1
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SERMONS
Preach'd on
Several Occafions.
B Y William Bates^ JD.D.
L 0 N D 0 N,
Printed by /. D. for Jonathan ^obinfon, at the Golden Lion in St. Tauh Church-Yard. M. DC. XC. III.
^in tl)e nioO: foimiuawe Ctjil.
SERMON I.
Genefis xxxix. 9,
Hoip can 1 do this gnat WkkfJnefsy and fin agahift God ^
"^ H E Text is the Record of JofepJys Innocence and Victory, confecrated in Seripture for the Honour and Imi- tation of that excellent Saint in fuc- ceeding Ages. He had been try'd by (harp Afiflii^ions, the confpiring Envy of his Brethren, and the cruel EfFeds of ir, Baniflimentand Ser- vitude, and pojfejl his Soul in Tatience : here he was encountered by a more dangerous Temptation in another B kind^
SERMON I
kind, and prefervd his Integrity. Adverfity excites the Spirit to feri- ous Recolledion, arms it with Refolution to endure the Aflaults, and {lop the entrance of what is afflicting to Nature : Pleafure by gentle Infinuations relaxes the Mind to a loofe Security , foftens and melts the Heart, aad makes ic eafily receptive of corrupt Impref- fions.
Now to reprefent tKe Crace of God, that prelerved Jojc^h^ in its Radiiicce and Efficacy, we muft cotiii^er the feveral Circumftances that increafed the Difficulty of the double Vidory^ pi^^r the Tempter, and hiinfelf. '^ .—
I. The Tempter, Us Mijlrefsj who had de vetted the native Mo- defty of the bluffiing Sex, and by .ter Careffes and BlandiChmeats fought to draw him to compliance with her Defires. Her lliperiour Quality might feem to make her
Requeft
On Gr E N. xxxix. 9. 5
Requeft have the force of a Com- mand over him.
2. The Sollicitation, Lie with me. There are no Sins to which there is a ftronger Inclination in our cor- rupted Nature, than to Adls of Senfuality. The Temptation was heighten'd by the lure of Profit and Advancement, that he might obtain by her Favour, and Intereft in her Husband, who was an eminent Offi- cer in the Egyptian Court ; and the R^'gera- Den ial would be extreamiy pi o- [.^r|j\^J[^, "^ voking, both in refpcd; i: ieem'd to atqjultro be a Contempt injurious to her Di2- ""^'^^^"
. ^ r-*.-r • t>^ Venerea^.
nity, and was a Dilappointment of aigua- her ardent Expedation. Hatred ^^'^^5=^^^" and Revenge upon Refufal, are e- hndum qual to the Luft of an Imperious eit Tcelus. Whori(}? mman. We read the Effed's ^^;jp;„ pf it, in this Chapter : for upon ua. his rejecting her Defires, inflam'd with Rage, and to purge her felf^ flie curn'd his Accufer, wounded his Reputation, deprived him of his B 2 Liber-
SERMON I
Liberty, and exposed his Life to ex- tream Peri! . Jojcfh chofe rather to lie in the Dnfl:, than to rife by Sin.
'^. The Opportunity was ready, and the Object. preient: 'tis faid, there wcvs none of the Men of the Houfe within. She had the advantage of Secrecy to faften the Temptation upon him. When a Sin may be eafily coaimicted, and eafily con- ceal'd, the Reftraints of Fear and Shame are r^.kea off, and every Breath of a TeiDptarion is ftrong enough to overthrow the carnally- minded. The pureft and nobleft Chafrity is from a Principle of Duty within, not con{}rain''d by the appre- henfion of Difcovery and Severity.
4. The Continuance ot the Temptation : She JJ-ake to hhn day by day. Her Complexion was Lull and Impudence, and his repeated Denials were ineffedual to quench her incenfed Defires, iUq black Fire that darkned her Mind, She cmght
him
On Ge n. xxxIx. 9. 5
him by the Garment^ faytm^ Lie with me : fihe was ready to proitituce hei: felf, and raviOi him.
5. The Perfbn tempted, 7^/;^^, in the flower of his Aoe, the feafon or Senfuality, when innumerable, by the Force and Swinge of their vicious Appetites, are impelled to break the holy Law of God.
