Sin so the Law of Moses as it is a Perfect Holy Law hath a Voice against thee before the Face of God There is one that accuseth you even Moses's Law Jo. 5. Yea it accuseth all Men of Transgression that have sinned against it for as long as Sin is Sin there will be a Law to accuse for Sin But this Accusation shall not prevail against the Coming-Sinner because 't is Christ that dyed and that ever lives to make Intercession for them that Come to God by him Rom. 8. Heb. 7. 25. These things I say do accuse us before Christ Jesus yea and also to our own Faces if perhaps they might prevail against us But these words I will in no wise cast out secureth the Coming-Sinner from them all The Coming-Sinner is not saved because there is none comes in against him but because the Lord Jesus will not hear their Accusations will not cast out the Coming-Sinner When Shimei came down to meet King David and to ask for Pardon for his Rebellion up starts Abishai and puts in his Caveat saying Shall not Shimei dye for this This is the Case of him that comes to Christ He hath this Abishai and that Abishai that presently steps in against him saying Shall not this Rebel's Sins destroy him in Hell Read further But David answered What have I to do with you ye Sons of Zeruiah that you should this day be Adversaries to me Shall there any Man be put to Death this Day in Israel for do not I know that I am King this Day over Israel 2 Sam. 19. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. This is Christ's Answer by the Text to all that accuse the Coming Shimeis What have I to do with you that accuse the Coming-Sinners to me I count you Adversaries that are against my shewing Mercy to them Do not I know that I am Exalted this Day to be King of Righteousness and King of Peace I will in no wise cast them out Secondly But again These Words do closely imply that the Coming-Souls are afraid that these Accusers will prevail against them as is evident because the Text is spoken for their Relief and Succour For that need not be if they that are coming were not subject to fear and despond upon this account Alas there is Guilt and the Curse lies upon the Conscience of the Coming-Sinner Besides He is Conscious to himself what a Villain what a Wretch he hath been against God and Christ. Also he now knows by woful Experience how he hath been at Satan's Beck and at the Motion of every Lust. He hath now also new Thoughts of the Holyness and Justice of God Also he feels that he cannot forbear sinning against him For the Motions of Sin which are by the Law do work in his Members to bring forth Fruit unto Death Rom. 7. But none of this needs be since we have so Good so Tender-hearted and so Faithful a Jesus to come to who will rather overthrow Heaven and Earth than suffer a little of this Text to fail And him that comes unto me I will in no wise cast out Now We have yet to enquire into two things that lie in the Words to which there hath yet been nothing said As 1. What it is to cast out 2. How it appears that Christ hath Power to Save or to Cast out For the First of these What it is to Cast out to this I will speak 1. Generally 2. More Particularly More Generally First To cast out Is to Slight and Despise and Contemn as it is said of Saul's Shield It was vilely cast away that is Slighted and Contemned Thus it is with the Sinners that come not to Jesus Christ He Slights Despises and Contemns them that is Casts them away 2 Sam. 1. 2. Secondly Things cast away are reputed as Menstruous Cloaths and as the Dirt of the Street Isa. 3. 22. Psal. 18. 42. Matth. 5. 13. Chap. 15. 17. And thus it shall be with the Men that come not to Jesus Christ they shall be counted as Menstruous and as the Dirt in the Streets Thirdly To be cast out or off it is To be abhorred not to be pityed but to be put to perpetual Shame Psal. 44. 9. Psal. 89. 38. Amos 1. 11. But more particularly To come to the Text The Casting-out here mentioned is not limited to this or the other Evil Therefore it must be extended to the most extream and utmost Misery Or thus He that cometh to Christ shall not want any thing that may make him Gospelly Happy in this World or that which is to come Nor shall he want any thing that cometh not that may make him Spiritually and Eternally Miserable But further As it is to be Generally taken so it respecteth Things that are now and also Things that shall be hereafter For the Things that are now they are either 1. More General 2. Or more Particular First More General thus It is To be cast out of the Presence and Favour of God Thus was Cain cast out Thou hast driven or cast me out this Day from thy Presence and from thy Face that is from thy Favour shall I be hid A dreadful Complaint but the Effect of a more dreadful Judgement Gen. 4. 13 14. Jer. 23. 39. I Chron. 28. 9. Secondly To be cast out is to be cast out of God's Sight God will look after them no more care for them no more nor will he watch over them any more for Good 2 King 17. 20. Jer. 7. 15. Now they that are so are left like Blind Men to wander and fall into the Pit of Hell This therefore is also a sad Judgement Therefore here is the Mercy of him that Cometh to Christ He shall not be left to wander at Uncertainties The Lord Jesus Christ will keep him as a Shepheard doth his Sheep Psal. 23. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Thirdly To be cast out Is to be denyed a Place in God's House and to be left as Fugitives and Vagabonds to pass a little time away in this Miserable Life and after that to go down to the Dead Gal. 4. 30. Gen. 4. 13 14. Chap. 21. 10. Therefore here is the Benefit of him that Cometh to Christ He shall not be denyed a Place in God's House They shall not be left like Vagabonds in the World Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out See Prov. 14. 26. Isa. 56. 3 4 5. Ephes. 2. 19 20 21 22. 1 Cor. 3. 21 22 23. Fourthly In a word To be cast out Is to be Rejected as are the Fallen Angels For their Eternal Damnation began at their being cast down from Heaven to Hell So then Not to be cast out Is to have a Place a House and Habitation there and to have a Share in the Priviledges of Elect Angels These Words therefore I will not cast out will prove great Words one Day to them that come to Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 2. 4. Joh. 12. 31.
