glad and rejoice in thee we will remember thy Love more than Wine the Vpright love thee God's Ordinances are not empty there is some participation 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we brake is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ Vse 5. Consider the ends why God giveth us Comfort it is to fortify us against the Enemies of our Salvation so far as they are vexing and troubling and molesting us in the way to Heaven The Spirit hath two great Offices to be a Sanctifier and Comforter and both serve all the needs of Christians When we are inticed to Sin he helps us as a Santifyer when we are discouraged in God's Service he helps us as a Comforter And therefore Christians are to consider their condition and what their present state requireth for God dispenseth his Grace according to the Assaults made upon them by the Enemies of their Salvation As for instance Our Enemies are the Devil the World and the Flesh these we renounced in Baptism And in the progress of Christianity these are those with whom we conflict and must overcome As for instance The Devil is a tempting Devil who seeketh to draw away the Saints from God and by the love of the Flesh to weaken our Love and Obedience to our proper and our rightful Lord. Now what are we to do in this case to beg Comfort and Peace that we may not be troubled though we yield unto his Temptations Alas this were to turn the Grace of God into Wantonness No we are to be sober and watchful 1 Pet. 5.8 to use all the Rules of Sobriety and Vigilancy that our Worldly Comforts may not be a snare to us Sobriety is an Holy Moderation in the use of all earthly things Vigilancy is an Holy Diligence and seriousness in the use of Means and also add to both the help of the Sanctifying Spirit that we may keep up our Love to God and be faitful in our Obedience to him But the Devil is not only a tempting Devil but a vexing and disquieting Devil who accuseth us before God day and night Rev. 12.10 raiseth in us many troublesome Fears to make our Service uncomfortable and tire us and clog us What is our Duty then to beg the help of the Comforter not only to shew Love to God but that we may have some persuasion of his Love to us and quench his fiery Darts that we may go on chearfully in our Work because the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shorâ—ly Rom. 16.20 So for the World The World is a tempting World drawing our Affections from God and Heaven to present things and when it smileth on us in incroaches upon our Heart more and more 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present World Now what is our business then to beg comfort and assurance of God's Love No that would be our Bane there is work for the Sanctifier rather than the Comforter that the worldly Spirit may be subdued in us there is need of Mortification rather than Assurance that we may be crucified to the World Gal. 6.14 But sometimes the World is a Persecuting World and reproacheth and troubleth us with all manner of vexations then there is work for the Comforter to seal up to our Souls the Love of God or Interest in Christ John 16.33 These things have I spoken to you that in me ye â—ight have peace in the World ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the World and to become to our Souls the Earnest of eternal Glory Comfort is for Tribulation at other times we are glutted with it but then it is our great support When all tâ—ings fail we feel the great necessity of the Joys of Faith It is good to time well our Duties David saith Psal. 56.3 What time I am afraid I will trust in thee So for the Flesh it inticeth us Iames 1.14 Every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed Many times it draweth to Actual Sin by indulgence to its desires yea disposeth us often to Apostacy and falseness of Heart for Apostacy usually begins at falseness of Heart when the fleshly Mind and Interest is not throughly overcome Well when we are conscious to this what shall we do in such a case Certainly the great and proper Work is to beg the Spirit and implore the Spirit as a Sanctifier and to be more obedient to his sanctifying Motions Comfort will come in time Well but the Flesh is not only inticing but troublesom and grievous to the Saints witness Paul's groans Rom. 7.24 Oh wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this Death We are quite wearied and tired out with the importunity of its motions we would serve God more purely and perfectly Then there is work for the Comforter and confidence in his Operations to help the faithful Soul Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perform it unto the day of Iesus Christ. Then it is seasonable to remember the Covenant we are under Rom. 6.14 For Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the Law but under Grace The serious striving Soul will not be left destitute Thus must we expect Comfort Vse 6. Remember that Comfort hath a latitude in it and is expressed by divers words 1. Sometimes by it Support is implied when the sense of Sin and fear of God's Wrath is not altogether removed and taken away but so mitigated and abated that Hope doth more easily prevail in the Soul than Fear And we resolve to wait on God though we cannot so fully clear up our Interest in him You have many Conflicts and Fears yet some Hope and Expectation towards God Jonah 2.4 5. I am cast out of thy sight yet will I look again to thy Holy Temple Resolute adherence giveth great support Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him I will maintain my own ways before him He dependeth merely on the Covenant 2. Peace or some rest from Troubles and accusations of Conscience there is some calm and quiet of Soul Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy Assaulted with none or light Fears Iohn 16.33 In me ye shall have Peace I will give you Peace though not full Spiritual Suavities 3. The third word is Joy 1 Pet. 1.8 Ye rejoice with Ioy unspeakable and full of Glory In Peace all things are quiet they have no anxious Thoughts but in Joy there is a sensible motion of Pleasure and Delight they are feasted with the pleasures of Faith Love and Hope Let us then bless God for any degree of Comfort SERMON XVIII 2 Thess. 2.17 And stablish you in every
to Saints and Angels and turned into a theatrical Pomp and the Pageantry of empty Ceremonies which eclipse the Majesty and splendour of it and the Discipline of the Church into a temporal domination and all is carried in the World by sides and interests that Christianity looketh like another thing a design Calculated for the present World rather than a serious preparation for the World to come Then certainly there is an Apostasy and a defection from Christ however the corrupt manners of the Church be varnished over with the name of Christianity There is a degeneration questionless and that is Apostasy in a Mystery such as this is though not an open revolt from the Christ. But to make this more evident to you let us consider what the Kingdom of Christ is The Gospel Kingdom is a Kingdom of Light Life and Love Opposite to Light is ignorance and errour to Life a Religion that consists of shews dead rites and empty Ceremonies to Love uncharitableness malice and especially hatred of the power of Godliness now where these prevail eminently there is an opposite Kingdom set up to the Kingdom of Christ certainly a falling off from his Kingdom That is to say where in opposition to Light errour is taught and ignorance is counted the Mother of Devotion and people are restrained from the means of Knowledge as if the height of Christian Faith and Obedience did consist in an implicite believing what the Church believeth and where instead of Life men place their whole Religion on superficial Rites and Ceremonies and some trifling acts of seeming Devotion and exteriour Mortifications and instead of love to God and Souls all things are sacrificed to private Ambition and forcing Consciences with the highest penalties and persecutions to submit to their corruptions There is a manifest subversion of the interest of Christs Kingdom In short Gods witnesses were slain in that City which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt and our Lord was crucifyed Rev. 11.8 That City which answereth to Sodom for impurity to Egypt for Idolatry and to Ierusalem for persecution of the Saints there may you find the great Apostasy 5. This Apostasy from our Lords Authority and the interests of his Kingdom is some notable and discernable Apostasy and the Head and Patron thereof is Antichrist The defection is not of one or a few or many in divers Churches there have always been back-sliders from the Faith 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us and the Spirit of Antichrist wrought in the Apoâ—tles days 1 Joh. 2.18 As you have heard that Antichrist shall come even now there are many Antichrists and again 1 Ioh. 4.3 we are told of the Spirit of Antichrist and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the World Then described to be afterwards Verse 5. a Worldly Spirit They are of the World and speak of the World and the World heareth them Though they profess Christianity Carnal Worldly Hypocrites which never Conquered the fleshly mind and interest have the Spiriâ— of Antichrist These obscure the light and obstruct the life and love of the Gospel They that wholly affect a life of pomp and ease in the Church Now this hath always been in all Ages The false Christians forget their hopes are built upon a Crucified Christ and are to be derived to them from a Glorified Christ in the other World Crucified in this World and Glorified in the next which indeed are the two considerations that keep Christianity pure and lively That all was purchased by a Crucified Christ and all is dispensed by a Glorified Christ and I wish you would oftner think of it But the great Apostasy is eminently found in some external visible Church where these corruptions are generally received and defended For the head of that Church is Antichrist where Doctrine is corrupted and the worship mingled with Idolatry and the Government an Usurpation and bent against the Holy Seed that desire to worship God in Spirit and in Truth there is this manifest revolt from and a Rebellion against God and Christ though they push with the Horns of the Lamb. That the Papists are a corrupt Sect of Christians is beyond dispute to any that will try their Religion by the Scriptures and that they are far more corrupt than the Protestants 〈◊〉 Reformed Churches will also soon appear by the comparison or a view of both Churches But whether they are so corrupt as to become the Seat of Antichrist is the matter under debate Therefore let any one consideâ— where the eminent Apostasy is to be found Who are they that invade Christs Authority by setting up an Universal Head over all Câ—ristians Who are they that establish the Doctrine of Daemons or revive the worship of a middle sort of Powers between God and mortal men 1 Tim. 4.1 who through Hypocrisy â—nvent so many lies to maintain it and when Christians should keep themselves from Idols 1 Ioh. 5.21 yet in defiance of this worship Angels and other Creatures Col. 2.18 Let nâ— man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels c. and erect the Images of Saints commanding and compelling men to adore them and pray to them who are they that are not contented with the one only Mediatour 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediatour between God and men the man Christ Iesus 1 Cor. 8.5 For though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be Gods mâ—ny and Lords many But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him but set up other Mediâ—tours of Intercession Who are they that plead for Indulgences and the supererogatory saâ—â—sfactioâ—â— of the Saints as gathered into the Treasure of the Church and so profitable for the remission of sins and condemn them who think the contrary Who are they that keep Beliâ—vers from reading the Scriptures when they are so expresly injoined to do it Joh. 5.39 and Psal. 1.2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and night That deny one part of the Lorâ—s Supper to his Disciples notwithstanding his Institution to the contrary 1 Cor. 11.25 26. After the same manner also he took the Cup wheâ— he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood This do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me for as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lords death till he come It were endless to instance in all I shall speak more of it in the following Verses 6. This Apostasy is not only forbidden but foretold as a thing that would certainly come to pass This consideration is necessary for divers reasons 1. Because the Papists
