that is that were not actually his People nor own'd and acknowledged so to be we lost this Relation to God by the Fall when God ceased to be our God by way of Special interest we ceased to be his People 5. They shall be my People this denotes the certainty of their Special Vocation and of our being his People for ever He shall see his Seed all that the Father hath given to me shall come unto me that is they shall believe in me c. Now in speaking unto this Promise Grant and Priviledge 1. I shall first shew you in what Respect or Consideration we may be said to be God's People 2. Shew you what kind of People God's Covenant People are I mean such that are actually owned to be his People 3. Shew you what a great Blessing this is 4. Apply both these great Priviledges together I shall wave several Acceptations by which a People may be called God's People that I may directly come to the Business in Hand 1. We may be said to be God's People and he our God decretively or by virtue of God's Eternal Election God chose Christ as our Head and all the Elect in him See our Lord's Words Other Sheep have I that are not of this Fold them I must bring He calls them his Sheep and yet then they were ungodly and unbelieving ones So he said to Paul I have much People in this City they were his People decretively tho not actually his at that time 2. The Elect were God's People Foederally or by virtue of that Holy Covenant made betwixt the Father and the Son as I hinted before and now that this Relation also arises from those Covenant Transactions is most evident for Jesus Christ struck Hands with the Father in behalf of all God's Elect to procure this Priviledge But a little further to open this pray consider that there is a Foederal Union and Relation as when the Father of a Young Man and the Father or Guardian of a Young Damsel shall mutually agree and Covenant that they two shall be Man and Wife even thus God the Father and God the Son Agreed and Covenanted in behalf of all the Elect Christ was as I may say their Guardian yea and also he Covenanted to Espouse and Marry them to himself for ever and God the Father gave the Elect to Christ in this Covenant Moreover herein he had the advantage of others for may be such a Young Man as before mentioned might not Love the Person his Father Covenanted with her Guardian to be his Wife or he might not be able to obtain her Affections but Christ's Love was set upon his intended Spouse from everlasting and also he knew how to gain our Love and unite our Hearts to himself and that by sheding his Love abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 The Love of Christ hath in it a Physical Operation And thus my Brethren by Covenant and the free donation of the Father we become God's People or in a remote sense were thus brought into this Blessed Relation to him Thine they were that is by Election and thou gavest them me Again he saith I pray not for the World but for them that thou hast given me for they are thine 4. The Elect are God's People by virtue of Christ's Purchase he bought them with his own Blood Ye are not your own for you are bought with a price c. and it was that they might be a peculiar People unto God Hence the Apostle saith Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of Good Works or a famous or principal People as the Greek Word renders it Without this Price had been laid down we had never been brought into this Relation unto God 5. They are God's People by Renovation or Regeneration Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth 6. By Conquest also Believers are brought into this Relation God hath subdued them unto himself he has by his Victorious Grace overcome them and this way they are made his Liege People and he becomes their God and Soveraign as having rescued them out of the Hands of Sin and Satan those cruel Tyrants whose Slaves Subjects and Servants they were before Christ has set them free or made them a free People indeed to and for himself 7. The Elect are actually the Lord's People by the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit or by virtue of their Mystical Vnion with Christ by the Spirit which is the Bond of this Union on Christ's part and by this means we come to chose Jesus Christ as the only Object of our Affection and Blessed Bridegroom of our Souls and also hereby we take God to be our God and thus we are actually and personally brought into this Relation to him in which sense and in respect of these and the two last things mentioned we were not his People before for notwithstanding the Covenant Agreement of Parents or a Marriage by Proxy betwixt great Persons yet they must after that actually and personally be Married together before they can injoy each other or properly be said to be Man and Wife And so my Brethren it is here for notwithstanding the Decree and Purpose of God and his eternal Compact and Donation and also notwithstanding the Purchase of Christ yet till by the Spirit we are united to Christ and do believe in him close in and imbrace him and enter into an actual Covenant with God in and by Jesus Christ we cannot be said to be properly God's People for before this we were the Children of Wrath and the Slaves of Sin and Satan But so much to the first thing proposed Secondly I shall endeavour to shew you what a kind of People these are that are thus brought into Covenant with God I. They that are God's peculiar People have renounced all other Lords from having any claim to them or interest in them 1. They have broke that Covenant which they had made with Sin that Union is dissolved their Love to Sin is gone for ever I do not say the Being of Sin in them is gone no Sin will be in their Hearts and in their Conversations too but it is not in their Affections they approve not of it they regard it not The Evil which I hate that do I saith Paul I have vain Thoughts saith David to love Sin is worse than to commit it and to hate Sin is better than to leave it a Good Man may commit Sin and yet loath it and a wicked Man may leave Sin and yet love it Ye that love the Lord hate Evil Ye do so or else you are none of God's People i. e. it is your Character and also your Duty 2. They have renounced the Love of this World they are dead nay Crucified to the World they that are God's peculiar People
