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A64956 The conversion of the soul, or, A discourse explaining the nature of that conversion which is sincere and directing and perswading all to cease their loving sin and death, and to turn to God and live / by Nathanael Vincent ... Vincent, Nathanael, 1639?-1697.; White, Robert, 1645-1703. 1688 (1688) Wing V403; ESTC R38014 195,915 409

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The Ministers of the Gospel as they are instrumental to seed the Flock so they are instrumental to make the Flock too for the Spirit of God doth accompany their Ministry and makes it effectual to alter corrupted Nature so that those that were before like Dogs like Swine like VVolves like Lyons are changed and they become the Lambs and the Sheep of the Lord Jesus VVhatever kindness is done for the Preachers of the Gospel it is not comparable unto the kindness they do when they are made instrumental unto the Conversion of any Theodosius that wore an Imperial Diadem was sensible of this when he said I thank God more that I have been a member of Christ than that I have been the Emperour of the VVorld The Ministry of the Gospel is the Gift of Christ and if this Gift be despised Christ the giver is contemned and the Father which hath sent him too Luk. 10. 16. He that heareth you heareth me he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me 7. How earnestly should Preachers pray that the Word in their Mouths may be effectual to Conversion Ay and they should call in the help of others Prayers too that they may succeed in the preaching of the Gospel of Reconciliation 2 Thes 3. 1. Finally Brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord might have free course and be glorified even as it is with you Every Sermon that the Preacher makes should be the Gift of Heaven it should be the return of Prayer and both before and after preaching having Heaven and Hell and Precious Souls all in his Eyes together being in a holy agony he should pray with all possible earnestness that precious Souls may not be irrecoverably lost and ruined Memorable is the passage of the Apostles Acts 6. 4. VVe will give our selves continually unto Prayer and unto the Ministry of the word Prayer is first mentioned If by Prayer the Preachers can prevail with God the VVord of God in their Mouths is the more likely to be prevalent with Men. A Preacher should be a man of Bowels and because his own are Marble he should long after the Conversion and Salvation of Souls in the Bowels of Jesus Christ Phil. 1. 8. Alas the Souls that are before him if they won't hear they can't live if they won't repent Destruction is at the door if they won't believe they must be damned and there is no remedy How therefore should we cry to the God whose VVord we preach that he would give Grace to repent Grace to believe Grace to turn to him for though a Paul be the Planter though an Apollo be the Waterer both are nothing but God that gives the increase he is all 1 Cor. 3. 7. 8. If the Word of God be the great means of Conversion then hence I inferr that that Society and Church is to be avoided that takes away this Word from the common People The true Church it doth concern you to know and I will tell you how it may be known it is built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone Eph. 2. 20. There is an agreement between the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets This Doctrine sets forth Christ as the Foundation of a Christians Faith and Hope sets forth Christ as the only Saviour and as a Saviour to the utmost If therefore this Doctrine be decryed by any those that do decry it are to be avoided It is certainly Hellish cruelty unto Souls to take away the means of Conversion and Salvation from them That can't be the Kingdom of Christ the props of which are Ignorance of the Word of God and an implicite Faith in men The Apostle Paul speaks plainly 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost and v. 6. God who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ But the Practice of many plainly shew that they are of another mind and their mind is this that if the Gospel be revealed it is revealed to them that are lost and that God instead of commanding the Light to shine into the minds of those that are saved doth command darkness to abide there still But here is an Objection that must be removed out of the way Say some If the common People are permitted to look into the Word of God instead of being turned to God they are but likely to mistake his Mind and to run into abundance of errour and so to hurt and poyson themselves An ordinary Objection but it is easily answer'd 1. This is plainly to charge the God of Heaven foolishly and blasphemously as if he had given such a dangerous VVord to his Church as that it is not fit or safe for them to make use of The Objectors don't take notice that God hath with such Goodness Wisdom and care compiled the Holy Scripture that it is a Means to prevent running into Errour and the truest Knowledge is derived from hence Hark to the Psalmist Psal 119. 105. Thy VVord it is a Light unto my Feet and a Lamp unto my Path. Wo to them that put Darkness for Light and Light for Darkness And before v. 104. the Psalmist said Through thy Precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way 2. I answer to this Objection That the Jewish Church though in a State of Minority had not the VVord of God withheld from them All were to read it all were to meditate upon it and yield obedience to it Nay observe that even the Children were not to be Ignorant of the Scripture Deut. 6. 6 7. These VVords that I command thee this day shall be in thine Heart and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy Children and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up If the Jewish Church which was a Church in Minority had the Word of God generally vouchsafed certainly the Christian Church ought not to be denyed it which are arrived unto a State of greater Maturity as the Apostle intimates Gal. 4. 1 2 3. Lastly Whereas it is said that if the common People read the Scriptures and study the Word of God they will be in danger of running into Errour I answer How much Errour how much mistake is there in gross Ignorance Besides those men that have been the great broachers of Errour and Heresie in the Church of Christ have been men of great parts and men of profound Learning as Arrius and Pelagius and the rest So that if there was any force in this Objection the Word of God must not be medled with by any at all Blessed be God that the humble have a Promise of Guidance and Instruction from Heaven Psal 25. 9. The meek
which indeed is not this is a daring this is a wicked addition unto the VVord of God but to expound the Scripture by it self to compare the VVord of God with it self that so we may attain to the better understanding of it this is very allowable nay it is a very needful Duty The Apostle Paul doth deliver to us an excellent Rule of Prophesie Rom. 12. 6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us whether prophesie let us prophesie according to the proportion of Faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In our expounding of Scripture this Analogy and proportion of Faith is very much to be observed Now this Analogy or proportion of Faith doth imply the constant mind of God in the more plain parts of the Scripture and therefore contrary unto this a sence of the more obscure parts is in no wise to be admitted The Apostle Peter tells us 2 Pet. 1. 20. That no prophesie of Scripture is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of private interpretation or of Mens own interpretation which I think it had better have been translated This interpretation it may have a double reference either to the inspired Pen-men of Scripture themselves who were the Interpreters of the Mind of God unto the Church and unto the World and they spake nothing that was private they spake nothing that was their own but all that VVord delivered in inspired Scripture it was from God. Or Secondly This Interpretation may have a reference unto the Expounders of Scripture and whosoever they are at this day that do expound the Scripture that Exposition it must not be their own Suppose there was never so great a Council assembled together suppose it was a General Council yet if they deliver any thing that is their own it would be a private Interpretation and it is in no wise to be admitted The VVord of God is a perfect VVord and by it self alone it is to be Interpreted Shall I give you three Rules I wish they were observed The Rules are these In Mans corrupt and fallen state Sin is all in all In Mans renewed state Christ with his Grace and Spirit is all in all And hereafter in Glory God will be all in all If these three Rules were observed it would help you the better to understand the whole Word of God. Thus much be spoken by way of Negation 2. I am to speak by way of Position and in several Propositions I shall tell you in what sence the VVotd of God is perfect 1. The VVord of God is perfect as a Moans and therefore in the using of it your Eye must be unto him who is the Fountain and principal ●●ficient of all that is truely good Natural means as Food to sustain Nature Physick to recover it when it is decayed have their Efficacy from God therefore you read Mat. 4. 4. That man doth not live by Bread alone But now the VVord is a Moral means and consequently the Efficacy of it is not so common and ordinary as the Efficacy of Natural means Nature doth like that which is for its own Preservation but the Souls of men are so corrupted and besotted by sin that they utterly dislike what is for their own benefit Therefore God is seriously to be sought unto that he would bless this Means with success that of his own will he would accompany his VVord and make it effectual to Regeneration James 1. 18. Of his own will begat he us by the Word of Truth Brethren the Means of Grace are to be used as Means and in no wise are they to be advanced higher as if their Efficacy was of themselves Being satisfied in the work done O how many thousands hath it hindered from working out their own Salvation and they have perished for ever because they have thought that bare using of the Means of Grace was sufficient to save them God is very much provoked to Jealousie when we place confidence in our own Endeavours or in the Means of Grace which he hath instituted You are forward to hear the Word of God but you must remember that the Word of God will never be effectual unto your enlivening unto your eternal Happiness unless God work like himself along with it You must hear but your Hope must not be in the Word it self consider'd alone by it self but your Hope must be in God whose Word it is For he hath said Look unto me and be saved all ye ends of the Earth 2. When the first Part of this Word of God was written and given as a Rule of Faith and Worship and Life it was perfect considering the Churches present State. When Israel had no more than Moses's writings that Revelation was perfect and sufficient concerning the will of the God of Israel considering the present state of Israel therefore you read Num. 10. 7. That Moses was faithful in all the House of God. God himself gives him this Testimony He set before Israel life and death and told them the way how the one might be escaped and how the other might be obtained Deut. 30. 19. Moses did faithfully deliver the Moral Law that was first spoken by Gods own Voice and afterwards writ with his own Finger and which is indeed of perpetual Obligation He likewise did faithfully deliver the Ceremonial Law and the Ordinances of it which was a Pre-signification of Jesus Christ what he was to doe how he was to suffer and to dye that he might make an Atonement for Sin and that he might sanctifie and cleanse his Church and People The Apostle Gal. 3. 24. sayes That the Law was our School-master to bring us unto Christ The Moral Law doth force sensible Sinners unto Christ because from the Curse of it they can be delivered no other way but by a Mediator But the Ceremonial Law doth instruct concerning Christ and doth notably display his Sufferings his Satisfaction that he made to the Justice of God and the Benefits of his Crucifixion and so it is our School-master to bring us unto Christ And Moses added the Judicial Law which concerned Israel as they were a Theocracy as they were a Common-wealth of Gods own Ordination and contrivance Thus the Word as a Rule of Faith and Life was perfect and by this Word of God the Elect were instructed to turn to God and at last brought safe to Glory 3. When the New Testament was added to the Old then the Church had the most perfect the most large and compleat Edition of the Word of God. And this was suited unto the Churches Age of greater maturity Heb. 1. 1. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake aforetime unto our Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. And truly the Son who is in the bosom of the Father hath made the fullest Declaration of the Father and of his Will unto the Children of men Christ telleth his Disciples how they were Priviledged in seeing him the
