far as the Soul is sanctifyed in this Life and compleated to a perfect Man in Heaven It is say Divines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Spiritual Chain wherein all Vertues and Graces are linked concreated with Adam infused into the Christian in this New Creation whereby he hath a power to act as a Christian in this lower World in all Christian Exercises that God in his Word calls him to Four Heads I shall reduce these Tryals of the New Creature to Viz. 1. The Preparatives to it 2. The Parts of it 3. The Properties thereof 4. The Effects and Fruits of it Had I time and room these might be largely insisted upon A Touch of each 1. For the Preparatives or Antecedents that lead to the New Creature not that the Creature can prepare himself for it but the same God that makes it doth something on the Soul to usher it in as the Chaos and Darkness was before the beautiful Fabrick of the World so God works 1. Sence of Sin Wrath and the undone estate the Soul is in this is a New York for formerly the Sinner neiâ—her felt nor feared Evil but thought his State as good as any Bodies doubted not his own Salvation now a Spirit of bondage to fear Rom. 8.5 hath seized on him He is shut up as a Sheep for the Slaughter Gal. 3.22 23 24. The Law is a severe Schoolmaster and worketh Wrath Rom. 8.15 Now the Sinner crys Wo is me I am undone I never thought I had been in this miserable state I see I am a condemned Malefactor at the dreadful Bar of a Sin-revenging Judge my Mouth is stopt I have not a Word to say for my self why Sentence should not be executed upon me Wo is me I am likely to perish for ever 2. A discovery of his helpless state he himself cannot help or deliver himself the whole World cannot it s not within the power of Men or Angels to bring any Relief to his forlorn perishing Soul I am saith the poor Sinner helpless fatherless Hos 14.13 Succourless I am without strength in me dwells no good thing Rom. 5.6 7 18. I could provoke God but I cannot please him Heaven is shut against me and I have no Key to open it Hell gapes for me and I know not how to escape it I hang over Flames I lie in Chains and all the World cannot break them Silver and Gold will not redeem me 1 Pet. 1.18 Great men are vanity good men have no Oyl to spare Matth. 25.9 It I sate upon a Prince's Throne I could not purchase or command a Pardon The redemption of the Soul is precious it ceaseth for ever Psal 49.7 My case grows worse and worse 3. A serious Enquiry after a Remedy when the poor Sinner is thus puzzled and non-plust and knows not which way to turn himself then he begins to ask new Questions not as he was wont Who will shew me any good Psal 4.6 of worldly advantage no but his Tune is turned now he cries Men and Brethren what shall I do Acts 23.16 30. Oh Sirs What shall I do to be saved Oh you Ministers Christian Friends did you ever know any case like mine Is it possible that ever I should find Mercy Is not the Day of Grace past I fear I have committed the Sin against the Holy Ghost Wo is me what Course shall I take I see nothing but bare Walls at home Is there Relief to be found for a poor pining Soul Tell me O tell me what Door I must knock at and how I must knock that I may speed 4. Sad thoughts of heart upon discovery of the Remedy Oh saith the poor Sinner you tell me God is a merciful God forgiving iniquity transgression and sin Exod. 34.6 7. But I spy one Red Letter in his Name that will by no means clear the Guilty Now I am guilty and I have read that the Arms of Justice and Mercy are of equal length both infinite how must Justice be satisfied I am sure not by me in my own Person Well the Gospel tells the Sinner that the Wards of the Lock are changed this Chancery will relieve the condemned Sinner Christ in our room hath suffered and satisfied Justice for us Isa 54.5.1 Pet. 2.24 Yea faith the Soul but how shall I have Interest therein It s answered By Faith Alas saith the Sinner I am but where I was I can no more believe then I can keep the whole Law Oh this unbelieving Heart kills me binds me over to Wrath still I would believe but I cannot my Faith is but Unbelief Mark 9.24 I thought believing was the easiest thing in the World now the Spirit hath convinced me I neither do nor can believe without an Almighty Power John 16.8 Eph. 1.19 I would give all the World that I could believe 5. Obstructions are at last removed a stubborn Will by Grace is made willing in the Day of God's Power Psal 110.3 Now Prejudices are removed though a Nathaniel say Can there any good come out of Nazareth John 1.46 49. Yet if he come and see he will believe This was the Woman of Samaria's case John 49.19 Alas faith the Soul I have been foolish and ready to pick Quarrels at God's way of justifying and saving poor Sinners and said of the Gospel-Dispensation how can these things be But I am at last satisfied that a Revelation from God is not only authentick but most rational but yet I have within me strange Imaginations and high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God Well God comes with his Spiritual Weapons and pulls down these strong holds dismounts the Sinner's carnal Confidence and levels these high Mountains of Opposition leads captivity captive 2 Cor. 10.45 And now the Sinner is content that God should take his own method in justifying and saving a Sinner by the Merits of Christ without the least respect to any worthiness in him and there 's much ado to bring the proud Heart to this to forego his own Righteousness 6. Restlesness of Spirit in its present state the Sinner is now heavy laden Matth. 