithfulness in keeping promise even this of the Text with all other I will in no wise cast out Hence it is said that his words be true and that he is the faithfull God that keepeth covenant And hence it is also that his promise is called Truth Thou wilt fulfill thy truth unto Jacob and thy mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn unto our Fathers from the days of old Therefore it is said again that both himself and words are Truth I am the Truth the Scriptures of Truth thy Word is Truth thy Law is the Truth and my mouth aith he shall speak truth Joh. 14. 6. Dan. 10. 21. Joh. 17. 17. 2 Sam. 7. 28. Pro. 8. 7. Psal. 119. 142. Eccles. 12. 10. Isa. 25. 1. Mal. 2. 6. Acts 26. 25. 2 Tim. 2. 12 13. Now I say his word is truth and he is full of truth to fulfill his truth even to a Thousand Generations Coming sinner he will not deceive thee come boldly to Jesus Christ. Thirdly He is full of Wisdome He is made unto us of God Wisdome Wisdome to manage the affairs of his Church in general and the affairs of every coming sinner in particular And upon this account he is said to be head over all things 1 Cor. 1. Ephes. 1. Because he manages all things that are in the world by his Wisdom for the good of his Church all mens Actions all Satans Temptations all Gods Providences all Crosses Disappointments all things what ever are under the hand of Christ Who is the Wisdom of God and he ordereth them all for good to his Church And can Christ help it and be sure he can nothing shall happen or fall out in the world but it shall in despite of all opposition have a good tendency to his Church and people Fourthly He is full of the Spirit to communicate it to the coming Sinner he hath therefore received it without measure that he may communicate it to every member of his body according as every mans measure thereof is allotted him by the Father Wherefore he saith that he that comes to him Out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living water Joh. 3. 34. Tit. 3. 5 6. Acts 1. Joh. 7. 31 32 34 35 36 37 38. Fifthly He is indeed a store-house full of all the graces of the Spirit Of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace Here is more Faith more Love more Sincerity more Humility more of every Grace and of this even more of this he giveth to every Lowly Humble Penitent coming Sinner wherefore coming Soul thou comest not to a barren wilderness when thou comest to Jesus Christ John 1. 16. Sixthly He is full of Bowels and Compassion And they shall feel and find it so that come to him for Life He can bear with thy Weaknesses he can pity thy Ignorance he can be touched with the Feeling of thine Infirmities he can affectionately forgive thy Transgressions he can heal thy Back slidings and Love thee Freely His Compassions fail not And he will not break a bruised Reed nor quench the smoaking Flax He can pity them that no Eye pities and be afflicted in all thy Afflictions Mat. 26. 41. Heb. 5 2. Chap. 2. 18 19. Mat 9. 2. Hos. 14. 4. Ezek. 16. 5 6. Isa. 63. 9. Psal. 78. 38. Psal. 86. 15. Psal. 111. 4. Psal. 112. 4. Lam. 3. 22. Isa. 42. 3. Seventhly Coming Soul the Jesus that thou art coming to is full of Might and Terribleness for thy Advantage He can suppress all thine Enemies He is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth He can bow all Men's Designes for thy Help He can break all Snares laid for thee in the Way He can lift thee out of all Difficulties where-with thou may'st be surrounded He is Wise in Heart and Mighty in Power Every Life under Heaven is in his Hand yea the Faln Angels tremble before him And he will save thy Life Coming-Sinner 1 Cor. 1. 24. Rom. 8. 28. Mat. 28. 18. Rev. 15.