6. His Repulfe of the Tempta- tion was ftrong and peremptory : How can I do this great Wickednefs ? He felt no Sympathy, no fenfual Tendcrnefs, but expreft: an Impofll- bility of confenting to her guilty Defire. We have in jofeph exem- plified that Property of the Rege- neratc, He that tsborn of God^ cannot i Joh.^i fin : by a facred potent Inftind: in 9' his Bread, he is preferved not only from the confummate Adts, but re- coils from the fiift Offers to it.
7. The Reafons aie fpccified of his rejecting her polluting Motion. ^eholdy my Majter knows not what is with
B } nic
SERMON I.
me in the Houfey and he hath c6)?imttei all that he bath to my Hands : there is none (rreater in his Houfe than J- net- ther hath he kept back any thiytg from me but thee^ becaufe thou art his Wift : How then can J do this great Wicked- nefs^ and fin againjl God ? 'Twas a complicated Crime of Injuftice and Unclean nels ^ a moft injurious Vio- lation of the ftronseft Ties of Du- ty and Gratitude to his Mafter, and of the facred Marriage-Covenant to her Husband, and the fouleft Blot to their Perfons : Therefore hoti? can I commit a Sin fo contrary to natural Conference, and fupernatil- ral Grace, and provoke God ? Thus I have briefly confidered the Narra- tive of yo/^p/?'s Temptation ,• and that Divine Grace preferved him un- touched from that contagious Fire, may be refertibled to the nriiraiiilous prelerving the three Hebreiv Martyrs unfinged, in the midft of thb fla- ming Furnace. The Patiente of
•^ ' Joh
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 7
"johj and the Chaidity of Jofej)!?, are tranfmitted by the Secretaries of the Holy Ghoft in Scripture, to be in perpetual Remembrance and Ad- miration.
From this lingular Inftance of Jofeph, who was neither feduced by the Allurements of his Miftrels, nor terrified by the Rage of her defpis'd AfFedtion, to finagainft God, I fliall obferve two general Points.
I. That Temptations to Sin^ hew alluring foeVcr, or terrifying^ ought to be rejeBed with Abhorrence,
n. 7hat the Fear of God is a fure Defence and Guard agavifl the flrongefl Temptation,
I will explain and prove the firftj and only fpeak a little of the fecond in a Branch of the Ap- plication.
B 4. I. T^hat
SERMON I.
I. 'That Temptations to Sm, how alluring foeyer^ or terifyingy are to he rejeEied with Abhorrence,
There will be convincing Proof of this, by confidering two Things,
1 . That Sin in its Nature, pre- fcinding fronn the Train of wo- ful EfFeds, is the greateft Evil.
2. That, relatively to us, it is the moft pernicious deftrudive EviL
I . That Sin confidered in it felf is the greateft Evil. This will be evident by confidering the general Nature of it, as diredtly oppofite to God the fupream Good. The De- finition of Sin expreffes its eflential Evil } 'tis the Tranjgrefjion of the Vi- "Vine LaWy and consequently op- pofes the Rights of God's Throne, and obfcures the Glory of his At- tributes that are exercis'd in the
Moral
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 9
Moral Government of the World. God, as Creator, is our l\jngj our Laivgmr and Jiulg. From his Pro- priety in lis arifes his jnll Title to Soveraign Power over us : l{rioK> ye Pfal.ico. that the Lord he is Cod ; 'tis he that made us, not we ourfelves ; ive are his Teople^ and the Sheep of his Tafrurc. The Crea- tures of a lower Order are un ca- pable of diftinguifhing between Moral Good and Evil, and are de- tcrmin'd by the weight of Nature to what is meerly fenfible, and there- fore are uncapable of a Law to regulate their Choice. But Man, who is endowed with the Powers of Underftanding and Eledtion, to conceive and choofe what is Good, and reject what is Evil, is govcrn'd by a Law, the declared Will of his Maker : accordingly a Law, the Rule of his Obedience, was written in his Heart,
Now Sin, the Tranfgreflion of this LaWjContains many great Evils.