11.28 must have rest somewhere but can enjoy no rest in a sinful state There 's no Peace faith my God to the Wicked Isa 57.21 This is not a state to be rested in faith the trembling Soul I am got off all bottoms I see my old unregenerate state hopeless and deplorable yet I fear I am not centred and anchored on Christ the Rock of Ages Wo is me I am fluctuating on the Waves betwixt Hope and Despair I fear the issue sometimes I spy the Day-break but Clouds and Darkness overwhelm me again however I am not content with these poor Husks of the World in my Christless state in a far Country I will arise and go to my Father Luke 15.17 In this tumultuous Sea I find no bottom for the Sole of my Foot I must make to Ship or Shore none but Christ none but Christ let me have him though with
Being so by this Work of Grace Old things are past away and all things become new But of this more hereafter Qu. 2. What 's meant by New Ans 1. New in Scripture-language signifies 1. Another distinct and different from what was before So Exod. 1.8 There arose a new King over Aegypt i. e. another Thus this New Creature is distinct from the former as Caleb is said to have another Spirit Numb 14.24 i. e different and of another Nature than the rest of the Spyes yea what he himself formerly had Thus it is with the Convert 2. New signifies Strange not heard of before Numb 16.30 If the Lord make a new thing if the Earth open her Mouth an unheard of Wonder a Prodigy never known before So say they What new Doctrine is this thou bringest strange things to our Ears Acts 17.19 20. Thus the Work of Regeneration was strange even to a great Doctor among the Jews Job 3.34 3. New signifies something secret hidden not easily discerned or not manifest to all Isa 48.6 I have shewed thee new things from this time even hidden things And this work of the New Creature is much hid from the Eyes of others and sometimes kept secret from a man 's own observation Job 11.6 That he would shew thee the secrets of Wisdom And David saith In the hidden part thou shalt make me to know Wisdom Psal 51.6 4. New imports something excellent transcendent admirable Psal 33.3 Sing unto him a new Song Psal 42.10 Sing unto the Lord a new Song i. e. an excellent Song of the very best you can attain to Even so this is the chief of God's Works in the world and renders the Righteous more excellent then his Neighbour and a man of understanding is of an excellent Spirit Prov. 12.26 ch 17.27 The Text being thus opened I shall deduce an Observation relating to the preceeding Words of the Text Circumcision avails nothing nor Uncircumcision in this New Testament-Dispensation by Christ What is it it then that avails The Answer is The New Creature this indeed is available So this is set in contradistinction to the forementioned Privileges comprehended under this word Circumcision Doctrine 2. That a New Creature is only and every way available to the Souls of Men. Nothing else can avail any thing to mens Eternal Salvation but a New Creature and this is very available Understand this of things of this kind or nature for a New Creature must not be set in competition with the Eternal Love of God or Blood of Christ or sanctifying Operations of the Holy Spirit for application of Christ's purchaces to us A New Creature is but a Creature and cannot do the Work of the Infinite God who hath appropriated Salvation-Work to himself There is no Saviour besides me where is any other that may save them Hos 13.4.10 It is not any thing done by Man nor wrought in man that can save him from divine Wrath or advance him to Heaven No the Lord justifies sanctifies glorifies by Christ All the Causes of man's Salvation are without him Eph. 1.4 9. 