thee I will rejoyce over thee I will forget the wrongs thou hast done me I will requite thy Vnkindness with Kindness and draw thee with cords of Love with cords saith one woven and spun out of my very Heart and Bowels O miserable Caitiff embrace my Counsels listen thine Ears to Heaven gate and hear the melodious Musick that is there made by refined Spirits why wilt thou rather lye with damned howling Devils than sing Hallelujah's and the Song of the Lamb with saved Souls Accept of me and unchangeable Glory unspeakable Priviledges and Rivers of Pleasures shall be thine Thus doth the Lord Jesus woo poor perishing Souls to be happy and is not this Pity indeed Fourthly His readiness to receive them when they come to him No sooner do they open the door but he comes in Rev. 3. 20. If any man open the door I will come in unto him No sooner doth the Prodigal return but his Father meets him yea runs to meet him as if he could never come soon enough at him Luke 15 20. Mercy is upon the wing when it comes to receive returning Sinners No sooner did Ephraim repent but God repented too As soon as he said Turn thou me God said He shall be turned when he cries Thou art the Lord my God presently God Answers Is he not a pleasant Child So willing is Christ to receive returning Sinners as that he promiseth he will in no wise cast them out Joh. 6. 37. Yea if they cannot come unto him he will go and fetch them and if they cannot go he will draw them Joh. 6. 44. Fifthly His great Joy when he hath obtain'd them The Father of the Prodigal keeps a Feast and makes merry when his lost Child is found Luke 15. 23 24. Psal 104. 31. The Lord shall rejoyce in his Works and this he doth when he hath finished them Heb. 4. 4. But there is nothing the Lord Jesus Christ takes more pleasure in than in the Redemption of Souls Prov. 8. 31. He delighted in the habitable parts of the Earth This you vvill find further amplified in the Parables of the lost sheep and lost piece of Silver Luke 15. from vers 4. to 11. CHAP. XII The Improvement of the Pity of Christ by way of Terrour Encouragement and Advice ARE there such deep and large Bowels of Pity in Jesus Christ not only towards his Friends but his very Enemies Then here is First Terrour to Impenitent Sinners Ah Souls hovv fearfully great is your Sin being a plain defiance to the Mercy and pity of Christ Every Transgression of yours is a kicking the very Bovvels of Mercy and a stab at the Heart of Divine Pity O! hovv vile are your Iniquities vvhilst vvithout Christ They are no less than a despising of the Riches of the Mercy and Goodness of God which would have led you to Repentance and a treasuring up of Wrath against the day of Wrath Rom. 2. 4 5. O Sinners you run on score in abusing of the highest Mercy that ever was you provoke your best Friend against you Alas Who can help you if Mercy it self becomes your Enemy The Bowels of Christ are your last Asylum if this door be shut against you Farewel Souls and can you hope that Mercy will plead for you when rejected by you or will not God hear the Complaint of despised Mercy think you Sinners the Compassion of Christ shall come forth at the last day and say I would have saved that Soul but it would not how often would I have gathered it but it resisted Mat. 23. 37. I offered to pay it's Debts and to get him an Acquittance in the Court of Heaven but he refused it I would have ransom'd him from Death to Life and adopted him to an Inheritance in Glory but he would not I would have stamp'd the divine Nature on him and brought him into the Likeness of the Lord of Glory but he would not I would have put down his Name in the book of Life and secur'd his Title to Heaven but he would not I called he would not answer I perswaded he refused I beseeched he despised I strived he resisted and now Justice into thy hands do I deliver these rebellious Souls to be dealt with according to the Threatnings of the Gospel and Severity of the Law that my Wrongs may be avenged O! what a terrible Complaint will this be Sinners tremble then at the Thoughts of your abusing divine Mâ—rcy Vse 2. Of Encouragement to dejected Souls If there be such tender pity in the Lord Jesus O then take Courage hence to hope for Mercy these Mercies of Christ are infinite boundless and bottomless O what a stock of Mercy is in him for troubled Souls to trade upon what unfathomed Deeps are there in divine Compassions enough to serve all thy Turns and Necessities have thy Sins been many The free Gift is of many Offences to Justification Rom. 5. 6. Of the Offences of many persons be they never so many or the many Offences of one person there is vertue enough in this free Gift of the Blood of Christ for the pardoning them all if such return he saith one that had love enough to give us Christ hath Bowels enough to give us pardon believing Souls shall never dye for Debt if the Bowels of Christ hath wherewithal to pay it O! what Shifts will tender Parents make to keep their indebted Children out of Prison They will beg and borrow of others pinch themselves and spare what they can rather than their Children shall be undone and surely the Mercy of Christ must needs make the most of his Blood and Obedience of his Intercession and Satisfaction for the Pardon of his People And therefore Daniel joyns Mercies and Forgiveness together Dan. 9. 9. Is thy Unworthiness great and deservest thou nothing but Wrath from God O bear up thy Sinking Spirit on the Arm of Mercy Mercy is in vain and signifies nothing if Justice only must take place hast thou abused Mercy and sinn'd away the Favour of thy God Thou hast lost his Gift but he hath not lost his giving the Child spils his Water and goes to the Well to fill his Pitcher again there is more Mercy O troubled Soul in the deep Wells of Salvation for those that seek it Obj. But I have provoked God to withhold Mercy Ans Let me tell thee O distressed Believer there are Forgivings as well as Givings in the Bowels of Christ and I know not which are greater Are thy Wants many Be of good chear Mercy hath enough to supply them all and is as free to give as able and take this for they Encouragement Mercy never gives where there are Deservings Are thy Griefs Labours Fears Troubles and Burdens great Yet comfort thy self Misery and Mercy are a Kin Mercy lives in the â—lymate of Misery and never thrives better than in Misery's Ground to do good to miserable Creatures is Meat and Drink to Mercy John 4. 32. I have Meat to eat
not come Joh. 3. 18. Ah troubled Souls you that tremble least he will no more have Mercy on you but reject your Selves and Duties shut up his Bowels and harden his Heart against your Cries Ah! do but consider and seriously reflect on what Christ hath already done and suffered for you think on his Carriage whilst on Earth and his tender Reception of all that came to him he debarred none surely then his Advancement in Heaven produces no Alteration in him it may enlarge his Capacity but cannot straiten his Bowels to perishing Sinners Honour doth not puff him up or make him unmindful of their Concernments think upon his Promises he will cast out none that come to him Joh. 6. 37. Let their Sins be as red as Scarlet he will make them as white as Wool Isa 1. 18. He knows the Heart of a Stranger Exod. 23. 29. He remembers what 't is to lye under the Pangs of a troubled Soul when he trode the Wine-press of his Fathers Wrath alone and therefore cannot but compassionate the Miserable and those that are consumed with the Terrors of the Almighty Cease Soul to lay thy Charge on Christ 't is thy own Unwillingness and Unbelief that impedes thy way to Life not his Thirdly How fearful then is the Sin and how dreadful will be the misery of all those that refuse this Mediator will not hearken to this Prophet nor consent to his Proposals for Salvation The Tongues of Men and Angels are not capable here to commit an Hyperbole nor can such themselves sufficiently conceive it till they feel it Ah Sinners Weigh a little these ensuing particulars and you will find it true First It is a most aggravated Sin and hath all the circumstances of Evil in it There 's no sin of so deep a Dye and foul a Guilt It is a sin against the highest Mercy and greatest Deeps of Divine Favour There were some Discoveries of Mercy that God expended on the Gentile World In the times of their Ignorance God did wink at them feed them and cloath them But the Treasures of Grace were reserved for the Fulness of Time the Gospel dayes O wretched Caitiff By refusing Christ thou kickest against the most sounding Bowels against rich Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Against tender Mercy Luke 1. 18. Against Free Mercy Eph. 2. 8. It is a Sin against and a forsaking of thy own Mercy Thou stabbest thy own Soul with the same Dagger thou flingest at Christ O wretched Sinner thou takest pains to shut thy self out of the door of Mercy and to argue thy self into the depth of Misery O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self Oh Sinner thou sheddest the blood of thy own Soul Hos 13. 9. It is a sin against the choicest and costliest Remedy that ever God prepared The Garment God made to cloath thy Soul is dip'd in Blood and this thou throwest from thee How justly will thy Soul rot in chains of Darkness to all Eternity that refusest such a chargeable Remedy laid out upon thee The Law was but leading to it Gal. 3. 24. Had you liv'd to see the Priests killing the Sheep and Lambs and cutting the throats of these poor Creatures to make an Atonement for Sin you would have said surely the Antitype must needs be bloody All those charges men were at in their daily Sacrifices could not take away one Sin the Blood of Christ must do it O expensive Mercy And this thy Soul despiseth O cursed Sin All other Dispensations could not make those that use them perfect Heb. 9. 9. Nor all the World if sold can pay the Debt of one Soul or the price of one sin It is a sin against the most glorious Majesty that ever was Phil. 2. 9. Thou spittest in that Face that is infinitely above all Spots and Stains that the Angels admire and adore one Smile of which maintains all the Life and Consolation of the Saints in Glory this Jesus thou despisest O unbelieving Sinner where wilt thou go to hide thy self from the wrath of the Lamb at the last day Lastly 'T is a rejection of thy own Duty a throwing Christ out of his own Vineyard and how will God deal with such He will miserably destroy these miserable men Matth. 21. 41. The Lord Jesus Chrst hath Right to rule thee and thou rejectest the Homage thou owest to him and despisest his lawful Right and Authority which is a most grievous Sin indeed Secondly 'T is a most unreasonable Sin there 's no Plea at all will bear in the Court of Reason for such a Sin thy own Reason will judge and condemn thy Soul O! that ever thou shouldest chuse Death rather than Life and take the Iron Rod of Satan over thee and despise the golden Scepter of Jesus Christ Ah! Sinner there 's cause why thou shouldst leave thy Lusts and wicked Companions and depart from the Chambers of Death in which thy Soul hath dwelt so long but none at all why thou should'st not come over to Christ what doth Christ propose to thee that thou can'st cavil at Is it to leave thy Lusts If not these will ruine thy Soul if thou had'st Fire in thy Bosom thou would'st think it reason to cast it out if Fetters upon thy Feet and Clogs about thy Body to shake them off if a Serpent in thy Bosom to cast him out O Sinner sit down and consult with the Principles of Reason never was a better Bargain offered thee Think on it What if the Gate seem straight it is not so to thy Soul but to thy Lusts thou can'st not shun Trouble but must meet with it either here or to all Eternity Thirdly 'T is a most condemning Sin Joh. 3. 19. This will justifie the severest Doom of God that they might have Life but would not Salvation came home to them but they turn'd it off O Sinner take heed how thou refusest him that speaks from Heaven despise not Christ Secondly As 't is the greatest Sin so 't is attended with the greatest Misery For first it opens the Windows of Vengeance and le ts down divine Wrath on thy Soul it takes off all Possibility of Salvation he that shuts up this door leavs none open to Life Acts 4. 12. Christ is the only Way the Truth and the Life no possibility of escaping Wrath to come if thou refuse the Lord Christ Heh 2. 3. Don't flatter thy self with Hopes of after Mercy if thou give Christ a final Denial all hopes of Mercy is gone when once Christ who is the Blessing is gone from thy Soul Secondly There 's no Acceptance of any of thy duties 't is his Righteousness and Intercession makes way for thy Acceptance Eph. 1. 6. All Acceptableness of the best Services of any is through him 1 Pet. 2. 5. None of thy Complaints or doleful Cries can ever enter into Gods Ears if they be not mixt with the Odours of his Incense Ah Sinner thou flatterest thy self with this that thou wilt pray cry and weep
