Christ more worth than all the Gold of Ophir he esteems the blood of Christ of sufficient vertue to purge away every sin and the obedience of Christ sufficient to procure all manner of good for him he sees peace in him and victory in him and life in him as a man prizes bread because that preserves life as a sick man prizes a skilful Physitian as a man prizes his money because that is vertually all things here 't is meat and drink and clothes c. Money answers all things so does the Believer prize Christ he sees all things vertually in him he sees he has perpetual need of him he prizes him as the only way of happiness 5. Being satisfied in Christ the believer sees enough in Christ to answer the needs of his soul there is a fullness in Christ his soul finds rest there he does not see any need of his own righteousness to commend him to Gods acceptance he is satisfied in the Robes of Christs Righteousness he sees there is no need of his to make him beautiful in the eyes of God he is satisfied in this bread of life and he finds no necessity to feed upon husks other men imagine a need of something of their own to ingratiate them with God and to procure their acceptance they dare not trust in Christ alone but are labouring to piece out his righteousness with theirs and when they hear the tenders of grace made through Christ they are not satisfied but are looking out for something else to encourage them they dare not trust in this alone but the believer is satisfied in Christ and he throws away all other confidences both as vain and as needless he finds no want of any other righteousness to justifie him and carry before God he don't regard nor desire any thing of his own to commend him to Gods acceptance he sees there is ground enough of encouragement in Christ Phil. 3.3 we rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh 1 Cor. 2.2 I have determined to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and him crucified 6. Counting this way of salvation a glorious way this way of salvation pleases God 't is a way that he has chosen and this way please the believer he likes it and is taken with it it is a glorious way in his eye he has an high esteem of this way he counts it an excellent and glorious way as it is a way of safety all other ways that men have imagined and devised he despises them as deceitful as meer traps and snares for the souls of men as ineffectual unto the end proposed but his soul does magnifie this way as that which does answer the end and will effect and bring about that salvation that it is proposed in order to he is affected with this way as it is a sure way that will not fail those that trust therein 1 Pet. 2.4 to whom coming as to a living stone he is affected with it that God has laid so strong a foundation of the salvation of his people that they cannot be disappointed of it and he counts it a glorious way as thereby the glory of God is much advanced In this way the glorious mystery of the Trinity is made known in this way the excellent skill and workmanship of the Lord is seen in reparing the ruines of Mankind and raising up of man from the gulf of misery unto the pinnacle of happiness in finding out a way to reconcile his own glory and mans salvation in bestowing blessedness upon man in such a way that free grace shall have all the glory in this way the wonderful love of God does appear in this costly way of salvation upon this account the soul is taken with this way of salvation as a way that will much advance the glory of God we should have been great strangers to God and have seen little of his glory comparatively had it not been for this way of salvation it is pleasant taking notice of the beamings forth of Gods glory in this way Rev. 5.13 blessing and honour and glory and power be to him that sitteth on the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever 7. Rejoycing in Christ Jesus the believer finds a great deal of joy in Christ he solaces himself in the thoughts of the righteousness of Christ while others are rejoycing in the sparks that they have kindled he sits under the shadow of Christ with great delight his heart is many times raised with the discoveries of Christ sometimes his soul is filled with joy and peace in believing Rom. 15.13 believing he rejoices with joy unspeakable and sult of glory 1 Pet. 1 8. sometimes he can triumph in Christ over all the enemies of his soul while others are boasting in themselves what duties they have done what frames they have attained what service they have done to the cause of God but the believer is making of his boast of Christ glorying in his righteousness the soul can triumph in that notwithstanding all matter of discouragement Rom. 8.34 who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died 1 Cor. 15.55.6 7. O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law but thanks be to God that giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Question 2. Vnder what considerations are these astings of Faith drawn forth Answer There be many considerations which the hearts of believers do pitch upon which draw forth the exercise of Faith as the considerations that unbelief fixes upon are very many only here mind this that where the Lord makes one encouraging consideration powerful upon the heart it is an in-let to many others And we may reduce them principally to these three Heads 1. The heart fixes sometime on the consideration of Gods mercy saith is drawn forth by the consideration of the merciful nature of God Psal 44.18 When I said my foot slippeth thy mercy O Lord held me up the soul says God is of infinite mercy he can find in his