of Redemption by Price of Gods purchasing his Church with his own Blood Act. 20. 28. The Light of Nature is insufficient to shew the way to Heaven How God will deal with these Heathens 't is hard to determine Zuinglius indeed asserts That when we come to Heaven we shall see utrumque Adamum Redemptum Redemptorem both the Adams the Redeemer and him that was redeemed the Prophets the Apostles And then he adds That Aristides the Cato's and the Scipio's and such vertuous Men among the Heathen will be found in Heaven also Calvin calls this prâ—â—posterum misericordiam a preposterous Mercy because the Apostle tells us those who have sinn'd without Law shall also perish without Law Rom. 2. 12. What is to be said in this case To affirm that any of them are saved who never heard of a Saviour is to affirm what is hard to prove to say that they are all damned will be a bold Sentence The Apostle tells us that those who are without God judges 1 Cor. 5. 13. and to Gods Judgment we must leave them 2. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion to shew that the Works of God do need his Words exposition upon them 'T is the Word which rightly discovers God in the Works of Creation Heb. 11. 3. Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear The Scripture shews how the Lord is the Alpha and the Omega The whole Volume of Nature would signifie little to Man were it not for the Scriptures commentary upon it the Beginning and the End of all things that per scalaâ—â— creaturarum by the Ladder of the Creatures we may ascend unto the Gracions and Alsufficient Creator The Word expoundâ— the Works of Providence it puts such a Language into Mercies that these Demonstrations of divine goodness lead unto Repentance And the Word makes the Rod to utter such a voice that the Vncircumcised heart is humbled the Sinner accepts of the punishment of his Iniquity Lev. 26. 41. and turns unto that God that smites him 3. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Sinners may use and value the Word as a Means sufficient He that is sick of the Plague how willingly does he use a Remedy that is sufficient for the cure of the Pestilence and which has cured thousands and that never failed to heal any that would but take it Never was there a Plague in the World so universal so contagious so deadly as Sin is O all ye sinful diseased and lost Souls hear and with all seriousness apply the Word of God that ye may be healed and that being healed ye may live and not dye for ever The remedy is perfect it certainly works for life if it be but received he that believes and yields subjection to the Gospel shall be saved Mar. 16. 16. I confess the refusing of the remedy will highten the disease and make the death more dreadful He that believes not shall receive the greater damnation 4. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion that the Preachers of the Word may be encouraged Were this Word a weak imperfect thing the Dispencers of it would have the less heart to labour but they have no reason to be ashamed or discouraged but to glory in the Gospel of Christ since 't is the Power of God to Salvation And let him be Jew or Gentile high or low a less Sinner or the greatest if he receives the Word with Faith the Preachers pains will be to good purpose The Apostle insults over all the VVisdom of this VVorld as that which is poor and foolish and helpless as to a better World 1 Cor. 1. 20. Where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world The Jewish Synagogue where Moses was trusted in and Christ rejected the Greek Academy could neither of them shew the way of Salvation hath not God made foolish the VVisdom of this VVorld But then he magnifies the Word of God that reveals Christ Jesus because herein the Power and VVisdom of God were savingly made manifest 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. VVe preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness but unto them that are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 5. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Saints may still be improving it unto a further turning Where 's the Convert in whom and for whom the Word of God has wrought so much that it can work no more You that have most experienced its power and goodness may still feel a further efficacy The Word is perfect and you should be pressing forward to be perfected by it still your Light should grow clearer your Faith stronger your love more abundant and patience should have a more perfect work in you that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing Jam. 1. 4. Still you should be more low in your own sight the Grace of Christ more glorious in your eyes the World should be more under your feet and Heaven be the matter of your thoughts and hopes and joy You that are weak should resemble David you that are strong as David should be like the Angels of God aspiring unto not only Evangelical but an Angelical and heavenly Perfection I come in the last place to the Application The Uses are these following VSE I. Of Caution The Perfection of the Word of God should make you 1. To take heed of that Enthusiastick Spirit that pretends not to need this VVord That Light within which makes the Light of the VVord to be contemned is certainly Darkness and if the Light within you be darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6. 23. Solomon tells us plainly that the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and the reproofs of instruction are the way of Life Prov. 6. 23. You will miss the way of Life unless this Light be followed He is most unreasonably wise in his own eyes who imagines he knows so much that God himself by his Word can teach him no more the truth is he knows nothing as he ought to know his Knowledg is but a delusive dream his ignorance real and destructive Heed not but resist the Spirit that injects undervaluing thoughts of the Word of God for that cannot be the true Spirit which did endite it If once you reject the VVord of the Lord alas what understanding is in you Jer. 1. 9. The grossest and most damnable errours will impose upon you as truths the most carnal licentiousness which is the bondage of corruption will call it self Christian liberty Sins will be made no Sins and Duties no Duties you will allow your selves in the omission of Gods Ordinances as things below Saints of so high a Stature as
