1.10 3. The Father hath shewn all the Benevolence or Beneficence to Christ as Mediator as possibly could be He hath filled him with the Spirit in our Nature as full as the Humane Nature can hold and as he is God manifest in the Flesh hath given all into his hand and hath put such honour upon him as Mediator that whatsoever his People ask in his Name it shall be given them and when he comes at the last Day to judge the World in our humane Nature he shall come in all the Glory of the Father with all his holy Angels Objection How did the Father love Chriâ—â— with such an unspeakable transcendent Love seeinâ— it is said He spared not his own Son but delivered him up to Death for us all Rom. 8 3â— And it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hatâ— put him to grief Isai 53.10 It should seem 〈◊〉 this that he loved the Elect people more than Chrisâ— seeing he laid their Iniquities upon Christ and aâ—pointed him to suffer for Sins the Just for the uâ— just that he might bring them to God Answer first In general Take notice Thaâ— the Gospel our Redemption by Christ is such a Mâ—stery that except we be taught of God we shâ—â— stumble and cavil at it without end More particularly 1. Consider that all thâ— Christ suffered it was only in his humane Naturâ— His Godhead could not suffer the least thing 2. His Godhead backed and supported his Hâ—mane Nature to endure the Cross and despise tâ—â— Shame 3. It was but for a short time that the Humane Nature of Christ suffered 4. It was with his own Consent Lo I come to do thy Will O God Heb. 10.7 5. The Father had no Controversie with Christ he had done no evil neither was any guile found in his mouth all that Christ suffered was as a Surety 6. The Designe of God in not sparing his Son was not merely the Salvation of his People but to make known the Riches of the glory of his Wisdom Justice and Grace and so all this would well consist with his Love to the person of Christ 7. As a consequent of his Sufferings the humane Nature of Christ in which Nature only he Suffered is highly exalted and he in our Nature shall â—udge the world and be adored for ever Application Use 1. Seeing that Christ was so beloved of the Father and yet he suffered so much it may teach â—s that great Sufferings and Afflictions may conâ—st with the Love of God so long as there was no â—n inherently in Christ and that it was for the â—lory of God and was but for a time a short time â—ll this might consist with the Love of God Thereâ—ore let this comfort Believers under all their Afflictions and Sorrows in this Life Object May some poor Believer say If the Lord â—â—ved me would he suffer me to be scandalized and â—â—proached as I am I am evil-spoken of by many â—nd am the Song of the Drunkard I scarce know â—w to bear it Answ I pray consider how Christ endured â—e contradiction of Sinners They said He was a Deceiver and was mad they said he was a Glutton and a Winebibber they said he had a Devil yet still he was infinitely beloved of the Father Object Ay If I was afflicted but now and then I might hope that God might love me notwithstanding but I am seldom free of one Affliction or another Answer So it was with Christ while he was here in this world He was a man Sorrows Isa 53.3 yet beloved of the Father and so may you Object Ay But it is not only outward Afflictions that I bear but inward bitterness inward Sorrow Answ Christ went through that too Mat. 26.38 My Soul saith Christ is exceeding sorrowful even unto death Object Ay But this is that which makes me fear that I am none of the Lords because he hides his face from me at times that I have not sensible communion with him but in that respect he doth as it were forsake me Answ So it was with Christ for a time He cried out my God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27.46 Object Ay But I am followed with hideous temptations of the Devil such as I am afraid and ashamed to utter as to take away mine own Life and the like Answ Jesus Christ who was beloved of the Father above all He was tempted in all points as we are yet without Sin Heb. 4.15 Then the Devil taketh him up and setteth him upon a Pinacle of the Temple and saith unto him If thou be the Son of God cast thy self down Mat. 4.5 6. Now as Christ was a Conqueror over all his Sufferings of every kind and lifted up his Head after all so shall Believers through him Christ after a short time sorrowed no more was tempted no more suffer'd no more in any kind and so it shall be with his people after a little time For the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living Fountains of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 1.17 Use 2. Seeing God the Father loveth Jesus Christ with such a transcendent Love This may teach us what manner of Love the Father hath shewn in giving of his Son to be a Redeemer of his people 1 Joh. 4.9 In this was manifested the Love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him Therefore you that are partakers of this Grace why should you fear the want of any thing whatsoever that the Lord seeth convenient for you He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up to Death for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom. 8.32 Therefore trust in the Lord for the supply of all your inward and spiritual wants and trust in the Lord for outward Mercies too Do not put forth your hands to any unrighteous ways for your subsistence but trust in the Lord that he will perform all things for you seeing he hath not spared his own Son but given him to dye for you All other Gifts are small in comparison of his giving his Son to be made a Curse for us Use 3. Seeing the Father loveth the Son in such a wonderful manner Then wo be to those that hate him 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha If any man love him not as he is the Son of God if any man love him not as Mediator if any man hearing this Jesus preached unto him doth not approve of this way of Salvation by Christ and doth deliberately reject him and put him away let him be cursed till the Lord come let him still remain under the curse of the Law and let him be cursed when the Lord cometh let him be put amongst those to whom Christ will say Depart from me ye cursed I
