death will be thy portion and then Life will be eternally farre from thee 3. This Word doth cleanse those defilements which nothing in the world can do away The Word of God is compared to fire and to an hammer as an hammer it breaks the rocky heart and then as fire it melts the heart and from its dross doth purifie it John 15. 3. Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken to you In the Word as in a glass we may behold the abominable filthiness and vile ingratitude that is in sin and also the beauty of holiness is presented to our eye no wonder then if the former be abhorr'd the latter desired Besides the Word holds forth a Promise from the Lord himself to make the sinner clean and that from all filthiness both of the flesh and spirit Ezek. 36. 25. 2 Cor. 7. 1. The Day of Grace is a day of healing now thou mayst be purged and cured of thy spiritual plagues but if this season be neglected thou wilt dye of them 5. This Word doth afford such peace and joy as the creatures cannot yield Corn and Wine and Oyl cannot yield such true comfort Hark to David Psal 119. 111. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my heart In sensual mirth the heart is sad misgives and is unsatisfied but the Word makes the very heart joyful In the Word we may see at present the reconciled face of God the frowns and other signs of anger gone and it speaks plainly of fuller manifestations and infinitely greater pleasures which are reserved for hereafter and the lively hopes of these which are so near as well as sure and glorious may well make the heart to leap for joy 5. This Word is able to build up those who are converted and to bring them safe unto their Country 'T is a means to increase the grace which 't is a means to work As it is the incorruptible seed whereby we are regenerated and begotten again so it is the milk wherewith we grow and thrive in holiness Act. 20. 32. I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified I might add That even those whom the Word doth not savingly change yet it prevails upon many times a great way it brings them near to the Kingdom and 't is their own fault that they miss of it And seeing the Word of God hath such effects that the enjoyment of it is a great priviledge is without controversie 2. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is the presence of the Spirit The Word and all other Ordinances without the Spirit are but like the carcass without the soul He makes the Word quick and powerful and sharper then a two-edged Sword which also would be found but a dead and inefficacious letter 'T is observed concerning the hotter Climates that when the Sun is up and begins to shine and scorch more vehemently there is also a wind arises to fan and cool the dwellers there else those Regions would be uninhabitable In like manner where the Sun of the Gospel shines there is the wind of the Spirit and these his gales how refreshing how powerful are they The accâ—sses of the Spirit are much to be observed and esteemed without his concurrence no advantage will be reaped by all the means of grace we use If the several operations of the Spirit are consider'd 't will be very evident what a priviledge of the Day of Grace this is to enjoy his presence 1. 'T is the work of the Spirit to convince Though the secure ones of the world had rather be let alone to sleep on and cannot endure to be jogged by conviction yet these convictions are great mercies What the Spirit doth convince the world of our Lord informs us John 16. 8. And when he is come he will reprove or convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment of sin because they believe not on me of righteousness because I go to the Father and ye see me no more of judgment because the Prince of this world is judged The Spirit convinces men of sin he shews the evil in it and the danger of it and among other sins that grand one of unbelief that is to say their rejecting Christ so long and slighting and refusing the remedy he proffers is in a special manner set home upon their hearts to their affliction and humbling He convinces likewise of righteousness as well as of sin He discovers the righteousness of Christ whereby all sin may be covered and this righteousness appears to be compleat and accepted because Christ is gone to his Father Christ undertook by his sufferings to satisfie for our offences and if the satisfaction had not been full he would never have been rid of the curse which sin being imputed to him was laid upon him neither would his righteous Father have suffered him to have sit down in the Throne with him But now since he is gone to his Father and set down in the Throne we may conclude he hath paid the utmost farthing of our debt and through him the Father is ready to shew grace and favour to us And if the conviction and sight of sin cast down the discovery of this righteousness may again revive 'T is a happiness to see our scores since we are shew'd a way how to have them all cross'd were it not for the sight of the one we should never mind the other Again the Spirit doth convince of Judgment By Judgment we may understand the condemnation of the impenitent and unbelieving who though they are convinced of sin continue in sin and though Christ be proffer'd still refuse to embrace him The Prince of this world is judged and condemned and shall these who sin against a remedy which the Devil never did escape No certainly God who spared not the Angels which sinned but cast them down to hell knows how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished 2 Pet. 2 4 9. Or else by Judgment we may understand the Government and Kingdom of Jesus Christ All power is given to him and Judgment committed into his hand Satan the Prince of this world is already cast out and overcome And if he hath spoiled principalities and powers certainly all his foes will be made his footstool Well then it highly concerns all to submit unto the Scepter of Christ since else they will be dash'd in pieces by him And in this Day of Grace Christ is ready to pass by former rebellions if you now will become obedient to him 2. 'T is the work of the Spirit to renew 'T is a difficult matter to change an heart that is so unconceivably wicked as mans is and yet the Spirit doth effect this change he shews his mighty power in causing a vehement love to be turned into a
