faith in the intelligent observer yea and they were wont to beget faith in the spectatours as Nathaniel believed upon Christs telling him of his conference at a distance Joh. 1.48 49. the beginning of his miracles manifested his glory and his Disciples believed in him Joh. 2.11 and others comparing the doctrine of John with Christs Miracles believed on him Joh. 10.41 and indeed the Argument of Miracles is a cogent convincing Argument for no man can do these real Miracles except God be with him Joh. 3.2 Certainly the strange things wrought by Christ ought to assure our hearts of the truth of the Gospel and consequently of the sureness of these Covenant-mercies But upon this subject you have evident and abundant demonstrations from the pen of Reverend Mr. Baxter in his Saints Rest Part 2. in the Preface and in pag. 215. to 234. to which I referr you the truth is God hath graciously condescended to confirm the Gospel by many infallible miracles which none can question and all this to make sure to the elect these Covenant-mercies therefore they are inexcusable that slight this way of the Gospels confirmation See Heb. 2.3 4. 9. Another step that God hath gone is the various wayes that God hath taken to make us know these sure mercies and thereby to assure us thereof As Mat. 3.17 Cap. 17.5 1. An audible intelligible voice from Heaven at Christs Baptism and in his Transfiguration this is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased and this voice the Apostle Peter saith he heard in the Holy Mount 2 Pet. 1.17 18. so that these Gospel mercies are not devised Fables but divine Oracles of undoubted truth 2. The constant preachings of honest and unbiassed men that were eye-witnesses of his glory they give clear evidence of their hatred of evil love of truth and goodness and they could not be perverted by any selfish ends of profit pleasure or honour for these were not proposed promised or attained Nay affliction and persecution was their known portion and therefore certainly could not would not couzen the world with lyes to get that which was not attainable in that way 3. God hath adorned men with admirable gifts to enable them to demonstrate the certainty and excellency of these Covenant-mercies extraordinary gifts in the Apostles dayes as extemporary prophecying 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10. singing healing diseases working miracles discerning spirits divers kinds of tongues so that all Nations might hear these magnalia dei in their own dialect Act. 2.6 Eph. 4.8 and now they are translated into all languages and God hath continued to distribute ministerial gifts for the Churches satisfaction and edification 4. Yea he sent his own Son to be the Preacher as well as Purchaser of these sure mercies he spake at sundry times and in divers manners in times past by the Prophets but in these last dayes he hath spoken to us by his Son Heb. 1.12 the more to conciliate in us reverence and credence for he saith surely they will reverence my Son certainly he will declare to us the whole counsel of God for he was in the bosome of the Father and came from thence for that very end to declare Gods mind Joh. 1.18.5 Yea he hath raised Jesus Christ from the dead so that we have a Preacher sent from the grave to assure us of the truth of these high mysteries and sweet mercies so the rich man could say in hell if one went to them from the dead they will repent and believe Rom. 16.30 now our dear Saviour himself was dead and is alive and as he is declared to be the Son of God by his Resurrection from the dead Rom. 1.4 so after his Resurrection he declared the great things of God confirming his Disciples in the truth of things formerly delivered and giving further testimonies and instructions Luk. 24 44-49.6 Still another way of manifestation is clear and christal Ordinances in which as in a fair glass we may behold both the face of God and the choicest mercies of the Covenant here you may not only hear the voice of God but see Jesus Christ evidently set forth crucified before your eyes Gal. 3.1 in the Sacrament of his blessed body and blood are obvious Gods Grace in giving Christ Christs love in giving himself his body broken for our food his blood shed for the remission of our sins and all the benefits of this new Covenant 7. Another way more yet of the Lords manifesting these mercies and so making them sure is the sanctifying and satisfying illumination of souls by his holy spirit by this holy unction they know all things 1 Joh. 2.20 God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit in 1 Cor. 2.10 12. now the spirit comes with conviction and demonstration answers all the souls doubts and cavils and leaves it without dispute and haesitancy so that the believing soul cannot but say they are sure mercies he dare not deny this for a world 10. Yet there is one other way whereby God doth make sure these mercies of the Covenant and that is marriage-knot a mutual and matrimonial ingagement in the perpetual and inviolable bond of the Covenant whereby Christ and the soul are inseparably linked together and this relates to the particular application of these Covenant-mercies and compleats all the former for saith the poor soul I do not question but these mercies are sure in themselves in their own nature and sure to some but are they so to me what ways may I be assured of my title thereunto and interest therein now this the Lord doth make good by entring into that sweet and familiar relation with his people of marriage Isa 54.5 Jer. 3.14 Rom. 7.4 thy maker is thy husband and I am marryed to you saith the Lord a believing soul is dead to the Law that he may be marryed to Christ and our heavenly husband hateth puting away Mal. 2.16 once marryed to Christ and for ever marryed to him death it selt breaks not this marriage-knot nay it fastens and heightens it here Christ and the soul are but as it were contracted there the marriage is solemnized with the acclamations of glorious Angels and glorified Saints for saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 11.2 I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ now souls are fitting for that great solemnity when the marriage of the Lamb shall come that the bride is made ready Rev. 19.7 she is making her self ready in this world she is marryed at the illustrious day of Christs second appearing so then this marriage-knot cannot be broken since it is compleated in glory But yet more particularly consider that remarkable Text in Hosea 2.19 20. wherein the mercies of the Covenant are made over in a way of matrimonial relation And I will betroth thee unto me for ever c. in which Scripture there are four things that may assure the heart of the firmness of these
they are dear to Jesus Christ but free to us they are purchased with the warmest blood in the veins of the Son of God yea he thought his dearest heart-blood well bestowed to purchase these sure mercies he sees of the Travel of his soul and is well satisfied the fruits of his purchase are the joy of his heart he thinks these worth all his pains pain and dolours God the father is well pleased and accounts these mercies a valuable fruit of his Sons purchase and shall not we be thankful 3. They are Deep mercies Aquae quo sunt profundiores eo sunt puriores quoniam crassa terrea materia in profundum depressa est hinc profunditatem a quarum bibea Ezek. 34.18 high and broad and have all the dimensions of greatness Psal 36.5 6. these mercies can fetch up a drooping despairing soul out of the grave yea out of Hell be the soul sunk as low as sin can make it in this World these mercies can fetch it up and raise it out of the grave and pit of silence and save to the uttermost Oh what a long arm of mercy hath been reached forth unto your troubled hearts in your low estate and doth not this deserve thankfulness 4. They are Designed mercies purposely designed aimed and intended to set forth riches of grace the infinite contrivance of the blessed God to magnifie riches of love to sinners 't is true God intended to set off his power wisdom justice truth but he hath magnified his mercy above all the rest of his name it 's beyond the rest of his works the attributes of God are set very high but mercy sits in the chiefest Throne he declares to Angels and Saints what he can do for sorry man oh advance free-grace 5. They are Dignifying mercies such honour have all his Saints oh what an height doth God raise his Covenant-Children to he deals bountifully with them by these Covenant-mercies was David raised up on high 2 Sam. 23.1 and therefore confesseth that God regarded him according to the estate of a man of high degree 1 Chron. 