21.23 Qu. What Use will Heavens and Earth be then of Answ As an Everlasting Monument of God's Power Wisdom and Goodness and possibly righteous Men shall dwell in this New Heaven and Earth and contemplate God in his glorious Works 2 Pet. 3.13 so Righteous is taken for Persons Isa 1.21 That New World shall be possessed only by Saints no Sinners with them Now if we apply all this to this New Creation whereof we are treating it will exactly square thereto Grace shall continue He that doth the will of God shall abide for ever â— John 2.17 This Principle is an immortal Seed and shall be cleansed from all Dregs of Sin and the Fruits thereof and the Spirits of Just Men shall be made perfect Heb. 12.23 Yea their Bodies shall be made like unto the glorious Body of our Lord Jesus Phil. 3.21 And though they may pass through the Fire 1 Cor. 3.13 not of Popish Purgatory of affliction or of the Spirit 's refining yet they shall lose nothing but Dross and shall come forth as Gold Thus I have run a Parallel betwixt the Old Creation and the New But this New Creation is 1. Better 2. More difficult then the Old 1. It s better though the first was perfect in its kind yet this is a more excellent Workmanship being of a more pure refined spiritual Nature and repairs what was decayed in the Old and brought about with more transcendent Love and Good will and hath a tendency to an Everlasting Concernment of precious Souls in the other world But of this more anon 2. This is a Creation in some respects more difficult then the former was This may seem a Paradox that the framing of this new Creation in the Heart of a Sinner is a greater work and of more difficulty then that of making this great Universe Heaven and Earth mistake not this difficulty is not respectu Dei fed rei not in respect of God's Omnipotency to whom all thing are possible and easie but with respect to the thing it self and our consideration of it thâ— appears to our apprehension in these four Respects 1. When God made the World he met with no opposition he Spake the Word and noâ— said no to it by contradiction But in this Neâ— Creation the World the Devil and Corruption within opposes this work sometimes custer in Sin however the Carnal mind is enmity it sâ— against God and fights against him Rom. 8.7 2. When God make the World it cost hiâ— but the speaking of a Word as was said bâ— in order to this New Creation it cost him dear even the giving of his own Son to become Man to live a Life of Sorrow to endure the painful shameful cursed Death of the Cross that Sinners might be reconciled to God and become like God 3. When God made the world he needed no nor used any Instruments in order to the effecting that Work But in this of the New Creation he sends Ministers labouring travelling and long waiting on Sinners to work on mens Hearts he chose Men like themselves endue them with Gifts gives them Compassionate Hearts weeping beseeching with earnest Intreaties to come in yet that will not do except the Spirit strive and prevail 4. When God made the World all was finished in Six Days Heaven and Earth were finished Gen. 2.1 And all the Host of them needed not a second hand to compleat them But he is carrying on this work of the New Creation many Years the whole Life of the Christian if he live a hundred Years it will be still defective in point of degree and never compleat till the Soul be landed in Heaven Chap. IV. Wherein the New Creature is available to Souls THe third main Head in the Doctrinal part is to demonstrate wherein this New Creature is only and every way available to the Souls of men And here lest I be mistaken I must premise two Caveats by way of exception the first refers to the Kind the second to the End of this availableness 1. For the Kind we must beware how we put the New Creature in the room of Christ it is not so available as our blessed Lord Jesus is who is the only Foundation on which the Church is built 1 Cor. 3.10 And able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7.25 No Creature must be set up in competition with him for there 's no Salvation in any other Acts 4.12 And herein I am afraid the Quakers are guilty of a gross Heresie who call us from a Christ without us to a Christ within us yea it hath been a dispute in the Plantation called Pensilvania whether we must believe only in a Christ within us or a Christ both within and without us and it was carried mostly in the former Sence But let no man be drawn from placing his intire confidence in Christ the Son of God both God and Man in one Person who suffered Death on the Cross to make attonement for Sinners and now sits on the right hand of God to make intercession for us 2. If by a Christ within they mean that called Light within either Free will or Natural Conscience or a power to help our selves without special Grace it s an exploded Error and it 's to be feared the Jesuits deliver their Popish stuff out of these mens Mouths with refined Language 3. If by Christ within be meant Christ's Person in the Believer that he is Christed or Goded 't is blasphemy 4. If by this expression Christ within us the hope of glory Col. 1.27 or Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 It is as the Sun is in the House when the Beams or Rays thereof shine into it So Christ dwells in Souls by his Spirit Rom. 8.9 and its Graces and this is that which is called the New Creature and this is but a Creature and a weak one full of imperfections it s a Vein of Gold embased with Earth and dross not to be trusted to The Bride may highly prize her Husband's Picture if like him and drawn by his Hand but it is ridiculous to dote on that and slight her Husband and when she wants Money or Clothes to go not to her Husband for them but to his Picture Surely our Lord will not take it well if men honour his Image to the dishonour of his Person the Original is one thing the Copy is another Christ the object of our Faith and Grace and the Fruit of his Spirit are different Grace in the Heart is not so available as Christ in Heaven Let every thing have its due place 2. That which refers to the End is this Negative that the New Creature is not ordained to have a direct tendency to the justification of a Sinner God did not appoint it for that End That is Faith in Christ Rom. 3.20 21 22. in his Blood Merits and Satisfaction to Divine Justice apprehended by Faith alone And this excludes not only Man's merits but any gracious Habits wrought in man
a capacity of sucking Influence from him as the Child in the Womb draws nourishment from the Mother's Navel this Churches Navel never wanteth Liquor Cant. 7.2 It is this New Creature that evidenceth our interest in Christ If any man be in Christ he is a New Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 This was one End of our Lord 's giving himself for us to purchase to himself a peculiar People Tit. 2.14 Christ's Cross was both an Altar and a Laver to expiate and to purge to sanctifie and justifie you shall find continual supplies of Grace from Christ and of his fulness receive grace for grace John 1.16 The New Creature hath a constant Spring to feed it to recruit it in its decays God still saith My Grace shall be sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 So he becomes indefectible the New Creature needs not to fear famishing having these Breasts of Consolation to suck Isa 66.11 and as a Store-house to go to so saith the Apostle 1 Pet. 5.10 The God of all Grace who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you Surely then this New Creature avails much 6. The New Creature is the inlet to true Joy Peace Satisfaction though in its first Infancy there be a casting down yet it is in order to a lifting up Light is sown for the Righteous Psal 97.11 It may for a season lie in the Furrows of Gospel-sorrow They that sow in tears shall reap in joy Psal 126.5 6. Just like the Pangs of a Child-bearing Woman that end in comfort John 16.21 The Kingdom of God is righteousness peace and joy in the holy ghost Rom. 14.17 all Joy comes in at this Door that 's but a Bastard yea diabolical Peace that is not a Companion of the New Creature when a strong man armed keepeth the Palace his goods are in peace Luke 11.21 22. The Palace is the Heart the Goods are the Soul's faculties the Strong Man is the Devil the Soul hath never quiet day in God's way till Satan be dispossessed and a rightful Lord introduced that is our Lord Jesus It s true there are oft Furrows in the Face of the new Creature but they are for Sin and for want of the Sence of its inbeing but in God's time he will rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 Yea sorrowful Sufferings will at last yield the peaceable fruits of Righteousness Heb. 12.11 And is this worth nothing 7. This New Creature hath all things profitable entailed upon it Godliness is profitable to all things yea Godliness with contentment is great gain 1. Tim. 4 8-6.6 All the good things of Heaven and Earth are made sure by Covenant-title to this New Creature All things are yours saith God 1 Cor. 3.21 Every thing turns to advantage the Christian is the true Chymist to extract Gold out of every thing All things work together for good to him Rom. 8.28 though not singly yet joyntly in composition with other Ingredients he gains to this New Man by outward Losses Every Mercy Ordinance Providence Affliction is a Talent by which he is a gainer Mat. 25.27 If he fight with Satan he gets Ground at last In petty Skirmishes the Carthaginians got some small Victories but the Romans came off Conquerors at last So the Godly Soul may receive some Foils but at last he shall be more than a Conqueror yea a triumpher through the Captain of his Salvation Rom. 3.37 8. The New Creature renders the Person