into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit One alone is the Baptism of Water the other the Baptism of the Spirit The one inferreth an obligation the other produceth an inclination to dye unto sin and to live unto God And therefore 1. Let us speak of Baptism and 2. Of Regeneration 1. Of Baptism which inferreth an obligation All those that profess Faith in Christ and an interest in him are by Baptism taken into the number of his Disciples and visibly joyned into his Church Acts 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls And therefore they are bound to rise from the death of sin to the life of Grace and to make use of the virtue purchased by Christs Death and evidenced by his Resurrection to this end and purpose and to use all good endeavours to subdue sin and a double wo and curse shall befal us unless we verifie and make good this Vow and Profession by our constant practice And therefore all the Members of the visible Church are to be put in mind that they are planted into the likeness of his Death and engaged to walk in newness of life 1 Joh. 2.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought to walk also as he walked Not only he that abideth in him as a real Member of his mystical Body but he that saith he abideth in him All that profess Communion with Christ their Profession bindeth them to a resemblance of Christ otherwise their Baptism is but a mockery and their Profession a dissembling and counterfeit respect to Christs Name and Memory It may be said to them as Alexander said to one that bore his Name but was a Coward Either lay aside the name or put on greater courage So either do as Christians or do not pretend to be Christians 2. As to Regeneration figured by Baptism In Regeneration there is planted in us or put into us a Principle destructive of sin and impulsive to Holiness Now the working and urging of this Principle should not be restrained or obstructed 1. As to the destruction of sin the checks of the new Nature should be observed 1 Joh. 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God 2. As to the perfecting of Holiness where the life of Holiness is begun we should give way to its operations and when the new Nature would break out with operations proper to it self we should obey these motions 1 Joh. 2.5 But whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected that is breaketh out into its consummate and perfect effect So 2 Pet. 1.8 For if these things be in you and abound they make you that you shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace in its vigour will put you upon fruits becoming a Christian this vigour should not be quenched which is our internal Baptism 3. This Union sealed in Baptism inferreth a Likeness and Conformity to Christ. I prove it thus First Surely we are cut off from our old stock and planted into a new one to better our condition that it may be otherwise with us in Christ than we were when we merely belonged to Adam This improvement of our estate and condition cometh from our being planted into a new stock and partaking of his virtue and influence and that inferreth a likeness 1 Cor. 15.49 As we have born the image of the earthly we shall also bear the image of the heavenly As we grew upon our natural Root we were like Adam but when cut off and planted into a new Root we are made like Christ. How like Adam Gen. 5.3 Adam begat a son in his own likeness corrupt man begat a corrupt son mortal man begat a mortal child So by proportion we may conceive of the image of the Heavenly first made holy then happy creatures in the first we had the seed and pledge of death and corruption and in the second the seed and pledge of incorruption immortality and life Secondly Christ was â—it to be a Pattern to whom all the rest of the Heirs of Promise should be conformed for this reason Because he was the Head of the renewed state Primum in unoquoque genere est mensura regula caeterorum the first and best in every kind is the measure and rule of the rest He is a Fountain of Grace set up in our Nature Rom. 8.29 He hath predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first-born among many brethren that principal new Man to whom we might be conformed In every case wherein one thing beareth the image and likeness of another there must not only be similitude but deduction or a means of conveying that likeness Both are in Christ therefore Christ is set up as a Pattern in our Nature who lived among men in the same flesh that we have to teach us a life of Holiness and Patience and contempt of the World Thirdly The sameness of the Spirit in Head and Members doth evidence this For the Spirit worketh uniformly in both Rom. 8.9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be the Spirit of God dwell in you The sap of the stock doth all now if the stock be the good Vine the fruit must be as the sap is the branches must bring forth Grapes Christ as the Root communicateth to us not only the fruits and effects of his Death and Resurrection but also the likeness of it in a way proper for our reception We partake of the likeness of the Root by Analogy and just proportion and what was done to Christ literally is spiritually done to us he dyed for sin we dye unto sin he rose to live unto God so do we in our way here upon earth as we seek his Glory and do his Will Fourthly That this Likeness and Conformity to Christ is carried on with respect to his Death and Resurrection To clear this it is good to see wherein our Likeness to Christ consists He was to be a Pattern to us in three things 1. His Graces 2. His States 3. The special Acts of his Mediation 1. His Graces There are certain Graces wherein we resemble God as Wisdom Purity Holiness Goodness and Truth in these God himself is our Pattern Mat. 5.8 Be ye perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect There are other Graces that help us in the duties of subjection to God as Faith Patience Humility Self-denial and Obedience in these we cannot have the Pattern from God for God is over all and subject to none therefore in these Christ is a Pattern to us As for instance Humility Mat. 11.29 Learn of me for I am meek and
so you are raised by the same power of the Holy Ghost Christ is as tender of his Mystical Body as of his natural body therefore will not lose one Member or Joint of it Joh. 6.39 I must lose nothing and the Spirit doth his office in you as in him for you are to be raised up with him and as he was raised we feel the power of our Resurrection in our Regeneration and we feel the comfort of it in our being raised to glory Head and Members do not rise by a different power how then you will say are the wicked raised by Christ They are raised ex officio judicis but not beneficio Mediatoris by him as a Judg not by him as a Redeemer There will be a Resurrection both of the wicked and the godly the one by the power of Christ as Judg the other by the power of his Spirit as Redeemer the one are forced to appear the other go joyfully to meet the Bridegroom the one by Christs power as Judg shall have the sentence of condemnation executed upon them the other by vertue of Christs Life and Resurrection shall enter into the possession of the blessed a state of bliss and eternal life wherein they shall enjoy God and Christ and the company of Saints and Angels and sing Hallelujahs for ever 3. Because the Spirit of Sanctification worketh in us that Grace which giveth us a right and title to this glorious estate For by Regeneration we are made children of God and so children of the Resurrection Luk 20.35 36. But they which shall be counted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage neither can they die any more for they are equal to the Angels and are the children of God being the children of the resurrection Being admitted into his family here we we may expect to be admitted into his presence hereafter And the actual holiness if we live to years of discretion is necessarily required to a blessed and glorious resurrection Gal. 6.8 If we sow to the flesh we shall of our own flesh reap corruption but if we sow to the spirit we shall of the spirit reap life everlasting There is no Harvest without sowing and as the Seed is so will the Harvest be They that lavish out their time and care and estates in feeding their own carnal desires must expect a crop accordingly which is death and destruction but they that obey the spirit and sow to righteousness shall obtain eternal life for till the cause of death be taken away which is sin we may fear a Resurrection but cannot expect a resurrection to our comfort 4. The spirit doth not only regenerate and convert us which giveth us a right but abideth in us as an earnest Eph. 1.14 We were sealed with that holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession Where observe Three Things First How the heirs of promise are distinguished from others Secondly The use of this mark and distinction Thirdly The time how long this abideth with us and all this will fully prove the point in hand 1. The mark of all those whom God admitteth into the Gospel State They are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise that is secured set apart as those that have interest in the new Covenant by that spirit of holiness which is promised to believers for the spirit is called the promise of the Father the renewing and sanctifying work of the spirit or the image of Christ impressed upon the soul is this seal and the comfort and joy that floweth thence is an appendage to it as the work of Sanctification is more and more carried on and is fruiâ—ful in holiness of life so we are more and more distinguished as a people set apart to serve and please and injoy the holy and blessed God Now you that are exercised with so many doubts and scruples about your interest in the promise would it not be exceeding comfortable to you if you had your seal and warrant for a sincere claim to the priviledges of the Gospel by the saving graces of the spirit or the impression of the image of Christ upon your hearrs You may be abundantly satisfied for where these saving graces and fruits of holiness are found your right and interest in the promise of eternal life is clear and manifest for this is the mark of the holy spirit and the seed of life eternal 2. The use for which the holy Spirit and saving graces bestowed on them serveth is to be the earnest of the inheritance An earnest is a pledg or first part of a payment which is an assurance or security that the rest of the whole price shall not fail to follow So the Spirit and his Graces is the earnest given by God to confirm and assure the bargain that at last he will bestow upon us our full portion or salvation and eternal life its self The presence and working of the spirit in our hearts is this earnest assoon as you give up your selves to God in covenant you have a right but the Possession is delayed for a season therefore he giveth us part in hand to assure us he will bestow the whole in due time for we need to be satisfied not only as to our present right but our future possession The spirit and his work of grace received here is glory begun a part it is tho but a small part in regard of what is to ensue 3. The time how long the use of this earnest is to continue until the Redemption of the purchased possession The words are somewhat obscure What is the purchased possession It 's taken for the persons acquitted and purchased that is to say the Church and People of God holy and sincere Christians for they are Christs possession whom he hath dearly bought 1 Cor. 6.10 and recovered out of the hands of Satan their old possessor and master Col. 1.13 The Redemption of them is still their full and final deliverance Eph. 4.30 Whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption Their deliverance is but begun now and their bonds but in part loosed but they are fully freed from the effects of sin at the last day when death its self is abolished and their bodies raised up in glory The earnest is given the holy spirit with his graces to abide with us till then at that time there is no farther use of an earnest for there is no place left for doubts and fears Till this day comes Gods earnest abideth with us that is in our souls till our bodies be reunited to them and this fully proveth the matter in hand 5. His respect to his old dwelling place he once dwelled in our bodies as well as in our souls 1 Cor. 6.19 Know you not that your bodies are Temples of the Holy Ghost Our bodies was his Temple and honoured by his presence he sanctified our bodies as
For then will the weight of all Pleas be consider'd Now God hath left all Creatures without Excuse Rom. 1.20 There is some Witness of God to them that convinceth them of more Duty than they are willing to perform Secondly And more particularly The usual Excuses are these 1. Object I have no time to mind Soul-Affairs my Distractions in the World are so great and my course of Life is such I have no leisure Answ. 1. Whatever your Business be you have a time to eat and drink and sleep and have you no time to be saved Better encroach upon other things than that Religion should be cast to the Walls or justled out of your Thoughts David was a King and he had more distracting Affairs than most of us have or can have yet Psal. 119.147 148. he saith I prevented the Dawning of the Morning and cryed And Mine Eyes prevent the Night-Watches that I might meditate on thy Word 2. Do you spend no time in Idleness vain Talking or carnal Sports And might not this be better imployed about Heavenly things Ephes. 5.16 Redeeming the Time because the Days are evil 3. Much of Religion is transacted in the Mind A Christian is always serving God his Second Table Duties are First Table Duties As carnal Men go about Heavenly things with a carnal Mind so the Christian goeth about Carnal things with an Heavenly Mind 4. God would be sure to have a Portion of time therefore the Lord's Day was appointed Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath from doing thy Pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbath a Delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own Ways nor finding thine own Pleasure nor speaking thine own Words c. That it may be dear to us in the Flesh and in the Lord when we have God's Command and the Laws of the Land too 5. All your Time is lost that is not spent in God's Service 2. Object But I have no Power nor Strength to do Good and what will you have us do Answ. You can do more than you do but you will not make tryal God may be more ready with the Assistances of his Grace than you can imagine The Tired may complain of the Length of the Way but not the Lazy that will not stir a Foot If you did make tryal you would not complain of God but your selves and beg Grace more feelingly You are not able because you are not willing Your Impotency is contracted by evil Habits and long Custom in Sin that 's an Aggravation of your Sin 3. Object 'T is dangerous and troublesom to own God and Religion heartily Answ. Did not you resolve to serve God whatever it cost you And is God harsh and severe because he tryeth whether you will be as good as your word and will not let you go to Heaven with a vain Complaint in your Mouths Will this comfort you in Hell and for the Loss of Everlasting Happiness In Hell will you say I came hither to save my self a Labour and to be exempt from the diligence of the Holy Life and Sufferings incident to it Will you stop a Journey for your Lives because the Wind bloweth on you and there is Dirt in the way Nothing can take off a Minister from seeking the Conversion and Salvation of Souls Act. 20.23 24. And can any thing be an Excuse to you Should your Souls be dearer to us than you 'T is necessary for our Tryal that we should meet with Scorns and Oppositions Should a weak Blast drive us from God Rev. 2.13 14. I know thy Works and where thou dwellest even where Satan's Seat is and thou holdest fast my Name and hâ—st not denyed my Faith even in those Dayes wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr who was slain among you where Sathan dwelleth 'T is exceeding commendable to be zealous in such a Place or in such a Time when Religion is hazardous and dangerous Christ suffered more for you than you can for him and God hath greater Terrours than Man can present 4. Object I am of a slow Wit have a weak Understanding know not to which Party I should cleave and joyn my self Answ. Certainly not to that which is most pleasing to corrupt Affections But Divisions in the Church are to try the Approved who is Chaff and who is good Grain 1 Cor. 11.19 For there must be also Heresies among you that they which are approved may be made manifest among you The Scripture is not dark but we want Eyes You may know the Mind of God Psal. 119.18 Open thou mine Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law And Joh. 17.17 Sanctify them by thy Truth thy Word is Truth 5. Object I have so many Temptations and Enticements I hope God will consider my Weakness Answ. You are as earnestly perswaded upon better Motives if Perswasion will do it What is a little wordly Glory to Eternal Glory brutish Pleasures to pure Delights 1. VSE Since Sloath is so great an Evil let the Children of God take heed of it And so First Of Sloath and Idleness in their particular Calling This was one of Sodom's Sins Ezek. 16.49 Pride and fulness of Bread and abundance of Idleness This is Sensuality as well other Sins that are more noted in the World as being an Indulgence to the Flesh as well as other things which are commonly decryed because they betray us to more Shame in the World 1. Every Creature is God's Servant and hath his Work to do wherein to glorifie God some in one Calling some in another Neither Rich nor Poor are exempted for a lawful Calling is not a matter of Necessity but Duty enforced by a Commandment What our Callings should be is determined by Providence giving Gifts and Education and obtruding us upon such a course of Life But 't is a mistake to think that bare Necessity maketh a Calling no 't is Obedience And if we be without such Necessity we may live idly without any Calling No every Man and Woman hath their Labour and Service for God made no Man or Woman in vain Would the Wise and Almighty God make so noble a thing as a Rational Humane Creature only to eat and drink and sleep and rise and dress themselves that they may shew themselves to Company and impertinently chat away their Hours and precious Time No he hath ordained them for some Service which at length they are to give an Account of as the Mediatour did of his Work Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on Earth and have finished the Work thou gavest me to do 2. This Work is not of one sort Some are called to an higher some to a lower Imployment some Noble some Citizens some Fathers of Families others Matrons or Mothers of Families some are Magistrates some Ministers but every one must do their Duty in their Place Christianity falleth in with Natural Relations 1 Cor. 7.20 Let every Man abide in
that is refused by Christ when he cometh in great Glory The Judgment of the blind World is not to be regarded The Lord will shew who are his Condemned in the World on purpose to try you Though now you are accounted the Scurff and Off-scouring of all things I know 't is a great Temptation to Persons of Honour and Quality but Christ suffered greater Indignities Therefore let us resolve to be more vile for the Lord. Chiefly consider the Glory reserved for us in the Life to come 1 Joh. 3.2 Then is the Day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God Christ is contented for a while to lie hid and will not shew himself in his full Glory till the End of the World In the Dayes of his Flesh his Person was trampled upon by wicked Men and now he is in Heaven he is despised in his Cause and Servants His Person is above Abuse and Contempt but not his Members Christ came in disguise to try the World Sathan would not have had the boldness to encounter him the Jews to reject him carnal Christians to neglect him nor the Faith of the Elect found to such Praise and Honour if all were honourable glorious and safe here in the World But the Day of Manifestation is hereafter Let us be patient therefore and bear all the harsh Usage we meet with There will be Honour When Christ who is our Life shall appear we shall meet with him in Glory 5. Propound it to your Hope and stand ready to meet with him and wait for him and comfort your selves with the hopeful Expectation this will be when all things are ready And you should look every Day and long every Day for his Appearing I have a Saviour in Heaven that will come again with all his Saints with him Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly SERMON XX. MATTH XXV v. 32 33. And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goats And he shall set the Sheep on his Right Hand but the Goats on the Left WE now come to the second General the presenting the parties to be Judged and there we have 1. The Congregation And all Nations shall be gathered before him 2. A Segregation 1. As to Company He shall seperate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goats 2. As to place and posture And he shall set the Sheep on the right hand and the Goats on the left First The Congregation All the Dead shall rise and being risen shall be gathered together into one place or great rendezvous According to the Analogy of Faith we may gather this point Doctrine That in the general Iudgment all that have lived from the beginning of the world unto that day shall without exception from the least to the greatest appear before the Tribunal of Christ. This Point will be best Illustrated and set forth to you by considering the several distinctions of Mankind 1. The most obvious distinction of Mankind is of grown Persons and Infants And if all these are presented to the Judgment it will go far in the decision of the point that we have in hand grown Persons are those whose Life is continued to that Age wherein they come to the full use of reason Infants are those that die before they are in an ordinary way capable of the Doctrine of Life Now for grown Persons the Scripture is written purposely for them and sheweth that they shall be Judged according to the dispensation they are under as to Infants or lesser Children the Case is more difficult and obscure 'T is likely that all shall rise in the Stature and Condition of grown persons that is to say in such a State of Body and Mind as they may see and hear and understand the Judge When they were born they were born with a rational Soul which though according to ordinary course lyeth Idle for a while and doth not discover its self in any humane and rational actions 'till the Organs be fitted and matured yet that it should be still buryed in the Body and perpetually sleep as being hindred by its Organs or Instruments of operation Reason will not permit us to conceive because 't is contrary to its natural aptness and disposition as also the end of its Creation We cannot conceive that God should form the Spirit in Man which is Immortal in a Body in vain and to no purpose therefore Children shall rise again we know God hath made a difference between Infants The Scripture seemeth to extend the merit of Christs death to his Church Eph. 5.26 27. And that Infants of Believers are born Members of the Church is out of question To be sure the Covenant taketh in our Children together with us Gen. 22.7 I am thy God and the God of thy seed And those that never lived to disinherit themselves of that blessing we have no Reason to trouble our selves about them God is their God and knoweth how to instate them in the Priviledges of the Covenant Look as we judge of the Slip according to the Stock upon which it groweth till it live to bring forth Fruit of its own so we judge of Children according to the Parents Covenant till they come to Years of Discretion to chuse their own way and declare what have been God's Counsels concerning them The Parents sprinkling the Blood on the Door-posts saved the whole Family 'T is very reasonable therefore to think that Infants born in the Church dying Infants obtain Remission of original Sin by Christ what-ever become of others For what Reason have we to judge them that are without 1 Cor. 5.12 And if God vouchsafe some the Remission of that Sin which they have out of his Mercy and Grace in Christ they must in the Resurrection be in that State that they may enjoy Eternal Felicity The Sum of the whole Matter is That in this great Congregation Children shall appear as well as Parents But Children dying Children are reckoned to their Parents as a Part of them or as an Appendage and Accession to them whose Condition is likely to be the same with theirs as to Glorification and Acceptance to Life And with the Condition of others we meddle not but leave them to God The Scripture is sparing of speaking of them to whom it speaketh not God speaketh more fully to grown Persons as those with whom he dealeth and treateth in the Gospel He is not bound to give us an Account how he will proceed with others yet for Godly Parents Comfort he hath more fully revealed his Mind concerning their Children than the Children of Infidels or wicked and open Enemies to his Truth What he may do to them as to their Original Sin we cannot easily pronounce as to ther Condemnation or Absolution Many alledge indeed that they have an evil Heart and a Nature that they would despise the Gospel if they had lived to receive the
on his head nor the Entertainments made him when he lived upon earth but the feeding and cloathing of his hungry and naked Servants The greatest part of Christians never saw Christ in the Flesh But the Poor they have alwayes with them Kindness to these is Kindness to him Again Among these he doth not mention the most Eminent the Prophets and Apostles or the great Instruments of his Glory in the World but the least of his Brethren even those that are not only little and despicable in the esteem of the World but those that are little and despicable in the Church in respect of others that are of more eminent Use and Service Again The least Kindness shewn unto them Mat. 10.42 Whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a Cup of cold water in the name of a Disciple verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward He had spoken before of kindness to Prophets and righteous Men Men of Eminent Gifts and Graces then ordinary Disciples among these the least and most contemptible either as to outward Condition or State of Life or to Use and Service and it may be inward Grace Now all this sheweth what value Christ sets upon the meanest Christians and the smallest and meanest Respect that is shewed them The smallness and meanness of the Benefit shall not diminish his Esteem of your Affection any thing done to his People as his People will be owned and noted When the Saints that newly came from the Neglects and Scorns of an unbelieving World shall see and hear all this what cause will they have to wonder and say Lord who hath owned thee in these Alas in the World all is quite contrary Let a Man profess Christ and resemble Christ in a lively manner and own Christ thoroughly presently he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set up for a Sign of Contradiction and that not only among Pagans but Professing Christians yea by those that would seem to be of great note in the Church as the Corner-stone was refused by the Builders 1 Pet. 2.7 And therefore when Christ taketh himself to be so concerned in their Benefits and Injuries they have cause to wonder Christ was in these and the World knew it not 3. At the Greatness of the Reward That he should not only take notice of these Acts of Kindness but so amply remunerate them In the Rewards of Grace God worketh beyond humane Imagination and Apprehension 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the Heart of Man the things God hath prepared for them that love him We cannot by all that we see and hear in this World which are the Senses of Learning form a Conception large enough for the Blessedness of this Estate Enjoyers and Beholders will wonder at the Grace and Bounty and power of their Redeemer 'T is transcendent hyperbolical weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Where is any thing that they can do or suffer that is worthy to be mentioned or compared with so great a Recompence When these Bodies of Earth and Bodies of Dust shall shine like the Stars in Brightness these sublime Souls of ours see God face to face these wavering and inconstant Hearts of ours shall be immutably and indeclinably fastned to love him and serve him and praise him as without Defection so without Intermission and Interruption and our Ignominy turned into Honour and our Misery into everlasting Happiness Lord what Work of ours can be produced as to be rewarded with so great a Blessedness VSE That which we learn from this Question of theirs supposed to be conceived upon these Grounds is 1. An humble Sense of all that we do for God The Righteous remember not any thing that they did worthy of Christ's Notice and we should be like-minded Nehem. 13.22 Remember me O my God concerning this also and spare me according to the Greatness of thy Mercy When we have done our best we had need to be spared and forgiven rather than rewarded On the contrary Luk. 18.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus to himself God I thank thee that I am not as other Men are Extorioners Vnjust Adulterers or even as this Publican And those Isa. 58.3 Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not wherefore have have afflicted our Souls and thou takest no Knowledge They challenge God for their Work None more apt to rest in their own Righteousness than they that have the least Cause Formal Duties do not discover Weakness and so Men are apt to be puffed up they search little and so rest in some outward things 'T is no great Charge to maintain painted Fire The Substantial Duties of Christianity such as Faith and Repentance imply Self-humbling but external things produce Self-exalting They put the Soul to no stress Loaden Boughs hang the Head most so are holy Christians most humble None labour so much as they do in working out their Salvation and none so sensible of their Weaknesses and Imperfections Old Wine puts the Bottles in no danger there is no Strength and Spirits left in it So do formal Duties little put the Soul to it On the other side they are conscious to so many Weaknesses as serious Duties will bring into the View of Conscience and have a deep Sense of their Obligations to the Love and Goodness of God and a strong Perswasion of the Blessed Reward None are so humble as they They see so much Infirmity for the present so much Obligation from what is past and such sure Hope of what is to come that they can scarce own a Duty as a Duty None do Duties with more Care and none are less mindful of what they have done They discern little else in it that they contribute any thing to a good Action but the Sin of it This is to do God's Work with an Evangelical Spirit doing our utmost and still ascribing all to our Mediator and blessed Redeemer 2. What Value and Esteem we should have for Christ's Servants and Faithful Worshippers Christ treateth his Mystical Body with greater Indulgence Love and Respect than he did his Natural Body for he doth not dispense his Judgment with respect to that but these He would not have us know him after the Flesh 2 Cor. 5.16 Please our selves with the Conceit of what we would do to him if he were alive and here upon Earth but he will judge us according to the Respect or Disrespect we shew to his Members even to the meanest among them To wrong them is to wrong Christ Zech. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of his Eye The Churches Trouble goes near his Heart which in due time will be manifested upon the Instruments thereof To sleight them is to sleight Christ He that despiseth you despiseth me To grieve and offend them is to grieve and offend Christ. Matth. 18.10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little Ones for I say unto you That in
