disobedience Rom. 7. 5 6. and the evil which it denounceth namely Gods curse Gal. 3. 10 13. 4. From the world not in regard of their place but in regard of their course Gal. 1. 4. Joh. 15. 19. Joh. 17. 16. 5. From Death the sting of death and the fear of death at least the grounds of fear Heb. 2. 14 15. 6. From wrath the wrath of God which is to come 1 Thes 1. 10. 2. This Salvation is great in regard of that which in Salvation people do attain unto All the priviledges of the Gospel are wrapt up and included in the word Salvation Election is the foundation of it Effectual calling is the begining of it Justification Adoption and Sanctification are contained in it and Glorification is the consummation of it This Salvation then is great in regard of the thing it self 2. This Salvation is great in regard of the causes of it 1. Efficient 2. Meritorious 3. Instrumental 4. Finall 1. This Salvation is a great Salvation in regard of the efficient cause and that is God the Father Salvation is ascribed to him as the author Tit. 3. 5. According to his mercy he saved us God is the cause of our Salvation 1. as he hath chosen us unto Salvation Eph. 1. 4. As he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world which Election being of Free grace we are said to be saved by Grace Eph. 2 5. 2. As he hath sent his only begotten Son into the world to purchase Salvation for us Joh. 3. 16. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Gal. 4. 4 5. When the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law to redeem them which were under the Law that we might receive the Adoption of Sons 3. As he revealeth this Salvation unto us by the Preaching of the Gospel for which end he qualifyeth and sends his Ministers upon this Embassage to make known the glad tydings of Salvation 4. As he conferrs Salvation actually upon us in our effectual calling Justification Adoption Sanctification and Glorification all these are from God Now that must needs be a great Salvation which is effected by the great God especially if we consider that it is the greatest and most glorious of all his works in the world and unto which all his other works have some kind of tendency 2. This Salvation is a great Salvation in regard of the meritorious cause and that is the Lord Jesus Christ the excellency and greatness of whose nature office and sufferings do demonstrate the greatness of this Salvation which was purchased by him The sufferings of Christ were most properly the meritorious cause of mans salvation and they were the greatest sufferings that ever were endured insomuch as 1. They were the sufferings of the greatest person as man he was the head of the creation in regard of dignity he was a greater King than Solomon Matth. 12. 42. a greater Prophet than Moses Heb. 3. 3. a greater Priest than Aaron even a Priest after the order of Melchisedec Heb. 7. Moreover he was God as well as man God manifested in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. and though the God head could not properly suffer yet through its union in the same person to the Manhood it put an efficacy in his suffering and strengthened the humane nature to undergo greater sufferings as to the value of them in that short space of time than all the Angels and Men in the world had their strength been united together in one person could have endured if the greatest extremity of misery had been layd upon such a one unto all eternity For 2. The sufferings of Christ were equivalent unto eternal death and the torments of the damned in Hell yea they were far exceeding as is evident because Gods infinite Justice is hereby fully satisfied and there is sufficiency of merit in them for the redemption of the whole world not only of Believers but also of Unbelievers not only of Men but of Devils too Christs sufferings were of infinite value not in regard of the sufferings but in regard of the Divine nature so closely united unto the Humane nature Therefore the salvation purchased by these sufferings must needs be a great salvation 3. This salvation is a great salvation in regard of the Instrumental Cause and that is Faith faith is a grace of great worth and excellency insomuch as it doth not spring from any root or power of nature but is wrought by the power of God and requireth such exceeding great power in the effecting of it we read of the exceeding greatness of Gods power towards them that believe according to the working of his mighty power Eph. 1. 19. which shews that the salvation is great which is effected by this grace of Faith 4. This salvation is a great salvation in regard of the Final Cause and that is the manifestation of Gods glory 1. The glory of his Wisdom in contriving such a way for Mans salvation which no created understanding could have thought of 2. The glory of his Justice which is as fully satisfied through Christs sufferings as if all Believers had been eternally punished 3. And chiefly the glory of his free grace and mercy which is set forth and magnified so eminently in all the degrees of mans salvation that nothing may be ascribed unto Man but all unto God alone Thus you see that this salvation is a great salvation in regard of the Thing it self and in regard of the Causes of it It is so great salvation as it hath no comparison and is beyond expression therefore labour to attain this salvation some endeavour to get a great Estate others to get great Friends others to get great honour and repute in the world do you labour to obtain this great salvation which doth exceed all in greatness it is a high and noble design and is worthy your uttermost care and diligence in seeking after it other things are but small things meer toyes and trifles in comparison nothing in the world hath the least degree of worth compared with this so great salvation I shall be more brief in speaking of the other properties of this salvation II. This salvation is a Rare Salvation I mean that few do obtain it Many are called few are chosen Matth. 20. 16. Many are damned few are saved There are many troops of sinners that are prosting in the broad way of destruction it is but a thin scattered company that are pressing forward in the narrow way of life and salvation this is evident from the Answer of our Saviour upon the Question propounded unto him Luk. 13. 23 24. Then said one unto him Lord are there few that be saved And he said unto them Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not