given thee Luther was contented to be counted a Devil so that Christ might be exalted others make their End their God but these make their God their End The Glory of God saith one should be the Golden-Butt at which all our Arrows of Duties are shot the only way to be Crown'd in Heaven is to cast our Crowns at Christ's Feet on Earth VI. God's Covenant-People can say there is nothing which they enjoy that is of any worth without God be injoyed with it Therefore they know to want God is the greatest Evil and to enjoy God is the greatest Good if God be withdrawn all their Comfort is gone 't is Day when we have him but 't is Night when we want him What is Health and no God Riches and no God Pleasures and no God Honours and no God Relations Wives Children Friends and no God A little will do with God nay if we have nothing besides him we have enough nay all but if we have all other things and no interest in God we have nothing VII They that are God's peculiar People are a Holy People a Heavenly People a Humble People To this Man will I look that is Poor and of a Contrite Heart and that trembleth at my Word God resisteth the Proud but giveth Grace to the Humble Be ye Holy for I am Holy My People shall be willing in the Day of my Power in the Beauty of Holiness c. VII They are an Obedient People they walk in God's Ways and keep his Precepts For all People will walk every one of them in the Name of his God and we will walk in the Name of the Lord our God for ever and ever They yield Universal Obedience to God or do whatsoever Christ says and that too because they love him and also they are constant in their Obedience they keep God's Precepts always even to the end IX They are an Upright People a Sincere People Sincere in their Obedience Surely they are my People Children that will not lie not Children of Deceit or Falshood but Faithful and Upright in Heart They are called The Assembly of the Vpright that is Sincere Worshipers of God Israelites indeed in whom is no Guile no Falshood or no reigning Hypocrisie Moreover they are called The Generation of the Vpright Men of clean Hearts and Undefiled in the way or Perfect ones i. e. they want no Essential thing of True Christians X. God's Gospel Covenant-People are an United People being constituted or incorporated into a Church State according to the Institution of Christ in the New Testament being separated from the World in Worship and all Evil Traditions Customs c. Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth giving themselves up one to another keeping all the Ordinances of Christ as they were once delivered to the Saints owning the Holy Scriptures to be the only Rule of their Faith and Practice having regular and ordained Officers viz. both Pastors and Deacons and walking in Love and watching over one another as becometh Saints XI Lastly The peculiar People of God love all the Children of God even such that differ from them in some things that are Circumstantials they love as Christ loves As they love him that begat so they love them also and all them that are begotten of him If God was your Father you would love me for I proceeded forth and came from God saith our Saviour he that loves the Father will love the Child so far as he resembleth the Father By this shall all Men know ye are my Disciples if you love one another He that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death And this is a sign that they are passed from Death to Life Brethren this Love is not in Word and in Tongue but in Deed and in Truth also How doth it appear you love your Wife your Children Even so let it appear you love all the People of God i. e. let nothing be too dear to part with for their sakes speak well of them and do much for them and bear them always upon your Hearts when you are at the Throne of Grace If you would approve your selves to be God's People this being so what shall we think then of him that hates any one of the Children of God or bears Malice in his Heart against him and reproaches him Thirdly I shall shew you what a great Blessing and Priviledge this is 1. Can there be a greater Priviledge than to be made God's own peculiar People For hereby God is their Father and they his Children 1. He loves them as his Children 2. He Feeds them as his Children 3. He Cloaths them as his Children 4. He Teaches them as his Children 5. He Pities them as his Children Isa. 63.9 10. 6. He Guides Leads and Protecteth them as his Children 7. He Chastens them in Love as his Children Heb. 12 5 6 7. 8. And lays up for them also as his own Children If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and joynt Heirs with Christ O! what an Honour is it to be the Sons and Daughters of God 2 Cor. 6.16 Of the Great God the King of Heaven and Earth Nay to be Begotten and Born of him Joh. 1.12 13. 2. They have the Priviledge to dwell in his House nay to dwell with God and to walk with God and to have Communion with him 1 Joh. 3. Moreover 3. Their Enemies are God's Enemies and their Friends are God's Friends the Angels that are God's Servants are their Servants and are sent to Minister unto them c. 4. They are Espoused by Jesus Christ they are the Jewels of his Heart Mal. 3.17 or his chiefest Treasure 5. God will never leave them nor forsake them And 6. All things shall work together for their good 7. And he will Crown them at last with Glory and Immortality Question What Assurance hath God given that they shall be his People for ever 1 Answ. Because his Love is Eternal or Unchangable his Love is their Security nothing can separate them from the Love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. 2. The Decree and eternal Election of God is their Security 3. Because the Mercy of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord endureth for ever 4. Because the Goodness of God indureth also for ever 5. Because his Covenant and Faithfulness can never fail in which they are made his People 6. Because he hath put his fear into their Hearts that they shall not depart from him 7. The Promise and Oath of God is their Security 8. They are Justified and Pardoned for ever 9. Christ's Suretiship is their Security they are put into his Hand and none can pluck them out These Things have been fully opened already as you have heard 10. The Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession of
