The backslider is no true Believer The nature of this faith which is saving is best understood by considering four things which relate to it viz. The Author the Object the Act and the Ground of it 1. The Author of it is God whence it is stiled the faith of the operation of God Col. 2.12 There is a humane faith framed by the strength of reason but this is a blessed fruit of the Spirit of God Gal. 5.22 it is there reckoned among them It is the effect of that almighty power which was put forth â—n the Resurrection of Christ Eph. 1.19 20. 2. The Object of it as saving â—s Christ So every where in the Scripture John 3.16 Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish c. When the Jaylor Acts 16.30 31. asked what he should do to be saved he was directed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and had the aâ—surance of being saved if he did so Hâ— himself directs us to do thus John 14. â— To believe in God believe also in me And 〈◊〉 told the Jews John 8.24 If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sin Faith indeed embraceth the promises be not for themselves but for Christ as 〈◊〉 is wrapt up in them 3. The Acts 〈◊〉 it which are the assent of the mind anâ— the consent of the heart The assent 〈◊〉 the mind to those glorious Truths thâ—â— concern Christ and the salvation of mâ—â— through him As That he came fort from God the Father with commission to negotiate in this great work Him haâ—â— God the Father sealed John 6.27 Thaâ— he was incarnate The Word was madâ— flesh John 1.14 That he is the verâ— Son of God as Peter saith Mat. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Son of the living God That there is no other name given undeâ— Heaven by which we can be saved Actâ— 14.12 These and the like Principles thâ— mind assents to This is not sufficient 〈◊〉 make it saving faith unless the heart consents also If thou believest with all thy heart says Philip to the Eunuch Acts 8.2 With the heart man believeth unto righteousness Rom. 10.10 It makes the heart esteem Christ most precious 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe he is precious It is that which helps us to receive Christ into our very hearts He dwells in the heart by faith Eph. 3.17 and causeth the Soul to accept him in all his Offices and Natures and to rely on him alone for Justification and Salvation desiring to be found in him having the Righteousness which is by Christ and of God by faith as Paul speaks Phil. 3.9 And for our preservation in the mean time living as the Apostle saith Gal. 2.20 by the faith of the Son of God 4. The ground of it is the promise of God For a man to believe for salvation without a promise to build his faith upon is presumption and self-delusion We find Abraham had this for the foundation of his faith Heb. 6.13 Rom. 4.20 21. He rested on the promises of God by faith and staggered not at them through unbelief For a man to believe that God will save him though he be out of Christ and though there be no principles of grace and holiness in him is to build without a foundation for â—o such only is salvation promised This â—or the nature of saving faith If any enquire what the concurrence of faith to salvation is I answer briefly Faith coâ—curreth to salvation as it unites to Chrisâ— All things requisite to salvation meetiâ—â— Christ but none have this salvation 〈◊〉 him but such as are united to him Eteâ—nal life is in the Son and he that hath tâ—â— Son hath life he that hath not the Son haâ—â— not life 1 John 5.11 12. Communion 〈◊〉 grounded upon union and this is the proper effect of faith it doth interest thâ— Soul in the merit of Christ and gives it 〈◊〉 share in his Righteousness which is unâ—â—â— all and upon all them that believe Roâ— 3.22 and this by virtue of union Hencâ— proceeds peace Being justified by faith 〈◊〉 have peace with God Rom. 5 1. Faith dotâ— interest the Soul in the Spirit of Christ 〈◊〉 We know he abideth in us by his Spirit thaâ— he hath given us Now it is evident thaâ— from the presence of the Spirit flows alâ— things necessary to salvation Mortification of sin If we through the spirit mortifiâ—â— the deeds of the body we shall live Theâ—â— life of grace He that believeth on the Son out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water This spake Christ of the Spirit which Believers should receive John 7.38 39. Thus faith is the Nurse of all graces drawing sap from Christ the root and deriving influence from the Spirit to keep them in life and activity In a word it gives victory over temptations outward from the world alluring or affrighting 1 John 5.4 This is the victory whereby we overcome the world even our faith And inward from Satan By this shield of faith we may be able to quench all the fiery darts of that wicked one Eph. 6.16 Perseverance in the ways of God for by faith ye stand 2 Cor. 1.24 viz. by leaning upon the power of God which is the Spirit of God a Spirit of power And thus are Believers kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 If any further enquire How the way of faith is consistent with grace I answer Very well as appears by what is said Rom. 4.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace For there is no grace so modest and humble that arrogates nothing to it self but gives all to grace as faith is and doth Faith saves in a way of grace a precarious way It is empty and poor hath nothing of it self but receives all from grace and gives all again unto grace so that no way could have been found out more advantageous to the glory and honour of grace than this of faith Had it been through love repentance or good works there would have been some ascribing to the creature bâ— faith sets the whole Crown upon the head of grace and therefore we have reason to admire this blessed contrivancâ— of God who hath ordered salvation tâ— be through faith that it might more eminently appear to be of grace Besideâ— Faith it self is a fruit of grace it is 〈◊〉 grace that faith is given Phil. 1.29 〈◊〉 you it is given freely given to believe 〈◊〉 Christ It is of grace that faith is accepted not for its own worth or excellency So it appears to be consistent with graâ—â— that it be of faith for faith doth not ecclipse but illustrate the glory of grace Branch 2. That the work of faith tâ— salvation is not of humane operation 〈◊〉 is not of our selves saith the Text. For theâ—â— is no power in man that hath any tendency to produce such an effect as this Foâ— there was not a principle of faith formally in Adam at
