of Redemption by Price of Gods purchasing his Church with his own Blood Act. 20. 28. The Light of Nature is insufficient to shew the way to Heaven How God will deal with these Heathens 't is hard to determine Zuinglius indeed asserts That when we come to Heaven we shall see utrumque Adamum Redemptum Redemptorem both the Adams the Redeemer and him that was redeemed the Prophets the Apostles And then he adds That Aristides the Cato's and the Scipio's and such vertuous Men among the Heathen will be found in Heaven also Calvin calls this prâ—â—posterum misericordiam a preposterous Mercy because the Apostle tells us those who have sinn'd without Law shall also perish without Law Rom. 2. 12. What is to be said in this case To affirm that any of them are saved who never heard of a Saviour is to affirm what is hard to prove to say that they are all damned will be a bold Sentence The Apostle tells us that those who are without God judges 1 Cor. 5. 13. and to Gods Judgment we must leave them 2. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion to shew that the Works of God do need his Words exposition upon them 'T is the Word which rightly discovers God in the Works of Creation Heb. 11. 3. Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear The Scripture shews how the Lord is the Alpha and the Omega The whole Volume of Nature would signifie little to Man were it not for the Scriptures commentary upon it the Beginning and the End of all things that per scalaâ—â— creaturarum by the Ladder of the Creatures we may ascend unto the Gracions and Alsufficient Creator The Word expoundâ— the Works of Providence it puts such a Language into Mercies that these Demonstrations of divine goodness lead unto Repentance And the Word makes the Rod to utter such a voice that the Vncircumcised heart is humbled the Sinner accepts of the punishment of his Iniquity Lev. 26. 41. and turns unto that God that smites him 3. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Sinners may use and value the Word as a Means sufficient He that is sick of the Plague how willingly does he use a Remedy that is sufficient for the cure of the Pestilence and which has cured thousands and that never failed to heal any that would but take it Never was there a Plague in the World so universal so contagious so deadly as Sin is O all ye sinful diseased and lost Souls hear and with all seriousness apply the Word of God that ye may be healed and that being healed ye may live and not dye for ever The remedy is perfect it certainly works for life if it be but received he that believes and yields subjection to the Gospel shall be saved Mar. 16. 16. I confess the refusing of the remedy will highten the disease and make the death more dreadful He that believes not shall receive the greater damnation 4. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion that the Preachers of the Word may be encouraged Were this Word a weak imperfect thing the Dispencers of it would have the less heart to labour but they have no reason to be ashamed or discouraged but to glory in the Gospel of Christ since 't is the Power of God to Salvation And let him be Jew or Gentile high or low a less Sinner or the greatest if he receives the Word with Faith the Preachers pains will be to good purpose The Apostle insults over all the VVisdom of this VVorld as that which is poor and foolish and helpless as to a better World 1 Cor. 1. 20. Where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world The Jewish Synagogue where Moses was trusted in and Christ rejected the Greek Academy could neither of them shew the way of Salvation hath not God made foolish the VVisdom of this VVorld But then he magnifies the Word of God that reveals Christ Jesus because herein the Power and VVisdom of God were savingly made manifest 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. VVe preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness but unto them that are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 5. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Saints may still be improving it unto a further turning Where 's the Convert in whom and for whom the Word of God has wrought so much that it can work no more You that have most experienced its power and goodness may still feel a further efficacy The Word is perfect and you should be pressing forward to be perfected by it still your Light should grow clearer your Faith stronger your love more abundant and patience should have a more perfect work in you that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing Jam. 1. 