When Jesus Christ comes to the soul he brings joy to the soule Esay 9. 3. They joy before thee according to the joy in harvest and as mon rejoyce when they divide the spoile When the Eunuch had his soul bedewed with this raine He went on his way rejaycing Acts 8. 39. The ground of his rejoycing you may see v. 32 33 35. Philip had acquainted him with Christ and Christ upon Philips preaching had rained down a soaking shower upon his soule that created a holy gladnesse in his heart Christ is the onely cheerer of the heart He can remove spiritual melancholy he can take off spiritual heaviness and put unspeakable joy into the soule 'T is true many of the members of Christ want spiritual joy This ariseth either from the restraining of this raine or from their not discerning of this raine When ever the distressed soul shall come to the feeling of these showers it will rejoyce and be no more sad The Doctrine of Christ is a cheering Doctrine The whole Doctrine is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Doctrine of good tidings All the Ordinances of Christ are cheering Ordinances I will make them joyful in my house of prayer God hath planted Jesus Christ as a root of joy to his people As he is a plant of salvation so he is a plant of consolation no joy is either real or lasting which is not bottomed upon Jesus Christ That soul that hath received this raine into his heart shall have some joy here and he shall have everlasting full soul-satisfying joy in Christ and with Christ and from Christ in the other world This is the second Christ is like raine in respect of usefulnesse 3. Christ is like the raine if we consider the manner of its descending There is a great similitude between the manner of Christs descension upon the soule and the descension of the rain upon the earth I shal instance in seven particulars First The raine comes down successively and gradually now a little and then a little The raine doth not fall down all at once but it comes now a shower and then a shower as the earth stands in need of it God pierces now one cloud and then another in a pleasant succession Jesus Christ comes now a little and then a little as the condition of the soule requires A drop in one Ordinance and a drop in another Ordinance A shower falls in this Sermon and a shower at another Sermon This is that which the Prophet mentions Esay 28. 10. Precept must be upon precept line upon line here a little and there a little Now one comforting influence comes down and then another now one quickning impulsion then another now one promise is rained down then another 1 Jesus Christ would have his people in a constant dependance on himself 2 He would have them wait constantly upon every Ordinance 3 He would not have them surfet either upon his Doctrines or comforts therefore he observes a succession in his distillations of good things upon them 4 He would have every Doctrine and every comfort soak into their hearts Luke 9. 44. 5 Christ would have nothing lost which he is pleased to bestow 6 Christ would endear every drop of his grace to his people 7 The soules of his people are like narrow mouth'd vessels they cannot receive much at once without spilling 8 We are such bad husbands that Christ dares not trust us with much at once For these and such like reasons doth he cause all he gives to distill in a way of succession Jesus Christ doth in a way of wisdome parcel out all the good which he raines down upon the souls of his people Secondly The rain comes down irresistibly When God doth by his Word of command speak to the cloud to distil its moisture upon the earth it is not in the power of all the creatures in heaven and earth to hinder its falling down As the clouds cannot open their own veines till God give the word no more can they â—â—â—â—ch themselves when God sets them a bleeding Jesus Christ comes down upon the hearts of men with an irresistible power and efficacy whether we understand it of his Doctrine or of his Scepter or of the influences of his Spirit he doth descend with a forcible and mighty power His Word is called a powerful Word Heb. 4. 12. The Word of the Lord is quick and powerful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Scepter is called a Scepter of strength Psal 110. 2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion His Spirit is a Spirit of might and it s said to work mightily in the hearts of his people Col. 1. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let Pelagians and Arminians talk what their wilde fancy dictates of the resâ—stibility of grace the Scripture mentions no such thing the raine will come down whether men will or no and let the earth be never so hard it will soak into it When Christ by his Word and Spirit descends it is with a mighty power that the soul is not able to resist it I shall shew the power of Christs Word Spirit and Scepter in three great works Conviction Conversion Consolation To speak particularly to these 1. For Conviction When Christ comes down with an intention thoroughly to convince the conscience of sinne and righteousnesse the soul though it may stand out for a time yet it is through the mighty smitings of Christs Word and Spirit so powerfully over-ruled that it cannot but yield we have an instance of this in Paul Act. 9. 6. Jesus Christ doth with such an invincible evidence come upon his conscience that though he was in a violent motion carried on in a contrary course yet he yields up himselfe as a prisoner into his hands crying out Lord what wilt thou have me do He hath no strength to stand out any longer nay not so much as to dispute it with Christ Of this convincing power the Apostle speaks 1 Cor. 14. 24 25. Jesus Christ when he comes down with a purpose to bridle the conscience doth deal so effectually that the proudest sinner is brought upon his knees and made to passe sentence against himself Yea with such a mighty power doth he come down upon the soule that even those who are not savingly brought in have their mouths stopped and are unable to say any thing for themselves Thus it was with those that brought the woman taken in the act of Adultery to Christ John 8. 9. They were so mightily convicted by the Word and Spirit of Christ that they were not able to abide in his presence but shrunk away one by one as men self-condemned Thus it was when Christ descended in the word of Stephen Acts 6. 10. Though they would not yield yet they were so powerfully convinced that they could not resist the Spirit by which he spake Christ doth so demonstratively smite the conscience that carnal reasoning hath no door of evasion Of this powerful