only time for working Whatever therefore our hand finds to do weâ— should do it with our whole might The Painter gave a good reason why in his Piece he was so accurate In Immortalitatem pingo I paint for immortality intimating that the picture he made was to continue in view after he was dead and gone So we should say In Aeternitatem operamur Our dayes work is for Eternity therefore we dare not trifle The Church is likened unto a Vineyard and every one should be a labourer 3. The Season of Grace is called a Day in regard of the brevity and shortness of its continuance It cannot exceed the term of natural life and how short that is experience shews and the Scripture to affect us doth express by several notable similitudes Sayes the Apostle What is your life It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth away Jam. 4. 14. And Job 9. 25 26. Now my dayes are swifter then a post they flee away and see no good they are passed away as the ships of desire as the Eagle that hasteth to the prey How fast doth the Post ride how swiftly doth the Ship sail what haste doth the hungry Eagle make to the prey Such speed O man O woman thou art making towards another world The Day of Grace shortens as thy life shortens reflect upon the opportunities thou hast lost with grief condemn thy folly and be so wise as now to redeem time by doubled care and diligence And as this Day of Grace cannot exceed the bounds of life so it may come to a period before Long resisting of the Spirit and standing out against the means of Grace the Lord may and often doth punish by resolving his Spirit shall strive no longer and that to the working of Grace the means shall never be made effectual The accepted time is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not an Age but a Day and much of this day is gone already Now as the Traveller being straitned as to time makes the greater speed so should we in our Christian race we should lay aside the clogs of the world and the weights of sin that we may run with the greater freedom and patience Hebr. 12. 1. We may observe great difference in the dayes of the year very long they are in the midst of Summer in comparison with what they are in the depth of Winter And verily such an inequality there is between the day of grace which some have and which others do enjoy And what knowest thou O secure soul who reckonest upon a long season yet to come but that thy day of grace may prove as it were a winters day having not half so many hours as to others are allotted Rouze up thy self therefore and loose no more of that time which is so exceeding short at longest and may be so much shorter then thou imaginest 4. The Season of Grace is called a Day with relation to the night that is coming and when the night is come thy main work cannot be done if then it be undone and if it be undone thou thy self art undone for ever I must work the work of him that sent me while it is day sayes Christ the night cometh when no man can work John 9. 4. When the day of the righteous concludes they rest from their labour and their works follow them and though the night of death overspreads their earthly tabernacle yet their spirits are made perfect and 't is an everlasting day of glory with them And on the other side when the day of the wicked comes to a period either they are left under invincible blindness and deadness and obduration and how can they work then unless the works of darkness or else death finishes both the day of life and grace together and then 't will be too late to think of working for they will be bound hand and foot and thrown into outer darkness When you hear of a day of grace withall remember that the night and darknesâ— are hastning and if so for you to delay that great business for which this day iâ— afforded shews the worst and most pernicious imprudence Let me speak to you in the words of our Lord John 12 35. Yet a little while is the light witâ— you walk while ye have the light leâ—â— darkness come upon you for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth In the second place I am to declare the priviledges of the Day of Grace These are Priviledges of inestimable value the loss of these and of the hopes that ever they will be again enjoyed is one thing which makes Hell so sad â— place A time of trade and thriving in the world a time of peace and plenty and outward prosperity though to be pray'd for and prized yet it is nothing near so much to be prized as the accepted time as the day of salvation The priviledges of the Day of Grace are these following 1. One is the enjoyment of the Word of God Because of this Israel of old was look'd upon as priviledg'd above the whole earth besides Psal 147. 10 20. He sheweth his Word unto Jacob his Statutes and his Judgments to the children of Israel he hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his Judgments they have not known them The Saints in Scripture whose eyes were more fully open and whose judgments were more clear to apprehend the worth of things what an estimate do they put upon the Word of God! What was David's judgment concerning it He sayes Psal 119. 103. How sweet are thy words unto my taste â—ea sweeter then honey to my mouth And ver 72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me then thousands of gold and silver Indeed this whole Psalm may be called a Psalm of praise that is to say of the Word of God and David's judgment is not to be undervalued who is called a man after Gods own heart Holy Job esteemed this Word at an high rate when he made that profession it was vaâ—ued more then his necessary food Job 23. 12. Hence comes that Wisdom which the Topaz of Aethiopia cannot equal and the price whereof is above Rubies Now in the Day of Grace this Word is vouchsafed you both have it to search into it your selves and you have it opened and applied by the ministry of the Gospel 1. You may search into it your selves How many thousands under Antichristian bondage enjoy not this priviledge to have the Scriptures in a known tongue The Word is the Souls food Cruel Papists who deny the soul bread The Word is the Key which unlocks the Treasures both of Grace and Glory Cruel Papists who take away the Key of knowledge enter not themselves and hinder those that would The Word is the Souls weapon whereby the Wicked one is is overcome Cruel Papists who took this weapon out of its hand and so betrayed it into the hands of Satan
