the following transactions to 1658. Justified partly by divers Ancient Manuscripts written many hundred years before Calvin or Luther By Samuel Morland Esq Fol. Divine Characters in two parts acutely distinguishing the more secret and undiscerned differences between the Hypocrite in his best dress of seeming vertues and formal duties and the true Christian in his real graces and sincere obedience By Mr. Samuel Crook Fol. An Exposition upon Ezekiel by Mr. William Grenhill Fol. 4º The humble Sinner resolved what hee should do to be saved or faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the only way of salvation By Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick Fol. 4º The riches of Grace displayed in the offer and tender of salvation to poor sinners By the same Author Fol. 12º The Fountain opened and the water of life flowing forth for the refreshing of thirsty sinners By the same Author Fol. 4º The Gospels glory without prejudice to the Law shining forth in the glory of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost for the salvation of sinners By Mr. Richard Byfield Fol. 8º A Declaration of the Faith and Order owned and practised in the Congregational Churches in England agreed upon and consented unto by their Elders and Messengers in their meeting at the Savoy Fol. 4º A short Catechism By Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick Hidden Manna By Mr. Fenner Fol. 12º Safe Conduct or the Saints guidance to Glory By Mr. Ralph Robinson Fol. 4º The Saints longing after their heavenly Country By the same Author Fol. 4º A Sermon at a Fast By Nathaniel Ward Fol. 4º Moses his Death a Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Edward Bright Minister By Mr. Samuel Jacomb Fol. 4º A short and plain Catechism instructing a learner of Christian Religion what hee is to beleeve and what hee is to practice By the same Author The Hypocritical Nation described with an Epistle prefixed by Mr. Samuel Jacomb Fol. 4º A Sermon of the baptizing of Infants By Mr. Stephen Marshall Fol. 4º The unity of the Saints with Christ the head By the same Author Fol. 4º God only justifieth a Sinner THE FIRST SERMON ON Romans 3.24 25. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud to declare his righteousnesse for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God AS touching the Context the Apostle had proved vers 23. That all Mankind lies under the guilt of Sin and therefore stand in need of Justification that they may be saved which Justification hee also shewed could not bee had either from any Creature or from the Law to vers 20. from whence he concludes that justification must necessarily bee sought in that Gospel Mystery propounded in the Lord Jesus Christ The whole dispute of the Apostle may be reduced to this Reason Men are justified either by Nature or by the Law or by the Gospel But they cannot bee justified either by Nature or by the Law therefore they must be justified by the Gospel The Proposition is pre-supposed and understood as manifest by it self The Assumption was demonstrated in the former part of this Epistle to vers 21. of this Chapter The Conclusion is expounded and illustrated to the end of this Chapter and so forward As touching the Text the words of it contain the Epitome of Evangelical Justification which is described 1 By the efficient principal and highest cause which is God vers 25. 2 By the inward impulsive cause the grace of God these signifying 1 Exclusively and that two-fold 1 Excluding Commutative justice or rendring like for like or so much for so much 2 Excluding Distributive justice proportionately respecting the dignity of men 2 Inclusively respecting the meer and pure grace of God observable in that Emphatical ingemination freely or gratis and by his grace 3 By the Meritorious cause which may also in some sort be called the Formal cause of our justification that is the Redemption made by Jesus Christ 4 By the Instrumental cause apprehending the object that is faith in his bloud 5 The Final cause 1 In respect of Us our Salvation and remission of Sins 2 In respect of God the manifestation of his Justice and Mercy that he might be just c. Doct. God the Father is the Fountain of justification As God the Father is the Fountain of all Happiness so is he of the justification of a sinner This is grounded upon vers 25. Whom God set forth And this is the rule of Divines generally received That wheresoever the Name of God is put in contra distinction to Christ Jesus it must not be taken essentially but personally for God the Father so here God set forth Christ to be a Propitiation i. e. God the Father For the better understanding whereof we are to know That where we say God the Father is the Fountain of our Justification it may be conceived in two respects 1 In way of opposition to the other persons of the holy and undivided Trinity 2 In opposition to the Creatures Object 1. In opposition to the Son and Spirit which will be cleared in answering this objection All the works of the Trinity that are without the God-head are undivided but Creation Redemption Justification and Sanctification are works without the Trinity or are acted and terminated on the Creature as their object and all the Persons in the blessed Trinity do work together in the effecting of them so that one and the same work is sometimes attributed to the Father sometimes to the Son and sometimes to the Holy Ghost yea what things the one doth the other is said to doe also Joh. 5.17 My Father worketh hitherto and I work and vers 19. Whatsoever things the Father doth these also doth the Son likewise how then can the Father be the Fountain in Justification Answ The Father is the Fountain of Justification not excluding the Son and Holy Ghost from being causes in it for it is said 1 Cor. 6.11 Yee are sanctified yee are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God but shewing that the Father is the original in the action of Justification Or that the Father is the first in order of working So Joh. 5.19 The Son can doe nothing of himself c. So Joh. 16.13 14. The Spirit shall not speak of himself c. so the Father justifieth through the Son by the Holy Ghost the Holy Ghost justifieth by himself from the Father and the Son the Son justifieth from the Father by the Holy Ghost and that upon two grounds 1 Because the Father is the Fountain of the Trinity and as the Persons are in order of subsisting so they are in order of working but the Father is first in order of subsisting Matth. 28.19 so also he is in working 2 The Father was the Person that most properly and directly was offended by sin hence it is said that Christ is an Advocate to the Father
In former times by the sacrifice of the Law the Mercy Seat and other types thus was Christ then set forth Act. 10.36 All these interpretations are usefull and precious which I comprehend therefore in this Doct. Christ was purposed and proposed our Propitiation That God the Father purposed from eternity and proposed in fulness of time his Son Jesus Christ to bee the propitiation for sinners 1 It s much insisted on in Scripture that the eternal decree and purpose of God is mentioned as the ground mark of our redemption 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God and the sanctification of the Spirit and obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Here wee have three works of the divine persons in the salvation of souls The Fathers election the Sons redemption and the Spirits application And these two latter are grounded in the former As also 1 Thess 5.9 1 Joh. 4.10 Act. 4.28 2 Christ was proposed formerly in the Old Testament I mean in the promises prophecies and types Act. 10.36 Luke 1.70 1 Pet. 1.10 11. The Prophets prophecyed of the grace of God in Christ and testified before hand of the sufferings of Christ c. Heb. 9.22 3 Most clearly in the Gospel-times 1 Pet. 1.20 The Lamb fore-ordained was manifested and offered in our times 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Gods purpose and grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began but is now made manifest by Christ c. when he came in flesh then was the fountain set open Zach. 13.1 Quest How was the decree of God the Father about the propitiation of Christ Answ There was from all eternity a gracious Covenant betwixt the persons of the Holy Trinity as it is expressed Isa 53.10 c. with Heb. 10.8 The Father saith If hee will make his soul an offering for sin c. And the Son saith Loe I cometo do thy will my God Quest Why did God the Father purpose from eternity Christ to be our propitiation Answ No reason can bee given but the good pleasure of the Lord Isa 53.10 It pleased the Lord to bruise him c. It s called the love of God and the free love of God 1 Joh. 4.10 that hee sent his Son to bee our propitiation Nothing without God whether faith or works or perseverance foreseen could move God to purpose any mans salvation For I may speak it with reverence God could not foresee any mans faith and good works except hee had decreed to give faith and obedience too himself Quest Why did God propose in the times of the Old Testament Christs propitiation Answ 1. It was necessary for the salvation of all the Elect before the comming of Christ there being no salvation to be had in any other but him Act. 4.12 and no salvation by Christ but by his sacrifice Heb. 9.22 but this is certain that God appointed their salvation and therefore appointed the means thereof that is the proposal of the Sacrifice and propitiation of Christ 1 Thess 5.19 2 It was necessary for after times for hence it is that Christ and his Apostles did Preach still out of the Old Testament Besides If they had one way of salvation and wee another then there would have been more waies to heaven than one and that would have endangered our salvation for wee should have been left in doubt and suspicion which way to take But the Scripture shews us that wee must bee saved as the fathers were Act. 15.11 Quest Why was Christs sacrifice proposed so openly since the comming of Christ Answ 1. In respect of the Elect both Jews and Gentiles that both might see their free admittance to him and acceptation in him Act. 2. cap. 3. 