becomes Mans Surety to God to perform for him the Conditions on Mans part which he doth by offering himself up to Justice for Sin Rom. 4.25 And by his Spirit of Grace enabling Man to do spiritual homage and obedience to God and by so much was Jesus made the Surety of a better Testament Heb. 2.22 Secondly Christ doth not onely become Mans Surety but actually clears and discharges them from the debt of Sin to Justice and frees Sinners from the penalty of eternal wrath for Sin for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 Herein doth the Suretyship of Christ for Man differ from the suretyship amongst Men for that amongst Men when one becometh Surety for another he contracts for relief from him whose security he is and only lends his Credit for a time but will not pay the debt for him if he can by Law avoid it and if he be constrained to pay it he will force relief from the other if he be able and if not able will treat him with all severity for his own relief but Christ Jesus neither expects or desires any satisfaction or relief but freely of his own good Will pays the Debt and expects no return but the humble and thankful acknowledgment and improvement of the mercy of forgiveness and priviledges obtained by him to the debtor Thirdly He becomes a Curse for sinners and frees them from the Curse due for their sins Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us Gal. 3.13 For it is Written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree Deut. 21.23 Fourthly He doth not only free us from the Curse for Sin and Punishment of Justice but also frees them from all Imputation of guilt for Sin and obtains the condemnatory Sentence of Justice against them to be cancelled and nailed to his Cross of Satisfaction to Justice that the same shall never retort upon them to their prejudice And you being dead in your Sins and the Uncircumcision of the Flesh hath he quickned together with him having forgiven you all Trespasses blotting out the Hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross Colossians 2.13 14. Herein also is a second difference between Christs love to me above that amongst men for when a surety is obliged to pay the Debt of another he taketh Assigments to the Creditors Debt and keeps it on foot against his Friend either to force satisfaction from him or to keep him in constant trouble fear danger and disquiet of mind but Christ doth not only early chearfully and willingly pay the debt but also cancels all the instruments of payment and puts the debt in utter oblivion And remembers their sins no more Isa 43.25 and quiets their Thoughts from the fear of their danger or after trouble for their Debts Fifthly He doth not only satisfie Justice take off the Curse and procure them Indemnity but also procures the Imputation of Righteousness to them as he was made sin for sinner though he knew no sin so he makes them righteous through him though they were altogether unrighteous in themselves And he received the Sign of Circumcision a sign of the Righteousness of Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised that he might be the Father of all them that believe though they be not circumcised that the righteousness might be imputed to them also now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe in him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our Justification Rom. 4.11 24 25. Herein is manifest the excellency of Christs love to sinners above any thing amongst men for men commonly upbraid others with their good offices done and if one man suffer the least injury from another especially in paying a debt for him the same is not only a continual reproach but prejudice so far prevails that they never afterwards assist them in any good office but rather defame and lessen their reputation than advance them to any good though it may be in their power but Christ glorieth in the good Office done and is so far from upbraiding his poor friends Jam. 1.5 That he will not only have all names of reproach from their former transgressions taken off Isa 54.4 but he will have them farther advanced and though they were in themselves unrighteous he will have his own righteousness imputed to them as in the foregoing Scripture 2 Cor. 5.21 and is so tender of their reputation that he will have all their deformities covered and washed away in his own blood Rev. 7.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2.23 24. Who gave himself for us that he might deliver us from this present evil World according to the Will of God and our Father Gal. 1.4 We do not read in Scripture that Christ upbraids any Repenting Sinner with their Sins committed before their Conversion Mary Magdalen after her Conversion was not reproached with uncleanness Peter with denial of Christ nor Paul for his vehement persecuting of him This of upbraiding or reproaching the Penitent with their former transgressions is clear contrary to the Method God takes with his People for in that famous Scripture Eze. 33 The Spirit of God tells us the Righteousness of the Sinner shall not justify him without Repentance and new Obedience When I shall say to the Righteous he shall surely live if he trust to his own Righteousness and commit Iniquity all his Righteousness shall not be remembred but for his Iniquity that he hath commited he shall dye for it verse 13. And on the other hand the Sins of the Penitent shall not be remembred against them If the wicked restore the pledge give again that which he hath robbed and walk in the Statutes of Life without committing Iniquity he shall surely live he shall not dye none of his Sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him he hath done that which is lawful and right he shall surely live ver 15 16. The Lord is a Spirit of meekness tender hearted and compassionate and he knoweth that the regenerate are a people afflicted and broken in Heart for their Sins and under a continual sense of being under a body of death and that they often want the Oil of Joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61.3 To support them under their fainting fits a wounded Spirit who can bear therefore in his gracious condescension he ministers consolation to his People Thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity whose name is holy I dwell in the high and
according to Christs own Doctrine When ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you say we are uprofitable Servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10 As the holy Scriptures of the old and new testament hold out to us the whole complex of Christian duties which being so various and collected from so many several Scriptures and for the better attaining to the knowledge thereof are to be reduced in order under the several heads of the duties of the first and second Table shall by the blessing of God be the subject of the ensuing Discourse Before we proceed to examine the particular duties of Christians under this new Covenant we shall by the way consider the great difference between the bounty and goodness of God to Repenting Sinners and the bounty and goodness of man to one another in which we shall find made good that Scripture As the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my thoughts higher than your thoughts and my ways higher than your ways Isa 55.9 We have discovered that the Lord Jesus Christ his bounty is such that man by sin against God having forfeited his first and happy estate in Paradise and being therefore accursed and concluded under wrath is freely restored by the Sacrifice of Christs Blood and that all required of him in return of such mercies is the due observance of Gods Commands in new obedience and that towards mans performance God in Christ Jesus makes with him an everlasting Covenant that he is their God and they his People That he will give them one Heart and one Way that they may fear him for ever for the good of them and their Children after them Jer. 32.38 39 40. and give them a new Spirit Ezek. 11.19 and I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and ye shall keep my Commandments and do them Jer. 36.27 By which we perceive that as the Lord requires duties on mans part he affords to his people Strength and Grace to perform the duties Commanded which other Benefactors neither do nor can do Secondly The Lord gives power and authority to his people to call on him for a supply of such of his Graces as are necessary for them to enable them to walk with him Ezek. 36.37 I will yet for this be inquired of the House of Israel to do it for them seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened c. Mat. 7.7 8. and in that famous place Ask me of things to come concerning my Sons and my Daughters and the works of my hands command ye