work is wrought By this Word is the soule first cut off from the wilde stock of corrupt nature and planted into the true Olive-tree or Vine Jesus Christ Hence the work of planting is in Scripture attributed to the Ministers of the Gospel 1 Cor. 3. 6 7. I have planted saith the Apostle Apollo watered God indeed is the great Planter So v. 1. of this Chapter I am the true Vine and my Father iâ— the 〈◊〉 He is the Master-Planter the Ministers are subordinate-planters We are labourers together with God 1 Cor. 3. 9. They are so called because by the Word preached this great work is done This the Prophet clearly affirmes Esay 61. 1 2 3. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach Christ that they might be called trees of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord. These mystical trees are Gods planting but the instrument wherby they are made such trees is the Word preached Hence the Word is called the incorruptible seed of regeneration 1 Pet. 1. 23. As all the Trees and Plants in the first Creation were set and sprung up by the Word of God Gen. 1. 11 12. So are all these mystical Branches ingraffed by the Ministerial Word 2. The Spirit of God The Holy Ghost is the immediate Instrument whereby the soule is ingraffed It is the Spirit which gives efficacy to the Word both to cut off the soule from the stock of nature and to implant it into the Stock of grace The Word would never be able to tear off any person from his first root if it were not edged and strengâ—hred by the Spirit of God The Scripture calleâ—h the Holy Ghost the finger of God Luke 11. 20. compared with Mat. 1â— 28. He is so câ—â—â—ed as for other reasons so for this because he is the immediate instrument whereby God works in the hearts of his creatures Particularly for this work of ingraffing the soule into Christ the Holy Ghost is affirmed to be the immediate instrument 1 Cor. 12. 13. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body c. and have been all made to drink into one spirit And againe Eph. 2. 21 22. where the Apostle speaking of this great mystery under another resemblance saith that in Christ we are builded an habitation of God thorough the Spirit The same Spirit which builds us upon Christ into one Temple doth ingraffe us into Christ as one Vine 3. Faith This is the immediate instrumental cause on mans part Faith is an uniting grace it knits the soule to Christ and Christ to the soul Faith is an incorporating grace it doth as it were embody the soule into Christ making it one with Christ and Christ with it This is that which the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. To whom coming as to a living stone c. Ye also are built up as lively stones c. Two things are observable in that Text. First that the Saints are built together upon Christ the foundation-stone an holy house to God Secondly how Christ and they are cemented together into one building this is by beleeving set out by the expression of coming which is used ordinarily for beleeving as Mat. 11. 28. The Spirit of God first works saith in the heart of a person through the Word and then the soul is by the Spirit through faith ingraffed into Christ and made a lively Branch For the second particular What advantage the soul hath by being a Branch of Christ I shall here follow the Metaphor The same advantage the Branch hath by being ingraffed into the Stock hath a Beleever in a spiritual sense by being ingraffed into Christ I name these five 1. Spiritual supportation The Branch hath this benefit from the Stock into which it is ingraffed that it is born up and supported by it The Branch doth not bear the Vine nor doth it beare it self but is born of the Vine A beleever hath supportation from Jesus Christ We stand on Christs legs not on our own I can do all things saith the Apostle through Christ that strengthneth me Phil. 4. 13. The strength of the Branch is in the Vine so is the strength of a Beleever in Christ Who is this that cometh out of the Wildernesse leaning on her beloved Cant. 8. 5. I laid me down and slept saith David I awaked for the Lord susteined me Many blasts passe over a beleever many violent concussions and shakings is he exposed unto partly by reason of sinne partly by temptations from the Devil from men in all these shakings he hath sustentation from Christ into whom he is implanted My grace saith Christ to Paul shall be sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weaknesse in 2 Cor. 12. 9. A beleever may with confidence go to Christ and pray for support in all his weaknesses A beleever may go to Christ and chalenge support Christ would never have made thee a Branch if he had not intended to support and strengthen thee Esay 41. 10. there are repeated promises of sustentation I will strengthen thee I will help thee I will uphold thee In doing in suffering in dying is a beleever supported by Christ A beleever never wants support but when either through pride he will not have it or through slothfulnesse he will not 〈…〉 Jesus Christ 2. Spiritual nourishment The Branâ—â— doth not give nourishment to the Stock nor doth it nourish it selfe but it receives nourishment from the Stock A beleever hath nourishment from Jesus Christ The Root feeds the Branch it conveys its sap to each Branch whether it be great or little whether it be nearer the Root or at a farther distance from it Christ conveys proper nourishment to every beleever The Apostle speaks of this Col. 2. 19. The whole body from Christ by joynts and bands hath nourishment ministred the Ordinances are the joynts and bands by which nourishment is carried but Christ is the great treasury from whence it is carried He nourishes Faith he feeds Hope he nourisheth love c. Of his fulnesse have we all received and grace for grace John 1. 16. Every grace a beleever hath would die and wither if it did not receive daily nourishment from Jesus Christ 3. Spiritual increase The branch receives its Augmentation from the Vine The graffe when it's first implanted is very small a childe may break it with one of his fingers but by abiding in the Stock it grows till it come to perfection All a Beleevers increase is from Jesus Christ 'T is by and through him that we grow from infancy to a perfect man Two Texts of Scripture do fully set out this benefit of our implantation The one is Col. 2. 19. In him the whole body having nourishment ministred increaseth with the increase of God The other is Eph. 4. 16. Where the Apostle tells us that by and from Christ the whole body being fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every part supplieth maketh increase
