and my Preaching was not with inticing words of Man's VVisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power That your Faith should not stand in the VVisdom of Men but in the Power of God And they were to deal with Men of excellent Parts and Learning some of which received the Gospel And pray mark this plain Doctrine was opened in that part of the World where Arts most flourished and at that Time for about the time of our Saviour's coming curious Arts and other civil Disciplines were are at the height and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet as Aaron's Rod devoured the Magician's Serpents so was the Gospel too hard for all and got ground And pray mark again which is another Circumstance it prevailed not by Force of Arms or the Long Sword as all Dotages and Superstitions are wont to do this was the way of Cain Jude 11. The Christian Religion prevailed by the Word and Patience of the Saints Christ's Sword is in his Mouth And Psal. 8.2 Out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings hast thou ordained Strength because of thine Enemies that thou mayest still the Enemy and the Avenger Again this way seemed to the World a novel Way They were leavened with Prejudices and bred up by long Custom which was another Nature in the Worship of Idols 1 Pet. 1.18 Ye were redeemed not with corruptible things as Silver and Gold from your vain Conversations received by Tradition from your Fathers Men keep to the Religion of their Ancestors with much Reverence Christ did not seize upon the World as a Waste is seized upon by the next Comer Men took up with Heathenish Rites when they were to seek of a way of Worship But the Ark was to be set up in the Temple that was already occupied and possessed by Dagon The Work of those who first promoted the Faith of the Gospel was to dispossess Satan and to perswade Men to renounce a Religion received by a long Tradition and Prescription of Time they went abroad to bait the Devil and hunt him out of his Territories and yet they prevailed in that manner that hath been declared and to this day doth it prevail Now Errors are not long-lived the day shall declare it 1 Cor. 3.3 in time they vanish and come to nothing when Passions are allayed and worldly Interests are changed What Vse shall we make of this of God's owning the Word by Success Besides Satisfaction in the matter in hand and Admiration of Providence we may make this use of it to bewail our own blindness and hardness that the Word which hath prevailed over the World doth not prevail over our Hearts Col. 1.6 Which is come unto you as it is in all the World and bringeth forth Fruit as it doth also in you since the day you heard of it and knew the Grace of God in Truth This is comfortable when we can say so this Word prevaileth over all the World and blessed be God over my Heart But O how sad is it when that which subdueth the World standeth still and getteth no ground with us Say Out of what Rock was my Heart hewn Is my Will only the toughest Sinew in all the World that it can stand out against the Battery of the Word In thirty Years or thereabouts the Word prevailed over most of the known World I have been an Hearer ten twenty or thirty Years and yet I cannot find my Heart soft pliable to the purposes of Grace much Ignorance and Obstinacy still remaineth As they said Luke 24.18 Art thou only a Stranger in Jerusalem and hast not known the things that are come to pass there in these days Art thou only a Stranger to the Power and Success of the Word Thus may we bemoan our selves Secondly By Miracles the known Miracles that accompanied the teaching of it Miracles you know are a solemn Confirmation or Letters Patents brought from Heaven to authorize any Person or Doctrine for they are such Effects as do exceed the Force and Power of Nature and therefore must needs come from an extraordinary Divine Power Now it is not to be imagined that ever a Divine Power would cooperate with a Falshood and Cheat and therefore whatever is confirmed by Miracles hath God's solemn Testimony and Ratification and so deserveth Credit and Estimation Now a little before Christ's Time there was a great silence and rest from Prodigy and Wonder that the Messiah might be known But after he had preached his Sermon on the Mount they were commonly wrought both by himself and his Messengers and to evidence the Truth of them they were commonly done in the sight of the Multitude even of them that withstood his Doctrine His Adversaries objected That he did cast out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils But that could not be because all Miracles were referred to the Glory of his Father and the Devil cannot work beyond the Power of a natural Agent Now by the Circumstances of Christ's Miracles it appeared that he wrought beyond any natural Power It is possible that by natural Power Diseases may be secretly inflicted and secretly cured by Satan but Christ not only cured but restored perfect Health which no natural Means can work He raised the Dead a Miracle that cannot be counterfeited Therefore well might Nicodemus say John 3.2 Rabbi we know that thou art a Teacher come from God for no Man can do these Miracles that thou dost except God be with him they being wrought by a Divine Power they shewed his Divine Mission and Calling And as Christ so did his Messengers as the Apostles Heb. 2.3 4. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with Signs and Wonders and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own Will They were authorized by Christ as Christ by God and God bore them witness It is my Truth I am their Witness and you will perish if you do not hearken to it That which may be observed in these Scripture-Miracles is that they were not done when Men would require or when the Instruments pleased but according to God's own Will upon special and weighty Occasions that it might be the more evident that God was the worker of them and therefore were not meerly used to beget a Reputation at all Places and at all Times as if God's Power should be at the Creatures beck Counterfeits such as Apollonius Tyanaeus were never dainty to shew their jugling Tricks but always were pliable to the Humors and Lusts of Men and to satisfy Curiosity Only now and then and upon special Occasions would God manifest himself Juglers prostitute their Feats Come let us see what you can do shew us a Miracle as Herod desired to see Christ that he might see some Miracle Luke 23.8 This would not lessen the Majesty of God
