presents God terrible and taketh away all confidence from us so that we are obnoxious to his Wrath and righteous Vengeance Who is able to stand before this Holy God 1 Sam. 6.20 And who can dwell with everlasting Burnings Isa. 33.14 We cannot approach God in any friendly manner 2. I shall shew what Provision God hath â—ade for us The Lord Jesus took this Office at God's appointment of reconciling God to us and appeasing his Wrath and us to God by bringing us back again our alienated and estranged Affections to God How so what hath he done 1. The Distance is in truth taken away by his very Person he is God-Man God and Man meet together in the Person of Christ God doth condescend and come down to Man and Man is incouraged to ascend to God God in Christ is nearer to Man than he was before that we may have more familiar thoughts of him The pure Deity is at so vast a distance from us that we are amazed and confounded when we think of it and cannot conceive an hope that he should concern himself in our â—ffairs But the Son of God is come in our Nature John 1.14 The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us 1 Tim. 3.16 Grace is the Mystery of Godliness God manifested in the Flesh So that he is more acceptable to us and nearer at hand and more readily inclined to help us for he will not be strange to his own Flesh. 2. The Difference and Controversy is taken up by the Work of his Redemption for God hath set him forth to be a Propitiation or a means of appeasing his Wrath Rom. 3. 25. and to be the Foundation of that New Covenant wherein Pardon and Life is offered to us It is not enough to our Recovery that God be reconciled but Man must be renewed otherwise we remain for ever undeâ— the displeasure of God Now he hath purchased the Grace of the Spirit to be dispensed by the Covenant to bring us home to God Titus 3.5 6. Nor by Works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour And Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death Vse Let us be sensible of this unspeakable Mercy that God hath provided a Mediator for us that we may come to God by him Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save unto the â—ttermost all that come unto God through him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for us That the legal Exclusion is removed and a way opened to the Father John 14.6 I am the Wâ—y the Truth and the Life no Man cometh to the Father but by me Otherwise we could not immediately converse with God nor trust in him 1. We see God in our Nature as near at hand and ready to help he came down amongst us and became one of us was bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh And though he hath removed his dwelling into Heaven again it is for our sakes he hath carried our Nature thither to take possession of that blessed Place in our Name if we have a mind to follow him Iohn 14.2 I go to prepare a Place for you 2. Here we see the means of appeasing God's Wrath 2 Cor. 5.19 God â—as in Christ reconciling the World unto himself There is a full Ransom paid all that enter into God's Peace shall have the benefit of it 3. By him we are encouraged to come to pray for every Blessing we stand in need of Ephes. 2.18 Through him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father Liberty to approach unto God is a priviledg which we cannot enough value the Wall of Partition between God and us is broken down by Christ he hath compleatly satisfied God's Justice Heb. 10.19 He is now at the right Hand of God interceding for us 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Iesus and remaineth with God as the great Agent of the Saints Heb. 8.1 2. We have such an High Priest who is set on the right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens a Minister of the Sanctuary c. Perfuming their Prayers with the smoke of his Incense Rev. 8.3 4. And another Angel came and. stood at the Altar having a Golden Censer and there was given unto him much Incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the Golden Altar which was before the Throne And the smoke of the Incense which came with the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God out of the Angel's hand V. Mark the distinct Titles given to God and the Mediator Christ is called our Lord and God our Father Let us see what these Titles import of Lord and Father 1. Christ is represented to us as the Lord so he was set forth by the Apostles at the first preaching of the Gospel Acts 10.36 We preach Peace by Christ Iesus he is Lord of all 2 Cor. 4.5 We preach Christ Iesus the Lord. Col. 2.6 If ye have received Christ Iesus the Lord so walk in him Christ is Lord two ways 1. By that right which belongeth to him as Creator and is common and equal to him with the Father and the Spirit Surely the Creator of the World is the Soveraign of it this Right continueth still and shall continue while Man receiveth his being from God by Creation and the continuance of his being by daily preservation and providence 2. There is novum jus Dominii Imperii a new Right of Empire and Government which belongeth to him as Redeemer and this accrueth to him 1. Partly by the Donation of God Acts 2.36 Let all the House of Israel know that this Iesus whom ye have crucified is made Lord and Christ. This Office of Lord is derivative and cannot be supream but subordinate it is derived from God All Power is given to me both in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 and it is reffered to him Phil. 2.11 That every Tongue should confess that Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father The supreâ—m right of governing is still in God and sâ—bjection to him is not vacated but established and reserved 2. It is acquired by his own purchase Rom. 14 9. For this end Christ both died and rose again and revived that he might be Lord both of Dead and Living 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Ye are not you own for ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your Body and in your Spirit which are God's He had a full right in us before but this Lordship and Dominion which the Redeemer is possessed of is comfortable and beneficial to us and the end of it is to effect Man's Cure and Recovery We could not by our sin make void God's Right and
â—e is Ephes. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not â—aving Spot or wriâ—kle or any such thing but that it should be Holy and without Blemish Then it is a glorious Church Christ hath done his whole Work Holiness is the Beauty of God himself Exod. 15.11 and puts an Excellency on us if we love it and imitate it Prov. 12.26 The Righteous is more excellent than his Neigbour But the way of the Wicked seduceth them We do not only excel other Men but we are more amiable in the sight of God Prov. 11.20 The Upright is his delight In short it is a part of Salvation it self and a Means to that which remaineth Act. 26.18 Inheritance among them which are Sanctified by Faith in Christ Iesus 3. Let us reflect upon our selves Have we God's Call Have we obeyed the Gospel This will clear up your Election to you 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure For if ye do these things ye shall never fall Do you find such a belief wrought in you by the Spirit as begins in brokenness of Heart and ends in Holiness for Christ came to call Sinners to Repentance Matth. 9.14 That is Men sensible of Sin to holiness of Heart and Life to return to God that we may first live to him and then with him 4. To improve the belief of the Glory promised 1. To sweeten Obedience or a câ—â—se of Holiness which for the present is so tedious to the Flesh. Now here is our Labour hereafter our Recompence 1 Cor. 5.58 Every day we should grow more meet for his Glory Col. 1.12 2. To a contempt of all Worldly Things good or evil If good many are pleased with this World 's good Things but have no affection to Spiritual and Heavenly Things Like the rebellâ—ous Israelites who more desired the Onions and Garlick of Egypt than the Milk and Honey of the Promised Land or the Celestial Manna Numb 11.5 6. Worse than Prodigals that rest satisfied with Husks of Swine than Bread which is in their Father's House They have their good Things Now we should remember we are called off from these Things from dreggy Contentments base Injoyments to the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 3. The evils of the World Crosses Afflictions After we have suffered a while the God of all Grace who hath called us unto his Eternal Glory by Christ Iesus make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you And 2 Tim. 2.11.12 It is a faithful saying For if we be dead with him we shall also live with him If we suffer we shall also reign with him Our Afflictions are both breves leves light and momentary 2 Cor. 4.17 For our light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Our sufferings are small if compared with the Reward The time short if compared with Eternity There is a two-fold Eternity that eternal Death which the Wicked must endure that eternal Life which we enter into This should sweeten all bitter Waters 4. To dispose and prepare us for Death The contemplation of Immortality hath left strong impressions on the Hearts of Heathens some Burnt themselves as impatient to tarry longer If a dark view vain hope cause this what should a sure Promise and Earnest of the Spirit do 2 Vse To the Called 1. Bless God for this Calling The woful Estate out of which we are called and the blessed Eâ—tâ—te into which we are entered compared togethâ—â— should make us wonder 1 Pet. 2.9 Ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous Light 2. Walk answerably Ephes. 