death will be thy portion and then Life will be eternally farre from thee 3. This Word doth cleanse those defilements which nothing in the world can do away The Word of God is compared to fire and to an hammer as an hammer it breaks the rocky heart and then as fire it melts the heart and from its dross doth purifie it John 15. 3. Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken to you In the Word as in a glass we may behold the abominable filthiness and vile ingratitude that is in sin and also the beauty of holiness is presented to our eye no wonder then if the former be abhorr'd the latter desired Besides the Word holds forth a Promise from the Lord himself to make the sinner clean and that from all filthiness both of the flesh and spirit Ezek. 36. 25. 2 Cor. 7. 1. The Day of Grace is a day of healing now thou mayst be purged and cured of thy spiritual plagues but if this season be neglected thou wilt dye of them 5. This Word doth afford such peace and joy as the creatures cannot yield Corn and Wine and Oyl cannot yield such true comfort Hark to David Psal 119. 111. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my heart In sensual mirth the heart is sad misgives and is unsatisfied but the Word makes the very heart joyful In the Word we may see at present the reconciled face of God the frowns and other signs of anger gone and it speaks plainly of fuller manifestations and infinitely greater pleasures which are reserved for hereafter and the lively hopes of these which are so near as well as sure and glorious may well make the heart to leap for joy 5. This Word is able to build up those who are converted and to bring them safe unto their Country 'T is a means to increase the grace which 't is a means to work As it is the incorruptible seed whereby we are regenerated and begotten again so it is the milk wherewith we grow and thrive in holiness Act. 20. 32. I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified I might add That even those whom the Word doth not savingly change yet it prevails upon many times a great way it brings them near to the Kingdom and 't is their own fault that they miss of it And seeing the Word of God hath such effects that the enjoyment of it is a great priviledge is without controversie 2. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is the presence of the Spirit The Word and all other Ordinances without the Spirit are but like the carcass without the soul He makes the Word quick and powerful and sharper then a two-edged Sword which also would be found but a dead and inefficacious letter 'T is observed concerning the hotter Climates that when the Sun is up and begins to shine and scorch more vehemently there is also a wind arises to fan and cool the dwellers there else those Regions would be uninhabitable In like manner where the Sun of the Gospel shines there is the wind of the Spirit and these his gales how refreshing how powerful are they The accâ—sses of the Spirit are much to be observed and esteemed without his concurrence no advantage will be reaped by all the means of grace we use If the several operations of the Spirit are consider'd 't will be very evident what a priviledge of the Day of Grace this is to enjoy his presence 1. 'T is the work of the Spirit to convince Though the secure ones of the world had rather be let alone to sleep on and cannot endure to be jogged by conviction yet these convictions are great mercies What the Spirit doth convince the world of our Lord informs us John 16. 8. And when he is come he will reprove or convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment of sin because they believe not on me of righteousness because I go to the Father and ye see me no more of judgment because the Prince of this world is judged The Spirit convinces men of sin he shews the evil in it and the danger of it and among other sins that grand one of unbelief that is to say their rejecting Christ so long and slighting and refusing the remedy he proffers is in a special manner set home upon their hearts to their affliction and humbling He convinces likewise of righteousness as well as of sin He discovers the righteousness of Christ whereby all sin may be covered and this righteousness appears to be compleat and accepted because Christ is gone to his Father Christ undertook by his sufferings to satisfie for our offences and if the satisfaction had not been full he would never have been rid of the curse which sin being imputed to him was laid upon him neither would his righteous Father have suffered him to have sit down in the Throne with him But now since he is gone to his Father and set down in the Throne we may conclude he hath paid the utmost farthing of our debt and through him the Father is ready to shew grace and favour to us And if the conviction and sight of sin cast down the discovery of this righteousness may again revive 'T is a happiness to see our scores since we are shew'd a way how to have them all cross'd were it not for the sight of the one we should never mind the other Again the Spirit doth convince of Judgment By Judgment we may understand the condemnation of the impenitent and unbelieving who though they are convinced of sin continue in sin and though Christ be proffer'd still refuse to embrace him The Prince of this world is judged and condemned and shall these who sin against a remedy which the Devil never did escape No certainly God who spared not the Angels which sinned but cast them down to hell knows how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished 2 Pet. 2 4 9. Or else by Judgment we may understand the Government and Kingdom of Jesus Christ All power is given to him and Judgment committed into his hand Satan the Prince of this world is already cast out and overcome And if he hath spoiled principalities and powers certainly all his foes will be made his footstool Well then it highly concerns all to submit unto the Scepter of Christ since else they will be dash'd in pieces by him And in this Day of Grace Christ is ready to pass by former rebellions if you now will become obedient to him 2. 'T is the work of the Spirit to renew 'T is a difficult matter to change an heart that is so unconceivably wicked as mans is and yet the Spirit doth effect this change he shews his mighty power in causing a vehement love to be turned into a