that hath it safe in a safe condition He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty Psal 91.1 The Holy Angels are a royal Guard to these New-born Babes of Salvation Heb. 1.14 Many are the dangers the New Creature is exposed to but one Angel is as a whole Camp to incompass and deliver God-fearing Souls Psal 34 7-6.18 But the God of Angels is nigh to them and saves them in Spirituals God will secure them from Seduction and the evil of Temptation It is not possible that the Elect shall be finally and damnably seduced Mat. 24.24 for Grace establisheth the Heart and they that are of us shall no doubt continue with us Heb. 13.9 They shall be kept by his mighty power through Faith to Salvation 1 John 2.19 1 Pet. 1.5 And we know that these Souls that are born of God are so kept that the wicked One toucheth them not 1 John 5.18 God will keep them that they shall not be tempted above what they are able 1 Cor. 10.13 God will furnish his Child with Armour of proof against Satan's assaults this Breast-plate may be shot at but never shot through the Christians Bow abides in strength and he stands as a Rock in the midst of Waves Rev. 3.8 9 10. He can neither be stormed nor undermined if the Saints have but a little strength yet it shall be lasting yea everlasting 9. The New Creature makes Christians that possess it useful and profitable to all about them It is natural for this New Creature to propagate its kind as Sin so Grace is assimilating how sollicitous was the Church for her little Sister that had no Breasts when she should be spoken for Cant. 8.8 How did the blessed Apostle Paul pant after the Conversion of his Country-men the Jews Rom. 9 1.-10.1 The Godly Soul labours to do good to all about him both good and bad He would fain pluck Sinners out of the Fire of Hell Jude 22. and ingage them for Heaven and he spurs on his Brethren in Heaven's-Road by Counsels Admonitions Prayers Example and all holy Exercises in Christian Communion yea this New Creature where ever it is makes such the Pillars of the Place and Nation where they live Ten Righteous Persons might have saved Sodom Gen. 18.19 22. And Lot's presence there bound the Angels Hands till he was gone the Godly Soul shall never know while he lives what use he was of in the world Every Godly Soul is a fruitful Tree that brings forth Fruit in due season yea in old age Psal 1 3.-92.14 10. This New Creature fits Souls for Gospel-Privileges it is only the New Creature that is a Vessel qualify'd to receive the new Wine of the Gospel Mat. 9.16 17. In the Gospel all things are new Rev. 21.5 There 's a New Name Rev. 3.12 New Church Jerusalem Rev. 21.1 New Way Heb. 10.19 New Covenant Heb. 8.10 A New Commandment John 13.32 New Sacraments Matth. 26 26-28.19 New Relation 1 Pet. 2.9 A New Condition 2 Pet. 3.13 And a New Song Rev. 14.3 Yea New Heavens and a New Earth And surely it is very fit that Christians should have New Hearts which God promiseth in the New Covenant Ezek. 36.26 A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you New Qualifications fit Persons for new Dispensations therefore God joyns the new Heavens and new Earth with the new Seed Isa 66.22 else there would be a great Inconsistency New Palates will find sweetness in this new Meat and new Wine else it will be lost upon them 11. The New Creature fits Persons for Death and Heaven To
these to live is Christ and to dye gain Phil. 1.21 Living and Dying these are the Lord's Rom. 14. It s this that renders Persons meet for that heavenly Inheritance Col. 1.12 No Eyes can see God but of those that are pure in Heart Mat. 5.8 These and only these are wrought for this self-same thing 2 Cor. 5.5 Heaven is not like Noah's Ark that had clean and unclean Creatures brought into it Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Frogs came into Pharoah's Court but no unclean thing can enter Heaven Rev. 21.9 A sensual Pallate cannot taste the sweetness of that Wine in our Father's Kingdom Matth. 26.29 For its New Wine and renewed Souls are capable of taking pleasure in it O happy Soul that hath got Christ in the Arms of his Faith and in his Heart by this New Nature he may lift up his Head and say with Simeon Now Lord lettest thou thy servant depart in Peace according to thy Word for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Luk. 2.29 30. And is not this available to Souls 12. Yea this New Creature is Heaven begun it is a considerable part of Heaven Holiness is a considerable Happiness it s the Seed and Embryo of that heavenly state Grace and Glory as they are joyned in a blessed connexion Psal 84.10 So they differ but in degree not in Specie Grace is Glory begun Glory is Grace consummated Grace is the Bud Glory is the Flower this New Creature is the Key of Paradise the inlet into Glory yea it is Salvation already 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us This blessed work of the New Creature is a quickning together with Christ and raiseth us up together and makes us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus And thus we are saved in our Representative Eph. 2.5 6 7. yea this Divine Principle is an Heaven begun not only as a Pledge but part of it The Scripture often tells us that God's Children have Eternal Life John 17.3 And this is 1. in precio in price for it is a purchased Possession Eph. 1.14.2 in promisso in promise for God hath promised Eternal Life to all that obey him Heb. 5.9.3 in semine in Seed this Water within the Believer is a Well springing up to Eternal Life John 4.14.4 in pignore in pledge and pawn this is called sometimes the Seal of the holy spirit Eph. 1.13 14. Sometimes the Earnest which is part of the thing to be enjoyed Sometimes the Witness of the Spirit which never bears its testimony to a Lye 1 John 5.10 He that believeth in thâ— Son of God hath the witness in himself for thâ— holy spirit beareth witness with our Spirits Româ— 8.16 And in these respects the New Creature is available in such a manner as no externaâ— Gospel-privileges or worldly enjoyments are to the Children of men Thus much for the third Head Chap. V. Some Inferences by way of Question aâ— Answer from the Premises FOr the Practical Improvement of this greâ— Truth I shall keep close to the Methâ— which the Holy Ghost prescribes in all Truthâ— 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by Inspiratâ— of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproâ— for Correction for Instruction in Righteousneâ— These are the Uses I shall make of this point 1. Doctrine or Information of the Judgmeâ— that our Minds may be informed in points fit 〈◊〉 be known Now there may be inquiry into Seven Poinâ— about this Doctrine of the New Creature whiâ— I shall reduce to Question and Answer 1. Quest Whether is the framing of this Nâ—â—reature in the Soul miraculous The Reason of this Question is because we have compared it to yea â—ewed a precedency above the first Creation which was a Miracle therefore it should seem that this also must be so Answ 1. Some things are Miracles yet not 〈◊〉 Creation as Stephen seeing Jesus at God's Right hand Acts 7. Or barren Sarah's conceiâ—ing Gen. 2 1. or the Sun 's going back or standing still Isa 38. For then Nature is only exâ—ended 2. Some things both a Miracle and a Creation as the Virgin Mary's conceiving and â—earing a Son yet remaining a Virgin Luke 1. â—5 Manna was both a Miracle and a Creation Exod. 16.22.3 Some things seem a Miracle as an Eclipse of the Sun seems a Miâ—acle to ignorant People but Mathematicians now the Cause 4. Some things are a Creation yet not a Miracle as the Conversion of a â—oul the subject is a rational Soul and so caâ—ble of a Principle of Grace and had once â—od's Image but it s lost and is recovered by 〈◊〉 Spiritual Creation of that which Man had â—st by his fall and folly and so 't is called 2. Quest Whether is there any Inclination in â—an towards this New Creation Or whether there 〈◊〉 any Spark of Good left in man upon his fall that â—ing improved by his Natural Faculties and diliâ—nce may grow up to a New Creature For it may â—m there is in man a Natural Conscience prompting â—n to good excusing him in doing it drawing him â—m Evil and accusing him upon the committing it 〈◊〉 Rom. 2.14 15. Answ 1. Those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Grecians call them common notices or Anâ— ticipations of Good are not in the Will but 〈◊〉 the Mind not in the Affections but Conscience nec vero cordis nomen pro sede affectuum seâ— tantum pro intellectu capitur Calv. in loc It was not ingraven in their Will to chuse it but the power of some Truths flashed in their Eyes thaâ— they could not but know them and have soâ— general liking of them so they could not bâ— know that Adultery and Stealing are naughtâ— the contrary good 2. But whether these weâ— left in man's Heart after the Fall as Relicks 〈◊〉 God's Image or introduced by God's Providence afterwards for the good of mankind aâ— to maintain Peace and Intercourse in Societiâ— is much disputed Mr. Capel of Tempt thinâ— the latter However 3. All our Protestâ— Writers affirm with the Scriptures that Maâ— Nature is universally depraved against 〈◊〉 Socinians that hold the Nature of Man is 〈◊〉 corrupted but say whatsoever Spot or Vicâ— in Man proceeds from frequent Acts of Sâ— and Custom in Sinning without the interâ— corruption of his Nature But the Scriptâ— tell us of Man's total degeneracy In me saâ— Paul i. e. in my Flesh dwells no good thing Roâ— 7.18 Our mind and conscience is defiled Tit. 1. â— There is none righteous no not one of all the race Mankind Rom. 3.9 10. And therefore neâ— a Sanctification throughout in Soul Spirit and Bâ— 1 Thes 5.23 Yea 4. There 's an utter imâ— tency in Man to renew himself Rom.
