incourage thee to sin or to harbour unsoundness in thy repentings It s only they that truly and unfeignedly repent that find God so gracious which as he hath not promised to any man presuming to sin so they that are unsound therein neither sooner nor latter find acceptance The Prodigal in the Parable did not only see and say it was good for him to arise and go to his Father or better than to lye there and â—â—pine and perish and yet lye there still nor did he only rise up and step 〈◊〉 step or two and turn back again for so his Father had never espyed him so as to run and meet and imbrace him but he resolved and arose and went purposed it seriously and performed it really and then he presently found hearty welcome go thou and do likewise It s not bare convincements faint wishes good desires or half repentances but in the minding Gods grace a serious and thorough arising up from sin and returning to God in Christ that finds acceptance The occasion of my penning this discourse was mainly what befell a woman in our Town of Lin who sinning against much light and grace from God was by his just and severe judgement left so to sin and her sin so brought to light as brought her to a shameful death who though God would not spare her from such a death here to warn others not to sin yet seemed to have found such mercy with God as gave her much comfort at her end I thought to have inserted the Relation of her but forbear at present least I should occasion too much sorrow to if not anger also in her relations Perhaps I may publish something hereafter if I judge it convenient in the inteâ—… peruse and make good use of what I have here done and God give his blessing with it To whom committing thee and it and my self and begging thy prayers for me if thou hast any acquaintance with him I rest Thine in what I am able for thy helpfulness Jo. Horne Lin May 16. 1668. A Gracious REPROOF TO PHARASAICAL SAINTS Murmuring at God's Mercies TO PENITENT SINNERS Luke 15.31 32. But he said unto him Son thou art ever with me and all that I have is thine It was meet that we should make merry and be glad For this thy Brother was dead and is a live again was lost and is found CHAP. I. The Preface paraphrasing the Parables of the lost Sheep and lost Groat with the occasion of them IT is a hard thing for men to know or think themselves righteous yea though but comparatively better than some of their Neighbours and not be proud of it and when men are proud of themselves they are very prone to disdain others whom they think not so good as themselves Yea and when they see God or his Servants preferring such upon any account or in any way of testimony thereof before nay if but equalising them with themselves they are apt to envy and fret against those persons therefore yea and to fault such Servants of God that so do and sometimes to contend against God himself For such is the nature of Pride that it lifts up it self above all and apts to be angry at and offended with what or whosoever opposeth it All which observations we may make from and find verified in the Pharisees who thinking themselves though falsly righteous disdained at sinners and murmured at Christ himself the prime servant of God yea God himself because of his gentleness and goodness towards sinners So when Matthew otherwise called Levi a Publican being himself converted made a feast for Christ and his Disciples and invited many Publicans and sinners to come and eat with him Christ not refusing their company thereat but laying hold of that occasion to become their good Physitian for curing those spiritual diseases which threatned their destruction the Pharasees were offended at him Mat. 9.10 11. Mar. 2.14.15 16. Luk. 5.27 28 29 30. And so was Simon the Pharasee because he suffered a sinful woman to come so near him as to wash and wipe and kiss his feet as he sat at Dinner with him Luk. 7.37 38 39. And the like temper we find to have been in them here in what is said of them in the two first verses of this Luk. 15. for after Christ had informed his Disciples of what they must look to part with and forgo that will be indeed his Disciples and how dangerous it is for those that have begun to follow him and therein to partake of his vertues to prove Apostates and Backsliders Chap. 14 25 34. yet it follows ver 1. of this Chapter Then resorted to him all the Publicans and Sinners to hear him As if notwithstanding all he had told them as that they who will be his Disciples must in a sense hate their dearest relations and enjoyments yea their very lives forsaking all for his sake if he call them to it and that such as forsake him after they have partook of any thing of his vertues are as salt that hath lost its favour good for nothing the vilest of men Yet then for all this ver 2. All the Publicans and Sinners drew nigh to hear him and the Pharisees and Scribes murmured saying This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them