2 In respect of the reprobates that they might be left without excuse and Gods justice cleared in their destruction Eph. 2.13 Use 1. The hainousness of their sin who do neglect Christ This may serve to discover the hainousnesse of their sin that do either neglect or despise Christs Sacrifice or propitiation For 1 Consider that that revelation of Christ in the Old Testament though but dark and imperfect yet was sufficient and effectual unto the salvation of all the Elect then the Patriarks and Prophets c. John 1.29 Act. 10.43 Could the Ceremonies and the shadows save how much more Jesus Christ the body it self as hee is now revealed Could they see the Promises afar off and embrace them then And wee when they are near at hand put them away from us Had they but the predictions of Christs death and were saved by it and wee are not who have the full accomplished thereof God reserved for us these better things sad and very sinful is it if wee become never the better but the worse Act. 13.32 33. The Promise which God made unto the Fathers hee hath fulfilled unto us their children the neglect of these must needs be a more hainous sin for which the Patriarks and Prophets of old shall stand up in the judgement and condemn us 2 Because Christ is so generally and freely offered to all that will receive him Rev. 22.17 Whosoever will let him come and take of the waters of life freely What can men say but that their destruction is now of themselves wholly and that they are self-murtherers This will make the fire of Hell furnace seven times hotter than ordinary and worse than Sodomes Hell to think how ready and open the way to the Mercy Seat was and nothing hindered thee from it but thine own vile heart To see persons worse sinners than thy self saved in Heaven and thou thrust out Mat. 8.11 12. Many shall come from the East and West c. 3 It s aggravated by this that Jesus Christ was the onely propitiation determined of God for sinners from everlasting both his person and the manner of his redemption Psal 33.11 And hence unless wee could null the Counsel of God its impossible to finde any other propitiation No equivalent price for mans redemption besides this No Mercy Seat but meerly this By Gods decree the matter is eternally limitted that there is not any other way than by Christs death How shall wee escape if wee neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2.2 3. what recompence of vengeance can bee sufficient for this sin not onely if wee despise or scorn but if wee neglect or care not for this salvation Now hee that doth take care about this salvation will use all means rowl every stone take any pains about it will as Darius Dan. 6.14 18. Set his heart to the matter cared for it laboured about it passed the night without his accustomed meal his musick or his sleep and early and in haste arose and went unto Daniel whom he cared for thus 2 Cor. 7.11 Now if this bee the true care then those who have no fixed settled serious thoughts about their salvation That will not abate one jot of their sinful delights nor carnal contentments for it but
let the word they have heard heedlesly to slip from them again How is it possible they should escape weigh seriously but that one Scripture Prov. 1.24 to the end Comfort to those that have interest in Christ thus proposed and purposed for their propitiation Use 2. Of comfort unto the Children of God who have part in Christ their comfort lies in these branches 1 The proposal of Christ in the Promises and Prophecies of the old Testament This wee are sure is that good old way in which the Saints were saved then as Now. Jer. 18.14 Will a man leave the Snow of Lebanon that commeth from the rock of the field Or shall the cold flowing waters bee forsaken That is Will a man leave the pure fountain water to come to dig puddles as Jerem. 2.13 as many now-adaies do Our path is the path of all the Saints of former ages Wee follow the cloud of Witnesses Heb. 12.1 And may hope to bee in Abrahams bosome that Father of the faithful while that we insist in the faith of Abraham 2 In the proposal of Christ so clearly and largely in the times of the New Testament confirmed by the voice of God and so many signs and wonders wrought Heb. 2.3.4 here is great comfort that our souls are in the right way to bliss Rom. 16.25 26. 3 In the eternal purpose of God to make Christ our Propitiation When wee consider the sleights of Satan and our own weaknesses wee have cause to say that we shall one day fall But then Rom. 9.11 2 Tim. 2.19 The purpose of God according to Election will stand when heaven and earth shall fall The Foundation of God stands sure If it were a Foundation of mans laying it would not bee sure but it s the Lords that never was nor will bee shaken Our Salvation is not built upon our Faith our Works or any sufficiency in our selves or in the Creatures But on Gods Eternal Wisdome and Counsel and unchangeable Decree and on his Son Jesus as our Foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 1 Pet. 2.6 Behold I lay in Sion a chief Corner stone Elect and pretious and hee that beleeves on him shall not bee confounded Let him therefore be exceedingly comforted and take up Pauls triumphing Challenge and say Rom. 8.33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect its God that justifieth its Christ that dyed This is a sure breast-work against all Satans batteries and Accusations So Tit. 1.2 Wee have hope of eternal life promised us by an unalterable purpose and that from eternity Object How can that bee seeing before the World began there was no Creature to make the Promise to Answ I will not trouble you with other Interpretations but this is the truth That God the Father promised to the second Person of the sacred Trinity his own Son To give eternal life to all those that should beleeve upon him in the fulness of time And its suitable to that 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began Shall wee now say that wee are unworthy of any promise or Mercy It s very true we in our selves are altogether unworthy But Jesus Christ our Redeemer is worthy to have it made to him and performed to him The Lamb that was stain is worthy And immediately only to the Lord Jesus Christ were the promises made not to us and that before the World began so that they are in a good way and a sure hand there 's nothing succeeding can disanul Gal. 3.17 nor should discourage us from taking hold thereon Christ set forth to be a Propitiation THE THIRTEENTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation Doct. THat God the Father purposed from eternity and proposed in the fulnesse of time his Son Jesus Christ to be the Propitiation to appease his wrath Vse 3. Of conviction of errors c. It may serve to discover unto us the danger of diverse erroneous Tenents about the satisfaction of Christ Some denying some lessening of it some adding thereto humane satisfactions and propitiations Which wicked errours as they do overthrow many other Principles of Christian Religion so especially this foundation of foundations So that unless God should reverse his eternal Decree verified in all ages hitherto and should give forth another Scripture and lay open another way to heaven It s impossible these men should be saved for they hold not the head Col. 2.19 nor are at all built upon the only foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 having missed of Jesus Christ and his Propitiation Use 4. This shews the gratious and wonderful concurrence The concurrence of the persons in Trinity to our salvation of all the persons of the Trinity in the salvation of a sinner Here is the Fathers purpose and eternal decree the Sons propitiation the holy Spirits application of it implyed in the work of Faith in the blood of Christ A great mistake therefore it is for any to think that we do owe much more to Christ for our salvation than wee do to God the Father as if hee did carry it but justly nay somewhat severely towards us in Christ onely was mercy Why Consider 1. That the justice of God is an an essential attribute common to all the three persons that just will to punish sin or that wrath of God against it is alike in them all Therefore there is no greater enemy to sinners than the Son and the Holy Ghost Psal 45.7 2 Though Christ only did take flesh upon him and suffer yet this was now brought about by the Fathers Councel and decree Joh. 3.16 Hee gave his Son Rom. 8.32 Hee spared not his Son 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself God the Father is the fountain of the God-head in order of subsisting And so hee is in all the works of grace that are wrought for sinners It was his love that moved him to appoint this way of salvation 1 Joh. 4.10 3 Christs satisfaction and sacrifice was no cause of the fathers love but an effect thereof and a chief means of our salvation 1 Thess 5.9 The cause of a sinners salvation but not the cause why hee is elected and chosen of God unto salvation 4 It was the wonderful free love of God the Father to give any of us in particular to Jesus Christ and to determine us to bee of that small number that were to be reconciled to him by Jesus Christ Joh. 17.6 Thine they were and thou gavest them mee Therefore it s said Joh. 5.23 That all men should honour the Son as they do honour the Father that is with like love but not with greater love Let us therefore learn to glorify God in Christ 1 Pet. 4.11 for though wee may direct our worship unto one person yet wee must take heed of excluding the other in our