shall increase and grow from â—â—ith to faith from strength to strength â—â—om one degree to another Oh what â—â—use have Believers then to glorifie God â—â—r this unspeakable gift And shew your thankfulness in two things 1. In living 〈◊〉 and making use of faith in all times â—â—d conditions Look to God for skill â—â—use it to fetch power from Christ to â—â—due lusts and the world This is your Victory even your faith O make use 〈◊〉 it to fetch out of Christs fulness graâ—â—â— for grace This is that grace which 〈◊〉 go with us from place to place froâ— Countrey to Countrey from Earth 〈◊〉 Heaven Men may take away our Estaâ—â— our Relations but we may go up leanâ—â—â— on this Jacobs staff through all 〈◊〉 troubles of this Wilderness till we coâ—â— to the heavenly Canaan This will maâ—â— us take joyfully the spoiling of our gooâ—â— and make a Prison as good yea betâ—â—â— than a Pallace It makes that which 〈◊〉 terrible to others comfortable to you 〈◊〉 made some of the Primitive Christiâ—â— cry out to their Persecutors to deâ—â— some new afflictions and to increase thâ—â— torments By faith they gloried in triâ—â—lations and glorified God in the fires 〈◊〉 learn and labour to act faith in all conâ—â—tions In your losses act faith in Goâ—â— providence and promises that he will giâ—â— you more of himself and shed abrâ—â—â— more of his Love into your hearts 〈◊〉 manifest more of his image and grace 〈◊〉 your Souls If your Enemies come 〈◊〉 you act faith in God's presence and â—â—lieve that though Men and Devils 〈◊〉 against you yet God and his holy Aâ—â—â— are with you and for you and grâ—â—â— are these than those against you If you feel not the presence of God with you yet act faith in his presence and say For a moment he is gone but with everlasting kindness will he return That you believe your Husband loves you though he be absent from you and that he will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your Joy shall no man take away from you If you be brought low in the world act faith in God's bond and engagement for though a man hath no money by him yet if he hath good bonds he comforts himself So may you who have God's Covenant and Promises for your security So when death comes act faith then and remember you are members of Christ and shall not perish Believe God is with you in death as he was with Daniel the three Children and David who on that very account would not fear to pass through the valley of the shadow of death Psal 23.4 Act faith in the Kingdom of God and say to thy Soul as Christ did to the believing thief To day shalt thou be with Christ in Paradise Though we break our fast with Enemies said some Martyrs yet we shall sup with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of God â—2 Press after the perfection of your faith as the inchoation so the confirmation of faith is the gift of God He 〈◊〉 the Author and the Finisher of yoâ—â— Faith Heb. 12.2 It is of God to cofirm faith Christ prays your faith â—ewordâ— not Luke 22.32 Pray as they 〈◊〉 Luke 17.5 Lord increase our faith 〈◊〉 will he fulfil the good pleasure of 〈◊〉 grace in you and the work of faith 〈◊〉 power 2 Thes 1.11 And in due tiâ—â— you shall receive the end of your faith 〈◊〉 salvation of your Souls There is mâ—â—â— lacking in your faith but it shall be â—â—â—fected and you shall walk by sight 〈◊〉 not by faith SERMON III. Deteronomy 8.16 Who fed thee in the Wilderness with Manna SOme of the Heathens even by the Light of Nature were carried to begin all things with God A Jove pricnipium was a Maxim among them How much more commendable is it amongst them to whom are committed the Oracles of God that they should remember God and acknowledge him upon all occasions because it is his assistance that is the principle of all performances and his presence that is the safety of all conditions This is that therefore which Moses in this chapter does put Israel upon that in the midst of all their sufficiency they remember God and thankfully acknowledge his bounty and goodness towards them This â—e inculcates and urgeth upon them once and again from the 10th verse of this chapter unto the 15th When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the Lorâ— thy God c. Beware that thou forget noâ— the Lord thy God c. v. 10 11. So againâ—â— v. 13 14. Lest when thou hast eaten and aâ—â—â— full then thy heart be lifted up and thou forget the Lord thy God c. Then Moses proceeds to mention some particular favour God had bestowed on them in the Wilderness he enumerates his leading theâ— verse 15. who led thee in the Wilderness even till they were gotten through it Anâ— here in the Text he speaks of his feedinâ— them there Where we may observe 1. The Agent implied in the woâ—â— who which hath reference to the 14tâ— verse where God is mentioned he it waâ— that had the chief hand in this glorioâ—â— work 'T is said indeed he led them 〈◊〉 the hand of Moses and Aaron but theâ—â— were only his Instruments he was the principal Agent So Moses struck the Roâ—â— but God caused water to flow out thenâ—â—â— 2. The Act Fed that is provided fooâ— 3. The Persons that were fed by him Thee not a particular person only but thâ— people of Israel 4. The Place wheâ—â— was it he thus provided for them In tâ—â— Wilderness 5. The food it self wherâ— with he fed them there with Manna 〈◊〉 which we read Exod. 16.14 15. Whâ—â—â— the dew was gone up behold upon the face of the Wilderness there lay a small round thing as small as the hoar frost on the ground And when the Children of Isreal saw it they said one to another It is Manna for they wist not what it was And Moses said unto them This is the bread the Lord hath given you to eat It was not like the Manna we use which is Physical but it was for food being prepared by the great God for that use There are two Propositions in the Text. 1. That God orders a Wilderness-condition to be the lot of his Church and People in this world 2. That he will provide for them in this Wilderness-state Doct. 1. That God sometimes orders a Wilderness-condition to be the lot of his Church and People in this world Thus we see it was his dispensation to Israel to bring them into such a state as well as into such a place Here it is stiled Asts 7.38 the Church in the Wilderness There were many Wildernesses betwixt Egypt and Canaan Sometimes they were in one sometimes in another We read they were in the Wilderness of Shur Exod. 15.22 in the Wilderness of Sin Exod. 16.1 in the Wilderness of Sinai Exod. 19.1 So for particular persons We read