4. Still you should be more low in your own sight the Grace of Christ more glorious in your eyes the World should be more under your feet and Heaven be the matter of your thoughts and hopes and joy You that are weak should resemble David you that are strong as David should be like the Angels of God aspiring unto not only Evangelical but an Angelical and heavenly Perfection I come in the last place to the Application The Uses are these following VSE I. Of Caution The Perfection of the Word of God should make you 1. To take heed of that Enthusiastick Spirit that pretends not to need this VVord That Light within which makes the Light of the VVord to be contemned is certainly Darkness and if the Light within you be darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6. 23. Solomon tells us plainly that the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and the reproofs of instruction are the way of Life Prov. 6. 23. You will miss the way of Life unless this Light be followed He is most unreasonably wise in his own eyes who imagines he knows so much that God himself by his Word can teach him no more the truth is he knows nothing as he ought to know his Knowledg is but a delusive dream his ignorance real and destructive Heed not but resist the Spirit that injects undervaluing thoughts of the Word of God for that cannot be the true Spirit which did endite it If once you reject the VVord of the Lord alas what understanding is in you Jer. 1. 9. The grossest and most damnable errours will impose upon you as truths the most carnal licentiousness which is the bondage of corruption will call it self Christian liberty Sins will be made no Sins and Duties no Duties you will allow your selves in the omission of Gods Ordinances as things below Saints of so high a Stature as
2. The Gospel plainly chalks out the way that leads to Life Christ is the way the truth and the life Joh. 14. 6. the true way to life indeed We have liberty to enter into the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus had it not been for his undertaking and performance of what he undertook there had been a flaming Sword at Heavens gate and no fallen Man could ever have entred there And as Christ in whom we are to believe is the way so is also Holiness Christ by his Blood has purchased the heavenly Inheritance and has bought the Saints themselves that are to be the Inheritors and 't is by his sanctifying Spirit by true Holiness that they are made meet for that Inheritance The pure in Heart and such will be likewise pure in Life are the blessed Ones that shall see God Mat. 5. 8. and who besides are desirous or fit to see the Lord 3. Heaven in the Gospel is offer'd 't is seriously freely offer'd unto All 't is offer'd to the meanest Persons 't is offer'd to the greatest Sinners and that without Money without Price 'T is indeed too good too great a thing for Man to purchase by any thing that he can give or do Those have very low thoughts of Heaven and very high thoughts of their own Works that think they can do enough to merit Heaven Eternal Life is the free Gift of God not deserved by Man and 't is given through Christ Rom. 6. 23. Had not Christ procured it fallen Men would all have been as certainly excluded as the fallen Angels Briefly to Apply this 1. Be thankful for the Gospel which makes the richest discovery that ever was made in this World the East the West-Indies cannot shew any thing comparable to a blessed Immortality the Jewels from the one the Gold from the other are contemptible when Heaven is named The Gospel tells you where is the true the tried Gold and of the Pearl which is of greatest price and concerning a Treasure in Heaven which neither moth nor rust doth corrupt nor can thieves break through and steal Mat. 6. 20. 2. Let the Kingdom of Heaven suffer Violence and do you use an holy force to take it here you will meet with great opposition Heaven is that which occasions the envy of Hell because of its real and eternal Excellency and does very well deserve your labour Let the Treasure in Heaven cause your Hearts to be there strive to enter in at the strait gate hate every false way because it leads from Heaven and towards Destruction let the Hopes of a Crown of glory make you willing to bear the Cross look upon Sloth as most absurd when no less than Heaven will be given to them who shew their diligence in full assurance of hope unto the end Press still forward towards the mark you cannot run too fast for such a Prize But I shall stay on this no longer 'T is the second Doctrine that more largely I shall insist on Doct. 2. And that 's this Those that will not turn to God at the Call of the Gospel shall certainly be turned into Hell 2 Thes 1. 