may plead it now and it will plead for you and stand by you in the evil day when you cannot bee without such a perfect righteousnesse and though then all others that are not righteous in this righteousnesse shall bee deserted of their righteousnesse and Gods too yet you shall have this righteousness about you and Christ deeming himself so highly concerned in your case that hee will bee known to poor beleevers by that Name of Jehovah our Righteousness Yea they themselves shall bee called by that Name and is there any fear that Jehovah our Righteousnesse should bee condemned 1 Because this Righteousnesse is of infinite value and worth 2 It cannot bee lost Dan. 9.24 3 It is unchangeable the Sun of Righteousness hath no shadow of change in him though the Moon bee subject to it 4 It is unspotted and without blemish therefore God cannot mislike it 5 It is in a sure hand and cannot be lost 2. All our inherent righteousnesse accepted Comf This imputed righteousnesse hath procured acceptance for our inherent righteousnesse The faithful do many times complain of their inability to do good duties the weaknesses of their Prayers and the imperfections of them and the many infirmities in all other services and performances but this imputed righteousnesse shall bring forth these infirm weak sinful performances perfect spotless and sinless and approved according to the Tenour of the Gospel so that they become spiritual Sacrifices 1 Pet. 2.5 For as there is an imputation of righteousnesse to the persons of beleevers so there is also an imputation to their services and actions As the fact of Phineas was imputed to him for righteousness Psal 106.31 So the imperfect good works that are done by the faithful are accounted righteousnesse Or as Mr. Calvin saith are accounted for righteousnesse they being dipped in the blood of Christ tincta sanguine Christi i.e. they are accounted righteous actions and so the faithful shall bee judged according to their good works though not saved for them and in that famous process of the last judgement Matth. 25.34 35. the supream Judge makes mention of the bounty and liberality of the faithful and so bestows the eternal inheritance upon them so that though we have great cause to bee troubled for the weaknesses of our best duties as they are in themselves yet wee have wonderful cause of comfort that they are made perfect through Jesus Christ Heb. 13.20 21. and that the Lord looks at them through the righteousnesse of Christ as fruits of his own Spirit 1 Cor. 6.11 The Son of Righteousnesse hath healing enough in his wings for all our spiritual maladies Mal. 4.2 And shall bring forth all our righteousness as the light and here beleevers have exceeding strong consolation and good hope through grace that both persons and services do find acceptation with the Lord as having no spot nor blemish at all in them So that This is our blessednesse to have righteousnesse Imputed Rom. 4.5 6. Use 4. Let it bee the care of every soul to labour for and seek earnestly after this imputed righteousnesse Oh bee convinced of this that wee must have a perfect righteousnesse to stand before Gods judgement Seat with Therefore the ungodly shall not stand but bee cast in Judgement nor Sinners in the general assembly of the righteous Psal 1.5 6. The ungodly shall stand to bee judged but they shall not stand accepted and approved It will bee our happinesse one day as Paul to bee found in Christ Oh! woe bee to that soul that the Lord finds or death finds or sicknesse findes or judgement findes without imputed righteousnesse To move you Mativ 1. This is the first righteousnesse and there cannot bee inherent righteousnesse before imputed Rom. 5.19 And without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 It is a great mistake to help our selves on our own reformations and good duties Till Faith wee cannot please God with any performance Motiv 2. This is the end of all the book of God to bring a poor sinner to this imputed righteousnesse Rom. 10.4 Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse c. that is the end of the Law was not that a sinner should seek to be justified thereby seeing that when it is broken 〈◊〉 can onely condemn a man But this is the main end of the Law that it is directed unto Christ where the sinner may finde imputed righteousnesse But now this end doth not pertain to the Law as such as it contains the Covenant of Works for so it consists in man onely and exacts perfect obedience at his hands upon pain of the curse and eternal condemnation neither hath any reference unto Christ but as the law is turned into another way into the Channel of the Gospel to bee a promoter and help to the Covenant of Grace and as an handmaid to the Grace of Jesus Christ Therefore Christs righteousnesse is so imputed to beleevers that in it they have the end of the Law and the law it self doth acknowledge that in Christs righteousnesse it hath attained its end Hence well might the Apostle say the Jews followed after righteousnesse yet attained not to the Law of Righteousnesse Rom. 9.31 because they missed Christ and therefore the Law must thus needs misse its end But by imputed righteousnesse we do fully attain to the end of the law and the end is more excellent still than the means It gives perfection measure and amiableness to the means Now this end should make us love and highly esteem the Law it self But how much more the Gospel seeing it is not only the end of it but the main drift subject and scope of it properly as such Rom. 1 16 17. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of God for therein is the righteousnesse of God revealed from faith to faith c. This then is the main end and proper work and scope of the Gospel to reveal effectually the righteousness of God to a sinner So that wee are aiming here at the right mark and very intent and scope of the whole book of God Where wee have an eye to this righteness and press after it But if wee miss it and sleight it we sleight and miss all the benefit of the Scripture and whole book of God and all the work of the ministry is in vain our praying hearing reforming and all in vain Oh then beloved as wee love either Law or Gospel or both yea as wee love our own souls let this righteousness bee in our eye and in our hearts by all means and indeavours Mot. 3. Herein lies all the strength of a Christian Psal 7.16 I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God and make mention of thy righteousness even thine only Quest By what means may wee attain to this imputed righteousness Answ There be many helps and diverse directions given or hinted in the Scripture to this purpose 1 That a man must close with the righteousnesse of Christ
yee Prisoners of hope As Anna the Prophetess Luk. 2.38 spake of Christ to all those that looked for redemption in Israel so speak we this day to all such amongst us as look for eternal redemption Wee cannot mention any other means but only Christ nor any better thing than liberty For Motives to seek redemption 1 Liberty is the best news to Captives that the world can afford The Father calls the time an acceptable time and the day of salvation Isa 49.8 9. when Christ is given for a Covenant of the people that he may say to the Prisoners goe forth and to them that are in darknesse shew your selves So Isa 61.1 2 3. Christ saith The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek to proclaim liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound c. The possibility of liberty is good news to a Gally-slave but Spiritual liberty is the best news on earth 2 This Redemption is most excellent It is the Spiritual Jubilee the year of general release the acceptable year of the Lord Isa 61.1 2. How solemn was the Jewish Jubilee observed Levit. 25.8 10. yet that lasted but a year this is eternal Heb. 9.12 3 It is dangerous to refuse this Redemption yet those Jews 2 Chro. 36. ult when Cyrus by Proclamation gave them all a free discharge to depart from Babylon a place where they had suffered grievous bondage to their own Country accepted not the Kings royal favour but abode willing Captives and Slaves still loving Babylon more than Jerusalem so after Proclamation of Redemption wrought and at this day generally offered many love Babylon more than Jerusalem their bondage under the Devil more than their liberty through Christ Joh. 8.36 The Jews contemned the liberty that the Son would have given to them The people of Nazareth hearing Christ preach deliverance to captives liberty to the bruised c. Luke 4.18 24. at first admired the gracious words that came out of his mouth yet would have destroyed Christ and set at nought his counsel So some love the general news of Christ a Redeemer but care not to apply it nor earnestly to seek it The hired Servants might goe free Levit 25.40 41. at the year of Jubilee but many would not goe to their families and fathers possessions but said I love my Master and like my condition so that they had their ears boared with an Awle to be servants for ever Exo. 21.5 6. Thus it is to be feared many might bee boared for Spiritual Bond-men and that Satan hath boared many for his Bond-men Bee exhorted therefore to consider the present offer Gospel days are Jubilee days the year of release the acceptable year of the Lord. It concerns all Bond-men to sue out the general Proclamation if they would have any benefit thereby It was the most prevailing motive amongst the Romans to act when their Liberties lay at stake Estote viri Libertas agitur In this quarrel they would bee prodigal of their bloud but here 's no danger but in not contending for your liberty And indeed Isa 61.2 The day of vengeance is joyned with the Proclamation of liberty Oh see then the dreadful danger of refusal Quest How should I partake of this plenteous Redemption in Christ Jesus Ans