should touch the golden Scepter of his Mercy and live And this willingness to shew Mercy appears two ways 1. By his intreating of sinners to come and lay hold on his Mercy Rev. 22.17 Whosoever will come and take the water of life freely Mercy woes sinners it even kneels down to them It were strange for a Prince to entreat a condemned Man to accept a Pardon God saith poor sinner suffer me to love thee be willing to let me save thee 2. By his joyfulness when sinners do lay hold on his Mercy What is God the better whether we receive his Mercy or no What is the Fountain profited that others drink of it Yet such is God's goodness that he rejoyceth at the Salvation of sinners and is glad when his Mercy is accepted off When the Prodigal Son came home how glad was the Father and he makes a Feast to express his joy This was but a Type or Emblem to shew how God rejoyceth when a poor sinner comes in and lays hold of his Mercy What an Encouragement is here to believe in God he is a God of Pardons Nehem. 9.17 Mercy pleaseth him Micha 7.18 Nothing doth prejudice us but Unbelief Unbelief stops the current of God's Mercy from running It shuts up God's Bowels closeth the Orifice of Christ's Wounds that no healing Vertue will come out Matth. 13.58 He could do no mighty works there because of their unbelief Why dost thou not believe in God's Mercy Is it thy sins discourage God's Mercy can pardon great sins nay because they are great Psal. 25.11 The Sea covers great Rocks as well as lesser Sands some that had an hand in crucifying Christ found Mercy As far as the Heavens are above the Earth so far is God's Mercy above our sins Isa. 55.9 What will tempt us to believe if not the Mercy of God Use 3. of Caution Take heed of Abusing of this Mercy of God Suck not Poison out of the sweet Flower of God's Mercy Do not think that because God is merciful you may go on in sin this is to make Mercy become your Enemy None might touch the Ark but the Priests who by their Office were more holy None may touch this Ark of God's Mercy but such as are resolved to be holy To sin because Mercy abounds is the Devil's Logick He that sins because of Mercy is like one that wounds his Head because he hath a Plaister He that sins because of God's Mercy shall have Judgment without Mercy Mercy abused turns to Fury Deut. 29.19 If he bless himself saying I shall have peace though I walk after the imaginations of my heart to add drunkenness to thirst the Lord will not spare him but the anger of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoak against that man Nothing sweeter then Mercy when it is improved nothing fiercer when it is abused Nothing colder than Lead when it is taken out of the Mine nothing more scalding than Lead when it is heated Nothing blunter than Iron nothing sharper when it is whetted Psal. 103.17 The mercy of the Lord is upon them that fear him Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not but for them that fear and sin not God's Mercy is an holy Mercy where it pardons it heals Quest. What shall we do to be interested in God's Mercy Answ. 1. Be sensible of your wants See how you stand in need of Mercy pardoning saving Mercy See your selves Orphans Hos. 14.3 In thee the fatherless findeth Mercy God bestows the Alms of Mercy only on such as are indigent Be emptied of all Opinion of Self-worthiness God pours the golden Oil of Mercy into empty Vessels 2. Go to God for Mercy Psal. 51.1 Have Mercy upon me O God! Put me not off with common Mercy that Reprobates may have Give me not only Acorns but Pearls Give me not only Mercy to feed and clothe me but Mercy to save me give me the Cream of thy Mercies Lord let me have Mercy and Loving kindness Psal. 103.4 Who crowned thee with loving kindness and tender mercies Give me such Mercy as speaks thy electing love to my soul. O pray for Mercy God hath Treasures of Mercy Prayer is the Key that opens these Treasures and in Prayer be sure to carry Christ in your Arms all Mercy comes through Christ 1 Sam. 7.9 Samuel took a sucking Lamb. Carry the Lamb Christ in your Arms go in his Name present his Merits say Lord here is Christ's Blood which is the price of my pardon Lord shew me Mercy because Christ hath purchased it Though God may refuse us when we come for Mercy in our own Name yet not when we come in Christ's Name Plead Christ's Satisfaction and this is such an Argument as God cannot deny Use 4. It exhorts such as have found Mercy to three Things 1. To be upon Mount Gerizim the Mount of Blessing and Praising They have not only heard the King of Heaven is merciful but they have found it so the Hony-comb of God's Mercy hath drop'd upon them when in wants Mercy supplied them when they were nigh unto Death Mercy raised them from the Sick-bed when covered with guilt Mercy pardoned them Psal. 103.1 Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name O! how should the Vessels of Mercy run over with Praise 1 Tim. 1.13 Who was before a Persecutor and injurious but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I obtained Mercy I was bemiracled with Mercy as the Sea overflows and breaks down the Banks so the Mercy of God did break down the Banks of my Sin and Mercy did sweetly flow into my Soul You that have been Monuments of God's Mercy should be Trumpets of Praise You that have tasted the Lord is gracious tell others what Experiences you have had of God's Mercy that you may encourage them to seek to him for Mercy Psal. 66.16 I will tell you what God hath done for my Soul When I found my heart dead God's Spirit did come upon me mightily and the blowing of that wind made the withering flowers of my Grace revive O! tell others of God's goodness that you may set others a blessing him and that you may make God's Praises live when you are dead 2. To love God Mercy should be the Attractive of Love Psal. 18.1 I will love thee O Lord my strength The Hebrew word for Love ercameca signifies Love out of the inward Bowels God's Justice may make us fear him his Mercy may make us love him If Mercy will not produce Love what will We are to love God for giving us Food much more for giving us Grace for sparing Mercy much more for saving Mercy Sure that Heart is made of Marble which the Mercy of God will not dissolve into Love I would hate my own Soul saith St. Austin if I did not find it loving God 3. To imitate God in shewing Mercy God is the Father of Mercy shew your selves to be his Children by being like him St. Ambrose The sum and
me But if it be of Faith where is boasting Faith fetcheth all from Christ and gives all the glory to Christ 't is most humble Grace Hence it is God hath singled out this Grace to be the Condition of the Covenant And if Faith be the Condition of the Covenant of Grace it excludes desperate presumptuous Sinners from the Covenant They say there is a Covenant of Grace and they shall be saved but did you ever know a Bond without a Condition The Condition of the Covenant is Faith and if thou hast no Faith thou hast no more to do with the Covenant than a Foreigner or a Country Farmer with the City Charter Use 1. of Information See the amazing Goodness of God to enter into Covenant with us He never entred into Covenant with the Angels when they fell It was much Condescension in God to enter into Covenant with us in a state of Innocency but it was more to enter into Covenant with us in a state of Enmity In this Covenant of Grace we may see the Cream of God's Love and the working of his Bowels to sinners This is a Marriage-Covenant Ier. 3.14 I am married to you saith the Lord. In the New Covenant God makes himself over to us and what can he give more And he makes over his Promises to us and what better Bond can we have Use 2. of Trial. Whether we are in Covenant with God There are three Characters 1. God's Covenant People are an humble People 1 Pet. 5.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be ye clothed with humility God's People esteem of others better then themselves they shrink into nothing in their own thoughts Phil. 2.3 David cries out I am a worm and no man Psal. 22.6 though a Saint though a King yet a Worm When Moses's Face shin'd he covered it with a Vail God's People when they shine most in Grace are covered with the Vail of Humility Pride excludes from the Covenant God resisteth the proud 1 Pet. 5.5 and sure such are not in Covenant with God whom he resists 2. A People in Covenant with God are a willing People though they cannot serve God perfectly they serve him willingly They do not grudge God a little time spent in his Worship they do not hesitate or murmur at Sufferings they will go through a Sea and a Wilderness if God calls Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall be a willing people Hebr. gnam nedabot a people of willingness This spontanity and willingness is from the attractive Power of God's Spirit the Spirit doth not impellere force but trahere sweetly draw the Will and this willingness in Religion makes all our Services accepted God doth sometimes accept of willingness without the work but never the work without willingness 3. God's Covenant People are a consecrated People they have holiness to the Lord written upon them Cast a placent superis Deut. 7.6 Thou art an holy people to the Lord thy God God's Covenant People are separated from the World and sanctified by the Spirit The Priests under the Law were not only to wash in the great Laver but were araied with glorious Apparel Exod. 28.2 This was Typical to shew God's People are not only washed from gross sin but adorned with holiness of heart they bear not only God's Name but Image Tamerlain refused a Pot of Gold when he saw it had not his Fathers stamp upon it but the Roman stamp Holiness is God's stamp if he doth not see this stamp upon us he will not own us for his Covenant People Use 3. of Exhort To such as are out of Covenant labour to get into Covenant and have God for your God How glad would the old World have been of an Ark How industrious should we be to get within the Arke of the Covenant Consider 1. the Misery of such as live and die out of Covenant with God 1. Such have none to go to in an hour of distress When Conscience accuseth when Sickness approacheth which is but an Harbinger to bespeak a Loding for Death then what will you do whither will you fly will you look to Christ for help He is a Mediator only for such as are in Covenant O! how will you be filled with horrour and despair and be as Saul 1 Sam. 15.28 The Philistines make war against me and the Lord is departed 2. Till you are in Covenant with God there is no Mercy The Mercy-Seat was placed upon the Ark and the Mercy-Seat was no larger then the Ark to shew that the Mercy of God reacheth no further then the Covenant 2. The Excellency of the Covenant of Grace it is a better Covenant then the first made with Adam 1. Because it is more friendly and propitious Those Services which would have been rejected in the first Covenant are accepted in the second Here God accepts of the Will for the Deed 2 Cor. 8.10 here sincerity is crowned In the Covenant of Grace wherein we are weak God will give strength and wherein we come short God will accept of a Surety 2. It is a better Covenant because it is surer 2 Sam. 23.5 Thou hast made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure The first Covenant was not sure it stood upon a tottering foundation Works Adam had no sooner a stock of Righteousness to trade with but he broke but the Covenant of Grace is sure it is confirmed with God's Decree and it rests upon two mighty Pillars the Oath of God and the Blood of God 3. It hath better Priviledges The Covenant of Grace brings preferment Our Nature is now more enobled we are rais'd to higher Glory then in Innocency we are advanced to sit upon Christ's Throne Rev. 3.21 we are by virtue of the Covenant of Grace nearer to Christ then the Angels They are his Friends we his Spouse 3. God is willing to be in Covenant with you Why doth God woe and beseech you by his Ambassadors to be reconciled if he were not willing to be in Covenant Object I would fain be in Covenant with God but I have been a great sinner and I fear God will not admit me into Covenant Resp. If thou seest thy sins and loathest thy self for them yet God will take thee into Covenant Isa. 43.24 Thou hast wearied me with thy iniquities I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions As the Sea covers great Rocks so God's covenant-Covenant-Mercy covers great Sins Some of the Jews that crucified Christ yet had their sins washed away in his Blood Object But I am not worthy that ever God should admit me into Covenant Answ. It never came into God's thoughts to make a New Covenant upon Terms of Worthiness If God should shew Mercy to none but such as are worthy then he must shew Mercy to none at all But it is God's design in the New Covenant to advance the riches of Grace to love us freely and when we have no worthiness of our own to accept us through Christ's worthiness Therefore
will put his Glory upon them This is Comfort to the poorest Christian perhaps thou hast scarce an House to put thy head in yet thou maist look up to Heaven and say There is my House there is my Country and I have already taken Possession of Heaven in my Head Christ he sits there and it will not be long before I shall sit there with him he is upon the Throne of Glory and I have his word for it I shall sit upon the Throne with him Rev. 3.21 3. Use of Exhortation Hath God highly exalted Christ let us labour to exalt him Let us exalt 1. His Person 2. His Truths 1. Let us exalt Christ in our Hearts Believe O Adore and Love him We cannot lift Christ up higher in Heaven but we may in our Hearts 2. Let us exalt him in our Lips Let us praise him our Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost our Tongues must be the Organs in these Temples by praising and commending Christ we exalt him in the Esteem of others 3. Let us exalt him in our Lives By living holy Lives Vera religio haec sine macula vivere lactant It is not all the Doxologies and Prayers in the World do so exalt Christ as an holy Life this makes Christ renowned and lifts him up indeed when his Followers walk worthy of Christ. 2. Let us exalt Christ's Truths Bucholcerus in his Chronology reports of the Nobles of Polonia That ever when the Gospel is read they lay their Hands upon their Swords by that intimating they are ready to maintain the Gospel with the hazard of their Lives Let us exalt Christ's Truths maintain the Truths of Christ against Errour maintain the Doctrine of Free-grace against Merit the Deity of Christ against Socinianism Truth is the most Orient Pearl of CHRIST's Crown Contend for the truth as one would for a Sum of Money that it should not be wrested out of his hand This Christ takes to be an Exalting of him when we exalt his Truths wherein his Glory is so much concerned CHRIST the Redeemer Quest. XIX HOw doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ Resp. The Spirit applys to us the Redemption purchased by Christ by working Faith in us and uniting us thereby to Christ in our effectual Calling Here are in this Answer two things 1. Something implyed viz. That Christ is the Glorious Purchaser of our Redemption in these words The Redemption purchased by Christ. 2. Something expressed viz. That the Spirit applys to us this Redemption purchased By working Faith in us c. 1. The thing here implyed That Jesus Christ is the Glorious Purchaser of our Redemption The Doctrine of Redemption by Jesus Christ is a glorious Doctrine 't is the Marrow and Quintessence of the Gospel In this all a Christian's Comfort lies Great was the Work of Creation but greater the Work of Redemption it cost more to redeem us than to make us in the one there was but the speaking a Word in the other shedding of Bloud Luke 1.51 The Creation was but the Work of God's Fingers Psal. 8.3 Redemption the Work of his Arm Heb. 9.12 Having obtained eternal redemption for us Christ's purchasing Redemption for us implies that our sins did Mortgage and Sell us had there not been some kind of Mortgaging there had been no need of Redemption Redimere q. rursus emere Hierom. Now Christ when we were thus mortgaged and sold by Sin did purchase our Redemption Christ hath the best right to redeem us for he is our Kinsman the Hebrew word for Redeemer Goel signifies a Kinsman one that is near in Bloud in the Old Law the nearest Kinsman was to reedem his Brother's Land Ruth 4.4 Thus Christ being near a-kin to us Flesh of our flesh is the fittest to redeem us Quest. How doth Christ redeem us Resp. By his own precious Bloud Ephes. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his bloud Among the Romans he was said to redeem another that laid down a Price equivalent for the Ransom of the Prisoner In this sence Christ is a Redeemer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he hath paid a Price Never such a Price paid to ransom Prisoners 1 Cor. 6.20 Ye are Pretio Empti bought with a price and this Price was his own Bloud So in the Text By his own bloud he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us This Bloud being the Bloud of that Person who was God as well as Man is a Price sufficient for the Ransom of Millions Quest. From what doth Christ redeem us Resp. From Sin To be redeemed from Turkish Slavery is a great Mercy but it is infinitely more to be redeemed from Sin There is nothing can hurt the Soul but Sin it is not Affliction hurts it it often makes it better as the Furnace makes Gold the purer but it is Sin that doth damnify Now Christ redeems us from Sin Heb. 9.26 Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Quest. But how are we redeemed from Sin Do we not see Corruption stirring in the Regenerate Much Pride and Unmortified Passion Resp. We must distinguish of Redemption Redemption is either Inchoata or Plena a Redemption but begun and perfect Sin cannot stand with a Perfect Redemption but here it is but Begun Sin may stand with an Imperfect Redemption There may be some Darkness in the Air at the Sun 's first rising but not when the Sun is at the full Meridian While our Redemption is but begun there may be Sin but not when it is perfected in Glory Quest. But in what sence hath Christ redeemed justified Persons from Sin Resp. A Reatu from the Guilt of Sin though not the Stain Guilt is the binding a Person over to Punishment Now Christ hath redeemed a justified Person from the Guilt of Sin he hath discharged his Debts Christ saith to God's Justice as Paul to Philemon If he hath wronged thee any thing or owes thee ought put that on my account Verse 18. 2. A justified Person is redeemed à Dominio from the Power and Regency of Sin though not the presence Sin may furere but not regnare it may rage in a Child of God but not reign Lust did rage in David Fear in Peter but it did not reign they recovered themselves by Repentance Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion over you Sin lives in a Child of God but it is deposed from the Throne it lives not as a King but a Captive 3. A Believer is redeemed à Maledictione from the Curse due to Sin Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Christ said to his Father as Rebecca to Iacob Upon me upon me be the curse let the blessing be upon them but upon me be the curse And now there 's no Condemnation to Believers Rom. 8.1 An Unbeliever hath a double Condemnation one from
in hearing our Prayers Psal. 4 1. Have Mercy upon me and hear my Prayer Is it not a Favour when a Man puts up a Petition to the King and hath it granted When we pray for Pardon Adoption the Sense of Gods Love to have God give a gracious Answer what a signal Mercy is this God may sometimes delay an Answer when he will not deny You do not presently throw a Musician Mony because you love to hear his Musick God loves the Musick of Prayer therefore doth not presently let us hear from him but in due Season he will give an Answer of Peace Psal. 66.20 Blessed be God who hath not turned away my Prayer nor his Mercy from me If God doth not turn away our Prayer then he doth not turn away his Mercy 11. God shews Mercy in Saving us Tit. 3.5 According to his Mercy he saved us This is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Top Stone of Mercy and it is laid in Heaven Now Mercy displays it self in all its Orient Colours now Mercy is Mercy is indeed when God shall perfectly refine us from all the â—ees and Dregs of Corruption Our Bodies shall be made like Christs Glorious Body and our Souls like the Angels-Saving Mercy is Crowning Mercy 'T is not only to be freed from Hell but inthroned in a Kingdom In this Life we do rather desire God than enjoy him But what rich Mercy will it be to be fully possessed of God to see his smiling Face and to have God lay us in his Bosom This will fill us with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory Psal. 17.15 I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness Use 1. As an Argument against Despair see what a great Encouragement here is to serve God he shews Mercy to Thousands Who would not be willing to serve a Prince that is given to Mercy and Clemency God is represented with a Rain-bow round about him Rev. 4.3 An Emblem of his Mercy Acts of Severity are rather forced from God Justice is his strange Work Isa. 28.21 Therefore the Disciples who are not said to wonder at other Miracles of Christ yet did wonder when the Fig-tree was Cursed and Withered because it was not Christ's manner to put forth acts of Severity God is said to delight in Mercy Mic. 7.18 Justice is Gods Left Hand Mercy is his Right Hand God useth his Right Hand most he is more used to Mercy than Justice pronior est Deus ad parcendum quam ad puniendum God is said to be slow to Anger Psal. 103.8 But ready to Forgive Psalm 86.5 This may encourage us to serve God What Argument will prevail if Mercy will not Were God all Justice it might Fright us from him but his Mercy may be a Loadstone to draw us to him Use 2. Bran. 1. Hope in Gods Mercies Psal. 147.11 The Lord takes Pleasure in them that fear him and hope in his Mercy God counts it his Glory to be scattering Pardons among Men. Obj. But I have been a great Sinner and sure there is no Mercy for me Resp. No not if thou goest on in Sin and art so resolved but if thou wilt break off thy Sins the Golden Scepter of Mercy shall be held forth to thee Isa. 55.7 Let the Wicked forsake his way and let him return unto the Lord and he will have Mercy upon him And Christs Blood is a Fountain set open for Sin and Uncleanness Zach. 13.1 Mercy doth more overflow in God than Sin in us Gods Mercy can drown great Sins as the Sea covers great Rocks Some of those Iews who had their Hands embrued in Christs Blood were saved by that Blood God loves to magnifie his Goodness to display the Trophies of Free Grace and to set up his Mercy above you in spight of Sin Therefore hope in Gods Mercy Bran. 2. If God shew Mercy to Thousands labour to know that this Mercy is for you Psal. 59.17 He is the God of my Mercy A Man that was ready to Drown saw a Rain-bow saith he What am I the better though God will not Drown the World if I Drown so what are we the better God is Merciful if we perish Let us labour to know Gods special Mercy is for us Quest. How shall we know it belongs to us Resp. 1. If we put an high value and estimate upon God's Mercy God will not throw away his Mercy on them that slight it we prize Health but we prize Adopting Mercy above it This is the Diamond in the Ring it out-shines all other Comforts 2. If we are Fearers of God we have a reverend awe upon us we tremble at Sin and fly from it as Moses did from his Rod turned into a Serpent Luke 1.50 His Mercy is on them that Fear him 3. If we take Sanctuary in Gods Mercy we trust in it Psal. 52.8 As a Man is saved by catching hold of a Cable Gods Mercy is a great Cable let down from Heaven to us now taking fast hold on this Cable by Faith we are saved Psal. 52.8 I trust in the Mercy of God for ever As a Man trusteth his Life and Goods in a Garrison so we trust our Souls in Gods Mercy Quest. What shall we do to get a share in Gods special Mercy Resp. 1. If we would have Mercy it must be through Christ out of Christ no Mercy is to be had We read in the old Law First None might come into the Holy of Holies where the Mercy-Seat stood but the High Priest signifying we have nothing to do with Mercy but through Christ our High Priest Secondly The High Priest might not come near the Mercy-Seat without Blood Lev. 16.14 to shew that we have no right to Mercy but through the expiatory Sacrifice of Christ's Blood Thirdly The High Priest might not upon pain of Death come near the Mercy-Seat without Incense Lev. 16.13 No Mercy from God without the Incense of Christs Intercession So that if we would have Mercy we must get a part in Christ. Mercy swims to us through Christs Blood 2. If we would have Mercy we must Pray for it Psal. 85.7 Shew us thy Mercy O Lord and grant us thy Salvation Psal. 25.16 Turn thee unto me and have Mercy upon me Lord put me not off with common Mercy give me not only Mercy to Feed and Cloath me but Mercy to Pardon me not only sparing Mercy but saving Mercy Lord give me the Cream of thy Mercies let me have Mercy and Loving Kindness Psal. 103.4 Who crowneth thee with Loving Kindness and Tender Mercy Be earnest Suitors for Mercy let your Wants quicken your Importunity Then we pray most fervently when we pray wost feelingly Of the Commandments Exod. 20.6 Of them that Love me c. 1. GODS Mercy is for them that Love him Love is a Grace shines and sparkles in Gods Eye as the precious Stones did upon Aarons Breast-Plate Love is an holy expansion or enlargement of Soul whereby it is carried with delight after God as the
