Believing by Tradition giveth us but cold thoughts of these Mysteries but believing by Inspiration warmeth the Heart and reviveth it with an unspeakable Joy and is called tasting the good Word which is the privilege of those who are enlightned by the Spirit Heb. 6. 4. And a tasting that the Lord is gracious 1 Pet. 2. 3. which much differeth from the common reflection upon those things which Flesh and Blood may give us or the bare reports of Men stir up in us The Spirits light is lovely and ravisheth and traâ—sporteth the Soul And where it is permanent and rooted it effectually changeth the Soul Someâ— are altogether careless not affected at all with these things as the habituated worldly Sinner 1 Cor. 2. 14. They are folly to him For Spiritual Things must be spiritually discerned Some are to a degree affected by the common Work of the Spirit Heb. 6. 4 5 6. but 't is not rooted 't is not predominate so as to control other Affections and Delights they have a rejoicing in the Offers of Pardon and Life but 't is a Joy that leaveth some darling Sin still predominant But there is a third sort that have such a taste of these things that they are renewed and changed by it Heb. 3. 6. Now then if you would have this rejoicing in Christ Jesus you must apply your selves to Christ in the use of the appointed means for the renewing of your Natures for Love and Delight are never forced nor will be drawn forth by bare Commands and Threatnings yea and not by the proposal of Promises though the Injoiments be never so great and glorious This may a little stir us and this is the Matter of Joy but not the Cause of Joy But this Joy proceedeth partly from the Inclination when the Heart is suited and partly from the attractive goodness of the Object and both are powerfully done by the Holy Spirit as the Heart is renewed and the Object is most effectually represented by him Ephes. 1. 17 18. And this we must wait for 3. 'T is received and believed by Faith This is often told us in the Scripture 1 Pet. 1. 18. In whom believing ye rejoice with Ioy unspeakable and full of Glory And Rom. 15. 13. The God of Hope fill you with Ioy and Peace in believing We cannot be affected with the great Things Christ hath done and purchased for us till we believe them There is in Faith three things Assent Consent and Affiance 1. Assent or a firm and certain belief of the Truth of the Gospel concerning Christ as the only sufficient Saviour by whom alone God will give us the pardon of Sins and Eternal Life John 4. 42. We have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the World And Iohn 6. 69. We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ thâ— Son of the Living God When we are verily perswaded of this as we are of any thing that appeareth true to us this stirreth up Joy Others have but an hear-say Knowledg not a Believing Assent Surely Christ is a delectable Object what hindereth then but that we rejoice in him Nothing but want of Faith For if this be true we so Necessitous and he so Al-sufficient a Remedy why are we not so affected with these things as the worth of them doth deserve Nothing can be rationally said but that we are not soundly perswaded of the truth of it 2. A Consent This Grace is dispensed by a Convenant which bindeth mutually assureth us of Happiness and requireth Duty from us Therefore an unfeigned Consent or a readiness to fulfil those terms expressed in the Promise is required of us or a resolution to repent and obey the Gospel Christ hath Offices and Relations that imply our Comfort and other Offices and Relations which imply our Duty Or rather the same do both He is our Teacher and King as well as our Priest and we must submit to be ruled and taught by him as well as depend upon the Merit of his Sacrifice and Intercession Heb. 5. 9. And being made perfect he became the Author of Etâ—â—nal Salvation to all them that obey him And they are so taught the Truth that is in Jesus that they put off the Old Man and put on the New Ephes. 4. 20 21. True Believers must be Scholars daily learning somewhat from Christ yea his Priesthood implieth Duty Dependance humble Addresses A broken-hearted coming to God by him As his Kingship and Prophetical Office implieth privilege also His defending and teaching us by his Spirit 3. There is Affiance Which is a reposing of our Hearts or a relying upon God promising remission of Sins and Eternal Life for Christ's sake alone that he will be as good as his word while we diligently use the Means ordained to this end Rom. 2. 7. And this Confidence hath an influence upon this Joy Heb. 3. 6. or a delightful sense of our Redeemer's Grace 4. 'T is improved by Meditation For the greatest things do not work unless we think of them and work them into our Hearts The natural way of Operation is That Object â—tir up Thoughts and Thoughts stir up Affections Psal. 104. 34. My meditation of him shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord. The more frequent and serious Thoughts we have of the Love of God in Christ and the more deep and ponderous they are the more do they blow up this Holy Fire into a Flame Now for this end was the Lord's Supper instituted where the whole Gospel is applied and sealed to us that this delight might be afresh acted and stirred in us at the Lord's Table while our minds are taken up in considering Christ the great Apostle and High Priest of our Confession Heb. 3. 1. Surely it should not be an idle and fruitless Contemplation it should stir up Love and what stirreth up Love stirreth up Delight I come now to the last part of the Description 5. The particular Affection caused by this sense is mentioned We delight in the Grace of the Redeemer more than in all other things whatsoever Where 1. Take noice of the Affection it self Then 2. The Degree of it 1. The Affection it self Which is Delight or a well-pleasedness of Mind in the Grace that is brought to us by the Knowledg of Christ. This inlargeth the Heart and filleth it with a Sweetness and Contentment and the Vent of it is Praise for the Heart being inlarged cannot hold and contain it self Psal. 33. 14. I will shew forth all they Praise in the Gates of the Daughter of Sion I will rejoice in thy Salvation Joy cannot be kept within doors it will break out in all suitable ways of Expression The Heart doth first Rejoice and then the Tongue doth overflow The Heart is filled with Joy and then the Tongue with Thanksgiving So Psal. 35. 9. My Soul shall be joyful in the Lord it shall rejoice in his Salvation Nothing disposeth the Heart to praise
