GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES OR Some Sermons concerning the Promises and the right application thereof Whereunto are added some other concerning the usefulness of Faith in advancing Sanctification As also three more concerning the Faith of Assurance By Mr. ANDREW GRAY late Minister of the Gospel in Glasgow All being revised since his death by some friends The last Impression carefully corrected and amended 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God Edinburgh Printed by George Swintoun and Iames Glen Anno Dom. 1669. To the Reader Christian Reader ALthough upon some considerations these following Sermons have been keeped back till now and have waited the vacancy of the Presse from other things yet was it at first intended the connexion of the purposes so requiring that they should have come forth as soon as some other of this precious Author which we did formerly publish And therefore in the Preface which we then prefixed we did relate to both and gave the Reader such advertisements as we conceived necessary concerning the one as well as the other So that we have nothing to do at present but to put this little Piece into thy hands commending it to thy serious thoughts and the Lords blessing upon them Neither shall we use many words to this purpose Only we find some help is offered unto thee in three most weighty and concerning points of Christian Religion 1. How by the lively exercise of faith thou may apply the great and precious Promises 2. How by faith thou may advance the work of Sanctification And 3. How thy faith may grow up unto Assurance Of all which we may truly say that nothing can more seasonably take up the thoughts nor bring more advantage to the souls of the Lords people in these times O how necessary is it in such troublesome days to learn how through Faith and Patience we may inherit the Promises and now when our strong corruption hath in a manner necessitate the wise Physician to mix unto us so bitter a cup and give so strong a potion in what a fainting and swouning condition must we be if by the two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie we reoeive not also the strong consolation Again when profanity and ungodlinesse hath so abounded in these Nations that from the top of the head to the sole of the foot there is no soundnesse but wounds and bruises and putrifying sores And when the corruptions of the Time like the sons of Zerviah are grown too strong even for the Davids who are amongst us What should we study with more earnestnesse then to purifie our hearts by faith and by having these promises to cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of the Lord 3. When the Lord hath removed us so far from peace that the souls of many have even forget prosperity and the multiplied changes and revolutions in our days hath so clearly demonstrate the instability of all sublunary glory and so convincingly taught us that this 〈◊〉 not our â—est Vndoubtedly it is time to look for a city that hath foundations and to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure The subject then is useful As to the manner of handling it It is true much accuracy and neatnesse is not to be expected in any work of this nature being only the hasty gleanings of a Church Writer And as to livelinesse and power though it he as easie to draw a picture with the heat and motion of a living man as to Write or Print these lively motions of the spirit which do often accompany the Lords Messengers in Preaching and in an eminent measure were also let out upon this blessed Author yet we suppose thou will find the matter most seriously and feelingly spoken unto as from a heart which believed and therefore spake Yea both conceptions and expressions savouring much of an exercised Spirit not only much taken up in communion with God within it self but even thirsting also and panting for the salvation of others nay in some measure travelling in birth till Christ might be formed in them Oh that more of this holy zeal and fervency might accompany this great measure of light and knowledge in the mysteries of the Gospel that the Lord hath graciously bestowed both on Pastors and People in this generation that once again we might see as in the dayes of John Baptist the Kingdome of Heaven suffering violence and the violent take it by force And that the blessed Spirit by the same gracious operations may so warm and inlarge thy soul in the use of this and all other means for thy eternal Salvation is and shall be the sincere desires of Thy servants for Christs sake Robert Traill Iohn Stirling Great and precious Promises SERMON I. 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust MAy we not truly say that if ever the Christians who live in those dayes shall be advanced to stand within the holy place and shall inherit everlasting life all these are now before his Throne may lay aside their harps and give us leave to sing Will it not be a mysterie suppose ye unto heavenly Enoch that spent so much of his time in communion and fellowship with God when he shall behold such Christians within that everlasting rest that have spent so little of their time in corresponding with God Will it not be a mystery unto believeing Abraham when he shall behold such misbelievers such disputers of the promises of God advanced to reign with Christ Will it not be a mystery unto wrestling Iacob when he shall behold these Christians once crowned with immortal glory that did so little know what it was as Princes to wrestle with God till they did prevail Will it not be a wonder to patient Iob when he shall behold such impatient Christians as we have been entering into that blessed place of repose Will it not be a mystery unto holy David when he shall behold such unmortified Christians entering within that City into which no unclean thing doth enter Will it not be a mystery unto tender Iosiah to behold such Christians as we are that have our hearts dying as a stone within us entering into Heaven Will it not be a mysterie unto upright Nathaniel to behold such hypocriticall Christians as the most part of us are entering within the holy place and to see those that have been cloathed with hypocrisie and guile now cloathed with the robes of immortal Glory And will it not be a mysterie unto self denied Paul when he shall behold so proud and selfish Christians enter into Heaven Give me leave to say this go where we will we shall be matchlesse and