heart to blot out greatest transgressions his mercy is greater than our sinfulness he can overcome all our guilt Mic. 7.18 who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity c. sometimes upon the consideration of the freeness of Gods mercy he has no dependance on our worth he can give life without any thing in us to draw his heart towards us Rom. 5.21 grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life c. sometimes on the merciful purposes of God who has designed to shew mercy upon many of the sinful children of men he has determined to bring many sinners unto the enjoyment of himself 2 Tim. 1.9 sometimes on the exercise of his mercy in sending his Son to dye for sinners Joh. 3.16 somtimes the thoughts pitch on the merciful invitations that the Lord makes to sinners 2 cor 5.20 somtimes on the exercise of his mercy on great
was appointed to bring us into an estate of justification and salvation Jesus Christ had his Authority bestowed upon him to bring us to life John 17.2 Thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him accordingly Christ has done more for our blessedness than Adam was to do Adam was to bring us out of an estate of innocency into an estate of justification but Christ has brought us out of a guilty estate into an estate of justification yea Christ has done more for our blessedness than Adam did for our ruine Adam brought us from innocency to misery but Christ has brought us from misery not back again to innocency but to blessedness in this respect that Salvation that Christ has wrought is more eminent and remarkable than that destruction that Adam wrought and for the pur chasing of this there was more required than for the restitution of us to our primitive condition the sufferings of Christ were sufficient to procure our restitution unto innocency but there was a necessity of the active obedience of Jesus Christ to bring us into an estate of blessedness Christs active obedience was necessary for us as well as his passive and this was one reason why it was requisite that Christ should continue so long upon earth that by a course of obedience for many years he might purchase eternal life for us the influence of the blood of Christ into our justification was typified by the Sacrifices the influence of the active obedience of Christ into our justification was typified by the white Garments of the Priests and the beautiful Garments of the High Priest our justification is compared to the putting on of white Raiment Rev. 3.18 some have objected against the necessity of Christs active obedience to our Justification that by his sufferings he satisfied for our sins of omission as well as of commission and if our sins of omission be satisfied for it is all one as if we had performed the duty but that is a mistake we can't he justified except obedience be performed Gal. 3.12 The man that doth them shall live in them suffering is the fulfilling of the threatning not of the command meer suffering has satisfaction but no merit in it suffering for sins of omission only removes the guilt contracted by the omission suffering for sins of omission puts us into such a condition as if the duty had not been omitted but not into such a condition as if it had been performed into such a condition as Adam was in not such as Believers are in in a sin of omission there are two things to be observed a neglect of duty towards God which is to be punished and a neglect of the condition of life which condition must be attended before life be bestowed the forgiving of an omission may be where the duty is still expected if a man fail of paying Money at the day his omission may be forgiven and yet the money may be expected The sixth Proposition for the clearing of the Argument is That Jesus Christ has fulfilled the righteousness of the Law. He has answered all the demands and challenges of the Law what the Law could chalenge from us has been accomplished by and upon Christ First Christ has fulfilled Obedience unto the commands of the Law Jesus Christ lived a life of spotless holiness and integrity obedient in all things unto the command of God Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on Earth I have finished the work that thou gavest me to do 1 Pet. 2.22 Who did no sin neither was guil found in his mouth he lived in a perfect and absolute conformity to the Law of God all the dayes of his life and therefore he is said to know no sin 2 Cor. 5.21 concerning this active obedience of Christ I shall here only observe these two things 1. That he did all the common duties of the Law and such particular duties as were proper to the Relation that he sustained he did not sustain all relations as that of Husband and Parents and therefore the duties peculiar to such relations were not requir'd of him nor performed by him neither was there any need that he should stand in all relations and fulfil the work required of all some give that reason why Christ was in this or that condition that it was to sanctifie those conditions to his People and by that reason he had need have been in all conditions that the like might be sanctified to his people but it was sufficient that Christ fulfilled the whole Law as it was required of one in his station and that is enough to answer for the Elect whatever relation or condition they are in Secondly Christ did obey not only moral commands but also subjected himself to the commands of instituted Worship and as he was circumcised in his infancy so when he was adult he was Baptized and gives that reason of it because it became him to fulfil all righteousness Mat. 3.15 So Christ partook of the Lords