Zin because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the Children of Israel 4. Another Quality to be discerned in the Manner and Form of the Scriptures is the Harmony and Agreement that is to be found in them all along notwithstanding the diversity of Times Places and Persons still there is an increase of Knowledg and Dispensations rise higher and higher as the Light increaseth till Noon-day but there is no difference Luke 1.70 As he spake by the Mouth of his Holy Prophets which have been since the World began One Mouth many Prophets They lived in such distant Ages handled such diversity of Arguments yet all conspired in promoting the same Truth which is now revealed to us in the New Testament There is a great difference of Style some speak with more loftiness and majesty others with greater familiarity and humility of Expression yet all promoting the same thing There is a difference in the manner of Prosecution yet an exact harmony in the Substance and essential Quality of their Writings not only in their general drift and scope to set out the Glory of God and the Good of Mankind but in the matter handled without any spice of secular Vanity as is to be seen in other Writings So that one and the same Spirit appeareth throughout the whole 1 Cor. 12.4 Now there are diversities of Gifts but the same Spirit Yea there is not only a diversity of Style but a different degree of Light according to the increase of God's Dispensations yet there is an Harmony God's Name and Style and the Mystery of Christ was made known to the Church by degrees the solemn Title and Style of God was not one and the same from the beginning of the World but tho they were divers yet they were not one contrary to another but one perfecting the other He is called by Melchisedeck The most High God Possessor of Heaven and Earth Gen. 14.19 Afterwards by reason of his Covenant with Abraham 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God Alsufficient Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty God or the Alsufficient God walk before me and be thou perfect Then when he was put to it he made known himself by the Name of Jehovah Exod. 6.2 3. And God spake unto Moses and said unto him I am the Lord. And I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the Name of God Almighty but by my Name IEHOVAH was I not known unto them And after the appropriation of the Covenant to the Family of the Patriarchs he is called the God of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob Exod. 3.15 The Lord God of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob hath sent me unto you This is my Name for ever and this is my Memorial unto all Generations Then upon experience of God's care of them he is called Exod. 20.2 The Lord thy God which hath brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Then the Lord that brought his People out of the North Country Jer. 23.7 8. Therefore behold the days come saith the Lord that they shall no more say The Lord liveth that brought up the Children of Israel out of the Land of Egypt But the Lord liveth which brought up and which led the Seed of the House of Israel out of the North Country and from all Countries whither I had driven them and they shall dwell in their own Land Then when the Sun of Righteousness was risen the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope c. 2 Cor. 1.3 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort Ephes. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places in Christ. So for the Mystery of Redemption First it was revealed to Adam to be by the Seed of the Woman Gen. 3.15 I will put enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy Seed and her Seed It shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Heel Then to Abraham by thy Seed Gen. 12.3 In thee shall all the Families of the Earth be blessed which was repeated to Isaac to cut off Ishmael then to Jacob to cut off Esau. Then it was revealed out of what Tribe he should come viz. out of Judah Gen. 49.10 The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the Law-giver from between his Feet until Shiloh come Then that he should come of David's Line Isa. 11.1 There shall come forth a Rod out of the Stem of Jesse and a Branch shall grow out of his Roots And that he should be born of a Virgin Isa. 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall conceive and shall bear a Son and shall call his Name Immanuel There is a difference of manifestation yet still an Harmony as there is a difference between a small Print and a great Print but the Matter is the same The Mystery of God manifested in the Flesh is set forth in a fairer Edition 5. There is one Character more in the Form and Manner of these Writings and that is Impartiality Kings and Subjects are bound by the same Laws liable to the same Punishments encouraged by the same Promises If the Scriptures were only a Politick Device to keep Subjects in awe there would be some exemption for Potentates but they are alike obnoxious to God's Judgment and the same Tophet that is provided for the Peasant is provided for the Prince Isa. 30.33 For Tophet is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared he hath made it deep and large c. Tophet was a Valley where the Idolatrous Jews were wont to burn their Children therefore as a fit Type of Everlasting Punishment it is put for Hell it is capacious enough to receive all King and Subject Now the Scriptures that threaten Potentates as well as others must needs be a Law that cometh from an higher than the Highest Who would presume else to threaten those in Power Rev. 20.12 And I saw the Dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which was the Book of Life and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their Works On this side the Grave there is a distinction between Man and Man but all are alike obnoxious to Christ's Judgment and all stand in dread of it There is enough in the Scriptures to astonish the Heart of the mightiest Potentate and make it tremble II. Now from the Matter of the Scriptures I am much prevented from what is published on James 1.18 But let me speak something now All that is spoken in the Scripture may be reduced to these five Heads Precepts Promises Doctrines Histories Prophecies Now all these
concerning his Essence and Will Psal. 138.2 Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name there he hath made himself most known In Creation and Providence we may read much of God but in the Bible more and chiefly his Word of Promise and Covenant which is that Theater upon which his Mercy and Truth is discovered which is the Representation wherein God delighteth And again the Covenant as it is revealed in the Gospel is a chief part of his Name for his Name was secret before the New-Testament-Dispensation was set afoot Judg. 13.18 Why askest thou thus after my Name seeing it is secreet There was little known of the Trinity of the Son of God the Incarnation of the Son of God c. 1. Point That one great Priviledg of the Gospel is to know God by his right Name 1. I shall shew you how God's Name and Title hath been often changed and altered because he would acquaint his People with his full Name by degrees Exod. 6.3 I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the Name of God Almighty but by my Name IEHOVAH was I not known to them First to Abraham to distinguish him from Idols and false Gods El Shaddai then Jehovah as giving Being to his People making good his Promises after God of Abraham God of Isaac and God of Jacob as relating more to the Covenant then God that brought them out of the Land of Egypt Exod. 20.2 then God that brought them out of the Land of the North then the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ before that The Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 The Jewish Church knew little of the Doctrine of the Trinity distinction of the Persons quality of the Mediator God proclaimed his Name Exod. 34.6 7. The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in Goodness and Truth keeping Mercy for thousands forgiving Iniquity and Transgression and Sin but the way of Pardon was not then so fully discovered Some Names God hath from Everlasting as Eternal Infinite some relate to the present State as Creator Lord God in Covenant the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 2. What the Gospel especially doth discover more of God 1. The Distinction of the Persons in the Godhead At the Baptism of Christ the whole Trinity was sensibly present the Son in the Body the Father in the Voice and the Holy Ghost in the form of a Dove This was the Mystery brought upon the Stage 2. The Incarnation of Christ 1 Tim. 3.16 God manifest in the Flesh. The World was acquainted with this great help to Piety The Jews had a Temple here is a Temple wherein the Godhead dwelleth bodily Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily 3. The Attributes of God are more amply declared Every Excellency of God hath its proper Theater where it is seen In the Gospel all are discovered but chiefly Mercy Justice and Truth His Power and his Wisdom are seen in the World but more in the Gospel the Heavens do not declare half so much of the Glory of God as the Word and Doctrine which Christ brought out of the Father's Bosom 1 Cor. 1.24 Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God There is Truth 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the Promises of God in him are Yea and in him Amen The greatest Assurance of his Faithfulness was his sending Christ that which we expect is nothing so difficult to believe as the Incarnation of the Son of God his second coming is not so unlikely as his first if he came to Suffer and to Purchase he will come to Reign His Wisdom in joining God and Man together in the Person of Christ Justice and Mercy together Comfort and Duty together in the Covenant of Grace two Natures two Attributes God loseth no Honour Man wanteth no Encouragement God sheweth his Justice Rom. 3.26 To declare I say at this time his Righteousness that he might be Just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus While the Sacrifices continued God only shewed Patience and Forbearance His Holiness and Hatred of Sin by laying it on Christ punishing it in Christ. His Wrath the most dreadful sight of God's Wrath is upon Golgotha God spared not his Son But his Grace that was on the top Tit. 3.4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards Man appeared This is the Attribute that beareth sway in the Gospel Mercy is in Office ever since the Fall there was not so much Kindness to Man discovered in Innocency God did good to a good Man there was no Mercy to Enemies then there Man was made after God's Image here God is made after our Image and Likeness Mercy and Grace comes now to shew it self to the World Vse Let us admire and study more the Name of God in the Gospel The first Letter of Christ's Name is Wonderful He is a Mystery that is worthy our Contemplation The Angels have known more of God since Christ was revealed Eph. 3.10 To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God Let it take up your Thoughts set your Minds awork Heb. 3.1 Wherefore Holy Brethren partakers of the Heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ. There cannot be a more affective humbling and Heart-changing Consideration 2. Point That none can discover this Name of God but Christ none Authoritatively none perfectly 1. None Authoritatively can fix his Name by which he shall be known among the Creatures The imposition of Names implieth Superiority the less is named of the greater Adam had this favour to name the Beasts as having Authority over them Gen. 2.19 20. And out of the Ground the Lord formed every Beast of the Field and every Fowl of the Air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them and whatsoever Adam called every Living Creature that was the Name thereof And Adam gave Names to all Cattel and to the Fowl of the Air and to every Beast of the Field Now God is over all there is no higher to name him therefore he nameth himself Jesus Christ who is the very Image of God he cometh and declareth his Name My Name is in him Exod. 23.21 He is God and therefore Authoritatively fixeth the Name of God establisheth the Gospel as the Rule and Direction of the Church 2. None can so perfectly discover him Our Hearts are too narrow to conceive of God and our Tongues too weak to express him Prov. 30.4 What is his Name and what is his Son's Name if thou canst tell Who knoweth his Pedigree exactly Who knoweth his Being Who hath been in his Bosom to discover him so as Christ hath done we must have a borrowed Light to see him Vse 1. Sit down with this Revelation which Christ hath left in the Church there is enough to instruct Faith tho not to satisfy
