soone as Jeaus Christ went up the spirit immediately comes downe and the counsell of the Lord begins to be revealed in a marvellous way unto men This is an absolute and cleare signe the work was done for said Christ (w) John 16.7 except I go away the Comforter cannot come I say it 's a sign Jesus Christ hath finished the work for do you thinke the Lord would have sent his Gospel to men to tel men or his spirit to assure men it was done if it had not been done and thus much now concerning the reasons of the point Before I come to the application of the Doctrine give me leave to answer one or two objections 1 Object The first objection is this If Jesus Christ had finished the worke of mens Redemption and of mens Salvation upon earth why then are men commanded to worke out their owne salvation if the work be already done what need the debtor be exhorted to pay if the surety have already paid for him 1. The Apostles meaning in exhorting men to work out their salvation is this That they should persevere in the way they did professe not fall from the truth or as the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a working through and so it 's to be understood for a persevering work Secondly when men are called to doing or to worke they are not called to do that they might have life or be justified but men are called to do because they are (x) Tit. 3.5 6. justified and because they are saved i. e. in a state of salvation because they have life and not that they may have it for the Lord never in the Scripture maketh works the cause of Justification or the cause of Salvation no it is a subsequent and an effect and that which followes a mans justification or that which floweth from a justified person For here is the difference between works as they are done under a covenant of workes and under a covenant of grace works when they are done under a covenant of works they are done to seek justification salvation they are done to work righteousness for man to keepe him out of hell But workes done under the covenant of grace they are done out of (y) 2 Cor. 5.14 love to Christ done to the (z) 1 Cor. 10.31 glory of God done to expresse that we are (a) Col. 3.1 Christians and that we are (b) John 8.31 and 15.8 Christs Disciples and so to doe works as the covenant of grace requires workes as the duty of Christians but to doe workes as the covenant of workes requires workes either upon paine of damnation or upon promise of salvation this is to be shunned by Christians 2 Object The second Objection It is true as you say that Jesus Christ hath glorified the Father and finished the worke of mens Redemption and Salvation but you have not shewed upon what grounds the Lord did this peradventure he might do it upon some grounds that were not advantagious to us There were two maine grounds moved him to do this his love and affection to men was one and the great necessity of men was the other Upon these two grounds Jesus Christ came forth from heaven to worke this worke 1 First it was his love and affection unto men the heart of Jesus Christ was towards men upon earth you may reade as soone as ever they were made yea Jesus Christ his delight was with them In the eighth of the Proverbs saith he My delights were with the children of men Prov. 8.31 If his delight was so then much more was it when the time of their redemption drew near and most of all since he suffered If Jacobs love were so great when he first saw Rachell how much more did his heart go out to her when that she was neete to be his wife If Jesus Christs heart went out when he first saw men upon earth how much more went his heart out towards them John 15.13 Gal. 2.20 when the time was come to be married to them This doubtlesse was the first and maine cause why Christ did worke this worke of Redemption and Salvation The 2d was mens necessity thi did move Christ to do it there was indeed a necessity for Christ to come to worke this worke for had there been any other way doubtlesse that way would have been taken the Father would never have lost such a deare Sonne if there could have been any other means of saving men without him No he would never have parted with such a companion that he had so much content and comfort in if Angels might have done the worke but he looked upon his right hand and upon his left hand and there was no helper Then sayes God My owne right hand or my (c) Isa 63.5 arme wrought salvation That is my (d) Isa 53.1 Luke 1.51 Sonne Jesus Christ he wrought salvation If you understand this Text in a spirituall sense Thus having removed the two objections now I come to the uses of this point I shall make but three uses of it and then conclude remember the observation The businesse of Iesus Christ upon earth was to glorifie his Father and to worke the worke of mens redemption and the worke of mens salvation and this businesse he hath finished 1 Use The first use is a use of great incouragement unto sinfull men Is the work of mens Redemption already fulfilled finished and already wrought O what great incouragement is this unto you that are sinfull and that are ungodly men it is incouragement unto you that cannot worke here is a worke already wrought for you it is wrought to your hand I may say to you as it was said in the Gospell to the men that were invited to the Feast Loe all is ready Math. 22.4 come I tell you here is all ready here is the work of redemption and salvation wrought every thing is prepared come The Spirit saith come the Bride saith come the saints say come the Gospell saith come every thing saith come Oh come here is great incouragement for you to come I beseech you heare without doubt there be this day in this place many sinners and many that stand in great need of Jesus Christ here be many poore soules that stand looking they cannot tell which way to go but like a boule the least thing that toucheth it will make it turne this way or that way you are looking which way you shall be saved some men are great and grosse sinners men that delight in sinne and sport in the day and make it their whole businesie to dishonour God as Christ made it his businesse to honour him Well what shall I say to you I desire to open the gate of Gods grace and God open you hearts that you may heare what he saith unto you the door of his mercy is open to you already Encouragements for sinners to come into Christ and to believe
on his grace 1 Encour and that I may incourage you to come in I will give you foure or five inducements and motives The first is this That God gave this worke to Christ to do The worke saith he which thou gavest me to do note that God the Father had his hand in this worke of mans redemption and salvation and it could not have been effected but that God was willing to have it effected in this manner This incouragement that God did put Christ to doe this worke is a speciall intentive and motive to you to believe for had Christ done this worke without his Fathers approbation you might have questioned whether he would have accepted of it but it being done by his appointment and by order from him he must needs accept of it Secondly consider this 2 Encour that there is nothing of the worke left undone no the Lord hath not left so much as a stone for you to turne not one thing for you to do Christ tels you here he hath finished the worke and you may believe it for he would never undertake or begin a businesse or worke and not go through it Oh that you had hearts to believe this that Christ hath done all and that there is nothing of that worke left for you to do Obj. But you wil say by your favour Sir he hath not done all for he requires I should believe and repent and turne from my sinnes and be obedient unto him and surely he hath thereby put enough of work upon me and more then I am able to do O poor soules hearken to this Jesus Christ hath not left the worke of beliveing repenting turning from sinne or obeying upon you but he hath that worke still to do in you he hath done one worke in his person and now he hath another worke to do by his Spirit and Jesus Christ he looks upon that worke as belonging to him Marke how he spake of calling sinners in John 4.4 John 4.4 He must needs go through Samaria And why because he was to call and to work faith in some of the poore Samaritans this he makes his worke So in John 10.16 John 10.16 Other sheep I have saish he that are not of this fold them also I must bring into the fold he saith not there are other sheep and I must go and send shepherds to drive them home or send dogs after them to course them home no but I must go seeke them and bring them home he puts a me oportet I must up on it Marke this that