Supper Mat. 26 29. some think that the reason why Christ was Baptized was that he might thereby shew his approbation of Johns Baptism but that might have been done by his Word and I can't think that Christ would use a fignificant ceremony if the signification had not at all belonged to him neither would he perform an act of Worship that was not proper for him only to shew his approbation another reason that is given is that it was to sanctifie our Baptisme but their Baptism was sanctified that were Baptized before besides it is not the example but the institution of Christ that sanctifies our Baptism Another reason that hereby he was inaugurated and consecrated to his Office but there is nothing leads to that he was solemnly consecrated immediately after this Ordinance has no such signification but the reason of it was because sin was imputed to him and as this Ordinance seals up to us deliverance from sin through Christs Blood so it sealed up to him deliverance from the guilt of sin through his own Blood through the shedding of his Blood he was justified 1 Tim. 3.16 and this was a Seal to his Faith and sin imputed was Sacramentally done away hereby the like may be said of his partaking of the Lords Supper Secondly Christ Jesus has likewise born the penalty of the Law the death of Jesus Christ was a legal death it was the execution of the Law the putting of Christ to death was an act of vindictive justice it was a fruit of the wrath of God this is evident because he is said to he made a curse for us the curse is the condemning sentence and execration of the Law Gal. 3.13 this the Apostle proves from Dout 21.22 23. that law was a ceremonial Law whereby they that were hanged on a Tree were ceremonially accursed to typifie the accursed death of Jesus Christ this typical reason excepted there is no reason
why this sort of death should fasten a curse on a person more than any other legal death this Law makes the man that was hanged a ceremonial curse to typifie Christs having the moral curse Again it is clear be cause God punished Christ with death for sin and God does not punish sin but by the Law the death of Christ was on the account of sin Isai 58 6. The Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all 1 Cor. 15.3 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures Several things are here objected As 1. That Christ did not suffer spiritual death in sin the loss of the image of God which is a part of the penalty of the Law Ans Christ bore the essential parts of the curse not all the accidental there be many circumstantial parts of the curse wherein there may be great variety so one Reprobate does not bear all the pains diseases and afflictions that others do some Reprobates shall not endure bodily death as they which are alive at the coming of Christ so Christ did suffer some sorrows that were peculiar which indeed there was no absolute necessity of from the moral Law as he suffered a legal death from men died as a Malefactor with many aggravating circumstances there was no need that Christ should suffer the same in specie with reprobates it was sufficient that he suffered the same in pondere the death of the Soul in sin flows not from the curse absolutely considered but from the disposition of the patient it is a punishment fit for sinners but not for a Mediator 2. Obj. Christ did not suffer the torments of Hell which are a principal part of the curse Ans He did not suffer in Hell but he suffered the same for substance with them that are there as for the bodily punishments of Christ they were very great but he bare the punishment of Hell in his soul he bore the loss of the comfortable fruition of God Mat. 27 46. and he had the doleful sense of the wrath of God on his heart this is held out Psal 110.7 He shall drink of the brook in the way and as we have peace of conscience through imputed righteousness so he had torment of conscience from imputed sin what was it else that he conflicted with in his agony was it only the fears of temporal death which many Martyrs have born with triumph he grapled with the wrath of God that made him sweat drops of blood 3. Obj. Christ did not suffer eternal death and the eternity of the punishment is the great aggravation Ans T is trâ—e he suffered but a few years and the extremity of his punishment was but for a few hours because the infinite dignity of his person made his short sufferings equivalentâ— to the everlasting punishments of the damned for an infinite person to suffer a temporal punishment is as much as for a finite person to suffer an eternal punishment it may be as severe justice to punish Christ with the like pains for a few hours as to punish a damned man with them for ever a less quantity of Gold equals a greater quantity of silver it seems to be as great a testimony of the holiness of God and a vindication of the honour of his Law to punish his dear Son with a temporal as sinners with eternal punishment The seventh thing to be considered is That Christ performed the righteousness of the Law for us it was performed on our account that we might be justified thereby 1. The active Obedience of Christ was performed upon our account whatever was done that way was done by him as our Mediator and Representative Rom 5.14 by the obedience of one many are made righteous and Christs Righteousness as distinct from his sufferings sis spoken of as a ground of faith 1 John 2.1.2 we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous who also is the propitiation for our sins so in Dan. 9.24 the bringing in of everlasting righteousness is spoken of as a distinct thing from finishing transgression