1st There 's the Efficient Cause God's chusing us 2dly The Material Cause Christ's redeeming us 3dly The Formal the good pleasure of his Will 4thly The Final the praise of God's glorious Grace So then we do not put this New Creature in God's room as any cause at all of our Happiness but a necessary Qualification Disposition to which Salvation is annexed or as the Apostle phraseth it that which accompanieth Salvation Heb. 6.9 Things that accompany Salvation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that have Salvation i. e. commprehend it are contiguous to it touch it have Happiness annexed to it by the indispensible connexion of Grace and Glory by Covenant-Promise But more of this hereafter In the prosecution of this Doctrine I shall speak to these 4 Things in the Doctrinal part of it Viz. 1. Shew what this New Creature is 2. Why it is so called 3. Wherein it is available 4. Answer some Queries about it and so apply it 1. What is this New Creature Answer In opening this I shall explain These 2 things 1. The Names given to it 2. The Nature of it 1. For the Names or Titles given to this New Creature which are synonymous Expressions holding forth the same thing for Substance are such as these 1st It s called the forming of Christ in the womb of a Man's Heart Gal. 4.9 My little Children of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you Full glad would I be to see this blessed Embryo teamed in your Hearts 2dly It s called quickening Ephes 2.1 And you hath he quickned who were dead-in trespasses and sins Alas what dull Stocks and Lumps of Sin are we till animated with the spirit of Grace and quickned by a vital principle And this is done with Christ vers 5. by his Resurrection 3dly It s called Parturition or bringing forth by spiritual pangs of Soul-travail New Birth John 3.3 Verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Convicting Grace brings a lively and lovely Offspring into the World better than the product of Nature 4thly Such Converts are compared to little Children Mal. 18.3 Verily I say unto you except you be converted and become as little Children you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven i. e. You must needs have the Qualities and Dispositions both of Infants and bigger Children 5thly This work of God on the Soul is called a dying with Christ and a rising again with him Rom. 5.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his Death we shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection Col. 3.1 All real Christians are risen with Christ hence it is called the first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 As if they were newly brought out of their Graves that had been long dead and useless 6thly It s called the Image of God on Souls Col. 3.10 And have put on the New Man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him Eph. 4.24 The new man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness This new Creature is a blessed Resemblance of the Trinity of Persons in the renewing of the Mind Will and Affections conform to God 7thly It is called the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises that by these you might be partakers of the Divine Nature i.e. Of those Divine Qualities whereby the Soul resembles God not only as a Picture doth a Man in outward Lineaments but as a Child doth his Father both in countenance and condition As the noble Qualities of an Immortal Soul shew there is a God so the renewed Faculties shew what that one God is But more of this hereafter Thus for the Names of this New Creature most of which are figurative Expressions denoting this same thing we are now treating of 2. For the
21.23 Qu. What Use will Heavens and Earth be then of Answ As an Everlasting Monument of God's Power Wisdom and Goodness and possibly righteous Men shall dwell in this New Heaven and Earth and contemplate God in his glorious Works 2 Pet. 3.13 so Righteous is taken for Persons Isa 1.21 That New World shall be possessed only by Saints no Sinners with them Now if we apply all this to this New Creation whereof we are treating it will exactly square thereto Grace shall continue He that doth the will of God shall abide for ever â— John 2.17 This Principle is an immortal Seed and shall be cleansed from all Dregs of Sin and the Fruits thereof and the Spirits of Just Men shall be made perfect Heb. 12.23 Yea their Bodies shall be made like unto the glorious Body of our Lord Jesus Phil. 3.21 And though they may pass through the Fire 1 Cor. 3.13 not of Popish Purgatory of affliction or of the Spirit 's refining yet they shall lose nothing but Dross and shall come forth as Gold Thus I have run a Parallel betwixt the Old Creation and the New But this New Creation is 1. Better 2. More difficult then the Old 1. It s better though the first was perfect in its kind yet this is a more excellent Workmanship being of a more pure refined spiritual Nature and repairs what was decayed in the Old and brought about with more transcendent Love and Good will and hath a tendency to an Everlasting Concernment of precious Souls in the other world But of this more anon 2. This is a Creation in some respects more difficult then the former was This may seem a Paradox that the framing of this new Creation in the Heart of a Sinner is a greater work and of more difficulty then that of making this great Universe