Minds but when a Command comes to be obeyed and a Cross to bâ— taken up and Self-denial to be shewn 〈◊〉 some Increase of Trade lies in the way let Truth go where it will you must follow your Interest there wants somewhâ—â— to fix you in the Principle of Truth which is able to sanctifie you and perfect you that you may be reconciled to God through Christ They that are resigned and given up to Truth it is possible for them that they may be satisfied they have an Infallible Testimony of the Spirit of Truth witnessing with their Spirits that such a thing is bad and if they might get the whole World to do it they will not What is Profit and Pleasure to me My Pleasure is at Gods right Hand and my Profit is to get Grace and to have an abundant entrance into Gods Everlasting Kingdom Those that have the true knowledge of Christ they have Profit and Advantage Pleasure and Delight enough which is hid from the World and ever will be They are for Profit and Pleasure which they may have with a good Conscience Those Things which God affords them as Blessings in this World they despise them not but take them with Thanksgiving and use them for his Glory But if they cannot have Profit and Pleasure without sinning against the Lord and their own Consciences take Profit and Pleasure that will They that come thus to close with Truth they have an infallible Evidence within them they do not conceive it is thus and thus because such a Man saith it is so but they have an infallible Evidence in themselves This is the Mind of the Lord God hath signified it by his Spiâ—â—t and sealed it upon my Spirit and I cannot but know it What do you profess Infallibility Else I would hold my Tongue if I did not know what I assert infallibly I would never Preach more Truth may be many times concealed A Man may have wronged and cheated his Neighbour and he not know it this Man goes away and his Neighbour doth not reproach him but when he comes to lie down in his Bed he hath a sting and a reproach in his Conscience I know I have donâ— him harm Whether is not this Infallible Let me consult some learned Men that I may know wâ—â—ther it was a Lie I told I need not go to learned Men and Logicians to know whether it was a Lie I am infallible in this I know certainly it was a Lie I have a certain Evidence and if a thousand Men tell me to the contrary I will not believe them If there be Infallibility here is there not then Infallibility in the word of Truth Shall I question it or doubt it if I have an infallible Testimony of it Tho' Men have never so little proficiency if they have it upon sure Terms and lasting Foundations let a thousand Men come with all their Logical Skill and Sophism yet they can never remove a Man from the Witness â—n himself The Remnant that God hath â—rought to this Foundation they have a certainty and Infallibility in their Obedience they pay to the Will of God aâ—â— in the comfort they have in their Obedience to the Law of God which he hath written in their Hearts Let what will come they can never be removed for this exceeds all the Precepts and Doctrin of Men it is the Precept and Doctrin of Christ and his Apostles Let People read them and endeavour to practise them but here comes the Testimony the Divine Power by which the Precept was given forth to them and is now given forth again to thee and me with as much Liveliness and Power Let us perform them as did the Primitive Christians Here now Comfort comes to flow forth from a settled Foundation that shall never be moved The Winds have come and blown upon Religion let what Wind will blow and can blow God hath built his Church upon a Rock and it will remain unmoveable against all opposition blessed are they that are founded thereupon Hath God fixed and established us in our Society with one another and with our Lord Jesus Christ This is the Foundation that God hath placed it upon We desire that all Men may come to the same stability and settlement and never more to be tosseâ— with the Winds of Doctrin but be built upon Christ Jesus the Rock of Ages the Rock of our Ages the Rock of us and our Children That God will carry us â—n in this Society is the desire of our Souls for our Selves and all our Friends and Country-men The way for you to be blessed and to have 〈◊〉 Advantage for your Immortal Souls by the Testimony that hath been raised up is to have regard to the working of the same Power that you may come to partake of the Benefit of those Gifts and Graces which God hath bestowed upon his Church His Prayer after Sermon MOST blessed and glorious God and Father of Life how wonderful art thou in thy Appearances to thy People in the Day of thy Power in which thou has stretched forth thine Arm and hast gathered a Remnant of those that were scattered and art yet gathering them and bringing them to thy self those that have been driven away and thou hast made known thy power and goodness in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men that they might love thee That thou mightest beget love to thy self thou hast made known thy love to their Hearts if thou hadst not loved us first we had never loved thee But thou hast been shedding abroad thy love in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost to constrain us to love thee Thy love is manifested to all that are breathing after thee and none do breath after thee but through the Life that thou givest to them and those that were dead in Sins aâ—â— Tâ—esâ—asses hast thou quickned and we wâ—â—◠〈…〉 forth thy Praises and Thanksgivings for the great things that thou hast done for us in Jesus Christ All thy Works praise thee and thy Saints bless thee Holy Father of Life increase and multiply those Graces and holy Desires which thou hast begun to work in us and pluck up every Plant that thy right Hand hath not planted Let spiritual Sodom be burnt up and all that are Corrupt let those things that thou hast planted spring up to the Praise of thy Name and the Salvation of the Souls which thou hast gathered O powerful God of Life let thy blessed Presence and living Fear be among us that all thy Children may offer Praises and the Sacrifices of humble Thanksgivings upon thy Holy Altar Arise O Lord more and more in the greatness of thy Power and dispel the Clouds of Darkness that have been upon the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men and raise up in every one of us more and more holy Desires and Breathings after that Life that is Eternal Those that have been scattered let them be now gathered and let those that have been