take from them what they resign to him but they are not prepared for a submission to all Events Like those that make large Promises to others when they think they will not take them at their words So their Hearts secretly except and reserve much of that they resign to God But this is false-dealing and is shewn in part in murmuring when God taketh any thing from us 1 PET. 1. 9. Receiving the End of your Faith even the Salvation of your Souls THE Apostle here giveth a reason why Believers rejoice in the midst of Afflictions they are qualified thereby to receive Salvation yea in part have it already Receiving the End of your Faith the Salvation of your Souls In which words observe 1. The Benefit The Salvation of our Souls 2. The Grace which qualiâ—ieth us for that Benefit Faith 3. The respect between the Benefit and the Grace 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the End or Reward 1. The Benefit Which may be considered as consummated or as begun And accordingly the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must be interpreted If you consider it as to Consummation and actual Possession so we receive it at Death when our Self-denying Obedience is ended And for the present we are said to receive it because we are sure to receive it at the close of our days We believe now that we shall at length have it and therefore rejoice with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory 2. If you consider it with respect to Inchoation or begun Possession We have an undoubted Right now and some beginnings of it in the Consolations of the Spirit Now we receive it in the Promises we receive it in the first Fruits which are some forerunning Beams of the day-light of eternal Glory 2. The Grace which qualifieth and giveth us a Title to this Benefit is Faith The word Faith is taken in Scripture sometimes for fides quae creditur sometimes for fides quâ creditur for the Doctrine or Grace of Faith The first Acceptation will make a good sense here namely that the whole Tenor of Christian Doctrine leadeth us to the expectation of and diligent pursute after eternal Salvation 'T is the whole drift of the Christian Religion But I take it rather for the Grace This is the prime Benefit which Faith aimeth at as I shall shew you by and by 3. The Respect between Faith and Salvation 'T is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the End or the word signifieth the Fruit and the Reward As 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for an End and Scope the Scripture favoureth that Notion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I press towards the Mark or Scope Phil. 3. 14. And 2 Cor. 4. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Salvation of our Souls is the prime Benefit which Faith is not only allowed but required to aim at A Believer levelleth and directeth all his Actions to this end that at length he may obtain eternal Life Sometimes 't is put for the Fruit or Reward Rom. 6. 22. Being made free from Sin and become Servants to God ye have your Fruit unto Holiness and the end everlasting Life The issue of all the final result was your Salvation The Point that I shall inâ—ist on is this Doct. That the End and Reward of Faith is the Salvation of our Souls I shall open the Point by explicating three Questions 1. What is this Salvation of our Souls 2. What Right the Believer hath to it 3. What is that saving-Faith which giveth us a Title to it The last is most important 1. What is the Salvation of the Soul 'T is not meant of temporal Deliverance or an escape from Danger as some would affix that sense upon it but of eternal Life or our happy Estate in Heaven This belongeth to our whole Man the Body as well as the Soul but the Soul is the chief part of Man and that which is first glorified When Men come first into the World first the Body is framed and then the Soul cometh after As we see in the Creation of Adam first his Body was organized and then God breathed into him the Spirit of Life And we see it in common Generation when the Body is first framed in the Womb then 't is quickned by a living Soul This lower Region of the World is properly the place of Bodies therefore Reason requires that the Body which is a Citizen of the World should first be framed that it may be a receptacle for the Soul which is a stranger and cometh from the Region of Spirits that is above But when we must remove into these heavenly Habitations then 't is quite otherwise for then the Soul as a Native of that place is presently admitted but the Body as a stranger is forced to recide in the Grave till the Day of Judgment and then for the sake of the Soul our Bodies also are admitted into Heaven This is the ordinary Law for all private Persons Christ indeed who is the Head of the Church and the Prince of this World and that which is to come his Body as well as his humane Spirit was made a Denizon of Heaven as soon as he ascended He entred into Heaven not as a private Citizen but as King and Lord of the Heavenly Jerusalem and therefore carried both Body and Soul along with him But as to us first the Soul goeth there as into his ancient Seat and proper Habitation and afterwards the Body followeth Well then 1. at Death our Souls go to Christ and enter into a state of Happiness Phil. 1. 23. I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. The Soul is not annihilated after Death nor doth it sleep till the Resurrection nor is it detained by the way from immediate passing into Glory but if it be the Soul of a Believer as soon as it is loosed from the Body it is with Christ Luke 23. 43. Verily I say unto thee to day shalt thou be with me in Paradise He asked to be remembred when Christ came into his Kingdom and Christ assureth him of a reception there that day as soon as he should expire 2. In due time the Body is raised and united to the Soul and then Christ will be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe 2 Thess. 1. 10. Such glory and honour will be put upon those who are but newly crept out of Dust and Rottenness the Saints themselves and all the Spectators shall wonder at it 3. There is another Period in this Happiness Our everlasting habitation in Heaven near unto the Throne of God and in the presence of his Glory John 14. 2. In my Father's House are many Mansions There we shall also have the company of Angels and blessed Spirits and make up one Society with them Heb. 12. 23. To the general Assembly and Church of the first Born which are written in Heaven and to God the Iudg of all and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect This is the
sum of the Salvation which we expect or our everlasting Happiness with God in Heaven 2. What is the Right of Believers or the Interest of Faith in this great Benefit I Anser 1. It doth not merit this Reward for it is not a Reward of due Debt by virtue of any intrinsick Righteousness in us or any thing that we can do and suffer but of mere Grace and Favour Ephes. 2. 8. For by Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God The Apostle is very tender of the Honour of Grace and the Interest of Grace in our Salvation From the first step to the last period all is of Grace and this Glory of his free Grace God must not be robbed of neither in whole nor in part We have all from his Elective Love we have all from the Merit and Righteousness of Christ and all from the almighty Operation of the sanctifying Spirit Faith it self is a Gift and Fruit of God's Grace in us To you 't is given to believe Phil. 1. 29. Therefore surely 't is God's free Grace Favour and Good-will which doth freely bestow that Salvation on the Elect which Christ by his Merit hath purchased and that very Faith by which we apply and make out our actual Claim and Title is wrought in us by the Spirit so that there is nothing in the Persons to whom all this is given to induce God to confer so great Benefit on us 2. Tho it be an undeserved Favour upon which our Works have no meritorious Influence yet Believers have an undoubted Right by the Grant and Promise of God wherein they may comfort themselves and which they may plead before God John 3. 