Heaven and Earth mistake not this difficulty is not respectu Dei fed rei not in respect of God's Omnipotency to whom all thing are possible and easie but with respect to the thing it self and our consideration of it thâ— appears to our apprehension in these four Respects 1. When God made the World he met with no opposition he Spake the Word and noâ— said no to it by contradiction But in this Neâ— Creation the World the Devil and Corruption within opposes this work sometimes custer in Sin however the Carnal mind is enmity it sâ— against God and fights against him Rom. 8.7 2. When God make the World it cost hiâ— but the speaking of a Word as was said bâ— in order to this New Creation it cost him dear even the giving of his own Son to become Man to live a Life of Sorrow to endure the painful shameful cursed Death of the Cross that Sinners might be reconciled to God and become like God 3. When God made the world he needed no nor used any Instruments in order to the effecting that Work But in this of the New Creation he sends Ministers labouring travelling and long waiting on Sinners to work on mens Hearts he chose Men like themselves endue them with Gifts gives them Compassionate Hearts weeping beseeching with earnest Intreaties to come in yet that will not do except the Spirit strive and prevail 4. When God made the World all was finished in Six Days Heaven and Earth were finished Gen. 2.1 And all the Host of them needed not a second hand to compleat them But he is carrying on this work of the New Creation many Years the whole Life of the Christian if he live a hundred Years it will be still defective in point of degree and never compleat till the Soul be landed in Heaven Chap. IV. Wherein the New Creature is available to Souls THe third main Head in the Doctrinal part is to demonstrate wherein this New Creature is only and every way available to the Souls of men And here lest I be mistaken I must premise two Caveats by way of exception the first refers to the Kind the second to the End of this availableness 1. For the Kind we must beware how we put the New Creature in the room of Christ it is not so available as our blessed Lord Jesus is who is the only Foundation on which the Church is built 1 Cor. 3.10 And able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7.25 No Creature must be set up in competition with him for there 's no Salvation in any other Acts 4.12 And herein I am afraid the Quakers are guilty of a gross Heresie who call us from a Christ without us to a Christ within us yea it hath been a dispute in the Plantation called Pensilvania whether we must believe only in a Christ within us or a Christ both within and without us and it was carried mostly in the former Sence But let no man be drawn from placing his intire confidence in Christ the Son of God both God and Man in one Person who suffered Death on the Cross to make attonement for Sinners and now sits on the right hand of God to make intercession for us 2. If by a Christ within they mean that called Light within either Free will or Natural Conscience or a power to help our selves without special Grace it s an exploded Error and it 's to be feared the Jesuits deliver their Popish stuff out of these mens Mouths with refined Language 3. If by Christ within be meant Christ's Person in the Believer that he is Christed or Goded 't is blasphemy 4. If by this expression Christ within us the hope of glory Col. 1.27 or Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 It is as the Sun is in the House when the Beams or Rays thereof shine into it So Christ dwells in Souls by his Spirit Rom. 8.9 and its Graces and this is that which is called the New Creature and this is but a Creature and a weak one full of imperfections it s a Vein of Gold embased with Earth and dross not to be trusted to The Bride may highly prize her Husband's Picture if like him and drawn by his Hand but it is ridiculous to dote on that and slight her Husband and when she wants Money or Clothes to go not to her Husband for them but to his Picture Surely our Lord will not take it well if men honour his Image to the dishonour of his Person the Original is one thing the Copy is another Christ the object of our Faith and Grace and the Fruit of his Spirit are different Grace in the Heart is not so available as Christ in Heaven Let every thing have its due place 2. That which refers to the End is this Negative that the New Creature is not ordained to have a direct tendency to the justification of a Sinner God did not appoint it for that End That is Faith in Christ Rom. 3.20 21 22. in his Blood Merits and Satisfaction to Divine Justice apprehended by Faith alone And this excludes not only Man's merits but any gracious Habits wrought in man