given to his Justice that his Mercy may have the freer scope the sinner saved and the sin branded and condemned Oh what shall we render to the Lord for so great a benefit Let us unboundedly give up our selves to be governed and ordered by him at his will and pleasure noâ— loving our lives to the death Rev. 12.11 Life must not be excepted out of this resignation Luke 14.26 4. How this must be improved First by consideration Secondly By determination For 't is said we thus Judge 1. Consideration Whereby spiritual truths are laid close to the heart the Soul and the object are brought together by serious thoughts God will not govern us as bruits and rule us with a Rod of Iron by meer power and force the heart of man is overpowered by the weight of reason and serious inculcative thoughts which God blesseth to the beginning and increase in our Souls Therefore cast in weight after weight till the Judgement be poised and you begin to judge and determine how just and equal it is that you should give up your selves to God and to Christ who have done those great things for you God often complaineth for want of consideration Isa. 1.3 But my people will not consider And Deut. 32.29 Oh that my people would be wise and consider their latter end And Psa. 50.22 Consider this ye that forget God Most of our sin and folly is to be charged upon our inconsideration so also our want of grace 'T is God doth renew and quicken the Soul yet consideration is the means The greatest things in the World do not work upon them that do not think of them Therefore how shall the power of the word be set on work but by serious and pressing thoughts The truth lyeth by reason is asleep till consideration quicken it The fault of the highway ground is they hear the word but understand it not The first help of grace is attention Acts 16.14 She attended to the things that were spoken by Paul What is this attending but a deliberate weighing in order to choice minding esteem and pursuit Those invited to the wedding Matth. 22.5 They made light of it Non-attendency is the bane of the greatest part of the World they will not suffer their minds to dwell upon these things 2. There is determination or a practical decree We thus Judge in all reason when we have considered of it we cannot Judge otherwise the Scripture often speaketh of this Acts 11.23 He exhorted them all with full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord 2 Tim. 3. This like a bias in a bowl carryeth the authority of a principle in the heart these decrees enacted in the heart are frequently mentioned in Scripture in the case of religion in general as Psa. 119.57 Thou art my portion O Lord I have said I would keep thy words Sometimes some particular duty when the heart is backward Psa. 32.5 I said I will confess my transgression unto the Lord. Sometimes in compliance with some divine motion Psa. 27.8 I said thy face Lord will I seek Sometimes after a doubtful traverse or conflict with temptations Psa. 73.28 It is good for me to draw near to God I have put my trust in the Lord God Generally 't is a great help against a sluggish and remiss will Christians are so weak and fickle and inconstant because they do not use this help of decreeing or determining for God and binding and ingaging their Souls to live to him VSE It exhorts us 1. To affect our hearts and ravish our thoughts with this great instance of the love of God 'T is the commending circumstance to set it forth John 15.13 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends And Rom. 5.8 God commended his love towards us that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us God hath not another Son to bestow upon us a better Christ to die for us love is gone to the utmost nor can we be redeemed at a deare rater That we may be affected with it 1. Let us not look upon it only as an act of heroical friendship but in the mediatory notion for so 't is most penetrating and sinketh into the very Soul and that 's the way to draw solid comfort whereas the other only begetteth a little fond admiration we look upon it as an act of generosity and gallantry and that begets an ill Impression in our minds But to look upon it as a mediatorial act breedeth the true broken-hearted sense and thankfulness which God expecteth We all stood guilty before the Tribunal of Divine Justice and he was surrogated by the covenant of redemption and made sin and a curse for us He was to be responsible for our sins according to the pact and agreement between him and his Father Isa. 53.10 There is the covenant of redemption described When thou shalt make his Soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand 'T is not to be looked upon as a strange history and so to stir up a little wonder or a little fond pitty as at a tragical story but to fill us with a broken-hearted sense and deep thankfulness that the Son of God should come to recover our forfeited mercies When we were sentenced to death by a righteous Law and had sold our selves to Sathan and cast away the mercies of our creation and by our multiplied rebellions made our selves ready for execution then the Son of God pittyed our case undertook our ransom and paid it to the utmost farthing 2. Consider the Consequent benefits both here and hereafter Isa. 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgrâ—ssions he was bruised for our iniquities and the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed And Rev. 1.5 6. Who hath loved us and washed us in his blood and made us Kings and Priests unto God In the Heavenly Priest-hood nothing will appear in us displeasing to God The love and praise of God will be our whole Imployment In expectation of this happy hour we must begin our sacrifices here 3. Let us not by affected scruples blunt the Edge of our comfort Christians would know too soon their peculiar interest in Gods love whether intended to us and so disoblige our selves from our duty These affected scruples are a sin because secret things do not belong to us but the open declarations of God concerning our duty Deut. 29.29 'T is the part of a deceitful heart to betray a known duty by a scruple we would not do so in case of temporal danger if a boat be overturned we will not make scruples when any come to our help whether they shall be accepted or not Do not refuse your help and cure but improve the offer 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a true and faithful saying Jesus Christ came to save sinners of whom I am chief
Sin and the World Page 181 When Christ died all Believers died to sin in him Page 177 How those that were not then born were said to be dead to Sin when Christ died Page 179 How to improve the Death of Christ for the mortifying of Sin Page 182 Pardon of Sin is chiefly eyed in the Death of Christ. Page 230 Defects and failings of Christians to be bewailed Page 165 We are to labour to get ground of them Page ib. Desiring Christ. Why the Soul desires to be with Christ. Page 54 What hinders these Desires Page 55 v. Presence with Christ in Heaven Desire of Death Death not simply to be desired Page 24 What Desires of Death are lawful Page 24 34 Desire of Death ariseth from Assurance Page 70 Whether all Christians must desire Death Page 24 The Holiness to Regulated Desires of Death Page 35 Desire of Heaven None can desire Heaven but those that are clothed with a Gospel Righteousness Page 28 Determination a great help in Religion Page 175 Difficulties of Obedience how sweetned Page 73 Dominion of God his Title to it Page 86 Dying to Sin our consent to it given at Conversion and ratified in Baptism Page 180 How Believers may be said to be dead to Sin since there are so many carnal motions after Conversion Page ib. The Influence Christ's Death hath on our dying to Sin v. Death of Christ. E. EArnest the Nature of it Page 42 The difference between