and longs to be more nearly united to him He desires not to be delivered from the curse and so to be righteous and holy that he may have an interest in Christ That is not his method But contra he desires to have real interest in Christ that he may be freed from the Curse and so be clothed with his righteousness and conformed to him in holiness Bona tua non nisi tecum Domine If thy heart can say yea to this thou hast an evidence of sincere love to Christ but if thou lovest him onely for lumps for the benefits which thou gettest by him deliverance from hell and the glory of heaven thy love is mercenary 2. Superlative It transcends and overtops all the Love of the creature The redeemed soul loveth wife children friends his own life and the good things of this world according to their several degrees of goodness and he loves them not fainedly and in shew but truly and indeed within due limits and in such proportion as they are capable of but yet he loves Jesus Christ farre and farre above them all This love leaves all other loves many thousand miles behinde it so that none of them can come near it He is precious singularly precious to them that believe 1 Pet. 2.7 he is an honour to them they have a very high esteem of him His interest prevailes in their soules infinitely above all other interests in the world Christ disownes yea rejects all love tendred to him which is inferiour to the love of our dearest relations Matth. 10.37 yea we must hate these in comparison of him Luke 14.26 Ask thy soul what it can answer to this Doth thy soul set an high price on thy Redeemer Doth thy heart embrace him as incomparably excellent dost thou finde the enjoyment of him more sweet and contenting than all other enjoyments and his absence hiding of his face and restraint of his gracious influences from thy spirit more bitter and grievous then all other wants or burthens which thou mayest meet with But if thy heart set up any thing above him so that Christ and his partie when they stand in competition with some other partie which hath gotten the chair in thy soul are slighted and must sit at its footstool or be thrust out of doors Oh this is a base beggarly love which will not stand thee in stead 3. Invincible To clear this the love of Christ in an elect person actually redeemed may possibly be overcome by the prevailing of the contrary corruption It is not simply impossible being a created quality and therefore no more able to stand of it self without divine support than Adam's love to his Creatour which was so easily mastered by the suggestions of the serpent to the ruine of himself and his posterity yet notwithstanding this possibility it shall never be totally vanquished and lost in the soul It may be greatly decayed and driven into a corner so that the godly Christian may want the sence of it and may verily think that the love of Christ dwelleth not in him at all yet it is there and shall abide in him for ever This fire as that on the Altar shall never be wholly extinguished Because the Spirit of God which first kindled it is still present blowing it up less or more that it cannot die It 's a part of the seed of God which abides in the saints and preserves them from sinning unto death which they must needs do if the love of the Redeemer be totally routed 1 Joh. 3.9 It 's a stream flowing from the well of water which springs up in the believer unto everlasting life John 4.14 The world thrusts sore at this love that it may fall Prosperity on one side presents the beautiful and pleasing objects of riches honours eternal delights Gen. 49.24 to draw the love of the soul to themselves Adversity on the other hand will endeavour to affright the soul from the love of Christ by the sterne and unwelcome shapes of troubles afflictions persecutions and death it self yet it 's bow abides in strength by the hand of â—he mighty God as Joseph's did The Saints love not their lives to the death Rom. 12.11 because they love the Lord Jesus as Jonathan loved David not onely as their own soules 1 Sam. 20.17 but also with a wonderfull Love 2 Sam. 1.26 Jonathan's Love to David was admirable in this that it could not be taken off either by the frowns threats and violence of his Father Saul against David and against himself for adhering to David or by the consideration of his own interest which was deeply concerned in this business he being heir apparent to the Crown and David standing in his light so the love of the right Christian to Christ cannot be wholly overcomed by temptations on the right hand or the left it can envie and despise both the sweet inchanting of pleasure and the bitter affronts of danger and keeps its ground in some good measure against them all Love is strong as death the coales of this fire make a most vehement flame many waters cannot quench it nor the floods drown it Can. 8.6 7. Trie thy self if this be thy temper thy love is right bred but canst thou give way to any thing in the world to take off the edge of thy love to Christ This fire which is so soon put out came not down from heaven Yea minde it thou lovest Christ but thou feelest not a return of love from him to thy soul yet if thy love be incorrupt thou wilt still hold on in prison as well as Liberty in death as well as life it will not be quite tyred out by long delay of comfort but the hope of an answer of peace will keep it acting in thee and the dayes of thy waiting and serving him will seem to thee but a few for the love thou hast to him as Gen. 29.20 4. Accompanied with self-jealousie Although the love of the godly soul to his Redeemer be thus divinely qualified yet he hath keeps up within himself an holy suspicion concerning himself that he may work out his own salvation now actually begun with fear and trembling Phil. 2.13 Look as it is with a poor maid who is deeply in love with some young man of Eminent parts She considers the great worth and excellencie of the person and her own means and unworthiness She sees a vast distance betwixt her self and him so that she shall never be able to answer him according to his condition hence she apprehends some danger of miscarrying least he should reject her and her love should be lost yet still her affection goes out freely towards him and he hath her whole heart only she sees cause to fear least some undue or uncomely carriage of hers should displease him and provoke him to distaste her and this fear makes her the more cautelous and helps her to endeavour to give him all possible contentment that she may
so often heard from his mouth And forasmuch as to the weak endeavours of your own Teacher the Lord as it were by the way of largess hath superadded the pains of this Reverend brother I am sure yee ought to be gracious yea to grow in grace and to abound in every good word and work But alack it is to be feared that according to the old Proverb We are better Fed then Taught much preaching little reforming of mens hearts and wayes It should be otherwise else it will one day be known and little to the comfort of many that there have been painful and faithful Teachers among them Call to minde the dayes of old when the harvest was great the labourers few many converts though scarcity of able and faithfull Teachers Now the Labourers are many shall the Harvest be small Shall few or none be found who look Zion-ward and with their faces to that Jerusalem which is above My brethren I speak a little to awake the drowsie Who can tell what a little may do It will do much if he who doth all afford his blessing Awake thou that sleepest and stand up from the dead and you that are awake take heed of slumbering in these declining times There is much in the following Treatise to awaken the secure because they may finde therein a plain and full discoverie what their condition is by nature as they spring out from the loynes of fallen Adam and there is much also both to direct and instruct and comfort such as flie for help to the Refuge set before them But I shall spare to mention what every one may read Pray that the life of the aged Authour may yet be prolonged and his Labours blessed and pray for him also who desires you may profit by this work of his and other the holy Labours of his servants which are according to godliness I rest Yours to serve you in the Gospel of Salvation Rob. Todd From my Studie in Leeds April 26. 