perfect hatred Sin which was lov'd better then the soul better then salvation the heart by the Spirit is turn'd against it and how earnest are the cries that it may not reign no nor live any longer And Holiness against which there was a very strong though unreasonable antipathy is now hungred and thirsted after there is a tide which runs upwards contrary to the former stream which ran downward The Lord hath those affections which before sin and the world commanded The desart is become as Sharon and in the ruines which corruption hath made there is a Temple for the Spirit of God to dwell in The Day of Grace is the only time to be made new creatures in Now thy earthly heart may be made heavenly thy impure heart cleansed thy mind which was vain carnal enmity against God may be made serious and to approve and subject it self to the Law of God 3. 'T is the work of the Spirit to guide They who are the children of God are lead by him and 't is in the way everlasting that he leads them they are directed into such a path as will certainly bring them to the everlasting enjoyment of the Eternal God Neither doth he only guide but strengthen the Spirit puts might into their inner man and makes them to hold on their way till they come to the blessed end of it We have all like sheep gone astray we have turned every one to his own way Isa 53. 6. But in this Day of Grace the Spirit is near to chalk out a path in which we cannot miss of happiness and to help us over all the stumbling blocks and difficulties which are cast in our way The Spirit doth also comfort as well as strengthen He sheds abroad the sense of the love oâ— God into the heart and such a joy issues from this sense of love that tribulation cannot turn into sorrow 4. Many of them that perish have experience while this Day of Grace continues of the Spirits workings The Spiriâ— doth use a kind of holy violence to hinder them from pulling down vengeance upon themselves Thus he did strive with the old world in the day of their visitation 1 Pet. 3. 18 19 20. Christ was quickned by the Spirit by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison which sometime were disobedient when once the long suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah This place is wrested and may seem difficult but the meaning is plainly this That Christ was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Ghost by which Holy Ghost accompanying the ministry of the ancient Patriarks he preached unto the impenitent sinners of the old world whose spirits are now imprisoned in hell because â—n their life time they were disobedient â—o the Spirits voice all the while the â—ong suffering of God did wait upon â—hem Thus the Spirit likewise did â—trive with the children of Israel but â—hey rebelled and vexed the holy Spirit of God Isai 63. 10. 'T is not an unusual â—hing for the Spirit to enlighten and aâ—aken the Conscience to clap chains and â—etters upon corruption for a while that â—â— breaks not forth as formerly to conâ—â—rain unto a frequent performance of duty But the Soul hankers after its beloved lusts and vanities grows weary of the Spirits restraint grudges the time and pains which duty takes up and wishes that the Spirit would go away and accordingly the Holy Ghost departs from him However this is true that the Spirit works much and would more were he not resisted That 's the second priviledge of the Day of Grace the presence of the Spirit 3. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is liberty to come to the Throne of Grace All flesh is now invited to the Hearer of Prayers and their prayers shall be regarded if they no longer regard iniquity 1. The Lord now is near and may bâ— found Isai 55. 6. His merciful nature inclines him to come to the help of them that need it As he is near to give theâ— that grace which they cry for so to givâ— them grace to cry after a right manner We cannot so much as come that wâ— may be help'd unless we are help'd tâ— come The Lord is within hearing oâ— all that call who ever sought him seriâ—usly and sought in vain He is so neaâ— as to hear our very whisper'd supplications and to take notice of the inward groanings of our spirits Psal 38. 9. Lord all my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid from thee But some may object Doth not the Scripture say that the Lord and his salvation are far from the wicked and therefore wicked ones have no encouragement to come to him Well But if the wicked man doth cry that he may be renewed and that his wickedness both as to the guilt and practise may be put far away from him then the Lord will draw near immediately 2. God is not only in this day of grace willing to be found but he seeks after us John 4. 23. The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him Fervent prayer is delightful musick in his ears Cant. 2. 14. O my Dove that art in the clefts of the rocks in the secret places of the stairs let me see thy counâ—enance let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely The Lord is pleased to see us gather about him and to hear us cry for this and that and the other mercy since his mercies are so great a multitude that he hath enough and enough for all Nay the Lord himself doth seek to us and beseech us to be reconciled 2 Cor. 5. 20. And if he intreat us to accept of mercy shall not we speed in our intreaties for the obtaining of it 3. The promise which God hath made may now be pleaded This is the time to lay hold upon his Covenant Lord thou hast promised to blot out iniquity as a cloud oh when shall this cloud be scatter'd that I may walk in the light of thy countenance Thou hast promised a new heart when shall this heart of mine be changed when shall it burn with love to thee and indignation against sin which doth offend thee Lord Thou hast promised to take away the heart of stone and to transform the adamant into flesh oh why am I so hard and stupid why since I have sinned so much should I sorrow so little Again Thou hast promised to make me clean Lord when oh when will it once be Thus may we urge the Promises and he that made them will give us cause to adore his faithfulness The worst of men the chief of sinners may urge the promise of a new heart and of washing from filthiness as long as they seek unto the God of Israel to do this for them Ezek. 36. 37. and are so far wrought upon as to desire to be sanctified
