and if in one duty why not in another why not in prayer Mat. 13.20 Like a fire of thorns that makes a great blaze but a short stay 3. From a good Conscience A good heart is a continual feast Prov. 15.15 He that hath a good conscience must needs be chearful in his religious and civil duties Guilt will come trembling and with a sad countenance into the presence of Gods Majesty A guilty child cannot with chearfulness come into a displeased fathers presence A Soul smoakt with Hell cannot with delight approach to heaven Guilty Souls in regard of the injury they have done to God will be afraid to come and in regard of the soot of Sin wherewith they are defiled and the blackness they have contracted they will be ashamed to come They know that by their sins they should provoke his anger not allure his love A Soul under conscience of sin cannot look up to God Psal 40.12 Nor will God with favour look down upon it Psal 59.2 It must be a pure heart that must see him with pleasure Mat. 5.8 And pure hands must be lifted up to him 1 Tim. 2.8 Jonah was asleep after his sin and was out-stript in quickness to pray even by Idolaters The marriners jogg him but could not get him that we read of to call upon that God whom he had offended Jon. 1. Where there is corruption the sparks of sin will kindle that tinder and weaken a Spiritual delight A perfect heart and a willing mind are put together 1 Chron. 29.2 There cannot be willingness without sincerity nor sincerity without willingness 4. From a holy and frequent familiarity with God Where there is a great familiarity there is a great delight delight in one anothers company and delight in one anothers converse strangeness contracts and familiarity dilates the Soul There is more alacrity in going to a God with whom we are acquainted than to a God to whom we are strangers This doth encourage the Soul to go to God I go to a God whose face I have seen whose goodness I have tasted with whom I have often met in prayer Frequent familiarity makes us more apprehensive of the excellency of another an excellency apprehended will be beloved and being beloved will be delighted in 5. From hopes of speeding There is an expectative delight which ariseth from hopes of enjoying Rom. 12.12 Rejoycing in hope There cannot be a pleasant motion where there is a palsie of doubts How full of delight must that Soul be that can plead a promise and carry God's hand and seal to Heaven and shew him his own Bond when it can be pleaded not only as a favour to engage his mercy but in some sense a debt to engage his truth and righteousness Christ in his prayer which was his Swan-like song John 17. pleads the terms of the Covenant between his Father and himself I have glorified thee on Earth glorifie me with that golry I had with thee before the world was This is the case of a delightful approach when we carry a Covenant of grace with us for our selves and a promise of security and perpetuity for the Church Upon this account we have more cause of a pleasant motion to God than the ancient Believers had Fear acted them under the Law Love us under the Gospel He cannot but delight in prayer that hath Arguments of God's own framing to plead with God who cannot deny his own Arguments and Reasonings Little comfort can be suckt from a perhaps But when we come to seek Covenant-mercies God's faithfulness to his Covenant puts the mercy past a perhaps We come to a God sitting upon a Throne of Grace upon Mount Sion not on Mount Sinai to a God that desires our presence more than we desire his assistance 6. From a sense of former mercies and acceptation If Manna be rained down it doth not only take off our thoughts from Aegyptian Garlick but quickens our desires for a second shower A sense of God's Majesty will make us lose our garishness and a sense of God's Love will make us lose our dumpishness We may as well come again with a merry heart when God accepts our prayers as go away and eat our bread with joy when God accepts our works Eccles 9.7 The Doves will readily fly to the windows where they have formerly found shelter and the Beggar to the door where he hath often received an Alms. Because he hath inclined his ear to hear me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live Psal 116.2 I have found refuge with God before I have found my wants supplied my soul raised my temptations check'd my doubts answered and my prayers accepted therefore I will repeat my Addresses with chearfulness I might add also other Causes as a love to God a heavenliness of spirit a consideration of Christ's Intercession a deep humiliation The more unpleasant sin is to our rellish the more delightful will God be and the more chearful our Souls in Addresses to him The more unpleasant sin is to us the more spiritual our Souls are and the more spiritual our Souls the more spiritual our Affections The more stony the more lumpish and unapt for motion the more contrite the more agil From a spiritual tast report of a thing may contribute some pleasure but a tast greater 3. Reasons Without chearful seeking we cannot have a gracious Answer 1. God will not give an answer to those prayers that dishonour him A flat and dumpish temper is not for his honour The Heathens themselves thought their gods should not be put off with a Sacrifice dragg'd to the Altar We read of no Lead that lumpish earthly metal imployed about the Tabernacle or Temple but the purer and most glistering sorts of metals God will have the most excellent Service because he is the most excellent Being He will have the most delightful Service because he bestows the most delightful and excellent gifts All Sacrifices were to be offered up with fire which is the quickest and most active Element 'T is a dishonour to so great so glorious a Majesty to put him off with such low and dead-hearted Services Those Petitions cannot expect an answer which are offered in a manner injurious to the person we address to 'T is not for the credit of our great Master to have his Servants dejected in his work As though his Service were an uncomfortable thing as though God were a Wilderness and the World a Paradise 2. Dull and lumpish Prayer doth not reach him and therefore cannot expect an answer Such desires are as Arrows that sink down at our feet there is no force to carry them to Heaven The heart is as an unbent Bow that hath no strength When God will hear he makes first a prepared heart Psal 10.17 He first strings the Instrument and then receives the sound An enlarged heart only runs Psal 119.32 A contracted heart moves slowly and often faints in the Journey 3. Lumpishness speaks an