earth to get a promise and till we were at that that our souls would pursue after them from the one end of the world to the other And for the grounds of this assertion that sensible necessity giveth a right to the promises if ye will look to these greaâ— promises of the everlasting Covenant are they not given to that Christian that is under a need Isai. 55.1 2. and Matth. 11.28 where the great promise of the Gospel 〈◊〉 given out and the invitation of Jesuâ— Christ is unto these that are weary and heavâ— laden Christ would account it an excellenâ— courtesie that ye would not dispute buâ— believe and that ye would look upon youâ— necessities as his call to believe the promise 2. A person that hath a high account of thâ— Promises he hath a right to apply the proâ—mises Let once your soul close with Chriâ—â— by Faith and Love and then you may witâ— boldnesse close with the Promises I conâ—fesse if we were more in believing the proâ—mises we would have a higher and moâ—â—â—full esteem of the Promiser Would yoâ—â—now the reason that Christ is not acounteâ— matchlesse it is because of this our necessities of the promises is not alwayes within our sight and our exercising of Faith upon the promises is not our daily work 3. This looketh like a right to the promise that which is born in upon a Christians spirit when he is near God in prayer and is under most sensible exercise under his own infâ—rmities he hath readily a right to apply that promise As for instance when a Christian is debating himself out of Christ which is but an unpleasant exercise to meet with a promise born in upon their spirit that giveth them some ground of hope that they may apply and rest upon Christ or when a Christian is fainting under affliction and is like to give over to meet with a word of promise born in upon his spirit that doth uphold him in the day of his triall he may probably conclude he hath a right to believe that promise 4 There is that evidence persons that have an high account of the promises they have a right to apply the promises it is an excellent and most concerning work for a Christian to believe the excellency of the promises when he cannot have the actual application of the Promises For when once a Christian cometh to this that the great things of the everlasting Covenant are matchlesse in his eyes then that is the valâ—â— of Achor and a door of hope that ere long Christ will apply them 5. When a Christian hath great delight in the promises when they are sweet to his taste and are the refreshing and rejoycing of his heart that is an undeniable sign that hâ— hath a right to make use of such promises Were your souls never refreshed by readinâ— of the boundlesse Covenant of love anâ— the sweet promises that are in it I woulâ— have Christians marking these promises thaâ— have upholden them in their straits I woulâ— have them marking the promises that havâ— been lively to their souls and say Thâ—â— once was my goodly meet and made me to rejoyce in the house of my affliction and 〈◊〉 would have a Christian marking the time oâ— the accomplishment of the Promises iâ— which he will see infinite wisdome shining iâ— ordering the accomplishment of the proâ—mises to such a time And I would have 〈◊〉 Christian marking the frame of his own spirit when the promises are accomplished as ye will find often in Scripture and by all this ye should find such a reviving anâ— profitable delight in the promises that should give a very full evidence of your righâ— unto them 6. Lastly when a Christiaâ— understraits can receive consolation from no other thing but all prove Physicians of no value and miserable comforters when 〈◊〉 Christian is convinced there is no joy to be had under such a crosse but in the faith oâ— the promises that is an evidence that thâ—â— person hath a right to the promises I would only say this O beloved in the Lord is not this your guilt your undervaluing oâ— the promises and your little exercise oâ— faith I would pose you with this when last studied ye to apply any promise of the Covenant of Grace When last did ye exercise saith upon any of them Shall I tell you what is the practise of the most part of us we study perhaps to apply one promise but for the rest of the promises we lay them aside and do totally neglect them we study to apply the promises of salvation and of having redemption through Christ but for the promises of Sanctification for the promises to help us to perform duties for the promises to support us under the crosse for the promises to comfort us in our way to heaven for promises in reference to all ordinary things we are not much in application of these O but if a Christian were believing the promises he might sit down even while he is here and sing one of the songs of Zion though yet but in a strange land The second thing that I shall speak to upon the application of the promise shall be to propose unto you some rules that ye would make use of in the application of them and â—hall name unto you these First Study these four things one is the â—aithfulnesse and truth of the promises that â—uch a thing is the saying of him that is the faithful witnesse and Amen This was the practice of Paul 1 Tim. 1.15 the way how â—e was brought to make application of the promise was 1. by laying down that conclusion this is a faithfull saying and Rev. â—2 from the beginning to the 6. verse when â—here are great promises made and much â—poken to the commendation of heaven this is subjoyned in the 6. verse These are the faithfull and true sayings of God As if Iohn had said all that I have spoken concerning heaven will be to no purpose except ye believe the truth of the promises and this was the practice of David 2 Sam. 7.28 Thy words are truth O Lord he subjoyned thâ—â— unto the actual application of the promises 2. Study the sweetnâ—sse and excellency of the promises this was the practice of Paul 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithfull saying and then he subjoyneth and worthy of all acceptation And this was the practice of David Psal. 119.72 I have esteemed the laws of thy mouth better then thousands of gold and silver O such an opinion to esteem the promises better then thousands of gold It is heterodox amongst the most part of you that prefer the world before the promises of the Covenant and it was his practice vers 103. and vers 162. I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoil he had an higher account of the Promises then to divide the spoil after war 3. Let the Christian study the necessity that he hath of the promise that there is no way of winning above that