upon a Death-Bed Ah! what are all thy Cries when God hears not Thirdly there 's sure Damnation waits for thy Soul the Devil stands by and expects the time when Christ will take his final leave of thee O Sinner if once thy time be gone and precious Overtures of Grace do cease then certain Ruine follows as sure as the Work-man's wages is due to him so will Damnation be to thy Soul that dost live and dye in thy Refusal of Christ every Soul that will not hear this Prophet shall be destroyed Acts 3. 23. Psal 2. 12. Fourthly all the precious Intercessions of Jesus Christ will be turn'd against thee and this is a most doleful Consideration enough to make the hardest heart to break now while there 's hope the blood of Christ pleads Father wait a little longer for this Sinner when divine Justice says cease interceding that I may take Vengeance on this wretch no says the blood of Christ spare this Drunkard a little longer O wait one day longer one year longer for this Swearer but upon thy final Refusal of Christ the blood of Christ pleads another wâ—y Father I will the Damnation of this Sinner I will that Mercy be no more tendred to him Luke 2. 34. This Child is set for the Fall and Rising again of many in Israel Christ is for the Fall as well as the rising of many and believe it his blood hath as great a Vertue to heighen the Damnation of willful Unbelievers as ever it hath to further the Salvation of Believers and O what a dreadful thing is this when the blood of Christ shall plead against thee It may be upon thy Death-bed thou wilt cry Lord pardon me Lord let me never go to the place of Torment but the Blood of Christ will say Father damn him he made me wait many Days and Years and would not let me into his Heart Father let him perish and whom do you think the Father will hear This is one of the most trembling Considerations that I know to heighten the Wrath of Sinners that Soul must needs go deep into Hell that the Blood of Christ sends thither the blood of Christ cries for Vengeance Ah! Sinners think of it what a fearful thing it is to refuse this Mediator the Lord open your Ears and the Lord work upon your Hearts that you may turn and live while there is Hope Fourthly Hence see whence 't is that the Prayers of any are so prevailing with God what is it that makes Faith and Prayer so omnipotent 'T is the Intercession of Christ in Heaven that wings our Prayers and makes them so speedily arrive at the Mercy-seat and come off with an answer of Peace 'T is a Friend in the Court of Heaven that makes the Saints Sutes so prevailing with God Rev. 8. 3 4 5. 'T is his Incense makes way for the Prayers of the Saints and then Fire comes out of the Censer and burns up the Enemies of Christ O there 's wonderful Mightiness in the prayers of the Saints whom Christ favours with his Mediation Vse 2. Of Confutation If the Lord Jesus Christ be the Great and onely Mediator between God and Man then this will strike down that dangerous damnable Errour of the Papists Of Praying to Saints and setting up other Interceders besides Christ making Addresses to the Virgin Mary placing her in the Throne with Christ If there be but one Mediator 1 Tim. 2. 5. and one that liveth to make Intercession and that the Assurance of Salvation depends on this Intercession of Christ Heb. 7. 25. Then 't is a damnable Errour of the Papists to pray to the Virgin Mary as they do in their Missal one of which is thus O Virgin the onely chaste Mother loosing our Sins give us the Kingdom for thou art Queen of the World art able to do all things and with thy Son disposest all things Another is That God by the Prayers and Merits of the ever blessed Virgin and of all Saints would bring us to the Kingdom of Heaven Amen Nay they say That Prayers made to and delivered by the Saints are better than those by Christ So Sal. Now if Christ be the only way to the Father and Acceptance is through him alone then this is a false Way and never of Gods appointing but blasphemous Sacrilege and horrible Robbery of the very Flower of Christ's Crown Nothing plucks the Scepter out of Christ's Hand his Crown from his Head as these irreligious Opinions of the Papists If Prayer be an act of Worship Matth. 4. 10. then 't is onely due to God Indeed there 's a civil Worship due to Superiours but Religious Adoration is God's Prerogative If we must trust on him to whom we pray Rom. 10. 13 14. then we must pray to none but God in Christ for cursed is the man that trusteth in man Jer. 17. 5. He to whom we pray must be able to know our wants and our Hearts to see our Miseries and hear our Prayers Now this the Saints in Heaven cannot do Abraham is ignorant of us and Israel acknowledgeth us not Isa 63. 16. 'T is Omnisciency alone can hear our Prayers and Omnipotency that can Answer them Psal 65. 2. Matth. 6. 6. 8. 32. Eccles 9. 5. Thus we may see the Heterodox Assertions of the Papists in making many Mediators Vse 3. For Reprehension to the professing People of God First To such as are no more affected with this great and glorious Privilege of having an Advocate with the Father Ah! Did Souls but know what an Ocean of Privileges and Fountain of Mercies is comprised in this one Mediator Jesus Christ it would fill their Hearts with Joy tip their Tongues with Praises and make them more glad in the Salvation of God But it may be you are more affected with your Frames fine Expressions and your own Duties than with the Pleadings of Jesus Christ This deserves a sharp Reproof 2dly Such as make little Use of the Intercession of Jesus Christ Alas how few employ Christ about their Matters in Heaven and engage him in the momentous and weighty Matters of their Souls May not Christ complain still as once on Earth Joh. 5. 40. You will not come to me that you may have Life 'T is sad indeed that the Lord Jesus Christ should enter upon so costly an Office and pay so dear for a Right to do thy Soul good and thou neglect to use him after all This is the condemnation to Unbelieving Sinners That they turn their Backs upon the Intercession of Jesus Christ Alas Soul Are not thy wants great and thy Sins many thy Provocations and abuses of Mercy daily and yet wilt thou not engage Christ for thy help to procure thy Pardon and Passage from Death to Life O how justly miserable will thy case be who might'st be happy but would'st not He is worthily miserable saith one that will not be happy for the asking Who knows but that thy hard heart might have been softened thy
and perfume them with my Incense not the Excellency of your Duties but the Worthiness of my Intercession shall procure your needed Mercies Secondly Here 's Comfort to troubled Believers such as are in the depth of Soul-misery and cast down with the sight of their Sins guilt of their Consciences and Fears of their Condition that go mourning all the day long forget to eat their Bread feed on Worm-wood and Gall refuse with Rachel to be comforted because their first born their Comforts first Love and Holiness are not Jer. 31. 15. This is the case of some poor Souls from day to day they meet with no Consolation eat Ashes in stead of Bread and mingle their Tears with their Drink they go from Ordinance to Ordinance and their Fear come and go with them they feel little Change by all they do or enjoy their Hearts are harâ— proud vain carnal unbelieving hence they fear they are Hypocrites and shall be cast away to all Eternity Now here 's Comfort to such from Christs Intercession in Heaven he is there pleading thy cause and pressing after thy cure thou hast provoked God but he is appeasing his Wrath 1 John 2. 1. 2. Thou art angring God every day but he is always pleasing him for thee thou art making Breaches upon the Law of God and he is there closing up those Breaches by his Blood and Intercession thou art busie making wounds upon the Glory of the Father and Christ is there presenting the deep Gashes and bloody Stroaks his Justice laid upon him for those very Sins when God is resolv'd to be aveng'd for thy Backslidings Christ is then discovering his constant Obedience and upright Faithfulness for thee he pleads with the Father thus Father shall thy Anger burn for ever and thy Vengeance always wax hot against this Soul My Child Remember what I have borne for him I have already suffered for his Sin and given a plenary Satisfaction to the Demands of Justice and wilt thou charge it on him Father let his Sins be on me as David 2 Sam. 24. 17. Let thy hand I pray thee be against me these Sheep what have they done 'T is I am their Surety and in thy Account the Offender I have answered for their Offences and discharged their Debts why wilt thou pursue them in thy Anger Holy Father in Justice spare these Offenders behold them in my Blood and cloathed with my Righteousness Obedience and Suffering 't is true their Natures are vile but mine is holy and they are Members of my Flesh and of my Bones they are diseased but I have undertaken their Cure and will present them to thee without Spot and Wrinkle And this Intercession of Christ shall certainly prevail with God for thee that thy Iniquities may be pardoned and thy Sins remembred no more Heb. 8. 12. All that is promis'd in the new Covenant Christ intercedes for in Heaven for he is the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. The Mediator of the new Covenant Heb. 9. 15. But the Forgiveness of Believers Sins is part of the new Covenant Jer. 31. 34. Mich. 7. 18. where God forgives one Sin he forgives them all Jer. 33. 8. I will cleanse them from all their Iniquities c. He will pardon not only Sins before but after Grace not only small but great Sins Psal 25. 11. Not only Sins that have been once but often committed Jer. 3. 22. Return ye back-sliding Children and I will heal your Back-slidings He doth not say once or twiee but let their Back-slidings be never so great and many upon their Return God will pardon them nay though they be as Scarlet and as red as Crimson Isa 1. 