our Fruits of Obedience must not be blown off by the Wind of Persecution Iohn 15.16 I have chosen you that you should go and bring forth Fruit and that your Fruit should remain Use. It reproves them who live in a wilful breach of Gods Commandments in Malice Uncleanness Intemperance they walk Antipodes to the Commandment To live in a wilful breach of the Commandment is First Against Reason Are we able to stand it out against God 1 Cor. 10.22 Do we provoke the Lord are we stronger than he Can we measure Arms with God Can Impotency stand against Omnipotency A Sinner in acting Sin acts against Reason Secondly It is against Equity We have our Being from God and is it not equal we should obey him who gives us our Being We have all our Subsistence from God and is it not fitting that as God gives us our Allowance we should give him our Allegiance If a General gives his Soldier Pay he is to march at his Command so that to live in the breach of his Commands is against Equity Thirdly It is against Nature Every Creature in its kind obeys Gods Laws 1. Animate Creatures obey him God spake to the Fish and it set Ionah ashoar Ionah 2.10 2. Inanimate Creatures the Wind and the Sea obey him Mark 4.41 The very Stones if God give them a Commission will cry out against the Sins of Men Hab. 2.11 The Stone shall cry out of the Wall and the Beam out of the Timber shall answer it None disobeys God but Man and the Devil and can we find none to joyn with else Fourthly It is against Kindness How many Mercies have we to allure us to obey Miracles of Mercy therefore the Apostle joyns these Two together Disobedient and Unthankful 2 Tim. 3.2 And this dyes a Sin of a Crimson colour And as the Sin is great for it is a contempt of God a hanging out of the Flag of Defiance against God and Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft so the Punishment will be proportionable Such cut themselves off from Mercy Gods Mercy is for them that keep his Commandments but no Mercy to them that live in a wilful breach of them All God's Judgments set themselves in Battel Array against the Disobedient 1. Temporal Judgments Lev. 26.15 16. 2. Eternal Christ comes in Flames of Fire to take Vengeance on them that obey not 2 Thes. 1.8 Such as break the Golden Chains of Gods Commands God hath Iron Chains to hold them Chains of Darkness in whch the Devils are held Iude 6. As long as there is Eternity God hath time enough to reckon with all the wilful Breakers of his Commandments Quest. How shall we do to keep Gods Commandments Resp. Beg the Spirit of God We cannot do it in our own Strength the Spirit must work in us both the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to will and to do Phil. 2.13 When the Loadstone draws the Iron moves when Gods Spirit draws then we run in the way of Gods Commandments Of the Commandments Exod. 20.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless c. THis Commandment has Two Parts First A Negative expressed that we must not take Gods Name in vain viz. Cast any Reflection or Dishonour upon Gods Name Secondly An Affirmative imply'd That we should have a care to Reverence and Honour his Name but that I shall speak to more fully when I come to the First Petition in the Lord's Prayer Hallowed be thy Name I shall now speak of the Negative expressed in this Commandment or the Prohibition Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in Vain The Tongue is an unruly Member all the Parts and Organs of the Body are defiled with Sin as every Branch of Wormwood is bitter but the Tongue is full of deadly Poison Iam. 3.8 There is no one Member of the Body doth more break forth into Gods Dishonour than the Tongue therefore this Commandment is a Bridle for the Tongue it is to bind the Tongue to its good Behaviour Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain And this Prohibition is back'd with a strong Reason For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that is he will not hold him Innocent Men of Place and Eminency take it hainously to have their Names abused and will inflict heavy Penalties on the Offenders The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain God looks upon him as a Criminal Person and he will severely punish him Well then the thing to be insisted on is that great care must be had that the Holy and Reverend Name of God be not prophaned by us or taken in vain Quest. How many ways may we be said to take Gods Name in vain Resp. I. We take Gods Name in vain when we speak slightly and irreverently of his Name Deut. 28.58 That thou mayst fear this Glorious and Fearful Name the Lord thy God David speaks of God with Reverence Psal. 50.1 The Lord even the most mighty God Psal. 83.18 That Men may know that thou whose Name alone is Jehovah art the most high over all the Earth And the Disciples speaking of Jesus did hallow his Name Luke 24.19 Iesus of Nazareth which was a Prophet mighty in Deed and Word before God and all the People When we mention the Names of Kings we give them some Title of Honour as Excellent Majesty So should we speak of God with such Sacred Reverence as is due to the infinite Majesty of Heaven When we speak slightly of God or his Works God interprets it to be a Contempt and it is a taking his Name in vain II. When we profess Gods Name but do not live answerable to it it is a taking his Name in vain Titus 1.16 In Words they profess him but in Works they deny him When Mens Tongues and Lives cross one another when under a Mask of Profession Men will Lye and Couzen and be Unclean these make use of Gods Name to abuse him they take his Name in vain Simulata Sanctitas duplex iniquitas Rom. 2.24 The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you When the Heathens saw the Iews who professed to be Gods People to be Scandalous this made them speak Evil of God and hate the true Religion for their sakes III. We take Gods Name in vain when we use Gods Name in Idle Discourse God is not to be spoken of but with an Holy Awe upon our Hearts and to bring Gods Name in at every turn when we never think of God to say O God or O Christ or As God shall save my Soul this is taking Gods Name in vain and how many are guilty in this kind Though they have God in their Mouths they have the Devil in their Hearts 'T is a wonder that Fire doth not come out from the Lord and consume them as it did Nadab
and Abihu Lev. 10.2 IV. We take Gods Name in vain when we worship him with our Lips but not our Hearts this is to abuse God 'T is the Heart which God calls for Prov. 23.26 My Son give me thy Heart the Heart is the chief thing in Religion it draws the Will and Affections after it as the Primum Mâ—bile the other Orbs along with it The Heart is the Incense that perfumes our Holy things it is the Altar that sanctifies the Offering Now when we seem to worship God but withdraw our Heart from him we take his Name in vain Isa. 29.13 This People draw near me with their Mouth and with their Lips do honour me but they have removed their Heart from me First Hypocrites take Gods Name in vain their Religion is a Lye they seem to Honour God but they do not Love him their Hearts go after their Lusts Hos. 4.8 They set their Hearts on their Iniquity Their Eyes are lifted up to Heaven but their Hearts are rooted in the Earth Ezek. 33.31 These are Devils in Samuel's Mantle they take Gods Name in vain Secondly Superstitious Persons take Gods Name in vain They bring God a few Ceremonies which he never appointed they bow at Christs Name and cringe to the Altar but hate and persecute Gods Image These take his Name in vain V. We take Gods Name in vain when we pray to him but do not believe in him Faith is the great Grace that Honours God Rom. 4.20 Abraham being strong in Faith gave Glory to God but when we pray to God but do not mix Faith with our Prayer we take his Name in vain I may Pray saith a Christian but I shall be never the better I question whether God doth hear or whether he will grant This is to dishonour God and take his Name in vain this is to make God either an Idol that he hath Ears and hears not or a Liar who promiseth Mercy to the Penitent but will not make good his Word Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not hath made God a Liar When the Apostle saith How shall they call on him whom they have not believed Rom. 10.14 The meaning is how shall they call on God aright and not believe in him But how many do call on God who do not believe in him they ask for Pardon but Unbelief whispers their Sins are greater than can be forgiven Thus to Pray and not Believe is to take Gods Name in Vain and is an high dishonouring of God as if he were not such a God as the Word represents him Plenteous in Mercy to all that call upon him Psal. 86.5 VI. We take Gods Name in vain when we in any kind abuse and prophane his Word Now the Word of God is prophaned First In General when Prophane Men meddle with it It is unseemly and unbecoming a Wicked Man to talk of Sacred things of Gods Providence and the Decrees of God and Heaven it was very distastful to Christ to hear the Devil quote Scripture It is written To hear a Wicked Man that wallows in Sin talk of God and Religion is offensive it is the taking Gods Name in vain When the Word of God is in a Drunkards Mouth it is like a Pearl hung upon a Swine Under the Law the Lips of the Leper were to be covered Lev. 13.45 The Lips of a Prophane Drunken Minister ought to be covered he is unfit to speak of Gods Word because he takes Gods Name in vain But Secondly More particularly they prophane Gods Word and take his Name in vain 1. That speak Scornfully of Gods Word 2 Pet. 3.4 Where is the Promise of his Coming For since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation As if they had said here is much adoe the Preachers make about the Day of Judgment when all must be called to account for their Works but where is the appearing of that Day We see things keep their Course and continue as they were since the Creation thus they speak scornfully of Scripture and did take God's Name in vain If Sentence be not speedily executed Men scorn and deride but Prov. 19.29 Iudgments are prepared for Scorners 2. That speak Jestingly Such are they who sport and play with Scripture 't is playing with Fire Some cannot be merry unless they make bold with God they make the Scripture an Harp to drive away the Spirit of Sadness Eusebius relates of one who took a piece of Scripture to jest with God struck him with Phrensie To play with Scripture shews a very prophane Heart Some will rather lose their Souls than lose their Jest These are guilty of taking God's Name in vain Tremble at it Such as mock at Scripture God will mock at their Calamity Prov. 1.26 3. They abuse Gods Word and take his Name in vain that bring Scripture to countenance any Sin The Word which was written for the suppressing of Sin some bring it for the defending of Sin For instance First If we tell a Covetous Man of his Sin that Covetousness is Idolatry he will bring Scripture to maintain his Sin Hath not God bid me live in a Calling Six Days shalt thou Labour Hath not God said that He who provides not for his Family is worse than an Infidel Thus he goes to support his Covetousness with Scripture Resp. It is true God hath bid thee take pains in a Calling but not hurt thy Neighbour he hath bid thee provide for thy Family but not by oppression Lev. 25.14 Ye shall not Oppress one another He hath bid thee look after a Livelihood but not with the neglect of thy Soul He hath bid thee lay up thy Treasure in Heaven Mat. 6.20 He hath commanded thee to lay out as well as lay up to sow Seeds of Charity on the Backs and Bellies of the Poor which perhaps thou neglectest So that to bring Scripture to uphold thee in thy Sin is an high prophaning of Scripture and a taking of Gods Name in vain Second Instance if we tell a Man of his inordinate Passions that he may be Drunk as well with rash Anger as Wine he will bring Scripture to justifie it Doth not the Word say Be Angry and Sin not Ephes. 4.26 'T is true that Anger is good which is mixed with Zeal then Anger is without Sin when it is against Sin But thou dost Sin in thy Anger thou speakest unadvisedly with thy Lips thy Tongue is set on Fire of Hell and to bring Scripture to defend thy Sin is to prophane Scripture and to take Gods Name in vain 4. They abuse the Word and take Gods Name in vain who adulterate the Word and wrest it in a wrong Sense Such are Hereticks who put their own gloss upon Scripture and make it speak that which the Holy Ghost never meant For instance First When we expound those Texts Literally which are meant Figuratively Thus the Pharisees were guilty when God said in the Law Thou shalt bind the
of a Prince is a Reproach done to him Thirdly It is accompanied with Impudency Fear and Shame are banished the Vail of Modesty is laid aside Zeph. 3.5 The Vnjust knoweth no shame Iudas knew Christ was the Messiah he was convinced of it by an Oracle from Heaven and by the Miracles he wrought and yet he impudently goes on in his Treason nay when Christ said He that dips his Hand with me in the Dish he shall betray me And Iudas knew Christ meant him And when Iudas was going about his Treason Christ pronounced a Wo to him Luke 22.22 yet for all that he proceeded in his Treason Thus to sin presumptuously against an enlightned Conscience dies the Sin of a crimson Colour and makes it greater than other Sins 3. Such Sins are more hainous than others which are Sins of Continuance The continuing of Sin is the inhancing of Sin He who plots Treason makes himself a greater Offender Some Men's Heads are the Devil's Mint-house they are minting of Mischief Rom. 1.30 Inventers of evil things Some invent new Oaths others new Snares Such were those Presidents that invented a Decree against Daniel and got the King to sign it Dan. 6.9 4. Those Sins are greater which proceed from a Spirit of Malignity To malign Holiness is Diabolical 'T is a Sin to want Grace it is worse to hate it In Nature there are Antipathies as between the Vine and Lawrel Some have an Antipathy against God because of his Purity Isa. 30.11 Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us Sinners if it lay in their Power would not only Unthrone God but Unbe God If they could help it God should be no longer God This Sin is boil'd up to a greater height 5. Those Sins are of a greater Magnitude which are mixed with Ingratitude God cannot endure of all things to have his kindness slighted God's Mercy is seen in reprieving Men so long in wooing them by his Spirit and Ministers to be reconciled in crowning them with so many Temporal Blessings now to abuse all this Love when God hath been filling up the Measure of his Mercy that Men should fill up the Measure of theit Sins This is high Ingratitude and doth make their Sins of a deeper Crimson Some are worse for Mercy The Vulture saith Aelian draws Sickness from Perfumes So the Sinner contracts Evil from the sweet Perfumes of God's Mercy The English Chronicle reports of one Parry who being condemned to die Queen Elizabeth sent him his Pardon and after he was pardoned he conspired and plotted the Queens Death Just â—o some deal with God he bestows Mercy and they plot Treason against him Isa. 1.2 I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me The Athenians in lieu of the good Service Themistocles had done them banished him their City The Snake in the Fable being frozen stung him that gave it Warmth Certainly sins against Mercy are far more hainous 6. Those Sins are more hainous than other which are committed with Delectation A Child of God may sin through a Surprizal or against his Will Rom. 7.19 The Evil which I would not that do I. Like one that is carried down the Stream involuntarily But to sin with Delight doth heighten and greaten the Sin A sign the Heart is in the Sin Hos. 4.8 They set their Heart on their Iniquity As a Man follows his Gain with Delight Rev. 22.15 Without are Dogs and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lie To tell a Lie is a sin but to love to tell a Lie is a greater sin 7. Those sins are more hanous than others which are committed under a pretence of Religion To couzen and defraud is a sin but to do it with a Bible in ones Hand is a double sin To be unchaste is a sin but to put on a Mask of Religion to play the Whore makes the sin the greater Prov. 7.14 I have Peace-offerings with me this day have I paid my Vows come let us take our fill of Love She speaks as if she had been at Church and had been saying her Prayers who would ever have suspected her of Dishonesty But behold her Hypocrisie she makes her Devotion a Preface to Adultery Luke 20.47 Who devour Widows Houses and for pretence make long Prayers This sin was not in making long Prayers for Christ was a whole Night in Prayer but to make long Prayers that they might do unrighteous Actions did make their sin more horrid 8. Sins of Apostacy are more hainous than other Demas forsook the Truth 2 Tim. 4.10 and afterwards became a Priest in an Idol Temple saith Dorotheus To fall is a sin but to fall away is a greater sin Apostates cast a Disgrace upon Religion The Apostate saith Tertullian seems to put God and Satan in the Ballance and having weighed both their Services prefers the Devils Services and proclaims him to be the best Master In which respect the Apostate is said to put Christ to open Shame Heb. 6.6 This dies a sin in grain and makes it greater It is a sin not to profess Christ but it is a greater to deny him Not to wear Christ's Colours is a sin but to run from his Colours is a greater Sin A Pagan sins less than a Baptized Renegado 9. To persecute Religion makes sin greater Acts 7.22 To have no Religion is a sin but to endeavour to destroy Religion is a greater Antiochus Epiphanes took more tedious Journies and run more hazards to vex and oppose the Jews than all his Predecessors had done in obtaining Victories Herod added this above all that he put Iohn in Prison He sinned before by Incest but by imprisoning the Prophet this added to his sin and made it greater Persecution fills up the Measure of sin Matth. 23.32 Fill you up the measure of your Fathers If you pour in a Porringer of Water into a Cistern that adds something to it but pour in a Bucket full or two and that fills up the measure of the Cistern So Persecution fills up the measure of sin and makes it greater 10. To sin malitiously makes sin greater Aquinas and other of the School-men place the sin against the Holy Ghost in Malice The Sinner doth all he can to vex God and despight the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10.29 Thus Iulian who threw up his Dagger in the Air as if he would have been revenged upon God This swells sin to its full bigness it cannot be greater When a Man is once come to this blasphemously to despight the Spirit there is but one step lower he can fall and that is to Hell 11. ult It aggravates sin and makes it greater when a Man not only sins himself but endeavours to make others sin 1. Such as teach Errors to the People who decry Christ's Deity or deny his Vertue making him only a Political Head not an Head of Influence who preach against the Morality of the Sabbath or the Immorality of the Soul These Mens sins
did not only leave his Harlots but did arise and go to his Father Luke 15.18 In true Repentance the Heart points directly to God as the Needle to the North-Pole Vse Let us all set upon this great Work of Repentance let us repent sincerely and speedily Let us repent of all our Sins our Pride rash Anger Unbelief Without Repentance no remission It is not consistent with the Holiness of God's Nature to pardon a Sinner while he is in the Act of Rebellion O meet God not with Weapons but Tears in your Eyes And to stir you up to a melting penitent Frame 1. Consider What is there in Sin that you should continue in the Practice of it It is the accursed thing Iosh. 7.11 It is the Spirits of Mischief distilled 1. It defiles the Souls Glory it is like a Stain to Beauty 'T is compar'd to a Plague-Sore 1 King 8.38 Nothing so changeth ones Glory into Shame as Sin 2. Without Repentance Sin tends to final Damnation Peccatum transit actu manet reatu Sin at first shows its Colour in the Glass but afterwards it bites like a Serpent Those Locusts Rev. 9.7 were an Emblem of sin On their Heads were Crowns like Gold and they had Hair as the Hair of Women and their Teeth were as the Teeth of Lions and there were Stings in their Tails Sin unrepented of ends in a Tragedy Sin hath the Devil for its Father Shame for its Companion and Death for its Wages Rom. 6.23 What is there in sin then that Men should continue in it Say not it is sweet Who would desire that Pleasure which kills 2. Repentance is very pleasing to God to Sacrifice like a broken Heart Psal. 51.17 A contrite and a broken Heart O God thou wilt not despise St. Austin caus'd this Sentence to be written over his Bed when he was sick When the Widow brought empty Vessels to Elisha the Oyl was poured into them 2 Kings 4.6 Bring God the broken Vessel of a contrite Heart and he will pour in the Oyl of Mercy Repenting Tears are the Joy of God and Angels Luke 15. Doves delight to be about the Waters And surely Gods Spirit who once descended in the likeness of a Dove takes great Delight in the Waters of Repentance Mary stood at Iesus Feet weeping Luke 7.38 She brought two things to Christ Tears and Oyntment her Tears were more precious to Christ than her Oyntment 3. Repentance ushers in Pardon therefore they are joyned together Acts 5.31 Repentance and Remission Pardon of Sin is the Richest Blessing it is enough to make a sick Man well Isa. 33.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Pardon settles upon us the rich Charter of the Promises Pardoning Mercy is the Sauce that makes all other Mercies relish the sweeter it sweetens our Health Riches Honour David had a Crown of Pure Gold set upon his Head Psal. 21.3 But that which David did most bless God for was not that God had set a Crown of Gold upon his Head but that God had set a Crown of Mercy upon his Head Psal. 103.4 Who crowneth thee with Mercies But what was this Crown of Mercy You may see ver 3. Who forgiveth all thy Iniquity David more rejoyc'd that he was Crown'd with Forgiveness than that he wore a Crown of pure Gold Now what is it makes way for pardon of sin but Repentence When David's Soul was humbled and broken then the Prophet Nathan brought him that good News 2 Sam. 12.13 The Lord hath put away thy Sin Obj. But sure my Sins are so great that if I should repent God would not pardon them Resp. God will not go from his Promise Ier. 3.12 Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause my Anger to fall upon you for I am merciful If thy Sins are as Rocks yet upon thy Repentance the Sea of God's Mercy can drown these Rocks Isa. 1.16 Wash ye make ye clean Wash in the Laver of Repentance Ver. 18. Come now and let us reason saith the Lord tho' your Sins be a Scarlet they shall be as white as Snow Manasseh was a Crimson Sinner but when he humblâ—d himself greatly the Golden Scepter of Mercy was held forth when his Head was a Fountain to weep for Sin Christ's Sides were a Fountain to wash away Sin 'T is not the greatness of Sin but Impenitency destroys The Jews some of them that had an hand in Crucifying Christ upon their Repentance the Blood they shed was a sovereign Balm to heal them When the Prodigal came home to his Father he had the Robe and Ring put upon him and his Father kissed him Luke 15. If you break off your Sins God will become a Friend to you all that is in God shall be yours His Power shall be yours to help you his Wisdom shall be yours to counsel you his Spirit shall be yours to sanctifie you his Promises shall be yours to comfort you his Angels shall be yours to guard you his Mercy shall be yours to save you 4. There 's much Sweetness in Repenting Tears The Soul is never more enlarged and inwardly delighted than when it can melt kindly for Sin Weeping Days are Festival Days The Hebrew Word to Repent Nicham signifies Consolari to takâ— Comfort Iohn 16.21 Your Sorrow shall be turned into Ioy. Christ turns the Water of Tears into Wine David who was the great Mourner in Israel was the Sweet Singer And the Joy a true Penitent finds is a Prelibation and Foretaste of the Joy of Paradise The Wicked Man's Joy turns to Sadness the Penitents Sadness turns to Joy Tho Repentance seems at first to be thorny and bitter yet of this Thorn a Christian gathers Grapes All which Considerations may open a Vein of Godly Sorrow in our Souls that we may both weep for Sin and turn from Sin If ever God restores Comfort 't is to his Mourners Isa. 57.18 And when we have wept let us look up to Christ's Blood for Pardon Say as that holy Man Lavae Domine lachrimas meas Lord wash my Tears in thy Blood We drop sin with our Tears and need Christ's Blood to wash them And this Repentance must not only be for a few days like the Mourning for a Friend which is soon over but it must be the Work of our Lives The Issue of Godly Sorrow must not be stopt till Death After Sin is pardoned we must repent We run afresh upon the Score we sin daily therefore must repent daily Some shed a few Tears for Sin and when their Tears like the Widows Oyl have run awhile they cease Many if the Plaister of Repentance begin to smart a little pluck it off whereas this Plaister of Repentance must still lie on and not be plucked off till Death when as all other Tears so these of Godly Sorrow shall be wiped away Quest. What shall we do to obtain a Penitential Frame of Heart