me Isa 45.11 Thirdly The Lord doth not only afford stock of Grace by his Spirit and gives a command to call for more supply but he also rewards the right improvement of Grace with fresh Grace he will give Grace for Grace and no good thing will he with-hold from those that fear him Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord Hos 6.3 and this is clear by the parable of the Talents to such as improved more was given and Eternal Life as a reward of their well-doing but he that did not improve what he had was taken from him and he himself was thrust into utter darkness Mat. 25. Fourthly The Lord delighteth in mercy and not in the severity of his Justice and rather desires sinners should repent and live than perish under his Wrath and Justice Cast away all your transgressions whereby you have transgressed and make you a new Heart and a new Spirit for why will you dye O House of Israel for I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth wherefore turn your selves and live Ezek. 18.31 32. As I live saith the Lord I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye for why will ye dye O House of Israel Ezek. 33.11 We see in all these foregoing steps the great desire and zeal the Lord Jesus Christ hath for the good and conversion of sinners and aversation to their distruction but on the other hand we shall find the great prejudice oppression and cruelty of men against one another For first consider any man as a benefactor to another either in that case where any man hath raised some to some degree of preferment or profit either of meer good will or favour and on taking a liking to him as his favourite or for some good office done to him by another makes him some grant to himself and his heirs how frequently doth it happen that either the donor looseth his fancy or forgets the good office to the donec in his own time or like Pharaoh to the Posterity of Joseph and thereby rests not till by some means or other he brings his favourite into disgrace and worms from him the grant with Ignominy and leaves him in worse condition than he found him or makes him the continual Butt of his displeasure and exposeth him to the contempt of others or if any condition be performable on the grant makes the Grantee uneasy and never at quiet until the grant be voided Secondly If on the account of Charity or common course of dealing one Neighbour or Friend happen on some pinching exigent to supply the want of another how frequently doth Pride upbraid the necessitous and covetousness take these advantages that what was lent is called and forced back so unseasonably and in such rigid and hard terms that the calling the thing back after such manner is a greater prejudice than the supply could be a service and many are ruined on pretence of friendship in lending when the event is pernicious and the design appears to have been nothing but covetousness let such persons consider the common duty of Charity of lending without expectation of a return according to Christs Doctrine Love ye your Enemies and do good for evil and lend hoping for nothing again and your reward shall be great and ye shall be the Children of the highest for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil be ye therefore merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful Luke 6.34 35 36. It were advisable such persons would consider it 's only Gods bounty which makes one man in a worldly state to differ from another What hast thou O man that thou hast not received Every Good and every Perfect Gift cometh from the Father of Light Jam. 1.17 The Race is not to the Swift nor the Battel to the Strong but God raiseth up one and casteth down another Let man in prosperity consider it is only by the favour of God he standeth and he that thinketh he standeth let him take heed least he fall And remember what the Psalmist saith When thou Lord rebukest man for Iniquity how dost thou make his beauty to consume like a Mothe Let him consider the Parable of Dives and Lazarus Luke 16.19 to the end and the rich Husbandman in the
63.5 The Sheepheard of Israel is that tender hearted Physitian who sympathiseth with his People In all their Afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence sayed them In his Love and his Pity he Redeemed them and bore them all the days of old Isa 63.9 His compassion is great his Bowels yearn and are turned for them how shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Adma how shall I set thee as Zeboim my heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled Hos 9.8 Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord Jer. 31.20 Am I a God at hand and not a God afar off Jer. 22.23 The Lord cannot forget his People though the Cloud of darkest afflictions may hinder their apprehensions of his love and care of them I have even called thee by thy name though thou hast not known me I am the Lord and there is none else besides me I guarded thee though thou hast not known me I Form the Light and Create Darkness I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things Isa 45.4 5 7. He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds wherefore although the pale and dark side of the Cross should look grim upon the Christian he is by Faith and Patience to look thorough the Cloud to the Conquerours and lay hold of him in his Promises though the Vision tarry wait for it it will speak at last and he that will come shall come and will not tarry Hab. 2.3 No Man did look thorough a paler Cloud than this Prophet Although the Fig-tree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the Vine though the labour of the Olive and the Fields shall yield no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no Heard in the Stall yet will I rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of my Salvation the Lord is my strength and he will make my Feet like Hinds Feet and he will make me to walk upon my High Places Hab. 3.17 18 19. The holy Prophet Micah after he had viewed the folly of all humane expectations weakness and deceitfulness of friends relations and all other Men puts his confidence alone in God and thereby takes great courage and resolution and seems to make Inference of Faith upon the view of humane vanities Therefore I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my Salvation my God will hear me rejoyce not against me O mine Enemy when I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me He will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his Righteousness Mic. 7.1 to 11. The second branch of Gods Promises to his People is of his great Mercy Love and Reconciliation under the greatest Sins the Lord doth not measure his dispensations as Men do their benevolences by scanty measures and do pardon lesser and not greater offences for that Sins of the deepest dye are no bar to his Mercy He came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance In the Language of his Mercy the whole need no Physitian but the Sick Luke 5.31 32. His Invitation is look unto me and be you saved all the Ends of the Earth Isa 45.22 And come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy loaden and I will give you rest Mat. 11.28 My Thoughts are not as your Thoughts neither your Ways my Way saith the Lord for as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my Thoughts higher than your Thoughts c. Isa 55.8 9. Come now let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be made white as Snow though they be red like Crimson they shall be as Wool If you be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the Land but if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured with fire Isa 1.18 19 20. Christ makes a free Market of Mercy and puts no limitation to his bounty but offers freely upon the Sinners acceptance by Faith and Repentance Ho every one that thirsteth come to the Waters buy Milk and Honey without price c. Isa 55.1 2. his satisfaction is for all and for all manner of Sins upon Faith and Repentance God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever should believe in him should not die but have eternal Life John 3.16 17. Christs love is free and respects not the greatness of Sin but the sincerity of Faith and Repentance yea When we were Enemies and without strength Christ died for us Rom. 5 6 7 8. Davids uncleanness and Murther of Uriah was no bar to Divine Mercy 1 King 21.29 Nebuchadnezzar on Repentance found Mercy Dan. 4. Manasses Idolatry Witchcraft and other great Abominations received Mercy on Repentance and When He was in great affliction he sought the Lord and humbled himself greatly before the God of his Fathers and Prayed unto him and he was intreated of him and heard his supplication and brought him again to Jerusalem and into his Kingdom Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God 2 Chron. 