of this death That our comforter against spiritual deadness is in Christ the following words shew I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Though there be cause of mourning when we look into our own dead hearts yet there is cause of thanksgiving and rejoycing when we look up to God in Christ And that on these grounds 1. The end of Christs assuming our nature and suffering death for our sins was to give us life not only eternal life hereafter but spiritual life here and that in a plentifull measure Joh. 10.10 I am come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly Joh. 6.51 I am the living bread which came down from Heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world 2. Though there be in us much deadness yet in Christ and with Christ there is a fountain of life Psal 36.9 For with thee is the fountain of life and in thy light shall we see light As it is with Fountains of water there is water to be had at all times and for all comers in the Fountain So it is with the Fountain of life there is life to be had constanly freely a sufficiency of life for all comers at all times to be had from this Fountain of life 3. The Lord hath given us many gracious and comfortable promises to encourage us to hope in him for quickning grace at such times as we find our selves under deadness as Joh. 11.25 Jesus said unto her I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth in me though he were dead yet he shall live Joh. 6.57 He that eateth me even he shall live by me Psal 69.32 Your heart shall live that seek God Psal 22. They shall praise the Lord that seek him your heart shall live for ever Amos 5.4 Thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel seek ye me and ye shall live We see here that Spiritual and Eternal Life is promised to such as seek the Lord These promises may be a great comfort to us under our deadness 4. Jesus Christ hath provided us excellent helps against our deadness I will instance in two helps 1. His word that hath a quickning influence in it Psal 119.50 Thy word hath quickned me And ver 93. I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast quickned me And as the Precepts so the promises of the word have a quickning virtue in them We may say of the promises with Hezekiah Isa 38.16 O Lord by these things men live and in all these things is the life of my Spirit 2. His spirit is an excellent help against deadness Joh. 6.63 It is the spirit that quickneth The spirit of Christ is the spirit of life and this quickning spirit shall be given to those that ask it of God Luk. 11.13 5. When Christ who is our life shall appear we shall appear with him in glory and when we appear with Christ in glory we shall ive with him for evermore and shall never any more be troubled with deadness but shall be freed from the body of sin and death for ever Col. 3.3 4. Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Your Life is hid with Christ in God It may be understood of the life of Grace here and the life of Glory hereafter Our life of Grace is hid not only from the eyes of the VVorld but at sometimes and in part from themselves As Davenant observs Ex parte quoad quos sanctos quippe qui vitam hanc sentiant in se esse valdè infirmam obscuram dubiam obtentationes diaeboli carnis Yet the weakness of our Spiritual Life the deadness that is mixed with the life of grace shall not hinder our appearing with Christ in and if we appear with him in glory all our deadness and imperfections shall be done away for ever Sect. 7. There is comfort in Christ for such as are troubled for the weakness and imperfections of their services Many Christians finding their service they do for God and their Generations attended with very great weakness and many imperfections are much troubled and discouraged thereby But to such as go under this burden there is comfort to be had in Christ and that in these respects 1. Our persons and services are accepted of God not for the worthyness that is either in our persons or services but for the sake and upon the account of Jesus Christ Eph. 1.6 He hath made us accepted in the beloved And as our persons are accepted in Christ so are our services also 1 Pet 2.5 To offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ If any say how can imperfect services that have sin mixed with them be accepted of God I answer by the merits of Christ the imperfections and sins that are mingled with those holy services which we perform to God are done away and the services rendered acceptable to God Exod. 28.38 And it shall be upon Aarons Forehead that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things of the children of Israel which the children of Israel shall hollow in all their holy gifts and it shall be alwayes on his Forehead that they may be accepted before the Lord. Aaron was a Type of Christ our great High Priest The Plate on his Forehead that had graven on it Holiness to the Lord was a Type of the merits of Christ who is the Lord our Righteousness As Aaron bare away the iniquities of the holy things Typically which being done they were accepted of God So Christ doth really and truly bear away the sins of all services and thereby they are accepted of God 2. Though our services have much weakness and many imperfections in them yet if they be performed with Upright hearts God will accept them 1 Chron. 29.17 I know also my God that thou tryest the heart and hast pleasure in Vprightness As little done by an Upright man is more acceptable to God than great services done by wicked men Pro. 15.8 The Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord but the Prayer of the Vpright is his delight 3. VVould you serve God and your Generation in a better manner if you were able and is it your burden that you can serve God no better then know for your comfort that God through Christ will accept of your willing mind though you have not such abilities to serve him as others have or as you your selves desire to have 2 Cor. 8.12 If there he first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not 4. It is a great comfort to those that mourn over their imperfections that how imperfect soever they are in themselves they are compleat in Christ Col.
other evil inclinations of his heart Psal 141.4 Encline not my heart to any evil thing And as he was carefull to suppress evil lusts in his heart so to refrain from evil speeches and sinfull practise Psal 49.1 I said I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my Tongue I will keep my Mouth with a Bridle while the wicked is before me Psal 119.101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way They that seek by the help of Christ to suppress evil lusts and inordinate affections and refrain from sinfull speeches and practices have Crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections 6. The Jews having heard that after Christ was Crucified he would rise again put him into a Grave and rolled a great stone upon the mouth of the Grave and set a strict watch and did all that they could to prevent his rising again So they that have Crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections do what they can to prevent the rising of sin in their hearts and the breaking of it forth in their lives They set a watch over their lips and lives Psal 39.1 I said I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my Tongue Psal 141.3 Set a watch O Lord before my mouth keep the door of my lips Psal 18.23 I kept my self from mine iniquity Prov. 4.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of Life Obj. I am under doubtings whether I am Christs because it is said they that are Christs have Crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Now though I desire and endeavour to Crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts yet I can't say I have attained to it Though I endeavour to suppress all evil lustings and all inordinate affections and to refrain from every evil way yet I still find the flesh lusting against the Spirit and the law in my members warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to the law of sin and death And therefore I fear I am none of Christs A. 1. Such as are united to Christ have Flesh as well as Spirit in them and do find the lustings of the Flesh against the Spirit and the warring of the law in their members against the law of their mind but they do not walk after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit The Apostle speaking of such as are in Christ Jesus saith not they have no flesh nothing of corruption in them that there is nothing but the Spirit of Grace in them but he saith of them they walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit The Galatians were the children of God Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus Yet they had in them the Flesh lusting against the Spirit whereby they were hindered that they could not do that good which they were willing and desirous to do Gal. 5.17 The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would The Apostle Paul was Christs 2 Cor. 10.7 If any man trust to himself that he is Christs let him of himself think this again that as he is Christs even so we are Christs Yet this Apostle who if any man upon earth might be confident that he was Christs he would let him know that he was Christs also saw and complained of a law in his Members warring against the law of his Mind and leading him captive to the law of sin Rom. 7.23 But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into Captivity to the law of sin which is in my Members 2. They that heartily desire to have the flesh with the affections and lusts crucified they have already crucified their sins in their hearts What we are willing and desirous to do that the Scripture accounts as if it were already done As it is in the Commission what sins we desire to commit God accounts them to be committed in our hearts Matth. 5.28 Whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already with her in his heart So it is with the crucifixion of sin when a man looks upon his sins and saith in the sincerity of his heart oh that my flesh with the affections and lusts were crucified he may be said to have crucified his flesh with the lusts and affections 3. They that are Christs have delivered up their corrupt natures with all the affections and lusts to be crucified We read of Christ that he was delivered to the Jews to be crucified Joh. 19.16 Then delivered he him to be crucified The hypocrite spares his sins and hides them and is unwilling to part with them Job 20.12 13. But it is not so with a true Christian to deliver up all his sins to be crucified and begs earnestly of God that he would not suffer any sin to have the dominion over him but that he may be delivered from all his transgressions Psal 119.133 Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me Psal 39.8 Deliver me from all my transgressions 4. We may be said to have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts when we have begun to mortifie all our sins when we make it our daily care and endeavour to suppress evil lusts and inordinate affections and to refrain our feet from every evil way Crucifixion is a lingring death Our sins are crucified when they are dying though not fully dead Persons nayled to the Cross had many struglings before they gave up the ghost and yet they might be said to be crucified while they hung upon the Cross though not perfectly dead Paul saith I dye daily So a Christian makes it his daily business to dye to his sins And what we are truly and heartily endeavouring to do that the Lord esteemeth and accepts as if it were done Abraham in the sincerity of his heart endeavouring to offer up Isaac the Scripture speaks of it and accounts it as if it had been actually done Heb. 11.17 By faith Abraham when he was tryed offered up his son Isaac 5. Then we have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts when the reigning power and dominion of sin is taken away that we are no longer the servants of sin Rom. 6 6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin The old man is all one with the flesh and the affections and lusts thereof now this old man is crucified when the power and strength of sin is so far destroyed as that we are not servants of sin when the dominion of sin is taken away from all that are in a state
interest in Christ 1. All men have not a saving interest in Christ Some men are Christs 1 Cor. 3.23 Ye are Christs and Christ is theirs Joh. 20.28 Thomas said unto him my Lord and my God But some men are none of Christs and Christ is none of theirs Rom. 8.9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his There are multitudes that live under the hearing of the Gospel of Christ that have not the Spirit of Christ and whosoever he be that hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Some men have a part in Christ some have no part in him or with him Joh. 13.8 Jesus answered him if I wash thee not thou hast no part with me 2. Such as make a profession of the Christian Religion but are Hypocrits and have not sound and sincere hearts in the sight of God they have no part nor portion in Jesus Christ or his saving benefits Act. 8.21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter for thy heart is not right in the sight of God Now there are multitudes that profess themselves to be the Disciples of Christ and are Baptized as Simon Magus was whose hearts are not right in the sight of God and so have no part in Christ and therefore we had need examine whether it be not so with us It is a reproach in the Christian World not to own Christ and therefore to take away the occasion of reproach many are content to give their names to Christ that deny him their hearts Many are desirous to be called Christians that will not walk in the ways of Christ Like those women spoken of Isa 4.1 We will eat our own Bread and wear our own Apparel only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach So there are many that desire to be called Christians to take away their reproach but they will walk in the way of their own hearts and follow their own wills and will not walk in the ways of God and fulfill the will of Christ 3. A man may have recieved great gifts from Christ and do many great things in the name of Christ he may prophesie in the name of Christ be able to cast out Divels and do such works as may cause those that behold them to wonder at them and yet not have a saving interest in Christ He may be one that Christ doth not will not own for one of his Mat. 7.22 23. Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out devils and in thy name done many wonderfull works and then will I profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity Here are great pretences fair plea's and there are many that will expect to be owned by Christ having so much to say for themselves yet Christ will say unto them I never knew you that I never owned you for mine I never approved you I do not nor ever did own you for mine 4. There is nothing in this World of higher and greater concernment to every one of us than to get an interest in Christ and to get the knowledge and assurance that we have an interest in Christ Our Eternal Life dependeth upon our having or not having Jesus Christ If we have Christ we shall most certainly have Eternal Life but if we have not Christ all that he or we ever did or suffered will avail us nothing we shall not have Eternal Life 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath the Son hath Life but he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life There is nothing of higher concernment than to get Eternal Life and this obtained only in Christ and through an interest in him He and he only that hath the Son hath Life And as the getting an interest in Christ is of the highest concernment in order to our Eternal Welfare so the knowledge of our interest in Christ is of singular advantage for our comfort and well-being in this World This was a great comfort to Job in his great afflictions to know that Christ was his Redeemer and that he should after Death and the Resurrection from the dead live with him for ever Job 19.23 I know that my Redeemer liveth To know our interest in Christ and in God through Christ is a ground of the highest joy and of everlasting joy and gladness Psal 89.1 26. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever He shall cry unto me thou art my Father my God and the Rock of my Salvation Sing is an expression of the highest joy when a man can't contain his joy within his heart but it breaks forth into singing Isa 65.14 Behold my Servants shall sing for joy of heart Now among those mercies which caused him to sing for joy and for which he was so filled with joy that he resolved to sing for evermore this was a choice one the clearing of his interest in Christ and in God through Christ that he was enabled to cry Thou art my Father my God and the rock of my Salvation 5. We may attain to sure and satisfying evidences of our interest in Christ We may attain to this knowledge that Christ is ours and we are his Cant. 2.16 My Beloved is mine and I am his It is not spoken by way of desire Oh that my Beloved were mine and I were his nor by way of probability it may be I have some hope that he is mine and I am his but by way of Confidence my Beloved is mine and I am his So David could with much confidence appeal unto the Lord that he was his Psal 119.94 I am thine save me So 1 Joh. 2.5 We know we are in him 1 Joh. 5.19.20 We know that we are of God We are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 6. Examining our selves by those Characters that are given in the Scriptures concerning such as have an interest in Christ is the ready way to come to the knowledge of our interest in Christ 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates The Apostle here pâ—ts a question Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you And gives them direction how they should attain this knowledge namely by examining themselves and tells what they should examine themselves about namely about their Faith because Faith is one evidence of an interest in Christ And it is observable when he puts this question know ye not how Jesus Christ is in you yea he addeth except ye be Reprobates that is except ye be blame-worthy they are justly blameable that neglect the making sure such a weighty point as this whether Christ be in them or not They that have Faith in their hearts have Christ dwelling in their hearts Eph. 3.17 Our Souls
when enlightned by the word and Spirit of God are able to discern and to give a judgment of our estate towards God and of the most inward workings both of Sin and Grace Pro. 20.27 The Spirit of a man is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the Belly By the inward parts of the Belly we may undestand all the secrets of the heart the inclinations dispositions and motions of the heart both to good and evil These are all searched out and discovered by the Spirit of a man which is as the Candle of the Lord but to effect this searching of our inward parts this Candle of the Lord must be lighted by the Word and the Spirit of the Lord for till that be done it gives such a dim and uncertain light that we can discern but little of our own state Therefore besides Communing with our own hearts and making use of our own Spirits we must make use of the Word of God that we may discern the state of our own Souls towards God Prov. 6.23 The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is light Psal 119.130 The entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple ver 105. Thy word is a Lamp to my feet and a light to my path There are plain and clear Characters laid down in the Scriptures of such as are Christs the knowledge of these which I shall mention in the next Section are requisite for us to examine our selves by And besides making use of our own Spirits and having recourse to the light of Gods word it is needful that we should implore the illumination and assistance of the Holy Spirit because it is his enlightning our minds that gives us light Psal 36.9 In thy light shall we see light Job 32.8 But there is a Spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding The eyes of our underderstandings are shut till the Spirit of God doth open them Eph. 1.17 18. And as we need the Spirit to enlighten our understandings so also to witness to and with our Spirits or being the Children of God Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God Evidences of a saving interest in Christ. Seeing the knowledge of our interest in Christ tendeth so much to our Consolation both against all the troubles of this Life and the terrors of Death and seeing this knowledge is obtained by examining our selves by those Characters that the Scriptures give of those that are Christs I shall lay down several Characters out of the Scriptures of such as have a saving interest in Christ those that I shall mention and explain are these 1. Effectual calling 2. Recieving Christ as he is offered in the Gospel 3. They that are Christs have the Spirit of Christ given to them 4. They that are Christs are new Creatures 5. They that are Christs have Crucified the Flesh with the lusts and affections 6. They that are Christs do love Christ and prefer Christ above all things and persons in the World 7. They that are Christs live to Christ and dye to him 1. They that are effectually called are Christs and Christ with all his benefits are theirs 1 Cor. 1.26 compared with 1 Cor. 3.23 Ye see your calling Brethren ye are Christs Whom doth the Apostle mean when he saith ye are Christs he meaneth such as are effectually called And speaking of those that were called he tells them that God had united them to Christ and made them partakers of the benefits of Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 1.26 30. Ye see your calling Brethren Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Eternal Life and all other saving benefits of Christ are promised to them that are effectually called Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of Death for the Redemption of the Transgressions that were under the first Covenant they which were called might recieve the promise of the eternal inheritance But Eternal Life and the saving benefits of Christ are given only to such as have an interest in Christ 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath not the Son of God hath not Life Now we may know that we are effectually called these ways 1. When the Lord calls a sinner effectually he calls him out of darkness into light whereas the mind and understanding was before full of ignorance and blindness the Lord enlightens the mind with saving knowledge when he calls a sinner effectually it is 1 Pet. 2.9 That ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light Now in this work of illumination we may consider these 3 or 4 things 1. God calls a man to see his sinful miserable undone estate by nature Jer. 2.19 Know and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and that my fear is not in thee saith the Lord God of Hosts And his inability to help or recover himself out of his sinful and miserable estate Joh 15.5 Without me ye can do nothing 2. God calls a man to see and to know that remission of sins and Salvation is to be had in Christ and no where else but in and from Christ Jesus Act. 13.38 Through this man is preached unto you remission of sins Luke 19.10 The Son of Man is come to seek and save that which was lost There is Salvation for lost man to be had in Christ and in none but him Act. 4.12 Neither is their Salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved As the Lord gives us to understand that we have destroyed and undone our selves so also he causeth us to know that there is help for such as are in a perishing condition and also where this help is to be found namely in himself through Christ Hos 13.9 O If del thou hast destroved thy self but in me is thy help Thus is a material branch of saving illumination the giving as the knowledge of God and Christ 1 Cor. 4.6 Joh. 17.3 3 The Lord enlightens his People to see and to know which way they should obtain Salvation from Christ out of their sinful and miserable condition namely by Faith and Repentance For after a man is enlightned to see his lost estate then he is at a loss to know what he should do to be saved and the Lord shews him that Salvation is obtained by Christ through Faith and Repentance Act. 16.30 31. Sirs what must I do to be saved And they said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Ezek. 18.30 Repent and turn your selves from all your Transgressions and so iniquity shall not be your rutine 4. Where there is saving illumination the instruction the Lord gives is like that spoken of by the Prophet