all these things is the life of my spirit As likewise from Psal. 119.50 Thy word saith David hath quickned mee O what spirituall and divine life doth attend that Christian that is much in the exercise of Faith upon the promises And what is the great occasion that our hearts are oftentimes dying within us like a stone and wee are like unto â—hose that are free among the dead Is it â—ot because wee do not make use of the promises Eighthly there is that advantage that â—aith of the promises it maketh a Christian have an esteem of the thing that is promised What is the reason that wee write â—his above the head of the great things of â—he everlasting Covenant this is a Zoar a little one Is it not because we do not believe great things sometimes to us have no beauty and there is no comlinesse that appeareth in them why they should be desired but if we had so much faith as a grain of mustard seed we would cry forth How excellent are these things that are purchased to the Saints and how eternally are they madâ— up that have a right but to one line of the everlasting Covenant That is well ordered iâ— all things and sure And ninthly The faith of the promiseâ— is the door at which the accomplishment oâ— the promises doth enter in according to thaâ— word Luk. 1.45 Blessed are they that believe for there shall be a performance of these thingâ— that are spoken of the Lord unto them If wâ— were more in waiting for the accomplishmenâ— of his promises the vision should speak and should not tarry And no doubt a mercy coming to us as the fruit and performance oâ— a promise will make it an exceedingly to freshfull thing When a Christian getteth leave to sing that song which is in Isa. 25.9 Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he will come and save us And when 〈◊〉 mercy is the fruit and accomplishment of thâ— promise there is a beautiful luster anâ— dyâ— upon that mercy which no arte could 〈◊〉 on but only the finger of the love of God The smallest mercy then becometh a matchlesse mysterie of love and the most matchlesâ—â— mysteries of love without the exercise oâ— Faith they become as things that are contemptible in our eyes and we do not value â—or praise them Faith maketh our thoughts â—o ascend and misbelief makes our thoughts â—o descend in relation to the mercies of heaven Lastly Besides all these advantages We â—ave these two mentioned in the Text â— That by them we are partakers of the Diâ—ine Nature and are brought up unto thaâ—â—lessed conformity with God which we had â—ost in the fall 2. That by them we escape â—he corruptions in the world through lust I â—ntend not particularly to open up the nature of these things at this time because I am only â—o speak of the exercise of Faith in the promises But O what excellent mercies are these â—o get on the beauty of the Image of God and â—o get off these ugly defilements which were â—he image of Satan upon our souls O how â—hould this commend the promises unto us â—hat by faith in them we do all behold with â—pen face as in a glasse the glory of the Lord â—nd are changed into the same from glory to gloâ—y as it were by the Spirit of the Lord. Now that which secondly we shall speak â—o shall be the advantages that results to a Christian from a spiritual observation of the Lords accomplishing his promises for here ye see in the Text the Apostle maketh â—n observation of these excellent things that â—re the fruit of these precious promises when they are accomplished And the first â—dvantage is That it stampeth the soul of a Bâ—liever with most divine impressions of â—ove This is clear Isa. 38 15. where Hezekiah cryeth out What shall I say he hath spoken it and himself hath done it being as it were astonished and overcome with thâ— apprehensions of the condescendency of God He is put to a non plus and to what shall 〈◊〉 say Psal. 41.8 9. As we have heard saitâ— David so have wee seen in the City of thâ— Lord of hosts That is according to his promise we have had suitable performance and he subjoyneth verse 9. that which waâ— both their exercise and their advantage Weâ— have thought of thy loving kindnesse O God iâ— the midst of thy Temple as it were the obâ—servation of the performance of the promise made their thoughts wholly to bee taken up with the love of God and no doubt therâ— is more love in performing one promise theâ— eternity were sufficient to make a commenâ—tary upon It is one wonder of condescendency that God should obliege and bind himself to us by promises and another depth of wonderfull love that he should perforâ— these bonds and answer his words with performance The second advantage is That the observing of accomplishment of promises doth bring in to the soul new discoveries of God this is clear Exod. 6.3 where God thâ—â— speaketh to Moses I was known saith he unto Abraham and unto Isaac and unto Iacob by the name of the Almighty but by the namâ— of Iehovah was I not known unto them thaâ— is by the Name of giving an accomplishment unto my promises that Name was noâ— discovered unto them but should bee madâ— known unto their posterity in the day wheâ—â— â—is promises should passe unto performances â—nd hence it is also that when the Lord is â—peaking of the accomplishment of great proâ—ises he doth so often in the Scripture subâ—â—yn that word Ye shall know that I am Iehoâ—ah or the Lord Isa. 49.23 52. and 60.16 â—nd indeed we do daily find it so for is not â—very accomplshment of a promise a new â—iscovery of the wisdome of God that shineth 〈◊〉 the suitable tyming of the accomplishment â—f a promise Is not every accomplishment â—f a promise a new discovery of the faithfulâ—esse of God that hee will not alter that which hath gone out of his mouth And is â—ot every performance of the promise a new â—iscovery of the love of God that hee desirâ—th to magnifie his mercies above all his work and a new discovery of the power and â—mnipotency of God that can bring forth the â—erformance of his promise notwithstandâ—ng of all things that are in the way yea â—ake things that are not to bee and bringeth to â—ought things that are The third advantage is That it helpeth 〈◊〉 â—hristian to have high apprehensions and â—ajestick uptakings of God This is clear â— Tim. 1 15 compared with vers 17. wheâ—e Paul closing with that promise That Christ â—ame in the world to save sinners and beholdâ—ng in the accomplishment of it in himself â—is heart as it were iâ— elevated within â—im and he cryeth forth Now unto the King â—ternal immortal invisible the only wise God â—e honour and glory for ever and ever Amen There is an Emphasis in that word Now 〈◊〉 if