as Christ hath perfected the worke of redemption in his owne person so he will also create the worke of sanctification in your persons as he did that worke in his owne flesh so he will do the other in your flesh This is the tenour of the Covenant of grace I will do all yea this is the nature of it I will do all freely God in the Covenant of grace doth no condition from me but what he promised to worke in men It is true you must believe and repent before you can go to heaven but the Lord undertakes this worke himself For saith the Lord (d) Heb. 8 1â— I will put my Law into their mindes and write them in their hearts That is he will teach them to know him believe in him and to be obedient to him he doth not say in the Covenant of grace do these things your selves but he saith I will (e) See Jer. 32.40 Psa 54.13 Math. 12.21 Joh. 6â— â—4 45. Heb. 10.16 worke all your works in you and for you Obj. I but then Sir you will say we must have these things wrought in us before we goe to Heaven Ans Very true you must have them wrought in you but how and by whom Not by any strength of your owne but you are to goe to the Lord and say unto him Lord thou requirest knowledge faith repentance and obedience of me and thou sayst no ignorant person unbeliever or impenitent person shall goe to Heaven Lord if thou wilt not worke this knowledge faith repentance and obedience in me thou hadst as good never have borne my sinnes Lord Jesus seeing thou hast wrought Redemption and salvation for me now worke Sanctification in me thou hast done the worke out of me and for me now come and worke the worke in me Sue out the Covenant of grace and if thou hast no meanes to sue by then sue by forma pauperis as men use to doe that wants money you know they come with a white paper and sue thereby and are heard so you want knowledge faith strength power and holinesse sue in that way take the promises of the Lord and goe with them as tickets and say Lord is not this thy hand and is not this thy promise is not this thy writing hast not thou ordained this for me to take hold on Lord I bring thine own tickets to thee Lord doe for me as thou hast said It is thy promise thou wilt open the blind eyes stand to thy word thou hast said thou wilt worke faith here comes a poore unbelieving at least a doubting sinner to thee I will try whether thou wilt worke faith in me goe and put the Lord to his promise and thou shalt see he will never deny his owne hand-writing nor his owne word well there be two incouragements for you The third incouragement I pray you consider it well It is the speciall will of the Lord that you should believe 3. Encouragement and will not you doe his speciall will If the Lord command you to pray or command you to fast or mourne you will doe that worke but this is the worke or the most acceptable worke to God Marke John 16.28.29 When one came to Christ and asked him What shall we doe to worke the works of God Iesus answered and said unto him this is the workes or the worke that will be wel-pleasing to God to believe on him whom of God he hath sent As if Christ had said unto him If thou wilt be doing or will please my Father by working I tell thee there is no such way as by believing in me The fourth encouragement is this 4. Encouragement a man that hath no worke at all in him no performances no qualifications nor preparations yet such a one hath free liberty to come to the Lord Jesus Christ yea as free as any other man whatsoever I tell you Whoremasters drunkards and swearers that have dishonoured God as much as you could dishonour 〈◊〉 the Lord speake this to your heart here is an open doore here is rich grace and free grace the heart of Christ is as much towards you as any other sinners If there be any plea for any sinner there is a plea for this sort of sinner yea such a one may say Lord then camest not to call the rightecus but sinners to repentance never was there any greater sinner then I
To The Right Honourable THOMAS FOOTE Lord Major of the famous City of LONDON Together with the Right Worshipfull the Aldermen and Recorder thereof Right Honourable and Right Worshipfull IN this plaine Sermon Preached and published by your Call and Command You have presented unto you the two principallest points in all the Scripture viz. The glorifying of God and the perfecting and finishing of that great and ever-admired worke of mens Redemption and Salvation by Iesus Christ In the former of these two to wit in glorifying God you are to strive to be followers of your Soveraign and Saviour And in the latter you are to stoope and submit to his Majestie and Excellency 2 Pet 1.16 Isa 35.2 and to be humble Seekers that you may be happy sharers of this precious price and purchase Hee that was a Soune became a Servant and hee that was equall with the highest became inferiour to the lowest Phil. 2.6 7 8. that GOD might be exalted and lost undone men redeemed and saved The great businesse acted by CHRIST in time here below was contrived Zach. 6.13 9.11 and agreed upon betweene GOD and CHRIST before time in Heaven above If you would see all in one and one in all then cast your eyes upon Christ Col. 3.11 Col. 1.19 Ephes 1.10 Col. 2.3 who is all in all in whom dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily What can you thinke on speake of delight in or desire to have but you may finde them in Iesus Christ If you would know God as a reconciled God and as a Father you may know him and must know him for there is no other meanes but in through Iesus Christ If you would goe to GOD or have GOD come to you there is no other way but by him He is that Ladder that Iacob saw Gen. 28.12 with Joh. 1.51 which reached from Earth to Heaven upon which the Angels of God ascended and descended If you would climbe up this Ladder then must you begin in the lowest steps and staves thereof even in the sufferings of this sweete Saviour Christ crucified is the first lesson you must learne 1 Co. 2.2 and that being well learned it leades by the hand to all the rest To see your sinnes laid on Christ and your selves virtually in Christ when he suffered as you were in Adam when hee sinned is the first sanctified and soule-satisfying light Nothing humbles nor melts the heart more then to see the bloudy wounds of this loving Lord if then you would be penitent oure Phil. 3.10 self-denying weaned from the world get a sight of Christ upon the crosse and a feeling of that fellowship betweene his person and your persons in his death Meditation upon the intent of Christ in dying faith to believe the extent of of his death to you and a feeling of the efficacy of his death in you will raise up your hearts to a high measure of admiration estimation and affection of him and to him After you have knowne the death of Christ and the benefits thereby viz. the putting avvay of your sins Heb. 9.25 Ephes 2.14 First labour to be Gods sons and then his publique servauts as Christ was making peace betvveen God your persons making sure your salvation Then consider and study the goodnes of his nature the goodlinesse his person the greatnesse of his love the freenesse and riches of his grace the sweetnesse and preciousnesse of his promises the beauty and comelinesse of his Church and people and the transcendency and eternity of his glory The best next and surest way to become sound and true Christians is to know that Christ hath done all for you Isa 26.12 Phil. 2.12 13. and without you and that he must doe all in you and by you And being true Christians which is the wel-being of men to live on him and walke to him who hath given you the name and the nature which makes you to be so accounted And seeing God hath honoured glorified his Sonne after hee had finished his worke let that encourage you Honourable Senatours to goe on in the work that God hath called you too Christ hath done and suffered much for you Oh be you willing to do and to suffer for him also Doubtlesse if you own his cause crosse choose his will and doe his work as he hath put chains of gold about your necks here so he will put crowns of gold upon your heads hereafter Luk. 16.2 3 4. Remember you are Stewards entrusted with your Masters treasure and must give an account you know not how soone be sure therefore you lay out all for your Lords glory and the good of his Family Persevere in the way you have begun and prosecute the good worke you have entred upon especially your late excellent Petition Stand far and strive together to obtaine the pure Gospel to guide mens souls in spirituall things and plaine Laws to direct men in civill things Be for Christ resolutely and for true Christians really execute justice impartially regard and relieve