Isa 8.11 The Lord spake thus unto me with a strong hand There is power goeth with those instructions that he gives the Soul to bring it to do what it is taught The Lord doth not only teach a sinner his lost estate and that Salvation is in Christ and that this Salvation is to be had by Faith and Repentance but he bows the heart to comply with these terms of alvation with the illumination of the mind there is the inclination of the heart to repent and believe Jer. 31.19 Surely after I was turned I repented and after I was instructed I smote upon my Thigh I was asuamed c. Eph. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that you heard the word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation And this leads me to the next head 2. When the Lord calls a sinner effectually he calls him to Repentance by working Repentance in his heart Luk. 5.32 I came not to call the Righteous but Sinners unto Repentance Now this effectual call to Repentance is discerned these ways 1. The Lord pricks the Sinner at the heart by setting home upon the Conscience the sight of his sinful and undone condition Act. 2.37 And when they heard these things they were pricked at the heart and said Men and Brethren what shall we do Till God calls a man he lyeth fast asleep in his sins He is like Jonah that was fast asleep in the side of the Ship when there was a great Tempest whereby himself and all in the Ship were in danger to be drowned Jon. 1.6 So the sinner lyeth fast asleep in his sins although he be in danger of everlasting burnings till God awakens him by calling him to a sight of his sin and misery As it was with Peter he was fast asleep when bound with Chains and in the midst of two Souldiers and was the next day to be tryed for his Life Act. 12.6 So it is with many Sinners they are bound in the chains of their sins and are in danger every day to be called to Judgment yet they lye fast asleep in their sins till the Lord comes and awakens them out of their dead sleep and this he doth by giving them a prick at the heart with his word which is called the Sword of the Spirit And when a sinner is pricked at the heart then he awakes out of his dead sleep and sits down and bemoans his sinful and miserable condition Lam. 5.16.17 The Crown is fallen from our head wo unto us that we have sinned for this our heart is faint and our eyes are dim Jer. 31.18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself 2. When God calls a sinner to Repentance he turns his heart from his Idols from his beloved sins so that he resolves in his heart that by the help of Gods grace he will for sake his sins for ever Hos 14 8. Ephraim shall say what have I to do any more with Idols He is willing to leave off all known sins and also all unknown sins as soon as they shall be discovered to him Job 34.32 That which I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more 3. When the Lord calls a sinner to Repentance as he causeth him to forsake his sins so also he causeth him to turn to the Lord with his whole heart so that the bent of the heart is for God the heart is inclined to please serve obey glorifie and enjoy God Jer. 24.7 They shall return to me with their whole heart Psal 119.112 I have enclined my heart to perform thy statutes always even to the end 3. When God calleth a sinner effectually he calleth him to his Son Jesus Christ As he enlightneth him to see his undone estate out of Christ and to see that Salvation is to be had in Christ so he draweth the Soul to Christ he causeth the Soul to come to Christ Joh. 6.45 Every man that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me The call of God when it is effectual hath this effect upon all that are called it bringeth every one of them to Jesus Christ It is not some or many that hear but every man that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me Now we may discern that God hath called us to Christ these ways 1. If he hath called us off from all things that hinder our going to Christ Cant. 2.10 Rise up my love my fair one and come away Come away that is let nothing detain thee from coming to me cast away all lets and hinderances that keep thee from coming to me leave all to follow me This effect Levi's call had upon him Luk. 5.27 28. He said unto him follow me and he left all rose up and followed him When God hath brought us to this that we are willing to leave all for Christ we need not doubt but we are effectually called to Christ This laying aside of all hinderances of our being made partakers of Christ and Eternal Life is that which the Apostle exhorts to Heb. 12.1 Let us lay aside every weight And run with pationce the race that is set before us I will instance in some hinderances of our enjoying Christ which God calls from when he draws us to Christ As the VVorld the profits of the world the honours of the world the pleasures of the world God loosens the heart from all these that the Soul can leave all the goodly all the pleasant all the glorious things of the world to cleave to Christ Cant. 4.8 Come with me from Lebanon my Spouse with me from Lebanon For the opening this Scripture let us consider what Lebanon was that Christ was so earnest with his Spouse to come with him from Lebanon that he calleth twice come with me from Lebanon with me from Lebanon Lebanon was a very goodly place Deut. 3.25 I pray let me go over and see the good Land that is beyond Jordan that goodly mountain and Lebanon Moses had a great desire to see the Land of Canaan which was the Land of promise a land above all lands and of all places in that land he had a desire to see that goodly place mount Lebanon Lebanon was a glorious place Isa 35.2 The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it Lebanon was a very pleasant and delightfull place it cast forth a sweet seent to all places round about it Hos 14.6 His be my shall be as the Olive Tree and his small as Lebanon The meaning then is this that we should leave all the goodly all the glorious all the pleasant all the delightfull and desâ—â—â—able things of this world to enjoy Christ Christ calls us to come with him from Lebanon which was a goodly a desireable a glorious and delightfull place Another hinderance of coming to Christ is when a man is bound with the cords of his sins his sins have such hold upon his heart that he is like a man bound with cords that he can't stir from them
when thus menaced by the King Be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor Worship the Golden Image which thou hast set up Neither the hope of the greatest gain nor fear of the greatest punishment should make us go against the word of Christ in things pertaining to the worship of God 3. The word of Christ is to be the rule of our Conversations We must not make our gain our rule our credit or the example of others but the word of Christ Ps 119.105 Thy word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path In doubtless cases we must make Gods Testimonies our Counsellors And after we have consulted with the word what we find agreable to the mind of Christ that we must do though it be cross to our own interests and what is contrary to the word that we must avoid though it would be very beneficial to us Thus David Psal 119.24 Thy Testimonies also are my delight and my Counsellors Thus the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 13.7 VVe can do nothing against the Truth but for the Truth It was an excellent speech of Balaam and worthy our imitation although he did not do what he said Numb 22.18 If Balak would give me his house full of Silver and Gold I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God to do less or more We may know that we recieve Christ as our Priest these ways 1. If we look for remission of our sins and Eternal Life not by any works of Righteousness which we have done but from the mercy of God and the merits of Christ who offered up himself to God a Sacrifice for our sins Rom. 5.9 Being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him Tit. 3.5 Not by works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us Act. 15.11 But we believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved even as they See also Gal. 2.16 2. When we ground our Faith and Hope for audience and acceptance of our Prayers upon the intercession of Christ Heb. 10.21 22. And having an high Priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith Dan. 9.17 O our God! hear the Prayer of thy Servant and his Supplications and cause thy face to shine upon thy Sanctuary which is desolate for the Lords sake We may know that we recieve Christ as our Lord these ways 1. If we are willing to be ruled and governed by Christ Many men are unwilling to recieve Christ for their Lord to rule them that would have him for their Saviour to save them from wrath to come They say in their hearts as they did Luk. 19.14 We will not have this man to Reign over us Then we are willing to be Ruled and Governed by Christ when we yield ready obedience to his word and the motions of his Spirit For Christ Rules us by his Word and Spirit What Pharaoh said to Joseph Gen. 42.14 According to thy word shall all my People be ruled So may I say here They that recieve Christ as Lord they are all Ruled according to his word Now we may know that we are willing to be Ruled by the word of Christ 1. When in doubtfull cases we consult the word of Christ and desire to know the mind of Christ VVhen we say with the Apostle Lord what wilt thou have me to do Act. 9.6 VVhen we say with David Ps 143.8 Make me to know the way wherein I should go Psal 86.11 Teach me thy way and I will walk in thy Truth And that we may find out the mind of Christ we make his Testimonies our Counsellors as was hinted before 2. Such as are willing to be ruled by Christ as soon as they understand this or the other thing to be the mind of Christ they yield obedience to it Psal 18.44 As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me Psal 119.60 I made hast I delayed not to keep thy Commandments 3. Such as embrace Christ for their Lord their hearts stand in awe of the word of Christ they are afraid of Transgressing his commands Prov. 13.13 He that feareth the Commandment shall be rewarded Yea there is greater awe upon the word of Christ than the word of Princes If Princes command one thing and Christ another and Princes will persecute us because we are not obedient to them yet Christs Subjects stand in such awe of his word that they will not swerve from his word for avoiding troubles and persecutions from the greatest men on earth Psal 119.161 Princes have Persecuted me without a cause but my heart standeth in awe of thy word 2. As we may know we have received Christ for our Lord by our willingness to be governed by his word so also by our submiting our selves to all the disposals of Providence-relating to us or any of ours For it belongs to Christ as King to govern the world All power in Heaven and Earth is committed to him the Government is upon his should 〈◊〉 the Father hath committed all judgement into the hands of the Son Now such as receive Christ for their Lord submit themselves to 〈◊〉 the disposals of Providence without frâ—… or murmuring at their losses and crosses and that because it is the Lord that doth all that befalls them 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 2 Sam. 15.26 But if he thus say I have no delight in him Behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him 2. We may know that 〈◊〉 recieve 〈◊〉 aright when we receive 〈…〉 heartily By receiving 〈…〉 mean when we understand on what terms Christ is willing to bestow himself upon us what he requires from those that will become his disciples and when we judge those terms to be equal to be good to be submitted to with chearfulness By receiving Christ heartily I mean a cordial and through complyance with those terms on which Christ will accept us for his disciples We must receive Christ judiciously that is understand the terms on which Christ will become ours and accept us for his and judge those terms worthy of all acceptation What these terms are on which he is willing to receive us for his disciples I will shew out of two or three Scriptures Mark 8.34 Whosoever will come after me let him deny himself take up his cross and follow me Luk. 14.33 So likewise whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my disciple And ver 26. If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my disciple Hating is not to be understood absolutely but comparatively For it is not lawful to hate father or mother or brother He that hateth his brother is a murderer but hating is less
loving as Gen. 29.30 31. Matth. 24.13 He that endureth to the end shall be saved So that the terms on which Christ is willing to become ours are briefly these That we love and prefer Christ above all persons in the world even our nearest and dearest relations That we deny our selves that we are willing to under go all sufferings for Christ that we forsake all that we have for him that we follow him that we continue with him to the end of our dayes And as we must understand these terms so also approve of them and judge Christ and salvation by Christ worthy of all acceptation in these terms 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners And as we must receive Christ judiciously so also we must heartily and cordially accept of him on those terms on which he is willing to bestow himself upon us Christ and salvation by Christ is not be imbraced on any terms Lam. 3.29 He putteth his mouth in the dust if so be there may be hope We should not stick at abaseing our selves and lying in the dust which was used 〈◊〉 tâ—ken of deep humiliation Job 42.6 Jos 7.6 Or putting the mouth in the dust may signifie full subjection submitting to any thing though in it self ungrateful and distastful as licking the dust is distastful Is 49.23 A man throughly convinced of his lost estate will submit to any thing so there may be hope of salvation The returning Prodigal was willing to submit to any tearms so he might be received into his fathers family Luk. 15.19 Make me as one of thy hired servants David was content rather with the lowest place in Gods house than the highest preferments in the tents of wickedness Psal 84.10 I had rather be a door-keeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness 3. We may know that we receive Christ aright when nothing in Christ or of Christ is offensive to us but he is altogether lovely Some are offended at the Cross of Christ Christ Crucified was to the Jews a stumbling block to the Greeks Foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23 Some are offended at the Doctrine of Christ and of some Doctrines of the Gospel this is an hard saying who can bear it But when nothing of Christ nothing in Christ is offensive to us that argueth we are in a blessed condition Mat. 11.6 Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me VVhen all of Christ is lovely and desireable that is an evidence that he is ours Cant. 5.16 He is altogether lovely This is my beloved and my friend 4. VVe may know that we have rightly received Christ if we find that there is virtue come out of Christ into our Souls VVhen a distressed woman did but touch Christs Cloaths virtue went out of the Lord Jesus and healed the woman of the Plague that was upon her Mark 5.27 28 29 30. If upon the touching of Christs Cloaths virtue came out of him to heal the Distempers of the Body then much more upon receiving Christ into our hearts will virtue come out of Christ to heal our Souls But some may say what is that virtue that cometh out of Jesus Christ to those that receive Christ by Faith A. 1. There cometh a Sanctifying virtue from Christ Act 26.18 Who are Sanctified by Faith which is in me They that do rightly receive Christ do from that fulness of grace that is in him receive grace for grace John 1.16 And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace All we that is all we that have received Christ ver 12. have received of his fulness grace for grace that is grace answerable to those graces that are in Christ Humility answering the Humility that was in Christ Meekness answering the Meekness of Christ the heart is disposed and enclined to imitate the example of Christ 1 Joh. 4.17 As he was so are we in this world This is an evidence that we have received grace for grace from that fulness that is in Christ when our hearts are enclined to imitate the example of Christ 2. There cometh a sin subduing virtue from Jesus Christ when he is received by us As Dagon fell down to the Earth when the Ark was brought into the house of Dagon 1 Sam. 5.3 Behold Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the Ark of God And when the Philistines set up Dagon again he fell down again before the Ark and his head and hands were cut off there was nothing but the stump of Dagon left So it is when Christ is received into the heart the Idols of the heart are thrown down the power of indwelling corruption is subdued though the stump of sin abide still though the body of Death is still carried about with us yet the hands and the head as I may so say of the old man is taken away the power of sin is destroyed where Christ dwells he will not let sin be in dominion Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion over you because you are not under the Law but under grace 3. There is a soul strengthning virtue cometh from Christ where he is rightly received by Faith The Soul is strengthned both to do and suffer the will of God Act. 21.13 I am ready not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus When God hath given us a suffering Spirit that we are willing to suffer for Christ that is an evident token that God intends to give us Salvation Phil. 1.28 29. And in nothing terrified by yâ—â—r adversaries which is to them an evident token oâ— perdition but to you of Salvation and that of God For unto you it is given in the behalf if Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for his sake 4. VVe may know and be assured that we have a saving interest in Christ if we have the Spirit of Christ given to us For all they that have the Spirit of Christ are united to Christ he dwelleth in them and they dwell in him 1 Joh. 3.24 Hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 1 Joh. 4.13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit And all they that have not the Spirit of Christ are none of his he doth not he will not own them for his Rom. 8.9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his We see it is a plain case if we have the Spirit of Christ then we may know we may be sure that we are his and that he abideth and dwelleth in us but if we have not the Spirit of Christ then we may know we may be sure we are none of his But here some may say how shall we know whither we have the Spirit of Christ given to us or
no A. 1. By the illumination of our minds and understandings to know Christ and the free grace of God and those things which God hath freely given us for Christs sake By the light of nature we have some notions of good and evil of the punishment due to sin and a reward of Righteousness but the knowledge of Christ and the free grace of God and the mysteries of our Salvation proceedeth only from the Spirit of God Eph. 1.17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him Matth. 16.16 17. Thou art Christ the Son of the Living God and Jesus answered and said unto him blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in Heaven Flesh and Blood that is all that man can attain to by his own wisdom and understanding without the help of the Spirit of God will not bring a man to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ And as we can't attain the knowledge of Christ so neither of the free grace of God but by the Spirit of Christ 1 Cor. 2.11 12. The things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Now we have received not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given us of God And the like may be said of the mysteries of our Salvation we do not know the way and means by which we should get to Heaven till the Spirit of God gives us the knowledge of the mysteries of the K. of Heaven Mat. 13.11 It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given But seeing some men are enlightned by the word and Spirit of God that have no saving knowledge it will not be amiss to shew how we may know saving illumination from that illumination which is found in those that perish 1. The saving knowledge of Christ is accompanied with Faith in Christ When a man hath such a knowledge of Christ as causeth him to believe in Christ he is then made wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus Though a man have never such a great measure of knowledge of the holy Scriptures yet if he remain without Faith in Christ Jesus he is not wise unto Salvation 2. Saving knowledge causeth a man to do those things which we know to be the will of God If our knowledge be accompanied with obedience we need not doubt but it is saving knowledge for such as know and do the will of God shall be Everlastingly happy John 13.17 If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them Mat. 7.22 3. Saving knowledge maketh a man to be pure and peaceable and mercifull and to be easy to be entreated to do good to others and to be without partiality and hypocrisie Jam. 3.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easy to be entreated full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisie 2. We may know that we have the Spirit of Christ by those convictions which the Spirit works in the Consciences of those to whom he is given I will give instance in these two convictions of sin and convictions of Righteousness Joh. 16.7 8. When he is come he will reprove or as it is in the Margent convince the world of sin and of righteousness and judgment We may know that Christ hath sent his Spirit into our hearts by the convictions of sin and of righteousness and of judgment I shall speak only to the two first Where God giveth the Spirit of Christ he convinceth of sin But seeing natural Conscience may convince of sin as well as the Spirit of Christ how may we distinguish the convictions of the Spirit from the convictions of natural Conscience A. 1. Natural Conscience may convince of sins against the Law as Unrighteousness intemperance lying uncleanness c. But the Spirit convinceth of sins against the Gospel as not believing in Christ not loving Christ c. Joh. 16.8 9. He will reprove the world of sin of sin because they believe not in me Such as have the Spirit of Christ are troubled for and mourn over their unbelief as well as their sins against the Law Mark 9.24 The Father of the child cryed out and said with tears Lord I believe help thou mine unbelief 2. The Spirit of God convinceth a man of his evil heart and evil nature as well as of his evil actions Natural Conscience may convince a man of sinfull actions but doth not shew a man the evil root whence these proceed But the Spirit of God sheweth a man the plague of his heart and teacheth him to bemoan his Original as well as his Actual sin Psal 54.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me The Spirit of God sheweth a man his sinfull corrupt and wicked heart as well as his sinful life Jer. 17.9 The heart is deceitfull above all things and desperately wicked who can know it The Spirit of God teacheth a man to bewail the body of Sin and Death as well as the acts of sin Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this Death 3. When the Spirit convinceth a man of his sins he leadeth him to Christ and teacheth him to seek remission of his sins from the blood of Christ Psal 51.7 Purge me with hyssope and I shall be clean Hyssope was dipped in the blood of the Sacrifice and sprinkled upon the persons and things that were to be cleansed a Type of our being cleansed by the Blood of Christ 'T is as if he should have said Lord apply thy Sons Blood to my Soul and then I shall be cleansed from my sins So the Apostle when distressed with the sense of sin fetcheth his Consolation from Christ Jesus Rom. 7.24 25. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this Death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. But the convictions of natural Conscience either make a man desperate as we see in Judas who hanged himself or wear off by diverting to the pleasures and businesses of the world Saul when under trouble was quieted by Musick or else Conscience is eased by the doing some good works and doth fetch its ease from Christ And as the Spirit convinceth those to whom it is given of Sin so of Righteousness also Now where the Spirit convinceth of Righteousness he doth these things 1. He shews a man the imperfection of his own Righteousness that all the works of Righteousness which ever he did or is able to do are full of imperfections and so takes him off from resting in his
own Righteousness Isa 64.6 But we are all as an unclean thing and all our Righteousnesses are as filthy rags 2. He sheweth a man that there is perfect and compleat Righteousness to be had in Christ Isa 45.24 Surely shall one say in the Lord shall I have Righteousness and Strength 2 Cor. 5.22 He was made sin for us that knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him And he shews us that this Righteousness of Christ is for every one that believeth in him Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth He gives us to understand that Christ by his death hath fully satisfied Gods justice for all our sins and brought in Everlasting Righteousness because he rose from the dead and went to the Father and was not sent back again into the world to do any thing more for our Redemption Joh. 16.8 10. He shall reprove the world of Righteousness of Righteousness because I go to the Father and ye see me no more 3. He maketh a man to renounce all confidence in his own Righteousness and to flee to Christ that he may be found in him and have his Righteousness imputed to him Phil. 3.8 9. That I may win Christ and he found in him not having mine own Righteousness which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the Righteousness which is of God by Faith 3. We may know if we have the Spirit of Christ if we own Christ as our Lord and yield obedience to him as our Lord. For no man can call Christ Lord and obey him as Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost that is as Calvin per Spiritum sanctum inhabitantem regenerantem unless the holy Ghost dwell in him and hath regenerated him No man can say that Jesus is the Lord that is say it from his heart believingly and obediently so say it as to believe him to be our Lord and obey him as our Lord. It is the Spirit put into our hearts that bows our hearts to obey Christ and causeth us to walk in his wayes Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them Do we walk in Gods statutes If so this proceedeth from Gods Spirit which he hath put within us which causeth us to walk in his statutes Now we know that our obedience to the Gospel of Christ proceedeth from the holy ghost given to us these wayes 1. When it proceedeth from the heart when it is internal as well as external obedience Rom. 6.17 God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you 1 Pet. 1.22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit The Spirit puts us on purifying our souls as well as our bodies on inward as well as outward obedience 2. When it is universal that we are willing to obey Christ in all things Joh. 15.14 Ye are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you If the heart be disposed to obey Christ in all things we need not doubt of our interest in him but may be assured we are his friends that he doth and will own us for his friends And though we cannot attain to perfection in our obedience yet it is a good sign of a sincere heart when we have a respect to all the commands of Christ Psal 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy Commandments 3. When we obey Christ in supernatural duties I mean in such things as are above the power of nature and are cross and contrary to flesh and blood and contrary to a mans interest as self denyal forgiving injuries loveing enemies doing good to them that hate us plucking out our right eyes cutting off our right hands our obedience in such cases proceedeth from the Spirit of Christ Mat. 5.44.45 Love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that dispitefully use you and persecute you that ye may be the children of your father which is in heaven This doth evidence us to be the true children of God endued with the Spirit of God when we can obey Christ in such commands as are so cross to our corrupt natures as loving our enemies and doing good to them that hate us 4. When our obedience proceedeth from the Spirit he sheweth us the imperfection of our obedience and teacheth us to look tothe blood of sprinkling for the taking away the imperfections of our obedience and rendring our obedience acceptable to God 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ The obedience of Gods Elect which proceedeth from the sanctification of the Spirit needeth the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Though our persons be holy and our services holy yet there is need of Jesus Christ to render our most spiritual sacrifices our best duties acceptable to God 1 Pet. 2.5 You also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house an holy Priesthood acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 4. We may know we have the Spirit of Christ if he hath rendred Christ glorious in our our eyes and causeth us glorifie Christ The Spirit of Christ when and where he is given he debaseth man and exalteth and glorifieth Christ Joh. 16.14 He shall glorifie me He that is the Spirit of truth spoken of in the foregoing verse when he the Spirit of truth is come He shall glorifie me When Christ is glorified in us and by us that is a good evidence that we have the Spirit of Christ and that we are Christs Joh. 17.10 All mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them I will shew how the Spirit glorifieth Christ in those that are his 1. They that are Christs ascribe the glory of all that grace which is in them unto Christ they do not take the glory of it to themselves but acknowledge they have all from Christ Joh. 1.16 And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace They are taught to look upon every grace to be grace received not born with them not obtained or gotten by their own industry but received from Christs fulness 1 Cor. 15.10 By the grace of God I am what I am Whatever excellencies we have above others the Spirit of God teacheth us to ascribe all to the grace of God in and through Jesus Christ 2. The Spirit of God teacheth us to ascribe the glory of all the good which we think speak or do unto Christ For