Scandals or private Wrongs here Confession is to be made to others But chiefly Confession is to be made to God who is the Party offended Against thee thee only have I sinned Confession gives vent to Sorrow Confession must be free without Compulsion ingenuous without Reserve cordial without Hypocrisy the Heart must go along with the Confession This Confession makes way for Forgiveness Psal. 32.5 I said I would confess my sin and thou forgavest me When the Publican and Thief on the Cross confessed they had that Pardon The Publican smote upon his Breast there was Contrition and said God be merciful to me a sinner there was Confession he went away justifi'd there was Forgiveness And the Thief on the Cross we indeed suffer justly there was Confession and Christ absolv'd him before he died Luke 23.41 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Which words of Christ might occasion that Saying of St. Austin Confession shuts the mouth of Hell and opens the Gate of Paradise 3. The third Ingredient in Repentance is Conversion or turning from sin Iudg. 10.15 We have sinned there was Confession ver 16. They put away their strange gods there was Conversion and it must be an universal Turning from sin Ezek. 18.31 Cast away from you all your Transgressions You would be loth God should forgive only some of your sins Would you have God forgive all and will not you forsake all He that hides one Rebel is a Traytor to the Crown He that lives in one known sin is a traiterous Hypocrite and it must not only be a Turning from sin but a Turning unto God Therefore 't is call'd Repentance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 20.20 Towards God The Heart points towards God as the Needle to the North Pole The Prodigal did not only leave his Harlots but did arise and go to his Father Luke 15.17 This Repentance is the ready way to pardon Isa. 55.7 Let the wicked forsake his way and turn to the Lord and he will abundantly pardon A King will not pardon a Rebel whilst he continues in open Hostility Thus you see Repentance goes before Remission They who never repented can have no ground to hope that their sins are pardoned 7. Aphorism or Position is that sin is not forgiven till it be repented of Caution Not that Repentance doth merit the forgiveness of sin To make Repentance satisfactory is popish by Repentance we please God but we do not satisfie him Alas Christ's Blood must wash our Tears Repentance is a Condition not a Cause God will not pardon for Repentance nor yet without it God Seals his pardons on melting Hearts Repentance makes us prize pardon the more He who cries out of his broken Bones will the more prize the mercy of having them set again when there is nothing in the Soul but Clouds of Sorrow and now God brings a pardon which is a setting up a Rainbow in the Cloud to tell the Soul the Flood of God's Wrath shall not overflow O what Joy at the sight of this Rainbow the Soul now burns in love to God 8. Aphorism or Position The greatest Sins come within the compass of Forgiveness Incest Sodomy Adultery Theft Murder which are Sins of the first magnitude yet these are pardonable Paul was a Blasphemer and so sinn'd against the first Table a Persecutor and so he sinn'd against the second Table yet he obtain'd Mercy 1 Tim. 1.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I was all besprinkled with Mercy Zacheus an Extortioner Mary Magdalen an unchast woman out of whom seven Devils were cast Manasseh who made the streets run with Blood yet had their pardon Some of the Iews who had a hand in Crucifying of Christ were forgiven God blots out not only the Cloud but the thick Cloud Isa 44.22 Enormities as well as Infirmities the King in the Parable forgave his Debtor that owed him ten thousand Talents Mat. 18.27 a Talent weighed three thousand Shekels ten thousand Talents contain'd almost twelve Tun of Gold This was an Emblem of God's forgiving great Sins Isa. 1.18 Tho' your Sins were as Scarlet yet they shall be as white as Snow Scarlet in the Greek is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 twice dip'd and the Art of Man cannot wash out the dye again But tho' our sins are of a Scarlet-dye God's Mercy can wash them away The Sea can as well cover great Rocks as little Sands This I mention that sinners may not despair God counts it a Glory to him to forgive great Sins now Mercy and Love ride in Triumph 1 Tim. 1.14 The Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was exuberant it did overflow as Nilus We must not measure God by our selves God's Mercy excels our sins as much as Heaven doth Earth Isa. 55.9 If great sinners could not be forgiven then great sinners should not be preached to but the Gospel is to be preached to all If they could not be forgiven it were a dishonour to Christ's Blood as if the wound were broader than the Plaister God hath first made great sinners broken Vessels he hath broken their heart for sin and then he hath made them golden Vessels he hath filled them with the Golden Oyl of pardoning Mercy This may encourage great sinners to come in and repent Indeed the sin against the Holy Ghost is unpardonable not but that there is Mercy enough in God to forgive it but because he who hath committed this sin will have no pardon He despights God scorns his Mercy spills the Cordial of Christ's Blood and tramples it under foot he puts away Salvation from him but else the greatest sins are pardonable When a poor sinner looks upon himself and sees his Guilt and when he looks upon God's Justice and Holiness he falls down confounded but here is that may be as Cork to the Net to keep him from despair if thou wilt leave thy sins and come to Christ Mercy can seal thy pardon Aphorism 9. When God pardons a sinner he forgives all sins Ier. 33.8 I will pardon all their Iniquities Col. 2.13 Having forgiven you all Trespasses The Mercy-Seat covered the whole Ark. The Mercy-Seat was a Type of Forgiveness to shew that God covers all our Transgressions He doth not leave one sin upon the score He doth not take his Pen and for fourscore sins write down fifty but blots out all sin Psal. 103.3 Who forgiveth all thine Iniquities When I say God forgives all sins I understand it of sins Past but sins to Come are not forgiven till they are Repented of Indeed God hath decreed to pardon them and when God forgives one sin he will in time forgive all but sins future are not actually pardon'd till they are repented of It is absurd to think sin should be forgiven before it is committed 1. If all sins past and to come are at once forgiven then what need a man pray for the pardon of sin 'T is a vain thing to pray for the pardon of
owe God themselves to pay it in part and do not look to have it all forgiven But why did Christ teach us to pray forgive us our sins if we can of our selves satisfie God for the wrong we have done him This Doctrine robs God of his Glory Christ of his Merit and the Soul of Salvation Alas is not the lock cut where our Strength lay are not all our Works fly-blown with sin and can sin satisfie for sin this Doctrine makes men their own Saviours it is most absurd to hold for can the Obedience of a finite Creature satisfie for an infinite Offence Sin being forgiven clearly implies we cannot satisfie for it 2. From this word Vs forgive us we learn that pardon is chiefly to be sought for our selves For tho' we are to pray for the pardon of others Iam. 6.16 Pray one for another yet in the first place we are to beg pardon for our selves What will anothers pardon do us good every one is to endeavour to have his own name in the pardon A Son may be made free by his Fathers Copy but he cannot be pardoned by his Fathers pardon he must have a pardon for himself In this sence selfiâ—hness is lawful every one must be for himself and get a pardon for his own sins Forgive Vs. 3. From this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OVR Our sins we learn how just God is in punishing us the Text saith Our Sins we are not punished for other mens sins but our own Nemo habet de proprio nisi peccatum Augustine There 's nothing we can call so properly ours as sin Our daily bread we have from God our daily sins we have from our selves Sin is our own Act a web of our own spinning How righteous therefore is God in punishing of us we sow the seed and God only makes us reap what we sow Ier. 17.10 I give every man the fruit of his own doings When we are punished we do but tast the fruit of our own grafting 4. From this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sins see from hence the multitude of sins we stand guilty of we pray not forgive us our Sin as if it were only a single debt but sins in the plural so vast is the Catalogue of our sins that David cries out Who can understand his Errors Ps. 19.12 Our sins are like the drops in the Sea like the atoms in the Sun they exceed all Arithmetick Our debts we owe to God we can no more number than we can satisfie Which as it should humble us to consider how full of black Spots our Souls are so it should put us upon seeking after the pardon of our sins and this brings to the second Vse Exhort To labour to have the forgiveness of sin sealed up to us How can we eat or drink or sleep without it 'T is sad dying without a pardon This is to fall into the Labyrinth of Despair of this the next time Vse 2. Let us labour for the forgiveness of sin If ever this was needful then now when the Times ring Changes and Dangers seem to be marching towards us Labour I say for the Forgiveness of sin this is a main Branch of the Charter or Covenant of Grace Heb. 10.12 I will be merciful to your Unrighteousness and your Sins and Iniquities I will remember no more It is Mercy to feed us but it is rich Mercy to pardon us this is spun and woven out of the Bowels of Free-grace Earthly things are no signs of God's love he may give the Venison but not the Blessing but when God seals up Forgiveness he gives his Love and Heaven with it Psal. 21.3 Thou settest a Crown of pure Gold on his head A Crown of Gold was a Mercy but if you look into 103. Psalm you shall find a greater Mercy v. 3 4. Who forgiveth all thine Iniquities who crowneth thee with loving-kindness To be crowned with Forgiveness and Loving kindness is a far greater Mercy than to have a Crown of pure Gold set upon the Head it was a Mercy when Christ cured the palsy man but when Christ said to him Thy sins are forgiven Mar. 2.5 this was more than to have his palsy healed forgiveness of Sin is the Chief thing to be sought after and sure if conscience be once touched with a sence of Sin there 's nothing a man will thirst after more than forgiveness Ps. 51.3 My Sin is ever before me this made David so earnest for pardon Ps. 51.1 Have Mercy upon me O God blot out my Transgressions If one should have come to David and asked him David where is thy pain what is it troubles thee is it the fear of shame which shall come upon thee in thy Wives is it the fear of the Sword which God hath threatned shall not depart from thy House he would have said No it is only my sin pains me My Sin is ever before me Were but this removed by forgiveness tho' the Sword did ride in circuit in my Family I should be well enough content When the Arrow of Guilt sticks in the Conscience nothing is so desirable as to have this Arrow plucked out by forgiveness Oh therefore seek after the Forgiveness of Sin can you make a shift to live without it but how will you do to die without it will not death have a sting to an unpardoned Sinner how do you think to get to Heaven without forgiveness as at some solemn Festivals there 's no being admitted unless you bring a Ticket so unless you have this Ticket to shew Forgiveness of Sin there 's no being admitted into the Holy Place of Heaven Will God ever Crown those that he will not forgive O be ambitious of pardoning Grace When God had made Abraham great and large Promises Abraham replies Lord what is all seeing I go Childless Gen. 15.2 so when God hath given thee Riches and all thy heart can wish say to him Lord what is all this seeing I want Forgiveness let my pardon be sealed in Christ's Blood A Prisoner in the Tower is in an ill Case notwithstanding his brave Diet great Attendance soft Bed to lie on because being Impeach'd he looks every day for his Arraignment and is afraid of the Sentence of Death In such a Case and worse is He that swims in the Pleasures of the World but his sins are not forgiven A guilty Conscience doth impeach him and he is in fear of being Arraign'd and Condemn'd at God's Judgment-Seat Give not then sleep to your Eyes or slumber to your Eye lids till you have gotten some well-grounded hope that your sins are blotted out Before I come to press the Exhortation to seek after forgiveness of Sin I shall propound one question Quest. If pardon of Sin be so absolutely necessary without it no Salvation what is the Reason that so few in the world seek after it If they want health they repair to the Physitian if they want Riches they take a Voyage to the Indies
a Lyon roar How terrible are the roarings of Conscience Iudas hang'd himself to quiet his Conscience a sinners Conscience at present is either asleep or seared but when God shall awaken Conscience either by Affliction or at Death how will the unpardoned sinner be affrighted When a man shall have all his sins set before his Eyes and drawn out in their bloody Colours and the worm of Conscience begins to gnaw sinner here are thy Debts and the Book is not cancel'd thou must to Hell O what a trembling at heart will the sinner have 4. All the Curses of God stand in full force against an unpardoned sinner his very Blessings are cursed Mal. 2.2 I will curse your Blessings His Table is a Snare he eats and drinks a Curse What comfort could Dionisius have at his Feast when he imagined he saw a naked Sword hanging by a twine thread over his head This is enough to spoil a sinners Banquet a Curse like a naked Sword hangs over his Head Caesar wondred to see one of his Soldiers so merry that was in debt One would wonder that man should be merry who is Heir to all God's Curses he doth not see these Curses but is blinder than Balaams Ass who saw the Angels Sword drawn 5. The unpardoned sinner is in an ill case at Death Luther profess'd there were three things which he durst not think of without Christ of his sins of Death of the Day of Judgment Death to a Christless Soul is the King of Terrors as the Prophet Ahijah said to Ieroboams Wife 1 Kin. 14.6 I am sent to thee with heavy Tidings So death is sent to the unpardoned Soul with heavy Tidings 'T is God's Jaylor to arrest him death is a prologue to Damnation In particular 1. Death is a Voyder to take away all his earthly Comforts it takes away his sugar'd Morsels no more drinking Wine in Bowls no more Mirth or Musick Revel 18.22 The Voice of Harpers and Musicians shall be heard no more at all in thee The sinner shall never tast of luscious Delights more to all Eternity His Hony shall be turned to the Gall of Asps Iob 20.14 2. At Death there shall be an end put to all Reprieves Now God reprieves a sinner he spares him such a fit of Sickness he respites him many years the sinner should have died such a drinking bout but God granted him a Reprieve he lengthened out the silver Thread of Patience to a Miracle But the sinner dying without Repentance unpardoned now the Lease of God's Patience is run out and the sinner must appear in person before the Righteous God to receive his Sentence after which there shall be none to bail him nor shall he hear of a Reprieve any more 6. The unpardoned sinner dying so must go into Damnation this is the second Death Mors sine morte The unpardoned Soul must for ever bear the Anger of a Sin-revenging-God as long as God is God so long the Vial of his Wrath shall be dropping upon the damned Soul This is an Helpless Condition there is a time when a sinner will not be helped Christ and Salvation are offer'd to him but he slights them he will not be helped and there is a time shortly coming when he cannot be helped He calls out for Mercy O a pardon a pardon but then it is too late the date of Mercy is expir'd O how sad then is it to live and die unpardoned You may lay a Grave-stone upon that man and write this Epitaph upon it It had been good for that man he had never been born Now if the misery of an unpardon'd State be so unexpressible how should we labour for Forgiveness that we may not be ingulph'd in so dreadful a Labyrinth of Fire and Brimstone to all Eternity 7. Such as are unpardon'd must needs lead uncomfortable lives Deut. 28.66 Thy Life shall hang in doubt before thee and thou shalt be in continual fears Thus the unpardoned sinner must needs have a palpitation and trembling at Heart he fears every Bush he sees 1 Ioh. 4.18 Fear hath Torment in it the Greek word for Torment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used sometimes for Hell fear hath Hell in it A man in debt fears every step he goes lest he should be arrested so the unpardoned sinner fears what if this night Death which is God's Serjeant should arrest him Iob 7.21 Why dost not thou pardon my Sin for now shall I sleep in the dust As if Iob had said Lord I shall shortly die I shall sleep in the dust and what shall I do if my sin be not pardoned What comfort can an unpardon'd Soul take in any thing Sure no more than a Prisoner can take in Meat or Musick that wants his pardon Therefore by all these powerful Motives let us labour for the forgiveness of sin Object 1. But I am discouraged from going to God for pardon for I am unworthy of forgiveness what am I that God should do such a Favour for me Resp. God forgives not because we are worthy but because he is Gracious Exod. 34 6. The Lord the Lord Merciful and Gracious God forgives out of his Clemency Acts of Pardon are Acts of Grace What worthiness was there in Paul before Conversion He was a Blasphemer and so he sinned against the first Table he was a Persecutor and so he sinned against the second Table but Free-grace Sealed his Pardon 1 Tim. 1.13 I obtained Mercy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I was all bestrowed with Mercy What Worthiness was in the Woman of Samaria She was Ignorant Ioh. 4.22 she was Unclean ver 18. she was Morose and Churlish she would not give Christ so much as a Cup of cold water ver 9. How is it that thou being a Iew askest drink of me which am a woman of Samaria What worthiness was here Yet Christ over-looked all and pardoned her Ingratitude and tho' she denied him water out of the Well yet he gave her the Water of Life Gratia non invenit dignos sed facit Free-grace doth not find us worthy but makes us worthy Therefore notwithstanding unworthiness seek to God and your sins may be pardoned Object 2. But I have been a Great Sinner and sure God will not pardon me Answ. David brings it as an Argument for pardon Psal. 25.11 Pardon mine Iniquity for it is great When God forgives great Sins now he doth a Work like himself The desperateness of the Wound doth the more set forth the Vertue of Christ's Blood in curing it Mary Magdalen a great sinner out of whom seven Devils were cast yet she had her pardon Some of the Iews who had an hand in Crucifying of Christ upon their Repentance the very Blood they shed did seal their pardon Consider sins either for their number as the sands of the Sea or for their weight as the Rocks of the Sea yet there is Mercy enough in God to forgive them Isa. 1.18 Tho' your sins be as Scarlet they shall
be white as Snow Scarlet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Twice dipt which no art of man can get out yet God can wash out this scarlet Dye There is no sin excepted from pardon but that sin which despiseth pardon viz. the sin against the Holy Ghost Mat. 12.31 Therefore O sinner do not cast away thy Anchor of Hope but go to God for forgiveness The vast Ocean hath Bounds set to it but God's pardoning-Mercy is Boundless God can as well forgive Great Sins as less as the Sea can as well cover great Rocks as little Sands Nothing hinders pardon but the sinners not asking it That a Great Sinner should not despair of forgiveness consult that Scripture Isa. 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions If you look on the foregoing words you would wonder how this verse comes in ver 24. Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins thou hast wearied me with thy Iniquities and then it follows I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions One would have thought it should have run thus Thou hast wearied me with thy Iniquities I even I am he that will punish thy Iniquities but God comes in a mild loveing strain Thou hast wearied me with thy Iniquities I am he that blots out thy Iniquities So that the greatness of our sins should not discourage us from going to God for forgiveness Tho' thou hast committed Acts of Impiety yet God can come with an Act of Indemnity and say I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions God counts it his Glory to display Free-grace in its Orient Colours Rom 5.20 Where sin abounded Grace did much more abound When Sin becomes exceeding sinful Free-grace becomes exceeding glorious God's pardoning-Love can conquer the sinner and triumph over the sin Consider thou almost-despairing Soul there is not so much sin in man as there is Mercy in God Man's sin in comparison of God's Mercy is but as a spark to the Ocean and who would doubt whether a spark could be quenched in an Ocean Object 3. But I have relapsed into the same sins and how can I have the face to come to God for the pardon of those sins which I have more than once fallen into Answ. I know the Novatians held that after a Relapse no forgiveness by the Church But doubtless that was an Errour Abraham did twice equivocate Lot committed Incest twice Peter sin'd thrice by carnal Fear but these repenting had their Absolution There is a two-fold Relapse 1. a wilful Relapse when after a man hath solemnly vowed himself to God he falls into a league with sin and returns back to it Ier. 2.25 I have loved Strangers and after them will I go 2. There is a Relapse through Infirmity when the Bent and Resolution of a mans Heart is against sin but through the Violence of Temptation and the withdrawing of God's Grace he is carried down the stream against his Will Now though wilful continued Relapses are desperate and do vastare Conscientiam as Tertull. waste the Conscience and run men upon the Precipice of damnation yet if they are through Infirmity and we mourn for them we may obtain forgiveness A godly man doth not march after sin as his General but is led captive by it and the Lord will pity a captive Prisoner Christ commands us to forgive a trespassing Brother seventy times seven Mat. 18.22 If he bids us do it much more will he forgive a relapsing Sinner in case he repent Ier. 3.12 Return thou back-sliding Israel for I am merciful saith the Lord. It is not falling once or twice into the Mire that drowns but lying there it is not once relapsing into sin but lying in sin impenitently that damns Object 4. But God requires so much Sorrow and Humiliation before Remission that I fear I shall never arrive at it Answ. God requires no more Humiliation than may fit a Soul for Mercy Many a Christian thinks because he hath not fill'd God's Bottle so full of Tears as others therefore he is not humbled enough to receive a Pardon But we must know God's Dealings are Various all have not the like Pangs in the New-Birth Some are won with Love the sence of God's Mercy abused causeth ingenuous Tears to flow others are more flagitious and hardned and these God deals more roughly with This is sure That Soul is humbled enough to receive a Pardon who is brought to a thorow Sence of sin and sees the need of a Saviour and loves him as the fairest of ten thousand therefore be not discouraged if thy Heart be bruised for sin and broken off from it thy sin shall be blotted out No sooner did Ephraim fall a weeping but God's Bowels fell a working Ier. 31.20 My Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have Mercy upon him Having answered these Objections let me beseech you above all things labour for the forgiveness of sin Think with your selves how great a Mercy it is It is one of the Richest Jewels in the Cabinet of the New-Covenant Psal. 32.1 Blessed is he whose Iniquity is forgiven in the Hebrew it is Ashre Blessednesses And think with your selves the unparallel'd Misery of such whose sins are not forgiven such as had not the Blood of the Paschal Lamb sprinkled on their Door-posts were destroy'd by the Angel Exod. 12. So they who have not Christ's Blood sprinkled on them to wash away the guilt of sin will fall into the gulf of Perdition And if you resolve to seek after forgiveness do not delay Many say they will go about getting their pardon but they procrastinate and put it off so long till it be too late when the shadows of the Evening are stretch'd forth and the night of Death aproacheth then they begin to look after their pardon This hath been the undoing of millions they purpose they will look after their Souls but they stay so long till the Lease of Mercy be run out Oh therefore hasten the getting of a pardon Think of the Vncertainty of Life What Security have you that you shall live another day Volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora our Life is a Taper soon blown out 't is made up of a few flying minutes O thou Dust and Ashes thou mayest fear every hour to be blown into thy Grave and what if Death come to arrest thee before thy pardon be sealed Plutarch reports of one Archias who being among his Cups one delivered to him a Letter and desired him to read it presently being about serious Business saith he Seria cras I will mind serious things to morrow and that night he was slain Thou that sayest To morrow I will repent I will get my pardon mayest suddenly be slain therefore to day while it is called to day look after the forgiveness of sin after a while all the Conducts of Mercy will be stop'd there will not be one drop of Christ's Blood to be had there is no sealing of pardons after death 2.