the whole Covenant shall be made good to them if their unbelief of Gods power and truth be not an hinderance 4. Now in this Day of Grace the great High-priest stands ready to intercede for us Never any sincerely begg'd for pardon and for grace but Christ pray'd that Prayer over again and a gracious return was made to it The Spirit also is ready to help infirmities to fill our hearts with such desires as shall be surely satisfied and truly we have to do with a God who of the best things which are most needful most desirable is alwayes most liberal Now are the mollia fandi tempora the times to speak and speed but when this gracious season is gone ah then the loudest cries will be in vain God will hear Christ will intercede the Spirit help no more 4. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is this That now the way is open to the Kingdom As you may come to the Throne of Grace so 't is possible to get into the Throne of Glory Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Our Lord doth stand as it were with a Crown of Life in his hand and sayes Believe in me and continue faithful to the death and this Crown shall be put upon your heads The Kingdom is offered and the sure way to the Kingdom is revealed Life and Immortality are brought to light by the Gospel that is such a blessed and glorious life as will never by death have a period and if you cease to do evil learn to do well and patiently continue in well-doing this eternal life shall assuredly be given you The foolish Virgins had a Day oâ— Grace as well as the wise The Bridegroom came and the door was open iâ— they had been ready they might have entred but having lost the opportunity they knocked at last but it was too late the door was shut and they were sent away with I know you not Matth. 25. We read of a Ladder that reached from earth to heaven now there is a possibility of climbing up thither But there is no Ladder that reaches from hell to heaven If this present day of salvation be lost salvation it self also will be lost for ever 5. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is this That during this season the state of the wicked is not unalterable 'T is true the Holy Ghost expresly sayes that impenitent and unbelieving ones are condemn'd already Joh. 3. 18. Sentence of condemnation is past but it may be repealed if they at last are brought to mourn for their rejecting of a Saviour and with their hearts believe in the Name of the only begotten Son of God the consequent of this faith will be freedom from condemnation Rom. 8. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit There was condemnation heretofore to them as well as to others but now there is none for they are in Christ and shew it by renouncing the lusts and works of the flesh and giving themselves up to the Spirits guidance They whom sin hath set at a great distance from Christ are called to come to him and while this Day of Grace lasts that word holds good I will in no wise cast out But when this day is done then 't will be I will in no wise receive The Lamb himself then will be full of wrath and that 's dreadful The Lamb can pacifie the anger of God but who can appease the Lambs anger When the only Reconciler is himself irreconcileable when the only Intercessour is inexorable when the only Saviour punisheth with everlasting destruction what hope of help remains then But as yet 't is possible for Rebels to obtain a pardon and to be made children Though thou hast sinn'd thy self near to hell yet thou hast not sinn'd thy self into hell Though sin hath abounded if thou art brought by the entring of the Law to a sence how thy offences have abounded Grace will much more abound Rom. 5. 20. The Lord hath turn'd and chang'd as bad as the worst of you and that which hath been done may be done again since his hand is as mighty to save and his Grace as free as ever I have done with the priviledges of this Day of Grace In the third place follow the properties of it which are these 1. This Day of Grace is uncertain as to its duration 't is more uncertain then the day of life for that may end before this doth Nay the Day of Grace may be past while the very means of Grace continue The acceptable time was pass'd with the Jews when the Prophet was sent to preach among them Hark what a sad Commission he had Isa 6. 9 10. Go make the heart of this people fat make their ears heavy and shut their eyes lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and convert and be healed 'T is dreadful when the Word shall make the ear more deaf and the Light the eye more blind and awakening means the heart more gross and stupid The Sons of Eli had outstood their day and yet after this their Father admonishes them and endeavours to reclaim them They were lascivious and made themselves vile and Eli said 'T is no good report I hear of you my sons ye make the Lords people to transgress If one man sin against another the Judge shall judge him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their Father because the Lord would slay them When Drunkards Sorcerers Liars Whoremongers Worldlings are reproved often and will not hearken who knows but the season of mercy may be ended and the Lord intends to slay them to damn them And if at the hearing of this they are unconcern'd there is greater cause to fear though we cannot absolutely conclude that 't is so indeed The day of grace is uncertain the means of grace may be before you are aware removed The golden Candlestick doth not stand so fast in any place as that 't is impossible it should be took away Tremble at that threatning uttered to the Church of Ephesus Rev. 2. 5. I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent And although Ordinances remain a blessing may be withheld from them Thou doest not know but every call may be the last time of asking and Christ may for ever after hold his peace and therefore presently give consent to be espoused to him thou dost not know but that every motion of the Spirit may have his last striving with thee and if thou still resistest the Spirit may take his leave and say Foolish Soul go on in sin go on to hell I will not strive any more to
