in Heaven but thee and then saith my flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever God is fitly called the Saints portion for he is so one Saints portion as if no ones else and yet intirely every ones as if wholly theirs as indeed he is yet without division partition or diminution That 's a notable passage in that Gospel-Covenant at least one part of it the mercy in it we are speaking of Gen. 15.1 fear not Abram I am thy Shield and thy exceeding great reward 1. Thy reward as if it were as indeed it is reward enough to have God if we have nothing else 2. A great reward worth speaking of Christus Coelum non patiuntuâ— hyperboleâ— not an inconsiderable trifle but a great reward 3. An exceeding great reward no hyperbole can reach it much less exceed it none can express the goodness of God but those that experience it nor can they sufficiently declare it but is he mine Psal 144.15 Yes 4. By this Covenant he is thy exceeding great reward Blessed are they that are in such a case Happy is that people whose God is the Lord. Thus I have shewed what God is 2. I shall a little shew what God gives and grants to the covenanted soul there are many rich benefits and advantages which are indeed rich Covenant-mercies 1. Pardon of sin Jer. 31.34 for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more and oh what a mercy is pardon of sin ask David when he is roaring under his broken bones and disquiet spirit whether pardon of sin be a mercy he will answer yes O yes I know it and could even envy the happiness of a pardoned sinner blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven Psal 32.1 2. yea many times blessed is he to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity this is a mercy that cost a great rate even the blood of the immaculate Lamb of God 't is a mercy that God shews for his own sake a mercy that easeth the guilty soul of an heavy burden a mercy that hath sweet and satisfying concomitants Oh the riches of this mercy 2. Gods favour love and tender compassion Jer. 32.40 41. I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good Yea I will rejoyce over them to do them good q. d. now I am in Covenant with them I will seek and study by all means to promote their spiritual and eternal advantage yea and their temporal good also I will be a fast and faithful friend to them all my attributes shall contribute their assistance to help on the design of mercy towards them and what God doth for them is with his whole heart and with his whole soul he will in the relation of a Father take care of his Children and is not that a mercy 3. Gospel-Ordinances Ezek. 37.26 27. I will make a Covenant of peace with them and will set my Sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore my Tabernacle also shall be with them i. e. they shall have the means of Grace the visible tokens of Gods presence wayes of Communion with God and is not this a rich mercy David lookt upon it as so in his banishment from Gods house and every Child of God prizeth it at a very high rate this is one of the mercies of the Covenant 4. Seasonable afflictions with a sanctified use of them Psal 89.30 32 33. if his Children forsake my Law then will I visit their transgressions with the rod 't is infinite mercy that God will take the pains to whip the offending Children it is faithfulness to the great ends of the Covenant that God will fetch in his wandring sheep by sharpest means it is as it were a cruel mercy to let men alone in sin to hasten their ruine it is the Fathers care and kindness to chide and correct his son and it 's as needful as food and raiment a Child of God would rather be scourged to God than allured from God in the paths of honey and butter this Covenant-mercy doth change the nature of the affliction and makes every thing to work for the souls best God this bitter potion is an useful healing medicine this stinging Serpent is turned into an harmless nay helpful Rod with which the Lord works wonders of mercy upon and for the Covenanted soul But time would fail me to enumerate the large Catalogue of Covenant-mercies from this fountain stream those choice mercies of reconciliation with God filiation the spirit of adoption free admission to the Throne of Grace acceptance of their persons audience of their Prayers assurance of Gods love peace of Conscience communion of Saints the benefits of Christs Passion Resurrection Ascention Intercession an interest in all the Promises Christs purchases the spirits motions and comforts freedom from the wrath of God the curse of the Law and eternal death and lastly an interest in and at death a full possession of the inheritance of the Saints in light these and such like are the mercies of the Covenant in a word all the goodness that is in God and all the good things of the world that are communicable to the elect are to be accounted as the sure mercies of David That 's for the first general head CHAP. III. 2. IN what respects these mercies of the Covenant are made sure for this observe that there are some things absolutely and unchangeably sure as to their own nature by an intrinsecal necessity thus God immutable essence is fixed with him there is no variableness nor shadow of change thus though the Heavens perish yet God endures he is still the same and his years have no end Psal 102 24-27 thus God alone is the certain and unmoveable center of the whole Creation he is the Rocâ— of Ages originally infinitely and independently sure and so is nothing besides otheâ— things are sure jure positivo not of themselves but by vertue of Gods appointmenâ— and designation invariable irrevocable so as it shall not be altered otherwayes ordered no new way contrived to save losâ— man thus the Scriptures are sure for ever O Lord thy Word is setled in Heaven Psal 119.89 Mat. 5.18 and our Saviour saith till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled and this way is the Covenant of Grace sure not of any intrinsecal necessity resulting from its nature but free to be or not to be as the infinite God sees good as a Covenant it depends meerly on Gods free-grace for making it God might have forborn re-entring this New Covenant but have dealt with man as with the lapsed Angels or he might have reserved to himself a power of revocation to have called in his patent and shut up his Office of mercy but now God hath fixed this as the only and everlasting way of Salvation thus this
God as a whole burnt-offering 't is but a reasonable service for he hath given you more than you can give back to him walk holily steadily cheerfully as becomes these mercies do much for God that hath done so much for you let nothing discourage or disquiet your spirits since yoâ— have mercies sure mercies to lodge in your bosomes why should that soul be sad that enjoyeth an interest in the father of consolations the purchaser of salvation and comforting spirit sure mercies with propriety beget solid comfort and assurance for ever Col. 1.10 Eph. 4.1.1 Thes 2.12 Oh Christians learn the lessons much inculcated to walk worthy of God of your vocation relation and this Kingdom 5. Be active and passive for these mercies they cost Christ dear to purchase them do not you think any thing too dear to do or endure for promoting or preserving of them kindness is very endearing to a grateful heart your pains cannot be spent to better purpose than in the cause of God we must always be paying our debt though we can never fully pay it we must be behind-hand with God but let a soul under the sense of mercies sweat blood for God if he call to it you sow not in a barren soul as showrs of mercy ingage you to fruitfulness so an abundant crop of mercy will be your sure reward and in your saddest Winter you shall have the sweetest harvest of mercy if Christians knew what grapes of Coelestial Canaan they should taste in their Wilderness-sufferings for Christ they would not be so afraid of them as they are these mercies run most freely and sweetly when other streams are stopt fear not sufferings mercies will meet and support you 6. Plead these mercies for your posterity though you should leave your Children thousands a year yet these Covenant-mercies will be the best portion you cannot assure your estates to your heirs but these are sure mercies so that if you take hold of Gods Covenant plead it live up to it you shall have the benefit of these your selves and some at least of your Children and Successours shall enjoy the same mercies for God will remember these unto a thousand generations though he be not bound to every individual soul of your natural off-spring however the Scripture fully shews that this is the surest way to obtain a portion for your Children tell God they are more his than yours you are but Nurses for his Children tell the Lord that thou must dye and leave them but he lives for ever intreat him to be their loving everlasting Father tell him that though thou leave them something in the world yet that is neither suitable nor durable but these sure mercies will not fail them and comfort your hearts for your house and family with the last words of dying David 2 Sam. 23.5 oh labour to transmit your title unto God to future generations as the two Tribes and an half did to future Ages by their Altar Ed. Joh. 24.24 28. see 1 Chron. 28.9 7. Breathe after a full possession of these sure mercies they are from everlasting to everlasting follow them to the spring in admiration and thankfulness and follow this stream of Covenant-mercies to the Ocean of Eternity indeed the streams are in time to the Sons and Daughters of men but the original is without a beginning in God eternal thoughts of love and the end is without end in those everlasting embraces in Heaven oh long to see the end if these mercies be so sweet here what will they be in Heaven in their proper Element as it were oh that blessed state that Paradice of pleasure that joy of our Lord Abraham's bosome an house not made with hands a City with foundations a Crown a Kingdom art thou the happy product of these sure mercies of David do these mercies bring forth such felicity oh happy day that my soul hath an interest in these sure mercies but how long shall my soul be kept from the full possession of these mercies when shall I come and appear before God how long shall I sojourn in Mesech and be detained from my Fathers plenteous Table above shall not a Captive long for his deliverance and a young heir for his full inheritance and shall not my soul long to be with Christ above shall my body be so weary and hath not my soul more cause to be weary of its burden and absence from home Rom. 8 19-23 shall creatures groan and shall not I much more to be delivered into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God shall the Spirit and the Bride say come and shall not my soul that hears these things eccho come shall he say himself Rev. 22.17 20. I come quickly and shall not I answer Amen even so come Lord Jesus Come Lord I long to see the and of these wonders of grace I much desire to enjoy those mercies which eye hath not seen ear heard or heart conceived after another manner than here I am capable come my God I beseech thee shew me thy face and because none can see thy face and live let me dye that I may see thy face and be swallowed up in the Ocean of mercy whence these covenant-Covenant-mercies flow Dear Lord either come down to me or take me up to thee Make haste my beloved Song 8.14 and be thou like a Roe or to a young Hart upon the Mountains of Spices Thus I have at last dispatcht this sixth Use of Instruction and Direction to sinners and Saints CHAP. XV. VII THE seventh Use of Encouragement Comfort and Refreshment and here 's an abundant spring opened to revive all the heirs of Promise But because I want room and because much of that which hath been already delivered tends this way I shall rather improve it to excite the people of God and heirs of Promise to the great and sweet duty of thankfulness And here I might elarge upon the Nature Use Comfort and acceptance of the duty of praise in the account of God and men but I must wave that and only insist on some few particulars that concern the nature of these mercies which may ingage us to be thankful which are these 1. They are free-mercies they may be had without money or price saith this Prophet here Quanti O bomines profiteremini vos esse empturos si salus aeterna venderetur ne si paeto tum quidem qui totus aureo ut est in favulis fluit fluento quis dedcrit pro salute justum pretium numeraverit Clem Alex. adm ad gentis free-grace was the Fountain Cause and Original of these he had mercy because he would have mercy nothing moved his bowels of mercy on our part free-grace had no impulsive cause but it self when you are to purchase these mercies the price it fallen to just nothing he gives liberally and upbraids not oh what cause of thankfulness and admiration 2. They are Dear mercies this doth not contradict the former
gift of God and none can come to Christ except the Father draw him Joh. 6.44 Alas it is as impossible to believe in Christ as to keep the Moral Law from principles of corrupted nature our state had been sad and forlorn still if God had not undertaken to work the faith which he requireth Duce Dâ—o venitur ad deum 't is only the arm of omnipotency that can draw the soul to Christ Jesus is the only Author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 Eph. 1.19 there is an exceeding greatness of his power to all them that believe put forth to create an act of saving faith all they that have felt it can testifie that this is a rich mercy and this is one of the mercies of the Covenant More particularly there are four choice dispositions promised in the Covenant of Grace which are covenant-Covenant-mercies 1. Saving illumination Jer. 31.34 they shall all know me saith the Lord by nature we are blind and blockish creatures but the new Covenant brings light and sight to the ignorant erring sinner and Oh what a mercy is it to know God and Christ and sin and misery and duty and felicity to know Scripture-truths and Gospel-mysteries our own hearts and the sweetness of Grace heaven and the way thither certainly such saving knowledge is worth a world truly such light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eye of the soul to behold the Sun of Righteousness and the beauty of Heaven what blind Bartimeus would not own it as a rich mercy to have his eyes opened and is it not a blessed thing to be translated out of Aegyptian darkness into this marvelous light Oh happy are the eyes that are annointed with the new-covenant eye-salve and behold Coelestial objects through this Divine optick of faith and become faithful guides to the feet of an holy life 2. Sound humiliation this is another Covenant-mercy Ezek. 11.19 I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh a broken heart is instead of many Sacrifices an hard heart is the greatest judgement and a soft heart the greatest mercy repentance is Gods gift bound up in the Covenant of Grace our sweet and blessed Redeemer is exalted as well to be a Prince that he may give Repentance as to be a Saviour to give unto us remission of sins Oh what a mercy is the spirit of Repentance they that have this Godly sorrow shall never need to sorrow for it such a Repentance needs not to be repented of blessed are they that mourn for sin for they shall rejoyce happy such as sow in tears for they shall â—eap in joy certainly a Converted sinner looks upon a repenting heart as a rich mercy one penitent tear is an orient pearl of more worth than the whole Creation a bleeding soul is a blessed sight in the eyes of God and man it layes the Christian under the promise of the Covenant and qualifies it for remission and the sweetest consolation 3. Another Covenant-mercy with respect to the condition is heart-sanctification Ezek. 36.25 I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean this is the mercy that David is so importunate for create in me a clean heart no less than creation will effect it a putting off the old man and putting on the new in a sound Regeneration is a miraculous mercy Oh what would a poor soul give for dominion over some special corruptions and power to resist temptations why here it is this mercy of mortification which is also a Christians duty is infolded in this blessed Gospel-Covenant so that sin shall not have Dominion over them that are under this Covenant of Grace a Christian can do more to mortifie sin and Crucifie the flesh than another man every word of God hath a cleansing vertue now you are clean saith Christ through the word that I have spoken to you but the promises of the Covenant have a direct and immediate tendency to cleansing 2 Cor. 7.1 having these promises i. e. the fore-mentioned Covenant let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit it is only the Gospel Covenant that can make Evangelically holy and holiness is the image of God the beauty of a soul the duty of a Christian and the mercy of the Covenant 4. A spiritual conversation this is also included in the Covenant Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Commandments and do them Oh what a blessed thing is it to have a heart to love and fear and serve the Lord Oh what a mercy to be inabled to perform holy duties to walk with God in all wayes of well-pleasing Jer. 31.33 to have the Law of God written in the heart and transcribed in the life yea to keep Gods commands with ease alacrity and complacency not to have them grievous but pleasant to the soul and thus it is when the Christian acts from an innate principle of Grace and Holiness well this is the promised and purchased condition of the New Covenant God undertakes to put a new habit into the soul his fear which is the beginning of Wisdom and principle of obedience God gives the spirit of prayer the spirit of power love and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1.9 he promiseth to give them one heart and one way that they may fear him for ever Jer. 32.39 Oh what rich mercies of the New Covenant are these 4. Yet the great mercies of the Covenant are behind under the next head for a Covenant contract conveyance contains the Habendum or grant reflecting advantage to the party Covenanting and that in these words I will be thy God this is repeated fifteen or sixteen times in the Scriptures this this is the mercy of the New Covenant the mercy of mercies the flower cream and quintescence of all mercies God gives himself to the soul by Covenant and what greater or better gift can he bestow if he should give us all the world and deny himself we are miserable beggars if he give himself and nothing of the world we are truly rich if we have God we have all things if we want God we want all things Deus mâ—us est omnia Ben scripsisti Thoma qâ—id pet Resp nil nisi â—ipsum Domine my God is my All saith one 't is recorded of Thomas Aquinas the great School-man that a voice from Heaven spake thus to him thou hast well written Thomas what desirest thou and that he answer thus nothing O Lord but thy self this certainly is the Language of a gracious soul Lord put me not off with any thing below or besides thy self what mortal Creature durst have presumed to beg of God such a boon if God had not graciously promised himself in the New Covenant what can the creature desire more what can it now want when it hath an infinite God all