Page 133 Hell a state of Torment as well as a state of Death Page 193 Hell a State of Torment and Place of Torment Page 193 The greatness of the Torments of the damned Page 207 Torments of the Body what they shall be Page 206 Torments of the damned why eternal Page 208 Eternity of Hell Torments consistent with Gods Iustice. Page 194 Few believe the Torments of Hell Page 195 Trimming of Lamps what it signifies in the Wise Virgins Page 40 What it signifies in the Foolish Virgins Page 40 Who do not trim their Lamps Page 41 Trade what it is to trade with our Talents Page 90 In trading for God our Returns must carry proportion to our Receipts Page 94 Reasons of it Page 95 Cautions in judging of our Returns in Trading Page 94 U. UNion of Believers with Christ represented by Marriage-Union Vid. Marriage Page 56 The Benefits of Union with Christ. Page 57 Virgins Visible Professors why so called Page 3 Virgins foolish why many have great confidence of their good Estate that shall be found foolish Virgins at last Page 45 Visible Church the State of it in this World Page 4 W. WAtching spiritual what it is Page 72 Watching as it respects our present state to avoid sin and do good considered Page 74 75 Reasons why we should watch to avoid sin Page 73 Watching unto Prayer in Prayer after Prayer what Page 75 Watching as it respects the future State opened Page 75 Who are to watch Page 78 Reasons why we should watch Page 77 The Causes of it Page 73 How long we are to watch Page 78 The Blessing promised to watching Page 78 The danger of not watching Page 78 Means to help to Watchfulness Page 79 Wisdom of Christ Divine and Humane explained Page 143 Wisdom Spiritual wherein it lyes Page 22 Wonder a great Wonder that any should reject the Christian Faith Page 136 214 And that any should embrace it and live sinfully Page 137 214 Three Causes of it Page 137 The Reward of the Righteous at the day of Iudgment shall be matter of wonder to them Page 183 The Reasons of this wonder Page 183 Work Christ appointed every man his work at his departure Page 84 How good Works must be performed Page 180 The Godly described by their fruitfulness in good Works Page 206 Comfort to sincere Christians from their good Works Page 180 The doing some good Works cannot excuse men for the omission of others Page 180 The respect of good Works to the future sentence Page 178 Works assigned as a Reason of the Sentence of Absolution at the last day Page 174 Works at the last day produced as an Evidence of Faith Page 175 Trusting in Works very natural but very dangerous Page 179 Works are not the moving Cause to incline God to give us Christ. Page 179 Nor the Instrument of applying the Merits of Christ. Page 180 Yet no man can maintain his Comfort without them Page 182 Worm that never dyes what it is Page 206 Wrath of God the greatness of it Page 207 Some Instances of it Page 208 FINIS A TABLE OF SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED In the SERMONS on the 25 th of MATTHEW  Chap. Vers. Pag. EXodus 34 5 6 7. 112 Job 11 20. 47 Psalm 32 31. 13 141 3. 79 Proverbs 3 16. 199 19 15. 28 26 9. 121 Ecclesiastes 10 2. 14 Isaiah 30 33. 192 Jeremiah 17 11. 207 Hosea 2 19 20. 59 Zechariah 11 17. 131 Matthew 6 3. 183 11 23. 130 26 45. 26 28 10. 187 188 Luke 13 7. 206 Acts 20 21. 14 24 10. 7 Romans 2 12. 159 9 11. 200  22. 199 1 Corinthians 3 8. 107 2 Corinth 11 2. 3 Ephesians 2 10. 14 4 18. 12 6 8. 107 Colossians 1 24. 36 2 Thessalon 1 9. 149 2 Timothy 2 12. 66 Titus 1 16. 14 2 12 13. 42 Hebrews 2 11. 187 6 12. 119 8 10. 13 10 22. 22 James 3 16 17. 93 1 Peter 1 3. 172  7. 104 2 Peter 1 4. 12  7. 186 3 11. 40  14. 42 1 John 2 16. 74 Revelations 20 12. 102 21 8. 209 ERRATA in the Sermons on the 25 th Chap. of St. Matthew The Reader is desired to Correct these following Errors with some others less material which have been occasioned by the faultiness and Imperfection of the transcribed Copy PAge a. line 51. for thus read as l. 52. for grew r. drew l. 53. r. so he was ib. for to r. from p. 4. l. 39. r. meant of p. 12. l. 51. dele of p. 18. l. 8. for never r. neither p. 21. l. 31. r. not to waste it l. 49. for Transfiguration r. Presignation p. 22. l. 43. for Wisdom is r. Rectum est p. 47. l. 56. r. hope of p. 48. l. 43. r. profession and l. 44. dele without that l. 45. dele should l. 46. r. Now these Temporaries p. 51. l. 19. for that we might r. but we must l. 36. r. in the names of their little ones avouch God to be their God p. 55. l. 48. dele 3. p. 57. l. 9. for name r. terms p. 59. l. 46. r. he comes p. 63. l. 56. r. would not now die p. 66. l. 13. r. if he were not heard and l. 61. for assigneth r. ascribeth p. 67. l. 25. for beareth r. leaveth l. 26. for thereto r. on them p. 69. l. 8. r. ever be l. 34 35. dele not fully p. 70. l. 16. for indefinitè r. distinctè p. 71. l. 3. for separate r. despise l. 5 6. for promote r. promise p. 76. l. 8. r. they both see things future and things future with clearness and certainty l. 11. r. the light of Faith l. 16. for design r. Decree ib. for they are r. that Decree is p. 79. l. 6. after Judge adde before they are ready to be judged p. 81. l. 50. for commutative r. cumulative p. 82. l. 47. for Duty r. Entity p. 84. l. 33. dele and undertakes p. 92. l. 9. for is r. as p. 94. l. 15. dele mans l. 38. after boldeth adde Crescentibus donis crescunt rationes donorum Gregory p. 97. l. 24. for Ministry r. Minister p. 104. l. 53. for Fruits r. Smells l. 53 54. for Pleasure consists r. And lastly p. 105. l. 17. r. delight to meet them l. 25. for This r. His p. 114. l. 47. dele by their failing p. 117. l. 48. dele no p. 121. l. 61. r. a sleight Eye p. 124. l. 27. for Many r. Man l. 41. dele First l. 42. dele Who p. 127. l. 4. dele or p. 141. l. 35. for of r. at ib. after coming dele l. 40 41. for Soul and Body r. humane Body p. 146. l. 18. for with r. without l. 39. r. bonum p. 155. l. 26. r. You have no cause l. 29. r. The wayes of God are condemned p. 163. l. 28. for lively r. live l. 44. for Comforts r. People p. 172. l. 47. r. of the Inheritance of the Saints p. 179. l. 20. for because r. besides p. 184.
First Why he prayed For it seems strange that Christ should be brought upon his Knees and that he who was the express Image of his Father's Glory should need the Comfort of Prayer and that the Heir of Heaven who hath the Key of David and openeth and no Man shutteth should stand knocking at the Father's Door I Answer 1. This was the Agreement between God and Him that he was first to establish a Right and then to sue it out in Court Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession This Prayer is nothing else but Christ's presenting his Merits before the Tribunal of God In the whole Transaction of Man's Salvation God the Father would sustain the Person of the Ruler and Governor of the World and Christ was to come and make his Plea before him to give an account of his Work and to sue out his own Right and the Right of his Members O wonder at the Business of our Salvation the Love of God! the Condescention of Christ when he took the Quality of our Surety upon him he is to make a formal Process to plead his own Merits and our Interest for so he is less than the Father as Mediator My Father is greater than I. Not only as Man but as Mediator Christ sustained a lesser Place 2. That we might have a Copy of his Intercession Christ is good at interceding he gave the World a taste in his last Prayer It is a Pledg of those continual Groans which as Mediator of the Church he putteth up for us in Heaven We have an excellent Advocate 1 Joh. 2.2 If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous When thou art in danger of Temptation he saith They are in the World keep them from the Evil of the World When thou art practising Holiness Christ speaketh a good word of thee behind thy back Father they keep thy Word He is a good Shepherd that knoweth the State of his Flock and readily giveth an account to the Father 3. That these Prayers might be a constant Fountain and Foundation of Spiritual Blessings Christ's Prayers are as good as so many Promises for he is always heard John 11.42 In this Prayer Christ speaketh as God-Man There is not any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I ask but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will Vers. 24. Father I will that they also be with me where I am A Word not of Request but Authority The Divine Nature giveth a Force and Efficacy to these Prayers When he prayeth whole Christ prayeth God-Man and as his Passion received efficacy from his God-head so did his Prayers Acts 20.28 Feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood as it was the Blood of God so it is the Prayer of God The God-head is interested in all these Actions it is the Prayer of the Son of God made Flesh. The things which he asketh belong to the Humane Nature yet he prayeth as God He that heareth with the Father will be heard by the Father Christ's Prayer is not like the Prayers of other Holy Men recorded in Scripture for a Form and Pattern but as a Fountain of Comfort and Blessing This should beget a Confidence in the Accomplishment of all these Promises the Safety of the Elect the Success of the Word the Unity of the Church and the Possession of Glory 4. To commend the Duty of Prayer He commanded it before and commended it by Promise John 14.13 14. Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my Name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son If ye shall ask any thing in my Name I will do it John 15.16 That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my Name he may give it you Now to Precept and Promise he would add his own Example Certainly there are none above Ordinances if Christ the Eternal Son of God was not If Christ who was of the same Majesty and Power with his Father did pray so earnestly and seriously when in the Light of Omnisciency he saw the Fruit of his Passion How much more are Prayers necessary for us under such infirmity of Flesh to which we are subject and such rage of Satan and the World In all Cases we must use this Remedy They that are above Prayer are beyond Religion In his greatest Works Christ despised not this Remedy Christ knew his own Deliverance and was sure of it yet he will not have it but by Prayer He had an eternal Right to Heaven and Glory and a new Right by Purchase yet he would have his Charter confirmed by Prayer And so though we have assurance of Mercy we must take this course to get it accomplished Though we have large Possessions and a liberal supply when it is at the Table we must receive it as a Boon from Grace Give us this day our daily Bread If for no other Reason Prayer is necessary for submission to God and that we may renew the sense of that Tenure by which we hold a Charter of Grace that by asking we may still take it out of Free-Grace's Hands Christ had a Right yet because of that mixture of Grace with Justice in all Divine Dispensations he is to ask 5. That our Prayers might be effectual Christ's Prayer is large and comprehenâ—ive we can mention nothing but he has begged it already in terminis or by consequence The Prayers of the Saints have their Efficacy but not from any virtue in them but by Christ's Merit by virtue of his Prayers Now Christ hath consecrated the way it is like to be successful no Prayer can miscarry God may cast out the Dross but he will be sure to receive the Prayer Now he doth not refuse your Mony but rubbeth off the filth of it It is very notable that Christ consecrated all Ordinances and made them successful by his own Obedience Baptism he made the Waters of Baptism salutary Hearing Christ was one of John's Auditors Behold the Lamb of God John 1.29 Singing Prayer receiving the Supper he loveth the Society ever since he himself was a Communicant Matth. 26.29 I will not drink henceforth of the Fruit of this Vine until the day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom Christ doth but act over that Ordinance in Heaven So for Prayer Secondly The next thing is Why Christ spake aloud in Prayer I answer He might have prayed in silence but he would be our Advocate but so that he might be our Teacher When he prayed for us he prayed publickly and with a loud Voice for our Comfort and Instruction and to give vent to the strength of his Affection by leaving this Monument in the Church Vers. 13. These things I speak in the World that they may have my Joy fulfilled in themselves that in all Tryals and Afflictions we might draw Consolation from the Matter of
The sufficiency of this Knowledg For understanding of this you must know that all Breviats where Religion is reduced to a few Heads must be inlarged according to the just extent of the Rule of Faith As in the Commandments where all moral Duties are reduced to ten words so in the Summaries of the Gospel far more is intended than is expressed As for instance There are two things in the Text the Means and the Object The Means know the Object Thee and Jesus Christ. 1. The Means Know It implieth Acknowledgment Faith Fear Reverence Love Worship and the glorifying God in our Conversations For it is easy to prove out of Scripture the necessary concurrence of all these things in their Order and Place For if I know God to be the only true God I must fear reverence and obey him or else I do not glorify him as God as it is said of the Heathens Rom. 1.21 When they knew God they glorified him not as God It is not a naked sight of his Essence that will save a Man I must know him for a practical End to chuse him and carry my self to him as an Allsufficient Portion I must honour him as the Giver of all things revere and worship him as the just Governor of the World and live purely as he is pure and worship him in a way suitable to the Infiniteness Perfectness and Simplicity of his Nature A Man is not saved by holding a right Opinion of God A Man may be a Christian in Opinion and a Pagan in Life So if I know Jesus Christ to be sent of God as Mediator I am to close with him receive him as such by an active Faith Acts 4.12 There is no Salvation in any other not only by no other but in him it noteth Union and close Adherence and not only that I should be of this Opinion As when a Man is ready to perish in the Floods it is not enough to see Land but he must reach it stand upon it if he would be safe so we must get into the Ark many saw it and scoffed but all others were drowned in that general Wrack that were not in it There was no security for the Man-slayer till he got into the City of Refuge Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him It is not enough to cry Lord Lord to have a naked Opinion or general and loose Desires 2. For the Object To know thee the only true God There are many Articles comprized that are necessary to Salvation as that God is but one Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is one Lord. One in three Persons 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these Three are One. This God is a Spirit John 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth He is Holy Just Infinite the Creator of all things that he upholdeth all things in his Eternal Decree raising some to Glory leaving others by their Sins to come to Judgment Rom. 9.22 23. What if God willing to shew his Wrath and to make his Power known endured with much long-suffering the Vessels of Wrath futed to destruction and that he might make known the Riches of his Glory on the Vessels of Mercy which he had afore prepared unto Glory All these Articles concerning God So concerning Christ that he is the Second Person incarnate anointed to be a Saviour to convince the World of Sin of Righteousness of Judgment John 16.8 Of Man's misery by Nature Redemption by Christ necessity of Holiness as a Foundation of Glory All the Articles of the practical Catechism It is a pestilent Opinion to think that every Man may be saved if he do in the general acknowledg Christ. It is said Acts 2.21 Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved not on the Lord but on the Name of the Lord by the Name of the Lord is meant all that which shall be revealed to us of the Lord Jesus in the Scriptures The meaning is whosoever doth receive acknowledg and worship Christ according to what the Scriptures do reveal and testify of him shall be saved Many think the differences of Christendom vain and this general Faith enough but if a general Acknowledgment were enough why hath God revealed so many things and given us such an ample Rule if with safety to Salvation we may be ignorant whether he were true God and true Man whether he redeemed us by Satisfaction or justified us by Works yea or no They seem to tax the Scriptures of Redundances and the Apostles of rash Zeal for disputing with such earnestness for the Faith of the Saints as Paul against Justitiaries James against the Antinomists and Libertines if a general Profession of Christ was enough So they tax the Martyrs of Folly that would shed their Blood for less-concerning Articles So all be resolved into Christ Men think it is enough we need not inquire into the manner of the Application of his Righteousness the Efficacy and Merit of his Passion as if it were enough to hold a few Generals and the more implicit our Faith the better Whereas the Lord would have us to abound in Knowledg and if we persist in any particular Error against Light or do not search it out our Case is dangerous if not damnable I shall not take upon me to determine what Articles are absolutely necessary to Salvation it will be hard to define and we know not by what rule to proceed In the general it is exceeding dangerous to lessen the Misery of Man's Nature the Merit and Satisfaction of Christ or the care of good Works these are contrary to that Doctrine which the Spirit teacheth and urgeth in the Church John 16.8 When he is come he will convince the World of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment All that can be certain is that those Opinions which are irreconcilable with the Covenant of Grace or do overturn the Pillar upon which it standeth are irreconcilable with Salvation Vse 1. To confute them that say that every Man shall be saved in his own Religion if he be devout therein Turks Jews Heathens and among Christians Papists Socinians c. You see this is Life Eternal this and nothing else no Religion but that which teacheth rightly to believe in Christ is a way of Salvation There is no Salvation but by Christ. 1 Cor. 3.11 For other Foundation can no Man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. Acts 4.12 Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved There is no Salvation by Christ but by Faith and Knowledg they cannot have benefit by him as some say if they live only according to the Law and Light of Nature Heb. 11.6 Without Faith it is impossible to please God And here it is said This is Life Eternal
have Voice enough to proclaim their Creator The Apostle tells us Rom. 1.20 The invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and Godhead Like Phidiâ—s who in his Image carved his own Name There is God engraven upon every Creature But how doth the World shew that there is a God There must be some Supream and Infinite Cause for nothing can be Cause to it self then it would be before it is Aristotle acknowledged 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a first Cause Every House must have a Builder and this curious Fabrick an infinitely wise Architect Thou that deniest God or doubtest of his Being look upon the Heavens Psal. 19.1 The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his Handy-work His Glory shineth in the Sun and sparkles in the Stars The Sun is a Representative of God in the brightness of his Beams extent of his Influence indefatigableness of his Motion All the Motions of the Creatures are so many Pulses by which we may feel after God 2. By Works of Providence The World is made up of things of different and destructive Natures and all that we now see would soon run into disorder and confusion were it not poised and tempered with a wife Hand and when we are stupid and do not mind these things Providence discovereth it self in Judgments and unwonted Operations Psal. 58.11 So that a Man shall say Verily there is a Reward for the Righteous verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth 2. From the Confession and common Consent of all Nations even those that have been most rude and barbarous there is none without some Worship The Pagan Mariners Jonah 1.5 were afraid and cried every Man unto his God Those that were most estranged from humane Society those that lived in the Wilderness without Law and Government have been touched with a sense of a Deity and Godhead which must arise from natural instinct It cannot be any deceit or imposition of Fancy by Custom and Tradition Falshood usually not being so universal and long-lived Men do what they can to blot out these Notions and Instincts of Conscience An Invention so contrary to Nature would have been long e're this worn out 3. From our own Consciences that appall the stoutest Sinner after the commitment of any gross Evil. The Heathens that had but a little Light feared Death Rom. 1. ult They knowing the Judgment of God that they that do such things are worthy of Death c. And they had thoughts excusing and accusing one another Rom. 2.14 15. As Letters written with the Juice of a Limon hold them to the Fire they may be read What Terrors are in the Hearts of Wicked Men after the commitment of Sins against Light as Incest Murder promiscuous Lusts contemptuous speaking of God or his Worship Though their Sins were secret hidden under a covert of Darkness and Secresy and not liable to any humane Cognizance yet they still feared an avenging Hand their Hearts have been upon them Yea Atheists smitten with Horror what they deny in the Day they acknowledg in the darkness of the Night especially in distress Diagoras troubled with the Strangury acknowledged a Deity Or a little before Death their Hearts are filled with Trembling and Horror 4. From several Experiences The Power of the Word 1 Cor. 14.25 Thus are the Secrets of his Heart made manifest and so falling down on his Face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth There is some God guideth these Men. There are Devils and they would undo all were they not bound up with the Chains and Restraints of an irresistible Providence God suffereth them now and then to discover their Malice that we may see by whose Goodness we do subsist So there are Vertues which must be by some Institution or by conformity to a Supream Being or a sense of his Law They cannot be out of any Eternal Reason which is in the Things themselves nor by the appointment of Man's Will for then every thing which Man willeth would be good Many Arguments might be brought to this purpose but I am shortly to handle this Argument elsewhere By way of Use. 1. Let us charge it upon our Hearts that we may check those private Whispers and Suspicions which are there against the Being and Glory of God Many times we are apt to think that God is but a Fancy Religion a State-Curb and the Gospel but a quaint Device to please fond and foolish Men and all is but Talk to hold Men in awe Oh consider in such Truths as these we do not appeal to Scripture but Nature You will never be able to recover your Consciences out of this Dread The Devils are under the fear of a Deity James 2.19 Thou believest that there is one God thou dost well the Devils also believe and tremble The Devil can never be a flat Atheist because of the fear of the Wrath of God tormenting him he is not an Atheist because he cannot be one it cannot stand with the state of a damned Angel there may be Atheists in the Church but there are none in Hell Humble thy self for such Atheistical Thoughts and Suggestions It is a Sin irrational all the Creatures confute it Psal. 73.22 So foolish was I and Ignorant I was as a Beast before thee when he had an ill thought of Providence When you go about to ungod God you unman your selves Common Sense and Reason would teach you otherwise Thoughts and Desires that strike at the Being of God are Thoughts of a dangerous importance Oh what a foul Heart have I that casteth up such Mire and Dirt Wrath came upon the Jews to the uttermost for killing Christ in his Humane Nature but these are Thoughts that strike at God and Christ and all together 2. It reproveth those that wish down or live down this Principle Some wish it down Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God It is his Desire rather than his Thoughts It is a pleasant thing for them to imagine that there is none to call them to an account Guilty Men would fain destroy the Righteous God which is an Argument of the worst hatred Some live it down Tit. 1.16 In Works they deny him It is the real Language of their Lives that There is no God There is no greater temptation to Atheism than the Life of a Scandalous Professor One surprized a Christian in an Act of Filthiness and cried out Christiane Christiane ubi Deus tuus O Christian Christian where is thy God There are few Atheists in Opinion more in Affection most in Conversation of Life You live in Deceit and Cozenage and yet profess to believe an Omniscient God and your privy walkings are full of Sin and Excess There is Blasphemy in your Lives Rev. 2.9 I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and
the Promise of the Father When he came to Heaven he received the fulfilling of this Promise for God did not bring Christ into Heaven as we are brought into Heaven merely to rest from Labour and to enjoy the Reward of Glory but that he might sit in the Throne of Majesty and Authority to have Power to send the Spirit and gather the Church and condemn the World and to apply to all the Elect the Privileges that he had purchased for them There are Effects of Christ Crucified and there are Effects of Christ Raised and Exalted Psal. 68.18 Thou hast ascended on High thou hast led Captivity captive thou hast received Gifts for Men yea for the Rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them He gave Gifts when he ascended as Kings do at their Coronation The Humiliation of Christ hath its Effects in fulfilling the Curses of the Law pacifying God's Wrath and Justice the annihilation of the Right which the Devil had in Elect Sinners purchasing a right to returning to God and enjoying the Grace of Eternal Life The Exaltation of Christ hath its Effects viz. the Application of this Righteousness and to possess us of this Right When Christ was dead it was lawful for those for whom he died to return to God and enjoy his Grace but it was not possible for they were dead in Sins Therefore God raised up Christ and gave him Authority to pour out the Holy Ghost that we should seek in Grace not only the force of Satisfaction but of Regeneration that the effect of his Abasement this of his Advancement What a Comfort is this that Christ would not only die for us but rise again and pour out his Spirit that his Blood might not be without Profit 4. Here is Comfort for the Church while our Head is so highly magnified and made Lord of all he will rule all for the best certainly no Good shall be wanting to them that are his Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right Hand until I make thine Enemies thy Footstool There shall come a Time when the Church shall have no Enemies so far shall it be from its being overcome by its Enemies that they shall curse themselves that ever they resisted the Church 5. Our Sins shall not prejudice our Happiness seeing he sitteth at the right Hand of God the Father to be our Intercessor 1 Joh. 2.1 If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous we have a Friend at Court a Favorite in the Court of Heaven If it were not for Christ's Intercession what should we do those that know the Majesty of God their own Unworthiness the pollution of their Prayers what should they do The Spirit is our Notary here Rom. 8.26 The Spirit helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what to pray for as we ought but the Spirit is self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered And Christ is our Advocate in Heaven Rev. 8.3 And another Angel came and stood at the Altar having a golden Censer and there was given unto him much Incense that he should offer it with the Prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne Our Prayers have an ill savour as they come from us 2. For our Instruction It teacheth us to seek Heavenly Things Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek the things that are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour our Lord Jesus Christ. We should imitate Christ whatever he did Corporally we must do Spiritually There is our Treasure if you are the Children of God he is your Delight There is our Head the inferiour Parts never do well when they are severed from the Head All that we expect cometh from thence and therefore a natural desire of Happiness carrieth the Saints thither SERMON VII JOHN XVII 6 I have manifested thy Name unto the Men which thou gavest me out of the World thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy Word WE have now ended the first Paragraph of this Chapter Christ's Prayer for himself Here he cometh to pray for others the Disciples of that Age. When Jacob was about to die he blesseth his Sons so doth Christ his Disciples Christ representeth their Case with as much vehemency as he doth his own In this Verse useth three Arguments They were acquainted with his Father's Name belonged to his Grace and were obedient to his Will Or if you will you may observe First The Persons for whom he prayeth Secondly The Reasons why he prayeth for them which are three I. What Christ had done II. What the Father himself had done III. What they had done First The Persons for whom he prayeth The Men which thou hast given me out of the World Who are these I answer the Disciples or Believers of that Age not only the eleven Apostles are intended tho chiefly But it is not to be restrained to the Apostles only 1. Because the Description is common to other Believers others were given him besides the eleven Apostles It is the usual Description of the Elect in this Chapter ver 2. That he should give eternal Life to as many as thou hast given him So ver 9. I pray for them whom thou hast given me for they are thine And ver 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am And in other Chapters of this Gospel 2. Because Christ had made known the Name of God to more than the Apostles Many of the Jews and Samaritans had received the Faith Acts 1.15 there a hundred and twenty met together in a Church-Assembly presently after Christ's Death 3. Otherwise they had been forgotten in Christ's Prayer for afterwards he prayeth only for future Believers ver 20. Neither pray I for them only but for those that shall believe on me through their Word Mark That shall believe But tho the Apostles are not only intended yet they are chiefly intended as appeareth by that Expression Through their Word We have seen who are the Persons Now they are described to be the Men which the Father hath given me out of the World Men. To note the greatness of the Blessing tho they were frail miserable Men corrupt by Nature as others are yet by singular Mercy they are made familiar Friends of Christ and some of them Doctors of the World Which thou hast given me by way of special Charge There is a double giving to Christ by way of Reward by way of Charge These were given to him as a peculiar Charge Out of the World That is out of the whole Mass of Mankind When others were left and passed by God singled them out and gave them to Christ. I shall open the Phrase more fully in the next Clause The Points of Doctrine are these 1. Observ.
