you but if you turne to the bright side his fourty yeares raign in glory How amiable was it Look on the darke side of the Providence of God to Job Oh how terrible was it in the first of Job but compare this with the last of Job where you have the bright side of the cloud and there God doubles all his mercies to him Consider the patience of Job and the end that the Lord made with him do not remember the beginning only for that was thâ— darke side but turne to the end of him and there was his bright side Many sinnes many temptations and much affliction would be prevented by Christians looking on the bright side of Providence as well as on the dark Leg. 19. Keep up pretious thoughts of God under the sowrest sharpest and severest Dispensations of God to you Psal 22.1 2 3. My God my God Why hast thou forsaken me Why art thou so far from helping me and from the words of my roaring oh my God I cry in the day time but thou hearest not and in the night season and am not silent There was the Psalmist under smart dispensations but What pretious thoughts hath he of God under all But Thou art holy O thou that inhabitest the prayses of Israel though I am thus and thus afflicted yet thou art holy Psal 65.5 By terrible things in Righteousness wilt thou answer us O God of our salvation Leg. 20. Hold on and hold cut in the wayes of well-doing in the want of all outward encouragments and in the face of all outward discouragments It s nothing to hold out when we meet with nothing but encouragements but to hold out in the face of all discouragements is a Christians duty Psal 44. Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of Dragons and covered us with the shadow of death yet have we not dealt fasly in thy Covenant our heart is not turned back neither have we declined from thy wayes t is perseveravce that crownes all Be thou faithfull to the death and I will give thee a crown of life Rev. 2.10 And he that endureth to the end shall be saved Mat. 24. It s perseveranâ—◠〈◊〉 well-doing that crownes all our actions If 〈…〉 began in the Spirit don't end in the flesh do not go away from the Captain of your salvation follow the Lambe though others follow the Beast and the false prophets Leg. 21. In all your naturall civill and Religious actions let divine glory still rest on your soules Rom. 14.7 8. 1 Cor. 10.31 In all your hearings in all your prayings let the glory of Christ carry it in all your closet-dutyes let the glory of Christ lye nearest your hearts Leg. 22. Record all Speciall favours mercies providences and experiences T is true a man should do nothing else should he record all the favours and experiences of God towards him and therefore my Legacy is Record all Speciall favours peculiar experiences Little doe you know the advantage that will redound to your soul upon this account by recording all the experiences of the shinings of his face of the leadings of his Spirit many a Christian looseth much by neglecting this duty Leg. 23. Never enter upon the tryall of your estate but when your hearts are at the best and in the fitest temper T is a great designe of Sathan when the soul is deserted and strangely afflicted to put the soul on trying wroke Come see what thou art worth for another world what thou hast to shew for a better state for an interest in Christ a title for heaven this is not a time to be about this worke thy work is now to get off from this temptation and therfore to pray and believe and wait upon God and to be found in all those wayes whereby you may get off the temptation Leg. 24. Alwayes make the Scripture and not your selves nor your carnal reason nor your bare opinion the Judges of your spiritual state and condition I cannot see my condition to be good I cannot perceive it What must your sense and your carnall reason be the Judge of your spiritual state Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this rule it is because there is no light no morning in them John 12.48 The word that I have spoken the same shall judge you in the last day The Scripture is that which must determine the case in the great day whether you have grace or no or whether it be true or no. Leg. 25. Make much conscience of making good the terms on which you closed with Christ you know the terms how that you would deny your selves take up his Cross and follow the Lamb wheresoever he should go Now you are put to take up the Cross to deny your selves to follow the Lamb over hedge and ditch through thick and thin do not turn your backs on Christ the worst of Christ is better then the best of the world make conscience of making good your terms to deny your self your natural self your sinful self your religious self and to follow him and if you do so oh what an honour will it be to Christ and advantage to your souls and a joy to the upright Leg. 26. Walk by no rule but such as you dare dy by and stand by in the great day of Jesus Christ You may have many wayes prescribed to worship by but walk by none but such as you dare dye by and stand by before Jesus Christ walk not by a multitude for who dare stand by that rule when he comes to dy Make not the example of great men a rule to go by for who dare dye by and stand by this in the great day of accompt Do not make any authority that stands in opposition to the authority of Christ a rule to walk by for who dare stand by this before Jesus Christ Ah Sirs walk by no rule but what you dare dye by and stand by at the great day Leg. 27. And lastly sit down and rejoyce with fear Psal 2. Let the Righteous rejoyce but let them rejoyce with fear Rejoyce that God hath done your souls good by the everlasting Gospel that he did not leave you till he brought you to an acceptance of to a closing with and a resignation of your souls to Christ and the clearing up of your interest in him Rejoyce that you have had the everlasting Gospel in so much light purity power and glory as you have had for many years together Rejoyce in the riches of grace that hath carryed it in such a way towards you And weep that you have provoked God to take away the Gospel that you have no more improved it that you have so neglected the seasons and opportunities of enriching your souls When you should have come to Church-fellowship any thing would turn you out of the way Oh sit down and tremble under your barrenness under all your leanness notwithstanding all the cost and
by a wounded spirit it is just with such a person as it is with a Malefactor who stands condemned at the Bar he cannot receive encouragement from any of his Spectators till the Judge speak peace to him So if an Angell from Heaven should come and speak to a wounded Spirit It were impossible unlesse God did order command and dispense it that the Spirit should receive any peace because our sins are immediatly committed against him 2 He is alone able to reveal and discover it There is nothing harder in the world than to calm and quiet a disturbed conscience it must be the same power that makes light to spring out of darknesse that must cause a cheerfull serenity in a dark and disconsolate soul I know there is nothing more easie than that false peace which is so universall in the world for the most amongst us cheat themselves with presumption instead of peace with God and security in stead of peace with conscience but that peace which is solid and true can only be revealed by God himself We have an instance of this in David Psal 51. although Nathan had told him from God Thy sinne is pardoned yeâ— notwithstanding he faith Mark thou me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce He still addresses himself to God that he would cause him to hear the voice of pardon and reconciliation for his soul could not be quiet by the voice of the Prophet There is so much infidelity in the soul of man that when he comes to take a view of his sinnes in all their bloudy aggravations only the Spirit of God himself is able to allay the terrots of the conscience And this he doâ—h by an overpowering light when he doth in an imperative and commanding manner silence all the doubts of the soule and establish it in peace with God Certainly he that shall but consider the terrors the faintings the palenesse of a wounded conscience when you shall see a person dis-relish all the things of the world upon this account â—â—â—ring lest God is his enemy when all discourses that â—â—e addressed to him are ineffectual and but like watâ—â— cloath to a dead carcase cannot inspire any heat into him Oh! this shewes only God is able to reveal peace So Job If he hide his face who is able to be at peace There needs no other fury to compleat the misery of a man than his own accusing conscience Conscience is a verier devil than the devill himself and able more to torment and lash the creature Therefore if that be once awakened 't is only God to whose tribunal conscience is liable which is able to speak peace to the soul Now you see in what respect this Title The God of peace is attributed to him as he is the Author and worker of it 2. As he loves and delights in peace This is that which is so pleasing to him that he adopts those into the line of Heaven who are Peace-makers for they shall be called the Children of God Matth. 5.6 This characterizes persons to be his children to be ally'd to him God he only delights in reflection of his own Image for those things that we admire in the world and delight in do not affect his heart He delights not in the strength of the horse he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man The Lord taketh pleasure in them that feare him in those that hope in his mercy Nothing attracts his eye and heart but his own similitude and resemblance and therefore where he sees peaceable dispositions this is that which indeers the soul to him and makes it amiable in his eyes You may judge of his delight in peace by this it is that grace which in an especiall manner prepares us for communion with him for we can never really honour nor enjoy him unlesse we bring to him those dispositions which if I may so speak are in himselfe And therefore it is no wonder that those have little peace of conscience who make so litle conscience of peace You know when God appeared to Eliah he did not appear in the Storm nor in the Fire but in the small still voice and when Elisha was transported with anger he was fain to allay that passion by Musick that so he might be prepared for the holy motions of the Spirit he call'd for an instrument and then the Spirit moved in him I bring it for this end to shew how God delights in peace and he will only maintain communion with those that are of calm and peaceable spirits So much way as we give rash anger so much proportionably do we let in the Devil and cast ouâ— the God of peace Now the reason why this Title is given to God is upon a double account partly with respect to the Blood of the everlasting Covenant which made peace between God and us partly with respect to the Covenant it self which is founded in that Bloud 1 In respect of the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant For it was the blood of Christ that hath sprinkled Gods Throne and made peace in heaven You shall read therefore when Christ came into the world ' â—is said Luk. 2.14 that the heavenly Host appeared and sang Glory to God in the highest on earth peace c. Since the Fall God and man are enemies there is a reciprocall enmity between God and Man God hates the Creature as it is unholy and man hates God as he is just the avenger of sin the author of the Law Now Christ was the Umpire that composed this difference he was God and Man in one person and so being ally'd to both he was a fit person ro reconcile both He was as Job speaks a Dayes-man between us He hath paid every farthing that was due for he did not compound with God but paid the utmost that was due to him He it is that hath reconciled us to God by the power of his Spirit in châ—nging and renewing our natures and creating in us those difpositions which are like to God so than his Blond is the foundation of this peace And how God appears to us not as a consuming fire but as a refreshing light full of calmness serenity and peace towards us Christ he brought more honour to God by his obedience than we brought dishonour by our transgression and therefore without any injury to God he might be at peace with us You know all our sinnes were but the acts of finite creatures and only infinit in regard of the Object against whom they were câ—mmited But the Bloud of Christ was of infinite value in regard of the Subject for he was God and the inriching Union of the Deity conveyed such vâ—lue and worth to his Blood that he was able to appease God and not only to free us from condemnation but to make us the favorites of God We are not onely pardoned but preferrâ—d upon the account of his Bloud 2 He is the God of