God dwelleth with none he will save none but such as are new creatures For except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Joh. 3.3 3. He that is a new creature hath a renewed judgment a renewed will renewed affections and a renewed conversation Grace is like Heaven which dissuseth it self into the whole lump He hath a renewed judgment he judgeth sin to be the greatest evil whereas fools make a mock of sin And he judgeth the enjoyment of God the chiefest good whereas carnal persons make light of God Israel would none of me Deut. 32.15 He lightly esteemed the rock of his Salvation He judgeth all worldly enjoyments to be but vanity and heaven to be the best riches and choisest portion He hath a renewed will whereas before his will was averse to holiness inclined to that which is evil Now the bent of the will is towards God and against sin so that a man chooseth the things that please God and refuseth that which is offensive to God He hath renewed affections whereas his affections were set on things below now they are set on things above He hath a renewed Conversation and walketh in newness of life 4. He that is a new creature is taken off from his old foundation and built upon a new foundation An house may have much repairs done it the Windows may be enlarged the breaches that were made may be stopped up the walls may be whited over and yet this doth not make it a new house unless there be a new Foundation It is he the old house repaired and not a new house So here a man may reform many things as Herod did he may have more light in his understanding he may be like the Pharisees outwardly Righteous a painted Sepulchre and yet be no new creature the old man may lye hid under a form of Godliness he may be dressed up in a religious garb and yet such a man is not a new creature Now a man is taken of his old Foundation in these respects 1. He is taken off from expecting Righteousness and Life by the old Covenant or the Covenant of works For he is fully convinced that by the deeds of the law no flesh whatsoever can be justified in the sight of God Rom. 3.20 By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight Now till God takes a man off till the Lord instill renewing grace into a mans heart he seeks for Righteousness and Life by the works of the Law Rom. 9.31 32. But when God makes a man a new creature then he seeks after the new Covenant and expects Life and Righteousness by promise 1 Joh. 2.25 and upon terms of free grace Eph. 2.8 He lives upon the promises of the new Covenant 2. He that is taken off from his old foundation is taken off from trusting in himself in any thing that he hath done or can do and trusteth only in Christ and in what Christ hath done and suffered for us We naturally go about to establish our own Righteousness Rom. 10.3 But God takes us off from this and shews us that Christ is the Foundation on which we are to build our Faith and Hope Isa 28.16 1 Cor. 3.11 Such as are new creatures place all there hope of Salvation in Christ Act. 15.11 Heb. 10.19 3. When God hath taught a man self-denyal then he hath taken him off his old Foundation For an unregenerate man acts from self and for self self is his Principle he acts from and self is his rule he walks by and self is the end he aims at He seeks his own with his own profit his own interest he is a selfish man and prefers himself above God But when God makes a man a new creature he teacheth him to deny himself and to prefer God above himself he is acted then by new Principles and hath new ends in his actions Obedience to Gods command is his Principle and respect to Gods glory is his end 5. Jesus Christ is all in all to such as are new creatures Col. 3.10 11. Ye have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Where there is neither Greek nor Jew Circumcision nor Vncircumcision Barbarian nor Scythian bond nor free but Christ is all and in all When may Christ be said to be all and in all How are we to understand it that Christ is all and in all in these that are new Creatures A. 1. They place all there confidence in Christ and place no confidence in themselves or in their priviledges or performances 1 Joh. 5.14 This is the confidence we have in him Phil. 3.3 And have no confidence in the flesh 2. They glory more in Christ than in any priviledges or excellencies whatever Isa 45. ult In him shall all the seed of Israel be justified and in him shall they glory 3. They place all their blessedness not in Riches not in Friends not in any Worldly things but in Christ They reckon themselves blessed upon their enjoyment of Christ Isa 65.16 He who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth 4. They esteem others not for their priviledges or outward excellencies but by what of Christ they see in them and if they discern the grace of Christ in any men they will not slight them for want of outward things but will honour them because they belong to Christ Psal 15.4 He honoureth them that fear the Lord. Psal 40.4 2 King 3.13.14 Doubts about our being new creatures answered Obj. 1. It is said of those that are in Christ and are new creatures that old things are past away and all things are become new Now though through Gods mercy I find something of the renewing grace of God yet I feel still some remainders of the old man I cannot say that all old things are past away and that all things are become new and therefore I am afraid that I am not a new creature A. 1. We must distinguish between a new creature and a perfect creature We may be new creatures though we be not perfect creatures but have imperfections adhering to us There is no doubt but the Apostle Paul was a new creature yet he confesseth of himself that he was not perfect Phil. 3.12 Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect Job was a new Creature yet he disclaimed the saying he was perfect and if he had said it his impatient speeches under his afflictions would have proved his imperfection Joh. 9.20 If I justifie my self mine own mouth shall condemn me if I say I am perfect it shall prove me perverse Perfection of grace is the priviledge of the Saints in Heaven not of the Saints on Earth Heb. 12.22 23. Ye are come to the Heavenly Jerusalem and to the Spirits of just men made perfect 2. Renewing grace is carried on gradually in those
not good Eph. 4.19 3. If we find in our selves the grace of God as well as the remainders of Corruption we may conclude that notwithstanding our infirmities we are born again As for instance if we find that God hath given us hearts to love himself and to love one another this love is a grace of God and a manifest token that we are born again 1 Joh. 4.7 Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God 5. Crucifying the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is a good evidence of a saving interest Gal. 5.24 And they that are Christs have Crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts For the understanding of this Scripture we must enquire what is meant by Flesh what by the affections of the flesh what by the lusts and what by Crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts By the flesh is not meant the body but the corruption of our natures the works of the flesh spoken of ver 19.20 21. Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery Fornication Vncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance c. They that are Christs Crucifie these works of the flesh By the affections are meant sinfull affections when we set our affections on things unlawfull and when we set our affections inordinately on things that are lawfull all inordinate affections are to be mortified Col. 3.5 Mortifie your Members which are on the earth inordinate affections As for natural affections when kept in due bounds they are not to be Crucified for it is no virtue but a great degree of degeneracy to be without natural affection Such as are without natural affection are not reckoned among the Saints but among the chief of Sinners Rom. 1.31 Without understanding Covenant breakers without natural affection By lusts understand the inclinations of the heart unto evil things 1 Cor. 10.6 Now these are our Examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted Now to Crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts is to mortifie our corrupt natures with the works that proceed from it and not only to mortifie the works of the flesh but all inordinate affections and all lustings after evil things it is opposed to living after the flesh which will bring eternal death and is inconsistent with the grace of God and an interest in Christ Rom. 8.13 If ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live To Crucifie the flesh with the lusts and affectious is to dye to sin to put all our sins to Death a Metaphor taken from the Jews putting Christ to Death let us therefore consider what the Jews did to Christ when they Crucified him and see whether we have done the like to our sins and thereby we shall know whether we have Crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts 1. When the Jews Crucified Christ they found him out and had a token given to them whereby they should know him Joh 18.2 Judas which betrayed him knew the place Mat. 26.48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign saying whomsoever I shall kiss that same is he hold him fast So they that have Crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections have gotten the knowledge of their sins they know the plague of their hearts They can say as the Jews Isa 58.12 As for our iniquities we know them This is one step towards Reformation to discover what is amiss in our hearts and ways Psal 119.59 I thought on my ways and I turned my feet unto thy Testimony But if a man go no farther than the getting the knowledge of our sins and do not forsake them this will make us the greater Sinners by sinning against light 2. When the Jews had found out Christ they went with him to Caiaphas the high Priest and took counsel against Christ to put him to death Matth. 26.56 27.1 So they that have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts when they have found out their sins they ask counsel of God how they may put them to death how and by what means they may be delivered from their sins Rom. 7.24 Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death 3. When the Jews had taken counsel to put Christ to death they carry him to Pontius Pilate and there they accuse him and cry out to have him crucified Mark 15.3 The chief Priest accused him of many things ver 13. They cryed out crucifie him So they that have crucified the flesh and the lusts and affections accuse themselves before God for their sinful hearts and their vile affections and corrupt lusts Isa 64.6 We all are as an unclean thing Job 40.4 Behold I am vile And they cry out to God to Crucifie their lusts and to deliver them from all their Transgressions Psal 39.8 Deliver me from all my Transgressions 4. They judged and condemned Christ before Pilate and said that by their Law he ought to dye and would not let Pilate rest till he had condemned him and delivered him up to be crucified Joh. 19.7 We have a Law and by our Law he ought to dye Mark 14.64 They all condemned him to be guilty of death Luk. 23.24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required So they that have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts judge and condemn themselves in the presence of God as worthy to dye eternally And they judge and condemn their sins they are satisfied in their judgements that according to the Law of God they ought to put their sin to death and they will give God no rest till he hath sent his Spirit into their hearts to Crucifie the flesh with the lusts and affections 5. The Jews after Christ was Condemned hung him up on the Cross and made him fast with Nails to the Cross and would not suffer him to be taken down till he had given up the Ghost So they that have Crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts do lay hold on Christ Crucified for the Crucifying their flesh with all its corrupt lusts And it is the sixed purpose of their hearts by the help of Christ to suppress all sinfull lusts and inordinate affections and to refrain from all sinfull speeches and practices Thus David was carefull to suppress and keep down Pride in his heart Psal 131.1 Lord my heart is not haughty And to suppress the frowardness and discontent of his heart Psal 101.4 A froward heart shall depart from me If frowardness got into his heart under the disorders and crosses that were in his family he would not suffer it to abide with him it should quickly depart from him he was carefull also to suppress inordinate affections to the World Psal 119.36 Encline my heart to thy Testimonies and not unto Covetousness And all
of grace ver 14. Sin shall not have dominion over you because ye are not under the Law but under Grace Now the dominion of sin may be taken away though sin be not wholly dead in the soul As it was with those beasts spoken of Dan. 7.12 Their dominion was taken away yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time So the dominion of sin may be taken away in that soul where the life of it is prolonged for a little season But here some may say How may we know whether sin reigns in us or whether the dominion of sin be taken away I Answer When we yield willing obedience to the motions and dictates of sin then sin reigns in us Rom. 6.12 Let not sin reign in your mortal bodies that you should obey it in the lusts thereof and ver 16. Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness When it is a mans usual course to yield ready obedience to the motions and sollicitations of sin it is a plain case sin reigns in such a man and he is the servant of sin As it is an argument that a man is in Authority when his commands are obeyed Matth. 8.9 I am a man under authority having souldiers under me and I say to this man go and he goeth and to another come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doth it So it is an argument that sin is in authority when the motions of sin are are obeyed when we go and come and do as we are moved and enclined by the lusts of our own hearts But where the motions and lusts of the flesh are resisted striven against suppressed there sin is not in dominion though it may still abide and dwell in us 6. If our doubtings of our interest in Christ arise from hence that we fear we have not Crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof let us set our selves more vigorously about this work to Mortifie and Crucifie the lusts and affections of the flesh and to that end let us make use of these helps 1. Let us walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 This I say then walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh There will be lustings of the Flesh against the Spirit as long as we live in this world but if we walk in the Spirit we shall be thereby kept from the fulfilling of the lust of the flesh 2. Put on Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts of it that will be a means to mortifie the corruption of your natures Rom. 13.14 Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof 3. Meditate on the passion and sufferings of Christ and rest upon Christ for the grace that he hath purchased by his death to mortifie the flesh with the lusts and affections Gal. 6.14 Rom. 6.6 Tit. 2.14 4. Apply the promises which are effectual means to purge out our corrupt natures and to make us partakers of the divine nature and to help us to escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust Promises of renewing our natures and purging out the corruption of our hearts you may see Ezek. 36.26 A new heart will I give you And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh Deut. 30.6 The Lord thy God shall Circumcise thine heart 6. Loving Christ above all things is a certain evidence of a saving interest in Christ If we can say of Christ with the Spouse he is my Beloved or as the Dutch render it my best Beloved then we may say he is mine and I am his It was the Spouses sincere love to Christ that caused her to say with confidence that Christ was hers and she was his My Beloved is mine and I am his As we may know that we are passed from Death to Life by our love to the Members of Christ 1 Joh. 3.14 We know that we have passed from Death to Life because we love the brethren So we may also know our translation into a state of life by our love to Jesus Christ and may say we know we are passed from Death to Life because we love the Lord Jesus Christ That a sincere love to Christ which is a loving Christ above all things is a sure evidence of a saving interest in Christ will appear hence because eternal life and all manner of blessings are promised to those that love Christ in sincerity Jam. 2.5 Hearken my beloved brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Eph. 6.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity But as for those that love any things or persons more than they love Jesus Christ though the dearest friends they have in all the world they shall not be owned of Christ for his Mat. 10.37 He that loveth Father or Mother more than me is not worthy of me and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than me is not worthy of me See also Luk. 14.26 But how shall we know whether we love Christ above all Things and Persons in the World A. 1. By our valuing esteeming and preferring Christ above all things in the World What we love most that we esteem and value most 1 Thes 5.11 Esteem them very highly in love Now we may know that we have the highest esteem for Christ of all things and persons in the World 1. When we will part with any thing rather than part with Christ when we are willing to suffer the loss of any thing yea of all things so that we may win Christ Mat. 13.45 46. The wise Merchant shewed that he esteemed the Pearl that he had found to be of great price when he sold all that he had to purchase it Phil. 3.8 The Apostle Paul shewed his preferring Christ above all by his suffering the loss of all things for Christ and this turned to him for a Testimony that Christ was his yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things 2. When all other things are counted but as dross and dung in comparison of Christ Phil. 3.8 For whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ When other things are undervalued and
made light of in comparison of Christ Eccl. 2.27 Solomon having spoken of Mirth Musick Riches Stately Buildings Gardens Orchards the peculiar treasure of Kings c. Saith all is vanity and vexation of Spirit But speaking of Christ saith Cant. 5.10 My beloved is the chief among ten thousand But when men have great thoughts of the world and make light of Christ 't is a sign they have no interest in him suum cuique pulchrum Every one valueth and prizeth his own things 3. It is a sign that we esteem Christ above all things when in matters of deliberation we prefer Christs will above our own will and Christs interest above our own interests and the Glory of God above all our own concernments As it was with Christ when he was in great danger and deliberating what he should do whether he should pray for deliverance from Death or expose himself to suffer Death he resolved upon what was most for the Glory of God and preferred the Glory of God above his own Life Joh. 12.27 28. Now is my Soul troubled and what shall I say Father save me from this hour but for this cause came I to this hour Father Glorifie thy name So the grace of Christ teacheth every Christian in such cases as come under deliberation to prefer the glory of God above all worldly concernments 2. We may know we love Christ above all things in the world when we desire Christ and the favour of God in Christ above all things in the World For what we love best that we shall desire most Our love is discovered by our desires Now there is no good in this World is so much desired by gracious souls as the favour of God in Christ Psal 4.6 There be many that say who will shew us any good Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us There is nothing in all the world that is desired by gracious persons like the enjoyment of God and Christ and they that find such desires after Christ may conclude that they have a saving interest in Christ and that God is and will be their portion for ever Psal 73.25 26. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee My Flesh and my Heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever That desiring Christ above all things is an evidence of a gracious state appears hence because Unregenerate men have no desires after Christ Their Language concerning Christ is there is no beauty that we should desire him Isa 53.2 If you ask how shall we know that we desire Christ above all things A. 1. When the main thing that we seek after is to get Christ and Salvation by Christ For what we truly and heartily desire that we shall seek after and pray for Psal 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after Rom. 10.1 Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved VVhere there is no seeking after Christ and Salvation by Christ no praying to God for Christ there are no hearty desires after Christ 2. VVhere Christ is desired above all things if the Lord should give us leave to ask what we would have given to us as he did Solomon 1 King 3.5 Ask what I shall give thee VVhat would we ask of God would we not ask Salvation by Christ If we would choose Christ above Riches above Honours and Pleasures above all the World that shews that we desire Christ above all things 3. We may know that we desire Christ above all things when the enjoyment of Christ is sweeter to us than the enjoyment of any thing in this World Prov. 13.19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the Soul Now do we find a sweetness in Christ Are not the fruits and benefits we have by his Death sweet and precious Cant. 2.3 His fruit was sweet to my tast Are not the thoughts of Christ sweeter and more pleasing than the thoughts of Riches or Honours or Pleasures Psal 104.34 My meditation of him shall be sweet Is not the word of Christ his gracious promises sweeter than all earthly delights Psal 119.103 How sweet are thy words to my tast yea sweeter than hony to my mouth When we find a greater sweetness in Christ than in all other things it is a sign that we desire him and delight in him above all things 3. We may know that we love Christ above all things when he is our chiefest joy and delight For what we love most as we desire it most when we want it so we delight and joy in it most when we possess it Cant. 7.6 How pleasant art thou O my love for delights Now we may know that Christ is our chiefest joy and delight these ways 1. When we have greater joy from the apprehension of the love of God in Christ then from all riches or worldly enjoyments Psal 21.6 Thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance Davids joy and gladness which he had from the light of Gods countenance was exceeding great joy it did exceed all the joy that the greatest confluence of worldly comforts could afford to him or any other man Psal 4.6 7. Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their Corn and Wine encreased 2. Then Christ is our chiefest joy when we can joy in God and Christ when our other joys and comforts are taken from us Hab. 3.17 18. Although the figtree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be on the vine the labour of the Olive shall fail and the Fields shall yield no Meat the Flock shall be cut off from the Fold and there shall be no Herd in the stall yet I will rejoyce in the Lord and joy in the God of my Salvation Isa 24.11 13 14. All joy is darkned and the mirth of the land is gone When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the People there shall be as the shaking of an Olive Tree and as the gleaning grapes when the Vintage is done They shall lift up their voice they shall sing for the Majesty of the Lord. 3. Then Christ is our chiefest joy when all other joys and comforts are as nothing to us when we want Christ and the sense of the love of God in Christ but in the midst of all our enjoyments we are in a troubled condition through the hidings of Gods face Psal 30.7 Thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled It was not Davids Riches his Honours his Crown and Kingdom that could make up the want of the light of Gods countenance but in the midst of his greatest enjoyments and highest preferment he was in a troubled condition when he was under the hidings of Gods face Mary wept for want of Christ when she saw and conversed with Angels Joh. 20.11 12 13. The seeing