By sinners meaning such as were notoriously such such as if called Brethren as making profession of religion with us we may not afterward eat with 1 Cor. 5.11 till they repent them It seems with such Christ eat being not professedly his Disciples as yet and while they were such sinners and therein testified more civility or familiarity towards them then the Pharisees in their stricter way of Religion could well like of and therefore they murmured against him But he for vindicating his own charitable demeanor towards those Sinners spake a Parable to them yea three Parables which take up all the rest of the Chapter The first is of a man having an hundred Sheep and losing one of them which the more effectually to silence their murmuring he would have any one of them to make it his own case ver 3.4 5 6. And he spake unto them this Parable saying What man of you having an hundred sheep if he lose one of them doth not leave the ninty and nine in the Wilderness and go after that which is lost until he findes it and when he hath found it he layeth it upon his shoulders rejoycing and when he is come home he calls together his friends and neighbours sayings Rejoyce with me for I have found my Sheep that was lost His defence is very just and pregnant for what 's a Sheep to a Soul yea what 's one Sheep of an hundred to many sinful men and women perhaps almost an hundred for one and if they could not content themselves with their ninety and nine Sheep safe when but one was missing but that leaving the ninety and nine in the Wilderness where they also might meet with danger
or tookno notice of his better condition and greater obligements through his Fathers love and freeness towards him which therefore the loving meek and wise Father for curing of his distemper mindes him of saying Son thou art ever with me and all that I have is thine and what 's a Kid or a fatted Calf to an Inheritance that in his distemper was forgotten by him Peevish frowardness and passionate envious distempers are no good guides or counsellors for us to listen to or to be led by in our judgements or goings they see where they should be blinde and are blinde where they should see It is not for us to take notice of our services and obedience but God who is the wiser and best estimator of them and will not undervalue or underweigh them one grain nor come short in the least reward of any thing truly acceptable in them but is ready to reward them like a bounteous King so as to shew his riches of liberality far above any inward excellency they have in them It is for us and more behooful and profitable to minde and take notice of his love and goodness to us to quicken us up to and in our duties and obedience and to preserve us from proud and haughty miscarriages and froward repinings and murmurings at his dealings with us or others The minding Gods goodness to us will beget and nourish love and obedience in us to him and then we shall not need to minde how dutiful and obedient we are to him but rather shall see cause to confess our selves in all we do unprofitable servants to him that have done nothing but what his goodness already extended challenges and makes due from us and so that we cannot challenge any thing of due debt or merit further from him yet he will also such his goodness minde to reward us with rewards undeserved by us and exceeding glorious But as this proud and froward distemper made him overlook the goodness of his condition with his Father and his obligations to him so it blinded him also from seeing what was meet to be done for and toward his returned Brother and the equitableness of his Fathers carriage towards him which therefore his Father to cure him and argue him by reason and judgement out of his distemper mindes him of also It was meet that we should make merry and be glad That by his fatherly authority and wisdom he layes down as a certain truth to be received and believed by his Son as an Oracle proceeding from his more perfect understanding and unerring wisdom teaching his Son who in duty ought to hear his Fathers Instruction about what was meet and not to take upon him to correct his Father and be an instructor and teacher to him The over-eying and over-weaning of our graces services doings duties c. are very apt to yea very certainly and necessarily do puff us up with spiritual pride and that lifts us out of our places and makes us ready to disanul Gods Judgment and condemn the Almighty to justifie our selves and make our selves righteous As God sayes of Job sinning in that way of sin through that root of spiritual pride Job 40.8 and instead of learning of God and Christ to lift up our selves against them quarrel with them and set our selves to inform and teach them doing as St. Peter dâ—… who after he had heard Thou art 〈◊〉 and I will give to thee the Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven by and