contemned and despised to finde life the particulars whereof now follow in order But whence was this that he is become such a worthy confessor excusing Christ and pleading his cause who so lately before by his sinfull and wretched life had so dishonoured him No question this proceeded from the Lords free grace and mercy shewed vnto him giuing him to see his sins to be humbled for the same and by a liuely faith to lay hold on Christ It was Christ that had first looked on him with the eye of mercy that had in him no merit before he could behold his godhead now at this time vailed and he himselfe so much abased He was by nature in the same estate and condition with the other malefactor guiltie of the same sinne ouertaken with the same punishment and so had perished euerlastingly had not the Lord Iesus of this stone made a sonne of Abraham and framed his heart anew making a difference through grace where there was none by nature for so was it his good pleasure The instruction we may learne Doct. 2 hence then is this All men are alike by nature vntill God make a diâ—ference by grace that by nature there is no difference betwixt Gods children and wicked men vntill the Lord make the difference by grace we are all hewed out of the same rocke that the vildest wretch and cursedst Canibal was that euer breathed vntill the Lord doe frame the heart anew wee are all folded vp in the state of nature and are the children of wrath as well as others Doe but consider what the Scripture speaketh of this particular that we are all by nature the children of wrath Eph. 2.3 Eze. 16. that our father was an Aramite and our mother a Hittite such as wee are indeed without the couenant without God in this world Corrupted with iniquity from the womb Psal 51.7 conceiued of vncleane seed Iob 14.4 yea all the faculties of our soules how are they depraued through this originall corruption Eph. 4.18 The vnderstanding is blinde Hauing their vnderstandings darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them The will is froward and rebellious Rom. 7.15 what I would that doe I not but what I hate that I doe hauing not so much power to thinke that is good And the same is true of our affections 2. Cor. 3.5 which are likewise disordered being set vpon transitorie things which profit not and altogether auerse from heauenly things inasmuch as the Apostle saith Rom. 3.23 We are depriued of the glory of God Hauing in vs no inclination at all to any thing which is good but rather indeed an inclination to all things that are euill Gen. 6.3 And in this miserable estate and condition doth the Lord finde vs when he is pleased to call vs as we may see in Saul Zacheus Acts 9. Luke 19. Ioh. 7. Mary Magdalene this penitent Thiefe and of all the faithfull it is God Who worketh both the will and the deed Phil. 2.13 and that of his owne good pleasure 1. Cor. 4.7 Who separateth thee saith the Apostle or who causeth thee to differ It is the Lord that makes this difference betwixt vs and wicked men Yea wee shall finde the whole worke of grace of Conuersion and saluation to be wholly attributed vnto him he is the Alpha and Omega the first and the last the beginning and the end that is all in all in the worke of our saluation First Election which is the ground foundation of al grace Election this comes from him Hee hath predestinated vs to bee adopted through Iesus Christ in himselfe Epees 1.5 according to the good pleasure of his will Secondly vocation and a Christian mans effectuall calling Vocation outwardly by the word and inwardly by the Spirit this proceeds likewise from him and his free and vndeserued grace and fauour alone 2. Tim. 1.9 He hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling Gal. 1.6 Not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace Thirdly Faith is the instrument or the hand Faith by the which we come to lay hold vpon and apply Christ and his righteousnesse vnto our owne soules in particular Heb. 11.6 and without which we cannot please God Now from whence haue we this grace truly to beleeue Ephes 2.8 for By grace ye are saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God Fourthly Obedience from him alone proceedeth what will what power or abilitie soeuer we haue for any holy duty Ezek. 36.27 28. A new heart saith the Lord will I giue you and a new spirit will I put into you I will take away the stony heart out of your body and I will giue you a heart of flesh I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes Fifthly to haue the Word and Sacrament effectuall vnto vs this comes from him otherwise Paul may plant 1. Cor. 3.6 and Apollo water but all in vaine I haue planted and Apollo watered but God gaue the increase 6 Perseuerance Finally the gift and grace of perseuerance to hold out in our Christian race vnto the end this is likewise from him I will giue them one heart and one way Ie. 32.4.41 that they may feare me for euer I will put my feare in their hearts and they shal not depart from me And That God who hath begun that good worke Phil. 1.6.29 will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ So that it is he that is the Alpha and Omega the first and the last that is all in all in the matter of grace and saluation So as we must say with the Church Isa 26.12 O Lord thou hast wrought all our works for vs. And it must needs be thus For Reas 1 First God will haue the whole glory of this worke of our conuersion and saluation and none other That all matter of glorying in our selues might bee taken away and that we might say with the Psalmist Not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy Name giue the praise He will haue the glory of his owne worke and the praise of his owne mercy and will teach vs to go out of our selues and to say with Paul By the grace of God I am that I am Secondly we haue nothing of Reas 2 our owne or within vs that should moue the Lord to elect vs vnto life or to adopt vs as sonnes wee are miserable orphans and haue naught else to plead vnto God to commiserate our misery we are beggers and destitute of all good things Our penury is such as that we are faine to begge at his hands Our daily bread he oweth vs naught and they are but his owne gifts and graces giuen vnto vs that he crowneth with glory Vse 1 This serues first of all to humble vs
where pride groweth it is like a noysome weede in a garden true grace doth there wither and the best plants can neuer prosper Secondly it is discerned by the conscionable vse of the meanes by the which grace is daily more and more nourished and increased in vs. Such as are the hearing of the Word the conscionable vse of the Sacraments prayer with the conscionable performance of these and the like holy duties both publike and priuate with a delight therein this being thy case thou needest no more question the state of thy soule all this while then the state of that body that hath a good appetite to meate and withall a good digestion Thirdly it may bee discerned in vs by the taste and relish wee haue in heauenly things with the delight in Gods people for the body of Christ increaseth in the edification of it self through loue and as this loue increaseth or decayeth so doth grace VERSE 42. And he said vnto Iesus Text. Lord remember me c. THe penitent Thiefe hauing giuen good testimony of his repentance for sinne is now qualified to pray for now is he humbled made meeke and gentle his heart is fitted and prepared for this duty Note hence that None can pray aright but the Penitent None can make an effectuall prayer but the penitent Iam. 5.18 Psal 32.6 such as are truly and throughly humbled for sinne these are qualified for this dutie The prayer of a righteous man auaileth much saith Saint Iames. Therefore shall euery one that is godly make his prayer vnto thee It was the Church that made prayer vnto God for Peter Act. 12. When the children of Israel had humbled themselues from morning vntill euening and wept before the Lord then were they qualified to aske counsell of the Lord. Iudg. 20.23.26 Gen. 4.4 The Lord had respect to Abel and his offering but vnto Cain and his offering had he not respect Abels person was first accepted in Christ before his sacrifice could be This is that the Lord requireth of his people Isa 1.16 Wash you make you cleane put away your euils out of my sight c. And then what followeth Vers 1â— Come let vs now reason together saith the Lord though your sinnes were as scarlet they shal be made as white as snow c. As for the prayers of the wicked Pro. 15.8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abhomination vnto the Lord. But the prayer of the righteous is his delight Though they cry vnto me I will not heare them Hos 7.14 What might be the reason see it in the verse going before Ier. 11.11 They turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers which refused to heare my words The blinde man acknowledged this truth Ioh. 9.30 God heareth not sinners Whereas on the contrary Psal 51.17 A