to a stronger Faith Besides 4. We may distinguish betwixt a justified State and applications of Pardon to Souls there is forgiveness with God which must be daily sued out by Faith and Prayer Psal 130.4 4. Another difference betwixt this New Creature and Justification is that the Grace of the New Creature is never perfect in this Life the holiest Saints have some Spots and defects who can say I have made my Heart clean Prov. 20.9 I am pure from my Sin Eccle. 7.20 There 's not a just man on Earth that doth good and sinneth not Mat. 3.14 John Baptist needs a New Baptism all the Disciples need their first washing John 13. A Paul complains of a Body of Death Rom. 7.14 It s in Heaven only that the Spirits of just men are made perfect Heb. 12.23 Bat Justification is perfect there 's no Spot in the justified Cant. 4.7 Fair as the Moon Cant. 6.10 as to Sanctification clear as the Sun in respect of Justification Psal 51.7 white as Snow Isa 38.17 God deals with them as if they had never offended casting their Sins behind his Back into the depth of the Sea Mich. 7.18 Remembers them no more Jer. 31.34 Object But doth not God punish his for Sin Answ Those are not properly Acts of Vindictive Justice but Fatherly Chastisements coming from God not as a Judge upon a Malefactor but as an indulgent Father to his wandring and way-ward Child It s true Afflictions are materially the Curse but formally a Blessing being like a Water running through the blessed Mineral of Covenant-Love With reference to this Pardoning Grace Dr. Ames Medul p. 139. its worth noting what D. Ames observes that there 's fourfold Pardon 1st In God's decree and purpose foreseeing it Gal. 3.8 2dly In Christ's undertakings our Sins laid on him Isa 53.6 3dly Virtually upon the Christians first Relation to God Rom. 8.1 4thly Expresly applied upon the Believers Repentance acting of Faith and sence of pardon Rom. 5.1 And I may add there 's a Day of publick proclaiming this Pardon before the whole World Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Chap. VI. An Use of Reproof and Conviction of sundry sorts A Second Use of this point is Reproof If a New Creature be available to Souls yea of such absolute necessity then what shall we say 1. Of non-pretenders to it 2. Of meer Pretenders to it 1. There are some in the World that plainly say in Words or Deeds that they are as they have been and so will continue they trouble not themselves about these new things but say I am Semper idem still the same I thank God I am no Turn-coat nor will I meddle with them that are given to change I love the old way To this Answer Take that Text with you Jeremiah 6.16 Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the Old Paths where is the good old way and walk therein Mark it not simply the Old Way except it be good for there are many old ways that are not good Cain's way is old enough so was Balaam's and Core's yet there 's a Woe unto them that walk in those ways Jude 11. The Woman of Samaria boasted of the Antiquity that their Father Jacob gave them that Well that her Ancestors did worship in that Mountain John 4 12.-20.24 But our Lord teacheth her other Doctrines yea it was no good Plea of the Jews that they did as their Fathers in burning Incense to the Queen of Heaven though they pleaded great Success then say they We bad plenty of Victuals and saw no Evil Jer. 44.17 18. God answers them to the purpose Ver. 21.22 But let me say to you 1. That this Plea is a multiplication of the Fault if it be not a good way every Step you take in it is a new Error and brings new guilt vetustas Erroris seductio Errantis The way of the Wicked seduceth him Have you examin'd whether this be God's way or no If you be wrong the further you go the further you are from God 2. This continuing in old Customs without inquiry will harden your Hearts and make you more uncapable yea more unwilling to return Can the Ethiopian change his Skin and the Leopard his Spots then may ye also learn to do good that are accustomed to do evil Jer. 13.23 Custom in Sin takes away Conscience of Sin the more men travel the more brawny are their Feet 3. But what think you Adam went wrong and do you delight to follow him or rather should not the Old Man be crucified Rom. 6.6 You have no reason to bear big or brag of the Old Man which is corrupt according to deceitful Lusts but rather put on this new man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 4.22 24. See a Parallel betwixt the first Adam and Second 1 Cor. 15.45 49. And then make your choice 4. You 'l never walk in Heaven's Road without a change Deceive not your selves you must be turned from your vain Conversation received by Tradition from your Fathers 1 Pet. â— 18 You will never walk in this New and Living Way without a New Heart You cannot serve God but it must be in the Newness of Spirit not in the Oldness of the Letter Rom. 7.6 You are undone if you dye as you are born you need not change your Religion for you profess the true Religion only you must see you be true to that Religion by a change of Heart and Life Except you be born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 Better never have been born then not be new born But more of this anon Tremble to think of appearing before God naked or in your old rotten Rags the Gibeonites might cheat Israel with their old Bottles Clouts Shoes Josh 9.4 but you cannot cousen God so An old frame is not fit for a new state old Hearts for new Heavens If you live after the Flesh you shall dye i. e. be damned Rom 8.13 but if you through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the Body you shall live i. e. be saved There are many more that are far from being New Creatures that have a black Brand of Reprobation printed on their Foreheads and disclaim any pretences to this New Creation-Work as 1st Such as have imbibed Atheistical Principles and say with their Tongues or in their Hearts there is no God Psal 14.1 at least Deists that deny God's Providence and Divine Revelations 2dly Prophane Scoffers at true Christian Piety and the Power of Godliness 2 Pet. 3. under the Name of Puritans loading Strictness in Religion with Names of Obloquy Scorn and Derision 3dly Profoundly ignorant of Gospel-Mysteries 1 Cor. 13.34 and the Essentials of Religion the knowledge whereof is of the highest importance and necessity and yet do scorn to learn 4thly Voluptuous Epicures Drunkards Adulterers and that
Objects Will not a Christian much more say so The Christian hath Meat to eat that Men know not ofâ— spiritual Manna Angels Food is the Christians Diet John 4.32 the fatness of God's house yea marrow and fatness Psal 36.9 63.5 19.10 God's word is as hony and hony-comb better then necessary food yea Jesus Christ himself the bread of Life John 6.55 The New Creature finds full contentment in Christ through a promise It s worth observing that spiritual delights are suited to all the spiritual senses melos in aure mel in ore Musick in the Ear his Mouth is most sweet Wine to the taste yea his Love is better then Wine Cant 5.16 as Oyntment poured forth to the Smell ch 1.2.3 12 13. ch 2.6 8 3. yea as Spiknard Myrrh his Embraces to the touch and feeling His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me As for the sight my beloved is white and ruddy Cant. 5 10-16 he is altogether lovely in all his parts and comely proportion You see the New Creature hath its Senses as well as the Body and spiritual good things gratifie them who by reason of use have their Senses exercised to discern good and evil Heb. 5.14 9. The New Creature hath a new home our being upon Earth in these Houses of Clay Job 4.19 is our short home our being under the Earth is our long home Eccle. 12.5 7. Rom. 6.23 In the Grave Hell is the sinner's last and everlasting Home Heaven is the Saints best eternal home 2 Cor. 5.6 8. Knowing that whilst we are at home in the Body we are absent from the Lord but we are willing rather to be absent from the Body and to be present with the Lord. A poor graceless Wretch is well where he is like that carnal Cardinal that would not change his part in Paris for his part in Paradise Such as these are men of the world whose portion is in this life Psal 17.14 These are written in the Earth possibly as recorded and renowned among the great Ones of it Jer. 17.15 But there 's a Generation of the Sons of men that are not of this world whose Names are written in Heaven John 15.9 And are travelling towards the New Jerusalem thence they came and thither they are bound Jerusalem which is above is free which is the Mother of us all Gal. 4.26 'T is thither the New Creature tendeth there it would gladly be it is troubled at whatsoever stops it in its motion homewards Rom. 8.23 Not only they i.e. the other Creatures but our selves also which have the first fruits of the spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the adoption to wit the redemption of our Body Oh blessed Jubile when shall the dawning of that glorious day appear How long must I dwell in Meshech or in the Tents of Kedar Psal 120.5 How long shall I abide on this side Jordan Oh that once at last I might inhabit that goodly Mount and Lebanon Why is his Chariot so long in coming why stay the VVheels of his Chariot Come Lord Jesus come quickly break down the walls of this earthly Tabernacle and cloath me with that house from Heaven 2 Cor. 5.1 2. How long shall â— be tost on this tumultuous Sea when shall I reach the Haven I long to be with Christ Phil. 1.23 among the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12 23-11.13 14 15 16. Here I am a Stranger and Pilgrim and am seeking another Country thither I am hasting there I would be that this disguise may be pluckt off that when he shall appear I may be like him and see him as he is 1. John 3.1 2. My best Life is yet hid but when Christ who is my Life shall appear then shall I also appear with him in glory Col. 3.3 4. For this I hope and wait and Pray and long 10. The New Creature begets new Apprehensions of it self in all this he was darkness but now he is light in the Lord Eph. 5.8 The poor old Creature thinks well of himself and his doings he imagines he can Pray perform Duty and when he hath by the strength of his Gifts come off finely then he applauds himself as Bernard said of himself bene fecisti Bernarde well done now God is beholding to thee and owes thee a kindness as the Hypocrital Jews Isa 58.3 And the Pharisees Luk. 18.11 But this New Creature will teach its possessour another Lesson when he hath done all alas he is an unprofitable Servant Luk. 17.9 My Righteousnesses are but as filthy rags Isa 64.6 Still I am an unclean thing I deserve nothing but wrath if I justifie my self mine own Mouth shall condemn me