death for it or discovereth our death and utter insufficiency of our selves to obey its injunctions and have instead thereof their necks put under the sweet and easie yoak of the Law of Christ which is called the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus because life and strength is given by the Spirit of Christ to yield obedience thereunto As Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death And vers 3 4. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit The Law could not give strength against sin because of the strength of the flesh the Law discovered sin but it could not subdue sin but God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh in which flesh he suffered and offered a sacrifice for sin by which sin or sin-offering as the word sin doth elsewhere signifie as Hos. 4.8 They eat the sins of my people that is the sin-offerings of my people he condemned sin in the flesh sin was hereby judged and condemned to lose its power in his people it was condemned to death which death or sin-offering of Christ hath vertue and influence upon sin to kill it to crucifie it like as Christ was crucified for it and so Gods people are said to be delivered from the Law from the irritating and provoking power of it unto sin that being dead wherein they were held and whereby the Law did stir up such motions that they might serve in newness of spirit Rom. 7.6 that they might yield the fruits of new obedience that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in them sin having lost its strength they have strength from the Spirit of Christ to yield such obedience to the Law as through Christ shall be accepted And with this deliverance of people from the rigour and irritation of the Law is conjoyned their deliverance also from the curse and malediction by Jesus Christ who was made a curse for them instead whereof the blessing of Abraham the father of the faithfull is given unto them as it is expresly said Gal. 3.13 14. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us as it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles through Faith 4. When they are saved from the eternal damnation of Hell all unbelieving sinners are under the sentence of damnation Ioh. 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already they are condemned by the great Judge unto an utter exclusion from the glorious presence of the Lord in that place of joy and happiness which is above and to endure most horrid extream and endless anguish and torment in soul and body in the place of utter darkness which is beneath where their worm shall never dye and where the fire shall never be quenched This sentence is dreadfull and all unbelievers are lyable every moment to the execution thereof upon their souls So soon as God shall give commission to the Serjeant Death to arrest them and clap up their bodies into the Prison of the grave then their souls being found guilty will be delivered into the hand of the Devil the Jailor of Hell whither he will drag them and where they must remain full of anguish through sense of Gods immediate wrath wherewith they will be filled and bound up in chains of darkness and wo untill the Judgement of the great day on which great day the Lord Jesus Christ will be sent by God to judge the whole world together and they shall be brought forth in chains to his barre and having reassumed their bodies shall be judged by him soul and body unto the flames of everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels and O the dread and horrour which will then possess them O the howlings and bitter lamentations which then they will make when the God of Heaven shall execute the fierceness of his anger upon them for their sins in the extream and remediless torments of Hell which shall never have an end The sentence of eternal damnation which all unbelievers whilest such are under here is dreadfull yet whilest here it is reversible whilest the reprieve of execution lasteth a repeal of the sentence may be obtained by an appeal from the Court of the Law to the Court of Chancery from the Barr of Gods Justice to the Throne of Grace by application of themselves unto Christ to be their Advocate and of his Righteousness to themselves by Faith whereby Justice hath been satisfied and they may be acquitted People are saved from eternal damnation when through an interest in Christ they obtain pardoning mercy and so are freed from all obligation to punishment by their sins hence it is said that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 and they that believe are not condemned Joh. 3.18 and that because Jesus is their Saviour and hath delivered them from the wrath which is to come 1 Thess. 1.10 Believers have a title to eternal salvation here through their title to Christ it is sure and they may be assured of it but hereafter they shall actually obtain it at the day of Judgement and perdition of the ungodly when the wicked shall be condemned and thrust into the place of torments they shall be acquitted saved and received into Heavenly Mansions prepared by their Redeemer for them in his Fathers house where there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore and so they shall march along with him unto the Zion which is above with shouting and the voice of triumph with Songs in their mouths and unspeakable delight in their hearts they shall then obtain everlasting joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away and no place be found for it to dwell where they shall take up their eternal abode This is the Salvation which is here meant and which God hath promised to shew unto them who believe and order their conversation aright And thus you see what it is for a people to be saved SECT V. 2. THE second thing is To shew what those Words are which Ministers are to tell people whereby they may be saved And here I shall for the present speak only of those words which the Apostle Peter told Cornelius whereby he and his house were saved there was great power and vertue which went along with them for it is said whilest he was speaking of them the Holy Ghost fell upon the Gentiles unto whom he preached as upon the Apostles themselves at the beginning chap. 10.44 and therefore they are worthy your serious regard possibly you that are unconverted in the hearing or reading
set forth the Lord Jesus Christ in his Divinity and eternal abode with God in his Humanity with which he cloathed and vailed himself and abode for a while here amongst men in his Life so holy his Works so powerfull his Love so great his Death so painfull his Resurrection so soon his Ascension so wonderfull his Session and Intercession at the right hand of God and the Glory which he hath with the Father in Heaven however he had been vilified by some men when he was upon the Earth The Angel could have preached the Law with such Thunder and Lightning as should have made the Conscience of Cornelius to tremble even as the Israelites did when the Law was given by their ministration on Mount Sinai He could have shot the arrows of the Almighty so deep into his Spirit as no balm on earth should have been able to heal his wounds The Angel could have represented the God of Heaven in a more terrible way than man can do as Lord of an innumerable host of mighty Angels of which he was but one and as set in battel-array against Christless sinners and told Cornelius what dreadfull threatnings were denounced and what heavy Curses did belong unto such as had broken Gods Law and hereby could have put him into such terrors and consternation in reflection upon the least guilt as should have sunk him down to the very brink of the burning Lake in his own apprehension and forced him in the anguish of his spirit to cry out O what shall I do to be saved And then he could have represented the Lord Jesus Christ unto him as the only and an all-sufficient and most mercifull Saviour of Mankinde who had undertaken the Office of Mediatour and Advocate and was faithfull He could have described his beauty and excellency in such high expressions and invited Cornelius to come to Christ with such sweet words and pressing arguments as never proceeded out of the mouth of any man But the Angel had no commission to preach the Gospel to Cornelius only to speak to him from God that he would send men to Ioppa and call for Peter and he should preach the Gospel unto him And as it was in the beginning so it is still God doth not send Angels down from Heaven to preach Christ and Salvation by Christ unto the people but he sendeth Ministers men whom he qualifieth and commissioneth for the work The Reasons why God doth make use of Ministers to preach the Gospel rather than Angels may be chiefly these three 1. Because of our Infirmity 2. For the honour of the Ministry 3. That he might secure his own Glory Reas. 1. Because of our Infirmity We could not in this state of darkness weakness and sinfulness bear the preaching of Angels that are so holy and glorious Our eyes would be dazled our spirits would be amazed and hearts sink within us at the voice of Angels should they appear unto us in their glory Manoah thought he should dye when an Angel came to him and foretold him of a Son which should be born to him Iudg. 13. Zacharias was sore troubled at the appearance of an Angel with the like message Lâ—k 1. The Shepheards in the Field were exceedingly afraid when the Angel came to them to bring tidings of the birth of our Saviour Luk. 2. And Christs Disciples were no less afraid when the Angels brought news to them of his Resurrection And if holy men could not bear the appearance of Angels much less could the unholy and wicked whose guilt and defilement would make them a thousand-fold more fearfull If an Angel should immediately descend from Heaven into this place and taking my room should preach unto this Auditory before me would not fearfull thoughts arise in the hearts and paleness get upon the checks of the best amongst you But what dread would there seize upon the spirits of such of you as are graceless and profane who are yet in your sins and have not made your peace with God How would you shrink and croud out faster than you crouded in as not being able to endure When Moses had been forty dayes upon the Mount with God and had seen only his back-parts yet his face did shine with such lustre by reflexion of the beams of Gods Majesty upon him that the children of Israel could not look upon his face without a Vail And if Angels who continually behold the face of God in Heaven should come down and appear and preach men would not be able to hear and bear Therefore God maketh use of Ministers to preach the Gospel men of like passions and infirmities with our selves for our infirmities sake Men who will not affrighten us with their glory whom we may look upon without dazling our eyes whom we may speak unto and converse with familiarly without dread and terrour As Elihu said of himself to Iob chap. 33.6 7. So it may be said of Ministers they are in Gods stead and yet formed out of clay and their terrour shall noâ— make us afraid Reas. 2. For the honour of the Ministery Jesus Christ himself the Son of God was a Minister when he was upon the Earth and his employment was to preach the Gospel and the highest spiritual honour that can be conferred upon any is to be Christs Embassadours Representatives and to succeed him in this office and work of the Ministery which honour he hath conferred upon some men rather than Angels I am not of their opinion who think that Gods people are exalted to a higher dignity than the Angels neither do I think the consequences to be right from Heb. 1 1â— on which this Notion is grounded Are they not all ministring spirits speaking of Angels sent forth to minister for them which shall be heirs of salvation It doth not follow because Angels do minister to the Saints therefore they are inferiour to the Saints for Jesus Christ himself did minister to them though he be their Lord and King when he washed his Disciples feet in which act he appeared so like a servant yet then he calleth himself their Lord and Master Ioh. 13.13 Ministring to others doth not imply inferiority unless it be such as doth withall imply dependency but rather the contrary our Saviour telleth his Disciples when he perceived them to be ambitious of greatness that whoever would be the greatest amongst them should be their Minister Math. 20.26 Indeed our humane Nature in Christ is exalted above Angels but in other respects we are inferiour to Angels The Angels are above us in regard of spirituality they are all spirit we are partly flesh and but partly spirit In regard of immortality they never dye we cannot escape death long In regard of purity they have not the least tincture of sin the most holy persons on earth are not without some remainders of defilement In regard of neerness unto God they dwell with God in Heaven and behold his face continually we are on earth and see