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called And 1 Thess. 2.12 That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory SERMON XIII 2 Thess. 2.15 Therefore Brethren stand fast and hold the Traditions which ye have been taught whether by Word or our Epistle THE Apostle after he had comforted the Thessalonians he exhorteth them to constancy in the Truth what-ever temptations they had to the contrary The Comforts he propoundeth to them were taken 1. From their Election vers 13.2 From their Vocation vers 14. His Exhortation is to Perseverance Therefore Brethren c. In the words observe 1. The Illative Particle Therefore because God hath chosen you and called you and given you such advantages against Error and Seduction 2. The Duty inferred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stand fast It is a Military word you have the same in other places 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye stand ye fast c. Ephes. 6.14 Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth The word intimateth Perseverance 3. The Means of Perseverance Hold the Traditions which you have bin taught whether by Word or our Epistle Where observe 1. The Act. 2. The Object 1. The Act 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold with strong hand The word implyeth a forcible holding against Assaults whether of Error or Persecution The Thessalonians were assaulted in both kinds the Heathens persecuted them and some were gone abroad that began the Mystery of Iniquity and were ready to pervert them 2. The Object which is propounded 1. By a common and general term The Traditions which ye have bin taught 2. By a distribution Whether by Word or our Epistle I. The common and general term The Traditions which ye have bin taught There are two sorts of Traditions Humane and Divine First Humane Traditions are certain external Observances instituted by Men and delivered from hand to hand from Progenitors to their Posterity These may be either besides or contrary to the Word of God 1. Beside the Word as the Institutions of the Family of the Rechabites in the observance of which from Father to Son they were so exact and punctual that God produceth their example to shame the disobedience of his People Ier. 35.6 7. Jonadab the Son of Rechab our Father commanded us saying Ye shall drink no Wine nor build Houses nor plant Vineyards c. 2. Contrary to the Word of God such as were those of the Phariseeâ— Matth. 15.2 Why transgress ye the Commandment of God by your Traditions Humane Inventions in Religion are contrary to and destructive of Divine Laws Secondly Traditions Divine Are either Heavenly Doctrines revealed by God or Institutions and Ordinances appointed by him for the use of the Church These are the Rule and Ground of our Faith Worship and Obedience The whole Doctrine of the Gospel is a Tradition delivered and conveyed to us by fit Messengers such as the Apostles were 1 Cor. 11.2 Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember me in all things and keep the Ordinances Marg. Traditions as I delivered them to you So that holding the Traditions is nothing else but perseverance in Apostolical Doctrine II. The Distribution that
mans mouth have not I the Lord. The latter cannot be said because that is contrary to his goodness Psal. 25.8 Good and upright is the Lord therefore will he teach Sinners the way It is not to be imagined that the great and universal King should give a Law to Mankind and speak so darkly that we should have no sure direction from thence nor be able to know his mind in any of the Duties God hath required of us or expose us to great difficulties and hardships in the World And if he had not plainly expressed his will to us man would never leave writing and distinguishing himself out of his duty surely he that will venture his All for Christs sake had need of a clear warrant to bear him out for none will hazard all that is near and dear to him but for weighty Reasons 5. Besides the Illumination of the Holy Spirit doth accompany this word and make it effectual to us to shew us God as revealed in Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath sâ—ined into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ and for Heaven Eph. 1.17 18. Praying that the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your understanding being inlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his Inheritance in the Saints He sanctifieth and healeth our Souls and prepareth us for the entertainment of the Truth that as natural things are naturally discerned so spiritual things are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 6. There are promises of direction made to humble and sincere minds Psal. 25.9 The meek shall he guide in Iudgment the meek shall he teach his way to the industrious Prov. 2. 4 5. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God to the godly and well-disposed John 7.17 If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self so to them that pray much James 1.5 If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him They that thus sincerely endeavour to know the will of God will come to a sound establish'd Judgment in the Truth II. A Christian that is thus established is fortified against Spirit Word or Writing or all Suggestion that may perplex his mind 1. Against pretended Revelations called here spirit 1. Because having his mind thus setled he may boldly defy all Revelations pretended to the contrary Gal. 1.8 Though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel than we have preached let him be accursed Any Doctrine if divers or different from or besides the written word much more contrary to it a Christian may reject it and account it Cursed Doctrine Therefore neither Church nor Angel nor Spirit is to be heard against it 2. Because a Christian is upon better terms having the written word than if God dealt with him by way of Revelations 2 Pet. 1.19 We have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure word of Prophecy comparing it with the voice from Heaven of which he spake before not as if there could be any uncertainty in the Lords Voice speaking from Heaven but because a transient Voice is more easily mistaken or forgotten than an authentick standing Record as Samuel thought Eli called him when it was the Lord it is quoad nos though God gave evidence of the Truth of such Revelations as he made yet we have more accommodate means Our Lord intimateth such a thing Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead This is the surest ground for Faith to rest upon of any that ever hath been or can be given to Sinners subject to forgetfulness jealousies and mistakes 3. Because it is not rational to expect new Revelation now the Canon and Rule of Faith is closed up Heb. 2.1 2. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip c. Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you John 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them which shall believe on me through their word 4. Because if any such be pretended it must be tryed by the word Is. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because they have no light in them So 1 John 4.1 Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone abroad into the World 5. Because they that despise ordinary means and pretend to Vision Revelation or Inspiration are usually such as are given up by God to a vertiginous Spirit and cast into the Dungeon of error for the punishment of other sins Mic. 2.11 If a man walking in the Spirit of falshood do lie he shall be the Prophet of this people God will permit those that are both deceivers and deceived themselves to come amongst them for a Plague to them Sleidan giveth sad instances of some given up to this phantastical frenzy that killed their own relations on pretence of inspiration and of others that murdered 50000. in one day 2. By word or unwritten Tradition this also should not shake the mind of a setled Christian for this hath no constat no evidence of its certainty and would lay us open to the deceits of men blinded by their own Interest and Passions and if such tradition could be produced as hath unquestionable Authority it must be tryed by the Scripture which is every where commended as the publick Standard and true measure and rule both of Faith and Manners 3. Not by Epistle as from us 1. Supposititious writings which the Church in all Ages hath exploded and received only those which are unquestionably theirs whose names they bear 2. False Expositions these are confuted by inspection of the Context scope of the Writer comparing of obscure places with plain and clear Thus you see what certainty God hath provided for us guide us in the way to Eternal Life SERMON III. 2 Thess. 2.3 Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first And that man of sin be revealed the Son of perdition IN these words we have these two things 1. A Caution against the errour set a-foot at that