Offer of it I Answer 'T is true they are by Nature Children of Wrath as all are Ephes. 2.3 and the Gospel telleth us who are the Serpentine Brood of a transgressing Stock but how far God may shew Grace to them we know not But for what they would do afterwards that can make no Argument in this Case For God being a most just and most equal Judge doth not judge his Creature for what is possible and future but only for things that are past and actually committed He punisheth nothing but Sins but things that are not cannot be Sins We crush Serpents for their venomous Nature before they have actually done us any Harm So may God destroy Children but that he doth not alwayes do it plain Experience manifesteth 2. The next Distinction is of those whom Christ shall find dead or alive at his Coming Those that are dead shall be raised out of their Graves and have the Spirit of Life restored to them that they may come to Judgment Those that are alive shall undergo a Change like Death 1 Cor. 15.51 We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed These Bodies as thus qualified cannot brook the State of the other World Now there will be found both Good and Bad alive at Christ's Coming If all the Faithful were dead before there would be some Time when God would have no Church upon Earth Now 't is foretold in the Scriptures that the Kingdom of Christ which consists in the Church shall endure for ever and that of his Government there shall be no end As no Intermission so no Interruption That therefore it may not be interrupted some Believers there must be even in the very last Times by whom the Kingdom of Christ may be continued in this World and come to joyn with the other Part of Christ's Kingdom that is in the other World Therefore the Apostle telleth us Thess. 4.16 17. The Dead in Christ shall rise first and then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds and meet the Lord in the Air and so for ever be with the Lord. On the other side all the Wicked shall not die for the Man of Sin is to be consumed with the Brightness of his Coming Now how shall the Brightness of his Coming comsume him if he were already abolished with all his Adherents and Followers 3. The third Distinction is of Good and Bad Both sorts shall come to receive their Sentence onely the one come to the judgement of Condemnation the other to the judgement of Absolution Joh. 5.28 29. They which are in the Grave shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil to the Resurrection of Condemnation The Word is clear in this Point That both the Godly and Wicked shall live again that they may receive a full Recompense according to their wayes None of the Godly will be lost but shall all meet in that general Assembly nor shall any of the Wicked shift or shun this day of appearance but both shall at the Call of Christ be brought before his Judgment Seat The godly rejoycing to meet their Redeemer and the wicked forced into the presence of their Judge who could otherwise wish that Hills and Mountains might cover them So Acts 24.15 I believe the Resurrection of the just and unjust not aequabiliter boni For Matth. 5.45 For he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth his rain upon the just and unjust Let us answer some places for the good Joh. 3.18 He that believeth in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not judged That is with the Judgment of Condemnation so we render it and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 5.24 He that believeth on him shall not come into condemnation Yet for Absolution they come On the other side some of the Ancients denyed the wicked's entering into Judgement Psal. 1.5 The ungodly shall not stand in judgement the latter clause expounds it nor Sinners in the Congregation of the righteous This is the great Birdle upon the wicked when they are serious They fear more the Resurrection from the Dead than Death it self 4. The next Distinction of men whom Christ shall judge are Believers and Vnbelievers To Believers we reckon all those that lived not only in the clear Sun-shine of the Gospel but those also to whom the Object of Faith was but more obscurely propounded To those that lived before the Flood and after the Flood as well as those that lived in Christs time and after the pouring out of the Spirit Abel and Enoch and Noah are mentioned in the Chronicle and History of Faith Heb. 11. as well as Abraham Isaac and Jacob and Believers of a latter Stamp and Edition And among Unbelievers are reckoned all those that through their own obstinate Incredulity rejected the divine Revelation made to them as well those that neglected the great Salvation spoken by the Lord himself as the World of Vngodly in Noah's time 1 Pet. 3.20 who were disobedient when Noah preached Righteousness to them or laid open the way of Life and Salvation to them Indeed it concerneth most those that have the Gospel clearly preached to them but others are not excused In short this Distinction will bring in several ranks of men 1. Some that have heard of Christ and of the Grace of God dispensed by him These shall be judged by the Gospel tenour and Dispensation which clearly sets forth all men to be Sinners and therefore to have deserved Eternal death and that there is no Name under Heaven whereby men can be saved but by the Name of Jesus Acts 4.12 And the great Question propounded to them is Whether they have believed in Christ yea or no Mark 16.16 They that believe not shall be damned They are condemned upon a double account partly by the Law and partly by the Gospel Partly by the Law because they being under the Wrath and Curse of God would not embrace the Remedy Besides the Sentence of the Law standeth in full force against a man if he cometh not to Christ to get it repealed Joh. 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already and the Sentence is ratified in the Gospel Joh. 3.36 He that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the Wrath of God abideth on him To their other Sins they added Unbelief which is an hainous Crime yea the great damning Sin 1 Joh. 5.10 Those that say they Believe are to prove the truth of their Faith by the Power it hath upon their Hearts and Practice Jam. 2.6 7 8. Rev. 20.21 If that hath drawn off their Hearts from worldly Vanities and fleshly Lusts and engaged them to live unto God in the new and heavenly Life 2. All that have heard of Christ have not the Gospel alike clearly made known unto them To some he is preached clearly and purely and without
honourable So Christ himself is said to sit down at the Right Hand of God the Father That is to say hath obtained the highest Place of Dignity and Power above all Angels and Men in Bliss Honour and Dominion Doctrine The Godly shall be placed honourably at the Day of Iudgment when the Wicked shall have the Place of least respect A Type and Figure of this we have in Moses his Division of the Tribes some were to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the People some on Mount Ebal to curse Those born of Jacob's Wives put upon Mount Gerizim those of his Servants on Mount Ebal Reuben excepted who went into his Father's Bed The Saints in their Measure enjoy all the Priviledges that Christ doth Now the Father saith to the Son Psal. 110.1 Sit thou at my Right Hand So they have chosen the best Blessings 't is said Psal. 16.11 At thy Right Hand are Pleasures for evermore And Prov. 3.16 Length of Dayes is in her Right Hand They love God and are beloved of Him They honour God in the World 1 Sam. 2.30 They that honour me I will honour VSE Let us then encourage our selves when we are counted the Scurff and Off-scouring of all things We shall not alwayes be in this Condition but Christ will put Honour upon us in sight of all the World SERMON XXI MATTH XXV v. 34. Then shall the King say unto them on his Right Hand Come ye Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World WE have considered in the former Verses 1. The Sitting down of the Judge 2. The Presenting the Parties to be judged Now 3. The Sentence First Of Absolution in these blessed Words which I have now read to you Observe in them 1. The Preface 2. The Sentence it self 1. The Preface sheweth the Person by whom the Sentence is pronounced Then shall the King say 2. The Parties whom it concerneth To them on the Right Hand Secondly The Form and Tenour of the Sentence it self 't is very comfortable and ravishing Take notice 1. Of a Compellation used Ye Blessed of my Father 2. An Invitation expressed in two Words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Come and Inherit The First giveth Warrant for Entring The Second for possessing of this Blessed Estate and that by a sure Tenure 3. The Happiness unto which we are invited and there the Notion by which 't is expressed The Kingdom The Adjunct A Kingdom prepared The Application of it to the Parties concerned For You. The Ancientness of it From the Foundation of the World An Estate excellent in its self and made sure for us Doctrine That Iesus Christ at his Coming will adjudge his People unto a State of Everlasting Happiness by a favourable and comfortable Sentence passed in their behalf First Observe the Order Then The Godly are first Absolved before the Wicked are Condemned Why Because 1. 'T is more natural to God to reward than to punish to save than to condemn The one is called Alâ—enum opus His strange Work Isa. 28.21 His Self-Inclination bendeth him to the one more than to the other The Absolution of the Good maketh for the Manifestation of his Mercy the Attribute wherein God delighteth Mica 7.18 But his Justice as to the Punitive Part of it 't is last God doth Good of his own Accord but Punishment is extorted and forced from him 2. 'T is suitable to Christ's Love to begin with the Saints He is so pronely inclined to them that he taketh their Cause first in Hand He parted from them with Thoughts of returning to them again 3. For the Godlies sake that they be not for any while terrified with that dreadful Doom which shall pass on the Reprobate and that afterwards become Judges of the Wicked by their Vote and Suffrage when absolved themselves 1 Cor. 6.3 4. For the Wicked that they may understand and be affected with their Loss and so be made more sensible of their own Folly Christ will in their sight put Glory and Honour upon his good Servants that they may have a stinging and vexatious Sense of that Happiness which they have forsaken Whether it be for this or that Reason let us the better bear it here When Judgment beginneth at the House of God as it often doth 1 Pet. 4.17 there Absolution beginneth at the House of God And if upon us God first shew his displeasure against Sin 't is for the bettering of the Saints and reforming the World First Christ will take in hand our Absolution and Coronation before he passeth Sentence against the Wicked Secondly The next thing observable is the Title given to Christ Then shall the King say Christ first calleth himself The Son of Man Vers. 31. because in Humane Nature he administreth this Judgment Afterward sets forth himself by the Notion of a Shepherd Vers. 32. because of his Office and Charge about the Flock and then to shew it in the exact Discrimination he shall make between Cattel and Cattel But now the Notion is varied The King shall say Partly because it belongeth to his Kingly Office to pass Sentence and prefer his faithful Subjects to Dignity and Honour as also to punish the Disobedient Partly because in that Day he shall discover himself in all his Royal Magnificence and call the Godly to him and solemnly put them in possession of the promised Glory The King shall Crown and Absolve us It shall be a Tribunal Act and therefore valid and authentick When the Redeemer of the World as King shall then sit in Judgment in all his Royalty he shall then put this Honour upon the Saints Thirdly The next thing is I. The Compellation used Come ye blessed of my Father 1. Observe in the general 't is a Friendly Compellation used to such as were thought to be in savour with God Witness Laban's Words to Abraham's Servant Gen. 24.31 Come in thou Blessed of the Lord. And Judg. 17.2 Blessed be thou of the Lord. Those that were counted dear and beloved of the Lord were thus treated and spoken to And because of the high Favour vouchsafed to the Virgin Mary in being the Mother of the Son of God 't is said All Generations shall call thee Blessed Luk. 1.28.42.48 But what an Honour is this when Christ shall pronounce us to be so with his own Mouth Come ye Blessed of my Father 2. More particularly two Terms must be explained 1. Blessed 2. Of my Father First Blessed This Term is 1. Opposed to the Worlds Judgment of them The World despiseth them and counteth them execrable vile and cursed Therefore 't is said Matth. 5.44 Bless them that curse you and Matth. 5.11 Blessed are ye when Men shall say all manner of Evil of you for my Names sake He is blessed whom Christ blesseth The World rails at us as cursed Miscreants unfit to live in Humane Societies The World saith Abite Maledicti Away ye Cursed 't is not fit for such an one to live But
a Kingdom that cannot be shaken of which none can dispossess us our Sufferings may be many long and grievous but then all will be at an end when Christ shall place us at his right hand Heb. 6.19 Which Hope have we as an Anchor of the Soul both sure and steadfast and which entereth into that within the veil We have a sure Anchor in the stormy gusts of Temptations 1 Thes. 5.8 Let us put on the Breast-plate of Faith and Love and for an Helmet the hope of Salvation and Eph. 6.17 And take the Helmet of Salvation Hope is our Helmet in the dreadful day of Battel As long as we can lift up our heads and look to Heaven we should patiently bear all Calamities We shall at last hear this Blessed Voice Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World SERMON XXII MATTH XXV v. 35 36. For I was an Hungred and ye gave me Meat I was Thirsty and ye gave me Drink I was a Stranger and ye took me in Naked and ye Cloathed me I was Sick and ye visited me I was in Prison and ye came unto me WE have seen the Sentence now the Reason of the Sentence For The Illative Particle sheweth that many like the Sentence would be glad to be entertained with a Come ye blessed of my Father But turn back upon the Reason to Visit Feed and Cloath they have no mind or to any other serious Duties and Acts of Faith and Self-denyal but we must regard both and I hope in a business of such moment you will not be skittish and impatient of the word of Exhortation I shall first Vindicate the words and then give you some Observations from them First Vindicate them and assert their proper sense and intendment for upon the Reading four Doubts may arise in your minds 1. That good Works are the reason of this Sentence 2. That the good Works of the Faithful are only mentioned and not the evil they have committed 3. That only works of Mercy or the fruits of Love are specified 4. All cannot express their Love and Self-denyal this way Let me clear these things and our way will be the more easie and smooth afterward I. For the first Doubt That works are assigned as the reason of the Sentence of Absolution For the Papists thence inferr their Merit and causal influence upon Eternal Life I Answer 1. 