those that he will in no wise cast out Thus also the word All Israel is sometimes to be taken though sometimes it is taken for the whole Family of Jacob. And so All Israel shall be saved Rom. 11. By All Israel here he intendeth not All of Israel in the largest sence For they are not All Israel which are of Israel neither because they are the Seed of Abraham are they All Children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called That is they which are the Children of the flesh these are not the Children of God but the Children of the promise are counted for the seed Rom. 9. 6 7 8. This word All must therefore be limited and enlarged as the truth and argument for the sake of which it is used will bare else we shall abuse Scriptures and Readers our selves All. And I if I be lifted up from the earth said Christ will draw All men after me Joh. 12. 32. Can any man imagine that by All in this place he should mean All and every individual man in the World and not rather That All that is consonant to the scope of the place And if by being lift up from the earth he means as he should seem his being taken up into Heaven and if by drawing All men after him he meant a drawing of them into that place of Glory then must he mean by All Men Those and only Those that shall in truth be eternally Saved from the Wrath to Come For God hath concluded them All in unbelief that he might have mercy upon All Rom. 11. 32. Those intended in this Text are the Jews even All of them by the first All that you find in the words The second All doth also intend the same People but yet only so many of them as God will have Mercy upon He hath concluded them All in unbelief that he might have Mercy upon All. The All also in the Text is also to be limited and restrained to the Saved and to them only But again The word Giveth or hath given must be restrained after the same manner to the same limited number All that the Father giveth me Not all that are given if you take the gift of the Father to the Son in the largest sence For in that sence there are Many given to him that shall never come unto him Yea many are given to him that he will cast out I shall therefore first shew you the truth of this and then in what sence the gift in the Text must be taken First That All that are given to Christ if you take the Gift of the Father to him in the largest sence cannot be intended in the Text is evident 1. Because then all the men yea all the things in the World must be Saved All things saith he are delivered unto Me of my Father Mat. 11. V. 27. This I think no rational man in the world will conclude Therefore the Gift intended in the Text must be restrained to some to a Gift that is given by way of speciality by the Father to the Son 2. It must not be taken for All that in any sence are given by the Father to him because the Father hath given some yea many to him to be dashed in pieces by him Ask of me said the Father to him and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession But what must be done with them Must he Save them All No Thou shalt brake them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel Psal. 2. This method he useth not with them that he saveth by his Grace but with those that Himself and Saints shall rule over in Justice and Severity Rev. 2 26 27. Yet as you see they are given to him Therefore the gift intended in the Text must be restrained to some to a gift that is given by way of speciality by the Father to the Son In Psalm 18. he saith plainly That some are given to him that he might destroy them Thou hast given me the necks of mine enemies that I might destroy them that hate me ver 40. These therefore cannot be of the number of those that are said to be given in the Text for those even All of them shall come to him and he will in no wise cast them out 3ly Some are given to Christ that he by them might bring about some of his high and deep designes in the world Thus Judas was given to Christ to wit that by him even as was determined before he might bring about His death and so the Salvation of his Elect by his Blood Yea and Judas must so manage this business as that he must lose himself for ever in the bringing of it to pass Therefore the Lord Jesus even in his losing of Judas applies himself to the Judgment of his Father if he had not in that thing done the thing that was right even in suffering of Judas so to bring about his Masters death as he might bring about his own eternal Damnation Those saith he that thou gavest me have I kept and none of them is lost but the Son of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled Joh. 17. 12. Let us then grant that Judas was given to Christ but not as others are given to him to wit not as those made mention of in the Text for then he should not have failed to have been received by Christ kept to Eternal life Indeed he was given to Christ but he was given to him to lose him in the way that I have mentioned before that is he was given to Christ that he by him might bring about his own death as was before determined and that in the overthrow of him that did it Yea he must bring about his Dying for us in the loss of the instrument that betrayed him that he might even fulfill the Scripture in his destruction as well as in the Salvation of the rest And none of them is lost but the Son of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled The gift therefore in the Text must not be taken in the Largest sence but even as the Words will bare to wit for such a gift as he accepteth and promiseth to be an Effectual means of their Eternal Salvation All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Mark They shall come that are in special given to me and they shall by no means be rejected For this is the Substance of the Text. Those therefore intended as the gift in the Text they are those that are given by Covenant to the Son those that in other places are called the Elect the Chosen the Sheep and the Children of the promise c. These be they that the Father hath given to Christ to keep them those that Christ hath promised Eternal Life unto those to whom he hath given his Word