an Earnest and a Pledge Page 43 Earnest of the Spirit what it is Page 42 The Vse and End of it Page 43 Enemies all men by Nature are Enemies to God Page 217 244 The several Kinds of Enmity against God Page 217 244 245 God's Enemies carry on a War against him Page 246 God is an Enemy to carnal men Page 247 Wherein this Enmity of God is seen Page ib. It is a dreadful thing to have God an Enemy Page ib. End ultimate and subordinate Page 133 How to know what is our main End Page 77 The End varieth the Nature of the Action Page 136 Esteem of God the Effects of it Page 155 Esteem A Christian is not religiously to esteem others for external carnal advantages Page 194 The Reasons of it Page 195 Excellency of Heaven wherein it appears Page 38 Execution of the last Sentence will be certain speedy and unavoidable Page 107 Why the Sentence shall be certainly executed Page 107 The Sentence shall be executed on the wicked first Page ib. The Execution of the last Sentence shall be terrible F. FAith the objects of Faith Page 56 How it works as to another World Page 17 Faith goeth on certain grounds Page 59 How it should be rowzed up with reference to the promised Glory Page 17 Walking by Faith v. Walking Faith and Sight opposed to one another Page 56 Faith is for Earth Sight for Heaven Page 58 Till we have Sight it is an advantage that we have Faith Page 58 What relief Faith yields us in this World till we have Sight Page 59 If we have Faith we shall have Sight Page ib. Those that have Faith are not satisfied till they have Sight Page ib. Faith hath its Sights Page ib. Faith in Christ what it includes in it Page 255 256 Faith and Repentance Repentance respects God Faith Christ. Page 224 Both are wrought by the Word and acted in Prayer Page Ib. Fall of Man all mankind Fell in Adam Page 216 Fear Causes of Fear Page 111 Terror of the Lord ground of Fear v. Terror Page 110 Fear of future Iudgment how raised in us Page 114 Fear of Wrath and Love of God how consistent Page 113 Fitness for Heaven what it is Page 39 41 Gradual Fitness is to be lookt after Page 40 Fools carnal men are Fools v. Madness Page 126 127 Free Grace manifested at the day of Iudgment Page 98 Friendship between God and Mâ—â— in a State of Innocency Page 216 How this Friendship was broâ—en off Page lb. Fury of wicked Men in their sins Page 127 G. GArment Gospel Righteousness a Garment to cover our nakedness Page 28 Glory of God A Christian is in all things to aim at the Glory of God Page 130 We are to Glorifie God in all Relations and Conditions of Life and with all our Talents Page 135 136 I Indifferent actions God's Glory is to be our end Page 131 Actions that tend to our dishonour should not be omitted when God's Glory calls for them Page 133 Whether in every action a Christian is always bound to have actual thoughts of the Glory of God Page 132 Why the Glory of God is to be our Great end Page 128 133 139 Believers are fitted for Glorifying God as Men and as renewed Page 134 135 Aim at God's Glory ariseth from Love to God Page 131 How to know whether we Glorify God Page 140 Exhortation to Glorify God Page 137 Motâ—ves to Glorify God Page 138 Directions to Glorify God Page 139 Glory of God and good of the Church conjoyned Page 131 Glory of all that Grace that fits us for Heaven is to be given to God Page 41 Goodness of God the mercies of daily Providence declare much of God's Goodness Page 153 Gospel why called the Word of Reconciliation and why the Ministry of Reconciliation Page 234 To whom the dispensation of it is committed Page 234 Governour our Governour must be our Iudge Page 87 Grace the change that Grace makes in a Man Page 130 Acts of Grace easily discernable by a mans own Conscience Page 119 Habitual and actual Grace what Page 211 Groaning for Heaven the Reasons of it Page 20 Directions to stir it up Page 25 v. Desire of Heaven H. HAppiness Eternal why it is delayed Heart New v. New Heart Page 42 Heaven the Certainty of it v. Certainty Page 8 The Excellency of Heaven Page 38 Fitness for Heaven v. Fitness Why Believers are not presently admitted to Heaven upon Conversion Page 42 58 Hiding sin men naturally love to hide their sins from God men and themselves Page 96 God's people are subject to it Page ib. Why men endeavour to hide their sins Page ib. The folly of it Page ib. Holiness in God and in man how it differs Page 84 85 Holiness of Christ as God and as man v. Innocency of Christ. Page ib. Holiness of God manifested at the day of Iudgment Page 97 Home a Christian is not at Home while he is in the Body V. Strangers Page 50 Reasons of it Page Ib. God's Children are not at Home till they come to Heaven Page 54 Hope of Heaven the kinds of it Page 18 Expressed in Scripture by looking and longing Page 18 House State of Glory called a House Page 4 20 What a kind of House this is Page 5 Hypocrites the Reasons of the decay of their seeming Love to God Page 156 I. IMpediments that hinder man's turning to God Page 236 The Word of God a proper remedy to remove them Page 237 Imputation Non-Imputation of sin what is
not to give all men but only the Elect this special Grace and upon the intention of Christs dying which was not to sanctifie himself for all but for those whom the Father had given to him and you seem to put the whole business upon Man as if he did make himself to differ and that the good use of common Grace doth all and then the Pelagian Axiome will be true facienti quod in se est That he that doth what he can God is bound to give him what he cannot which will run little lower than the Merit of Congruity Then we cannot say God hath made himself a Debtor some would seem to have given him first All which are against the Scripture and therefore we are justly afraid to enlarge and extend the Liberty and Power of Man in this Business 2. If you answer That a Man cannot use that Common Grace which he hath received so as to obtain the Grace of Regeneration and that the thing dependeth no way upon his Will and Choice or that there is no hope or possibility of doing otherwise than they do or that do their Duty or do it not still Condemnation rests upon them then no less Difficulties will offer themselves Flesh and Blood will then complain that God is harsh and austere Reaping where he hath not sowed and gathering where he hath not strewed and that he requireth what we cannot do and when we do it not doth severely punish us What shall we answer to the Question Whether it be in the Power of the Creature to acquire the special Grace of Regeneration by the good use of common Grace The best Answer that we can give is That the Question is curious and needeth no Answer The business is not Whether God will or not but What I am bound to do The great Rule in all such Cases is God may do what he pleaseth but I must do what he commandeth He that is deadly sick doth not refuse Physick till he be made certain that it will recover him but useth it and committteth the Event to God He that is to Plow and commit his precious Seed to the Ground doth not stand to have Assurance that the next Year will prove fruitful and the Seasons kindly but ventures because usually God's Blessing concurreth with Man's Industry