grace offered unto them they out of hardnesâ— and unbelief in refusing are made the more inexcusable their Mouths are stopped not only by the Law but the Gospel and the Justice of God is more glorified in their Condemnation This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World c. Objeâ—tion Why is unbelief and not laying hold on Grace charged on Men as their Sin if they have not free will and power of themselves to consent to the taking of Christ Answer Unbelief is never the less sin for that a Man hath not power to believe As transgressing the Law is never less sin because a Man hath not power to keep the Law because Man had once power given him 't was given him in Adam and lost in Adam who was the Head of all Men and representatively every Man There is the more of Divine Grace seen in giving Faith to any and nevertheless of sin in any to refuse it As 't is Man's sin that he doth not believe so 't is Man's sin that he cannot believe Sin caused the Impotency and Impossibility of believing so Impotency and Impossibility doth not make unbelief no sin Sect. 20. Use 1. Of Instruction God works to will and to do the will of the Creature is determined by God to this or that to will good to consent to embrace Christ and things that please him Now if the will of the Creature be determined by God Then 1. The will of God is not determined by the Creatures God works in a Creature a will and consent to be saved by Christ so the Creatures willing and embracing Salvation doth not work a will in God to save him as the Apostle says We love God because he first loved us 1. Joh. 4.10 The love of the Creature is not the cause of the love in God but the love of God is the cause of love in the Creature so Man wills because God wills and works to will God doth not so will the Salvation of Man because Man wills it There 's an Opinion abroad that advances the Creature and the power of Nature to embrace good offer'd and that makes the will of God in relation to Salvation wholy dependent on the will of Man and determin'd by it They say God wills Salvation to all alike and is not determined to this or that Man but by the right use of free will This day if Man's will consents to take Christ c. then God wills his Salvation To morrow if he be off from willing what he did before then God is off from willing his Salvation And thus God's will is not the first mover and cause of things but Man's will This is overthrown by this Text God determines the will of Man Iâ— it be determined by God to will the embracing of Christ this is of God God works Man to will so Man doth not work God to will because God wills it he makes the Creature to will it For further clearing it Consider Consid 1. God wills the Salvation of some but not of all the Gospel says 1 Tim. 2.4 God will have all to be saved But this is meant of some of all sorts not of all of all sorts and God wills it that is calls on all Men to receive the knowledge of the Truth invites all to come to Christ so he wills it with his offering will but not with his ordaining will That thus appears Esau was a Person God never did will to save For before they had done either good or evil that the purpose of God might stand God said the Elder shall serve the Younger Jacob have I chosen Esau have I hated Rom. 9.11 There is Election of God What is that A chusing of one that implies a passing by of another If there be any such thing as Election from Eternity which the Scripture so often speaks off then God doth not will the Salvation of all Consideration 2. The will and decree of God in relation to Man's Salvation is absolute and peremptory 1. In respect of any cause without God no foresight of Faith or of what the Creature will do if it be placed in such a condition and Grace be offered to it Rom. 9.5 He saith to Moses I will shew Mercy to whom I will shew Mercy 'T is not of him that willeth but of God that sheweth Mercy Man's will is not the cause of God's will to shew Mercy 2. Absolute without alteration the foundation of the Lord standeth sure c. 2 Tim. 2.19 Rom. 8.30 Whom he predâ—stinated them he called and whom he â—alled them he justified c. The immutability of his Councel c. Heb. 6 18. Consid 3. Christ was given to dye for such as are ordain'd to life It 's true as in Adam all dye so in Christ all are made alive Rom. 5. It doth not follow that Christ died for every Man Hence if any will conclude that Christ died for every Man it may be as well concluded that every Man shall be actually saved but that 's clear against Scripture For 1. Christ shall save all that he died for For this is the will of him that sent me of all that he hath given me I should not loose nothing but raise it up at the last day Joh. 6.39 But all are not saved so Christ died not for all 2 Christ did not pray for all so did not die for all Joh. 17.9 19. For their sake I sanctify my self that is sacrifice my self For whose sake For the Men thou hast given me out of the World verse 6. Consid 4. God in due time works in their Hearts a consent and will to take Christ for a Saviour whom he did will to save by Christ As many as were ordain'd to Eternal Life believed Act. 13.48 God was willing to shew to the Heirs of Salvation c. Heb. 6.18 God makes Heirs of Salvation his will to save them makes them Heirs And God shews to them his will and counsel and the immutability of it and then God makes willing None can come except the Father draws and it follows they shall be all taught of God Joh. 6.45 All are drawn and made willing that are ordained to Eternal Life So that God's will is the cause of the Creatures will and not the Creatures the cause of God's God's free will is the cause of Salvation and not Man's free will Use 2. Of Consolation To such as do will to be saved by Christ and to take him as he is offered in the Gospel herein you may see a saving work of God on their Souls or God in their Hearts working them to will 1. If your will he to embrace Christ and close in fully with the Gospel Promises then you may reâ—d the will of God to save you the will of God in giving Christ for you this is an evidence of God's will for good God by this writes a Book of Life in your Hearts in which you may read your Names read the Eteâ—nal
Christ have cause to fear him because of his wisdom when Saul saw that David behaved himself very wisely he was afraid of him 1 Sam. 18.15 5. Walk circumspectedly not as Fools but as wise Eph. 5.15 walk as wise before him that hath such Riches of wisdom when we are amongst wise men we will speak and act as wisely as we can much more being before the wise Lord of Heaven and Earth be wiâ—e to consider the day of visitation the things of Peace be exact in our walkings and doings have Eyes before behind and within as the beasts have Rev. 4.6 8. the Body hath not so but the Mind should look before to see the Lord before us his will and Glory look to the Joy before us look behind to see what we were in the Flesh and to Satan pursuing the world persecuting have Eyes within to see our failings imperfections wants and what is amiss within us 6. Let there be Wisdom dwelling within you so as 't is with Christ that is we should know and do know and obey know and love if ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them John 13.17 Be doers and not hearers only otherwise knowledge will but aggravate sin and increase Judgment As we should have Eyes within before and behind so also Wings Rev. 4.8 we should make haste and not delay to keep the Righteous Judgments of God CHAP. VI. THere are in Christ Riches of Power Job 9.4 He is Wise in Heart and mighty in Strength not only strong but mighty in strength he excels therein so that the strongest Creatures have no strength in comparison of him verse 19. If I speak of strength lo he is strong what do we speak of the strength of Men Sampson Goliah and David's worthies c. he hath strength worthy of praise lo he is strong Solomon was a type of Christ in Wisdom David in his glorious Conquests so Sampson in his strength 1. There is his Power and Strength as he is God the Lord God Omnipotent all thinngs are possible to his Power by this he weigheth the Mountains in Scales and the Hills in a Ballance and takes up the Isles as a very little thing to which the Power of the Nations is nothing yea less than nothing and vanity Isa 40.17 2. There is the Power as Mediator thus 1. There is the Power of his Death which may be called the weakness of Christ but yet stronger than Man than Satan than the World than Sin there is a conquering Power of his Death Heb. 2.14 By Death he destroyed him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil in his works Kingdom c. Satan had his power by means of Sin and that being satisfied for there is Redemption from his power The Death of Christ was not so destroying to Christ's own as to Satan's Kingdom and to the old Man which was Crucified with Christ when a dead-Man touched the bones of Elisha he was raised to live 2 Kings 13.21 and much more when Christ dying is touched by Faith those that are dead shall live Rom. 5.10 We were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son and if there be so great a Power in his Death what is the Power of his Life If so great a Power of Christ Crucified what is the Power of Christ Crowned If so great a Power of Christ in the Grave what is the Power of Christ on the Throne of his Glory 2. There is the Power of his Resurrection Phi. 2.10 That I may know him and the Power of his Resurrection which hath a justifying Power He was raised for our Justification Rom. 4.25 As the bonds of his Death were loosed and Prison