distinguishing mercies unto thee How hast thou forgotten the Lord in numberless sins Should he cast thee out of his mind thou hadst been cast into Hell long before this O let the thoughts of thy dear Lord be precious to thee Love quickens memory let him be the dearly beloved of thy soul as thou art of his and thy memory will be the faithful treasury of his glory and thy duty SECT 4. 4. EVidence of close Abuse of Gods grace is secret acting of Heart-sinnes Close pollutions in the best hearts deny and 4 Secret acting of heart-sins is an evidence of abuse of grace oppose the savoury power of grace Scripture Records are sad experiences of a world of filth gathered together in the heart like an heap of dust a load of dung There is heart iniquitie that marrs Prayer Psal 66. 18. There are close heart Idols Ezek. 14. 3. which have too much account and adoration The heart in the time and place of solemn divine service goeth after covetousnesse Ezek. 33. 31. is the work-house where the practises of it are daily exercised 2 Pet. 2. 14. The heart is of a grosse brawny constitution Matth. 13. 15. insensible of fleshly or spirituall motions It is whorish corporally sometimes often spiritually had rather lye in an earthy yea sometimes an hellish than heavenly bed of Loves 'T is often the complaint of serious gracious spirits when their lips are pure their hearts are unclean when their language is heavenly their spirits are earthly Aliud corde prementes aliud ore promentes O the sighs the tears that are the issues of spiritual observing eyes when they turn inwards and behold defiling Pride Passions Dumb sins Abominable impurities yea which aggravates inward wickedness in pious soules even in cleansing times and means Hearing Praying Humbling houres so that were hearts transparent and their hideous filthiness exposed to Fenestrata pâ—ctora common view the Readers of bosom wickednesse would say Religious minds were not Gods Temples but the Devils Synagogues not the sweet Repositaries of the Holy Spirit but the Augaean Stables of the unclean How filthy is the scent of holy mens impure soules to their heavenly acute smell They are weary of their lives in their right sense when they see such close wickednesse to wrong the Grace of God but that there is â— discerning eye and loathing spirit of this filthy sink of sin all werâ— naught and all profession a delusion O Christian wouldst thou load thine heart with the sight and sense of those ugly hellish characters thy spirituall Lyncaean eyes behold see the vilenesse of it in a parable A King intirely affectionate to his Subjects his favourites especially would be honoured every where but especially in his Court what affronts do his ennobled and promocreatures put upon him who although they do not make him vile in the streets yet before his face pollute his chamber with mire and dirt yea spit in his face The King of Glory loving to all deserves every ones highest respects his favourites especially though the world wallowing in wickednesse abuse him he should not be wronged where he keepes his Court what affronts do his ennobled new creatures do to him who though they do not make him vile in the open streets of publick scandall yet they pollute the heart his chamber with the mire and Triâ—linium Dei. dirt of filthy sins yea spit on the fair face of his Grace by secret presumptions O infinite mercy compassion and condescension that the great God jealous of the State and Glory of his Majesty seeing his Mansion house so abused will yet vouchsafe to call it his and to dwell in it SECT V. 5. EVidence of close Abuse of Gods Grace is adventuring 5 Adventuring on lesser sins is an abuse of Grace on lesser sins Grace is that Wisdome that is from above without partiality in its Heavenly Executions will spare no sins fat and lean must all be a Sacrifice to its sword great and small like all the Egyptians in the Sea must perish it hath no reseâ—ves of cruell pitty sayes of all sins as Jehu of all the Worshippers of Baal Let none of them live 2 King 10. 20. Hypocrisy speaks like that hypocrite Saul spare some O Christian t is thy wanton indulgence when thou sparest any little it may be doest thou thinke when the flattering old man sayes spare this and this sin it is as if he should say damn thou soul little sins like little poyson being of a killing nature as well as greater that of Chrysostome is true experience He that a little is carried away by his carnall Lust will be a greater Revolter his Qui parum cupiditate abreptus discesserit multum etiam procedens abscedit Quamobrem cave parum hoc non est parum sed fere totum Chrysostom Counsell is safe wherefore sayes he take heed this little is not little it is almost all Sins motion is down hill motion like the stone when it begins a little to fall it still falls he that goeth one mile with his Lust and the Devill will go two ten twenty knowes not when to stop a little allowed weaknesse soon growes to allowed wickednesse what enemies are we to Grace and our own Soules when in the just day of its vengeance we will secure little sins say we not as Lot of Zoar is it not a little one and my Soule shall live Gen. 19. 20. This sin is a little one a Saints infirmity my Soule shall live how do we practically indent with God that his gracious Pattents should be securities for little sins Well were it if these had not too liberall allowances protections and Respect When I bow said Naaman in the Carnis nostra securitas infirmitatem primam ad pecca tum viaÌ„ sacit postea obdurat animam prava voluntate house of Rimmon in this thing the Lord pardon thy Servant 2 King 5. 18. So when we yeild subjection to little sins in these things there is scarce doubt the Lord will pardon his servants when we protect the least sins how do we forget that command Cast away all your transgressions Ezeck 18. 31. And what in us layes cast our selves out of mercies Protection Repentance must be as universall as Remission that Grace that pardons purgeth all sin though all sins are not equall yet all are mortall in their nature a little sin as well as a little needle sticking in the heatt is deadly vain thoughts idle words deadnesse of heart formality in duties foolish jesting petty oathes with many such sins of course though little sins in common repute by many Minima vocat ex sensu hominim nihil minutum de quo praecipere dignatus est coelestis Legislator Marl in loc thought no sins yet like little Toads and serpents spit poyson on the Soule we read indeed of least Commandements Matth. 5. 19. But it is in mens opinions not their own nature No command is little that hath