for his Assistance he cries to God to help him he now knows that he hath striven and laboured in vain O God of all Grace if thou vouchsafe not Help to my Soul if thou dosâ— not interpose by the Assistance of thy Grace I cannot overcome this Sin There is a continual Cry to God for Divine Assistance and as they cry to God for Assistance he ministers Assistance to them by which they are able to overcome the Enemy of their Souls and all Temptations when they come And when a Man finds such Divine Assistance his Faith is strengthned and confirmed and so he fights the good fight of faith and at last gets the Victory Victory over his Sin and his own Lusts and Concupiscence and Victory over the Assaults and Temptations of the Adversary and at last he comes through the Grace of God to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live righteously soberly and godlily in this present world Now when People do thus it is by the Grace of God This Life of Righteousness Sobriety and Godliness is not the effect of their Labour and Exercise and of their Endeavours herein but it is the effect of the Holy Spirit that hath been the Teacher When you see a Man is grown a good Scholar eminent in al◠〈…〉 â—â—â—ning you will conclude he di◠〈…〉 to all this of himself he could not leâ—â—n this and the other Language this â—nd the other Art and Science of himself No he had some judicious and able Master and â—eacher who communicated of his Leaâ—ning and Knowledge to his Disciple and Scholar This is the efficient cause of his Improvement Now if a Man by the Grace and the Spirit of God and the Teachings of it live a holy godly Life this is the effect of something he did not always live such a Life How comes he to live such a Life now Is it by his own Industry Labour and Exercise No it is by being exercised taught and led by the Spirit of God so that it is the effect of the Grace of God that he should live such a holy Life though it is not the meritorious cause of it as he is a Creature but acceptable to God in Christ the Mediator Thus a Man comes to be justified and accepted not because he is a godly Man but is made so by the Spirit of God You are not under the law saith the Apostle but under grace You are under the Teachings of it under the Directions of it Grace can reprove People for that Grace and that Truth that comes by Christ and manifests it self as a Light in the Hearts of Transgressors reproves their Sin and calls them out of it it reproves them for it and exhorts them to leave it both at one Time so that we must acknowledge all our Righteousness Holiness and Obedience to be o◠〈…〉 â—â—ll that we do in order thereunto a◠〈◊〉 done by the Teaching by the Influence and Operation of the Grace of God given us in Christ Jesus it is the effect of him who is our Mediator he worketh it in us and for us of his good pleasure If we be justified we are not justified for a righteous holy Life and for our Obedience but we are justified through Christ who worketh a godly Life in them that believe so that a Man is not justified by any other way or means and all other ways a Man takes of being reconciled to God are vain and fruitless and have been spoken against by all that were moved by the Holy Ghost in the New Testament Saith the Prophet What shall I come before the Lord with all I am fallen under Death and Sin and in a separation from God I would fain be reconciled to him what shall I do to be reconciled to God He goes about to reckon without Christ and without Faith and Holiness Shall I take a thousand Rams and ten thousand Rivers of Oil Shall I come nearer still Shall I make an Offering of the Fruit of my Body for the sin of my Soul Shall I offer my first-born to God that I may not be rejected and brought to a separation from him Thus Men when they come to be sensible do feel in themselves that all this is to no purpose The Answer comes Thou maist live but all thy Contrivances about making an Offering are vain 〈…〉 â—â—ewed thee O Man 〈◊〉 â—o do It is noâ— thy findinâ— this way and tâ—â—â— way viz. thy â—â—â—â—s and thy Oil and 〈◊〉 first-born it is no way of thy devising and imagining that can reconcile thee to me I have shewed thee O Man what is good What is this that is shewed It is comprised in a short compass It is to love Mercy to do Justice and to walk humbly with thy God Will this serve without offering Rams and Oil and offering my first born This will do if thou canst but love Mercy when it s shewn thee that is embrace Mercy and love it He hath shewed Mercy to all Men then love it and receive it do justly leave every thing that is unrighteous and do that which is just in the sight of God but do not boast of thy Justice and Righteousness but walk humbly with thy God here is the whole Duty of Man This looks as if I should go to Works and forbear something in order to my Justification Indeed the consideration of these kind of Lessons do corrupt some Men and put them upon doing this or that and upon forbearing this or that and hath brought many to Confession and great Abstinence and put them upon great doings thinking this would answer the Justice of God I have loved Mercy and given all I had to the Poor If I do justly and abstain from this and the other Liberty if I walk humbly that is if I humble my self by this and the other manner of Pennance and Contrition then I do what God requires and then I have pleased God Now all that havâ— gone this waâ— of working to do justly and love mâ—â—cy and to make themselves humble and humbled themselves low in such a manner they have missed the Mark. He hath shewed thee O Man what is good that it is impossible for fallen Man to answer this himself he may be convinced of his Duty to do Justice but by his own Power and Strength he cannot do it there are so many Temptations from without and so many from within such a proâ—â—nsity in Nature that will prevail against all â—â—e â—onds of Charity that he can make Therefore is Help laid upon one thâ—t is mighty without the Grace 〈◊〉 God that comes by Christ Jesus a Man can never do it tho' Convinced Tho' the Lord hath shewed him what is good he shews us that we are unable of our selves he hath taken care to send his Son God hath so loved the World that he hath sent his Son into the World that he might help those that have need of help that every one that is in Distress might