17.17 and truly it is the highest preferment in the World to partake of these sure mercies and therefore we have great cause of thankfulness 6. They are Sanctifying mercies they season all other mercies and make common mercies to become Covenant-mercies yea they make crosses mercies they perfume the most offensive griefs and are like Moses's Tree that sweetens the Waters of Marah if you poure a paile of Water on the floor it seems a little Sea but pour it into the Ocean it 's swallowed up and seems nothing so afflictions out of the Covenant are intollerable but as in Covenant-love they are inconsiderable the depth of mercies drowns the depth of miseries and is not this ground of thankfulness 7. They are Separating mercies hereby are Gods Children distinguished from all the people that are upon the face of the Earth Exod. 33.16 19. even in their finding grace in Gods sight and his presence with them and making his goodness pass before them if there be any discriminating mercies for any of the Children of men as protection provision direction these Covenant-mercies usher them in and sort them out to the heirs of Promise and if they be good for them they shall partake thereof then bless God 8. They are Sealing mercies they signifie exhibit and represent Gods love to the soul where-ever these mercies are laid up in the breast of a sinner that soul is the Jedidiah or beloved of Gods soul they testifie such a souls relation to God and Gods affection to it wicked men are strangers to Covenant-love Gods people are the proper subjects of these endeared thoughts of Gods heart and are you of that number oh give God the glory of this mercy 9. They are Extensive mercies they are exceeding broad they have wide arms and embrace all the heirs of Promise not a gracious soul though never so poor is left out yea they are largely extended to every Christians state case exigency and necessity let doubts be what they will let â—ears falls faults be sad and soul-astonishing yet these sure mercies will answer all they are commensurate and proportionated to all conditions of soul body estate relations oh bless God for them 10. They are Comprehensive mercies they contain all the good that God promiseth or a soul needeth grace and glory holiness and happiness peace and pardon all our fresh springs are herein the good things of this life and of a better and there are many precious things put forth by this Sun of righteousness in a Covenant-way Oh what cause have we to bless God and admire free-grace that hath not only given us the spiritual good things of his Kingdom righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost but temporal good things by a sure and sweet tenure so that these sure mercies of the Covenant insure unto us the corporal mercies that are good for us and and after another and better manner than any uncovenanted persons though never so great can enjoy them for in a Covenant-way believers do enjoy common-mercies 1. More refinedly taken off the dregs oâ— cares and sorrows Prov. 10.22 a Saints bread Psal 81.16 though never so course is of the finest of the wheat and he is satisfied with honey out of the rock Luk. 8.18 Psal 39. yea they come 2. More really other comforts are but seeming comforts as man walketh in a vain shew so what he enjoys is but a dream but outward comforts coming through the blood of Christ are solid substantial refreshments again they come more 3. Sweetly have not those prickles and stings that worldly things have to natural men Oh the peace and quietness that a Christian enjoys with outward comforts and further comforts come to a Child of God more 4. Serviceably the creature doth homage to its Maker and Masters Children so that what they have is for their good and doth them good and comforts also come more 5. Satisfyingly a Godly man is more contented with his little than the men of the world can be with abundance a little that the righteous hath is better than the riches of many wicked Psal 37.16 and then a Child of God enjoys his comforts in a Covenant-way more safely he needs not fear want bread shall be given him his waters shall be sure Isai 33.16 God is the Christians purse-bearer and it 's in safer hands than in his own and they are here more 7. Lastingly we shall have corporal mercies as long as we need them and when we need them not they shall be swallowed in eternal enjoyments O therefore let the Saints of God be truly thankful let the high praises of God be in their mouths this is the chief rent and reasonable Tribute that God expects for these sure mercies sacrifice these sacrifices of thanksgiving take this Cup of salvation and give God the praise that 's due unto his name Begin that work here in time which shall be fully managed by the ransomed of the Lord to all Eternity this this shall be the burden of the Saints triumphant Song in Heavenly Mansions that glorious pallace shall ring and eccho with the blessed note of mercy mercy free-grace laid the foundation and grace grace only lays the top-stone of Saints glory Oh how will God be admired by and in all that believe at that day well sirs begin those Hosanna's here that will be seconded with Hallelujahs hereafter speak well of your gracious God admire this new-Covenant design and let him have all the glory of this blessed contrivance so shall you accomplish Gods end and evidence your Covenant-interest in these sure mercies of David Thus though these Divine graces which adorn the Temple of a Christians breast do sometimes disappear and sin costs the soul some tears yet the gracious soul hath abundant ground of thankfulness for the whole transaction take it in Divine Herbert's Poem of Church-floor Mark you the floor that square and speckled ston which looks so firm and strong is Patience And th' other black and grave wherewith eacâ— on is checker'd all along Humility The gentle rising which on either hand leads to the Quire above is Confidence But the sweet Cement which in one sure band tyes the whole frame is Love and Charity Hither sometimes sin steals and stains the Marbles neat and curious veins But all is cleansed when the Marble weeps Sometimes death puffing at the door blows all the dust about the floor But while he thinks to spoil the room he sweeps Blest be the Architect whose art could build so strong in a weak heart FINIS
THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID Or a Second Part of HEART-TREASURE Wherein is contained the supream and substance of Gospel-mercies purchased by Christ and Promised in the Covenant of Grace together with the several ways how they are made sure to all the Heirs of Promise and how they are to be improved for the Saints Fort and Defence Settlement and Incouragement in shaking and back-sliding times Being the fruit of some Meditations upon Isa 55.3 By O. Heywood an unprofitable Minister of the Gospel Zech. 9.11 As for thee also by the blood of thy Covenant I have sent forth thy Prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water Evangelium est ceu vehiculum quoddam per quod ad nos defertur Christus cum justitia suâ omnibus donis Luth. tom 3. f. 428. a. LONDON Printed by R. W. for Tho. Parkhurst and are to be sold at his Shop at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel To all the Heirs of Promise the Saints of the most high God the Sons and Daughters of Abraham whom God hath betrothed to himself in the sweet Gospel-Covenant and who live in hopes of their nuptial day preparing in grace to enter into the chambers of glory at death and the general Resurrection grace mercy and peace TWo things my Dearly beloved in the Lord are absolutely necessary to make souls happy 1. That the â—hing possessed be fully adaequate to the nature of the soul 2. That â—t be made over to it legally and everlastingly for if either any thing be defective at present to give content or there be danger of losing it it is not commensurate to the souls state or need for as this immortal spark infused into man whereby he is a rational creature is vast and capacious in its desires and dimensions so it is very lasting yea everlasting in its continuance and duration therefore its riches that must make it happy must be both suitable and durable But all the creatures fall short in both the soul of man travelling through this spacious universe upon the feet of its affections and following the guidance of the intellectual faculties the souls ear and eye can get no satisfying sight or report in answer to that curious inquest who will shew me any good to fix upon the creature is to set our eyes upon that which is not for its vanity yea to place our hopes on that which hath a lye in its right hand and so becomes vexation of spirit in an astonishing disappointment woe were to man if there were no hopes for him but in this life and great were his infelicity if what Atheists say and think that there is no God were true how poorly should this Princely thing in man be served with the sordid husks of creatures how base and bruitish would its life be how well becoming man would that Epitaph be of the Epicure which Cicero saith was fitter to be writ on an Oxes grave than mans Haec habeo quae edi quaeque exsaturata libido hausit the things my greedy appetite hath devoured are mine as they cry But let such Brutified Sots that understand nothing of the worth or proper food of immortal souls feed on husks let the Heaven-born Saints aspire to other nourishment if the mixed multitude of common professors linger after the Aegyptian food of Cucumbers Numb 11.4 5. Qui mundo adhaeserunt ut marinis petris alga contemnunt immortalitatem sicut Senex Ithacensts qui non veritatem coel stem patriam eam quae vere est lucem sed fumum optabat Clem. Alexand. adm ad