continually cutting and wounding his own conscience and if he be not quickly translated out of this estate he will quickly give himself the fatal blow As long as any are enemies to God they are also their own adversaries but when they leave off fighting against God they cease warring against themselves Peace within is very comprehensive several things are therein included 1. Peace within comprehends calmness in the Conscience This calmness follows upon the apprehension and sense of our peace with God and that now he is in his Son reconciled A reproaching Conscience is a fearful companion we cannot fly away from Conscience it is alwayes with us if awakened 't will speak boldly and tell us our own be we never so proud or high in the world and the ear is forced to hear Conscience's accusations when God gives it a command to speak how impossible is it for us to impose silence on it Oh what a storm doth the remembrance of manifold sins with their manifold aggravations raise in the Conscience how amazed is it to see so much guilt and God so much and so justly incensed But when God by his Spirit doth say Soul though sin hath abounded my grace doth superabound thy debts are all paid thy iniquities are all pardoned Then the storm ceases and there follows a great calm Then Conscience layes aside the whip of steel wherewith before it lash'd it self Conscience acquits the sinner because God hath first justified and absolved him Sins which are past are remitted and instead of continuing in sin the heart is changed and is sincerely desirous to have it slain and this godly sincerity Conscience gives testimony to the effect of which is peace and joy 2 Cor. 1. 12. Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience Conscience tells us of our duty and urges us to the performance of it now when Conscience is heeded by us and what we do for God our very hearts are in it Conscience will not condemn but approve us and this will quiet us for sayes the Apostle 1 Job 3. 20. Beloved if our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 2. Peace within comprehends satisfaction in the heart Solomon while making trial what sufficiency was in the things under the Sun was far from peace within vanity was the fruit of all his labour and his spirit is so far from being satisfied that 't was filled with vexation But when God doth give himself to us whom our hearts must then needs look upon as a proportionable happiness as a sufficient portion oh then we are come to our centre and are at rest When the Soul ceases to tire and weary it self in pursuing after the creatures and is fixed upon God who is a Sun a Shield an exceeding great Reward who is the God of all grace and calls us to eternal glory who cannot only satiate our desires but do exceedingly above our desires and thoughts according to that power which worketh in us Ephes 3. 20. Then then our peace abounds and passes all understanding The heart is exceedingly pleased with its choice having made choice of God it would not exchange conditions with the greatest graceless ones in the whole world It must be acknowledg'd indeed that in this life only the back parts of the Lord Jehovah are seen and little of him in comparison is to be enjoyed Yet this is certain that Gods little is much more then the worlds all The enjoyment of the Lord in part affords more peace and satisfaction by ten thousand degrees then the creatures are capable of yielding and that satisfaction how much is it heightned by the assured hopes that at last we shall be fully satisfied 3. Peace within comprehends an agreement in our wills to the will of God 'T is but reason that since Gods will is so high so holy so good our wills should stoop and submit and we cannot have peace but in that submission The carnal mind is enmity against God and refuses to be subject to the Law and Word of God Nay by that very Law the corrupted heart is irritated and provoked 't is the more forward to sin because forbidden to transgress He was not unacquainted with mans nature who said Nitimur in vetitum semper cupimusque negata We are very prone to do that which is forbidden and to desire what is denied us And while the heart is thus irritated by the Law alas the sinner is like the troubled sea when it cannot rest Sin taking occasion by the commandment doth work all manner of concupiscence Rom. 7. 8. But now what peace is there when our hearts are reconciled to our duty when we do not quarrel at but love the Law and wish oh that our wayes were directed to keep it How can there be peace within unless there be some sutableness between our spirits and Gods Word and Ordinances unless what was before look'd upon without cause as a burthen and weariness be now esteem'd as a priviledge and advantage Peace within comprehends ordinateness in the affections Our passions and affections being corrupted by sin are very tumultuous and unruly and except these are tamed and brought into right order we shall not know peace Those are some of the worst kind of slaves that are enslaved by their own affections How is that man hurried who is under the power of worldly or unclean desires His fleshly and his worldly lusts do so take up his time and pains that they will not permit him to eat or drink or sleep and much less pray in quiet How is that heart rent and torn that is by inordinate love glued to any creature when of that creature 't is deprived Oh the overwhelming sorrow which follows upon love that is excessive What a rack and torture is anger What an evil is fear many times worse then the evil feared And so I might instance in other affections If the world be compared to a Stage and the life of man to a part which he acts upon it we may truly say that a wicked man doth act 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the part of a Self-punisher because by giving way to his corrupt affections he contributes so much to his own disquiet But 't is the work of the Spirit of God to renew these affections the anger and sorrow are turned against and on sin the love and the desire are towards God And as here there is no danger of excess so there is a certainty of enjoyment The heart sits loose from the world and the world is not able to disturb that peace which it hath in God None are more free from trouble then those that are most masters of their own affections And well may the Apostle say that the fruit of the Spirit is peace and joy Gal. 5. 22. since he brings our affections into captivity 5. Peace within comprehends a ceasing to be our own foes When are we our own foes Surely when we side with Satan against our selves