such an end As Balaam and Balak offered their Sacrifice chearfully hoping to ingratiate themselves with God and to have liberty to curse his people 3. A delight in the precepts and promises of God which are the ground and rules of Prayer First David delights in Gods testimonies and then calls upon him with his whole heart A gracious heart must first delight in precepts and promises before it can turn them into prayers For prayer is nothing else but a presenting God with his own promise desiring to work that in us and for us which he hath promised to us None was more chearful in prayer than David because none was more rejoycing in the statutes of God Gods statutes were his Songs Psa 119.54 And the divine Word was sweeter to him than the hony and hony-comb If our hearts leap not at divine promises we are like to have but drowsy Souls in desiring them If our eye be not upon the dainties God sets before us our desires cannot be strong for him If we have no delight in the great charters of heaven the rich legacies of God how can we sue for them If we delight not in the covenant of grace we shall not delight in prayers for grace It was the hopes of reward made Moses so valiant in suffering and the joy set before Christ in a promise made him so chearful in enduring the shame Heb. 12.1.2 4. A delight in prayer itself A Christians heart is in secret ravisht into heaven There is a delight in coming near God and warming the soul by the fire of his love The Angels are chearful in the act of praise their work is their glory A holy Soul doth so delight in this duty that if there were no command to engage him no promise to encourage him he would be stepping into Gods Courts He thinks it not a good day that passeth without some intercourse with God David would have taken up his lodgings in the Courts of God and regards it as the only blessedness Psalm 65.4 And so great a delight he had in being in Gods presence that he envies the birds the happiness of building their nests near his Tabernacle A delight there is in the holiness of Prayer a natural man under some troubles may delight in Gods comforting and easing presence but not in his sanctifying presence He may delight to pray to God as a storehouse to supply his wants but not as a refiners fire to purge away his dross Prayer as Praise is a melody to God in the heart Eph. 5.19 And the Soul loves to be fingering the instrument and touching the strings 5. A delight in the things askt This heavenly chearfulness is most in heavenly things What delight others have in asking worldly goods that a gracious heart hath in begging the light of Gods countenance That soul cannot be dull in prayer that seriously considers he prays for no less than heaven and happiness no less than the glory of the great God A gracious man is never weary of spiritual things as men are never weary of the Sun but though it is enjoyed every day yet long for the rising of it again From this delight in the matter of prayer it is that the Saints have redoubled and repeated their Petitions and often double the Amen at the end of Prayer to manifest the great affections to those things they have askt The Soul loves to think of those things the heart is set upon and frequent thoughts express a delight 6. A delight in those graces and affections which are Exercised in Prayer A gracious heart is most delighted with that prayer wherein grace hath been more stirring and gracious affections have been boyling over The Soul desires not only to speak to God but to make melody to God the heart is the instrument but graces are the strings and prayer the touching them and therefore he is more displeased with the flagging of his graces than with missing an answer There may be a delight in gifts in a mans own gifts in the gifts of another in the pomp and varnish of devotion But a delight in exercising spiritual graces is an ingredient in this true delight The Pharisees are markt by Christ to make long prayers vaunting in an outward bravery of words as if they were playing the Courtiers with God and complementing him But the Publican had a short prayer but more grace Lord be merciful to me a sinner There is relyance and humility A gracious heart labours to bring flaming affections and if he cannot bring flaming grace he will bring smoaking grace he desires the preparation of his heart as well as the answer of his prayer Psalm 10.17 2. Whence this delight springs 1. From the Spirit of God Not a spark of fire upon our own hearth that is able to kindle this Spiritual delight 'T is the holy Ghost that breaths such an heavenly heat into our affections The Spirit is the fire that kindles the Soul the spring that moves the watch the wind that drives the ship The swiftest ship with spread sails will be but sluggish in its motion unless the wind fills its sails without this Spirit we are but in a weak and sickly condition our breath but short a heavy and troublesome Asthma is upon us Psal 138.3 When I cryed unto thee thou didst strengthen me with strength in my Soul As prayer is the work of the Spirit in the heart so doth delight in prayer owe itself to the same author God will make them joyful in his house of prayer Isa 56.7 2. From grace The Spirit kindles but gives us the Oyl of grace to make the lamp burn clear There must not only be wind to drive but sails to catch it a prayer without grace is a a prayer without wings There must be grace to begin it A dead man cannot rejoice in his Land Money or Food he cannot act and therefore cannot be chearful in action Chearfulness supposeth life dead men cannot perform a duty Psal 115.17 the dead praise not the Lord nor dead souls a chearful duty There must not only be grace infused but grace actuated No man in a sleep or swoon can rejoice There must not only be a living principle but a lively operation If the sap lurk only in the root the branches can bring forth no fruit our best prayers without the sap of grace diffusing itself will be but as withered branches Grace actuated puts heat into performances without which they are but benum'd and frozen * Reynolds Rusty grace as a rusty Key will not unlock will not enlarge the heart There must be grace to maintain it There is not only need of fire to kindle the lamp but of Oyl to preserve the flame natural men may have their affections kindled in a way of common working but they will presently faint and dye as the flame of cotton will dimm and vanish if there be no Oyl to nourish it There is a temporary joy in hearing the word
orders that a Woman should not teach But I suffer not a Woman to teach i. e. publickly Two Reasons are rendred 1. * Hierom. She was last in Creation Adam was first formed then Eve 2. First in defection v. 14. And Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression The fall of man was the fruit of the Womans first Doctrine and therefore she is not suffered to teach any more the Woman was deceived by the Serpent and so drew her Husband and whole Posterity into ruine Some of the Papists bring this place as an Argument against Womens reading the Scripture but no reason can conclude it from this place How can the Spirit of God prohibit their reading the Scripture in private and the instruction of their Families since Women are among those who are commended for reading the Scripture Acts 17.11 12. where the honourable Women are mention'd And Lois and Eunice are applauded for their instruction of Timothy Are not Women bound by that command of Peter to give a reason of their Faith to any that shall ask them unless they would have Women Christians without reason What was the Office of those Ecclesiastical Widdows in the Primitive times but to instruct the younger Women But this is not to be charged upon all the Papists Becanus only is the man that Rivet mentions * Isagog ad Script c. 13. p. 990 991. And because upon this declaration of the Apostle some might be dejected by the consideration of the deep hand the Woman had in the first fall in the punishment inflicted upon them for it the Apostle in the Text brings in a Notwithstanding for their comfort Notwithstanding