broken and contrite heart God will not despise The prayers of the righteous are his delight Prou. 15.8 And it must bee the supplication of Iob Iob 42.8 that God will accept of in the behalfe of his friends And there is reason for it Reas 1 First that of our Sauiour A good tree saith he bringeth forth good fruit Mat. 7.17 but an euill tree bringeth forth euill fruit He must be a good man that maketh a good prayer a bad man cannot make a good prayer For such as the root is such is the fruit Reas 2 Secondly Gods fauour and countenance is onely and alwaies manifested there where his Image appeareth Now it is onely in his children who haue dedicated themselues onely to him and his seruice Reas 3 Thirdly it is the godly man that can speake the language of heauen hee hath the spirit of adoption giuen vnto him enabling him to cry Abba Father Now they must bee the breathings of Gods Spirit Rom. 8.15 which God will acknowledge That is the languages the which God doth vnderstanâ—en Now wicked men wanting this spirit what reckoning account can God make of the prayers of such a one Fourthly Whatsoeuer is not of Reas 4 faith is sinne And againe Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please God Faith is the salt of the Sanctuarie that must season all our sacrifices and giues vs a comfortable assurance that they shall finde acceptation with God That ye may beleeue in the name of the Sonne of God 1. Ioh. 5.13.14 And this is the assurance that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth vs. Faith is all in all to make our prayers accepted How many came to our Sauiour in the dayes of his flesh to bee cured some of one disease and some of another And what is Christs answer but this According to thy faith so be 〈◊〉 vnto thee 2. Thes 3.2 Now All men haue not faith saith the Apostle It is called the Faith of the elect because none are betrusted therewith but the elect of God and so it must needs bee they and they alone that can pray effectually Reas 5 And last of all they cannot be the prayers of wicked men that God can heare and accept of because they haue refused to heare God God will therefore refuse to heare them Because I haue called saith the Lord and ye haue refused Pro. 1.24 ye shall cry and call and I will not answer And this stands with the distributiue Iustice of Almightie God that God should deale with them as they haue dealt with him Vse 1 This serues then to set out vnto vs the misery of euery wicked and vngodly man of euery impenitent sinner that liues and lyes in sinne without repentance God is prouoked by him daily his verie prayers themselues are turned into sinne Pro. 28.9 He that turneth away his eare from hearing the law euen his very prayers are abhominable The Lord doth ranke this mans prayers amongst the bed roll of his sinnes Thou that art a drunkard a swearer a beastly liuer thou that liuest and lyest in thy sinne without repentance thou diddest neuer all the dayes of thy life make an effectuall prayer vnto God the Lord neuer heard thee in mercy in any petition thou diddest euer put vp vnto him But thy very praiers were euer turned into sin and became abominable vnto him thou wantest the Spirit of God to enable thee to this duty For it is the breathing of that Spirit that God will acknowledge O the misery of an impenitent sinner that whether hee do those things that are forbidden or those things that are commanded is still posting to hell and hastening his owne destruction Obiect If an impenitent sinner sinne thus euen in praying vnto God it seemes then that it were better for a wicked man not to pray at all Answ I say not so albeit a wicked man sinne praying because his person is not accepted with God in Christ hath not repentance for sinne nor faith in Christ which must make his prayers auailable Yet he must pray
be prepare flesh for his people Howsoeuer this people were guiltie of many sinnes yet this this sinne of Infidelitie was that sinne that in so speciall a manner prouoked the Lord to wrath against them for so saith the Text Psa 78.21 Therefore the Lord heard and was angry and the fire was kindled in Iacob and also wrath came vpon Israel But what might be the reason thereof Because they beleeued not in God Vers 22. and trusted not in his helpe And albeit the Lord sware vnto their Fathers that he would giue vnto them the Land of Canaan Deut. 1.8 yet of all those that came out of the land of Egypt and had seene his miracles vpon Pharaoh and his people there did not one of them aboue the age of twenty yeares come into that good Land What might be the cause Surely they stood guiltie before the Lord of many sinnes such as were their idolatry whoredome c. but aboue all other that which the Lord was most of all displeased at was their Infidelity for so saith the holy Ghost Heb. 3.19 They could not enter in because of vnbeleefe This appeares likewise in the example of that Prince in Samaria that would not beleeue the Prophet touching the great plentie which he prophesied should be in Samaria 2. Kin. 7.1 that a measure of fine floore should be sold for a shekel in the gate of Samaria His infidelitie did not onely depriue him of the fruition of the plenty but was punished with the losse of his life For the people trode him in the the gate and he dyed 2. King 7.20 Another memorable example hereof we haue recorded by the Euangelist Mark 6.5 That when our Sauiour came to the City of Nazareth there to preach and to shew his power the Text saith Hee could do no great works there Vers 6. and what might be the reason Mat. 13.58 Because of their vnbeleefe The Infidelity and vnbeleefe that was amongst them did after a sort binde the hands of our blessed Sauiour that he could not do the good he desired amongst them This doctrine might bee further insisted vpon by the examples of Gods iudgements vpon his owne children as the Israelites who for this sinne were broken off Of Zachary that doubting of the Lords promise by his Angell Rom. 11.20 that Elizabeth his wife should beare him a Sonne Luk. 1.20 was for this sinne of his smitten dumbe By all which testimonies and examples it is most cleare how hainous this sinne of Infidelity is And it must needs be so Reas 1 First because after a sort it puts the lye vpon God his word and promises and so likewise vpon all those excellent attributes of his such as are his power wisedome truth goodnesse and mercy an heart fraught with infidelity credits none of these 1. Ioh. 5.10 He that beleeueth not God hath made him a liar Then the which what greater disgrace can be put vpon any then to giue him the lye Secondly the sinne of Infidelity Reas 2 is a mother sinne and is the cause of many other euils and enormities in the hearts and liues of men And hence is it that the Apostle ioynes these two together an euill heart Heb. 3.12 and an heart of vnbeleefe as the cause and the effect for as Faith is a mother grace and produceth feare loue obedience c. So where infidelitie beares sway there must needs all manner of impietie raigne and abound This serues first of all to let vs Vse 1 see in what a cursed and miserable estate and condition all wicked and vngodly men are in that are void of faith and full of infidelity Such men can neuer please God in any thing they take in hand For Rom. 14.23 Heb. 11.6 Whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne And without faith it is impossible to please God Their hearing of the Word receiuing of the Sacraments prayer and the like holy duties are all abhomination to the Lord when they are not done by a beleeuer To an vnbeleeuing heart neither the power of Christs merits nor the infinitenesse of Gods mercy Word Sacraments can neuer profit but all tend to the destruction and the increase of the condemnation of an vnbeleeuer Vse 2 Secondly seeing that this sinne of Infidelitie aboue all other sins is such a stumbling blocke in our way strikes at God and all his attributes and seemes to put the lye vpon them all makes the Word Sacraments prayer and all other the ordinances of God vnprofitable vnto a man O how should this prouoke euery man euen as he tendereth the saluation of his owne soule to take heed of this sinne O vnhappie If was this vnto this poore man that shut vp heauen gates against him Take we heed of that thought at any time that shall seeme to question the truth of Gods word But rather let vs labour daily more and more to haue our hearts confirmed against all diffidence and distrust of God Saue thy selfe and vs. Text. These words were spoken in an ironicall and taunting manner 2 Scoffingly desiring deliuerāce after the manner of the chiefe Priests and people who mocked our Sauiour likewise at this time saying Mat. 15.29 If thou be the King of Israel come downe from the Crosse And againe He saued others Mat. 27.39 himselfe he cannot saue This impenitent thiefe trades in their steps and followes their example and mocketh Christ likewise Whence we may note Doct. 1 Euill examples dangerous First