pitched it here some there until the Pit was discovered to the Church and the snare layed open and now to run wilfully into these errours how damnable is it If Papists cleave to him let not Protestants fall to him to continue Papists is dangerous for they favour Antichrist and serve Antichrist but to turn Papists is more dangerous for this is a downright revolt from Christ to Antichrist and how God may in mercy dispense with errors imbibed in our Education we know not but to turn our back on the truth wherein we have been educated and instructed maketh it more dangerous to our Salvation Secondly We now come to the more comfortable part his ruine where note I. In the general that the Apostle as soon as he had showed his rise he presently foretelleth his ruine to support the hearts of the â—aithful though he hath yet more things to speak concerning his discovery v. 9. I cannot let this pass without an Observation Doct. That a spiritual eye can discern the ruin of wicked instruments even in their rise and Reign Job 5.3 I have seen the foolish taking root and presently I câ—rsed his habitation by the foolish is meanâ— the wicked by their taking root their seeking to fix and settle themselves in their Worldly prosperity I presently that is without any great deliberation which in this matter needeth not cursed their habitation not as desiring but as forseeing and foretelling I pronounced them accursed or to be in a cursed condition when carnal men seek to root and establish themselves upon Earth to a spiritual eye their best estate is miserable and detestable when we see their rise we may foretel their fall Reasons 1. Their Faith occasion such a reflection which is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 they lookt not at things as at present they seem to short-sighted men or as they relish to the flesh but as they appear and will be judged of at last their ruine is as present before them as their rise present time is quickly past but now without Faith this cannot be 2 Pet. 1.9 He that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but are dazled with present splendor and so misâ—arry 2. This Faith is necessary 1. Partly to prevent scandal at the prosperity of an ungodly party who obey not the Gospel but corrupt and pervert it to their Worldly ends Dâ—vids steps were even gone when he saw the prosperity of the wicked till he went into the Sanctuary and understood their end Psal. 73.17 that setled his heart to consider what end these men were appointed unto how prosperous soever they seem to be for the present yet the end must put the difference there they see the wicked in the height of their prosperity as ready to be cut down and withered 2. To prevent Apostasie they chuse the better part that chuse the Holiness and Patience of the Saints 2 Cor. 4.18 While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal but things present carry away our hearts because we have so dim and doubtful a sight of things to come whereas if we did look upon them as sure and near they would fortifie us against Temptations Prov. 3.31 32. Envy thou not the Oppressor and chuse none of his wayes For the froward is abomination to the Lord but his secret is with the righteous II. More particularly the ruine of Antichrist is set forth 1. Partly by the manner of his fall it is represented both as begun and finished he shall be consumed he shall be destroyed the one noteth a lingring delay the other an utter Perdition that he shall be finally rooted out First consumed to consume is to waste and melt away by little and little Doct. Antichrist is not presently to be destroyed but to waste away by a lingring Consumption as his rising was by little and little so is his fall he loseth his Authority in Christendom by degrees Now the Reasons may be these 1. God hath a Ministry and use for him and the abetters of his Kingdom as he hath an use for the Devil himself therefore permitteth him some limited power but yet he holdeth him in the Chains of his invicible Providence so hath he a use for the Devils eldest Son for Antichrist and Antichristian Adversaries which if their power were wholly gone could not be performed as 1. To scourge his people for their sins as their contempt of the Gospel and wantonness under the several priviledges which they enjoy by it God will not want a rod to scourge his disobedient Children as Isa. 10.5 he calleth the Assyrian the rod of his Angeâ— the Instrument that he maketh use off to punish those with whom he is angry and again the staff of his Indignation the Staff is an heavier and sorer instrument of correction than a Rod what the Assyrian was to the Jews that Antichrist is to professing Christians God useth him till he hath sufficiently chastised his Children and then he will cast this Rod into the Fire Heathens and Turks are at a distance from us our miseries will come from Antichristianism who are nearer at hand to execute the Lords vengeance when we grow wanton 2. To try his people for he expects a tryed obedience what Christianity we will accept and chuse that calculated for this World or that which is calculated for the next Antichristianism in all the branches of it is a sort of Religion suited to Worldly interests 1 John 4.5 They are of the World therefore speak they of the World and the World heareth them but true Christianity for the Kingdom of Heaven 1 Cor. 2.12 Now we have received not the spirit of the World but the spirit which is of God therefore God will try who are the formal and pretended Christians that serve their own bellies and the sincere Christians who look to an unseen World and are willing to hazard their own interests out of their fidelity to Christ Therefore when the Saints under the Altar groaned Rev. 6.10 How long Lord holy and true dost thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth the Answer given was v. 11. That they should rest for a season until their fellow servants and also their brethen that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled in every Age God will have his Witnesses who by their Faith and Patience and not loving their lives to the Death should promote the Lambs Kingdom before they receive their Crown and therefore though Antichrist be consumed more and more yet he hath so many abettors of his Kingdom left as may try Faith and Patience of the Saints 3. To Cure our Divisions Nazianzen called the Enemies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the common reconcilers the Dog is let loose to make the Sheep flock together we are hardened in our
Sometimes the way of internal Government by terrors of Conscience or punishing sin committed with sin permitted both these parts are seen in punishing both the godly and the wicked as for instance in the godly in the way of external Government 1 Cor. 11.32 But when we are judged we are chastned of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the World In the way of internal Government the lesser penal withdrawings of the Spirit which Gods people find themselves after some sins and neglects of grace are grievous But the Judgments upon the Souls of the ungodly are most dreadful when the sinner is either terrified or stupiâ—ied terrified by horrors of Conscience 1 Cor. 15.56 The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law or stupified by being given up to their own hearts Counsels Psal. 81.12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts lusts and they walked in their own Counsels So that the Sinner is left dull and senseless and past feeling Eph. 4.18 Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart by the first by horrors of Conscience they are made to feel Gods displeasure at the courses they walk in but when that is long depised and men sin on still then the other and more terrible Judgment cometh For the giving up a Sinner to his own lusts and his losing all remorse is the last and sorest Judgment on this side Hell 3. As to Gods internal Judgments the Scripture chiefly insists upon two parts of this internal dispensation blindness of mind and hardness of heart they usually go together Blindness of mind is spoken of Iohn 12.39 40. Therefore they could not believe because that Esaias said again he hath blinded their eyes and hardned their hearts that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted and I should heal them All passages are obstructed whereby the word might enter and work Conversion unto God It was God laid this punishment of blindness upon them Hardness of heart in that famous instance Exod. 4.21 I will harden Pharaohs heart God doth not make them that see blind nor them that are soft hard but leaveth them to their own prejudice obstinacy and unperswadeableness and that when highly provoked The former is under our consideration 4. To understand Gods concurrence as a Judge we must not say too much of it nor too little We must not say too much of it lest we leave a stain â—nd blemish upon the divine Glory God infuseth no sin no blindness nor hardness into the hearts of men all influences from Heaven are good he conveyeth no deceit into the minds of men immediately nor doth he command or perswade men to oppose the truth Nor doth he impeâ— or excite their inward propensions so to do All this belongeth not to God but either to man or Sathan Nor must we say too little as for instance God is not said to blind or harden by bare prescience or foresight that they will be blinded or hardned because God foreseeth other things and yet they are not ascribed unto God as that men will kill or steal or do wrong and yet God is not said to kill or steal as he is said to blind and harden and therefore there is a difference between Gods concurrence to this effect and other sins Nor only by way of manifestation as if this were all the sense that in the course of his Providence God doth in the issue declare how blind and hard they are That some other thing is meant by it is seen in the Prayers by which we deprecate this heavy Judgment As when the Saints pray Isa. 63.17 Lord harden not our hearts from thy fear or David Psal. 119.19 Lord hide not thy Commandments from me They mean not thus Lord shew not to the World how hard and blind I am but cure my blindness and hardness of heart keep back this Judgment from me Again we must not say that all that God doth is a bare naked and idle permission as if it happened besides his will and intention and God had no more to do in it than a man that standeth on the shore and seeth a Ship ready to be drowned he might have heâ—ped it but permitted it No besides all this there is not a bare permission only but a permissive intention and a judicial sentence which is seconded by an active Providence Many things concur to the blinding of the mind and hardning of the heart all which God willeth but justly The wicked take occasions of their own accord to blind and harden themselves Sathan tempteth of his own maâ—ice but all this could not be done with effect and success without the will of God There is a supreme power over-ruling and ordering all that is done in the World 5. Gods concurrence may be stated by these things 1. His withdrawing or taking away the light and direction of his Holy Spirit Deut. 29.4 The Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive nor eyes to see nor ears to hear unto this day Now when God lets them loose to their own hearts Counsels then they fall into damnable errors A Greyhound held in by a slip or Collar runneth violently after the Hare when it is in sight as soon as the slip and Collar is taken away the restraint is gone and his inbred disposition carryeth him So men that are greedy of Worldly things are powerfully drawn into errors countenanced by the World when God taketh off the restraint of his Grace and giveth them up to their own lusts Now herein God is not to be blamed for he is Debtor to none and the grace of his Spirit is forfeited by their not receiving the love of the truth He is so far from being bound to give grace that he seemeth to be bound in Justice to withdraw what is given already by mens wickedness and ingratitude Voluntary blindness bringeth penal blindness And because men will not see they shall not see And when they wink hard and shut their eyes against the light of the Gospel it is just with God in this manner to smite them with blindness And since they had no love to the truth they are given up to errors and deceits And because they despise the Holy Scriptures they doat on vain Fables And would not take up a course of sound Godliness and Holiness he suffereth them to weary themselves with sundry superstitions 2. Not only by desertion but by tradition delivering them up to the power of Sathan 2 Cor 4.4 The God of this world hath blinded their eyes Sathan as the Executioner of Gods Curse worketh upon the corrupt nature of man and deceiveth them It is said 1 Chron. 21.1 Sathan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel But it is said 2 Sam. 24.1 And the Anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and he
