eatest of it thou shalt surely die The Subject then of our next Discourse is the Covenant of Works This Covenant was made with Adam and all Mankind for Adam was a publick Person and the Representative of the World Quest. For what Reason did God make a Covenant with Adam and his Posterity in Innocency Resp. 1. To shew his Soveraignty over us we were his Creatures and as God was the great Monarch of Heaven and Earth God might impose upon us terms of a Covenant 2. God made a Covenant with Adam to bind him fast to God as God bound himself to Adam so Adam was bound to God by the Covenant Quest. What was the Covenant Resp. God commanded Adam not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge God gave Adam leave to eat of all the other Trees of the Garden God did not envy him any Happiness only meddle not with this Tree of Knowledge because God would try Adam's Obedience As King Pharaoh made Ioseph chief Ruler in his Kingdom and gave him a Ring off his Finger and a Chain of Gold only he must not touch his Throne Gen. 41.40 in like manner God dealt with Adam he gave him a sparkling Jewel Knowledge and araid him with a fine Vesture put upon him the Garment of Original Righteousness only saith God Touch not the Tree of Knowledge for that is aspiring after Omnisciency Adam had power to have kept this Law Adam had the Copy of God's Law written in his heart This Covenant of Works had a Promise annexed to it and a Threatning 1. The Promise Do this and live In case Man had stood it is probable he had not died but had been translated to a better Paradise 2. The Threatning Thou shalt die the death Hebr. in dying thou shalt die that is thou shalt die both a natural Death and an Eternal unless some other Expedient be found out for thy Restoration Quest. But why did God give Adam this Law seeing God did foresee that Adam would transgress Resp. 1. It was Adam's fault he did not keep the Law God gave him a stock of Grace to trade with but he of himself broke 2. Though God foresaw Adam would transgress yet that was not a sufficient reason that Adam should have no Law given him for by the same reason God should not have given his written Word to Men to be a Rule of Faith and Manners because he foresaw that some would not believe and others would be prophane Shall not Laws be made in the Land because some break them 3. God though he foresaw Adam would break the Law he knew how to turn it to a greater good in sending Christ. The first Covenant being broken he knew how to establish a second and a better Well concerning the First Covenant consider these four Things 1. The Form of the first Covenant in Innocency was working Do this and live Working was the Ground and Condition of our Justification Gal. 3.12 Not but that working is required in the Covenant of Grace we are bid to work out salvation and be rich in good works But works in the Covenant of Grace are not required under the same Notion as in the first Covenant with Adam Works are not required to the Iustification of our Persons but as a Testification of our Love to God not as a Cause of our Salvation but as an Evidence of our Adoption Works are required in the Covenant of Grace not so much in our own strength as in the strength of another It is God which worketh in you Phil. 2.13 As the Scrivener guides the Child's hand and helps him to form his Letters so that it is not so much the Child's writing as the Scriveners that guides his hand so not our working as the Spirit 's co-working 2. The Covenant of Works was very strict God required of Adam and all Mankind 1. Perfect Obedience Adam must do all things written in the Book of the Law Gal. 3.10 and not fail either in the matter or manner Adam was to live up to the whole breadth of the Moral Law and go exactly according to it as a well made Dial goes with the Sun a sinful thought had forfeited the Covenant 2. Personal Obedience Adam must not do his work by a Proxy or have any Surety bound for him no it must be done in his own Person 3. Perpetual Obedience He must continue in all things written in the Book of the Law Gal. 3.10 Thus it was very strict There was no Mercy in case of failure 3. The Covenant of Works was not built upon a very firm Basis therefore it must needs leave Men full of Fears and Doubts The Covenant of Works rested upon the strength of Man's inherent Righteousness which though in Innocency was perfect yet was subject to a change Adam was created holy but mutable He had a power to stand but not a power not to fall Adam had a stock of Original Righteousness to begin the World with but he was not sure he should not break Adam was his own Pilot and could steer right in the time of Innocency but he was not so secured but that he might dash against the Rock of a Temptation and he and his Posterity suffer Shipwrack So that the Covenant of Works must needs leave Jealousies and Doubtings in Adam's heart he having no Security given him that he should not fall from that glorious state 4. The Covenant of Works being broken by Sin Man's Condition was very deplorable and desperate He was left in himself helpless there was no place for Repentance the Justice of God being offended sets all the other Attributes against Mandkind When Adam lost his Righteousness he lost his Anchor of Hope and his Crown there was no way for Man's relief unless God would find out such a way that neither Man nor Angels could devise Use 1. See the Condescension of God who was pleased to stoop so low as to make a Covenant with us For the God of Glory to make a Covenant with Dust and Ashes for God to bind himself to us to give us Life in case of Obedience Entring into Covenant was a sign of God's Friendship with us and a Royal Act of his Favour 2. See what a glorious Condition Man was in when God entred into Covenant with him 1. He was placed in the Garden of God which for the pleasure of it was called Paradise Gen. 2.8 he had his choice of all the Trees one only excepted he had all kind of precious Stones pure Mettals rich Cedars he was a King upon the Throne and all the Creation did obeysance to him as in Ioseph's Dream all his Brethrens sheaves did bow to his sheaf Man in Innocency had all kind of Pleasure that might ravish his Sences with delight and be as Baits to allure him to serve and worship his Maker 2. Besides he was full of Holiness Paradise was not more adorned with Fruit then Adam's Soul was with Grace He was the Coin on which God had
stamp'd his lively Image Light sparkled in his Understanding he was like an Earthly Angel his Will and Affections were full of order tuning harmoniously to the Will of God Adam was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a perfect Pattern of Sanctity 3. Adam had intimacy of Communion with God and conversed with him as a Favourite with his Prince Adam knew God's Mind and had his Heart He not only enjoyed the Light of the Sun in Paradise but the Light of God's Countenance This Condition was Adam in when God entred into Covenant with him But this did not long continue Man being in honour abideth not Psal. 49. ult lodged not for a night his Teeth watered at the Apple and ever since it hath made our Eyes water 3. Learn from Adam's Fall how unable we are to stand in our own strength If Adam in the state of Integrity did not stand how unable are we now when the Lock of our original Righteousness is cut If purified Nature did not stand how then shall corrupt Nature we need more strength to uphold us then our own 4. See in what a sad Condition all Unbelievers and Impenitent Persons are so long as they continue in their sins they continue under the Curse of the first Covenant Faith intitles us to the Mercy of the second Covenant but while Men are under the power of their sins they are under the Curse of the first Covenant and if they die in this Condition they are damned to Eternity 5. See the wonderful goodness of God who was pleased when we had forfeited the first Covenant to enter into a new Covenant with us Well may it be called Foedus Gratiae a Covenant of Grace it is bespangled with Promises as the Heaven with Stars When the Angels those glorious Spirits fell God did not enter into a new Covenant with them to be their God but let those golden Vessels lie broken but hath entred into a second Covenant with us better then the first Hebr. 8.6 It is better because it is surer it is made in Christ and cannot be reversed Christ hath engaged his strength to keep every Believer In the first Covenant we had à posse stare a power of standing in the second we have à non posse cadere an impossibility of Falling finally 1 Pet. 1.5 6. Whoever they are that look for Righteousness and Salvation by the power of their Free-will or the inherent goodness of their Nature or by Virtue of their Merit as the Socinians and Papists these are all under the Covenant of Works they do not submit to the Righteousness of Faith therefore they are bound to keep the whole Law and in case of failure they are condemned The Covenant of Grace is like a Court of Chancery to relieve the Sinner and help him who is Cast by the first Covenant It saith Believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved but such as will stand upon their own inherent Righteousness Free-will and Merit they fall under the first Covenant of Works and are in a perishing Estate Use 2. Let us labour by Faith to get into the second Covenant of Grace and then the Curse of the first Covenant is taken away by Christ. If once we get to be Heirs of the Covenant of Grace we are in a better state than before Adam stood on his own Legs therefore fell we stand in the strength of Christ. Under the first Covenant the Justice of God as an Avenger of Blood pursues you but if ye