fear there may be some amongst us that will be found haters of the Lord Jesus Christ If your hearts continue to rise against the way of Salvation by Christ you will be found haters of him If you love your sins and hold them fast and will not have Christ to reign over you then you will be found haters of Christ If you hate the Disciples of Christ because of his Image and Grace in them then you will be found haters of Christ But if you believe in him and your hearts cleave unto him and you are troubled that you love him no more that he is no more precious to you then go in peace Use 4. Seeing the Father loveth the Son in such a wonderful manner let this stir us up to love Jesus Christ Let us love him as God and love him him as God-man Mediator You see he is an object fit for the Love of God the Father and then he is an object worthy of our love And as God the Father loves him with a transcendent Love so let us do likewise Read what Christ saith Joh. 14.21 If any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and I will love him and will manifest my self unto him And see verse 23. You will never loose any thing by loving Jesus Christ Ephes 6.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Amen It follows And hath put all things into his hand Before I come to raise the Doctrine from these words let me briefly shew you the meaning of this expression And hath put all things into his hand The meaning is that he hath put all Power and Authority into his hand he hath made him Supreme Head and Governour over all things the Father hath made him Ruler and Disposer of all the great King Lord and Potentate over all And further take notice that this is spoken of Jesus as God-man Mediator Christ is made the Lord of Heaven and Earth in our Nature As Christ is the Son of God so he is equal with the Father so it cannot be properly said that the Father hath given all things into his hand for he had all things originally in his hand as God but as God-man Mediator so the Father hath given all things into his hand that now in our nature in our flesh he is the great Potentate of the world and hath all things committed to him of the Father Doctrine That God the Father hath given unto Jesus Christ in our Nature full Power and Authority over all things both in Heaven and in Earth he hath put all things into his hand This is a Point of great Concernment and for the great comfort and establishing of Believers in evil times that all things are given into the hand of our great Mediator You see John Baptist here gives a full testimony to this truth will you hear what Christ saith in his own person All things are delivered unto me of my Father Mat. 11.27 And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Joh. 13.3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hand 1. To shew you how all things are put into the hand of Christ given into his hand 1. All men are given into Christ's hand But here we must distinguish There are some given to Christ in a special manner and for their eternal Salvation There are some given to Christ to that very end and purpose that he should give them Eternal Life Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal Life to as many as thou hast given him You see that some are so given into Christs hand that he by his Office of Mediator is engaged and hath undertaken to give them Eternal Life Other sheep I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice Joh. 10.16 Christ there calls them whom the Father hath given him in the Covenant of Redemption his sheep though they are not yet converted and saith he must bring them in and they shall hear his voice Joh. 17. I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them whom thou hast given me for they are thine and yet he prayed as Mediator not only for them that were then Believers and converted but for them that should afterwards believe unto everlasting Life Vers 20. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word Vers 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory 2. The rest of men are put into Christs hand even those that perish so as that Christ hath full power to over-rule them and their actings so as that they shall not quite root out his Church so as that he shall have Glory in carrying on his work so far as he pleases against all their opposition punish them so far as he thinks fit in this Life and pass sentence of everlasting Damnation against them at the Last Day Thus we see all men are given into Christ's hand Elect and non-Elect the Elect to redeem and save and the rest to order them and dispose of them as he pleases in this World a d to judge them at the Last Day 2. All the Angels are given into Christs hands The Elect Angels are given into his hand to confirm them as some think and to make use of them in his Mediatory Kingdom as he pleases The fallen Angels are given into his hand so as that he hath Power to check them and restrain them and set bounds to them that they shall not Devour and Prevail against any of his redeemed People and likewise to sit in Judgment upon them and pass open Sentence of Condemnation upon them at the Last Day Ephes 1.21 22. 'T is said of Christ That he is far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be Head over all things to the Church Luk. 10.17 And the seventy returned with joy saying Lord even the Devils are subject to us through thy Name 3. All Creatures whether animate or inanimate are given into the hand of Christ as Mediator God-man 1. All animate Creatures all rational Creatures Phil. 2.9 10. Wherefore also God hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven and things on Earth 2. All inanimate all irrational Creatures Psal 8.5 6 7 8. For thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels viz. barely considered as man though far above all the Angels as God-man Mediator and hast crowned him with Glory and Honour Thou madest him to