wallow in all Sensuality and Immorality without controul or remorse and glory in their shame Phil. 3.19 5thly Proud contentious revengeful hateful hating all about them Tit. 3.3 That evidently manifest the Fruits or Works of the Flesh Gal. 5.19 20. in bitter Revilings Suits at Law Variance about Trifles 6thly Covetous griping Muck-worms that make Gain their Godliness Gold their God Col. 3.5 These are Idolaters that are hard-hearted to the poor but please themselves with worldly Enjoyments Luk. 12.20 7thly Swearers prophane Takers of thâ— Name of God in vain foolish Talkers Jesters Lyars Eph. 5.4 5. think their Tongues aâ— their own and they may say what they list 8thly Neglecters of God's worship publick private secret never call on God except by horrid Imprecations yea that think it 's in vain to serve God Mal. 3.14 and hate such as do Such flagitious Offenders there are in the World yea in England that make a Scoff at the Name of the Spirit and Grace of Christ and will own no Regeneration but what they imagine they received in Baptism which yet they grosly contradict as if they would scorn and run counter to the Bible-Religion and Morality it self these profligate Wretches I remit to the righteous Judgment of the Great God because I have little hopes they will read such plain Treatises or hear any powerful Preachers and so are out of the Road of ordinary means of Grace or hopes of Good 2. But those I have at present to deal with are Pretenders and but meer Pretenders to this New Creation that have something like it but it will not prove the New Creature but a dead Carcase a lifeless Image of it Many of our constant diligent Attenders on all Ordinances are apt to say I thank God I hope I am a New Creature To which I Answer It 's well if it prove so but the Apostle saith Not he that commendeth himself is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10.18 And Solomon saith There is a way which seemeth right unto a man but the End thereof are the ways of Death Prov. 14.12 But Persons had need to beware taking Counters for Gold Pebbles for Pearls there 's much counterfeit Ware passeth for current Coin now adays May not an Angel be hang'd for a Sign when the Devil is within Are not many Professors like the Pharisees painted Sepulchers that appear Fair but within are full of Rottenness and dead mens Bones Matth. 23.27 28. Like a Golden Saddle stuff'd with Straw or Apothecaries Boxes with specious Titles but empty of useful Drugs So 't is said Aliud in titulo aliud in pyxide a specious Title but nothing within of what is promised Alas how many Professors have we known histrionically acting the part of Kings on the Stage that were Beggars in Rags when divested of their gilded Robes of a glorious Profession How many have the Complexion but not the Constitution of Saints one calls them deaf Nuts another Apples of Sodom a third Cockles and Darnel that make a fairer show then good Wheat but must be cast out There were some of Old that desired to make a fair shew in the Flesh Gal. 6.12 but are like vapouring Trades-men that bear big to gain Credit but if search'd into possibly not worth a Groat when their Debts are paid Such there always have been and it s well if the World be mended I shall briefly propound and Answer the Pleas that may make for their pretence 1st Plea I have heard that the New Creature consists in Knowledge and I thank God that hath given me a large share of that Answ We know that we all have knowledge 1 Cor. 8.1 Tit. 1.16 What kind of knowledge is yours Devils have more knowledge then you yet are not nor ever can be New Creatures a Toad hath a Pearl in its Head Poyson in it's Body thousands go knowingly to Hell and the more knowledge without Grace the more torment Luk. 12.47 2d Plea But I believe the Revelations of God give credit to the Gospel I can say the Creed am Orthodox no Heretick Answ That 's well so far but read Rom. 2.17 to ver 25. What canst thou say of thy self more then this professing Jew that rested in the Law made his boast of God approved of things more excellent who yet was condemned as a perfidious self-contradicting God-dishonouring wretch but thou believest so doth the Devil believe and tremble James 2.19 Thou mayst have an Orthodox Head and Heterodox Feet 3d. Plea I am come of Religious Parents that improved pleaded the Covenant for me trained me up in the Fear of God Answ John Baptist anticipates this Plea Mat. 3.9 Think not to say in your Hearts We have Abraham to our Father Matth. 8.12 The Children of the Kingdom may be cast into utter Darkness Alas Parental Privileges without Parents Principles signifie nothing Let our Lord Christ who will be Judge answer this vain Plea John 8 33-44 This may aggravate your Sin never save your Souls without Personal Piety 4th Plea I have made a credible Profession of my Faith am Baptized am admitted to the Lord's Supper joyn with God's People Answ So did Simon Magus believe professed his Faith was Baptized Acts 8 13.20-23 deceiv'd the purest Church on Earth for he proved a rotten Hypocrite so did Judas so did he that wanted the Wedding Garment Matth. 