18. Object I did once hope that God had pardon'd all my Sins but now I fear it because I have back-sliden after Mercy and wallowed in Sin after washing and God threatens he will not forgive such Jer. 14. 10. chap. 5. 7. Sol. 1. The Reason why God would not pardon their Sin was not because they were too great for Pardon but because they would not return Jer. 15. 7. I will destroy my People because they return not from their Ways Jer. 23. 14. The Lord promiseth to such as have gone aside from his Ordinances even from their Youth that if they will return to him he will return to them Mal. 3. 7. Jer. 4. 1. Secondly If God will pardon all their Sins then he will pardon their Relapses after Mercy be they never so great upon their returning to him God speaks indefinitely I will cleanse them from all Iniquity Jer. 33. 8. Thirdly If God will pardon their Sins before Grace much more those after Grace if he will forgive them when Enemies then much more being reconciled the Apostle useth the same Argument Rom. 5. 8. 9. Fourthly If there be no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus then God will surely pardon all their Sins that ever they commit for there is never a Sin but will condemn the Soul if it be not pardoned but the Soul that is in Christ is never no not one Minute of time in a condemned State Rom. 8. 1. Fifthly If the Lord Jesus haâ—h satisfi'd for all the Sins of Believers then they shall furely be forgiven otherwise God would be argu'd of Injustice and Christ would shed his blood in vain but the Lord Jesus hath satisfied divine Justice to the full for the Sins of all his People Isa 53. 5. 6. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Ransome 1 Tim. 2. 6. paid by Christ was a full and sufficient price and therefore his Satisfaction is compleat for all their Sins if this were not so he could not have cleans'd them from all Sin but he cleanseth them from all Sin 1 Joh. 1. 7. Christ could not have saved them to the uttermost that come to God by him were his Satisfaction imperfect but this he doth Heb. 7. 25. Lastly If the Lord should not pardon all the Sins of his People he would be unjust and unfaithful 1 Joh. 1. 9. but that he cannot be Zeph. 3. 5 He will not do Iniquity he is the faithful one that cannot deceive or be deceiv'd Isa 45. 21. Let God be true and every man a Lyar. Thirdly Here 's Comfort to Believers that are dejected in the sense of their strong Corruptions and unsubdued Lusts The Body of Death in some doth make them doubt the truth of Grace and fills their Lives with Bitterness and Terrours The badness of their Hearts and vileness of their Natures makes some conclude their final Ruine But here 's Comfort to such Firstly In that it hath been and is the case of the dearest Children of God their Corruptions like the Sons of Zerviah have been too hard for them Abraham accounts himself Dust and Ashes Gen. 18. 27. Job cries out I am vile Job 40. 4. David says Mine Iniquities are gone over my head as a Burden too heavy to bear Psal 38. 4. Isaiah from a reflex View of God's Glory concludes he
God but mercy and the excellency of Christ doth constrain them now Christ is willing that every lost sinner that sees and believes in him should be saved Thirdly That so all his Elect that lye among the perishing world might thereby be gathered in Joh. 10. 16. The Election must obtain though the rest be blinded Rom. 11. 7. The Lord Jesus Christ cannot lose one Soul the Father hath given him they must come in first or last and for their sakes as the evil-days are shortned Math. 24. 22. so shall the Gospel-days be continued till Christ hath gathered all his Elect into union with himself from the four winds even as many as are ordained to Life Now there 's no such way to fetch in Souls to Christ as by opening those Treasures Lastly That they who perish under the Gospel might be left without excuse Joh. 15. 22. They have nothing to plead against damnation who despise so great Salvation Heb. 2. 3. And turn their backs on such tendered blessedness To leave tryed Gold for Counters and Treasures for Trifles the portion of Saints for the pleasures of sin is utterly inexcusable and this is one reason of Christs opening his Treasures to the world 't is to justifie his severity against unbelievers that will not come to him that they may have life he will have every mouth stopped and the whole world of unbelieving sinners become guilty before him Rom. 3. 19. Thus have I dispatch'd the third Assertion I now come to make Application of the whole CHAP. XXIII Containing two Branches of Information What a great blessing the Gospel is The greatness of their sin that oppose the Gospel IF there are great Glorious and unsearchable Riches in Christ If it be by the Gospel these Riches are brought forth opened and tendered to sinners O then what a mercy is it for Souls to enjoy the Gospel The Gospel is the field in which this treasure is hid The Ministery of the Gospel is the digging out and laying open this treasure The Gâ—spel is the Cabinet in which these Jewels lye lock'd up And the Ministery of the Gospel by the Spirit is the opening and unlocking this Treasury and Cabinet Jesus Christ is this treasure The Ministers of the Gospel are Messengers and Ambassadours of Christ sent into the world with news of this Treasure and impowered to treat with perishing Souls about making them Rich The Ministers of Christ are Stewards of this great Lord of Glory entrusted with the tendring and Ministerial disposings of these vast treasures according to his instructions This way God brings to light the hidden things of the Gospel 2 Cor. 4. 7. We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels As if the Apostle should say O Corinthians there is a treasure there are Riches in the Gospel and we have these Riches in Earthen Vessels The Lord commits them to us that we may open them and make a tender of them to perishing sinners according to his order Our business is to preach Christ and open the treasures of Christ with all his vast Inheritance to every Soul that receives him O then the singular happiness they have that have the word of this Grace sent to them Oh what a mercy is it to live within the day-spring from on high and under the joyful found To hear the good news of a Saviours being born and offer'd to perishing Souls To have the tydings of those Soul-enriching overtures O think upon the blind perishing world that live without the Line of Communication with whom Free-Grace holds no correspondence about Salvation those Indians and Pagans that live without the Gospel and then reflect upon the priviledges you enjoy and see what a mercy this is and then say who hath made you to differ O why should the Sun shine on your borders and the day spring from on high visit your coasts leaving others to perish without regarding O is it not Grace that God should visit you with the Gospel and suffer others to persecute it O these are the motions of Sovereign pleasure and the paths of distinguishing mercy O sinners how much are you indebted to this free unsearchable Grace that should pass by so many parts of the World and pitch on this little spot of ground O wonderful Mercy indeed That these swarms of Mellefluous dews and priviledges should light on your branches That the Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night should come and stand over you O little do you know what it is to lye in darkness and in the Region and shadow of Death O! this should cause you to value the Gospel who can tell but they that feel it what it is to be shut up in the Region of death and be bound in chains of darkness to lye in a wast howling Wilderness where there is none to guide their feet in the way of peace O what a sad judgment is this O Souls If ever you live to see the light put out and the Ministery of the Gospel gone from England then you will know what doleful miseries are and will you not prize the Gospel then that is such a wonderful mercy beyond all your Estates and all the enjoyments of the whole world How will some men value those Sciences that feed their natural minds with knowledge and feast their Rational desires with discoveries of some unknown Notions And will not you love the Gospel that brings to light the glorious truths of Christ How will Tradesmen prize the Rules of their Arts that make them skilful How will the Worldlings hug those Counsels that help to make them rich And should not you prize the Gospel that comes to make you wise to Salvation Shall men prize instructions about the obtaining of perishing things And shall the Counsel God gives you about the Food that endureth be slighted O Souls what shall I say O labour to know the worth of the Gospel before you feel the want of the Gospel O prize it prize it indeed The Gospel is the best Treasure the best Comforter the best Friend that is in the World 'T is the best Counseller in all sinners difficulties it shews you the safest and best way out of all your Clouds and darkness Pro. 8. 14. Counsel is mine and sound Wisdom It is meant of Christ In his word is the best Counsel to make men wise to Salvation 1 Tim. 3. 15. There 's the best Counsel to make you happy Rev. 3. 18. 'T is the best Interpreter in all the World to resolve your dark cases and there 's no such way to get solution in all your doubts and greatest troubles The Psalmist found it so when he went into the Sanctuary Ps 73. 17. Christians the Gospel and Word of God tells you what you should do in all your difficulties Acts 9. 6. The Gospel is the chiefest comforter O what happy Messenger the ministery of the Gospel is it brings the best Balm to heal your wounds Balm of Gilead to heal your soul
