the field of precious promises 't is not so easily recovered again when but left or decaied Why should not our loves and esteems be more now then at first seeing more of Christs worth and and sufficiency is discovered daily And yet thou nor I did ever hear or know of half his worth which is further to be revealed Get we therefore more high and capacious apprehensions of his excellency and hide we him in our bosome with dearer affections then ever he is worthy of all our love of all our estimations and highest value we can prize him at he is above all we can love or beleeve or esteem or thinke of him Get we an estimation of him and affection to him beyond expression that still there may be more hidden in our hearts then can be uttered by our tongues or published by our pens 5. Having found Christ hold him fast hide him in your purposes yet more closely and strongly it was Barnabas exhortation e Act. 1â— 23. and it shall be mine that you would all with purpose of heart cleave unto the Lord. Christ knows from the beginning who have who have not beleeved who sticketh to him who departeth from him by an evil heart of unbelief an heart that purposeth not to live and die beleeving beware of it it is the first step of Apostacy be not fickle for fits and moods of beleeving let but there be the hidden frame of beleeving set and resolved to keep the heart close to Christ and Christ close to the heart daily hourly constantly Lay him and the promises up in the heart for use for a treasure of such worth a pearl of such price is much more worthy and precious to the soul as it is used and improved for it's spirituall advantage It followeth And for joy thereof c. These words have a two-fold connexion and dependance on the words before When he had found and on those that follow goeth and selleth c. From the first connexion ariseth our 5. Observation Every true beleever hath some joy yea Doct. 5 the conceptions of great joy in the finding of the Lord Jesus A beleever is a joyfull man Christ What man ever found a treasure and hid it for himself and as his own and joyed not at the very thoughts of it Beleeving thoughts are joyous thoughts and acts of beleeving bring in habits of joy or joyfull impressions at least till they break forth in gladsome expressions There be instances not a few to clear this truth When Christ hath prevented Zacheus and Zacheus at that instant is called effectually to beleeve in the Lord He receiveth Christ joyfully saith the Text f Luk. 19. 6. both into his heart and into his house The converts at Peters Sermon g Act. 2. 41. gladly receive the Word of salvation and of the promise to them and theirs A treasure a pearl in the field of the promise for them and their children this they rejoyced in and this doe beleevers that have right evangelicall apprehensions in our daies rejoyce in also When this Treasure is discovered to the people of Samaria h Act. 8. 8. 12 and many beleeved what Philip preached of the Kingdome of God and the name of Iesus Christ there was great joy in that City so was there in the Jailours heart and house i Act 16. 31 34 The Apostle Paul tels the Philippians for his part and Timothies k Phil. 3. 3. whom he joyns with himself in the inscription of the Epistle cap. 1. 1. We rejoyce in Iesus Christ and he speaks in the name of all beleevers if not there I am sure in his Epistle to the Romans l Rom 5. 11. We joy in God reconciled through our Lord Iesus Christ Saint Peter also tels the Christians he writes to that beleeving they doe rejoyce in Christ with joy unspeakable and full of glory Reason 1 1. It is an unspeakable and glorious treasure that is found by every true beleever the very sight of it by faith cannot but ravish the heart and might were it narrowly viewed transport it into an extasie of joy 't is no common favour nor ordinary but rare and extraordinary to finde a treasure hid in a field And as for this treasure few there be that finde it As there is no other pearl of pearls but Jesus Christ so none but elect vessels of mercy doe finde him contain or hold him Well may every such soul rejoyce He that findes a treasure out of which he hath sufficient to pay all his debts and to stock him for trading with the beâ—t of merchants and merchandize may well rejoyce and rejoyce again The Christian here a bankrupt before he findes this Pearl this Treasure he findeth that in Christ his righteousnesse which satisfies Gods justice and justifies his person dischargeth him of all debts and trespasses and that in Christs spirituall graces which affords him a sufficient stock to be trading with heaven and to fit him for commerce and communion with Saints and with the King of Saints in earth and heaven Hath not he cause to be glad who findes a pearl that affords a rich dowry for the soul and prefers him to a marriage with the King of heaven That which brings him into sonship presently to God and heirship to a Kingdome and which gives him title to the crown of heaven and stores him with money to maintain warres against the spirituall enemies of his soul sinne world Satan Antichrist who would deprive him of his inheritance and take away his Crown Title and Dignity over whom the Christian combitant is made more then Conquerour through him that loved us 2. As the worth so the propriety which comes by finding of it joyes the heart a man may finde that which he must go cry in the market-place and part with it when the right owner is found out which brings but little recompence and comfort to the finder But here is a treasure who so findes it hath it for the finding Who so findeth me findeth life saith the wisdome of God m Prov. 8. 35. He that beleeveth in me saith Christ n Joh 6. 47. hath everlasting life He that hath the Sonne saith the holy Ghost in Iohn o 1 Joh. 5. 12. hath life He hath it for his own for his use for his comfort for his rejoycing Ioy cannot but rise out of faith which instrumentally doth bring home all Gospel-treasure to the soul therefore called the joy of faith p Phil. 1. 25. being the proper right-bred childe of faith conceived and brought forth by faith nursed and maintained by faith till faith ends in vision and hope in fruition of what is found 3. The beleever hath hope or certain expectation of the sure and full possession and of the pleasure that he shall have in such a purchase and possession and in hope of all this and of the glory of God he doth and will rejoyce Men of great and
and ineffectually called but as called and that effectually and according to purpose And so this Heretick is forc't being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 convinc't and condemn'd in himself as I gather by this Use to apply his comfort to the elect alone and to that end quoted the 2. of Col. 2. The Apostles praier for them that they might have the full assurance of understanding which he interpreted to be That they might see their particular assurance of life in a generall promise and not their generall assurance in a particular promise for we desire no more then a particular and personall assurance in and from a generall promise such as Pauls 1. Tim. 1. 15. and yet this generall is not so universall as that Christ died for all the world of men But not hurting us in all this Use of Comfort hitherto at last he thought he would strike home and wound us deeply with this blow A man may preach seven years of particular Redemption and not comfort a distressed conscience to which I say two things 1. What means he by a distressed conscience a childe of light walking in darknesse or a childe of darknesse blowing up the sparks of his own fire-sticks but almost smothered and stifled with the smoke thereof 2. We preach a choice and speciall Redemption in a generall offer to what sinner soever that is distressed and will be directed As Paul Believe and thou shalt be saved and Act. 16. immediately the Jailor is comforted he staied not seven years for it His third Use was To teach us abundance of love to Examination of his third Uâ—e Christ Answ I demand whom he means by us if the people of God and the elect and believers how is this a direct inference from Christs buying the whole world if all men be meant by us how shall they love who doe not believe but if he understood Gods peculiar people because he mention'd the Spouse afterwards no wonder her love is so carried after her espoused husband Christ let him know that the hearts of the Saints are touched and taken with the speciall love of Christ it is that which constrains them to love him in a speciall manner and that the more abundantly because they know in part and shall yet further know Christ died for them not only out of a generall love which he bears to mans nature but out of a speciall and singular love which he bears to their persons and to theirs onely Thus have we followed his Counsell to search the Scriptures and we finde them of weight for speciall Redemption and love but weighing the man and his Doctrine and Uses too of universall Redemption we have found them too light Let me but adde a few Arguments as Antidotes against the poyson which some of you may have suck't in of late and preservatives from the infection of this hereticall tenet of Christs buying the world of men and dying for them all and we have done with the Anasceuastique part of our discourse which tends to the weakning ruine and destruction Antidotes or Counter poison of so grand an errour First Gods Attributes are hereby wronged and scandalized as 1. Gods power is called into Question as if a generall benefit were merited by Christ which by reason of mans wickednesse he cannot apply 2. His wisdome is eclipsed for it puts upon him such an intention as yet by proper and direct means he attains not unto 3. His justice is rendered unjust for he receiveth a full satisfaction of his Sonne for all men and yet neither first nor last receiveth them into the favour of communion and friendship 4. His highest love is undervalued for it holds forth Gods love to give his Sonne but not so as to give them faith for whom he gave his Sonne and it speaks of Christs sweating and dying for them whom yet he lets die and perish in their sins Secondly If he died for all then he died in their stead and as their surety he discharged the whole debt and so it is not only unjust but impossible that any should perish here the Remonstrants Arminians so calling themselves at the Hague conference had a subtle distinction of Christs dying Non loco vice omnium not in the room and stead of all sed bono tantum but for their good only whereas the Scriptures which own not such a distinction hold out Christ as dying in the room and stead of sinners that they might not die eternally but live for ever so is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 5. 6. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so rendered Philem. v. 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that in tâ—y stead in another case and about the Question in hand the word in 1 Tim. 2. 6 is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a ransome in the room and stead of all or pro onnis ordinis electis which compared with Mat 20 28. is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for many and but for many indivduals or in stead of many singulars chosen of God one choice-singular-Jesus suffered 1 Pet. 3. 18. and other places to be understood Christ died for the wicked that is in their stead The just in the room of the unjust The good the all or any of the benefits that comes from Christs death floweth from this that he suffered in the room of those who have that good and benefit by his death and if as themselves acknowledge he died not in the room and stead of all they weave but a spiders web to say it was for their good how can the surety do the debtour any good if he neither be bound in his stead nor paies the debt in his room Thirdly If he died for all he rose again for all ascended sits at Gods right-hand and makes intercession for all for the Scriptures joyn his death and resurrection together Rom. 4. ult and his death ascension sitting interceding with the Father all together Rom. 8. 34. and more particularly with his intercession 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. and if so that he riseth ascendeth sits and pleads for all he is either heard or not heard for all if heard for all then all must be saved if not heard for all then Christ intercedeth in vain and the Father doth not hear him alwaies crosse to Scripture Joh. 11. 42. Fourthly This loose opinion puts all that hold it upon such distinctions as have no ground from Scripture but are contrary to it as 1. That but even now named or refuted of loco and bono not in stead of all but for the good of all 2. That of impetration and application which the Gospel holds forth as inseparable acts of Christs mediation to whom Christs death is or shall be applied for them he obtained remission of sinnes and for whom he did impetrate to them he applieth Isa 53. 11. Joh. 10. 15 28. Heb. 9. 12 15. Yea the Apostle inferreth