I. Sin
lo SERMON I
4
I . Sin is a Rebellion ^gainft the Soveraign Majefty of God, that gives the Life of Authority to the LaWi- Therefore Divine Precepts are e^^forced/ ;ltn the moft proper and binding Motive to Obedience, / dm the Lord. He that with pur- f^ofe and pleafure commits Sin, im- plicitely renounces his Dependance upon God, as his Maker and Go- vernour, over-rules the LatV, and arrogates an irrefponfible Licence to do his own Will. This is expreft by thofe Atheiftical Defigners, who Tal. 12. Taid, With our Tongue ive will prey ail, 4« our Lips are our own : who is Lord oVer iis ^ The Language of Adlions, that is more natural and convincing than of Words, declares that finful Men defpife the Commands of God, as if they were not his Creatures and Subjei^s. W^hat a Diflionour, w^hat a Difpleafure is it to the God of Gloty, that proud Duft lliould fly in his Face, and controul his Autho- rity ?
On (jE i^. xx-^b^i 9. II
^^m — — ■^ ■ #... !■■ 1.1 - - '_t_
rity.^ He has ten thoUfind times fe/iDan. 7. thoufand Artels that are high hi 'Dig- piai.Joj; iiiiy^ and txcd In Strength, wai't'wg in a 20, Pojtitrc of '^^eVere7ice and OhjerVnnce ahont his Ihrouc^ i-cady to do his Will : How provoking is it for a defpica- ble Worm to contravene his Law, and life his Hand a gain ft him ? It will be no Exciile to plead thid Commands of Men for Sin : for as much as God is motie glorious than Men, fo mikli more are his Commands to \st refpeded ana obeyed than Mens. When there is an evident Oppofition bet^-ieen th'6 Laws of Men and of God, we muft difobey our Supcriours, tho wb dilpleafe them, and bbey oiir Supteam Ruler. He that dx)es what is forbidden, x!)r negled's to d6 what is cortlmanded by the Divine Law, to pleafe Men, tho in veiled with the higheft Sovereignty on Earth, is miilty 6i double Wickednefs ; of irhpiety, i'n depofingGod; and
Idola-
13 SERMON I.
^
Idolatry, in deifying Men.
It is an extream Aggravation of this Evil, in that Sin as it is a dif- claiming our Homage to God, fo 'tis in true account a yielding Sub- jedion to the Devil. For Sin is in the ftridteft Propriety his Work. The Origin a) Rebellion in Paradifewas by his Temptation, and all the adu- al and habitual Sins of Men fince the Fall, are by his efficacious Influence.
•2. Cox. \, He darkens the Carnal Mind^ and
'^' fways the polluted Will ; he excites
and inflames the vicious Affedlions,
Ephef. 2. and imperioufly rules in the Children :s '■ ^' of Dif obedience. He is therefore ftiled the Prince and God of this World, And what more contumelious In- dignity can there be, than the pre- ferring to the glorious Creator of Heaven and Earth, a damned Spi- rit, the moil curfed part of the Creation ? It is moft reafonable, that the Bafenefs of the Competi- tor, fliould be a Foil to reinforce the
Luftre
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 13
Luftre of God's Authority : -yet Men rejed God, and comply with the Tempter. O prodigious Per- verfnefs !
1. Sin vilifies the ruliiio- Wifdom of God, chat prefcrib'd the Law to Men. Alcho the Dominion of God over us be Supreme and Abio- lute, yet 'tis excrcis'd according to the Counfd of his VV'dl^ by the bed Meanr, for the beft Ends ,• he is ac* cordingly ftiled by the Apoftle, 77.c 1 TiiT).r. mrnd l\ingy and only unje God, 'Tis the glorious Prerogative of his So- veraignty and Deity, that he can do no Wrong : for he necefl'arily a6Vs according to the Excellencies of his Nature. Particularly, his Wif- dom is fo relucent in his Laws, that the ferious Contemplation of it, will ravifh the fincere Minds of Men into a Compliance with them. They are framed with exad Con- gruity to the Nature of God, and his Relation to us, and to the Fa- culties
