that is when they have done all they can they misse of their hopes when they say their pâ—ots shall take effect and hurt the Saints they lye it shall not be so nay poor Saints I have more comfort for you yet here is that still which may doe your sorrowfull hearts good and that is this God doth not onely infatuate their Counsels and bring to nothing their plots but God uâ—ually beats them with their owne weapon let the wicked prepare what they will and intend what they will against the Saints that shall be their owne it s for themselves as you see but now David said the wicked were travailing hewing out their mischievous plots but what comes it too alâ—s all this while they but dig a pit wherein themselves shall perish their mischievous intentions shall be â—heir own misery their cruelty shâ—ll come home to them he made a pit and dig'd it and 〈◊〉 fallen into the ditch which he made his mischeife shall return upon his own head and his violent dealing shall come downe upoâ— his own pate ver. 15 16. of the same Psalm This is a plain proofe but if you may see example it 's lâ—ke you will beleeve it better take notice then but of one or two take but the confessiâ—n of Adoni-bezek King oâ—Jerusalem when he himselfe was taken prisoner by Judâ—h and Simeâ—n as saith he I have done so God hath requited me Jud. 1.7 again consider the event of Hamans bloody designe upon poor Mordecai and the Jewes mark the end of that plot Haman thought he had so cunningly contrived the buâ—â—nesse and was so confident of obtaining his desire that he made ready a high Gallowes and now onely waits for the Kings decree Hest. 5.14 in the next chapter Haman goes to the King with an intent to have him speak the word and all was done but see I pray you how God turns about the designe the poor Porter Mornecai is advanced to the greatest honour in the Kings Court and by the Kings command Haman was hanged upon the same Gallowes he set up for Mordecai Hest. 7.9 10. I might also give you more of the same presidents but these are sufficient what think you now of this who would not be on God's side and Christ's side and the Saints side which is such a prosperous side which shall be the prevailing â—ide And what a miserable condition are wicked men in who are enemies to Gods people that none of all those ever brought their desires about look upon all the persecuting Monarchies that ever yet reigned and they never carried their designes thorow this hath still been their ends They have fallen and perished and the Church yet thrives Tstis speaks comfort to the Saints in the first câ—sâ— Secondly let the wicked proceed as far as they can against the Saints let them come to the washing of their hands in the hearts blood of the Saints and that I suppose will conclude which is as far as they can goe yet I say in this they doe the Saints no hurt nay I will affirme it they doe them good I say suppose as now its frequent a Saint fals by the hand of the wicked yet I say such a one has no hurt he is not made worse but better by it Such a one doth noâ— loose but lay downe his life in the cause of God I say the childe of God that so dyes doth but lay downe his life for a time and it shall certainly be restored again with advantage it shall be better'd it is onely changed an immortall for a mortall 1. Cor. 15.53 Who I pray you would not change thus at any time who would not willingly leave a poore rotten cottage that will keepe out to wet or weather for a goodly faire Pallace alas what hurt doth the wicked to the Saints by killing them what hurt doth one doe to a poore pined prisoner to knock off his bolts and set him at liberty what hurt doth one when he finds a poore childe like to perish in the woods to lead him out and bring him home to his Fathers house this is all the hurt the enemies doth the Saints The poore Soule is lockt and pined in the prison of the body a Bullet sets it at liberty the poor soule being ready to perish in a wood of troubles and miseries Death brings it to heaven and happinesse to God and Christ the Saints and glory I pray you consider this well and you shall see that let the wicked doe what they can they can doe the Saints no hurt nay all is for their good This is the second Motive Motive 3. Labour to get a right an interest in Christ and then let your condition be what it will be you have God for your help and Jesus Cbrist to bear you company If once you be married to Jesus Christ he takes you for betâ—er and worse he will goe with you counsell you comfort you suffer with you and carry you thorow all Every Christian may challenge this promise I wil not leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.4 and from this the holy Ghost raises an invincible sort of courage saying so that he may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not feare what man shall doe unto me ver. 6. This you will conclude is right Christian valour indeed but whence fetches the Christian this undaunted resolution It is not barely from the Promise but from the everlasting love of Jesus Châ—ist in whom all promises are confirmed as â—ollowes ver. 8. Jesus Chrâ—st the same yesterday and to day and forever Iesus Christ is faithfull and constant to the Saints Iesus Christ likes his poore Saints never the morse because they are blacke with sufferings though the world makes them miserable and acconts them as the filth of the earth they are of a higher esteeme with Iesus Christ Hence is that speech of the Spouse in the Canticles Look not upon me because I am black judge me not by my outward appearance there was cause for it my mothers children were angry with me Cant. 1.6 yet for all this the Spouse is not troubled at heâ— sable colour her selfe nor Iesus Christ loves her never the lesse In her owne apprehension she is comely ver. 5. and to her beloved she is the fairest among women ver. 8. Goe further as Iesus Christ likes not the afflicted Church the despised Saints the worse neither doth he leave her the more Of all times he is most with the Saints in trouble it was the promise of Iesus Christ to his Disciples to come in to their helpe especially in straits I will not leave you comfortlesse I will come unto you Joh. 14.18 Of all times Iesus Christ will be sure to come in to the Saints when he sees there is need of support Iesus Christ must doe it he cannot but doe it he is a fellow-feeler of the Saints miseries the Saints are of his flesh and bones a neere relation that you know is a strong