alwaies reforme with a reservation they leave a nest-egge for Satan to sit on In this thing the Lord be merciful to thy servant saith Naaman 2 King 5. 18. But where there is true grace the reformation is universal Abuses against the first table are reformed as well as abuses against the second Table and abuses against the second table as well as such as are against the first Through thy Commandments saith David I get understanding therefore I hate every false way 4. When it is a Reformation to all good as well as from all evil When the heart is carried out as strongly after the reforming of good things omitted as of evil things committed then 't is a signe that there is grace in the heart When a man shall not onely reforme of oppression and in jâ—stice but reform to liberality and open heartednesse God puts these together 〈…〉 essential branches of all true 〈…〉 Esay 1. 17. Cease to do evil leâ—â— to do 〈…〉 a man shall not onely leave swearing but conscionably take up the work of praying c. Such reformation will evidence grace to be in the soul 5. When it is a setled and fixed Reformation Two things are comprehended in this First resolution never to return to these evils which we have put away never to forsake those holy courses which we have taken up when a man thorough the grace of God doth purpose that his Reformation shall last as long as life lasts He may fall into the same Acts again but 't is against his intention against his prayer against his endeavour Secondly a resolution to carry on his reformation from day to day in regard of degrees never to leave mending and mending till he have mended every thing that is amisse either in excess or defect This I call fixed Reformation 6. The sixth false Rule Quietnesse of conscience Many persons judge themselves to be in a whole condition because they finde no troubles in their spirit They have not those Tormina and gripings in their consciences which other sinners have had therefore they gather that they are in a good condition They think they are well because they do not finde those pains which others have found I have these three things to say about this rule 1. Holinesse is the onely way to true quietnesse of conscience See Jam. 3. 17. Esay 32. 17. disturbance is threatned to the wicked Job 15. 21 24 Job 20. 20. Esay 57. 2. All quietnesse of conscience is not an argument of a good condition This I shall make out by three Arguments viz. 1 A man may be in a very good condition and yet want peace of conscience A good conscience and an unquiet conscience sometimes meet in one man Though purity of conscience be the way to peaceablenesse of conscience yet the conscience may be pure and for the present unpeaceable We have many instances of this in Scripture That of Heman is very remarkable Psal 88. 15 16. a very good man as will appear by many instances in that Psalme yet had a very stormy conscience That instance in Isaiah 50. 10. is another proof of this Yea Jesus Christ himself had alwayes a good conscience but he sometimes wanted a peaceable conscience when he uttered those words Mat. 27. 46. he wanted serenity and peace David a holy man doth often complaine of unquietnesse and of great troublednesse in his conscience In the beginning of the new-birth when the pangs are not well over upon the hiding of Gods face upon the stepping aside into sinne upon want of evidence of grace upon some great assault of Satan in such cases consciences that are very good may be very unquiet 2 A man may be in a very bad condition and yet finde some quietnesse in his conscience See that cleare texâ— to prove this Luke 11. 21. While the strong man armed keeps the palace all is in peace The devil may be in full possession of the soule and yet the soul may be sensible of no unquietnesse at all That rich man in the Gospel sings a Requiem to his soul Luke 12. 19. The Apostle speaks of some that are past feeling Eph. 4. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They sin and yet do not feel sin 3 Some quietnesse of 〈…〉 Some peace of conscience ariseth from 〈◊〉 of a mans condition 'T is not peace but secuâ—ity sleepinesse deadnesse yea 't is one of the gâ—eatest judgements God inflicts in this life to afford men quietnesse of conscience in a sinful condition When God lets a man be as Jonah was ready to be drownd and yet fast asleep in the sides of the Ship 3. All that are truly godly shall at last finde peaceablenesse of conscience Though they may be full of tossings and unquietnesses in their consciences yet they shall at last finde peace though not perhaps so much peace as shall free them from doubting yet so much peace as will free them from distrust Peace is promised to them often in Scripture Esay 26. 3. Thou shalt keep him in peace Psalme 85. 8. Psalme 37. 37. Christ hath purchased peace for them The Spirit is a Spirit of peace as well as a Spirit of grace Joy is a fruit of the Spirit as well as Love c. True peace of conscience is an evidence of true Grace Quest How shall a man know true peace of conscience from carnal security They may be distinguished three waies 1. From the rise of them True peace proceeds from true spiritual roots viz. 1. Acquaintance with God Job 22. 21. False peace ariseth rather from ignorance of God forgetfulnesse of God but true peace ariseth from acquaintance and communion with him 2. The knowledge of our justification Of this the Apostle speaks Rom. 5. 1. When a person doth upon good grounds know that his person is put into a state of justification and thereupon finds peace and quietnesse in his spirit this is a night born peace 3. The sense of our walking according to the rule of the Word The Apostle mentions this Gal. 6. 16. He that can derive his peace from such foundations may conclude the work of grace from the work of peace as truly as he may conclude light from the Sun II. From the manner of the working of his peace True sound peace hath usually followed great conflicts of conscience True quietnesse ordinarily grows out of disquietnesse Storms usually go before calmes As it was with that natural outward calme Mar. 4. 39. so it is generally with spiritual calmes Though spiritual stormes are not of the same violence or of the same continuance in all yet some tempestuous blasts go before these serenities III. From the properties of it I shall name these three properties of true peace 1. It will allow no peace with sinne Carnal security is at amity with sinne at least with some sinne but gracious peace is at enmity with all sin The Prophet mentions this fruit of it Psal 85. 8. 2. It raises the heart to enjoy more full