32.12 13. Thirdly His Promises upon Relapses although it is ill complexion to sin after receipt of Mercies as with the Dog to the Vomit and the Sow to the Mire yet Repentance in its due qualifications gives a rise to Mercy The Lord had to do with the most stubborn People on the whole Earth who revolted from God in most heinous manner And yet how often did he renew his Mercies to them the whole tract of the Israelites Life was Rebellion and Revolts nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry see their backslidings and the Lords wonderfully renewed Mercies towards them Psal 106. Psal 107. all The Lords wonderful free and early Mercies were eminently manifested to Israel nevertheless see their stupid revolt and ingratitude but they rebelled against him and converted all his kindness and mercies to the feeding of their lusts and abominations of Idolatry Ezek. 16. from 15 to 37. Wherefore the Lord in his Justice sends them under severe punishments to verse 60. and then the Lords anger is pacified towards them and he remembers his Covenant with them when they are ashamed of their sins and abominations and return to the Lord by Repentance to the end of the chapter That thou mayest remember and be confounded and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame when I am pacified towards thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord. The Lords Ear is always open to the cry of a Penitent sinner The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him in Truth Psal 145.18 Repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity
and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb therefore are they before the Throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them they hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any heat for the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and lead them into living Fountains of Waters and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes Rev. 7.14 15 16. Is not here a fair recompence for all possible tribulations losses crosses and sufferings And on the other hand see the end of all the voluptuous pleasures and enjoyments of the Wicked If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his Indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb and the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever Rev. 14.9 10 11. And they shall go forth and look on the Carcasses of men that have transgressed against me for their worm shall not dye and their Fire shall not be quenched and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh Isa 66.2 4. But on the other hand we have the further comfort of the Godly Hear ye the Word of the Lord ye that tremble at his Word your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my names sake said let the Lord be glorified but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Isa 66.5 And then shall the Godly see the accomplishment of these evangelical Prophecies My Servants shall sing for joy of Heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of Heart and howl for vexation of Spirit and leave your name for a Curse to my chosen Isa 59.18 to 22. chap. 65.14 15. and have all the other comfortable Promises and Prophecies made clear to them Isa 50. all chap. 60. chap. 61 chap. 62. chap. 63. chap. 65. chap. 66. As we have viewed mans state from the beginning and traced the steps of his toilsom Pilgrimage to his reconciliation to God by Jesus Christ and placed him in the state of Adoption by the Covenant of Peace we come in the next place to consider the difference of mans estate in the first Adam and his sure and happy condition in the second Adam Jesus Christ the Mediator Man in his first Creation while in obedience was the Darling of God Head and Lord of all the Creatures on Earth and had the priviledge of self pleasing in all the Creatures under restriction of the Command but lusting against the command and exceeding his bounds broke the Chain of obedience and fell under the Curse and thus soon after his being made Lord over the Creatures his concupiscence and ambition of enjoying more and knowing more than what was allowed to him by the Justice of God for his presumption he is deprived of his soveraignty over the other Creatures whereas before they were subject to him he and they also are subjected to the Curse of Enmity I will put enmity between thy Seed and her Seed it shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise its Heel Cursed be the Ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life Gen. 3.14 to 20. Whereas upon the other hand such who have obtained mercy to be within the new Covenant of Peace through Jesus Christ are founded upon surer terms of an everlasting Covenant that cannot fail or be broken and those within it cannot miss of having the priviledges and advantages thereof and these principally are four First This Covenant is everlasting not subject to change or alteration Secondly He is Faithful with whom it is made and cannot fail in his performances Thirdly As God who Covenants with his People is faithful able and willing to perform on his part so he fits his People to perform on their parts Fourthly The great benefit and advantages annexed to this Covenant eternal Life and all Happiness First This Covenant is everlasting how great a consolation must it be to Believers that they are not only reconciled to God and the Curse for Disobedience taken off by Jesus Christ in his blood but also to be within an everlasting Covenant with God and have the Mediator Jesus Christ to make continual Intercession for them for when we were without strength Christ in due time died for the ungodly when we were yet Sinners Christ Died for us much more being now justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath through him if when we were Enemies we were reconciled by his Death much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life Rom. 5.6.7 8 9. Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew to the Heirs of Promise the Immutability of his Counsel confirmed it by an Oath by two Immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye that we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us wh ch hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the Vail whether the fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus made an High Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Heb. 6.17 18 19 20. For this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of his Death for Redemption of the Transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called may receive the Promise of Eternal Inheritance for Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with Hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.15 25. If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 The whole Scriptures are a series of testimonies of this everlasting Covenant with Believers I will betroath thee unto me for ever in righteousness in judgment in loving kindness and mercy I even will betroath thee unto me in faithfulness and thou shalt know the Lord. Hos 2.19 20. This shall be my Covenant not after the manner of their Fathers but a new Covenant and I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their Hearts and they shall be my People and I will be their God Jer. 30.31 to 38. They shall be my People and I will be their God and I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the good of them and their Children after them Jer. 32.38 39. Secondly God is faithful therefore this Covenant founded upon his Promise cannot sail The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11.29 If my Covenant be not with Day and Night and if