14 SERMON I.
culties of Man before he was eor^ rupted. From hence the Divine Law being the Tranfcript nqt only of God's Will, but his Wifdom, binds the Underftanding and Will, our leading Faculties, to efteem and approve, to confent and choole alj his Precepts as beft. Now Sin yir lifies the Infinite Underftanding of God v;ith refped both to the Pre- cepts of the Law, the Rule of our Duty, and the Sandlion annex'd to con film its Obligation, It doc$ xcniii actively ta^^ the Precepts as unequal, too rigid and fevere a Con- finemenJ: to our Wills and Adions. Thus the impious Rebels complain J The Ways of the- Lord ^^e not equal j as injurious to their Liberty, and not worthy of Obfervapce. What St. James iaith, to cprre6l t^e un- dharirable, cenforious Humour of fome in his time, He th^t fpeal^s James 4. &i/ of his Srothery ai]d judges hi^ ^^' brother J /peaks Eyil jofth^ l^aW^ and
judges
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 15
judges the Law, as an im perfect and ralh Rule, is applicable to Sinners in any other kind. As an unskilful Hand by ftrainingtoo high, breaks the Strings of an Inftrumenr, and fpoils the Mufick ; lb the Strictnefs and the Severity of the Precepts, breaks the harmonious Agreement between the Wills of Men and the Law, .and cafts an Imputation of Imprudence upon the Law- giver. This is the implicit Blafphemy in Sin.
BefideSjthe Law has Pvewards and Punifhments, to fecure our Refpecls and Obedience to it. The wife God knows the Frame of the re«i(b- nable Creature^ vvhat are the inward Springs of our Actions ; and has accordingly propounded fuch Mo- tives to our Hope and Fear, the moil adtJve Paifions, as may engage JUS to perform our Duty. He pro- .jnifes his Favour that is better than Life, to the Obedient, and threatens
kis
i6 SERMON I.
his Wrathy that is wor/e than Deathj to the ^yehellioHs. Now Sin makes it evident, that thefe Motives are not efFeclual in the Minds of Meti :• And this refleds upon the Wifdom of the Law- giver, as if defe<Stive in not binding his Subjeds firmly to tlieir Duty ,• for if the Advantage or Pleafure that may be gain'd by Sin, be greater than the Reward that is promifed to Obedience, and the Punifhment that is threatned asainfl: the Tranfcrefiion, the Law is unable to reftrain from Sin, and the Ends of Government are not obtained. Thus Sinners in ven- turing upon forbidden things, re- proach the UnderPcanding of the Divine Law- giver.
2 . Sin is a Contrariety to the un- fpotted Holiaefs of God. Of all the glorious and benign Conftella- tions of the Divine Attributes that (hinc in the Law of God, his Holinefs has the brighteft Luftre.
God
On Gen. XXKIK.^. 17
God is holy in all his Works, buc the mod venerable and precious Monument of his Holinefs is the Law. For the Holinefi of God confifts in the Correfpondence of his Will and Adions with his moral Perfections, Wifdora,Goodne{sand Juftice i and the Law is the per- fed Copy of his Nature and WilL The Pfalmift who had a purged Eye, faw and admir'd its Purity and Perfection. T/.e Cotmmndmmt of the Pfal. ip; Lori Is purCy mUghtnmg the Eyes, The P^^^-' ^^• Word is Very near^ tl:erejore thy Ser- yafit loVes it. 'Tis the perfpicuous Rule of our Duty without Ble- raifh or Imperfection : The Coin- mandment is holy^ jujl and good. It in- joins nothing but what is abfolute- ly Good, without the leaft TinCture of Evil. The Sum of it is fee down by the Apoftlc, to li\'e foberly^ that is, to abftain from any thing that may (lain the Execellence of an underftanding Creature : To /ive C rightC"
mauaaaiaM
*v
iS SERMON ^^li
rgkeo^yZj, which i'efpeds the State and Situation Wherein <3bd has difpofed Men' for his Glory: It comprehends all the relpe(5i:ive Du- ties to others, to whom We are u- nited by the Bands of Nature, or of Civil Society, or of Spiritual Communion: Jnd to Uye godly ^ which includes all the internal and outward Duties we owe to God, who is the Soveraign of our Spirits, whofe Will muft be the Rule, and his Glory the End of oiir Adions. In (hort, The Law is fo form'd, that prefcinding from the Authority of the Law-giver, its Holinefs and Goodnefs lays an eternal Obligation on us to obey it. Now Sin is not only by Interpretation, a Reproach to the Wifdom and other Perfefti- ji*>m: of God, but diredlly and for- JKnally a Contrariety to his Infinite Sandity and Purity ,• for it confifts in a not doing what the Law com- mands, or doing what it forbids. :;;v ^ 'Tis
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 19
'Tis therefore faid, That the Canial Kom.n. Mind is Enmity a^ainft God : An active, immediate and irreconcilable Con- trariety to his holy Nature and Will : From hence there is a reciprocal Hatred between God and Sinners : Qod is of purer Eyes than to behold ^^^' ^' htiquityj without an infinite Difpli- cencc, the EfFeds of which will fall upon Sinners j and tho 'tis an Impiety hardly conceivable, yet the Scripture tells us, that they are Ha- ters of Cjod, 'Tis true, God by the tranfcendent Excellence of his Na- ture is uncapable of fuffering any Evil, and there are few in the pre- fent State arrived to fuch Malice, as to declare open Enmity and War againft God. in the Damned this '"'
Hatred is explicit and diredl, the Fever is heightned to a Frenzy, the blefled God is the Object of their t Curfes and Eternal Averfjtion : If their Rage could extend to hini; and their Power were equal to their C 2 Defires,