'T is one thing to give a Reason of the Sentence another to express the Cause of the Benefit received and adjudged to us by that Sentence A Charter may be given to a sort of People out of meer grace and Priviledges promised to all such as are under such a qualification though that qualification no way mâ—riteth those Priviledges and that Grace promised As if a King should offer Pardon and Preferment to Rebels that lay down their Arms and return to their Duty and Allegiance and live in such bounds their returning to their Duty doth not merit this Pardon for it was a meer act of Grace in the Prince much less doth their return to their Duty and living peaceably within their ancient bounds merit the Honours and Advancement promised yet this is pleadable in Court and the Judge that taketh knowledge of the Cause taketh the Reason of his Sentence from their peaceable Living within their bounds whereby he Judgeth them capable of the Honours promised and expected So here God of his meer Grace promiseth the Pardon of our Sins and to bestow upon us Eternal life if we Believe and Repent and return to the Duty we owed him by our Creation Our Obedience is not the Cause of our Pardon or of our right to Glory but his free Promise but yet this qualification must be taken notice of by our Judge in the great day as the Reason of his Sentence The sprinkling of the Door-posts with Blood was not a proper cause to move the destroying Angel to pass over but according to that Rule he must proceed the admitting all that have a Ticket to any Solemnity is not the Cause why they are worthy to be received This is clear that a Person is justified in some other way than a Sentence is justified These works are produced to justifie the Righteousness of his Sentence before the whole World A Sinner is justified by Faith Christ's Sentence by the Believers Obedience 2. That Works merit not the Blessings promised and adjudged to us is evident For they are due Luke 17.10 So likewise ye when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable Servants ne have done that which was our Duty to doe And they are imperfect Phil. 3.12 Not as though I had already attained or were already perfect And they are Gifts of God for which we ought to give him thanks 2 Cor. 8.1 A Grace of God bestowed on us and Gifts have no Equality with the Reward Rom. 8.18 And they are done by Servants redeemed by an Infinite Price 1 Pet. 1.19 With the Precious Blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot being already appointed Heirs of Eternal Life Rom. 8.17 Deserving eternal Death Rom. 6.17 and that need continually implore the Mercy of God for the Pardon of Sin So much as you ascribe to mans Merit so much you detract from the Grace of God And the more sin is acknowledged the more Illustrious is Grace Rom. 5.20 Where sin abounded Grace did much more abound You cross the Counsel of God all glorying in himself 1 Cor. 1.29 That no flesh should glory in his presence And Deut. 9.4 5 6. Speak not thou in thy Heart after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee saying For my Righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this Land but for the wickedness of these Nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee Not for thy Righteousness or for the uprightness of thine heart dost thou go to possess their Land But for the wickedness of these Nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee and that he may perform the word which the Lord sware unto thy Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Vnderstand therefore that the Lord thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy Righteousness for thou art a stiff-necked People 3. That Works are produced as the undoubted Evidences and Fruits of a true and sound Faith Justification is opposed to Accusation before Gods Tribunal A double Accusation may be brought against us That we are Sinners or guilty of the breach of the first Covenant And that we are no sound Believers having not fulfilled the Conditions of the Second From the first Accusation we are justified by Faith From the latter we are justified by Works and that not only in this World but in the day of Judgment Christs Commission and Charge is to give Eternal Life to true Believers and the Mark of true
of God remaineth Heaven that I am shut out of is a Blessing which others enjoy Lazarus is in Abraham's Bosom 2. The Sight of Christ. They had a Glimpse before they went into Hell of the Glory of his Presence 2 Thess. 1.9 They shall punished with Everlasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord. That short Experience of Christ's Appearing will remain in their Minds to all Eternity 't will stick by them how they are thrust out Christ himself that hath the Keyes of Death and Hell shall bid them go as if he had said I cannot endure your Presence any longer 3. From the Company of the Blessed Luk. 13.28 Ye shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God and your selves shut out Envy is a part of their Torment as well as their Loss Luk. 16.27 And in Hâ—ll he lift up his Eyes being in Torments and saw Abraham asâ—r off and Lazarus in Abraham's Bosom 'T is a Torment to think that others of the same Nature and Interest do enjoy what they have forfeited 4. Their Abode in those Happy Mansions which are in Christ's Father's House Rev. 22.14 15. Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City For without are Dogs and Sorcerers and Wâ—â—remongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lie II. This Loss is the more bitter and grievous because 't is a Loss of their own procuring Forsaking of God was their Sin and now their Misery They first Excommunicated God for a Trifle Job 22.7 Depart from us we desire not the Knowledge of God Man is like the Devil Art thou come to torment us before our time Rom. 1.28 They did not like to retain God in their Knowledge therefore God gave them over to a Reprobate Mind They abhorred the Thoughts of God 't was their Burthen The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God Now they are filled with their own Thoughts Man was first a Fugitive before he was an Exile III. The Loss is irreparable Despair is a constant Ingredient to their Sorrow They cannot hope ever to be admitted into Goa's Presence any more There are many Ups and Downs in a Christian's Experience God hideth his Face that he may shew it afterwards the more gloriously This is a Curse that shall never be reversed 'T was the Churches Prayer Return again and cause the Light of thy Countenance to shine on us and we shall be saved Psal. 80.19 like the Sun-shine after a cloudy Night But here are Foggs of Darkness for evermore The Sun is to shine no more on them to all Eternity 2 Pet. 2.17 To whom is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever Hell is a Region upon which the Sun shall never shine 1. VSE Lay to Heart your Distance from God by Nature Let us not draw this great Judgment upon our selves Our Sin will be our Torment We are estranged from the Womb Isa. 58.3 As a Stream runneth away from the Fountain further and further so are we absent from God both in Heart and Affections as well as in State Ephes. 2.13 Ye were afar off As the Prodigal went into a far Country Thoughts of God are not only Strangers but unwelcom Guests The Devils believe and tremble So we Guilt will not suffer us to look God in the Face Psal. 10.4 2. Be not quiet 'till you come out of this Estate by Christ He is the Bridge between Earth and Heaven Joh. 14.6 There can be no Familiarity between us and God but through him Luk. 16.26 Christ is the Ladder by which we ascend the Means of Intercourse between God and us When Man was driven out of Paradise the Tree of Life was guarded by a Flaming Sword There is no Coming to God but by him And he is able to save to the utmost Heb. 7.25 3. Avoyd Sin that separateth between God and you Isa. 59.1 2. How will you pray when you cannot look God in the Face Fear followeth Guilt The Israelites when they had sinned worshipped at their Tent-Door You cannot come to God with such Confidence 4. Let us often delight in Communion with God and Acquaintance with him 'T is Heaven begun Heaven is for Gods Familiars Strangers here will not be owned and hereafter Mat. 7.23 Christ will say unto them I know you not But Christ will take notice of his old Friends Oh then love his presence make him of your Councel your Bosome-Friend 5. Live in an holy Sensibleness of his Accesses and Recesses For his Accesses that you may be thankful for his Recesses to be humble 'T is a Question which is worst not to take notice of his Accesses or Recesses not to mourn for his Absence or rejoyce in his Presence both are bad Not to mourn for his Absence is the worst sin because Absence is most sensible In the present Life when our enjoyment of him is lost 't is a temporary Hell yet 't is foul Ingratitude not to take notice of his Presence when he counselleth you in Doubts guideth you in Straits God will have his Acts of Familiarity to be observed 't is his Complaint Hosea 11.3 I taught Ephraim also to goe taking them by their Arms but they knew not that I healed them The one argueth little Feeling the other little Gratitude only want of feeling is the worser Sign for that is a sign of Deadness When God suspends all Acts of Familiarity some are stupid and insensible so they can take up with the comforts of the Creature they never mind Spiritual Visits Miâ—ha mourned for his Gods Love is discovered by Grief in Want as well as Delight in Enjoyment The main of Christianity lyeth in observing how 't is between us and God When actual Influences are suspended either of Grace or Comfort when Prayer finds not such an Answer and when we do not find such Excitation to holy Duties and God hideth himself from our Prayers We have handled the Loss Now we come Secondly To speak of the Pain There are sad Gripes at the parting of the Soul and Body what then will there be at the parting of the Soul and Christ when the terrour of Christs face shall banish them out of his Presence Secondly The Poena Sensus Here I shall take notice of 1. The Nature of the Torment Fire 2. The Aggravation from the Duration Everlasting 3. The Company and Society Prepared for the Devil and his Angels First The Nature of the Torment Fire By Fire is not meant material or ordinary Fire that cannot hurt Spirits Now this is such a Fire as is prepared for the Devil and his Angels All the other Expressions are Metaphorical the Wood the Brimtone the Lake the Smoak the Worm the Chains and why not this But observe though it be not Fire yet it noteth real and horrible Torments such aâ— are more painful than Fire 'T is called Wrath to come
from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you The Spirit cannot leave his dwelling-place It is said John 5.24 He that heareth my Word and believeth on Him that sent me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into Condemnation but is passed from Death unto Life The change is wrought as soon as we begin to be acquainted with God in Christ. 2. Presently after Death there is a further progress made As soon as the Soul is separated from the Body it begins to live gloriously It is with Christ Phil. 1.23 I desire to depart and to be with Christ it is in Christ here but not so properly with him And it is in Paradise Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise In Abraham 's Bosom Luke 16.25 He seeth Abraham a far off and Lazarus in his Bosom And enjoyeth the Fruit of good Works Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord From henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their Labours and their Works do follow them There is not only a cessation from Sin and Misery but an enjoyment of Glory and the Body resteth without pain and labour till the Resurrection as in a Bed Isa. 57.2 He shall enter into Peace they shall rest in their Beds each one walking in his uprightness 3. After at the Resurrection of the Body there is a consummation of all Joy That is called the Day of Regeneration Mat. 19.28 Body and Soul shall be renewed perfectly for Immortality and Glory Then we live indeed therefore Christ saith John 11.25 I am the Resurrection and the Life All is consummate and full then Death hath some Power till that day Vse 1. To press us to labour after this Holy Life John 6.27 Labour not for the Meat that perisheth but for that Meat that endureth unto everlasting Life which the Son of Man shall give you Grace is the Beginning and Pledg of it It is the Beginning and Seed of Life this is an immortal Spark that shall never be quenched It is the Pledg 1 Tim. 6.19 you may seize Life as your Right and Inheritance Oh labour for it This Life is made bitter that thou mayest desire the other Consider all dependeth on thy State in this World Either thou art a Child of Wrath or an Heir of Life Wicked Men do die rather than live in the other World It is better not to be than to be for ever miserable to lie under the Wrath of God to be shut out of the Presence of God for evermore Vse 2. Bless the Lord Jesus Christ for opening a Door of Life for them that were dead in and by Sin The Tree of Life was fenced by a flaming Sword no Creature could enter till Christ opened the Way 2 Tim. 1.10 By his appearing he hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel Christ came from Heaven on purpose to overcome Death and take away the Sting of it and he is gone to Heaven on purpose to make way for us Our Life cost Christ his Death John 16.5 Now I go away to him that sent me To as many as thou hast given him Let us see the import of this Phrase 1. How we are said to be given to Christ. 2. Who are they that are given to Christ. 1. How we are said to be given to Christ. 1. By way of Reward There was an eternal Bargain and Compact Isa. 53.10 When thou shalt make his Soul an Offering for Sin he shall see his Seed c. We are Members of his Body Children of his Family Subjects of his Kingdom This is a ground of Certainty to the Elect The Lord knoweth those that are his 2 Tim. 2.18 He made no blind Bargain he had leisure enough to cast up his Account from all Eternity 2. By way of Charge to be redeemed justified sanctified glorified John 6. 37 38 39 40. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out For I came down from Heaven not to do mine own Will but the Will of him that sent me And this is the Father's Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last Day And this is the Will of him that sent me that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting Life and I will raise him up at the last Day When the Elect were made over to Christ it was not by way of Alienation but Oppignoration they were laid to Pledg in his Hands and God will call Christ to an account None given to him by way of Charge can miscarry You trust Christ and God trusted him with all the Souls of the Elect. 2. Who are they that are given to Christ I Answer The Elect are intended in this Scripture as is clear He hath a Power over all flesh but to give eternal Life to as many as are given to him So Vers. 24. I will that all they whom thou hast given me may be with me None but the Elect are saved So Vers. 10. All mine are thine and thine are mine Where Christ's Charge and the Father's Election are made commensurable and of the same extent and latitude They are opposed to the World Vers. 9. I pray for them I pray not for the World but for them whom thou hast given me for they are thine I confess it is sometimes used in a more restrained sence of the Apostles and Believers of that Age as Vers. 6. Thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy Word And Vers. 12. Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the Son of Perdition These were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Elect of the Elect. I confess sometimes the Word is used in a larger sence for Christ's universal Power over all Flesh. Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession not by way of Charge but by way of Reward they were given to him or rather a Power over them was given to him There is a peculiar difficulty Vers. 12. concerning the Son of Perdition how he was given to Christ. But I shall handle it when I come to that place Christ having spoken of the Apostles keeping his Word taketh occasion to speak of Judas his Apostacy Note hence 1. That there was from all Eternity a solemn Tradition and Disposition of all that shall be saved into the Hands of Christ. All God's Flock are committed to his keeping This giving Souls to Christ was founded in an eternal Treaty Isa. 53.10 Christ received them by way of Grant and Charge he hath a Book where all their Names are recorded and written Rev. 13.8 All