a proper sense as if the bread were changed into the substance of his body c. They are angry with the Protestants because they will not beleeve it Amongst many reasons which overthrow that fond interpretation this and such like other figurative speeches may help us to understand that Christ sometimes calls himself the light sometimes the door and here the Vine not as if he were substantially changed into these things but to shew the spiritual resemblance which is between him and these corporal things Why there should be any more change of substance when Christ saith this is my body then when Christ saith I am the door I am the Vine I cannot see but God hath upon the blinde Papists fulfilled that threatning 2 Thes 〈…〉 â—â—dicially blinded their 〈…〉 antiscriptural opinions 〈…〉 2. See the excellency and 〈…〉 All these comparisons are but to convinc◠〈◊〉 carnal soules of Christs transcendent excellency Christ hath in a spiritual sense al the good properties of the Vine and of all the fruits of the Vine He hath all the excellencies of Wine I name foure I. Wine nourisheth It helps digestion Christ is a great nourisher the soul would decay and dwindle to nothing if Christ did not continually nourish it and feed it 2. Wine is a comforter Psal 104. 15. Jesus Christ is the great comforter of the soul When the soul droops and languisheth when it 's cast down and dejected the love and presence of Christ doth chear it again Ps 21. 6. David confesseth it in Ps 23. 3. He restoreth my soul Jesus Christ is the souls restorer 3 Wine emboldneth Being a spiritual creature it doth raise the spirits and being moderately used puts courage into the fearful Jesus Christ doth embolden the soul His presence and his grace fills the soul with a holy courage he that was fearful dares now speak for God and act for God the very tydings of Christs coming expels feare from the hearts of his people Esay 35. 3 4. There is no true valour in the soul till Christ be there All the souls confidence is built on Christ and on Christ alone We have no boldnesse in prayer no boldnesse in approaching to God in any Ordinance but is communicated by and from Jesus Christ Heb. 10 19. 4 Wine is healing Some kind of wines are prefer bed for the healing inward of distempers c. The Samaritan poured oyle and wine Luk. 10. 34. Christ is a great heales he heales broken hearts and wounded spirits and all inward distempers whatsoever There is no health in the soul till Christ be there Vnto you that fear my Name shall the Sun of righteousnesse arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2. Christ is that tree of life whose leaves are for the healing of the Nations Rev. 22. 2. Christ is an excellent and precious person Never look upon the Vine never see the fruit of the Vine but meditate on Jesus Christ JOHN 15. 5. Ye are the branches XV. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth Lon. Octob. 24. 1652. I Go on to the description of beleevers in reference to Christ as it is laid down in these words Ye are the Branches The Observation will be this viz. Doct. That all true Beleevers are spiritual Branches ingraffed into Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the royal Stock and all Beleevers are mystical Branches of this Stock The Scripture asserts this priviledge in many places Rom. 6. 5. If we have been planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his Resurrection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is there compared to the Root and Beleevers to the Branches or Cions that grow in this Root Erasmus therefore translates it very fitly Insititii ingraffed or implanted The Apostle sets down this mystery under another apt similitude of the foundation-stone of a house and the superstructory stones Eph. 2. 20 21. Christ is compared to the foundation and the Beleevers to stones built upon that foundation Ye are built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in 〈◊〉 the whole building fitly framed together 〈◊〉 â—nto â—â— holy Tâ—mple in the Lord. There are 〈◊〉 wayes of being Branches of Christ The one is by external profession onely In this respect all that are members of the visible Church are Branches of Christ Thus the Apostle saith that all the Gentiles when they were called into the Church by the preaching of the Gospel were graffed into Christ Rom. 11. 17. the Metaphor is often used in that Chapter This is not that ingraffing which I shall now handle For though it be an honour and priviledge to be a branch of Christ in this general way yet is it not a saving priviledge A man may be a Branch of Christ in this respect and yet at last be cut off and burned So our Saviour saith in the verse after the Text. The other way of being graffed or made a Branch of Christ is by the grace of union Thus all true Beleevers and onely true Beleevers are made Branches This is that which the Apostle elsewhere calls being members of Christ Eph. 5. 30. and dwelling in Christ John 6. 56. and putting on Christ Gal. 3. 27. That they are made Branches of Christ besides these testimonies of Scripture it will appeare from the Sacraments both of Baptisme and the Supper This is the plaine language of both the Sacraments 1. Baptisme speaks it 'T is the seal and signe of this ingraffing This is clear from two texts before cited the one Rom. 6. 5. If we have been planted together into the likenesse of his death How is that see verse before We are buried with him by Baptisme unto death The other iâ— Gal. 3. 27. As many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ Nor as if all baptized persons were really made Branches but because this is sealed in Baptisme as the priviledge of all Beleevers They are as certainly made Branches of Christ invisibly and mystically as all that are baptized are made members of the Church visibly and externally 2. The Supper of the Lord doth also speak it Our eating and drinking of Christ Sacramentally is a seat and pledge of our being ingraffed into him spiritually This is cleare from that Text I cited before John 6. 56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him We are therefore nourished by his flesh and blood because we are united to his body In the handling of this Doctrine two things are to be opened by way of Explication 1. How we are made Branches of Christ 2. What benefit we have by being so For the first How men are made Branches of Christ There are three things which concur to this work of the souls ingraffing into Christ The Word of God The Spirit of God Justifying Faith 1. The Word of God The Word preached is the ordinary and common mediate instrument whereby this great