how powerfull examples are with men either to the imitation of that which is good or euil As men meete together vsually they traffique together by their interchange of words and manners whether they be godly or wicked But especially of great men and men in authoritie their examples being euill hurt many As the Chiefe Priests and Elders here they giuing such an euill example in mocking Christ no maruell though the common people do the same likewise We may see this in Herod in this Chapter when he began to offer indignity to our Sauiour the Men of warre yea all his traine were ready to do the same 1. Kin. 22.24 Let Ahab but declare himselfe no friend to Micha the Lords Prophet and Zidkijah the Kings Chaplaine will dare to smite him on the face So true is that of Solomon Pro. 29.12 If a Prince hearken to lyes all his seruants are wicked We may see this by daily experience that they that associate themselues with those that are vile and sinfull sauour of their manners and are made worse by them Pro. 13.20 He that walketh with the wise shall be the wiser But he that vseth the company of fools shall be the worse Yea Gods people themselues when they haue liued in sinfull places and haue had to do with wicked persons they haue receiued some blurs and blots of their filthinesse and haue not escaped free from their sinne but haue made good
world to confound the wise and the mightie putting this treasure in earthen vessels that the power might be in God and not in men Secondly that there might appeare a cleare difference betwixt the kingdome of Christ and the kingdome of Antichrist The kingdome of Christ doth not stand in need of humane power of earthly and carnall props to leane vpon but is supported with Gods almighty power which watcheth ouer it continually Whereas the kingdome of Antichrist must haue all the wit and policie of man to support it Equiuocation deuilish plots and practices such as are Gun-powder Treasons murthering of kings c. or else it could neuer stand This lets vs see the wonderfull Vse 1 care God hath of his Church and truth that albeit they are both opposed by many and mightie enemies yet hee is euer mindfull of his couenant and oath that he made to a thousand generations Yea when Popery most of all preuailed what Instruments hath God stirred vp in all places in Spaine Germany France Bohemia England c. to oppose that Antichristian pride As also to teach vs that when we shall see the Church of God in her wane and the beautie glory thereof eclipsed and ouer shadowed to rest vpon this that God can neuer want instruments of the Churches deliuerie he can make their enemies their friends as here hee opened the mouth of this Thiefe to giue testimonie vnto Christ As in the time of the Prophet Elias the Lord had seuen thousand that neuer bowed the knee vnto Baal Hee can neuer want mouthes to confesse him that out of the mouthes of very babes sucklings ordaineth such strength to perfect his owne praise Hitherto of his speech to his Fellow and therein of the three first testimonies of the truth of his Repentance and conuersion vnto God VERSE 42. And he said vnto Iesus Text. Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdome FRom his speech to his fellow rebuking him and iustifying the Lord Iesus he comes now to direct his suite to Christ Lord remember me c. It was a temporall deliuerance and corporall life the blasphemous Thiefe desired Saue thy self and vs and because hee iudged Christ to be Man onely and not God and so not able to giue this therefore he blasphemed him But the Penitent Thiefe that liues by faith and not by sence beholds Christs glorious power euen in this low degree of his humiliation and through faith raiseth vp himselfe to the hope of a better life Not regarding so much a temporall life or corporall deliuerance so that it might go well with his soule in death and therefore prayeth Lord remember me c. And herein as before he manifesteth likewise the admirable fruite of his faith and repentance whether wee consider the condition of the person of this Supplicant or petitioner or of Christ himselfe to whom hee sues for mercy First if we consider the Supplicant or petitioner himselfe a man not trained vp in the Schoole of Christ but rather in a denne of Theeues a man giuen vnto all manner of Rapine like a rauenous beast vpon the prey liuing by cutting of throats theft and the bloud of men for such a wretched creature as this to be brought at last to see his sinnes and to repentance for the same and to seek so earnestly for mercy for his soule this must needs declare the almightie power of God Secondly if we consider withall the condition of Christ himselfe at this time to whom he directeth his sute euen crucified Christ Betrayed by Iudas condemned by Pilate mocked of Priest and people denied by Peter forsaken at this time of all his Disciples for the Text saith They all forsooke him and fled At this time I say to acknowledge Christs Deitie to performe diuine honour vnto him by praying vnto him was wonderfull indeed Had hee in times past heard Christ preach and beene familiar with Christ or his disciples had he heard his heauenly word or seene those glorious miracles that hee had wrought Haply there might haue beene wrought some grace in the heart which howsoeuer it might be kept in for a time as fire raked vp in the ashes yet now at last at the time of his death might reuiue As it was the case of Peter who had forgot Christs words Mat. 26. which said Before the Cocke crow thou shalt deny mee thrice Yet afterwards the Text saith He remembred the words of Christ then had not this beene so much to bee wondred at But this being the first meeting and greeting the first sight he got of Christ who suffered now the same cursed shamefull and ignominious death together with him this could not but make greatly for the commendations of his admirable faith Before wee come to the particular handling of the words wee haue a two-fold instruction to bee handled in generall First then wee may note what a happy progresse this Penitent maketh in the wayes of godlinesse and in the worke of repentance He groweth vp still in Christ and goeth on from vertue to vertue and from one measure and degree of grace vnto another as it were by steps and stayers ascending vp into Gods kingdome first hee rebuketh is fellow secondly confesseth their sinnes thirdly cleareth Christs innocency And now againe maketh earnest supplication vnto him and herein will teach vs. Doct. 1 That a daily growth and increase in grace is necessary vnto saluation True grace is known by the growth in grace True grace will shew it selfe by the daily growth in the measure and degrees thereof Where grace is well vsed it will increase It is not with grace as it is with the materiall things of this life the more they are vsed the more they decay but grace is of a generatiue nature one grace well vsed and rightly improued brings forth another We glory in tribulation saith the Apostle knowing that tribulation worketh patience Rom. 5.3.4 and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed This duty of daily growth and increase in grace is often vrged and pressed in the Scriptures We beseech you brethren 1 Thes 4.4 and exhort you in the Lord Iesus that ye increase more and more 2 Pet. 3.18 So Peter grow in grace and againe Heb. 6.1 Pro. 1.5 Let vs be led forward towards perfection A wise man will heare and increase in learning saith Salomon Gods Church in the Scripture is compared to an Orchard or a Garden the Ministers of the Word are Planters and Waterers and all the faithfull are trees of righteousnesse and such as are thus planted in the Courts of the Lords house they bring forth much fruit in their age and are fat and well liking Psal 92.14 The blessing vpon the Creatures was increase and multiply Gen. 1.22 Euen so the blessing on the new Creatures is Grow in grace 2 Pet. 3.18 and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ This is