that except themselves should not perish but have eternal life Yea the Gospel shews the way whereby men may be justified from those things from which they cannot be Justified by the Law of Moses namely by the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed by God to those that apprehend and apply the same by true faith Phil. 3.9 Paul desires to he found not in his own righteousness but in that righteousness which is through Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith So likewise Rom. 3.22 He speaks of the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe Yea life and immortality is brought to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 Obscurely under the Law more clearly under the Gospel are these things revealed Qu. 2. Ye will say What is that walking in the light the Text enjoyns upon us Ans 1. It is a walking or coming forth unto the light as if Christ had said Come forth that ye may see the light Isa 49.9 Christ is there promised to be given for a covenant of the people that he may say to the Prisoners Go forth and to them that are in darkness Shew your selves God the Father speaks to Christ in the verse before Thus saith the Lord I will give thee for a Covenant to the people that he may say to the Gentiles go forth That he might with power and efficacy say thus to them as he did at the first beginning of all things say Let there be light and there was light To the Prisoners that is to the Gentiles who are held fast by the cords and in the fetters of sin in Satans Prison Come forth to the light Receive Divine illumination Come forth that ye may see your selves your lost dangerous undone condition by nature before it be too late to get help and recovery It 's said John 3.20 Every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds be reproved Ahab hateth Michaiah and Elijah and took them for his enemies because they discoverd his sins Men love darkness rather than light not only because they are unwilling others should see their sins but because they are not willing to see them themselves But if we will listen to Christ we must come forth to the light and he that doth and would ever do truth cometh to the light that it may be made manifest that his works are wrought in God as it is verse 21. 2. It is a walking into the light This is that Christ speaks of in the verse after the Text Believe in the light that ye may be children of light And so the sense is Believe in me who am the light And in v. 46. Christ adds further to clear this I am come a light into the World that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness So then when the Spirit of Christ works faith in our Souls we are united to Christ ingrafted into him by these blessed bonds of union His Spirit dwelleth in us and he himself dwelleth in our hearts by faith when we thus receive Christ Jesus the Lord by believing in his name we walk into the light indeed John 1.12 Col. 2.6 When we accept him upon the terms of the Gospel in all his Offices Natures Ordinances and Commands and continue in them we obey that which is required in the Text. 3. Walk up to the Light Obey the light I am the light of the World saith Christ John 8.12 He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life Some speak much of following the light within them and it is indeed the duty of all to walk up to the light they have received They that have only the light of Reason that Candle of the Lord should walk up to to that light And to what of God they that are Heathens have or may know by the works of Creation And so they that have the light of the Scriptures ought to obey the same and follow the Rules thereof And so where the light of grace is there is expected an answerable living up to the same If we thus walkin the light as God is in the light we have fellowship with him and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1.6 This goeth under various notions in the word Walk in wisdom Col. 4.5 That is with care and caution in regard of the manifold dangers and extremities we are liable to Walk uprightly Peter did not thus walk in that particular mentioned Gal. 2.14 He did not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foot it aright as he ought to have done but went against his light for which the Apostle Paul reproved him Walk circumspectly Eph. 5.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Walk exactly or precisely and accurately Walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 In and after the Counsels and motions of Gods holy Spirit To obey his voice when we hear him saying This is the way walk ye in it Thus we â—hould walk in all holy duties and even in our ordinary Callings A man may walk in the flesh even in the â—orst of Religions and a man may and â—â—ght to walk in the Spirit when he is about the works of his ordinary and â—â—rticular Calling This is also termed a walking according to Rule Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according 〈◊〉 this Rule peace be on them and mercy Religion lies not in dead and unactive â—abits and principles but there must be activtiy and operation there must be walking not in this or that single or particular duty but in a holy tract â—ourse and conversation so walking â—mports And yet we may not walk 〈◊〉 random but regularly and according â—o rule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To walk in â—â—der in a comely and decent manner â—o the word signifies A Christian is â—ot left to Rove up and down at large where he list but to keep within â—ounds and to observe his measures 〈◊〉 walking Yea it must be according to this Rule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is the Rule of the new creature spoken of in the very verse before The Gospel in the word of it and and the Gospel in the work of it each of them is a Rule to a Christian The latter is here intended To act and walk according to the principles and Inclinations of grace and a sanctified heart and nature This is also set forth under the notion of walking in love Eph. 5.2 in love to God and Christ in love to his House and Ordinances and Servants in love to our Friends yea even to our Enemies So it is styled a walking in the Truth verse 4. of the second Epistle of St. John In the truth of Doctrine in truth of heart in truth of words and expressions to all men It is called a walking in newness of life which is to act according to the height of those principles which are in them Also a walking as Christ walked 1 John