he was Wise Powerful and Good but they were unhappy in their determination of his Worship they sat a brood and proved but Fools They professed themselves to be Wise but became Fools Rom. 1.22 While they intended him Honour they carved to him the greatest contempt whilst they would express him in the Image of the Creatures they dishonoured him Natural Light is but small in it self and Corruption maketh it less They knew nothing of the misery of Man and the Remedy by Christ our Fall in Adam Original Sin and the Work of Redemption were Mysteries to them they could not dream of these things when they were revealed they counted them Foolishness They spoke of Vertue as a moral Perfection of Vice as a stain of Nature but nothing of Righteousness and Sin as relative to the Covenant of God God used the Heathen as Instruments to put Nature to the highest extent How may we pity them that they could go no further and admire God's Mercy to us that we being weaker than they in natural Gifts are yet stronger in Grace that a Boy out of a Catechism should know more than they Their Misery was great in abusing the Light of Nature our Misery will be greater and Damnation double if we abuse the Light of Nature and Grace 2. Above the Jewes whom God acquainted with his Statutes above all other Nations They knew little of the Name of God in comparison of what we know Therefore Moses desires to know God's Name Exod. 3.13 And it is said Judges 13.18 Why askest thou after my Name seeing it is secret The Divine Glory was hidden and under a Vail In those Appearances of Christ little was known in respect of what was known at his Incarnation It is spoken in reference to the present Dispensation Some notice they had of this Mystery God acquainted them with his Name by degrees as Exod. 6.3 I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the Name of God Almighty but by my Name IEHOVAH was I not known to them God had made himself known by other Names to the Fathers by the Name of God Almighty the Name IEHOVAH that should be an Appellation among his gathered People giving a Being to his People and making good his Promises Afterwards I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac the God of Jacob as more relating to the Covenant Afterwards Jer. 23.5 6. I will raise up to David a Righteous Branch this is the Name whereby he shall be called THE LORD OVR RIGHTEOVSNESS Then God will be known by his Grace justifying his People and accepting them for Christ's sake But in the New Testament all is open and clear he is called the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephes. 1.5 Then God the Father and the Mediator were clearly made known Alas the Jewish Church knew little of the Doctrine of the Trinity the Distinction of the Persons the Quality of the Mediator the Way of Salvation What they knew was obscured and the Doctrine of the Messiah horribly depraved Vse Let us bless God for the Word and take heed unto it as to a Light shining in a dark Place What would be our Condition if we had not the Scriptures among us We should be no better than Salvages in the Wilderness or as the Body without the Soul the Earth without the Sun God might immediately have revealed himself to Man he that made the Heart can instamp it with the Knowledg of his Will But he would state his Doctrine into a setled Course that we might not coin Oracles to our selves or obtrude Fancies on others We have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as to a Light that shineth in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.19 He knoweth to what Liberty we incline in preaching Divine Things No more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of those divers Ways and Manners wherewith God spake in times past to our Fathers by the Prophets Heb. 1.1 After the closing of a perfect Canon there needed nothing but ordinary Revelation This is sufficient to Salvation if there were no Book else if the World were full of Books and this only were wanting there were no certain way nor Rule to Heaven Here is God's Heart discovered to us and our Hearts to our selves it is a ray of the Face of God in Christ. John 1.18 No Man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son of God that lay in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him Satan hath been ever maligning this Light that he might more securely domineer in the World Christ undertook he would declare God's Name to his Brethren and here he hath done it O let it it come with Divine Authority upon your Hearts in all the Precepts Promises Threatnings of it that you may come to a nearer sight of God and your selves 4. Observe The Necessity of a Divine Light before we can understand the Things of God I have manifested thy Name c. 1. There must not only be an outward sure Rule of Doctrine but an inward Light We can have no savory Apprehensions of the Things of God till Christ himself become our Teacher the Son of God must always be the Interpreter of his Father's Will He is the Word that speaketh to the Heart All Men by Nature are ignorant of the Name of God without any saving-Knowledg Ephes. 5.8 Ye were sometimes Darkness not only in the Dark but Darkness it self but now ye are Light in the Lord that is enlightned by his Spirit This is proper to the Elect those who are given to him The Church is Christ's open School the Scriptures our Book the Ministers are the Ushers and Christ is the inward Teacher Some are only taught by the Ministers others are taken aside and taught by Christ himself in private His Publick Lectures are read to all Hearers but the Elect are taught of God John 6.68 Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the Words of Eternal Life Others may hear the Word but they perish in their own blindness and unbelief Some play the Truants in Christ's School they will not hear they pass Judgment on themselves Acts 13.48 As many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed The whole City was met to hear but none believe but the Elect and the Apostle doth not say As many as believed were ordained to Eternal Life but as many as were ordained believed It is not given to all Matth. 13.11 It is given to you to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given All the Difference is in the Will of God so that the Scholars in this kind are the Called according to his Purpose Christ's teaching is of no larger extent than his Father's Election Some School-masters besides their common Care do teach such Children a-part as they love most they take them and point with the Finger So doth Christ manifest himself to those that are
have no Discharge But now Christ's Ascension gives a further degree of Assurance Christ is not only taken out of Prison but taken up to God with Glory and Honour God hath taken up our Surety to himself and rewarded him Christ hath perfectly done his Work or else he had never been taken out of the Grave much less taken up to God God is well pleased with him he hath not only a Discharge but a Reward Christ is said not only to ascend but to be received into Glory 1 Tim. 3.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an active and a passive Word the one noteth the Power of his Godhead the other noteth the Grant of the Father Christ took upon him the Quality of our Surety and he must pay every Farthing e're he can go to his Father It is a sufficient Pledg John 16.10 Of Righteousness because I go to the Father and ye see me no more thus there was an everlasting Righteousness established he was never to see God's Face more if he had not perfectly done his Work Gen. 43.5 Ye shall not see my Face except your Brother be with you He is God's Favourite 2. It is a Pledg of our Ascension John 3.13 No Man hath ascended up to Heaven but he that came down from Heaven even the Son of Man that is in Heaven Ascendit solus sed non totus Head and Members must be together our Head being there before the Members must follow after Christ speaketh as if he were not content with his own Heaven without us Vers. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me Christ took our Flesh to Heaven and left his Spirit which is an Earnest of our Glory 2 Cor. 5.5 He hath given unto us the Earnest of the Spirit God never taketh any thing from his Children but he sendeth them a better thing in the room of it 3. We have an Intercessor at God's Right-hand a Favourite in the Court of Heaven 1 John 2.1 If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the righteous as when Offenders have a Favourite in Court We need a Mediator in Heaven he is gone to disanul all Satan's Accusation The sacrificing part is done and ended and his Intercession now taketh place We have these two great Advantages in Prayer Christ is our Advocate and the Spirit our Notary Vse 1. Information 1. It informeth us of the Priviledges of God's Children When a Child of God dieth he doth but go to his Father Christ and we have the same Relation John 20.17 I ascend unto my Father and your Father to my God and your God He is no more in the World but still he is he doth not say I am no more but I am no more in the World they do not leave Life but the World As Christ was the Son of God by Nature they are the Sons of God by Grace and when they die they go to their Heavenly Father to a sweet Rest to the Bosom of God The same Entertainment Christ had we shall have a joyful Entertainment a sweet Welcome when we come to Heaven and the conduct of Angels thither Luke 16.22 The Beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abraham 's Bosom God will take us as it were by the Hand with a Well done good and faithful Servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee Ruler over many things enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord Mat. 25.21 2. It informeth us That all that Christ did was for a Believer's Use and Comfort if he cometh into the World it is to merit if he ascendeth into Heaven it is to apply He descended from Heaven for the Redemption of Man after that Work is accomplished he ascendeth thither again to bestow it on us and at the last Day he will come again and fetch his Bride as when all things are ready the Heir cometh in Person to fetch the Bride into his Father's House Going coming staying still Christ is ours he was born for us he lived for us he rose again and ascended for us it is for our good that he went away whatever he did in his Abasement and Exaltation it was for our good 3. It informeth us that the greatest Comforts may be supplied Christ's Corporal Presence by the Presence of the Spirit 2 Cor. 1.5 That as our Sufferings in Christ Jesus have abounded so our Consolation also hath abounded through Christ They should lose nothing by his Departure John 14.16 I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever He would not leave them Orphans We cannot be made unhappy by the want of any outward Comfort we have the more of God the less we have of these outward Helps If the Corporal Presence of Christ can be recompensed by the Presence of the Spirit certainly lesser Supports of Life will be recompensed Vse 2. Exhortation 1. To all sorts of Persons to get an Interest in Christ and to clear it up to their Souls How sweet would it be if when we are no more to be in this World we could say Holy Father I come to thee We all affect this Let my latter end be like his as Baalam spake At oportuit sic vixisse An evidence of this is if you ascend with Christ Ephes. 2.6 He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus Head and Heart ought to be together your Head is in Heaven if your Heart be there too you are Members of his Mystical Body How shall a Man know that he is ascended with Christ 1. If the things of the World seem small as when we are in a high Place Men seem as Ants worldly Glory will appear to be small and worldly Profits small But when we are upon Earth heavenly things seem small as Stars appear but as Spangles 2. If you behave your selves to him as to a glorified Person Do you serve him John 12.26 If any Man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall my Servant be if any Man serve me him will my Father honour Carnal Men crucify him again 3. If you keep your selves unspotted from the World James 1.26 No unclean thing shall enter into Heaven The World is a defiâ—ing thing that Filth that cleaveth to our Fingers in telling of Money is an Emblem of the Filthiness of the World A Man that looketh to be like Christ in Glory certainly would not defile himself in the World If a Prince marry a mean Woman would he endure to see her live like a Scullion Christ hath marryed our Nature A Man that loveth the World and would always live here is like a Scullion that lyeth among the Pots would you your selves hug Nastiness and embrace the Dunghil 2. To press God's Children to be holy and heavenly in