THE ADMIRABLE CONVERT OR THE MIRACVLOVS Conuersion of the Thiefe on the Crosse With the finall Impenitency of the other By SAMVEL SMITH Minister of the Word of God LONDON Printed by Thomas Harper for Thomas Alchorne and are to be sold at his Shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Greene Dragon 1632. TO The Right Worshipâ—ull Sir Richard Greeues Knight one of his Maiesties â—ustices of the Peace Quorum for the Countie of Worcester and to the vertuous and religious Lady the Lady Anne Greeues his wife increase of grace in this life and eternall glory in the life to come Right Worshipfull IT may bee wondred at of many especially in these daies wherin there is such a satietie if not a surfet of bookes and that vpon this subiect of Repentance that I should thus carry timber to the Wood or water to the Sea And the rather for that my late publication of my exercises of the same subiect The Eunuchs Conuersion my reasons are these First the good content my hearers had at the publike preaching of the same was no small motiue vnto mee to present the same things to their eares which were so acceptable to their hearts And oh that the Lord would be pleased to co-operate to make them partakers of that sauing grace Secondly for that there hath bin none in our Church for ought I know that hath fully handled the History And lastly for that no one place of Scripture or example of Gods mercy is more abused then this of the Penitent for alas how many desperate sinners haue beene imboldened to sinne by his example for what say they Did not the Thiefe on the Crosse at last repent and was hee not saued Not considering that repentance is Gods gift and that as an Antient doth well obserue Though God giue forgiuenesse of sins to al that repent Qui promisit poenitenti veniam non promisit peccanti poenitentiam Aug. he giues not repentance to all that sinne Neither consider they that the conuersion of this man was not ordinary besides it was particular and that particular examples are not to be vrged for a generall practice especially in so weighty a matter as the saluation of the soule is nor how Christ now vpon a speciall occasion to shew the effect of his bloud the power of his sufferings and to manifest to the sinfull world the truth of his God-head euen at the lowest ebbe of his humiliation would conuert a sinner These things they remaine willingly ignorant of whereas indeed it is a thousand fold more probable that such shall dye as they haue liued impenitently wickedly and desperately with the Impenitent and so be damned rather then to haue such a singular grace giuen them and mercy shewed at last hour to repent with the Penitent and so be saued This being the condition of so many in the world oh how doâ—â— it concerne euery faithfull Minister of Christ to strike oft vpon this string to presse hard vpon this duty and to bring them to see if it be possible the miserable condition of an impenitent life These are the motiues that haue so preuailed to bring these collections to light And now Right Worshipfull I beseech you that the world may receiue them at your hands and vnder your name which why should I doubt of since your zeale for Gods house loue of the truth with that incouragement you daily giue to such as bring the tidings of peace may assure mee that a Present of this nature cannot but bee acceptable vnto you Now if this poore worke may adde to the benefit and good of Gods Church and further the worke of Repentance which these times call for as my hope is through Gods mercy it may And that you and yours who deserue so large a measure of honor respect froÌ„ Gods Church may hereby bee further incouraged in your godly course who I confesse deserue a greater gift and better Present then I am able to giue it is all I desire and therein shall much reioyce and glorifie God in that behalfe And thus I commend you both to God and to the word of his grace who is able to build you vp further and to giue you at last an Inheritance amongst all those that are truely sanctified So prayeth hee who desireth to bee and remaine Your Worships Petitioner to the Throne of grace SAMVEL SMITH THE ADMIRABLE CONVERT Luk. 23. vers 39.40 c. ANd one of the euill doers which were hanged railed on him saying If thou bee Christ saue thy self vs. But the other answering rebuked him saying Doest thou not feare God seeing thou art in the same condemnation We indeed are iustly here for we receiue the due reward of our deeds but this man hath done nothing amisse And he said vnto Iesus Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdome And Iesus said vnto him Verily I say vnto thee to day shalt thou be with me in Paradise OF all Doctrines to be preached none more necessarie then the Doctrine of true Repentance which as it is most necessarie to life and saluation as our Sauiour witnesseth saying Except ye repent Luk. 13.5 ye shall all perish So neuer more neglected then in these times wherein too many of Israels Watchmen bend themselues not to serue to the edification of the faith of the Church as to disturbe the peace thereof wherein the malice and policie of Sathan in the purest Churches to corrupt the purity of doctrine hath beene euer seene But to leaue such as wearie themselues and Hearers with knotty questions tending rather to strife then edification therein many times to get a name of profunditie they leade their people rather into a labyrinth then work them to true piety It is the Doctrine of true repentance we haue now in hand and herein of that Admirable Conuert or that Mirror of Gods mercy the Thiefe on the Crosse whose example as it is full of consolation vnto the godly so no one example of Gods mercy in the whole Scripture more abused by wicked and licentious men Before we come to these particulars it will not be amisse that we first cast our eyes vpon the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe who as the Prophet Isaiah saith Isa 53.12 was numbred with transgressours And as Saint Luke obserueth in this Chapter Vers 32. There were also two other malefactours led with him to be put to death Verse 33. And when they were come to the place which is called Caluary there they crucified him and the Malefactours c. The foure kindes of death in vse among the Iewes There were foure kindes of death in vse amongst the Iewes as capitall punishments for capitall offences 1 Stoning Leuit. 24.14 Deut. 17.7 First stoning a kinde of death commonly inflicted vpon Blasphemers and Idolaters where the hand of the witnesse was first to be vpon him Secondly Beheading 2 Beheading Thirdly Burning Fourthly Strangling 3 Burning Deu. 21.22 which punishment
for they shall eate the fruit of their doings The consideration of this comforted Paul ouer all his troubles I haue fought a good fight I haue finished the course henceforth there is layd vp for mee a crowne of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4.7.8 which Christ the righteous Iudge shall giue mee in that day and not to me onely c. Let vs then rest vpon the gratious promises of our God being assured that couenant he hath made with his is surer then the couenant with day and night of the Sun and of the Moone he is Yea and Amen in all his promises as iealous of his Truth with his seruants as of his iustice with the wicked Rayled on him Text. We haue heard before how the sinne of this Malefactor hath brought vpon him shame and God in his iustice hath now ouertaken him in a course of sinning and brought vpon him his deserued punishment his sinfull wretched life hath now a miserable and cursed death We are now to come to his behauiour at the time of his death He railed on Christ. First the Euangelist obserueth how this Impenitent at this time of his death fell to raile vpon Christ He is so farre from being humbled in the sense of his sinne or in any penitent maner to make confession of the same considering that now he was from a temporall to come before an eternall Iudge and from the condemnation of the one to passe vnder the condemnation of the other as that he groweth worse by his punishment and becomes more desperatly sinful He railed on Christ Note hence That when the Lord shall ouertake Doct. 1 the wicked with his iudgements Afflictions make the wicked worse which might bring them to the sense of their sinne and repentance for the same as we shall see heereafter in the Penitent they doe but make the wicked worse Doth this wretched and miserable man now that the Lords hand is vpon him come to see his sinnes and bewaile his former sinfull course confessing and crying downe his owne abominations intreating for mercy at Gods hand in the pardon of the same surely no But his heart is more obstinate Rom. 2.5 and his conscience more hardned and becoms seared as it were with a hot-yron Gen. 15.16 hee hath now a heart that cannot repent but becomes more desperately wretched and sinfull still more and more to his last breath Mat 23.32 And this is vsually seene in the wicked daily notwithstanding the Lords corrections vpon them they proceed from euill to worse vntill they haue at length filled vp the measure of their iniquities vnto their eternall destruction Gen. 4.13 When the Lord conuicted Cain of his cruell and vnnaturall murther of his owne brother how bare he the Lords reprehension did he resolue into teares of repentance did hee confesse his fault and craue pardon at Gods hand Nothing lesse Nay rather did he not complaine of God that his punishment was ouer seuere My punishment is greater then I can beare Exod. 10. We may see this in Pharaoh in those tenne plagues the Lord brought vpon him and his people they were so farre from humbling him as that they made his heart still more obdurate and hard vnto his owne destruction Euen so the people of Israel the more the Lord afflicted them in the wildernesse the more they murmured The more they were smitten the more they fell away insomuch as the Prophet taketh vp this complaint of them O Lord thou hast smitten