His mercy Is not this wondrous mercy The Second question is Whom did God the Father send Was it not His Son and as is elsewere expressed Rom. 8.32 His own Son as the verse before the Text hath it 1. Jo. 4.9 His only Begotten Son Had He sent a Servant there had been Grace in the business there had still been more had He sent one of those Men that are his Sons by the Grace of Adoption or one of those chief Sons by Creation the Angels But His sending His proper Son His Son begotten in a way beyond our expression Modo ineffabili or conception not one Begotten Son of many and yet we find those that have many loth to part with one but an only Begotten Son a Son of the same individual Essence with himself Prov. 8.30 a Son that from Eternity was with Him and was His delight His dear Son Coloss 1.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Son of His Love this is Grace to a wonder and they that are made partakers of the saving benefit thereof cannot but wonder at it The Third question is What is implyed in Gods act of sending Ans 1. This Phrase must not have a force put on it Philip. 2.6.7 It doth not imply that the Son as God is at all inferiour to His Father Missio non tollit aequalitatem Among Men one may be imployed by and from others that are His equals Nor doth it intimate that the Son was at all averse to the work he undertook His heart was in 't 2. But it denoteth a decree and purpose of the Father thus to imploy His Son which was from Eternity and withall that the Son as Mediator was by the Father Commission'd to His work and we find the Scripture laying no little stress as on the work of the Son Heb. 10.10 so on the Will of His Father We may not well suppose that the Son would come and become a Sufferer without the consent of His Father If He could have done so would it have been of avail to Mans Salvation He that came freely was authorized fully Now that He should give him such a Commission as it were under Seal the Scripture speaks of Sealing him Je. 6.27 If also we consider that it is said elsewhere and just before my Text Dedit non vendidit dedit haud concessit that He gave him freely for what 's freer than gift He gave Him and sold Him not he gave Him and granted him not when Men were so far from deserving that they could not desire Him we have all reason to cry Grace Grace It 's next enquired Whither did God the Father send His Son Was it not into the World Jo. 1.14 the poliuted World 1 Jo. 5.19 the World that lay in evil as a Carcase lyes in its filth Sub potestate mali a World where he was to meet with the grossest abuses to be dealt with as if he had not been worthy of it Jo. 15.18 A Prince's coming from a Palace to a Dunghill was as nothing to this Condescension and Grace The fifth Question is For whom did God the Father send His Son into the World Was it not for us for the sake of such as we are 1. It was for us Heb. 2. and not for fallen Angels Christ took not on Him the nature of Angels He took not them by the hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor was sent so to do The Angels that fell Sinn'd without a Tempter and they perish without the tender of a Saviour I am aware that besides what is hinted in the last sentence there are by some of the Learned some reasons or congruities produc'd why God should rather pass by fallen Angels than fallen Man but I fall fully in with such as would have Man to attribute this chiefly to His Will So Mr. Hopkins and good Will towards him He may think that if Angels had been Redeemed they would have been larger Vessels of Honour and did not Man Sin upon a small and for ought we know the first Temptation Again If we be from our hearts devoted to the Lord it was for us more than for other Men that the Son of God was sent Though there be in Him and in His Death a sufficiency for all the World Revel 5.8.9 yea for a Thousand Worlds yet the efficacy of His suffering and so of His Fathers sending is peculiar to the Faithfull Can we refrain speaking of God's Grace as exceeding Rich when we see him preferring us above Angels and many Men that are round about us Gen. 32.10 especially when having considered our selves comparatively we consider Eph. 2.2.3 that absolutely we are 1. Undeserving less than the least mercy and yet the objects of this greatest mercy and 2. Ill-deserving that he should send His Son to redeem us that might have sent His Wrath to consume us we are delivered that might have been destroyed The last question which will call for the largest Answer is For what end or on what Errand was Christ sent into the World Ans One main End and Errand is laid down in the Text which whosoever well weighs will cry out Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed on us He was sent to be a Propitiation for our sins We 'll first consider the importance of the word Propitiation And it is not doubted but in it is a respect and allusion to such Propitiatory Sacrifices as were used and appointed in the time of the Law See Dr. Stillingfleet against Crellius As there were gratulatory Offerings wherein the Offerers testified their Love to God with their thankfullness for his favours So there were Expiatory Offerings which tended to appease God and apply the pardon of Sin to Men and those were all of them Bloody ones without shedding of Blood there is no Remission said the Apostle Accordingly Heb 9.22 Christ's being a Propitiation 1. Implyes His being a sufferer and that unto Death 2. His being substituted in the room Idem and so suffering not only for the good but withall in the stead of Sinners as the Sacrifices were slain to prevent their being so that brought ' em 3. His so far answering and satisfying God His Father and making a Compensation for the wrong done to His Law and justice that on the score thereof He is attoned and Propitious and Gracious to believing Penitents He is their Peace Eph. 2.14 the procurer and effecter thereof what the Jewish Sacrifices were in type He is in truth I will not conceal that such as are eminently judicious do judg See Mr. Truemans great Propitiation that in the word Propitiation there is an eye to the Mercy-Seat or cover of the Ark that Holy of Holy's and questionless Christ is in substance what that was in signification and it s said He is called by the Name of His own Type 1. That
the Wrath to come and he onely delivers those that are in him The last advice as to the unregenerate is cry they pray they get they all their Friends to cry and pray for a change of their state and frame that they may on good grounds say that Jesus Christ is a Propitiation for their sins and that the Father that sent him to be so hath accepted him as such O that the Lord who imploys one so weak as I am would Honour me in making me an Instrument of their Conversion 1. Study they to good purpose that they do as really need an Interest in this Blessed Propitiation as any in the World can do 1. Have they not many great sins to be removed off from their Souls and out of God's sight Did they not fall as far and foully as any in Adam Did they not derive as guilty Persons Rom. 5.12 7.24 so filthy Natures from him Is there not in every one of 'em a Root of bitterness Hath not this Root been fruitful in the unfruitful works of Darkness If all their sins particularly those of Omission were set in order before 'em If onely those that have been more directly against the Love of the Father and the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ were presented to 'em would they not be as a vast and terrible Army And if the heightning Circumstances of 'em were shewed together with 'em would they not render 'em still more frightful 2. Be they fully persuaded that no Righteousness which they can call their own will avail or signifie any thing as to the atoning of God and rendring him Propitious and Gracious to ' em The Bed is too short they cannot stretch themselves thereon The Covering is too narrow they cannot wrap themselves therein The injur'd Justice of God being infinite John 7.20 cannot be righted by any finite payments made to it Thousands of Rams Micah 6.5 6 7. and ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl are insignificant 3. Make they a just Account that to their Salvation a renewing of their Natures is needful As they are indebted so they are diseased as they need Pardons so they need Cares if God save 'em he 'l heal ' em 4. Doubt they not of the All-sufficiency of Christ's Propitiation John 6.37 7.37 or of the freeness of his Father to make over to 'em the benefit thereof upon their coming in and yielding themselves to him Assuredly if they can once get a sight of the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 they may with comfort behold the Glory of God in it All the Divine Attributes will appear then amiable all the ways of God will be rendred easie and all the Providences of God will become profitable even chastising ones or Rods will have Honey on the end of 'em which they shall taste 5. That they may be brought nigh to the Father and the Son and share in their Loves wait they in the use of a plain clear practical Ministry that the Holy Spirit may descend on 'em and they may experience the sweetness and powerfulness of his drawings God not seldom speaks to mens Hearts by his Ministers as his Mouth and Oh that Persons longed to find the Holy Spirit 1. Eph. 1.17 A revealing Spirit shewing 'em the King in his excellent enamouring Beauty 2. An inclining Spirit bowing their wills Psal 110.3 and bringing 'em over to embrace him whom they apprehend 3. An enabling Spirit empowring 'em to come to him that is able to save 'em to the uttermost from sins reigning Power here as well as from its ruining power hereafter O for a Spirit of Faith Is it not much more precious than Gold or Pearls Though it do not at all make the Propitiation for our sins it makes it ours Lest all I have said be as if it was unsaid to those who most need it I shall before I come to direct my Speech to the Regenerate set before the Unregenerate and such as continue to slight the Rich Grace of God in Christ some moving Motives One is Death is on its way towards 'em and every step they take they are a step nearer to it Their Glass is continually running and how few Sands remain in it it is not for them to know What if it should lay hold on them before