not corrupt themselves Moses knew how prone the Children of Israel were to do thus therefore he wrote the Words of the Law in a Book that they might be a witness against them and hinder their growing stiff-necked and rebellious against the Lord Deut. 31. 24 26 27. Finally the Word was written that Religion it self might not be corrupted nor that go under Gods name which is none of his Were it not for the Holy Scriptures how easily might falshoods and fables and humane inventions be imposed upon us and called the Mind of Christ by men of corrupt minds and dostitute of the Truth Now certainly the Lord has caused so much to be written that may be sufficient to attain his end in writing and if so then it follows that all Doctrines of Faith and Precepts both for the ordering of our Hearts and Lives are sufficiently declared in the Scripture If the Scripture is given to prevent Corruption in Religion the Scripture is perfect that that Corruption may be prevented If we should suppose part of the Doctrines and Precepts of the Gospel never to have been written why was less care taken of these than of the other How easily would these be forgotten and corrupted and how could we be satisfied in their being truly and sincerely conveyed to us 3. Adding to the VVord of God is most severeby forbidden therefore the VVord is perfect Prov. 30. 6. Add thou not unto his VVord least he reprove thee and thou be found a liar Those that are thus presumptuous to add are liars and therefore not to be believed by others and they have reason to be afraid themselves for the Reproof and Rebukes of the Almighty are terrible To instamp the Kings Head upon counterfeit Coyn is no less than Treason VVhen Doctrines and Ceremonies which make gain to be godliness and are inventions of Men shall have Divinity stampt upon them and pretend to be from Heaven this is a daring Treason against the highest Potentate the great Lawgiver who has Power to save and to destroy In the last book of Canonical Scripture just at the close plagues are threatned to be added to any man who shall add thereto and he that shall take away from it God says he will take away his part out of the Book of Life Rev. 22. 18 19. 4. It is another proof of the VVords perfection that all Spirits are to be tried by it Satan himself can transform himself into ●● Angel of light and his Ministers can look like the Ministers of Righteousness There is great need then of Caution 1 Joh. 4. 1. Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God. Now 't is the VVord they are to be tried by The Spirit of Truth and this VVord always agree 't is not a subjecting the Holy Ghost to the Scripture when we observe the agreement between his Instructions his Motions and the Scripture but we follow his own Direction in the case It would not be a subjecting a Prince unto those general Instructions which he himself has given whereby his mind might be known but to examine messages even from the Prince by those Instructions would be VVisdom and Obedience in the Subject The Spirit of errour and falshood may seem to agree with the VVord but if the VVord be diligently heeded the difference will be apparent If the VVord were not perfect but much of the Mind of God were really unwritten the written VVord would be insufficient to be a trial and standard of right Doctrine and it would not have been said To the Law and to the Testimony if they spe●● not according to this VVord it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. 5. The Word of God is perfect for wisdom to eternal Salvation is derived from it Indeed the Wisdom is from the Father of Lights but the written Word is the Means of conveying it 2 Tim. 3. 14 15. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus What the Apostles taught was committed to writing the great Doctrine of Faith in Christ Jesus is here mention'd and this written Word must needs be perfect which was able to make those that received it wise unto Salvation The Wisdom in the Gospel is so accounted by them that are perfect for this VVisdom excells the policy of Princes that come to nought and is ordained unto the Glory of Believers 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the wisdom of this World nor of the princes of this World which come to nought but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the VVorld to our Glory 6. The Effect of the VVord of God proves its perfection for it makes us perfect throughly furnished unto all good works here is right Doctrine to inform the Judgment of what is true here is reproof and conviction of what is errour and falshood Here is correction for miscarriages in practice and instruction in the way of righteousness 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works If by the Man of God you mean the godly Man the Scriptures Perfection is evident in being a Means so throughly to furnish him with Light and Grace to do all the good works his Lord requires If by the Man of God you understand the Minister of Christ the Perfection of the Scripture is the more evident For those that are called Stars in Christs hand Angels of the Churches Labourers in the Lords Vineyard may from the written word be throughly furnished both to teach and to do what is required to save themselves and those that hear them In the third place I am to give you the Reasons why the Perfection of the Word is mentioned when Conversion is spoken of 1. To intimate the Imperfection of the Light of Nature This Light discovers many things and to do those things which are contrary to the Light of Nature is to do very wickedly but can it be said that this Light of Nature is perfect working Grace and converting the Soul The Heathens that had onely this Light and were without Supernatural Revelation did speak several things excellently concerning God they had a Notion of another World of the Souls Immortality and of Rewards and Punishments hereafter and they give remarkable Counsels as to Wisdom and Folly Vice and Vertue But those of them that had the greatest Parts and Learning the sharpest and most piercing eyes to see most they saw nothing of God manifested in the Flesh they understood nothing
Opera Dei s● pius Considerator advertat perhibent testimonium Creatori quid autem borum est quod non sit mirabile si unumquodque ratione metiamur Augustin Euarrat in Psal 118. The Heavens Preach to Men on Earth and plainly Declare their Creators Glory they utter a Voice which all of all Languages may understand here are such lines in which every Eye may read the eternal Power and Godhead of Him of whom and through whom and to whom are all things and who is to be glorifified for evermore Among the other Works of God the Psalmist takes special notice of the Sun in the Firmament whose light and influence is so great and beneficial and then makes a transition to the Law and Word of God whose Light in a sense obscures that glorious Luminary giving such a clear manifestation and affecting knowledge to Man concerning his Maker as turns his Heart to him though naturally blind and foolish alienated and estranged from Him. The Law of the Lord is perfect Converting the Soul. This weighty Argument of Conversion I begin to insist on this day Conversion to God is the Epitome of Religion it is the Summe of Law and Gospel in a few Syllables it is fallen Man's recovery and rising again and the new making of that which Sin had marr'd and spoyled it is the shutting of Hell and is exceedingly opposed by the evil Angels that are there it is the opening of the gate of Heaven There is no Flaming Sword to keep the true Convert from the Tree of Life he shall have entrance into the Paradise of God and be crown'd with Righteousness and Immortality But is not the Tongue of an Angel fitter to be employed in calling to Conversion than that of a mortal Man Is there not need of the loudest Thunder or such an amazing sound as was heard when the Law was delivered on Mount Sinai of old How unlikely alas how unlikely are humane endeavours to be successful since where Conversion is the Power of Satan must be vanquisht the Dominion of Sin unto which the whole World almost is subject must be thrown down the Deaf must be made to hear the Blind must be made to see and the Dead must be raised to the highest Life in this World and that is Life Spiritual and Nature it self must be changed and of Old become New. Lord what is Man that he should be employed in such a work as this the earthen Vessel is weak or rather nothing the Treasure is the Word of God and the Excellency of its Power is of the Lord himself The Law of Lord is perfect Converting the Soul. In the Text there are four things observable 1. The Word of God is called the Law of the Lord. The Law comprehends not only the Preceptive part but also the whole Doctrine revealed in the Holy Scriptures The very Gospel it self is styled the Law of Faith Well may the Word of God be called a Law since its Author is the great Law-giver who has Power to save and to destroy and considering the deep Obligation it layes Man under A principal part of the Word are the Commands of it the Promises and Threatnings are Appendices to the Precepts and the Examples in which both Promises and Threatnings are in some measure fulfilled may strongly excite unto Obedience 2. Here is an excellent Property of this Word of God 't is Perfect though some most impiously make bold with it and eke it out with their own Traditions which they make to be of equal Authority with it yet the Word of God is perfect sufficient as a Means to attain the End whereunto 't is designed turning Sinners to God and making them wise unto Salvation He does most truly consult his own Eternal Peace and Safety and is indeed the wisest Man who refuses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be wise above what is written 3. Here is a notable Effect of the Word of God and that is Conversion The Hebrew has it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and signifies redire faciens making to return some Interpreters referr this to the restoring and comforting Power of the Word of God which brings as it were the Man to life again who was ready to dye away and to sink under the burthen of Sin and Misery But this Consolation supposes Conversion and Repentance and it seems unlikely that the Psalmist enumerating the more remarkable effects of the Word of God should omit this of Conversion which is one of the chiefest among them all 4. The Sincerity of Conversion is signified when the Soul is said to be Converted The Soul is sometimes taken for the Person for the whole Man The whole Man is by Sin corrupted and depraved and strongly inclined to depart from God there is need that the whole should be renewed and reduced Sometimes the Soul is taken for the spiritual and immortal part of Man and when this is enlightned and inclined and turned to God then the very Heart which he so often calls for is given him and the Change that is wrought is inward real saving I raise four Doctrines from the Text. First Conversion to God is of absolute necessity and the great thing he requires of Man. Secondly Conversion to God is then sincere when the Soul is Converted to him Thirdly The Word of God is the great Means of Conversion Fourthly In the Word of God which is the Means of Conversion there is a Perfection and Sufficiency Doct. I. I begin with the first of these Conversion to God is of absolute necessity and the great thing he requires of Man 'T is spoken of in the Text as that which is Man's Duty Man's Benefit and that which is inexpressibly for Mans Interest Converting the Soul is really Saving it and without Conversion there can be no Salvation He that turns from his evil wayes shall live he that is resolved against turning is in effect resolved to ruine himself Death he wills Death he chuses and 't is a strange choice that the Will makes Ezek. 33. 11. As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked should turn from his way and live Turn ye turn ye from your evil wayes for why will you dye O house of Israel In the handling of this Doctrine I shall First Speak of the preparative Antecedents of Conversion Secondly Explain the Nature of Conversion Thirdly Tell you what are the Properties of Conversion Fourthly Demonstrate the necessity of Conversion and the reason why God does so much require it Fifthly Answer the Arguments which the carnal minds of Men object against Conversion the body of Sin may be more and more destroyed 4. In Conversion there is a turning from the power of Satan Unconverted ones are of their Father the Devil and the lusts of their Father they will do but Converts are no longer at his beck they are not led Captive by him at his will