die This is the Advantage of spiritual Comforts that they do not only satisfy our Desires but secure us against our Fears Isa. 35.10 The Ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting Joy upon their Heads They shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall flie away Once in Christ and you shall be for ever preserved The Leaven and the Dough can never be severed when kneaded together so neither can you from Christ. Grace would be little better than temporal Things if it did yield but temporary Refreshment You are sure that nothing shall cut you off from enjoying God for nothing shall altogether cause you to cease to love God The Children of God would be troubled tho their Grace should not fail if their Privileges should be cut off but you are sure of both God will maintain a Spark and the Seed remaineth and the Privileges of Grace are sure too This was figured under the Law An Israelite could never wholly alienate his Title to the Land Lev. 25.23 The Land shall not be sold for ever for the Land is mine for ye were Strangers and Sojourners with me His Title to the Land shall not be quite cut off it shall not be sold for ever Which was a Type of our spiritual Inheritance in Christ which cannot be alienated from us He might for a while alienate and pass away his Inheritance yet the Property remained he knew it would return again So here God's Children are never disinherited By Regeneration we are made Coheirs with Christ we have an Interest in the whole Patrimony of the Gospel Now God will not cut off the Entail nor take the advantage of every Offence which his Children commit To insure us he hath not only put the Entail into our hands by giving us his Promise but he hath given us Earnest and Seisin in part and he hath chosen a Feoffee in Trust to keep the Estate for us our heavenly Patrimony is kept safe in his hands It is true we forfeit it by the Merit of our Actions but the Trust standeth still enrolled in the Court of Heaven and is not cancelled Christ is to look to that and it being conveyed in and by him as the first Heir he is to interpose his Merit As under the Law if the Person were not able to redeem the Inheritance the Kinsman was to redeem it Christ is our Kinsman after the Flesh he is our Goal and maketh all firm and sure between God and us It is true we lose the Evidences that are in our keeping Peace of Conscience Joy in the Holy-Ghost but the Estate is undefeizable and cannot be made away from us Well then you see that Grace is kept and the Privileges of Grace are kept O what a sweet Comfort is this But now because Comforts are never prized but in their Season Men that have not been exercised in spiritual Comforts nauseate these sweet Truths they know not what it is to be left to uncertainty when Troubles come like Waves one upon the neck of another let us see when these Truths will be sweet and seasonable 1. In great Troubles when God seemeth to hide his Face Oh! how sweet is it to hear God say Gen. 28.15 Behold I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest and will bring thee again into this Land for I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of All this shall better thy Heart or hasten thy Glory We are apt to think that God will cast us off and will never look after us any more tho formerly we have had real Experience of his Grace What a foolish Creature is Man to weaken his Assurance when he should come to use it to unravel all his Hopes and Experiences Times of Trouble are a fit Season to make use of this Comfort 2. In the Hour of Temptation and hard Conflicts with Doubts and Corruptions when you find their Power growing upon you you are ready to say as David did after all his Experiences I shall one day perish by the Hand of Saul 1 Sam. 27.1 and many times out of Distrust ye give over the Combate Then say Who shall separate us from the Love of God One came to a pious Woman when she had been exercised with a long and tedious Conflict and read to her the latter part of the 8th of the Romans she broke forth in Triumph Nay in all these things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us Sin or Death cannot divide you from Christ Christ will tread Satan under your Feet and weaken the malignant Influence of the World 3. In times of great Danger and Defection through Terror and Persecution as Sanders trembled to think of the Fire especially when others fall fearfully that were before us in Privileges and Profession of Zeal and Piety when the first become last when eminent Luminaries are eclisped and leave their Orb and Station as the Martyrs were troubled to hear of the Revolt of some great Scholars that had appeared for the Gospel When Hymeneus and Philetus two eminent Professors fell it was a great shaking 2 Tim. 2.18 19. Who concerning the Truth have erred saying That the Resurrection is past already and overthrow the Faith of some Nevertheless the Foundation of the Lord standeth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth them that are his 4. In times of disheartning because of the Difficulties of Religion and the use of means groweth troublesome To quicken us in our Christian Course think of the Unchangeableness of God's Love all Grace riseth according to the Proportion and Measure of Faith loose Hopes weaken Endeavours 1 Cor. 9.26 I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the Air As those that run at all give over when one hath over-reached them they are discouraged when Hope is broken the Edg of Endeavours is blunted Go on with Confidence ye are assured of the Issue by these Endeavours God will bless you and keep you there is a sure Recompence 5. In the Hour of Death when all things fail you God will not fail you this is the last Branch Do but wait I will not forsake you notwithstanding all that I have done all that I have promised there is more behind than ever you have enjoyed Death shall not separate Olevian comforted himself with that Isa. 54.10 For the Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but my Kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath Mercy on thee In the Pains of Death Sight is gone Speech and Hearing is departing Feeling almost gone but the Loving-Kindness of God will never depart Oh! the Lord give us such a Confidence in that Day that we may fix this Comfort in our Thoughts Doct. 2. That we are kept in the state of Grace by God's Name by his Power for
could not be supposed to feign Now he appealeth to their Experience You know in all your Hearts c. So Solomon speaks 1 Kings 8.56 Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest unto his People Israel according to all that he promised there hath not failed one word of all his good Promise which he promised by the Hand of Moses his Servant So if a Man would but observe the Course of Providence after a little Faith and Patience which is required of all that would inherit the Promises God never failed but made good his Word to a Tittle Object Many Temporal Mercies are Promises which Promises are not accomplished Answ. They are promised still with exception of the Cross. God is tied no further than the Covenant tieth him Psal. 89.31 32 33. If they break my Statutes and keep not my Commandments Then will I visit their Transgression with a Rod and their Iniquity with Stripes Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my Lips Object But the Scriptures do absolutely press and inculcate these Hopes of temporal Mercies Answ. No only they are mentioned in the Promise partly to encourage our Hearts to pray we should not else ask them 2 Chron. 20.9 If when Evil cometh upon us as the Sword Judgment or Pestilence or Famine we stand before this House and in thy Presence and cry unto thee in our Affliction then thou wilt hear and help Psal. 119.49 Remember thy Word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope Partly to shew that God is able to keep them from such distress and if it be good for them will keep them Dan. 3.17 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 Partly to shew that if we have such Mercies we have them by virtue of a Promise Psal. 128.5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Sion To see a Mercy come out of the Womb of a Promise is very sweet and comfortable Partly to comfort them if they have them not they shall have the spiritual Part nothing shall light on them as a Curse We must go into the Sanctuary to know the meaning of such Promises God will deliver either from the Lion or from every Evil Work 2 Tim. 4.17 18. I was delivered out of the Mouth of the Lion And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil Work If there be any Temporal Promise you may expect the Mercy in kind or as good There is not a waste word in the Promise God will give them satisfaction The People of God never complain when their Thoughts are regular Partly because God seldom faileth a trusting Soul few Experiences can be given to the contrary 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 me from the Snare of the Fowler and from the noisom Pestilence Thereby there is another Engagement on God Isa. 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusted in thee Psal. 9.10 And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Vse Learn to regard the Promises and Threatnings of the Word with more Reverence as if God in Person had delivered them to you 1 Thess. 2.13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of Men but as it is in Truth the Word of God Look to the Threatnings God hath left room for his Mercy and that must be sought in God's way or else we have no Security and Peace Look to the Promises 1. Seek after them more and mind them more Sure your Neglect saith you do not count them true 1 John 5.10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the Witness in himself he that believeth not God hath made him a Liar because he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son If one should proffer you an hundred Pounds and you should go away and never heed it it is a sign you do not believe him 2. Venture more on the Promises they are God's Bills of Exchange whereby you have Treasures in Heaven Deny Interests God will make it up 3. Rejoice in them more You have Blessings by the Root Heb. 11.13 These all died in Faith not having received the Promises but having seen them afar off and were perswaded of them and embraced them they hugged the Promises Do you ever refresh your selves with the remembrance of them Do you ever bless God for your Hopes and say I will rejoice in God because of his Word 4. Wait for the accomplishment of them The Word of the Lord is a tried Word The Saints are tried and the Word is tried Psal. 12.6 The Words of the Lord are pure Words as Silver tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times It is enough for Faith that we have the Promise Fourthly God hath owned the Word by associating the Operation of his Grace and powerful Spirit with it and with no other Doctrine Things of a powerful Operation do evidence themselves as Fire by Heat the Wind by its Noise and Strength Salt by its Savour the Sun by Light and Heat and the like Moral Principles that are effectually operative manifest themselves also Let us see how the Case standeth with the Scripture It is called Rom. 1.16 The Power of God unto Salvation and the preaching of the Cross is to them which are saved the Power of God 1 Cor. 1.18 And 1 Cor. 2.4 My Speech and my Preaching was not with enticing words of Man's Wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power And 1 Thess. 1.5 Our Gospel came not unto you in Word only but in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much Assurance It giveth a perswasion of it self by its being the Power of God and the Rod of his Strength Psal. 110.2 The Lord shall send the Rod of his Strength out of Sion When the Egyptians saw the Miracles that Moses wrought they confessed the Power of God that God was with him Exod. 8.19 Then the Magicians said to Pharaoh This is the Finger of God And when the Scripture evidenceth so great a Power it shews it self to be of God as in judging the Hearts of Men. Heb. 4.12 The Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joints and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart In convincing them of their evil Estate 1 Cor. 14.25 And thus are the Secrets of the Heart made manifest and so falling down on his Face