20 SERMON I.
Defires, they would dethrone the moft High. And the Seeds of this are in the Brcafts of Sinners here. As the fearful Expectation of irrefi- ftible and fiery Vengeance increafts, their Averfatioa increafes. They endeavour to raze out the In(crip- tion of God in their Souls, and to extinguidi the Thoughts and Senfe of their Infpe6lor and Judg. They wifh he were not All- feeing and Almighty, but Blind and Impo- tent, uncapable to vindicate the Honour of his defpifed Deity. The Fool hath jaid in his Hearty there is no Cod. The Heart is the Fountain of Defires, and A6lions interpret the Thoughts and AfFedions, from whence the Inference is dired and conclufive, that habitual Sinners, who liVe without God in the World^ have fecret Defires *, there was no Sove- raign Being, to obferve and require an Account of all their A6lions. The radical Caule of this Hatred
is
On G
EN, XXXIX.
is from che Oppofition of the fin- ful polluted Wills of Men, to the Holinefs of God ; for that Attribute excites his Juftice, and Power, and Wrath, to punifh Sinners. There- fore the Apoftle faith, Ihcy are Ene- tnies to Qod in their Minds through wicked Works, The naked reprefenting of this Impiety, thnt a rcafonable Creature fliould hate the bleffed Creator for his mofl: Divine Per- fections, cannot bat ftrikc with Hor- ror. O the Sinful nefs of Sin !
4. Sin is the Contempt and A- bufe of his excellent Goodnels. This Argument is as vafl: as God's innumerable Mercies, whereby he allures and oblis^es us to Obedience : I (hall reftrain my Difcourfe of it, to three things wherein the Divine Good nefs is very confpicuous, and mofl ungratefully defpifed by Sin- ners.
\fi» His creating Goodneis. 'Tis
clear, without the leafl fhadow of
C 3 Doubr,
22 SERMON I.
Doubt, chat nothing can give the firfi: Being to it feU ; for this were to be before it was, which is a di- rect Contradidlion : and 'tis evi- dent that God is the fole Author of our Beings. Our Parents afforded the grofs matter of our compound- ed Nature, but the Variety and Union, the Beauty and Ufefulnefs of the feveral Parts, which is fo wonderful, that the Body is com- pofed of as many Miracles as Mem- ber^, was the Defign of his Wit dom, and the Work of his Hands. The lively Idea and perfe^ft Ex- emplar of that regular Fabrick,'was modell'd in the Divine Mind. This 2ffe(5ted the Pfalmift with Admira- tion : / rij?7 fearfully mid vjonder fully \ , ' ^^/ made : 772 itrVelloM are thy Wnyks. and i6. that my Soul knows right 'tvclL Thine Eyes did Jee ?;;)/ Suhjlance, yet being imt)erfefly and in thy %ook all my Mem- hers were tvritten^ which in continuance were fajhtoncdy ivhai dsyet there was none
of
On Gen, xxxix. 9. 23
of :Lem* And Job obferves. Thy M lo^ Hands hcf^e made me andfafhwmd me round about. The Soul, or principal Pare, is of a Celeftial Original, inlpired from the Father of Spirits, The Faculties of Underftanding and Eledion, are the indelible Cha- radlers of our Dignity above the Brutes, and make us capable to pleafe, and glorify, and enjoy him. This firft and fundamental Benefit, upon which all other Favours and Benefits are the Superftru6lure, was the Effect from an eternal Caufe, his mod free Decree, that ordained out Birth in the fpaces of Time. The Fountain was his pure Good- nefs i there vyas no Neceflicy deter- mining his Will, he did not want external declarative Glory, being infinitely happy in himfelf, and there could be no (iiperiour Power to conftrain him. And that which renders our Maker's Goodnefs more ,ir^e and^pbliging, is the Confidera- ' ".''^ '"^'^''^ C 4 tion
24 SERMON h