by lifted up himself as high as the Pope would be upon that Scripture lifted up by men to after and correct his Masters sayings and doings going therein before him and not coming after him him as Disciples and learners use to do to their Masters Mat. 16.18 19 22 23. yea taking him aside and rebuking and advising him as if his Keyes of the Kingdom gave him authority over him and his Doctrine too as the Pope practices upon that pretence with Christ and his Institutions thereby proving himself to be and to deserve the name of a Satan as Christ gave to St. Peter upon that account and we may very safely by the by observe this truth that while the Pope or any else under pretence of having the Keyes of the Kingdom given them do take upon them to alter and correct Christs sayings or doings his Ordinances and Institutions as they do in the order and manner of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper amongst other things coming in with their non abstante though Christ ordered thus yet that notwithstanding we order it otherwise though Christ ordered and the Apostles practised the receit of the Supper in both kindes yet we for all that order it to be received in one kinde only though God hath forbidden the worship of Images and Christ came not to dissolve his Fathers Laws yet we command them to be made and worshipped c. While I say the Pope and his Councils or any else do thus they are so far from being the Rock Foundation or the Head of the Church that they are Satans enemies and adversaries to Christ and his Church and so plainly Antichrists Yet this the pride of gifts places offices and services puffs up men too usually to But the Father would have his froward Son here reduced into better order and as Christ said to Peter come behinde him and hear and learn of him not argue against him and rebuke him as here he did opposing his Fathers practice and order of making merry for his lost Son found again It was meet that we should make merry and be glad Prepare a feast for mirth and make mirth outwardly at it and be glad too inwardly and in heart But he doth not only instruct him and teach him or by his Fatherly wisdom and authority dictate so much to him but also demonstrates the truth of his doctrine by solid and sound reason that he might as well inform his judgement and make him see the truth of his saying with his own eyes or understanding as it were as well as assure him of it upon his own authority and the authority of his saying which ought for it self to be received because he is the Lord though he gave us no other account of it and indeed this is one great difference between the Law and the Gospel The Law delivers precepts from God barely upon the account of his authority Thou shalt do or not do thus for I am the Lord But the Gospel insinuates things to us and perswades us to them by reason as laying down the grounds and reasons why that we might offer to God A reasonable service Rom. 12.1 whence also as Christ is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by a name signifying not only word but reason John 1 1. So they that believe not the Gospel are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Absurd or unreasonable men 2 Thess 3.2 and so I say here the better to convince him that he doth not impose upon him meerly by his
they in him as they are his and he Gods In him we are compleat Col. 2.9 10. And 3. In and through Christ in our persons in title and interest by promise as Abraham Isaack and Jacob did the Land of Canaan while yet they had it not in possession for Israel did not take away wrongfully the Land of Canaan from the Inhabitants they claimed but their own by the gift of him who is the Lord of all the earth and had sworn to give it them and so the Fathers that are said to dye in faith not having received the promises Heb. 11.13 are yet said to have received them Heb. 6.14 that is as to promise or covenant and the title that gave them thereto Thence too the believers are said to be heirs according to promise Gal. 3.29 4. In hope and expectation that being justified by faith ye might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life which God that cannot lye hath promised before the world began Tit. 3.7 and 1.2 5. In usefulness and benefit all things working together for good to them that love him that are the called of God according to purpose Rom. 8.28 And so they that overcome and keep Christs words and keep with God are heirs of all things All that I have is thine Let us take a brief view or survey of their riches 1. God is theirs and all that he is not that he can be comprehended of and by them seeing he comprehends them and all things and is himself incomprehensible but by himself but he is their God their Father their Portion and Inheritance as to be worshipped and acknowledged by them so to inrich save and satisfie them The portion of Jacob is not like unto them he is the