express particular perswasions of some mercy as those blessed Patriarchs Gen. 48 21. chap 50.24 Behold I dye but God shall be with you and bring you again to the Land of your Fathers Yea cannot you that are Children bear your Testimony for God that he hath been and done according to your Parents faith and hope Solomon could say after Davids death thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my Father great mercy or bounty but that 's not all and thou hast kept saith he for him this great kindness that thou hast given him a Son to sit upon his Throne 1 King 3.6 and I question not but many of you can say as much for God that God hath had respect to you in Temporals because you were the seed of such as were dear to him Oh follow their steps and you shall fare as they fared 2. Yet further you that are the Children of Godly Parents Isa 44.3.59.21 Exod. 20.6 See 2 Sam. 23 1-5 Act. 3.25 you lye directly under the influences of these sure mercies the promise is made to believers and to their seed Gen. 17.7 Act. 2.38 39. such promises bear up the hearts of Gods poor expiring servants concerning their surviving Children Well then let Children claim their interest plead this grant none of you will lose your inheritance for want of looking after it if your Landlord promise you a Lease of your Tenement after your Father's decease if you sue to him for it and pay the accustomed fine will you be so mad as to be turned out of your Farm and the Heritage left by your Fathers than own your just and loving Landlord according to the Laws of the Land no man is so fond in Temporals and why should you be so foolish in Spirituals Ah Christians look after your Patrimony despise not your Birth-right is it nothing to you to be born of believing Parents remember your Parents Prayers and Tears their Hopes and fears Oh consider how it comforted their hearts upon their death-bed that they left you under a good Covenant and bequeathed to you a goodly heritage and why should your Parents be deceived in their hopes and meet you strangers at the great day to God and Christ to be set with filthy Goats upon the left hand for ever why will you embezzle or sin away this fair estate why will you not sue out this blessed Charter for your own souls in the Court of Heaven God is as willing to make it over to you as ever he was to bestow it on your Parents he is loath to cut off his kindness from their seed he looks after you in your soul-destroying practices and saith as once to Israel that did so wofully degenerate Jer. 22.5 q. d. I remember the kindness that in former times there was betwixt thy ancestors and me Oh their zeal in running after me the holy services they did perform to me thy Father or Grand-father and some former Generations maintained entercourse with me and I with them there was love of espousals betwixt us and I am sure I was not wanting to them I lookt carefully to them all that sought to devour them were my enemies they did offend me and I brought evil upon them I pleaded their cause while they lived and I took them seasonably to Heaven and if thou that art their off-spring wouldest have put me to 't I would have done as much for thee if thou hadst but laid hold of that Covenant those very Covenant-mercies should have been thine but thou art gone back thou wilt have none of me but walk after new upstart vanities thou wilt not vouchsafe so much as to enquire after the God of thy Fathers that was so faithful to them and did so much for them but let me ask thee A like Expostulation see in Miâ— 6.3 4. since thou wilt needs leave me what iniquity have either thy Fathers or thou found in me produce thy reasons testifie against me did I ever do thee any wrong have I not always done thee good Oh soul whithersoever thou goest from me thou missest of such a God as thy Fathers served God seems in that Scripture to speak after this manner Oh hearken to the eternal God if you will not heed the dying words of your mortal Parents that dyed in the Lord though one would think those should move and melt your hearts into tears of Gospel sorrow why should your dear deceased Parents rise up in judgement against you at the day of judgement when it shall be enquired whether they did their duty they must needs answer according to truth that they did instruct correct counsel admonish their wandring Prodigal Children they brought them to Ordinances prayed for them wept and travelled again for them and yet could not prevail and now must come in to bear witness against them and must rejoyce in Gods just vengeance upon them Oh what a sad case will these rebellious Children be in 't is no pleading priviledges by means of believing Parents at that day the higher you were advanced therein the lower will you be cast down to Hell Matth. 11.23 oh how terrible will it be to see godly Parents in Heaven and themselves cast into utter darkness yea to see strangers or the Converted Children of Heathenish Parents come from East and West and sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven but the Children of these Kingdoms posterity of Covenanted Parents cast out into utter darkness See Mat. 8.11 12. Let me therefore perswade all graceless Children to look about them do you above all others take heed of miscarrying greater expectations are from you than others the surviving friends of your Religious Ancestors look after you and enquire what you do oh rejoyce their hearts by walking in the steps of your predecessours I shall bespeak you yea charge you in the words of Reverend Mr. Bolton upon his death-bed that none of you will dare to meet us at the great Tribunal in an unregenerate state let every Child of Godly Parents plead for Covenant-mercies as once Solomon did 2 Chron. 1.8 9. thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my Father now O Lord God let thy promise unto David my Father be established thus do you plead with God and say Lord my Parents embraced the Covenant it was thy free-grace to choose them and set thy heart upon them and is that Grace weary canst thou not own me with Covenant-mercy nay dost thou not call that mercy to Abraham by the surer name of truth unto Jacob am not I a Child of the promise Lord cut not off the entail of covenant-Covenant-mercies from me or mine for ever But I must hasten let all souls seek after a share in covenant-Covenant-mercies you that are afar off and you that are near Children of the good and of the bad draw near hither take hold of this Covenant here 's mercy for you all these mercies are attainable let the wicked forsake his way and the
unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Isa 55.7 they are mercies fear not being made welcome they are sure mercies fear not disappointment thou hast a tender of mercies that 's mercy yea such a mercy as the fallen Angels never had or ever shall have and if thou refuse thou dost not only neglect a great salvation but the Devils shall rise up in judgement against thee it 's a wonder of mercies that thou art not past hopes of mercies thou hast run a wild course yet there 's hope if now thou come upon the call of mercy all the condition God requires is acceptance of Christ and Grace it sticks at your wills and if you wilfully reject mercy what must save you if you will be damned who can hinder you you must thank your selves for ever the God of mercy stands waiting at your door the Prince of peace purchased mercy at a dear rate the spirit of grace knocks and put in his blessed finger at the hole of the door will not yet your bowels move towards him he beseecheth you to be reconciled that might with a word command you into Hell and will you have no bowels of mercy towards your own souls Ministers Intreat 2 Cor. 5.20 Rom. 12.1 Travel Study Weep and earnestly beseech you for mercies sake to come in and yet will you stand out and must I after all this pains leave you short of mercy these sure and sweet mercies God forbid however remember you were warned CHAP. XI VI. THE sixth Use is of Instruction and Direction to sinners and Saints wherein I shall as paper-room permits â—ay before you four sorts of Directions 1. What is a poor soul to do that he may obtain interest in these mercies 2. How a doubting soul may be assured of these Covenant-mercies 3. In what cases may a Christian improve Covenant-mercies 4. How a good soul that hath interest in these mercies is to behave himself For the first which concerns graceless â—uls poor unregenerate Creatures if any â—ch enquire what they must do that they may have a part and portion in these sure â—ercies of David I shall briefly propound â—ese seven Directions 1. Make a strict enquiry into your state â—â—ligently examine what title you have to â—e Mercies of the Covenant practise this â—eat and much neglected duty of self-tryal whether you have closed with the Covenant whether Christ be in you 2 Cor. 13.5 or you be 〈◊〉 Christ whether faith be in you or you 〈◊〉 in the faith self-knowledge is a good â—gree towards saving grace Authology is â—e first step to Theology a man cannot will not look after mercy till he know his own misery they that conceit themselves to be something deceive themselves therefore let every man prove his own work Gal. 6.3 4. Oh how many thousands with aâ— vain hope do descend into everlasting burnings how many presume they have as good a title to mercy as any and fall short of it mistakes in this point are dangerous and damning therefore soul try thy title be 〈◊〉 a point concerning thy state some aâ— Children of wrath and have not obtained mercy yea all are such by nature that Grace that changeth our title changeth our spirits therefore deal faithfully with your own hearts ask them whether they bâ— renewed changed soundly converted ask your selves whether you be new Creatures be not put off with silence or a slight answer remember life and death depends on the resolution of this important question you must be tryed another day you cannoâ— evade Gods impartial search only consider there 's no returning back to mend the matter as you are found then at the gret day so must you abide for ever but here 〈◊〉 you find a flaw in your title you may have it well repaired and this is the first step to mending what 's amiss therefore gâ— a distinct knowledge of your state 2. Work on your hearts the misery of souls being destitute of these sure mercies yea if upon serious examination you 〈◊〉 that your souls have no interest therein oâ— consider what a dreadful doleful state your souls are in you are indeed Lo-ruhamahs bond-slaves of Satan enemies to God destitute of Christ and have nothing to do with the good things of the Gospel take your state from the blessed Apostle or rather from the infallible dictates of the Holy Ghost Ephes â—2 12 without Christ whatever confident claim you may lay to him however you may boast of him Aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel i. e. no members of the true Church though you may presumptuously call and account your selves the only Sons of the Church you have nothing to do with the spiritual priviledges and sweet Communion of Saints you are strangers from the Covenants of Promise i. e. you are not in this new Covenant but under that of works and have not right to any one promise and so to no Gospel-mercy and therefore without hope yea without God in the World 't is inexpressible yea inconceivable misery that a graceless soul is in it is ready every moment to drop into Hell must be shut out of Heaven God is angry with him every moment Satan hath him in a string leads him whither he list and if he dye this moment he is gone for ever Oh work on your hearts such sad thoughts as these awake Conscience rouze up affections then cry out with the Publican striking on your breast God be merciful to me a sinner Wo is me Luk. 18.13 wretched Creature that I am what shall I do I am undone the guilt of sin is upon me mercy is far from me I have despised free-grace and now I may fear mercy is turned into sury long forbearance will end in just vengeance Oh is there any hope for a forlorn wretch have not I worn out my day of grace is there any hope for me surely a little mercy will not serve my turn I am a great sinner yea the chiefest of sinners there must be a larger dole of mercy to me than others Oh what shall I do men and brethren what must I do to be saved thus sirs bemoan your state it 's not a saying all are sinners and God is merciful that will serve the turn but you must be sin-sick then you 'l desire a Physitian else you 'l slight and scorn both Christ and Covenant Mat. 9.12 13. and all the mercies thereof 3. Be thankful for but be not content with common mercies they are good in their kind and for their use and ends but these are not suitable to or sufficient for the soul a Christian should be content with any thing in the World yet content with nothing in the World the worst of the World doth please a Child of God with God the best of it cannot should not please him without God you must look on these things as good
obstruct your diligence in this great and weighty case who would live at such uncertainties as the most do who would have his life to hang in doubt in a meer conjecture especially when it is in this great case of Conscience whether the soul must live in Heaven or Hell but most of all considering that our very lives are so uncertain that the next moment we may step into Eternity the God of Heaven awake the Saints of God who have indeed an interest in these mercies to use all means to know they have an interest therein that they may know they are of the truth and assure their hearts before him as the Apostle speaks 1 Joh. 3.19 CHAP. XIII III. THE third head of Directions iâ— this In what cases may a Covenanted soul make use of or improve these sure mercies of David In answer to this I shall propound these seven cases wherein a gracious soul may and must have recourse to these Covenant mercies 1. In case of dissetling suggestions tâ— Atheism or unbelief when reason begin to dispute the being of God or the truth of Scriptures and shakes our confidence or strikes at the foundation then study and improve these sure undoubted mercies and lean upon Divine Authority if God speak it the thing is out of doubt his ipsâ— dixit is beyond all demonstrations Divines distinguish of maxims in Divinity some whereof are mixtly Divine other are meerly Divine Primo creduâ—tur postea intelliguntur in truths of the former sort reason may serve in the second place first they are believed then understood as a man believes the immortality oâ— the soul then he begins to take up the same from reason Rationes precedentes minuunt fidem sed rationes subsequentes augent fidâ—m only reason must not herâ— come before faith but know her place for if she should offer to go before aâ— an Usher to make way for faith wâ— should never believe therefore Schoolmen say Reasons going before Faith weakenâ— faith but reasons coming after faith strengthens it so that reason makes not the matter more sure ex parte veritatis dictantis in respect of God the speaker See Weem's Pourtrait of Imag. Ep. to Read sed ex parte intellectus dissentientis in respect of the weakness of our understanding But now in things that are meerly Divine and fall directly under faith as the Mysterie of the Trinity of Incarnation reason hath nothing to do but admire those hid mysteries that she can never reach unto Oh take heed of doubting or unbelief Gospel-mysteries are without all Controversie here thy way is not to dispute but believe Gods Word is more than all the protestations asseverations bonds or obligations of all the men in the World Consider what 's said in the Doctrinal part and give your full assent to all revealed truths you may better believe God than your senses Senses may deceive us God cannot many men are bruitish will believe nothing but what is within the reach of sense they are meer Sadduces about spirits and spiritual things but sirs will you belive nothing but what you see then surely you 'l not believe that there is such a City as Rome or London because you have not seen them But let me tell you that that tempting spirit who perswades you now to doubt of the being of God and the reality of Divine things cannot doubt thereof himself for he to his cost feels the truth thereof though without any comfortable interest therein the Devil believes and trembles Jam. 2.19 O therefore Non est disputatio aâ—t â—ubitatio post Evangâ—lium reveâ—â—tum silence all unbelieving and disputing thoughts doubt not after these clear revelations and demonstrations admit not this grand Gospel-sin of unbelief this damning infidelity but cry out as the poor man Lord I believe help thou my unbelief Mark 9.24 2. In case of guilt upon the Conscience and fears of acceptance then have recourse to these sure mercies of David these are mercies therefore mercy is working towards a poor sinner in misery they are made sure by Christ to all Heirs of Promise