himself thus to shew that the Father hath not only given him this portion in the Lump before the world was but that those that he hath so given he will give him again that is will bring them to him at the time of their conversion for the Father bringeth them to Christ Joh. 6. 44. As it is said She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle work That is in the righteousness of Christ for it is God that imputeth that to these that are saved Psal. 45. 14. 1 Cor. 1. A man giveth his daughter to such a man first in order to marriage and this respects the time past and he giveth her again at the day appointed in marriage And in this last sense perhaps the Text may have a meaning that is that all that the Father hath before the world was given to Jesus Christ he giveth them again to him in the day of their espousals Or Thirdly In that Christ saith giveth instead of hath given he may do it to shew that this gift of the Father to him is now as new as sweet as pleasant and desirable as if it had never bin given before Things that are given among men are oft-times best at first to wit when they are new and the reason is because all earthly things war old but with Christ it is not so this gift of the Father is not old and deformed and unpleasant in his eyes and therefore to him 't is always new When the Lord spake of giving the Land of Canaan to the Israelites he saith not that he had given or would give it to them but thus The Lord thy God giveth thee this good Land Deut. 9. 6. not but that he had given it to them while they were in their Fathers Hundreds of Years before Yet he saith now he giveth it to them as if they were now also in the very act of taking possession when as yet they were on the other side Jordane What then should be the meaning Why I take it to be this That the Land should be to them alway as new as new as if they were taking possession thereof but now And so is the gift of the Father mentioned in the Text to the Son it is always new as if it were alwayes giving All that the Father giveth Me. In those words you find mention made of two persons the Father and the Son the Father giving and the Son receiving or accepting of his Gift This then in the first place clearly demonstrateth that the Father and the Son though they with the Holy Ghost are one and the same Eternal God yet as to their personality are distinct The Father is one the Son is one the Holy Spirit is one But because there is in this Text mention made but of two of the three therefore a word about those two The Giver and Receiver cannot be the same person in a proper sence in the same act of giving and receiving He that giveth giveth not to himself but to an other the Father giveth not to the Father to wit to Himself but to the Son the Son receiveth not of the Son to wit of Himself but of the Father so when the Father giveth Commandment he giveth it not to himself but to another as Christ saith He hath given Me a Commandment Joh. 12. 49. So again I am one that beareth witness of my self and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me Jo. 10. 18. Further here is something implyed that is not expressed to wit that the Father hath not given all Men to Christ that is in that sence as is intended in this Text. For then all should be saved He hath therefore disposed of Satan another way He gives some up to Idolatry He gives some up to uncleanness to vile affections and to a reprobate mind Now these he disposeth of in his Anger for their destruction Acts. 7. 42 Rom. 1. 24 26 28. that they may reap the fruit of their doings and be filled with the reward of their own ways But neither hath He thus disposed of all men he hath even of Mercy reserved some from these Judgments and those are they that he will Pardon as he saith for I will pardon them whom I reserve Jer. 50. 20. Now these he hath given to Jesus Christ by Will as a Legaey Hence the Lord Jesus sayes This is the Fathers Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day Joh. 36 29. The Father therefore giving them to Him to save them must needs by so doing declare unto us these following things 1. That he is Able to answer this designe of God to wit to save them to the uttermost Sin the uttermost temptation c. Heb. 7. 25. Hence he is said To lay help upon me that is Mighty Mighty to save And hence it is again that God did even of old promise to send his people a Saviour a great one Psal. 89. 19. Isa. 63. 1. To save is a great work and calls for Almightyness in the Undertaker hence he is called the Mighty God the Wonderful Counseller c. Sin is strong Satan is also strong Death and the Grave are strong and so is the Curse of the Law therefore it follows that this Jesus must needs be by God the Father accounted Almighty in that he have given his Elect to him to save them and to deliver them from these and that in despite of all their Force and Power Yea he gave us Testimony of this his Might when he was imployed in that part of our deliverance that called for a Declaration of it He abolished Death He destroyed him that had the power of Death he was the Destruction of the Grave he hath finished Sin and made an end of it as to its Damning effect upon the Persons that the Father hath given him He hath vanquished the curse of the Law Nailed it to his Cross Triumphed over them upon his Cross and made a shew of these things openly 2 Tim. 1. 10. Heb. 2. 14 15. Hos. 13. 14. Dan. 9. 24. Gal. 3. 13. Col. 2. 14 15. Yea and even now as a sign of his Triumph and Conquest he is alive from the Dead and hath the Keys of Hell and Death in his own keeping Revel 1. 18. 2ly The Fathers giving of them to him to save them declares unto us that he is and will be faithful in his Office and that therefore they shall be secured from the fruit or wages of their Sins which is Eternal Damnation And indeed it is said even by the Holy Ghost himself That he is faithful to him that appointed him that is to this work of saving those that the Father hath given him for that purpose as Moses was faithful in all his House Yea and more faithful too for Moses was faithful in Gods house but as a Servant But Christ as a Son over his own house
Heb. 3. And therefore this Man is counted worthy of more glory than Moses even upon this account because more Faithful than he as well as because of the dignity of his person Therefore in him and in his truth and faithfulness God rested wel pleased and hath put all the government of this People upon his shoulders Knowing that nothing shall be wanting in him that may any way perfect this design And of this He to wit the Son hath already given a proof for when the time was come that his Blood was by Divine Justice required for their Redemption Washing and Changing he as freely poured it out of his Heâ—â—t as if it had been Water out of a vessel not sticking to part with his own Life that the life which was laid up for them in Heaven might not fail to be bestowed upon them And upon this account as well as upon any other it is that God calleth him his righteous servant Isa. 53. For his righteousness could never have been compleat if he had not been to the uttermost faithful to the work which he undertook It is also because he is faithful and true that in Righteousness he doth Judge and make Work for his peoples deliverance