of these and leave the other two to the severity of the Law will not he that is pardoned love his Prince who hath been so full of Clemency How should your hearts be indeared in love to God The Schoolmen distinguish of a Two-fold Love Amor gratuitus a Love of Bounty that is God's Love to us in Forgiving and Amor debitus a Love of Duty that is our Love to God by way of Retaliation We should shew our love by admiring God by sweetly solacing our selves in him and binding our selves to him in a perpetual Covenant 3. Let the Sence of God's Love in forgiving make you more Cautious and Fearful of sin for the future Psal. 130.4 There is forgiveness with thee that thou maist be feared O fear to offend this God who hath been so gracious to you in forgiving If a Friend hath done a kindness for us we will not disoblige him or abuse his Love After Nathan had told David The Lord hath put away thy sin How tender was David's Conscience How fearful was he of staining his Soul with the guilt of more blood Psal. 51.14 Deliver me from Blood-guiltiness O God Men committing gross sin after pardon God changeth his carriage towards them he turns his Smile into a â—rown they lie as Ionah in the belly of hell God's Wrath falls into their Conscience as a drop of scalding Lead into the Eye the Promises are as a Fountain sealed not a drop of comfort comes from them O Christians do you not remember what it cost you before to get your pardon How long it was before your broken bones were set And will you again venture to sin You may be in such a condition that you may question whether you belong to God or no though God doth not Damn you he may send you to Hell in this Life 4. If God hath given you good hope that you are pardoned walk chearfully Rom. 5.11 We joy in God through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom we have received the Atonement Who should rejoice if not he that hath his pardon God rejoiceth when he shews us Mercy And should not we rejoice when we receive Mercy In the saddest times a pardoned Soul may rejoice Afflictions have a Commission to do him good every cross-wind of Providence shall blow him nearer to the Haven of Glory Christian God hath pull'd off your Prison-fetters and Cloth'd you with the Robe of Righteousness and Crown'd you with Loving-kindness and yet art thou sad Rom. 5.2 We rejoice in hope of the Glory of God Can the Wicked rejoice who have onely a short Reprieve from Hell and not they who have a full Pardon sealed 5. Hath God pardoned you Do all the Service you can for God 1 Cor. 15.58 Always abounding in the work of the Lord. Let your head study for God let your hands work for him let your Tongue be the Organ of his Praise Paul got his pardon 1 Tim. 1.16 I obtained Mercy and this was as Oyl to the Wheels it made him move faster in obedience 1 Cor. 15.10 I laboured 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more abundantly than they all Paul 's obedience did not move slow as the Sun on the Dial but swiftly as the Sun in the Firmament He did spend and was spent for Christ. The pardoned Soul thinks he can never love God enough or serve him enough The last thing is to lay down some Rules or Directions how we may obtain forgiveness of Sin 1. We must take heed of Mistakes about pardon of Sin 1. Mistake That our sins are pardoned when they are not Q. Whence is this Mistake R. From Two Grounds 1. Because God is Merciful Answ. God's being Merciful shews that a Man's sins are pardonable but there is a great deal of difference between sins pardonable and sins pardoned Thy sins may be pardonable yet not pardoned Though God be merciful yet who is God's Mercy for not for the Presuming sinner but the Repenting sinner Such as go on in sin cannot lay claim to it God's Mercy is like the Ark none but the Priests might touch the Ark none but such as are Spiritual Priests Sacrificing their sins may touch this Ark of God's Mercy 2. Because Christ died for their sins therefore they are forgiven Answ. That Christ died for Remission of sin is true but that therefore all have Remission is false The Iudas should be forgiven Remission is limited to Believers Act. 13.39 By him all that believe are justified but all do not believe Some slight and trample Christ's blood under foot Heb. 10.29 So that notwithstanding Christ's Death all are not pardoned Take heed of this dangerous mistake Who will seek after pardon that thinks he hath it already 2. Mistake That pardon is easie to be had it is but a sigh or Lord have Mercy But How dearly hath pardon cost them who have obtained it How long was it ere David's broken bones were set Happy we if we have the pardon of sin sealed though at the very last hour But Why do Men think pardon of sin so easie to be obtained their sins are but small therefore Venial The Devil holds the small end of the Perspective-glass before their eyes But First There is no sin small being against a Deity Why is he punished with death that Clips the King's Coin or defaceth his Statue but because it is an abuse offered to the Person of the King Secondly Little sins when multiplied become great A little sum when multiplied comes to Millions What is less than a grain of Sand but when the Sand is multiplied what heavier Thirdly Thy sins cost no small price View thy sins in the Glass of Christ's Sufferings Christ did vail his Glory lose his Joy and pour out his Soul an Offering for the least sin Fourthly Little sins unrepented of will damn thee as well as greater Not onely great Rivers fall into the Sea but little Brooks Not onely greater sins carry Men to Hell but lesser therefore do not think pardon easie because sin is small beware of mistakes 2. The Second Means for Pardon of sin is see your selves guilty Come to God as Condemned Men 1 King 20.32 They put Ropes upon their heads and came to the King of Israel Let us come to God in profound Humility Say not thus Lord my heart is good and my life blameless God hates this Lie in the dust be covered with sackcloth say as the Centurion Mat. 8.8 Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof I deserve not the least smile from Heaven This is the way for pardon 3. The Third Means for pardon is hearty Confession of sin Psal. 32.5 I confessed my sin and thou forgavest me Would we have God cover our sins we must discover them 1 Joh. 1.9 If we confess our sins he is just to forgive them One would have thought it should have â—un thus If we confess our sins he is merciful to forgive them nay but he is just to forgive them Why Just
because he hath bound himself by promise to forgive an humble Confessor of sin Cum accusat excusat Tertull. When we accuse our selves God absolves us We are apt to hide our sins Iob 31.33 which is as great a folly as for one to hide his disease from the Physitian But when we open our sins to God by Confessing he opens his Mercy to us by Forgiving 4. Means for pardon sound Repentance Repentance and Remission are put together Luk. 24 47. There is a Promise of a Fountain Opened for the washing away the guilt of sin Zach. 13.1 But see what goes before Zac. 12.10 They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and shall mourn for him Isa. 1.16 Wash ye make ye clean that is wash in the waters of Repentance and then follows a promise of Forgiveness Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow 'T is easie to turn white into scarlet but not so easie to turn scarlet into white yet upon Repentance God hath promised to make the scarlet-sinner of a Milk-like whiteness Caut Not that Repentance merits pardon but it prepares for it We set our Seal on the Wax when it melts God seals his pardons on melting hearts 5. Means Faith in the blood of Christ. It 's Christ's blood washeth away sin Rev. 1.6 but this blood will not wash away sin unless it be apply'd by Faith The Apostle speaks of the Sprinkling of the blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1.2 Many are not pardoned though Christ's blood be shed because it is not sprinkled Now it is Faith that sprinkles Christ's blood on the Soul for the Remission of sin As Thomas put his hands into Christ's sides Ioh. 20 27. So Faith puts its hand into Christ's wounds and takes of the blood and sprinkles it upon the Conscience for the washing away of guilt Hence in Scripture we are said to obtain pardon through Faith Act. 13.39 By him all that believe are justified Luk. 7.48 Thy sins are forgiven Whence was this Vers. 50. Thy faith hath saved thee O let us labour for Faith Christ is a Propitiation or Atonement to take away sin But how through Faith in his blood Rom 3.25 6. Means Pray much for Pardon Hos. 14.2 Take away all iniquity Luk. 18.13 The Publican smote upon his breast saying God be me merciful to me a sinner and the Text saith he went away justified Many pray for Health Riches Children but Christ hath taught us what to pray for chiefly remitte nobis debita nostra Forgive us our sins And be earnest Suitors for pardon Consider what guilt of sin is it binds one over to the Wrath of God Better thy House were haunted with Devils than thy Soul with guilt He who is in the bond of iniquity must needs be in the Gall of bitterness Acts 8.23 A guilty Soul wears Cain's Mark which was a Trembling at Heart and a Shaâ—â—ng in his Flesh. Guilt makes the sinner afraid lest every Trouble he meets with should Arrest him and bring him to Judgment If guilt be so dismal and breeds such Convulsion fits in the Conscience How earnest should we be in Prayer that God would remove this guilt and so earnest as to Resolve to take no denial Plead hard with God for Pardon as a Man would plead with a Judge for his Life Fall upon thy Knees say Lord hear one word Why may God say What canst thou say for thy self that thou shouldst not dye Lord I can say but little but I put in my surety Christ shall answer for me O look upon that blood which speaks better things than the blood of Abel Christ is my Priest his Blood is my Sacrifice his Divine Nature is my Altar As Rahab was to shew the Scarlet thread in the Window and when Ioshua saw it he did not destroy her Iosh. 2.18.21 Iosh. 6.22 23. So shew the Lord the Scarlet thread of Christs Blood and that is the way to have mercy But will God say why should I pardon thee thou hast no ways obliged me but Lord pardon me because thou hast promised it I urge thy Covenant when a Man is to dye by the Law he calls for his Book so say Lord let me have the benefit of my Book thy Word saith if the sinner forsake his evil way thou wilt pardon abundantly Isa. 55.7 Lord I have forsaken my sin let me therefore have mercy I plead the benefit of the Book But for whose sake should I pardon thou canst not deserve it Lord for thy own name sake thou hast said thou wilt blot out sin for thy own name sake Isa. 43.25 'T will be no Eclipsing to thy Crown how will thy mercy shine forth and all thy other Attributes ride in triumph if thou shalt pardon me Thus plead with God in Prayer and resolve not to give him over till thy pardon be sealed God cannot deny importunity He delights in Mercy as the Mother saith Chrysostom delights to have her Breast milked so God delights to Milk out the Breast of Mercy to the sinner these means being used will procure this great blessedness the Forgiveness of Sin Thus I have done with the first part of this fifth Petition Forgive us our Sins I come next to the second part of the Petition as we forgive our Debtors Mat. 6.12 As we forgive our Debtors or as we forgive them that trespass against us I proceed to the second part of the Petition As we forgive them that trespass against us As we forgive This word As is not a note of Equality but Similitude not that we equal God in forgiving but imitate him This great Duty of forgiving others is a crossing the stream 't is contrary to flesh and blood Men forget kindnesses but remember injuries But it is an indispensable duty to forgive we are not bound to trust an Enemy but we are bound to forgive him We are naturally prone to revenge Revenge saith Homer is sweet as dropping Honey The Heathen Philosophers held revenge lawful Vlcisci te lacessitus potes Cicero But we learn better things out of the Oracles of Scripture Mar. 11.25 when ye stand praying forgive Mat. 5.44 Col. 3.13 If a Man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Quest. 1. How can we forgive others when it is only God forgives sin Answ. In every breach of the second Table there are two things an offence against God and a trespass against Man so far as it is an offence against God only he can forgive but so far as it is a trespass against Man so we may forgive Quest. 2. When do we forgive others Answ. When we strive against all thoughts of revenge if it be in our power to do our enemies mischief we will not we wish well to them grieve at their Calamities we pray for them we seek reconciliation with them we shew our selves ready on all occasions to relieve them this is Gospel forgiving Object 1. But I have been much injur'd
in sin it is only to the Body the bruitish Part the Soul is not at all gratified by the Pleasure Luk. 12.19 Soul take thy Ease He might more properly have said Body take thy Ease The Soul cannot feed on sensual Objects 4. In short that Pleasure men talk of in sin is their Disease some take pleasure in eating Chalk or Coals this is from their Disease So when men talk of Pleasure in eating the Forbidden Fruit it is from the Sickness and Disease of their Souls they put bitter for sweet Isa. 5.20 O what folly is it for a Cup of Pleasure to drink a Sea of Wrath Sin will be bitter in the end Prov. 23.31 32. Look not on the Wine when it is red when it gives his Colour in the Cup at last it bites like a Serpent Sin will prove like Ezekiels Rowl sweet in the Mouth but bitter in the Belly Mel in Ore Fel in Corde ask Cain now how he likes his Murder Achan how he likes his golden Wedge O remember that saying of Austin Momentaneum est quod delectat aeternum quod Cruciat The Pleasure of sin is soon gone but the sting remains IX Branch If Sin be so great an Evil then what Wisdom is it to depart from Evil Iob 28.28 To depart from Evil is Vnderstanding To sin is to do foolishly therefore to depart from sin is to do wisely Solomon saith Prov. 29.6 In every Transgression there is a Snare Is it not Wisdom to avoid a Snare Sin is a Deceiver it cheated our first Parents instead of being as Gods they became like the Beasts that perish Psal. 49.20 Sin hath cheated all that have medled with it is it not Wisdom to shun such a Cheater Sin hath many fair pleas and tells you how it will gratifie all the Senses with Pleasure But saith a gracious Soul Christ's Love is sweeter Peace of Conscience is sweeter what are the Pleasures of Sin to the Pleasures of Paradise Well may the Saints be call'd Wise Virgins because they spie the Deceits that are in sin and avoid the Snares The Fear of the Lord that is Wisdom and to depart from Evil is Understanding X. Branch If Sin be so great an Evil then how justifiable and commendable are all those Means which are used to keep Men from sin How justifiable are a Ministers Admonitions and Reproofs Titus 1.13 Rebuke them sharply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cuttingly a Metaphor from a Chirurgeon that searches a Wound and cuts out the Proud Flesh that the Patient may be sound So God's Minister comes with a cutting Reproof but it is to keep you from sin and to save your Souls Si Meritò objur gaverit te aliquis scito quia profuit Sen. Esteem them your best Friends who would keep you from sinning against God If a man were going to poison or drown himself were not he his Friend who would hinder him from doing it All a Ministers Reproofs are but to keep you from sin and hinder you from Self-Murder all is in Love 2 Cor. 5.11 Knowing the Terror of the Lord we perswade men 'T is the Passion of most to be angry with them that would reclaim them from sin Amos 5.10 They hate him that rebuketh in the Gate Who is angry with the Physician for prescribing a bitter Potion seeing it is to purge out the peccant Humour 'T is Mercy to Mens Souls to tell them of their sins And surely those are Priests for the Devil 2 Chr. 11.15 who see men go on in sin and ready to drop into Hell yet never pull them back by a Reproof nay perhaps flatter them in their sins God never made Ministers as false Glasses to make bad Faces look Fair. Such make themselves guilty of other mens Sins 11. Inference If sin be so great an evil the evil of evils then see what a bad choice they make who choose sin to avoid affliction As if to save the Coat from being rent one should suffer his Flesh to be rent It was a false charge that Elihu brought against Iob Chap. 36.21 Thou hast chosen iniquity rather than affliction This is a bad choice Affliction hath a Promise made to it 2 Sam. 22.28 but sin hath no Promise made to it Affliction is for our good but Sin is not for our good it would intail Hell and Damnation upon us Spira chose iniquity rather than affliction but it cost him dear He at last repented of his choice He who commits sin to avoid suffering is like one that runs into a Lions Den to avoid the stinging of a Gnat. 12. Inference If sin be so great an evil see then what should be a Christians great care in this life to keep from sin Deliver us from evil Some make it all their care to keep out of trouble they had rather keep their Skin whole than their Conscience pure But our care should be chiefly to keep from sin How careful are we to forbear such a Dish as the Phisician tells us is hurtful for us it will bring the Stone or Gout Much more should we be careful that we eat not the forbidden fruit which will bring Divine Vengeance 1 Tim. 5. 22. Keep thy self pure It hath been always the study of the Saints to keep aloof off from sin Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Psal. 19.13 Keep back thy Servant from presumptuous sins It was a saying of Anselm If Sin were on one side and Hell on the other I would rather leap into Hell than willingly sin against my God O what a Mercy is it to be kept from sin We count it a great Mercy to be kept from the Plague and Fire But what is it to be kept from sin 13. Inference Is sin so great an evil see then that which may make us long for Heaven when we shall be perfectly freed from sin not onely from the outward Acts of sin but from the in-being of sin In Heaven we shall not need to pray this Prayer Deliver us from evil What a blessed time will it be when we shall never have a Vain Thought more Then Christ's Spouse shall be sine macula ruga without spot or wrincle Ephes. 5.27 Now there 's a Dead Man tied to the Living we cannot do any Holy Duty but we mix Sin we cannot Pray without Wandring we cannot Believe without Doubting But then our Virgin-Souls shall not be capable of the least tincture of Sin but we shall all be as the Angels of God In Heaven we shall have no Temptation to sin The Old Serpent is cast out of Paradise and his fiery â—arts shall never come near to touch us 2. Vse of Exhort And it hath Two distinct Branches 1. Branch To all in General If Sin be so great and prodigious an evil Then as you love your Souls Take heed of sin If you tast of the Forbidden Fruit it will cost you dear it will cost you Bitter Tears it may cost you lying in Hell
God for power Alass if David and Peter who had an Habit of Grace fell for want of a fresh gale of the Spirit to hold them up much more will they be in danger of falling who have onely the power of Free will to hold them Let us therefore sue to God for strength to keep us from sinning Pray that Prayer of David Psal. 119.117 Hold thou me up and I shall be safe and that other Prayer Psal. 17.5 Hold up my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Lord keep me from dishonouring thee keep me from the defiling sins of the Age that I may not be worse for the Times nor the Times the worse for me Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins Lord whatever I suffer keep me from sin The Child is safe in the Nurses arms and we are onely safe from falling into Sin while we are held up in the Arms of Christ and Free-Grace 2. Branch Of the Exhortation hath an aspect to God's Children you that are Professors and carry Christ's Colours I beseech you above all others to take heed of sin beware of any action that is scandalous and unbecoming the Gospel You have heard what a prodigious hyperbolical evil sin is Come not near the forbidden fruit Hos. 4.15 Though Israel play the harlot yet let not Iudah offend So though wicked Men run into sin yet let not the Spouse of Christ defile the breasts of her Virginity Sin doth ill become any but it doth worse become Professors Dung is unhandsome in the Street but to see it in the Temple How offensive is it Leprosie in the Foot doth ill but to see a leprous sore in the Face is much worse To see sin break forth in them who have a Face of Religion is most to be abominated The sins of the wicked are not so much wondered at Dan. 12.10 The wicked shall do wickedly It is no wonder to see a Toad spit Poison it was not so much wondered to see Cain or Ahab sin but to see Lot's Incest to see David's hands stained with blood this was strange When the Sun is Eclipsed every one stands and looks upon it So when a Child of light is Eclipsed by scandalous sin all stand and gaze at this Eclipse The Sins of God's People do in some sense more provoke God than the sins of the Wicked We read of the provoking of his Sons and Daughters Deut. 32.19 The sins of the Wicked Anger God but the sins of his People Grieve him The sins of God's People have a more malignant aspect and are of a blacker dye than others There are those aggravations in the sins of God's People as are not to be found in the sins of the Unregenerate in Eight Particulars For First The Godly have something which may ponere obicem Restrain them from sin Wicked Men when they sin have no Principle to restrain them they have Wind and Tide to carry them but have nothing to pull them back from sin but a Child of God hath a Principle of Grace to give check to sin He hath the impulses of God's Spirit disswading him from evil therefore for him to commit sin is far worse than for others This is to sin more desperately it is as if a Woman should go about to kill the Child in her Womb. Christian this thou art going to do when thou sinnest Presumptuously thou doest what in thee lies to kill the Babe of Grace in thy Soul Secondly The sins of God's People are greater than others because they sin against more Mercy This is like a Weight put in the Scale it makes sin weigh heavier God hath given Christ to a Believer he hath cut him off from the wild stock of Nature and grafted him into the True Olive and for him to abuse all this Mercy it is to out-do the Wicked and to sin with an higher aggravation because it is to sin against greater love How was Peter's sin inhaunced and accented that when Christ had done more for him than others he had dropped some of the Holy Oil upon him He had taken him into the number of the Apostles he had carried him up into the Mount of Transfiguration and shewn him the Glory of Heaven in a Vision now that Peter should deny Christ after all this Mercy this was heinous and could not be forgiven but by a Prodigy and Miracle of Love Thirdly The Sins of the Godly are worse and have this aggravation in them that they Sin against more clear illuminations than the Wicked Iob 24.13 They are of those that rebel against the Light Light is there taken figuratively for knowledge It can't be deny'd but the Wicked Sin knowingly but the Godly have a light beyond them such a divine penetrating light as no Hypocrite can attain unto They have better eyes to see Sin than others and for them to meddle with Sin and embrace this Dunghil How must this needs provoke God and make the Fury rise up in his Face Oh therefore you that are the People of God fly from Sin your Sins are more inhanc'd and have worse aggravations in them than the Sins of the Unregenerate Fourthly The Sins of the Godly are worse than the Sins of the Unregenerate for when they Sin it is against Greater Experiences They have felt the bitterness of Sin in the pangs of the New-birth and afterwards God hath spoken peace and they have had an experimental tast how Sweet the Lord is and yet after these Experiences that they should touch the Forbidden Fruit venture upon a Presumptuous Sin How doth this inhance and aggravate their Guilt and is like putting a weight more in the Scale to make their Sin weigh heavier The Wicked when they Sin never tasted the sweetness of an Heavenly Life they never knew what it was to have any Smiles from God they never tasted any thing sweeter than Corn and Wine therefore no wonder if they Sin But for a Child of God who hath had such Love-Tokens from Heaven and Signal experiences for him to Gratifie a Lust How horrid is this It was an aggravation of Solomon's Sin that his heart was turned from the Lord which had appeared to him Twice 1 King 11.9 Fifthly The Sins of the Godly are greater than others because they Sin against their Sonship When Wicked Men Sin they Sin against the Command but when the Godly Sin they Sin against a Priviledge they abuse their Sonship The Godly are adopted into the Family of Heaven they have a New Name Is it a light thing said David to be Son-in-Law to a King So to be called the Sons of God to be Heirs of the Promises is no small honour Now for such to run into any open offence it is a Sinning against their Adoption they hereby make themselves Vile as if a King's Son should be tumbling in the Mire or lie among Swine Sixthly The Sins of the Godly are worse than others because they are committed against more Vows and Engagements