in the State of his Exaltation Our Lord would be ours not only in Love but Duty that so we might have the greater Assurance Till all the Saints come to Heaven Christ looks upon himself as bound in point of Office they are his Charge he cannot be loving to the Church nor faithful to the Father if he should do otherwise 4. His Experience Heb. 4.15 He is touched with the feeling of our Infirmities was in all points tempted as we are yet without Sin Pray mark in all points Christ hath had Experience of all Trials whereinto any of his Servants can fall Poverty forsaking of Friends Exile Imprisonment Hunger Nakedness Watching Weariness Pain of Body Heaviness of Heart Desertion as to Sense Wrath and Curse of God Christ hath carried his feeling with him into Heaven he knew what Poverty meaneth what trouble of Conscience what heaviness of Spirit meaneth Christ could not so experimentally pity us so feelingly pity us if he were not like us in all things his Heart was intendred by Experience as a Man that hath felt the Gout and felt the Stone Israel knew the Heart of a Stranger Christ knew the Heart of a Man that is left to the World's Frowns and Snares He took a Communion of our Natures and Miseries as a Pawn and Pledg that he will pity us and help us Heb. 2.10 The Captain of our Salvation was made perfect through Sufferings Christ tho he was perfect he received the Spirit without measure yet he lacked one thing which his Office required to be a perfect Mediator till he had an experimental feeling So Heb. 2.18 In that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Christ was able as soon as he came from Heaven as God what could he not do But there is an Ability of Sufficiency and of Idoneity an Experimental Ability Christ had Experience tho not of Sin yet of Temptation to Sin he is not only able but willing he knoweth what it is Christ would borrow our Nature to make Experiments Vse 1. To teach us to walk with Caution and in a continual dependance upon God We are continually assaulted and live in the midst of Snares A Man that cometh into the World saith Luther is like a Traveller that cometh into an Inn where there dwell none but Thieves Now he that carrieth Jewels about him had need to take heed the diversity the frequency the continuation of Temptations should make us wary The Diversity there are Baits for every Temper Honours for the Ambitious Wealth for the Covetous and Pleasures for the Sensual The Devil hath a Diet to feed every Distemper some are fullen not bent to Pleasures but Satan is not at a loss to fit them with a Temptation there are Profits for them Others are facile and more easy they have Pleasures Others would be great they have Honours And when Satan knoweth the Lust he suiteth the Bait he is an old Sophister well skilled in the Tempers of Men. Therefore seeing that in every Business in every bit of Meat in every Recreation there are Snares we had need feed with fear and trade with fear When there is an Enemy in the Country we keep constant Watch and Ward Then for the frequency and continuance of Temptations they are always about us Long Suits prevail at last From the first use of Reason till the hour of Death as long as God continueth our abode in the World we are in danger There are many Baits Satan is craâ—â—y and the World is spightful and our Hearts are naught We are now upon our Trial the great Work of Religion is to walk in a constant watchfulness and dependance Alas many are as if they were in the Haven already so negligent so careless as if they were in the midst of Paradise out of Temptations Vse 2. To press us to grow weary of the World it is a place full of Snares here we have many Snares and many Enemies If we have a mind to sin no longer why should we desire to live in the World The World is a Step-mother to the Saints why should we desire to hang upon the Dug He that would always live here is like a Scullion that loveth to lie among the Pots In Heaven we have pure Company and are out of the reach and danger of Temptations The Devil when he was not fit for Heaven was cast out into the World a fit Place for Misery Sin and Torment it is Satan's Walk and Circuit Here is Antichrist the Devil 's eldest Son here are Terriculamenta Irritamenta Fears and Snares It is a dirty odd Corner of the Universe we can hardly walk up and down but we shall defile our Garments Here are Briars to hitch us Snares and Baits to intice us There is a more excellent Country above where we shall have the Company of God and the Fellowship of the Saints Saints without Corruption other manner of Saints than here There is no Tempter there there should be your Country In a pet we long for Heaven but it should be out of a resolved Judgment Men fight in the World as long as they are able and then make Heaven their Refuge It should not be a melancholy wish We should desire Heaven not as weary of Work and Service but as weary of Temptation Vse 3. Examination What kind of Temper have we There are Children of this World Luke 16.8 The World is their own Mother they love to lie hanging on the Dugs and Teats And there is a Spirit called the Spirit of the World 1 Cor. 2.12 A Genius that suiteth with present Conveniences there is their Portion Psal. 17.14 Their Names are written in the Earth Jer. 17.13 that is their Happiness The Nature of the World's Sons is all for the Lusts of the Flesh the Lusts of the Eye and the Pride of Life to go fine to feed high to shine in worldly Pomp affect Honours and great Places Too many Christians are baptized into this Spirit There is an use of the Things of this World but we should use them with fear they cannot smell the Rose of the Field Christ hath no scent or savour Oh it is a sad Character to be a Child of this World one that hath the Nature of the Mother in them one of the World's breed A Child of God is a Pilgrim and Stranger Psal. 119.19 I am a Stranger in the Earth Abraham purchased but a Sepulcher that is all the Faithful can lay claim to on Earth He looketh on himself as born and bred in another Land his Mother is a Princess the Bride the Lamb's Wife and his Father is in Heaven he is in the World but not of the World Vse 4. Comfort Christ is apprehensive of your Danger All Trials you meet with do either better your Hearts or hasten your Glory Christians must expect Danger but need not fear it Formido sublata est non pugna You are not absolutely freed from
will be like them that go back to fetch their Leap more commodiously Vse 3. When you stand let it incite you to Love and Thankfulness Nothing maketh the Saints more love God than his Unchangeableness His Mercy made you come to him and his Truth will not suffer you to depart from him Mercy and Truth are like Jachin and Boaz. Micah 7.20 Thou wilt perform the Truth to Jacob and the Mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn unto our Fathers from the days of old The Covenant was made with Abraham and made good to Jacob. You may rejoyce notwithstanding your Weakness and Satan's daily Assaults as Daniel in the Lion's Den to see the Lions ramping and roaring about him yet their Mouths muzzled 2 Sam. 2.9 By strength shall no Man prevail that is by his own That any of us have stood hitherto let us ascribe it wholly to God we might have been vile and scandalous even as others Many of better Gifts may fall away and thou keepest thy standing what is the reason We have done enough a thousand times to cause God to depart from us Deut. 23.14 If he see any unclean thing among thee he will turn away from thee And is it not strange that the Spirit of Grace should yet abide with us hitherto when there is so much uncleanness in every one of us The great Argument of the Saints why they love and praise him is the Constancy and Unchangeableness of his Love Psal. 136. For his Mercy endureth for ever and Psal. 106.1 Praise the Lord O give Thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his Mercy endureth for ever No Form more frequent in the Mouths of his Saints Vse 4. If any fall often constantly frequently and easily they have no Interest in Grace 1 John 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he maketh not a Trade of Sin that is the force of that Phrase God's Children slip often but not with such a frequent constant readiness into the same Sin Therefore he that liveth in a course of Prophaneness Worldliness Drunkenness his Spot is not the Spot of God's Children Deut 32.5 You are tried by your constant Course Rom. 8.1 That walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit What is your Road and Walk I except only those Sins which are of usual incidence and sudden surreption as Anger Vanity of Thoughts and yet for them a Man should be more humble If it be not felt nor striven against nor mourned for it is a bad Sign What is your Course and Walk There is an Uniformity in a Christian's Course It is nothing to have some Fits and good Moods and Motions Vse 5. It provoketh us to get an Interest in such a sure Condition Be not contented with outward Happiness things are worthy according to their duration Nature hath such a sense of God's Eternity that the more lasting things are it accounteth them the better The immortal Soul must have an eternal Good Now all things in the World are frail and passing away therefore they are called uncertain Riches 1 Tim. 6.17 compared with Prov. 8.18 Riches and Honour are with me yea durable Riches and Righteousness The Flower of these things perisheth their Grace passeth away in the midst of their Pride and Beauty like Herod in his Royalty they vanish and are blasted The better part is not taken away Luke 10.42 Mary hath chosen the better part which cannot be taken away from her A Man may outlive his Happiness be stripped of the Flower of all Worldly Glory is sure to end with Life that is transitory And still they are uncertain Riches uncertain whether we shall get them uncertain whether we shall keep them By a care of the better part we may have these Things with a Blessing Mat. 6.33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof and all these things shall be added to you Gifts they are for the Body rather than the Person that hath them Men may be carnal and yet come behind in no Gifts Judas could cast out Devils and yet afterwards was cast out among Devils 1 Cor. 12.31 the Apostle had discoursed largely of Gifts but saith he Yet I shew you a more excellent Way and that is Grace that abideth Many that have great Abilities to pray preach discourse yet fall away according to the Place which they sustain in the Body so they have great Gifts of Knowledg Utterance to comfort direct instruct others to answer their Doubts to reason in holy Discourse and yet may fall fouly Heb. 6.4 5. They may be once enlightned and have tasted of the heavenly Gift and were made Partakers of the Holy-Ghost and have tasted the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come They may have a great share of Church-Gifts Nay Gifts themselves wither and vanish when the bodily Vigor is spent 1 Pet. 1.24 All Flesh is Grass and all the Glory of Man as the Flower of Grass the Grass withereth and the Flower thereof falleth away Whatever Excellency we have by Nature Wit Knowledg Strength of natural Parts nothing but what the Spirit of God worketh in us will last for ever So for seeming unsound Grace as false Faith such as beginneth in Joy will end in Trouble it easeth you for the present but you shall lie down in Sorrow General Probabilities loose Hopes uncertain Conjectures vanishing Apprehensions of Comfort all fail The planting of true Faith is troublesom at first but it leadeth to true Joy you may look upon the Gospel with some kind of delectation Thorns may blaze under the Pot tho they cannot keep in the Fire Do not rest in tasting the good Word of God Heb. 6.5 in some sleight and transitory Comfort Hymeneus and Alexander are said to make shipwrack of Faith 1 Tim. 1.19 20. that is of a false Faith So for a formal Profession Men may begin in the Spirit and end in the Flesh. Gal. 3.3 Are ye so foolish having begun in the Spirit are ye now made perfect by the Flesh A Man may seem to himself and to the Church of God to have true Grace nay he may be enlightned find some comfort in the Word escape the Pollutions of the World foul gross Sins yea these good things may be the Works and the Effects of the Spirit of God not of Nature only not professed out of a carnal Aim but there is no setled Root and therefore it is but of short continuance But certainly that Form that is taken up out of private Aims will surely fail God delighteth to take off the Mask and Disguise of Hypocrites by letting them fall into some scandalous Sins Paint is soon washed off Therefore rest not in these things till solid and substantial Grace be wrought in your Hearts Vse 6. Is Comfort to God's Children Grace is sure and the Privileges of it sure Grace is sure through your Folly it may be nigh unto Death but it cannot
express Will of God John 6.38 39. For I came down from Heaven not to do mine own Will but the Will of him that sent me And this is the Father's Will that hath sent me that of all which he hath given I should lose nothing but should raise them up again at the last Day and by conversion to be possessed of all the Privileges of the Gospel and without miscarrying to be guided unto Glory John 10.28 29. I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my Hand My Father that gave them me is greater than all and no Man is able to pluck them out of my Father's Hand they are One and act by joint Power and joint Consent And after all this he is to give an account of Bodies and Souls John 6.39 That of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise them up again at the last day Which accordingly he doth when he presents the Kingdom to the Father and appeareth before him with all his little Ones as a Prey snatched out of the Teeth of Lions Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the Children which God hath given me 2. What Christ undertook the whole Proposal of the Father was accepted Psal. 40.7 8. Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart Christ consented to all the Articles of the Treaty and eternal Covenant not only to take a Body to die but to take a particular Charge of all the Elect. As Judah interposed for Benjamin so doth Christ for all the Souls committed to him Gen. 43.9 I will be Surety for him of my Hand shalt thou require him if I bring him not to thee and set him safe in thy Presence let me bear the Blame for ever So doth Christ say concerning all the Persons that fall under his Charge If I do not see them converted justified sanctified saved count me an unfaithful Undertaker and let me bear the Blame for ever 2. By way of Reward As in a Covenant there is not only a Duty incumbent but a Benefit accruing to the Party that contracteth So Christ in this eternal Treaty dealt with God by way of Bargain and Purchase his aim was to get a special Interest in and Relation to Believers as Mediator This was all the Gain he reckoned of Isa. 53.10 When thou shalt make his Soul an Offering for Sin he shall see his Seed he shall prolong his Days and the Pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his Hand And therefore by virtue of this Purchase he hath many Relations to them they are given to him as Subjects of his Kingdom as Scholars of his School as Children of his Family as the Spouse of his Bosom as the Members of his Body All these Relations I shall insist upon for this was the Honour granted to Christ upon his Obedience I mean he counted it an Honour and bought it at a dear rate and yet was contented with the Purchase Alas nothing could be added to the Greatness of his Person who was equal with the Father in Glory and Power the Privileges of the Incarnation were but as so many milder Humiliations but he was so tender of Souls that he was pleased to take it as a Gift from his Father and a Reward of all his Services Mark it nothing else could bring Christ out of Heaven into the Manger the Wilderness the Cross the Grave but to get an Interest in your Souls Isa. 53.11 He shall see of the Travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied What did he gain by all his Expence of Blood and Sweat his Temptations Agonies taking our Nature bearing our Burden but to see you safe in the Arms of Mercy that he might be your King your Prophet your Priest your Head Next to the Title of The Son of God Christ valueth that of being Head of the Church And see how the Relations are diversified that he might come nearer and closer to us a King is a more large Relation a Master hath a more particular Inspection a Master may be faithful and careful but he hath not the Bowels of a Father a Father is very tender but the greatest Intimacy is between Husband and Wife we are the Wife of his Bosom if Husband be a Relation too remote because the Union is civil he comes nearer to us yet he will be our Head we his Members where the Union is natural Let us go over these severally 1. We are given to him to be Subjects of his Kingdom Christ is Lord of all the World but he prizeth no Title like that of King of Saints Rev. 15.3 No Throne to him like the Conscience of an humble Sinner the Heart is his best Presence-Chamber there is his Throne of State set He had an eternal Right together with the Father and Holy Ghost but he would come and suffer and be crowned with a Crown of Thorns that he might have a new Right as Mediator and have the Crown of Glory put upon his Head in the Church Therefore it is said Act 5.31 That upon his Resurrection God hath exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance unto Israel and forgiveness of Sins The Grant was made long before when he first contracted with Christ about the Salvation of the World but when the Price was paid then it was made good There is never a Subject Christ hath but he is bought and with the dearest price his Soveraign's own Blood Mat. 20.28 The Son of Man gave his Life a Ransom for many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In other Kingdoms many Subjects die that the Prince may be seated in the Throne but here the Prince dyeth for the Subjects sakes that he may govern his spiritual Realm with Peace and Quietness And as the Price was great so the Father hath made him a large Grant Christ's Empire is universal properly he is the Catholick King there are no Bounds and Limits of his Kingdom first or last in all the habitable Parts of the Earth there are or shall be some that acknowledg his Scepter Isa. 49.12 Behold these shall come from far and â—o these from the North and from the West and these from the Land of Sinim From the East West North South Jews Gentiles the Jews that are now his Enemies shall acknowledg his Soveraignty Hos. 1.11 Then shall the Children of Judah and the Children of Israel be gathered together and appoint themselves one Head and they shall come up out of the Land As the Tribes flocked to Hebron to crown David so shall these to crown Christ and this Royal Garland shall Christ wear to all Eternity It is true it is said 1 Cor. 15.29 He shall resign up the Kingdom to the Father I answer In Kingly Dignity there are two things Regia Cura and Regius Honor Kingly Care by which he ordereth and defendeth his
animated by one Spirit Christ is the Head of the Church and the Spirit is the Soul of the Church There is a Spirit of Communion Look as it is said Ezek. 1.21 When the Beasts went the Wheels went and when those stood these stood and when those were lifted up from the Earth the Wheels were lifted up over against them the Reason is because the Spirit of the living Creature was in the Wheels So because the same Spirit is in one Christian that is in another therefore they have the like Affections to procure the good of one another as much as may be Christ giveth us the Spirit to make us One But of this Spirit of Communion more hereafter 6. This is the End of his gracious Dispensations he giveth us Grace and assurance of Glory to this End John 17.22 And the Glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be One even as we are One. Understand it of the privilege of Filiation we are made Sons that we may live as Brethren or of the Gift of Grace the glorious Image of God is impressed on all the Saints that Likeness may beget Love or of an Interest in Glory that those that expect to live in the same Heaven may not fall out by the way and disagree on Earth 7. It is the End of his Ordinances and Appointments in the Church Baptism and the Lord's Supper are to keep the Saints together It is sad indeed that the World maketh them Apples of Strife when Christ made them Bonds of Love We are all baptized by one Spirit into one Body and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 It notes our Union with Christ and one with another And 1 Cor. 10.17 We being many are one Bread and one Body for we are all partakers of that one Bread The Sacraments are Banners under which we do encamp and profess our Union and Brotherhood in the Army of Christ. Vse 1. How contrary are they to Christ that love Strife and sow Discord among Brethren they are the Devil's Factors Agents for the Kingdom of Darkness they wholly frustrate the Design and Undertaking of Jesus Christ he was incarnate preached prayed died c. that his People may be one Yea they do not only what in them lieth to frustrate Christ and make void his Aim but do also disparage him before the World he holdeth out to all the World that his People are one Body one Family one House and yet they are crumbled into Factions Divisions in the Church beget Atheism in the World Oh let it not seem a small thing to rend the Unity of the Church But where shall this be charged Every one will excuse himself from the guilt of the present Breaches Certainly we have all cause to reflect upon our own Hearts and not make Application for others It is usual with us to do as Judas when Christ told his Disciples somewhat that concerned him he looked round about upon the Disciples So we look about upon others when we should smite upon our own Thigh One of the Bellows of Strife is Crimination and Recrimination therefore let us see a little who is guilty The Unity is two-fold One in Mind One in Heart One in Judgment One in Affection Now what hast thou done contrary to either of these Unions 1. If thou hast been a stickler in Novel Opinions whereby Division hath been caused in the Church thou hast disserved the Aim of Christ. Christians are bound to be of one Mind 1 Pet. 3.8 Finally be ye all of one Mind c. Phil. 2.2 Fulfil ye my Joy that ye be like-minded having the same Love being of one Accord of one Mind 1 Cor. 13.2 Tho I have all Faith so as I can remove Mountains and have no Charity I am Nothing But you will reply Will you inforce Judgment or impose Belief and make me an Hypocrite and your self an Usurper And what are Novel Opinions You condemn others and they you you preach against them and they against you Yea but yet Christians should strive as much as is possible to be all of a Mind and it should trouble thee if forced to differ from the general Judgment of the Church 〈◊〉 doubtful Matters take not up an Opinion which will offend beware of doubtâ—ul Disputations He that dissents had need have plain Evidence and that the Truth should be brought with much demonstration to the Conscience Arguments had need be express and clear and he had need pray much and consult and confer with others But when singularity and diversity of Opinions is affected Homini congenitum est magis nova quà m magna mirari and without any fear and jealousy Men let loose their Hearts to Novelties this is blame-worthy When we have the Consent of the Church a a less Light will serve the turn than for a Dissent 2. Hast thou done any thing to hinder the Church from being of one Heart 1. By professing Principles of Separation certainly it is a Crime It is against Love as Error is against Faith it cuts asunder the Bands and Sinews of Christ's Mystical Body In these Times the Charge of this Sin is so frequent that the Sin is little regarded Every modest Dissent and Unconformity is branded with the Name of Schism that Men think Schism no such Matter or no such Crime Jude 19. These be they who separate themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now it is dangerous to separate and hard to discern when it is lawful The Question of Separation lieth in the dark but the Enforcements of Love are plain and open Divers allow but three Grounds of Separation Intolerable Persecution Damnable Heresy and Gross Idolatry We should hold Communion as long as Christ will Scandal is a Ground of Mourning but not a Ground of Separation and when-ever it is done it must be with Grief 2. They that prosecute Controversies in such a way as will not stand with Love viz. with Passion bitterness of Spirit damning all Opposites suppressing them by the Power of the Sword Wrath exulceration and bitterness of Spirit are opposite to Love Michael durst not bring a railing Accusation The worst Adversaries are overcome with soft Words and hard Arguments Railing and Reviling makes Men deaf to the Tenders of Reconciliation Psal. 120.7 I am for Peace but when I speak they are for War So is damning all Opposites casting them out of Christ urging things beyond the weight and consequence of the Opinion censuring others as not Spiritual 1 Cor. 14.37 Interest makes Men passionately and irregularly zealous 1 Cor. 1.2 To all that in every place call on the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours not as a Party impropriating Christ I am of Christ. So is domineering over Mens Consciences and obtruding Opinions by Force these are said to go in the way of Cain Jude 11. Vse 2. Let us be as earnest for Unity as Christ let us think of Charity more than we
the Institution must be carefully observed if we would have the Blessing God is said to imploy not only those who are called extraordinarily but in the ordinary way The Elders of Ephesus had no extraordinary Call yet it is said The Holy Ghost had made them Overseers Acts 20.28 2. In respect of Satan He will soon spy out our want of Commission as he did in the Sons of Sceva Acts 19.14 15. Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are ye I know Jesus as the Lord Paul as an authorized Minister one that had a lawful Commission But who are ye And then the Devil fell upon them and wounded them Vers. 16. It is true we have not such visible Instances of the Devil's Power now as then because God rules the World now by Wisdom not by Power but yet we may observe the secret Power of the Devil upon those that run of their own accord and venture upon the Office of the Ministry without a Call None are more apt to be led aside into Errors and those of the grossest Nature than those that venture upon this Office without a Call Origen's Errors are by many ascribed to his neglect or want of Ordination And the Arrians saith the Synod of Alexandria were Fabrose vitro â—â—ae creationis infamous for want of a right Call to the Ministry and therefore fell into that damnable Error 3. In regard of your selves that you may digest Difficulties with the more Patience You can never endure any thing with comfort but when you can thus say I am in God's way doing God's Work This is a great ground of Patience Conscience in a time of Danger will take hold of the least faulty Circumstance Vzzah had little comfort in his stroke because he was out of God's way Jude 11. Wo unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain c. and perished in the Gainsaying of Korah Korah was a sad instance 4. In respect of the Church This External Mission is necessary that the Church may receive you comfortably It is made a Character of Christ's Sheep not to hear the Voice of a Stranger John 10.5 nor of such as do not enter in by the Door Vers. 1. And in the Old Testament it is often said Hearken not to them for I have not sent them In the Primitive Church this was strictly observed When Chrysostom was banished and Arsanius unduly succeeded him the People would not so much as hear him Theodoret witnesseth that some of them would rather go into Banishment than join with him in Publick Worship So when Felix was set over Rome instead of Liberius against the Consent of the Church the People would not enter while he was present tho Felix was Orthodox and nothing could be objected against his Doctrine This Instance is approved by Luther in his Comment on the Psalms of Degrees and in his way of Expression he saith the same should be done to an Angel or Arch-Angel tho he came with never so good Tidings if we knew they came without lawful Commission Vse 1. Information in two things that the Ministry is an Office and a standing Office 1. The Ministry is an Office not a Work of Charity which every one must perform there must be fit Persons sent therefore it is said Acts 10.41 that Christ appeared Not to all the People but unto Witnesses chosen before of God whom he commanded to preach unto the People Therefore he that cannot say he is chosen of God for this work must not take this honour upon him lest he run before he be sent and so they do but prattle not preach for Preaching is an Ordinance So the Lord said to Ananias concerning Paul Acts 9.15 He is a chosen Vessel before me to bear my Name before the Gentiles and Kings and the Children of Israel He is called a chosen Vessel not in regard of Eternal Election but in regard of Designation to the Work of the Gospel Every one is bound by the Law of Charity to use his Gifts to the edification of others but still in a regular way A King hath many Subjects but all his Subjects are not Courtiers and special Servants All Members of the Church are Subjects of Christ's Kingdom but all are not Officers for these are chosen Members 2. That the Ministry is a standing Office When Christ was about to depart then he sendeth Apostles with a Promise that he would be with them to the end of the World He sendeth them that they may send others and so continue the Succession So that the Apostles are not only sent by Christ but the Ministers of the Gospel virtually being sent by Christ's Deputies as they are the King's Officers that are not only immediately created by the King but by his Power Still God hath ever had an ordinary standing Ministry in the Church In the Old Testament there were not only Prophets that were immediately called to deliver God's Message and to write Scripture but an ordinary Ministry to open the Law and the Prophets and to preserve Knowledg in the Church Mat. 2.6 7. The Law of the Truth was in his Mouth and Iniquity was not found in his Lips c. For the Priest's Lips should keep Knowledg and they should seek the Law at his Mouth for he is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts Therefore the ordinary Levites are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teachers of the Law In the New Testament Christ gave not only Apostles to write Scripture but Pastors and Teachers to open Scripture Ephes. 4.11 He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists ad some Pastors and Teachers The Bible is not enough for your Edification without this Institution the same Christ that instituted Apostles to write Scripture instituted Pastors and Teachers to open and apply Scripture This is always necessary tho Religion be never so throughly planted in a Nation for we need continual Remembranceâ—s And the end of Preaching is not only to learn what we knew not before but that we may have Spiritual Things always before our Eyes and in the view and consideration of Conscience and that the Heart be always kept lively and soft and tender by the frequent droppings of the Word and that we may receive new Influences of Grace in God's Way Yea for Nations how soon would they degenerate without a Monitor and standing Ministry and all Things would be wrapt up in Error and Darkness This was the first occasion of Idolatry among the Nations when their Monitors ceased and Religion began to be confined to a few Families Experience will best shew the necessity of such a standing Office in the Church Vse 2. Reproof of those that invade the Minister's Office and of those that countenance them Jude says of them They perished in the gainsaying of Corah Jude 11. God's Judgments will overtake them Corah's Sin was levelling of Offices in the Church All the Lord's People are holy why should any take a special Office