they have laid hold on this Propitiation Job 18.14 Would it not be as it hath been accounted of terrible things the most terrible For 2. if they come not to Christ he will in Judgment come against them and as he is the sweetest Friend so he is the sorest Foe Rev. 6. last The wrath of the Lamb is to Grandees that are to fall under it full of Terror They that will not have him as their Saviour cannot flye from him as their Judge And to their shame and sorrow it will appear 1. This Judge is All-knowing No sin hath been committed so secretly as to scape his Cognisance He will bring to light the most hidden works of Darkness 2. He is also most Just and cannot be Bribed nor will any make offers of that sort to him 3. He is Powerful and they that fall into his Revenging hands can make no escape out of 'em Isaiah 33.13 14. His displeasure which cannot well be endured cannot at all be avoided Thirdly Will not the Torments which they shall be adjudged to have sundry of the sharpest stings in ' em 1. Will they not have the speculative knowledge of the great Love which God made offers of that so their sin may appear exceeding sinful John 3.19 and their Sufferings most righteous Knowledge shall be increased that Sorrow may be so Even where there is utter darkness there will be light that is terrifying The thoughts of Mercy that were most sweet in Life will be more bitter than many Deaths because it was rejected 2. Will they not have a sin to answer and suffer for which is not chargeable on Devils who never had Christ and Grace in him held forth to ' em Heb. 2.3 The Blood of Christ must needs lye heavy on those on whom the guilt of it lyes because the Merit of it was made light of 4. Yet the day of Grace lasteth and the Door of Hope continues open Isa 55.7 If the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and turn to the Lord making the Son of God his Advocate he shall in no wise be cast out There is in Christ vertue to take away sins against Christ and the Fathers Bowels will yearn over a Penitent that hath been a Prodigal Luke 15.20 The Lord turn sinners that they may be turned The Fourth Rule of Duty hath a particular eye upon those that are Interested in the Son of God as a Propitiation and consequently in the Love of his Father They should be found attending to and in the Services that are proper to and for ' em The first Service is Musing
THE RICHES OF GRACE DISPLAYED The SECOND PART In the great Instances thereof In giving the Son Sending the Spirit Effectual Calling God's Covenanting with Man By W. Bagshaw Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed for Ralph Shelmardine in Manchester 1685. ADVERTISEMENT Reader THou maist take notice That the Reverend Author of this Book did begin to Publish something on this Excellent Subject in a Book Entituled The Riches of Grace Displayed c. in the Year 1674. To which this is a Second Part proceeding on several great Instances to the fifth in number which are mentioned in the Title page To which will be added a Third Part of five Instances more of the same Rich Grace to wit of God the Father's Justifying Adopting Sanctifying Comforting and Glorifying Persons The Subject is of the highest concern and this may be said of the handling of it That it is fully and yet briefly done And the Reader may be assured that as the price cannot be great so he shall not pay for scarce a superfluous word in the whole May God Bless it to the eternal Advantage of every careful peruser of it Amen ERRATA PAge 3. line 1. read manner p. 4. l. 21. dele which is p. 5. in the Marg. r. Commendabilem ib. Polus p. 14. l. 7. r. at Ibid. l. 23. dele say p 17. l. 16. r. O that p. 25. l. 12. dele he came so p. 30. l. 13. r. inflicted p. 31. l. 19. r. O that p. Ib. l. 22. r. pledge p. 48. l. 10. r. know p. 55. l. 10. r. cures p. 63. l. 14. r. yet p. 64. in the Marg. r. rependere p. 70. l. 11. r. desires p. 72. l. 14. r. her p. 76. l. 18. add is p. 81. Marg. r. against ' em p. 87. l. 5. r. and. p. 103. l. 13. r. do p. 110. l. 22. add is p. 122. l. 6. r. living water p. 133. Marg. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 143. l. 16. r. chearing p. 147. l. 4. r. of us all p. 154. l. 20. r. and design p. 164. Marg. r. malè colorata p. 180. l. 15. r. Context p. 182. l. 25. r. this p. 184. l. 2. r. removed p. 187. l. 1. add as well p. 193. l. 12. r. crys p. 203. Marg. r. Date THE RICHES OF GRACE The SECOND PART 1 John 4.10 Herein is Love not that we Loved God but that He Loved us and sent His Son to be a Propitiation for our Sins DId not Divine John carry Grace and Love in his Heart as well as in his Name BP Brownwrigg It was well observed by one of great eminency and is worthy of the observation of others that as he shared above others in the Love of his Saviour he above others shewed as well as bare Love to his Saviour Jo. 13.23 As he was the Disciple that Jesus Loved He was a compound of Love and sweetness he was the Disciple by whom Jesus was beloved and in the exercise of Love his fellowship was with the Father See Doctor Roberts as well as with the Son Jesus Christ Witness this Epistle 1 Ja. 1.3 and that part of it wherein my Text stands And he who felt such pure flames in his own breast was desirous to kindle the like in the breasts of others thence doth he display the Love of God before 'em His heart would not easily off from that Subject and it kept his Pen to and on it On that sweet string he struck in the Verse before this and on it he strikes again in this Verse wherein 1. The Matter treated of is Love Love in its height 2. The Matter of his treating thereon is as was usual with him 1. Negatively the excellency of Love lay not in Mens Love to God 2. Positively it lyes in Gods Love to Men. Of whose Love there is an eminent instance to wit sending His Son to be a Propitiation for our Sins The Text hath in it fair footing for sundry points or observations but it falls for my present design to touch only on this Doctrine 1. The sending of His Son to be a Propitiation for Mens Sins was an eminent evidence of the Rich Grace and free Love of God the Father Of this person's Love doth the Text and Context much treat That we are to take the word God therein personally for the Father is argued from his being distinguished from the Son and having that action which is especially appropiated to the Father Differentia est per propria appropriata Bp. Prid. manuduct p. 34. ascribed to him that is sending the Son Though there be no inequality among the Divine Persons or Subsistents there is an order and the Scripture speaks of the first Person Isai 53.10 as the first propounder and mover as to the work of Mans redemption And when the Text saith herein is Love or in this is Love it speaks as much as I have put into my Doctrine See the Eng. Annot I find it thus glossed on The very nature of Love doth herein appear One I remember expressed himself thus This is Love worth pointing at Mr. S. E. what if I say this is Love worth wondring at it is much on this score especially that God the Father is stiled Love 1. Jo. 4.8.16 which is full of Love Love it self And in the foregoing Verse it is said expresly In this was the Love of God manifested in this mainly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though not in this only in this above and not only among other things that he gave his only Begotten Son 1 Jo. 3.16 So God Loved the World so wonderfully so as cannot be to the full expressed or conceived Here is a Sic without a Sicut So that good Men and Angels are fill'd with admiration This Love had no president Rom. 5.8 and shall have no parallel Commendabile reddit salus ad locum This commendeth or rendreth commendable the Love of God the Father particularly That we may take a fairer view of this his Love we will offer at the resolution of certain Questions 1. Who is it that thus declares his Love Is it not God the Father Did not the Son come and was he not sent out of His Bosome Vide Amyraldi Thes de peccato in Spirit Sanctum Now did not Mans Sin in violating the Law and first Covenant strike very fully at this Person from whom if we regard the order of the Persons in the Godhead that Law and Covenant had the first rise Had not He been what He is if Man had never been And could not He have Glorified Himself in Mans Damnation Rom. 5 8. Now that He against whom Man had Sinn'd should for Man provide a Saviour that he who was provoked by the World should send his Son for as well as into the World that he that is All-blessed should bestow on provokers this prime Blessing that he who could have honoured His justice should thus declare
Nostro loco instead of us and for Sin when He had none of His own to dy for yea for our sins that is to expiate 'em 1 Tim. 2.6 and take off the guilt of 'em so that He is stiled a Ransome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mr. Polhill one that put His Soul into the stead of ours yet they assign other ends of His Dying and exclude that great end of His being a Propitiatory Sacrifice at which my Text points 2. And do they not make way to their denying that Christ made satisfaction to infinite Justice when they deny Him to be an infinite Person They what in 'em lies degrade Him and deprive Him of the Honour of His Deity Officio non Naturâ when they say He is only God by Office and not by Nature Had He not been very God could He have made payment for the debts owing to God And whilst they thus detract from the dignity and death of the Son do they not draw a Cloud betwixt their Followers and the Love of the Father Had He not been His Fathers own proper Son and so of one and the same Nature with Himself Isai 53.10 or had not His Death been an Offering for sin His Father's Love had not broken out in such great Lustre But if you will believe 'em one great Motive which moves 'em to deny the satisfaction made by Jesus Christ is that the asserting of this doth directly thwart with the Grace of His Father How say they can Redemption be of Free-grace if it be through and for a full purchase But doth not this set one part of my Text against another and represents that as inconsistent with the Fathers Love that is rightly represented as the great proof thereof According to the sentiments of our choicest Writers I write what followeth 1. It was wondrous Love in God the