2. Ioying which is nothing else but the joy of faith in the knowledge and apprehension of what is certainly attainable in the Gospel and precious promises 3. Selling and selling all his selling is 1. His consent to part with what he hath he goeth to that end 2. His actuall parting with what is his as and when God calleth and enableth All That is all that he hath of his own that may be truly called his what ever stands in competition with or opposition to Christ and his Gospel-grace As 1. His sins and sinfull-self the body of sinne and earthly members 2. His common gifts naturall and morall of understanding reason wit usuall competitours with and opposers of grace 3. His own righteousnesse of outward duties civil religious frames of heart 4. His worldly profits pleasures honours preferments friends c. 5. His self-ends in profession dependency or confidence of strength to mortifie a lust 6. All his externall Church-priviledges in point of dependance 7. Life it self Though skin for skin c. yet he consents to the parting with this also and doth it actually when called to lay it down for Christ and the Gospel-truth and grace 4. Buying the field and treasure and pearl this is the last effect of finding whereby he gets firm assurance and clear evidences written and sealed which is more then the first act of beleeving even a giving diligence to make his calling and election sure heaven Christ and grace sure to his person and clear to his spirit and conscience Of such a buying the Scripture speaks Isa 55. 1. Revel 3. 18. alibi Thus then take up the summe of all Christ and the Gospel-grace in the preaching and administration of it is a most rich treasure and pretious pearl hidden in a field of promises and Gospel-dispensations which when any of Gods elect at the time of their effectuall calling minding other things is prevented with by Gods light and love and drawn to beleeve it attainable for himself he doth humbly hopefully and highly esteem of it and in love and holinesse purposeth to make sure of it And from the joy that he hath and conceives to have in a further enjoyment sets upon the work of extreme self-deniall and poverty of spirit consents to part with all his sinnes all his pride of parts and gifts all his self-justifying righteousnesse all his shackles and snares in the creature his self-ends dependencies on his own strength or Church-priviledges le ts goe life and all as called to it and thereby gives diligence to get full assurance and firm evidence of Christ and all heavenly treasure as his own According to and out of which Paraphrase we shall have contract them as I can seven pertinent and usefull Doctrines 1. Christ and Gospel-grace is a precious treasure hidden in Gospel-promises and dispensations 2. Every one of Gods elect as others they wander up and down in their minds and endeavours after imaginary mediums and waies of happinesse 3. In Gods good time his elect are prevented with his light and love and drawn to beleeve the attainablenes of this treasure for themselves 4. There is in every true beleevers heart an humble hopefull loving high esteem of Christ and his grace and a holy purpose to make out for assurance of him and it 5. The Christian who findes Christ rejoyceth in him 6. The joy of a beleever worketh him to utmost self-deniall 7. Extreme poverty of spirit and thorow self-deniall will so possesse a soul of Christ and of the treasure of his Kingdome as he shall have full assurance and firm evidence that Christ is his and he is Christs that heaven is reserved for him and he for heaven Doct. 1. Christ and Gospel grace is a precious hidden Doct. 1 Treasure Which Doctrine brancheth it self out into three Christ a precious hidden treasure Propositions 1. He is a treasure 2. Precious treasure 3. Hidden treasure Branch 1. Christ and his Gospel-grace is a Christians treasure Branch 1. The f Col. 3. 1. Mat 5 21. 19 20. Scriptures quoted in the Explication and margent prove it for 1. That which a Christian must seek and set his heart upon must needs be his treasure this is Christ and his Kingdome 2. That which is brought in earthen vessels Paul and the despised frail Ministers of the Gospel that is our treasure which is Christ and his riches 2 Cor. 4. 7. I adde 3. That which hath abundance and enough to enrich and Copia sacultatum supply all that finde it with all that their hearts doe or can desire is surely our treasure In Christ there is abundance of all good of all the fulnesse of the Godhead which dwelleth in him bodily Col. 2. 9. If he gives life he gives it in abundance Joh. 10. 10. If righteousnes it is given and received too in abundance Rom. 5. 17. If grace and the Spirit he sheds it forth abundantly Tit. 3. 6. And the Gospel hath a fulnesse of blessing in it Rom. 15. 29. Branch 2. It is not abundance of dirt or drosse but all Branch 2. precious And in that respect Christ and Gospel-grace is as well set out here by a Pearl as by a Treasure a Treasure for quantity a Pearl for quality one Pearl for the single sole compleatnesse of his grace The preciousnesse is evident by two properties in the Text. 1. The value and price not ordinary but great 2. The rarity and peculiar one-nesse but one such in all the world First The value and price great and dear * Pretiosissimi praetij according to the Syriack Trem. we may take the estimate hereof in three weighty considerations 1. Of what price Christ is with the Father of highest esteem with his Father no question his elect servant in whom Gods soul delighteth Isa 42. 1. His beloved Son in whom he is well pleased Mat. 3. ult The Son of his dearest love Col. 1. 13. Amongst many demonstrations these are convincingly set before us in Scripture 1. It pleased not the Father that any or all men and Angels should be the store-house of grace but that in him all fulnesse Col. 1. 19. should dwell 2. The Father hath given all into his hands All dispensations Joh 3. 35. of the Fathers love from election to glorification are through Jesus Christ 3. The Father hath set him at his own right hand of Heb. 1. 13. Majesty and Glory till he hath made all his enemies his footstool 2. Of what price considered in himself his Person 2. Of what price considered in himself his Offices 1. In his Person The Son of God co-essentiall with the Verbum in carne margarita in concha Father and Spirit Emmanuel the Word made flesh What a pearl is here God and man united in one person of the Son of God That mystery which the Angels desire to gaze upon as men gaze upon a jewell or pearl and which they stoop to pry into as men
of minde must not decay you are undone then 2. In that you rest in these things â—s the sole and only mediums and waies to a compleat and full happinesse looking no further but for more of such goodly pearls and for more content in them Christ is not in all mens thoughts all this time or if he be 3. These things are thought to be and so sought after as of equal necessity with Jesus Christ if not more necessary I have heard many a natural man say why we must have food and raiment and accommodations to our estate place and rank amongst them when I never heard him say we must have Christ Whereas there is no absolute necessity of food and raiment much lesse is it necessary that we have more It is not necessary that I have such accommodations as another Minister for estate maintenance books portion or provision for wise and children 't is not necessary that you doe vie with other Gentlemen and Farmers and have in every respect what they have no man is to seek great things for himself but the great things of Christ and heaven 4. When Christ is not a Pearl in thy eye in comparison of these Thou makest a tush of Christ and art angry that we hold forth heavenly treasure before you or art sad and mesancholy as the young man Matth. 19. when we chalk out the way to happinesse by Christ alone or by self-denial and denial of all the world for Christ this evidence with the former discovers sufficiently the carnality and natural temper of mens hearts and know you may of what strain you are of if you will suffer the Word to divide between the joynt and the marrow and to discover the thoughts and inâ—â—ts of the heart 5. See the necessity the absolute necessity of higher light Vse 3 about the true medium and way of happinesse then what is left in men or given back upon Adams forfeiâ— to the most of mankinde for some are born Idiots yea then all common supernatural light given as an overplus to natural light By the reâ—nanâ—s of the first light of creation forfeited and given back 〈◊〉 have l Rom. 1. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That which may be known of God in the heavens and the earth as touching his eterâ—â—â— wisdom goodnesse c. But have they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Indeed it is not there to be had neither in the natural â—ans 〈◊〉 nâ—â— in the natural mans book the great 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 Thâ—â— which is knowable of Christ is not found in the wisdome of the world no not the saving knowledgeâ—â—f God 〈◊〉 these be had but m 1 Cor. 1 21. in the foolishnesse of 〈◊〉 in the field of Gospel-ministery there is the doctrine and discovery of the Lord Jesus yet lead men over all this field and that with Scripture-light except the Spirit coâ—eth and convinceâ—â— and openeth mens eyes and gives a light and disâ—erâ—ing beyond his own common workings we shall but grope after Christ nay misse oâ— him catch at shadows of a Pearl in stead of the substance and be ever learning never coming to the right knowledge of him The third Observation fellows Doct. 3 3. In Gods 〈◊〉 his elect prevâ—â—ted with his love and light 〈◊〉 drawn to beleeve the certain attainablenes of Christ Gods elect better finders then seekers and his grace for themselves The treasure is not so hid but found it is nor the Pearl so fine off but found it is of the man the merchant man no other but the elect of God And that at some certain time when he had found even upon Gods preventing or finding of the man and the merchant he findes the treasure and pearl For the further illustration and confirmation of which truth 1. I shall shew what the finding of this treasure is that it is a Christians beleeving c. 2. Where Christ is found even in the field of Scripture promises Sermons c. 3. When this treasure and pearl is found at Gods time of effectual calling 4. Why some finde Christ not others even Gods free preventing love and powerfull discovery and drawing of the soul upon that discovery c. First The finding of the treasure and pearl is nothing else 1. How finders but beleeving Christ is found by the light and apprehension of faith for what is faith but a perswasion or apprehension of Christ to be certainly attainable by him that receiveth him and resteth upon him 1. In faith there is a light and sight of Christ in his fulnes and â—â—tablenesse for the souls necessities brought home to the minde and understanding the Father teacheth and revealeth Christ to the heart and n Joh. 4. 45. every one that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh to Christ o Mar. 16. 17. Flesh and bloud makes not such a discovery as the Lord said to Peter but God himself and that not only to a soul but in the soul p Gal. 1. 16. 〈◊〉 saith St Paul He revealed his sonne in me he brings the light into the heart and gives the eye of faith to see and behold the treasure within the mines c. 2. The soul is convinced that he may have it if he will take it or make out for it Christ is offered to every soul and to his to thy to my particular q Act. 16. 31. Beleeve and thou shalt be saved and thy house r Rom. 10. 9. If thou shalt beleeve with or in thine heart c. he is thine his mine whereof upon such a conviction the Prodigall makes no Question but that in his Å¿ Luk. 15. 17. Fathers house there was bread enough and that if he went to his father he might get in among the hired servants c. 3. When the minde apprehends what is discovered and the conscience is convinc't that it is for him as for others the will is drawn to receive and rest upon it for his He hath found it why should it not be his The heart is concluded by faith that he will seek no where else for treasure but pitch and rest live and die there whither To whom should we goe Here are the t Joh. 6. 48 49. words here is the Treasure of eternal life The clear knowledge of Christ draws the heart to beleeve as it followeth And we beleeve that thou art Christ c. And the heart beleeving this beleeveth in him there the soul rests and will not away nor look any where else but there nor any way else but by beleeving which further appears by these three Demonstrations 1. Faith is the first seeking grace and therefore the first Faith the great finding grace finding grace They that seek by works before faith lose the Treasure as the Jews did Rom. 9. 31. Israel which followed after the law of righteousnes hath not attained to the law of righteousnes wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it