preaching the Gospel to the poor and calling the base things of this world and things that are not shews his lowly mind And his humility hath been abundantly prov'd already He will dwell with the Lowly Isa 57. 15. 2. Object But I have no portion for Christ I am exceeding poor and beggarly I have no Righteousness no Grace no good things dwell in me I can bring nothing to glorifie him I have no ability at all to serve him I cannot pray or do any thing that is good and will Christ accept of me Ans Christs design in these Gospel tenders of himself to sinners is not to get but to give Riches He wants no treasures for himself but he rather wants objects to give them to He wants no goods but like the Rich man in the Gospel he wants room to bestow his goods He is willing to impart his treasure to sinners 2 Cor. 8. 9. Of all persons in the world he is sure to hear the desires of the poor The rich shall be sent empty away but the poor that waiâ— on him shall be heard Psa 69. 33. Art â—â—ou a poor Soul in thy own eyes The Lord hatâ— special regard for such These are the persons he invites to him that have no money no price Isa 55. 1. The poor have the Gospel preached â—o them Math. 11. 5. Therefore sinners 't is â—ot thy poverty can break the match nor hinder â—y reception of Jesus Christ if thy heart be wâ—â—ling 3. Object But I am a deformed loveless Creature I have no beauty at all in me I am black with sin full of all uncleanness and abominations polluted in my blood wallowing in my Mire and Vomit scarce such a nauseous Object as I in all the world O what a filthy heart O what an unclean Soul O what vile affections bave I and will this holy one cast a glance of Love on such a Creature as I I dare not think he will endure the sight of me therefore I am afraid to look to him Answ Believing sinners though black in their own eye yet are comely in Christ's Eye Cant. 1. 5. Faith puts an amiableness on the believing sinner in Christs account This is one of those eyes that ravishes his heart Cant. 4. 9. He looks upon them as lovely that come to him though unlovely in themselves Affections spie no deformity in the beloved object Christs love is so great to fallen man as that nothing appears unlovely in him but an unwillingness to be hiâ— He sees no iniquity in Jacob though therâ—â—e a great deal The halt blind lame impâ—â—â—nt are no amorous Objects yet these Christ invites to his feast Luk. 14. 21. Others are not worthy says Christ but bring these they aâ—e companie for me if they will but come â— Let not thy deformity and the sense of thy uâ—worthiness keep thee from Christ because hâ— hath beauty enough for himself and thee He hath comeliness enough to cover thy nakedness 't is but for some of his beams to reflect on thy Soul and thou wilt be altogether glorious thy perfection lies in his and not thy own comeliness Christ can soon fill thee with amiableness see in Ezek. 16. what a change Grace makes upon deformed sinners The beautie of sinners is Christs beautie put upon them and Christs Holiness imparted to them and there 's enough of it for thee 3. Know that Christs blood is cleansing blood it doth not only cover spots and deformities but it takes away filthiness if thou come to him the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1 Joh. 1. 7. 4. Object But I am a great sinner none like me therefore I cannot think the Lord Jesus will pass them by or have thoughts of favour for me Ans So was Davids and yet found pardon Psa 25. 11. for thy name sake O Lord pardon mine iniquities for they are great Manassch's sins were notorious and yet upon hiâ— Repentance found favour with God 2 Chro. 33. 3 4 5 6. He reared up Altars for Baalim worshipped all the host of Heaven and served them he built Altars in the House of the Lord and caused his Children to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom He also observed times and used Iâ—chantments and Witchcrafts and dealt with familiar Spirits and with â—izards and when God spake to him he would not hearken ver 10. O abominable sins One would think here was a man ripe for Hell yet upon his supplication when he was in affliction God heard him and pardon'd him ver 12 13. Paul was a flagitious sinner in his own eyes the greatest that ever was 1 Tim. 1. 15. A Blasphemer a persecutor injurious but obtained mercy ver 13. Therefore 't is not the greatness of thy sin can stand in the way of thy mercy if thou come over to Christ with all thy heart 5. Object But I have been an old sinner I have been rooted in sin and liv'd in sin all my days I have been a continual provocation to the Lord for many years through my whole Life sin hath touch'd sin and I cannot think Christ hath thoughts of Love for me Answ So did the Thief upon the Cross he sinn'd to the last hour of his Life and yet obtained mercy Luke 23. 40 41 42 43. So did some of those that were called in at the Eleventh hour yet embracing the call obtained mercy Math. 20. 9 12. it was not the length of their sinning time excluded the Efficacie of Salvation-mercy when they did come in at the call of it I mention not this for a Pillow to secure sinners but for a Cordial for desponding Souls Now the Gospel calls thee nner if thou come in this hour and embrace the calls of mercy 't is not the length of thy sinning time will make void the Grace of God 6. Object But saies the Soul I have sleighted many calls already I have quenched many motions of the Spirit I have despised the first call and may I have hopes to go to Christ Will he receive me Answ So did Manasseh he did reject many calls God did speak to him but he would not hearken and after his rejection of the first call yet mercie found him The Jews in the wilderness rejected many calls of God yet the Lord said while 't is called to day harden not your hearts Hâ—b 3. 7 8. Though thou hast been guiltie of despising many calls this is matter for thy humbling but not for thy despair 7. Object But I am never the better for all the means and mercy I have enjoyed though I had despised the first calls of mercy yet if I had been the better for after tenders of grace there were some hope But I am still the same notwithstanding all the Sermons I hear and precious overtures of Salvation my heart is hard and dead under all Answ So it was with the Impotent man a great while he was diseased thirty and eight years Joh. 5. 5. He lay at
unsearchable Riches 't is by the laying out of Grace to those that publish it To me who am less than the least of all Saints is this Grace given Grace great Grace to the least of Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lesser least or more little than the least an unusual Degradation of a man's self and the Character of an empty and unworthy Instrument in his own eye and so a Subject that needed much Grace to be meetned for such high Service and yet such a one did Christ use in this great Work laying out large Grace to prepare him for it Fourthly Another considerable part of the words are the Persons for whom this Grace is given and to whom these unsearchable Treasures are discovered and they were Subjects most unworthy of it to the Gentiles the chiefest of Sinners blind idolatrous Souls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Heathen Persons extremely wicked 1 Cor. 15. 32. called Beasts wild Beasts Strangers to God beyond the Line of Communication Eph. 2. 12. Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel Strangers from the Covenants of Promise yea Enemies to God in their minds to those did the Lord lay out these unsearchable Treasures To clear up my way to the main truth I intend to prosecute hence and to leave no difficulty in the words 't is necessary I speak to three things by way of Explication First In what sense Paul calls himself less than the least of all Saints seeing he was a Person so dignified by Grace to be a chosen Vessel to God an Apostle of Christ fill'd with the Graces of the Spirit and eminent Endowments for the Ministry beyond many taken into such high Communion with Christ let into the third Heavens to see things unutterable How then can Paul truly call himself less than the least of all Saints Does not Paul speak dissemblingly as the Pope does when he calls himself Servus Servorum the Servant of Servants and yet makes himself Lord over the Faith and Consciences of others I answer Paul doth not hyperbolically debase himself here but really and in the deep sense of his former Vileness before Conversion when he persecuted the Church and blasphemed Christ in the consideration of which he thought none like him never such a Wretch as he did God advance to so high Dignity to be an Apostle of Christ nor doth he think that any particular Saint was so guilty in that kind and degree of wickedness as he was one that kick'd against the pricks persecuted Christ in his Members haling Him to Prison seeking to draw out his very heart blood and to root out the profession of him Now for such a one as he to obtain this Grace to be put in trust with the Gospel and to have such Treasures of Grace imparted to him he thinks that Christ never did the like Favour to any so viâ—e a Creature as he was so base will a Child of God be in his own eyes when once the Lord sets his Sins in order before him Paul in another place calls himself the chiefest of Sinners greater than the greatest of Sinners but never less than the least of Sinners Indeed compar'd with the Pharisees his Sin seemed less than their Persecution and Blasphemy in the degree and nature of it his was ignorantly theirs was maliciously perpetrated and so the Sin against the Holy Ghost and in that respect his Sin was less than theirs but compar'd with any that were saved he thought himself really less than any of them in regard of his sinful Life before Conversion Secondly What is this Grace which Paul so admires and by which his Condition is so changed and he enabled to preach those Unsearchable Riches of Christ Answ First By Grace here is understood that infinite Favour and free Grace of God to him through Christ by which he was called out of the state of Sin and Death into the Knowledge and Kingdom of God that ever the Lord should pitch on such a vile Wretch as he and choose him to be a Vessel of Mercy revealing his Son with his Unsearchable Riches to so poor and unworthy a Creature pardoning his great Transgressions and pouring out his infinite Treasures on him Secondly By Grace in this place some understand his Apostleship which he obtained at the hand of Christ and the Ministry he received to preach to the Gentiles these Unsearchable Riches of Christ so is it rendred Rom. 1. 5. By whom we have received Grace and Apostleship Thirdly Hereby is meant also those excellent Gifts he had received for this end those choice anointings of the Spirit and Revelation of the Mystery to so poor and scandalous a Creature as Paul had been and one that was so ignorant of Christ and Salvation that God should make him such an able Minister of the New Testament and give him any door of utterance and Endowments fit for so glorious a Service This is that Grace by which these Treasures were opened to the Gentiles The third thing to be opened here is What are those Unsearchable Riches of Christ which Paul preached to the Gentiles and which are held out in the Gospel unto Saints and Sinners Answ First Those Riches which are in Christ as Mediatour with which he is enriched in himself those unspeakable Excellencies of his Person which though they reside and inhere in himself yet they contribute abundantly to the Riches of Believers Col. 2. 3. In whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge subjectivè as his Treasures found in him All Treasures created and uncreated are not simply placed in him but hid so that they can be known by none but those to whom they are revealed Secondly Here are intended those Riches that came by Christ the Riches of his Purchase the vast Estate which he hath bought for all Believers for all that come unto him by Faith the Estate which he gives makes over and prepares for such and this is called Vnsearchable Riches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Riches that cannot be found or traced out A Metaphor taken from quick scented Hounds that are yet at a loss and can go no farther so the most illuminated Creature cannot follow home these Riches of Christ they are so mysterious that they cannot be discovered they leave no Footsteps for any to go after them the best are at a stand and can go no farther when they come to wade into this Deep so deep and hidden are these Riches of Christ Object If the Riches of Christ be so unsearchable and past finding out How then could Paul discover and preach them out to the Gentiles If they are not to be traced out then Ministers cannot open them nor Hearers understand them Answ First They are undiscoverable by any Humane Eye the most refined Light of Nature cannot discern them they are Treasures that no natural Abilities can reach the most profound Learning and deepest Studies of the wisest men on Earth can make nothing of them they are