and though thou canst not sensibly apprehend him by faith at some times yeâ— he can powerfully comprehend thee what though thy sins be many yet mercy answers all demerits 't is not only mercy but mercies multitudes of tender mercies he is plenteous in mercy and will abundantly pardon he doth not consult thy fitness but his free-grace come then poor guilty sinner venture thy weary soul upon these sure mercies he iâ— meeting thee half way as the Prodigalâ— Father and ready to fall upon thy neck his bowels are yerning towards thy sinning soul he is very free and liberal 〈◊〉 distributing be not thou coy and shy in entertaining these sure mercies hâ— waits to be gracious do thou bid hiâ— gracious tenders welcome Yea but saith the troubled soul though there be mercies yet I question whether they belong to me I know they are sure to some but 't is a great question whether I be of that number and I reply why not to thee what Scripture or reason hast thou to suspect that thou art excluded the grant is in general terms Jesus Christ came to seek and save what was lost and thou art lost and feelest thy self to be lost doth not he bid weary souls come to him if thou wert righteous thou mightest justly fear thou mightest go without him but thou saist thou art a sinner and thou knowest he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance thou art a sinner a great sinner yea chiefest of sinners and did not Paul look upon himself as such and yet he obtained mercy and consider soul if thou hast no interest in these mercies whence â—hen are all those fears doubts jealousies complaints enquiries whence are these sad and dreadful apprehensions of thy sin and misery these convictions of the nothingness of thy duties and sufficiency of mercies only to relieve thy perishing soul whence are those meltings of heart for â—ffending bowels of mercy and strugâ—lings against sin from the sense of mercy â—hat mean those prayers and tears those â—ossings of thy soul betwixt hopes and â—ears about thy interest in mercy and yet thou who thus complainest wouldst not give up thy title or quit thy claim to these Covenant-mercies for a full possession of all the common mercies in the World thou art not content without these thy enquiry is chiefly after these thy expectation iâ— most from and dependance most upon these Covenant-mercies these and these alone are thy salvation and desire But suppose the worst that thy soul hath no interest as yet in these why shouldst thou despair of future interest shouldst thou not rather put it out of doubt by a present application thereof by actual believing stand out stand off no longer take Christ upon his own terms give up thy self to him give him the glory of believing remember alâ— the ways the
Lord hath taken to assure thee of these mercies so that unbelief is the most unreasonable sin in the World Joh. 3.19 this is the great damning sin say not with Cain thy sins are greater than can be forgiven for thou lyest in saying so is not the mercy of an infinite God beyond the demerits of a finite creature nay further thou givest God the lye who is truth it self he saith there 's life for dead condemned sinners in his Son 1 Joh. 5.10 11. thou saist no but I have been to seek and I want life but there 's none for me yes yes soul there 's life enough for thee grace abounds and you may have this life in abundance only shut not out your selves by unbelief but come to him and he will in no wise cast you off for he is ready to forgive your iniquities and give you these sure mercies 3. In case of persecutions afflictions temptation from Satan the World or any other ways you may then improve these Covenant-mercies and find abundance of sweetness solace and satisfaction therein were it not for these the soul of a child of God would sink under his pressures how often doth David profess that he had perished in his affliction Psal 119. did not Gods word of promise support him a Covenant-word will lift up the soul from the lowest depth a Covenanted God will incourage a Saint in the greatest straits there is a Divine art in a Christians improving this â—tock to his best advantage and affliction â—s a proper season to make use thereof as suppose a man be in poverty there 's enough â—n the Covenant to make him rich if in disgrace Covenant-mercies make him honourable if sick one Covenant-mercy even pardon of sin will make him sound Isa 33. Dei hominem cultoâ—em Dei subnixum spei veritate fidei stabilitate fundatum â—gat mandi buâ—us seâ—uli in testatioâ—ibus commoveri vid. Cypr. tractaâ— cont Demetr p. 273. 〈◊〉 in Prison Covenant-mercies set him at â—iberty if hungry or thirsty why Covenant-mercies are meat and drink to him if derived of relations still Covenant-mercy makes up that loss and lets the soul see â—etter relations in Heaven Oh Christians our case can never be forlorn as long as â—u have such rich mercies of the Covenant to support and supply you let all the â—en of earth set themselves against you â—ey can but storm the out-works they can â—ver surprize your main Fort or rob you 〈◊〉 your best goods these mercies of the Covenant which are made sure to you by a Covenant of salt oh hug and embrace these mercies in such a time as this when trade decays your stock is safe in a plundering time none can pluck away your treasure and estate you have something that all the Devils in Hell and Men on Earth cannot deprive you of troubles will but knock these mercies into your breasts more firmly and feelingly then deprive you of them or render you suspicious of your interest in them for these are seasons wherein God communicates most of himself to the soul Gen. 28.13 Jacob's sad and solitary journey was attended with the choicest heart-reviving discoveries Heaven was opened and God shined upon blessed Stephen's soul through a showr of Stones Act. 7.55 Oh Christians 't is worth a World to have interest in God in the day of affliction and 't is your great work in such a day to bear up your hearts with what you have in the Covenant of grace take heed of discontented murmurings under any tryals since you have a God that can and will be all in all to your souls in the want of all comforts and over-flowing of sorrows 4. You may improve these Covenant mercies in a day of spiritual dearth in thâ— famine of the Word which is the sad desâ— judgement when Means Ordinances failâ— and the soul is in great danger of pining then 't is both safe and sweet to suck growtâ— and strength from the spring-head eveâ— from God in a Covenant-way these mercies nourish the languishing soul in a famishing season Isa 41.17 18. when the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them I will open Rivers in high places and Fountains in the midst of the Valleys I will make the Wilderness a Pool of water and streams in the Desart and dry Land springs of Water Oh blessed are Covenanted souls they have meat to eat others know not of hidden Manna God hath ways to convey Marrow and Fatness into their souls when their ordinary provision is kept from them I Read of a man that was condemned to starve to death in Prison his Daughter getting leave to visit him once a day yet not permitted to bring food notwithstanding preserved his life a long time by the Milk which he sucked out of her Breasts Oh how doth God preserve the souls of his Children in Prisons by that good nourishment they suck from God in the breasts of the Promises he keeps them alive in famine bread shall be given them their waters shall be sure Isa 33.16 yea he makes affliction and adversity both bread and water wholesome food therefore called in Scripture Isa 30.20 the bread of adversity and water of affliction because souls are bravely nourished thereby Ordinances may for a season be removed but influences of grace are still conveyed grace is supported the soul supplyed as long as the spring remains free for a Christians access he shall be provided for though the Chanel be stopt streams cut off and outward means much obstructed therefore Christians when the word of the Lord is precious and there is little open vision make your addresses immediately to God see what he will speak to your souls own him in Covenant-relation lay your souls at his feet and tell him that you are cast in a thirsty Wilderness your graces are withering and hearts failing tell him you can scarce meet with an instrument to receive a word of council or comfort from but ask him if he cannot supply without as well as by the means tell him he sometimes stops the Conduit that he may convince us where our refreshment lyes and whither we must have recourse for fresh supplys tell him when you enjoyed the means they could not work without him and now you want them he can work without them though he hath tyed us to the means yet he hath not tyed himself to them tell him once again that the more immediate his Conveyances are the more evidential they are and the sweeter emblems of Heaven 5. In your backslidings and fears of apostacy then oh then improve these mercies of the new Covenant you fall and miscarry and lose your hold of God but God hath hold of you you dare not venture to approach to him again Jer. 3.12 13. but he calls and tells you he will
these things a may be or may not be in a conjectural uncertainty is all they arrive unto however they do not follow home the light and perswasions they have alas did souls seriously think of this that as sure as they are men or women as certainly as they eat and drink work and sleep so certainly there is a God a Christ grace pardon guilt Heaven Hell which they must very shortly feel this could not but have a strange influence upon their hearts and lives their affections and conversations oh what persons should Saints be if they lived under the through impressions and convictions of the certainty of divine revelations It were a blessed effect if all the Treatises that have of late been writ might convince this prophane and Atheistical world of the certainty of Christianity many have travelled much in this with good success several ancient writers as Clemens Polycarpus Vid. Scultit med patrum Justinus Martyr Tatianus Iraeneus Athenagoras Tertullian have proved by demonstrative arguments the truth of Christian Religion against Jews Heathens c. and Grotius Morney of late and at this day Baxter Stillingfleet c. have put their sickle into this Harvest from whom the Church hath reaped precious fruit I pretend neither to the Learning or Authority of those famous Worthies but insist only upon the Sure Mercies of the Covenant as a poor Superstructure upon those Solid Foundations it was the design of Luke the Evangelist in Writing his Gospel to the noble and excellent Theophilus that he might be assured of the certainty of those things wherein he had been instructed Luk. 1.4 such a design have I in this small piece Oh that some might stand out and say as the Disciples now we are sure that thou knowest all things by this we believe that thou comest forth from God Joh. 16.30 oh sirs stick not in an uncertain conjecture arrive at a full assurance of understanding to the acknowledging of the mysterie of God Col. 2.2 pray for the spirit of Revelation that you may both know the certainty of Gospel-mysteries and mercies and your own interest therein that you may both be strong in faith and full of comfort advance higher daily in embracing unseen things rest not in a sceptical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Philosophical dubitation but strive to arrive at an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or firm demonstration rest your souls upon Divine Testimonies as to the object of faith and commit your souls to him in believing and well-doing for evidence of your state Remember that choice word Hos 6.3 then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as the morning and he shall come unto us as the rain as the latter and former rain unto the earth that this and all other soul-helps may accomplish this great end of your edification consolation and salvation shall be the earnest Prayer of Your Soul-friend and Servant in Christ June 3. 1670. The Contents of the Book CHAP. I. THe Context and exposition of the words 1 Several Doctrines raised one insisted on 6 CHAP. II. What are the mercies of the Covenant 9 1. The parties covenanting 11 2. The consideration paid 12 3. The conditions required which are four 14 4. The graunt that 's God himself 15 1. What God is to the soul in four things 19 2. What God graunts to it 20 CHAP. III. In what respects these mercies are sure 26 1. Infallibility 28 2. Immutability 30 CHAP. IV. What ways God takes to make them sure 33 1. Passing his word ib. 2. Putting it into writing 34 3. Calling in witnesses ib. 4. Setting to his seal 35 5. A solemn oath 36 6. Giving a pledge 37 7. Doing a great part of the work 38 8. Confirmation by miracles 40 9. Singular ways of reporting them 41 10. Marriage knot made from Hos 2.19.43 CHAP. V. How these mercies are made sure in and by Christ viz. by 47 1. His hypostatical union ib. 2. His spiritual Vnction 49 3. The Covenant of redemption 50 4. The execution of his offices 53 As Prophet Priest King 54 In his state of Humiliation 55 Exaltation 56 Resurrection ib. Ascention 57 Session ib. Intercession 59 CHAP. VI. 1Vse of Confutation 63 1. Atheists ib. 2. Papists as to 1. Merit 67 2. Assurance 70 2. Arminians as to 1. Vniversal Redemption 72 2. Final Apostasie 75 4. Socinians concerning Christs satisfaction 76 CHAP. VII 2. Vse of instruction 1. In the difference betwixt the two Covenants 79 In this see 1. Gods grace and mercy ib. 2. His infinite wisdom 82 2. The difference betwixt Covenant and Common mercys 85 1. In the Fountain 86 2. In the dimensions ib. 3. In the operations 88 4. In the duration Of both 90 3. In the difference betwixt gifts graces 93 1. In their Original 94 2. In their Nature 95 3. In their Retinue ib. 4. In their Ends and Effects 96 4. See the Truth of Christian Religion 98 CHAP. VIII 3Vse Of Examination 104 1. Whether we have accepted God as our God 106 2. Whether we have given up our selves to him 109 1. Really 110 2. Readily 112 3. Resolvedly 114 4. Vnreservedly 116 i. e. Totally Finally 3. Whether we have new-covenant dispositions which are such as these viz. 1. Saving illumination 120 2. Law writ in our hearts 122 3. One heart one way 123 4. The fear of God 125 5. Sanctification 126 6. A new Heart Spirit 128 7. A soft Heart 129 8. Spiritual Obedience 131 4. Try by the nature of these sure mercies which are 1. Transforming Mercies 133 2. Comforting Mercies 134 3. Raising Mercies 135 4. Inlarging Mercies 136 CHAP. IX 4. Vse of Conviction 1. Of Sinners 1. They are under a sure sentence of wrath 138 2. Not sure to be a moment out of Hell 142 3. Their mistake will aggravate their state 144 4. The nature of these mercies Tormenting 145 2 Conviction is of Saints 1. They indent with God 149 2. They compound about these mercies 150 3. They live not upon them 152 4. They live not up to them 155 Walking 1. Vnholily 156 2. Vnsteadily 157 3. Vncomfortably 159 4. Vnfruitfully 162 Bringing forth small and sour fruits ib. CHAP. X. 5Vse of Exhortation Look after interest in these sure mercies pressed by Motives 166 1. Nothing else can be made sure 167 2. Else common mercies are accursed 168 3. Else choicest duties are not accepted 169 4. Else you can have no solid ground of peace 171 5. These render every state safe 173 6. These mercies influence our spirits 174 7. These bring the soul to Heaven 175 Children of godly Parents exhorted to embrace Covenant-mercies by two Arguments 177 CHAP. XI 6Vse is of Direction referring to four heads 1. What is a soul to do to get interest in these mercies 1. Make a strict enquiry into your state 185 2. Work on your hearts the mysterie of merciless state 186 3. Be thankful for not content with