8 9. They that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power In the handling of this Doctrine I shall 1. Discourse concerning Hell what it is that you may the better understand it and understanding be afraid of it 2. I shall prove the Certainty of the Doctrine that Sinners who will not turn to God shall most surely be turned into Hell. 3. I shall Vindicate the Righteousness of God in thus dealing with and eternally Punishing them that will not turn to him 4. I shall conclude with the Vses and Application In the first Place I am to Discourse concerning Hell and to shew you what it is In Hell There is a Deprivation of good There is an Infliction of evil pain and torment There is an Eternity of both 1. In Hell there is a Deprivation of good All the temporal losses that have been sustained by all the Children of Men in this World are not comparable to the Poena Damni Punishment of loss which one Sinner in Hell shall undergoe Several things those in Hell are deprived of 1. They are deprived of all that Love and Grace and Mercy that is in God The Psalmist that knew by experience the excellency of God's Loving-kindness affirms 't is better than Life Psal 63. 3. His Mercys are tender and a multitude and sure to the Vessels of Mercy How were those fill'd with admiration and with a sense of their obligation Who in times past were not a People but were made the People of God who had not obtained Mercy but after did obtain Mercy 1 Pet. 2. 10. But alas tho God be Love it self 1 Joh. 4. 8. he hath no Love for them that are in Hell they lye under his Wrath and Hatred and both are unalterably fixt upon them Though the Lord does delight in shewing Mercy yet his Bowels do not at all stir or move towards the Damned though they lye in extreamest Woe and are continually weeping and wailing yet their Tears draw not forth his Compassions He has cast them off for ever and will be favourable no more he has forgotten to be gracious and in implacable but righteous Anger has shut up his tender Mercies 2. They that are in Hell are deprived of the beatifical Vision of God The door of Heaven they found shut against them when they said Lord Lord open to us and 't will never be opened They shall never be suffered to see him face to face but be always excluded from his Presence What Happiness is there in seeing God! how transforming and satisfying is this sight Psal 17. ult As for me I shall behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness But the Damned are not never shall be admitted to such a View they are banished that glorious Presence where there is fulness of joy and where there are pleasures for evermore God has fixt a great gulph between himself and them and through that 't is impossible for them to pass Luk. 16. 26. 3. They in Hell are deprived of all hopes by a Mediator Our Lord tells us That he came not into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved and has given a large Commission to Preach the Gospel to offer that Grace and Salvation whereof he is the Author to every Creature Mark 16. 15. The Lord Jesus now encourages all to come to him that they may have rest to their Souls and life through his Name and them that come to him he will in nâ— wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. and when they refuse to come he expresses great sorrow he wept over Jerusalem because she knew not the time of her gracious Visitation
that has one Dagger thrust into his Heart dyes as certainly as Julius Caesar did of all the Wounds which were given him in the Senate or as Attilius Regulus did who was pierced from Head to Foot in the nayled Barrel 5. A blameless Conversation is also mistaken for Conversion though there be no Care or Observation no Renovation of the Heart and Nature The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was short because only external if they imbrued not their hands in blood they were unconcern'd though their Hearts were full of Wrath and Hatred if free from actual Adultery inward Concupiscence was nothing with them But our Lord rightly expounds the Law shews how being spiritual it reaches the Soul and obliges unto internal Purity and Righteousness and he expressly affirms Mat. 5. 20. Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven The Apostle Paul tells us before his Conversion he was touching the righteousness of the Law blameless Phil. 3. 6. Yet though his Life were free from blame and ordered according to a more than ordinary Pharisaical strictness and severity yet his Heart was void of saving Grace 'till he was beaten off from Confidence in himself and he was turned to the Faith of Christ 6. Bodily Temper and good Nature is mistaken for Conversion Some by reason of their Constitutions are naturally Mild they take this for the Grace of Patience and for the meekness and gentleness of Christ 't is the temper of some to be Liberal and Free-hearted they take this for the Grace of Christian Charity When they behold others of crooked and crabbed Dispositions and perceive themselves of a more even and loving temper they are very apt to be deceived in judging what is the effect of their natural temperament to be the sanctifying work of the Spiâ—it But Oh how much does Converting Grace differ from meer Nature when most