a full age like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season that is as full ripe corn is made into shocks and carried into the bâ—rn so thou shalt die in peace and shalt not be as wicked men cut off in their sins thy last day shall be thy best day and the day of thy death will be better than the day of thy birth whosoever closeth thy bodily eyes at thy dissolution the eye of thy soul shall see Christ in his glory whosoever bears thy body to burial the blessed Angels shall bear thy soul to heaven Vse 3. For direction I told you in the first place that Christ washeth us by baptisme This Use serves to direct us how to get our soules washt by baptisme First remember what a solemn promise we made in our baptisme and how often we break it this will be a good meanes to humble us and to make us more carefull to keep our covenant 2. Repent for the frequent breach of it else it will lie very heavy upon your consciences at the hour of death we would be ashamed to break our peace so often with man as we have done with God let Gods faithfulness to us make us be ashamed of our perfidiousness to him 3. Labour to feel the efficacy of your baptisme by faith in Christ indeavour to feel corruption mortified through the power of Christs death and your soul quickened with grace through the spiritual efficacy of his resurrection then you put on Christ to your eternal comfort 2. I told you in the second place that Christ washeth us by his Word This Use still serves to direct us how to get our soules washt by it First We must hide it in our hearts Psalm 119.11 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee and when it cleanseth thy heart which is the fountain then it will cleanse thy words and actions streaming from it 2. Hear it with a purpose to practise it Psalm 119.33 Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes and I shall keep it unto the end verse 34. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law yea I shall observe it with my whole heart what good will the best meat do to an hungry man if he eat it not Or what good will an excellent plaister do to a wounded man if he apply it not So what is a man better for hearing and reading Gods Word if he do it not Micah 2.7 Do not my words good to him that walketh uprightly but if he walk not uprightly they are not like to do him good 3. Make use of it upon all occasions then as Christ said John 15.3 ye shall be clean through the word spoken to you obey the precepts of it apply the promises and stand in awe of the threatenings that your profiting may appear to all live by the rules of it walk in the light of it that you may be such as God would have you 3. I told you in the third place that Christ washeth us by the merit of his precious bloud This Use still serves to direct us how to get our soules washed by it that must be by faith Rom. 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God We read in the New Testament how our blessed Saviour healed many that beleived in him there is mighty efficacy in a true lively faith to cleanse the soul by applying the merit and efficacy of Christs bloud beleive stedfastly in the Lord Jesus with all your heart and you shall find the strength of sin dying in you 4. I told you in the fourth place that Christ washeth us with the saving graces of his holy Spirit This Use still serves to direct us how to get our soules thus washed First Get a clear sight of the worth and necessity of them then you will pray to Christ with Peter Lord wash not my feet onely but also my hands and my head there is no desire of a thing unknown grace is so exceedingly sweet and lovely that the spiritual sight of it will set the heart a longing after it 2. Hunger and thirst exceeding fervently after grace and you shall be satified and washed Christ is very bountiful of his blessings now he is in glory for Revel 22.17 he freely invites us And let every one that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take the waters of life freely The more you thirst after these living waters the faster will they flow into you 3. Labour to grow in these graces that you may be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect and holy as he that calleth you is holy think not that a stock of grace at your conversion without daily growth will bear you out to your latter end as many in their youth provide worldly riches enough to maintain them in their old age you must be alwayes adding to your stock if a child were no bigger at twenty yeares old than when its new born how could it help it self how could it maintain it self defend it self against dangers so if you grow no better after the receit of Gods abundant mercies and in particular under the plentiful meanes of grace how will you be able to serve please and glorifie God how will you be able to suffer for Christ to work out your salvation with fear and trembling therefore grow in grace and then you shall be more clean from iniquity 5. I told you in the fifth place that Christ washeth us by afflictions sanctified to us This Use still serves to direct us how to get our selves washed by them First Labour to know the right cause of them this course is prescribed in Lamen 3.39 40. Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Let us search and try our wayes and turn again to the Lord that is let us not repine at Gods hand in correcting us but let us search and try our wayes to find out our sins our personal and particular failings which provoked God to afflict us this course if we take we may find cause enough in our selves to justifie Gods righteous hand in afflicting us 2. Let afflictions drive thee to repentance to make thee a partaker of Gods holiness Hebr. 12.10 But he for our profit that we might be partakers of his holiness then they are sanctified to thee and will tend to the health of thy soul as physick that works kindly proves healthful to the body let crosses make thee more penitent more holy more heavenly more upright then it will be comfortable to thee in thy latter end 3. Pour out earnest prayers and hearty suites to God in miseries this course Gods people took formerly Isaiah 26.16 Lord in trouble they have visited thee they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them pray to our Redeemer to be with thee in