gen Melons Leeks Onions and Garlick the real Saints feed on Heavenly Manna the flesh and blood of Christ is the proper pabulum animae or nourishment of the soul the soul hath a more tender appetite which requires answerable food it cannot feed on such course stuffe as worldly delights hear David begging as for an alms but what alms begs he mercies but what mercies tender mercies Psal 40.11 withhold not thy tender mercies from me O Lord q. d. there are common mercies that fill the bellies and cloath the bodies of good and bad but these will not serve my turn nor save my soul the mercies that will do me good for ever are tender things of another stamp that come streaming through the blood of a Mediator that are dipt in Covenant love and such as can fill and feed and feast my soul for ever These are the mercies that God hath dropt into your bosoms oh the heirs of promise and these are the mercies described and deciphered in this Treatise I have gone out to measure the Land of Promise and according to grace received I have viewed it in the length and breadth thereof and I have no reason to bring up an evil report on it it 's a Land flowing with Milk and Honey a blessed and beautiful Land which God careth for and if the Lord delight in you he will bring you into it what though there be Giants and Anakims of opposition in Heavens way fear them not for they are bread for us shall turn to the Saints nourishment and their defence is departed from them the Lord is with us Let not our hearts faint God will carry us as upon Eagles Wings he will give us a pillar of Cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night sure mercies in the way and everlasting mercies in the end this is the true Arabia felix yet far beyond that which though it abounded with spices and gold profits and pleasures yet stupifies the senses of the inhabitants with its suffocating sweetness but there 's no nauseous disgusting of heavenly delights by those that partake thereof the longer you enjoy them the more you long after them and the fuller draught you take the sweeter rellish they have Oh the pleasure a soul may have in divine things other things will stink in comparison of these ravishing delights no pleasures like those that come from above but that which adds an Emphasis to these is that they are sure as well as sweet abiding as well as abounding pleasures God the Author and object of them is immutable the spring of them the love of God the meritorious cause Christs blood the way of conveyance precious promises all these are settled and the same as long as the soul needs mercies it enjoys them for we have grace to help in time of need God will not men cannot pluck away these mercies from you you that have a well-grounded title thereunto God will not for the gifts and callings of God are without repentance and whom he loves once he loves to the end men cannot for they are above and beyond their reach Sole sale omnia conservantur these mercies are made sure to you by a Covenant of Salt which is a symbole of incorruption they wear not away with length of time nor are they snatcht away by humane violence the Tyrants rage cannot pluck sure mercies
habendum or the thing that we must have and hold Now all these are either expresly or implicitly held forth in one Scripture which is Heb. 8.10.1 Heb. 8.10 There is the parties Covenanting I and the house of Israel this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel 2. Here is the consideration evidently implyed in these words after those days i.e. after those dayes of Types Shadows and Prophecies in the fulness of time the Messiah shall come who is the substance and will satisfie divine justice and make an Attonement 3. Here is the condition of the Covenant plainly expressed in these words I will put my Laws into their mind and write them in their hearts i. e. I will give that which I require I will put within them a principle of Grace that they may love me believe in me repent for sin and obey the Gospel that 's the third 4. Here 's the grant or good to be enjoyed which is the end and result of all the former viz. I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people i.e. whatsoever I am or have or can do who am omnipotent shall be imployed for their good or whatsoever they would choose a God for or desire to be in a God that will I be to them with whom I contract this Covenant and I will own them as my peculiar people Now the mercies of the Covenant consist in these four particulars especially in the last I shall a little open these that we may the better find out the mercies wrapt in the Covenant of Grace 1. The parties that enter this Covenant are God and man Oh the infinite distance and vast disproportion quantus quantillo Heaven makes a match with earth the great Creator with a mortal creature the glorious King with a silly beggar is not this a rich mercy shall the Cedar in Lebanon contract a League not only with the contemptible shrub but with the pricking offensive thistle shall the Sun of Righteousness convey beams of love to such worthless worms yea to such stinking dung-hills shall the beauty of holiness be confederate with sorry man who is but a lump of vanity or mass of impurity Yet thus it is and this is transcendent mercy there 's mercy in a Covenant God might have dealt with man in a way of absolute soveraignty and done with man even as he pleased without giving us account of his matters but he treats with man in a rational way above the capacity of other creatures God takes man up to parly and treat with him as though he were his equal Psal 8.4 what is man that thou art thus mindful of him or the Son of man that thou visitest him this mutual stipulation is infinite condescention on Gods part and advancement on mans man only man of all the Creatures is the subject of this Covenant Angels had no need of it Devils had no hope by it bruit Creatures were not capable of it only man and fallen man hath interest in it and benefit by it Oh the mercy there is in a Covenant of reconciliation even after man had turned bankrupt spent a fair estate broken Covenant and brought himself into a desperate case that yet God should forget what was past enter into a new and better Covenant betrust him with a new stock and yet lay help not upon foolish mans weak shoulders but upon one that 's mighty to save Oh rich O transcendent Love this leads us to the second thing in this Covenant 2. The consideration paid that 's Jesus Christ Joh. 4.10 and he is eminently the gift of God such a gift as never came out of the hands of God and was never received by the hands of mortal man a rich and inriching gift a gift proceeding from love so God loved the world that he gave his Son Joh. 3.16 Christ is several wayes a gift 1. Nobis to us 1 Cor. 1.30 who of God is made unto us wisdom 2. Pro nobis for us Gal. 2.20 Who loved me and gave himself for me 3. Prae nobis before us as an example copy and pattern as he suffered for us so he left us an example 1 Pet. 2.21.4 In nobis in us so Christ is said to dwell in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 thus Christ is given to believers by sanctification and inhabitation of his spirit Now 't is the second way principally whereby Christ is the consideration or price paid in this new Covenant viz. as he is given for us a valuable consideration to pacifie wrath and satisfie justice thus is Jesus Christ the Lutron or price of our Redemption we are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 such a price as never was paid men pay money to purchase great possessions but we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with blood yea with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1.18 19. without shedding of blood there could be no remission yet the blood of Bulls or Goats could never take away sin Heb. 9.22 12. nay the blood of all the men upon earth could never wash away the guilt of the least sin no no it must be the blood of the immaculate Lamb the blood of God so called from the union of the two natures and communication of idioms or properties and this is the price paid the Father found out a ransome 1 Tim. 2.6 and our dear Saviour gave himself a ransome certainly this is a transcendent mercy of the New Covenant I dispute not those nice Controversies whether God could not have pardoned and saved man without the consideration of Christs undertakings or how God in justice can charge guilt and torment upon an innocent person this I am sure is Gods way of saving souls and we must not dispute but believe that Jesus Christ is the Mediatour of the Covenant and the price of our Redemption as God-man and this is the Marrow of the rich mercy and deep mysterie contained in the Gospel 3. In a Covenant is contained the couditions thereof what God requires of us without which we can have no benefit by the Covenant these also are to be reckoned as mercies of the Covenant on Gods part as well as duties on our part for they are secured and effected in us as well as commanded and required by God Luther makes this to be the main difference betwixt the two Covenants the Covenant of works requires obedience but gives no strength but the Covenant of Grace ingageth the Grace of God for the Elects performance of the conditions hence it is that what the Law commandeth Quod lex imperat gratia impetrat Evangelium dat quod lex exigit Aug. de spir littera the Gospel promiseth what God requireth Christ procureth what justice demandeth our dear saviour purchaseth and worketh by his spirit in the heart faith is the great Gospel-condition whereby Christ with all his benefits become ours but faith is the