beare ver. 4. of this vveight is iniquity This is the second Instance Lastly actuall sinnes and iniquities are also called transgressioâ—s and this vvord explaines both the other sinne is sinne as done evilly vvickedly and it is ill done or vvickedly done vvhich is done beside or against the rule and command of God and this is is transgression A Christian hath a rule to vvalke by and to goe off from his rule is transgression iniquity or sinne and hence is that expression of Paul Rom. 14.23 He that dourteth is damned if he eat because he careth not of faith fâ—r whatsoever is not of fâ—ith is sinneâ— that is looke to your rule see and know a warrant for what you doe or else you will transgresse you will sinne these tranâ—gressions are soule weights soul burdens and therefore David prayed for deliverance from them in these termes deliver me from all my transgressions Psal. 39.8 Thus I desire every one to study the estate of their soules I know it is a hard matter it 's above a Preacher to make some beleeve this but let me speake home and speake the truth too for which I will give you my warrant from the Word I say to any of you you had far better never to have been borne vvithout you have the new-birth unlesse you be borne againe unlesse you be borne anew unto Christ Iesus unlesse you have this birth you can never come into Heaven and then you know where your place will be These are the words of Iesus Christ twice repeâ—tâ—d Jesus answered and said unto him verely verely I say unto thee except a man be borne againe or as the Originall affords from above he cannot see the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.3 And as though Iesus Christ did not here fully explaine it he still redoubles his affirmation in the same wordâ— and enlargeth his meaning Iâ—sus answered verely verely the deepest attestation that ever Christ tooke I say unto thee except a man be borne of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God ver. 5. Oh that the men of the world which as yet have nothing of Christ that as yet know not savingly and experimentally what Christ is nay know not whether their soules have need of Christ or no would thinke sadly of this and seriously lay to heart what shall become of them hereafter what shall become of the soule when the body is put to rot in the grave what joy can any take in Riches Honour Wife Children Fâ—ieâ—ds or any thing if they have nothing of Christ but when death seizes on the body Riches Honouâ—â— Friends all leaves them and the Devill seizeth upon their soules would not this tremble a stubborne heart is not this enough to startle a carnall man or woman out of their sleepe of security I am sure it takes deepe with them who have lesse need to feare it the Saints of God and because I would not lay too much sadnesse upon their spirits who have more need to be lifted up then cast down I will now fall into a more pleasing subjâ—ct the other means to get assurance of Christ Doct. 2. The poore soule that would have an interest in Christ must labour to get a true knowledge of the freenesse and fulnesse of Gods promiseâ— made in Christ Here is that which will doe your bodies good and your soules good here is a comfort for every calamity a medicine for every malady and a salue for every sore I may speak plainly of the blood of Christ which Jeremiah speaks Prophetically Ier. 8.22 Is there no balme in Gilead is there no Physition there why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered that it there must needs be Balme where Balme grows in the place from whence all comes So there must needs be mercy in the fountain of mercy in the Father of mercy Why then take ye not the right way why goe ye not to God in your misery why lay ye not the Promises before God and claime your priviledges by the death and sufferings of Christ If you doe this God cannot deny you God will not deny you For your helpe herein you must be frequent in the Scriptures heare them read them they will acquaint you with the Promises and the Priviledges which shall come in to you by Christ The Bible is Gods Booke of Record and you cannot know the minde of God anywhere else the best of other Bookes doe but derive their excellency from this this is the rule to all others and therefore Jesâ—s Christ cals us to the use of this above all others Search the Scriptures for they are they which testifie of me Ioh. 5.39 Of all Books here you shall have most of Jesus Christ Object But some may say I have heard and red the Scriptures by times this thirty or forty yeeres c. yet I finde not so much in them as you now say I know not whether I have any right to Christ for all this onely I hope God will have mercy on my soule when I shall dye Answ. The Lord knowes this is the condition of abundance the most part even of those who have beene Sermon-hearers and Sacrament receivers and thinke themselves in an estate good enough Alas poore soules you are in a sad