change our very Hearts Love to the Word distinguishes the true Church from the Antichristian Society Of these 't is said because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had Pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. All the excellent properties of the Word and the wonderful effects of it should take your Hearts and still be increasing your affection to it and the stronger your love is the greater will be your care to keep it Psal 119. 167. My Soul hath kept thy Testimonies and I love them exceedingly Love will make you labour hard in the work which the Word commands and yet it will so overcome the difficulty that hard labour shall become easie It was a saying of Bernard Is rectè divinas Scripturas legit qui verba vâ—rtit in opera He rightly reads the Holy Scriptures who turns VVords into VVorks Love will mightily constrain you to this 't will make you doers and blessed in your deed Love the Word of God as a Malefactour would love to read his pardon after the Sentence of Death has been past upon him Love the Word as a Debtour would love to read his general and full discharge which delivers him out of Prison and secures him from the danger of being arrested any more Love the Word as a Sick man would love to read a Receipt prescribing a medicine that would certainly cure his distemper and save his Life Finally love the Word as an Heir would love to read over a Testament in which is left him a rich Estate a most plentiful Inheritance In the VVord of God you find a pardon a discharge from all debts by your great your sufficient Surety here is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Souls universal remedy And the Psalmist says Psal 119. 111. Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my Heart 8. Never be ashamed of this Word of God which is so perfect and worthy to be owned VVith your Hearts believe it unto Righteousness with your Mouths Confess it to Salvation Be not concerned that the VVorld accounts the VVord foolishness fear not either their reviling or their rage their hands are weak considering how strong your helper is and their Judgments weaker Stand fast in the Faith and quit you like men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Your Lord will be much pleased to see you valiant for the Truth and no less than a Crown of Life shall be the reward of Faithfulness unto the Death But if you are ashamed of Christ and of his word before Men he will be ashamed of you before his Father and all his Holy Angels Mar. 8. 38. And how great and everlasting then will your shame and confusion be VSE III. Of Exhortation Since the VVord is perfect let me exhort you all unto Perfection The legal Perfection of Adam in Innocency you cannot reach since the fall keeps all his Posterity short of it hear the Apostle confessing and bewailing Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect Phil. 3. 12. But evangelical Perfection is possible 't is necessary 't is actually found in all true Converts In legal Perfection it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is no Sin. In evangelical Perfection it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is no predominant Hypocrisie In the former there is no sin at all in the latter there is no Sin loved and allowed In the one every command is kept in the other there is grief when any command is broke and a true Desire after Grace to keep every Commandment better When I exhort you to Perfection I mean three things That you would be of a perfect Heart That you would walk in a perfect way That you would stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God. 1. Let your Hearts be perfect The Heart is the very Seat of Sincerity if it be not here 't is no where 't is not in the eye or tongue or hands or feet if the Heart remain as it was by Nature without a change and is still wicked sensual and earthly the VVords and actions though never so good signifie and avail nothing nay the better the VVords and Actions are the greater is the Hypocrisie and Dissimulation There are several excellent ingredients in this Perfection of Heart which I would press upon the Hearts and Consciences of All. 1. Let your Hearts shew themselves perfect by setting God alwaies before them Walk before me says God to Abraham and be perfect Gen. 17. 1. The perfect Heart is sensible that Gods eye looks into it and sees all that is in it therefore its eye is also upon God and as there is an holy awe of God upon it so 't is not satisfied without his approbation Upright David cryes out O Lord thou hast searched me and known me thou understandest my thoughts afar off Psal 139 1 2. Thoughts include all the affections workings and inclinations of the Heart all these were open and naked unto the Eye of Gad. And David looks to his Heart accordingly and he begs that the evil of his Heart might be more plainly discover'd to him that his Heart might be more throughly cleansed 2. Let your Hearts be perfect in being truely willing and very studious to please that God with whom you have to do The perfect Heart sees 't is highly reasonable that Mans Will in all things should be obedient unto Gods since the VVill of God is so righteous good and holy since He cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth hâ— any man to any thing that is hurtful Jam. 1. 13. to please the Lord should be the Pleasure of your very Souls You should hate every abominable thing which he hates and what he delights in should always be chosen 3. Let your Hearts be perfect in refusing to have a liking respect and regard to any iniquity David manifested his uprightness and as a perfect man he was regarded and his Prayer heard because he did not regard iniquity in his Heart Psal 66. 18 19. Iniquity in the Heart is to be regarded so as to be humbled for it weary of it and bewail it and to endeavour by all means to mortifie and purge it away 't is not to be regarded so as to cover and excuse it so as secretly to delight in it and resolve to spare iâ— Especially let your Hearts set themselves with full bent against that which may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sin that does most easily be set you Heb. 12. 1. from hence is the greatest guilt defilement danger the Sin that by reason of your Constitutions Callings Age and the bad Customs of the Places where you live have been most insinuating into your Affection and aptest to prevail should be abandon'd with a special and peculiar
without him O now the Soul honours God above all By these and such like acts of the Soul God is chiefly honoured therefore turning must of necessity be with the Soul. 3. The Soul must turn because it is the Soul that yields Obedience to the great commands both of the Law and Gospel There is not so much as one Precept either in the Law or in the Gospel kept aright unless the Soul keeps it The summ of the Law is Love but Love must be with the Heart and Soul nay it must be with all the Heart and with all the Soul or else it is but a meer shadow and appearance it is but like the Picture of Fire that hath no more heat in it than the Picture of Snow Heark what our Lord saies to him that asked Him Which is the great Commandment in the Law Jesus answered Mat. 22. 37 38. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind And as the Law calls for Love so it requires Spiritual Worship God is jealous of his Worship and he will accept of none but that which is worship in Truth John 4. 24. God is a Spirit and he will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Now there cannot be worship in Truth unless it be worship in Spirit All worship is but false and if it be false it must needs be vain that doth not proceed from the Spirit of the Worshipper If you should imploy many hours in a day in pattering over a great many Words that either you don't understand or if you do you don't mind all this would be unacceptable nay it would be abominable Then for the Gospel The two great commands of the Gospel are Faith and Repentance neither of these can be obeyed without the Heart It is the Soul and Heart that believes Rom. 10. 