the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his Judgments and his Ways past finding out for who hath known the Mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counsellor Rom. 11.33 34. And with the same Apostle That ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and heighth and to know the love of Christ which passeth Knowledge that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God Eph. 3.17 18 19. And to admire Infinite Goodness with the Holy Prophet For since the beginning of the World Man hath not heard nor perceived by the Ear neither hath the Eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him Isa 64.4 And further of the mistery of this love read 1 Tim. 3.16 Psalm 139.17 18. Having thus viewed the first estate of Man in his Innocence and his estate of Apostacy from God and being informed of the mistery of Gods Love and eternal good Will to Man in Christ Jesus we come next to consider how in infinite Wisdom the Redemption of Man is contrived We have already discovered how God of his bounty made man in a happy and glorious estate after his own Image and upon the Condition and Covenant of obedience he was made Lord of all the sublunary Creatures and that God putting Mans Stock in his own hand and though he was sufficiently enabled to perform Obedience nevertheless through the Concupisence of his Heart he broke his Allegiance to God and incurred to himself and posterity the forfeiture of all the glorious Dignities and Priviledges given to him and he and his Posterity were concluded under Misery and Wrath because of Sin so that having no capacity in himself to be reconciled to God and retrieve his loss the Infinite Wisdom and Bounty of God from all Eternity as above is discovered did determine mans Restoration to a better and surer Estate and Condition than what he was in at his first Creation and that same Infinite Wisdom foreseeing that Man having corrupted his Way and Heart the Fountain of Actions And that the Thoughts and Imaginations of his Heart were evil and only evil continually Gen 6.5 And that his Heart was deceitful and desperately wicked Jer. 17.9 And though he intended Mans Restoration and Eternal Happiness yet because of the pravity of Mans Heart he was neither to be treated with upon his own Integrity nor fit to be trusted with a new Stock in his own strength and therefore Heavenly Wisdom appoints the only begotten Son of God and Second Person of the Holy Trinity to be a Mediator for Man and by him enters into an everlasting Covenant with Man which shall be demonstrated in the ensuing Discourse and that as well to satisfie Divine Justice for Mans Transgression as to secure to Man the future Stock of Gods bounty granted unto him by vertue of this New and Second Covenant and what this Covenant is and the terms of it shall be the next Subject of Discourse This Covenant commonly called the Covenant of Grace is mutual between God and Man through the Mediator Jesus Christ who in Scripture is called the Mediator of the New Covenant considering this Covenant we shall First Take notice of the freedom thereof Secondly Of the terms of it First As to the freedom It being apparent that God of his Free-Will and Goodness without any tye necessity or obligation upon him for his own Glory Created the World and Man in that glorious and stately Condition as we have heard and that Man by his Rebellion departing from God had incurred the execution of Justice upon himself and all after Posterity and that the Pravity of Mans Nature was such that it grieved and repented God that he had made Man Gen. 6.6 There lay no obligation upon God to restore lost Man but that God intending to make Bounty and Mercy as it were to triumph over Justice and magnifie his Infinite goodness by the Council of Heaven this mystery of Christs love is contrived by which Justice is satisfied and Man is not only relieved from the servitude of Sin and delivered from wrath to come and insured in a better estate than what he was in at first but also is made Heir to all the most excellent priviledges contained in this new Covenant which shall be branched forch in the ensuing Discourse The frequent testimonies of the Spirit in the New Testament witness the freedom of this Covenant Having Predestinated us to the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his Will Eph. 1.5 But God who is rich in Mercy for his great love wherewith he hath loved us even when we were dead in sins hath he quickened us together in Christ by Grace ye are saved Eph. 2.4 5 11. And not by Works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour that being Justified by his Grace we should be made Heirs according to the hope of Eternal Life Titus 3.5 6 7. For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood to declare his Righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God to declare his righteousness that he may be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus Rom. 3.21 to the end When we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us for if when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life Rom 5.6 to 11. Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our Justification Rom. 4.25 and other innumerable places of Scripture as Rom. 9.11 15 16. Ezek. 16. to 15 and Ezek. 36.17 to 33. James 1.17 By all which we see the blessing of this Covenant coming freely of Grace by the Council of Heaven Christ undertaking for impotent helpless sinners and enemies and this undertaking approved and accepted of by the forbearance of God and the suffering of Christ coming as a propitiation and satisfaction to Justice for Mans offences who was in no capacity to help himself the freedom and excellency of this love of Christ in this new Covenant appears yet more particularly in these respects First As man was of himself incapable to make satisfaction to Justice and reconcile himself to God so he was not fit to be treated with by God in his own person because he had altogether defiled himself and was of no Integrity therefore Jesus Christ
God that justifieth who is he that shall condemn It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the Right Hand of God making intercession for us Rom. 8.1 33 34. Thirdly Is Christ Jesus that triumphant and glorious Champion With dyed Garments from Bozrah having trode the Wine-press of his Fathers wrath alone for sinners Isa 63.1 2 3. Who hath conquered over Hell and Death for sinners 1 Cor. 15.54 55 56 57. Why should a Believer be afraid and doubtful of his Eternal Salvation in Jesus Christ considering he hath his Promise for it who cannot lye I even I am he that comforteth thee who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a Man that shall die and of the Son of Man that shall be made as Grass and forgetteth the Lord thy Maker that hath stretched forth the Heavens and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the Oppressour as if he were ready to destroy and where is the fury of the Oppressour Isa 51.12 13. This one Consideration and Faith in exercise is sufficient to stay the Soul against all discouragements and doubtings Fourthly Is Christ that brightness of the Fathers Glory and express Image of his Person whose Throne is for ever Heb. 1.3 8. Hath he dignified man and abased himself in taking Mans Nature upon him and not the Nature of Angels Heb. 2.16 Art thou amongst men O Christian contemptible as a Worm and no Man looked upon as the abject and of scouring of the Earth as was Christ Psalm 22. Why art thou cast down and disquieted is not Christ thy Eldest Brother hath he taken thy Nature on him for any other end than for thy comfort For that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour those that are tempted Heb. 2.18 Let therefore thy Condition in the World be never so despicable lay thou hold on Christ as thy Sacrifice be comforted in this Though thou hast lien amongst the Pots yet shalt thou be like a Dove whose Wings are covered with Silver and her Feathers with yellow Gold Psal 68.13 Fifthly Is Christ thy King who hath the Keys of Hell and Death who can bind and no man loose and loose and no man bind Rev. 1.18 What Prison Confinement Restraint or Power can keep thee out of his Hands when his appointed time cometh That he will send his word and heal and loose thee Psalm 107.16 20. Rom. 8.35 38 39. Sixthly Is Christ that bountiful Prince who giveth gifts to Men hath he abased himself to Death to make thee a King John 1.12 art thou in Poverty with Lazarus and in thy own sense and humane appearance thy way is hid from God as in the foregoing place nevertheless remember his power and bounty He setteth the poor on high and maketh them families like a Flock the righteous shall see it and rejoice Psalm 1â—7 41 42. Yea remember his Promise believe and be comforted in it I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places Isa 45.3 Prove me now saith the Lord if I will not open thee the Windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it Mal. 3.10 But above all whereas the Wicked and Rich of this World receive their Consolation in this Life Wo to you that are Rich for you have received your Consolation Luke 6.24 Believers shall be Eternally happy And they shall be mine in that day when I make up my Jewels and I will spare him as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him then shall ye return and discern between the Righteous and the Wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Mal. 3.17 18. We have seen in the foregoing discourse the happy condition of man in his first Creation and thereafter his unhappy and miserable estate by reason of sin and also and immediately preceeding this discourse the Lords great clemency and free bounty to Man by the Counsel of Heaven