Paul had said I could never praise and exâ—toll him till now and I am so much bound 〈◊〉 Christ that I will not delay this exercise onâ— moment now I will blesse him and it is cleaâ— from Mic. 7.18 where the accomplishmenâ— of the promises that are there made thâ— Church cry out Who is like unto thee he beâ—came matchless unto them through the performance of the promises And so we conceivâ— that these who are much in spiritual observation of the performance of the promises they will see precious draughts of the Majesty oâ— God engraven upon them so that they wilâ— bee constrained to cry out that hee above 〈◊〉 mighty that his Name is Iehovah and in hiâ— is everlasting strength upon which we oughâ— to rely in our greatest straits The fourth advantage is The observing of the accomplishment of the promises wilâ— help a Christian when hee is redacted unto new straits to be much in the exercise of faith upon God his former experience will produce hope in his soul for there is not 〈◊〉 discovery of the faithfulness of God but hatâ— a voice and cryeth out O believe him who iâ— able to give a clear being unto his word Thiâ— is clear from Psal. 56. at the close Thou hasâ— delivered my soul from death saith David anâ— then he subjoyneth Wilt thou not deliver mâ— feet from falling that is I am certainly perâ—swaded thou wilt likewise perform that worâ— unto me And from Psal. 37.2 3. he giveth that tittle unto God vers 2. that he performeth all things for him and then he doth subjoyn Hee shall send from heaven and save mee â—nd by the way the soul that can give God â—â—at tittle and stile That hee performeth all â—hings for them that soul must of necessity be 〈◊〉 a choise and excellent state And the point 〈◊〉 likewise clear from 2 Cor. 1.10 where Paul saith God hath delivered me and he doth â—eliver me and from hence he draweth that â—onclusion of Faith And hee will yet deliver 〈◊〉 We confesse somtimes our former exâ—eriences of the faithfulnesse of God they do â—ot support our faith when wee are redacted â—nto new difficulties which is either occasioâ—ed through the greatnesse of the strait that â—e are now put to in our apprehensions â—bove that which we were put to before so â—hat though God did deliver us when we were â—unning with footmen yet we have no faith to â—elieve that hee shall deliver us when we are â—bout to contend with horses or else it is â—hrough the unfaithfulnesse of our walk in â—ot answering the precious dispensations of Christ in accomplishment of his promises for â—his maketh us that we cannot with boldness â—ake use of his Word when we are brought â—nto a new strait a guilty conscience is the â—â—ther of misbelief The fifth advantage is That the accomâ—lishment of the promises doth occasion â—uch spiritual joy rejoycing unto his own We told you the giving of the promises occaâ—â—oneth joy and when the promises travelleth 〈◊〉 birth and bringeth forth that occasioneth â—uch more spiritual joy this is clear from Psal. 28.7 The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusted in him and I was helâ—â—ed And he draweth this excellent conclusioâ— from it Therefore my heart greatly rejoycetâ— and with my soul will I praise him And weâ— conceive that sometimes that God trysteâ—â— the accomplishment of the promises wiâ—â— some precious manifestation of himself to thâ— soul which maketh them to rejoyce with joâ— unspeakable and full of glory but however this is the matter of a spiritual song Thâ—â— mercy and truth have met together and righteâ—ousnesse and peace are kissing one another Is iâ— not a pleasant matter of a song to beholâ— love making promises and to behold faithfulâ—nesse accomplishing them And the last advantage is That the observation of the accomplishment of promiseâ— doth strengthen a Christians faith in his inteâ—rest in God so that now many disputings arâ— silenced and many questions now are out oâ— the way this is clear Psal. 31.21 22. Daviâ— confesseth his quarrelling before but wheâ— once the Lord had shewed his marvellous loviâ—â— kindnesse in a strong city then all his quarrelâ— was against himself because he had quarrelled and did say in his haste I am cut off from beforâ— thine eyes And now wee shall only speak a little unâ—to some duties that wee would presse upoâ— you from that which wee have spoken And the first duty is That Christians would bee much in waiting for the accomplishmenâ— of the promises and standing upon theiâ— watch tower untill the vision shall speak And wee shall only give you these to enforce â—t 1. It is commanded that you should so do this is clear from Psal. 27. at the close where David presseth that duty very much Wait on the Lord saith hee and if â—hat be not enough he will repeat that command in that same verse Wait I say on the Lord and no doubt the doubling of it â—peaketh not only advantage that is in it but â—ur difficulty to obey it and the great necessity that wee have to go about it and â—hat same word is repeated by David Psal. â—1 24 Bee of good courage which is that â—ame to wait upon the Lord. 2. These that wait patiently for the accomplishment of â—he promises God will strengthen them to â—ait this is clear from Psal. 27. at the close Wait on the Lord and when wee are Hagar â—ike casting away the childe of hope hee â—ill open our eyes and give us refreshment â—y which wee may bee supported under our â—isquietment and hee shall strengthen thine â—eart And there is this 3 There shall â—e a speedy accomplishment of the promises 〈◊〉 is not long before all the mercies that ever 〈◊〉 Lord hath promised and thou hast beâ—â—yed shall be told down to you as it were 〈◊〉 one sum principal and interest as is clear 〈◊〉 Hab. 2.3 where hee positively assertâ—â—h That the vision will come and will not â—â—rry There is indeed a pleasant seeming â—â—ntradiction in that verse hee had said beâ—â—re that the vision would tarry and yet here 〈◊〉 â—aith Tho vision will not tarry but will 〈◊〉 come in which ye may see the diviniâ—â— both of sense and faith and that noble contradiction that is between their assertions Sense asserting that the promise doth tarry too long and Faith crying out it will surely come it will not tarry which iâ— set down 2 Pet. 3.9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise 4. Promises that come unto us through the most strong and lively exercise of Faith and that are expected and longed for by us before they come they are most relishing and sweet and these mercies come unto us with a binding tye of love this is somewhat pointed at in Isa. 25.9 where the Church cryeth forth Lo this is our God wee have waited for him wee will bee glad and rejoyce in his salvation their waiting and expecting of the promise to