debasement of Christ yet if he had been born to a Crown to Honour it had been something but he was born to shame to sorrow and death But man by grace is born to a Crown to a Kingdom he has a title to all the glory and blessedness of Heaven from the first moment of his new birth So 't is in the Text Grace be unto you and peace Peace in Scripture is a very comprehensive term it carries in it all happiness It was the common greeting of the Jews Peace be unto you Thus David by his Proxy salutes Nabal Peace be to thee and thy House and the Apostle here alludes to this form of Salutation that he might mix new Testament mercy to old Testament manners he first stiles grace before peace as Jacob did with his Venison he made it a savoury meat such as Isaac loved Peace is the glory of Heaven in the Bosom of God and brought into the World in the Arms of Angels the first peace you read of in the Gospel was peace by the administration of Angels Luke 2.13 14. And suddenly there was with the Angels a multitude of Heavenly Host praising and saying Glory be to God in the highest and on Earth peace good will towards men And when our Lord Christ first sent out his Disciples this was the Doctrine that he bid them preach Matth. 10.12 13. When you come into a house salute it and if it be worthy let grace peace come upon it Mark here by the way Our Lord Jesus Christ is no enemy to good manners he would not have Christians to be Clowns which is the use of some among us who would have their Religion quarrel with good manners no but in whatsoever City or Town you enter salute it and let grace peace come upon it that is wish peace to them saying The peace of God be upon this place upon the head and hearts of all in it So that peace is both a Gospel-salutation when Ministers and People meet and it 's also a Gospel-valediction when the Minister and the People part So did the Apostle and so do I now Grace be with you and peace I observe in Matth. 10.13 14. our Lord bids his Disciples when they enter into a house if the house be worthy to let their peace come upon it but if they be not worthy let grace peace return unto you Instead of leaving peace with them to shake off the dust of their feet against them that is to shew that God will shake them off as dust and tread them under feet as fewel My Brethren your diligent atteddance on the Word at this place hath comfortably prevented that part of my charge to shake off the duâ— of my feet for how beautiful have the feet of a pooâ— Worm been to you being shod with the prepâ—ranon of the Gospel of Christ And therefore seeing our Lord Jesus Christ said If they be worthy of thâ—â— peace abide with them On this account I wish to you Grace and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ But what is this Peace It 's the beauty of Union the harmony of the Creation the pleasure of Life the feast of a good Conscience it 's that which makes life sweet and death easieâ— Peace sweetens all our Possessions and all our Afflictions without this the fulness of the World is a burden with this poverty and emptiness is a pleasant Companion without this our bread is gravelled with sowrness and our water mingled with bitterness with this green herbs become a feast and our Water is turned into Wine Peace it 's the most beautiful Creature in the World and therefore it 's beloved of all courted of all many feeâ— her but few there be that enjoy her they do not go the right way to find her for in the ways of rightâ— ousness is peace Peace is the seminary of all blessingâ— Temporal as Grace is of all blessings Spirituâ—l In Grace you have implyed all holiness in Peace all happiness In grace all inward in peace all ouâ— ward blessings Grace and Peace are the Alpâ— and Omcga of all Blessings as God is of all Beingâ— no blessing comes before grace and no blessing lâ—â— longer Then see in this phrase of speech the 〈◊〉 postle wishes upon them as I do upon you all 〈◊〉 blessings both of Time and Eternity and yet 〈◊〉 wished no more to them then God promiseâ— give them 1 Tim. 4.8 For godliness hath the promise of this life and that which is to come Grace be unto you and peace c. not one without the other though a man may have grace without peace as in a time of desertion or temptation and a man may have peace without grace as in a secure and unregenerate Condition grace without peace is often found in a troubled Conscience and peace without grace is often found in a seared Conscience as grace without peace is very uncomfortable so peace without grace is very unprofitable like Rachel beautiful but barren Therefore the Apostle desires ye should have both grace and peace and we say the Sun and Salt are the most useful Creatures in the World the one for shining the other for seasoning My Brethren grace and peace are the Christian's Sun and Salt grace is the light of their souls and peace is the savour of their comforts grace shines through all their faculties and peace seasons all their mercies The blessings of God are become as Twins as Christ said of the Spouse Cant. 4.2 She is like a flock of sheep that are even shorn which came up from the washing whereof every one bears twins and none is barren among them Grace and peace here are knit together by the Spirit of God in a sacred knot not to be untyed As Castor and Pollux when seen together portend happiness to the Mariner so when grace and peace are found in a Soul together they portend the highest security and blessing to the Believer they are said in Scripture to be bound together where God gives the one he never denyes the other If he gives you me Upper Spring of grace he will give you the other Spring of peace for they go both together If be gives you the Dew of Heaven you need not question the fatness of the Earth If his right hand be full of merey his left hand shall not be empty Therefore Grace and peace be with us from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ Grace has a double sense either for the grace of God to us that justifies us or the grace of God in us that sanctifies us Now there is a distant peace flowing from each of these but still its grace and peace First justifying grace has a peace attending that Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God So far as we have confidence in justifying grace there remains no Conscience of condemning sin As there can be no bitterer War then between Conscience and the
when as they who stand fast do even force a good Testimony from their Enemies So it was the unhappy chance of Cranmer the Papists did perswade him to subscribe and did he get any honour by it No truly they did upbraid him and reproach him and so he had dyed in a raving condition had not the Lord been merciful to him I remember a speech of St. Austin about drinking of Healths Oh! say they 't is upon the King's Birth-day and we cannot avoid it If we deny it say they we shall be reproached and scorned of men He gives them many Answers to it but one as I remember was this God will so work that if you will not comply with them they in their hearts will honour you and whereas if you did comply with them they would dishonour you and say you are base spirited That is one thing of this Point that keeping close to Jesus Christ will get you this Reward you shall walk with him in the white of honour they shall walk in the white of honour with his People and it may be with the World too 2 They shall walk in white in the white of peace and joy and inward comfort I shewed you in the opening of the Text how the Scripture calls that walking in white Then the Point is this What ever becomes of the other white of honour in the World they shall be sure of this that abundance of peace and joy and comfort shall possess their souls that keep their garments white they shall walk in the inward white of joy and peace with Jesus Christ and this is a blessed Reward Indeed now this joy this white of joy arises in the Soul three ways 1. From the Testimony of their own Consciences Oh! they who have a good Testimony from their own Consciences walk in white 2 Cor. 1.12 We have this for our rejoycing the Testimony of our Consciences that in all simplicity and godly sincerity we have our conversation in Heaven that is walking in white this is our rejoycing our Conscience speaks well of us and kindly to us and who is able to express the sweetness of this thing None can know what this is but they that have it as it is said of the New Name written upon the white Stone Rev. 2 1â— 'T is a thing beyond expression what the joy anâ— peace of a good Conscience is Now this I say that our white Garments and our walking in white ariseth from the Testimony of our Consciences 2. As from the Testimony of our Consciences so from that Testimony which is greater than out Consciences the Spirit the shedding abroad of Divine Love thus it is with those that do not defile their Garments but endure any thing rather then defile their Garments Rom. 5.3 4 5. And not onely so but we glory in Tribulations knowing Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope and Hope maketh not ashamed and whence was all this because of the Holy Ghost which was given to us this causeth joy unspeakable The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God This Witness doth cause wonderful joy much more then the witnesses of our own Consciences 3. This ioy doth arise from that well-grounded hope which that Soul hath that keeps himself clean hope of enjoying Heaven at last hope of future glory is our present joy Rom. 5.2 By whom also we have access by Faith into this Grace wherein we stand and joyce in hope of the glory of God Now they who keep their Garments white have good ground of hope of the love of God therefore this must needs cause them to walk comfor ably as they who have this hope purifie themselves so they who purifie themselves have good ground of this hope and therein great cause to rejoyce Pet. 1.5 6. Who are kept by the power of God brough Faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in â—e last times wherein ye greatly rejoyce though now for 〈◊〉 season if need be ye are in heaviness through many emptations We walk in white in the hope we have of that Inâ—eritance Now lay these three things together â—f they who keep their Garments undefiled have â—he Testimony of their own Consciences and the â—estimony of the Spirit shedding the Love of God â—n their hearts and a well-grounded hope of fuâ—ure â—lory how can it be but these must walk in white â—ith Jesus Christ that is in comfort and joy of â—e Spirit and of their own spirits Thus David walked he had abundance of joy upâ—n the Conscience of his own integrity and keeping his heart and hands clean from those iniquities â—is enemies charged him with Ps 3. The Lord shall â—udge his people Judge me O Lord according to my â—ighteousness and according to mine integrity that is in â—â—e He appeals to the Lord the Lord shall judge â—is people Judge me O Lord according to my â—ighteousness Thus he appeals to God himself he â—ad so much confidence and his heart gave him â—hat he kept himself from those iniquities So Job walkt in white though his Friends blackt him exceedingly yet he walked in white in his Conscience Job 16.19 Behold my Witness is in Heaven and my Record is on high I have not onely a Witness in my Conscience but my Witness is above He walked in white notwithstanding all his afflictions from God and his Friends Hezekiah walkt in this white when death 〈◊〉 him in the face Lord thou knowest I have we upright with thee I need not stay in the proof of the thing let 〈◊〉 make some Use and Improvement of it Vse Is this blessed reward to those who keâ—â— their garments white to walk in the white of peacâ— and joy then here we see the happiness of all thoâ—â— who are true to Christ and his wayes Psal 119. â— Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in thâ— Law of the Lord. 'T is just in the Language of 〈◊〉 Text they indeed shall walk in white it is a greaâ— part of our blessedness to have peace of conscience and inward joy Oh how much better is it that the peace and joy of this world and the comforts of this world Prov. 15.13 A merry heart or as another Translation saith A good Conscience and indeed a merry heart and a good Conscience do but one explain the other a merry heart or a good Conscience is a continual Feast Here is noâ— surfeiting in this feast but a continual Musick coâ—tinual joy and comfort oh how blessed are theâ— who are undefiled in the way That which Christ said of the Lilly Solomon 〈◊〉 all his glory was not arrayed like one of these so may I say of the Lilly-white soul that keeps himself white in the world who keeps himself white iâ— matter of practice and worship Solomon in all 〈◊〉 glory was not arrayed like one of these Lilly-white ones Oh the Rivers of Consolations that flow to them that keep themselves out of
as Jerem. 13.17 And that we shall not forget Jeremiah weeping for you And I trust likewise that we shall remember Stephen being on his knees for his Persecutours powring out his life and prayer together Acts 7.60 I doubt not but my Reverend Brother and my self shall remember Pauls willingness to spend and to be 〈◊〉 both in prayer and preaching for you all Though the more abundantly he loved the lesse he was beloved 2 Cor. 12.15 3. Maintain and nourish all tenderness in your Conscience all your dayes Oh go not without much lesse against the dictates of conscience rebel not against the light of it beware of stifling and suppressing a warning conscience lest a warning conscience prove a gnawing conscience and prove a tormenting conscience And consider first Remorse of Conscience hath an eye against all sin past Secondly Tenderness of Conscience which hath an eye to all sin to come Take heed then of all calmness of heart Fourthly Take heed of Apostatizing Chrysostome hath a notable saying namely That Ministers have a greater trouble because they never find their work as they leave it as other workmen do Oh in how short a time doth a poor Minister find all his work put out of frame and order Did not Moses find it so Exod. 32.8 Moses had no sooner turn'd his back as it were but the people were turned out of Gods way of worship And did not Paul find it so Gal. 1.6 The Galathians were quickly removed Paul was but lately gone from them and they were quickly apostatized Now this cometh to passe First It is by reason of a crafty subtil deceitful Devil as in the Gospel we read While men slept the Enemy came and sowed tares Mat. 13.25 And who this Enemy is we may see in Christs expounding the Parablâ—â— ver 39. And Secondly Partly by reason of mens own deceitful hearts as Heb. 3.12 observe it There is an evil heart of unbelief in the best it dwells in the best but it reignâ— in the wicked And what is that one of these evil hearts of unbelief in apostatizing in departing from the living God Thirdly It is partly by Reason of deceitful workers as the Apostle calls false Apostles It is partly by reason of such Then take heed of apostatizing either from truth of Doctrine purity of worship or practice of Conversation 1. From truth of Doctrine Be not weary of old truths take beed and beware of itching after novel Doctrines take heed and beware of admiring this or that opinion which as new lights drop down from heaven but indeed is but as the smoak of the bottomless pit 2. From purity of Worship also Let not your zeal be cold but kindled against every bracelet of the Scatlet Whore How often doth the Apostle call the people adulterers and adulteresses because they apostatize from the Word and Worship of God 3. In practice and Conversation Prize the Gospel love it and live accordingly to it With constancy look on every motion of thy soul and every action of thy life as a step to life or a step to death as a step towards Heaven or a step to Hell Heb. 10.38 To close this Counsel the Author of the Hebrews bringeth in the Lord protesting