known The Psalmist alludes to that Providence of God in leading Israel through the red Sea when Deaths were on every hand God walked on those Waters and made a way through them for his People So Nah. 1. 3. The Lord hath his way in the Whirlwind and in the Storm and the Clouds are the dust of his Feet Those ways that men cannot stand up in are Gods usual walks in which he leads on his Work and Interest His wayes are above our wayes and In the Mount will the Lord be seen Gen. 22. 14. His Providences Ezek. 1. 16. are like a Wheel in the middle of a wheel and a skain of Silk strangely entangled When Israel was come near the Borders of the promised Land they must be turned back again into the Wilderness and wander up and down forty years in the Desarts When Sion's Mercies were come to the Birth they prov'd Abortive Strange indeed is the Womb of Divine Providence and seemingly contradictory to Humane Reason Thirdly No cross Providences can hinder Christ's Work in the World He hath purposed and will perform it Combinations of men Psal 2. 1 2. the Gates of Hell Matth. 16. 18. and the Powers of this World can no more impede the Success of Christ's Work than the Barking of Dogs can hinder the Moon 's passage to its Journey end Isa 43. 13. I will work and who shall let it Who art thou O great Mountain before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain Zach. 4. 7. He taketh up the Isles as a very slender thing Isa 40. 15. The Lord brings in his mightiness here to comfort Israel under Discouragements by reason of Difficulties in the way of their Mercy Comfort ye my People saith the Lord ver 1. Tell her her warfare is accomplished ver 2. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed ver 5. O Jerusalem that bringest good tidings lift up thy voice with strength Be not afraid of Dangers preach my Word be undaunted in my Service Behold your God ver 9. He will come and his Reward with him ver 10. He will feed his Flock like a Shepherd v. 11. He will keep up his Word and Ordinances in spight of all opposition Obj. But our Enemiâ—s are many Ans Why he hath measured all the waters of opposition in the hollow of his hand vers 12. Obj. But all our wisdom cannot see how these great things should be brought about Ans Why who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord ver 13. He wants not wisdom to accomplish his Work Obj. But Nations and Islands combine against God's Israel Answ What if they do they are no more to God than the drop of a bucket and the dust of the Balance ver 15. Therefore fear not he will perform his Promises and fulfil his Designs Quest Why what hath he promised Answ He hath promised that the stone cut out of the Mountain without hands shall become a great Mountain and break in pieces the Image of the Beast Dan. 2. 35 45. and that he will set up the Kingdom of his Son in the World ver 44. Isa 2. 2. He hath promised Peaceful times to the Church of God when the Sword shall be turned into Plow-shares Isa 2. 4. Isa 55. 13. Great shall be the peace of thy Children None shall hurt or destroy in all God's holy Mountain Isa 65. 25. Ezek. 28. 24 Isa 16. 18. Psal 72. 9. He hath promised times of Light and Knowledge Isa 11. 9. chap. 52. 8. ch 54. 13. ch 60. 19 20. He hath promised times of Holiness Isa 60. 21. ch 4. 3. ch 35. 8. Zech. 14. 20 21. He hath promised times of Union Zech. 14. 9. Zeph. 3. 9. Ezek. 37. 19. He hath promised times of Joy and Comfort to his Interest Isa 65. 13 14. ch 35. 10. ch 25. 8. He hath promised Enlargement to the Church Isa 2. 2. ch 60. 8 9 13. He hath promised Stability and Settlement Isa 54. 14. ch 60. 20. He hath promised Activity and Liveliness Isa 26. 19. Fourthly As those great and glorious things are spoken of Sion so they shall certainly be accomplished in due time Isa 60. 22. Deut. 32. 35. The Vision is but for an appointed time Hab. 2. 3. As the Things are appointed so is the Time beyond which God will not go one moment Exod. 12. 41 42. The self-same day the Jewish Doctors say it was mid-day as soon as one hundred and thirty years was out to an hour God fulfill'd his Promise Lastly God takes usually the most unlikely time to fulfill his Promises As in Abraham when his Body was dead Gen. 18. 10 11. Abraham and Sarah were sensible of an utter inability and unfitness in themselves for such a Mercy yet then was the Promise fulfilled Gen. 22. 14. So Israel were brought out of Egypt when all things made against it their Oppressions increased Exod. 2. 23. chap. 5. 7 8 19. Pharaoh resolv'd not to let them go Exod. 10. 27. and Moses charg'd to see his face no more on pain of Death chap. 10. 28. When Gods time was come to bring Israel out of Babylon they were as dry Bones and said Our hope is lost we are cut off for our parts Ezek. 37. 11 12. Psal 126. 1. Deut. 32. 36. Mic. 4. 10. Thou shalt go into Babylon and there shalt thou be delivered Before that glorious Salvation of the Jews in Shushan under Ahasuerus they were brought under a Sentence of Death the Decree was seal'd and posted away the time appointed for their destruction and no possible hopes left of reversing it Esth 3. 12. to the end compar'd with Chap. 8. So much for the Use of Consolation CHAP. VIII Containing an Vse of Exhortation to Sinners and Saints IF the Lord Jesus Christ be such a Glorious Mediator then First Let perishing Sinners be perswaded to get an Interest in him And for Motive herein consider these four or five things First The Lord Jesus will Mediate for and save none but those that are his Many common Mercies Favours and Boons he bestows on his Enemies but Salvation-blessings are the priviledges only of his People Matth. 1. 21. 2 Tim. 2. 19. Luke 1. 68. Secondly Many will lay claim to Christ who have no Interest in him Luke 13. 25. High Pretenders may be shaken off Math. 7. 22. chap. 25. 12. Some that shall think themselves something may be found nothing some that shall be thought Saints by others may yet be cast away 1 Joh. 2. 19. As Hymenaeus and Alexander 1. Tim. 1. 20. The Galathians and scattered Saints Gal. 1. 6. chap. 3. 3. 2 Pet. 1. 20. Rev. 8. 12. Nay the very Elect shall find it hard to stand Matth. 24. 24. Thirdly There is but a time in which Christ may be found Isa 55. 6. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found intimating there is a time in which he will not when the door will be shut and Christ will speak knock and call no more There is but a day of Grace
lov'd the World Joh. 3. 16. and every Creature in it such a Philanthropy is in Christ he would have all men come to the Knowledge of the Truth that they might be saved 1 Tim. 2 4. Love your Enemies Mat. 5. 44. so did Christ he prayed Father forgive them Luke 23. 34. love his Friends 1 Joh. 5. 1. Eph. 6. 24. CHAP. XI The glorious Excellency of Christ's tender Pity opened and displayed in the several Acts of it both to Saints and Sinners ANother Discovery of the Sweetness of Christ's Disposition is Thirdly His Pity this is lookt upon as an excellent Qualification and that which renders a person lovely among men Rom. 5. 7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one dye yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to dye for a just man one that is strict and rigid in his Life and matters of Justice none will dye but for a good man that is for a bountiful liberal man for a Benefactor saith Beza for a Friend saith another some would even dare to dye Kindness and Compassion renders men lovely and amiable in the Sight of Heathens hence one calls a merciful man a precious thing and another makes him equal to God God himself prefers Mercy above Sacrifice Mat. 9. 13. This the Lord opened to Moses as part of his Glory Exod. 34. 6. The Lord God merciful and gracious c. And this mercifulness is placed in the Nature of Christ as Mediator and therefore must needs render him glorious and be part of his unsearchable Riches now that the Lord Jesus is so full of Pity and Mercy in his very Nature the Scripture is clear This was one Qualification necessary to his Priest-hood Heb. 2. 17. This was a special Requisite to the Priest under the Law that he should be one who might have Compassion on the Ignorant and them that are out of the way Heb. 5. 2. Therefore the high-priest must be a Man not an Angel that so he being subject to Infirmities to Sins and Weaknesses himself he might the better have Compassion upon others in the like ease The same Argument the Lord useth to Israel Deut. 10. 19. Love ye therefore the Stranger for ye were Strangers in the Land of Aegypt Experience of Affliction fits a person for pity to others and therefore our Lord took our Nature upon him that being compast with the same Infirmities Sin only excepted he might be able to have Compassion on others this is necessary in that Office for a person will never be active in such laborious work for Sinners as offering of Gifts and Sacrifices for Sin if he have not tender Bowels towards persons in Misery and therefore Jesus Christ must needs be such a one who can have Compassion c. The word is significant 't is in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to have Compassion on others according to the Measure and Proportion of their Misery Paraeus renders it to have Compassion as much as is needful Beza to be affected according to the greatness of anothers Misery and such is the Compassion of Christ 't is suted to the Condition of his People were Christ's Pity but one Grain short of the Misery and Condition of Sinners he could never save them to the utmost for if he will save to the uttermost he must ever live to make Intercession there 's no one moment of time in which they don't want help and must have Gifts offer'd for them But this Christ will not do if he wants Compassion Jam. 5. 11. The Lord is said to be pitiful and of tender mercies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of many Bowels or as Piscator multum viscâ—ralis much bowelful all pitiful from inward deep Bowels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word is to pity with the Bowels of a Mother to be prone to compassion So Aestius He is rich in mercy Eph. 2. 4. Great in Quantity and Choice in Quality great Mercy and choice Mercy Psal 5. 1. According to the multitude of thy tender mercies The word Rab multitude signifies Quality as well as Quantity many Mercies or weighty Mercies Mercies Rachamim 'T is such love and pity as Mothers bear to the fruit of their Womb which is fervent and flaming The word hath no singular number because there are many works of Mercy saith Piscator Now this Compassion of Christ lies in these two things 1. In his sympathizing with his Creatures 2. In supplying and supporting them First Pity hath sympathy in it an inward Heart-affecting sense of another's Evils Psal 103. 13. Like as a Father pitieth his children so the Lord pitietb them that fear him Judg. 10. 16. His Soul was grieved for the Children of Israel The word signifieth His Soul was short'ned or contracted in him by reason of grief 'T is spoken by an Anthropopathy according to the apprehensions of men As a man is filled with grief his Breast is straitned that he can scarcely breathe It denotes how much the Lord Jesus is affected with the miseries of his People Heb. 4. 15. He is said to be touched with the Fellow-feeling of our Infirmities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suffering with us Christ in Heaven hath such a fellow-feeling of the Evils of his People as that he resents their troubles as his own He is tender-hearted and every misery of theirs reacheth his Soul But this hath been somewhat treated of before Secondly Readiness to supply and support others in their Misery and this is eminently manifested in the Lord Jesus Isa 38. 20. The Lord was ready to save me Men sometimes have a hand but no heart they may help but will not they only say Go and be fed and be cloath'd c. Others have a heart but no hand they have not to supply the needs of others their Cruse of Oyl and Barrel of Meal will reach but a little way besides there may be some Cases in which Men or Angels cannot help Psal 142. 4. I looked on my right hand and behold there was no man would know me c. But there can be no Condition in which Omnipotency fails to help Heb. 7. 25. Jer. 32. 27. And Christ is as really willing as able to save He is an inexhausted Fountain of all good Sufficit omnibus saith Paraeus nec sufficit tantum sed dat liberalissime Dives est saith the same Author sufficientia affectu He is good and doth good He feeds gathers carries leads his poor infirm Flocks when they most stand in need of him Isa 40. 11. When they are ready to faint for want he opens a Well and fills their Bottles when they wander from their resting-place he sends his Dogs and gathers them to his Fold when they are weary and can go no further he takes them into his Arms and carries them when they are hungry he feeds them when they are naked he cloaths them when they are sick he visits them when they are in Prison he comes to them He giveth to his