Job 9.20 My Spiritual Duties need Spiritualizing my Repentance needs repenting of my Exercise of Grace needs a gracious Pardon My Lord Jesus must take away the Iniquity of my holy things perfume my poor Services and offer my Prayers with his much Incense upon the golden Altar Exod. 28.58 before the Throne Rev. 8.3 I dare not stand before God in my best suit of Inherent Righteousness If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquity Oh Lord who can stand Psal 1 30.3 In thy sight shall no man living be justified Psal 143.2 If I look at the New Creature there 's many defects therein if I reflect on the purest actings of Grace alas they are imperfect I must be found in Christ or I am lost for ever Phil. 3.9 Not having mine own Righteousness which is of the Law but that which is by the Faith of Christ the Righteousness which is of God by Faith Oh my Lord when I am standing before the Angel of the Lord Satan stands at my right hand to resist me and justly he may for I am cloathed with filthy Garments Oh speak the word that mine Iniquity may pass away from me and cloath me with change of Rayment Zech. 3.1 4. My change of Principles will not do without an upper Garment to cover all my Defects and Faults there I stick there I must stand righteous before God at the Great Day The summ of all this is contained in that excellent Text with which I conclude this Head Phil. 3.3 For we are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the Flesh Chap. XII Directions what Means may be used for the obtaining this New Creature I Am sensible I have insisted too long upon the First Head of this last Use of Instruction concerning the Evidences of this work in our Souls from its Preparatives Parts Properties and Effects I shall be the briefer in the rest 2. The next is to give some Instructions to those that feel or fear they are not yet New Creatures how they are to behave themselves and what course they are to take that they may become New Creatures I am much prevented in this by the worthy labours of those excellent Men Mr. Baxter Mr. Jos Allein and many others in
Work though Ministers are oft calling on you Sinners to look about you we tell you there 's a Cheat in the case Satan is busie to lay his Brats in God's Bed Counterfeit Coin is common our Warnings now will be thought of these frequent Summons will ring in your Ears our Sermons will have a Repetition in this or in another world Conscience will gall you and you cannot plead Ignorance or say non putâram I thought not of such a day How often do we tell you of the danger of dying in your old state and of that Sulphurous Lake that thousands are scolded in that once lived as securely as you now do and they are in an hopeless helpless Eternity and how can you tell but this may be the last day the last warning or overture of Grace the last knock at your Door God may say Away be gone out of my sight take him Devil I will no more be troubled with such a Miscreant But if after all this you be senceless and lie still while you are nailed in your Coffin you are dead twice dead and this Security is a confutation of that Principle that Adam and his Posterity by the Fall is not dead but sleepeth or only in a swound and languor but life is in him No no this sad Stupor or Spiritual Lethargy shews it 's not an excitation of a principle but an infusion of new Life all our shouting and rubbing and pricking will not recover Sinners we must leave them to a creating Power and to him that can raise the Dead But let me rather persuade you to look after this New-Creation-Work from the Advantage it will be to all sorts of Persons of every Age and Relation Oh! you Old Persons that are going off the Stage of the World dropping into the Grave and Eternity that have been long and not yet lived begin at last to turn over a new leaf seek a New Life that you may have Comfort and not terrour in your expiring Pangs yet there is hope God still waits to be gracious and stands knocking at your Door rise out of your Bed of sloth put back the Barr admit him with all his Graces make out for this Change against your last Change You Young People that have lately step'd into the World and slip'd thus far before you know where you are it may be young in Years old in Sin you are entring into a wicked world with wicked hearts Oh! look after this blessed Antidote that may prevent Infection be sure of a Pilot that may row you through this boisterous Sea safe to the Haven without new hearts you will make this bad World worse and be worse by it rather seek to amend it You that are entring into Callings or for changing Conditions you will be fit for nothing without this you will bring a Curse into every Relation and Vocation without this but this will make you fit for any thing and you will be attended with God's Blessing in all you set about You Married Persons I recommend this New Creature to you that you be sure to marry in the Lord then you will be Heirs together of the Grace of Life and pray praise God together have this sweet Relation perfum'd and meet in Glory You Rich Persons are Beggars without this this will make you rich and honourable the excellent in the Earth God's Jewels Favourites of Heaven And you poor that cannot get daily Bread this will make you rich in Faith Heirs of a Kingdom Oh what a Treasure is this fear of the Lord You poor Athenians that are always inquiring after News new Opinions new Inventions new Fashions here 's a brave and blessed piece of Novelty for you this New Creature will stand you in stead not so much to please your itching Ears as to profit your Languishing Souls Well I have done my poor Endeavour to effect this work upon your Hearts When we have said and done all we can we have done nothing at all except the Eternal Jehovah strike with the great Hammer O thou infinite Almighty God that hast made the Earth by thy Power hast established the World by thy Wisdom and stretched out the Heavens by thy discretion Jer. 10.12 Look into the Hearts of Sinners see what a Chaos of Confusion is by Sin brought upon the noble Soul go o're thy Work again mend what Sin hath marred put Light in the Understanding Power into the Will Rectitude into the Affections make Conscience do its office O that Corruption may be mortified Satan cast out a sound Principle introduced the Soul redintegrated and everlastingly saved I commend these my poor Labours into the Hands of God to use them as he sees good and to you that heard these Sermons and to others that shall take the pains to read them having delivered my Conscience in some measure of Uprightness whether the Effect answer my Pains and Aims or no And in this labour of Love I am willing to take my Leave of the World as to troubling it any further in this kind and commend you my Brethren to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to renew your hearts and build you up and to give you an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified Acts 20.32 which is the daily Prayer of A Poor Watch-man for Your Souls O. H. May 3. 95. THE CONTENTS Chap. I. THe Text opened a Doctrine raised and handled Page 1 Chap. II. What is meant by a New Creature Doctrine raised Page 13 Chap. III. Why this is called a New Creature A Parallel betwixt the Old Creation and this New Creation Page 30 Chap. IV. Wherein the New Creature is available to Souls Page 43 Chap. V. Some Inferences by way of Question and Answer from the Premises Page 56 Chap. VI. An Use of Reproof and Conviction of sundry sorts Page 69 Chap. VII An Use of Correction for Reforming Sinners Mistakes Page 94 Chap. VIII Some Objections of Sinners answered against their Endeavours to be New Creatures Page 110 Chap. IX Instructions for the Tryal of our Spirits whether we be indeed New Creatures Page 124 Chap. X. A further Tryal of the New Creature as to the Will and Affections the Subjects of it and its Properties Page 138 Chap. XI A Tryal of the New Creature by its Effects Consequences and Proper Operations Page 152 Chap. XII Directions what Means may be used for the obtaining this New Creature Page 164 Chap. XIII Instructions how those must behave themselves that are indeed New Creatures Page 177 Chap. XIV An Answer to some Cases of Conscience Page 189 Galatians vi 15. For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but a New Creature CHAP. I. The Text opened a Doctrine raised and handled SOme Interpreters think that this Text comes not in so much as a proof of the Assertion immediately preceding of the Apostle's glorying in Christ's Cross and his being crucified to the world ver 14. As it is a
course of Life according to Scripture-Rule This immediately after my Text ver 16. is called the Canon or Rule of the New Creature for 't is added As many as walk according to this Rule or Canon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peace be on them This is that Cynosura or Square that Architects have in their Building to level the Stones and Timber suitably ut singulae partes just a Symmetria cohaereant Calvin that all the parts of the Edifice may agree by a just proportion thus must thus will the Christian do his desire and design is to lie Square to the Word of God to have respect to all God's Commandments Psal 119.6 To walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luk. 1.6 Every Child of God is taught by God to walk by Rule All Callings have their proper Rule the Physician studies Galen the Lawyer his Littleton the Philosopher his Aristotle Plato yet in all Professions men may vary in their Methods in the same Calling because no Rule is so perfect but another may add to it But the standing Rule of God's Word is perfect Psal 19.7 able to make the man of God perfect 2 Tim. 3.17 Nothing must be added to it or taken from it The Christian is both drawn and determined by its authority more then by a whole team of humane Arguments 10. Lastly here 's the End of this New Creature which is twofold 1. the Glory of God 2. the Sonl's present and everlasting Communion with him Both these are wrap'd up together and are very consistent yea cannot be separated Now God's Glory is promoted by the New Creature 1. In this World 2. In the other 1. In this World the New Creature is only capable of glorifying God such a Soul is planted in Christ the true Vine and glorifies God by bringing forth much Fruit John 15.8 Being filled with the Fruits of Righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God Phil 1.11 The chief design of the true Christian and new Creature is to promote the glory of God actively and passively this is the first Petition in the Lord's Prayer and the first right Step the converted Soul takes Heaven-ward and he is content to be vilified so God may be glorified and if God