Christ in his preventing love and call shall come to Christ observe it in John they are given before they come as well as when they come and because given before all time they shall come in time unto him Reasons special And that faith is a fruit of election and finding this treasure a fruit of Gods speciall love appeareth by two Reasons among many 1. The treasure of and in Christ is a great secret it is for Gods friends and children that he loveth to finde it and to have the speciall grace of faith to apprehend it for theirs it is the childrens bread and portion To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom c. 2. God who elects to the end elects to the means he did not elect all to the end therefore not to the means some are left to a losing faith others chosen to salvation have a finding and a saving faith given them as the proper and choice means of getting an interest in Christ and all that they are chosen to in him before the foundation of the world Ephes 1. 1. to the 4. the faithfull in Christ Jesus are blessed with all spirituall blessings according as God hath chosen c. For Application and first to your understandings First From hence see the necessity of true faith if it be 1. Use of Instruction three waies necessary thou findest this treasure and truly that is needfull enough for thou art a merchant-bankrupt in Adam till Christ stocks thee and sets thee up by Gospel-riches and wealth and except thou beleevest thou wilt never see not understand any thing of this mystery of Christ and of Gods love Christ will never have any dealings with thee he will not trust thee nay unlesse thou beleevest sincerely he will not commit himself unto thee nor trust thee with this true treasure Secondly See what effectuall faith is that which is the â—ffect and fruit of Gods free everlastin ever-preventing love that which brings home a discovery of Christ in a promise to the soul with some certainty of apprehension for a mans self that it is the will of God Christ should be his mine thine Hast thou by the light and conviction of the Gospel been drawn to this apprehension of a possibility yea a certaincy of attaining to true treasure surely thou hast been prevented by the love of God and hast found that which thou beleevest and maist know thy faith and beleeving is noâ— in vain when as by the very first act of it thou hast hold of a Treasure a Pearl which will make thee for ever Thirdly See the riches of a beleever and his happinesse by faith he findes a treasure that make him what a man of this world a merchant of small wares No but a Merchant-venturer for heaven a venturer said I no a merchant finder and possessour he findes all at once by faith that ever any Saint was or shall be worth he findes the treasure of the Kingdom of heaven and all that the King and Kingdom of heaven is worth this he findes by beleeving ô that you would beleeve how great his findings are thâ—â— you may grow great by beleeving also with him Use 2 Exhortation three waies Secondly To come to what is yet more practicall let â—â— caution and counsell you about the great work of beleeving First Bewere of an evil heart of unbelief thou wilt ever be â—t â— lesse for Christ till thou beleevest thou wilt lose Christ and lose thy soul by unbelief Consid 1. Unbelief is a sin against Gospel light which brings condemnation with a witnes Ioh. 3. 19. The sinfulnes of unbelief 2. 'T is a same against Gospel-love it hinders the exâ—â—â—tion of Gods-election in these that are chosen then maist be among the chosen of God beleeve and thou shalt below it 3. 'T is a sin against the person offices worth efficacy of Jesus Christ he will not he cannot do what he would 〈◊〉 hee in thee because of thy unbelief 4. It hath more evil in it then all the sins against the 〈…〉 called by a more eminent disparagement an p Heb. 3. 12. an 〈…〉 of unbelief a proud heart is 〈…〉 heart is an evil heart and an unclean heart an evil heart yet not 〈◊〉 in Scripture that I remember as an unbeleeving 〈◊〉 in 〈…〉 that â—ame more then all other 〈◊〉 of spirit which yet are bad enough upon these grounds 1. 〈…〉 are in this virtually and actually pride is in all unbelief and acted with it and the worst pride of all exaltings and liftings up of the heart against God pollution and uncleannesse is in and with unbelief they are never separated hypocrisie and unbelief unthankfulnesse and unbelief are linked inseparably together 2. It brings more mischief to the soul then all other sinnes more griefs cares vexations despairs and deeper damnation for ever 3. It keeps the heart under the guilt and power of all sinne whatsoever thy heart will never be better but worse and worse while unbeleeving Secondly Wouldst finde Christ get rid of this evil heart of unbelief Beleeve and thou hast found Christ righteousnesse and a treasure of all grace in him Hast found thy self empty By faith thou shalt see and share in Christs fulnesse Hast found thy self bankrupt Beleeve and thou shalt have riches and stock enough in Christ Hast found thy self foolish in Christ are treasures of wisdome and knowledge Beleeve and thou shalt finde thy self Gods by election Christs by redemption and purchase and the Spirits by his in dâ—velling sanctifying presence Say and conclude it if God hath discovered Christ it is that I should beleeve it is for obedience of faith I beleeve I beleeve then mâ—st thou say I have found I have found What The Gospel-treasure and the Gospel-pearl Thirdly Would you beleeve walke up and down the field where the Treasure is hidden and revealed reade and search the Scriptures hearken after the promises attend to the Sermons of Christ to the Word of the Kingdom and to this end 1. Give not over hearing and hearing again upon all occasions of those that preach Jesus Christ purely and sincerely 2. Meditate turn over Christ and the promises in thy thoughts oft in a day and as oft or oftener in the night season 3. Enquire and make out for knowledge more light into the mystery of the unsearchable riches of Christ And you that have beleeved and found something hear meditate pray and pray in faith for more understanding they use to dig for hid treasures Joâ— 3. 21. q Prov. 2. 2 3 c. If thou encline thine ear and apply thy heart criest and liftest up thy voice for wisdome if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures then shalt thou understand and finde the knowledge of God of God in Christ of Christ in a promise and Covenant of grace Amen We have dispatcht three of the Doctrines the other four drawn from the
close in renewed resolutions never to part with it but to make it more his own by all means possible Use 1 Of trial 1. This hiding carriage of a beleeving soul will give certain evidence for or against men whether they have truly found the treasure of the Gospel yea or no Whether they have truly beleeved and apprehended Christ in the Gospel-promises to be discovered as theirs and for them and their salvation First It will make against all those who say they beleeve the Gospel and have found c. but 1. are never the more humble nay they are proud of their knowledge and look who should extoll and commend them for it if none will they can make a shift with the Pharisee to commend themselves they thank God they are not so and so bad as the Minister and others would make them And so proud are many upon profession of faith that they will not be admonished must not be reproved need not be humbled need no more repentance after they have tasted of the promise and the sweetnesse of mercy held out to sinners this is an ill sign I Pride of opinion pride of parts and gifts and priviledges with Gods people doe usually follow a misapprehension of Christ and mis-application of the promises 2. If upon apprehension of Christ and Gospel-promises the soul fals into a despondency and a kinde of despair ever to have it made sure unto it's self if there be no hope there is certainly no faith As hope before faith is a presumptuous carriage of a mans spirit so despairing after faith is an odde and crosse evidence a contradiction indeed unto the Gospel and all Gospel-beleeving 3. If no love be stirring and working towards Christ what faith or finding of Christ is there in that heart Now God knows many talk and dream of faith but the love of Christ and his Word is not in them 4. If men beleeve as they thinke and yet have as mean and undervaluing thoughts of Christ as ever and prize the Gospel at as low a rate as ever they can see no beauty in Christ nor excellency in the treasure and pearl not they I wonder how they can see their faith and themselves beleevers men of God cannot God himself doth not 5. If such be loose and slippery in their purposes of making out for Christ where is thy faith There is no faith in that heart where there is not a desire of more no finding of Christ where you are not resolved to buy and get him in for your own more certainly and comfortably then at the first Secondly On the contrary by the light of this truth as the Spirit of God assisteth evidence may be given in for thee who art a true beleever If 1. Upon beleeving sense of thy unworthinesse doth not weaken thy confidence but thy apprehensions of Christ as discovered for thee doth more abase and humble thy soul and melt and break thy heart and when thou fallest a beleeving thou fallest a mourning for sin and confessing of thy sins and thy faith is hidden and drencht in tears oh blessed art thou c. 2. This evidenceth for thee that thy hopes are bred and built upon Gospel-apprehensions that though the things promised appear not to sense yet they are certainly and partiently waited for 3. This also that a first-love comes forth from and with a first-faith and Christ is entertain'd and welcom'd in the heart by the one as by the other so as thou canst say with Peter Lord thou knowest that I love thee 4. If thou carriest in thy bosome those high thoughts of Christ and his grace daily which the world knows not of and are strangers unto till it come to the trial and then it shall and doth appear what a price thou setst upon him whom thou hast found that nothing nothing shall be thought too dear or costly for him 5. If thou art firm and setled in resolutions to keep what thou knowest and beleevest and to give diligence to know and beleeve further and to have more discoveries and assurances of all Christs wealth and worth as thine and for thy salvation In a word by the secret workings of humility and hope of love and high esteem of Christ and holy purposes to make sure of Christ thou maist by the fortifying evidence of the Spirit shining upon his own graces know the secret workings of faith in and after this hidden and secret treasure which no man knoweth saving he that findes and hideth it Use 2 Of caution For Caution and Counsell to all true beleevers 1. Beware of a bad hiding of Christ while you take care to expresse your faith in this humble hopefull loving and wise way of hiding him take heed of smoothering or concealing what God hath discovered to you of Christ and his promises and free-grace for so you may dishonour God and wrong your soul and quench and hinder that good in others which you are bound to seek when you have found the treasure when the Disciples a Joh. 1 41 43 45. had found Christ they went and told it one another when the woman of Samaria b Joh. 4. 