get into the second Covenant you are got into the City of Refuge you are safe and the Justice of God is pacified towards you Concerning SIN Quest. X. What is Sin Answ. Sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the Law of God 1 John 3.4 Sin is a Transgression of the Law Of Sin in general 1. Sin is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Violation or Transgression The Latin word transgredior to transgress signifies to go beyond ones Bounds The Moral Law is to keep us within the bounds of our Duty Sin is a going beyond our bounds 2. The Law of God it is not the Law of an Inferiour Prince is broken but of Iehovah who gives Laws as well to Angels as Men it is a Law that is just and holy and good Rom. 7.12 It is just there is nothing in it unequal holy nothing in it impure good nothing in it prejudicial So that there is no reason to break this Law no more than for a Beast that is in a fat Pasture to break over the Hedge to leap into a barren Heath or Quagmire I shall shew what an heinous and execrable thing Sin is It is malorum colluvies the complication of all Evil it is the Spirits of Mischief distil'd The Scripture calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the accursed thing Josh. 7.13 it is compared to the venome of Serpents the stench of Sepulchres The Apostle useth this expression of sin out of measure sinful Rom. 7.13 or as in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hyperbolically sinful The Devil would paint over sin with the Vermilion colour of Pleasure and Profit that he may make it look fair But I shall pull off the Paint from Sin that you may see the ugly face of it We are apt to have slight thoughts of Sin and to say of it as Lot of Zoar Gen. 19.20 Is it not a little one But that you may see how great an Evil Sin is consider these four things I. The Original of Sin whence it comes It fetcheth its Pedigree from Hell Sin is of the Devil 1 Iohn 3.8 He that committeth sin is of the Devil Satan was the first Actor of sin and the first Tempter to sin Sin is the Devils First-born II. Sin is evil in the Nature of it 1. It is a defiling thing Sin is not only a Defection but a Pollution It is to the Soul as Rust is to Gold as a Stain is to Beauty It makes the Soul red with guilt and black with filth Sin in Scripture is compared to a menstruous cloath Isa. 30.22 to a plague sore 1 Kings 8.38 Ioshua's filthy Garments in which he stood before the Angel Zach. 3.3 were nothing but a Type and Hieroglyphick of Sin Sin hath blotted God's Image and stained the orient brightness of the Soul Sin makes God loath a sinner Zach. 11.8 and when a sinner sees his sin he loaths himself Ezek. 20.42 Sin drops poison on our holy things it infects our Prayers The High Priest was to make Atonement for sin on the Altar Exod. 29.36 to typifie that our holiest Services need Christ to make Atonement for them Duties of Religion in themselves are good but sin corrupts them as the purest Water is polluted running through muddy ground The Leper under the Law if he had touched the Altar the Altar had not cleansed him but he had defiled the Altar The Apostle calls Sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 filthiness of flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 Sin stamps the
painted Fire Ejus adesse intolerabile ejus abesse impossibile To bear it will be intolerable to avoid it will be impossible And these Hell-torments are for ever have no Period put to them Rev. 9.6 They shall seek death and shall not find it Origen fancied a Fiery Stream in which the Souls of sinful Men werâ— to be purged after this Life and then to pass into Heaven but it is for ever The Breath of the Lord kindles that Fire and where shall we find Engines or Buckets to quench it Rev. 14.11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest night nor day Thank Original Sin for all Use. 1. What sad thoughts should we have of this Primitive Original Sin that hath created so many Miseries What Honey can be got out of this Lyon what Grapes can we gather off this Thorn It sets Heaven and Earth against us While we choose this Bramble to Rule Fire comes out of the Bramble to devour us 2. How are all Believers bound to Jesus Christ who hath freed them from that Misery to which Sin hath exposed them Eph. 1.7 In whom we have Redemption through his Blood Sin hath brought Trouble and a Curse into the World Christ hath sanctified the Trouble and removed the Curse Nay he hath not only freed Believers from Misery but purchased for them a Crown of Glory and Immortality 1 Pet. 5.4 When the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away Of the Covenant of Grace Quest. XIV DID God leave Mankind to perish in this state of Sin and Misery Resp. No He entred into a Covenant of Grace to deliver the Elect out of that estate and bring them into a state of Grace by a Redeemer Isa. 55.3 I Will make an Everlasting Covenant with you Man being by his Fall plung'd into a Labyrinth of Misery and having no way left to recover himself God was pleased to enter into a New Covenant with him and so restore him to Life by a Redeemer The great Proposition I shall go upon is That there is a New Covenant ratified between God and the Elect. Quest. What the New Covenant is Resp. It is a solemn Compact and Agreement made between God and fallen Man wherein the Lord undertakes to be our God and to make us his People Quest. What Names are given to the Covenant Resp. 1. It is called a Covenant of Peace Ezek. 37.26 because it Seals up Reconciliation between God and humble Sinners Before this Covenant there was nothing but Enmity God did not love us A Creature that offends cannot be loved by an holy God and we did not love him a God that condemns cannot be loved by a guilty Creature so that there was War on both sides But God hath found out a way in the new Covenant to reconcile differing Parties so that it is fitly called a Covenant of Peace 2. It is called a Covenant of Grace and well it may for 1. it was with Grace that when we had forfeited the first Covenant God should enter into a new Covenant after we had cast away our selves The Covenant of Grace is Tabula post naufragium as a Plank after shipwrack O the Free-grace of God that he should parly with Sinners and set his Wisdom and Mercy awork to bring Rebels into the Bond of the Covenant 2. It is a Covenant of Grace because it is a Royal Charter all made up of Terms of Grace That God will cast our sins behind his back that he will love us freely Hos. 14.4 that he will give us a will to accept of the Mercy of the Covenant and strength to perform the Conditions of the Covenant Ezek. 37.26 All this is pure Grace Quest. Why would God make a Covenant with us Resp. 1. It is out of Induldgence Favour and Respect to us A Tyrant will not enter into a Covenant with Slaves he will not shew them such Respect God's entring into Covenant with us to be our God is a Dignity he puts upon us A Covenant is Insigne honoris a Note of Distinction between God's People and Heathens Ezek. 16.22 I will establish my Covenant with thee When the Lorld told Abraham that he would enter into Covenant with him Abraham fell upon his face Gen. 17.2 as being amazed that the God of Glory should bestow such a Favour upon him 2. God makes a Covenant with us to tye us fast to him it is called in Ezekiel the Bond of the Covenant God knows we have slippery hearts therefore he will have a Covenant to bind us 'T is horrid Impiety to go away from God after Covenant If one of the Vestal Nuns who had vowed her self to Religion was defloured the Romans caused her to be burnt alive 'T is Perjury to depart from God after solemn Covenant Quest. How doth the Covenant of Grace differ from the first Covenant made with Adam Resp. 1 st Difference The Terms of the first Covenant were more strict and severe For 1. The least failing would have made the Covenant with Adam null and void but many Failings do not null the Covenant of Grace I grant the least sin is a Trespass upon the Covenant but it doth not make it null and void There may be many Failings in the Conjugal Relation but every Failing doth not break the Marriage-Bond It would be sad if as oft as we break Covenant with God he should break Covenant with us but God will not take advantage of every Failing but in anger remember Mercy 2. The first Covenant being broken allowed the Sinner no remedy all Doors of Hope were shut but the New Covenant allows the Sinner a remedy it leaves room for Repentance it provides a Mediator Hebr. 12.24 Iesus the Mediator of the New Covenant 2 d Difference The first Covenant did run all upon working the second upon believing Rom. 4.5 Quest. But are not Works required in the Covenant of Grace Answ. Yes Tit. 3.8 This is a faithful saying that they which believe in God be careful to maintain Good Works But the Covenant of Grace doth not require Works in the same manner as the Covenant of Works did In the first Covenant Works were required as the Condition of Life in the second they are required only as the Signs of a Man that is alive In the first Covenant Works were required as Grounds of Salvation in the New Covenant they are required as Evidences of our Love to God In the first they were required to the Justification of our Persons in the New to the Testification of our Grace Quest. What is the Condition of the Covenant of Grace Answ. The main Condition is Faith Quest. But why is Faith more the Condition of the New Covenant then any other Grace Answ. To exclude all glorying in the Creature Faith is an humble Grace If Repentance or Works were the Condition of the Covenant a Man would say It is my Righteousness hath saved
