they subsist after Life and have a Being is their firm Perswasion And therefore are wont to assign to the dead part of the goods which they possessed And Acosta telleth us that in Peru they are wont to kill some of their Slaves to attend the dead in the World to come Thus in a manner all Nations have received this Tradition from hand to hand from their Ancestors and the nearer to the first Original of Mankind the more clear and pressing hath been the conceit hereof Lapse of time which decayeth all things hath not been able to deface it out of the Minds of Men who though they have been gradually depraved and degenerated according to the distance by which they have been removed from their first Originals yet they could never blot out the sense of an Estate after this Life An universal Tradition is some Argument when there can be no solid and indubitable Reasons brought to convince it of falsity Now such is this spread throughout the Universe and with extream forwardness received of all Nations and hath born up against all the encounters of Time and constantly maintained it self in the midst of so many Revolutions of Humane Affairs by which many other things were lost 2. All men have believed that there is a God and very few doubted but that He is a Rewarder of Virtue and Punisher of Vice Now neither the one nor the other is fully accomplished in this World even in the Judgment of those who have no great Knowledge of the Nature of Sin nor what Punishment is competent thereunto Therefore there must be some state after this Life in which this retributive Justice of punishing the Bad and rewarding the Good shall be manifested For here Providence seemeth to be darkned and the World is offended with the Calamities of the Good and Prosperity of the Wicked 1 Cor. 15.19 If in this Life only we have Hope in Christ Iesus we are of all men most miserable 3. If there be an end of man when he dieth Why is man afraid of Torments after Death Heb. 2.15 Deliver them who through fear of Death were all their Life-time subject to bondage Men fear Deaâ—h not as a natural Evil as it terminateth our present Comforts but as a Penal Evil as it is an Entrance to unknown Sorrows 1 Cor. 15.56 The Sting of Death is Sin and the Strength of Sin is the Law What 's the Reason of these stings of Conscience which are never so sensible and quick as when they approach near Death or behold themselves in some imminent danger What are these but presaging fears which anticipate miseries after this life If there were an utter end of men these troubles should in Reason then vanish But this is the Time when these Alarums are redoubled and those Tempests increase their Violence 2. The Light of Christâ—anity doth much more discover it That 's properly a Doctrine of things unseen That telleth us of a Prison where are the Spirits of Wicked men 1 Pet. 3.19 Of a Palace or Mansions in our Fathers House where are the Spirits of Just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 On the one hand it telleth us of a Worm that never dieth of a Fire that shall never be quenched Mark 9.44 On the other side of Joys that are at the right hand of God for evermore Psal. 16.11 That Christ died to free us from the wrath to come 1 Thess. â— 10 And purchased Heaven for us 1 Thess. 5.10 And is gone to Heaven to seise upon it in our Name Iohn 14.2 3. Having first left a sure Promise of Eternal Life to all that believe in him 1 Iohn 2.25 Which â—romise was outwardly confirmed by divers Miracles accompanying them that went abroad to make this offer in his Name Heb. 2.3 4. Inwarâ—ly in the Hearts of his People by giving them the first fruits of this Everlasting Estate in their Union with himself Col. 1.27 And the Joys of his Spirit which are therefore said to be full of Glory 1 Pet. 1.8 These are Truths interweaved throughout the whole Body of Christianity Now discourse but with your selves 1. Parâ—ly concerning the thing it self Partly 2. Concerning the certainty of your Hope 1. Concerning the certainty of the thing it self Is the whole Scripture false The Gospel a Fable Are all the Oracles of the Prophets the Doctrine of Christ his Miracles Resurrection Ascension but a Dream Were they all deceived that followed Christ upon these Hopes That took such pains in subduing the Flesh And hazarding their Interests freely upon the Hopes of another World Are the wisest sort of men the World ever saw Fools All the Ordinances of Christ a customary Superstition Is Grace a Fancy The Joys of the Spirit Delusions or phantastical Impressions These rejoicings and foretasts of the Children of God a meer Deceit and Imposture Surely it cannot be that all this Solemnity should be used to establish a vain Conceit 2. Excite and work up your own Faith and Hope Is there not a state of Blessedness reserved for me in the Heavens Invisible and Glorious things which I am bound to seek after Thou hast not Possession but thou hast the Grant the Deed of Gift sealed thou hast the Conveyance to shew Gods own Word and Promise to assure thee Yea 't is not nudum pactum God hath given thee the Earnest of a greater summ 2 Cor. 1.22 Who hath also sealed us and given the Earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts What should I do then but look for it long for it and earnestly seek after it Use II. Is for Reproof 1. To the Incredulous and Unbelieving to whom all Invisible Things seem a Fancy Scoffing Atheists they will not believe there is an Heaven or an Hell till they see them In the face of the Visible Church there may be such and in the latter times there shall be many such 2 Pet. 3.4 But in Hell there are none such because then matters of Faith are matters of feeling and to their bitter cost they find the Truth of what they doubted of To these I shall say God hath always tried his People and distinguished them from others by respect to things not seen Heb. 11.7 By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by the which he condemned the World and became Heir of the Righteousness which is by Faith By this he condemned the World at his costly Industry and care to frame an Ark but whilest he provided for his safety they perished in their Sins Must every thing be seen before we fear it or hope for it Why then do men provide for time to come so long before hand Why for Old-Age in Youth Why for Winter in Summer As the Industry of the Ant is recommended for our Imitation Prov. 6.6 7 8. Go to the Ant thou Sluggard consider her ways and be wise Which having no Guide Overseer or Ruler provideth her Meat in