Fathers beloved Son in whom he is well pleased trust wholly and onely on his merits which are of infinite value sufficient to justifie thee before God 2 I told you in the second place that Christ is everlasting meat to the soul by his sacred Word this Use still serves to direct us how to labour for him in his Word 1. Hear the word of God with reverence for God will look to him that is of a contrite heart and trembles at his Word Isa 66.2 then we shall serve him acceptably Hebr. 12. last he is a mighty great and terrible God therefore serve him with fear and rejoyce in him with trembling 2. Hear the Word as oft as you can the oftener the better Timothy was injoyned to preach in season and out of season then by good consequence we must hear in season out of season we had need to hear more than we do for we know but in part we beleive but in part we love but in part frequent and conscientious hearing is a good meanes to raise us up to higher perfections in grace and knowledge many say we have preaching enough unless we could follow it better but I say because we follow it so little and our practise of piety is so imperfect therefore we had need hear the Word oftener than we do we had need have it daily sounding in our eares saying to us this is the way walk in it 3. Hear the Word with faith or else it doth you no good Hebr. 4.2 the Word profited not the Israelites because they heard it not with faith why are many living undeâ— precious meanes of grace so wicked in their practise so heathenish and unreformed in their life but because they beleive not the Word did such as live in unclean and beastly lusts beleive the Word saying whoremongers and adulterers God will judge they durst not continue in them did the prophane swearer beleive the Word saying that the flying roul with the curse shall enter into the house of the swearer and consume it he durst not so ordinarily take the Lords name in vain did ungodly persons beleive the Word saying that the wicked shall be turned into hell and all that forget God they durst not be so wicked and leud as they be we loose much benefit by the Word for want of faith therefore hear with faith 4. Pray to God to bless the Word to thee and to make it prosperous to thy soul Is 48.17 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee the way that thou shouldest go Paul may plant and Appollos may water but God that must give the increase Desire him often therefore to direct his Messenger to speak to thy necessity and to water the Word spoken to thee with the dew of his Spirit that thou mayest grow fruitfully under it for the holy Spirit is the life of the Word 3. I told you in the third place that Christ is everlasting meat by the Sacrament of his last Supper this Use still serves to direct us how to labour for Christ in that sacred Ordinance 1. Examine thy self about thy knowledge whether thou hast any knowledge of spiritual things or not a blind man cannot judge of colours an ignorant man cannot discern the Lord Jesus in this Ordinance he sees not the divine benefits of this Sacrament for its a great mystery to him and is spiritually discerned you ignorant creatures who have lived in blindness ever since your birth come out of your ignorance content not your selves with your ignorant and blind devotion but come out of that dungeon of darkness suffer not the devil to lead you to hell hoodwinkt least you be there before you be aware ignorance is the road way to eternal misery Christ will come in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God learn therefore in these dayes of knowledge to know God the Father Son and Holy Ghost to know the Covenant of grace and the miserable estate of all by nature and the meanes how to come out of it 2. Examine thy self about faith be sure to come with a lively faith in Christ his bloud Rom. 3.25 to wash thee from sin faith is the hand of the soul to receive Christ John 1.12 But as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that beleive on his Name where note that Christ intimates that receiving of him is by beleiving on him so likewise faith is the mouth of the soul to eat Christ and to feed upon him John 6.47 48. c. He that beleiveth on me hath everlasting life I am that bread of life by the coherence of those words with what follows it appears that we must feed upon Christ spiritually by faith therefore come with faith or else you come without your hand and mouth 3. Examine thy self about repentance busie not thy self about the present controversie whether faith or repentance go before as many talkative Pharisees now adayes do insomuch that they dispute faith and repentance quite away but exercise thy self seriously in the practise of true repentance when thou comest to the Lords Table where thou mayst see thy dear Saviour crucified and his bloud shed for thy many and great sins Oh let thy heart bleed for thine abominations these these I