me But if it be of Faith where is boasting Faith fetcheth all from Christ and gives all the glory to Christ 't is most humble Grace Hence it is God hath singled out this Grace to be the Condition of the Covenant And if Faith be the Condition of the Covenant of Grace it excludes desperate presumptuous Sinners from the Covenant They say there is a Covenant of Grace and they shall be saved but did you ever know a Bond without a Condition The Condition of the Covenant is Faith and if thou hast no Faith thou hast no more to do with the Covenant than a Foreigner or a Country Farmer with the City Charter Use 1. of Information See the amazing Goodness of God to enter into Covenant with us He never entred into Covenant with the Angels when they fell It was much Condescension in God to enter into Covenant with us in a state of Innocency but it was more to enter into Covenant with us in a state of Enmity In this Covenant of Grace we may see the Cream of God's Love and the working of his Bowels to sinners This is a Marriage-Covenant Ier. 3.14 I am married to you saith the Lord. In the New Covenant God makes himself over to us and what can he give more And he makes over his Promises to us and what better Bond can we have Use 2. of Trial. Whether we are in Covenant with God There are three Characters 1. God's Covenant People are an humble People 1 Pet. 5.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be ye clothed with humility God's People esteem of others better then themselves they shrink into nothing in their own thoughts Phil. 2.3 David cries out I am a worm and no man Psal. 22.6 though a Saint though a King yet a Worm When Moses's Face shin'd he covered it with a Vail God's People when they shine most in Grace are covered with the Vail of Humility Pride excludes from the Covenant God resisteth the proud 1 Pet. 5.5 and sure such are not in Covenant with God whom he resists 2. A People in Covenant with God are a willing People though they cannot serve God perfectly they serve him willingly They do not grudge God a little time spent in his Worship they do not hesitate or murmur at Sufferings they will go through a Sea and a Wilderness if God calls Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall be a willing people Hebr. gnam nedabot a people of willingness This spontanity and willingness is from the attractive Power of God's Spirit the Spirit doth not impellere force but trahere sweetly draw the Will and this willingness in Religion makes all our Services accepted God doth sometimes accept of willingness without the work but never the work without willingness 3. God's Covenant People are a consecrated People they have holiness to the Lord written upon them Cast a placent superis Deut. 7.6 Thou art an holy people to the Lord thy God God's Covenant People are separated from the World and sanctified by the Spirit The Priests under the Law were not only to wash in the great Laver but were araied with glorious Apparel Exod. 28.2 This was Typical to shew God's People are not only washed from gross sin but adorned with holiness of heart they bear not only God's Name but Image Tamerlain refused a Pot of Gold when he saw it had not his Fathers stamp upon it but the Roman stamp Holiness is God's stamp if he doth not see this stamp upon us he will not own us for his Covenant People Use 3. of Exhort To such as are out of Covenant labour to get into Covenant and have God for your God How glad would the old World have been of an Ark How industrious should we be to get within the Arke of the Covenant Consider 1. the Misery of such as live and die out of Covenant with God 1. Such have none to go to in an hour of distress When Conscience accuseth when Sickness approacheth which is but an Harbinger to bespeak a Loding for Death then what will you do whither will you fly will you look to Christ for help He is a Mediator only for such as are in Covenant O! how will you be filled with horrour and despair and be as Saul 1 Sam. 15.28 The Philistines make war against me and the Lord is departed 2. Till you are in Covenant with God there is no Mercy The Mercy-Seat was placed upon the Ark and the Mercy-Seat was no larger then the Ark to shew that the Mercy of God reacheth no further then the Covenant 2. The Excellency of the Covenant of Grace it is a better Covenant then the first made with Adam 1. Because it is more friendly and propitious Those Services which would have been rejected in the first Covenant are accepted in the second Here God accepts of the Will for the Deed 2 Cor. 8.10 here sincerity is crowned In the Covenant of Grace wherein we are weak God will give strength and wherein we come short God will accept of a Surety 2. It is a better Covenant because it is surer 2 Sam. 23.5 Thou hast made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure The first Covenant was not sure it stood upon a tottering foundation Works Adam had no sooner a stock of Righteousness to trade with but he broke but the Covenant of Grace is sure it is confirmed with God's Decree and it rests upon two mighty Pillars the Oath of God and the Blood of God 3. It hath better Priviledges The Covenant of Grace brings preferment Our Nature is now more enobled we are rais'd to higher Glory then in Innocency we are advanced to sit upon Christ's Throne Rev. 3.21 we are by virtue of the Covenant of Grace nearer to Christ then the Angels They are his Friends we his Spouse 3. God is willing to be in Covenant with you Why doth God woe and beseech you by his Ambassadors to be reconciled if he were not willing to be in Covenant Object I would fain be in Covenant with God but I have been a great sinner and I fear God will not admit me into Covenant Resp. If thou seest thy sins and loathest thy self for them yet God will take thee into Covenant Isa. 43.24 Thou hast wearied me with thy iniquities I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions As the Sea covers great Rocks so God's Covenant-Mercy covers great Sins Some of the Jews that crucified Christ yet had their sins washed away in his Blood Object But I am not worthy that ever God should admit me into Covenant Answ. It never came into God's thoughts to make a New Covenant upon Terms of Worthiness If God should shew Mercy to none but such as are worthy then he must shew Mercy to none at all But it is God's design in the New Covenant to advance the riches of Grace to love us freely and when we have no worthiness of our own to accept us through Christ's worthiness Therefore
they disparage Christ's Merits I may say as Gal. 5.4 Christ is become of no effect to them This I affirm Such as advance the Power of their Will in matters of Salvation without the Medicinal Grace of Christ do absolutely put themselves under the Covenant of Works And now I would ask them Can they perfectly keep the Moral Law Malum oritur ex quolibet defectu If there be but the least Defect in their Obedience they are gone For one sinful Thought the Law of God curseth them and the Justice of God arraigns them Confounded be their Pride who cry up the Power of Nature as if by their own inherent Abilities they could rear up a Building the top whereof should reach to Heaven 2 d. Br. It confutes a sort of People that brag of Perfection and according to that Principle they can keep all God's Commandments perfectly I would ask these Have they at no time a vain Thought come into their Mind if they have then they are not perfect The Virgin Mary was not perfect tho' her Womb were pure being overshadowed with the Holy Ghost yet her Soul was not perfect Christ doth tacitly imply a Failing in her Luke 2.49 And are they more perfect than the Blessed Virgin was Such as hold Perfection need not confess Sin David confessed Sin Psal. 32.6 And Paul confessed Sin Rom. 7.24 But they are got beyond David and Paul they are perfect they never transgress and where there is no Transgression what needs Confession 2. If they are perfect they need not ask Pardon They can pay God's Justice what they owe therefore what need they pray Forgive us our Debts O that the Devil should rock Men so fast asleep as to make them dream of Perfection And whereas they bring that Phil. 3.15 Let us therefore as many as be Perfect be thus minded Answ. Perfection there is meant of Sincerity God is best able to interpret his own Word he calls Sincerity Perfection Iob 1.8 A perfect and an upright Man But who is exactly perfect A Man full of Diseases may as well say he is healthful as a Man full of Sin say he is perfect Vse III. To Regenerate Persons Tho you fail in your Obedience and cannot keep the Moral Law exactly yet be not discouraged Quest. What comfort may be given to a Regenerate Person under the Failures and Imperfections of his Obedience Resp. 1. That a Believer is not under the Covenant of Works but under the Covenant of Grace The Covenant of Works requires perfect personal perpetual Obedience But in the Covenant of Grace God will make some Abatements He will accept of less than he required in the Covenant of Works 1. In the Covenant of Works God required Perfection of Degrees In the Covenant of Grace he accepts Perfection of Parts There he required perfect Working here he accepts sincere Believing In the Covenant of Works God required us to live without Sin in the Covenant of Grace God accepts of our Combat with Sin 2. Tho a Christian cannot in his own Person perform all God's Commandments yet Christ as his Surety and in his stead hath fulfilled the Law for him and God accepts of Christ's Obedience which is perfect to satisfie for that Obedience which is imperfect Christ being made a Curse for Believers all the Curses of the Law have their Sting pulled out 3. Tho a Christian cannot keep the Commands of God to Satisfaction yet he may