from all Eternity in redeeming Man by a Covenant of free Love in Jesus Christ according to that Scripture O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thy help Hosea 13. and 9. And as this great Salvation is by a Covenant with Jesus Christ wherein he both undertakes for Man and procures Mercies to Man so there are duties incumbent to man on his part of the Covenant Although Man by his first and original sin as hath been already shewn hath disabled himself that he is capable of no performance in himself nevertheless Jesus Christ his surety undertakes for him and he works and accomplisheth all these works in him These Conditions on Mans part are variously expressed in Scripture Moses under the Law tells the People of Israel their duty towards God And now O Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul to keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I command thee for thy good Deut. 10.22 23. The holy Prophet Micah much to the same purpose he hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly love mercy and walk humbly with thy God Mic. 6.8 The duty of Christians under the Gospel and Believers under the Law are morally the same the holy Apostle gives us in divers places the account of our duties under the Gospel Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and of the Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 7.1 And the same Apostle elsewhere For the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all Men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Titus 2.11 12. These foregoing and other Scriptures as well in the old as new Testament hold out to us the material and substantial part of our duties or conditions of the new Covenant on mans part although grace and salvation comes freely unto us by the forbearance of God and free love of Jesus Christ as is already shewen nevertheless it is but reasonable and just that such precious mercies should be answered with conditions on Mans part and the rather for that Man hath neither strength power nor capacity in himself to perform But that as the Covenant is free so grace to perform is freely given and obtained by Jesus Christ James 1.17 and all the performances of Christians though never so exact are but the returning to God what we received from him and though we may better our selves by these performances and thereby render our selves more acceptable to God nevertheless we do not at all profit God thereby for what we can do to God in our Service and Worship is but our Duty and brings him no advantage
Gospel Luke 12.16 to 22. Let him consider Nebuchadnezzar's Fall from the height of Glory to a Brutal State Dan. 4. Let such men remember they are of the same Family and extraction with the poorest that they owe their Life Being and what they have to God and are eternally lost unless reconciled to God in Jesus Christ and that all men by Nature are under Wrath and Debtors to Gods Justice and if he should prove a rigorous exactor who could stand before him therefore they ought equally to have compassion on their Brethren Remember them that are in Bonds as bound with them and them which suffer adversity as being your selves in the Body Hebrews 13.3 Let such remember the Parable of that cruel servant whose Lord forgave to him his debt but he dealing cruelly with his fellow Servant his Lord fell on him and made him irrecoverably miserable Mat. 18.23 to end and these are Christs own words so likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also unto you if ye from your Hearts forgive not every one his Brother their Trespasses Mat. 18.35 It being so known a Truth and fatal to Mankind that all Men in Adam were concluded under Sin and Wrath and that woful experience as well as Scripture teach us That all men except Christ are frequently defiled with actual Transgressions And that no man acquainted with himself can be ignorant of this truth Psal 51.5 Eph. 2.3 Eecles 7.20 And that as all men in Adam are under the condemnation of Wrath and Justice so the only way of Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ Romans 5.18 19. Now that all naturally are under the state of Sin let us consider the duties incumbent for our recovery out of this condition and these are chiefly five First Trace Man what he is in his Estate of Nature Secondly Let us set Original Sin before us as a Beacon Thirdly Study Mortification Fourthly Study Repentance Fifthly Search into the promises of God and believe them The first Duty is to trace Man from his beginning of whom if we take a view we will find him soon after his Creation to fall from his Original Righteousness by breaking the command and eating the forbidden fruit And the Lord saw that the wickedness of Man was great in the Earth and that every Imagination of his Heart was evil and only evil continually Gen. 6.5 7. And see how he is described by the Prophet The Heart of Man is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things who can know it Jeremiah 17.9 See how Man is painted out in his natural defilement Thy Father was an Amorite and thy Mother a Hittite as for thy Nativity in the day that thou wast born thy Navel was not cut neither wast thou washed in Water to supple thee thou wast not washed at all nor salted at all no Eye pittied thee to do any of these things to thee to have compassion on thee but thou wast cast out on the open fields to the loathing of thy person in the day thou wast born Ezek. 16.3 4 5 c. See more of this under the head of original sin We are all as an unclean thing all our unrighteousnesses are as filthy-Rags we do all fade away as a Leaf and our Iniquities like a Wind have taken us away Isa 64.6 Behold I was shapen in Iniquity and in Sin did my Mother conceive me Psal 51.5 He is accursed of God for as many as are under the Law are under the Curse For it is written cursed is every Man which continueth not in every thing which is written in the Book of the Law to do them Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27.26 Secondly Set Original Sin as a Beacon before us The use of a Beacon is to take directions how to steer a right Course to avoid splitting on a Rock or danger or upon Invasion to avoid surprizal by Enemies how great reason hath Man in remembring his lost happiness by sin to avoid splitting on that Rock again Remember Lots Wife struck up into a Pillar of Salt for looking back to sinful Sodom Gen. 19.26 The Passover was appointed to remember the Israelites that the Lord by his Power had rescued them from their Bondage in Egypt Exod. 13.3 The Prophet Hosea in 7 8 9 10 11 12 and 13. chapters of his Prophecies holds forth to us the natural and rebellious frame of Mans Spirit which we should always have under our Eyes The third Duty incumbent is Mortification of all sins and corruptions actual and habitual of whatever quality or degree And that First by applying our selves to Christ by Prayer Wash me and I shall be clean purge me and I shall be whiter than Snow create in me a clean Heart and renew a right Spirit within me Isa 51.7 10. We being naturally defiled must be cleansed by him For he is made to us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 of this more at large hereafter Secondly Get a self loathing for sin we are all as an unclean thing from the sole of the foot to the top of the head and with holy Job abhor thy self and repent in Dust and Ashes Isa 1.6 ch 64.6 Job 42.6 Thirdly Get deep apprehensions of the Infinite and free love of God in Christ And that first in his early Mercy of Mans Redemption and Promise after Mans Fall it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel Gen. 3.15 And admire his infinite goodness of free Mercy When we were without strength Christ in due time died for the ungodly God so loved the World that while we were yet Sinners and Enemies Christ died for us Rom. 8.5 6 9. This is that Emmanuel which was promised for Redemption of Sinners Isa 7.14 ch 11.1 ch 53. all The fourth Duty is Repentance which is a Godly sorrow for sin not to be repented of which according to the Apostles description hath these seven qualifications in it 2 Cor. 7.11 First Carefulness which is an Impartial discovery and searching into all the Thoughts and Actions concealing none nor conniving at any thing of Sin though as dear as right Eye or right Hand If thy right Hand offend cut it off if the right Eye offend pull it out it is profitable that one member perish rather than the whole Body He that loveth Father Brother or Child better than me is not worthy of me he that loseth his Life shall find it and he that saveth his Life shall loose it and he that taketh not up his Cross and followeth not me is not worthy of me Mat. 5.29 30. Mark 9.44 Secondly Clearing your selves That is not only to part with what Lusts we please and confessing what sins we are indifferent to part with but searching and condemning our selves according to the ballance of the Sanctuary To the Law and to the Testimony not by the level of affection and interest Isa 8.20 A Third is Indignation To hate every sin with an implacable prejudice even to hearing seeing touching handling or any