common mercies 188 4. Cast out and cashier all sin 190 5. Renounce your own righteousness 191 6. Close in with Jesus Christ 192 7. Enter into a solemn Covenant with God 194 CHAP. XII 2. Head How a doubtful soul may be assured of its title to these sure mercies 197 1. Study Sciptures and promises 198 2. Attend on a quickning ministry 199 3. Improve the states of the Covenant 200 4. Ply the throne of grace 201 5. Walk close with God 202 6. Be much in self-observation 204 7. Recollect former experiences 205 8. Strengthen every grace of the spirit 206 9. Lay all the stress on Gods free-grace 207 10. Exercise your selves in thank fulness 209 Four Motives to labour for assurance 211 CHAP. XIII 3 Head In what cases may a Covenanted soul make use of these sure mercies 1. In case of dissetiling suggestions to Atheism 218 2. In case of guilt upon the conscience 220 3. In case of afflictions persecutions 223 4. In case of spiritual famine 224 5. In back slidings and fears of apostacy 227 6. In desertions as to quickning comfort 229 7. In the hour and power of death 234 CHAP. XIV Head How a Covenanted soul must behave himself with reference to these mercies 1. Believe and receive them readily 239 2. Improve them in particular needs 240 3. Be content with these mercies ib. 4. Walk worthy of them 241 5. Be active and passive for them 242 6. Plead these mercies for posterity ib. 7. Breath after a full possession of them 243 CHAP. XV. Vse of thank fulness for these Covenant-mercies 1. Free 246 2. Dear 247 3. Deep ib. 4. Designed ib. 5. Dignifying 248 6. Sanctifying ib. 7. Separating 249 8. Sealing ib. 9. Extensive ib. 10. Comprehensive 250 ERRATA PAge 25. line 16. read good p. 93. l. 21. add which p. 112. marg r. discitur p. 132. l. 8 add in p. 135. l. 11. add are p. 141. l. 30. r. himself p. 151. l. 26. add him p. 182. l. 8. r. Children of the Kingdom p. 231. l. 30 r. necessary blot out un THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID Isaiah 55.3 Even the sure mercies of David CHAP. I. THis Evangelical Prophet acts the part of an Apostolical Preacher deciphering our dear Saviour as lively as if he Writ an History not a Prophecy as if he saw him in the Flesh and â—ot in the Type only This Chapter contains 〈◊〉 sweet relation or revelation of the Mysteâ—ies of Gospel-Grace an high-sounding â—roclamation and pathetical Exhortation to the sons of men to embrace the saving benefits purchased by our Lord Jesus Christ This Exhortation is pressed upon consciences with four Arguments which are as it were a satisfying Answer to as many tacit Objections which may be made by unbelieving soulâ— these arguments are drawn from the 1. Freeness ver 1. of Gospel-grace 2. Fulness ver 2. of Gospel-grace 3. Firmness ver 3. of Gospel-grace 4. Largness ver 5. of Gospel-grace 1. A soul may say Alas I am an unworthy wretch I have nothing that can commend me to God I have neither penny nor penny-worth money nor price to give neither grace nor good work to bring to God may I have a share in itâ— Yes it s free come buy for just nothing ver 1. 2. But may the soul say if it be so cheap it may be its of as little worth too dear of taking gratis things of light price are often of as light use and answer their rate by being unprofitable will it do me any good O yes it s of vast advantage if you take pains for any thing else you do but spend money for that which is no Bread but if you obtain Gospel-Grace you eat that which is good and your soul shall delight it self in fatness ver 2. 3. But may I have a share in these Mercies shall I not miss of them and when I once have them shall I not lose them again I am but tantalized if I see such sweet morsels and cannot reach them and I shall be more miserable if I taste such pleasant dainties and have them snatcht away he answers to the first all shall be made over to you by a Covenant and to the second they are the sure mercies of David ver 3. 4. But alas may a poor soul say this is Childrens meat what have doggs to do with these dainties I am a sinner of the Gentiles salvation is of the Jews and for the Jews is there any hope for such strangers to the Common-wealth of Israel Yes Jesus Christ is given for a witness to the people to all people i. e. Gentiles Isa 49.6 a Nation that thou knowest not and Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee ver 4 5. The Text falls under the third Argument and contains 1. A double duty hear come i. e. believe obey 2. A double promise of life and Covenant 1. Your soul shall live life is the flower and foundation of all outward mercies but spiritual life transcends a corporal temporal life which is but a dying life or living death Grace is the life of the soul Spiritual life is the seed-plot of eternal life in Glory mankind lost life by hearing the charming temptations of the subtle Serpent life is recovered by hearing the gracious words of life from Jesus Christ Hear and your souls shall live 2. I will make an everlasting Covenant with you the words are in Hebrew I will cut a Covenant with you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Percutiam vobiscum foedus q.d. dividantur ejus meâ—bra qui juramentum violaverit the expression hath allusion to the ancient practice of entring Covenants which was by cutting a Beast in two parts and the parties Covenanting going betwixt those parts to note that after that manner shall that mans members be divided that shall violate that solemn Covenant See the practice in Gen. 15.17 18. Jer. 34.18 Now the great Contents of this Covenant are expressed in these words which I have pickt out and pitcht upon to speak fully to Even the sure mercies of David which contain 1. The summ of the Covenant i. e. mercies 2. The nature of those mercies i. e. sure 3. The subject of the mercies David There is not much difficulty in the words only 't is disputed what is meant by David here Now in Scripture David is taken 1. For literal David 2. For mystical David Jesus Christ it may be applicable very properly both wayes here 1. It may be taken for the person of David the Son of Jesse King of Israel and then the mercies of David are the choice promises that God made with his servant David described in 2 Sam. 7 13-17 and in Psal 89. Some make the first words of that Psalm to be the title of it and render it thus I will sing of the mercies of David because Gods Covenant with David is abundantly held forth in that Psalm But this phrase doth rather allude to 2 Chron. 6.42 where Solomon thus prayes
habendum or the thing that we must have and hold Now all these are either expresly or implicitly held forth in one Scripture which is Heb. 8.10.1 Heb. 8.10 There is the parties Covenanting I and the house of Israel this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel 2. Here is the consideration evidently implyed in these words after those days i.e. after those dayes of Types Shadows and Prophecies in the fulness of time the Messiah shall come who is the substance and will satisfie divine justice and make an Attonement 3. Here is the condition of the Covenant plainly expressed in these words I will put my Laws into their mind and write them in their hearts i. e. I will give that which I require I will put within them a principle of Grace that they may love me believe in me repent for sin and obey the Gospel that 's the third 4. Here 's the grant or good to be enjoyed which is the end and result of all the former viz. I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people i.e. whatsoever I am or have or can do who am omnipotent shall be imployed for their good or whatsoever they would choose a God for or desire to be in a God that will I be to them with whom I contract this Covenant and I will own them as my peculiar people Now the mercies of the Covenant consist in these four particulars especially in the last I shall a little open these that we may the better find out the mercies wrapt in the Covenant of Grace 1. The parties that enter this Covenant are God and man Oh the infinite distance and vast disproportion quantus quantillo Heaven makes a match with earth the great Creator with a mortal creature the glorious King with a silly beggar is not this a rich mercy shall the Cedar in Lebanon contract a League not only with the contemptible shrub but with the pricking offensive thistle shall the Sun of Righteousness convey beams of love to such worthless worms yea to such stinking dung-hills shall the beauty of holiness be confederate with sorry man who is but a lump of vanity or mass of impurity Yet thus it is and this is transcendent mercy there 's mercy in a Covenant God might have dealt with man in a way of absolute soveraignty and done with man even as he pleased without giving us account of his matters but he treats with man in a rational way above the capacity of other creatures God takes man up to parly and treat with him as though he were his equal Psal 8.4 what is man that thou art thus mindful of him or the Son of man that thou visitest him this mutual stipulation is infinite condescention on Gods part and advancement on mans man only man of all the Creatures is the subject of this Covenant Angels had no need of it Devils had no hope by it bruit Creatures were not capable of it only man and fallen man hath interest in it and benefit by it Oh the mercy there is in a Covenant of reconciliation even after man had turned bankrupt spent a fair estate broken Covenant and brought himself into a desperate case that yet God should forget what was past enter into a new and better Covenant betrust him with a new stock and yet lay help not upon foolish mans weak shoulders but upon one that 's mighty to save Oh rich O transcendent Love this leads us to the second thing in this Covenant 2. The consideration paid that 's Jesus Christ Joh. 4.10 and he is eminently the gift of God such a gift as never came out of the hands of God and was never received by the hands of mortal man a rich and inriching gift a gift proceeding from love so God loved the world that he gave his Son Joh. 3.16 Christ is several wayes a gift 1. Nobis to us 1 Cor. 1.30 who of God is made unto us wisdom 2. Pro nobis for us Gal. 2.20 Who loved me and gave himself for me 3. Prae nobis before us as an example copy and pattern as he suffered for us so he left us an example 1 Pet. 2.21.4 In nobis in us so Christ is said to dwell in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 thus Christ is given to believers by sanctification and inhabitation of his spirit Now 't is the second way principally whereby Christ is the consideration or price paid in this new Covenant viz. as he is given for us a valuable consideration to pacifie wrath and satisfie justice thus is Jesus Christ the Lutron or price of our Redemption we are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 such a price as never was paid men pay money to purchase great possessions but we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with blood yea with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1.18 19. without shedding of blood there could be no remission yet the blood of Bulls or Goats could never take away sin Heb. 9.22 12. nay the blood of all the men upon earth could never wash away the guilt of the least sin no no it must be the blood of the immaculate Lamb the blood of God so called from the union of the two natures and communication of idioms or properties and this is the price paid the Father found out a ransome 1 Tim. 2.6 and our dear Saviour gave himself a ransome certainly this is a transcendent mercy of the New Covenant I dispute not those nice Controversies whether God could not have pardoned and saved man without the consideration of Christs undertakings or how God in justice can charge guilt and torment upon an innocent person this I am sure is Gods way of saving souls and we must not dispute but believe that Jesus Christ is the Mediatour of the Covenant and the price of our Redemption as God-man and this is the Marrow of the rich mercy and deep mysterie contained in the Gospel 3. In a Covenant is contained the couditions thereof what God requires of us without which we can have no benefit by the Covenant these also are to be reckoned as mercies of the Covenant on Gods part as well as duties on our part for they are secured and effected in us as well as commanded and required by God Luther makes this to be the main difference betwixt the two Covenants the Covenant of works requires obedience but gives no strength but the Covenant of Grace ingageth the Grace of God for the Elects performance of the conditions hence it is that what the Law commandeth Quod lex imperat gratia impetrat Evangelium dat quod lex exigit Aug. de spir littera the Gospel promiseth what God requireth Christ procureth what justice demandeth our dear saviour purchaseth and worketh by his spirit in the heart faith is the great Gospel-condition whereby Christ with all his benefits become ours but faith is the
that God is hath or doth is now imployed for the souls good all his attributes and the good of them are laid out for the Covenanted soul this word my Lord and my God ecchoing to the other relative I will be thy God are wonderful sweet as they use to say of the pronoun my Relativa sant minimae eatitatis maximae verò essicaciae or mine that though it be of the least entity yet it is of the greatest efficacy suppose a man could with one cast of his eye take a view of the perfections of the whole Creation what were all these things to him if he have no interest in them a clear title to a good thing compleats the comfort we have therein if God were not our God we could have no comfort from thoughts of him Quid est Deus si non sit meus what is God saith one if he be not my God if he be not our friend he will be our enemy and we had better have the whole Creation against us than one God against us and if God be for us who can be against us Now in the Covenant of Grace God undertakes to be our God and this is properly that which this Text intends called the sure mercies of David not in the singular but the plural number as I conceive for these two reasons 1. Because God is the fountain spring and original of all mercies Psal 86.5 15. all my springs are in thee saith David hence God is said to be plenteous in mercy and he is the Father of mercies all mercies are vertually eminently and transcendently in God Habet omnia qui habet habentem omnia and he that hath him that hath all things hath all things himself 2. Because the Covenant is big-bellyed it contains all mercies in it when any one is entred into Covenant behold a Gad a Troop a Train of Mercies wait upon him the Covenant is a blessed constellation and all the Starrs of Gospel-promises do lend their aid to beautifie the Covenanted soul Take a taste of the mercies of the Covenant in both these respects as 1. What God is to the soul and so what mercies are bound up in the Covenant in that respect this take in four particulars 1. God is all sweet relations to the soul interested in Psal 103.13 Mat. 3.17 he is a Father to them 2 Cor. 6.18 an Husband thy maker is thine Husband Isa 54.5 a near and bosome friend Jam. 2.23 Abraham was called the friend of God so consequently God was his friend for this Covenant begets and contracts the most endeared bond of intimate friendship betwixt God and the soul and if there can be any relation yet that holdeth forth more tenderness of affection that and much more is God to the gracious soul Coâ—sult Isa 49.15 16. Jer. 31.20 as one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you Isa 66.13 nay the Scripture doth testifie more affectionate workings in Gods heart towards his people than can be found in the most indulgent Parents to their Natural off-spring the sweetness of all relations proceed from God therefore to be found in God our relative affection is but a drop to this Fountain and our content in relations is no otherwise sweet than as flowing from him or with relation to him that 's the first God in Covenant is the quintescence of all relations 2. God is all things pleasant desireable and honourable hence we are bidden to taste and see how good the Lord is Psal 34.8 Psal 37.4 Psal 16.11 and to delight our selves in the Lord and at his right hand there are everlasting pleasures he he alone is the center and settlement of our desires he alone is the rock and rest of the fluctuating soul Psal 116.7 therefore David doth charge his soul to return to God as his rest God only is the Sabbath and solace of the Christians soul the Heaven of that Heaven of Heavens is Communion with God no desires so insatiable but may be satisfied with anâ— infinite God if regularly carryed out towards him Oh what a blessed thing is it to have God to be the object of our delight and he alone is our glory and honour Psal 3.3 Psal 24.10 the God of Heaven is the King of Glory and he alone is the Glory of a people or person the only Ornament to have a God in Covenant Isa 28.5 when the glorious beauty shall be as a fading flower then shall the Lord of Hosts be for a Crown of Glory instead of their Crown of pride ver 3. and for a Diadem of beauty to the residue of his people Oh blessed and beautiful Ornament 3. God is all things for safety and defence to his covenanted people Psal 84.9 11. he is a Sun and a Shield a Sun to direct in times of darkness a Shield to protect in times of danger there are seven words in Psal 18.2 that set forth this self-same thing what a Protection God is to his Children 1. A Rock 2. A Fortress 3. A Deliverer 4. A Strength 5. A Buckler 6. The Horn of his Salvation 7. His High_Tower every one of these hath its peculiar Emphasis and Significancy I cannot take notice of them all only hint at the first and last a Rock you know is a natural defence a Tower is an artificial defence God is both in a sort by way of Covenant in the first respect as our God and Creator in the second as God-man Mediator appointed to be the only succour and shelter of fallen mankind here we may be safe and free from the roaring Lyon the ravening Bear and uncircumcised Philistin he alone is an hiding place from the wind a covert from the tempest and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land Isa 32.2 An admirable place you have in Jer. 17.2 a throne a glorious Throne and a glorious high Throne and this from the beginning is the place not only of our defence but of our sanctuary every word hath its proper weight who dare presume to meddle with a Throne or to surprize a Sanctuary the Glory whereof will affright and appal them it 's an high Throne how can they reach it it is from the beginning the ancient of dayes and so to everlasting and what mortal man can lay siege to this so impregnable a Tower Deut. 33.27 the eternal God is the Saints refuge and underneath them are everlasting armes therefore are they safe from total falling and fear of desperate evils that 's the third 4. God is all things for profit advantage and usefulness to the Saints 't is said money answers all things but God is better than money and answers all things as a precious Saint used to say God's good when gold 's gone no gain in the world like that that God is to the soul God is our riches treasure portion inheritance and our all in all David saith Psal 73.25 26. whom have I