wisdom and then we see the way of reconciliation He is made unto us righteousness sin is no longer imputed and that quarrel which Justice had with us comes to an end He is made unto us sanctification and then the holiness of God ceases to be our enemy and we no longer hate that holiness there is a sweet agreement between our renewed nature and an holy God and his holy Law which he would have us walk according to They that are sanctified in Christ Jesus love God because of his holiness and they love the Word of God upon the same score Psal 119. 139 140. My zeal hath consumed mâ— because mine enemies have forgotten thy words Thy Word is very pure therefore thy servant loveth it Finally Christ is made unto us redemption that 's a fourth benefit reckoned up by the Apostle 1 Cor. 1. 30. He makes us free indeed because he frees us from that which is slavery indeed he delivers us from the bondage of corruption and causes us to become the servants of God and righteousness Rom. 6. And now we are reconciled to Gods Soveraignty and Authority we own him as our Lord who as he hath right to rule us so 't is our honour our advancement our freedom to be ruled by him 2. As we must know who is our Peace-maker so what are the conditions of our peace 1. One condition is godly sorrow And as the Lord doth grant us peace so he himself doth work this and the other conditions of it If we will be reconciled we must mourn for our offending and provoking God to be an enemy The eye of the body can look every way but inward and shall the eye of our mind never look inward neither Were our hearts but more acquainted with themselves they would be more broken and contrite hearts How deeply is the Law of sin engraven there and this Law of sin forbids whatever the Law of God commands and commands whatever the Law of God forbids The most venemous creature is not more full of poyson then our hearts are full of enmity against the Lord and reprobateness to what is good This corruption of our nature is not a thing which hath layn dormant and idle no but as a Fountain perpetually sends forth water so from the heart proceed evils abundantly whereby the man is defiled 'T is difficult to reckon up the sins of one day or of one duty and how vast then is the total sum of our whole lives abominations Oh break hard heart for shame who hast so often broken the most equal laws and broken thorow so many obligations to obedience If thâ— offending God be made light of this will anger him more then all thy other offences 2. Another condition of our Peace is Believing When the Jaylour was under the sense of Gods anger and wrath and tortur'd with the fears of damnation and cry'd out What shall I do to be saved Paul and Silas made this answer Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Acts 16. 30 31. How much is faith preached up in the Gospel and unto Christ our faith is directed for 't is in him that God is well pleased and 't is through that beloved Son alone that he will be at peace and well pleased with us If we expect favour or mercy any other way but through Jesus that very expectation is sufficient to be an eternal impediment to our obtaining of either The Lord hath made Faith one great condition of our peace and salvation for two reasons 1. Man being thus reconciled and saved by believing all the glory redounds to God alone Mans boasting is utterly excluded The hand of faith is an empty hand it brings nothing along with it but it receives Christ and with him and from him freely all thâ—ngs Faith exalts Christ and abases the sinner and makes him see that he is wretched and miserable and poor and naked and that to Christ he must be beholding for every thing he must thank himself for nothing Man being thus reconciled and saved by believing his peace with God is lasting his salvation sure Rom. 4. 16. Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure Adam was at peace with God when first created but since the continuance of his peace depended upon the constancy of his obedience peace and life were soon lost by him But faith puts our peace and salvation in the hands of another in the hands of Christ he undertakes to be the finisher of our faith Heb. 12. 2. He hath promised to keep us from falling and to confirm us to the end 1 Cor. 1. 8. And the believer rests upon this word of promise which will never fail him That 's the second condition of peace believing 3. Another condition is Conversion with the whole heart to God How often doth the Spirit cry out Turn and liveâ— And though the Lord was bitterly provoked yet upon his peoples returning he promises to be pacified Jer. 3. 12. Go and proclaim these words towards the North and say Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you for I am merciful saith the Lord and I will not keep anger for ever Our returning to him must be without delay without deceit we must not divide our hearts between him and sin between him and Mammon but we must consent to be wholly his and never to leave him any more but if through infirmity we do fall we must look unto the Lord to pity and pardon and heal and raise us To turn away from God so as not to return is inconsistent with peace Thus you know these things which are the conditions of your peace let me add Happy are ye if ye do them 3. It concerns us to know how we may attain to an assurance of Peace The soul indeed may be safe without this assurance but withall 't will be disconsolate Now 't is the Spirit who makes this discovery We read Rom. 14. 17. of peace and joy in the holy Ghost Peace and joy are the fruits of this blessed Comforter In Scripture the Saints are said to be sealed by the Spirit unto the day of redemption Ephes 4. 30. And their being thus sealed as it denotes their distinction from the rest of the world their being appropriated unto God and the value that is put upon them so it serves to confirm them in that perswasion That God is theirs and they are his There is indeed a privy Seal of his gracious Decree of which the Apostle speaks 2 Tim. 2. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his But afterwards when the Spirit works upon us we are sealed in a more discernable way Now the work and method of the Spirit in sealing and bringing those who are reconciled unto an assurance of peace I shall declare 1. The Spitit convinces us of