here for the Apostle conjureth them by all that is dear and sacred in their most holy Faith and upon this I will mainly spend the first part of this Discourse I shall prove it by these two choice pieces of Scripture which describe the Communion of the Church with Christ or the dispensations of Christ to the Church the one concerneth Gods internal the other his external Government the Canticles and Revelations The Book of Canticles is ended with this desire vote and wish Cant. 8.14 Make haste my beloved and be like a young Hart or Roe upon the Mountains of Spices the Brides last and great suit to the Bridegroom is make haste as to his coming in Glory to judge the World not that Christ is slack but the Churches affections are strong they that go a Whoring after the World neither desire his coming nor love his appearing but the Spouse would have all things hastened that he might return he cannot come soon enough to set the World to rights and compleat their Happiness it is that only that will perfect their Consolation and therefore would have the blessed and longed for meeting hastened In the other Book of the Revelations see how it is closed Rev. 22.20 Christ saith Surely I come quickly and the Church like a quick Echo saith Even so Come Lord Iesus come quickly it taketh the word out of Christs Mouth and presently improveth the Promise into a Prayer and so Christs Voice and the Churches Voice are Unisons the Acclamation of the Saints answereth to his Proclamation Christ saith I come as desiring to meet with us the Church answereth even so come as desiring his Fellowship and Company when once Faith apprehendeth the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus to Judgment Love presently desireth it as the most comfortable thing which we can ask of him that is the farewel suit of the Church to Christ if he will grant this all complaints and sorrow and sighing will be no more Now I shall give you Reasons why this is desired by all true Christians 1. In respect of him who is to come His Person that we may see him who is our great Lord and Saviour all that believed any thing of Christ desired to see him those that lived before his coming in the flesh Joâ—n 8.56 Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad and the same affection possesseth us that live after his coming in the flesh we know him by hear-say we have heard much of him he wooeth us by a Proxy as Eliezer Abrahams Servant did Rebekah Now Christians would fain see him of whom they have heard and whom they loved and in whom they have believed 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love and in whom though now you see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy â—nspeakable and full of glory they do not see Christ but they have a taste of his goodness 1 Pet. 2.3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious They have felt his comforts and live by his Life all that is wanting is but ocular Vision that they may see him Face to Face therefore they long for his coming 2. The Excellency of Christ their head shall then be fully revealed therefore it is comfortable to his Saints to think of his second comeing it is called the Revelation of Christ 1 Pet. 1.13 Christ is now under a Vail retired within the Curtain of the Heavens the wicked often ask where is now your God and our own unbelieving hearts are apt to question the glory of his Person and the truth of his Promises when his most faithful Servants are under disgrace Christ is a glorious King but little of his Glory is seen in the World therefore they desire that he may appear in Glory and Royalty we pray that his Kingdom may come 2. The persons desiring there is somewhat in them to move them to it 1. The Spirit of Christ Rev. 22.17 The Spirit in the Bride saith come the Holy Ghost breadeth this desire in the Church nature saith it is good to be here but this is a disposition above nature the Flesh saith Depart but the Spirit saith Come the great work of the Spirit is to bring us and Christ together he cometh from the Father and the Son to bring us to the Father by the Son his business is to marry us to Christ the promise being past the Spouse longeth to see her beloved It is the Spirit kindleth a desire in us of his second coming when the Marriage that is now contracted shall be consummated when the Queen shall be brought unto the King in rayment of Needle-work and shall enter into the Palace with him there to abide for ever Well then though guilty Sinners would have Christ stay away still and if it might go by Voices the Carnal World would never give their Voice this way Even so come Lord Iesus come quickly no they are of the Devils mind Why art thou come to torment us before the time Mat. 8.29 Thieves and Malefactors if they might have the liberty to choose they would never look nor long for the day of Assizes but the Spirit in the Bride is another thing it giveth us other inclinations the sooner Christ cometh the better they can never be soon enough taken up to him nor he come to them 2. There are Graces planted in us Faith Hope and Love to move us earnestâ—y to desire his coming 1. Faith believeth Christ will be as good as his word I will come again if it were not so I would have told you John 14.2 And if Christ saith in a way of Promise I come the Church saith Amen in a way of Faith even so Comâ— If Christ had gone away in discontent and with a threat in his mouth Ye shall never see my face more we should altogether despair of seeing him again but he parted in Love and left a Promise with us which upholdeth the Hearts of Believers during his absence Would Christ deceive us and flatter us into a Fools Paradise What need that He can strike us dead in an instant if we do not please him and we have hitherto found him true in all things and will he fail us at last 2. Hope which is Faiths Handmaid it looketh for that which we do believe it is the immediate effect of the new Creature 1 Pet. 1.3 Begotten to a lively hope as soon as Grace is infused it discovereth it self by its tendency to its end and rest it came from Heaven and carrieth the Soul thither 3. Love is an affection of Union it desireth to be with the party loved Phil. 1.23 I desire to depart and to be with Christ therefore its Voice is Come Come he hath Communion with us in our Houses of Clay therefore we desire presence with him in his Palace of Glory his Voice now is very sweet when he saith Come unto me ye that are weary and heavy laden but much more will
mans mouth have not I the Lord. The latter cannot be said because that is contrary to his goodness Psal. 25.8 Good and upright is the Lord therefore will he teach Sinners the way It is not to be imagined that the great and universal King should give a Law to Mankind and speak so darkly that we should have no sure direction from thence nor be able to know his mind in any of the Duties God hath required of us or expose us to great difficulties and hardships in the World And if he had not plainly expressed his will to us man would never leave writing and distinguishing himself out of his duty surely he that will venture his All for Christs sake had need of a clear warrant to bear him out for none will hazard all that is near and dear to him but for weighty Reasons 5. Besides the Illumination of the Holy Spirit doth accompany this word and make it effectual to us to shew us God as revealed in Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath sâ—ined into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ and for Heaven Eph. 1.17 18. Praying that the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your understanding being inlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his Inheritance in the Saints He sanctifieth and healeth our Souls and prepareth us for the entertainment of the Truth that as natural things are naturally discerned so spiritual things are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 6. There are promises of direction made to humble and sincere minds Psal. 25.9 The meek shall he guide in Iudgment the meek shall he teach his way to the industrious Prov. 2. 4 5. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God to the godly and well-disposed John 7.17 If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self so to them that pray much James 1.5 If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him They that thus sincerely endeavour to know the will of God will come to a sound establish'd Judgment in the Truth II. A Christian that is thus established is fortified against Spirit Word or Writing or all Suggestion that may perplex his mind 1. Against pretended Revelations called here spirit 1. Because having his mind thus setled he may boldly defy all Revelations pretended to the contrary Gal. 1.8 Though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel than we have preached let him be accursed Any Doctrine if divers or different from or besides the written word much more contrary to it a Christian may reject it and account it Cursed Doctrine Therefore neither Church nor Angel nor Spirit is to be heard against it 2. Because a Christian is upon better terms having the written word than if God dealt with him by way of Revelations 2 Pet. 1.19 We have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure word of Prophecy comparing it with the voice from Heaven of which he spake before not as if there could be any uncertainty in the Lords Voice speaking from Heaven but because a transient Voice is more easily mistaken or forgotten than an authentick standing Record as Samuel thought Eli called him when it was the Lord it is quoad nos though God gave evidence of the Truth of such Revelations as he made yet we have more accommodate means Our Lord intimateth such a thing Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead This is the surest ground for Faith to rest upon of any that ever hath been or can be given to Sinners subject to forgetfulness jealousies and mistakes 3. Because it is not rational to expect new Revelation now the Canon and Rule of Faith is closed up Heb. 2.1 2. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip c. Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you John 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them which shall believe on me through their word 4. Because if any such be pretended it must be tryed by the word Is. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because they have no light in them So 1 John 4.1 Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone abroad into the World 5. Because they that despise ordinary means and pretend to Vision Revelation or Inspiration are usually such as are given up by God to a vertiginous Spirit and cast into the Dungeon of error for the punishment of other sins Mic. 2.11 If a man walking in the Spirit of falshood do lie he shall be the Prophet of this people God will permit those that are both deceivers and deceived themselves to come amongst them for a Plague to them Sleidan giveth sad instances of some given up to this phantastical frenzy that killed their own relations on pretence of inspiration and of others that murdered 50000. in one day 2. By word or unwritten Tradition this also should not shake the mind of a setled Christian for this hath no constat no evidence of its certainty and would lay us open to the deceits of men blinded by their own Interest and Passions and if such tradition could be produced as hath unquestionable Authority it must be tryed by the Scripture which is every where commended as the publick Standard and true measure and rule both of Faith and Manners 3. Not by Epistle as from us 1. Supposititious writings which the Church in all Ages hath exploded and received only those which are unquestionably theirs whose names they bear 2. False Expositions these are confuted by inspection of the Context scope of the Writer comparing of obscure places with plain and clear Thus you see what certainty God hath provided for us guide us in the way to Eternal Life SERMON III. 2 Thess. 2.3 Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first And that man of sin be revealed the Son of perdition IN these words we have these two things 1. A Caution against the errour set a-foot at that
he that doth thus imperiously aspire subesse Romano Pontifici definimus esse de necessitate salutis that takes upon him a power to make a new Creed and that we are bound to obey him that saith he can change the things which God hath commanded in his word and dispense with them and so by his Decrees make the Commandment of God of none effect and to forgive sins not only already committed but to be committed which God himself never would do that lords it over Consciences enslaving the World to his Usurpations In short that will be obeyed in those things which God hath forbidden and take upon himself an Office which no humane Creature is capable of Who is he that sheweth himself that he is God but he that suffereth himself to be decked with the spoils of Gods own Attributes to be Optimum Maximum the best and chiefest our Lord God the Pope a visible Deity and will be adored by all the Potentates of the Earth with such veneration as greater could not be given to Christ himself if he were corporally present and will have all the World to submit to his Decrees as being infallible that challengeth a power over Angels Purgatory and Hell These things are as clear as day-light and ought to be regarded by us partly that we may bless God who hath freed us from this Tyranny and have a liberty of judging of truth and falsehood out of his holy and blessed word Partly that we may stand fast in this Liberty Those that were never Pope-bitten know not the mischiefs that attend this spiritual Tyranny and God grant that we never more know it to our bitter cost Therefore as Samuel dealt with the Israelites when they would cast off the Theocracy or Gods Government under which they had been well and safely governed unless they forfeited the protection by their own sin that they might be like all the Nations round about them 1 Sam. 8.20 Samuel telleth them what would be the manner of the King that should reign over them 1 Sam. 8.11 12 13. And he said this shall be the manner of the King that shall reign over you he will take your Sons and appoint them for himself for his Chariots and to be his Horsemen and some shall run before his Chariots and he will appoint him Captains over thousands and Captains over fifties and will set them to ear his ground and to reap his Harvest and to make his instruments of War and instruments of his Chariots and he will take your Daughters to be Confectionaries and to be Cooks and to be Bakers And he will take your Fields and your Vineyards and your Olive-Yards even the best of them and give them to his Servants c. So if such a wanton humour should possess us that we must have the Religion of the Nations round about us consider whom you receive spiritually to reign over you The King of Pride who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or is worshipped c. one that will not only devour your substance but lord it over your Consciences and put out the eye of your reason that you may the better swallow his