say were the nailes that peirct him the Passover was to be eaten with sour hearbs signifying that we must come to the Lords Supper with broken hearts 4. Come with a spiritual appetite to this heavenly feast ones meat doth them most good when they have a good stomack you will receive more comfort and satisfaction when you hunger and thirst after Christ if you desire him earnestly as new born babes desire the breast set thy soul a longing after him turn the stream of thy desires towards him alone then maist thou seek for comfort in wealth wit honours and worldly favour but they will answer it s not in me Oh let thy heart return to Christ as Noahs Dove did to the Ark and then shalt thou find rest and peace yea the Lord will deal bountifull with thee 4. I told you in the fourth place thaâ— Christ is everlasting meat by the saving graces of his holy Spirit this Use still serves to direct us how to labour after spiritual graces and comforts 1. First we must conscionably and constantly frequent the meanes of grace God will be found in his own way we look for a friend in his house we look for fishes in the water for birds in the wood let us seek after Christ and his graces in his Word and Sacraments excellent is that promise Isai 64.5 Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousness those that remember thee in thy wayes Christs Ordinances are his wayes such as rejoyce in these his wayes he will meet them and touch their hearts with his holy Spirit watch daily at wisdoms gates and wait at the posts of his dores then
thou shalt find him whom thy soul loveth 2. Be very humble be nothing in thine own eyes fot God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble 3. Pray earnestly to God for his spiritual graces as the Apostles prayed Lord increase our faith and David prayed Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Luk. 11.13 If ye then being evill know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him When our dear Saviour was upon earth he was bountiful to such as earnestly desired his Spirit but afterward he ascended on high to give gifts to men he is now in his glorification and is no niggard of his divine graces and comforts but will be very bountiful to thee if thou beggest them earnestly at his hands SERMON II. Text GENESIS 5.24 And Enoch walked with God THese words are a brief but yet a sweet relation of that dear servant of God Enoch the seventh from Adam as may be seen by the genealogy of the Patriarchs from Adam unto Noah here in this chapter the memory of the just is blessed saith Solomon so is it here in the eleventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews Enoch is there recorded to his everlasting honour that he had this testimony that he had pleased God Jude also in his Epistle recordeth his prophecy concerning the day of judgement to come for the comfort of the righteous and for the terror of the wicked here in my Text observe these parts 1. The person mentioned viz. Enoch 2. His commendation in the latter words he walked with God His practise and life is here propounded as a president for us to imitate For those examples in Scripture which the Spirit of Christ commends are obligatory his commendings are virtual commandings and we ought to follow whatsoever is praise-worthy especially in Gods account Those examples in Scripture are obligatory likewise whose ground reason scope or end are obligatory and of a moral nature and as much concern one Christian as another so here Enoch his walking with God is of a moral nature and necessarily concerns us all he is here propounded as a pattern for us that we should do the like there is in Scripture sometimes the example of caution 1 Cor. 10.5 6 11. such as were punished for sin and thus we must learn to improve the bad examples of such and make the best use of their fals and miseries for our good There is also the example of imitation such as are recorded in holy Writ for us to follow so here Enoch is set down for an example of walking with God Doct. Hence observe That all true Children of God must walk with God verse 22. of this chapter its said Enoch walked with God Genes 17.1 God said to Abram walk before me and be thou perfect Isaiah 38.3 Remember now I beseech thee O Lord how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight In handling this point I shall observe this method 1. I will shew how many wayes a Christian must walk with God 2. I shall give reasons 3. I shall teach you how to use this Point For the first head A Christian walks with God eight wayes 1. By acquainting himself with God and making his peace with him Job 22.21 Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace thereby good shall come unto thee Amos 3.3 Can two walk together except they be agreed and the more inward with God any Christian is the closer he walks with God 2. A Christian walks with God by doing all his actions as in Gods sight and presence Psal 16.8 I have set the Lord alwayes before me Acts 2.25 I foresaw the Lord alwayes before my face whereas an Atheist thinks God sees him not and thinks to commit his wickedness close from the all-seeing eye of God 3. A Christian walks with God by referring all his actions to the glory of God 1 Corinth 10.31 Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God for God made all things for his glory now when you aim at this you walk with him in aiming at the same end 4. A Christian walks with God by a strict invitation of God according to the rules of his holy Word Ephes 5.1 Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children thus he walks step by step with God and the more he resembles God the closer he walks with him 5. A Christian walks with God by daily observation of the passages of his providence towards him whether they be passages of mercy or of justice Psalm 77.11 12. I will remember the work of the Lord surely I will remember thy wonders of old I will meditate also of all thy works and talk of thy doings when a mercy comes he observes it and saith this the Lord hath sent me or if a correction be inflicted on him he saith God hath laid his hand on me 6. A Christian walks with God by having his conversation in heaven Philip. 