So in the business of Salvation we should not dispute of our Power nor the Event of our Endeavours 'T is enough to acknowledge the Debt of Obedience to try our Power to endeavour to do what we ought to do and then leave the Event to God There is no need to dispute of our Power 't is much safer to confess our Impotency to humble our selves before God and to seeke his Blessing and Grace in the Means he hath instituted to that end but not at all to doubt the Counsel and Will of God And the Intention of Christ whatever it be will be no Impediment to us in doing our Duty And 't is as certain that no Man doth all that he can but by divers Offences and abuse of the Gifts received giveth God just cause to be angry and withdraw his help And 't is also out of doubt that 't is not for want of God's help but for their own folly and negligence that they perish Therefore let us do what we are commanded to do and leave the Event to God confessing when we have done all that we can that God is not our Debtor but that we remain Debtors to God guilty of eternal Condemnation as long as we are not Partakers of Regeneration and Justification by Christ. If we could learn to suppress our Cavils and Curiosity by this humble Submission the business of our Salvation would soon come to an Issue and we should find God better to us than we could imagine 3. The next Consideration is That this Increase is given in by Degrees We have not all at first nor all at once but as our Capacities are enlarged so is God's Hand Psal. 81.10 Open thy Mouth wide and I will fill it The more we improve the Grace received the more are we strengthned of God's Service and our Desires and Expectations which are as the Mouth of the Soul are more raised It is Exercise maketh us see the necessity and worth of Grace and so desire more as necessary to bear our Burdens perform our Duties and resist Temptations And the more Grace we have and the more we are acquainted with God the more Hopes have we towards him By Hope and Desire the Soul is more widened and fitted to receive As Moses Tell me thy Name and then Shew me thy Glory None see the want of Learning so much as they that have most of it So for Grace the Desire and Sense of Want increaseth with Enjoyment so doth God's Bounty to us The Desires and Endeavours of Believers after Grace are not easily satisfied 4. This gradual Increase is continued till at length all be full and perfect The Apostle prayeth for the Saints Ephes. 4.19 That they might be filled with all the Fulness of God God keepeth filling still till Grace begun here be fully compleated in Glory hereafter and in Heaven they are filled up with God as far as finite Creatures are capable of enjoying that which is Infinite The reason is Because the Riches of God's Goodness are inexhaustible God is never weary of well-doing where he hath given he will give and delighteth to crown his own Gifts Some Gifts of God leave some Obligation upon him to give more Deus donando debet Christ's Reasoning implieth so much Matth. 6.25 Is not Life more than Meaâ— and the Body than Rayment That is an Argument as long as God will use us for his Glory he will provide for us Zech. 3.2 Is not this a Brand plucked out of the Fire The Argument is from a Brand almost consumed Would God so eminently appear for them not to destroy them Certainly he will still take care of them This holdeth universally true in point of Grace for 't is given as an Earnest not as Donum a Gift as Men give a Shilling to a Beggar nor as Pignus a Pledge to be taken away but as Arrha an Earnest of a greater summ of which that is a part So that he that hath shall have more and so abundance in all Perfection in Heaven 2. Now I must speak to the Loss Talents may be said to be lost or taken away two wayes in this World or in the next These proverbial Speeches are made use of by Christ upon a two-fold occasion after the Parable of the Sower Matth. 13.12 and here after the Parable of the Talents the one relateth to losing in this World and the other in the World to come They that rejected the Gospel and would not hear or heard it carelesly or would not come under the Power and Obedience of it all their external Priviledges glittering Profession common Gifts of Illumination Fasts partial Practice all will be lost Only
on his head nor the Entertainments made him when he lived upon earth but the feeding and cloathing of his hungry and naked Servants The greatest part of Christians never saw Christ in the Flesh But the Poor they have alwayes with them Kindness to these is Kindness to him Again Among these he doth not mention the most Eminent the Prophets and Apostles or the great Instruments of his Glory in the World but the least of his Brethren even those that are not only little and despicable in the esteem of the World but those that are little and despicable in the Church in respect of others that are of more eminent Use and Service Again The least Kindness shewn unto them Mat. 10.42 Whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a Cup of cold water in the name of a Disciple verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward He had spoken before of kindness to Prophets and righteous Men Men of Eminent Gifts and Graces then ordinary Disciples among these the least and most contemptible either as to outward Condition or State of Life or to Use and Service and it may be inward Grace Now all this sheweth what value Christ sets upon the meanest Christians and the smallest and meanest Respect that is shewed them The smallness and meanness of the Benefit shall not diminish his Esteem of your Affection any thing done to his People as his People will be owned and noted When the Saints that newly came from the Neglects and Scorns of an unbelieving World shall see and hear all this what cause will they have to wonder and say Lord who hath owned thee in these Alas in the World all is quite contrary Let a Man profess Christ and resemble Christ in a lively manner and own Christ thoroughly presently he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set up for a Sign of Contradiction and that not only among Pagans but Professing Christians yea by those that would seem to be of great note in the Church as the Corner-stone was refused by the Builders 1 Pet. 2.7 And therefore when Christ taketh himself to be so concerned in their Benefits and Injuries they have cause to wonder Christ was in these and the World knew it not 3. At the Greatness of the Reward That he should not only take notice of these Acts of Kindness but so amply remunerate them In the Rewards of Grace God worketh beyond humane Imagination and Apprehension 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the Heart of Man the things God hath prepared for them that love him We cannot by all that we see and hear in this World which are the Senses of Learning form a Conception large enough for the Blessedness of this Estate Enjoyers and Beholders will wonder at the Grace and Bounty and power of their Redeemer 'T is transcendent hyperbolical weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Where is any thing that they can do or suffer that is worthy to be mentioned or compared with so great a Recompence When these Bodies of Earth and Bodies of Dust shall shine like the Stars in Brightness these sublime Souls of ours see God face to face these wavering and inconstant Hearts of ours shall be immutably and indeclinably fastned to love him and serve him and praise him as without Defection so without Intermission and Interruption and our Ignominy turned into Honour and our Misery into everlasting Happiness Lord what Work of ours can be produced as to be rewarded with so great a Blessedness VSE That which we learn from this Question of theirs supposed to be conceived upon these Grounds is 1. An humble Sense of all that we do for God The Righteous remember not any thing that they did worthy of Christ's Notice and we should be like-minded Nehem. 