to Approbation Quest. How is that Answ. 1. He gives his full Assent and Consent to the Law of God Rom. 7.12 The Law is Holy and Iust. There was Assent in the Judgment Rom. 7.16 I consent to the Law There was Consent in the Will 2. A Christian mourns that he cannot keep the Commandments fully When he fails he weeps He is not angry with the Law because it is so strict but he is angry with himself because he is so deficient 3. He takes a sweet complacential Delight in the Law Rom. 7.22 I delight in the Law of God in the inward Man Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I take Pleasure in it Psal. 119.97 O how love I thy Law Tho a Christian cannot keep God's Law yet he loves his Law Tho he cannot serve God perfectly yet he serves him willingly 4. It is his cordial Desire to walk in all God's Commands Psal. 119.5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy Statues Tho his Strength fails yet his Pulse beats 5. He doth really endeavour to obey God's Law perfectly and wherein he comes short he runs to Christ's Blood to make Supply for his Defects This cordial Desire and real Endeavour God esteems as perfect Obedience 2 Cor. 8.12 If there be a willing mind it is accepted Let me hear thy Voice for sweet is thy Voice Cant. 2.14 Tho the Prayers of the Righteous are mixed with Sin yet God sees they would pray better God picks out the Weeds from the Flowers he sees the Faith and winks at the Failing The Saints Obedience tho it falls short of Legal Perfection yet having Sincerity in it and Christ's Merits mix'd with it finds gracious Acceptance When the Lord sees endeavours after Perfect Obedience this he takes well at our Hands As a Father that receives a Letter from his Child tho' there be Blots in the Letters and False Spellings yet the Father takes all in good Part. O what Blottings are there in our Holy Things But God is pleas'd to take all in good part Saith God It is my Child and he would do better if he could I will accept it Quest. Are all the Transgressions of the Law equally heinous Answ. Some Sins in themselves and by reason of several Aggravations are more hainous in the sight of God than others Iohn 19.11 He that delivered me unto thee hath the Greater Sin The Stoick Philosophers held that all Sins were equal But this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in Sin Some are greater than others Some are mighty Sins Amos 5.12 And crying Sins Gen. 18.21 Every Sin hath a Voice to speak but some Sins cry As some Diseases are worse than others and some poysons more venomous so some Sins are more heinous Ezek. 16.47 Ier. 16.12 You have done worse than your Fathers your Sins have exceeded theirs Some Sins have a blacker Aspect than others To clip the King's Coyn is Treason but to strike his Person is an higher degree of Treason A vain Thoughr is a Sin but a blasphemous Word is a greater Sin That some Sins are greater than others appears 1. Because there was difference in the Offerings under the Law The Sin-offering was greater than the Trespass-Offering 2. Because some Sins are not capable of Pardon as others are therefore they must needs he more heinous as the Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost Matth. 12.31 3. Because some Sins have a greater Degree of Punishment than others Matth. 23.14 Ye shall receive greater Damnation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shall not the
so small that it is scarce discernable Such as at the first dash have a strong Perswasion that Christ is theirs who leap out of Sin into Assurance their Faith is false and spurious That Faith which is come to its full Stature on its Birth-day is a Monster The Seed that sprung up suddenly withered Matth. 13.5 4. Faith is a Refining Grace it consecrates and purifies Moral Vertue may wash the out-side Faith washeth the in-side Acts 15.9 Having purified their Hearts by Faith Faith makes the Heart a Sacrary or Temple with this Inscription Holiness to the Lord. Such whose Hearts have Legions of Lusts in them were never acquainted with true Faith For one to say he hath Faith yet lives in Sin is as if one should say he were in Health yet his Vitals are perished Faith is a Virgin-Grace it is joyn'd with Sanctity 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the Mystery of Faith in a pure Conscience The Jewel of Faith is always put in the Cabinet of a pure Conscience The Woman that touch'd Christ by Faith fetch'd an healing and cleansing Vertue from him 5. True Faith is Obediential Rom. 16.26 The Obedience of Faith Faith melts our Will into the Will of God If God commands Duty tho cross to Flesh and Blood Faith obeys Heb. 11.8 By Faith Abâ—aham obeyed Faith doth not only believe the Promise but obey the Command It is not having a Speculative Knowledge will evidence you to be Believers The Devil hath Knowledge but that which makes him a Devil is he wants Obedience 6. True Faith is encreasing Rom. 1.17 From Faith to Faith i. e. From one Degree of Faith to another Faith doth not lie in the Heart as a Stone in the Earth but as Seed in the Earth it grows Ioseph of Atimathea was a Disciple of Christ but afraid to confess him afterwards he went boldly to Pilate and begg'd the Body of Jesus Iohn 19.36 And a Christians Encrease in Faith is known two ways 1. By Stedfastness He is a Pillar in the Temple of God Col. 2.7 Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the Faith Unbelievers are Scepticks in Religion they are unsettled they question every Truth But when the Faith is on the encreasing Hand it doth Stabilire animum it doth corroborate a Christian he is able to prove his Principles he holds no more than he will die for As that Martyr Woman said I cannot dispute for Christ but I can burn for him An encreasing Faith is not like a Ship in the midst of the Sea that fluctuates and is tossed upon the Waves but like a Ship at Anchor which is firm and stedfast 2. A Christians Encrease in Faith is known by Strength He can do that now which he could not do before When one is Man-grown he can do that which he was not able to do when he was a Child He can carry an heavier Burden So a Christian can bear Crosses with more Patience Obj. But I fear I have no Faith it is so weak Resp. If you have Faith tho but in its Infancy be not discouraged For 1. A little Faith is Faith as a Spark of Fire is Fire 2. A weak Faith may lay hold on a strong Christ A weak Hand can tie the Knot in Marriage as well as a strong She in the Gospel who but touch'd Christ fetch'd Vertue from him 3. The Promises are not made to Strong Faith but to True The Promise doth not say He who hath a Giant-faith who can believe God's Love through a Frown who can rejoyce in Affliction who can work Wonders remove Mountains stop the Mouth of Lions shall be saved but whosoever believes be his Faith never so small A Reed is but weak especially when it is bruised yet the Promise is made to it Matth. 12.20 A bruised Reed he will not break 4. A weak Faith may be Fruitful Weakest things multiply most The Vine is a weak Plant but it is Fruitful The Thief 's Cross which was newly converted was but weak in Grace but how many precious Clusters grew upon that tender Plant Luke 23.40 He chiâ—les his Fellow-Thief Dost not thou fear God He Judgeth himself We indeed suffer justly He believes in Christ when he said Lord. He makes a Heavenly Prayer Remember me when thou comest into thy Kigdom Weak Christians may have strong Affections How strong is the first Love which is after the first planting of Faith 5. The weakest Believer is a Member of Christ as well as the strongest and the weakest Member of the Body Mystical shall not perish Christ will cut off rotten Members but not weak Members Therefore Christian be not discouraged God who would have us receive them that are weak in Faith Rom. 14.1 will not himself refuse them II. The Second means whereby we escape the Curse and Wrath due to Sin is by Repentance Acts 11.18 Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life Repentance seems to be a bitter Pill to take but it is to purge out the bad Humour of Sin Repentance is by some Antinomian Spirits cryed down as a Legal Doctrine but Christ himself preached it Matth. 4.17 From that time Iesus began to Preach and to say Repent c. And in his last Farewell when he was ascending to Heaven he commanded that Repentance should be Preached in his Name Luke 24.37 Repentance is a pure gospel-Gospel-Grace The Covenant of Works would not admit of Repentance It cursed all that could not perform perfect and personal Obedience Gal. 3.10 Repentance comes in by the Gospel it is the Fruit of Christ's Purchase that Repenting Sinners shall be saved Repentance is wrought by the Ministry of the Gospel while it sets before our Eyes Christ Crucified Repentance is not Arbitrary but Necessary there is no being saved without it Luke 13.3 Except ye repent ye shall all likewise Perish And we may be thankful to God that he hath left us this Plank after Shipwrack 1. I shall show the Counterfeits of Repentance 1. Natural Softness and Tenderness of Spirit Some have a tender Affection arising from their Complexion whereby they are apt to weep and relent when they see any Object of Pity These are not Repenting Tears For many weep to see anothers Misery who cannot weep at their own Sin 2. Counterfeit Legal Affrightments A Man hath lived in a course of Sin at last he is made a little sensible he sees Hell ready to devour him and he is filled with Anguish and Horror but within a while the Tempest of Conscience is blown over and he is quiet Then he concludes he is a true Penitent because he hath felt some bitterness in Sin This is not Repentance Iudas had some trouble of Mind If Anguish and Trouble were sufficient to Repentance then the Damned should be most penitent for they are most in Anguish of Mind There may be Trouble of Mind where there is no grieving for the Offence against God 3. Counterfeit a slight superficial Sorrow When God's Hand