Justification by Works springing from Faith is Justification by Faith in this Sense Again they say That we are made Partakers of the Benefits of Christ he having purchased this Grant or Law i. e. That they that do obey him to the end shall be saved that is Our Obedience doth both Justifie us and Save us Answ. The Vanity of which and how erroneous it is we have shewed some time since * 3. They say Christ hath merited a New Law or easier Terms and Conditions that our Faith Obedience and Good Works may Justifie and Save us but what saith Paul All boasting is excluded not legal boasting only but all boasting and cause of boasting but by their New Law boasting is let in Moreover he says If it be of Grace it is not of Works and if it be of Works it is not of Grace or else Grace is no more Grace and Works no more Works Brethren Works cannot mix with Free Grace they are directly contrary to each other in their Nature besides these Men forget that we are Justified alone by the Obedience and Righteousness of one even as we were made Sinners by the Disobedience of one and that is by the Righteousness of Christ imputed to us for it was by the Disobedience of Adam as imputed to us that we became Sinners In a word Christ hath wrought out a Righteousness for us which is put upon us or accounted or imputed to us and not that Christ merited a Law that a Justifying Righteousness might be wrought out in us or by us in conforming to that New Law Who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Not only that his Righteousness is the Meritorious Cause of our Justification as Mr. Clark affirms p. 104. but the Material Cause thereof or that by which we are Justified no other Righteousness but his which is perfect being pleadable at God's Bar. 4. We say That Justification of a Sinner is the acceptance of his Person or the pronouncing him Just and Righteous in God's Sight through the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ whereby he hath a full Right and Title to Eternal Life They say That Justification is nothing else but the pardon of Sin i. e. the not executing the Punishment of Sin due by the Law of Works and an acceptance of a Man so long as he performeth the New Condition of Sincere Obedience For the Lord's sake and for your Souls sake beware of those Men and their new and strange Doctrine for it appears Salvation must be a Debt and not wholly of Grace if what they say were true because it is granted upon our fulfilling of the Conditions required which are indeed not light but weighty and difficult Conditions as Faith Regeneration and Perseverance even Mr. Dan. William's Baptismal Covenant which all they who do not fulfil it he says shall be damned the Violating of that Covenant being as he affirms the Damning Sin And this so far as I can see is that which is their Covenant of Grace not that Christ ingaged for us to the Father to do all for us and in us in the Covenant of Redemption even to reconcile God to us and us to God no but that that was a distinct Covenant from the Covenant of Grace which was to make way for us to enter into a Conditional Covenant of Grace i. e. of Faith Good Works or Gospel-Obedience Which Error and Mistake I purpose God willing to refute before I leave my Text and prove the Covenant of Peace is but one intire Covenant with that of Redemption Comfort and Consolation if my Brethren it is as you have heard that Jesus Christ as a Mediator is equally interested in both Parties then what Comfort is here for Believers 1. We have no ground to suspect him of partiality he will not fail us because he is so dearly and nearly related to us and also considering what he hath done and suffered for us And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the Truth 2. Consider his Ability not only to reconcile us to God but to continue us in that reconciled State we may depend upon his Power For I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that Day 3. Considering his Love and Faithfulness towards us in the Exercise of his Work and Office Faithful is he that calleth you and also he will do it 4. With what boldness also may we come to God by him Seeing we have such a great High-Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus This I say may encourage us to make our humble Supplications to God with boldness since we have such a Mediator between God and us the Man Christ Jesus SERMON IV. Wherein the Suretiship of Christ is opened ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Doct. THAT there is a Covenant made or agreed on and stands firm in the behalf of all God's Elect. I am my Brethren a speaking concerning those Transactions betwixt God the Father and God the Son before the World began about the bringing in and establishing of the Covenant of our Peace in which Transactions I have shewed you the Son of God was chosen Mediator considered as God-man and as to that Office of his we have spoken distinctly but as he is Mediator so you have heard he is Surety of the Covenant of Peace and so more than a meer or simple Mediator And since the Covenant of Peace so much dependeth upon the Suretiship of Christ I shall here I. Shew what Surety doth import or open this Relation II. Shew why Christ came under this Relation III. Shew what Christ was to do and we were to receive as Christ's our Surety IV. Shew how his Suretiship differs from Suretiship among Men. V. Apply it 1. A Surety is one that undertakes for others wherein they are defective really or in Reputation in Latin Sponsor fide jussor a Surety is one that engages to make Satisfaction for one or more or ingageth for others Thus Ruben became Surety to his Father Jacob Gen. 43.9 to bring Benjamin again and Paul for Onesimus Philem. 18 19. If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee ought put that on mine Account I Paul have written it with my own Hand I will pay it In this Sense we take Christ to be a Surety 1. It signifies likewise to give a Pledge Isa. 36.8 2 Kings 18.23.3 2. Also to strike Hands Prov. 22.26 Thus Christ is our Surety i. e. he struck Hands with God for us in this Covenant I say a Surety is one that undertakes for one or more Persons whose Credit is gone or is not good one not to be