accept Life upon Gospel-terms This is evident in his weeping over Jerusalem saying Luk. 19 42. If thou at least in this thy day hadst known the things that belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes So that every mans destruction is of himself Hos 13.9 Joh. 5.40 Heb. 2.3 because men will not come to Christ that they might have Life but refuse him that speaks from Heaven and neglect great Salvation This is written in legible Characters that he that runs may read the Love of God towards degenerate fallen Man That 's the second declaration of it 3. Let us look upon Man in his actual and effectual Recovery and Restitution and here we shall see yet further and more eminent manifestations of God's Love unto those that are his own in the World He hath declared greatly his Love to all Mankind yet much higher Love is in him to all true Christians 'T is said Christ looked upon the young man in the Gospel Matth. 19. and loved him We also find it recorded that he loved Martha and Mary Lazarus Of this last they went to Jesus and said Behold he whom thou lovest is sick and this was such John 11.3 5 36. as others observed it For Jesus weeping at his grave they said Behold how he loved him And I doubt not but it was a far higher and more endeared Love than what he had for the young man who it 's evident loved the World more than Christ and esteemed earthly Treasure above heavenly To make this Love of God more apparent let us consider the Properties thereof This Love is great comprehensive free distinguishing excellent satisfying and everlasting 1. It is a great and transcendent Love which God hath declared unto his People God who is rich in mercy Eph. 2.4 saith Saint Paul for the great love wherewith he loved us He is a great God and his Love is like himself a great Love 'T is great above humane expressions yet some can speak great words When St. Paul was in his Visions he was caught up into Heaven 2 Cor. 12. and heard things unutterable We read of joy unspeakable 1 Pet. 1.8 such is the Love of God to his Servants the best and greatest words are too weak to declare it yea it 's greater than the largest apprehensions of Men and Angels can reach This Love of God is like the Peace of God Phil. 4.7 which St. Paul saith passeth all understanding Hence we find that the four dimensions by which men take an estimate of corporeal greatness are given to this Love We read of the breadth and length Eph. 3.18 19. and height and depth of this Love the very same which are ascribed to God to declare the greatness of his perfection which is said to be as high as Heaven Job 11.7 8 9. deeper than Hell longer than the Earth and broader than the Sea But I would speak of it comparatively and so amplifie the greatness of this Love The Love of one creature to another is very great That between David and Jonathan was great 2 Sam. 1.26 and wonderful even passing the Love of Women either of one Woman to another or of an affectionate Mother to her only Son or of a loving Wife to her dearest Husband But what is David's Love or the Love of all creatures to God's Love The one is but finite the other infinite Compare it with the Love of good men unto God some have had great affections this way as David I love thee dearly Psal 18.1 says he O Lord my strength But here is a vast disproportion If all the Love that ever have been now is and ever shall be in all the Saints were in one mans heart it would be a great Love to God yet far short of that in God to them Let us compare it with the Love of God to other objects he loves all his creatures as such yet Man above all inferiour creatures The Angels by Creation had more Love than Man and he loves Christ yet more than all Now his Love to his People is greater than all these except the last and though Christ is the more adaequate object of God's Love and so hath higher measures of it than Believers are capable of yet he loves them with the same Love for quality and kind that he loves Christ with This we learn from Christ himself in his solemn Prayer That the Love wherewith his Father hath loved him may be in them And again Joh. 17.23 26. That the world may know that thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me Every Beam of Light is of the same kind with that in the Sun every drop of Water is the same for quality with that in the Ocean and so every drop of that Love which falls upon Believers is the same for kind and nature with what the Father bears to his Son Oh the transcendent greatness of his Love Who is not amazed at it 2. It is a comprehensive Love it includes all the kinds or acts of Love whatsoever The Sun is so glorious a Light because in the light thereof all other lights are contained in an eminent manner Thus it is in this Love of God to his People there are all acts of Love in it there is amor benevolentiae the Love of good will there is amor miserecordiae a Love of pity and compassion Isa 63.9 In his love and in his pity he redeemed them This Love inclines him to succour them in misery and to help them in trouble There is also amor amicitiae the Love of friendship which he manifesteth to them as they come to close with him in the Covenant I entred into Covenant with thee Ezek. 16.8 saith the Lord to Israel and thou becamest mine and this was the time of Love This is reconciling Love which is nothing but a redintegration or renewing of broken friendship between God and us Sin makes the breach and God's Love makes it up Hence comes Abraham a Heathen and an Enemy to be called the Friend of God James 2. Rom. 5.8 10. Herein has God commended his Love that his People when Enemies were reconciled by the death of his Son Into such friendship hath this Love brought them as the secrets of God are revealed to them Shall I hide from Abraham says God Gen. 17.17 the thing that I will do Thus Christ called his Disciples Friends For Joh. 15.15 says he Whatsoever I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you There is also amor beneficentiae the Love of Beneficience his heart opens his hand to do them good even beyond all the good of this World He loves them therefore he gives his Son for them 1 John 4.9 and to them and into them that he may live in them and they live through him It is this Love that gives them the remission of their sins He hath loved them