Believers Privilege after Death 231 Believers when they enter upon possession of Glory 233 Benefits of Believers at the Resurrection 234 Benefits of God's Children what they are 138 Bodies how shall we know they shall be raised at the Resurrection 236 Since they must lie long in the Grave what shall support us till then ibid. Bodies of the Saints shall be glorious at the Resurrection 237 C. Cain went out from the presence of the Lord what meant by it 28 Call twofold 127 Call effectual the Means of it 128 The Cause of it ibid. The Qualifications of it ibid. Cerinthian Hereticks their Error 94 Change in the new Creature wherein it consists 981 Charity the excellency of it 366 Children wherein they are to shew their respect to their Parents 353 Child of God how it appears that he has worldly things in Love 432 Children of God how they should behave themselves to such a Father 440 Christ the several Names given him in Scripture 93 Christ why called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word 94 Christ is eternal ibid. Christ a Prophet how he teaches 96 Christ what are the Lessons he teaches ib. Christ's Teaching how it differs from others Teaching 97 Christ what we shall do to have him for our Teacher 98 Christ the Parts of his Priestly Office 100 Christ how he could suffer being God ibid. Christ's Sufferings wherein the greatness of them did appear ibid. Christ why he did suffer ibid Christ who he intercedes for and what he doth in the Work of Intercession 103 How he intercedes 104 How we may know that Christ intercedes for us 107 Christ how he comes to be a King 108 In what sence he is a King and where he rules and what he rules by 108 109 When will Christ deliver his People ibid. Christ how he came to be made Flesh. 111 Christ why born of a Woman ibid. Why born of a Virgin 112 How Christ thus born could be free of Sin ib. Christ why made Flesh. ibid. Christ how we shall know that he is formed in us 115 Christ in what sence God exalted him and how many ways 118 Christ's sitting at the Right Hand of God what is meant by it 119 Christ how he doth redeem us and from what and to what 121 122 Christ how he was made a Curse for us 270 Christ how he will preserve the Saints Grace till they come to Heaven 439 Christ's Glory in Heaven how it can stand with it to have a Fellow-feeling in our Miseries 849 Christ how he succours them that are tempted 850 Commandments of God how we must keep them 292 How we shall keep them 295 Comforts of a pardoned Soul 823 Comforts for those that bewail their want of growth 470 Convictions what makes them prove Abortive 462 The Covenant of Works 74 Covenant why God made Man with Adam and his Posterity in Innocency and what it was ibid. Why he gave it to Adam since he foresaw he would transgress ibid. Covenant of Grace what it is 89 What Names are given to it ibid. Why God would make such a Covenant with us ibid. Covenant of Grace how it differs from that made with Adam 90 Covenant of Grace if Works be required in it ibid. What we must do to be in Covenant with God 91 To Covet what it is 382 Covetousness the danger of it 383 How we may be cured of it 385 Creation what it is 65 Creation and Generation difference between them 66 Creation 2 things to be considered in it ib. D Darling-Sin otherwise called our own how it may be known 492 869 Day of Judgment how it appears there shall be one 238 Why it must be ibid. Who shall be Iudge ibid. Deceit how many sorts of it there are 878 Decrees of God what they are and execution of them 65 Deliverance of Israel out of Egypt why God mentions it in the Preface to the Commandments 257 Deliverances of the Godly and Wicked out of trouble how they differ 265 Deliverance how it may be known that it comes out of Love ibid. Deliverance when we are fitted for it ibid. How we should praise God in a right manner for it 266 Desires unfeigned how they may be known 463 Desires after Heaven wherein they come short 488 Dignity of such as have God for their Father wherein it lies 427 Directions to obtain Pardon of Sin 826 Directions to such as have overcome Temptation 858 Doing of God's Will why so requisite 512 Doing Duty unseasonably an effect of Satan's Temptation 844 Doves we should be like them in three respects 972 Drunkenness defaces God's Image as much as any Sin 969 Duty of Christians it is to be settled in the Doctrine of Faith Prelim. Disc. 1 This is accomplished by being well grounded 111 Duties of such as have their Sins forgiven 825 E Earth whether it did bear Thorns in Innocency 67 Elect People how we shall know that we are of it 820 Encouragements to Faith in Prayer 444 Encouragements to Hallowing of God's Name 453 Encouragements to Perseverance 501 Chief End of Man what it is 1 Enjoying of God two fold and what 9 Eternity of God 33 Comfortable to the Godly and frightning to the Wicked 34 Evidence of Pardon why it may not appear for a time 818 What Evil we should pray to be delivered from 860 Examine we must our Sins and Graces 417 F Faith why more the condition of the New Covenant than any other Grace 90 Faith the Kinds of it 124 Iustifying Faith what it is ibid. Faith how it is wrought 125 Faith the preciousness of it wherein it lies ib. How it justifies ib. Faith why it should justifie and save more than any other Grace 126 Faith how to know if it be true ibid. How to judge of the growth of it 127 Faith a most precious Grace and how it comes to be so 398 True Faith how it may be known 400 Faith how it comes to be strong 502 Fallen Man could be restored no other way but by God's assuming Flesh. 111 False Witnessing what is condemned under it 379 The Evil of it 381 Father who meant by it in the Fifth Command 350 Father in Heaven how we shew our Honour to him 429 Forgiveness of Sin what it is 804 Forgiveness of Sin the necessity of it 812 Forgive others how can we when God only forgives Sin 828 Forgive how we must 831 G Gifts whether sufficient for the Ministerial Office 965 Give us this day our daily Bread the meaning of it 537 Why 't is said give us in the Plural 540 Why 't is called our Bread 541 Bread what is meant by it 542 Glory what is comprehended in it 231 God's Glory what we are to understand by it 1 To glorifie God wherein it consists ibid. Glorifie God why we must do it 2 How many ways we may do it 3 God's Glory how we shall aim at it 4 Glory who bring none to God 8 God's Glory who fight against it ibid. Glory of
any Affliction befal you remember God sees it is that which is fit for you or it should not come your Cloaths cannot be so fit for you as your Crosses God's Providence may sometimes be secret but it is always wise Tho' we may not be silent under God's Dishonour yet we should learn to be silent under his Displeasure 3. You that are Christians believe that all God's Providences shall conspire for the good of his People and shall promote their Salvation at last The Providences of God are sometimes dark and our eyes dim and we can hardly tell what to make of them but when we cannot unriddle Providence believe it shall work together for the good of the Elect Rom. 8.28 The Wheels in a Watch seem to move cross one to another but they help forward the Motion of the Watch and make the Larum strike so the Providences of God seem to be cross Wheels but for all that they shall carry on the Good of the Elect. The pricking of a Vein is in itseâ—f evil and hurtful but as it prevents a Fevor and tends to the Health of the Patient so it is good So Affliction in itself is not glorious but grievous but the Lord turns this to the good of his Saints Poverty shall starve their Sins Affliction shall prepare them for a Kingdom Therefore Christians believe that God loves us that he will make the most cross Providences to promote his Glory and our Good 4. Let this be an Antidote against Immoderate Fear for nothing comes to pass but what is ordain'd by God's Decree and ordered by his Providence We sometimes fear what the Issue of things will be Men grow high in their Actings let us not make things worse by our Fear Men are limited in their Power and shall not go one Hair's breadth further then God's Providence will permit He might let Sennacherib's Army march towards Ierusalem but he shall not shoot one Arrow against it Isa. 38.36 Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred and fourscore and five thousand When Israel was compassed in between Pharoah and the Red Sea no question some of their hearts did begin to tremble and they look'd upon themselves as dead Men but Providence so ordered it that the Sea was a safe Passage to Israel and a Sepulchre to Pharaoh and all his Host. Use 2. Comfort in respect of the Church of God God's Providence reacheth in a more special manner to his Church Isa. 27.2 Sing ye unto her A vineyard of red wine God waters this Vineyard with his Blessings and watcheth over it by his Providence I the Lord keep it night and day Such as think totally to ruin the Church must do it in a time when it is neither Day nor Night for the Lord keeps it by his Providence Night and Day What a miraculous Conduct of Providence had Israel God led them by a Pillar of Fire gave them Manna from Heaven set the Rock abroach God by his Providence preserves his Church in the midst of Enemies which is as to see a Spark kept alive in the Ocean or a Flock of Sheep among Wolves God saves his Church strangely 1. By giving Unexpected Mercies to his Church when she looked for nothing but Ruine Psal. 126.1 