her guilt in defection her punishment in child-bearing she hath as good a right to salvation as the Man So that the Apostle here answers by way of anticipation an Objection which might be made whether the guilt contracted by the Woman and the punishment inflicted might not hinder her eternal salvation The Apostle answers No. Though she was first in the transgression and the pain of child-bearing was the punishment of that first sin yet the Woman may arrive to everlasting salvation notwithstanding that pain if she be adorn'd with those graces which are necessary for all Christians Though the punishment remain yet the believing Woman is in the Covenant of Grace under the wings of the Mediator of that Covenant if she have Faith the condition of the Covenant which works by Love and Charity and is attended with holiness and renewal of the heart Observe God hath gracious Cordials to cheer up the hearts of Believers in their distress and in the midst of those cases which are sufficient of themselves to cast them down The Apostle here alludes to that curse upon the Woman Gen. 3.16 Vnto the Woman he said I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception In sorrow thou shalt bring forth Children The punishment is peculiar to the married woman besides that punishment which was common to her with the man Thy sorrow and thy conception Hendiadys say some The sorrow of thy conception The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies the whole time of the Womans bearing in the Womb and so includes not only those pains in the very time of Labour but also all those precursory indispositions as the weakness of the stomach heaviness of the head irregular longings and those other symptoms which accompany conceptions Though this pain seems to be natural from the constitution of the Body yet since some other Creatures do bring forth with little or no pain * Aristot Hist Animal l. 7. c. 9. It would not have been so with the Woman in innocency because all pain which is a punishment of sin had not been incident to a sinless and immortal body We will consider the words apart Saved It may either note the Salvation of the Soul or the preservation of the Woman in Child-bearing The first I suppose is principally intended for the Apostle here would signify some special comfort to Women under that curse But the preservation of Women in Child-bearing was a common thing testified by dayly experience in the worst as well as in the best Women and Christianity did not bring the professors of it into a worse estate in those things which immediately depended upon God or make the Children Vipers not to come into the world without the death of their Mothers Yet a temporal preservation may be included for when an eternal salvation is promis'd temporal salvation is also promis'd according to the methods of Gods wisdom and goodness in the course of his providence there being in all such promises a tacit reserve viz. if God sees it good for us and the manner of their preservation also wherein the preservation of a believer differs from that of an unregenerate Person Others are preserved by God as a merciful Creator and Governour in a way of common Providence for the keeping up of the world But believers are preserv'd in the way of promise and covenant in the exercise of faith and by the special love of God as a tender Father and their God in covenant with them through Christ In Child-bearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through Child-bearing The Praeposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often taken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Rom. 4.11 That he might be the Father of all that believe though they be not circumcis'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 believing in uncircumcision where it notes the state wherein they shall be saved So it notes here not the cause of the salvation of the Woman but the state wherein she shall be saved and amounts to thus much The punishment inflicted upon the Woman for her first sin shall not be remov'd in this life yet notwithstanding this there is a certain way of salvation by faith though she pass through this punishment For by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not meant a simple Child-bearing but a Child-bearing in such a manner as God hath threatned with sorrow and grief If they continue By They is not meant the Children as some imagine because of the change of the singular to the plural the sense then should run thus she shall be saved if the Children remain in faith c. That would be absurd to think that the Salvation of the Mother should depend upon the faith and grace of the Children When it is sometimes seen that the Children of a godly Mother may prove as wicked as Hell itself But by they is meant the Woman The name Woman is taken collectively for all Women and therefore the plural number is added The Apostle passes from the singular number to the plural as he had done from the plural to the singular v. 9. In like manner let the women adorn themselves in modesty where he uses the plural but v. 11. reassumes the other number again in his discourse The graces which are here put as the conditions are Faith Charity Sanctification
God A Son is as much a Son under the Rod as in the Bosom neither the Fathers stroke nor the Childs grief dissolve that dear relation Nay a Father may shew more of a true paternal affection in his Chastisements than in his Caresses The Branches which are battered with Sticks may be nearer the Root than those that flourish at their ease Christ while a Man of sorrows was pronounced by God his well beloved Son and bore our punishment not only without forfeiting his Fathers affection but with a high gratification of him Neither doth God's visiting the seed of Christ with stripes cut off their relation to him Psal 89.32 Then will I visit their transgressions with Rods. Whose transgressions v. 30 His Children Whose Children Even the Children of him whom he would make the first born higher than the Kings of the Earth v. 27. Which cannot be understood literally of David or his Lineal Posterity in the Jewish Kingdom who were never higher than the Kings of the Earth 2. They debar not from the presence of God God may be and is as near to us in supporting as he is in punishing 'T is not the cloud that interposeth between the Sun and us that alters the Suns course or obstructs its influences Christ took not off the badges of Original Guilt from those disciples which had the greatest interest in his affections he left them in a sinful world to endure the fruits of sin he sent them not to ease pleasure and a quiet and painless life but to labour toyl and sweat yet promised that he would abide with them that he and his Father would manifest themselves to them And he turned that sweat and pain which was the fruit of sin by his presence with them to be instrumental for the glory of God and the good of themselves in the world 3. They break not the Covenant His Rod and his Stripes tho they seem to break our Backs make no breaches in his Covenant Psalm 89.32 33 34. he will visit transgression with Rods but he will not suffer his faithfulness to fail nor break his Covenant No they are rather covenant mercies when they break our Hearts and are means by his Grace to make our Stony Hearts more Fleshy He