be glorified by others what ever become of him he rejoyceth as Paul in preaching Christ by others to preach down his credit Phil. 1.18 2. And in the next World this New Creature will raise a glorious Monument to the glory of Jehovah When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe 2 Thes 1.10 The New Glory of this Creation will reflect more glory to the Author than that of the old one Oh what a glorious Sight will it be to see so many glorious Stars in the Firmament of Glory borrowing their Light from and reflecting Light to the Sun of Righteousness 2. The New Creature is the only Person on Earth that 's qualified for Communion with God he only can say Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 1.3 'T is this New Creation that raiseth this clod of Clay above the Earth and ingageth the Heart to approach to God while others worship afar off Jer. 30.21 Exod. 24. These Holy Souls are they that worship in the Temple of God and the Altar Rev. 11.1 Psal 148.14 God admits them into his Presence as a People near unto him this is the Person that only sanctifies God's Name in his Worship and is satisfied with the fatness of God's House here 's the blessed Merchant that trades in rich Pearls that goes from Port to Port from Ordinance to Ordinance not to see Places but to take in his Lading of Communications from God of Graces Privileges Assurance and Comforts Thus I have briefly opened the nature of this blessed Work of the New Creature Chap. III. Why this is called a New Creature A Paralel betwixt the Old Creation and this New Creation 2. THe Second general Head in the Doctrinal Part is briefly to give the Reasons why the Holy Ghost gives this Saving Conversion the Title of a New Creature or as the Word is of this New Creation Now the Answer is Because in many things it bears some proportion and resemblance with the first spacious Universe of Heaven and Earth this magnificent Structure I shall run the Paralel betwixt them in these 12 Particulars for the Information of our Judgments 1. God is the first and only Cause of the Creation of the World not Angels or created Intelligences who though they be mighty yet are not Almighty it s the peculiar prerogative of Elohim the infinite God to create God orders the Jews in Babylon to repeat that famous Sentence in the Chaldee Language to confute their Idolatry in Jer. 10.11 Thus shall ye say unto them the Gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth even they shall perish from the Earth and from under these Heavens The Reason is given in the Hebrew Language Ver. 12. He hath made the Earth by his Power he hath established the World by his Wisdom and hath stretched out the Heavens by his discretion VidWeem 's Image of God in Man p. 3 In the business of Creation Divines say Deus est causa Simpliciter in Creatione at Essendi hoc in aliis God is the only Simple Cause in Creation but in his other Works he is only the Cause of being this or that So none can create this New Man it may be said Have we not all one Father hath not one great God created us We are God's workmanship it s the same mighty power that raised Christ from the Dead that gives Faith to the Souls of Men and quickens the Dead Mal. 2.10 Eph. 2.10 Eph. 1.20 Rom. 4.17 2. God made all things of Nothing i.e. of things that had no Existence before he made them He calleth those things which be not as though they were Rom. 4.17 Indeed they tell us that Nothing is taken in a threefold Sence 1st It s taken privatively so an Idol is nothing 1 Cor. 8.4 Isa 40.17 i.e. it hath no Divinity in it 2dly Comparatively so all the World is nothing before God 3dly Nothing Negatively or Simply so there was no Fruit upon the Fig-tree Mark 11.13 In this Sence God made the World of Nothing there was no Praeexistent Matter for God to work upon Just thus in the New Creation when God comes to work upon a Sinner he finds no Principle of Grace or inclination to good in him I know saith blessed Paul that in me that is in my Flesh dwelleth no good thing Rom. 7.18 Nay there is much Evil in us yea yet worse there 's antipathy to what is good within our naughty Hearts Thus as in the First Creation God produceth an habit from the negation he works a Principle of Grace where there was no such thing 3. God made all things by
Christ his infinite and co-eternal Son All things were made by him i. e. by this Essential Word and without him was not any thing made that was made John 1.3 By him were all things created visible and invisible By this Heir of all things he made the Worlds both according to the Matter and Form thereof Col. 1.16 Heb. 1.2 And thus it is in the New Creation for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works Eph. 2.10 As Christ is the First-born of the Creatures after whom the New Creature is formed for God in his naked Majesty is invisible not obvious clearly either to corporal Eyes or humane Minds but Christ is the express Image of his Person Heb. 1.3 and manifests the glorious Perfections of the infinite God That as we have born the Image of the earthly Adam we should bear the Image of the heavenly 1 Cor. 15.45 49. That is Christ thus in the Incarnation God was Man in Regeneration Man becomes like God 4. God created all things with a Word So saith the Apostle Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the VVord of God Heb. 11.3 God's Fiat or Let it be produced the whole Fabrick of Heaven and Earth By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the Host of them by the Breath of his Mouth Psal 33.6 Art needeth many Helps Nature needeth few God needeth none nor doth use any Instrument in the Creation for nothing can intervene betwixt the First Cause and the First Effect it is an immediate Product of his arbitrary Will and Pleasure So it is in this New Creation James 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us with the Word of Truth God speaks the Word and the Sinner is converted If it be said That Ministers are Instruments in Conversion I Answer But still they are nothing neither is he that planteth any thing 1 Cor. 3.7 They need God God needs not them he can do his Work without them yea in the first Infusion of a Principle of Saving Grace there 's nothing of Instrumentality it s done Immediately 5. God made all things good and perfect at first 1 Tim. 4.4 Gen. 1.31 Every Creature of God is good And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good quia nec temere nec frustra factum nothing was made either unadvisedly or to no purpose A thing may be said to be good as it is correspondent to the Idea of the Divine Wisdom or as it is fit for that use to which it is designed and for which it serves It needs not be enquired whether God could not have made the World or its parts better or more perfect for if we consider the World in respect of the whole so it is perfect both as to its degrees and parts But as to its parts severally God could have made them better as in a Camp there are Captains Souldiers and a General in some respect if a Souldier were a Captain he were better but in respect of the whole Camp which consists of Superiors and Inferiors he is better as a Souldier So in this New Creature it is perfect in its kind in subserviency to God's great Ends though defective in point of degree in this World hence God's Children are said to be not perfect as having not attained Phil. 3.12 Yet they are perfect Ver. 15. To be sure this New Creation is good as will appear anon 7. Though God from Eternity purposed to create the World yet the World was created but in Time not from Eternity Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth God worketh all things according to the Counsel of his own Will Eph. 1.11 It s true all things had a kind of Being in God as in the Cause whence all things flow in the Eternal Mind or Idea according to which all things were framed but they had not their real or actual Existence till God in his Wisdom thought good to produce them In thy Book saith David Psal 116.16 were all my Members written Thus it is in this New Creation God hath a Book of Life and such as are in the Book of Life shall in time be savingly Converted Called Sanctified Justified Glorified Thus runs the Golden Chain Rom. 8.29.30 As many as were ordained to Eternal Life shall believe All such as the Father gives to Christ shall come to him John 6.37 He hath chosen us in Christ before the Foundation of the World that we should be holy Eph. 1.4 So then this New Creation in time is the result and effect of God's determination before all Time see 2 Thes 2.13 7. The Creation of the World was gradual both as to Time and as to Manner In point of Time God made the World in Six Days Gen. 1. Not but that God could have dispatch'd all in a Moment but for sundry weighty Reasons he took every day a moment to do the work of that day in Thus God is perfecting this New Creation all the time of a Christian's Life and for his manner or method of working God proceeded from imperfect to perfect first God made a confused Chaos then he made the Elements then orta ex Elementis what ariseth from them First he made things without Life then things having Life Man that was the Master-piece of the whole Creation he made the last Even thus doth Grace proceed in the New Creation he first forms a Chaos some confusion of Spirit by a legal Work first comes a Spirit of Bondage to fear then a Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8.15 First some glimmering Light in the Mind then the Day-Star ariseth in the Soul 2 Pet. 1. And the Sun of Righteousness comes with healing under his Wings Mal. 4.2 And the Grace of God grows till the Christian comes unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ Eph. 4.13 8. The first thing that God created was Light Gen. 13.4 God said Let there be Light and there was Light In this he proceeds from total Privation to Habit it is hard to describe this Light possibly it was a bright lucid Body like the Fiery Cloud in the Wilderness giving imperfect Light successively moving over the several parts of the Earth and afterwards condensed increased perfected and gathered together in the Sun the Apostle applies this to the workings of God's Spirit in converting a Sinner 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ The first thing a Limner draws in a Picture is the Eye the first Lineament of this gracious new Man is Saving Knowledge God will not dwell in a dark House and therefore first he beats out Windows in his Habitation without knowledge the heart is not good Prov. 19.2 The Devil's Kingdom is a Kingdom of Darkness Christ's of Light Converting Grace