condition but I had rather informe you then lament you I will therefore endeavour a full answer to the objection I say to lay all things together and consider well every thing a part you would thinke it no wonder to see men so ignorant in the wayes and truths of God notwithstanding so much Gospell-meanes and Gospell light we doe injoy I will not mention the malice of our Non-preaching Prelates the deliverance from whom our Kingdome yet hath not had a greater cause of thankfulnesse in these late times neither will I urge the pride idlenesse and basenesse of I thinke I may say the most of the Clergie these have beene too well knowne lets to the increase of Christs Kingdome But I will give you some reasons of thiâ— your ignorance and darknesse ensuing from your owne selves First you hinder and deprive your selves of much light and many sweet comforts by neglecting the meanâ— and helpes to knowledge A man that would keepe himselfe warme will goe to the fire if you want water you goe to draw it out of the Well and goe to the Spring a childe in his wants will goe to his Father Thus you must doe or else you cannot be helped this must be the course you are to take to get spirituall knowledge Resort unto the Ministers of God acquaint your selves with experienced Christians who are able to speake out of knowledge what they have found God to their poore soules Be diligent in hearing Sermons and reading the Scriptures never any man yet who endeavoured eaâ—nestly the saving knowledge of God as it was needfull for him but he obtained it at one time or other Let nothing then but God keepe thee
moâ—ive with men to helpe a childe a friend when they are over-borne with power The Saints are also the members of Christs body Eph. 5.30 and Iesus Christ is the head Eph. 1.22 Now you know you cannot in the least manner hurt the remotest partâ— of the body not a little fingers end not a toe but the head is instantly sensible of it The head is the seat of the soule all the motions of liâ—e in the body are chiefly acted from the rationall faculties there Christ is not lesse to the Saints his members he is more to them Let the wicked take heed how they meddâ—e with the Saints they that put the Saints in prison puts Jesus Christ in prison make the Saints suffer and you make Jesus Christ suffer Jesus Christ must be with the Saints in all conditions it 's his promise and he will make it good when but the three children were cast bound into thar seven-fold fiery furnace because they would not worship an Idoll the King did see foure men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they had no hurt and the forme of the fourth was ike the sonne of God Dan. 3.25 Jesus Christ will goe through the fire with his Saints when Peter was in prison for the testimony of Jesus an Angel comes knocks off his bolts makes all the doors fly open before him and leads him away Act. 12.7 8 9 10. the like upon the matter was done to Paul and Silas Act. 16.24 25 c. I say let the Saints be where they will Jesus Christ will be with them doe what you please to the Saints you doe it to Iesus Christ Saul could not go to persecute the Saints but Iesus Christ cals to him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9.4 and mark I pray you what an Item Iesus Christ adds ver. 5. It hard for thee to kink agaâ—nst the pricks the wicked must looke for sharp service it 's a dangerous worke to hurt the Saints their wisest way is to let them alone and not meddle with them let the Saints be never so few in appearance and the enemies never so many the Saints have more with then against them they that have Iesus Christ for them have enough at full though they be weak he is strong though they be few he hath men and Angels at his command when Elisha's servant upon the approach of the Army which came to take away Elisha cried alas my Master how shall we doe 2 Kin. 6.15 Elisha answered feare not for they that be with us are moe then they that be with them ver. 16. and these Elisha made use of ver. 17 18. the like is in that speech of Christ in his streight in the Garden he had onely a few and those fals-hearted Disciples with him when the multitude came with swords and staves about him alas saith Iesus Christ what are al these I â—ould but pray to my Faâ—her he would â—resently give me more then twelue legions of Angels Mat. 26.53 that is an infinite number I might add much sweet comfort to the Saints out of the power of Christ vvho is their companion in all but this subject is the sum of the next motive of which in its place Motive 4. Fourthly get your interest in Christ cleered up make sure of your right to him and you shall have a share in the Churches deliverance there is not a more infallible truth there is not any thing more certaine the Churches deliveraâ—ce shall come the Saints deliverance shall come God will doe it himselfe the Lord will save them and deliver them because they put their trust in him the time will come certainly yea the time will come shortly that God will give a glorious day to his poor despised saints saints feare it not it will come this encouragement is not mine but he which knew vvell the mind of God and never yet vvas lye found in his mouth even the Lord Christ Iesus I will give you his own vvords feare not little flocke it is your Fathers good pleasure it 's his owne mind to give you the Kingdome Luk. 12.32 this is so sweet to the Saints this is such a soul-affecting subject that I cannot passe without a little stay upon these excellent comforts I vvill therefore vievv them apart first it 's a great comfort and strange support to the saints to consider that a glorious deliverance shall bertainly come if there be any truth in