against apostatizing If any man draw back from Gospel-principle and Gospel-worship or froth a Gospel-conversation saith the Lord If any man draw back thus my Soul shall have no pleasure in him Tremble then at this thou Apostatizer whoever thou art wherever thou sittest or standest My Son shall have 〈◊〉 pleasure in thee I loath and abominate that person faith the Lord. 5. All of you then study peace and particularly you who do unfeignedly set your hearts and faces towards Heaven study peace and follow after it thouâ—â—â— run from you pursue after it You professe youâ— selves to be them that are truly fearing God anâ— truly honouring the King and truly loving one another Oh then seek peace You who do unfeignedly set your hearts and facâ—â— towards Heaven study peace alway and decline all dividing principles and practices among you and that you may not either breed or feed circumstantial differences or substantial divisions consider God 〈◊〉 the God of Peace our Saviour is the Prince of Peace our Comforter is the Comforter of Peace our Calling is the Calling of Peace our Way is the Way of Peace Oh that we may so live in Peace that the God of Love and Peace may dwell with us and that the God of Peace may live with us here that we may live with the God of Peace hereafter Mr. Bull of Newington-Green His Farewell Sermon in the Forenoon John 14.16 And I will send the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever THe Observation that I commended to you 〈◊〉 of these words was this It is the great work for which the Spirit 〈◊〉 Christ is given by Ged to comfort the hearts of 〈◊〉 people You may remember that I have 〈◊〉 opeâ—â—â— the truth to you and have shewed you what this spititual comfort is that the Spirit of Christ works in the hearts of his Disciples I gave it you in this Description It is that inward spiritual satisfaction that the heart of a gracious person finds in and through Jesus Christ in all the various dispensations of God towards him whereby he is enabled to go on in chearâ—inesse in the way that God would have him whether it be by a way of doing or of suffering And herein I shewed 1. The nature of the spiritual satisfaction 2. The Author of it It is God by his Spirit 3. The Object of it God through Jesus Christ 4. The proper Subject of this inward spiritual comfort the people of God 5. And lastly The effects of the spiritual comfort it is to strengthen the heart both to do and suffer I came the last time to shew you how the Spirit of God doth this 1. He doth it as an enlightning Spirit by shewing where comfort is to be had by opening the eyes of the understanding as he did Hagars bodily eyes to see the Well of water 2. He doth it as a quickning Spirit bringing the soul into that capacity to take in the comfort for what comfort can a dead man receive a Cordial and a Puddle is all one to a dead man 3. He works this inward spiritual satisfaction by discovering the truth of this vitall Principle in the soul for a man may have a principle of Grace and spiritual life in him and not know it that though he has the spiritual comfort yet it is all one as if he had it not Now this is the great Question that is debated in the heart of a Child of God Whether he be regener a 〈◊〉 born again whether he hath grace in his soul 〈◊〉 grace that will qualifie him for glory and if he was â—â—risfied as to this he would not be a moment without comfort But he is afraid that he is dead
when death affliction comes Jonas lay quietly asleep till the storm came O my Friends we must shortly lie a dying the Lord knows how soon O what wil you do for comfort in a dying hour all other comforts may forsake you before that time you may meet with sorrow heavy afflictions so that all your friends in the world wil not do you good your friends may fail your hearts may fail then no comfort but the comfort of the Holy Ghost will do you good the time may come that all your friends may prâ—â—â—â— miserable comforters when God comes to 〈◊〉 with the soâ—â— to set sin home upon the conscience to lay sin before us then what will you do We are all guilty of sins of omission and sins of commission when these come to be changed upon the soul what will you then do Then no plaister of comfort wil stick but those of the Spirits laying on unless the Spirit seal up the pardon of sin the love of God to the soul nothing will be quiet and comfort the soul however men may be merry for a time yet there is a time of sorrow that will come when they shall reflect upon their ways when they shall see nothing but sin behind them and terrors before them Oh! what amazement will seize upon their souls they have no interest in God in Christ they have no interest in the Promises there is nothing that will comfort you unless you have an interest in the Spirit But then what shall I do that I may get this comforting Spirit into my Soul First Thirst earnestly after it The promise is made to those that thirst after it Isa 44.3 Thirst after him in his convincings in his humblings in his sanctifying mercy Oh let the desire and longing of thy soul run out this way no matter for an Estate no matter for friends and outward comforts if thou hast the Spirit of God thou hast that is paramount to all outward comforts Secondly Pray earnestly for the Spirit You are not so willing to give your children what they want as God is to give his Spirit to them that ask it Cry mightily Lord give me thy Spirit and cry to the Spirit and say as Laban to Jacob Come in so pray the Spirit so come into thy Soul Thirdly If you would have this Comforter to come and abide with you You must resolve to become Christs Disciples It is only for such that Christ prays that God would send the Comforter you must hearken and obey him and follow him wheresoever he goeth You know the terms upon which you must be Christs Disciple Matth. 16 24. He must deny himself and take up his Cross and daily follow Christ He 〈◊〉 deny him-self There is two selfs in a man nay three selfs and they must be denied but however 〈…〉 two must be denied if you intend to be Christs Disciple 1 A mans righteous self If any thing that we are that we have or can do from our works or duties any thing of our own all must be denied in point of Justification 2 Sinful self A mans corruptions must be denied pride passion and love to the world 3 Natural self Friends Estates Relations Credit and Honor and outward comforts these may be denied you may be called to part with them but if they come in competition with Christ they must be denied 2 You must take up the Cross of Christ rather then forsake his honour or disobey his commands You must resolve to follow Christ wheresoever he shall lead you either in a way of active or passive obedience you must take up Christs load you must undergo his burden Now Christians are you resolved upon this now sit down and consider what it will cost you to be Christians and if you would have the best you must be contented with the worst and if you are resolved upon this then you are the true Disciples of Christ and you are under the promise of his comfort and Christ is praying the Father to send you another Comforter who shall abide with you for ever The second use of Exhortation 2 Use Is of Exhortation wherein I shall apply my self to the true Disciples of Christ those that have had communion with Christ in his sanctifying presence labour after communion with him in his comforting presence To all others that are without the Spirit of God I may say as Jehu to Jehoram What hast thou to do with these things Labour to be convinced of the need and want of Christ but such as have been partakers of the Spirit of Christ as a sanctifying spirit labour after communion with him as a comforting spirit and to this end I shall stir you up to this 1 By way of Motive 2 By way of Comfort First By way of Motive Though you have some comsort it is but little in comparison of what you may have and in comparison of what you may stand in need of though a Saint would not change the saddest hour of his life for the sweetest hour in his former condition If the Saints of God did enjoy the comforts that they might oh what blessed lives might they live but they are so full of trouble as if there were no holy Ghost the Comforter The people of God are oftentimes troubled without a cause as that holy man Why art thou cast down oh my soul He could not render a true account of his trouble he was sad but he could not tell why or wherefore 2 When there is cause they are apt to be troubled without measure In those cases where it is a sin not to be troubled at all the people of God are apt to be troubled overmuch as the Israelites in their bondage in Egypt It were a sin for them not to be troubled but they were so full of troubles that they could not hearken to Moses and Aaron and so the Disciples in the Text it were a sin for them not to be troubled for the absence of Christs body but so to be troubled as if God could not comfort them without him this was their weakness And to come to our case it were a sin to slight this Dispensation of God that is coming upon us if we should not be troubled for the loss of the Ministers of Jesus Christ but to mourn before God under the sense of this Dispensation to mourn so much as to think that when these are gone all is gone to be so much troubled as not to hearken to the words of the Text That we have a Comforter I remember an admirable expression of a child to his mother when his father was dead to shew That out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings God can manifest his praise Why Mother says the child though my Father be dead yet God is alive May I not say so to you Though your Ministers be as it were naturally dead yet is not God alive is not the Spirit of God alive Though you have some
must go to God those Ministers that were wont to comfort us are now to be taken from us our Barnabaâ—'s Sons of consolation their mouths are to be stopped though Ordinances are now to be dammed up the houses of God made places of defilement our Teachers are removed into corners our troubles increase and we have none to tell us how long the light of our eys the comfort of our hearts in respect of the outward means are going from us whither shall we go we want bread for our souls we want cordials for our hearts blessed Saviour pity us and since thou wilt not come to us in thy own presence as thy Ambassadors do come to us by thy Spirit do now in heaven as thou didst on earth pray the Father for us do not leave us as so many Orphans without father or mother but send thy Spirit to refresh our souls see how we are hated and reviled and we must suffer these things now Let us have thy spirit 3 If you would have communion with the Spirit of Christ in his comforting work Take heed that you do not lay up your comforts in the creature This is for to seek for the living among the dead those that rejoyce in the creature rejoyce in a thing of nought and you that have an interest in God God will not take it well at your hands to seek it any where else no not in Ordinances though God would have you to seek comfort in Ordinances yet he would not have you to seek comfort from Ordinances 4 Sit down and be much in duty Psal 63.5 6. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips when I remember thee upon my bed and meditate on thee in the night watches If you look at the beginning of the Psalm you shall find this Psalm was penn'd when David was deprived of the Ordinances of God Many a man complains that he lives uncomfortably no wonder when he little thinks on Christ 5 Be much in the exercise of grace Then they walked in the fear of the Lord when they walked in the comfort of the Holy Ghost 6. Take heed of quenching and grieving the Spirit your Comforter by neglecting his motions or by acting any thing against the mind of the Spirit Do not sin against him as your enlightning Spirit that will hinder him as your Comforter I close with a word of Comfort to the people of God If it be one of the great works of the Spirit of God here is matter of great comfort to those that stick close to Jesus Christ 1. Sure your comforts will be satisfying Comforts sufficient because they are comforts of the Spirits working The Lord Jesus hath promised to make up the want of his bodily presence by sending his Spirit He was now going from them and tells them That he could not stay and this was sad newes to the Disciples who where ready to break their hearts and the best comfort that he could afford them was to tell them That he would send the Comforter If Christ can comfort his people in the absence of himself surely he can comfort them in the want of all other comforts that relate either to soul or body and so in the want of mercies in the want of outward Ordinances he can comfort the soul It is the Spirit of God that can comfort in the use of these and if he will he can do it in the want of them he can comfort us in the wildernesse where no water is when he doth deny the meanes he can cumfort us without where he denies the stream he can make us drink out at the Fountain 7. And Lastly The people of God find hereby that their comforts are abiding Your liberty your friends ah Ordinances and Ministers may be taken from you your Ministers may be banish'd your Ministers may be imprison'd but here is a Comforter that abides for ever And though they may keep your Ministers out of the Pulpit yet they shall not take the Comforter out of your hearts So that when I shall not Preach any more to you I shall Pray the Father that he would send you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Mr. Bull of Newington-Green His Farewel Sermon in the afternoon Acts 20.32 And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his Grace who is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified THe words are part of S. Pauls Farewel-Sermon or discourse to the Elders of the Church of Ephesus one of those famous seven Churches of Asia that we read of in the book of the Revelations It is not to be doubted as Calvin doth Comment upon the place that though the Apostle speaks immediately to the Elders yet he doth comprehenâ— the whole Church in the Speech Our holy Apostle had been a long time with the Church preaching among them taking pains with them both in publick and private as you may see in the 20 verse and declares to them the whole Counsel of God verse 27. and now being called away taken off by divine Providence by the will of his Master the last and best office that he thought he could do for them was to commit them to the care of God and to leave them in his arms and to recommend them to his Grace It would be more then the time would permit to look over the whole Apostles Sermon which is partly Narrative and partly Consolatory Narrative to put them in mind in what manner he had preached to them from verse 17. to verse 27. And it s partly Consolatory from the 27. to the Text wherein the Apostle could hold no longer but his love constrains him and makes him to break forth into this pathetical wish or rather prayer And now Brethren I commend you to his grace As if he had said I am just now going 〈◊〉 you not knowing that I shall see your face any more now I am a dying man as to my conversing with you anâ— more now I am departing this is the best Legacie I can bequeath unto To commend you to God and to his grace And he speaks to persons as standing in the same relation with God and Christ and having the same Father and the same elder Brother As if he should have said you are as dear to me as my own flesh as if you were my brethren by consanguinity and it is my sorrow that I must leave you but as it is my greatest grief to part with you yet I must leave you and this is the comfort that I shall leave you in safe hands I do not leave you to the wide world I do not leave you as Orphans without a Father as Sheep without a Shepherd but I commend you to God and to his grace O happy word Though I must leave you yet I trust God who is able will keep you as God is present every-where