did begin to work but secretly 3. That when that impediment shall be removed then Antichrist shall be revealed First I begin with his putting them in mind of what he had told them before by word of mouth Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things This sheweth the certainty and usefulness of this Doctrine for though the event were not to be accomplished in their days yet he taught them before when present and now repeateth it again when absent he preached it in private and now writeth it for publick good and laboureth to confirm the truth of it and fasten it upon their memories Observe then that the Doctrine of Antichrist is a profitable Doctrine and a point very necessary to be preached and known 1. It is a point very necessary to admonish and warn the faithful that they be not circumvented with these delusions and be found in the opposite state to Christ Jesus and the interests of his Kingdom God hath blown his Trumpet Rev. 18.5 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues God calleth his people out of spiritual Babylon it is dangerous and unsafe being there if we would escape Babylons punishments we must escape her sins not live in that Communion and Society where there are such Temptations to Idolatry and other detestable enormities It is disputable whether the errors of Popery be damnable or there be any possibility of Salvation in that Religion some deny all possibility others abating from the rigou◠of that opinion assert a very great difficulty 1 Cor. 3.13 Saved as by fire if so much Christianity left as to save them it is with much ado But the question is not about our benefit but our duty not whether possibly we may be saved but what is the way the Lord will have us to walk in and if there were possibility or probability of Salvation in the way in the general yet there is very little or none for them that live in a known sin and especially in a sin of such a dangerous nature as abetting an opposite faction to Christ such as is that of Antichrist 2. It is necessary to fortify and forewarn the people of God against a double Temptation 1. Against Scandal 2. Against Persecutions 1. Against Scandal it is a dangerous temptation to Atheism to see Christianity so corrupted and debauched by a vile submission to serve Worldly ends and turned into the Pageantry of empty and ridiculous Ceremonies which beget scorn and contempt of it in the minds of all considering Beholders and therefore there are more Atheists in Rome and Italy than in other Countries supernatural things disguised with a vain pomp lose their reverence and do not alarm the Conscience but harden the heart in a setled Atheism and contempt of Christ Now it is a mighty stay to the heart to see that this Degeneration was foreseen and foretold John 16.1 These things have I spoken to you that you should not be offended Mat. 18.7 Wo unto the World because of offences for it must needs be that offences come but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh 2. Against Persecutions for the man of sin is also a Son of Perdition a destroyer of the Saints and maketh havock of the people of God now it is grievous when Christians suffer by Christians and we may have many doubtings and misgivings about our cause But when Antichrist is clearly discovered we submit the more chearfully to suffer the hardest things under his Tyranny for suffering under Antichristian Persecution is Martyrdom and suffering for Christ as much as suffering under Pagan Persecution Rev. 14.13 And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth c. not only the Primitive Martyrs who were put to death by Heathens but those that are condemned by Christians and burnt for Hereticks those are Martyrs also 3. That we may the better understand true Christianity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opposites illustrate each other the two opposite States are Christianity and Antichristianity the one is a mystery of Godliness 1 Tim. 3.16 the other a mystery of Iniquity the design of the mystery of Godliness is to recover men from the Devil the World and the Flesh unto God the other to seduce men from God to the Devil the World and the Flesh again and that by corrupting the former mystery or the most excellent Institution that ever the World was acquainted with for the ennobling and refining mans nature so that Christs Religion is turned against himself to lull mens Consciences asleep whilst they gratify the lusts of the Eyes the lusts of the Flesh or live in Pride of Life the Devil is gratified by all sin but especially he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Synesius calleth him one that delighteth in Idols as knowing this is the best way to make men brutish or to live in an oblivion or neglect of God for an Idol is a teacher of lies Habak 2.18 doth imprint upon the mind carnal and false conceptions of a Deity 4. To confirm us in the truth of the Christian Faith when we see the Prophecies of it expresly fulfilled for that is the Lords direction to know a true Prophet Deut 18.22 If the thing come to pass and the event doth punctually answer the Prediction but when Prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord and the thing follow not nor come to pass that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken Now the Apostles did not only teach the Church the Doctrine of Christianity but by a Prophetick Spirit and Divine Revelation foretold things to come and among these the great thing which is to happen and come to pass before Christs second coming is Antichrist or the appearing of the man of sin Therefore that we may not doubt of what is past nor suspect what is further to come it is good to study these Prophecies and know they are to be fulfilled in their time that we may say that God hath kept touch with the World hitherto in all the Predictions of the word will not fail at last Use 1. To reprove them that think this is a curious point not to be searched into why then did God reveal it and that so often by S t Paul by S t Iohn in so many Prophetical Representations of it surely it is not curiosity to search into things revealed but to intrude our selves into things hidden and which God hath put under a vail of Secresy It is true men must know their measure and not attempt to run before they can go and venture upon obscure points before well versed in plain and it is true in more abstruse points men must not rashly define but soberly and modestly to enquire and compare Predictions with plain Events this is no way culpable To reprove those that are so impatient of giving a
Sometimes the way of internal Government by terrors of Conscience or punishing sin committed with sin permitted both these parts are seen in punishing both the godly and the wicked as for instance in the godly in the way of external Government 1 Cor. 11.32 But when we are judged we are chastned of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the World In the way of internal Government the lesser penal withdrawings of the Spirit which Gods people find themselves after some sins and neglects of grace are grievous But the Judgments upon the Souls of the ungodly are most dreadful when the sinner is either terrified or stupiâ—ied terrified by horrors of Conscience 1 Cor. 15.56 The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law or stupified by being given up to their own hearts Counsels Psal. 81.12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts lusts and they walked in their own Counsels So that the Sinner is left dull and senseless and past feeling Eph. 4.18 Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart by the first by horrors of Conscience they are made to feel Gods displeasure at the courses they walk in but when that is long depised and men sin on still then the other and more terrible Judgment cometh For the giving up a Sinner to his own lusts and his losing all remorse is the last and sorest Judgment on this side Hell 3. As to Gods internal Judgments the Scripture chiefly insists upon two parts of this internal dispensation blindness of mind and hardness of heart they usually go together Blindness of mind is spoken of Iohn 12.39 40. Therefore they could not believe because that Esaias said again he hath blinded their eyes and hardned their hearts that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted and I should heal them All passages are obstructed whereby the word might enter and work Conversion unto God It was God laid this punishment of blindness upon them Hardness of heart in that famous instance Exod. 4.21 I will harden Pharaohs heart God doth not make them that see blind nor them that are soft hard but leaveth them to their own prejudice obstinacy and unperswadeableness and that when highly provoked The former is under our consideration 4. To understand Gods concurrence as a Judge we must not say too much of it nor too little We must not say too much of it lest we leave a stain â—nd blemish upon the divine Glory God infuseth no sin no blindness nor hardness into the hearts of men all influences from Heaven are good he conveyeth no deceit into the minds of men immediately nor doth he command or perswade men to oppose the truth Nor doth he impeâ— or excite their inward propensions so to do All this belongeth not to God but either to man or Sathan Nor must we say too little as for instance God is not said to blind or harden by bare prescience or foresight that they will be blinded or hardned because God foreseeth other things and yet they are not ascribed unto God as that men will kill or steal or do wrong and yet God is not said to kill or steal as he is said to blind and harden and therefore there is a difference between Gods concurrence to this effect and other sins Nor only by way of manifestation as if this were all the sense that in the course of his Providence God doth in the issue declare how blind and hard they are That some other thing is meant by it is seen in the Prayers by which we deprecate this heavy Judgment As when the Saints pray Isa. 63.17 Lord harden not our