laid aside when there is no need of it True meekness may easily be discerned by its ends and grounds it must not proceed from a willingness to be aveng'd on others but to amend and reform them CHAP. XV. Wherein is demonstrated the infinite Bounty of Christ to all his Creatures with the manner of his giving THE next thing which discovers the sweetness of Christ's Disposition and greatness of his Personal Treasure is Sixthly His Liberality He is of a bountiful Disposition and this you know is of an endearing Nature Rom. 5. 7. Scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to dye Psal 13. 6. I will sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with me Now this Liberality of Christ appears First To all his Creatures Psal 145. 9. The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 136. 25. Psal 145. 15. Whose heart is so large whose hand so wide as Christ's ver 16. He upholdeth all things by the word of his Power Heb. 1. 3. And by him all things consist Col. 1. 17. There is never a moment but he is laying out upon his Creatures and that must needs be a large Treasure that maintains the whole World Secondly To his Enemies He doth good to those that hate him He gives large portions of this World's goods to Esau's And uncharitable Dives's do many times fare deliciously and are cloathed gorgeously by his Bounty The wicked prosper Jer. 5. 28. Nay he doth not only give them the fat things of this Life but the great things of his Kingdome O the Privileges and Favours that Hypocrites enjoy as well as Saints He sends his Gospel to every Creature and causeth the very Dews of Sion to fall upon his Adversaris Thirdly Especially to his Children for to these he gives First Good things Whatever they have of him shall be good Jer. 32. 40. I will not turn away from them to do them good Their very Afflictions are for good their Wormwood and Gall is good Rebukes of God upon them stripping and humbling Providences nay their very Corruptions by this Bounty prove to their advantage Secondly All good things He gives Grace and Glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84. 11. Psal 34. 10. All the good God sees fit for them and they are capable to receive shall be distributed to them Thirdly Great things Not Common but choice Mercies passing Knowledge Mysteries not onely to the World but to themselves Things unsearchable and things unutterable Things that cannot be known as they are nor valued as they deserve What one Nation saith David to God is like thy People whom God went to redeem for a People to himself to make him a Name and to do for them great things and terrible 2 Sam. 7. 23. Redemption-work brings forth great and terrible things for redeemed Souls O the great things that God doth and Christ gives to every ransom'd Soul Job 37. 5. Things which we cannot comprehend as you will see if you give but a general Survey on the Inventory of Christ's Gifts I shall instance in some of the most remarkable First That unvaluable Gift of Light He is the Light of the World Joh. 8. 12. How deformed is Darkness how beautiful is Light Eccles 11. 7. He is a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory c. Luke 2. 32. He is the bright Morning Star the Sun of Righteousness from whom the light of Life and all true Wisdom comes now this is a great and excellent thing Eccles 2. 13. Wisdom excelleth Folly as far as Light excelleth Darkness and this you know is very far Wisdom is preferred before Rubies and the most excellent things Prov. 8. from ver 10. to 20. That must needs be great which all the World cannot purchase but this is Wisdom now all true Wisdom comes by Jesus Christ he is the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1. 30. So who hath brought to light the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the hidden things of God and that could by no ways be known but by Revelation No man hath known the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son shall reveal him Matth. 11. 27. He giveth Knowledge and Wisdom to whom he pleaseth that special Wisdom which none of the Princes of this World can attain unto 1 Cor. 2. 7. 8. Secondly Life He hath brought Life to Light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. and is not this a great gift All that a man hath will he give for his Life Job 2. 4. O! then what is Life from the dead to his people Eph. 2. 1. He is our Life Col. 3. 3. I am come that they may have Life and have it more abundantly Joh. 10. 10. Thirdly His Love all the World and Houses full of Treasures cannot be compar'd to Love Cant. 8. 7. Should Christ give all the World and withhold his Heart it were but a mean gift Favours are valuable by the love whence they come Isa 63. 9. In his Love and in his Pity he redeemed them Psal 63. 3. Deut. 33. 3. All Believers are set as a Seal upon his Heart Cant. 8. 6. He hath loved them with an everlasting Love they have his Heart and none else Fourthly Himself There being nothing greater than himself to demonstrate the Largeness of his Heart to his people he gave himself Eph. 5. 25. Who loved the Church and gave himself for it that is sold himself to purchase them gave himself to divine Justice to satisfie the Law and to taste of Death for them all that he had as Mediator he parted with for them and hath given himself to them also Heb. 8. 10. And I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People They have his person Hos 3. 3. Thou shalt not be for another so will I also be for thee All his Beauties and personal Perfections as described Cant. 5. ver 9. to the end all Believers have a Marriage right unto him by way of Gift again he hath given them his Purchase all that he hath bought with his Blood Math. 26. 28. This is my Blood of the New Testament shed for you Fifthly His Laws and Scepter to guide them through the World and to steer out their Course of Duty and Safety and this is a great thing Hos 8. 12. I have written to him the great things of my Law Rabab the excellent or honourable things of my Law for this word notes Quality as well as Quantity and if the things of God's Law are so great what are the Truths of the Gospel called so great Salvation Deut. 4. 8. And what Nation is so great that hath Statutes and Judgments so righteous Psal 147. 19. Sixthly His Spirit This he gives to all his People Rom. 8. 9. If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his 1 Cor. 12. 13 We are all by one
Chron. 19. 7. Thirdly He gives presently Mercies in hand he doth not say as the unjust and covetous man go and come again to morrow and I will give it thee when 't is by him he doth not delay to bestow Mercies on his poor Creatures one Jot beyond the due time Psal 145. 15. Gal. 6. 9. Christ is never at a loss to give he only stays for a fit time he had many things to say to his Disciples but he wanted a convenient opportunity they were not able to bear them Joh. 16. 12. Fourthly He gives heartily Jer. 32. 41. I will rejoyce over them to do them good with my whole Heart and with my whole Soul He doth not pretend Kindness and yet begrudge it in his Heart all his Promises are the Intents of his Heart Jer. 30. 24. Psal 51. 18. Do Good in thy good Pleasure to Sion Fifthly He gives liberally Jam. 1. 5. If any man lack Wisdom let him ask it of God who giveth liberally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Simply purely with a candid Mind and full Intent to do good 't is rendred bountifully as Liberality comes from a simple and pure Heart he gives many times more than we ask as the sick man of the Palsie came for Health and Christ gave him Pardon to boot Solomon asked Wisdom and God gave him more than he begged Riches and Honour too 1 Kin. 3. 12. 13. He gives richly to his People of all good things to enjoy 1 Tim. 6. 17. Sutable to his Treasures Phil. 4. 10. According to his Riches in Glory by Christ above what we can ask or think Eph. 3. 20. He gives a Kingdom Luke 12. 22. and therefore bids us open our Mouths wide and he will fill them Psal 81. 10. Lastly He gives constantly every day and every moment he is never weary of well-doing Isa 40. 28. The Lord fainteth not neither is weary men are soon tyred with Acts of Bounty to which the Apostle alludes Gal. 6. 9. But the Lord Jesus is a Fountain that never ceaseth running he is always doing there is never a moment but he is opening his Treasures and filling the hungry Soul Psal 73. 26. God is my Portion for ever The Saints are always living on God and are ever receiving from him His Mercies are new every Morning Lam. 3. 23. Yea though through Carelesness they have lost their Mercies as the Spouse lost the presence of Christ Cant. 5. and the Tastes of his Love vers 2. 6. And though by Sin they have forfeited their Mercies and have given the Lord cause to withhold them yet he is never weary of doing them good but always communicating something or other to them Vse 1. Is Christ so bountiful Then this may serve to convince all Christless Souls under the Gospel of the greatness of their Sin in sleighting and contemning Christ because it is utterly opposite to the Streams of his Bounty towards them this Sinner will gall thy Conscience another day when Christ shall say what Iniquity hast thou found in me that thy Heart is set against me have not I born thee all thy days maintain'd thee ever since thou wast born and fed thee with Food convenient and yet thou wilt have none of me but liftest up thy heel against me and crucifyest me with thy Sins every day so did the Lord plead with Israel Hos 11. 23. 