makes even those dispensations which were pronounced for punishment to bring forth covenant mercies and the rich fruits of his grace to grow upon the sour crab-stock of his judgments Jacob in Gen. 49. is said to bless his Children tho he predicts smart afflictions to come upon them they are rankt among the blessings because the covenant should remain firm The lash removes not the inheritance Austin saith well Noli attendere quam poenam habes in flagello sed quem locum in Testamento 6. Add to all this That the first promise secures a believer under the sufferings of those punishments Gods affection in the promise of bruising the Serpents head was more illustrious than his wrath in the threatning There are the Bowels of a Father in the promise before there was the voice of a Judge in the Sentence God brought Sugar with his Potion and administred his Cordial before he struck with his Lance. And therefore that threatning which commenc'd after the promise can no more prejudice the fruits of the promise to a Believer than the Law which was given 430 years after the promise to Abraham could disannul that and make it of no effect as the Apostle argues in another case Gal. 3.17 Much less can the threatning denounced immediately after the promise change the veracity of God in that which was fresh in his mind at the very time of his threatning Ob. But it may be askt What is the reason these punishments are continued since the redemption wrought by Christ Ans 'T is frequent with God to inflict a temporal punishment after pardon Not as the Papists assert in order to satisfaction Moses his unbelief hindred him from coming unto Canaan so that when he desired to go over Jordan God was wroth with him cut him off short and commands him silence Deut 3.25 26. Speak to me no more of this matter There are reasons 1. On Gods part 2. On our part 1. On Gods part 1. 'T is congruous to the wisdom of God to leave them upon us while we are in the World Since God created man to gain glory by his actions but was presently after his creation disgrac'd and disparag'd by him it seems agreeable to the wisdom of God not immediately to bring him to his former state but to leave some marks of his displeasure upon Man to mind him of the state whence he was fallen the misery he contracted and the necessity of flying to his mercy for succour 2. 'T is congruous to the holiness of God God keeps up those punishments as the Rector and Governour of the World to shew his detestation of that sin which brought a disorder and deformity upon the Creation and was the first act of dishonour to God and the first pollution of the Creature 'T is an high vindication of the Holiness and Authority of God and the Majesty and Purity of his Law to punish sin in them that are dear to him upon anothers righteousness whereby he evidenceth that he hates sin in all and will not wink at it or approve of it So he pardoned David but for the honour of his name which had been blasphemed by occasion of David's sin he would leave the smart of it upon his Family 2 Sam. 12.10 14. 3. 'T is a declaration of his Justice 'T is not congruous to the Justice of God not to leave some marks of his anger against that sin which caused him to be at the expence of his Sons Blood and is the source of all those evils whereby God is injur'd for which the Redeemer bled and by which the Spirit is grieved Since Pardon doth not neither can alter the demerit of sin but that will continue and what is once meritoriously a capital crime in its own nature can never be otherwise God may for the demonstration of his justice inflict and continue something upon the creature though he free him from actual condemnation We should not be so sensible of the justice of God in the death of Christ did we not feel some strokes of it upon our selves nor what the purchase of our redemption did cost our Saviour What we hear doth not so much affect as what we feel That which brought disorder into Gods Government of the world and made him change the Scene of his Providence may very justly have some signal remark upon it notwithstanding the Redemption especially when the fruits of it are not fully compleat For since Man was the immediate end of the creation of this lower world and since all Creatures were made for the service of Man that he might be fit for the service of his righteous Creator he did by his fall violate the order of the Creation and subjected it to the service
punishment Psal 22.1 But thou art holy when he expostulates with God why he had forsaken him justifies Gods holiness Howsoever thou dealest with me thou art holy in all thy waies Thou dost me no wrong why should I complain when holiness and hatred of sin guides thee in all those actings with me 4. How earnest should we be to get rid of sin By pardon by Sanctification Guilt is the sting of punishment Sin only embitters trouble The Remission and Mortification of sin is the health of the Soul If the arrows head be out of a wound the cure will be more easy Look upon my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sin saith the Psalmist Psal 25.8 forgiveness of sin would mitigate the sharpness of his pain 5. How should we act faith on God in Christ before and under such a condition of punishment As we can never love God too much because he is the highest good so we can never trust God too much because he is one of immutable truth when we are in straits it is not for want of faithfulness in God but for want of Faith in us that we are many times not preserved We distrust God and this is the cause we fall into many distresses which otherwise would not come upon us or be quickly removed from us Did we grasp the promises closely and plead them earnestly we should often find the deliverance we desire We pray but we pray not in Faith we cry for deliverance but not with confidence we plead Gods power but forget his promise Many temporal promises are not perform'd to us not for want of truth in God but for want of faith in us Particular fiduciary acts will draw out the riches of a promise for want of which we remain poor in the midst of abundance Some think that the promise made to Josiah of his dying in peace which phrase is usually meant in Scripture of a peacable death upon the bed was not performed because Josiah was out of the way against the precept of God and therefore could not act faith requisite to the fulfilling of that promise for faith is much dampt in its actings under present contracted guilt †Tho. Goodwin This Faith in promises for outward preservation is not an absolute infallible assurance that God will bestow such outward things because the promises themselves are not absolute but it is rather an indefinite act of recumbency and submission referring it to his good pleasure towards us But it is certain we are very much defective in acting Faith upon promises for temporal mercies because it is an Epidemical distemper in us to trust God with our Souls rather than with our bodies and outward concerns 1. Exercise Faith before such a time Furnish your selves with the comforts of the Covenant and the efficacy of the death of Christ In bodily distempers our minds are discomposed and we cannot have that Freedom of thoughts and spiritual reflections This is the way to engage God who is the best assistant a very present help in time of trouble 2. Exercise it