When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion we were like them that dream How strangely did God raise up Queen Esther to preserve alive the Iews when Haman had got a bloudy Warrant sign'd for their Execution 2. Strangely by saving in that very way in which we think he will destroy God works sometimes by Contraries He raiseth his Church by bringing it low The Bloud of the Martyrs hath watered the Church and made it more fruitful Exod. 1.12 The more they afflicted them the more they multiplied The Church is like that Plant Gregory Nazianzen speaks of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it lives by dying and grows by cutting 3. Strangely in that he makes the Enemy do his Work When the People of Amon and Moab and Mount Seir came against Iudah God set the Enemy one against another 2 Chr. 20.23 The children of Amon and Moab stood up against them of Mount Seir to slay them and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir every one help'd to destroy another In the Powder-Treason he made the Traytors to be their own Betrayers God can do his work by the Enemies hand God made the Aegyptians send away the People of Israel laden with Jewels Exod. 12.36 The Church is the Apple of God's Eye and the Eye-lid of his Providence doth daily cover and defend it 5. Let the merciful Providences of God cause Thankfulness We are kept alive by a Wonder-working Providence Providence makes our Cloaths warm us our Meat nourish us We are fed every day out of the Alms-basket of God's Providence That in Health that we have an Estate it is not our Diligence but God's Providence Deut. 8.18 Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for he it is that gives thee power to get wealth Especially if we go a stâ—p higher we may see cause of Thankfulness That we should be born and bred in a Gospel Climate that we should live in such a place where the Sun of Righteousness shines this is a signal Providence Why might not we have been born in such places where Paganism prevails That Christ should make himself known to us and touch our hearts with his Spirit when he passeth by others Whence is this but from the miraculous Providence of God which is the Effect of his Free-grace Use 3. See here that which may make us long for that time when the great Mystery of God's Providence shall be fully unfolded to us Now we scarce know what to make of God's Providences therefore are ready to Censure what we do not understand but in Heaven we shall see how all God's Providences Sickness Losses Sufferings carried on our Salvation Here we see but some dark pieces of God's Providence and it is impossible to judge of God's Works by Pieces but when we come to Heaven and see the full Body and Pourtraicture of God's Providence drawn out in its lively Colours it will be a glorious Sight to behold Then we shall see how all God's Providences help'd to fulfil his Promises Never a Providence but we shall see had either a Wonder or a Mercy in it The Covenant of Works Quest. IX I Proceed to the next Question What special Providence did God exercise towards Man in the Estate wherein he was created Answ. When God created Man he entred into a Covenant of Life with him upon Condition of perfect Obedience forbidding him to eat of the Tree of Knowledge upon pain of death For this consult with Gen. 2.16 17. And the Lord commanded the man saying of every Tree of the Garden thou mayest freely eat but of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat for in the day thou
let not unworthiness discourage you it is not unworthiness excludes any from the Covenant but unwillingness Quest. What shall we do that we may be in Covenant with God Answ. 1. Seek to God by Prayer Exige à Domino misericordiam Aug. Lord be my God in Covenant The Lord hath made an express Promise that upon our Prayer to him the Covenant shall be ratified he will be our God and we shall be his People Zach. 13.9 They shall call upon my Name and I will hear them I will say it is my people and they shall say The Lord is my God Only it must be an importunate Prayer Come as earnest Suiters resolve to take no denial 2. If you would be in Covenant with God break off the Covenant with Sin before the Marriage-Covenant there must be a Divorce 1 Sam. 7.3 If ye return to the Lord with all your hearts put away the strange gods and they put away Ashtaroth viz. their Female Gods Will any King enter into Covenant with that Man who is in League with his Enemies 3. If you would enter into the Bond of the Covenant get Faith in the Blood of the Covenant Christ's Blood is the Blood of Atonement believe in this Blood and you are safely arked in God's Mercy Eph. 2.13 Ye are made nigh to the blood of Christ. Use 4. Of Comfort to such as can make out their Covenant Interest in God 1. You that are in Covenant with God all your sins are pardoned Pardon is the crowning Mercy Psal. 103.3 Who forgiveth thy iniquity who crowneth thee c. This is a branch of the Covenant Ier. 31.33 I will be their God and I will forgive their iniquity Sin being pardoned all wrath ceaseth How terrible is it when but a Spark of God's Wrath flies into a Man's Conscience but sin being forgiven no more wrath God doth not appear now in the Fire or Earthquake but covered with a Rain-bow full of Mercy 2. All your Temporal Mercies are Fruits of the Covenant Wicked Men have Mercies by Providence not by virtue of a Covenant with Gods leave not with his Love But such as are in Covenant have their Mercies sweetned with God's Love and they swim to them in the Blood of Christ. As Naaman said to Gehazi 2 Kings 5.23 Take two Talents so saith God to such as are in Covenant Take two Talents take Health and take Christ with it take Riches and take my Love with them take the Venison and take the Blessing with it Take two Talents 3. You may upon all Occasions plead the Covenant If you are haunted with Temptation plead the Covenant Lord thou hast promised to bruise Satan under my feet shortly wilt thou suffer thy Child to be thus worried take off the roaring Lion If in want plead the Covenant Lord thou hast said I shall want no good thing wilt thou save me from Hell and not from Want wilt thou give me a Kingdom and deny me daily Bread 4. If in Covenant with God all things shall co-operate for your Good Etiam mala cedunt in bonum Psal. 25.10 Not only golden paths but his bloody paths Every wind of Providence shall blow them nearer Heaven Affliction shall humble and purifie Hebr. 12.10 Out of the bitterest Drug God distils your Salvation Afflictions add to the Saints Glory The more the Diamond is cut the more it sparkles the heavier the Saints Cross the heavier shall be their Crown 5. If thou art in Covenant once then for ever in Covenant The Text calls it Berith Gnolam an everlasting Covenant Such as are in Covenant are elected God's electing Love is unchangeable Ier. 32.40 I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them but I will put my fear in ther heart that they shall not depart from me God will so love the Saints that he will not forsake them and the Saints shall so fear God that they shall not forsake him 'T is Berith Gnolam a Covenant of Eternity it must be so for who is this Covenant made with is it not with Believers and have not they Coalition and Union with Christ Christ is the Head they are the Body Eph. 1.23 This is a near Union much like that Union between God the Father and Christ Iohn 17.21 As thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us Now the Union between Christ and the Saints being so inseparable it can never be dissolved or the Covenant made void you may die with Comfort 6. Thou art in Covenant with God and thou art going to thy God behold a Death-bed Cordial Death breaks the Union between the Body and the Soul but perfects the Union between Christ and the Soul This hath made the Saints desire Death as the Bride the Wedding-day Phil. 1.23 Cupio dissolvi Lead me Lord to that Glory said one a glympse whereof I have seen as in a Glass darkly Use 5. of Direct To shew you how you should walk who have tasted of Covenant-Mercy Live as a People in Covenant with God As you differ from others in respect of Dignity so you must in point of Carriage 1. You must love this God God's Love to you calls for Love 1. It is Amor Gratiatus a free Love Why should God pass by others and take you into a League of Friendship with himself In the Law God passed by the Lion and Eagle and chose the Dove so he passes by the Noble and Mighty 2. It is Amor plenns a full Love When God takes you into Covenant you are his Hephsibah Isa. 62.3 his delight is in you he gives you the Key of all his Treasure he heaps Pearls upon you he settles Heaven and Earth upon you he gives you a Bunch of Grapes by the way and saith Son all I have is thine And doth not all this call for Love Who can tread upon these hot Coals and his heart not burn in love to God 2. Walk Holily The Covenant hath made you a Royal Nation therefore be an holy People Shine as Lights in the World live as Earthly Angels God hath taken you into Covenant that you and he may have Communion together and what is it keeps up your Communion with God but Holiness 3. Walk thankfully Psal. 103.1 God is your God in Covenant he hath done more for you then if he had made you ride upon the high Places of the Earth and given you Crowns and Scepters O! Take the Cup of Salvation and bless the Lord. Eternity will be little enough to praise him Musitians love to play on their Musick where there is the loudest sound and God loves to bestow his Mercies where he may have the loudest Praises You that have Angels Reward do Angels Work Begin that Work of Praise here which you hope to be always doing in Heaven CHRIST the Mediator of the Covenant HEB. 12.24 Iesus the Mediator of the new Covenant c. JEsus Christ is the Sum and Quintessence of