1658. A TABLE OF THE CONTENTS CHAP. I. THe Introduction shewing the Coherence scope and summe of the Text. Page 1 Chap. II. The first Conclusion All men are under the Curse of the Law Page 6 Opened in four Propositions I. All men are under the Law Page 6 II. All men have broken the Law Page 7 for 1. Our first Parents broke it Page 8 2. We all broke it in them Page 9 3. We do all break it in our own persons Page 16 III. All men are found guilty of sinne by the light and verdict of the Law Page 12 IIII. Being thus found guilty they stand accursed by the doom of the same Law Page 13 The Curse of the Law wherein it stands Page 15 The Curse on the body Page 16 The Curse on the soul Page 18 The Curse on the whole man Page 21 Use 1. Mankinde is not in that Condition wherein it was set at first Page 26 2. Our Condition by the fall is wofull Page 27 Evidenced by six sad effects of the Curse Page 28 1. Subjection of the Creature to vanitie ib. 2. Spiritual bondage to Sathan ib. 3. Vnfruitfulness towards God Page 29 4. Liableness to all plagues Page 30 5. Punishing sinne with sinne Page 31 6. Hellish terrors fear of death and judgement Page 31 32 And by 5 strong Properties of it Page 32 It 's 1. Grievous and bitter Page 33 2. Grounded and authoritative ib. 3. Impartiall and thorough-dealing Page 34 4. Subtill and spiritual Page 35 5. Standing and abiding Page 36 3. Admire the Lord's goodness in mitigating the Curse Page 38 4. No possibility of Justification by the works of the Law Page 40 Four sorts which vainly seek Blessednes by the Law Page 42 Professed Papists ib. Ignorant Protestants Page 44 Civil Livers Page 45 Some religious Professors Page 46 5. No marvel if Law-preaching be so unwelcome and displeasing Page 48 6. Yet the Law must be preached Page 50 7. Exhortation to two streams Page 53 1. All should be convinced of this and make haste out of this estate Page 55 2. Parents and others should use all fit means for the recovery of children c. Page 55 8. A disswasive from the wicked practise of cursing our selves or others Page 56 CHAP. III. The second Conclusion Christ was made a Curse for us which are under the curse of the Law Page 60 Cleared by enquiring Page 61 1. Wherein his becoming a Curse for us stands ib. And that is in Three things 1. Taking our Nature upon him Page 62 2 Imputation of our sinne unto him Page 63 3. Vndergoing the wrath of God and the sad effects thereof Page 64 Considered in 1. The preparation to it by lighter skirmishes Page 66 2. The main brunt it self Death of body Page 66 and of soul Page 67 1. In the withdrawing of the sence of his Fathers love Page 68 2. In the full seizing of the Lords wrath on him both in the garden and on the Cross Page 69 Some additional Observations especially of the mitigation of his soul-sufferings Page 72 1. In the place Page 73 2. In the time of continuance Page 74 3. In the companion Desperation ib. 2. By whom or by what power he was thus made Answered Page 78 1. Negatively not by any Authority which the Law had over him nor by any contrivement of the Creature c. ib. 2. Positively by a divine power exerted in 3 Acts Page 80 1. The Fathers fore-appointment ib. 2. The Sonn's condescention Page 81 3. A compact betwixt them arising from both these Page 82 Use 1. Information in 4 particulars Page 86 1. The mischievousness of sinne Page 87 2. The greatness of misery by sinne Page 88 3. The Impartialness of Gods Justice against sinners Page 89 4. Christs unspeakable love to sinners Page 91 2. Exhortation in 2 branches Page 93 Learn 1. a point of wisdome for our selves give free way to Christ to bear the curse for us ib. 2. Our duty to him answerably be willing to be made a curss for him Page 96 3. Lamentation the sinners put him to bear the curss still Page 99 Obj. Are there any that do so Page 100 Ans Yes many especially 5 sorts ib. 1. Hereticks which acknowledge not Christ in his Natures Offices c. ib. 2. Those which contemne or slight the Doctrine or Ministery of the Gospel Page 101 3. Those which make an Apostacy from the truth and profession of Christ Page 102 4. Those which accustome their tongues to outragious swearing tossing his name by blaspemous oaths Page 103 5. Those who exspect salvation by him and yet continue in sin taking encouragement to be more licentious or remiss in their course Page 105 The Conclusion of this Use Page 107 CHAP IV. THe Third Conclusion Christ by being made a Curse for us hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Page 108 Redemption flowes from Christ's becoming a curse ib. 1. In Gods intention and purpose ib. 2. In the effect and event
must lye by it for ever Let us work this meditation on our hearts for our deeper humiliation 3 It presents unto us the exactness and impartialness of the justice of God against sinners in that he will let the curse fall even on the head of his onely begotten Son if he finde sin upon him Tribulation and anguish must be upon every soul of man that doth evill without respect of persons Rom. 2.9 11. An unquestionable Maxime for we see tribulation and anguish have fallen heavy upon the soul of the Man-Christ though he did no evil himself onely because he was numbred with the Transgressors and bare the sins of many by imputation We may look upon it as a miracle of Justice and stand wondring at the Lords proceedings against Christ how the curse was inflicted on him in all the punishments of it yea the most grievous and piercing that can be imagined If any might have escaped who more likely than the Son of his bosome the Son of his delights but he might not be spared Justice will not suffer it but puts in its plea and saith I expect reparation for the transgression of my righteous Law If therefore Jesus Christ hath undertaken to pay this debt for sinners let him look to it I must and will be satisfied to the uttermost farthing He is willing to be their Surety and to stand in their room let him therefore bear the whole burden I will not acquit him till he hath discharged the whole debt No no his loud crying and tears his bloody and painful sweats his fervent and heaven-piercing prayers his often renewed petitions that this cup might pass away from him not any one of these nor all these could prevail to stay the hand of Divine justice but he must take off this cup of the Curse and drink it even to the bottome Oh that our secure sinners in Sion would weigh these things sadly and take the measure of the Lords severity against sin by his dealing with his own Son and think thus If these things be done in the green tree what shall be done in the dry Luke 23.31 If he was so strict with his Son what will he be to his slave If he dealt so sharply with his darling how will he deal with his enemy If his righteous servant escape thus hardly where shall the ungodly and sinner appear Prov. 11.31 4 It commends unto us the unspeakableness of the love of the Lord Jesus to poor undone sinners Behold here the Son of God the only begotten of the Father who is the image of the invisible God the first-born of every creature the brightness of his Fathers glory and the dearly beloved of his soul who is cloathed with honour and majesty and whom all the Angels worship even he is come down from heaven hath laid aside his Majesty put off the robes of his glory and abased himself to the lower parts of the earth to become not onely a worm and a reproach of men but also a curse for Adam his wretched posterity to take off the curse of the Law from their shoulders and to stand accursed in their stead Listen and hear 〈…〉 Dien Carth. how sweetly he bespeaks the Lord on our behalf Holy Father here is a company of poor miserable debtors very bankrupts wretched malefactors which lye under thy heavy displeasure and are the children of death but I appear here as their Surety I have taken all upon me require no debt inflict no punishment on them put it all on mine accounts I will discharge all their scores I will answer whatsoever can be laid to their charge Oh incomparable love surpassing all that can be found in the creature the highest pitch whereof reacheth but to friends Joh. 15.13 that is to such as are friendly kinde beneficial to us from whom we have received such good turns as do oblige us to a return of thankfulness and yet even this love is very rare To dare to dye for a good man that is a kinde man that hath been good to us is but a peradventure So much doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 import in some places as in Mat. 20.15 Eph. 4.29 Rom. 5.7 But God commends his love to us in that while we were sinners and therefore enemies Christ dyed for us vers 8.10 So then here is unparalleld loving kindness for who would stoop thus low Who would become contemptible yea abominable for others who would bee content to lye under the extremest miseries for enemies traitors and the worst of creatures Who would entertain and imbrace a curse upon any tearms and not rather shun and avoid it yet this hath the Lord Jesus done for us Oh that we had hearts to admire this miracle of mercy Sect. 5. Use 2. Exhortation in two branches SEcondly Hence we may also draw wholesome matter of Exhortation Hath Christ undergone the Curse Was he made a Curse in our stead who lye under the curse of the Law Oh that all the sons and daughters of Adam would take this into their serious thoughts that thereby they may be excited to learn and to practise two very necessary lessons 1 Of wisdome for themselves 2 Of duty to the Lord Jesus 1 Such poor sinners as have been convinced by the former doctrine of their accursed condition