wise Lord create such a Tree of Knowledge the tasting whereof was the second death by Law and that in Eves eye Why did not God fortifie the first besieged Castle Eves will and minde with grace that the day should not have been the Divels But O vain man is the potter holden to make a vessell of earth as strong as a vessel of Iron or Brasse that though it fall by no fault of the maker it shall not be broken We may say to superiors of clay yea to Angels Who art thou that commandest And beside we may say What dost thou and Why doest thou and What commandest thou another Gospel or no And we may take their will with a reserve But we may know of God Quis who he is that he is Jehovah But we are not to inquire quid and cur Lord Why doest thou this or Lord What is it that thou commandest The Agent here warrants the action and all its motives God infuseth wisdom and goodnesse in all his wayes because they are his wayes goodnesse is a stranger to what Angels and men do except there be a safer Law for their doing then their person God must have absolute obedience though he seeketh no blinde obedience mens actions must be warranted not only from the wisdom of the doer but also from the nature of the deed Gods actions have all and abundance of goodnesse in them from the Lord. It s enough to me what I suffer I mean it ought to be enough if ten Hells for one sin if the absolute former of all things do it we love to put law on God whereas to examine mens commandements is religion we take them upon trust and to examine Gods ways is arrogancy yet we must judge God We see in permitting sin in bloods in confusion in the fall of Adam more fairnesse beauty and glory in Christ Iesus and his new Heaven then we can see of blacknesse of Hell of sin in Divels and in sin possibly it should have been lawfull to the Creature and to Angels to permit sin so they could and would from thence raise a Gospel an heaven of Free-grace Now for temptations from God we are to consider that they are all reason all wisdome all goodnesse 1. Pos. Christ saith to the Disciples of her it had been some comfort if he had given her self but one word I am not sent for this woman nor for any of her blood and kindred she is a Gentile I am sent primarily for Jews Hence Christ may in words and to the apprehension of weak ones say I am not thy Saviour thou art not any of my redeemed ones Christ may give rough answers when he hath a good minde he put a hard word upon the Noble-man Joh. 4. that came to him for his dying son Ye and all your nation will not beleeve except you see signes and wonders Never any man saw and apprehended harder things of God then Ieremiah chap. 15. vers 18. Wilt thou be altogether to me as a lyer and as waters that faile 2. Posit How often doth the promises of the Gospell lye at a distance to us and we have four doubts touching them 1. They are not mine In dispensation God dealeth otherwise with me then with the rest so David Psal. 22.4 Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted in thee and thou deliveredst them and why should he not deliver thee also v. 6. alas it s not so But I am a worme and no man so Esa. 49.13 Sing O Heavens be joyfull O Earth and breake forth into singing O Mountains What is the matter that the Skies and Stars are bidden sing Psalms for God hath comforted his people and will have mercy upon his afflicted Yea but no mercy for me v. 14. But Sion said the Lord hath forsaken me and my God hath forgotten me whoever finde mercy Gods dispensation saith I shall finde none 2 For unworthinesse and sin I am uncapable of mercy the forlorn son dare not believe his father will make him a son in his house why there is all his reason Luke 15.18 19. Father I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son make me as one of thy hired servants such was Peters reasoning Lord depart from me for I am a sinfull man 3. I know not how the promises shall be made good to me but Joseph had a word that the Sunne Moon and eleven Stars should honour him but how that could be performed he saw not when he was sold as a slave and that was far from honour yet was he to believe his dream should be fulfilled and so Abraham did adheare to the Promise when God commandeth the Son of Promise to be killed Heb. 11.19 accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead 4. I see not the time of the fulfilling the promise yet Hab. 2.3 Though the Vision tarry wait for it because it will surely come and not tarry We are to remember God can tryall his promise in our seeming through Hell and the Divels black hands as he led Christ throgh Death the Curse and Hell and yet fulfil them when Christ is under a stone and buried the Gospell seems to be buried 3. Posit Christ is on both sides he holdeth up and throweth down in one and the same act he denyeth the woman to be his and is on her side to grace her to believe that he is hers Christ putteth his childe away and he desireth that his child should not be put away from him he is for Jacob in his wrestling and as if he were against him saith Let me alone Christ here doth both hold and draw oppose and defend at once I am not sent He doth not here deny the interests of the Gentiles in the Messiah but his meaning is I am not first and principally sent 2. in the flesh and personally as man for the Gentiles to preach the Gospell to them and to work Miracles for them but principally as the Minister of Circumcision to the Iewes therefore Mat. 10. he forbiddeth his Disciples to go to the Samaritanes but rather to preach to the house of Israel First then a word of Christs sending which includeth these three 1. Designation 2. Qualification 3. Speciall Commission 1. The Designation was an act of Divine and voluntary dispensation according to which the second Person of the Trinity the Son of God not the Father not the Holy Ghost was designed and set apart to take on him our nature place and the Office of the Mediator to redeem us in his own person the Son was fittest to be the first and originall samplar of sons the Son by naturall generation was the most apt Person to be the perfect mould and patern of all the sons by the adoption of grace Gal. 4.4 the substantial power of God is in the holy ghost the personall rise and fountain of all the excellencies of God