former of all things the Lord of Hosts is his name Jer. 10.16 and the Lord is my portion saith my soul therefore will I hope in him Lam. 3.24 I go to my God and your God my Father and your Father saith Christ John 20.17 an infinite portion for in having him we have infinite Wisdom to order and dispose of all things for us and our benefit and of us also for our own greatest happiness and to advise counsel and direct us in all our difficulties infinite power to effect and bring about what in the counsel of his will or wisdom he sees good to be effected and to prevent and hinder remove or destroy what he sees destructive to us infinite strength to bear up all things for us and us in all cases and to strengthen us in all services and sufferings infinite duration to continue and lengthen out our happiness for ever that we may never be deprived of it but enjoy it to eternity infinite goodness to lead him to exercise all his other attributes for our infinite and everlasting advantage infinite truth and holiness to perform all his words and promises to us c. and all this for us in and through Christ Jesus 2. Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.23 and he is theirs and all his infinite fulness I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine saith the Spouse Cant. 2.18 and 6.3 He that hath the Son hath life and he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ that is that continueth in the belief and obedience of it He hath both the Father and the Son 1 John 5.11.2 2 John 9. and it s in having Christ that any man hath God his God and portion and hath all his fulness for him for he that transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God and it s in him he hath all things who hath and abideth in him even unsearchable riches in him infinite wisdom to order and manage all things with God for us and from God to over and about us and to direct and guide us in all conditions In him righteousness infinite and everlasting for presenting us just and acceptable in the sight of God and in him all the promises of God are yea and Amen affirmed and confirmed true and certain 2 Cor. 1.19 20. Isa 45.23 24. In him holiness infinitely for us and therein dedication to God and renewing into his image and likeness grace to make us holy and renew us and so to make us also Gods Inheritance his chosen generation Royal Priesthood Holy Nation peculiar people In him Redemption even forgiveness of sins through or in his blood Eph. 1.7 Col. 1.14 even infinite plenteousness of Redemption for redeeming us from all iniquities Psal 130.7 8. and so from all troubles miseries bondages death the fruits of sin lying upon us Psal 25.22 Yea even from bodily death and Grave yea from hell and destruction Rom. 8.23 Hosea 13.14 John 11.25 26. in him son-ship heir-ship title to the Inheritance John 1.12 Gal. 3.26 27. Yea in a word This is the record God hath given of his Son that God hath given us eternal life and this life is in his Son he that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life 1 John 5.11 12. 3. God hath an infinitely Holy Spirit which he hath put upon Christ to bring forth Judgement to the Gentiles and this he also gives in and through Christ to them that obey him Acts 5.32 to help their infirmities teach and lead them into the knowledge of Christ glorifying him to them and so into all truth to bring his words to remembrance justifie them in their Consciences sanctifie and wash them in the Blood and Name of Jesus comfort them in their exercises tribulations and temptations be a Spirit of Holiness to and in them leading them in the way of and framing and quickning them to holiness teaching them to pray and groan after God and his Grace and Mercy in Christ for their helpfulness In a word to inhabit and dwell in them through the Word or Faith of Christ and be in them as a spring of living Waters springing up unto everlasting life and gifting them for usefulness to others and so to be as rivers of living waters flowing out of their bellies or inward man to seal them up also to the day of redemption and be to them the anointing and furnisher for Gods Service the earnest of conductor to and raiser up of their dead bodies to the enjoyment of the Inheritance Rom. 8.14.26 27. John 16.14 15. and 14.16 17 26. 1 Cor. 6.11 Isa 11.2 Gal. 5.16 Psal 143.10 and 119.37 and 51.10 11. Zech. 12.10 Eph. 2.22 and 5.18 19. with Col. 3.16 1 Cor. 12.7 John 4.14 and 7.37 38 39. 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Ephes 1 14. and 4.30 4. God hath an innumerable company of Angels to minister to him Dan. 7.10 11. and these are in and with Christ the Believers and Obeyers of him Pitching their tents about those that fear him to deliver and save them Psal 34.7 Bearing them up in their hands and keeping them in all their wayes Psal 91.11 12. Sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation Heb. 1.14 Inâ—iâ—â—â—ing the