This raine hath no Father but God alone 2. The raine is very useful to the earth Jesus Christ is very useful to his Church Consider this in five particulars 1 The raine hath a cooling vertue When the aire is heated through the scortching beams of the Sunne the raine doth refresh and coole it we find a great cooling after one nights rain even in the heat of Summer Jesus Christ hath a cooling vertue when the soul burnes with lust when it is scortched with fiery temptations one shower from Jesus Christ cools it againe Jesus Christ by the droppings of his Doctrine and by the secret distillations of his grace quencheth the unholy heats of the soule God complaines of his people that they are as an Oven heated by the Baker Hos 7. 4 The best of Gods children finde in themselves such inordinate heats Sometimes they burn with worldlinesse sometimes they are hot with envyings sometimes they rage with passion and distempered anger Jonah had a flame of anger in his soule when he fell so foul upon God Chap. 4. init There 's no way to extinguish such burnings but by the cooling drops of Jesus Christ he sends down a shower upon the heart and â—o brings it to its own temper againe How did Christ cool Paul when unconverted Acts 9. 1 3 4. 2 The raine hath a mollifying nature When the earth is like iron under our feet by long droughts or hard frosts a few good showers supple it and make it tender Psalm 65. 10. David speaking of the earth saith Thou makest it soft with showers Jesus Christ hath a softening vertue sometimes the heart is hardened by the deceitfulnesse of sinne The soul is like the frosty earth no hammers will break it no judgements will dissolve it at such a time a few drops from Jesus Christ will soften it The heart of Peter was once grown as hard as a stone he denies Christ forswears Christ curses himself if ever he knew him Luke 22. 55 56 c. no sooner doth Jesus Christ open the cloud and raine upon him but he melts into teares v. 61. The heart of the Church was once frozen very hard Christ comes and knocks she sleeps he continues knocking she gives him a scornful answer Cant. 5. 2 3. no sooner had he let fall some drops of myrth but she is softened v. 4. Before her bowels were troubled at his knocking but now her bowels are more troubled that she made him knock twice Christs Word and his Spirit have a softening power and vertue the unconverted hardnesse of the heart is mollâ—fied by this rain If Christ would but now drop a few drops from heaven the veriest flint in the Congregation would be turned into a fountaine of waters How comes the stony heart to be turned into an heart of flesh but because these showers fall upon it One good shower of this raine upon the heart of a Judas would make it like melting wax And then 3. The raine hath a cleansing vertue A good shower makes the very chanels cleane store of raine makes the very sinks sweet You observe the fields have a sweet perfume after rain Jesus Christ hath a cleansing and sweetning vertue Those hearts that are as filthy as sinks those soules that are as nasty and stinking as your common shores after a good shower of this raine are both cleane and fragrant Mary Magdalen was a very sink of sinne she was full of devils yet when this raine fell powerfully upon her how cleane was she See what the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 6. 9 10 11. What a company of filthy creatures are these Fornicators Idolaters c. yet v. 11. one good shower washeth these cleane Christ hath a cleansing vertue Let the soule be never so leprous or filthy a few good showers from him will make it cleane The Prophet calls him a fountaine for sinne and for uncleannesse Zech. 13. 1. And then 4 The raine hath a fructifying vertue The feed which is sowen doth not thrive the grasse in the pastures doth not grow if God withhold raine All the labour of the husbandman comes to nothing if either the former or the latter raine be denied The Psalmist sets out this vertue of the raine Psal 65. 9 10 11 12 13. want of raine brings a famine upon the earth Those three yeares of famine which followed one after another in the dayes of David were occasioned by want of raine 2 Sam. 21. 1. compared with v. 10. The sonnes of Saul were to be hanged till God by sending raine did signifie that he was appeased The raine is the very life of the fruits of the earth the clouds are the sucking-bottle of the fruits of the earth they dwindle if these bottles continue for any space stopped up See Jer. 14. 4 6. There is in Jesus Christ a fructifying vertue He makes the barren soul bring forth and be a fruitful mother of children See v. 16. after the text John 15. 5. He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit The Word of Christ is a fructifying word The Spirit of Christ is a fructifying Spirit the Church is acquainted with the fructifying vertue of Christ therefore she goes to him Cant. 4. 16. if Christ do not raine there will be no fruits but if Christ will drop down his dew the pastures will be green All the labour and paines of the spiritual husbandman will come to nothing if the raine come not down from Christ And if he please to poure down showers let not the Eunuch say I am a dry tree Though your heart be as dry and withered as the rod of Aaron was yet if Christ will raine upon it it shall both bud and blossom and bring forth Almonds The husbandman useth to say of his corne in a time of long drought that it is stocked yet that corne when the raine comes will shoot up Grace is sometimes stockt in the soul yet if Christ rain plentifully upon it iâ— will get up and gather strength again Davids grace was stockt when he lay sleeping in his blood and uncleannesse for so many months together yet when God opened this cloud and poured moysture upon him he revived 5. The raine hath a recreating 〈◊〉 It causes a gladnesse and cheerfulnesse in the heartâ— of men and it begets a kinde of brisknesse in the sensitive creatures the birds chirp the beasts of the field rejoyce in their kinde yea there is a kinde of joy in the very inanimate creatures The Prophet speaks of this in Psal 65. 13. The pastures are cloathed with flocks the valleys are covered over with corne they shout for joy they also sing When raine comes after a long drought there is melody made by all creatures in this lower world Jesus Christ hath a cheering vertue he doth fill the soul with joy when he comes down into the soule The heart that was dead and dull and heavy is made pleasant and joyful when these showers fall upon it