and making an end of sin which are benefits to come by the Messiah neither does it any ways prejudice this truth that Christ owed Obedience unto God as he was man it being essential to man to owe obedience to his creator for Adams Obedience was a natural debt yet if he had obeyed all his posterity would have lived and tho Christ himself were rewarded for his obedience and sufferings as is held forth Phil. 2.7 8 9 10. that hinders not its usefulness for us the primary design of it was to accomplish our salvation which hinders not but that God might give some signal testimony of his acceptance of the love and service of Christ by recompensing him for the same 2. The sufferings of Jesus Christ were also upon our account and indeed there can no other account be given of these sufferings no other reason but this can be assigned of them his sufferings were exceeding great as appears by his being afflicted before hand about it by his heaviness and amazement by his prayer by his sweating drops of blood and no satisfactory reason can be given of these sufferings but only that he bore our curse it was not for any personal sin for he had none Heb 7.26 it was not to prevent any sin God sometimes Brings afflictions on his people to prevent their sinning 2 Cor. 12.7 but there was no danger of Christs sinning his nature was not tainted and the union of the divine nature with the humane was a sufficient security it was not meerly in a way of trial to try the patience and faith of Christ the Scripture gives in no evidence of that neither was it principally to give us an example of patience but he suffered to make an attonement for us and recencile us to God. The Scripture represents the sufferings of Christ under a three sold consideration all serving to clear up this point 1. It is represented as a price of redemption Mat. 20.28 The Son of man came to give his life a ransome for many Rev. 5.9 thou wast slain and hast Redeemed us to God by thy blood A Second consideration is of a sacrifice the sins of the people were typically laid upon the sacrifice and then it was slain so Christ was sacrificed for us Eph. 5 2. Christ hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God of a sweet smelling savour 1 Cor. 5.7 Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us the fruit of this is Reconciliation A third consideration of them is they are a punishment Jesus Christ took upon the guilt of our sins that is our obligation to punishment the demerit of sin whereby the sinner deserves punishment was not translated to him as the merit of his righteousness is not translated to us but the title to blessedness arising there from so Christ took upon himself our obligation to punishment and accordingly God inflicted the punishment of our
that righteousness themselves as he would have done if Adam had kept the covenant of works but he don't do thus the promise in the covenant of works is life which includes all manner of felicity but Believers are far short of felicity they have much sin remaining in them are left to fall into many sins they are liable to very sore and dreadful afflictions and to death the promise of the Law is not fulfilled to them therefore it seems they have not the righteousness of the Law. Ans 1. These sorrows do not come upon the People of God for want of a perfect righteousness or for want of compleat satisfaction and this is an evdence of it because those sorrows do not come in a way of vindictive justice or vengeance though they are for the matter of them the same with the curses of the Law yet not for the manner they do not come to satisfie God for sin those Saints that have the most sin have not always the most sorrow to be left unto sin is not a curse to the people of God Hezekiah was left to sin in mercy 2 Chron 32.31 It was that be might know what is in his heart and so their afflictions Rev. 3.19 Whom I love I rebuke and chasten Jer 24 5 I have sent them into the land of the Chaldeans for their good Sin opens a door to afflictions but God brings them in mercy All the wayes of the Lord are merccy and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies Psal 25.10 2. Though Christ has fulfilled the righteousness of the Law for us yet God is not absolutely bound to reward the righteousness of Christ just in the same manner as he would have done the righteousness of Adam though the righteousness be the same yet there may be circumstantial differences in the reward blessedness is the reward of righteousness but there may be so the circumstantial parts of the reward that may differ as it was with the sufferings of Christ he suffered not in all things the same that the Elect should have done but yet he suffered as much so it is here Christ has purchased perfect blessedness for us yet he has not so purchased it that God is bound to bring us presently and at once into the possession of it Christ has purchased the good of the covenant of works viz. blessedness to be dispensed to us according to the tenor of the covenant of grace viz. to have it begun here and perfected hereafter therefore he is called The Mediator of the new covenant Heb. 12.24 and his seed is called the blood of the everlasting covenant Heb. 13.20 3. There is special reason also why God should not wholly deliver his people from sin and sorrow in this world the special reason why he leaves them to sin is to take occasion thereby for the magnifying of his pardoning grace there are also weighty reasons why he exercises his people here with many sorrows in particular that he may vindicate his own holiness and that he may carry on the work of Sanctification in them