smitten of God in the dark and so wicked men never do come lawfully out of affliction they see not God nor sin and for that cometh not out of prison by the Kings keyes but they break the Goal and leap out at a window the Land is to see all the circumstances of this bloody War in these three Kingdoms We are to put a difference between Gods afflicting one man and a whole Church Now God hath his fire in our Sion and we wonder that Wars have lyen on Germanie twenty six years and that for divers years the sword hath been on us in these Kingdoms 1. There be many vessels to be melted a fire for an afternoon or a war for a morning of a day or a week cannot do it Seven dayes sicknesse of a dying Childe putteth David to go softly and in sackcloth Years are little enough to humble proud Scotland and England God humbled Israel 400. years and above in Aegypt and kept them forty years in the Wildernesse and Judah must lye smoaking in the Furnace seventy years 2. One Temple was forty six years a building God hath taken eighty years to Reform England and many years to Reform Scotland and the Temple is not builded yet give to our Lord time hope and wait on 3. Babylon is a great Cedar that cannot fall at the first stroak it s not a work of one day or a year to bring that Princes the Lady of Nations from Her Throne of glory to sit in the dust and take the Milstones and grinde meal SERMON V. VExed with a Devil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She is Devilled that is fully possessed The malice of the Devill is a naturall agent and worketh as intently and bently as he can as agens maximum quod sic the fire putteth forth all its strength in burning the Sun heateth and inlightneth as vehemently as it can A Milstone fallen from the sphere of the Moon down to the earth useth no moderation or abetment in its motion The malice of Hell being let loose it worketh mischief by nature not by will Satans possession is full Peter saith to Ananias Acts 5.3 Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye against the Holy Ghost As there is a fulnes of God Eph. 3.19 so there 's a fulnesse of the Devil as Rom. 1.29 being filled with all unrighteousnesse It is no wonder that Cavaliers and Malignants work as their Father the nature of the Father is in the son modus operandi sequitur modum essendi the manner of working is sutable to the nature of the worker hel works like Hell Ier. 3.5 Behold thou hast spoken and done evil as thou couldst Esa. 5.18 They draw sin and iniquity not with a rush or a threed but with â—ords of vanity and with a cart rope Mic. 7.3 They do evil with both hands earnestly All that malice and Hell could do of cruelty to young old to women sucking infants hath been done in Ireland and England The Devil in his element is twice a Devil he is in his own when he formeth and actuateth bloodie instruments and he aboundeth in his own sphere Satans malice its alone is great and a sinners wrath is heavier then stones and sand but when they are conjoyned as united force is stronger who can stand before them Christs Lambs have been preserved amidst Devils and men since the Creation amongst Wolves by no humane power and strength Observe That all that came to Christ have been forced through some one necessity or other either a leaprous body blind eyes a palsey a bloody issue a withered arme or a dying son and that some have been brought to Christ at least their Parents or Friends have come to Christ through reason of bodily possession by the Devil but we read of none that came through reason of the Devil 's spirituall possessing of them either by themselves or others 1. There is much flesh and much nature in us and so much sense and little spirit and little of God a blinde eye will chase thee to Christ a soul under the Prince of darknesse will not 2. We are all body and life and time but we are not all Soul and Spirit and Eternity Heaven is far from being the master Element in us 3. Misplaced love is much Ioh. 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil saith Christ to the Jews every childe loveth the Father Why And men love not the Devil doth not every wretch through natures instinct abhor the Devil Is not this the Mother-devotion of any wretch that knoweth nothing of God from the womb God save me from the Devil and all his works I have nothing to do with that fowl spirit It s true There 's a physicall hatred of the Devil as he is a spirit an Angel and the Pursevant of divine justice inflicting evil of punishment on all men naturally but there 's in all men an inbred morall love of the Devil as he is a fallen spirit tempting to sin here every prisoner loveth this keeper like loveth like broken men and Bankrupt flee together to Woods and Mountains an Out-law loveth an Out-law Fowls of a feather flock together the Devil and sinfull men are both broken men and Out-laws of Heaven and of one blood wicked men are 1 Ioh. 3.10 The children of the Devil they have that naturall relation of Father and Son There 's of