or in some Publick place so is the Gospel publickly made known Wisdom cryeth without she uttereth her Voice in the Streets in the chief Place in the Concourse in the opening of the Gates in the City she uttereth her Voice see Prov. 8.1 It is and shall be made known to all Nations to their Joy and Comfort and for their Obedience of Faith But let me note here some Disparities 1. Proclamations are not put into a Book I say I think that is not usually done to be kept for after Times upon Record but the Gospel or good News to Sinners or this Proclamation is put into a Book for all succeeding Ages and Generations to know and understand 1. This Book Brethren is wholly by Inspiration given out to remain as a Witness of God's Eternal Love and Christ's Eternal Love and Favour 2. There is a Blessing pronounced to him that reads and that understands this Book 3. It is a Book ratified and confirmed by Miracles 4. A Book that all Holy and good Books point to Moses points to this Book the Prophets point to this Book and all Divine Writers point to this Book 5. It is a Book of all Truth and no Errors 6. A Book that all Good Books Holy Books were taken out of 7. A Book kept and preserved by Almighty Power in spight of Rome Hell and Devils But let me add one thing more here viz. That there were different ways of proclaiming this News of Peace by Jesus Christ. 1. It was first proclaimed to Adam upon his Fall by the Promise of the Seed of the Woman 2. To Abraham it was proclaimed in these Words i. e. In thy Seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be Blessed Thus Paul saith God Preached the Gospel to Abraham to Jacob by the coming of Shilo To Moses by a Prophet that God would raise up of their Brethren like unto him and by Types and Sacrifices To David by a Promise of a Son to Sit upon his Throne and by a Covenant made with him as a Type of Christ. To the Prophets many ways very clearly But in the New Testament Times more fully and clearer then ever before it was hid as it were but the Vision is now opened and hidden things things long kept secret are plainly revealed We behold with open Face Many Prophets and Kings desired to see and hear what we see and hear but saw and heard them not 3. A Proclamation doth not usually contain the Sum of all the Articles of Peace nor give an Account of all the Gifts Grants Blessings and Priviledges thereof But this Proclamation i. e. the Gospel doth publish and make known to all the World the Summ of all the Articles of this Covenant of Peace together with all the great Gifts Grants Blessings and Priviledges thereof In the Gospel we read of the Council Compact and Eternal Purpose of God concerning of all those Covenant Transactions that were betwixt the Father and the Son from Eternity which were hid or kept secret until this Proclamation came forth 4. A Proclamation of Peace doth not particularly give an account of all the horrid Crimes and Offenders that are by virtue thereof freely pardoned upon their coming in for such a Proclamation is rather put out by a Prince to reclaim Stubborn Rebbels in which their Names are inserted but this Proclamation i.e. the Gospel proclaims Free Pardon for all manner of Sins Iniquities and Transgressions and to all the vilest Traitors Enemies and Rebbels against the Eternal God as to all Swearers Lyars Drunkards Harlots Whoremongers or Adulterers Idolaters Effeminate Persons Abusers of themselves with Mankind Proud Persons Covetous Backsliders Thieves Extortioners Malicious Persons Murtherers Back-biters Blasphemers Sorcerers ye all manner of Sinners have Free Pardon offered to them upon their coming in and laying hold of Jesus Christ and none are excepted but such who have sinned against the Holy Ghost VSE 1. Bless God for the Gospel that ever this Proclamation came to your Ears Peace is proclaimed to you this Day to you Sinners What do you say Do you resolve to throw down your Arms and come in 'T is no matter what kind of Rebbels you have been Here 's a Pardon for all Sins and Blasphemy in this Proclamation committed against the Father and Son and but one sort of Sinners are excluded and but one Sin i. e. the Sin against the Holy Ghost Is not this Good News Do you believe it And is it in your Hearts to take hold of the Promises of the Gospel What Answer shall I return to him that sent me II. This informs us of the Necessity of Revealed Religion I mean of the Gospel for without this Proclamation had been published the way of Peace could not be known or without such a way of Revelation 1. For the Moral Law written in the two Tables reveals nothing of this Peace made by Jesus Christ. 2. The Law or Light within all Mankind reveals nothing of it tho that convicts of Sin yet it reveals nothing of a Saviour The Moral Law and Light in all discovers a God but no Christ no Mediator What doth the Pagan World know of this Covenant of Peace Or of this Mediator or of this Proclamation What will those Arch Hereticks say to this who Talk of the Light within and boldly affirm That they should have known by a Christ within as much as they do now if the Word had never been written But why then do not the poor Indians and Pagans know it who have the same Light in them And why can't they tell us What those other things are that Jesus Christ did that are not written Believe them not These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that believing ye might have Life through his Name These Hereticks deny not only the Christ of God but the only Rule of our Faith and Practice also 3. Certainly here is good News to you Sinners who hear me this Day I am appointed by the Lord to proclaim Peace to you in this Place and do assure you in the Name of my Great Lord and Master Jesus Christ that if you come in and i. e. believe in him ye shall have Eternal Life tho you have been long Enemies to God ye Stout-hearted and far from Righteousness or tho never so Vile and Notorious Sinners Grace Pardon and Peace is offered freely to you this Day Without Money and without Price i. e. without any Previous Qualifications or any thing required of you 't is all freely tendered upon your Believing upon your Espousing of Jesus Christ all the Blessings of the Covenant of Peace are yours Whosoever will let him take the Water of Life freely SERMON VI. Wherein is shewed who are the Ambassadors of Peace or who are appointed to Proclaim or Preach the Gospel of Peace ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith
have not only Crucified the Flesh or are become dead to Sin but have Crucified the World also But God forbid that I should Glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is Crucified unto me and I unto the World The World careth not for them and they care not for the World they are dead to the Honours Pleasures and Riches of the World Moses contemned all the Glory of Pharaoh's Court yea all the Pleasures of Sin and Riches of Egypt and so do all God's sincere People contemn this World If any Man love the World the love of the Father is not in him 3. They that are God's peculiar People are become dead to the Law to that cruel Husband and to all their own Righteousness accounting it but Dung or a dead Carkase or Dogs-meat in comparison of Christ Ye also are become dead to the Law by the Body of Christ c. The Union with that Husband is dissolved they seek not Life and Justification by the Law or are not in love with Self-Righteousness but dead to it whilst others make an Idol of it and trust in it 4. They have renounced themselves also and confess they are not their own but that their Souls their Bodies their Substance their Graces their Gifts their Time their Strength their Lips and their Lives are all the Lord's and for him for as all that God hath which is communicable is theirs or freely imparted to them and for them so all they are and have they account it is the Lord's they being but only Stewards of all they have and do possess Shall such think that they are the Lord's who live to themselves seek themselves or only bring forth Fruit like empty Vines to themselves No they that are the Lord's People esteem all they have to be his and for his Service and are willing to render it up to him when he calls for it Nay they have given God their Hearts not their Lips only or their Tongues nor their Ears nor their Substance but their Hearts also My Son give me thy Heart God complains of some that drew near to him with their Lips and sate before him as his People sate and with their Tongues shewed much kindness but saith he their Hearts went after their Covetousness after the World these God's Soul abhors and he will not own them to be his People Some give their Hearts to Pleasures to strange Women and to Vanity and to meer Folly and others give their Hearts to Riches but God's Covenant-People give their Hearts to him not a part of the Heart but their whole Heart they love the Lord their God with all their Hearts with all their Souls and with all their Strength Others have their Hearts divided between God and the World between God and their Lusts but such that love not God with their whole Heart hate him for the lesser Love is accounted Hatred in Scripture II. They that are God's peculiar Covenant-People are Begotten and Born of God for they this way as you heard become his Children there are none my Brethren that are the Lord's People by Adoption but they are his also by Regeneration they have his Image formed in them they are like to their Father in Holiness Heavenliness in Humility Mercy Meekness Love Goodness Charity c. they partake of the Divine Nature every one resembles the Son or Daughter of a King Then said he unto Zeba and Zalmunna What manner of Men were they whom ye slew at Tabor And they answered As thou art so were they each one resembled the Children of a King They are nobly descended they have sublime Spirits Holy Hearts Desires Aims and Ends in all they do they are not meer Dunghil-Rakers like the Men of the World but far excel all others The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour he has an excellent Spirit Life and Principles in him III. They that are God's Covenant-People Trust in him as their God as well as Love him as their God all People trust in their God tho it be a God of Gold or Silver a Worldly Man's strong Confidence is his Wealth he makes Gold his Hope So they that have God to be their God trust in him depend upon him They that know thy Name will put their Trust in thee They trust in the True and Living God God is their Hope their Confidence they rely upon his Power his Mercy his Love his Faithfulness his Covenant and on his Blessed Promises and this at all times in Afflictions Desertion Temptations c. and when called to any hard Service in Prosperity and in Adversity in times of Want and Necessities and in Times of Fulness in Life and also at the Hour of Death This tends my Brethren to the Glory of God and by this they shew what a value and esteem they put upon God How often does David say he trusted in the Lord and because God was his God O my God I trust in thee Job says Tho he slay me yet will I trust in him Tho they see not feel not or have no sensible Comfort or Relief yet can and will trust in God tho God hides his Face or they walk in Darkness and have no Light IV. God's peculiar People highly love value and prize the Lord Jesus Christ They can say with David Whom have I in Heaven but thee Neither is there any on Earth that I desire besides thee They have tasted how good the Lord is and beholding his Beauty can say He is the chiefest among Ten Thousand they live upon Christ fetch all their Comfort and Hope of Salvation from him and rejoyce in him alone Serving God in Spirit and have no Confidence in the Flesh. Moreover when they have done all things that Christ hath commanded they look upon themselves Unprofitable Servants they live in him to him and by him their living in him shews Christ is their Life their living to him shews Christ is their ultimate End their living by him shews Christ is their Strength they receive the Spirit and so live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit they bring up the bottom of their Lives to the top of their Light they do not only know what is to be done but do what they know the Darkness of Carnal Professors will be the blackest because their Light seemed to be the clearest but these are better inwardly in substance than outwardly in appearance in a word they are as much in love with the Imployment of Holiness as with the Injoyment of Happiness or to be Holy here as well as Happy hereafter or to live to God on Earth as well as with him in Heaven V. God's Covenant-People ascribe all the Glory to him and take all the Shame to themselves Both Riches and Honour come of thee the Power the Glory and the Victory is thine and of thine own have I