the Soul as Angels as Heaven God hath laid out much Cost upon it and if it perish he should lose all his Cost When Xerxes destroyed the Temples in Greece he caused the Temple of Diana to be preserved for its beautiful Structure The new creature is God's Temple adorned with all the Graces which he will not suffer to be demolished Riches take Wings Kings Crowns tumble in the Dust Nay some of the Graces may cease Faith and Hope shall be no more but the new creature abideth for ever 1 Iohn 2.27 5. The Misery of the unregenerate creature Dying so I may say of him as Christ said of Iudas Mark 14.21 It were good for that Man if he had not been born Better have been a Toad a Serpent any thing if not a new creature The old Sinner must go into old Tophet Isa. 30.33 Damned Caitiffs will have nothing to ease their Torments not one drop of Honey in all their Gall. In the Sacrifice of Iealousie there was to be no Oil put to it Numb 5. In Hell there is no Oil of Mercy put to the Sufferings of the damned to lenifie them Therefore get out of the Wild Olive of Nature labour to be new creatures lest you curse your selves at last A sinful Life will cause a despairing Death Quest. What shall we do to be new Creatures Answ. 1. Wait on the Ordinances The Preaching of the Word is the Seed of which the new Creature is formed This is the Trumpet which must make the dead in Sin come out of their Grave 2. Pray earnestly for the new Creature Lord thou hast made me once make me again What shall I do with this old heart It defiles all it toucheth Urge God with his Promise Ezek. 36.26 A new Heart will I give you Say Lord I am as the dry Bones but thou didst cause Breath to come into them Ezek. 37.10 Do the same to me breath a supernatural Life of Grace into me Vse 4. Thankfulness Let such as are new creatures stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing and praising God Ascribe all to the Riches of God's Love set the Crown upon the head of free Grace God hath done more for you than if he had made you Kings and Queens Though you have not so much of the World as others you are happier than the greatest Monarchs upon Earth and I dare say you would not change with them The Apostles seldom speak of the new Creation but they join some thankful Praises with it 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be God who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father who hath made us meet for the inheritance in light The new creature is a sign of Election a badge of Adoption What distinguishing Love is this that God should make any of us new creatures when he hath left the greatest part of the World to perish in their Sins Such as are Paterns of Mercy should be Trumpets of Praise Of the Government of the Tongue Jam. 3.6 And the Tongue is a Fire a World of Iniquity THE Apostle Iames in this Scripture describes the Evil of the Tongue The Tongue is a Fire a World of Iniquity 1. It is a Fire It burns with intemperate heat it causeth the Heat of Contention it sets others in a Flame 2. A World of Iniquity It was at first made to be an Organ of God's Praise but it is become an Instrument of Unrighteousness All the Members of the Body are sinful as there is bitterness in every Branch of Wormwood but the Tongue is excessively sinful full of deadly Poison vers 8. Doctr. The Tongue though it be a little Member yet it hath a World of Sin in it The Tongue is an unruly Evil. We put Bitts in Horses Mouths and rule them but the Tongue is an unbridled Thing It is hard to find a Curbing bitt to rule the Tongue There is a World of Sin in the Tongue The Devil makes use of Men's Tongues for the promoting most of the Wickedness which is in the World I shall show you some of the Evils of the Tongue I. The Evil Tongue travel a little over this World is the silent Tongue It is wholly mute in Matters of Religion it never speaks of God or Heaven as if it cleaved to the roof of the Mouth Men are fluent and discursive enough in other Things but in Matters of Religion their Lips are sealed up If we come into some People's Company we do not know what Religion they are of whether Iews or Mahometans for they never speak of Christ they are like the Man in the Gospel who was possessed with a Dumb Devil Mar. 9.17 II. The Evil Tongue is the earthly Tongue Men talk of nothing but the World their Wares and Drugs or their rich Purchace Son 's of the Earth they have the Serpent's Curse lick the Dust. Ioh. 3.31 He that is of the Earth speaketh of the Earth as if all their Hopes were here and they looked for an earthly Eternity these have Brutish Minds Seneca being asked of what Country he was answered that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Citizen of this World So many are Citizens of this World all their Discourse and Traffick is here Their Speech bewrays them III. The Evil Tongue is the hasty or angry Tongue They have no command of Passions but are carried away with them as a Chariot with wild Horses I know there is an Holy Anger when we are angry with Sin Christ had this Anger when they made the Temple a place of Merchandice Ioh. 2.15 That Anger is without Sin which is against Sin but that is an Evil Tongue which is presently blown up into exorbitant Passion this Tongue is set on Fire from Hell Isaiah's Lips were touched with a Coal from the Altar Isa. 6. His Tongue was set on Fire from Heaven but the angry furious Tongue is set on Fire from Hell When the Tongue is on Fire it is the Devil that lights the Match Eccles. 7.9 Anger rests in the Bosom of Fools It may be in a Wise Man but it rests in a Fool. More are drunk with Passion than Wine Hierome Water when it is hot soon boils over So when the Heart is heated with Anger it soon boils over in fiery and passionate Speeches 1 King 19.12 after the Earthquake a Fire but God was not in the Fire So I may say of the Fire of rash Anger God is not in this Fire Grace heats the Heart but cools the Tongue makes it meek and calm Passion transports it oft disturbs the use of Reason Brevis Insania and if Reason cannot act much less can Grace Rashness of Anger hinders Holy Duties Hot Passions make cold Prayers A wrathful Spirit is unsuitable to the Gospel It is a Gospel of Peace and it is sealed by the Spirit who came in the Form of a Dove a meek peaceable Creature Thou who art given much to Passion whose Tongue is often set
Book against Wrath Anger Et ipse mihi irascitur yet he falls into a Passion of Anger with me So this Minister preacheth against Drunkenness yet he will be drunk he preacheth against Swearing yet he will swear this reproacheth God and makes the Offering of the Lord to be abhorred 3. Masters of Families do you glorifie God season your Children and Servants with the Knowledge of the Lord your Houses should be little Churches Gen. 18.19 I know that Abraham will command his children that they keep the way of the Lord. You that are Masters know you have a Charge of Souls under you for want of the Bridle of Family-discipline Youth runs wild Well let me lay down some Motives to glorifie God 1 Motive It will be a great Comfort in a dying hour to think we have glorified God in our Lives it was Christ's Comfort before his Death Ioh. 17.3 I have glorified thee on earth At the hour of Death all your earthly Comforts will vanish if you think how Rich you have been what Pleasures you have had on Earth this will be so far from comforting you that it will but torment you the more What is one the better for an Estate that is spent But now to have Conscience telling you that you have glorified God on Earth what sweet Comfort and Peace will this let into your Soul how will this make you long for Death The Servant that hath been all day working in the Vineyard longs till Evening comes when he shall receive his Pay They who have lived and brought no Glory to God how can they think of dying with Comfort they cannot expect an Harvest that never sowed any Seed How can they expect Glory from God that never brought any Glory to him O in what Horrour will they be at Death the Worm of Conscience will gnaw their Souls before the Worms are gnawing their Bodies 2 Mot. If we glorifie God he will glorifie our Souls for ever by raising God's Glory we encrease our own by glorifying of God we come at last to the blessed Enjoying of Him and that brings me to the second The Enjoying of God Secondly Man's chief End is to Enjoy God for ever Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee Quasi What is there in Heaven I desire to enjoy but thee Ibi Angeli musculus There is a twofold Fruition or enjoying of God the one is in this Life the other in the Life to come 1st An enjoying of God here in this Life The enjoying of God's Presence it is a great matter to enjoy God's Ordinances a Mercy that some do envy us but to enjoy God's Presence in the Ordinances is that which a gracious Heart aspires after Psal. 63.2 To see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary This sweet enjoying of God is when we feel his Spirit co-operating with the Ordinance and distilling Grace upon our Hearts 1. When in word the Spirit doth quicken and raise the Affections Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us 2. When the Spirit doth transform the Heart leaving an impress of Holiness upon it 2 Cor. 3.8 We are changed into the same Image from glory to glory 3. When the Spirit doth receive the Heart with Comfort it comes not only with its Anointing but its Seal it sheds God's Love abroad in the Heart Rom. 5.5 this is to enjoy God in an Ordinance 1 Joh. 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and his son Iesus In the Word we hear God's Voice and in the Sacrament we have his Kiss this is enjoying of God And what infinite Content doth a gracious Soul find in this The Heart being warm'd and inflamed in a Duty this is God's answering by Fire When a Christian hath the sweet Illapses of God's Spirit these are the first Fruits of Glory when God comes down to the Soul in an Ordinance Now Christ hath pull'd off his Veil and showed his smiling Face now he hath led a Believer into the Banqueting-house and given him of the spiced Wine of his Love to drink he hath put in his Finger at the hole of the Door he hath touch'd the Heart and made it leap for Joy Oh how sweet is it thus to enjoy God! The Godly have in the use of the Ordinances had such Divine Raptures of Joy and Soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the World and despised all things here below Use 1. Is the enjoying God in this Life so sweet how prodigiously wicked are they that prefer the enjoying their Lusts before the enjoying of God 2 Pet. 3.3 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life is the Trinity they worship Lust is an inordinate Desire or Impulse provoking the Soul to that which is evil there is the revengeful Lust and the wanton Lust Lust is like a feaverish Heat it puts the Soul into a Flame Aristotle calls sensual Lusts bruitish because when any Lust is violent Reason or Conscience cannot be heard the Beast rides the Man These Lusts when they are enjoyed do besot and dispirit Persons Hos. 4.11 Whoredom and wine take away the heart They have no heart for any thing that is good how many make it their chief end not to enjoy God but to enjoy their Lusts As that Cardinal said Let him but keep his Cardinalship of Paris and he was content to loose his part in Paradise Lust first bewitcheth with Pleasure and then comes the fatal Dart Prov. 7.23 Till a dart strike through his liver This should be as a flaming Sword to stop Men in the way of their carnal Delights who would for a Drop of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Use 2. Let it be our great Care to enjoy God's sweet Presence here which is the Beauty and Comfort of the Ordinance Enjoying spiritual Communion with God is a Riddle and Mystery to most People every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King We may approach to God in Ordinances and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven yet not enjoy Communion with God we may have the Letter without Spirit the visible Sign without the invisible Grace it is the enjoying of God in a Duty we should chiefly look at Psal. 42.2 My soul thirsteth for God for the living God Alas what are all our worldly Enjoyments without the enjoying of God What is it to enjoy a great deal of Health a brave Estate and not to enjoy God Job 30.28 I went mourning without the sun So maist thou say in the Enjoyment of all Creatures without God I went mourning without the sun I have the Star-light of outward Enjoyments but I cannot enjoy God I want the Sun of Righteousness I went mourning without the sun This should be our great Design not only to have the Ordinances of God but the God of the Ordinances The enjoying God's sweet Presence with us here is the most contented Life he is an Hive of Sweetness a Magazine of Riches
God is not bound to force his Mercies upon Men If they wilfully oppose the offer of Grace there sin is to be taxed as the cause of their perishing and not God's justice 2. See the difference between God and a great part of the World they are unjust 1. In their Courts of Judicature they pervert Justice Isa. 10.1 They decree unrighteous decrees The Hebrew word for a Judges Robe Magnil signifies Prevarication Deceit or Injustice It is often truer of the Judge then the Robe The Judge deserves rather to have that Name than the Robe What is a good Law without a good Iudge Injustice lies in two things either not to punish where there is a Fault or to punish where there is no Fault how frequent Again 2. Unjust in their Dealings This is 1. either in using false weights Hos. 12.7 The Balances of deceit are in his hand 'T is sad to have the Bible in one hand and false Weights in the other Or 2. in adulterating Commodities Isa. 1.22 Thy wine is mixed with water when they mix bad grain with good yet sell it for pure grain I can never believe he is good in the first Table who is not good in the second He cannot be godly who is not just Though God doth not bid you be Omnipotent as he is yet be Just as he is Use 2. Imitate God in Justice Let Christ's golden Maxim be observed Matth. 7.12 What you would have men do to you do ye even so to them You would not have them wrong you neither do you them rather suffer wrong than do wrong 1 Cor. 6.7 Why do ye not rather take wrong O be exemplary for Justice Let Justice be your Ornament Iob 29.14 I put on Righteousness viz. Justice as a Robe and a Diadem A Robe for its graceful Beauty and I put it on induebam justitiam A Judge puts on his Robe and puts it off again at Night but Iob did so put on Justice as he did not put it off till Death semper vestiti We must not lay off this Robe of Justice till we lay down our Tabernacle If you have any thing of God in you you will be like him By every unjust Action you do deny your selves to be Christians you stain the glory of your Profession Heathens will rise up in Judgment against you The Sun might sooner alter its Course than he could be turned from doing Justice Use 3. If God be just there will be a Day of Judgment Now things are out of Course Sin is rampant Saints are wronged they are often cast in a righteous Cause they can meet with no Justice here Justice is turned into Wormwood but there is a day coming when God will set things right he will do every Man Justice he will crown the righteous and condemn the wicked Acts 17.31 He hath appointed a day c. If God be a just God he will take vengeance God hath given Men a Law to live by they break it there must be a day for the Execution of Offenders a Law not executed is but like a Wooden Dagger for a show At the last Day God's Sword shall be drawn out against Offenders then his Justice shall be reveal'd before all the World God will judge in righteousness Acts 17.31 Shall not the Iudge of all the world do right Gen. 18.25 The Wicked shall drink a Sea of Wrath but not sip one Drop of Injustice At that day shall all Mouths be stopped and God's Justice shall be fully vindicated from all the Cavils and Clamors of unjust Men. Use 4. Comfort to the true Penitent As God is a just God he will pardon him Homo agnoscit Deus ignoscit 1 Joh. 1.9 If we confess our sins i. e. confess and forsake he is just to forgive us our sins Not only merciful but just Why just because he hath promised to forgive such Prov. 28.13 If thy heart hath been broken for and from Sin thou maist not only plead God's Mercy but his Iustice for the pardoning thy sin Shew him his Hand and Seal he cannot deny himself The Mercy of GOD. THE next Attribute is God's Goodness or Mercy Mercy is the Result and Effect of God's Goodness Psal. 33.5 Psal. 119.64 So then this is the next Attribute God's Goodness or Mercy The most Learned of the Heathens thought they gave their God Iupiter two Golden Characters when they stiled him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Good and Great both these meet in God Greatness and Goodness Majesty and Mercy God is 1. Essentially good in himself And 2. Relative good to us They are both put together Psal. 119.68 Thou art good and dost good This Relative goodness is nothing else but his Mercy which is an innate Propensness in God to pity and succour such as are in Misery Concerning God's Mercy 1 st I shall lay down these Twelve Positions 1. It is the great Design of the Scripture to represent God as Merciful This is a Loadstone to draw Sinners to him Exod. 34.6 The Lord merciful gracious long-suffering abundant in goodness c. Here are six Expressions to set forth God's Mercy and but one to set forth his Justice who will by no means clear the Guilty Psal. 57.10 God's mercy is great above the heavens Psal. 108.4 God is represented as a King and a Rain-bow was about his Throne Rev. 4.2 3. The Rain-bow was an Emblem of Mercy The Scripture doth oftner represent God in his white Robes of Mercy then with his Garments rolled in Bloud oftner with his Golden Scepter then his Iron Rod. Position 2. God is more inclinable to Mercy then Wrath Pronior est Deus ad parcendum quam ad puniendum Mercy is his darling Attribute which he most delights in Mic. 7.18 Mercy pleaseth him 'T is delightful to the Mother saith Chryso'stom to have her Breasts drawn So it is to God to have the Breasts of his Mercy drawn Isa. 27.4 Fury is not in me That is I do not delight in it Acts of Severity are rather forc'd from God he doth not afflict willingly Lam. 3.33 The Bee naturally gives Honey it stings only when it is provoked God doth not punish till he can bear no longer Jer. 44.22 So that the Lord could bear no longer because of the evil of your doings Mercy is God's right Hand that he is most us'd to Inflicting of Punishment is call'd God's strange Work Isa. 28.21 he is not used to it And when the Lord would shave off the Pride of a Nation he is said to hire a Rasor as if he had none of his own Isa. 7.20 He shall shave with a rasor that is hired He is slow to anger Psal. 103.8 But ready to forgive Psal. 86.5 Position 3. There is no Condition but we may spie Mercy in it When the Church was in Captivity she cries out It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed Lam. 3.22 Geographers write of Syracuse in Sicily it is so scituated that the Sun is never out
of sight In all Afflictions we may see some Sunshine of Mercy That outward and inward Troubles do not come together is Mercy Position 4. Mercy sweetens all God's other Attributes God's Holiness without Mercy and his Justice without Mercy were Terrible When the Water was bitter and Israel could not drink Moses cast a Tree into the Water and then they were made sweet How bitter and dreadful were the other Attributes of God did not Mercy sweeten them Mercy sets God's Power on work to help us it makes his Justice become our Friend it shall avenge our Quarrels Position 5. God's Mercy is one of the most Orient Pearls of his Crown it makes his Godhead appear amiable and lovely When Moses said to God I beseech thee shew me thy glory The Lord answer'd him I will make all my goodness pass before thee and I will shew mercy Exod. 33.19 God's Mercy is his Glory his Holiness makes him Illustrious his Mercy makes him Propitious Position 6. Even the Worst tast of God's Mercy such as fight against God's Mercy tast of it The Wicked have some Crumbs from Mercy 's Table The Lord is good to all Psal. 145. ◠The sweet Dew drops on the Thistle as well as the Rose The Diocess where Mercy visits is very large Pharaoh's Head was crown'd though his Heart was hardned Position 7. Mercy coming to us in a Covenant is sweetest It was Mercy that God would give Israel Rain and Bread to the full and Peace and Victory over their Enemies Levit. 26.4 5 6. But it was a greater Mercy that God would be their God Verse 12. To have Health is a Mercy but to have Christ and Salvation is a greater Mercy this is like the Diamond in the Ring it casts a more sparkling Luster Position 8. One Act of Mercy engageth God to another Men argue thus I have shown you Kindness already therefore trouble me no more But because God hath shown Mercy he is more ready still to show Mercy his Mercy in Election makes him Justifie Adopt Glorifie one Act of Mercy engageth God to more A Parent 's love to his Child makes him always giving Position 9. All the Mercy in the Creature is derived from God and is but a drop of this Ocean The Mercy and Pity a Mother hath to her Child is from God he that puts the Milk in her Breast puts the Compassion in her Heart therefore God is call'd the Father of Mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 because he begets all the Mercies in the World If God hath put any Kindness into the Creature how much Kindness is in him who is the Father of Mercy Position 10. God's Mercy as it makes the Saints Happy so it should make them Humble Mercy is not the Fruit of our Goodness but the Fruit of God's Goodness Mercy is an Alms that God bestows they have no cause to be Proud that live upon the Alms of God's Mercy Job 10.15 If I be righteous yet will I not lift up my head All my Righteousness is the Effect of God's Mercy therefore I will be humble I will not lift up my Head Position 11. It is Mercy stays the speedy Execution of God's Justice Sinners continually provoke God and make the fury come up in his face Ezek. 38.18 Whence is it God doth not presently Arrest and Condemn them it is not that God cannot do it for he is arm'd with Omnipotency but it is from God's Mercy Mercy gets a Reprieve for the Sinner and stops the speedy Process of Justice God would by his Goodness lead Sinners to Repentance Position 12. 'T is dreadful to have Mercy witness against one How sad was it with Haman when the Queen herself accused him Esth. 7.6 so when this Queen of Mercy shall stand up against a Person and accuse him It is only Mercy that saves a Sinner now how sad to have Mercy become an Enemy If Mercy be an Accuser who shall be our Advocate The Sinner never scapes Hell when Mercy draws up the Indictment I might shew you several Species or Kinds of Mercy Preventing Mercy Spareing Mercy Supplying Mercy Guiding Mercy Accepting Mercy Healing Mercy Quickning Mercy Supporting Mercy Forgiving Mercy Correcting Mercy Comforting Mercy Delivering Mercy Crowning Mercy but I shall speak of the Qualifications or Properties of God's Mercy 1. God's Mercy is free To set up Merit is to destroy Mercy nothing can deserve Mercy because we are polluted in our Bloud nor force it We may force God to punish us not to love us Hos. 14.4 I will love them freely Every Link in the Chain of Salvation is wrought and interwoven with Free-grace Election is free Eph. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the good pleasure of his will Justification is free Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace Salvation is free Tit. 3.5 According to his mercy he saved us Say not then I am Unworthy for Mercy is free If God should shew Mercy only to such as are Worthy he should shew Mercy to none at all 2. God's Mercy is an Overflowing Mercy 't is Infinite Psal. 86.5 Plenteous in mercy Eph. 2.4 Rich in mercy Psal. 51.1 Multitude of mercies The Viol of Wrath doth but drop but the Fountain of Mercy runs The Sun is not so full of Light as God is of Mercy God hath Morning-mercies Lam. 3.23 His mercies are new every morning and Night-mercies Psal. 42.8 In the night his song shall be with me God hath Mercies under Heaven those we tast of and in Heaven and those we hope for 3. God's Mercy is Eternal Psal. 103.17 The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting It is repeated six and twenty times in one Psalm His mercy endureth for ever Psal. 136. The Souls of the Blessed shall be ever bathing themselves in this sweet and pleasant Ocean of God's Mercy God's Anger to his Children lasts but a while Psal. 103.9 But his mercy lasts for ever As long as he is God he will be shewing Mercy As his Mercy is overflowing so ever-flowing Use 1. of Information It shews us how we are to look upon God in Prayer not in his Judge's Robes but cloath with a Rain-bow full of Mercy and Clemency add Wings to Prayer When Jesus Christ ascended up to Heaven that which made him go up thither with Joy was I go to my Father so that which should make our Hearts ascend with Joy in Prayer is We are going to the Father of Mercy who sits upon a Throne of Grace Go with Confidence in this Mercy as when one goes to a Fire it is not doubtingly perhaps it will warm me perhaps not Use 2. Believe in this Mercy Psal. 52.8 I trust in the mercy of God for ever God's Mercy is a Fountain opened let down the Bucket of Faith and you may drink of this Fountain of Salvation what greater Encouragement to believe then God's Mercy God counts it his glory to be scattering Pardons he is desirous that sinners