glory as well as your own satisfaction in this matter Lord I desire a continued assurance of thy love but 't is that I may love thee more and be more zealous for thine honour and labour in thy work with greater life and vigour 6. Let it be your dayly practise to walk with God Be not religious only by fits this argues an heart much distempered Here I shall give a directory how to walk every day 1. When your eyes are first open lift them up to God let your hearts be well seasoned with holy thoughts and affections they will be in the better frame all the day 2. Allot some time for secret prayer and searching of the Scripture twice every day at least And servants which are not masters of their own time if they cannot so conveniently pray at one time should be sure to catch hold of another opportunity 3. Let not meditation be omitted One quarter of an hour at least in thinking upon some truth the hearing or reading of which hath a little moved you or which doth most concern you may be well spared 4. Be serious in family duties walk in in the house with a perfect heart and conscienciously do the duties of your places and relations because the word stands much upon these and hereby Religion is adorned 5. Accustom your selves to thoughts of God and let your desires be frequently ascending towards him 6. In worldly business remember Conscience is to be kept void of offence take heed of injustice defrauding over-reaching 7. Let not the world when it flows into your hands insinuate it self into your hearts 8. Study to excell in those things which may make Religion amiable in the eyes of the world as meekness humility contentedness with your condition charitableness quietness refusing to backbite and defame any 9. Be vigilant against the sin which doth most easily beset you the sin of your constitution the sin of your calling the sin which heretofore did bear the greatest sway in you 10. Resist temptation at the first appearing of it start back from Satans baits as one would do who is ready to tread upon a Serpent 11. Let not Christian liberty degenerate into carnal licentiousness use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh remember you are the Disciples of the crucified Jesus and so in your walking there must be not an enmity but a sutableness to his Cross 12. Bad company abstain from and be not intimate with lukewarm professours when necessitated to be with them be jealous over your selves never sinfully comply with but rather reprove them 13. Design to get ground upon some sin or other every day every day let some progress be made in the work of mortification 14. Observe providences and get the good of them let losses and crosses wean you from the world let afflictions imbitter sin and let mercies indear the Father of them 15. Rest not in Ordinances but consider you must be reckoned with how you have improved them If in these you neither meet with God nor miss him 't is a bad sign 16. Keep a watch before the door of your lips oaths falshood vanity filthiness your communication must be free from Be also swift to hear and slow to speak for in multitude of words there wanteth not sin 17. If you fall lye not where you are fallen cry immediately for pardon and healing let the wound while green be cured before it fester 18. Have daily recourse to Christ to cover the sins of daily incursion you have as much need of daily pardon as you have of dayly bread 19. Live as Strangers and Pilgrims look upon the World as your Inn and Heaven as your Home and act as within view of Death and Judgment and Eternity 20. At evening reflect how you have spent the day An Heathen of old gave this notable advice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which may be thus Englished Never let sleep which senses tyes At any night close up thine eyes Before the actions of the day Thou thrice and seriously doest weigh Where have I sinn'd what have I done What duty have I let alone If you would walk after this manner how perfect might your peace be and how much might your passage be sweetned through this vale of tears I have done with the third Doctrine I shall be very brief in the two which remain Doct. 4. The fourth Doctrine is this That when sinners will not see they are smitten many times with spiritual blindness and the things of their peace are in a way of judgment hid from them The Lord hides the things of their peace from them several wayes 1. He causes his Spirit to withdraw 'T is the Spirits work to enlighten dark understandings but if the Spirit be gone how great must the darkness be 2. The Lord gives men up to the perverse reasonings and counsels of their own hearts and then a thousand absurdities will by the carnal mind be imagined in the doctrine which is according to godliness and how burthensome will the practise of godliness be made to appear 3. The Lord permits Satan to blind them and by his means their hatred of light and of the works of light is very much augmented and hereupon either more abominable prophaneness or strong delusions follow 4. The Lord in his providence causes several things to happen which sinners stumble at and by which they are more confirmed in their prejudices against the Word and in their infidelity The righteous are suffer'd sometimes to fall into sin and many times into great distress The wicked often prosper in the world and live and dye in a false peace And upon this the ungodly are more darkned and hardned 5. In all this the Lord acts as a Judge and intends to punish their refusing to be enlightned and yet he is not the Author of sin He is light 1 John 1. 