we read that there was perfect Gospel or only good newes and glad tidings for the bad newes was now all gone And so it is to be understood here Goe preach the Gospel As if he should say I doe not my disciples bid you goe and give them now good newes and then bad to give them a little of the Law and a line of Gospel but goe preach the Gospel emphatically that is meerly purely Gospel for now Christ is risen from the dead and now the Gospel in the purity and simplicity is erected Goe preach the Gospel To every creature What should be the meaning of that We know that in the Scripture language creature most usually signifies not men but beasts things without life as in Rom. 8. you have it twice or thrice The creature groaneth the beasts and the woods and every thing that God hath made as being a name somewhat too low for men in the ordinary Scripture expression Yet so as it comprehends men for men also are sometimes called creatures Now what should the meaning of this be that now the Gospel being to be purely and fully and compleatly set up whether the Lord Jesus would have them preach and make known glad tidings to all creatures that is that even the bruit beasts and these creatures without life that they should have glad tidings and good newes from the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ I will not averr that it is so that that is the meaning of it but surely beloved there is no creature under heaven but hath a great deale of glad tidings and good newes from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for we read Rom. 8. that the creature groanes and the creature exspects deliverance and redemption All these creatures by sinne are brought into slavery and certainly they shall partake of the libertie of the Sonnes of God there is a redemption for them out of slavery as well as for men by the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ But what that shall be or in what sort I cannot determine Now whether you will understand it so that our Lord Christ meant not men and women only but that by creature the poore creatures that are without life and bruit beasts and all might understand the precious worth of this Gospel Or take it more restrained as generally the godly doe that by creature here is meant the Gentiles in opposition to the Jewes for they knew that they were to preach the Gospel to the Jewes which they also did before the resurrection but now saith Christ Goe preach the Gospel to every creature That is now I will have no distinction of persons I doe not now say take heed of the way of the Samaritans but goe which way you will goe to the Gentiles to Sinners to any men or women that you can call creatures Scithians Barbaririan bond or free goe and preach the Gospel to them bring them glad tidings and newes that Iesus Christ hath brought life grace salvation freely for them That this is the meaning compare it with Mat. 28. 19. Goe therefore teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Here it is goe preach to every creature there it is goe teach all nations I will have no partition or distinction between them saith Christ I gave you leave and often bid you teach the Jewes before but now goe teach the Gentiles for the world was then divided into those two parts Jewes and Gentiles goe teach the Gentiles goe teach every creature But some may say Why doth not our Lord then say goe teach the Gentiles as well as the Jew Why doth he call them creatures I answer it is not an ordinary expression to call men creatures in the Scripture But the reason as I conceive is this because the Gentiles were great sinners and the greatest of sinners And that you shall see clearly in divers places as in Mat. 5. where Christ forbids us to take care for tomorrow what we shall eat and what we shall drink why for saith he after these things the Gentiles seek that is the worst of sinners and we must not be like them So in Ephs. 4. the Apostl would not have them darkned in their understandings and walk as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mindes So in 1 Pet. 3. It is an ordinary expression in Scripture where great sinners are spoken of either they are called Gentiles or else compared to Gentiles Col. 2. Are wee not Jews and not sinners of the Gentiles that is the Gentiles were the greatest sinners that were now they being the greatest sinners the Lord calls them creatures and not men because it is an ordinary expression in Scripture to call wicked people beasts rather than men Isaiah 11. they are called Beares and VVolves and Tigers and Foxes and Doggs and Bulls c. So in Hos. 1. compared with 1 Pet. 3. You that were not a people saith Peter hath God made his people They were not a people God will not ordinarily vouchsafe wicked men and women the name of people but they