resined He that is naturally Patient is not so in Obedience to God but because Nature inclines him not to be otherwise Nature has no regard to the pleasing of God nor to the enjoying of him neither does it desire help from him but is centred in it self and well enough contented without him 7. Another thing mistaken for Conversion is Education and restraining Grace Some that have been brought up under Religious Parents and have lived in places free from Temptation and by this means have been preserved from the Worlds Pollutions they are very apt to call that Renewing Grace which is no more than Grace restraining But when these do change their Place and change their Company how does Corruption discover it self Experience very sad has shewn that they who under their Parents eyes and care have seemed very serious and well inclined when their Parents have been removed by Death all the good Inclinations of the Children have been as it were buried in their Parents graves and with a strange kind of eagerness have they run out to great excess of riot Joash during the Life of Jehoiada the Priest who had saved him from being Murther'd and brought him to the Throne seemed a Prince very well Inclined but after Jehoiada his Death all his Goodness vanished he left the Lord Jehovah and shamefully Apostatized into Idolatry and when he was faithfully reproved by Zachariah the Son of Jehoiada he Commanded him to be Stoned Wicked and Ungrateful Man thus to take away the Life of the Son who was himself preserved by the Father 2 Chron. 24. 17 23. And truly if you observe Education and restraining Grace at the very best when it has most kept Persons within compass yet even then there is a levity of spirit in them that are thus restrained serious Discourses are not so savoury to them as those that are more frothy and vain and upon Self-reflection they may observe in themselves a secret dislike of Religion and strictness which they dare not openly shew 8. Conviction in the Conscience is also mistaken for Conversion When Conscience is thoroughly awakened and the spirit of bondage causes great fear of Wrath when Mercy is implored and Pardon of Sin is begg'd with great earnestness and the force of Conscience produces a reformation of several Miscarriages this may seem Conversion and sometimes ends in it and it often issues otherwise Pharaoh under Conviction cryes out I have sinned resolves to let Israel go desires Moses his Prayers for him yet after this hardens his Heart and that Obduration ended in his Destruction The Children of Israel under Affliction and Conviction together when God slew them then they sought him they returned and enquired early after God they remembred God was their rock and the high God their Redeemer And yet though Conscience compell'd them thus far their Heart remained Unconverted was not right with God neither were they stedfast in his Covenant Psal 78. 34 37. There may be amazing terrour in the Conscience and yet the Heart remain carnal and ill inclined endeavouring to cast the awakened Conscience into a dead slaep again that without any check or trouble it may return to its former perverse and evil way 9. Temporary Faith and forwardness in Profession is likewise mistaken for Conversion Those Hearers of the Gospel whom our Lord compares to the stony ground were forward to hear and received the Word with joy and for a while believed they assented to the Truth of the Word and look'd upon it as worthy of acceptation but it was not so acceptable in their account as to make them willing to lose all for the sake of it thus far thus deeply it had not taken root in them therefore when Persecution arose because of the Word they were offended and in time of Temptation they fell away Luk. 8. 13. These joyful forward Professors seemed Converts but really were not Converted Neither were those that went a degree further who brought forth not only the blade of an external Profession but also some fruit but being choaked with cares and riches and the pleasures of this life did not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bring forth any fruit unto perfection v. 14. 10. Spiritual Gifts especially if in some Excellency are mistaken for Conversion When there is a great measure of Notional knowledge and ability to Discourse well of the things of God variety and fluency of Utterance in Prayer these things take with others and are apt to a Est enim superbia non Magnitudo sed tumor quod autem tumâ—t videtur magnum sed non est sanum Augustin Serm. 27. de Tempore puff up those themselves that have them with a great conceit of their great Attainments as if they were spiritually alive and spiritual Worshippers of God who will be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth And yet these Gifts may be and often are without any true Humility and in them that know not the more excellent way of Love. Gifts are to be earnestly Coveted 1 Cor.