I would Gal. 5.17 Go to Christ for help he was sent for this purpose to redeem you from Iniquity and dissolve the Devil's Work 1 John 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil It is his Office to purge the Church to set us at Liberty to destroy Satan's Power to free us from our Passions and Corruptions therefore go complain to him of the strength of your Sins for he will help you Vse 4. Comfort in our Conflicts You are sure of a final Victory before you enter into the Combate e're long we shall be out of the reach of Temptation and the Spirit shall be all in all Vse 5. Examination 1. Art thou sensible of thy natural Bondage so as to grieve under it As the Apostle Rom. 7.23 24. I see another Law in my Members warring against the Law of my Mind and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin which is in my Members O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death If it be not thus with thee Redemption by Christ will never be precious there is sighing and weariness they lay their sad Estate to Heart as the Church hung their Harps upon the Willows it is the Grief of their Souls that their Lusts held them in Captivity The Children of God complain more of the Relicks of Sin than wicked Men do of the full Power of it 2. Hast thou any Freedom Sense of Bondage is a good Preparative but it is not enough All Christ's Subjects are Kings they rule over their own Lusts though not freed from them altogether they strive against them and keep them under And there is not only a freedom from Ill but a freedom to Good Psal. 110.3 Thy People shall be willing in the Day of thy Power They do not serve God by Constraint but are free to Good and serve God with a great chearfulness as before they served their Lusts. Rom. 7.22 I delight in the Law of God after the inward Man They consult with the Word of God which was before their Bondage and Terror they have an Ability and Strength to do that which is Good there is a new Life in them yet so as they are still excited by the Spirit Vse 6. It informeth us what is true Liberty not to live at large John 8.36 If the Son therefore shall make you free you shall be free indeed Not to have Power and Sovereignty over others not to exercise Command and Authority over others but to subdue our Lusts not to be left to our selves to do what we please that is the greatest Bondage Rom. 6.20 VVhen ye were the Servants of Sin ye were free from Righteousness but to do the Will of God 1 John 3.5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins and in him is no Sin He died to take away Sin and to make us like himself that the World might know that he was a pure and holy Saviour SERMON XXI TITUS II. 14 And purifying unto himself a peculiar People c. IN this latter Branch I observed Christ's Act and then his Aim His Act he gave himself His Aim and Intention And here is the privative part of Deliverance To redeem us from all Iniquity This I have finished I come to the Positive part And purify to himself a peculiar People zealous of good VVorks He never communicates his Blessings where he doth not bestow his Grace He did not only free us from Hell but from Sin It is well for the Godly that Christ came to take away the proud and carnal Heart to take away Corruption and Iniquity which is their greatest Eye-sore But this is not all there is a positive Blessing Christ did not only come to deliver us from Sin but communicate Grace That he might purify to himself a peculiar People Two Points I shall open to you I. That whomsoever Christ maketh his People he first purifieth them or by purifying them maketh them his People II. Those that are purified are reckoned his Treasure or peculiar People Doct. I. That whomsoever Christ maketh his People he first purifieth them or by purifying maketh them his People Here I shall shew you 1 st The Necessity 2 dly The Manner of it First The Necessity of this Purification 1. In regard of God Father Son and Holy Ghost Every Person in the God-head in the dispensation of Grace hath a distinct personal Operation Election is ascribed to the Father Redemption to the Son and effectual Application to the Holy Ghost Now every one of these Operations respects Holiness Election Ephes. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World that we might be holy and without blame before him in Love Redemption Ephes. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word Sanctification 2 Thess. 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth It is for the Honour of every Person that their Intention may not be frustrate and chiefly upon this ground because by this means they would justify and honour their personal Operation to the World Those that are chosen by the Father must be of a choice Spirit Christ will not be the Head of an ulcerous Body he will not be like Nebuchadnezzar's Image whose Head was of fine Gold his Breast and his Arms of Silver his Belly and his Thighs of Brass his Legs of Iron his Feet part of Iron and part of Clay Dan. 2.32 33. A beautiful Head upon a Negro's Body is monstrous We are Vessels formed and set apart for the Master's use Those that are under his forming come new out of the Forge Unclean Vessels can never be used to any good purpose unless they be washed and sweetned They are to be looked upon as God's Choice Christ's Purchase and the Spirit 's Charge Or if you will have it in other Relations they are God's Children Christ's Members and the Spirit 's Temples God's Children must resemble their Father Christ's Members must be like their Head and the Holy Ghost will not dwell in a defiled Temple 2. With respect to themselves and their relation to one another they must be purified 1 Pet. 1.22 Seeing that ye have purified your selves in obeying the Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned Love of the Brethren see that ye love one another with a pure Heart fervently The Purification of our own Souls maketh us to love Purity in others for Similitude is the ground of Delight and Complacency No Man can delight in the Purity of others unless he be in some measure purified himself Holy Men are only fit for this Communion and Society others go in the way of Cain Jude v. 11. Who was of that wicked one and slew his Brother And wherefore slew he him because his own