should now be wise for themselves even to give free way to him to take the curse from off them that he may bear it and not to take it to themselves Art thou now sensible of thy sinfull condition Dost thou hear the Law cursing thee aloud in thy conscience And dost thou feel the sting and venome of it drinking up thy spirit Then take to thy self the boldness to send it to Christ tell it Jesus Christ hath removed the curse from thee and laid it on his own shoulders Say Indeed I am a great sinner deeply implunged in transgression mine own iniquities have prevailed against me and are gone over my head and therefore the curse doth justly lye upon me and might presse me down into the nethermost hell but the Lord Jesus blessed be his name for ever is become a curse for me he hath born it in my stead it lyes not now on me but on him If thou hast ought to say against me go to him he will answer thee to the full This might be very seasonable if well digested to such convinced humbled sinners as are of so little faith that they dare not reckon of any good by Jesus Christ Oh saith the poor broken soul Wo is me I am undone for I am a vile accursed wretch I hear indeed that the Lord Jesus is becomed a curse for sinners but as for my self I fear the news are too good to be true I cannot be perswaded that he is made a curse for me What the Son of God made a curse for me for such a base sinful worthless creature as I am It is not probable I cannot beleeve it No no I must
hath in himself that which God hateth namely sinne not his own but ours And therefore I conclude That Christ was made a Curse for us not onely by the ignominious manner of his death but by suffering in our stead the Curse due to our sinnes The Lord give us grace so to study Christ's being made a curse for us that by faith in him and love to him we may be freed from it and the blessings of Abraham may be our portion Thy servant in Christ Jesus Edm. Calamy TO THE READER ALthough this Treatise in regard of its worth and weight might without any Testimonial have adventured it self even upon this censorious and froward generation yet seeing something by way of recommendation is desired I look upon it not onely as a duty but an honour that I may be serviceable in leading forth so usefull a book into the world as I apprehend this to be and certainly I can make no better use of my Name than to prefix it to this discourse if it may be an inducement unto any one to read it The Authour concerning whom my affectionate esteem will not suffer me to be wholly silent is a person of long standing in the faith and much experience in the things of Christ now passing the seventieth year of his age and about the forty fifth year of his Ministery And having well-nigh fulfilled the dayes of our yeares which are said to be Threescore and ten Psal 90.10 being within sight of Eternitie he hath set before his eye the infinite obligations of eternal Redemption and not thought it sufficient to serve his own generation by preaching the Gospel but hath been perswaded to leave this labour of Love as a Legacy to the generation to come that the people yet to be borne may know and praise their Redeemer The work thou hast in thine hand is the fruit of a well-grown tree that brings forth fruit in its old age and though the leaves and branches thereof may not be so seemingly fair and luxuriant as some younger plants do afford yet taste of the fruit and thou shalt finde it of good relish sound and nourishing It grew indeed in a cold Northern Climate which men think brings little to perfection but it had the advantage of a warme heart which is the best soil and the beames of the sonne of righteousness for the ripening of it If any say It is a common Subject let him remember Titus 1.4 that it is Common Faith and Common Salvation Iude 3. and must be known by more then a common knowledge It 's plain indeed as being reached not to Curiosity but to Conscience but plain work clean wrought is very commendable and many times where is most of Art there is least of Use Yet it is not so plain but the lines and engravings of the Holy Ghost may be discerned in it by an eye well enlightened and although the Treatise was entended mainly for Practise yet our reverend Authour like a wise and vigilant builder hath as the exigents of these times require carried on his work with a weapon on the one hand Neh. 4.17 and a working Instrument in the other defending the Truth against its adversaries as well as recommending its followers Let it not therefore be grievous to thee for it is safe for thee Christian Reader to retire a little from the Curiosities and Contentions of this pretending Age to a serious Consideration of this most necessary and weighty subject For though thou understood all Mysteries and all knowledge and hadst Faith to remove mountains it will profit thee nothing unless thou canst finde this Mount EBAL levell'd zechar 4.7 this great Mountain of CURSES made to thee a plain before the Lord JESUS who buildeth up his Church as an Holy Temple unto God But I will not detain thee from the work it self whith set's before thee DEATH and LIFE a CURSE and a CHRIST The Lord by his special grace incline thine heart unto and establish it in a sincere choise of the Lord Jesus that thy soul may live So prayes Thy servant in the Gospel Edw. Bowles YORK April 19. 1658. To the Inhabitants of PUDSEY LEEDS and BRADFORD Beloved Brethren I Need not say much to you concerning the Reverend Authour of the ensuing Treatise You fully know his doctrine manner of life purpose 2 Tim. 3.10 Faith Long-suffering Charitie Patience That he hath laboured long in his masters Vineyard as with great diligence so not without some success It is the high commendation of blessed Paul that from Jerusalem and round about even to Illyricum Rom. 15.19 he fully preached the Gospel of Christ So our Reverend brother not onely in the populous places near unto us but in lesser Villages hath frequently sounded the Gospel of Salvation not confining his labours to that obscure Congregation wherein he hath officiated as a painful overseer for many yeares but communicating the sweet savour of Christ to many others and let us adde this He hath been so farre from heeding the preferments of this world though tendered him at several times as he hath contented himself with a mean allowance not worthy to be named considering his worth and industry but I shall say no more of him though I might say exceeding much as knowing his modestie to be such as he would rather blame than thank me for it Give me leave to say a little unto you who have so often been partakers of his Ministerial labours and 1. To you of Pudsey whose Pastor he hath been and still is much precious seed he hath sown among you and therefore from you is expected much precious fruit If you after so much Preaching Catechising and expounding be found either ignorant or secure prophane or dissolute as you are left without excuse so the many yeares pains of so faithfull a Teacher will rise up in Judgement against you Luke 12.45 To whom much is given of him much is required God hath given in to you much instruction He exspects from you much knowledge of the best things endeared affections thereunto and abundance of those fruits Matth. 3.8 which John the Baptist calls Fruits meet for Repentance worthy of amendment of life Which I desire may be considered that so you may not be found barren and unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming 2 Pet. 1.18 The goodness of the soil should be seen in the plentifulness of the Crop and the pains of the Pastor in the peoples knowledge of God and Christ in their Faith hope love meekness humilitie patience holiness and obedience 2. For you of Leeds and Bradford as you have all and often participated of his godly labours so I heartily wish and desire it may appear you have not done so in vain and therefore exhort you to remember how you have heard Revel 3.3 and received and hold fast and repent Yea to hold fast these good and ancient truths you have