He will faithfully perform this trust reposed in him The Father knows this and hath therefore given his Elect unto him Thirdly The Fathers giving of them to Him to save them declares unto us that he is and will be gentle and patient towards them under all their provocations and miscarriages It is not to be imagined the tryals and provocations that the Son of God hath all along had with these people that have been given to him to save them indeed he is said to be a tryed stone for he has been tryed not only by the devil guilt of sin death and the curse of the Law but also by his peoples ignorance unruliness falls into sin and declining to errors in life in Doctrine Were we but capable of seeing how this Lord Jesus has been tryed even by this people ever since there was one of them in the world we should be amazed at his Patience and gentle Carriages to them It is said indeed the Lord is very pitiful slow to anger and of great mercy and indeed if he had not so been he could never have indured their manners as he has done from Adam hitherto Therefore is his pitty and bowels towards his Church preferred above the pitty and bowels of a mother towards her Child Can a woman forget her sucking Child that she should not have Compassion on the Son of her Womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee saith the Lord Isa. 49. 15. God did once give Moses as Christs Servant an handful of this people to carry them in his bosom but no further than from Egypt to Canaan and this Moses as is said of him by the Holy Ghost was the Meekest man that was then to be found in the Earth yea and he loved the people at a very great rate yet neither would his meekness nor love hold out in this work he failed and grew pationate even to the provoking of his God to Anger under this work that God had laid upon him And Moses said unto the Lord wherefore hast thou afflicted thy Servant But what was the affliction Why the Lord had said unto him carry this people in thy bosom as a nursing father beareth the sucking child unto the Land that he sware unto their fathers Not I sayes Moses I am not able to bear all this people because it is too heavy for me if thou deal thus with me kill me I pray thee out of hand and let me not see my Wretchedness Numb 11. 11 12 13 14. God gave them to Moses that he might carry them in his bosom that is that he might shew gentleness and patience towards them but he failed in the work he could not exercise because he had not that sufficiency of patience towards them But now it is said of the person speaking in the Text That he shall gather his Lambs with his arm shall carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead them that are with young Isa. 40. 10 11. Intimating that this was one of the qualifications that God looked for and knew was in him when he gave his Elect to him to save them Fourthly The fathers giving of them to him to save them declares to us that he hath a Sufficiency of wisdom to wage with all those difficulties that would attend him in his bringing of his Sons and Daughters unto glory He hath made him to us to be Wisdom yea he is called Wisdom it self and God saith moreover that he shall deal prudently And indeed he that shall take upon him to be the Saviour of the people had need be Wise because their adversaries are subtile above any Here they have to incounter with the Serpent who for his Subtilty out-witted our Father and Mother when their wisdome was at highest Gen. 3. But if we talk of Wisdom our Jesus is wise wiser than Solomon wiser than all men wiser than all the Angels he is even the Wisdom of God Christ the Wisdom of God 1 Col. 1. And hence it is that he turneth sin temptation persecutions falls and all things for good unto this people Rom. 8. Now these things thus concluded on do shew us also the great and wonderful love of the Father in that he should chuse out one every way so well prepared for the work of mans Salvation Herein indeed perceive we the love of God Huram gathered that God loved Israel because he had given them such a King as Solomon 2 Chro. 2. 11. But how much more may we behold the love that God hath bestowed upon us in that he hath given us to his Son and also given his Son for us All that the Father giveth me shall come In these last words there is closely inserted an answer unto the Fathers end in giving of his Elect to Jesus Christ. The Fathers end was that they might come to him and be Saved by him and that sayes the Son shall be done They shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Here therefore the Lord Jesus positively determineth to put forth a sufficiency of all Grace that shall Effectually perform this promise They shall come That is he will cause them to come by infusing of an effectual blessing into all the means that shall be used to that end As was said to the evil Spirit that was sent to perswade Ahab to go and fall at Ramah Gilead Go Thou shalt perswade him and prevail also go forth and do so 1 King 22. 22. So will Jesus Christ say to the means that shall be used for the bringing of those to him that the Father hath given him I say he will bless it effectually to his very end it shall perswade them and shall prevail also Else as I said the
these two general Heads 1. He Consenteth to the Truth of all those sayings that Testifieth that Sin is most abominable in it Self dishonourable to God and damnable to the Soul of Man Jer. 44. 4. Rom. 2. 23. Chap. 6. 23. 2 Thes. 2. 12. 2. In that he believeth as the Word hath said that there is in the Worlds best things Righteousness and all Nothing but Death and Damnation Rom. 7. 24 25. Chap. 8. 2 3. 2 Cor. 3. 6 7 8. Secondly He Honoureth Christs Person in that he believeth that there is Life in Him and that he is able to Save him from Death Hell the Devil and Damnation Heb. 7. 24 25. Thirdly He Honoreth him in that he believeth that he is Authorized of the Father to give Life to those that come to him for it Joh. 5. 11 12. Chap. 17. 1 2 3. Fourthly He Honoureth the Priest-Hood of Jesus Christ. 1. In that he believeth that he alone hath made Attonement for Sin Rom. 5. 2. In that he believeth that Christ hath more Power to Save from Sin by the Sacrifice that he hath Offered for it than hath all Law Devils Death or Sin to Condemn Acts 13. 38. Heb. 2. 14 15. Revel 1. 17 18. Thirdly In that he believeth that Christ according to his office will be most faithfull and mercifull in the discharge of his office 1 Joh. 2. 1 2 3. Heb. 2. 17 18. Fourthly Further he that cometh to Jesus Christ for life taketh part with him against Sin and against all the ragged and imperfect righteousness of the world yea and against false Christs and damnable errors that set themselves against the worthiness of his merits and sufficiency Fifthly Therefore as Noah at Gods command thou preparest this Ark for the saving of thy self by the which also thou condemnest the world and art become Heir of the righteousness which is by faith Heb. 11. 7. Wherefore coming sinner be content he that cometh to Jesus Christ believeth too that he his willing to shew mercy to and to have Compassion upon him though unworthy that comes to him for life And therefore thy Soul lieth not only under a special Invitation to come but under a Promise too of being accepted and forgiven Mat 11. 