13.22 Remember me O my God concerning this also and spare me according to the Greatness of thy Mercy When we have done our best we had need to be spared and forgiven rather than rewarded On the contrary Luk. 18.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus to himself God I thank thee that I am not as other Men are Extorioners Vnjust Adulterers or even as this Publican And those Isa. 58.3 Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not wherefore have have afflicted our Souls and thou takest no Knowledge They challenge God for their Work None more apt to rest in their own Righteousness than they that have the least Cause Formal Duties do not discover Weakness and so Men are apt to be puffed up they search little and so rest in some outward things 'T is no great Charge to maintain painted Fire The Substantial Duties of Christianity such as Faith and Repentance imply Self-humbling but external things produce Self-exalting They put the Soul to no stress Loaden Boughs hang the Head most so are holy Christians most humble None labour so much as they do in working out their Salvation and none so sensible of their Weaknesses and Imperfections Old Wine puts the Bottles in no danger there is no Strength and Spirits left in it So do formal Duties little put the Soul to it On the other side they are conscious to so many Weaknesses as serious Duties will bring into the View of Conscience and have a deep Sense of their Obligations to the Love and Goodness of God and a strong Perswasion of the Blessed Reward None are so humble as they They see so much Infirmity for the present so much Obligation from what is past and such sure Hope of what is to come that they can scarce own a Duty as a Duty None do Duties with more Care and none are less mindful of what they have done They discern little else in it that they contribute any thing to a good Action but the Sin of it This is to do God's Work with an Evangelical Spirit doing our utmost and still ascribing all to our Mediator and blessed Redeemer 2. What Value and Esteem we should have for Christ's Servants and Faithful Worshippers Christ treateth his Mystical Body with greater Indulgence Love and Respect than he did his Natural Body for he doth not dispense his Judgment with respect to that but these He would not have us know him after the Flesh 2 Cor. 5.16 Please our selves with the Conceit of what we would do to him if he were alive and here upon Earth but he will judge us according to the Respect or Disrespect we shew to his Members even to the meanest among them To wrong them is to wrong Christ Zech. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of his Eye The Churches Trouble goes near his Heart which in due time will be manifested upon the Instruments thereof To sleight them is to sleight Christ He that despiseth you despiseth me To grieve and offend them is to grieve and offend Christ. Matth. 18.10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little Ones for I say unto you That in
ask Assurance is a ground of the more earnest Request When Daniel understood by Books the number of the Years then he was most earnest in Prayer and when Elijah heard the sound of the Rain he prayed Prayer is to help on Providences that are already in motion That thy Son also may glorify thee Here is another Argument It is usual in Prayer to speak of our selves in a third Person so doth Christ here That thy Son may glorify thee This may be understood many ways partly as the Glory of the Son is the Glory of the Father partly by accomplishing God's Work that I may destroy thy Enemies and save thy Elect partly by the preaching of the Gospel in Christ's Name to the Glory of God the Father He doth as it were say I desire it for no other end but that I may bring Honour to thee From this Clause 1. Observe That God's Glory is much advanced in Jesus Christ. In the Scriptures there is a Draught of God as Coin bears the Image of Caesar but Caesar's Son is his lively Resemblance Christ is the living Bible we may read much of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. We shall study no other Book when we come to Heaven for the present it is an advantage to study God in Jesus Christ. The Apostle hath an expression 2 Cor. 4.4 Lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Christ is the Image of God and the Gospel is the Picture of Christ the Picture which Christ himself hath presented to his Bride There we see the Majesty and Excellency of his Person and in Christ of God And Vers. 6. the Apostle saith To give the Light of the Excellency of the Knowledg of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. In Christ we read God glorious in his Word Miracles personal Excellencies Transfiguration Resurrection we read much of God There we read his Justice that he would not forgive Sins without a plenary Satisfaction If Christ himself be the Redeemer Justice will not bate him one Farthing His Mercy he spared not his own Son What scanty low Thoughts should we have of the Divine Mercy if we had not this Instance of Christ His Truth in fulfilling of Prophecies Psal. 40.7 8. Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart This was most difficult for God to grant for us to believe yet rather then he would go back from his Word he would send his own Son to suffer Death for a sinful World All things were to be accomplished though it cost Christ his precious Life God had never a greater Gift yet Christ came when he was promised He will not stick at any thing that gave us his own Son His Wisdom in the wonderful contrivance of our Salvation When we look to God's Heaven we see his Wisdom but when we look on God's Son we see the manifold Wisdom of God Ephes. 