all to seek for a part and interest in the peculiar love of God His common love is not enough to make us happy He gives it that we might be tempted to look after his special love The time will come when there will be an end of all the common love of Goâ— thatâ—s no everlasting love it continâ—â— at longest but while life lasteth if â—miss of this peculiar love we have lâ—â—â— all the common love and for want 〈◊〉 Covenant-love must lye down under 〈◊〉 infinite hatred and displeasure of God 〈◊〉 and ever Oh tremble and bâ—fraid of neglecting to secure your partâ—â— the distinguishing love of God! Knoâ— that this love is not a sealed fountain bâ— is free to all that will believe in Christ 〈◊〉 obey the Gospel whatever their sins havâ— been Let none despair of having thâ— part herein This cuts off all endeavouâ— after it Let this text settle good thoughâ— of God in every ones heart He thâ— judged God a hard Master Matth. 25. hid his taleâ—â— I know no better antidote against despoâ—dency than this text Come in and acceâ—â— of this love in the way of the Gospel 〈◊〉 will pardon all thy sins it is given 〈◊〉 notwithstanding all the vileness of thâ— creature This Great and excellent loâ—â— may be had freely O beg cry mightiâ—â—â— give the Lord no rest till you have 〈◊〉 interest in it When one heard of the lovâ— that was between two very intimaâ—â— friends he cried out O utinam tertius essenâ—â— O that I were a third that I might shaâ—â— with them in their great love You have heard of the great love of God to believers Be in a flame and burn with desires to share in this love of God Every one is ambitious of the love of great ones Many seek the Rulers favour Proc. 29.26 though sometimes it proves a snare if not a mischief But behold here is a Ruler whose favour was never sought in vain if sought in time and which alwayes proves beneficial yea beatifical What will the love of Friends and Relations profit us what will the love of all the World advantage us without this excellent satisfying comprehensive and eternal love of God Luther is reported to say God should not put him off with these things And if all the honour the King put upon Haman could not content him without Mordecai's bow much less should expressions of common love from God satisfy our Souls but we should dayly put up Davids request Remember us O Lord with the favour thou bearest unto thy people Psal 100.4 That 's the first Exhortation 2. Let none abuse this text and truth unto presumption It is too common â—or men to go on in a state of sin and ways of wickedness and yet rest on this that God is love God is meâ—ciful Christ died for sinners and thâ— like But such as walk after the imaginâ—tions of their own hearts adding druâ—kenness to thirst and yet say they shaâ—â— have peace they doubt not but God lovâ— them as well as the best of them all thâ— is Spider-like to suck poison from tâ—â— sweetest Flower in the Garden of 〈◊〉 Scriptures and the wrath of God wâ—â—â— smoke against such Deut. 29.19 20 21. and the curses wâ—â—ten in the Book of God will come upâ—â— them he will blot out their names froâ— under heaven and will separate theâ—â— unto evil This is to abuse the love 〈◊〉 God and to provoke even the God 〈◊〉 love himself to anger and love abuseâ— turns to fury The sweetest Wine makeâ— the sharpest Vinegar and this sweet lovâ— of God wronged and affronted is thâ—â—sting of Hell the emphasis and accent 〈◊〉 the misery of such as live and dye unâ—â— the guilt thereof Rom. 6.1 2. Shall we sin saith 〈◊〉 Paul that grace may abound God forbâ—â— we cannot with abhorrency enough entertain such notions This is to have on eye evil because Gods is good to tuâ—â— the love of God into lasciviousness therâ—fore let us all beware thereof Let aâ—â— that share in this love make suitable improvement thereof This lies in imitation and in contemplation We should abour to be like God in this and imitate him though we cannot equalize him He is Love to us let us be love to him Oh love the Lord all ye his Saints Psal 31.19 All our services without this are worth noâ—hing Love is the fulfilling of the Law â—nd of the Gospel too without it our services are burdensom to our selves and unacceptable to God Love makes hard â—hings easy to us and small things grateâ—ul to him This makes what we do so â—leasing because it is so suitable God is 〈◊〉 Spirit therefore he is so well pleased with such as worship him in Spirit as being most agreeable to his nature The â—ike may be said here God is love and requires to be served in love for it is the perfection of all graces and duties He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him Can we have a higher or more noble pattern than love it self What text in all the Bible can read us a more full lecture of love than this Let us study to write it out into our hearts and pray for the fulfilling of that promise Deut. 30.6 I will circumcise your heart to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your Soul c. Were it once engraven on our hearts it would be legible in our lives and walkings This Apostle John tell us that love is both the Old Commandment and the New urging love upon a new motive even the love of God and Christ to us Joh. 13.34 A New Commandment give I unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another Oh that this example might prevail upon us not to live in the neglect of love to God or man but to abound therein as he hath given us precept and president for it Let the impression of Gods love be such upon our hearts as to revive the decayed love amongst his People that it may once again be said as anciently it was See how the Christians love one another 1. Let our love run out to all men for Gods love doth so Which had such an influence upon Mr. Fox that he never denied any one that begged of him for Gods sake And let us not forget to love our Enemies for this is to imitate God who commended his love to his people that when they were sinners enemies ungodly Christ died for them Be ye therefore followers of God as dear Children and walk in love as he hath loved you 2. We should contemplate this infinite love of God solace our selves in the Meditation of this love It is the sweetest of the Divine Attributes St. Paul saith Now abideth faith hope and charity but the greatest of these is charity Let me say There are many glorious attributes of God his Power Wisdom Justice and Love but