lighter skirmishes for having emptied himself of his glory so that he did not appear to be that which indeed he was and subjected himself to the state of a servant and so a meet object of suffering he became a man of sorrows all his life long Isa 53.3 compassed about with infirmity Heb. 5.2 as soon as he was born he was laid in a manger because there was no room for him in the Inne while he was very young he was persecuted and forced to flie into Aegypt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was tempted of Sathan Quod illud dictum civium satis arguit Usser Annal. per poster p. 552. he wrought for his living at the trade of his reputed father as it is more than probable by that speech of the Mazarenes Mar. 6.3 Is not this the carpenter c He was the object of mans reproach he was called a wine-bibber a friend of publicans and sinners an enemy to Caesar one that hath a devil he was subject to the infirmities which are incident to mankind as hunger thirst poverty he was betrayed by Judas forsaken by his disciples abused by the Jews mocked buffetted spit upon crowned with thorns accused arraigned condemned as the vilest malefactor In one word he was a worm and no man Psal 22.6 2. The main brunt it self was that he was struck with death The Sacrifice in the Law was to be slain the goat which was to be offered for a sin-offering for the people must be killed and the blood of it must be brought within the veil Lev. 16.15 The same courses as to killing was to be taken with the burnt-offering peace-offering and trespass-offering as we may see in the 1 3 5 6 7. chapters of Leviticus So it was prophesied Isa 53.12 he poured out his soul unto the death and elsewhere often Now this death which Christ did undergo was both of the body and soul 1. He suffered the death of the body called the first death this Gabriel the Angel revealed to the Prophet Daniel some 1006 years before Dan. 9.26 the Messiah shall be cut off the accomplishment whereof the stories of the Evangelists relate very largely Isa 53.8 Acts 8.33 his life is taken from the earth We by sin had deserved the first death the taking down of this earthly frame by the separation of the soul and body therefore Christ our surety must die that death for us the particular end of death which he should and did suffer was the death of the cross which was so designed and ordered by the all-wise counsel and providence of God both because it was very painfull and grievous and also because it was a most shamefull and ignominious death but especially because it was even by divine appointment stigmatized with this brand of infamy that whosoever was hanged on a tree was to be accounted ceremonially accursed as it is avouched in the close of the verse It was not necessary that he should suffer all the several sorts of death as stoning burning sawing beheading c. it was sufficient that he suffered that one kind of death which the wisdom of God saw to be most fit and suitable neither yet was it necessary that his death should be attended with such cruelties as some men have been enforced to suffer as pulling the flesh from the bone pinching it with hot pincers and the like These are rather personal than natural and meerly accidental not essential to the first death Therefore the legs of Christ were not broken and although his body was laid in the grave yet he saw no corruption because these infirmities did not consist with the dignity of his person and the latter would have made void the fruit and effect of his sufferings Therefore the Scripture declares both these to be contrary to Gods will See Jo. 19 33-36 Acts 2.31 2. He suffered the death of the soul or that which is called the second death Sin brought death into the world not onely that death which pulls down this earthly frame but also that which makes a wofull separation of the whole man from God Therefore the Lord Jesus must undergo this death too Isa 53.10 he made his soul an offering for sin And this death stood in these two things 1. There was a stoppage or withdrawing of the sense of his fathers love and favour from his soul This he complains of as a forsaking Psal 22.1 and it answers to that poena damni punishment of loss which we should suffer But we must understand this to be done in such manner and measure as becomes the person suffering 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was not a pulling the Godhead from the manhood this union continued entire all the time of his sufferings and shall do to all eternity Neither was it a deprival of the spirit wherewith his humane nature was filled even from the womb that did still abide in him and shall never be taken away from him according to that precious promise Isa 59.21 which I conceive must be fulfilled first in him and then in his seed with him Neither was it a total or perpetual withdrawing but onely in part and for a time the Lord turned away his face from him for a little season he hid himself out of his sight and would not be found he took off the sweet influence of the joy and comfort of the spirit suspending them for a time and keeping off from him at a great distance Psal 22.1 yet all this while God was present with him by his supporting grace so that he had some intermissions and an Angel came to comfort him Luke 22.43 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and he was heard in that he feared Hâ—b 5.7 or he was heard from his feare that is he was heard and delivered 2. There was a letting out and seizing of the Lords wrath and indignation upon his soul God did put into his hand a cup of the red wine of his wrath full of the mixture of the bitterest ingredients and he drank it off This answers to that pâ—na sensus punishment of pain which we should suffer All the waves of Gods displeasure went over his head See Psalm 18.4 5. 88.6 7 16 17. This supernatural death he suffered in both the kinds before mentioned first in the garden and after that on the cross In the garden Mat. 26.36 John 18.1 there the wrath of God did encounter him and he was put to grapple with it hand to hand he bare three several storms one after another and so took a deep draught of this bitter cup. The manner of it is described by sundry expressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 14.33 he began to be sore amazed which notes a dreadfull astonishment arising from a sudden commotion of all the powers of his soul together and to be very heavie that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be surprized and possessed with a very great and pressing anguish of spirit through the unspeakable horrour of divine
our redemption at all Lastly We finde that Christ is called our Ransome which is never spoken of Moses and that is enough to shew that there is an huge distance betwixt them even in this business of Redemption Apud eundem ubi supra 2 That this Redemption is ascribed to Christs suffering an accursed death not in respect of God but of us that is not that God was moved hereby as by a valuable consideration to set sinners at liberty but onely that they might thereby be brought effectually to the enjoyment of it by faith and obedience To this we answer that the bringing of sinners to enjoyment of this benefit is not the next and immediate effect of Christs death that belongs to the application which supposeth Redemption in being for the thing must be before it can be applied Now the Scripture doth every where make Christs accursed death the next and immediate cause of the benefit of Redemption but to the application and personal possession of this benefit its onely a remote cause There be sundry others nearer even in respect of the Redeemer himself as his Resurrection Ascension Intercession the publication of it by the Ministry of the Gospel the sending of the Spirit to make it effectual So that our redemption is ascribed to Christs accursed death primarily in reference to God the Lord and Law-giver that his justice might be satisfied and but secondarily and at a further distance in reference to us that we might reach to the enjoyment of it Much more might be added but I shall refer you to those godly learned men which have purposely confuted them I have no delight to rake in this dunghill nor would I have insisted thus much upon it but for these two reasons because 1 I conceive it to be a fundamental falsehood undermining the very being of the Gospel and pulling down the chiefest pillar of our salvation by Christ 2 Yet this soul-killing plague having broken out is dangerously spread abroad in this wanton licentious age and too many of all ranks are infected with it Yea there is a strange generation of hereticks called Quakers lately sprung up which have borrowed their abominable opinions and wilde practises from other sects and patched them up unhandsomely like a beggars coat Among other errors they broach us this down right Socinianisme See the perfect Pharisee Pos 5. That Christ in the flesh with all that he did and suffered therein was but a figure and nothing but an example whereby both Masters and Scholars do with one blow destroy the satisfaction and merit of Christ and consequently the whole work of our Redemption Let us abhor this damnable doctrine and cleave to the truth of Scripture which is delivered in such plain and familiar expressions as cannot without too much impudence and palpable wresting be eluded Truly besides many pregnant Texts in the New Testament almost the whole fifty third Chapter of Isaiah may serve for a sufficient confutation of it They might with a little dishonour to Jesus Christ speak out and say flatly that he died not at all as say that he dyed to a small purpose But it is no marvel if they that have robbed him of the truth of his God-head do dispoile him also of the principal office of Priesthood and the efficacy of his satisfaction with the choisest benefits purchased thereby for the salvation of lost sinners CHAP. VI. Use 2. Sect. 1. 