the Devils seed in sinners there 's a spirituall concupiscence in Devils to lust against Gods Image and Glory and Satan findeth his own seed in us by nature to wit concupiscence a stem a sprouting and childe of the house of Hell It were good we knew our own misery the man resolveth a prisoner has a sweet life who loveth his own chains because made of gold and hateth them not because chains and falleth to Paint the walls of his Dungeon and to put up Hangings in his Prison and will but over-gild with gold his Iron Fetters Oh! are we not in love with our own Dungeon of sin and do we not bear a kinde love to our Father the Devill We bring in provision for the flesh and nourish the Old man as old as since Adam-first sinned Alas we never saw our Father in the face we love the Devill as the Devill fallen in sin but we see him not as a Devill but only under the embroderies of golden and silken temptations we sow to the flesh we Inne our Crop to the Devill but we know not our Land-lord and because sense and flesh is nearer to us then God we desire more the Liberties of State free commerce and peace with the King then Christs Liberties the power and purity of the Gospel that we may negotiate with Heaven and have peace with God Vnclean spirit This is the quality of this Devil An unclean Devil Now whether he be called so because he tempted the Maid to some prodigious acts of uncleannesse or because in generall he tempteth to uncleannesse of
reason why Paul should obtain mercy then why thou or any other sinner like thee should obtain mercy there 's alike reason for me to have noble and broad thoughts of the rich Grace of Christ as for Abraham Moses David all the Prophets and Apostles to beleeve There was no greater ransom given by Christ to buy Faith and Free-grace for Noah Job and Daniel to Moses and Samuel then to poor and sinfull me it s one cause one ransome one Free-love If there had a Nobler and worthier Redeemer died for Moses and Paul then for you and me And another Heaven and a freer Grace purchased to them then to me I should have been discouraged Grace is Grace to thee as to meek Moses Christ is Christ to thee as to beleeving Abraham And farther The same Grace that is here is in Heaven 1. As Faith that is freely given us is the Conquest of the new heir Jesus Christ Joh. 6.44 Phil. 1.29 Eph. 1.3 So are all Christs Braclets about our neck in Heaven and the Garland of Glory the Free-grace of God it s the same day-light when the Sun breaketh forth out of the East and at noon-day in the highest Meridian though we change places when we dye we change not â—usbands 2. We stand here by Free-graâ—◠〈◊〉 5.2 Repentance and Remission of sins are freely given heer to Israel by the exalted Prince Christ Jesus Act. 5.31 Our tears are bought with that common ransome so the high Innes of the Royall Court of Heaven is a free and open house and no bill put upon the Inhabitants neither Fine nor Stent nor Excise nor Assessment nor Taxation all is upon the Royall charges of the Prince of the Kings of the earth there 's no more hire merit wages or fees there then here the income of glory for Eternitie and the life-rent of ages of blessednesse is all the good will of him which sitteth on the Throne Every apple of the tree of life is grace every sip every drop of the Sea and Riâ—ver of life is the purchase of the blood of the Lamb that is in the mids of them 3. They be as poor without Christ who are there as we are Glory is Grace and their dependency for ages of ages is that Rev. 7.17 That the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne does feed them and lead them unto living Fountaines of waters and God wipeth all teares away from their eyes Then they cannot walk there alone but as the Lamb leadeth them and if Christ were not there or if he should take Grace Glory and all his own Jewels and Ornaments from Moses and Enoch there should remain no more there but poor nature As good Angels do therefore not fall because in Christ the head of Angels they are confirmed and if they lacked this confirming Grace they might yet fall and become Apostate Devils so the glorified in Heaven do therefore stand and are confirmed in the inheritance not by Free-will there more then here but by immediate dependence of Grace on the Lamb whom they follow whethersoever he goeth Grace then for kinde is as good as Heaven Glory glory to our ransome-payer 3. Her little daughter was vexed she saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she is exceedingly devilled or grievously tormented with a devill Then observe that common punishments of sin and sad afflictions doth follow justified persons as well as the wicked for it was a sad burthen to the mother that the Devill had such a dominion over her daughter yet the Text cleareth that she was a justified person as her instancy of praying adoring and great Faith even prevailing over Christ under sad trialls do manifestly evidence and we see the reasons that the Scripture alledgeth 1. That the gold of precious Faith and the upright mettall therein may be seen 1 Pet. 1.7 Afflictions are the servants and Pursevants of the accusing Law sent out to cause us lay hold by Faith on peace made and pardon purchased in Christ The hot furnace is the work-house of Christ in that fire he taketh away the scum the drosse the refuse of the true mettall that Faith may be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ 2. Afflictions drive us to seeek God they being Gods fire-men and his hired labourers sent to break the clods and to plow Christs land that he may sow heaven there but Christ must bring new earth to the soyle In prosperity