Father that He would accept satisfaction at the hand of a Surety when He might have exacted it at the hand of every sinner See Mr. Bunsby on the Mediator Mr. True-man Though the payment made by Christ is valuable yet it was Rich Grace that it was not refused 2. It was wondrous Love in God the Father that this Surety His blessed Son was so far of His own providing that He is said to set Him forth Rom. 3.25 to lay help on Him The Scripture speaks of Him as the first Motioner of this matter Isai 53.10 as having the first hand at and in the Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption 3. The management of redeeming work by the hand of God the Son had the heart of His Father going along with every passage of it It s called the pleasure of the Lord His pleasure in the Abstract that wherewith He is exceedingly pleased He was pleased with putting His Son to pain as it had a reference to the freeing of Sinners from it 4. It is a wondrous Love in God the Father that He that gave His Son to obtain Redemption for Sinners sends His Spirit to apply it to ' em In a word Salvation is not a whit less a Donative or Gift to us because it was a purchase to Christ The Third Inference is It is no wonder that the Lord Jesus Christ is so precious to and prized by true Believers well may they count Him their Honour Do not the best of 'em most mourn 1 Pet. 2.7 that they do not Love and value Him more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Grace is spoken of as transcendent and it bespeaks such a character 1. He came so He came freely according as in the Volume or head of the Book Heb. 10.7 8 9. it is Written of Him He was under no obligation to us and His Father that sent Him did nothing like forcing Him 2. He knew well how costly the work of Redemption would be and was foreseen coming Cant. 2.8 leaping on the Mountains of difficulty that were before Him 3. He also understood that not a few would make light of Him and His Sons Sufferings and the best would be far from walking up to and worthy of His Love And had not His Grace been so great to us yet His own excellencies had called for the best of our affections But at present we will present His amiableness in the Glass that is nearest us Jo. 4.10 This Doctrine teacheth us to set the highest esteem on Him See Mr. N. Heawood on this Is He not the gift of God the Father the chief comprehensive and conveighing gift the gift of His Heart as well as His hand the Messiah the sent and Commissioned one to make peace between Heaven and Earth and that by His being made a Burnt Offering and Sacrifice on the behalf of Sinners Should not the Son of God's Love be highly beloved The Fourth Inference is Sin may well be called what it is the Evil. Rom. 7. Surely the Apostle hath not wrong'd it in saying that it shews it self exceeding sinfull and intimating that it cannot be called by a worse Name than its own The evil of sin is seen in other Glasses but in none more clearly than in that of the Gospel That God the Father sent and set forth His Son to be a Propitiation for Sins doth speak and set forth the extream evil that is in Sin The Drowning of the old World See Doctor Arrowsmith the Burning of Sodom are not such full Proofs thereof as Christs being made a Propitiatory Sacrifice for the taking it away is It was more that He who was the God of Nature should suffer for it than if the whole Course of Nature had suffered I look not on my self as one competent for the determining of that great suit that hath depended among great Divines whether it was absolutely necessary that Divine Justice should receive Satisfaction that so sinfull Men might receive Pardon or in other words Whether Gods punishing sinners flow meerly from His Will or from His Nature also Vel uno verbo See Nortons Orth. Evan. from Cal. Whether He might as some have said have taken it away with a word or that in order to the removal of it blood even the blood of one that as to His Person was infinite was to go These things I with some confidence Write 1. The Holy Scriptures speak expressly Exod. 34.6 that God will by no means clear and acquit the Guilty Heb. 9.22 that without shedding of Blood there is no Remission and as Sin let in Death there must be the Death of one able to make a Compensation to God in order to the taking away sin See Mr. Burgess on Justif part 2. and some think it less meet to dispute what God might have done seeing He hath told us what He will do and not do 2. There are not a few Phrases found in Scripture Hebbak 1.13 that ascribe the punishment of sin to His Nature and not to His Will only and all are agreed that God
is in His Nature an enemy to sin He is of purer eyes then to behold it without bearing Witness against it it shall not dwell with Him Psal 5. 3. Ro. 1. last Rarò antecedentem Scelestuns deseruit poena The very Heathens had apprehensions that sin draws suffering after it as the Needle doth the Thread they made account that Offenders were to smart 4. If we consider God as a Governour and sin as a Crime and violation of His Righteous Law it seems very agreeable to the ends of His Government See the Ark of the Covenant part 2. and Doct. Tuckney 's determ and conduceable to the Declaration of the Glory of several of His Attributes that He should look for satisfaction for the injuries and affronts offer'd to Him Yet I cannot gain-say those who say that Gods punishing sin doth not so necessarily flow from His Nature that there is not an order and interposition of His Will He in the punishment doth not act as those natural necessary Agents the Sun in shining and the Fire in Burning for then He should punish every act and degree of sin at the first and to the utmost which we see He doth not and His threatnings at least sundry of 'em shew what might justly be inflicted for sin De jure not what shall be afflicted for it 1. That they who make light of sin which alafs most do would open their eyes O that God would open 'em that they might see God's anger smoaking against it as an evil and bitter thing and that every Sinner must inevitably have dyed for ever Jer. 2.19 if the Lord of Life had not in Mans nature dyed and suffer'd beyond what can be thought for it I the rather enlarge on this because none will be so wrapt and ravished with the Love of God the Father See Doct. Goodwin of Hell p. 248. as they who see that they deserved the hottest of His Indignation and must have endur'd it had He not sent His Son to be a Propitiation And now I come to the second part of the Application to wit to Rules of Duty The first whereof will respect all in general to whose ears or eyes this shall come There should be a restlessness in Persons till there be in 'em an acknowledging admiring and improving of the Love of God particularly of God the Father and that it was so with ' em 1. The Love of God as breaking out in this great instance and speciall Pedge thereof is to be acknowledged Ingratum si dixcris omnia dixeris Ingenuous tempers incline Persons to own small kindnesses shew'd by Men surely then they cannot think they are of a Gracious temper who overlook this exceeding great kindness shew'd by God If God had required great things of 'em they would not have done 'em who will not do this This acknowledgment should be First and most inward Chrstus non patitur byperbolen The Soul and all its Powers should be engaged in it 1. Can. 1.4 The mind should apprehend and esteem it as that that is undervalued but cannot be overvalued 2. The Memory should retain lively and powerfull Notions of it and suggest 'em to Persons frequently 3. The Will should close with and embrace it in consenting to Christ and the Proposals made through Him 4. All the Affections should appear vigorously in this service So far as Christ is present He should be delighted in so far as He is absent He should be desired Love should in both those ways act towards Him Hope should expect great things through him Fear and Hatred should be up and at work to prevent sin as displeasing and dishonourable to him and to his Father that sent him 2. This inward acknowledgment of DIvine Love is to be Evidenced 1. In and by the Lip Outwardly Grace poured into should be poured out of the lips of Christians The Spouses lips are as a scarlet thread small and ruddy Cant. 4.3 11. when she is uttering her Praises of the Son who shed his Blood and to the Father that gave him 2. Yea and mainly in and by their Life Persons walking should witness that they have rightly learned Christ Eph. 4.20 21. He should be exalted in their Houses The Fathers Love should restrain 'em from sin and constrain 'em to a course of Holy Duties 3. In a sincere and hearty resignation to him and to his Father through him The whole Soul should close with John 1.11 12. and accept of a whole Saviour Those excellent ones Mr. Blake Covenant Sealed c. who think that Faith as Justifying looks most at Christ as a Priest and Redeeming sinners by his Blood yet say that the Faith which is Justifying hath respect also to his Prophetick and Priestly Office and is for being taught and ruled by him And this leads to the last Head under this first Rule of Duty 4. The improvement of God the Fathers Love should be shewed in a cordial and constant Obedience to Christ Of the Obedience of Faith we read and without doubt the Faith will not carry to Heaven James 2. that doth not carry to Obedience They that honour the Son John 5.23 24. in complying with his Precepts honour the Father that sent him To Rule as well as recover Sinners to save them in the way of Sanctifying them The Second Rule of Duty which doth also refer to all that shall be Readers or Hearers hereof is Persons should put this upon a fair Issue and Tryal whether or no they have yet answered the Love of God the Father 2 Cor. 13.5 in laying hold of his Son the great Propitiation 1. That I and others when on this point may be very serious Is there not a cause I shall before I lay down Marks or Notes of Tryal present some Motives to our Trying our selves The first Motive is The Case is of great importance and great matters are not to be slightly passed over If we have not laid hold on Christ 1 John 5.12 we are in as miserable a condition as can easily be thought of If we have done it and have not the knowledge of it we shall be in a want of Comfort 2. The thing if real is knowable and discoverable As there are Exhortations to Self-examination 2 Cor. 13.5 as a Duty that lies within mens reach so sundry in the use of it have been brought to know their state and frame 3. Through neglect of Tryal several yea most Persons are at a loss and know not their own selves 1. Some of the Children of the Bride-Chamber are in Mourning because the Bridegroom is not with them not so with them as that they should discern him But 2. far more err on the more dangerous hand they presume and take that for believing and lay a false claim to the Lord Jesus Rev. 3.17 and say They are rich when they are miserably poor Many have no more of