1 Information in six particulars 2 HEnce we may infer matter of Information in sundry particulars 1 See and seeing admire the unspeakable love of God and of Christ to wretched mankinde not onely that Christ is made a curse in our stead but much more that this strange dispensation should work so noble and glorious an effect as Redemption is Assuredly both God the Father in giving Christ to be a curse and Christ the Mediator in submitting thereunto had this great end all along in their eye and upon their hearts next to the greatest end of all the glory of free grace even the rescuing of poor lost sinners from that hellish slavery wherein the curse of the Law had intangled them Oh the rich love of the Lord our God It was the fruitful womb which did first conceive and then warm and at length in the fulness of time bring forth this heavenly birth Joh. 3.16 1 Joh. 3.16 4.9 10. Should an earthly Prince disburse a great summe of money of his own accord undesired for the ransoming of a company of slaves which were not only strangers but also enemies to him and his Fathers house being convicted Traitors and so continuing this would be accounted an act of such singular clemency as could hardly bee paralleld by any report of story What wonderful loving kindness then is this that the Prince of the Kings of the earth Rev. 1.5 hath laid out the price of his dearest blood for the redemption of the backsliding traiterous brood of Adam and is found of them that sought him not that never looked after him Isa 65.1 Rom. 10.20 2 The work of Redemption is a very costly peece a business of infinite charge The Redeemer must be no meaner person than the Christ of God the price to be paid no lower a price than the accursed death of the Cross Might not the incomparable dignity of the person have dispensed with the means of the price or the extraordinary costliness of the price have over-weighed the means of the person so that either a lower price from a person of such eminent worth or a meaner person paying such an extraordinary dear price might have served the turn Oh no neither of these If the whole world yea ten thousand worlds with all the riches and treasures of their several Indies had been laid down upon the naile for this ransome by the greatest Potentate that ever the earth knew they would have been contemned as falling infinitly short It was a most costly Redemption and so we should account of it We reckon of our earthly priviledges Can. 8.7 libertie immunities freedomes according to the rate which they cost if wee know they cost a great price we value them the more He that said he had bought his Roman freedome with a great summe Act. 22.28 did prize it accordingly even so and much more should we set an high rate upon this choice spiritual benefit which cost so vast a summe 3 The grace of the Gospel is a very precious thing Out of the eater came meat c. Iudg. 14.14 for it is the purchase of Christs satisfaction and the summe and kernel of the work of Redemption The curse of the Law did even break his bones and this hath opened a spring of spiritual marrow and fatness wherewith the soules of dry empty sinners might be both filled and satisfied Were it not for this there could be no grace nor mercy we should never have heard of any such thing as the Gospel to bring the glad tidings
26.70 c. yet the Lord Jesus passed by all these provocations and he became both a witness of his sufferings and a partaker of the glory to be revealed Acts 13.9 1 Pet. 5.1 Saul who was also called Paul did not onely reject Christ and the tender of Salvation by him but also was injurious a persecuter a blasphemer plaid the mad man against the Saints and compelled them to blaspeme Might not Paul have despaired of favour and said surely God will plead the cause of his Justice against me he will never put up such high affronts against mercie But we hear no such language No the grace of our Lord saith he was exceeding abundant c. 1 Tim. 1.13 14. Herein he was set for a pattern to us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ver 16. Let the same minde be in us 2. For the latter The converted soule who is actually made partaker of the grace of Redemption and all his scores cleared as to his estate of unregeneracy yet even he may see matter of discomfort by reason of 〈◊〉 1. It s presence or in dwelling Oh saith the Godly soul I feel a lump of sinne still â—â—â—â—ing in me there is a troublesome Inmate that still hampers me a continual dropping 〈◊〉 â—oâ—ome-enemy which besets and clogs 〈◊〉 wofully it is as near me as my very bowels I cannot be quiet for it if I lie down or if I rise up if I go forth or if I come in it is still about me In the business and imployments of my ordinary calling it't ' puting in an oar and in performance of Religious duties but it act's with all its might raising up oftentimes such base passions and lusts as like a malignant East-winde are ready to blast my best fruits Oh sad complaint But pause a while and take one thing with another Thou thinkest thou art still under the Curse while the case is thus with thee but it is not so The great designe of thy Redeemer in destroying sinne and delivering thee from it doth not take place fully whilest thou art in this mortality His meaning was not to remove it wholly out of thy soul so as no footstep of it should remain but onely to take away the sting and deadly ruining power of it for the present The total abolishing of it must be a gradual work not to be perfected till thou shalt put on incorruption Thy happiness here stands not in the not having sin but in the Lords not imputing of sin through the satisfaction of Christ It is the wisedome of our heavenly Father thus to exercise those whom he prepares to be vessels of mercy He will have their remaining time here to be a warfare that they may know the fellowship of Christs sufferings He was burthened with thy sin and could not be rid of it till death thou must be conformed to thine head and make account it will be thy neighbour while thou art in the body But remember that while thou art yoked with this body of sin and groaning under it thy Redeemer hath compassion on thee If the Canaanite be in the Land he will be a thorn in Israels side yet he shall not prevail Holy Paul had a law in his members which led him captive to the law of sin and made him cry out Oh miserable man yet even then he can thank God in the view of full deliverance by Christ Rom. 7.21 23 c. Thine head is now conforming thee to himselfe and will not cease till hee hath wrought out thy victory with triumph 2 It is prevalency or domineering Oh! if I had it under I could have some ground of comfort but alas it is exceeding masterful it doth not onely lead but hold me captive Oh! how doth sin rage within me Strong lusts like the Anakims If there be any grace in me any thing of the new man it is but as a grashopper in comparison of a Gyant One cryes out of the lust of the flesh which soon kindles and gets up into a flame of inclination to bodily uncleanness Another of the lust of the eyes in too eager desires after the world A third of pride of life in ambitious aspirings after great things A fourth of rash anger which bears him down as with the stream and puts him upon unseemly language and carriage And although I pray and strive against my lust saith the Christian yet it still ever and anon gets the upper hand I have been overtaken with a gross sin I have fallen into it again and again yea I have sinned willingly against knowledge and with delight I fear I shall one day perish by the hand of sin But stay a while and hearken what the Lord will speak to thee It is a sad thing that Christs free-man should be so hankled in a snare and so trampled under the feet of a masterful lust and more sad if he should lay under the power and command of a gross sin in the actual committing of it yet there is hope in Israel concerning this Onely take notice that I have no designe to bolster up the sinner in his way of inquity my endeavour is to speak peace to the disconsolate Saint I say then thou art not alone poor soul others of the Lords people have been and may be in this very condition Noah foulely overcome with wine yet commended by God himself to be a righteous man Sampson intangled in the love of one Harlot after another yet numbred among those which by faith obtained a good report David deeply implunged into those two gross sinnes Adultery and murder and abiding under the guilt of them a long time yet who among all the Lords Worthies registred in Scripture was comparable to him There were sacrifices in the Law for sins against knowledge as well as sins of ignorance A man that was grievously infected with the Leprosie Levit. 6.1 2 6 7. Levit. 13. â— 14 4 c. had means of cleansing at hand as well as he that was defiled with ordinary uncleanness The blood of the Redeemer can purge all sorts of sins and therefore the mercy of God doth reach out to pardon all Exod. 34.7 Is thy sin in too great power Remember that Christ crucified is the power of God he will break the head of Leviathan he came to destroy the works of the Devil 1 Joh. 3.8 Hast thou sinned willingly and with delight Jesus Christ delighted to do his Fathers will Ps 40.8 he suffered willingly for thy sin The Lord sometimes gives lust and sin leave to rage and master his servants for a season but it shall not totally prevail Although thy corruptions be as the sons of Zeruiah to David too hard for thee yet if the bent of thy soul bee against them if thou fightest against them with the heart of an enemy thou shalt at last bee conquerour over them through the Cross of Christ See the promise Rom. 6.14 3 The advantage which Justice might get against him by