through Jesus Christ is that these are most fully assured to us by the execution of Christs Mediatory Offices both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation Let us here consider 1. Christs Offices 2. His States 1. Christs Offices are of three sorts as 1. Sacerdotal 2. Prophetical 3. Regal 1. As Priest Christ insures to us many Covenant mercies for he hath put himself in our stead offered himself as a propitiatory Sacrifice to satisfie divine justice which is a sweet smelling savour Eph. 5.2 and of infinite value hence it is that Christ is called a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Heb. 2.17 certainly remission of sins is one of the grand mercies of the New Covenant and this Christ assureth as Priest 2. As Prophet he reveals to us the will of his Father opens to us the sealed Book annoints our eyes by his blessed spirit the spirit of Christ inspired the Prophets of the Old Testament 1 Pet. 1.10 11. and the Apostles of the new in writing Scripture and Ministers in Preaching the Gospel and believers in discerning the meaning of the Word and beauty of Christ it is Christ as Prophet that writes his Law in Believers hearts which is one of the great mercies of the new Covenant that inlightens dark minds and unlocks to us Divine Mysteries and bringeth us from darkness to light 3. As King Christ Jesus doth what he pleaseth for the good of his Church converting and subduing souls to himself granting to them the spirit of power love and of a sound mind softening their hard and stony hearts mastering their high and sturdy Wills awing ordering and centring their unruly roving and raging affections subduing their strong corruptions regulating their conversations begetting and increasing their Graces supporting them under and sanctifying their afflictions all which Jesus Christ as King works for his Covenanted ones Yet more particularly in the second place let us consider how our Covenant-mercies are assured to us by Jesus Christ with reference to his two estates of humiliation and exaltation 1. In his estate of exinanition and humiliation here I might run through the instances of his contemptible birth his despicable life i. e. to a carnal eye his being in the form of a servant having no form nor comeliness his hunger thirst wandrings revilings of men wrath of God rage of Devils all these confirm the Covenant if we believe the history of the Gospel but there 's one thing more that put all out of doubt and that is his real ready and voluntary death for as he had a power so he had a will to lay down his life and he dyed for the confirmation of this Covenant and all the mercies thereof a pregnant proof of this you have in Heb. 9.15 the summ of which Text is that Jesus Christ the great Mediatour of this new Covenant hath suffered death for the sins of the elect that were committed against the first Covenant whereby all true believers might have the benefits of the new Covenant more surely and immutably made over to them and this he further comfirmes by the paralel case of a Testament and the Testatour even amongst men ver 16 17. where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator no man can challenge a Legacy till he prove the death of him that left it Thus the Apostle argues Gal. 3.15 Erethren I spâ—ak after the manner of men though it be but a mans Coâ—eâ—ant yâ—t if it be coâ—â—irmed to man disanulleth or addeth thereto for while he is alive he may alter his Will at his pleasure or as reason requireth but when the Testator is dead the heirs may look after their Legacies Jesus Christ is the Testator Saints are the heirs the Legacies are these mercies of the Covenant now the Testator is dead the Legacies come clear and the heirs of promise may claim their interest therein there 's no alteration of the Will when the Testator is dead there 's no reversing true Christians now come to enjoy their estates Christ emptied himself that we might be filled he lost his life that we might live he became poor that we through his poverty might be rich 2 Cor. 8.9 2. Christ's exaltation doth much more assure to us Covenant-mercies which consists in 1. His Resurrection 2. His Ascension and both these do abundantly confirm this to us 1. Christs rising again from the Grave assures us of the certainty of these mercies for though he was dead yet he is alive and so lives to be his own Executor if Christ had been detained Prisoner by the King of Terrours we might groundedly suspect that justice were not satisfied nor mercies fully purchased but he was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Rom. 4.25 and now he hath conquered death and through death he hath destroyed him that had the power of death that is the devil and so hath delivered the heirs of promise from the fear of death Heb. 2.14 15. nay and by his resurrection he raiseth us to a new life of holiness here and a blessed life of happiness hereafter Rom. 6.4 with cap. 8.11 2 Cor. 4.14 Christs Resurrection abundantly clears the Saints from all accusations and condemnation Rom. 8.33 34. in this therefore we may rejoyce and triumph as the foundtain of our consolation See Act. 2.24 25 26. 2. Christs Ascension into Heaven insures and secures Covenant-mercies to us both as it sets him in the holy of holies far above the reach of men and Devils and as he went before to prepare a place for us Joh. 14 2. he bids Mary to tell the Disciples Joh. 20.17 go to my Brethren and say unto them I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and your God q. d. now you may be assured of your interest in God in a Covenant-way for now I have done that work on earth that obstructed your fellowship and obscured your interest so that now you may call him your God and come unto him as your Father without misgivings within or challenges from without There are two things in Christs Ascension that assure these mercies to us 1. His session at Gods right hand 2. His Intercession 1. Jesus Christ is set at Gods right hand in heavenly places Ephes 1.20 and the two following verses afford us two choice considerations that tend further to assure us 1. That he is far above all principality and power might dominion and every name in this world and that to come ver 21. i. e. Christ as man is advanced not only above all States and Potentates on earth but above all Angels and Arch-angels in Heaven therefore far above the Devils none can hinder all are his servants to help forward his design for the good of souls oh what a sweet consideration is this that our nature is advanced thus high yea in the person of the
effected this work and their faculties shall be inlarged to take in more of Gods grace and Wisdom That 's the first instruction 2. Another consequence is this if the mercies of the Covenant be made sure in Christ it lets us see the great difference betwixt Covenant-mercies and common mercies temporal and spiritual mercies Saul's mercies that God takes away and the sure Mercies of David founded upon the Covenant of Grace 1 Chron 17.13 take the difference principally in these four particulars 1. They differ in the Fountain Original and rise thereof or in the affection of the giver outward mercies proceed from common bounty these Gospel-mercies from special grace the former from general munificence the other from peculiar benevolence the former are but crumbs for dogs these are bread for Babes all things come alike to all See Eccles 9.1 2 3. so that none can know love or hatred by the want or abundance of Creature-comforts but the mercies of the Covenant are alwayes tokens of special affection Luther calls the whole Turkish Empire but a morsel east to doggs but one dram of Grace is a Childs Patrimony God hates the wicked though he give them the World he loves the Godly Deus saepedat iâ—atus quod negat propitius though he deny them worldly enjoyments he may give that to his enemies in anger that he denyes his Children in love he gives to many wicked giftless gifts as some call them but he gives his grace his heart himself to his Saints with covenant-Covenant-mercies these are always clear evidences of special love they are Bracelets and Jewels that are sent as love-tokens to the espoused Saint from his Heavenly Husband 2. They differ in the dimensions of the gifts their Natures Properties and Proportionables to the precious and immortal soul Temporal mercies may indeed supply the outward man the cloaths cover nakedness fire may warm meat may fill and drink may quench thirst but all these serve but to supply corporal necessities they do not reach the soul he was a fool that said soul Luke 12.19 20. thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry and well might he be called a fool for alas what were these goods to the soul it was a sensual bruitish soul that could be satisfied with these things they bear no proportion to the nature of the immortal Heaven-born soul it is above them and when it acts it self scorns to feed on such dung or wind 't is recorded of Pasotes who called his friends to a banquet where they should see a Table furnisht with variety and plenty but when the guests went to eat it vanished away into nothing and truly so will worldly enjoyments they promise fair and perform nothing not but that these are useful mercies in their kind and do attain their end which was to accommodate the outward man but they were never designed to satisfie souls but Covenant-mercies fill and feast the soul pardon of sin sense of Gods love Jesus Christ and the benefits flowing from him these are adaequate to the nature and faculties of precious souls these satiate the souls both of Priests and people with fatness and goodness Jer. 31.14 Psal 36.8 yea they are abundantly satisefid with the fatness of his house this living Bread and Water nourisheth immortal souls to eternal life hence it is that holy David prays Psal 40.11 with-hold not thy tender mercies from me O Lord q. d. Lord my soul is a fine delicate thing it cannot down with this course fare of common mercies these Husks are for the Swine of the World I must have Bread at my Fathers Table my soul must have Angels food or it will not like nor live Lord let me have tender mercies for my tender soul otherwise I shall famish and dye therefore he prays again Let thy tender mercies come unto me that I may live Psal 119.77 and again ver 132. Look upon me and be merciful as thou usest to do to those that love thy name David will not be content with any mercies but Saints peculiar priviledges and such as accompany salvation these these only fit and fill suit and satisfie the gaping desires of the immortal soul but other things cannot for you may as soon fill a sack with wit as a soul with wealth Covenant-mercies are only proper for immortal souls that 's the second difference 3. They differ in their efficacy and operation in the effects and impressions they leave upon hearts common mercies never make any better but many worse Covenant-mercies always make the subject where they lodge abundance better common mercies can no more sanctifie than they can satisfie a large share of the World hath been a snare to many souls these things are apt to puff up with pride to steal the heart from God to beget carnal confidence and security which prove the bane of grace Difficile est esse in honore sine tumore Bern. and a bait to sin they that have tryed it find that it's â—ard to have worldly honour without vain-glory to have great estates without a covetous desire and to swim in worldly pleasures without too much sensual delight Oh the sad demonstrations we have had of the truth of this how may the souls of thousands sadly say the world hath undone them it's Syren-songs have bewitcht the credulous and unwary soul the world oftentimes proves a stumbling block of iniquity that obstructs souls in their journey to Heaven and blinds their eyes that they cannot make divine discoveries even good souls have found this sad experiment that outward enjoyments have had a malignant influence upon their spirits they were in a better frame when they are poor then they are since raised in the World according to that Distich Pellitus nunc es fueras sine vestibulante Nudus eras purus crimen amicius habes Well this is the too too common effect of common mercies but Covenant-mercies always make the soul better certainly sanctifying knowledge softening Grace the spirit of faith and holiness leave the soul in a gracious frame and the priviledges of the Covenant reconciliation with God Adoption Justification Assurance Communion with God alwayes work kindly and Evangelically upon the heart these are so many Silver and Silken Cords of Love to draw and joyn the soul to God these mercies are as Coals of fire to melt the heart and make the conscience supple and pliable to the will of God Dives qui multa possidâ—t auâ—o sordidum marsupium at qui justus est bone compositus est de orus Câ—em Alex paedag that cannot be a wicked soul that hath these Mercies and he that hath most of these mercies is the best our perfection consists in possession and participation of these Sure Mercies of David outward mercies are occasions of ripening wicked mens sins to fit them for Hell but Covenant-mercies ripen Saints for glory by filling their souls with Grace and
filling them for Gods use both here and hereafter 4. Common-mercies and Covenant-mercies differ in their duration and continuance and this is the discriminating note in this Text they are called Sure Mercies in opposition to those uncertain riches that take to themselves wings and fly away 1 Tim. 6.18 alas the fashion of the world passeth away earthly enjoyments are but of a short continuance at death they and we must part but many times they leave us before we leave them the dreadful example of many thousands in London in the late astonishing burning confirms this that were very rich and very poor in a few hours many worth thousands in the Morning but before Night had not an House to put their head in our eyes have seen and ears have heard how suddenly vast estates have been pluckt out of the hands of the securest possessours Nemo dives est qui quod habit secum hinc auserre non potest Ambros a night may put an end to the rich fools confident boasting no man is rich who cannot carry away with him that which he hath what we must leave behind us is not ours but some others and this is the certain end of these uncertain enjoyments that lose them we must and we know not when or how and what a condition will a poor worldling be in when his God and he must be parted But now these mercies of the Covenant are lasting yea everlasting mercies they continue even beyond this transitory life and run paralel with the life of God and line of Eternity eternal life is in the rear of spiritual life Grace ends in Glory yea an immortal Crown is one of the mercies of this sure Covenant these are a treasure that is neither subject to inward decays nor outward violence no Moth can corrupt it nor Thief steal it Mat 6.19 20. Well then since this be the vast difference betwixt common and Covenant mercies why should we make so great account of the former and so little of the latter what need have we to advance our hearts and eyes to things that are not seen with bodily eyes and not dote upon things that are seen 2 Cor. 4.18 Valdè protestatus sum 〈◊〉 istis non satia◠our souls must resolve with brave Luther I earnestly protested I would not be put off with these things alas what poor things are outward enjoyments consider the differences mentioned God may hate you though you abound with worldly comforts but Covenant-mercies are infallible tokens of God's love these gifts are not suitable and satisfying to the soul the other are outward mercies will make you no better in the eyes of God or good men but spiritual will render you truly good the world will take its sudden farewell of you and fail you at your greatest need Covenant-mercies will stick by you while you live and bring you blameless before his Throne in Eternal glory here will come in that usual distinction of Bona throni and Bona scabelli 't is these Covenant-mercies that are the good things of the Throne outward mercies are but the good things of the foot-stool let Heaven-born souls mount up to the mercies of the Throne but let the Moon and all sublunary injoyments be under their feet the whole World is too little for the godly man's soul not but that we should be thankful for the least common mercy but we should not be put off with the greatest a little of the World should content a Christian with God all the World should not content him without God Oh how sweet are common-mercies when they come to us in a Covenant-way a morsel sprinkled with Christ's blood hath a delicate rellish this only takes away the poyson venom and malignity that guilt hath brought upon the Creature and reduceth all things to their pristine usefulness and primitive perfection Oh the happiness of the Saints they have all they do enjoy as so many tokens of love as it s said that Cyrus his kiss to Chrysantas was better Gold than the costly Cup of Gold that he gave to Artabarus So common mercies perfumed with Covenant-love are trancendently better than the richest Treasures of wretched Worldlings that 's the second instruction 3. Another inference is this if Covenant-mercies be thus sure then it instructs us in the precedency of Grace above gifts Gifts come upon other terms than Grace God gives grace as a free-hold it hath the promise of this and another World but gifts come upon liking though a father will not cast off his Child yet he may take away his fine Coat and ornaments if he be proud of them Mr. Gurnal Christ armour Mat. 25.29 Luk. 8.18 there are gifts of illumination conviction interpretation elocution Prayer Prophesie which are given for the Churches edification the main difference betwixt gifts and grace is that the former may languish vanish and utterly perish but Grace never totally and finally decays God may give Saul a spirit of Government Judas a gift of Preaching and Miracles Simon Magus a temporary faith and yet repent him of these and pluck them quite away he may and often doth dry up the right arm of an Idol idle shepherd and darkens his right eye of knowledge Zach. 11.17 so that he improves not Talents of gifts from him shall be taken away that which he hath even real gifts and shews of Grace persons eminently gifted may be fire-brands of Hell men may fall from the clearest intellectuals to bruitish sensuality but these gifts and callings of saving grace are without repentance God loveth his own to the end gracious habits shall not be lost the Apostle elegantly expresseth the difference to my hand in 1 Cor. 13.8 Charity i. e. saving grace never faileth but whether there be Prophecies they shall fail whether there be Tongues they shall cease whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away I know the main intent of the place is to commend love above other saving graces from the duration and perpetuity of it that it shall continue and be of use in Heaven yet here 't is opposed to such gifts as may also be lost in this life and however by consequence it will follow that the one is separable from its subject the other not natural men may make a fair shew and flourish with fine gifts which are as it were the trimming and ornament of Grace which yet may through negligence or old age decay and wither true grace may be accompanyed with the guildings and varnish of gifts which may in time wear off whilst a sound principle continues fresh and lively Besides this give me leave to add other four differentes betwixt common gifts and saving graces 1. They differ in respect of their Fountain and spring the original from whence they flow Eph. 16.7 gifts as one saith come from Gods treasury of bounty Grace proceeds from the choice Cabinet of his Love Grace flows to the elect through the blood of Christ from Gods