28. All these particular parts and qualities of faith are in that Soul that comes to Jesus Christ for Life as is evident to any indifferent Judgment For will he that Believeth not the Testimony of Christ concerning the baseness of Sin the insufficiency of the Righteousness of the World come to Christ for Life No. He that believeth not this Testimony of the word comes not He that believeth that there is Life any where else comes not He that questions whether the Father hath given Christ power to forgive comes not He that thinketh that there is more in Sin in the Law in Death and the Devil to Destroy than there is in Christ to Save comes not He also that questions his faithful Management of his Office of Priesthood for the salvation of sinners comes not Thou then that art indeed the comeing Sinner believest all this True perhaps thou dost not believe with that full Assurance nor hast thou leisure to take Notice of thy Faith as to these Distinct acts of it But yet all this Faith is in him that cometh to Christ for Life And the Faith that thus Worketh is the Faith of the best and purest kind because this Man comes alone as a Sinner and as seeing that Life is and is to be had only in Jesus Christ. Before I conclude my Answer to this Objection take into thy consideration these two things First That the Cities of Refuge were Erected for their sakes that were dead in Law and that yet would live by grace even for those that were to fly thither for life from the avenger of blood that pursued after them And it is worth your Noting that those that were upon their flight thither are in a peculiar manner called the people of God Cast ye up Cast ye up saith God prepare ye the way take up the stumbling blocks out of the Way of My people Isa. 57. 14. This is meant of preparing the way to the City of refuge that the slayers might escape thither and live which slayers are here by way of speciality called the people of God even those of them that escaped thither for life Secondly Consider that of Ahab when Benhadad sent to him for life saying Thus saith thy Son Benhadad I pray thee let me live Though Benhadad had sought the Crown Kingdom yea and also the life of Ahab yet how effectually doth Benhadad prevaile with him Is Benhadad yet alive said Ahab he is my brother yea go ye bring him to me so he made him ride in his Chariot 1 King 20 chap. Coming Sinner what thinkest thou if Jesus Christ had as little Goodness in him as Ahab he might grant an humble Benhadad life thou neither beggest of him his Crown or Dignity Life eternal life will serve thy turn how much more then shalt thou have it since thou hast to deal with him who is goodness and mercy it self yea since thou art also called upon yea greatly encourraged by a promise of life to come to him for Life Read also these Scriptures Numb 35. 11 14 15. Josh. 20. 1 2 3 4 5. Heb. 6. 16 17 18 19 20. Objection 2. When I say I only seek my self I mean I do not find that I do design Gods Glory in mine own Salvation by Christ and that makes me fear I do not come aright Answer Where doth Christ Jesus require such a Qualification of those that are coming to him for Life come thou for Life and trouble not thy head with such Objections against thy Self and let God and Christ alone to Glorify themselves in the Salvation of such a worm as thou art The Father saith to the Son Thou art my Servant O Israel in whom I will be Gloryfied God propoundeth Life to Sinners as the argument to prevail with them to come to him for Life and Christ sayes plainly I am come that ye might have Life John 10. 10. He hath no need of thy designes though thou hast need of his Eternal Life pardon of Sin and Deliverance from Wrath to come Christ propounds to thee and these be the things that thou hast need of besides God will be gracious and merciful to worthless undeserving wretches come then as such an one Therefore lay no stumbling blocks in thy way to him but come to him for life live Joh. 5. 34. Chap. 10. 10. Chap. 3. 36. Mat. 1. 21. Prov. 8. 36 37. 1 Thes. 1. 10. Joh. 11. 25 26. The Jayler was only for knowing at first what he should do to be Saved But Paul did not so much as once ask him what is your End in this Question do you design the Glory of of God in the Salvation of your Soul He had more wit he knew that such Questions as these would have
escape them and in conclusion come to him There are a company of shall-comes in the Bible that doth secure them Not but that they may be assaulted by them yea and also for the time intangled and detained by them from the Bishop of their Souls but these Shall-comes will break those Chains and Fetters that those given to Christ are intangled in and they shall-come because he hath said they shall-come to him Indeed errors are like that whore of whom you read in the Proverbs that sitteth in her seat on the High-places of the City To call Passingers who go right on their way Pro. 9. 13 14 15 16. But the persons as I said that by the Father are given to the Son to save them are at one time or other secured by Shall-come to me And therefore of such it is said God will guide them with his eye with his counsels by his spirit and that in the way of peace by the springs of water and into all truth Psal. 32. 8. Psal. 73. 24. Joh. 16. 13. Luk. 1. 79. Isa. 47. 10. So then he that hath such a guide and all that the Father giveth to Christ shall have it he shall escape those dangers he shall not Err in the way yea though he be a fool he shall not Err therein Isa 35. for of every such an one it is said Thine cars shall hear a word behind thee saying This is the way walk in it when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left Isa 30. 21. There were Thieves and Robbers before Christs coming as there are also now But saith he The sheep did not hear them And why did they not hear them but because they were under the power of shall come that absolute promise that had that grace in it self to bestow upon them as could make them able rightly to distinguish of voices My sheep hear my voice But how came they to hear it why to them it is given to know and to hear and that distinguishingly Joh. 10. 8 16. Chap. 5. 25. Eph. 5. 14. Further the very plain Sentence of the Text makes provision against all these things for saith it All that the Father giveth me shall come to me that is shall not be stopped or be allured to take up any where short of Me nor shall they turn aside to abide with any besides Me. Shall Come to me To me By these words there is further insinuated though not expressed a double cause of their coming to him First There is in Christ a fulness of Al-sufficiency of that even of all that which is needfull to make us happy Secondly Those that indeed come to him do therefore come to him that they may receive it at his hand For the first of these There is in Christ a fulness of all Sufficiency of all that even of all that which is needfull to make us happy Hence it is said For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell And again Of his fullness all we have received and grace for grace Colos. 1. 19. Joh. 1. 16. It is also said of him that his riches is unsearchable The unsearchable riches of Christ Ephes. 3. 