in a way suitable unto the nature of Man. CHAP. IV. The second Argument from the Prophecies and Tâ—pes of the Old Testament the third Argument from God's love in giving his Son to dye for us the fourth Argument from the Exaltation of Christ Argument 2. GOd has foretold in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament that Christ should bring us to Salvation by his righteousness therefore it is safe appearing before God therein God has foretold this both in the plain Prophecies that he gave to the ancient Church and in those Types that he gave them wherein this Truth was represented 1. It was foretold in the Prophecies of the Old Testament God by degrees did reveal much of the way of Salvation unto the Church of Israel though it fell abundantly short of those manifestations which he has given in Gospel times yet what was then made known serves as a great confirmation of the truth of the Gospel and I shall not insist on such Prophecies as do only hold forth Salvation by Christ without revealing the particular way of it as where it is said the seed of the woman should bruise the serpents head that in him all the Families of the earth should be blessed that he should be a light to the Gentiles and salvation to the ends of the earth though I might make good the Argument from hence for our condition was such that Christ could not save us without working out righteousness for us but I shall only urge such Prophecies as do hold forth Christs saving of us by his righteousness of which there are these four sorts 1. It was foretold that the Church should have their righteousness from Christ that they should derive their Justification from him Isai 45.24 Surely shabl one say in the Lord Jehovah have I rightousness and strength righteousness is not here taken for holiness or the righteousness of sanctification but the righteousness of justification the Church has its sanctification from Christ by infusion and assistance and their justification from him by the imputation of his righteousness and henco that Name The Lord our Righteousness is given to Christ Jer. 23 6 and the same name is given to the Church Jer. 33.16 both of them in remembrance that the Church does derive her Righteousness from Christ accordingly Christ is said to bring in everlasting Righteousness Dan. 9.24 2. It was foretold that Christ should dye for our sins the death of Christ was not onely foretold but also upon what account it should be 1 Cor. 15.3 Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures this we have at large set down in Isa 53 where we may mind 1. What he suffered namely death besides many other calamities he was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter ver 7 he was cut off out of the land of the living ver 8. God made his soul an offering verse 10. 2. Vpon what account he suffered the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all ver 6. 3. What benefit redounds to us by his sufferings by his knowledge that must not be understood subjectively but objectively by the knowledg of him shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities 3. It was foretold that Christ should effect our salvation by doing that for us that sacrifice and burnt offering could not do Psal 40 6 7 8. sacrifice and offering thou didst not desice but mine ears hast thou opened c. concerning which Scripture you may observe these things 1. That the thing that sacrifices could not effect for us was our reconciliation there was some imagination in men that sacrifices should make their peace but God did not accept them upon that account 2. When he says mine ears hast thou opened he speaks concerning Christ this we have the authority of the Apostle for Heb. 10.5 3. By this phrase is imported the Obedience and
the Law pronounceth the sinner an heir of death Rom 6.23 and it is a most vain imagination for man to think the Law will take up with obedience instead of the sufferings of death disobedience brings the curse but obedience cannot remove it obedience would have prevented the curse but obedience cannot remove it the Law makes no mention of obedience for satisfaction obedience is a thing of another kind then the satisfaction which the Law demands the active obedience of Christ could not satisfie for our sins and how can men think that that obedience which was due to the Law if we had never sinned can satisfie for our sins that the paying of that natural debt which we were born under will also satisfie this new debt which we have contracted by sin especially when our obedience is so defective that in that we are again deserving damnation 2. The law requires perfect obedience in order unto life gal 3.12 the man that doth these things shall live in them it is perfect obedience for it is such obedience as is not mingled with sin if there be any mixture of sin then the person is exposed to the curse but it is impossible that a person should at the same time be an heir of the curse and the blessing of hell and heaven but there is no man in this life does attain unto perfect obedience those that put their trust in their own righteousness do not perform right obedience their obedience is only the shell and carcase of obedience their best works are not only sinful but properly sins for they are acted by a spirit of lust in all that they do self-love rules every unregenerate man Rom. 8.8 they that are in the flesh cannot please God and the obedience of the people of God is greatly tainted with sin the Saints do many things that are sins and their best duties also are sinfully defective sin cleaves to them besides the positive workings of sin they cannot