Devils so when our first Parents sinned they were cast out of Paradice and since all sinners are out of favour yea they lye under Gods anger and displeasure until they be reconciled All the children of men are by nature the children of wrath Eph. 2.3 And God is angry with the wicked every day Psal. 7.11 They have a natural enmity in their hearts against God and his Law Rom. 8.7 and God is an enemy unto them yea hath a hatred in his heart against all the workers of iniquity Psal. 5.6 God is an enemy unto the wicked because of their sins and this is worse ten thousand degrees than 〈◊〉 they had all the creatures in the world their enemies because of the power of his anger which none ca◠resist when once he suffers it to break forth We read of the stout-hearted and men of might th◠chariot and horse cast into a dead sleep at one o◠Gods rebukes and who can stand in his sight wher◠once he is angry Psal. 76.5 6 7. And God is coming forth with armed vengeance against his enemies he hath prepared instruments of death he hath whe◠his sword and girt it upon his thigh yea drawn it forth and lifted up his arm to strike he hath bent his bow and made ready his arrows upon the string and sinners can neither fly from him nor defend themselves against him Then a people are saved indeed when they are saved from Gods displeasure when his anger and the guilt of their sin which is the cause is removed when their peace is made with God through the mediation of Jesus Christ when God forgiveth all their sins and accepteth of them as perfectly righteous in his sight through the imputation of his Sons righteousness unto them and so puts up and layeth aside his sword unbends his bow and casts it behind his back and receiveth them into favour as if they had never offended him 2. When they are saved from the slavery of the Devil and their own lusts All the wicked are spiritual slaves and vassals they are in worse than Egyptian bondage their thraldom and captivity is greater than that of the Iews once to the Babylonians The Devil hath his fetters upon their hands and feet and leadeth them captive by the chains of their own lusts at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 They are shut up as it were in prison and lye in a deep dark dungeon where no light doth shine they are fallen into a horrible pit and their feet stick in the miery clay they are sunk into deep waters and the stream is gone over their soul they are fallen into a deadly sickness and a loathsome disease hath seized upon their spirits they are full of boils and blains and putrifying sores all this and a thousand times worse is their condition through the power and reign of sin in them then a people are saved in a spiritual sense when they are redeemed from sin and Satan when the Lord Jesus Christ doth rescue them out of the Devils chains when he leadeth captivity captive spoileth principalities and powers and snatcheth them like a prey out of the teeth of the roaring Lion when he delivereth them from the power of darkness and translateth them into the houshold and family of God when he brings them out of the house of bondage and leads them out of Egypt through the Red Sea of his own blood in which he drowneth and destroyeth their Egyptian lusts which do pursue them when he openeth the prison doors and pulls them out of the deep dungeon and knocks off the chains from their feet when he breaks the bonds of the Devil and sin and brings them forth into freedom and enlargement when he takes them out of the pit and draws them out of the water when he healeth their sickness cleanseth and cureth their putrifying sores I mean when he delivereth them from the power of sin which entangled overwhelmed and defiled them and was more dangerous than any sickness of body could be unto them then they are saved when Satan is taken off and sin hath no more dominion over them and the Throne of Christ is erected in their hearts and his graces implanted there which do beautifie them instead of lust which did besmear and deform them when being made free from sin and Satan they are become the Servants of God and yield up their members as instruments of righteousness Rom. 6.13 22. when they are enabled to overcome the Devil and his temptations and to crucifie the flesh with its lusts and affections when the old Serpent is wounded in the head and cast out and the old man is wounded in the heart and its reigning power taken down and they are made victorious through Christ the Captain of their salvation who loveth them 3. When they are saved from the Law not only from the yoak and bondage of the Ceremonial Law which the Iewish Church of old was under which required many burdensome expensive and more carnal services but also from the rigour irritation curse and malediction of the Moral Law The Law is like the Egyptian Task-masters who required Brick of the Israelites but gave no Straw it requireth duty perfect obedience but giveth no strength it discovereth sin but giveth no power to overcome it and it enjoyneth service but it giveth no ability to perform it therefore the Law is said to be weak through sinful flesh Rom. 8.3 Yea the Law when it breaketh in with a full spiritual light and conviction of sin upon the spirit forbidding heart concupiscence and the least motion or inclination of the soul to sin and pressing to spiritual and heart-purity and obedience it is so far from beating down and killing the power of sin and from strengthening the soul and enabling it unto obedience that it doth revive the power of sin which seemed to be dead before in the soul and occasionally doth irritate and provoke to all manner of concupiscence the discovering it awakens the enmity of the heart against it self which lay before dormant As the Apostle doth complain Rom. 7.5 For when we were in the flesh the motions of sin which were by the Law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death And v. 7 8. Sin taking occasion by the Law wrought in me all manner of concupiscence for without the Law sin was dead but when the Commandment came sin revived and I dyed Moreover the Law doth curse all the children of men that are within its power and reach because of their sins which none are wholly free from Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them People are saved from the Law when they are delivered from the rigorous yoak of the Moral Law which is called the Law of sin and death as it occasioneth sin and threatneth
Calling unto our eternal Glorification 2. A second great Promise of the Covenant of Grace is That God will be mercifull unto our unrighteousness and that he will remember no more our sins and iniquities it is a promise of mercy in the free pardon and forgiveness of all our sins this is an exceeding great and precious promise without which there were no access for us unto God no attaining eternal happiness no escaping eternal misery guilt would shut us out of Heaven and sink us into Hell without a pardon This Promise is of vast extent it reacheth to all sort of sins Unrighteousness Sins Iniquities no sin is too great for God to pardon if the sinner doth believe 3. A third Promise of the Covenant of Grace is that God will give us the knowledge of himself they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least to the greatest they shall not teach one another the knowledge of God that is they cannot or they shall not be able to do it they may and ought to teach one another instrumentally it is the duty of some to teach and the duty of others and they have need to learn but they shall not be able to teach effectually they may give instructions to one another concerning God and his wayes but they cannot give light they may set the light before them but they cannot set up the light in them they may open Truths but they cannot open the Understanding this is the work of God only to do and this he hath undertaken by Promise to do they shall all know me they shall be taught of God by his Spirit the knowledge of himself he teacheth by men instrumentally but he will teach us by his Spirit effectually 4. A fourth Promise of the Covenant of Grace is that God will put his Laws into our hearts and write them in our minds the Law was written before on Tables of Stone but here he promiseth to write them on fleshly Tables of the heart which is done not with Pen and Ink but by the Spirit of the living God 2 Cor. 3.3 this Promise is very comprehensive it includes not only the giving of a spiritual discovery of the minde and will of God but also the giving of spiritual dispositions affections and strength to perform it and by consequence the removal of indispositions the purging out of corruptions the mortifying of lust the taking away the heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh the giving a new heart the putting the Spirit within us and causing us to walk in his Statutes and to keep his Judgements and do them as this Promise is branched forth Ezek. 36.25 26 27. These in brief are the chief Promises of the Covenant of Grace labour to understand them and apply them that you may be saved Direct 9. You must give up your selves in Covenant to God if you would be saved God hath put his hand and seal to the Covenant which he hath made through his Son with you and you should put your hand to the Covenant and engage your selves unto the Lord you were dedicated to the Lord by your Parents when you were bâ—ptized then you understood not what was done now you are arrived to years of understanding you should make it your own act and dedicate your selves to the Lord and the more solemnly you enter into Covenant with God the more strong Obligation it may be upon you to walk closely with God all your dayes Some have