first and what might be 〈◊〉 him virtually by reason of that originaâ— Righteousness in which he was created iâ—â— destroyed by the fall so that man is become weak Rom. 5.6 and said to bâ— without strength his mind dark he perceiveth not the things of God 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 v. 14. they are foolishness to him nor canâ—â— know them because they are spiritually â—â—â—cerned The preaching of faith in a crucified Christ as the way of salvation was to the Jews a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23 The will and affections are dead and Christ lays the great guilt of unbelief upon mans will Ye will not come to me saith he to the Jews that ye might have life John 5. v. 40. Men had rather perish justly than be saved freely They will rather run the hazard of eternal ruine than be beholden to Christ to save them Such is the security and desperate pride in the hearts of men They are full of the world and of self-righteousness as the Pharisees who trusted in themselves that they were righteous that they go about to establish their own righteousness and will not submit to the righteousness of God This way crosseth carnal reason and contradicts the carnal will that men are filled with prejudice against the way of salvation God hath appointed By all which it is evident that the work of faith is not of humane operation Branch 3. I shall shew that faith is of divine donation it is the gift of God To you it is given to believe on Christ Phil. 1. v. 29. which is manifest by its rise springing from eternal Election as many as were ordained to eternal life believed Acts 13.48 and therefore called the faith of God's Elect as being peculiar to them This also is evident to be God's gift by the power which is put forth iâ— effecting it which is the same that wrought in Christ when he was raised from the dead Eph. 1.19 20. It is yeâ— further manifest by the way wherein iâ— is wrought and that is by God's own teaching and drawing John 6.44 45. No man can come to me except the Fatheâ— draw him Every one that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me saith Christ What can be more plain thaâ— this that it is by God's teaching opening mens Eyes and revealing Christ to them attracting and changing their wills that they are brought to close with him in a way of faith Obj. 1. Some will say If there be 〈◊〉 power in us this way how can any man believe Answ There is yet left potentia obedientialis I mean man is subjected to the power of God that he cannot resist his working Psal 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power Volunteers in the day of thy Armies as Mr. Ainsworth reads it Populus voluntatum so the Original And thus they are in this work of believing No violence is offered at all to the will but the averseness to this act taken away and though Christ's power is upon it yet it acts freely denying it self in any thing of its own so as not to trust in it or depend upon it It is willing to lay the stress of its salvation upon Christ alone though it hath but a bare word to rest upon and to take Christ upon his own terms in the execution of all his Offices though it be contrary to the constitution of a natural condition I will work saith God and who shall let it Isa 43.13 If in a way of Judgment it be thus that none can withstand God much more is it so in a way of grace Hence that Matth. 3.9 God is able of these stones to raise up Children unto Abraham This he doth in a spiritual sense when he takes away the heart of stone that principle of hardness and resistance and opposition that is in the will and makes it pliable and yielding to the impressions of his Grace and Spirit and so of a flinty makes a fleshy heart Obj. 2. If men have no power to believe why doth God command them to believe Answ God's command is founded upon his own right not upon our power Mans losing his ability to obey doth 〈◊〉 more deprive God of his right to command than a Debtors wilful disablinâ— himself to pay what he ows deprives hâ—â— Creditor of a right to demand his due Besides the thing commanded is not impossible in se in it self if we have maâ—â— it so by sin unto our selves shall God beâ— the blame How unworthy and vile aâ— such reflections upon his holy Majesty Add to all this That God hath provideâ— in the Covenant what he commands Doâ—â— he command us to make a new hearâ— and a clean heart he hath promised 〈◊〉 give it So here if he commands us tâ— believe when he sees we have no poweâ— to do it yet he is just yea and mercifuâ— too for he hath promised to write hiâ—â— Law upon the hearts of his people to takâ— away the rebellious opposite heart anâ— to give a tender flexible heart to thâ— writings of his Spirit to shew us our owâ— weakness and wants and his grace poweâ— and goodness to supply us if we come tâ— to him for it Obj. 3. How can men justly perish foâ— unbelief seeing faith is not of themselves anâ— they cannot believe Answ In some respects men cannoâ— believe but their cannot returns upon themselves There is indeed a Judicial cannot John 12 39 40. Therefore they could not believe because Esaias had said He hath blinded their Eyes c. This is a spiritual Judgment in punishment of their former sin Matth. 13.14 In them is fulfilled the Prophecy of Esaias which saith In hearing ye shall hear and not understand in seeing ye shall see and not perceive c. Men close their Eyes voluntarily and then God doth it judicially But then there is a cannot in sensu composito as I may say as thus it is impossible for a sitting man to walk that is while he sits he cannot walk John 5.44 Christ saith How can ye believe That is whilst ye do those things that keep you in unbelief But lay those aside and then there is a possibility yea a probability you may believe if not a certainty of your believing Further in some respects men cannot but it is not their cannot for which they perish a cannot of natural inability The Scriptures upbraid not men with disability but with disobedience To them that be disobedient saith the Apostle 1 Pet. 2.7 The stone which the builders rejected the same is become the head of the corner It is a positive act of the will rejecting Christ for which men perish and justly too Luke 19.14 We will not have tâ—â— man to raign over us say they Justly migâ—â— he say verse 27. Those mine Enemies thâ—â— would not I should reign over them bring â—â—â—ther and slay them before me The Uses 〈◊〉 this point follow Vse 1. Of Information This sheâ— men their