Lords because he had sought his Precepts Psal 119.94 I am thine save me for I have sought thy Precepts Now when may we be said to have sought Gods Precepts A. 1. When we are desirous to know the Commandments of God in order to doing them and therefore when any doubtfull cases occurr we will do nothing rashly till we have considered whither it be agreeable to the Commandments of God and when we can't find out what the Lord hath commanded in this or the other thing we go to God to discover his will to us Psal 119.12 19. Teach me thy Statutes hide not thy Commandements from me When we thus seek to God to teach and reveal his will to us we may be said to seek his Precepts 2. We seek Gods Precepts when we seek to him for grace to keep his Precepts and say with David Psal 119.5 Oh that my ways were directed that I could keep thy Precepts Psal 143.10 Teach me to do thy will 3. It is an argument that we love Christ and so consequently that we have an interest in him when we set his Commandements before us as our rule and walk after them though we be not able to walk up to them 2 Ep. Joh. 6. And this is love that we walk after his Commandements 4. Though you can't obey Christ perfectly yet are you not willing and desirous to obey Christ better even to obey him in all things It is an argument that a man hath a good Conscience and is in a good estate when he is willing in all things to live Honestly Heb. 13.18 We trust we have a good Conscience in all things willing to live honestly 5. If our obedience be sincere though it be imperfect obedience it is a sign that we have a saving interest in Christ and are his peculiar people Exod. 19.5 Now therefore if ye will obey my voice in deed then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people Grace that is the love of God and all those blessings which he is wont to give out of his love and free grace to the Children of men shall be unto all them that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity although they do not love him in perfection Eph. 6.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Grace be with all them that is shall be with them and continue with them for ever See more in the last Chapter of this Treatise CHAP. II. Of the Grounds of Consolation under natural troubles and desolations IF Interest in Christ be a ground of Consolation under all the troubles of this Life then let us seek comfort in Christ and from Christ under national troubles when ruin and desolation is coming upon the Nations either by Forreign Invasion or by Tumults Insurrections or Massacres at home when dreadful judgments as the Sword Pestilence or Famine are upon us in the worst times imaginable there is comfort to be had in Christ as you may see from such Scriptures as these Mich. 5.5 And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into the Land The man spoken of here is the man Christ Jesus who being the Son of God became man for our sakes That the Prophet is here treating of Christ who was to be born at Bethlehem is evident from ver 2. And because what is said of this man that he shall be the peace is applyed to Christ Eph. 2.14 For he is our peace Now it is said of our Lord Jesus that he shall be the peace when a Forreign Enemy should invade the Land namely when the Assyrian should come into the land And what manner of People were these Assyrians The Assyrians were Idolaters 2 Chron. 28.23 And Idolaters are bitter enemies to the Worshippers of the true God They were great enemies to Israel and came with open mouth to devour the Israelites Isa 9.12 The Assyrians were the rod of Gods anger and the staff of his indignation who was sent by God to tread down a sinful people like mire in the streets Isa 10.5 6. Yet Christ was the peace of his people in such a dismal and bloody day when the Assyrian was sent into the land to tread down all ranks and degrees of men like mire in the streets Another Scripture that shews us there is comfort to be had in Christ in times of greatest confusion when all places and persons are in an uproar and all things are turned upside down and there is no peace to be had either at sea or land We have Psal 46.4 There is a River the Streams whereof make glad the City of God For opening this Scripture let us consider This River may signifie the Lord Jesus Christ For it is said of him Isa 32.2 He shall be as Rivers of water in a dry place Is is frequent with the Scriptures to set out Christ by a Fountain and Rivers of Waters As Isa 33.21 The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers Zach. 13.1 In that day there shall be a Fountain opened Jer. 2.14 They have forsaken me the Fountain of Living VVaters All the gladness of the City of God comes from this River namely from Christ the consolation of Israel The streams that issue from this River are the benefits that we have from Christ as pardon of sin reconciliation with God hope of eternal life and the like and all those good things which God for Christs sake giveth to us and doth for us The fruits and benefits which we have by the death and intercession of Christ are a great refreshing to the people of God in their greatest troubles When the Spouse of Christ was under the scorching heat of persecution She found great delight and sweetness in meditating on those benefits she had by Christ Cant. 2.3 I sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet unto my tast The benefits we have by Christ comprehends all those great things which the Lord hath been wont to do for his People in all ages which puts great gladness into their hearts Psal 126.3 The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad The City of God which is made glad by the streams of this River are the people of God in all ages and all places of the world Now let us see what dismal times are pointed at what great calamities are mentioned in this Psalm under all which the City of God is made glad by the streams that issue from this River 1. He supposeth such times wherein the earth should be removed and carried into the midst of the Sea ver 2. which signifieth the utter and irrecoverable destruction of mighty Kingdoms for its usual with the Scripture to set out States and Kingdoms by Mountains and the destruction and desolation of Kingdoms by removing the earth and removing the mountains Isa 24.1 3 19 20. Jer. 51.25 The removing these mountains into the midst of the Sea may signifie their
perpetual and irrecoverable destruction 2. The Psalmist speaks of the roaring of the waters and their being troubled and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof and this may signifie great tumults and uproars among the people such as may make the stoutest hearted persons to tremble Psal 74.4 Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy Congregation The Scripture setteth forth multitudes of people by waters As Rev. 17.15 And the roaring of these waters make the mountains shake that is make the stoutest and most couragious men to fear and tremble Psal 18.4 The floods of ungodly men made me afraid When ungodly men that have no fear of God before their eyes were in an uproar were gathered together and bore down all before them like a flood it made even David himself to be afraid 3. By the removing the earth and roaring of the waters are meant all places being full of trouble wars at Sea and Land the whole world full of stirs and commotions yet we will not fear 4. What the Psalmist expressed Metaphorically ver 2.3 he expresseth more plainly ver 6. The Heathen raged the Kingdoms were moved he uttered his voice the earth melted That is there should be such dreadfull judgments called for by God such ragings of the Heathen such commotions of the Kingdoms as should make mens hearts to melt with grief and fear For the heart is melted with grief Psal 119.28 My Soul melteth for heaviness Luk. 21.26 Mens hearts failing them for fear 5. He speaketh of dreadfull desolations to be made in the earth by the Lord such as might make men stand still and behold them ver 8. Come behold the works of the Lord what desolations he hath made in the earth Yet under all these desolations when the Heathen rage and the Kingdoms are moved when there are such troubles as make mens hearts to melt within them when the earth is removed and the mountains are carried into the Sea when the waters roar and are troubled when the mountains shake with the swelling thereof There is a River the streams whereof make glad the City of God There is comfort in Christ under the greatest ruins and desolations that come upon Kingdoms and Nations yea upon the whole world And here we may take notice of some of these streams of this River some of these benefits we have by Christ which are matters of joy in our greatest calamities which are hinted in this Psalm 1. The Lords people shall through Christ and for Christs sake have the Lords presence with them in all the commotions and desolations that come upon the world and this makes glad the City of God and settles the faith and hope of the people of God ver 5. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved ver 7. The Lord of hosts is with us This is three times mentioned that the Lord is with his people as being a prime antidote to expell their fears and comfort their hearts Is 41.10 Fear not I am with thee yea under dismal calamities when the Lord is pouring out his fury and is pleading against us with fire and sword and is leading his people through the depths of trouble and fiery tryals this is a singular comfort to have God with us Isa 42.24 25. compared with 43.1 2. 2. Another of those streams which make glad the City of God under calamitous times is that they have a refuge to flee to and that this refuge is God himself and that this God who is their refuge is the God of Jacob. This is also three times hinted in this Psalm ver 1 7 11. God is our refuge The God of Jacob is our refuge The God of Jacob is our refuge It is comfortable to have a refuge to flee to in a storm a refuge to flee to where we may be safe But most comfortable to have God himself the great God the eternal God the Al-mighty Al-sufficient God the faithfull God the infinitely near and gracious and loving God for our refuge And it is an addition to our comfort that this God who is our refuge hath stiled himself the God of Jacob. For that implyeth 1. That he that was Jacobs refuge when he was in great distress and afraid of his brother Esau who hated Jacob and had taken up a resolution to kill him Gen. 27.41 And to come against Jacob with four hundred men which made Jacob afraid that he intended to kill him and his wives and children Gen. 32.6 7 11. yet God was Jacobs refuge in this great strait and so over-ruled Esau's heart that he did Jacob no harm 2. That God is and will be a refuge to poor weak and shiftless creatures such as are but worms in their own and others account despicable persons he will help and take care of them in the time of trouble Isa 41.13 14. I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand saying unto thee fear not I will help thee Fear not thou worm Jacob and ye men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord and thy redeemer the holy one of Israel 3. That is and will be a refuge to such as are in a deserted condition and are ready to say they are forsaken of God for some of the seed of Jacob are ready to say their way is hid from the Lord yet the Lord is their God and their refuge Isa 40.27 Why sayest thou O Jacob and speakest O Israel My way is hid from the Lord and my judgement is passed over from my God Compar'd with Isa 41.8 10. But thou Israel art my servant and Jacob whom I have chosen Fear thou not for I am with thee Be thou not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness 3. Another stream issuing from this river which maketh glad the City of God mentioned in this Psalm is that God will be his people's strength in troublous times and a present help both in trouble and out of trouble v. 1 5. God is our strength a very present help in trouble God shall help her and that right early Now this is a great comfort to have God for our strength and help in all our troubles Psal 21.1 The king shall cry in thy strength O Lord Psal 28.7 The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusted in him and I am helped therefore my heart greatly rejoyceth and with my song will I praise him I will instance in some grounds of consolation under natural troubles as invasion of Forreign Enemies Massacres Pestilence or other desolating judgements 1. It is a great ground of comfort to all the members of Christ under national calamities that there is nothing done in the world or to any Kingdom or any City or any particular person but by the Providence of God I shall Prove this that all things that are done in the world come to pass by the providence of God and then shew
they have on every side Job 1.10 Hast thou not made an hedge about him and about his house and about all that he hath on every side His care extends even to the least of all their concernments to the very hairs of their heads Mat. 10.30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbred 3. It is a constant and continual care He takes care of them at all times both by night and by day and in all places when they go out and come in at home and abroad Isa 27.3 I the Lord do keep it I will water it every moment least any hurt it I will keep it night and day This promise relates to the Lords Vineyard mentioned in the foregoing verse And by his Vineyard is meant all the members all that belong to Christ who is the true Vine Joh. 15.1 I am the vine Isa 5.7 The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel This vineyard being exposed to many adversaries if the hedge should be removed from the vineyard every one would be ready to pluck the vines Psal 80.12 13. Therefore the Lord himself doth and will keep it I the Lord do keep it I will keep it And see the extensiveness of Gods care for his vineyard both as to the persons and times he will keep it from being hurt by any person at any time Least any hurt it I will keep it night and day And consider the times to which this promise relates and they are times of greatest danger VVhen God is taking his sore and great and long Sword into his hand to punish his and his Churches Adversaries which are as subtle as Serpents as cruel as the Dragon as strong and potent as the Leviathan ver 1. It relates also to that day wherein God is rising out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquities Chap. 26. ver 21. In that day when he is punishing the inhabitants of the earth and sending sore judgments on such as are like the Serpents and Dragons he will keep his vineyard night and day least any hurt it Another Scripture that sets out the constancy of Gods care for his People's welfare VVe have Psal 121.5 6 7. Behold he that keepeth Israel will not slumber nor sleep The Lord is thy keeper the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand The Sun shall not smite thee by day nor the Moon by night The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil How safe are they that have the Lord for their Keeper when we sleep and can take no care of our selves he that keepeth Israel neither slumbereth nor sleepeth He keepeth us from all evil by night and by day For that is the meaning of the Sun shall not smite thee by day nor the Moon by night For the Sun that ruleth the day and the Moon that ruleth the night Gen. 1.16 'T is as much as to say he will keep us from all harms he will keep us in safety day and night The care that the Lord taketh of his people is like the care that God took of the land of Canaan which was as Moses saith Deut. 11.12 A Land which the Lord thy God careth for the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year Such is the care that the Lord hath of his people his eyes are always upon them for good from the beginning of the year to the end of the year The Lord taketh care of all his people from the day of their birth yea from their being in the womb to their old age yea to the day of our death Isa 46.3 4. Psal 48. ult He will be our guide even untill death And as the Lord taketh the care of his people at all times both by night and by day so also in all places whithersoever they go he goeth with them to keep them in all places and to preserve their going out and their coming in Josh 1.9 The Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest Gen. 28.15 Behold I am with thee to keep thee in all places whither thou goest Psal 121.8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and even for evermore What a comfort is this when the way we are to pass through is full of danger either by reason of the Sword or Pestilence or any other evil that we have a God that will go along with us whithersoever we go 4. That care which the Lord taketh of his people is a wonderfull great care the Lord Jesus is so carefull of all his Members that they are never out of his eye Job 36.7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous whether they go into any parts of the earth still his eyes are upon them for good 2 Chron. 16.9 The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him And the greater their dangers are the more the eye of God is upon them Psal 33.18 19. Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him upon them that hope in his mercy to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine The Lord would have us take notice for our comfort that when we are in danger of death by famine or other judgments his eye is upon us and therefore there is a note of attention prefixed Behold the eye of the Lord The Lord is so carefull of his people that they are never out of his thoughts Isa 442. O Israel thou shalt not be forgotten of me What the Lord said of Solomons temple 2 Chron. 7.16 Mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually The same may be said of all true Christians who are the temple of God 2 Cor. 6.16 Gods eyes and his heart are upon them perpetually The Lord is so careful of his people that they are never out of his arms Deut. 33.3 27. All his Saints are in thy hand The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting armes He is so carefull of his people that he layes his lambs and carries them in his bosom Isa 40.11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather his lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom When the Wolves are abroad the lambs are safe as long as they are in the shepherds bosom 5. Ans The Lord is exceeding carefull of all his people himself so also he hath sent forth all his Angels to minister to their necessities and given them a great charge to keep them in all their wayes and to enca up round about them and deliver them out of all their dangers Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them whoshall be heirs of salvation Psal 91.11 12. He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes they shall
bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a stone The angels have a charge to keep us in all our wayes whether soever we go in all the wayes of our general and particular calling they shall bear thee up in their hands as nurses carry their children having them alwayes in their eye lest thou dash thy foot against a stone They have a charge not onely to keep us from great but from lesser evils not onely from bruising our bodies breaking our necks or our bones but from dashing our feet against a stone Psal 34.7 The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Suppose the times be very dangerous yet as long as we have a guard of Angels about us we need not be afraid One Angel is a better guard and security to us than an Army of an Hundred Thousand Men. Angels have greater power than the greatest and most valiant Armies of Armed men VVe read of a great Army an Hundred Fourscore and Five Thousand Men destroyed in a night by one Angel Isa 37.36 And therefore such as fear God are in a safe condition in dangerous times because the Angels of God encamp round about them to deliver them Obj. How is this true that the Lord taketh such a special continual exceeding great care of all his Peopole when many of the people of God fall into very great straits and troubles and though they cry to God he seemeth not to regard them but they think themselves forgotten and forsaken of God A. 1. Eminent dangers and great tribu lations accompanied with a long deferring of desired and expectd help have staggered the Faith of eminent Saints and made them ready to think that God did not regard them and took no care of them Job 30.20 I cry unto thee and thou dost not hear I stand up and thou regardest me not When the Disciples were in a great storm and ready to perish they were ready to think that Christ took no care of them Mark 4.38 Master carest thou not that we perish Isa 49.14 Zion said the Lord hath forsaken me and my God hath forgotten me 2. Sharp afflictions and long exercises of Faith and Patience are consistent with the Fatherly love of God and his tender care over us He may chide us for our faults speak against us write and act bitter things against us and yet have a dear love to us and a continual and affectionate remembrance of us Jer. 31.20 Ever since I spake against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him God spake against Ephraim God acted against Ephraim Thou hast chastised me Yet Ephraim was his dear Son his pleasant Child he had an earnest remembrance of him and his bowels were troubled for him Rev. 3.19 Whom I love I rebuke and chasten 3. If we consult Gods word and judge of Gods dealings with us by Faith and not by Sense Faith will teach us to say God is with us and takes care of us when Sense saith God hath forgotten and forsaken us Isa 49.14 15 16. Zion was graven upon the palms of Gods hands and her walls were continually before the Lord and God was more mindfull of her than any Mother of her sucking Child when she thought her self forgotten and forsaken of God Now this care which the Lord takes of his people is a ground of great comfort in all their troubles VVhen Paul was a Prisoner at Rome it was a great comfort to him in his Bonds when he understood the care that the Philippians took of him Phil 4.10 But I rejoyced in the Lord greatly that now at the last your care of me hath flourish'd again wherein you were carefull but ye lacked opportunity If the Apostle had great joy to see that the Philippians took care of him in his Bonds what joy may it be to us to hear of the care that the great God takes of us in all our troubles VVhat is the care of a man to the care of a God The Philippians care of the Apostle was unconstant one while they were mindfull of him and then they either forgot or neglected him as appears by that expression your care of me hath flourished again which implyeth a decay in their care and it was a good while before it flourished again as is intimated in those words now at last your care of me But God 's care is constant without intermission VVhen the Philippians were carefull of Paul they lackâ—d opportunity to do what they desired to do for him but God never lacketh opportunity of doing us good If Paul then rejoyced greatly of the care the Philippians took of him how ought we to rejoyce in that care which the great God taketh of us What the Apostle saith to the Colossians Col. 2.1 I wish you knew what great care so the word is expressed in the Margin I have for you And why was he so desirous that they might know the great care he had for them That their hearts might be comforted ver 2. So may I say to all you that belong to Christ I wish you knew what great care the Lord takes for you at all times it would wonderfully comfort your hearts in all your dangers and troubles 3. That God who ruleth and governeth the world by his providence and taketh such a great care of his is an infinitely wise God and the wisdom and knowledge of God is a ground of great comfort under all Personal and National Calamities Psal 31.7 I will be glad and rejoyce in thy mercy for thou hast considered my trouble thou hast known my Soul in adversities It was a great comfort to David that God knew all his adversities and considered all his troubles VVhen Daniel foresaw the great changes God would make in the world in removing Kings and setting up Kings and changing the Monarchies and government of the Kingdoms of the earth the consideration of the wisdom of God manifested in those changes and revolutions made him break out into blessing and praising God Dan. 2.20 21. Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever for Wisdom and Might are his And he changeth the times and the seasors he removeth Kings and he setteth up Kings Yet Daniel who blessed God for changing times and seasons knew that sometimes when God makes changes in Kingdoms he sets up the basest of men to be Rulers Dan. 4.17 The most high ruleth in the Kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will and setteth ever it the basest of men That we may see what comfort ariseth from the wisdom and knowledge of God in times of great distress let us consider these 4 or 5 things 1. The Lord knoweth who are his who they are that put their trust in him and make God their refuge he can call them every one by their names so that there is no danger that any of his should perish through a mistake in times of confusion
when he is sending his judgments upon wicked men 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his Some of the Lords People walk in darkness and do not know that they are the Lords but there is no darkness with the Lord he knoweth them that are his Nah. 1.7 The Lord is good a strong hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that trust in him The Lord hath such perfect knowledge of all that are his that wheresoever they are dispersed or scattered into any parts of the world he can call them every one by name Joh. 10.3 14. He calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out I am the good Shepherd and know my Sheep The Stars are so many that no man can number them yet the Lord calleth every one of them by their name Psal 147.4 He telleth the number of the Stars he calleth them all by their names And he that calleth the Stars by their names he knoweth and can call every one by his name Now this is a great comfort to us that God knoweth us by name Moses speaketh of it as a great favour that God knew him by name Exod. 33.12 Thou hast said I know thee by name and thou hast found grace in my sight 2. The Lord knoweth how to guide and direct his judgments that they shall fall upon and take hold of those only that are marked out and designed for destruction What is said of the Thunder and Lightning Job 37.3 He directeth it under the whole Heaven and his Lightnings unto the end of the earth The Thunder and Lightning touch no person do no damage to any man but at the direction of God The same is true of other judgments also VVhen a certain man drew a bow at a venture it was God guided the Arrow to the King of Israel and that directed it to go between the joynts of the Harness 1 King 22.34 When the Lord sent several plagues on the land of Egypt he so ordered and guided his judgments that they fell only on the Egyptians and did not touch the Israelites yea he did not only distinguish between the persons of the Israelites and the Egyptians but also between their Cattel Exod. 9.4 The Lord shall sever between the cattel of Israel and the cattel of Egypt there shall nothing dye of all that is the children of Israels 3. The Lord knoweth our conditions what dangers we are in what troubles and sorrows we meet with what straits and distresses are upon us Exod. 7. And the Lord said I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt and have heard their cry by reason of their Task-masters for I know their sorrows Psal 38.9 Lord all my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid rom thee When we are in great straits and have friends that are able to help us we are ready to say Oh that such a friend did but know how it is with me The Child is ready to say Oh that my Father knew how it was with me and the Wife is ready to say in distress Oh that my Husband knew how it was with me Our God who is our Friend our Father our Husband always knoweth how it is with us and may not this comfort us in our sorrows 4. The Lord knoweth all our adversaries their wrath and fury their plottings and contrivances against us Psal 69.19 Mine adversaries are all before thee When the Assyrian came with great rage against Jerusalem their doings and contrivances were not hid from the Lord Isa 37.28 I know thy abode and thy going out and thy coming in and thy rage against me 5. The Lord knoweth how to deliver us out of all our troubles when we our selves can't see or think which way we shall be delivered 2 Pet. 2.9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations 4. This God that governs the world and takes care of his people is acquainted with all their troubles is an Almighty God able to succour save and defend them from their greatest danger and distresses and this Almighty power of God is a ground of great comfort in times of greatest dangers and distresses Psal 2.1 The king shall joy in thy strength O Lord. David had many enemies and some of them very potent Princes were his persecutors and what was his comfort under all his dangers and troubles The power of God It rejoyced his heart when he considered what a strong God he had to be his helper The Lord himself proposeth his creating power as a ground of Comfort to his people against the fury and power of their adversaries Isa 51.11 12. I even I am he that comforeth thee who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye and of the Son of man which shall be made as grass And forgettest the Lord thy maker that hath stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth This power of God is a ground of comfort in times of greatest danger in several respects 1. The power of God is an Almighty power There is nothing so hard but the power of God is able to do it Jer. 32.17 He can do every thing that he pleaseth Job 42.2 I know that thou canst do every thing and that no thought can be with-holden from thee There are no dangers so great but God can deliver us out of them Daniel was in great danger when he was in a Den of Lyons yet God delivered him out of the Lions Den. David was in greater danger than Daniel when he was in the Lyons paw yet God delivered him out of the Lyons paw 1 Sam. 17.37 Paul was in greater danger than David who was in the Lyons mouth yet God delivered him out of the mouth of the Lyon 2 Tim. 4.17 I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion Jonah was in greater danger than Paul when he was in the fishes belly yet God delivered Jonah out of the fishes belly Jonah 3.1.10 God can deliver us out of the hands of the strongest and most enraged enemies Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest Monarch in the world all People Nations and Languages trembled before him Dan. 5.19 And he was greatly enraged against the 3 Children because they would not worship the golden image which he had set up and he threatned the same hour that they refused to worship his image they should be cast into a burning fiery furnace yet hear what they said to him Dan. 3.16 17. O Nebuchadnezzar we are not carefull to answer thee in this matter If it be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery Furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand O King 2. This Almighty power of God is engaged for our defence to take the care of us and defend us all the days of our lives Job 23.25 Tea the Almighty shall be our defence Now this is