damnable errours pestilent Superstitions and Idolatries and bold usurpation on the Authority of Christ or else burn your Bodies with temporal fire and cast out your name as one to be condemned to that which is eternal It is easy to open the Flood-gate but when that is done it is not so easy to call back the Waters and when you come to discern the difference between the blessed Yoke of Christ and the Iron Yoke of Antichrist it will be too late for a remedy to repent of your errour The second Use is to shew us how things should be carried in the true and reformed Christianity 1. With such meekness modesty and mortification that our Religion may be known to be established by a Crucified Lord whose doctrine and example do visibly and eminently hold forth the contempt of the World The pride and ambition of the Pastors of the Church hath been the cause of all the evil in it therefore nothing so unsuitable to the Gospel as a domineering spirit we that are to preach Heavenly mindedness and self-denial should not affect the greatness of the World lest our lives contradict our doctrine 2. How eminent and exemplary we should be in our obedience to Magistrates For this is to be opposite to the Antichristian Estate God is very tender of the honour of Civil Powers and Authorities and will have every soul to be subject to them Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers for there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God and again 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supreme or to Governours as them that are sent by him Great respect and submission is due to them for Gods sake and that we may commend Religion to the profane World and live down the reproaches of the Gospel They were branded as wicked men that were not afraid to speak evil of Dignities that despise Governments in their own hearts or weaken the esteem of it in the hearts of others by their speeches 2 Pet. 2.10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise Government presumptuous are they self-willed they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities 3. What a wickedness it is to usurp divine honours We do so when we take that praise and admiration to our selves which is only due to God Acts 3.12 And when Peter saw it he answered unto the people Ye men of Israel why marvel ye at this or why look ye so earnestly on us as though by our power or holiness we had made this man to walk The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our Fathers hath glorified his Son Iesus c. and his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong whom ye see and know Yea the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all SERMON V. 2 Thess. 2.5 6 7. Remember ye not that while I was with you I told you these things And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will let till he be taken out of the way IN these words is 1. A Digression calling them to remembrance of what he delivered by word of mouth 2. A Progress in the further description of Antichrist He had hitherto been described 1. By his Names and Titles 2. His nature and properties now 3. By the time of his appearing where take notice of three things 1. That Antichrist was not then revealed because there was an Impediment hinâ—ering his Revelation 2. That though he was not then revealed yet that mystery of iniquity
But the false Church is known by pomp and external splendor It is easy to discern the true Ministers of Christ from the false the true are known by being much in â—â—ours much in afflictions 2 Cor. 6.4 5 6. In all things approving our selves the Ministers of God in much patience afflictions necessities distresses in labours and watchings and fastings by pureness by knowledge by long-suffering by kindness by the Holy Ghost by love unfeigned c. whereas the false Ministers are known by the life of pomp and ease the rule is plain Because self-denial is one of the great lessons of Christianity and self-seeking the bane of it therefore where men professedly seek the gâ—eatness of the World they serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies 2. Where men are turned from God to Idols though it be not the Daemons of the Gentiles but Saints as Mediators of Intercession there Godliness is destroyed and the mystery of iniquity set up For the great drift of the Christian Religion is to bring us to God through Christ so the great Whore which imports a breach of the fundamental Article of the Convenant Thou shalt have no other Gods but me it is said Rev. 17.5 Vpon her Forehead was a name written Mystery Babylon the Mother of Fornications and abominations upon Earth debaucheth Nations with her Idolatry and so seduceth from God to the worship of the Creatures that the great intent of the Gospel is lost 3. Wherever power is usurped in Christs name and carried on under the pretence of his Authority to the oppressing of Christs sincere Worshippers who hate the carnal life and would by all means keep themselves from Idols or bowing and worshipping before Images but excel in unquestionable duties there is the mystery of Iniquity for the Beast that hath a mouth like a Dragon pusheth with the Horns of a Lamb Rev. 13.11 The violence and persecution against the sincere pure worshippers of Christ is nothing else but the mystery of Iniquity the enmity of the carnal seed against the holy Seed or the Seed of the Serpent against the Seed of the Woman disguised 4. Where there is a lessening of the merits of Christ and his satisfaction as if it were not sufficient for the expiation of sin without penal satisfactions of our own there is the mystery of Iniquity for by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 5. Where the new nature is little thought of and all Religion is made to consist in some external Rites and Adorations or indifferences there the reducing of man to God is much hindered and Christianity is adulterated and the Religion that designedly countenanceth these things is but the mystery of Iniquity To worship God as the Papists do with Images Agnus Dei's Crucifixes Crossings Spittle Oyl Candles Holy Water kissing the Pax dropping Beads praying to the Virgin Mary and other Saints repeating over the name Iesus five times in a breath repeating such and such Sentences so often praying to God in an unknown Tongue and saying to him they know not what adoring the consecrated bread as no bread but the very flesh of Christ himself fasting by feasting upon fish instead of flesh chusing a tutelary Saint whose name they will invocate offering Sacrifices for quick and dead praying for Souls in Purgatory purchasing Indulgences for their deliverance carrying the Bones and other Reliques of Saints going in Pilgrimage to Shrines or Images or offering before them with a multitude more of such trashy devotions whereby they greatly dishonour God and obstruct the motions of the Heavenly Life yea quite kill it For instead of the power and life of grace there are introduced beggarly Rudiments or ritual observances in indifferent things and vain traditions by which Christian liberty is restrained and these pressed with as much severity as unquestionable duties established by Gods known law for the renewing and reforming Mankind We are to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 Col. 2.16 Let no man judge you in meat or drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new Moons or of a Sabbath day These things are left to arbitrament to abstain or use them for edification That Physician may be born with who doth only burden the sick with some needless prescriptions if faithful in other things but if he should tire out the Patient with Prescriptions which are not only altogether needless but troublesome costly and nauseous and doth extinguish and choke true Religion by thousands of things indifferent making our bondage worse than the Jews this is the mystery of Iniquity to cheat us of the power of Godliness by the shew of it burdening of men with unnecessary observances 2. How did this work in the Apostles time Something there was then which did give an advantage to Antichrist and laid the foundation of his Kingdom and did dispose mens minds to an Apostasie from pure Christianity as 1. Partly the Idolizing of Pastors by an excess of Reverence such as was prejudicial to the Interests of the Gospel setting them up as heads of Factions 1 Cor. 1.12 Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I am of Apollos and I of Cephas 1 Cor. 3.22 Glory not in men whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas c. This in time bred Tyranny and Slavery in the Church 2. The Ambition of the Pastors themselves and the spirit of contention for rule and precedency Acts 20.29 30. There shall arise among you ravening Wolves speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them and within a little time began to affect not only a primacy of Order but of Jurisdiction and Authority so that then Antichrist did not exist in his proper person but in Spirit and Predecessors 3. The errors then set afoot corrupted the simplicity of the Gospel 1 John 2.18 Now there are many Antichrists 1 John 4.3 Every Spirit that confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is the Spirit of Antichrist whereof ye have heard it should come and even now already is it in the World The Spirit of Antichrist is even now in the World there was a Spirit then working in the Church to introduce this mystery of Iniquity only the Seat was not empty but filled by another the Seeds of this mystery were sown in ambition avarice haughtiness of teachers and their carnal and corrupt Doctrines 4. Some kept their Jewish others their Gentile Customs so that Christian Religion was secretly tainted and mingled with the Seeds of Heathenism and Judaism which afterwards produced the great Apostasie Paul in all his Epistles complaineth of the Judaizing Brethren and seeks to reduce them to the simplicity of the Gospel In the Corinthians he complaineth of their resort to Idol Temples their Communion in Idol worship 1 Cor. 10.14 Wherefore my dearly
strifes against each other till a common danger unite us It is noted that when there was a strife between the Herdsmen of Abrahams Cattle and Lots Cattle the Canaanite and Perizzite were yet in the Land Gen. 13.7 God will unite those in common sufferings whose stubborn humours will not suffer them to meet upon other terms 4. To keep up a remembrance of his mercies Psal. 59.11 Slay them not lest my people forget scatter them by thy power and bring them down O Lord our shield â—od maketh us sensible of the care he hath over us not by the utter destruction of the Enemies of his People but by lingring Judgments on them which affect us more than if they were cut off suddenly 2. Many other reasons may be given because it serveth the beauty and harmony of his Providence to cut them off in their time and by such means as he hath appointed and in such a way as shall most conduce unto his Glory But I pass them by we must tarry his leisure and not question his truth and care over us and be content that our Faith and Patience be exercised If God should bring a sudden destruction upon a Power and Tyranny so supported by the combined interests of the World we were not able to bear it Thorns serve for a fence to a Garden of Roses God would not destroy the Canaanites at once lest the beasts of the field should increase upon them Deut. 7.22 nor all abettors of Antichristianism lest his people should lye open to such evils as they cannot bear 1. Observe this Consumption how it is accomplished if we find Antichrist risen discovered and consumed why should we be in doubt any longer The pomp and height was much about 1500. years after Christ what a Consumption hath happened since by the reviving Religion and Learning the Christian World should with thankfulness take notice of by the falling of Germany England France and Hungary in a great part together with Denmark Sweden Poland and other Countries and by what means hath this been but by the spirit of his mouth It is profitable to know Antichrist by his rise and description but it is comfortable to know him by his discovery and Consumption and Gods blessing such unlikely means at the beginning so such a wonderful effect When Luther first appeared the Bishop of Strasburgh told him Abi in coelum mi frater dic miserere nostri But God hath done great things for us too when he first turned the captivity of his Churches we were like unto those that dream 2. Caution Antichrist is consumed but he is not yet dead what strength he may recover before his last destruction God knoweth Popery after it was cast out hath re-entered Bohemia and Austria and the Emperours Hereditary Countries and what havock hath been made of the Evangelical Churches the Book of Caraffa the Bishop and Legat of the Pope called Germania sacra restaurata sheweth wherein many notable things concerning their Artifices to replant Popery are set down As to England some hope his Consumption is not desperate and many fear that Popery may recover again unless God in mercy prevent it we know not what is in the Womb of Providence or how far the Prerogative of Free Grace may interpose in our behalf whether England shall be made a Theater of mercy once more or the feat of Idolatry and superstition and Blood But though we do not know what God hath determined yet we may soon know what England hath deserved And that is enough to quicken us to watchfulness and Prayer and expectation and serious preparation for the day of evil and by these things if it cometh to pass it will do us no harm 1. When God hath laid in great store of comforts against sufferings usually there is a time of expence to lay them out again Christ warned his hearers to make use of the light because of the darkness coming upon them Iohn 12.35 36. You never knew the Gospel powerfully preached but Tryals came Heb. 10.32 34. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance Castles are first victualled then besieged the ministry is consolatory mostly 2. When men can neither bear our vices not their proper remedies Ezek. 24.13 In thy filthiness is lewdness because I have purged thee and thou wast not purged thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee Hosea 7. 1. When I would have healed Israel then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered and the wickedness of Samaria for they commit falshood c. 3. When there are great differences amongst Gods own people the end is bitter we warp in the Sunshine will not know the way of Peace Eusebius says before Dioclesians Persecution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Church was torn with intestine broils Pastors against Pastors and People against People Ease begets Pride and Wantonness and that maketh way for Contention 4. When Prophaneness increaseth and men do not walk becoming the Gospel God taketh the Gospel from them The Apostasie from the power and purity of Religion first made way for Antichrist and is most likely to let him in again 5. When a people are prepared for such impressions there is a party formed partly by opinions that symbolize with Popery partly by doting on the pomp and outside of Religion and neglecting the life and power of it and partly when indifferent and Atheistical conceits do dispose their minds no more to one Religion than other usually then is a Nation fitted for such a change Now what shall we do 1. Watch and pray a people well awaked will not change their Religion â—he envious man sowed tares while the servants sâ—ept â— Mat. 13.25 Be instant with God in Prayer as all good Christians should be when the Church is in danger as David Psal. 59.13 Consume them in wrath consume them that they may not be that they may know that God rules in Iacob unto the ends of the earth Selah The Consumption is at hand Luke 21.36 Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass 2. Reform and repent Rev. 2.5 Repent or I will remove the Candlestick out of his place our disorders must be bewailed and redressed there are two stumbling blocks the Idolatry of the Romish Synagogue and the evil manners of the reformed Churches 3. Be fortified and established 1. By knowledge if we have not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a stedfastness of our own we shall fall 2 Pet. 3.17 in a time of long Peace Arms hang up a rusting and â—o we are not prepared to resist temptations 2. By Grace it is good the heart should be established by Grace Heb. 13.9 the new nature will caution men against many Popish errors 1 John 2.20 Ye
between them and others Upon them he shall send strong delusion but you hath he chosen to Salvation through the belief of the Truth Those whom God hath chosen he separates from the World of the ungodly or the corrupt heap of mankind and consecrateth them unto himself So that Election is not a taking all but some and passing by others 1 Joh. 5.19 We are of God and the whole World lyeth in wickedness A choice implyeth a setting apart some for Objects of his Grace and Instruments of his Glory in the World Psal. 4.3 And the number is certain for their Names are said to be written in the Rolls and Records of Heaven when others are not written Luk. 10.20 Rejoyce not that the Spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoyce because your Names are written in Heaven Phil. 4.3 Whose Names are written in the Book of Life And others are said not to be written Rev. 17.1 And they that dwell on the Earth shall wonder whose Names were not written in the Book of Life from the Foundation of the World And Rev. 20.15 And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire Namely those that perish by these Delusions 3. It is set forth by the Antiquity of it from the Beginning Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World And Matth. 25.34 Come ye Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World Namely as they belonged to his choice Election Love in God is of an old stâ—nding even from all Eternity his thoughts and purposes of Love were towards us a long time before they were discovered Surely the Ancientness of his Love should beget an honourable esteem of it in our Hearts For who are we that the Thoughts of God should be taken up about us so long ago And what is from everlasting is to everlasting Psal. 103.17 For what is from Eternity is to Eternity and dependeth not upon â—he accidents of Time 4. By the means of its accomplishment Two are mentioned one on God's part the other on ours The Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth Where note 1. That God's Decree is both of Ends and Means For all his Purposes are executed by fit Means He that hath chosen us to Salvation hath also chosen us to be Holy and to believe the Truth And without the Means the End cannot be obtained For without Faith and Holiness no grown Person shall see God or escape Condemnation As to Faith it is clear John 3.36 He that believeth not the Wrath of God abideth on him And Holiness is indispensibly necessary Heb. 12.14 Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. God had assured Paul Acts 27.22 That there should be no loss of any Man's Life amongst them except of the Ship and afterward Vers. 31. Paul telleth them Except these abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved How could the assurance given to Paul from God and Paul's caution to the Mariners stand together Doth the Purpose of God depend upon the will and actions of Men I answerâ— Not as a cause from whence it receiveth its force and strength but as a means appointed also by God to the execution of his Decree For by the same Decree God appointeth the Event what he will do and the Means by which he will have it to be done and the Lord revealing by his Word this Conjunction of End and Means there is a necessity of Duty lying upon Man to use these Means and not to expect the End without them God intended to save all in the Ship and yet the Mariners must abide in the Ship And therefore what God hath joyned together let no Man separate If we separate these things God doth not change his Counsel but we subvert his Order to our own destruction The Scripture maketh it a grievous Sin a tempting of God to expect the End without the use of Means In vain is the Cavil then of those who would impeach the Doctrine of God's free and unchangeable Will concerning the salvation of the Eleâ—t upon the pretence that it taketh away the Duty of Man and the necessity of our Faith and Obedience No God executeth his Decree by the proper Means And wretcheâ— is their inference who say If I be elected I shall be saved no Salvation can be obtained but by the Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth And worse is their confidence who profess assurance of their Election and yet walk after the Flesh No till a Man purge himself from Youthful Lusts he is not a Vessel of Honour sanctified and set apart for God 2 Tim. 2.21 And in vain do we hope to go to Heaven till we take the way that leadeth thither Devils have been cast out thence for Unholiness and therefore unholy Men shall never be taken in there 2. That these things are not causes of Election but fruits of Election and Means of execution of God's Decree about our Salvation Sanctification is not a Cause but a subordinate End or Means Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us to be holy not because we are holy but that we might be holy So 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore-knowledg of God through the sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience Not elected for it but through it When God had all Mankind in his prospect and view he freely chose out some to be sanctified and saved We come to the possession of it through Sanctification that is by it as a Means So for the other Faith is a fruit of Election not a foreseen Cause Acts 2.47 The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved None cometh to the Church but those whom God draweth and they are actually added to the Church by a profession of Faith and such as should be saved were as many as were ordained to Salvation Acts 13.48 And as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed The whole City were met together to hear but as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed It is not said as â—any as believed were ordained to Eternal Life but the contrary Faith is not the cause of Election but Election is the cause of Faith 3. That being the necessary Fruits they are also evidences of our Election All that are Sanctified by the Spirit and believe the Truth belong to the Election of God Election it self is a secret in God's Bosom and is only manifested to us by the Effects and what are the necessary Effects but Sanctification by the Spirit and a sound belief of the Gospel 1. The Sanctification of the Spirit is not only an external Dedication to God but an internal and real Change Some aâ—e externally dedicated and may trample under foot the Blood of the Covenant whereby they are sanctified Heb. 10.29 Of how much sorer Punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son
is the Author It is not an Invention of Man but a Secret that came from the Bosom of God Again it is called Christ's Gospel The Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ 2 Thess. 1.8 As the principal Subrevealer who made known unto us most fully the Mind of God And then on the Apostles who were Instruments chosen and intrusted by Christ to declare it to the World both by Word and Writing The Scripture is an Authentick Record wherein all things are delivered to us both concerning our Duties and Priviledges Therefore when he saith our Gospel he doth not mean it of principal Revelation but in regard of Dispensation and Trust. 1 Tim. 1.11 The glorious Gospel of the Blessed God is committed to my trust Therefore this word our Oospel is 1. A word of Fidelity that argued the Conscience to this Duty that owneth the Trust committed to him and that this was his chief Work and Charge 1 Cor. 9.17 A Dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me 2. It is a word of Esteem Love and Affection what we love we call ours Rom 16.25 Now to him that is able to stablish you according to my Gospel Paul was glad he had such Interest in it as to be a Preacher of it And Believers should be glad they are partakers of the benefit Ephes. 1.13 In whom ye trusted after ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation It is theirs and ours Oh blessed be God for this 3. It is a work importing Diligence our Gospel that which he preached with so much Labour and Hazard he followed this Work close Acts 20.24 I count not my Life dear that I may finish my Course with joy and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Iesus to testifie the Gospel of the Grace of God He was willing to die and suffer any thing for the Gospels sake 4. The Consent and Harmony between him and the rest of the Apostles Sometimes he calleth it My Gospel to assert his own Apostolical Authority as Rom. 2.16 Sometimes Our Gospel 2 Cor. 4.3 to note their common Consent who were the authorized Messengers of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is our Gospel the same jointly attested by all Christ's chosen Messengers 3. The ends of this Calling They are either Subordinate or Ultimate 1. Subordinate in the word Whereunto he hath called you that is to Faith Holiness and Salvation we are called to all 1. God calleth us to the Faith of the Gospel he hath not only ordained us to believe but called us to believe without Calling there can be no Faith Rom 10.14 How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard But upon Calling there must be Faith or else we make void the Dispensation of God which we are under 1. There must be a belief of the Gospel in general The voice of the Creatures calleth upon the Gentiles to believe an Infinit Eternal Power that made Man and all Things And the condemnation of the Gentle World is that they know not God and glorifie not God as God after this Revelation made to them but to believe in Christ is a mystery to Nature and dependeth upon God's special Revelation in the Gospel Therefore the Eternal and Internal Power of the Spirit accompanieth it to convince the World that it is Sin not to believe in Christ. The External Power in Miracles and the Internal in the Illumination of the Mind John 16.9 The Spirit shall convince the World of Sin because they believe not in me That is receive not the Faith of the Gospel or believed not that Christ was the true Messiah the great Prophet and Doctor of the Church 2. This Call doth aim at not only a belief of the truth of the Gospel in general but also a particular Affiance in Christ according to the terms of the New Covenant General assent to the truth of the Gospel is only considerable as it leadeth on other Things Now that I may not wander I will refer them to two Things 1. A Fiducial Assent 2. An Obediential Confidence This is the belief of the Truth we are called unto 1. The Assent must be Fiducial or accompanied with a trust in Christ. Ephes. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation The meaning is the Gentiles after they heard the Gospel and believed the Truth they did trust themselves in the Hands of Christ to be brought by his Saving and Healing Methods to eternal Happiness It is a mighty thing to have such a Belief as may produce Trust or a venturing our selves in the Hands of Christ against all hazards and whatever befalleth us are content to save our Souls on his Terms This breedeth holy Security or Courage 2 Tim. 1.12 For I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that Day 2. This Confidence must be Obediential not a devout Sloath or Carelessness To trust in his Mercies and neglect his Precepts crosseth the Tenor of his Covenant Psal. 119.60 I made haste and delayed not to keep thy Commandments It is true Religion when Faith Love and Hope concur Jude ver 20 21. But ye Beloved building up your selves on your most holy Faith joyning in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the Love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ unto Eternal Life I know there is a trusting in his Pardon for our Failings and that Justification is a great Privilege as well as Salvation but Pardon is promised to the Sincere that with an honest Heart perform their Duty Psal. 32.2 Blessed is the Man to whom the Lord imputeth not Iniquity and in whose Spirit there is no guile And Rom. 8.1 There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Iesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit So that still our confidence in Christ must be obediential 2. We are called to Holiness this is every where asserted in the Scripture 1 Thess. 4.7 For God hath not called us to Vncleanness but to Holiness And it enforceth it on seveveral Grounds As 1. That there may be a likeness between the Person calling and the Persons called 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he that called you is Holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation It is true Religion to imitate what we worship For Knowledg and Esteem always work an Assimulation and therefore if we know the True God and love him we will study to be like him Certainly we have not a true knowledg of God if we do not know him to be a Pure and Holy God he hath shewed it in his Laws shewed it in his Providence and shewed it in his Gospel by which we are called The Gods of the Heathen taught Sin by their own Example Their impure Lives are recorded by their Poets Austin tâ—lleth us of a Young Man who was encited to Wantonness by seeing the
again the words of Path and Feeâ— The one signifieth our Way and general Course the other all our particular Actions so far as Religion is concerned in them we have directions in the Word about them Besides Man's condition is such that he needeth a Supernatural Remedy by a Redeemer which depending upon the meer Love and free Grace of God cannot be found out by Natural Light left to us for that only can judg of things necessary but not of such things as depend upon the meer Pleasure of God therefore a Divine Revelation there must be 2. Since it is necessary that God should some way or other reveal his Mind to his People it must be done by Oracles Visions Dreams or by extraordinary Messengers who by word of Mouth might convey it to us Or else by Writing or â—y ordinary Teachers whose Lips may preserve Knowledg in the Church The former ways might sufâ—ice while God saw fit to reveal but a few Truths and such as do not burden the Memory and Men were long-liv'd and of great Simplicity and the Church was confined within a small compass of Ground and not liable to so many Miseries and Changes as now in the latter Ages but when once God had spoken to us by his Son â—hose extraordinary Ways ceased Heb. 1.1 2 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past to the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last Times spoken to us by his Son As formerly God did speak 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in divers manners That is to say by Visions Oracles Dreams and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at sundry times by several Steps and Degrees he acquainted the World with the Truths necessary for Man to know delivering them out by Portions not altogether at once till he came who had the Spirit without measure John 3.34 The Prophets to whom God revealed himself before by Visions Oracles Dreams or the coming of the Spirit upon them had the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by measure to fit them for some particular Errand or Message on which God sent them But when God sent his Son out of his Bosom to reveal the whole Doctrine of Faith at once and to declare his Fathers Will with full Authority and Power he fixed and closed up the Rule of Faith So 't was not fit that after him there should come any extraordinary Nuncio's and Embassadors from Heaven or any other should be owned as Infallible Messengers but such as he immediately sent abroad in the World to disciple the Nations Therefore all former extaordinary ways ceased and we are left to the ordinary Rule stated by Christ. 3. Being left to the ordinary Rule it was necessary it should be taught not only by word of Mouth but committed to Writing For Christ is ascended into Heaven and the Apostles do not live for ever and we have no Men now that are immediately and divinely inspired And ordinary Pastors and Teachers cannot make more Articles of Faith but do only build on the Apostles Foundation 1 Cor. 3.10 or that divinely inspired Doctrine which they delivered to the Church Yea that Doctrine cannot well be preserved from oblivion and corruption without writing Therefore God accounted this the safest way those things that are only delivered by word of mouth or from hand to hand may easily be changed corrupted or utterly lost Certainly if you consider Man's Sloth Treachery Levity and the many vile Affections which may easily induce him to extinguish or corrupt the Truth which is contrary to them you will see that it is necessary there should be an Authentic Record by which Truth and Error might be tried and distinguished Yea that the Church which is dispersed throughout the World might have Truth at hand and perticular Believers have this Doctrine ever by them for their comfort and use it being the property of a Blessed Man to delight in the Law of God and to exercise himself therein day and night Psal. 1.2 In short while the Apostles were living 't was good to take the Tradition from their Mouth but now they are dead we take it from their Writings Surely if God saw some Writing necessary when those extraordinary ways we spake of before were in use and the Church of the Old Testament was in a much quieter estate than the Church of the New I say if some writing were necessary then it is more necessary now for the Christian Church is more exposed to dreadful storms of Persecution the deceits of Heretics of all sorts especially to the frauds of Antichrist which we are forewarned of in this Chapter and are detected and discovered by their contrariety to the written Word 4. This Truth being written it is both a safe and a full Rule for us to walk by It is a safe Rule because it is written by the Apostles and Evangelist holy Men moved by the Holy Ghost The Apostles did not lose their Infallibility when they committed what they preached to writing the same Spirit that assisted them in delivering the Doctrine by word of mouth assisted them also when they delivered it by writing And it is a full and sufficient Rule because it containeth all things which are necessary for Men to believe and do in order to Eternal Life Let them name what is necessary beyond what is recommended there or may be delivered from thence Yea it doth contain not only all the Essential but also the Integral parts of the Christian Religion and therefore nothing can be any part of our Religion which is not there The Direction of old was Isa. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them Every thing was then tried by Moses and the Prophets every thing must be now tried by the Prophets and Apostles which is our Foundation of Faith Worship and Obedience Ephes. 2.20 5. That which we blame in the Papists is That they cry up a private unproved unwritten Tradition of their own as of equal authority with this safe and full Rule which is contained in this written Word of God Their Crime and Fault may be considered partly with respect to the Object and Matter that these Traditions are not indifferent Customs but essential Points necessary to Faith and Christian practice And so though a Christian be never so thorow and sound in his obedience to the Word of God and true to the Baptismal Covenant yet if he submitteth not to these unwritten Traditions he wants some Point necessary to Faith and Practice and so to Life eternal which is contrary to Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned And Iohn 17.3 This is Life Eternal to know thee the only true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Partly as to the Subject as they make their own Faction to be the only keepers of these things and that nothing is to be
presents God terrible and taketh away all confidence from us so that we are obnoxious to his Wrath and righteous Vengeance Who is able to stand before this Holy God 1 Sam. 6.20 And who can dwell with everlasting Burnings Isa. 33.14 We cannot approach God in any friendly manner 2. I shall shew what Provision God hath â—ade for us The Lord Jesus took this Office at God's appointment of reconciling God to us and appeasing his Wrath and us to God by bringing us back again our alienated and estranged Affections to God How so what hath he done 1. The Distance is in truth taken away by his very Person he is God-Man God and Man meet together in the Person of Christ God doth condescend and come down to Man and Man is incouraged to ascend to God God in Christ is nearer to Man than he was before that we may have more familiar thoughts of him The pure Deity is at so vast a distance from us that we are amazed and confounded when we think of it and cannot conceive an hope that he should concern himself in our â—ffairs But the Son of God is come in our Nature John 1.14 The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us 1 Tim. 3.16 Grace is the Mystery of Godliness God manifested in the Flesh So that he is more acceptable to us and nearer at hand and more readily inclined to help us for he will not be strange to his own Flesh. 2. The Difference and Controversy is taken up by the Work of his Redemption for God hath set him forth to be a Propitiation or a means of appeasing his Wrath Rom. 3. 25. and to be the Foundation of that New Covenant wherein Pardon and Life is offered to us It is not enough to our Recovery that God be reconciled but Man must be renewed otherwise we remain for ever undeâ— the displeasure of God Now he hath purchased the Grace of the Spirit to be dispensed by the Covenant to bring us home to God Titus 3.5 6. Nor by Works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour And 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 Vse Let us be sensible of this unspeakable Mercy that God hath provided a Mediator for us that we may come to God by him Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save unto the â—ttermost all that come unto God through him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for us That the legal Exclusion is removed and a way opened to the Father John 14.6 I am the Wâ—y the Truth and the Life no Man cometh to the Father but by me Otherwise we could not immediately converse with God nor trust in him 1. We see God in our Nature as near at hand and ready to help he came down amongst us and became one of us was bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh And though he hath removed his dwelling into Heaven again it is for our sakes he hath carried our Nature thither to take possession of that blessed Place in our Name if we have a mind to follow him Iohn 14.2 I go to prepare a Place for you 2. Here we see the means of appeasing God's Wrath 2 Cor. 5.19 God â—as in Christ reconciling the World unto himself There is a full Ransom paid all that enter into God's Peace shall have the benefit of it 3. By him we are encouraged to come to pray for every Blessing we stand in need of Ephes. 2.18 Through him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father Liberty to approach unto God is a priviledg which we cannot enough value the Wall of Partition between God and us is broken down by Christ he hath compleatly satisfied God's Justice Heb. 10.19 He is now at the right Hand of God interceding for us 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Iesus and remaineth with God as the great Agent of the Saints Heb. 8.1 2. We have such an High Priest who is set on the right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens a Minister of the Sanctuary c. Perfuming their Prayers with the smoke of his Incense Rev. 8.3 4. And another Angel came and. stood at the Altar having a Golden Censer and there was given unto him much Incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the Golden Altar which was before the Throne And the smoke of the Incense which came with the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God out of the Angel's hand V. Mark the distinct Titles given to God and the Mediator Christ is called our Lord and God our Father Let us see what these Titles import of Lord and Father 1. Christ is represented to us as the Lord so he was set forth by the Apostles at the first preaching of the Gospel Acts 10.36 We preach Peace by Christ Iesus he is Lord of all 2 Cor. 4.5 We preach Christ Iesus the Lord. Col. 2.6 If ye have received Christ Iesus the Lord so walk in him Christ is Lord two ways 1. By that right which belongeth to him as Creator and is common and equal to him with the Father and the Spirit Surely the Creator of the World is the Soveraign of it this Right continueth still and shall continue while Man receiveth his being from God by Creation and the continuance of his being by daily preservation and providence 2. There is novum jus Dominii Imperii a new Right of Empire and Government which belongeth to him as Redeemer and this accrueth to him 1. Partly by the Donation of God Acts 2.36 Let all the House of Israel know that this Iesus whom ye have crucified is made Lord and Christ. This Office of Lord is derivative and cannot be supream but subordinate it is derived from God All Power is given to me both in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 and it is reffered to him Phil. 2.11 That every Tongue should confess that Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father The supreâ—m right of governing is still in God and sâ—bjection to him is not vacated but established and reserved 2. It is acquired by his own purchase Rom. 14 9. For this end Christ both died and rose again and revived that he might be Lord both of Dead and Living 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Ye are not you own for ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your Body and in your Spirit which are God's He had a full right in us before but this Lordship and Dominion which the Redeemer is possessed of is comfortable and beneficial to us and the end of it is to effect Man's Cure and Recovery We could not by our sin make void God's Right and