begins at the house of God 1 Pet. 4.17 Say then Is this thy case Thou hast sinned and now thou sufferest I advise thee to be humbled for it yet not to be discomforted The Redeemer hath born the heat and burthen of Gods wrath for thy sin and these punishments are not the effects of indignation steeled with hatred but anger meekned with love Minde it good Christian the Lord hath annexed this proviso to the Covenant of grace If you transgress you must expect to be visited with the rod yet the Covenant shall stand fast Psa 89.30 c. As poyson duely mixed and ordered by the art of the skilful Pâ—ysiâ—ian doth not kill but help to bring health So the wise God will temper the punishments which he layes on thee for sin that they should not hinder but further the fruit of thy Redemption Thy Saviour learned obedience by the things which he had suffered for thy sin Heb. 5.8 Take thou out the same lesson I might here take occasion to start and dispute this question Whether those which are actually made partakers of the grace of Redemption be so fully freed from the curse of the Law in this life that the evills which they suffer for sin have nothing of the curse in them nor can be truly so called But I look upon it as a strife about words the controversie may be thus decided 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The curse may be considered either materially as it is a thing contrary to the good and welfare of the creature and so unwelcome or formally as it the sinners liableness to the avenging wrath of God for sin Or it may be taken either largely for any evill whatsoever which is the reward of sin or strictly for that great evil of evils which stands in the separation of the sinner from God and his eternal perdition Take it materially or in the largest sense and both Scripture and experience speak it aloud that beleevers are not fully delivered from the whole curse in this life But take it formally and strâ—ctly and thus the elect sinner is wholly set free from it at the instant of his conversion The terrible tempest that would overwhelme him and render him utterly and everlastingly miserable is passâ—d by and shâ—ll not fall upon his head onely some drops and sprinklings may dash him but they shall not hurt him yea the nature of them is so altered Medâ—â—inales 〈◊〉 Aâ—g 〈◊〉 corrâ—â—â—â—nes◠〈…〉 â—nes fabrâ—â—â— loâ—â—s â—â—siones â—â—â—â—tâ—onâ—s candidatâ—â—â—es Guil Pâ—â—is apud Ames Bell. Enerv. that they do him good as the Lords Warning-peeces to bring him to repentance after his falls and a Physical receits which though they be not toothsome yet are wholesome to the soul Heb. 12.10 11. Jer. 24.5 If thou be well advised thou wilt not look upon them as effâ—cts of revenging justice but as fatherly chastisements and medicines to cure thy folly and helps to promote vertue as hammering or squarings and knocking 's or washings and whitenings Dan. 11.35 And this may minister sweet refreshing to thee under the roâ—â— even when thou hast the greatest cause of humiliation for thy sin CHAP. VIII Use 4. Examination Sect. 1. The first mark of actual interest in Redemption 4. BUt now lest some bold sinner should snatch at this Consolation under pretence of an interest in the grace of Redemption and the benefits and priviledges thereof it is requisite to adde something for Examination that every one may know whether he be actual partaker of them or no. If this was the great design of Jesus Christ in taking upon him the curse to buy poor sinners out of the hands of the Law and to deliver us from the Curse then it concernes us all to search our hearts and to try our wayes that upon due consideration we may be able to give a true satisfying answer in our own souls to this weighty case of conscience Whether am I indeed and truth redeemed from the curse of the Law For what shall it avail thee to claime that as thy right which upon due search will be found to be none of thine Shall not the Lord judge thee an Usurper and a Theefe in so doing Therefore judge thy selfe by inquiring how thy heart can answer to these markes and evidences of a redeemed soul 1. Dear love of the Redeemer Suppose a poor guiltie-slave tugging and sweating in an hard service under a cruel Lord and readie to breath out his soul for very anguish by reason of his bondage if now some happie man shall in meer compassion disburse a great summe for his ransome and set him at liberty how doth this engage the silly captives heart to his Deliverer How doth the esteem of him and commend him Oh! saith he had it not been for such a man I had lien by it for ever I even owe him my self and all that I am and I shall love him dearly as long as I live This is thy case if thou hast left Christ actually redeeming thee from the Curse Thou canst look upon him and consider both those depths of misery from which he hath rescued thee and that height of felicity whereinto he hath enstaâ—ed thee and also the desperate hazzards which he was constrained to runne for the perfecting of this great work and thou canst seriously profess and say with David I will love thee dearly O Lord my strength and my deliverer Psal 18.1 2. and 116.1 2 c. Thou canst now speak it in the uprightness of thy heart Oh my soul is exceedingly indeared unto the Lord Jesus for looking upon such a miserable creature I was as a dead dog before the Lord the curse of the Law was ready to wearie mee but Christ hath taken it off and delivered me from it Therefore I love him he hath my heart and shall have it for ever well then saith every pretender I doubt not but I am redeemed for I love Jesus Christ else I were not worthy to live But alas there is much false unsound Properties of sincere love of the Redeemer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quae ad splendorem solis examen sustinere potest Pasor Lexic dissembling love in the world onely that which is pure sound and uncorrupt will evidence your interest in Redemption Eph. 6.24 Let us therefore hold up this Eagle before the Sun that we may trie whether it be right bred or a bastard True love to Christ the Redeemer is 1. Single carried to the person of Christ in a direct line the eye looks straight towards Christ so that he loves him primarily for himself and the good things which he enjoyes by him but at the second hand I grant that the benefit of Redemption applied is both a meanes to produce and an help to advance this love but when the soul begins to know Christ somewhat experimentally then he sees that beautie and excellency in him which renders him altogether lovely Can. 5.16 now he loves him intirely
lawfull self-selflove in your breasts if you have not wholy abandoned all compassion of your selves and are become your own enemies be awaked from your sloth and look about you Do you thus requite the Lord Jesus O foolish people and unwise Is not he thy father Rom. 7.9 that hath bought thee Rather let my counsel be acceptable to you in these few particulars 1. Give way to the Light and authority of the Law in the ministry of it to bring thee to a thorough conviction of thy misery and extream need of the help of their Redeemer Think it not sufficient that the Law hath lent thee light enough to say All men are sinners and so to wrappe thy self in gross with them and to be content to be reckoned among them seeing thou canst not avoid it but bring it home to thy conscience believe thy self to be his accursed sinner and say I am the man Imprison not the truth in unrighteousness but let it so overpower thy soul that thou mayest be no longer able to resist it but mayest yield thy self into the arrest of God's justice that the spirit of bondage may cause thee to fear the curse and wrath of God and thou mayest lie slain Deut. 32.6 and dead in thy self utterly unable to recover thy self and therefore helpless and hopeless as to thy self or any thing in the world Let the Law have its free course to work thee into this frame When the Lord meane's to apply the ransome to a poor sinner for his deliverance from the pit he first open's his ears and scale's his instruction that he may hide pride from him Job 33 17.