people righteous before God Christ was sent to fulfill the Law for his people by his Active and Passive obedience He came to do and procure all that is required to the compleat and perfect salvation of his people In a word Jesus Christ was sent into the World not meerly as a Prophet to teach the Mind and Will of God or to be an example of holiness but he was sent to be a Priest in a proper sense to make atonement and satisfaction for the sins of his people and to obtain eternal redemption for them Application Use 1. We may see here that the work of Redemption was a great work Not the highest Angel of Heaven nor all of them put together were able to perform this but God sent his Son about this work Use 2. We may see here that the heart of God the Father was in this great work of redeeming and saving the elect The Father himself loved them for he sent his Son he gave his only begotten Son that they might live through him Use 3. We may see here the love of Christ unto those that the Father had given him That he was willing to be their Mediator for as he is often said to be sent of the Father so he is said to come Heb. 10.7 Lo I come to do thy will O God Christ was so sent as that he came freely came with alacrity and chearfulness for his delight was with the Sons of men his heart was in this work Lastly Let this encourage sinners to come to Christ to venture their souls upon him Do not question whether God will accept of you by anothers righteousness discharge you by a payment made by a Surety deliver you from going down to the Pit upon a ransom given by another for all this was the contrivement of the Lord himself to glorifie both his Justice and his Mercy for ever Therefore let sinners cast themselves upon Christ and fear not this Rock will never fail that Soul that is built upon it I come now to the next words where it is said that Christ speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him Doct. 2. That Jesus Christ our Mediator hath the spirit given him by the Father without measure This is a great and glorious truth and very sweet and comfortable to the Saints that the Lord Jesus their Mediator hath a fulness of the spirit Psal 45.7 Anointed with the oyl of gladness above his fellows Christ hath the spirit above what any of the Saints have and see Isa 61.1 Isa 2.11 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the spirit of wisdom and understanding the spirit of council and might the spirit of knowledg and of the fear of the Lord. And you have a visible fulfilling of those Prophecies John 1.32 And John bare record saying I saw the spirit descending from Heaven like a Dove and it abode upon him And so Acts 10.3 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed with the Devil for God was with him And in another place It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell All fullness of the Spirit all fullness of Grace dwells in Christ Three Things for the opening of this point 1. What is here meant by the Spirit 2. How the Spirit is said to be given to Jesus Christ seeing he is God How can any gift be said to be conferred upon him seeing he is God and infinite in himself 3. How it may be said that the spirit is given unto him without measure 1. What is here meant by the spirit 1. The Gifts and Graces of the Spirit these are given to Christ not by measure but without measure 2. The Spirit it self Luke 4.14 And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit full of the Holy Ghost Believers have not only the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit but the Spirit it self Rom. 8.9 If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his and the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you v. 11. And if the Spirit be in Believers and dwells in them much more in Christ himself 2dly How can Christ who is God and so infinite and uncapable of addition be said to have the spirit given unto him I answer briefly in a word or two It is true that Jesus Christ as God is infinite and as God he is not capable of having the spirit given unto him but the spirit was given unto Jesus Christ as man the spirit was given to his humane nature which he took upon him 3dly If the spirit was given to the humane nature of Christ how can the humane nature hold the fullness of the spirit the humane nature is finite how can it receive an infinite how then is it said that God hath not given the spirit by measure unto him I answer The expression in the Text is not to be understood without any limitation as if the Spirit were given to the humane nature of Christ in an infinite manner and as if the humane nature were of an infinite capacity the Divine nature of Christ is infinite but though the Divine and humane nature in Christ are eternally united yet they are not confounded This then I say that the spirit was given to the humane nature of Christ beyond all comparison beyond all the Saints on Earth or in Heaven