directed to do it under hand-writing subscribing the name and some have put words into your mouths which you may do it in if you are not so well able to express the terms your selves you have this done in Mr. Guthry and Mr. Allen's books if those Books be not at hand I shall set before you this Platform which you may make use of in entring solemnly into Covenant with God I A.B. do acknowledge my self to be the Creature and Subject of the great and glorious Majesty of Heaven and Earth in whom I live move and have my being and from whom I receive every good thing which I receive and therefore am obliged to conform my minde will and affections to order my words wayes and whole conversation according to his most wise and good most righteous and reasonable Laws Besides which natural Obligation however born in sin and thereby disenabled yet being born in the Church and Baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and by my Parents dedicated unto God when I was an Infant I am further obliged by Covenant to be the servant of the Lord. But having proved a Rebel and Traytor against the Highest Majâ—sty breaking his Laws and Covenant-ties which have been upon me spending years of my life in a state of strangeness and enmity to God in the service of the Devil and my own Lusts I do now solemnly reâ—ew my Covenant with God that the breach may be made up which sin hath made between God and my Soul Being in the First place convinced of the guilt of my sins whereby I have affronted and offended the highest Majesty whose Iustice must be satisfied and withall convinced of my own utter inability to make the least satisfaction either by doing or suffering and that my Righteousnesses are as filthy rags and therefore altogether insufficient to procure for me the pardon of sin the favour of God and the peace of Conscience as also fully perswaded that no meer Creature is able to give unto me any help and relief in this case And being informed by the Word of God what the Lord Iesus is hath dâ—ne and suffered for poor sinners That there is no Name undâ—r Heaven given amongst men whereby we can be saved but only the Name of Iesus Christ that he is able to save all them unto the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing be ever liveth to make intercession for them that he is a mercifull and faithfull High-priest in things pertaining to God to make Reconciliation for the sins of the People that whosoever cometh unto him he will in no wise cast out and finding a Promise in the Covenant of Grace that God will be mercifull unto our unrighteousness and that our sins and iniquities he will remember no more which Covenant is of full force through the death of Christ the Testator thereof and having Christ set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood and his Righteousness declared for the remission of sins which are past through the forbearance of God and this Christ freely tendered unto me and being invited earnestly yea entreated that I would be reconciled unto God through him and by the Spirit being perswaded of the truth of these things and hereby encouraged to apply my self unto Christ and the Promises through him unto my self I do now grieving that I have offended God groaning under the burden of sin renouncing
himself upon you and glorifie his justice and wrath in your destruction and standeth in no need of you only for your own sake entreats you to be reconciled that you might not be destroyed that you might not even force him to punish you which he will do with a witness and with a vengeance if you refuse Methinks this amazing condescention and kindness of God should astonish you and stop you in the way of sin and make you tremble and let fall your weapons out of your hand with which you have been fighting against him and cast your selves with shame and self-loathing at his feet grieving at the very heart that ever you offended a God of such infinite loving kindness 2. Peter tells them further of Gods good will towarâ—s the Gentiles that in every Nation whoever feared him should be accepted with him They were Gentiles whom he preached unto and they might have feared that salvation was only to be found amongst the Jews and that however God were gracious and ready to receive men unto favour that feared him yet that God having made choice of but one Nation in the world to be his peculiar people and they being none of that Nation that no grace or mercy was attainable by them who were Heathens who are called the people of his wrath Therefore Peter gives them to understand that however God had set narrow bounds to his Church formerly and confined his mercy to one Nation yet that now the hedge and middle wall of partition was broken down and any Nation might find acceptance This was the first appearance and breaking forth of Gods mercy towards the Gentiles in that he declares himself now to be no longer a respecter of Nations but that other Nations should taste of his favour as well as the Iews This was intended from the beginning by God and foretold long before by the Prophets See Isa. 49.18 19 20 21 23. Lift up thine eyes speaking to the Church round about behold all these gather themselves together and come to thee as I live saith the Lord thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all as with an ornament and binde them on thee as a Bride doth the Land shall be too narrow the children which thou shalt have after thou hast lost the other shall say in thine ears the place is too strait for me give place to me that I may dwell Then shalt thou say in thine heart Who hath begotten me these seeing I have lost my children and am desolate and who hath brought up thâ—se Thus saith the Lord Behold I will lift up mine hand unto the Gentiles and set up my standard to the people and they shall bring thy Sons in their arms and thy Daughters shall be carryed upon their shoulders c. And chap. 54.1 2 3. Sing O barren that didst not bear break forth into singing and cry aloud Thou that didst not travel with child for more are the children of the desolate than of the married wife saith the Lord. Enlarge the place of thy Tent and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations Spare not lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate Cities to be inhabited c. And the Apostle Paul writing to the Gentile Romans which were converted to the Christian Faith makes mention of divers Prophecies together of Gods good will which he intended to shew unto the Gentiles through his Lord Jesus Christ as you may read Rom. 15.9 10 11 12. And that the Gentiles may glorifie God for his mercy 〈◊〉 it is written for this cause will I confess unto thee amongst the Gentiles and sing unto thy Name And again he saith Rejoyce ye Gentiles with his people And again Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles and laud him all ye people And again Isaiah saith There shall be a root of Iesse and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles and in him shall the Gentiles trust And this he writes for their encouragement and comfort that they might be filled with all joy and peace in believing vers 13. Now the time was come for the fulfilling of these Prophecies when Christ was come who had reconciled unto God both Jew and Gentile in one body by the Cross breaking down the middle wall of partition between them and destroying that which was an occasion of enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances for to make in himself of twain one new man so making peace Ephes. 3.14 15 16. Therefore he gave Commandment to his Disciples after his resurrection to preach the Gospel unto all Nations and here sends Peter to Cornelius and them that were with him This is ground of singular comfort and encouragement unto us who are Gentiles that the Lord hath good will for us and hath sent his Gospel to be preached amongst us by his Ministers which may give further hopes of your attaining salvation when God hath given you the means and sends his Ministers to preach to you such words whereby you may be saved SECT VII â— PEter speaks to them concerning the Word which God sent unto the children of Israel and he tells of a twofold Word sent to them by God 1. The Word of Repentance which he calls the â—aptism which Iohn preached unto them 2. The Word of Peace which was preached unto them by Iesus Christ. 1. He tells them that God sent a Word by Iohn to the children of Israel and that was a word and Baptism of Repentance which he preached Iohn was Christs â—orerunner who went before his face to prepare his way and to make the people ready for the entertainment of Christ He came to level the mountains of pride and to straighten crooked dispositions and to smoothen rough spirits his doctrine was a doctrine of Repentance Luk. 3.3 He came into all the Countries about Iordan preaching the Baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins And in Mat. 3.1 2. it is said Iohn came preaching in the wilderness of Iudea and saying Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaâ—en is at hand Iohn preached the Law to convince men of sin and to awaken them unto repentance he telleth sinners plainly that they were a generation of Vipers doth not spare the hypocritical Phaâ—isees who boasted so much in their priviledges but were grosly deficient in moral duties he telleth them of Gods Ax which was laid to the root of the tree ready to cut them down if they did not â—epent he telleth of the unquenchable fire which they should be cast into if they did not reform The word of Repentance is a necessary word unto salvaâ—tion and therefore is necessary to be preached to all and what Iohn the Baptist cryed in the wilderness would cry in your ears this day Repent Repent if yoâ— would have remission of sins Repent if you woulâ— be prepared for the entertainment of Jesus