Directions to attain Spiritual liberty 1. Let us bring the matter to an issue and draw some conclusion giving the Verdict one way or other that wee are in bondage or at liberty Satan is willing that wee should leave the matter in suspense or else draw a false conclusion As the Jews Joh. 8.32 pleaded that they were not in bondage forgetting that Gal. 3.22 The Scripture hath shut up all under sin without exception And that all that are redeemed are drawn up from out of the sink of sin Tit. 2.14 and that all the redeemed were taken from under all the Curses of the Law Gal. 3.13 They like the escaped Beast have as it were a ropes end about their neck and fetters at their heels 2 Let us seek liberty with courage and magnanimity for we must expect discouragements When we but talk of Liberty the tale of Bricks will be doubled and if we are escaping we shall be pursued with all the forces of Pharaoh The Devil will presse hard after us if we set but a foot forward for Canaan Hee will increase our durance and raise all the Train-bands of Earth and Hell against us with all the Militia in the Magazine of our hearts But Isa 57.14 Cast yee up cast you up prepare the way take up the stumbling-block out of the way See your Leader in the Cloud and Pillar of Fire Zech. 9.12 Isa 4.5 See the door of Hope the valley of Achor Hos 2.14 3 Let us renounce all Redeemers but Christ Some think they can redeeme themselves by leaving their sins amending their lives or excusing their sins as small and making God amends for them by duties and services forgetting that no man can redeeme his brother Psal 49.8 nor yet can any redeeme himself 4 Let us with Israel cry continually in our bondage The Lord saw their affliction and heard their cry Exod. 3.7 and sent Moses to them when they were at worst to set them at liberty give God no rest Fill Heaven and Earth with your cryes So did the Church Lam. 5.16 whose bondage was not comparable to ours The Crown is faln from off our heads wee bee to us for wee have sinned vers 21. Turn us O Lord and wee shall c. 5 Study the truth of the Gospel for the promises setled on the heart by meditation bring home the Redeemer and set us at liberty Joh. 8.32 imprison it not therefore Rom. 1.18 6 Attend the motions of Gods Spirit in and with the Word for it belongs to the holy Spirit to apply this Redemption called therefore the spirit of liberty 2 Corinth 3.16 17. slight not the suggestions of it but follow it home into the soul Thus farre for instruction of Captives 2 Exhortation to the Redeemed in divers particulars from this Doctrin 1 To labour for a deadly hatred of sin Return not into Aegypt and watchfulness against it that brought us into this bondage Let us not be like unthankful Israel that when our Ransome is paid and Salvation wrought we should desire to return again into Aegypt What is this but to despise the price paid God destroyed them that he had redeemed out of Aegypt because they beleeved not Jud. 5. And will take it very hainously at our hands that wee should voluntarily accept that slavery that he paid so great a price to redeeme us from Not only a vile conversation is now dangerous but a vain one not only to live scandalously but to live unprofitably For 1 Pet. 1.18 We are redeemed from our vain conversation 2 To make continual use of Christ our Redeemer Make continual use
of Christs redemption who though by his redemption hee freed us from sin and Satans power yet never doth free us from their molestations till the Resurrection when Redemption shall bee fully accomplished For Canaanites are in the Land still Tentations Fears and Doubts molest the Conscience still Remainders of corruption make Paul cry out O miserable man that I am Rom. 7.24 and to still his conscience hee looks at Christ again vers 25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. God will have us continually beholding to his Son and therefore hath made him Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 to us 3 To be Servants of God Be Gods Servants that hath bought us at so dear a rate As the redeemed Gally-slave should look upon himself as his Servant that redeemed him Thus Paul argues 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Yee are not your own for you are bought with a price c. You owe your Life and Liberty to the Lord Jesus You are his by right of purchase be therefore wholly at his disposing Never was a dearer rate paid in the world Your utmost service though vessels fit for your Masters use will never recompence the charge laid out upon you You are his by Creation and his by Redemption Hee purchased your souls bodies and spirits and justly then may he challenge all This was the end of our deliverance Luke 1.74 75. delivered from our enemies to serve him 4 Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free Stand fast in Christian liberty Gal. 5.1 All sorts of enemies of our salvation seek to pluck some of our liberty from us The Devil would have us abuse it as an occasion to the flesh Gal. 5.13 to turn our liberty into licentiousnesse as doe the Libertines Papists would bring us in bondage to the Law by looking for righteousnesse from thence Some would bring our Consciences in subjection to mens inventions but Paul adviseth us 1 Cor. 2.23 that being bought with a price we should not bee the servants of men nor subject our consciences to mens traditions 5 You that are at liberty remember them that are in bonds Heb. 13.3 as if you were bound with them Remember them that are in Spiritual bonds See how many in your Families Towns and Neighbour-hood goe clattering up and down in the bonds of iniquity in the fetters and chains of the Devil Pitty these poor prisoners Give them a lift to help them out Admonish the unruly pray for them that have not sinned unto death that they may bee set at liberty This is eminent charity 6 Bee thankful and seriously acknowledge the grace of God for the redemption that is in Christ Ezra 9.8 acknowledges a little reviving in their bondage Acts 12.5 how much more should wee eternal life It is an earnest prayer Psal 107.1 2. O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever Let the redeemed of the Lord say so c. who ever is silent Let the redeemed say so So Psal 136.24 This is meant by the Song of Moses and the Lamb Revel 13.3 Moses and Israel praised God for deliverance from Aegypt the red Sea c. how much more should the Saints break forth into praises for deliverance from the nethermost Hell Spiritual bondage is the worst bondage And soul-redemption is the greatest redemption Isa 44.23 Senslesse creatures rejoyce only at the redemption of Gods people from Babylon But what is Babylon in comparison of our redemption by Christ Hear the Apostle Col. 1.12 13. Giving thanks unto God who hath delivered us from the powers of darknesse and translated us into the Kingdome of his dear Son in whom wee have redemption c. No love like that of Christ not no love of Christ like that manifested in our redemption Let thankfulnesse also exceed Vse last Of consolation unspeakable to all beleevers Comfort against Sin and Satan that Redemption is wrought in Christ Sin hath begun to fall and must utterly fall before him that is the chief Captain of our Salvation Satan hath been foyled oft yea vanquished and at last shall be cast bound in chains to eternal torments while the Saints shall triumph with their Redeemer for ever and ever The Satisfaction of Christ THE FIFTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Being justified freely by his Grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ THe first Doctrine being unfolded and improved we now come to the second Doct. The justification of a Sinner is through the redemption of Christ 2. That the justification of a Sinner is through the redemption and satisfaction wrought by Christ. This truth the Holy Ghost bears witnesse to Ephes 2.7 In whom we have redemption through his bloud the forgivenesse of our sins Col. 1.14 hath the same words expresly Tit. 2.14 wee are said to bee redeemed from all iniquity That implies iniquity cannot be taken away as it is in the justification of a Sinner but in a way of redemption and satisfaction Quest 1. What is the nature of this satisfaction for the word is rarely found in Scripture Ans As it referres to men the word is found Mark 15.15 Pilate willing to satisfie the people released Barrabbas the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to satisfie is to doe as much as is surficient to him that expostulates or is wronged or to fulfill ones desires either by words or deeds But as satisfaction hath reference to a debt so it signifies full pay or to give a full price But as satisfaction hath reference to our debt unto God the word is not found expresly in Scripture but there are equipollent terms of the same signification as redemption here in the text paying a price and ransome c. which cannot be interpreted in any other good sense but as intending satisfaction Of which nature are these phrases Isa 53.5 Hee was wounded for our transgressions And again vers 8. For the transgressions of my people was hee smitten 1 Cor. 15.3 Christ dyed for our sins Heb. 10.12 Hee offered a Sacrifice for sins The word for there signifies the impulsive outward or meritorious cause respecting the punishment due to our sins Which is manifest 1 In that sin in Scripture is called a debt Matth. 6.12 Forgive us our debts Not that wee owe sin to God but that it makes us liable to Gods justice as Debts of mony make us liable to our Creditors and to any just course in Law for their recovery This debt of sin cannot possibly bee satisfied for by man for Matth. 18.24 it is a debt of ten thousand talents And the Spirits in prison 1 Pet. 3.21 can for ever suffer but not at all satisfie 2 Seeing all Mankind must otherwise eternally perish God the Father appointed of his rich grace and God the Son in infinite compassion condescends to bee our Surety and to take the debt upon himself Isa 53.10 It pleased the Lord to bruise him and vers 6. The Lord hath laid on him