were not a people What were they then They were Dogs for filth inesse Foxes for cunning Tigers for cruelty and Beares and such kind of creatures Therefore the Jews were called the people of the Lord not onely to distinguish them from others but they were called the people of God as we see in Exodus it was a priviledge to be accounted a people first and then the people of the Lord Therefore the Lord Jesus because hee would not have his Disciples make any exception hee calls them creatures as if he should say my Disciples though they be so sinful that according to the ordinary Scripture language you cannot call them men and women or people yet they are creatures and goe preach the Gospel to every creature go to the Gentiles the greatest sinners in the world whom I will not vonchsafe to call a people yet they are creatures goe preach the Gospel to them So that now I am come to the lesson which we are to observe and that is this That the Ministerie of the Gospel especially after the resurrection of Jesus Christ Containes nothing but glad tidings and good newes even to the worst of sinners Creatures that were so bad that they could not be called men and women yet saith Christ goe preach the Gospel pure Gospel gladtidings to them I say the Ministery of the Gospel if it be rightly dispensed doth not containe a tittle in it but perfect good newes and glad tidings to the heart of the worst of sinners For this is the proper difference between the Law and the Gospel The Law speaks good newes but only to the righteous if thou doe well thou shalt be rewarded if thou fulfill the Law thou shalt have life the Law speakes well to a man quatinus as a righteous man but the
you that is better than to be Lords and Earles that have an innumerable company of Swearers and drunkards and whoremongers for their serving men that it were agreat deale more ease if they could spare them to be without them but you shall have a company of Saints and Angels to waite on you And though the Gospel tell you not of outward riches for Christ himselfe saith The soxes have holes and the foules of the aire have nests but the Son of Man hath not whereon to lay his head Yet the Gospel tells you that you have so much title to worldly things that Godlinesse hath the promise of this life and of that which is to come And that God will be a Sun and a shield to those that feare him and he will withhold from them nothing that is good Is not that tidings enough of riches and wealth when God will withhold nothing that is good God will give food and raiment they have it by promise wicked men have it by providence as the doggs and fowles have it Therefore for all that objection this truth runs cleare But secondly another will say the Gospel indeed brings tidings of Christ and salvation but it brings tidings also of afflictions and persecutions the Gospel saith Whosoever will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution And Christ saith I come not to bring peace but a sword I come to set the father against the sonne and the son against the father the mother against the daughter and the daughter against her mother And saith the carnall heart I like not this newes I love to be at peace with God and all the world as their phrase is Concerning that though it be true that the Gospel brings afflictions yet it is true the Gospel tells you that these sufferings of yours In the first place they are priviledges the Gospel tells you it is a peice of your happinesse to have them 1 Cor. 3. Whether it be Paul or Apollo or Cephas or life or death Death what is death Afflictions are called death In death oft that is afflictions they are but little deathes and one great death ends all the greatest death is a priviledge your afflictions and povertie and reproaches will be a priviledge How is that You have it in Ro. 8. They all work for good to them that love God For your good here and your glory hereafter for saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 4. These light afflictions that are but for a moment they work for us an exceeding exceeding weight of glory The English word cannot expresse it compare it with Rom. 8. The afflictions that wee suffer are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed The Spirit of glory riseth on you The Lord doth you good by it for the present and it works for a Crowne of glory hereafter For this is a true saying if we suffer with Christ we shall reigne with him Therefore though the Gospel bring sufferings with it yet take them as the Gospel expresseth them they are sweet and good tidings they are priviledges to you and will turne for your good here and your glory hereafter The Gospel moreover tells you for your suller satisfaction that the Lord will lay no more upon you than you are able to beare And he