10. With the Heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation And as for Repentance it is impossible that should be true unless the Spirit be contrite unless the very Heart be broken Tears Complaints walking softly rending the Garments wallowing in Ashes this will not prove the truth of Repentance the Heart must be broken or else you have not truly repented Psal 51. 17. The Sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit a broken and a contrite Heart O God thou wilt not despise And so in Psal 34. 18. The Lord is nigh to them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a conitite Spirit 4. Lastly The Soul must turn to God because Judgment at the great day will be according to Truth Then the Secrets of all Men will be made manifest when the Lord appears he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the Counsels of the Heart and then shall every man have Praise of God 1 Cor. 4. 5. At the great Day all things all Persons will be called by their proper Names Hypocrisie will be called Hypocrisie and Saints will be called Saints No Hypocrite will be owned for a Saint at that day nothing that is counterfeit will pass for currant the Judgment of God will be according to Truth In the day of Judgment only Conversion with the Heart Conversion with the Soul will pass for true Conversion Sincerity will be owned and it will be Crowned Hypocrisie will be unmasked and which should exceedingly startle all unsound Professors of Religion Hell is in a special manner called The Portion of the Hypocrite as it is said to be prepared for the Devil and his Angels I have shewed you when the Soul may be said to be converted unto God I have proved till then Conversion can never be sincere I have demonstrated the Necessity of Conversion with the Soul. The Application of this Doctrine remains I shall be but brief upon it There are two Uses that I shall make By way of Information in the first place And by way of Exhortation in the second place From this Doctrine we may be informed concerning several particulars 1. If sincere Conversion be with the Soul hence we may inferr the Souls Capacity The Soul is chiefly receptive of the Grace of God. It is the Soul of Man that doth principally partake of the divine Nature The Soul of Man hath a natural resemblance of God because as God is a Spirit so the Soul of Man is a spiritual and an immortal Substance And then the Soul doth spiritually resemble God when it is renewed in the spirit of the Mind and when true Holiness by the Spirit of the Lord is wrought in it Eph. 4. 23 24. 2. Hence I inferr the Souls great worth and value Gods Eye is upon your Souls all the while you are in his presence and though you do never so much if you deny him your Hearts and Souls you do nothing that he will accept at your hands Thousands of Rams ten thousand rivers of Oyl the first-born for the transgression the fruit of the body for the sin of the Soul as the Prophet speaks Micah 6. 7. What doth all this signifie All this is nothing nay let me tell you it is worse than nothing Souls are of great account with the Father of Spirits How much was done how much was paid that Souls might be redeemed And therefore in all your Services your Souls must be ingaged or else the ingaging is to no purpose The Conversion of one single Soul to God is more pleasing to him than the most laborious and heartless services of all the Hypocrites from the beginning of the World to the very end of it these Services are so far from being pleasing that they are expresly affirmed to be an abomination unto God. 3. Hence I inferr the difficulty of Conversion If the Soul must be converted certainly Conversion is a very difficult thing It is comparatively more easie though hard still but comparatively it is more easie to order the conversation to bridle the tongue But to rule the spirit to bring the thoughts into Captivity to alter the bent and natural inclination of the Will and to raise the Affections towards those things that are above to make them prized and pursued that before were things utterly sleighted this is difficult indeed and really the difficulty would be insupâ—rable were it not for the Resurrection of Christ and the Power of that Resurrection shewed forth by the Spirit of Christ Before a Soul can turn to God it must be new made it must experience the power of Christs Spirit and it must rise with Christ or else it can never in good earnest seek those things that are above Col. 3. 1 2. Lastly Hence I inferr that in Examining whether we are Converted or no a special Eye must be upon our Hearts and Souls We must take our Souls to task and strictly try them and see what is most suitable to them what they love best and what it is that they desire most And if
a very great affront offered to Him for 't is in effect to say that they have tried both Christ and Sin and upon trial they judge Sin to be the best Master of the two Thus in a sense they crucifie the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6. 6. They value Him no more than if he had been a Deceiver and justly put to a Death that was so Ignominious and while they say Not Christ but our Pride not Christ but the World not Christ but our Lusts shall rule us and have our Hearts they but too much resemble the Jews crying out Not this Man but Barabbas though that Man was Jesus and Barabbas was a Robber 5. They that are only almost Converts harden the Hearts and strengthen the hands of the profane in their wickedness When such perceive these who they thought were turned Saints returning again to their old sins this makes them more resolute in Sins service and more unalterably fixt in their evil way These half Converts when they totally fall away from all Profession of Religionâ— how do they advance Satans Kingdom and establish the Throne of the Prince of Darkness 6. What poor things are those that hiâ—der the almost Converted from becoming Converts altogether Relapsing is styled folly Psal 85. 8. What Wisdom can there be in departing from God Is the Ease the Honour the Pleasure the Wealth which Sin and Mammon bragg of comparable to the Grace of God or the Glory that will follow Death will certainly prove the World a Trifle the Worldling a Beggar and he that has forsaken God for the Worlds sake to be altogether void of understanding Suppose a Convert stript naked of all as Job was upon the Dunghil he is as having nothing but yet he does possess all things 2 Cor. 6. 10. Suppose the almost Convert is never so great a gainer by his backsliding he is as having much but he does possess nothing 7. They that are only almost Converted come very near Heaven and yet miss of it they come near the Port and yet are Shipwrack't It was a torment to the Rich man in Hell to see Heaven afar off though he had liv'd a sensual Life and never minded Heaven But how sad will it be to the almost Converts to remember that once they were in a fair way to Heaven and not far off from that Kingdom and if they had but parted with one or two more Sins if they had but taken a little more pains and had been constant in their diligence if they had but consented to some few more Conditions which were but very reasonable God would have been theirs Christ theirs and Heaven theirs for over But their Lusts befool'd them the old Serpent beguiled them and they themselves held fast deceit and refused to return in Truth Jer. 8. 