28 29. had found Christ she went and told it her neighbours when Zacheus c Luk. 19. 8. had found Christ he stood forth in the profession of his faith and repentance and in the proof of that profession when Paul d Act. 9. 20. had found Christ he went and preached him to others as he was called to it so let every one as he hath been prevented by grace prevent others and tell them what God hath taught him but in thy knowledge or discovery of Christ 2. Beware of boasting in thy self or of being lifted up in desires of thy own glory or worth beware of a proud profession or of proud exceptions against Christ take heed when Christs worth is discovered to thee thou dost not look out for worth in thy self to apply the promises as too many weak souls doe and will not dare not beleeve because of unworthinesse they are not rich enough to buy the pearl nor good enough to purchasers of the treasure what pride is here under a beggars coat Cherish thou shouldst all mean and low thoughts of thy self the more freely God doth manifest his grace unto thee but attribute all the worth to the treasure there is worth enough in that thou shalt need none of thy own God requires it not 3. Beware of entertaining doubts and questions whether you may have Christ after you have found him Wherefore did God discover him was it not that you should beleeve and beleeve yet further in his name upon new discoveries Let not the subtle serpent and the deceitfull heart together cherish a subtle-humble-pride in questioning and complaining to weaken thy hopes of obtaining that which is revealed in the promise to thee 4. Beware of losing your first-first-love of the Gospel and your first esteem of this Treasure and Pearl with
sure hopes cannot but be men of great joyes and this treasure and pearl bringing so much in hand at present and reaching forth so much in hopes for the future as we heard in the first Doctrine gives out withall no little ground of joy and rejoycing to a Christians heart Obj. But he hid his treasure and that partly as was opened in the 4. Doctrine under mourning and tears How comes he to rejoyce withall Answ 1. The Gospel-treasure is a secret and the finding of it by faith and hiding of it by repentance humility c. are secrets to the world and so is joy The heart knoweth his own bitternesse and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy q Prov. 14 10. If he seeth the outward expression he knoweth not the inward impression 2. A beleevers tears are tears of joy or the seed of joy Light is sowen for the righteous r Psal 97. 11. in tears and troubles and joy for the upright in heart 3. Hiding of the treasure under humble tears was not all the hiding we spake of there is as we heard an hiding of hope and there is joy hidden under hope We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Å¿ Rom. 5. 2. and there is a hiding of love and joy is hidden with love Whom having not seen ye love ye rejoyce c. t 1 Pet. 1. 8. Which in the Use may serve Use 1 Of reproof 1. To reprove those that bring an evil report upon Christ and Gospel-grace that no sooner think some and others speak it out shall a man be converted but farewell joy you must bid adieu to all mirth and chearfulnes and entertain nothing but mopish melancholy and dumpish sadnes which is a clamour both false and impossible 1. False for you hear if you will beleeve what you hear from Christs mouth he is a joyfull man that findes the treasure Finding the treasure of the Kingdome he findes that joy and sweetnes as he never felt or had experience of before Oh the sweet taste of every promise and delicious dainties that he daily doth or may feed upon at the Gospel feast 2. Impossible for the faculties of the soul doe act and put forth according to their represented object Now a Treasure and Pearl is the object a present good and a future good as sure as present And where there is an apprehension of a present good yea and a hopefull assured future good there is and cannot but be joy and the greater that good the greater that joy the higher and richer that good the higher and richer that joy Now here is the summum bonum the chiefest good and it cannot but produce in the heart a summum gaudium the chiefest joy and it being bonum aeternum an eternall good here is gaudium aeternum Everlasting joy upon their heads u Isa 35. 10. The Kingdome of God consisteth in it Rom. 14. 17. 't is true the poor sinner upon his finding of Christ bids farewell to joy in sinne but that proceeds from this true and greater joy which banisheth and puts out the false appearances of sinfull joyes of which in the next point Let none therefore belie the Scripture and blaspheme or speak evil of Christ and his grace or of a true Christians estate What though the beleevers joy makes not such a noise as the carnall mans in the ears of the world A fire of thorns will make a louder noise and crackling then a fire of the best wood and carnall mirth will sooner be heard of then spirituall joy which is better apprehended in the heart then outwardly exprest when the countenance is sober and humble doth it follow he is melancholy and sullen Alas poor blinde worldlings who cannot judge of looâ—s and colours much lesse of hearts and the frame of a beleevers heart especially which so far as it is beleeving it is chearfull c. Use 2 Of Examination For triall it is an evidence against such as say they have faith and have found Christ and yet never took any pleasure in him in thoughts or speeches of him rather are ever and anon excepting against those who rejoyce in him such murmuring and grumbling at the Gospel pearl is an evident note of unbelief Behold this pearl is trâ—mpled upon by Swinish Gadarens and it puts a poor rich worldling into a fit of melancholy That poor young man rich enough in the world Matth. 19. When he is offered treasure in heaven be a sad at that saying if he cannot have it upon better terms then were propounded had the Word taken place in his heart as it did in Zacheus he had presently rejoyced and not gone away sorrowfull but where Christ is not beleeved on he is not rejoyced in and upon this very reason because Christ comes to take away the pleasures of sinne that last but for a season although he would give eternall pleasures in exchange the heart will neither rejoyce nor beleeve in him Ob. But there are those who beleeve but for a time and yet rejoyce as the stony ground Mat. 13. 20. Answ Such a faith such a joy God will go on with carnall men as farre as they will go with him where faith is temporary there joy will be a flash and â—way it continueth not when triall cometh no more than their faith nor doth that joy ever produce right self-deniall of which anon 2. On the contrary Hast truly beleeved Thou dost and will joy in the Lord in whom thou hast beleeved Hast found the first discovery of Christ to bring in some sweetnesse the second more c. 'T is a true issue of a right-bred faith 〈◊〉 you may know it to be so through the assisting light of 〈◊〉 Spirit by this 1. It is pure joy meerly arising from 〈◊〉 sight of the treasure 2. It will hold out in triall and tentation And though joy be but an accessory grace it comes and goes ebbs and flows yet it radically continueth of â—â—ideth in the root and cause of it and all objects of faith are objects of joy what feeds the one will cherish the 〈◊〉 and if thou findest it so with thee happy thou Object But some poor soul will say I dare not deny but I have found the pearl yet cannot rejoyce Answ 1. Is it not thy desire and dost not price a little joy in the Lord above all worldly joy 2. What is that which upholds thee against despair in some promise or Gospel-truth thou hast some secret joy â—r sin would presse thee down and swallow thee up with sorrow 3. Measures of joy will encrease upon beleeving study but to grow in faith and thou wilt encrease in joy Vse 3. Phil. 4. 4. For Exhortation to the true beleever Rejoyce in the Lord and again I say not I but the Apostle not the Apostle but the Lord himself rejoyce thou Christian that hast found the pearl and treasure rejoyce in thy treasure be glad and joyfull
to view his seal And when he seeth all is currant and good to buy the truth of the Gospel-doctrine and promises and of the Spirits evidences by which he and his brethren come to know within themselves that they have in heaven an enduring substance Plundred Heb. 10. 34. and spoiled they may be of what they buy in this world or of all purchased treasures here they may be cheated disappointed but as for the treasure in our Text it can neither be taken from them being in Gods keeping and Christs keeping not they be taken from it because when they die they goe to it where it is reserved for them As they have Christ and Gospel-grace here they goe thither to enjoy Christ and Gospel-glory Use 2 A note of discovery why some want assurance 2. See the reason why some want evidence and assurance because with self-denial and diligence they doe not seek it Of those that are uncertain of the Gospel-treasure of Christ the pearl of the Kingdom and the promises as theirs there be two sorts First Some who want evidence and will never have it nor come by it because they will not buy it with that wherewith they should buy it all they have set to sale they will not so much as consent to the letting go of self-righteousnesse sin or the creature c. Now such as will not yeeld to a parting with what stands in opposition to or in competition with the Lord Jesus neither will agree to an absolute hatred of sin nor a comparative hatred of the creature for him are not worthy meet or fit to have any Christ or heaven assured to them Secondly Others who want evidence and will want it a while because they hickle and dally and do not set roundly to the work either they are not faithfull in selling or not diligent in buying 1. Not faithfull in self-sale 1. Some lust is indulged and that keeps the soul in the dark 't is deservedly haunted with doubtings whether Christ be theirs while there is a favouring of any sin Or 2. Some parts and common gifts are preferr'd before sanctification and a mortified crucified use of them the pin-dust before the writing the varnish before the picture or post beware there of a rotten post which may be varnish't over as well as a sound Or 3. The man seeks his comfort in his duties and enlargements or in some frames of heart and will only then beleeve and be confident when the heart is in such a frame Many weak souls would make poverty of spirit hungring and mourning the cause and ground of their faith and not the evidence and fruit of it Or 4. The creature steals away their affection some profits pleasures or advancements relations and respects this and that way take up the room that comfortable assurance cannot dwell there scarce lodge a night in such a common Inne Or 5. The priviledges in and with the Church visible are built upon more then promises to the Church-mysticall and true members of Christ the head of the Church Or 6. The mans ends are not only stickling with Gods but indulged very farre and his own things sought not Christs or before the things of Christ Or 7. The poor soul goeth about self-denial in self-strength and would mortifie and sell all by his own power This is as main a let to assurance as the rest 2. Not diligent in buying of treasure Ordinances and means of assurance are neglected graces are not acted assurance is not prized the man resteth in the finding of the treasure is bidding and cheapning and endeavouring to draw it down to a lower price then God hath propounded he is tempted to repent of the full bargain and so God will not let him have it as yet but upon the just free and honourable terms as was at first agreed Hence hence so many doubting staggering Christians because so much slothfulnesse and indifferency in the matter of further and stronger assurance Use 3 A vvord of Exhortatiō Now let me addresse my self to such and such only who have beleeved and prized Christ and Gospel-grace and had some joy therein and have begun to deny something ye◠consented to let goe all for Christ here is I may say as the Apostle to the Hebrews That which accompanieth Heb. 6. 