in the use of spiritual means God never Commanded us to trust him but in his own methods That is not trust in God which is attended with any wilful Omissions If we be careful in doing our duty God will be careful in doing what belongs to him Prayer is the best means for Faith to exercise it self in A spirit of Prayer before-hand is a sign of good success When the heart is drawn out to cry it is a sign God stands ready with the mercy in his hand Times of distress are times of calling upon God Psal 18.6 In my distress I called upon the Lord and he heard my cry God is to be acknowledged in all our ways Prov. 3.6 In the beginning by prayer for his direction in the end by praises for the success We are usually more earnest in trouble We have not at all times an equal fervency Christ himself some say had not for when he was in his agony he prayed more earnestly than before Luke 22.44 3. Act Faith upon the Relation God bears to you He is our Father We trust earthly Fathers and are confident they will not abuse us How much more ought we to trust our heavenly Father and not doubt of his sincerity towards us The greater the trouble the more we should plead Gods relation to us Our Saviour in the garden Mat. 26.39 42. at his entrance into his passion for us prays to God by the title of my Father whereas at other times he calls God Father without that appropriation But now he would excite his confidence and trust in God and those promises he had made him to assist him in that hour 4. Act Faith upon the attributes of God There is nothing in God can affright a believer There is not an attribute but seems fixed in God to encourage our dependance on him in any strait wisdom mercy truth omniscience power justice too for what comfort could we have to trust in an unjust God All which attributes are promised to be assistant to a believer in any case of need in the Covenant of grace where God makes himself over to us as our God and therefore all that God hath and is is promised there for our good Upon the Power of God Gods Omnipotence was the ground of our Saviours prayer to him in his distress and that which the Apostle seems to intimate his eyeing of Heb. 5.7 He offered up prayers unto him that was able to save him from death And Psal 16.1 The Psalmist or rather Christ pleads the power of God Preserve me O Lord for in thee do I put my trust 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aquila renders it strong Plead the truth of God in his promise The promise that preceded the threatning viz. The bruising the Serpents head the defeating all his plots and designs whereof this was one to bring man into a state of punishment There is a promise which hath been especially tryed and made good though all in the book of God have been found true Psal 18.30 The Word of the Lord is tryed Not one word but the truth of it hath been tryed but especially this word That God is a buckler to them that trust in him i. e. That he will preserve and defend depending believers 5. Act Faith upon Christ Hath God delivered Christ to death It must be for some glorious end not for destruction of the Creature that might have been done without the death of his Son but for remission if so there is sufficient ground to trust him for every thing else We have a merciful high Priest which encourageth us to make our addresses to him He cannot but be touched with the feeling of our infirmities our penal infirmities which he suffered our sinful infirmities for which he suffered Where can he shew his mercy but in our misery Are we under Gods strokes Christ himself felt them that he might the better pity us
time and the sins thou hast committed twenty years ago are as fresh as if thou hadst acted them all since thy coming into the congregation Josephs brethren Gen. 37.24 laboured to wipe out the thoughts of their late cruelty by their eating and drinking when the cries and tears of their brother were fresh in their memory and might have dampt their jollity His affliction troubled them not his relation to them his youth and their Fathers Love to him could not make them relent but twenty two years after conscience began to fly in their faces when awakened by a powerful affliction Gen. 42 21. Is not thy conscience oftentimes a remembrancer to thee of thy old forgotten sins and doth it not turn over the old records thou hadst quite forgot 7. Hopes of Gods mercy are no grounds of thy being pardoned Gods mercy is not barely enough for then Christ needed not have dyed for sin Nor Christs death enough without the condition of that covenant whereby God will make over the interest and merits of his death to thee Gods mercy must be considered but in Gods own way God is merciful but his Mercy must not abolish his Truth Doth not a Judges mercy consist with condemning a malefactor God hath been merciful to thee and thou would'st not accept of it thou wouldst not hear mercy speak in a day of grace why then should not justice speak in a day of vengeance Thou would'st not hear a God of mercy when he cryed to thee how then should mercy hear thee when thou comest to begg 2. Some false grounds why those that are pardoned think themselves not pardoned 1. Great afflictions are not signs of an unpardoned state Moses had sinned by unbelief Aaron by making a golden calf God pardoned their sin but took vegeance on their inventions Psal 99.8 Thou wast a God that forgavest them though thou tookest vengeance Nathan in his message to David brings at once both pardon and punishment The sin is removed but the sword must still stick in the bowels of his family 2 Sam. 12 13 14. The Lord hath put away thy sin thou shalt not dye Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to Blaspheme the child also that is born unto thee shall surely dye God may afflict temporally when he resolves not to punish eternally What! because he will not condemn thee as a Judg will he not chastize thee as a Father We may well bear a scourge in one hand when we have a pardon sealed in the other God pardons thy sin but there is need of affliction to subdue that stout stubborn heart of thine Psal 89.32 33. God doth visit with rods when he is resolved not utterly to take away his loving kindness from a people 2. Terrors of Conscience are no sign of an unpardoned state We find a pardoned David having broken bones and a rackt Conscience after Nathan had pronounced his pardon when there was no remorse before Psal 51. He had the grant of a pardon but the comfort of a pardon was wanting God may scorch thy Soul when he gives a pardon not that justice is thereby Satisfied but sin more embittered to thee By a pardon thou dost rellish his mercy and by the torments thou mayest have in thy Soul thou wilt understand his Justice He shews thee what he freely gives but he would have thee know what thou hast fully deserved he gives thee pardon but Gall and Wormwood with it that thou mayest know what the purchase of it did cost thy Saviour The Physick which heals causeth pain That Physick which doth not make thee sick is not like to bring thee health God pardons thee that thou mayest be saved he terrifies thee withal that thou mayest not be induced by temptations to sin 3. Sense of sin is no argument of an unpardoned state A pardon may be granted when the poor condemned man expects to be haled out to Execution Mary stands weeping behind her