in all our Enjoyments If God gives you deliverance you may say as Hezekiah Isa. 38.17 Thou hast in love to my Soul delivered it from the Pit of Corruption You are loved into Mercy Whatsoever you enjoy it is not as a Creature but as an Heir What a Comfort then will a Christian take in a morsel of Bread when he causes God's special Love in it more than worldly Men can take in their greatest Possessions Look as a mean Remembrance from a Friend is better than a Royal Gift from an Enemy so this makes thy Meat and Bread sweet when sent from thy Father in Heaven when thou hast it as an Heir of Promise 6. This will make Afflictions sweet their very Property is altered they are not now vindictive Dispensations but such as belong to the Covenant of Grace and so they will not do us harm In faithfulness thou hast afflicted me Psal. 119.75 When you can make this Reflection the Lord seeth I want this else I should not be exercised with such Providences At least there is a Supply of inward Comfort and then a heavy Burden is nothing to a sound Back If God strikes Sin is pardoned and the Sting of Affliction is taken away 7. It will sweeten Death it self thou knowest whither thou art going Death is a sad stroak to wicked Men which sends the Body to the Grave and the Soul to Hell it must needs be a King of Terrors to them But Death to those that have this strong Consolation is as Haman was to Mordecai from a Mischief it is made a Means to do us Honour Christ hath delivered us both from the Hurt and Fear of Death Heb. 2.14 15. That through Death he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil And deliver them who through fear of Death were all their life-time subject to Bondage So that we may entertain it with Delight as Iacob looked upon the Chariots that were sent for him with rejoicing This is a Messenger to carry me to Christ and who would refuse to be happy Phil. 1.23 I desire to depart and to be with Christ. They know Death is but a loosing from the Body that they may be joined to Christ and they had rather lose a thousand Bodies than Fellowship with Christ their Souls are sent away in peace to the place of Bliss 8. This makes the Day of Judgment sweet Look as the betrothed Virgin longs for the Day of Espousals and when the Bridegroom will come or as a Woman longs for the return of her Husband that is gone a long Voyage so the Soul that is betrothed to Christ longs for the return of the Bridegroom that he may carry it into his Father's House 9. It will make the Thoughts of Heaven sweet When a Christian walks abroad and points up to Heaven he may say there is the place of my Bliss and everlasting Abode One would think this were enough to ravish the Heart of any Man and make him do any thing even run to the ends of the Earth to gain this strong Consolation But we are backward and slow therefore here is the great Question What shall we do to get and keep this great Comfort I shall give you a few Directions Many rest in Notions when they see the Way they are discouraged and go no farther But will you engage before the Lord to observe these things if you find them according to Scripture First Then how to get these strong Consolations 1. Lay a good Foundation by meditating upon the Mercy and Truth of God in the Gospel Our first Comfort ariseth from Meditation or the serious Act of Faith on the Mercy and Truth of God as settled Assurance ariseth from a sight of Evidence God usually gives us at first Conversion a taste of his Goodness and Sweetness which differeth from Assurance 1 Pet. 2.2 3. As new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby If so be ye have â—â—sted that the Lord is gracious Usually at first when the Soul is taken up with deep Thoughts of God's Love and Mercy in Christ God lets in some Comfort and Sweetness into the Soul which though it be not Assurance and a solemn Testimony of our Interest in Christ yet it is a Refreshment which the Soul receiveth while it admires the Riches and the Bounty and the Certainty of God's Grace However this is a Taste a Beginning that maketh as look after a more assured sense of God's Grace Briefly there must be believing Thoughts of God's Mercy and Truth I call this Meditation because all the direct Acts of Faith are performed and carried on by the help of the Thoughts Faith engageth us in solemn musing and deep Thoughts fasten things upon the Spirit As Eggs are hatched by a constant Incubation so when the Soul museth Comfort ariseth The two things you should often propound are Mercy and Truth because they are the Iâ—â—hin and Boaâ— the two Pillars which support the Covenant of Grace for it was made in Mercy and kept in Truth Therefore it is said Mich. 7.20 Thou wilt perform the Truth to Jacob and Mercy to Abraham The Covenant was made first with Abraham therefore it was Mercy to him but it was made good to Iacob therefore it was Truth to him In the 89th Psalm they are seven times coupled the one is the Fountain the other the Pipe and Conveyance it springs from Mercy and is conveyed and dispensed in Truth Therefore the Psalmist saith Psal. 25.10 All the Paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth to them that keep his Covenant and his Testimonies It is free that it may be sure and sure that it may be free These are the two Attributes God doth glorify in the Covenant of Grace and in all his Dispensations of Grace 1. Meditate of the Mercy and Love of God In the Covenant of Works God would glorify his Justice but his great Aim in the Covenant of Grace is to glorify his Mercy Ephes. 1.6 To the praise of the Glory of his Grace wherein he hath accepted us in the Beloved God would make Grace glorious Justice seeks a fit Object Mercy only a fit Occasion The Question of Justice is To whom is it due But the Question of Mercy is Who wants it who needs it Well then though Satan and our own Hearts may make many Objections there is enough indeed to overwhelm us to damn us when we look to our selves But what will God glorify Grace Grace This is the Banner he hath spread over the Church in defiance of all the Powers of Darkness He hath brought me to the Banqueting-house and his Banner over me was Love Cant. 2.4 You must refresh your Souls with a sense of God's Mercy every day get a sprinkling of Christ's Blood upon your Heart Now in the establishing Assurance this is necessary for the Spirit sealeth us a Spirit of Promise upon terms of Mercy and Grace Ephes. 1.13 Ye were sealed
spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it 5. The Gracious Providences of God in leading on the Church to their Eternal Happiness Eph. 3.10 To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That curious variety and interweavings of Providence in bringing poor Creatures to Glory When we are on the Top of the Mount and we shall know as we are known then shall we see how variously he did confound the Wisdom of Men and Devils and led the Saints to Glory The Angels see more of God in this than in any of his other Works the state of the Church here upon Earth is the great Glass wherein God discovereth his Wisdom Power Goodness and Truth 6. The Final Glorious Estate of the Saints Christ shall be admired in them 2 Thes. 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that Believe For Poor Dust to shine as Stars and to be admitted with Christ to judge the World even Evil Angels All Men shall be at last owned or disowned by Christ confessed or denied before the Angels as those that look after these things Luke 12.8 9. Whosoever shall confess me before men him shall the Son of Man also confess before the Angels of God But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the Angels of God Rev. 3.5 I will confess his Name before my Father and his Angels We may admire at these things 1 Iohn 3.1 2. Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! Behold now we are the Sons of God and it doth not appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is III. The Manner How 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they desire to look into 1. It noteth an accurate Inspection to look towards so as to look through They understand more of these Mysteries than we do having no Mass of Flesh to clog them and obstruct the Operations of these Spirits as having no secular vanities to divert them as being so near God so intirely loving him because of the excellency of their Natures they have more advantage than we as the World wherein we dwell is more known to them than to us yet they are prying and should not we follow on to know the Lord Hos. 6.3 2. 'T is Earnest and Affectionate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they desire their hearts are in it Obj. Desire argueth a defect and the Angels that are in the Presence of God are in statu perfecto in a perfect State Ans. 1. In many things this Mystery exceedeth their understandings therefore they desire to know it more and more There is in the Angels understanding and Knowledge natural supernatural and experimental Their natural Knowledge reacheth to things that are belonging to the Perfection and Happiness of their Nature In supernatural things that depend upon the meer favour of God Angels know no more than God is pleased to manifest to them and so are ignorant of those things which God will not reveal and cannot be found out by any created understanding Their experimental Knowledge is by the accomplishment of Prophesies and what is foretold concerning the State of the Church here upon Earth as Christ learned Obedience by the things he suffered Heb. 5.8 So might Angels learn more when they saw Christ born dye and rise again the Spirit poured out the Devil dispossessed the Gospel Kingdom erected 2. Some defects are perfective as hungring and thirsting after Righteousness proveth Blessedness Mat. 5.6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled As Gregory Et satiantur sitiunt ne enim sit in desiderio anxietas desiderantes satiantur ne sit in satietate fastidium satiati desiderant They are satisfied with what they desire to prevent anxiety and trouble and they desire that with which they are satisfied to prevent satiety and loathing It is a sweet thirst not a painful dissatisfaction such as quickens but not pains Desire is an Act of Love the Object of it is dear and esteemed So the Angels they are desiring and enjoying Sitientes satiabimur satiati sitiemus As in Heaven the Saints desire more of God because they are not weary of him 3. They look upon it so as to be ready to discharge their Ministry about it As the Cherubims were figured with out-stretched wings over the Mercy Seat as ready to be imploy'd in Gods Errand so the Angels look into these things We find them ever ministring about Christ in his Temptations and Agonies in his Grave and at his Ascension So are they ministring about the Saints whom these things do concern Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation The Angels do so look into the things purchased for us by Christ that they are helpful to us in them according to the Will of God IV. The Reasons 1. Negatively 1. Not Curiosity that cannot be imagined in these Blessed Spirits Now Curiosity is either First In the Matter when we pry into secret things which we cannot nor ought we to see into Col. 2.18 Intruding into those things which he hath not seen Those things wherein the Mind of God is not known or understood But God revealed himself to the Angels concerning the Salvation of man they being so often imployed in the Prediction and Discovery of those things that concerned the coming of Christ and Salvation by him They were the Messengers to carry the glad-tydings of it to the Patriarchs and Prophets Gabriel informed Daniel and talked with him concerning the seventy Weeks Dan. 9.21 22 23 24. After which the Messiah should be cut off God used their Ministry to instruct the Church in all the Acts of his Mediation the Angels comforted Christ in his Temptations and Agonies The Angels brought news of his Birth Luke 2.10 And the Angel said unto them Fear not I bring you good tidings c. When tempted they ministred to him Mat. 4.11 Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and ministred to him In his Agonies they strengthen him Luke 22.43 There appeared an Angel to him from Heaven strengthning him When he was buried and in his Grave they rolled away the Stone Mat. 28.2 The Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and rolled back the Stone from the door Where he lay in the Sepulchre there were two Angels in White sitting the one at the Head and the other at the Feet where the Body of Iesus had been John 20.12 At his Ascension Acts 1.10 11. Two men stood by them in white Apparel which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven c. Therefore this was