more I must recommend you to God whom I hope will be the God of your comfort when I am gone 2. This is the best office that a Minister can do for his people when he is taken from them and that whether we look upon Minister or people certainly it is the best office that a Minister can do for his people To commend them to God 1 God is omnipotently infinitely able 2 God is gracious and faithful therefore willing to do it First God is infinitely able to manage this trust he is God all-sufficient Gen 17.1 sufficient to make himself happy much more to make his people happy 1 God is all in all in the enjoyment of mercy 2 God is all in all in the want of mercy First He is all in all in the enjoyment of mercy When a people have a faithfull Minister placed over them by the providence of God he can do nothing of himself 2 Cor. 3.6 Our preaching is from the assistance of God and when we have done all we cannot make this effectual we cannot give the success Paul may plant and Apollo may water but it is God that must give the increase 1 Cor. 3.6 Why do you keep such a stir one would have this Minister another that one would have Paul another would have Apollo another Cephas are they not the Ministers of God by whom ye have believed Our profit depends not upon the parts and gifts of a creature but upon out blessing of God it is God that must put this heavenly treafore into the heart and it is God that must disperse it at last for the good and benefit of his people The most eloquent Apollo 's cannot perswade obstinate sinners to lay hold upon the Gospel they may speak to the ear but it is God that must carry the word to the heart either for conviction or conversion Secondly God is all in all in the want of means Let the instrument be never so weak if it be in the hand of God it shall prove effectual God can make a poor Fisherman instrumental to catch three thousand souls at one time and God chuses to do his work by weak instruments that the praise may be of God It is not the Ministers parts or gifts but onely the power of God that strengthens the soul and sanctifies and builds them up and comforts them God is able to convert all unconverted sinners in a Congregation God can say Ephata be opened 2 God is able to build up those that are converted God is able to make all grace abound 2 Cor. 9.8 Those that have little grace God is able to make it increase God is the God of all grace God can make every Saint perfect entire lacking nothing he can fill all the void places of the heart 3 God can keep us in all tryals and troubles God can keep up his people in the midst of Apostasie Mat. 16.13 The gates of hell shall not prevail against them God can keep them that all the power of Hell shall not hurt them 4 God is able to comfort the most disconsolate soul Ministers may speak comfortable words but they cannot speak them farther then to the ear but God can speak them to the heart I will allure her into the wilderness and speak to the heart God can comfort the poor soul let the case be never so sad 2 Cor. 1.4 2 As God is infinitely able so he is infinitely gracious and faithful See his Name in Exod. 34. Full of power and tender mercy Is not God willing for the conversion of poor sinners willing as Ministers yea a thousand and ten thousand times more Hear how pathetically God speaks Turn ye why will ye dye hear and live He calls upon all men everywhere to repent Secondly God doth not onely desire it but purpose it and resolves God that hath begun a good work he will finish it and so for their preservation he hath said That the gates of hell shall never prevail against them Of all thou hast given me I have lost none Joh. 17.11 Though God may suffer his people to be led away for a time yet they shall be brought back again and shall be kept through the power of God unto salvation Heaven and Earth shall pass away but not one jot or title which God hath spoken How willing is God to comfort all his comfortless ones what Mother can be more pitiful to her sick child then God is to them that are under affliction Though a Mother forget her sucking child yet God caunot forget his people And then he is the Faâ—◠〈◊〉 all comfort and there are many gracious promisâ—◠〈◊〉 hath made to this purpose that they may be as so many Aqua vitae pledges of consolation to his people So that this will appear That it is the best office of a Minister both to Minister and people To commend them to God 1 To Ministers it is the highest expression of their love What greater testimony of their love can they shew to their people to do all that for them that he would willingly have done and ten thousand times more Is it not an expression of love from a dying father to his children Dear children I am now dying I can provide for you no more I shall leave you such a friend that shall provide for you in a more abundant measure then if I had been with you It is the best demonstration of their faith 1 That he will not leave them to the wide world and then 2 He will not take any one he will trust his people with none but God who is able and willing to give account of them 3 It is the greatest satisfaction to his heart A Ministers leaving his people can never be satisfied in his own brest that he should leave them and commit them and not to know to whom but when he knows with whom he hath committed them when he hath delivered them over to God that first committed them to him this is a great quietment and satisfaction to a Ministers spirit Every Minister takes a care of souls God lays the people as a depositum and will require an account of them at the last day Now when a Minister is taken from his people he cannot be satisfied till he hath delivered back his trust to God Lord here they are and while I was with them I did what I could but now I am taken from them here I surrender them back into thy hand when I was in the world I kept them in thy Name And so it is best for the people to be left such a one who will keep them in all their dangers and comfort them in all afflictions 3 How should a people be commâ—â—â—â— to God 1 By Exhortation 2 By Prayer First By Exhortation Thus the Apostle before and after my Text And then by Prayer for so doth St. Paul Calvin looks upon these words as a Prayer brought in always making mention of you in my prayers Rom.
Know in such a condition that though your condition be exceeding bad yet better than many thousands they never had Ordinances 2. God is able in such a case to support without Ordinances when hee calls into the Wilderness hee can carry along without Circumcision 3. Remember those that have had them but not now what 's become of Sion of the Church of c. 4. Your salvation may be carried on without Ordinances 5. There 's a time coming when you shall have no need of Ordinances In the mean time if you cannot get up to the Ark of God take heed of bowing to the Calves at Dan and Bethel If you cannot serve the God of Israel take heed you serve not the Gods of the Amorites What you will do I know not be sure Joshna would not chuse you saith hee this day whom you will serve whether the Gods which your Fathers served that were on the other side of the flood or the Gods of the Amorites in whose Land yee dwell But as for mee and my house wee will serve the Lord which brings mee to The Thirteenth Sermon Josh 24.15 As for mee and my house wee will serve the Lord. IN the words two things 1. An indefatigable Retortation Take your own choice follow your own discretion If you will go and bow down to a dumb Idol to a Captive God c. 2. An admirable Dehortation wee are at a pitch wee are resolved and if there be any Attractive in mee or my family you have it in this I and my house-hold wee will serve the Lord. The Observations were 1. Pious Governours of families are very zealous that their families as well as themselves should serve the Lord. Never hope of thriving in godliness till you bring your Families right for God to be of the same Religion with your selves 2. A true sincere Christian is resolved to chuse and follow God what ever else the world chuse and follow 1. Sincere Christians have much more satisfaction in the judgement and practice of God his Word Saints than in the judgement and practice of the World Hee knows their judgement to be depraved their choice and practice corrupt their end and conclusion worst of all therefore no wonder hee makes a better choice 2. They have the best Testimony in the world for their choice the Spirit and Son of God that this is their choice therefore no wonder c. But how do they chuse God Answer they chuse God as the object of their souls love as the chiefest of ten thousand as the lot of their inheritance as the companion of their souls to converse with him as the Commander of their waies to be guided by him as a shelter of their hearts as a refuge to flye unto in the time of danger The first Use was by way of Examination is God chosen as the chief object of our souls love can we truly say there is none in Heaven but thee none upon Earth I can desire besides or in comparison of thee Can wee say in having a God the lines are fallen unto mee in a pleasant place yea I have a goodly heritage Is communion with God our Heaven upon Earth Is God the Commander of our waies as well as wee hope to be the Saviour of our souls Is God our shield our buckler our retreat in danger The second Use was by way of Consolation Beleevers have you made choice of God Happy are the people that are in such a case thou hast the best assurance in the world to come to the best possession in this world peace and joy Peace without if not Peace within And Joy the best Joy in the world Joy unspeakable and full of glory And truly if so be that this be thy portion in having chosen God 't is no wonder thou dost not Apostatize from him 'T is no wonder that what ever comes upon a Beleever yet for that his heart is not turned back neither his steps declined from Gods way And this leads to The Fourteenth Sermon Psalm 44.18 Our heart is not turned back neither have our steps declined from thy way FRom these words two Observations 1. In times of sufferings and afflictions true Christians are to make a narrow inspection into their hearts to see how they stand affected Thus did the Church here 2. To keep stedfast and close with God notwithstanding all afflictions and sufferings wee undergo either from or for God is the duty and commendation of Saints 'T was our duty and 't is our honour Lord c. In prosecution of this point these seven preliminary Thesis was laid down 1. When man was first created his heart stood rightly bent towards God as his great center and mark 2. When man fell his heart immediately drew off and turned back from God 3. Though this be the case of fallen man yet poor creature he sees it not 4. The very Formalis Ratio of sin that wherein the formality of sin consists is in this not so much in sinning against God by outward Acts as in the hearts departing from God 5. All true Conversion to God begins at the heart 6. 'T is an argument of infinite love in God to bring back our hearts to him 7. When once the heart of a Beleever is brought back to God no suffering or affliction is able to turn that heart from him Quest When may a mans heart be said not to bee turned back notwithstanding all sufferings and afflictions Answ 1. When a man still retains the same esteem and estimate of God that ever he had When Job looks upon God as a God fit to bee blessed though God be plundering of him 2. When a man retains still the same affections the same love to him delight in him fear of him as much as ever 3. When wee hope and trust in God as much as ever Though hee kill mee yet will I trust in him 4. When we have the same resolutions to cleave to God as ever If a God in Israel as long as a God in Israel 't is all one makes not to the Gods of the Philistines this is for a mans heart not to be turned back from God By way of Use 1. Learn the heart of man is very apt to turn from God in daies of affliction our heart is not though their's were 2. It concerns us in time of affliction and suffering to see if our hearts be not turned back from God But what means shall I use that I may not turn a base Apostate Answ 1. Be watchful over your hearts they are exceeding slippery and deceitful The veryest Theeves in the World 2. Bee still bending of your hearts from the world and the flesh unto God As you bend a crooked stick to make it streight 3. Do not onely bend but binde your hearts tye them shackle them as you would one that hath broken Prison by holy serious scriptural necessary vows 4. Converse much with God That man that converses much with God it is not