and above all the Angels put them all together The spirit is given to Christ as man incomparatively and transcendently beyond what ever men or Angels have had or shall have It pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell which cannot be said of any other Object It is said that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man Luk. 2.52 How had he such a fullness of the Spirit and yet is said to increase in Wisdom I Answer The Word being made Flesh he was full of Grace full of the Spirit from his very birth but he is said to increase in Wisdom in respect of the effects and opperations expressions and declarations of his Wisdom One Question more How comes it to be so that the Lord Jesus is so filled with the spirit in his humane nature Answer 1. One reason is taken from the nearness of his humane nature to the Divine Brethren Jesus Christ is the Son of God the natural Son of God he hath the very essence of God the nature of God and the humane nature of Christ is brought very near to the God-head It is brought as near as our Bodies to our Souls and therefore it is said that in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily that is personally The Sun is the Fountain of light and the nearer we come to the Sun the more we partake of light so the humane nature of Christ being brought so near to the God-head as to be taken into
There is an Emphasis in the words The Father loveth the Son that is He loves him most eminently transcendently And hath given all things into his hand He hath made him the great Commander and Governour of the World By the Son here we are not to understand Christ as God as the Second Person in the Trinity but as God-man Mediator Indeed the Father loved the Son as he was God equal with him of the same Substance and Eternity But when it is said that the Father hath given all things into his hand we must understand it of Christ as God-man Mediator For consider Christ as God he had all things in his hand as the Father had but it is as he is God-man Mediator that the Father hath put all things into his hand Doct. 1. That Jesus Christ is beloved of the Father above all Creatures above Men or Angels It may be some may think there is no great matter in this point but truly it is of great concernment to us that we may more confidently look to Christ for our acceptance with God through him Mat. 3.17 This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Paul speaking of him Ephes 1.6 saith that God hath made us accepted in the Beloved Others are beloved but Christ is the Beloved And again Colos 1.13 Who hath delivered us from the Power of Darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Christ himself often makes mention of the Fathers love to him Joh. 10.17 Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life Joh. 15.9 As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world 'T is said indeed vers 23. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one that the world may know that thou hast sent me and that thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me It is true the Father loves the Elect people as really and truely as he loveth Christ but he doth not love them so abundantly not in the same degree neither can they be loved with that kind of Love every way that the Father loveth the Son as will appear in the opening of the Point First Let us enquire wherein the Love of the Father towards Christ doth transcend and exceed his Love to all other Creatures Men or Angels 1. The Father loveth Christ as he is the only begotten Son of the same Divine Essence with himself Believers are the Sons of God by Adoption but Christ is the Son of God by an Eternal and Unutterable Generation Joh. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son Therefore must the Father needs love Christ above Men or Angels because he is the only begotten Son and though they be two distinct Persons and so they are spoken of in the Text the Father and the Son yet they are one Essence And though the Son hath now taken upon him our Nature yet he is God still and so continues for ever and is an adequate and every way fit object of the Fathers Love in the highest degree to Eternity 2. The Father loveth Christ above all other creatures Men or Angels upon the account of his being the Redeemer and Saviour of the Elect people whom he hath given him to bring to Glory The glory of God's Grace Wisdom and Justice is made known in such a wonderful manner by the Lord Jesus as Mediator that the Father loves him upon that account Joh. 10.17 Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my Life Vers 18. This Commandment have I received of my Father That the Son consented to be Mediator and to take upon him the Nature of man and to dye and suffer to satisfie Justice for Sin this is highly pleasing to the Father Heb. 10.5 6 7. Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and Offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me in Burnt-Offerings and Sacrifices for Sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said Lo I come in the Volume of thy Book it is written of me to do thy Will O God The Father loveth Christ not only as his Eternal Son but as he condescended to be Mediator for his People Phil. 2.6 7 8 9. Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him The Father delights in Christ not only as he is the Eternal Son but as he is his Elected one Elected to be the Head and Saviour of his Body the Church Isai 42.1 Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles That the Son took upon him the form of a Servant that the Glory of God might be made manifest in him and that he should bring back and lead the Elect people to God makes the Father to love him and delight in him as Mediator He freely undertook the work and has faithfully discharged it Joh. 17.4 5. I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the world was Secondly Let us enquire wherein the Father hath shewn and expressed such a great and transcendent Love to Jesus Christ 1. The Father had an unspeakable complacency and delight in Christ from Eternity and that not only as his Eternal Son and God equal with him but as he had consented agreed to be Mediator for them whom he had appointed to be Heirs of Salvation Prov. 8.23 24 25 26 28 29. I was set up from everlasting from the beginning before ever the Earth was Then was I by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him 2. There is the most intimate Fellowship and Communion between the Father and him in all that the Father doth As to the works of Creation All things were created by him and for him Col. 1.16 All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh. 1.3 And as to the work of Redemption he was the great Instrument of the Father t is said God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5.19 That in the dipensation of the fulness of times he might gather together all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth even in him Ephes
in a State of enmity till such time as he comes to believe on Christ then indeed the enmity is taken away but till he come to believe on Christ he is an enemy to God and he hates God in his Soul and whatever he doth he doth but dissemble if he comes and confess his sins and give thanks to God and make petitions and supplications to God all this doth not please God he doth but Flatter and play the Hypocrite and Lye to God to his Face How then can a Man or Woman please God without Faith that is the Second demonstration Take one more Thirdly Without Faith it is impossible to please God why because all that ever a man or Woman doth that is an unbeliever is all but dead works all is Stinking Dead a dead Service and a dead Sacrifice whatever he brings to God it is dead his Prayers and Thanksgivings are dead and his Supplications and Petitions are all dead his Reading and Hearing the Word is all dead all that he doth is dead Now do you think that the living God can or will be pleased with dead services can this be pleasing to him all is dead because it comes from a dead principle every unbelieving man and woman in the World is spiritually dead and therefore all that comes from him must be dead they are all dead works as the Apostle calls them in Hebrews 6.1 Leaving the Principles of Repentance from dead works saies he and so in Hebrews 9.14 How much more says he shall the Blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered up himself to God without spot purge your Concience from dead works c. when the Blood of Christ comes to be sprinkled upon the Soul by Faith then he is cleansed from dead works but before all is dead his faithfulness in his calling his thanksgivings his prayers and all is dead and how can this please a living God Can a man gather Grapes of Thorns and Figs of Thistles No. So can any thing that is lively and acceptable to God come from a dead Heart No. Can God be pleased with that which is dead that which is dead is displeasing to you if they give you dead Drink dead Beer or dead Wine doth it please you No you will say you had rather drink Water All the services that an unbeliever can perform they are all but dead in the savour of God they are all stinking loathsome things therefore how can these things be pleasing unto God This is the state of every unbeliever he is spiritually dead and all that he doth is dead nothing that is living or lively can come from a dead thing a dead thing cannot produce a living action but now by Faith a soul comes to be made alive when a soul comes to receive Christ he receives a principle of Life but every unbeliever is dead and therefore nothing that he does can be pleasing unto God So now you have heard the point demonstrated to you That it is impossible for any man or woman to please God without Faith We come now in the next place for the further clearing this truth and for your more distinct understanding of it to remove some objections that possibly may be made against it As first what is nothing pleasing to God without Faith You will say did not the Elect please God from all Eternity did not God chuse the Elect and set his love upon them did not they please God yet they had no Faith then it seems it is possible to please God without Faith Indeed if the Arminians were to answer this they would easily answer it for they make election to be upon foreseen Faith that God did foresee that such and such a man would believe and therefore he elected him and if so then the elect cannot please God without Faith but we do not joyn with them in that thing there was not any thing foreseen that did move God to elect one or another In Romans 9.11 the Apostle there instances in the two Children Jacob and Esau For the Children being not yet born having done neither good nor evil God did not consider them as having done good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of Works but of him that calleth It was said unto her the Elder shall serve the Younger God doth not consider that in point of election for election is not the effect of Faith foreseen but Faith is the consequent of Election he hath chosen us that we should be Holy that we should believe in Eph. 1.4 and in Acts 13.48 And as many as were Ordained to Eternal Life believed Election is antecedent to Faith and believing God was not pleased with the Elect because of their Faith no but they were chosen to Faith and then