conviction we may understand that of the Prophet Esay 11. 4. Where speaking of Christ he saith that he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall slay the wicked When Christ sets upon the work of conviction he comes with so much efficacy that he smites some to submission all to silence 2. For Conversion When Christ descends upon the soul in the work of Conversion what strength doth he put forth the strong holds of sinne are battered down every high thing that exalts it self against the knowledge of Christ is brought into captivity to the obedience of his Scepter 2 Cor. 10. 4. Devils are cast out of the possession which they have kept for many yeares without the least disturbance Strong lusts are mortified and the very constitution of the soul is changed What aileth thee O thou sea that thou fleddest thou Jordan that thou wast driven back ye mountaines that ye skipped like rams c. Ps 114. 5 6. The Prophet speaks those words of the powerful entrance of the children of Israel into Canaan The like is done by Christ in the conversion of a sinner Jordan is driven back the whole course of the soul is altered The mountaines skip like rams There are many mountaines in the soul of a sinner as pâ—ide unbelief self-conceitednesse Atheisme profaneness c. These mountains are plucked up by the roots in a moment when Christ begins the work of Conversion See how the Prophet doth allegorically set out the powerful descension of Christ in this work Esay 11 6 7 8. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb c. All the woolvish ravenous and brutish qualities and affections of the soul are powerfully subdued and brought under All that have known a person before wonder at the great change which is wrought and he wonders more at himselfe then all others can do Christ put his bridle of power into his lips and turned the current of his soul he scarce knows how When Christ came upon the heart of Elisha what a mighty power was put forth 1 Kings 19. 19 20 21. Elijah casts his mantle upon him the Spirit of Christ descends in that action and see how the man is changed He left the oxen and ran after Elijah forsakes all his friends to wait upon the Prophet When Christ by his Word and Spirit descends upon the heart of the Jaylor what a strange work is wrought upon him Acts 16. 33 He takes the Apostles the very same houre and washes their stripes Had any one that had over-night seen him beating the Apostles so cruelly as he did told him well before the morning-light thou shalt wish that all those stripes had been upon thy own body thou shalt before the Sunne arise wash those bloody stripes with thy tears would not he have thought him mad and yet all this came to passe Jesus Christ comes down with so much power that though the will would stand out against him yet it cannot resist Many a person comes to Church perhaps with an intention to laugh at the Preacher Christ poures down a shower upon him which hath so much power that he that came a scorner departs a mourner Zacheus is upon the Sycamore tree Jesus Christ lets a few drops upon him and he is so powerfully subdued that he comes down speedily at the first call Luke 19. 5 6. Matthew sits at the Excise-office gathering tribute Christ raines down but one shower and that hath so much power that the man leaves all and follows him he cannot stay to take one mans money more he ariseth from his profitable seat and runnes after Christ Matth. 9. 9 10. Peter and Andrew are busie as Christ passes by mending their nets Christ distils a few drops upon them in that call of his Follow me and I will make you fishers of men and how mightily are they overpowered they will not stay one tyde more yea they will not give another stitch but arise and follow him Mat. 4. 18 19 20. 3. For Consolation When Christ comes down with a purpose to comfort a sadded heart he comforts it with power See the promise Esay 66. 13. I will comfort you and ye shall be comforted The Consolations of the Word and Spirit of Christ come with such efficacy that the soul cannot shut them out the mourning is presently turned into dancing The Consolations of Christ are called strong consolations Heb. 6. 18. not onely in regard of the matter of them but in regard of the reception of them where ever they come they come with strength Hannah is in bitternesse of Spirit for a time Jesus Christ doth but as she is at prayer poure down a few fresh drops upon her and she goes away and is no more sad 1 Sam. 1. 18. Mary Magdalen stands at the Sepulchre full of sorrow she weeps many a brinish â—eare John 20. 11. Jesus Christ doth but open the cloud and drop a few drops upon her and what jâ—y is in her heart Take the most melancholy and persive sinner though he be like Rachâ—l that would not be comforted yet one promise of Christ rained down upon him and set on by his Spirit will make him lay aside his mourning garments Though Ministers cannot answer the objections of sorrowing Christians yeâ— Christ can answer them so powerfully that the soul shall have nothing to answer againe This is the second particular Thirdly The raine comes down voluntarily undeservedly The Prophet tells us how the dew and showers fall They tarry not for man nor wait for the sonnes of men Micah 7. 5. The raine doth not expect any humane concurrence or causality Though it come down upon us yet it comes down without us The raine descends for our advantage but not for our deserving The distillation of Christ comes down undeservedly on our part The soule meets with many a shower from Christ when it deserves no such thing The good either of Christs Doctrine or his Scepter or his Spirit are not merited by us Should we have no raine from Christ till we did deserve it we should suffer an eternal drought The first grace of Christ is preventing grace I am found of them that sought not after me Esay 65. 1. And all the after-grace of Christ is undeserved grace We do as little to deserve the influences of Christ as we do to deserve the distillations of the clouds All that Christ doth for us is onely from the meer motion of his own grace Esay 55. 1. Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth James 1. 18. We must say Grace grace to all the soul-fatning drops that come from Christ He forgets that Christ comes down as the rain that dreams of merit All the sonnes of men want Christ but none of the sonnes of men can deserve Christ Fourthly The raine comes down unexpectedly Sometimes when the skie is black with clouds the winde riseth and driveth them away without so much as a drop