Doors opened so this declared he had paid the uttermost Farthing and thereby the bonds of Captivity were loosed to the Vessels of Mercy who being under the bonds of Guilt were loosed thereby and enlarged There 's a raising Power of his Resurrection a saving Power of his Life Christ quickened becomes a quickning Spirit Because he lives the Elect shall live also John 14.19 He is a quickning Spirit to the Soul that is Planted in the likeness of his Resurrection and shall be to the Body the same Spirit by which he was quickened shall quicken your mortal Bodies Rom. 8.11 what a glorious Power is this And what reason had Paul to desire so much the Power of his Resurrection and how happy are they that have the experimental knowledge of it 3. There is the Power that Christ hath with the Father in his Mediation and Intercession If Jacob had Power with God then how much more Christ who could say I know thou always hearest me let me alone said the Lord to Moses c. Exod. 32.10 What was this but to shew what Power Christ as Mediator hath to hinder Divine Wrath from consuming Sinners having taken it upon himself he saves from wrath such as believe in him as on the other side he hath Power to draw forth wrath against Antichrist and all his Enemies Rev. 8.3 5. The golden Censer is filled with Fire and cast into the Earth This is a sweet consideration for true Believers that 't is Christ their Head Saviour Redeemer c. who hath Power to dispense good and evil Grace and wrath having a loosing and binding Power in some sort in relation to the Fathers Love and Wrath. 4. Christ hath Power over himself and his own wrath Num. 14.17 When the People murmured because of the evil report brought upon Canaan and the Lord threatned to destroy them Moses makes intercession Let the Power of my Lord be great as thou hast said the Lord gracious c. and now pardon the Iniquities of thy Servants When the Lord pardons he hath Power over his own wrath when men are offended and provoked they have not always Power to keep themselves from revenge Simeon and Levi had not Power over their own wrath which Jacob cursed because 't was cruel but the Lord hath Power over his Wrath to turn it from believing convinced humbled repenting sinners when the Lord knows and we know also our manifold transgressions and mighty sins Amos 5.12 'T is comfortable to know that the Lord hath a mighty Power to pardon even mighty sins as Christ lays hold on the Fathers strength so we may on his and make Peace Isa 27.9 5. Christ hath Power over Men's Heart 1. Of the Elect to change them and to turn them from sin unto God to take away the heart of Unbelief the heart of stone he can humble the proud heart and make the rebellious heart to yield How soon can Christ make us other Men Saul why Persecutest thâ—u me I am Jesus and what said Saul Lord what wouldest thou have me to do Acts 9.4.6 2. Of wicked men he can bind up and bound their Malice he can melt and incline their hearts towards his Servants as he did once and again the heart of Saul towards David of Ahashuerus towards Mordecai
which himself prescribes 1. According to his own Laws c. acknowledge no other Lord or Law-giver in matters of Religion Lord of Faith things to be believed Lord of Worship things to be done know that whatever is more than Christ commands is Sin whatever Ceremony to be used in a Religious way as representing and signifying some spiritual thing enjoyned by Men is Sin that is forbid in the Second Commandment thou shalt not make c. i. e. institute and appoint or invent to thy self any way of Worship anything to be used Religiously to set forth any spiritual thing but what God requires that only thou shalt observe herein is the great Apostacy of the Papists and herein consisted that great Sin of our Land which above others hath provoked God to bring this Judgment of War that Men's Laws have been Rules to us in matters of Religion because Men did make Ordinances and enjoyn Ceremonies to be used in a Religious way here was an Intrenching on Christ's Kingly Office herein was Superstition Will-worship and because the abomination of desolation was set up therefore we like Ephraim are smitten in Judgment because we willingly followed after their Commands so are delivered into the hands of the Cruel they that caused us to err are causes of wo Now that we may be healed again let 's remember whence we are fallen and how fallen from the purity of Christ's worship cast off all mixtures in Religion let not our Heart hang after the Onions and Garlick of Egypt after old Ceremonies be longer the Servants of Men. when the Corinthians some of them ascribed too much to Paul too much to Apollo Paul reproves this 1 Cor. 1.13 was Paul Crucified for you intimating he must be honoured above all his Doctrine his Laws we must imbrace and be led by in matters of Religion who was Crucified for us that was Christ 2. Do what Christ enjoyns in Spirit and Truth not feignedly but in truth not outwardly and bodily only but spiritually let the Service we perform be a work of our Spirits pray with the Spirit hear with the Spirit and when you receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper It must be done with the Spirit and the work of the Spirit amidst all these Services is especial in a work of Faith laying hold on what Christ promises and conveys in and by his Ordinances that Grace Life and Strength c. 3. That which Christ's Crucifying especially calls for and most nearly answers it is the Crucifying of our Flesh with the Affections and Lusts that our old Man be Crucified with Christ Gal. 3.23 where you see 't is not enough to have some Members cut off to forsake some particular Sins that may be and the body of Sin live still but crucify the Flesh crucify Original Corruption that is that strength and power of Sin which is in the Heart Quest Now wherein lies the strength of Sin Answ In the Will when Sin hath the Will so that what Sin a Man commits the bent of his will the disposition of his Soul is to commit them if a Man sins and wills to sin then Sin reigns Eph. 2.3 fulfilling the desires of the Flesh c. Sin is a King when the love of Sin constrains a Man to do Iniquity as on the other side Grace reigns when the love of Christ constrains c. then crucify the Flesh so as that Sin may cease to reign if Sin have your Members sometimes yet let it not have your Wills let the strength of all your Faculties be turned against Sin of your Understandings to search into the Evils of it and to study out ways to overcome it let your wills be to be freed from it your Affections turned all against it to hate loath c. Sin cannot be wholy purged out in this life the mortifying of Sin is a work done by degrees as those that are hanged on the Cross dye by degrees 't is a lingring Death such is the death of Sin that railing Thief on the Cross you may take as an Emblem to set forth Sin in the Saints where 't is Crucified his Body hanged on the Cross his Hands nailed he could not rob or spoil any more he ceased now to be a reigning Thief but then his Tongue he used in railing against Christ so for those that are Members of Christ their old Man is fastned to the Cross it cannot reign any longer some life remains it may strugle with the renewed part the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit it would fain overcome but the Spirit of God in the Soul keeps it under and by all the striving of Corruption again Grace Corruption waxes weaker till at last it be wholy vanquished Now this Effect you must labour to shew forth of the Death of Christ and herein be conformed to him Be planted together in the likeness of his Death now be freed from Sin and be no longer Servants to it let it not reign and as Christ being raised dieth no more Death hath no more Dominion over him Rom. 6.9 so labour that Sin may in such manner be Crucified as that it never have dominion in you again 4. Learn hence to make use of the Blood of Christ for obtaining your Justification and Peace with God By the shedding of the Blood of Christ is Remission of Sins this is the Sacrifice that makes Attonement Christ made Peace by the Blood of this Cross Labour for Faith to draw forth this Benefit out of the Blood of Christ to apply it to your selves that it may be yours in the Justifying Effect that peaceable Fruit of it Now what is required of us 1. To believe the Vertue and Value of it that 't is sufficient to redeem a Soul and your Soul 2. To believe God's offer and tender of it to you and Christ's willingness to give it to you if you will but imbrace it 3. That you cast your Souls into that Sea of Blood and rest only on the Vertue of it for Life and Justification Do thus then rest confidently assured of acceptance with God you may go with boldness into the Holiest c Vse 3. Trial. By this you may know what Knowledge you have in the Mystery of the Cross of Christ c. viz. if you so know him as to believe in him to count his Blood most precious to be resolved to obey and suffer for Christ in a due manner and draw Vertue from his Cross for Crucifying Sin and conquering all the World and comforting your Hearts in all Tribulations and Deaths this is to know the Mystery of Christ Crucified Gal. 6.14 The End of the Second Discourse THE THIRD DISCORUSE A Sermon concerning the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures 1 THESSALONIANS ij xiij For this cause also thank we GOD without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which you heard of us ye received it not as the word of Men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh
that sins should grieve and but grieve the Godly they should not doubt of Love and fear Wrath if once the Soul trusts in the Name of the Lord and stay upon God If once ye be founded on the Rock Christ then your sins should work grief for God dishonoured not fear of God's Wrath Grief for God dishonoured and Joy in God well pleased by Christ may consist together This is the way oâ— the Gospel but indeed a narrow way too hard to keep in it if ye joy in God notwithstanding sin then not to turn to the left hand of making light of sin or if ye grieve then not to turn to the right hand of questioning the love of God and so remitting joy 7. God may afflict yet not hate he may afflict and that grievously as he did Job and yet be well pleased whom I love I rebuke and chasten c. Rev. 3.19 8. For a Believer to doubt of Salvation that takes hold of Christ and is founded on him is his sin For 1. The Spirit of God doth not witness that he is not a Gâ—ild of God If the Spirit of God doth convince a natural Man that 's out of Christ of his carnal and cursed Estate and then he say he cannot lay claim to the Promises of the Gospel to the Benefits of Christ this is not his Sin because it may be that the Spirit is a Spirit of bondage in him and witnesseth this to him and so 't is true But for such as believe in Christ and look for Salvation no other way such never receive the Spirit of Bondage again to fear Rom. 8.15 that is the Spirit doth not bring them into bondage The Spirit doth not witness that they are not the Children of God for he should witness untruth then but their doubting Hearts bring them into bondage 2. 'T is through wanâ— oâ— Fâ—ith that such doubt of Salvaâ—ion 't is for not believing as they ought and that is their Sin and Christ may repâ—ove them as he did Peter O thou of little Faith wherefore did it thou doubt As God hath made the Salvation of Believers sure in Christ c. so they ought to believe it to be sureâ— and 't is their Sin to doubt of it not to believe is to make God a Liar 1 Joh. 5.10 Section 7. 2. How Believers ought to carry themselves in the want of Assurance 1. Desire it thirâ—â— and long for it account it a Mercy worth the enjoying better than all the World can afford and God hath promised to satisfy the hungry with good things and not to send them empty away so then breath after it as the Hart panteth after the water-brooks 3. Wait with patience of God till he return with joy and peace into the Soul I will wait on God that hideth his Face from the House of Israel Isa 8.17 3. Exercise Faith of adherence when you want the Faith of evidence this is the advice of the Prophet Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant that is Christ Iâ—a 42.1 That fears the Lord and serve him in Christ being acquainted with the great Mystery of Godliness here 's Faith of adherence which Judges Christ worthy of Glory and walketh in darkness and sees no light here 's want of Faith of Evidence now what should be done in this case Still trust still hold fast Christ look for Salvation in him and none else trust in the name of the Lord trust to the mercy of God his abundant Grace manifested in giving Christ as sufficient to â—ave you and stay on his God God iâ— his God though he knows it not stay upon him let the Soul he fixed on him and say as Job though he kill me I will trust in him If I perish it shall be at the feet of Mercy and then though you may walk in darkness for a time yet the Lord shall be a light unto you Sâ—ction 8 From the second sense of these words work out that is desire and endeavour this that Salvâ—tion begun to be wrought out may be perfected so much the word signifies Rom. 7.18 How to perform that which is good I find not Doct. 2. The perfecting of Salvation that is begun should be the great desire of all Believers when 't is begun to be wrought they should desire that Salvation may be wrought out a Person begun to be saved should long to be saved to the utmost Here consider a few things 1. The Salvation of Believers shall be perfected This is a work that shall be finished As in the fiâ—st Creation of the World things were imperfect at first but God did not cease Creating till Heaven and Earth were finished and all the Host of them so at the first Conversion when Salvation fiâ—st comes to the Soul it may be it is very imperfect a little Faith a little Love but weak and faint breathings of Spirit but smoking Flax a bruised Reed But God will go on in this work till every Saint be made perfect and all the Host of them Phil. 1.6 He that hath begun a good work will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ He wi l keep Believers till the day of Christ and perfect their Happiness in that day which shall endure for ever Christ dying said it is finished that is the types of the Law are fulfilled what Christ had to do towards the obtaining Man's Redemption was finished for Satisfaction Reconciliation Merit all are fiâ—ished and nothing remains but the application of Christ to the Soul and bestowing the Benefits purchased for the Elect by Christ that Christ lives to finish he died to finish the work of Satisfaction and Reconciliation he lives to finish the work of Sanctification and Glorification He died to finish the work hâ— had to do respecting God's paying the price 〈◊〉 Redemption recompencing him for the d shonoâ—r that was done him by Sin and he lives to finish the work he hath to do respecting the Elect which is to pour out hâ—s Spirit into their â—â—â—â—ts and to form them for himsâ—â—l and to fashion Soul and Body like to himself this is the meaning of that place Rom. 5.10 For if when were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life He died to finish a work with the Father for Men making peace for them he lives to finish a work in them which is to make them Holy aâ—d Happy and whatever Enemies there are to the happiness of the Saints Christ shall subdue them 1 Cor. 15.25 He must Reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his Feet and till all his Members be conformed in glory to him and placed in Glory with him Joh. 17.22.24 The Glory that thou hast given me I have given them Now Believers have a right to but they shall also have the possession of it they shall partake in Christ's Glory in all his
The Sorrow of the World worketh Death 2 Cor. 7.10 The sorrow of the World that is grieving more for Suffering than for Sin growing under the want of Temporals more than of Spirituals this is a weight it hinders desire after a Heavenly Life pressing on to Salvation this depresses the Spirit Godly Sorrow what carefulness it wrought what zeal what vehement desires c. Lay aside the weight of worldly sorrow 4. Sin Especially the easily besetting Sin Heb. 12.1 Who shall deliver me from the body of Death This is a weight in Paul's Spirit when I would do good evil is present there 's a Law in my Members c. Desire that Sin may be subdued look to the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ to free you from the Law of Sin and Death especially the Lusts that are most prevalent that do most easily prevail that the Soul is usually overtaken with your Dalilah Herodias your Right Hand your Right Eye The following a Lust takes off the Heart from following after Knowledge c. 3. Run your Race with Patience that is first be not angry if the Blessing longed for be not presently bestowed be not like those that ask where is the promise of his coming Hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of God Lam. 3.26 All my appointed time will I wait till my change come Secondly Be not angry at the Crosses you meet with in the way of Salvation c. This was Israel's prevailing Sin whereby they vext the Spirit c. They could not with patience bear any Cross in the way to the Land flowing with Milk and Honey Satan and the World set themselves against the Heirs of Salvation that labour to work it out and with patience endure their buffetting There 's great reason for it for our light Afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more Exceeding and an Eternal weight of Glory Afflistion is not worthy to be compared with the Glory that is to be revealed Rom. 8.18 and 2 Cor. 4.17 Skin for Skin all that a Man hath will he give for his Life endures any thing parts with any thing rather than part with his Life He that will loose his Life shall find it loose Earth to find Heaven c. Psa 84. Going through the Vally of Baca a dry place make a Well this is a Well they going to God can satisfy themselves with his Law c. Thirdly Look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of Faith and Love c. The Author and Finisher of Grace and Glory Believe that he who is mighty to save will carry on the work to perfection The Jews had the Angel of God's presence with them to keep them and to drive out the Canaanites c. In a Wilderness he fed them with Bread from Heaven when they were ready to perish with tâ—irst he brought Honey out of the Rock c. When Sihon King of the Amorites and Og opposed them he slew those mighty Kings and he made a way through the Sea and Jordan Isa 63.9 The Angel of his presence saved them and in his Love and Pity redeemed them and bare them c. even thus Believers have the Angel of God's presence Christ Jesus c. He will bear in his Love and Pity as by his power as the tender hearted Mother bears her Child in her Arms Believers they have Christ to overcome their Spiritual Enemies Christ to feed them and supply them with Spiritual Nourishment Bread from Heaven and with water of Life giving by his Spirit so look to Christ as the Author and Finisher of Salvation As the Cloud and Smoak by day and the flaming