perform any inward act of grace with their whole soul as long as the soul is imperfectly sanctified 1 King. 8.46 there is no man that sinneth not Question But is not God above the Law may not he dispense with his own Law and save sinners notwithstanding Answer The Law does derive all its authority from God but he is not so above the Law as to disanul it and act contrary to it God may not contradict the law to say that God is above the Law so as to dispence with it is to say that God is above himself the Law is Gods Law and he will own it to set God against the Law is to set God against himself the Law is nothing else but an everlasting rule of Justice that God has made between himself and man and the Lord will never suffer any violence to be done to his Law every jot and tittle of the Law must be fulfilled Mat. 5 18. there is no such Gospel as overthrows the Law Rom. 3.31 do we make void the Law by Faith God forbid yea we establish the Law if the Law might have been dispensed withal there had been no necessity of Christs death it was upon that account that Christ died to answer the demands of the Law and why should God be prodigal of the blood of his Son if man might have been saved by Gods soveraign dispensing with the Law would God have put Christ to such sufferings Christ must suffer that so the Law may be satisfied and Indeed the consciences of men will never have peace till they see the Law answered conscience ecchoes to the Law and if enlightned will condemn where the law condemns as long as the Law curses conscience will curse too there is no quieting of conscience as long as he sees the Law against him the reason is because the Law is the voice of God 1 Cor. 15.56 The sting of Death is Sin and the strength of Sin is the Law the Law makes sin to have such power to sting and torment the conscience 4 This way of salvation by mens own righteousness is contrary to Gods providence in providing a perfect righteousness for us in Jesus Christ God has prepared a righteousness to our hand by Christ Jesus Dan. 9.24 he brings in everlasting Righteousness this Righteousness is altogether compleat and there is no defect either in the doing or sufferings of Christ and it was for us Heb. 10.14 by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified and it was by wonderful providences this righteousness was provided for us this is the most observable and glorious work that ever God did in the World this lay much upon the heart of God from everlasting 1 Pet. 1.20 he was fore ordained before the foundation of the World and is the most remarkable among all the births of time besides other providences for the accomplishment of this there were those two exceeding eminent ones the incaruation of the Son of God whereby God became man a misterious work and of infinite condescention wherein the greatest glory is bestowed upon the humane nature of Christ that any creature is capable of the other is Gods inflicting his wrath on Christ Jesus and executing the curse of the Law upon his dearest Son a thing that would never have entred into the heart of man to conceive of had it not been revealed unto us and when we see Gods making such preparation for the salvation of sinners and in so costly a way providing a righteousness for them may we not conclude that they stood in necessity of this righteousness that they were uncapable of providing one for themselves surely we had ground to conclude that they were in a perishing condition and would be lost for ever if God did not take care for them who would imagine that these sinners could provide a righteousness for themselves and earn their own salvation but these are the workings of the hearts of self-righteous men and herein you cast an imputation upon the wisdom of God in troubling himself to provide a righteousness for you when with some assistance and strengthening from him you could provide one for your selves men herein are reproaching of God as if he had put himself to needless expence they are blemishing this great work of God as if it were in vain God has set open a fountain to wash in for sin and for uncleanness but they hope to wash themselves clean enough by their own tears God has set up a Ladder whose foot stands upon the Earth and whose top reacheth unto to Heaven but they hope to build a Tower whose top shall reach to heaven and climb up that way God has provided himself a Sacrifice but these think they can make attonement themselves what do you but asperse and blemish the infinite wisdom of God as if he took a great deal of care and were at a great deal of cost about that that signified nothing and troubled himself with vast expence to make a way
is the way to have grace quickned and strengthned Faith in Christ is the greatest furtherance of repentance and holiness Faith discovering the grace of God in Jesus Christ melts the heart for sin and arms the heart against it and Faith in Christ is the great ordinance of the Gospel for the subduing of sin in this way God will give his Spirit to work repentance and holiness Gal. 2.20 I live by Faith in the Son of God Isa 6.56 he that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him 3. The next thing to be considered is what course Christians should take that they may live a life of Faith upon Christs Righteousness and not be discouraged Direction 1. Diligently attend the Ordinances of God unto that end the Ordinances of God have a tendency to stir up Faith as well as other graces and it is in that way that God has promised his presence and Spirit God delights to be found in ways appinted by himself God has not said that we should seek him in