delighteth in us It is his Image makes us amiable and therefore we should make it our great desire and care to be as Holy as may be 3. Much of our Everlasting Blessedness lieth in it Ephes. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be Holy and without Blemish 4. It is a great part of our Salvation by Christ. Mat. 1.21 Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins Acts 3.26 Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities 5. It is a means to the rest Communion with God and Christ here 1 John 1.6 7. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not the Truth But if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another And everlasting Fruition of God hereafter Acts 26.18 That they may receive forgiveness of Sins and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me Heb. 12.14 Without Holiness no Man shall see God 7. It sheweth us who are partakers of the Benefits and Fruits of Christ's Death Heb. 2.11 For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one â—â—erefore he is not ashamed to call them Brethren Heb. 10.14 For by one Offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified perfected but by degrees The Elect themselves whilst they are unconverted and remain in their Sins have not the actual Benefit of Christ's Redemption our dying Lord had an actual Intention in due time to sanctify and accordingly doth regenerate justify sanctify all those who shall have benefit by his Death But who are the Sanctified It is to be considered Positively and Relatively Positively It is to be renewed to God's Image Titus 3.5 He saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.4 That by these we might be made partakers of the Divine Nature This is the great Work of the Sanctifying Spirit to make us like God and to work in us those Graces whereby we may be qualified and enclined to live to him Relatively to be sanctified is to be separated from a common to an holy Relation and Use. This is seen in three things Inclination Dedication and Use. 1. Inclination towards God This is the immediate Fruit of Grace called Conversion or turning to God the New Nature tendeth and bendeth to him 2. Dedication 2 Cor. 8.5 They first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the Will of God Rom. 6.13 Yield your selves unto God as those that are alive from the Dead and your Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God This is in entring into Covenant with God 3. Use is nothing but the exercise of this Disposition and Inclination called Living to God or performance of this Dedication 1 Cor. 6.19 20. What know ye not that your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own But ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your Bodies and Souls which are the Lords Zech. 14.20 In that day shall there be upon the Bells of the Horses HOLINESS TO THE LORD By the latter there is a difference between us and others 1 John 5.19 And we know that we are of God and the whole World lieth in Wickedness And between us and our selves 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are justified but ye are sanctified in the Name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God This must be more explicite every day Vse 2. Direction in the Lord's Supper Here we come to remember Christ's Sacrifice and to interest our selves in the Fruits of it 1. To remember Christ's Sacrifice As the Elements are set apart for an Holy Use so was Christ sanctified All Sacraments represent Christ dead Baptism We are baptized into his Death Rom. 6.3 In the Lord's Supper We shew forth his Death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 his Body was broken his Blood shed Christ would institute a Representation of his Humiliation rather than of his Glory to represent his Love to us it was for our sakes rather than his own Honour to represent what concerned us 2. To interest our selves in the Fruits of it Look after the Fruits of it 1. Bewailing your Unholiness both in Heart and Life that you were so long trained up in the Knowledg of Christ's Truth and did so little love God and live to him that God hath opened a Fountain for Sin and for Uncleanness and you are no more cleansed to this very day and have gotten so little of the sanctifying Spirit as if you were Strangers in Israel 2. Hunger and thirst for this Grace his renewing as well as reconciling Grace Mat. 5.6 Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled Desire it earnestly 3. Lift up your Hearts with Confidence and Hope when the Sacrifice of Christ is represented to you because God hath accepted this Sacrifice and is well-pleased with it Isa. 53.4 5. Surely he hath born our Griefs and carried our Sorrows yet we did esteem him stricken smitten of God and afflicted For he was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our Iniquities the Chastisement of our Peace was upon him and with his Stripes are we healed We have no Reason to despair of the Cure that Holy Spirit who sanctified our Head who had no Sin by preventing Sin in his Conception and anointed him to his Office is able to inlighten convert sanctify us also 4. Praise him for so much Grace as you have received that he hath inclined your Hearts to his Blessed Self 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead at least that he made you serious 5 Dedicate your selves to God to walk before him in all new Obedience Rom. 12.1 I beseech you therefore Brethren by the Mercies of God that ye present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable to God which is your reasonable Service SERMON XXXIV JOHN XVII 20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their Word HERE Christ inlargeth the Object of his Prayers which is propounded First Negatively Secondly Positively First Negatively by which the Restraint is taken off Which sheweth 1. Christ's Love He had a care of us before we were yet in being and able to apply these Comforts to our selves We were provided for before we were born there is a stock of Prayers laid up in Heaven Christ as God foresaw that the Gospel would prevail notwithstanding the World's hatred
Blood the Stomach the Meat the Liver imparts Blood to the Veins and the Stomach sends the Food abroad into its proper Vessels and Channels So God's Children impart their spiritual or temporal Gifts as the Body needeth When a Famine was but prophesied the Disciples thought of sending relief according to their ability to the Brethren of Judea Acts 11.29 It is never right but when there is this forwardness to distribute and communicate according to the Necessities of the Body II. Why Christ valueth it so much as to make it his only Request for Believers in the present State I answer We can never be happy till we have a share in this Union 1. Because God hath instituted the Mystical Union to be a means to convey all Grace to us Grace to us here and Glory hereafter we receive all from God in it and by it Christ without us doth not save us but Christ in us Christ without us is a perfect Saviour but not to you the Appropriation is by Union Generally we think we shall be saved by a Christ without us He came down from Heaven took our Nature died for Sinners ascended up into Heaven again there he maketh Intercession all this is without us Do not say there is a Saviour in Heaven is there one in thy Heart Col. 1.27 Christ in you the Hope of Glory He doth not say Christ in Heaven the Hope of Glory though that is a Fountain of Comfort but Christ in you 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Whatsoever is imputed or imparted Light Life Grace Glory it is still in him Still look to Christ within you It were a merry World to carnal Men to be saved by a Christ without them Christ without establisheth the Merit but Christ within maketh Application 2 Cor. 13.5 Know ye not your own selves how that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Unless first or last he be in you though disallowed for the present he will be of no advantage to you You have nothing to shew till you feel Christ within you All the Acts of his Mediation must be acted over again in the Heart His Birth he must be born and formed in us Gal. 4.19 My little Children of whom I travel in Birth again until Christ be formed in you His Death Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death His Resurrection Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those Things that are above His Ascension Eph. 2.6 And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus His Intercession Rom. 8.26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered The Acts without us do us no good unless we have the Copy of them in our own Hearts 2. It is the Ground of that Exchange that is between Christ and us we communicate to him our Nature our Sins and Troubles and Christ communicateth to us his Nature and Merits and Priviledges What hath Christ from thee thy Nature thy Sins thy Punishments thy Wrath thy Curse thy Shame and thou hast his Titles his Nature his Spirit his Priviledges All this Interchange between us and Christ is by virtue of Union All Interestsly in common between Christ and the Church he taketh our Nature and is made Flesh and we are made Partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 He is made the Son of Man we the Sons of God He had a Mother on Earth we a Father in Heaven He is made Sin we Righteousness 2 Cor. 5.21 Who hath made him to be Sin for us that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him He was made a Curse that we might have the Blessing of Abraham Gal. 3.13 14. Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree That the Blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. Thus he imparteth his Priviledges to us and assumeth our Miseries to himself he hath a share in all our Sorrows and we have a share in his Triumphs he is afflicted in our Afflictions as we ascend in his Ascension Eph. 2.6 He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus We live by his Life Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me c. And we are glorified by his Glory He suffereth with us in Heaven and we reign with him on Earth He suffereth with us non per Passionem sed Compassionem not that glorified Christ feeleth any Grief in Heaven but his Bowels yearn to an afflicted Member as if he himself were in our stead and we are sat down with him in heavenly Places because our Head is there and hath seized upon Heaven in our Right It is a notable Expression Col. 1.24 Who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which is behind of the Sufferings of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Christ and the Church are considered as one Person whose Afflictions are determined by Providence thus much the Head must suffer thus much the Members Christ suffered his share and we ours in our turn In short Christ suffereth no more in the Body that he carried to Heaven but in his Body that he left upon Earth every Blow that lighteth on a Member lighteth on his Heart Acts 9.6 Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Christ was in Heaven at that time how could he say why persecutest thou me did he climb up into Heaven and war upon Christ in the midst of his Glory No Saul persecuted the Christians and them Christ calleth me his mystical Body As in a Throng if some Body treadeth upon your Foot the Tongue crieth out You have hurt me the Tongue is in safety but it is in the same Body with the Foot and so their Good and Bad are common For though Christ's Person be above abuse he still suffereth in his Members and he that persecuteth the Church persecuteth Jesus Christ. 3. If once interessed in the mystical Union then they are safe preserved in Jesus Christ Jude 1. Sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ. Verse 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling c. The Union is indissoluble that is a Cabinet where God's Jewels are kept safe If a Member could be lost Christ's Body could be maimed As the Union between the two Natures could not be dissolved it was the Body of Christ in the Grave there was a Separation between his humane Body and humane Soul yet both still remained united to the Divine Nature so this Union cannot be dissolved You may
the chief Object and Center of our Rest Otherwise we are troubled with divers Cares Fears and Desires Thus Grace worketh upon us But the distance lieth not only on our part but God's Before God and the Creature can be brought together Justice must be satisfied Christ came to restore us to our Primitive Condition 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself The Merit of Christ bringeth God to us and the Spirit of Christ bringeth us to God It is as necessary Christ should be united to us as we to God 5. Our Happiness in God is compleated by degrees In this Life the Foundation is laid we are reconciled to him upon Earth But the compleat fruition we have in Heaven there we are fully made perfect in one Here there is weakness in our Reconciliation we do not cleave to him without distraction there are many goings a whoring and wandring from God after our return to him And here on God's part our Punishment is continued in part God helpeth us by Means at second and third Hand We need many Creatures and cannot be happy without them we need Light Meat Cloaths House Our Life is patched up by Supplies from the Creature But there God is all and in all 1 Cor. 15.28 We find in God whatever is necessary for us without Means and outward Helps There God is all and in all he is our House Cloaths Meat Ordinances We have all immediately from God and in all all are made perfect in one We cannot possess any Thing in the World except we encroach upon one anothers Happiness Worldly Things cannot be divided without lessening and we take that from others which we possess our selves Envy sheweth the narrowness of our Comforts But there the Happiness of one is no hindrance to another all are gratified and none miserable As the Sun is a common Privilege none have less because others have more All possess God as their Happiness without Want and Jealousy Vse If to be drawn into Unity and Oneness with God be our Happiness and Perfection then take heed of two Things 1. Of Sin which divides God from you 2. Of doting upon the Creatures which withdraweth you from God 1. Of Sin which maketh God stand at a distance from you Isa. 59.2 Your Iniquities have separated between you and your God and your Sins have hid his Face from you As long as Sin remaineth in full Power there cannot be any Union at all What Communion hath Light with Darkness And the more it is allowed the more it hindreth the Perfection of the Union What is the Reason we do not fully grow up to be one with God in this Life that our Communion with him is so small Sin is in the way the less Holy you are the less you have of this Happiness such unspeakable Joys lively Influences of Grace and immediate Supplies from Heaven In bitter Afflictions we have most Communion with God many times that is nothing so evil as Sin as Afflictions abound so do our Comforts 2. Of doting upon the Creatures which withdraweth your Heart from God The more the Heart is withdrawn from God the more miserable Let the Object be never so pleasing it is an Act of Spiritual Whoredom Sin is Poyson Creatures are not Bread Isa. 55.2 Why do you spend your Mony upon that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not It cannot yield any solid Contentment to the Soul These things are short uncertain things beneath the Dignity of the Soul there is a Restlesness within our selves and Envy towards others they are not enough for us and them too Not for us if enough for the Heart not for the Conscience If God do but arm our own Thoughts against us as usually he doth when the Affections are satisfied with the World he will shew you that the whole Soul is not satisfied therefore he awakeneth Conscience As Children catch at Butterflies the gawdy Wings melt away in their Fingers and there remaineth nothing but an ugly Worm Desertion is occasioned by nothing so much as Carnal Complacency Many times the Object of our Desires is blasted but if not God awakeneth Conscience and all the World will not allay one Pang You may understand this Oneness with respect to our Fellow-Members and so you may understand it jointly of the compleatness of the whole Mystical Body or singly of the strength of that brotherly Affection each Member hath to another There is a double Imperfection for the present in the Church every Member is not gathered and those that are gathered are not come to their perfect growth So that let them be perfect in one is that the whole Body may attain to the integrity of Parts and Degrees First Let us take it Collectively that they may all be gathered together into a perfect Body and no Joints lacking Observe That all the Saints of all Places and all Ages make but one perfect Body In this sense the glorified Saints are not perfect without us Heb. 11.40 God having promised some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect It is no derogation for Christ is not perfect without us The Church is called the Fulness of him that filleth all in all Ephes. 1.23 They are as to their Persons perfect free from Sin and Misery made perfect in Holiness and Glory but not as to their Church-Relation So Ephes. 4.13 Till we all come to the Vnity of the Faith and of the Knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ. All the Body must be made up that Christ Mystical may be compleat Now there are some Joints lacking all the Elect are not gathered Vse 1. See the Honour that is put upon the Saints The Saints on Earth and the Saints in Heaven make but one Family Ephes. 3.15 Of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named In a great House there are many Rooms and Lodgings some Above some Below but they make but one House So of Saints some are Militant some Triumphant and yet all make but one Assembly and Congregation Heb. 12.23 We are come to the General Assembly and Church of the First-Born which are written in Heaven we upon Earth are come to them Our Christ is the same we are acted by the same Spirit governed by the same Head and shall be conducted to the same Glory As in the State of Grace some are before us in Christ so some are in Heaven before us their Faces once as black as yours We have the same Ground to expect Heaven only they are already entred Vse 2. It is a ground of Hope we shall all meet together in one Assembly Psal. 1. 5. The Vngodly shall not stand in the Judgment nor Sinners in the Congregation of the Righteous Now the Saints are scattered up and down where they may be most useful then all shall be gathered together
concerning his Essence and Will Psal. 138.2 Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name there he hath made himself most known In Creation and Providence we may read much of God but in the Bible more and chiefly his Word of Promise and Covenant which is that Theater upon which his Mercy and Truth is discovered which is the Representation wherein God delighteth And again the Covenant as it is revealed in the Gospel is a chief part of his Name for his Name was secret before the New-Testament-Dispensation was set afoot Judg. 13.18 Why askest thou thus after my Name seeing it is secreet There was little known of the Trinity of the Son of God the Incarnation of the Son of God c. 1. Point That one great Priviledg of the Gospel is to know God by his right Name 1. I shall shew you how God's Name and Title hath been often changed and altered because he would acquaint his People with his full Name by degrees Exod. 6.3 I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the Name of God Almighty but by my Name IEHOVAH was I not known to them First to Abraham to distinguish him from Idols and false Gods El Shaddai then Jehovah as giving Being to his People making good his Promises after God of Abraham God of Isaac and God of Jacob as relating more to the Covenant then God that brought them out of the Land of Egypt Exod. 20.2 then God that brought them out of the Land of the North then the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ before that The Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 The Jewish Church knew little of the Doctrine of the Trinity distinction of the Persons quality of the Mediator God proclaimed his Name Exod. 34.6 7. The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in Goodness and Truth keeping Mercy for thousands forgiving Iniquity and Transgression and Sin but the way of Pardon was not then so fully discovered Some Names God hath from Everlasting as Eternal Infinite some relate to the present State as Creator Lord God in Covenant the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 2. What the Gospel especially doth discover more of God 1. The Distinction of the Persons in the Godhead At the Baptism of Christ the whole Trinity was sensibly present the Son in the Body the Father in the Voice and the Holy Ghost in the form of a Dove This was the Mystery brought upon the Stage 2. The Incarnation of Christ 1 Tim. 3.16 God manifest in the Flesh. The World was acquainted with this great help to Piety The Jews had a Temple here is a Temple wherein the Godhead dwelleth bodily Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily 3. The Attributes of God are more amply declared Every Excellency of God hath its proper Theater where it is seen In the Gospel all are discovered but chiefly Mercy Justice and Truth His Power and his Wisdom are seen in the World but more in the Gospel the Heavens do not declare half so much of the Glory of God as the Word and Doctrine which Christ brought out of the Father's Bosom 1 Cor. 1.24 Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God There is Truth 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the Promises of God in him are Yea and in him Amen The greatest Assurance of his Faithfulness was his sending Christ that which we expect is nothing so difficult to believe as the Incarnation of the Son of God his second coming is not so unlikely as his first if he came to Suffer and to Purchase he will come to Reign His Wisdom in joining God and Man together in the Person of Christ Justice and Mercy together Comfort and Duty together in the Covenant of Grace two Natures two Attributes God loseth no Honour Man wanteth no Encouragement God sheweth his Justice Rom. 3.26 To declare I say at this time his Righteousness that he might be Just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus While the Sacrifices continued God only shewed Patience and Forbearance His Holiness and Hatred of Sin by laying it on Christ punishing it in Christ. His Wrath the most dreadful sight of God's Wrath is upon Golgotha God spared not his Son But his Grace that was on the top Tit. 3.4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards Man appeared This is the Attribute that beareth sway in the Gospel Mercy is in Office ever since the Fall there was not so much Kindness to Man discovered in Innocency God did good to a good Man there was no Mercy to Enemies then there Man was made after God's Image here God is made after our Image and Likeness Mercy and Grace comes now to shew it self to the World Vse Let us admire and study more the Name of God in the Gospel The first Letter of Christ's Name is Wonderful He is a Mystery that is worthy our Contemplation The Angels have known more of God since Christ was revealed Eph. 3.10 To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God Let it take up your Thoughts set your Minds awork Heb. 3.1 Wherefore Holy Brethren partakers of the Heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ. There cannot be a more affective humbling and Heart-changing Consideration 2. Point That none can discover this Name of God but Christ none Authoritatively none perfectly 1. None Authoritatively can fix his Name by which he shall be known among the Creatures The imposition of Names implieth Superiority the less is named of the greater Adam had this favour to name the Beasts as having Authority over them Gen. 2.19 20. And out of the Ground the Lord formed every Beast of the Field and every Fowl of the Air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them and whatsoever Adam called every Living Creature that was the Name thereof And Adam gave Names to all Cattel and to the Fowl of the Air and to every Beast of the Field Now God is over all there is no higher to name him therefore he nameth himself Jesus Christ who is the very Image of God he cometh and declareth his Name My Name is in him Exod. 23.21 He is God and therefore Authoritatively fixeth the Name of God establisheth the Gospel as the Rule and Direction of the Church 2. None can so perfectly discover him Our Hearts are too narrow to conceive of God and our Tongues too weak to express him Prov. 30.4 What is his Name and what is his Son's Name if thou canst tell Who knoweth his Pedigree exactly Who knoweth his Being Who hath been in his Bosom to discover him so as Christ hath done we must have a borrowed Light to see him Vse 1. Sit down with this Revelation which Christ hath left in the Church there is enough to instruct Faith tho not to satisfy