the oppressed and needy speedily Neh. 6.3 and say as Nehemiah said I am doing a great worke why should the worke cease whilst I leave it Doe not take off your hand from the Lords plough this yeare for this may be the year of visitation and the next of jubilee The greatest honour is like to be lost or got this yeare the Lord be honoured by you and honour you in himselfe Which is and shall be the prayers of him that craves your pardon for his boldnese rudenesse of speech and for adding one use which time prevented me then to deliver Your Master Christs servant in his and at your service VAVASOR POWELL GOD the FATHER glorified And the work of mens Redemption and Salvation finished by JESVS CHRIST on Earth John 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which then govest me to doe THE last Lords day Right Honourable and Beloved By Mr. Thomas Goodwin you had presented unto you the Dedication of Christ or Christ dedicating himselfe to the work of mens Redemption and Salvation I have chosen this Text and I hope by the guidance of Gods spirit it comes in seasonably to make known the work it selfe even that great work or businesse which Christ did and none else could doe upon earth Christ tells you in this Text what it was and wherein is did consist Before I come to the Text it selfe I must first acquaint you how that our blessed Lord and Master Jesus Christ being to take his leave of his Disciples he expresses at his departure most of his affection to them As Joseph before he took his leave of his brethren a Gen. 45.1.4.15 made known himself unto them kist them and wept upon them So Jesus Christ hee as it were gives kisses of love and shews more expressions of endearednesse and rendernesse towards his Disciples at
What it is to glorifie God A. You must consider that the Scriptures What it is to glorifie God speak of this under severall words and notions as sometimes it is to r Exod. 15.2 Esa 25.1 exalt the Lord sometimes it is to Å¿ Psal 34.3 Luke 1.46 magnifie him sometimes it is to t 1 Tim. 1.17 Heb. 2.7 honour him sometimes it is to u Psal 30.1 Dan. 4.37 extoll and advance him and all these words they are synonima's and of the same nature and signification and hold forth the same truth to us But to answer it more particularly to glorifie God is this it is to set forth God in all his excellencies or to make knowne God in all that he is and to acknowledge him in all that he doth this I say is to glorifie God to set forth God in all his excellencies thus did the Lord Jesus Christ doe â—â—one did ever set out God like unto Jesus Christ God was never seen in any man as he was seen in Christ neither in any mans words or works And therefore it is said in the first of Iohn the eighteenth verse That the onely begotten son John 1.18 who is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him John 17.26 And in this 17. Chapter and the twenty sixth verse saith Jesus Christ I have declared unto them thy name and I will declare it that the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them I have declared unto them thy name If you ask me what is meant there by Name I answer Name it is taken variously in Scripture sometimes for person x Acts 4.12 There is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved i. e. no other person Besides Christs name is also sometimes taken for for y Exod. 3.18 20.7 33.19 Psal 8.1 Gods attri-butes as his wisdome mercy goodnesse power and it is taken also for glory and excellency and here peradventure may be meant all these I have declared unto them Oh Lord thy being thy power thy properties thy grace thy goodnesse thy excellency and thy glory I have declared all these unto my people in the world Psal 76.1 And so we have the word Name in 76. I salme and the first verse In Iudah is God known his name is great in Israel that is his power is great his glory is great his renowne and dignity is great in Israel amongst his owne people of any other there the Lord is more specially present and more clearely known Exod. 23.21 So the Lord in the 23. of Exodus and the 21. ver bids the Israelites fear the Angel that he sent before them beware of him saith he and obey his voyce provoke him not for he will not pardon your transgression for my Name is in him This Angell was Christ this name that was in him was his fathers honour power and glory well thus you heare the first thing opened Q. The second thing to be opened is this How did Iesus Christ glorifie his father or glorifie God For he saith I have glorified thee upon earth A. Three wayes Jesus Christ glorified him upon earth for that 's the thing I am to speak of How Christ glorified God and not how he glorifies him in heaven I say three wayes he glrorified him negatively positively and passively First negatively Jesus Christ did glorifie his father these two wayes negatively 1. In that he did not sinne for as sin is z Rom. 2.23 a dishonour unto God so non-sinning is an honour unto God Jesus Christ did glorifie his father very much in this he did never sinne against him no Christ did not sinne he did never commit the least evill The Apostle Peter a 1 Pet. 2.21 saith he did no sinne neither was there guile found in his mouth not the least fraud not the least vaine word not the least hypocrisie found in Jesus Christ and this did tend much to glorifie God his father 2. Iesus Christ did glorifie his father negatively thus by denying himselfe Christ did not seek himselfe by not seeking himselfe and this is a speciall way to glorifie God and this speciall way did Christ glorifie him John 8.50 as you may finde in the eigth of Iohn and the fifty verse I seek not my owne glory there is one that seeketh and judgeth hete he denies his owne glory So you finde when the people would have made him a King he b John 6.15 would not be made a King he knew that his father was God and King and did he deny himselfe and this did tend much to the glory of God As a child when hee is bare-headed and silent before his father Vide Heb. 5.5 when hee reverenceth and respects his Father and does nothing but what he commands and seeks nothing but what he gives him you know the child thereby honours his Father thus did the Lord Iesus Christ doe and that 's the first way negatively The second way he glorified God Second way was positively and this he did also two wayes By his words and by his works First by his words namely by his preaching Christ glorified his Father by his words by his preaching by his praying and by his confession he did glorifie God mightily by his preaching when the people heard him they wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth and it s said he or God in him c Luke 4.15 By his Prayer was glorified of all Then by his prayer he glorified God d John 12.28 Glorifiethy name in one place e Mat. 26.39 By his confession and not my will but thine in another place thus his prayer tended to glorifie God His confession also did glorifie him f John 10.29 and 14.28 My Father saith he is greater then I g John 5.19.30 againe I can doe nothing of my selfe but the works that my Father doth those doe I thus by his words he glorified him Then by his works he did glorifie God very much and I pray note this that when Christ wrought miracles by the power of his Father the people did wonder and give glory to God You have this eight times at least in the New Testament I shall onely give you two texts h Matt. 9.8 15.31 Mark 2.12 Luke 7.16 13.13 17.15 23.47 the first is in the ninth of Matthew the eigth verse when the multitude saw it they marvelled and glorified God So when they saw how Christ cured the man sick of the Palsie it s said they glorified God These great and mighty works that Iesus Christ did upon earth they had a tendency in them to exalt and glorifie the Lord and this is the second way Iesus Christ glorified his Father The third way was passively that is Third way by his sufferings Christ glorified his Father I say he glosied him by his sufferings as