Moralists or Formalists And as to the former sort With what face or colour can they say they have received Jesus into their Hearts and have the Fathers Love shed abroad in them who are overmuch wicked Eccles 7.17 I remember with what seriousness a worthy Brother Mr. H. Newcome Preached thereon as the Preachers Phrase is 1. Wallow in the mire of Uncleanness or run into excess in Drink or over reach those they Trade with or inure their tongues to vain Swearing Cursing or Reviling 2. Add one of those Enormities to another having on them sundry black and broad spots at once And 3. Add Rebellion to sin hating to be Reformed rising up against the Reproofs under which they should fall down Is Christ an Head Tit. 2.11 12. to which such Corrupt Members are joyned Is such ungodliness consistent with Graces Teaching And so I fall on posing those who go no further than the form of Godliness Who 1. In abstaining from Evil are onely sollicitous about abstaining from more open Evils The filthiness that is in the Spirit to wit Contrary to 2 Cor. 7.1 Pride Malice Luke-warmness and Worldliness they indulge 2. Their abstinence from evil is separated from diligence in good they think it enough not to bear bad Fruit though they be Barren as to what is good as if not flying out into Rebellion was enough to make a good Subject Mat. 3.10 3. In doing Duties they are partial picking and choosing and onely taking the cheaper serving the Lord with what costs them least not communing with their own Hearts in self-examination not labouring to work truths upon and into their Hearts by Meditation not keeping up a Watch and Guard over their Senses and Souls 4. They are not for exercising their Spirits in the exercises they are engag'd in James 5.17 they are not for Praying earnestly or in Prayer nor for Praising God with their whole Hearts nor for hearing Psal 9.1 that they may Live 5. They when exercising some of the strength of their Spirits are not for exercising the Graces of Gods Spirit They cannot call forth Faith Love and Zeal who are void of them 6. Phil. 3.3 They are not for exalting Christ above and in the close of Duties nor glorying in him as the Lord their Righteousness covering their sins and presenting their Souls acceptable to God Let these know that as yet the Free grace of God in Christ hath not a special influence on them nor are they peculiarly interested therein The second Advice is Be they persuaded to weigh well that their present state is not a state to be rested in Be it known that the slighting of Christ argues 1. An Understanding dangerously dark that hath not discover'd 1. The indispensible want of him that he is more needed than daily Bread John 4.10 God can preserve mens Bodies without that but will not save their Souls without him Nor yet 2. The incomparable worth of him Did Men kow the gift of God and how this Sun out-shines all lesser Stars so that they disappear at and on his appearance they could not but fall in Love with him and follow hard after him 2. It is also an Argument of an Heart desperately hard hardened through divers Lusts particularly through 1. Pride The Heart thinks too highly of it self to go unto Christ Rom. 10.3 4. John 1.11 to be its Righteousness and too meanly of his Service to submit to him as its Ruler 2. Sensuality It prefers filthy Puddles before the River of God and had rather have its Residence in Styes than in his pure presence And it is a great Truth but no great Wonder that this sin doth immediately shut Persons out of Heaven and under Wrath what Remedy is there for those with whom the great Gospel-remedy is at an undervalue Will not all the Curses of the Law and with them an Anathema 1 Cor. 16.22 Maranatha fall on such as Love not the Lord Jesus Christ nor have recourse to him and to his Fathers Love in him that they may do so Whither will they Appeal that are cast at the Mercy-seat I will next apply my self to the notoriously Vicious and oh that God would say to them Micah 2.10 Get ye from these Tents Haste out of this Sodom Know they their Crimes are exceedingly aggravated from the tenders of the great Propitiation out of the Fathers Rich Grace made to ' em 1. Are they not against clear Light In this Glass may be seen 1. How deep the stain and pollution of sin is which onely his Blood who is God can fetch out so that it shall not be seen with an avenging Eye 2. How greatly the Nature as well as the Will of God is against sin yea how all his Attributes oppose sin Rom. 8.32 He spared not his own Son but gave him up to a Cursed Death when he undertook to answer for it 3. How willing as well as able both the Father and the Son are to receive Penitents into favour Doth not Christ's death set out this to the Life and with their Love is that of the Spirit presented in the Gospel witness the moving Lamentations over sinners Isa 55.1 2 3. John 5.40 the pressing Exhortations on 'em and winning Invitations to 'em And so 2. Are not their ill courses against dear Love yea against expressions of the highest Love as to the spring Evidences and Effects of it Do they not strike at the Heart of every Person in the Godhead And will not these blows redound and fall on their Heads that give ' em Mat. 1.21 Will not this be the Condemnation of thousands they with the resistance of Light and Love expected that God should save 'em in their sins who would have have sav'd 'em from ' em The Application is now to fall on those that rest on this side Christ the true Rest though in those cleaner ways to Hell as some speak Civility and Formality This is not their Rest nor should be made so one hour Till such Persons have Union to and Communion with Jesus Christ and his Father 1. Eph. 2.12 They are in the World without God in the World They have a better Air than Heathens but have not better Hearts at least not a better inward state than they They have more Light but not more Spiritual sight They have more Church-Priviledges but no more saving Grace 2. Their Services how specious soever and taking with Men are unacceptable to God if we speak of full and absolute and not of comparative acceptance their Fruit is not to Perfection 1 Pet. 2.5 and will not be to Salvation not growing on or from the Tree of Life 3. They have no Title to Heaven John 3. last but are Children and Heirs of Wrath. Their Righteousness doth not exceed probably it doth not equallize the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees 1 Thes 1. last It is Christ alone that delivers from
on and weighing the exceeding great Love of God the Father as manifested in Christ Besides what they have read under this weak hand concerning it they are here to read thereof as it is considered * This way the Text leads so doth Rom. 5.7 8. comparatively 1. With the Love of Men to Men. 2. With the Love of Men to God 3. With other expressions of the Love of God to Men. Hereby it will be evident that this Love is a Nonesuch 1. What is the Love of Men to Men Even of those whose Love is strongest in comparison of this Love Doth it not far surpass the love of the most loving Friends Though Histories relate wondrous things concerning some that stood in that relation and the Scriptures speak of * 1 Sam. 18.1 2 Sam. 1.26 the near bond and tye which Friendship knit between Jonathan and David For 1. Though in Friendship there is an uniting of Hearts yet the Love we are considering caused an Union of Natures of an infinite and finite one Gal. 4.4 1 Tim. 3. last of God and Man in one Person 2. Friends may and many times do see an amiableness and so ground for Love in another but God saw no such thing in fallen Man Ezek. 16. in initio He saw what might cause loathing but could not see any Loveliness in him 2. Doth not this Love far and far pass the Love of Parents Though we usually say This Love descends Amor descendit and its motion being downwards is swifter and stronger 2 Sam 1.26 The Love of Women of Mothers that are Nurses hath a peculiar accent on it But 1. When Parents Love their Children Suum cuique proprium Colos 1.21 they love their own and such in whom they see their Image whereas God loved sinners when a lienated from him and bearing a contrary Image to him 2. Nature leads Parents to love their Children but Gods Love to sinners is of pure Grace 3. The Love of Parents even of Nursing-Mothers may decline A Mother may forget a sucking Child Isa 49.14 15. But the Love of God knows no such declinings 3. Doth not his Love exceedingly exceed the Love of Husbands Gen. 2.24 who yet are nearer to their Wives than Parents are to their Children Children are part of Parents but a mans Wife is as himself Yea 1. Whereas there is a special relation which is the Foundation of the Husbands Love to his Wife God loved * Amor benevolentiae sinners when they stood in no special Relation to him but were his utter Enemies 2. Many Wives are very lovely but no sinners as such are so 3. Eph. 5.25 Husbands are bound to Love their Wives Gods Love of well-wishing to sinners is a most free Act. I may add What is our Love to our selves unto the Love of God the love of his good-will to sinners Our Love is founded in Nature and is withall subject to inordinacy Gods Love is most Gracious and best ordered in all things I now come to ask What is the love of Men of the best Men to God comparatively to Gods Love to Men I the rather insist on this because my Text doth so which saith Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us For 1. God's Love to us is a leading Love 1 John 4.19 At best our Love to him is but an after-love He drinks the first Draught John 15.16 we do but pledge him He bestows Love we do but * Amorem respondere