upon â—oâ—'s Sanctuary this Priests Lips shall preserâ—e knowledge All that come to God's Church are taught of this Priest he is a high one the high priâ—â—â— of our profession we have not such another he is not set up by a Carnal Commandment his Induction came not from any Priest in this World but his Induction came from the God of Heaven and Earth his Father set him up for a Priest he comes by a heavenly Induction and Commission he is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek not after the Order of Aaron If you come to God's Church you may hear this Minister Some have called a House of Stone 〈◊〉 Wood a Church but that will not do noâ—â— therefore there are People that know better than they when they gather Churches of living Stones Men and Women are gathered to these Churches Now the Apostle saith the Church is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ if you will come to Church you must come to Jesus Christ the Church is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the general Assembly the Congregation of his faithful People What do you mean by a Church Ask a learned Man that understands Greek and Hâ—brew what is the meaning of the Word A Church saith he is the Congregation of the Faithful it is an Assembly of the Faithful People congregated together Where must they meet they must meet in the general assembly of the first-born whose names are written in heaven The Hebrews were come to that Church though they lived many hundred Miles asunder in Asia Cappadocia and Bythinia You are come to the general assembly of the first-born there is a Priest there is the high priest of our profession the Lord Jesus Christ who is a priest after the order of Melchisedeck not after the order of Aaron How long is this Priest like to stay in his Priesthood For ever He is a priest for ever not after a carnal commandment but the power of an endless life The Priests that were after Aaron's Order they could not continue Death snatched one away then they must have another Priest but here is one that hath a Priesthood higher than the Heavens by the Power of an endless Life Here is the Priest of God's Church and the Teacher of God's People so that when God's People come to Church that is to God the Father there Christ teacheth them according to the old Prophecy I will teach my people my self We have laboured to bring People to this Teaching that they might come to the Knowledge of the Living God Now there needs none to teach them for they are taught of God blessed be God our labour hath not been in vain we see the fruit of our labours and are satisfied We have been labouring to bring Men to know the Lord new all shall know the Lord from the greatest to the least and bow before him and worship him they hear that their high priests lips shall preserve knowledge If they do amiss he chastiseth them for it if they do well then he comforteth them by his Spirit Now our Labour is that all may be brought to this and that every one may know the Lord and may fear him and serve him and worship him in his Temple Our Bodies are a Temple for that use to worship God in know you not that youâ— bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost you musâ— worship in your selves you must go into youâ— selves you must know the Exercise of the Graces of the Spirit in your selves and thâ— Workings of the Spirit of Truth in youâ— selves and that your Souls that are in yoâ—â— Bodies may be bowed to the Power of the Spâ—rit and that your Worship must be in the Spirit you must pray in the Spirit and give Thanks in the Spirit Though those that set up Worship in the Church talk 〈◊〉 Divinity and Religion in every part of it yet the Substance of all the Shadows of the Law are fulfilled in the Gospel the Substance of all the Modes and Rites and Forms of Religion are fulfilled in the Gospel-way So then let every one compare and examine their State and consider how the case stands between them and their Maker what Knowledge they have of God and what Trust they have put in him that so they may be persuaded and prepared to come within the Pale of this Church But you must first come out of the World else you can never come into that Church that is in God if you be in the World you must go to the World's Church and be the Members of the World's Church and you shall have this for your Pains the World will love you but if you come out of the World's Church into God's Church the World cannot love you Be as good as thou wilt thou canst never bâ— so good as Christ Jesus and they loved him not because he was not of the World if you were of this world saith Christ the world would love its own but since you are not of the world but I have taken you out of it therefore the world hates you if they do so to the green tree â—hat will they do to the branches Are you better than I saith our Saviour the servant is not greater than his Lord Those that are the Disciples of Christ must be content to be persecuted reviled and hated for his names sake for thus they treated him who 〈◊〉 holy and harmless and undefiled who gave them a good Example and who did them no hurt but did them good yet the World hated him and it is but reasonable that you should suffer from the World in the same manner and bear it at their Hands If you come to this Church that is in God the Father and Jesus the mediator the church of the first-born that are written in heaven and come out of the World's Church then the World will be about your Ears all the World will set themselves against this Church against the Woman that shall bring forth a Birth that shall rule over the Nations There appeared a great wonder in heaven a woman cloathed with the sun and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars and she being with Child cryed travelling in birth and pained to be delivered And there also appeared another wonder in heaven a terrible thing and behold a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns and the dragon stood before the woman that was ready to be delivered for to devour her child as soon as it was born and she brought forth a man child that was to rule all nations with a rod of iron and her child was caught up to Gâ—â— and to his throne When the Dragon 〈◊〉 ready to devour this Birth God took it into his own Care in spite of the Devil and all his Instruments and he will save the Child and preserve the Woman he that fits in heaâ—â—â—â—ill laugh at his Enemies and defeat them 〈◊〉