in Heaven but thee and then saith my flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever God is fitly called the Saints portion for he is so one Saints portion as if no ones else and yet intirely every ones as if wholly theirs as indeed he is yet without division partition or diminution That 's a notable passage in that Gospel-Covenant at least one part of it the mercy in it we are speaking of Gen. 15.1 fear not Abram I am thy Shield and thy exceeding great reward 1. Thy reward as if it were as indeed it is reward enough to have God if we have nothing else 2. A great reward worth speaking of Christus Coelum non patiuntuâ— hyperboleâ— not an inconsiderable trifle but a great reward 3. An exceeding great reward no hyperbole can reach it much less exceed it none can express the goodness of God but those that experience it nor can they sufficiently declare it but is he mine Psal 144.15 Yes 4. By this Covenant he is thy exceeding great reward Blessed are they that are in such a case Happy is that people whose God is the Lord. Thus I have shewed what God is 2. I shall a little shew what God gives and grants to the covenanted soul there are many rich benefits and advantages which are indeed rich Covenant-mercies 1. Pardon of sin Jer. 31.34 for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more and oh what a mercy is pardon of sin ask David when he is roaring under his broken bones and disquiet spirit whether pardon of sin be a mercy he will answer yes O yes I know it and could even envy the happiness of a pardoned sinner blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven Psal 32.1 2. yea many times blessed is he to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity this is a mercy that cost a great rate even the blood of the immaculate Lamb of God 't is a mercy that God shews for his own sake a mercy that easeth the guilty soul of an heavy burden a mercy that hath sweet and satisfying concomitants Oh the riches of this mercy 2. Gods favour love and tender compassion Jer. 32.40 41. I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good Yea I will rejoyce over them to do them good q. d. now I am in Covenant with them I will seek and study by all means to promote their spiritual and eternal advantage yea and their temporal good also I will be a fast and faithful friend to them all my attributes shall contribute their assistance to help on the design of mercy towards them and what God doth for them is with his whole heart and with his whole soul he will in the relation of a Father take care of his Children and is not that a mercy 3. Gospel-Ordinances Ezek. 37.26 27. I will make a Covenant of peace with them and will set my Sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore my Tabernacle also shall be with them i. e. they shall have the means of Grace the visible tokens of Gods presence wayes of Communion with God and is not this a rich mercy David lookt upon it as so in his banishment from Gods house and every Child of God prizeth it at a very high rate this is one of the mercies of the Covenant 4. Seasonable afflictions with a sanctified use of them Psal 89.30 32 33. if his Children forsake my Law then will I visit their transgressions with the rod 't is infinite mercy that God will take the pains to whip the offending Children it is faithfulness to the great ends of the Covenant that God will fetch in his wandring sheep by sharpest means it is as it were a cruel mercy to let men alone in sin to hasten their ruine it is the Fathers care and kindness to chide and correct his son and it 's as needful as food and raiment a Child of God would rather be scourged to God than allured from God in the paths of honey and butter this Covenant-mercy doth change the nature of the affliction and makes every thing to work for the souls best God this bitter potion is an useful healing medicine this stinging Serpent is turned into an harmless nay helpful Rod with which the Lord works wonders of mercy upon and for the Covenanted soul But time would fail me to enumerate the large Catalogue of Covenant-mercies from this fountain stream those choice mercies of reconciliation with God filiation the spirit of adoption free admission to the Throne of Grace acceptance of their persons audience of their Prayers assurance of Gods love peace of Conscience communion of Saints the benefits of Christs Passion Resurrection Ascention Intercession an interest in all the Promises Christs purchases the spirits motions and comforts freedom from the wrath of God the curse of the Law and eternal death and lastly an interest in and at death a full possession of the inheritance of the Saints in light these and such like are the mercies of the Covenant in a word all the goodness that is in God and all the good things of the world that are communicable to the elect are to be accounted as the sure mercies of David That 's for the first general head CHAP. III. 2. IN what respects these mercies of the Covenant are made sure for this observe that there are some things absolutely and unchangeably sure as to their own nature by an intrinsecal necessity thus God immutable essence is fixed with him there is no variableness nor shadow of change thus though the Heavens perish yet God endures he is still the same and his years have no end Psal 102 24-27 thus God alone is the certain and unmoveable center of the whole Creation he is the Rocâ— of Ages originally infinitely and independently sure and so is nothing besides otheâ— things are sure jure positivo not of themselves but by vertue of Gods appointmenâ— and designation invariable irrevocable so as it shall not be altered otherwayes ordered no new way contrived to save losâ— man thus the Scriptures are sure for ever O Lord thy Word is setled in Heaven Psal 119.89 Mat. 5.18 and our Saviour saith till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled and this way is the Covenant of Grace sure not of any intrinsecal necessity resulting from its nature but free to be or not to be as the infinite God sees good as a Covenant it depends meerly on Gods free-grace for making it God might have forborn re-entring this New Covenant but have dealt with man as with the lapsed Angels or he might have reserved to himself a power of revocation to have called in his patent and shut up his Office of mercy but now God hath fixed this as the only and everlasting way of Salvation thus this
they are the Children of God Eph. 1.14.4.30 Rom. 8.15 16. and this is an earnest of their inheritance which assures them of the whole possession it 's a seal and takes away all occasion of doubting Paul saith of all believers 1 Cor. 2.12 we have not received the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are given us of God i.e. these mercies of the Covenant Adoption pardon sanctification salvation God hath laid it upon us as a duty to make our calling and election sure not in it self 2 Pet. 1.10 but to our selves therefore it is attainable for God doth not command us impossibilities 2 Câ—r 13.5 he that bids us try our selves whether we be in the faith supposeth we may come to know upon an exact tryal Besides many of the Saints have been assused of their sincerity and salvation by ordinary ways which all the Saints may use and have a like success in a like full assurance of faith Mark 11.24.1 Joh. 5.14 15. and God hath bid us ask that we may receive that our joy may be full now we are to ask in faith that he will grant what we ask and we have a promise to be heard yea he therefore sets us on asking that he may give But I need not stand long to prove the possibility of a Child of Gods attaining assurance for experience doth abundantly confirm it and blessed be God that in this we can groundedly say the Papists are Lyars 3. Another sort whom this Text and Doctrine confutes is the Arminians and this in two respect 1. In the business of universal Redemption 2. In the falling away from Grace 1. The Text saith these are the sure mercies of David God's Davids or beloved ones have only an interest in them not all men and in the Doctrine I say that Covenant-mercies promised in Christ are purchased and insured by Christ to all the Heirs of promise and I must add only to these and to none besides and therefore Christ dyed not for all and I shall only use these two Arguments which immediately relate to the present subject 1. Christs mediatory undertakings are not intended as a price for any but such as were proposed by God to the Mediator in the Covenant of Redemption to be Redeemed by him but all and every one were not so proposed therefore not redeemed I have before opened that great transaction betwixt the Father and the Son now 't is most certain that the Mediators death and sufferings are to be lookt upon