will be in the afflection with you in the fire and in the water the Lord Jesus will be with you there and in due time he will make you a way to get out Beloved put all together that the Gospel speakes of afflictions and sufferings construe them together you shall see that there is nothing in all that but glad tidings and good newes I but saith another the Gospel if it be Gospel that we use to heare from our Ministers it is not good newes for our Ministers preach against Drunkards and Swearers and Whoremongers and when I sweare the Minister saith I shall never goe to Heaven And he saith the Gospel will have a man forsake his sins and repent and the like this is not good newes it is good newes that God will save me but it is not good newes that I must leave my sins and all my wayes of pleasure that I am in It is good newes that the Gospel will have me saved but it is not good newes that the Gospel will have me a Puritan and be purisied and purged from my sins Concerning that it is very true that though the Gospel speak not properly against drunkards and whoremongers and Swearers yet the Gospel saith that drunkards must leave their drunkennesse and Swearers must leave their swearing and the Gospel calls every man to repentance from every sin yet not withstanding that it is no bad newes First take Christs Argument Mat. 5. Doth thy right eye offend thee pul it out and cast it from thee doth thy right hand offend thee cut it off and cast it from thee That is as some interpret it there are some sins that are as pleasant as the right eye as profitable as the right hand and thou wer 't better to cut them off why so It is better to goe to heaven with one eye than with two eyes to go to hell and it is better to goe to heaven with one hand than with two to goe to hell Is it not good tidings when a man is taught to make a good bargaine is 't not good tidings when the Gospel tells a man he must throw away his sinnes and it is better to crosse himself a little in his lusts and goe to heaven than to goe lusts and soul and body and all to hell Is it not good newes when a mans house is on fire if one come and shew him how to save a peice It is better than to have all burned Now the Gospel teacheth you to leave sin and it is good newes Why I will tel you because when the Gospel bids thee leave sin it puts in thee a new nature that is contrarie to sin to hate it more than hell and the Devill himself and then if God bid thee leave thy sins it is the best newes in the world as for instance there are many men and weomen I believe here that if the Lord should say to them as he did to Solomon I will give thee whatsoever thou wouldest have in heaven or earth there are some in this place that would say O Lord I would leave my pride I would have a humble heart and a heart that should not love worldly things and a heart that should not be froward and waspish If the Gospel should leave the heart as the Law did and bid you throw away your sinnes and give no strength to doe it it were bad newes but if the Gospel give you a new nature to hate sin and when it bids you leave it gives you power to take it away it is sweet and pleasant newes Another objection that others may make is that
the New Testament wee should labour for a full spirit of adoption What is that that is that there may be nothing in my heart towards God but pure love because in his dealing to me there is not a sillable but love and grace and glad tidings to me and my heart and life should be answerable For the reason of all the horrour that you finde in your hearts and all your feares and troubles that arise there they are from this error in your mindes this opinion that is not quite rooted out that there is in the Gospel administration some ill and bad tidings there is some love and some hatred some mercy and some wrath you think that it may be God is your father and it may be he is your enemie and that because you have sinned he will damne you to hell This is naturall and ordinary Now if you were convinced that there were nothing in the Gospel since our Lord Jesus is gone to heaven and is at the right hand of his Father there is nothing in his dispensation but love and mercy and no wrath hell and damnation and sin c. are all thrown away and if I be perfectly righteous and perfectly justified from all my sins if I have the spirit of Christ given me and am one with God for ever by an everlasting Covenant and shall have life and a Crowne of glory for ever and my sins shall not be laid to my charge O what a cleare and sweet spirit should I have in Gods service and not a muddie and dogged and froward spirit that ariseth from guilt soaking into the soule When I view this truth over and pull it by peice-meale and see that there is no gall nothing in the Gospel first or last