hearts from thy fear or David Psal. 119.19 Lord hide not thy Commandments from me They mean not thus Lord shew not to the World how hard and blind I am but cure my blindness and hardness of heart keep back this Judgment from me Again we must not say that all that God doth is a bare naked and idle permission as if it happened besides his will and intention and God had no more to do in it than a man that standeth on the shore and seeth a Ship ready to be drowned he might have heâ—ped it but permitted it No besides all this there is not a bare permission only but a permissive intention and a judicial sentence which is seconded by an active Providence Many things concur to the blinding of the mind and hardning of the heart all which God willeth but justly The wicked take occasions of their own accord to blind and harden themselves Sathan tempteth of his own maâ—ice but all this could not be done with effect and success without the will of God There is a supreme power over-ruling and ordering all that is done in the World 5. Gods concurrence may be stated by these things 1. His withdrawing or taking away the light and direction of his Holy Spirit Deut. 29.4 The Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive nor eyes to see nor ears to hear unto this day Now when God lets them loose to their own hearts Counsels then they fall into damnable errors A Greyhound held in by a slip or Collar runneth violently after the Hare when it is in sight as soon as the slip and Collar is taken away the restraint is gone and his inbred disposition carryeth him So men that are greedy of Worldly things are powerfully drawn into errors countenanced by the World when God taketh off the restraint of his Grace and giveth them up to their own lusts Now herein God is not to be blamed for he is Debtor to none and the grace of his Spirit is forfeited by their not receiving the love of the truth He is so far from being bound to give grace that he seemeth to be bound in Justice to withdraw what is given already by mens wickedness and ingratitude Voluntary blindness bringeth penal blindness And because men will not see they shall not see And when they wink hard and shut their eyes against the light of the Gospel it is just with God in this manner to smite them with blindness And since they had no love to the truth they are given up to errors and deceits And because they despise the Holy Scriptures they doat on vain Fables And would not take up a course of sound Godliness and Holiness he suffereth them to weary themselves with sundry superstitions 2. Not only by desertion but by tradition delivering them up to the power of Sathan 2 Cor 4.4 The God of this world hath blinded their eyes Sathan as the Executioner of Gods Curse worketh upon the corrupt nature of man and deceiveth them It is said 1 Chron. 21.1 Sathan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel But it is said 2 Sam. 24.1 And the Anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and he
of God and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sancâ—ified an unholy Thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace That is were in external Covenant with God and visibly dedicated But there is an other Sanctification which is the Fruit of the Spirit 〈◊〉 a real Change in them 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God Find this and you find a sufficient Evidence Namely if you become new Creatures and be enabled to forsake Sin and follow after that which is pleasing in the sight of God Sancâ—ification of the Spirit is not so much known by Dedication and Profession but by â—he real and fixed inclination of your Souls to God and Heaven and living accordingly you are turned to God and live to God 2. Your belief of the Truth that is of the Gospel Now this is meant not of a dead Faith or such a cold Assent as only begets an Opinion in us of the truth of Christian Religion but such a lively Faith as bringeth us under the power of it For it is opposed to them that do not receive the Truth in the love of it Ver. 10. To them that believed not the Truth because they had pleasure in Vnrighteousness Ver. 12. That lived under the power of fleshly and worldly Lusts. And it is spoken of them who had received the Truth so as to obey it and suffer for it as the Thessalonians are described all along And in short such a belief of the Truth as caused them to enter into Covenant with Christ and make conscience of their Fidelity to him And here in this Verse we learn That a bare belief of the Truth doth not save unless accompanied with the Sanctification of the Spirit And therefore both must be taken together when the Word cometh to us not in Word only but in Power and much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost it is an infallible evidence of our Election of God 1 Thess. 1.5 Alas many have a general cold belief of the Gospel that never felt the effect of it upon their Hearts 4. Observe the necessary Connection that is between both these Means The Sanctification of the Spirit and the Belief of the Truth 1. There is a necessary Connection between them as between the Cause and the Effect For none are powerfully drawn to believe in Christ but such as are Sanctified by his Spirit It is not in the power of any Creature to incline us to God or bring us to come to him by Christ. But this Work is wholly reserved to the Spirit And so the Lord himself doth powerfully bring to pass his own Decrees as by Christ Redeeming so by the Spirit Sanctifying The Spirit is the Author both of Faith and Holiness Saving Grace is called a New Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature Ephes. 2.10 For we are his Workmanship created in Christ Iesus unto good Works which God hath before ordaineâ— that we should walk in them And to Create is the Work of a Divine Power Creatâ—re and Creator are Relatives And certainly the noblest Creature such as the New Creature is cannot be framed by any but God It is called a New Birth and the New Birth is only from the Spirit Iohn 3.5 6. Well then these are fitly coupled the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth That God's Work may make way for ours 2. There is the Connection of Concomitancy between the Gospel and the Spirit The Spirit only goeth along with the Gospel and no other Doctrine and so both external and internal Grace are of God John 17.17 Sanctifie them by thy Truth thy Word is Truth It was fit that a Super-natural Doctrine should be accompanied with a Supernatural Operation and Power How else should it be known to be of God The Truth and the Spirit are inseparable Companions Where there is little of God known there is little of his Spirit As in the Natural Truth revealed to the Heathens Somewhat God shewed unto them Rom. 1.19 In the darker Revelation to the Iews there is but a fainter degree of the Spirit but Grace and Truth come by Iesus Christ. There goeth along with the Doctrine of the Gospel a mighty Spirit of Holiness for thereby God would prove the Verity and Truth of this Religion and suitably to the rich Mercy prepared for us in Christ. 3. There is a subordination of Faith to this Work of the Spirit by the Truth For the greatest Things work not till they be considered and beliâ—ved 1 Thess. 2.12 Ye received it not as the Word of Men but as it is in Truth the Word of God which worketh effectually also in you that believe A sound Belief produceth strong Affections and strong Affections govern our Practice and Conversation So that fitly are these things united as the fruits of our Election and means of Salvation 2. Why this is the great matter of our thansgiving to God That I shall evidence in the following considerations 1. That Thanksgiving to God is a great and necessary duty expresly injoin'd by him and expected from us 1 Thess. 5.18 In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Iesus When God hath interposed his Will all debates are silenced If there were nothing else in the case this is motive enough to a gracious Heart for the fundamental reason of all obedience is the Will of God Our thankfulness is no benefit to God yet he is pleased with it as it sheweth our Honesty and Ingenuity And to us Christians the very Life and Soul of our Religion is Thankfulness therefore God will have us continually exercised in it Heb. 13.15 Let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise continually that is the fruit of our Lips giving thanks unto his Name As our understanding was given us to think of God and know him So our speech was given us to speak of God and praise him We praise God for all his works we give him thanks for such as are beneficial to us In Praise we ascribe all Honour Excellency and Perfection unto him In giving thanks we express what he hath done for our selves or others Now this must be done continually for God is continually beneficial unto us by daily Mercies giving us new matter of Praise and Thanksgiving Besides there are some Mercies so great that they should never be forgotten 2. That we are to give thanks chiefly for Spiritual and Eternal Mercies Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. For we cannot give thanks rightly without a just esteem of the Mercy we give thanks for But spiritual and eternal Mercies do much excel those that are temporal and transitory We are bound to bless the Lord for