off from the â—uth is outward preferments dignities â—nd promotions Civil or Ecclesiastical â—nd these take with those who know no â—igher and better things That which I â—m at is this That God has alway a disovering work upon his hand by Wilderess-dispensations he discovers the Sheep â—om the Goats even here The Goats â—ow appear to take their portion and to â—y hold upon their objects whilst the â—heep hear Christ's voice and follow him â—nd cleave to him a suffering Christ a â—aked persecuted Christ And this is a â—econd reason why God orders this condition for them 3. To do them good in the latter 〈◊〉 For hereby God brings them nearer 〈◊〉 himself as it is said he did Israel of 〈◊〉 when they were in the Wildemâ—â— Exod. 19.4 He brought them to himself that is into nearer familiarity and felloâ—ship with himself into greater acquâ—â—tance with the secrets and mysteries 〈◊〉 his grace and love into a greater maâ—â—festation and discovery of the sweetness 〈◊〉 his communion into larger experience 〈◊〉 his comfortable visitations Hence 〈◊〉 saith Hos 2.14 concerning his Churâ—â— Behold I bring her into the Wilderness 〈◊〉 will speak comfortably unto her or speâ—â— to her heart as it is in the Originâ—â— Whilst Christians are in the clutter 〈◊〉 the world in the noise and clamour thâ—â— variety of objects and occasions here 〈◊〉 make their ears are apt to be dull aâ—â— heavy and they not so fit to hear whâ—â— God speaks and therefore God deâ—â— with them as he did with the blind mâ—â— Mark 8.23 He took him by the haâ—â— and led him out of the Town and thâ—â— cured him So God brings his people 〈◊〉 to the Wilderness and there heals maâ—â— distempers and reveals many truths givâ—â— them experiences of himself that they â—â—ver knew or had before These worâ—â— things stop the ears of men and make them they cannot hear the voice of God's Word and Spirit nor understand the voice of his Providences therefore saith God I will bring them into the Wilderness and I will speak to their hearts I will apply the things of my Word and what I speak by my Providence so to their very hearts that they shall fill and possess their hearts with joy peace and comfort So that what the Apostle speaks of the event and issue of God's severe dealings with Job James 5.11 Ye have seen the end of the Lord that he is pitiful and of tender mercy That may I say concerning this Wilderness-condition God orders for his people in this world His designs are holy and wise and if we stay to see the issue it will be found to be very gracious even what we have heard from the Text to humble and prove them and do them good in the latter end Vse 1. Are these things so Then let as not be offended if we meet with such a Wilderness-condition in our way to the heavenly Canaan It is no more than what Israel met with in their passage to the typical Canaan and what the Primitive Gospel-Church went through also and what we must expect to be our lot and portion Some are soon offended at thâ— frowns and rage of violent men but remember that it is God's way and methoâ— to lead his people into the Wilderness Think not that therefore you are out God's way but know that this will 〈◊〉 more profitable to you I mean this pâ—â—sent Wilderness than your past Canaâ—â— ever was The Romanists indeed maâ—â— outward prosperity to be a note of a 〈◊〉 Church Like them of old who said Jâ—â—â— 43.17 18. We will burn Incense to 〈◊〉 Queen of Heaven and pour out drink-offerâ—â—â— to her as we have done we and our Father our Kings and our Princes for then we 〈◊〉 plenty of victuals and were well and saâ—â—â— evil But since we left off thus to do we haâ—â— wanted all things c. Great is the offeâ—â— of the Cross the Thorns of the Wilderness are piercing but blessed is he that 〈◊〉 not offended at these Christ has told 〈◊〉 of this beforehand that we might not 〈◊〉 stumbled Joh. 16.1 Let us not be 〈◊〉 those that think it strange but be preâ—â—red for it Vse 2. This should cause us to 〈◊〉 weaned from and dead unto this presâ—â—â— evil world Who would be fond of a Wilderness or set his heart upon it O leâ—â— labour to get our affections crucified to as Paul saith he was Galat. 6.14 let our Souls be as a weaned child as David saith his was Psal 131.2 who would not be weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts Who-would embrace and hug a wilderness the briars and thorns the lusts and cares of which will pierce us through with many sorrows It 's observable that it was the Devil who represented the world to Christ as a glorious object Mat. 4.8 He shewed him all the Kingdoms of the world and the glory of them God shews us the world as a vain deceitful defiling and perishing thing If we look into the glass of the Scripture we shall find it thus set â—orth to us Let us therefore leave vioâ—ent contentions for earthly things to â—hem whose names are written in the â—orth and have their portion in this life Not that God requires us absolutely to â—elinquish our outward estates and be â—etired from the world as the Papists â—â—ach and some among them seem to â—ractise but to have our affections dead 〈◊〉 them to desire neither poverty nor â—iches but if God please to give us food â—onvenient for us to be therewith conâ—â—nt remembring what the world is â—â—d our state in it a wilderness-state Vse 3. Here is yet some comfort to thâ— Church and People of God which 〈◊〉 in three things 1. They are not 〈◊〉 be alwaies thus They shall at length comâ—â— out of their wilderness-condition into thâ— paradise above The Church is set forâ— Cant. 8.5 to be coming up from thâ— Wilderness 'T is true as Israel passâ—â— over Jordan before they could come in Canaan so must Gods People pass througâ—â— the valley of the shadow of death 〈◊〉 they can arrive in the heavenly Canaan Yet as they of old passed over safely 〈◊〉 shall the Saints here they shall not drowâ— in this Jordan because God is with theâ—â— 2. They may send out and search thâ— good land and get some first fruits of thâ— heavenly Countrey even here As Israâ—â— sent Spies to search out the land of Canaan of old who brought some of thâ— fruits of the land for a taste so may Goâ— People send faith and hope as Spies â—â—view the Land above and bring theâ—â— some bunches of Grapes some clusteâ— of comfort from thence for a foretasâ—â— Indeed some of the Spies of old brouâ—â— an evil report upon the land of Canaan and spake of the walled Cities and thâ— tall Giants the mighty Sons of Anak thâ— saw there did so weaken the hearts the People But the Spiritual Spies I named can bring no such reports of the heavenly