a great noise and the Earth shall be on fire and burn under you and every Mountain and Hill shall flee away before Christs face and Christ shall be on fire and come in flames of anger to take vengeance upon you for your sins Think O think how dreadful this day of damnation will be unto all such of you as shall not then be found in a state of salvation O what dread will seize upon you so soon as your eyes are opened and you find the predictions of the word which you formerly slighted to be true and perceive that now indeed the day of Gods wrath is come when you shall be dragged like so many malefactors before the Judgement-seat and there stand naked horribly lashing your selves in the reflections of conscience upon your fore-past wickedness how will you be ready to tear your selves to pieces for your folly and madness that you did not provide for this day and flee from this wrath of God which then you will not be able to escape how willingly would you creep into some rock or under some mountain or abide still in your grave or cast your selves into the Sea if possibly any place could be found to hide you in this terrible day but shall be able to finde no hiding-place for your selves Think what hideous thoughts what sinking fears what horrible perplexity of mind you will on this day be filled withall it will be a dreadful day 2. The Sentence of the damnation of such as are not saved will be dreadful when the Books are opened where your sins are recorded and you are convicted by the Judge then he will proceed to pass sentence upon you Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Matth. 25. 41. O dreadful words the voice will be loud with which they will be pronounced such as shall reach the cars of all the wicked together of all generations and how will they all quake and tremble at the sound thereof You may cry it may be to the Lord for mercy but it will be in vain you may say Lord open to us and receive us into thy Kingdom that we may participate in the joyes thereof but he will say unto you Depart from me I know ye not all ye workers of iniquity But if you must depart you may wish for his blessing as Esau though it were but an inferiour blessing no depart ye cursed depart with a curse If then you must depart with a curse you may wish for some convenient place of abode and good company as Cain when he went forth from the presence of the Lord with a curse he built a City to dwell in and took some comfort it may be in his habitation and wife and children no depart into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels you must dwell in devouring fire and inhabit everlasting burnings and your companions will be the Devil and his Angels and fellow-damned sinners in whom you will not find the least comfort which leads to the third particular 3. The Execution of the Damnation of such as are not saved will be dreadful and this will be in Hell when the irreversible sentence of damnation is passed upon you immediately the execution will follow and you will be haled from the Judgement seat and the everlasting doors of the prison of Hell will be lifted up where a horrible fire is burning which can never be quenched into which you must enter and be shut down and shut in to take up your eternal abode in that place of torment there every part will be tormented every member of your bodies every faculty of your souls and that in the highest degree of extremity beyond your now capacity and your torments will have no intermission neither will you have any hopes of their conclusion I have already treated in my Book of Judgement of the universality extremity and eternity of the torments of the Damned and therefore shall not here inlarge From what hath been said you may evidently perceive that the Damnation of such as are not saved will be dreadfull which should awaken you to endeavour after your salvation especially if withall you consider 2. That the Damnation of such as are not saved will be Certain where there is no Salvation there will be unavoidable Damnation because between these two hereafter there will be no middle condition such as are not saved will most certainly be damned Heaven or Hell eternal happiness or eternal misery will be the portion of all the Sons and Daughters of Adam I might shew that Gods Justice and Holiness and Truth doth require the Damnation of all such as do not obtain Salvation by Jesus Christ so that either God must prove unholy and unjust and false in his Word which is impossible or you which are not saved must be damned therefore this is most certain there is no escaping of the damnation of Hell by such as neglect the great Salvation of the Gospel Heb. 2. 3. And methinks by this time I should hear some of you cry out as the Jews when Peter preached or the Jaylor O what shall we do to be saved CHAP. V. III. I Am to tell you Words to guide you in the way to attain Salvation And here I shall 1. Direct what things you must do that you may be saved 2. Shew what Means you must make use of to help you in those things I. What Things you must do that you may be saved Take this in these Ten Directions 1. You must see your selves lost 2. You must mourn for sin 3. You must turn from sin 4. You must believe in Jesus Christ 5. You must get a new Nature 6. You must lead a New Life 7. You must resolve upon sufferings for Christ if called 8. You must study and apply the Promises of the Covenant of Grace 9. You must give up your selves in Covenant unto God 10. You must be stedfast and persevere in the Wayes of God unto your lives end Direction 1. You must see your selves lost if you would be saved Luk. 19. 10. our Saviour telleth us that he came to seek and save that which was lost You must be lost if you would be found We read Luk. 15. of the lost Sheep the lost Groat and the lost Son all which were found again and that with joy When sinners perceive themselves to be lost and undone and know not what to do then they are neer to be found and saved by Jesus Christ O then as ever you expect Salvation by Christ you must see and be sensible of your lost estate whilest you are in a state of Nature And for this end you must get a Conviction 1. Of your sin 2. Of the Punishment you have deserved for your sin 3. Of your Insufficiency to satisfie Gods Justice 4. Of your inability to make resistance and defend your selves 5. Of the Impossibility of your fleeing and escaping Gods wrath 6. That as yet you