5. VSE IV. Of Exhortation unto all Vnconverted Sinners to hearken consider and turn to God. You that have been long deaf at last hear the call from Heaven you that have been long in darkness at last admit and comprehena the Light which â—hines about you You that have hitherto â—een dead in Sin be attentive and obedient to the Voice of the Son of God and live O ye Atheists that profess to know God but in works deny him O ye Covetous and Unrighteous that will be rich if you can though it be by unjust waies and will venture the losing of your precious Souls for the sake of a little perishing Treasure O ye intemperate and unclean that are bewitched with present Delights and fear not eternal Torments O all ye workers of iniquity of what sorts of what sizes soever Turn ye turn ye from your evil waies unto the true and living God who is the God of Mercy Peace and Grace and Love. He himself does really and seriously and earnestly call you as well as Man who is his Messenger Arguments are not wanting in themselves really of great strength to perswade Oh that the Spirit of God would set an Edge upon them and make them strong to you that your Consciences may yield to the force of them and your Hearts may be willingly captivated into a sincere and saving compliance with them 1. 'T is wonderful Grace that you have leave to turn Do we read that this was ever allowed to the Apostate Angels was there a door of hope ever open'd to them after they had departed from God was there any space or place for Repentance granted them or Liberty to return with intimation of a readiness to receive them The Scripture sayes that God spared not the Angels that sinn'd but cast them down to Hell and deliver'd them into Chains of Darkness to be reserved unto Judgment 2 Pet. 2. 4. Oh 't was a dreadful fall from the highest Heaven to the lowest Hell eternal Punishment followed Sin at the heels and not the least mention of any season of Grace afforded them Nothing done nothing spoken in order to their return and recovery Admirable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kindness of God and good will towards Man that when the fallen Angels were suffered to lye where they fell He should be permitted nay so earnestly solicited to return though fallen also by his iniquity 2. 'T is wonderful Patience that after the refusing so many calls you should be called to turn still God shews himself rich in goodness and forbearance and long-suffering Rom. 2. 4. else he had ceased Calling long ago and come to a resolution that the unjust should be unjust still and that those who would not be purged should never be purged till his fury took hold on them Ezek. 24. 13. If a merciful Prince offer Pardon to a condemn'd Malefactor once if a ransom be tender'd once for the Redemption of a Captive the Malefactor the Captive ought to acknowledge it an Act of much Grace And if the first offer were not accepted every one would be ready to say t were just the Malefactor should dye and the Captive remain under bondage ever after Astonishing Patience that God should call not once or twice only but thousands of times and yet to this day continue Calling that Christ should stand many years knocking at the door and though the door be kept fast shut against him yet he is not gone away but while I am speaking may be knocking again at this very instant Foolish Heart at last be so wise as to open and bewail thy folly in being so averse to give admission to the Lord of Life and Author of Salvation 3. Consider who 't is that calls you to turn Oh refuse not rebell not for 't is the Glorious and blessed God who calls you to yielding and submission None so great none so good as he He protests by his Life he has no Pleasure in your Death therefore He himself bids you turn and cast away every Transgression and assures you iniquity shall not be your ruine Ezek. 18. 30 31. For man to refuse to hearken unto
and his former offences and affronts be they what they will shall not be an Impediment nay the former refusing to turn though it was never so long shall be past by The proclaiming of thiâ— accepted time should be lookt upon as glad tidings indeed 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. We then 〈◊〉 workers together with Him beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain for he saith I have heard thee in a time accepted in a day of Salvation I have succoured thee Christ himself in the days of his flesh was heard was succoured was carried by the power of his Godhead through the whole work of Mans Redemption Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of Salvation This day of Salvation is the fruit of a Saviours Obedience and Sufferings in his day Now those that have sold themselves to commit Iniquity and are under the bondage of Corruption may recover their liberty those that had lost the incorruptible and undefiled Inheritance may be re-instated and again possessed of it Now the Lord is neer to them that seek him and ready to be found and if the wicked forsake their ways and thoughts and return to Him he assures them he will have mercy and pardon so abundantly as shall exceed their conceptions and the manner and wayes of mens shewing Mercy one to another as the Heaven is high above the Earth Isa 55. 6 7 8. 5. In the Word of God there are Instances and Examples of very great Sinners who have been converted and saved How great are the Acts of Grace which have been done by the God of all Grace and comfort Stand forth O David guilty of Adultery and Murther first defiling the Wife and then killing the Husband afterwards Stand forth O thou great Apostle Peter who wast so confident in thy self that thou shouldest abide the sorest Trial but didst so basely shrink and once twice thrice and with Cursing and Swearing didst deny thy Lord Stand forth ye Corinthian Saints who were Fornicators Idolaters Adulterers effeminate abusers of your selves with Mankind who were thieves covetous drunkards revilers extortioners 1 Cor. 6. 9 10 11. And all of you proclaim That the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and love which is in Christ Jesus as the Apostle Paul speaks who himself had obtained Mercy although he had been a blasphemer a persecutor and injurious 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. Setting aside the unpardonable Sin against the Holy Ghost and final Impenitency and Unbelief for ought I know Heaven can shew as great Sinners as Hell who notwithstanding all their guilt and filthiness were washed sanctified justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God and now their Holiness is perfected in Glory This is an encouragement to the worst of men to hope if they return to God they shall not be rejected Nay suppose there should be now a greater Transgressour than ever yet obtained Mercy it would not be impossible for such an One to obtain Mercy for Divine Grace and Mercy have not yet done their very uttermost 6. The Word of God discovers Sinners weakness and where that Strength is without which turning to God will never be That Grace which brings Man to God to Heaven must come from the God of Heaven Can man arise from the Dead till the Voice of the Lord which is powerful say Awake thou that sleepest Can any come to God but by his Son Jesus can any come to Christ but those whom the Father drawes Joh. 6. 