we come to God but in a common way as the grave man came to the Theater only that he might go out again but in trouble the Saints do more then come they make a friendly visit when they come also the prayers of the Saints in prosperity are but Summer prayers slow lazie and alas too formall in trouble they rain out prayers or cast them out in con-naturall violence as a fountain doth cast out waters both these are in one well expressed by the Prophet Isa. 26.16 Lord in trouble they have visited thee they powr out a prayer when thy chastening hand is on them Vatablus expoundeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Malmad A murmuring or prayer which trouble powreth out the Chaldee Paraphrast turneth it silentium silence because the conscience weakened is silent it is a Prophesie what Gods fire doth effectuate which you have Hos. 5.15 In their affliction they will seek me early 3. We must be made like Christ in the Crosse and the Crown 2 Tim. 2.12 and conform to him Rom. 8.29 Christ the corner stone though there was no sin in him yet before he was made the chief corner stone he was by death hammered Act. 4.10.11 12. And much more the stroakes and smiting of the Crosse must knock downe all the superfluity of naughtinesse and every height till by smoothing and chipping the childe of God be made a stone in breadth length proportion smoothnesse some way conforme to the first Copy and to Christ the samplar-stone There is a fourth reason but it s a controverted one the justified person may be afflicted for sin some teach that this is Popery to affirme that the justified bear the punishment of their sin because Christ only was wounded for our iniquity and did bear in his own body our sins on the Tree therefore say they respect seemeth to be had as one speaketh to sin not principally but secundarily and occasionally not as it offendeth God who by that one sacrifice is for ever pacified Heb. 10.14 Mat. 3. but as it offendeth and diseaseth the minds of the faithfull not that afflictions simply properly and immeditly do ease quiet and cure the conscience for their naturall effect is to deject and terrifie as appendixes of the Law but that they awaken and stir up our dulnesse to a lively apprehension of Christs Righteousnesse and so while God as a Father correcteth for sin sin hath not properly with God the nature of sin which is an offence of Divine justice
common servant to both Gods servant in a hard piece of service as ever was Isa. 52.13 Isa. 42.1 Behold my servant Isa. 53.11 My righteous servant yea and our servant Mat. 20.28 He came not to be served but to serve and give his life a ransome for many Alas both parties did smite him Isa. 53.10 It pleased the Lord to bruise him Rom. 8.32 God spared not his own Son and the other party his own smote him Mat. 21.38 This is the heire come let us kill him say they and seize on the inheritance This was cold incouragement to sweet Jesus if it had been referred to us for shame we could not have asked God to be a suffering Mediator for us there 's more love in Christ then Angels and men could fathom in their conceptions 6. The Covenant is the Testament of our dead friend Jesus he died to confirme the Testament Heb. 9.16.17 Every blood could not seal the Covenant Christs blood as dying sealed the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13.20 It both expiated the sins of the Covenanters and also brought back the great Shepheard of the sheep from death For Christ having once paid blood and died it was free to the Surety to come out of prison when he had paid the sum 7. The seventh relation of Christ maketh way to the parties and here Christ cometh under a double consideration one as God so he is one with the Father and spirit and the Lord and the Author of the Covenant 2. As Mediator and so he is on our side of the Covenant Then is the Covenant made with Christ and all his heirs and assignes principally with Christ and with Abrahams nature in him but personally with believers 1. The Scripture saith so Gal. 3.16 The Promise or Covenant is made to Abraham and to his seed he saith not and to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ. I grant Beza Piscator and many expound Christ for mysticall Christ for say they it cannot be meant of Christ personally for so it should fight with the scope of Paul who proveth the Promise of life eternall to be made to all believers 2. It should follow that life eternall is given to Christ only but with leave this is not sure for the truth is the promise is neither made to Christs person singly considered nor to Christ Mysticall For 1. The promise is made to Christ in whom the Covenant was confirmed v. 17. 2. In whom the Nations were blessed 14. 3. In whom we receive the Promise of the Spirit through Faith 14. Who was made a curse for us ver 13. Now not any of these can agree to Christ Mysticall Christ Mysticall did not confirm the Covenant nor give the Spirit nor was he made a curse but Christ Mediator is he to whom the Promises are made and in him to all his heirs and kindred not simply in his person but as a publike person and Mediator 1. Because the Scripture saith to Abraham and to his seed that is Christ was the Covenant made and these words of the Covenant Ps. 89.26 He shall cry to me thou art my Father my God c. are expounded Heb. 1.5 And again I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a son and Joh. 20.17 Go to my brethren and say to them I ascend unto my Father and your Father to my God and to your God So Christ the heir of all things and the second heirs under him are all but one confederate-Family 2. The covenant made with David and his seed and the Fathers is fulfilled to Christ and his seed Act. 13.34 35. As concerning that he raised him up from the dead no more to see corruption he said on this wise I will give you the sure mercies of David 3. As the covenant of nature and works was made with Adam and all his and there were not two covenants so here the better covenant coming in the place of the former is made with the second Adam and his children Rom. 5.18 19. 