kill us we shall but die Here now was necessity at work and this necessity drove them to go thither for life whether else they would never have gon for it Thus it is with them that in truth come to Jesus Christ Death is before them they see it and feel it he is feeding upon them and will eat them quite up if they come not to Jesus Christ and therefore they come even of necessity being forced thereto by that Sense they have of their being utterly and everlastingly undone if they find not safety in him These then are they that will come indeed these are they that are invited to come Come unto me all ye that Labor and are Heavy Laden and I will give you rest Matt. 11. 28. Take two or three things to make this more plain to wit that coming to Christ floweth from a sound sense of the absolute need that a Man hath of him as afore 1. They shall come with Weeping with Supplication will I lead them I will cause them to walk by the Rivers of Waters in a plain way wherein they shall not stumble Jer. 31. 9. Mind it they come with Weeping and Supplication they come with Prayers and Tears Now Prayers and Tears are the effects of a right Sense of the need of Mercy Thus a senseless Sinner cannot Come he cannot Pray he cannot Cry he cannot come sensible of what he sees not nor feels In those Days and at that time the Children of Israel shall come they and the Children of Judah together going weeping they shall seek the Lord their God they shall ask the way to Zion with their Faces thitherward saying come and let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Jer. 50. 4 5. Secondly This coming to Christ it is called a running to him as flying to him a flying from Wrath to come By all which Termes is set forth the sense of the man that comes to wit That he is affected with the sense of his sin and the Death due thereto that he is sensible that the avenger of Blood pursues him and that therefore he is cut off if he makes not speed to the Son of God for Life Mat. 3. 7. Psal. 143. 9. Flying is the last work of a man in danger all that are in danger do not Fly No not all that see themselves in danger flying is the last work of a man in danger all that hear of danger will will not fly Men will consider if there be no other way of escape before they Fly Therefore as I said flying is the last thing When all Refuge fails and a man is made to see that there is nothing left him but Sin Death and Damnation unless he flyes to Christ for Life then he flies and not till then Thirdly That the true coming is from a sense of an absolute need of Jesus Christ to save c. is evident by the Out-cry that is made by them that come even as they are coming to him Lord save or I perish Men and Brethren what shall we do Sirs what must I do to be saved and the like This Language doth sufficiently discover that the truly coming Souls are Souls sensible of their need of Salvation by Jesus Christ and moreover that there is nothing else that can help them but Christ. Fourthly It is yet further evident by these few things that follow it is said that such are pricked in their Hearts that is with the sentence of Death by the Law and the least prick in the Heart kills a Man Acts 2. 37. such are said as I said before to Weep to Tremble and to be astonished in themselves at the evident and unavoidable danger that attends them unless they fly to Jesus Christ Acts 9 chap. 16. Fifthly Coming to Christ is attended with an honest and sincere forsaking of all for him If any Man come to me and hate not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own Life also he cannot be my Disciple And whosoever doth not bear his Cross and come after me cannot be my Disciple Luk. 14. 26 27. By these and the like expressions elsewhere Christ describeth the true Commer or the man that indeed is coming to him he is one that casteth all behind his Back he leaveth all he forsaketh all he hateth all things that would stand in his way to hinder his coming to Jesus Christ. There are a great many pretended Commers to Jesus Christ in the World And they are much like to the man that you read of in Matt. 21. 30. that said at his Fathers bidding I go Sir and went not I say there are a great many such Commers to Jesus Christ they say when Christ calls by his Gospel I come Sir but still they abide by their Pleasures and carnal Delights They come not at all only they give him a Courtly Complement but he takes notice of it and will not let it pass for any more than a Lie He said I go Sir and went not he dissembled and lied Take heed of this you that flatter your selves with your own deceivings words will not do with Jesus Christ coming is coming and nothing else will go for coming with him Before I spake to the other Head I shall answer some Objections that usually lie in the way of those that in Truth are coming to Jesus Christ. Objection I. Though I cannot deny but my mind runs after Christ and that too as being moved thereto from a sight and consideration of my lost Condition For I see without him I perish yet I fear my ends are not right in coming to him Quest. Why what is thine end in coming to Jesus Christ Answer My end is that I might have Life and be saved by Jesus Christ. This is thy Objection well let me tell thee that to come to Christ for Life and to be saved though at prethou hast no other end is a lawful and good coming to Jesus Christ. This is evident because Christ propoundeth Life as the only Argument to prevail with sinners to come to him and also blameth them because they come not to him for Life And ye will not Come to me that ye might have Life Joh. 5. Besides there are many other Scriptures whereby he allureth Sinners to come to him in which he propoundeth nothing to them but their safety As He that believeth in him shall not perish he that believeth is passed from Death to Life He that believeth shall be Saved He that believeth on him is not condemned And believing coming are all one So that you see to Come to Christ for Life is a lawful coming and good And let me add over and above that for a man to come to Christ for Life though he comes to him for nothing else but Life he gives much honour to him First He Honoureth the Word of Christ and consenteth to the Truth of it and that in