for the prize of the high calling of God. Here is an allusion to them that run in a race who do not look back to see how much they have already run but still look and run forward that they may not miss the prize Things behind may take in earthly things which the Apostle had totally cast behind his back so as never principally to regard them any more Things behind may also take in his past obedience which he does not consider and remember so as to rest in it and leave off running and labouring And as the Word requires us to abide and walk with God so it informs us how we may be sure to do it It tells us of his own right hand which is ready to uphold us that we may follow hard after God Psal 63. 8. It tells us that the Lord is of Power to establish us and to keep us from falling and that if He does hold us up we shall be safe and shall have respect unto his precepts continually Psal 119. 117. The Word directs us to be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 2. 1. who is the Author and Finisher of our Faith the same yesterday and to day and for ever The Word of God shews a greater security than Adam found in Paradice or many of the Angels found in Heaven it self There is a New Covenant made and is to be laid hold upon This Covenant is everlasting sure and admirably well ordered 't is established by the Death and Blood of Christ the Mediator of it 't is confirmed by the Oath of God and by the Sacraments which are as it were two broad Seals of Heaven annexed to it The faithful God will keep Covenant on his part and he engages for his People that they on their part shall keep his Covenant and his Testimonies Jer. 32. 40. I will not turn away from them to do them good and I will put my fear in their Hearts that they shall not depart from me 7. The Word of God is so perfect as to guide and bring us safe to Glory Psal 73. 23 24. Nevertheless I am continually with thee thou hast holden me by my right hand thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel and afterwards receive to Glory This Word shews the path of Life the way Everlasting that leads unto the Lords glorious Presence where there is fulness of Joy and Pleasures for evermore None ever miscarried that follow'd this Words conduct It came from Heaven and it guides safely thither All flesh is grass and all the Glory of man as the flower of the Field but the Word of God is incorruptible and abides for ever 't is by this that Believers are wrought upon and raised and fitted for a blessed Immortality Their Treasure Hearts and Conversations are in Heaven now while themselves are here on Earth and they are growing more meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. Admirable is the Perfection of the Word that will infallibly bring all that Believe and Love and walk according to it unto that blessed place and State where there will be a Perfection of Light and of Delight a perfection of Righteousness and Holiness a perfection of Happiness and Joy and all this will last in the highest perfection to Eternity The Apostle commends those of Ephesus of whom he takes his last leave unto the Grace and to the Word of God he knew very well that this was the way to be built up to Glory Act. 20. 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an Inheritance among all them that are sanctified You see in what sense the Word of God is perfect In the second place I am to prove by Arguments the Perfection and Sufficiency of this Word of God. 1. The Perfection of the Word is very plainly asserted in Scripture and if God himself affirms his Word to be perfect that Man must needs be very bold and a great Lyar who shall charge it with imperfection my Text is an evident Testimony The Law of the Lord is perfect it makes the simple wise and Converts sinful Souls to God. The Psalmist tells us He had seen an end of all Perfection and then adds but thy Commandment is exceeding broad Psal 119. 96. The greatness of the Greatest the riches of the Richest the wisdom of the Wisest he had lookt through and lookt beyond but the perfect Word of God was a Direction a Support and a Satisfaction to Him when every thing else failed In this Word there is Wisdom and Mercy and Grace without bounds or limits It cleanses the Hearts and Hands of Sinners and is useful to Saints to the very end of their days and makes their end Peace Nay 't is the Churches Heritage which she lives Holily and well upon in all Generations The Apostle calls the VVord of God a perfect Law of Liberty Jam. 1. 25. But whoso looketh into this perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the Work this man shall be blessed in his deed 'T is called a Law of Liberty because the commands of the Word so far as they are obeyed do make the Obedient free from sin whose service is indeed slavery and being free from sins servitude they are no longer under guilt the curse or wrath but they have the liberty the Priviledges of the Children of God. 'T is called a perfect Law of Liberty because the Doer of it that perseveres in his Obedience shall certainly be blessed in his deed This Law does not only command but Grace and Strength from the Spirit goes along with it which causes it to be kept and the fruit being unto Holiness the End will be Life eternal 2. By the Perfection of the Word in the Scriptures the end of committing it to writing is obtained I grant there was a Church and the Word of God in it before there was a Scripture and then the Lord conveyed his Mind from Father to Son by Tradition and this was more easie to be done when men were so very long lived as to continue upon Earth very near a thousand years Methuselah lived in the days of Adam Shem in the days of Methuselah and Isaac is observed to have been born and grown up to be a man before Shem was taken out of the World. But afterwards it pleased the Lord that Tradition should be no longer trusted but to prevent Corruption in Religion we have a written Word which all are to give diligent heed to The Word was written that God might not be forgotten the Scripture being consulted is the means to keep up the remembrance of him in all ages The Apostle Peter tells us he therefore set Pen to Paper that after his decease the things of God might be had always in remembrance 2 Pet. 1. 15. The Word was written that Men might
you will deem your selves you will be ●ost about with every wind of Doctrine your Heads and Hearts too will be strongly possest by the evil Spirit and having run through all Forms of Religion you may at length cast off the very Profession and Form of Godliness and degenerate even into the rankest Atheism living and oh dreadful dying also without God! 2. Take heed of those who charge the written Word of God with Impersection whatever pains such may take to make Proselytes of you certainly they are not likely to turn you to God who endeavour to instill a prejudice into you against his Word They that disparage the Holy Scripture as unnecessary as obscure as onely occasionally written and not fully declaring the Mind of God whatever they pretend really the Scripture is against them and their false Opinions and carnal Interest and that 's the true ground of their quarrel with it Open the door for unwritten Traditions and at that Door the foulest Heresies will presently enter and pretend to great Antiquity nay to Divine Authority St. Cyprian Epist 74. Vnde est ista Traditio utrum de dominica evangelica auctoritate descendens an de Apostolorum mandatis atque epistolia ●eniens E●●nim facienda quae scrip●●● 〈◊〉 D●●● testatur Si ergo in Evangelio praecipitur aut in Apostolorum 〈…〉 Actibus conti●●tur observetur hac divina 〈◊〉 sanctae traditio Cyprian Epist 74. Pompeio fratri tells us plainly That that is to be allowed as an holy and divine tradition that is commanded in the Gospel or contained in the Epistles or Acts of the Apostles This Man was a Father very Ancient and a Martyr too for the Faith of Christ Keep stedfast and attentive to the Word of God. They who would lead you into Paths no where in Scripture to be found would mislead you Christ is to be heard and 't is in his Word that his voice sounds his own sheep know his voice and follow him but a Stranger they will not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of Strangers Joh. 10. 4 5. The Apostle signifies that they who teach a voluntary humility the worshipping of Angels the neglect of the body or any other Will-worship though there be never so great a shew of wisdom in it they do but go about to beguile others and are vainly puft up with a fleshly mind themselves because these things have no warrant from the Word of God Col. 2. 18. 23. 3. Take heed of of a profane contempt of this Word of God which is such a perfect Remedy and which you all do so much need What are you more afraid of the Medicine than the Malady More afraid of that VVord which is such a means to turn you than of Sin which is ready to ruine you To throw your Silver and Gold about the Streets to burn your Houses down to the ground setting Fire to them with your own hands to cast your Food which you should live upon unto the Dogs is nothing neer so pernicious a madness as to contemn the Word of God the great Means of Conversion and Salvation Preferr not the Curse before the Blessing when both are set before you Chuse not death when if you are but willing to live Holily and Happily Eternal Life will be your own Esau is branded as a profane and foolish Wretch who for one morfel of Meat sold his Birth-right Heb. 12. 16. And what folly and profaneness will you discover if you mind only the vanities of this World the fashion of which passes away and neglect all that Grace and Glory whereof in the Word of God you have so full and compleat a discovery Where is the Faith where is the Reason where is the Self-love of that Man who despiseth a perfect Word which perfectly shewes the way to an everlasting Kingdom Consider this and shew your selves Men O ye Transgressors VSE II. Of Counsel and that in several particulars 1. Take notice of the Divinity of the Word in its Perfection God himself is Perfect his works are perfect and so is his VVord The Words Perfection shews its Original Divine Wisdom Holiness Grace and Mercy how illustrious are they in the Scripture The Laws from Mount Sinai are such in both the Tables as speak more than what is Humane more than the disposition of Angels and evidently shew that the Wise the Good the Righteous Jehovah was the Legislator The Mysteries of the Gospel are the deep things of God 1 Cor. 10. 