a property of true repentance 2 Cor. 7. 11. 6 A choice Gospel blessing is denyed 6. You deny your selves a choice Gospel blessing which is the turning of you from your iniquities Act. 3. 26. Joyfull news to sound hearts to be rid of the power of their tyrannizing sins 7 A choice fruit of Christs Intercessâ—oÌ„ is mist 7. You miss a choice fruit of Christs intercession which is to give repentance to Israel Act. 5. 31. One of the great donatives of the Prince of Life installed in his heavenly glory a choice Royal gift to fit for Heaven 8. You divide what God hath joyned together Remission and 8 That is divided which God hath joyned 9 Selfishnesse appears in thoughts hopes and desires Repentance Act. 5. 31. Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus 1 Pet. 1. 2. 9. You are wholly selfish in your thoughts hopes and desires of pardon would have God blot out your sinnes to serve your own turn not to serve him to sinne with a peaceable spirit not serve him with a pure conscience That you might not goe to Hell not that you might be fit for Heaven O Christians abuse not upon these accounts pardoning grace If you doe and die in this wickedness be sure these considerations will like fire flashing about the ears in the other world flame upon your consciences as daring wantons that have played and sported with Gods pardons If you say God forbid we should abuse pardoning grace we are free from so great a sinne Take heed you dream not of innocence where the Word chargeth you with guilt Surely you play the wantons with pardoning grace if seven things are verified of you 1. If you sinne in hope of pardon which is wretched presumption 1. To sin in hope of pardon is wretched presumption Are you not like those ill nurtured and impudent children that are vile and wicked because they expect their fond and indulgent Parents forgivenesse or like those Rogues that rob and steal because they hope for a Psalm of Mercy or like those tempters of God that wound themselves because they look for healing from a soveraign Balsome What is this expectation of pardon but a confirmation in sin and an encourgaement to doe still more wickedly 2. If after your assurance that you are pardoned you boldly 2 To sin upon hopes of pardon is to welcome the flesh willingly and delightingly bid the next temptations welcome this is in effect as if you should say Welcome flesh we are your servants welcome devil we are your subjects welcome world with all your snares sinfull pleasures and pollutions we will refuse none of you we are out of gun-shot you can doe us no hurt we had lately a pardon sent into our bosoms and now we may have liberty of sport and dalliance we have a gracious God that will forgive us and a suretie who will pay all our debts If this be your case do you not clearly affront pardoning grace 3. If your design of desiring and obtaining pardon be onely 3 Such as sin in hope of pardon can easily beare the pollution of sin to have a quiet conscience but not a good one you can very well bear the obstruction the rebellion the pollution of your sinnes but onely dread their damnation If the use you make of pardons is onely that you may not be troubled not that you may be holy here is evident injury to Pardoning grace 4. When you goe on in sin after thoughts of pardon you 4 To sin after thoughts of pardon shews no love unto Jesus Christ have no sincere love to Jesus Christ Many rest in hopes yea some in assurances they are forgiven who yet never heartily loved the Lord Christ They never had a love to labour for his name Revel 2. 3. to prize his presence Psal 16. 8. to stoop to his strict spiritual Government Mich. 5. 2. to regard his image to be living Saints Rom. 8. 29. To have evill Psal 119. 104. An eminent yet pardoned sinner will prove this high abuse of pardoning grace Much was forgiven her for she loved much Luk. 7. 47. She could not but answer love for love If you that write your selves down in your quiet consciences absolved persons love not the Lord Jesus you are worse than Publicans they love those that love them Mat. 5. 46. If a liberal creditor should freely forgive all your debts could you deny your lovelesse carriage to him is an high abuse of his goodnesse Should you hate your suretie conscience would tell you his love should be abused Thus doe you deal with God your creditor Christ your suretie you disgrace the pardoning grace you thinke you have from them when you hate the Father and the Sonne yea abhorre the guiding your hearts and lives by the Spirits motions 5. If after thoughts of obtained pardon you have no tender 5 Then pardoning grace is abused when there is no tender conscience c. conscience no mournings weepings meltings of love of Gospel joy for Absolution no serious sense of the dishonourable evill even of pardoned sinne no watchfull fearefull thoughts of the next transgression no sorrowfull apprehension of renewed sin When you came over a narrow bridge and very hardly saved your life are not you tender of comming that way again You have narrowlie scaped hell doe you think pardoning grace hath kept you off it O where is your tendernesse of sinning there again where you had been almost plunged into the bottomlesse pit An heart hardned in sin after thoughts of granted forgivenesse is an evident wrong to this Gospel grace 6. If after thoughts of getting a pardon you have no holy 6 Pardoning grace is abused when there is no shame for sin shame for your sinnes Mary Magdalen was pardoned but in an holy shame shee stood behind her Saviour Luk. 7. 38. The absolved Romans were ashamed even of their pardoned sinnes Rom. 6. 21. Ye are now said the Apostle ashamed of them Ingenious children of God are ashamed when renewing repentance in their Fathers presence they looke over the black roll even of pardoned sinnes Surely you that have impudent reflections on your conceited sinnes yea have no shame to keep you off from renewed and pleasing sins do much disparage pardoning grace 7. If after thoughts your sins are pardoned you cannot you 7 Pardoning grace is abused when you will not pardon others will not pardon others not your enemies not your friends not your joynt professors of the same heavenly faith and hope not your loving reprovers not your hearty intercessors at the throne of grace for you Are you indeed pardoned that cannot pardon Pardon of sin is an eminent part of Gospel-glory True believers are changed into it 2 Cor. 3. 18. When they see how much they are forgiven they cannot but forgive when they see an hundred debts are forgiven will they strain at it to forgive one Yea