This way went Mr. S. E. at Mottram repay it 2. God's Love to us is a causing Love ours is but a caused one Ours is the Fruit his is the Root His more Glorious than the Sun ours no more than a Ray. Col. 1.20 21. Our first disposition was not to love God but to hate him 3. Though the expressions of God's Love to us be of Grace yet Love is his very Nature it is Essential to him He is Love 1 John 4.8 16. Essentialiter Bishop Davenant on Colof p. 27. but in us love to him is but an accident and quality we may have Love but cannot say we are Love 4. He is altogether lovely All Beauties and Excellencies which should attract and draw out love are found in him He is worthy to be loved He deserves far better love than we have for him but in our selves considered we are and have nothing that is Love-worthy 5. His Love as hath been over and over hinted is wholly free 2 Cor. 5.14 Our love is in a sort by and from the consideration of his constrained 6. His Love is as a flame full of strength whereas our Love labours under meanness frailness and feebleness is a spark amidst ashes 7. His Love was from Eternity Jer. 31.3 ours is but a Birth of time 8. Mal. 3.6 His Love is unchangable ours is too subject to changes The last comparison I would have my Readers to make is between other manifestations of the love of God the Father and this of his sending his Son to be a Propitiation Gods goodness invited him to make Man Psal 31.19 and is seen in the work of Providence as well as that of Creation and in many Providential Dispensations it is very conspicuous and illustrious but the brightest Beams break out in Redemption 1. Other works were from the Word of God Acts 20.28 this was through his Blood that is God 2. In other works men were not * Haud assistentes assisting but this found 'em * Resistentes resisting 3. See at large Dr. Bates his Harmony In other works there was a display of some of Gods Attributes in this they are all display'd in their Glory O that good mens thoughts staid on this noble subject till the fire kindled and their Hearts burn'd within 'em with Love to the whole Trinity and in particular to the Father and the Son who are in the Text and Doctrine more particularly treated of And so I am led to touch on The Second Service which the Regenerate who are Interested in the great Propitiation and the love of God that set him and it forth should be diligent in Their love both to the Father and the Son should be on the growing hand and be in exercise Their love to the Father should shew it self in the next nam'd Instances 1. In an humble and heart-breaking Confession of their sins against him As a Flint may be broken on a soft Cushion Luke 15.18 19 21. so may an hard Heart upon the consideration of Divine Love and that return of Love which it causeth Tears are most of all Holy Water when they flow from an Eye of Faith exercised on God the Fathers Mercy Rom. 2.4 and the Sons Merit God's goodness leads to Repentance those that have too much abused it 2. In a patient and hearty submission to the Sufferings and Correction which this best
as to the matter of it was of pure Gold He is much more excellent and lasting than that 2. That in its use served to interpose betwixt Mens sight and the Law of God which was in the Ark Christ interposeth betwixt Christians and the Law as condemning and procures that His Father doth not look on and judg them according to it I add Scultetus on the Romans As the Ark or between the Cherubims that were at the ends thereof God did commune and meet with His people Exod. 25. In and through Christ it is that they and He meet and maintain Communion together And now we will make a little search how Christ is said to be a Propitiation for our Sins It is noted Psal 32.1.2 that the Hebrew word Translated Propitiation denoteth covering and no doubt Christ doth cover our Sins from the avenging eye of God But we will in our answer most regard the Propitiaton Offerings Say 1. They are not to be hear kened to nor patiently heard who say Non merita sed peccata duxerunt See Bish Brownwrigg Sermons pag. mibi 177. Ro. 6. last that some did procure so as to deserve this Propitiation all having Sinn'd deserve punishment even that that is everlasting 2. Our Sins made such a Propitiatory Sacrifice as Christ offered and was needful Had not He been Sacrificed we must have been Sacrifices to Divine wrath 3. The Lord who laid our Sins in respect of the punishment due for 'em upon Christ Isai 53.6 upon His account taketh off the guilt of our Sins and deals with us as to our Eternal state as if we had not Sinn'd It may be ask'd Is not Christ a Propitiation for our Souls I answer He is so This observation appears weighty the Physician healeth both his Patient and his Disease the latter by removing it See S. R. on the Covenant the former by recovering him Christ is a Propitiation both as to our Souls and as to our Sins our Sins He removes out of the sight of God our Souls He restoreth to the favour of God What if before I make a more formal Application of this point I lead others in the way of this Meditation Blessed Lord thou Father of our Lord Jesus Christ How is it that I who hear so much of Thy Son and of His being made a Propitiation and sent by Thee for that end so little see thine exceeding Grace therein And in my meer impure naturalls am far from having the Bowels of a Child but what other Father ever had such Bowelmercy's as those which thou shewest me through thy Sacrificed Son Had He not been a Sacrifice He had not been a Propitiation I have read and do believe that though every Reconciliation doth not a Propitiation doth imply a satisfaction made on behalf of Offenders Undoubtedly the Sufferings of Thy Son were in an Ancient Church well stiled unknown ones I cannot Fathom or take a full Measure of the depths into which He Descended when His Soul was made an Offering for Sin But sure I am the lower he stoops the better thy Love may by every right Eye be seen Thou wast pleased with His bruising as it had a reference to my binding up Was ever Love save that of Thy Son and Spirit one with Thee like Thine and that this heavy heart of mine was lifted up to Admiringsat and Praises for it Through Thy dear Son in whom mercy flows to me let my Soul ascend and present her Acknowledgments to Thee May Thy Love be shed abroad in mine heart The first ase of this Point shall be of and for Caution The first Branch is Take we heed lest we take occasion from this Doctrine to think of the Love of God the Son or Holy Spirit in a way of Diminution because it presents the Love of the Father in a way of Exaltation The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 13. v. last Rom. 15.30 and the Love of the Spirit are spoken of as eminent and indeed as infinite As there isno Division in the Divine Persons so there is no Division in their Love to Men but a distinction there is which is to be observed The second Branch is Beware we lest by our looking at this very great instance of God the Fathers Love our eyes and minds be taken off from other Evidences thereof His Love is Written and should be read in the Provision He makes for us Psal 68.19.20 and the direction he gives to us daily Though the Sun far out-shines the Stars the Stars are Lights and though God's sending His Son excell other expressions of His Grace yet His Grace is shewed and to be seen in the lower tokens of it Psal 23. David saw Divine goodness spreading his Table and filling his Cup. The further Application of the Point shall be reduced under Inferences of Truth and Rules of Duly The First inference is The Love of God particularly of God the Father is of an elder Date then the actual sending of Jesus Christ into the World this doth flow from that Gal. 4.4 this was in the fullness of time that was from Eternity Though some who place the very nature of Love in delight are less willing to grant that any are beloved till they are Converted yet my Text joyns with sundry others that countenance this distinction See Doctor Roberts Believers Evidences p. 6. There is a Love of benevolence which leads to that of complacence of well-wishing that brings on that of good-liking Love intended makes way for Love applyed I the rather insist on this because 1. This much tends to quicken Persons to Duty especially the grand Duty Love to God Should not their Love to Him be without end whose Love to them was before times beginning Love is no little valued for its Antiquity 1 Jo. 4.19 and no Love of Creatures is in that point to be compared with the Love of God 2. This conduceth greatly to the Comfort of Persons The best on Earth are aptest to complain of their unworthiness to have the Love of God continued to 'em Now this is cheering to such as are in their main desire and design for the Lord. He that Love 'em when they could have no worthiness will not cease to Love 'em though now they have none Weaknesses in time shall not make void Love that was from Eternity The Second Inference is The Doctrine of the Socinians is greatly to be disliked yea to be detested Is it not a body of Heresie A. Bishop Usher Dr Arrowsmith c. Have not Divines of the first Rank ranked it with Mahometanism Here I will only point at its contrariety to the great point I am on 1. Do they not deny Christ's being sent to be a Propitiation for Sin when they affirm that He neither made Satisfaction to His Father by His Death nor intended any such thing Though the Scripture speak of His Dying for us that is