very first Fruits of the Spirit and he gives it as a Pledg of more Grace to follow That the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them In the whole Verse Christ sheweth what he had done what he would do and with what Aim His End was two-fold to make way for Application of God's Love and his own Presence as a Vital Principle in their Hearts God's Love and Union with Himself I shall speak now of the first Whence Observe That one great End why God's Name is manifested in the Gospel is that his Love may be in us I. I shall inquire What it is to have his Love in us I shall give you several Observations upon the Phrase 1. Observe That the Love c. He doth not say that they may have Pardon Sanctification or Grace or Comfort in them but Love in them Obs. God's Love in Christ is the ground of all other Favours and Graces whatsoever The Spring of all is Love and the Conveyance is by Union which containeth two Truths 1. That all the Goodness that is in us cometh from the Love of God in Christ. We are loved into Holiness loved into Pardon loved into Grace Isa. 38.17 Thou hast in love to my Soul delivered it from the Pit of Corruption or thou hast loved me from the Pit He loved his Church and sanctified it Ephes. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word Rev. 1.5 To him that loved us and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood Our Holiness is not the Cause of Love but the Fruit and Effect of it There can be no other Reason for any thing we receive So 2 Thess. 2.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting Consolation and good Hope through Grace c. There was no other cause there could be no other cause not necessity of Nature moral Rule or any former Merit and Kindness Not necessity of Nature God hath always the same Love Not bound by any external Law and Rule Who can prescribe to him Not by any Merit or Debt because of the Eternity of his Love antecedent to all Acts of the Creature There should be no other Reason for the Honour and Majesty of God and our Comfort 2. That we have not only the Blessings and Benefits but the Love it self 1 John 3.1 Behold what manner of Love is this that the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! not shewed us but bestowed upon us We have Blessings from his Heart as well as his Hand by his Blessings in us his Love is in us we may gather thence that we are beloved of God and no Benefit is to be valued unless God's Love be in it What good will the possession of all things do us if we have not God himself The Love is more to be valued than the Gift whatever it be God giveth this Love to none but special Friends he giveth his outward Love to Enemies He accepteth not our Duties unless our Hearts be in them and our Love be in them so we should not be satisfied till we can see Love in the Blessings that we receive from God that they come from his Heart as well as his Hand There are Chastisements in Love and Blessings given in Anger salted with a Curse 2. Observe That the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them He had before said Thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me now let this Love be in them The Love of God is sometimes said to be in Christ sometimes in us Sometimes in Christ Rom. 8.39 Nor height nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Sometimes in us 1 John 4.9 In this was manifested the Love of Christ towards us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him We are the Objects and Christ is the Ground To make it sure it is in Christ and to make it sweet and comfortable it is in us God doth not love us in our selves out of Christ there would be no ground and reason for his Love but in Christ and there is an eternal Cause and Reason why he should love us 3. Observe There is a Love of God towards us and a Love of God in us So Zanchy citing this Text. His Love erga nos towards us is from all Eternity his Love in nobis in us is in time These differ there was a Love of God towards us so he loved us in Christ before the Foundation of the World tho we knew it not felt it not But now this Love beginneth to be in us when we receive the Effects of it and God breaketh open the Sealed Fountain 1 John 4.16 And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us And therefore it must be distinguished God's Love from Everlasting was in Purpose and Decree not actual Rom. 9.11 That the purpose of God according to Election might stand So Ephes. 1.11 Being predestinated according to the purpose of him that worketh all things after the Counsel of his Will We are loved from Eternity but not justified from Eternity Certainly the Elect are in a different condition before and after Calling 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Secret Things belong to God but revealed Things to us Whatever Thoughts God hath towards us yet we know it not till his Love be in us We are to judg of our Estates according to the Law It is true God is resolved not to prosecute his right against a Sinner that is Elect but he is not actually acquitted from the Sentence of the Law till he actually believeth We are not qualified to receive a legal discharge from the condemnation of the Law till we be actually in Christ Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus And whatever God's Purposes may be towards us we cannot but look upon our selves as under a Sentence of Condemnation and Children of Wrath Eph. 2.3 that is the misery of our present Estate Before we know God as a Father in Chris◠the Love of God is towards us but not in us 4. Observe again God's Love is in us two ways in the Effects and in the Sense and Feeling These must be also distinguished for God's Love may be in us in regard of the Effects when it is not in us in regard of Sense and Feeling It is in us in the Effects of it at Conversion as soon as we begin to live in Christ. Where Christ liveth and dwelleth in us by Faith the
is Love in them It is the common Error of the World to be led with false Evidences Many think God loveth them because he spareth them and followeth them with long-suffering and patience and maketh them thrive in the World and blesseth them with the increase and fatness of an outward Portion Ay but Love and Hatred cannot be known by the things that are without us it must be something within us must discover it Eccles. 9.2 All things come alike to all Some are fatted to Destruction and condemned to worldly Felicity God will give them enough Jer. 17.13 All that forsake thee shall be ashamed and they that depart from me shall be written in the Earth because they have forsaken the Lord the Fountain of Living Waters Worldly Happiness may be God's Curse they shall be written in the Earth they shall have Happiness here that have none hereafter On the other hand there are some whose Names are written in Heaven and tho they have little of outward Comforts yet that is matter of Joy Luke 9.20 Rather rejoice because your Names are written in Heaven We must have a better Evidence than things without us before we can see our Names in those eternal Records and be assured that God loves us When God only gives things without you it is a sign you are only hired Servants You have your Reward and are satisfied and when you die your best Days are at an end there is no Inheritance kept for you as Abraham gave Ishmael and the rest of the Sons of the Concubines Gifts and Portions but he reserved the Inheritance for Isaac This is so far from an Evidence of Love that it is rather a sign of Hatred if your Hearts are herewith satisfied Nay as it excludes and cuts off all outward things so it cuts off all outward Profession as Baptism and Hearing of the Word For where the Heart is not washed Baptism is but the Monument of your unfaithfulness and breach of Vows And so for Hearing of the Word it is but like Vriah's Letters he thought they contained Matter of Preferment but when opened they contained Matter of Danger for he was to be set in the Fore-front of the Battel to be destroyed So when you think to come to God with these pleasing Excuses it is Matter of Condemnation because you have heard so much and profited nothing Here is no Evidence without you of the Love of God 2. Things within are excluded There are some Moral Inclinations meer Instincts of Nature which God hath left in Men out of his common bounty and pity to Humane Society Rom. 2.14 15. For when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by Nature the Things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves Which shew the Work of the Law written in their Hearts These Moral Inclinations by which we avoid gross Sins are not an Evidence of God's Love Again there are Gifts for the use of the Body Hypocrites may have a great share in them Achitophel and Saul had excellent Gifts but this is not an Evidence of God's Love How did God love Christ Herein was a great Evidence of God's Love to Christ he loved him and gave the Spirit to him without measure John 3.33 34. So we know his Love by his Spirit that he hath given to us to witness our Justification and to work our Sanctification The Gift of the Spirit we may know by his Witness and by his Work 1. His Witness Hast thou a full Testimony of thy Adoption Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God It is such a certainty as ariseth from Gospel-Grounds working Joy and Peace stirring up to Thankfulness and Love to God which you have in God's way by praying reading hearing meditating I confess there is something lower that may be called the Witness of the Spirit There are Expressions and Impressions Have you not some secret Impressions of Confidence and Liberty in Prayer and Resolutions to wait upon God Doth he not stir you up to cry Abba Father put you upon often calling upon God and waiting upon God There is something in your Heart that carries you to God These Impressions are a kind of Witness and Testimony of the Spirit tho you have not those actual Testimonies of God's Favour 2. His Work Have you the Work of the Spirit what is that The Work of the Spirit is to sanctify and cleanse Ephes. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it It is the greatest sign of God's Anger and Wrath that can be to live and die under the Power of Sin not to be sanctified not to be cleansed not to be washed from Sin And therefore are you sanctified cleansed and washed Rev. 1.5 To him that loved us and washed us from our Sins in his Blood Is there any care of Obedience stirred up in your Hearts The Spirit will cause us to grow in Obedience John 14.23 If a Man love me he will keep my Words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him 3. There is one thing more in the Expression that the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and that is If God love thee thou canst not but love him again 1 John 4.16 For we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us God is Love and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him If thou lovest God his People his Ordinances and delightest in Communion with him his Love is in thee These are the Fruits and Effects of it Vse 3. To press us to labour after the Sense of his Love We should go to Heaven as comfortably and as richly as we can not only creep thither but labour after an abundant Entrance 2 Pet. 1.12 Tho it is not always our Sin to want it yet it is our Duty to strive after this Sense of God's Love in us The Sense of God's Love it is the Flame of Faith Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the Life which I live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me It is the ground of our Love to him again 1 John 4.19 We love him because he first loved us The more full and direct the Beams are cast upon any solid Body the stronger the Reflexion It is the Life of Joy that which inlargeth our Hearts in Thankfulness It is our Stay in Afflictions and our Strength in Duties especially in Prayer How can we call God Father unless in Custom and Hypocrisy except we have some sense of our Adoption Therefore labour after the Sense of his Love that it may be in you SERMON XLV JOHN XVII 26 And I have declared unto them thy Name and will declare it that the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may
effects of the World's Conviction Page 314 Why Christ prays so earnestly for it Page 315 God honoured hereby Page 315 The advantage of it to the Elect. Page 316 It lessons and increases the World's Iudgment and how Page 317 Arguments to press Christians so to live as to convince the World Page 321 God would have the World convinced of his Love to his People Page 347 Reasons of it Page 348 How the World should be thus convinced Page 347 Convictions not to be slighted nor rested in Page 318 319 How we may know whether we are convinced only or converted Page 319 Covenant of Redemption the terms of it Page 77 What was proposed by the Father in it Page 155 What Christ undertook Page 156 Covetousness one of Judas's Sins Page 174 The evil of the Sin Page 177 To be avoided Page 177 Creatures discover God Page 28 33 Doting upon the Creatures withdraw the Heart from God Page 335 D. DAnger cannot be withstood by us in our own Strength Page 171 Christ apprehensive of the Danger of his People in this World Page 133 Reasons of it his Interest Love Charge Experience Page 133 Comfort from hence Page 136 Death desire of Death vid. Desire Death of Christ Christ died to promote Vnity among Christians Page 1â—â— Why the Death of Christ hath so little Effect upon us Page 291 Decay of the Power of Godliness brings trouble on the Church Page 195 Delight excessive in worldly things shews a worldly Heart Page 209 Desires show the temper of the Soul Page 208 Desire of Death whether lawful and what Desires are so Page 212 213 Difference between serious and passionate Desire of Death Page 213 Carnal Desires of Death whence they arise Page 212 Believers must be willing to dye Page 354 Despair one of Judas's Sin Page 175 To be avoided Page 178 Devil the great Author of the Troubles of the Church Page 201 219. Difference in course of Life provokes wicked Men especially Difference in Religion Page 200 Difference between Believers and Men of the World in their Principles Rule Conversation End Aims Page 204 Disrespect of the World not to be regarded and why Page 225 Hard to be digested Page 224 The best way to digest it is to consider Christ's Example Page 225 Distraction of Man's Thoughts after the Fall Page 333 This continueth till we return to God Page 334 Divisions in the Church how they arise Page 163 The mischief of them Page 165 166 They bring on Trouble Page 194 They that promote them contrary to Christ. Page 164 Who are guilty of this Sin Page 165 Doctrines of the Word shew it to be from God Page 260 Doctrines Christian vid. Christian. E. ELect none of them can be lost Page 173 Election a special Priviledg Page 66 Not for foreseen Faith good Works or Perseverance Page 364 Original and actual what Page 71 Election of Ministers the Peoples Right Page 273 End a Man is as his End is Page 55 Enjoying no enjoying God without Christ. Page 30 Envy of others worldly Happiness shews a worldly Heart Page 209 Wicked Men envy the Good in others Page 201 Error makes way for Looseness Page 232 Esteem of the World discovers a worldly Heart Page 208 Eternal State the Foundation of it laid in this Life Page 370 Evil Satan hath an Hand in the Evil that befals God's Church and People Page 219 Example of Christ the heavenliness of it Page 206 The Courage of it Page 206 Experience Christ hath Experience of his Peples Sufferings Page 134 F. FAith various Expressions by which it is set-forth in Scripture Page 391 The Nature of it Page 90 95. Difference between true Faith and counterfeit Page 93 The Acts of Faith Page 296 297 In Faith Assent Consent and Trust. Page 93 The Office of Faith to accept Christ and present him in Prayer Page 115 The Object of Faith Page 85 97 296 The Word vid. Receiving the Word Christ vid. Receiving Christ. Three things concur to the working of it the Light of the Spirit external Revelation and the use of fit Instruments Page 84 The Word the means to work Faith Page 88 The necessity use and power of the Word to work Faith Page 298 299 Why God useth the Word to this end Page 299 Incouragements to Faith Page 295 The Excellency of Faith Page 296 How it sanctifies Page 234 Faith a help to Ioy. Page 189 Faith cannot be without Knowledg Page 90 What a kind of Light the Light of Faith is Page 91 In the Knowledg of Faith there is undoubted Certainty Page 90 The work of Faith when we cannot apply Christ. Page 298 The Faith of the Apostles work yet by Christ commended to the Father Page 97 Faithfulness to our Charge recommended Page 67 Of Christ to his Father Page 83 Fall into Sin why God sometimes leaves his People to fall into Sin Page 218 What falls into Sin are inconsistent with Grace Page 148 Belivers not to be discouraged by every Fall into Sin Page 147 Father a Comfort in Prayer to call God Father Page 6 How to carry our selves in Afflictions towards God as a Father Page 7 God the Father chiefly offended by Sin Page 86 263 And he the supream Iudg. Page 86 264 Fear of want discovers a worldly Heart Page 208 Filth of Sin our Filthiness by Nature Page 291 Nothing can cleanse us but the Blood of Christ. Page 291 Finishing what Christ's finishing his Work signifies Page 47 G. GEntleness of Christ in bearing with his Peoples failings Page 80 85. Gift the Privileges of the human Nature a Gift Page 48 Work it self a Gift Page ibid. Gifts are fading Page 148 Wicked Mens Gifts useful to the Church Page 316 Given how Christ had given to his Disciples the Word of God Page 191 Given to Christ who are given to Christ. Page 21 76 153 351. None given to Christ but they that are the Fathers vid. Commensurable Page 72 107 109. Why God gave the Elect to Christ. Page 77 How Belivers given to Christ. By way of Charge vid. Charge Page 21 72 154 156 351. By way of Reward Page 21 72.154 155 351. How shall we knowwe are given to Christ. Page 159 351 Being given to Christ a ground of Consolation and Establishment to the Elect. Page 154 How it is such a ground of Establishment Page 158 Glory the fruit of Vnion as well as Grace Page 326 Shame the way to Glory Page 10 Christ in his last Will and Testament gives Glory to his People Page 350 The Glory that is given by Christ we have as sure as if in the Possession of it Page 322 The freeness of Grace in giving us Glory Page 349 Looking to future Glory a remedy in Tribulation Page 10 Glory of God much advanced by Iesus Christ. Page 11 Glory of Christ's Person what it is Page 358 What the Glory was Christ prayed for Page 9 61 Why Christ begged it of the Father Page 58 Why he was so earnest for
Isa. 58.5 They afflict the soul for a day or bow down the head like a bulrush and so in the external actions of other Duties That this deceit may be more strong they exceed in outward Observances and that produceth Superstition or some by-Laws of our own by which we hope to expiate our sins as to whip and gash our selves Micah 6.6 7. Wherewithal shall I come before the Lord and â—ow my self before the high God shall I come before him with burnt-offerings with calves of a year old Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oyl shall I give my first-born for my transgression the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul On the other side if mens Tempers Education and strain of Religion carry them to another way and they are all for the Grace of the Gospel without the Rudiments of men the Devil knows how to charm and lull Souls asleep in sin by that way of Profession also and so many take liberty to sin under the pretence that God may have more occasion to exercise his mercy and our proneness to please the flesh is countenanced by presumptions of Grace and the supposition of unreasonable Indulgences of God to the faulty Creature Psal. 50.21 These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thy self God will not be so severe as is commonly imagined and so lessening Gods Holiness they abate their Reverence of him Psal. 68.19 20 21. Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits even the God of our salvation Selah He that is our God is the God of salvation and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death But God shall wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses He seeketh to obviate their conceit how great soever the riches of his Bounty and Grace offered in Christ be yet he is irreconcileable to those that cease not to follow a course of sin 3. This conceit is strengthened in us because many that profess Christianity live licentiously All sins propagate their kind and among others abuse of Grace we see others have great hopes and confidence in Christ notwithstanding their carnal and worldly course of living and self-love prompteth us that we may hope to fare as well as they and so we leaven one another with a dead loose carnal sort of Christianity instead of provoking each other to love and good works Heb. 10.24 Self-love is very partial and loth to think evil of our condition now this cannot be justified by the Laws of Christianity yet it is often justified by the lives of Christians after this Rule they live in the World and we think we may do as others do 4. There is another cause that is Satan who abuseth the weakness of some Teachers and the ignorance of some Hearers to misapply the Grace of the Gospel and the comforts of Justification to countenance their sins The Devil knoweth we will not receive his Doctrine in his own Name and therefore doth what he can to usurp the Name of Christ and to obtrude his Commands upon us in the Name of Christ and so conveyeth poison to you by the Perfume of the Gospel and if he can set Christ against Christ his Merits and Mercy against his Government and Spirit his Promises against his Laws Justification against Sanctification he knoweth that he obtaineth his end and purpose that the Gospel which was set up to destroy the works of the Devil will be a means to cherish his Kingdom in the World And on the Hearers part he abuseth them also carnal hearts turn all into fuel for their lusts and with the more pretence if they can alledge a Dispensation from God himself to serve and please the flesh and no harm shall come of it A little trusting in Christ shall serve the turn though they live never so impure lives I ascribe all this to Satan because all Errour is from him who is the Father of Lyes who often obtrudeth upon the simple credulity of Christians his own Gospel instead of Christ's and by a partial representation of Christs Gospel destroyeth the whole II. I come now to make good the Charge First That this inference is very unjust and ill grounded The Pretence here are those words of the Apostle in the two last verses of the former Chapter Moreover the Law entred that the offence might abound but where sin abounded grace did much more abound That as sin hath reigned unto death even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. These words yield no such consequence To evince which 1. I shall state the meaning of those words 2. Show the unjustness of this illation from them 1. For the meaning the Apostle sheweth the Law was given to the Israelites by Moses not that they might be justified thereby but that sin and punishment to which we are liable by reason of sin might the better be known and so the Grace of God in Christ which justifieth us notwithstanding the grievousness of sin might be the more esteemed and we might the more earnestly fly to it for Sanctuary and Refuge and the Curse might drive us to the Promise For there are two things which the Law discovereth 1. The multitude and hainous nature of our offences it entred that sin might abound not in our practice but in our sense and feeling as being more apparent and awakening more lively stings in our Consciences If a rugged and obstinate People sin the more that is not the fault of the Law but of our corrupt Nature which always tendeth to that which is forbidden it only took occasion from the commandment Rom. 7.8 The proper effect of the Law was to give us more convincing and clear knowledge of Duty and Sin or to be a means to aggravate sin to render it more exceedingly hainous as being against an express Law of Gods own giving with great Majesty and Terrour 2. The other use of the Law is to give us an awakening sense of the punishment due to sin as it exposes us to temporal and eternal death vers 21. and so our deliverance and life by Christ might be more thankfully accepted who by his Mercy hath taken away the condemning and reigning power of sin by granting pardon of it and power over it so that as a great and mortal disease maketh a Physician famous if he cureth it so sin maketh the Grace of Christ more conspicuous and glorious 2. The injustice of the Illation 1. There is a difference between causa per se and causa per accidens a Cause and an Occasion though the abounding of sin helpeth to advance Grace it is not of it self but by accident by Gods over-ruling Grace therefore it is a desperate Adventure to try Conlusions to drink rank Poison to experiment the goodness of an
strengthen your resolutions and increase your dependence that in these means you may meet with more incouragement then come and see what Christ will do for you 2. As to the Lords Supper your great business here is to commemorate Christs Death who is evidently set forth and as it were crucified before your eyes Now you you do not commemorate his Death as a Tragical story but as a Mystery of Godliness and therefore you are to look to the end of it which is the destruction of sin This is what man needeth this is that which God offereth 1. This is needed by man we are undone for ever if sin be not destroyed We may take up the Churches words Lament 5.11 The crown is fallen from our head we unto us that we have sinned If we had a broken hearted sense of what we have brought upon our selves by sin we would more prize our remedy we come to be saved from sin and so by consequence from Wrath and Hell and shall we be cold in such addresses to God while we have so much sin in us 2. This is offered by God His great intention of sending Christ into the World was to be a propitiation for our sins 1 Joh. 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins and therefore he set him forth in the Gospel Rom. 3.24 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood How is it offered 1. It is dearly purchased by the Death of Christ that was the price paid for our Ransom which both commendeth his Love Rom. 5.8 But God commendeth his love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us and assureth ouâ— confidence Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 2. It is freely offered Isa. 55.1 Hâ— every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price Rev. 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely These blessings come freely to you though they cost Christ dear 3. It is surely sealed and conveyed to every penitent Believer for God by Deed and Instrument reacheth out to every Believer the Body and Blood of our crucified Saviour or the benefits of Christs Death To others it is a Nullity the whole Duty is lost to them who regard iniquity in their hearts Therefore resolve without any reservation to devote your selves to God always to watch and strive against sin SERMON III. ROM VI. 4 Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life THE words are a proof that we are baptized into Christs Death the Apostle proveth it by explaining the Rites of Baptism The ancient manner of Baptism was to dip the Parties baptized and as it were to bury them under water for a while and if Baptism hath the Figure of a Burial but with an hope to rise again then it signifieth two things Christs Death and Resurrection the one directly and formally the other by consequence and our Communion with him in both Therefore we are buried with him in Baptism c. In the words the Apostle speaketh 1. Of something directly and primarily signified in Baptism We are buried with him c. 2. Of something by just consequence and inference thence That like as c. 1. That which is primarily and directly signified in Baptism We are buried with him in Baptism into his death the like expression you have Col. 2.12 Buried with him in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him The putting the baptized Person into the Water denoteth and proclaimeth the Burial of Christ and we by submitting to it are baptized with him or profess to be dead to sin for none but the dead are buried So that it signifieth Christs Death for sin and our dying unto sin You will say If the Rite hath this signification and use why is it not retained I answer Christianity lyeth not in Ceremonies the principal thing in Baptism is the washing away of sin Acts 22.16 Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins that may be done by pouring on of water as well as dipping Other things were used about Baptism then as the stripping themselves of their cloaths even to stark nakedness whence came the notions of putting off and putting on so frequently used Eph. 4.22 24. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man and Col. 3.9 10. Seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man c. Gal. 3.27 As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Now none rigorously urge the continuance of these Ceremonies as long as the substance is retained we may not quarrel about the manner 2. That which was signified with just consequence and inference is our conforming to Christs resurrection Baptism referreth to this also as a significant Emblem for the going out of the water is a kind of resurrection so it signifieth Christs Resurrection and ours Now our resurrection is double to the life of Grace spoken of here and called the first Resurrection or to the life of Glory Baptism relateth to that also 1 Cor. 15.29 else what shall they do who are baptized for the dead Baptism is a putting in and taking out of the water or a being buried with an hope to rise The former is intended here our rising to the life of Grace All this abundantly proveth that those which are dead to sin cannot live any longer therein In the latter Clause the Pattern of Christs Resurrection is first propounded then applied the Protasis the Apodosis 1. The Protasis or the Proposal of the Pattern like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father 2. The Conformity or Similitude on our part even so we should walk in newness of life 1. In the Pattern propounded you may observe two things First Christs state after his Burial he was raised up from the dead Secondly The efficient Cause by the glory of the Father that is by his glorious Power as it is explained 2 Cor. 13.4 He was crucified through weakness but he liveth by the power of God and elsewhere by the glory of God is meant his power So Joh. 11.40 If thou wouldest believe thou shouldest see the glory of God that is his Power in raising Lazarus to life The agreement to this purpose is observable of Eph. 3.16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be