So was it with the Church Cant. 3.4 I found him whom my soul loveth c. 2 The Lord intends to make us more watchful for future times that wee may more rigidly separate and bee divorced from the Creature Adulterous hearts have their stoln waters which God hates and therefore imbitters them and shews us thereby our carelessness about the main As the Mother hides her self behind some tree or wall to make the Childe watchful and to cry after her and search and hang upon her armes so doth God 3 The Lord intends by it to make Christians ransack the right ground of Faith and Hope to dive into the Scriptures and to search the experiences of other Christians Psa 77.56 saying have you any word of comfort for such a soul as mine It will make him to regard a gracious man as one of thousand It will make him Catechise himself whether hee hath any evidence of Gods love or whether hee lives not in some sin or other or whether hee bee willing to part with all for Christ or whether hee maintains any Communion with God which are quickning questions Now then if any man be under this calamity to think himself forsaken of God 1 Let him consider That the extream sufferings of Christ were to reconcile God and man to bring God back again to man and man to his God 1 Pet. 3.18 19. which hee must wait for 2 Let him not pass the sentence of reprobation upon himself or say hee is an Hypocrite because for the present he is under trouble of Spirit It had been a dreadful Conclusion for Christ to have questioned whether hee was the Son of God because of his desertion Say rather wee may have the presence of his Grace and Spirit when wee want the presence of his comfort As a man in a swoon may have a living soul though hee wants the operation of it and a man may injoy some light of the Sun in the firmament though the Sun be eclipsed So may a Saint have life and direction from God when hee finds not its comfortable actings 3 Let him take Christs course to set faith and praise awork When Christ was in his agony he prayed the more earnestly Luk. 22.41 and used his faith eminently crying My God my God c. Joh. 12.27 Now is my soul troubled here is your case Father save mee from this hour here is your duty of faith crying Father of prayer save mee from this hour 4 Plead for the Fruit of Christs desertion which was that thou maiest not bee utterly forsaken ply him hard and thou wilt find him nighter thee than thou wast aware of 3 And be upheld in death it self Thou shalt bee upheld in death it self for Christ hath triumphed over death Hell and the Devil in the cross Col. 2.15 And not only triumphed over them as overcome but hath taken great spoiles even all their armour deaths sting is plucked out the bonds of the Grave are broken Death is vanquished by Christs death Heb. 2.14 which resolves Sampsons knotty riddle Judg. 14.14 Out of the eater commeth forth meat and out of the strong comes sweetness Paul keeps the thanksgiving day for that happy victory 1 Cor. 15.57 Thanks bee to God c. For the whole Conquest is perfected Heb. 10.14 and that for ever And the Testament is for ever confirmed Heb. 9.17 by the death of the Testator Nothing is wanting to carry us happily to glory through death it self There needs no more sacrifices nor no second offering for sin All is finished Quest This is good news but how shall I know that I have a right to this comfort Answ It s a weighty Question and needs a solid resolution which wee shall hereafter more fully give At present take that rule Heb. 10.14 Hee hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified So Heb. 5.9 Hee became the Author of Salvation unto them that obey him No Prophane no nor unsanctified man however civilized hath any part or portion in this consolation Such therefore as think there cannot bee a Saint on Earth or think it too soon to be holy or make a mock at a precise Gospel-Conversation may in no wise apply this comfort to themselves It is not enough to bee Church-members or visible Saints but wee must bee sanctified in truth and reallity Christ should lose a great part of the effects of his sufferings if wee should not bee sanctified Eph. 5.25 26. Christ gave himself for his Church that hee might sanctify it and cleanse it and can any man think hee will lose his end and miss his main intent surely no. There is none but the Church mystical who are truely sanctified and cleansed that have any fellowship in this businesse Let the upright in heart therefore take this Consolation as a dish prepared for none other but their refreshing Psalm 32. ult Deut. 33.1 Use 4. Of Refutation of that ignorant discourse of foolish People who affirm That the least drop of Christs blood is sufficient to save the world The least drop of Christs blood will not save Why say they so because of the dignity of the person of Christ If this were true then the Circumcision of Christ was enough for there was a drop of blood shed or his Crown of thornes was enough for t is like they drew blood Then all Christs sufferings besides were superfluous and vain Then God were unjust to take more than was his due Then Christ was foolish and imprudent to pay more than hee needed But Christ himself saies these many things were necessary Mark 8.3 The Son of man must suffer many things Luk. 24.26 Ought not Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his Glory There was a Necessity of suffering and of suffering these things There was a necessity in respect of the end that the Elect might have the blessing and therefore Christ is made a Curse that hee might bear the Curse due to their sin Gal. 3.13 The Exactness of Christs sufferings THE EIGHTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ WEE have already in part applyed this Doctrin That the Redemption of sinners was wrought by Christs suffering the utmost and full punishment due to sin Wee are yet farther to proceed in our application Use 5. Exhortation and direction The refuge of greatest sinners And first to the vilest sinners For this Doctrin darts forth a little light to those poor souls in the dark dungeon of their natural yea most sinful estate It shews a possibility of escape from the wrath to come 'T is true none but a sanctified man can have any comfort in Christs death or conclude his salvation by the death and sufferings of Christ Yet there is hope of salvation a far off Psal 89.19 There is help laid upon one that is mighty Col. 1.19 It pleased the Father that in him all fulness dwells Eph. 2.13 You that were a far off Psal 119.155 Salvation is far
Christ who is the end of the lam for righteousnesse in his boing made a curse for us 3 Unlesse faith justifieth as it hath a respect and relation unto Christ as its object it can have no more to doe with satisfaction than any other grace as Charity Temperance c. but we know that they being works of the Law avail nothing to our justification Rom. 3.20 but the great property of faith above other graces is to draw vertue from Christ for justification and to exercise it self on the free grace and mercy of God exhibited in him Obj. But was not Abraham's faith justifying as it beleeved the power of God Rom. 4.21 22. He beleeved in God who quickneth the dead and God that had promised was able to perform therefore it was imputed unto him for righteousnesse Ans It is true he beleeved the power of God but that did not justifie him but his beleeving on the promised seed Gen. 22.18 He saw Christ's day by faith Joh. 8.56 It is true the faith of Gods power was a stay to him in great temptations he was exposed unto so it may be to us but wee cannot be justified by that faith which only beleeves the power of God to save us Vse 1. It serves to refute those that deny faith to have such a relation unto Christ in justification as hath been spoken of Such as say faith doth justifie without reference to Christ whereby the form and life of justifyng faith is taken away Christ is robbed of his glory and the Consciences of Christians of their comfort and peace Vse 2. It discovers the unjustified estate of those persons that doe not cast anchor here i. e. in Christ A man may have great knowledge and many gifts and beleeve too to admiration as they who had the faith of Miracles in the Primitive times Matth. 