pleasures all the delusions all the things in the world and all the meu in the world could not hinder mens redemption and salvation but Jesus Christ overcome them all be therefore of good cheare for here is ground of comfort to sinners and Saints Then the sixt and last enemy that Jesus Christ hath overcome was death and hell Job 18.14 death you know is called the King of terrors and there had need some great King come to overcome this King therefore Jesus Christ comes and undertakes and effects this worke therefore Paul could say when he speaks of the resurrection of Christ Oh death where is thy sting oh hell or grave where is thy victory 1 Cor. 15.15 death come out and let me see what thou canst say against me or believers hath not my Lord Christ conquered and taken a way both the power and sting Satan hath the power of death and in is the sting of death but Christ hath overcome qoth Heb. 2.14 1 Cor. 15.56 death and hell they may fear believers with their ghastly looks but death is but a bed to belieuers it is but as a darke door out of the roome of grace into the roome of glory out of the spiritual presence of Christ into the glorious presence of Christ Thus I have opened the second way how Jesus Christ finied the work of mens redemption salvation one way was by putting himselfe into their room place And then secondly by removing and conquering was in the way to hinder mens redemption and mens salvation And then thirdly and lastly Thirdly by purchasing both the persons and portions of men or the men and their glory Believers and their inheritance were purchased with an honourable and precious price Now Christ did not onely remember this remove sinne make satisfaction unto Justice fulfill the Law overcome Satan overthrow the world and conquer death and hell but hee did also purchase mens persons and mens porcions First he did purchase mens persons as the Apostle saith in the first of the Cor. the 6. and the last Ye are bought with a price l 1 Cor. 6.20 or with an honourable price as the word signifies to wit m 1 Pet. 1.19 with the precious bloud of Christ The Lord Jesus hath bought the very haires of your heads you that are believers or will believe I say unto you there is not a haire of your head falls to the ground but Christ hath bought it Marke that expression of the Apostle who loved meaning Christ the Church and (n) Eph. 5. gave himselfe for it this doubtlesse was typed out in (o) Gen. 29.20.27 28. Iacob who bought his wife Rachell with 14. yeares hard service And (p) 2 Sam. 3 â—4 David who bought his wife with a hundred of foureskins of the Philistines These three doubtless were types as also others that bought their wives under the Law of Jesus Christ in this particular Then secondly he hath bought also the inheritance and portion which the Saints are to have for ever in the first of the Ephes the 14. ver the Apostle (q) Eph. 1.14 saith that the spirit sealed them unto the day of redemption vntill the purchased possession that is untill they come to obtaine what Christ hath purchased for them Obj. Heaven is a gift and a purchase But is not Heaven a gift how then doe you say it is purchased Ans The truth is Heaven is a gift but yet gift through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6.23 Obj But if Christ purchased Heaven before why doth he say he goes to prepare a place for them nay what need he intercede for them Ans This is as a man that goes into a Goldsmiths shop and buyeth Jewels there for his wife and goes home to his wife and saith wife I have bought such and such Jewels for thee wilt thou goe and call for them I saith she if you will goe along with me he goes with her and saith deliver these Jewells to my wife he purchaseth them not the last time for he bought them before So this is the difference betweene Christs death and intercession by his death he purchased Heaven and by his intercession he desires they may partake of Heaven Christ did not goe to Heaven to indent there with his Father for it but he went thither as a Bridegroome useth to doe to make all ready against he brings his spouse home And mark when Christ intercedes in Heaveen he doth it by his will for as he once said on earth so he still sayes in Heaven (r) John 17.24 I will that they may be where I am that they may behold my glory Now having opened the Doctrine I 'le give you but 2. reasons beside Christ's testimony here to prove that hee hath glorified his Father and wrought the worke of mens Redemption and salvation The first reason is this Reason 1. because else Christ should never have entred into glory note that The Apostle puts much up in this (s) 1 Pet. 1.21 that God raised him up from the Dead and gave him glory When Jesus Christ had once come downe from heauen and had undertaken this work doubtlesse there was no readmissions into heauen till he had finished it If you should see a Judge take a malefactor that had been arraigned before him at the barre and lead him by the hand and exalt him to sit upon his own right hand would you not conclude and say surely this man is not onely acquitted from all that was laid to his charge but hee is in great favour also with the Judge Now God the Father he judged condemned his Sonne for if I may so say man had not so great a hand in the crucifying of Christ as God had mark it is said (t) Acts 4.28 that he was put to death by the determinate counsel of God Now after his death God leads him out of his grave into his glory this was a sign that there was nothing could be further laid to the charge of Christ nor to the charge of such that Christ did then undertake for This is the argument of the Apostle who shall lay any thing (u) Rom. 8.34 saith he to the charge of Gods electe it is Christ that dyed yea rather who is risen who also sitteth at the right hand of God and he puts a RATHER upon it YEA RATHER who is risen and fits upon the right hand of God The second reason is this Reason 2. because that the Gospel is now published unto men wee should never have had the Gospel had not Jesus Christ finished the work You know till Christ was taken up into glory there were two great things that were kept backe in heaven from men First there was the spirit of God And secondly the counsell of God Both these are wrap'd up in the Gospel These two I say were kept backe from men till Christ had ascended into heaven but as
for me he would answer It is for you that are Prisoners without acception if you accept of it A Pardon is now sent unto you that are finfull men and women who are Prisoners under the power of Satan and sinne I say to you all the Lord Jesus hath sent forth his pardon which runs thus I the Lord Iesus the Son of God and the Saviour of sinners out of my free grace and mercy rich love and pity am willing to pardon and forgive the sinnes and transgressions of you all and this I will doe really if you will come in and lay hold of this pardon and of my righteousnesse Will a sinner now say doth Jesus Christ meane me seeing he saith whosoever comes unto me I will in no wise cast him out and whosoever believes on me he shall be pardoned and saved This word whosoever comprehends all and excludes none therefore object not against your selves neither refuse your owne salvation Obj. Oh! but though Christ invites all and makes promises to all that doe come yet he intends not that all should be made partakers thereof Ans My beloved thinke you that Christs intentions and his expression are not one as reall as another I tell you and you may believe that he intends to pardon all and to save all as he expresseth it He saith not the words only but his heart is so also But marke it well and mistake me not I doe not meane that he saith absoluely I 'le pardon all and save all and no more oh no but he speaks conditionally I 'le pardon you all and save you all if you believe on me and accept of my pardon Obj. But alas he were as good never tender me a pardon nor make me a promise upon those tearmes for of my selfe I cannot believe nor receive his pardon and grace Ans It s true of your selves you cannot believe nor receive his pardon and grace though tendred to you yet as I said before cry upon him to give you eyes to see him and his grace and feete to come to him and hands to take hold upon his merits and righteousnesse He promiseth largely and freely peradventure now while the word is speaking God will be working these things in you Obj. But he doth not give this grace to nor worke this grace in all but to few therefore doe I feare least I should not be one of them Ans Though he doth not give grace to all for he hath not tyed himself so to doe neither is the cause in God why men want grace for he gave sufficiently at first yet you are bound to seek and the promise is made to Seekers nay I may speake more the Lord is found of some that seeke him not Prov. 18.4 Jer. 29.13 Rom. 10.20 Ezek. 34.6.11.12.16 Obj. But peradventure another here may further object and say I have long sought and I am even weary of seeking yea I am ready to conclude that if I had belong'd to God I should have found grace in his sight ere now Ans Oh deare soules conclude nothing neither against your selves nor against the Lord for he hath sought you longer then you sought him And you have not yet been thirtie-eight years waiting at the waters Christs Ordinances as that weak and impotent man Oh soule peradventure