5. and no darkness can come from him All ignorance and mistake is from corrupted nature being wrought upon by the Prince of darkness Neither is the justice of God to be quarrelled at for dealing thus with them that reject illumination 1. The merit of their sin is great Nescire est ignorantis nolle scire est superbiae there is abundance of pride in them that are unwilling to be informed and a great love to evil deeds and also mighty ingratitude for light is a very great priviledge 2. This punishment is very sutable What more equal then that those who would not be enlightned by the Spirit of the Lord and directed into the paths of peace should be suffered to be beguiled by Satan and their own spirits and so be misguided and lost for ever Vse 1. Take heed of sinning against the light for fear it be put out in obscurity The clearer the light shines the more it aggravates the works of darkness Let not the lusts of your hearts be cherished and fulfilled lest the light of your heads be
knows his owner and the Ass his Masters crib but Israel doth not know my people do not consider 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eveâ— thou this is very emphatical As if Christ should have said O thou Jerusalem who hast enjoyed so many means and mercies and hast slighted and abused them all notwithstanding all former folly and unkindness to God to thy self I wish that even thou wouldst at last have open'd thy eyes and ears and become wise unto thy own salvation At least in this thy day That was a day of special visitation God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets in that day spake unto them by his Son And although many Messengers and Servantâ— which were sent had been despised and persecuted to the death by them yet at least the Son should have been reverenced This was their day a time in which they might have been accepted a day in which salvation was brought near to them The things which belong unto thy peace Peace according to the Hebrew phrase does imply all the parts of happâ—ness the principal whereof does certainly lie in being reconciled to and enjoying God But the way of peace and reconciliation namely Justification by faith in Jesus they knew not An humbled Messiah who was to make mens peace by the bloud of his cross Col. 1. 20. they hid their faces from and esteemed him not Being puffed up with their own righteousness and external priviledges and prerogatives they would not submit unto the righteousness of faith which is revealed in the Gospel But now they are hid from thy eyes Christ here sets forth the spiritual judgment which they lay under and likewise removes the scandal and offence which his infirm Disciples might be apt to take because Jerusalem did reject him They had long refused to look unto the Lord that they might be saved and now God sends them the spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear and hearts that they should never understand This is a very sore and yet usual punishment when men receive the grace of God in vain and are resolved to walk contrary to the light which shines about them The Text does yield several points of Doctrine First Jesus Christ is exceeding full of pity and compassion His weeping here over Jerusalem shews how kindly affectioned he was towards them and is towards others in misery Secondly The Lord does grant unto sinners a day of grace in which pardon and life are proffer'd to them and may be obtained by them If thou hadst known in this thy day Thirdly To know in this day of grace the things which belong to our peace is our great happiness and wisdom If Jerusalem had been so wise her ruine would have been prevented Fourthly When sinners will not see they are smitten many times with spiritual blindness and the things of their peace are in a way of judgment hid from them Fifthly Souls being thus left under darkness their state is wretched and deplorable Our Lord with tears laments this sad condition of Jerusalem Doct. 1. The first Doctrine is this That Jesus Christ is exceeding full of pity and compassion The tears which he shed prove this and if tears will not satisfie a little after you may behold him shedding of his blood This compassion of Christ extends it self to them that perish as well as unto those he saves To them that perish his compassion is seen in four things 1. In causing the Light whereby he is discovered to shine upon them 'T is a mercy that the lost are told of a Saviour that they are informed how sin hath caused their misery and Christ is sufficient to cure it Nay herein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tender mercy appears that the Day-spring from on high does visit them that sit in darkness which can guide their feet into the way of peace Luke 1. 