prejudice the Saints Second Benefit If we are adopted then we have an Interest in all the Promises The Promises are Childrens Bread Believers are heirs of the Promise Heb. 6.17 The Promises are sure God's Truth which is the brightest Pearl in his Crown is laid to pawn in a Promise The Promises are suitable like a Pâ—â—sick-garden there is no Disease but there is some Herb in the Physick-garden to cure it In the Dark of Desertion God hath promised to be a Sun in Temptation to tread down Satan Rom. 16.20 Doth Sin prevail he hath promised to take away its Kingly Power Rom. 6.14 O the Heavenly Comforts which are distilled from the Limbeck of the Promises But who hath a Right to these Believers only are Heirs of the Promise There is never a Promise in the Bible but a Believer may say This is mine Use ult Extol and magnifie God's Mercy who hath adopted you into his Family who of Slaves hath made you Sons of Heirs of Hell Heirs of the Promise Adoption is a free Gift He gave them power or dignity to become the sons of God As a Thread of Silver runs through the whole Piece of Work so Free-grace runs through this whole priviledge of Adoption Adoption is a greater Mercy then Adam had in Paradise he was a Son by Creation but here is a further Sonship by Adoption to make us thankful Consider in Civil Adoption there is some worth or excellency in the Person to be adopted but there was no worth in us neither Beauty nor Parentage nor Vertue nothing in us to move God to bestow the Prerogative of Sonship upon us We have enough in us to move God to correct us but nothing to move him to adopt us therefore exalt Free-grace begin the work of Angels here Bless him with your Praises who hath blessed you in making you his Sons and Daughters SANTIFICATION 1 THESS 4.3 For this is the Will of God even your Sanctification THe Notion of the word Sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to an holy use Thus they are sanctified Persons who are separate from the World and set apart for God's Service Sanctification hath a privative and positive part 1. A privative part Mortification which lies in the purging out of sin Sin is compared to Leven which sowrs and to Leprosy which defiles Sanctification doth purge out the old leven 1 Cor. 5.7 Though it takes not away the life yet the love of sin 2. A positive part Vivification which is the spiritual refining of the Soul which in Scripture is called a renewing of our mind Rom. 12.2 and a partaking of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 The Priests in the Law not only were washed in the great Lavor but adorned with glorious Apparel Exod. 28.2 so in Sanctification not only washed from sin but adorned with purity Quest. What is Sanctification Answ. It is a Principle of Grace savingly wrought whereby the Heart becomes holy and is made after God's own heart A sanctified Person bears not only God's Name but Image For the opening the nature of Sanctification I shall lay down these Seven Positions 1. Sanctification is a supernatural thing 't is divinely infused we are naturally polluted and to cleanse God takes to be his Prerogative Lev. 21.8 I am the Lord that sanctifieth you Weeds grow of themselves Flowers are planted Sanctification is a Flower of the Spirit 's planting therefore it is called The Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Pet. 1.2 2. Sanctification is an intrinsical thing it lies chiefly in the heart It is called the adorning the hidden man of the heart 1 Pet. 3.4 The Dew wets the Leaf the Sap is hid in the Root the Religion of some consists only in externals but Sanctification is deeply rooted in the Soul Psal. 51.6 In the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom 3. Sanctification is an extensive thing it spreads into the whole Man 1 Thess. 5.23 The God of peace sanctifie you wholly As Original Corruption hath depraved all the Faculties the whole head is sick the whole heart faint no Part sound as if the whole mass of blood were corrupted so Sanctification goes over the whole Soul After the Fall there was Ignorance in the Mind now in Sanctification we are light in the Lord Eph. 5.8 After the Fall the Will was depraved there was not only impotency to Good but obstinacy now in Sanctification there is a blessed pliableness in the Will it doth symbolize and comport with the Will of God After the Fall the Affections were misplaced on wrong Objects in Sanctification they are tun'd into a sweet order and harmony the Grief placed on Sin the Love on God the Joy on Heaven Thus Sanctification spreads it self as far as Original Corruption It goes over the whole Soul The God of peace sanctifie you wholly He is not a consecrated Person who is good only in some part but who is all over sanctified Therefore in Scripture Grace is called a New Man Col. 3.10 not a new Eye or a new Tongue but a new Man A good Christian though he be sanctified but in part yet in every part 4. Sanctification is an intense ardent thing Qualitates sunt in subjecto intensivè Rom. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fervent in spirit Sanctification is not a dead Form but is inflamed into Zeal We call Water hot when it is so in the third or fourth degree He is holy whose Religion is heated to some degree and his heart boils over in love to God 5. Sanctification is a beautiful thing it makes God and Angels fall in love with us Psal. 110.3 The beauties of holiness As the Sun is to the World so is Sanctification to the Soul beautifying and bespangling it in God's Eyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost. That which makes God glorious must needs make us so Holiness is the most sparkling Jewel in the God-head Exod. 15.11 Glorious in holiness Sanctification is the First fruit of the Spirit it is Heaven begun in the Soul Sanctification and Glory differ only in degree Sanctification is Glory in the Seed and Glory is Sanctification in the Flower Happiness is the quintissence of Holiness 6. Sanctification is an abiding thing 1 Iohn 3.9 His seed remaineth in him He who is truly sanctified cannot fall from that state Indeed seeming Holiness may be lost Colours may wash off Sanctification may suffer an Eclipse Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love but true Sanctification is a blossom of Eternity 1 John 2.27 The anointing which ye have received abideth in you He who is truly sanctified can no more fail away then the Angels which are fixed in their heavenly Orb. 7. Sanctification is a progressive thing 't is growing it is compared to Seed which grows First the Bladesprings up then the Ear then the ripe Corn in the Ear. Such as are already sanctified may be more sanctified 2 Cor. 7.1 Justification doth not admit of degrees a Believer cannot be more elected or
being willing to lose all for his Sake 4. If you have Assurance improve it for Gods Glory several ways 1. By encouraging such as are yet unconverted Tell them how sweet this hidden Manna is Tell them what a good Master you serve what Vails you have had Tell them God hath carried you to the Hill of Myrrhe to the Mountains of Spices He hath given you not only a Prospect of Heaven but an Earnest O perswade Sinners by all the Love and Mercy of God that they would enroll their Names in his Family and cast themselves upon him for Salvation Tell them God hath met with you and unlock'd the Secrets of Free Grace and assured you of a Land flowing with those infinite Delights which Eye hath not seen Thus by telling others what God hath done for your Soul you may make them in love with the ways of God and cause them to turn Proselytes to Religion 2. Improve Assurance by comforting such as want it Be as the good Samaritan pour Wine and Oyl into their Wounds You â—ho have Assurance are gotten as it were to the Haven you are sure of your Happiness but do you not see others who are struggling with the Waves of Temptation and Desertion and are ready to sink O now Sympathize with them and do what you can to comfort them when they are in this deep Ocean 2 Cor. 1.6 Whether we be comforted it is for your Consolation The comfortable experience of one Christian being communicated to another doth much revive and bear up his fainting Heart Our Comfort saith the Apostle is for your Consolation 3. Improve Assurance by walking more Heavenly you should Scorn these things below you who have an Earnest of Heaven should not be too Earnest for the Earth You have Angels Food and it becomes not you with the Serpent to lick the Dust. The Wicked are all for Corn Wine and Oyl but you have that which is better God hath lifted up the Light of his Countenance Will you hanker after the World when you have been feeding upon the Grapes and Pomegranates of the Holy Land Do you now Lust after the Garlick and Onions of Egypt when you are Cloathed with the Sun will you set the Moon and Stars above you O let them scramble for the World who have nothing else but Husks to feed on Have you assurance of Heaven and is not that enough Will not a Kingdom satisfie you Such as are high in Assurance should be in the Altitudes live above the World 4. Improve Assurance by a Chearful Walking It is for Condemn'd Persons to go hanging down their Head but hast thou thy Absolution Doth thy God smile on thee Chear up 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the King's Son Lean Art thou the King's Son hath God assured thee of thy Adoption and art thou â—ad Assurance should be an Antidote against all Trouble What though the World hate thee yet thou art assur'd that thou art one of Gods Favourites What though there is but little Oyl in the Cruse and thou art low in the World yet thou art high in Assurance O then rejoyce How Musical is the Bird How doth it chirp and sing that knows not where to pick up the next Crumb And shall they be sad and discontented who have God's Bond to assure them of their daily Bread and his Love to assure them of Heaven But certainly those who have Assurance cannot but be of a Sanguine Complexion 5. If you have an Assurance of Salvation let this make you long after a Glorified State He who hath an Earnest in his Hand desires the whole Sum to be paid That Soul who hath tasted how sweet the Lord is should long for a fuller enjoyment of him in Heaven Hath Christ put this Ring of Assurance on thy Hand and so espoused thee to himself how shouldst thou long for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb Rev. 19.9 O Christian think with thy self if a glimpse of Heaven a smile of God's Face be so sweet what will it be to be ever sunning thy self in the Light of God's Countenance Certainly you who have an Assurance of your Title to Heaven cannot but desire Possession Be content to Live but willing to Dye 6. If you have Assurance be careful you do no not lose it keep it for it is your Life viz. the comfort of your Life Keep Assurance 1 st by Prayer Psal. 36.10 O continue thy Loving Kindness Lord continue Assurance do not take away this Privy Seal from me 2 dly Keep Assurance by Humility Pride estrangeth God from the Soul when you are high in Assurance be low in Humility St. Paul had Assurance and he Baptizeth himself with this Name Chief of Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 The Jewel of Assurance is best kept in the Cabinet of an Humble Heart Of PEACE 1 Pet. 1.2 Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied HAving spoken of the first Fruit of Sanctification Assurance I proceed to the Second viz. Peace Peace be Multiplied Quest. What are the several species or kinds of Peace Resp. Peace in Scripture is compar'd to a River Isa. 66.12 this River parts it self into Two Silver Streams 1. There is an External Peace and that is either 1. Aeconomical Peace in a Family 2. Political Peace in the State Peace is the Nurse of Plenty Psal. 147.14 He maketh Peace in thy Borders and filleth thee with the finest of the Wheat How pleasant is it when the Waters of Blood begin to asswage and we can see the Windows of our Ark open and the Dove returning with an Olive-branch of Peace 3. Ecclesiastical Peace Peace in the Church It s Unity in Trinity is the greatest Mystery in Heaven and Unity in Verity the greatest Mercy on Earth Peace Ecclesiastical stands in opposition to Schism and Persecution 2. A Spiritual Peace which is Two-fold Peace above us or Peace with God and Peace within us or Peace with Conscience This is Superlative other Peace may be lasting this is everlasting Quest. 2. Whence comes this Peace Resp. This Peace hath the whole Trinity for its Author 1. God the Father is the God of Peace 1 Thes. 5.23 2. God the Son is the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 3. Peace is said to be the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 1. God the Father is the God of Peace As he is the God of Order 1 Cor. 14.33 so the God of Peace Phil. 4.9 This was the form of the Priests blessing the People Numb 6.26 The Lord give thee Peace 2. God the Son is the Purchaser of Peace He hath made Peace by his Blood Col. 1.20 Having made Peace by the Blood of his Cross. The Attonement Aaron made for the People when he entred into the Holy of Holies with Blood was a Type of Christ our High Priest who hath by his Sacrifice pacified his angry Father and made Attonement for us Christ purchased our Peace upon hard terms his Soul was in an Agony while he was travailing to bring forth
Secondly They were Worshippers of Birds they worshipped the Hawk Thirdly They were Worshippers of Beasts they worshipped an Ox Thus they made the Image of a Beast to be their God Fourthly They were Worshippers of Creeping Things they worshipped the Crocodile and the Indian Mouse Therefore God mentions this as a memorable and signal favour to Israel that he brought them out of such an Idolatrous Country I brought you out of the Land of Egypt The thing I would note is this That it is no small Blessing to be delivered from Places of Idolatry God speaks of it no less than Ten times in the Old Testament I brought you out of the Land of Egypt an Idolatrous Place Had there been no Iron Furnace in Egypt yet there being so many Altars there and False Gods it was a great Privilege to Israel to be delivered out of Egypt Ioshua reckons it among the chief and most memorable Mercies of God to Abraham that he brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans where Abraham's Ancestors served strange Gods Iosh. 24.2 3. 'T is well for the Plant that is set in a bad Soil to be transplanted into a better where it may grow and flourish So when any are planted among Idolaters 'T is a Mercy when they are removed and transplanted into Sihon where are the Silver Drops of Gods Word to make them grow in Holiness Quest. Wherein doth it appear that it is such a great Blessing to be delivered from Places of Idolatry Resp. It is a great Mercy because our Nature is so prone to Idolatry Israel began to be defiled with the Idols of Egypt Ezek. 23.3 Dry Wood is not more prone to take Fire than our Nature is to Idolatry The Jews made Cakes to the Queen of Heaven that is the Moon Ier. 7.18 Quest. Whence is it that we are so prone to Idolatry Resp. 1. Because we are led much by Visible Objects and love to have our Senses pleas'd Men naturally fancy a God that they may see though it be such a God as cannot see them yet they would see it The true God is invisible this makes the Idolater worship something that he may see 2. 'T is a Mercy to be delivered from Idolatrous Places because of the greatness of the Sin of Idolatry It is giving that Glory to an Image which is due to God All 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Divine Worship God appropriates to himself 't is a Flower of his Crown the Fat of the Sacrifice God laid claim to Levit. 3.3 Divine Worship is the Fat of the Sacrifice which God reserves for himself The Idolater devotes this Worship to his Idol which the Lord will by no means endure Isa. 42.8 My Glory will I not give to another neither my Praise to Graven Images Idolatry is Spiritual Adultery Ezek. 23.37 With their Idols have they committed Adultery To worship any other than God is to break Wedlock This makes the Lord disclaim his interest in a People Hos. 2.2 Plead with your Mother plead for she is not my Wife And Exod 32.7 Thy People have corrupted themselves no more my People but thy People God calls Idolatry Blasphemy Ezek. 20.27 31. Thus your Fathers have blasphemed me Idolatry is Devil-worship Deut. 32.17 They Sacrificed to Devils not unto God to new Gods These New Gods were Old Devils Lev. 17.7 And they shall no more offer their Sacrifices unto Devils the Hebrew Word Lashegnirim is the Hairy Ones because the Devils were Hairy and appeared in the Forms of Satyrs and Goats How dreadful a Sin is Idolatry and what a signal Mercy is it to be snatch'd out of an Idolatrous Place as Lot was snatch'd by the Angel out of Sodom 3. It is a Mercy to be delivered from Idolatrous Places because Idolatry is such a silly irrational Religion I may say as Ier. 8.9 What Wisdom is in them Is it not Folly to refuse the best and choose the worst The Trees of the Field in Iotham's Parable despised the Vine-Tree which chears both God and Man and the Olive which is full of Fatness and the Fig-Tree which is full of Sweetness and choose the Bramble to reign over them this was a Foolish Choice Iudge 9. So for us to refuse the Living God who hath power to save us and to make choice of an Idol that hath Eyes and sees not Feet but walks not Psal. 115.6 What a Prodigy of Madness is this therefore to be delivered from committing such folly is a Mercy 4. It is a Mercy to be delivered from Idolatrous Places because of the sad Judgments inflicted upon Idolaters This is a Sin enrageth God and makes the Fury come up in his Face Ezek. 38.18 Search through the whole Book of God and you shall find no Sin God hath followed with more Plagues than Idolatry Psal. 16.4 Their Sorrows shall be Multiplied that hasten after another God Psal. 78.58 59. They moved him to Iealousie with their Graven Images When God heard this he was wroth and greatly abhorred Israel ver 60. So that he forsook the Tabernacle of Shiloh Shiloh was a City belonging to the Tribe of Ephraim There God set his Name Ier. 7.12 But for their Idolatry God forsook that Place gave his People up to the Sword caus'd his Priests to be Slain his Ark to be carried away Captive and it never returned to Shiloh any more How severe was God against Israel for Worshipping the Golden Calf Exod. 32.27 The Jews say that in every Misery that befals them there is Uncia Aurei Vituli an Ounce of the Golden Calf in it Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my People that ye be not partakers of her Sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues Idolatry liv'd in cuts Men off from Heaven 1 Cor. 6.9 So then it is no small Mercy to be delivered out of Idolatrous Places Use 1. See the goodness of God to our Nation who hath brought us out of mystical Egypt delivering us from Popery which is Romish Idolatry and hath caused the light of his Truth to break forth gloriously among us In former times and more lately in the Marian days England was over-spread with Idolatry we worshipped God after a false manner That is Idolatry not only to worship a false God but the true God in a false manner This was our case formerly we had Purgatory Indulgences the Idolatrous Mass the Scriptures lock'd up in an unknown Tongue Invocation of Saints and Angels Image-worship Images are Teachers of Lyes Hab. 2.18 Wherein do they teach Lyes Because they represent God in a Bodily shape whereas he cannot be seen Deut. 4.12 Ye saw no similitude only ye heard a voice Quod invisibile est pingi non potest Ambr. God cannot be pictur'd out by any Figure You cannot Picture the Soul being a Spirit much less God Isa. 40.18 To whom then will ye liken God The Papists say they worship God by the Image which hath a great Absurdity in it for if it be absurd to bow down
make God to be our God he will make himself to be our Judge And if he Condemns there is no appealing to a Higher Court. So that there is a Necessity of having God for our God unless we intend to be eternally espoused to Misery Use 1. If we must have one God and the Lord Iehovah for our God it condemns the Atheist who hath no God Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart there is no God There is no God he believes in or worships Such Atheists were Diagoras and Theodorus When Seneca did reprove Nero for his Impieties Saith Nero Dost thou think I believe there is any God when I do such things The Duke of Silecia was so infatuated that he affirmed Neque inferos neque superos esse That there was neither God nor Devil We may see God in the works of his Fingers The Creation is a great Volume in which we may read a God-head and he must needs put out his own Eyes that denies a God Aristotle though an Heathen did not only acknowledge God when he cried out Thou Being of Beings have Mercy on me But he thought he that did not confess a Deity was not worthy to live They who will not believe a God shall feel him Heb. 10.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Use 2. It condemns Christians who profess to own God for their God yet they do not live as if he were their God 1. They do not believe in him as a God When they look upon their Sins they are apt to say Can God Pardon When they look upon their Wants Can God provide Can he prepare a Table in the Wilderness 2. They do not love him as a God They do not give him the Cream of their Love but are apt to love other things more than God They say they love God but will part with nothing for him 3. They do not worship him as a God They do not give him that Reverence nor pray with that Devotion as if they were praying to a God How dead are their Hearts If not dead in Sin yet dead in Duty 'T is as if praying to a God that hath Eyes and sees not Ears and hears not In hearing the Word how much Distraction what regardless Hearts have many they are thinking of their Shop and Drugs Would a King take it well at our hands if when he is speaking to us we should be playing with a Feather When God is speaking to us in his Word and our Hearts are taken up with Thoughts about the World is not this playing with a Feather O how may this humble most of us we do not make God to be a God to us We do not believe in him love him worship him as a God Many Heathens have worshipped their False â—ods with more Seriousness and Devotion than some Christians do the true God O let us chide our selves Did I say Chide let us Abhor our selves for our Deadness and Formality in Religion how we have professed God yet we have not worshipped him as a God So much for the first We must have God for our God I should come to the Second We must have no other God Of the Commandments Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me 2. THat we must have no other God Thou shalt have no other God before me Quest. What is meant by this word Before me Resp. That is before my Face In conspectu mâ—o in my sight Deut. 27.15 Cursed be he that makes a Graven Image and puts it in a secret place Some would not bow to the Idol that others might see but they would secretly bow to it But though this was out of Mans sight it was not out of Gods sight Cursed therefore saith God be he who puts the Image in a secret place Thou shalt have no other Gods 1. There is really no other God 2. We must have no other 1. There is really no other God The Valentinians held there were two Gods the Polythites that there were many The Persians worshipped the Sun the Egyptians the Ox and Elephant the Grecians Iupiter But there is no other than the True God Deut. 4.39 Know therefore this day and consider it in thy heart that the Lord is God in Heaven above and upon the Earth beneath there is no other For there is but one first Cause that hath its Being of it self and on which all other Beings depend As in the Heavens the primum mobile moves all the other Orbs. So God is the Great Mover he gives Life and Motion to every thing existent 2. There is but one Omnipotent Power If there be two Omnipotents then we must always suppose a Contest between these two that which one would do the other Power being equal would oppose and so all things would be brought into a Confusion If a Ship should have two Pilots of equal Power one would be ever Crossing the other when one would Sail the other would cast Anchor Here were a Confusion and the Ship must needs perish The Order and Harmony in the World the constant and uniform Government of all things is a clear Argument that there is but one Omnipotent one God that rules all Isa. 44 6. I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God 2. We must have no other God Thou shalt have no other Gods before me This Commandment forbids 1. Serving a False God and not the True Ier. 2.27 Saying to a stock Thou art my Father and to a stone Thou hast brought me forth Or 2. Joyning a False God with a True 2 Kings 17.33 They feared the Lord and served their own Gods Both these are forbidden in the Commandment we must adhere to the true God and no other God is a jealous God and he will endure no corrival A Wife cannot lawfully have two Husbands at once nor may we have two Gods Exod. 34.14 Thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord is a jealous God Psal. 16.4 Their Sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God The Lord interprets it a forsaking of him to espouse any other God Iudges 2.12 They forsook the Lord and followed other Gods God would not have his People so much as make mention of Idol Gods Exod. 23.13 Make no mention of the Names of other Gods neither let it be heard out of thy mouth God looks upon it as a breaking of the Marriage Covenant to go after other Gods Therefore when Israel committed Idolatry with the golden Calf God disclaims his Interest in them Exod. 32.7 Thy People have corrupted themselves Before God called Israel his People but when they went after other Gods Now saith the Lord to Moses they are no more my People but thy People Hosea 2.2 Plead with her Mother Plead for she is not my Wife she doth not keep Faith with me she hath stain'd her self with Idols therefore I will divorce her she is not my Wife To
St. Austin saith That his Mother Monica travelled with greater Care and Pains for his new Birth than for his Natural Wicked Idolaters entail Misery on their Posterity God visits the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children But Religious Parents procure a Blessing upon their Children God reserves Mercy for their Posterity 3. The third Reason against Image-worship Of them that hate me This is a Reason against Image-worship 't is hating God The Papists who worship God by an Image hate God Image-worship is a pretended Love to God but God interprets it an hating of him Quae diligit alienum odit sponsum She that loves another Man hates her own Husband An Image-lover is a God-hater Idolaters are said to go a Whoring from God Ezek. 34.15 How can they love God I shall shew that Image-worshippers hate God whatever love they pretend 1. They who go contrary to Gods express Will hate him God saith You shall not set up any Statue Image Picture to represent me These things I hate Deut. 16.22 Neither shalt thou set up any Image which the Lord thy God hateth Yet the Idolater will set up Images and worship them This God looks upon as an hating of him How doth that Child love his Father who doth all he can to cross him 2. They who shut the Truth out of Doors hate God Iephtha proves that his Brethren did hate him because they laboured to shut him out of his Fathers House Iudges 11.7 The Idolater shuts the Truth out of doors He blots out the Second Commandment He makes a shape of the invisible God He brings a Lye into Gods Worship which is a clear proof he hates God 3. Idolaters though they love the false Image of God in a Picture yet they hate the true Image of God in a Believer They pretend to Honour Christ in a Crucifix yet persecute Christ in his Members These bate God Use 1. This may confute those who plead for Image-worshippers they are very devout People they adore Images they set up the Crucifix kiss it light Candles to it They love God Nay but who shall be judge of their Love God saith they hate him They give Religious Adoration to a Creature These hate God and God hates them And they shall never live with God whom he hates He will never lay such Vipers in his Bosom Heaven is kept as Paradise with a Flaming Sword that they shall not enter And Deut. 7.10 He repayeth them that hate him to their face God will shoot all his murdering pieces among Idolaters All the Plagues and Curses in the Book of God shall befall the Idolater The Lord repays him that hates him to his Face Use 2. Let it exhort us all to fly from Romish Idolatry let us not be among God-haters 1 Iohn 5.21 Little Children keep your selves from Idols As you would keep your Bodies from Adultery so keep your Souls from Idolatry Take heed of Images they are Images of Jealousie to provoke God to Anger They are Damnable You may as well perish by false Devotion as by real Scandal By Image-worship as Drunkenness and Whoredom A Man may as well dye by Poyson as Pistol We may as well go to Hell by drinking Poyson in the Romish Cup of Fornication as by being Pistoll'd with gross scandalous Sins To conclude God is a jealous God no Corrival he will visit the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children He will entail a Plague upon the Posterity of Idolaters He interprets Idolaters to be such as hate him He that is an Image-lover is a God-hater Therefore keep your selves pure from Romish Idolatry If you love your Souls keep your selves from Idols Of the Commandments Exod. 20.6 Shewing Mercy unto Thousands c. THis is another Argument against Image-worship because such as do not provoke God with their Images he is merciful to them and will entail Mercy upon their Posterity Shewing Mercy to Thousands 1. Here is the golden Scepter of Gods Mercy display'd 2. The Persons interested in Gods Mercy such as love him and keep his Commandments 1. The Golden Scepter of Gods Mercy display'd shewing Mercy to Thousands The Heathens thought they praised Iupiter enough when they called him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Good and Great Both these Excellencies meet in God Majesty and Mercy Mercy is that innate propensness in God to do good to Distressed Sinners God shewing Mercy makes his Godhead appear full of Glory When Moses said to God I beseech thee shew me thy Glory I will saith God shew Mercy Exod. 33.19 His Mercy is his Glory Mercy is the Name by which God will be known Exod. 34.6 The Lord passed by and proclaimed the Lord the Lord God Merciful and Gracious Mercy proceeds primarily and originally from God he is called the Father of Mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 because he begets all those Mercies and Bowels which are in the Creature Our Mercies compared with Gods are scarce so much as the Drop to the Ocean Quest. What are the Qualifications Resp. 1. The Spring of Mercy which God shews is free and spontaneous To set up Merit is to destroy Mercy nothing can deserve Mercy or force it we cannot deserve Mercy because of our Enmity nor force it we may force God to punish us not to love us Hos. 14.4 I will love them freely Every link in the golden Chain of Salvation is wrought and interwoven with Free-grace Election is free Eph. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the good pleasure of his Will Justification is free Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his Grace Say not then I am unworthy for Mercy is free If God should shew Mercy only to such as deserve it he must shew Mercy to none at all 2. The Mercy God shews is Powerful How Powerful is that Mercy which softens an Heart of Stone Mercy changed Mary Magdalens Heart out of whom Seven Devils were cast She who was an Inflexible Adamant Mercy made her a weeping Penitent Gods Mercy works sweetly yet irresistibly it allures yet conquers The Law may terrifie Mercy doth mollifie Of what Sovereign Power and Efficacy is that Mercy which subdues the Pride and Enmity of the Heart and beats off those Chains of Sin in which the Soul is held 3. The Mercy which God shews is superabundant Exod. 34.6 Abundant in Goodness shewing Mercy to Thousands God visits Iniquity only to the Third and Fourth Generation Exod. 20.5 But he shews Mercy to a Thousand Generations The Lord hath Treasures of Mercy lying by therefore he is said to be Plenteous in Mercy Psal. 86.5 And Rich in Mercy Ephes. 2.4 The Viol of God's Wrath doth but drop but the Fountain of his Mercy runs The Sun is not so full of Light as God is of Love God hath Mercy First Of all Dimensions he hath Depth of Mercy it reacheth as low as Sinners and Heighth of Mercy it reacheth above the Clouds Secondly God hath Mercies of all Seasons Mercies for the Night he