of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men Avoid it pass not by it turn from it and pass away Prov. 4.14 15. Evil company is a snare Our Saviour taught us to pray Lead us not into temptation he doth not say into sin the temptation openeth the gate 3. For Praying we oftner pray from our Memories than from our Consciences or from our Consciences as inlightned rather than hearts renewed by Grace Prayer as it is the fruit of Memory and Invention is but slight and formal words said of course a Body without a Soul as dictated by Conscience it may be retracted by the Will timebam ne me exaudiret Deus Or at best they are but half desires faint wishes like Baalam's wishing which will never do good The soul of the sluggard desireth but hath nothing God never made promise that such wishes should be satisfied SERMON XV. ROM VI. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace USE 1. of Reproof to reprove 1. The security and carelesness of many that never look to the state of their hearts nor regard whether Christ reigneth or Sin reigneth or at least do not take good heed which way things tend to the greatning or increasing of Gods interest or Satans in their Souls Many count an holy jealousie or heedful watchfulness to be but Preciseness and that we make more ado than needeth and make the lives of Christians burdensom when we press them to a constant watchfulness and holy jealousie of themselves no this is no burden but a blessing Prov. 28.14 Blessed is the man that feareth always Sin gaineth upon us for want of taking heed at first They that see no need of this caution are little acquainted with the practice of Godliness or the state of their own hearts have not a due sense and apprehension of the danger of displeasing God or of their own proclivity and proneness to sin therefore live by chance and peradventure and leave themselves to be transported by their own affections to do any thing which Occasions and Temptations invite them unto Were we as sensible of the dangers of the inward as outward man we should surely stand more upon our guard and resist the first motions and tendencies towards a sin certainly we would not give such harbour and indulgence to our Corruptions as usually we do lest we nourish and foster a Viper in our own bosoms which will at length sting us to death Surely it is no wisdom to carry till the dead blow cometh an inclination to evil is best mortified at first and the longer we dally and play with a Temptation the harder will our conflict be But when may we be said to omit our Watchfulness 1. When we grow bolder with sin and the Temptations and Occasions of it and think we have so good a command of our selves and can keep within compass well enough though we cast our selves upon tempting objects and occasions unnecessarily and without a call Surely these men forget themselves and the danger of sin as if they had some special Amulet against it which the People of God had not in former times They know exactly how far they may go in every thing even to the cleaving of an hair and will not lose one jot of their liberty and seem to make a sport of it to shew how far they can go and how near the pit and not fall in They can allow themselves in all kind of liberty for lascivious Songs wanton Plays and yet look to the main chance well enough please themselves with all kind of froth and folly yea sometimes execrable filth yet never any kind of infection cometh near their hearts Alas poor deluded Creatures they that do all that they may will soon do more than they should and those that come as near a sin as possibly they can without falling into it cannot be long safe yea and they are infected already that have so little sense of the strength of sin and their own weakness I confess some are more liable to Temptations than others but yet all need watchfulness for their preservation for sin is not extirpated and rooted out of any And again when I am in my Calling I am under Gods Protection as a Subject is under the Protection of his Prince travelling in due hours on the High-way but none can presume their Knowledge is so found their Faith so strong their Hearts so good to God as to think no hurt will come when they cast themselves voluntarily upon occasions of sin 2. When you make a small maâ—ter of those Corruptions which were once so grievous even intolerable to you Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death You lose tenderness of Conscience remit of your care 3. When you content your selves with the customary use of holy Duties though you find no profit nor increase of Grace by them rather perform them as a task than use them as a means to get and increase Grace Nunquam abs to absque te recedam Lord I will never go from thee without thee Gen. 32.26 I will not let thee go except thou bless me 4. When you neglect your hearts grow strangers to them find little work to do about them Every Christian findeth work enough from day to day to get his heart quickened when it is dead inlarged when it is straitned prepared when it is indisposed to be made serious when it is vain and frothy cured when it is distempered setled when it is troubled and discomposed But sin becometh easie and Conscience becometh patient and quiet under it Surely you are not watchful and mind not your Covenant-vow 2. It reproveth those that hope to have sin subdued and kept from reigning though they never strive against it It is the striving Christian which is here encouraged those that have given up themselves to Christs conduct and to fight in his Warfare Many run of their own accord into sin others make no opposition against it now Christ undertaketh not to keep these The Captain of our Salvation only taketh charge of his own Souldiers to lead them safe to eternal Glory and Happiness others are excepted Grace received from him is of little use to us if we fight not Therefore besides watching there must be resisting This Resistance must be First Earnest and vehement such as cometh from an hatred of sin as sin The Light of Nature will rise up against many sins especially at first as sin is a disorder and inconvenience but this is but partial and soon tireth but the resistance required of Christians is such as ariseth from a constant hatred Rom. 7.15 That which I do I allow not for what I would that do I not but what I hate that do I. When Eve speaketh faintly the Devil reneweth the assult Gen. 3.3 Of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden God
his Offices John 15.26 But when the comforter is come whom I will send to you from the father even the spirit of truth that proceedeth from the father he shall testifie of me And John 16.14 He shall take of mine and glorify me He revealeth the tenor of Christs Doctrine and attests the truth of it by his gifts and graces bestowed upon the Church and to every one of us in particular by his powerful effects in our hearts Therefore 't is said We are witnesses of these things and so is the holy ghost which he hath given to them that obey Acts 5.32 Christ that taught us the Christian Religion doth work it in us by his Spirit and so doth confirm it to us and partly Because by this means all the Divine persons have their distinct work and share in our recovery to God 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore-knowledg of God the Father through the sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ. The Father concurs by Electing the Son as Purchasing the Spirit as Sanctifying and inclining us to God As the Father must not be without the Glory of his free grace nor the Son of his infinite merit so neither the Holy Ghost of his powerful and effectual application and partly also because this is agreeable to the Oeconomy or Dispensation that is observed among the Divine persons The Spirit is the effective power of God therefore he it is that causeth our life or by regeneration infuseth a new Life into us Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit into you and cause you to walk in my ways I prove it by three Arguments The first is taken from the nature of the thing it self certainly we cannot live independently without the influence of God for all Life is originally in him and from him conveyed to us and that by his Spirit In life natural 't is clear all that God did in Creation was done by his Spirit Job 26.13 By his spirit he hath garnished the Heavens his hands hath formed the crooked serpent The Spirit is the immediate worker in the Creation of the World by his concurrent operation with the Father and the Son all things were produced he speaketh there of the Heavenly Bodies and Constellations And again in Psal. 114.30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit and they were created And when the Creation of man is spoken of Mal. 2.15 Did he not make one yet had he the residue of the Spirit 'T is true also of Spiritual life which is called a new Birth and no man can enter into the kingdom of God but he that is born of water and the spirit John 3.5 and 't is called a new Creature All Creation is of God 2 Cor. 5.17 18. A resurrection to life or a quickning dead Souls Eph. 2.1 5. And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins Even when we were dead in sins hath he quickened uâ— together with Christ. And therefore the Spirit of Life is from God Now if God effecteth all these things by his Spirit to whom but him alone is our Salvation to be ascribed as the Scripture doth frequently mention My second Argument is taken from our incapacity to help our selves and recover our selves from the Devil the World and the Flesh to God so blind are our minds so depraved are our hearts so strong are our Lusts and so many are our Temptations and so inveterate are our evil Customs that nothing will serve the turn but the Spirit of God who doth open the eyes of our mind Eph. 1.18 Change our hearts Titus 3.5 reconcile our alienated and estranged affections to God that we may return to his Love and live in Obedience to him and finally be presented before him as fit to live for ever in his Presence 1 Cor. 21.22 And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minds by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight All this doth the powerful and All conquering Spirit of God by vertue of the meritorious purchase of Christ. In short he findeth in us such addictedness to Sin such a love to the present World such indulgence to the Flesh as beareth down both reason and the authority of God that no less Agent can do the work My third reason is taken from the subsequent effects If this life be strengthned by the spirit 't is much more wrought and infused by the spirit at first when all is against it Now the Scripture is copious in asserting the supply of the Spirit of Christ as necessary to do and suffer the Will of God Eph. 3.16 Strengthned with all might in the inner man from the spirit 1 Pet. 4.14 The spirit of God and of glory resteth upon you Surely he that must help us when we are living musâ— quicken us when we are dead and he that is necessary to break the force of our carnal affections still after they have received their Deaths Wound was absolutely necessary to overcome them at first when in full strength the necessity of strengthning grace doth much more shew the necessity of renewing grace for there needs much more power to overcome the corruptions of nature than to heal or prevent the infirmities of the Saints 2. The new nature is the product of the Holy Ghost John 3.6 That which is born of the spirit is spirit Men become spiritual in their dispositions inclinations actions and aims from the effects of the spirit of Regeneration which may be considered with respect to God or to man First How the converted Person or new Creature standeth affected to God seemeth to be set forth by the Apostle in that place 2 Tim. 1.7 For we have not received the spirit of fear but of love and power and a sound mind I shall explain it Observe in the negative description but one part only of Mortification is mentioned deadness to the fears of the World but that defect may be supplied from another Scripture The spirit lusteth against the flesh Gal. 5.17 he deadneth us to the delights and hopes of the world as well as the fears and sorrows but the one is understood in the other for this spirit causeth us to prepare for sufferings in the world and to look for no great matters here but to expect crosses losses wants persecutions injuries painful sicknesses and death and doth fortifie us against all bodily distresses that we are not greatly moved by them considering our relation to God and Interest in blessedness to come which doth weigh down all so 't is not a spirit of fear But then you must enlarge it by considering the main work of the spirit which is to subdue the lusts of the flesh that the government of God may be set up in our Hearts for the flesh is the great rebel against God and sanctified reason Therefore we must obey the spirit and take
love to God as the consequent of it it is but the carcase of a good work and so not acceptable to God the life and soul of it is wanting that obediential confidence which should enliven it Certainly there is no bringing forth fruit unto God till married to Christ Rom. 7.4 As children are not legitimate who are born before marriage 't is a bastard off-spring so neither are works acceptable till we be married to Christ. 2. It is also requisite that the person be renewed by the Spirit of Christ for otherwise he cannot have his spirit affections and ways such as to please God Nature can rise no â—igher than it self 't is grace carrieth the soul to God there needeth renewing grace Heb. 12.28 Let us have grace whereby we may serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear To serve him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in an acceptable manner and with that reverence and seriousness as it necessary is a work above our natural faculties till God change them we cannot please him So also actual grace Heb. 13.21 Working in you that which is pleasing in his sight The best actions of wicked men please him no more than Cains Sacrifice or Esau's tears or the Pharisees prayers 't is but a shadow of what a man reconciled and renewed doth or an imperfect imitation as an Ape doth imitate a man or a violent motion doth resemble a natural 1. VSE is To shew us what to think of the good actions of carnal men they do not please God they are for the matter good but there are manifold defects in them 1. There is a defect in their state they are not renewed and reconciled to God by Christ and therefore God may justly say Mal. 1.10 I have no pleasure in you neither will I accept an offering at your hands They live in their sins and therefore he may justly abhor and reject all their services they live in enmity to him and a neglect of his grace and will not sue out their atonement 2. There is a defect in the root of these actions They do not come from faith working by love which is the true principle of all obedience Gal. 5.6 Without love to God in Christ we want the soul and life of every duty Obedience is love breaking out into its perfect act 1 Joh. 2.5 If we keep his word herein is love perfected 3. There is a defect in the manner They do not serve God with that sincerity reverâ—nce seriousness and willingness which the work calleth for they shew love to him with their lips when their hearts are far from him Matt. 15.8 there is an habitual aversation whilst they seem to shew love to him All their duties are but as flowers strowed upon a dunghill 4. There is a defect in the end They do not regard Gods glory in their most commendable actions they have either a natural aim as when they are frighted into a little religiousness of worship in their extremities Hos. 7.14 They howl upon their beds for corn and wine And then they are like Ice in thawing weather soft at top and hard at bottom Or a carnal aim out of bravery and vain glory Matt. 8.2 Or a legal aim when they seem very devout to quiet conscience or to satisfie God for their sins by their external duties Mic. 6.6 7 8. Wherewith shall I â—ome before the Lord and bow my self before the high God Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings and calves of a year old Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand rivers of oil Shall I give my first born for my transgression the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul But Solomon telleth us Prov. 21.27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord much more when he bringeth it with an evil mind At best 't is an abomination much more when 't is to buy an indulgence in some licentious practice by performing some duties required a sin offering not a thank offering But this cannot please God so as to obtain an eternal reward God temporally rewardeth moral obedience to keep up the government of the world as Pagan Rome while it excelled in Virtue God gave it a great Empire and large Dominion And Ahab's going softly and mourning was recompenced with a suspension of temporal judgments 1 King 21.29 Because he humbleth himself before me I will not bring the evil in his days Again there is a difference between a wicked man going on in his wickedness and a natural man returning to God When wicked men pray to God to prosper them in their wickedness as Balaam's Altars were made or to beg pardon while they go on in their sins so the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord Prov. 15.8 Namely as they rest in external performances and think by their prayers or some other good duties to put by the great duties of Faith Repentance and new Obedience so these prayers and good things are abominable but in sinners returning to God and using the means and expressing their desires of Grace tho but with a natural fervency and with some common help of the Spirit tho the action doth not deserve acceptance with God and the Person is not in such an estate that God hath made an express promise to him that he will accept him yet he hath to do with a good God who doth not refuse the cry of his creatures in their extremities and 't is a thousand to one but he will speed the carnal man is to act these abilities and common Grace he hath that God may give more 2 VSE is to Exhort us 1. To come out of the carnal estate into the spiritual life for whilst you are in the flesh you cannot please God Now what is more unhappy than to do much to no good purpose To be acquainted with the toil of duties and not to be accepted in them Men are apt to rest in some superficial good actions and so neglect the Grace of God in Christ we cannot sufficiently beat men from this false Righteousness wherewith they hope to please God certainly while you are ruled by the world the flesh and the Devil you are unfit to obey God therefore you must renounce the flesh the world and the Devil and give up your selves to God the Father Son and Holy-Ghost as Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier All after-duties depend on the seriousness of the first 2 Cor. 8.5 They first gave themselves to the Lord then unto us by the will of God And Rom. 6.13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin but yield your selves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God The more heartily you give up your selves to obey God and look for his favour upon the account of Christs Righteousness and wait for the healing Grace of his Spirit in the use of fit means the more easily
stream had need ply the Oar and he that goeth up a sandy hill must never stand still and 't is our own fault if it doth not grow God loveth to multiply and increase his gifts Grace be multiplied 2 Pet. 2.2 There is more to be had and more will be given unless our sins obstruct the effusion of it if we get it not we may blame our selves for God doth nothing to hinder the increase and indeed when Grace is in any life and vigor it will be growing Prov. 4.18 The way of the just is as a shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day The morning light increaseth a wicked man groweth worse and worse he sinneth away the light of his conscience rejecteth the light of the word till he stumbleth into utter darkness 'T is like the coming on of the night the other like the coming on of the day Now mortification of sin is the great means of growing in Grace removet quod prohibit it maketh room for grace in the soul as it taketh away that which letteth that it may diffuse its influence more plentifully In Heaven we are perfect because there is no sin opposite principles are wholly gone so here the more you weaken sin the more is Grace introduced with power and success 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisie and envy and evil-speaking as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby there is no way of growth till evil frames of spirit be laid aside 1. USE is to enforce this duty upon all those that are called unto or look for any hopes by Jesus Christ to mortifie the deeds of the body Oh! Do not think you are past mortification because you are in a state of Grace there is need of it still yea it concerneth you more than others 1. There is still need of it if you consider the aboundance of sin of all kinds that yet remaineth with us And the marvellous activity of it in our souls and the cursed influence of it or the mischief that will accrue to us if it be let alone Let me a little press you by all these Considerations 1. The abundance of sin of all kinds that remaineth with the regenerate or those that are called to grace I shall evidence that by some Scriptures 1 Pet. 2.1 Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and evil speaking to whom is this spoken The word wherefore biddeth us look back when we look back we find 't was spoken to those that were called effectually called and born again yea those that had made some progress in mortification that had purifyed their hearts to the obedience of the truth 1 Pet. 1.22 Who would think that the seeds of so much evil should lurk in their Hearts but alas 't is so they are in paâ—t envious malicious hypocritical to the last and unless they shall keep mortifying these sins will get the mastery of them and bewray themselves to their loss and prejudice and Gods dishonour See another place Col. 3.5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetosness which is idolatry You would think all this were spoken to loose and ungoverned men that have not the least Tincture and shew of religion no 't is spoken of those whose life was hidden with God in Christ men acquainted with spiritual things and brought under the power of the life of Christ we foolishly imagine that such should only be told of the remainders of unbelief or spiritual pride or such like evils as are very remote from publick infamy and scandal but the Spirit of God is wiser than we and knoweth our Hearts and the secret workings of them better than we do our selves and it 's better these sins should be laid open in the warnings of the word and discovered to us rather than in us by the prevalency of a temptation an over spiritual Preaching hath not refined but destroyed religion God thought it fit it should be said to them that are taken into the Communion of the life of Christ mortify what your spiritual pride no but Fornication Uncleanness Inordinate affection the root of the foulest sins is in our nature and if we do not keep a severe hand over them will sprout out in our practice so Gal. 5.19 20. Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these adultery fornication uncleanness lasciviousness idolatry witchcraft hatred varience emulation wrath strife sedition heresie The Apostle thought good to warn professing Christians who had given up themselves to the leading of the spirit of the works of the flesh he giveth a black catalogue of them and he concludeth all of which I told you before as I have also told you in times past that they that do such things shall not nherit the Kingdom of God The Apostles that were divinely inspired and full of the the Wisdom of God did not soar aloft in airy speculative strains or refined spiritual notions but thought meet to condescend to these particulars not only when they spake to Gentiles but Churches and professing Christians to give warning against Fornication and Drunkenness and other such gross sins and that not once but often for they knew the nature of man and that nice speculations are too fine to do the work of the Gospel all that have corruption in them had need stand upon their guard to prevent sins of the blackest hew and foulest note among men I 'le give but one Instance more and that is of our Saviour Christ who thought meet to warn his own Disciples who surely were good men Luke 21.34 Take heed lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawars This is a lesson for Christs own disciples a man would think it more proper for haunters of Taverns and Boon companions whose souls are sunk and lost in luxury and excess but Christ Jesus thought this caution needful for those that were taken into his own company and bosome friends let not all this be interpreted as any excuse to them that swallow the greatest sins without fear live in them without sense and commit them without remorse cautions should not be turned into excuses there is some inclination in our nature to these things but these are not the practices of Gods people 't is spoken that they may not at any time be so 2. As there is abundance of sin so it 's active and stirring even after some progress in mortification 't is inticing vexing the new nature urging to evil opposing that which is good 't is warring working always present with us that the best Christians grow weary of themselves Rom. 7.24 Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death Was Paul an underling in grace Is not sin
condition after this life is they cannot tell whether they live above or below the earth but that they subsist and have a being is their firm perswasion and therefore are wont to assign to the dead part of the goods which they possessed if they lose any thing they think some of their friends in the other world have taken it to supply their wants there The Chineses are fully perswaded of a state of happiness and torment after this world Acosta telleth us in Peru they were wont to kill some of their slaves to attend the dead in the world to come and so Mexico and other places 'T is enough for us that be it an inbred notion or tradition received from hand to hand by their Ancestors such a conception is not a stranger to humane nature and the nearer any lived to the first Original of Mankind the more clear and pressing hath been the opinion hereof lapse of time which ordinarily decayeth all things hath not been able to deface it out of the minds of men who tho they have been gradually depraved and degenerated according to the distance by which they have been removed from their first originals yet they could never wholly blot out the sense of an Immortal Condition after this life nor could any solid and undubitable reasons he brought against it to convince it of falsity Well then this perswasion being spread through the Universe and with extreme forwardness received by all nations and hath born up against all encounters of time and constantly maintained its self in the midst of so many revolutions of humane affairs even among them with whom other truths are lost and in a great degree have forgotten humanity its felf Certainly this motive hath its use for the reduceing of man to God especially of those who have been bred in the bosome of the Church 2. The argument is of great force in regard of our fears We desire life but guilt maketh us fear death Sin impresseth this torment upon the consciences even of those which little know what sin meaneth Rom. 1.32 They know the judgment of God and that those who commit such things as they do are worthy of death Natural conscience looketh upon sin as mortal and baneful and know not how to be delivered from this fear nature owneth a distinction between good and evil and for evil feareth a punishment because of those natural sentiments which we have of God as an Holy and Just God Therefore now this tender of life is made to them that not only desire happiness but are in bondage through fear of death and by the Christian doctrine involved in the curse of the law and obnoxious to the flames of Hell Therefore for sinners to hear of life must needs be an inviting motive Mortifie sin and it shall not hurt you you shall live The sting of sin which so torments you shall be plucked out Ezek 18.13 repent and iniquity shall not be your ruin We are all sinners but how shall we do that sin may not be baneful to us Deal gently with it and it stingeth you to the death deal severely with it and it shall do you no harm When we are dead to sin we shall not die by sin you have deserved death but life is offered if you will use Gods healing methods to get rid of so great a mischief Thirdly I will shew you the expediency of the promise and that we may make use of such a motive as is drawn from the consequence The death which followeth the carnal life and that eternal life which by the merciful grant of God is the fruit of mortification For many question whether it be a true Mortification which looketh to the reward they say we must work for our life but not for life I Answer 1. To be over spiritual and nice above the word which is the true instrument of sanctification doth not cherish Religion but quench it we may make use of Gods Motives without sin why doth God plead with us so often upon the terms of life and death but that we may plead with our selves I know no reason to press men to an Holiness abstracted from all respect to the reward I confess 't is abase self-seeking to eye outward advantages in religious endeavours for then the end is far beneath the work and the spirit is made to serve the flesh but not the flesh the spirit and by-ends taint us but do not refine us 2. The doubt proceedeth upon a mistake of the reward what is this life propounded but the seeing loving and injoyment of God and the adoring and praising of God And can it be a fault to aim at these things Doth not the tendency of the new nature directly carry us to them as the perfection of that estate unto which we are called by Christ as naturally as the seed cast into the earth works through the clods to get up into stalk and flower Indeed the objection is fit for them that look for a carnal Heaven as the Jews did for a carnal Messiah an Heaven that consists in ease and fleshly delights However to deal throughly in this Argument in the life and happiness which we expect two things may be considered 1. The nature of that life and happiness 2. The personal benefit and comfort that hence results to us 1. The nature of that happiness consisteth in seeing God and being like him 1 John 3.2 When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is To aim at this is a fruit of the new nature which aimeth at a perfect fruition of God and conformity to him Surely this cannot be in any reason questioned or scrupled at as our great end For it is a pure motive and doth engage the soul to the greatest and best tempered strictness that is imaginable 1 John 3.3 He that hath this hope the hope spoken of in the former verse purifieth himself as Christ is pure Is every day growing up into a nearer conformity to Christ whom he hopeth to see and to be more perfectly like him hereafter he whose heart is set upon the vision of God and that pure and sinless estate which he shall injoy in Heaven that man hath not a light tincture of Religion but is deeply dyed into the spirit of it for such things cannot be seriously and really minded without grace yea no act we do is religious unless it be directed and influenced by this aim and end 't is a rooted thought or the impression of a powerful habit 2. There is a personal benefit and happiness which resulteth to us from the fruition of God As we are freed from the pain and sorrows of this life in which respect 't is often called a rest especial as we are freed from the misery of those that die in their sins in which respect 't is often called salvation and most especially as the soul fully sanctified dwelleth in a glorified and immortal body and injoying