be accomplished in its time is there the fountain of their song and of their spiritual joy I think sometimes a Christian is like that misbelieving Lord 2 King 7.2 that though they meet with the accomplishment of a promise yet they do not taste of the sweetnesse that is in it because they did not believe the Word of the Lord. The second duty that wee would pressâ— from what we have spoken is That Christians would close with the promises for their everlasting inheritance since the promiseâ— of the Covenant are exceeding great and exâ—ceeding precious and the advantage that lyetâ— in them is unspeakable O! should noâ— these things proclaim aloud unto us Closâ— with the promises â—s your portion for ever 〈◊〉 think one that hath a right to the promises and hath entered himself heir unto the 〈◊〉 â—nheritance he may sometimes rejoyce in â—hat threefold mystery of the Gospel that â—o a naturall man can hardly appear other â—hen a contradiction 1 He may sometimes â— have nothing and yet I possesse all things â—or when hee looketh unto his being in the word hee is as poor Lazarus having no â—lace whereon to lay his head but when â—ee casteth his eye unto his spiritual inheriâ—â—nce then hee beholdeth his treasures and 〈◊〉 constrained to cry out I possesse all things 〈◊〉 Sometimes hee may cry forth I am â—ich and yet I am exeeeding poor he may be â—â—ch in hopes and yet poor in his possessions â—here is much of a Christians treasure that 〈◊〉 in hope hope is that thing that will â—ake the Christian sweetly quite all other in â—â—mparison of that that is the motto of the â—hristian spero meliora which he holdeth 〈◊〉 in his flag even in the greatâ—st storm 〈◊〉 at length hee findeth it true that hope â—aketh not ashamed 3. Sometime the Chriâ—â—an will cry forth I am alwayes sorrowing 〈◊〉 yet alwayes rejoycing when hee casteth 〈◊〉 eye upon himself he will sit down and 〈◊〉 his couch with tears but when with 〈◊〉 other eye he reflecteth upon Jesus Christ â—ee will rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full 〈◊〉 glory a Christian can both weep and reâ—â—â—ce at one time and again hee can rejoyce 〈◊〉 weep No doubt the reflecting upon 〈◊〉 immense hope and that everlasting 〈◊〉 will make a Christian rejoyce under 〈◊〉 his disquietmenâ—s and anxieties in the 〈◊〉 he can look to the back of time and behold a glorious inheritance A Christiaâ— hath the eye of an eagle that can behold anâ— discern things afar of The third duty that we would presse upoâ— you is To long for the day when all the promises of the Covenant of Grace shall receivâ— their compleat accomplishment and when 〈◊〉 shall be entered into the everlasting fruitioâ— of all these things wherein your blessednessâ— lyeth There is a threefold come that Chrisâ— speaketh to the soul that is united unto him all which they sweetly obey There is thaâ— first come which is in Matth. 11.28 Comâ— unto me all ye that are weary and heavy loaden And there is that second come Isa. 26. Comâ— my people enter into the chambers which is tâ— entertain that excellent correspondency witâ— him in troublesome times And there is thâ—â— third matchlesse come when Christ shall saâ— to his own in the day of their standing beforâ— the tribunal Come O blessed of my Father Shall we say it that if we had faith â—s a 〈◊〉 of mustard seed we would cry forth Why 〈◊〉 his chariot so long in coming and did we 〈◊〉 or made a high account of the matchless prâ—â—mises of the boundlesse Covenant we wouâ—â— cry forth O that our time would flee away 〈◊〉 the ships of desire I shall say no more but thâ—â— Christ is gone up with a shout unto heaven anâ— shall come again with the sound of a trumpeâ— sing praises to God sing praises sing praises unâ—â— our God sing praises The last thing that we would presse upâ—â— you is That ye would mark the time of 〈◊〉 accomplishment of the promises And as 〈◊〉 â—his I shall say but these 1. That ordinaâ—ily the time of the accomplishment of the promises is the time when sense reason and probability doth most contradict them this â—s clear Ezek. 37. in the fulfilling of the promises that were past to Iudah in their captiâ—ity was it not when they were as a valley of dead bones and their hopes were in a manner cut off for their part from the 11. verse of â—hat chapter compared with the 12. And 2. That the time of the accomplishment of â—he promises ordinarily iâ— a praying time â—his is also clear from Dan. 9.2 3. and from Ier. 29.12 compared with the 11. vers and â—he 10. thus saith the Lord the time when he will visit them and perform his good word â—o them in causing them to return it shall be a time when they shall call upon me and shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken â—nto them And 3. the time of the accomplishment of his promises it is a time when our thoughts of the promises are high and â—arge when once we begin to value our mercies this is a sign that our mercy is near and â—t is bringing forth However it is our duty â—o wait on Him who can give a being unto his Word and sweetly perform his promises We ought not to limit infinit wisdom nor to â—ay unto him that is infinite in strength How â—an such a thing be but answer all objections of misbelief with this God hath spoken it â—nd he will also do it and drown all our obâ—ections of misbelief in that glorious and myâ—terious Name of His I am that I am To Him be praise SERMON VI. Acts 26 18. To open their eyes anâ— to turn them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan untâ— God that they may receive forâ—givenesse of sins and inheritancâ— among them which are sanctified bâ— faith that is in me WHen first we did begin our diâ—â—course upon the precious 〈◊〉 excellent grace of Faith Wâ— told you that we intended tâ— speak of it under a twofold notion and coâ—â—sideration First As it layeth hold upoâ— Christ for Justication and of this we havâ— spoken to you at some length as ye havâ— heard Secondly As it closeth with Chriâ—â— for Sanctification and of this we are 〈◊〉 speak at this time and have chosen thesâ— words to speak of it which are a part 〈◊〉 that excellent Oration and Discourse thâ—â— Paul had before Agrippa in his own defence In which Oration and Discourse of his 〈◊〉 may behold these four things eminently shinâ—ing 1. That Godlinesse and good manner are not inconsistent not contrary one to anoâ—ther Therefore ye will see in the second anâ— third verses of this Chapter Paul acting thâ— part of a Courtly Orator and believe 〈◊〉 there is more good manners to be learned by being seven dayes in the School of Christ then by being seven years in all the Courts of France This secondly