gives Sleep nay sometimes he gives a Song in the Night Psal. 42.8 And he hath Mercies for the Morning Lam. 3.23 His Compassions are fresh every Morning Thirdly God hath Mercies for all sorts Mercies for the Poor 1 Sam. 2.8 He raiseth the Poor out of the Dust. Mercies for the Prisoner Psal. 69.33 He despiseth not his Prisoners Mercies for the Dejected Isa. 54.8 In a little Wrath I hid my Face from thee but with great Mercies will I gather thee God hath old Mercies Psal. 25.6 Thy Mercies have been ever of old And new Mercies Psal. 40.3 He hath put a new Song in my Mouth Every time we draw our Breath we suck in Mercy God hath Mercies under Heaven and those we taste of and Mercies in Heaven and those we hope for Thus Gods Mercy is superabundant 4. The Mercy God shews is abiding Psal. 103.16 The Mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting Gods anger to his Children lasts but a while Psal. 103.9 but his Mercy lasts for ever Gods Mercy is not like the Widows Oyl which ran a while and then ceased 2 Kings 4.6 Over-flowing Ever-flowing Gods Mercy as it is without Bounds so without Bottom Psal. 136. His Mercy endures for ever God never cuts off the Intail of Mercy from the Elect. Quest. 2. How many ways is God said to shew Mercy Resp. 1. We are all Living Monuments of Gods Mercy God shews Mercy to us in dayly supplying us First He supplies us with Health Health is the Sawce which makes our Life relish Sweeter How would they prize this Mercy who are Chain'd to a Sick-bed Secondly God supplies us with Provision Gen. 48.15 The God who hath fed me all my Days Mercy spreads our Table it carves us every bit of Bread we eat we never drink but in the Golden Cup of Mercy 2. God shews Mercy in lengthening out our Gospel-Liberties 1 Cor. 16.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there are many Adversaries many would stop the Waters of the Sanctuary that they should not run We enjoy the sweet Seasons of Grace we hear joyful Sounds we see the goings of God in his Sanctuary we enjoy Sabbath after Sabbath the Manna of the Word yet falls about our Tents when in divers parts of the Land they have no Manna Here is God shewing Mercy to us he spins out our forfeited Liberties 3. God shews Mercy to us in preventing many Evils from invading us Psal. 3.3 Thou O Lord art a Shield for me God hath restrained the Wrath of Men and been a Screen between us and Danger When the Destroying Angel hath been abroad and shot his deadly Arrow of Pestilence God hath kept off the Arrow that it hath not come near us 4. God shews Mercy in delivering us 2 Tim. 4.17 And I was delivered out of the Mouth of the Lion viz. Nero. God hath restored us from the Grave May we not write the Writing of Hezekiah Isa. 38 9. when he had been sick and was recovered of his Sickness When we thought the Sun of our Life had been setting God hath made it return to its former Brightness 5. God shews Mercy in restraining of us from Sin Lusts within are worse than Lions without The greatest sign of Gods Anger is to give Men up to their Sins Psal. 81.12 So I gave them up to their own Hearts Lusts let them Sin themselves to Hell But God hath laid the Bridle of restraining Grace upon us As God said to Abimelech Gen. 20.6 I withheld thee from sinning against me So God withheld us from those Exorbitancies which might have made us a Prey to Satan and a Terrour to our Selves 6. God shews Mercy in guiding and directing us Is it not a Mercy for one that is out of the way to have a Guide First There is a Providential guiding God guides our Affairs for us Chaulks out a way he would have us to walk in he resolves our Doubts unties our Knots appoints the bounds of our Habitation Acts 17.26 Secondly A Spiritual guiding Psal. 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel As Israel had a Pillar of Fire to go before them so God guides us with the Oracles of his Word and the Conduct of his Spirit He guides our Head keeps us from error and he guides our Feet keeps us from Scandal O what Mercy is it to have God to be our Guide and Pilot Psal. 31.3 For thy Name 's sake lead me and guide me 7. God shews Mercy in Correcting us God is Angry in Love he smites that he may save Gods Rod is not a Rod of Iron to break us but a Fatherly Rod to Humble us Heb. 12.10 He for our profit that we may be partakers of his Holiness Either God will mortifie some corruption or exercise some grace Is there not Mercy in this Every Cross to a Child of God is like Paul's Cross Wind which though it broak the Ship it brought Paul to Shoar upon the broken Pieces Acts 27.44 8. God shews Mercy in Pardoning us Mic. 7.18 Who is a God like thee that pardonest Iniquity 'T is Mercy to Feed us Rich Mercy to Pardon us This Mercy is spun out of the Bowels of Free Grace this is enough to make a Sick Man well Isa. 33.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am Sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Pardon of Sin is a Mercy of the first Magnitude God seals the Sinners Pardon with a Kiss This made David put on his best Cloaths and anoint himself his Child newly Dead and God had told him the Sword should not depart from his House yet now he falls Anointing himself the reason was God had sent him his Pardon by the Prophet Nathan 2 Sam. 12.13 The Lord hath put away thy Sin Pardon is the only fit Remedy for a troubled Conscience What can give ease to a Wounded Spirit but pardoning Mercy Offer him the Honours and Pleasures of the World 't is as if you bring Flowers and Musick to one that is condemned Quest. How may I know my Sins are pardoned Resp. Where God removes the guilt he breaks the power of Sin Mic. 7.19 He will have Compassion he will subdue our Iniquities With Pardoning Love God gives Subduing Grace 9. God shews his Mercy in Sanctifying us Lev. 20.8 I am the Lord that sanctifie you This is the partaking of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Consecration though it Sanctifies us but in part yet in every part 1 Thes. 5.23 This is such a Mercy that God cannot give in Anger if we are Sanctified then we are Elected 2 Thes. 2.13 God hath chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification This doth disponere ad Coelum it prepares for Happiness as the Seed prepares for Harvest When the Virgins had been Anointed and Perfumed then they were to stand before the King Esther 2.12 So when we have had the Anointing of God then we shall stand before the King of Heaven 10. God shews Mercy
Wife for himself Thirdly Faithfulness in a Servant is seen in standing up for the Honour of his Master When he hears him spoken against he must vindicate him As the Master is careful of the Servant's Body so the Servant should be careful of the Master's Name When the Master is unjustly reproached the Servant cannot be excused if he be possessed with a dumb Devil Fourthly Faithfulness is when a Servant is true to his Word He dares not tell a Lie but will speak the Truth tho it be against himself A Lie doubles the sin Psal. 101.7 He that telleth Lies shall not tarry in my sight A Liar is of near a-kin to the Devil Ioh. 8.44 And who would let any of the Devil's Kindred live with him The Lie that Gehazi told his Master Elisha entailed a Leprosie on Gehazi and his Seed for ever 2 Kings 5.22 A Faithful Servant his Tongue is the true Index of his Heart Fifthly Faithfulness is when a Servant is against Impropriation He dares not convert his Masters Goods to his own Use. Tit. 2.10 Not purloyning Ne aliquid haereat in digitis What a Servant filcheth from his Master is damnable Gain The Servant who enricheth himself by stealing from his Master stuffs his Pillow with Thorns and his Head will lie very uneasie when he comes to die Sixthly Faithfulness is in preserving the Masters Person if unjustly in Danger Banister who betrayed his Master the Duke of Buckingham in King Richard the Third's Reign it is remarkable how the Judgments of God befell that Traiterous Servant His eldest Son ran mad his Daughter of a singular Beauty was suddenly struck with Leprosie his younger Son was drowned and he himself arraigned and had been executed had he not been saved by his Clergy That Servant who is not true to his Master will never be true to God or his own Soul 4. The Servant is to honour his Master by serving him as with Love for Willingness is more than the Work so with Silence That is without repining and without replying Titus 2.9 Exhort Servants to be obedient to their Masters not answering again Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not giving cross Answers Some Servants are quick of Speech tho slow at Work and instead of being sorry for a Fault they provoke by unbeseeming Language Were the Heart more humble the Tongue would be more silent They are the Apostles Words not answering again And to those Servants who do thus honour their Masters or Family-Fathers by Submission Diligence Faithfulness Love and humble Silence for their encouragement let them take that Col. 3.24 Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the Flesh not with eye-service knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. In serving your Masters ye serve Christ and he will not let you lose your Labour ye shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance From serving on Earth you shall be taken up to Reign in Heaven and shall sit with Christ upon his Throne Rev. 3.21 EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father and thy Mother c. If we are not just we cannot be holy Having shown you how Servants are to honour their Masters the Fathers of Families I shall next show how Masters are to carry it towards their Servants that they may gain Honour from them 1. In General Masters must remember that they have a Master in Heaven who will call them to Account Eph. 6.9 Knowing that your Master is also in Heaven 2. More Particularly 1. Masters must have a care to provide for their Servants As they cut them out Work so they must give them their Meat in due season Luke 17.7 And the Food should be wholsom and sufficing It is an unworthy thing in some Governors of Families to lay out so much upon their own Backs as to pinch their Servants Bellies 2. Masters should encourage their Servants in their Work by commending them when they do well Tho a Master is to tell a Servant of his Faults yet he is not always to beat upon one string but sometimes take notice of that which is praise-worthy This makes a Servant more chearful in his Work and gains the Master Love from his Servant 3. Masters must not over-burden their Servants but proportion their Work to their Strength If you lay too much load on a Servant he will faint under it Christianity teacheth Compassion 4. Masters must endeavour the Spiritual Good of their Servants they must be Seraphims to kindle their Love to Religion They must be Monitors to put them in mind of their Souls They must bring them to the Pool of the Sanctuary waiting till the Angel stir the Waters Iohn 5.4 They must seek God for them that their Servants may be his Servants They must allow them Time convenient for secret Devotion Some Masters are cruel to the Souls of their Servants they look that they do the Work about the House but abridge them of Time they should employ in working out Salvation 5. Masters should use mild gentle Behaviour towards Servants Eph. 6.9 Forbearing Threatning Lev. 25.43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour but fear thy God It requires Wisdom in a Master to know how to keep up his Authority yet lay down his Austerity We have a good Copy to write after Our Master in Heaven is slow to Anger and of great Mercy Psal. 145.8 Some Masters are so harsh and implacable that they are enough to spoil a good Servant 6. Be very exact and punctual in the Compacts and Agreements you make with your Servants Do not prevaricate keep not back any of their Wages nor deal deceitfully with them as Laban did with Iacob changing his Wages Gen. 31.7 Falseness in Promise is as as bad as False Weights 7. Be careful of your Servants not only in Health but in Sickness They have got their Sickness in your Service use what means you can for their Recovery Be not like the Amalekite who forsook his Servant when he was sick 1 Sam. 30.13 but be as the good Centurion who kept his sick Servant and sought to Christ for a Cure Mat. 8.6 If you have a Beast that falls sick you will not turn it off but have it look'd to and pay for its Cure Will you be kinder to your Horses than your Servants Thus should Masters the Fathers of the Family carry themselves prudently and piously that they may gain Honour from their Servants and may give up their Accounts to God with Joy Fifthly The Natural Father The Father of the Flesh Heb. 12.9 Honour thy Natural Father This is so necessary a Duty that Philo the Jew placed the Fifth Commandment in the First Table as tho' we had not perform'd our whole Duty to God till we had paid this Debt of Honour to our Natural Parents Children are the Vineyard of the Parents planting and Honour done to the Parent is some of the Fruit of the Vineyard Quest. Wherein are
in his Conscience Hell gapes for such a Wind-fall Vse II. 1 st Br. Exhort To all to take heed of the Breach of this Commandment of lying slandering and bearing False Witness and to avoid these Sins 1. Get the Fear of God Why doth David say The Fear of the Lord is clean Psal. 19.8 Because it cleanseth the Heart of Malice it cleanseth the Tongue of Slander The fear of the Lord is clean It is to the Soul as Lightning to the Air which cleanseth it 2. Get Love to your Neighbour Lev. 19.18 Then there would not be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If we love a Friend we will not speak or attest any thing to his Prejudice Mens Minds are cankered with Envy and Hatred Hence comes slandering and false Witness Love is a Lovely Grace Love thinks no Evil 1 Cor. 13.5 It makes the best Interpretation of anothers Words Love is a Well-wisher and it is rare to speak ill of him we wish well to Love is that which cements Christians together it is the Healer of Division and the Hinderer of Slander 2 d Br. To such whose Lot it is to meet with Slanderers and false Accusers 1. Labour to make a Sanctified use of it When Shimei rail'd on David David made a sanctified use of it 2 Sam. 16.10 The Lord hath said to him Curse David So if you are slandered or falsly accus'd make a good use of it See if you have no sin unrepented of for which God may suffer you to be calumniated and reproached See if you have not at any time wronged others in their Name and said that of them which you cannot prove then lay your Hand on your Mouth and confess the Lord is Righteous to let you fall under the Scourge of the Tongue 2. If you are slandered or falsly accused but know your own Innocency be not too much troubled Let this be your rejoycing the Witness of your Conscience Murus aheneus esto nil conscire sibi A good Conscience is a Wall of Brass that will be able to stand against all False Witness As no Flattery can heal a bad Conscience so no Slander can hurt a good God will clear up the Names of his People Psal. 37.6 He shall bring forth thy Righteousness as the Light God as he will wipe away Tears from the Eyes so he will wipe off Reproach from the Name Believers shall come forth out of all their Slanders and Reproaches as the Wings of a Dove covered with Silver and her Feathers with yellow Gold 3 d. Br. It should exhort such to be vâ—â—y thankful to God whom God hath preserved from Slander and False-Witness Iob calls it the Scourge of the Tongue Chap. 5.21 As a Rod doth scourge the Back so the Slanderers Tongue doth scourge the Name It is a great Mercy to be kept from the Scourge of the Tongue a Mercy that God stops malignant Mouths from bearing False Witness What mischief may not a lying Report or a False Oath do One destroys the Name the other the Life It is the Lord that muzzles the Mouths of the wicked and keeps these Dogs that snarl at us from flying upon us Psal. 31.20 Thou shalt keep them secretly in a Pavilion from the strife of Tongues It is I suppose an Allusion to Kings who being resolved to protect their Favourites against the Accusations of Men take them into their Bed-Chamber or Bosom where none may touch them So God hath a Pavilion or secret hiding-place for his Favourites where he preserves their Credit and Reputation untouch'd he keeps them from the Strife of Tongues This is a Mercy we ought to acknowledge to God II. The Mandatory part of this Commandment imply'd that is that we should stand up for others and vindicate them when they are injur'd by Lying Lips This is the Sence of the Commandment not only that we should not slander or falsly accuse others but that we should witness for them and stand up in their Defence when we know them to be traduced A Man may wrong another as well by Silence as Slander when he knows him to he wrongfully accused yet doth not speak in his behalf If others cast false Aspersions on any we should wipe them off The Apostles who were filled with the Wine of Spirit being charged with Drunkenness Peter was their Compurgator and openly clear'd their Innocency Acts 2.15 These are not drunken as ye suppose Ionathan knowing David to be a worthy Man and all those things Saul said of him to be Slanders vindicated David 1 Sam. 19.4 5. David hath not sinn'd against thee but his Works to thee-ward have been very good Wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent Blood and slay David without a Cause When the Primitive Christians were falsly accused for Incest and killing their Children Tertullian made a Famous Apology in their Vindication This is to act the part both of a Friend and a Christian To be an Advocate for another when he is wronged in his good Name EXOD. XX. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Man-servant nor his Maid-servant nor his Ox nor his Ass nor any thing that is thy Neighbours This Commandment forbids 1. Covetousness in General Thou shalt not covet 2. In Particular Thy Neighbours House thy Neighbours Wife c. 1. It forbids Covetousness in General Thou shalt not covet 'T is lawful to use the World yea and to desire so much of it as may 1. Keep us from the Temptation of Poverty Prov. 30.8 Give me not Poverty lest I steal and take the Name of my God in vain 2. As may enable us to Honour God with Works of Mercy Prov. 3.9 Honour the Lord with thy Substance But all the Danger is when the World gets into the Heart The Water is useful for the Sailing of the Ship all the Danger is when the Water gets into the Ship So the Fear is when the World gets into the Heart Thou shalt not covet Quest. What is it to covet Resp. There are two Words in the Greek which set forth the Nature of Covetousness 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies an insatiable desire of getting the World Covetousness is a dry Dropsie Austin defines Covetousness plus velle quam sat est To desire more than enough To aim at a great Estate To be like the Daughters of the Horseleech crying Give give Prov. 30.15 Or like Behemoth Job 40.23 He trusteth that he can draw up Iordan into his Mouth 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies an inordinate Love of the World The World is the Idol it is so loved that a Man will not part with it to any good Use. This is to come under the Inditement of Covetousness He may be said to be covetous not only who gets the World unrighteously but who loves the World inordinately But for a more full Answer to the Question What is it to covet I shall shew you in Six Particulars when a Man
keep under my Body and Phil. 3.14 I press toward the mark Gods Children have that holy fear in them as keeps them from security and wantonness they believe the Promise therefore they rejoyce in hope they fear their hearts therefore they watch and pray Thus you see what strong consolation there is for all the Heirs of the Promise Such as have God for their Father are the happyest persons on Earth they are in such a condition that nothing can hurt them they have their Fathers Blessing all things conspire for their good they have a Kingdom settled on them and the entail can never be cut off How may Gods Children be comforted in all conditions let the times be what they will their Father is in Heaven he rules all If troubles arise they shall but carry Gods Children so much the sooner to their Father The more violently the Wind beats against the sails of a Ship the sooner the Ship is brought to the Haven and the more fiercely Gods Children are assaulted the sooner they come to their Fathers house 1 Thess. 4.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words VSE IV. Of Exhortation Let us behave and carry our selves as the Children of such a Father In several particulars 1. Let us depend upon our Heavenly Father in all our straits and exigencies let us believe that he will provide for us Children rely upon their Parents for the supply of wants If we trust God for Salvation shall we not trust him for a Livelyhood There is a lawful provident care to be used but beware of a distrustful care Luke 12.24 Consider the ravens they neither sow nor reap and God seedeth them Doth God feed the Birds of the Air and will he not feed his Children ver 27. Consider the lilies how they grow they spin not yet Solomon in all his glory was not arayed like one of these Doth God cloath the Lilies and will he not cloath his Lambs Even the wicked taste of Gods bounty Psal. 73.7 Their eyes stand out with fatness Doth God feed his Slaves and will not he feed his Family Gods Children may not have so liberal a share in the things of this life but little meal in the barrel they may be drawn low but not drawn dry they shall have so much as God sees is good for them Psal. 34.10 They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing If God gives them not ad voluntatem he will ad sanitatem if he gives them not alwayes what they crave he will give them what they need if he gives them not a feast he will give them a viaticum a bait by the way Let Gods Children therefore depend upon Gods Fatherly Providence give not way to distrustful thoughts distracting cares or indirect means God can provide for you without your Sins 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you An Earthly Parent may have affection for his Child and would provide for him but sometimes he is not able but God can create a supply for his Children yea he hath promised a supply Psal. 37.3 Verily thou shalt be fed Will God give his Children Heaven and will he not give them enough to bear their charges thither Will he give them a Kingdom and deny them Daily bread O depend upon your Heavenly Father he hath said he will never leave you nor forsake you Heb. 13.5 2. If God be our Father let us imitate him The Child doth not only bear his Fathers Image but doth imitate him in his Speech Gesture Behaviour if God be our Father let us imitate him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr. Nyssen Eph. 5.1 Be followers of God as dear children 1. Imitate God in forgiving injuries Isa. 44.22 I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions As the Sun scatters not only thin mists but thick clouds so God pardons great offences imitate God in this Eph. 4.32 Forgiving one another Cranmar was a Man of a forgiving Spirit he did bury injuries and requite good for evil He who hath God for his Father hath God for his Pattern 2. Imitate God in works of Mercy He looseth the prisoners Psal. 146.7 He opens his hand and satisfieth the desire of every living thing Psal. 145.16 He drops his sweet Dew as well upon the Thistle as the Rose imitate God in Works of Mercy relieve the wants of others be rich in good works Luke 6.36 Be merciful as your Father also is merciful Be not so hard-hearted as to shut the poor out of the lines of communication Dives denyed Lazarus a crumb of Bread and Dives was denyed a drop of Water 3. If God be our Father let us submit patiently to his Will if he lay his strokes on us they are the corrections of a Father not the punishments of a Judge This made Christ so patient Iohn 18.11 Shall not I drink the cup which my Father hath given me He sees we need affliction 1 Pet. 1.6 he appoints it as a dyet-drink to purge and sanctifie us Isa. 27.9 therefore dispute not but submit Heb. 12.9 We had fathers of the flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence They might correct out of an humour but God doth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for our profit Heb. 12.10 Therefore say as Eli 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good What gets the Child by strugling but more blows What got Israel by their murmuring and rebelling but a longer and more tedious march and at last their Carcases fell in the Wilderness 4. If God be our Father let this cause in us a Childlike Reverence Mal. 1.6 If I be a Father where is my honour This is a part of the honour we give to God when we reverence and adore him If you have not alwayes a Childlike Confidence yet alwayes preserve a Childlike Reverence and how ready are we to run into extreams either to despond or grow wanton Because God is a Father therefore do not think you may be secure and take liberty to sin if you do God may carry it so as if he were no Father he may throw Hell into your Conscience When David presumed upon Gods Paternal Affection and began to wax wanton under Mercy God made him pay dear for it he withdrew the sense of his Love and though he had the heart of a Father yet he had the look of an Enemy David prayed Cause â—e to hear the voice of joy Psal. 51.8 He lay several months in desertion and it is thought he never recovered his full joy to the day of his death Oh keep alive holy fear with a Childlike confidence preserve an humble reverence The Lord is a Father therefore love to serve him he is the Mighty God therefore fear to offend him 5. If God be our Father let us walk obedientially 1 Pet. 1.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As obedient Children When God bids you be humble and self-denying deny yours part with your bosom