as regulated and qualified in respect of their effects according to what was proposed by the Father and consented to by the Son hence Christ saith that he came not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him and to finish his work and to give eternal life to as many as God had given to him therefore Christ must by his undertakings ensure these mercies to all those and none but those that the Father proposed to him in this everlasting bargain as for that conditional giving of some to Christ which some speak of that would derogate from his glory for he must needs know the event and that such a conditional giving would not effect it and to say he would what should not come to pass or to apply such means as he knew would not be effectual to the end cannot be imagined besides those that are given to Christ are contra-distinguished from others that are not given to him therefore these only are assigned peculiarly to be redeemed and not others Arg. 2. All those and only those whom Christ Redeemed have all the mercies of the Covenant insured to them but all have not all the mercies of the Covenant ensured to them and conferred on them therefore all are not Redeemed by Christ Christ is the surety and Mediator of the New Covenant and he gives Faith Repentance Pardon Heaven to them for whom he is engaged as a Surety they shall not fail of all the Covenant-mercies that are absolutely necessary to Salvation for he is faithful in the Execution of all his Offices now we know all men have not saving Faith nor Repentance it cannot be conceived but that his satisfaction must be equally effectual for the procuring of these saving mercies to those whose room he sustained and indeed God promiseth as a recompence to him that he shall see of the travel of his soul and be satisfied yea he shall justifie many i. e. as many as he undertook for Isa 53.11 if Christ hath born their iniquities they must be justified else he missed of his end there is an inseparable connexion betwixt Christ's undertaking for them and his bestowing Covenant-mercies on them all that are Redeemed by Christ's Blood are made Kings and Priests to God Rev. 5 9 10. they are purchased to be a peculiar people to God they are washed from their sins in his blood redeemed from their vain Conversation delivered from spiritual enemies to serve God in holiness all their days and to be received to Heaven when they dye these are the mercies of the Covenant which the Mediator purchaseth and applyeth to all the elect and to none but elect souls therefore none else are Redeemed for there is no saving nor eternal mercy procured to any reprobate by Christ's death for the proper and native fruits of Christs death are not divided therefore he prays for them that were given to him and for whose sake he did sanctifie himself Joh. 17. and excludes the reprobate World for whom he purchased not these Covenant-mercies therefore he dyed not for them that 's the former 2. This point confutes Arminians in their sad opinion of the Saints Apostacy some hold a total as Lutherans others a final as Arminius others maintain a total and final Apostacy of Saints we hold that believing regenerate justified persons that are endowed with the divine nature and a lively hope shall not lose that principle and fall from that state of grace and be utterly deprived of the favour of God and indeed we need no other Arguments but this that these mercies of the Covenant are sure mercies which they would not be if they might be lost there is the immutability of Gods Promise in the New Covenant the intercession of Jesus Christ for the Elect the Omnipotency of the Shepherd of Israel who will not lose one of his Sheep the efficacy of the spirit supporting and renewing the seed of God and life of Grace in believers 1 Joh. 3.9 and this seed of God keeps a believer from sinning in two respects 1. He hates and â—ills in part the evil which he wills and works 2. If by humane frailty he fall Rom 7.19 he makes not a trade of sin or keeps a course in it but the seed of Grace makes him restless till he return to God and be entertained into favour and fellowship with him thus though good David sometimes goes
my face doth your heart readily eccho thy face Lord will I seek do your souls tremble under sence of threatnings and judgements do the apprehensions of Gods loving-kindness melt and attract your heart doth this strongly lead and draw you to repentance ask your own souls such questions as these whereby you may know whether you have this condition and disposition of the Gospel-Covenant 8. The last disposition that is promised in the New Covenant as a singular mercy is holy practice spiritual obedience so Ezek. Si ergo talis fucrit vita nostra ita omnibus membris quaâ—rata composita ut universi motus nostri secundum Dei Leges agantur vere testamentum Dei erit super carnem nostram Orig. Hom. 3. in cap. 17. gen 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgements and do them this is an holy watchful chearful faithful fruitful obedience to Divine precepts and commands so then let me pose you thus do you run the ways of Gods commandments with enlarged hearts do you follow God fully and walk with God uprightly do you delight to do Gods will and in all things mind your rule doth the mind of God move you more than the customes and traditions of men though you cannot say you do exactly keep yet cannot you say you have respect to all Gods commandments are you like the Centurion's servants ready to go or come at Gods biding doth the Authority of a divine command more awe your conscience to obedience than the examples of most or best of men do you with Zechariah and Elizabeth walk in all the ways of Gods commandments blameless do you take heed to your ways that you offend not with tongue or hand or foot do you worship God in the beauty of holiness do you make it your business to ingage your hearts in your approaches to God do you lift up your hearts in Gods ways that God and you may meet do you worship God in the spirit rejoyce in Christ Jesus not having any confidence in the flesh in a word do you gladly follow Christs example study conformity to him and communion with him is faith working by love and doth that love ingage you to keep Gods commands and render them not grievous but pleasant do you account Christs yoke easie his burden light and his service perfect freedom and are you constant and permanent in holy walking all your days and though you may stumble and fall or turn aside or stand still or turn back yet you dare not quit and forsake Gods ways or chuse the ways of sin to go aside with the workers of iniquity but you lament your miscarriages are restless till you get into Gods ways again plead hard for pardon are more jealous over your hearts make more haste God-wards and so through grace keep faithful to death that you may receive a Crown of life Thus I have gleaned up the conditions or dispositions of Gods Children which are promised by God purchased by Christ and effectually wrought by the blessed spirit in the hearts of the elect and these are the mercies of the Covenant by which you may try whether you be interested in the Covenant for if you find these new-Covenant-mercies in you you may conclude you have an interest in new Covenant-priviledges Another way of tryal which I shall but briefly hint at is to discover the properties and effects of new Covenant-mercies upon the souls of such as partake of them i. e. those benefits and priviledges of the Covenant as Reconciliation Adoption Remission of sin imputation of Christs Righteousness and the rest before-mentioned leave gracious effects upon the hearts of such as partake thereof Take a taste 1. They are transforming conforming mercies they change heart and life as before yea and they make the soul argue from mercy to duty that soul that partakes of these mercies dare not sin that Grace may abound nor argue from mercy to sinful liberty much less make Christian liberty a cloak of lasciviousness oh no that 's the devils Logick a Child of God thinks and thus reasons did Christ dye for me and shall not I dye unto sin and live unto him that dyed for me shall my dear Saviour shed his blood for me and shall I think any thing too dear for him shall he forgive much to me and shall not I give all I have to him shall not I love him much pray much obey much O my soul how canst thou chuse but live in new obedience doth not the love of Christ constrain thee hath he reconciled thee to God and God to thee and wilt not thou be reconciled to thy offending brother hath he forgiven thee ten thousand Talents gratis and wilt not thou forgive such as offend thee a few farthings for Christs sake hath God given thee himself and dost thou withhold any part of thy poor silly sorry self from him nay here I am let him work in me and do with me as seems good in his eyes 2. They are chearing comforting and refreshing mercies these mercies of the Covenant will answer all objections clear all scores and put the soul out of doubt concerning its state Let the Devil and an unbelieving heart conspire together to torment the Conscience yet one word of the blessed Covenant will baffle all their arguings and stop