Faith standeth us in most stead Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Then by the one we are freed from the guilt of Sin and so have deliverance from Eternal Death By the other we have not only right but entrance into Eternal Glory What is our whole scope but to be absolved by Christ at last and enter into Eternal Life Finally these two are to be regarded to obviate their mistake who think indeed that Faith and it may be Repentance is necessary to pardon or to dissolve our Obligation to Punishment but not new Obedience But in their place all the Conditions are necessary They think new Obedience is necessary to Salvation or Eternal Life but not to Justification But Salvation is as gracious an Act of Mercy as free and undeserved a Gift as Pardon Rom. 6.23 The wages of Sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Eternal Life is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wages but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Gift of God It is as much merited by Christ as the other and therefore as proper a part yea the chief part of the Hope of Righteousness by Faith and that which is only waited for and not injoyed III. What is the work of the Spirit in this business in urging Believers to wait for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith I Answer the work of the Spirit doth either concern the Duties of the new Covenant or the Priviledges of the new Covenant or what is common to them both I begin with the latter 1. What is common to them both He doth convince us of the Truth of the Gospel both of means and end that there is such an Hope and the Righteousness of Faith is the only way to obtain it Now this he doth Externally and Internally 1. Externally and by way of Objective Evidence All the certainty that we have of the Gospel is by the Spirit Acts 5.32 We are Witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Ghost which he hath given to them that obey him And Iohn 15. 26 27. When the Comforter is come whom I will send to you from the Father even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning Mark in both these places the two solemn Witnesses are the Spirit and the Apostles the one Principal the other Ministerial the one declaring Doctrine and Matter of Fact the other assuring the World of the Truth of their Testimony The Apostles testified of Christs sayings and doings and the Holy Ghost which came down upon them and the rest that consorted with them and was given in some measure to those that obeyed their Doctrine was an undoubted Evidence that God owned it from Heaven Here was enough to open mens Eyes and to give them a right understanding of his Person and Doctrine that it was of God The Visible Gifts of the Holy Ghost and his powerful working in the Hearts of men in order to their Conversion unto God These admirable Gifts and Graces shed abroad upon men were a Notable Conviction to the World that Christ was a Teacher sent from God to teach men the way to Eternal Life and Happiness This did afford sufficient matter of Confirmation and Conviction by the Spirit shed abroad and poured forth on the Christian Church 2. Internally inlightning their Minds and inclining their Hearts to imbrace the Truth Which maketh the former Testimony effectual So the Apostle prayeth Eph. 1.17 For the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Christ the eyes of their understanding being inlightned that they might know what is the hope of his Calling and the Riches of the Glory of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light To the sight of any thing these things are necessary an Object a Medium a Faculty As in outward sight an Object that may be seen a convenient light to represent it and make the Object perspicuous An Organ or Faculty of seeing in the Eye Unless there be an Object you bid a man see nothing Unless there be a Medium a due light to represent it as in a fog or at Midnight the sharpest sight can see nothing Unless there be a Faculty neither the Object nor Medium will avail a Blind-man cannot see any thing at Noon-day Now here is an Object the way of Salvation by Christ A convenient light it is represented in the Gospel And the Faculty is prepared for the Eyes of the Mind are opened by the Spirit that we may see both Way and End the necessity of Holiness and the reality of future Glory and Blessedness Alas without this sight we busie our selves about Vanities and Childish Toys and never Mind the things which are most necessary certainly we can have no saving understanding of Spiritual Truths neither what is the Benefit of Christianity or the blessed Condition of Gods People Nor what are the Duties of Christianity so as our Hearts may be held to them or how we may behave our selves as true Believers 2. The Work of the Spirit as to the Duties of the new Covenant He doth not only convince us of the Reality and the Necessity of Christs Obedience and our Holiness but by his Powerful Operation frameth and inclineth our Hearts to the Duties required of us Faith it self is wrought in us by this Holy Spirit for it is the Gift of God Eph. 2.8 And so is Repentance and Obedience Heb. 8.10 I will write my Laws upon their Hearts and put them into their Minds Moses his Law was written on Tables of Stone as a Rule without them but Christs Law on the Heart and Mind as drawing and inclining them to obey it The Renewing Grace of the Spirit of God doth prepare us and fit us and his exciting Grace doth quicken us that we may do what is pleasing in his sight And therefore if we profess to live under the new Covenant we are inexcusable if we do not bestir our selves and accomplish the work of Faith with Power and obey from the Heart the Doctrine delivered to us Indeed the Spirit doth most naturally put us upon spiritual Worship and spiritual Holiness these things agree most with his Being and Nature The observances of the Law were carnal yet as long as Gods command continued the Spirit inclined to Obedience to them But a better Law being enacted by Christ the Spirit that proceedeth from the Father and the Son suiteth his Operations accordingly For he cometh into us as Christs Spirit He shall take of mine and glorifie me John 16.14 All that he doth accordeth with Christ as Christs Will doth with the Father 3. The work of the Spirit as to the priviledges of the New Covenant which are pardon and life 1. As to Pardon he is the Comforter He cometh