3.20 Our conversation is in heaven for God is in heaven and he that would walk with him must ascend thither in affection and set his heart on things above 7. A Christian walks with God by frequent and fervent prayer expecting an answer to his prayers David prayed seven times in a day and Daniel three times prayer is a sweet talking with God though God be in heaven and a true Beleiver upon earth yet he can talk with God as if he was in heaven with him Yea prayer is a corner of heaven to a gracious walker with God likewise he expects a return of his prayers Psalm 85.8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak and this is a cheif part of walking with God 8. A Christian walkes with God by the life of faith Hab. 2.4 the just shall live by faith for faith is a resting upon God and his gracious promises now the faster a man adheres to God the closer he walks with him Reas The first reason is because if we walk with God then he will take us to himself when we die so it s said Enoch was not for God took him that is to heaven at our death we shall change our place but not our company walking with God is the way to heaven such as are strangers to him how can they hope to be with him its better being with God in heaven then here below David accounted that a day in the Lords Courts were better than a thousand elsewhere Oh then how infinitely far sweeter is it to be in heaven eternally then to be here on earth a few dayes as ever you desire to go to heaven when you shall depart this world walk with God whilest you live upon earth 2. Because this will be an extraordinary comfort and honour to us both here and hereafter Hebr. 11.5 By faith
FOUR SERMONS Publickly delivered at several times in ECCLESFEILD Church in YORKE-SHIRE By IMMANUEL KNUTTON Preacher of GODS Word there Galat 6.17 And as many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God LONDON Printed for George Sawbridge at the Bible on Ludgate-hill 1655. To all true hearted Israelites who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity Immanuel Knutton wisheth all present happiness and future blessedness DEAR CHRISTIANS MY hearts desire is that you may be saved for your sakes I have published these four Sermons to direct and incourage you in the right way to life eternal our soules are of great value and the salvation of them is not easily attained unto all our care and paines for them is little enough for strait is the way to life and few find it If you please to read remember and practise these Sermons I hope with Gods blessing you shall reap much benefit to your soules while you and I live upon earth remember me in your prayers that we may all grow fruitfully in saving grace and may have a joyful meeting in heaven at last which God the Father grant us for his dear Sons sake So prayeth Yours truly in what I am able IMMANUEL KNUTTON from my house in Ecclesfeild SERMON I. Text JOHN 6.27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life IN the former part of this Chapter from the first verse to the fifteenth we have a relation of Christ feeding five thousand men with five loves and two fishes thereupon in the fifteenth verse the people would have made him King from the sixteenth verse to the six and twentieth Christ withdrew himself and walked on the Sea to his Disciples where we see the people in verses 24. and 25. seeking for Jesus not out of a spiritual appetite after the celestial food of their soules but out of a carnal appetite after the transitory food of their bodies Christ who knew their hearts reprehends them for this verse 26. and in this 27. verse exhorts and directs them what food to seek after namely the everlasting food of their souls Labour not for the meat c. in which words are contained two parts 1. A Dehortation Labour not for the one at which perisheth 2. An Exhortation But labour is understood for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life Before I come to the point I must answer an objection Object But Genes 3.19 God there commands Adam to eat his bread in the sweat of his face and in the fourth Commandement it s said Six dayes shalt thou labour Answ I answer it two wayes 1. There is the care of diligence a lawful care joyned with faith and a care of diffidence without faith or having a very weak faith in Gods promise and providence now when God commands us to labour six dayes it s meant with the care of diligence in obedience to his command and in affiance of his promise but in my Text when he saith labour not c. he meanes with the care of diffidence not distrusting Gods promise 2. Here our blessed Saviour speaketh comparatively as if he had said labour not for the meat which perisheth in comparison of the paines you must take for that meat which endureth unto life eternal You must take pains for this outward perishing food but cheifly take your greatest pains for Christ and his heavenly graces labour for this with all your might night and day even to your dying day What that meat is which endureth