but what is amiable and beautifull and blessed newes to sinners then there should follow this consideration why should there be any thing in my heart and spirit towards God but amiable thoughts and love c why should there be any of those coares of unbeliefe and distruct and feare and horrour Those mixtures of adoption and bondage Why should there be hellish feares or guilt in me since there is no wrath not anger at all in God Why should not the carriage of my heart be clear towards him as his is in his Sonne by the administration of the Gospel towards me Labour for a perfect spirit of adoption that you may not have any of those bublings of bondage in your spirits that now over take you and are twisted and woven with that little adoption that you have For who is there among us to this houre but when he comes before the Lord and hath a little smiling in his soule to see his favour and a little joy and delight to come at him and yet there is some feare and trembling as Peter when he was on the waves and what if God will not receive me c. Therefore studie to keep up the spirit of adoption It is a hard thing to keep up the temper of a childe in the soule especially when God lets a man fall into temptations and folly and weaknesse c. But though it be hard labour to keep up that temper at least thus much that thou never come to so low a condition which was the prayer of one that was a good man wherein thou can'st not with a full mouth and with a cleare heart call God father and thee his childe though the unhappiest and unworthiest childe If thou come below this if thou call on God with feare and canst not cry abba abba that is as much as daddie daddie as our babes use to say if thou doe not come so high thou art spoiled and undone desire God to teach you this Lesson also Thirdly if this be so that the Ministery of the Gospel is all glad tidings to the worst of sinners then I appeale to you all and let every man put his hand upon his owne breast and if this be a truth as I hope it hath been cleared you shall all be your own judges how just will the damnation of that sinner be that will not receive the Gospel If there were in the Gospel ridged tidings sad newes as people are apt to fancie to themselves then it were no wonder if one persecuted it and another despised it and another neglected it and another turned it into wantoness But when it comes in such a streame that there is nothing but love and light and salvation and grace and all freely laid down at the feet of a sinner for his receiving nay he shall have power and grace to receive it he shall have salvation and a vessell to carry it in judge how justly thy damnation will be in the last day man or woman whosoever thou art that settest thy selfe against the Gospel and wilt not receive salvation This is the reason why damnation comes out so rife in the new Testament it is scars ever mentioned in the old Testament that I know of damnation is not mentioned in the old Testament nor hell but as it is taken for the grave c. But when grace and the Gospel and life comes damnation comes at the heeles of it How can yee escape the damnation of hell Then comes the worme that never dieth and the fire that never goeth out The reason is because then damnation is proper Then when a man will not receive salvation not because he cannot no man is damned because he cannot receive Christ but because he will not receive this salvation and grace Therefore saith Christ Mat. 28. Goe preach the Gospel he that believeth shall be saved he that believeth not shall be damned That is saith that godly Dr Preston go tell every wicked man this good newes that Christ hath brought salvation But it may be they will not believe what we say to them there is no more in the long and short but in a word tell them they shall be damned That is the reason in Mat. 22. where the Ministery of the Gospel is compared to a feast of dainties and one slights it and another despiseth it and another rejecteth it and when the Master of the feast came it is said he found one without a wedding garment and that the man was speechlesse he was as a man saith Beza with a halter about his neck faith hee goe Binde him hand and foot and cast him into utter darknesse there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth He was speechlesse he had nothing to say and truly I have had more experience lately than ever I had in my life I saw a man that was accounted all his life a professed Athiest and I was with him in the roome when one in the company opened the Gospel from one end to the other as I have endeavoured in my poore abilitie to doe now and all the riches and the salvation of it how free it is how there is no core nor nothing but what is