all the book of God vvhich let them ever perish that dares deny it this position is true the Churches of Iesus Christ shall certainly be delivered from the vvicked it 's God's vvord and God's promise it 's a sure vvord of promse and God vvill not faile his people nor break his promise the Churches deliverance vvas determined by the counsell of heaven from all eternity promised vvhen the commission of persecution vvas first of all granted Gen. 3.15 and divers hundreds of times repeated in the old and nevv Testaments it vvere enough to have onely the promise of God that deliverance shall come to the saints but that vvhich confirms the certainty is that God himselfe vvill doe it it 's no lesse then three times repeated in tvvo verses of the 37. Psal. The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord he is their strength in the time of trouble The Lord shall help them and deliver them he shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in him ver. 39 40. indeed if the businesse vvas altogether left to man there might be just suspition of a long delay our eyes and our eares see and heare daily of the basenesse of many who are strong pretenders to the Religious part in these times vvherein God is about this great busines of the saints deliverance pride selfe and trechery have much prolonged our misery vvere it not that our hope vvas in the Lord vve vvere in a sad condition but I say againe Saints cheare up your drooping souls let open enemies and pretending friends doe what they can to keep off the Churches peace God will infatuate their counsels discover their treasons and destroy their strength the Lord will certainly deliver his Saints from the wicked because they trust in him Secondly the Churches dâ—liverance shall not onely certainly but shortly come I meane not comparatively but really within a little time when I say 〈◊〉 deliverance shall shortly come you must think I look above our present condiâ—ion which though blessed be God our cause hath much more life in it noâ— then outwardly could be discerned the last yeere yet our continued distempers and distractions bespeak much misery but I say I look above these I look at the Word and usually wayes of God these are my guides I know you will be desirous to heare my grounds for which I so confidently affirme and I will presâ—ntly give them to you some there are which I could urge yet think it wisdome to conceal them
reliefe in the Gospel I will then begin there I must tell you that wicked men who have no right no interest in Christ have no right to any thing that is Gods I meane no such right as savingly to doe them good to be bettered by them and I will instance in some parâ—â—culars and explaine them apart 1. Wicked men who are out of Christ have no proper right to the common câ—eatuâ—es I say thâ—y have no good â—ight to doe them good take what creatures you will but I will instance in two sorts of creatures and by those you you may conceive of the râ—â—h of the â—â—st â—iâ—st wicked men â—ave no right to those creatures which sustaines life not to their very victuals which they put in their bâ—llies They have them indeed but it is with a curse as iâ— plaine by that Propheâ—â—ck speech of David Psal. 69.22 and cited by Paul Rom. 11.9 The words aâ—e these Let their Table become a snaâ—e before them and that which should have beene for their welfare let it become a trap That is let them not have a sanâ—tified use of the creatures brought to their Tables and then they must needs be as so many snares A caâ—nall man cannot bridle nâ—ture but it will fall into excesse of Ryot Druâ—kennesse or Gluttony I sâ—y hence it is that so many dishonour God and abuse him yea destroy bodies and soules by and in the abuse of the creatures Drunkennesse and Gluttony are certaine signes of a man unregenerate The man you see guilty of these you may say iâ— not a chriâ—tiaâ— as yet he he hath no right no interest in Christ he is in a sad condâ—tion And if you will descend into other nay any thing which God hath appoyntâ—d for the good of his owne people as wivies children servants friends or what you will Saith the holy Ghost Let that or thâ—se very things be trape That is the expression and you know a trap is to destroy So by this â—ule the faithfull Ministers and Preachers the greatest gift that ever God gave to his people next to Jesus Christ are but traâ—s to wicked men the very preaching of the Word hurts them it carries thâ—m deeper into hell then though they had never Sermon for now after this they have nothing to plead for themselves These are Jesus Châ—ist own words If I had not come and spoken 〈◊〉 on him they had not had sin That is coâ—paâ—â—tively but now the word hath beene revealed they have no cloake nothing to excusâ— or plead for theiâ— sins Ioh. 15.22 The word was not sent to the wicked onely for the cleaning of Gods justice and their further condemnation They have not a proper right to it but the Word and Ministers was chiefly for the Elects sake God hath his precious Saints dispersed into all Kingdomes and Countries and therefore the Apostles must goe preach iâ—to all Nations Mat. 28.19 But the maine end of Gods endowing his Ministers with variety of parts and imployments was for the good of Saints The Apostle Paul is cleare in it for when he would magnifie the love and care of Christ in the greatest gift which now he desires to bestow upon the Saintâ— is this And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelâ—sts and sâ—me Pastors and Teachers Ephe. 4.11 And to what end thinke you were all these given It followes in the first word of the next verse for the perfecting of the Saints And if you doe but observe the Dedication or direction of all Pauls Epistles and so the other Apostles all to the Churches all to the Saints in Christ Iesuâ— I will amongst all gâ—ve you one or two that you may be fullier perswaded of the Saints privileâ—geâ— by being in Châ—ist First see the words of Paul writing to the Church of Câ—rinth 1 Epist. 