the Lord is now asking thee as he did this man John 5. â—5 Wilt thou be made whole If he be so make him answer and say Lord I am weake but yet waiting oh help me and heale me Lord. Thus much for the first use Seeing Christ hath glorified his Father Use 2. and finished the worke of mens Redemption and Salvation this then directs and teaches men what they should not doe and also what they should doe First what they should not doe In the first place First they should not goe about to worke their owne Redemption and Salvation againe for if Christ hath wrought it already then it s in vaine yea its ignorance and folly to think of doing any thing towards your owne Instification and salvation Object Sure there be none that thinke to doe any thing for and towards their justification and salvation unlesse they be Papists Answ Oh yes there be many besides Papists thot doe so for doe but aske many Protestants how they thinke to be justified and saved they will tell you by their good works and well-doing If we doe well say they we shall have well and if we doe ill we shall have accordingly Yea this is apparent in men both living and dying In their life time they will say if we can but keep the Commandements viz. to love God above all and our Neighbours as our selves then we hope it will goe well with us Then at their death they thinke that to build an Hospitall or to doe some such charitable worke will save their soules Marke this it is easier to doe good works then to undoe our selves from them and to have no confidence in them Phil. 3.3 and to be able to say as the Apostle said in him i.e. Christ I desire to be found not having my owne righteousness v. 9. Secondly Secondly on the other hand men should not rest and sit still and content themselves with this bare notion that Christ came to redeeme to and save sinners and that if he died for them then they shall be saved Oh! what are you the better that he dyed for sinners unlesse you know the death of Christ in the worth and efficacy of it and unless you have it apply'd it to your selves in particular and be able upon good grounds to say as Paul said Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim. 1.13 Gal. 2.20 and Christ loved me and gave satisfaction for me this particular faith you stand in need of Object I do beleeve that he dyed for me in particular Ans But upon what ground do you beleeve it what promise have you to build your faith upon there is a kind of * Luk. 8.12 Act. 8.13 Hystoricall beleeving or assenting unto this truth that Christ died for sinners which is not a lively but a dead faith which may rather be called a fancy then a faith this is but a conceit that arises in your hearts like the dreame of a sleeping man alas alas be not deceived for if every one did beleeve that doth say he doth beleeve the numbers of beleevers would be far greater Object I am sure my faith is as good as most mens faith Ans I tell you most mens faith is not worth a farthing for it is but Copper faith and carnall faith a faith that they had they know not how nor they know not when such a faith as they wil pawne for a penny 2 Pet. 1.1 Act. 15.9 Eph. There is a great deale of difference betweene your faith and the faith of the godly for your faith I meane you that are as the most are carnall is not
Thirdly Distinguish between Christs work of Redemption that he hath done without men in his own person by obedience the other wch he works in men by his spirit Observe that men are not to look for any thing in themselves either before beleeving or after as causing justification For Iustification is Gods reckoning those that were sinners to be no sinners or those that were Debtors no Debtors and this through Christ upon his account But sanctification is a putting forth of aholy and heavenly power to the changing of mens carnall principles and making them spirituall and to the purging of mens filthynesse and making them cleane So that the Apostle ascribes Iustification to the name righteousnesse of Christ and sanctification to the spirit or Christ. 1 Co. 11. 1 Cor. 6.11 Fourthly Fourthly When you come to Christ to look for justification or to be justified then you must come as sinners and not as Saints As the Apostle saith If while we seck to be justified by Christ we our selves also are feund sinners that is in the capacity of sinners Gal. 2.17 For indeed it is improper for a man that is a Saint to come to look for Justification for he is justified before unlesse he comes to have his Justification cleared and renewed in his own Conscience As a man that hath a pardon for his life may if his pardon be blurd or broken get it renewed yet the renewing of it is not the first grant so Saints may get their pardons renewed and transcribed in their Consciences but yet when they ask pardon of God they must consider that the former pardon granted up on Christs resurrection and likevvise upon the first Act of beleeving is recorded in Heaven Therefore Saints if you loose your Evidences and vvritings for Heaven committed to you yet know they are enrolled in the Court of glory Fifthly And lastly you should get an experience of vvhat Christ hath done in his ovvne person in your persons I meane that you should not only have a sight Rom. 5.11.4.5 by faith of the vertue of Christs death to justification but that you likevvise get a feeling of that vvarme bloud of his to comfort and chear up your soules Get experience placed as the Apostle places it betvveen Faith and Hope or betvveen Iustification and Salvation So much for the second use The third and last VSE is of Exhortation unto all but especially unto you that are called to do the vvork of the Lord that you would be follovvers of Iesus Christ Here Christ could say He had finished the work which was given him to do But many of you may say that you have not yet begun the vvork though you are ready to go to your graves I vvould exhort you to imitate Christ for you cannot have a better Example But before I come to the particular Exhortation Consider 3. things First Fâ—â— That every man hath a work or his work to do upon earth God leaves no man Idle but he turnes all into the Vineyard and gives every man his work Mar. 13.34 So saith our Saviour in the 13. of Mark and the 34. And he gave to every man his work Now I beseech you consider that the Lord hath given you som work to do you that are Magistrates the Lord hath given you some work to do The Lord help you to know what that work is he hath highly honored you to cal you to his work he might have left you as you were unworthy to have taken his work in hand there is none of you worthy to doe the worke of Jesus Christ yet he hath so farre exprest his willingnesse to exalt you to see whether you will exalt him Joh. 1â— 49 You know Jesus Christ he did very often look upon this work in the 12. of John and the 49. verse I have not spoken of myselfe but the Father which sent me he gave me Commandement what I should say and what I should speak So the Father hath given you a Commandement what you should doe know that there is a work given unto you that is the first thing Secondly Then the Second thing is this that you have but a time to doe this work in There is a time saith Solomon in the 3 of Eccles the first for every thing under the Sun Eol 3.1 the Lord hath peradventure given you a long time to do the work and you have not don is well when the Lords Glasse is run you must be taken away and the work out of your hands Remember you that are in Authority what befel sometimes your Predecessers that were good men when they had done their work they were taken away you know not but that the Lord hath called you this yeare to do his work and peradventure after this yeare is out your time is out and your Glasse run therefore think of that also that every man hath his time as well as his work Then thirdly every man must give an account of his work and Stewardship Thirdly Know this that from the greatest to the smalest from the highest to the lowest you must come and appeare before the Iudgement seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5.10 and Christ will say to one You that I have made chiefe Magistrate of London what have you don in that yeare of your Office and say to others Act. 26.25.27 you Sheriffs you Recorder what have you done yea this must be spoken particularly to men is Paul spake to Festus and Agrippa I speak with humility to you and submission to the will of the Lord you will one day be called by your names such a man in such a place in such an Office that ruled in such a yeare what hast thou done Thou must render an account to me what thou hast done how thou hast improved thy talent what good thou hast done in thy place what glory thou hast brought to my name what comfort thou hast wrought in my peoples hearts what terrors thou hast wrought in the hearts of my adversaries In the 20. of the Revel and the 12. Revel 20.12 There when they are called to account of what they have done you have both small and great standing before God Mat. 12.36 many * As Rom. 14.12 such Scriptures besides now considering this that first you have a work to do Hebr. 13.17 1 Pet. 4 5. c. and secondly you have but a time to do that work and Thirdly that you must give an account of this work I come to the exhortation and I beseech you Brethren beare the word of exhortation The exhortation is this to be followers of Iesus Christ particularly in glorifying God for that end I shall but hold forth how Iesus Christ did his work and paralel your work with his work and shew you how you are to do it and so conclude The first is this that Iesus Christ made it his maine designe and busines to glorifie his