78 79. They need not say Who shall ascend into heaven to understand the means of fallen mans recovery The word is nigh which can give a sufficient information 'T was the great advantage of the Jews that to them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 1 2. But now those Oracles are pronounced more fully and plainly and to enjoy them is the priviledge of such as in a Land of light have their lot given them It was great mercy towards Capernaum that she was lifted up to Heaven that such words were spoken that such works were done in her and because she improved not the mercy how does our Lord upbraid her 2. Christs compassion towards them that perish is seen in calling and inviting them to come to him The Marriage-feast is prepared and the servants are sent into the high-wayes to invite all to come and partake of it Matth. 22. Wisdom cryeth without she uttereth her voice in the streets she cryeth in the chief places of concourse How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and scorners delight in scorning and fools hate knowledge turn ye at my reproof c. Prov. 1. 20 21 22. And Prov. 9. 2 3 4 5 6. we read Wisdom hath killed her beasts she hath mingled her wine and furnished her table she hath sent forth her maidens she cryeth upon the highest places of the City Whoso is simple let him turn in hither as for him that wanteth understanding she saith unto him come eat of my bread and drink of my wine which I have mingled forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding Thus sinners are called after and though dogs yet the same bread which is prepared for the children is proffer'd to them the same inestimable benefits of Christ as pardon peace grace glory are tendred to them which believers have accepted of with the same eye-salve their eyes shall be annointed with the same tried gold they shall be enriched with the same white rayment all their nakedness shall be covered if they will but come and close with Jesus 3. Christs compassion towards them that perish is seen in waiting long that he may be gracious he knocks at the door and he stands knocking there Rev. 3 20. He stands till his head is filled with dew and his locks with the drops of the night He sees how Satan hath admission at his pleasure and unto Mammon at first approach the door is set wide open to receive him but against Christ 't is lock'd and bolted and yet his love and patience overcomes these indignities and he waits still to see if at last sinners will consult their own good and entertain him Christ by his Spirit strives long checking them from sin moving them to duty demonstrating the reasonableness of conversion and obedience the danger of continuance in their provocations Christ does not go away at the first repulse nor curse the Fig-tree for the first years unfruitfulness but he digs about it and dungs it and expects a great while before
that sentence be pronounced Cut it down why cumbereth it the ground 4. Christs compassion towards them that perish is seen in wishing when for their obstinacy they are given over to themselves that they would have hearkened and â—beyed Thus he weeps and wishes that Jerusalem had known what they were â—gnorant of And Israel when for their â—eafness unto and refusing of God they â—ere given up to their own hearts lusts â—nd suffer'd to walk after their own â—ounsels the Lord wishes O that my peoâ—le had hearkened unto me and Israel had â—alked in my wayes Psal 81. 11 12 13. Those that perish will have no reason to â—omplain of Christ but of themselves he wanted not pitty but to themselves they were unmerciful But in the second place the compassion of our Lord is manifested and that principally to them that are saved they are called Vessels of mercy 1. Christ receives those he saves though they come home in rags The beggarliness of the Prodigal did not hinder his Father from running to him and embracing him Their emptiness of worth doth not stir up his hatred but his pitty Christ hath enough and to spare for them Sinners should not keep off from Christ because they cannot bring any grace of their own to commend them He can put comeliness upon those who by sin are never so much deformed When we come to our Lord we are over-spread with a leprosie iniquity is fitly called by that name and all our righteousness is as filthy rags now what mercy is it that he takes away our filthy garments and puts upon us the robe oâ— his own righteousness and from thaâ— worst sort of leprosie doth make uâ— clean 2. Christ makes reconciliation for the sins of those who are saved by him And considering what wo and misery sin unpardon'd exposes the children of men to 't is an act of mercy to make an atonement for it Heb. 2. 17. Wherefore in all thlngs it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people That load of guilt and wrath which else would sink them into the lowest Hell the Lord Jesus takes off from the Heirs of salvation 3. Christ heals the wounds which their spiritual enemies have made The good Samaritan had compassion upon the man that fell among thieves Luke 10. Our Lord finds us in a worse case what wounds have our lusts and Satan made in our spirits and truly they are incurable by any but this Physician When the fiery Serpents had stung the Israelites they looked unto the Brazen Serpent and looking they were healed presently That Brazen Serpent typified Jesus Christ and although Conscience be never so much sting yet He can expel the poyson and asswage the pain and anguish and make the Conscience first pure and after peaceable 4. Christ gives rest unto them that labour and are heavy laden Matth. 11. 28. Many are the burthens of believers but he commands them to cast all their burthens upon him and he promises to sustain them The curse of the Law is a burthen but Christ redeems them from the curse of the Law being himself made a curse for them Gal. 3. 