to be partakers of the blessed Image of Christ ye know not the beauty of holinesse 3. Faith layeth hold upon Jesus Christ â—nd draweth strength and vertue from him for the conquering of lusts and in raising 〈◊〉 up into a blessed conformity unto himself when the Christian is weak Faith is that noble correspondent between that emptiness â—hat is in us and the fulnesse that is in Christ â—aith is that noble correspondent between â—hat weaknesse that is in us and that everlaâ—â—ing strength that is in him Therefore â—here are two noble and excellent counsels â—f Faith First It counsels us not to lean 〈◊〉 our own strength And secondly to â—ave our recourse unto him whose Name is Iehovah that everlasting strength And no doubt if we were more taken up in imploying Christ by faith that prophesie should be accomplished I will make the feeble ones as David and David as the Angel of God and when a Christian is most diffident in himself then God should prove himself to be Almighty and All-sufficient And 4. Faiths influence may be cleared in this that it layeth hold upon the promises and doth believe them and believing of the promises bringeth forth that noble birth conformity to God according to thaâ— word upon which we were speaking 2 Pet 1 4. by believing the promises that is the advantage of it We are by them made partakers of the divine nature 5. Faith also believeth the threatningâ— that are past in Scripture against sin and the believing them hath an undoubted and strong influence upon the attaining and growth oâ— Sanctification Faith strengtheneth a Christian against the committing of iniquity with these two words that word Rom. 6.20 O soul saith faith commit not iniquity foâ— the wages of sin is death and that word Rev 21. last There shall in no way enter into thâ— City any thing that is unclean or that committeth iniquity And be perswaded of it that the faith of the threatnings and of the promises that are in Scripture would be as 〈◊〉 threefold cord not easily broken to restaiâ— you from the acting of iniquity And shall tell you briefly the ground why these curseâ— hearts of ours doth commit iniquity witâ— so little fear and with so much delight it is even this because we believe not the threatnings of God which shall be accomplished in their own season for is it possible that if ye believed that word Rev 21. last That nothing shall enter into the New Ierusalem that defileth or worketh abominations or that maketh a lie that ye durst not for a world adventure upon the committing of iniquity as ye do And I shall only say to such that do undervalue the threatnings of God the day is coming when they shall be constrained to cry out He hath spoken it and he hath done it faithful is he there is not one jot nor title in the word of the Lord that shal fall to the ground And believe it God will be faithful in the accomplishment of his threatnings as he is faithful in the accomplishment of his promises 6. Faith discovereth unto a Christian the noble excellencies and those spiritual dignities that are in that everlasting estate that is provided for the Saints in light Faith as it were carrieth up the soul to the top of Pisgah off which it is admitted to behold the promised land and truely the seeing of these noble things that are provided for the Saints cannot but make them study holinesse since they know that there is an impossibility for one to attain to that estate with ouâ— holinesse because he had said it Without holinesse no man shall see God O then if once ye saw heaven ye would be constrained to walk in that path of Sanctification since it is the glorious way by which ye must walk in through the gates of that blessed City Buâ— ye know not the excellency that is there iâ— is a fancy and notion unto you and that iâ— the ground that ye do not study to conform your selves unto that blessed image of God And I would only ask you this one question Is it possible that such a delusion as this can overtake you as to think that ye who never studied holinesse on earth shall yet enter into heavens gates I know there are some that say in their hearts I shall have peace though I walk in the imaginations of my own heart and many more that suppose that they might fight and overcome that they may quite the estate of nature and be compleat in the estate of grace all in one day But why will ye deceive your selves Can a nation be born in one day Or is there but one step between hell and heaven O remember though nothing be impossible with God yet there was but one thief saved upon the crosse 7. Faith hath influence upon the attaining of holinesse in this respect That it believeth the exceeding great advantages that are promised unto the person that studieth holiness Faith believeth that word Matth. 5.8 Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall see God Faith it layeth hold upon the truth of the excellent sayings and maketh the Christian endeavour to attain unto a likenesse and conformity with him that so he may be admitted to behold his face for all eternity and to be made like unto him 8. Faith discovereth unto Christians the sinfulnesse of sin that is never done till once they be in the lively exercise of the grace of Faith And I will give you these three grounds why faith compleaty discovereth the sinfulnesse of sin 1. Faith letteth us see the person against whom we commit this sin and that doth exceedingly aggrege sin for when the Christian is admitted to behold God and to see that matchlesse excellency that is in him then saith he what a beast was I to offend such a glorious Majesty as He What a fool was I to kick against the pricks or to enter in the lists with such an infinite God 2. Faith letteth a Christian see these excellent obligations of love that Christ hath imposed upon us Faith letteth us see the ancient and everlasting love of Christ Faith is that grace that letteth us see his sufferings Faith letteth us see all that he hath done for us and this maketh the Christian to cry out Do I thus requite the Lord O foolish one and unwise And no doubt if a Christian were more taken up in the study of this duty he would be lesse in contracting debt and were you but seriously taken up in the study of these two great Registers 1. The Register in which all the infinit acts of love are recorded And 2. That Register in which all your acts of offending precious Christ are written ye would be astonished and ashamed to see so much forgiven you and durst not sin any more there ye would see infinite mercy desiring to rejoyce over Iudgement and there ye would see the spotlesse riches of that transcendent grace that is in Christ.