hell will be the judgement of them that abuse grace 179 CHAP. 8. Containing an use of Infomation 181 Sect. 1. Sin is of a poysonous nature 181 2. Ordinances of grace are no sufficient pleas for happiness 181 3. The joyes of carnal Gospellers are false joyes 182 4. The best things have evill entertainment from hard hearts 183 5. The grace of God is to be applied with fear and trembling 183 6. Carnal Gospellers never knew the grace of God in truth 184 7. It is a safe and wise course to be trying our principles and practises in Christianity 185 8. The Devil hath his snares in the most holy things 186 9. Libertinisme puts the highest affront upon God 186 CHAP. 9. Containing an Use of Humiliation 187 Sect. 1. Vpright hearted persons ought to bewaile the abuse of Gods grace 188 2. The abuse of sparing grace is sadly revenged 189 3. It is our duty to bewail the abuse of Gods long-suffering grace 190 4. Bewail the abuse of Gods reconciling grace 190 5. Bewail the abuse of Gods freeing grace 191 6. Bewail the abuse of pardoning grace 192 CHAP. 10 Containing an Use of Examination 194 1. They are gross abusers of grace who oppose gospel Merits and Mercies to the Worship of God 195 2. They abuse grace who formally and carelesly pray for it 195 3. They abuse grace who shroud unrighteous courses under the grace of God 197 4. They abuse Gods grace who content themselves with faint desires 179 5. They abuse Gods grace who by restraint at one time take liberty to sin more freely at another time 200 6. They abuse Gods grace who turn it into a sanctuary for unnatural sins 201 7. They abuse the grace of God who think it will afford indulgence to vile affections 205 8. They abuse Gods grace who oppose it to necessary civilities 207 9. They abuse Gods grace who are eminent worldlings 212 10. They abuse grace who are sensless and stupid Libertines 216 11. They abuse Gods grace who are guiltie of wrong to the creature 218 CHAP. 11. Containing a second branch of Examination how we may know the secret close and morerefined abuses of Gods grace 223 Sect. 1. A sinful close of spritual cnjoyments is an evidence of the abuse of grace 224 2. Irreverence of Gods Majesty is an evidence of the abuse of grace 228 3. Forgetfulness of God is an evidene of the abuse of grace 231 4. Secret acting of heart-sinnes is an evidene of the abuse of grace 231 5. Adventuring on lesser sins is an abuse of grace 232 6. Abuse of Gods grace appears in discontentment at Gods gracious corrections 234 7. The daring to do that when the Rod is off which one would not when the Rod is on is a sign of the abuse of grace 235 8. Shamelesness before the Lord for acknowledged sins is an evidence of the abuse of grace 236 9. Insensibleness of others miseries is an evidence of the abuse of grace 238 10. Vn-improvement of grace received is an evidence of abuse of grace 239 11. Pride and desire of prelâ—eminence is an evidence of the abuse of grace 240 12. Declining hardship in the practise of Religion is an abuse of grace 241 13. Neglect of daily repentance is an evidence of abuse of grace 242 CHAP. 12. Containing an Use of Caution 244 Sect. 1. Beware thou put not off the tryal of turning the grace of God into wantonness 244 2. Take heed of denying the proof of gross affronts to Gods grace 246 3. See to it that you slight not the conviction 247 4. Refuse not to put sad and serâ—ous Queries to thy soul 8. especially 5. The second part is an use of caution concerning the close wronging of Gods grace 250 6. Beware of judging wantonnesse against grace by a false rule 251 7. Beware of Security 253 8. Be not content with a slight humiliation for close abuse of Gods grace 253 CHAP. 13. Shewing the difference between wronging the grace of God in the Regenerate and Unregenerate 255 Sect. 1. The abuse of Gods grace in a child of God is onely from the unregenerate part 255 2. Though a gracious man abuse grace yet he is deeply humbled for it 256 3. A child of God watcheth over his heart 256 4. A regenerate man abuseth grace less and less 257 5. A regenerate repents and is pardoned 257 CHAP. 14. Containing an Vse of Exhortation 258 Sect. 1. Learn of the gracious and precious heart and life of Jesus Christ 258 2. A cleansed purged heart is a special help to avoid abusing of the grace of God 259 3. The fear of God is an help against the abuse of grace 260 4. Christian watchfulness is an help against abuse of grace 261 5. Praier in the Holy Ghost is a special help against the abuse of grace 262 6. Walking in the Spirit is an help against the abusing of grace 263 7. Serious thoughts what it is to crucifie lusts is an help to prevent the abuse of grace 264 8. A thankfull spirit is a special help to prevent the abuse of grace 265 9. Godly sorrow is an help against abuse of grace 266 10. Close union with God is a special help against abuse of grace 268 11. A constant subduing the first depraved motions is a speciall help to prevent abuse of grace 269 12. Planting the soul with heavenly desires is an help to prevent abuse of grace 269 13. Beating down that grand Idol carnal self-love is an help against abusing the grace of God 270 14. The lively faith and sense of the heavenly country is a special help to prevent the abuse of grace 271 15. Keeping up of grace in exercise prevents abusing of grace 271 16. The hope of glory is a special means to prevent the abuse of grace 272 CHAP. 15. Shewing what great cause of thankfulnesse we owe to God for preserving from this sin 273 CHAP. 16. Containing an Exhortation that souls should alwaies be jealous of this sin 274 CHAP. 17. Containing an Exhortation to long for a riddance from this sinne 275 CHAP. 18. Containing an Exhortation to joy in the Hope of glory 277 CHAP. 19. Containing perswasive Motives to take heed that the grace of God be not abused 278 Sect. 1. The consideration of the titles given to holy Professors should excite us not to abuse Gods grace 278 2. The consideration of Christian Liberty should prevent the abuse of grace 279 3. The credit of the Gospel should engage us to beware of abusing the grace of God 280 3. The strict and high heavenly calling of Christians should keep us from abusing the grace of God 281 5. A lively sense of the excellency of grace is a means to prevent the abuse of grace 282 ERRATA PAg. 15. l. 24. for members read numbers p. 32. l. 9. f. written r. writers p. 32. l. 35. f. eternal r. external p. 51. l. 32. f. yea what tear a property of true repentance r. yea what fear Such a fear as