erred from the Faith and pierced themselves through with many Sorrows 1 Tim. 6.7 8 9 10. Thirdly all Humane Enjoyments are short of Christ the Inheritance of the Saints let us narrowly survey with all the Advantagious Aggravations of Humane Excellency all that can be pretended choice good or desirable in the Creature and we shall find them all short to and far exceeded by the inherent excellencies in Christ the Lord of Glory in these particulars First for that all Created Beings have their rise and being from him and he alone is of himself he is the first and the last all things were made by him and without him was nothing made which was made by him were all things Created that are in Heaven and which are in Earth visible or invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were Created by him and for him Col. 1.16 Secondly he is was and alone subsists of himself â—nd all other things were made by him so by him do they subsist in him we live move and have our being Rev. 1.18 Thirdly he is perfect himself all things were made for him and he not for them all things were Created by him and for him Col. 1.16 Fourthly he excelleth all things in Antiquity he is the Antient of Days the First-born of every Creature and First-born from the Dead tbat in all things he might have the Preheminence Col. 1.19 Fifthly in Wisdom he is Wisdom it self and the Fountain of Wisdom in whom are hid all the Treasures of Knowledee and Wisdom If any Man lack Wisdom let him ask it of God who giveth to all Men liberally and upbraideth not read Isaiah 2.6 Col. 2 3. Isa 1.5 Sixthly in Beauty he is the Morning Star the Rose of Sharon the Image of the invisible God who is the brightness of bis Glory and the express Image of his Person Heb. 1.3 Seventhly In power he is Omnipotent and all things else but of limited Power he is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth King of Kings and Lord of Lords in him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 15. Who hath measured the Waters in the hollow of his Hand and metted out Heaven with a Span and comprehended the dust of the Earth in a measure who hath weighed the Earth in Scales and the Hills in a balâ—â—nce the Nations are as a drop of a Bucket and are counted as the small dust of a Ballance he taketh up the Isles as a very little thing all Nations before him are as nothing they are accounted to him less than nothing and vanity Psal 90.2 3 4 5 6. Is 40.12 15 17. Fourthly the fourth difference between things Temporal and Eternal is that Temporal things leave a Man at his Grave and in this Life but Spiritual and Eternal continue with the Saints to all Eternity So as when this miserable Life is ended the Saints are happy in their Death and their Spiritual Life of blessed enjoyments then begins Blessed are the Dead which dye in the Lord they cease from their Labour and their works follow them Rev. 14.13 These Spiritual enjoyments are not seen or apprehended by Carnal sense but are spiritually discerned and are eternal While we look not after things that are seen but after things which are not seen for things which are seen are Temporal but things that are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 The Kingdom of Heaven consists not in Eating and Drinking chambering and wantonness Ryotting and Drunkenness but in Peace and Joy of the Holy Ghost This State of Possession of Spiritual things is briefly comprehended under these Heads First it Commenceth when all Humane Enjoyments fail and continueth to all Eternity Secondly it is incorruptible and not subject to changes Thirdly It is a compleat fulness of all Happiness First when Enjoyments of this Mortal Life leaves a Man at his Grave after he hath experienced the uncertainty vanity and vexation of Spirit touching Humane Enjoyments then he enters upon the quiet possession of Eternal Happiness as in the foregoing Scripture all the People of God are Sealed Marked and Secured from after danger and made firm Pillars in the House of God eternally in the Heavens hurt not the Earth neither the Sea until we have sealed the Servants of the Lord in their Fore-Heads Rev. 3.12 which mark is a white Stone and in it a new Name the Name of Christ and the City of God which is their being renewed by the Spirit of Regeneration Rev. 7.3 Chap. 2.17 They are under an everlasting Covenant with God I will make a Covenant of Peace with them and it shall be an everlasting Covenant and I will place my Sanctuary amongst them for evermore Ez. 37.26 There is therefore now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that justifieth who shall condemn it is Christ that dyeth yea rather that is risen again and maketh intercession for us Rom 8.1 31 34. But on the other hand the Lot of the Wicked after they have enjoyed their good things in this Life like the rich glutton they are confined to everlasting wrath and misery Remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things and Lazarus his evil things therefore thou art now Tormented and he Comforted Luke 16.20 to end The Righteous are brought out of great Tribulation and have their Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb and are Cloathed with the Righteousness and Glory These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and made themselves white in the Blood of the Lamb therefore they are before the Throne of God Day and Night to serve him in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them Rev. 7.14 to 18. And on the other hand the wicked are Chained in everlasting Darkness and tormented with inexpressible Torments so that they desire Death rather than Life if any Man Worship the Beast and his Image or receiveth his Mark in his Forehead or in his Hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his Indignation and shall be Tormented with Fire and Brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb and the smoak of their Torments ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no Rest Day nor Night Rev. 14.9 Chap. 6.12 to end Chap. 9.4 to end Chap. 21.8 27. Secondly this State and Inheritance of the Godly is incorruptible and therefore not Subject to changes or Alterations Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again into a lively Hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead unto an Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in the
Scriptures for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God Rom. 3.23 24 25. Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 8.29.30 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and compassion on whom I will have compassion Rom. 9.15 16. So that it is not of him that wilâ—eth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Ephes 5.8 In hope of eternal Life which God that cannot Lye hath promised before the World began not by works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour Tit. 3.5 6. Secondly This Salvation is to such as are incapable of helping themselves and under most miserable circumstances Christ is that charitable and kind Samaritan to the wounded man by the Thieves who brings help when the Levite and Priest whose Office preach charity passed by without giving any â—elief See that â—â—mous and often repeated place â—n instance of mercy and relief when Man was exposed to all imaginable misery in most contemptible and helpless condition where the bowels of mercy are liberally extended and relief is brought from meer love and pity Ezek. 16. to 9. And that other famous Scripture demonstrate the freedom and fulness of love when Man was in the worst of circumstances when we were without strength Christ died for the ungodly God commendeth his love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us for if when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved throug his Life Rom. 5. to 12. Nothing can be a greater instance of love pity and compassion than the relieving of one in a helpless state so that Christs redeeming of Souls is unparallelled who relieved Enemies without their own help or capacity to relieve themselves and that famous Scripture of causing the Dead Bones to take flesh sinews and life and become a numerous host is a clear emblem of the Infinite and Free love of God and mans incapacity to relieve himself Ezek. 37. And in that famous place of Gods interposing for his People when all friends and relations are treacherous