Out of his fulnesse have we all received and grace for grace John 1. 16. Christ doth not exhale vapours from the earth but sends down vapours from himself to the earth All his materials are in himself and from himself if Jesus Christ could not raine upon us till we did furnish him with materials we should be out of hopes of receiving one drop from him to the day of our death We can furnish him with materials for fire and brimstone but the ingredients of his comfortable raine are from himself alone 3. The raine is not necessary at all times There are seasons when the husbandman craves no raine He is sometimes afraid of showers and wishes for Sun shine rather then showers As snow in Summer and raine in harvest so honour is not seemly for a foole Prov. 26. 1. But now Jesus Christ is never unnecessary This raine can never faill unseasonably There 's no time but the drops of Christs doctrine come welcome to the soul There 's no moment wherein the influences of Christs Spirit are not grateful to the soule That day that is not a rainy day is a mournful day The earth may be too full of raine but the soule can never be too full of this heavenly moisture Si dixisti sufficit periisti 4. The raine is sâ—metimes hurtful to the earth Immoderate raine is as prejudicial as immoderate drought A poor man that oppresseth the poore is like a sweeping raine that leaveth â—â— food Prov. 28. 3. As parching heat doth sometimes dry up the fruits of the earth So excessive raine doth often drown the fruits of the earth Sometimes men and cattel are drowned sometimes houses with their inhabitants are swept away by overflowing showers But now Jesus Christ is never prejudicial to the soul If ever this raine do any annoyance to men it is by accident because it is not received or improved The distillation of Christs Doctrine is sometimes the savour of death 2 Cor. 2. 15. but this is onely because men are not bettered by it The Scepter of Christ doth break many in pieces Psalme 2. 9. but this is because men do not submit to it The influences and strivings of Christ by his Spirit are sometimes the occasion of the hardning of mens hearts and so consequently of their destruction but this is because they do resist and oppose them This raine hath intrinsecally no hurtful destructive property in it If it ever prove destructive it is because of some evil quality in them upon whom it falls 5. The raine is no distinguishing Argument between good and bad It falls promiscuously upon the righteous and unrighteous This our Saviour tells us Matth. 5. 45. The raine indeed sometimes falls in one place when it doth not fall on another Amos 4. 7. but on whatsoever City or Village it falls it comes down equally on all As fat drops fall upon the sluggards field as upon the field of the most diligent man But now this spiritual raine is more distinguishing Though all where the Gospel is preached have the same common Doctrine and all have some common influences of Christs Spirit yet there are special drops distilled upon the Elect which others never partake of Some are hardned others are softned some are rained upon to conversion others are rained upon for obduration some are melted and dissolved others are stiffned and enraged The peculiar drops of special grace are not communicated to all alike from Jesus Christ Arminians may talk of Universal grace that Christ doth no more for Peter then for Judas but the Scripture speaks of peculiar grace which is not communicated to all Why is it that thou wilt reveal thy self to us and not unto the world John 14. 22. There is hidden Manna which Christ never intended to bestow on all There are secret drops which Christ lets fall on one soul in a Congregation and doth not distill upon others This raine falls with a most exact distinction He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy saith the Apostle Rev. 2. 17. and whom he will he hardeneth Rom. 9. 18. Christ hath excluded some from the benefit of his prayers John 17. 19. And they that are shut out of the benefit of his prayers are excluded from the saving merit of his blood His propitiation is not extended further then his mediation 1 John 2. â— 2. The peculiarity of the descending of this raine is cleerly shewed by our Saviour in the answer he gives to that question of his Disciples concerning his preaching to the people in Parables Mat. 13. 10 11 12 13 14 15. Though the raine of Christs Doctrine fall down indifferently upon all yet the special grace of understanding applying and improving that Doctrine is not given unto all 6. The rain can make nothing spring where nothing hath rooted The showers are able to make both grasse and corne and other plants grow up but if either the earth be barren or if there be no foundation of roots the showers can do nothing the raine can make nothing grow up out of rocks It cannot make wheat grow where none was sowen But now Jesus Christ doth not onely make seed grow where seed is sowen but he makes seed grow where none was sowen Christ by the drops of his Doctrine and by the influences of his Spirit makes the rocks bring forth fruit He doth not onely cause plants to spring in good soyle but by the dropping of his grace turnes a barren soyle into a fruitful soyle one good shower from Christ will make the barren Heath as good ground as the fruitful valley The Word of Christ is called seed 1 Pet. 1. 23. it doth not onely make seed grow but it is seed it self Christ by raining down turnes the Thorne-tree into an Apple-tree He changes the thistle into wheat Other raine brings up something where something was but this rain brings up something where nothing was Other showers bring forth figs from Fig-trees but these showers bring forth figs from thistles Other raine brings up a crop where a crop was sown but this raine brings forth a crop where none was sown Those three thousand you reade of Act. 2. 37. had not one root in them when Peter began to preach but before he had done raining upon them their hearts were a nursery of all living plants The Uses of this Point 1. How justly may Christ expect fruitfulnesse from his people My beloved saith the Prophet had a vineyard planted in a very fruitful hill And he fenced it and gathered out the stones c. and he looked that it should bring forth grapes Esay 5. 1 2 3. It is but equal that they that live under Christs Doctrine and Scepter and under the influences of his Spirit should bring forth both good fruit and plenty of fruit the people of God are compared to a tree planted by the rivers of water which bringeth forth his fruit in his season Psal 1. 3. Christ is spiritual raine he is both