fire by night c. was a sign of God's presence so God promises Isa 4.5 I will create on Mount Sion and her Assemblies a Cloud c. the shining of a flaming Fire Shining for Light to the Saints Flaming for Terror to the Enemies Christ will be as careful of Believers now as of the Jews of old believe that you have the Angel of his presence to conduct you to his presence and so hold fast your Confidence firm unto the end and you shall receive the end of your Faith the Salvation of your Souls Heb. 11.14 Christ is passed into Heaven as Priest he bare Sin on Earth but now he is entred without Sin Jesus the Son of God So hold fast your Profession Here 's an encouragement there 's no infirmities but Christ hath felt the like So then come boldly to the Throne of Grace by Faith go to the Throne of Grace in Heaven for Grace to help you to Heaven have Hope as an Anchor fixed in Heaven on a Throne of Grace fixed in Christ so shall you be drawn nearer and nearer to Heaven Section 10. With fear and trembling As the Gospel requires Men to set about a work of following Christ and of saving their Souls so it gives directions for the way and shews where strength is to be had c. Here you have a manifestation of the way and manner in which Salvation is to be wrought out Whence the Doctrine is Doct. 3. Salvation is to be wrought out with fear and trembling Whereas in the former Exhortation somewhat seemed to be ascribed to the Will and Power of Man as if he could do somewhat towards the perfecting of his Salvation This that the Apostle adds in these and the following words takes away all colour and ground of attributing any thing to Nature in this great work But shews it to be the sole work of God's Grace and Power in Christ And there being a glorious manifestation of God in this work revealed in the Hearts of Believers that 's a ground of fear and trembling Now for the opening of this point I shall shew what is not meant by Fear and Trembling 1. Not a slavish fear of Judgment The fear of Christians should be filial i. e. fear of dishonouring God should restrain from Sin not fear of being destroyed but an earnest desire of being accepted Not a dread of Vengeance should move you to walk in Holy and Gospel ways Christians should not be driven to seek Heaven meerly out of fear of Hell but drawn by the Glory of Heaven and Pleasures for evermore in the presence of God Not driven by fear of the wrath of the Lamb but drawn by the Cords of the Love of the Lamb. The fear of Christians should not be the fear of Slaves but the fear of Sons Not the fear of Cain Every one that findeth me shall slay me but the fear of Joseph Gen. 42.18 I fear God Exod. 20.20 When Israel feared because of the thunderings c. Moses said Fear not for God is come to prove you that his fear may be before your faces that you sin not Fear of Evils God doth not account his Fear his fear is not Sin Believers are set beyond the fears of Evil they have no ground to fear wrath and vengeance 'T is an Infirmity to do it
and heightens their torment they think upon the vain course they led upon the seasons of Grace they slighted the great Salvation neglected by them they contemplate on the eternity of their Misery and they think on the happiness of those that they persecuted and hated Dives is said to see Lazarus afar off the wicked think on the blessed estate of the Godly but on the other side the Saints never see Death but Light and Life they shall see Christ and be ever with him beholding his Glory Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they be with me to behold my Glory to be in everlasting contemplation of it and the Light of him shall satisfy and they shall be ever seeing him there shall not be any Cloud upon his Glory true he shall come in Clouds but when he comes Clouds shall go away when he ascended a Cloud received him out of the sight of the Disciples when he descends a Cloud shall usher him into their sight and then Clouds shall for ever pass away that Saints may for ever see him and then they shall see Christ and all other things by Christ The Lamb is said to be the light of the new Jerusalem by this light they shall see Christ himself as by the light of the Sun we see the Sun and by Christ's light all other things as the Scripture and all those things contained therein The Jews before Christ came knew him by Types and Signs but after Christ came they knew these Types and Figures by Christ now we know Christ by the Scriptures but when he shall appear we shall know the Scripture by Christ now we know the Creator by the Creatures then shall we know the Creatures by the Creator now the invisible things of God are known by the things that are made then that which is invisible to us of the things that are made shall be known by the Light and Glory of him that made them And their seeing shall be a beatifical Vision Christ shall then see the Saints and be satisfied and they shall see him and be satisfied Exod. 24.11 The Elders of Israel saw God and did eat and drink not as when they made the Calf but either they did eat of the Sacrifices or did eat and drink Spiritually they delighted in the Glory of the Lord and fed their Eyes and feasted upon the brightness of his Glory which was better to them than the most pleasant meat In answer to this Christ promises that we shall eat and drink at his Table in his Kingdom this is the Portion of the Saints in Heaven they shall see Christ as God manifest in the Flesh and the God-head in Christ After the general Judgment they shall see God immediately as All in All and not only through the Man-hood of Christ. 2. Christ shall be a fountain of Glory to the Saints they shall receive of his fullness Glory for Glory as the Sun communicates the Glory of his Light so shall Christ the Sun of Righteousness which he beginning to do here shall do it perfectly to the filling of Souls and Bodies with Glory they shall have the Glory of being one in the Father and the Son Joh. 17.21 3. Christs Glory is a Pattern of the Saints Glory who are predestinated to be conformed to the Image of the Son Rom. 8.29 they shall see and be like him and be satisfied with his likeness If Saints now suffer so did Christ and as Christ is glorified so shall they if we suffer 't is no worse with us than 't was with Christ and when Christ shall appear it shall be as well with us as to a like Glory tho' not an equal Glory with his they shall appear with him in Glory there shall be a Manifestation of the Sons of God which the Creature hath an earnest expectation off that they may be delivered from their bondage unto the power of the Man of Sin into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.18 19 20. 1. A Gracious Liberty which they have being under Grace and in a State of Grace being free from the Curse of the Law from the raigning power of Sin and from being led Captive by Satan at his will this is a Liberty where with Christ hath made free 2. A Glorious Liberty where with Christ shall make them free not only from Sin as a King but from Sin as a Tyrant and from any temptations and buffetings of Satan not only from pleasing Men and walking as Men but from all persecutions from Men for Righteousness sake they shall not hurt nor destroy c. such a glorious Liberty shall be to the Sons of God a triumphant Liberty as under Solomon's Reign when there was neither Adversary nor evil Occurrent And as the Creature so the Saints also having the first fruits of the Spirit do groan for the Adoption even the Redemption of the Body There is a two-fold Adoption Rom. 8.23 First by receiving power to be Sons through believing in Christ Joh. 1.12 2. In receiving the Portions of Sons and that Inheritance which belongs to them as Joynt-Heirs with Christ There is also a two-fold Redemption 1. Of the Soul from under the power of Sin Satan and the World 2. Of the Body from Persecution and Trouble which is the State Saints shall be in after the fall of Babylon when there shall be none to make them afraid as also there shall be Redemption from Death and the Grave so that their vile Bodies shâ—ll be fashioned like Christ's Glorious Body Only 1. Consider if you would see Christ and be like him in Glory see that you be found in him having his Righteousness Psa 17.15 I shall behold thy Face in Righteousness that is thy Righteousness those that will not submit to the Righteousness of God must not look to be Exalted to his Glory yet an inherent qualifying Righteousness also is by many and may well be understood in that Expression whom he Justified them he Glorified 2. You must be Holy without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord you must be sanctified into a likeness with him in Grace else look not to be satisfied with his likeness in Glory 3. Confess Châ—ist and stand for his Glory In his Temple should every one speak of his Glory Psal 29.9 So should we in his Spiritual House they that delight not now to be speaking of his Kingdom and talking of his Power and of the Glorious Honour of his Majesty must not look to have an Inheritance in his Kingdom In his Temple is the joyful sound of his Glory such as now hear the joyful sound shall have the joyful sight of his Glory 4. Do all to his Glory confess he is Lord to the Glory of the Father be just to his Glory be sober to his Glory be charitable and mercifull to his Glory Pray Hear Eat Drink do all to his Glory all things are of thee of thine own have we given thee 1 Chron. 29.14 all Waters are from