9 11. salvation but we desire that every one of you may shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end 1. Be diligent from first to last 2. Shew it as well as use it First Be diligent in all acts of selling that you may buy and come in to the evidence and assured possession of Christ and all Gospel-treasure and here let me present most needfull helps and waies of diligence before you 1. Let there be diligence in the meditation of promises and remembrance of Scripture-grounds of Assurance is God free bountifull willing able faithfull and unchangeable Is Christs intercession and the spirits presence perpetuall Let your thoughts be frequently fixt hereupon think not how able you are to keep your selves in his love but how able God is to keep you not how willing you are to be Christs but how willing he is to be yours not how faithfull you are but how faithfull he is c. 2. Let there be diligence in actings of Faith and renouncings of self-righteousnesse and all priviledges short of Christ and him crucified which the heart would build and rest upon for acceptance that Christ for your justification may be your sure your only treasure and pearl your all in all By faith 2 Cor. 1. ult Phil. 4 1 ye stand Stand fast in the Lord. 3. Let there be diligence in all departure from iniquity You must not think to be as the women Isa 4. 1. to be called by Christs name and eat your own bread wear your own apparel still live upon your lusts and goe in your rags 2 Tim. 2. 19. Let him that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity God will have his people stand at a distance from the waies of sin who would be sealed as his God can endure no Hab 1. 13. Tit. 1. 14. iniquity Christ came to redeem us from all iniquity It is his will we should be holy He hath a privy seal a seal of secrecy He knoweth who are his but this is his open seal impressions of holinesse upon the hearts and fore-heads of all professours of faith If you would have your assurance of Christ and hold it to the end beware of sins against light and sins against profession Let carelesse Christians thinke or boast what they will of assurance He that shall fall and fall again into sinne carelesly So many acts of sin so many steps down to hell so many degrees of Apostacy all which will weaken and darken assurance for 1. Though sin will not weaken Gods grounds yet it will weaken our apprehension of those grounds 2. Though the light be clear in the Word yet
in Scripture you must as on a musicall instrument not put on great strings only but the smaller also and in a Consort take the Tenour and Counter-tenour with the Base You must not only hearken to the loud noise of the world and the sound of all all c. but take in the smaller sounds of sheep and friends and believers and then when we have the Scriptures in a compleat harmony set together they doe all unanimously make against universall Redemption not for it Behold the first Reason is without an Argument Reason 2. If Christ did not die for all every one could not have a ground of believing the report of the Gospel Answ What is there no ground of beleeving but upon a false Alarme and Report as this man hath brought amongst you 1. This Reason is the voice of unbelief The Arminian Doctrine helpes a lame Dogge over the stile viz. An unbeleeving heart to reason against the truth because all men are not bought and redeemed by Christ therefore I must not beleeve I say again this is nothing else but the language of unbeliefe beware of it 2. I retort it To lay forth this Doctrine before carnall men That Christ died for all is to lay a stumbling block before the blinde and to throw dust in the eyes of faith the faith of Gods elect that it shall not see at all but live by sense and not by it's own principles or not see by it's owne eyes Beloved in true beleeving there is a mystery When Christ dying for sinners is preached to the world it is a self-denying act to beleeve in him before I know I am of Gods secret number of the names in the Lambs book for whom Christ died but 't is no self-deniall when I hear Christ died for all to beleeve I am one This Doctrine then is an enemy to true beleeving and indeed a false Doctrine as I called it at first and have so proved it can beget but a false faith that which is but temporary not to be nourished or cherished by any true teacher or dispenser of the word 3. Is there no ground of believing except Christ died for all I will name you a few without this and sufficient I suppose to convince and draw a soul to believing 1. That Proposition or true and faithfull saying 1 Tim. 1. 15. 2. The Command Believe God bids thee believe faith is obedience to the Command Rom. 16. 26. 3. The Promise He that beleeveth shall not perish Joh. 3. 16. but he hath everlasting life Joh. 6. 47. and shall certainly be saved Act. 16. 31. 4. Gods act of justifying the ungodly Rom. 4. 5. 5. Gods raising Christ from the dead Rom. 4. 24. 1 Pet. 1. 20 21. consult and ponder the places 6. This very Proposition That Christ died but for some namely for his sheep hath been a ground of believing as Joh. 10. 15 c. after much discourse about his sheep and dying for them the result and close is v. ult And many beleeved on him there 7. Christ himself held forth indefinitely as a sufficient necessary and only meane of salvation which who so believeth Ames Anti. Synodatia 188. in chuseth and relieth upon under that notion may be sure that Christ hath an effectuall intention and purpose of saving him So the Apostle Paul and others held forth Christ We preach Christ crucified unto the Jews indeed who will not see sufficiency a stumbling blocke and unto the Greeks 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. who will not see the necessary determinations of Gods wisdom this way foolishnesse But unto them which are called perswaded to hearken after a crucified Saviour the sufficiency necessity and sole-soveraignty of his soul-saving bloud and palsion Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God so we preach so Gods elect do believe though they know not at the first whether they be of the number for whom Christ was crucified Hence Fourthly and lastly I answer The first act of thy faith is not to beleeve Christ died for all or for thee in particular the one is not true the other is not certain to thee till thou beleevest but this is that thou art called unto to believe in Christ as dying for sinners and able and willing to save thee beleeving then when thou comest to reflect upon thy faith thou shalt finde Christ died for thee not one man or person of years more then other is included or excluded but by his faith or unbelief Behold again his second Reason without an Argument viz. without nerves or sinews of truth to argue for this tenet of his and of all unbeleevers in a practicall way Let none then go away from such a Lecture and say We were led into and kept in errour all this time for we were taught that we must first know we were elected before we should beleeve but now that we hear Christ died for all we see ground for beleeving for it is as much as your souls are worth to miscarry here you may be lost for ever upon this verticall point For I deny that Christs dying for all or Gods electing of some and the particular knowledge of it is the foundation that we lay for mens beleeving not the first because false not the later because though it be most true that God gave his Sonne for none but his elect yet that thou shouldest know thy self of the number before thou believest who but ignorant men will teach so who but ignorant hearts will think so Election is a cause of beleeving and so many as are ordained to life have and shall believe Act. 13. 48. And if men doe finally persist in unbelief it is a sign they are not of Christs sheep Joh. 10 26. He that would know his election or redemption before he believeth is never like to know it 2. Come we to his Arguments as he cals them Arg. 1. Arguments disarmed The. 1. From the text Math. 22. 14. Many are called but few are chosen It was thus argued If Christ died for all that are called he died for more then the elect but he died for all that are called else they should not have been called or being called they are bound to believe that which is false if Christ did not die for them Answ I deny the Assumption and the two proofs of it The Assumption to be denied of you beloved as of my self is this That Christ died for all that are called t is a presumption without any found proof for 1. The first proof Else they should not have been called is a non sequitur or a false consequence for many are called because among the many God hath his choise number and will one day more distinguish them before all the world then yet he doth as in vers 47. The Parable following these of the Text. 2. The second proof proves not that it is brought for Being called they are bound to believe that which is true or false and if Christ
dissemble and Consequences tried cut off preach a lie telling them that Christ died for them when he did not Answ 1. When we according to Scripture preach Christ crucified to the world not yet believing we do not we dare not say that Christ died for them but that Christ died for sinners that they might believe in him And doe we here dissemble or is this a lie Is it not a true and faithfull saying c. 1 Tim. 1. 15. And hath it not worth and weight in it 2. If upon our preaching and mens hearing faith be wrought we say to such and of such Christ died for them and doe we here dissemble or is this a lie to say Christ died for thee and me beleeving in him 3. Is not the dissimulation and lie the result of such stuff as this Christ died for all and every singular person when by the event it plainly appears he did not let Deut. 18. 2â— be the judge Cons 2. If we deny Christ died for all the world we may as well say God made a people on purpose to damn them as if you or I should marry a wife on purpose by the blessing of God to have children and then when God hath bestowed them you or I should go and cut the throat of one and hang another up by the tongue and throw a third at the fires back were it not a woefull thing then much more that a mercifull tender-hearted God should deal thus with the workmanship of his own hands Ans What have we here but great swelling words of vanity and the foam of a distempered fancy yea daring and desperate words against the truth 1. Let us examine the Consequence Doth it follow at all that because we say the one Christ died not for all therefore we may say the other that God made a people to damn them He would indeed teach us to blaspheme but we will not learn of him The Scripture tels us Eccles 7. ult God made man upright but they have sought out many inventions waies enough to damn themselves yea that one invention of eating the forbidden fruit was sufficient to have damned the elect of God with all the rest of mankinde but that Christ stept in for them the devil shall not swallow all Again the Scripture tells us Prov. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil He made them not wicked but if men make themselves wicked God who would not permit the evil but for a greater good his own glory c. makes or orders these wicked ones to suffer their just punishment on the execution day 2. Because God will not lose his elect but purchase them at a dear rate Is he bound to doe as much for others as he freely doth for them Who art thou that repliest thus against God as if because man takes delight in sinning God should take delight in meer damning no no 'T is the sinner cuts his own throat and throws himself into the fire and when upon offers and entreaties the sinner will not return and live but sinne and die the mercifull God will shew no mercy He that made them will shew them no favour Isa 27. after his patience is abused his mercie sleighted and his tender bowels grieved justice breaks forth and fury ceaseth upon the poor sinner 3. Here is nothing but jugling and delusion in this pretended Consequence and plea for even they that plead Christ died for all doe not dare not say he died on purpose to save all or to take away from all sinners their purpose of sinning And if notwithstanding such universall grace and Redemption as the Adversaries boast of men will and do go on with their purpose of sinning shall not God go on with his purpose of punishing the works of the devil in his own workmanship Cons 3. It implieth and concludeth as true believers under condemnation as any that are saved for the truest believer doth but believe what is reported to him and if it be reported to some that Christ died not for them they believe it and so perish Ans 1. None that believeth and comes under condemnation can never be said to be a true believer in a true Theologicall but only metaphysicall sense as copper is true copper but standing for gold 't is not gold e're the more or true gold so the faith of a temporary believer is a right copper-faith not faith of Gods elect or a golden faith 2. A true believer indeed receiveth the whole testimony of God about his Son not a part only 3. In all the report of the Doctrine there is no such Doctrine as this taught Christ died not for these particulars or Christ died for every singular person He therefore who believes upon this ground Christ died for every one therefore for me beleeveth a false Proposition and his faith is false And he that beleeveth Christ died not for him because he is told â—o without book believeth without book and so if he perisheth he perisheth by and for beleeving his own heart or Satan a lying spirit in the mouth of his heart not for believing truly This is a meer scandall they would cast upon the true Gospel with the rest Cons 4. The grace of Christ is straitned for they speak of free grace and upstart nothing but a plea for one of a hundred or one of a thousand Answ 1. Is it nothing to have one of a hundred or one of a thousand written in the Lambs book of life Though who taught him or any other this Arithmetick The Lord only knoweth who and how many are his he is an upstart nothing who puts this reproach upon Gods diminutives and his little flock 2. The freenesse of grace is magnified and manifested the more by Christs dying for a certain number given to him of his Father whom he thanketh and praiseth Math. 11. 25 6 7. for this free reservation of grace to a few Contracted beams of the Sunne have the greater strength in a burning Glasse to warme and fire and so have the raies of divine favour contracted into a narrow compasse Rom. 9. 28. 3. Our plea for Gods elect will hold and come to something in the end none of the Lords people but shall obtain the fruit of Christs death when as their plea for all the world besides the elect will fail them in the experimentall issue and come to nothing Cons 5. God will damn men they hold because he will damn them and so they make damnation Gods Ordinance not mans sin the cause of it And in this we may go so farre as to justifie the devil who taught Cain and Julian and Spira to despair and Judas to hang himself Now you will conclude the devil to be a lier from the beginning and that he cannot teach a truth and on the contrary you will conclude none ought to despair c. Ans 1. It is a double reproach either that
a few Arguments for the due order of election before redemption and for the sole redemption of the elect as a fruit of their election That the decree of election is in order of nature before the decree of redemption 1. The Father hath the first right as he is first in order of subsistence The Son hath it given him from the Father Joh. 17. 6. Thine they were in the first purpose and choice and thou gavest them me to own as mine and being lost not fallen out of election but into a state of non-communion to redeem and bring to God 2. Election is first to glory and election to glory is before the fall and therefore before redemption which comes in after sinne as a means to bâ—ing to glory by such grace to the praise of the glory of Gods most free grace Eph. 1. 4 5 6. 3. Creation was for Christ Col. 1. 16. and therefore Christ first thought upon as a head of elect Angels and men and as he is before all created things in the counsel of God all things are made for his glorious ends upon his elect had there been no fall but for the further manifestation of Gods love the fall is permitted and ordered to bring in not only God-incarnate but God crucified 3. Love is in order before mercy Eph. 2. 4. The decree of election is an act of meer love That of redemption an act of pure mercy and consequentiall upon love in the decree And in the execution all the tender mercies of redemption are fruits of that love which gave being to election as election gives a Redeemer and redemption 2. That Redemption by Christs death is solely and only of and for the elect as a fruit of their election 1. Christ died for them and them only whom he represented whose names were in the bond of agreement or in the Covenant of his Suretiship and that were virtually in him upon the crosse Some were virtually in him upon the crosse for he was there as a publike person all were not virtually in him but such as are in due time spiritually and powerfully united to him if any more but they then Christs death and crosse loseth some of its vertue Christs power is lesse then Adams for as all sinned in Adam the imputation of his sin is put upon all their persons whom he represented Now not any but true beleevers and the elect seed are in time spiritually and powerfully united to Christ even by Testardus doctrine * The 192 194. nor doe any but such partake of Christs satisfactory righteousnesse by spirituall propagation or union and bond of the Spirit and faith as they that are in Adam by naturall propagation and bond of nature are partakers of his condemning guilt which Testardus proâ—eth from Rom. 5. 16 c. as we use to prove it By proportion of the first and second Adam virtuall and actuall union and imputation goe together Now who will say Christ represented more then the elect c 3. If Christ died for more then the elect more then the elect must beleeve in him as an effectuall Saviour or he must be beleeved on as an ineffectuall Saviour by some or other Now not Testardus nor any such Vniversalist will say that his death is or was ever intended to be savingly efficacious to all only such a grosse Atheist or distracted brain as he that put out * A pamphlet sentenced before p. 30. as unworthy of any light but the light fire Divine Light And that which is not nor was intended is not to be beleeved Nor will or dare any bid men beleeve in Christ for half or half a quarter of salvation who are in their found mindes But beleeve we say in Christ for all or nothing when we take the Scripture-scope along with our preaching 3. Christ died for those and those only who shall finde their election by beleeving in his death none can finde their Act. 13. 38. election who first had it not in Gods counsel That representation therefore of Christs death which Testardus makes in some respects common to more then Gods elect doth weaken the hands and hearts of true beleevers shake the faith of Gods elect and obscure Gods election as well as the reasonings of Sam. Oates and I hope with Gods elect at last the doctrine of the one will be received for Orthodox no more then the other but both be rejected as Heterodox Let those who preach hear write reade of Christs death and Redemption beleeve in him for all actuall union and effieacy of communion and the assurance of their election thereby as the cause is known and assured by the effect and you shall finde the Treasure and the Pearl for which the Christian man and merchant sold all he had and bought it As it followeth in the Parables CHRIST THE Gospel-Treasure AND PEARL MATH 13. 44 45. â—â—ain The Kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field the which when a man hath found he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field â—gain The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a Merchant man seeking goodly pearls c. IT is high time that we come in the wisdom and Part. 2. strength of Christ to set out the right and genuine Scope Explication and Use of these Parables 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the repairing and edifying of your judgements which have been shaken and staggered by the perverting abuses of the late novel The true scope of these two Parables Exposition The Scope for the doctrinall part is to teach and set forth the worth and excellency of Christ and Grace and the Gospel of Grace with a Christians affectionatenesse strongly carried out to him and it And for the Vse it is to advise and excite all that read and hear hereof to be like unto this man and merchant in the Text in affection and action The particular and punctuall Exposition according to this The sense and meaning general scope is as followeth In these two Parables as in all similitudes there are two parts 1. The Proposition holding forth the resemblance 2. The Reddition applying the thing resembled to the resemblance 1. The Proposition or resemblance is drawn forth two waies First of a Treasure hid and found and hid again rejoyced in and purchased by him that found it with all that he had Secondly Of a Pearl found by a Merchant man c. 2. The Reddition so is the Kingdom of heaven as is a Treasure and Pearl in the discovery and purchase of it so is the Kingdom or the Kingdom of heaven is like unto c. that is there is that worth in it and that transaction and management of affairs about it as if a man should finde a treasure in a field or seeking many pearls he should finde one of great price and having found this Treasure this Pearl he goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth
Christ The o 1 Cor. 2. 14. naturall man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not capable of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor is he able to know the things of the Gospel and of the Spirit because as the Apostle saith They are spiritually discerned 2. Not commonly known or but known of a few in every age that are Gods elect at what time God makes out the discovery in the Gospel insomuch as the Prophet admireth their paucity and complaineth of their slender company p Isa 53. 1. Lord who hath beleeved our report and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed 3. Never known of reprobates Gospel-treasure is ever hid to them though Apostles open and unfold it q 2 Cor. 4. 3. If grant it our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 4. Known of the elect Preachers and beleevers but r 1 Cor. 13 9. in part though their knowledge is a growing knowledge yet as something is more made known something is ever hidden 5. Known but in a * 1 Cor. 2. 7. 1 Cor 13. 12. mystery while here and through a Glasse and in a Riddle in comparison of what shall be seen face to face and understood plainly as speech is when it is uttered in proper and plain expressions Then shall the riches of Christ be told over cast and summed up and we shall know the perfect value that it amounts unto but here while we preach and you hear of this riches all is Å¿ Ephes 3. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unsearchable beyond the search and reach of all humane learning naturall wit or spirituall understanding to trace or finde out Christ and Gospel-treasure is hid in the Scripture-field or 2 Where hid in that part of the Word which is called the Gospel or the Covenant of grace and the many great and precious promises which are as a field 1. For the large and spatious ground the Gospel t Tit. 1. 2 3. 2 Pet. 1. 