1 Cor. 15.20 c. 4. All that serveth to make a covenant are here 1. God demandeth of his son that he lay down his life and for his labour he promiseth that he shall see his seed and God shall give him many children Isa. 53.10 2. The son consenteth to lay down his life and saith Here am I to do thy will thou hast given me a body This is the formality of a covenant when Christ consenteth to the condition Now this covenant was manifested in time between the Father and the Son but it was transacted from eternity This is comfortable that the Father and Christ transacted a Bargain from eternity concerning thee by Name There was communing between the Father and Son concerning thy heaven Father what shall be given to thy Justice to ransom such a one Iohn Anna c. And Christ from eternity did binde for such a person he shall believe in time The Redemption of Sinners is not a work of yesterday or a businesse of chance it was well advised and in infinite wisdom contrived therefore put not Christ to be challenged of his ingagement by refusing the Gospel when thou believest thou makest Christs word good he that believeth not maketh God a liar though in another sense and for ought he knoweth even in this that he frustrateth Christs undertaking in the covenant Men believe the Gospel to be a cunningly devised Fable 2 Pet. 1.16 The Father and Christ are both in this businesse Heaven Hell Justice Mercy Souls and deep Wisdom are all in this rare piece and yet men think more of a Farm and an Oxe Luke 14.18.19 and of a Pin in the State or a Straw or of the bones of a crazy livelyhood or a House 3. Touching the Promises 1. There is no good thing but it is ours by free promise and not by simple donation only this covenant turns over Heaven Earth Sea Land Bread garments sleep the World Life Death into free grace yea it maketh Sin and crosses golden Sins and crosses by accident through the acts of supernaturall providence toward us 1 Cor. 3.21 Rom. 8.28 working on and about our sins 2. All good cometh to us now not immediatly but through the hands of a free Redeemer and though he be a man who redeemed us yet because he is God there is more of God and Heaven and free Love in all our good things then if we received them immediatly from God as Ravens have their food from God without a Mediator and devils have their being only by creature-right not by covenant-right Now for the promises they flow from God to us but all along they fall first on Christ they are of two sorts 1. Some only given to Christ not to us as the Name above all names to be adored and set at the right hand of God is properly promised to Christ Angels share not with him in this Chaire Phil.
Sing us one of the songs of Zion Psal. 137. raiseth an higher esteem of Zion because Zâ—ons songs are scoffed at Vers. 5. Let them mock Zion as they list But if I forget Zion then vers 6. I pray God my tongue may cleave to the roof of my mouth So the Theef hearing Christ blasphemed and railed on by his fellow doth take more boldnesse to extoll him as a King Lord remember me when thou comest to thy Kingdome Grace appeareth the more gracious and active that it hath an adversary contraries in nature as fire and water put forth their greatest strength when they actually conflict together Vse 1. Antinomians turn grace in a temptation and then cast off all duties as Christ has pardoned all sin his righteousnesse imputed is mine what do you speak to me of Law-duties The way that cryeth down duties and sanctification is not the way of grace grace is an innocent thing and will not take men off from duties grace destroyeth not obedience Christ has made faith a friend to the Law the death of Christ destroyeth not graces activity in duties It s true grace trusted in becomes our selfe not grace and self cannot storm heaven and take Christ by violence grace though near of kindred to Christ as it is received in us is but a creature and so may be made an Idoll when we trust in it and seek not Christ first and before created grace but beleeving and doing are bloud-friends Joh. 11.26 Vse 2. This would be heeded that in difficulties and straits we keep from wicked wayes and being tempted that we strive to come near the forerunners way it was peculiar to Christ to be angry and not to sin to be like us in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Heb. 4.14 with this difference Christ was tempted but cannot sin the Saints tempted but dare not sin The Law of God honeyed with the love of Christ hath a Majestie and power to keep from sin So Christ made under the Law for us Isa. 53.7 was oppressed he was afflicted oppression will make a sinfull man mad but it could not work upon Christ He was oppressed yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a Lambe to the slaughter So all Christs followers did they are tempted but grace putteth a power of tendernesse on them Joseph tempted saith Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickednesse and sin against God David is reproached by Shimei but he dares not avenge himself Iob heavily as any man tempted yet Iob 1.22 In all this Iob sinned not nor charged God foolishly I deny not but the temptation doth sometime obtaine half a