13. They groan under the dominion of sin the bondage of corruption but the Son of God pulls down sins dominion and makes them free indeed Their poverty and emptiness causes them to sigh and complain but Christ Jesus unlocks his unsearchable riches which are superabundantly sufficient to replenish them And he that commands the rich in this world to be ready to distribute to be willing to communicate surely himself will in no wise be a Niggard of his spiritual Treasures 5. Christ succours those he saves in their temptation In the hour of temptation they very much need his pitty and aid and they have both Dido in Virgil spake thus to the Trojans who were cast upon her Coasts Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco I that have endured misery my self know how tâ— compassionate and succour the miserable Our Lord himself he had experience of temptations and he will relieve those that are assaulted as he was Hark to the Apostle Heb. 2. 18. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he knows how to succour them that are tempted He knows that believers enemies are above their match that sin and the world and the God of it would be too hard for them therefore his own Power doth rest upon them which brings them out of the field more then Conquerours The Application follows USE 1. If our Lord be so compassionate hereby Faith may be marveliously encouraged How safely and gladly may a Soul venture it self in the hands of such an one Those are unacquainted with his Bowels that entertain hard thoughts concerning him Why art thou cast down O desponding spirit Why art thou so much disquieted Why doest thou credit the unreasonable suggestions of the Wicked one Though he be the Father of lyes yet a greater lye he never tells then when he doth perswade thee that Christ is unwilling to receive them that see their need of him and long after him 1. If he weep over the obstinate do ye think he will be hard-hearted to the penitent If he stretch forth his hands all the day long to the disobedient and gainsaying will not his Arms be open to embrace the obedient and complying If he goes into the far Country to seek thee when he has inclined thy heart to come home will he shut the door against thee 2. Consider for the encouragement of faith That tâ—â—se compassions of Christ do far transcend and exceed all human mercies A Mothers bowels do yern especially towards her sucking Infant and yet even these are Marble compared with the bowels of Christ Hark how Zion is reproved for her hard surmises Isai 49. 14 15. But Zion hath said The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Can a woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb Yea they may forget yet will not I forget thee How unwilling is a Mother to bring forth Children for the Murtherer And much more unwilling is this Saviour that any Soul which is desirous to be sanctified and saved should become the Devils prey 3. Consider His compassions are joyned with such a fulness that there is nothing miserable sinners need but out of this fulness they may have abundant supply Our Lord hath power as well as pitty why then should we not trust in him and go to him at all times since his power shews him so able and his pitty proves him so willing to relieve and save USE II. Since Christ is so compassionate surely 't is unreasonable to quarrel at and refuse to submit unto his yoak The yoak of such a merciful one must needs be granted an easie yoak and his burthen a light burthen Matth.
hinder thee 2. This Day of Grace is exceeding precious This is the very flower and cream of time What 's the reason the Psalmist begs the Lord would teach him to number his dayes aright Psal 90. 12. What 's the reason one Apostle exhorts See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise redeeming the time Eph. 5. 15 16. and another advises Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear 1 Pet. 1. 17. Surely these holy men saw more in time then most in the world are aware of they were sensible the present time contains the Day of Grace and that eternal Glory must now be got or lost for ever If there were no hope at all of being reconciled unto God of obtaining mercy and finding grace alass our time would be of no value But we may without prejudice to truth affirm that time is more precious then gold for now only Christ who is so precious is to be received now only the Soul which is so precious is to be secured The Apostle calls this the accepted time and the day of salvation If now we come the Lord will accept us and give his Son himself and freely all things to us and Salvation which since we are lost we so much need shall not be denied This Salvation is called Salvation of the Soul Heb. 10. 39. The better part the Jewel which the Destroyer principally aims at and designs to make his prey is secured This salvation also is affirmed to be great everlasting and salvation to the uttermost From the greatest evils the heirs of salvation are delivered everlastingly delivered and that good work which is begun in them shall be perfected to the uttermost and all of them shall stand in Glory as so many Monuments of Power and Mercy and Grace unto Eternity And is not the Day of Grace precious since a day of such salvation 3. This Day of Grace is a Day of Power Psal 110. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power The Arm of the Lord is now revealed in making the report of the Gospel to be believed the same power is exerted in raising a sinner to the life of faith that was shewn in raising up Jesus our Lord from the dead Strong holds are pull'd down reasonings against Religion as if it were either absurd or intollerably burthensom are silenced Those lusts which before bare all the sway have a deadly wound which shall not be healed again Sins dominion is overthrown and the world is overcome 't is now under foot which used to have its seat in the very heart Thus believers find this day a day of power They are powerfully drawn to Jesus Christ and as powerfully upheld and supported by him And of this power the ungodly are not without some taste and experience Mighty convictions and restraints for a while they have but by degrees they grow stupid and get loose again and then fulfil their fleshly and their worldly lusts with the greater eagerness just as water being dam'd up when that restraint is taken away doth run with greater strength and speed for having been restrained 4. This Day of Grace it is but one when this is gone another is not to be expected In Nature there is a vicissitude of day and night even at midnight 't will not be many hours before the morning and the light return Soles occidere redire possunt but the night which follows after the Day of Grace is everlasting The abused light of the Gospel will be followed with that which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The blackness of darkness for ever Life indeed will return again at the general resurrection but another season of mercy will not be vouchsafed The Day of Grace is like the Dove which Noah sent the third time out of the Ark when once 't is flown away 't will return no more What mean the careless world to sport and play and sin away this golden season Every moment that slips by you is irrevocable and 't is but a little while and the whole stock will be spent of this accepted time Oh improve some of it at least before it be all gone If after death you were certain to be sent into the world again and to hear the joyful sound of the Gospel again and that the Lord again would try you and wait that he might be gracious then present carelessness were not altogether so much without apology But since immediately upon your dissolution you must go to your long your eternal home either of weal or wo oh let Eternity which is just at the door be provided for before this your day be ended Thus you have the Properties of the Day of Grace In the fourth place I am to lay down the Reasons why such a Day of Grace is granted Several reasons of this may be assigned 1. One shall be drawn from the Son's Incarnation and taking our nature on him Hence it comes to pass that unto man such kindness is expressed The Apostle sayes Verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 2. 16. He was made in the likeness of men therefore mankind is the dearer to him There is a difference put between apostate Angels and fallen men I speak even of those that through their own wickedness and folly miss of salvation The reprobate Angels never had a remedy provided nor a Day of Grace afforded Christ assumed not their nature but as soon as ever they had sinned they fell like lightning suddenly in the twinkling of an eye from Heaven to Hell But man was not thus dealt with even those whom the Apostle calls Vessels of wrath fitted to destruction are yet endured with much long-suffering Rom. 9. 22. Their salvation is in it self really possible I say in it self though all things consider'd there is an impossibility of any other event then the destruction of sinners continuing in their rebellions and this real possibility of salvation will make them cast the whole blame of their perdition on themselves that the day of salvation was trifled away and the salvation of that day was neglected This matter may be made more obvious and plain by a similitude The Apostle Paul Acts 27. admonisheth the Centurion who was to conduct him to Rome that the voyage they were about to make would be with much damage and hurt not only of the lading and ship but also of their lives Who can deny that the tarrying in the Haven where they were and where they might have been in safeguard was in it self really possible and they could not reasonably lay the blame of their shipwrack on Gods decree and determination but upon their own rashness In like manner sinners are admonished that if they go on in wickedness 't will be to their hurt and eternal damage not only of their lives but also of their souls Who can deny that the abstaining from such and such sins
slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises The Lethurgy of the Conscience is a sore malady when the sinners heart is ever and anon ready to drop asleep notwithstanding all the means which are used to rouze it But though threatenings though judgments will not awaken some that are seized upon by the spirit of slumber yet I 'll tell you what will do it The sight of an angry sin-revenging Judge upon the Tribunal the seeing and feeling of the torments of Hell will awaken them that are most fast asleep in sin What wilt thou sleep upon the pits brink Usually sinners fear least when because of the nearness of evil they have most reason to be afraid 2. How much besides themselves are they whose whole employment is the works of darkness in this day time The Apostle exhorts us to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light Rom. 13. 