shall all stand before the Judgment-Seat of Christ there we shall appear all upon a Level stand upon equal ground and receive our final doom from him This therefore should calm our Spirits Why may there not be some differences in Judgment without division in Affection for it is as impossible that all Judgments should be of the same extent as all our faces to be of the same colour and figure Therefore consider what an injury it is to our Profession how doth it obscure the glory of God and lustre of our Religion Thirdly Doth not the publick Enemy rejoyce over us I mean the Papists Do they not warm themselves at the sparks of our Divisions for you know the old Maxim of Divide and Reign Therefore it should compose our spirits and quicken us to labour after Union Vnmortifi'd Lusts are thence whence all Wars Enmities springs in the World The Apostle Paul when he would compose their differences he doth not lay down Rules to decide their Controversies but corrects their secret Passions Pride Self-seeking Revenge c. this being the Seed of all Disturbances in the Church And although these Lusts may not be conspicuous and visible to the eyes of men yet they are certainly the Fuel of our Distempers The sum of all is this Those that have the Spirit of God they cannot but mourn and be sensible of these Divisions I know a great part among us are unconcern'd some rejoyce those that are rather buried in the Affairs of the World and incumbred with much business or those that are steeped in the pleasures of sense are altogether unaffected with these things and stand as Neuters dis-regarding all events But the Saints of God cannot but mourn over them when our Divisions hinder the progress of the Gospel and are serviceable to nothing but to the Kingdom of Darkness Therefore I beseech you let what hath been spoken quicken you in your Prayers to God to pray for the peace of Jerusalem that 's the least effect of our love and desires after Peace and by all endeavours to labour to bring back Peace to us that we may see that Prophesie fulfilled in our time that the Lord shall be one and his Name one amongst us Doctor BATES His Afternoon SERMON Heb. 13.20 21. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the Sheep through the bloud of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is wel-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ To whom be glory for ever and ever Amen THe Apostle describes God by the effects of his power and love That brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus The Resurrection of Christ from the dead is one of the most transcendent testimonies of God's love and power towards us 1 Of his Love because as the Anger of God was that which crucified our Saviour so on the contrary it must be his Love that should raise and restore him Christ when he died he looked upon God as an Enemy as a Judge and as those Colours which we see conveyed to us are unanswerable to the Medium through which we see them as if we look through a coloured Gloss we see the object of that colour So the Lord Jesus when he was upon the Cross looked upon God through the black cloud of our sins and through the red cloud of his Father's wrath and so died as a sacrifice to Divine Justice But when he was raised from the Grave that was the restimony of God's love to him and of his love to us for he died as our Surety he was arrested for our debt he was cast into the Grave as into a Prison But by his Resurrection he was redeemed from Prison and Judgment And therefore you shall find when Christ was risen he salutes his Disciples with this Peace be unto you Luk 24.31 There was the dawning of peace at the Incarnation of Christ for then the Angels sung Peace upon Earth but the compleat Sun-shine of peace was at his Resurrection when he had made full and compleat satisfaction to God's Justice for this was a clearing of him before all the World when God rais'd him from the grave And in this respect it was very agreeable for the Apostle to say The God of Peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus 2 It was the effect of Infinite Power You know 't is naturally impossible for a dead body to quicken it self to revive but for the Lord Jesus who had the load of the sins of all the Elect upon him who was as it were secured in the grave by God's Justice and Power for him to rise again This must be an effect of Infinite Power in the great God This raising of Christ sometimes 't is attributed to the Son being God equal with the Father but here 't is attributed to God And therefore when the Scripture would speak with the greatest magnificence of the Power of God it expresses it thus That Power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead When Christ wrought deliverance for the lost world all those who were committed to his charge This could be no less than the work of an Infinite Power And upon this account also it is very proportionable to the design of the Apostle for that Prayer he makes to God is for that which onely can be accomplished by Infinite Love and infinite Power i.e. to make the Christian Hebrews perfect in every good work to do his will I come to a further description He that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus The Title of the Lord Jesus was only given to our Saviour after his Resurrection he was called Lord before and Jesus before but these two Titles were never united till after his Resurrection They came to see the place where the Body of the Lord Jesus lay the reason was this Because the Resurrection of Christ was a solemn Proclamation to the world that Christ was the Son of God 't is true this Title was iven him immediately upon the Conception but it was never compleatly declared to the world till after his Resurrection for before Christ was a Prince in disguise the beams of his Divinity was abated by the vail of his Humanity but then he was declared by power to be the Son of God It follows That great Shepherd of the Sheep For the opening of this 1 We will consider this Title of Christ 2 The person for whom this Title relates First This Title The great Shepheard 'T is a wonderful condescention in Christ that he will take upon him the Title of a Shepheard that which rather expresses Love and Care than Power and Dominion yet he is pleased to assume this Title to express his affection to us For the opening of it wherein he appears to be the great Shepheard I shall lay down these particulars 1 He is great in the Dignity of his Person
shake his Kingdom about his ears Sathan and Antichrist know that their Kingdom must down by the power and light of the Gospel and therefore Sathan and men of an Antichristian spirit do all they can to oppose and shew their hatred against the everlasting Gospel and this makes them to be in such a rage against the Gospel Quare 2. When the Gospel goes from a People what goes I shall give but a touch here 1 When the Gospel goes Peace Plenty and Trading goe 2 Chron. 15.3.5 and 6. compared Now for a long season Israel had been without the true God and without a teaching-Priest Why They had Priests but they were Jeroboam's Priests as you may see Chap. 13. ver 9. Have you not cast out the Priests of the Lord the Sons of Aaron and the Levites and have made you Priests after the manner of the Nations of other Lands so that whosoever comes to consecrate himself with a young Bullock and 7 â—ams the same may be a Priest of them that are no Gods A little business will buy a Priesthood and so they are said to be without the true God without a teaching Priest and without Law Mark what follows And in those times there was no pence to him that went out nor to him that came in but great vexations were upon all the Inhabitants of the Countrey and Nation was destroyed of Nation and City of City for God did vex them with all adversity 2 Safety and security goes when the Gospel goes so in the Text but now cited The Ark was taken away and when that was taken away their strength and safety was gone When the Jews rejected the Gospel the Romans came and took away both their Place and Nation John 11.48 If we let him thus alone the Romans will come and take away both our place and Nation About fourty years after Titus Vespatian took away their City they cryed If we let this man alone the Romans will take away our Nations And this was the ready way to bring the Romans upon them 3 When the Gospel goes Civil Liberty goes When the Jews sleighted the Gospel and turned their backs upon it they quickly became Bondslaves to the Romans 4 When the Gospel goes the honour and glory splendour and beauty of a Nation goes It is the Gospel that is the honour and glory of a Nation and when that goes all the glory goes As old Eli said When the Ark was taken away the glory is departed from Israel 1 Sam. 4.22 Jer. 2.11 12 13. Hath a Nation changed their Gods which are yet no Gods but my People have changed their glory for that which doth not profit that is the Worship of God into the Traditions of men Whâ—t is it that lifts up one Nation above another but the Gospel Above all Nations of the Earth England hath been lifted up to Heaven 5 When the Gospel goes all soul-happiness and blessedness goes The Gospel you know is the means appointed by God to bring Souls to an acquaintance with Christ to an acceptance of Christ to an interest in Christ to an assurance that he is theirs and they are his Now when this goes all soul-happiness and blessedness goes Lastly When the Gospel goes the special presence of God goes for that still goes with the Gospel There is a general presence of God as the Psalmist speaks Psal 139. Where shall I go from thy Spirit Whither shall I fly from thy presence I his presence of God reacheth from Heaven to Hell in that sense God is included in no place not excluded out of any place But alas What is this general presence When the Gospel goes the special presence of God goes This leads me by the hand to the third Quaery Quaerie 3. And that is this Whether God will remove the Gospel from England or no It is the fears of many but I humbly suppose no Whatsoever Darkness may be upon it yet that God will not remove it and if you please I will offer a few things that signifie something as to my own satisfaction and it may be so to you 1 The rooting that it hath got in the hearts of sinners and Saints in the Judgment Affections and Consciences both of Sinners and Saints Certainly it hath got so deep a root in the hearts of many thousands of Saints and Sinners that it shall not be in the power of Hell to raze it out 2 The glorious Anointings that are to be found upon many thousands of God's Servants in this Nation to preach the everlasting Gospel and who would be glad to preach upon the hardest terms keeping God and a good Conscience to preach it freely as the Apostles of old did And certainly God hath not laid in this Treasure that it should be turned into a heap of Confusion but that it should serve to the end for which he laid it in 3 The ineffectualness of all former Attempts and Designs to destroy the Gospel You know what endeavours of old there hath been to darken this Sun to put out the light of Heaven in the Marian days and in other days since them and yet it hath not been in Prisons Racks Flames Pillories nor any thing else to extinguish the glory of it And then 4 All Designs and Attempts to extinguish the everlasting Gospel have turned to the advancement flourishing and spreading of the Gospel 5 God never takes away the Gospel from a People till the Body of that People have thrust the everlasting Gospel from them when indeed they have been so bold as to thrust away the everlasting Gospel God hath been severe unto them But till the Body of a People have thrust away the everlasting Gospel God hath not taken it away from them 2 Chornicles the 36. Chapter and the fifteenth verse to the end God sent his Messengers early and late they abused and sleighted and scorned them till there was no remedy So in the 35. of Jeremiah from the first to the twelfth it is a famous Text for this So in the thirteenth Chapter of the Acts and the 45 46 and 47 Verses Because you have thought your selves unworthy of Salvation loe we turn to the Gentiles Till the Jews came to thrust away the everlasting Gospel the Lord continued it to them 6 The spreading of the everlasting Gospel is the special means appointed by God for the destruction of Antichrist First he is to be consumed by the Spirit of his Mouth then destroyed by the brightness of his coming the Spirit of Faith and Prayer in them that would be willing to lay down any thing rather then part with the Gospel God will not put his blessed Church to the blush he will not make them ashamed of their confidence 7 Are there not multitudes of the Children of Believers that fall under many Promises and will not God make good his Engagements to them I will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your Seed and the Seed of the Vpright shall be blessed