consent Nabal tempted David so that he resolved to be avenged 2. It will leave a bleck and a crook behinde it in some for their whole life Peter shall be all his life known to be one that once forsware his Lord. But this is fearfull when men both creat temptations by defending a bad cause as holy men may have an unholy cause and then can finde no way to carry it out but by crooked policie and calumnies We are now pursued by Malignants with an unjust war to embrace peace upon any dishonourable tearms to Christ is to desert a duty for fear of a temptation On the other side to refuse an offer of peace because many innocent persons have been killed is also a yeelding to a temptation for by war we kill many moe innocent ones and it s against the Lords counsel Psal. 34.14 Seek peace that is as much as we are not to be patients only but agents even when we are wronged in seeking peace But what if peace flee from me I confesse that is a temptation then saith the Lord follow after it the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Daresh is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 12.14 the Syrochaâ—d is run after peace compell peace and force it as men follow an enemy Rom. 14.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let us pursue after things of peace Vse 3. See the sweet use of faith under a sad temptation faith traffiqueth with Christ and heaven in the dark upon plain trust and credit without seeing any surety or pawn Joh. 20.29 Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have beleeved And the reason is because faith is sinewed and boned with spirituall courage so as to keep a barred city against hell yea and to stand under impossibilities and here 's a weak woman though not as a woman yet as a beleever standing out against him who is Isa 9.6 The mighty God the father of ages the Prince of peace Faith only standeth out and overcometh the sword the world and all afflictions 1 Joh. 5.4 This is our victory whereby one man overcometh the great and vast world SERMON XVI Vers. 26. But he answered and said it is not meet to take the childrens bread and to cast it to whelps 27. And she said Truth Lord yet the whelps eat of the crums that fall from the Masters Table 28. And Jesus answered and said unto her O woman great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt and her daughter was made whole from that very houre 30. And when she came to her house she found the devill gone out and her daughter laid upon the bed THe dispute between Christ and the woman goeth on Christ bringeth a strong reason vers 26. why he should not heal heâ— daughter because she and all her nation not being in Covenant with God as are the Jews the Church of God are but dogs and profane and unworthy of Christ which is the bread ordained for the children When Christ humbleth he may put us in remembrance of our nation and nationall sins Isa. 51.1 Look to the Rock whence ye were hewen and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged I alone called Abraham he was an Idolater Hos. 9.10 I found Israel like grapes in the wildernesse they should have been wild grapes rotten in the wildernesse had I not put them in my basket Ezek. 16.2 Son of man cause Jerusalem to know her abomination How Make them know the stock they came of 3. And say thus saith the Lord unto Jerusalem Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan thy father was an Amorite and thy mother a Hittite When the Jews was to offer the first fruits to the Lord Deu. 26.5 And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God A Syrian ready to perish was my father and went down to Egypt to sojourn there Thus the forgetting of what we are by nature addeth to our guiltinesse Eze. 16.22 And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembred the days of thy youth when thou wast naked and bare and wast polluted in thy blood So the Ephesians must be told how unfit they were by nature for Christ being the very work-house and shop of the Devill in which he wrought Eph. 2.1 2 3. Nationall sins
Covenant of Grace So David pleadeth and in faith Psal. 86.2 Preserve my soul here is a prayer in faith and upon what ground for I am holy Now this would seem Pharisaicall and merit-like if holinesse did not relate to the free promise of the Covenant of Grace in which God hath promised and tyed himself by Covenant to make his own children holy and also is resolved upon a proposition of the covenant of grace God hath both promised to cause his covenanted ones walk before him in truth as did Ezekiah as we have it Ezek. 36.27 and he has promised to save and deliver the upright in heart as is clear Ps. 50.23 Ps. 34.15 1 Pet. 3.12 Ps. 145.18 19. So all the peace we can collect for our comfort from holy walking is resolved on a promise of free-grace and the duty as performed by the grace of the covenant may and doth lead us to the promise so no wise from Christ but to Christ. Holy walking is a faithfull witnesse and a true witnesse may lead any accused man to Law-right holinesse may lead me to the promise and that is good Law-right if we cannot gather any assurance of our spirituall estate from holy duties in us such as are universall obedience sincerity in keeping closse to Christ and love to the Saints because they may deceive us and may be in Hypocrites as Doctor Crispe saith then may faith also deceive us for there be as many kindes of false faiths as there be of counterfeit loves to the Saints and there is somewhat of Christ peculiar to the regenerate in their love obedience and sincerity which they may discern to be a saving Character and badge of Christ no lesse then in