their mouths and still the soul let God speak out and say I am thy God in Covenant who then can cause trouble this was all Davids Salvation Desire and Consolation One drop of this holy Oyle of the Covenant will sweeten a whole Fountain and Sea of the bitter Waters of the sharpest afflictions a taste of the Covenant will turn Water into Wine this is the Tree cast into the bitter Waters of Marah Isa 33.24 that makes them sweet sense of pardon takes away the sense of the pain if a particular promise can so comfort a soul as it may be called a cordial Oh what comfort will the Covenant afford which is a cluster and constellation of Evangelical promises the good things of the new Covenant keep head above Water and heart above terrour in all conditions these steel the soul with courage in difficulties comfort in Adversity and an Antidote in prosperity 3. These mercies of the Covenant are raising reviving elevating mercies they lift the heart above the World and advance it to Divine Coelestial objects and Conceptions Rev. 12.1 Col. 3.1 Phil. 3.8 9. a Christian thus cloathed with the Sun hath the Moon under his feet and all Sublunary enjoyments at his heels Christ and things above lye next his heart other things are dross and dung in comparison thereof a Covenanted Christians Treasure is in Heaven and his heart is there he preferrs a grain of Grace to all the comforts of the World common mercies will not content his heart or quiet his Conscience he opens his Heaven-born soul to Heavenly influences he
in reading the Word of God Oh of what use would this be there you may find what God commands how Saints have obeyed by what means they have cleared up their integrity and interest in Christ here you may find what are the conditions of the Covenant and upon what terms the mercies thereof may be enjoyed and what are the infallible Characters of such as have received benefit thereby here you may find Christ the main and choicest mercy of the Covenant yea for this end was the Scripture written that we might have comfort in God and by consequence also assurance of our interest in him Rom. 15.4 for this cause did both Christ speak Joh. 15.11.1 Joh. 1.4 and John write Divine truths that are upon record that his joy might be in us yea that our joy might be full an express Text you have in 1 Joh. 5.13 these things have I written unto you that believe in the name of the Son of God that ye may know ye have eternal life the more you study the Scriptures the more clearly you may read your names in the Book of Life your hearts if sincere will eccho to the word you read because the Law of God is written in your hearts therefore read and study this blessed Book these words are Charters of your heavenly inheritance food for your hungry appetites glasses in which you may discern the face of your souls Oh Christians neglect not the Scriptures look up for a right understanding and due application of every passage therein and then comfort your selves and one another with these words 1 Thes 4. ult 2. Attend upon a quickning Ministry here the terms of the Gospel are propounded the mercies of the Covenant are displayed true believers discovered and characterized here you may meet with a Barnabas as well as with a Boanerges yea it may be the hand that wounded may heal you God usually makes the fruit of the lips to be peace Isa 57.19 and many times sends some choice Interpreter to declare unto a man his righteousness and clear up his integrity Job 33.23 and therefore is it that God directs all such as walk in darkness to obey the voice of his servants Isa 50 10. or rather gives this as their character that they do so Isa 40.1 2.2 Cor. 1.4 and God gives Ministers a charge to comfort his people and lays up comforts in their Breasts to this end that they may comfort such as are cast down Oh the reviving words you may hear in the Ministry of the Word here you may hear doubts resolved cases of Conscience propounded answered and hearts opened anatomized here the spirit of God is often conveyed which seals up the believing soul to the day of redemption Isa 59.21 Gal. 3.2 3. Mat. 28. â—0 the presence of God accompanies his institution so that what the Minister declares in the name and by the Authority of Christ Isa 44 26. Mat. 18.18 according to the word he will ratifie back and confirm it in Heaven and how many drooping heirs of promise hath God erected satisfied encouraged about their title to Covenant-mercies by this Ordinance Oh the advantage that many have got thereby therefore wait on God in this Ordinance Oh look not upon it as weak and beggarly Elements as some ignorantly and blasphemously call all Ordinances make them not a matter of Ceremony and Formality but prepare for them and use them conscientiously and you shall see the sweet effect thereof 3. Improve the seals of the Covenant both Baptism and the Lords Supper Rom 4.11 Circumcision is called the seal of the righteousness of faith because that sweet Evangelical priviledge or marrow of the Gospel-covenant is signified sealed and exhibited in that Ordinance Oh Christians understand and improve that sweet Ordinance of Baptism it would be a spring of sweetness and satisfaction to your doubting fainting spirits 1 Cor. 10.16 c. 11.24 and then for the Lords Supper herein Christs Body and Blood are particularly applyed to us to become our own yea verily and really though not corporally but spiritually exhibited to every worthy receiver and hence resulteth spiritual joy solace and satisfaction as in the Passeover in Hezekiahs days 2 Chron. 30.21 26. they kept the feast with gladness and there was joy in Jerusalem But be sure you examine your selves prepare your hearts excite your Graces understand the Covenant apply these blessed mysteries to your own souls open your hearts by Meditation that the King of glory may come in stir up your souls to draw near to God and he will draw near to you Gal. 3.1 you 'l see Christ Crucified before you you 'l enjoy a blessed feast of fat things that will nourish and comfort your pining souls here you 'l feel pleasant Apples and sweet flagons of the Wine of his special love to stay you up and support your hearts in the day of your affliction and sad desertion and if you cannot enjoy that refreshing Ordinance yet reflect upon your former enjoyments and meditate upon your Crucified Redeemer and represent his bruised body and effused blood to your selves and in due time you 'l cry out with Thomas my Lord and my God 4. Ply the Throne of Grace in Prayer say as David Psal 35.3 O Lord say unto my soul I am thy salvation Isa 56.7 God hath promised to make his people joyful in the house or duty of Prayer Saints have found by experience the sweet and satisfying fruit of a serious wrestling with God thus David Psal 31.16 make thy face to shine upon thy servant and ver 21. he breaks out in thankfulness for an answer Blessed be the Lord for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong City Yea Christ himself commands us to ask that we may receive that our joy may be full Joh. 16.24 and is not a clear evidence of our interest in the Covenant and the mercies of it worth asking therefore plead with God tell him thou preferrest Covenant-mercies above worldly enjoyments and that thou wouldst rather have these mercies made sure to thee than to have a lease of thy life for his loving-kindness is better than life Psal 63.3 tell him the joy of the Lord is thy strength and how much it will tend to thy furtherance in his service if he will lift up the light of his Countenance on thy soul tell him he hath granted comfortable assurance to many souls and thou needest it as well as they thou art an humble suitor at the Gates of mercy and art resolved not to let him go except he bless thee yet once again tell him it is no more then he hath promised in his word and Christ hath purchased by his blood and therefore it is no arrogancy for thee to crave or expect and when thou hast been pleading conclude with that poor man Mark 9 24. Mat. 9.29 Lord I believe help thou my unbelief and he will say according