know it they are not ignorant of one another's Names that are written in this Book they have a Fellowship that no body can declare their Communion is in that Bread and that Cup This is a Cup of Blessing indeed and this hath blessed us and will bless us God will preserve a People in this Fellowship You that are at a distance now you must come nearer to him God will chuse a People by whom his Name shall be magnified Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts we cannot but desire this for all especially for the houshold of faith we cannot but desire their Perfection their growing up in the Grace of God that they might come to be partakers of Heaven And in the next Place our Love is to all People every where we would be glad that all were saved they that despise us when we are speaking of Heavenly things speaking like a Child like a stammering Child speaking of the glorious Excellencies of God of the loving kindness of God speaking of those things which God hath spoken to our Souls they that despise these things we would be glad that they might be saved If they were partakers of these things they would be glad as well as we and they would be more really happy in respect of this World for the Time that they are to live here they would live a happier Life even in this World and they would have everlasting life in the world to come The love of Christ constrains men thus to judge that every one that hath received like precious faith ought to answer that Grace and Faith which God hath ministred to them in a holy Life and Conversation and every one who is a stranger to this thing ought to be of an enquiring Mind and an open Heart to wait for the Day when God will visit them with the same Grace when you give up your selves to a daily Cross as Christ's Disciples you will not be running after any one to teach you to know the Lord for you will all know the Lord from the least to the greatest I that have been but a little convinc'd shall I know the Lord Thou shalt know the Lord thou that art dead in thy sins and trespasses thou that hast not known the Blood of cleansing thou shalt know the Lord to be thy Judge and thy Law-giver to teach thee how thou must live walk and act and is not that a good knowledg This is the way they reckoned upon in old Time it is a notable Expression The Lord is our Judge there is the beginning he began there Judgment began at the house of God those he brings into his House he brings them under the Discipline of his House The Lord is our judge he is our king and law-giver and he will save us this same Exercise of Discipline under Judgment brought to them the Faith and Experience of his being their Law-giver and this brought them to a Faith of the last Sentence we shall be saved and the Lord answers such a People That he will bring salvation to them Salvation shall be for walls and bulwarks Did the People of this Nation but know Salvation was brought near to them and that it was their Bulwark there would not be a crying up this and the other rotten thing for a Bulwark We talk of a Bulwark as well as others we have a Bulwark blessed be the God of Heaven made of better Stuff than theirs for it is the Salvation of God which hath kept us from the Pollution of Sin and from a running into all excess and riot that others have run into it hath kept us from the Evil it hath kept Evils out of us and we have found that certainly true That all things work together for good to them that love God and fear God that all the Providences of God together they have all wrought for our good and this is the Bulwork that we have trusted in and it hath served hitherto and it will serve us and our Posterity to the end of the World This is a Bulwark that will never be stormed that will never be thrown down nor laid waste Though all the Powers on Earth and all the Potentates in this World should agree together they shall not prevail against it we have salvation for walls and bulwarks if I be within these Walls Salvation is round about me If I am got into this eternal Bulwark I am safe from the Devil and his Instruments here is a Bulwark to be relied upon Many wonder we differ with them in some Opinions we have that Confidence in this Bulwark that we desire not another God will last and abide for ever so will this Bulwark all the care that I take and all the care that you should take is to keep within these Walls Do not sally out if you go out the the Devil is watching and seeking continually whom he may devour he will catch Straglers if that People will go out for Profit or for Pleasure or Interest the Devil will catch them What such People talk of Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks the Devil hath got them in his Snare and they are caught in Drunkenness Uncleanness and other Sins the reason is they have gone out of their Bulwark