and helpless Micah 7.4 5 6. From all which we may see the eminent instances of Mans self incapacity and miserableness and of the fulness and freedom of Gods Love and early mercies for him Thirdly The third excellency and encouragement in this great Salvation is that it brings with it all suitable helps and supplies to assist us to promote that great Salvation we find the Apostle discovering to us Gods eternal purpose of Mans Redemption he resolved to bring Man to a conformity with his own Will and Image For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he might be the first born among many Brethren Rom. 8.29 Whereby we find God purposed to have the ransomed and such as shall be saved by Christs Blood to be compleatly supplied with all things necessary to adorn and compleat that great Salvation and this is most manifest in the Scripture He that spared not his own Son but gave him up for us all how shall he not also with him freely give us all things Rom. 8.32 He will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will he with-hold from such as fear him seek first the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof then all things else shall be added thereunto Mat. 6.33 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no money come come ye buy and eat without money and without price and let your Soul delight it self in fatness Isa 55.1 2. Here we find a full free and cheap Market of all supplies from whence may clearly be implyed Gods purpose to have his people whom he adopteth heirs of his Kingdom to be compleatly furnished with all things necessary thereunto Fourthly The fourth and sixth may be comprehended in one that this great salvation is compleat and full in that it hath the enjoyment of God in union of the Father by the Son in the Spirit and the Heirs of that Inheritance are made sharers of all Heavenly excellencies In thy presence is fulness of Joy and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore this is more particularly expressed by the manifold priviledges of the glorified Saints and their blessed Inheritance First As it is the restoring of Man from the deepest state of misery and exalting him to the highest pitch of happiness as hath been already shewed Secondly These of that estate are entituled to all things as hath been alreardy shewed Thirdly They shall be exempted from all manner of misery sorrow and grief They have compleat happiness and enjoyment of all things as being eternally united to God by Jesus Christ The fifth and last mystical excellency of this great Salvation is in the method taken by Heavenly Wisdom in the accomplishing of it to wit by Christ the Mediators taking upon him the humane nature and therein making an attonement for Sin in the Flesh This is so great a mystery that it merits all admiration that Jesus Christ though he was from the beginning and from all eternity cloathed with all Majesty and Glory and the first born of all the Creation the Heir of all things by whom the World was made and by whom it subsists who being the brightness of the Fathers glory and express Image of his Person and by himself upholding all things the only begotten Son of God whose Throne is in glory for ever more who laid the Foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the Workmanship of his Hands nevertheless according to the Counsel of his own Will he abased himself to enter into a Virgins Womb and came into the World and under the infirmities of humane Nature suffered the highesâ— indignities that the vilest wretches could have been exposed unto And at last though he knew no sin he gave himself unto Death to make satisfaction for our sins this is that mystery which was hid from the beginning of the World Ephes 3.9 This is the riches of the glorious mystery of love to the Gentiles Col. 1.25 26. Christ the hope of glory And oppositely it is said by the holy Prophet and Apostle Paul Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive besides thee O Lord what great things he hath treasured up for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.3 And though the Tongues of Angels and Men are not able sufficiently to express and unfold this great mystery nevertheless we may sincerely view it in these four heads First The unsearchable dimensions of the love of God to Sinners in his eternal purpose of redeeming the World by Jesus Christ before the World began To make all men see
the wise contriver of our Salvation fits his People for these eternal Mansions of Glory for as the Goldsmith doth purify his mettal by fire and furnace to bring it to the pure and true touch and as the Joiner by Plain and Chissel fashioneth his Wood for his Mortice even so the Lord who is of purer Eyes than can behold Iniquity by his Fatherly chastisements of trials and afflictions doth polish and fit his peoples Hearts and Affections and by blasting the glory of humane enjoyments he raiseth their desires to the heavenly enjoyments and fits and fashions them with suitable qualifications of holiness and having experienced the vanity emptiness and uncertainty of all earthly enjoyments their affections are wholly raised unto and set upon God alone The Prodigal had never thought of the plenty wealth or glory of his Fathers House or of returning thither had it not been that he was pinched and under straits The Church had not thought of returning to her first love had it not been that her Corn and Wine and the delicacies by which she entertained her self with and lived voluptuously were taken away Hos 2. The sixth thing to encourage Believers patiently to bear the Cross is the great prize of Eternal Life already spoken of But here it may be objected that the Doctrine of mortification self-denial and contempt of the World is a comfortless and melancholy Doctrine and Heaven seems only to be obtained on hard and dear terms and that the necessity of loosing all for Heaven will encourage the neglect of Heaven and induce men rather to take Solomons advice in taking pleasure and delight in the Creatures and therein to comfort themselves and thereby they will be the less anxious for Heaven Ecclesiast 11.9 Secondly This Doctrine seems contrary to the Scriptures which promises halcyon days to the Church and great Honour Wealth and prosperity and that Kings shall be her nursing Fathers and Queens her nursing Mothers and that the Saints shall Judge the Earth how then can this consist with the contempt of the World Thirdly This Doctrine seems desparagable and contrary to the Holy Just and good Nature of God to treat the best of his Friends and People with pinches Difficulties and Contempt and to suffer the wicked to enjoy their full delight and amongst Men it will be thought great ingratitude to treat the best of Friends worse than the worst of Enemies As it is most certain from experience and History from the beginning of the World and coming of Christ the People of God have been under the worst of Temporary Circumstances so it is likewise proved in the foregoing Discourse that this is their appointed Lot and this hath also been the stumbling of the Saints and particularly to David the wicked's constant oppulency quiet and prosperity made him much amazed Psalms 10. Psalm 17.9 to 15. Ps 37. Ps 73.3 to 17. Jer. 12.1 See what Holy Job the Patient and Wise saith on this Subject The Wicked become Old they are mighty in Power their Seed is Established in their Sight and Of-spring in their Eyes their Houses are safe from fear the wrath of God is not upon them their Bull gendreth and faileth not their Cow Calveth and casteth not her Calf they send forth their little ones like a Flock and their Children dance they take the Timbrel and Harp and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ they spend their Days in Wealth and in a Moment go down to their Grave wherefore they say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy war what is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit have we if we Pray unto him Job 21.7 to 16. And the same Language was in use in the time of the Prophet Malachy And ye said it is in vain to serve God and what profit have we if we keep his Commandments and Ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts and now we call the proud Happy and they that work wickedness are set up yea even they that tempt God are delivered Mal. 3.14 For the full clearing and answering these Objections let us consider the things in Competition and Weigh them in the Ballance of the Sanctuary and these are chiefly two First The Enjoyments of this sensual Life and Being which are Temporary Secondly Things Spiritual which are Eternal First As God of his Heavenly Wisdom made the World for his own glory and by himself upholds the same and gives to whom