me so long as I live look aâ— the drowning man holds fast that which is cast forth for to save him as the Souldier holds fast his Sword and Buckler on which his life depends So saith Job I will hold fast my integrity my heart shall not reproach me I had rather all the world should reproach me and my heart justify me then that my heart should reproach me and all the world justify me that man will make but a sad exchange that shall exchange his integrity for any worldly concernment Integrity maintained in the soul will be a feast of fat things in the worst of dayes but let a man loose his Integrity and it is not in the power of all the world to make a feast of fat things in that soul Leg. 9. That I would leave with you is this Let not a day passe over your head without calling the whole man to an exact accompt Well where have you been acting to day Hands what have you done for God to day Tongue what have you spoke for God to day this will be an advantage many wayes unto you but I can only touch on these Legacies Leg. 10. Labour mightily for a healing Spirit This Legacy I would leave with you as matter of great concernment Labour mightily for a healing spirit away with all discriminating names whatâ— ever that may hinder the applying of Balm to heaâ— your wounds labour for a he ling spirit discord and division become no Christian for Wolves tâ— worry the Lambs is no wonder but for one Laâ—â— to worry another this is unnaturall and monstrous God hath made his wrath to smoak against us for the divisions and heart-burnings that have been amongst us Labour for a onenesse in love and affection with every one that is one with Christ let their forms be what they will that which wins most upon Christs heart should winn most upon ours and that is his owne Grace and Holinesse The question should be What of the Father What of the Son What of the Spirit shines in this or that person and accordingly let your love and your affections run out That is the tenth Legacy Leg. 11. Be most in the spirituall exercises of Religion Improve this Legacy for much of the life and comfort joy and peace of your souls is wrapt up in it I say be most in the Spiritual exercises of Religion There are externall exercises as hearing preaching praying and conference and there are the more spirituall exercises of Religion exercise of Grace Meditation Self-judging self-tryall and examination Bodily exercise will profit nothing if abstracted from those more spirituall The glory that God hath and the comfort and advantage that will redound to your souls is mostly from the spirituall exercises of Religion How rare is it to find men in the work of Meditation of Tryall and examination and of bringing home of truths to their owne soules Leg. 12. Take no truths upon trust but all upon tryall 1 Thes 5.21 So 1 John 4.1 Act. 17.11 It was the glory of that Church that they would not trust Paul himself Paul that had the advantage above all for externall qualifications no not Paul himself Take no truth upon trust bring them to the ballance of the Sanctuary if they will nor hold weight there reject them Leg. 13. The lesser and fewer opportunities and advantages you have in publique to better and enrich your souls the more aboundantly addresse your souls to God in private Malac. 3.16 17. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another c. Leg. 14. Walk in those wayes that are directly crosse and contrary to the vain sinfull and superstitious wayes that men of a formall carnall lukewarm spirit walk in this is the great concernment of Christians But more of that by and by Leg. 15. Lock upon all the things of this world as you will look upon them when you come to dye At what a poor rate do men look on the things of this world when they come to dye What a low value do men set upon the pomp and glory of iâ— when there is but a step between them and eternity Men now may put a maske upon them but then they will appeare in their own colours Men would not venture the losse of such great things for them did they but look on them now as they will doe at the last day Leg. 16. Never put off your Conscience with any plea or with any argument that you dare not stand by in the great day of your accompt It 's dreadfull to consider how many in these dayes put off their consciences We did this and that for our families they would have else perished I have complyed thus and wronged my conscience thus for this and that concernment Wil a man stand by this argument when he comes before Jesus Christ at the last day Because of the souls of men many plead this or that Christ doth not stand in need of indirect wayes to save soules he hath wayes enough to bring in soules to himselfe Leg. 17. Eye more minde more and lay to heart more the Spirituall and Internall workings of God in your soules than the externall Providences of God in the world Beloved God looks that we should consider the operations of his hand and the despising the works of his hands is so provoking to him that he threatens them to lead them into Captivity for not considering of them But above all look to the work that God is carrying on in your soules not a soul but he is carrying on some work or other in it either blinding or enlightning bettering or worstening and therefore look to what God is doing in thy soul All the motions of God within you are steps to eternity and every soul shall be blest or curst saved oâ— lost to all eternity not according to outward dispensations but according to the inward operations of God in your souls Observe what humbling work reforming work sanctifying work he is about in thy spirit what he is doing in that little world within thee If God should carry on never so glorious a work in the world as a conquest of the Nations to Christ What would it advantage thee if sin Sathan and the world should triumph in thy soul and carry the day there Leg. 18. Look as well on the bright side as on the darke side of the cloud on the bright side of Providence as well as on the dark side of Providence Beloved there is a great weaknesse amongst Christians they doe so pore on the dark side of the Providence as that they have no heart to consider of the bright side If you look on the dark side of the Providence of God to Joseth How terrible and amazing was it But if you look on the bright side his forescore yeares raign How glorious was it If you look on the dark side of the Providence of God to David in his five yeares banishment much will arise to startle
that their Corn and their Wine increased Thou hast put gladness in my heart Peace is that gladness that peace smooths the brow but this fills the breast as the Sinner has trouble within in the midst of all his peace without so a Believer has Peaâ—â— thin in the midst of all his Troubles with 〈…〉 World you shall have trouble but in me 〈…〉 have peace Thirdly The Worlds peace has onely a neather Spring arising out of the Creature out of Worldâ— comforts therefore it must needs be unclean for an unclean Fountain cannot bring forth clean Water But the peace of Christians his an upper Spring it flows from the manifestation of the love of God in Christ it 's from the sprinkling of Christ's Bloud on the Conscience it flows upon the workings of Christ's Spirit upon the Soul which is first a Counsellour then a Comforter Oh! how pure must this Peace be in a Believers Soul that flow from so pure a Spring Fourthly The Worlds peace is a peace given to Sinners it 's a peace in sin and it 's a peace with sin as the Prophet Isaiah tells us It 's a Covenant with Hell and an Agreement with Death God deliver us from that peace Again Christ's peace is given to none but Believers it 's their priviledge onely a stranger don't intermeddle with his Joy Prov. 14.10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness but a stranger doth not intermeddle with his Joy Fifthly The Worlds peace is a fading dying transitory thing it withers in the Sand The triumphing of the Wicked is but short and the joy of the Hypocrite is but for a moment Job 20.5 Solomon does elegantly liken it to the cracking of Thorns under a Pot which is but a blaze and is gone Eccles 7.6 So is the Sinner's peace it is for a spurt and is soon gone but the peace that Christ gives to Believers is durable and abiding peace Your Joy no man shall take from you it appears in Life in Death and after Death First it 's our peace in Life grace brings forth present peace It 's said of the Primitive Christians They walked in the fear of the Lord and in the Comforts of the Holy Ghost Acts 9.31 It 's a remarkable expression Psal 19.11 In keeping thy Commands there is great Reward he does not fay for keeping them which respects the end of the Work but in keeping of them which looks at the Work it self My Brethren Every Duty done in sincerity reflects a peace in Conscience as every flower carryes its own sweetness It 's possible I grant a Believer may not always find and feel this peace few do some seldom find it few find it so always the remains of corruption breaking forth to interrupt or Temptations to hinder And God's desertion may darken and hide it and a Believer may seem to be totally lost yet in this condition which is the worst a Child of God can be in he hath a double peace First a Peace in the Promises in this very Condition and what you have in Bonds and Bills you account as good as money in your Pockets Secondly he has it in the Seed Light is sown for the Righteous and gladness for the upright in heart Psal 97.11 Grace is the Seed of Peace which Christ has sown in the furrows of the Soul and therefore Peace shall spring out of the furrows of the Soul Indeed this Seed springs up sooner in some then in others yet every Saint shall have a reaping time sooner or later Psal 126.6 He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious Seed shall doubtless come again with rejoycing bringing his sheaves with him If he stays long for the Fruit he shall have a greater Crop at last if he reaps not now he shall be sure to reap hereafter Psalm the 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the and of that man is peace Secondly by this peace which is the peace of a Child of God it s a peace of death grace will minister to us then and that ministration shall be peace The Sinners peace leaves him when he comes to the grave though in Life it fills him yet in Death it leaves him A believer has a two-fold spring of peace The first is from above him the other is from within him That spring that runs with peace above him is from the bloud of Christ sprinkled on his Conscience the other that is from within him is from the sincerity of his heart in the wayes of obedience My Brethren when we lie on our Death-beds and can reflect on our sincerity in all Gods wayes this will be peace at last so it was in Hezekiah Isaiah 38.3 Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a prefect heart and have done that which was good in thy sight There 's nothing makes a Death-bed so hard and so uneasie as a life spent in the service of sin and lust and nothing makes a Death-bed so pleasant as a life spent in the service of Christ Grace will bring forth Peace if not in this life yet certainly it will be sure after Death if Time brings not this fruit to ripenesse yet Eternity shall grace in Time will be glory in Eternity Holinesse now will be Happinesse then what ever it is a man sows in this world that he reaps in the next world Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life â—verlasting Gal. 6.7 8. When Sin shall end in sorrow and misery Grace shall end in peace in joy in glory Well done thou good and faithfull servant enter into the joy of thy Master Mat. 25.21 Whosoever shares in the grace of Christ in this world shall be sure to share with the joy of Christ in the next world and that joy is joy unspeakable and full of glory I will wind up all in a threefold Application by way of exhortation to three sorts of persoâ—s First To such as have this grace and peace Secondly To such as have this grace and no peace Thirdly To such as have neither grace noâ— peace First To such as have both grace and peace I l'e speak to them in two or three things First Admiâ—e thankfully the Father and Son the Fathers Grace and the Sons Love for both had a hand in this therefore blesse both the Father for willing it to us and the Son for working it in us Grace and Peace are the fruits ' of Gods eternal Election for this blessing the Father gives but the Aplication of it to us is the fruit of Christs Redemtion and Intercession How can you think of Hell and damnation and see your self freed from it And how can you think of the Dreadfull Fury and Vengence of God your self not under it How can you look on your state
in sin that he is a stranger to the life of Grace hence ariseth all his spiritual troubles now the Spirit of God comes in and resolves the case comes into the soul by his bright Reflections and fills our souls with comfort Now 〈◊〉 have received not the spirit of the world but the Spâ—â— which is of God 4. The Spirit of God is a comforting Spirit as he openeth the vein of godly sorrow in the soul Truly this is the next way to spiritual comfort when a man can once spiritually mourn for sin Matth. 5.4 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Godly forrow opens the vein and le ts out the matter that hinders comfort and causeth inward trouble in the soul A gracious man takes a great delight in godly forrow Oh! it s a matter of marvellous comfort to a Child of God when he can kindly mourn for his sins 5. The Spirit of God comforts the soul as he is 〈◊〉 mortifying Spirit Thus he takes away that that is the ground and matter of Believers trouble mortifying that sin that is the cause of his sorrow pride unbelief inordinate love to the world 6. The Spirit of God works comfort in the hearts of his people by setting their own spirit to seek for comfort in Gods own wayes The last thing I did for the Explication of the Doctrine was to add some Propositions and they were 〈◊〉 as these 1. Many a gracious heart that hath fellowship with the Spirit of God in his sanctifying work may feel 〈◊〉 find none in his comforting work The Sun 〈◊〉 operate where it doth not shine A ma◠〈…〉 of salvation when he doth not feel the joyâ—â— of 〈…〉 Isa 51.3 You shall find those that fear the Lord and had the comforts of the Holy Ghost yet walked in darkness 2. Even those gracious souls that have the fellowship of the â—nnforting Spirit to day may want it to morrow This is not daily bread while the Saints are on this side Heaven The Solstice of a Christians comfort doth not last all the day long they are not feasted with this every day they have the night as well as the day there is a night as well as a day in the heart of a gracious soul as it is in natural in the common course of nature the Sun may shine to day but it may be clouded to morrow Thus it was with that holy man Psal 30.7 Lord by thy favour thou hast made my mount ain 〈◊〉 stand strong thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled And God doth this in infinite wisdom to put a difference between Earth and Heaven this valley of tears and that state of glory that so the hearts of Gods people may be kept in a frame of longing after the state of Heaven Godâ—wil have his people be groaning here that his people may groan after that condition when all sorrowing and sighing shall flee away God reserves perfect comfort to be the reward of perfect holiness while our graces are imperfect we most make account that our comfort will be so too Tears will be never wiped from our eyes til sin be quite takeâ— out of our hearts 3. Those that have had this spirituall comfort in their souls they may lose not only the impression of the Spirits comâ—nt but they may feel impressions of Gods anger Heman complaâ—â— that the wrath of God did hang upon him and that the 〈◊〉 of God had cut him off A gracious