16. God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Life Everlastingly And Iohn 5. 24. Verily verily I say unto you He that heareth my words and believeth in him that sent me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from Death to Life And in many places where the Believer is qualified as the Heir of Glory He that entertaineth Christ's Doctrine and receiveth and owneth him as the True Messiah and Saviour of the World and dependeth upon him and obeyeth him this Man hath a full right and new Covenant-Title to eternal Life 3. He hath not only a new Covenant-Right but a begun Possession We have some small Beginnings Earnests and Foretastes of it in this partly in the Graces partly in the Comforts of the Spirit 1. In the Graces of the Holy Spirit For Salvation is begun in our new Birth Titus 3. 5. And therefore Sanctifying Grace is called Immortal or incorruptible Seed 1 Pet. 1. 23. There is an eternal Principle put into them which carrieth them to eternal Ends. The Life is begun in all that shall be saved and it is still working towards its final Perfection The Apostle telleth us That he that hateth his Brother hath not eternal Life abiding in him 1 Joh. 3. 15. Whereby he implieth That he that loveth his Brother or hath any saving Grace he hath eternal Life begun in him 2. As to Comforts so they have some foretastes of that sweetness which is in Heaven by the Life and Exercise of Faith which is followed with Peace and Joy Rom. 15. 13. Or in their approaches to God in the Word and Prayer where Cod most familiarly manifests himself unto his People 1 Pet. 1. 3. or upon some apprehensions of his favour or the exercise of Hope and Love 2 Pet. 1. 8. By these or the like ways the Spirit of God giveth us the foretaste Surely such an Author such an Object must needs put ravishing and heavenly Joy into the Heart of a Believer 4. They are also made meet to partake of the heavenly Inheritance Col. 1. 12. There is Ius Haereditarium and Ius Aptitudinale The difference is as between an Heir grown and in his nonage when a Child in the Cradle As their Natures are more renewed and purified and their Souls weaned from the delights of sense they are changed into the Divine Nature 3. What is that saving-Faith which giveth us a title to it This deserveth to be cleared that we may not deceive our selves with a false claim Saving-Faith is such a believing in Christ for reconciliation with God and the everlasting Fruition of him in Glory as maketh us to forsake all things in this World and give up our selves to the conduct of the Word and Spirit for the obtaining of it 1. The general Nature of it I express by believing There is in it Assent Consent and Aâ—â—iance 1. Assent That leadeth on the rest when we believe the Truth of God's Word Acts 24. 14 15. especially those practical Truths which do most nearly concern our recovery to God as concerning Man's Sin and Misery that we have broken his Laws and are obnoxious to his Justice and have deserved punishment for our Sins Rom. 3. 23. And concerning Christ his Person and Office that he is the Son of God and that he came from God to bring home Sinners to God and what he hath done to reconcile us to him 1 Pet. 3. 18. For Christ also hath once suffered for our Sins the Iust for the Vnjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the Flesh but quickned by the Spirit And also concerning your Duty and Happiness the End and the Way There is no other End and Happiness but God no other Way but the Mediator and the Means appointed by him Iohn 14. 6. Now these and such-like Truths must be believed that is in the sense we are now upon assented unto as faithful Sayings and worthy of all acceptation and regard 2. There is a Consent in Faith whether you apply it to the Word or Christ. If Christ be propounded as the Object of it 't is called a receiving Iohn 1. 12. But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God So the word Acts 2. 41. They gladly received his Word that is embraced the Gospel-Covenant being really affected with what he had spoken concerning their Sin and their Duty Without this the Assent is but Intellectual and Speculative not Practical An Opinion not an Act or Motion of the new Nature I am to receive the Christ offered to embrace the Covenant propounded To accept of the Blessings offered for my Happiness and to resolve upon the Duties required as my Work This is Consent or an hearty accepting of Christ or the Covenant of Grace offered to us in his Name 3. There is Affiance Trust Dependance or Confidence which is a quiet repose of Heart in the Mercy of God or Fidelity of Christ that he will give me Pardon and Life if I seek after it in the way that he hath appointed This cometh in upon the former for when I consent to seek my happiness in God through Christ I depend
Worth of those blessed Things which are to come and so to take the Thing promised for our Happiness and the promise for our Security 1. There is no true sound Faith till we take the everlasting Fruition of God in Glory for our whole Felicity till our Hearts be set upon it and we do desire it intend it wait for it as the chief Good and Blessedness The upright Heart is known by its Treasure Mat. 6. 20 21. Lay up Treasure in Heaven for where your Treasure is there your Heart will be also Now if this be so other things will be lessened all other Hopes and Happiness is nothing worth and will appear so if compared with this better part with what we account our Treasure you will see all this World is Vanity and hath nothing in it worthy to be compared with the Salvation of our Souls 2. There is no true Faith where the Word and Promise of God is not taken for our Security so as our Trust in his Word may quiet and embolden us against Temptations and give us stronger Consolation than all the visible things on Earth Psalm 119. 111. and Heb. 6. 18. We should do more and go farther upon such a Promise than for all that Man can give unto us Earthly Pleasures and Possessions should be small things in regard of the Promise of God This should make us row against the stream of the Flesh and cross its desires and appetites and deny the Conveniencies of the World and all because we have God's Promise of better things 2. This forsaking cannot be without Faith because the Flesh is importunate to be pleased with present Satisfactions and loth to part with things which we see and love for that God and Glory which we never saw to quit what is present for what is future and with patience to be expected The Flesh is for pleasing the Body but Faith is for saving the Soul Heb. 10. 39. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Purchasing the Soul with the loss of other things So that this is Faith nothing but Faith and other Faith is not true and sound 2. It maketh us to give up our selves to the conduct of the Word and Spirit for obtaining this Happiness I add this because the Word is our Rule Gal. 6. â—6 and the Spirit our Guide Rom. 8. 14. And Faith is not only an apprehension of Privileges but 〈…〉 of Subjection And the sound Believer devoteth himself to the Love Fear Service and Obâ—dience of God 2 Cor. 8. 