44. God Works to Will He Works to do and he does the one and the other freely of his own good Pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Sinners are then encouraged to seek unto God to do both for them And He can easily take away the Heart of Stone and give a new Heart and a new Spirit and cause those who before neglected now to turn into the way of Salvation and to work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling 7. I might also add that the Word of God shuts the Kingdom of Heaven against â—hose that are resolved to continue Vnconvertâ—d Nothing but Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish is thundred out â—gainst them that will continue in their evil doing that will not be gathered by a Saviour that will not be made clean by his Sanctifying Spirit Nay the Word concludes them under greater misery and â—ooms them to a severer Damnation who are called to turn and yet refuse Mat. 11. 23. Thou Capernaum that are exalted unto Heaven who hast Heaven offer'd and such advantages of getting thither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall not only go to Hell but be brought down with force and fury to one of the hottest and lowest places there It â—hall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorâ—ah in the day of Judgment than for Thee Such kind of threats may help to cure the spiritual Lethargy and to make Sinners â—fraid of remaining Unconverted You see what it is in the Word that has a tendency to Conversion In the second Place I am to demonstrate the Aptitude and fitness of the Word to be such a means of Conversion What has been spoken already is in part a Demonstration of it but this fitness of the Word may be further made evident 1. The Word is a Light which shines in a dark place 2 Pet. 1. 19. and therefore 't is a proper means to turn men from darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God. The Word discovers what the Prince of darkness studiously endeavours to conceal Ignorance and Infidelity are the Pillars of Satans Kingdom he takes much pains to blind the Minds of the Unbelievers that the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God may not shine into them 2 Cor. 4. 4. This light gives a true and faithful representation of Sin as the most hateful and hurtful thing in the whole World of Satan also as the most subtle false envious malicious Deceiver and Murtherer of the Sons nay of the very Souls of men The Word reveals the Devils grand secret that the Broad way is the high Road to Ruine which has been trod by all the Damned Hell at the end of this way becomes naked by the Word of God which the Lying Spirit would not have at all to be credited or so much as thought on till Sinners find themselves thrown into it and there without any hope of Release and Remedy 2. The Word is a Perspective glass which brings things afar off near to the eye that so the Heart may be the more affected It shews that the whole of Time from the very first to the very last is but short if compared with Eternity and how the end of all things is at hand 1 Pet. 4. 7. and the Oath will at length be sworn That there shall be time no longer Scoffers indeed who walk after their own lusts do say Where is the Promise of our Lords coming They
mock at that glorious Redemption which Believers at Christs second appearing do expect and they laugh at till they feel the Flaming Vengeance that is to be executed upon themselves But the Word shews the Worlds end and how 't is reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and Perdition of ungodly men 2 Pet. 3. 7. The day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night sadly surprizing the most of men in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works therein shall be burnt up Oh dreadful spectacle to behold the whole World in a Flame the serious and believing consideration of this conduces very much to Repentance Conversion and amendment of our wayes 'T is the Apostles own inference Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of Persons ought ye to be in all Holy Conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3. 10 11. 3. The Word is an Hammer to break the Heart Contrition and brokenness of Heart is one constant Ingredient in Conversion No less than Salvation is Promised to the contrite ones Psal 34. 18. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit Now the Word is the Hammer which breaks the Stony the Rocky Heart to pieces Those Hearers who derided the Miraculous Gift of Tongues the Apostle Peters Sermon reached and pierced their very Hearts and made them cry out Men and brethren what shall we do Act. 2. 37. Now Sin was set in order before their eyes and charged home upon their Consciencos now they tremble and are afraid of deserved Wrath now their stubborn spirits begin to yield unto God. They desire to know upon what terms they might be saved being willing to consent to any terms rather than miss of Salvation and perish everlastingly 4. The Word is a Fire to melt and purifie and so a proper means of Conversion which is indeed a turning from Sin to Holiness 'T is the Nature of Fire to separate the Mettal and the Dross Gold and Silver are refined by being put into the Furnace Thus the Word also separates between the Heart and its vicious and evil Habits and Qualities it separates between the Soul and its fleshly and worldly Lusts Now are ye clean says Christ through the Word which I have spoken unto you Joh. 15. 3. This Word is very Pure in it self and Pure in its Operation and Effects It severely forbids all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit and in this Word we find as a Precept concerning Holiness that 't is our Duty to perfect Holiness in the fear of God so a Promise wherein God has said he will work this Holiness in them that seek unto him and desire it Ezek. 36. 25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you The Word is a Fire to Melt and Purge the Soul and then 't is a Mould also into which the Soul is as it were cast so that it has another an excellent form being conformed to the holy Nature and Will of God himself 5. The Word is as Seed of which the New Creature is begotten God himself is he who does regenerate all that are Converted and he does it of his own meer good Will and Pleasure but the Word is the Seed by which he does it Jam. 1. 18. Of his own VVill beg at he us with the VVord of Truth that we should be a kind of First-fruits of his Creatures So 1 Pet. 1. 23. Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the VVord of God which liveth and abideth for ever From this Seed comes the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness This Word is quick and powerful 't is powerful to quicken and enliven so that the Soul has a new Life and lives to God which before was dead in trespasses This Seed is effectual to a new formation of the Souls faculties and powers New Eyes there are in the Mind a new Disposition and Inclination in the Will the Affections also are new and of low and carnal they become high and holy and heavenly The Preachers of the Gospel are the sowers of this Seed of the Word and how should they be in travel till a New Creature comes on 't till Christ be formed in them that receive it Gal. 4. 