effects of this light which shined from heaven upon Saul set down in the 4th 5th and 6th verses of this 9th Chap. of the Acts which will be found upon others also in some measure upon whom Christ this true Light shines savingly 1. It is a humbling light This was the first effect it had upon Saul verse 4. He fell to the earth not only prostrate in his body but doubtless his heart was low laid in the dust even at the foot of Christ Hath the light we received had this blessed effect upon us to humble us for the pride of our heart Doth it puff us up and make us proud conceited of our selves despisers of others This light is the work of the Prince of darkness transforming himself into an Angel of light The light from heaven brought Saul into a posture of humility who before thought scorn to be controuled and will have the same effect upon our hearts 2. It made Saul inquisitive after Christ verse 5. He said Who art thou Lord By which question he acknowledgeth his own ignorance and mistake and begs information and instruction in the knowledge of Christ Such operation will the light that comes indeed from Heaven have upon us It will make us full of enquiries after Christ Such as these Who art thou Lord How shall I know thee Where shall I find thee How shall I come to be acquainted with thee O thou blessed Lord Jesus How may I get some experimental knowledge of thee in the vertues of thy death in the power of thy resurrection in the influences of thy grace and Spirit in the comforts of thy love and covenant 3. It caused Saul to submit himself to Christ his will to Christs commands verse 6. He said Lord what wilt thou have me to do As if he had said I have gone formerly to men to know what service they would command me but now I bow my self to thy most holy pleasure Lord What wilt thou have me to do Speak Lord and give me what commands thou pleasest and I am ready through thy grace to comply with them Make and propound thy own terms I will submit to them A man may have great natural light and acquired knowledge in Arts and Sciences in Tongues and Languages and these are so far from causing his heart to submit to Christs will that he will be ready to stand upon his own Terms But if it be from heaven it will cause a man to strike sail to Christ absolutely and presently as we see here in Saul Are we able to say Speak Lord for thy Servants hear Write thy own terms declare thy pleasure what thou wilt have us to do or suffer our wills and interests are swallowed up in thine We will no longer be our own to do the wills of the flesh and of the mind or to be captives to Satan at his will but we would be melted into thy holy will and improve our utmost strength and designs for thy service This is a light darted into thy Soul from heaven this is a sure evidence it is Christ that is thy saving light when it thus makes thee humble before him inquisitive after him and submitting thy self unto him 2. Christ the true saving light is warming and enlivening Such is the Sun to the earth It heats and quickens the creatures Such is the Lord Christ to the Church to the hearts of those that are his indeed The Lord God is a Sun Psal 84.11 which several expound of Christ It is he alone that heats our Chill Spirits He quickens those dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2.1 But now because there are false heats some will yet enquire how we may know the heat and quickening we have to be from Christ For answer briefly 1. If it be a heat from the Lord it will warm us throughout inwardly as well as outwardly Artificial heat is only external but this heats within and without it warms every part as well as any one The fire within me burst out saith David Psal 39.3 It made Paul truly zealous for God It made the disciplies hearts to burn within them Luke 24.32 The Ark was pitched within and without This heat Christ gives will make us not only abstain from sin our of respect to men and our credit with them but to abhor and hate every false way out of a deep respect to God The Sun warms every part of the body God and Christ can pierce deeper than the Sun 2. This true light warms intensely as well as throughly I mean it heats more and more unto perfection It makes us fervent boiling hot in Spirit not like Jehu zealous only in pretence and growing colder as his own ends were attained but still pressing more and more after the mark still more of God more of Christ The heart was never so much for sin and self but now it is as intense upon God 3. If the light we have and the heat and quickening from it be from Christ then it is communicative The Sun communicates his light and heat his beams and lustre to others so it will be here A man will not be all for himself There is no Minister truly enlivened by the Lord but he will say O that all my people were savingly enlightned and quickned by Jesus Christ Come let us go up to the house of the Lord and let us walk in the light of the Lord. There is no Christian thus wrought upon but will be ready to say as the Woman of Samaria did John 4.29 Come see a man that told me all that ever I did Or as David Come and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my Soul Thus as the Sun brings the creatures it produceth to their perfection so doth Christ much more finish his good work he hath begun to its perfect growth and maturity This is the light and heat of the Lord. 4. If it be attractive and drawing lifting up the affections and drawing away the corruptions of the heart it is from Christ The light and heat of the Sun doth attract and elevate the vapours and fogs from the earth So Christ the Sun of righteousness doth 1. Draw up the affections of Souls to himself When I am lifted up saith Christ I will draw all men unto me John 12.32 No man can come to me except the father draw him saies Christ John 6.44 Draw us saith the Spouse we will run after thee Cant. 1.4 He will draw up our love our joy and our desires unto him our sorrow our hatred and all our affections We shall love as he loves and grieve where he grieves and hate what he hates and joy in what he rejoiceth in He carries away our hearts from whatever was the unlawful object of our love and makes us willing in the day of his power Psal 110.3 2. He draws away our corruptions by the forcible heats of his holy Spirit There will soon be some showers of sorrow and grief that we should so