a great comfort under greatest troubles that we have the Almighty God for our defence Psal 94.19 22. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my Soul And what were his comforts when he had many troubled thoughts Among other comforts this was none of the meanest that though he had mighty enemies that thirsted after his blood yet he had the Almighty God for his defence ver 22. But the Lord is my defence and my God the rock of my refuge Yea this is a ground of the highest joy and of everlasting joy under all the changes and revolutions that come upon the world that the Almighty God is a defence to all that put their trust in him Psal 5.11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoyce let them ever shout for joy because thou defendest them Shouting for the joy is the highest expression of joy now they all they that put their trust in God have cause not only to rejoyce but to shout for joy and that for ever because God defendeth them 3. That Almighty power which is engaged for the defence of all that trust in God is an everlasting strength The Lords arm is not shortned that he cannot save he is able to do as great things for his people in these days as he did for our Fathers in former days And this may unite and strengthen our Faith to trust in the Lord at all times though the times be never so dangerous and troublesome that his power is everlasting Isa 26.4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength 5. The gracious and precious promises of God are a ground of strong Consolation under all troubles both Personal and National distresses Jer. 15.16 Thy words were found and I did eat them and they were unto me the joy and the rejoycing of my heart Observe Jeremiahs personal afflictions at this time when the word of God was the joy and the rejoycing of his heart He was a man of strife and contention to the whole earth and every one railed at him and cursed him which made him cry out of his wo and misery ver 10. The Lord had filled him with indignation and he looked upon his pain as perpetual and his wound incurable ver 17.18 Besides his personal afflictions there were great judgments coming upon the Nation the Sword and Famine and Pestilence and Captivity ver 2.3 4. Yet under National and Personal calamities the word of God was the joy and rejoycing of his heart So Psal 60.2.3 6. Thou hast made the earth to tremble thou hast broken it Thou hast shewen thy people hard things thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment God hath spoken in his holiness I will rejoyce Gods promises were a rejoycing to Davids heart when God sent such judgments as made the earth to tremble and broke Kingdoms in pieces yea when God shewed his own people hard things and made them stand astonished to see how he dealt with them God hath made several sorts of promises to comfort his peoples hearts in difficult and dangerous times when he is bringing ruine and desolation upon the places where they live I will instance in some of them 1. The Lord hath promised to be an hiding place and a refuge to his people when he sends his judgments upon the places where they live Isa 32.2 18 19. Psal 32.6 Psal 9.9 Deut. 33.12 Prov. 18.10 Zeph. 2.3 compared with Chap. 1.2 3 17 18. And not only to be a refuge to godly men themselves but to their children Prov. 14.26 See also Isa 8.7 8 13 14. When the Assyrian should invade the land and over-run all parts of the land the Lord promiseth to be a Sanctuary to such as did make him their sear and their dread Ezek. 11.16 2. The Lord hath promised to deal well wit his people in times of publick calamity even when he sends ruine and destruction upon the places where they live Isa 3.8 10. Jerusalem is ruined Judah is fallen Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him Eccl. 8.12 Jer. 15.11 As the same cloud which was dark and dreadfull to the Egyptians gave light to the Israelites Exod. 14.20 So God can make those providences which are dreadfull to wicked men to be refreshing to his own people 3. The Lord hath promised to bear up the Faith and Hope of his People that their hearts shall not sink and dye within them in evil days though very dismal and dark days Joel 3.15 16. The Prophet speaks of very dreadfull judgments under Metaphorical expressions yet saith God shall be the hope and strength of his people in such a day 4. The Lord hath promised to comfort his people in times of common calamity Isa 29.9 19. At that day when the Lord visited Jerusalem with Thunder and an Earthquake and a Storm and Tempest and devouring Fire he promiseth that the meek shall encrease their joy in the Lord and the poor among men rejoyce in the holy one of Israel Job 5.22 At Destruction and Famine thou shal laugh Mal. 4.1 2. 5. The Lord hath promised to moderate the afflictions which he layeth upon his people and what ever he layeth upon others he will lay upon them no more than he will enable them to bear Isa 27.8 The Prophet had given them warning that he was coming out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their sins Ch. 26. ver 21. And live for the comfort of the people of God he tells God would take a measure of his peoples strength and sufferings and that he would stay his rough wind in the day of his East wind Jer. 30.11 When the Lord is making a full end of all Nations he will correct them in measure 1 Cor. 10.13 He will not suffer us to be Tempted above what we are able to bear 6. The Lord hath promised to afford his gracious presence with his people under their greatest troubles not only at their entrance into but in their passage through the Fire and the Water Isa 42.1 2. Fear not thou art mine when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee c. Psal 91.15 I will be with him in trouble 7. The Lord hath promised his people deliverance out of their greatest troubles Jer. 30.7 Alas for that day is great so that none is like it it is even the day of Jacobs trouble but he shall be saved out of it Psal 50.15 Psalm 71.20 Psalm 34.19 8. The Lord hath promised to Sanctifie National troubles to his people and to make them work together for their good Jer. 24.5 Zech. 13.9 Rom. 8.28 6. It is a ground of comfort under National troubles that God will by them bring glory to his own name advance the Kingdom of Christ and promote the good of his own people Isa 5.15 16. When God stains the glory of the world then our Lord Jesus Christ who is called the branch
of the Lord shall be beautifull and glorious Isa 4.2 compared with Isa 3.8 There were very great commotions in Judea before the coming of Christ God shook the Heavens and the Earth and shook all Nations and the Scepter departed from Judah and then Christ the desire of all Nations came Hag. 2.6 7. There were great overturnings both in Church and State before the coming of our Lord Jesus Ezek. 21.27 When God executed his judgments upon the Zidonians it was for his own glory Ezek. 28.22 When such judgments begin to come upon the earth as make mens hearts to fail for fear then the people of God are exhorted to lift up their heads because their Redemption draweth near Luk. 21.25 26 28. Obj. 1. These are comfortable considerations may some say but we see notwithstanding the providence and promises of God and the care that God takes of his people that all things come alike to all men the righteous perish as well as the wicked in times of common calamities A. 1. There are oft times very signal providences in delivering Righteous men in times of common calamity as Noah Gen. 7.1 and Lot Gen. 19.16 And those that sighed and cryed for the sins of Judah and Jerusalem Ezek. 9.4 6. 2. Sometimes Gods People pertake of the sins of the times and places where they live and then they pertake in temporal punishments though they be pardoned as to their eternal state Rev. 18.4 Psal 99.8 3. When the Lord doth not save his people with a temporal Salvation under publick calamities but lets them fall by the Sword and Pestilence and other judgments as well as other men he saves them with an eternal Salvation Isa 45.17 Heb. 5.9 4. When the people of God meet with the same sufferings that other men meet with and all things seem to come alike to them and others yet there is a vast difference between the sufferings of the people of God and other men For 1. All the afflictions of the righteous come in love Rev. 3.19 But the troubles of the wicked come in wrath Psal 2.5 2. Righteous men have God with them in their troubles Psal 91.15 But the Lord is far from the wicked Prov. 15.29 3. The troubles of Righteous men do them good Psal 119.71 But wicked wax worse and worse under their afflictions Isa 1.5 2 Chron. 28.22 2 Tim. 3.13 4. Righteous men have Gods blessing going along with their troubles Psal 2.9 12. Psal 94.12 But wicked men have Gods curse with their troubles Isa 34.5 Obj. 2. If I knew that I were one whom God would take care off and protect in a time of common calamity that would be a great stay and comfort to my mind but I do not know whither God will take care of me and preserve me And therfore what hath been said of the care of God of his people in an evil day is but of little use unto me A. 1. Dost thou love God If thou hast set thy love upon God thou mayst rest satisfied God will take care of thee and preserve thee in an evil day Psal 145 20. The Lord preserveth all them that love him Psal 91.14 15. Because he hath set his love upon me therefore will I deliver him 2. Hast thou committed thy self to God desiring him to take the care of thee and dost thou trust in him and rely upon him to take the care of thee then thou mayest be satisfied in thy mind that he will watch over thee in an evil day Psal 10.14 The poor commiteth himself unto thee thou art the helper of the Fatherless Psal 91.2 3. I will say of the Lord he is my Refuge and my Fortress my God in him will I trust surely he shall deliver thee Psal 5.11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoyce let them ever shout for joy because thou defendest them 3. Dost thou lead a godly life If so know for thy comfort that God doth and will take a special care of thee in an evil day Psalm 41.3 But know that God hath set apart him that is godly for himself Psal 32.6 4. Is thy heart upright with God and dost thou walk in thine integrity then the Lord taketh a peculiar care of thee Psal 7.10 My defence is of God which saveth the upright in heart Prov. 2.7 He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly Psal 84.11 5. Dost thou mourn for the sins of the times and places in which thou livest Then thou art marked out for preservation in a time of common calamity Ezek. 9.4 6. Obj. 3. But I am such a poor simple shiftless creature that I am afraid God will not take care of me A. 1. Though thou art never so poor and shiftless and simple yet if thou committest thy self to God he will take the care of thee Psal 116.6 The Lord preserveth the simple Psal 10.14 The poor committeth himself unto thee thou art the helper of the Fatherless 2. Though thou art never such a poor shistless simple creature thou art of more value than the birds of the air yet none of them no not the meanest of them not To much as a little Sparrow is forgotten or neglected of God Luk. 12.6 7. Are not five Sparrows sold for two farthings and not one of them is forgotten before God Fear not therefore ye are of more value than many Sparrows Obj. 4. But I am a sinfull creature and therefore I am afraid God will not take care of me in an evil day A. 1. If thou beest an impenitent Sinner then thou art in a wofull condition Isa 3.11 Psal 11.6 Psal 75.8 When he fleeth from one judgment another will overtake him Job 20.24 2. If thou hast repented of thy sins and humbled thy Soul for them and fled to the blood of Christ for the pardon of them thou hast good ground to hope that the Lord will take the care of thee in an evil day 2 Chron. 12.7 They have humbled themselves therefore I will not destroy them Job 22.23 25. If thou return to the Almighty The Almighty shall be thy defence And ver 29. When men are cast down then thou shalt say there is a lifting up and he shall save the humble person Such as have humbled their Souls for their sins and fled to Christ for the pardon of their sins may say with David Psal 49.5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about §. Grounds of Consolation in the hottest times of persecution The Spouse enquireth Cant. 1.7 where he maketh his flock to rest at noon Tell me O thou whom my Soul loveth where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon By noon understand aestus persecutionis as Mercer and others the heat of Persecution The Noon is the hottest time of the day By making the flock to rest at noon we may understand how thou comfortest how thou supportest thy people how and by what means thou givest rest to the
the most dangerous most destructive temptations and containeth both inward lusts whereby the heart is as it were set on fire and fiery tryals which are sharpest to the outward man now these are all quenched by the shield of Faith Let me shew you how you should use this shield how you should exercise your Faith when you meet with fiery tryals 1. Have Faith in Gods presence believe that God is and will be with you according to his promise when you pass through the fire and through the waters Isa 43.2 For Faith in Gods presence will carry us comfortably through our greatest tryals Act. 2.25.26 I foresaw the Lord always before my face for he is at my right hand that I should not be moved therefore did my heart rejoyce and my tongue was glad To confirm your Faith that you shall have Gods presence with you in your persecutions see such Scriptures as these 2 Cor. 4.9 Persecuted but not forsaken Jer. 20.11 Joh. 16.32 2 Tim. 4.17 18. 2. Have Faith in Gods assistance Believe that God according to his promise for Christs sake will help strengthen and uphold you Isa 41.10 The believing that we shall have Gods help will put great courage into our Souls Isa 50.7 For the Lord God will help me therefore shall I not be confounded therefore have I set my face like a flint and I know that I shall not be ashamed 3. Have Faith in that glorious and unspeakable recompence of reward which God will give you if you continue faithfull unto the death in a suffering day Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithfull unto the death and I will give thee a crown of Life 2 Tim. 2.11 12. It is a faithfull saying If we suffer we shall also reign with him The believing and looking at our eternal glory which we shall have after we have suffered for Christ will keep us from fainting under the Cross 2 Cor. 4.16 18. For which cause we faint not while we look at the things which are not seen which are Eternal 2. As you should get and exercise Faith so you should exercise patience also For patience is a very usefull and necessary grace in times of persecution Heb. 10.32 36. Ye endured a great sight of afflictions ye have need of patience Luk. 21.12 19. They shall lay their hands on you and persecute you delivering you up to the Synagogues and into prisons being brought before Kings and Rulers for my names sake In your patience possess ye your Souls If any say it is true Patience is needfull and usefull in a suffering day But how shall we attain to patience in times of great persecution A. 1. Consider the patience of our Lord Jesus Christ in all his sufferings that will learn us patience in all our distresses Heb. 12.1 2 3. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking to Jesus Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself least ye be wearied and faint in your minds The looking to Jesus and considering the dignity of his person the greatness of his sufferings and the patience with which he endured the pain and the shame of the Cross and the contradiction of sinners against himself will help us to run our race with Patience and keep us from being wearied and fainting in our minds An instance of the patience of Christ under his sufferings which all things considered were greater than the sufferings of any of the Martyrs We have Isa 53.7 He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before the shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth And as the example of Christ so also the example of the Prophets and other Saints and Servants of God may cause us to be patient under our persecutions It hath been the lot of the best men that ever lived even of the Prophets to be persecuted for Righteousness sake Mat. 5.12 So persecuted they the Prophets Luk. 13.34 O Jerusalem Jerusalem which killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee Jam. 5.10 Take my brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and patience 2. Consider the desert of sin They which suffer most in this Life suffer far less than their sins deserve How great were Jobs afflictions of all sorts yet they were less than his sins Job 11.6 Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth Ezra 9.14 compared with Lam. 1.12 No sorrows like what the Jews met with yet were they punished less than their sins deserved This should silence all complaints Lam. 3.39 Our sins have deserved the Torments of Hell Rom. 6.23 The wages of sin is death The second as well as the first death Shall we not patiently suffer any Torments in this Life for Righteousness sake seeing our sins have deserved the Torments of Hell for ever 5. The blood of Christ and the word of God and preferring the glory of God above our lives are great helps to a chearfull bearing and overcoming all persecutions When the Dragon makes war with the Saints we may see by what means they overcome him Rev. 12.11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Here are 3 means by which they overcame the accuser of the brethren 1. By the blood of the Lamb that is by the blood of Christ who is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world Now the blood of Christ helps us to overcome 1. As it justifieth us and takes away all our guilt and reconciles us to God Rom. 5.9 10. Joh. 1.7 For when sin is pardoned there is comfort in the greatest sufferings Mat. 9.2 And when God is reconciled there is a Triumphing over all enemies Rom. 8.31 2. As it hath purchased for us victory over all the adversaries of our Salvation Col. 2.15 3. As it gives us solid grounds to hope with boldness to enter into Eternal Life Heb. 10.19 4. As he hath left us an example to suffer for him who suffered for us 1 Pet. 2.21 1 Pet. 4.1 2. By the word of their Testimony that is the word of God which they had owned professed gave Testimony unto in the worst of times Now the word helps us to overcome 1. As it comforts us in all our conflicts Psal 119.49 50 94 161 162. 2. As it reveals and promiseth glorious rewards to them that overcome Rev. Ch. 2. Ch. 3. Ch. 21.7 CHAP. III. An Exhortation to such as are in a Christless condition to seek after an interest in Christ Directions Motives and Helps in order to the getting an Interest in Christ Hinderances removed SEeing it is thus that an interest in Christ is a ground of strong Consolation under
To such as are ready to give over seeking after Christ I shall give these two encouragements to continue seeking after Christ 1. If you continue seeking after Christ and do seek him with our whole hearts we shall assuredly enjoy him 1 Chron. 28.9 If thou seek him he will be found of thee Believe this promise of God that if thou dost seek him he will be found of thee and go on in the strength of this promise to seek in hope that thou shalt find the Lord. Hos 6.3 Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord By knowing here is meant such a knowledge as is accompanied with the enjoyment of God as the following words imply He will come unto us Jer. 29.13 And ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your hearts 2. It will not be long before you find Christ if you go on to seek him Though you do not find him for the present yet you shall find him in a little while in his own due time Cant. 3 1 4. By night on my bed I sought him whom my Soul loveth and I found him not It was but a little and I found him whom my Soul loveth Isa 54.7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee § Motives to get a saving interest in Christ Most persons that live under the Gospel make light of Christ and neglect that great Salvation which he hath purchased with his blood and prefer their worldly concernments before seeking after Christ Mat. 22.5 They made light of it and went their way one to his farm another to his Merchandize Our Lord Jesus Christ offers Salvation to lost sinners he doth as it were stretch out his hands to them and offer them his help to save their Souls but scarce any man regards the offers of grace and mercy that he makes to them Prov. 1.24 I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded This stretching forth the hand implyeth the offers of Salvation that Christ maketh in the Gospel to perishing Sinners When Peter was in a boysterous Sea and was afraid of being drowned and began to sink he cryed out to Christ Lord save me And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him Mat. 14.30 31. Christless sinners are in a more dangerous condition than Peter was they are ready to sink down into Hell sentence is passed upon them by the great God The wicked shall be turned into Hell Psal 9.17 And Christ stretcheth forth his hand and offers to save them but most men are so stupified in their sins and so busied in this present world that they regard not the offers of Salvation made to them by Jesus Christ And therefore there is need of motives to stir men up to seek after an interest in Christ and to embrace that Salvation which is offered to them by Jesus Christ 1. Motive The excellency of Christ should stir us up to get an interest in him For we covet things that are excellent and there is nothing so excellent as Jesus Christ All the excellent things in the world are but loss and dross and dung compared with Christ Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ Silver and Gold Jewels and Precious Stones and whatever a man can desire are not worthy to be compared with Christ Prov. 8.11 For Wisdom is better than Rubies and all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it And as Christ is more excellent than all things so than all persons in the world The wisest the holyest the best the greatest men that ever lived are not worthy to be compared with Christ Cant. 5.10 My Beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest among Ten Thousand White and Red well mixed make a beautiful countenance white may signifie the holiness of his Life ruddy his bloody passion His holy life and his bloody death render him amiable to his people If Ten Thousand of the most excellent persons that ever lived were set by Christ he would be the chiefest of them all Among all the Angels of Heaven and all the Kings of the Earth there are none to be compared to our Lord Jesus Christ Psal 89.6 Who in Heaven can be compared unto the Lord who among the Sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord. There are all the excellencies of the Godhead in our Lord Jesus Christ Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily And the excellencies that are in the Godhead are unspeakable and unconceivable Seeing then there is a greater excellency in Christ than in all the whole world we should labour more to get Christ than we did to get any thing in this world 2. Get Christ for yours and you shall get unsearchable Riches For there are unsearchable Riches in Christ Eph. 3.8 That I should preach among you the unsearchable Riches of Christ The Apostle had studied preached and enjoyed Christ many years and yet could not express or understand all the Riches that were treasured up in Christ but calls his Riches unsearchable Riches By these Riches of Christ which he calls unsearchable understand those benefits we have by Christ As Vatablus and others immensa Christi benefitia the incomprehensible benefits of Christ And though we can't search out all the Riches that are in Christ and that we have by Christ though we cannot fully comprehend in this life all the benefits we have by Christ I will briefly instance in some of these unspeakable benefits which we shall get if we get an interest in Christ 1. Get Christ and you shall get into the love and favour of God Prov. 8.35 Whoso findeth me findeth Life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. And the favour of God is an unspeakable blessing better than all things in this world For a man prefers his Life above all that he hath in the world Job 2.4 All that a man hath he will give for his Life But the favour of God is better than a mans Life Psal 63.3 Thy loving kindness is better than Life 2. Get Christ and you shall get the pardon of all your sins Eph. 1.7 In whom we have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of sins according to the Riches of his grace Though we be guilty of Hundreds of Thousands of Millions of sins if we get Christ for ours his Blood will cleanse us from them all 1 Joh. 1.7 The Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin 3. Get Christ and you shall get an interest in all the promises 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are Yea and in him Amen And it is by and through Christ that we are pertakers of the promises Eph. 3.6 That the Gentiles should