8. They first gave up themselves to the Lord and to 〈◊〉 by the Will of God that is to the Apostles as Christ's Messengers to be directed in the Way to Heaven Psal. 119. 38. Stablish thy Word unto thy Servant who is devoted to thy fear This now is saving-Faith The Vse is to exhort you to believe to the saving of the Soul To this end 1. Because Faith is the Gift of God beg the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that your Eyes may be opened that you may see what is the Hope of his Calling and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints c. Ephes. 1. 17 18. That you may be convinced of the truth and worth of the Blessedness promised and know and see it not by a traditional Report but in the lively Light of the Spirit such as may affect and engage your Hearts Naturally we are purblind 2 Pet. 1. 9. have no accute discerning but in Back and Belly Concernments We know what is noxious or comfortable to the present Life pleasing or displeasing to the Flesh but are little affected with the danger of perishing for ever the need of Christ or the worth of Salvation and till God make a change how slight and sensual are we 2. Think often and seriously how much the saving of the Soul is better than the saving or getting or keeping all the World Matth. 16. 26. What will it profit a Man if he should gain the whole World and lose his own Soul So much as God is to be preferred before the Creature Heaven before the World Eternity before Time the Soul before the Body so much must this Business of saving the Soul have the preheminence and be preferred before the Interests of the Body and the bodily Life But alas what poor things divert us from this Happiness the satisfying of the Flesh the pleasures of Sin for a season a little Ease or Profit or vain-Glory this is all for which we slight Heaven and our own Salvation 3. Put your selves into the way of Salvation by sâ—eking Reconciliation with God by Christ. You are invited in the universal conditional Offer Iohn 3. 16. 'T is offered to all that will repent and believe and there is no exception put in against you to exclude you Why then will you exclude your self Therefore come forward in the way of Faith and God will help you 4. Mind often the genuine Effect of the True Faith It makes you forsake all that you may be obedient to Christ and resolved upon it Therefore consider 1. the Necessity of it You can neither trust God nor be true to him till your Heart be loosened from the Pleasures and Profits and Honours in the World and you can venture all upon the security of his Promise other Hopes and Happiness will divert us from the true Happiness and the good feed will be choaked by the cares of this World and voluptuous Living that you can bring nothing to perfection Either you will turn aside by open Defection or Apostacy or else be a Dwarf and Cripple in Religion all your days either in Mortification in denying the sinful Pleasures of the Senses you will slight the fulness of Joy at God's right Hand for a little vain Pleasure which when 't is gone 't is as a thing of nought 'T is the Pilgâ—im abstaineth from fleshly Lusts He that runâ—eth not as uncertain that keepeth down his Body 1 Cor. 9. 26 27. or in a way of Self-denial run few hazards for Christ It may be they may make some petty losses but do not sell all for the Pearl of great Price Or in a way of Charity How else can you lend to the Lord upon his Bond or the security of his Promise Prov. 19. 17. He that hath pity on the Poor lendeth unto the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again 2. Consider the Profit Whatever a Believer losâ—th by the Way he is sure to have it at the end of his Journey Mat. 19. 28. Iesus said unto them Verily I say unto you that ye which have followed me in the Regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the Throne of his Glory ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel You will be no losers by God at the last A Wedding SERMON GEN. 2. 22. And brought her unto the Man THE words belong to the Story of the first Marriage that ever was celebrated in the
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Concision who instead of circumcising themselves did cut asunder the Church of God But the sound Believers were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Circumcision indeed as being circumcised by the Circumcision made without Hands in putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flâ—sh by Christ Câ—ll 2. 11. They were the true Children of Abraham who did indeed perform that for which Circumcision was intended For we are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Iesus and have no confidence in the Flesh. In the words we have a three-fold Description of the True Circumcision How they stand affected To God Christ Self I. They worship God in the Spirit II. They rejoice in Christ Jesus III. They have no confidence in the Flesh. I. They worship God in the Spirit This Clause may be interpreted 1. In opposition to the Legal Ordinances So 't is taken Iohn 4. 23 24. But the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and Truth The Jewish Worship is in a sense called Carnal the Christian Spiritual Heb. 7. 16. A Carnal Commandment Heb. 9. 10. Carnal Ordinances imposed on them till the Time of Reformation And Shadows Heb. 10. 1. Now the Lord would have a Spiritual Worship and the Truth of what was in these Shadows these external Forms he allowed instituted in the Infancy of the Church so that they worship God in the Spirit is they have embraced the true Worship of the Gospel and serve God not by the Carnal Rites of the Law but by the pure rational Worship of the Gospel This is part of the sense 2. It implieth worshipping God with the inward and spiritual Affections of a renewed Heart Heb. 12. 28. Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved Let us have Grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with Reverence and Godly Fear Worship flowing from Grace engaging the Heart in God's Service is that which God prizeth Therefore a Christian should not rest in an External Form God is my Witness whom I serve with my Spirit Rom. 1. 9. 3. It doth also imply the Assistance and continual Influence of the Holy Spirit Ephes. 6. 18. Praying always with all Prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints And Iude v. 20. Praying in the Holy Ghost The Doctrine is this That a True Christian is known by his Worship or is one that doth worship God in the Spirit Here I shall shew you 1. What is Worship 2. What a true Christian 1. doth worship 2. Why in the Spirit 1. What is Worship 'T is either Internal or External The Internal consisteth in the Love and Reverence we owe to God The External in those Offices and Duties by which our Honour and Respect to God is signified and expressed 1. Internal The Soul and Life of our Worship lieth in Faith and Reverence and delight in God above all other things Psal. 2. 11. Serve the Lord with Fear and rejoice with Trembling Such a delight as will become the greatness and goodness of God Worship hath its Rise and Foundation in the Heart of the Worshipper there it must begin In our high thoughts and esteem of God especially two things Love and Trust. 1. Love Deut. 6. 5. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart with all thy Soul and with all thy Might We worship God when we give him such a Love as is Superlative and Transcendental far above the Love that we give to any other thing that so our respect to other things may sâ—oop and give way to our respect to God 2. The other Affection whereby we express our esteem of God is Trust which is the other Foundation of Worship Psal. 62. 8. Trust in the Lord at all Times pour out your Hearts before him Delightful adhesion to God and an intire dependance upon him if either fail or be intermitted our Worship faileth If Delight Job 27. 10. Will he delight himself in the Almighty Will he always call upon God Isa. 43. 22. But thou hast not called upon me O Jacob but thou hast been weary of me O Israel They that love God and delight in him cannot be long out of his company They take all Opportunities and Occasions of being with God So Dependance and Trust Heb. 3. 12. Take Brethren lest there be in any of you an evil Heart of unbelief in departing from the Living God James 1. 6 7. Let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a Wave of the Sea driven with the Wind and tossed For let not that Man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Dependance begets Observance They that distrust God's Promises will not long keep his Precepts If we look for all from him we will often come to him and take all out of his hands Be careful that we do not offend him and displease him 2. External In those Offices and Duties by which our Honour and Respect to God is signified and expressed As by Invocation Thanksgiving Praises Obedience God will be owned both in Heart and Life In all these prescribed Duties by which our Affections towards him are acted If God did not call for outward Worship why did he appoint the Ordinances of Preaching Praying singing Psalms Baptism and the Lord's Supper God that made the whole Man Body and Soul must be worshipped of the whole Man Therefore besides the Inward Affections there must be External Actions In short we are said to worship God either with respect to the Duties which are more directly to be performed to God or in our whole Conversation 1. With respect to the Duties which imply our solemn Converse with God and are more directly to be performed towards him such as the Word Prayer Praise Thanksgiving and Sacraments Surely these must be attended upon because they are special Acts of Love to God and Trust in him And these Duties are the ways wherein God hath promised to meet with his People and appointed us to expect his Grace Exod. 20. 24. In all places where I record my Name I will come unto thee and bless thee And Mark 4. 24. 'T is a Rule of Commerce between us and God With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you and unto you that hear shall more be given 2. In our whole Conversation Luke 1. 74 75. That we should serve him without Fear in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our lives A Christian's Life is a constant Hymn to God or a continued Act of Worship ever behaving himself as in the sight of God and directing all things as to his Glory He turneth Second-Table Duties into First James 1. 27. Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the
was of that wicked One and slew his Brother And wherefore slew he him Because his own Works were Evil and his Brother 's Righteous Partly Because there is in them a Spirit of Envy and Emulation Both are Rivals for the Favour of God The Spiritual Worshippers take the right way and the Formalists the wrong way to obtain it The first are received the latter rejected And they being at such great pains and costs in their wrong way cannot endure that any should be preferred before them witness Cain and Abel Where carnal Confidence is there is bitterness of Spirit against sincerity 3. Because they have so much to do with God They that look to Men may rest in an outward appearance but one whose Business lieth mainly with God must look to the frame of his Heart that it be right set towards Holiness Now this is the course of a thorow Christian 'T is God's Wrath that he feareth God's Favour that is his Life and Happiness God's Presence into which he often cometh God's Mercy from whom he expecteth his Reward and with God he hopeth to live for ever Now bare Externals arâ— of no account or worth with God John 4. 24. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth 1 Sam. 16. 7. But the Lord said unto Samuel Look not on his Countenâ—nce or on the heighth of his Stature because I have refused him for the Lord seeth not as Man seeth for Man looketh on the outward Appearance but the Lord looketh on the Heart Prov. 16. 2. All the ways of a Man are clean in his own Eyes but the Lord weigheth the Spirit Men judg after the outward Appearance but God weigheth the Spirits 4. Because of the Nature of Gospel-Worship which is simple spiritual and substantial therefore called Spirit often in opposition to the Ceremonies of the Law and the ministration of the Spirit unto Life 2 Cor. 3. 8. The Law is called Letter and the Gospel Spirit Now for a Christian to turn the Ordinances of Christ into Flesh which were appointed to be the Ministration of the Spirit this is to alter the nature of Things and turn the Gospel by which is all our Claim and Hope into a dead Letter 5. This Confidence should not be cherished by a Christian because it can bring no solid Peace to the Conscience for the present External Justificiaries are uncertain the Man that kept all these things from his youth saith What lack I yet Mat. 19. 20. He asketh as a Man unsatisfied for our Bondage doth not wear off with External Duties but is increased rather till we are justified in the Name of Christ and sanctified by his Spirit But suppose it satisfieth blind Conscience for the present yet afterwards Men whose Hearts are not sound in God's Statutes fall into sad Complaints and are involved in a Maze and Labyrinth of Doubts and Troubles whence they know not how to extricate themselves They have so much sense of Religion as to understand their Duty and yet are so little brought under the Power of it as not to be able to make out their claim But if this be not the case of all when the hour of death cometh we shall find all is but froth 1 Cor. 5. 56. If we have not minded the Redeemer's Grace his whole Grace the Imputation of his Righteousness and the Regeneration of his Spirit and lived in obedience to his sanctifying Motions Then we shall be filled with horror and amazement The 1. Use is Caution Take heed of having Confidence in the Flesh of placing Religion and valuing your Interest in God by External Observances but look to this That your Hearts be upright with God in the New Covenant To this end 1. Take heed of a false Happiness The Wisdom of the Flesh which is natural to us doth incline us to it Iames 3. 15. doth only prompt us to Pleasure Profit and Honour We set our Hearts on vain Delights and are wholly carried to them value our Happiness by them Whilst we indulge this sensual Inclination the Soul careth not for God other things are set up instead of God The Belly is God Phil. 3. 10. Whose God is their Belly Mammon is their God Mat. 6. 24. And Honour and worldly Greatness is another Idol which Men set up while they value the praise of Men more than the praise of God Iohn 12. 