everlastingly you may see Christ declaring it to you in the next words Which the Son of man shall give unto you for him hath God the Father sealed This enduring food is Christ himself with all his saving graces and comforts Christ here calls himself the Son of man for these reasons 1. He calls himself the Son of man in the singular number because he came from man onely in regard of his humane nature but we are called the sons of men because we proceed from both parents 2. That so Christ might shew us the great benefit which we have received by his taking our nature upon him 3. That his humane nature might be distinguished from his divine nature 4. That we might acknowledge him to be true man as well as God 5. The true reason is gathered from the Hebrew phrase it is an Hebraisme it is Ben. Adam the Son of man this phrase imports contempt sometimes Job 25.6 yet Christ so called himself So in the verses 35 48 51. Christ shews that he is this durable food I might observe from the former part Doct. That we must not labour for the food that perisheth namely with the care of diffidence But the point that I desire to insist upon is Doct. That we must labour for Christ who is everlasting food This point consisteth of two branches 1. That Christ is everlasting food which appeareth four wayes 1. By the merit and efficacy of his person By his merit and absolute worthiness he hath purchased infinite comfort and happiness for us John 6.55 My flesh is meat indeed and my bloud is drink indeed that is by the merit and efficacy of it Besides the merit of his person there is a spiritual efficacy and vertue flowing from him to nourish true beleivers unto eternal life 2. By his sacred Word is Christ everlasting food Jer. 3.15 And I will give you pastures according to mine heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding which phrase implies that the Word of Christ is the food of the soul The same is implied in Amos 8.11 where he threatens them with a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Job 23.12 I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food and his Word is heavenly nourishment to true beleivers 3. By the Sacrament of his last Supper 1 Corinth 11.24 c. Christ by that blessed Ordinance feeds the hearts of the faithfull 4. By the saving graces and comforts of his holy Spirit Luke 1.53 He hath filled the hungry with good things that is with heavenly graces and spiritual comforts Math. 5.6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled that is with heavenly graces and consolations Reason 1. Because such as feed upon Christ shall never hunger and thirst again John 6.35 And Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that beleiveth on me shall never thirst There is a double thirst a thirst proceeding from a total want and loss of Christ now this kind of thirst they shall never have that are truly in Christ for John 4.14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting lâ—fe where Christ teacheth that saving grace cannot be totally and finally lost
midst of the Sea It may be thy sins are bloudy sins of a crimson colour and of a scarlet die yet Christ can make thee by his merits pure and white as any snow and wool Isaiah 1.18 there is more merit in Christ than sin in thee for his merit is the merit of him who is God man but thy sins are the sins of man onely Remember for thy comfort thou contrite in spirit that Christ pardoned as great and it may be greater sinners than thy self he purchased pardon for Paul a bloudy persecutor for Magdalen a strumpet it may be thou hast never committed such great sins as these now these are written for thy learning that thou through patience and comfort of the Scriptures mightest have hope and confidence in thy Redeemer I told you in the second place that Christ is everlasting meat by his sacred word this Use still serves for comfort to all such as love Christ dearly and labour for him they are in a blessed condition for their soules however it goes with their outward man this holy word of God will be unto all such a special guide a shining light to their feet it will be unto thee that lovest it dearly a blessed stay in adversity David said If my delight had not been in thy Law I had perished long since in mine afflictiō this word does good to you that walk uprightly it will resolve your doubts raise you being dejected guide you when you wander comfort you when you are perplexed and at last will lead you straight to heaven the Prophet said Psalm 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory All the commands and directions in the word will teach thee thy duty to God and man and lead thee in the right way the threatenings of the word will keep thee in awe of God and restrain thee from presumptuous sins the exceeding great and precious promises in the word are Yea and Amen to thee through Christ 2 Corinth 1.20 they will give thy faith sure hand-hold in all straits whereby thou mayest overtop all difficulties they will delight thee more than honey and the honey-combe 3. I told you in the third place that Christ is everlasting food by the Sacrament of his last Supper this Use still serves to comfort all gracious soules who hunger and thirst after him in that Ordinance it is a seal of righteousness and of Gods love to them Hear this you true beleivers that discern the Lords body you receiving the Sacrament do renew your fellowship with your Saviour he will strengthen your faith and hope in him and will nourish your soules unto everlasting life there you may by the eye of faith discern his bloud poured out and shed for the