Father First It was not a by-businesse to Christ to glorifie the Father but his maine businesse eating and drinking and other businesses were but by-businesses to him but the maine businesse was to glorifie his Father as you may see in the 4. of Iohn the 34. saith he I have meat to eat Ioh. 4.34 that you know not of and this is my meat to doe the will of him that sent me and to finish his work Here he made Gods work his designe and his maine businesse You are to imitate Jesus Christ in this you are to make it your designe to glorifie God and to do the work which God hath called you to Hath the Lord called you into great plares it must not be your designe to make your selves honourable and to gaine wealth reputation and the like to your selves and that the people may look upon you with esteeme This is not your businesse your businesse is to honour God and to advance his people to rebuke and pull down sin Rom. 13 3.4 and to be a terrour to wicked workers Therefore glorifie God as Christ did and make it your designe to glorifie him for Christ made it Io. The second is Secondly Luk. 2 42. Iesus Christ as he made it his designe so he began in time about his work It is said in the second of Luke when he was but twelve years of age that he was disputing amongst the Doctors Some of you may be 12. and forty and yet have not begun nor gone about the work of the Lord. You have lost much time already now begin peradverture now yea this day God looks you should begin when will you begin Some were called into the Vineyard at the 6th houre and some at the 9th and some at the 11th But it was expected when they had a call to the Vineyeard that they should then work Now you have had a call in the name of God begin the work Math. 22.3 delay it not before the time you appoint to go about the Lords work you may be taken away David for his sin though he had an Intent to build a house to the Lord yet he was taken away before it was built And Moses was likewise taken away before he came into Canaan Be therefore careful to do the work of the Lord though while God grants you an opportunity 1 King 8.19 some may do part of the work remaining in the Wildernesse yet some others may partake of that work in Canaan Then thirdly Jesus Christ did not onely glorifie God himselfe Thirdly but he was a means to make others to glorifie God Christ did not in his owne person only honour his Father but he was a mean's that others might glorify him also For their Master Christ chose such Disciples the poore meane Fisher men that would glorify him in doing his work They were not drunken covetous servants such as did minde money and means more then their preaching You great men that keep servants here is a good example for you Also there is a pertinent instance in Neâ—emish the fifth Chapter and the 10. and 15. verses where saith he I likewise and my brethren Neh. 5.10.15 and my servants might exact of them money and corne I pray you let us leave off this Usu y. So in the 15. verse you finde his servants here not as the former Governors servants that to e rule ever the people but why so Marke in the next words because of the feare of God Get servants like his that feare God and by that meanes you will cleare your selves from that odium cast upon many Gentlemen that if the Master will not take bribes yet the servant will The Proverb is commonly too true like master like man The fourth thing that Jesus Christ did observe in doing his worke was this that he did neglect to opportunity of doing it but did alwayes take hold upon every opportunity When any people came together presently he fell to teach them you should never have him idle Math. 5.1 Mat. 4.23 34 25. Mat. 9.35 36. Mat. 13 2 3. Luke 8.4 5.1 12.1 Act. 10.38 But as it is said in the 10. of the Acts he went about alwayes doing good You should be like Christ in this also observing every opportunity It may be you loosing and neglecting an opportunity may loose your hearts to do the worke If a man be a Parliament-man he should not loose one day of being there to see what may be done for Gods glory And if a man be a Magistrate of the City he should observe all opportunities of glorifying God as Christ did In the 7. John 7.6 of Iohn saith he your time is already but my time is not come He did observe what was the best time and season to doe every thing in this is the fourth Then fifthly Iesus Christ did doe his worke in his Fathers strength and in his fathers name (a) Joh. 5.19.43 John 6.47 Joh. 18.42.28 Joh. 12 49.50 Psal 22.1.10 he did not goe out in his owne strength to doe the worke but alwayes in his fathers strength As Psal 22.1.10 which evidently is a Prophecy of Christ speaking thus Thou hast caused me to trust in thee from my mothers wombe And so when you goe about your work labour to goe about it in the strength of the Lord Be (b) Eph. 6.10 strong as the Apostle exhorts you in the Lord and in the power of his might When you goe forth to judge people doe you goe before by prayer and say Lord I am going to doe such a worke thou callest me to doe shall I have thy spirit and thy slrength thy power and thy might to judge the people which thou askest me to judge Consider it you have a heavenly Law and Charter as well as an earthly to judge by and a supernaturall power as well as a naturall you want And then the sixt is this Iesus Christ he did deny himselfe in the worke that he did doe (c) John 8.5 7.18 I seek not saith he my owne glory but the glory of him that sent me you are to deny your own glory yea note that to deny your owne glory is glory as to seek your owne glory is not glory that is a blessed word he (d) 1 Cor. 1.31 that glories let him glory in the Lord It is better a man should not doe a good worke for himselfe I mean then that he should doe a good worke and take the glory of it to himselfe The Angels wee finde in (e) Isa 6.2 Ezek. 1.11 Isaiah and Ezekiel they did cover their faces their feet and their body why their faces because they would not see their owne beauty and excellency which is seene in the face their feet because they would not see their owne Actions That That is a precious saying in the 15. of the first of the Corinths the 10. where the Apostle saith by the grace of God I
am what I am Here he takes not to himselfe the honour but he gives it unto God 1 Cor. 15.10 And then seventhly and lastly Iesus Christ his last workes were his greatest workes he went on still in greater works he begun as a childe but as he grew in stature so his workes were greater you that are great and Ancient Senators that have had a long time to study the Lawes now you should act more and appeare more for God Now you are ready to goe to your graves what good works will you leave behind you that you may be had in remembrance what will your children say our fathers were in a good time when they might have glorifyed God but they did not Children will be ready to blame I wish they may not be ready also to curse their fathers that they did not better then they did God hath put an opportunity now in your hands improve it to glorifie God and let your latter workes be better then your former Oh that is an honourable thing Quest But it may be you will aske me What works in particular doe you thinke we should doe Answ Though it be best knowne to God and better knowne to you then to me and my worke is to study the Gospell rather then Law and to study my owne worke then to teach you what belongs to your offices yet give me leave humbly to propound three or foure things and so I will conclude First One maine work that Christ did was to worke Reconciliation And this is one maine worke I would humbly desire you to take