42. Carnal Self-love maketh Idols and sets up other Gods instead of the True God Now therefore make it your first Work to return to God as your Rightful Lord and Chief Happiness as your Soveraign Lord. If you make it your business and purpose to worship God in the Spirit you will rejoice in Christ and have no Confidence in the Flesh. Spiritual Worship convinceth us of Defects and you will see a need of Christ's renewing and reconciling Grace Our Treasure and Happiness is our God Now therefore do you value your Happiness by the Favour of God and not by woâ—ldly Things 2. In the next place Take heed of a Superâ—icial Righteousness For this is plain Confidence in the Flesh. This maketh you sensless and ignorant of your Danger and careless of the means of your recovery and so your Conviction and Conversion is more difficult And therefore Christ saith That Publicans and Harloâ—s enter into the Kingdom of God before Pharisees and Self-Justiciaries Mat. 21. 31. No Condition is more dangerous than to be poor and proud corrupt and yet conceited and confident The most vicious are sooner wrought upon than those that please themselves in External Observances without real internal Holiness or change of Heart This is Two-fold 1. Outward Ordinances 2. Partial Morality 1. Outward Ordinances To rest in your attendance upon and use of these Consider how displeased God was with those that submitted to Sacraments without Reformation 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4 5. With many of them God was not well-pleased but they were overthrown in the Wilderness Spiritual Meat and Spiritual Drink could not keep them from Destruction when they murmured when they fell from Christ to Idolatry when they lusted after Quails when they tempted Christ And will he be more favourable to you Oh! rest not then in the outward use of the Ordinances of Christ God may vouchsafe you this Favour and yet not be well-pleased with you Many that have eaten and drunk in his Presence yet are finally rejected for their sins Luke 13. 26. Many prize the Seal yet tear the Bond that is break the Covenant yet seem to value the Seal of the Covenant that they may have Confidence in the Flesh in the bare external Performance 2. Partial Morality Those that live fairly and plausibly but want the true Principle the Spirit of Christ the true Rule the Word of God the true End the Glory of God that are in with one Duty and out with another fail in their Duties to God or Men Are much in Worship but defective in
by which we own God in Christ for our God So the assembling our selves together for publick Worship is a part of this Profession and must not be omitted for fear Heb. 10. 23 with 25. Let us hold fast the profession of our Faith without wavering How vers 25. Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is These Assemblies were instituted for publick converse with God testifying their Union and Agreement in the same Faith and Worship Indeed in lesser Truths that fall within the latitude of allowable differences in the Church Profession is not always a Duty for in some cases we may have Faith to our selves But a denying of God or being ashamed of him is always a sin When called to give an account we are with boldness to own our Profession Acts 4. 10. Be it known unto you all and to all the People of Israel that by the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified whom God raised from the dead even by him doth this Man stand here before you whole And Dan. 3. 17 18. If it be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery Furnace and he will deliver us out of thy hand O King But if not be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor worship the golden Image which thou hast set up 3. This Profession must be honoured and recommended to others by an holy Conversation But now what kind of conversation honoureth Religion 1. Such as is carried on with diligence and seriousness As Noah Heb. 11. 7. By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by the which he condemned the World and became Heir of the Righteousness which is by Faith They behaved themselves as those that in earnest believed a Flood when they made such thorow preparation which was a just reproof to the security and incredulity of the carnal World Whâ—n we do as we say in good earnest make preparation for another World otherwise Religion is but suspected as a vain pretense and empty talk Then we look after Heaven indeed then we believe it when we do the things that belief bindeth us unto A carnal Man that is all talk and no practice he doth not Religion so much honour in his words as he doth dishonour it in his works He liveth down his Profession while he seemeth to cry it up Titus 1. 16. They profess that they know God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate Contrary motions are an implicite denial of the Faith 1 Tim. 5. 8. But laziness and negligence do also foment and breed Atheism and we carry on the life of Godliness coldly and faintly and so our Conversations which should be a confirmation of the Gospel prove a confutation rather Those that are Disciples in Name only the Word of God cometh to them in Word only The careless Practicer is as bad as he that is haunted with actual doubts about the Truth of Christianity The troubled Doubter mindeth his business but these never regard it and do in effect say That Christ and his Salvation is not worth the looking after As 't is said of the Israelites Psal. 106. 24. They despised the good Land they believed not his Word Those that resolved to give over the pursuit of Canaan are said to doubt of his Promise So they that neglect Salvation do not believe the truth of it Heb. 2. 3 4. and tho they talk high they secretly propagate their infidelity The strength of our Faith should appear by the diligence of our Lives the seriousness of our Endeavours and the fervor of our Duties Practices do more express the Image of our Minds than Words The Faith that issueth out into Works doth most commend it self to others 2 Thess. 1. 11 12. That you may fulfil the Work of Faith with Power that Christ Iesus may be glorified in you and you in him Then is Christ glorified when you live answerably to your Profession and do by the Power of God carry on an Holy Life upon the incouragements of the Promises of the Gospel 2. Such as is governed by the respects of the other World When we are patient and joyful under the Cross and full of hope and comfort in great straits and delight in our Work which the World hateth and discountenanceth and hope against Hope and live in the Promises Psal. 119. 111. Thy Testimonies have I taken as an Heritage for ever for they are the rejoicing of my heart Then we justify Wisdom and commend our Faith to others God was angry with Moses and Aaron Numb 20. 12. Because ye believed not to sanctify me in the Eyes of the Children of Israel We are not only firmly to believe our selves but to sanctify him in the eyes of others and that is done by the labour of our Faith the patience of our Hope our joyfulness and delight in God when we have but little in hand and the readiness of our Obedience even under deep Sufferings When the Thessalonians had received the Word in much Assurance and 〈…〉 and much joy in the Holy Ghost The Apostle telleth 1 Thess. 1. 