1 chap. vers. 12. Paul called to be an Aâ—â—stâ—e of Iesus Christ c. unto the Church of God which is at Corinth and who are those Churâ—h mâ—mbâ—â—s To them that are saâ—ctified in Christ Iesus called to be Saiâ—â—s c. So againe in his Epistle to the Ephesians this is his direction Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ by the will of God to the Saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithfull in Christ Iesus Ephâ— 11. That the Saints are in the eye of Christ he is still looking upon them therefore the Apostles and faithfull Ministers of Christ have their hearts with the Saints where ever they be whether present or absent the Saints are cared for they are daily mentioned at the Throne of Grace The Saints priviledges more then others they above others and so much for the first particular In the second place wicked men and women who have no trust in Christ have â—o right to the Sacraments the ordinances of the Lords Supper and baptisme do not belong to them they hurt and harm them in the use of them by usurpers I would faine have a wicked man who hath no true saving-faith and sowe no interest in Christ to use one Text in all the Bibleâ— which gives him a right to these holy ordinances and yet an unbeleever For my part I know not a letter in the Scripture which gives the least allowance to any such but much to the contrary Paul is very exact noting out the Israel of God Rom 9. puts a difference both in persons and priviledges They are not all Israâ—l that are of Israel Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children But in Isaac shall thy seed be called vers. 6.7 And these are the true Israelites indeed to whom pertaineth the Adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises vers. 4. There is no great difficulty in the Apostles expressions but yet he cleares it and puts it out of all dispute in another place Gal. 3.16 Now saith the Apostle To Abraham and his seede were the promises made He saith not and to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seede which is Christ The Apostle here writing to the revolting Galathians takes them up sharply for leauing the faith and hanging upon the Law plainly shewing that beleevers are the seed of Abraham vers. 7. Yet least after all they should stil rest in security out of some unbottomed and false hopes of being Abraham's seed Paul declares who they are as if he should say indeed the promises were made to Abraham to his seed all thingâ— that are contained in these promises are the priviledges of Abrahams seed but yet not to all his seed neither When God made the Covenant to Abraham hee did not say to thy seeds for so many would have been contained but of thy seed Gen. 17.10 which is Christ All the promises and all the priviledges in the promises belong only to Christians as they are beleevers and truâ—t God upon his promises Church-ordinances are the Churches belonging to the
from publicke or private services Tye thy selfe to this soule businesse propound as justly thou mayest doe to thy selfe weighty reasons as the necessity of this soule worke the danger of delay the uncertainty of the time of life say to thy selfe let goe this Sermon and it may be I let goe all I may never live to heare another Secondly it s no wonder to have men and women Sermon-hearers and Bible-readers all their dayes and yet never come to the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Paul cals it Phil. 3.8 if we consider how unpreparedly and carelesly most goe either to reading the Word or hearing of Sermons They may depart fencelesse that come rashly they may well goe without profit that come without preparation they may well returne without a blessing which never asked it Abundance have more ends in these services then the increase of saving knowledge and therefore God may justly suffer such to be Bible-readers and Sermon-hearers and yet ignorant of Jesus Christ and saving knowledge Some will goe heare a Sermon when they have nothing else to doe that their businesse is over some will heare onely one particular man and if he Preach not they will heare none Some will goe to shew their fine cloathes or that their neighbours may see what good Church-folke they are I could name many suchâ— But how few is there that comes preparedly to these Sacred Ordinancâ—â— VVho is it that considers duly the weightinesse of the busines he iâ—â—bout VVho is it that takes into his thoughts that now he is about soule-saving or soule-destroying worke VVho is it that premeditates into whose presence he is to come and with what a Majesty he hath to doe with VVho cals to minde the all-searching eye who looks into hearts and who discernes the Almighty power of God who is able to dambe body and soule Who is it that out of the sense of hiâ— ignorance makes it his maine end in all his Services to get saving knowledge the more to gâ—orifie God And who is it which hence goes first to God in prayer to aske leave and crave a blessing Alas I know you cannâ—t but be â—ully answered in the cause nay the causes of ignorance when you but heare me goe this way to worke and you must goe this way or else you will never get any knowledge of Christ to doe you good The way to obtaine is to goe to God for it Are not the Ordinances Gods Is not true knowledge Gods is not Christ Gods and all Gods then if you would speed you must goe to God by prayer Gods