God is meer madness 't is disobedience to the highest Soveraign 't is base ingratitude against the highest Kindness 't is in effect the charging the God of Grace and Truth with falshood and ill-will 't is a rejecting the best and safest Counsel and 't is the way to engage the great Jehovah to be much more an enemy by refusing to turn and be reconciled to Him. 4. Consider what the Lords design is in requiring you to become Converts He could glorifie his Truth and Righteousness and make his Power known in executing vengeance and in punishing you with everlasting Destruction but he chuses rather to magnifie his Mercy and Grace therefore he waits to be Gracious Isa 30. 18. and if he be exalted that he may shew Mercy his Mercy will be exceeding plenteous and glorious in the blessed Effects of it if you forsake your evil wayes and thoughts and turn to him In turning you to himself the Lord designs to demonstrate that his Grace can superabound where Sin never so much abounds he designs to shew forth the merit of his Sons blood and the Power of his Spirit he designs to new make what sin had marr'd and to produce Vessels of honour out of the corrupt masse of defiled Clay In short he does design to form you for himself that you may be most blessed for ever in himself and both here and eternally shew forth his Praises And what colour or shadow of Reason is there that you should walk contrary to such a God that you should thwart and oppose such gracious Designs by refusing to return 5. Turn ye Why wo'nt you Live Is Alsufficiency to be lookt upon as empty the chiefest good become evil in your Eyes Are you fallen out with the truest felicity as if it were not at all desirable Is the perfection of Happiness fear'd as if 't were Misery Is Heaven shunn'd as if 't were Hell and do you avoid the Path that leads to it that you may be sure never to come thither These are strange Interrogatories but they serve for Conviction that those who will not turn may be sensible they wrong their own Souls Prov. 8. 36. in contemning the tender of Eternal Life and Salvation 6. Turn ye Why will ye Dye Is the Guilt of Sin become a light matter the Wrath of the Almighty easie to be born do you make a mock of that which makes the whole Creation groan and travel in pain together Rom. 8. 22. Is it no longer fearful to fall into the hands of the Living God and has the second Death ceased to be terrible Are the Tears of the Damned dryed up Is their Sorrow turned into Joy Is the never-dying Worm to be hugg'd in your bosoms and everlasting Fire a thing to be play'd with Oh! What do you mean who will not turn Why do ye love Death Prov. 8. ult Why have ye the greatest hand in your own ruine Why are ye Devils to your selves Why do ye desperately rush on in Sin and in the end throw your selves down into everlasting Burnings 7. To perswade you to turn Consider Conversion is a thing that never was that never will be Repented of The Prophane in the other World at farthest repent they did not turn at all the Hypocrites repent they did not turn in truth but sincere Converts are glad they are so and see good reason still to continue so The Apostle tells us that the Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11. 29. when he effectually Calls any and gives Converting Grace to them it is such a Gift that God never repents of bestowing neither ever does he take it quite away again It is such a Gift as Man never repents he has received but has good cause to desire that God would perfect what concerns him and not forsake the work of his own hand Psal 138. ult 8. Conversion will make you great Blessings in the places where you live Converts are the Horse-men and Chariots of Israel because as so many Princes they have power with the God of Israel Solomon tells us that Righteousness exalts a Nation Prov. 14. 34. The more Converts to Righteousness there are the more the Nation is beholding to them but Obstinate Sinners are not only their own but the Nations greatest Enemies When Gods Anger has been exceedingly provoked so that he has doom'd a Nation to Destruction Conversion even in this Case will do a kindness Jer. 18. 7 8. At what instant I speak concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdom to pluck up and to pull down and to destroy it If that Nation against whom I have pronounced turn from their evil way I will repent of the evil that I thought to do to them Though England at this day has many Enemies whose Power and Policy is engaged against it yet it is chiefly endanger'd by its sins and wickedness A speedy and general Conversion to God would certainly be Englands security and establishment 9. If you are Converts in truth the News of it will be heard and known in Heaven and occasion Joy there Luk. 15. 