5 6 7. They were â—â—samples to all that believed in Achaia and Macâ—donia and from them sounded out the Word of God to other places Thus we propagate our Faith and commend the Truth of God to others The Life of Faith is a glorious Thing but the Life of Sense or Reason hath no glory in it or a Life carried on meerly upon external Probabilities When we can contemn this World both the good and evil things of it in hopes of a better and part with all that is dear to â—s in this World upon the Conscience of our Duty then we justify Wisdom 3. By an exact purity and holiness or a full conformity to all God's Precepts and Institutes and by a faithful discharging all Duties to God and Men. Every true Christian should be a transcript of his Religion 2 Cor. 3. 3. Ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ written not with Ink but with the Spirit An Epistle is that wherein a Man hath written his Mind our Conversations should be Religion exemplified a real Sermon Phil. 2. 16. Holding forth the Word of Life The Wax hath an impression and stamp left upon it according to what is engraven upon the Seal Then we honour Religion when the impression and print of it is left upon our Hearts and Lives and we are cast into this Mould More particularly Duties of Relations which are visible and easily observed justify and honour Religion Titus 2. 10. and 1 Pet. 2. 15. So is the Will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish Men. These conduce to the good of humane Societies are most regarded and make the ways of God
Heart to God or else if they should not prevail so far What dissonancy and jarrings are there in a Family when People are unequally yoked the Wife and Husband drawing several ways 2. As to consent of Parents God here in the Text as the common Parent taketh himself to have the greatest hand in the bestowing of his own Children He brought her unto the Man and ordinary Parents are his Deputies which must bring and give us in Marriage especially when young and under their Power The Scripture is express for this Exod. 22. 17. If her Father wholly refuse to give her unto him c. 1 Cor. 17. 28. He that giveth her in Marriage c. 3. As to the manner of procuring it that they labour to gain one another by warrantable yea râ—ligious Ways that we may lâ—y the Foundation of this Relation in the Fear of God not by stealth or carnal Allurements or violent Importunities or deceitful Proposals but by such ways and means as will become the gravity of Religion that weanedness and sobriety that should be in the Hearts of Believers that deliberation which a business of such weight calls for and that Reverence of God and Justice that we owe to all that seriousness of Spirit and that respect to the Glory of God with which all such Actions should be underken Col. 3. 17. Whatsoever we do in Word or in Deed do all in the Name of the Lord Iesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him When this is observed we are said to take one another out of God's Hands 4. Especially clearing up our Right and Title by Christ. Meats Drinks Marriage they are all sanctified by the Word and Prayer and appointed to be received by thanksgiving of them that believe and receive the Truth 1 Tim. 4. 3 4 5. There is a two-fold Right Dominium Politicum Evangelicum Dominium Politicum fundatur in Providentiâ Evangelicum in Gratiâ Political Right is founded in God's Providence Evangelical Right in Grace We have a Civil Right to all that cometh to us by honest Labour lawful Purchace or Inheritance and fair and comely Means used which giveth us a Right not only before Men but before God not by virtue of their Laws but his Grant By a Providential-Right all wicked Men possess all outward things which they enjoy as the Fruits and Gifts of his common Bounty it is their Portion Psalm 17. 14. Whatever falleth to their share in the course of God's Providence they are not Usurpers meerly for possessing what they have but for abusing what they have They have not only a civil Right to prevent the Incroachments of others by the Laws of Men but a providential Right before God and are not simply responsible for the Possession but the Use. But then there is an Evangelical or New-Covenant Right So Believers have a Right to their Creature-Comforts by God's special Conveyance that sweetneth every Mercy that it comes wrapt in the Bowels of Christ. The little which the Righteous hath is better than the Treasures of many wicked as the mean fair of a poor Subject is better than the Dainties of a condemned Traitor And this we have by Christ as the Heir of all things and we by him 1 Cor. 3. latter end So all those things do belong to them that believe as Gifts of his fatherly Love and Goodness to us in Christ as we take our Bread out of Christ's hands so we must be married to Christ before married to one another the Marriage-Covenant should be begun and concluded between Christ and you 5. For the End the general and last End of this as of every Action must be God's Glory 1 Cor. 10. 31. and Col. 3. 17. A Christian's Second-Table Duties and First-Table Duties should have on them holiness to the Lord. All the Vessels of Ierusalem must have God's Impress More particularly our increase in Godliness and the propagation of the Holy Seed must be aimed at Where one Person is a Believer much more where both they beget Sons and Daughters to God But now are they holy 1 Cor. 7. 14. But those out of the Church beget Sons and Daughters to Men merely to people the World Seth's Children are called Sons of God Gen. 6. 1 2. In the careful Education of Children the Church is upheld 2. When his Providence is owned and acknowledged It is the Duty of them that fear God to own him upon all Occasions especially in such a Business Heathens would not begin such a Business without a Sacrifice There is a special Providence about Marriages God claimeth the Power of Match-making to himself more than he doth of ordering any other Affairs of Men Prov. 19. 14. Riches and Honours are an Inheritance from our Fathers but a good Wife is from the Lord. Inheritances pass by the Laws of Men though not without the intervention of God's Providence who determineth to every Man the time of his Service and the bounds of his Habitation where every Man shall live and what he shall enjoy The Land of Canaan was divided by Lot but Marriage is by the special Destination of his Providence either for a Punishment to Men or for a Comfort and a Blessing Here Providence is more immediate by its influence upon the Hearts of Men here Providence is more strange and remarkable in casting all Circumstances and Passages that did concern it Estates fall to us by more easy and obvious Means and therefore though nothing be exempted from the Dominion of Providence yet a good Wife is especially said to be of the Lord. So also Prov. 18. 22. Whoso findeth a Wife findeth a good Thing and obtaineth favour of the Lord. A Wife that is a Wife indeed one that deserveth that Name he that findeth her it is a chance to him but an ordered thing by God he hath not only experience of God's Care but his Goodness and Free-grace to him in that particular Well then God must be owned sought glorified in this particular The Husband in the Catalogue and Inventory of his Mercies must not forget to bless God for this and the Wife for the Husband the Lord was gracious in providing for me a good Companion I obtained favour from the Lord. God is concerned in this whole Affair he brought the Woman to the Man he giveth the Portion which is not so much the Dowry given by the Parents which is little worth unless his Blessing be added with it as all the Graces and Abilities by which all married Persons are made helpful one to another He giveth the Children Psalm 127. 3. Lo Children are an Heritage from the Lord Their Conception and Formation in the Womb is from God Parents know not whether it be Male or Female beautiful or deformed They know not the number of the Bones and Veins and Arteries He giveth them Life a Sentence of Death way-layeth them as soon as they come into the World He giveth them Comfort there is a great deal of