in hand to see whether you can worke reconciliation amongst Gods people You may remember when Moses saw an Israelite and an Egyptian fighting together Act. 7.24.26 Exod. 2.11.13 he tooke part with the Israelite and slew the Egyptian but when he saw two Israelites fighting together he saith wherefore smitest thou thy fellow He takes not part with the one against the other as before but labours to reconcile them In the same way walke yee labour to reconcile those that are at variance now especially brethren Oh! what a sad thing is it to see brethren scratching the faces one of another Solomon saith that contention amongst brethren it like the barres of a Castle Prov. 18 19. stronger then other contentions Difference amongst brethren of all differences is the hardest difference to be reconciled and yet it is that which we should endeavour to doe Give me leave to offer this to you There is now in the Nation some difference between Godly persons of the Presbytery and Independency as they are calld and some of other opinions Shall I intreat you from the Lord to doe what you can to reconcile the differences between them And if you finde any men that are irreconcileable in their mindes then as the Apostle commands Note those that †Rom. 16.17 cause divisions But if you finde men that are reconcileable and willing to be reconciled endeavour then to close them together in affection and communion I beseech you try the worke Obj. But Sir it is such a difficult worke it is impossible to aâ—e it for many wayes have been assayed and it could never be done what wayes would you offer now to doe it Ans There are two maine things or causes if they were removed the businesse were soone ended The one is that they would lay aside those rigid Principles you may call them dividing and disuniting Principles or seting up more institutions then the Lord hath set up As for instance to begin with the Independents they hold such a Principle as this which I think to be too rigid that a man must be of their Church or of such a Society as theirs is or else he is not to have fellowship and communion with them in the Lords Supper though he be a Saint Peradventure some hold this but they are not all of this opinion This is too rigid a Principle for doubtlesse Communion is grounded upon union and if such a man hath union with the Lord he hath right to have †1 John 1.3 Rom. 14.1 2 3. Acts 15 8 9. Acts 9.26 27. 1 Cor. 1 2 9 10. ch 11. 18. 8. ch 14. 23. Communion with the Saints Then for the Presbyterians they have this opinion that there is and must be a Classicall a Provinciall and a Nationall Assembly and all these jure Divino though the word of God never hath such Names nor things And this is to set up New Institutions and things which the Lord hath not ordained Now if men would lay downe these rigid Principles that are not of God the businesse might quickly be healed The second is this Let all of them practise their owne principles Mark this The difference between Presbytery and Independency is not so great in the principles though they differ in severall Circumstantialls as it is in their practise As the Presbyterians one of their principles is this that the people or the Church should choose their owne MINISTER well let them practice that and not urge or import a Minister upon a people Another of their principles is this That no persons should be admitted to the Lords Supper that are either scandalous or ignorant Let them practice this and so they come in and close with the Independents I might instance in many more as also in other means especialy that each give allowance to one another But I humbly desire of God and desire of you that you would see whether you can reconcile these differences for the case of the Nation requires it which to me stands thus As a Ship that hath been in a long storme and thereby weather-beaten and much broken being come under the winde and at Anchor the Master of the shippe is considering what course to take to mend this Ship and to make it againe navigable But some in the ship having Commodities and Prizes which they are affraid should be taken from them they would out of selfe-love or discontent to the Master of the shippe hoist up sails and take in more wind and rather returne into the main sea againe and thereby endanger themselves and it the shippe then wait with patience or be cross'd in their wills Is it not so with this Nation or Common-wealth that hath beene seven yeares in the storme and God being pleased to bring us now under the winde and to fasten us by the anchor of hope And our Governours the Master of the shippe thinking of reforming things some that are discontented I name none would rather have another people to come in to drive it into the maine Sea of danger i. e. warre to breake it into pieces againe Oh that this were not so but oh that thoughts of reconciliation might be wrought and that if any be irreconciliable in their principles or practices such men were observed that so the saddle might be set on the right horse Secondly In the second place consider how to relieve
Secondly and how to refresh the poore There were two sorts of poor people that Christ relieved spirituall poore and worldly poore To speake of the last of these which are two-fold 1. poore priseners you know he came to set such at liberty in the 4. of Luke Luke 4.18 By poor here is meant specially spirituall priseners v. 18. will you consider those many poor prisoners that now peradventure are for small debts made incapable of doing any service to God or men what a misery is it to be kept in a prison where they cannot come to any Ordinances of God and where they grow idle and doe no worke and so are unserviceable to God and men I know there is a course begun to relieve them but I am affraid the plaiâ—â—r is not large enough for the sore Oh that these pâ—â—r prisoners might be set in some way whereby they might sanctifie Gods name and seeke the good of their soules and not be estranged from God and men 2. There were others Christ did supply and they were poor beggars we read of some that did beg at the Temple gates and in the streets whom Christ and his Apostles did commiserate Now as God would not have you mercilesse to the poore so hee would not have his name abused by them for the preventing of both it 's meet you should take some course of removing and taking away this begging doubtlesse God is much blasphemed and dishonoured and the Common-wealth much disgraced thereby What a shame is it that upon the Lords day so many and it may be counterfeits should be crying in your streets for Gods sake for Christs sake yea doe this upon their knees yea a hundred times taking Gods name in vaine There should be no beggar in Israel and in wel-govern'd Common-wealths there are not And for want of better order those that would shew their charity know not how to shew it rightly Thirdly Thirdly And then the third thing is this Labour to execute justice righteously and impartially Judge the cause of the poore as well as of the rich and as Justice is pictured blind so be you as it were blind I mean not ignorant but impartiall in executing Justice Give to euery man do for every man that which is just Ezek. 35.9 and remember that word in Ezek. 45.9 Thus saith the Lord God let it suffice you O Princes of Israel remove violence and spoil and execute judgement and justice take away your exactions from my people saith the Lord God If there be any exactions as I fear there stil be upon the people do what you can to remove them And then fourthly Fourthly give encouragement to those that are good and godly I know not well how farre the Authority and power of civill Magistrates doth extend in matters purely spirituall but you the Honourable Magistrates of this City I beseech you further good and godly people in these dayes that they may have liberty to serve God There are many would come into publique which now are in private if they might have liberty And why not for if their ware be good why should it not come into publique as well as other mens that it might be vended and if it be bad and false why should it not come into publique that it may be knowne discovered detested and suppressed why should honest people be coopt up in privat houses when as peradventure 20 or 30. places in this City are shut up and yet they may not enjoy them I speak for them and for Saints that hould the head Christ I speak not for them that are for toleration of corruption or damnable opinions but for them that walk according to the Gospell and hold fundamentalls And lastly I beseech you Fisthly labour to suppresse vice more for it s to be doubted as heretofore liberty