Trust and Dependance And what is that but filthy Rags We have nothing to part with but cursed Filth and Pollution 2. Sirs whatsoever you have which is good it is his own Of thine own have we given thee saith David 'T is true we must give him the Glory of our External and Internal Riches Gifts Grace Righteousness but this is but to give him what is his own If thou art Righteous what givest thou him Or what receiveth he at thine Hand 3. He gave us Grace from whence our Tears of Sorrow proceeded Christ Reaps nothing but what he first Sowed it was his Grace his Spirit that broke our Hearts it was his Spirit that created Faith Love Hope Humility c. in us we only Trade with Christ's Money Secondly Christ makes sure Returns certain Returns 1. They that Sow in Tears shall Reap in Joy Again he saith Your Labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. 2. Christ is our great Insurer he keeps an Insuring Office in Heaven and hath ingaged his Faithfulness and Holiness to make us sure and certain Returns you shall not go forth Weeping but he assures you that you shall return Rejoycing and bring your Sheaves with you Thirdly Jesus Christ makes quick Returns 1. Nay we sometimes meet with Returns when 't is in our Hearts to Trade with him before we venture out in Trading Before they call I will answer and whilst they are yet speaking I will hear Object But sometimes we do not presently receive what we ask of God in Christ's Name 1 Ans. God answers us sometimes tho not in that manner or in that thing we request of him yet he gives us that which he sees is better for us 2. He gives us always quickly or right early that is when he sees the Fruit is ripe and good for us or in the proper Season Vnripe Fruit is not good 't is hurtful you know 3. When we are fit to receive the Mercy desired and know how to improve it to his Glory and our Profit then we shall have it and would you have it sooner 4. He may forbear sometimes to give us what we ask because we ask amiss or to try our Faith Love Patience c. but God must be Judge and not we of what is best for us and of the time when given to us also APPLICATION 1. Bless Christ for the Covenant of Peace upon the account it opens such a happy Trade or procures for us such free access to God 2. We infer that Sinners are wofully blind that so few will study this Trade they will not Trade to Heaven nor deal in Spiritual Things 1. Satan has blinded their Minds And 2. The World is got into their Hearts they are for present Things for sensual Things sensual Pleasures Profits Honours 3. They know not the way how to Trade Christ is the Way but they know him not they will Trade in forbidden Goods even with their own Money c. They think by their Tears by their Repentance by their own Faith Righteousness and Obedience to procure all things they want even both Justification and Eternal Life 3. Train up your Children in this Trade labour to instruct them into the Knowledge of Jesus Christ bring them up in the Way that they should go 4. This also reproves such that grow weary of this Holy Calling or that decay or waste their Stock and grow poorer and poorer every Day 1. The Price of Heavenly Commodities are fallen in their Esteem Prayer Reading Meditation Christian Converse Church Communion Peace with God and Peace of Conscience too is but of little worth now with them 2. Their Faith is low their Love to Christ his Truth and People is decay'd their heat of Zeal is gone 3. They are but little at Home do not watch their own Hearts or are more abroad to find faults in others and spying the Moat that is in their Brother's Eye Quest. Can 't Men Break that follow this Trade Answ. False Traders false Professors may nay will Break and come to nothing 1. They Set up without a Stock I mean without true Saving Grace 2. They Trade with their own Money or have Confidence in the Flesh and trust in their own Strength which had almost undone Peter 3. They are far in Debt and see not the way of coming out they do not see that all their Debts are paid by Jesus Christ. 4. They Trade not alone in Christ's Name nor are they strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus 5. They look one way and Row another look Heavenward but their Hearts are Earthly 6. They prize Earthly Riches above Heavenly Things so that 't is no wonder if these Break but no true Christian I have proved can ever Break or be Undone 5. Be exhorted to Trade for Heaven and to buy of Christ Buy of me Gold tried in the Fire c. Buy the Truth and Sell it not Do not only Cheapen his Wares but resolve to buy Do you not love Gold O! Buy presently you hear how without Money What are all Things here free And yet do you not like the Terms Alas Proud Man would fain pay for all he has this Plague reigns amongst those of this Generation Directions to Trade to Heaven 1. Trade with God by Christ make use of this Blessed Correspondent come to God by him or you will get nothing obtain nothing Hitherto you have ask'd nothing in my Name and therefore received no more 2. Know and be assured that by the Peace Christ has made you may freely Trade and come to God but be sure see that 't is in Faith you come to him or you will never speed plead the absolute Promises 3. Observe the Motions of the Spirit Mariners set out with the Wind and Tide so must you The Wind blows where it listeth God's Spirit will not always strive with Men. 4. Mind the Exchange-time Merchants will not fail here O! see you do not neglect God's Publick Worship no lose not one Opportunity if it be possible one Neglect in this case had almost ruined Thomas When Ministers Preach you ought to hear nay you must hear 5. Be sure you keep up Closet Prayer much of this Spiritual Trade lies in this Duty also you must labour to pray in Faith and also fervently cold Prayers will never prevail with God 6. Keep up your Acquaintance with Jesus Christ you that are Believers see to this and you that are Sinners see that you get Union with him Acquaint thy self with him and be at Peace thereby good shall come to thee without Union there can be no Communion with Christ Brethren here is great Complaint of Badness of Trade may be 't is a Judgment because this Trade is slighted or so much neglected O! remember this is your general Calling and it must have the perferance whatever business is neglected this must not How did God blast the Jews in