the World to come though these things be set before him in the Promises of the Gospel they leave no impression upon his heart There needeth a very quick sight to be able to look from Earth to Heaven therefore till we are enlightned by the Spirit we can have no saving knowledg of those things which pertain to the Kingdom of God or eternal Life 2. By way of Inclination the Spirit doth not only open the Eyes of our Mind but he doth also incline our hearts to mind and seek after these things as our Portion and Happiness Acts 16.14 God opened the Heart of Lydia There is an opening of our Mind and an opening of our Hearts necessary for the Wisdom of the Flesh is kneaded into our Natures and we are prepossessed and entangled with divers foolish and hurtful Lusts. Though we know these things we regard them not and therefore the Work of the Spirit is necessary to incline us earnestly to look and long and patiently to wait for Blessedness to come Gal. 5.5 For we through the Spirit wait for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith Alas otherwise we should never regard these things certainly we would not wait for them with so much patience and self-denial and solace our hearts with these Hopes in the midst of all our Labours Adversities and Troubles when all is in Expectation and so little in Possession 3. By way of Excitation he doth quicken us and comfort us by raising our Thoughts Desires and Endeavours after the promised Glory and Blessedness Rom. 15.13 Now the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in Hope through the Power of the Holy Ghost It is by his lively Impressions that this Grace is acted in us with any profit our Hope is acted and increased by his Power blessing the Promises of the Gospel to this end 2. That it is his free Gift That which moveth God to give us this Hope is his meer Love and Grace 1. The Matter of Hope is God's free undeserved Mercy The Mercy of God is every where made the great invitation of Hope to the fallen Creature Psal. 130.7 Let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord is Mercy and plenteous Redemption Without this there were no Hope for us and therefore the Saints make this their Anchor-hold Psal. 13.5 I have trusted in thy Mercy therefore my Soul shall rejoice in thy Salvation Let others trust in what they will Lord I will trust in thy Mercy This is that which maketh Hope lift up the Head Iude 21. Looking for the Mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ unto eternal Life There is our best and strongest Plea But 2. For the Grace of Hope it is the mere Fruit of the Lord's Mercy such are our undeservings and ill-deservings that nothing else could incline him to give us this Hope He was not induced by any Merits of ours which are none nor hindred by any demerits or sins of ours which were many and great only his Grace moved him to bring us under the hopes of the Gospel that we might set our selves with longing and certain expectation in the way of Holiness to seek after the eternal enjoyment of himself 1 Pet. 1.3 Of his abundant Mercy he hath begotten us to a lively Hope There were so many Provocations on our part such great privileges to be injoyed that nothing but abundant Mercy could give us this Hope II. What incouragement is this in Prayer if God hath given us good Hope through Grace 1. God would not invite and raise an Hope to disappoint it For surely the Lord will not deceive his Creature that dependeth upon his Word and therefore we are allowed to challenge him Psalm 119.49 Remember thy Word unto thy Servant on which thou hast caused me to hope The words contain a double Argument the Promise was of God's making and the Hope of his operation it is thy Word and thou hast caused me to hope his Grant in the New Covenant and his Influence by the Spirit we have a strong Tie upon him as he giveth us the Promise which is a ground of Hope surely we may put his Bonds in suit Chirographa tua tibi injiciebat Domine but when his Spirit hath caused us to hope it is not with a purpose to defeat it and therefore we may expect necessary Blessings such as are support and establishment in Holiness Sometimes God promiseth that we may believe and then promiseth again because we do believe and trust in him Isa. 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Actual Hope and Trust giveth a fresh Claim or new Interest for God will not fail a trusting Soul as a generous Man will not fail his Friend if he rely on him We count this to be the strongest Bond we can lay upon another to be mindful of us and faithful to us I wholy trust upon you Now much more will God do so when he hath sent his Work before him he will bring this Reward with him when he hath invited Hope by his Promise and caused Hope by his Spirit he will give the Mercy you hope for for he hath prepared you for it by his preventing Grace I remember the Prophet telleth God Jer. 20.7 O Lord thou hast deceived me and I was deceived words that seem to intrench upon the Honour of God Some interpret them as if they were spoken by the Prophet in a Passion others soften them by another rendring Thou hast persuaded me and I was persuaded that is to undertake the Prophetical Office to which I was nothing forward of my self and have found it more troublesome than I expected But why may not the words be spoken as a supposition If I be deceived thou hast deceived me God had told him that he would make him as a Brazen Wall and had raised a Faith and Hope in him that he would bear him out in his Work and so it signifies no more but I cannot be deceived When you have God's Word and a well-grounded Hope it is not a foolish Imagination or vain Expectation God will not deceive a poor Creature that trusts in him for necessary things such as Perseverance and Establishment in Holiness 2. He that giveth us Hope will give us all things necessary to the thing hoped for therefore when God hath called us to the Hope of Eternal Glory by Jesus Christ we may with the more confidence pray for necessary support and establishmeâ—t in the way This Argument seemeth to be urged by the Apostle 1 Pet. 5.10 The God of all Grace who called you to his Heavenly Glory by Iesus Christ afâ—er ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you God that called us to Eternal Glory foresaw the Difficulties and Troubles we should meet with by the way and therefore provideth Grace answerable which we are to sue out by Prayer Surely he that called them to
the possession of Everlasting Blessedness by the Mediator did not flatter them into a vain Hope as it will prove if he help us not Therefore he will assist us in these Difficulties and though he will not exempt us from the Conflict yet he will not deny strength When we consent to his Calling it is a sure ground to our Faith that he that hath called will give us all things necessary to our Perseverance for his Calling when it is effectual will not be in vain and to no purpose 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Iesus Christ our Lord. 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no Temptation taken you but what is common to Men but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye aâ—e able but will with the Temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it The intent of his Calling is to bring them to the possession of what he hath called them to If he would at first take us with all our Faults and put us under the Hopes of the Gospel when we were Sinners he will follow the first Grace with continual aids and supports until he hath perfected his Work and therefore when a People are sincere and willing to run all hazards for Christ God will not only give them Glory at the end of their Journey but bear their Expences by the way and therefore we need not be discouraged and say How shall we hold out God that hath given such hope as to venture upon the Difficulties will support you under them he will add more Grace to that Grace that we have received 3. They that have received good Hope through Grace have God's Nature and Promise to rest upon His Nature as he is a gracious God and his Promise as he is a faithful God 1. His Nature as he is a God merciful and gracious That former Experience doth fully manifest he is sufficiently inclined to do us good and therefore will not fail us in our Necessities He hath ever born us good Will never discovered any backwardness to help us thought of us before the World was sent his Son to die for us before we were born or had a being in the World called us when we were unworthy warned us of our Danger when we did not fear it offered Happiness to us when we had no thought of it And lest we should turn our backs upon it followed us with an earnest and uncessant importunity till we came to anxious Thoughts about Christ and began to make it our Business to seek after it by the secret drawings of his Spirit inclined us to chuse him for our Portion and to rejoice in the Hope 's offered How many Contradictions and struglings of Heart were we conscious to e're we were brought to this Ever since he hath bin tender of us in the whole conduct of his Providence afflicted us when we needed it delivered us when we were ready to sink hath pardoned our Failings visited us in Ordinances supported us in Doubts helped us in Temptations and is still mindful of us at every turn as if he would not lose us and shall not we hope in him to the last We may reason as they Iudges 13.23 If the Lord had a mind to destroy us he would not have received a Sacrifice at our hands And so if God had no mind to save us he would not use such Methods of Grace about us 2. His promise so that we must trust his faithfulness after we come under the Hopes of the Gospel There are two great Promises to support us His Presence with us in the midst of our Afflictions and our being ever present with the Lord in Eternal Glory This is that we have hope of all the difficulty is How far God hath promised his Presence with us Certainly he hath promised it Psal. 91.15 I will be with them in troubles And again I will be with them in Fire and Water And again certain it is That God is most with his afflicted People as the Mother keepeth most with the sick Child or the blood runneth to comfort the wounded part And again that he will never leave us to unsupportable Difficulties Heb. 13.5 I will never leave you nor forsake you a negative Gradation And besides there is a general Promise though the Particulars be 〈◊〉 absolutely made certain to us namely that all shall work together for good Rom. 8.28 That giveth us but a probability of Health and outward Protection and Deliverance of a ready support in every Temptation because we are uncertain how far they are for our good but for necessary Grace to our Preservation there is express provision in the Covenant Ier. 32.40 I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good c. 4. It giveth us incouragement in Prayer beacuse they that have this Hope are so much expos'd to the scorn of the World because they trust in an Invisible God and look for all their Recompence in a World to come They think Christians are a company of credulous Fools that please themselves with Dreams and Fancies Psal. 22.7 8. They laugh me to scorn because they say he trusted in the Lord. 1 Tim. 4.10 We therefore labour and suffer Reproach because we trust in the living God Christians thought their Reward sure and therefore endured all things but Atheists and Infidels scoff at them and at all their Comforts as Fanatical Illusions and persecute them Therefore God is in point of Honour engaged to stand by them and to justify their Hope and Trust not always by Temporal Deliverance but by Spiritual Suppoâ—â— and Establishment That it may be seen tâ—â—â—e is a Spirit of God and Glory resteth upon them that is glorified by him however he be evil spoken of in the World 1 Pet. 4.14 God will do so in condescention to his People Nothing goeth so near their Hearts as a disappointment of their Hope in God It is a mighty damp to their Spirits when God doth as it were spit in their Faces and reject their Prayers Psal. 25.2 Oh my God! I trust in thee let me not â—e ashamed At such times the Lord seemeth to countenance the slanders of their Enemies and to cover their faces with shame Vse 1. To persuade you to get this Hope of Eternal Life wrought in your hearts 1. This is the Characteristic and Note of Difference betwixt God's People and others By this we are distinguished from Pagans who are described to be such as have no hope and without God in the World Ephes. 2.12 And 1 Thess. 4.13 Sorrow not as them without hope But Christians are such as have good Hope through Grace and by this we are distinguished from temporary and slight Believers Heb. 3.6 His House we are if we hold fast the confidence and rejoycing of Hope firm unto the end So also Ver. 14. If