Saviour when Christ was declaring her pardon to Simon That much was forgiven her and afterwards Christ turns to her and cheers her with the news of it Luke 7.44 45 46 47. He pronounceth her pardon v. 48. and the comfort of it v. 50. Thy Faith hath saved thee go in peace The Heavens may drop when now and then the Sun may steal a Beam thorow the Clouds There may be a pardon where there are not always the sensible effects of a pardon We find after the stilling of a Storm the ragings and roulings of the Sea A penitents wound may ake afresh when a Saviours blood drops in mercy 4. The Remainders of sin are not a sign of an unpardoned state Though a Disease be mastered by Physick there may be some grudgings of it in a person Though sin be pardoned yet the dregs of sin will be remaining and sometimes stirring Christ hath enliven'd us not by wholly destroying but pardoning sin Pardon takes away the guilt of sin grace takes away the power of sin but neither pardon nor infusion of grace takes away the nature and all motions of sin for in purging out an humour some dregs still remain behind Col. 2.13 And you hath he quickened together with him having forgiven you all trespasses 3. What are the true signs of a pardoned man 1. Sincerity in our walk A Spirit without guile is made the Character of a pardoned man in the Text There may be failings in the life yet no guile in the heart such a man is a pardoned man A heart that hath no mixtures no pretences or excuses for sin no private reserves from God A heart that as the needle in a Compass stands right for the Interest glory of God answers to the profession as an Eccho to the voice A heart that would thrust out any sin that harboured there would not have an Atom of any filth odious to the Eye of God lurk there Where this sincerity is a willingness and readiness to obey God which is the condition of the Covenant the substance of the Covenant is kept though some particular Articles of it may be broken Grace the pardoning grace of God is with them that love Christ in sincerity Eph. 6. ult Grace be with all them that love Christ Jesus in sincerity Not a man excluded that is sincere though he hath not so sparkling a flame as another yet if he be sincere the Crown of pardoning grace and that of consummating grace shall be set upon his head 2. Mourning for sin A tender heart is a sign of a pardoned state when sin discontents thee because it displeaseth God What showers of tears did Mary Magdalen weep after a pardon Love to God like a gentle fire sets the Soul a melting Tears that come from love are never without pardoning mercy God's bowels do first stir our mournings 'T is impossible a gracious heart can read a pardon with dry Eyes 't is the least it thinks it can do as it
were like Mary Magdalen to wash Christ's feet with its tears when it hath been washed its self with Christ's blood The Soul cannot enough hate that which God hath been merciful in the pardon of Forgiveness is like the warmth of the Spring it draws out the Sap of the Tree the tears of the Soul which else would scarcely stir If God hath given thee Repentance it is sure enough that he hath given thee a pardon for if he did not mean to give thee that he would never have given thee the other 3. Fearfulness of sin Whosoever knows the bitterness of sin and the benefit of a pardon can never confidently rush into it A pardoned man will never go about to forfeit that which he hath newly received Forgiveness from God doth produce fear in the creature Psal 130.4 But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared 'T is a sign we have repented and got pardon if we find after that exercise of repentance and prayer our hatred of sin encreaseth especially of that sin we were guilty of before 4. Sanctification God never pardons but he subdues sin Mich. 7.19 He will subdue our iniquity and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the Sea Both are put together In the Lords prayer desires to be rid of all evil and not to be led into any temptation follow immediately upon the desire of pardon A justified Person and a Sanctified nature are inseparable Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ there is pardon but how shall I know that I am pardoned If you walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit We never sincerely desire pardon but we desire purging and God never gives the one but he bestows the other If thou hast an interest in a pardoning Christ thou wilt have the effects of a Sanctifying Spirit Where Gods grace forgives all sin he will give us grace to forsake all sin 'T is his covenant to turn away ungodliness when he takes away the punishment of sin Rom. 11.26 27. the deliverer shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. The applications of Gods grace to us are attended with the infusions of Gods grace into us When he puts his law into the heart he remembers sin no more Jer. 31.33 34. 5. Forgiving others In the Lords prayer we pray forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us Our Saviour comments upon this petition to shew that pardon cannot be without this condition in Mat. 18. from v. 23. to the 35. Christ makes it at least a causa sine quâ non of pardon Luke 11.4 and forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us 6. Affectionate Love to God and Christ When we desire to glorify him by his grace as well as be glorified by it 'T is the injury done to God by our sins which doth most affect that heart upon which the Spirit of God is poured Zac. 12.10 they shall mourn over him or be in bitterness for him The Soul is more concerned for Christ than for it self When there is too much of self in our desires for it God delays the manifestation of it to the heart that we may come up to purer strains Christ certainly shed his blood for their remission who are willing to shed theirs for his glory Else Christ whose glory it is to outstrip the hottest affection of his creature would be behind hand with him in love That Soul that would spend its all upon Christ he will not suffer to stand long sobbing before him Luk. 7.47 4 Use of Exhortation 1. To those who are careless of it Oh! by all means seek it Will it at last comfort thee to think of thy mirth and pleasures how honourable how rich or how well stor'd with friends thou hast been What should take up thy heart busy thy thoughts or employ thy endeavours but this that concerns thy eternal state Wilt thou sin away the time of Gods patience and thine own happiness Is it not a time which God hath allotted thee to get a pardon in What would Cain Judas Pilot Herod and all the black regiment give for the very hopes of it Oh prize that here which thou wilt hereafter esteem infinitely valuable and call thy self fool and madman a thousand times for neglecting the opportunity of getting The anger of a King is as the roaring of a Lyon what then are the frowns of an infinite just God Why is thy strength and affection spent about other things Would a forlorn malefactor leading to execution listen chearfully to any thing but the news of his princes clemency Seek it 1. Earnestly Pardon is an inestimable blessing and must not be sought with faint and tired affections 2. Presently Is it not full time seriously to set about it Thou hast lost too many days already and wilt thou be so senseless as to let another slip How knowest