remission of your sins you may come to this spiritual banquet with much delight and joy for your blessed Redeemer proffers himself to you This sacred Ordinance is an emblem to thee of thy future estate with Christ in heaven while it is so sweet to tast how gracious he is here in his Ordinances how unspeakably sweet will it be to thee to enjoy Christ immediately in heaven without these Ordinances and signes your journey to heaven is long and full of difficulties yet this bread of life will nourish and enable you to hold out to the end 4. I told you in the fourth place that Christ is everlasting meat by the saving graces and comfort of his holy spirit this Use still serves to comfort all such as earnestly labour for and hunger after the saving graces of Christ his Spirit Blessed are you that hunger and thirst after these you shall be abundantly satisfied Christ will satisfie you with the fatness of his house and make you drink of the river of his pleasure he hath done much for thee to beget in thee such fervent desires after grace for its a sign thou art born again and it will much conduce to spiritual growth as a little babe the first year after his birth by reason of his daily sucking and sleeping grows exceedingly so the more thou desirest the graces of the Spirit the more fruitfully thou growest in grace for Christ will fill the hungry with good things that is with saving graces and satisfactory comforts Object But thou wilt say Alass I feel little or no growth in my self me thinks I am as dead-hearted as I was my knowledge and other gifts are very poor and weak Answ I answer look upon thy self and compare thy self now even this day with what thou wast a week or a moneth since and it may be thou shalt find very small growth in goodness and small strength against corruptions but compare thy self now with what thou wast two or three years or four or five years since and thou maist find through Gods blessing a sweet fruitful growth formerly thou was extreamly ignorant hadst no gift of prayer didst not delight much in Gods service wa st not very hungry and greedy after grace couldst not mourn much for thy failings but now God hath been gracious to thee he hath given thee some insight into his wayes he hath poured the Spirit of grace and supplication upon thee he hath given thee delight in his Worship he hath indued thee with an appetite and thirst after grace and holiness and he hath melted thy heart with godly sorrow for thine imperfections now these are good beginnings of eternal life in thee and though thy beginning be small yet thy latter end shall greatly increase he that hath begun this good work in thee will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ thou art a living stone built upon the cheif corner stone all the powers of darkness can never pull thee out of the spiritual building thou art Christ his spouse Satan can never alienate his heart from thee nor divorce thee from him thou art a branch of Christ the true Vine and root thine enemies can never cut thee off thou art a member of his mistical body nothing shall separate thee from his love Vse The last use serves for direction and exhortation joyntly I told you in the first place that Christ is everlasting meat by the merit and efficacy of his person this Use serveth to direct us how to labour for the comfort and benefit of his merits 1. First we must renounce all confidence in our own merits and righteousness alass we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags our goodness is as a morning cloud and as the early dew it passeth away Phillip 3.9 we see the Apostle durst not confide in his own righteousness for to be justified by it 2. Rest upon the merits of Christ onely for justification as St. Paul did Phillip 3.9 But that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith his merits are of infinite value to justifie thee in the sight of God and to procure acceptation in his sight he is the
are as silly as little Infants such as these are penny wise and pound foolish and if they look not to it in time they will one day lament their folly in that they had no more care over their soules when they come to find this true by their own experience that it will be no profit to gain the world and to loose ones soul 7. I told you in the seventh place that a Christian walks with God by frequent and servent prayer expecting an answer to it This Use still serves to reprove all such as call not upon the Lord they performe some lip-labour uttering some cold wishes but they know not how to pour out their soules in zealous suites it seems their hearts were never broken with greif and sorrow for sin because they never had the Spirit of grace and supplication poured upon them if they draw neer God with their lips their heart is farre from him oh how weary are they of prayer and other holy duties Certainly they will never indure to be in heaven for there is everlasting singing of Hallelujah without ceasing if the Lords service here tire them out in two or three houres much more will they be weary of being in heaven so holy a place Consider this you ungodly wretches who have opened your mouths in swearing and cursing and ungodly talking against the way of holiness and blaspheming of God but could never to this day pour out a fervent prayer to God doubtless God will not hold you guiltless for these sins but in the day that he visits he will visit these sins upon you you hypocrites you generation of vipers how hard will it be for you to escape the damnation of hell you are quickly weary of the Lords service and cry what a weariness