delivers us from the power of darkness and translates us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 which is a State of marvelous Light 1 Pet. 2.9 9. God created some things Actually other things Potentially or Vertually Gen. 1.11 12. And God said Let the Earth bring forth Grass the Herb yielding Seed the Tree yielding Fruit. Some things were made in their first Principles Production of Fruits in their proper kind as from Bees Honey from Vine Grapes and thence Wine Oyl from the Olive c. Thus it is in the New Creation God plants a Seed an Habit of Spritual Life which of its own Nature inclines the Christian to Acts of Holiness In every Habit there is a propensity to act so Faith worketh by Love Gal. 5.6 Repentance brings forth Fruits meet for such a Principle Matth. 3.18 Heavenly Acts are the genuine Fruits of a Saving Grace yea inseparable Companions 10. The same Hand that created doth uphold the Creature also it would crumble into its primitive nothing So God upholds all things by the Word of his Power Heb. 13. He doth not as an Artificer who makes a Clock a Watch a Ship or other Machin and leaves it to others to wind it up or maintain it but a divine Maintenancy is vouchsafed to every Creature which God hath made Creatures are but Shadows to the Body or as the Reflection of the Glass which vanisheth when the Face is turned away Psal 104.29 Thou hidest thy Face they are troubled thou takest away thy Breath they die and return to the Dust. In the Chain of Second Causes God stands at the upper end and actuates every thing thereof by his Influency Hâ—s 2.21 22. I will hear the Heavens and they shall hear the Earth and the Earth shall hear the Corn and Wine and Oyl and they shall hear Jezreel Thus it is with the New Creature Assisting-Grace supplies and actuates Received-Grace in every Duty and Exercise without Christ we can do nothing John 15.5 We must lean upon our Beloved every step of the way or we fall Cant. 8.5 Nothing will go forward without a daily Supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ Philippians 1.19 11. God had Glorious Ends in the Work of Creation The Lord made all things for himself Prov. 16.4 For his Service and Glory Thus the four and twenty Elders acknowledge 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 Rev. 4.10 11. All Creatures have a tendency towards their Original and thereby declare that God is their Supreme Cause and ultimate End as all Rivers come from the Sea and run back into it Eccels 1.5 6 7. Every Creature leads Man to God for Rom. 11.36 of him as the Efficient Cause through him as the Conserving Cause and to him as the Final Cause are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen Yea further The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his Handy-work Psal 19.1 Every Creature hath a legible Character of God's Power Wisdom Goodness ingraven upon it and hath a Mouth to preach something of the Magnificence of its Creator yea the visible Creature leads man to its visible maker nay further by that supply that the Ceature affords to Man it gives him abundant Cause of glorifying God hence saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatever ye do do all to the glory of God Much more doth the New Creature work directly to the attaining of God's high and glorious Ends as might be demonstrated 1. By its accomplishing God's pleasure Holiness is according to his Will 1 Thes 13.2 By working the Soul Godwards it sets the Affections on things above Col. 3.1 2.3 As it evidently demonstrates all God's glorious Attributes as being the lively Picture of the Deity ingraven on the Soul 4. And doth contribute much to the Soul 's advancing the glory of God as we shewed before 12. The whole Creation shall be burnt 2 Pet. 3.10 12. The heavens shall pass away with a great noise the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Not that this glorious Structure shall be annihilated or turn'd into its first nothing I cannot think so but it shall be purified clarified and defecated from the filthy Dregs that Sin hath stained it with So I find Amesius say De mundi Elementis hoc unum dicam absumptum iri tantum ut novam qualitatem induant manente Substantia Calvin 2. Pet. 3. Elementa â—on erunt sublata sed mutata et â—urgata the Elements shall â—ot be quite taken away but â—hanged and purged the Substance shall remain only â—he corrupt qualities introduced by Sin shall be burged away For 1. In Peter 't is said The Heavens and the Earth are kept in store reserved unto Fire against the Day of Judgment Now Fire turns combustible Matter into its own Nature but doth not quite consume its matter it feeds on but purifies things all melting of Metals is not annihilating of them 2. Scripture rather asserts a mutation or changing of these material Heavens and Earth then total abolition Psal 102.25 26. Yea all of them shall wax old like a garment as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed The 70 render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou shalt fold them and thus the Apostle translates this Text Heb. 1.12 As a vesture shalt thou fold them up and they shall he changed Alluding to a Garment or a Book or Scrowl of Parchment when it s folded up there 's no Letters or Words visible thus it passeth away by a notable change 3. The whole Creation lies under the Curse and sad Effects of Sin which by a kind of natural Instinct it longs to be delivered from See Rom. 8.20 23 The whole creation groaneth and travelleth in pain together until now c. Calvin saith hunc locum accipio nullum esse Elementum nullamve mundi partem quae non veluti praesentis miseriae agnitione tacta in spem Resurrectionis intenta sit there 's no Element or part of the World but is touch'd with the sense of the Creature 's misery and longs for the hoped for Resurrection and surely God will not frustrate its expectation 4. There is something in those Texts that look this way Psal 93.1 The world also is stablished that it cannot be moved Eccles 1.4 The earth abideth for ever Eccles 3.14 Whatsoever God doth it shall be for ever Psal 119.90 Thou hast est ablished the earth and it abideth All these speak the World's continuance Obj. Job 14.12 So Man lieth down and riseth not till the Heavens be no more Answ i.e. Not for the uses they are now for the Heavenly Luminaries are but for the Terrestrial Bodies Gen. 1.15 16. But in that other State there 's no need of Sun or Stars as now Rev.
5.6 〈◊〉 we are all without strength cannot think a g◠thought 1 Cor. 3.4 Yea dead in Trespasses and Sins Eph. 2.1 And are meer Passives in the first Infusion of Spiritual Life Subjectum dei actionem suscipens a Subject capable of divine operations but in the power of Darkness lead captive by Satan at his pleasure Col. 1.13 Yea The Carnal Mind is enmity to God 1 Tim. 2.26 God works both to will and to do of his good pleasure Rom. 8.7 ut velimus in nobis sine nobis operatur Aug. 3. Quest Why then doth God and Man call upon us to turn our selves yea to make us a new heart and a new spirit Ezek. 18.31 if this be not in our power Doth he not mock us when he calls us to do that which he knows it is impossible for us to do Answ No for 1st It was once in our power to do good by his Donation and if we have lost it by our own Folly and cannot do what he requires we must hereby know that God hath not lost his Authority to command because we have lost our Ability to obey He will let us know his Soveraignty But 2dly God knows Man is a proud Creature and thinks he can do what he cannot And now God commands to convince him of his insufficiency that he may look uy to God for help Yet 3dly Though Man hath lost the Rectitude of his Faculties he hath not lost his Faculties he hath a Rational Soul if he have not Spiritual Grace Though carnal Persons be morally dead yet they are naturally alive Men have a self-reflecting Conscience which they may and must use It is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the Belly Prov. 20.27 4thly It was the saying of Augustin Twelve Hundred Year◠ago He that made thee without thee will not save thee without thee If thou be not an Efficient in thy own Conversion thou mayst and must be an Instrument in thy Salvation thou art bound to work out thy own Salvation Phil. 2.12 4. Quest What is a Man better for his endeavours unless God give him the Grace of this New Creature All that he can do will be to no purpose nothing can be pleasing to God or available to himself in his natural state For without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Answ 1. Though carnal men cannot do what God requires in a due manner yet God hath some respect to such as for the matter do something of their Duty God took notice of Ahab's humiliation and promiseth not to bring the Evil in his days 1 King 21.27 29. Jehoahax◠wa◠none of the best Kings Yet when he besought the Lord he hearkned to him 2 King 13.4 And upon Rehoboam's humiliation the Lord considerably remitted of his punishment 2 Chron. 12.6 7. And is not a relaxation or removal of outward punishment of some worth with you Yea though the young Gentleman's obedience was but poor stuff and he in his natural state yet Jesus beholding him loved him see Mark 10.20 21. Is this nothing 2. However such as frame not their Hearts and Doings to turn to God and through sloth or wilfulness neglect God's appointed Means of becoming New Creatures do First evidently declare themselves to be causes of their own damnation Secondly render themselves daily worse and worse and grow more unable to repent 2 Tim. 3.13 Thirdly provoke God to give them up to their own Hearts Lusts Psal 8.10 11. Fourthly make themselves manifold more the Children of Wrath Matth. 