he pleaseth what portion thereof he will so it is at his pleasure to recall what he giveth when he will so that Man is but a Sojourner in Earth and Tenant at Will for Life and all Human Enjoyments and Mans claim thereunto is extinguishable at his pleasure Secondly Let us consider the vast disproportion in value between things Temporal and things Spirital Solomon the Wisest and of greatest experience hath given us this Testimony on Record that all Human Enjoyments are but vanity and vexation of Spirit Ecl. 2. all The Apostle Paul in the foregoing Scriptures sheweth the emptiness and vanity of all that may be challenged for good or great in the World that all perish in the using 1 Tim. 6.7 to 17. The Holy Evangelist John gives us the like account 1 John 2.15 16 17. so that the whole that can be pretended to in this World is some present possession of Worlds vanities attended with uneasiness and discontent of Mind uncertainty in the Enjoyment all being subject to change at the plesure of God Thirdly Let us consider the Nature Value and Continuance of things Spiritual things Spiritual litterally understood imply something above the sensual Appetite and Perception and only to be apprehended and enjoyed by the Spirit Mind or Soul of Man the Nobler part and that is Eternal and not seen as described by the Apostle while we look not after things which are seen but after things which are not seen for that which is seen is Temporal but that which is not seen is Eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 In the next place we are to consider what are these Spiritual things which Transcend and are above sensual Enjoyments about which the Soul is only and principally exercised which may be briefly comprized in these four First Jesus Christ the Son of God and Saviour of the World Secondly All Spiritual Endowments and Graces given to the Saints and procured to them by Jesus Christ Thirdly The Sanctified Use of all Temporal and Spiritual Mercies bestowed on the Saints while in time Fourthly Eternal Life obtained and freely bestowed on the Saints by Jesus Christ As to the first God of his own free Will having Created Man in Holiness and Righteousness according to his own Image Gen. 3.6 Scripture and sad experience inform us that our first Parents and we in them have fallen from the Original State of Innocence in which they were Created and thereby the Venom of their sin hath infected and depraved Mans
Nature at such a rate that there being a necessity for an Atonement and satisfaction to Gods Justice for Mans Sin And of a Mediator between God and Man to restore Man to the pure and unspotted Image of God and it being impossible for Men or Angels to make such Atonement or to procure a Mediator The free Love of God raiseth one up even Jesus Christ the Son of God and express Image of his Father to take upon him the shape of a Servant and though he knew no sin to become sin for us so that by taking upon him our Nature and in our shape and place submitting to the Justice of God on the Cross hath paid the Ransom for us and restored fallen man to the Image of God in Righteousness and True Holiness 1 Cor. 15.21 22 47 48. The first Man is of the Earth Earthy the Second Man is the Lord from Heaven and as is the Earthy so are they which are Earthy and as is the Heavenly so are they which are Heavenly and as we have born the Image of the Earthy we also shall bear the Image of the Heavenly and thus Christ having paid the Ransom for Sinners he offers to all Men the free Market of Salvation Pardon and Eternal Life for God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not Perish but have Eternal Life John 3.15 16 17. For when we were without strength Christ dyed for us when we were yet Sinners and Enemies Rom. 5.6 7 8. But it may be Objected that Christ had a Body and Mans Nature and the Resurrection from the Dead seems things under the Comprehension of Sense and Feeling Answer Although Christ had and took on him Mans Nature nevertheless the Mystery of his Incarnation Resurrection Ascension Communication of Garces and Eternal Life procured by him must be apprehended by Faith and can never be reached by Human Sense the Natural Man knoweth not the things of God neither indeed can do because they are spiritually Discerned The Second thing in the Treasury of Spiritual Mercies are the various gifts and graces spiritually bestowed by God to believers in Jesus Christ He that spared not his own Son but freely gave him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Ro. 8.32 These choice and spiritual Mercies may be classed up in these three First Such as are absolutely necessary to Salvation and the actual laying hold on Jesus Christ and applying him in his Merits Sufferings Resurrection and Glorification as the only Mediator between God and Man such is Faith for without Faith it is impossihle to please God Heb. 11.6 Faith is that Grace whereby Christ is owned and upon which Salvation is promised in the foregoing Scripture This is that grace that unites and incorporates Sinners to God for ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus this is that grace which gives Life Sap and being to Christians Now the Just shall live by Faith but if any Man draw back my Soul hath no Delight in him Heb. 10.38 This is the only operative and effectual grace where is boasting then â—t is excluded by what Law by Works Nay by the Law of Faitb therefore we conclude that Man is justified by Faith without the Deeds of the Law Rom. 3.23 Although this of Faith be the chief essential grace on which the being of a Christian depends this flows from the spirit of God from whom are all good and perfect gifts and by him are wrought in us for by grace are ye saved through Faith and not of your selves it iâ— the gift of God Eph. 2 8. The second grace is Holiness without which also it is impossible to please God be ye Holy as your Heavenly Father is Holy who is of purer Eyes than can behold Iniquity this grace qualifieth Sinners to resemble God in Purity Innocence and Righteousness Blessed are the pure in Spirit for they shall see God Math· 5.8 and thus it behoveth Christiaâ—s to be for that Christ having taken on him our Nature to purifie it from all the stains of sin he makes all his Children partakers of the Divine Nature and designing to assemble them in the New Jerusalem where no unclean thing can enter they must all be Holy and Clothed with Righteousness This essential Duty is Recommended and Commanded to us in Scriptures we are all his Workmanship Created in Christ to good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them and are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner Stone in whom all the Building fitly Framed together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2.8 9 20 21. And that ye put off concerning the former Conversation the Old Man which is Corrupt according to the Deceitful Lusts and that you put on the new Man Created according to Holiness Eph. 4.21 to end If ye be risen with Christ seek these things which are above where Christ sitteth at the Right Hand of God set your Affections on things above not on things on Earth for ye are Dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is your Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Mortifie therefore your Members which are on Earth and put on the New Man which is renewed in knowledge aften the Image of him who Created it Col. 3.1 2 3 4. They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit to be Carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace because the Carnal Man is emnity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be so these that are in the flesh cannot please God and if Christ be in you the Body is Dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness for if ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if through the Spirit ye mortifie the Deeds of the flesh ye shall live for as many as are led by the Spirit are the Sons of God Rom. 8.5 7 10 13 14. and every one that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as he is pure 1 John 3.3 The third Special grace coming from this great Magazine of Heavenly Store is Mortification although there is such affinity and connexion amongst spiritual graces that they are not perfect nor compleat but when in one Chain and joyned together yet this grace hath some thing peculiar in it as being that special piece of Accomplishment which frames the Soul to an immediate closing with Christ Mortification is either the curbing or subduing superfluous excrescences or growth of superfluous Humours in the Body or like proud flesh about a wound under Cure or the total destroying of that which hath the Preheminence and may destroy a better Life as the