are fully satisfied It is Fruition maketh us happy We can only speak of it in general Terms the filling up of the Soul with God and of the Glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 We are in God and God in us as Fire in Iron that is red hot it seemeth all on fire Thus can we prattle a little and darken Counsel with words Secondly Backward again Fruition maketh way for Delight We enjoy God to the full therefore we delight in him We are bidden to rejoice in our Pilgrimage Phil. 4.4 Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice God hath made our Work a part of our Wages to train us up by degrees But now when we come to Heaven we enter into our Master's Joy It is our only Work in Heaven painful Affections have no more use And Joy maketh way for Love these mutual Endearments pass between God and us to increase Love We delight in God therefore we are never weary of him And Love maketh way for Likeness and Light for Likeness eadem velle nolle There is the most perfect Imitation and Resemblance of God because the most perfect Love And for Light there is Light in this Fire blunt Iron if it be made red hot pierceth deeper than a sharp Tool we have but one Object And Likeness maketh way for Knowledg Mat. 5.8 Blessed are the pure in Heart for they shall see God A dusky Glass doth not give a perfect Representation Ignorance is the Fruit of Sin Man never knew less than since he tasted of the Tree of Knowledg Holiness clarifies the Eye We shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3.2 There is little proportion between God and Men and therefore we do not know him when we are conformed to God we are in a greater capacity to understand his Nature And then Light or Mental Sight maketh way for Ocular Sight that we may look upon Christ. It is a sweet Emploiment to see the Brightness of the Father's Glory in Christ's Face there is God best to be seen at the Rebound and by Reflection It is a delightful Spectacle Vse 1. To ravish your Hearts with the Contemplation of this Happiness O what an affective Sight is Christ's Glory 1. The Sight it self is a Privilege 2. That we shall be able to see it with Comfort 1. The Sight it self is a Privilege Abraham had a sight of his Incarnation when it was a thing long after to come and it filled him with Joy John 8.56 Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my Day and he saw it and was glad Simeon saw him when he was a Child and then said Now it is enough Luke 2.29 30. Now Lord lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy Word For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Zacheus climbed up into a Tree to see him when he was grown up Luke 19.4 yet then he went up and down as the Carpenter's Son Many saw Christ in Person that had no benefit by him So to see him by Faith and Spiritual Illumination fills the Soul with Joy 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen we love in whom tho now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoice with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory To know Christ by hear-say is lovely and glorious but now what will it be to see Christ in the midst of Angels and Blessed Saints Face to Face he is another manner of Christ than ever we thought him to be It is ravishing to behold him in Ordinances Feasts are poor things to be spoken of to that but yet there is a Vail upon his Glory O that there should be such a glorious Spectacle provided for us It is God's own Blessedness to see himself and enjoy himself 2. That we are able to behold it and that with Comfort That we are able to behold it The World is a dark Place and we are weak Creatures our Eyes now are like the Eyes of an Owl before the Sun we cannot take in a full Representation of his Greatness nor bear the Lustre of his Majesty God is sometimes represented as dwelling in Light to show the Lustre of his Majesty 1 Tim. 6.16 Who only hath Immortality dwelling in the Light which no Man can approach unto And sometimes as dwelling in Darkness as noting the weakness of our Apprehensions Psal. 18.11 He made Darkness his secret Place his Pavillion round about him were dark Waters and thick Clouds of the Sky We are dark Creatures and can but guess all is Mystery and Riddle to us The Children of Israel cried out We cannot see God and live Deut. 5.25 Now therefore why should we die for this great Fire will consume us If we hear the Voice of the Lord our God any more then we shall die God is fain to dwell in the Heavens and fix his Throne there his Glory would drive us to our Wits end the very Happiness of Heaven would not be a Mercy upon Earth And then that we may behold it with Comfort God in Christ is not formidable Wicked Men shall see Christ but they shall see him as a Judg but saith Job with these Eyes shall I see my Redeemer Job 19.25 26 27. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth And tho after my Skin Worms destroy this Body yet in my Flesh shall I see God Whom mine Eyes shall behold and not another Every Time we look upon Christ we have the liveliest and sweetest sense of God's Love it bringeth to remembrance his Passion and Sufferings Wicked Men shall see him as a Judg to their Terror as Joseph's Brethren were ashamed to look on him they cannot hold up their guilty Heads But we come to behold our best and beloved Friend to see him that laid down his Life for us John 15.13 Greater Love than this hath no Man that a Man lay down his Life for his Friend To see such a Friend will be comfortable Vse 2. Strive to get an Interest in so great a Priviledge Who are those that shall have an Interest in it 1. They that are careful to serve Christ here John 12.26 If any Man serve me let him follow me and where I am there also shall my Servant be His Servants shall serve him and they shall see his Face c. Rev. 22.3 4. Those that have suffered with him and sighed with him that have owned him now an hidden Christ shall have the honour to behold him a glorious Christ they that incourage themselves with these Hopes One day I shall see Christ Psal. 27.13 I had fainted unless I had believed to see the Goodness of the Lord in the 〈◊〉 of the Living The true Land of the Living is Heaven the World is but the Valley of the Dead or the place of Mortality The Queen of Sheba took a long Journey to behold the Glory of Solomon which yet was but a temporal fading and earthly Glory
hâ—rtful for us but of that God will be judg some present temporal good may be a cause of future inconvenience and something bitter how may be afterward found wholesome God knoweth whether life or death be best a present riddance of troubles or a continuance of them therefore it followeth verse 28. All things shall work together for good to them that love God That which is apprehended as evil may turn to good therefore these things should not be peremtorily asked but with limitation and exception of Gods will as our Lord Christ Matth. 26.39 And he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt 'T is one thing to believe for certain that God will grant our petition with this condition if the grant be for his glory and our good and another thing to bâ—lieve absolutely that he will not deny the particular thing we ask of him without such exception and reservation 'T is not for us to determine what is most conducing to Gods glory and desirable for us We must commit and submit to God to our Heavenly Father who is never backward to our good and will certainly guide all things for the best 2. The manner 1. With faith What faith have we in prayer With respect to God that he is able and willing to help his people that we need not run to other shifts and be divided between God and carnal means Jam. 1.6 7 8. As to the acceptance of our persons we must pray that we do not weaken our confidence by any allowed sin 1 John 3.20 21. For if our hearts condemn us not God is greater than our hearts and knoweth all things if our hearts condemn us not then have we confidence towards God We sin a way our peace and then cannot come cheerfully to God As to the particular blessings asked necessary that are absolutely promised must be absolutely expected But the promise of the common blessings of this life is not absolute these things are dispensed as shall be for Gods glory and our good The saints themselves express themselves with some hesitancy about these things though inclined to hope the best as David 2 Sam. 12.22 Who can tell whether the Lord will not be gracious to me that the child may live God knoweth what we most really want and what is most agreeable to our desires being able to choose for us better than we can for our selves Joel 2.14 Who knoweth if he will return and leave a blessing 2. With fervency or that life and seriousness which will become addresses to God Matth. 7.7 Ask seek knock we are not in good earnest unless we set our selves to seek the Lord Dan. 9.3 Christ taught us to pray in two parables one for the spirit Luke 11. By a man coming to his friend for loaves at midnight For right done to the Church Luke 18.1 In the parable of the widow and unjust Judg. Persevere till prayer be answered Matth. 15.26 27. Keep wrestling and striving with God Rom. 15.30 Now I beseech you brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and for the love of the spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me 3. With humility we must come as less than the least of his mercies Gen. 32.10 Ezra 9.6 O my God I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God As the Publican Luke 18.13 God be merciful to me a sinner as Abraham Gen. 18.27 Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord who am but dust and ashes 4. With holy ends that God may be glorified John 14.13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son In the spirit John 16.14 He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you Psal. 115.1 Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy name give glory Joel 2.14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent and leave a blessing behind him even a meat-offering and a drink-offering unto the Lord our God 2. The reasons why the prayers so made must be acceptable to God 1. Because here all the divine persons concur we pray according to Gods will in Christs name and mediation by the motion and instinct of the spirit every one is a ground of hope therefore it will not be lost labour or breath poured out into the air 2 Sam. 14.1 When Joab perceived that the kings heart was towards Absalom he makes use of the advantage Christs merit breeds confidence Heb. 10.19 Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus And then the spirits motion God accepteth what cometh from himself Psal. 10.17 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear What is excited and stirred up in us by his spirit 2. On mans part the person is qualified the petition just the end right and the heart excited USE Is to shew us what prayers are heard such as cometh from God and are made to God certainly such shall be dealt with as friends God will bestow marks of abundant favour upon them and reward their love and obedience by hearing their prayers he delights to do great things for their sakes and will have it known that their suppplication is acceptable to him Oh pray thus by the spirit 1. Is your prayer such a prayer as cometh from God such a prayer as is inspired by the spirit holy and fervent Holy for he is an holy and heavenly spirit and puts us mainly upon holy and heavenly things things that always make us better not worse and in other things referring our choices to God what he liketh and thinketh best for us not what we do for our selves not my will but thine be done Then Fervent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 James 5.16 The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man when it looketh like wrestling with God 2. To God like worship relating to God it hath the stamp of his nature upon it some of his Attributes relate to his Mercy and Goodness some to his Majesty and Greatness the one is seen in the joy of our faith and confidence by our delight to converse with him The other in our humility and deep reverence of God when we come to him as poor undone creatures without his grace SERMON XXXVII ROM VII 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose IN the former Verse the Apostle telleth us how the spirit maketh Intercession for the Saints what God liketh and thinketh best for them not what they like themselves most profitable tho not most pleasing Green Fruit is most pleasing to the appetite of the Child but the Parents knoweth 't is
us Is it a good temper and disposition of mind so that grace is represented to us congruously so that it findeth us fitly prepared Certainly seasons should not be over-slipped but yet this is not the adequate cause of conversion that some believe others not because we are so happy to find them in a disposition of mind to obey the word we see that many that come with an ill disposition and temper of soul to hear the word of God yet God taketh them by the heart people should bring a prepared mind free from distractions and prejudices but that is not all that is necessary we are to use the means but the success is from God who will take his own time Christians when they think themselves best prepared find not that efficacy in the word they could desire 2. All good is of God 1 Cor. 4.7 Who maketh thee to differ And what hast thou that thou hast not received And Jer. 24.7 I will give them a heart to know me 'T is his grace maketh the difference Matth. 13.11 'T is given you to know the mystery of the kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given The cause of putting a difference between the one and the other is in the will of God the giver The advantages in the means of better temper better ministry somewhat there is in that Acts 14.1 They so spake that a great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed all this is to be imputed to Gods external providence one way of preaching may be more apt to convert souls than another a dart headed and feathered and sent out of a strong bow will pierce deeper than falling of its own weight pure solid Doctrine rationally enforced is more likely to do the deed But yet the thorough cause of the difference is internal grace changing the heart and powerfully inclining it to God Acts 11.21 The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 'T is Gods mighty power maketh the difference 3. Whatever God doth in time he purposed to do before all time for God doth nothing rashly and by chance but all by counsel and predestination 't is according to his purpose especially in mans salvation nothing is done but what he decreed to be done even the least circumstance time means and occasion 't is all according to purpose not of yesterday but from all eternity Acts 9.11 Gods sending Ananias to Paul and was not that foreknown and determined VSE Is to press us to admire grace Nothing moved God to let out his love upon us but his free eternal distinguishing love nothing keepeth the heart so right with God as a due sense of his free grace and love for the glory of his grace was the great thing God aimed at in all his dealings with us Eph. 1.6 12. To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved That we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. Rom. 9.23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory This is the study of the saints Eph. 3.18 19. May be able with all saints to comprehend what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge 'T is the great excitement to duty 2 Cor. 5.14 The love of Christ constraineth us Rom. 12.1 I beseech you by the mercies of God 1 John 4.19 Titus 2.11 12. It breedeth a good spirit if love is at the bottom of all our duties 2. We have the truest view of our obligations to God in his elective love aulcius est ipso fonte Nothing will so much excite our love and gratitude as to consider 1. That God All sufficient who needeth nothing should chuse us