him Alass carnal Libertines conceive they are free when they go up and down in chains of accustomed sins and have their Keeper with them yea in them i. e. the Prince of this wicked world How not onely unreasonable but unchristian hath been the practice of loose not Christian Reformation Satan can ruine by extreams Some Protestants in Germany that did well in leaving Antichrist did ill too in Apostacy from Christ It was the complaint of Mencelius O sad and shameful disgrace After the power of the holy Gospel had set enthralled Consciences at liberty O de decus tostquam per sanctum Evangelium a Papae tyrannide potestate libertas Volunt homines esse liberi nec d quequam prohiberi quo minus arbitratu suo vivant Joan. Mencelius l. de Pastore from the power and tyranny of the Pope men would be free from all bonds nor suffer any to hinder their licentious lives Are not these sad extreams the practice of these times After many amongst us are freed from humane Conscience-yoaks they complained of have they not also thrown off the Government of Christ by his Word and Spirit and do as much boggle at Divine as humane impositions as if the pure and strict Laws of Christ were equally intolerable with the erring Laws of men Surely Christian liberty puts an universal confinement upon corruption forbids every proud wanton erring Judgement is prone and free to pass a sentence upon crucifie carnal Lusts and Affections dares not adventure on a vain thought and idle word much less monstrous opinions and courses of old and present times Some men so fearfully manage their Gospel liberty as if they might have leave to desire think affect believe speak Ac si evangelium esset talis doctrina quae unicuique potestatem faciendi credendi quod illi placei Concedat Joan Mence lius l. de Pastore and do whatsoever they please under Gospel-allowance which interpretative Blasphemy speaks the Gospel a prophane not an holy Gospel But it need fear no such reproach It s pure rules will vindicate themselves from loosness It s sound words from corrupt opinions Its condemning holiness shine in the threatned damnation of all those that make its liberty an occasion to the flesh yet far be it from me that I should so reproach Christs free ones that better improve their glorious Liberty in these trying times as to deny there are many who through preserving Grace hold fast to the form of sound words and do more warily manage Christian liberty by others Libertinism that dare not live as very many do that do not allow and follow but reprove pray against and weep over their loosness a better course then they take that rebuke sin with sin and while they declaim against unwary Christians use of liberty do fearfully abuse it themselves But the working out Salvation with fear and trembling will prevent among us many Libertines Ah dear Christians are you called to liberty see to it that you be guided by the life and laws of Christ Utter disproportions from these are none of Christs purchase nor dispensations Your dangers are fearful in common liberty of Conscience to be unconscionable Qui liber est naturâ servus est conscientiâ Eusebius Hom. 3. de Pascha while you may have nature state and Church-freedom you may be Conscience slaves No thraldom like that wherein the Devil rides and drives Consciences where he please If he can once be master in the Conscience the Soul and all else in his own SECT 11. 11. PArdoning Grace is turned into wantonness Apprehended 11 Pardoning Grace is turned into wantonness Remission hath proved the corroboration of sin How many are there that sin because they think they are pardoned and though they drive on the trade again it is but suing a Pardon and the corrupt Libertine hath peace again Sin and pardon pardon and sin is their circle of delusion But sin and repentance are strangers to each other What a dishonor is this to pardoning Grace It is made by these men the Incourager and Patron of sin as the Popes indulgences and large Pardons for sins past present and to come out of his rich cheating pardon office are to blinde Papists How do Libertines turn the pardon office of Heaven and throne of Grace erected by the Lord Jesus into a Stews of uncleanness a free opening of Hell Gates an open Market for any to buy the Devils Wares Hearken all ye that wrong pardoning mercy to nine things 1 Ungrateful wickedness in undervaluing the price of forgiveness 1. You in ungrateful Wickedness â—ndervalue yea tread under your feet the infinite price of forgiveness The state of pardon and every act of pardon cost the blood of the Son of God We have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sinnes Ephes 1. 7. Because this blood hath bought you a pardon will you sell your selves to worke wickednesse and disgrace your Redeemer and redemption 2. You abuse the riches of Gods grace Forgivenesse of sins 2 Riches of grace are abused is according to the riches of his grace Ephes 1. 7. The pardon of every sinne of infinite numberlesse sinnes is a distinct act of grace That must needs be rich exceeding rich grace that pardons innumerable sinnes as that must be an immense treasure of money that paies as many debts as there be Stars in the Firmament yea more than that the rich grace of God doth when he saves a sinner Will you now frolick in your carnall wantonness because rich grace will forgive you it is as if you should cast a Kings pardoning act of grace into the dunghill or tread it under your feet 3. You crosse the very end of Pardon which is the destroying 3 The ends of pardon are crossed Fit nobis venia non quae peccata foveat sed quae ad pie sanctéque vivendi studiuÌ„ nos revocet Marlorat in Mat. 9. 4 Christs errant in being sent into the world is crost 5 Gods designs what in you lyes are crost not the favouring of sinne the healing not increasing the wound a pious holy not an impious and prophane life Christ never blotted out believers sinnes that his Pardons might be Indulgences to sinne but purges He never put any into a new state of pardon but he made them new creatures Sin no more followed the pardon of the Adulteresse Joh. 8. 11. Sinne is still the Devils and the fleshes allowance not Jesus Christs 4. You contradict the very errand of Christ sent into the world He came to call sinners to repentance Mat. 9. 13. not to give them leave to live in sin 5. You deprive God what in you lyes of another of his designs in forgiving sinners The planting of his holy fear in their hearts not to sin again There is forgivenesse with thee that thou mayst be feared Psal 130. 4. not that thou mayst be still dishonoured by the old sinnes Yea what fear