Lion of the Tribe of Judah whose Eyes are as a Lamp of fire and the Rocks are thrown down by him Nahum 1.6 He shall cut off the spirit of Princes Psal. 76.12 Use 3. If Christ be a great King submit to him Say not as those Iews We have no King but Caesar no King but our Lusts. This is to choose the Bramble to rule over you and out of the Bramble will come forth a fire Iudg. 9. Submit to Christ willingly all the Devils in Hell submit to Christ but 't is against their will they are his Slaves Not his Subjects Submit cheerfully to Christ's Person and his Laws Many would have Christ their Saviour but not their Prince such as will not have Christ to be their King to rule them shall never have his Blood to save them Obey all Christ's Princely Commands if he commands Love Humility Good Works be as the Needle which points which way soever the Load-stone draws Branch 2. Let such admire God's Free-grace who were once under the Power and Tyranny of Satan and now Christ hath made them of Slaves to become the Subjects of his Kingdom Christ did not need Subjects he hath Legions of Angels ministring to him but in his Love he hath honoured you to make you his Subjects O! how long was it e're Christ could prevail with you to come under his Banner How much opposition did he meet with e're you would wear this Prince's Colours but at last Omnipotent Grace overcame you When Peter was sleeping between two Souldiers an Angel came and beat off his Chains Acts 12.7 So when thou wert sleeping in the Devil's Arms that Christ should by his Spirit smite thy heart and cause the Chains of Sin to fall off and make thee a Subject of his Kingdom O admire Free-grace Thou who art a Subject of Christ art sure to Reign with Christ for ever Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation 1 TIM 3.16 Great is the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the flesh Quest. XVII WHerein did Christ's Humiliation consist Resp. In his being born and that in a low condition undergoing the Miseries of this Life the Wrath of God and the cursed Death of the Cross. Christ's Humiliation consisted in his Incarnation his taking Flesh and being Born It was real Flesh Christ took Not the Image of a Body as the Manichees erroniously held but a true Body therefore Christ is said to be made of a woman Gal. 4.4 As the Bread is made of the Wheat and the Wine is made of the Grape so Christ was made of a Woman his Body was part of the Flesh and Substance of the Virgin This is a glorious Mystery God manifest in the flesh In the Creation Man was made in God's Image in the Incarnation God was made in Man's Image Quest. How it came about that Christ was made flesh Resp. It was by his Fathers special designation Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Son made of a Woman God the Father did in a special manner appoint Christ to be Incarnate which shews us how needful a Call is to any business of weight and importance to act without a Call is to act without a Blessing Christ himself would not be Incarnate and take upon him the work of a Mediator till he had a Call God sent forth his Son made of a Woman Quest. But was there no other way for the restoring of fallen Man but this that God should take flesh Answ. We must not ask a Reason of God's Will it is dangerous to pry into God's Ark we are not to dispute but adore The wise God saw this the best way for our Redemption that Christ should be Incarnate it was not fit for any to satisfie God's Justice but Man none could do it but God therefore Christ being both God and Man he is the fittest to undertake this Work of Redemption Quest. Why Christ was born of a Woman Resp. 1. That God might fulfil that promise Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head 2. Christ was born of a Woman that he might roll away that reproach from the Woman which she had contracted by being seduced by the Serpent Christ in taking his flesh from the Woman hath honoured her Sex that as at the first the Woman had made Man a Sinner so now to make him amends she should bring him a Saviour Quest. Why Christ was born of a Virgin Resp. 1. For Decency It became not God to have any Mother but a Maid and it became not a Maid to have any Son but a God 2. For Necessity Christ was to be an High Priest most pure and holy Had he been born after the ordinary course of Nature he had been defiled all that spring out of Adam's Loins have a tincture of sin but that Christ's Substance might remain pure and immaculate he was born of a Virgin 3. To answer the Type Melchisedeck was a Type of Christ he is said to be without Father and without Mother Christ being born of a Virgin answered the Type he was without Father and without Mother without Mother as he was God without Father as he was Man Quest. How could Christ be made of the flesh and blood of a Virgin yet without sin The purest Virgin that is her Soul is stained with Original sin Answ. This Knot the Scripture unties Luke 1.35 The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and overshadow thee therefore that holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be caled the Son of God The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee that is the Holy Ghost did consecrate and purifie that part of the Virgins flesh whereof Christ was made As the Alchymist extracts and draws away the dross from the Gold so the Holy Ghost did refine and claritie that part of the Virgins flesh separating it from sin Though the Virgin Mary her self had sin yet that part of the flesh whereof Christ was made was without sin otherwise it must have been an impure Conception Quest. What is meant by the power of the Holy Ghost overshadowing the Virgin Answ. St. Basil saith It was the Holy Ghost's blessing the flesh of that Virgin whereof Christ was formed But there is a further Mystery in it the Holy Ghost having framed Christ in the Virgins Womb did in a wonderful manner unite Christ's Humane Nature to his Divine and so of both made one person This is a Mystery which the Angels pry into with Adoration Quest. When was Christ incarnate Answ. In the fulness of time Gal. 4.4 When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman By the fulness of time we must understand Tempus à Patre praefinitum so Ambrose Luther Cornâ—à Lap. the determinate Time that God had set More particularly this fulness of time was when all the Prophesies of the coming of the Messiah were accomplished and all Legal Shadows and Figures whereby he was tipified were abrogated in the fulness of time God sent his Son And
the Law upon us and throw us into Hell-Prison By Confession we give Glory to God Iosh. 7.19 My Son give Glory to the God of Israel and make Confession to him Say that God were Righteous if he should strain upon all we have If we confess the debt God will forgive it 1 Ioh. 1.9 If we confess our sins he is just to forgive do but confess the Debt and God will cross the Book Ps. 32.5 I said I will confess my Transgression to the Lord and thou forgavest me 3. Labour to get our spiritual Debts paid that is by our Surety Christ. Say Lord have patience with me and Christ shall pay thee all He hath laid down an infinite Price The Covenant of Works would not admit of a Surety it demanded Personal Obedience But this Priviledge we have by the Gospel which is a Court of Chancery to relieve us that if we have nothing to pay God will accept of a Surety Believe in Christ's Blood and the debt is paid Luk 11.4 And forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us IN the Words are two Parts 1. A Petition forgive us our Sins 2. A Condition for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us Our forgiving others is not a Cause of God's forgiving us but it is a Condition without which God will not forgive us 1. I begin with the first the Petition Remitte nobis peccata nostra Forgive us our Sins A Blessed Petition the ignorant world say who will shew us any good Ps. 4.6 meaning a good Lease a good Purchase but our Saviour here teacheth us to pray for that which is more noble and will stand us in more stead the pardon of sin Forgive us our Sins Forgiveness of sin is a Primary Blessing it is one of the first Mercies God bestows Ezek. 36.25 I will sprinkle clean water upon you that is Forgiveness When God pardons there is nothing he will stick at to do for the Soul He will Adopt Sanctifie Crown Quest. 