Ministers forced on people 2. 28 Gospel Ministers to be imbraced 2. 45 see stumbling-blocks Afflictions moderated to the Saints 2. 20 Modestie a law of nature 1. 119 Common multitude cause of the present contentions 1. 134 N Nature THe law of nature to be looked too 1. 118 Gods ordinary commands agree with the law of nature 1. 119 Contrary names put upon men and things 1. 101 Names of persons and things changed by the Devill 1. 131 Service of naturall men hard 1. 33 Magistrates may determine in necessary indifferent things 1. 109 The Ministery of the Gospel nothing but good news 2. 6 Latitude of Saints in the new Testament 1. 12 see grace liberty O Offended see law OFfices and officers in the new Testament 1. 17. Saints tyed more strictly of Old 1. 8 see lawfull grace Punctuall lawes in the Old Testament 1. 15. Old Testament spirit what 1. 95 Sign of an old testament-spirit 1. 91 How men deprive themselves of opportunities 1. 147 Christians must walk orderly 1. 86 Things done disorderly how 1. 87 What hinders men from winning others 1. 53 see law P Papists HArdnesse of Papists service 1. 33 Men offended that their party is spoken against 1. 163. see engagement Posseover strictly observed 1. 16 What actiins tend to Peace 1. 71 The way to peace 1. 100. 122 No peace to the wicked how 2. 34. see selfe prosperity Some men thinke truth alway goes with persecution 1. 175 Persecution of Saints a priviledge 2. 19 Decency in respect of a Christians person 1. 78 Place of meeting to worship how to be determined 1. 108 Pope his practise 1. 48 Power given in the Gospel to doe what is required 2. 23 Practise see Pope Bishops Things worthy praise what 1. 85 Praise only to God 1. 86 Of preaching 1. 116 Precepts of severall sorts 1. 56 see rule Prejudice inconvenient 1. 172 Of Presbytery 1. 49 Falle Presbytery 1. 101 True Presbytery 1. 102 Presbytery and Independents wherein they differ Ibid Presbyterians judgment 1. 124 Contention from carnall Presbyterians 1. 129 Principles and ends of carnall Presbyterians 1. 136 see contention Principles see Presbytery Priviledge see persecution Outward prophanenesse by whome allowed 1. 43 Decency in respect of profession 1. 80 Profit meant by expediency 1. 66 Profit how brought by actions expedient 1. 68 profitable see sin Truth goes not alway with prosperity 1. 173 Prosperity sometimes goes with truth 1. 75 Of singing Psalmes 1. 115 Things pure what 1. 85 Q Christians full of Questions why 1. 140 R THe Saints must be dealt with rationally 1. 110 Reason of three sorts 1. 117 Right reason what Ibid Rediculous to tie the Saints where Christ hath not 1. 50 Religion presented by some as rediculous 1. 146 Christ came to work redemption 2. 14 Decency in regard of a Christians relation 1. 79 Religion see endlesse burthen Things of good report what 1. 85 Benefit by Gospel reproofe 2. 31 Right hand errours 1. 44 Rigour not to be used in determining things 1. 111 The Law the outward and the Spirit the inward rule 1. 13 What precepts or examples make a rule 1. 58 To walke all by the same rule 1. 103 Every thing in Scripture not a rule 1. 166 see Scripture S SAlvation to be accepted of from Christ 1. 37 Wrong wayes to salvation 2. 12 Rules mis-drawen from Scripture 1. 168 Heed in drawing rules from Scripture 1. 169 see Canon Rule Decency in regard of season 1. 82 The way to peace in a mans self 1. 138 Self a hindrance to expedient walking 1. 177 Ministers not to run before they be sent 2. 51 The Saints under the old Testament servants 1. 17 Decency in regard of sex 1. 80 Engagement to sinners to come to Christ 1. 26 Leaving of sin profitable 2. 21 God makes no peace with sinne 2. 35 Salvation offered to sinners as sinners 2. 36 see lawfull singing see Psalmes Difference small between Indedependents and Presbyterians 1. 125 Sobriety a help to expedient walking 1. 177 Saints in the new Testament sonnes 1. 17 Expedient actions for the good of the soul 1. 74 The service of the devil will one day be soure 1. 34 Saints in the new Testament have more of the Spirit 1. 19 Christs Kingdom spiritual 1. 20 The Spirit enables to doe what is required 1. 35 Spirituall things to be studied 1. 105 Spiritual Christians their carriage 1. 141 Spirituall things by whom relished 1. 155 Spirit by whom restrained 2. 29 see rule Ministers to woe men as spouses for Christ 1. 28 Strength not given to keepe lawes of our owne making 1. 139 Men strive about unlikely things 1. 126 Men strive about that they cannot proue 1. 127 Doctrine not to be abused to strife 1. 165 Gospel way a strict way 1. 94 To be strict in point of expediency 1. 98 Stumbling-blocks keep men from Christ 1. 27 Stumbling-blocks removed 1. 162 Saints now tied chiefely to the substance of things 1. 23 see supper To submit to Christs laws 1. 38 To look to our principles against times of suffering 1. 176 Supper of the Lord how ordained 1. 