8. Hear what he saith of himself Riches and honour are with Me even durable riches and righteousness my fruit is better than Gold yea than sine Gold and My revenue than Choice silver I lead in the way of Righteousness in the midst of the paths of Judgement that I may cause them that love Me to inherit Substance And I will fill their treasures Prov. 8. 18. 19 20. 21. This in general but more particularly First There is that Light in Christ that is Sufficient to lead them out of and from all that darkness in the midst of which all others but them that come to him stumble and fall and perish I am the light of the world saith he he that followeth me shall not abide in darkness but shall have the Light of Life Joh. 8. 12. Man by nature is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knows not whither he goes for darkness hath blinded his eyes neither can any thing but Jesus Christ lead men out of this darkness Natural Conscience cannot do it the Ten Commandments though in the heart of man cannot do it this prerogative belongs only to Jesus Christ. Secondly There is that life in Christ that is to be found no where else Joh. 5. 40. Life as a principle in the Soul by which it shall be acted and enabled to do that which through him is pleasing to God He that believeth in or cometh to me saith he as the Scriptures have said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water Joh. 7. 38. Without this life a man is dead whether he be bad or whether he be good that is good in his own and other mens esteem There is no true and Eternal life but what is in the Me that speaketh in the Text. There is also life for those that come to him to be had by faith in his flesh and blood He that eateth Me even he shall live by Me Joh. 6. 57. And this is a life against that Death that comes by the guilt of sin and the curse of the Law under which all men are and forever must be unlesse they eat the Me that speaks in the Text. Whoso findeth Me saith he findeth life deliverance from that everlasting death and destruction that without Me he shall be devoured by Prov. 8. Nothing is more desirable than life to him that hath in himself the Sentence of Condemnation and here only is life to be found This life to wit Eternal life this life is in his Son That is in him that saith in the Text All that the Father hath given Me shall come to Me 1 Joh. 5. 10. Thirdly The person speaking in the Text is he alone by whom poor sinners have Admittance with and Acceptance to the Father because of the Glory of his righteousness by and in which he presenteth them amiable and spotless in his sight neither is there any way besides him so to come to the Father I am the way sayes he the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by Me Joh. 14. 6. All other ways to God are dead and damnable the destroying Cherubins stand with flaming swords turning every way to keep all others from his presence Gen. 3. 24. I say all others but them that come by him I am the door by Me saith he if any man enter in he shall be saued Joh. 10. 1 2. The person speaking in the Text is He and only He that can give stable and everlasting peace therefore saith he My peace I give unto you My peace which is a peace with God peace of Conscience and that of an everlasting duration My peace peace that cannot be Matched net as the world gived give I unto you for the worlds peace is but Carnal and Transitory but mine is Divine and
Eternal Hence it is called the peace of God and That passeth all understanding Fourthly The person speaking in the Text hath enough of all things truly Spiritually good to satisfie the desires of every longing Soul And Jesus stood and Cried saying If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink And to him that is athirst I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely Joh. 7. 37. Rev. 21. 6. Fifthly With the person speaking in the Text is power to perfect and defend and deliver those that come to him for safegard All power saith he in heaven and earth is given unto Me Mat. 28. 18. Thus might I multiply instances of this nature in abundance But Secondly they that in truth do come to him do therefore come to him that they may receive it at his hand They come for light they come for life they come for reconciliation with God they also come for peace they come that their Soul may be satisfied with Spiritual good and that they may be protected by him against all Spiritual and Eternal damnation and he alone is able to give them all this to the filling of their joy to the full as they also find when come to him This is evident First From the plain declaration of those that already are come to him Being Justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access with boldness into this grace wherein we stand and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5. Secondly 'T is evident also in that while they keep their eyes upon him they never desire to change him for another or to add to themselves some other thing together with him to make up their Spiritual Joy God forbid said Paul that I should Glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yea and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him not having mine own Righteousness which is of the Law but that which is thorough the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith Philipians 3. 7 8 9. Thirdly 'T is evident also by their earnest desires that others might be made partakers of their blessedness Brethren said Paul my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved that is that way that he expected to be saved himself as he saith also to the Galatians Brethren saith he I beseech you be as I am for I am as ye are That is I am a sinner as you are now I beseech you seek for life as I am seeking of it as who should say For there is a sufficiency in the Lord Jesus both for me and you Fourthly 'T is evident also by the Triumph that such men make over all their enemies both Bodily and Ghostly Now thanks be to God said Paul who causeth us always to triumph in Jesus Christ. And who shall separate us from the Love of Christ our Lord. And again O death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory The sting of death is Sin and the strength of sin is the Law but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory thorow our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 8. 35. 1 Cor. 15. 55 56. Fifthly 'T is evident also for that they are made by the Glory of that which they have found in him to suffer and endure what the Devil and Hell it self hath or could invent as a means to separate them from him Again Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or Sword as it is written for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Nay in all these things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus Rom 8. Shall come to Me. O the heart attracting glory that is in Jesus Christ when he is discovered to draw those to him that are given to him of the Father Therefore those that come of old rendered this as the cause of their coming to him And we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father Joh. 1. 14. And the reason why others come not but perish in their sins is for want of a sight of his glory If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not lest the Glorious Light of the Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4. 3. 