of Conscience was too much denyed so now liberty to corruption is too much tolerated For men come set up new stages on these days think that all this freedome is to be enjoyed for their lusts that they may have liberty to commit wickednesse againe Make it appeare that your peace and liberty for is not desired carnall liberty and for the advancement of sin but for the advancement of God inesse There are some people that curse and sâ—â—â—ar the like I think were never heard of before publiquely in the Pulpits instead of preaching which Doctrine may be called the Doctrine of Divels Others also that meet to whore and drink game and sport these things should be supprest God hath given the sword into your hands besure you exercise it against the evill and for the good for your place is to be for terrour to evill works and for the praise of those that do well Rom. 13.3.4 And so I conclude with that word in the 6th of Genesis I beseech you note it for I recommend it as a speciall example to you the chiefe Magistrate of this City in particular Gen. 6 The Text saith when Noah was borne his name was called by Lamech Noah which signifies rest and why so Because saith he this same shall comfort us or give us rest because of our labour and toyle because of the ground that the Lord hah cursed Oh! that the Lord would make you a Rest comfort to the people of this City Commonweale your Predecessors have done well do you follow them yea excell them if you can they have rould the stone farre do you roule it further Also you that are come into other mens places as Mr. Recorder you have the failings and the falls of other men before you be therefore wise and watchfull many eyes are upon you but especially the eyes of the Godly so desiring you to bear with my plaine and particular speaking for it is out of true respect love to your Honours I will leave this word with you hoping that the Lord will direct you to make a right use of it to his praise and glory FINIS Courteous Reader THis Sermon being copied out of short hand and my not being able to attend the Presse hath caused many mispointings and literall faults besides severall greater faults As some words mistaken for example Intentive for Incentive page 32. l. 16. together for each other p. 20. l. 20. c. So some words left out as page 10. l. 5. so consent p. 18. l. 8. Likewise some words that alter the very sense as p. 23. l. 17 18 19. Psalm 19.12 Who can understand his errours
thou camest there to call Publicans and Harlots such a wicked wretch have I been for many yeares Lord receive me I am now willing to come to thee doe not cast me away for thou hast (g) Job 6.37 The greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will not not cast out out said thou wilt in no wise cast out such a one What think you will Christ say to such a one Surely this thou art welcome come poore sinner thou art heartily welcome I have grace for thee and I am contented to bestow it freely on thee I have called thee and thou art come hearken what I say unto thee (h) Luke 15.4 There was a certaine man had a hundred sheep and when he had lost one he left the rest and went to seek that which was lost thou art that sheep which wast lost but now art found Obj. Oh but another may say I Christ calls sinners and Publicans and accepts of such but I feare I am a Pharisee John 7 37 38. with Acts 2.37 38. a form all Professor yea a Hypocrite where doth he call such or where is there any promise made to such Ans Put the case you be such though you do but thinke it yet you read of a call to such a promise to such and of the conversion of such compare Iohn 7.37 38. with Acts 2.37 38. The fifth incouragement is this that the greater sinners you are when you come to believe in Christ the more â—â—â—honour Christ hath from you If a man man that is not a great and common sinner be converted alas there is no talke of him this mans was looked on as a good morrall man before a man that made some shew of Religion a man that went after Sermons and one that had some good will to good men and good things Before such an one was never looked upon as a drunkard Swearer and the like I say this man is converted and no notice taken of him But as when a Monster is borne the Country rings of him so when a monstrous and great sinner is borne againe when a man that hath been a ring leader of others in wickednesse and that hath lead and haled others in the way to hell and gone downe the hill himselfe as fast as ever he could to his owne damnation I say when such a man is drawn out of his wicked and miserable condition and brought to Christ what will others they say Oh did you heare the newes what newes Such a man such a great sinner that was given for lost is become a Saint such a man that was so great an enemy to Religion is now converted Such a Persecutor is become a zealous Professor Is it so yes there is no man in the Country forward for Religion as he is all the Country will ring of such a sinners conversion hearken sinner wouldst thou not have the name of God ring through Heaven and Earth at thy conversion wouldst thou not have God glorified and thy owne soule saved this day there would be joy in Heaven and glory to God on Earth if thou wouldst yield to come in to Christ and to be converted The Lord say Amen to it The fifth encouragement is this 5. Encouragement Christ hath spare grace for you that 's another alas what shall this gracious charitable King do with all his grace The Lord hath greatest glory from the greatest sinner when he is converted what shall he doe with so much gold lying by him if poore distressed people doe not come in to fetch it what shall Christ doe with all his merits and sufferings which he hath in store still to be given out to sinners if sinners who want it will not have it Marke what I say to you if so many sinners as are here this day did come to him he hath grace enough for them and so many to morrow and so every day till the day of the Resurrection yet Christ hath grace enough for them all will you leane such stock of grace in his hands and not get it since he hath prepared it for you My beloved suppose a man had a sonne to whom he had given all his estate this sonne also is very rich of himselfe and there were a poore woman that this Sonne hath a minde to make his wife he comes to her and saith woman my heart and affections are gone out towards thee to take thee and to make my wife wilt thou accept of me she refuseing he presses and woes her further and saith why dost not thou consider what a rich father I have he hath made all his estate over to me considerest thou not also what wealth and riches I have doe but heare me and condiscend to my request and say I wll have thee for my husband and all this shall be thine Thus saith Jesus Christ to a sinner poore sinner hearest thou not what my father hath given me and hearest thou not what an heire I am doe thou but own me and take my yoake upon thee and be my Disciple and all this will I give thee As the Devill offered faigned all the world to Jesus Christ if he would submit to him So Jesus Christ offers really all the world to a poore sinner if he will come in and submit to him Againe suppose a rich man did stand in a publique place among a multitude of poore and should say unto them you poore whatsoever you are without respect of persons come to me I will bestow what you want upon you whether money or meat or cloathes all these I have ready for you come and receive them vvhat would not these poore people thinke you come to him nay would they not crowde in upon him Why thus saith Jesus Christ to poore sinners I have grace enough to bestow upon you come in and you shall be welcome come and looke whatever you want I will bestow it upon you now what stands in thy way oh thou poore sinner or what hinders thee to come in Object Oh Sir this stands in my way though I know Christ hath finished the worke of mens redemption and of mens salvation yet I doe not know whether he hath finished it for me Ans Hearken my beloved what ground have you to make a plea against your selves he hath done it for (i) Rom. â—5 8 1 Tim. 1.15 sinners for the (k) Rom. 5.6 ungodly for (l) Psal 68.18 rebells for 〈◊〉 (m) John 6.51 world you are a sinner you are one of the ungodly one of the world what plea can you make against this why object you such an objection against your selves If a pardon be sent from a Prince to a company of Prisoners and the Messenger saith unto them in generall here is a Pardon for you from my Prince for what you have done against him come accept of it and you shall be free Now if one should aske is the pardon for me and another question is the Pardon