are not worthy of the name of men false to the Law of natural gratitude that serve not their deliverer and are not they as unworthy of the name of Christians false to the Law of supernatural thankfulness that serve not their professed infinite Redeemer Pretended favorites of Heaven are like those selfish Courtiers who abuse their Princes ear Smiles Grace Honors and Bounty to Chambering and Wantonness to the greatning of themselves and families but improve not their Soveraigns Grace to his Honor the glory of his Crown the increasing of his Treasure the establishment of his Dominions the lively Pictures of them that go for the Spiritual Darlings of Gods Court who live not to the glorious interest of their Heavenly King but bias all his gracious dealings according to the motions of worldly and corrupt 6. The Grace of God is turned into wantonness when the heart carryeth wickedly as to Christ Thesaurus omnium Christus donorum Marlorat selfishness SECT 6. 3. THe Grace of God is turned into wantonness When the heart carries wickedly as to Christ in three things 1. When the profuse riotous sinner runs in Gods Debt because Christ is his surety Indeed upon this truth and rocky foundation that Christ is the faithful surety of his people Heb. 7. 22. is built the eternal salvation of his Church It is the richest right orient Pearl in the Gospels Cabinet A Believer would not be without this everlasting prop and succor to faith this assured conveyance of eternal happiness for the world It is dross and dung to this excellent knowledge Christ is a surety But to whom and for what To refusers and despisers of him to loose the reins on the neck of lusts to priviledge the liberties and power of Satan to sin without controll and remorse Surely Christ as our surety on the Cross sustained our person and Christus ut sponsor personam nostram gerebat ut vetus noster homo in nobis necaretur Diks in Rom. 6. Faedus gratiae habet Christum sponsorem ut tanquam Dei amici ambularemus Diks in Heb. 7. made to his Father an engagement for us that our old man in time should die Rom. 6. 6. Yea in the great agreement of the holy and everlasting Covenant of Grace there was this part of suretiship that â—e should walk in holy fellowship with God and Christ by the Spirit as the friends of God and therefore it is an intolerable indignity to our heavenly surety at once to believe him an undertaker that corruption should die and to live in sin This maketh him a surety and no surety A surety in the professed Faith and owning of this suretiship no surety in the Preservation and not Mortification of wanton Lusts Consider this all ye that sin against the grace of your professed surety but without his leave or the least allowance of his Gospel was a gracious pardon-office dearly purchased by the infinite price of the blood of the Son of God that it should lavish out forgiveness of sins to dissolute livers Did God decree and Christ accept of a weighty costly and suffering suretiship that profuse Iewd Debtors might spend more freely merrily and daringly on the stock of their sureties satisfactions Such indignity carnal profession imposeth upon Christs saving undertaking The Lord invites the humbled burthened sinner to accept of Deus nos invitat ad veniam nos quoâ—idie cumulamus offensam his pardoning mercy and proud Libertines heap up sin These spots and dishonors in Christian Assemblies are like to a young riotous Gallant that spends largely in Gaming Feasting Whoring and comfortably stayeth upon this he shall not be Arrested not Imprisoned because he hath a rich surety will pay all So expensive Libertines give large vent to their corruptions in their sinful creature-excesses in their abominable hypocrisies in their unrighteous dealings in their idolized sensualities in their carnal securities and yet they chear and fully stay themselves in this Indemnity the Law shall not arrest them nor cast them into the eternal prison of utter darkness because they have a rich surety Jesus Christ who as they presume will pay all 2. When the faith of redemption by Christ worketh not Redemptio nos obstrictos tenet ac sub obedientiae fraeno cohibet Carnis nostrae lasciviam Calvin in 1 Cor. 6. Qui redemptus est alter us beneficio non est sui juris Calvin in Jer. 2. 20. subjection to him the grace of God is turned into wantonness Eternal Redemption is an eternal obligation to service a bridle to curb our lascivious flesh not a Feast to feed it God hath on purpose decreed Christ a Redeemer that he might be soveraign Lord over all his purchase as we have dominion over that we pay dear for Now where redemption by Jesus Christ is preached in common that the price of his blood was a sufficient ransome to redeem the whole world there are very few but believe Christ died for them But how is the mystery and mercy of Redemption abused the Faith of Redemption worketh not subjection in most professed Christians They would be saved in their sins not from their sins Christ hath redeemed his people out of the hands of their enemies but they are content to be in them still He died to rescue them from their vain conversation 1 Pet. 1. 18. but they are vain Jam. 2. 20. Walk after vanity Jer. 2. 5. and shall finde vanity their recompence Job 15. 31. He was crucified to deliver from the power of Satan Heb. 2. 14 15. but they are still his possession Eph. 2. 2. as taken Beasts are the Hunters prey as Prisoners are the Conquerors spoil to be carried up and down dealt with at their pleasure 2 Tim. 2. 25. O that such as are by profession Subjects and by disposition and conversation Rebels against Christ would seriously ponder these things 1. Both the Scriptures and experience of loyal Subjects to Christ do clearly evidence that effectual beneficial Redemption is proved by subjection that he died not to redeem us to the life but death of sin not that we should live and die in sin but Non ut nos vivendo pecca tis immorarmur tandem immoreremur Otho Casmannus live and die in the state and power of Grace 2. They that believe themselves the redeemed of Christ and yet are the slaves of their lusts the vassals of Satan have either not considered at all or very slightly That the proper intention of Redemption was Dominion Ye are bought with a price are not your own your Body and Spirits are Gods 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. To this end Christ both died and rose and revived that he might Nullus fidelium juris sui sed alieni Dicksonus Vtinam hoc altissimis radicibus in mente figatur Pet. Martyr in Rom. 14. be the Lord both of the dead and living Rom. 14. 9. Surely no Believer is of his own right but anothers His