Children of Wrath before they believe Faith also must be somewhat more than an Evidence the Soul having that in its actual possession which it had not before 2. Because they that believe God says Are passed from Death to Life that is from a State of Death and Condemnation into a State of Life and Justification See Joh. 5.24 1 Joh. 3.14 3. Because the Holy Spirit in Convictions represents the state of an Elect Sinner to himself to be before Grace wretched and miserable who is a true and faithful Witness and cannot lie Brethren as the first Adam and all in him were Condemned by the pronunciation of the Sentence of the Holy God in Paradise so the second Adam or all his or all in him are for ever Justified And as whilst we remain in the first Adam his first Sin is imputed to us so not till we are in Christ is his Righteousness to our actual and personal Justification imputed to us tho I grant Foederally and Representatively in Christ it was imputed before to all the Elect yet 't is through the reception of Grace or the infusion of the Spirit whereby Faith is wrought that the Soul receives the Atonement and comes actually possessed with the Blessing of Peace The God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace in believing There is no Peace to the Wicked saith my God And this because they have not an actual Interest in Christ Where the Spirit of Christ is there is liberty and therefore Peace and in none else 7. And thus the Sinner is brought to God and comes to be taken into the Covenant of Grace the which the Spirit doth renew and confirm in his Baptism Rom. 6.1 2 3 4 5. and which is further renewed and confirmed to him in the Holy Ordinance of the Lord's Supper which is a Sign or Pledge of the New Covenant in or by Christ's Blood Hence called The New Covenant in his Blood 8. Moreover let it be noted That a Man may be in a State of Grace and Peace and yet not know it all that have Faith or do believe do not know they have Faith or believe but have Doubts about it 1 Joh. 5.13 all injoy not what they have in possession therefore true Faith as to the Essence thereof cannot be a simple Evidence to the Soul of what it hath nor a full Perswasion that Christ is mine and I am his for if so then he that has not this Evidence or Assurance is no true Believer or if he lose it he loses the very Essence of Faith and so ceases to be a Believer Moreover it would then follow that there are no weak Believers or Babes in Christ for every Babe must be a Strong Man were it thus For is not he a strong Christian that has a clear Evidence of his Justification and a full assurance of Eternal Life 9. There is no steady and full Injoyment of this Spiritual Peace without keeping up and maintaining a War against Sin also this War is maintained by every Faculty the whole Soul being united in carrying it on and also against every Sin Moreover it is a War in which the Soul by the Spirit prevails Sin shall not have Dominion over you c. 'T is a resolute War or carried on with uttermost Revenge against Sin and likewise always even to the end of our Days and if called to it to resist unto Blood striving against Sin All my Brethren that have Peace with God or are Reconciled to him are at War with Sin Satan and the World resolving never to be Reconciled to these Enemies or be at Peace with one Sin whilst they live 10. Our Peace as to the degree of it as in our selves is and will be according to that degree or measure of our Faith we have a weak and doubting Believer hath but little Peace in his own Conscience he being too subject to ground his Peace on his good and lively Frame or to judge of his Justification by the degrees of his Sanctification or inherent Holiness tho the State of the weakest Christian is as safe as the strongest yet he has not that Peace and Comfort others have But no more as to this Secondly I shall open the Nature of this Peace 1. It is Peace with God the Mighty God God is hereby become our Friend all Enmity or Wrath in God against the Soul is gone for ever and all Enmity that was in the Soul against God is removed or taken away also there being a Mutual Peace and Reconciliation I do not say God can no more be offended with the Soul but if he be yet he will not be provoked to Wrath or to let out his against such a Person any more for ever 2. All the actings of God towards his People are in Love tho the poor Believer perhaps cannot see it thus but fears the contrary My Brethren God receives us into his intire Affections and le ts out his Love and Bowels towards us and acts always towards us as a tender Father to his Children 3 We hereby enter actually into a League with God God takes the Soul into an everlasting Covenant of Peace and the Soul also takes God to be his God in the same Everlasting Covenant as you have heard which Covenant all the Powers of Hell and Darkness can never break or violate the Peace and Union with Christ in this Covenant is indissolvable The Covenant of my Peace shall not be removed saith the Lord Tho we may sin yet God will blot them all out Sin nor Satan nor the World nor Life nor Death neither any thing else can separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord their Sins and Iniquities I will remember no more All the Attributes of God are for us and no Accusation of Satan can provoke God against us so as to become our Enemy True Sin or Satan may spoil the sensible Peace and Comfort of our Souls but they cannot spoil our Peace with God or break our Union 4. It is Soul-Peace Spiritual Peace O! how great how sweet and precious is that Peace Earthly Peace National Peace Congregational Peace and Family Peace is good and to be prized But what is any kind of Peace to true Spiritual Soul Peace As no Trouble no Sorrow is like Soul-Trouble so no Peace is to be compared to Soul-Peace Great Peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them 5. Such have Peace also with the Holy Angels the Angels of God are at Peace with them that God is at Peace with they are hereby become our Friends and take our part and fight for us and against the Devil our grand Enemy they War against the Evil Angels who hate and envy us And they Minister unto them that shall be Heirs of Salvation nay the Angels of God encamp round about them that fear him They also War against