4. promises are capacious and carty in the womb of them all the excellency and worth of Christ all the precious pardons and graces all the hopes comforts and assurances of a Christians heaven upon earth and in heaven 2. For the limiting hedge and boundary the promises were first made to Christ and all of them are Gal. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 20. yea and Amen in him to them that are Christs and are in Christ Christ and all his grace is wrapt up in promises a promise cannot be had without Christ nor Christ out of a promise Now Christ and all his worth is hid in the Gospel-promises in a two-fold consideration 1. Till they be opened therefore x Luk. 24. 27. the Lord began at Moses and all the Prophets and expounded to the two Disciples in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself And the Apostle y Rom. 16. 25 26. tels the Romans and us that mystery was kept secret in the Scriptures of the Prophets which now by the preaching of Jesus Christ is made manifest for the obedience of faith 2. Till our understandings be opened which our Lord z Luk. 14. 45 46. did for the Disciples many of them together Then opened he their understandings saith the Text that they might understand the Scriptures The Scriptures about Christ may be opened long enough and clear enough and yet he lieth there unseen till mens eyes be opened and cleared but there he is and precious is that field of Scripture-promises which hideth and holdeth such a treasure Let this Doctrine of the full Treasure and fair Pearl of rich price hid and wrapt up in full and precious promises 1 Use of instruction and conviction serve for the full conviction of those who question the fulnesse of Christ and Gospel-grace or when they are told of it prize it not and slight the Word and Ministery where it is to be found Three sorts are here to be informed and convinced about the weaknesse of their judgements and affections and oÌ„ that they might be cured as discovered First Such who doubt of the all-sufficiency of Christ and Gospel-grace for their poorsouls they acknowledge not nay they see not enough in that which is preached and offered to them for their justification and pardon or for their sanctification and qualification for heaven Now what is that you have heard of in these Parables was it not of a treasure and a treasure that hath all the fulnesse of God and of his Spirit above measure in him and is not here enough for thee and the filling up of thy empty soul 1. In the want of a justifying righteousnesse to take off thy guilt and fears of death be convinced there is more righteousnesse in one Lord Jesus Christ then guilt in all the sinfull sons of Adam if thou hadst sinned from Adam to this day above 5500. years sinning for length of time and besides the guilt of that first sinne hadst the guilt of the greatest sins upon thee that ever were committed and in every act of sin hadst come near the sin against the holy Ghost that sin excepted which yet thou art not fallen into there is fulnesse of righteousnesse and forgivenesse for thee or any sinner that doth or shall beleeve which cannot but overcome and break an heart full of unbelief for and from it were it seriously weighed and considered 2. In the want of sanctification and good frame of heart and life All treasures of wisdome holinesse strength are in this one Treasure to supply thy emptinesse and enrich thy poverty Yea there is that in Christ which will enable thee to sell all thou hast to buy himself the pearl and Gospel-treasure with Christ will put money in thy purse if thou wilt accept him and it to make sure of him for thine for he is the Authour and finisher of faith and of all that appertain to faith not beleeving therefore of Christs sufficiency will be inexcusable Secondly Such as do not prize this Gospel-treasure and Pearl of great price I beleeve let Arminians old and new â—eâ—ch what they will by a policy and stratagem of Satan to draw off mens eyes from looking upon Christ our treasure in this Text yet so brightly hath the light shined by the true Application of it unto Christ and his grace that even many a naturall conscience is enlightned and convinc't that it is meant of him as the treasure of treasures and the pearl of pearls but here now is the sin of these persons that their wils and affections are not carried after Christ nay something yet in their judgements is better then Christ for them and prefer'd before him in their fancies Is it not so with many here and every where As the a Rom. 1. Gentiles of old withheld the light of nature and truths of God in unrighteousnesse imprison'd and â—nother'd it and did not glorifie God according to the knowledge they had of him So the Gentiles or
Nations still differing but a little from Heathen in Gospel Baptisme and some Gospel light of Christ doe with-hold or forcibly imprison and enslave this light of the Gospel and truths of Christ in unrighteousnesse they smother and suppresse the knowledge of Christ from their Baptisme see and will not see see but are not affected at the sight of a Saviour and his riches and worth Now tell me let me put the Question to any rationall man enlightned what is it that you have and still do lay in the balance with Christ Is it a base lust or a carnal contentment Some profitable bargain in the world or pleasurable enjoyment of this earth Dare you say that Christ weigheth not down all the world Worth you see in Christ nothing but unworthinesse in sin no merit or worth in the creature why consider Christ is of more worth then all his benefits and graces conferred on us and yet any of his graces and spiritual benefits are of more worth as they have the love of God and the stamp of Christ upon them then all the world and all wordly accommodations not to be named the same day with the least of Christs graces much lesse to be weighed in the same balance with Christ himself On the great sin of those then who prefer their swinish lusts and carnal profits before this treasure and the brutishnes of those who prefer the trash on this worldly dunghill before a Pearl this Pearl of great price Thirdly Such as seem to make some account of Christ and grace but the Gospel and Gospel-ministery and the field of promises they esteem not either there are promises enough or rather there are too many for them they are cloâ—ed with them and with the preaching of them Nay the old Gospel the b Revel 14 6. everlasting Gospel preached and to be preached to all Nations kindreds tongues and languages at and upon Antichrists ruinous down-fall a part whereof is Gods free election but of some Christs Redemption but of some Gods Covenant with beleevers and their seed c. this will not down with many young and old professours and hearers of the Word I have thought of some reasons hereof all rotten and corrupt in the mindes of those who are swaied by them 1. Some have lately hearkned after new-teachers of a new Gospel of universall Redemption and Remission of sins for all men so farre as they have sinned against a Covenant of works Now as for faith men hope they have heard enough and beleeved enough already they shall need to hear no more but what will nourish them up in assurance of a pardon before they have any faith at all 2. Others they place all the Gospel in a new baptizing and make that act or work of baptisme the foundation of all their hopes and comforts and therefore desire but to hear more of that and they need no more Gospel 3. Some rest in the bare name of Christ and notion of a Treasure and noise of a Pearl it founds sweetly in their ears and pleaseth their fancies very much but mean while are carelesse whether they finde and possesse it for their own or no. 4. Others have been wont to make the Lords Supper only in their bodily attendance upon it their Treasure and Feast not Christ himself and because they cannot have that Sacrament they slight the Word and will not attend upon it with their wonted diligence it may be on the Lords-day they will afford their presence all or part of the day but on the week-daies they will not hear at all or will sooner hear a c Joh. 10. 10. stranger and a thief who cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy then their constant Teachers who would as Pastours and faithfull Shepherds fold them in and feed them with knowledge and understanding Now woe be to such strangers as scatter sheep from the right fold and to such blind guides as lead people from the Word the diligent hearing and the right understanding of it and woe be to such blinde people who are led and carried from this Gospel field and Ministery where Gospel-treasure is hid and to be found Accursed be that Doctrine or way or person which carrieth you off from Christ and the Gospel of your salvation to any other Gospel which takes all mankinde into Covenant and yet shuts out little Infants from any one promise of grace as if they were no part of mankinde or are farre from having any part in Christ till they actually beleeve that is in the Arminian sense till they act some of their own power and till free-will doth it's part and determines all the controversies of the parties salvation The Lord strike home some arrows of conviction to the very heart of Christ our Kings enemies that people may fall under the power of his Word and all high thoughts against free grace indeed may be captivated and brought into the obedience of Christ Vse 2. This should exhort and provoke us to severall 2 Use of Exhortation duties First Beleeve we this fulnesse of Christ and Gospel-grace and beleeve in it 1. Beleeve there is such a Treasure though you have not experimentally found it The Report hereof must be bleeved or the arm of God will not be revealed to bring you in to the Treasure or the Treasure to you Consider who said The kingdome of heaven is like unto a treasure a pearl c. The Truth it self Jesus Christ who sent Paul and others according to his Gospel to preach among us Gentiles The unsearchable riches of this Treasure 2. Beleeve in it No earthly treasure is to be rested upon but this is a Treasure that you may lay your life upon your faith upon and trust unto it for all-sufficient supplies to make you happy for ever And if such riches encrease you may and must set your heart upon them Secondly Esteem we this Treasure and Pearl at it's full rate and value A Treasure it is a Kings Treasure the Kingdoms treasure an heavenly treasure an hidden treasure made up in a Pearl one Pearl all which call for our high estimation and account of it 1. As 't is a Treasure who doth not prize a treasure wherein there is abundance Joseph's abundance drew his brethren highly to prize him whom before they had slighted Solomons treasures of wisdom as of riches raised his fame in all parts brought over the Queen of Sheba to see and admire till she had no more spirit in her Behold a greater then Solomon is here to be valued for his wisdome and wealth above ten thousand Solomons 2. Here is the Kings treasure a Kings treasure is and it is fit it should be greater then that of any particular Subject and the treasure of the King of Kings to whom all earthly Kings must vale and stoop and should willingly swear homage and subjection must needs be infinitely above the wealth of any of his Subjects though they be