-24 If thou be wise thou wilt meet the Lord in this way though it be unpleasant yet it is profitable But if thou either continuest dead and blockish under the discoveries of the Law or favourest thy self in thy sloth and ease or liftest thy crests in confidence of the safety of thy condition there is no hope for the present of any saving good towards thee And yet alas how is the Spirit of the Law straitened in these sad times Our people will not suffer it to come near them much less to master them If any thing be offered them in way of conviction they either drown it in their cups or sing it away in merry Jiggs or laugh it out of countenance or at the best suffer it to wear off and to die in their hands But in the fear of God beware of these things I tell thee thou mayest be quite dismounted and cast down at the Lords feet All wayes must be block'd up whereby the carnal heart may take occasion to nourish hope of escaping out of this prison 2. Being at this loss advisedly resolve not to abide in this condition but to make hast out of it Say to thy self O my soul Where in what case art thou It 's no tarrying here It 's too hot to be under the curse in the flames of hell Who can dwell with the devouring fire with everlasting burnings Isa 33.14 Search enquire ask counsel Go to the ministers of Christ and say unto them as these Acts 2.37 Men and brethren what shall we do and the Jaylour Acts 16.30 Sirs what must I do to be saved They are the messengers of the Lord of hosts their lips should preserve knowledge and you must seek the law at their mouths Mal. 2.7 Their office is to publish this ransome and to declare unto the humbled sinner his righteousness in pronouncing him delivered by virtue of that Ransome Job 33.23 24. But oh alas if there be a Minister in the Town an Interpreter one that is willing according to the measure of the gift bestowed on him to reveal the counsel of God to poor sinners how long may he sit at home before any of his neighbours will knock at the door to tell him that they are wretched prisoners under the Curse and know not how to get out yea although he be accounted one of a thousand scarcely four persons in a whole twelve-moneth will come to him travelling under their burthen and propounding such questions as these Oh how shall I get from the Curse of the Law who shall draw me out of this woful dungeon wherein I ly Truly this speaks sad things to such a people and testifies against them that they are seared in their consciences and sealed up unto condemnation 3. Fall down before the glorious Majestie of the great Lawgiver the Lord of heaven and earth as forlorne prisoners and condemned Slaves Spread your case before him by a free and full Confession ripp up the bowels of that darkness and death that sinkhole of hell that lies in your souls Tell him in what a desperate state thou art deal plainly seriously and sincerely leave no covert or shelter or figg-leaf to hide thy self under but lay thy soul bare and naked before him Let thy Laughter be turned into mourning James 4.9 and in the sence of thine undone condition crie mightily as the prisoner at the barre for mercy and deliverance Ionah 3.9 who can tell but that the Lord will returne and have compassion on thee that thou perish not in the hands of the Curse When Saul was stricken down to the earth by a light and voice from heaven and stood before the Lord trembling and astonished he forthwith falls to this work Lord saith he What wilt thou have me to do as if he should say Lord thou hast overcome I must yield what shall I do in this exigent If thou wilt shew me thy minde and the way which I should go Lo I am here willing to obey Acts 9.3 4 c. and the Lord speaking of him to Ananias mentions it as a thing very remarkable even with a starre in the forehead Behold See Iob 3â— 26 he prayeth verse 11. And certainly If the Spirit of bondage hath brought the Curse close home to thy soul and caused it to sting thee to the purpose thou wilt not be restrained but thy chamber and closet and every corner where thou canst have Libertie to disburden thy self will be witnesses of thy complaints and petitions and thou wilt let the Lord see that thou art in good earnest But wo is me while our people continue so sottish and prophane and their hearts so unaffected with their misery that they cannot bow nor bend they have neither expressions nor affections of prayer it is no marvel if the grace of Redemption lie altogether neglected Restraint of prayer argues security Iob 15.4 If the bankrupt debtor be so stout and stiff that he will not fall down and beseech his Creditor to have patience and compassion on him he may lie by it who can pittie him 4. In the mean time take notice that there is a Ransome paid for sinners by Jesus Christ that he hath taken upon him the Curse to buy them out from it Take it for granted and write upon it as unquestionable that redemption is feasable
interessing us in the grace of Redemption so we cannot doubt that the Lord hath put upon it this office also to be after the manner of a condition if we observe these Scripture-expressions Rom. 4.24 if we believe on him that raised up Jesus it shall be imputed to us for righteousness Rom. 10.9 If thou shalt believe in thy heart thou shalt be saved and the want of this condition is threatned with death Jo. 8.24 See also Jo. 20.31 Acts 8.37 But 2. This faith towards the Lord Jesus is ever accompanied with repentance towards God which is called repentance from dead works and coupled with faith in God as twins in the doctrine of the foundation of Christ Heb. 6.1 This is the souls irking with its former sinfull estate and wayes and a deep displeasure at himself for them together with a forsaking of them and turning away from them unto God in the sincere purpose of the heart and serious endeavour of the conversation And that repentance hath some hand in this business to be a mean and as a condition too in part of interest in Redemption may appear by promises of mercie pardon and healing made to it Pro. 28.14 Iob 33.27 28. Job 11.14 15 c. 2 Chron. 7.14 Acts 3.19 and the contrary threatning Luke 13.3 which plainly implies that without this there is no escaping of perdition and therefore no actual Redemption So that the sinner now as by one hand of faith he takes Christ's Righteousness unto himself so by Repentance as by the other hand he thrusts away sinne from himself out of his heart and hands that he may enjoy a part in the grace of Redemption Christ the Redeemer himself made these the chiefest subject of his preaching Mark 1.15 and so did his Apostles to whom the publication of this Doctrine was committed Acts 20.21 and directed humbled soules to both these as they had occasion S. Peter ascribes Repentance with Baptisme Acts 2.38 and S. Paul saith Act. 16.31 not that those two preachers differed in their judgements or that either of these two graces were sufficient alone by it self but rather to shew their near affinity that they cannot be separated that the right and thorough performance of the one is the performance of both This is the Kings High-way if you hope to compass Redemption and salvation in any other way you will certainly be deceived Oh that you the careless sinners in Zion for unto you I speak all this while would at length be rouzed by the sound of this trumpet to look out for deliverance by Christ before the prison doors be made so fast upon you that there will be no remedy and to provoke you the more to a thing so necessary consider these Motives 1. There is no possibility of deliverance from sinne and the Curse by any other means A redeemer you must have or you are undone and the redeemer must pay a vaste summe for your Redemption This is done to your hand by Jesus Christ if you will accept it upon his termes If you will not I would aske where will you finde a Redeemer Do you look for another to come He that must do this work must bear the Curse for you But where is the man that can or will undertake this God hath found none in heaven or earth mighty enough to lay this help upon Isa 63.5 but Jesus Christ therefore he hath laid it upon him Psal 89.19 and now there remaines no more sacrifice for sinne There is no wisedome nor power in all the world that can relieve or bestead the sinner which will not submit to this way of God 2. If thou wilt not give way to Christ to glorifie his mercie in rescuing thee from the Curse and Condemnation he will glorifie his Justice in letting thee lie an accursed prisoner for ever If thou wilt seek the Lord his hand will be upon thee for good But if thou forsake him his power and his wrath will bee against thee to thy ruine Ezra 8.22 If thou wilt not kiss the Sonne he will be angry and thou shalt perish in the way Psal 2.12 His taking the Curse upon him will not serve thy turne to secure thee from the danger of it unless thou wilt be perswaded to come up to his termes and heartily embrace him as thine onely Lord-Redeemer will give a large commission