not love doth not care for â—nd hath no Pleasure in If you were of the world saith Christ the world would love you but because you are noâ— of the world they hate you How should this 〈◊〉 understood were not they some of the Men oâ— that Generation How doth he mean theâ—â— were not of the World Why I have takâ—â— you out 〈◊〉 iâ— â—â—ith he and yâ—t they 〈◊〉 â—here still and they were named by certain Names the Sons of such and such Men yet for all that they were not of the World and thâ—â— which differed them was being made partakers of that Life which the World knew not And so there will be an Enmity in the World against the Life of Holiness they will hate any Body that lives in it and as it was then so it is at this Day they that are of the World they hear and receive those things that are of the World from the Men of this World but they that are of God they hear them that are of God and they receive the things of God and their greatest Comfort and Joy that they have is their Communion with God in Christ Jesus through whom as through a Conduit-Pipe the Blessings of the Father are ministred to them and through whom as from the Fountain of Life their Life is renewed from Day to Day But these things are hidden from the World from the wise and prudent of it they cannoâ— dig into the Depth nor ascend to this Height they cannot comprehend the length and the breadth of the things of God which are in Christ Jesus they may reach unto something of the Love of God that is in the Creation they can tell when the Sun shines upon them and when the Rain falls upon their Fields and when it falls in due season they call it a Blessing and while the Covenant with Winâ—â—â— and Summer remains thâ—y look upon it as comforâ—able and perhaps some 〈…〉 stow a Saying I thank God for it All 〈◊〉 things are beneath us and there is neithâ—◠〈◊〉 nor hatred knowâ— by them all I saw 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ed saith one I beheld his dwelling-â—â—â—â—â— and he flourished like unto a green bay-tree and was wicked still for all this But now they that see where they live that live to God they can say That their Leaf never withers but they bring forth their fruit in due season but he did not so But the wicked Man that flourished like a green bay-tree behold I looked and he was removed and his place was no more to be found There came a Blasting upon all his Blessings and his flourishing came to an end his Riches perishâ—â— and his good things passed away from him But the Man whose delight is in the law of God and makes it his Pleasure both Night and Day he is like a tree planted by the rivers of water whose leaf never fades and brings forth his fruit in due season But this is hid there is no body in the World but would have something of this Life too they would be sure of Eternal Life but they would not die to the other Life they would not be crucified to the world they would not be separated from their Lovers if they could get into the state of a righteouâ— Man an Hour or Two before they die whâ—â— they are sure they shall die it would pleaâ—â— them â—ut to live that Life that is to God to die to the World and to part with 〈◊〉 they have their Comfort their 〈◊〉 their Peace and Honour and all their worlâ—â—â— Enjoyments in before they can come to receive tâ—â—â—ift of God they think 〈◊〉 hard But they that loâ—â— after it and have a mind to find it out without parting with the World's Life they befool themselves Do not you see how Men have befooled themselves in these days They have sought after the Kingdom of God till they are scattered in their own way they are quarrelling about their own way as if they never had any Scripture to be their Rule They cry the Scripture is their Rule this is the way to eternal Life saith one and this is the way saith another and the one and the other say â—ll these ways are false saving their own and â—ll these Contenders about the way to eternal Life they all say the Scripture is the Rule And yet the Scripture speaks of the way too and tells us the way plainly the way to Rest Peace and Life Eternal If the Scri had been silent in it and had said nothing but of Genealogies and Histories of Armies and Wars it had been something but the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament speak of a certain way to Eternal Life and say it is the way of Holiness A way shall be cast up for the redeemed and the ransomed of the Lord to walk in which the way-faring man though a fool shall not mistake in it Though he never took a degree at the Univâ—â—sity he shall 〈◊〉 â—rr in it though he be a 〈◊〉 the â—ccount of the World and never understood Greek or Latin yet he shall not 〈◊〉 this way The way that leads to the Kingdom of God is called the way of Holiness but while many have been reading in their Books they have been contending for a way of Unholiness no wonder then they have been quarrelling about it and have all missed it and that in the main point of all Let them make a way which way they will and frame it never so wisely according to the best Wit they have be it a way that hath all the maâ—eâ—ial Qualifications that should make it a way of Holiness these Men may walk in it but they will never find the way to the Kingdom â—f God though they have sought it out Go to one place and another place and ask them what is your way Our way say they is the right way the most sure and certain way that can be found for People to walk in But whither will it lead me It will lead thee to the Kingdom of God That is it I would have but will it lead me to Holiness No never in this World you must never come to Holiness do the best thou canst do here it is but Sin the best days work thou makest is but Sin the best Child of God on Earth cannot live a Day without Sin Do you hold out that in your way Yes then I have done with that and go to another People So many have gone many 〈◊〉 to the Kingdom of God and when the â—â—â—â—t is come they have found every way a polluted way a sinful way I know this way will never lead me to God sin first led me from God I had been well enough as I was created at first if I had never sinned against God a sinful way will lead me from God It is against common Sense and against Rationality to say we did first go from God by sin and must go to God again by a sinful way Who will