11. which could never have entred into Mans Heart and Understanding if the Spirit of God had not revealed them Here is a Depth of counsel and knowledg an highth of Love which was from Eternity which shall never change in time and which will continue unalterable to Eternity Precepts are plain and full Promises precious threats though severe yet needful One God is made known and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. Distinctions ubi lex non distinguit where the Word distinguishes not are in no wise to be admitted It is through the Son not by Angels and Saints in Heaven that we have access by one Spirit unto the Father Eph. 2. 18. This is the true Worship this is the right way keep in it and be safe There are several external motives of credibility and there are intrinsick evidences in the word it self that 't is of God and among the rest its Perfection is a great one And 't is observable that they who deny its Perfection do make its Authority to be dependent and precarious 2. Admire the Perfection and fulness of the written Word It was a noble saying of * Scriptu● esse doceat Hermogenis officina si non est scriptum timeat Vae illud adjicientibus aut detrahentibus destitiatum Tertul. lib. adversus Hermog cap. 22. Tertullian Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem I adore the fulness of the Scripture We need no more than what is there upon record to bring us to the true knowledg of God and to make us increase in spiritual understanding and the more we look into the Scripture we shall still see more and more in it to raise our admiration to take our Hearts and our Affections The Scripture is a Mine out of which comes nothing but what is Sound and Pure helps to understand it are to be valued But by these helps we must take heed of being drawn off from it self This Mine is farther and farther to be searched into for we are to be growing in Grace and Knowledge all our days 2 Pet. 3. ult And Solomon tells us that this searching will not be lost labour Prov. 2. 4 5 6 7. If thou seekest her as Silver and searchest for her as for hid treasure then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the Knowledg of God for the Lord giveth wisdom out of his Mouth cometh Knowledge and Vnderstanding he layeth up sound wisdom for
importunity and solicitations of Satans Instruments but for a Man to be at defiance with himself to be continually almost chiding loathing crossing and opposing himself in this lies the most difficult part of the Christian warfare Within the Converts own Breast is the very heat of the Battel Oh what striving is there against Self-exalting Imaginations what struggling against Self-will and selfish affections and designs And with good reason is Self thus opposed by the Convert since Self does so much oppose the Converts Salvation And if turning be thus Self-denying the prevalency of carnal Interest and the power of Self among Professors of Religion proves that though they are externally Called yet there are few sincere Converts among them How tender are they in point of Gain and Honour and Reputation every person and thing that here stands in their way is a great eye-sore Religion shall stoop to worldly Interest this shall be secured though Faith and Conscience be cast over-board Thus have I consider'd Conversion with reference to the Sinner himself Fourthly Conversion may be consider'd with reference to God The Sinner forsakes him and rebels against him the Convert ●eturns and submits to him 'T is God that ●alls to Conversion and 't is Conversion to ●imself that he calls for Zech. 1. 3. Turn ●e unto me saith the Lord of Hosts and I ●ill turn unto you saith the Lord of Hosts 1. Conversion is a turning to the living ●nd true God 1 Thes 1. 9 10. Ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from Heaven ●ven Jesus who delivered us from the Wrath ●o come The glorious and gracious Jeho●ah who made Heaven and Earth and ●reserves and governs all things who promised a Seed to Adam that should bruise ●he Serpents Head who renewed his Cove●ant with Abraham who spake from Mount Sinai to Israel who has deliver'd lively Ora●les by the Prophets and Apostles in the Ho●y Scriptures and who is the God and Fa●her of Jesus Christ and has sent him to ●e a Propitiation and Saviour this Jeho●ah is the only living and true God and ●s such is known and acknowledged by ●very true Convert 2. Conversion is a turning to God for Himself Jer. 4. 1. If thou wilt return O Is●ael saith the Lord return unto me q. d. 〈◊〉 Israel expect all safety protection all manner of Benefits and Blessings from my hand but place thy principal happiness in my self The Hypocrite seems to turn and seek unto God but 't is for the Creatures sake his Security or advantage is in his Eye The Convert by the Creatures is led unto God and though he should receive never so many temporal Mercies he would look upon himself as miserable unless with the Mercies he enjoyed the Father of them 3. Conversion is a choosing of God before all things such a choice is wise and rational Moses saw Him that is Invisible and saw so much in him that the Egyptian Crown and Throne were esteemed trifles in comparison of Communion with the God of Israel The Psalmist though he had just had a sight of worldly Mens Prosperity and was ready to envy them their happiness yet going into the Sanctuary he did discern that in God which eclips'd and obscured the whole World with all its Wealth and Dignity and made it look but like a great and empty Bubble and he cries out Psal 73. 25. Whom have 〈◊〉 in Heaven but Thee and there is none o● Earth that I desire besides Thee The Convert chuses God for his Portion and accounts no other heritage so goodly He had rather have the Lord to be his God his own God as the Phrase is Psal 67. 6. and ●o enjoy the light of his countenance than ●o have the greatest abundance of Corn and Wine and whatsoever on Earth is call'd desirable There is a twofold enjoyment of God on Earth and in Heaven On Earth God is known but in part and Sin remaining in the very best is still a bar unto compleat Communion with him which shall be the priviledge of all that come to Heaven The Convert values fellowship with God in his Ordinances but principally ●ongs for the Vision of God face to face in his Kingdom he begs to be kept in the path of Life and to be brought at last to that heavenly City which has eternal foundations in which God does for ever vouchsafe his glorious Presence where God himself is All in All where there is fulness of Joy and Pleasures forevermore Psal 16. ●ult 4. Conversion is a devoting the whole Man to God. 'T is said of the Macedonians that most willingly they gave of their substance to a good use and they gave their own selves unto the Lord 2 Cor. 8. 5. Whos 's I am says the Apostle and whom I serve Act. 27. 23. 'T is the very Language of a Convert and he speaks it from his Heart The Convert is sensible he is not a Debtor to the flesh to live after the flesh Fleshly Lusts do war against the Soul and he that lives after the flesh shall dye Neither is he a Debtor to the World the World is not worthy of his Heart which can neither be a sufficient Price for Mans Redemption nor affords him any true Contentment But the Convert reckons himself a Debtor to God as his Creator Preserver Owner Redeemer and to be under innumerable Obligations to be subject to Him and active and zealous in his Service Well may Religion be styled Righteousness for all the acts of it which the Lord calls for he justly claims as due to him And since those bonds which Converts are under are bonds of Love and Kindness as well as Duty 't is most unreasonable for any to say as Psal 2. 3. Let us break these bands asunder and cast away these cords from us 5. Conversion to God is a transformation into his Image and Likeness 2 Cor. 3. 17 18. VVhere the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory The Apostle intimates that the Image of God is Mans glory and that his glory is the greater the more fully this Image is instampt upon him and that all that are Converted are changed into this Image Not a true Convert but partakes of the divine Nature and escapes the Corruption that is in the World. This Image of God consists in Knowledge Righteousness Holiness and Dominion over the Creatures All these things were lost by Adam's defection all are recovered in Conversion and the recovery is more compleat as Conversion is progressive The Convert is called out of Darkness into marvellous Light his Heart is made pure and clean his Works are righteous and the Creatures no longer Lord it over him but he makes them subservient to the religious designs he is carrying on Converts are in a sense the
shine To turn with the whole Heart is for the whole to turn excellent for the whole to be secured Be never satisfied till you perceive that God has your love which is indeed the leading and commanding Affection If Sin if Mammons Pleasures and Wealth have still your love your professing your selves Converts is all but feigned kindness and you provoke the Lord to jealousiè Give unto God your Love which he calls for in the first and great Commandment or else you give him nothing if your love be given him you will not deny him any thing And if as yet you can't shew your love by delighting in God because of your doubts and the darkness of your state shew your love by desiring after God whose loving kindness is better than Life whose Alsufficiency is enough and enough and infinitely more than enough for you But here 's the difficulty How shall the Heart of Man be brought unto the love of God The Stream of the affections runs naturally and violently downwards and how shall the tide be turned how shall the love be carried quite contrary to the bent of Nature Certainly this must be the doing of the God of all Grace The Apostle prayes for the Thessalonians that the Lord would direct their hearts into the love of God 2 Thes 3. 5. Put up this Petition for your selves 'T is an encouraging Scripture Deut. 30. 6. The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy Soul that thou mayest live apply it improve it and if you grudge your love to every thing else and are continually offering it to God and above all things in the World desire to love him and to be beloved of him Love is already wrought the acts of it appear and you shall by degrees love more sensibly and the stronger the love the more sound the Conversion 10. Deceive not your selves with faint wishes and half-willingness to be Converted I grant that the desire of Grace is Grace but if there be not Truth in the desire the Truth of Grace can't be concluded from it A lazy wish to be Converted where there is a prevailing resolution to connive at and continue in Sin what does it signifie but that the Heart is not right with God notwithstanding some feeble good inclinations towards him Our Lord commands his Followers to strive to enter in at the strait gate because many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13. 24. Many hereafter shall seek and expect admission into Heaven who shall be excluded because they would not strive they would not use an holy violence to take that Kingdom Many over hastily conclude they are Converted because there is some little inclination to what is good though a stronger inclination to what is evil without check does bear the sway in them In spiritual as well as natural lukewarmness there is some mixture of heat as well as a prevalency of cold Can water be called hot where heat is least and cold is most Can the Heart be said to be turned to God which is least inclined towards him and most strongly and resolvedly bent towards Sin and Vanity Oh take heed of Sloth and Idleness Sloth is that which has brought many a Conviction to nothing you can hardly name a greater Impediment of Conversion Upon thousands of Professors Tombs this may be written Here lye those who have undone themselves by Slothfulness and miss'd of Grace and Glory because they would take Pains for neither If you would be Conve●●s indeed abandon Idleness let your very Hearts be in every Duty your Souls and the strength of them the fervency of your Spirits in every Ordinance of God Rom. 12. 