them Ier 5.3 but they haue not sorrowed Thou hast consumed them but they haue refused to receiue correction They haue made their faces harder then a rocke they haue refused to returne Euen so the holy Ghost brings in those Antichristian Idolaters in the time of their miserie knawing their tongues for sorrow and blaspheming the God of heauen for their paines and for their sores and repented not of their works to giue God the glory Ier. 6. As siluer that is put into the fire if nothing come out but drosse is found Reprobate siluer So the wicked not refined in the fornace of affliction shew themselues but reprobate men Wheras the godly as we shall see hereafter in the Penitent Thiefe the fire of affliction purgeth their drosse and makes them purer euer after like good Hezekiah and Dauid who being once rightly humbled recounted euer after their foregoing sins to the griefe of their hearts and wounding of their soules And it must needs be thus for Reas 1 First the wicked through their custome and continuance in euill haue quite lost the sense and feeling of sinne in their owne consciences Rom. 1.28.29 as a man that is possessed with a Frenzie is insensible of wounds or stripes or blowes be they neuer so mortall but laugheth and sporteth himselfe in the middest of them all So euen so is it with a sinner possessed with a spirituall Frenzie 1. Tim. 4.2 he hath no feeling at all of his sinnes his conscience is dead and benummed And therefore as the estate of that sicke man is most desperate who is not sensible of his disease So is the case of a sinner that perceiueth not the rod of God when he striketh Secondly to profit aright by Reas 2 afflictions to bee humbled by them and to returne vnto God Hos 6.1 is the worke of grace accompanying the crosse and to bee found only in the godly who are quickned thereby in all holy duties So Dauid Psal 119.71 It is good for me that I haue beene afflicted For it is with affliction as it is with the Word when they fall vpon a gracious heart they are by Gods blessing very fruitfull and profitable but but when they light vpon a hard heart they are by accident very hurtfull and harden the same more and more to destruction As the Sunne shining vpon the waxe doth soften it and vpon the clay doth make it more hard and as by one and the same heate a sweete smell is drawne out of a precious ointment Tantum interest non qualia sed qualis quisque patiatur Aug. and a noysome smell out of any putrid matter So doth the word and affliction produce different effects in the hearts of men it skils not what the affliction be so the matter on which it works be good Vse 1 This shewes the misery of all wicked and vngodly men that liue and lie in sinne without repentance They are like vnto a man that hath lost himselfe in the night time he goeth still further and further from his way or like a cold stomacke that turneth the best food into putrefaction Euen so the most excellent things of God such as are the Word Sacraments and those afflictions which the Lord vseth many times as a means to humble the godly these are all of them abused by the wicked to their destruction Rom. 8.28 For as all things worke together for the best of them that loue God so
things And as this is the duty of euery man that reproueth another first to looke vnto himselfe that he be not guiltie of the same fault So especially are the Ministers of the Word tied vnto this duty A Bishop saith Paul must be blamelesse Tit. 1.7 as the Steward of God And he exhorteth Titus Tit. 2.7 in all things to shew himselfe a patterne of good works Num. 8.6 Thus the Lord in the time of the Law commanded the Leuites should themselues first be cleansed before they serued in the Temple How much more now in the time of the Gospell doth the Lord require this sanctitie of life in his seruants Now the Reasons do further cleare the necessitie hereof For Reas 1 First a guiltie conscience takes off the edge of a reprehension we giue to others when our owne consciences shall tell vs wee are guiltie of the same our selues we cannot so boldly so zealously and so freely reprehend sinne in others that we our selues are guilty of And therefore when Iethro exhorted Moses his sonne in law to appoint officers in euery City he shewed what manner of persons they should bee namely Men fearing God Exod. 18.21 and hating couetousnesse For indeed how could they either reproue or correct that in others whereof they themselues were guiltie neither can the Minister or any other so freely and faithfully reprehend those faults in others lest the prouerbe bee returned vpon them Physitian heale thy selfe Luk. 4.23 The second reason may bee Reas 2 drawn from the great danger that such men are in of Gods wrath and fearefull vengeance to fall vpon them We may see this in some sort in Moses an holy seruant of God whom the Lord sent to be a guide and deliuerer of his people and going downe into Egypt the Lord met him by the way to haue slaine him and the reason was this he had not circumcised his sonne Eliazar according to the commandement Now the Lord would not haue him to circumcise his Church abroad that made no reckoning of circumcising his familie at home Wo be to them that are offensiue in life that lay stumbling blockes before the people Reas 3 Thirdly such men especially Ministers if they be wicked do seldome any good in their place For albeit I confesse the efficacy of the Word and Sacraments depend not vpon the worthinesse of the person of the Minister that dispenseth the same but vpon Gods owne power and promise who doth make his owne ordinance effectuall whensoeuer and to whomsoeuer it pleaseth him As a messenger may deliuer money though he himselfe haue no part in it so may such conuay the grace of God to others though they themselues haue no part therein Yet it cannot be but the wickednesse of Elies sonnes will make the Lords sacrifices to bee abhorred of the people 1. Sam. 2.17 This shewes then what conformitie doth best become the Minister of Christ Vse namely when puritie of doctrine and vnblameablenesse of conuersation go together This was taught the Priests in the time of the Law by that Vrim and Thummim which must euer go together The Apostle Peter requireth these two things of an Elder 1. Pet. 5.2.3 To feed the flocke of Christ and to be an ensample to the flocke For then the Lords building goeth on well when these two go hand in hand together For alas we see that practice preuailes aboue precepts and examples are more powerfull then rules either to the imitation of that is good or detestation of that is euill Now when those that should shine as starres in the Church shall walke inordinately though they preach the word as Iudas did are neither so profitable in the Church nor shall they themselues escape damnation And therefore let this admonish vs all of what calling or condition soeuer to looke well to our selues and first to plucke out the beame out of our owne eye Mat. 7.5 that such reprehensions and admonitions we shall vse towards others may neither bee retorted with shame vpon our owne heads nor proue vnprofitable vnto our brethren 1 Cor. 11.1 Phil. 3.17 1. The. 1.6 For how shall the people follow their Pastors when they make no conscience to walke before them in the wayes of godlinesse Hitherto of the generall Instructions Rebuked him Text. We come now to his reprehension The manifestation of his conuersion I In rebuking his fellow as the same is a fruit of his conuersion and that appeares in that great care hee had ouer his fellow to keepe him from sinne and to bring him if it were possible to the participation of the same grace and mercy that hee himselfe had receiued Note wee hence first of all That it is a true note of a true Doct. 1 conuert to stop others in a course of sinne True note of a true conuert to stop others in a course of sinne Gen. 4. euery man stands bound asmuch as in him lyeth to keepe others from sinne It was a cursed speech of cursed Cain Am I my brothers keeper Euery man is in some sort his brothers keeper It is the Lords own charge giuen vnto his people Leuit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart but thou shalt reproue him How frequent haue the Prophets and the faithfull seruants of God of old beene in this duty Esay for this cause was accounted so contentious a man that nothing in the land could please him Ier. 15.10 So Ieremy woe is mee that my mother hath borne mee a man of strife This was likewise Ezechiels case an argument of his faithfulnesse in reprouing of sinne that he met with so much enuy and hatred from the world This care the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe the chiefe Shepheard and Bishop of our soules manifested towards his Apostle Peter Luk. 12.31.22 Simon Simon Sathan hath desired to winnow thee but I haue prayed for thee that thy faith faile not And doth likewise inioyne him that had receiued so great a mercy from Christ that he should shew the like mercy to his brethren saying Heb. 3.12.13 When thou art conuerted strengthen thy brethren To this purpose serueth that of the Apostle Take heed brethren lest there bee in any of you an euill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the liuing God but exhort one another daily whilest it is called to day lest any of you bee hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sinne And this is taught by our blessed Sauiour when hee teacheth vs to pray thus Leade vs not into temptation Mat. 6. wherein our Sauiour will teach vs that it ought to be the care of euery Christian to desire to pray for and by all meanes possible to labour that our brethren be kept from sinne and this was Christs owne practice in that prayer of his hee made for his Disciples That God would keepe them from euill Ioh 17.11 Verse 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of