willing to bestow himself upon you By these terms I mean what it is which the Lord Jesus requireth of those whom he will own for his and on whom he will bestow himself and all his saving benefits These terms are briefly comprehended under these two heads Faith and Repentance They that believe in Christ and repent of their sins shall undoubtedly be made pertakers of Christ and his saving benefits All that believe in Christ shall assuredly be saved by him Joh. 6.47 Verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me hath everlasting life Joh. 3.15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life And so shall all they that repent of their sins Ezek. 30.18 Repent and turn your selves from all your Transgressions and so iniquity shall not be your ruine All persons in all nations that repent of their sins shall for Christs sake have remission of their sins Luk. 24.47 And that repentance and remission of sin should be preached in his name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem I shall briefly shew you what Christ requireth of those that he will own for his and to whom he will become a Saviour 1. That we love and prefer him above Father and Mother Wife or Children the nearest and dearest Relations we have in the whole world yea and above our own lives Luk. 14.26 If any man come to me and hate not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my Disciple Hating Father and Mother c. is not to be taken in the usual and proper acceptation of the word For to hate any man in a proper sense is a great sin it is Murder in the sight of God 1 Joh. 3.15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a Murderer and ye know that no Murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him And our Lord Jesus doth not make any sin to be the condition of becoming his Disciple And therefore hating Father and Mother and other Relations is to be understood improperly for loving Father and Mother and other Relations and a mans own life less than he loveth Christ So it is explained Gen. 29.30 31. He loved Rachel more than Leah And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated We are not to entertain such thoughts of Jacob as if he hated Leah for it is not consistent with Gods grace for a man to hate his wife But the meaning is Leah was not loved so much as Rachel as it is expressed in the former verse The meaning of Leah's being hated is this that Rachel was loved more than Leah So he that hateth not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children c. cannot be my Disciple that is he that loveth not me more than his Father and Mother and all Relations and his own life cannot be my Disciple and so it is explained Mat. 10.37 He that loveth Father or Mother more than me is not worthy of me and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me And this is but equal that we should love Christ above all Relations in the world because he is better than all he is more amiable more excellent than Father or Mother or any other Relations and he hath done and will do more for us than Father or Mother or Wife or Children can do for us for he dyed for our sins and will save our Souls and that is more than all the men in the world ever did or can do for us 2. That we deny our selves and depart from all our sins Mar. 8.34 Whosoever will come after me let him deny himself There is no being a Disciple of Christ for any man without self-denyal Now this denying a mans self implyeth 1. That he must deny his own sinful inclinations and sinful affections 2 Tim. 2.19 Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity 2. That he must deny himself of things in themselves lawful when they come in competition with Christ Joh. 3 Epist ver 7. For his names sake they went forth taking nothing of the Gentiles It was lawful for those that taught the Gentiles to receive maintenance from them for the Lord hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel But in some special cases where it is more for the honour of Christ these persons spoken of by the Apostle would take nothing of the Gentiles 3. We must deny our selves in Religious duties and works of Righteousness not by neglecting them but these two ways 1. By attributing nothing to our selves but ascribing all to Christ 1 Cor. 15.10 By the grace of God I am what I am I laboured more abundantly than they all yet not I but the grace of God that was with me 2. By putting no confidence in any thing that we have done or can do but placing all our confidence in Christ Phil. 3.3 VVe have no confidence in the flesh 1 Joh. 5.14 This is the confidence we have in him 3. That we take up the Cross Mar. 8.34 VVhosoever will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross By taking up the Cross understand a willingness to undergo any sufferings for Christ that we shall be called unto as reproaches persecutions hatred of the world loss of liberty estate yea and life it self Unless we are willing at the call of God to undergo the greatest as well as lesser sufferings for Christ we cannot be his Disciples Luk. 14.33 VVhosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple There must be a forsaking in affection and resolution by every one and an actual forsaking when they can't be enjoyed without sinning against Christ 4. That we be ruled and governed by him and yield obedience to him as our Lord and then we shall assuredly be saved by him Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him Mat. 11.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls By taking his yoke upon us is meant submitting to his Government To be under the yoke signifieth to be under the rule and government of others 1 Tim. 6.1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour Under the yoke that is under the dominion and rule of others See also Gen. 27.40 where the yoke signifieth subjection The Commandements and Ordinances of God are called a yoke Act. 15.10 But here some may say is it not derogatory to the free grace of God to say that he offers us Christ and Salvation upon terms Doth he not say whoever will let him take of the water of life freely why then do you speak of terms or conditions in Salvation by Christ A. 1. To speak of terms or conditions to be performed by those that are justified and saved
him to us we shall have Union and Communion with Christ We shall become one with Christ and he will dwell with us and his blood shall be ours to wash away our sins and every benefit that he hath purchased with his blood shall be ours only let us consent to have him as God offers him to us in the Gospel There may be a treaty about Marriage a proposal of terms a woing a long time but 't is a mutual consenting and engaging each to other that makes the Marriage Union So it is in our Union with Christ there may be frequent offers an earnest woing but it is consenting that makes the match between us and Christ When we consent to accept of him he will bestow himself and all his benefits upon us Rev. 3.20 Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come into him and sup with him and he with me Christ standing at the door and knocking signifieth the offers of grace that he makes to us in the Gospel He offereth himself to us to be our Saviour to save us from eternal misery and is very earnest with us to receive and embrace him when we accept of him for our Lord and Saviour and consent to the terms on which he offers Salvation to us then we hear his voice and open the door and then he will bestow himself and all his benefits upon us which is meant by his coming in and supping with us and taking us to sup with him But here some may say are not men willing to have Christ for their Lord and Saviour and to be saved by him in his own way Ans No all men are not willing to have Christ and Salvation by Christ on the terms of the Gospel There are very few that are willing to receive Christ on the terms of the Gospel Most men either neglect or reject him Isa 53.3 He is despised and rejected of men They are so few that regard the offers of grace in the Gospel that they seem as none at all compared to the multitude of those that neglect and reject thee Prov. 1.24 I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded Even among those that profess themselves the people of God and are accounted Gods Israel there are many that will not accept of Christ for their Lord and Saviour Psal 81.11 My people would not hearken to my voice Israel would none of me It had not been such matter of admiration to have heard the Lord say Moab would none of me or Egypt would none of me but here this charge brought in against Israel Israel would none of me that may startle us and make us look well to our selves that we be not found guilty of rejecting Christ as well as Israel Most men are so wedded to the world and to their lusts and own evil ways that though Christ offer them all the joys of Heaven if they will accept him for their Lord and Saviour yet they will not come to him though thereby they might have eternal life Joh. 5.40 And ye will not come to me that ye might have life And though most men would be willing to be saved by Christ when they dye if they might have Salvation in their own way namely if they might live in their envy enjoy their hearts lusts and be saved from hell torments when they dye yet they are not willing to accept of Christ and Salvation by Christ in his way and upon his terms They are unwilling to have him for their Lord to rule over them They say in their hearts Luk. 19.14 We will not have this man to reign over us They are unwilling to forsake their sins and turn from their evil ways though thereby through Christ they might escape Eternal Death and obtain Eternal Life Ezek. 33.11 I shall therefore add some motives to accept of Christ upon the terms offered in the Gospel 1. Jesus Christ and Salvation by Christ is worthy of all acceptation upon any terms whatsoever 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners This Salvation is worthy of all acceptation that is to be accepted by all men with all readiness of mind yea with all thankfulness without objecting against the terms on which this Salvation is offered to us How readily would a blind man accept of his sight a condemned man accept of a pardon a poor man accept of riches a dying man accept of life Christ is all these and more and yet shall we be unwilling to accept of Christ If we receive him he will open our blind eyes he will give unsearchable riches to those that are poor a pardon to them that are condemned life to them that are in a dying condition Salvation to them that are lost 2. The Lord thinks nothing to much nothing to great nothing to good to give to and do for those that accept of his Son If we will accept of his Son for our Lord and Saviour he will give us himself for our God and Father and will bestow this wonderfull priviledge upon us to be his Sons Joh. 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name And what a great what an amazing priviledge is this that such poor such worthless creatures such sinfull creatures as we are should be called the Sons of God 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God If we accept of his Son for our Lord and Saviour he will bestow his Kingdom upon us Our Lord Jesus speaking to his little Flock that did accept him for their Shepherd and yield up themselves to be led ruled and governed by him tells them it was their Fathers good pleasure to give them his Kingdom Luk. 12.32 Fear not little Flock it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom And what a great unexpressible unconceivable gift is this that God should give us his Kingdom What greater what better things hath God to give than to give us Himself for our God and his Kingdom for our Inheritance If we will accept of Christ for our Lord and Saviour the Lord will with him give us all good things freely Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him freely give us all things 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. All things are yours all are yours and ye are Christs 3. There is nothing in Christ but what is desireable and worthy of all acceptation Cant. 5.16 He is altogether lovely What the Apostle saith of every creature 1 Tim. 4.4 Every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with Thanks giving I may say of Christ Every thing of Christ is good
and nothing to be refused but Christ and all that belongs to Christ is to be received with Thanksgiving That which most men stumble at in Christ is his Cross they hear that if any man will live Godly in Christ Jesus he must suffer Persecution but if we rightly understood the advantages of sufferings for Christ we should esteem the Cross of Christ above all the treasures of the richest Kingdom in the World Heb. 11.25 26. As shall be shewen more fully afterward 4. The terms on which Jesus Christ with all his saving benefits is offered to us are reasonable beneficial advantagious terms better than thou thy self couldst have made for thy self if God had left it to thine own contrivance better than all the Angels of Heaven could have made for thee All the terms proposed by God on performance whereof we shall enjoy Christ and Salvation by Christ for ever are real and eminent benefits and have a singular worth and excellency in them as may appear if we consider all the terms required to our enjoyment of Salvation by Christ As 1. Faith That is a most precious grace more worth than the whole World 2 Pet. 1.1 2. Repentance There is such an excellency in Repentance that all the Angels of God rejoyce when any one sinner is brought to Repentance Luk. 15.10 3. Taking up the Cross This is an honour and matter of great joy to be called to suffer for Christ Act. 5.41 The trying of our Faith with crosses is much more precious than all the Gold in the World 1 Pet. 1.7 4. Serving and obeying Christ It is a greater honour to be a Servant of Christ than to be the greatest King in the World For Kings are Honoured only by men but the Servants are Honoured by God Joh. 12.26 If any man serve me him will my Father Honour 6. If you would have a saving interest in Christ as you must accept him for your Lord and Saviour so you must give your self to Christ to be his Cant. 2.16 My beloved is mine and I am his We must become his if we would have him for ours If we do in truth of heart give up our selves to Christ to be his he will assuredly become ours and we shall be saved by him Isa 63.8 For he said surely they are my people children that will not lye so he became their Saviour Children that will not lye that is that do not dissemble in their hearts when they gave themselves to me that will not deal disloyally with me and there upon when they in truth of heart gave themselves to the Lord he became their Saviour As the Prophet said to the woman with whom he made a contract Hos 3.4 Thou shalt abide for me many days thou shalt not play the harlot thou shalt not be for another man so will I also be for thee The like contract is Christ willing to make with us if we will become his Servants and abide for him and not be for the world or our selves so he will be for us and will be our Saviour We must imitate the Churches of Macedonia of whom it is said They gave their own selves unto the Lord. 2 Cor. 8.5 And why should we stick at this He gave himself to death for us Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity And shall not we give our selves to him that we may have Life and Salvation by him How or which way can we bestow our selves better than to give our selves to Christ who so loved us as to wash us from our sins in his own blood What Master can we serve that is like Christ But some may say How should we give our selves to Christ so as he will receive and accept us 1. Give thy self to Christ with judgment and understanding Know and understand what it is to give thy self to Christ to be his It is to joyn thy self to Christ to love him and serve him and to be one of his servants Isa 56.6 Also the Sons of the stranger that joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him and love the name of the Lord to be his servants If thou wilt give thy self to Christ to be his thou must no longer be thy own to live to thy self and to follow thine own will or do that which is right in thine own eyes or to go in the way of thine own heart 1 Cor. 6.19 Ye are not your own 2 Cor 5.15 He dyed for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them If thou wilt give thy self to Christ thou must not be the Worlds Joh. 15.19 Ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the world And therefore being not of the world you must not set your hearts upon the World nor the things of the World 1 Joh. 2.15 Love not the world nor the things of the world if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him Neither must we be conformable to the world Rom. 12.2 And be not conformed to this world Neither must we be Servants to sin or Satan any longer if we would be the Servants of Christ Mat. 6.24 No man can serve two Masters 2. Count your cost before you give your self to Christ to be one of his Servants and Disciples Consider what it may cost you to be a Disciple a Servant of Christ and see whether you are willing to engage with Christ under all those hazards and troubles and difficulties that you may meet with in your way to Heaven I will tell you what cost you must count upon You must count upon losing the love and good will of the world and to be hated of all men for Christs sake Luk. 21.17 Ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake You must count upon many troubles Joh. 16.33 In the world ye shall have Tribulation Act. 14.22 We must through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God You must count upon all sorts of persecutions reproaches confiscation of goods imprisonment banishment c. 2 Tim. 3.12 Yea and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution You must count upon forsaking Friends Estate Liberty and Life all that you have if you will be a Disciple of Christ Luk. 14.33 Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my Disciple Are you willing to be at all this cost to be a Disciple of Christ If so then he will embrace you for one of his It is Christs own advice that we should count our cost before we engage in his ways Luk. 14.28 29 30. For want of this many that fall in with the ways of Christ in a day of peace and prosperity fall off when trouble and persecution ariseth for the Gospels sake 3. Give your selves freely and willingly to Christ Let it be your choice after you have weighed and considered all things whether it will
be best for you to give your self to Christ or to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and to pursue this present World For if it be our own choice then it is most likely that we shall stick and cleave to Christ Psal 119.30 31. I have chosen the way of truth I have stuck unto thy Testimonies As in giving Alms to the poor we should give freely willingly chearfully not grudgingly or out of necessity because we can't avoid giving something 2 Cor. 9.7 Every man according as he proposeth in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a chearfull giver So much more in giving our selves to Christ we should not give our selves to Christ grudgingly or out of necessity but out of choice because it is best for us to be Christs willingly and chearfully for in this as well as in other cases God loveth a chearfull giver 4. Engage your selves to Christ by Covenant to be his wholly his only his his for ever It is said of Jehojada 2 King 11.17 Jehojada made a Covenant between the Lord and the King and the People that they should be the Lords people So should we make a covenant with Christ that we will be his people and that we will be his for ever We should joyn our selves to Christ by covenant and this covenant should be an everlasting covenant Jer. 50.5 Come and let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten We should engage our selves to Christ to be wholly his 2 Chron. 15.18 And they entered into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers with all their heart and with all their soul And to be only his Psal 62.5 My Soul wait thou only upon God Mat. 4.10 Him only shalt thou serve This engaging our selves to Christ by covenant is very acceptable to God and beneficial to our selves It is so acceptable to God that it is a means of turning away his wrath when his anger is kindled against us 2 Chron. 29.10 Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel that his fierce wrath may turn away from us And it is very beneficial to our selves many ways I will instance only in two 1. It will more strongly oblige us to adhere to Christ when we have obliged our selves to be his in an everlasting covenant 2. It will be a good evidence and testimony that Christ is ours and we are his when we find that we have chosen him for our Lord and obliged our selves to him to be his by covenant Psal 119.30 94. I have chosen the way of truth I am thine Psal 16.2 O my Soul thou hast said unto the Lord thou art my Lord. Isa 44.5 One shall say I am the Lords and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord When they made covenants to be the Lords People sometimes they that entered into covenant subscribed their hands to their covenants Neh. 9.38 7. If we would be made partakers of Christ and his saving benefits after we have received Christ as God offers him in the Gospel and have given up our selves to Christ to be his we must continue and abide with him all the days of our lives we must continue in his word and in his ways we must continue believing in loving and obeying the Lord Jesus Christ and walking in his ways For if we abide in the Doctrine of Christ if we continue to believe in love serve and obey Christ he will own us for his and we shall assuredly be made pertakers of Christ and all his saving benefits To assure us of this let us consult such Scriptures as these Joh. 2d Epist ver 9. He that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son Joh. 8.30 31. As he spake these words many believed on him Then said Jesus to those Jews that believed on him if ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed Heb. 3.14 For we are made pertakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end That is if after we have begun to believe we continue stedfast in the Faith of Christ to the end of our days we shall certainly be partakers of Christ And because it is a difficult thing to abide with Christ and continue walking in his ways when troubles and persecutions arise for the Gospels sake I will give you some encouragements to continue with Christ in an hour of temptation 1. Our Lord Jesus Christ will greatly reward our fidelity in continuing with him in his temptations and will assuredly give us eternal life Luk. 22.28 29 30. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations c. Our Lord Jesus Christ observeth who they are that reject him and who they are that continue with him in his temptations and he takes it very kindly from us when we continue with him in an hour of temptation He speaks it to his Disciples commendation Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations And see how he rewards their fidelity in adhering to him in a time of trouble He promiseth to give them no less reward than a Kingdom I appoint unto you a Kingdom And in that Kingdom they shall have joy unspeakable and full of glory and Royal dignity That ye may eat and drink at my Table It is a great honour to set with the King at his Table that we shall not only set at the Table where Angels sit but at Christs Table Not that there is eating and drinking in a proper sense in Heaven but in as much as there is delight in eating and drinking Isa 55.2 Eat that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in fatness especially what is set on Kings Tables by these expressions is hinted to us that such shall enter into the joy of their Lord. And besides their unspeakable joys they shall have royal dignity conferred on them and sit on Thrones See some other Scriptures to this purpose Mat. 24.13 But he that shall endure to the end the same shall be saved In the foregoing verses the Lord Jesus foretells great National calamities Wars and Pestilences and Famine ver 7. And great persecutions against his Members ver 9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you and ye shall be hated of all Nations for my names sake And then tells us that when suffering days come many will be offended and prove treacherous ver 10. But to encourage us to continue faithfull to the death he assureth us that whosoever endureth to the end of his life in times of trouble and persevereth in Faith and Holiness the same shall be saved But he that endureth to the end the same shall be saved And if we may but obtain the Salvation of our Souls whatever we loose whatever we suffer for the obtaining the crown of glory we shall be happy for ever