25.15 Are more inexcusable and sink themselves deeper in Hell And is this any way desirable 3. But though such poor Souls cannot with all their endeavours make themselves New Creatures yet we may say of such as our Lord said of the Scribe Mark 12.33 34. When he saw that he answered discreetly Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God You are in an hopeful way to Heaven while you are endeavouring in the use of God's appointed means 4. And who can tell what these Labours will produce It s true thou canst not deserve Grace ex congruo to challenge it of Debt for the work done nor can I say that Grace is due to thee by any Promise for all the Promises of God are made in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 But I have something yet to say for thy Encouragement For 1st thou hast to deal with a God of infinite Goodness that hath Sworn he delights not in the death of a Sinner Exod. 34.7 Ezek. 33.11 And who knows what he may do for thee 2dly God hath yet spared thy Life and is sending terms of Reconciliation to thee a vile Sinner 2 Cor. 5.20 and stands knocking at thy Door while thou knockest at his A general Pardon is proclaimed Mark 16.15 thou hast no cause to despair 3dly Didst thou ever meet with any that came sad and disappointed from his Door Did he ever say to any Seek ye me◠in vain Isa 1. Nay doth he not say Those that come unto me I will in no wife cast off John 6.37 4thly And doth he not say Those that seek me early shall find me Prov. 8 Doth not the Gospel promise what the Law commands God doth graciously undertake to do what he requires us to do he bids you make you a new Heart and the same God saith I will put a new Spirit within them Ezek. 11.19 O put him to it and try him what he will do the Means I shall suggest hereafter This only in Answer to this Question 5. Quest Is not the New Creature begot in the Ordinance of Baptism which is called the washing or Laver of Regeneration Tit. 3.5 then we need no more Answ 1. Baptism as Circumcision of Old is a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 4.11 And supports Faith either in the Parent or in the Child or Party baptized for the Promise is to you and to your Children Acts 2.38 The Apostles baptized Believers Now the Effect is not before the Cause If they were Regenerated before Baptism could not be the Cause of Regeneration 2. Yet some have been baptized upon the Profession of their Faith that never were regenerated as Simon Magus who was still in the gall of bitterness Acts 8.13 23. So it was but a Sign no proper Cause which would have had its certain Effect 3. If Baptism were the Cause of Regeneration then no unbaptized Children were regenerate and so could not be saved if dying in Innocency but David believed his Child's Salvation 2 Sam. 12.23 tho' not Circumcised by vertue of the Covenant 4. It is a groundless Popish Doctrine to think that Sacraments confer Grace ex opere operato meerly because used that they stamp an indelible Character on the Party baptized it s but an External Act and cannot reach the Heart or Conscience no more then Old Testament Rites could do Heb. 10.1 3. Nor is it in the power of the holiest Minister on Earth or Angel in Heaven its
no Heaven to him the Heavenly Jerusalem is another kind of thing then most take it to be What wild bald Conceptions have sensual Sots of Heaven as though it were Mahomet's Paradise or Heathens Elysian Fields wherein Men may only gratifie their Senses or wallow in Pleasures Alas a Man may say to these ignorant Souls as our Lord to Zebedee's Children You know not what you ask You would go to Heaven yes fain you would be saved but do you know what Heaven is I will tell you briefly Heaven consists in a freedom from all Sin a perfection of Grace injoyment of God employment in divine Praises love delight in God meditation on God Ecstacies and Ravishment of all the Soul's Faculties in immediate communion with him And what aukard Conceptions hath a carnal Heart of these blessed Privileges They would be no advantage to him at all but a torment to him that hates God runs from him cannot abide to come near him in any Duty likes not the Society of God's Saints delights in sinful Practices dallies with Satan's Temptations Can men imagine they shall take Cards and Dice Cups and Queans with them to Heaven Nay can Men take fair Houses full Bags or worldly Business into another world Can men make great Purchases gather great Rents or break Jests with their Companions in a future state Alas a poor carnal heart is weary of Duties much more will he be in Heaven Sermon is too long Prayer is tedious when will the Sabbath be gone Can these be fit to enjoy God in an eternal Sabbath of rest nay the poor guilty Sinner cares not for coming near to God the Sight of God is terrible to him as it was to fallen Adam indeed without converting Grace introducing this New Creature and Divine Nature the Soul would be altogether strange to God and any converse with an holy glorious God yea even the sanctified themselves by reason of the Remainders of Corruption in them have much ado to bring their Hearts to converse with God especially when they lie under the sense of Guilt even a Godly Peter then crys out Depart from me for I am a sinful man O Lord Luk. 5.8 Much more will a graceless Soul not dare to come near to God an Hypocrite shall not come before him Job 13.16 He will not and God will not suffer him but a gracious Heart can truly say It is good for me to draw nigh to God Psal 73.28 Communion with God is his Heaven upon Earth Therefore this God will be his Salvation himself is his best Heaven but a carnal Heart knows not what this means and is therefore uncapable of Heaven Chap. VIII Some Objections of Sinners answered against their Endeavours to be New Creatures T IS much if a Carnal Heart and a Witty Head with the Devil's help have not something to say against the thing it self or their Attempts after it to excuse themselves 1. Object Who can in this World be so qualified for Heaven the best come infinitely short I have beard it said that as the Soul passeth out of the Body it is then perfected and qualified for its enjoyment of God no man can expect it before and though I cannot so delight in God and his Service now yet I hope God will perfect my Soul in the instant of its separation from the Body I Answer 1. There is an habitual and an actual disposedness for Heaven as I have at large explained in a Treatise on Col. 1.12 called Meetness for Heaven and every Child of God after the first Infusion of Grace into him and change of his State and Relation God-wards is put into a capacity for communion with God in this and in the other World but increase in Grace and exercise of Grace doth daily capacitate him for further communion with God no man can expect he shall be a perfect man till he be a man perfection of degrees follows that of parts you must first be in Christ or else you 'l not arrive to the measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.12 13. 2. That Man feeds himself with a vain groundless hope of being saved and compleated at Death that 's careless and graceless in Life for he hath no promise to nourish such a Perswasion did God ever say Live as thou listest and at the Instant of Death I will infuse Spiritual Life into thy Soul trust me for that at thy expiring Breath I will give thee that then which will qualifie thee for Heaven and make thee then in love with me though thou never caredst for me all thy Life long Where do you find such a Promise and who but a mad man will put all to a desperate adventure at the last gasp You have more reason to fear he will not then to hope he will give you Grace nay you have a dreadful threatning that because he called and you refused you shall call and cry and he will not answer Prov. 1 24-28 And you have a terrible Instance of the fruitless Cries of the foolish Virgins Matth. 25.10 And who are you that the Great God should be at your beck He can and will hear the least whimper of a Child but regards not the howling of a Dog he may and will say Go to the Gods the Lusts you have served I know you not I own you not for mine This is not a time for getting but using Grace yea Death is a time for perfecting the Work of Grace Woe be to that wretched Caitiff that hangs his Eternal state on the uncertain working of the Principle of Life in the moment of Death 2d Object But if I have not yet the New Creature I may have there 's time enough before me I am young and yet in my full strength of an healthful Constitution and may live long Let old Persons that are going off the Stage look after this New Creature I have other things to mind Answ 1. Alas Man art thou certain thou shalt live till the next Year the next Month Week Day or Hour Have not many as young as thou art gone to the Grave before thee and what Assurance hast thou of thy Life another Moment For what is our Life but a vanishing Vapour James 4.14 It s a Bubble a Blast a Shadow a Dream Smoke Job 7.7 Yea every Man in best estate is altogether Vanity Psal 39.5 and 90 56. As flourishing Grass in the Morning cut down before Evening If you fall not by some force of outward Casualty you carry your Bane lurking in your Bosomes Have you a Lease of your Lives as Hezekiah had You have little reason to boast your selves of to Morrow for you little know what a big-bellied Day may bring forth Prov. 27.1 It may Land thy Soul in Eternity Therefore dispatch this main Work at present 2. The longer thou deferrest the more difficult wilt thou find it thy Heart will be daily more hardened through the deceitfulness of Sin Heb. 3.13 Jer. 13.23 Custom in
Objects my Soul is as a weaned Child Psal 13 1.12 New light begets new love new desires new delights Truth in the Understanding darting upon the Affections contracted in the Glass of Meditation inflames the Soul Did not our Hearts burn within us while he opened to us the Scriptures Luk. 24.32 The Sun in the Firmament sheds his Influence into the Bowels of the Earth but Light and Heat come together into Souls knowledge affects the Heart◠the more the Christian knows God the more he loves him The Soul risen with Christ cannot but set his affections on things above Col. 3.2 For where the treasure is there will the heart be also Matth. 6.21 Oh saith this Christian how good is God I love the Lord from my inmost Bowels Psal◠18.1 Mat. 22.37 With all my heart soul mind and might with my Soul have I desired thee in the night Isa 26.9 Even as the Hart panteth after the Water-brooks When shall I come and appear before God Psal 45.1 God even God alone is my exceeding joy Psal 43.4 I will take pleasure in nothing but in God This this is both my Duty and Privilege I hope I can call the Sabbath a delight Isa 58.13 14. And he promiseth I shall delight myself in the Lord My Comfort and Content is in communion with God and 't is an anticipation of Heavenly Joys I love the Word of God his testimonies are the rejoycing of my heart and I have rejoyced in the ways thereof more then in all Riches and delight my self in the Lord's Statutes Psal 119.14 Oh how the good Soul is ravished and transported in the Galleries of Love the Pleasures of the Soul are infinitely beyond the Pleasures of Sense Oh then Christian feel how the Pulse of thy Soul beats in a constant motion is thy Heart working God-wards in Duties of God's Worship or in daily Converse which way tends the bent of thy Soul Art thou truly troubled that thou canst not delight thy self in the Lord Psal 37.4 as thou oughtest Would thou give all the World that thou hadst but an Heart to love God more Canst thou say as Peter Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee Joh 21 15-17 A Flame may be painted but a painted Flame cannot be felt I find the workings of Love kindled in my Bosom if I know any thing of my Heart and I have searched the Characters of true Love in the Scriptures and I find my Heart ecchoing thereto harmonizing therewith and I am told that this Love is the proper Character of this New Creature connatural with ingraven in the New Nature for he that dwells in Love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4.16 Thus much for the Preparatives to and parts of this New Creature I proceed briefly to the Third Head which is the Properties of this New Creature and they are these Seven 1. It is an universal New Creature it 's not in part of the Soul but runs through the whole man soul body and spirit 1 Thes 5.23 It 's extensive and comprehensive takes in all Internal Powers External Members all Acts in all Faculties at all times in all employments as in the Law the whole Sacrifice was to be offered to God Lev. 18.9 So it is not acceptable to God if any part be with-held from God Rom. 12.1 This New Creature is as Leaven that runs through the whole lump Matth. 