He might have possessed himself if he had never created any thing without himself if you remove all Creatures from him you detract nothing from God if you add all to him you increase nothing in God 'T is the Creatures indigent condition that maketh him go without his own compass for the happiness of his being man cannot be happy in loving himself nor be satisfied in his own intrinsick perfections therefore seeketh supplies from abroad but Gods happiness is to love himself and delight in himself 2. That when God would look abroad among the Creatures he would chuse us whom he found in the polluted mass of mankind and make us objects of his grace and when he came to call us found us intangled in other sins as Abraham the father of the faithful an Idolater Joshua 24.2 every one that looketh into himself will find they were in temper to chuse any thing rather than Christ unless the Lord had prevented us by his goodness and turned our crooked wills and if we consider why we taken and others left Jer. 3.14 I will take you one of a city and two of a family And lastly if we consider this powerful prosecution of his eternal purpose This certainly will excite our love and gratitude SERMON XXXIX ROM VIII 29 For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the first born among many brethren HEre is a reason why all afflictions work together for good to the called according to purpose because they were predestinated to be like Christ in all manner of likeness in sufferings holiness felicity In sufferings they must be afflicted as Christ was he had his share and they have their share Col. 1.24 I rejoice in my sufferings that I may fill up what is behind of the sufferings of Christ in my flesh Christ mystical is to suffer so much he was appointed and they are appointed 1 Thes. 3.3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions for your selves know that we are appointed thereunto Holiness we are to be holy as he is holy as well as afflicted as he was afflicted 1 Pet. 1.15 and again for felicity his sufferings had a good end so shall ours he bore afflictions and passed through them to eternal glory The captain of our salvation was made perfect by sufferings Heb. 2.20 So in us the cross maketh way to the Crown we can go no other way to Heaven than Christ did Therefore the conclusion out of all is That afflictions work for good they do not infringe our holiness but promote it rather if we be humble meek and patient as Christ was they do not infringe our happiness for still it fareth with us as it did with Christ as he was a pattern in bearing afflictions holily and couragiously so in the Crown of glory to be obtained after the victory He was the leader of a patient and obedient people to everlasting happiness so that here is a double argument Why all afflictions must turn to good because our afflictions fall not out besides the purpose
for a Divine Nature he hath given us his Son and giveth us many outward blessings in his daily Providence which are in their kind beneficial to us and tokens of his goodness but they are not assurances of his special Love Eccles. 9.1 No man knoweth love or hatred by all that is before him I have Riches Honour Esteem Food Rayment I cannot therefore conclude God loveth me I am poor and afflicted therefore God hateth me these are weak and ill grounded conclusions he hath given me his Son and washed me in his Blood and pardoned my sins and healed my nature therefore he hath loved me this is the right arguing in short other benefits may be comprehended we know their worth nature benefit and use but this surpasseth knowledg we cannot express nor conceive sufficiently the value and greatness of it in other benefits we stand indebted to God for some outward gifts Corn and Wine and Oil great parts understanding Here Deum debemus we stand indebted for a person of the Godhead 3. 'T is a gift in order to other things and therefore he will compleat that gift Christ cometh not to us empty handed his person and benefits are not divided he came to purchase all manner of benefits and blessings for us not only to raise our wonder and astoniâ—hment by this great act of his condescending love but to pâ—ocure the favour of God the Image of God the everlasting fruition of the glory of God Now will God by an antecedent bounty lay the foundation so deep and withhold the consequent bounty which is the upper building for which this foundation was intended Shall so great a price be paid and we obtain nothing 'T is said of the foolish builder after he had laid the foundation This man began to build and was not able to finish Luke 14.29 30. Surely the wise God will finish what he hath begun if we be qualified and do not ponere obicem shut up the way by our incapacity 4. God may now do us good without any impeachment of honour His Justice and Holiness is sufficiently demonstrated Rom. 3 25 26. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins to declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus The authority of his law is kept up Gal. 4.4 5. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that were under his law that we might receive the adoption of Sons The truth of his threatning doth not altogether fall to the ground Gen. 2.17 In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye Therefore all is made easie and commodious to our thoughts and we can with the more confidence wait for what God hath promised 4. Because the giving of Christ sheweth how freely God will give all things to us He gave Christ unasked and unsought to in this instance we see not only his infinite and great love but his free and undeserved love Rom. 5.8 God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly And v. 10. When we were enemies non invocantibus sed provocantibus Deus sese offerte saith Bernard When the world had corrupted their way and cast off God then Christ died for us even for them that were neither loving nor lovely a consideration to support our confidence notwithstanding the sense of our unworthiness 4. Who have an interest in Christ and may reason thus within themselves something seemeth to be implied in that shall he not also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 together with him give us all things They that have an actual interest in Christ others have but the offer upon condition they are invited but you may be assured 1. Those to whom God giveth Christ In the Scripture we read sometimes of Christ given for us and sometimes of Christ given to us his being given for us noteth the impetration and the purchase of the benefits his being given to us the application of them the one speaketh the love of God to lost man obnoxious to sin and misery the other Gods love to us in particular Gal. 1.10 It pleased God to reveal his Son in me Rev. 1.5 Loved us and washed us in his blood The first gift is Christ John 5.12 He that hath the Son hath life and Heb. 3.14 Partakers of Christ. 2 Cor. 13.5 Christ in you We receive his Person and with him his Spirit to work life iâ— us we do not live in the body till we be united to the head nor till we have Christ do we receive the saving effects of his grace clear that once and shall be not with him give us all things God offereth him to all but he giveth him to you when you believe 2. Those that give up themselves to Christ 1 Cor. 3.22 All things are yours because ye are Christs and Christ is Gods If you be to Christ what Christ was to God a dedicated servant ever to do the things that please him when you enter into covenant with him and devote your selves to his use and service that to you to live is Christ Phil. 1.21 As God giveth Christ to you you live in Christ as you give your selves to Christ you live to him God giveth us Christ and all things with him and we give up our selves and every interest and concernment of ours to Christ to be used for his glory If you be sincere and hearty in this you need not doubt of a plentiful allowance 1. USE is to press us to admire the love of God who spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all In that he spared not Christ the Lord telleth Abraham â—en 22.12 Now I know that thou lovest me since thou hast not withheld thy son thine only son from me So here is a full demonstration certainly God loved Christ better than Abraham loved Isaac and God was not bound by the command of a superior but did it voluntarily Oh get your hearts deeply possessed with this love Lord we see how much thy heart is set upon the recovery of lost man 2. That all this was done that he might spare us for that is the fruit of it Mal. 1.17 I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him The indulgence of God to us is set forth by two amplifications Propriety and towardliness or obedience propriety his own Son a faulty child is a child still and therefore not easily turned out of the family but 't is not a prodigal or a rebellious Son but a good child his son that serveth him Now if we consider what God is the purity of his nature the strictness of his law that sin is an act of disloyalty to God and what we are our manifold defects surely 't is love great love
afflictions of the Gospel 2 Cor. 5.8 9. Death its self may then be born for 't is but the Key to open the prison-door and let out that soul that hath long desired to be with Christ Phil. 1.23 Gratias agimus vobis quod a molestis Dominis liberamur You do them a favour to send them home to their dear Lord. 2. 'T is accompanied with hope they expect within a little while to have their desires accomplished and will a soul that is at Heavens Gates lose all that he hath waited for because the entrance is troublesome When men have crouded to any Mask or Show and have waited long they will not lose their waiting tho they venture many a knock or broken pate to get in so when salvation is very near will a Christian give over his waiting seeking and striving for it Matth. 11.12 Even from the days of John the Baptist the kingdom of heaven suffered violence and the violent take it by fâ—rce 3. Delight We have gotten in part a tast and earnest of our fruition and enjoyment of God and Christ hereafter and it is very pleasing to the soul so that the tempter must needs have a hard task to draw off the soul from him in whom he delighteth Worldly men will not let go their vanities nor sinful wretches their foulest sins because they delight in them Many who never knew what it is to love Christ and delight in his salvation do noâ— so earnestly long for and fixedly hope for the promised blessedness Now these may be easily taken off but the other will venture upon the greatest difficulties Oh. But may not a sound believer be foiled as to his inward man by these afflictive temptations Ans. Yes The experience of the Saints sheweth it too often But 1. 'T is not totally and finally their heel is bruised not only as the outward man is molâ—sted by afflictions but as they may be drawn to some sinful slips and temptations the hâ—el is the lowest and basest part of the body far enough from any vital part the wounds whereof endanger not the life at all the devil may draw them into some sins which may cause much unquietness and affliction of spirit but these wounds are not deadly and do not quench the life of grace in them these wounds may be painful but not mortal They shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2.11 2 Upon recovery by repentance The Lord sanctifieth these falls to them to make them the more cautious and watchful so they grow wiser and better and more resolute as being warned before by their own bitter cost as a ball with the more force it is beaten down it rebounds the higher or as a child that hath gotten a knock or been bitten by a sâ—appish Cur groweth the more wary Josh. 22.17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little fâ—r us They were not yet whole of the iniquity of Peor and therefore should be careful not to wound themselves again 3. All ends in final conquest over Satan Rom. 16.20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under our feet shortly We are now in our combat 't is some conquering to keep up our resistance but our full triumph is hereafter 2. Ob. But will it not hurt to press believers to this confidence Will not this weaken their care and diligence No. 1. This is pleasing and acceptable to God to believe that he will perfect and maintain his begâ—n work Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this that he that hath begun a good work in you will pâ—rfect it to the day of Christ. 2. 'T is honourable unto God and doth excite us to praise and thanksgiving when we can trust our interests in his hands with a quiet and well composed mind 2 Tim. 1.12 And I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him A Christian in all respects of time can bless God for what he hath done called us when strangers and enemies 1 Pet. 2.9 What he doth do keepeth the feet of his Saints 1 Sam. 2.9 For what he will do 2 Tim. 4.17 18. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthned me And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and preserve me to his heavenly kingdom To be satisfied in Gods conduct is certainly very honourable to him 3. 'T is very profitable to the Children of God 1. To keep us from falling God promiseth to keep us but in his own way and that engageth us to an intire dependance upon him in the use of means John 15.4 Abide in me and I in you So 1 John 2.16 17. Ye shall abide in him And then he presently addeth Little children abide in him First a promise and then an exhortation and then we use the means with the more diligence and encouragement as Paul had a promise that not one should perish Acts 27.23 But yet they must all abide in the ship v. 31. 2. To encourage us to return when fallen we have some holdfast on God when we seek to recover our selves by repentance Psal. 119.170 Let my supplication come before thee deliver me accordâ—ng to thy word And Jer. 3 4. Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me My father the guide of my youth 4. 'T is very comfortable and breede 〈◊〉 everlasting joy that should be in Gods redeemed ones Isa. 35.10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads Nâ—y it begets an heroâ—cal spirit when we can bear up on the love of God in the sorest tryals As here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 VSE It cautioneth us not to be dismayed when the people of God seem to be run down by oppositions and reproaches and the cause of Religion to suffer loss and visibly to go to ruin No Christ hath promised that the gates of helâ— shall not prevail against the Church Matth. 16.18 All the Powers which the devil can muster up cannot destroy Christs interest in the world his Kingdom is like a Rock in the midst of the Sea which being beaten on every side with waves standeth unmoveâ—ble his people many times may be scattered oppressed their profession discountenanced and opposed every where seemingly beaten out of the world but then the Church groweth inwardly the graces of his people are strengâ—hned and increased and their hearts bettered their glory hastned their profession more honoured and râ—verenced in the consciences of men Some converted others confirmed When the Christians were butchered and went to wrack every where Oftentimmes it falleth out so when God breaketh that temporal interest to which we lean he provideth for his own Glory and the advancement of the Gospel by other and better means and Religion gaineth when it seemeth to lose as in the primitive times when the slaughters were frequent they sought to drive Christians to deny Christ but they confess him the more they fumed and chafed because they could not get their will and