a Preacher to a rebellious people he will have that word spoken unto him I know thee before thou wast brought forth The fifth time is when a Christian hath done some singular act of obedience when Abraham had obeyed the Lord and was content to offer up his Isaac he meeteth with a sight of his interest and Covenant renewed to him with an oath Gen. 22.16 By my self I have sworn because thou hast done this thing and hast not witholden thy son even thy only son blessing I will blesse thee and multiplying I will multiply thee as the stars of heaven The sixth time is when a Christian is to meet with hard trials difficulties and afflictions in the world then they usually meet with assurance and so Gen. 28.14 15 16. before Iacob go to serve Laban he meeteth with intimation of his peace with God The seventh time is when a Christian is under sad persecution and affliction then will the Lord give a word from heaven to comfort him and assure him of his fatherly love and mercy When was it that Christ left that noble Legacy to his Disciples Ioh. 14. ver 27. My peace I leave with you my peace I give you was it not when he himself was to leave them to troublesome and sorrowful dayes in a persecuting world The eighth time is at some solemn Ordinances and approaches to God the dayes of a Communion to a tender Christian have been sweet dayes when Christ hath come to the soul and said Behold me behold me I think the eleven Apostles met with much assurance of their interest in Christ at the Communion they were at with him O what sweet intimations were these This is my body which is broken for you and this cup is the New Testament in my blood shed for you and a little after you are they which have continued with me in my tentation and I appoint unto you a kingdom We come now to the second point which we proposed from the words viz. That aâ— assurance is a thing which may be attained so to seek after it is a necessary duty 〈◊〉 me not be mistaken as if I said the havinâ— of assurance were simply necessary to Salvaâ—tion no that were a Doctrine as comforâ—â—lesse upon the other hand as the Popisâ— doctrine of the impossibility of assurance 〈◊〉 upon the other But the thing I say is that the Christians seeking after assurance and his real endeavouring to attain unto it is a necessary command of God which hee hath bound upon the consciences of his children amongst other Gospel duties And certainly we need go no further for the clearing of this then the Text it self what meaneth these peremptory injunctions Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith or not Prove your own selves Know yee not c. but if you will you may add that word 2 Pet. 1. vers 5. and 10. compared what can be more expresly commanded and more strongly pressed then that Christians should bend their utmost endeavours for attaining unto this blessed condition of assurance Give diligence yea give all diligence yea the rather give all diligence to make your calling and election sure From this we shall only lay before you these Considerations 1. If the seeking after assurance be a necessary duety then these three things are most lamentable First That there are so many in this Generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their iniquity they flatter themselves with a rotten assurance that hath no other foundation but their own imagination they never knew since the first day they were Baptized and did begin to professe Christ what it was to mortifie one lust nor seriously to wrestle against one temptation and yet they want not a strong perswasion of their interest in Christ But ah will yee stand in awe lest ye meet with such a dreadfull disppointment as when ye think yâ— are in the very gate of heaven even then to fall backwards to the very bottome of hell and when ye expect a kindly welcome from the Lord of Glory as one who thinks you have been in Covenant with him this many years ye meet with that dreadfull summons Depart from me ye cursed I know you not 2. How sad may we be upon this account that howbeit assurance be an attainable thing and a great many dare not say they have attained it yet so little diligence is used in pursuing after it Is it not very lamentable that many of you to whom I am speaking since first ye gave up your names to Christ 〈◊〉 a visible way and were reputed amongst the generation of the seekers of his face scareâ— ever set a day or an hour a part to examine whether ever indeed you were in Christ or not Alas is heaven of so little moment is the having or wanting all the enjoyments which are there of so small concernment to you that yâ— will not be at the pains as once to enquire afâ—ter your interest in the matter What if any of you were but possessors of a thousand pound and your interest or right unto it unâ—certain and questionable would not your sleeâ— depart from you and your rest be unquiet tilâ— you had made it more secure What thinâ— you shall the men of this generation answeâ— in the day of the Lord for neglecting that on thing necessary when they have been so vexâ—ing themselves about many things and havâ— been so serious in so many consultations tâ— make sure a worm eaten portion in a perishing world that the whole wit of Men and Angels cannot secure for one moment It is certain the root of all this slothfulnesse is Atheism It is not possible that we believe 〈◊〉 really there is a heaven as we believe there iâ— an earth or that the world to come is as real as that which is present or else it must be a strange power in these lusts that keep us captive that we are never suffered to think upon Eternity nor to ask where we must â—â—dge when this cottage we carry about shall â—all about our ears O will ye think upon it how serious and pressing that command is 2 Pet. 1.10 Give all diligence to make your â—alling and election sure when the Lord saith â—ive all diligence will ye give no diligence and when he saith make your calling and election sure will ye live upon uncertainty I said to the foolish deal not so foolishly 3. It is most lamentable that since assurance is attainable yet men live so contentâ—dly under the want thereof how strange is it that many are so seldom on their knees complaining of their uncertainty if Christ were precious unto you would it be so I am sure there are some of us here that have hade the name of Christians I know not how long that never had one sad thought about the want of assurance when we look upon the desolations vastations and plunderings in the world how many of us can cry out