Christ save the Name of Christ others have no more of him but the Notion of him and a third sort have no more of him but the Vizor or appearance of him 4. Without diligence in this work of Tryal there is little hope that there should be a true decision and determination of the point Where that Faith is that doth apprehend Christ it may be but as a grain of Mustard-seed very small and so lye less open to sight 2. There is a feigned and counterfeit Faith that is so like the unfeigned and sincere one that it must be a work of time and care and there is need of help from above to distinguish them 5. It is of great use and advantage to Persons to know how things stand with them 1. If they find they have not an Interest in this Propitiation this may prove a good step towards the attainment of it by putting on a Mournful Prayerful seeking after it 2. If they find that they are Persons of so good an Interest how may their Hearts leap for joy 1 John 5.12 He that through his Son is rendred Propitious and Gracious to to them will at last confer Glory and Blessedness on them The Marks or Signs which I shall lay down for Persons to proceed by in their Trying will be couched under the four following Questions wherewith I will adventure to pose every one that takes me for an Adviser 1. Hast thou felt as well as seen the need thou standest in of Christs being a Propitiation and thereupon an Advocate for thee Hast thou seen thy sins as moats in the Sun abounding Hast thou felt them as an intolerable burthen on thee Hath Divine wrath as due for them been frightful to thee Dost thou own thy best done Duties as insufficient for the appeasing of Wrath and satisfying of Justice how good soever they are in their own place Art thou afraid of setting them in Christs place Some things like these may be in Hypocrites and those things may not at some times be so evident to and in true Believers as they desire But where is there an Hypocrite that is poor in Spirit Mat. 5.3 Or a true Believer that in his ordinary frame is not 2. Dost thou when alone and meditating on the Rich Grace of God in Christ Jesus cry out O the depth Are those thoughts in thee that on a Death-bed were uttered by one of the ablest and choicest of young men What me Rom 7.24 25. Lord why me Shall such a one as I am have the benefit of this Propitiation Would the Father give his Son or will the Son give himself to me Hypocrites are apt to admire themselves and not Free-Grace or Free-Grace in order to self-magnifying Sincere Christians when they dare not say they have embraced Christ are apt to wonder that he is offered them 3. Hath thine Heart known what it is to be supported from the consideration of the Love of God and his exceeding Rich Grace in his Son when it hath been near sinking upon a sight and sense of the numerousness and heinousness of sin that hath beset yea o'erturn'd thee Canst thou remember the word speaking of this Grace upon which God hath caused thee to hope Psal 119.49 When sin reviv'd in Paul's sense of it it was the discovery of abundant Grace that upheld him 1 Tim. 1.13 14 15. The unsound Professor knows less of Heart-failures and if he have apprehensions of Rich Grace he is for making it a Cloak for sin And the infirm Believer that is less acquainted with Triumphs is yet through the displays of Rich Grace kept from being swallow'd up of Troubles 4. Art thou desirous to have thine Heart raised and enlarged in love to God Dost thou rejoyce so far as any have reached Glorying Love Mr. Baxter And when thou canst feel little more than what one styles Lamenting Love are there some stirrings of desiring Love in thee Art thou studious to please God And best pleased with thine Heart when it is readiest to run in the way of Obedience to him If thou lovest God 1 John 4.19 it is from his loving thee first If this Fruit grow in and from thee thou art joyn'd to the Root of Jess When I have written all I can yea when able Writers have done so many will trust as they speak and not try they 'l take it for granted they have received Jesus Christ the Lord though they have nothing like a Proof of it Be it known when men dare not bring their Gold to the Test there is great cause to fear it is not pure and right John 3.20 21. Truth in the inward parts doth affect and not avoid the Light O that they who are willing to try were Humble did attend to the Rule of Tryal the Word of God and did wait for the Spirit 's shines on them The Third Rule of Duty hath a particular reference to those that upon Examination do or may find that as yet the Love of God the Father and his beloved Son as a Propitiation have not been believingly embrac'd by them They should attend to the Advices that are most proper for them whereof The first is Be they willing to entertain Convictions that the Fathers Love and the Sons Blood have hitherto been slighted by them In order to their Conviction in general I shall offer what follows 1. What mean those low thoughts they have of the everlasting Gospel wherein Christ and his Fathers Grace are revealed The Feet of them that bring glad tidings Rom. 10.14 15. should be beautiful in their Eyes but their Faces are not Light from Heaven should be welcomed on Earth but alas it is not so 2. How is it that when the Gospel finds some Entertainment in their Heads it hath no better room and reception in their Hearts Their Hearts do not burn within them when the joyful sound is in their Ears 2 Thes 2.10 The love of that great Truth is not receiv'd together with it nor indeed are such with whom I am dealing desirous it may be so 3. Are not those of them that have some Notions of the worth of Christ far from a due and practical valuation of him 1. Will they sell all that they may obtain the Pearl of great price Is not there some sin or other in the Heart Mat. 13.45 to which it cleaveth fast with which it will not part for Christs sake Flesh-pleasing or Worldliness or Pride bear sway in them 2. Are there not some pieces of Service which they will not touch with especially those of a secret and inward Nature Do they aright come to Christ Mat. 11.28 29. who reject his Yoke 3. Do they when their Duties have been largest and their gifts highest keep up a sharp Appetite to Christ and Free-Grace And now I will offer some passages for the Conviction both of the Profane and of those that are at best but Civilians mere
of Fathers inflicteth His Rods being in the hand of Love are to be kissed Lev. 26.41 and the Punishment of his Childrens Iniquity is to be accepted They should learn of their elder Brother readily to drink of the Cup which he puts into their Hand John 18.11 though it be a bitter one 3. In a chearful active forwardness in doing the work which this Father cuts out for 'em proving themselves Obedient Children 1 Pet. 1.13 14. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. This great Stream and Torrent of Love should carry to an abounding in Obedience What should they think too dear for him who thought not his Son too dear to give to ' em 4. 1 Thes 1.4 Col. 1.13 In an ultimate resolving of their Thankfulness to this Father the Father of Mercies from whom if we regard the Order in the Trinity they first arise to whom according to Scripture Order thanks are first and last to be returned 5. In a prizing other favours from this highest Father according to and on account of this prime favour the sending and Sacrificing his Son Rom. 8.32 Other things are choicer Gifts because related to and given with this Person From this Sun other Stars derive their Light Christ is the Figure before the numbers of other Gifts that puts the great value on ' em And so I come to shew That the Regenerate should in an eminent manner shew their love to Jesus Christ 1. His Person should be as the Object so in a sort the Center of their Affections Cant. 5.16 He is altogether lovely and to be loved accordingly 1. They should move towards him by degrees Psal 101.2 so far as the enjoyment of him is yet wanted The Husbands absence goes to the good Wives heart Cant. 2. last The Spouse desires Christ would be as a Roe for his swiftness in coming to her Have not some because they could not be so near as they desired to Christ and live been willing to dye that they might be nearer him Are not Duties is not Heaven most to be prized on account of * Phil. 1.23 enjoying Christ 2. They should rest in him by delight so far as he is pleased to communicate himself to ' em The rising of the Sun of Righteousness on and in their Souls should make a day there Doth not the Spouse speak in a triumphing way when she saith I am my Beloved's Cant. 1.16.2.4 and my Beloved is mine Doth she not sit under his shadow with great Solace and find his Fruit sweet to her taste Is not his love to her better than Wine And doth not his Sin-slaying and Soul-quickning Presence tend to satisfie her Soul as with marrow and fatness Again Christ's Practice should be the Copy of their Conversations 1 John 2.6 He that was a Propitiation for is to be a Patern to ' em Particularly 1. In his exercising Compassion to self-opposing sinners His Eye affected his Heart Mark 6.34 when he saw the multitude that wanted Spiritual Food and Hearts to desire it His Heart set his Eye on weeping over Jerusalem Luke 19.41 when he saw what her sinful Inhabitants would reduce her and themselves to 2. In his resisting the Tempter and his Temptations with the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God Mat. 4. When the Prince of this World came he could not overcome nor stand before these Weapons which were not Carnal but mighty through God 3. In laying Zion's sorrows near his Heart Isa 63.8 Acts 9.4 10.38 In all his Churches Afflictions he was Afflicted was not the Head most sensible of Wounds to him 4. In conforming his will to that of his Father 5. Phil. 2.5 In going about doing good O that the same mind that was in his were in our hearts The last Rule of Duty is for those that have the Grace to take and follow the good Advices that have been given They may take my Doctrine as a Cordial May they may find its chearing Vertue 1. Under all kinds of Discouragement and Distress Whether 1. They be from what they find without ' em Do they meet with many and those heavy Crosses Yet the Curse shall not come to ' em Gal. 3.12 13. He that was a Propitiation was also made a Curse for 'em that they might be freed from the Curse due to ' em The Love of God the Father shall not be lessened or less manifested because they are in Suffering Parents Hearts use to be most open to their sick Children Or 2. If they have inward sorrows and be acquainted with those troubles that follow the hiding of God's face Psal 30 6 7. they may write on it They have not lost their Fathers Affection though they miss some desirable expressions of it Shall not the Sun break through present Clouds Will not the Son on account of his being a Propitiation 1 John 2.1 2. be an Advocate for 'em that they may at last be comforted and in the mean time supported Again From this Doctrine an Use of Consolation is rightly drawn as to those I am treating with In all Duties whether ordinary or extraordinary whether