1. What Forgiveness of Sin is Resp. It is God's passing by Sin Micah 7.18 his wiping off the score and giving us a Discharge The nature of Forgiveness will more clearly appear 1. By opening some Scripture-phrases 2. By laying down some divine Aphorisms and Positions 1. By opening some Scripture-phrases 1. To forgive Sin is to take away Iniquity Iob 7.21 Why dost not thou take away mine Iniquity The Hebrew Word Vethagnabir signifies to lift off 'T is a Metaphor taken from a man that carries an heavy Burden ready to sink him and another comes and lifts off this Burden So when the heavy burden of sin is on us God in pardoning lifts off this burden from the Conscience and lays it upon Christ. Isa. 53.6 He hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all 2. To forgive sin is to Cover sin Ps. 85.2 Thou hast covered all their sin This was typifi'd by the Mercy seat covering the Ark. To shew God's covering of sin through Christ. God doth not cover sin in the Antinomian Sence so as he sees it not but he doth so cover it as he will not impute it 3. To forgive sin is to blot it out Isa. 43.25 I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions The Hebrew Word Mecha to blot out alludes to a Creditor who when his Debtor hath paid him blots out the debt and gives him an Acquittance So God when he forgives sin blots out the Debt he draws the red Lines of Christ's Blood over our sins and so crosseth the Debt-Book 4. To forgive sin is for God to scatter our sins as a Cloud Isa. 44.22 I have blotted out as a thick Cloud your Transgressions Sin is the Cloud interposeth God dispels the Cloud and breaks forth with the light of his Countenance 5. To forgive sin is for God to cast our sins into the depths of the Sea Micah 7.19 which implies Gods burying them out of sight that they shall not rise up in judgment against us Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the Sea God will throw them in not as Cork that riseth again but as Lead that sinks to the bottom 2. The nature of Forgiveness will appear by laying down some Divine Aphorisms or Positions Aphorism 1. Every sin is Mortal and needs Forgiveness I say Mortal that is deserves death God may relax the Rigour of the Law but every sin merits Damnation The Papists distinguish of Mortal Sins and Venial Some sins are ex Surreptione they creep unawares into the mind as vain Thoughts sudden Motions of Anger and Revenge these saith Bellarmine are in their own nature venial it is true the greatest sins are in one sence Venial that is God is able to forgive them but the least sin is not in its own nature Venial but deserves Damnation We read of the Lusts of the Flesh Rom. 13.14 and the Works of the Flesh Gal. 5.19 the Lusts of the Flesh are sinful as well as the Works of the Flesh. That which is a Transgression of the Law merits damnation but the first stirrings of Corruption are a breach of the Royal Law Rom 7.7 Prov. 24.9 therefore they merit damnation So that the least sin is mortal and needs Forgiveness Aphorism 2. It is God only that forgives sin To pardon sin is one of the Iura Regalia the Flowers of God's Crown Mark 2.7 Who can forgive sins but God only It is most proper for God to pardon sin only the Creditor can remit the debt Sin is an Infinite Offence and no finite Power can discharge an infinite Offence That God only can forgive sin I prove thus No man can take away sin unless he be able to infuse Grace for as Aquinas saith with Forgiveness is always infusion of Grace but no man can infuse Grace therefore no man can forgive sin He only can forgive sin who can remit the Penalty but 't is only God's Prerogative-Royal to forgive sin Object 1. But a Christian is charged to forgive his Brother Col. 3.13 Forgiving one another Answ. In all second table sins there are two distinct things 1. Disobedience against God 2. Injury to Man That which man is requir'd to forgive is the wrong done to himself but the wrong done to God he cannot forgive Man may remit a Trespass against himself but not a Transgression against God Object 2. But the Scripture speaks of the Power committed to Ministers to forgive sin Iohn 20.23 Whose soever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them Answ. Ministers cannot remit sin authoritatively and effectively but only declaratively They have a special Office and Authority to apply the Promises of pardon to broken Hearts When a Minister sees one humbled for sin yet is afraid God hath not pardoned him and is ready to be swallowed up of Sorrow in this case a Minister for the easing of this man's Conscience may in the Name of Christ declare to him that he is pardoned the Minister doth not forgive sin by
Person of the Trinity 63 What Sorrow goes before Forgiveness 806 Soul-Murther who are guilty of it 365 Soul the Excellency of it 801 Soul-dress for receiving the Sacrament wherein it consists 416 Souls deserted that want assurance how they may be comforted 205 Spiritual what it is to be so 25 Spirit how it can be said to be grieved 77 State of Nature is a Kingdom of Darkness Submission to God's Will what it is not 520 Submission to God's Will what may stand with it and what not 521 Submission to God's Will what it is ibid. When we do not submit to God's Will in Afflictions 523. Subtilty of Satan to make Men miscarry in the use of Meat 838 T Temptations whence they come 832 Tempted two cases of them spoke to 852 Temptations of Satan means to defeat them 855 Temptation what good may come out of it 858 Theft whence it doth arise 377 How many sorts of it there are ibid. What are the aggravations of it ibid. Vain Thoughts how they come in in hearing the Word 340 The Evil of them 341 Vain Thoughts how we may get help against them 342 Vain Thoughts in Prayer how we may cure them 422 Tongue how it is Evil. 986 Evil Tongue the several sorts of 986 987. Tongue rules for governing it 991 Tongue Sins Motives to beware of them 993 Torments of Hell what they are 473 Trinity of Persons proved 62 63 Truth of God 57 U Visiting Iniquity what is meant by it 282 Unchangeableness of God 36 Unchangeable God how to get a part in him 38 Unpardoned Soul how miserable it is 816 Vorstius Objection against God's Vbiquity answered 27 W Several Ways of Satan to tempt Men. 853 Weariness in well-doing what occasions it 994 The Evil of it 996 Means to keep us from being weary in Well-doing 997 Will of God what is meant by it 512 Will of God how we are to do it that we may find acceptance 515 Will of God how we may Evangelically do it 516 Will of God how we may come to do it aright Wisdom of God wherein it appears 40 Wisdom and Innocence necessary Qualifications of a Christian. 966 Wisdom wherein it chiefly consists ibid. The Word 's effectually Working what is meant by it 404 Word how it may be read effectually 405 How it may be heard effectually 406 World why God made it 66 World in what sence it is Evil. 877 What Worship is most suitable to God 25 To Worship God in the Spirit what it is 26 Wrath to come what we shall do to escape it 397 A Catalogue of BOOKS sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns near Mercers Chapel in Cheapside In Folio THE Christian Directory or Case of Conscience Catholick Theology Methodus Theologica all three by Mr. Richard Baxter A Sacred Poem on the Glory of Heaven Rushworth's first Vol. Crook's Hypocrite Keach's Metaphors Strong on the Covenant Burgess on the Corinthians Taylor on Christ's Temptation Horton on the Psalms Gell's Remains A Dialogue between Timothy and Titus about the Articles of the Church of England Isaac Ambrose's Works Pool's Annotations on the Bible Pembroke's Arcadia Manton's Third Vol. of Sermons Dr. Lightfoot's Works Gurnall's Christian Armour Dr. Horton's 100 Sermons Nostradamus's Prophecies Melvill's Memoirs Marvell's Poems Daillé on the Colossians Cook 's Mirabilia Clark's Martyrology The Acts Decisions Decrees and Canons of the Reformed Churches in France being a most Faithful and Impartial History of the Rise Growth and Decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom their Confession of Faith Speeches Letters Cases of Conscience c. By Iohn Quick Minister in London Dr. Owen's Discourse of the Holy Spirit on the Hebrews Second Vol. on the Hebrews Third Vol. In Quarto Baxter's Saints Everlasting rest Church History and Councils History of Counsels inlarged and defended Apology for Nonconformists Second Defence of Nonconformists Apology against Eight Men. Treatise of Episcopacy Disputations of Church-Government Life of Faith First of the Sermons Preach'd before King Charles the Second English Nonconformity Naked Popery against Dodwell and Shirlock Which is the True Church Catholick Communion against both Extreams in six several Controversies Moral Prognostication Search for English Schismaticks Farewel Sermon Published by himself Alderman Ashurst's Funeral Sermon Mr. Iohn Corbet's Funeral Sermon Glorious Kingdom of Christ. Reply to Mr. Tho. Beverly's Answer National Churches Church Concord Penitent Confession and necessary Vindication Power of a Christian Magistrate Disputations of right to Sacraments Disputation of Justification Church Told against Bagshaw Ark on the Covenant Brown's Gospel-Churches Brightman on the Revelations Bulkley on the Covenant Critical Enquiries Boyse's Sermon Charlton's Enquiries into Humane Nature Child's Pilot's Sea-Mirrour Clarkson's Poetical Divinity of Papists No Evidence for Diocesan Churches Corbet's Nonconformist's Plea Clark against Postlewait A Dialogue between a Protestant and a Jew and a Papist and a Jew Doolittle's Protestant's Answer to where was your Church before Luther Caryl on Iob. Elton on the Commandments Greenhill on Ezekiel First Vol. Second Vol. Humphrys's Nonconformist's Third Step. Frysell's Sermons of Grace and Temptation Bishop Hopkins on the Commandments Humphrys's Middle Way Peaceable Disquisition Q. I Ovid. 2 Chr. 11.15 Q. II. * Id verum quod primum †Veritas opprimi patest non supprimi * Que regit Syder a sagit ubera Q. III. Q. IV. * Iovis omnia plâ—na * Not the posse but velle * Bene esse Removenda Promovenda * Vox faucibus haeret 3. Casus Non mirum Tristis Miosis * Brugensis * Bern. * Hierom. * Macrobius * Die Dominico nihil aliud vacandum nisi ad pietatiâ— munia 1. A Promise of Joy Psal. 37.4 2. Of Honour 3. Of Earth and Heaven Eccles. 12.5 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Son as well as Servant * Bern. 1 Cor. 9.7 * Arist. * Davenant Reason * The Eye is the first part Ravens pick out * Plutarch †Validiora sunt Exempla quam verba Isa. 1.21 Acts 9.4 1. Excellency of the Soul 2. Excellency Plutarch Sen. Surius of Luther Ainsworth Ambrose Epiphan Luke 3.20 * Ex uguue Leonem Luther August * Cyprian * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 1 Chron. 15.13 * Rev. 3.2 Mat. 7.6 Exod. 19.12 * Aug. * Crede manducasti Aug. Luther Calvin Aug. Tertull. Aug. Calvin Aristot. Rom. 1.30 2 Sam. 12.11 * Bern. 2 Sam. 18.2 Gal. 5.17