sin exceedingly against God and our own souls in neglecting those means of assurance 2. You cannot evidence your truth of grace or title to Covenant-mercies unless you use Gods appointed means to obtain assurance it 's an ill sign of a graceless heart to nourish doubtings and distrusts and then to come in with such pleas as these true faith is accompanied with doubtings he that doubts not doth not believe a doubting faith is a good faith let me have doubts and fears I dare not be too confident lest I presume But I must tell thee soul a doubting faith is but a weak faith and a Christian ought to be strong in faith Rom. 4.20 and make a progress to a full degree and proficiency in grace and endeavour to arrive to a plerophory and full assurance for this is the nature of grace to be pressing after perfection Rom. 1.17 and go from faith to faith even from a faith of adherence to a faith of evidence and assurance yea let such know this that slight means of assurance you live in a constant neglect of a known duty in disobedience to a flat command Heb. 6.11 and we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end q. d. if your faith and hope be of the right stamp as it may seem to be it will be working off all doubtings anxious thoughts and distrusting fears and move to a further degree of confidence and assurance else you may suspect the truth of it 3. You cannot assure your selves of creature enjoyments a day to an end nor yet of immunity from crosses and if you have not assurance of these sure mercies what have you to bear up your hearts in an evil day we little know what shaking times may come that may pluck from you whatever you account dear and if you have not something above oh the sad confusions that will seize upon you but assurance of an interest in the God of Heaven and the good things of the Covenant will be a guard to free your hearts from those numerous Armies of tormenting fears that will beset you this will be a cordial to drive away sick and swooning qualmes from your troubled spirits assurance of Gods love will fortifie your hearts against the fierce assaults of men and devils Psal 27.1 the Lord is my light and salvation whom shall I fear Exod. 12.23 Ezek. 9.6 destroying Angels shall not come near any persons that are sprinkled with Christs blood and have the mourners mark a day of danger horrour confusion may overtake us in the Nation in which we may be stript naked of all our enjoyments surely then assurance of our interest in the best riches in the World will stand us in stead and when all things else fail these will abide with us But 4. Consider the great advantages of assurance I can but name them 1. It will assure us that we shall want nothing that 's good for us if he have given us Christ then will he give us all good things Rom. 8.32 2. It gives a sweet relish to every comfort of life delight in Gods great goodness Neh. 9.25.3 It will sweeten the bitterest cup of affliction Mat. 9.2 4. It gives boldness to the Throne of Grace Heb. 10.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. with a liberty to say what we list if according to his will and he will hear us 5. Assurance helps the soul to despise the World he that knows he is cloathed with the Sun can trample the Moon under his feet 1 Pet. 4.14 16. see Heb. 10.34.6 It strengthens against the censures and reproaches of men no matter what men say when God acquits Rom. 8.33 34. our Conscience tells us we are not the men we are represented to be 7. It sweetens the reading of the Word and receiving of the Sacraments these promises seals blood of the Covenant are mine precepts threatnings all things his 1 Cor. 3.21 22.8 It enlargeth the soul in praise and thanksgiving hence those Hallelujahs in Heaven the more assurance the more thankfulness Psal 103.1 2 3. 9. It commendeth Religion to others makes Gods ways lovely Oh taste and see come and I will shew you what he what he hath done for my soul ingageth many Psal 142.7.10 It helpeth on repentance makes Godly sorrow more kindly Evangelical a love-look from Christ melts Peters heart this Sun dissolves frozen souls Ezek. 16.63.11 It engageth a soul against sin appearances of God are cords of love which are strongest to an ingenuous spirit Rom. 6.1 2.12 Assurance animates our performances and obedience is any thing too much to do for God yea my God deserves all I am have his command 's are not grievous 1 Joh. 3.5.13 It deadens the heart to needless disputes and Controversies it settles the heart in the truth and fortifies it against the subtilties of seducing spirits for Gods Law is in their hearts Heb. 13.9.14 It representeth the glory of Heaven is some blessed embleme of a souls bathing it self in these Rivers of pleasure that are at Gods right hand divine embraces a corner of Heaven a Pisgah-sight of Canaan 15. It sweeteneth the King of terrours and plucks out the sting of death so that a gracious soul assured of Gods love can triumph with Paul over this conquered enemy 1 Cor. 15.55 and indeed none but an assured Christian can look death in the face without horrour and amazement ruffling gallants may be prodigal of their lives who are far from any capacity of obtaining assurance but those are liker Bruits than men that are guided by sence not by reason and consider not that their souls are immortal and that they are entring into Eternity at death but these have drowned themselves in sensuality and consider not what they do but 't is only the Christian that's upon good grounds assured of his good estate that can in cold blood adventure upon death yea be willing to dye yea desire to be dissolved and be with Christ I have but hinted at these things because 't is an ordinary subject wherein many have done worthily to promote endeavours to obtain assurance Sirs what say you to these things is not assurance of interest in Covenant-mercies worth labouring for can you let these things lye without clearing your title doth not the new creature breathe after it doth not a rational soul desire it do not all wicked men catch after a certainty and frame to themselves some kind of certainty do not worldlings take care to secure their Lands Goods Estates shall they require Bonds Seals Oaths Sureties and yet account all this too little and shall we account any thing too much to secure these sweet mercies whithout which we are undone for ever Oh let nothing hinder your endeavours this way let no objections make you delay or be discouraged let not Satan deter you or the Worlds conceits make you slight it as unattainable nor a slothful unbelieving heart
quae alteri secuco prosint quid procreatio liberorum quid proparatio nomiâ—is quid adoptiones filiorum quid testamentoâ—um diligentia quid iâ—sa sepulchro um monumenta quid eloâ—ia significant nisi nos futuna etiam cogitare Nemo unquam sine magna spe immortalitatis se pro patria offeret ad mâ—tem and against fear of death he adds Acherontia templa alta orci pallida leti obnubila obsita tenebris locâ— nonpudet Philosophum in eo gloriari quod haec non timeat itaque non deterret sapientem mors quae propter incertos casus cotidiè imminet propter brevitatem vitae nunquam longe potest abesse that any that call themselves Christians should dispute against the immortality of the soul when he brings such arguments and Authors to assert it but I am much more ashamed that any real Saints should shrink with fears of death when even that poor Heathen hath spoken so much for the contempt of it Let Christians learn something from Heathens Take a few hints in the Marg. I must but give a taste in this kind a world more instances might be brought out of Heathen Authors to shame professed Christians that have an higher sort of Arguments against the fear of death yet the sense of Covenant-relation is the strongest and the sureness of Covenant-mercies is of singular use to sweeten those bitter pangs when the King of terrours doth appear in the most formidable manner and strikes its last stroke with the most terrible kind of death and truly I may with Mr. Dod call death the friend of grace though it be the enemy of nature our Saviour hath pluckt out its sting and altered the very nature of it The Church pag. 180. I shall conclude this Branch with a Poem of Divine Herberts called Death Death thou wast once an uncouth hideous thing nothing but bones the sad effect of sadder groans Thy mouth was open but thou couldst not sing For we considered thee as at some six or ten years hence after the loss of life and sense Flesh being turn'd to dust and bones to sticks We lookt on this side of thee shooting short where we did find the shells of fledge souls left behind Dry dust which sheds no tears but may extort But since our Saviours death did put some blood into thy face thou art grown fair and full of grace Much in request much sought for as a good For we do now behold thee gay and glad as at dooms-day when souls shall wear their new aray And all thy bones with beauty shall be clad Therefore we can go dye as sleep and trust half that we have unto an honest faithful grave Making our pillows either down or dust CHAP. XIV IV. THE fourth and last head of Directions that I promised to propound is an answer to this Question How a gracious soul that is interested in these mercies is to behave himself though this be a necessary point yet I must cut short in it having insisted too long on the former Heads 1. Believe and receive these mercies this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation De iis quae cognovit futuris quae adhuc sub visum non cadunt tam certum habet persuasionem cognitione praedictus ut ea mag is adesse putat quam quae sunt praesentia Clem. Alex Strom. lib. 7. that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 is it the proposition only that is to be credited embraced is it not Christ and the rest of the Covenant-mercies held forth in this precious maxim which is the sweetest flower in the Garden of Scripture the choicest Pearl in the Word and most glorious Star in the whole Constellation of Gospel-promises who dare doubt what God hath spoken and who dare refuse what God doth offer he is so wise that he cannot be deceived and he is so good that he will not deceive you you may better believe God than your own sense give glory to God by embracing these mercies deny or dispute no longer be