did not they please God without Faith there is the objection still Answ I answer shortly That the Elect did not please God but God was pleased out of his free Grace to set his Love of Benevolence upon them and thereby did intend in time to shew Love and Friendship to them I say it was not because they pleased God that God chose them and elected them but God was pleased out of his infinite free Grace and Love to ordain them in time to manifest his love of friendship to them so that it was not for Faith nor without Faith for they did not please God Obj. But then you will say Did not Adam in innocency please God if he did then it is possible to please God without Faith for Adam had no Faith in innocency Now before the fall Adam did please God was there not a sweet intercourse between God and Adam was there not a covenant made between God and Adam Did not God come and speak in a familiar way to Adam Surely Adam pleased God Adam had not Faith then it is possible to please God without Faith For Answer to this First In a word Adam had a Faith though not such a Faith as believers have now yet Adam had a faith of Affiance of Trust and Confidence and Dependance upon God which was required in the first Commandment and Adam had all the Commandments of the Law written upon his Heart 2. But Secondly This Truth doth presuppose man in a sinful fallen state Adam after his fall and so all the posterity of Adam now there is no Son nor Daughter of Adam since the Fall that can ever please God without Faith Adam himself since the fall if ever he pleased God it was by Faith for the Apostle speaks of those that are supposed to be Sinners and Enemies against God That without Faith it is impossible for them to please God Obj. But you will say Have not some that have been unbelievers by doing of those things that God hath required pleased God Look into the example of Jehu 2 Kings 10.30 You know that God commanded Jehu to go and cut off all the House of Ahab that was his Message
Lastly If we would exercise Faith in our participation of this Ordinance then our Faith should be imployed about the Sacramental objects and actions before us for this is the nature of Faith to make a particular application of such things to our selves Now then in the things about the Sacraâ—ent and the actions in the Sacrament in this Ordinance Faith is to be found acting and making a particular application as for example to help you a little when we see the Bread and Wine set in order and readiness for the administration now Faith should act this way namely that God the Father hath prepared a spiritual feast for me and God hath invited me now to this marriage feast as you know we read in Matthew 22.4 He sent out his servants saying tell them which are bidden I have prepared my Dinner my Oxen and my â—atlings c. Thus a Soul should act in a way of Faith now God the Father hath called me to this great feast I am unworthy that ever I should partake of it and yet God the Father hath invited me and called me and hath shown me the preparation that he hath made and these things God hath called me to and invited me 〈◊〉 and hath prepared them for me and Oh the wonderful rich Grace of God towards me And then again when you see the elements prepared the Bread and Wine before you here now is occasion for your Faith to consider of the Love of God the Father and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ that God the Father should prepare Jesus Christ his own Son for me set out by these elements here is the infinite love of the Father to me and here is the wonderful love of the Lord Jesus Christ to me that hath prepared these things for me that Jesus Christ should set out himself as Bread for me Oh! the Love of the Father and the Love of the Son that is held forth to me And again when we see how the Bread is sanctified blessed and broken by him whom Christ doth appoint to do it according to his own Institution saying Take eat this is my Body which was broken for you now Faith should act as if Jesus Christ himself did speak to you from Heaven saying take eat this is my Body broken for thee For Christ hath appointed and Ordained him to do it in his Name and doing it in his Name and according to his Institution it is all one as if Christ himself did it Now then Faith should act as if I did hear Christ speaking from Heaven to me This is my Body broken for you so also when we see the Cup or the element of Wine and hear those words also pronounced This Cup is the New-Testament in my Blood which was shed for many for the remission of Sins truly now we should take these words as spoken from the Lord Jesus Christ himself to us this is my Blood shed for you for the remission of your Sins as if Christ himself did speak from Heaven to us And so again when we do eat the Bread and drink the Wine take them down into our bodies according to Christs Institution now our Faith should act particularly Namely thus in resting and leaning and relying upon Jesus Christ for acceptance in the sight of God and for remission of Sins and for Salvation this acting of Faith is eating and drinking Saies Christ in John 6.56 He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him And what is this eating the Flesh of Christ and drinking the Blood of Christ but acting and exercising of Faith in our eating and drinking the outward elements So that when we eat and drink with our Bodies we should act Faith with our Souls and eat with our Souls leaning and resting upon Jesus Christ for acceptance in the sight of God for remission of Sins and for peace with God and for everlasting Life and Salvation this is eating and drinking by Faith this is that which Faith doth Now if you would