19. My little Children of whom I travel in birth again till Christ be formed in you 6. The Word is a proper Means of Conversion for 't is the unerring Rule which shews both good and evil Evil that there may be an Aversion from it Good that there may be a Conversion to it The Scripture calls things by their deserved Names what that pronounces bad will be found by the most Unbelieving to be bad indeed and what that affirms to be good is really good at present and proves best at last Here are the Commandments in conformity to which true Goodness lies and Sin is defined 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a transgression of them heark to the Prophet Mic. 6. 8. He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what does the Lord thy God require of thee but to do jâ—stly to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God All this is good in its own Nature pleasing to God profitable and pleasant unto Man The better this is understood the more likely 't is that evil and dangerous wayes should be forsaken and those Paths chosen and turn'd into that are safe and holy The Word shews what God approves and what he abhorrs It shews Mans Duty which is his Priviledge and that Sin is Mans Prejudice and Plague And he is a good Scholar indeed who has learnt to do well and ceased to do evil 7. The Word is a fit means of Conversion because it is the Ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. How shall not the Ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious The Word of God is of the Spirits Inspiration and his own Word he is pleased to accompany he moves and breaths and acts in it so that Miracles of Grace are wrought thereby He says to the blind Mind Receive thy sight and know the things that concern thy Peace to the Deaf the Spirit says Hear my Voice and yield Obedience to the Dead he says Arise out of thy Sins and from the Earth in which thou hast layn so long buried and live the Life of God from which thou hast been so long alienated And as the Spirit thus speaks so he speaks with efficacy He can work so that none shall hinder O blessed Word in which we find that exceeding great and precious Promise of the Spirit 't is but asking him and having him and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. The Captive Sinner is freed from the
let them hear them And after 't is answered further If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luk. 16. 27 -31 A Sinner whose Heart is all Adamant and Sermon-proof the terrours of the Lord don't affright him the inestimable Treasures of the Gospel don't take him the Mediatours Vengeance for neglecting great Salvation is not at all dreaded Suppose a command should be given to unlock the gates of Hell and a damned Spirit that has been for some time tortur'd in the slames there and was once well known to this stupid Sinner should at Midnight appear to him and the Curtains being drawn aside and that Soul out of the midst of fire with a ghastly horrour in its looks should thus speak to Him Awake hard-hearted Wretch awake awake What sleep and lye secure in Sin that art in danger of dying in Sin every moment VVhat take thine ease who art so near to endless pain and Torment Thy time has both Feet and VVings and is with great haste both running and flying away from thee and as thy time in Sin and folly spends so thou daily and hourly approache◠nearer to a miserable Eternity Thy Judgment lingers not thy Damnation does not slumber while thou refusest to awake to Righteousness Once I made a mock of Sin as much as thou dost was mad to destroy my self as thou art I made a meer Jest of Hell but now I know I feel and wo wo is me I shall to my Sorrow feel for ever what 't is to be damn'd in earnest Sin 's thy worst Enemy Oh cast it away before it undoe thee past remedy Divine wrath and jealousie is in the other World found a hotter and heavier thing than ever could be conceived in this 'T is really a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But I have leave to stay no longer be sure to take this warning I have given thee I must again to the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone where there are no such things as Help or Hope or Happiness but Pain and Misery are extream and endless Suppose I say a damned Soul should speak such language to a Sinner that has all along been deaf to the call of the Word and resisted the Spirit of the Lord he might perhaps be exceedingly amazed and possibly be frighted out of his VVits but he would not be scared out of his Sins nor ever by such an Apparition alone be turned unto God. If Gods own Word will not make thee a Convert O Sinner thy disease is obstinate against the likeliest remedy and what means will 5. The Word is a Means which Thousands and Millions in the VVorld never were so much Priviledg'd as to enjoy An Hallelujah is justly deserved and expected from the People of God of old because he shewed his Word unto Jacob his Statutes and Judgments to the Children of Israel whereas He had not dealt so with any Nation and as for his Judgments they had not known them Psal 147. 19 20. How great a part of the World is Satans Common how little comparatively is so much as the visible Inclosure of our Lord Jesus It is the observation of a Learned man that if the World were divided into thirty parts Nineteen would be found still Pagan six Mahometan and but five Christian take in all of all Perswasions But alas how much darkness is there even in Nations that are called Christian Ignorance is affected the Word of God and the Knowledg of it is taken away though the Scripture says that for lack of it people are destroyed Hos 4. 6. How Happy would you be that in this City enjoy the light of the Word of Truth if you would but thankfully and fruitfully improve it It is as it were Noon day with you whereas in other places it is but a dark down and in most parts of the Earth a black midnight In the fourth place I am to tell you whence this Means the Word of God comes to be effectual to Conversion 'T is made effectual by the Power of God and this Power he exerts by his own Spirit 1 Thes 1. 5. Our Gospel came not unto you in word only but in Power also and in the Holy Ghost and in much Assurance the wonderful effects of Divine Power wrought by the Holy Ghost in the Preaching of the Gospel was an Evidence and Assurance that this Gospel is not the Word of Man but of God Himself Now the manner of the Spirits working when he makes the Word effectual to Conversion I shall declare in these particulars 1. The Spirit impresses upon the Sinners Heart the Divine Authority of this Word 'T is indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. When the Lord Himself is eyed and own'd in his Word then it shews it self mighty If the Messengers and Publishers of the Word only are regarded and there is not a looking beyond them they being but earthen vessels the Word though a Treasure will be trampled under foot But when Sinners are Converted the Spirit makes it evident that the Word is really of God. The demonstration of this is styled the demonstration of the Spirit He does demonstrate the Words divine Authority several wayes By Signs and VVonders wrought for its Confirmation Heb. 2. 