Sin and taken great pleasure in it and when they hear what the word says that such must be damned banish'd from the presence of God and be everlastingly tormented with Devils and that this that the word speaks should strike such unspeakable terror to the Heart of Man what doth this argue but that the word is powerful Joh 18.6 as Christ spake but a word and his Enemies that came to take him fell back so that Mens proud and stubborn hearts should fall down before the word and are made to say as the Devils why art thou come to torment us this shews that there is an Almighty God speaking in the word and this fâ—â—ther That some Men yet in a natural condition who love Sin as their own Souls should not dare to commit some Sins because the word pronounceth Judgment and that Men that hate holiness as 't is evident that many do yet out of fear of Judgments denounced in the word should be brought to make some Profession of Holiness that as the unclean Spirit fell down and confessed Christ to be the Son of God so Men of unclean Hearts not renewed are forced to confess the word is of God 2. In the Conversion of Sinners I may say concerning the Word as Christ in his Message to John The Dead are raised the Deaf hear the Dumb speak and tâ— the Poor the Gâ—spel is Preached that a word preached should do this shews it to be the word of God so Men that are dead in Trespasses and Sins are raised by it the word doth bore some Mens Ears and make them hearken and obey it Consider that Men that take such great delight in Sin as we all do by Nature working uncleaness with greediness going to it as an hungry Man to his Meals ready to pine away for the pleasures of Sin and be discontent when we cannot satisfy our Lusts as it was with Ammnon Now that any of us because the word says cease to do Evil Sin no more should loath what we so dearly loved and that our hatred of Sin should be greater than our love was to it and it may be some can tell the time and remember the word that wrought such a mighty change what is to be concluded hence but that this is none other but the word of God Again we know how we love our selves by nature even so as that self-love is the supreme Law with corrupt Nature now that such an one should because the word says if any Man will be my Disciple let him deny himself cast off self-love and self-respects and sacrifice or give himself up to Christ and be his only and prize the Glory of God more than his own good yea choose to undergo the greatest Evils rather than dishonour God this shews the invincible power of the word Again if you have any knowledge of your selves you know what bitter enmity there is in our natures against holiness now that because the word commends holiness any of us should come to delight in it this likewise adds a Seal for the confirmation of this Truth that the word is in truth Gods word Again you know how we naturally love the World even so much that some can even in these plundering times think it better to loose our Lives than our Goods now that any should despise the world for Christ's sake and esteem his Reproaches better Riches only because the word doth commend Christ above the World and propose him as the best Good What doth this argue but a divine efficacy of the word and the power of a God making use of his word as an instrument of his own to bring to pass such mighty works 3. In confounding Christ 's Enemies Psa 8.2 Out of the mouths of Babes hast thou ordained strength to stâ—ll the Enemy this strength of mouth â— Prayer which is grounded on the word and preaching when men come with revengeful Spirits and think to swallow up the People of God the word shall stop and still them the word doth gather Men together and stir them up to fight against Anti-christ Rev. 16 16. and Rev. 17.16 The ten hornes shall hate the Whore c. why the word shall discover her and hence 't is said 2 Thess 2.8 That Man of Sin shall be revealed c. he shall destroy him with the Sword of his Mâ—uth and brightness of his coming Dan. 2.34 A stone cut out of the Mountain without Hands breaks the Feet of the Image and that shall overcome the great Roman Monarchy What is this stone c. a poor weak dispised People of God called by the word believing the same and walking by it these shall overcome all Antichristian powers and as the worm Jacob thresh the Mountains Use To make some application of this by the way Is there such a power in the word and may that be truly said of the word which is falsly of Simon Magus it is the great Power of God 1. Then take heed of despising it Heb. 12.25 see that ye dispise not look well to it if you despise the word you dispise the Power and Authority of God which is in it and which shall be manifested by it either in Conversion or Confusion either in unspeakable Terror or Consolation either it shall be the power of God to save you and then you must believe it and receive it with all readiness or to condemn you if you despise it if it do not now work effectually in you to turn you from Sin into the obedience thereof then it shall Judge you in the last day now you may hear it speaking comfortably to you bringing the glad Tydings to your Souls of good things of a Saviour that is offered to you a Pardon proclaimed Heaven opened to Men that are shut up under Sin and Wrath that is if you will now suffer your Consciences to be awakned to see what condition you are in but if it be not hearkned to it shall speak terribly to you and then you shall not sleep when 't is spoken you shall not sit carelesly under it as you do now but then you shall know the Terrors of the Lord you shall know the power of Divine Wrath to prevent which you should desire to feel the exceeding greatness of his Power in creating Faith in you and the length and breadth of his Love which is revealed therein so when the word is spoken to you let me exhort you as the Prophet Jer. 13.15 Learn be not proud the Lord hath spoken Act. 13.41 Behold ye Despisers and wonder I 'll work that you will not believe If you will not believe what I have said in the Word Precepts and Promises such Judgments shall be brought on you which you would not before believe 2. Believe the Word rest on it be strong in Faith your Faith shall not be in vain you rest not then on a broken reed but on the word of the great God on the great Power of that God The Power of God
shall bring to pass whatever the word hath said if you can believe Whatever ye shall ask believe ye shall receive it and ye shall receive it 't is the word of God I will never fail thee nor forsake thee Believe and the Power of God shall make it good John 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life If any drink of the Waters I shall give when thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the Fires c. Isa 43.2 Whoever shall gather together against thee shall fall c. Rest now on these Promises the Power of God shall make them good How much comfort do we loose what weaknesses and failings are we subject to how much Sin do we fall into and how much sorrow do we create to our selves and all for want of resting on the Divine Power and Efficacy of the word So say to Unbelief Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence to me the greatest Enemy to Peace and Holiness Hereby 't is that we savour not the things of God his precious word but the things that be of Men. Arg. 2. 'T is drawn from the Holiness of the Word Holiness consists in a conformity to the will of God and giving Glory to him This is a Principle ingrafted in Man's heart That God is to be worshipped and that all Glory must be given to him and that his Will is the Supreme Law now in the word is the will of God perfectly revealed The Moral Law requires that which none can deny but 't is most just and equal that it should be done In the Law of Nature we Sinners could never have read the will of God but he having given the Moral Law which is nothing but the Law of Nature so much is lest of the Law of Nature that there is none but in their Judgments must needs be convinced that we are bound in Conscience to obey it so that the word gives us a perfect rule of Holiness it shews what God is it advances him infinitly above all things which we must set to our Seals should be so it says he is God and there 's none besides him that of him are all things that he is the chief good and our happiness stands in enjoying him and in his favour is our life And it shews that he must be worshipped with our whole selves Soul and Body that it is the worship of the Heart and Spirit he specially requires i. e. that we fear him and love him and put our trust in him it shews the vanity of the Creature and infinite perfection of God it discovers the Evil of Sin and the Beauty of Holiness 't is a Creature-emptying and God-advancing word Whereas in other Doctrines and Religions besides the word 't is otherwise as in Popery and Popish Traditions there is much Ceremony but little Substance outward pompous and bodily service little or none of the heart The honour that is due to God is given to Saints Idols are worshipped instead of God And in the Turkish Alcoran happiness is placed in outward pleasures and carnal delights Now it is far otherwise in the Scriptures In a word these three things well weighed if we can judge of any thing in matters of Religion viz. That the Scripture still gives all Glory to God and places all Happiness in God and that it sets forth conformity to God and communion with God as our perfection and also shews an exact way for attaining to both the Law as a rule for conformity and Christ as the way to communion with God these things being seriously considered by us would amount to a demonstrative and most convincing Argument That this is the very word of God