Chrisâ— Repent or else you will all certainly perish Luk. 13.3 Repent or else iniquity will be your ruine Ezek 18.30 Repent or else ye cannot be saved When thâ—â— Jews who had crucified the Lord of glory heard Peters Sermon which ripped up their sin and they being pricked in their hearts cry out to Peter and the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren What shall we do Act. 2.37 We have committed a great sin and what shall we now do What course shall we take that we may be saved from that eternal wrath and death which we have deserved The Apostle directs them to Repent for the remission of sin vers 38. And will not conscience accuse you of the guilt of sin Are there no drunkards in this place no swearers none that have committed adultery and been unclean in secret places no unrighteous persons that have defrauded their neighbour no Sabbath-breakers nor profane persons no lyars nor covetous persons and are not the most civil and morally honest of you all that are out of Christ guilty of many heart-sins yea and lip-sins and some gross slips in your life which conscience doth sometimes twinge you for Are not you guilty of impenitency and hardness of heart and unbelief and want of love to God and his Son and neglect of your own salvation Let me tell you all that have not yet repented that unless ye repent and that speedily ye shall all perish certainly and ye shall be miserable everlastingly Repent of your sins mourn for sin and turn from sin or else you will weep for sin hereafter to no purpose and burn for sin for ever Loath sin and leave sin or else Christ will disdain you at the last day and sentence you to depart from him into everlasting fire Confess sin and forsake sin or else you will finde no mercy here nor end or the least asswagement of misery in the other world Drunkards repent of your sins you have felt after your revellings and excessive carousings your heads ake and have vomited up your drink sometimes O that you could now feel your hearts ake and that you would vomit up your sin by repentance Swearers repent of your sins you have taken Gods Name in vain yea even torn it in pieces by your oaths O that you would hallow Gods Name in confessing your sin and that you would rend and tear your hearts with sorrow for the affronts you have by your oaths offered to the highest Majesty Adulterers and unclean persons repent of your sins you have tasted sweetness in your â—oul sins O labour to taste bitterness in grief for your sins that you may not feel the bitterness of hell torments which without repentance will certainly be your portion Unrighteous persons lyars covetous persons repent or you will not escape Gods righteous judgements Sabbath-breakers get your hearts broken for your sins or else God will break you to pieces with his Iron Rod. Prophane persons and all ye that have sinned more grosly repent and humble your selves before the Lord the more deeply The most crimson and scarlet â—ins may be washed away those who embrewed their hands in the blood of Christ were forgiven upon repentance and there may be hope of remission for the worst of you if you repent And you that have been more civil yet under the power of some sin which hath reigned in your hearts though it hath not broken forth so notoriously in your lives and have moreover lived in the neglect of Christ and your own salvation by him not perceiving your need so much of him Let me tell you as our Saviour told the Scribes and Pharisees that sometimes Publicans and Harlots the vilest and most notorious come into the Kingdom of Heaven sooner than you because they are more readily awakened and humbled and made sensible of their need of Christ than the civil and fair dealing men and women who are very apt to lean and trust to their own righteousness without such earnest seeking of the righteousness of Christ to justifie them Therefore let me warn you also to repent of your sins of heart-sins and Gospel-sins which are the greatest sins and will certainly sink you without repentance Look upon your own righteousness as filthy raggs and cast it away and loath your selves and be perswaded that if ever you be pardoned and saved you must be as much beholding to free grace as the vilest sinner 2. Peter tells them that God sent a Word of Peace which was preached by Iesus Christ. It is said Ioh. 1.17 The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth and I may add peace too came by Iesus Christ. The Law which came by Moses was given for this end to lead men yea it was a School-master to whip men to Christ and God did enjoyn those legal services upon his people that they might look to Christ in them and look for Christ who should deliver them from that yoak of bondage The Law which was from Mount Sinai gendereth to bondage and was given with thunderings and lightnings to awaken men and in preaching of the Law God giveth a spirit of bondage to work men to fear and repentance But Christ came in a more mild way and in a more soft and still voice preached Peace and the Gospel of Reconciliation The word of Peace was that which the Angels preached unto the Shepherds at Christs birth Luk. 2.14 Glory be to God in the highest on earth peace and good will towards men Peace was that which Christ preached in his life Ephes. 2.17 He came and preached Peace to you which were afar off and to them which were nigh Peace was that which Christ purchased by his death Col. 1.20 He made Peace by the blood of his Cross. Peace was that which he spake to his Disciples at his appearance after his resurrection Ioh. 20.19 Iesus came and stood in the midst of them and said Peace be unto you Peace he left with his Disciples behind him as a Legacy when he was to go away from them Ioh. 14.27 Peace I leave with you my Peace I give unto you And Peace he commissioned his Disciples to preach unto the world Mark 16.5 Go ye into all the World and preach the Gospel unto every creature Which Gospel is a Gospel of Peace containing glad tidings of good things Rom. 10.15 Christ preached Peace not Peace with men though this also he would have his Disciples endeavour after as much as in them lyeth to live peaceably with all men Rom. 12.28 and to follow after peace with all men so far as it consisteth with holiness and a pure conscience Heb. 12.14 For he tells his Disciples Luk. 12.51 Suppose ye that I am come to give Peace on earth I tell you nay but rather division Whatever peaceable disposition he taught and his Gospel doth work in the heart where it prevails yet accidentally it causeth division and stirreth up to opposition in those that will not yield obedience thereunto and
therefore the world hate and contend with his Disciples because he hath chosen them out of the world wicked men have an enmity in their hearts against Believers and will not be at Peace with them But Christ preached Peace with God Christ came from Heaven to bring this glad tydings to earth that the God of Heaven was willing to be at Peace with sinfull men It would not have been an easie thing to have made sinners believe especially if they had been convinced of sin how heinous it is in its own nature how highly it affronts and provokes the highest Majesty if they had been awakened with a sense of the dreadfulness of the punishment which God hath threatned and they had deserved for their sins that so great and holy a God should be willing to put up all affronts and forgive all iniquities and be at Peace with sinners yea that he should seek after it They might have questioned not only how this could be but also how any could have known it But to put all out of doubt Christ the eternal Son of God hath come forth from Heaven declaring what he hath heard of the Father and hath made known this that God is willing to be at peace with us Christ was sent from the King of Glory upon the Embassage of Peace and he preached Peace therefore unto men not unto all men for Isa. 57.21 There is no Peace to the wicked that is to such as are impenitent and senseless of their sins and go on still in their trespasses Christ threatned the wicked as severely as Iohn Baptist he tells the impenitent that they should perish Luk 13.3 and the unbelievers that they should die in their sins Ioh. 8.24 And he calls the hypocritical Pharisees who persevered in their opposition of him and his waies Serpents and Vipers that could not escape the damnation of Hell Matth. 23.33 But Christ preached Peace to all that repented were troubled for their sins that mourned and turned that believed and yielded up themselves to the obedience of the Gospel He preached the Gospel to the poor to the bruised and broken that is such as were sensible of their sins and their need of a Saviour Luk. 4.18 And we Ministers have commission from the Lord to preach Peace to the children of men we are Ministers of the Gospel of Peace unto us is committed the Word of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 Indeed we must sound the Trumpet of War from Heaven in the ears of secure sinners to awaken them but we are to hang out the white flag and to come with Olive branches of Peace from God to them that tremble at Gods Word and are humble for their sins Sinners are there any among you whose hearts the Lord hath touched and bruised for sin yea broken to shivers and melted and filled with grief and sorrow for a life of past-wickedness that have not only legal terrours but true Evangelical repentance I have a word of Peace to deliver to such of you from the Lord. God is willing to be at Peace with you through his Son There is an Advocate with the Father who is ready to make up the breach which sin hath made between God and your souls and God doth call you to lay hold on his strength that you may make Peace with him and he promiseth that you shall make peace with him Isa. 27.5 Thus concerning the word of Repentance and Peace which Peter tells Cornelius and them which were with him SECT VIII 3. PEter speaks to them of the Lord Jesus Christ by whom this Peace was purchased and the Word of Peace preached and that 1. Concerning his Vnction 2. Concerning his Life 3. Concerning his Miracles 4. Concerning his Death 5. Concerning his Resurrection 6. Concerning his Ordination to be the Iudge of the World 7. Concerning his Mission of them to preach 1. Peter speaks to them concerning the Vnction of Christ. He tells them that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power God poured forth his Spirit without measure upon Christ which qualified him for his offices and he gave him power and authority to execute them There is a Threefold Office which Christ was anointed unto 1. The Priestly Office 2. The Pâ—â—phetical Office 3. The Kingly Office 1. Christ was anointed to the Priestly Office who offered up sacrifice to God even a sin-offering and Peace-offering â—o make reconciliation for sin not the sacrifice of Bulls and Goats or Lambs or Rams which could never of themselves take away guilt but he through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God he offered the sacrifice of himself for a sweet-smelling savour and shed his own blood for the remission of sins by which blood having obtained eternal redemption for his people he entered into the Holy place not made with hands which was but figurative but into Heaven it self there to appear in the presence of God to make intercession for them Christ is the great High priest not after the order of Aaron who were many and mortall and sinfull and their Priesthood changeable but he is a High-Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec hath an unchangeable Priesthood therefore is able to save all those to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession in their behalf Heb. 7.25 Moreover v. 26. he is holy harmless undefiled seperate from sinners and yet very tender and compassionate towards sinners being touched with the feeling of our Infirmities and knows how to pity them which are tempted he is mercifull and he is faithfull too in this Office which the Lord hath anointed him unto Having therefore such an High-Priest over the House of God sinners have encouragement to draw neer unto God with full assurance of acceptance through him Hebr. 10.21 22. 2. Christ was anointed to the Prophetical Office Christ is that Prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up to his people like unto Moses Deut. 18.15 but is far greater than Moses who came down from Heaven to preach the Gospel of salvation to lost sinners who revealed the counsels of the Father which were hid from ages and generations and kept secret untill his time from the foundations of the World who discovered the purposes of Gods Love and the promises of his Grace and brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel Christ is the great Prophet anointed by the Father to teach his people by his Word and Spirit who opens the eyes of the understanding which naturally is dark and blinde and leads his people into all truth who of themselves would wander into errour without whose teachings there can be no saving light nor spiritual discerning and relish of Gospel Mysteries 3. Christ was anointed unto the Kingly Office Peter in his Sermon calls him Lord of all God hath given him a Name above every Name he hath exalted him above all Principalities and Powers and Might and Dominion both in Heaven and