Righteousness Heb. 12.11 This may make us submit to God and say Thy Will be done there 's kindness in Affliction it is for our spiritual profit 5. There 's kindness in Affliction in that there is no condition so bad but it might be worse when it is duskish it might be darker God doth not make our Cross so heavy as he might he doth not stir up all his Anger Psal. 78.38 He doth not put so many Nails in our Yoak so much Wormwood in our Cup as he might doth God chastise thy Body he might torture thy Conscience doth he cut thee short he might cut thee off The Lord might make our Chain heavier Is it a burning-Feaver it might have been the burning Lake Doth God use the Pruning Knife to lop thee he might bring his Axe to hew thee down Ezek. 47.3 The Waters were up to the Ankles Do the Waters of Affliction come up to the Ankles God might make them rise higher nay he might drown thee in the Waters this may make us submit quietly and say Thy Will be done because there is so much kindness in it whereas God useth the Rod he might use the Scorpion 6. There is kindness in Affliction in that your case is not so bad as others they are alwaies upon the Rack they spend their Years with sighing Psal. 31.10 Have you a gentle fit of an Ague others cry out of the Stone and Strangullion Do you bear the wrath of Men others bear the wrath of God you have but a single trial others have them twisted together God shoots but one Arrow at you he shoots a Shower of Arrows at others is there not kindness in all this We are apt to say never any suffered as we was it not worse with Lazarus who was so full of Sores that the Dogs took pity on him and licked his Sores Nay was it not worse with Christ who lived poor and died cursed May not this cause us to say Thy Will be done there is kindness in it that God deals not so severely with us as others 7. There is kindness in Affliction in that if we belong to God it is all the Hell we shall have some have two Hells they suffer in their Body and Conscience here is one Hell and another Hell is to come unquenchable Fire Iudas had two Hells but a Child of God hath but one Hell Lazarus had all his Hell here he was full of sores but had a Convoy of Angels to carry him to Heaven when he dyed Say then Lo if this be the worst I shall have if this be all my Hell I will patiently acquiesce Thy Will be done 8. There is kindness in that God gives gracious supports in Affliction if he strikes with one hand he will support with the other Deut. 33.27 Vnderneath are the everlasting Arms. There is not the least Trial but if God did desert us and not assist us with his Grace we should sink under it The Frown of a great Man the fear of a Reproach Peter was frighted at the Voice of a Maid Mat. 26.69 O therefore what Mercy is it to have Christ strengthen us and as it were bear the heaviest part of the Cross with us One said I have no ravishing Joys in my sickness but I bless God I have sweet supports and should not this cause submission to Gods Will and make us say Lo if thou art so kind as to bear us up in Affliction that we do not faint put us into what Wine-press thou pleasest Thy Will be done 9. There is kindness in Affliction in that it is preventive 1. God by this stroke of his would prevent some sin Paul's Thorn in the Flesh was to prevent his being lifted up in Pride 2 Cor. 12.7 As Affliction is sometimes sent for the punishing of sin so sometimes for the preventing of sin Prosperity exposeth to much evil 'T is hard to carry a full Cup without spilling and a full Estate without sinning Gods People know not how much they are beholding to their Affliction they might have fallen into some Scandal had not God set an Hedge of Thorns in their way to stop them what kindness is this God lets us fall into sufferings to prevent falling into Snares say then Lord do as it seems good in thy sight Thy Will be done 2. God by Affliction would prevent Damnation 1 Cor. 11.32 We are corrected in the World that we may not be condemned with the World A Man by falling into the Briars is saved from falling into the River God lets us fall into the Briars of Affliction that we may not drown in Perdition It is a great favour when a lesser punishment is inflicted to prevent a greater Is it not Clemency in the Judge when he lays some light Penalty on the Prisoner and saves his life so when God lays upon us light Affliction and saves us from wrath to come as Pilate said Luke 23.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will chastise him and let him go so God chastiseth his Children and lets them go frees them from eternal torment What is a drop of sorrow the Godly tast to that sea of Wrath the Wicked shall be drinking of to all Eternity O what kindness is here may not this make us say Thy Will be done it is preventing Physick 10. There is kindness in that God doth mix his Providences Hab. 3.2 In Anger he remembers Mercy Not all pure Gall but some Honey mixed with it Ashurs Shoes were Iron and Brass but his Foot was dip'd in Oyl Gen. 33.24 Affliction is the shoo of Brass but God causeth the Foot to be dipp'd in Oyl As the Limner mixeth with his dark shadows bright Colours so the wise God mingles the dark and the bright Colour Crosses and Blessings The Body is afflicted but within is Peace of Conscience there is a Blessing Ioseph was sold into Egppt and put in Prison there was the dark side of the Cloud Iob lost all that ever he had his Skin was clothed with Boils and Ulcers here was a sad Providence but God gave a Testimony from Heaven of Iobs Integrity and did afterwards double his Estate Iob. 42.10 The Lord gave Iob twice as much Here was the goodness of God seen towards Iob. God doth checquer his works of Providence and shall not we submit and say Lord if thou art so kind mixing so many bright Colours with my dark Condition Thy Will be done 11. There is kindness in Affliction in that God doth moderate his Stroke Ier. 30.11 I will correct thee in Measure God will in the day of his East-wind stay his rough wind Isa. 27.8 The Physician that understands the Crasis and temper of the patient will not give too strong Physick for the Body nor will he give one Dram or Scruple too much God knows our frame he will not over-afflict he will not stretch the strings of his Viol too hard least they break and is there not kindness in all this may not this work our
tears Rev. 7.17 3. God hath given thee Grace Grace is the rich embroidery and workmanship of the Holy Ghost it is the sacred Unction 1 Iohn 2.27 The Graces are a Chain of Pearl to adorn and Beds of Spices which make us a sweet odour to God Grace is a distinguishing Blessing Christ gave Iudas his Purse but not his Spirit may not this quiet the Heart in Affliction and make it say Thy Will be done Lord thou hast given that Jewel which thou bestowest only on the Elect. Grace is a seal of thy Love it is both Food and Cordial it is an earnest of Glory 9. Consideration When God intends the greatest Mercy to any of his People he brings them low in Affliction God seems to go quite cross to Sense and Reason when he intends to raise us highest he brings us lowest As Moses Hand before it wrought Miracles was Leprous and Sarahs Womb before it brought forth the Son of the Promise was Barren God brings us low before he raiseth us as Water is at the lowest ebb before there is a Spring tyde 1. It is true in a Temporal Sense When God would bring Israel to Canaan a Land flowing with Milk and Honey he first leads them through a Sea and a Wilderness when God intended to advance Ioseph to be the second Man in the Kingdom he casts him first into Prison and the Irons entred into his Soul Psal. 105.18 God usually lets it be darkest before the Morning-Star of deliverance appears 2. It is true in a Spiritual Sense When God intends to raise a Soul to Spiritual Comfort he first layes it low in desertion Isa. 12.1 as the Limner layes his dark colour first and then layes his gold colour on it so God first layes the Soul in the dark of desertion and then he layes his golden colour of Joy and Consolation May not this make us chearfully submit and say Thy Will be done Perhaps now God afflicts me he is about to raise me he intends me a greater Mercy than I am aware of 10. Consideration The excellency of this frame of Soul to lye at Gods feet and say Thy Will be done 1. A Soul that is melted into Gods Will shows variety of Grace As the holy Oyntment was made up of several Aromatick Spices Myrrh Cinnamon Cassia Exod. 30.23 so this sweet temper of Soul submission to Gods Will in Affliction hath in it a mixture of several Graces In particular it is compounded of three Graces Faith Love Humility 1. Faith Faith believes God doth all in Mercy that Affliction is to mortifie some Sin or exercise some Grace that God corrects in Love and Faithfulness Psalm 119.75 the belief of this causeth submission of Will to God 2. Love Love thinks no evil 1 Cor. 13.5 Love takes all God doth in the best sense it hath good thoughts of God this causeth submission Thy Will be done Let the Righteous God smite me saith Love it shall be a kindness yea it shall be an excellent oyl which shall not break my head 3. Humility The humble Soul looks on its Sins and how it hath provoked God he saith not his Afflictions are great but his Sins are great this makes him lye at Gods feet and say I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Micah 7.9 Thus a submissive frame of Heart is full of grace it is compounded of several graces it pleaseth God to see so many graces at once sweetly exercised he saith of such a Christian as David of Goliahs Sword 1 Sam. 21.9 None like that give it me 2. He who puts his fiat placet to Gods Will and saith Thy Will be done shows not only variety of grace but strength of grace It argues much strength in the Body to be able to endure hard weather yet not be altered by it so to endure hard tryals yet not faint or fret shows more than ordinary strength of grace You that can say you have brought your Wills to Gods Gods VVill and yours agree as the Copy and the Original let me assure you you have out-strip'd many Christians who perhaps shine in an higher orb of knowledge than you To be content to be at Gods dispose to be any thing that God will have us shows a noble heroick Soul It is reported of the Eagle it is not like other Fowls they when they are hungry make a noise the Ravens cry for food but the Eagle is never heard to make a noise though it wants meat and it is from the nobleness and greatness of its Spirit The Eagle is above other Fowls and hath a Spirit suitable to its Nature so it is an argument of an holy gallantry and magnitude of Spirit that whatever cross Providences befal a Christian he doth not cry and whine as others but is silent and lyes quietly at Gods feet Here 's much strength of Grace in such a Soul nay the height of Grace VVhen Grace is crowning it is not so much to say Lord Thy Will be done but when Grace is conflicting and meets with crosses and tryals now to say Thy Will be done is a glorious thing indeed and prepares for the garland of honour 11. Consideration Persons are usually better in Adversity than Prosperity therefore stoop to Gods VVill. A prosperous condition is not alwayes so safe 't is true it is more pleasing to the Palate and every one desires to get on the warm side of the hedge where the Sun of Prosperity shines but it is not alwayes best In a prosperous Estate there is more burden many look at the shining and glittering of Prosperity but not at the burden Plus oneris 1. The burden of care therefore Christ calls Riches Cares Luke 8.14 A Rose hath its prickles so have Riches we think them happy that flourish in their Silks and Cloath of Gold but we see not the Troubles and Cares that attend them A Shooe may have Silver Lace on it yet pinch the Foot Many a Man that goes to his day-labour lives a more contented life than he that hath his Thousands per Annum Disquieting Care is the malus genius the evil Spirit that haunts the Rich Man When his Chests are full of Gold his Heart is full of Care how to encrease or how to secure what he hath gotten he is sometimes full of Care who he shall leave it to A large Estate like a long trailing garment is oft more troublesome than useful 2. In a prosperous Estate there is the burden of Account Such as are in high places have a far greater account to give to God than others Luke 12.48 Vnto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required The more golden Talents any are intrusted with the more they have to answer for the more their Revenues the more their Reckonings God will say I gave you a great Estate what have you done with it how have you employed it for my Glory I have read of Philip King of Spain
of Gods bounty is still dropping 2. God delights in giving Micah 7.18 He delighteth in mercy As the Mother delights to give the Child the breast God loves we should have the breast of Mercy in our mouth 3. God gives to his very Enemies Who will send in Provisions to his Enemy Men use to spread Nets for their Enemies God spreads a Table The dew drops on the Thistle as well as the Rose the dew of Gods bounty drops upon the worst Those who have their mouths opened against God yet God puts bread in those mouths O the Royal Bounty of God Psal. 52.1 The goodness of God endureth continually Swinish sinners God puts Jewels upon and feeds them every day 5. If all be gift see then the odious ingratitude of Men who sin against their giver God feeds them and they fight against him he gives them their Bread and they give him affronts How unworthy is this would we not cry shame of him who had a Friend alwayes feeding him with Money and he should betray and injure that Friend Thus ungratefully do Sinners deal with God they do not only forget his Mercies but abuse them Ier. 5.7 When I had fed them to the full they then committed adultery O how horrid is this to sin against a bountiful God to strike as it were those hands that relieve us This gives a dye and tincture to Mens sins and makes them crimson How many make a dart of Gods Mercies and shoot at him he gives them Wit and they serve the Devil with it he gives them Strength and they waste it among Harlots he gives them Bread to eat and they lift up the heel against him Deut. 32.15 Iesurun waxed fat and kicked These are like Absalom who assoon as David his Father kissed him plotted Treason against him 2 Sam. 15.10 like the Mule who kicks the Dam after she hath given it Milk These who sin against their giver and abuse Gods Royal Favours the Mercies of God will come in as witnesses against them What smoother than Oyl but if it be heated what more scalding What sweeter than Mercy but if it be abused what more dreadful It turns to fury 6. If God gives us all let Gods giving excite us to Thanksgiving he is the founder and donor of all our Blessings let him have all our Acknowledgments All the rivers come from the sea and thither they return again Eccl. 1.7 All our gifts come from God and to him must all our Praises return We are apt to burn incense to our own drag Hab. 1.16 to attribute all we have to our own Skill or second Causes 1. Our own Skill and Industry God is the giver he gives daily Bread Psal. 136.35 he gives Riches Deut. 8.18 He it is that giveth thee power to get wealth Or 2. We oft ascribe the praise to second Causes and forget God If Friends have bestowed an Estate to look at them and admire them but not God who is the great giver As if one should be thankful to the Steward and never take notice of the Master of the Family that provides all O if God gives all our Eye-sight our Food our Cloathing let us sacrifice the chief Praise to him let not God be a loser by his Mercies Praise is a more illustrious part of Gods Worship Our wants may send us to Prayer Nature may make us beg Daily-bread but it shows an Heart full of Ingenuity and Grace to be rendring Praises to God In Petition we act like Men in Praise we act like Angels Doth God sow seeds of Mercy let Thankfulness be the crop we bring forth We are called the Temples of God 1 Cor. 3.16 and where should Gods Praises be sounded forth but in his Temples Psal. 146.2 While I live will I bless the Lord I will sing praises to my God while I have any being God gives us daily Bread let us give him daily Praise Thankfulness to our Donor is the best policy there 's nothing lost by it To be thankful for one Mercy is the way to have more Musicians love to sound their Trumpets where there is the best eccho and God loves to bestow his Mercies where there is the best eccho of Praise And it is not only offering the calves of our Lips is enough but we must show our thankfulness by improving the gifts which God gives us and as it were putting them out to use God gives us an Estate and we honour the Lord with our substance Prov. 3.9 he gives us the staff of Bread and we lay out the strength we receive by it in his service This is to be thankful and that we may be thankful be humble Pride stops the current of gratitude A proud Man will never be thankful he looks upon all he hath either to be of his own procuring or deserving Let us see all we have is Gods gift and how unworthy we are to receive the least favour and this will make us much in doxology and gratitude we will be Silver Trumpets sounding forth Gods Praise First Give Hence I note 1. That the good things of this Life are the gifts of God he is the founder and donor 2. From this word give I note that it is not unlawful to pray for Temporal things we may pray for daily Bread Prov. 30.8 Feed me with food convenient for me we may pray for Health Psal. 6.2 O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed As these are in themselves good things so they are useful for us They are as needful for the preserving the Comfort of Life as the Oyl is needful for preserving the Lamp from going out Only let me insert two things 1. There is a great difference between our praying for Temporal things and Spiritual In praying for Spiritual things we must be absolute When we pray for pardon of Sin and the favour of God and the sanctifying graces of the Spirit these are indispensibly necessary to Salvation and here we must take no denyal But when we pray for Temporal things here our Prayers must be limited we must pray conditionally so far as God sees them good for us God sometimes sees cause to with-hold Temporal things from us They may be snares and draw our Hearts from God therefore we must pray for these things with submission to Gods Will. This was Israels sin they would be peremptory and absolute in their desire of Temporal things Gods bill of fare did not please them they must have dainties Numb 11.18 Who shall give us flesh to eat God had given them Manna he fed them with a Miracle from Heaven but their wanton Pallats craved more they must have Quails God let them have their desire but they had sower sawce to their Quails Psal. 78.31 While the meat was yet in their mouths the wrath of God came upon them and slew them Rachel was importunate in her desires for a Child Gen. 30.1 Give me children or I dye God let her have a Child but it was a Benoni
Hell is heated to throw Lyars into Rev. 22.15 Without are Dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and whosoever loveth and telleth a Lye 9. The Evil Tongue is the Flattering Tongue That will speak fair to ones Face but will defame Pro. 26.25 He that hateth dissembleth with his Lips When he speaketh fair believe him not Dissembled Love is worse than Hatred Some can commend and reproach flatter and hate Honey in their Mouths but a sting of Malice in their Hearts Better are the Wounds of a Friend than the Kisses of such an Enemy Hierome saith The Arrian Faction pretended Friendship they saith he kissed my Hands but slandered me and sought my Ruine Many have dissembling Tongues they can say Your Servant and lay Snares Prov. 29.5 A Man that flattereth his Neighbour spreadeth snares for his Feet You oft think you have a Frieâ—d in your Bosom but he proves a Viper To dissemble Love is no better than a Lye for there is a pretence of that Love which is not Many are like Ioab 2 Sam. 20.9 And Joab said to Amasa art thou in Health my Brother and he took him by the Beard to kiss him and he smote him in the Fifth Rib that he dyed Impia sub dulci melle venena latent For my part I much question his Truth towards God that will flatter and lye to his Friend He who counterfeits love to his Friend is worse than he that Coins counterfeit Money God will bring such an one to shame at last Prov. 26.26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit his Wickedness shall be shewed before the whole Congregation 10. The Evil Tongue is the Tongue given to Boasting Iam. 3.5 The Tongue is a little Member and boasteth great things There is an Holy boasting Psal. 44.8 In God we boast all the Day when we triumph in his Power and Mercy But it is a sinful boasting when Men display their Trophies boast of their own Worth and Eminency that others may admire and cry them up A Man's sâ—lf is his Idol and he loves to have this Idol worshipped Acts 5.36 There arose up Theudas boasting himself to be Somebody 2. Sinful boasting is when Men boast of their Sins Psal. 52. 1. Why boastest thou thy self in mischief O mighty Man Some boast how wicked they have been how many they have made drunk how many they have deflowered As if a Beggar should boast of his Sores or a Thief boast of being burnt in the Hand Such as boast of their sinful Exploits will have little cause to rejoice or hang up their Trophies when they come to Hell XI The Evil Tongue is the Swearing Tongue Matth. 5.34 Swear not at all The Scripture allows an Oath for the ending of a Controversie and to clear the Truth Heb. 6.16 But in ordinary discourse to use an Oath and so to take God's Name in Vain is sinful Swearing may be called the unfruitful Work of Darkness there is neither Pleasure nor Profit in it 't is like an Hook the Fish comes to without a Bait. Ier. 23.10 Because of Swearing the Land Mourns Some think it the grace of their Speech but will God reckon with Men for idle Words what will he do for sinful Oaths Obj. But it is only a petty Oath they but Swear by their Faith Answ. Sure they which have so much Faith in their Mouth have none in their Heart But it is my Custom Is this an excuse or an aggravation of the Sin If a Malefactor should be Arraigned for Robbing and he should say to the Judge Spare me it is my Custom to rob on the Highway the Judge would say Thou shalt the rather die For every Oath thou Swearest God puts a drop of Wrath into his Viol. Obj. But may some think what though now and then I Swear an Oath Words are but Wind Answ. But they are such a Wind as will blow thee into Hell without repentance 12. The Railing Tongue is an evil Tongue This is a Plague-Sore breaking out at the Tongue when we give opprobrious Language When the Dispute was between the Arch-Angel and the Devil about the Body of Moses Jude v. 9. the Arch-Angel durst not bring a railing Accusation against him but said The Lord rebuke thee The Arch-Angel durst not rail against the Devil Railing oft ends in Reviling and so Men bring themselves into a Praemunire and are in danger of Hell-Fire Matth. 5.22 13. The Seducing Tongue is an evil Tongue The Tongue that by fine Rhetorick decoys Men into Error Rom. 16.18 By fair Speechs they deceive the hearts of the simple A fair Tongue can put off bad Wares Error is bad Ware which a seducing Tongue can put off The Deceit lies in this a smooth Tongue can make Error look so like Truth that you can hardly know them asunder As thus in Iustification Christ bears infinite Love to justified Persons this is a glorious Truth but under this Notion the Antinomian presseth Libertinism Believers may take more liberty to sin and God sees no Sin in them Thus by crying up Iustification they destroy Sanctification Here is the Seducing Tongue and Error is as dangerous as Vice One may die by Poyson as well as a Pistol 14. The evil Tongue is the cruel Tongue that speaks to the wounding the hearts of others The Tongue is made almost in the fashion of a Sword and the Tongue is sharp as a Sword Psal. 57.4 Their Tongue is a sharp Sword Kind loving Words should be spoken to such as are of a heavy heart Iob 6.14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shown Healing Words are fittest for a broken heart but that is a cruel unmerciful Tongue which speaks such Words to the afflicted as cut them to the heart Psal. 69.26 They talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded Hannah was a Woman of a troubled Spirit 1 Sam. 1.10 She was in bitterness of Soul and wept sore And now Eli ver 14. said unto her How long wilt thou be drunken Put away thy Wine from thee This Word was like pouring Vinegar into the Wound When Iob was afflicted with God's Hand his Friends instead of comforting him tell him he was an Hypocrite Iob 11.2 These were cutting Words which went to his heart Instead of giving him Cordials in his fainting they use Corrosives This is to lay more weight upon a dying Man 15. The evil Tongue is the murmuring Tongue Iude 16. These are Murmurers Murmuring is Discontent breaking out at the Lips Men quarrel with God and tax his Providence as if he had not dealt well with them Why should any murmur or be discontented at their Condition Doth God owe them any thing Or can they deserve any thing at his hands Oh how uncomely is it to murmur at Providence It is fittest for a Cain to be Wroth with God Gen. 4.6 1. Murmuring proceeds from Unbelief When men distrust God's Promise then they murmur at his Providence Psal. 106.24 25. They believed not his Word but murmured When Faith