they have sallyed out of their Walls for the Devil could never have fetched them out O take heed says the Apostle lest there spring up in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God as if he had said You are Christians now you are a People come to a good estate in Christ but consider you have no strength to stand but in him no Power to keep your selves but in him Take heed at all times that there spring not up in you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God take heed lest there spring up in you such a Thought as this I may take this Pleasure and the other Profit Consider that thou diest and witherest if thou depart from the living God take heed of taking Liberty above the fear of God It is not our talk of Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks that will do us good but our keeping within these Walls I remember a notable Saying of the Apostle which hath a great Emphasis in it and a great deal of Doctrin he writeth to the Church after they were become a People of professing Christians Take heed lest you come to be beguiled by the serpent as he beguiled Eve he did not speak of Jezabel a wicked Woman but he spoke of Eve a good Woman created after the image of God in righteousness and holiness They were come to a Life of Sanctification to a Life that was hidden from ages and generations You must look to your selves and look upon your selves as in the state of your Mother Eve a Woman brought forth in Righteousness and Holiness that might have stood in that Primitive state notwithstanding all the Subtilty of all the Serpents
sight of God that is but the painting of a Sepulcher and covering the rottenness that is in many but the Lord sees into the inside of every professor and whosoever names the name of Christ and departeth not from iniquity they do but take his name in vain and contract a guilt upon their own Souls so that every one that seemeth to be Religious ought to enquire whence their profession springs If it springs from a real possession of a measure of that which sanctifies the Life and shews it self forth in its working and operation many times abundantly more than it doth in Word and profession It manifesteth it self in Holyness and Righteousness to the Honour of God it s the aim and design of all such to exalt the name of him whom they profess by Holyness and Righteousness shining forth in their works for it will never shine through words alone many good Words may be spoken yet God not glorifyed but his name may be dishonoured by them but whosoever comes to feel that which is Life in themselves they know what will Honour God they feel the Birth Immortal that is of God of his own begetting by the Word of Truth This living birth is that which brings fortâ— living praises the other is but flesh that which is Born of the 〈◊〉 is Flesh and it glorifyes the Flesh and â—â—en the Flesh is most of all glorifyed most of all exalted it is then but as the â—â—wer of the Field it is then cut down and withered the Sun of Righteousness shines with the beams of the Everlasting glory of God and causeth it to wither and come to naught So Friends let your Minds be gathered inward that you may be able in your own selves by vertue of the divine gift of God to distinguish between the Voâ—â—â— of the true Shepherd and the Voice of a Stranger that so your minds may not follow a strange Voice that you may follow the Lord with your whole Heart with a fuâ—â—â—â—â—pose 〈◊〉 Heart for there is a real Word of prophecy discovered in the inward parts which doth Distinguish between the precious and the Vile in every ones particular and that which is precious in one it answereth to that which is precious in another and that which is vile in one it answereth to that which is vile in anothcr For there is an inward and secret mistery of iniquity as well as a mistery of Godlyness The mistery of Godliness is when God is manifested in the flesh the mistery of iniquity is when the wicked one is making himself manifest and appears and discovers himself in the Flesh that he may rise up and glory in the Flesh Now the eternal Truth which never changeth that is it which giveth a discerning this hath always put a difference between the true and the false Prophets the true and the false Apostles between the true and the false Ministers the difference hath not been so much in words as in Power as the Apostle speaks concerning some in his Days that had endeavoured to deceive and draw Men aside from the Simplicity of the Gospel when I come saith he I will know now their Words were not so much taken notice of what they said whether their Words be true or no I will not know their Words but their Power How should he know their power if he was not in the power himself Now this Divine Power as every one acquaints himself with it it worketh unto the Sanctification of them when they have fellowship with the stirrings and movings of all others that are partakers of it this is that which will establish and confirm your Minds in the true Faith and simplicity of the Truth that you turn not aside to the right Hand or to the left If you have regard to the principle of Divine Truth that you have received from God then you can receive confirmation from any one that hath a Measure according to it There is a measuring Line and the Reed of the Sanctuary that measureth the Temple and all that dwell therein that measures them with one Reed and one Measure and every one answereth to that Measure according to the stature and degree of growth of the grace of God they arrive to and now they are come to a fixed foundation Others there are in the World that haâ—â— laid