is a plâ—ce appointed for the Woman in 〈◊〉 Wilderness where she is preserved by the â—â—mighty Power where she is nourished for a Time and Times and half a Time from the Face of the Serpent but she must come out again after some Time in spite of the Devil and all his Instruments of all his Dragons and Serpents The woman must come out of the Wilderness and the Man-Child must come down with great Power to rule the Nations This hath been accomplished say some above fourteen hundred Years ago and if you will take their Word the Church hath been come so long out of the Wilderness But the Church that they speak of hath it not wanted Holiness and Righteousness Hath it given glory to God on high with peace on earth and good will to men No their Church hath lived in Tyranny and barbarous Cruelty and shedding of Blood They say the Churcâ— was in the Wilderness in Dioclesian's Time and when Constantine came to the Empire theâ— she came out of the Wilderness If it had been a Holy Church we should have seen the Man-Child come down from God and Holiness and Righteousness would have run down like a mighty stream and Truth would have filled the whole Earth All these things have not yet been fulfilled for we have seen the Professors of Truth fallen in the Streets they have been persecuted and troubled and thrown into Prisons and … on s but there is a better Church some … to be found I read of the Holy Church the Lamâ—â— Wife the Spouse of Christ that hath been hid somewhere a great while in some Corner or other in the Wilderness but she will come forth again out of the wilderness leaning upon her well-beloved She doth not come leaning on this Prince and the other Potentate She comes not out of the Wilderness leaning on Captains Generals and Armies but leaning on Christ her well-beloved the Immortal Invisible Power of the Son of God she trusteth in it All the other Churches I have read of they have leaned upon one Prince or Potentate or one Emperour or another and they have relyed on these great Men as on their Bulwark but this Church that comes out of the Wilderness will come leaning only upon her well-beloved the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Author and Finisher of her Faith she will put her Trust in him for he will deliver his Church from all her Enemies And though the Serpent cast out of his Mouth Water as a Flood after the Woman that he might cause her to be carried away of the Flood 〈◊〉 the Lord will cause the Earth to help â—he â—oman and thâ— Earth shall open her Mouth and swallow up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his Mouth Let the Dragon do what he can to destroy the Woman and her Seed she knows what her beloved can do he will command the Earth to open and swallow up the Flood and she shall go dry through it How happy are they that lean upon Christ their well-beloved The Church of Christ in all Ages hath leaned upon him and he hath founded his Church upon a Rock so that the Devil and all his Instruments and the very gates of hell shall not prevail against her The Members of this Church have their Teacher Christ Jesus and they receive Counsel and Direction from him He is their Priest and Teacher and he teacheth them by his Spirit and his Word which he hath placed in their Hearts and given them an Understanding to know him that is true Christ's Word you must keep to 〈◊〉 if you will be true Schâ—lars This 〈◊〉 true Divinity if you will have the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God communicated and opened to you give heed to 〈◊〉 word and that Truth that is in your 〈◊〉 parts Attend to that Light and that 〈◊〉 that is manifested in your Hearts and 〈◊〉 Lord will shew you more of the Power 〈◊〉 Efficacy thereof and if you be faithful 〈◊〉 little he will make you ruler over much 〈◊〉 answerable to the Understanding and Knowledge that God hath given you and if you be faithful in a little he will communicate more and more of his Mind and Will to you and if you be led by the Spirit of Truth you will trust in it and hearken to it and understand the Language of it in your own Hearts and if you be a willing people in the day of God's power God will work all things in you and for you and work in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure SERMON IX The wonderful love of God to Mankind Preached at S. Martin's-le-Grand November 9th 16â—0 IT is our great concern while we are in this World to promote the Glory of God and 〈◊〉 work out our own salvation to endeavour â—hat in us lies to be sensible and to help one another to be sensible of the Love of God to 〈◊〉 This is the only thing that can give us 〈◊〉 comfort to have a Sense of the Love of God to us in Christ Jesus There is 〈◊〉 more certain â—haâ—â—hat all of us are Partakâ—â—â— of the Love of 〈◊〉 which is imparted to us daily and we live noâ— a Day without it but we may if we have not a care live maâ—â— Days without it and without the comfortaâ—â—â— Sense of it and that is the reason that 〈◊〉 great many of â—he Sâ—â—â— and Daughters of Men do 〈◊〉 in their Liâ—â—â— so little Love to God becaâ—â—e they have so â—â—â—tle Sense of his Love to them for the Apostle â—ohn that had attained 〈◊〉 great Knowledge and Experience in Christianity plainly declareth that â—he â—â—â—son of that Love â—â—at we have to 〈◊〉 is â—â—â—ause he first loved us and I do not believe that any Man can have any true Love to Gâ—d that is not sensible of the Love of God to hâ—m And 〈◊〉 those temporal Blessings that we enjoy 〈◊〉 thâ—â—â—â—fe as Health and Strength and our very â—â—eath 〈◊〉 â—â—ing and well-being that every Day and Hour are continued they are from 〈◊〉 Love of God to us and the lengthning 〈◊〉 of our Lives and vouchsafing us Oppâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—es for the good of our Souls are evident Tokens of God's Love and Good-will to us Where these things are not coâ—sidered and regarded men live like the 〈◊〉 that perish and regard not him that mâ—dâ— them but go on in Disobedience to him 〈◊〉 Dishonouring of his great Name and hoâ—â—â—ing up Wrath upon their own Souls Aâ—◠〈◊〉 doth every Man while he remaâ—â—â— in 〈◊〉 natural state and conditionâ— foâ— there is in every Man by nature the Sâ—â—d aâ—d Root of all Sin and Rebellion against 〈◊〉 which makes him return evil to God fâ—â— the good he doth to us And I believe we are â—ll of us sensible in some measure of the depravedness that is fallen upon all Maâ—â—â—d and of tâ—â—t â—â—mity to God and that aveâ—â—â—â—ss that â—s 〈…〉 the doing the will of God and that impotency and inability