12. Light is a kind of armour for the light making a discovery of sins deceitfulness the heart is hereby arm'd against temptation but because most do love their evil deeds therefore they hate the â—ight which doth discover and reprâ—ve them Alas that such bad work as the service of Satan and divers lusts is should have so many hands to it The works of wickedness are rightly termed the works of darkness the actors of them fly the light for when they are seen they cause shame and from God who is light they hinder us allowance of these and fellowship with him are inconsistent moreover unto outer darkness these works have a most certain tendency Now shall a Day of Grace be consumed in sins drudgery This was given as a day of salvation and shall we in it work out our own condemnation Shall it be spent in making sure of Hell and treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath When the Lord doth grant us a day to make our peace shall we give this day to Satan and do nothing but by wicked works more alienate our selves and make the wall of separation higher If the season that was allotted for the obtaining of mercy be abused only to the aggravating of sin and augmenting of misery this will argue you guilty of such a folly and madness as must be confess'd beyond hyperbole 3. What cause is there of thankfulness for such a Day of Grace The Israelitish servants prized the year of Jubilee and much more should we this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acceptable year of the Lord. Liberty and freedom from our spiritual bondage is now offer'd and may be obtain'd if you will not let sin and Satan boar your ears as it were if you say not as most do We love these masters and we will not leave them The greatness of our obligation to thankfulness for this Day of Grace will be further evident if these things are weighed 1. The light doth shine more clearly in this our day then it did of old The ancient Jewish Church enjoyed but the dawning or at most the early morning of this Day of Grace but we the noontide of it many shadows of good things to come they had whereby those things were obscurely represented but we have under the Gospel the substance exhibited and the shadows are flown away Moses the great Prophet of the Jews had a vail upon his face to signifie that his was a more dark dispensation but we all saith the Apostle with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of God are ebanged into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. Christ is now more fully discover'd his sweet offices more explain'd and his precious benefits more gloriously displayed 2. We ought to be thankful that this our day hath so long lasted The Lord long ago might have given us up to a reprobate mind nay fetter'd us in chains of darkness because of our hating knowledge and holding the truth in unrighteousness 'T is a wonder that having sinned so much against the light we have not sinn'd the light away I read that at Joshua's request the Sun stood still in the Firmament and hasted not to go down for an whole day Josh 10. 13. And have not we had experience of the like miracle of Grace Hath not the Sun of Righteousness stopt his course not hasting to go down How long hath Christ stood waiting and still he stands proffering both light and life and light and life shall be given to them that understand the value of such offers 3. Especially we have cause to praise if this Day of Grace hath been effectual and we have been made the children of light and of the day Most even in this Day of Grace are blinded by the God of this world the Gospel is to them an hidden Gospel but if the Lord who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined into our hearts and hath called us out of darkness into his marvelloas light sure we have abundant reason to shew forth his praises 1 Pet. 2. 9. If he had not enlightened our eyes we should have slept the deep of death as well as others Was there not a time when we did not see either our sin or our extream danger Was there not a time when we were as unsensible of the worth of souls and of our need of Jesus as the most careless ones Oh wonderful love that he hath made the difference and distinguished us from others that hath illuminated and converted us when others are suffer'd still to run on blindfold towards ruine 4. Since such a day of Grace is granted the special seasons of it should be improved The whole is precious but some seasons are more golden and to be esteemed at an higher rate 1. The Season of Youth This is the fittest time to sow the seed of Grace that it may bring forth the fruit of life and glory The journey towards the new Jerusalem is long the distance which sin hath set us at from our Creatour is great therefore to be setting forth betimes is a great part of wisdom The Lord doth take it well when in our youthful dayes we make choice of him Samuel Obadiah Josiah Timothy have a commendation given them that they knew and loved and feared God betimes that they abstained from and despised those lusts and vanities with which youth most commonly is ensnared and defiled The time of youth is a time of strength vigour and activity then you will either do much for God or much against him In the service of such a Master as the Lord is how well will your strength be employed Activeness will here become you Early remembrance of God will prevent abundance of sin which might cause bitterness many years after Thou writest bitter things against me sayes Job and causest me to possess the iniquities of my youth Job 15. 26. and it will have great influence to your stedfastness with God all your dayes