4. There is therefore heart-pulling glory in Jesus Christ which when discovered draws the man to him wherefore by shall-come to Me Christ may mean when his glory is discovered then they must come then they shall-come to Me. Therefore as the True Comers come with Weeping and Relenting as being sensible of their own Vileness so again it is said That the Ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Singing and Everlasting Joy upon their Heads they shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall flye away That is at the Sight of the Glory of that Grace that shews it self to them now in the Face of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Hopes that they now have of being with Him in the Heavenly Tabernacles Therefore it saith again With Gladness and Rejoycing shall they be brought they shall enter into the King's Palace Isa. 35. 10. Chap. 51. 11. Psal. 45. 15. There is therefore Heart-attracting Glory in the Lord Jesus Christ which when discovered subjects the Heart to the Word and Makes us Come to him 'T is said of Abraham That when he dwelt in Mesopotamia the God of Glory appeared unto him Act. 7. 2. saying Get thee out of thy Country And what then why away he went from his House and Friends and all the World could not stay him Now as the Psalmist sayes Who is the King of Glory He answers The Lord mighty in Battle And who was that but He that spoiled Principalities and Powers when he did Hang upon the Tree Tryumphing over them thereon And who was that but Jesus Christ even the Person speaking in the Text Therefore he said of Abraham He saw his Day Yea saith he to the Jews Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my Day and he saw it and was Glad Psal. 24. 8. Col. 2. 14 15. Jam. 1. 1. Joh. 8. 56. Indeed the Carnal Man sayes at least in his Heart There is no Form or Comliness in
God can remove him Mat. 12. 41. But Secondly This Doctrine of coming to Christ informeth us Where poor destitute Sinners may find Life for their Souls and that is in Christ This Life is in his Son he that hath the Son hath Life And again Whoso findeth me findeth Life and shall obtain Favor of the Lord Prov. 8. Now for further Enlargement I will also here propound three more Questions 1. What Life is in Christ 2. Who may have it 3. Upon what Terms First What Life is in Jesus Christ 1. There is Justifying Life in Christ. Man by Sin is Dead in Law and Christ only can deliver him by his Righteousness and Blood from this Death into a State of Life For God sent his Son into the World That we might Live through him 1 Joh. 4. 9. That is through the Righteousness which he should accomplish and the Death that he should dye 2. There is Eternal Life in Christ Life that 's endless Life for ever and ever He hath given us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. Now Justification and Eternal Salvation being both in Christ and no where else to be had for Men Who would not come to Jesus Christ Secondly Who may have this Life I answer Poor Helpless miserable Sinners Particularly 1. Such as are willing to have it Whosoever will Let him take the Water of Life Revel 22. 17. 2. He that Thirsteth for it I will give to him that is a Thirst of the Fountain of the Water of Life Revel 21. 6. 3. He that is weary of his Sins This is the Rest whereby ye may cause the Weary to rest and this is the Refreshing Isa. 28. 12. 4. He that is Poor and Needy He shall spare the Poor and Needy and shall save the Souls of the Needy 5. He that followeth after him crying for Life He that follows me shall not walk in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life Joh. 8. 12. Thirdly Upon what Terms may he have this Life Answ. Freely Sinner Dost thou hear Thou may'st have it Freely Let him take the Water of Life Freely I will give him of the Fountain of the Water of Life Freely And when they had nothing to pay he Frankly forgave them both Luk. 7. Freely without Money or without Price Ho! Every one that Thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money Come ye Buy and Eat Yea come buy Wine and Milk without Mony and without Price Isa. 55. 1. Sinner Art thou Thirsty art thou Weary art thou Willing Come then and regard not your Stuff for all the Good that is in Christ is offered to the Coming-Sinner without Mony and without Price He has Life to give away to such as want it and that have not a Penny to purchase it and he will give it Freely Oh What a blessed Condition is the Coming-Sinner in But Thirdly This Doctrine of Coming to Jesus Christ for Life Informeth us That It is to be had no where else Might it be had Any where else the Text and Him that spoke it would be but little set-by For What great Matter is there in I will in no wise cast out if another stood by that could Received them But here appears the Glory of Christ that none but He can Save And here appears his Love that though none can Save but He yet he is not Coy in Saving But him that comes to me saith he I will in no wise cast out That none can Save but Jesus Christ is evident from Acts 4. 12. Neither is there Salvation in any other and he hath given us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son If Life could have been had any where else it should have been in the Law but it is not in the Law For by the Deeds of the Law no Man living shall be Justifyed and if not Justifyed then no Life Therefore Life is no where to be had but in Jesus Christ Gal. 3. Quest. But why would God so order it that Life should be had no where else but in Jesus Christ Answ. There is Reason for it and that both with Respect to God and to Us. First With Respect to God First That it might be in a way of Justice as well as Mercy And in away of Justice it could not have been if it had not been by Christ because He and He only was able to answer the Demand of the Law and give for Sin what the Justice thereof required All Angels had been Crushed down to Hell for ever had that Curse been laid upon them for our Sins which was laid upon Jesus Christ But 't was laid upon Him and He bare it and answered the Penalty and Redeemed his People from under it with that Satisfaction to Divine Justice that God himself doth now proclaim That he is Faithful and Just to forgive us if by Faith we shall venture on Jesus and trust to what he has done for Life Rom. 3. 24 25 26. 1 Joh. 1. 9. Secondly Life must be by Jesus Christ that God might be Adored and Magnifyed for finding out this Way This is the Lord's Doings that in all Things he might be Glorifyed through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thirdly It must be by Jesus Christ that Life might be at God's dispose who hath great Pity for the Poor the Lowly the Meek the Broken in heart and for them that others care not for Psal. 34. 6. Psal. 138. 6. Psal. 25. Psal. 51. 17. Psal. 147. 3. Fourthly Life must be in Christ to cut off boasting from the lips of men This also is the Apostles reason in Rom. 3. 26 27. And Ephes. 2. 8 9 10. Secondly Life must be in Jesus Christ with respect to us First That we might have it upon the easiest Termes to wit Freely as a gift not as wages was it in Moses hand we should come hardly at it Was it in the Popes hand we should pay soundly for it but thanks be to God it is in Christ laid up in him and by him to be communicated to sinners upon easie Termes even for receiving accepting and imbraceing with Thanksgiving As the Scriptures plainly declare Joh. 1. 11 12. 2 Cor. 11. 4. Heb. 11. 13. Col. 3. 13 14 15. Secondly Life is in Christ for us that it might not be upon so brittle a foundation as indeed it would had it been any where else The Law it self is weak because of us as to this But Christ is a tryed stone a sure foundation one that will not fail to bear thy burden and to receive thy Soul coming sinner Thirdly Life is in Christ that it might be sure to all the seed Alas the best of us was life left in our hands to be sure we should forfeit it over and over and over or was it in any other hand we should by our often backslidings so offend him that at last he would shut up his bowels in everlasting displeasure against us But now it is in Christ it