eternal death and wrath which they have deserved and by sin are exposed unto Moreover you may here learn the reason why so many people especially those who most seriously and earnestly desire and endeavour their salvation choose to hear Ministers preach rather than others because they are commissioned by the Lord to preach the Word of salvation and their Ministry is most likely to be effectual Others may preach without a Commission the same words and do no good for want of Gods blessing It is not the bare speaking the words of salvation that will bring salvation but the revelation of Gods arm and operation of his Spirit with the Ministry of the Word As when our Saviour raised Lazarus from the dead he cryed with a loud voice Lazarus come forth and he that was dead received life and came forth Ioh. 11.43 44. Others could have spoken the same words as our Saviour and cryed over the grave with as loud a voice Lazarus come forth but with no effect the dead man would have remained still in the state of the dead whatever any man could have spoken or done but when our Saviour spake the words the dead man was quickened there went forth a vertue and efficacy a divine power and spirit with our Saviours words which raised him from the dead so uncommissioned persons may entrench upon the work of the Ministry and preach the Gospel speak words of salvation and cry to sinners to leave their sins to arise from their spiritual death to come forth from their graves they may exhort them to repent and believe that they may be saved and yet none of their words be likely to take impression and effect a saving change in the heart because being out of Gods way they cannot expect Gods blessing but Ministers are qualified and commissioned for the work and through Gods blessing there is a life and power goeth along with their preaching which maketh it effectual for salvation no wonder then if such as are led by the Spirit do choose to hear Ministers preach refusing others that they may be safely guided by them in the way of life and salvation SECT XIII Vse 2. FOR Reproof 1. Of Ministers 2. Of People 1. Are Ministers to tell people words whereby they may be saved this then reproves such Ministers 1. As do not preach at all 2. As do not preach soul-saving Truths 3. As do not preach in such a Way as is likely to do good But my business being chiefly to speak unto People I shall pass by this Use. 2. People are here to be reproved unto whom the Lord sends faithfull Ministers to tell them such words whereby they may be saved 1. It reproves such as persecute such Ministers that are of such a spirit as the wicked Iewes of old spoken of 1 Thess. 2.15 16. Who both killed the Lord Iesus and their own Prophets and persecuted us and they please not God and are contrary unto all men forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved to fill up their sin alway for wrath is come upon them to the uttermost Some there are that persecute Ministers with the tongue by reproaching of them others persecute Ministers with the hand by imprisoning of them and many other wayes afflicting of them seeking the extirpation of them as persons not fit to live upon the face of the earth thus ungratefully they endeavour the ruine of them that desire and seek their salvation and foolishly endeavour to blow out the light which would shew them the way to Heaven 2. It reproves such who if they do not persecute Ministers yet hate them bear a secret spight and enmity in their hearts against them and the reason is because they testifie that their works are evil upon which account our Saviour was hated Ioh. 7.7 they hate them because they reprove them for their sins and disturb their Consciences sometimes by sounding peals of Judgement in their ears that they cannot sin with that freedom and security as they desire Poor souls how will they endure the pains of Hell themselves that cannot endure the sore-thoughts of them and hate them which bring such sad thoughts into their mindes though it be in order to their escape Would any of you hate a neighbour that should cry aloud in the dead of the night Fire fire and bounce at your doors and awaken you out of your sleep to warn you of a Fire drawing neer to your habitation which if not prevented would burn house and goods and persons together And what do Ministers more than cry Fire fire and tell you of your near approach to everlasting burnings in which without some speedy course taken for prevention will certainly seize upon you and consume you everlastingly And have any reason to be troubled and offended and hate Ministers for awakening them upon such an account as this when their souls lie at stake and are in such danger A Physician of the body is not hated that tells his Patient that his disease is dangerous which if let alone without taking such a remedy will certainly be his death And have any reason to hate Ministers who are Physicians of the Soul because they tell men of the disease of sin which if not cured by the blood of Christ will certainly and may suddenly bring eternal death 3. It reproves such who if they do not so deeply hate Ministers yet will not be perswaded to hear them such as are so drencht in the World and so over head and ears in worldly business that they minde nothing else If any could tell them of a good bargain or some notable way of thriving in their Estates such a one they would visit and hear and O how would they relish such discourses But though Ministers give notice of the best bargain that ever was made and bring tydings of the most notable way of thriving namely of the way of thriving in spiritual and heavenly riches and shew men how they may gain pardon and peace and the favour of God and the graces of the Spirit and escape future misery and attain salvation and everlasting happiness yet like Gallio they minde none of these things they will not step over the threshold to hear Ministers preach the Gospel of salvation and how shall they escape who neglect so great salvation Heb. 2.3 4. It reproves such who if they do hear Ministers yet do not understand them that are so dull of hearing that they know not what Ministers say nor whereof they affirm that gather about a Minister as beasts about a Man that sounds a Trumpet and stare upon him but know not what the meaning of the sound is so they hear Ministers and look and stare upon them some strange things are brought to their ears which they know not the meaning of and are like words of another language to them because their eyes are closed and they want spiritual sense and discerning and a great reason is because they do
the Kingdom of Heaven sooner than the Pharisees who boasted in their own righteousness Matth. 21.31 He conversed with and called the worst of sinners to repentance Matth. 9.11 13. Indeâ—d when the Apostle maketh mention of notorious sinners he telleth us that such whilest such could not be saved 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Adulterers nor â—ffeminate nor Abusers of thâ—mselves with Mankind nor Thieves nor Covetous noâ— Drunkards nor Revilers nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God Those that are such notorious sinners and continue in the practice of such sins without repentance they cannot be saved but withall he addeth in the 11. verse that some of them had been such sinners but were now in a state of Salvation through their interest in Jesus Christ and the operation of the Spirit of God upon their hearts And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of our God they were justified their sins pardoned and persons accepted in the name of the Lord Jesus through the imputation of his righteousness unto them and they were washed and sanctified by the Spirit of God through infusion of Grace by the Spirit into them I might add further instâ—nces of notorious sinners who have been saved as Manasses Mary Magdalen Paul who before Conversion calleth himself the chiefest of sinners yet obtained Mercy and Salvation and let me tell you moreover that if you repent now and apply your selves to Christ the greater your sins have been the more will Gods glory be illustrated in your Salvation and the abounding of your sins will make way for the super-abounding of his grace 3. All of you that hear these words may obtain Salvation it is possible that every one of you in this place may be saved it would be a rare thing but it is a possible thing indeed there are but few that shall be saved but who knoweth but all of you may be found in the number of those few and O how would it rejoyce my heart to see all those faces in Heaven whom I see here this day to hear the words of Salvation Be encouraged to seek after your salvation by the possibility of obtaining Now salvation is possible for all of you that have not as yet attained it but let me add that it will not be possible long for you all whilst you are in the land of the living it is possible though you be condemned to Hell for sin whilst unbelievers Ioh. 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already yet the sentence of condemnation is traversible you may appeal from the Court of the Law to the Court of Chancery you may fly from the bar of Gods justice unto the throne of grace and if you heartily repent of sin and by faith lay hold on Christ you may obtain pardon and salvation Whilst the reprieve of your life lasteth salvation is attainable but when once your life is come to an end which you know not how soon it may be and you be found in a state of impenitency and unbelief then the percullis will be shutt down upon you for ever then the black flag will be hung out then the talent of lead will seal up the measure of your wickedness and your condemnation will be irreversible when the day of your life is spent the day of grace will be spent too and the door of mercy will be shut upon you for ever and it will be impossible for any of you that have not attained then to attain salvation 5. This salvation is a neer Salvation Say not in your heart Who shall ascend up into Heaven to learn what it is there or who shall descend into the deep to bring notice of it from thence or who shall take the wings of the morning and fly into the uttermost parts of the earth thence to bring tydings of it to you for the word of salvation is near unto you it is brought home to your own doors it is that word which is now sounding in your ears even the words which we Ministers preach unto you read what those words are which are brought so nigh Rom. 10.8 9 10 11 12 13. The word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Iesus and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation For the Scripture saith Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed For there is no difference between the Iew and the Greek