4. Vse 2. This will serve to humble the people of Christ First For their great Unthankfulness to Christ O how great are the Obligations of Believers to Christ both for upper and nether Springs thy daily Bread comes out of his Cupboard all thy Comforts and Preservations are received from him but especially thy Souls Mercies are the Products of his Bounty thy Enlightnings Awakenings Drawings and Begettings to God thy Pardon Peace and hope of glory are all from him and yet who renders to Christ for all the Benefits done to him who returns to give Glory to God this is a grievous Sin 2 Tim. 3. 2. Secondly For their hard Thoughts of Christ hath the Lord Jesus laid out so much upon thee and hath yet such Riches in Store for thee and art thou always distructing of him and on every occasion jealous and suspicious of his bounty Ps 77. 7 8 9. Ps 78. 22. 32. Thirdly For their little Improvement of Christ's bounty see this in Joash 2 Kin. 13. from ver 17. to 20. Fourthly For looking to Creatures for their Supplies more than to Christ Jer. 2. 13. This is a heathenish Sin Rom. 1. 25. They loved and served the Creature more than the Creator Isa 55. 2. CHAP. XVI Wherein the Faithfulness of Christ is opened in accomplishing all his Prophesies fulfilling his Promises to all the Trust committed to him and in all the Relations he stands to his People THE Sweetness and Excellency of Christ's Disposition consists also Lastly In his Justice and Fidelity he is righteous true and faithful in all he doth and undertakes and this argues an excellent Spirit this was part of that Glory the Spirit of God puts on Moses Numb 12. 7. But my Servant Moses is not so who is faithful in all my House with him will I speak Mouth to Mouth even apparently God puts a singular Value on Moses hath a peculiar kindness for him and affords him more intimacy with himself than others have because of his Faithfulness So Daniel It was his great Honour that his very Enemies could not spot him or find any Error in him on the account of his Unfaithfulness Dan. 6. 4. 'T was this brought Judah into so high an Estimation with God as 't is said Hos 11. 12. Judah ruled with God and was faithful with the Saints Nay a faithful person is a Jewel so rare that he can scarcely be found Prov. 20. 6. Every man will proclaim his own Goodness but a faithful man who can find That is as some render it 'T is a common thing for men to talk of their Goodness Bounty and Mercy but 't is a rare thing for them to be so indeed to be so good as they seem to be Others comment on it thus 'T is an easie thing for men to promise fair and to speak of great things they will do but few are found that perform their word and are what they promise to be Take it in either Sense a faithful man is a rare thing who can find it as seldom seen almost as a black Swan or a rich Jewel Now the Lord Jesus is thus excellent he is true though every man be a Lyer called the faithful Witness Rev. 1. 5. His Name as well as Nature is faithful Rev. 19. 11. The Lord Jesus gives a faithful Testimony of the love that God bears to Sinners he lay in the Fathers bosom and hath given a true Revelation of him Rev. 1. 5. Isa 11. 5. Faithfulness is the Girdle of his Reins The Prophet alludes to those Ornaments Kings did use to wear they wore a Girdle as an Ensign of
they are given usually but to a few So is Holiness the priviledge of the fewest and least number of men few there be that find it Mat. 7. 13. Riches can procure the greatest things procurable as one saith Money answereth all things that is all things that are saleable among men so Holiness though it cannot purchase Mercy yet it fits persons for the greatest Mercies and highest Services None more advanced than holy Souls they dwell in the presence of God Psal 140. 13. They are through Christ very potent with God they are fit for the highest work When Persons come to dye they see the excellency of holiness and would purchase it with a world This proves that Sanctification is a rare Treasure Again The purchas'd Holiness of Christ hath not only excellent worth but large quantity he hath purchas'd fullness of Grace Grace for Grace O Believer though thy heart be empty of grace yet Christ's Treasure is full he hath as much as ever thou canst need or crave to make thee as Holy as thou wouldest be and that to all Eternity VSE If Holiness be the Purchase of Christ then 't is not the Creatures procurement or by any ways or means obtained short of the merit of Christ what the Apostle says of Righteousness is true of Sanctification Gal. 2. 21. If Righteousness come by the Law then Christ is dead in vain So if holiness be the Fruit of Mens Purposes Labours and Duties then Christ died in vain 'T is too common an errour in many to charge Christ with too much in some things and too little in other things In justification some lay too much on Christ I mean by charging their sins on him for pardon which they were never throughly convinc'd or repented of and in sanctification charge him with too little expecting their holiness and meetness from their purposes duties and improvements As if holiness were to grow out of the Sepulchres of their Services and not out of the grave of Christ 'T is true indeed the Lord Jesus hath appointed means for the promoting of Holiness and given promises and Ordinances for the conveying and perfecting of it but the vertue of all depends upon his blessing 1 Cor. 3. 6 7. Rom. 9. 16. Secondly Then how unexcusable are perishing Sinners under the Gospel that will not come to Christ to be made holy You that lye in your blood and from the Crown of your head to the sole of your feet are full of filthy Ulcers and putrifying sores whose Consciences cannot but condemn you sometimes for uncleannesse and never being cleansed by the blood of Christ how will you appear before the Holy God a Consuming fire in your unpurged sins How unjustifiable is your filthynesse who might have been cleansed but would not What will you answer in the day of Indignation when all this tender'd but refused Grace shall come against you when you would willingly part with the whole World if you had it to get a clean heart and a purged Conscience How dreadful will that word be in the day of Inquisition Ezek. 22. 24. Thou art a Land Thou art a Soul that art not cleansed How cutting will the memory be of rejected Grace when God shall say I would have healed you but you are not healed Jer. 51. 9. You might have had your natures changed your Consciences cleansed and your hearts sanctified but you would not Now away thou prophane hard-hearted wretch Be gone thou secret Drunkard Swearer Thief Lyer take him Devil go and be filthy still wallow in thy blood there lye cursing in torment to all Eternity as long as I am God thy blood shall lye upon thee Thirdly Then the Holinesse of Believers is and shall be sure being grounded on the Purchase of Christ 'T is bought and paid for O Believer for thee purchas'd Sanctification is assuredly thine as thou art not thine own The truth continuance growth and perfection of Grace is procured for thee by a price A price agreed on betwixt the Father and the Son First God will not deny it Justice it self cannot with-hold thy purchas'd due As sure as Christ with-holds not one drop of his blood or penny of the price so sure will not God with-hold any part of this Purchase Rom. 3. 26. That he may be just and the justifier of them that believe in Jesus And if the justifier then sure the sanctifier Poor doubting Believer when thou seest nothing but unworthiness in thy self of the least Grace and peace from God then think 't was Christ not I that made this purchase he who did not can not make a forfeit of his right and whose blood must perish whose Honour and Interest must suffer if one of those for whom Christ dyed should dye and perish for want of Holinesse O no! this cannot be The Judge of all the Earth must do right Gen. 18. 23. Secondly Jesus Christ the believers Advocate cannot suffer to see his poor and needy deprived of their right He is the Mediatour betwixt God and his people The days-Man and Umpire to see truth Established in the Earth and every one to receive his due He will give wicked Men their due much more his Children And all Power in Heaven and Earth are in his hands Math. 28. 20. He is the Faithful Witnesse Holy and Just one and therefore will cause that believers shall have the distributions of the due Measures of his Purchas'd Grace Thirdly there is nothing in thee or without thee that can hinder the accomplishment of it Isa 43. 13. I will work and who shall let Let Earth and Hell Sin and self combine together they shall not keep back the Communications of grace one day beyond God's time Math. 12. 20. 'T is not the strength of thy lusts can prevail against the arm of God and forces of his eternal Spirit who is commissioned to bring down all thy Enemies and set thee free indeed Christ will Reign till he brings down all his Enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15. 25. The greatest part of which is the Corruptions of his people CHAP. XIX Adoption-Grace prov'd to be the Fruit of Christ's Purchase The excellency of this state opened in several particulars I Come now to a fifth Fruit of Christs Purchase and discovery of that glorious Redemption-Treasure procur'd by his death that is a state of Adoption those whom he sanctifies he adopts and brings into a new Relation to himself to God the Father Son and Spirit The work of Sanctification doth change their Nature Adoption changeth their state they are really alter'd by Sanctifying Grace and relatively by Adoption-love God now becomes their Father and they are his Sons and Daughters 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. Come out from amongst them and touch not the unclean thing Here 's a change in their Nature and Life And I will be your God and you shall be my Sons and Daughters there 's a change in their state Adoption is the taking of persons that are strangers and