an internuncius and messenger but when he used him as a Redeemer as one that was to pay a ransom for us it may be much more said so 3. For us all The Persons for whom for the cursed race of fallen Adam who had no strength to do any thing for themselves who had cast away the mercies of our creation and were sensless of our misery and careless of our remedy had abused the goodness of his bounty and patience and were utterly lost to God and themselves the whole time that we lived in the world shewed Gods sparing us but yet he spared not Christ Every moment we lived after the committing of sin was the fruit of Gods indulgence the arrow is upon the string only God respiteth execution and took this way of Redemption by Christ that we might be discharged not only from the hurt but the fear of his wrath and curse due to us 2. God having laid this foundation let us see what a superstructure of grace is built thereon he doth freely give us all things all good things are the gift of God Jam. 1.17 And whatever God giveth he giveth freely for there can be no preobligation upon him Rom. 11.35 Who hath given him first But here the chief thing considerable is the largeness of the gift he will give all things this comprehensive and capacious expression includeth much comfort in its bosem Let us explain it a little both the Creature and the Creator from God to the poorest thing in the world through Jesus Christ all is ours Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son God himself maketh over himself to his children who is all in all he doth enjoy God and all things besides which may be a blessing to him he is ours that hath all things and can do all things and what can the soul desire more 2. This all things reacheth to the two worlds Heaven and earth are laid at the foot of a believer 1 Tim. 4.8 But godliness is profitable to all things having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Here God is not wanting to his people but the gift and grace promised is eternal life 3. This all things concerneth the whole man the body and the soul the body is in covenant with God as well as the soul and therefore 't is provided for by the covenant we feel not only the comfort of it at the last day when 't is raised up as a part of Christs Mystical Body but for the present the bodily life exposeth us to manifold necessities but Matth. 6.33 First seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you He that hath any place or office hath the perquisites of the place or office now for the soul 2 Pet. 1.2 The divine power hath given us all things necessary to life and godliness Meaning by life internal grace and by godliness the fruit of it an holy conversation There 's not only the remote inclination but the actual readiness yea the final accomplishment will and deed Phil. 2.13 4. All things that are for our real advantage of what nature soever they be 1 Cor. 3.21 All things are yours Ordinances Providences Death the connexion between both the worlds whatever belongeth to our happiness and will further us to the Kingdom of glory for God is engaged No good thing will he withhold Psal. 84.11 Well then is not a Christian compleatly provided for That hath God and the creature Heaven and earth pardon and life grace and glory that is reconciled to God by the death of Christ and saved by his life protection and maintenance and a sanctified portion in this world and the happinesâ— of the life to come A Christian that is safe among friends and enemies that liveth in Communion with God here and shall dwell for ever with him hereafter is he not well provided for 3. The strength and the force of the inference Certainly this broad and ample foundation will support the building tho the top of it mount above the clouds and be carried so high as the glory to come 1. Because the giving of Christ is a sign and pledg of his great love to us and what will not love and great love do for those whom it loveth John 3.16 God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son He doth not tell you how but leaveth you to admire and rejoice at so unspeakable and unconceivable love and 1 John 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but God loved us and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins The Apostle awakeneth our drouzy thoughts herein is love here is a full manifest real proof of his love 't is commended to us set before our thoughts Rom. 5.8 Christs love resteth not in good wishes or the kind affection of his heart but breaketh forth into action and evidence and real performance nay 't is not only real but glorious things may be demonstrated as real which yet are not commended or set forth as great sometimes God professeth his love to a people I have loved you but because they were afflicted and miserable they expostulate with this bold reply Mal. 1.2 Wherein hast thou loved us Now here is a full and clear Demonstration of it He spared not his own Son Now what may not we promise our selves from this great love Hereby we see how much his heart is set upon our salvation therefore no fear but he will carry it thorough God is in good earnest with you or he would never have made such provision In short he would never have given up Christ to be betrayed and sentenced and crucified and to dye for a sinful world if he had not been in good earnest in his love 2. Because Christ is the greatest and most precious gift And surely God that hath given so great a benefit as his own Son will he stick at lesser things He that hath given a Pound will he not give a farthing Hath he given Christ and will he not give pardon to cancel our defects and grace to do our duty Comfort to support us in our afflictions Supplies to maintain and protect us during our services and finally will he not reward us after we have served him Reconciliation by his death is propounded as a more difficult thing than salvation by his life Rom. 5.10 Two things breed confidence the fidelity of God and his liberality his liberality in his gifts and his fidelity in his promises his giving up Christ to die for us is a pledg of both This was the greatest promise the exhibition of the Messiah and this was the greatest gift All other gifts full short of this and do not beget such a confidence and hope In Creation God gave you a reasonable Nature such a Life as is the Light of man but in Redemption to make way
of the point 1. By Scripture and there I shall produce two metaphors the first where Christs love is compared to a banner Cant. 2.4 His banner over me is love A banner is a Military ensign The Church is elsewhere described to be terrible as an Army with banners because of its order and strength now what is the banner under which the Church sighteth with joy and victory against Sin Satan and the World Christs ensign is his love to her that love by which he Redeemed us and converted us giveth us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace this is the love that giveth us victory over all temptations The other Metaphor where Christs love is compared to the lining of a Chariot Cant. 3.10 His Chariot is paved with love Meaning that Chariot wherein the Saints ride in triumph to Heaven Love doth all for us all the promises run like pipes with streams of love all providences or Christs dispensations towards his people are nothing else but love 2. By reasons taken from the properties of Christs love 1. 'T is a transcendent love All love where it is real 't is earnest and vehement much more the love of Christ for that is not to be measured by an ordinary standard for the Apostle saith Eph 3 19. That you may know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge The love of Christ to lost sinners is so vast boundless and infinite that there is no parallel whereby we may come to the knowledge of it Rom. 5.17 18. We may know it as to admiration but we cannot know it as to comprehension to the full Somewhat we may know by what is spoken of it in the Scripture somewhat by what we feel in our selves of the effects of it yea we not only may know it but we ought to know it so far as may inflame our hearts with a love to God and enable us to be faithful to him whatever troubles we endure for his sake now what may we not promise our selves from such a love as is not only above our expression but above our comprehension He that dyed for sinners will he not be kind to his people 2. 'T is a tender love and such as maketh him solicitous for our welfare we use to say Res est soliciti plena timoris amor Love is a sollicitous thing feareth not the danger or trouble of what is beloved As Jacob was sollicitous about Benjamin lest mischief should befall him in the way As Epaphroditus had a sollicitous care of the Philipians and of any trouble or sorrow that might happen to them Phil. 2.26 Such is the care of Christ over his people especially when they are most in danger then his love is most at work for them to provide help and cordials against all temptations He knoweth our weakness and infirmities for his people are ingraven on the palms of his hands Isa. 49.16 yea carryed in his heart as the names of the Tribes on the breast of the High Priest So Christ calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them John 10.3 Now knowing the danger to which they are exposed his love doth incline him to pity them and give them renewed proof of his affection and care over them in their extremities and doth strangely preserve them in manifold dangers 3. 'T is a constant and an immutable love Jer. 31.3 With an everlasting love have I loved thee Gods love is a love of perpetuity or eternity His love and affection continueth still the same to us and shall do so for ever God reserveth a liberty in the Covenant 1. for correction Psal. 89.32 33. Then will I visit their transgressions with the rod and their iniquity with stripes Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail The sharpest rods and sowerest stripes do stand with loving-kindness to them yea are rather effects of his love than hatred But this New-Covenant-love is immutable 4. 'T is an operative and effective not an idle and hidden love If Christs love were only an affection in the heart a well-wishing love there were less comfort in it but 't is a love that breaketh forth in action and real performance He will readily do good to his people whom he loveth not only hereafter when he will accomplish our glorious hopes But now his love is not without effects Two I shall mention 1. His ordering all dispensations of providence for our good this God doth for them that love him Rom. 8.28 And surely 't is a great testimony of his love to us They know nothing in Religion that know not that Christs external Government is necessary to the preservation of the saints as well as his internal grace See Psal. 25.3 Let none that wait on thee be ashamed let them be ashamed that transgress without cause 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to hear it He withdraweth temptations that they may not be too strong for feeble souls and cause desbondency in them And moderateth our afflictions that they may not trouble or discourage us but only correct and keep us from security vanity and contempt of holy things These temptations by troubles and afflictions are let loose to check other temptations to ambition worldliness and sensuality but when they are like to prove temptations themselves the love of Christ is much seen in his wise and gracious mitigation and removal of them 2. The assistances of his Grace or the operations of his Spirit Surely the property of love is velle amato bonum And God giveth the true good to his children The good we are capable of in this life is the gift of his sanctifying Spirit Tempted souls find it a needful benefit and when they seek it will Christ deny it to them No he hath assured them of the contrary Matth. 7.9 10 11. Or what man is there of you whom if his son ask bread will he give him a stone Or if he ask fish will he give him a serpent If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him God will not deal worse with his children than men do with theirs and that good thing is the Spirit Luke 11.13 USE 1. Information 1. That we cannot secure our selves by our selves The Devil is too strong an enemy for sinful lapsed men to deal withall he conquered us in innocency and what may he not do now when we are divided in our selves and have something in us on both sides Much earthliness carnality aversness from God as well as love to him Therefore we subsist every moment by the love of Christ who became the Captain of our salvation Heb.
a more glorious heighth which is Heaven and there is a dismal depth which is Hell God can provide an harbour for his people turneth the Devils design quite contrary to his intention A TABLE of the principal Matters contained in this PART A ABsolute property of God alone Page 100 Abuse of the Creature to wrong ends is bondage Page 201 Act single do's not discover what men are Page 43 Accusers of Christians who Page 332 Abstaining from some sin and different motives and what are those motives Page 121 Adams principle was his rule also Page 36 State blessed yet terrene in Innocency Page 89 Mortal and how Page 90 Adam the First and Second Page 114 Accountable we are for all Page 101 And what this all Page Ib. Addictedness to worldly things hinders our Christian hope Page 234 Adoption consequent on profession of Faith Page 81 Full of love and delight in the law of God Page 157 158 State of Adoption what Page 160 Spirit of Adoption how differs from Spirit of Regeneration Page 162 Effect of spirit of Adoption Page 163 Tho 't is not it might be in all that hear the Gosspel Page 163 Not equally in all believers Page 164 Nor alike known to be in us Page Ib. In lowest degrees and what this in some Page 164 How conveyed to us Page 165 Seek it Motives and directions Page 166 Signs of it Page 167 Adoption a great priviledge Page 168 169 Adoption great support of Christians Page 170 By it we pray and apply the promises Page 173 Affections our Affliction Page 120 What. Page 129 Affections from self-love Page 129 Worldly impediment of Heavenly life Page 186 Anger mischievous Page 117 Afflictions for Christ ensure it that we are joint-heirs Page 175 Some longer some shorter to believers but their reward of equal duration to all Page 183 Under Afflictions do nothing unworthy of your hopes Page 243 But pray Page 244 All Afflictions work for our good if we love God Page 268 Exemplified Page 269 270 271 How certain this is Page 271 What good this is Page 271 272 How wrought Page 273 Wait on God in Afflictions and why Page 274 Be good by it so 't is a blessing Page 274 Our work is to bear and grow better by 't is God's work to put end to Afflictions Page 275 276 What gain by them Page 276 They teach us and how Page 277 278 279 In deepest Afflictions God with us and how Page 319 Increase Grace Page 364 Glorifie God Page 365 366 Agenda of Christianity less controverted than Credenda Page 361 All together work for good to believers Page 267 268 Yet not sin and why Page 269 All things with Christ given to believers Page 326 Animal Life must be put off Page 89 90 Answer to prayers unanswered Page 273 Appeal from Law to Gospel Page 3 338 344 From Iudge to Iudge Page 344 Appetite sensitive may in some things be pleased without sin Page 43 When this is Page ib. Arguings for sin Page 65 Against it for duty too weak Page 149 Assent of Faith renewed Page 86 Assurance cleared by our fulfilling our covenant with God Page 36 47 Assistance continually needful and why Page 134 246 Assembly general our encouragement to hope Page 235 Atheists convinced Page ib. They credulous Page 240 Foolish and venture on the worst side Page ib. B BAllancing Eternal-futures bears up the suffering Christians Page 368 369 Baptism Page 49 86 Implieth doing and suffering Page 392 Obligeth us to obey Christ. Page 102 10â— 109 To mortifie the flesh Page 113 124 Too long forgotten by us Page 113 Baptism Consecrated Christ captain of Salvation and Satan presently assaulted him so Christians Page 362 Believers not united to the Church first so to Christ by the Church Page 4 5 How come to be in Christ. Page 5 6 Set themselves to Believe and are benefited Page 86 Sin but not of design Page 103 Well guided and guarded Page 151 Now hidden Page 189 And who Page ib. To whom Page 190 191 And why safety in Christs love Page 357 Beneficiaries must obey God Page 102 103 Benefits good gifts talents and to be used as such Page 101 Bind us to obey God Page 102 Bent and business of the soul for God Page 49 Birth new ground of Adoption Page 161 Body how to be denied or gratified in delights Page 71 Dead how Page 88 91 Therefore prepare for it Page 91 Overcared the soul neglected Page 91 Body sanctified Page 96 What we owe it Page 100 'T is subject to the soul. Page 108 Bondage in which all are till made free Page 20 And what both are Page ib. How came upon us Page 21 State of Bondage Page 153 154 It may bring on conversion Page 155 May remain Page 341 In part upon Believers Page 156 Whence 'tis whether state of Bondage be good or bad Page 156 Bondage of the creatures Page 201 Bordering on carnal World mischievous to us Page 47 Yet we do so Page 190 Borrowing above what we can pay is specious Robbery Page 17 Broken spirit under terrors not to be slighted desired chosen or rested in Page 157 This spirit of Bondage on us while love is imperfect Page 159 Yet over-ballanced by spirit of love Page ib. Business of Believers with and his happiness in God Page 75 Common good by Christians be managed by best principles Page 78 C CArnal minded what Page 54 55 56 57 Carnal men know not God Page 55 Are not affected with what they do know Page ib. Think meanly of Christians Page 77 Calvin hardly spoken of Page 5 Calling twofold and what Page 287 288 Call by the word twofold and what ineffectual what effectual Page 288 Its properties Page 289 The ends of it Page ib. To shew God's Wisdom Power Goodness Page 289 Discovery of Gods love Page 290 To our profit Page 291 Obeying this Call what Page 292 This Call effect of Predestination Page 307 Checks of Conscience to be regarded Page 115 Differ from repugnancies of new Nature and how Page 134 Child-like love obedience and dependence on God Page 163 Carriage toward God our Father Page 250 169 Prove us Children Page 179 Christs satisfaction Page 324 And effects of it Page 3 To be in Christ what Page 4 Lord of new Creation Page 11 12 14 356 A head to his Page 17 Died because we could no other ways be delivered Page 26 27 He was true man Page 28 And why Page ib. 29 A Sacrifice for sin Page 30 31 He healeth our natures Page 34 36 Mortifies sin Page 124 Is fittest example for us to follow Page 78 Is in Believers what and how Page 88 301 328 Ruleth Page 88 Love to Christ constrains and how Page 128 It mortifies sin Page 134 So doth his Death Page 136 Christ whole not by parts enjoyed by belivers Page 140 Hath double inheritance and what 't is Page 178 Died to expiate our sins Page 178 Hath preeminence Page 298 Openeth the
door to God Page 250 Our example Page 301 And encouragement Page 302 How we may be like him Page 303 In seven directions he was delivered for us and how Page 325 Given for and given to us how differ Page 328 Christs love to his what Page 374 375 Christians of two kinds Page 19 100 Few like Christ Page 302 Have in them a principle and power opposite to flesh Page 76 Their life should convince the world Page 78 Indeed who Page 79 All such have the spirit Page 80 Different sorts of Christians Page ib. True Christianity what Page 109 They are warned to take heed of foulest sins Page 127 Are by the spirit exactly made like Christ and wherein Page 149 Children of God shall be manifested Page 128 Might live safe above enemies Page 320 And how Page 320 321 Are compleatly provided for Page 326 Church finally conquers Page 371 Condemnation what Page 2 Freedom from it Page 340 It is either by law of Works or Grace Page 2 The word of God the rule of it Page 2 When final and eternal Page 2 Fears of it hardly rid Page 34 Deserved by sin Original and Actual Page 3 Sin Conversion Page 3 Dreaded by Conscience Page 3 How we exempted Page 3 Out of Christ under Condemnation Page 7 Conformity to Christ in afflictions in holiness in glory Page 299 Corruption of man Page 106 Crucifixion a painful and shameful death Page 137 Conquerors and more Christians Page 366 How and who Page 367 Conscience Page 3 22 65 171 Checks for sin urges to duty Page 3 139 Presignifies Gods Iudgments Page 3 Is a rule Page 171 Not to be slighted Tho from spirit of Bondage Page 157 343 Not to be slighted When from spirit of Adoption Page 171 Presupposeth a God and a Law Page 171 Conviction smother'd tend to Atheism Page 78 Where Conviction begins Page 111 115 Conversation good wherein Page 16 Conversion what Page 5 6 God doth all at first yet we must do and what Page 115 'T is a mighty Work Page 135 Covenants two Page 40 Of nature brings us under fears Page 155 Covenant of Grace a Law of the spirit and why Page 9 10 11 Hath all requisites of a Law Page 11 Is Christs Law Page 17 Giveth liberty Page 20 Set up a remedy for us Page 24 Creatures as such subjects of God Page 35 36 Their state shall be renewed and how probably Page 192 D DEath and sin go together Page 21 89 How many kinds of Death and what each is Page 58 It is a punishment Page 89 A mark of Gods Displeasure Page 89 The Destruction of sin in Believers Page 89 To them a means to enter into glory Page 89 90 Comfortable onely to the holy Page 91 92 Death of Saints differs from Death of sinners and how Page 97 What is Death to sinners Page 108 Very fit Eternal Death be the punishment of sin Page 108 Debtors to the spirit Page 99 100 Christians are so Page ib. One Debt to God is indissoluble Page 101 Increased by Redemption Page 102 104 Decrees vid. Election Purpose Deliverance from Bondage of sin and Death very great priviledge Page 23 But begun now full at last Page 96 Dependence on God binds us to please him Page 68 Subjects us to God Page 102 Desires of Rest prove there is rest to be had Page 220 Desires of Hope strong Page 242 Destiny worthy to be known Page 40 41 117 Deadness to duty whence Page 131 Difficulties whet Christian hopes Page 238 Discouragements in obedience injurious to Christ and us Page 38 Lessen our Comforts Page 246 Sinners not Discouraged in sin Saints should not be in duty Page 247 Discourse with our selves Page 55 Disorder in mans mind Page 20 How great and whence Page 116 Dispair twofold and what each is Page 154 Displeasure of God seen most in his internal Government Page 85 Dissent too weak is too much consent to sin Page 52 Distress what Page 351 And why Page 341 Divel Flesh and World set out their best first Christ sets out his worst first his last is best Page 143 Divine works equally the works of Father Son and holy Ghost Page 94 In way proper to each Page ib. Do and Suffer ere we come to Heaven Page 241 Do as you can in Duty tho you cannot as you would Page 254 Dominion of the spirit Page 74 82 Of our Creator Page 100 Of Property and of Iurisdiction Page 100 In God is Universal Page 101 Dominion of God over all Page 316 Dominion of Man over the Creatures was by gift Page 195 Doubts of Eternity lye at bottom of our backwardness to good Page 143 Drooping Christians wanting to themselves Page 156 Die to sin and live to holiness mutually help each other Page 139 We must to live Page 242 Duty tho small yet must in their season be done Page 361 Dying men usually inquire whither going Page 40 117 To Believers is Christs pulling down their Cottage to build them a Palace on his own Charges Page 360 E EArnest of our Inheritance what how long continues Page 96 Earnestness of desire with hope Page 234 Earth and Heavens new Page 188 End of things best measure of them Page 143 269 Effectual Calling what Page 289 And its properties Page ib. Of meer love of God to us Page 290 Wrought by Almighty power Page 291 The particulars of it Page 291 Ends and aims of men different and they are as is their End Page 107 Election of particular persons to Life Page 293 Of meer grace unchangeable Page 293 Agreeable to the honor of God Page 294 And unsearchable in the methods of love to the Elect Page 294 295 Hence they are made to differ from others Page 295 296 By their conformity to Christ Page 299 In what this is Page ib. Shall be Called Iustified c. Page 304 Obligeth us to Duty and gratitude Page 309 Election and the effects are of grace in excellent order and connexion Page 308 This should affect our hearts and in what particulars Page 309 Endeavours must be continued to success Page 49 Eenemies of our Salvation agree in making us Rebels against God Page 64 Cannot hurt us while God is for us Page 314 315 316 Are in chains of Providence Page 321 Enquiry which dying men make Page 40 117 Episcopius fountain of new Theologie Page 5 Estates two in which all end Page 40 Which is ours we may know by the Scriptures Page 172 Esteem of God and things of God discover what we are Page 44 Eternity compar'd with time may set all right Page 182 Eternal Life what Page 59 Eternal death what Page 59 Exaltation of Christ our justification Page 348 Exhortation more necessary than tryal for weak Christians Page 47 Excommunicated by men received by God Page 186 Expiation of sin previous of our being heirs of God Page 179 Events are to be left to God Page 273 Evidence of true Christianity Page 82 83 84 330 Qualities of