11. Not slothful in business especially not in the main business servent in Spirit serving the Lord. Satisfie not your selves in a customary and formal using of the means of Grace but look to this that life and warmth and strength and Grace be indeed conveyed to you in them 11. Would you be Converts indeed look much into another World confine not your sight and thoughts to the things of time and sense but take the Perspective of the Word of God that to the eye of your Faith things unseen may become evident Heb. 11. ● Time is so short a thing that you may easily and quickly see to the end of it and yet concerning this short Time it may be said that Now you must be turn'd or Never At the end of Time Death stands thousands feel his stroke every day before your eyes and how soon may you feel his deadly Dart and return to the dust out of which we were all taken where 's the Man that upon good ground can say He is sure to live a Year a Month a VVeek a Day to an end Just behind Death is Judgment and at the Bar of God who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the Counsels of the Heart what will a shew of Grace and of Conversion signifie At that Bar all the Children of Men must receive their final and unalterable Doom from that Tribunal there can be no Appeal to another there is no higher Judge than he who shall judge the quick and the dead at his Appearing and his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4. 1. The Sentence which he will Pronounce will stand good and firm for ever and 't will be a Sentence either to eternal Glory or everlasting Flames And know that Conversion now will make the Discrimination then only Converts will stand in Judgment only those that sincerely ●urn'd to God in this World will be received into his Joy and Kingdom in the other World. But as for the Unconverted who would not turn from Sin they shall without any Pity or hopes of any according as they were threatned and have justly deserved be turned into Hell and there will be no remedy You are all posting away from hence and shall shortly hear the Word and be seen your selves no more A serious belief and consideration of the eternal Joyes and eternal Woes of another World would have a mighty Influence upon the very worst of you to make you of another of a better Mind VSE VI. Of Consolation unto Converts There is a Consolation that has a Woe joyn'd with it VVoe to you rich Men for ye have received your Consolation The Wicked and the Hypocrite have their Peace and Joy but their Peace is false and their Joy but for a moment but the Converts Comfort is styled both strong and everlasting Consolation Here I shall first give you the Converts Character and then lay down the Grounds of his Comfort and indeed true Comfort belongs to none in the World but true Converts Though I have spoken a great deal already to shew who are Converted yet I shall add these Signs following 1. Converts chuse God for their Portron rather than the World Thou art my Portion O Lord I have said
bondage of Corruption the cords of Vanity the snare of Satan and has both a Will and Power given him to Convert to God and to continue and abide with him 'T is manifest upon all these accounts that the Word has a fitness to be a means of Conversion In the third place I am to tell you what kind of Means the Word is 1. The Word is a Means of Gods own appointing Divine Institution is a thing of very great significancy God indeed can work without means and against them but if he is pleased to appoint them they deserve to be used and shall not be used in vain if they are used seriously God appointed seven Trumpets of Rams horns to be blown and at length the blast is more powerful than a battering Ram the Walls of Jericho fall down to the ground and the City is delivered into the hand of Israel Josh 6. 4 20. God has appointed the Ministers of the Gospel to lift up their Voices like a Trumpet to shew the Transgressours their Iniquities to cry to them to turn The Word is with Power the strongest holds of the Prince of Darkness fall down before it he is cast out his works destroyed where before he had the surest Possession The Word is ordained of God as the Means of Conversion 't is dangerous and a great Contempt of God himself to neglect it and truly after a careless manner to attend upon it is the way to grow more hard-hearted and dead in Sin under it 2. The Word is usually most Powerful when Preached Reading of the word must be granted an Ordinance of great use 〈◊〉 When our Lord was asked by a man what he should do that he might inherit Eternal Life He answers What is written in the Law how readest thou Luk. 10. 26. He that would inherit Eternal Life it concerns him diligently to read the Word which instructs him in the way thither Not only those of a lower condition but those of the highest Estate are to read the Word all the dayes of their lives the Word of God is the best Counsellour even of King● themselves Deut. 17. 18 19. The way to Heaven is one and the same both for the High and Low. The Word is to be read not only Privately but Publickly such publick reading has a warrant in the New Testament as well as the Old 1 Thes 5. 27. I charge you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I adjure you by the Lord that this Epistle be read unto a● the Holy Brethren And publick reading is mentioned no less than three times in one verse Col. 4. 16. And when this Epistle i● read amongst you cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea Certainly the Scripture is not so obscure but that it may be read before the Congregation to their Spiritual Benefit Yet the Preaching the opening and applying of the Word of God has a special Honour put upon it as to the working of Conversion and Faith Rom. 10. 14 15. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe on Him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a Preacher and how shall they Preach except they be sent as it is written How beautiful are the Feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace that bring glad tidings of good things They that are sent of God scripturally qualified separated and set apart to the work of the Ministry 't is their great business to Preach the Word to be instant in season out of season to reprove rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine 2 Tim. 4. 2. And when in Sincerity with an earnest desire to win Souls they make the Truth manifest and endeavour to commend themselves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4. 2. the Word of God is the more likely to reach the Conscience and to touch and turn the Heart to Him. Glorious things have been done by Preaching The twelve Apostles and if you will add a thirteenth the Apostle Paul how powerful was the Word in their Mouths to the Worlds Conversion They did not as they were slander'd turn the world upside down but were blessed Instruments to turn it to God and to deliver it out of that Idolatry Superstition Ignorance and Wickedness in which it had lain buried for many ages 3. The Word of God is the highest means of Conversion Psal 138. 2. Thou hast magnified thy VVord above all thy Name Here chiefly thou doest make thy self known in the powerful Effects of thy Grace and Spirit and in the accomplishment of the Promises which thou hast made The design of Mercies is that this VVord may be more minded Rom. 12. 1 2. I beseech you therefore Brethren by the Mercies of God that ye present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable which is your reasonable service And be not conformed to this VVorld but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect VVill of God. Mercies are cords of love to draw us to the Lord and to constrain us to keep his Word and Commandments The end of Affliction is to turn our Eyes and Hearts and Feet into the way of Gods Testimonies The Psalmist tells us Before he was afflicted he went astray but after he kept the VVord with greater care Psal 119. 67. and he adds v. 71. 72. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes the Law of thy Mouth is better unto me than thousands of Gold and Silver Affliction is sent to humble for Transgression to reduce the wandring Soul and to bring it back to the Word of God and when this Word is truly heeded received and highly prized then the Soul is indeed Converted The Word declares the meaning of Mercies the Word is the Tongue that utters the voice and message of the Rod The Word directs what to pray for and how to pray so as to speed and instructs about every other Ordinance 4. If the Word be ineffectual to Conversion alas what is likely to become efficacious When Wisdom had cryed long and upbraided foolish Sinners with their hating Knowledge when they had been called to turn with a proffer of the Spirit to be poured out but they refused still their case is set forth as desperate because the Word being rejected hated and cast behind their back nothing was likely to do or to make them good dreadful and utter Destruction is threatned and instead of being pitied they are told they shall be derided and laught at in their ruine Prov. 1. 20 30. When the Rich man in Hell intreated that One might be sent from the dead to warn his sive secure impenitent Brethren lest they should also come at last into the Place of Torment The Answere first is They have Moses and the Prophets
let them hear them And after 't is answered further If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luk. 16. 27 -31 A Sinner whose Heart is all Adamant and Sermon-proof the terrours of the Lord don't affright him the inestimable Treasures of the Gospel don't take him the Mediatours Vengeance for neglecting great Salvation is not at all dreaded Suppose a command should be given to unlock the gates of Hell and a damned Spirit that has been for some time tortur'd in the slames there and was once well known to this stupid Sinner should at Midnight appear to him and the Curtains being drawn aside and that Soul out of the midst of fire with a ghastly horrour in its looks should thus speak to Him Awake hard-hearted Wretch awake awake What sleep and lye secure in Sin that art in danger of dying in Sin every moment VVhat take thine ease who art so near to endless pain and Torment Thy time has both Feet and VVings and is with great haste both running and flying away from thee and as thy time in Sin and folly spends so thou daily and hourly approache● nearer to a miserable Eternity Thy Judgment lingers not thy Damnation does not slumber while thou refusest to awake to Righteousness Once I made a mock of Sin as much as thou dost was mad to destroy my self as thou art I made a meer Jest of Hell but now I know I feel and wo wo is me I shall to my Sorrow feel for ever what 't is to be damn'd in earnest Sin 's thy worst Enemy Oh cast it away before it undoe thee past remedy Divine wrath and jealousie is in the other World found a hotter and heavier thing than ever could be conceived in this 'T is really a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But I have leave to stay no longer be sure to take this warning I have given thee I must again to the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone where there are no such things as Help or Hope or Happiness but Pain and Misery are extream and endless Suppose I say a damned Soul should speak such language to a Sinner that has all along been deaf to the call of the Word and resisted the Spirit of the Lord he might perhaps be exceedingly amazed and possibly be frighted out of his VVits but he would not be scared out of his Sins nor ever by such an Apparition alone be turned unto God. If Gods own Word will not make thee a Convert O Sinner thy disease is obstinate against the likeliest remedy and what means will 5. The Word is a Means which Thousands and Millions in the VVorld never were so much Priviledg'd as to enjoy An Hallelujah is justly deserved and expected from the People of God of old because he shewed his Word unto Jacob his Statutes and Judgments to the Children of Israel whereas He had not dealt so with any Nation and as for his Judgments they had not known them Psal 147. 