the Heart and may be determined partly by the object or matter believed partly by the subject of it or the acts of the Soul towards it First The Object or Matter believed is in short this That there is a God Heb. 11.6 That God having made Man he hath right and power over him to govern him by his Laws James 4.12 There is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy That Man failing in his Obedience he and all his Posterity are subject to the wrath and vindictive Justice of God Rom. 3.19 That all the World may become guilty before God Ephes. 2.3 And were by nature children of wrath even as others That such was God's Love that to recover Man out of this wretched condition he sent his own Son into the World John 3.16 That Iesus Christ who was the Son of God died for our offences and rose again for our Iustification Rom. 4.25 That is died to expiate our sins and rose again to convince the unbelieving VVorld of the Authority and Dignity of his Person and Offices and also of the truth of his Law and Covenant that having died and rose again he hath acquired Novum Ius Imperii a new right of Command and Empire over the World Rom. 14.9 For this cause he both died and rose again and revived that he might be Lord of dead and living That is have full power and dominion to dispose of us dead and living That Christ having this full power and dominion over all flesh hath established and enacted a Law of Grace or New Covenant wherein Pardon and Righteousness or Title to Life is assured to Penitent Believers Mark 16.16 Whosoever believeth shall be saved And Luke 24.47 And that Repentance and Remission of sins be Preached in his Name to all Nations And shall actually be bestowed upon all that obey him Heb. 5.9 But those that refuse this Christ shall be eternally miserable John 3.19 This is the condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil This is the sum of what is to be believed Secondly It may be determined partly by the Subject of it or the acts of the Soul about it The Subject is the Heart both Understanding and Will The Understanding Assents to all this as true both what is said of the Person of the Redeemer and his Covenant and accordingly disposeth the heart of Man to carry it self towards both 1. To the Person of the Redeemer We Thankfully and Broken-heartedly receive him to the ends of the Gospel or to be to us what God hath appointed him to be and do that for us That God hath appointed Him to do for poor sinners To be our Lord and Saviour Iohn 1.12 Col. 2.6 as Lord to obey him and as Saviour to depend upon him and trust our selves in his hands for our happiness whatever befalleth us 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed and am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day 2. Towards the Covenant which he hath appointed as the Law or Rule of Commerce between us and God There are Promises and Precepts Commands and offers of Grace 1. For the Promises you heartily accept them as the greatest Happiness that can be bestowed upon you and depend upon them as things that surely will be performed for there comes in the consideration of true and good 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a true and faithful saying Ephes. 1.13 In whom ye trusted after ye heard the word of truth as true doubts are opposite to them as good carnal inclinations 2 For the Precepts and Duties required you bind your selves to perform them upon these hopes whatever it cost you And there comes in also the nature of Faith Sincere Resolution and Absolute Self denial Sincere resolution to perform what God hath required that you may obtain what he hath offered which is called a giving up of our selves to the Lord 2 Cor. 8.5 And absolute Self denial or Selling all for the Pearl of Price Mat. 13.46 And so that Faith which is made such a difficult thing to explain as it were a Bugbear to affright poor Christians from all thoughts and study about it is made easie and facile to the understandings of the meanest Christians who must live by it and be saved by it This then is believing with the Heart Secondly What is Confession with the Mouth A solemn outward declaration that we take Christ for our Lord and Saviour or that we believe what is revealed to us concerning God and Christ and our duty to him This is necessary because the Promises of the New Covenant run in both strains of putting the word in our Heart Ier. 31.37 and putting it in our Mouths Isa. 59.21 The Saints Prayers are That God would not take it out of their Hearts Psal. 119.36 nor out of their Mouths Verse 43. Take not the word of Truth utterly out of my Mouth And the nature of their duty to God requireth it for a Man is first to embrace the True Religion to receive it with his Heart and then he is to profess it or express it with his Mouth for no Man is to conceal and keep his Religion to himself Our Tongues and our Bodies were given us to shew forth that acknowledgment and Adoraâ—ion of God which is in our hearts He that denieth God or Christ with the Heart doth not believe in him or Worship him with the Heart So he doth not Worship God with his Tongue and Life who doth not outwardly profess and honour him As he hath given us an understanding that we may know him so he hath prepared for us a body wherewithal to profess him and our esteem of him Isa. 45.23 To me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear Which is again repeated and established as our duty in the Gospel Phil. 2.10.11 At the Name of Iesus every Knee should bow And every Tongue confess that Iesus Christ is Lord. But more distinctly to open this confession with the Mouth 1. The matter to be confessed is the great truths which we do believe God Christ the Covenant of Grace Eternal Glory and Happiness And the lesser truths in their season at other times Rom. 14.22 Hast thou Faith have it to thy self before God 'T is not meant of the necessary Articles of the Christian belief but things of a doubtful disputation If we know more than others in these things yet we must not needlessly trouble the Church or offend the weak to the danger of their Souls and hindrance of greater truths And yet in these things you must not deny the smallest truth 2 Cor. 13.8 We can do nothing against the truth but for the truth For though the thing we contend for be small yet sincerity is a great matter and to profess our Assent or Consent to what we neither count true nor can well approve of is to come under a