can easily wink all the bravery of this lower World into blackness and deformity and pitty the sottish sensless sons of men that take up their rest below and neglect the main concernments of Eternity Ah thinks the gracious soul what fools are these that chase these guilded vanities and pant after the dust of the Earth would to God they did but see with these enlightned eyes that Gods spirit hath helpt me to Oh that they did but taste the sweetness of that Grace that my soul is enamoured with they would thirst after the World no more but long for God yea this living loving God and never be content till they come to appear before God How blessed are they that have their sins pardoned hearts purged souls reconciled that have God for their portion and Heaven for their inheritance and eternal mansion 4. The mercies of the Covenant are enlarging and encreasing mercies the Christian that hath them is like the house of David that grows stronger and stronger these are tending to perfection and make the soul strive and thrive in holiness Prov. 4.18 going from step to step from strength to strength pressing towards the mark rising as the Sun unto Noon-day or as the water to the spring yea this water shall still be springing up to eternal life Joh. 4.14 Grace makes the soul long after means of growth and so increase with all increase of God till it be a perfect man in Christ the soul is insatiable and never saith it hath enough till it have arrived to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Ephes 4.13 yea till it have attained to the resurrection of the dead Phil. 3.11 Oh sirs examine your hearts herein how do you come on and increase in Religion do you grow in grace in knowledge faith love humility repentance self-denyal and heavenly-mindedness where 's your proficiency have you found grace like a grain of Mustard-seed have these mercies ripened into the blade and full ear of deliberate and proportionable fruit-bearing a right Christian will never say he is good enough while he sojourns in this lower Region nor yet happy enough till he be with God in Heaven Thus much for the third Use which was an Use of Examination CHAP. IX IV. THE fourth Use is of Conviction Redargation and Reprehension and this falls heavy on the heads 1. Of Sinners 2. Of Saints 1. If the mercies of the Covenant be sure mercies as we have cleared fully Oh what folly are those souls guilty of that are Christless graceless careless souls that have no interest in these mercies and never trouble themselves about ensuring these Covenant-mercies to their own souls how many in the World are destitute of these mercies there is a Generation of Men and Women that live within the pale of the visible Church that may be called Lo-Ruhamah for they have not yet obtained mercy nay in the state they are in there is no mercy for them because they are not yet in Christ through whom these Covenant-mercies flow unconverted souls are unconcerned persons in these mercies these dogs have nothing to do with this Childrens Bread and yet who so apt to catch and snatch these precious dainties they love to hear the glorious priviledges of believers laid open as Justification Reconciliation Adoption and eternal life and yet we must sadly say they have nothing to do with these if they hear Discourses of Gods mercy how are they pleased tickled and even ravished and they make no question but they shall be saved as well as others and they think surely God that made them will not damn them but ask these poor souls whether they be savingly converted renewed ingrafted into Christ by faith alas they know not what this means they never asked their own souls the question nay they are ready to think that is a very needless enquiry or impossible to know however this never lay upon their Hearts and Consciences as necessary in order to clearing up this great case whether they have obtained mercy But let all ignorant sots know that he that made them will not have mercy on them Isa 27.11 let all prophane Rebels against the King of Heaven know that God will not be merciful to any wicked Transgressor Psal 59.5 Gods Attributes are all Analogal and Correspondent he will not cease to be just and holy that he may be merciful he will be merciful in his own way Mercy and Covenant shall go hand in hand 't is a ridiculous folly for men to conceit they shall have the Mercies of the Covenant that are not within the Covenant this is that fallacy that Logicians call fallacia dividendi conjungenda of dividing things to be conjoyned 't is most dangerous and damnable in Divinity when souls dream of having peace without grace happiness without holiness but let men know there 's no mercy but in the Covenant where no ark of the Covenant no seat of mercy where there 's no work of Grace there 's no Covenant of Grace where Christ is a Saviour he will be a Soveraign Act. 5.31 Act. 3.26 where he gives remission of sins he will give repentance his way of blessing is a turning persons from their iniquities God will not shew mercy to any but in his own way such must obtain mercy in converting Grace as obtain mercy in the enjoyment of pardoning Grace sanctification goeth along with Justification Paul obtained mercy by forsaking his own old courses 1 Tim. 1.13 God saveth us according to his mercy how why by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Titus 3.5 they are saved from sin that are saved from wrath and Hell 't is a self-deceiving soul-damning contradiction to dream of pardoning without purging grace thousands in the World fancy a God to themselves made up all of mercy and let them do what they please they can bolster up themselves with this conceit God is merciful and so as God himself saith Psal 50.21 these things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtst that I was altogether such a one as thy self but I will reprove thee and set thy sins in order before thee q. d. think not to make me a Patron of thy wickedness 't is true I spare thee and suffer thee to live quietly but forbearance is no acquittance think not I love thee because I afford thee outward mercies which thou abusest to licentiousness but I am resolved to take vengeance on thee I have justice as well as mercy and I have a season wherein I shall pour out the Vials of â—ny wrath upon Vessels of wrath that are â—itted to destruction a time is coming when â— shall tear you in pieces and there shall be â—one to deliver Oh sirs the condition of graceless unconverted souls is sad for 1. They are under a sure and sad sentence of condemnation for as the mercies â—f the new Covenant are sure to believers â—o the curses of the old Covenant are as
acceptable to God to see souls attracted to him by silken cords of love than scourged to him by severe flashes of wrath Christs souldiers are not so much prest for his service by compulsion as they are volunteers by a spontaneous motion all our duties should be free-will offerings But alas sirs how unwilling and forced are many of our performances how grumbling are we in our actings for God we go to God as though it were our burden not with that delight and chearfulness we ought consider sirs how readily God offers us mercy how freely Christ laid down his life for us how acceptable a work it is to the blessed spirit to apply these mercies to us and be ashamed to be so sour and dull in your performance yea consider the dispensation you are under a Gospel-Covenant made up of mercy and this should ripen our fruits to more sweetness and maturity than the old Testament-dispensation as you know Apricocks and other fruit that are upon a Wall under the direct influence or powerful reflection of the Sun-beams are sooner ripe and sweeter when ripe than such as are in the shadow so our fruits in Gospel-times should be better than theirs under the Law but alas how far do we fall short of Davids warm spirit for God or the holy acts put forth by the Saints of God under types and shadows when these sweet mercies were not so clearly revealed to them and the Sun of Righteousness beat not so hot upon them Ah Christians if you would study mercies more your spirits would be in a better frame for duty David saith I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy Temple Psal 5.7 observe it the sense of Gods mercy is an excellent ingredient in the Worship of God yea it begets an holy awe of God for these two are very consistent and indeed nothing is so prevalent a motive to duty and disswasive from iniquity and perswasive to the exercise of repentance as sense of mercy is this truth Scripture and experience will abundantly confirm But I have been too large on this subject only let Gods Children be humbled for their too too legal spirits and breath after a more Evangelical Spirit by the studying of these mercies rather than poring upon guilt and wrath So much for the fourth Use CHAP. X. V. THE fifth Use of Exhortation is to all sorts of persons to look after their share in these sure mercies of David and oh that I had a Tongue and Pen to drive this nail home Oh what a mercy now would it be if by these sure mercies of David and Discourses about them some soul were enamoured therewith and set in good earnest to make them its own But shall I need to use many arguments to perswade any poor soul to accept of mercy Yes certainly the most part of the World forsake their own mercies by observing lying vanities and they that can experimentally distinguish betwixt a gracious and graceless heart find that 't is the hardest thing in the World to close in with mercies in Gods way 't is an easie thing for a secure sinner to presume upon mercy to make mercy a pillow to sleep upon with ease to build Castles in the Aire and feed our selves with groundless conceits of the mercy of God this any one can do but to be got of our own bottoms to despair in our selves to accept of Jesus Christ give up our selves to God in Covevant venture a troubled heart upon the promises of Free-grace this is an high and hard work an arduous and difficult undertaking but this is done by every converted sinner and a soul never obtains mercy till it be indeed savingly converted 1 Tim. 1.13 if you be Lo-ammi Hos 1.6 9 not Gods people by way of Covenant you are Lo-ruhamah i. e. persons that have not obtained mercy Oh look after an interest in these sure mercies of David Consider 1. Nothing else in the World can be made sure we live in an inconstant World every thing is upon the wheel of change sublunary comforts are like the Moon sometimes at the full and sometimes in the wane nothing continues in a fixed station a man may be rich to day and poor to morrow therefore the Apostle calls them uncertain riches or uncertainty of riches in the abstract now then saith the Apostle Christians must lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come Bavyer Emp. of Germany said Hujusmodi comâ—arandâ—e sunt opâ—s quae cum naâ—fragio simul enatent Non est Paupertas pâ—curiae paucitas sed insatiabilitas quae si reâ—â—sserit qui bonus est dives quogâ—e fuâ—rit Clem. Alexand. Strom. lib. 2. 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Alas riches were never true to any that trusted to them the things of the World are like smoak or sand with which you cannot fill your hand who would be so fond of that which a man knows he cannot keep 't is the part of a wise man to purchase such an estate as he may enjoy friends goods honours health pleasures have their periods but these mercies are sure and everlasting Oh the vast difference it 's very considerable that the things that make us happy can only be made sure but the things of this World which cannot make us happy cannot be made sure and indeed whatever may be lost is not capable of making any truly happy now Heavenly things are durable as well as suitable to the soul therefore let us all take the counsel of our Lord Jesus in Mat. 6.19.20 Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where Thieves break through and steal But lay up for your selves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal 2. Except you have an interest in these sure mercies common mercies are accursed to you nor indeed have you any real Covenant-title to any thing you enjoy whatever interest you have before men in foro humano yet in foro Dei you are in the Court of Heaven in a sort usurpers however you have forfeited all by actual rebellion and have but what you enjoy as condemned Prisoners or Malefactors to keep you alive till execution of the righteous sentence of condemnation Oh the woful condition of Unconverted sinners they are accursed with a Gospel-curse 1 Cor. 16.22 Prov. 3.33 and under a dreadful sentence of excommunication there 's a curse in their houses on their actions on their relations as to them there 's a curse upon their very blessings Mal. 2.2 there 's a plague in their apparel poison in their meat and we may say death is in the Pot as to all their enjoyments my meaning is nothing is truly sanctified or perfumed with Covenant-mercy and if God give it a commission whatever they enjoy may be their bane whithersoever they go a curse goes
with them whatever they partake of a curse meets them in it whoever they are with a curse attends them Oh fearful state it was sad to be under the curse of a mortal man C ham found his Father Noah's curse heavy but oh how heavy is the curse of Almighty God who with a word can send the soul into Hell and follow his stroke into another World dear friends who would live in this cursed state another hour on the contrary whosoever hath these mercies of the Covenant hath all blessings blessed yea and also crosses and in a sort curses are turned into blessings who would not be covetous of such a state But to hasten 3. Without these Covenant-mercies the soul is not accepted in its choicest duties neither person nor performance is owned by God it is only upon a Covenant-account that any are accepted indeed in the Covenant of works the person was accepted for the works sake but in the Covenant of Grace God accepts the person first then the work if the man be in Christ then the offering is taken in good part though it be but a Turtle-dove or young Pigeon though but a sigh or groan God takes a Posie of Flowers of sweet-smelling Graces though mixed with stinking Weeds and pricking Bryars of vanity and corruption gathered by a Child and perfumed by Christs Mediation and is better pleased therewith than with the most odoriferous gifts of uncoverted souls where the heart is destitute of Covenant graces Prov. 15.8 alas the prayer of the wicked is abomination to God the great and jealous God challengeth the wicked man that hath not covenant-Covenant-mercies in his heart for taking Covenant-promises into his mouth Psal 50.16 17. What hast thou to do saith God q. d. thou poor graceless sinner thou profanest my holy name and provokest the eyes of my glory in the works and worship by which thou thinkest thou dost most honour and pleasest me in the state wherein thou art I cannot endure to look towards thee I abhorr thy person and performance thy costly incense is a smoak in my nose I can see through thy painted beauty at thy rotten inside thy guilded Eloquence and Rhetorical Flourishes are no more to me than the roaring of Bears or howling of Doggs get out of my sight thou sorry whining hypocrite all thy duties are as Cyphers and signifie nothing except the Mediatour as the principal and only figure be set before them and the spirit of God write and indite them which are two of the greatest mercies of the new Covenant Ah sirs God doth despise the most melodious Tunes of wicked men Psal 51.17 but a broken and contrite heart he despiseth not that 's sweet Musick in his blessed â—ears for a broaken heart is a Covenant-mercy these mercies are brave Ornaments â—o believing souls and render them lovely and amiable in the sight of God every penitent Tear is a rich Pearl every Prayer pierceth Heaven and fetcheth down abundant incomes from the Throne of Grace Oh what a difference do these mercies make â—n persons performances and acceptance with God 4. Without these mercies you have no solid ground of peace comfort or satisfaction for without these you are not only under the sentence of condemnation but â—ou have no real ground to hope that the sentence shall not be executed this very â—our 't is a wonder to think that graceless â—ouls should be so merry that are hanging over the pit of Hell but by the rotten â—read of a mortal life Oh how suddenly â—ay this brittle glass be broken and they â—e gone for ever for ought they know â—hen they go to bed God may say as â—ce he did to one as rich and secure as â—ese sensual sots this night shall thy soul 〈◊〉 required from thee 't is a wonder to me â—ow souls can rest quietly that are conscious to themselves or groundedly suspect they are not in Covenant with God and so know not that they shall be another moment out of Everlasting torments Redâ—e praevaricatores ad cor inhaerete ei qui sacit vos state cum to stabâ—tis requiescite in eo qâ—ieâ—i eritis Quo itis in aspectu qâ—o itis bonum quod amatis ab illo est sed quantum est illum bonom est ad suave Vid Aug. conf lib. 4. c. 12. but God leaves them to seared Consciences and Satan and the World joyn with their deceitful lusts to lull them asleep till God awake them by true repentance or eternal vengeance but God hath â— time to shake the foundations of this bastard-peace and set the soul upon the sure bottom of Covenant-relation and interest in Jesus Christ which only brings true content and comfort peace that passeth understanding joy in the Holy Ghost and a sweet Sabbath of refreshment to the tossed soul here the noble soul may as iâ— were terminate its desires and expatiate its largest faculties upon its only portion God in Covenant and thence will resulâ— continual ground of triumph and exaltation for these mercies are suitable and adaequate to the immortal soul and will support iâ— under greatest outward pressures and iâ— the hour of death therefore I may conclude this Exhortation with ver 2. of this Chapter Wherefore do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not hearken diligently unto me and cat ye that which is good anâ— let your soul delight it self in fatness 5. These mercies of the Covenant will render your condition safe whatever befalls you we little know what may befall us betwixt this and the grave who knows what a day may bring forth man is born to trouble a Saint is born again to more bad news may come as Jobs Messengers treading in each others steps losses and crosses may put us on sad discouragements Oh but now to have a Covenanted God a Christ and all the fore-mentioned Covenant-mercies to solace the soul what mercy will this be when the true Christian can say I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine my flesh and heart fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever let the Sea roare Men rage Heavens look black and Earth tremble I lye at Anchor in a sure Port I trust in God Psal 112.7 Psal 46.1 2. and fear no evil tidings from below God is my refuge and help yea my present help in time of trouble evils shall either miss me or mend me all winds blow my soul nearer my Haven all dispensations hitch me a step nearer Heaven for all things work together for my good my Covenanted God will teach me to profit by Word Rod by Mercys Crosses Ordinances Providences God is my Sun and Shield to enlighten me in times of darkness to protect me in times of danger he will command a guard of Angels to attend me yea his wings shall cover me his comforts shall refresh my soul he will guide me here