10. I say unto you there is Joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one Sinner that repenteth The Angels did Sing at the Birth of a Saviour Glory be to God in the highest on Earth peace good Will towards Men and they rejoyce at the New-birth of all that are saved 10. Consider the vast difference that is between the End of Converts and those that dye Vnconverted They that are wise look not only at the begininng but to the end of things and they cannot think well of that which must needs end ill And Vnconverted Sinner dying is one of the saddest spectacles in the World he is leaving all his good things all his Consolation behind him he and his hopes dye together and whither does Death send him to the Bar of an Holy and Righteous God. 'T is a terrible Clause in the Statute of Dying After this the Judgment Heb. 9. 27. And how can the wicked Man who would live and did dye in his Sins be able to stand in Judgment Death comes to the Unconverted armed with a Sting with a Sting did I say nay the Stings are thousands and millions for every one of his Sins is a Sting in his Death and his Sins being more in number than the Stars of Heaven when Death seizes him how many Stings will pierce him and put him to Pain which will be Eternal If he dyes stupid 't is so much the worse for Hell being not fear'd or thought of when felt will be the more woful If he dyes in horrour alas the greatest Despair and Anguish on a Death-bed is no more to be compared with the Agonies of the Damned Spirits than a Whisper is to be compared with Thunder or the smallest Spark of fire is to be compared with those devouring Flames that in -66 did burn down London But on the other side how ends the Convert Death is a fall
will he guide in Judgment and the meek will he teach his way And while Christians are using the Word of God if they cry to the Father of Lights that gives wisdom liberally without upbraiding they shall have a Heart to know him that he is the Lord Jer. 24. 7. and they shall return to him with the whole Heart 9. Hence I inferr That we should be such lovers of Mankind as to wish the whole World did enjoy the Word of God the great means of Conversion It should be a sadning thought to our Hearts that though all mankind have sinned and are in a lost estate the Word of God that informs concerning the only Saviour is known to so very few The Jewish Church of old for hundreds of years did put up that Prayer and at length it was answered in the Vocation and calling of the Gentiles Psal 67. 〈◊〉 That thy way may be known upon the Earth and thy saving health among all Nations Christians should Pray in the same strain that this Petition may be heard further Christians should be compassionate Intercessours for the poor World that lyes in darkness and wickedness that the Light of the Gospel may come wherever the Sun in the Firmament shines that so whole Kingdoms and Nations by thousands and by millions may not thus throng the way to Hell for want of Saving Knowledge and Converting Grace And as we should pity and pray for the Infidel VVorld so we should pity and pray for poor Posterity that they when they come to be born into England may find this a Land of Light for if we should leave them without the glorious Gospel of the blessed God we should leave them under Sathans Power and in the Conâ—lâ—es of Hell O let us put on Bowels and pray hard that those that shall be born twenty forty a hundred years hence and more may find England the Land of Immanuel and may be priviledged with the Word of God that may be a means of their being regenerate and born again 10. Lastly Hence I inferr How inexcusable those are that turn the VVord of God the great means of Conversion and Salvation into a deadly savour to themselves O the evil Nature of that Sin of unbelief the evil Heart of unbelief doth make the greatest Blessings to become Curses To grow more blind under the Light to grow more deaf and disobedient the louder God calls to grow more barren and unfruitful notwithstanding all advantages to make you thrive in Grace and Goodness what excuse can be brought for this To receive the Grace of God in vain is a very great folly but to turn the Grace of God into wantonness to Sin because Grace doth abound this is to turn the very Remedy and Antidote into Poyson and to perish the more certainly the more fearfully The Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 2. 