name I think what he giveth must be one of the noblest names that ever was given all the stiles and titles under heaven cannot equal it And thirdly we see David in the 18. Psal. found much sweetnesse and advantage in this when nine times he hath that word my My strength my rock my fortresse and my deliverer my strength and my buckler the horn of my salvation and my high tower O David what needeth all these Mys David would answer us O! he is so sweet in himself but O! much sweeter to me when I put to that possessive note My. Now to speak more particularly to these advantages of assurance The fiâ—st is That a person that is assured of his interest in Christ he is much in desiring communion with Christ Tell me O thou whom my soul loveth there is his assurance where thou feedest and where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon there is desire of communion and Song 7.10 11. My beloved is mine and his desire is towards me there is her assurance and immediately followeth Come my beloved let us go forth into the fields let us lodge in the villages there her desire of communion Song 2.16 17. My beloved is mine and I am his and what followeth upon that He feedeth among the lillies untill the day break and the shadows flie away Turn my beloved and be as a roe or a wilde hart upon the mountains of Bether that is in short let me have sweet correspondency and fellowship with thee till the day of Eternity shall come I think the desires of an assured Christian they are like the grave the cry continually Give give and they never say it is enough What is the reason ye seek so little after fellowship with Christ it is even this ye are not perswaded of your interest in him believe it if once ye had attained to this blest length as to cry out Christ is mine it would be a hell upon earth for you to live at such a distance with him as ye do for the most part O but assurance maketh absence from Christ an unsupportable burden Psal. 22.1 My God my God there is assurance and immediately followeth his complaint Why hidest thou thy self from me Song 3.1 2 3. that word Him whom my soul loveth made her to weep so much under absence from Christ and Ioh. 20.13 when the Angels ask the question at Mary Women why weepest thou I think she thought it a needlesse question and she tells the cause of it They have taken away my Lord I think her heart was at her mouth when shee pronounced these two words My Lord she spake them with a great deal of emphasis and force could ye resent absence with Christ so little if ye were assured he were yours I confesse it is no wonder when persons losse that which is not their own that they weep not much for the losse of it but O! to losse that which is our own it maketh it a crosse and a burden to us Secondly It maketh the soul to have a high and matchless esteem of precious Christ Song 5.10 My beloved is white and ruddy the chief among ten thousand O saith the Spouse I never saw his like and I shall never see his like again there is much in that My interest maketh her look upon Christ with another eye nor she would have done strangers look upon him but as a tree planted on the sand 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe Christ is precious not to every one And Song 2.2 I sate down under his shaddow with great delight the reason is interest in the words going before As the apple tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons yea assurance will make every thing in Christ exceeding pleasant to the soul as is clear Song 5.16 My beloved is altogether lovely or hee is all desires I tell you what assurance will do it will make Christs person pleasant and precious to the soul it will make Christs Natures pleasant to the soul it will make Christs Offices pleasant to the soul it will make Christs Promises pleasant to the soul it will make Threatnings pleasant to the soul it will make the smell of Christs Garments pleasant to the soul and it will make the kisses of His Mouth pleasant to the soul O saith the assured Christian there is nothing of Christ but it is most pleasant and is all desires His Threatnings are pleasant they are the wounds of a friend and His kisses are pleasant they are better then wine His Name it is pleasant it is as precious ointment powred forth His smellings are most delightsome whose countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the cedars O to imbrace a married Christ how pleasant is it to the soul What makeeth you to have so low thoughts of Christ even this the want of assurance that Hee is your Hâ—sband Thirdly Assurance will make the Christian patiently to submit to every crosse and sad dispensation he meeteth wiâ—h this is clear Heb. 10.34 They took with joy the spoiling of their goods and what made them do so They hoped for a better inheritance and a more induring substance I tell you assurance it will answer all crosses with this Christ is mine when they are afflicted assurance will lift up its face and cry out Christ is mine and when they are reproached they will comfort themselves with this Christ is mine I can put on the Lord Iesus Fourthly Assurance will keep you from apostacy and defection from Christ 2 Pet. 1.10 Make your calling and election sure and if ye do this saith he ye shall never fall Heb. 3.11.12 It is there set down as a fruit of the evil heart of misbelief it maketh us depart from the living God but on the contrary assurance knitteth the soul to Christ by a threefold cord which is not easily broken Believe it the assured Christian can cry out with much confidence of faith My mountain standeth strong I shall never be moved the assured Christian can cry out with much chearfulnesse In God will I praise his word in God have I put my trust I will not be afraid what flesh can do unto me yea he can sweetly sing in the very mouth of danger The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear the Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Psal. 27.1 Fifthly Assurance keepeth all the graces of the spirit green and flourishing it is as a refreshing dew upon our branches which maketh every grace sweetly to blossome in its season 1. It stirreth up the exercise of love O how vigorous are the actings of love when a Christian can cry out My beloved is mine and I am his Song 1.13 My beloved there is her assurance He is a bundle of myrrhe and shall lye all night between my breasts that is as long as time shall last I shall never have Christ out of my my heart there is love 1 Ioh.