Use This may shew us that if we would be Holy we must look to the word and take that for our rule If we would Glorify God and be Glorified by God Study the word and if we would worship God aright we must take the word for our rule Evermore to the Law and Testimony Isa 8.20 if you speak not and walk not according to this rule 't is because there is no light in you If the Custom and Tradition of men prevail more then the word 't is because you are ignorant of the holiness and perfection of the word Arg. 3. Is drawn from the fulfilling of Prophecies and Promises Prophecies of the Old Testament exactly fulfilled in the New As those great Prophecies of Christ concerning which we often find this or that was said or done That it might be fulfilled which was spoke by the Prophets Math. 1.22.2.15 8.17 12.17 13.35 21.4 27 35. Mark 14.49 15.28 Luke 4.21 John 12.38 13.18.17.12 And many Prophecies of the word have been fulfilled as that which is spoken of the Beast Rev. 13. having seven Heads and ten Horns and another v. 11. a Beast having two Horns like a Lamb which set forth the Civil and Ecclesiastical Roman Empire and when the Pope got both into his hands he was both these Beasts and that Babylon spoken of is Rome for that is the only City that hath reigned over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 17.18 Those that will Study the Revelations and observe the workings of God's Providence shall see some of those Prophecies now fulfilling And so for Promises Some there are that can say God hath been as good to them as his word to them he hath said Call on me on the time of trouble I will hear some do know that God is a a God hearing Prayers Christ says Come to me c. some have come to Christ and been refreshed by him and some having had unspeakable Terrors yet thus have been filled with as great Consolations Use This should be a means to strengthen our Faith in the word know assuredly that as Paul said Act. 27.25 it shall be even as he hath said it shall be to those that fear him and trust in him as he hath promised The People of God heretofore have so found and acknowledged 1 Kin. 8.56 Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest to his People according to all that he hath promised there hath not failed one word of all his good promises and many of us have had sweet experience of Promises being fulfilled which is the sweetness of a Mercy to see it first in a promise by Faith and then to receive it out of the bowels of the promise now this should be food to nourish our Faith Psa 74.14 Thou breakest the Heads of Leviathan in pieces that is destroyed Pharaoh and his great Host in the Sea and gavest him to be Meat for the People inhabiting the Wilderness that is to be meat for Faith so should those promises that God hath fulfilled be to us God hath broken the heads of many Leviathans some inward Corruptions are subdued Armies of the ungodly are many times scatter'd this should be food for our Faith why should we doubt of the fulfilling any promise when God hath begun to fulfil
it night with us if the Earth get betwixt our Hearts and God at any time they being overtaken with worldly Contentmentt this may intercept divine light and keep it from you so let your Souls dwell in God and not like Satan walk to and fro in the Earth and wander up and down in it The Apostle's Rule is an excellent one Let them that have Wives be as if they had none and those that be Rich as though they had no Riches 1 Cor. 7.29.30 and those that buy as if they possessed not that is let not your Hearts find rest in these things but let the love of God in Christ be your rest live above let your Souls dwell in God and God will dwell in your Souls 2. Give not way to Sin especially take heed of doing any thing against the light of your Conscience There is nothing more likely to cause a withdrawing of light than a walking contrary to light hereby light is rejected and stifled and when Believers will have Fellowship with Sin God may teach them to take heed of Sin by hiding himself and suffering of their Souls to be filled with terrors By Sin Believers may fall though not from the love of God in Christ yet from the light of his Countenance That is the Apostles triumph Rom. 8. Nothing shall be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ yet there may be a falling from the love of God in the Heart by Sin so then take heed of being over taken with it have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness but reprove them 3. Walk not in the light of your own fire and sparks of your own kindling the Children of Promise that are free are yet too much in bondage to the Covenant of Works looking to a Righteousness of their own to Duties Grounding their hopes of favour and acceptation hereupon God may suffer those to lye down in sorrow that look not higher for ground of Joy When the Wise men left following the guidance of the Star it left them they walked in their own light and they go to the High-Priests c. and enquire of them but when they returned then they saw the Star 4. Be well Principled in the Doctrine of the Gospel and labour to understand it aright As 1. That though the Sins of Believers have abounded yet Grace abounds much more that is there is Grace enough in God and to spare for the pardon of all Sins God hath an infinite and inexhaustible treasure of Grace What God's answer was to Paul may be applied to all Believers My Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 Paul was the chief of Sinners and God had Grace sufficient for him 1 Tim. 1.16 He obtained Mercy that Jesus Christ might shew forth all long suffering for a pattern to them that should believe on him to everlasting life Believe the abundance of Mercy in God through Christ and you shall taste the fulness of it look on Sin and from Sin to Grace and there is Grace sufficient for you so you may have Peace in your heart 2. As their disobedience bath abounded so hath Christ's obedience much more As by one man's disobedience many were made Sinners Rom. 5.19 So by the obedience of one many shall be made Righteous There is more Power in Christ's obedience and Righteousness to Justify a Sinner than there is in Sin to Condemn him God is more honoured by Christ than dishonoured by Sin because Christ is an infinite Person equal to the Father he fulfilled the Law that was Lord of it It appears because sufficient to make a Sinner as Righteous as if he had never sinned sufficient to blot out all Sin that there 's no more remembrance of it Sufficient to recompence God c. And besides there is merit in it It 's a price sufficient to purchase Glory Life c. So that as â—here will be frequent acts of disobedience against these set the infinite obedience of the Lord Jesus abounding beyond them all as a Sacrifice sufficient to take away the evil of all 3. God had never suffered the Elect such as are ordain'd to life to have been in a state of Sin before Conversion c. or to do any act of Sin after Conversation but that he intended to glorify his Grace and Mercy in pardoning their Sin and saving them notwithstanding their Sin this was his design from all Eternity to magnify his Grace and Mercy towards the Vessels of Mercy That he might make known the Riches of his Glory Rom. 9.23 So he suffered them to Sin Rom. 5.24 The Law entred that the offence might abound that is that it might be known how far and how exceedingly it abounded Also by the entring of the Law Sin was irritated c. And this that Grace might be magnified towards the Elect in pardoning them and giving Christ to dye and saving them notwithstanding their Sin Now this may uphold the Soul in the apprehensiâ—n of Sin God never intended that Sin should hinder the Salvation of the Elect but to work good even out of sin and to take occasion from thence to magnify his Grace more abundantly so let us have recourse to Grace manifested in Christ But though God by his absolute power might suffer sin c. yet sin is never theless sinful and so we ought to withstand sin to the utmost and we must not do Evil that Good may come of it that is the note of Reprobates whose damnation is just Rom. 3.8 4. The sin of Believers may cause the hiding of love but no hatred they have not Indignation and Wrath but Compassion God looking on the reliques of sin as their infirmities that he will heal Now as Believers out of infirmity do sometimes sin so it is an infirmity to infer hatred in God towaâ—ds them for it for if so then the Grace of God is not sufficient for them and Christ died in vain for them c. 5. The sin of Believers may grieve the Spirit but does not make the Spirit an enâ—my to Believers Greive not the holy Spirit whâ—reby ye are sealed to the day of Redemption Eph 4.30 The sins of Persons sealed by the Spirit do greive the Spirit this is not to be understood properly because the Spirit is not subject to like Passions with us but he 's said to be greived 1. Because sin is contrary to the mind of the Spirit Rom. 8.27 We grieve at any thing that happens against our minds 2. Contrary to the motions of the Spirit 3. To the Graces and Comforts of the Spirit which call for an obedient walking and an holy Conversation 4 Contrary to the Office of the Spirit viz. to comfort the Spirit delights in comforting so it does as it were grieve the Spirit to be hindered from it 5. The sins of Persons sealed by the Spirit are said but to grieve the Spirit not to stir up Wrath and Indignation and a readiness to revenge 6. Consider