heart hath real grouâ—â—â—â— of consolation though he hath not present sensible comfort A child of God hath alwayes that that if he did see he could not be without comfort the Promises are his support he hath the first fruits of the Spirit and right to eaâ—â—nal life A child of God shall always have so much to keep upâ— hopes and affiance upon God a child of God in the daâ—est condition though he doth not see enough to make 〈◊〉 rejoyce in God yet he sees enough to make him trust iâ— God though he walk in darkness and see no light yet he trusts in God Job sayes Though the Lord slay him yet be would trust in him David was in great trouble while â—e was in that disquiet expostulation Why art thou cast down O my soul and why art thou disquieted within me trust in God 5 Those that have inward comforts from the spirit may at the same time have little comfort from Gods outward dispensations It may be dark without when it 's light within while Stephen sees nothing but blood here below he saw Heaven above And Christ tells his Disciples In the world they should have tribulation but in him they should have peace 6 And lastly Though this be one great work of the spirit of God to comfort the hearts of Christs Disciples yet there are some speciall seasons where in the Spirit of God gives out this comfort There are seasons of sadnesse there is a season of heavinesse there is need of it There is a time to weep and a time to laugh and a time to mourn and a time to dance I shewed you some of the Seasons 1 One special Season of the Spirits comforting the renewed soul is presently upon the souls first salvation After the Spirit is become a Spirit of Adoption presently it becomes a Spirit of Consolation after the Spirit hath come into the Soul in the Law it then nextly appears a Spirit in the Gospel 2 Another season when the Spirit gives out this comfort is just before the Lord layes upon his people any great afflictâ—â— on When was it that Christ was transfigured and his face did shinc as the Sun it was immediately before his blood passion Christ was first taken into the Mount before 〈◊〉 was up lifted upon the Crosse When was the 〈◊〉 heard This is my beloved Son in whom I am well 〈◊〉 but just before he was led into the wildecessâ— to be tempted When was Paul lifted up into Heaven it was immediately before Satan was sent to buffer him Thus God gives his people somthing before-hand to support their spirits that they may not faint the Disciples were full of comfort Acts 5.41 and when was this immediately just before they were carried before the Council and whipt up and down like Vagabonds Rogues for Preaching the Gospel 3. Another Season when the Spirit gives out this Comfort is in the time of suffering God comes in the nick of time especially if a man suffer for righteousnesse sake if his suffering be upon the account of Christ he seldome fails to send the Comforter for the relieving of his spirit 1 Pet. 4.13 But rejoyce in as much as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy Bodily confinement and inward streights are the time of the Souls greatest enlargement John had his Vision iâ— the Isle of Patmos When a child of God is brought to a piece of bread then
is the season for God to feed him with heavenly Manna Jacob had glorious Visions while he was flying from the wrath of his Brother when he had nothing but a heap of stones for his Pillow It was in the wilderness that God speakes to his Church Thus I told you of Mr. Glover a Prisoner who found no comfort in the time of his imprisonment but when he was going to the stake he cryed out He is come he is come meaning the Spirit the Comforter 4. Another Season of Comfort is after some special exercise of Grace godly sorrow for sin fresh actings in the pardon of sin and new engagements and Resolutions and Promises of more close walking with God after declining from him 5. Another Season of Comfort is After some great Trials and afflictions Light is then most pleasant when we new are come out of a dark place after Thunder comes Lightâ—ing after a storme comes a calm God led his people first into the Wilderness and then into the Land of Canuâ—◠〈◊〉 is often so in Godâ— Dispensations towards his people thâ—â— greatest afflictions go before their greatest deliverance and therefore let not the Saints of God despair when they are at the lowest when they walk in darkness and see no light yet set them trust in the Lord. 6 Another Season of Comfort is When men are conscientiously diligent in their particular Callings then they walk with God To this I gave you an instance in the Shepherds they were faithful and diligent in their callings they were watching over their flocks by night and then the Angel comes and tells them Lo you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Luk. 2.11 A company of poor Shepherds keeping of their Sheep God appears unto them and manifesteth his comforting presence when the Scribes and Pharisees notwithstanding all their long prayers and their strict Rites and Ceremonies hear not a word of him 7 Another Season of Comfort is When we are either preparing for or in the spiritual act of some duty When grace is exercised to prepare the heart to pray and in attendance upon such an Ordinance then often times the Spirit of God is with them to let poor souls in their endeayours find acceptance with God Hannah had been praying to God but what melody did she find in her heart When Mary sate at Christs feet how doth Christ fill her heart with comfort sealing up her salvation to her I now come to close with some application Use of Information Use If it be the work of the Spirit of God to comfort the beaâ— of Christs Disciples then by way of Information I gather this That a poor soul is very hardly setled and satisfied in 〈◊〉 of comfort Sure it is a hard matter to comfort a poor 〈◊〉 when one of the persons of the blessed Trinity must be â—â—ployed on purpose to do it This is an Office belongâ—â—â— the Holy Ghost when he is to be the Paraclete the comâ—â—â— of the Holy Ghost This sure is a hard matter to comâ—â—â— the wounded spirit when the soul is fully 〈…〉 spirâ—◠〈◊〉 bondage Oh! the hesitancies the jealousies the doâ—â—â— and fears the objections that a poor soul makes against 〈◊〉 spiritual peace and comfort now it begins to take comfort then it doubts again now he believeth and takes courage but anon he is afraid there is a great deal adoe to fasten comfort upon a poor soul 2 Cor. 1.21 22. What a heap of words are there together and it is all little enough to comfort a poor soul Now he that establisheth us with you on Christ and hath annointed us is God and hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts It is not without much tugging and drawing that the soul is first brought to beleeve and then when it doth believe it is a hard thing to perswade it that it doth believe There is a strange kind of squemishness upon the heart he thinks that there is no comfort to be taken that doth belong to him Luther says It is a harder thing to comfort a troubled Conscience than to raise the dead Surely it must be as hard when nothing but the sauâ—â— power must do it The soul is hardly convinced but all the glad ridings of the Gospel are golden streams and all the Promises are 〈◊〉 pleasant Fancies without any Reality but that these things should belong to him this he cannot believe for want of Faith So that the Spirit of God is fain to come in and end the controversie before the soul will be satisfied 2. If it be the work of the Spirit of God to comfort the hearts of his people then all the comfort of Christless and graceless souls is nothing worth there is no true peace for they are not the Disciples of Christ which are the propâ—â— subjects of this comfort they will not hearken to 〈◊〉 nor learn of Christ but they cast his words behind their back and break his bands a sunder Those that do not learn Christs precepts and follow Christs Canons and obey Christs Commands they are none of Christs Disciples and to be sure they have not the 〈◊〉 of Christ which is the Efficient â—n this 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the root there cannot be the fruit for this inward peace 〈◊〉 the fruit of the spirit And therefore what comfort they have it is either a sinful comfort which to be sure will end in sorrow or else at best it is but a carnal comfort which wil soon vanish like the crackling of thorns under a Pot There is no peace saith God to the wicked there is no peace with God as long as you are at peace with sin 3. Here they are stumbled with the riddle that the people of God should be sorrowing yet always rejoycing as sorrowing yet always rejoycing the carnal world think this to be a contradiction though they be troubled without yet they have peace within though they have matter of sorrow in respect of outward affliction yet they have fellowship with the holy Ghost the Comforter which gives peace in affliction joy in sorrow light in darkness which fils them with joy unspeakable and full of glory Secondly If the holy Ghost be the only Comforter of the hearts of Gods people then let me exhort every one of you to labour for an interest in this Comforter Friends I beseech you be restless till you have got some evidence of the Comforter in your souls by the inhabitation of the Spirit in your hearts without you have an interest in Christ there is no comfort no true comfort to be expected no comfort in prosperity no comfort in adversity no comfort in life nor in death no peace with your consciences Men may make a shift to keep themselves at quiet for the present by lulling conscience they may have a kind of peace from a false principle Ah but what wil you do when storms arise whâ—â— wil you do
God and to the Word of his grace which is able to build them up and to give them an inheritance among them that are sanctified And truly my dearly beloved in the Lord this is my great work now when I am a dying to you as to my publick preaching My Beloved I am very sensible that it is a very sad and solemn thing for a Minister to be rent from a people that he loves as his own soul that he hath laboured among for to bid adieu to these solemn meetings wherein I have preached to you wherein we have mingled our sighs and our tears before the Lord wherein we have rejoyced and sat down together before the Lord at his Table now to think that I must minister with you and for you no more in these Ordinances methinks it is a beart-breaking consideration to think that I am now dying in this Congregation to think that I am now dying whilst I am preaching but this is my comfort under these sad thoughts that I can commit you to God and to the Word of his grace to one that is able to keep you and to build you up and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified Like a dying Father I can commend you to the care of such a Friend infinitely able to supply all that I could not do for you It is the comfort of a dying Father when he sees his children weeping round about him that he can commend them to a faithful friend willing to do that for them that he desired to do and a thousand times more I would hope that I have some children that I have begotten to Christ by my Ministry towards whom my bowels yearn but this is my comfort that I can put them into the arms of their and my heavenly Father of their and my blessed Redeemer to be kept by the power of God There are many poor souls that are yet in the gaul of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity and if the Lord hath seen good I would fain have seen of the travel of my soul in their salvation but I can commend them to God who knows them who belong to his Election he can either restore me or can do it by another hand and you that are in any measure grown in grace I would be willing to be helpful to your joy and instrumental to your comfort but I commend you to God who is able to give all grace to you and to keep you steadfast It will be some alleviation of sorrow that though◠must leave you and die to you as to your Ministry 〈◊〉 I hope I may a while go up and down and converse with you to be among you The Lord grant this favour that he may behold your steadfastness 2. This may be your comfort as well as mine the may be the comfort of all those your Congregations that are like to be made Widows by the Metaphorical death of their Guides and Pastors but I leave you in the hands of all grace and of all comfort This is a black day upon Israel when so many faithful Ministers are slain at one blow this is a day of gloominess and darkness in many Congregations for so many Ministers to be beheaded in one day What hath England commanded is it not some high Treason If we look to the cause of it why so many Ministers are as dead in one day as so many children without a Father And if we look upon the cause what hath caused God thus to deal with us we must complain Oh! our unfruitfulness our fearful unthankfulness under the mercies of God! This will be the Emphasis and fling of our grief and this should be the matter of our grief And then if we consider the sad Prognostick what it doth seem to foretell It is a sign that when God layes aside so many faithful Ministers of some scourge and calamity that is coming upon us But you that can lament this judgement you that can lament the sad deprivation of these powerful Ordinances Remember that though your Minister be dead God can raise you up others in their stead and where the way of instruments are wanting he can do it without them and those that are begot in Christ shall be preserved and those that are yet unbrought in who belong to the Election of Grace shall in Gods due time have the effectual work of the Spirit wrought upon their Souls For he is able to build you up and to give you an Inheritance among them that are sanctified And though I take this solemn leave of you as to this publick Exercise yet if the Lord shall open the door and take off those bands of Death that the Law hath laid upon my Ministry in regard of Conscience who cannot conform for which our publick Ministry is suspended I shall chearfully and willingly return to you in this place But now though your dying Minister in respect to the Exercise of his publick Ministry is leaving of you yet I commit you into a safe hand I commend you to God and to his Grace Amen Mr Pledger 's Farewell Sermon Rev. 2.9 10. I know thy works and tribulation and poverty but thou art rich and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not but are the synagogue of Satan Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life IN the former verse you have the superscription and description of this Epistle the superscription by the mouth and hand of John to the Angel of the Church of Sinyrna that is the Ministry of the Gospel or 〈◊〉 Colledge of Presbyters As the whole Tribe of Levi in Malachy is called the Angel of the Lord so here the whole Tribe and office of the Ministry is called the Angel Angel is not a term that signifies a single person but a name of Office Then for the Description These things saith the first and the last which was dead and is alive He is described by his eternity by his suffering and by his reviving I shall not speak of this nor of the verses following the Text. I shall speak of the Inscription or Narration of the Epistle in these two verses wherein you have 1. A Commendation 2. An Admonition a piece of heavenly Counsel 1. You have a Commendation I know thy works c. I like it well the pains thou takest in my service for my servants sake I know how thou hast suffered I take 〈◊〉 well I consider all the reproaches that are vomited out against thee 2. Then you have the Counsel 1. Fear none of these things 2. The Arguments to set it on 1. 'T is the Devil that shall trouble you he is the prime Agent he that never took a good cause Thou hast certainly God for thee if