is it but you are not weary of your sins look to it betime and have a care to amend or else these great sinnes will burden your soules and lie very heavy upon them when you die 8. I told you in the eighth place that a Christian walks with God by the life of faith This Use still serves to reprove all such as walk not with God this way this life of faith is a riddle and a mystery to the most few understand and practise it the most men live by their wits shifts and policy but to live by faith in God they know not they say they beleived ever since they could remember but that was not in God for if God deprive them of his blessings and afflict them with miseries they presently distrust repine and run to unlawful meanes they can trust God no farther than they see him helping them with second meanes but if outward meanes be gone their faith is gone also so they trust not God but the meanes these do much offend God by distrust and unbeleif as the Israelites did in Psal 78. Vse The next Use is for comfort to all such as walk with God 1. I told you in the first place that a Christian walks with God by acquainting himself with God and being at peace with him This Use serves to comfort all such as walk thus with God happy are you in any condition God shall lead you into you may look upward with joy for though men frown at you yet the Lord from heaven smiles upon you you having peace with God shall have peace in your own consciences which will do you more good than millions of gold you shall have peace with the blessed Angels they shall pitch their Tents about you for your safety as when one is at peace with the Master of a family his servants are ready to do him good you shall have peace with other creatures Job 5.23 Thou shalt 〈◊〉 in league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee 〈◊〉 is the portion of all such as are at peace with God this honour have all the Saints 2. I told you in the second place that a Christian walkes with God by doing all his actions as in Gods sight and presence This Use still serves for consolation to all such as walk thus with God two priviledges belong to all such Psalm 16.9 11. The first is in verse 9. Therefore mine heart is glad and my glory that is my tongue rejoyceth This will be a matter of great joy unto thee to have God thy dearest freind ever in thine eye Jacob had enough when he saw Joseph thou hast enough in seeing thy heavenly father thou livest as do the glorious Angels for they continually behold the face of our Father in heaven God is ever within the sight of your faith and within the cry of your prayers Jacob having seen Christ and wrastled with him was filled with joy saying I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved he had special assurance of protection against Esau his fury by the clear sight of Christ which made him exceeding joyful The next priviledge is verse 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life God is the good mans guide the closer you walk with him the surer he will guide you to glory as the Star led the wise men to Christ and as the Cloud conducted the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan so God will never leave thee untill he hath brought thee to heaven the wicked wander in the darkness and stumble but you that walk with God walk uprightly and surely you avoid many sins and punishments which others run into blessed are you dear souls that ever God inclined your hearts to walk with him 3. I told you in the third place that a Christian walks with God by doing all his actions to Gods glory This Use still serves to comfort all such as walk with him after this manner you blessed Christians who look at this noble end you may confidently expect a noble end of your lives even glory honour and immortal life in another world so did our blessed Saviour John 17.45 I have glorified thee on the earth and now O Father glorfie thou me with thine own self God will honour you that honour him both here but chiefly hereafter the men of this world will speak all manner of evill of you falsly but God with whom you walk will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgement as the noon day you are here defamed and reputed as the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things yet by advancing the glory of God your memory shall be blessed when the name of your enemies shall rot 4. I told you in the fourth place that a Christian walks with God by a strict imitation of God according to his word This Use still serves to comfort all such as walk with God this way herein lies your happiness in that you resemble God the most perfect example which will move him to love you most dearly for likeness is the cause of love this is the reason why the righteous is more excellent than