their foundation upon this creaturely help and the other creaturely help upon this Man and the other Man but now true Christians they come to have their foundation their rooting and Building upon Christ Jesus upon that word of Life that first of all gathered their Minds into a desire after Holyness into a desire after acquaintance â—â—th God that made them You that are true Christians can remember how you were begotten and that which did beget you that Word of God that is incorruptible that is immortal that was not of a dying quality that need not be supported by this and that and the other means but it hath its support in it self it hath its nourishment in it self and it grows up in 〈◊〉 â—â—lf and every one that receiveth it they grow up in it until they come more and more to partake of the Life and qualities of it that as he is so they may be in the present World But alas this is never known but where the Word of God hath its free passage Many have tasted of this Word of God and by tasteing of it have been acquainted with the powers of the World to come they knew well enough the Power that would bring forth another World A new Heaven and a new Earth and Righteousness in it many have felt the Power that have never continued to see the working of it never continued to see and witness what this Power would work going â—â—de from the Power of the World that was to come they have never seen the coming of it but their foolish Hearts have been darkned again and their Imagination have grown vain and they have conceived to themselves a false liberty to the Flesh and their Wills have been strong and have prevailed over them that tho' they had tasted of the Powers that did belong to the World to come they never saw the working and operation of that Power to bring to pass that which by sight and vision they did behold Therefore it is needful for every one of you in every state and condition that the Lord hath brought you into to keep your selves in a deep Humility to know the Afflictions Temptations and Trials you are under and to exercise â—â—ur Minds not only on what you have got over for when some come to look at what Sufferings and Difficulties they have got over they are apt to be exalted above measure and lifted up in their Minds but let every one know the state and condition in which at present they are labouring let every one consider what is their present state and work their help lies in that condition Some have always a
is a plâ—ce appointed for the Woman in 〈◊〉 Wilderness where she is preserved by the â—â—mighty Power where she is nourished for a Time and Times and half a Time from the Face of the Serpent but she must come out again after some Time in spite of the Devil and all his Instruments of all his Dragons and Serpents The woman must come out of the Wilderness and the Man-Child must come down with great Power to rule the Nations This hath been accomplished say some above fourteen hundred Years ago and if you will take their Word the Church hath been come so long out of the Wilderness But the Church that they speak of hath it not wanted Holiness and Righteousness Hath it given glory to God on high with peace on earth and good will to men No their Church hath lived in Tyranny and barbarous Cruelty and shedding of Blood They say the Churcâ— was in the Wilderness in Dioclesian's Time and when Constantine came to the Empire theâ— she came out of the Wilderness If it had been a Holy Church we should have seen the Man-Child come down from God and Holiness and Righteousness would have run down like a mighty stream and Truth would have filled the whole Earth All these things have not yet been fulfilled for we have seen the Professors of Truth fallen in the Streets they have been persecuted and troubled and thrown into Prisons and … on s but there is a better Church some … to be found I read of the Holy Church the Lamâ—â— Wife the Spouse of Christ that hath been hid somewhere a great while in some Corner or other in the Wilderness but she will come forth again out of the wilderness leaning upon her well-beloved She doth not come leaning on this Prince and the other Potentate She comes not out of the Wilderness leaning on Captains Generals and Armies but leaning on Christ her well-beloved the Immortal Invisible Power of the Son of God she trusteth in it All the other Churches I have read of they have leaned upon one Prince or Potentate or one Emperour or another and they have relyed on these great Men as on their Bulwark but this Church that comes out of the Wilderness will come leaning only upon her well-beloved the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Author and Finisher of her Faith she will put her Trust in him for he will deliver his Church from all her Enemies And though the Serpent cast out of his Mouth Water as a Flood after the Woman that he might cause her to be carried away of the Flood 〈◊〉 the Lord will cause the Earth to help â—he â—oman and thâ— Earth shall open her Mouth and swallow up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his Mouth Let the Dragon do what he can to destroy the Woman and her Seed she knows what her beloved can do he will command the Earth to open and swallow up the Flood and she shall go dry through it How happy are they that lean upon Christ their well-beloved The Church of Christ in all Ages hath leaned upon him and he hath founded his Church upon a Rock so that the Devil and all his Instruments and the very gates of hell shall not prevail against her The Members of this Church have their Teacher Christ Jesus and they receive Counsel and Direction from him He is their Priest and