that is in every Man to the reforming of his ways and the changing of his Heart and leaving of his corrupt and vitious â—ncliâ—ations without the divine â—elp and assistance 〈◊〉 the Grace and Spirit of God Now they that are thus far sensible of their alienation by nature from the Lord and 〈◊〉 also sensible that the time they have here 〈◊〉 the only time they have for their â—â—â—â—â—ing and being fitted for that Everlaâ—â—â—â—â— Kingdom which we all woâ—â—â— enjoy Hâ—w ought this to affect the mind of every â—ne that while they have time they might â—â—rize it and improve in and come to an 〈◊〉 sense of the love of God that for they 〈◊〉 have a love raised in their Hearts again to God for People will never be obedient unto God till they love him nor never love him till they are sensible of his love to them Therefore that which is the means and way of Gods making known himself to the Sons and Daughters of Men that meanâ— and that way ought every one to embrace every one ought to be 〈◊〉 â—â—ted with â—t and have 〈◊〉 exercise of thâ—â— minds in it that so we might come to the knowledge of God and might know by an experimental and sensible feeling the kindness of God to us And truly Friends they that are 〈…〉 to spend their time and exercise themselves in thâ— consideration of the mercy and kindness of God thâ—â— have worâ— enough for their whole life-time â—â—e consider and contemplate the manifold Mercies of God bestowed upon them for we have our Life and Breath from him whom the whole World obeys and serves God that made all living Creatures hath created us preserved us he hath had long suffering and patience towards us until now 〈◊〉 he is yet minded to do us good which â—â—eâ—â— dâ—â—ltly manifest by the invitations and promisâ— he hath mâ—â—e us and the workings of his Hâ—ly Spirit that he hath made us acquainteâ— withal For who is there in this Assembly that God hath not made sensible of the tenders of hiâ— grace and invâ—â—â—â—ions to Repentance and Reformation that they that live loose 〈…〉 vainly in the World might turn to the Lorâ— with all their Hearts and consider their waâ— and doings God hath waited to be gracioâ—â— the Sons and Daughters of Men and his â—â—â—cy and patience hath been beyond all huâ—â—â— patience beyond the patience that 〈◊〉 did bestow upon any this the Lord 〈◊〉 shewed upon you therefore I intreat 〈◊〉 hooâ— the love of God let this â—â—â—â—deration sink deeply into your spirits thaâ— you may be affected with the kindness of God and his patience towards you and his long-suffering while you have been sinning against him But some will say How shall I know this After what manner may I experience this love of God to me How may I be sure that the Lord hath a love for me My Friends it is not only temporal kindness that we enjoy from God it is not only the lengthening out of our Days that is an evident token of the love of God to us but there is a demonstration and manifestation of iâ— that is universally extended to the Sons and Daughters of Men in that he hath sown his Word in them and hath sown his Truth and his Grace in their Hearts that every Man tho' never so wicked neâ—er so â—oolish and vain yet hath many times checks and reproofs in his own Heart I know it and I doubt not but you do Pray whence comes it that which doth stop you in a course of sin and châ—â—k and reprove you for sinning against the Lord If you come to mind this and consider of it you will find it comes from God it comes from him from him comes our life and Breath then People â—â—ould be incited to receive the Grace of God â—â—e favour and mercy of God which he hath â—estowed upon them in order to their salvatiâ—â— The Scripture tells us that Grace and â—â—â—th came by Jesus Christ I◠〈◊〉 hast any good it came by Jesus Christ and if thou hast any Truth it came by Jesus Christ who is the Fountain of Truth and the Fountain of the 〈◊〉 of God it is he by whom God hath mâ—de known himself to the Sons and Daughters of Men it is Christ alone that God hath ordained to be a Mediator between God and Man that so he might be the Minister of an everlasting covenant which we are brought into with God so that now People should comâ— to the consideration of the way and means that God hath ordained for their redemption namely that he hath given Jesus that great and unspeakable gift of his love and kindness to the Sons and Daughters of Men here iâ— Grace and Truth that came by Jesus Christ How is it conâ—â— It is come into my Heart Tho' Sins and Lusts and Corruptions perhaps have a placâ— in many yet Christ hath a place too He haâ—â— made his grave with the wicked and was numbred with the Transgressors he was like that Seed that lies under the Clods anâ— iâ— the least of all Seeds yet when it comes out of the Ground it riseth high and spreads abroad its Branches and brings forth Fruit this love of God this unchangeable Holy Truth is in every one why then should not every Man bâ— ruled and governed by it But some Men will say is Truth bâ— than Falsehood and Grace better than 〈◊〉 and Corruption You may see that by the Light that is d◠〈◊〉 in the inward parts Let every Man 〈◊〉 inward to the Grace of God turn to that Light that shews it self in the Creature and see what it will do for us This is the Doctrine that the Apostle was sent withal he waâ—â—â—nt with a Commission to turn Men from Daâ—â—â—â—ss to Light and from the power of Satan to God Why did he do it It was for this end that Men might have remission of Sins and that they might come to an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord so that this Gospel is the same that it ever was though Men have divers ways of preaching and several methods and ways of declaring the Truths of the Gospel blessed be God the Apostolical Doctrine is pâ—â—ached again and the blessed Gospel hath the same power attending it that was in former Days and 〈◊〉 have the same effect and that this may be the Portion of every one of you this iâ— the end of our Labour And we have i◠〈◊〉 Eye but two things I. First to discharge a good Conscience in the sight of God who hath given us his Word to Preach and to turn Men from Darkness to Light and from the power of Satan to God that we might keep our selves free from the Blood of all Men. II. Secondly another end is the desire that God â—â—th placed in our Hearts that all Men every â—here might be Saved this is Gods Will if aâ— be Damned it is their own will and the