Prayer wherein they speak to God or Self-examination wherein they speak with themselves or Hearing wherein God speaks to them Though none of these Duties have Perfection Col. 2.10 the Propitiation which God the Father hath received from the Son hath So. I will give a further touch on one Ordinance wherein the comfort of this Doctrine to prepared Receivers useth to flow freely and that is the Holy Supper of the Lord which is not to be perverted as by the Papists it is into a Propitiatory Sacrifice but it is a Commemoration yea and withall a Communication of such a Sacrifice Yea See Doctor Cudworth and is well called a Feast upon him that was Offered as a Propitiation and so is to be Celebrated with joy and thankfulness which the word Eucharist which hath long been one of its names implyeth Both the Elements and all the actions about 'em tend to fill their Hearts with gladness who use that Communion 1. Penitentially Zech. 12.10 looking with pierced Souls on their pierced Saviour 2. Applicatorily putting the finger of Faith into his Wounds 3. Charitably pitying their Enemies as he pityed them 4. Longingly Psal 81.10 that the Blessing of the Ordinance may accompany it Is not Christ therein given to 'em who was given for ' em Doth not God the Father shew that he is satisfied And shall not this satisfie and solace ' em And as in the Consecration they may see the Heart of God the Father See Mr. Baxter in several pieces and in the Commemoration the fulness of the Son So in the Communication it is made out that the Spirit the Comforter is free to come from both with Comfort to ' em O that mine own Heart had been more inflamed with God the Fathers Love and my Faith more
our Lord Jesus Christ and Love of God the Father is with Gracious Persons He himself is the Author Upholder and Perfecter of Grace By him persons are quickned strengthned sealed and comforted They who had no touch of Enthusiasm or Phanaticism have made this Observation that the Spirits inhabitation is spoken of as joyned to the love of God as shed abroad in the Heart as distinguished from the New Man Rom. 5.5 8 9. See Pool against Biddle from being in the Spirit A late Famous * Doctor Tuckney Professor professeth his full belief that the Holy Ghost himself is given to and dwelleth in Believers and from their being styled the Temples of the Holy Ghost it is genuinely inferred Vide Baxteri methodum part 2. pag. 216. ut foederatus operator that they stand nearly related to his Person as on other accounts it is concluded that he is nearer than we can think to his own Grace and works in a Covenant-way on and in the Gracious Some Proofs that the pouring out of the Spirit argues the Free Rich Grace of the Father are now next us The First whereof is drawn from the consideration of the Dignity and Office of the Spirit As it is said of the Son Phil. 2. that he thought it no Robbery to be equal with God that is the Father the same is applicable to the Spirit And as he is a Person in the Godhead he is that Person that applyes the love of both the other Persons to us Dr. Sibbs Conc. ad lerum From the sweet dropper see words that bear this sense All things proceed from the Divine Essence by the Mediation of the Persons therein and amongst the Persons in the following Order from the Father through the Son by the Spirit Is he not the Spirit of Grace The Second Proof is fetch'd from our considering the meanness yea vileness of the persons on whom the Spirit is poured before he is so Are they not such on whom the Father might justly pour out his wrath Are they not Naturally in their Blood under guilt and filth Was it not thus with those Inhabitants of Jerusalem Zech. 12.10 who were Crucifiers of Christ The Spirit finds though he leaves not persons in a woful yea wilful state at frame The Third Proof is founded on a due viewing and weighing in what manner and measure the Spirit is communicated Is he not poured out most largely and plenteously Is not he in those that are spiritual as a Well and Spring of Living Water Is there not respect had to him John 4.14 7.38 39 when it is said Out of their Bellies flow Rivers of living water Is not every drop from the Spirit most sweet and gracious What Grace is there then in Floods from him The Fourth Proof ariseth from the Blessed Consequents and Effects that follow the pouring out of the Spirit some of which are pointed at in the Context 1. Is he not in those that are his a spirit of Prayer And are not Grace and Supplication joyn'd together Zech. 12.10 I know the Spirit of Prayer is far and far before the gift of Prayer but what gracious Christian should not value both Hath not he hath hath the Spirit of Prayer a Key to Heaven and its Treasure See Mr. Dod. Was ever Man quite undone that was in a Praying frame 2. Is he not also the Spirit of Faith Doth he not open the Souls Eye as well as unbare that Object its Saviour Is he not the Spirit of Revelation 2 Cor. 4.13 Doth he not help such as are stung with and for sin to look on Christ as satisfying Divine Justice Eph. 4.17 that he may satisfie Humane desire And is not the look Healing 3. Is he not withall a Spirit of Repentance Causing that mourning for sin that is of a Godly sort or according to God and savouring sweetly of his Grace being Spiritual 1. As to the rise of it being from him as working Conviction which implyes a clear abiding applicatory discovery of sin and compunction which carries in it griefs and fears 2. As to the grounds of it being 1. For sin as crossing the Divine Law and not onely as procuring Divine wrath and so is for the evil of sin and for all sorts of sins 2. For sin as piercing Christ and so hath love to him at the bottom of it and will be as a Spring still flowing 3. In the Fruits of it which are such as these 1. Weaning the Heart in some good measure from the World and moderating 1. It s Joy in the enjoyment of it 2. It s sorrow for losses in it 3. Tending to break the Heart from sin And 3. Rendring it more soft and flexible to God and Goodness Now who that gives what I have written the weight that belongs to it that takes a true measure Who the Holy Spirit is and how and on whom he is poured being as Floods on dry and bad ground and producing such an alteration thereof and Fruits therein can refrain from saying Here 's Grace to a Wonder May this Holy Spirit concerning whom I am writing and others are to read teach us to make a right Application which shall be first by way of Information Sincere Christians are under the greatest Bonds and Obligations possible to God particularly to God the Father Who can by searching find out how vastly they are indebted to his Grace Have they not all of 'em received a measure of the same Spirit 1 Cor. 2.12 though all of 'em have not received the same measure of the Spirit Of his great Love in giving his Son we have touched In that he who gave his Son to obtain should also give his Spirit to apply Salvation to ' em They whom this Spirit animateth and acteth are the Subjects and should be the Trumpets of exceeding Rich Grace Lest some that I have in mine Eye and on mine Heart should to and in their own wrong put away this word and the comfort of it from 'em and conclude that they have not received the Spirit I will take on me to pose ' em If you had no measure or work of the Sanctifying Spirit 1. How is it that you daily groan being burdened under the weight of sin even the body of sin which you bear about and that with respect to the dishonour that thereby redounds to God Rom. 7.24 Dare you deny that it is thus with you Gravia haud gravitant suo loco Or however your great desire is that it may be so and can you affirm that sin is so heavy in its own Element an unsanctified Soul 2. Whence is it that you see such a surpassing ravishing Excellency in Christ Jesus That when you are not able to say Your Beloved is yours and you are his yet you can say You had rather have an Interest in him than a thousand Worlds Is he not a Pearl in your Eyes A very None-such
Prayer Isa 62.1 filling their mouths with Arguments giving God no rest till he give in Spirituals to 'em and look down on his Jerusalem with favour Hos 12.3 being of Jacob's genuine Seed that Wrestled till he prevailed Gen. 32.24 28. and would not part with God without a Blessing 6. The Spirit also shews that he is eminently with and in those who being beset with Crosses hold up and hold out gathering ground and strength and losing nothing in the fire save their dross Was it not thus with Joseph Gen. 49.23 24. whose Bow abode strong when the Archers shot at him 7. They also are above many acted by the Spirit Prov. 16.32 Tit. 3.2 who have a more than ordinary command over their Spirits and Passions and are for shewing all meekness to all men and that when not a few Numb 12.3 nor those small provocations are given ' em Was it not thus with Moses the Man of God who in his ordinary temper was to Temptations to Wrath as moist wet Wood is to sparks that quencheth and is not kindled by ' em 8. The Holy Spirit doth eminently reside in and influence them who can stand in as fast Friends at the Throne of Grace for those by whom their Earthly Glory hath been eclipsed and those by whom they have been opposed and deserted Thus was it with Samuel 1 Sam. 16.1 12.23 that interceded so earnestly for Saul and the Israelites 9. So have they who when they have acted yea and suffered above many for God do still set the Crown and Honour as did Laborious Patient Paul 1 Cor. 15.10 on the Head of Free Grace 10. So also is it with them who are desirous to serve God as they are capable on Earth yet love the coming of Christ and because they cannot get so near to him as they would whilst they live 2 Tim. 4.8 are desirous to dye that they may be nearer him 11. This is also the choice case and state of those who highly esteem God's Ordinances and yet if to their sorrow they be deprived of 'em they can live upon the Lord as a little or great Sanctuary 2 Sam. 15.25 26. May those good Persons who cannot reach those greater measures mentioned be reaching after ' em And may none Bless themselves in their Hearts or state till they have on and in 'em those marks or signs of their having the Spirit which go under the name of adequate and even which all the Sanctified and none but they have 1. One whereof being led by