thee an upright body so as thou mayest look often up towards heaven that thine heart may be lifted up thither aquila non capit museas scorn to imbase thy noble soul by doting upon things of the earth a little meanes will suffice nature thou needest not be so greedy after gain hadst thou a whole Lordship nay a whole Kingdom yet thou canst dwell but in one house at a time hadst thou the richest Wardrobe in the world thou canst wear but one suite of apparrel at a time hadst thou thy Table furnisht with all varieties thou canst eat but a bellifull of meat at a time enough is as good as a feast Oh let thine heart mount up towards heaven daily upon the wings of divine contemplation then thy soul shall go thither at last it s no easie thing to get thither the way to hell is down the hill and down the stream but the way to heaven is up the hill and against the stream rightly said the Poet facilis descensus Averni Sed revocare gradum superasque evadere ad auras Hic labor hoc opus est Therefore look upward often whither thy Redeemer is ascended the sight of the outside of heaven here below should draw up our hearts thither and make us less regard these worldly delights for if the outside of heaven be so glorious that is bespangled with the Sun Moon and Stars how glorious is the inside of it you are daily within the sight of heaven your Fathers house Oh let your hearts be there till your soules be there for ever lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees and make straight paths for your feet loose not heaven for want of paines and labour you may buy gold too dear but heaven you cannot 7. I told you in the seventh place that a Christian walks with God by fervent and frequent prayer expecting an answer This Use still serves to exhort us all to walk with God after this manner pray continually ply the Throne of grace hard give the Lord no rest until he hath brought thee to sing everlasting hallelujah in heaven God hath in many places of his Word promised to hear and grant the sutes of his people if thou beest one of his thou mayest pray with confidence to be heard Moses talked with God in the Mount until his face shone be thou also frequent in fervent prayer and it will make thy soul to shine in grace Jacob wrestled with Christ by prayer untill he halted be thou likewise earnest with God until thou hast weakened thy corruptions and made them lame thou that hast the spirit of grace and supplication hast such a treasure to enrich thee such a weapon to defend thee as no worldling hath thou mayest by the key of prayer unlock heaven gates and fetch mercies thence in any place whereever thou livest for the way to heaveÌ„ is as near to a true Christian in one place as in another it s a sweet thing to talk often with God and to be inward with him he will give no little joy to such 8. I told you in the eighth place that a Christian walks with God by the life of faith This Use still serves to exhort you all to walk with God this way let your life be a continual dependance upon him trust in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength he is faithful that hath promised he never deceived any that trusted in him this is your sure hold true faith in his promises and providence will not fail you you will find friends riches pleasures honours and other delights of this world to be miserable comforters but rest upon God by faith and you will find him a fast friend and a sure comforter endeavour daily to rest upon him with such strength of faith as that when all outward helpes fail you may not doubt nor fear but may in patience possess your soules and quietly rest upon God for releif and succour not seeking after indirect meanes for your help if you can attain to this life of faith you will find more comfort in want than others in their wealth more comfort in sickness than others in their health it will make you better in your worst estate than unbeleivers are in their best estate you are better in disgrace than they are in honour you are better in bondage than they are in liberty when thou wast a little child thou couldst sport and play and tookest no care for maintenance but didst rest upon thy earthly parents for food and rayment and now thou art come to yeares of discretion wherein thou shouldest have attained to knowledge and faith hast thou not yet learned to trust thy heavenly Father for body and soul why do ye doubt oh ye of little faith cast thy care wholly upon God and he will care for you thou pretendest thou canst trust God for thy soules everlasting peace and canst thou not trust him for thy present bodily mantenance â—oul the weight of all thy cares wholly upon the Lords blessed providence live the life of faith and thou shalt die the death of the righteous yea thy last and shall be like his SERMON III. Text JOHN 13.8 If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me WE are all by nature polluted with iniquity both in soul and body and have need to cry with the Leper unclean unclean if this sinful pollution be not washt away it will prove destructive to our soules and bodies eternally the onely meanes to wash away this pollution is the pretious bloud of our blessed Redeemer which he doth by the merit and efficacy of it for if he wash us with his bloud we shall be Kings and Priests unto God Revel 1.5 6. but if he wash us not we have no part with him Touching the occasion and coherence of these words we read in the first verse of this chapter it s said Now before the feast of the Passover when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father c. verse 2. and supper being ended c. verse 4. he riseth from supper and laid aside his garments and took a towell and girded himself verse 5. After that he poureth water into a bason and began to wash the Disciples feet and to wipe them with the towell wherewith he was girded verse 6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter and Peter saith unto him Lord doest thou wash my feet verse 7. Jesus answered and said unto him what I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter verse 8. Peter saith unto him Thou shalt never wash my feet Jesus answered him If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me Christ washt their feet partly to shew his admirable love to them partly to give them an example of humility and love one to another and lastly to intimate that he onely cleanseth us from our sins 1 John 1.7 when Peter said