Person is deeply and dearly paid for now what is bought passeth into the dominion of the buyer The ransomed of Christ are Peculium Christi Christs own possession It was an holy wish of an holy Writer O that Christs Lordship with deepest impressions might be rooted and fixed in our mindes The loose depravers of Redemption run the hazard of perishing when they refuse to be Christs possession 3. The greatest freedom pomp and glory of the world that Impii pre vilisfimis abjectissimis habentur licet spiendeant in oculis hominum Davenant in Coloss takes carnal eyes dischargeth no wicked Libertines from being the most vile and abject slaves Nobles though bound in silver chains are Prisoners The Devil and the old Man will never envy their spiritual Captives outward freedoms while efficacious Redemption hath made no powerful Translation unto Christs Kingdom of salvation 4. Carnal walkers conceits of Redemption by Christ are pleasing delusive and vanishing dreams While the Israelites served Quicquid somniant homines carnales de liberatione suâ est vanissimum Nam ut Israelitae dum Phaaroni inserviebant non erant libertate donati sic Christiani dum Diabolo parent dum peccati delitiis diffluunt Davenant Pharaoh they were not delivered so titular Christians never felt the power of Redemption while they obey the Devil and abound in the pleasures of sin The chained Prisoners thoughts of Ransome are very sorry ones while he still starves and dieth in his Irons 5. The avenging jealousie of the Lord Christ will flame out against them who rest yea boast in heart yea sometimes in tongue of his ransoming Grace and yet shake off his rightly purchased Government He counts them no better than enemies that refuse his dominion and threatens their destruction Luke 19. 27. He shall come from Heaven to revenge their disobedience to his Gospel 2 Thess 1. who prophanely rested on the Grace of his Redemption How can they answer their undoing fallacy of dividing what God hath joyned parting Redemption from iniquity and Redemption from Hell as if the whole of it were to rescue lost sinners from the smart not the filth of sin to give them a licentious ease not to fit them for their professed Lords use and their own eternal sweet communion with him to keep them from being vessels of wrath not to make them vessels of honour What a dishonour is this to the grace of God That Lust the Devill and the World should Lord it over Christs purchase What reproach to Redemption that those who beleeve they are ransomed by him will not be subject to him but abide Col. 1. 21. Enemies to him in their minds declared by wicked workes Are not these men like ransomed captives bought by a deare price who are so far from subjection and paying honour to that they rebel against their Lord 3. When Christ is desired for his comforts not for his service Gods grace is turned into wantonness Thus many take Christ to serve their turnes of him not to serve him for a shelter to comfort them in storms not a Master to doe his will When under the terrors and sorrows of death and hell they would have comfortable words from Christ even then when they have rebellious hearts against him I have heard from an eye and ear-witness a sad report of a tipling adulterous prophane man when he had the terrours of an angry God on his wounded soul and not onely fear of Hell but confessed feeling of the paines and flames of hell in his spirit was in his flesh like another trembling Balshazar at the hand writing against him a real afflicted Quaker sent for the Minister cried out of his grosse sinnes yea his barren and forsaken use of reading and prayer but the slavish sorrows were soon wasted and the terrified sinner soon grew vain frothy sensuall and voluptuous Such as like onely the pacifying but not the purifying part of Religion have whorish hearts wandring from God to other Loves even then when they are afraid of him Wanton unclean wives would have their husbands good lookes words and gifts though disobedient to them and defilers of the Marriage bed Thus too many adulterous hearts when the lips only matched with Jesus Christ would have the comforts of Reconciliation Remission Adoption the peace and joyes of the Holy Ghost even then when they contemn his holy strict Gospel-government The Apostle Paul will be a condemning instance against these selfish wantons As he obtained Pardoning mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. So he was the servant of Jesus Christ Rom. 1. 1. yea laboured in Christs vineyard more than any of the Apostles 1 Cor. 15. 10. Should God put sound hearts to the choice whether they had rather have eminent grace to doe the will than see the sweet face of Christ they would prefer dutifulness before joyes and rather obey the commands than see the smiles of God But rotten hearts are all for the comforts Hypocritae magno supercilio jactant pietaetem sed pias monitiones rejiciunt Calv. Isa 50. nothing for the self-denying mortifying precepts of the gospel would be content to spend their daies in carnall rejoycing not working for the Lord Jesus It is just with God that all such who onely seek the comforts but not the labours and tasks of christianity shall everlastingly be strangers to the solaces who were enemies to the duties of the Gospel They who center Optimo jure nobis adimitur gaudium ubi in ipso gaudere nescimus Calv. in Isa 24. their joy in themselves shall never have true joy O that these men that fear no evill but wrath and Hell and so doe keep in not leave their wickednesse and see no good in Religion but its comfort and peace would seriously consider the experimentall words of Zanchy Evill men doe but inwardly restrain their wickedness which without feares they would wantonly powre forth Suam pravitatem intus cohibent quaÌ„â—lioqui petuâ—â—nter effusuri erant unde nec meliores nec justiores apud Deum quia licet timore impediti suam iniquitatem exercere non audent tamen intus habent cor peccatis aestuans neo renovatum ab obedientia Dei Zanchius de legis officio and this maketh them not the better nor more righteous in Gods account because though chained up by fear they dare not act their iniquity yet within they have sins impure flames pent up but no heart renewed by the obedience of God SECT 7. 4. VVHen the heart carrieth wickedly as to the Law of God The Grace of God is turned into wantonness 7 When the heart carrieth wickedly as to the Law of God This is done Doctrinally and Practically 1. Doctrinally When the Justifying grace of God is made 2 dis-obligement from the obedience of the Law Because they that are under grace are not under the damning power of the Law Therefore loose Opinionists teach they are not under the commanding power of the Law as if Christ dyed