3.10 The Angels wonder at these Dispensations to the Church His Power in delivering Christ from Death and the glorious Effects of his Grace His Majesty in the Transfiguration and Ascension of Christ. O then study Christ that you may know God There is the fairest Transcript of the Divine Perfections the Father was never published to the World by any thing so much as by the Son 2. Observe Our Respects to Christ must be so managed that the Father also may be glorified for upon these terms and no other will Christ be glorified 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the Promises in him are Yea and in him Amen to the Glory of God by us Phil. 2.10 11. That at the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow and every Tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father John 14.13 Whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son Look as the Father will not be honoured without the Son John 5.23 That all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him so neither will the Son be honoured without the Father I condemneth them who out of a fond respect to Christ neglect the Father As the former Age carried all respect in the Name of God Almighty without any distinct reflection on God the Son So many of late carry all things in the Name of God the Son that the Adoration due to the other Persons is forgotten The Wind of Error doth not always blow in one Corner When the heat of such an Humour is spent Christ will be as much vilified and debased Our Hearts should not be frigidly and coldly affected to any of the Divine Persons 3. Observe It is the proper Duty of Sons to glorify their Father Mal. 1.6 If I be a Father where is mine Honour Mat. 5.16 Let your Light so shine before Men that others seeing your good Works may glorify your Father which is in Heaven How must this be done 1. By reverend Thoughts of his Excellency especially in Worship then we honour him when we behave our selves before him as before a great God this is to make him glorious in our own Hearts When we conceive of him as more excellent than all things Usually we have mean base thoughts by which we streighten or pollute the Divine Excellency 2. By serious Acknowledgments give him Glory Rev. 4.11 Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast created all things and for thy Pleasure they are and were created Now this is not in naked ascriptions of Praise to him pratling over words but when we confess all the Glory we have above other Men in Gifts or Dignity is given us of God this is to make him the Father of Glory Ephes. 1.17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledg of him 3. When we make the advantage of his Kingdom the end of all our Actions 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether ye eat or drink or whatever you do do all to the Glory of God Phil. 1.20 Christ shall be magnified in my Body whether it be by Life or by Death Christ had glorified him yet he seeks now to do it more Self will be mixing with our Ends but it must be beaten back We differ little from Beasts if we mind only our own Conveniences 4. By making this the aim of our Prayers We should desire Glory and Happiness upon no other terms Ephes. 1.6 To the Praise of the Glory of his Grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved It is a mighty encouragement in Prayer when we are sure to be heard John 12.28 Father glorifie thy Name then came there a Voice from Heaven
clearing up our Title to it The same things serve to enter into Heaven that serve to assure us of our interest in it Fulfil Gods conditions which he hath annexed to the new Covenant and you may be sure and the same is necessary to have as well as to be sure all the difference is some make a hard shift to go to Heaven others enter abundantly 2 Pet. 1.11 They that make it their business to know they have Eternal life have this above others that they go more seriously to work and do more attend upon it Secondly The force and virtue of this sure confidence 1. 'T is of great force to support us under the difficulties of Obedience In the context Paul is discoursing of what supported him and kept him from fainting under the labours of his Apostolate 'T was a toilsome life to go up and down venturing upon all hazards and uncertainties and to travel far and near and all to draw Souls to Christ. A Blessed work in it self But toilsome to the flesh But we know c. The same holdeth in all other duties of our general and particular Calling Nothing puts us upon such a willing Industry and ready constant Watchfulness as this confidence that after we have gone through a short life here in this world this everlasting Blessedness will be our Portion 1 Cor. 9.26 I run not as one that is uncertain An assurance of the end sweetneth the Race and allayeth all the difficulties of the way A poor Beast will go home chearfully How pleasant is it to know that we shall be with God for ever When we are assured that every step sets us nearer Heavenward it will make us mend our pace Doubtfulness is a Torment to an understanding creature and blind guesses and dark Hopes cannot animate us so much as a chearful and confident expectation The more assured our hope our endeavours the greater 1 Cor. 15.58 Be ye stedfast unmovable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 2dly 'T is of great force to quiet our minds in the midst of all the cares sorrows and Crosses of the present world The Soul that hath this Anchor needeth not to be tossed with all those Tempests and anxieties of mind which worldly men are subject unto for whatever uncertainty there may be in their outward Condition there is a sure estate laid up for them in Heaven Col. 1.5 1 Pet. 1.4 reserved for us in Heaven There we shall fully enjoy our God and all things in him We know it and are sure of it A certain durable treasure which is above the reach of danger and beyond all possibility of loss 3dly 'T is of greatforce to enable us to bear the greatest sufferings not only with a quiet but with a joyful mind A duty often pressed upon us in Scripture and a Christian height which we should all aspire unto and we can hardly attain to it till we have a confidence of our own Blessedness in another world for it is this maketh light the greatest sufferings Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 Heb. 10.34 One that hath the promise of Eternal Life in the hand of his Faith this Glory and Blessedness in the Eye of his hope can look through all Tribulations see sunshine at the back of the storm That the Tribulation is working out means to help on and hasten this Glory He knoweth in himself hath assured grounds of confidence in his own Soul that he shall have better things from God than he can lose in the world That to be persecuted for Righteousness sake is the nearest way to Heaven He hath the promises to shew for the certainty of the thing and evidences in his heart of his own right and Title 4thly 'T is of great force to support us against Death it self which is the King of Terrours Certainly a Christian should get above the fears of death and be willing to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Now we shall be so far from desiring to dye that we can hardly venture to dye without assurance of a better estate Alas how bitter is the thought of death to that Soul that must be turned out of doors shiftless and harbourless and is not provided of an Everlasting Habitation or a better place to go to But now get this once certain and then death will not be so terrible whether it come in a natural or violent way Natural When sickness is ready to fret Life asunder then you are at the Gates of Heaven waiting every moment when you shall be called in When death shall draw aside the vail and shew you the Blessed Face of God you are just ready to Step into Immortal pleasures you do but change Houses when you dye and it is not an exchange for the worse but for the better A Cottage for a Pallace Do but step into this House and you bid an Everlasting Farewel to all sin and sorrow in a moment in the twinkling of an Eye Violent Rom. 8.35.36 The Sword is but the Key to open the Prison Doors to let out that Soul which hath long desired to be with Christ. Heb. 11.35 Were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection contented to dye by the hands of the Tormentour because they would have Gods deliverance not his SERMON III. 