Excellencies of this inheritance Page 177 178 Holiness distinct from Godliness Page 16 The better part of our deliverance Page 38 Holiness and Goodness is the very nature of God Page 38 Holiness compleated ere we enter Heaven Page 38 Holiness visible to be charitably judged Page 77 Wherein it now consisteth Page 300 Honesty binds us to obey God Page 104 Hope and fear motives to duty Page 105 Saving Hope Page 230 Twofold of expectation and experience Page 165 Great and glorious Page 202 Saveth Page 222 What 't is Page 223 Its object Page 223 Ground Page 224 Very necessary Page 225 Vanquishes Page 225 Respect between Faith and Hope Page 226 May every one Hope for Salvation Page 227 Distinguisht into its kinds Page 229 May be interrupted Page 232 Mercy object of Hope Page 232 So is the promise Page ib. 233 How we brought to Hope Page 233 234 How increased Page 234 235 Brings Heaven to us on earth Page 235 Proper object Page 237 Built on promises Page 238 These confirmed sufficiently Page 239 How far seen Page 239 Real Page 240 Should over-rule our Hearts Page 241 Its qualifications Page 242 Humiliation what where begins and ends Page 145 I IGnorant we may be of some thing without danger Page 201 Incarnation of Christ with the ends and fruiâ—s of it Page 28 29 30 Immunnities we have by Christ Page 205 Inclination of the flesh what Page 41 Not alike to all sins Page 121 Indulgence to the flesh what Page 43 44 Image of God None so fit to restore as Christ Page 300 301 Image of God Must be restored ere we can have communion with God Page 34 35 It is mans glory Page 300 Immensity of God thence Omniscience Page 257 Immutability of God and eternal merit of Christ foundation of our eternal glory Page 183 Immortality known or guessed at by nature Page 141 Impotency of mind is from unmortified heart Page 130 To prayer without the spirit Page 251 Impeccable no Saint on earth is Page 148 Infirmities in Believers and occasions to the World to misjudge them and the spirit Page 77 They sin but design it not Page 103 Innocent Creatures punisht for mans sin and why and how Page 198 Impossibilities may be imagined not hoped Page 237 Interests of flesh what Page 41 Prevails in some without any controul Page 103 Our true Interest by God made motive to our duty Page 140 Intercession of Christ and of the spirit Page 244 How these differ Page ib. Invisible World to be sought Page 241 Joys of good conscience are foretasts of Heaven Page 148 Judgment to come not so generally known as Immortality and a state of Eternity Page 141 Yet known and own'd by some Page ib. Presag'd by fears of guilty conscience Page 240 Justice of God joins sin and punishment Page 22 60 Justification excludes not Mortification Page 125 What it implyeth Page 333 How many ways this done Page 334 How consistent with Gods Justice c. Page 334 335 336 Sinner Repenting and Believing is justified Page 335 336 Shall not be reversed Page 336 And why Page 336 337 Justified ones are Sanctified Page 335 K KIndness to be shewed to the creature subjected to vanity by our sin Page 199 Kingdom of God some far off Page 47 Knowledge of our selves and our state how to be obtained Page 43 44 That carnal men have of God is cold and lifeless Page 55 Knowledge of sin by the spirit necessary to mortification Page 133 L LEadings of God by which Saints are kept in their way Page 146 147 To be Led what Page 148 Its branches Page 148 149 Great mercy Page 151 It is through all duty Page 152 Legality partial or predominant and what each is Page 158 Law of spirit of Life what Page 8 Of sin what Page 9 Why so called Page 9 Its effects Page ib. Of God constitutes and directs duty Page 11 Given to man in innocence Page 11 And what Page ib. Of nature left in fallen man Page 11 Its effects Page ib. 155 Of man what tends to Page 11 Law what it includes Page 12 The New Covenant or Law of God and man differ and in what Page 13 Law could not put away sin Page 26 Nor justifie us ib. and Page 27 Was next to Christ and the Gospel most Divine Page 26 Cannot sanctifie us Page 28 Nor save Page 154 Irritates sin Page ib. Is not abrogated Page 35 36 37 Hath twofold office Page 154 Continues in force in Heaven Page 37 How fulfilled by a Believer Page 37 Law pretended against persecuted Christians Page 363 Law ceremonial what Page 206 Law-giver God Page 101 Legal spirit what and its operations Page 154 155 158 'T is timerous towards God and for truth Page 158 159 How removed Page ib. Liberty from sin and death by Christs merit and intercession Page 23 On what terms to be had Page 24 These terms cannot by man be changed Page 24 Of Gods children what now Page 201 Liberty mistaken Page ib. 'T is not to live as corrupt nature listeth Page 204 205 Liberty future glorious what Page 206 207 Compar'd with our present Liberty Page 207 Light and Life brought to Light by the Gospel Page 360 Life natural Beast-like Rational Spiritual Page 75 What this is Page ib. Of Grace vigorous as sin languisheth Page 126 Grieved with opposite sins Page 133 Spiritual both beginning and pledge of Life eternal Page 139 What it is Page ib. Natural and eternal compared Page 144 Eternal and Spiritual compared Page ib. Life must be ventured for Christ and why Page 363 Love of God to Believers engaging motive to love him and obey Page 330 To suffer also Page 369 Love of God to what Page 36 Lesser love to God is accounted hatred Page 62 And why Page ib. Love or hatred as we respect Gods Law Page 63 Love to God is principle of mortification Page 128 Surest way to assurance Page 160 Love that you may Live Page 140 And go possess the blessed hopes Page 242 Longings spiritual shall not be frustrated Page 140 For God giveth them that he may satisfie them Page ib. The objects of them Page 219 Lusts contrary to each other Page 48 Love to God what Page 280 281 282 Its properties Character of such as God will benefit by all and why Page 284 285 Best seen in sufferings for God Page 285 Twofold sincerity of Love and what each is Page 286 God Lovely for himself Page 286 For his Love to us Page 286 M MAn subject to God and on what grounds Page 10 11 Owes him a voluntary obedience Page ib. and 71 Men are of two sorts different in original principles c. Page 39 Discover what they are by respect to different objects Page 42 Three sorts of Men in the World Page 46 Mankind fallen under Gods displeasure Page 69 Corrupted wholly Page 106 Of two sides Page 314 315 Man pleasing what c. Page 72 Master sins like great diseases
own selves Christ had more to lose than all Angels and men They said of David 2 Sam. 17.3 Thou art better than ten thousand of us Every mans life is valuble 't is the Creatures best inheritance what was Christs life which was inriched with the continual presence of God 6. This one to dye so willingly Psa. 40.7 Lo I come to do thy will You cannot Meditate enough on these places Pro. 8.31 Rejoycing in the habitable parts of the earth and my delights were with the Sons of men And Isa. 53.11 He shall see of the travail of his Soul and be satisfied He had contentment enough in the Father right enough to the Creatures rich in all the Glory of the God-head what need had he to become man and die for sinners but only that he loved us and gave himself for us for me and thee Gal. 2.20 7. That he should die such a painful and accursed death He bore the iniquities of us all Isa. 53.6 The little finger of sin is heavier than the loins of any other trouble David that bore his own sins cryed out Psa. 38.4 They are a burden too heavy for me What was it for him to bear the iniquities of us all This made his Soul heavy to death filled up with such bitter agonies that he did sweat drops of blood Alas sometimes we feel what 't is to bear one sin what is it to bear many To bear all He did not only bear them in his body but in his Soul this put him upon tears and fears and amazement Now is my Soul troubled what shall I say John 12.27 As to bodily pains many of the Martyrs suffered more and with cheerful minds But Christ stood in the place of sinners before Gods tribunal Well then you see what a powerful Argument this is to breed and feed love 3. How this Argument is suited to breed that love which God expects even a thankful return of obedience 'T is proper for that purpose 1. From the end of Christs death Which was to sanctify us Eph. 5.25 26 27. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he mighty sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of Water through the word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish And Titus 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people Not only redeem us from wrath but redeem us from sin to restore the Image of God which we had lost as well as his favour Now unless we would have Christ to be frustrate of his end and die in vain we should endeavour to be holy did he die for sin that we might take liberty to practice it come to unloose our cords that we might tye them the faster pay our debt that we might run on upon a new score Make us whole that presently we might fall sick or give us an antidote that we might the more freely venture to poison our selves No this is to play the wanton with his grace 2. The right which accrueth to our Redeemer by vertue of the price paid for us When a slave was bought with Silver and Gold his strength and life and all belonged to the buyer Exod. 21.21 He is his money So we are purchased by Christ redeemed to God Rev. 5.9 And we are bound to him that bought us to serve him in righteousness and holiness all our days Luke 1.74 To glorify him in our bodys and Souls which are his 1 Cor. 6.20 3. The pardon ensuing and depending on his death 'T is that God may be more loved reverenced feared and obeyed Psa. 130.4 But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared Luke 7.47 She loved much because much was forgiven to her They are bound to love most to whom most is forgiven Psa. 85.8 For he will speak peace to his people but let them not return to folly The remission of sins past is not for a permission of sin to come but a great bridle and restraint to it His mercy in remitting should not make us more licentious in committing otherwise we build again the things we have destroyed when we sought for pardon sin was the greatest burden which lay upon our consciences the wound that pained us at heart the disease our Souls were sick of and shall that which we complained of as a burden become our delight shall we tare open our wounds which are in a fair way of healing And run into bonds and chains again after we are freed of them 4. The greatness of Christs sufferings sheweth the hainousness and filthiness of sin 'T was Gods design to make sin hateful to us by Christs agonies blood shame and death Rom. 8.3 By sin he condemned sin in the flesh That is by a sin offering God shewed a great example of his wrath by that punishment which lighted upon our Surety or the flesh of Christ his design was for ever to leave a brand upon it by his sin offering or ransom for Souls Now shall we make light of that which cost Christ so dear And cherish those sins which put our Redeemer to grief and shame If the stain and filthiness of sin could not be washed out but by the blood of Christ shall we think it no great matter to pollute and defile our selves therewith This were to crucify Christ afresh Heb. 6. And to trample the blood of the covenant under foot Heb. 10.24 5. The terribleness of Gods wrath which can be appeased by no other sacrifice And shall not we reverence this wrath so as not to dare to kindle it again by our sins for 't is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10.31 Christs Instance sheweth that for if this be done in the green tree what shall be done in the dry 6. But the great argument of all is a grateful sense of our obligation to God and Christ. For God so loved the World that when nothing else was fit for our turn he sent is Son and his Son loved us and gave himself to die for us Where we see the love of God putting forth its self for our help in the most astonishing way that can be imagined this is such an ingaging instance so much surpassing our thoughts that we cannot sufficiently admire it A mystery without controversy great We may find out words to paint out any thing that man can do to us or for us The garment may be wider than the body But things truly great strike us dumb God being the chiefest good would act in a way suitable to the greatness of his love Therefore let us love him and delight in him who hath called together all the depths of his wisdom and counsel to save a company of forlorn sinners in such a way whereby his wrath may be appeased his Law satisfyed and full contentment
to oblige us the more strongly to endeavour it And Partly because we have consented to this obligation in Baptism All the members of the Church have ingaged themselves to imploy the death and strength of Christ for the subduing of sin they are dead as they have upon this incouragement undertaken its death and in part already begun it 2. How all can be said to be dead when Christ died Since most of the Elect were not then born or yet in being Answer 1. When Christ was upon the cross be sustained the relation of our head or Common Person 'T was not in his own name that he appeared before Gods Tribunal but in ours not as a private but as a publick person So that when he was crucified all believers were crucified in him for the act of a Common Person is the act of every particular Person represented by him As a Knight or Burgess in Parliament serveth for his whole Borrough and Country Now that Christ was such a Common Person appeareth plainly by this that Christ was that to us in grace what Adam was to us in nature or sin The First Adam was said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 5. â—4 The figure of him that was to come And Christ is called the Second Adam 1 Cor. 15.45 The Second Common Person So that as we had a death in sin from the First Adam so a death to sin from the Second As we stood in Adam in Paradise so we stood in Christ upon the Cross Adams act in Paradise was in effect ours In Adam we all died 1 Cor. 15.21 So Christs act was in effect ours In Christ we all died Spiritually and mystically Adam did as it were lend his Body in Paradise we saw the forbidden fruit with his eyes gathered it with his hands eat it with his mouth that is we were ruâ—ned by these things as if we had been by and actually consented to his sin So in Christs representation on the Cross all believers are concerned as if they had been by and actually present and had been crucified in their own Persons and born the punishment of their own sins for all this was done in their name and â—ead that they might have the benefit 2. Christ was on the Cross not only as a Common Person but as a Surety and Vndertaker I say in his death there was not only a Satisfaction for sin but an obligation to destroy it There was an undergoing and an undertaking As he is set out in the Scripture under the notion of a Second Adam So also of a Surety Heb. 7.22 Christ is called the Surety of a better Testament Now he was a Surety mutually on Gods part and ours First he was to ingage for us to God and in the name of God ingaged himself to us The tenor of both ingagements is in Rom. 6.6 That the body of death should be destroyed that we should from thenceforth no longer serve sin Assoon as we consent to this stipulation this taketh effect On Gods part Christ undertook to destroy the body of sin by the Power of his Spirit which should be given to us to become a principle of Life in us and of death to our old man Titus 3.5 More particularly we mortify the deeds of the body by the help of the Spirit Rom. 8.13 The Holy-Ghost when he reneweth the heart puts into it a principle and seed of Enmity against sin 1 John 3.9 He cannot sin because the seed abideth in him And as that is cherished obeyed sin is resisted and mortified And he actuateth and quickeneth it yet more and more that it may prevail against the sin which dwelleth in us 2dly As our Surety he undertook that we should no longer serve sin that we should not willingly indulge any presumptuous acts nor slavishly lye down in any habit or course of sin Or under the power of any arnal distemper but also should use all godly endeavours for the preventing weakning or subduing it Christs act being the act of a Surety he did oblige all the Parties interessed he purchased grace at Gods hands and bound us to use all holy means of watching striving humiliation cutting off the provisions of the flesh avoiding occasions weaning the heart from earthly things which are the bait and fuel of sin that keep it alive 3. Our consent to this ingagement is actually given when we are converted and solemnly ratified in Baptism 1. 'T is actually given when we are converted Rom. 6.13 As those that are alive from the dead yield your selves to God and your members as instruments of righteousness to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 weapons we then give up our selves to work and first as to do his work so to war in his warfare against the Devil the World and the flesh Till the merit of Christs death be applyed by faith to the hearts of sinners they are alive to sin but dead to righteousness but then they are dead to sin and alive to righteousness and as alive from the dead and then yield up themselves to serve and please God in all things 2dly That this is solemnly done or implyed in Baptism For when we were baptized into Christ we were baptized into his death Rom. 6.3 4 5. In Baptism we did by solemn vow and profession bind our selves to look after the effects of Christs death to mortify the deeds of the body or which is all one renounce the Devil the World and the flesh The Devil as the great architect and principle of all wickedness the World as the great bait and snare the flesh as the rebelling principle Our Baptism is certainly an avowed death to sin it implieth a renunciation by way of vow for 't is the answer of a good conscience towards God And the ancient covenants were made by way of question and answer 1 Pet. 3.21 The very washing implieth it washing is a purifying and after purifying we must not return to this mire again 2 Pet. 1.19 He hath forgotten he was purged from his old sins We promised to give over our old sins or as 't is our first ingrafting and implanting into Christ and his death if when we are baptized we are reckoned to be dead The death of Christ was mainly to put away sin and to take away sin 1 John 3.5 And Heb. 9.26 Now sins were not taken away that men may resume and take them up again The great condemnation of the Christian world is that when Christ would take away their sins they will not part with their sins 3dly How they can be dead to sin and the World since after conversion they feel so many carnal motions Ans. 1. By consenting to Christs ingagement they have bound themselves to dye unto sin When we gave up our names to Christ we promised to cast off sin and therefore we are to reckon our selves as dead to â—in by our own vow and obligation and accordingly to behave our selves Rom. 6.2 How shall we that are dead
to sin live any longer therein 'T is an argument not so much ab impossibili as ab incongruo And ye are dead therefore mortify your members that are upon earth Col. 3.3 5. If dead already why should they mortify Dead that is bound to be dead So a sinner when he giveth up himself to God doth honestly resolve and firmly bind himself to subdue corruption root and branch and to depart from all known sin 2. When the work is begun corruption is wounded to the very heart And the dominion and reign of sin being shaken off Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under grace Sin is dead where it doth not extinguish the life of grace but the life of grace doth more and more extinguish sin there its dominion is taken away though its life be prolonged for a season 3. The work is carryed on by degrees and the strength of sin is weakened by the power of grace though not totally subdued Gal. 5.17 Ye cannot do the things ye would They are not so active in sin nor delighted in it sin dyeth when the love of it dyeth and the pleasure of it is gone Now the love of sin is weakened in their hearts they hate it though sometimes they fall into it Rom. 7.15 What I hate that do I 't is inabling a Christian to dye to sin and the World every day 4. Christ hath undertaken to subdue it wholly in them and at length the Soul shall be without spot blemish or wrinckle Eph. 5.27 We and corruption dye together when Christ removeth the vail of the flesh and taketh home the Soul to Heaven 't is without spot the glorifyed saints have not one fleshly thought or carnal motion but are wholly swallowed up in the love of God Therefore let Christ alone with his work he will not cease till sin be wholly abolished The foolish builder begun but was not able to make an end it cannot be said so of our redeemer he that hath begun a good work will perfect it Phil. 1 6. and 1 Thes. 5.23 24. The very God of peace sanctify you wholly I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we come â—o Heaven we shall not complain of hard hearts or carnal affections or unruly desires as Naomi said to Ruth Sit still my Daughter the man will not rest till he have finished This thing Gods work now is but half done continue with patience in well doing and in time it will come to perfection Christ will not cease till all be done 4. What use the death of Christ hath to this effect to make us die unto sin and the World 1. This was Christs end He died not only to expiate the guilt of sin but also to take away its strength and power 1 John 3.8 That the interest of the Devil may be destroyed in us and the interest of God set up with more glory and triumph Now shall we make void the end of Christs death and go about to frustrate his intention which was to oppose weaken and resist sin shall we cherish that which he came to destroy God forbid There are some that abuse the death and merits of Christ for a quite contrary end than he intended namely to feed lusts not to suppress them Christ dyed to sinners they say and they resolve to be sinners still these crucify Christ afresh Heb. 6.6 They are not crucified with him that was his end Nothing maketh the Devil such a triumph as when he supposeth God is beaten with his own Weapon and that which should prove the destruction of sin proveth the great promotion of it and the great hindrance of Christ and the Gospel when poison is conveyed by this perfume The Apostle never mentioneth this abuse of grace without abhorence Rom. 6.1 Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Rom. 6.15 Shall we sin because we are not under the Law but under grace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Gal. 2.17 Shall I make Christ the Minister of sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 absit a vobis haec cogitatio Calvin Christians should abhominate the thought of it as blasphemy and absurd But again others reflect upon Christs death only for the comfort of it that is but half the end you should prize the vertue as well as the comfort Paul desired not his righteousness only but his power Phil. 3.9 10. Lusts trouble us as much as guilty fears This being Christs end we should comply with it Paul gloried in the cross as by it crucifyed to the World Gal. 6.14 2. By way of representation the death and agonies of Christ do set forth the heinousness and hatefulness of sin 'T is the best Glass to discover it to us in its own colours it smileth upon the Soul with a pleasing aspect but if you would know the right complection of it go to Golgotha and as you like the agonies of the Garden and the sorrows of his cross so you may continue your dalliance with sin and indulgence to carnal pleasures 'T is a sport to us to do evil but it was no sport to Christ to suffer for it it made his Soul heavy unto death Never believe the inticing blandishments whereby it would inveigle you think of the drops of blood the tears and fears and strong cries of Jesus Christ the rending of the rocks the darkening of the Sun the frowns of an angry God Christs desertion the burden he felt when he bore our sins Christ was the Son of God knew his sufferings short and a prospect of the glory which was to ensue had no inherent guilt knew not what it was to commit sin He knew no sin 2 Cor. 4.21 Though he knew what it was to suffer for sin Cast in the dear affection that was between God and Christ and it will make you tremble to consider what he endured it pleased the Father to bruise him Oh know what an evil bitter thing it is what it will bring upon you if you allow it 3 It worketh on love It should make sin hateful to consider what it did to Christ our dearest Lord and Redeemer surely we should not think it fit to go on in that course which brought such sufferings upon Christ. By his love manifested in his sufferings he hath powerfully constrained us not to take pleasure in what put him to such pain and grief We gush at the sight of one that hath murthered a friend of ours When the Prophet saw Hazael he wept and said thou art the murtherer We hate the Jews and detest the memory of Judas the worst enemy is in our own bosoms 't is sin hath slain the Lord of Glory the Jews were the Instruments but sin was the meritorious cause In this sense we made him serve with our fins Isa. 43.24 4. By way of merit Christ shed his blood not
sacrifice and the power of his Spirit we come to God and by a thankful sense of his love we are incouraged and inabled to our duty Well then when in a broken hearted manner we confess our sins and own our Redeemer and devote our selves to God and resolve to walk in Christs prescribed way then are sins pardoned and we accepted with God 2. This Faith and repentance is wrought in us by the word and mainly acted in prayer First 'T is wrought in us by the word wherein God is pleased to propound free and easie Conditions of pardon and mercy praying us to be reconciled and to cast away the weapons of our Rebellion and submit to the Law of grace For here in verses 18 19 20. He doth not only reveal the mystery but beseecheth us to enter into Covenant with him and to yield up our selves to his service Secondly Prayer by which in the name of Christ we sue out this benefit This is the means appointed both for regenerate and unregenerate The unregenerate Acts 8.22 Repent therefore of thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart be forgiven thee The regenerate 1 John 1.9 If we confess our sins he is just and faithful to forgive us our sins Believing broken hearted prayer doth notably prevail the publican had no other suit but Lord be merciful to me a sinner Luke 18.13 The Lord describeth the poor sinners that came to him for pardon Jer. 31.9 They shall come with weeping and supplications 5. We are sensibly pardoned as well as actually when the Lord giveth peace and joy in believing and sheddeth abroad his love in our hearts by the Spirit We must distinguish between the grant and the sense sometimes a pardon may be granted when we have not the sense and comfort of it We may hold a precious Jewel with a trembling hand as the waves roll after a storm when the wind is ceased God may keep his people humble as a Prince may grant a pardon to a condemned malefactor but he will not have him know so much till he come even to the place of execution Davids heart was to Absolom yet he would not let him see his face There are two Courts the Court of Heaven and the Court of Conscience The pardon may be passed in the one and not in the other and a man may have peace with God when he hath not peace of Conscience To assure our hearts before him and know our sincerity 1 John 3.9 is a thing distinct from being sincere and a man may be safe though not comfortable Every one that believeth cannot make the bold challenge of faith and say Who shall condemn Rom 8.33 6. The last step is when we have a compleat and full absolution of sin that is at the day of Judgment Acts 3.19 Your sins shall be blotted out when days of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord when the Judge pro tribunali shall sententionally and in the audience of all the World pronounce our pardon To make title to pardon by Law is comfortable but then we shall have it from our Judges own mouth Here we are continually subject to new guilt and so to new sins whereby arise new fears So till our final absolution we are not fully perfect not till the day of redemption Eph. 4 30. When the evils of sin do fully cease then is our Adoption full Rom. 8.23 Then will our Regeneration be full Matth. 19.28 Then all the effects of sin will cease Death upon the body will be no interruption of pardon we shall be fully acquitted and never sin more 3. That 't is a branch and fruit of our reconciliation with God the other is the gift of the Spirit or all things that belong to the new nature for God giveth sanctifying grace as the God of peace But this also is a notable branch and fruit of reconciliation 1. Because when God releaseth us from the punishment of sin 't is a sign his anger and wrath is appeased and now over Isa. 24.7 Fury is not in me God hath been angry for a little moment but when he pardoneth sin then he is pacified for sin is the make-bate between us and God 2. That which is the ground of reconciliation is the ground of pardon of sin Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace viz. the price paid by the Mediator to his Fathers Justice and therefore a principal part of our reconciliation and redemption is Remission of sins in Justification 3. That which is the fruit of reconciliation is obtained and promoted by pardon of sin and that is fellowship with God and delightful Communion with him in a course of obedience and subjection to him Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our bodies washed with pure water Our general pardon at first is to put us into a state of new obedience our particular pardon ingageth us to continue in a course of acceptable obedience that we may maintain a holy Commerce with God 1 John 1.7 If we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin VSE 1. is to inform us That all those that seek after reconciliation with God or would take themselves to be reconciled to him should be dealing with God about the pardon of sins and suing out this priviledge which is of such use in their Commerce with God But here ariseth a doubt What need have those that are reconciled to God to beg pardon Ans. very great Matth. 6 12. Our Lord hath taught us so we pray for daily pardon and daily grace Against Temptations as well as for daily bread I prove it 1. From the Condition of Gods people here in the World we are not so fully sanctified here in the World but there is some sin found in us original sin remaineth with us to the last and we have our actual slips Paul complaineth of the body of death Rom. 7.23 And the Apostle telleth us 1 John 1.8 If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us And verse 10 th If we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar and his word is not in us And Eccl. 7.20 There is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Either omitting good or commiting evil They do not love God with that purity and fervency nor serve him with that liberty delight and reverence that he hath required 'T is the happiness of the Church Triumphant that they have have no sin of the Church Militant that their sin is forgiven Sometimes we sin out of ignorance sometimes out of imprudence and inconsideration sometimes we are overtaken and sometimes overborn now these things