and pardoning mercy of God Ishall never be cleard of this guilt the glory of his Justice will shine in my ruin the glory of whose grace hath been darkned by my looseness The daring thoughts counsels words and practices of all Libertines doe betray such a spirit as was in Marcion of old who fancied God made all of mercy and grace and removed severities and judicial penal authorities from the good God as if he were a stupid Essence insensible of any affronts and indignities put upon him Thus as if God were not essentially just as well as mercifull he is by impudent Libertinisme spoyled of his Justice who as hee is just and a justifier of true beleevers so he is just and a condemner of all his enemies the greatest whereof are they that continue in sin because grace abounds SECT 6. 6. VVAnt of Grace changing and affecting the heart that 6 Want of Grace changing the heart causeth Gods grace to be turned into wantonnesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 violent uÌ„ quiddam significat Beza Vsurpatur de iis qui in carcere custodia detinentur Gen. 39. 20. Quotquot in officio suo tor pent dona spiritus ignavo otio defodiunt nec propriam nec alioruÌ„ salutem provehunt Gualt in Luk 19. Hom. 174. Verba in opera Bernard shines in the Head Convictions may and doe often stand with positive Rebellion The truth of God is held prisoner in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. takes no hold on the wills and affections of men such violent restraint is laid upon it by over-powering worldly lusts that its sanctifying reforming liberty and authority is quite supprest It is with the lightsome beames of Gods grace as with the Sun The light may shine in the upper sleeping room but be shut out of the lower working rooms The grace of God shines often in the upper sleeping room idle drousie Speculation and conviction in the mind but is shut out of the lower working rooms the Will and the Affections Evil servants know their Masters will but have no hearts to doe it They are evill servants who in the Lords spirituall husbandry trading and occupation are negligent in their duty and hide the talents of the Spirits gifts in sluggish idlenesse and neither promote their own nor others salvation Family-guides cannot beare it who see their loose Attendants waste and abuse the light of great Candles to wantonnesse when their more conscionable Ministers doe much work by lesser lights What a shame will it bee in the reckoning day when persons of vast apprehensions but loose hearts and lives shall be condemned from the vast practice of Godliness in men of mean yet sound intellectuals who turn a few gracious notions into holy motions and words into works SECT 7. 7. WAnt of the upright and genuine use of Cods grace 7. Want of the genuine use of grace causeth it to be turned into wantonness Of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an assault because if the flesh have never so little liberty it will assault us as a Medicine to cure not as a Cloak to cover sin We read 1 Pet. 2. 16. a Cloak of maliciousness or wickedness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the danger of usâ—rg liberty an occasion to the flesh Gal. 5. 13. which let alone will make assault upon us as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports The Sheeps-skin on the Wolves back doth indeed cover not alter the ravenous Creature While the cloak of grace doth but hide not heal the old Man he will be a Libertine The matter is not with carnal Gospellers whether they sin or no but whether concealed Unsound hearts are not so much troubled with the conscience as infamy of sin Much wickedness in the world appearing in its native colours would be abominable but when it borrows a dress from the grace of God it looks lovely and is unsuspected A pitty it is so fair a cloak as Gods grace should be put on so foul a body as sin it is as if a leprous Body were covered with Purple and a Dung-hill with Scarlet It was a part of Jeremiah's Lamentations That the Sons of Zion that were cloathed in Scarlet embraced Dung-hills Lam. 4. 5. It should be for a lamentation that spurious Gospellers the false sons of Zion clad in a rich scarlet glorious profession should stain themselves with durg-hill words and works To put the cover of nature upon unnatural unmorral sins is abominable to put the cloak of grace on works of darkness to wash the Devils face with holy-water is much more detestable It is as if Satan should court God to license his wickedness as if his pure nature should priviledge uncleanness They were false Jews uncircumcised in Spirit though not in flesh who made their ceremonious services which Jer 7. 8. Plus licentiae sibi in ceremoni is sumebant quae debebant esse paenitentiae â—â—â—ercitia Calv. should have been exercises of repentance the Patrons of Licentiousness and so they are adulterate Christians who prostitute their Religious Worship to irreligious designs and practices But sure Grace was never intended to cover but cure sin As the God of grace hath clearly vindicated grace from this dishonor in his Scriptures and in the mortified conversation of his real â—aints so will he in the great day of restitution of all things all things by their proper names set them on their own bottoms arraign sin as sin grace as grace the enemies of Christ as enemies and friends as friends and avenge before the world dishonors done to his Gospel-grace and invincibly clear it to the judgement both of elect and reprobates that grace is a destroyer not a Saviour of sin an help not an hindrance of good life Take with you words and say receive us graciously Hos 14. 2. This grace was an healing remedy I will heal their backslidings v. 4. Grace like the covering wings of the Chicken like the covering Plaister of the wound doth both cover and cure Pardoning and purging Grace go together As the wisdom so the grace that is from above is pure as well as peaceable It is the constant Petition of the sound Spirit of Prayer Lord pardon Lord heal my sins SECT 8. 8. VVAnt of sound conviction of the mischief of original 8. Want of conviction of original corruption is a cause of turning the grace of God into wantonness corruption and severe mortification thereof is an experimented account why grace is abused Here are two branches 1. Want of clear convincement of the old mans mischief The Character of his wickedness is very large when it is not known at all or but slightly no wonder if the bosome Enemy play Rex and rule as he he His sinfulness as followeth not discerned nor regarded begetteth high abuse of the Grace of God Were these things known and believed concerning original corruption professed Christians could not be so licentious Sad experience will give this evil report of it One saith truly