7.22 23. and yet be unjustified yea he may beleeve the Articles of Christian religion study the Promises and think he doth apply them to himself and yet be unjustified It is the very case of the seed in the stony ground that received the word with joy Math. 13.20 Why consider what is the word that even a carnal heart may rejoyce in it is the word of promise and this word a stony heart may receive and apply to himself and abide stony stil though Israel had transgressed the Law and cast off the thing that was good yet he would cry My God we know thee Hos 8.1 2 3. So the Jewes Joh. 8.39 41. and thus many catch at Gods mercy and seem to build upon the Promise and yet perish everlastingly Obj. But alas should I not build my salvation and justification on the promises of God what else should I repose my considence in Ans Promises vvill not justifie The Promises alone are not sufficient to bear the weight of a sinners justification and salvation neither doe they doe any thing further than they doe direct unto exhibit and bestow upon us a sufficient righteousnesse to save us and this must be had in a person not in a promise or proposition As for example the Israelites bit with the fiery Serpents were not healed with the promise or the light but the vertue drawn from the Brazen Serpent by looking on him So the promise alone will not justifie but only as it discovers and exhibits such a person i. e. Christ who puts forth or is cloathed with such a righteousnesse which being seen with the eye of faith puts the sinner into a state of justification Neither doe all the Promises discover or exhibit Christ though they are all exhibited in Christ 1 Tim. 4.8.2 Cor. 1.20 In Christ yea and amen but without Christ neither yea nor amen Rom. 8.32 God gives his Son first then other things Eph. 1.3 He blesseth us with all spiritual blessings in Christ but we can have none nor lay claim to any promise in the Book of God without him Quest What comfort is there then for such a man by the promises in Jesus Christ Ans The comfort truly is that there is an exhibition and holding forth of Christ in them to the vilest sinners and whilst there is life there is hope to get into Christ and get interest in the Promises 1 Joh. 5.11 This is the record that God hath given us life eternal and it is in his Son Hence Christ is called the Covenant Isa 49.8 because not only his person was and is the main thing in the Covenant but also because all the promises in the Covenant are his and made to him and in him and through him only conveyed to beleevers Thus we see what a dangerous thing it is to pitch our faith first on any thing but Christ and thence to expect a justified estate Quest How is faith in Jesus Christ known Ans 1. By the entrance of it which is such that it separates the sinner unto Christ as Psal 45.11 Forget thy fathers house c. As it is in persons marrried who forget and leave their fathers house and old friends and sequester themselves to marriage communion so it is with those that are married to the Lord Jesus though they have been intangled in their affections to their old ways yet by hearkning to the word of Christ they renounce and forget all for Christs sake then the King takes pleasure in them 2 By the progresse of it as they have received Jesus Christ the Lord so they walk in him Col. 2.6 7. and are subject to him in every thing Ephes 5.24 yea they live by the faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 Vse 3. Instruction and exhortation to shew and exhort us whither to goe for justification It is unto Christ and the mercy of God in him Let the main care and desire of our souls be after the person natures works and merits of the Lord Jesus and thereby shall wee bee possessed of this great benefit of justification through him Neither is my meaning that we should seek to come unto him any other way than by the Word and Promises for if we doe we can never come to him but meet with Satan as an Angel of light in some Enthusiasm But wee must bee acquainted with the Promises yea such as doe carry and exhibit Christ unto us and therein close with Christ before wee can claim the promises of pardon or of the Spirit or of any grace or glory Mot. 1. Consider Christ as he stands in relation to the Father he is 1 No other than the Son of his love Col. 1.13 the Fathers love is infinite to him and therefore he hath given all things into his hands for our justification and salvation Joh. 3.35 whatever fruit or testimony of the love of God the soul stands in need of he may be sure to have it from Christ 2 The Father hath sealed him Joh. 6.27 hee hath not only designed him but signed and sealed him a Commission to be a Mediator hath set his stamp upon him his express
Christ c. 2 Have I no reservation within my self where I would bee dispensed withall in any courses of life or any secret lusts or corruptions at lest known or allowed in judgement or practice Hath my faith such a commanding power that it will not let mee alone in commission of sin or Omission of duty then I may conclude that the faith of Christ is wrought in mee and thence undoubtedly conclude that I am a justified person Because that hee that beleeveth on Christ is already justified Now when this is soundly concluded the soul may upon daily occasions put forth and exercise his faith in Christ for his spiritual and everlasting comfort Direct 5. When thou wouldest exercise thy faith at any time thou must not go about it in thine own strength either of nature or grace received but look up for a fresh influence of the Spirit and his assistance For as it is sure that no creature can of himself look upon natural things nor act without a renewed and fresh concourse of Gods common providence So Grace though it bee above nature and stronger than it yet its motion is from the Holy Ghost And this assistance of the Spirit comes from Christ as the light from the Sun by an efflux Joh. 8.12 the power is in Christ though it work on us Therefore all things are said to be done through Christ strengthening of us Phil. 4.13 Every act of Faith requires a power of Christ in a fresh administration wher in he fulfils the good pleasure of his will and the work of faith with power 2 Thess 1.11 And this is the meaning of Pauls prayer for the Ephesians Chap. 3.16 17. that they might bee strengthened with might by the Spirit and that Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith And as the Holy Ghost must assist the grace of faith before it can act so hee must clear up the objects of faith before faith can work upon them as the light must shine upon the brasen Serpent before the Israelite can see it Wherefore the Apostle praies earnestly that God would give the spirit of wisdome and revelation to know the things they beleeved and hoped for Eph. 1.17 18. Wherefore as in all other graces so in faith God worketh in us the deed as well as the will Phil. 2.13 and Jud. 20. building us up in faith is by praying in the Holy Ghost and wee must look up to the Holy Ghost by earnest prayer to help us in the whole progress of our faith and every act of faith till wee receive the end of our faith the Salvation of our souls Christ Crucified the special Object of Justifying Faith THE SIXTEENTH SERMON ON Romans 3.25 Faith in his blood HItherto of Faith in General as the Instrument of our Justification and Christ the more special Object of it as justifying Now follows the third thing premised concerning the most special Object or the most special consideration of that object in those words Faith in his blood for the understanding whereof let mee put you in minde of the former Explication of the word blood which hath been expounded to bee meant Synecdochically a part being put for the whole So that it signifies all the sufferings of Christ in the whole state of his abasement but most especially his sufferings both in body and soul at his death even all the pains of the first and second death which our Saviour did undergo upon the Cross So that by faith in his blood wee are to understand Faith apprehending Christ crucified or undergoing the shameful and accursed death of the cross Therefore we observe Doct. It is the duty of sinners for their Justification distinctly to apprehend and rely upon Christ crucified Or thus That it is the Duty and should bee the care of sinners to place their confidence on Christ crucified for Justification For that is the meaning of the phrase Faith in his blood that is faith relying on Christ crucified This notes the subject matter of redemption whereon our Faith is principally grounded in the article of our Justification Our faith indeed in the point of Justification doth imbrace whole Christ but most properly and in a peculiar manner it is terminated in the Sacrifice and Propitiation or Death of Christ and this the Scriptures attest Joh. 6.53 54 55. Jesus said unto them Verily Verily I say unto you except you eat the body of the Son of God and drink his blood you have no life in you and this is by beleeving on Christ crucified for Christ doth not speak there immediately of the Lords Supper though Sacramental eating may bee comprehended under it and hee saith peremptorily that there is no life and therefore no justification or Salvation without the eating there mentioned but hee addes on the contrary vers 54. Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood by faith hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day There is a direct promise of Life Justification and Salvation to them that do beleeve on Christ crucified and vers 56. Hee that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in mee and I in him i.e. hath union and communion with Christ Jesus in all his benefits and therefore must needs bee justified and this is the same which John preached Behold the Lamb of God c. Joh. 1.29 i.e. the Lamb of God for Sacrifice that wee should behold for justification with the eye of faith Yea so Joh. 3.14 16. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness c. that lifting up was especially when Christ was Crucified and lifted up upon the Cross and looking on the brazen Serpent signifyed beleeving on Christ crucified that such as did so should not perish but have everlasting life And this is the very condition of the Covenant of grace Reas 1. Taken from the Old Testament wherein the mystery of Christ and Justification was more veiled and dark yet even then this truth was received that their reconciliation was by faith in the Messiah to come and made a sacrifice for sin and hence the Covenant was confirmed with blood shed Heb. 9.20 neither was the Old Testament dedicated without it Exod. 24.8 For when Moses had spoken every precept hee took the blood of Calves and Goats and sprinkled both the book and all the people saying This is the blood of the Testament that God enjoyned unto you and vers 23. it was necessary that the heavenly things themselves should bee purified with better sacrifices than these and it is necessary still that there should bee the same way of cleansing of sin away by way of Sacrifice and Blood of the New Testament Matth. 26.28 For this is the meaning of the sacrifices they were oppointed for attonement yea almost all things by the Law were purged with blood Heb. 9.22 and without shedding of blood there is no remission and so it was then and thereby the people are taught to look for justification by Christ Hence