22.12 And how easie it is to cast a Mist before the Eyes of fallible men daily experience testifies See an Instance of some that partake of extraordinary Privileges Ordinances yet rejected 1 Cor. 10.5 5th Plea Yea but I am not only admitted but continue long with them hold up Society with them in publick private Exercises Answ So did the Foolish Virgins accompany the Wise till the last Hour with shining Lamps and when the Bridegroom came they all trimed their Lamps but at last it was found they had no Oyl in their Vessels and so were shut out see Matth. 25 1-12 And do you not read of some that pertinaciously maintain their Plea to the very last when the Door is shut and still begin to say We have eat and drunk in thy presence Luke 13.25 26 27. 6th Plea But I have had great Convictions of Conscience for the evil of Sin Justice of God these sure were pangs of the New Birth Answ Cain had these legal terrors yet was naught so had Saul so Judas yea Felix trembled upon Paul's preaching Acts 24.25 And all these were but as praejudicium judicij foretastes of that horrible Vengeance in the other World Some Sinners have a fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation Heb. 10.27 Oh look to your coming out of your Horrors of Conscience see you close with Christ 7th Plea Yes I have had strong perswasions in my Breast to close with Christ and do take him by Faith to be my Saviour Answ An almost Perswasion is one thing and a thorough Resolution is another Acts 26.27 28. Some barter but buy not
hid with Christ in God Acts 3.3 You know not what they do in Corners much less do you know their Consciences take heed of rash judgment you know neither their best nor their worst there 's a Vail upon the face of their Souls there is an hidden man of the heart which is invisible to the Eyes of Spectators and if these gracious Souls should open their Experiences to you you would judge them Paradoxes Riddles or meer Enthusiasms Wisdom is too high for a Fool learned Nicodemus hath odd and aukard Conceptions of the New Birth John 3.4 The natural man knoweth not the things of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.14 If you had new Eyes you would be fitter to judge of things that differ Suspend your Censures call not them Hypocrites whom God will own for Children a blind man is not fit to judge of distinct Colours 2. It s true all are Sinners yet there 's a vast difference of Sinners 1 John 3 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth not work sin he makes not sinning his trade his business is to walk in the Ways of God and if he be overtaken with a fault Gal. 6.1 he discovers it mourns for it riseth out of his Falls by Repentance he hates Sin more becomes more watchful and jealous of himself prays desires strength from Christ to crucifie the Flesh and Sin hath not dominion over him Gal. 5.24 Rom. 6.14 but he makes progress in Mortification and ordinarily this Child of God doth not fall into any gross and scandalous Sin or if at any time God do's suffer him to fall foully in Judgment to a wicked World yet it costs him dear it may be broken Bones as it did David and God can heal his Backslidings and make him more humble after however there 's a vast difference betwixt a Sheep stepping into the Mire and a Swine wallowing in the Mire Some are and some are not the Spots of God's Children Deut. 32.6 You have more need to judge your selves then censure others to be Hypocrites Hear what Reverend Mr. Hildersham saith in this case What some say of Professors these Gadders after Sermons Hild. on Psal 51. pag. 642 these holy Brethren that stand so much upon Sincerity can abide nothing that savours of Popery these precise Fools must be Singular forsooth dare not Swear they are no better than Hypocrites He Answers tho' these things be found in some Hypocrites yet they are no Signs to know an Hypocrite by nor are they Hypocrites that do thus thou that scornest a Man for this bewrayest the Prophaneness of thy own Heart and openest thy Mouth against Heaven Psal 73.9 6th Obj. You told us this Work is Creation-Work Can a Man create himself Sure it s not in the power of a dead man to make himself alive So you said Sinners are dead this is the Work of Omnipotency God must do all Alas what can Man do of himself Answ 1. You are not naturally dead tho' spiritually dead yet you are alive God hath given you rational Souls Faculties capable of knowing loving and enjoying God you are not senseless Stocks or Stones nor meer Brutes there is in you a remote aptitude if not a present promptness to receive Grace you have the noble Faculty of a self-reflecting Conscience that is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the Belly Prov. 20.27 It can discover moral Good and Evil yea it can excuse or accuse