thou but if thou dost refuse it this day thou may'st be uncapable of it to morrow There is but a step a few minutes between thee and death and delaies in great emergencies are dangerous 3. Vniversally Content not your selves with seeking a pardon for grisly staring sins which fright the conscience with every look but seek the pardon of your inward secret spiritual sins while you begg most for the pardon of those Sanctifying grace will come in as well as justifying the more you pray against the guilt of them the more you will hate the filth of them 2. To those that seek a pardon and yet are in doubt of it Secure sinners that understand not the evil of sin think it is an easy thing and that forgiveness will be granted of course But those that groan under the burden of their iniquity imagine it more difficult than indeed it is Presumption wrongs God in his justice and every degree of despair or doubting in his mercy 1. God is willing to pardon Ephraim doth but desire that God would turn him and God presently cries out Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child Jer. 31.18 20. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus A penitent Ephraim is instantly a pleasant Child Ephraim strikes upon his thigh with confession and God speaks to his heart with affection God doth as it were take the words out of Ephraims mouth as though he watched for the first look of Ephraim towards him or the first breath of a Supplication God is more willing to pardon sin than we are to sin Because we sin with reluctancy natural conscience checking us but God hath no check when he goes to pardon He waits to be gracious Isa 30.18 Therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious unto you and therefore will he be exalted that he may have mercy upon you He hath waited all the time of your sinning to have an opportunity to shew grace to you and now you give it him by repenting will he lose the
Page 1375. Convincing discourses not legal Page 594. Corruptions comfort to Believers against them Page 116. 1152 3. 1361. sincere complaints of their strength a good sign of perseverance Page 117. wicked men insensible of them but not good men Page 123. will be stirring Page 1196. Reliques of them no argument of an unpardon'd state Page 115 †Vid. Perfection Sense of sin Covenant of Redemption asserted Page 270 1 2 3. how distinguisht from the Covenant of Grace Page 273 4. the matter of it a. Page 275. ad 284. firm Page 284. we should fly to it Page 286. Covenant of Grace its stability and the ground of it Page 321. 773. 1343. the last Page 678. renewed men only are in it Page 35 6. 782. renew'd in the Supper Page 758. the ancient Israelites under it Page 853. Covetousness a cause of unbelief Page 738. Creation old and new how they differ Page 151. of the World principally for Christ Page 260 1. Christ the medium of it Page 493. the raising a Church Gods great end in it Page 28 †Creatures all at peace with a Believer Page 365 6. can 't be comprehended by us Page 412 413. 484. God known by them a. Page 478. ad 481. not fully from them by man in innocence Page 483. much less since Page 483. all subject to Christ Page 1096 7 8. Spiritual inferences to be drawn from them Page 14 †all at God's command Page 44 †Crucifying Christ Spiritual and Corporal Page 630 1. 819. the Spiritual as bad as the other Page 631 632 3. nay worse a. Page 633. ad 640. Cup not to be denyed to the Laity Page 747. Curiosity hinders Divine Knowledge Page 466. sinful Page 4 †Custom in known sins a renew'd man can't be guilty of a. Page 89. ad 93. D. DAy of Grace may be shorter than that of Life Page 60. Death threatned to Adam not a corporal one Page 44. Regeneration and Reconciliation afford comfort against it Page 118. 370. the punishment of sin Page 143 Of a natural man in sin Page 143. Men scarce believe it Page 716. Death of Christ its end Page 66. by the command and appointment of the Father Page 275 6. 384 836 7. could not have been profitable to us without it Page 254 5 6. its ignominy and torment Page 306 311 837 8. 851. necessary it should be by the hands of men Page 639. Christ bruised in it by the Father immediately a Page 305 ad 314. no incredible thing Page 700. should be much studied Page 755 835 843. the fruits of it Page 317. a 838 ad 842. 852 864 a 894. ad 899. comfortable to a Believer Page 854. his meekness in it Page 849. the time of it Page 850. its value whence a Page 899 ad 906 1194. not for example only Page 870. sufficient for all men Page 894. predicted a Page 944 ad 947. typified a Page 947 ad 950. to be valued Page 952. not clearly known by the antient Believers Page 1170. Vid. Blood of Christ and Sacrifices acceptable Vid. Acceptable voluntary Vid. Voluntary necessary Vid. Necessity deserves our praise Page 298 305 842 854 952. Decays in Grace to be watcht against Page 126 7. render the Lords Supper necessary Page 773. Decrees of God the knowledge of them given to Christ Page 333. Delays of Conversion foolish and dangerous a Page 59. ad 62. 190. encouraged by the Patrons of Free-will Page 199 200. in checking sin dangerous Page 16 †of the Churches deliverance the reasons of them Page 47 8 9 †Delight in duty cannot be without Regeneration Page 25. unconceivable in heaven Page 43. of natural men only in secular things Page 67. of God in the New-creature Page 112. in God and his ways a mark of Regeneration Page 124. in God can't be without knowledge Page 407. great to be found in the knowledge of God and Christ Page 461 2. of Christ in a Believer and his Graces Page 1336 1360. in sin heinous Page 4 †several sorts of it Page 57 †in prayer wherein in consists Page 58 9 †in it in a good man whence Page 59 60 †without it no gracious answers Page 60 61 †They miserable that have none in it Page 61 †signs of it Page 61 †How to know whither it be of the right kind Page 62 †urged Page 62 †directions to obtain it Page 63 †Deliverance Vide Delays Desertion obedience must be preserv'd under it Page 1217. Desires by them we may know our Regeneration Page 119. for God cannot be without knowledge Page 406. To be acted in all duties especially at the Supper Page 812. How to try them Page 812 813. Despair the main cause of it Page 284. In an humble soul unreasonable Page 658. Believers should not because of sin Page 1114 Devil hath a great power over natural Men. Page 146 7. His first sin what a Page 640. ad 643. 740. Conquered by the Death of Christ Page 840 1. Vid. Enemies Disobedience to God very unworthy Page 354. Distrusters of Providence and the Promises of Christ are Unbelievers Page 727 8. Distrust forgetfulness of former mercies the cause of it Page 1311. Sometimes thence God takes occasion to do good Page 1157. Doctrines their tendency to Holiness a test to try them Page 106. Exalting God and humbling man another Page 201. Doubtings what are Unbelief what are not Page 605 609 728 9. Doubtful way a renewed man can't walk in without inquiries and bearing reproof Page 94 5 †Dulness in God's service sinful Page 1216 57 †Hinders success of Prayer Page 60 61. Duties none sinless Page 2. Multitude of external ones not sufficicient to Salvation Page 48. by our regard to inward and spiritual ones we may judge whether we are regenerate Page 121. the manner of them to be minded Page 821. consciencious performance of them a means of perseverance Page 1372 3. E. EArthly mindedness a hindrance of Divine Knowledge Page 465. Vid. World Easie God's ways are to a renewed man Page 92. Eternity of God known by the creatures Page 479. of punishment Vid. Punishment Education alone not sufficient to make men holy Page 10 222. often blest by God to that end Page 45. not to be rested on Page 222. Ejaculations good motions should be backt with them Page 18 †Elect not the object of God's delight before Regeneration Page 30. how loved and hated before it Page 247 248 249. Election the act of the father Page 259 260. its order and foundation ibid. of Christ to be Redeemer Page 262. ad 266. End self is the end of natural men Page 66. Christ alone should be ours Page 66. a change of it in Regeneration a Page 79 ad 82. the soul not fit for the service of God without a change of it Page 81. Envy the spring of the Churches calamity Page 666. how to check it Page 667. Enemies of Christ shall be subdued Page 336 340. 367 8. 1089. cannot hinder a