Teacher and he teacheth them by his Spirit and his Word which he hath placed in their Hearts and given them an Understanding to know him that is true Christ's Word you must keep to 〈◊〉 if you will be true Schâ—lars This 〈◊〉 true Divinity if you will have the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God communicated and opened to you give heed to 〈◊〉 word and that Truth that is in your 〈◊〉 parts Attend to that Light and that 〈◊〉 that is manifested in your Hearts and 〈◊〉 Lord will shew you more of the Power 〈◊〉 Efficacy thereof and if you be faithful 〈◊〉 little he will make you ruler over much 〈◊〉 answerable to the Understanding and Knowledge that God hath given you and if you be faithful in a little he will communicate more and more of his Mind and Will to you and if you be led by the Spirit of Truth you will trust in it and hearken to it and understand the Language of it in your own Hearts and if you be a willing people in the day of God's power God will work all things in you and for you and work in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure SERMON IX The wonderful love of God to Mankind Preached at S. Martin's-le-Grand November 9th 16â—0 IT is our great concern while we are in this World to promote the Glory of God and 〈◊〉 work out our own salvation to endeavour â—hat in us lies to be sensible and to help one another to be sensible of the Love of God to 〈◊〉 This is the only thing that can give us 〈◊〉 comfort to have a Sense of the Love of God to us in Christ Jesus There is 〈◊〉 more certain â—haâ—â—hat all of us are Partakâ—â—â— of the Love of 〈◊〉 which is imparted to us daily and we live noâ— a Day without it but we may if we have not a care live maâ—â— Days without it and without the comfortaâ—â—â— Sense of it and that is the reason that 〈◊〉 great many of â—he Sâ—â—â— and Daughters of Men do 〈◊〉 in their Liâ—â—â— so little Love to God becaâ—â—e they have so â—â—â—tle Sense of his Love to them for the Apostle â—ohn that had attained 〈◊〉 great Knowledge and Experience in Christianity plainly declareth that â—he â—â—â—son of that Love â—â—at we have to 〈◊〉 is â—â—â—ause he first loved us and I do not believe that any Man can have any true Love to Gâ—d that is not sensible of the Love of God to hâ—m And 〈◊〉 those temporal Blessings that we enjoy 〈◊〉 thâ—â—â—â—fe as Health and Strength and our very â—â—eath 〈◊〉 â—â—ing and well-being that every Day and Hour are continued they are from 〈◊〉 Love of God to us and the lengthning 〈◊〉 of our Lives and vouchsafing us Oppâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—es for the good of our Souls are evident Tokens of God's Love and Good-will to us Where these things are not coâ—sidered and regarded men live like the 〈◊〉 that perish and regard not him that mâ—dâ— them but go on in Disobedience to him 〈◊〉 Dishonouring of his great Name and hoâ—â—â—ing up Wrath upon their own Souls Aâ—◠〈◊〉 doth every Man while he remaâ—â—â— in 〈◊〉 natural state and conditionâ— foâ— there is in every Man by nature the Sâ—â—d aâ—d Root of all Sin and Rebellion against 〈◊〉 which makes him return evil to God fâ—â— the good he doth to us And I believe we are â—ll of us sensible in some measure of the depravedness that is fallen upon all Maâ—â—â—d and of tâ—â—t â—â—mity to God and that aveâ—â—â—â—ss that â—s 〈…〉 the doing the will of God and that impotency and inability
â—s will this is Gods will that none should â—â—sh but that all should come to repentance and be eternally saved Now in this work of your salvation we would have regard to him that sent us to Preach the Everlasting Gospel and we would discharge our selves faithfully and be made manifest in your Consciences that the benefits of the Gospel might come to be yours that you might answer the purpose of God in sending Christ to be the Saviour of Mankind you must turn from Sin to God and then you will find the blessing that comes by Jesus which it to turn every one from his evil way You may read this in a Book and you may also plainly read it iâ— your Hearts The Lord Jesus Christ hath given you Light to distinguish between good and evil if you do good you may make a comfortable reflectionâ— upon your selves and this will be your rejoycing the testimony of your Conscience on thaâ— account buâ— if you do evil though all Men do justifie you and commend you yet you will be condemned in your selves so that you have that in your selves which distinguisheth between things that differ in their nature and kind and you have a litle enlightening by the knowledg and understanding you have received concerning the things that are pleasing and displeasing to God if after yoâ— know this you will go on in a way displeasinâ— to God he will at length be too hard for yoâ— and plunge you down into the Abyss of 〈◊〉 Wâ—at â—to all Eternity After Persons are satisfied and enlighten 〈◊〉 with the Light of Christ and come to the Eâ—perience of things in themselves they will love the Light and Walk in the Light but there are many in this Age that have read the Scriptures plentifully and yet still go on in a way of Sin they cannot love the Light that reproves them He that doth evil he hates the Light and the Dawning of the Day is as the shadow of Death to him and it brings nothing but condemnation upon such Persons so that they do not love the Light though it is evident they have it and enjoy it and it shall be their condemnation whether they will or no if they do not love the Light and embrace it it will never be to their Salvation God hath given Christ to be a Light to the Gentilâ—s and his Salvation to the ends of the Earth He is the Light that enlightens