37 38 39. 6. Paul came not until he saw himself lost and undone Acts 9. 3 4 5 6 7 8. 11. 7. Lastly Before the Jayler came he saw himself undone Acts 16. 29 30 31. And I tell thee It is an easier thing to perswade a Well-Man to go to the Physitian for Cure or a Man without Hurt to seek out for a Playster to Cure him than it is to perswade a Man that sees not his Soul-Disease to come to Jesus Christ. The Whole have No need of the Physitian Then Why should they go to him The full Pitcher can hold no more then Why should it go to the Fountain And if thou comest full thou comest not aright and be sure Christ will send thee Empty away But he healeth the Broken in Heart and bindeth up their Wounds Mar. 2. 17. Psal. 147. 3. Luk. 1. 53. Thirdly Art thou Coming to Jesus Christ Prethee tell me What seest thou in him to allure thee to forsake all the VVorld to come to him I say VVhat hast thou seen in him Men must see something in Jesus Christ else they will not come to him 1. VVhat Comlyness hast thou seen in his Person Thou comest not if thou seest no Form nor Comlyness in him Isa. 53. 1 2 3. 2. Until those mentioned in the Song were convinced that there was more Beauty Comlyness and Desirableness in Christ than in Ten-Thousand they did not so much as ask VVhere he was nor incline to turn aside after him Song 5. Chap. 6. There be many Things on this side Heaven that Can and Do carry away the Heart and so will do so long as thou Livest if thou shalt be kept blind and not be admitted to see the beauty of the Lord Jesus Fourthly Art thou come to the Lord Jesus what hast thou found in him since thou camest to him Peter found with him the words of eternal life Joh. 6. 68. They that Peter makes mention of found him a Living stone even such a living stone as Communicated life to them 1 Pet. 2. He saith himself they that come to him c. Shall find rest unto their Souls hast thou found rest in him for thy Soul Mat. 11. Let us go back to the times of the Old Testament First Abraham found that in him that made him Leave his Countrey for him and become for his sake a Pilgrim and stranger in the earth Gen. 12. Heb. 11. Secondly Moses found that in him that made him forsake a Crown and a Kingdome for him too Thirdly David found so much in him that he counted to be in his house one day was better than a Thousand yea to be a door keeper there-in was better in his esteem than to dwell in the Tents of wickedness Psal. 84. 10. Fourthly What did Daniel and the three Children find in him to make them run the hazzard of the Fiery Furnance and the Den of Lyons for his sake Dan. 3. chap. 6. Let 's come down to Martyrs First Stephen found that in him that made him Joyfully and quietly yeild up his life for his name Acts 7. Secondly Ignatius found that in him that made him Chuse to go through the Torments of the Devil and Hell it self rather than not to have him Acts and Mon. vol. 1. pag. 25. Thirdly What saw Romanus in Christ when he said to the rageing Emperor who threatned him with fearful Torments Thy Sentence O Emperor I Joyfully imbrace and refuse not to be Sacrificed by as Cruel Torments as thou canst invent pag. 116. Fourthly What saw Menas the Egyptian in Christ when he said under most Cruel Torments Ther eis nothing in my mind that can be compared to the Kingdome of Heaven neither is all the World if it was weighed in the ballance to be conferred with the price of one Soul who is able to separate us from the Love of Jesus Christ our Lord and I have Learned of my Lord and King not to fear them that kill the body c. pag. 117. Fifthly What did Eulalia see in Christ when she said as they was pulling her one Joynt from another Behold O Lord I will not forget thee what a pleasure is it for them O Christ that remember thy Tryumphant Victories pag. 121. Sixthly What think you did Agnes see in Christ when rejoyceingly she went to meet the Souldier that was appointed to be her Executioner I will willingly said she receive into my Paps the length of his Sword and into my Breasts will draw the force thereof even to the hilts that thus I being married to Christ my Spouse may surmount and escape all the darkness of this World pag. 122. Seventhly What do you think did Julitta see in Christ when at the Emperors telling of her that except she would worship the Gods she should neither have Protection Laws Judgements nor life She replied Fare-well life Welcome Death Fare-well Riches Wel-come poverty All that I have if it were a Thousand times more would I rather lose than to speak one wicked and blasphemous word against my Creator pag. 123. Eightly What did Marcus Arethusius see in Christ when after his enemies had cut his flesh anointed it with honey and hanged him up in a basket for flies and bees to feed on he would not give to up-hold Idolatry one half penny to save his life pag. 129. Ninethly What did Constantine see in Christ when he used to kiss the wounds of them that suffered for him pag. 135. Tenthly But what need I give thus particular instances of words and smaller actions when by their lives their blood their induring hunger sword fire pulling a sunder and all Torments that the Devil and Hell could devise for the love they bare to Christ after they were come to him What hast thou found in him sinner What! come to Christ and find nothing in him when all things that are worth looking after are in him or if any thing yet not enough to wean thee from thy sinfull delights and fleshly lusts Away away thou art not come to Jesus Christ. He that is come to Jesus Christ hath found in him that as I said that is not to be found any where else As First He that is come to Christ hath found God in him reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses to them And so God is not to be found in Heaven and earth besides 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. Secondly He that is come to Jesus Christ hath found in him a fountain of grace sufficient not only to pardon sin but to Sanctifie the Soul and to preserve it from falling in this evil World Thirdly He that is come to Jesus Christ hath found vertue in him That vertue that if he does but touch thee with his Word or thou him by Faith Life is forthwith conveyed into thy Soul It makes thee wake as one that is waked out of his sleep it awakes all the powers of thy Soul Psal. 30. 11 12. Song 6. 12. Fourthly Art thou come to Jesus Christ