faith 2. But here 's the mystery neither faith nor any thing inherent in us can yeeld us certainty that we are in Christ or any peace with God in regard all grace all evidences of our good estate is without us in Christ inherent holinesse and duties are but fancies When we then refuse the comforts of God and Peace from holy walking as its thred and linked to the Promise we refuse Christ especially under desertion wee bid Christ look away from us and there 's a wilfulnesse of unbelieving sorrow so that Rachel will not be comforted But when we refuse Christs comforts we refuse himself she who refuseth to accept of a Bracelet or of a Gold-ring from him who sâ—iteth her in marriage she refuseth both his love and himself in that she refuseth his love-token Observe also that Christ bringeth himself in as a great House-holder in the Gospel in his house there be divers children servants Dogs and the house is broad and open to all that comes There 's bread in our Fathers house for all What bread A great Marriage Supper here 's a Kings Son Married Matth. 22. Luk. 14 and many excellent dainties and all dainties is Christ the marrow of the Gospel that bread of life Iohn 6.48 I am that bread of life he was the wheat Ioh. 12.24 That dieth and rotteth in the earth and then taketh life and bringeth forth fruit he is the wheat that suffered the Winter Frosts and storms rain and windes and went through the milstones of Gods wrath and was bruised for our iniquities Isa. 53.5 For it pleased the Lord to bruise him ver 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dakeo is Contundere to grinde us in a Morter or Mill and he went through the Oven and Fierie furnace of the anger of God before he could be bread for the Kings table the children 2. Every bread is not the bread of children Christ is not a loaf nor a Feast for the man that wanteth his wedding-garment such a friend was never invited to the banquet Matth. 22.11.12 and of those that loaths Christ and loveth their lusts better then him Christ saith Luk. 14.24 None of these men that were bidden shall taste of my supper The children are parts of the house and are more then children heirs even joynt heires with the eldest heir Christ Rom. 8.17 1. Because Christ and the younger heirs divideth Heaven to speak so between them and 1. the spirit that raised Christ from the dead Rom. 8.11 dwelleth in them 2. They have one GOD and one Father CHRIST and we are Fathers Children Joh. 20.17 Go to my brethren and say to them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God 3. We must be together in one place all the children must be in one house together Ioh. 17.24 Ioh. 14.3 And if I go it s not an if of doubting And prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Joh. 12.26 And where I am there shall also my servant be 4. On Resurrection Ioh. 14.19 Because I live ye shall live also 1 Cor. 15.23 Every believer is raised in Christ but in order Every man in his own order Christ first as the first fruits 5. One Heaven and one Kingdom and one Throne Luk. 22.29 Rev. 3.21 2. There be great oddes between the spirit or minde of an heir or a son and a servant the heire will do much for the birth-right take his life from him ere you take his Heritage from him Esaws face dryed he weeped no more when his father blessed him with the dew of Heaven and the fatnesse of the earth a servant will not contend to be an heire 3. Joh. 8.35 The servant abideth not in the house for ever but the Son abideth ever The sons reward is all hope as some courtiers attend Princes upon hopes servants have hand-payment and present wages everie Professor trie his spirit and nature if the spirit bend toward the inheritance and Heaven-ward its right see who looketh to the last year of Nonage and minority and hath not an eye and heart on time their 's a latent hope in all troubles in sons as in a Kings heire in a farre Country where he is not known not honoured as one of a Princes blood but neglected injured yea in want and necessity yet when he casteth his eye upon his over-sea hope it cometh home to his heart with ease One day I shall be a King in honour and wealth 2. Try the free and ingenuous spirit of a son toward the Father there 's not a nature or an instinct in the servant nor such an inward principle toward the lord of the house as in a son blood and nature is strong and prevalent blood-bonds nature-relations are mighty Mark 7.27 But Jesus said unto her let the children first be filled Christ denied not but the woman and the Gentiles have a right to the bread of Christs house only Grace must keep an order let the Jews first have the loaf broken to them and then let the Gentiles have the by-board or the second Table of Christ hence observe Christs wise attempterating of the temptation in these particulars 1.