quake at him and the hills melt and the earth is burnt at his presence yea the world and all that dwell therein who can stand before his indignation and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger his fury is poured out like fire and the rocks are thrown down by him Surely that heart is worse then rocky which doth not tremble before him 4. He can engage all the creatures against you He is the Maker and also the great Commander of the Host of Heaven and Earth The Angels are ready press'd for his service and to do his will all the Devils are at his beck and forward to be the Executioners when he hath pass'd an angry sentence The Thunder and the Lightning say unto him Here we are The stormy Wind doth fulfill his words Nay the smallest and most inconsiderable creatures he can render dreadful and tame the proudest by them And since he is Jehova Exercituum the Lord of such Armies Oh do not enter into battel with him 5. He hath access unto your very spirits and can wound and fill your souls with horrour When the Lord impressed his anger upon the heart of Judas how restless was he though a covetous man he flings away his silver that would not ease him his life is a burthen and with his own hands he puts an end to it A wounded spirit who can bear and wounds there the Lord can give you 6. His power will reach his enemies in the next world Nay then his hand will be heaviest of all God will lay on load upon his adversaries and not in the least spare them His patience will then be at an end his goodness totally and eternally withdrawn and how low then will his vengeance weigh them down Such an enemy the Lord is and this is one argument to perswade you to peace 2. Be mindful of the dependance you have upon him In him you live and move and have your being and if he should withdraw his visitation your life would presently conclude and vanish And is it safe or a wise part in you to provoke that God to be your enemy in whose hand your breath is and who can take it out of your nostrils when he pleaseth He can loose the silver cord he can break the golden bowl and require your souls at your hands without giving you an hours or a minutes warning Whosoever you fall out with methinks you should get and keep in with God for 't is his patience and mercy which keeps you out of the grave and hell of both which by reason of sin you are in great danger 3. The condescension and stooping of God is admirably great in beseeching such as you to be reconciled And shall he intreat in vain Shall the malefactour be beseeched to accept of a pardon and refuse it That is a text that should work upon the most refractory 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now then we are Embassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God What is it come to this doth God beseech and Christ pray that we who are so mean and so vile would be friends and shall we continue rebels O earth earth earth hear the word of the Lord for the impenitent then the earth or stones are much more stupid To slight the proffer of mercy and to disobey the command to come for it is both a fault and a folly inexcusable but to be deaf to intreaties is worst of all this goes nearest unto God when his condescension and kindness is disregarded and abused and upon this abuse the greater contempt and anger and hatred must needs follow 4. Consider what kind of friend the Lord is I might be large in describing his excellencies which they who are acquainted with him see and admire Three things at present I shall mention 1. God is such a friend whose love is transcendent That sweet name which is as an oyntment poured forth he calls himself by The God of love and peace 2 Cor. 13. 11. Nay he is stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Love in the abstract 1 John 4. 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love Whatever returns of love we make those returns fall infinitely short of the love of God from whence they come Indeed it is as possible to equal him in strength in wisdom or any other of his perfections as to equal him in love Oh let this love of God be as a loadstone to draw yours and as a whetstone to sharpen it 2. God is such a friend whose fulness can never be exhausted The Sun although it hath shined ever since the Creation yet 't is as full of light as ever it was And though the Lord hath supplyed the wants of all them whom he hath made his friends from the beginning yet his stock and store is not at all diminished His wisdom is never posed in their greatest difficulties when believers know not what to do and their eyes are unto him he knows what to do for them His power can raise them out of the lowest deep his all-sufficiency can give to the uttermost of their desires nay exceedingly more then it hath entred into their hearts to desire or conceive Who in his wits would not leave a vain world and deceitful lusts to come to such a friend as God hath alwayes shewed himself to be 3. God is such a friend as will last when all other friends fail He is the Lord who changes not He can as soon cease to be as cease to be faithful and the faithfulness of God towards his friends will make them also faithful he will not turn away from them and he will hold them fast that they shall not depart from him The Lord is most constant the Ordinances of the Sun and Moon and Stars are not so immutable as the Promises he hath made Men of low degree are vanity men of high degree are a lye Psal 62. 9. But God is true Wealth may take wings and fly away prosperity may vanish so as to be forgotten flesh and heart may fail but the Lord will be a friend and a portion for ever Oh consent to be reconciled since such a friend hereby will be gained 5. Consider If God be at peace with you he will shield you from all other adversaries he will wrest those weapons out of your own hands whereby you endeavoured your own destruction he will give a deaths wound to sin that it shall not be your death And though the world and the God of the world fight against you they shall not be able to prevail Nay their very enmity shall befriend you and God will turn to good what they do mean for evil 'T is admirable to consider how the adversaries of the Lords people though they have the intension of enemies yet are forced to act like friends and do a kindness unto Saints by those means whereby they thought to have injured and