in what you do good or amiss Rom. 2.14 15. You might be much better if you minded this Light within you the Light of Natural Conscience How can you expect more till you improve what you have Nature can do little towards Grace yet Moral Principles cherished and improved may be some Fence against vicious Inclinations and prevent a Custom in sinful Practices however its dangerous to imprison the common Notices of a Deity Rom. 1.18 or Moral Duty this is the Road to obliterate them this shuts the Door against Grace and opens the Sluce of Vice nourish what 's good in thee who can tell what it may come to at last 2. God commands the use of Means and though he hath not bound himself yet he hath bound every man to his utmost power to be tending towards God Divines say That tho' no Exercise of Common Grace can merit Special Grace yet God is not wanting in his further Grace to those that have made a due improvement of Common Grace and done what in them lay towards their own Salvation Your business is to work out your own Salvation Phil. 2.12 For 't is God that worketh in you the will and the deed It is an Old Saying of St. Augustin He that made thee without thee will not save thee without thee God loves to second man's endeavours he is never wanting to the diligent lex jubet gratia juvat the Precept commands the Gospel-Promise will assist God hath not lost his right to command though we have no Might to obey his Authority must sway with us though we have not ability to do his requirement praecipit Deus quod ipse praestat he bids us up and be doing and he will take us by the Hand and help us Try Man in so necessary a Work as thy Soul 's eternal Happiness thou hast lost much labour in other cases thou mayst not lose it in this there 's a May-be in it and that 's warrant enough for such a Venture Be laborious and thou mayst be gracious 7th Obj. But I may as well sit still as rise up to fall I shall never hold out I see so many Temptations of a cunning Devil oppositions of a furious World and strong Corruptions of a treacherous Heart that I do foresee I shall not be able to stand I had better not begin at all then begin in the Spirit and end in the Flesh and so sink my apostate Soul deeper Answ 1. Art thou in good earnest that makest this Objection or dost thou Complement with God and make it an Excuse and Evasion If the latter and this be but to save thee a labour of being serious in Religion thy case is lamentable thou hast yet but sleight thoughts of God thy Soul or of Heaven that makest such frivolous Excuses to incur a certain Damnation But if thou be in good earnest it will put thee upon the search of thy Heart whether thou be sincere that thou mayst persevere that thou mayst not build upon a Sandy Foundation and if indeed thou art jealous of thy self and afraid of Apostacy this very Fear is the best Fence against falling away I will saith God put my fear in their hearts Jer. 32.40 and they shall not depart from me Blessed is he that feareth always Prov. 28.14 This Godly Fear will make you avoid Sin and all its occasions improve Talents time and means of Grace put you upon all methods to grow in Grace and gain Assurance A caution is necessary to
Fightings from without and Fears within I am shifting from Post to Pillar let me be dissettled till my Soul fix on Christ then shall not my Heart be troubled if believing in God I believe also in Christ John 14.1 Let me never be at rest till all ways are blockt up but this If I sit still I dye 2 King 7.4 If I go to the World I pine I will venture upon God's Promises Christ's Purchase if I must dye I will dye there but never did any dye at his Door 7. At last the troubled Spirit issues out its perplexed Thoughts in Complaints and Prayers God faith I have surely hearth Ephraim bemoaning himself Jer. 31.18 So methinks I see the disquieted Soul creep into a Corner to ease his burthened Spirit into God's Bosom in this manner Lord here I am as wicked a Malefactor as ever stood at thy Bar and as miserable a Beggar as ever lay at thy Door I was condemned as soon as convinced and have too too wofully improved the Stock of Original Sin in thousands of actual Rebellions I am twice dead in danger to be pluck'd up by the Roots Jude 1. and flung into the Fire of Hell many means hast thou used but nothing doth me good yet now thou hast brought me into the Wilderness Oh speak to my Heart Hos 2.14 Every Sin deserves damnation Oh how many Hells then do I deserve Thou art Righteous if thou damn me my Mouth is stopt I am found guilty before God Rom. 3.19 I am self-condemned thou shalt need no other Witness or Jury to find me guilty but Christ suffered and satisfied Justice for some poor Sinners and why not for me the chiefest of Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 I find not one word in Scripture against it but a Proclamation of a general Pardon to all Christ with