16. telleth us that his Ministry was a savour of death unto death to some they grew more dead more estranged from God and Holiness even while they heard the Gospel that is a Doctrine according to Godliness preached to them and growing more dead 〈◊〉 a spiritual sence eternal Death did prove the sorer to them That man that under the Word of God grows worse and worse comes daily to hear but goes away more vain more filthy more wedded to his will and to his hateful and hurtful lusts this Man is indeed desparately wicked this man doth fix himself under the Laws Curse he pulls down upon his own Head the Mediators Vengeance and after his hardness and impenitent Heart treasures up unto himself wrath against the day of wrath and the Revelation of the righteous Judgment of God. The second Use is by way of Reproof If the Word be the great means of Conversion several sorts of Persons are sharply to be reprehended 1. Those that dislike and hate the VVord of God these are Fools in the worst and most dangerous sence that hate Instruction and cast the Laws of God behind their backs Psal 50. 17. These are bruitish that can't endure to be reproved for doing harm to themselves they are certainly bewitched that will not obey the Truth Gal. 3. 1. As Christ says For which of my good works do ye stone me so say I For which of the good Effects of the VVord of God do you hate it It is Light in darkness a means of conveying Life to the dead Food to the hungry a Cordial to the fainting a Sword to secure you against and to conquer your spiritual Enemies And therefore if you dislike this Word of God you are even unto sottishness without understanding It is a Scripture phrase Jer. 4. 22. My people are foolish they have not known me they are sottish Children and without understanding they are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge 2. Those are sharply to be reproved who endeavour to hinder the Efficacy of the VVord of God upon others this they do by ill Counsel and by worse Example This they do by being Contentious against the Truth and by pleading for unrighteousness This they do by promoting prejudices against the Word of God as if the embracing of it were the way to Melancholick sadness sorrow and scorn which is indeed the way to the truest Gain and the surest Peace They that are troubled to see others minding Heaven are strangely degenerate and are become Factors for Hell and discover a most diabolical Disposition But whatsoever Persons speak against Grace and Holiness whatever they say for the continuance in a wicked way all their words are but vain words and every eaâ— should be deaf to them Eph. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of disobedience 3. Loose Professours of Religion are to be reproved who are indeed a discredit to the Word of God they come and hear the Word of God but what are they in their Families what are they in their Closets what are they in the whole course of their Lives Filthiness greediness after Gain excessive Drinking Impurity Covetousness these things indeed they can shew but too much of But any thing of true Holiness of Humility of Strictness of Contempt of this World of Delight in minding another World they are utter Strangers to Will you remember one Truth The Conversion of the prophane is very much hindred by the licentiousness of the Hypocrites the former won't be prevailed with to turn into the way of Truth because the latter by their evil Courses do make this way of Truth to be evil spoken of 2 Pet. 2. 2. I shall conclude with a Vse of Direction How may the Word of God be heard so as that it may be effectual to the Conversion of the hearers 1. Consent that all the Impediments of the Words efficacy should be removed Be unwilling that your hearts should be like the high-way ground utterly careless grossly Ignorant of the Truths you hear My
Messias and in hearing the Gospel from his Mouth Matth. 13. 17. Many Prophets and righteous men of old desired to see the things which ye see and have not seen them and to hear the things which ye hear and have not heard them Indeed that Light that did shine in the days of Moses was a perfect Light in a sence that is it was a Light converting and saving those that did receive it and that did walk according to it but yet you must understand that since the Sun of righteousness is actually risen there is a greater light that shines now than ever shined before since the Fall of Man. Those things that were hid from Ages and Generations are revealed by the Gospel That vail that was upon the face of Moses signifying the obscurity of the Mosaick Dispensation that vail is done away in Christ 2 Cor. 3. 