earthly Clay House is dissolved there were a building not made with hands eternal in the Heavens we would groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with that House For a Christian while out of Heaven is out of his proper place Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God are joyned together 2. Pet. 3.12 The one word implyeth Faith and the other desire surely men do not believe eternal Blessedness who are coldly affected towards it For an estate so Blessed if it were soundly believed it would be earnestly desired 2. Love They that love Christ will long to be with him Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be vvith Christ c. That Christ is there is the great motive to draw our hearts thither Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen vvith Christ seek those things vvhich are above vvhere Christ sitteth on the right hand of God love desireth the nearest union with the party loved Is Jesus Christ the beloved of our Souls Are we espoused to him as to one Husband 2 Cor. 11.2 do we desire to meet him and delight in his Presence in his Ordinances here Surely then we would desire to be with him hereafter for love doth always desire the nearest conjunction the fullest fruition and the closest communion The absence of our best Friend would be troublesome to us therefore we would groan and desire earnestly to be there where he is to behold his Glory How can we love him when we are so contentedly pleased to be long from him 3dly Hope That is a desirous expectation made up of looking and longing and shewing its self in Hearty groans after as well as delightful foretasts of the Blessedness expected what you hope for will be all your desire This estate is a good absent possible but difficult to be obtained as 't is good it is the object of Love as absent and future of desire as possible we look for it as desirable we groan after it well therefore hope hath a great influence upon these affectionate breathings after Heaven and happiness when joined with earnest expectation Phil. 1.20 5thly The Holy Ghost stirreth up in us these groans or a fervent desire partly by revealing the object in such a lively manner as it cannot otherwise be seen Eph. 1.17 18. 1 Cor. 2.22 Partly by his secret influences as he stirreth up holy Ardors in Prayer Rom. 8.25 26. Inutterable groans after happiness He that imprinteth the firm perswasion doth also imprint the desires of these things in our Hearts 6thly All the Ordinances of the Gospel serve to awaken these desires and longings in us and to raise up our affections towards Heavenly things The word is our Charter for Heaven or Gods Testament wherein such rich Legacies are bequeathed to us that every time read it or hear it or meditate upon it we may get a step higher and advance nearer Heaven The promises of the Word tend to this 2 Pet. 5.4 So do the Precepts to put us in the way everlasting Psal. 119.96 All Gods Commandments have an Eternal influence So for Prayer in company or alone 't is but to raise and act those Heavenly desires There we groan and long in the Lords Supper for New wine in our Fathers Kingdom To put an Heavenly relish upon our Hearts All is done in formality and with Hypocrise if it doth not promote these ends 7thly These desires are necessary because of their effect If we do not desire we will not labour and suffer trouble and reproach and persecution What maketh the Christian so Industrious So patient so self denying so watchful Only because he breatheth after Heaven with so much earnestness Desires are the vigorous bent of the Soul that bear us out in all difficulties The Soul leaneth that way its desires carry it If they be weak and feeble they are controlled with every lust abated upon every difficulty the desire of the other world beareth us out in the midst of the Temptations of this world otherwise a man is soon put out of the humour brought under the power of present things Whatever it is that gets your heart that will command you Foolish and hurtful lusts drown and sink you into a base Spirit 1 Tim 6.9 that all the Counsel that can be used will not reclaim you But if you be groaning and longing for and desiring the happiness of another world you have a victory over Temptations you have overcome the world for you regard it then only as your passage you cannot settle here 8thly The state of the present world doth set the Saints groaning and longing for this House from Heaven For this world is vexatious the pleasures of it are meer dreams and shadows and the miseries of it are real and many and grievous Gal. 1.4 To deliver us from this present evil world The present world is certainly an evil world take the best part of the world the state of the Church here it is quite different from what it will be hereafter Now Gods Children are pilgrims and can hardly get leave to pass thorow as Israel could not get leave to go thorow Edom at other times enemies come forth to stop them in the very wilderness Sometimes the Church is like a Ship in the hands of foolish guides that know not the right art of steerage at other times spotted with the Calumnies of adversaries or the stains and scandals of its own Children sometimes rent and torn by sad Divisions every party impaling and enclosing the Common Salvation within their own bounds unchristianing and unchurching all the rest and the name of Christians challenged to themselves and denyed to others and like a ball of contention carryed away by that party that can rustle down others who stand in their way Though with all this disadvantage 't is better to dwell in the Courts of the Lord than in the Tenâ—s of wickedness Yet surely a tender Spirit that mindeth Sions welfare will groan under these disorders and long to come at that great Council of Souls who with perfect Harmony are lauding and praising of God for evermore That innumerable company of Spirits made perfect Heb. 12.23 That general Assembly gathered together out of several Countries into one Body and one place who live together sweetly and serve God without weakness weariness and imperfection obj But how can Christians groan and long for their Heavenly state since there is no passage to it but by Death and 't is unnatural to desire our own Death Answ. 1. They do not simply desire Death for its self but as a means to injoy these better things So Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. 'T is not our duty to Love Death as Death No so 't is an evil that we must patiently bear because of the good which is beyond it But it is our Duty to Love God and to long after Communion with him and to be perfected in holiness Had it not been an evil
evermore 2. This is that which is highly prized by them to be where Christ is Why is this so much prized by true Christians 1. Out of thankfulness to Christ's delighting in our presence Therefore much more should we delight in his He longed for the society of men before the Creation of the World Pro. 8.31 I rejoiced in the habitable parts of the Earth and my delights were with the Sons of men Christ delighted in all the Creatures as they were the effects of his Wisdom and Goodness and Power but chiefly in men as they were the objects of his grace capable of Gods Image and favour Thus he longed for the company of men before the World was When the World was once made he delighted to appear in humane shape before his incarnation As Gen. 18. A man appeared to Abraham and he is called Jehovah And Zach. 1.10 11. And the man that stood among the Mirtle-trees answered and said these are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the Earth As if he would try how 't would fit him to become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh When the fulness of time was come 1 John 1.4 The word was made flesh and dwelt among us as long as it was necessary when he departed he had a mind of returning before he went away and removed his bodily presence from us his heart was upon meeting and fellowship again and getting his people to him John 14.2 In my Fathers House are many Mansions I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am you may be also Until the time that the meeting cometh he vouchsafeth his powerful presence to us Matth. 28.20 Lo I am with you to the end of the World he would never have gone from us if our necessities did not require it 't was necessary that he should die for our sins That nothing might hinder our believing and coming to him 't was necessary that he should go to Heaven if our Happiness had lain here he would have been with us here but it doth not 'T is reserved for us in the Heavens Therefore he must go there to prepare a place for us before he went he desired we might be there where he is As if he could not take content in Heaven till he hath his faithful with him Now he is gone away he will tarry no longer than our affairs require To have our Souls with him that doth not content him till he come and fetch our Bodies also That we may follow him in our whole person and then we and he shall never part when all the elect shall meet in one Common Rendezvous and Congregation Now shall not all this breed a reciprocal affection in us 2. Out of Love to Christ. We would fain get near him who is our great friend Psa. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee And the Saints are described to be those that love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 If we have heard him if we be Christians indeed if we loved him when we saw him not and delighted in him and tasted his grace in truth and felt his power we shall long to be near him and see him and converse with him intimately 3. Tast. Communion begun maketh us long for Communion perfected Psa. 63.1 2. O God thou art my God early will I seek thee my Soul thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty Land where no water is To see thy Power and thy Glory so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary 4. Their compleat Happiness dependeth upon it 1 John 3.2 We shall see him as he is and be like him John 17.24 That they may be where I am and behold my Glory Christ cannot be fully seen on this side time 1. Use is to condemn and disprove them from being true Christians that cannot abide the presence of Christ. The Gadarens desired him to depart out of their Coasts Matth. 8. Yet carnal men have such a Spirit Job 22.17 Which say unto God depart from us Cannot abide Christ in their neighbourhood that he should come near their Consciences 2. Vse is to press us to two things 1. To prize the Communion and fellowship of Christ for the present 'T is constant and habitual that he may dwell in your hearts by Faith Eph. 3.17 Where Christ taketh up his abode there his Spirit is the Fountain of Life Gal. 2.20 Our defence against Temptations 1 John 4.4 Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World The seed and hope of Glory 1 Col. 27. Solemn and actual in holy duties there is Heaven begun there we behold his Face in Righteousness Psa. 17.15 And a day in his Courts is better than a thousand elsewhere Psa. 84.10 2. Let us long to be with him to get out of the pesthouse of the World and the Prison of corrupt Nature I allude to that Gen. 24.57 58. And they said we will call the damsel and enquire at her mouth and they called Rebekah and said to her wilt thou go with this man and she said I will go Wilt thou go to Jesus Lord I will go with thee Hindrances are these 1. A surfeit on the sinful pleasures and contentments of this World This weakens your desires and taketh off the edge of your affections Lot lingered when he was to go out of Sodom Gen. 19 16. 2. Do not darken your confidence by your sin and folly Then you will as a Malefactor fly from him as a judge rather than rejoice to be with him as a Saviour SERMON X. 2 Cor. 5.7 For we walk by faith and not by sight IN this verse a reason is given why we are said to be absent from the Lord while we are at home in the body because all things are transacted between him and us by faith and not by sight or Immediate vision for we walk c. These words do notably set forth to us both the nature of faith and the condition of believers here in the World 1. They set forth the nature of faith which mainly goeth upon things unseen or not obvious to present sense 2. The Condition of a believer in the World he doth not now see God face to face he hath only the promise of blessedness not the injoyment But that I may draw forth the full Scope and sense of the words I shall give you six observations or propositions 1. That faith and sight are opposed and contradistinguished the one from the other 2. That faith is for earth and sight is for Heaven the one is of use to us in this world the other is reserved for the World to come 3. That till we have sight 't is some advantage that we have faith 4. Those that have faith are not satisfied and contented till they have sight For therefore the Apostle groaneth and desireth 5. That if we have faith we may be sure that