the Spirit out of the love and allowance of sin and out of confidence in self-righteousness and self-strength unto the Lord Jesus for himself and for Righteousness and strength from him John 15.5 There is no Hypocrite that is for abiding in Christ and there is no weak Christian that dare abide out of him 2. Another is longing to find the workings of the Spirit more full and powerful They who have known the gift of God John 4.10 are for asking larger draughts of the Water of Life Hypocrites set stints and limits to themselves as to things of the Spirit A little serves their turn and usually they study * Minimum quod sic what is the very least and lowest degree in Grace as resolving to sit down there whereas weak Christians though they may attain less breath after more and have a real Spiritual Thirst on ' em 3. A Third is Spiritus es tres delicatissima Having a tender respect to the most tender Spirit of God and an Holy care and fear lest injury be offered him and he be as much as by men he can be grieved by inward and not onely outward miscarriages Hypocrites are daring and provoking not trembling lest the Spirits motions be quenched and his Graces lye unexercised and weak Christians accounting the Spirit their Friend are in their ordinary course loath to displease him The Second Branch of the Exhortation hath a particular respect to those who upon tryal do or may find that they have not the Spirit as to any special Interest in and influence from him Be they exhorted to wait in God's way that he would pour out of the Spirit on ' em Under this Head will fitly fall several Directions the Lord direct 'em to their Hearts to whom they belong The First is Be they willing to see that the Spirit of Grace is not in ' em Till their wants appear a supply will not be sought Mat. 9 12. The whole feel not their need of a Physician and so will not make out to and for him Besides what I have offered for their Conviction before I desire they would thus pose themselves 1. Do they study to shew forth the Vertues of Christ Who received not the Spirit by measure 1 Pet. 2.9 from whom all his receive a measure of the Spirit John 1.14 16. Is it in their Aims to be Humble Meek Pure Compassionate Active and Heavenly as he was 2. Have they warm Hearts for such as are and appear Spiritual Do they Love their Society in Spiritual Exercises Do they not rather seek occasions against 'em 1 John 5.1 and take up evil reports of 'em and interpret their real weaknesses to be manifest Wickedness 3. Is Spiritual Worship and Spiritualness in Worship prized and panted after by ' em Phil. 3.3 Do they any thing like Worshipping God in the Spirit O that they that have not the Spirit had their Eyes opened and that state discover'd to ' em The Second Direction is When once they feel their want of the Spirit they should see what a miserable case that is and tremble lest they live and die in it Whilst they live 1. Can they carry on the death of any one sin Rom. 8.13 Will sin dye of it self Or by any Wounds save those which the Holy Spirit makes and gives 2. Can they expect that any Service in which he breaths not will be sweet and acceptable to God Joh. 4.23 24. Doth he not seek such to Worship him as do it in Spirit When they dye if they dye as now they live 1. Have they either Title to or meetness for Heaven 1 Pet. 4.14 Doth not the Spirit fill all the Vessels of Mercy and Glory Could they desire to stay in Heaven if they had admittance into it who want the Spirit of Glory 2. Is not wrath their Portion Will not the Spirit for ever fill those with Confusion that made void all his strivings with 'em in order to their Conversion Will he not be a terrifying Spirit where he hath not been a Sanctifying Spirit Heb. 10.29 And will not wrath lye heaviest on those that have made the greatest resistance to him The Third Direction is When a due sense and fear as to their present state is on 'em cry they in the name of Christ unto God the Father John 14.16 that the
Grace they would have Grace just now they are willing to have it in God's way Others cry So Mr. Case Give us grace when we dye their cry is Give us grace or else we dye As to the Second The Condition of the Covenant in greatest strictness is true sound unseigned Faith which hath ever Repentance waiting on it This in the Contex is set out under the Notion of Buying which word must not be set on the Rack If a proper meritorious price be spoken of Faith hath no hand in pays no penies towards such a price The Commodities are so Rich So Doctor Arrowsmith and the Chapman so Poor there is no room for Bartering Is not Faith as an empty self-emptying hand But as he who buyeth parts with something and comes up to terms So he that believeth parts with former love to sin and trust in his own Righteousness and Strength and is at one Mat. 13.45 46. so he may have Christ he 'l not offer terms of his own but accept those of Christ and be thankful for ' em As is well observed Faith is also set out in the Context by coming to him and eating and feeding on him Whereas some careless Wretches will not so much or if you will Idem so little as come to the Waters or Ordinances some that come do meerly come they do not cheapen or seriously enquire how they may partake of what is offered Others come and cheapen and bid fair but they will not come up to the Market they have some sin which they are resolved to have And as to eating feeding and living on the Lord Jesus they are strangers As to the Third The Condition or Qualification required and found in such as have sincerely Covenanted is uniform or universal Obedience a thing of great Excellence Dr. Hammond See his Life Isa 55.3 commended as the one thing by a late Learned Teacher This is pointed at in and by hearkening diligently to the Lord inclining the Ear to him and hearing that the Soul may live Holy and happy are they whose Obedience is such as to their hearty purpose and endeavour who do truly and would throughly experience what close walking with God is And now it is time to prove that Grace is written in great Letters on God's Covenanting with fallen Man And besides what hath been hinted about that I Argue 1. In general Is it not Grace in its greatness that God hath Interested Persons in what he is How big with Mercy is his womb Will not God the Father be the Father Quantus quantus est and God the Son the Saviour and God the Holy Ghost the Comforter of Covenanters Is not God's wisdom theirs for their Direction Deus meus omnia His Power for their Protection And his Goodness for their Provision What would they have or would they wish that 's not bound up in this word I will be your God More particularly 1. Will not God issue and grant out to his Covenant-People the free and full Pardon of their sins Heb. 8.8 9 10 11. Though it be true they did the Facts and were therein in fault and did deserve wrath yet that guilt which would bind 'em over to eternal Punishment is taken off and away Psal 32.1 Oculo vindice Are not their Transgressions covered so that God sees 'em not with an imputing Eye Surely forgiveness is such a prime Blessing Exod. 32.32 See Pool on it that Moses having used these words If thou wilt forgive their sin there stops hinting that they who have that Mercy want none that is saving O what ease have Souls when this Mountain is mov'd 2. Will not God also subdue the sins and carry on his work of Sanctification in Covenanters Shall sin have dominion over them who are under Grace Rom. 6.14 And will not God be writing his Law in a fairer Character in their Hearts So that their Hearts shall more agree with it Heb. 8.10 See Doctor Preston on the Covenant Litera scripta manet as the Copy doth with the Original Deed and this suitableness shall abide as Writings do Will not the Lord renew their strength and strengthen the bruised Reed 3. Will not God vouchsafe a gracious hearing acceptance and answer to their Prayers When Holy Micah had said Micah 7.7 My God he might well add will hear me Are not the lispings of little Children pleasing to Parents We that hear the crys of others Babes can feel those of our own But what is our tenderness to Gods Will he not give us a return to their Suits what they want 1 Pet. 3.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though not always what they wish Are not his Ears unto their crys as * Mr. Dunster one gloss'd on it laid close to ' em Are not their whisperings and chatterings as his Spouses voice pleasant to him 4. Will he not take in good part their other Services Will he not pardon what is theirs and accept what is his own in ' em Doth not Christ eat his Honey-comb with his Honey as one saith take crust and crum together Cant. 5.1 Mr. Trap. when presented by his Spouse 2 Cor. 8.12 Where there is a willing mind works less perfect pass When Sacrifices are offered on the Altar and go through Christ's hand they are well taken 5. Will not God put a peculiar relish on the good things they have Have they not his Blessing Deut. 28.3 4 5. which adds no sorrow but much sweetness to enjoyments Are they not Blessed within doors and without Is not that the most delicious Bread that is taken out of the Ark of the Covenant Do not lower Mercies flow to Covenanters from the upper Spring the Heart as well as the Hand of God 6. Will not God Sanctifie and sweeten their Sufferings and turn evil things into good to ' em Shall not the Rods they are whip'd with be like Aaron's blossoming ones Rom. 8.28 Shall not cross and cold Winds blow them gain Shall not Meat come out of the eater and Honey out of the Rock of hardships unto their Souls Shall they not scape the Curse when they bear the Cross So Bishop Sanderson Isa 33. last Doth not God give 'em Correction with the same Hand wherewith he hath given 'em Christ Will not Sickness yea Death be altered as to them 7. Will not the Lord in the time of Life make 'em Blessings Gen. 12.2 Doth not that Blessing of Abraham even the Promise of being as having a Blessing come on the Believing Gentiles Gal. 3.14 who are his Seed according to the Faith What though they be Women and so of the weaker Sex yea Servant-Maids and so of the lower Rank will not God make 'em useful and instruments of good 2 Kings 5.3 by their Prayers and Paterns if not otherwise 8. Will not God when he takes 'em from the Earth take their separate