glory as well as your own satisfaction in this matter Lord I desire a continued assurance of thy love but 't is that I may love thee more and be more zealous for thine honour and labour in thy work with greater life and vigour 6. Let it be your dayly practise to walk with God Be not religious only by fits this argues an heart much distempered Here I shall give a directory how to walk every day 1. When your eyes are first open lift them up to God let your hearts be well seasoned with holy thoughts and affections they will be in the better frame all the day 2. Allot some time for secret prayer and searching of the Scripture twice every day at least And servants which are not masters of their own time if they cannot so conveniently pray at one time should be sure to catch hold of another opportunity 3. Let not meditation be omitted One quarter of an hour at least in thinking upon some truth the hearing or reading of which hath a little moved you or which doth most concern you may be well spared 4. Be serious in family duties walk in in the house with a perfect heart and conscienciously do the duties of your places and relations because the word stands much upon these and hereby Religion is adorned 5. Accustom your selves to thoughts of God and let your desires be frequently ascending towards him 6. In worldly business remember Conscience is to be kept void of offence take heed of injustice defrauding over-reaching 7. Let not the world when it flows into your hands insinuate it self into your hearts 8. Study to excell in those things which may make Religion amiable in the eyes of the world as meekness humility contentedness with your condition charitableness quietness refusing to backbite and defame any 9. Be vigilant against the sin which doth most easily beset you the sin of your constitution the sin of your calling the sin which heretofore did bear the greatest sway in you 10. Resist temptation at the first appearing of it start back from Satans baits as one would do who is ready to tread upon a Serpent 11. Let not Christian liberty degenerate into carnal licentiousness use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh remember you are the Disciples of the crucified Jesus and so in your walking there must be not an enmity but a sutableness to his Cross 12. Bad company abstain from and be not intimate with lukewarm professours when necessitated to be with them be jealous over your selves never sinfully comply with but rather reprove them 13. Design to get ground upon some sin or other every day every day let some progress be made in the work of mortification 14. Observe providences and get the good of them let losses and crosses wean you from the world let afflictions imbitter sin and let mercies indear the Father of them 15. Rest not in Ordinances but consider you must be reckoned with how you have improved them If in these you neither meet with God nor miss him 't is a bad sign 16. Keep a watch before the door of your lips oaths falshood vanity filthiness your communication must be free from Be also swift to hear and slow to speak for in multitude of words there wanteth not sin 17. If you fall lye not where you are fallen cry immediately for pardon and healing let the wound while green be cured before it fester 18. Have daily recourse to Christ to cover the sins of daily incursion you have as much need of daily pardon as you have of dayly bread 19. Live as Strangers and Pilgrims look upon the World as your Inn and Heaven as your Home and act as within view of Death and Judgment and Eternity 20. At evening reflect how you have spent the day An Heathen of old gave this notable advice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which may be thus Englished Never let sleep which senses tyes At any night close up thine eyes Before the actions of the day Thou thrice and seriously doest weigh Where have I sinn'd what have I done What duty have I let alone If you would walk after this manner how perfect might your peace be and how much might your passage be sweetned through this vale of tears I have done with the third Doctrine I shall be very brief in the two which remain Doct. 4. The fourth Doctrine is this That when sinners will not see they are smitten many times with spiritual blindness and the things of their peace are in a way of judgment hid from them The Lord hides the things of their peace from them several wayes 1. He causes his Spirit to withdraw 'T is the Spirits work to enlighten dark understandings but if the Spirit be gone how great must the darkness be 2. The Lord gives men up to the perverse reasonings and counsels of their own hearts and then a thousand absurdities will by the carnal mind be imagined in the doctrine which is according to godliness and how burthensome will the practise of godliness be made to appear 3. The Lord permits Satan to blind them and by his means their hatred of light and of the works of light is very much augmented and hereupon either more abominable prophaneness or strong delusions follow 4. The Lord in his providence causes several things to happen which sinners stumble at and by which they are more confirmed in their prejudices against the Word and in their infidelity The righteous are suffer'd sometimes to fall into sin and many times into great distress The wicked often prosper in the world and live and dye in a false peace And upon this the ungodly are more darkned and hardned 5. In all this the Lord acts as a Judge and intends to punish their refusing to be enlightned and yet he is not the Author of sin He is light 1 John 1. 5. and no darkness can come from him All ignorance and mistake is from corrupted nature being wrought upon by the Prince of darkness Neither is the justice of God to be quarrelled at for dealing thus with them that reject illumination 1. The merit of their sin is great Nescire est ignorantis nolle scire est superbiae there is abundance of pride in them that are unwilling to be informed and a great love to evil deeds and also mighty ingratitude for light is a very great priviledge 2. This punishment is very sutable What more equal then that those who would not be enlightned by the Spirit of the Lord and directed into the paths of peace should be suffered to be beguiled by Satan and their own spirits and so be misguided and lost for ever Vse 1. Take heed of sinning against the light for fear it be put out in obscurity The clearer the light shines the more it aggravates the works of darkness Let not the lusts of your hearts be cherished and fulfilled lest the light of your heads be