13.33 and puts a gracious Tincture into all the Faculties This is not a Limb or Member but a whole New Man yea the Christian is a perfect man having all the parts of a Saint though defective in point of degree our heavenly Father begets no Blind Lame Mad or Maimed Children there 's no Idiots in his Family A Christian indeed hath all Graces radically but the Hypocrite is mainly defective in something essentially requisite to make up a Saint he is a Cake half baked Dough on one side the Legs of the Lame are not equal 2. It is a vital self-moving New Creature I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2.20 It s true it is hid from outward Observation as the Spring that moves the visible Hand for our Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 But a vital Principle it is this gracious habit is to the Soul as the Soul is to the Body it 's a spark of divine Life kindled by the holy Spirit a Seed of God 1 Joh. 3.9 quickned within the Womb of the Earth by the influence of Heaven putting forth gracious Acts precious Fruits by excitations of assisting Grace after a nipping winter of Temptations or cold Autumn of Spiritual Decays his Spirit makes him willing Oh saith the Christian I am restless as a Bird out of the Nest or a Fish out of its proper Element of Water unsatisfied till I return to my God But the Hypocrite is but like a Pupper drest like a Saint moved by Art or as a Machin by something outward which the workman fastens to it but not informed by a Soul of its own so it s at last worn or broken and crumbles to nothing so doth the Hypocrite as one saith There is a vast difference betwixt Wool on the Sheep's back which clipt will grow again and the Wool on the Sheep's Skin on the Wolf's back which grows no more The living Saint still works upwards the graceless Soul is dead and puts forth no vital acts 3. It s a sensible new Greature it s not a dead inanimate Log but of a tender quick sensation and can easily discern what Profits or Prejudiceth it what helps or hurts it it groans under what it feels doth make against its being or well-being nothing doth it hurt so much as Sin or what hath a tendency to it any act of omission or commission lies heavy upon it pricks and wounds it and makes it bleed hence 't is called an heart of Flesh which is a soft and sensible thing defects of Grace inroads of Temptation intermissions of Duty or worldliness are more laid to heart by the New Creature then gross out-breakings of Sin in the Hypocrite whatsoever it perceives to be anoyance or disturbance is a grievous Affliction Oh saith the Soul I found at such a time God's withdrawing the assistance of his Spirit I puzzled and bungled in a Duty and could make nothing of it Wo is me what had I done to banish my God I find a weight on me and a Sin that easily besets me Heb. 12.1 Did I not quench grieve resist the Spirit was I not sluggish heartless formal Lord forgive me that Sin and quicken me with thy Grace The Hypocrite hath none of these Experiments Soul-exercises Agonies but runs on 〈◊〉 heartless Formality and customary Performance but knows nothing of God's access and his recess coming or going 4. It is a growing New Creature it never stands at a stay the Godly Man is compared to the Sun that shineth still brighter to the perfect day Prov. 4.18
4.11 This Rent will I daily pay as a Tribute to the Crown of Heaven I am resolved to glorifie God in my Body and Soul which are his 1 Cor. 6.20 Better lose my Life then lose the End of my Life God's glory 5. New Worship is always a Companion of the New Creature It s true the carnal man might hear and read the Word Pray receive the Sacrament and perform the external Acts of Religion before but formally heartlesly hypocritically God knows having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.5 But as soon as the Grace of God hath formed the New Creature in the Heart then 't is said as of Paul Behold he prayeth Acts 9.11 Why did not Paul pray before Yes doubtless he was a Pharisee and Pharisees made long Prayers its likely had a great Gift of Prayer ay but now a Paul had the grace of Prayer behold he prays now he prays with a witness his Prayer hath all the Requisites essential to Prayer Oh now if you could lay your Ear to the Closet of this new born Saint what sighs and groans would you hear Rom. 8.26 What throbs and tears what self-loathing Confessions what heart-rending Complaints what Heaven-piercing Expostulations would you have What believing pleading of Promises what improvement of Christ's mediatorship this is not formal or heartless Canting As soon as ever this New Creature was formed the Soul was turned from Idols to serve the living and true God 1 Thes 1.9 i. e. as such a God in a sincere and lively manner in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 If the Words be the same the workings of Heart are as different as a living man's tone from dead Organ-pipes the one hath Breath the other not The gracious soul engageth his Heart to approach unto God Jer. 30.21 Yea he also saith Let us lift up our Hearts with our Hands Lamen 3.41 i. e. oremus laboremus let us pray and use our utmost endeavour to obtain what we pray for the Hypocrites Tongue may wag but the New Creature sets the Heart a breathing Hands on working Feet on walking Oh how he is concerned in a Duty 6. A New War is commenced by the New Creature as soon as this New Creature peeps out Satan musters all the powers of darkness against it and now begins this holy War which never ceaseth while the Soul is in the â—ody and Oh how many a sharp skirmish hath the Christian with Satan and his armed Bands the carnal Heart holds correspondence with the Enemy and the Devil lets him alone and all his Goods or soul's Faculties are in peace Luk. 11.21 he sleeps quietly in the Devil's Tents little dreaming whither he is going or rather he is carried in a golden Dream into Satan's Territories or as Solomoâ—'s young Gallant with the Whore As an Ox goeth to the slaughter or as a Fool to the correction of the Stocks Prov. 7.22 But the converted soul sees his danger and struggles hard to extricate himself and when he is at liberty the Devil pursues him with rage sometimes otherwhiles with subtilty seeks to undermine him he is aware of both and is not ignorant of his devices 2 Cor. 2.11 One while he fights with spirituâ—â— weapons and so resists the Devil and he fleesâ— another while the soul retires to his strong hold by Faith and Prayer and is secured Thus the gracious soul is warring a good Warfare fighting the Fight of Faith 1 Tim. 1 18-6.12.2 Tim. 2.4 which is a good Fight he gets disintangâ— led from the affairs of this life and lays aside every weight that he may militate more strenuously and more successfully nor doth the good soul so fight as one that beats the Air 1 Cor. 9.26 laying about him at adventures but he spies his Enemy hath taken a view of them in Scripture-light le ts fly at the Faces of foreign and intestine Adversaries with spiritual scriptural Weapons and never sounds a Parly oâ— makes a Truce but disputes every Inch of hiâ— passage to Heaven thus this New Creature 〈◊〉 the Christian Champion 7. The New Creature finds out new company alas his old Companions grow stale wiâ— the Convert he cannot take delight in his old Comrades that would jest and be merry and seek to drive him out of his melancholy Dump with pleasant stories this is but as singing Song to an heavy Heart The good Heart is now sick of such vain company and bids them be gone they are of no use to him 'T is very observable three times and upon so many occasions doth David require all wicked men to depart from him Psal 6.8 Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping q. d. I have got better company and comfort then you are Psal 119.115 Depart from me ye evil-doers for I will keep the Commandments of my God q. d. I have taken up other Resolutions and must have other Companions then you the last is Psal 139.19 Surely thou shalt slay the wicked O God depart therefore from me ye bloody men q. d. I am loath to fare as you fare and will not be found in your company this is Christian Policy as well as Piety 't is impossible the New Creature should take delight in his old Companions for what communion hath light with darkness 2 Cor. 6.14 15 17. what concord hath Christ with Belial There are in the world persons more suitable to his temper even Saints not in Heaven but that are in the Earth men excellent in whom is all his delight Psal 16.3 These these are his Companions Psal 119.63 the delight of his soul he loves them dearly because they are so like his Father in Heaven these are they he hopes to live with in the other world and he must associate with them in this he loves to discourse with them joyn in Prayer with them none such content he hath on Earth as in the communion of Saints 8. The new Creature needs and requires new Cordials new Food and Physick the world and all that it can afford that are wont to be so pleasant are all but dry Meat have no more savour then the white of an Egg the Soul hath now a more dainty and delicate Stomach then to be satisfied with such Husks and trash he sues for the tender Mercies of God Psal 119.77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me that I may live q. d. I know not how to live a natural Life and I cannot live a spiritual Life without these tender Mercies the Lord knoweth my squeamish and delicate Stomach and crowns me withloving-kindness and tender mercies Psal 103.4 Luther called the whole Turkish Empire but a Crumb cast to Dogs and often protested to God that he would not be put off with these low things even when he had a Silver Mine offered him Even an Heathen Seneca could say major sum ad majora natus I am greater and born to higher things then terrene