cometh when no man can work Let every one of us that are now met together labour to be sensible of the Love of God to us and love him above all and express our Love by a willing and persevering Obedience that we may have the love of God shed abroad upon our hearts by the Holy Ghost and offer up living Praises to him through Jesus Christ â—ho hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made to kings and priests unto God and his father To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and â—ver Amen SERMON X. Salvation from Sin by Jesus Christ Preached at Devonshire-House August the 9th 1691. IT is a general Doctrine in the World That no man by any means in the World can ever be set free from Sin in this Life This is universally received almost among all Christians in all Churches one and another tho' they differ never so much in other things yet they agree in this so that this Doctrine hath â—ot a Sway in the World and it is accounted a great Delusion and a Heresie and a grand Error for any to question the Truth of it Now while a Man is of that Belief That there is an impossibility of living without Sin and of breaking down the Kingdom of Satan in any one Soul in the World How can Men hope or believe that Righteousness should prevail in the Heart of one Man Therâ— neither King nor Beggar if he be a Bishop 〈◊〉 a Gospel Minister the Devil must have a Rulâ— and Goverâ—â—ent in him so long 〈…〉 this World As long as this is believe 〈◊〉 not possible that the other Belief should tâ— place It is madness to think that I must bâ— under the Rule and Government of Satan if I am under the Government of the Son of God And it is still greater madness to say That Christ and the Devil are both my Governours and Rulers It is prodigious Folly and Madness to speak after this manner This Belief prevails over all Men over the Wise and Mighty and Noble and Learned that they can never be freed from the Power of Sin in this World but that the Devil will lead them into Sin every Day leâ— Men be never so sober never so abstemious in their Lives let them spend never so many Hours in Prayer every Day let them come to Meetings and hear Sermons and write them and repeat them and do what they will here is a Bar of Unbelief that lies in the way that makes Men depart from the living God and his Power and lose the Benefit they should receive from Christ And therefore they go to fetch it another way that is to have the Righteousness of Christ imputed to them and they shall be holy and pure in the sight of God when they are polluted in their own Eyes and when they see their daily Failings Infirmities and Corruptions yet God may not see them but that he sees them Holy Just and Righteous in his Son What strange kind of Doctrine is this I must prâ—sume that God will see me in his Son Jesus Christ when I never was in Christ How can this be He that is in Christ 〈◊〉 new creature old things are done away and 〈◊〉 things are become new But if there be Oâ— things remaining still and I be not becomâ— New shall I presume that I am in Christ and that God will see me in his Son When People come to use the Understanding that God hath given them the will look upon themselvâ—â— as barred out by their Unbelief that the Nations have drunk in and it is as sweet to them as the Honey and the Honey-Comb But blessed be God many have vomited it up already If they would have placed this Doctrine upon Man's Natural Ability I would have said Amen to it I know there is none of us all have a natural Ability anâ— Power to deliver his own Soul from Sin and Satan but when they come to place it upon God that though the Lord make bare his arm and reveal his power though they come to have the Grace of God that still they could not be delivered from Sin this hath Blasphemy at the bottom of it The other reflected upon man's Power this reflects upon the Power of God Almighty That the Devil hath got such a Power over us that God hath noâ— Power over us nor cannot have Power aâ— Dominion over us so that of a whole Nâ—tion he cannot have one Man to serve him Much might be said in answer to this When Men are once willing to serve Goâ— they will be willing to leave the Seâ—vice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Devil There is no way to answer that good Wish but by waiting upon God for the revealing of his Power I pray God that when you come to a Meeting you may say Lord let thy Power go forth upon my Heart Let thy Arm be made bare and deliver me from the Power and Dominion of Sin Some will say they feel God's Power in a Meeting I feel the Power of God workinâ— upon my Heart in order to the taking away Sin and Transgression and giving me Victory over it through the Lord Jesus Christ If they feel this Power of God upon them it is their Duty to believe it and depend upon it If I believe it I must wait for the Dictates of it and believe that I shall be able to do all things â—hrough Christ that strengthens me Then Faith will come forth into Works and appear to be a living Faith You may remember what the Apostle James saith As the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also As soon as a Man comes to joyn with the mighty Power of God he will be able to withstand Temptation If he comes into evil Company he will deny them and not comply with them 〈◊〉 will find then something of a Power 〈◊〉 Ability to serve God though he is â—ot come to Perfection yet he is walking 〈◊〉 the way of Holiness and pressing forward towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus He will say I am got a little â—â—arer than I was towards the place where I would be towards that Life which I wâ— live and die then let Death come wheâ— pleaseth God it shall be welcome This is the wickedness of many in thâ— World they will not live such a Life as they would be willing to die in They cannot come at it unless it be given them to believâ— for it is the Gift of God they must come to thâ—â— Governour and Leader which goes beâ— to the Gift of God which is eternal lâ—fe then let Death come when it will if I have the Gift of eternal Life It is a miserable thing to think that there arâ— divers that have not laid hold of eternal Life It is manifested that we may lay hold of it there is a Hand of Faith joyning with it When a Man comes to lay hold of