we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end Their Hope is slight and fluid the Temporary loseth his Joy and Comfort which he conceived in the offers of the Gospel and so either casts off the profession of Godliness or neglecteth the Power and Practice of it But the true Christian is Serious Patient Heavenly and Holy because he is alway looking to his End and sweetneth his Work by his great Hope keepeth up his Taste or lively expectation of the Mercy of Christ to everlasting Life Nay this differenceth the Children of God those that are in their Conflict from those that are in their Triumph the Sanctified and Glorified those that are in their Way and those that are at Home They that are at Home are enjoying what we expect and in posseâ—â—ion of that Supreme Good that we yet hope for they have neither Miseries to fear nor Blessings to desire beyond what they do enjoy they see what they love and possess what they see But the time of our Advancement is not yet come and therefore we can only look and long for it this is our Work and present Happiness 2. Now the Covenant of God is contrived to raise Hope in us The Iachin and Boaz the two Pillars that support it are Mercy and Truth Micah 7.20 Thou wilt perform the Truth to Jacob and tâ—e Mercy to Abraham Psal. 25.10 All the Paths of the Lord â—re Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and his Testimonies And Psal. 138.2 I will praise the Name for thy loving Kindness and Truth For thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name And in many other Scriptures 1. The Mercy and Grace of the Covenant 1. In the frame of it where excellent Benefits are dispensed upon free Terms that our Faith and Hope may be in God the Lord would not leave the sinful Creature under Despair but hath provided a way how we may be Râ—conciled and Glorified Psal. 130.4 There is forgiveness with thee that thou mayst be feared Mercy opens the Door for us the very offer speaks much Mercy the terms are Mercy So much Duty is required as is necessary and doth arise from the nature of the thing Violence would be offered to the Reason of a serious Creature if such things were not required 2. In the dispensations of thâ— Blessings of the Covenant Now Gal. 6.16 To as many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy and on the Israel of God There are many Infirmities and Fraâ—lties but God passeth them by when there is Sincerity Our Faith is weak and mingled with Doubtings our Love to God clogged with much inordinate Self-love our Obedience often interrupted Too much deadness and coldness in holy Things yet these do not cast us out of the favour of God nor make void our Interest in the Covenant where the Heart for the main is set to serve him and please him Mal. 3.17 I will spare them as a Man spareth his own Son that â—erveth him 3. At the very close of all it is Grace Hope unto the end for the Grace that is brought unto you at the Revelation of Christ 1 Pet. 1.13 Then there will be the fullest and largest Manifestation of God's Love and free Grace There is Grace brought to us now by the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the Gospel but when his Person shall be revealed Grace shall be seen in all its Graciousness We see his Grace in the pardon of Sins and that measure of Sanctification which now we attain unto that he is pleased to pass by our Offences and take us into his Family and give us right to his Heavenly Kingdom and some taste of his Love and remote Service But when Pardon shall be pronounced by the Judge's Mouth when he shall take us not only into his Family but into his Palace and Father's House and give us not Right only but Possession and we shall be admitted to the immediate Vision and Fruition of God and be everlastingly imployed in Heavenly Praising and delighting in him then Grace will be Grace indeed 2. His Truth and Mercy openeth the Door for us Truth keepeth it open Mercy is the Pipe Truth is the conveyance Now God bindeth himself by Promise and hath ever been tender of his Word We may see for the present that a Covenant-Interest is no fruitless thing he hath confirmed this Hope to the World by Miracles to us within the Church by the Seal and earnest of his Spirit or the impression of his Image preparing the Hearts of the Faithful for this blessed Estate Ephes. 4.30 Grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the Day of Redemption 2 Cor. 5.5 Who hath given us the earnest of his Spirit He hath appointed Ordinances to revive our Hopes 1 Cor. 11.26 For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lord's Death till he come By daily experience we see many of God's Children have gone out of the World chearfully professing this Hope we have the same Father of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named Ephes. 3.15 are reconciled to him by the same Christ. Col. 1.20 Having made peace through the Blood of the Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself by him I say whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven If he be so good to that part of the Family that is now in Heaven he will be good to them also that are working out their Salvation with fear and trembling 3. What an advantage is it to the Spiritual Life to have good Hope wrought in us through Grace 1. It maketh us diligent and Serious Christianity implieth a serious application of our Heart and Mind to do what Christ requireth that we may obtain what he hath offered to do it as our first work and chief business Phil. 2.12 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling Heb. 4.1 Let us labour to enter into that rest That is imply our utmost care and diligence Now all the Executive Powers are fortified and strengthened in their Operation by Hope 2. To be Patient and Mortified that we subdue our Lusts and bear the loss of our Interests with an humble and quiet Mind Rom. 12.12 Patient in Tribulation rejoycing in Hope And for Lusts 1 John 3.3 He that hath this Hope purifieth himself even as he is Pure 3. To be Heavenly and Holy the one respects our End the other our Race For it is not a few dead lifeless Thoughts now and then but the continual and delightful fore-sight of Eternal Bliss What is the way to Heaven but Hope And who more pure and holy than they that look for such things 2 Pet. 3.14 Wherefore Belâ—ved seeing ye look for such things be diligent that ye be found of him in peace without spot and blameless Vse 2. Well then get this Hope But what must we do You will say It is God's Gift Yet
you are bound to use the means 1. Remove the Impediments 1 Pet. 1.13 Be sober and hope to the end Draw off the Affections from Carnal Vanities and the delights of the Senses and consider what God offereth to you in the Gospel there can be no certain and desirous expectation of better things while the Mind and Heart is so occupied and thronged with Vanity and deadned by Carnal Satisfaction 2. Wait on all the opportunities of Profiting and use the known means of Grace more conscionably Certain it iâ— that the grace of Hope is of God not acquired but infused but God will bless his own Means The propounding of the Object the offering of the solid Grounds maketâ— way for the infusing of the Grace Tit. 1.1 2. Paul was the Apostle to bring them to the acknowledgment of the Truth for the hope of Eternal Life And it is called the Hope of the Gospel Col. 1.23 bâ—â—â—â—se it is wroâ—ght by the Preaching of the Gospel SERMON XVII 2 Thess. 2.17 Comfort your Hearts and stablish you in every good Word and Work WE come now Thirdly to the Prayer it self He asketh two Benefits 1. Comfort 2. Establishment First Comfort Comfort your Hearts But why doth the Apostle pray for that which they had already He had told them in the former Verse That God had given them everlasting Consolation and now he prayeth that God would comfort them The Answer given by some is That he prayeth that God would give them an increase of Comfort By others That God would give them the continuance of it Rather by everlasting Consolation is meant the solid matter of Comfort by his Prayer now the effectual Application of it For though sufficient matter of Comfort be provided for us yet God must powerfully apply it The Gospel is a soveraign Plaister yet God's Hand must make it stick Observe here Doct. 1. That all true and solid and heart-Comfort is of God He is called the Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort 2 Cor. 1.3 And again The God of Patience and Consolation Rom. 15.5 His Spirit taketh an Office upon him to accomplish this Effect in us therefore called the Comforter 1. I shall enquire what Comfort is 2. Shew why it is of God 3. What Advantage we have thereby I. What Comfort is Three thiâ—gs are to be Explained 1. Comfort 2. Comforting 3. In what sence it is of God II. What Comfort is We call Two things by that Name 1. Our natural Refreshment 2. Our support in Troubles 1. Our natural Refreshment or the benefit that we have by the Creatures for the support of Nature We cannot enjoy our Temporal Mercies with any delight and pleasure without God's leave and Blessing As to eat and drink with Comfort that the Soul may enjoy good by its Labour In one place it is said it is by the Hand of God Eccles. 2.24 In another place it is said to be the Gift of God Eccles. 3.13 It is by his Power and his Grace that the Comfort of the Creature is not in Man's Hands but God's Nor can the Creature yield to us any Comfort without his Gift or Grant And because of our forfeiture by Sin we have neither these Mercies from our selves nor the use nor the natural benefit from the bare Creature which is Health Strength and Chearfulness All Goodness resideth chiefly in God and it is to be found in the Creatures only by Participation and that at his Pleasure Acts 14.17 He gave us Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons filling our Hearts with Food and Gladness That is the comfortable use of Food We must still look to the Giver But the Apostle here doth not speak of the Comfort of the Creatures but the Comfort of the Scriptures not the supply of the Body but the support of the Soul 2. Comfort is taken for Support in Troubles The Thessalonians were now under great Persecutions Comfort is a strengthening of the Mind when it is in danger to be weakened by Fears and Sorrows or the strength and stay of the Heart in Trouble Psal. 119.50 This is my Comfort in my Afflictions thy Word hath quickned me And 2 Cor. 1.4 Who comforteth us in all our Tribulations that we may be able to comfort them which are in any Trouble by the Comfort wherewith we are comforted of God As Cordials are for a Fainting-time so are Comforts for a time of Afflictions Indeed Spiritual Comfort is never out of Season because we are now in the House of our Pilgrimage and our chief Good is at a distance from us And because of the labours and difficulties of the Spiritual Life Therefore it is said Acts 9.31 When the Churches had rest thâ—y walked in the fear of God and the Comforts of the Holy Ghost But the great need of Comfort is in our Afflictions therefore here I shall shew Three things 1. That God can give his People Comfort in the greatest Tribulation His Favour is enough to support them against the Frowns of all the World Isa. 51.12 I even I am he that comforteth thee Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of Man that shall die and the Son of Man that shall be made as the Grass As long as we have the Almighty and Immortal God to stand by us and tâ—e Promise of Eternal Life it will counterballance all our Trouble Rom. 5.2 3. We rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God And not only so but we glory in Tribulations Also 2 Cor. 4.17 This light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and â—ternal weight of Glory There is everlasting joy against a heaviness for a Season and everlasting ease and rest against a little present pain there is enough to out-weigh all that we can suffer for and from God So the pardon of Sin Isa. 40.1 2. Comfort ye comfort ye my People saith my God Why Because her Iniquity is pardoned Matth. 9.2 Be of good cheer thy Sin is forgiven thee Here is sound Comfort the Sting of all our Troubles is taken away Well then This the People of God have to support them in all their Tribulation They can set God against the Creature Heaven against Earth Pardon of Sins against all the bitterness they meet with in the World 2. That there is a special allowance of Comfort for God's Children in their Afflictions The Lord is more tender of his People then when they want Comfort than at another time they have a more plentiful measure of the supporting Operations of his Spirit then As 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you As the Mother keepeth most with the sick Child so God looketh to the Afflicted This is the difference between God and the World The World ever runneth most after those that are Prosperous and flourish and rejoyce as Rivers into the Sea where there is Water enough but forsaketh