19 20. How great a part of the World is Satans Common how little comparatively is so much as the visible Inclosure of our Lord Jesus It is the observation of a Learned man that if the World were divided into thirty parts Nineteen would be found still Pagan six Mahometan and but five Christian take in all of all Perswasions But alas how much darkness is there even in Nations that are called Christian Ignorance is affected the Word of God and the Knowledg of it is taken away though the Scripture says that for lack of it people are destroyed Hos 4. 6. How Happy would you be that in this City enjoy the light of the Word of Truth if you would but thankfully and fruitfully improve it It is as it were Noon day with you whereas in other places it is but a dark down and in most parts of the Earth a black midnight In the fourth place I am to tell you whence this Means the Word of God comes to be effectual to Conversion 'T is made effectual by the Power of God and this Power he exerts by his own Spirit 1 Thes 1. 5. Our Gospel came not unto you in word only but in Power also and in the Holy Ghost and in much Assurance the wonderful effects of Divine Power wrought by the Holy Ghost in the Preaching of the Gospel was an Evidence and Assurance that this Gospel is not the Word of Man but of God Himself Now the manner of the Spirits working when he makes the Word effectual to Conversion I shall declare in these particulars 1. The Spirit impresses upon the Sinners Heart the Divine Authority of this Word 'T is indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. When the Lord Himself is eyed and own'd in his Word then it shews it self mighty If the Messengers and Publishers of the Word only are regarded and there is not a looking beyond them they being but earthen vessels the Word though a Treasure will be trampled under foot But when Sinners are Converted the Spirit makes it evident that the Word is really of God. The demonstration of this is styled the demonstration of the Spirit He does demonstrate the Words divine Authority several wayes By Signs and VVonders wrought for its Confirmation Heb. 2. 4. God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will. That these Miracles were done 't is plain for the Word of God pretending to Miracles done so openly so often by and upon so many persons in the midst of cunning and malicious Adversaries who were watchful enough to have espied the deceit if there had been any if such Miracles really had never been wrought this Word and the Religion it teaches would never have been received Our Lord Jesus though the Son of God when upon Earth was humbled in the form of a Servant yet affirms himself to be the Saviour of the VVorld preaches a Doctrine contrary to Flesh and Blood tells all that will be his Disciples they must deny themselves and forsake all that is dear to them in this World whenever they are called to it for the sake of a Treasure and Kingdom in Heaven And often he appeals to his working Miracles as a Confirmation of his Doctrine that it was from Heaven Now if such Miracles had never been wrought the Imposture would have been so apparent that the Christian Faith would never have been embraced by any of common sense and understanding And 't is evident also that these Miracles were done by the power of God. Wonders indeed were wrought by the Egyptian Magicians but outvied by greater Wonders effected by Moses Gods Servant These Miracles were beyond the Power and Ability of second Causes Who could make the blind to see and the deaf to hear and the lame to walk but that God who formed the Eye
of Redemption by Price of Gods purchasing his Church with his own Blood Act. 20. 28. The Light of Nature is insufficient to shew the way to Heaven How God will deal with these Heathens 't is hard to determine Zuinglius indeed asserts That when we come to Heaven we shall see utrumque Adamum Redemptum Redemptorem both the Adams the Redeemer and him that was redeemed the Prophets the Apostles And then he adds That Aristides the Cato's and the Scipio's and such vertuous Men among the Heathen will be found in Heaven also Calvin calls this pr●●posterum misericordiam a preposterous Mercy because the Apostle tells us those who have sinn'd without Law shall also perish without Law Rom. 2. 12. What is to be said in this case To affirm that any of them are saved who never heard of a Saviour is to affirm what is hard to prove to say that they are all damned will be a bold Sentence The Apostle tells us that those who are without God judges 1 Cor. 5. 13. and to Gods Judgment we must leave them 2. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion to shew that the Works of God do need his Words exposition upon them 'T is the Word which rightly discovers God in the Works of Creation Heb. 11. 3. Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear The Scripture shews how the Lord is the Alpha and the Omega The whole Volume of Nature would signifie little to Man were it not for the Scriptures commentary upon it the Beginning and the End of all things that per scala●● creaturarum by the Ladder of the Creatures we may ascend unto the Gracions and Alsufficient Creator The Word expound● the Works of Providence it puts such a Language into Mercies that these Demonstrations of divine goodness lead unto Repentance And the Word makes the Rod to utter such a voice that the Vncircumcised heart is humbled the Sinner accepts of the punishment of his Iniquity Lev. 26. 41. and turns unto that God that smites him 3. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Sinners may use and value the Word as a Means sufficient He that is sick of the Plague how willingly does he use a Remedy that is sufficient for the cure of the Pestilence and which has cured thousands and that never failed to heal any that would but take it Never was there a Plague in the World so universal so contagious so deadly as Sin is O all ye sinful diseased and lost Souls hear and with all seriousness apply the Word of God that ye may be healed and that being healed ye may live and not dye for ever The remedy is perfect it certainly works for life if it be but received he that believes and yields subjection to the Gospel shall be saved Mar. 16. 16. I confess the refusing of the remedy will highten the disease and make the death more dreadful He that believes not shall receive the greater damnation 4. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion that the Preachers of the Word may be encouraged Were this Word a weak imperfect thing the Dispencers of it would have the less heart to labour but they have no reason to be ashamed or discouraged but to glory in the Gospel of Christ since 't is the Power of God to Salvation And let him be Jew or Gentile high or low a less Sinner or the greatest if he receives the Word with Faith the Preachers pains will be to good purpose The Apostle insults over all the VVisdom of this VVorld as that which is poor and foolish and helpless as to a better World 1 Cor. 1. 20. Where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world The Jewish Synagogue where Moses was trusted in and Christ rejected the Greek Academy could neither of them shew the way of Salvation hath not God made foolish the VVisdom of this VVorld But then he magnifies the Word of God that reveals Christ Jesus because herein the Power and VVisdom of God were savingly made manifest 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. VVe preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness but unto them that are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 5. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Saints may still be improving it unto a further turning Where 's the Convert in whom and for whom the Word of God has wrought so much that it can work no more You that have most experienced its power and goodness may still feel a further efficacy The Word is perfect and you should be pressing forward to be perfected by it still your Light should grow clearer your Faith stronger your love more abundant and patience should have a more perfect work in you that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing Jam. 1. 4. Still you should be more low in your own sight the Grace of Christ more glorious in your eyes the World should be more under your feet and Heaven be the matter of your thoughts and hopes and joy You that are weak should resemble David you that are strong as David should be like the Angels of God aspiring unto not only Evangelical but an Angelical and heavenly Perfection I come in the last place to the Application The Uses are these following VSE I. Of Caution The Perfection of the Word of God should make you 1. To take heed of that Enthusiastick Spirit that pretends not to need this VVord That Light within which makes the Light of the VVord to be contemned is certainly Darkness and if the Light within you be darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6. 23. Solomon tells us plainly that the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and the reproofs of instruction are the way of Life Prov. 6. 23. You will miss the way of Life unless this Light be followed He is most unreasonably wise in his own eyes who imagines he knows so much that God himself by his Word can teach him no more the truth is he knows nothing as he ought to know his Knowledg is but a delusive dream his ignorance real and destructive Heed not but resist the Spirit that injects undervaluing thoughts of the Word of God for that cannot be the true Spirit which did endite it If once you reject the VVord of the Lord alas what understanding is in you Jer. 1. 9. The grossest and most damnable errours will impose upon you as truths the most carnal licentiousness which is the bondage of corruption will call it self Christian liberty Sins will be made no Sins and Duties no Duties you will allow your selves in the omission of Gods Ordinances as things below Saints of so high a Stature as