the world but that thou wouldest keepe them from euill and indeed the ingemination and doubling of the petition shewes the wonderfull care he had of his people And to this purpose excellent is that of the Apostle Saint Iames Brethren saith he If any of you doe erre from the truth Iam. 5.19.20 and one conuert him let him know that hee which conuerteth a sinner from the error of his way shall saue a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sinnes There can bee no greater testimony of a gratious heart and that the worke of regeneration and sound conuersion is wrought in a man then by testifying his care ouer his brother to keepe him from sinne And on the contrary part it is a note of a false Prophet and of a gracelesse heart to winke at the sinnes of others Lam 2.14 Thy Prophets haue looked out vain and foolish things for thee they haue not discouered thine iniquities to turne away thy captiuity But the reasons will make it Reas 1 more cleare First they are our brethren this may be one forcible reason to perswade vs to the practise of this duty to stop them in their course of sinning They are our brethren and they are in some sort committed to our keeping and if wee shall suffer them to sinne without rebuke or reprehension insomuch that they perish the Lord will say to vs as sometimes he said to Cain where is thy brother Gen. 4.10 when it will be in vaine for vs to post off the matter with am I my brothers keeper for the Lord for this sinne will proceed against vs as hee did against Cain What hast thou done The voyce of thy Brothers bloud cryeth vnto mee from the earth When it shall be in vaine for any man to pleade they neuer offered violence to the liues of their brethren since they neuer sought to stop and restraine them in their sinfull courses but suffered them to goe on in all manner of sinnes without reprehension Accessories by the law are as deepe wee say in the sinne as the principall yea and many times suffer with the malefactor thus is it with sinne so dangerous a thing it is to be silent at the committing thereof Reas 2 Secondly Saint Iames addeth two other most excellent motiues or reasons to perswade vnto this duty Iam. 5.20 Hereby we shall saue a soule and couer a multitude of sinnes Then the which what more noble or honourable seruice can a Christian perform either towards God or man First to saue a soule Luke 15. the very Angels reioyce at the conuersion of a sinner the promise is that such a one shall shine as the starres in the firmament Dan. 12.3 and indeed this is such a worke whereunto all the faithfull must addict themselues according to that measure of grace giuen them and that petition we put vp daily Thy kingdome come When wee shall labour to bee instruments to inlarge that kingdome of the Lord Iesus and bring others from sinne to God otherwise indeed wee doe but mocke God like as if a husbandman should pray Giue vs this day our daily bread and neuer set his hand to the plough nor cast his seede into the ground Againe what a blessed thing is it to helpe to couer sinne yea a multitude of sinnes which those shall doe that are any wayes a meanes to bring others to the sight of their sinnes and to repentance for the same for alas such is the policy of Sathan and such is the corruption of euery mans heart by nature that they seeke by all meanes possible to couer their sinnes But how euen as Adam his nakednesse with fig-leaues that can neuer shelter them from Gods wrath So euery man seeketh something or other to couer his sinnes but the best way to haue sinne couered is first to vncouer them Ier. 31.18 After I was conuerted I smote vpon my thigh saith Ephraim Psal 51.3 so Dauid My sins are euer before mee and what followed Against thee onely haue I sinned Happy man Nathan that did so vncouer sinne that GOD might couer them Reas 3 Thirdly euery Christian must make conscience of this duty to stop others in a course of sinne in regard of himselfe lest hee bring vpon his owne head the sinnes of other men Now euery man hath enough to answer for of his owne though hee become not guiltie of other mens sinnes But how may a man be charged with the sins of others Quest This is done three wayes in Heart Word Deede First in heart Answ How many wayes a man becomes guilty of the sins of other men and that three wayes First when though hee neither commit the euill himselfe nor approue of the same being committed by others yet if hee mourne not in his heart for the same sinne to see how God is dishonoured In heart and how greatly the soule of the offender is indangered hee becomes guiltie of this sinne This was the fault of the Corinthians for the which Paul reproues them who when they saw the incestuous person who had sinned so fouly they sorrowed not nor grieued as they ought for that sinne A contrary example we haue in Dauid Psal 119.136 My eyes gush out with water because men keepe not thy law and of righteous Lot whose righteous soule was grieued at the abhominations of the filthy Sodomites Secondly when though a man neither doth or saith any euill himselfe yet secretly in his heart approueth of the euill of another This was Pauls sinne before his conuersion hee cast no stone at Stephen himselfe yet he consented vnto his death as himselfe confessed Acts 7.58 Acts 22.20 and held the cloathes of them that did stone him and in this regard was guiltie of his death Thirdly by conniuence silence or indulgence when a man shall suffer sinne and the sinner to passe without reproofe And thus was Eli faultie in not punishing his sonnes for which sinne the Lord punished him And thus offendeth the Minister in not reprouing the sinnes of those ouer whom the Lord hath set him and so likewise the Magistrate in not punishing offenders vnder him Eze. 3.17 Yea and this is the sinne of all such as can with patience heare the Lord dishonoured his Name blasphemed his Sabbaths prophaned and all manner of impiety committed without any reproofe at all like vnto Gallio Act 18.15 16. wlll not trouble themselues about such things whereas the Lord doth require this at the hands of euery Christian that haue themselues obtained mercy by admonition exhortation reprehension and by all other helps and meanes to shew mercy to others to stoppe them in the course of sinne In word Secondly a man may be guiltie of the sinnes of other men in word and that three wayes 2 Sam. 11.15 Mar. 6.29 First by counselling another to euill and thus became Dauid a murtherer by the letter he sent vnto Ioab in the matter of Vriah
labour to get our hearts seasoned with the feare of God that we may truely say The Lord is our feare Esay 8.13 our dread This will fence vs from sinne and arme vs against euery euill way such are freed from those vile abhominations wherewith the liues of all wicked men for the most part are tainted withall Yea the feare of God is such an excellent thing that all the duties wee owe vnto God Eccl. 12.13 are comprehended therein Let vs heare the end of all saith Salomon feare God and keepe his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man The priuiledges that belong to them that truely fear God Yea to such belong all these excellent priuiledges and prerogatiues First they shall not want any temporall good thing O feare the Lord O yee his Saints Psal 34.9 Psal 112.3 for there is no want to them that feare him Secondly such hath the Lord promised to acquaint with his secrets The secrets of the Lord are with them that feare him Psal 25 â—4 Thirdly such onely are vnder the Angels protection Psal 34.7 The Angels of the Lord encampe round about them that feare him Fourthly God takes speciall notice of such Mal. 3.16 A booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord. And last of all for the life to come no man is able to expresse the excellent priuiledges of such Psal 31.19 O how great is the goodnesse which God hath laid vp for them that feare him All which may be so many motiues to stir vs vp to get this feare of God which hath the promise of this life and the life to come and to whom alone so many excellent priuiledges belong and appertaine