Christ Jesus nor any thing of Christ is no just occasion of offence to any he lived and died without giving just offence to any His counsel was good his example was holy his whole conversation was so ordered that none could justly be offended at him And yet through the wickednesse of their hearts many did then and do still to their own ruine take offence at him The Observation is this viz. Doct. The Lord Jesus Christ is to wicked men a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence Though Christ be in himself a precious corner-stone of Gods own appointment and chusing yet do wicked men make him to be unto themselves a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence It 's very common and ordinary for wicked men to be offended and to stumble at Jesus Christ Many places of Scripture do make mention of the offence which the wicked should take at Christ See Esay 8. 14 15. Though these words be not spoken directly yet they are spoken typically of Christ Adumbratus fuit Christus qui non instar arcis sed offendiculi potius Israelitis futurus erat saith Calvin upon the place Though Christ be in himself a Sanctuary and be so to the elect yet to the ungodly and carnal he is both a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence As many are gathered and saved by him so shall many be broken and snared and taken because of him To this agrees that old prophecy of Simeon concerning Christ Luke 2. 34. Behold saith he this childe is set for the fall and rising againe of many in Israel and for a signe which shall be spoken against And as it was foretold of him so we read in the Gospel that it was fulfilled concerning him many were causlesly offended at him In the handling of this point I shall open these two things 1. What it is in Christ at which men stumble and take offence 2. Whence it is that they do take offence We shall shew first the matter of the offence Secondly the occasion of this causlesse offence 1. For the first There are many occasions of offence which men take at Christ I reduce all to these three heads First some stumble and take offence at his pâ—rson I mean the meannesse of his person This was the great stumbling block of the Jewes They looked for a Messiah of noble birth and Parentage that should sway the Scepter of David with much outward pomp and glory They expected that all those prophesies which speak of the glory of Christs person should have been literally fulfilled therefore they took offence at him His birth was mean his parentage low and ordinary his attendance small his education and breeding contemptible this made them stumble The Prophet foretels this of the Jews Esay 53. init he shall grow up before him as a tender plant c. There is no forme nor comelinesse in him that we should desire him They looked for outward splendor and because they did not finde it they were offended The Evangelist speaks fully of this Mat. 13. 54 55 56 57. Is not this say they the Carpenters son c They did not consider that the Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to Minister that he came to be a servant that he was made under the law and therefore were scandalized at his meannesse We may adde to this his shameful and ignominious death which he suffered this was a great offence to the Jews They do to this day upbraid Christians with that curse Jer. 17. 5. Cursed is the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme Christ crucified is to this day a stumbling block to the Jewes Secondly some stumble at his Doctrine The Doctrine which Christ preached and which by his appointment is published is very glorious yet it is an occasion of offence to the world The Arians are offended at the Doctrine of his Divine nature The Manichees at the doctrine of his humanity The Socinians are offended at the doctrine of his satisfaction The Papists at his doctrine of justification by faith alone The Pelagians and Arminians are offended at his doctrine of nullifying the power of nature in things supernatural The Antinomians stumble at his doctrine of the ratification of the moral law c. The Pharisees were offended at his doctrine against tradition Mat. 15. 11 12. But to come to particulars 1. The strictnesse of his doctrine is a stumbling block to many The doctrine of Jesus Christ is very strict it condemnes not onely actual sinne but the very sinful risings of corruption in the heart He that looks upon a woman saith our Saviour to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart Mat. 5. 28. so v. 29. If thy right eye offend thee pluck it out and cast it from thee c. Duri sermones durioris Magistri have some said of these words They are hard sayings of a hard master If we consider the duties of the Gospel they are not onely barely to be performed but they are to be performed cordially sincerely else they are not accepted Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy minde and with all thy strength Corrupt nature would have full swinge and liberty the Doctrine of Christ will not allow it therefore is offence taken at it 2. The spirituality of his Doctrine offends others The Doctrine of Jesus Christ in the Gospel is a very spiritual doctrine John 6. 63. The words which I speak to you saith Christ they are Spirit and they are life 'T is the honour of Christs Doctrine that it is not fleshly but spiritual and they that are spiritual love it because of its spirituality You may see the spiritualnesse and efficacy of the Word Heb. 4. 12. it's quick and powerful and mighty in operation sharper then a two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit c. Now because men are carnal they are offended at a spiritual word The Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 James 1. 21. A carnal heart doth not love the word should be an engraffed word They are contented it should come into their eares but they do not love it should sink into their hearts therefore are they offended at it 3. The mysticalnesse of his Doctrine is a stumbling stone to others The Doctrine of Christ in his Gospel is a doctrine very mysterious 1 Tim. 3. 16. 'T is in many things above reason The Doctrine of the Trinity of persons in the unity of essence is above reason that God should be one and yet three The Doctrine of the the two natures in the person of Christ These and many others are above reason The doctrine of self-denial The doctrine of losing a mans life to save it the doctrine of regeneration of the resurrection of the body these are very mysterious And because they are so offence is taken at them read John 6. 51