in the way for a staff or bait but not good as a Center or end to terminate your thoughts upon Remember the worst of men may have the best of these blessings yet have them with a curse and may perish with them therefore say as David Psal 119.132 look thou upon me and be merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name Psal 106.4 and elsewhere he desires to be remembred with the favour of Gods people as if David should say Lord there are common mercies which fill the belly cloath the back supply outward wants but these thou givest to the bad as well as good and though these are more than I deserve yet more than these I desire these will only serve me the day and date of my temporal life and will take their leave of me at death but Lord thou hast better mercies to bestow than these even such as will stick by me in life and death mercies that concern the soul such as thou bestowest on Children and on heirs of promise Oh let me come in for my Childs part of those and put me not off with any else none besides will fit or fill my precious soul or serve my turn Josh 17.14 I must say as once the Children of Joseph said to Joshua why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit seeing I am a great people so must I say if I were a bruit Creature one lot of provender for this Carcass would serve my turn but seeing 〈◊〉 am blessed with a noble never-dying soul that hath large capacious faculties 〈◊〉 must have a double portion a single share â—s not enough something that will live â—hen this body is laid in the grave and â—ing is so fit for this immortal soul as 〈◊〉 sure mercies of David Oh that I had my share thereof more than these I cannot reasonably desire expect enjoy and less than these my soul is not content withal 4. Cast out and Cashier all sin break ofâ— thy sinful league with filthy lusts these sure mercies will not lodge in a foul breast where Christ takes up his habitation sin hath not Dominion God and sin go contrary ways mercies mount the soul upwards corruption pulls the soul downwards you must be separate and touch no unclean thing if you would be received embraced as Children and have God for your Father 2 Cor. 6.17 18. be you sure the Throne of iniquity hath no fellowship with God Psal 94.20 and God will challenge such as hate instruction and wilfully run into sin and say Psal 50.16 17 18. what hast thou to do to take my Covenant in thy mouth do not think to yoke Christ and Belial God will not be merciful to any wicked Transgressour do not think to divide mercies and faithfulness make account to enjoy mercies only in the way of truth that you may be able to say as David Psal 119 41. let thy mercies come also unto me O Lord even thy salvation according to thy word q. d. O Lord thou hast mercies to bestow and thou hast told me how and to whom thou wilt distribute these mercies it is to such as fear and love and obey thee and devote themselves to thee why here I am I have served sin and Satan too long now I abhorr the ways in which my soul hath walked I abandon works of darkness I cut off a right-hand sin and pluck out a right-eye lust and now I am in the road of mercy not as though this merited thy favour but as a condition absolutely necessary in the souls of such as obtain mercy Isa 1.16 18. Isa 55.7 according to the precepts and promises of the Word and now though I cannot challenge mercy yet I humbly plead thy promise for mercy even Covenant-mercies I have forsaken my sinful ways and wicked thoughts Psal 119.58 oh be merciful to me according to thy word oh entertain me and then â— shall not lose but change my pleasures â—he sensual pleasures of the flesh for soâ—id sacred and soul-satisfying delights in Christ and Grace thus renounce sin and you shall have what 's infinitely better but that 's not all 5. Renounce your own Righteousness and look after these sure mercies only for mercy sake the wise merchant sold all Mat. 13.46 not only his worldly enjoyments but self-conceited thoughts of his own Righteousness for this pearl of price deny your selves then enjoy God mercy is flighted when you dream of merit the poor Jews that sought to establish their own righteousness would not submit to the Righteousness of God Rom. 10.3 they had something of their own to lean to they â—corned Gods way of saving sinners they would not be beholding to Gods mercy and so went without the poor Publican was justified but the proud Pharisee condemned come as craving Beggars not as rich Purchasers say as David save me for thy mercies sake Psal 6.4 q. d. Lord I am a weak worthless wicked Creature if thou mark iniquity who can stand I am not worthy of one crumb of kindness most worthy of thy fiercest displeasure if thou condemn me thou art righteous if thou save me thou art infinitely gracious Lord when thy wrath is ready to wax hot and justice lifts up thy hand to strike the fatal blow then reflect upon thy working bowels of tender mercy and stop thy hand from a righteous executing of thy justly deserved sentence of condemnation Remember thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindnesses for they have been ever of old Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake O Lord thus that good man pleads with God Psal 25.6 7. and thus do thou come empty handed buy wine and milk without money and without price mercy were not mercy if it were bought at valuable rates but as that 's not possible so that soul that comes to purchase shall be dealt without for all the good things of the Gospel are of free and undeserved gift 6. Close with Jesus Christ the root and spring of these Covenant-mercies I told you in the doctrinal part these mercies are made sure in and by Christ to all the heirs of promise would you then enjoy the benefit of these mercies accept of Jesus Christ by a sound and lively faith you can expect no mercy but through a Mediator grace and truth comes by Jesus Christ Joh. 1.16 all mercy is laid up in Christ as the great Store-house and is to be fetcht out by faith those souls are under a dangerous and soul-damning mistake that imagine God to be any other ways merciful than in Christ it 's even horrible saith Luther to think of God out of Christ this is the only Gospel-way of obtaining mercy Eph. 13.6 God blesseth us with these spiritual blessings in Christ and we are accepted in the beloved Well then how have poor souls interest in Christ this
for God humility and self-denyal and hereby shall you clear up your own souls and others that these mercies of the Covenant belong to you for so saith the Apostle the Lord make you to increase and abound in love to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God 1 Thes 3.12 13. if you have more Grace you may probably have more comfort 9. Lay the stress of your souls upon free-grace the more you mix any conceits of your own righteousness the more you 'l stagger and be disconsolate let free-grace be your foundation and build upon nothing in your selves for your best graces duties excellencies are imperfect and can afford you little solid satisfaction Let Jesus Christ be all in all to you be you nothing at all in your selves Oh God loves to see a poor trembling soul despairing o◠any thing in it self accounting the World as loss and dross flying into the out-stretched arms of free-grace casting it self down a◠his feet and resolving to venture all upon an all-sufficient Saviour and though at present it walk in darkness yet it will cas◠Anchor in the dark Isa 50.10 and trust in the name of the Lord you shall see in due time the mists shall be dispelled and the souls state cleared and the troubled heart fully satisfied 〈◊〉 thus David made account to recover the light of Gods countenance See Psal 33.20 22. and banish disquieting thoughts even by trusting in God Psal 45.5 12. mercy will answer all your doubts and scruples mercy will suit your necessity mercy will revive and rejoyce troubled spirits therefore poor doubting soul though thou canst find no goodness in thy self therefore lookest on thy self as utterly unworthy yea uncapable of interest in Covenant-mercies yet hope in Gods mercy let no mud of thy duties mix with the pure stream of free undeserved mercy and as that will carry thy soul apace to the Ocean of glory so it will bring many sweet refreshing streams of joy and peace into thy heart we have instances of many in the word that judged themselves most unworthy of good as in themselves yet expected and received Mat. 8.8.15.27 both mercy and assurance thereof for mercies sake as Centurion Woman of Canaan and others because as mercy is free so these Covenant-mercies are purchased and ensured by Jesus Christ the Mediator of the Covenant and therefore though there be no goodness in the poor soul to procure these mercies yet there is enough in their surety and as their sins are made over to him so what good is in Christ is made over to the believing soul 1 Cor. 1.30 here is the marrow of the Gospel Yea farther the less goodness an humbled sinner finds in himself the greater evidence hath he that these mercies belong to him Isa 55.1 Mat. 5.3 Rom. 4.5 because he finds even such very persons invited and received yea humility self-denyal and poverty of spirit are mercies of the Covenant and do evidence interest 10. Be much in the duties of thankfulness and chearfulness give God praise and God will give you more grounds of praise bury not his mercies in the grave of forgetfulness especially bless him for Covenant-mercies Alas saith the soul if I were sure I had an interest in these covenant-Covenant-mercies then I could sing to Gods praise and be very thankful but how can I praise God for that which I question whether it belong to me yea or no I Answer thou must bless God that there are such mercies in store for poor sinners and that any poor souls have obtained an interest therein and are carryed to Heaven thereby bless God that you are under a call and capacity to enjoy these Covenant-mercies that God hath not excluded but included you in the universal tender of it yea consider if you have not cause to bless God that he hath been dealing with your hearts in such a manner as he is wont to do with such souls as he brings into Covenant with himself hath he not humbled broken brought your souls off your own bottoms let you see a vanity in the World the excellency and necessity of Christ caused longings and pantings in your souls after these mercies and doth not all this deserve your thankfulness but know further that thankfulness for what you have is a most effectual way to clear up your title and to beget assurance praise raiseth the souls faculties to an high pitch of joy and comfort it is like David's harp to banish away the evil spirit of disquietness or discouragement your praise should wait for God Psal 65.1 Isa 30.18 and you 'l find God waiting to be gracious to you usually a thankful heart is a chearful heart you may sing your selves out of your sorrows as David did frequently he made a song of these mercies of the Covenant even then when he could find little comfort in or benefit by these Covenant-mercies in many regards See Psal 89.1 with ver 38. ad finem thus do you Christians sing your selves into this blessed sleep and soul tranquility 't is the fault of doubting souls that they pore all upon their sins and forget their mercies they think they can never be sufficiently bathed in the tears of repentance and torment their hearts with doubtful thoughts but consider not that a thankful commemoration of mercies is as well their duty as mourning and humiliation yea 't is a sweet heart-chearing God-pleasing duty therefore let Christians be much in this duty as a means of assurance I shall add a word or two to all of us to press after a particular assurance of our interest in these mercies of the Covenant 1. Christians may be assured of their interest we are commanded to make it sure many good souls have arrived to a Plerophory or full assurance 2 Pet. 1.10 experience proves the truth of this Joh. 16.24 Eph. 1.13 Rom. 15 4. 'T is promised See Isa 60.16 Saints have attained to it Job 19.25 Psal 63.1 Gal. 2.20 1 Joh. 3.14 5.19 Cant. 2.16 Isa 45.24 25. God himself hath promised joy and comfort to such as ask it 't is the great office of the spirit to seal up souls to the day of redemption Yea the Scriptures were written to promote our comfort and assurance seals of the Covenant instituted Ordinances and Ministers appointed for this very end and shall we slight this infinite Condescention of God who is so forward to help us shall we use no means or endeavours to ensure these mercies to our souls Oh ingrateful wretches if it were a thing unattainable we might be daunted but how many gracious souls do we see 〈◊〉 hear of that do walk in the light of Gods Countenance and triumph over all opposition in the sense of Gods love and one great Reason why many of us are so full of doubts is our neglect of Gods appointed means for the obtaining of assurance for if it be attainable in the use of ordinary means we
thou forsaken me saith Christ and David his Type yet my God still Psal 51.8 Christians you are not to trust to present feelings David doth not say make me to feel but hear joy and gladness saith one because sense and feeling is of no worth of it self except first we hear it in a promise that 's a fancy that 's felt and not heard from God and we are to build upon a word of promise even when we want the feeling of comfort and 't is not safealtoger the to lean upon former experiences only though these are good secondary helps yet our primary and Principal foundation is God in a Promise as our God in Covenant let a dark and troubled spirit read study and practise that choice instruction Isa 50.10 trust in the name of the Lord there 's enough in Gods name to answer allâ—d ubts read it Exod. 34.5 6 mercy there answers to our misery grace to our undeserving long-suffering to our continued apostacy goodness answers our vileness truth and faithfulness answers to our Covenant-breach and falshood God keeps Covenant though we break it yea God keeps Covenant with us though we are apt to think he breaks it David thought Gods mercy was clean gone and that his Promise failed for evermore but he is convinced at last that that apprehension was his infirmity Psal 77.8 9 10. therefore let a clouded soul in its blackest desertions lift up his eyes and heart to these sure mercies and ponder thus 't is true my soul is dark and God withdraws it is a night of great affliction but was it never day with thee O my soul hath not the blessed day-star of grace risen in thy heart hath not God united thee to Jesus Christ did he never give thee the earnest of his Spirit didst thou never feel the stirrings of its graces or the stealing of its comforts reflect upon thy former state or rather study the freeness and the fulness of Gospel-grace what though I be without any sensible feelings of Gods grace or shinings of his face is not my life sometimes hid with Christ in God even from mine own eyes as well as from others may not the Sun be under a Cloud shall I say my Father doth not love me because he doth not always dandle me upon his knee and evidence his love to me in sweet embraces I am resolved to cleave unto him though he kill me and to believe in him though I cannot see him I will venture my weary soul upon his free-grace in Christ the Covenant is firm its mercies are sure there 's hope in the God of Israel it may be he will cast a propitious aspect on a weary â—oul however I am resolved to lye at his â—eet and act affiance and dependance on his â—mmutable promise whether he ever shine upon my soul or no this will bring a good issue 7. The last case wherein a Christian is to improve these sure mercies of David is in the hour and power of death when that grim Serjeant looks upon us with its ghastly face and arrests us with its cold hand then mercy will stand us in stead and sure mercies will be our sweetest Cordial these mercies pluck out the sting of death perfume the grave make way for the gracious soul to take its flight to glory so that death is now become the Christians friend and servant rest and interest conquest and Crown the Apostle doth therefore reckon up death as one part of the Saints Inventory 1 Cor. 3.21 