Regeneration 1. A Christian may know his real Conversion and Translation to eternal life Such a great and real change is there wrought in every Beleever at his Conversion and this wrought by such a great efficient and infinite cause the Spirit of God and this cause working by such real and powerful means and instruments the great Word of God and this done notwithstanding the great opposition that is made by a poor sinner against the word and when wrought it hath such real and grand effects upon a Beleever that 't is impossible but a Beleever must needs know this his transition from death to life Secondly Love to the Brethren is the great symptome of mens Regeneration Love to the Brethren not taken solely singly as if this was the onely Character but concomitantly taken with others but beyond and above all others this is the privy seal of God on the soul if yee have inflamed it with love hee may know hee is passed from death to life The Use was of Confutation of the Papists those grand enemies to Gospel-Truths and Beleevers peace They abhor this Doctrine of Assurance by it their Purgatory would fall down their Popes Kitchin would grow cold They tell us Beleevers cannot attain Assurance in this world no. 1. Why hath God commanded us to make our Calling and Election sure and will God command impossibilities such as cannot be wrought by our or his own power 2. Other Saints have attained this Assurance this New Name and White Stone within them Obj. That 's by extraordinary Revelation Answ This is not upon proof was not the Assurance of Gods people in Scripture grounded upon general promises Had they many of them either extrinsecal signs or marks to assure them of it did it not spring from principles common to all Beleevers Obj. But suppose they have Assurance to day they may lose it to morrow man is a mutable creature hee may be a Childe of God in the morning and a brat of Hell in the evening Answ 'T is true man is a mutable creature yet is hee preserved by an immutable God man is a weak creature but yet is preserved by the power of God unto salvation man as a Creature is no less mutable in Heaven than upon Earth there preserved by God therefore why not here Obj. This is a doctrine that tends to looseness Answ Not so it did not work looseness in Paul Job c. I labour more than they all Nothing under Heaven so soveraign to stave off and preserve from lust as the assurance of Gods love to the soul Such assurance comes from the highest act of faith and one of the great things of Faith is to purifie the heart and life Such an Assurance must needs constrain the soul The love of Christ constraintâ—is Nay so far is it from inclining to looseness that it casts the soul upon its knees lifts up the souls hands sends him to Heaven continually constantly arms it with petitions resolutions never to let the Lord of Heaven and Earth alone gives him no rest begging of him as for other things so especially for this Lord as thou art pleased to give mee the priviledge of enjoying promises so give mee the power to perform duty Thus saith hee thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven And so I am come as far as The Sixth Sermon Matth. 6.10 Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven THere is a twofold Will of God 1. Preceptive to be done by us 2. Providential to be done upon us The Minister carried the words in the last sense the will of God be done upon us hence 't was observed Gods Children must not only do but submit to their heavenly Fathers providential will They must not onely do his will the will of his precepts but they must submit to his will the will of his providence Let God do what hee will they must lay down their head upon the block and with patience and resignation say Thy will be done There are two grand Instances wherein Saints ought to shew this submission First When God deprives them of spiritual priviledges and enjoyments they must submit now they must not murmure then and that upon these considerations 1. Suppose a deprivation of publick Ordinances yet the holy Scriptures are left 2. The holy Spirit too that shall bring home the Scriptures to the conscience 3. There are old experiences of former love to live upon 4. Yet none can detain or debar us from making secret addresses unto God 5. 'T is a most noble thing it becomes a Christian exceedingly to live upon pulse yet thrive 6. By the want of such publick Ordinances God thinks fit to convince his people of their folly in sinning away the Gospel Secondly When the Lord makes a breach upon our temporal comforts and estates now for submission and that upon these accounts 1. Come what will come yet no strange thing is or can happen to us no temptation but what is common to man 2. With what comely submission have those old Beleevers behaved themselves to the will of God Eliah Job Samuel Daniel and the Captain of our salvation our blessed Saviour not my will but thy will be done 3. There 's a glorious day coming when God will unriddle all his dark providences and shew you that there is love in the bowels of them 4. God hath made a breach upon some of thy comforts how many comforts hath hee yet left thee 5. Thou art now deprived of thy comforts thou hast enjoyed twenty years thou hast reason to be thankful it was continued so long and not to murmure that 't was taken away now 6. Thou hast some goods the best of goods there 's no plundring a man of his grace no putting of him out of Gods favour 7. God doth thee a kindness in this were it good for thee it should be continued to thee Hee with-holds no good thing hee takes away nothing but what is evil or would be so this life is a transitory vapour and hadst thou enjoyed it thou couldst not long 8. Compare thy self with thy self and others the other day thou was a pittiful poor brat and what shalt thou bee compare thy self with others wee are low how many thousands far beneath us 9. All outward things are not properly formally good or evil as wee fancy them to be good or evil so they are they are but fancies Use Labour after this submissive frame of Spirit get but this and this will evidence that though hee frowns yet hee favours thee this will make thy Faith appear to bee a glorious Faith it will shew that the Kingdome of God is not only come to thee but in thee and rules in thy heart to that end But what shall I do to submit 1. Let not a day of adversity take thee unawares 2. Do not over-value thy self do not think too great of thy self that the wind must not blow onthee 3. Retract the superlative of
out of his own Treasury and redeem us by the Bloud of his Son so that all his Attributes might shine forth in their lustre and glory in our Salvation and that upon sure terms we might be able to challenge an interest 〈◊〉 his favour and love It follows Through the Bloud of the Everlasting Covenant It 's call'd an Everlasting Covenant 〈◊〉 two respects 1 In opposition to the Old Covenant which was made with Adam in Innocency but that Covenant which secures to us the reward of that life eternal did not secure to us the Condition that was perfect obedience And in reference to this Old Covenant sometimes the Gospel is called a New Covenant sometimes a Better Covenant because it supplyes all weakness in the first Covenant not as if the Law of God was weak or faulty in respect of it self for the Law is holy just and good but weâ—k in respect of us for it is impossible that that Covenant by the breach of which Sin and Death came into us should reconcile us to God and appease his Angeâ— and therefore God contrived another Covenant for us a Covenant in the Gospel that was made with us in Christ and this is called an Everlasting Covenant because it remains for ever the renot of it shall not be chang'd for the first Covenant is onely abrogated and made null while frustraâ—ed as to the intent it was first given 2 It 's called an Everlasting Covenant as in brings to those that are parties in it an everlasting glory So the Lord Jesus his Bloud is called an Everlasting Redemption for it ransoms the soul of men from that Eternal Death to which they were liable and gives them a Title to everlasting life for thi Coxenant which now God hath made with us it not onely secures the Reward but the Corditions to which the Reward is made for God saith I will plant my fear in your hearts that you shall not depart from me I have now gone over the Title and that in order to the Prayer which follows Make you perfect to do his Will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight The general sum of it is this That God of peace who is reconciled to us in his Son as he is the Father of mercies to us so he is the Fountain of holiness to us and in this respect we can onely expect from him the treasures of grace as he is the God of peace for God as he is our Judge dispenses to sinners nothing but revenge there is nothing to be expected but the curse of his Law the execution of that Sentence of death from him For although the World despise holiness as a base and contemptible thing they had rather be ungracious than inglorious in the eyes of men and upon this account they are afraid to be holy lest they should be the publick scorn and contempt of the place wherein they live although holiness is of solow a price in the World yet in Heaven next to God Christ and the Spirit Holiness is the most rich Jewel that God can bestow upon us and therefore we must first look upon him as the God of Peace before we can beg any grace from him And that is the reason why the Apostle represents God by these Titles that he might encourage the Hebrews to believe God would grant this request When Christ dyed for us it was not his Design only to quiet our Consciences but to quicken our Souls not onely to free us from Damnation but from the domination of sin And therefore you shall find these two are joyned together Tit. 2.14 Whâ— gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works The Death of Christ as there was a value in it to purchase God's favour so there was a vertue in it to restore to us God's Image And the account of his dying for us it is that we must expect the highest degree of grace and holiness from God And this is the reason why the Apostle prefaces this Now the God of Peace c. I know you expect I should say something as to my Non-conformity I shall onely say thus much It is neither fancy faction nor humour that makes me not to comply but meerly for fear of offending God And if after the best means used for my Illumination as prayer to God discourse study I am not able to be satisfied concerning the lawfulness of what is required if it be my unhappiness to be in an errour surely Men will have no reason to be angry with me in this World and I hope God will pardon me in the next Master BROOKS His Farewel SERMON ALL that I shall do shall be to answer two or three Quaries and then I shall leave a few Legacies with you that may speak when I am not advantaged to speak to you The first Quaery is this What should be the reason that men make such opposition against the Gospel against the plain powerful conscientious Preaching of it This is not the principal thing that I intend and therefore I shall onely touch upon the reason of it 1 Men's hatred and opposition ariseth against the Gospel because it doth discover their hidden works of darkness Joh. 3. They hate the light lest their deeds should be reproved The Gospel brings their deeds of darkness to light and this stirs up a spirit of hatred and opposition against the Gospel 2 Ground is this because sinners under the Gospel cannot sin at so cheap a rate as otherwise they might do the Drunkard cannot be drunk at so cheap a rate nor can the Opposer and Persecutor oppose and persecute at so cheap a rate as they might do where the Gospel doth not shine in power and glory 3 Because the Gospel puts persons upon very hard service upon very difficult work pulling out a right eye cutting off a right hand offering up an Isaac throwing over-board a Jonas parting with Bosom Lusts and Darling Sins Herod heard John Baptist gladly till he came to touch his Herodias and then off goes his head As they say John 6. This is a hard saying and who can abide it and from that time they walked no more with him this is a hard Gospel indeed and at this their bloud riseth 4 Because of the differing and dissinguishing work that the Gospel makes among the Sons of men it softens one and hardens another that â—â—ts next to him enlightens one 〈◊〉 strikes the other blind it wins on one and 〈…〉 the other The same Sun hath different effects on the Objects on which it shineth The Gospel puts a difference between the precious and the vile and this the Vile cannot bear It was never good days say they since such and such must be Saints and none else we have as good hearts as any and this enrageth them Lastly It is from Sathan Sathan knows that the very tendency of the Gospel is to