is the Author It is not an Invention of Man but a Secret that came from the Bosom of God Again it is called Christ's Gospel The Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ 2 Thess. 1.8 As the principal Subrevealer who made known unto us most fully the Mind of God And then on the Apostles who were Instruments chosen and intrusted by Christ to declare it to the World both by Word and Writing The Scripture is an Authentick Record wherein all things are delivered to us both concerning our Duties and Priviledges Therefore when he saith our Gospel he doth not mean it of principal Revelation but in regard of Dispensation and Trust. 1 Tim. 1.11 The glorious Gospel of the Blessed God is committed to my trust Therefore this word our Oospel is 1. A word of Fidelity that argued the Conscience to this Duty that owneth the Trust committed to him and that this was his chief Work and Charge 1 Cor. 9.17 A Dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me 2. It is a word of Esteem Love and Affection what we love we call ours Rom 16.25 Now to him that is able to stablish you according to my Gospel Paul was glad he had such Interest in it as to be a Preacher of it And Believers should be glad they are partakers of the benefit Ephes. 1.13 In whom ye trusted after ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation It is theirs and ours Oh blessed be God for this 3. It is a work importing Diligence our Gospel that which he preached with so much Labour and Hazard he followed this Work close Acts 20.24 I count not my Life dear that I may finish my Course with joy and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Iesus to testifie the Gospel of the Grace of God He was willing to die and suffer any thing for the Gospels sake 4. The Consent and Harmony between him and the rest of the Apostles Sometimes he calleth it My Gospel to assert his own Apostolical Authority as Rom. 2.16 Sometimes Our Gospel 2 Cor. 4.3 to note their common Consent who were the authorized Messengers of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is our Gospel the same jointly attested by all Christ's chosen Messengers 3. The ends of this Calling They are either Subordinate or Ultimate 1. Subordinate in the word Whereunto he hath called you that is to Faith Holiness and Salvation we are called to all 1. God calleth us to the Faith of the Gospel he hath not only ordained us to believe but called us to believe without Calling there can be no Faith Rom 10.14 How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard But upon Calling there must be Faith or else we make void the Dispensation of God which we are under 1. There must be a belief of the Gospel in general The voice of the Creatures calleth upon the Gentiles to believe an Infinit Eternal Power that made Man and all Things And the condemnation of the Gentle World is that they know not God and glorifie not God as God after this Revelation made to them but to believe in Christ is a mystery to Nature and dependeth upon God's special Revelation in the Gospel Therefore the Eternal and Internal Power of the Spirit accompanieth it to convince the World that it is Sin not to believe in Christ. The External Power in Miracles and the Internal in the Illumination of the Mind John 16.9 The Spirit shall convince the World of Sin because they believe not in me That is receive not the Faith of the Gospel or believed not that Christ was the true Messiah the great Prophet and Doctor of the Church 2. This Call doth aim at not only a belief of the truth of the Gospel in general but also a particular Affiance in Christ according to the terms of the New Covenant General assent to the truth of the Gospel is only considerable as it leadeth on other Things Now that I may not wander I will refer them to two Things 1. A Fiducial Assent 2. An Obediential Confidence This is the belief of the Truth we are called unto 1. The Assent must be Fiducial or accompanied with a trust in Christ. Ephes. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation The meaning is the Gentiles after they heard the Gospel and believed the Truth they did trust themselves in the Hands of Christ to be brought by his Saving and Healing Methods to eternal Happiness It is a mighty thing to have such a Belief as may produce Trust or a venturing our selves in the Hands of Christ against all hazards and whatever befalleth us are content to save our Souls on his Terms This breedeth holy Security or Courage 2 Tim. 1.12 For I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that Day 2. This Confidence must be Obediential not a devout Sloath or Carelessness To trust in his Mercies and neglect his Precepts crosseth the Tenor of his Covenant Psal. 119.60 I made haste and delayed not to keep thy Commandments It is true Religion when Faith Love and Hope concur Jude ver 20 21. But ye Beloved building up your selves on your most holy Faith joyning in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the Love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ unto Eternal Life I know there is a trusting in his Pardon for our Failings and that Justification is a great Privilege as well as Salvation but Pardon is promised to the Sincere that with an honest Heart perform their Duty Psal. 32.2 Blessed is the Man to whom the Lord imputeth not Iniquity and in whose Spirit there is no guile And Rom. 8.1 There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Iesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit So that still our confidence in Christ must be obediential 2. We are called to Holiness this is every where asserted in the Scripture 1 Thess. 4.7 For God hath not called us to Vncleanness but to Holiness And it enforceth it on seveveral Grounds As 1. That there may be a likeness between the Person calling and the Persons called 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he that called you is Holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation It is true Religion to imitate what we worship For Knowledg and Esteem always work an Assimulation and therefore if we know the True God and love him we will study to be like him Certainly we have not a true knowledg of God if we do not know him to be a Pure and Holy God he hath shewed it in his Laws shewed it in his Providence and shewed it in his Gospel by which we are called The Gods of the Heathen taught Sin by their own Example Their impure Lives are recorded by their Poets Austin tâ—lleth us of a Young Man who was encited to Wantonness by seeing the
Picture of Iupiter on the Wall committing Adultery Quo pacto se non faceret cum in Templo adorare cogeretur Jovem potius quam Catonem But our God is Pure as appeareth by his Laws which are all Holy Just and Good Psal. 119.140 Surely such holy Precepts could come from none but a Pure and Holy God As also by the Work of his Spirit on his People Ephes. 4.24 And that ye put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness And 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Gâ—ory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. He puts into us a Nature that is very tender and shie of Sin troubled at it in others 2 Pet. 2.7 8. And delivered just Lot vexed with the filthy Conversation of the Wicked For that Righteous Man dwelling amongst them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous Soul from day to day with their unlawful Deeds He that made the Eye shall not he see He that put into us a clean Heart is not he Pure and Holy This appeareth also by the dispensations of his Providence Hab. 1.13 Thou art of purer Eyes than to behold Evil and canst not look on Iniquity Wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously and holdest thy Tongue when the Wicked devoureth the Man that is more Righteous than he Judgments on Sinners so on his own People Prov 11.31 Behold the Righteous shall be recompenced in Earth much more the Wicked and the Sinner As for Instance in David The Child died his Daughter is defloured Ammon slain Absolon is in Rebellion his Wives Ravished himself Banished from his House and Kingdom Eli's Sons slain the Ark taken his Daughter-in-Law died himself brake his Neck But chiefly in the very Foundation of the Gospel the Son of God dieth a Shameful Painful Accursed Death before God wouâ—d relax the Rigour of his Law and set a-foot the Gospel And all that there might be a perfect Demonstration of his Justice and Holiness and displeasure against Sin Rom 8.3 For what the Lâ—w could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh. 2. The very nature of this Calling enforceth this Sanctification or setting Man apart from a common to a sacred use For it is a calling us not only from Misery to Happiness but from Sin to Holiness and the one is indispensibly necessary to the other For none but those who are in an holy Estate can be in a blessed Condition Our calling is sometimes called a Heavenly Calling Heb. 3.1 Sometimes an Holy Calling 2 Tim. 1.9 Therefore the chief subordinate end is Holiness Rom. 1.7 Called to be Saints from the Devil the World and the Flesh to God 3. The grace and favour which is shewed in our Calling obligeth us to be Holy in point of Gratitude For when we consider in what a sinful estate God found us how freely he loved us and that with a discriminating differencing Love when he passed by others worthier than we and to what estate he is ready to advance us to the enjoyment of himself amongst all those that are Sanctified by Faith All these are as so many strong Bonds and Obligations upon us to walk worthy of God who hath called us to his Kingdom and Glory in Iesus Christ 1 Thess. 