every Man that comes into the World the Apostle John tells you the genealogy of the Word of God In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made in him was Life and the Life was the Light of Men The Life of the Eternal Word was the Light of Men What Men do you mean I answer He is the true Light that lighteth every Man â—â—at cometh into the World He extendeth â—is Light to every Man but it is condemnaâ—â—on to every Man so long as he continues to be a sinner against God This is the condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men love darkness rather than Light because their deeds are evil Now all Men â—re by nature dead in Sins and Trespasses 〈◊〉 our first Parents fell into Sin they were dead to God in the Day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die when they had eaten the forbidâ—â—n fruit they did not die as to outward appearance but they died as to that Communion they had with their Maker in this dead state lye all the Sons and Daughters of Adam but as our Saviour speaks though they be dead they shall live again Christ is Lord from Heaven a Quickening Spirit this is the object of our Faith that hath been extended and offered to Mankind ever since the fall there is no name undâ—r Heaven no other Power or Spirit by which a Man can be saved this great Mediator the Eternal Son of God is the Light that lighteth every Man that coâ—â—â—h into the World Faith in Christ is the same that ever it was notwithstanding the many forms of Worship among the Sons of Men some of Gods setting up and some of Mens setting up yet among all these the object of Faith is the same and Faith the same In the 11th Chapter of the Hebrews That little Book of Martyrs the Apostle there giveâ— you a Catalogue of the mighty things 〈◊〉 have been done by the Faith of Gods Peopâ—â— he begins with Abel By Faith Abel offereâ— more excellent Sacrifice than Cain by which 〈◊〉 obtained witness that he was Righteous 〈◊〉 testifying of his Gifts and by it he being dead yet Speaketh by Faith Enoch was translated that he should not see Death â—nd was not found because God translated him 〈◊〉 before his translation he had this Testimony that he pleased God and so the Apostle there goes to Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph and Moses And what shall I say more saith he for the time would fail â—e to tell of Gideon and of Barak and of Sampson and Jeptha of David Samuel and of the Prophets who through Faith subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtained promises stopped the Mouths of Lionâ— quenched the violence of Fire escaped the Edge of the Sword out of weakness were made strong turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens All these great and noble things were done by Faith it was the aspect their Souls had upon Christ the Mediator between God and Man it was their trust and reliance upon God through Christ the Mediator that did suâ—â—ort and uphold them in all they did and suffered This Faith is still the same There are many Faiths in the World beside but they will prove but the Faith of Hypocrites Some have a Faith that if they do this and the other Work they say you may trust your Souls upon these good Works but this 〈◊〉 not the Faith of Abraham the Father of the â—â—â—â—hful But some called Christians are gone 〈◊〉 â—ar in the Doctrine of merits that they â—â—ok they can do enough for their own Salvaâ—â—on and for their Friends and Râ—â—â—tions too that there may be more Merit still over and above that others may have Benefit by the Merit of their Works of Supâ—â—â—â—gation Bâ—t this is not the Faith of Abraâ—â—â— and other Saints by which they wrought such Wonders in the World I would not have Men trust at all in their own Works 〈◊〉 Salvation but trust in Christ alone who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him But some will object We are taught the Doctrine of Faith in Christ and Justificatiâ—â— by him Well for my part my Tongue shall as soon drop out of my Mouth 〈◊〉 opâ—ose the Doctrine of being justified by Faith in Christ But let me tell you this may be misapplied If a Mâ—n believe that he is justified by Faith in Christ
bâ—â—â—â—ed to the Day of Redemption I will never do this though I hazard my chief Interest 〈…〉 World This is the Tempâ—â— of a true 〈…〉 â—nd I pray God make all of you of th◠〈…〉 And now my Friends you that 〈◊〉 to see this great Work wrought in your selves commit the whole Work to God and trouble not your selves about it 〈◊〉 sure God will carry on his own Work and bring down the Devils Kingdom and rebuke that â—â—clean Spirit that is gone forth over the 〈◊〉 Nation and pour out abundantly of his hâ—ly Spirit to carry on a glorious Reformation This I believe God will certainly do from what he hath wrought 〈◊〉 my own Soul 〈◊〉 I know not what Instruments are to be emâ—â—oyed in the Work I leave that to the Lord but the Kingdoâ— of Christ shall be advanced and it shalâ— be outwardly and a 〈◊〉 Deâ—truction â—â—ll sweep away all his Enemies from the Earth and the Wrath of God shall burn against â—â—em only there is an obduration hath 〈◊〉 â—pon the Nations of the World and â—thing hath stood in the way in all-Generaâ— But howe◠〈…〉 I am sure wicked Men 〈◊〉 En◠〈…〉 may well say That Chrisâ— is the S◠〈…〉 Men but especially of theâ— that believe He hath saved this City and Nation from the Plagues and Vengâ—â—â—ce thaâ— hang over us Many Years the Lord hath spared us and waited to be gracious for a long-time to see if we will at last turn to him 〈◊〉 long the Mediator will intercede on 〈◊〉 beha◠〈…〉 â—l there is a time whoâ— the 〈◊〉 â—iffering of God will come to an end God hath