S raphins had six Wings with twain they covered their Faces and with twain their Feet Shewing that beholding the Infinite Glory of God they were as it were ashamed of themselves of their own emptiness and the great disproportion betwixt God and themselves that they were far from high mindedness and boasting in any perfection they saw that what they had they had from God and that perfection they had came Infinitely short of God and so rejoyce in him and not in themselves And so many Saints Isaiah cried Woe is me I am unclean for mine Eyes have seen the King the Lord of Host c. And Peter said when the Glory of Christ's Godhead appeared in that Miracle Depart from me for I am a sinful Man O Lord. An Expression of Humility and of an opinion of his own unworthiness even so the Infinite Grace and Love of God in Christ's appearing this begets Humility this puls Pride out of the Throne and high mindedness Pride falls before the discoveries of God in the Soul This is that especially which is to be understood in this place by Fear and Trembling The Scripture uses this Expression sometimes and still it signifies Humility as Psa 2.11 Serve the Lord with Fear and rejoice with Trembling Be humble in your Service trust not to your own Strength be humble in your Rejoycings take not the Glory to your selves say that you are nothing rejoyce in God and give Glory to him Again 1 Cor. 2.3 I was with you in weakness and fear and much trembling that is I did not boast my self to be some body I was not with you in a proud and stately deportment I did not seek Glory with ostentation of Eloquence but I carried my self with humility amongst you Eph. 6.5 Servants be Obedient to your Masters with fear and trembling that is be humble and submissive not proud and stout against them so work out your Salvation with fear and trembling and be cloathed still with Humility both in Heart and Life be far from high mindedness and carnal Confidence think not to travel towards Heaven in your own strength Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear So see the love of God let your Eye be fixed on Christ who died to reconcile and lives to save you Behold the Trinity carrying on the work the Father loving from all Eternity Christ mediating and rejoyce in the first fruits of the Spirit believe that the Spirit of Christ that 's dwelling in you shall renew and Sanctify you till Sin be wholy abolished and shall quicken your Mortal Bodies and make them like to Christ's glorious Body and know that you can do nothing of your selves and so you shall work out your Salvation with fear and trembling So that Fear and Trembling is to be taken here 1. As opposed to Hardness Stupidity and Insensibleness That when God manifests forth the Glory of his Infinite Goodness in Christ unto Sinners the Heart is no way affected or moved herewith a fearing and a trembling Heart that 's here meant is a Heart affected with the shining forth of God's Glory in Christ. God that commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts giving of the light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ Now when the Heart is affected herewith and raised in admiration then it fears and trembles 2. As opposed to high mindedness to high thoughts of a Man's self of his worth and goodness A fearing and trembling heart is a heart sensible of its weakness and nothingness 3. As opposed to Carnal Confidence to trusting in a Man 's own Righteousness and Power as if a Man could merit Heaven by his Righteousness or travel thither in his own strength Section 13. Use 1. Is of Information By this it appears that many there are to whom the way of Life and Salvation is not discovered All that think they are travelling to Heaven are not indeed going thither Many there be that think they are working out their Salvation but there be but few that work it with fear and trembling This is the temper of those that God hath brought into the way of Life their hearts are fearing and trembling hearts hearts admiring at the Riches of Divine Grace hearts that are humble and broken off from Carnal Confidence But how few among the multitude that would be thought to be travelling towards Heaven have these fearing and trembling Hearts Rom. 3.17 18. The way of Peace have they not known there 's no fear of God before their Eyes Christ is the way of Peace Life and Salvation is the woâ—k of the whole Trinity If the way of Peace be known and the Trinity be look'd on as engag'd in this work it will work fear but the fear of God is not before the Eyes of many and so the way of Peace have they not known As many as are without fear and Holy trembling I do not mean slavish fear but reverenâ—ial fear are yet ignorant of the way of Life 1. As many as have not their Hearts deeply affected with and sâ—nsible of the Glory of Divine Grace and Goodness in Christ to Sinners As many as do not fear the Lord and his Goodness as many as heaâ—ing yet do not taste that the Lord is gracious The Apostle speaks of some that counted the Blood of the Covenant as a common thing they not apprehending the price and value of it So many there are that look on the glad Tidings of the Gospel the discoveries of Divine Grace and of the Infinite Love of the Lord Jesus but as common things and are no way taken with the Glory of the Gospel and the Riches of Divine Grace therein discovered This insensibleness of Heart towards the precious things of the Gospel this unaffected Spirit bewrays their Ignorance of the way of Life and what a common thing it is for Persons to make light of the Gospel and to neglect their Salvation that is spoken therein nay to despise the Gospel and to discover enmity against it There 's nothing more contrary to fearing Goodness than the making light of and despising Goodness and there 's nothing more common than that And what greater Evidence can there be than this that Men are not in the way of Salvation Hos 8.12 I have written unto them the great things of my Law but they were counted a strange thing c. 2. As many as are full of high thoughts of themselves As the discovery of this that Salvation is the work of the Trinity the beholding of God in Christ will bring down high thoughts so where high Thoughts are in the Throne and an opinion of Righteousness in Men's selves this bewrays an Ignorance of the way of Life They do not fear and tremble c. 3. As many as work uncleaness with greediness as freely yield up themselves Servants to Lusts fearing and trembling doth not consist with such freedom in Sinning the fear of goodness will restrain
mind is Enmity against God 't is not subject neither indeed can be So there 's no free will to Spiritual good in a Natural Man the Carnal mind and Spiritual good are in opposition one to another Rom. 8.7 2. Man renewed and raised made Spiritual and having the Seed of God in him hath free will to Spiritual good As a Natural Man hath free will in Natural Actions he acts with deliberation and Election So Man renewed hath free will to Spiritual Actions This is implied God works to will so in a renewed estate a Man hath free will The Lord hath shewn what is good and what he requires and the Sâ—irit in them stirs them up to good God hath shined in the Heart and in the Face of Christ and hath appeared in his Glory shed abroad his Love and hath taken away the Heart of Stone in which there is no free will to God and given a Heart of Flesh in which there is a fâ—ee will to God a consent to be saved by Christ The Spirit acting by Light and Love convincing the Soul of the worth of Christ and stirring up to a following of the Lord Jesus that heart can reason out service Christ is worthy because a Lamb slain c. Rev. 5.9 And the heart chuses to serve Christ here 's free will to the doing of good When Christ is revealed in his Glory as most lovely and the Soul is brought into the treasures of good that are in Christ and sees a fulness in him and then embraces him here 's a free will in embracing of good a chusing of Christ above the World You are not sound Christians unless you have such a free will as this 3. That free will to Spiritual good which is in the renewed man is of God's working As the Apostle sais I live yet not I but Christ in me Gal. 2.20 So that a Believer hath free will and he acts freely in the ways of God he embraces what God shews to be good he châ—ses the things that please God yet not he but Christ in him Christ lives Christ wills and Christ works that which is good in him Without me ye can do nothing John 15.5 There 's no free will nor power to do good till Christ be in the heart I can do all things through Christ strenghtening me I can will as I ought and do as I ought through Christ Christ determines to good actions Christ stirs up to good actions Now this will further appear by considering the great design of God in saving Sinners As all God's works are God's manifestations so God intends in this work a glorious manifestation of himself 1. In his Power as in the first Creation his Eternal Power and Godhead is to be seen so in the second Creation Eph 1.19 The Apostle prays that the Ephesians might have the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to know the exceeding greatness of his Power to them that believe God's design is not to make known the power of Nature and Free will but his own power in the exceeding greatness of it If the Conversion of a Sinner be but by Moral perswasion by holding forth of Spiritual objects to be embraced then how is it that the exceeding greatness of power is manifested to them that believe if Faith come forth from free will and power of Nature only excited and stirred up by Divine Grace c. So certain it is that Faith is made out of nothing there 's no disposition in us towards