to it to destroy thee without mercie He that obeyes not the Sonne the wrath of God abides on him John 3.36 and he will come with vengeance in his hands against them that obey not the Gospel 2 Thes 1.18 3. Now the Lord offers you this incomparable mercie you have the render of it still continued in the Ministerie of the Word and the Spirit is Still inviting and beseeching you to accept of this redemption and reconciliation thereby Oh then hearken to the motion and yeild your selves forthwith unto the Lord. For although you do not give a peremptory denial yet if you sit still and triffle your hearts will be hardened Psal 95.7 8. I know thy thoughts thou takest it for granted that thou canst come and get a part in Christ when thou pleasest but it is not so It 's easie to say God be mercifull to me and it is in thy power to presume but to repent and to believe unfainedly and in truth thou shalt finde to be a work above thy strength I tell thee thou bold sinner God will one day come near and plead thus with thy conscience I gave thee Twenty thirty fortie yeares and all that while my Spirit hath been wrastling with thee to draw thee to Christ and thou sayest I can come at my pleasure If thou canst why hast thou not come all this while Seing therefore thou hast dallied with my grace and rendred all my importunity and waiting void and ineffectuall thou shalt never enter into this blessed rest of Redemption 4. If you have any true love to the Ministers of Christ or any desire of their welfare and comfort then come in and seek for a share in this benefit Wee are the servants of the Lord Jesus sent forth to proclaim Redemption to the world How would it glad our hearts to see you all flocking in as doves to the windowes for your interest therein that we may rejoyce in the day of Christ and say Behold here am I and the soules whom thou hast ransomed with thy blood which have yielded themselves to thee through our Ministery If you set light by this grace and love the world and the contentments of it better than Jesus Christ you break our hearts and you will bring down our heads with shame and sorrow to the grave But if you have no regard of us yet at least pittie your selves When the Lord of the whole world shall call us to give an account of our stewardship and we shall be forced to give in this true evidence against you Lord we have stretched out our hands all the day all the
year all our life long to a careless and disobedient people Rom. 10.12 Our words came to their eares but they would not suffer them to reach their hearts Oh then how can you lift up your heads or whether will you flie for relief And now I could heartily wish that his word might follow you home and the sound of this trumpet grow more and more shrill in your eares till it hath awakened you thoroughly Still remember that it is a business of the greatest importance requiring your choicest pains and diligence if S. Austine said truly He that hath made thee without thee will not save thee without the understanding it of full savation or the whole course of it means as well as end then may we say as truly he that hath paid the price of thy redemption without thee will not give thee the full possession of it without thee That which a man seeks he may probably finde if thou wilt bestir thy self in the use of means there is hope that thou mayest injoy this mercy But if thou sleightest and neglectest it thou shalt be sure to lose it As free a gift as it is God will not drop it into your mouthes while you snort and sleep if you think it not worth your most serious endeavours you shall never bee better for it I have delivered mine errand and I must leave it with you Now advise and see what answer I shall return to him that sent mee CHAP. X. Sect. 1. Exhortation to sensible sinners 2. THis precious Truth holds forth an Olive-branch of peace to sensible and broken sinners which are convinced of their misery by the curse and lye under the bondage age of it unable to get out Poor soul thou feelest thy self accursed thou hearest that Christ by becoming a curse hath ransomed sinners from the curse yet something still knocks thee off that thou canst not reach up to the enjoyment of this happines but walkest mournfully as a meer stranger to it expecting the uttermost mischief that it can work against thee I beseech thee in the bowels of our dear Redeemer take special notice of this weighty Truth and bring it home close to thy spirit Arâ— thou perswaded that Christ hath done this for wretched sinners Why then dost not thou set thy heart upon it and improve it seriously for thy best advantage Thou poor weather-beaten soul be of good chear the Lord Jesus hath paid thy ransome and now he bids thee come out of prison Wilt thou not give him leave to redeem thee but chuse to lye by it still Oh do not nourish this bondage of conscience any longer by holding off from this blessed remedy Say to thy soul I see the Redeemer hath paid a price which is abundantly sufficient to redeem many thousands and hath made them prisoners of hope Well I will humbly hope that I am one of that happy number And that thou mayest be really happy in the personal possession of this grace of Redemption I will give thee counsel and God shall bee with thee Take it in three particulars 1. Seriously ponder the weight and strength of this great design It is bottomed on the everlasting love of God and managed by his admirable wisdome The spring from which it flows is love and wisdome carries it on from first to last It is the good pleasure of his will founded on his everlasting decree that sinners should be delivered and saved in this way and in none other Hearken what the Lord saith to thee poor sinner I have given my Son to take upon him thy curse that thou mightest be freed from it And here I give thee my faithful promise that if thou wilt heartily accept him for thy Lord-redeemer and resign up thy self unto him thou shalt both be acquitted from all the mischief which the curse would bring upon thee and moreover instated in all that righteousness and glory which he enjoyes as Mediator and that by a sure Covenant never to be forgotten my word may be sufficient security to thee but if that will not serve behold here are my seals the Sacraments visible evidences of my well-meaning which may put all out of question Oh then I beseech thee bring thy heart to rest satisfied in this unless thou darest sleight the Lords free love or thinkest that thou canst disanull his eternal purpose and resist or alter the counsel of his will and be wiser than thy Maker what may hinder but thou shouldest lay hold on this strength and make peace Isaiah 27.5 2. I suppose thou art skared out of thine old prophane temper and seest great need of plying the Throne of grace a with supplications for mercy deliverance pardon and acceptation Psal 130.1 Lam. 3.55 56. Well continue still instant and watch thereunto let not thy sales fall especially pray earnestly for grace and strength to perform the condition Although the benefit of Redemption be far out of thy reach and seem impossible in thine eyes Mar. 9.23 yet if thou canst beleeve it is thine all things are possible to him that beleeveth And because faith is the gift of God and no man can Come to Christ unless the Father draw him Joh. 6.44 therefore it behooves thee to bee importunate for this drawing power to bring thee to Jesus Christ that thou mayest rest upon him and be happy And unto prayer joyn other Ordinances waiting on God in the use of them all in their several degrees and seasons till the Spirit shall breathe a spark of faith into thy soul Hearken not to those which bid thee lye still Prov. 19.15 and wait but do nothing idle waiting may lull thee asleep in security and lay thee open to delusions and false hallowS concerning thy spiritual condition which may tend to thy undoing but it is not the way wherein the Spirit of God delights to draw near to the soul of the humbled sinner Wait on the Lord and keep his way Psal 37.34 The Lord is willing to do great things for poor sinners yet he will bee enquired of by them they must seek unto him for the performance of them Ezek. 36.37 3. While thou art thus sighing towards heaven and begging faith to be ransomed and freed from thy sore bondage be careful to learn self-denial trampling under-foot not onely thine own righteousness which I presume thou dost already but also wisdome reason sense and whatsoever else may unhappily stop thy way and keep thee off from Christ and still ever and anon be trying thy heart towards the acting of faith do not sit down in the sullenness of thy spirit saying I do well to hold of but struggle with thy unbeleeving heart Set thy foot upon this way and lift up one foot after another that at last thou mayest come to close with thy Redeemer See he is here waiting for thy coming Oh saith he Hos 13.13 How long will the poor child stay in the place of breaking forth of children Stick at it