do act in Faith a float especially because a strong faith is a great vessel and therefore more of Christs tide is required for weighing Anchor and lancing forth The wings of a Sparrow should not raise an Eagle off the earth the limbs of a Pismire could not suit with a Horse or an Eliphant there is need of a strong winged soul to believe especially against hope 4. To believe Christ when midnight speaketh blacknesse of wrath requireth eyes and light of miracles yea it s a greater work then the very miracles of Christ Iohn 14.12 But especially when Christ is absent it s with the soul as with a clock in which the wheels are broken the passes or weights are fallen down Obj. 1. But I aim and endeavour to believe but can do nothing and without his grace my violence to heaven is without fruit Ans. 1. It s true the Semipelagians halfing of the work of believing and the glory of it between co operating grace and will as if nature could divide the spoil with the grace of Christ is damnable pride but its Gods way to half the work between Christ within in regard of the habit of grace and Christ without in regard of the assisting grace of God Luke 15.20 While he was yet a great way off his father saw him and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Christ rewardeth not natures aims with grace nor doth he make gifts the work and grace the hire or natures labour the race and grace the Garland but he rewardeth grace with grace and that of meer grace Joh. 15.3 He hath in his Decree and Promise marshalled such and such acts of grace to stand beside others and that by Covenant and therefore believe that you may believe pray that you may pray Obj. 2. But who can act saving grace without the blowing of saving grace I can no more do it then I can command the West wind to blow when I list Ans. I grant all nor do I speak this to insinuate that Free-will sitteth at the helm or that Grace sleepeth and Will waketh the contrary is an evident truth yet give me leave to say there 's ods between blowing of the winde and making ready the sails Though Sea-men cannot make wind nor is it their fault to want wind yet can they prepare the Sailes and hoise them up to welcome the wind we cannot create the breathings of the spirit yet are we to misse these breathings and this is a fitting of the Sails and we are to join with the spirits breathings Christ bindeth up the winds in his garment so as if one look of faith or halfe a spirituall groane should ransom me from hell I have it not in stock therefore hath God ordered such a dispensation that in all stirrings of grace the first spring Principium motus the fountain-rise of calling Jesus Lord shall be up in Heaven at the right hand of the Father and the farre end of any gracious thought is as far above me as the heart of Christ who is in the Heaven of Heavens is above the earth though ye think nothing of it and better Christ be my Steward and that the Gospel be at the end of all acts of grace as that Christ be Free wills debtor More reason Christ be Creditor then debtor to his Redeemed ones 2. I know the childe of God may be so far forth lazie as that its his fault that the winde bloweth not if we speak of a morall cause 3. It s his part to joyne with the working of assisting grace Col. 1.29 Whereunto I also labour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 striving according to his working which worketh in me mightily The Lord hath by free promise laid holy bands on himself to give predeterminating grace to his own children to persevere to the end and to prevent Apostacy and hainous sins inconsistent with saving faith 1 Cor. 1.8 Jude v. 24. Ier. 32.39 40 41. Isa. 54.10 Isa. 59.21.22 Luk. 2◠32 1 Ioh. 2.1.2 Yet so as he hath reserved a liberty to himself to co-operate with them in particular acts as it shall be their sin not his withdrawing of Grace that maketh them guilty to the end we may know we are in Graces debt in all good and supernaturall Acts so 2 Chron. 32.31 Ezechiah was tried of God in the businesse of the King of Babylons Ambassadors that the King might see that he could not walk to heaven on clay legs or by his own strength and the reason is clear God cannot make a Promise of contributing this bowing and predeterminating Grace but in a way suitable to Free-grace For God cannot change Grace unto naturall debt it remaining grace for so it should be Grace no Grace which is a contradiction 2. The Lord hath reserved liberty to himself in this promise that in this or this particular Act the omission whereof may consist with perseverance in Grace he may contribute his influence of Grace or not contribute it so David hath not actuall Grace at his will and nod to eschew adultery and murther as he pleaseth nor Peter to decline an evill hour when he shall be tempted to forswear his Saviour Christ nor hath Heman in his hand Psal. 88. nor the deserted Church power Psal. 77. to pray and believe and rejoice in the salvation of God at the disposition of Free-will But the key is up in the hands of the Kingly Intercessor At the right hand of the Father that must open the heart it s far to fetch as far as the Heaven of heavens to make winde and sailing to Christ-ward therefore 3. Seasons of Acts of Grace to believe to walk in any warmnesse of love to Christ and his members are fruits of Royall Liberty and Free-Grace who hath the key of the house of wine to stay the soul with the Flaggons and Apples of love Certainly it is the King himself that taketh the Spouse into His banqueting House Cant 2.4 And yet so as the omission of all supernaturall duties yea our lazinesse in the manner of doing our failings and sins are imputed to our selves and not to the not blowing of the wind of the holy spirit nor to the want of the efficacious motion of the spirit as Libertines teach with Arminians For we so sin through the want of the motions of efficacious Grace as through the want of a Physicall not of a morall cause and so as we are most willing to want that influence and so are guilty before the Lord God hath reasons strong and convincing why he worketh thus 1. It setteth not Grace to work by ingagement the spirit of the living creatures is within every wheel of Christ that it must move from an inward principle the motion of saving Grace is Christs heart wheeled about by it self and by no forraigne cause without it self Love worketh as Love without bud or bribe from Men or Angels Grace is both wages and work the race and the gold to it self 2.