4. God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will. That these Miracles were done 't is plain for the Word of God pretending to Miracles done so openly so often by and upon so many persons in the midst of cunning and malicious Adversaries who were watchful enough to have espied the deceit if there had been any if such Miracles really had never been wrought this Word and the Religion it teaches would never have been received Our Lord Jesus though the Son of God when upon Earth was humbled in the form of a Servant yet affirms himself to be the Saviour of the VVorld preaches a Doctrine contrary to Flesh and Blood tells all that will be his Disciples they must deny themselves and forsake all that is dear to them in this World whenever they are called to it for the sake of a Treasure and Kingdom in Heaven And often he appeals to his working Miracles as a Confirmation of his Doctrine that it was from Heaven Now if such Miracles had never been wrought the Imposture would have been so apparent that the Christian Faith would never have been embraced by any of common sense and understanding And 't is evident also that these Miracles were done by the power of God. Wonders indeed were wrought by the Egyptian Magicians but outvied by greater Wonders effected by Moses Gods Servant These Miracles were beyond the Power and Ability of second Causes Who could make the blind to see and the deaf to hear and the lame to walk but that God who formed the Eye
2. The Gospel plainly chalks out the way that leads to Life Christ is the way the truth and the life Joh. 14. 6. the true way to life indeed We have liberty to enter into the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus had it not been for his undertaking and performance of what he undertook there had been a flaming Sword at Heavens gate and no fallen Man could ever have entred there And as Christ in whom we are to believe is the way so is also Holiness Christ by his Blood has purchased the heavenly Inheritance and has bought the Saints themselves that are to be the Inheritors and 't is by his sanctifying Spirit by true Holiness that they are made meet for that Inheritance The pure in Heart and such will be likewise pure in Life are the blessed Ones that shall see God Mat. 5. 8. and who besides are desirous or fit to see the Lord 3. Heaven in the Gospel is offer'd 't is seriously freely offer'd unto All 't is offer'd to the meanest Persons 't is offer'd to the greatest Sinners and that without Money without Price 'T is indeed too good too great a thing for Man to purchase by any thing that he can give or do Those have very low thoughts of Heaven and very high thoughts of their own Works that think they can do enough to merit Heaven Eternal Life is the free Gift of God not deserved by Man and 't is given through Christ Rom. 6. 23. Had not Christ procured it fallen Men would all have been as certainly excluded as the fallen Angels Briefly to Apply this 1. Be thankful for the Gospel which makes the richest discovery that ever was made in this World the East the West-Indies cannot shew any thing comparable to a blessed Immortality the Jewels from the one the Gold from the other are contemptible when Heaven is named The Gospel tells you where is the true the tried Gold and of the Pearl which is of greatest price and concerning a Treasure in Heaven which neither moth nor rust doth corrupt nor can thieves break through and steal Mat. 6. 20. 2. Let the Kingdom of Heaven suffer Violence and do you use an holy force to take it here you will meet with great opposition Heaven is that which occasions the envy of Hell because of its real and eternal Excellency and does very well deserve your labour Let the Treasure in Heaven cause your Hearts to be there strive to enter in at the strait gate hate every false way because it leads from Heaven and towards Destruction let the Hopes of a Crown of glory make you willing to bear the Cross look upon Sloth as most absurd when no less than Heaven will be given to them who shew their diligence in full assurance of hope unto the end Press still forward towards the mark you cannot run too fast for such a Prize But I shall stay on this no longer 'T is the second Doctrine that more largely I shall insist on Doct. 2. And that 's this Those that will not turn to God at the Call of the Gospel shall certainly be turned into Hell 2 Thes 1. 8 9. They that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power In the handling of this Doctrine I shall 1. Discourse concerning Hell what it is that you may the better understand it and understanding be afraid of it 2. I shall prove the Certainty of the Doctrine that Sinners who will not turn to God shall most surely be turned into Hell. 3. I shall Vindicate the Righteousness of God in thus dealing with and eternally Punishing them that will not turn to him 4. I shall conclude with the Vses and Application In the first Place I am to Discourse concerning Hell and to shew you what it is In Hell There is a Deprivation of good There is an Infliction of evil pain and torment There is an Eternity of both 1. In Hell there is a Deprivation of good All the temporal losses that have been sustained by all the Children of Men in this World are not comparable to the Poena Damni Punishment of loss which one Sinner in Hell shall undergoe Several things those in Hell are deprived of 1. They are deprived of all that Love and Grace and Mercy that is in God The Psalmist that knew by experience the excellency of God's Loving-kindness affirms 't is better than Life Psal 63. 3. His Mercys are tender and a multitude and sure to the Vessels of Mercy How were those fill'd with admiration and with a sense of their obligation Who in times past were not a People but were made the People of God who had not obtained Mercy but after did obtain Mercy 1 Pet. 2. 10. But alas tho God be Love it self 1 Joh. 4. 8. he hath no Love for them that are in Hell they lye under his Wrath and Hatred and both are unalterably fixt upon them Though the Lord does delight in shewing Mercy yet his Bowels do not at all stir or move towards the Damned though they lye in extreamest Woe and are continually weeping and wailing yet their Tears draw not forth his Compassions He has cast them off for ever and will be favourable no more he has forgotten to be gracious and in implacable but righteous Anger has shut up his tender Mercies 2. They that are in Hell are deprived of the beatifical Vision of God The door of Heaven they found shut against them when they said Lord Lord open to us and 't will never be opened They shall never be suffered to see him face to face but be always excluded from his Presence What Happiness is there in seeing God! how transforming and satisfying is this sight Psal 17. ult As for me I shall behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness But the Damned are not never shall be admitted to such a View they are banished that glorious Presence where there is fulness of joy and where there are pleasures for evermore God has fixt a great gulph between himself and them and through that 't is impossible for them to pass Luk. 16. 26. 3. They in Hell are deprived of all hopes by a Mediator Our Lord tells us That he came not into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved and has given a large Commission to Preach the Gospel to offer that Grace and Salvation whereof he is the Author to every Creature Mark 16. 15. The Lord Jesus now encourages all to come to him that they may have rest to their Souls and life through his Name and them that come to him he will in nâ— wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. and when they refuse to come he expresses great sorrow he wept over Jerusalem because she knew not the time of her gracious Visitation