they shall be made as if they had not been dyed at all Though our sins by reiterating of them and long continuance in them have doubly and deeply seized on us yet by Gods discharging us of them wee become as if wee had never committed them Mic. 7.19 I will cast all your iniquities into the depth of the Sea As when all the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea and they sank like a stone there was no fear of their reviving again And marvellous is that promise Jer. 50. vers 20. In those daies and at that time saith the Lord the iniquity of Israel shall bee sought for and shall not bee found and the sins of Judah and they shall not bee for I will pardon them whom I reserve None by any search shall bee able to finde any sin to charge upon Gods People Rom. 8.34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect 2 This full forgiveness flows from the satisfaction of Christ Heb. 9.22 Without shedding of blood there is no remission Eph. 1.7 Colos 1.14 In whom wee have redemption through his blood c. 1 Joh. 1.7 Rev. 8.34 Hee loved us and washed us from our sins with his own blood Heb. 1.3 Christ his own self purged away our sins Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit c. 3 The satisfaction of Christ was available for the remission of the sins of all the faithful before his comming in the flesh Rom. 3 22. Rev. 13.8 hee was flain from the foundation of the World viz. in Types and in the vertue of his death and efficacy thereof Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ yesterday to day and the same for ever and Act. 15.11 Wee beleeve that by the grace of Jesus Christ we shall bee saved as the Fathers Where by the grace of Christ wee may understand as some do the inherent grace of sanctification for that alone will never save any man or bring him to heaven but by the grace of Christ is to bee understood the obedience and satisfaction of Christ and the fruit thereof in our reconciliation Act. 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witnesse c. and this was the meaning of that first promise Gen. 3.13 The seed of the woman c. ie Christ who was therefore manifest to destroy the works of the Devil So Isa 53.5 the faithful of those times say he was wounded for their transgressions c. and 1 Pet. 1.10 11. Of which salvation the Prophets inquired diligently who prophesyed of the grace that should come unto you searching what and what manner of time the Spirit of Christ that was in them did signify when it testified before hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow All the true Prophets from the beginning of the World prophesied of the grace and salvation that should come to you by the sufferings of Christ yea the Prophets inquired and searched diligently after this grace besides though there was the same saving grace in the Church from the beginning of the World yet wee have a great prerogative above them who prophesied of that grace not onely that came to them but should come to us 1 Because of a clearer light that shined at the shining of the Sun of righteousnesse and hath been growing since that time 2 Because there is a greater efficacy of the holy Spirit since Christ is ascended 3 Because there is a larger communication of this grace which is now extended to all nations This may further appear to us by the sameness of the Sacraments 1 Cor. 10.1 2. they were baptized unto Moses c. they did all eat the same spiritual meat and drink the same spiritual drink c. Reas 1. Taken from the eternal surety-ship of our Saviour Christ Heb. 7.22 Christ hath undertaken before the foundation of the World to be a surety for the Elect and given his bond for the debt and the after payment thereof Now when a Surety hath undertaken thus a sufficient surety bound himself in behalf of the Debtor it is no marvail though the Creditor set the Debtor at liberty before payment bee actually made as God did the faithful before Christs incarnation Reas 2. Taken from the excellency of Christs person whose satisfaction must needs have infinite worth and dignity in it 1 Joh. 1.7 The bloud of Jesus Christ his Son c. if it be the bloud of the Son of God it must needs have a very cleansing vertue in it Psal 130.7 Rom. 5.17 there is abundance of grace c. God forgives not so much as one sin unlesse he hath accepted of the bloud of Christ for the pardon of it and when this is accepted God must pardon all Again to forgive one sin is an act of Gods free love and that cannot stand with any enmity Reas 3. From beleevers acceptation in Christ which is the receiving of us into favour Ephes 1.6 7. and those who are in Gods favour have their persons and services pleasing to God and so hath this large forgivenesse Rom. 8.1 Reas 4. Because it was the Spirit of Christ that was in the Prophets that did reveal the ministry of Christ to them 1 Pet. 1.10 11. and by them to all the faithful in those times sufficiently unto salvation Reas 5. From the glory of Gods grace by this means Eph. 1.6 7. it is forgivenesse according to the riches of Gods grace that hath so provided for us that our sins are so fully pardoned yea of the very chiefest beleeving sinners as of Paul Manasses and such as crucified the Lord of glory Vse 1. To discover to us the unexcusable and helplesse estate of all unbeleevers who lye under the guilt of their sins especially in these times and places and ends of the world who have the offer and tender of this grace of Christ and yet put it away from them for was the death of Christ sufficient to save those sinners that lived under the Old Testament that had so little light and so much darknesse knowing so little of the Mystery of the Gospel and is it not sufficient to save you from your sins who have this grace so abundantly preached and pressed upon you Why then I say as Matth. 11.20 Thou Capernaum that art lifted up to Heaven c. it shall bee more tollerable for Sodome and Gomorrah than for thee It is true many unbeleevers perished before Christ's coming and were left under the Wrath of God Job 3. ult but innumerable persons more in these dayes Whose Hell shall be greater and hotter than theirs to whom pardon is offered and yet refused Such cannot plead the greatnesse and multitude of their sins for the satisfaction of Christ is so full of vertue and efficacy that it exceeds the greatnesse of sins such shall have nothing to plead before the Lord one day but their bloud shall be upon their own heads because they have despised the bloud of Christ Acts 18.6 And besides
prize the pardon more and to esteem the grace of God in Christ much more Hee that is throughly pained with sicknesse will highly esteem the Physician when Davids bones were broken hee praies for multitude of tender mercies Psal 51.1 7 8. and so it was with Paul Rom 7.24.25 Our spiritual conflicts in the trouble of our Consciences for sin make us to judge the better of the grace of Christ towards us in his grievous agonies when hee cries out My God my God c. and say with Paul The grace of God was exceeding abundant 1 Tim. 1.14.18 3 Repentance is a grace that plows up and stirs the heart fitting of it for the seed of the Word to take better root in it Plow up the fallow ground Jer. 4.3 and when this is plowed and plowed deep the seed is not so likely to bee choaked with thornes Repentance will make a thriving and fruitful Christian under the means of grace and one that shall have a plentiful and joyful harvest They that sow in tears shall reap in joy hee that goeth forth with weeping bearing pretious seed shall come again with rejoycing bringing his sheaves with him Psal 126.5 6. 4 Repentance breeds a patient frame of heart under Gods afflicting hand Whereas otherwise at such a time the heart will be very unruly and outragious Take David in his saddest time that hee under passed after his great sins when his heart was kindly broken hee would justify God Psal 51.4 and this is because it makes us humble and laies the heart low in consideration of our great unworthinesse of the least mercy and desert of the greatest judgements from Gods hands and then what ever God threatens yea whatever he inflicts the heart is quiet silent and patient not in the least repining against but justifying of God in all his wayes 5 Repentance makes the heart charitable and pittiful to others that fall into sin and will keep us from rigour and pride in censuring of them too severely from the remembrance of our sinful failings and frame of spirit as Tit. 3.2 3. Shew meeknesse towards all men for we our selves were sometimes foolish c. 6 This repenting frame is a Sin-mortifying frame of spirit No grace carries on the work of mortification more in the heart than repentance seeing it is continually weeding out and plucking up the remainders of corruption in the heart Sin no sooner shews it self but a broken heart is repenting of it and mourning for it God hath placed this grace in a beleevers heart to bee continually cleansing out and throwing forth the filth and dreggs of corruption still adhearing to the heart in this life and hence it is that wee read after all the faylings of the most precious Servants of God the wheel of repentance was still turned over their sins though they were fully certified of pardon and forgivenesse Concl. 2. A beleever whatsoever his faith is had need be fervent and instant in prayer for the pardon of his sin This our Saviour taught his Disciples in the rule of prayer Matth. 