22. all things are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cephâ—s or the World or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours this is the fullest longest surest title here 's a sufficient enumeration nothing can be wanting either in the mercies ensured or manner of ensuring or the duration it 's to all Eternity and it 's the best and clearest Tenure in capite in the head Christ and 't is both by Purchase and by Conquest nothing is wanting to make these mercies sure for ever for death which dissolves all other bonds of relation doth more firmly and closely joyn God and the gracious soul 't is as a Porter to let them into their Fathers house a divine Limbeck to purifie and prepare them for glory and that voice which calls to the believer saying come up hither in this life souls are but espoused to Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 after death they are presented to him and the marriage is consummated 2 Cor. 5.6 8. ver 1 2. Phil. 1.21 here we are absent from our husband while present in the body but 't is more desirable to be absent from the body and present with the Lord and this is done by a dissolving of the earthly house of this Tabernacle so that hereby death becomes a gain and brings believers to their proper home and why should we be afraid of a stingless Serpent or helpful servant that doth us the greatest kindness why are believers afraid to dye why do they not rather say with that good man egredere anima egredere go forth my soul go forth and meet thy dearly beloved But we need go no further to prove either the immortality of the soul or the commodities of death than the subject we are upon even these sure mercies of David for they continue to David even when he is laid in the grave therefore our Saviour proves the Resurrection from the Covenant with Abraham Numb 18.19 Mat. 32.31 Isaac and Jacob because it is a perpetual Covenant a Covenant of Salt and thus runs the argument God is the God of the living and not of the dead therefore these Patriarchs are living and have an existence because he hath made a Covenant with them otherwise if these arise not then must the Covenant of necessity cease but the Covenant endures for ever therefore those with whom he makes the Covenant must live for ever since God calls himself their God Exod. 3.6 even after they are laid in their graves therefore let Christians rest in hope when they are laying down their heads in the grave for the Scripture saith the righteous have hope in their death the Covenant abides firm still the mercies thereof dye not when the body dyes the Heathens themselves saw this Socrates saith the Swan was Dedicated to Apollo because she sung sweetly before her death and the Romans when their great men dyed and when their bodies were burnt to ashes they caused an Eagle to fly and mount on high to signifie that the soul was immortal and shall not the Children of Promise sing chearfully when their souls are ready to mount up to eternal mansions I confess I am really ashamed when I read Cicero Cicero Tusc Quest lib. 1. De contemnâ—adâ morte Maximum argumentum est naturam ipfam de immo talite animorum tacitam judicare quod omnibus curae sâ—nt maxime quidem quae post mortem futura sâ—nt Serit arbores
they are dear to Jesus Christ but free to us they are purchased with the warmest blood in the veins of the Son of God yea he thought his dearest heart-blood well bestowed to purchase these sure mercies he sees of the Travel of his soul and is well satisfied the fruits of his purchase are the joy of his heart he thinks these worth all his pains pain and dolours God the father is well pleased and accounts these mercies a valuable fruit of his Sons purchase and shall not we be thankful 3. They are Deep mercies Aquae quo sunt profundiores eo sunt puriores quoniam crassa terrea materia in profundum depressa est hinc profunditatem a quarum bibea Ezek. 34.18 high and broad and have all the dimensions of greatness Psal 36.5 6. these mercies can fetch up a drooping despairing soul out of the grave yea out of Hell be the soul sunk as low as sin can make it in this World these mercies can fetch it up and raise it out of the grave and pit of silence and save to the uttermost Oh what a long arm of mercy hath been reached forth unto your troubled hearts in your low estate and doth not this deserve thankfulness 4. They are Designed mercies purposely designed aimed and intended to set forth riches of grace the infinite contrivance of the blessed God to magnifie riches of love to sinners 't is true God intended to set off his power wisdom justice truth but he hath magnified his mercy above all the rest of his name it 's beyond the rest of his works the attributes of God are set very high but mercy sits in the chiefest Throne he declares to Angels and Saints what he can do for sorry man oh advance free-grace 5. They are Dignifying mercies such honour have all his Saints oh what an height doth God raise his Covenant-Children to he deals bountifully with them by these Covenant-mercies was David raised up on high 2 Sam. 23.1 and therefore confesseth that God regarded him according to the estate of a man of high degree 1 Chron. 17.17 and truly it is the highest preferment in the World to partake of these sure mercies and therefore we have great cause of thankfulness 6. They are Sanctifying mercies they season all other mercies and make common mercies to become Covenant-mercies yea they make crosses mercies they perfume the most offensive griefs and are like Moses's Tree that sweetens the Waters of Marah if you poure a paile of Water on the floor it seems a little Sea but pour it into the Ocean it 's swallowed up and seems nothing so afflictions out of the Covenant are intollerable but as in Covenant-love they are inconsiderable the depth of mercies drowns the depth of miseries and is not this ground of thankfulness 7. They are Separating mercies hereby are Gods Children distinguished from all the people that are upon the face of the Earth Exod. 33.16 19. even in their finding grace in Gods sight and his presence with them and making his goodness pass before them if there be any discriminating mercies for any of the Children of men as protection provision direction these Covenant-mercies usher them in and sort them out to the heirs of Promise and if they be good for them they shall partake thereof then bless God 8. They are Sealing mercies they signifie exhibit and represent Gods love to the soul where-ever these mercies are laid up in the breast of a sinner that soul is the Jedidiah or beloved of Gods soul they testifie such a souls relation to God and Gods affection to it wicked men are strangers to Covenant-love Gods people are the proper subjects of these endeared thoughts of Gods heart and are you of that number oh give God the glory of this mercy 9. They are Extensive mercies they are exceeding broad they have wide arms and embrace all the heirs of Promise not a gracious soul though never so poor is left out yea they are largely extended to every Christians state case exigency and necessity let doubts be what they will let â—ears falls faults be sad and soul-astonishing yet these sure mercies will answer all they are commensurate and proportionated to all conditions of soul body estate relations oh bless God for them 10. They are Comprehensive mercies they contain all the good that God promiseth or a soul needeth grace and glory holiness and happiness peace and pardon all our fresh springs are herein the good things of this life and of a better and there are many precious things put forth by this Sun of righteousness in a Covenant-way Oh what cause have we to bless God and admire free-grace that hath not only given us the spiritual good things of his Kingdom righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost but temporal good things by a sure and sweet tenure so that these sure mercies of the Covenant insure unto us the corporal mercies that are good for us and and after another and better manner than any uncovenanted persons though never so great can enjoy them for in a Covenant-way believers do enjoy common-mercies 1. More refinedly taken off the dregs oâ— cares and sorrows Prov. 10.22 a Saints bread Psal 81.16 though never so course is of the finest of the wheat and he is satisfied with honey out of the rock Luk. 8.18 Psal 39. yea they come 2. More really other comforts are but seeming comforts as man walketh in a vain shew so what he enjoys is but a dream but outward comforts coming through the blood of Christ are solid substantial refreshments again they come more 3. Sweetly have not those prickles and stings that worldly things have to natural men Oh the peace and quietness that a Christian enjoys with outward comforts and further comforts come to a Child of God more 4. Serviceably the creature doth homage to its Maker and Masters Children so that what they have is for their good and doth them good and comforts also come more 5. Satisfyingly a Godly man is more contented with his little than the men of the world can be with abundance a little that the righteous hath is better than the riches of many wicked Psal 37.16 and then a Child of God enjoys his comforts in a Covenant-way more safely he needs not fear want bread shall be given him his waters shall be sure Isai 33.16 God is the Christians purse-bearer and it 's in safer hands than in his own and they are here more 7. Lastingly we shall have corporal mercies as long as we need them and when we need them not they shall be swallowed in eternal enjoyments O therefore let the Saints of God be truly thankful let the high praises of God be in their mouths this is the chief rent and reasonable Tribute that God expects for these sure mercies sacrifice these sacrifices of thanksgiving take this Cup of salvation and give God the praise that 's due unto his name Begin that work here in time which shall be fully managed by the ransomed of the Lord to all Eternity this this shall be the burden of the Saints triumphant Song in Heavenly Mansions that glorious pallace shall ring and eccho with the blessed note of mercy mercy free-grace laid the foundation and grace grace only lays the top-stone of Saints glory Oh how will God be admired by and in all that believe at that day well sirs begin those Hosanna's here that will be seconded with Hallelujahs hereafter speak well of your gracious God admire this new-Covenant design and let him have all the glory of this blessed contrivance so shall you accomplish Gods end and evidence your Covenant-interest in these sure mercies of David Thus though these Divine graces which adorn the Temple of a Christians breast do sometimes disappear and sin costs the soul some tears yet the gracious soul hath abundant ground of thankfulness for the whole transaction take it in Divine Herbert's Poem of Church-floor Mark you the floor that square and speckled ston which looks so firm and strong is Patience And th' other black and grave wherewith eacâ— on is checker'd all along Humility The gentle rising which on either hand leads to the Quire above is Confidence But the sweet Cement which in one sure band tyes the whole frame is Love and Charity Hither sometimes sin steals and stains the Marbles neat and curious veins But all is cleansed when the Marble weeps Sometimes death puffing at the door blows all the dust about the floor But while he thinks to spoil the room he sweeps Blest be the Architect whose art could build so strong in a weak heart FINIS
heal your backsliding will not cause his anger to fall upon you because he is marryed to you and he hates putting away the mercies of the Covenant depend not on your mutable wills but upon everlasting love your souls are carryed to Heaven in the Chariot of the Covenant which moves upon the solid Axle-tree of free-grace which as it was not procured so is it not continued by your merits or goodness 't is true if you had carryed the matter so towards men as you have done to God you might expect an heavy sentence but these are the sure mercies of an infinite God the Covenant is made in Christ and made good by Christ the Alpha and Omega the Amen the faithful and true witness is the Surety and Mediator of this blessed Covenant Oh Christians lay your stress here there 's help laid upon one that is mighty to save he can save to the uttermost pinch he is good at this soul-saving work do not fear he that begun this good work in your hearts will perfect it you may be confident of it 1 Pet. 1.5 Rom. 14 4. Jer. 32. you shall be kept by the power of God through faith to salvation though you be very weak yet he is able to make you stand you shall not depart from him omnipotency is engaged for you act faith therefore upon the numerous and gracious promises of perseverance though you have many fightings without and fears within though you feel averseness to good and a tendency to sin wants and weaknesses burdens and breaches snares and sadness yet lift up your hearts you stand upon better terms with God than Adam in innocency or the Angels in glory who were not confirmed in their integrity but are fallen by a dreadful apostacy it were sad for poor believers if their happiness did depend upon their mutable nature or strongest resolutions or if God should revoke his mercies as often as they provoke his justice but blessed be God for Jesus Christ and the rest of the sure mercies of David triumph in this O ye Children of the promise the Covenant wherein your souls are wrapped is ordered in all things and sure Heaven it self is engaged for you the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against you none can pluck you out of his hands who is the rock of Ages in whom is everlasting strength you may confidently make bold and blessed Paul's victorious challenge who shall separate us from the Love of God Rom. 8.35 ad finem though your internal motions be often like Ezekiel's wheel 〈◊〉 16 〈◊〉 intricate confused and perplexed as a wheel in a wheel grace sweying one way and flesh another yet if you be joyned to the living Creatures and united to Christ in the bond of the Covenant you shall go streight on with constancy and uniformity till your souls arrive at glory these mercies are not for a day or week or month or year but they run parallel with the life of God and line of eternity for with everlasting mercies he will have compassion on thee Isa 54.7 8. 6. In case of desertions and Gods withdrawings from him the soul may and must improve these sure mercies of David now desertions are ordinarily distinguisht into Gods withdrawing 1. His quickning 2. His comforting presence from the soul in both these cases the soul may improve them 1. In case God suspend the gracious influences of his spirit and the heart be shut up under deadness hardness unbelief distractions and the poor Christian cannot feel those lively springings of the graces of the Covenant in his heart then let him have recourse to the promise wherein God hath engaged himself to give a soft heart a new spirit faith love repentance the spirit of prayer c. all habits of grace the lively exercise of grace assisting grace quickning enlarging moving melting manifestations are bound up in this Gospel-covenant hence it is that when David â—inds his heart dull and out of frame he runs to God and cryes out my soul cleaveth to the dust ver 107. quicken me according to thy word Psal 119.25 and he goes often over with that phrase which imports that David lay under the sense of some promise that God had made for the quickning of his heart when it was out of frame and accordingly he recounts the gracious influences of Gods spirit and professeth that he will never forget his precepts because by them he had quickned him ver 93. thus let dead hearts lay themselves at Christs feet and plead in this manner Lord my heart is exceeding dull and distracted I feel not those enlarging melting influences which thy Saints have met with but are they not main material mercies of the Covenant dost thou not promise a spirit of illumination conviction humiliation is not holiness of heart and life a main branch of it dost thou not promise therein to write thy Law in my heart to give me oneness of heart to put thy fear within me to subdue my corruptions to help my infirmities in prayer now Lord these are the mercies my soul wants and waits for fill my soul with these warming influences revive thy work of grace in my soul draw out my heart towards thee inlarge my affections to thee repair thine image draw out grace into lively exercise doth not that sweet word intend such a mercy when thou saist Ezek. 36.26 thou wilt not only give a new heart but put a new spirit within me to make my soul lively active and spiritual in duties and motions dear Lord am not I a Covenanted soul and are not these Covenant-mercies why then my God dost thou thus harden my heart from thy fear why dost thou leave me in all this deadness and distraction remember thy word unto thy servant in which thou hast caused me to hope and in which thou hast helped me to plead oh quicken my dull heart according to thy word thus improve these mercies in case of deadness 2. In case of sadness and disconsolateness and the hidings of Gods face from a troubled drooping spirit Oh then make much use of these Covenant-mercies both as they are mercies and as they are sure mercies they are as free and as firm as ever if you see nothing but wickedness and wretchedness in your selves remember mercy prevents you if you see nothing but justice and frowns in Gods face remember his faithfulness ingageth him he is faithful he cannot deny himself would he love thee so as to make thee his and will he not now love thee as his Child consider the Covenant is certain though there be a present suspension thy union to Christ is secured though actual Communion be intercepted yea real unnecessary Communion is continued though sensible manifestations be obscured for observe it the soul holds Communion with Christ by that which desertions cannot hinder salvation may be there though the joy of that salvation be gone Covenant-relation may continue without comfortable satisfaction why bast