12 13. And in this Word consisting of the Old and New Testament the Lord Jesus Christ is set forth before you all as full of Grace and Truth and as the only Hope of Glory Understand your Priviledge it is such a Priviledge that you enjoy this day that was not afforded to the World till it was about four thousand years old 4. The Word of God is so perfect that a further Revelation is needless and not to be expected That Faith that was once delivered unto the Saints it is to be held fast by Saints in all subsequent Ages That you earnestly contend saith the Apostle Jude ver 3. of his Epistle for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints This Doctrine of Faith ought to be held fast and it is a compleat Doctrine Let this go and really you are without God without Christ without well grounded hopes of Heaven Look into the Second Epistle of John ver 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son. This Word that you find in the Bible containing the Old Testament and the New doth deliver all to you that God requires you to believe in order to your Salvation and nothing is to be received as an Article of Faith but what the written Word of God doth propound to you And as it informs concerning mysteries of Faith so concerning Duties that are to be practised and â—he Rule is so compleat that whosoever walk according to it Peace and Mercy shall â—e upon him Gal. 6. 16. In the Word of God are the Credenda Agenda Petenda Truths to be Believed Commands to be Obeyed and Blessings to be Desired Niâ—il debet addi verbo quoad quantitatem nihil â—eprehendi quoad qualitatem Nothing is to â—e added as to quantity nothing to be â—eprehended or found fault with as to â—uality We are not to look for a further Reâ—elation from Heaven it self If an Angel â—om Heaven should preach another Gospel â—e were bound to conclude he were turned Apostate from the Truth and were to call â—im accursed Gal. 1. 8. To talk of Evanâ—elium Spiritus the Gospel of the Spirit which is to justle out the Gospel of Christ and the Ordinances of it is to talk of a pernicious delusion The true Spirit glorifies Christ inspired the Apostles infallibly to deliver the Doctrine and Ordinances of the Gospel Therefore says the Apostle John 1 Joh. 4. 6. He that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Errour The Ceremonial Law was abrogated the Jewish Church State was shaken and broken but the Gospel Church-state is to remain unalterable unto the very end of the World Heb. 12. 27. and shall continue in despight of all Enemies and Opposition 5. The Word of God is so perfect as tâ— bring Man home to God though by Siâ— and Unbelief he is departed and run faâ— away from Him. God calls in his Word to this very end that Man might hear anâ— turn to Him. And as to thousands anâ— millions of Souls this Word has a probâ—tum est Testimony that it has been trieâ— and found an effectual means of Conversion If we were caught up to the thirâ— Heaven and could converse with the glorified Spirits of the Just they would as knowledge they were redeemed unto God 〈◊〉 the Blood of Christ and that they weâ— drawn to Christ by the Word of the Gospel while they were hearing this the Spirit entred into them and made them true believing Converts How many whose case seemed desperate has this Word been a means to cure Although the Miracles in Nature are ceased which were necessary at first that the Gospel might take root in the World yet Miracles of Grace are still produced The Spiritually Blind are made to see the things that concern their Peace The Spiritually Deaf are made to hear the Voice of the Lord Jesus The Spiritually Lame are made to walk nay to run the ways of Gods Commandments Nay the Dead in Sin are made to rise with Christ and to live to Righteousness How perfect is the Word which Works such notable effects as these Christ tells his Disciples whom he had impower'd to work Miracles that in time they should do greater works than those Joh. 14. 12. By these greater Works Origen and the Fathers understand the Conversion of Kingdoms and Nations to the Christian Faith to the true and living God. To raise a World that had been so long dead in wickedness to cast Sathan in so many places out of his Temples and â—hrow down his Worship to bring those Souls to the Knowledge and Love of God. that were so grosly ignorant and utterly estranged from him this was a wonderful work indeed Those that are far from God shall perish Psal 73. 27. to be brought near to Him is good for 't is to be secured from ruine and to have the Lord to be our God and Blessedness that 's a perfect Word indeed which brings us home to Him. 6. The Word is so perfect that it directs us how to walk with God and to keep our selves in his Love. To obtain the favour of God is much to continue in his favour is more desirable The Word both brings and keeps man near to God This Word does very much press Perseverance and shews the way how we may continue in well doing to the end It requires us to be stedfast unmoveable and always to abound in the Work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. It bids us to look to our selves that we losâ— not the things we have wrought that we may receive a full reward 2 Joh. v. 8. It commands us to hold fast that which we have that no man take our Crown Rev. 3. 11. The Apostle propounds himself as an example to be followed and tells us Phil. 3. 13. 14. This one thing I do forgetting the things that are behind and reaching forth to those things that are before I press towards the mark