6.12 and we are still to doe it in these respects 1 Because our sins are daily renewed and wee had need have pardon renewed and remission afresh applied unto us as our sins are renewed therefore we had need continually be praying for this that our sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come Act. 3.19 2 That we may get faith and assurance of pardon and forgivenesse Worldly men would not only have outward Estates Lands and Possessions but they seek to have assurance thereof Now this assurance of pardon is not gotten ordinarily without much contention in prayer Hab. 6.11 We desire that every one of you doe shew the same diligence to the full assurance c. It is much to bee lamented that any Christian should content himself with an opinion or conjecture of forgivenesse and so become no other than James calls them chap. 1.3 Double-minded men unstable in all their wayes A double-minded man is such a one as is alwayes questioning Gods grace in Christ unto him and his interest in the Promises whereby he is very unstable and here he contents himself without indeavouring a stability of faith and assurance to say with Job I know my Redeemer liveth Wee have need of a great increase of faith and measure of assurance that our sins are pardoned that wee may bee able to undergoe great trials and strong temptations and to lay up like the rich man riches for many years and with Joseph store of provision against the years of famine For so the Thessalonians when they had much-assurance received the Word in great affliction with joy in the Holy Ghost 1. Thess 1.5 6. Oh then a daily course of prayer is needful that wee may get the sense and feeling of the mercy of God to our souls in the pardon of our sins Yea this is more than naked assurance when a man can feel the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 when a man is sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Ephes 1.13 and hath the earnest of his heavenly inheritance in his heart Many by the strength of their faith have trusted in Gods mercy even then when the Lord hath hid his face from them or shewed them an angry countenance but the feeling of the grace of God is more this is for the heart to find the warmth of his love and behold the gracious smiles of his countenance in the lowest condition and it is a very heaven upon earth or a lively fore-taste of the joyes of heaven 3 This is needful that the soul may have the pardon of frâ— in all the fruits and effects thereof in their further accomplishments and perfection though wee are freed from the damnation and dominion of sin yet wee are not freed from the remainders of it Wee know how Paul groaned under his unmortified corruptions Rom. 7.23 24. and the Church is taught to pray Take away all iniquity and Hos 14.2 wee must look sometimes to meet with terrours of Conscience and to bee in darknesse without any light wee must look for desertions and temptations by reason of the remainders of sin and therefore we are to pray for full redemption from sin in all the fruits and effects of it 4 It is needful to pray that we may make a right use of the pardon of sin having once obtained it For the heart is apt under such a favour to wax proud and wanton and carelesse as it is with many an ungodly childe when a father hath made over a great estate into his hands he will care no more for his father nor doe any duty belonging to a childe so the children of God would doe being left to themselves when God hath made known to them this blessed estate of the pardon of their sins they are ready in their prosperity to say they shall not bee moved Psal 30.6 and there is no state
his grace wherein hee hath abounded towards us in all wisdome and prudence It was such abundance of wisdome that no creature could reach unto or comprehend that this strange way should bee found out for a sinners attonement 2 The Glory and Riches of Gods grace are singularly manifested hereby it had been glorious grace if that God should or could of his good will alone towards men have pardoned their iniquities as Saul said to David 1 Sam. 24.19 If a man find his enemy will hee let him go well away but sinful men and women which of themselves are Gods enemies and cannot hide themselves any where but God will finde them hee not only lets them go well away and freely pardons them but freely forgives them in such a way that cost him so exceeding dear as the blood of his onely Son When there was no other sufficient remedy for the misery of man but this when as the pardon and redemption of souls is so exceeding costly and pretious this above measure exalts the riches of Gods grace as David said 2 Sam. 24.24 I will not offer of that that cost mee nothing This was Davids royal spirit So this is Gods royal love that hee saved not his people in a way that cost him nothing 1 Joh. 4.9 10. Herein is the love of God manifest to us that hee sent his Son into the World to dye that wee might live by him And again Herein is love that hee sent his Son to bee a Propitition for our sins they that do not understand this have too low and mean conceits of the love and grace of God 3 Here is a demonstration of the glory of the Holinesse of the Lord in his so hating and punishing of sin even to the uttermost though but imputed and that to such a Son he that breaks a pitcher because deadly poyson was in it or burieth a beggars coat because infected with the plague shews his hatred to them but hee that throws away a vessel of gold because poysoned or burneth or burieth some royal and rich robes for the leprosy cleaving to them hee is carried with greatest indignation against the corruptions of them now this is the case of Gods hatred of the sins of the Elect imputed to the Son of God here is the pearl of great price even the richest treasure so and so dealt withall this is mighty holiness and hatred of sin Psal 99.8 9 It is said Thou art a God that forgavest them though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions Whence hee inferres Exalt the Lord our God for hee is holy hee speaks of the Lords manner of forgiving of the sins of his people it was with vengeance for their inventions surely this is an holy God but this is incomparably more to pardon the sins of his Elect in such a way by laying the chastisement of their peace on his only Son Oh what an holy God is this 4 Adde to the rest the glory of Gods Kingdome Providence and Government This is that which the Saints do blesse the Lord for Psal 145.10 11. They speak of the glory of thy kingdome and talk of thy power now the glory of Gods kingdome appears in this that hee rectifies all the disorders that are in the world by sin there is no confusion in the World but that which is in sin or brought in by it which hath made the world like that woful land Job 10.21 22. A land of darknesse and of the shaddow of death without order now to bring all into order again was a busy work and this is a glorious work of the government and providence of the Lord. There are strange examples of Gods glory in holy Writ concerning this in the sin of Josephs brethren selling Joseph into Egypt to bee a bond-servant accused imprisoned and in great abasement many years what strange disorder was here how strangely did the Lord rectify and amend this by setting him at liberty making him Ruler over all the land of Egypt and making his brethren to stoop to him and be beholding to him for their sustenance afterwards Another Example I might tell you of of the great confusion among the Jews by Hamans sin in the daies of Ahasuerus yet how gloriously did the Lord work for his Church in the confusion of Haman and the deliverance of the Church and the destruction of their enemies Here was a great deal of disorder by sin but Gods providence set all in right order again yea and brought great good out of all this disorder that wee may say according to Sampsons riddle out of the eater came forth meat and out of the strong sweetnesse but the matter in hand is a greater and deeper riddle Adams sin had brought a woful Ataxy and confusion into all the world and grievous dishonour to God then Providence findes out a way by the death and blood shed of the second Adam to bring all into a better order than ever they were before in the Lord makes a better and a surer covenant and ordered in all things 2 Sam. 23.5 and Christ is set up in his Kingdome to order and to establish it with justice and judgement for ever Isay 9.7 Ye may see by all this what abundance of glory redounds unto God by the death of Christ and the sinners justification thereby Vse 1. Refutation of Socinians Refutation of that damnable blasphemy of the Socinians in making the death of Christ onely exemplary and no wise satisfactory whereby they do rob God of his glory and would disappoint him of his principal end of the incarnation of his onely begotten Son yea and rob him of his glory which hee hath sworn that hee would not give unto another The Devil hath formerly done great mischief to Christian Religion by Heresies of Monstrous shapes but this is a blasphemy of a more bloody dye whereby hee induces down-right Paganism or as bad as Turcism again Oh that such a Godlesse Christlesse-villany should bee ever tollerated to harbour amongst Christians This is a lamentation and shall surely bee the saddest lamentation of these last perilous times Use 2. The Doctrin of Gods justice is sutable to the Gospel It may serve to discover and confute the general mistake and error about the Doctrin of the Gospel Truely the Lord hath dealt graciously with us in the times of the New Testament and especially with his people in these latter times wherein the Grace of God and the Riches therof are more abundantly sounded forth and magnified above former ages and most blessed is the estate of those vessels of Grace the persons that receive it in truth and are made partakers thereof but beloved I do very much fear lest that Satan get advantage by this means to make innumerable persons to miss their mark and Gods mark too causing them utterly to pervert the doctrine of the Gospel and the grace of God and his principal plot and purpose therein so as to cause many to forget