the righteous he is a Buckler to them that walk uprightly 3. You that live under the New Testament Dispensation be very thankful that the written Word is so very copious and so large To have such a compleat Declaration of the Mind of God by his own Son was a Priviledge which the Old Testament Believers wisht for but did not enjoy What Moles are they who are onely busie and working in the Earth and for Earthly things and regard not the clear shining of the Sun of Righteousness To be deaf and regardless when God speaks so much to us not to understand when he speaks so fully and so plainly is inexcusable but to have Knowledg and to sin against it and to detain the truth in unrighteousness is inexcusable much more here is Ingratitude and Presumption together and the more stripes are threatned and deserved Luke 12. 47. And that Servant that kn●w his Lords will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beat●● 〈◊〉 many stripes Search the VVord of God be much that you may be mighty in the Scriptures By this weapon you may defend your selves against the subtilest Enemies of the truth nay against the old subtle Serpent himself It was not an unwritten but a written word that Christ produced when he was assaulted by the Tempter Mat. 4. 4 7 10. It was an Injunction of our Lord himself Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal Life It was a right thought that the Scriptures direct unto Life Eternal but it was a presumptuous thought in the Pharisees to imagine Eternal Life was theirs since instead of building upon the Foundation Stone in Sion they stumbled at it But the Injunction it self is of great Moment The Scriptures are Gods own Books and the onely Books he has in the World. Longâ assi●uâ meditatione Scripturaram pr●tus suun fecerat Bibliothicam Chri●●● Hyeronym de Nepotiano Every ones Breast should be like Nepotian's Bibliotheca Christi A Library in which these Books should be kept safely To be acquainted more intimately with the Word is the way to be better acquainted with God and the consequent of this acquaintance is Peace Job 22. 21. Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace thereby good shall come to thee By Searching of the Scriptures the Understanding is improved the Heart is purified the Life is regulated This Book is indeed the thankful Glass that mends the Eyes of all that rightly look into it It was an honest Distich of one Ex aliis paleae viles hinc grana leguntur Aurea tu paleas linquito grana lege Which another thus Englishes Mens Books with worthless chaff are stor'd Gods Scripture Golden grains afford Reject the chaff and spend thy pains In gleaning up these golden Grains 5. Pray for the Spirit who endited the Word that he may interpret it and lead you into the understanding of it He is called the Spirit of wisdom and Revelation Eph. 1. 17. He reveals the Gospel he enlightens the eyes of the Understanding True Wisdom is the special Gift of the Holy Ghost It is an encouragement in Prayer that the best things may be asked with the greatest confidence The Gift of the Spirit comprehends the best things of all doubt not of Gods willingness to bestow it Luk. 11. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your Children how much more shall your heavenly Father gave the holy Spirit unto them that ask him It is not a notional Knowledge which many Hypocrites excell in that you should content your selves with Such Knowledge being alone puffs up him that has it 1 Cor. 8. 1. and disturbing Strife and contention follows upon Pride and High-mindedness such Knowledge aggravates Sin in the careless and carnal Professor and will exceedingly inflame his Reckoning in the day he must give account of himself to God. It is true wisdom a Spiritual understanding of the Scriptures that you should cry for When the Spirit of God discovers a truth to you with what Satisfaction will your Mind receive it When the Spirit shews you your Duty how Righteous how reasonable and what a Priviledge does it appear The Spirits Light and Strength go together so that the Will is inclined to a compliance when the enlightned Soul does understand the Will of God. When the Spirit applies a Promise to you how will your Faith be confirmed how will you abound in Hope and how full of sweetest peace will your hearts be while you securely rest on the God of Truth whose VVord will endure when Heaven and Earth shall pass away Isa 26. 3 4. Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting Strength 6. Let your Knowledge of the Word of God be more perfect Alas how little do we know of what may be known and what we do know how much better may we know it Though the Children of God are Children of Light and Children of the Day yet there are great remainders of darkness in some of them and some remainders in all This remaining Ignorance is both their Sin and Misery by reason of which Satan their subtle enemy has many times great advantage against them Labour after a more perfect Knowledge of God his Son his Truth his Will his Word informs you of all If the Happiness of Heaven lies so much in a beatifical seeing Oh use all possible intention of mind that you may see more and more even while you are here on Earth True Knowledge will debase the idolized World and make it nothing in your eyes and it wil humble you and make you perceive that really you are worse than nothing How does a clearer Knowledge of God make holy Job much more humble than ever Job 42. 5 6. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear but now mine Eye seeth thee wherefore I abhorr my self and repent in Dust and Ashes The better you know the Lord the more you will Love and Fear and Praise him The better you know his Christ you cannot chuse but still more highly prize him and your Hearts will cleave to him with the fuller purpose The 〈…〉 er you know his Commands the more they 〈◊〉 be your Counsellours your longing your delight and your Songs in the house of your Pilgrimage The better you know the Cross of Christ you will be the less offended 〈…〉 heaviest Afflictions will be made light of 〈◊〉 compared with a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. 7. Let your Love be greater and more perfect to this perfect VVord of God. The World indeed hates this VVord because it testifies against them that their works are evil and will have an ill end True love to it will argue spiritual Life by it and that it has been effectual to turn and
change our very Hearts Love to the Word distinguishes the true Church from the Antichristian Society Of these 't is said because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had Pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. All the excellent properties of the Word and the wonderful effects of it should take your Hearts and still be increasing your affection to it and the stronger your love is the greater will be your care to keep it Psal 119. 167. My Soul hath kept thy Testimonies and I love them exceedingly Love will make you labour hard in the work which the Word commands and yet it will so overcome the difficulty that hard labour shall become easie It was a saying of Bernard Is rectè divinas Scripturas legit qui verba v●rtit in opera He rightly reads the Holy Scriptures who turns VVords into VVorks Love will mightily constrain you to this 't will make you doers and blessed in your deed Love the Word of God as a Malefactour would love to read his pardon after the Sentence of Death has been past upon him Love the Word as a Debtour would love to read his general and full discharge which delivers him out of Prison and secures him from the danger of being arrested any more Love the Word as a Sick man would love to read a Receipt prescribing a medicine that would certainly cure his distemper and save his Life Finally love the Word as an Heir would love to read over a Testament in which is left him a rich Estate a most plentiful Inheritance In the VVord of God you find a pardon a discharge from all debts by your great your sufficient Surety here is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Souls universal remedy And the Psalmist says Psal 119. 111. Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my Heart 8. Never be ashamed of this Word of God which is so perfect and worthy to be owned VVith your Hearts believe it unto Righteousness with your Mouths Confess it to Salvation Be not concerned that the VVorld accounts the VVord foolishness fear not either their reviling or their rage their hands are weak considering how strong your helper is and their Judgments weaker Stand fast in the Faith and quit you like men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Your Lord will be much pleased to see you valiant for the Truth and no less than a Crown of Life shall be the reward of Faithfulness unto the Death But if you are ashamed of Christ and of his word before Men he will be ashamed of you before his Father and all his Holy Angels Mar. 8. 38. And how great and everlasting then will your shame and confusion be VSE III. Of Exhortation Since the VVord is perfect let me exhort you all unto Perfection The legal Perfection of Adam in Innocency you cannot reach since the fall keeps all his Posterity short of it hear the Apostle confessing and bewailing Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect Phil. 3. 12. But evangelical Perfection is possible 't is necessary 't is actually found in all true Converts In legal Perfection it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is no Sin. In evangelical Perfection it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is no predominant Hypocrisie In the former there is no sin at all in the latter there is no Sin loved and allowed In the one every command is kept in the other there is grief when any command is broke and a true Desire after Grace to keep every Commandment better When I exhort you to Perfection I mean three things That you would be of a perfect Heart That you would walk in a perfect way That you would stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God. 1. Let your Hearts be perfect The Heart is the very Seat of Sincerity if it be not here 't is no where 't is not in the eye or tongue or hands or feet if the Heart remain as it was by Nature without a change and is still wicked sensual and earthly the VVords and actions though never so good signifie and avail nothing nay the better the VVords and Actions are the greater is the Hypocrisie and Dissimulation There are several excellent ingredients in this Perfection of Heart which I would press upon the Hearts and Consciences of All. 1. Let your Hearts shew themselves perfect by setting God alwaies before them Walk before me says God to Abraham and be perfect Gen. 17. 1. The perfect Heart is sensible that Gods eye looks into it and sees all that is in it therefore its eye is also upon God and as there is an holy awe of God upon it so 't is not satisfied without his approbation Upright David cryes out O Lord thou hast searched me and known me thou understandest my thoughts afar off Psal 139 1 2. Thoughts include all the affections workings and inclinations of the Heart all these were open and naked unto the Eye of Gad. And David looks to his Heart accordingly and he begs that the evil of his Heart might be more plainly discover'd to him that his Heart might be more throughly cleansed 2. Let your Hearts be perfect in being truely willing and very studious to please that God with whom you have to do The perfect Heart sees 't is highly reasonable that Mans Will in all things should be obedient unto Gods since the VVill of God is so righteous good and holy since He cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth h● any man to any thing that is hurtful Jam. 1. 13. to please the Lord should be the Pleasure of your very Souls You should hate every abominable thing which he hates and what he delights in should always be chosen 3. Let your Hearts be perfect in refusing to have a liking respect and regard to any iniquity David manifested his uprightness and as a perfect man he was regarded and his Prayer heard because he did not regard iniquity in his Heart Psal 66. 18 19. Iniquity in the Heart is to be regarded so as to be humbled for it weary of it and bewail it and to endeavour by all means to mortifie and purge it away 't is not to be regarded so as to cover and excuse it so as secretly to delight in it and resolve to spare i● Especially let your Hearts set themselves with full bent against that which may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sin that does most easily be set you Heb. 12. 1. from hence is the greatest guilt defilement danger the Sin that by reason of your Constitutions Callings Age and the bad Customs of the Places where you live have been most insinuating into your Affection and aptest to prevail should be abandon'd with a special and peculiar