is Gods high way to Mercy and Peace being under a Promise of Peace Grace and Peace are usually twins in gracious Souls 2 Pet. 1. 2. Grace can quiet you under Troubles strengthen you under Weakness guide you under Darkness cheer you under Sufferings enrich you under Losses and fill you under Wants again Gaace is the purest Treasure earthly Treasures are as those Cities Solomon gave to Hiram a mere Cabal and dirty things defiling the Souls of those that have them and use not them aright Grace is the most pleasant Treasure it doth not burthen those that have it as earthly things do with wasting Cares and tormenting Fears Further Grace is the best Treasure in that it will go with the Soul into the other World all the Riches of this World must be left behind Death puts the Owner and his Interest into a winding Sheet no man's Propriety to these out-lives himself the Grave buries all his Relation to these things but Grace never dies true Holiness goes with the Soul to glory Secondly Labour to be rich in Grace because if you have but little grace you will hardly prove the truth of grace though the least grace is grace as a drop of Watâ—r is Water yet a little grace doth not so capacitate a Soul to see it 2 Pet. 1. 9. He that wants this thriving Grace forgets that he was purged from his old Sins he cannot remember or make out his saving Change or putting off his old state little Grace is ever sceptical and subject to Doubtings Matth. 14. 31 O thou of little Faith wherefore didst thou doubt Thirdly Because little grace will hardly carry a Soul through the Temptations Duties and Sufferings of the day we live in these are some of the last times we are fall'n upon and the last times are perillous times 2 Tim. 3. 1. This is the Character of these times Abounding Iniquity and Decay of Love Matth. 24. 12. And therefore a little Grace will not carry a Soul through strong Corruptions where Sin abounds Grace must abound much more or else the Soul will loose ground Rom. 6. 1. What the Apostle speaks there of grace in God 't is as true of grace in Saints that must abound more than their Sin or else Sin will be too hard for them Judgment must be brought forth to Victory or else the bruised Reed will break Matth. 12. 20. For this end the Apostle adviseth the Ephesians in his time which were less liable to such Temptations they should put on the whole Armor of God and having done all to stand Eph. 6. 13. Fourthly Else you cannot answer the ends of grace and all the Cost of God about you the design of grace in all the means and helps to his people is to further their growth in grace and to make them abound to all well-pleasing before God Isa 5. 2. 4. Joh. 15. 2. Psal 92. 13 14. To whom much is given of them much is required Luke 12. 48. Fifthly That so you may be more like to God who is rich to all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. He is rich in Mercy he hath abounded in the Riches of grace towards all his People Eph. 1. 7 8. Christians should be Epitomies of Christ and Resemblers of his Excellency holding forth his Vertues in the World 1 Pet. 2 9. There can be no greater glory to a Child of God in this World than to be like to Christ who is the glory of the Father but by being rich in Grace you will much manifest the Excellency of Christ in the World Sixthly By being rich in grace you will become more serviceable to God and others in your Generation you will be able to do more work for God than others Grace is a Talent and the more Talents you have the more Incomes hath God from you Matth. 25. 16 17. Rich men have larger Capacities to honour God in the World than others have they can do more and lay out more for God and be more serviceable for God than others they can feed the Hungry and cloath the Naked and take Out-casts into their houses they can do more to support the interest of God than the poor and have more Substance to honour God with so Souls rich in grace have larger Abilities to serve and honour God with the more Grace the more acceptably can they serve God Heb. 12. 28. The more spiritual Services are the more acceptable to God by Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. For such the Father chuseth to serve him who serve him in Spirit and Truth Joh. 4. 23. Psal 45. 12. And the Daughter of Tyre shall be there with a Gift even the rich among the People shall entreat thy Favour Tyre was a rich place as well as vitious and yet there would God have a People which should honour him with their gifts and large expences for him and the richer the People the greater will their gifts be The rich or richest for 't is the superlative in the Hebrew Shall bring Gifts and entreat thy Favour noting that those who are more spiritually rich are more serviceable for and potent with God through Christ these can do more with God as Noah Daniel and Job were mentioned above others for their Potency with God Ezek. 14. 14. And Moses and Samuel Jer. 15. 1. As men who had larger faith and grace and so greater Intimacy with God than others and such as could do more O Christians labour after more grace because hereby you may become more serviceable for God and others you may more prevail with God through Christ for Mercies for the Nation and can be more helpful for others to teach counsel and comfort them and have more Gold Myrrhe and Frankincense in your Treasures to offer to and for Christ Seaventhly The more rich you are in grace the more rich you will be in glory the more grace you improve for God the more glory shall you receive from God Luke 19. 17. 19. This is the rule of the Lords Procedure in the day of Judgment he will render to every man according to his work 2 Cor. 5. 10. Though glorified Souls receive not for their grace yet they shall have according to the Measure of their graces for grace widens the Vessels of Mercy for glory The more Liquor the Vessel hath the larger it is so the more grace the larger is that Soul and the more capable to take in glory when grace shall be turn'd into glory Quest But some may say How may we get more of this spiritual Treasure Answ First Get your Hearts more engaged to it Desires are the Souls Wings that carry it over all difficulties to it 's beloved Object this is one Character the Apostle gives of rich men 1 Tim. 6. 9. They are such as will be rich They have an earnest mind an ardent Desire to be rich 't is a Will and Purpose grounded on Counsel and Consideration Christians this will much further your obtaining these riches of
filthy heart cleansed thy covetous heart spiritualized and thy captivated Soul set free from the damning Power of Sin and Satan had'st thou but improv'd a Mediator in Heaven Know Soul if ever Life and Salvation be obtained it must be by a Mediator Thirdly Here 's a Reproof to such as make Mediators of their Duties that trust their Prayers more than Christ and lay all their hopes of obtaining on the act of seeking Indeed the Promise of having is made to asking Matth. 7. 7. but not for asking Thy Matters saith Luther do not depend on the worth of thy Self or Prayer but solely on the account of Christ Joh. 14. 13. It is Prayer in his Name And therefore saith Luther Nulla Oratio extra Christum There is no Prayer at all out of Christ 'T is the Altar that sanctifies the Gift Matt. 23. 19. Our very Righteousnesses are as filthy Rags Isa 64. 6. When you have done all you are unprofitable Servants Luke 17. 10. Not unto us O Lord not unto us but to thy Name give Glory Psal 115. 1. All acceptance with God is through Christ To trust to thy Prayers is to trample on the Blood of Christ accounting it an unholy thing and the most effectual course to provoke the Lord to a real abhorrency of thy Duties and to throw them back as Dung on thy Face CHAP. VII Shewing what Consolation flows to Believers from the Intercession of Christ IF the Lord Jesus Christ be the onely Mediator between God and Man then here 's Comfort for Believers in several Cases First To weak Believers such as need Mercy and are unable to beg it as they should Poor Soul Art thou sensible of thy urgent Necessities that thy Wants are more than can be numbred Knowest thou the Hardness Pride Filthiness and Ungratefulness of thy Heart understandest thou thy need of the Spirit of Grace and the Gifts of Grace but canst not pray for supplies so understandingly sensibly affectionately and believingly as thou oughtest and therefore fearest shalt never find an Answer or obtain any reviving comfort to thy Soul in the believing view of Christ's Intercession in Heaven Let me tell thee desponding Christian thou canst not be really poor and pray in Faith thou canst not perish for want and have a Jesus in Heaven interceding for thee Heb. 7. 25. Him the Father heareth alwayes Joh. 11. 42. If the matter depended upon thy own Oratory and Eloquence thy Case were sad but there is one in Heaven that is wise mighty merciful omniscient who minds thy case considers thy needs hears thy groans knows thy distresses and ever liveth to make Intercession for thee Object But sayes a Soul How shall I know that Christ intercedes for me who am not worthy to lye under his Table nor crawl at his Feet I fear he hath greater concernments upon his Heart than to remember me For Resolution in this look back to Chap. 4. where is shewn for whom Christ intercedes He prayes for all that believe in him Joh. 17. 15. Art thou one that believest in Christ Hast thou chosen him as thy Lord and Righteousness And is he precious to thy Soul Could'st thou be content to part with all for him Pleasures Profits and Worldly Grandeur are they nothing when they come in competition with him Canst thou not say O! None but Christ none but Christ Christ with Poverty with Disgrace with Bondage and misery is far more preferrable than Riches Repute Liberty and Mercies without him Dost thou consent to all his terms and art thou willing to take up his yoke and to learn of him to bear his Cross and follow him to leave all and come to him and that considerately and from thy whole Heart Dost thou cast and adventure thy Soul and thy All upon his Ability to save thee Believest thou all that the Scripture reporteth concerning him his Personal Excellencies and purchased Sufficiencies That he is able and willing to save all that come to God by him and will not cast out any that really come And in this hope art thou resolved to trust thy All upon him and if thou perish to perish at his Feet Then art thou that Soul for whom Christ intercedes in Heaven Luke 10. 42. Lam. 3. 24. Isa 44. 5. Esth 4. 16. Mark 9. 24. Object But I cannot pray as I ought according to the Will of God Alas how cold dead spiritless are my Prayers and will God hear me Sol. 'T is not for thy name thou art heard but for the Name of Christ as you have already heard Joh. 14. 13. Rom. 8. 26 27. We know not what to pray for as we ought Neither I Paul nor you believing Romans know how to pray as we ought If thou wantest words yet if thou hast sighs and groans thy Prayers are heard through Christ Again Thou sayest thou canst not pray according to the Will of God I Answ 1. If thy Prayers are for such things as God requires for things that concern his Glory and the good and Salvation of thy Soul and for these outward things as God sees needful for thee If thou prayest for these as God promiseth them for Spiritual blessings absolutely and for others with submission to his Wisdom and Will if thou seekest these onely in the Name of Christ and ultimately for the Glory of God with all thy Heart and with all thy Strength thou askest aright and God will grant thee Secondly God in his infinite Grace through Christ accounts those things in his People that are not as if they were Rom. 4. 17. He judges his People to be what they would be Rev. 2. 9. I know thy Works and Tribulation and Poverty but thou art rich The Lord judgeth of his People not so much by their Frames inherent Qualifications and external Performances but by their real Sincerity and unfeigned desires Psal 38. 9. Thou complainest thy Prayers be cold and dead heartless and lifeless but doth this please thee or trouble thee Is not this the burden of thy Soul that which thou mournest over prayest and strivest against Doth no Prayer content thee but what is spiritual and fervent affectionate and upright Why poor Soul chear up thy self God esteems thy Prayers such through Christ as if they were so Thirdly The Procurement of thy needed Mercies doth not depend upon thy Prayer-frames or the Modes and Measures of thy Holiness but on the Mediation of Jesus Christ Pray weigh that Scripture Joh. 14. 14 16. If you shall ask any thing in my Name I will do it And I will pray the Father Any thing that is any thing you absolutely need Any thing that is fit for you to ask and me to give I will do it He doth not say The Modes of your Prayers the measures of your Frames and Holiness shall do it but if ye ask though with broken Language and troubled Expressions Sighs and Groans I will do it You have but one Advocate with the Father I will word your Requests