Believers happincss Page 353. Vid. Believers the Church preserved in the midst of them Page 26 †of the Church their folly Page 37 †44 †Gods promise to his Church a comfort against all their designs Page 39 †to the Church the fiercest who Page 43 †design her destruction Page 44 †the nearer her deliverance the fiercer God's judgements on them Page 44 †destroyed by the same means whereby the Church is preserved Page 44 †in what times God destroys them Page 44 45 46 †why in those times Page 47 8 9 †how then destroyed Page 49 50 51 †Enmity to God unworthy Page 354 Enoch's Faith in Christ Page 1164. Essence of God not communicated in Regeneration Page 101. Evidences should be cleared up why and how Page 52 3 4. Eve her Faith in Christ Page 1165 6. whose sin greatest Adam's or hers Page 78 †Exaltation of Christs divine Nature in what sense Page 329. 1090 1 2. of his humane Page 329 1092 1093 1094 1095. the act of the Father Page 330 386. the reward of his death a Page 331 ad 334 863. very fit and congruous Page 334. the ends of it a Page â—34 ad 337 386 1099 1118 1334. the manner and nature of it Page 337. an encouragement to Faith Page 338. Vid. Faith comfortable to Believers Page 340 1. a 1102. ad 1106. terrible to the wicked Page 341 2 1102. the greatness of it Page 386. 1096 1097 1098. whether merited by Christ Page 1074 1075 6. necessary Page 386. a 1077. ad 1098. to be meditated on and why Page 1106 7. Vid. Glory of Christ Self Examination pleasant to a renewed man Page 113 114. will quicken him to praise Page 126. in the power of a natural man Page 185. a necessary duty Page 825 6. diligence requisite in it Page 827 8 9. men backward to it and why Page 828. the neglect of it folly Page 830. urged ibid. directions for it Page 831 832 833. 1365 1366. a means to cast out evil thoughts Page 16 †Self Examination before the Supper universally necessary a Page 793. ad 796. the object of it Page 777. a 796. ad 813. Examples good discourage sin and promote holiness Page 132. Excommunicated persons not to be debarred from the word Page 792. Experience Vid. Mercies received of the new birth want of it makes it hard to be conceived Page 69. Extremities the time wherein God saves his people Page 27 †46 7 8 †of the Church often very great 44 †Exhortations Vid. Commands Eternity of Punishment Vid. Punishment Events ungrounded imaginations about them sinful 4 †F. FAith God gives sufficient grounds for it but forces none to it Page 1. implanted in Regeneration Page 78 9. man naturally an Enemy to it and all its attendants Page 144 714 715 716 718. how far it could be exercised by Adam in innocence Page 189. whether purchased by Christ Page 212. encouragements to it Page 298 315 323 339 655. necessary to Salvation Page 319 349 700. pleasing to God and Christ Page 319 350 624 629 673. its firm foundation Page 323 327. 338 339. 347 348. 672 673. 1088. its nature and adjuncts Page 349 671 2. a 798 ad 802. qualifies for reconciliation with God Page 372. a low and reasonable condition Page 374. can 't be without knowledge Page 405. its seat Page 428. accompanies a saving knowledge Page 428. and knowledge encrease one another Page 430. should be much exercised Page 596 7. 1373. the choicest Grace Page 604. 671 2. may be where there are interruptions of its acts and doubtings Page 605 6. why made the condition of the New Covenant Page 646. due to Gods revelations a dictate of Nature Page 647 8. the root of all other Graces Page 649. weak the patience of God towards it wonderful Page 653. means to engage us to seek it Page 662. to be prized and God blessed for it Page 664. that God only can work it no excuse for an Unbeliever Page 706. motives to seek it Page 708. 1108 1153. humane not true Faith Page 720. 1 2. purifies the heart Page 723 4. the Devil a great Enemy to it and why Page 740. we should examine whether we have it Page 741 2. should be prized and strengthned because 't is so rare Page 745. the design of all Gods actions to promote it Page 744. necessary in a communicant Page 781. to be enquired after before he receives Page 797 8. and acted by him when he receives Page 753. 802 3. direct acts of it when to be exercis'd Page 832. how establisht Page 844. 1107. to be exercis'd as oft as we sin Page 1114. what keeps Life in it Page 1177. not required of all in an equal degree Page 1179. to be exercis'd before and under Temporal evils Page 1291. 84 5 †without it no pardon Page 106 †tho' weak interests us in pardon Page 113 †Faith its object God in Christ Page 349 â—50 1159. God the principal Page 1160 1 2. Christ the immediate Page 373. 1163. Christ was of the ancient Believers tho' not so distinct as of ours Page 848. 1163. ad 1171. of old exprest by waiting and trusting Page 1169. is in his person Page 1171. as sent and commission'd by God Page 305. 1172. in all his Offices Page 342. 1173. 1182. as crucifyed the more immediate object of it Page 870. a. 1173. ad 1177. such a Faith urged Page 854. 872. 904. 913. 1210. only as eying that justifies Page 1210. as risen and exalted Page 67. 1177. to be examin'd by its object Page 1179. in Christ urg'd Page 1179 80. in him solely wholly always Page 1181 2. Faithfulness of Christ to his charge Page 1335. 1360. Fall made man unfit unwilling unable to good Page 10 11 175. sadly depraved him Page 44. 143. the misery of man by it Page 197. 754. sense of the corruption by it a means of the new birth Page 62 3 135. and of Mortification Page 1321. insensibleness of it the cause of unbelief Page 731 2. an occasion of the greater discovery of God Vid. Attributes since it man not able to know God by the Creatures as he ought Page 483. Fall into sin upon it how 't is with a renewed man Page 98 99 †of others Vid. Sins of others Familiarity with God causes delight in Prayer Page 60 †God the Father the Author of Reconciliation Page 251 2. a. 258. ad 262. necessary he should be so a. Page 252. ad 262. his Agency in Redemption a. Page 262. ad 338. his special love to Christ as Mediator Page 673. Favour of God lost by sin regain'd by Regeneration Page 29 30. the fruit of Christ's Death Vid. Death of Christ follows upon pardon Page 110 †Fear of God can't be without knowledge Page 407. what caused by the Spirit in Conviction Page 570. 577. a preservative from Judgments Page 71 †of sin a sign of Pardon Page 116 †the duty of a pardon'd