16. Thirteenthly Faith purifieth the Heart but Unbelief keepeth it polluted and impure Acts 15. 9. Tit. 1. 15 16. Fourteenthly By Faith the Righteousness of Christ is imputed to us but by Unbelief we are shut up under the Law to Perish Rom. 4. 23 24. Chap. 11. 32. Gal. 3. 23. Fifteenthly Faith maketh our Work acceptable to God through Christ but whatsoever is of Unbelief is Sin For without Faith it is impossible to please him Heb. 11. 4. Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. Sixteenthly Faith giveth us Peace and Comfort in our Souls but Unbelief worketh Trouble and Tossings like the restless Waves of the Sea Rom. 5. 1. Jam. 1. 6. Seventeenthly Faith makes us see Preciousness in Christ but Unbelief sees no Form Beauty or Comlyness in him 1 Pet. 2. 7. Isa. 53. 1 2 3. Eighteenthly By Faith we have our Life in Christ's Fulness but by Unbelief we starve and pine away Gal. 2. 20. Nineteenthly Faith giveth us the Victory over the Law Sin Death the Devil and all Evils but Unbelief layeth us Obnoxious to them all 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. Luk. 12. 46. Twentyeth Faith will shew us more Excellency in Things not seen than in them that are but Unbelief sees more in Things that are here than in Things that will be here-after 2 Cor. 4. 18. Heb. 11. 24 25 26 27. 1 Cor. 15. 32. Twenty-First Faith maketh the Ways of God pleasant and amiable but Unbelief maketh them heavy and hard Gal. 5. 6. 2 Cor. 12. 10 11. Joh. 6. 60. Psal. 2. 3. Twenty-Second By Faith Abraham Isaac and Jacob possessed the Land of Promise But because of Unbelief neither Aaron nor Moses nor Mirian could get thither Heb. 11. 9. Heb. 3. 19. Twenty-Third By Faith the Children of Israel passed through the Red Sea but by Unbelief the Generality of them perished in the Wilderness Heb. 11. 29. Jude 5. Twenty-Fourth By Faith Gidion did more with Three-hundred men and a few empty Pitchers than all the Twelve Tribes could do because they believed not God Judg. 7. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. Numb 14. 11 44. Twenty-Fifth By Faith Peter walked on the Water but by Unbelief he began to sink Mat. 14. 21 22 23 24 Thus might many more be added which for brevity sake I omit Beseeching every one that thinketh he hath a Soul to Save or be Damned to take heed of Unbelief Lest seeing there is a Promise left us of Entering into his Rest any of us by Unbelief should indeed come short of it The Second Use a Use of Examination WE come now to a Use of Examination Sinner Thou hast heard of the Necessity of Coming to Christ also Of the Willingness of Christ to Receive the Coming-Soul Together with the Benefit that They by him shall have that indeed come to Him Put thy self now upon this Serious Enquiry Am I indeed come to Jesus Christ Motives plenty I might here urge to prevail with thee to a Conscientious Performance of this Duty As 1. Thou art in Sin in the Flesh in Death in the Snare of the Devil and under the Curse of the Law if thou art not coming to Jesus Christ. 2. There is no way to be delivered from these but by coming to Jesus Christ. 3. If thou comest Jesus Christ will Receive thee and will in no wise cast thee out 4. Thou wilt not Repent it in the Day of Judgement if now thou comest to Jesus Christ. 5. But thou wilt surely Mourn at last if now thou shalt refuse to come And 6. Lastly Now thou hast been invited to come now will thy Judgment be greater and thy Damnation more fearful if thou shalt yet Refuse than if thou hadst never heard of Coming to Christ. Object But we hope we are come to Jesus Christ Answ. 'T is well if it proves so But lest thou should speak without Ground and so fall unawares into Hell Fire Let us Examine a little First Art thou indeed come to Jesus Christ What hast thou left behind thee What didst thou come away from in thy Coming to Jesus Christ When Lot came out of Sodom he left the Sodomites behind him Gen. 19. When Abraham came out of Chaldea he left his Country and Kindred behind him Gen. 12. Acts 7. When Ruth came to put her Trust under the Wings of the Lord God of Israel she left her Father and Mother her Gods and the Land of her Nativity behind her Ruth 1. 15 16 17. Chap. 2. 11 12. When Peter came to Christ he left his Nets behind him Mat. 4. 18. When Zacheus came to Christ he left the Receipt of Custom behind him Luk. 19. When Paul came to Christ he left his own Righteousness behind him Philip 3. 7 8. When those that used Curious Arts came to Jesus Christ they took their Curious Books and burned them though in another Man's Eye they were counted worth Fifty-Thousand Peices of Silver Acts 19. 18 19 20. What say'st thou Man Hast thou left thy Darling Sins thy Sodomitish Pleasures thy Acquaintance and vain Companions thy unlawful Gain thy Idol Gods and Righteousness and thy unlawful Curious Arts behind thee If any of these be with thee and thou with them in thy Heart and Life thou art not yet come to Jesus Christ. Secondly Art thou come to Jesus Christ Prethee tell me VVhat moved hee come to Jesus Christ Men do not usually come or go to this or that Place before they have a Moving Cause or rather a Cause moving them thereto No more do they come to Jesus Christ I do not say before they have a Cause but before that Cause moveth them to come What say'st thou Hast thou a Cause moving thee to come To be at present in a State of Condemnation is Cause sufficient for Men to come to Jesus Christ for Life But that will not do except that Cause move them the which it will never do until their Eyes be opened to see themselves in that Condition For it is not a Man's being under Wrath but his seeing it that moveth him to come to Jesus Christ. Alas All Men by Sin are under Wrath yet but few of that All came to Jesus Christ And the Reason is because they do not see their Condition Who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come Mat. 3. 7. Until Men are warned and also receive the VVarning they will not come to Jesus Christ. Take three or four Instances for this 1. Adam and Eve came not to Jesus Christ until they Received the Alarum the Conviction of their Undone State by Sin Gen. 3. 2. The Children of Israel cryed not out for a Mediator before they saw themselves in danger of Death by the Law Exod. 20. 18 19. 3. Before the Publican came he saw himself lost and undone Luk 18. 13. 4. The Prodigal came not until he saw Death at the Door ready to devour him Luk. 15. 17 18. 5. The Three-Thousand came not until they knew not what to do to be Saved Acts 2.