one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity THese Words are brought in to prevent the Scandal which the Godly might take at the falling away of two such Men as Hymeneus and Philetus who in probability were Men of Note in the Church for there is not such notice taken of ordinary and mean Persons Their Error was they acknowledged only a Metaphorical Resurrection and so weakened the Comfort of the Faithful The Scandal which they gave was Threefold Scandalum Seductionis Contristationis Offensionis 1. There was Scandalum Seductionis Ver. 18. They overthrow the Faith of some Fides quae creditur 'T is principally meant They turned them away from the Truth 2. There was Scandalum Contristationis They were a great trouble to the Faithful and weakened their Comfort As surely it is a mighty disheartening to see such glorious Luminaries fall from Heaven like Lightning Some think the main drift of the Text is to comfort them with an hope of Preservation though these fell away When others fall those who are truly the Lord's and do unfeignedly Dedicate themselves to be his People shall be preserved by his Power because the Foundation or first Stone of this Spiritual Building was laid in their Election which is firm and unchangable I am not against this sense because I find Election to be made the ground of our standing out in Temptations Matth. 24.24 Insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect. The Elect cannot possibly be deceived and drawn away from the true Christ because of the Wisdom Love and Power of God ingaged for them 2 Thess. 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth Their Election did secure them from Danmable Errors I am not against this Truth yet I think it not the full meaning of this place though strongly implied in it Truly the Apostle doth confirm the Hearts of the Faithful in these words by shewing them their Priviledges and their Duty Their Priviledges when he telleth them that God knoweth them that are his Their Duty when he presseth them to Holiness Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity The Apostacy of some should excite all to watchfulness â—est they be caught in the same Snare But yet I cannot induce my self to think that by the Foundation of God is meant his Election and it is an hard thing to conceive that a Foundation of a Building should be sealed 3. There is Scandalum Offensionis It might make them to slumble and take Offence and raise a Scandal of Prejudice or Doubtfulness at least First Against the Truth of the Gospel Secondly The Honour of the Church The later Scandal is obviated in the 20th Verse But in a great house there are not only Vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honour and some to dishonour The Carnal and Renewed the sincerely Godly and the Hypocrites live together in the Church without any dishonour to the Church or derogation to God's Providence As in a great Family there are divers Utensils some for a nobler some for a baser use But the former Scandal against the Truth of the Gospel which seemed to be weakened in their Minds by this perverse Opinion that the Resurrection was past is chiefly obviated in the Text. They denied the future Estate and so there was no Bliss for them that were persecuted Now to comfort them the Apostle telleth them that God hath a Reward for those that were faithful with him and that Eternally both in Body and Soul So that the meaning of The Foundation of the Lord standeth sure is his Obligation and Covenant with them in Christ and his purpose towards them remains unchangable and firm because it is sealed on God's part by his Providence Administring all things for the good of the Elect on Man's part by their Conscience of their Duty Nevertheless the foundation of the Lord standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his and Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity In the words observe First The Proposition concerning the sureness of God's Covenant The foundation of the Lord standeth sure Secondly The Confirmation 1. In General because it is a sealed Contract 2. More particularly from the nature of this Seal or the double Inscription or Motto of it It hath an Inscription or Motto agreeing to the condition of the Two Parties contracting 1. On God's part The Lord knoweth them that are his God will be faithful and constant in loving those who are his Servants 2. On Man's part Yet we are not to be negligent of our Duty And Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity Doctr. That what ever Errors or Scandals arise in the Church yet God's purpose declared in the Gospel of bringing his peculiar People unto Glory remaineth firm and steady This was the Truth assaulted by this Error which shaked so many and this is the Comfort which the Apostle propoundeth to the Disciples and Servants of Christ. The Point will be made good by explaining the Circumstances of the Text. I. The Proposition here asserted The foundation of the Lord standeth sure All the business will be to shew what is the Foundation of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Foundation is taken Sensu forensi or Architectonico in the Builder's sense or in the Lawyer 's sense In the Builder's sense for the Foundation of an House In the Lawyer 's sense for the Foundation of an Estate which I expect from another upon any Bargain or Contract with him the Evidences and Deeds of Conveyance are the Foundation which I have to build upon for my Right and Title Now to take Foundation here in the Builder's sense would make but an odd Interpretation in this place who ever heard of the sealing of the Foundation of an House and Inscriptions on that Seal And therefore Foundation is taken here for a Covenant or Bill of Contract As also 1 Tim. 6.19 Laying up in store for your selves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life It would be incongruous to take Foundation there in the Builder's sense as if Good Works were the Foundation of eternal Life No they are only the Evidences and Assurances of it The notion of a Bond or Obligation is more proper Upon a Contract I found or build my confidence of expecting Good from another so Prov. 19.17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again Lending noteth some Contract and Promise and Expectation grounded thereon so here The foundation of God is his Bill or Bond which is as a Pledge or Security left with us And thereby is not meant so much God's Eternal Purpose of Election as his Covenant that Deed and Instrument of Law by which he