for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him for whosoever calleth upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved Heretofore salvation was only amongst the Jews and whoever of other Nations would be saved they must travel to Ierusalem and worship the Lord in his Temple and enquire for salvation in that place then salvation was afar off from the Gentiles especially from these Brittish Isles but now since the revelation of Jesus Christ as those which were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ so the word of salvation is brought nigh unto us you have many Messengers of Peace which bring the glad tydings of salvation near unto you and this may further encourage you to seek after it 6. This salvation is an Evident Salvation I mean that it is more clearly and evidently made known unto us than it hath been in former ages unto any or than it is in other places unto many In former ages this salvation was not made known so clearly unto any I mean in the ages before the coming of Christ the Prophets themselves who prophesied of it did not fully understand what the Spirit in them did signifie when it foretold of this grace which should come unto the Church in after ages 1 Pet. 1.10 11. And therefore the first preaching of the Gospel of salvation is called a revelation of the mysterie which had been kept secret since the world began unto that time Rom. 16.25 And a manifestation of that mysterie to the Saints which had been hid from ages and generations Col. 1.25 26 27. The Gospel of salvation was indeed revealed in the dispensation of the Law upon Mount Sinai by Moses but it was more obscurely it was wrapt up in types and figures and as there was a vail before Moses his face so there was a vail before the truths of salvation so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look unto the end of those things which were after to be abolished 2 Cor. 3.13 but this vail is done away in Christ v. 14. When Christ suffered upon the Cross the vail of
they would find mercy Prov. 28.13 The wicked must forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and turn to the Lord and then he shall have pardoning mercy abundantly Isa. 55.7 When men cease to do evil and learn to do well then though their sins have been as scarlet they shall be white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be like woâ—ll Isa. 1.16 17 18. Sinners turn from your evil waies you have done iniquity do so no more you have gone on hitherto in a way of sin proceed no further it is the way to Hell turn out of it Let him that hath stoln steal no more and him that hath been filthy be filthy no more and him that hath been unjust be unjust no more Drunkards forbear your drinking swearers refrain swearing lyars teach your tongues to speak truth Break off your course of sin turn from all gross sins as to the practice and turn from all sins as to the affection Direction 4. You must believe in the Lord Iesus Christ if you would be saved This is the direction which Paul gave to the Jaylor when under conviction of sin he came in to him and cryed What shall I do to be saved he saith to him Believe in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Act. 16.30 31. So in Peter's Sermon Act. 10.43 To him gave all the Prophets witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him should receive remission of sins There is no Saviour but by Christ and there is no salvation by Christ bâ—t by faith and therefore we are said to be saved through faith Ephes. 2.8 As faith is the instrument to apply the merits and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Let me then exhort you to get faith which is absolutely necessary unto salvation Get faith of the right kind there is a general common historical temporary hypocritical dead and ineffectual faith but do you labour after a special lively unfeigned effâ—ctual justifying and saving faith and that you may not be mistaken in this great point on which your salvation doth depend I shall describe that faith which is of the right kind and will certainly save you if you obtain it Faith is a grace wrought in the heart by the Spirit of God whereby a poor sinner being made sensible of the guilt and power of his sins and the utter insufficiency of himself or any creature in the world to give him any help or succour and having in the Gâ—spel a discovery and proffer made unto him of the Lord Iesus Christ as an all sâ—fficient most merciful and faithful Advocate and Saviour doth go quite out of himself and accâ—pt lay hold rely and rest vpon him and him alone for pardon and grace and eâ—erlasting happiness Or more brâ—efly thus Faith is a grace of God wherâ—by the humilâ—d sinner doth accept and rely upon Christ alone for salvation as he is held forth in the Promises of the Gospel If you would attain this grace of Faith take these Directions 1. You must be fully perswaded that the Scriptures which reveal Christ are indeed the word of God this is the foundation of all faith therefore I shall briefly suggest some Arguments to prove the divine Authority of the Scriptures As 1. Because of that majesty purity holinâ—ss heavenliness which doth appâ—ar in the Sâ—râ—ptures beyond all other writings 2. Because of the design and drift of the Scriptures to debase man and exalt God and his glory above all 3. Because of the admirable contexture and contrivance and sweet harmony of the Scriptures in all the parts thereof though written by so many several men in several ages and places which sheweth that they were all acted by the same Spirit of God 4. Because of the wonderfull work of mans Redemption there set forth at fiâ—st more darkly afterwards more clearly which no mortal bâ—ain could have invented much less could any created power have effected 5. Because of the great power which this word hath to convince convert and comfort 6. Because of the confirmation of the Scriptures by miracles 7. Because of the acknowledgement of the Scriptures to be Gods Word in all ages 8. Because of the many millions of Martyrs who have sealed the Truths of the word with their blood 9. Because of the witness of the Spirit in and with the word which doth bear testimony to the hearts of Gods people that the Scriptures are his Word and were indiâ—ed by his Spirit Whence it followeth that the Scriptures are true because God the Author of them is true and cannot lye and whatever is there revealed is as certain as those things which are most demonstrable to sense or reason This is the first step to your believing in Christ who is made known in the Scriptures to believe that the Scriptures are Gods Word 2. If you would attain a saving faith in Christ you must be convinced and fully pâ—rswaded of your lost estate without Christ and your absolute need of him of which before 3. You must be perswaded that it is not in your own power to believe that it is not of your selves but is the gift of God Ephes. 2.8 and therefore must apply your selves to God that he would not only give you his Son but also give you the hand of faith to lay hold on him that he would work in you this grace of faith by his Spirit 4. You must consider those Arguments of Scripture which encourage faith As for instance I shall mention four heads of Arguments for faith from the consideration 1. Of God 2. Of the Promises 3. Of Christ. 4. Of the Saints 1. From the consideration of God who hath given his Son to save sinners it is an encouragement to â—aith to consider 1. That God is mercifull and therefore willing to pardon and save otherwise he would not have sent his Son he doth not delight in the death of sinners Ezek. 18.23 but delighteth to shew mercy see Micah 7.18 19. Exod. 34.6 7. Psal. 103.8 9 c. 2. That God is faithfull in his Promises of salvation which he hath made through his Son in his Covenant of Grace God needed not have made the Covenant nor promised mercy to any sinners but having made the Covenant he is engâ—gâ—d to make it good 3. That it is for his glory to save sinners through his Son the glory of his free grace yea and justice too which hath been fully satisfied by Christs death 2. You have encouraging Arguments for faith from the consideration of the Promises which are 1. Large made to all sorts of persons and all sorts of sinners none are excluded 2. Full they extend to all sorts of sins though never so many and great Isa. 55.7 3. Free nothing is required on your part but accepting 4. Sure being the Promises of God in Christ. 3. You have encouragement to believe in Christ for salvation from the consideration of Christ the proper object of faith 1. The quality of his
all my own righteousness hungring after the Lord Iesus Christ and his righteousness upon the bended knees of my soul come unto him and cast my self wholly upon him I choâ—se him for my only Advocate to plead my cause in the Court of Heaven to procure for me Pardon and Reconciliation that being justified by Faith I may have peace with God through my dear Lord Iesus Christ. Next repenting from the bottom of my heart of my sins grieving that I have such a sinfull Nature such a deceitfull heart that I have so adulterated my affections and gone a whoring from God to the Creatures that I have so indulged my flesh and satisfied its irregular desires that I have given ear to the Devil and complyed as I have done with his temptations I now renounce all allegiance and service to the World to the Flesh and to the Devil these enemies of the Lord and of my peace which warr against my Master and against my own soul covenanting and promising never to give away my heart any more from the Lord unto any person or thing in the World to refuse the World for my portion and chief happiness to deny my flesh its sinfull desires and demands to resist the Devil and his Temptations not to live and allow my self in any known sin and to make use of all the known means which the Lord hath prescribed for the crucifying of the World for the mortifying and utter extirpation of sin for the resisting and overcoming the Devil And being perswaded of the power and interest the subtilty and deceitfulness of these enemies and withall sensible of my own imprudence folly weakness and inconstancy I humbly and earnestly implore and beseech the highest Majesty who is infinite in wisdom power and goodness that he would give me counsel and discretion in the use and management of all means and helps that I may not neglect any nor through sloth and imprudence sâ—ffer a lesser duty to justle out a greater that he would give me courage strength and constancy in the maintaining my spiritual warfare against these my spiritual enemies unto my lifes end And if ever I should fall through unwatchfulness and weakness which the Lord grant I may never do I do promise in the strength of the Lord to arise again by Faith and Repentance And because of the Body of sin within me and remaining corruptions I shall be subject during my abode here unto daily failings and infirmities I do promise to pray watch and strive against them beseeching the Lord to strengthen me herein and grant that my sinfull infirmities may be lesse every day than other in the mean time looking upon those disallowed miscarriages contrary to the settled bent and resolution of my heart as insufficient to make my Covenant void Furthermore being convinced of the vanity emptiness and utter