if my Covenant be not with Day and Night and if I have not appointed the Ordinances of Heaven and Earth then will I cast away the Seed of Jacob. But Heaven can not be measured not the Foundations of the Earth searched out beneath his Covenant is also with day and night and he hath appointed the Ordinances of Heaven therefore he will not cast away the Seed of Jacob who are the coming ones but will certainly save them from the dreadful Wrath to come Jer. 33. 25 26. chap. 50. 4 5. By this therefore it is manifest that it is not the greatness of sin nor thy long continuance in it no nor yet thy back-sliding nor the pollution of thy Nature that can put a bar in against or be an hinderance of the Salvation of the coming sinner For if indeed this could be then would this solemn and absolute Determination of the Lord Jesus of its self fall to the ground and be made of none effect But his Counsel shall stand and he will do all his pleasure That is his pleasure in this for this promise this irreversible conclusion ariseth of his Pleasure and he will stand to it and will fulfil it because it is his pleasure Suppose that one man had the sins or as many sins as an hundred and another should have an hundred times as many as he yet if they come this word I will in no wise cast out secures them both alike Suppose a man hath a desire to be saved and for that purpose is coming in truth to Jesus Christ but he by his debauched Life has damned many in hell why the dore of hope is by these words set as open for him as it is for him that hath not the thousandth part of his Transgressions And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Suppose a man is coming to Christ to be Saved and hath nothing but sin and an ill-spent life to bring with him Why let him come and welcome to Jesus Christ And he will in no wise cast him out Luk. 7. 41. Is not this Love that passeth knowledg is not this Love the wonderment of Angels and is not this Love worthy of all acceptation at the hands and hearts of coming sinners Secondly That which is implyed in the words is First The coming Souls hath those that continually lie at Jesus Christ to cast them Secondly The coming Souls are afraid that these will prevail with Christ to cast them off For these words are spoken to satisfie us and to stay up our Spirits against these two dangers I will in no wise cast out First For the First Coming Souls have those that continually lye at Jesus Christ to cast them off And there are three things that thus bend themselves against the coming sinner First There is the Devil that Accuser of the brethren that accuses them before God day and night Revel 12. 10. This Prince of Darkness is unwearied in this work he doth it as you see day and night that is without ceasing He continually puts in his Caveats against thee if so be he may prevail How did he ply it against that good man Job if possible he might have obtained his destruction in Hell fire He objected against him that he served not God for nought and tempted God to put forth his Hand against him urging that if he did it he would Curse him to his face and all this as God witnesseth He did without a Cause Job 1. 9 10 11. chap. 2. 4. 5. How did he ply it with Christ against Joshua the high Priest And he shewed me Joshua said the Prophet the high Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him Zech. 3. To resist him that is to prevail with the Lord Jesus Christ to resist him Objecting the uncleanness and unlawful Marriage of his Sons with the Gentiles for that was the Crime that Satan laid against them Ezra 10. 18. Yea and for ought I know Joshua was also guilty of the fact but if not of that of Crimes no whit inferior for he was Cloathed with filthy Garments as he stood before the Angel neither had he one word to say in vindication of himself against all that this wicked one had to lay against him But notwithstanding that he came off well but he might for it thank a good Lord Jesus because he did not resist him but contrariwise took up his cause pleaded against the Devil excused his infirmity and put justifying Robes upon him before his Adversaries Face And the Lord said unto Satan The Lord Rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem Rebuke thee Is not this a Brand pluckt out of the Fire And he answered and spake to those that stood before him saying Take away the filthy Garments from him and to him he said Behold I have caused thine iniquities to pass from thee and will Cloath thee with chang of Raiment Again how did Satan ply it against Peter when he desired to have him that he might sift him as Wheat that is if possible sever all Grace from his heart and leave him nothing but flesh and filth to the end he might make the Lord Jesus loath and abhor him Simon Simon said Christ Satan hath desired to have you that he might sift you as Wheat But did he prevail against him No But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not As who should say Simon Satan hath desired me that I would give thee up to him and not only thee but all the rest of thy Brethren for that the word you imports but I will not leave thee in his hand I have prayed for thee thy saith shall not sail I will secure thee to the Heavenly Inheritance Luk. 22. 30 31 32. Secondly As Satan so every sin of the coming-sinner comes in with a Voice against him if perhaps they may prevail with Christ to cast off the Soul When Israel was coming out of Egypt to Canaan how many times had their sins thrown them out of the mercy of God had not Moses as a Type of Christ stood in the breach to turn away his VVrath from them Psal. 106. 23. our Iniquities testify against us and would certainly prevail against us to our utter rejection and Damnation had we not an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. The sins of the old World cryed them down to Hell the sins of Sodom fetched upon them Fire from Heaven which devoured them the sins of the Egyptians cryed them down to Hell because they came not to Jesus Christ for Life Coming-sinner thy sins are no whit less than any Nay perhaps they are as big as all theirs VVhy is it then that thou livest when they are dead and that thou hast a promise of Pardon when they had not Why thou art coming to Jesus Christ and therefore sin shall not be thy ruin Thirdly As Satan and