vain Isa 45.19 Christ will be present with us in those ways Mat. 28.20 Gods very prescribing of means is an encouragement unto us to attend upon them especially when he has annexed his promise to the same if men be remiss and slighty in attending upon Gods Ordinances they are not likely to thrive in faith or any other grace it would be no wonder if they should wither away and live in a dark discouraged condition but if christians be careful to attend Ordinances and improve them for the strengthning of their faith they are in a hopeful way to thrive no wonder if there be a blast upon the inventions of men but experience teaches the people of God to say it is good for us to draw nigh unto God Psal 73 28. God can make faith to flourish without Ordinances and so he can maintain mens bodily strength without food he can reveal himself to those that seldom wait upon him but his manner is to dole out his spiritual gifts at his own gates he can make them flourish else where if he please but he chooses to do it in his own courts Psal 92.13 14. the Psaimist might have understood the end of the wicked in another place if God had pleased but he chose to give him the understanding of it in the Sanctuary Psal 73 17. God has appointed the place where we shall meet with him and there we must wait for him if men desire to flourish in faith they must be diligently improving Ordinances that way God loves to honour his own Ordinances and help his people in a way of Obedience and give forth his presence in such a way that they may see his faithfulness as well as his mercy beware that you do not under any pretences grow negligent in waiting upon God some men are carried away with a sluggish spirit they cannot endure to take the pains to wait upon God constantly and solemnly they love their ease and indulge themselves in a lazy way of carrying an end their religion and some are carried away with a worldly spirit they are Martha like cumbring themselves with much buisiness involving themselves so deep in the world that they can find little leasure to wait upon God their worldly buisiness over-rules their religion if you give way to these lusts conclude upon it that you will not thrive in faith you must be content with a little faith that give way to a slighty spirit in waiting upon God you never knew an eminent believer that was not a great prizer of Ordinances in this way there is hope that Faith will increase therefore diligently attend them Particularly 1. Read the Word of God diligently it is very useful to this end to read the writings of faithful and experienced men such books are of great use for the understanding of the Scripture but there is a peculiar usefulness in the Word of God it self because that is without error and mistake it is given by inspiration from God 2 Tim. 3.16 in other mens writings you have the judgment of men and many times their judgments are according to the Word of God and cleard up from thence but in the Scripture you have the testimony of God himself there is a divine authority in the Scripture the Scripture is the sentence of God a message from God it is cloathed with divine Majesty the Word of God has a power over the conscience there is secret vertue in it to stir up Faith there is a majesty and commanding authority in the Scripture yea the Scripture is sanctified by God to work upon the hearts of men Joh. 20.31 these are written that ye might believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God there is a special advantage in it to hear God speaking in his own language 2. Frequently attend the preaching of the Word that which God makes use of especially for the begeting of Faith is very proper for the nourishing of it Rom. 10.17 Faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the Word of God this is an ordinance as well as the reading of the Word and there is a special usefulness in it several ways the life and zeal that is in the delivery is of special use and a great means to affect the heart in the preaching of the Word counsels and encouragements are directed more partiticularly unto them and that by those that God has set over them that must give an account of their souls Act. 20.28 yea the very solemnity of the Assembly does help to solemnize the heart and prepare it to receive what is spoken from the Word of God. And therefore you should be forward to take opportunities for the hearing of the Word men had need have weighty grounds before they remove to such places where they are like to live many years without the preaching of the Word on to such places that they and their families can seldom come to the Publick Assembly and you had need be careful that you do not make frivolous excuses to stay away from the House of God if the weather be difficult or if there be some small bodily indisposition many count they have a good warrant to stay at home persons that could overlook such difficulties in order to a worldly design and although there be more liberty respecting weekly opportunities especially in neighbour places yet you had need have the weight of those two things upon your heart that you don't cast contempt upon the Ordinance of God and that you don't neglect the advantages that God gives for spiritual profit Psal 122.1 I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the House of the Lord. 3. Attend the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the great design of this Ordinance is for the strengthning of Faith therein is offered to us special communion with a crucified Saviour therein is a sacramental representation made before us of the death of Christ therein is a special offer