2.12 Worthy of his Grace in Calling worthy of the Glory to which we are Called that is with the worthiness of Condecency not of Condignity We cannot fully answer this Grace but we must do that which will become it 4. This Calling enableth us to be Holy because it giveth us all things necessary both to holiness of Heart and Life 2 Pet. 1.3 According as his Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto Life and Godliness through the knowledg of him that hath called us to Glory and Vertue Now this Grace must not lie idle otherwise we receive the Spirit in vain 2. The Ultimate end to obtain the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The same expression is 2 Pet. 5.10 The God of all Grace who hath called us to his Eternal Glory by Christ. Iesus It is his Glory Mark 1. Here is Glory 2. It is the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1. It is Glory for Body and Soul the Glory is so great we cannot utter it and conceive it Now a little is revealed to us but then it shall be revealed in us 1. The Soul is not annihilated after Death nor doth it sleep till the Resurrection nor is it detained by the way from immediate passing into Glory but assoon as it is loosed from the Body is admitted into God's Presence and gathered unto the Souls of just Men made perfect where it seeeth God and loveth him and enjoyeth what it seeth and loveth For as soon as we are loosed from the Body we are present with the Lord. And therefore tâ—e first benefit we receive in the other World is the Salvation of the Soul 1. Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your Faith even the salvation of your Souls It flitteth hence to God 2. The Body hath its glory also in due time For when it is raised up out of the Grave it will be another kind of Body then we now have both for Impassibility Clarity Agility For Impassibility called Incorruption Clarity called Glory Agility called Power Subtilty called a Spiritual Body by the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.42 43. It is sown in Corruption it is raised in Incorruption It is sown in Dishohonour it is raised in Glory It is sown a Natural Body it is raised a Spiritual Body 1. Impassibility doth not only exclude Corruption for so the Bodies of the Damned are preserved for ever but all grievanceâ— and pain Rev. 21.4 There shall not be any more pain 2. For Glory a shining Brightness The Righteous shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father Matth. 13.43 Stephen's Face shone in this Life as it were the Face of an Angel Acts 6.15 And Moses his Face shone by Converse with God in the Mount Exod. 34.30 Our Bodies shall be likened unto his glorious Body Phil. 3.21 In the Transfiguration His Face did shine as the Sun and his Rayment did shine as the Light 3. For Vigour Activity and Strength It shall always be in the height and excellency of it God preserved Moses his natural Vigour for a long time Deut. 34.7 but glorified Bodies shall for ever remain in an eternal spring of Youth 4. Subtilty as Spiritual Body Here we live an animal Life after the manner of Sensitive Creatures maintained by Meat Drink Sleep But hereafter the Body shall live after the manner of Spirits having no need or use of these things There we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels of God Matth. 22.30 and 1 Cor. 6.19 Our Bodies
Temptations 1 Pet. 1.3 5. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy he hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead c. Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation 5. He will give you the Kingdom Luke 12.32 Fear not little Flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom 2. On the other side this Relation bespeakâ—th Duty For if God be a Father we must carry our selves as Children by our subjection to him that is by submission to his Disposing-Will and obedience to his Governing Will. 1. By an absolute submission to his Disposing-Will For if you would enjoy the Privileges of God's Family you must submit to the Discipline of his Family Heb. 12.6 7 8 9. For whom God loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If you endure chastening God dealeth witâ— you as with Sons for what Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not But if you are without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye Bastards and not Sons Furtâ—ermore we have had Fathers of our Flesh which chastened us and we gave them Reverence Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live In Heaven where there is no danger of Sin there is no use of the the Rod but while we are in the Flesh we need Correction and if God should not give it us we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not Legitimate but Degenerate Sons But in the 10th Verse the Apostle argueth from God's Paternal Authority For they verily for a few days chastened â—s after their own pleasure bâ—t he for our profit fit that we might be partakerâ— of his Holiness Children though they take â—t ill to be beaten by others yet not by their Parents who under God are the cause of their Being and love them and in correction of them seek their Good Much more do we owe this respect to our Heavenly Father who hath a more absolute right over us Parents may err through want of Wisdom their Chastisements may be arbitrary and irregular do much in Passion rather than Compassion but all God's Chastisements come from purest Love and are reguâ—ated by perfect Wisdom and tend to and end in Holiness and Happiness 2. Obedience to his Governing Will. The great duty of Children is to love please obey and honour their Father Mal. 1.6 A Son honoureth his Father and a Servant his Master If I be a Father where is mine Honour If I be a Master where is my Fear 1 Pet. 1.14 15. As obedient Children not fasâ—ioning your selves according to the former lusts in your Ignorance But as he which hath câ—lled you is Holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation John 15.8 Herein is my Father Glorified that ye bear much Fruit so shall ye be my Disciples There should be a great tenderness upon us to do any thing that may be a breach of God's Law or tend to God's Dishonour What diligent Observers were the Rechabites of the Institutions of their Family Jer. 35.6 But they said We will drink no Wine for Jonadab the Son of Rechab our Father commanded us saying Ye shall drink no Wine neither ye nor your Sons for ever VI. Observ. They to whom Christ is a Lord to them God is a Father his special Fatherly Love floweth in the Chanel of Redemption and is brought about by the Gospel The Lord from all Eternity predeterminated some to the Adoption of Sons Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us to the Adoption of Children by Iesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his Will But how doth he bring to pass this Decree By the Redemption of Christ. It is no mean Privilege Christians that needeth so much ado to establish it Gal. 4.4 5. Buâ— when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law To redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the Adoption of Sons Christ came to be the Foundation of a New Covenant before we could have this Privilege Well but whence ariseth our actual Interest I answer By accepting the offer of the Gospel or receiving and owning Christ to the ends for which he came into the World or God sent him into the World John 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name That is by depending on his Merits for our Reconciliation with God and submitting to his Laws that he might reduce us to our Primitive Obedience and Love to them Vse Therefore if you would have a share in this blessed Privilege 1. You must be Regenerated by his Spirit for the Relative Change dependeth on the Real our State is not changed till our Natures be changed Iohn 1.12 13. Being born again of the Will of God If you would enter into God's Family and enjoy the Privileges thereof you must be changed by the Spirit 2. There is required on your part an entrance into the Kingdom of the Mediator by Faith and Repentance Matth. 18.3 Except ye be Converted and become as little Children ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of God As little Children are newly entred into the World and beginning their Life all things are become new to them So those that have the priveleges of God's Children must become as little Children enter into a new State carry on a new Life and Trade with which they were not acquainted before Our first admission is by a consent to the New Covenant Gal. 3.26 Ye are all made Children of God by Faiâ—h in Christ depending on the merit of Christ's Sacrifice and binding our selves by a solemn Word to perform the Duties required of us which we renew again in the Lord's Supper VII That we most comfortably come to God by Christ for Grace when we consider our Interest in him and Relation to him Their Relation is here intimated for Jesus Christ is our Lord and God is our Father and surely our Lord will not refuse his own Subjects nor our Father be strange to his own Children 1. It is certain that among Men Relation to any Person or thing indeareth them to us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Men love their own Children though not so fair and good as others yet they are their own And is it not so as to God See Iohn 13.1 Having loved his own that were in the World he loved them unto the end And Iohn 17.6 I have manifested thy Name to the Men which thou gavest me out of the World thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy Word 2. Interest giveth us more incouragement Isa. 63.19 We are thine thou never bearest rule over them they were never called by thy Name That is we are thy People thy Subjects so called so accounted