the Soul is said to return to God therefore the whole Man dieth not and is not extinguished with the Body All these Particulars import the Immortality of the Soul Doct. That the Soul of Man is immortal and dieth not when the Body dieth but remaineth in that Estate into which it is disposed by God First There is a threefold Immortality 1. An essential Immortality which importeth an absolute Necessity of Existence so it is said 1 Tim. 6.16 God only hath Immortality 2. There is a natural Immortality which hath a Foundation in the Being of the Creatures so the Angels and Spirits of Men are in their Nature immortal so as they cannot be destroyed by any second Cause and have no Principle of Corruption in themselves though by the Power of God they might be annihilated 3. A gratuitous Immortality or by Gift and Courtesy so the Body of Adam in Innocency non conditione corporis but beneficio conditoris not by the Condition of his Body but the Bounty of his Maker so the Bodies of the Faithful after the Resurrection shall be immortal Secondly Let us prove this that the Soul is immortal and subsisteth after the Separation The Point is necessary to be discussed for till we are established in the Belief of this Truth we shall fear no greater Judgments than what do befal us in this World nor expect greater Mercies than what we injoy here and so never take Care to reconcile our selves to God or to deny the Profits of the World and the Pleasures of Sense that we may attain a better Estate An holy Life will never else be indeavoured or produced to any good Increase For such as Mens Belief is of an immortal or never-dying Condition in Heaven or Hell such will the bent of their Hearts and Course of Life be Therefore the Salvation of our Souls is said to be the End of our Faith 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the End of your Faith even the Salvation of your Souls There the End signifieth either the Scope or the Event If you take it for the Scope the great End of Faith is to lead us from all worldly Happiness to an Estate after this Life Heb. 10.39 But we are not of them that draw back unto Perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul Sense faith Spare the Flesh but Faith saith Save the Soul This is the Scope and mark to which it tendeth If you take it for the Event and Issue of things all our believing praying enduring Suffering rejoicing pleasing and glorifying of God endeth in this the saving of our Souls Therefore let us see how it may be proved both by Scripture and by the Light of Reason I. By Scripture which is the proper means to beget Faith Dives desired one to go from the dead to tell his Brethren of an everlasting Estate of Torment and Bliss Luke 16.27 28. I pray thee Father that thou wouldst send him to my Father's House for I have five Brethren that he may testify unto them lest they also come into this Place of Torment Intimating thereby that the Cause of his own Sin and theirs was Unbelief or a not being perswaded of a World to come Alas we have but an obscure Prospect of an Estate after this Life and therefore indulge sensual Delights But what Cure and Remedy Dives thought a Spectre or Apparition would be the best Cure of this Atheism But Abraham or Christ thought otherwise he referreth them to Moses and the Prophets that is the holy Scriptures for all the Books then written and received in the Church are comprized in that Expression Since we are sick of the same Disease this will be our best Remedy We are told 2 Tim. 1.10 That Christ hath brought Life and Immortality to Light through the Gospel It is the Privilege of the Divine Revelation to represent this Truth with more Clearness and Certainty 1. With more Clearness There is a Mist upon Eternity which is only dispelled by the Light of the Gospel Reasons from Nature may in some measure acquaint us with an everlasting Estate yet what kind of Happiness it is that attendeth the Godly and what Misery shall befal the Wicked it telleth us but little but the Scripture sets down enough to invite our Hopes and awaken our Fears Heathens had some Conceits of Elysian Feilds and Places of Blessedness and some obscure Caverns appointed to be Places of Torment fitted to work Men into a blind Superstition but the Word of God hath given us such clear Discoveries of future Happiness and Misery as that we may know what to hope for and what to fear and if well improved will breed in us a true Spirit of Godliness 2. In Regard of Certainty Nature may give us some dark Guesses and uncertain Conjectures so as the Heathens that had no other Light were ready to say and unsay in a Breath what they had spoken concerning our Estate to come but the Gospel is a sure Word apt to beget Faith not a wavering Opinion Go to Sense which judgeth by the outside of things Eccles. 3.21 Who knoweth the Spirit of a Man that goeth upward and the Spirit of a Beast that goeth downward to the Earth By Sense we see Mankind as the Beasts to be conceived formed in the Belly brought forth nourished to grow in Strength and Stature wax old and die by the Eye we can discern no external sensible Difference so that if we consult with mere Sense all Religion and Hope is gone Go to Reason and that will tell us indeed that there is a Difference between a Man and a Beast that Man knoweth and desireth things which the Beasts do not and cannot And that the reasonable Soul hath Operations independent on Matter and on the Body and therefore it is probable it can subsiâ—t without the Body for the manner of working sheweth the manner of being but there is cold Comfort in a bare may be The Gospel sheweth it shall be As a Glass it doth discover this State to us as a Rule it guideth us to the Injoyment of it as a Motive it perswadeth us to seek after it as a Charter and Grant it doth assure our Title to it it is full fraught and thick sown with this kind of Seed Therefore let us see what the Light of Scripture saith to this Point 1 st It discovereth to us every-where the Doctrine of the eternal Recompences two Places and two Estates wherein Souls abide after Death Heaven and Hell Heaven the Mansion of the Just Iohn 14.2 In my Father's House are many Mansions And Hell the Place of Torments Mark 9.44 They are cast into Hell where their Worm dieth not and the Fire is not quenched And as soon as the Soul passeth out of the Body it is in one of these Luke 16.22 23. And it came to pass that the Beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abraham 's Bosom the rich Man died also and was buried And in Hell he