all his Benefits is offered to me in the Ministry of the Word upon the condition of Faith and Repentance It s true I can neither repent nor believe but they are both included in the absolute Grant of the Gospel-Covenant which gives what it requires Lord give me a Gospel-Repentance unto Life and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ I hang on thee sweet Jesus who wast exalted on purpose to give Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins Acts 5.31 and the Faith of God's Elect. Thus much for Preparatives 2. The Parts of this New Creature lie in the renewing of the several Faculties of the Soul which consists 1st In the Mind and Understanding 2dly In the Conscience 3dly In the Will 4thly In the Affections which are the Motions of the Will 1. The New Creature consists much in the Mind which is called a renewing in the Spirit of the Mind Eph. 4.23 Interpreters have been much perplexed to know what is meant by the Spirit of the Mind Calvin saith Ego Simpliciter accipio Calv. in loc acsi dixisset renovemur non tantum quod ad inferiores Appetitus ant Concupiscentias quae palam sunt vitiosae sed etiam quod ad partem illam animae quae nobilissima praestantissima habetur i. e. be renewed not only in the inferiour Appetite and concupiscible Faculties but in that part of the Soul which is esteemed the most noble and excellent For the Mind is accounted a Queen and almost adored by Philosophers Now the Mind is renewed when there is 1. New Conceptions of things otherwise than ever before for a new Light set up in the Soul to see things after another manner the eyes of the understanding are now enlightned Eph. 1.18 Now he sees more Wickedness in his bad Heart then ever he did which makes him cry out as Job Behold I am vile Job 40.4 Lord thou art Heaven I am Hell said Mr. Hooper Now the Soul sees more Poyson and Malignity in Sin then ever before he sees it exceeding sinful Rom. 7.9 17. As striking at the Majesty clouding the Glory of the Holy God as crucifying Christ grieving the holy Spirit The New Creature begets other Conceptions of Christ as the Rose of Sharon Cant 5.9 the chief of ten thousand He looks on God's Commands as not at all grievous 1 John 5.3 but pleasant comfortable and profitable he looks on the Saints as the most excellent in the Earth Psal 16.3 Prov. 3.18 He hath got Eye-Salve to judge of things as they are The spiritual man judgeth all things 1 Cor. 2.15 2. The New Nature bringeth a New Memory he forgets Injuries and remembers Truths his Memory is sanctified and fortified he lays up things in his Heart as the Pot of Manna was laid up in the Ark he can abundantly utter the Memory of God's great goodness Psal 145.7 The New Creature is as a Phylactery to prompt and put him in mind of God's Law Numb 15.39 If he hath not a great Memory yet he hath a good Memory God brings Sins to remembrance committed many Years ago and the Soul is humbled for them as if but newly committed and though sometimes the best of God's Children are subject to slippery Memories and do need Monitors yet they have Minds clarified and apt to be tenacious of the things of God 2 Pet. 3.1 I stir up your pure minds by way remembrance An hint will bring God and good things into their Thoughts again but wicked men are described by this Character of forgetting God Psal 50.22 Do you make it your business to remember God upon your Beds and in all Places Psal 63.6 3. The New Creature hath a new Councellor formerly the Soul consulted with carnal Interest and base and by-ends even in things of Religion if the Practice of Religion did cross his low and selfish Designs he laid it down but as soon as this Principle is put within him he saith as Paul immediately I conferred not with Flesh and Blood Gal. 1.16 God's glory the good of his own and others Souls lay uppermost Now the Christian goes to the Sanctuary in arduous cases Psal 73.14 and makes the Scriptures those divine Oracles the chief Counsellors Psal 119.24 in his Works Natural Civil Spiritual and dare venture upon nothing but what he hath warrant from God for not What saith this Friend or the other Relation but what saith God in the case directly or by good Consequence See the difference betwixt good Jehoshaphat and Ahab 1 King 22.5 6. the former said Enquire I pray thee at the Word of the Lord to day The other made nothing of it they soâ—n forgat his Works they waited not for his Counsel Psal 108.13 And God gives them up to walk in their own Counsels Psal 81.12 4. The New Creature hath new Admiration the Carnal Heart wonders at trifling Novelties David prays Open thou mine Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law Psal 119.18 There indeed he spies wonders of Power Wisdom Holiness Faithfulness and a display of all God's Attributes but especially of free Grace and Love in the Work of Redemption he sees no reason to admire any thing but things