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an House not made with hands Eternal in the Heavens Vse 1. Is an Exhortation to press you to several Duties As 1. TO Believe the promised Glory Here I shall First shew the necessity of this Secondly How Faith worketh as to the other World Thirdly How we shall rouze up our Faith to a more firm belief of the promised Glory First The necessity We had need press this much 1st Because eternal life is one of the principal objects of Faith and the first motive to invite us to hearken after the things of God The Apostle telleth us Heb. 11.6 That without Faith it is impossible to please God for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him He that would have any thing to do with God must be persuaded of his Being and Bounty In the choosing of a Religion we first look after a right object whom to Worship and a fit reward what we may expect from him For that is the great inducement to make up the match between our hearts and that object Now God that knoweth the heart of Man and what wards will fit the lock doth accordingly deal with us He propoundeth himself as the first cause and highest Being to be reverenced worshipped and obeyed by us so also as the chiefest good to be enjoyed by us in an everlasting state of Blessedness All the Doctrines of the Christian Faith tend to establish this
to repent and believe but for repentance and faith its self to be wrought in us Put it into the instance of Peter and Judas For otherwise God would do no more for Peter than for Judas if God did only give a power to will if we please to do it so man would difference himself 1 Cor. 4.7 Then Peter no more than Judas and Judas as much as Peter Lord I thank thee that thou hast given me some supernatural help namely a power to return to thee if I will And the like help thou hast given to my fellow disciple Judas but this I have added of mine own accord a will to return and be converted And though I have received no more than he yet I have done more than he since I have accepted grace and he remaineth in sin I owe no more to thy grace than Judas did but I have done more for thy Glory than Judas did 5. Our first choice and willing the things of God is not only given us but our willing and working when we are converted Grace is no less necessary to finish than to begin and the new state dependeth absolutely on its influence from first to last He worketh all our works for us There is not one individual act of grace but God is interessed in it as the Soul is in every member there is not only a constant union by vertue of their subsistence in the Body but there is a constant animation and influence and the members of the Body have no power to move but as they are moved and acted by the Soul So grace is twofold habitual which giveth the Christian his supernatural being 2 Pet. 1.4 Who hath made us partakers of the divine nature And actual which raiseth and quickeneth them in their operations To this sense must these places be interpreted John 15.5 He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing And 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing but our sufficiency is of God You will say then what difference is there between the regenerate and unregenerate a natural man and a new creature I Answer there is somewhat in them which may be called a new life and a new nature somewhat distinct from Christ or the Spirit of Christ that worketh in them there is the habits of grace or the seed of God 1 John 3.9 which cannot be Christ or the Spirit for 't is a created gift Psa. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart This is called sometimes the Divine nature sometimes the new creature sometimes the inward man sometimes The good treasure Matth. 12.35 A stock of grace which may be increased 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. All which are not competible to the Spirit so that when the Spirit worketh on us 't is in another manner than on the regenerate At first conversion we are meer objects of grace but afterwards instruments of grace first upon us and then by us He worketh in the regenerate and unregenerate in a different manner he works on the unregenerate while they do nothing that is good yea the contrary the regenerate he helpeth not unless working striving labouring there is an inclination towards God and holy things which he quickeneth and raiseth up 6. In the same action unless God continueth his assistance we fail and wax faint for God doth not only give us the will that is the desire and purpose but the grace by which we do that good which we will and purpose to do these two are distinct to will and to do And we may have assistance in one kind and not in another willing and doing are different For Paul saith Rom. 7.18 To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not There needeth grace for that also to will is more than to think and to exert our will into action is more than both in all we need Gods help we cannot think a good thought nor conceive an holy purpose much less perform a good action So that we need renewed strength every moment The heart of man is very mutable in the same duty and we can keep up our affections no longer than God is pleased to hold them up While the influence of grace is strong upon us the heart is kept in a warm holy frame but as that abateth the heart swerveth and returneth to sin and vanity instance in Peter se posse putabat quod se velle sentiebat Use 1. Let us apply this 1. Take heed of an abuse of this Doctrine 1. Let it not lull us asleep in idleness because God must do all we must do nothing this is an abuse the Spirit of God reasoneth otherwise Phil. 2.12 13. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do Work for God worketh it cannot be a a ground of loosness or laziness to the regenerate or unregenerate 1. Not to the unregenerate their Impotency doth not dissolve their obligation A drunken Servant is a Servant and bound to do his work though he hath disabled himself 't is no reason the Master should lose his right by the Servants default Again Gods doing all is an ingagement to us to wait upon him in the use of means that we may meet with God in his way and he may meet with us in our way 1. That we may meet with God in his way God hath appointed certain duties to convey and apply his grace We are to lye at the Pool till the Waters be stirred to continue our attendance till God giveth grace Mark 4.24 Take heed what ye hear With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you As you measure to God in duties so will God measure to you in blessings 2. That God may meet with us in our way God influenceth all things according to their natural inclination God inlightneth with the Sun burneth with the fire reasoneth with man acts necessarily with necessary causes and freely with free causes he doth not oppress the liberty of the creature but preserveth the nature and interest of his workmanship draweth men with the cords of a man Hos. 11.4 He propoundeth reason which we consider and so betake our selves to a Godly course The object of regeneration is a reasonable creature upon whom he worketh not as upon a stock or a stone and maketh use of the Faculties which they have shewing us our lost estate and the possibility of Salvation by Christ sweetly inviting us to accept of Christs grace that he may pardon our sins sanctify our natures and lead us in the way of holiness unto eternal life Now these means we are to attend upon 2. Not to the regenerate Partly because they have some principles of operation there is life in them and where there is life there is a