insufficiency of any or all the Creatures in the World to make me happy had I the most desireable enjoyment of them and having a discovery of the infinitely blessed God made unto me in his Works chiefly in his Word as being the chief good of man and withall a Promise in the Covenant of Grace that he will be our God yea our Father through Christ and that we shall be his people his Sons and Daughters I do here with deep veneration of Soul and chief estimation of minde choose the thrice Blessed Iehovah for my Portion and chief good beyond all persons and things in this World and do avouch him this day to be my God I humbly accept of the relation of a Servant and a Son or Daughter which he hath called me unto I put my self under his wing and commit my self to his care and Tuition and henceforth shall be bold through my dearest Lord to call him and look upon him to be my God and Father and humbly shall expect from him Protection and Provision in his way and work Correction Audience of Prayer and the fulfilling of all those Promises unto me which he hath made unto his Children Moreover being perswaded that none can come unto the Father but by the Son nor share in any spiritual priviledge but through Christs death and intercession and being perswaded of the infinite amiableness of Christs person the greatness of his love and affection unto the children of men as also of his infinite desireableness in regard of those offices and relations which he hath vouchsafed to take upon him and enter into for the good of his people I do avouch the Lord Iesus Christ to be my only Saviour and choose him in all his Offices and Relations I choose Christ to be my High-Priest to intercede and procure for me daily pardon access unto God acceptance of my person and service audience of my prayers and supply of all my wants I choose Christ to be my Prophet to teach me by his Word and Spirit the will of the Father I choose Christ to be my King to rule and govern me to command my whole man into the obedience of himself I choose Christ to be my Captain to go before me and to tread down my spiritual enemies under my feet I choose Christ to be my Friend and Brother to counsel and advise me to stand by me in all the difficulties and straights of my life I choose Christ to be my Husband and beloved humbly accepting of this near and sweet Relation which he calleth me unto I joyn and espouse my self unto the Lord Iesus and do promise to be for him only and with full purpose of heart to cleave unto him to love honour and serve him never to deny nor leave him whatever reproaches and distresses I may meet withall for his sake though Persecution should arise and that even unto death I do promise to own his Name and Cause and Truths and Wayes so long as I have breath in my Body But knowing that I am utterly insufficient to do any of these things in my own strength therefore upon the knees of my Soul I earnestly beseech that I may have strength for all these from himself alone Further because God my Father is invisible to the eye of sense and incomprehensible by the grasp of Reason and because my dearest Lord Iesus Christ who alone hath declared him in regard of his bodily presence is now in Heaven absent from his people and because whatever spiritual light or life grace comfort or spiritual communion with the Father and with his Son is vouchsafed unto the people of God it is by the Holy Spirit who is appointed by Office hereunto and graciously promised unto them in the Word Therefore I avouch and choose the Holy Ghost to be my Teacher and Guide to be my Sanctifier and Comforter to help my infirmities in duties to strengthen me with might in my inner man against sin and Satans Temptations to cleanse me from all filthiness of flesh and spirit to heal me of all my spiritual distempers to revive me under all my faintings to supply
be acquainted with God in Christ you must acquaint your selves with the Scriptures Read the Scriptures daily and search them Ioh. 5.39 read not only the history of the Word but labour to understand the mystery of Godliness therein revealed 1 Tim. 3.16 endeavour after a spiritual discerning of the things of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.14 when you meet with Doctrines in your reading the Word labour to understand and believe them when you meet with Precepts labour to obey them when with Prohibitions and Threatnings be cautioned against sin by them when you meet with promises labour to apply them to draw vertue from them Read this Book as the Word of God and hide it in your heart lay it up there as a choice treasure get your hearts cast into the mould of it get it written upon your hearts and let it have an influence upon your whole conversation and that you may the better understand and apply the truths of the Word read as you have time other good books which open the Scriptures and treat of needfull points of Religion especially such as direct in the great work of Conversion and give Rules out of the Word for the ordering of your whole conversation but above all Books read and study the Scriptures Means 3. Hearing the Word Preached It is by the foolishness of Preaching that God saveth such as do believe 1 Cor. 1.21 however the preaching of the Word is to them that perish foolishness yet unto Believers it is the power of God unto salvation therein God doth put forth his power and maketh bare his arm in bringing salvation to lost souls Hear and thy Soul shall live Isa. 55.3 Faith cometh by hearing Rome 10.17 Lydia's heart was opened whilest she attended upon the Word preached by Paul Act. 16.14 Attend therefore diligently upon the Word preached by Christs Ministers as an Ordinance of his own institution for the working and increase of Grace Look upon Ministers as Christs Ambassadours he that heareth them heareth Christ and he that turneth away his ear from hearing them turneth away his ear from Christ who by his Spirit in them speaketh from Heaven unto men and how impossible it is for such to escape the wrath of God see Heb. 12.25 Much more shall not they escape that turn away their ear from him that speaketh from Heaven Hear the Word with reverence as the Word of God as if the Lord should speak to you from Heaven with an audible voice hear the Word with diligence and attention as for your lives as for the salvation of your Souls hear the Word with faith and love without which it will not profit and work effectually in your hearts and in hearing look not so much for those things which may please as for that which may edifie I mean do not regard so much mens fancies as the wholsom Truths of the Word which tend most to conviction edification to the killing of sin quickning and increase of Grace and nourishment of the spiritual life Means 4. Meditation The Word like Food must be digested by Meditation that it may turn to spiritual nourishment you must ponder and consider in your mindes the Truths of the Word that you may both understand them and get your Hearts affected with them and your Lives ordered by them Meditation is a great help in Heavens way such as are remiss herein cannot walk so steddily nor chearfully accustome your selves unto this duty set apart time for it I know that some complain of barrenness in their thoughts when they endeavour to meditate such I would advise if they have not that fruitfulness of thoughts themselves to supply them with matter that they would make use of others help let them meditate on the Scriptures they read on the Sermons they hear moreover I would offer some general heads for Meditation which you may make use of 1. Sometimes meditate on God his Attributes his infinite Majesty power holiness omnipresence omniscience eternity unchangeableness his infinite wisdom truth faithfulness justice goodness mercy and loving-kindness his Councels especially his eternal decree of Election which is of most sweet consideration to Believers his works of Creation and Providence 2. Sometimes meditate on Christ his near relations of Friend Brother Husband his needfull Offices of Priest Prophet and King 3. Sometimes meditate on the Spirit his way and workings on the minde and heart how he enlighteneth enliveneth strengtheneth comforteth c. 4. Sometimes meditate on the Covenant of Grace and the rich free suitable sure Promises of pardon grace salvation therein 5. Sometimes meditate on the Gospel and its priviledges Justification Adoption Sanctification Assurance of Gods love peace of Conscience Joy in the Holy Ghost communications of grace c. 6. Sometimes meditate on the four last things namely Death Judgement Heaven and Hell 7. Sometimes meditate and that frequently daily of such Arguments as tend to the mortifying of your particular sins which are most strong and prevalent and to the strengthening of your graces which you finde most weak and deficient Means 5. Prayer Pray secretly retire your selves from company into your Closets or some private place and there confess your sins and make known your requests to God that seeth and heareth in secret and hath promised an open reward to such as secretly and sincerely seek him Pray frequently be often upon your knees give your selves unto Prayer begin the day conclude the day with Prayer and recover some other time to visit and speak to God at least mingle ejaculatory Prayer with every other work and labour that your minds may be always in a praying frame and do not withdraw but be glad when an opportunity offereth it self to come to the throne of grace Pray fervently pour forth your hearts before God in the duty wrâ—stle with God in Prayer like Iacob be earnâ—st in your Petitions as for your lives be instant and importunate take no denyal follow hard after God stir up your selves to take hold on him use arguments in Prayer to plead with him Pray believingâ—y mingle your prayers with Faith make use of the name and mediation of Jesus Christ and make application of the Promises which God hath made to his People which he hath made to Faith and which he hath made to Prayer Means 6. Christian Conference Take heed of the company of the wicked from such turn away if â—â— and when you are there labour to mourn for sin which hath pierced the Lord to hunger after his righteousness to receive him by Faith to apply the Promises of the Covenant of Grace whereof the Sacrament is a Seal endeavour after a burning love to him whose love hath been so great as to dye for you and let your hearts be filled with joy and your mouths with Praises and deliver up your selves in Covenant unto the Lord in this Ordinance After you come from the Lords Table reflect upon your carriage towards the Lord if you have been straitened endeavour to find out the cause mourn and by after-pains and application of Christ endeavour to get some benefit and prepare better against the next time if you have been enlarged be humble be thankfull be watchfull live up to Obligations draw vertue from Christs death for the crâ—â—cifying more and more of your flesh with its affâ—ctions and lusts and fetch influences of grace and spiritual nourishment that you may encrease with the encreases of God Finally be diligent in the use of these and all other means and helps and so at length you shall attain the ultimate end for which they are appointed even your Salvation and Eternal Happiness FINIS Motive 3.