The Subjects here handled are awakening and in this secure Age what need is there of startling Sermons At this day in England there is work enough for many a Boanerges for ten thousand Sons of Thunder The guilt and defilement of Sin proves it to be Mans greatest Enemy but because it stupifies and hardens those that have been guilty of it it is likely the more effectually to destroy them for the Disease not being felt the Remedy is neglected A spiritual Lethargy is the general Distemper most continue fast asleep in Sin till Hell wakes them but then it is too late Though Christ has the Key of Hell that Saviour releases none that once are thrown into it Miserable World because it lies in Wickedness more miserable because it apprehends not how miserable its Wickedness has made it because it fears not is endeavours not to escape Eternal Misery Oh dreadful Day of God that 's coming when all Apostate Angels that are now in Chains of Darkness shall be brought forth and judged and dealt with as the Enemies of God and Man These Principalities and Powers ●ill be overpowr'd and ●tte●ly 〈◊〉 to avoid the se●erity of their Righteous and Almighty Judge How much evil have they done and still they are doing more of what Woe and Torment are they capable And all those of the Children of Men who have been led Captive by Satan at his Pleasure that have resolved rather to be destroyed themselves than that the works of the Devil should be destroyed in them 't is just that they should but how sad will it be for them to share in Torment with 〈◊〉 Sin will have a very bad end all that are gone into another World are sensible of it though few i● this World perceive it When the Servants of Sin 〈◊〉 received their Wages which is Death then they will know to their sorrow what kind of Master they 〈◊〉 served and what Pains they foolishly took for tha● Misery which they should have taken Pains to have prevented Reader Be wise believe and fear and take the Watchman's Warning The Sword in the Hand of the living Eternal God will give a dreadful and ● deadly Blow to fall under his Vengeance will be fear●ul and thy Blood lying upon thy own Head it will lye very heavy and upon this will follow everlasting heaviness and anguish Oh fear the Wrath to come before 't is come and fly from Sin ●nd 〈◊〉 to God by Jesus Christ a Saviour both from Sin and Wrath and a Saviour to the uttermost Better Counsel than this cannot be taken by thy self ●● given by any to thee ROM XIV 10. latter part We shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ I Have been lately Discoursing concerning Conversion The Digression I make this day is subservient to my great Design which is the Conversion and Salvation of this Assembly It infinitely concerns yo● all to turn to God for quickly you will have a Summons to come unto his Bar and how soon that Summons may be given who can tell Those that least think on 't and least care to be provided and ready for it perhaps may have it soonest and if the Converts themselves as the Scripture tells us are scarcely saved Oh where shall the Unconverted and the Sinner appear I wish that I may Preach and you may Hear as those who do really believe we shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ The Apostle in these words speaks enough one would think to startle the most stupid Conscience to make the most secure like Felix to tremble to awaken even those that are dead in Sins and Trespasses Let me tell you the De●●●● themselves are none of them Atheists and Infidels they all believe this Text and the thoughts of Judgment make them tre●ble therefore if ●ny Sinner remains fearless and unsen●●●●● he 〈…〉 this respect out sin the very Aposta●●●●g●●● There are three things observable in the Words 1. Here is a Judgment Seat the most glorious that ever was the last that ever will be from this Tribunal there can be no Appeal unto any other the Sentence whether of Absolution or Condemnation that will here be pass'● will ●ever be revers'd but stand firm unto Eternity 2. You are told who is to be the Judge he is the Lord Jesus Christ We read of 〈…〉 Appearing of Christ his first and 〈…〉 ●●pearing He came at first in the 〈◊〉 o● a ●●●vant he was to be made Sin and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Sin and a Curse for us He gave 〈◊〉 for ●● that he might redeem us from all In●●●●ty and if he had given other and less than himself it would not have satisfied The Churches Sins could be done away by no lower a Priest than Christ the greatest and highest of all and the Priest was fain himself to be and that a most voluntary Sacrifice He appear'd at first to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself but when he comes the second time to Judge the World he will appear after another kind of manner From the beginning of the World there hath not been such a sight as there will be at the end of it The Lord Jesus will come with a Power which none can withstand with great Glory which will ●●ll the Saints with Joy for they shall appear in glory with hi● but will be exceedingly amazing and confounding to all those who were the Enemies of his Kingdom 3. Her● are the 〈◊〉 that are to stand before this ●●dg● if you ●●● Who are they I Answer by another Question What ●● where are the Persons that shall be exempted All from the begi●●ing of the World to the end of it All from the first Man that was made unto the last of his ●osterity that shall be born must stand before Christ the Lord that from his Mouth they may receive their final and eternal Doom There is a great difference between standing before the Judgment Seat and standing in Judgment the for●●● implies being made to appear at the ●ribunal the la●ter implies being Acquitted there The Psalmist tells us That ●●e ungodly shall not stand in the Judgment nor Sinners in the Congregation of the Righ● 〈◊〉 Ps●l 1. ● yet all of these shall be forced to appear at the Bar of God there they 〈◊〉 ●tand trembling expecting the terrible Sentence of Condemnation And Oh what a ●ideous O●●●●● ●●●ll the whole multitude of Wicked and Reprobate ●●es make when without hope of Mercy they are adjudged to endle●● Misery 〈◊〉 The Doctrine I raise from the Words is this All shall be Judged by Christ at the great Day As certainly as you are all here so certainly at that day you shall appear at his Judgment Seat ●●ath is not more certain nay 't is not so certain as Judgment The Apostle tells us that all shall not ●ye for some shall be Changed but even these that are changed though they scap● the Grave they shall stand at the Tribunal and give account of
were the Amanuenses of the Spirit and whatever they wrote they wrote what was by him dictated Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. ult And they have given us a Testimony of the Will of God upon record a full and compleat Declaration of his Mind Now concerning this Perfection of the Word of God I shall speak 1. By way of Negation 2. By way of Position 1. I am to speak by way of Negation and that in these following particulars 1. You must not understand that the Word is so perfect as that by it self without the concurrence of the Spirit it can give either Grace or Life to any The most saithful and skilful Preachers of the Word as to success have many times laboured in vain That Evangelical Prophet Isaiah who spake so much and so plainly concerning Christ you have him crying out Lord who hath believed our report Isa 53. 1. Weeping Jeremiah you may hear him complaining after this manner Jer. 6. 10. To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear Behold their ears are uncircumcised and they can't hearken the Word of the Lord is a reproach to them and they have no delight in it The Word of God in the mouth of the Apostle Paul that great Preacher of the Gospel it found ay and it left many a hearer in their Infidelity The hearers of the Apostle Paul it is said that divers of them believed not Acts 28. 24. Nay our Lord Jesus Christ himself the Prince of Preachers the greatest that ever was that ever will be he thunders out a Wo against Corazin and Bethsaida and Capernaum because the Word that sounded from his lips did not perswade them unto Repentance So that the Word alone is not so perfect as to give Grace as to give Life to any There is need that the Spirit of God should work along with it until He doth open the eyes of the understanding the Soul still remains under darkness till he doth renew the Heart the Will will never yield nor submit to God till he doth put the Laws of God in the mind and write them in the Heart they will never be believed they will never be liked nor obeyed 2. You must not think that the Word is so perfect as to give a knowledge here on Earth as is equal to the knowledge that is in Heaven The Apostle Paul himself professes we know but in part and we prophesie in part but when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 9. And in 12. ver of the same Chapter he says We see through a glass darkly The Greek word it is remarkable We see through a Glass in a Riddle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Truly Heaven is but a Riddle at present unto the best of Saints here on Earth They are no more able to comprehend the joys the Glory that is there they are no more able to comprehend what it is to see God face to face than an Infant in the womb can imagine what Light is than an Infant in the womb can comprehend what Philosophy is or the mysteries of State policy here is no Theologia meridiana visionis perfect day here is no beatifical vision I grant indeed the Saints are sometimes brought into the Suburbs of Heaven and when they are there Oh! what do they see They see and tast that in God that does make the greatest sweetness of earthly Enjoyments despicable and that doth obscure all Worldly Glory but yet the Suburbs are not the Heavenly City but infinitely below it Hark to the Apostle 1 John 3. 2. Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Wicked Men think nothing of what the Saints shall be and truly the Saints themselves when their minds are most elevated and raised and enabled to to see most they apprehend but little what themselves shall be hereafter That Glory is too great a thing for such minds as ours at present to take in It hath not entred into the Heart of Man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. 3. You must not think that the VVord is so perfect as that the hearing of that is enough and is to exclude all other Ordinances Indeed those Ceremonial Ordinances that were imposed only for a time that are called Carnal and that were to last only till the evangelical Reformation as the Apostle speaks Heb. 9. 10. these Ceremonial Ordinances are abolished under the Gospel Administration Col. 2. 20 21. If you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are ye subject to Ordinances touch not tast not handle not which all are to perish with the useing after the Commandments and doctrines of Men. But though these Ceremonial Ordinances are abolished there are other Ordinances that God hath Instituted that are still standing and will remain and be in force till our Lords second coming These Ordinances have a warrant from this perfect Word it self and there is a Promise made of a divine special powerful gracious presence with them As you are to have an Ear to hear the VVord so you are to have a Tongue to pray to God and praise him and your Hearts and Tongues should joyn together in supplications and thanksgivings Ay and you are to have an Eye to behold the Seals of the Covenant that so your Hearts may be more affected and your Faith by things sensible may be strengthned in God who hath made and confirmed this Covenant and will keep it everlastingly Zachary and Elizabeth were a noble Pair indeed excellent patterns of uprightness before God for they walked in all the Commands and in all the Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luke 1. 6. It is a great Affront unto the Authority of Christ the Law-giver when we shall give our selves a Dispensation as to some Ordinances that he hath appointed There is no Ordinance of God to be neglected and I am sure if any of the Ordinances are neglected through the prevalency of Temptation the inward Man by its weakness and by its trouble will quickly find the want of these Ordinances O! prize the Ordinances of God that you may still enjoy them these are the vehicles of Grace Spiritual strength and spiritual comforts are conveyed in the use of them And those that are the most experienced Saints do perceive most reason to esteem them 4. You must not think that the explaining of the Scripture by it self is excluded by the perfection of it but rather included Expounding of Scripture is not an Argument of Scriptures imperfection for Scripture if rightly expounded is expounded by it self To impose that as Gods which is none of his to say this and that is the mind of God