except that he saith He would not the death of him that dies What would he have then He would have you turn and live What means doth he use What I would have done I would use means for it You will say What means doth God use I am ready to say What means hath he not used 〈◊〉 What is it that God doth more wish for thâ—n that Men would repent return and live and be happy for ever He hath created them and given them Life and Breath and continued them twenty thirty forty or fifty Years that they might have Time to prepare for Eternity and he hath given his good Spirit to instruct them but they have rebelled against him He hath sent forth his Word the Gospel of Salvation which hath been preached to them and he hath waited to be gracious and â—xercisâ—d much patience and long-suffâ—â—◠〈◊〉 towards them so that I may say what meâ— hath he omitted He hath planted them as a vineyard in a very fruitful hill and he haâ— fenced it and gathered out the stones thâ—â—â— and planted it with the choicest vine and 〈…〉 in the midst of it and made a win◠〈◊〉 therein and he looked that it should 〈◊〉 foâ—th grapes and it brought wild grapes 〈◊〉 I pray you saith â—he Lord between me 〈◊〉 my vineyard Whâ—â— could have been done 〈◊〉 to my vineyard that I have not done in it But notwithstanding all your unfruitfulness the Day of your Visitation is continued the Lord is willing to shew Mercy to your Souls This is all the Lord your God requires of you That you would think upon his Name believe in him and trust in him and wait upon him for the Operations of his Grace in the Use of his Ordinances and your Attendance upon them and hearkning to his Voice and obeying it and so to hear that your souls may live I will affirm that there is never a one of you here present whether you be Quakers or no but you may meet with the Divine operations of the Power of God in your own Hearts if you will regard it and when you meet with these operations and regard them not I cannot help it if you will resist the good things of the Spirit of God I cannot help it if you will be of that Mind always to resist the Holy Ghost If as your â—athers did so do ye then you must all perish both you and your Fathers there is no escaping but by being subject to Christ Jesus and his â—â—ickening Spirit if there be any Divine â—â—â—â—rations that you meet with in your own Hearts let me perswade you to s◠〈…〉 have regard to them for I know th◠〈◊〉 is near at Hand and when People 〈◊〉 with Divine operâ—â—ions in their Soul◠〈◊〉 humble them and bring down their Pâ— and convince them of the danger of their â—â—â—dition the lies in the way and suggests 〈◊〉 poysonous thing that takes off the edge oâ— these operâ—â—iâ—â—s that they may dislike them It is true◠〈◊〉 meet with convictions of Sin but they reckon they have that Faith and belief in â—hrist that doth in the sight of Goâ— obâ— all their Sins that can be laid to thâ— charge both past and to come If I would look say they to the Divine operations or any thing wrought in me it wâ—re enough to make me mad I look wholly for the meriâ— of Câ—rist my Mind is wholly fixed upoâ— him who iâ— the Auther of Eternal Salvâ— his merâ—â—â—â—ious sufferings and obedience 〈◊〉 obliterâ—â—â—nd blot out all my Sins My Mâ—â—ds I tell you many a Poor Soul hath spâ— upon this Roâ— by undervaluing the Divine operâ—tions of the Spirit upon 〈◊〉 Hearts they mâ—ke a false and wrong application of the merits of Câ—â—â—st which indeeâ— are so grâ—â—â— that no body can ovâ—â—value them but we must not make a false application 〈◊〉 them For this purpose was the Son of 〈◊〉 manifested that he might destroy the Worâ—â— the Devil He takes away the guilt o◠〈◊〉 noâ— that you might live in it still Whoâ— bâ—lieveth iâ— Christ shall hâ—ve Po◠〈…〉 〈◊〉 and not be 〈◊〉 the dominion and 〈◊〉 of Sin Sin shall not havâ— dominion over 〈◊〉 for you are not under the Law but under 〈◊〉 But God be thanked you were the servants 〈◊〉 Sin but you have obeyed from the Heart the form of Doctrine which was delivered you being then made free from Sin ye became the Servants of Righteousness Rom. 6.14 18. But you will say I am guilty of agre at deal of Sin already what shall become of me for the guilt that I have contracted If we confess and forsake our Sins he 〈◊〉 â—kfull and just to forgive us our Sins and to â—â—â—anst us from all unrighteousness and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 9.9 Here is a true application of Christ his Merits and Righteousness when there is a confessing of Sin to Goâ— and a forsaking of it here is an offering and a Sacrifice made to God by our Lord Jâ—â—us Christ for the expiation of Sin he 〈◊〉 by his precious Blood pâ—â—â—hased the pardon of all my Sins that he might present me to God without Spot and Blemish here is a true application the Righteousâ—â—â—â— of Christ but how can I apply it to my self while I live in Siâ— Here Gods Witness in the Conscience of a Sinner pleads against the Sinner when he hath got a trick to believe that his guilt is taken away and all his S ns past present and to come are pardoned while he continue to live in 〈◊〉 and Sin hath yet dominion over him Take heed you split n◠〈…〉 if you be humble well grown Ch◠〈…〉 will think upon the Name of the 〈…〉 when ye find the operation of Gods 〈◊〉 begetting good desires in you to hate Sin 〈◊〉 love Righteousness you will then believâ— you will then Pray to the God of all Grace for the Prayer of the Faithful is acceptable to him The effectual fervent Prayer of a Righteous Man avails much Jam. 5.16 Let your supplications therefore be poured forth unto God to endue you with Power and Wisdom to subdue all your Spirituâ—â— Enemies and to conquer your concupiscence and the inordinate desires and affections of your own Hearts that you may take up the Crosâ— of Christ and follow him as your greaâ— Patrâ—n and in his Name and by the hâ— and Aâ—â—istaâ—ce of his Holy Spirit you mâ— know how to â—â—ercome all Temptations His Prayer after Sermon MOst Glorious Lord God wonderful is thy great Power over all which thou hast revealed and made manifest in this thy blessed Day Thy Arm O thou Almighty God is stretched forth thou hast touched a Remnant with a sense of thy Divine love whom thou hast gathered unto thy Name thou hast revealed thy great Salvation and therewith thou haâ— made glad the Souls of thy Children thou hast endeared thy self â—â—to us by the discovery and manifestation of thy abounding love