Tormented Vse 2. Is to incourage you to Rejoice in Christ Jesus Now because we are helpers of your Joy 1 Cor. 1. 24. And God is best pleased with this frame of Spirit 1 Thess. 5. 16. I shall resume the main Discourse And 1. Handle the Nature of it 2. Shew you whether this Joy may be without Assurance 3. Shew you the spiritual Profit of it 4. The Helps or Means by which it is raised in us 1. For the Nature of it 'T is an Act of Love begotten in us by the sense of the Love of Christ revealed in the Word and shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost whereby the Soul is more affected with delight in the Grace of the Redeemer than with all other things whatsoever In which Description Observe 1. 'T is an Act of Love The Acts of Love are two Desire and Delight They both agree in this That they are conversant about good and are founded in esteem We think it good They differ because Desire is the Motion and Exercise of Love and Delight the Quiet and Repose of it Desire is expressed in that Speech Psalm 63. 8. My Soul followeth hard after thee A Believer cannot forbear to seek after God Desire of Union keepeth us up in the pursuit of him Delight is expressed in that form of Speech Psal. 16. 5 6. The Lord is the Portion of my Inheritance and my Cup. The Lines are fallen unto me in a pleasant place yea I have a goodly Heritage He hath all his Joy and Pleasure and Contentment in God Desire supposeth some want or absence of the valued Object Delight some kind of Enjoyment Either he is ours or might be ours if we would our selves For the Offer is cause of Joy as well as the Injoyment If our Desires have reached the lovely Object 't is cause of Joy or if it be within our reach As when Christ and his Benefits are offered to us and left upon our choice And therefore 't is said Jonah 2. 8. They that observe lying Vanities forsake their own Mercies Their own though not possessed by them yet they are offered to them They might have been their own if they did not exclude themselves The Object is in a sort present and brought home to us in the Offers of the Gospel 2. 'T is an Act of Love begotten in us by the sense of the Love of Christ For Love only begetteth Love 1 Iohn 4. 19. We love him because he loved us first The Object of Love is Goodness Now we love God in Christ for the Goodness that is in him the Goodness that floweth from him and the Goodness we expect from him all these attract our Love 1. The Goodness that is in him Moral and Beneficial Moral which is his Holiness Psal. 119. 140. Thy Word is very pure therefore thy Servant loveth it If we Love his Law for the purity thereof then certainly we must love God how else can we study to imitate him for we imitate only that which we love and delight in as good Then for his Beneficial Goodness Psal. 100. 5. For the Lord is Good his Mercy is everlasting and his Truth endureth to all Generations And Psal. 119. 68. Thou art Good and dost good 2. The Goodness that floweth from him Not only in our Creation but our Redemption by Christ which is the stupendous Instance of his Goodness to Man Titus 3. 4. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards Man appeared c. In the Creation there was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Redemption 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That God found a Ransom for us and so great as his only begotten Son this was Love and Goodness indeed 3. The Goodness we expect from him both in this World and the next Here Reconciliation and Remission of Sins which is a Blessing that doth much draw the Heart of Man to delight in Christ. For she loved much to whom much was forgiven Luke 7. 47. We keep off from a condemning God but draw nigh to a pardoning God Therefore the Apostle saith Heb. 7. 19. The bringing in of this better Hope by the Gospel doth cause us to draw nigh to God Being at peace with God and reconciled to him we may have access with confidence and boldness to the Throne of Grace are no more at distance with God looking upon him as a consuming Fire The Gospel giveth us liberty to come to him and expect the Mercy and Bounty of God through Jesus Christ. So in the next World Eternal Life and Glory which is our great Reward merited by Christ Mat. 5. 12. Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your Reward in Heaven This is a solid lasting satisfying substantial Good Worldly Joys are but seeming they appear and vanish in a moment every blast of Temptation scattereth them Well then offers of Pardon and Life by Christ are the Matters of this Joy as they free us from the greatest Miseries and bring us to the enjoyment of the truest Happiness If you ask me then Why is a Christian described rather by rejoicing in Christ than by rejoycing in the pardon of Sins and Eternal Blessedness I Answer Because Christ is the Author and Procurer of these things to us And by our Joy we express not only our esteem of these Benefits but our gratitude and thankfulness for the Mercy and Bounty of God and the great Love of our Redeemer 3. The Description sheweth how the sence of this Goodness is begotten in us The Love of Christ is revealed in the Word and shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost And I add Believed by Faith and improved by Meditation 1. 'T is revealed in the Gospel or Word of Salvation which is sent to us Therefore 't is said Acts 13. 48. When the Gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified the Word of God and as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed Surely the Mind of Man which is naturally discomforted and weakned and strangely haunted with Doubts and Fears about the pardon of Sin and Eternal Life is mightily revived and encouraged with these glad Tydings of this Salvation dispensed to us by a sure Covenant Heb. 6. 18. And if the Gentiles that heard these things were glad proportionably we should be glad for the Gospel should never be as stale News to Sinners or as a Jest often told Our Necessities are as deep as theirs and the Covenant standeth as firm to us as it did to them Therefore if we have the Heart of a guilty Man it should be as welcome to us 2. 'T is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost So much is asserted by the Apostle Rom. 5. 5. The Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us Our dry Reason cannot give such a lively sense of these Comforts as the Revelation of the Holy Ghost And this is the difference between a believing by Tradition and believing by Inspiration