partake of this Ordinance in Faith then Brethren particularly apply the Objects and actions of this Ordinance to your own Souls and thus now I have given you some few Directions about exercising of Faith in this Ordinance of the Lords Supper without which not only without the habit and grace of Faith but without the exercise of Faith you cannot partake worthily you cannot partake so as to please God for without Faith it is impossible to please God even in this Ordinance I thought to have spent some time in speaking to another head namely how we should exercise Faith in our particular Callings and occasions and matters that concern this life for we must act and exercise Faith in all or else we do not please God in what we do even in our very outward occasions and business I am unwilling to make another discourse upon this subject and therefore I shall if you please to give me leave only give you four or five heads of things that might have been further inlarged upon by way of Direction How to exercise Faith in our particular callings and several conditions that we may be in in this life I will but name them you may enlarge upon them in your own private Meditations Briefly then 1st In the first place Would we exercise Faith in our particular Callings and Stations and Relations and condition that we are in then be careful to eye the hand of God leading and bringing of you into this or that calling condition and course of Life that we may be able to say as Paul did 1 Cor. 1.1 Paul called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the Will of God It was the Will of God that brought him into that state and course of life so must we be able to say or else we cannot act and exercise Faith in our particular Callings Stations and Relations we must be able to say that God hath led me into this or that or the other course of life or into this and that change of Condition Faith doth not lead a man to make haste to be over hasty for any thing I have a mind to such a thing I have a strong fancy to it and and therefore I must enter into such a Calling or enter into such a change of Condition but Faith doth put a Soul upon this Namely to be solicitous to understand the Mind of God and therefore observe it Faith will put a Soul upon earnestness and frequency in Prayer to seek counsel of the Lord whether this or that be according to his Will or no and also to advise with Christians about it that so he may understand the Mind and Will and Counsel of God about it That is the first Rule Secondly Another Rule is this we should be careful to walk with God in that particular place and station and relation wherein God hath set us according to his Will for otherwise we do not exercise Faith in it and therefore when a man is led into such a Calling such a way and course of life it is not for him to act and walk according to the example of others to make the practices of others his rule No but we must look what the Will of God is and make that our Rule As now if a man or woman be brought into a change of condition into a Married condition it is not for that man to say Well I will carry it towards my Wife as she carry it to me or for the woman to say I will carry it to my Husband as he carry it to me no this is not a rule to walk by the examples of others but let us look to our own duty what the Will of God is concerning a Wife or a Husband Remember this is a Second rule To walk in our particular calling and station and relation according to the Will of God Thirdly Another rule and direction is this if you would act and exercise Faith in your particular callings then be frequently looking up unto the Lord for his guidance and help and assistance in your occasions and business Let us look up frequently to the Lord that he would guide us and assist us and help us for we must have Strength and Wisdom and Spirit and Grace from God day by day to walk with God in our places and stations we had need therefore be frequent in looking up unto the Lord for guidance and assistance and help in the places and stations wherein he hath set us And Fourthly Look up to the Lord for pardon through the righteousness of Christ and the merrits of his Death for the pardon of our failings and miscarriages in our callings and places and stations we had need to be frequently looking up for pardon that God would pardon our miscarriages and sailings and weaknesses in our places and stations that we do not walk so according to the Will of God as we ought to do we had need look to the Grace and Blood of Christ to be pardoned And then Fifthly and Lastly This might also have been further spoken to namely to leave the Issue and event and success of our endeavours with the Lord to leave all wholly with him all our burthens and cares leave them all with the Lord Let us be careful to do our Duty and to walk with God according to his Will in our places and relations and leave the event with the Lord. Cast your burthen upon the Lord Psalm 55.22 and he shall sustain you And so the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your care upon the Lord for he careeth for you So should you do and thus walking in our particular Callings and stations and places and relations we shall come to exercise Faith and thereby so walk as to please God O! that now you have heard this point and truth opened that for the future the Lord would help us to be careful to exercise Faith in all our Duties in our praying in our hearing and in our partaking of the Lords Table and in our particular Callings and relations otherwise we cannot please God for the Apostle says here Without Faith it is impossible to please Him Thus much for this Text and this Time FINIS