some time vve must never expect to have any comfort of our Lives after vve have refused to die for Christ 3. If we refuse to lay down our lives for Christ he can make our lives such a burden to us that we shall count it a great mercy to be rid of them The Lord can lay such troubles upon us that we shall be burdens to our selves and long exceedingly to be in our Graves Job speaks of some men that are in such misery that they seek for Death as for hid Treasures and rejoyce exceedingly when God will take away their lives Job 3.20 21 22. Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery and life unto the bitter in Soul which long for Death but it cometh not and dig for it more than for hid treasures which rejoyce exceedingly and are glad when they can find a grave Yea it was Job's own condition to be a burden to himself Job 7.20 Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so as I am a burden to my self He vvas in so much misery that he prayed earnestly to God that he might die Job 6.8 9. O that I might have my request and that God would grant me the thing that I long for Even that it would please God to destroy me that he would let lose his hand and cut me off He vvas in such distress that Life vvas loathsome to him and if it had been lavvful he would have strangled himself Job 7.15 16. My Soul chooseth strangling and death rather than life I loath it I would not live alway And vvho can tell but God may lay as heavy affliction upon us if vve refuse to die for Christ as he did to his Servant Job who was an upright man that feared God and eschewed evil Who can tell but God may deal with us as he did with Pashur Jer. 20.4 I will make thee a terrour to thy self and to all thy Friends Now is it not better to die for Christ than to live in such misery as to be a burden to our selves and to be a terrour to our selves and all our Frinds 4. If we will not lose our lives for Christ we shall lose that which is the life of our lives yea that which is better than life What is that which is the life of our lives and which is better than our lives I answer The love and favour of God Ps 30.5 In his favour is life Ps 63.3 Thy loving kindness is better than life Now if we draw back from Christ in a suffering day because we are not willing to lay down our lives for him we shall lose the love and favour of God Rebeccah was so concerned for Jacob that if he miscarried in his match she thought she should be weary of her life and her life would do her no good Gen. 27.46 I am weary of my life because of the Daughters of Heth. If Jacob take a Wife of the Daughters of Heth such as these which are the Daughters of the Land what good shall my life do me If the miscarriage of a Child in a match will make us weary of our lives what will the loss of the love and favour of God which is the fountain of all mercies May not such say I am weary of my life what good will my life do me seeing God hath taken away his loving kindness from me 5. Our Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life forus 1 John 3.16 Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us His Enemies could not have taken his life from him if he had not been willing of himself to lay it down and his laying down his life was upon our account and for our sakes Joh. 10.15 18. I lay down my life for the sheep No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self And what the Israelites said of David 2 Sam. 18.3 Thou art worth ten thousand of us The same may be said of Christ he is worth ten thousand of us yea more worth than all the men that ever lived more worth than all the Angels of Heaven yet he laid down his life for us And shall we that are his Servants poor worms stick at the laying down our lives for him 6. It is a blessed thing to dye for Christ Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. The dead which die in the Lord and which die for the Lord are in a most blessed condition There is a peculiar honour promised to those that suffer Martyrdom for Christ Rev. 20.4 It may be some will say I could be willing to dye for Christ so I might dye an easy death but I can't tell how to endure such tortures and pains as some have met with for Christ I can't tell how to undergo burning at a Stake or how to bear tormenting pains A. It is true that tormenting pains are hard to be born yet we must be willing to undergo any kind of tortures for Christ not only to dye but to submit to the most painfull death if God shall call us to it and to perswade us to be willing to undergo torments for Christ Let us consider 1. Our Lord Jesus did not only dye for us but he suffered a most painfull shamefull accursed Death of the Cross for us Phil. 2.8 He humbled himself and became obedient to Death even the Death of the Cross What Death is more painfull than the Death of the Cross Our Lord Jesus was in such extremity of pain when he hung upon the Cross that he was like a man that had all his Bones out of joynt his heart melted like wax that is brought to the fire his strength and the moisture of his body was dryed up like a Potsheard his tongue cleaved to his Jaws as we may see Psal 22.14 15. I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joynt my heart is like wax it is melted in the midst of my bowels My strength is dryed up like a potsheard and my tongue cleaveth unto my jaws and thou hast brought me into the dust of death That this relates to Christs sufferings on the Cross is evident from the last clause his bones were out of joynt his heart melted like wax c. when when he was upon the Cross Thou hast brought me into the dust of Death And from several other passages in the Psalm which relate to Christs sufferings on the Cross As ver 1.7 8 16 17. And besides that anguish which our Lord Jesus felt upon the Cross when he was in the Garden he was in such an agony as made him sweat drops of blood Luk. 22.24 Now seeing our Lord Jesus Christ endured such torments and pains for us seeing he suffered the painfull shamefull accursed Death of the Cross for us Shall not we be willing to suffer any shamefull or painfull Death for him Seeing he bore the wrath of God for us shall not we be willing to bear the
enter into Life blind and halt and maimed than to reserve the occasions of offence and stumbling and to be cast into Hell Fire Mark 9.43 to the 48. ver 2. If the work seem hard and difficult which Christ sets us about yet the wages he gives are exceeding great which he gives to them that serve him and obey him He gives no less Reward to all his Servants than a Kingdom Luk 12.32 Fear not little Flock it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom He gives his Servants the same Glorious Kingdom which he himself hath Joh. 12.26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my Servant be He gives an Eternal Kingdom to them that obey his Commandements Heb. 5.9 Joh. 12.50 I know that his Commandment is Life Everlasting This may reconcile our hearts to the Commandments of the Gospel there is no Commandment of Christ but it is in order to our obtaining Everlasting Life Now this consideration that Christ will give us a Kingdom an Everlasting Kingdom that cannot be removed should make us willing to engage in any difficult service for Christ and desirous to do him all the service we can and to serve him in a gracious and acceptable manner Heb. 12.28 Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom that cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear 3. You have a long time served and obeyed the lusts of your own heart And sin is a most cruel Master a Master that kills and murders all his Servants that do not forsake his service The wages that sin gives all his Servants is Death Rom. 6.23 The wages of sin is Death And will you rather serve a Murderer a cruel Master that will kill than serve and obey Jesus Christ who is the Lord of Life and Glory who saves all his Servants from Eternal Misery 4. Though some duties of the Gospel seem hard to Flesh and Blood yet they bring rest to the Soul Math. 11.29 Take my Yoak upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest for your Souls Rest is a desireable thing especially rest for our Souls Issachar underwent great burdens for the obtaining of rest Gen. 49.14 15. Issachar is a strong ass couching between two burdens and he saw that rest was good and the Land that it was pleasant and bowed his shoulders to bear and became a servant to tribute But rest for the Soul is much more desireable than outward rest and therefore we should be willing to submit to any burden that our Lord Jesus layeth upon us seeing he will give us rest for our Souls 5. Though Christs Yoak may seem hard and his burden heavy to Flesh and Blood yet in truth and reality it is easy and light Mat. 11.29 30. Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy und my burden is light Now Christ's yoke is easy and his burden light in several respects 1. Because he requireth nothing of us but what he by his Spirit will enable us to do Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes 2. Because he writes his laws in our hearts and when the law is written in the heart it makes the hardest service easy and delightfull Psal 40.8 I delight to do thy will O my God yea thy Law is within my heart This will spoken of here was God's will concerning Christ that he should offer up himself a Sacrifice for our sins as appears from Heb. 10.6 7 8 9 10. which though it was difficult service Christ did with delight having the Law of God in his heart 3. Love to Christ makes all difficulties easie and his service delightful Joh. 5.3 This is the love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous 4. His Yoke is easie because it is sweetned with the comforts of the Holy Ghost Our Lord Jesus sends the Spirit the Comforter into their hearts that keep his Commandments that dwell and abide with them for ever John 14 15 16 17. If you love me keep my Commandements and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth and by virtue of these comforts which they have from the Spirit of God they can go on singing in the ways of the Lord. Ps 138.5 Yea they shall sing in the ways of the Lord. 5. His Yoke is easie and burden light compared with the burden of the Law and the burden of sin The Law was a Yoak which was very hard to be born Act. 15.10 And the burden of sin is heavier than the burden of the Law it was such as David complained was too heavy for him Ps 38.4 §. 5. Loving and preferring other things above Christ and hindrance of our being partakers of Christ This Obstacle removed 5. Another hindrance of our receiving and accepting Christ is when there is something or other that lyeth nearer our heart than Christ which we love and prefer above Christ and are not willing to part with for Christ Now to such I would say these things 1. You can have no part in Christ unless you love and prefer him above all things in the world and be willing to forsake all things for him Math. 10.37 He that loveth Father or Mother more than me is not worthy of me and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than me is not worthy of me Our Parents and our Children may and ought to be loved but not more than Christ for if we love the dearest Relations we have in the world more than Christ we shall not be partakers of Christ Luk. 14.33 Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my Disciple For if a man love any things or persons more than Christ when those things or persons come in competition with Christ he will forsake Christ rather than those things or persons which he loves above Christ 2. A man may go far in the profession and practice of Religious duties and may prefer Christ above many things and yet may have some one thingly nearer his heart than Christ and rather than part with that one thing he may chuse to part with Jesus Christ An example of this we have in the young man that came to Christ to enquire how he might obtain Eternal Life He spoke respectfully affectionately and understandingly to Christ Matth. 19.17 Good Master what good thing shall I do that I may have Eternal Life He shewed his respect to Christ in calling him Master his affection in calling him good Master his understanding in that he came to Christ about the weightiest matter in the whole world Eternal Life and his good inclinations that he desired to know what good thing he should do to have Eternal Life Moreover he had from his youth up addicted himself
none upon Earth that I desire besides thee 3. The Lord Jesus prefers such as love and serve him above all persons in the world Exod. 19.5 If you will obey my voice indeed and keep my Covenant then you shall be unto me a peculiar treasure above all people Deut. 7.6 The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself above all people that are upon the face of the Earth He calls his Church the fairest among women Cant. 1.8 Now if Christ love and prefer us above all other persons in the world is it not reason that we should love and prefer him above all things and persons in the whole world 5. It is dangerous loving and preferring any thing above Christ For 1. VVhat we love and prefer above Christ we make it an Idol an abominable Idol There are Idols in the Heart as well as Idols in the Temples Ezek. 14.3 Son of man these men have set up their Idols in their heart Now that is an Idol in the Heart which is loved and preferred above Christ VVhat we love most whither it be the true God or an Idol that we make our God Deut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart Now the Idolatry of the heart is odious to God as well as bowing the body to an Idol for the Soul boweth to the Idols set up in the heart And such as set up Idols in their hearts shall be shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven as well as they that bow their bodies to Idols Eph. 5.5 For this ye know that no Whoremonger nor Vnclean person nor Covetous man who is an Idolater hath any Inheritance in the Kingdom of God and of Christ A Covetous man is called an Idolater because he loveth the World above God and Christ and this Idolatry as well as worshipping Graven Images will shut a man out of the Kingdom of God 2. What we love and prefer above Christ shall either be quickly taken from us or else the enjoying of it shall become a curse to us Oft times when we Idolize Creatures God takes them away from us To overlove any thing is the ready way to lose it When Jonah overjoyed in his Gourd the Lord prepared a worm the next day that smote the Gourd and it withered Jona 4.6 7. Or else God curses those things which we are over-fond of and makes them grievous crosses When the Jews doted on the Assyrians God gave them into the hands of the Assyrians to be spoiled and destroyed by them Ezek. 23.5 12. Sect. 6. Such as complain of inability to come up to the terms of the Gospel answered It may be some will say I wish I could close with the terms on which Christ is offered in the Gospel but I find I am not able to do it I find in my self an inability to believe and repent I can't obey Christ and deny my self and suffer for Christ I wish I could do these things but I find no power yea sometimes I find opposition and reluctancy in my will against the terms of the Gospel what would you say to one in my condition A. 1. The main thing that God looks at is that we should be willing to have Christ as he offers him to us in the Gospel That we be willing to believe in him willing to repent of our sins willing to obey Christ willing to suffer for his sake willing to be saved by him in his own way For God is willing to give Christ and all his benefits unto every one that is willing to receive him Rev. 22.17 Whosoever will let him take the water of life freely As it is in matters of charity where there is a willing mind God accepts it though there be not ability to do that which we are desirous to do 2 Cor. 8.12 If there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to what a man hath and not according to what he hath not So it is in other Evangelical duties if there be a willing mind to perform what the Gospel requireth it is accepted although there be not power and ability to do what is required of us If there be a willingness to leave our sins and obey the Lord it is accepted as obedience Isa 1.16.19 Cease to do evil learn to do well If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the Land There may be a willingness to that good which we want power to perform and where there is such a willingness it is taken notice of and accepted by God Math. 26.41 The Spirit indeed is willing but the Flesh is weak 2. If you find a want of power to come up to the terms of the Gospel this should not keep you from Christ but cause you to go to him that he give you power and strength to do what he requireth of you The Apostle of himself was as weak as we are he could do nothing no nor think any thing that was good 2 Cor. 3.5 But through Christ's strengthning him he could do all things Phil. 4.13 If we find we can't believe we must look unto Christ that he would work Faith in us Heb. 12.2 Looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith If we can't Repent we must look unto Christ to give us Repentance for he was Exalted to give Repentance to those that can't Repent as well as Remission of sins to them that do Repent Act. 5.31 If we can't obey Christ and walk in his ways we must look unto Christ to put his Spirit within and to cause us to walk in his ways Ezek. 36.27 If we can't love and prefer Christ above all things we must look unto Christ that he would Circumcise our hearts to love him with all our hearts and all our souls Deut. 30.6 If we can't deny our selves for Christ we must look to him to give us a self-denying heart Ezek. 36.26 If we can't suffer for Christ we must look unto him to give us a suffering Spirit Phil. 1.29 3. If you find some unwillingness as well as an inability to close with Christ upon the terms of the Gospel seek unto God to work in you both a will and power to accept of Christ as he is offered in the Gospel To encourage thereunto consider 1. Both are Gods work which he works in us out of his free grace It is God that makes us willing to close with Christ on the terms of the Gospel and it is God that gives us power to believe repent deny our selves take up our Cross and follow Christ Phil. 2.13 It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure 2. Both are promised and may be obtained of God if we will seek for them He hath promised to encline our wills to embrace Christ Psal 110.3 Thy people shall be a willing people in the day of thy power And he hath promised to give power also to them that have no might Isa 40.29
He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength 3. Both a will to embrace Christ and power have been sought with good success Cant. 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee the King brought me into his chambers Draw me that is make me willing and able to come to thee and this request was answered the King brought me into his Chambers that is according to my desire drew me unto himself Psal 119.36 Encline my heart unto thy Testimonies When we feel any averseness in our hearts to any of the ways of God we must go unto God to encline our hearts to walk in his ways Sect. 7. Mens not seeing their need of Christ is an hinderance of their closing with Christ Several causes hereof 1. Resting in a blameless Conversation 2. Resting in Church Priviledges 3. Resting in our own Righteousness 4. Resting satisfied with the World Another sort of hinderances that keep many from closing with Christ besides sticking at the terms of the Gospel is when men do not see their need they have of Christ but rest satisfied with other things instead of Christ and that is occasioned several ways I will instance in three or four As 1. Resting in a civil blameless Conversation free from gross sins 2. Resting in Church priviledges 3. Resting in our own Righteousness 4. Resting satisfied with the World Seeing many men do rest in their being of a civil and blameless Conversation and being free from gross sins and thereupon do not see any need of Christ to save them but hope to go to Heaven when they dye because they live in a blameless manner I shall shew that this is not sufficient to Salvation without an interest in Christ 1. It is the duty of all that expect to go to Heaven when they dye to endeavour to live in an holy blameless manner Phil. 2.15 That ye may be blameless and harmless the Sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine as lights in the World 2 Pet. 3.14 Seeing ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 2. Though it be the duty of all that expect to go to Heaven when they dye to live in a blameless manner and to keep themselves from the pollutions of the World yet a civil and blameless Conversation a Conversation free from gross sins is not sufficient to carry a man to Heaven without an interest in Christ For a man may live civilly and be free from gross sins and yet be in a dangerous and damnable condition on several accounts As 1. He may be an ignorant man and have no knowledge of God and Christ he may have no understanding in the mysteries of Salvation And such as live and dye without Understanding God will have no mercy upon them and will shew them no favour Isa 27.11 It is a People of no Vnderstanding therefore he that made them will have no mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favour And they shall perish for ever on whom God will have no mercy and to whom he will shew no favour 2. A man may live civilly and be of a blameless Conversation and yet be an Unbeliever be one that hath no Faith in Christ And all such as do not believe in Christ shall be damned and have their portion in the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone Mark 16.16 He that believeth not shall be damned Rev. 21.8 The Vnbelieving shall have their part in the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone 3. A man may be free from gross sins and live civilly and yet dye Eternally for want of a new heart and be shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven for not being born again Ezek. 18.31 Make you a new Heart and a new Spirit for why will you dye O house of Israel Joh. 3.3 Verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God 4. A man may lead a civil life and be free from gross sins and yet have no love to Jesus Christ And such as have no love to Christ are in a cursed condition 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha That is let him be accursed and let him remain accursed till the Lord cometh to take vengeance on him 5. A man may be free from gross sins and yet be guilty of Spiritual sins and be in a damnable condition for his Spiritual sins As for instance A Man may never touch a Woman and yet be an Adulterer in the sight of God by the lustings of his heart Math. 5.28 Whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery already with her in his heart A man may never strike his Neighbour and yet be a Murderer in the sight of God by hating him in his heart 1 Joh. 3.15 Whosoever hateth his Brother is a murderer and ye know that no murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him A man may never bow his body to an Idol and yet be an Idolater in the sight of God by over-loving and trusting in his Riches Col. Nor covetous man who is an Idolater hath inheritance in the Kingdom of God and of â—â—â—ist He may have a civil life and yet 〈◊〉 Atheist in his heart Psal 14.1 The 〈◊〉 hath said in his heart there is no God Many persons rest in their Church priviledges as that they are born of Religious Parents are Members of Churches have been Baptized are frequenters of Gods Ordinances have received the Lords Supper and therefore they hope it shall go well with them Thus the Jews bore up themselves that they were Abraham's Seed were Circumcised had the Temple of God among them Joh. 8.33 VVe be Abraham's Seed Jer. 7.4 Trust ye not in lying words saying the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord But none of these things will avail me to Salvation unless they have an interest in Christ As I shall make appear these ways 1. To be born of Religious Parents of Parents in Covenant with God is a great Blessing but if they do not seek and serve that God whom their Fathers served but forsake him and go in the way of their own hearts though their Fathers were as Holy men as ever lived upon the face of the Earth God will cast their impenitent degenerate disobedient Children into Eternal Torment David was a man after Gods own heart yet he tells his Son Solomon that if he forsook the Lord the Lord would cast him off for ever 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart and willing mind If thou seek him he will be found of thee if thou forsake him he will cast thee of for ever The Jews bore up themselves with this that they had Abraham to their Father but
so much of them as is good for us is to receive Christ and seek after our Souls Salvation and to live an Holy Life rather than to neglect Christ and our Souls Salvation and to give our selves wholly or chiefly to mind the things of the World which may be proved several ways 1. They that serve Christ and seek chiefly after their Souls Salvation have the promise of all things necessary for this Life as well as the Life to come Math. 6.33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you 1 Tim. 4.8 Godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and that which is to come And a promise from God is better security for the things of this life than our own wisdom or industry or present possessions though great or what else the whole World can afford to us 2. When Christ becomes ours the world is ours so far as God seeth it needfull and so far as he seeth it good for us it shall be ours 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. All things are yours whether Paul or Apollo or the world all are yours and ye are Christs All things in the world shall be for the furtherance of our Spiritual and Eternal welfare the crosses as well as the comforts of the world 3. All things in the world are at the disposal of God and he gives them to whomsoever he will 1 Chron. 29.12 Both riches and honour come of thee and it is in thine hand to make great Dan. 4.17 The most high ruleth in the Kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will And seeing the whole world is at the disposal of God is a likelier way to obtain the world to seek and serve the Lord and his Son Jesus Christ or to live in the neglect of God and to disregard his service Obj. But some may say how is this the surest and best way to obtain the world to embrace and serve Christ when as ordinarily the servants of God have less of the world than other men A. 1. They that seek and serve the Lord have as much of the world as the Lord seeth to be good for them Psal 34.10 They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing And it is far better being without than having that which the Lord seeth would be hurtfull for us And Riches are of that nature that to have abundance of them proves a real hurt to some men Eccl. 5.13 I have seen Riches kept for the Owners thereof to their hurt 2. That little of the world which the servants of God have is better than the great possessions of other men Psal 37.16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the Riches of many wicked If any say how can this be that a little that a righteous man hath should be better than the riches of many wicked I answer 1. The servants of Christ have more comforts in their little than wicked men have in their abundance For they have their little with Gods Blessing which takes away the sorrow from what they possess Prov. 10.22 The blessing of the Lord it maketh Rich and addeth no sorrow therewith But other men have a curse and vexation added to what they have Prov. 3.33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked 2. The Servants of Christ have their little with a good Conscience and a good Conscience is a continual Feast Prov. 15.15 a merry heart is a continual Feast Rich men make Feasts sometimes which the poor servants of Christ can't do yet they excell the Rich man for they have a continual Feast One of the greatest Feast made by Rich men that we read of was that which King Ahasuerus made which lasted an Hundred and Fourscore days Esth 1.4 But behold here a better yea a continual Feast But now other men have their estates with an accusing Conscience and that is a continual vexation 3. The servants of Christ have more contentment in their little than other men have in their greatest abundance Eccl. 5.10 He that loveth Silver shall not be satisfied with Silver nor he that loveth abundance with increase VVicked men are in straits in their greatest abundance Job 20.22 In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits But the servants of Christ have a sufficiency and a contented mind in the midst of their wants and straits Phil. 4.11 12. I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and suffer need 4. The servants of Christ have their little with the love and favour of God Deut. 10.18 He loveth the stranger in giving him Food and Rayment VVhen his People are strangers and he gives them but little Food and Rayment yet they have it with his love Psal 146.8 The Lord loveth the righteous But other men are hated in their greatest abundance Psal 5.5 Thou hatest all workers of iniquity And a little with the love of God is better than great riches and his hatred therewith Prov. 15.17 Better is a dinner of Herbs where love is than a stalled Ox and hatred therewith If the meanest fare with love from men be better than the choicest provision and hatred therewith how much more is this true of the love and hatred of God Sect. 8. Doubts and scruples about our being under the offer of Christ an hinderance to our closing with Christ These doubts answered It may be some will say if I saw and knew that God offered Christ and Salvation by Christ to me I would accept of him on any terms but I have many doubts and scruples upon my mind whether God offers Christ to me as my unworthyness the greatness of my sins my being so little affected with my sin and misery my long neglect of Christ and the like and I can't tell how to think that God should offer Christ to such an unworthy creature to such a great sinner to such an hard hearted creature as I am to one that have neglected and stood out so long as I have done For satisfying these scruples I shall lay down these following propositions about the offer of Christ and Salvation by Christ to all sorts of sinners on the terms of Faith and Repentance 1. The Lord Jesus Christ with all his saving benefits is offered to the meanest and most worthless persons in the whole world when the Gospel comes that find their want of Christ and are willing to receive him though they have no mony that is nothing of any value to commend them to God yet they may have Christ and all his benefits freely Isa 55.1 Ho! every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no mony come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without mony and without price 2. There is an offer of Christ and Salvation by Christ to all sorts of Sinners The