faith from the consideration 1. Of God 2. Of the Promises 3. Of Christ 4. Of the Saints 1. From the consideration of God who hath given his Son to save sinners it is an encouragement to faith to consider 1. That God is mercifull and therefore willing to pardon and save otherwise he would not have sent his Son he doth not delight in the death of sinners Ezek. 18. 23. but delighteth to shew mercy see Micah 7. 18 19. Exod. 34. 6 7. Psal 103. 8 9 c. 2. That God is faithfull in his Promises of salvation which he hath made through his Son in his Covenant of Grace God needed not have made the Covenant nor promised mercy to any sinners but having made the Covenant he is engaged to make it good 3. That it is for his glory to save sinners through his Son the glory of his free grace yea and justice too which hath been fully satisfied by Christs death 2. You have encouraging Arguments for faith from the consideration of the Promises which are 1. Large made to all sorts of persons and all sorts of sinners none are excluded 2. Full they extend to all sorts of sins though never so many and great Isa 55. 7. 3. Free nothing is required on your part but accepting 4. Sure being the Promises of God in Christ 3. You have encouragement to believe in Christ for salvation from the consideration of Christ the proper object of faith 1. The quality of his person who is God and man in one person that he might reconcile man unto God 2. The merit of his sufferings which as hath been shown was of infinite value and sufficient for the redemption of men 3. His alsufficient power to save those that come to him Heb. 7. 25. 4. His mercy and faithfulness to make reconciliation Heb. 2. 17. 5. His interest with the Father 6. His continual intercession at the right hand of God Heb. 7. 25. 4. You have encouragement to believe in Christ for salvation from the consideration of the Saints the experience which they have had of salvation by Christ some of whom have been as vile sinners as you You have as good grounds to come unto Christ and believe in him for salvation as the most holy men alive before conversion 5. If you would attain this grace of faith in Jesus Christ you must labour to act it looking up to God for help herein endeavour to cast and roll your selves upon Christ to apply Christ and his merits and to rely upon him and his righteousness It is in your endeavour that God doth work and here you must endeavour again and again against all opposition which you find from the Devil and your own evil heart of unbelief which will be ready to carry you away from Christ So much for the 4th Direction Direction 5. You must get a new Nature if you would be saved You must be made partakers of the Divine Nature if you would be made partakers of this salvation You have brought unholy and impure natures into the world with you which must be changed and renewed after the Image of God in knowledge righteousness and true holiness before you can be in a state of salvation and see the Kingdom of God This new nature which is absolutely necessary unto salvation is begun in the work of regeneration and carried on in the work of sanctification In regeneration the work of grace is begun the habits of grace are infused a new principle of spiritual life is put into the soul and sin which before lived and had dominion over the man imploying all his members as instruments of unrighteousness to make provision for the satisfaction of its affections and lusts doth receive its deaths wound and loseth its force and reigning power In sanctification the work of grace is carried on the habits of grace are strengthned and encreased the new man doth grow and the old man doth decline and decay there is a vivification or quickning more and more of grace by the influence of the Word and Spirit and a mortification or subduing more and more of remaining iniquity What our Saviour tells Nicodemus Joh. 3. 3. Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God I may tell you that unless ye be born again unless ye be regenerated ye cannot be saved no possibility of entring into the Kingdom of Heaven without you get this new nature A man must be born the first time before he can possess a temporal inheritance and a man must be born again before he can possess the eternal inheritance You must be children before you can be heirs Rom. 8. 17. children not only by adoption but also by regeneration Ye must be Saints before meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1. 12. You must have the new nature before you can enter into the New Jerusalem You must be made like to God in holiness before you can be admitted to live with God in the place of everlasting happiness God doth suffer the wicked that are unclean and unholy to live before him in the Out-house of the Earth but he will not permit any except such as are sanctified to live with him in the Palace of Heaven O then labour after a work of Grace upon your hearts be perswaded of the worth of Grace that it is a rare and precious Jewel that the least measure of Grace is of more worth than ten thousand Worlds be sensible of your want of it that naturally you are without it that it doth not grow in Natures Garden that you have no good Nature in you before God till your Nature is renewed be ready to receive the seed of Grace which drops down from above whilest People are attending upon Gods Ordinances be ready to hearken and yield to the Spirits motions whereby this work of Grace is effected And having the work begun O cherish the Grace you have got and as new-born Babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby and labour to cleanse your selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit that ye may perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. Direction 6. You must lead a new Life if you would be saved see what kind of Life the grace of God which bringeth salvation doth require and teach namely to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2. 11 12. You must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts you must put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to deceitfull lusts Eph. 4. 22. and not fashion your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance and unregeneracy 1 Pet. 1. 14. not running with others unto the same excess of riot 1 Pet. 4. 4. not walking according to the course of a profane and ungodly world Eph. 2. 2. but saving your selves from an untoward generation Act. 2. 40. as he