these do not consider the strictness of the Law Covenant nor the purity of God nor themselves or their own defects A Broken hearted sense of sin would make us prize Christ 1 Cor. 4.4 I know nothing by my self yet am I not thereby justified but he that judgeth me is the Lord. FINIS ERRATA Page 3. line 8. read shed p. 7. l. 2. r. speaketh of it as already past p. 15. l. 14. r. He hath p. 16. l. 53 54. r. Is it not strange Things that are afar off and about which they have no present exercise They strongly believe p. 18. l. 2. r. Surety p. 19. dele 1. p. 23. l. 23. after long r. In the Lord's Supper we have a foretast of that New Wint that is in our Fathers Kingdom p. 26. l. ult p. 27. l. 1. r. T is our Ornament a beautiful Vesture to the Soul p. 43. l. 14. after comfort add is p. 47. l. 24. r. Therefore p. 53. l. 1. r. go p. 58. l. 41. r. Here is neither all evil p. 59. l. 39. r. worketh upon p. 60. l. 26 27. r. and be like him p. 61. l. 38. r. on our part l. 44. for of our way r. of Faith p. 62. l. 16. after self-denying r. r. or having and p. 65. l. 14. dele and report dele This p. 67. l. 7. r. when the body is weakest p. 73. l. 27 28. r. The being reconciled to him is his great care the pleasing of him his most industrious Imployment His life is nothing else c. p. 74. l. 215. a Carnalist p. 76. l. 39. dele is p. 107. l. 1. dele cheap p. 118. l. ult r. hating p. 121. l. 18. r. the difficulties of Obedience p. 151. l. 40. dele our p. 154. l. 43. r. intensivè l. 44. r. appretiativè l. 54. for secure r. severe p. 156. l. 25. for air r. awe l. 30. for alter r. of p. 159. l. 51. r. degree p. 163. l. 27. r. partialities p. 175. l. 9. r. increase of grace p. 177. l. 29. after nakedly add sin p. 181. l. 12. r. for sincers p. 187. l. 32. r. But according p. 188. l. 54. for men r. way for seek r. check l. 55. for his r. our for he r. we p. 203. l. 3. r. his Soul p. 207.l 40. for neither r. will then p. 211. l. 16. r. unregenerate p. 223. l. 57. for profess r. propose p. 232. l. 12. after with add God by p. 241. l. 20. for Abner r. Hanan A TABLE OF THE Principal Matters contained in the SERMONS On 2 CORINTH 5. A. ABsent how ae Believer is absent from the Lord in this World Page 54 Acceptation with God must be our great scope Page 72 And our great work Page 74 It will be our advantage and comfort Page 72 73 To be laboured after not only when we die but in this life Page 75 Why we should labour after it Page 76 v. Pleasing of God Afflictions why a burden Page 32 Approbation of God how Believers come to have it and why Page 119 Why it should be lookt after Page 120 Approbation of God to be lookt after before the Approbation of Conscience and the Approbation of Conscience before the Approbation of Men. Page 122 Assurance may be had Page 6 Why we should look after it Page 12 How it is wrought Page 7 v. Confidence Certainty Authority of Christ. Page 85 B. BOasting what the false Apostles boasted in Page 116 Body of Man compared to a House Page 2 Why called an Earthly House Page 3 Boldness holy wherein it appears Page 46 Boldness in Expectation of Heaven the grounds of it Page 29 Burden of Believers in this World for Sin and Misery v. Affliction and Sin Page 21 32 Burden of Sin felt by a tender and by a wounded Conscience Page 233 v. Sin C. CErtainty of Heaven the grounds of it Page 17 25 The degrees of it Page 11 How it is confirmed to us Page 37 Change there is a great Change wrought at Conversion Page 201 The Change that Grace makes in a Man Page 130 Moral Change what it is Page 201 This doth not amount to the New Creature Page ib. Sudden Changes may be soon worn off Page ib. Outward Change may be without change of heart Page 202 Partial Change not sufficient to denominate the New Creature Page ib. Christ delights to be with Men. Page 54 Christ Spirit Ministry must not be separated Page 239 Christ was made Sin and a Curse for us Page 171 Though he was made Sin yet not a Sinner Page 252 What in the punishment due to Sin Christ was freed from Page 172 Commendation how Paul commends himself to the Corinthians Page 118 Communion with Christ difference between it here and in Heaven Page 54 64 Confession of Sin hath a promise of pardon Page 96 Confidence of Heaven both of the Thing and of the Person Page 8 44 Of Faith and of Assurance Page 63 The Nature of it Page 45 The Kinds of it Page ib. The Opposites of it Page 46 The Properties of it Page 47 The Effects of it Page 46 The Force and Vertue of it Page 12 How it ariseth from the Earnest of the Spirit in our hearts Page 48 Conscience its Work and Office with respect to Sin Page 231 Checks of Conscience to be regarded and why Page 232 Believers have a Testimony in their own Consciences of their Sincerity Page 119 This must be regarded and why Page 121 They have a Testimony in the Consciences of others Page 120 This is to be regarded and how far Page 121 Consideration sets home Spiritual Truths on the Soul Page 175 Conversion Power of Man to convert himself the Absurdities that follow it Page 210 God's working all in Conversion is no ground for looseness or laziness to the Regenerate or to the Vnregenerate Page 211 212 Yet Exhortations to press us to become New Creatures are not in vain Page 212 The true Vse of this Doctrine of Man's Insufficiency to convert himself Page ib. Why the actings of Love are more vigorous at our first Conversion Page 157 Conviction How a good Life convinceth wicked men Page 120 How the Creature shall be convinced at the day of Iudgment Page 99 Covenant why we should often renew Covenant with God Page 250 Curse Christ was made a Curse for us Page 171 Objections answered Page 171 What there was in the Curse or Punishment due to Sin that Christ was freed from Page 172 D. DEath no Extinction Page 36 Desire of Death v. Desire Death of Christ. Christ died as a common Head or publick Person Page 179 Christ died as a Surety Page ib. Christ died not only for our good but in our stead Page 170 How the Love of Christ appeared in his dying for us Page 173 The End of Christ's Death Page 174 The Consequent Benefits of it Page 148 Death of Christ discovers the heinousness of Sin Page 174 181 What use the Death of Christ hath to make us die to