promises runnes upon these termes Aske and it shall be given you seeke and yee shall find knocke and it shall be opened to you Mat. 7.7 What can you desire more you see God is ready and Jesus Christ is willing to doe you good Nay I may adde further Iesus Christ would have us to make use of this and see what the event shall be he would have us to take this way upon liking and he will passe his word for a good isâ—ue· Hitherto saith he yee have asked nothing in my Name aske once make a triall and yee shall receive that your joy may be full John 14.24 Iesus Christ will not give sparingly and yet he hath much adoe to perswade us so much as to aske this is the second Reason Thirdly it 's no strange thing to find even old Sermon hearers ignorant they record so little To heare Sermons and not to write is like the taking of water in a sive You may have something of every thing and nothing of any thing the best memories are but bad at remembring all things as in a sive for I can compare one memory to nothing better there may hang some drops after you have poured in much water and yet if you take not them they are presently dried up So after the hearing of a Sermon you may here and there remember a Notion a passage but if you take it not presently and put it sure it 's gone I am sure you will not deale with the world as you doe by your soules you keep a bill of Parish-taxes you keep Shop-books for your takings in and layings out be perswaded to keep a Soule-book that you may know how your spirituall estate stands what increase or decrease of Graces you have This recording of revealed truths and soul-experiences from God would be of admirable use of great importance in times of trouble and tryall The calling to memory of former experiences of Gods love power and providences helps a soule exceedingly to trust God for the future it strengthens faith mightily in extremities Moses makes great use of former providences and deliverances and urges Israel to further obedience and faith from what they had found God These are frequently recorded yet I will onely note one place to you Deut. 4 3 4. Your eyes have seene what the Lord did because of Baal-peor for all the men that followed Baal-peor the Lord thy God haâ—h destroyed them from amongst you but ye that did cleav unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day that is as if Moses had said the very wrath and destruction which God hath brought upon these Idolaters in your sight should engage you to walke closely with God and to love and trust him for the time to comâ— â—ho hath so sweetly preserved you So the very like you may see in David former experience of what God had been to him imboldeâ—s him uâ—on a new attempt Saul thought David was not able to deale with Goliah and would have disswaded him from the encounter but marke how and whence little David takes this great courage from former experience of what God had done for him David said moreover the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Beare he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine 1 Sam. 17.37 This is a sweet observation and of great use to all Christians but I would especially commend it to you brave Souldiers the Davids of our time the Champions of Christ his Churches of all Christendome who are now combating with the Goliah of Rome that 's the Monster you club with whatever the Colours be call to mind what you have alreade found God what great victories God hath gâ—ven to you by weake and small meanes and this will raise up your spirits above men I say there is an undanted courage in the Saints a lofty spirit that cannot be conquered by men or Devils death it selfe feares them not when they are in Gods way and Gods worke you may see examples as of Paul Acts 21.13 and of the other Apostles and Martyrs But now whence draw all the Saints these Heroicke resolutions whence fetch they all this strength anâ— courage surely all from God in Jesus Christ David had his victory by God 1 Sam. 17.46 47. Paul builds all his confidence upon Christ I
can doe all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 4.13 Object But if all courage strength and comfort comes from God in Christ what a sad condition am I in I never sought God in any action or owned the hand of God in any deliverance from danger doe you thinke that God would now heare me if I should henceforth seek to him Answ. Yes let me tell thee if thou in thy heart art grieved for thy neglects of God if the contempts thou hast offered to the face of God doe prick and wound thy heart with sorrow and thou be willing to walke with God if he would now receive thee feare it not there is hope enough in Christ to infavour thee with God here and bring thee to the fulnesse of glory hereafter God looks not so much at former sinnes as future obedience if now thou hast a desire to give up thy selfe to Christ thou must count with thy selfe to live as a Christian thou must determine to cast off all thy unwarranted courses and as neere as thou canst endeavour to walke and act according to the rule of Christ The Apostle puts it downe for a Maxim Let who every one that nameth the Name of Christ that will challenge the profession of a Christian depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Jesus Christ looks not so much what you are as what you would be God is willing to quit scores for all that 's past whatever it is and that for his owne sake that shall never be questioned againe You may thinke this is much but I have Scripture for what I say God charges Iâ—rael with their unkindnesse and miscarriâ—ges towards him Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money neitheâ— hast thou filled me with the fat of thy