16 Substance of the Lords Supper set downe 1. 24 Sweetnesse in the Devils service whence it is 1. 34 Sweetnesse in Christs service not tasted Ibid T EVery thing in the Gospel glad tidings 2. 11 Gospel tidings great and true 2. 48 Gospel tidings to be spread abroad Ibid Tie see ridiculous Time of publique worship by whom to be aetermined 1. 107 Comforts against troubles 2. 51 Things true what 1. 84 Saints of old as children under tutours 1. 18 V SIgne of unbeliefe 2. 36 understand see liberty Unsetlednesse in Religion whence 2. 37 W VVatchfulnesse a help to expedient walking 1. 179 Weak Christians cause contentions 1. 129 Nothing commanded by God to be weakened 1. 165 Some make the way wider than Christ hath made it 1. 40 Expedient actions tend to the winning of others 1. 73 see others Carnall wisdome a hindrance 1. 176 Spirituall wisdome a help to expedient walking 1. 177 God wil interpret his own word 1. 174 Fancy to be subjected to the word 1. 178 Notions to be followed as they agree with the word The maine work of salvation done already 1. 29 Liberty in the externalls of Gods worship 1. 15 No liberty in the substance of Gods worship Ibid The maine work done concerning worship 1. 104 Y Yoake of Christ what 1. 9. READER THe number of the Pages in the latter three Sermons beginning with 1 2 3 c. For thy ease in the use of the Table I have set down what is contained in the nine former Sermons as Part 1. In the three latter as Part 2. Whereby with ease may be found any head in either T. S. Act. 17. 21. Judg. 3. 21. 2. King 9. 6 Mat 28. 19 Luk. 2. 10 Joh. 3. 16. Heb. 6. 8. Isa. 52. 7. 2 Sam 18. 27. The words opened Gospel what meant by it Creature what meant by it Gentiles called creatures Quest Answ. Gentiles the worst of sinners Doct. The Ministery of the Gospel containes nothing but good newes to the worst of sinners Difference between the Law and the Gospel Nothing but good newes now in the Gospel Heb. 12. 18. 19. c. opened Every particular in the Gospel glad tidings The Gospel shewes mans wretched condition 2. The wrong wayes and meanes that men use for salvation 3. It holds forth Gods love to sinners 4. Gods love fruitful 5. Christ came to work redemption 6. Christ died for us 7. He roase from death 8. Conversed with his discipls 9. Ascended into heaven 10. Intercedes for us 11. shall come to judgement 12. Gods Covenant Object Concerning outward things Answ. Psalme 45. Psal 149. Spirituall honour reall Angels waite on the Saints Saints right to outward things Object The Gospel brings persecutions Ans. 1. they are priviledges 2. They are moderated Object The Gospel requires men to forsake sin Answ. 1. Leaving of sin profitable The Gospel teacheth to hate sinne Object The Gospel requireth dutie Answ. 1. Not on paine of damnation 2. The Gospel gives power to do what it requireth 3. Gospel duties few and easie 1. Cor. 15. Object The Gospel requires Faith Answ. The Gospel breeds faith Object Discipline and government in the Gospel Ans. Two wrong governments since Christ Papacie Episcopacy Evils in both governments 1. Concerning their power 2. Their Lorldlines in two things 1. In imposing lawes on mens consciences 2. In sorcing men to obey those lawes 3. Forcing Ministers Officers on the people 4. Their power excercised against the Saints 5. Restraining the Spirit in preaching praying 6. Their lawes backed by secular power The two worst things in the Gospel good newes 1. Reproofe Benefit of Gospel reproofe 2 Excomunication Object No peace to the wicked Ans. three Wayes 1. It is rather Law than Gospel 2. God will not make peace with sin though hee doth with sinners 3. No peace to men that continue in sin under the Gospel Object Answer How judgments are pronounced against sinners Quest Ans. Continuance in sin a signe of unbeliefe use 1. To learne that in the Gospel salvation s offered o sinner s sinners Unsetlednesse in religion whence Many doe little for God why Use 2. To labour for aperfect spirit of adoption Full spirit of adoption what Feares horrours whence The damnation of them that refuse the Gospel just Damnation mentioned frequently in the new-Testament why Whose destruction God laughs at Vse 2. Gospel Ministers to be imbraced use 5. To hearken to and inquire after the Gospel Gospel tidings great and true use 6. To spread these glad tidings to others Gospel-preaching not to be hindred New light discovered in these dayes Cautions Learning not to be disparaged Men not run before they be sent Vse 7. Comfort against present troubles Vse 8. 1. Not to corrupt the Gospel 2. Not to mingle Law and Gospel 2. It is legall to do good or abstain from evill for fear of judgment Cause of divisions Vse 9. To receive the Gospel 1. To beleve it 2. Embrace it with joy 3. To give up our selves to it