Temptations to raise the Dead are no slight things 3. It is called everlasting Consolation because it is sufficient to do its Work That is to say 1. To reduce us from temporal and flesh-pleasing Vanities Alas the pleasures of Sin are but for a season not worthy to be compared to the Recompence of Reward which Christ hath promised Heb. 11.25 26. Ghusing rather to suffer affliction wâ—â—â— the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures â—f sin for a season Estâ—eming the reproach of Châ—â—st greâ—ter Riches than the Treasures of Egypt 〈◊〉 had respect to the recompence of Reward Whatever is temporal we may soon see the end of it All carnal Injoyments like Flowers wither while we smell on them and the most shining Glory in the World is soon burnt to a Snuff But Eternal Life and Eternal Glory and Eternal Pleasure is secured to us by Christ's Promise All the Delights in the World are but a May-game to these Eternal Pleasures which we shall have at God's right hand for evermore Psal. 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the Path of Life in thy presence is fulness of joy at thy right Hand there are pleasures for evermore Now will you sell your birth-right for one morsel of Meat part with your Eternal Inheritance for a little carnal Satisfaction We have Souls that will noâ— perish and shall we spend our whole time in seeking after things that perish in the using Temporal things carry no proportion with an immortal Spirit We shall live for ever we should look after things that will abide for ever 1 John 2.17 The World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever Otherwise what will you do when the Soul shall be turned out of Doors To what Regions must the poor shiftless harbourless Soul be-take it self Surely then this Consolation though we feel it not always and it be frequently interrupted may be well câ—lled Eternal Consolation because it affordeth Argument enough to check our worldly and sensual Inclinâ—tions and to call us off from Time to Eternity 2. To make us stedfast in the Truth and chearful under Sufferings foâ— he saith here The Lord that hath given us everlasting Consolation comfort your hearts and establish you The great use of everlasting Consolation is to comfort and stablish us in a suffering Condition The loss of Temporal Comforts is grievous but it is recompeâ—ced with the promise of eternal Joys revealed in the Gospel Heb. 10.34 Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that in Heaven ye have a better and an enduâ—ing substance cast not away theâ—efore your Confidence which hath great recompence of Reward And all our Pains and Afflictions are sweetned so far as to keep us from fainting 2 Cor. 4.17 18. Our light Afflicâ—ion which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things that are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal The end of God's Covenant and Promises is â—o give us strong Consolation in the midst of Temptations Persecutions and Trials Woâ—ldly Joys appear and vanish in a moment every blast of Temptation scattereth them It is eternal Blessedness which is the cause of solid Comfort in all Dangers Storms and Tempests hither we retreat as to our Sanctuary and find relief In the World all is unstable and uncertain but the Covenant provideth for us eternal Joy and Bliss 3. The third Effect which it is to produce in us is an increase of Holiness to stablish us in every good Word that is not only in sound Doctrine but in every good Work in Holiness of Life our Endeavours should answer our Motives and Ends Abound in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as your Labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15.58 Diligence should not be grievous to us when there is everlasting Consolation at the back of it surely this should put life into all our Endeavours Should we trifle away that time which we are to improve for Eternity John 6.27 Labour not for the Meat that perishes but for that which is to endure to everlasting Life Faith in Christ joined with solid Godliness will lead you to eternal Life There should be in the Saints an eternal Principle which is the Grace of the Holy Spirit and an eternal End which is the pleasing glorifying and enjoying of God and an eternal Rule which is the Will of God and they will have eternal Consolation and Reward Vse of Exhortation 1. Look upon the New Covenant as it is in it self as containing the only solid Grounds of rejoicing the Blessings of it are real certain stable and sutable to the great necessities of Mankind The Blessings are Pardon and Life they are real no Fancies or Chimera's The Gospel is not a Dream or well devised Fable but the greatest reality in the World it speaketh much for it self commending it self to the Conscience by rational Evidence 2 Cor. 4.2 By manifestation of the Truth commending oâ—r selves to every Man's Conscience in the sight of God But more by the Authority of the Son of God who came from Heaven to shew us the way thither And if it had not been so he would have told us John 14.2 For he used great plainness of Speech and Fidelity and is more fully ratified by the Spirit Iohn 16. 8 9 10 11. He will reprove the World of Sin of Rigâ—teousness and of Iudgment They are stable and unchangeable as appeareth by the Covenant Form in which the Coâ—veyance is so strong and firm as will make a Plea in Law 2 Sam. 23.5 He hath made an Everlasting Covenant with me ordered in all things and sure in which is all my hope and desire And suitable to many necessities Here is a Cure for our great Sore by Pardon and satisfaction to our Desires by a fit Happiness 2. Let it be so to you do you fulfil the Duties required if there be any room for doubting it must be of your Qualification therefore that must be made more explicit 1 John 3.19 Hereby we know that we are of the Truth and shall assure our hearts before him We miss much of this everlasting Consolation because we are upon such loose terms with God never hope to have peace upon cheaper terms than clear and undoubted Holiness You are not to model God's Covenant and new make it and bring it down to your humour and liking No the Covenant is unalterable and eternal So the Duties as well as the Priviledges You must take it as you find it and chuse the things that please God Isa. 56.4 There is your claim follow that close henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Iudg shall give me at that day and not to me only but to all them that love his appearing
taken Heb. 7.19 The Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better Hope did whereby we draw nigh to God By the better Hope is meant the sure and comfortable Promises of the Gospel depending meerly on the Grace of God which gives Hope to lost Sinners of recovering Commerce and Communion with God That is solid grounds upon which they may expect the pardon of their Sins and Eternal Life In this sense good Hope is Hope well warranted the solid Reasons are contained in the Word of God Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our Learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope The great end of the Scriptures is that we might have a sure Hope in God Quod agit tota Scriptura ut credamus in Deum The business of the Scripture is to bring us to believe in God and wait upon him for eternal Salvation There the rule of Commerce between God and us is stated whatever is promised is sure There may be reason to expect some things from God's merciful Nature though we have no Promise about them but the sure and certain Hope is grounded on the Promise that is an express ground of Confidence and Hope that will never leave us ashamed it is well grounded Hope therefore good Hope built on the Promise and Word of the Eternal God 3. By the act or grace of Hope it self this may be called Good either in it self or with respect to the Degree 1. In it self It is good that a Man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord Lam. 3.26 Bonum is either Honestum Iucundum or Vtile it is good in all regards It is our duty to rest assured in God's Promise It is pleasant to anticipate and forecast a Blessing to come Surely it is delightful to live in the fore-sight of endless Glory It is profitable to support our Hearts under present Difficulties and Troubles and the uncertainties of the present Life 2. In respect of the Degree and Measure of it that is good Hope which is most able to do its Office when it is lively Hope 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again to a lively Hope Such as doth most support and quicken us The more serious and earnest our reflections are upon Eternal Life the better is the Hope Heb. 6.12 Shew the same diligence to the full assurance of Hope unto the end We should still keep up this sure and desirous Expectation Briefly Hope the Grace is two-fold 1. There is an Hope which is the immediate effect of Regeneration and is a constitutive part of the New Creature Of that the Apostle speaketh 1 Pet. 1.3 Begotten to a lively Hope This meerly floweth from our acceptance of the New Covenant and dependeth upon the conditional offer of Eternal Life we take it for our Happiness resolving to seek it in God's Way without this a Man cannot be a Christian till he hope for Eternal Life to be given him upon Christ's Terms 2. There is an Hope which is the fruit of Experience and belongeth to the seasoned and tried Christian who hath approved his own fidelity to God and hath much trial of God's Fidelity and Faithfulness to him Of this it is said Rom. 5.4 that Experience