Authors may be quoted when there is real need so it be done rarely and soberly but for Ministers to enterlard their Sermons all over with Greek and Latine and sayings of men they must needs leave out much of the Word of God which they might use and it cannot be so profitable for the Hearers 3. Ministers must not use such words and speeches as gender strife I mean the perverse disputings which Sceptical Philosophy will put them upon whereby they may be spoyl'd and deceive both themselves and others through the errors and mistakes which hereby they may run into 4. Ministers must not use in preaching too much neatness of speech and humane Eloquence The most excellent and enticing words of mans wisdom the Apostle did forbear 1 Cor. 2.4 It is not needfull for a Minister to read all Heathen Poets and Orators that he may fill his Sermons with their fancies and rhetorical expressions but he should chiefly fetch his Rhetorick from the Bible Indeed Apollos was commended for his Eloquence Act. 13.24 not humane Eloquence but divine It is not said he was mighty in other Learning but mighty in the Scriptures not mighty in the writings of Heathens but mighty in the writings of God his Eloquence was drawn from the Word which is most persuasive The Lord doth not require that his Ministers should preach the Gospel neatly but plainly the former may make them esteemed as the better Scholars but the latter wilâ— make their hearers the better Christians That way of preaching thâ—y should use which is most intelligible and profitable not that which is most learned and Scholastical Melius est ut nos reprehendant Grammatici quà m non intelligant populi saith one that could speak in an eloquent strein It is better that Grammarians should reprehend us than that the people should not understand us and he desired that since the vulgar could not ascend so high as to understand a more refined language that learned men would stoop so low as to accommodate their speech to their capacities Thus Ministers must preach the Gospel not with wisdom of words but with plainness of speech There is a light in the Gospel the purest and most glorious that ever shined wisdom of words doth darken and obscure this light it doth â—ully the truths which shine most when they are naked without such ornaments It is like a bright Cloud between us and the Sun which keeps off the greater light like painting of a Diamond or a beautifull face There is a power goâ—th along with the Word preached to convert sinners Heb. 4.12 The Word is compared to a sharp two-edged Sword piercing and separating between the joynts and the marrow between sin and the soul which are more neer than marrow is to the bone but wisdom of words or humane Eloquence doth guild as it were the edge of the Sword which takes away its sharpness or is like to a rich Scabbard which delights the eye and pleaseth the fancy but keeps the Sword from entring the bowels and wounding the Conscience It is in plain preaching that the Sword is drawn forth naked which makes the sinner slie or yield Plain preaching is the most effectual means to pull down the strong holds of sin and Satan and to draw men unto a closure with Jesus Christ. Humane wisdom usually puffeth up both them that use it and those that hear it Humane wisdom is apt to beget an humane faith which standeth in the wisdom of men plain preaching begetteth faith which standeth in the power of God There is no such edification as in plain preaching In plain preaching the bread of life and wholsom food of the Word is distributed but humane wisdom is like hey and stubble which is food for horses and not for men so humane wisdom may please and best agree with natural and bruitish men but true Christians cannot feed upon it it is no more suitable to their spiritual appetite than hey and stubble is to their naturall It is like Pictures in learnâ—d books which may delight children a Scholar doth not regard the Pictures but the writing the word of God doth feed and edifie a gracious heart when it is preached plainly and homely humane wisdom or wisdom of words in preaching doth take away much of the taste and relish and doth hinder its vertue and operation The Word is compared to milk which must be sincere to food which must be simple and uncompounded that it may nourish and strengthen the body It is compared to Wine that must be unmixed that it may chear and refresh the spirits wisdom of words is like water or rather like some fulsome liquor mingled with the wine which doth much invalidate and render it nauseous unto the Appetite of the New Creature Ministers therefore must preach the word plainly that they may do it edifyingly they must not use wisdom of words which will evacuate the Cross of Christ and render their preaching ineffectual and put a cloud between the light and the eye especially of the ordinary hearers much less may they use mysteriousness of words dark sayings and high-â—lown notions that shall puzzle the mindes of the wisest to guess at the meaning of They must not in preaching make plain things difficult by their way of expressing them as many do but make more difficult things plain they must preach plainly I have been more large in this head I shall be more brief in the rest 3. Ministers must preach the words of Salvation Convincingly They should preach so as to convince the Judgement of truth and to convince the Conscience of sin and therefore they should preach in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.4 1. Ministers should labour to speak so as to convince the Judgement of the truth which they preach They must not only assert Truths but prove them they must hold forth the Word of Faith with a clear evidencing light and hold fast the Word in a strenuous defence of it against opposers and with sound doctrine they must not only exhort but also convince gainsayers Tit. 1.9 Ministers should make manifest the words of salvation which they preach that they are the words of the God of truth with whom dwells no errour or falshood They should prove by undenyable Arguments that the Scriptures are of Divine Authority and therefore as full of truth as the Sun is full of light and then they should prove the doctrine which they preach by the Word and that with such reason for the belief of it that no reason may be left to contradict it Ministers should be shining lights in the places where they live dispersing abroad the bright beams of Gospel-truths with such power and conviction as may be sufficient through the concurrence of the Spirit to vanquish and dispell all those clouds of ignorance which the minds of men naturally are filled withall 2. Ministers should preach so as to convince not only the Judgement of truth but also so
as to convince the Conscience of sin and that they may do this they must not rest in general discourses of the nature of sin but particularly apply themselves to their hearers and reprove them homely and sharply for their particular sins They must not sow pillows under the elbows of secure sinners and deal gently fearing to touch the soars of some lest they lift up the heel against them but with all faithfulness they must tell all of their sins and endeavour to awaken them by discovery of their danger their words must be like Nails and Goads which will prick unto the quick they must lance and rip up the soars that they may be healed they must cry aloud and spare not they must lift up their voice like a trumpet and cause the people to know their iniquities they must bend the bow and shoot the arrows of bitter and sharp reproof into guilty Consciences they must draw forth the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and therewith lay about them in Gods Name and as those which are in Gods room and lash and wound sinners to the very heart that have been so audacious as to break Gods Law they should endeavour to make the sword enter into the Soul with such a force that sinners being convinced judged and condemned may with trembling fall down and in perplexity cry out as those did whom Peter had convinced of their great sin in crucifying the Lord of glory Act. 2. Men and brethren what shall we do 4. Ministers must preach the words of salvation Boldly This the Apostle desires prayers for himself to the Lord that he might be enabled to do Eph. 6.19 20. And for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an Ambassadour in bonds that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak Ministers should deliver their Message with all boldness and authority as being the Ambassadours of the King of glory they should speak boldly without shame and without fear 1. They should speak boldly without shame as Paul Rom 1.16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation unto every one that believeth the preaching of the Gospel is accounted folly by some of great account in the World for wisdom and the Preachers of the Gospel are accounted Fools and despised Some reproach them others mock and deride them especially when they preach in such plain language as is most easie for all to understand but Ministers must preach boldly notwithstanding all the scoffs of the ungodly and profane and in a good sense they may glory in their shame for indeed that which the wicked do make the matter of scorn and shame is matter of the greatest glory it is the honour of Ministers to preach the Gospel of salvation such an honour as the Lord hath not conferred upon the Angels as hath been shewn and therefore they should preach boldly without shame 2. Ministers should preach boldly without fear they must deliver the message they are entrusted withall by God without fear of the face of men 1 Thess. 2.2 We were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much contention Though the wicked contend with them and oppose though they persecute and do what they can to hinder them though they command them to preach no more and would stop their mouths and threaten imprisonment banishment death yet being intrusted with the Gospel they must preach the Gospel with all boldness This was the practice of the Primitive Ministers when they were threatned for preaching Act. 4.29 And now Lord behold their threatnings and grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy Word and this is the duty of all Ministers if God open to them a door of opportunity to preach they should open their mouths boldly to declare the mysteries of salvation whatever danger they may incurr of sufferings hereby Men may say Wo be to you if you do preach the Gospel but when God saith Wo be to you if you do not preach they have reason to fear and obey God rather than Men. 5. Ministers must preach the words of salvation Compassionately The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians with many tears 2 Cor. 2.4 and he preacheth to the Ephesians with many tears Act. 20.19 O what tender bowels of compassion should Ministers have towards poor souls in preaching the Gospel of salvation to them how should they pity sinners that lie wâ—ltring in their blood that have no pity for themselves that are cruel to their own Souls that are wounding themselves as being more distracted than the man we read of who tore his own flesh and cut himself with stones Mark 5.5 How should they commiserate sinners that are wounding their Consciences by sin not knowing what they do and are posting on in the broad way unto destruction and eternal misery not knowing whither they go that are running against a rock which will dash them to pieces and ready to leap into flames where they must burn for ever Ministers should weep and bleed over such and with the greatest tenderness tell them of their danger and shew them the inevitable ruine which is before them and beseech them to turn from their evil wayes that iniquity may not be their ruine and accept of Jesus Christ by whom they may attain salvation Ministers should be ready to beseech sinners upon their knees if that would do that they would not destroy themselves O Turn ye turn ye why will you die and be ready to lay their hands under their feet if that would move them to put their feet into the narrow way of salvation 6. Ministers must preach the words of salvation Warmly and that both with a warm love to the Souls they preach unto and with a warm sense of what they preach upon their own spirits 1. They must preach with a warm love to Souls as the Apostle with other Ministers to the Thessalonians 1 Thess. 2.8 So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only but also our own souls because ye were dear unto us Ministers should preach the Gospel with such ardent affection to Souls and thirsting desires after their salvation so as to be willing to pluck out their hearts and give them to their hearers if this would promote their salvation they should be ready to spend themselves and be spent and not think much to consume themselves with fervour of heart towards and for the good of poor souls 2. Ministers should preach with a warm sense of what they preach upon their own spirits as those that have been under the impressions of the Word and have experienced the powerful operations thereof unto their own salvation Moreover they should get their hearts affected more and more with the words which they