that my day of grace is past and so there is no hope for my Soul that ever I should be made partaker of Christ A. No man ought to conclude his day of grace and Salvation to be past as long as he is in the Land of the living If Christ be not accepted before we dye then we shall miss of him for ever The day of grace and the day of Salvation is gone for ever if Christ be not embraced before Death comes But as long as we are in the land of the living there is a door of hope stands open to us Eccl. 9.5 To him that is joyned to all the living there is hope As long as we are under the Preaching of the Gospel which is the Ministry of Reconciliation it is an accepted time and a day of Salvation 2 Cor. 5.20 Compared with 2 Cor. 6.2 Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the Day of Salvation While God is treating with us by his Embassadors who do in Christ's stead pray us to be reconciled to God so long 't is an accepted time and a day of Salvation Upon the last day of the Feast when the people were to be dismissed and sent to their own home the Lord Jesus made an offer of himself to all that did thirst after him Joh 7.37 In the last day that great day of the Feast Jesus stood and cryed saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink This Feast was the Feast of Tabernacles ver 2. which Feast lasted many days Lev. 23.34 36. Their dwelling in Tabernacles while in the VVilderness till they came to Canaan was an Emblem of our Frailty whilst we remain in the Body which is called a Tabernacle 2 Cor. 5.1 2 Pet. 1.14 I must put of this my Tabernacle that is my body As our Lord Jesus offered himself to every one that was a thirst on the last day of the Feast of the Tabernacles so he doth offer himself to us even to the last day of our continuance in our Earthly house of this Tabernacle The penitent thief who embraced Christ the last day of his being in this Earthly Tabernacle upon the day of his death was accepted of him But some may say again the weary and the thirsty and the heavy laden and such as are of a broken heart and are burdened with their sins are invited to come to Christ but I am not affected as I ought to be with my sin and misery I am not humbled for my sins but I have an hard dead insensible heart and therefore I am afraid Christ is not offered to me A. 1. Even such as are not affected with their sin and misery but have high thoughts of their own excellencies when as in truth they are wretched and miserable are invited to come to Christ for good and white rayment and eye Salve whereby they may have a true sight of their own state and be made sensible of their sin and misery Rev. 3.17 18. Because thou sayest I am rich and encreased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked I counsel thee to buy of me Gold and white Rayment and anoint thine eyes with eye salve that thou mayest see VVe see the poorest and most miserable which are not affected as they ought with their sin and misery are called upon to repair to Christ and to be dealing with Christ for the choicest of his benefits Gold white Rayment eye salve that they might see and be made rich and have their nakedness covered 2. As Christ was sent to bind up and heal the broken in heart Isa 61.1 So he was exalted to give Repentance to hard hearted sinners Act. 5.31 And it is his work to take away the stony heart from those that have stony hearts and give them hearts of flesh For it is the Lords promise to take away the stony heart and to give an heart of flesh Ezek. 36.26 And it belongs to Christ as he is Mediator and surety of the new Covenant to see this as well as other promises of the Covenant fulfilled 3. Sleepy and secure sinners are called upon by the Gospel to awake out of their sleep and to look to Christ for light and life Eph. 5.14 Wherefore he saith awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light 4. Though you do not find such an hunger and thirst such a weariness and burdened condition as others find yet if you are willing to have Christ on the terms of the Gospel willing to be ruled and saved by him in his own way you need not doubt but Christ with all his saving benefits is offered freely to you as freely as to any other person for he is offered freely to every one whosoever he be that is willing to have him Rev. 22.17 Whosoever will let him take the water of life freely Sect. 9. Doubting of Christ's willingness to receive us an hinderance of our closing with Christ This doubt removed It may be some will say I am willing to accept of Christ on the terms of the Gospel but I doubt whether Christ will accept of me because I have been such a vile and sinfull creature and still find in my self such an unsanctified heart and such a corrupt nature A. They that are willing to accept of Christ on the terms of the Gospel may lay aside all their doubts of Christ's accepting them of what nature soever they be And that on such grounds as these 1. We have Christ's own word and promise to assure that if we come to him he will in no wise cast us out Joh. 6.37 Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Him without exception of any person or any sin him whosoever he be and whatsoever he hath done that cometh to me that is that believeth on me that receiveth me as I am offered in the Gospel that in the sense of his lost and perishing condition cometh to me to save him I will in no wise cast out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Two Negatives I will not I will not cast him out I will in no wise no accusation that Satan shall bring against him for the multitude or greatness of his sins or his long continuance in his sins or any other accusation shall prevail with me to cast him out I will in no wise cast him out that is I will graciously accept him Nonrepellam a me a societate mea communione bonorum I will bestow my self and all my benefits upon him I will not cast him out that is out of my Kingdom I will receive him to be with me where I am 2. Though we have been sinners yet if we be penitent sinners the Lord Jesus will receive us upon our coming to him 2
Cor. 6.17 18. When Christ was on earth he received those that came to him though they had been great sinners and though he incurred the censures of the Pharisees thereby Luk. 15.2 The Pharisees and the Scribes murmured saying this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them And he is not less mercifull now he is in Heaven than he was while he was on Earth 3. The parable of the prodigal Son may satisfie us that our Lord Jesus will not only not reject penitent sinners though they have been the chiefest of sinners but will receive them willingly and joyfully Luk. 15 20 24 25. The Father received his Son with all joy when he returned home penitent and yet he had been a vile wretch he had spent all his estate on harlots and riotous living ver 13.30 And would have submitted to a base low employment rather than return to his Father It was pure want that drove him to go to his Father because he was ready to perish with hunger yet this vile wretch that was unworthy of the name of a Son was entertained and received with great joy CHAP. IV. Such as have an interest in Christ may find comfort in Christ under all Spiritual troubles I Have shewed how such as have an interest in Christ may find comfort in Christ under all personal and national troubles and under the persecutions of the Church I shall now shew that there is comfort to be had in Christ under all Spiritual troubles Cant. 2.5 Stay me with flaggons comfort me with apples for I am sick of love This being sick of love signifieth foul troubles and where doth the spouse seek for comfort under foul troubles but from Christ and the benefits we have by Christ Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples By flagons we are to understand wine which was wont to be distributed in flagons 2 Sam. 6.19 He dealt among all the people a cake of bread and a flagon of wine Now the benefits that we have by the death of Christ are compared to wine which makes glad the heart of man and are called in Scriptures by the name of wine Isa 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters yea come buy wine Wine was appointed by Christ to be the representation and memorial of his blood and the benefits purchased by his blood namely remission of sins and confirmation of the new Covenant Christ speaking of the Wine which is drunk at his Table saith Mat. 26.28 This is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins 1 Cor. 11.25 This cup is the New Testament in my Blood Under the law there was Wine offered with the dayly Sacrifice every Morning and Evening Exod. 29.38 40. Now Wine being that which makes glad the heart of man Psal 104.15 VVe may learn hence that all those comforts which make glad the heart of man they are the fruit and effect of Christs being made a Sacrifice for us Stay me with flaggons signifies support with those comforts and refreshments which are the purchase of Christ's Blood stay me with the discovery of the remission of my sins and the promises of the New Covenant Comfort me with Apples what are these Apples The fruits and benefits we have by Christs death who bore our sins in his own body upon the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 In the foregoing verse our Lord Jesus Christ is likened to an Apple-tree As the Apple-tree among the trees of the Wood so is my beloved among the sons I sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my tast Now the benefits which we have by the incarnation the Death and Intercession of Christ are the Fruit growing on this Apple tree which was sweet to the Spouses tast and are the Apples with which she desired to be comforted when she was sick of love That we are to seek our comfort in Christ and from Christ under all Soul troubles we may see from several other Scriptures As Psal 42.5 Why art thou cast down O my Soul and why art thou disquieted within me hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance Countenance signifieth favour because a mans favour is discerned by a chearfull Countenance Prov. 16.15 God's favour is towards us in Christ Rom. 8.39 So that we see whence the Psalmist expected his Consolations when his Soul was in a perplexed disquieted condition it was from the help of God's Countenance that is from that relief and support which he should find from the manifestation of Gods love in Christ to his Soul Psal 61.2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Our Lord Jesus in Scripture is resembled to a Rock 1 Cor. 10.4 That Rock was Christ VVhen David's heart was overwhelmed with grief and when he was in desolate places where he had none to comfort him he begs to be led to Christ who was the Rock that was higher than he for he knew there was support and comfort in Christ under the greatest inward troubles though such as overwhelmed the heart as appears from ver 2. compared with ver 7. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I so will I sing praise unto thy name for ever VVhen David was in great heaviness through the hidings of Gods face and walked day by day with a sorrowfull heart he found joy and comfort in Christ Psal 13.1 2. How long wilt thou forget me O Lord for ever How long wilt thou hide thy face from me How long shall I take counsell in my Soul having sorrow in my heart dayly My heart shall rejoyce in thy Salvation By thy Salvation here we may understand the Lord Jesus Christ who is called the Salvation of God Luk. 2.30 Mine eyes have seen thy Salvation That is the Lord Jesus Christ ver 26. See also Isa 49.6 That thou mayest be my Salvation unto the ends of the Earth By thy Salvation we may also understand that Temporal and Eternal Salvation which he hoped that God for Christ's sake would bestow upon him So that it was from Christ and the benefits which come by Christ that David fetched his comfort in all his Soul troubles And therefore all of us that are under any soul troubles should repair to Christ for comfort It is said of David 1 Sam. 22.2 Every one that was in distress and every one that was in debt and every one that was discontent or as it is in the Margent bitter of Soul gathered themselves unto him and he became a Captain over them Let us do the like by Christ the Son of David let every one that is in distress and every one that is in debt our sins are debts to the justice of God Mat. 6.12 and every one that is bitter in Soul gather our selves to Christ who is the Consolation of Israel and he will be the
Captain of our Salvation and comfort us under all our troubles I shall farther prove this that there is comfort to be had in Christ in our Soul troubles by giving instance in several soul troubles and shew that there is comfort under all of them to be had in Christ Sect. 1. Comfort to be had in Christ against indwelling corruption In Regenerate persons there are remainders of Original Corruption The Apostle Paul complained of the indwelling of sin Rom. 7.17 Sin that dwelleth in me And he did not only find sin dwelling in him but warring against the law of his mind and leading him captive to the law of sin which was a very great trouble and burden to him ver 23.24 And what was Paul's comfort against the indwelling warring and captivating power of sin It was Christ Jesus Rom. 7.24 25. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. I will shew what comfort there is in Christ against the remainders of Original Corruption 1. Christ's blood is a Fountain set open on purpose for washing away the Fountain of sin and uncleanness that is in and issueth forth out of our hearts Zech. 13.1 In that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the house of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness This Fountain is the blood of Christ 1 Joh. 1.7 The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sins There is no other Fountain under Heaven set open for the cleansing away of sin but the blood of Christ which is compared to a Fountain because of its sufficiency to supply all commers and the continual efficacy the Fountain runs night and day continually The day wherein this Fountain is set open is the day and time of the Gospel For under the law it was covered over with divers Types and Ceremonies it was vailed with the Ceremonies but now that vail that covering is done away It was a Fountain sealed and concealed from the Gentiles but now 't is a Fountain opened to the Jews and Gentiles for though only the house of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem are named yet the Gentiles are included in this promise for they are of the same body and fellow-heirs with the Jews of the promises of God Eph. 3.6 Observe farther for what end this Fountain is set open that is for sin and for uncleanness that is to wash away all sorts and all manner of sins our Original and Actual sins the uncleanness of our hearts and lives It may amaze us when we see and consider what a Fountain of sin and uncleanness is in our hearts but it may greatly comfort us when we consider that Christ's blood is a Fountain set open on purpose to wash away sin and uncleanness 2. Though sin doth and will dwell in us as long as we live yet this may comfort us it shall not have the dominion over us Rom. 6.14 For sin shall not have dominion over you because ye are not under the Law but under Grace For our Lord Jesus Christ hath by his death obtained deliverance from the reigning power of indwelling corruption so that though sin remain in us it shall not reign over us we shall not be the servants of sin Rom. 6.6 Knowing this that our old man is Crucisied with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin And therefore though we find sin not only dwelling in us but warring against the law of our minds and sometimes prevailing over us and leading us captive yet we should believe that God for Christ's sake will both pardon and subdue our sins Psal 65.3 Iniquities prevail against me as for our Transgressions thou shalt purge them away The purging away of sin implyes both the pardoning our sins by the blood of Christ Psal 51.7 Heb. 1.3 Heb. 9.22 and the mortification of sin or purging sin out of our hearts and conversations 2 Tim. 2.21 Isa 4.4 and 27.9 Now David did rest upon God for the purging away his Transgressions even when he found iniquities prevailing that is he did trust in God that for Christ's sake he would both pardon and subdue his sin 3. As it is a ground of trouble that sin dwelleth in us so it is a ground of great comfort that we have the Spirit of Christ to dwell in us as a Fountain of grace and holiness and that this Spirit of grace shall dwell in us for ever and as a Well of water springing up to Everlasting Life 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you And this Spirit of Christ which is given to us to dwell in our hearts shall dwell and abide with us for ever Joh. 14.16 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth he dwelleth in you and shall be in you And he dwelleth in us as a Fountain of Grace and Holiness or as a VVell of water springing up to Everlasting Life Joh. 4.14 The water that I shall give him shall be in him a Well of water springing up into Everlasting Life 4. Though sin dwell in those that are in the Members of Christ yet it shall not be imputed to them unto their Condemnation Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit He doth not say there is no sin in them that are in Christ Jesus but though their be sin in them there is no condemnation to them ver 34 Who shall condemn It is Christ that dyed Christs death hath made satisfaction for our sins and therefore such as are in Christ shall not come into Condemnation but are passed from death to life Sect. 2. Comfort in Christ for lapsed Christians that have fallen into heinous sins that have wounded their Conscience and broke their Peace Besides the great trouble that ariseth to the Servants of Christ from indwelling corruption they may through the Temptations of Satan and their own weakness and want of watchfullness fall into actual Transgressions of a very heinous nature that may break their Peace and wound their Consciences as Peter who denyed Christ and curse and swore he did not know the man which caused him when he came to himself to weep bitterly And David committed such heinous sins in the matter of Vriah and Bathsheba that caused such anguish of Spirit as if all his bones had been broken and therefore being in a joyless condition as full of anguish as a man that hath broken bones he prays thus to God Psal 51.8 Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Now though this be matter of deep Humiliation for Christians to fall into heinous sins yet it is not a desperate case
us till we are brought safe to Heaven 1 Pet. 1 5. Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation And though the Lord lets us fall for our Humiliation yet he will not suffer us to be utterly cast down Psal 37.23 24. This power of God that keeps us is able to stablish the weakest Christians against all Oppositions Rom. 16.25 To him that is of power to stablish you The Apostle speaking of such as are weak in the Faith saith Rom. 14.1 4. Him that is weak in the Faith receive you yea he shall be holden up for God is able to make him to stand 2. The mercy of God preserveth us from falling away Psal 94.18 When I said my foot slippeth thy mercy O Lord held me up and this mercy stands fast with us for ever Psal 89.28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore Isa 54.8 3. The faithfullness of God is a comfort against our fears of falling away 2 Thes 3.3 The Lord is faithfull who will stablish you and keep you from evil 5. The Lord Jesus Christ hath assured his Sheep that they shall never perish but that he will give them Eternal Life and that none shall pluck them out of his hands Joh. 10.27 28 29. Where observe that all the sheep of Christ are kept by the power of the Father and the Son to Eternal Life so that they shall never perish For our fuller satisfaction in this case let us see what are the grounds of those fears of falling away which perplex our minds and see how we are secured against all of them 1. Is it the strength of Satans Temptations The Lord hath engaged his faithfullness that he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear 1 Cor. 10.13 2. Is it the strength of indwelling corruption The Lord hath engaged himself by promise to subdue our iniquities Mic. 7.19 3. Is it the opposition that the World maketh against us the troubles and persecutions of the world makes us fear that we shall fall away Christ hath overcome the world for us Joh. 16. ult And no men by all that they can do shall pluck any of Christs sheep out of his hands Joh. 10.27 28. 1 John 4.4 4. Are we afraid that God should leave us and that we being left of him should fall away He hath engaged himself by promise that he will never leave nor forsake us Heb. 13.5 He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 5. Are we afraid of our own treacherous backsliding hearts He hath engaged to put his fear into our hearts that we shall not depart from him Jer. 32.40 Sect. 10. There is comfort in Christ for such whose heart is sick because there hope is deferred Solomon tells us Hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov. 13.12 And many Christians find it true by experience while hope for promised mercies and mercies begged in prayer and their hope is deferred their hearts grow sick and their spirits faint within them Psal 143.7 Hear me speedily O Lord my spirit faileth Psal 119.81 82. My soul fainteth for thy salvation Mine eyes fail for thy word saying when wilt thou comfort me Now there is comfort in Christ for such as find their hearts fainting when prayed for promised hoped for mercies are deferred And that on these grounds 1. Promised mercies shall furely be given in God's time which is the best time for all things Hab. 2.3 The vision that is the mercies promised to the prophet in a vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lye though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry And the like I may say of mercies begged in prayer they shall furely come if they be such as are according to the will of God 1 Joh. 5.14 2. Our Lord Jesus Christ intercedeth with his Father to give us all promised mercies For he is the Mediator of the New Covenant and Mediates with God on our behalf that for his sake he would give us all the blessings promised in the new Covenant He also intercedeth for us with his Father to give us all those mercies which we ask in his name agreeable to his will Heb. 7.25 And the Lord will not deny Christ any thing for which he maketh intercession 3. The longer hoped for mercies are deferred the sweeter they will be when they are given to us Prov. 13.12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life 4. When hoped for mercies are delayed till the heart is sick and begins to faint yet it is good still to keep up our hope in God Lam. 3.18 26. Psa 119.81 For we please God when we hope in his mercy Ps 147.11 5. The main and best of hope is for things laid up in heaven for us Col. 1.5 For the hope which is laid up in heaven for you If in this life only we had hope in Christ we were of all men most miserable The best blessing which a Christian hopes for are laid up in heaven There we shall have an answer of all our prayers a fulfilling of all promises a satisfaction of all our desires when that blessed hope is accomplished it will make amends for the deferring and frustration of all other hopes Wherefore let us look after and wait patiently for that hope Tit. 2.13 1 Pet. 1.13 Sect. 11. There is comfort in Christ for such as are assaulted with horrid temptations as blasphemy self-murder c. Some Christians are assaulted with grievous temptations as blasphemous thoughts self-murder c. that they are even weary of their lives Now to such there is comfort to be had in Christ in several respects as 1. None of all the temptations of Satan can bereave a Christian of eternal life For a Christian's life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God And what is hid with Christ in God is out of the devils reach 2. Though Satan may temptthe members of Christ yet he shall be never able to overcome them but they shall overcome him and all his temptations Rev. 12.11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb Eph. 6.16 Above all things taking the shield of faith whereby ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked Col. 2.15 3. The worst of Temptations are consistent with the Fatherly love of God Our Lord Jesus Christ who was the beloved Son of God was tempted to cast himself down from a pinacle of the Temple and to fall down and worship the devil and what worse sin than to worship the devil 4. We are assured by God that if we resist the devil he will flee from us Jam. 4.7 And therefore whatsoever Temptation he assaults us withal let us resist him believing that he will flee and if he come again let us resist him again We are also assured that though the Lord suffer Satan to tempt us yet he will not suffer us to be tempted above what he will enable us to bear 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man But God is faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it FINIS