brought a Scourge upon the Nations round about us and the Flames of his Wrath â—â—ve kindled upon them and Destruction hath overtaken them how soon iâ— may be our Lot we know not all our Mony our Silver and Gold and Valour and Courage will not be able to stave it off if the Lord but blow upon us It is even at the Door there is but one way to save us and that is turning to the Lord and crying to the Lord for the continuance of his Mercies and Long-suffering and Patience towards us In this Cry let us all cry to the Lord that are Lovers of the Nation and let us join our earnest Supplications in this Work seeing the Lord hath made us the Monuments of his Mercy and preserving Goodness This Island hath been continually surrounded with War and Blood and Flames and Destruction and the Cry of the Orphans hath been heard from other Nations And while they have been consumed with Flames â—nd deluged in Streams of 〈◊〉 we haâ—â— sat under our own Vines and 〈…〉 but Judgments hang over the Nation and whether they will fall or not the Lord knows But shall we do for the good of our Nation and Cities and Families but labour every one in the Fear of God to reform your Lives and to take heed that we sin not against the Light lest we die and perish in the midst of those terrible Judgments that hang-over us Let us turn from our evil Ways and depart from all Iniquity that the Kingdom of Christ may be set up in our selves It is the Righteous in the Nation that the Lord looks at and for their sakes he will spare a Nation If there be a People among us that walk in Humility and lament and mourn for the Abominations committed in the midst of us God will have regard to them and he will hear the Cries and the Supplications of a praying People Friends You that cannot make use of Sword and Spear for the saving of a Nation you may do good by your Prayers and turning to the Lord with an unfeigned Heart and let your Sincerity appear before him if I would take a Common-Prayer-Book in my Hands and pray never so devoutly and solemnly if I be not sincere what will that do Or if I pray without Book or if I pray without a Form or reject the Forms that others have made for me what will this avail But the Cry of the Poor and the Sighing of the Needy and the effectual fervent Prayer of thâ— Righteous hath availed much for the saving oâ— this Nation many Years Therefore I exhort you all as you love the Nation and as you love your selv◠〈…〉 â—our Families and Relations sin not aâ—â—â—nt the Lord for he is now setting up Righteousnâ— Equity and Justice and it shall prevaâ—â— in thâ— Nation God hath been please â—o gather in many that have been Enemies in it that are now turned from sin to God and led Captive by the Truth and it is their greatest Joy that now they are no longer Servants of Sin but are now become the Servants of God Now Truth will prevail and Righteousness go forth as the Morning Sun and 〈◊〉 hope the Lord will shew Mercy to us for thâ— glory of his own Name tho' we are an unworthy People It will be matter of joy and gladness to us if the Kingdom of God be come then we may say our Prayer is answered We have often prayed Thy Kingdom come and thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven If the Will of God be done then I can do mine own Will no longer then I can be led away by Satan no longer the Devil will have little Power if I do Gods Will on Earth as it is done in Heaven then Praises will arise in the Hearts of every one that delight to do the Will of God and God will carry on his Work for the glory of his own Name and for the Redemption of his People that Christ may be Preached for Soâ—â—tion to the Ends of the â—â—rth SERMON XI The Acceptable Sacrifice Preached â—t Grace-Church-street July 3. 1692. ALl People that would worship God and meet together for that purpose they had need have a great Reverence upon their Minds and a holy Fear upon their Spirits that when they enter into the House of the Lord and draw nigh to the living God they might not offer the Sacrifice of Fools but may offer to God that which may be acceptable to him For all Worship and all Religion and all Offerings and Oblations that ever were offered to God by any People they have had a return upon the Offerers and Worshippers either of acceptance or rejection Many you know have been rejected tho' they have offered and many have been accepted of God and their Offerings have been a sweet smelling Savour in his Nostrils and I hope we are all of that Mind that we would be glad to have our Worship and Service and Offerings to God accepted in his sight and that our present assembling together might be for the better and that every one might have an Answer of Peace and of acceptance in their Bosoms but that can never be unless Men be qualified and prepared in their drawing nigh to God and that in all our Offerings and Worship that we perform our Hearts be prepared
Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee The Covenant is made to Abraham and his Seed that is with Christ Jesus the Mediator It is he that brings to God those that trust in him and come to him He that cometh to him he will in no wise cast out they that do not come to Christ are cast off already All Men by Nature are cast 〈…〉 if any of theâ— will be 〈◊〉 it is by coming to Christ whâ— is able to â—ave to thâ— uttermost and to makâ— Peace for them and of Twins to make onâ— new Man and to make Peace between God and their Soulâ— There is a necessity for all People that have sense of their natural state and condition that according to Nature have no Title to the Kingdom of God to be reconciled to God By Nature they cannot make a claim to Righteousness and Life they cannot reconcile themselves to God by all their Works saith the Prophet Micah Will the Lord be pleased with a thousand of Rams or with ten thousand Rivers of Oil shall I give my first-born for mâ— Transgression the Fruit of my Body for the Sin of my Soul He hath shewed thee O Man what is good And what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and love Merâ—â— and walk humbly with thy God They that will be saved must lay hold of Salvation in that way and method that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath prescribed He hath prescribed a way for every Body to be saved he would have no Body to perish but that all should come to Repentance and obtain everlasting Life God hath made a way that will serve every Body alike Thousands as well as Ten and all the World as well as one Man Now the way that God hath made is turning out of the State into which they are fallen and a forsaking that Governour that rules in the Hearts of the Chil◠〈…〉 Disobedience aâ— closing with Christ 〈◊〉 God hath appoinâ—ed to reign in every â—â—dy's Heart Peopâ—â— in Christendom will all say they have closed with Christ Do not you hope to be saved by Christ on the Terms of the Covenant It is not crying Lord Lord but doing the Will of God the Terms are All Men must believe in Christ the Eternal Son of God and through â—he Power of that Faith they have in him he comes to rule over them and they become subject to him And if a Believer be not subject to Christ he is all one as if he was an Unbeliever Circumcision or Vncircumcision avails not any thing but a new Creature and Faith which worketh by Love The Covenant doth not stand in meer Words 〈◊〉 I conform to such Articles then I am a Christian if I believe all the Articlâ—s of the Creed then I am a Christian and a Child of God If a Mâ—n will say I believe his Say so is not sufficient The condition of the Covenant that God hath made is That Christ shall rule and have the government of those Souls that he presents to God How should it be otherwise seeing he is not to present any to God that are unclean Christ hath no Commission to present any to God in their Uncleanness and Wickedness He that believeth he must be cleansed and purifyed by him If so then that cannot be done by ruling over them If they had the Rule of themselves they would be polluted and be like Water whose Current is stopt with Di◠〈…〉 â—d not running in its own natural S◠〈…〉 People will commit Sin when they have the Rule of themselves but when Christ presents People to God and when they come to be led by him they are cleansed and purified When the Apostle describes true Faith he doth it by this quality and property of it It purifies the Heart All other Faith is but the Hope of the Hypocrite but real Faith is the operation of God saith the Apostle and that Faith worketh in an unclean Heart to the cleansing of it and in an impure Heart to the purifying of it If the Heart comes to be purified then it must needs follow that the Conversation must be pure also No body doth an ill Work nor speaks an ill Word but it is from an evil Heart Now if the Axe come to be laid to the Root of the Tree and the Word of the Lord operate in the Heart powerfully if never so much evil be in it the Axe when laid to the Root of the Tree will cut it down the Power of God will execute Judgment upon every thing that is contrary to him Christ is holy harmless and undefiled and separate from Sin and Sinners and tho' he extend his Life and Vertue to the Life and Soul of the most wicked Man in the World it never joins with their Uncleanness but keeps immaculate and undefiled in the Heart of the worst of Men. Now this immaculate Power that comes from Christ it will purifie the Hearts of Men and preserve them from evil Thoughts Wâ— and Actions This is the manifestation of 〈◊〉 one Mediator that they must be governed bâ— else they cannot be presented spotless to God the Father There is a necessity of coming to a Saviour otherwise than by Words and Profession we must come to him and heartily joyn with him we have all joyned with the Devil he hath suggested moved and instigated and People have followed his instigations and motions there is no Man but is sensible of a devilish motion why not then of a Divine motion Though now it is become a Bugbear to say we are moved by the Spirit of Christ why not by that Spirit as well as by the Spirit of the wicked one No Man doubts but that there are motions of the Devil which they are sensible of that sometimes they have joyned with him and sometimes they withâ—â—â—nd him What is the reason that Men should joyn with evil motions There is no just reason for it The reason why you and I withstand the motions of the Devil is bâ—cause we find another motion conveyed into our Hearts by the Spirit of God if a Man hath one motion to commit uncleanness he hath another motion to keep himself pure if he hath a motion to speak a Lie he hath another motion to speak Truth there are two movers at the same time in the same Heart which shall we joyn with Shall I joyn with the Devils motion If I find any thing of the â—ove of God in my Heart it will constrain me to â—â—nd the good motion and make me withâ—d the evil motion so that the movings 〈◊〉 the Spirit of God is not such a wonder There are none but they have bad motions in them and they have also motions of the Spirit of Truth they have met with evil motions and they have admired them too much then it is time to repent if there be a distinction between a motion of the Spirit of Truth and a motion of the
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