all thy daies for this pearl of great price Earthly affections worldly sorrows carnall joyes will come alone of themselves unsent for unsought but we must send for and call for and provoke these heavenly affections and glad when we can have them active and coming and especially this of joy Let me stir up my self and you to joy in the Lord our treasure and in the knowledge of Christ our Pearl by these following considerations Motives to joy 1. There is joy in heaven when a lost sinner is found and should there hot be so in thy heart when the hidden treasure is found they both are found together heaven findes the sinner and the beleeving sinner findes the Pearl oâ— heaven at one and the same time Why should not heaven and earth meet in their rejoycings as in their findings 2. Thou maiest rejoyce 'T is thy portion not allowed to others but to thee Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous c. a Psal 97. 12. The wicked and unbeleeving are never welcom'd to the feast of joy if invited nor shall they taste of this supper of joy while they refuse to come to the dinner of grace If God saith to the young man in the heat of his lusts Rejoyce Eccles 11. it is but ironically spoken with a salt check and serious threatning in plain English it is Repent and his message to secure sinners is Be afflicted mourn and weep or Woe to them that have their consolation here for they shall weep but blessed are they that weep now for they shall laugh and leap for joy 3. Thou art not wise no more then obedient in this if thou dost not take thy fill of joy nay 't is a sinne not to rejoyce upon beleeving as not to beleeve upon a discovery of Christ 4. How many passe over the field and stumble at the Word where the Treasure is hid and finde it not thou hast it discovered before others while others are left in their blindenesse and given up to their blinde and wilfull stumblings 5. God loves a chearfull beleever and receiver of his Sonne and a chearfull giver of the heart to his Sonne and how canst thou give thy heart acceptably if not chearfully Take Christ therefore and be thankfull receive him and be joyfull How shall I joy saith the weak heart Ans 1. Give not way to doubting whether the treasure be Means of joy in the field or no or whether the Pearl be of such great worth or no or whether it â—as hid and is now revealed for thee or no beleeve that God hath discovered it and that for thee take it for thy own and rejoyce 't is nothing but this unbelief that hinders thy joy 2. Walk in this field of the Gospel take a turn or two every morning and at best leisure in thâ— meditation of the promises 't is a very pleasant field and walk you have none such in all your grounds orchards or gardens the poor-rich peny-father comforts himself in telling over and but looking upon his bags of gold in his hutch or coffer Câ—â—st Nummos contemplor in arca c. not thou be as wise to muse and thinke upon these hidden riches of Christ The devil an old enemy of mans continued comfort will interrupt thee and scare thee it may be off the ground but regard him not resist him stedfast in a beleeving meditation in the strength of a promise and he will flee and thou maist keep the field and keep but the field the Treasure is there 't is thine it will glad thy heart but to thinke it is there and there for thee 3. Quench not the Spirit of faith and hope and the Spirit of joy will come and will not depart apply thy self in praier upon the promise of joy there is a filling up of the soul to the brim with joy and peace in beleeving to be obtained neglect not the ordinances of comfort Word Sacraments conference sin not against the light of a promise no more then of a precept live by faith without beyond feelings and he that shall come will come and will not tarry beyond the fittest season wherein he will speak peace and quicken thee with joyfull consolation Use 4 Of Admonition For admonition in a word to them that be yet in unbelief strangers to true joy because strangers to true faith I do not wonder you are so sad and melancholy in these times these have been losing times and yet they are reforming times both these considerations damp the carnal mans heart and almost strike him dead The world goes away from them they see and mens goodly pearls that they have sought after can give them no content and comfort they thinke there is none in a work of Reformation Amidst such kinde of thoughts my word of warning is that men would be wise come to themselves with the Prodigal look after this Treasure in the Gospel 't is very good Treasure in these chargeable times to stock you and enrich you and bear your charges to heaven yea and make you chearfully fruitfull in all good works my counsel is you would get among beleevers they can though their commons fall short eat their bread with singlenesse and gladnesse of heart with leaping joyes as the word b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports Act. 2. 46. Would you beleeve upon the credit of my Text and the merchants experience that there are joyes upon joyes coming in with the adventures and merchandize of faith you would perhaps embrace the profer of Christ in the Gospel and come in to him who will be a Pearl of invaluable price to you till then we cannot speak a word of peace to you for you have nothing to rejoyce in till you have found what the merchant here found a Pearl his joy was the joy thereof Now take these words in with those that follow he goeth and selleth all that he hath And thence ariseth our Doct. 6 6. Observation The joy of a beleever it workes him to utmost self-denial or A joyfull Christian indeed will part Joy breeds self-deniall with all he hath for Gospel-treasure We have the Doctrine and Reason both in the point the Doctrine by it self is this Christ-finders are self-losers And the Reason is this Gospel joyes doe bring a soul to utter self-deniall and extreme poverty of spirit First We shall open this affair of the Kingdom a Christians selling all Secondly Discover the strength of the Reason for joy For the first in the kingdom of heaven or Gospel-state there is that done which amongst men you call trading buying selling and here is a selling first and buying afterwards In selling two things are considerable 1. The sale it self 2. The matters vendible and to be sold 1. The sale it self and there we have consent to part with 1. A Christian sale 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aliqâ—id amplius videtur significare quam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beza in locum actuall
recompence all their diligence with full assurance of hope unto the end Heb. 6. 11. The Heathen could say That the gods sold all for sweat and we can say most truly of our God That when a Christian sweats in self-denial mortification sufferings c. he shall have from him as sure as he is just and faithfull what he sweats for 3. God is able to put a soul into possession and that everlastingly of what it laies out pains and diligence for Ioh. 10. 28 29 30. Christs and his Fathers power is united for the assurance of life to his sheep and for their preservation unto life Use 1 Aword of confutation Hence we inferre the certainty of salvation by Christ and Gospel-grace against all that doubting Doctours or doubting hearts can say to the contrary for it is as sure as any thing here can be made sure and more sure then any earthly purchase there being more in the substance of this parabolicall merchandize then in the shadow yet every expression in the shadowy resemblance speaks assurance a treasure found a treasure hidden a treasure joyed in and a treasure bought a pearl found and bought That the treasure was found hidden by God and is hidden by God and is hidden again by the finder and joyed in all this makes towards assurance but when that field for the treasures sake and the treasure with the field and the pearl and all is bought and all sold that all might be bought here is assurance upon assurance Then is Christ surely a mans own the propriety known enjoyed and used Are not you sure of that which you have bought and purchased and have deeds and evidences to shew for it after the true title is tried and proved and the false claim disproved The true beleever you see is a great purchaser he hath deeds and evidences in the promises to shew and he hath the witnesse in himself Our Gospel 1 Joh. 5. 10. saith the Apostle to the Thessalonians came not unto you in word only but in power and in the holy Ghost and in â— Thess 1. 5. much assurance And when the tempter came to tempt them though cap. 3. 10. there was something lacking in their faith in regard of degrees yet sensible they were and sure of what they had as of what they lacked and wanted The same Apostle to the Romans speaks of a double witnesse Rom. 8. 15. Gods Spirit witnessing with the Spirit or renewed conscience of a beleever Yea the Apostle Iohn makes report of â— Joh. 5. 7 8. three Witnesses in heaven and of three upon earth in the heart The Spirit equall with the Father and Son in heaven and above bloud and water on earth ratifying the acts and reflections of faith about our justification shining upon his own work of sanctification and ever teaching the soul in and after self-denying diligence to be assured never to doubt of what they have found as theirs Object 1 But some doubting Doctour will say There can be no assurance without extraordinary revelation Familists and Libertines say the like with the Papists in effect who are all for an immediate Testimony of the Spirit without evidence of grace within them or a life-testimony without them or without Scripture-evidence and verdict upon them Answ 1 1. Assurance is first found where it is founded without us in Gospel-grace Gods free-love giving Christ c. 2. Faith finding assurance in it's object more then in it's own acts and reflections by closing with a sure word of promise an unchangable Covenant becomes sure in it's acts and reflexions through the Spirit 3. More firm and full assurance comes daily in by this Christian selling and buying As the experience of thousands speak it By self-denial and diligent use of the ordinances and meanes of salvation they have ordinarily obtained sure hold possession and use of Christ have known they have had him and shall be saved eternally by him But with the tenets of Rome the Doctrine of doubting agreeth well enough viz. That a man is not justified by imputation of Christs righteousnesse but by inherent holinesse That a man must make some temporal satisfaction to Gods justice here and the rest in Purgatory That his general faith resolved into the testimony of the Church virtuall the Popes brest is enough to salvation That by the power of free-will and nature he may and must concur with Gods grace in conversion c. The Roman faith of these and such like tenets will never assure a man that he is in the state of grace or shall be in the state of glory Nor will Arminian grounds bring home assurance viz. That Christ died for all as for one That God hath not absolutely elected any That all things put into the balance which may be considered in Christs death yet none may be saved That all operations put which may be put in as ingredients to conversion yet grace may be resisted and if gotten yet lost it may be at last and put away But from the true Gospel-faith preached and the true Gospel-treasure in Christ discovered infallible and absolute promises Christs righteousnesse imputed to justification Faith and holinesse wrought irresistably by the Spirit who is given to discover and seal up grace given and glory promised and who carrieth on the beleever in the means and ordinances keepeth him to them and makes them effectuall for the obtaining of what he seeks after Assurance and evidence unquestionable may be is and shall be had and enjoyed for ever Object 2 But saith the doubting heart mans heart is deceitfull above all things and I cannot finde such and such evidences as you speak of by all the diligence and self-denying pains that I have yet laid out for the Gospel-pearl and Treasure Answ 1. I am very jealous whether thou hast denied that deceitfull heart from bearing any witnesse at all about thy estate If the heart be deceitfull as it is in the best so farre as unregenerate good reason it should not be heard speak at all 't is a false witnesse and will give in false evidence I agree with thee the old deceitfull heart and every piece of it must be sold away denied 2. The heart so farre as beleeving a faithfull promise Conscience as justified by Christs bloud and sanctified by the Spirit is not deceitfull The Spirit is truth and too holy to deceive 1 Joh. 5. 6 and too wise to be deceived in this great point of a Christians assurance when he certifieth Gods love and love-tokens to the soul 3. It is and will be more sure then any earthly purchase if that may be wrangled away this cannot if an heir may be cheated of his inheritance in his minority the childe of God cannot He who selleth all sels all his deceitfull heart away and all false evidences and dictates to consult with the Word and Spirit of truth to hearken to Gods bargain to read his writings to view and hold out