Sacrifices but thou hast made me to serve with thy sinnes thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities Isa. 43.24 This was Israels misery yet the object of Gods unspeakable mercy I even I am he that blotteth out thy traâ—sgressions for my owne sake and will not remember thy sinnes ver. 25. Here 's engagement enough for poore sinners and if I had named no more I had said enough for the full answer the Objection Obiect But saith the poore soule againe I have been an open enemy to God I have taken up Armes against God I have broken his Sabbaths I have mocked at Religion yea I have persecuted the Saints and can there yet be hope for me Answ. I answer yes there is yet hope for thee this degree of sinne is not ordinary in one elect by God yet all this cannot keâ—p off Christ from saving thy soule if thou findest in thy selfe a sorrow for thy sinnes and an earnest desire to walke in new obedience He against whom thou hast sinned puts this sorrow into thy heart and will save thy soule Remorse for sinne and thoughts of obedience are gifts and graces wrought by the Spirit of God in thee these are not the fruits of nature comming from thee present paine may worke and stirre up a griefe for thy misery and sorrow but never procures a sorrow for sinne I might give you divers presidents but I will take up with this cleere precept It is God who worketh in us both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 that is all our good thoughts of turning unto God and the strength of all our abilities according to the rule of Christ is all from God God puts them into every one before they have them This might be sufficient for some but if thou beest not yet fully satisfied I will endeavour to find thee out some taking comfort If once thou commest to have earnest breathings and longings after Christ in love to Christ it is not former sinnes that can keep off Christ from thee Christ lookes not to have us perfect but comes to make us perfect Christ found Paul a persectour but makes him a Preacher of the Gospell Acts 26. to ver. 18. Paul doth not from his former sinnes so much question as magnifie the free Grace of God Onely this use he makes of it that the more God had done for him he endeavoured the more in the exercises of his Graces bestowed upon him to publish and advance the glory of God 1 Cor. 15.9 10. If thou beest not a sinner thou hast no need of a Saviour but if thou findest thy selfe in a perishing condition and canst say a God or I am gone a Jesus a Saviour or I am lost for ever thou art such a one as Jesus Christ lookes for they are Jesus Christ's owne words I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Marke 2.17 that is I came not for those who are holy and righteous in their owne eyes but to make rigâ—teous and save poore sinners who lye even in hell to their owne apprehension unworthinesse is no warrant to keep thee from Christ Jesus Christ will make thee worthy it 's the businesse for which God sent Jesus Christ into the world and it was Jesus Christs onely desire to doe the will of his Father and that yet a poore sinner may be further encouraged to seeke after Christ I will lay downe some speciall priviledges which comes into the soule by Christ First by Christ thou shalt have all these soul-destroying sinnes in themselves these heart-trembling sinnes these conscience-biting sinnes as cleerly taken away by Jesus Christ as if thou never hadst committed any such Thy conscience shall be at quiet and the devill himselfe shall not have any thing to say to thee for them God hath laid all thy sinnes and the sinnes of all the Elect upon Christ Isa. 53.6 Christ hath suffered and satisfied the wrath of his Father for them it is finished John 19.30 Jesus Christ hath done this for them and hence is that challenge which the Apostle takes up against the devill the world yea conscience who is it shall lay any thing any manner of sinne to the charge of Gods Elect it is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth Rom. 8.33 34. all is put to Christ Christ doth all Secondly Iesus Christ doth not onely justifie a soule before God but he reconciles God to the soule he makes a sweet peace and friendship betweene them who were at enmity and the Apostle makes this worke of reconciliation an argument of eternall salvation from which we may draw the certainty of both For saith Paul if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Sonne much more we being reconciled we shall be saved by his life Rom. 5.10 Thirdly and lastly because I will hasten Iesus Christ will send the holy Ghost the Spirit to direct and sanctifie all those who have an interest in him If once Christ be thine Christ will have a care of thee thou shalt have a guide to lead thee in all the wayes of truths or God Iesus Christ knowes well the failings of the Saints He therefore promisâ—â— them a guide which his