the Truth for by-ends not the love of it 2 Thes 2. 10. So Heretical loose prophane spirits are not in love with truth and as a Wife who is not in love with her Husband abuseth his kindesse so do these the truth Love is kind behaveth not it self unseemly 1 Cor. 13. 4 5. True love of truth is so kind to her as not to put unseemly affronts upon her I wonder not when David setting up a pair of ballances and weighing truth in one scale and the greatest glories of the world in the other in his judicious esteem Truth as most weighty and massie did preponderate His love run out in fullest stream to the Truth O how do I love thy Law Psal 119. 97. The joy of his high love was not onely parallel to the joy of all riches V 14. accounted as a rich fee-simple an heritage for ever V. 111. but the beauty and treasure of truth was better unto him than thousands of Gold and Silver V. 72. Above Gold yea above fine Gold V. 128. And now as a faithfull Spouse deeply in love with and betrothed to her dear â—ridegroom by no difficulties and afflictions is beat off from him quickens and sharpens her zeale after him by opposition so David espoused to the pure and lovely truth of God V. 140. was faithfull to the interest of it in all affictions the whetstone of his holy profession meditation of and conversation by it This was the sweet song of his pilgrimage v. 54. Neither trouble and anguish that took hold on him v. 145. nor Princes persecutions v. 161. nor the presence of Kings v. 46. nor his enemies despising of him v. 141. nor proud mens forging lyes against him v. 69. nor their digging pits nor laying snares for him v. 85. 110. nor their waiting to destroy him v. 95. nor their almost consuming him upon earth v. 87. could bring down his high esteem nor cool his burning love to the Truth whose guiding purifying comforting influence he had found in his heart life Buy the truth and sell it not Prov. 23. 23. buy it at any reat sell it at no rate as it is with persons deeply sick of love they will have such a man or woman though they beg with them so it is with the lovers of saving truth they will be match'd to it though they perish by it though it cost them the losse of their estates liberties and lives The word of truth the Gospel of salvation hath been dearer to blessed Martyrs than their hearts blood The Apostles could doe nothing against the truth but for the truth 2 Cor. 13. 8. and then no wonder they were zelots for the truth did neither Sancti viri amando discunt quod docendo proferunt Greg. super Ezek. deny the profession of it nor wantonly abuse it Reall Saints learn the truth by loving it professe the truth they have learned and stick to the truth they professe 'T is a true and sure experience they who have not received the truth for the love of it rience they who have not received the truth for the love of it but for and by carnall ends will make it their decoy and stalking Horse and as it was never heartily loved for it selfe in time Mollior solutior vita est quast lascivia adversus Christum Calv. in loc of Temptation they will reject it or dissemble it with which they have ever played the wantons to which they never yeelded hearty obedience The Apostle tells us that younger widdows professed Christians waxed wanton against Christ in their too soft and delicate life of pleasures 1 Tim. 5. 6 11. a reason is subjoyned Nemo vel tantillum potest a Christo deflectere quin Satanam sequatur Hinc admonemar quam exitialis sit c. 1b beca use they cast off their first faith v. 12. The faith of 〈◊〉 severe mortifying Christianitie These also are said to go after Satan v. 15. A sad Text that will prove many specious pompous christians to be fatanicall Calvin beginnes his Exposition of those words Some are turned aside after Satan with a Notanda loquutio Note the words well No man can a little turn from jesus Christ but he is in a ready way to follow Satan Hence we are admonished how deadly a sinne it is to turn aside from the right course which of the sons of God will make us the slaves of Satan and being drawn off from the government of Christ sets Satan over us to be out Leader SECT 5. 5. WAnt of laying to heart Gospel threatnings contributes 5. Want of laying to heart Gospel threatnings contributes to the Gods grace to the Abuse of Gods grace The Lord hath to prevent the abuse of it annexed the threatnings of the covenant of works to the violation of the covenant of grace Death Hell the wrath to come the curses of the Law were the threats of the covenant of Works These are used to Hedge in a reverend regard to and obedience of the covenant of grace God in infinite wisdome and love jealous of the Apostasy of his peoples hearts and zealous of his own glory and their salvation hath annexed dreadfull threatnings to the Preaching of the Gospel to keep down proud wanton flesh to be a thorny thick-sett preventive of over-leaping rebellions and preservative of obedience The fear of anger is a good expedient left the hope of Gods goodnesse be abused to carnal neglect Hence we read these comminations Expedit esse sub 〈◊〉 ne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 divinae benignitatis solvamur in negligentiam Orig. We are not of those which draw back to perdition Heb. 10. 38. Perdition is implyedly threatned against A postasie from Christ He that loveth not the Lord Jesus Christ in sinceritie let him be Anathema Maranatha accursed excommunicate for ever 1 Cor. 16. 22. The everlasting curse is threatned to Christs false friends He that believeth not is damned Joh. 3. 18. Except ye repent ye shall perish Luk. 13. 3. Yea there where the Lord proclaimes the glory of his name in grace and mercy left it should be wronged to wantonness he mentions a terrible threatning That he will by no means clear the guilty Exod. 34. 6 7. Such as by unbeleeving loose impenitent courses a second time crucisie the Son of God and prostitute his metits to wicked courses should doe well to study those angry words He will by no means clear such guilty ones Because pround secure Libertines either Impii simul metuunt contemnunt saenas Luth. in Gen consider not or fear not or positively contemn Gods threatned wrath Hence it is that they securely play the 〈◊〉 in the hopes of mercy 'T is rare these sad and serious thoughts are layd to heart If I do not beleeve in Christ I am lost for ever If I live in my sinne I shall perish If I depart from Christ I shall be 〈◊〉 one If I abuse the long-suffering goodness truth