Text. Seeing thou art in the same condemnation 3 Argument In these words wee haue his third Argument to disswade his fellow from that his rayling on Christ and this is taken from his owne present misery A presenti miseria Thou art saith he in the same condemnation q. d. Fye vpon thee most desperate wretch Is this the behauiour meete for him that is now going to giue vp his last account before the great Tribunall and that Iudge of all the world before whom thou art shortly to appeare to giue account of all the actions of thy life past especially of this thy blasphemy against the Lord Iesus the innocent And herein as before this penitent Thiefe sheweth an excellent fruit of his owne repentance pressing his fellow with this Argument the consideration of his present misery and punishment that was now vpon him Thou art in the same condemnation Note we hence That punishments and afflictions Doct. Afflictions that summon to death should in a speciall manner cause men to looke home especially such as summon to death should in a speciall manner cause vs to looke home humble vs and cause vs to breake off our sinnes by repentance and when they produce not this effect especially when death approaches and we are to come to appeare before the Lords Tribunall it is a signe indeed that the heart is desperately wretched and sinfull It is the maine end wherefore the Lord doth send afflictions to bring men home by repentance thus confesseth the Church Lam. 3.39.40 Man suffereth for his sinne let vs search and try our wayes and turne vnto the Lord and againe Come let vs returne vnto the Lord Hos 6.1 for he hath wounded vs and he will heale vs he hath smitten vs and hee will binde vs vp The happy fruit thereof Dauid confesseth by that comfortable experience he had in himselfe Psal 119.71 saying It is good for me that I haue beene in trouble that I may learne thy commandements When we are iudged saith the Apostle wee are chastened of the Lord 1 Cor. 11.32 that wee should not be condemned with the world The Rod makes the childe to stand in awe of the Father and the Scholler of the Master and the Blewnesse of the wound Pro. 20.30 saith Salomon serueth to purge the euill When did Manasses repent 2 Chro. 33 12. wâ—s it not when he was in tribulation When came the Prodigall sonne to himselfe Luke 15. and got the happy resolution to returne againe to his Father was it not when he was pinched with the famine It was in the time of aduersitie that the Israelites remembred GOD to bee their strength who in times of prosperity rebelled against him Iudg. 6. Ephraim may thanke the Lord for his corrections that hee was reclaimed and brought to see his owne disobedience and rebellion against God who was as an vntamed Hayfer Ier. 31.18 â—0 Esa 38.14 The like we may see in Hezechiah in Iob and in all Gods people if there be any faith any hope any grace at all in the heart of man now is the time for the exercise thereof when afflictions especially such as summon to death and iudgement are vpon vs. It seemed vnto this godly Penitent a most hainous thing indeed in his fellow yea the height and top of all impietie that now the hand of God was vpon him and hee so shortly to depart this life and to make his last account before the Iudge of all the world that he should in this reprochfull manner blaspheme an innocent euen the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe before whom he was shortly to appeare and to giue account of all the things that he had done in the flesh But what shall I say There are some whom al the torments in the world cannot moue or make them better sicknesse pouertie shame in the world all the buffettings of Sathan or miseries that can bee thought vpon alas moue them not nor any whit affect them to worke remorse of conscience compunction or sorrow for sinne to make them any whit the better But what may be the reason can any affliction presse out of the creature that was neuer in it If a whole mountaine were laid vpon a dry or rotten sticke will it yeeld any sappe no no it will first be ground to powder The impenitent Thiefe for all his misery that he was in or thoughts of death or of iudgement that now were vpon him is not brought to the least remorse of conscience for sin but the Penitent Thiefe he being vnder the same affliction yeelds the sweet sap and liquor of faith and repentance he confesseth his sinnes pleads Christs cause and compassionates the misery of his fellow and shewes most admirable fruits of repentance Yea if there bee any grace at all in the heart of man now is the time for it to shew it selfe otherwise wee perish without hope Seeing then that afflictions Vse 1 should thus make vs to looke home and that then in a speciall manner the graces of the heart will manifestly appeare This shewes the misery of euery wicked man that as he hath been a stranger from the life of grace in life so must needs want the
the hands of Moses were held vp and he besought the Lord in the behalfe of the people Yea Ioash doth acknowledge that the prayers of Elisha 2. King 13.14 an holy Prophet of God stood his kingdome in more stead then all the chariots and horsemen of Israel could do Neither is this to be wondred at that the prayers of the faithfull are of this force with God to preuaile with him For Reas 1 First God giueth vnto his chosen ones the Spirit of supplication and prayer Zach. 12. Which doth so enable the faithfull vnto this duty that they will haue no nay or receiue no repulse at Gods hand according to that of the Apostle 1. Ioh. 5.14.15 This is the assurance we haue in God that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth vs. And if we know that he heareth vs whatsoeuer we aske we know that we shall haue the petitions we desire of him Secondly to comfort the Reas 2 hearts of his seruants and to minister vnto them a comfortable expectation to be heard in praier he is pleased to passe his promise out of his owne mouth and to assure vs by his owne word that we shall obtaine our desires saying Aske and ye shall haue seeke Mat. 7.7 and ye shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you For euery one that asketh receiueth c. This is indeed the very ground-worke and foundation of the Christian prayer namely Gods promise which is as true and vnchangeable as himselfe is without which wee could neuer so confidently come vnto him Obiect But many of the godly haue praied much and often vnto God and yet the Lord seemeth not to heare nor to answer Answ God doth not forget his seruants though for a time he defer to answer God made Abraham a promise of a sonne by Sarah this Abraham expected ten twentie yea almost thirtie yeares who would haue thought all this while that God had forgot his promise but yet we know at last in a seasonable time God remembred the couenant and promise that he made with Abraham and Sarah had a sonne The Lord promised the posteritie of Abraham the Land of Canaan yet in what a miserable bondage were they in in Egypt vnder Pharaoh and that for the space of foure hundred and thirtie yeares who would not haue thought that surely God had not remembred his promise to Abraham yet at last the Lord brought them out with a mightie hand and stretched out arme But what might be the reason of the Lords dealing with his people after this manner Quest Doubtlesse God delayeth to answer the requests of his seruants till a more seasonable time Ans like a skilfull Physitian whom when his Patient being sicke of a burning Feauer shall aske wine will not giue it him knowing indeed that that is no time to drink wine The Lord in whose hands are times and seasons chuseth euer a fit time to answer the requests of his seruants Secondly the Lord will haue many times the case of his seruants desperate and they themselues past all hope of deliuerie in respect of any humane helpe to the end his owne power loue goodnesse and mercy should bee acknowledged in sending vnto them vnexpected deliuerance How could the Iews but acknowledge Gods goodnesse towards them in the time of Hester when they were all appointed vnto death when besides all hope the Lord sent them deliuerance How could Israel but acknowledge his mightie power and stretched out arme when they came out of the land of Egypt when the Sea was before them the Egyptians behinde them the mountaines on each hand of them and they left voide of all humane helpe and meanes to escape Exod. 15. Now was it a seasonable time for the Lord to steppe in that his owne power and stretched-out arme might be seene At what a low ebbe did the Lord bring Daniel Dan. 3. and those three worthies when one in the Lyons den the other in the fierie fornace when all hope of deliuerance was past and humane help failed then was his power most seene and then was deliuerance most seasonable Thirdly in Gods delayes then is there a seasonable time for the exercise of all those graces that hee hath betrusted his seruants withall such as are patience faith hope c. For it is the