quake at him and the hills melt and the earth is burnt at his presence yea the world and all that dwell therein who can stand before his indignation and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger his fury is poured out like fire and the rocks are thrown down by him Surely that heart is worse then rocky which doth not tremble before him 4. He can engage all the creatures against you He is the Maker and also the great Commander of the Host of Heaven and Earth The Angels are ready press'd for his service and to do his will all the Devils are at his beck and forward to be the Executioners when he hath pass'd an angry sentence The Thunder and the Lightning say unto him Here we are The stormy Wind doth fulfill his words Nay the smallest and most inconsiderable creatures he can render dreadful and tame the proudest by them And since he is Jehova Exercituum the Lord of such Armies Oh do not enter into battel with him 5. He hath access unto your very spirits and can wound and fill your souls with horrour When the Lord impressed his anger upon the heart of Judas how restless was he though a covetous man he flings away his silver that would not ease him his life is a burthen and with his own hands he puts an end to it A wounded spirit who can bear and wounds there the Lord can give you 6. His power will reach his enemies in the next world Nay then his hand will be heaviest of all God will lay on load upon his adversaries and not in the least spare them His patience will then be at an end his goodness totally and eternally withdrawn and how low then will his vengeance weigh them down Such an enemy the Lord is and this is one argument to perswade you to peace 2. Be mindful of the dependance you have upon him In him you live and move and have your being and if he should withdraw his visitation your life would presently conclude and vanish And is it safe or a wise part in you to provoke that God to be your enemy in whose hand your breath is and who can take it out of your nostrils when he pleaseth He can loose the silver cord he can break the golden bowl and require your souls at your hands without giving you an hours or a minutes warning Whosoever you fall out with methinks you should get and keep in with God for 't is his patience and mercy which keeps you out of the grave and hell of both which by reason of sin you are in great danger 3. The condescension and stooping of God is admirably great in beseeching such as you to be reconciled And shall he intreat in vain Shall the malefactour be beseeched to accept of a pardon and refuse it That is a text that should work upon the most refractory 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now then we are Embassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God What is it come to this doth God beseech and Christ pray that we who are so mean and so vile would be friends and shall we continue rebels O earth earth earth hear the word of the Lord for the impenitent then the earth or stones are much more stupid To slight the proffer of mercy and to disobey the command to come for it is both a fault and a folly inexcusable but to be deaf to intreaties is worst of all this goes nearest unto God when his condescension and kindness is disregarded and abused and upon this abuse the greater contempt and anger and hatred must needs follow 4. Consider what kind of friend the Lord is I might be large in describing his excellencies which they who are acquainted with him see and admire Three things at present I shall mention 1. God is such a friend whose love is transcendent That sweet name which is as an oyntment poured forth he calls himself by The God of love and peace 2 Cor. 13. 11. Nay he is stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Love in the abstract 1 John 4. 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love Whatever returns of love we make those returns fall infinitely short of the love of God from whence they come Indeed it is as possible to equal him in strength in wisdom or any other of his perfections as to equal him in love Oh let this love of God be as a loadstone to draw yours and as a whetstone to sharpen it 2. God is such a friend whose fulness can never be exhausted The Sun although it hath shined ever since the Creation yet 't is as full of light as ever it was And though the Lord hath supplyed the wants of all them whom he hath made his friends from the beginning yet his stock and store is not at all diminished His wisdom is never posed in their greatest difficulties when believers know not what to do and their eyes are unto him he knows what to do for them His power can raise them out of the lowest deep his all-sufficiency can give to the uttermost of their desires nay exceedingly more then it hath entred into their hearts to desire or conceive Who in his wits would not leave a vain world and deceitful lusts to come to such a friend as God hath alwayes shewed himself to be 3. God is such a friend as will last when all other friends fail He is the Lord who changes not He can as soon cease to be as cease to be faithful and the faithfulness of God towards his friends will make them also faithful he will not turn away from them and he will hold them fast that they shall not depart from him The Lord is most constant the Ordinances of the Sun and Moon and Stars are not so immutable as the Promises he hath made Men of low degree are vanity men of high degree are a lye Psal 62. 9. But God is true Wealth may take wings and fly away prosperity may vanish so as to be forgotten flesh and heart may fail but the Lord will be a friend and a portion for ever Oh consent to be reconciled since such a friend hereby will be gained 5. Consider If God be at peace with you he will shield you from all other adversaries he will wrest those weapons out of your own hands whereby you endeavoured your own destruction he will give a deaths wound to sin that it shall not be your death And though the world and the God of the world fight against you they shall not be able to prevail Nay their very enmity shall befriend you and God will turn to good what they do mean for evil 'T is admirable to consider how the adversaries of the Lords people though they have the intension of enemies yet are forced to act like friends and do a kindness unto Saints by those means whereby they thought to have injured and