who didst love us when we were Strangers and preserve us when we were Enemies and brought a glorious Day of visitation upon us and opened our eys 〈◊〉 behold the Light thereof so that we are an engaged People to speak good of thy â—â—me Thou hast declared and manifested to the Sons and Daughters of Men thy good Will and thy universal Grace that thou art daily extending to them that all may be made partakers of the Riches of thy House and of thy great Salvation which by the Lord Jesus Christ thou hast ordained And O thou Powerful God of Life since the Day that thou first gathered us thou hast been with us thou hast been our Guid and our Eyes have been towards thee for instruction thou hast taught us and â—ed us in the way in which thou wouldst have 〈◊〉 to walk thou hast led us O Lord in the way Everlasting â—ith the po◠〈…〉 and the meek of the Earth 〈…〉 placed our Feet O Lord near the Eve◠〈…〉 Mountain which thou hast exalted 〈◊〉 the high Hills of the Earth and thou haâ—â—â—â—vealed the Glory and the splendor of 〈◊〉 House thy Holy Dwelling Place and 〈◊〉 raised Breathings in the Hearts of thy Peoâ— that they may dwell in thy Courts for evâ— And now Holy Father thou hast gathered 〈◊〉 Remnant and brought a peculiar People 〈◊〉 trust in thy Name but still we do all thâ— we do by thee thou must be our Keeper thou must be our preserver therefore we wait upon thee we expect all from thy Hand therefore our applications are unto thee that fâ— Day to Day and from time to time we 〈◊〉 find thy living Presence in the midst 〈◊〉 And O living God of life thou hast give◠〈◊〉 Children large experience that thou art a 〈◊〉 nigh at hand to us in all our Tryals in all 〈◊〉 Exercises as our Eyes have been turned 〈◊〉 thee thou hast preserved us and revealed thâ— Heavenly Power O Lord in preserving and delivering thy Church and People that they may bear a testimony in their generation tâ— thy great love and the great Salvation 〈◊〉 thoâ— hast wrought for them and made 〈◊〉 pertakers of Now Blessed God of Liâ— desires and supplications of thy Peopleâ— unto thee for the glorifying of thy Pâ— the exalting of thy glorious Name 〈…〉 leâ— the mighty operation of thy 〈…〉 〈…〉 and stubborn ones that 〈…〉 â—gainst thee and that havâ— withstood 〈◊〉 tenders of thy Grace and the Motions â—d striving of thy Holy Spirit Thou art â—ole to bow them and to break their stony Hearts thou art able to speak effectually to their Souls and to make them submit themselves to thee Holy and living Father let the progress of thy Word and Gospel be great in our Day let it have a free course and spread it self mightily to those that believe not to beget a Seed of Faith in their Souls that they may believe in thy Name and Trust in thy Power ad wait to see the great Work of Redemption wrought for the Salvation of Immortal Souls before the Daâ— of Visitation goes over Powerful God 〈◊〉 Life thy little Remnant which thou hast â—edeemed keep them by thy Power and preserve them in Uprightness and Cleanness of Mind preserve them in the places and stations wherein thou hast appointed them to dwell and in all their Tryals and Tribulations and Distresses that may come upon them that they may be quiet and still and in patience possess their Souls and let them â—ave strong consolation in that Everlasting â—â—venant which in thy Son thou hast made â—th them and râ—vealed to them and let 〈◊〉 not be moved and tossed with the hurâ— of this World with the tumults and disâ— that evil Men make in it and the Storms 〈…〉 that are raised but let thâ—â—â— Hearts and Minds be â—â—â—yed upon 〈…〉 they may know how to behave then 〈…〉 wards thee and one another and tow◠〈…〉 t◠〈…〉 â—e without and thereby glorify 〈…〉 m◠〈◊〉 thy great Name by the Beau◠〈…〉 Holyness shining in their Conversations wâ— may reach the Consciences of Men that 〈◊〉 that see them may say these 〈◊〉 the Planâ— that the Right Hand of God hath Plantâ—â— and see the Fruits that are brought forth f◠〈◊〉 that Root of Life revealed in Christ Jesuâ— Powerful God of Life carry on thine owâ— Work in this City and the whole Nation and in other places among that People whiâ— tâ—â—u hast chosen and gathered to thy 〈◊〉 of the World Powerful God of Life remâ—â—ber those that groan in secret making 〈◊〉 moan to thee that they cannot lay hold oâ— Salvation for their Souls Prepare them 〈◊〉 that consolation that their Souls are breaâ— afâ—er They are Night and Day wrestling 〈◊〉 thee by earnest Prayer But what will all theâ— wrestling signifie except thy Word and thâ— Power of thy Grace assist them and 〈◊〉 them to lay hold of thy strength that 〈◊〉 may Fight the good Fight of Faith tha◠〈◊〉 may get the Victory and rejoyce in thâ—â—â—â—vation and see the Glory of it Thou se◠〈◊〉 the Children of Men are working anâ—â—â—â—triving divers ways for their own Salvâ— make theâ— to know that all their o◠〈…〉 and inventions arâ—â—n vain Bless◠〈…〉 the de◠〈…〉 â—y waâ—â—â—â—y Heritage and 〈…〉 thou hast gathered by thy Word do 〈◊〉 preserve them that they may serve thee â—â—th sincere and upright Minds all the Days 〈◊〉 their Lives and offer up daily Tha◠〈◊〉 â—ings and living Praises to thee the 〈◊〉 and living God and Jesus Christ whom thou â—ast sent and â—hy Eternal Spirit who alone art worthy who art God over all blessed 〈◊〉 ever and ever Amen A Catalogue of Books Printed for Nath Câ—ouch at the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside 1. The History of the Principality of 〈◊〉 in three parts containing 1. A brief â—â—â—unt of the ancient Kings and Princes of Britâ—â—â— and Wales till the final extinguishing of the â—oyal Brittish Line 2. Remarks upon the 〈◊〉 of all the Princes of Wales of the Royal â—â—milies of England from King Edward the first to this time particularly of Edward the Black Prâ—â—ce of Wales who with 30000 English defeated an Army of 100000 French at Cressy and at Poictiâ—â—s with 10000 beat 80000 and took John the French King Prisoner also of Henry of Munmouth afterâ—â—â—d King Henry the fifth who with 13000 〈◊〉 90000 French whose Son Henry sixth was 〈◊〉 King of France at Paris 3. Remarkable â—vations on the most memorable Persons and 〈◊〉 in Wales and of divers considerable passages 〈◊〉 any Hundred Years past with the Birth and 〈◊〉 Actions of Merlin the famous Welsh Pro◠〈…〉 with natura◠〈◊〉 artificial â—â—â—ities 〈…〉 Princi◠〈…〉 〈◊〉 â—wered in above 300 〈…〉 â—ontaining 1. Dreadful Judgments upon 〈…〉 Blasphemers and Perjured Villains 2. The 〈…〉 ends of many Magicians c. 3. Remarkable â—â—â—dictions and presages of approaching Death aâ— how 〈◊〉 event has been answerable 4. Fearful Juâ—â—ments upon bloody Tyrants Murderers c.