storme that proues the Mariner and the battell the Souldier whose experience and valour till then cannot be knowne Vse 1 If the prayers of Gods seruants be thus powerfull and effectuall with him This may be a notable incouragement for all Gods people to be frequent in this dutie and to be incessant in their prayers and not to giue him ouer though wee be not answered at first No doubt Hanna and Zachary had often prayed for children yet obtained not Notwithstanding they prayed still and at last the Lord heard them So Daniel he was in heauinesse three weekes of dayes Dan. 10.12 and to his thinking God heard him not yet the Lord heard him indeed from the first day as hee said to Daniel From the first day that he had set his heart to vnderstand Paul when the pricke of the flesh was giuen vnto him the messenger of Sathan was sent to buffet him hee therefore besought the Lord that it might depart from him But he receiued this answer My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.7.8.9 my power is made perfect in thy weaknesse Paul was heard though not at the first and therefore when wee shall pray for some blessing of the Lord which we stand in need of or when we shall craue power of the Lord ouer some vnruly affection of ours though we haue not answer by and by yet wee are not to leaue off This Christ teacheth vs when he saith Shall not God auenge the elect that cry day and night vnto him Luk. 18. Marke there Christs sweet application of that vnrighteous Iudge to teach vs to continue our suites and to hold out and then we shall not misse in the end Secondly this shewes the happie Vse 2 priuiledge of Gods Church and people that no man should say Mal. 3.14 It is in vaine to serue the Lord and what profit is it that we haue kept the commandements and haue walked humbly before him It is sure to go well with them they are in great credit esteeme in the Court of heauen they are all Fauourites to the great King of heauen and earth and he hath commanded such at all times to haue free accesse vnto him and to inlarge their desires with a promise of a gracious answer Ioh. 16.24 Aske saith our Sauiour and ye shall receiue that your ioy may bee full What though for a time they lie vnder troubles and sorrowes miseries and afflictions Rom. 8.37 Are they not herein more then conquerours through him that hath loued them The present miseries of the faithfull cannot hinder their happinesse but through the Lords
goodnesse they shall make way to their euerlasting felicitie Let all Gods people then walk worthy of this calling and take heed that they no way forfeit his fauour and loue There is no comfort like vnto this in this life at all times to haue free accesse into Gods presence and to haue a comfortable returne of our prayers to obtaine health in sicknesse rest in trouble safetie in danger ioy in sorrow comfort in aduersitie yea hope in death and assurance of future happinesse with this Penitent here when wee depart hence then the which what greater royalties and priuiledges can there belong to any Thirdly seeing all the faithfull Vse 3 are thus sure of audience and a comfortable returne of their praiers at all times This may prouoke all Gods people to be frequent in this dutie The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and deliuereth them out of all their troubles And againe Psal 81.10 The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the righteous flie vnto it and are helped The Lord doth call vpon vs that we should call vpon him Psal 50.15 Call vpon mee in the time of trouble and I will heare thee and deliuer thee This is the onely refuge of a Christian in time of trouble and distresse Onely care must be had that wee be earnest and constant in our sutes For the prayers of the righteous auailes much Iam. 5.16 if it be feruent God deliuereth the poore when hee crieth Psal 72.12 If wee would haue hearing there must bee crying God poureth forth flouds of grace But vpon whom Isa 44.3 On the thirstie ground Indeed many pray and preuaile not because they do it so drowsily and carelesly the Lord defers to keepe them because they are not fit for helpe they striue and wrestle not with God as Iacob did and this is the reason that the godly many times are not answered in prayer Thou shalt be with me Text. Many were the offences of this man and of long continuance yet mercy in a moment taketh them all away very sweet and comfortable may our lesson be That the sinnes of the Peniâ—ent Doct. 2 cannot hinder their saluation The sins of the Penitent cannot hinder saluation but the Lord is mercifull to great sinners when once they come to see their sinnes and truely conuert and turne vnto him wee may see the truth hereof in this present example Here we haue an example of humane frailtie of a man led by the sway and swinge of his owne corruptions one that had runne riot a long time liuing by rapine cruelty cutting of throats shedding of bloud and in all manner of excesse without God in this world led by the god of the world yet now at last receiued into fauour It skils not what our sinnes are or how great they haue beene but how true our sorrow and vnfained our repentance is repentance going before mercy euer followeth after This the Prophet teacheth in the name of the Lord Wash you make you cleane put away the euill of your doings from before my eyes cease from euill c. Come now and let vs reason together saith the Lord Though your sinnes be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow and though they he red like crimson c. The same the Lord declareth by his Prophet Ezechiel Eze. 18 21 22.23 where he saith If the wicked will turne from the sinnes he hath committed and keepe my statutes and doe the thing that is lawfull and right he shall surely liue and not dye This truth is further cleared by that of Iob God saith hee looked vpon men Iob 33.27.28 and if one say I haue sinned and peruerted righteousnesse and it doth not profit me he will deliuer his soule from going into the pit and his life shall see the light Yea this is the thing that Salomon prayeth for in that excellent prayer of his at the dedication of the Temple If they turne vnto thee with all their hearts 1 Reg. 8 47 in the land to the which they be carried captiues and returne and pray vnto thee saying We haue sinned wee haue transgressed and done wickedly then heare thou their prayer in heauen c. Consider the example of Manasses 2 Chro. 33 12.13 how desperately wretched and sinfull soeuer hee had beene yet in his captiuity returning vnto the Lord with all his heart found mercy with him Of Peter that denyed his Master Luk. 17 48 Act. 16.26 of Paul that persecuted the Church of Dauid that committed Adultery and Murther of Salomon that fell to idolatry of Mary Magdalene out of whom were cast seuen deuils of the Iewes that crucified the Lord of life Act. 2.37 of the Iaylour c. All which repenting of their sinnes and returning from their iniquities had their sinnes pardoned and were themselues receiued into fauour neither is this a thing to be wondred at for Reas 1 First consider that it is a thing agreeable to Gods iustice that he should be gratious and mercifull to those that truely repent for so saith the Apostle If wee confesse our sinnes he is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse Vpon this ground the holy Apostle tearmes that which God will bestow at the day of account vpon the elect a Crowne of righteousnesse and that which shall be conferred vpon them by that righteous Iudge not because the workes of the faithfull are meritorious as the glosse of the Papists is vpon that place but because of the Lords mercifull promise made vnto euery true beleeuer in Christ and hauing made himself a debtor by promise saith an Antient it is agreeable to iustice that he should performe the same Secondly to haue sinne pardoned Reas 2 is a speciall priuiledge of the Church and the members of it onely Esa 33.24 Thy people that dwell there shall haue their iniquities forgiuen Yea it is part of that promise God hath made to those that are within the couenant The dayes come saith the Lord that I will make a new couenant for I will forgiue their iniquitie and remember their sinnes no more Reas 3 A third reason may bee taken from the nature of true repentance which doth as fully blot out sinne out of Gods account as if the same had neuer beene committed for whereas sinne is a debt forigue vs our debts Repentance is a cancelling of that band and a discharging of that debt Vse 1 Seing then that the sinnes of the penitent cannot hinder their saluation this Doctrine may bee a Noahs Doue a messenger of glad tydings vnto the godly and that which may yeeld singular comfort to euery penitent sinner Is thy heart truely humbled in the sence of thy sinnes is it thy chiefest griefe and sorrow that thou hast offended so good and so gratious a God and Father in Iesus Christ doth thy spirit droope and groane vnder the burthen of thy transgressions so as