interest in Christ in some measure or other is acquainted with the love care and power which abides in Jesus Christ and upon this ground saving faith is built They that know thy Name saith David wil trust to thee Psal. 9.10 that is they that know Jesus Christ to be the Sonne of God to be one with the Father Ioh. 17. know him to be God al-sufficient This is fâ—iths sure foundation and hence it was that Paul takes up his firme resolution to commit all to Christ I know saith he whom I have beleeved I have had experience of him and I am perswaded that he is able tâ— keep that which I have committed unto him 2 Tim. 1.12 This was a sweet frame in Paul here was a right faith and assuredly the Saints have the same they have the like pretious faith 2 Pet. 1.1 all the Saints now have the like faith the Apostles had for nature or matter though not the like measure of faith Every christian is willing nay desirous to give up all to the disposall of Christ they well know that Iesus Christ is a better keeper of any thing then they themselves are and therefore they are desirous to put all into his hand christians will trust Christ with estates wives children Religion bodies and soules this is the faith of christians it 's a true faith and it never fails True it is an hypocrite a meer knowing professor may goe farre as the young man did Mat. 19. but they cannot trust Iesus Christ with all they may stand the calm and make a goodly shew but in the storme when troubles sufferings and losses come in with profession of Christ they are lost too they are gone they want foundation they have not faith to trust Christ under difficulties Mat. 7.26 27. they know not that the Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge a hiding-place a defence in times of trouble as David did or else they would put their trust in God Ps. 9.9 10. now then bring your hearts to the rule try them whether they will be willing to close with Iesus Christ and trust him with all and for all if you have a faith that can thus see acknowledge and trust Christ with all it 's good it 's firme it is a faith given by God wrought by the holy Ghost it 's more then flesh and blood can doe thus to trust Iesus Christ And therefore I will conclude upon this faith as Iesus Christ did of the same faith in Peter This a firme faith and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.16 17 18. This a second sign of a christians reall interest in Christ Signe 3. The third Signe of a Christians interest in Christ is a ready obedience to all the commands of Christ when I give you obedience for a signe of being in Christ I meane a filiall and not a servile obedience an obedience that is free full universall not compelled or in part Iesus Christ loves not half Christians nor almost christians Iesus Christ will be all Master or no Master I am perswaded your selves think this a truth and no matter of dispute The soule that hath truly given up it selfe to Iesus Christ that trusts him with all expects all from him to make it happy will be counselled and commanded by the will and word of Iesuâ— Ghrist Obedience is a full discovery a notable marâ— to make known what Master you serve whose commands you obey and works you doe his you are if you obey Christ his you are if you obey the Devill his you are I know this truth is very hardly received many will live like devils and yet would be called christians and be partakers of the Saints priviledges That therefore you may the better judge of your inward estate conâ—â—dâ—r your outward walking who hath the command of your lives and actions what rule goe you by that will not deceive you this was Pauls direction to the Romans and it shall now be mine po you Know you not that is it 's a thing you ought to remember that to whom yee yeeld your selves servaâ—t to obey his servants yee are to whom you obey whether of sinne unto death or obedience unto righteousnesse Rom. 6.16 Objest But you may say how shall I know by my actions when I obey the divell and when I obey Iesus Christ Ans. This is the easiest thing that may be if you deale faithfully with your own soules there is no truth in all the Bible more clearly set down then this for the children of the divell Iesus Christ saith ye are of your father the divell and the lusts of your father ye will doe Ioh. 8.44 On the other side the sheepe the servants of Iesus Christ thâ—y harken for his commands and obey his will the sheepe follow him for they know his voyce Ioh. 10.4 Object But how shall I know which are the works of the divell and which are the commands of Iesus Christ Ans. This also is as plain as can be and they are distinguished all along the Scriptures but I will give you one place for all and that will clear both to the ful Paul writing to the Galathians satisfies the point to the full onely he differs in tearmes from the other places alledged before these works are distinguished and the one call'd the works of the divell the other the commandments of Christ and here Paul cals the one the workâ— of the flesh the other the fruits of the spirit and here is little difference if they be considered now if you would know how these may be discerned the Apostle first tels you they are manifest and then reckons up many particulars the Apostle begins with the works of the flesh or the divell call them whether you please and also shews the reward of them then he describes many qualifications in christians and gives the reason of their sweet frame I will give you both these apart becauâ—e the knowledge of them may dâ—e you much good and the Lord blesse it to you First the Apostle discovers and names many particular works of the divell now saitâ— he the works of the flesh are manifest any body may know them which are these adultery fornication uncleaâ—nesse lasciviousnesse idolatry witchcraft hatred varâ—ance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyâ—ngs murders drunkennesse revilings c. the Apostle names these and concludes with such like that is these and such as these are will keepe a soule out of heaven they have no inheritance there and then you know what will follow his words are these â—hey which do such things shall not inherit the kingdome of God Gal. 5.19.20 21. Thus you see what the works of the divell are and how he payes them their wage â— will next fall upon the qualifications of the Saints as they are helped and guided by the Spirit the holy Ghost and therfore called the fruit of the spirit In the Saints the servants of God you finde nothing but sweetnesse