worketh Hope It differeth from the former because it produceth not only a conditional Certainty but an actual confidence of our own Salvation The former is necessary for we live and act by it the other is very comfortable for it facilitateth all our Acts when we know there is reserved for us a Crown of Life which the Righteous Judg will give in that Day and do not only believe a Resurrection both of the Just and Unjust but our own Resurrection unto Eternal Life But now for the Effects I shall instance in two which suit with the Prayer in the Text Consolation in Troubles and Confirmation in Holiness 1. Support in Troubles when we are certainly persuaded of an happy issue we are the better kept from fainting Phil. 1.19 I know that this shall turn to my Salvation c. He speaketh it of his Troubles and the Machinations of his Adversaries and this Knowledg he calleth in the 20th Verse his earnest Expectation and his Hope The bitterest Cross is sweetned by Hope this carried him through his Sufferings not only with Patience but Comfort As Men in a storm when they see Land take courage it is but enduring a little more Tempest and they shall be safe on Shore To a hoping Christian his whole Life is a rough Voyage but a short one II. To encourage us in working it is Hope sets the whole Wōrld a-work 1 Cor. 9.10 That he that ploweth should plow in hope and that he that thresheth in hope should be partake◠of his Hope Certainly it is Hope sets the Christian a-work Acts 26.7 Vnto which Promise our twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night hope to come Why are God's Children so hard at work for God but ou◠of love to him and hope to enjoy him for ever Oh! let us continually be serving God let us live always either for Heaven as seeking it or upon Heaven as solacing our selves with the Hopes of it do what ever we do in order to eternal Life and not be taken up with Trifles and this will put Life into our Endeavours it is for a glorious and blessed Estate on which we employ all this labour 2. That this is the free Gift of God I must prove two things 1. That good Hope is his Gift he doth not only give us Objective Grace this is the free and undeserved Mercy of the Gospel or a sufficient Warrant to hope for it which are his gracious Promises But Subjective Grace the Hope by which we expect this Blessedness is freely wrought in us by his Holy Spirit which is a farther confirmation of his love to us That he hath not only given us the Blessedness ◠we hope for but the very Hope it self The Spirit 's Work is necessary 1. By way of Illumination to open the eyes of our minds that we may see what is the hope of his Calling Ephes. 1.18 Alas otherwise our sight cannot pierce so far nor discern any reality in a happiness that lieth in an unseen and an unknown World so as to venture and forsake all that we see and love for a God and a Glory that we never saw Nature if it be not blind in discerning the Duty of Man yet it is pur-blind it cannot foresee the happiness of Man which lieth afar off from us 2 Pet. 1.9 But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off A short-sighted Man cannot see things at a distance from him not from any defect in the Object but through the fault in his Eyes so the natural Man blinded by Delusions doth either not believe or forget
glad and rejoice in thee we will remember thy Love more than Wine the Vpright love thee God's Ordinances are not empty there is some participation 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we brake is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ Vse 5. Consider the ends why God giveth us Comfort it is to fortify us against the Enemies of our Salvation so far as they are vexing and troubling and molesting us in the way to Heaven The Spirit hath two great Offices to be a Sanctifier and Comforter and both serve all the needs of Christians When we are inticed to Sin he helps us as a Santifyer when we are discouraged in God's Service he helps us as a Comforter And therefore Christians are to consider their condition and what their present state requireth for God dispenseth his Grace according to the Assaults made upon them by the Enemies of their Salvation As for instance Our Enemies are the Devil the World and the Flesh these we renounced in Baptism And in the progress of Christianity these are those with whom we conflict and must overcome As for instance The Devil is a tempting Devil who seeketh to draw away the Saints from God and by the love of the Flesh to weaken our Love and Obedience to our proper and our rightful Lord. Now what are we to do in this case to beg Comfort and Peace that we may not be troubled though we yield unto his Temptations Alas this were to turn the Grace of God into Wantonness No we are to be sober and watchful 1 Pet. 5.8 to use all the Rules of Sobriety and Vigilancy that our Worldly Comforts may not be a snare to us Sobriety is an Holy Moderation in the use of all earthly things Vigilancy is an Holy Diligence and seriousness in the use of Means and also add to both the help of the Sanctifying Spirit that we may keep up our Love to God and be faitful in our Obedience to him But the Devil is not only a tempting Devil but a vexing and disquieting Devil who accuseth us before God day and night Rev. 12.10 raiseth in us many troublesome Fears to make our Service uncomfortable and tire us and clog us What is our Duty then to beg the help of the Comforter not only to shew Love to God but that we may have some persuasion of his Love to us and quench his fiery Darts that we may go on chearfully in our Work because the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shorâ—ly Rom. 16.20 So for the World The World is a tempting World drawing our Affections from God and Heaven to present things and when it smileth on us in incroaches upon our Heart more and more 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present World Now what is our business then to beg comfort and assurance of God's Love No that would be our Bane there is work for the Sanctifier rather than the Comforter that the worldly Spirit may be subdued in us there is need of Mortification rather than Assurance that we may be crucified to the World Gal. 6.14 But sometimes the World is a Persecuting World and reproacheth and troubleth us with all manner of vexations then there is work for the Comforter to seal up to our Souls the Love of God or Interest in Christ John 16.33 These things have I spoken to you that in me ye â—ight have peace in the World ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the World and to become to our Souls the Earnest of eternal Glory Comfort is for Tribulation at other times we are glutted with it but then it is our great support When all tâ—ings fail we feel the great necessity of the Joys of Faith It is good to time well our Duties David saith Psal. 56.3 What time I am afraid I will trust in thee So for the Flesh it inticeth us Iames 1.14 Every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed Many times it draweth to Actual Sin by indulgence to its desires yea disposeth us often to Apostacy and falseness of Heart for Apostacy usually begins at falseness of Heart when the fleshly Mind and Interest is not throughly overcome Well when we are conscious to this what shall we do in such a case Certainly the great and proper Work is to beg the Spirit and implore the Spirit as a Sanctifier and to be more obedient to his sanctifying Motions Comfort will come in time Well but the Flesh is not only inticing but troublesom and grievous to the Saints witness Paul's groans Rom. 7.24 Oh wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this Death We are quite wearied and tired out with the importunity of its motions we would serve God more purely and perfectly Then there is work for the Comforter and confidence in his Operations to help the faithful Soul Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perform it unto the day of Iesus Christ. Then it is seasonable to remember the Covenant we are under Rom. 6.14 For Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the Law but under Grace The serious striving Soul will not be left destitute Thus must we expect Comfort Vse 6. Remember that Comfort hath a latitude in it and is expressed by divers words 1. Sometimes by it Support is implied when the sense of Sin and fear of God's Wrath is not altogether removed and taken away but so mitigated and abated that Hope doth more easily prevail in the Soul than Fear And we resolve to wait on God though we cannot so fully clear up our Interest in him You have many Conflicts and Fears yet some Hope and Expectation towards God Jonah 2.4 5. I am cast out of thy sight yet will I look again to thy Holy Temple Resolute adherence giveth great support Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him I will maintain my own ways before him He dependeth merely on the Covenant 2. Peace or some rest from Troubles and accusations of Conscience there is some calm and quiet of Soul Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy Assaulted with none or light Fears Iohn 16.33 In me ye shall have Peace I will give you Peace though not full Spiritual Suavities 3. The third word is Joy 1 Pet. 1.8 Ye rejoice with Ioy unspeakable and full of Glory In Peace all things are quiet they have no anxious Thoughts but in Joy there is a sensible motion of Pleasure and Delight they are feasted with the pleasures of Faith Love and Hope Let us then bless God for any degree of Comfort SERMON XVIII 2 Thess. 2.17 And stablish you in every