our external Enemies yea against all Gods Enemies and our Enemies and fight for our Friends 6. 'T is such a Peace that reconciles a Man to himself Before a Man's Heart was divided one Faculty was set against another the Vnderstanding perhaps was inlightened and the Will opposed the Vnderstanding also Conscience perhaps terrified the Man because he sinned against the Light and Dictates thereof a Man's Judgment like Balaam's may declare for God and cry out How goodly are thy Tents O Jacob And thy Tabernacles O Israel But his Love and Affections may run out after the Wages of Vnrighteousness as Balaam's did A Man before Grace Wars against himself but Grace unites all the Faculties of the Soul and sets them all against Sin and on God's side all inward Tumults now cease nothing is a greater sign of true Conversion my Brethren than this i. e. when the whole Heart is united to God and Godliness 7. It is a wonderful or inconceivable Peace it passeth all Understanding The Peace of God that passeth all Vnderstanding shall keep your Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus This may not simply refer to Peace of Conscience but to that Peace made with God by Jesus Christ we cannot conceive of the Excellent Nature thereof nay that which is received and inwardly injoyed is unexpressible at some times Nothing shall offend such who possess it It is called Joy unspeakable and full of Glory 8. It is perfect Peace Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace whose Mind is stayed upon thee because he trusteth in thee It is the same as to its Nature with that Peace the Saints possess in Heaven it is Heavenly Peace 9. It is Peace joyned with Joy in the Holy Ghost It is thus when this Peace rules in the Heart or a Believer possesseth it in the highest Decree 10. It is a Peace that opens a Blessed Trade to Heaven Hereby as you have heard we have free access to the Father Heaven is opened by this Peace and Christ's Treasures of Grace and Glory are free to all Believers to all Spiritual Merchants and Holy Traders but you must set out with full Sails of Faith and with a sweet Gale of the Spirit and then you will return well freighted your Ship shall be loaden with the rich Merchandise of Heaven being filled with Peace Joy and Consolation 11. It is a Peace that opens the way to Communion with God Hereby we come to have the Honour to walk with God as Enoch did Three Hundred Years Can two walk together except they are agreed Can they friendly converse and have Communion together till then No surely Hereby we also come to dwell with God and Jesus Christ nay and to sit with Christ in Heavenly Places Christ and Believers daily visit one another yea and God opens hereby his Secrets to us and we have also the Sweet Kisses of Christ's Mouth and are Imbraced by him and lie as it were in his Bosom Moreover God is hereby become our Refuge our Defence our Protector our Guard and only Safety in the Day of Trouble 12. It is that great Legacy Christ bequeathed to all his Disciple My Peace I leave with you my Peace I give to you c. 'T is Peace the World knows not of can neither give it nor take it away 13. 'T is Everlasting Peace Peace like a River and it will abide to Eternal Ages nay and it will increase and be much greater but never cease read my Text. 14. To Sum up all All sorts of Peace are comprehended in this Peace 1. Peace with God 2. Peace of Conscience 3. Peace with Angels 4. Peace with your selves 5. Peace with Saints Jews and Gentiles by this Peace were made both one that is all the Elect among them 6. Congregational Peace Christ purchased this Peace and requires us to possess it Have Salt in your selves and be at Peace one with another And O how lovely a thing is this 7. Family Peace relative Peace before Grace may be the Husband and Wife lived in War with each other and the Parents and Children and Masters and Servants might quarel with one another but Grace reconciles all together in Love True Christ says He came not to bring Peace but a Sword that is he foresaw this would be the effect of his coming and where he is received and one is Converted and the other not the Unconverted raises oftentimes War but when that Person is changed and has Peace with God that War ceases also 8. National and External Peace is comprehended in this Peace likewise all Nations shall have Peace as the Effect of the Covenant of Peace yea and all the Saints shall be united together in Love and sweet Concord and tho this is not yet fulfilled yet Christ's Kingdom is at the Door and it will be a Peacable Kingdom the Church shall then have outward and inward Peace like a River He will also make Wars to cease to the Ends of the Earth Of his Government and Peace there shall be no end And they shall beat their Swords into Plow-shares and their Spears into Pruning Hooks Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation neither shall they learn War any more O be ready Look out for those happy Days are very nigh Read the Words after my Text Vers. 13 14 15. And all thy Children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the Peace of thy Children vers 13. In Righteousness shalt thou be established and thou shalt be far from Oppression thou shalt not fear and from Terror for it shall not come near thee vers 14 Compare this with Isa. 66.10 11 12 13. I will extend Peace to her like a River and the Glory of the Gentiles like a flowing Stream Brethren Babylon must fall before these Prophsies are fulfilled O cry therefore to God to hasten his Judgments upon that Bloody Whore that Sion's Glory and Peace may be manifested and all Sighings and Sorrow fly away And then these Words shall be fulfilled viz. And the Work of Righteousness shall be Peace and the Effects of Righteousness Quietness and Assurance for ever and my People shall dwell in a Peaceable Habitation and in sure Dwellings and in quiet resting Places Isa. 32.17 18. The General Application I. From hence we may infer that there is a great Mystery in Reconciliation yea and we may well stand and admire the Wisdom and Goodness of God in respect of that Peace we receive in and by Jesus Christ. II. We may infer also from hence that God the Father is the principal Author and Spring of this Reconciliation or way of our Peace he was the Contriver and first Mover in those Acts whereby the first Foundation-Stone was laid God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself All things are of God c. that is of God the Father and through Jesus Christ c. It is to raise his Glory as well