not ingrateful to that Grace of God that hath condescended so low to give you evidences on purpose that you might believe 2. Improve these sure mercies make use of them in all your particular needs if a man have a good spring he will order it for convenient supplies of many houshold wants and draw it through several chanels for several uses so a Christian must branch out the several mercies of the Covenant to his various cases and uses as enlightning mercy to his darkness enlivening mercy to his dulness pardoning mercy in case of guiltiness purging mercy in case of strong corruptions 2 Cor. 12 7. because Gods grace is sufficient for us in all exigencies in all storms there is Sea-room enough in Gods infinite mercy for faiths full sail Phil. 4.19 our God supplies all wants Religion is a spiritual bond to tye God and a soul together and a Christian in the exercise of his Religion singles out that in God which is needful to him on all occasions the life of faith is a retailing of Divine commodities as the Covenant of grace gives a soul a title thereto as it were by whole-sale Oh let the heirs of promise improve these mercies 3. Be content with these mercies these are sufficient to make you happy seek not further to eke out your contentment in the Creature as though you had not enough in having these what a strange passage is that of good Abraham Gen. 1â— 2 Lord God saith he what wilt thou give me seeing I go childless give him why had not God given him himself and was not that an exceeding great reward ver 1. and could Abraham desire more O yes all this is nothing unless God give him a Child he takes no notice of this in comparison of a Son this is just our case let God give us himself and Covenant-mercies we can overlook all these in our distempered fits and look upon them as of no worth if he deny us some outward comfort that our hearts are set upon but this is our sin and shame cannot God himself content us can we go from Covenant-mercies to mend us with common-mercies nay do we not thereby weaken our interest dishonour our portion and dis-ingage God to help us is not God a jealous God and can he endure to have any corrival with him in your affections 4. Walk worthy of these sure mercies Cum id praestiterit gratia ut moremur peâ—cata quid aliud facicmus stvivemus in eo nisi ut gratiae simus ingrati Aug. de Sp. et lib. c. 60. Rom. 12.1 oh do not disparage them by your unsuitable carriage live after the rate of heirs of Promise walk exactly spiritually self-denyingly and soul-resignedly God hath given himself and these best blessings to you in mercy oh give your selves and best services to God in a way of duty if you give your selves to
God as a whole burnt-offering 't is but a reasonable service for he hath given you more than you can give back to him walk holily steadily cheerfully as becomes these mercies do much for God that hath done so much for you let nothing discourage or disquiet your spirits since yoâ— have mercies sure mercies to lodge in your bosomes why should that soul be sad that enjoyeth an interest in the father of consolations the purchaser of salvation and comforting spirit sure mercies with propriety beget solid comfort and assurance for ever Col. 1.10 Eph. 4.1.1 Thes 2.12 Oh Christians learn the lessons much inculcated to walk worthy of God of your vocation relation and this Kingdom 5. Be active and passive for these mercies they cost Christ dear to purchase them do not you think any thing too dear to do or endure for promoting or preserving of them kindness is very endearing to a grateful heart your pains cannot be spent to better purpose than in the cause of God we must always be paying our debt though we can never fully pay it we must be behind-hand with God but let a soul under the sense of mercies sweat blood for God if he call to it you sow not in a barren soul as showrs of mercy ingage you to fruitfulness so an abundant crop of mercy will be your sure reward and in your saddest Winter you shall have the sweetest harvest of mercy if Christians knew what grapes of Coelestial Canaan they should taste in their Wilderness-sufferings for Christ they would not be so afraid of them as they are these mercies run most freely and sweetly when other streams are stopt fear not sufferings mercies will meet and support you 6. Plead these mercies for your posterity though you should leave your Children thousands a year yet these Covenant-mercies will be the best portion you cannot assure your estates to your heirs but these are sure mercies so that if you take hold of Gods Covenant plead it live up to it you shall have the benefit of these your selves and some at least of your Children and Successours shall enjoy the same mercies for God will remember these unto a thousand generations though he be not bound to every individual soul of your natural off-spring however the Scripture fully shews that this is the surest way to obtain a portion for your Children tell God they are more his than yours you are but Nurses for his Children tell the Lord that thou must dye and leave them but he lives for ever intreat him to be their loving everlasting Father tell him that though thou leave them something in the world yet that is neither suitable nor durable but these sure mercies will not fail them and comfort your hearts for your house and family with the last words of dying David 2 Sam. 23.5 oh labour to transmit your title unto God to future generations as the two Tribes and an half did to future Ages by their Altar Ed. Joh. 24.24 28. see 1 Chron. 28.9 7. Breathe after a full possession of these sure mercies they are from everlasting to everlasting follow them to the spring in admiration and thankfulness and follow this stream of Covenant-mercies to the Ocean of Eternity indeed the streams are in time to the Sons and Daughters of men but the original is without a beginning in God eternal thoughts of love and the end is without end in those everlasting embraces in Heaven oh long to see the end if these mercies be so sweet here what will they be in Heaven in their proper Element as it were oh that blessed state that Paradice of pleasure that joy of our Lord Abraham's bosome an house not made with hands a City with foundations a Crown a Kingdom art thou the happy product of these sure mercies of David do these mercies bring forth such felicity oh happy day that my soul hath an interest in these sure mercies but how long shall my soul be kept from the full possession of these mercies when shall I come and appear before God how long shall I sojourn in Mesech and be detained from my Fathers plenteous Table above shall not a Captive long for his deliverance and a young heir for his full inheritance and shall not my soul long to be with Christ above shall my body be so weary and hath not my soul more cause to be weary of its burden and absence from home Rom. 8 19-23 shall creatures groan and shall not I much more to be delivered into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God shall the Spirit and the Bride say come and shall not my soul that hears these things eccho come shall he say himself Rev. 22.17 20. I come quickly and shall not I answer Amen even so come Lord Jesus Come Lord I long to see the and of these wonders of grace I much desire to enjoy those mercies which eye hath not seen ear heard or heart conceived after another manner than here I am capable come my God I beseech thee shew me thy face and because none can see thy face and live let me dye that I may see thy face and be swallowed up in the Ocean of mercy whence these Covenant-mercies flow Dear Lord either come down to me or take me up to thee Make haste my beloved Song 8.14 and be thou like a Roe or to a young Hart upon the Mountains of Spices Thus I have at last dispatcht this sixth Use of Instruction and Direction to sinners and Saints CHAP. XV. VII THE seventh Use of Encouragement Comfort and Refreshment and here 's an abundant spring opened to revive all the heirs of Promise But because I want room and because much of that which hath been already delivered tends this way I shall rather improve it to excite the people of God and heirs of Promise to the great and sweet duty of thankfulness And here I might elarge upon the Nature Use Comfort and acceptance of the duty of praise in the account of God and men but I must wave that and only insist on some few particulars that concern the nature of these mercies which may ingage us to be thankful which are these 1. They are free-mercies they may be had without money or price saith this Prophet here Quanti O bomines profiteremini vos esse empturos si salus aeterna venderetur ne si paeto tum quidem qui totus aureo ut est in favulis fluit fluento quis dedcrit pro salute justum pretium numeraverit Clem Alex. adm ad gentis free-grace was the Fountain Cause and Original of these he had mercy because he would have mercy nothing moved his bowels of mercy on our part free-grace had no impulsive cause but it self when you are to purchase these mercies the price it fallen to just nothing he gives liberally and upbraids not oh what cause of thankfulness and admiration 2. They are Dear mercies this doth not contradict the former