believing but 't is a work of Divine Power creating it in a Soul most empty of Spiritual good 2. In his Grace which he declares first in the freeness of it For it is by meer Grace that any are called and justified There 's nothing that that puts a difference betwixt one and another nor why one embraces the Gospel and another does not but meer Grace 1 Cor. 4 7. These things I write that no one be puffed up against another for who maketh thee to differ If Men have free will to good if that Will be not meerly of God's working whereby one Man doth embrace Christ and lay hold on the Promise of Life God doth not make him to differ but his own free will doth so and so this opinion directly opposes the design of the Gospel to commend Grace in its freeness Free will established in natural men makes void free Grace As the Apostle says If of works then not of grace else grace is no more grace Rom. 6.11 So likewise if of free will grace is no moâ—e grace and if of grace then nor of free will So when the Gospel is Preached to all and some lay hold on it and embrace Christ in their hearts and follow him and others refuse and go on in evil ways leading to destruction What makes the difference Divine Grace God works a will in one and not in another the one he brings out of darkness and the other he leaves in darkneâ—â— and so all grâ—â—nd of glorying in a Man'â—â—elf iâ— taken away that he that glorys may glory in the Lord. So that free wiâ—l to good is nor in nature but where 't is it is a fruit of free Grace God works to will Secondly in the sufficiency of it when the Creature is insufficient and can do nothing to procure pardon and to make his Peace Grace gave Christ. And when Christ is offered and there 's no power to embrace Christ then Grace gives to believe in Christ and works a consent in the will to take Christ. When there 's no power against Corruption and to do good Grace gives the Spirit to be a living conquering Law causing Obedience Objection Some may object against this truth for establishing of free will in the Natural Man from the general and Universal render of the Gospel Go preach the Gospel to every Creature God gave his Son that all that believe c. Rom. 12.17 Whosoever will let him take of the Water of Life freely To what purpose are these tenders if there be not free will and power in Man to embrace them Answ 1. These general tenders of Grace do not argue in Men a freedom of will to receive Grace or a power to believe but only a duty to Believe Men ought to believe so all are called on and unbelief is Men's sin and greatest sin 2. The Election only shall lay hold on the Grace of the Gospel Rom. 11.7 Israel hath not obtained but the Election that is such persons as were Elected hath obtain'd it and the rest were blinded Now because the Election is secret and hid the Gospel is preached to all alike 3. The Preaching of the Gospel the holding forth of the Promises of Life in Christ to Sinners is the ministration of the Spirit to those that are ordain'd to Life that 's the way in which the Spirit comes down into their Souls and is a Spirit of Faith and Love in them 2 Cor. 3. 4. Reprobates having the Gospel Preached and
agreeable to their actions whether good or bad 1. The Godly must be brought to an account Rom. 14.12 every one of us shall give account of himself to God how he hath behaved himself we must answer the Judge concerning our Persons Conversations c. our Thoughts Faith all shall be enquired into 2. Christ shall take notice of the sincere and holy works of Saints whatever proceeds from a pure Heart good Conscience and Faith unfeigned out of a desire to serve the Lord Jesus Math. 25.35 I was hungry and ye gave me Meat c. God is not unrighteous to forget your works of Faith and labour of Love Heb. 6.10 which ye have shewed towards his name Shew respect and reverence to the name of Christ c. 1 Cor. 3.13 every Man's work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire which is in part made good in this Life by the work of the Holy Ghost through the Preaching of the Gospel causing a discerning Light to shine to put a difference betwixt Truth and Error and this work shall be perfected at the day of Judgment when all Truths shall be made manifest by the revealing brightness of Christ and all errors discovered thereby Quest Whether the Sins of the Godly shall be at all mentioned or taken notice of in that great day Answ 1. The Sins of the Godly shall not appear against them for Condemnation for then they must appear against the Judge who took the guilt and punishment of their Sins upon himself but the Godly shall triumph over their Sins because they stand before him that died for them therefore no fear of Death 2. Nor to their shame all sorrow and so shame done away therefore if the Sins of the Godly be mentioned yet this shall not make them hang down their Heads with shame they shall not do as Adam hide themselves from their Judge these things are clear Now some hold that they shall not be at all brought to light because by Sentence of Justification they are covered and taken away To this may be answered that in the time of this Life Believers are absolved in God's gracious sentence towards them and in their own conscience more privately and secretly by the witness of the Spirit but at the day of Judgment they shall be absolved and acquitted of all Sins more publickly even in the sight of Angels and the whole World Now the Spirit speaks to the Heart and Conscience then Christ shall openly pronounce Sentence Come ye Blessed of my Father c. therefore it seems not contrary to the analogy of Faith to hold that the Sins of the Godly shall be brought to light Nay it seems very suitable to the great design of the Gospel which is to illustrate and commend in the highest manner the free Grace of God the great love of Christ the power of his Death and Infinite Vertue of his Sacrifice As that day is a day of Wrath to the Wicked c. so a day of Love to the Saints wherein the Love of Christ shall in the fulness of it be display'd and to commend it the more it seems not incongruous to affirm that the Sins of the Godly shall be brought to light even their secret Sins He shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that believe his great love to Saints shall cause great admiration that is they shall admire the love of Christ not only to themselves but other Saints and Angels shall admire Christ in the Saints now the knowledge of Sin and of free Grace rejoycing over it or of the love of Christ c. this shall be a meanes to heighten much their admiration and seâ— of the great love of Christ with the more lustre 3. If the Sins of the Godly be recorded and to be read 't is in the Book of Life 't is that they may have some advantage thereby c. and they are all so recorded Rev. 20. Ergo. 2. For the Sins of the wicked that is most clear they shall be all laid open to the view of Men and Angels at that great day there is a Book in which all Sins are written from an idle word to the highest Blasphemy Math. 12.36 all secret Sins are set in the sight of the Sun Rom. 2.16 He shall judge the Secrets of Men there 's nothing hid that shall not be manifested this day shall declare it Rev. 2.23 All the Churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the Hearts and Reins Rev. 20.12 the dead are judged out of those things that are written therein Whatever you now go about to conceal and hide shall not be ever hid all wickedness that lay hid under a form of godliness c. then the Vail shall be removed c. Eccles 12.14 God shall bring every work to Judgment with every secret thing Eccles 11.19 Rejoyce c. yet know that for all this God shall bring thee to Judgment Take notice of some particular Sins because the Scripture doth particularize them as Whoredom and Adultery Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Heb. 13.4 Neglect and abuse of the means of Grace this is one of the greatest Sins that Men shall be brought to Judgment for it shall bring a very heavy Punishment It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for this People if you live under the light of the Gospel and walk in darkness sit and hear the word yet are setled on the lees of Sin then at the last day this shall be brought in upon your account so many Sermons you have heard and never benefitted by them so many times Christ came to gather you and you would not so many times the Gospel came knocking at the door of your Hearts and you refused to open know that all is Recorded likewise hard speeches Jude 15. spoken against God or his People or the Commands ways and Administrations of God as to say his sayings his dealings are hard Christ endured and his Members endure the Contradiction of Sinners but you must look to be called to the Judgment-seat of Christ for Contradiction Christ shall give Sentence against those that did speak against him Yea not only hard speeches but Idle words the least Sins if you were guilty of no Sin but one idle word Christ might very justly cast you into Hell for it Some are mentioned to shew that all shall be remembred against you And there is no deluding or deceiving the Judge by your colourable pretences and excuses for he is most Wise and knoweth all things So there 's no covering your Sins for he is most Just and so no corrupting him with Gifts no overcoming with entreaties for then wicked Men shall try and call hard but he is most severe no appealing from this Bar for he is the Supreme Judge there shall be Verity in his Inquisition Impartiality in Sentencing Severity in Execution 4 Godly shall stand apart from the wicked