be espoused to Christ This Sin stands up and forbids the Banes. We read of a young man in the Gospel soberly inclined he saw the necessity of eternal Life and the value of it he comes to Jesus and says Good Master What shall I do that I may inherit eternal Life Our Lord tells him of the commands the young man is glad of this for as to the letter of the second-Table-precepts he had been a strict observer of them all from his Youth up At length our Lord who knew Love to the World was his Master Sin bids him to go and sell all that he had on Earth and follow him and he should have a more enduring and better Treasure in Heaven But his Love to the World hindred his Believing and Conversion he goes away very sorrowful for he was very rich Mat. 19. 21 22. His Riches were very unreasonably and excessively loved he cleaves to Mammon and leaves the only Saviour 6. That is a Master Sin which pretends most highly to consult the Sinners safety gain and pleasure To be safe to be advantaged and delighted are things very taking to Humane Nature pretences this way are prevalent but all Sins pretences are vain When our Lord commands that the right eye should be pluckt out the right hand cut off the meaning is not that Christianity binds us cruelly to dismember our selves Indeed the abuse of our members is severely forbidden but our members themselves are not to be parted with but employed after an holy manner That therefore which our Lord intends is this either that we should be as without an eye to behold vanity and tempting Objects as without an hand to work that which is evil Or that though Sin be naturally as dear to us as our right eye as seemingly necessary as our right hand yet we must part with it and not spare it to the hazard and ruine of our selves for ever Mat. 5. 29 30. I might also add that Sinners are apt above all to wish that the Master Sin were no Sin at all And because the Law forbids it they hate the Law and the motions of their wicked Hearts towards it are more strong and violent And here is a notable difference between an unsanctified and a sanctified Heart The unsanctified Heart wishes that the Law were less Holy that Sins were no Sins but the Heart that is sanctified does not desire the Law were less strict and pure but that it self were more pure and more conformed unto a Law that is so good and excellent it does not desire a Liberty to commit Sin but that all the remaining lustings of the Flesh that way were more throughly mortified In the third place I am to produce the Reasons why this Master Sin ought especially to be abandoned 1. Because this is Gods Principal Enemy All Sin is against him but this is a special Provocation in the the eyes of his Holiness and Glory The Apostle tells us that Love is the greatest Grace and Christ himself says that Love is the first and great Commandment The Master Sin which is most beloved which takes away the affection of the Heart which God chiefly requires must needs provoke Him unto great Jealousie This is the Presumptuous Sin 't is greatly offensive for deservedly 't is called the great Transgression â—â—al 19. 13. 2. The Master Sin should be abandon'd because in a special manner it separates between God and the Soul that is guilty of it Sin has many bad effects but a worse can't be named than this Isa 59. 2. Your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you that he will not hear Let the Saints in Heaven speak what 't is to see the Face of Godâ— Oh the evil that is in Sin which causes the Face of God to be hid from the Sinner Every Sin may be compared to a cloud but the Sin which does most easily beset us is the blackest the darkest cloud of all which does most totally deprive us of the Light of Gods Countenance 3. If the Master-Sin be not abandon'd no other Sin whatsoever can be truly repented of A man may indeed abstain from some Sins but he does not abstain from them as Sins and because they are displeasing to God because contrary to his will and because they hinder Communion with God if he did then certainly he would keep himself from the beloved Sin which is principally hateful to God and the grand obstruction of fellowship with Him. 4. The Master Sin should be abandon'd because this is so great a grief unto the Holy Spirit of God. How often does he tell the false Professour of his lying Tongue and the unjust Professour of his unrighteous dealing The good Spirit vouchsafes to strive with very wicked men and moves them to hate the Sin which they unreasonably Love to their own ruine But if Sin be loved still the Spirit is grieved and vexed And is it safe to grieve and vex the Sanctifier the Comforter No. Read what follows upon vexing the Spirit Isa 63. 10. But they rebelled and vexed his Holy Spirit therefore he was turned to be their Enemy and he fought against them 5. The Master Sin should be abandon'd because 't is this chiefly that keeps the Lord Jesus out of the Throne Why do so many say in their Hearts we will not have Christ to Reign over us The reason is because they are resolved their fleshly and their wordly Lusts shall rule there still And if Christ rule not 't is in vain to expect he will save for he is the Author of Eternal Salvation unto them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. Nay as he will not save them that will not be subject to him so he has threatned to slay them As for those mine Enemies that would not I should reign over them bring them forth and slay them before me Luk. 19. 27. I come in the last place to the Application and the Vses are these three VSE I. By way of Examination Try your selves whether you are willing to abandon the Sin that does so easily beset you and for you your help in this matter I would ask you 1. Are you willing to have this Sin whatever it be discover'd Are you willing that God should signifie to you what 't is in you that most of all displeases him Job professes that he cover'd not his Transgression as Adam by hiding his Iniquity in his Bosom Job 31. 33. He that hides Sin loves it he that pleads for Sin is a Servant a Slave to it The defence of Sin is worse than the Offence it self Can you come to God and say Lord I open my Heart to Thee Search Ransack here Let no sin lye concealed Let not so much as one be spared but especially discover the Master-sin which is my greatest Enemy as well as thine 2. Are you willing to hear all the Evil the Word does speak against the Master-sin If so this would argue that