tion he might have created Millions of Men, and left us in our native Nothing, and, as 1 may fo fpeak, loft and buried in perpetual Dark- nefi. Now, what was God's cfld in making us ? Certainly it was becoming his Infinite Unerftand- ing, that is, to communicate of Hs own Divine Fulnefs, and tafce a(5tively glorified by intelligent Crea- tures. Accordingly 'tis the folemn Acknowledgment of the Repre- fentative Church. Jhou art worthy^ 0 Lordy to receive ^lory, and Honour ^ B-cv. 4. ^^ij (fo-^er : For thou hajl created all Things^ and for thy Tleafure they f^ere created. Who is fo void of rational Sentiments, as not to acknowledg "'tis our indifpenfable Dutty, Our reafonable Service , to ojfer up our fehes an intlre living Sacrifice to his Glory ^ What is more natural, according to the Laws of uncorrupt Nature, ( I might fay, and of corrupt Na- ture, for the Heathens pra(5ti(ed it )
than
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 25
than that Love fhould correlpond with Love j as the one defcends in Benefits, the other fhould afcend in Thankfulnefs. As a polifli'd Looking-glafs of Steel, ftrongly re- verberates the Beams of the Sun fhining upon it, without lofing a fpark of Light, thus the under- ftanding Soul fhould reflect the Affection of Love upon our blefled Maker, in Reverence, and Praife, and Thankfulnels. Now Sin breaks all thofe facred Bands of Grace and Gratitude, that engage us to love and obey God. He is the juft Lord of all our Faculties Intelle(5tual and Senfitive, and the Sinner employs them as Weapons of Unrighteouf- nefs againft him. He preferves us by his powerful gracious Provi- dence, which is a renewed Crea- tion every Moment, and the Good- nefs he ufes to us, the Sinner abufes againft him. This is the moft un- worthy, (hameful and monftrous
Ingrati-
J
gi6 SERMON I
Ingratitu4?. This makes forgetful and LuithapkfHl Ivlea, more brutifli than, r% dull Oxy and the flupid Afsy fv^hpiJT^ve thofe that feed them; juy,: fifiks them below the infenfi- ble p^ut pf the Creation, that in- variably ^bfeiryes the Law and Orr der prefer ibed by the 'Creator; Afto- nifliing Degeneracy ! Hear 0 Hea- fpensyr^i^^. EaTrj ^,Q, Earth ! I haVe nourijhed and brought up Children y and they Jyd'Ve., rebelled again fl we, was the Cornplaiar of God himfelf. The ^^onfidjerate Review of this, will Jtnelc y& into Tears of Confullon. r 2^/> ^Twas the nnvaluable Goo^tiefs of God to give his Law ip M4B, for his Rule, both in re- fped: p^^the. matter of the Law, 4ndvbis end in giving it. . -r>--i(lOi)The matter of the Law, xhis, as is foie<:ited from the Apoftle, is holy^ fufty anA good. It contains all thimf tlut. are honejl^ and jujiy and :fHi:ey'.^4iid loyely, and af good sporty -! froni whatfo-
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 27
whatfoe'Ver are Vertuous and ^ra'tje- worthy. In Obedience to it the In- nocence and Perfection of the rea- fonable Creature cohfifts. This I do but glance upon, having been confider'd before.
(i.) TheendofgivingtheLaw. God was pleas'd upon Man's Crea- tion^ by an illuftrious Revelation to fhew him his Duty, to write his Lam in his Hearty that he might not take one flep out of the Circle of its Precepts, and immediately fin and perim. His gracious Defign was to keep Man in his Love ,- that from the Obedience of the reafon- able Creature, the Divine Good- nefs might take its rife to reward him. This unfeigned and excel- lent Goodnefs, the Sinner outragi- oufly defpiles : for what greater Contempt can be expreft againft a written Law, than the tearing it in pieces, and trampling it under foot? And this conftrudively the Sinner
does
a8 SERMON I
does to the Law oF God, which
Contempt extends to the gracious
J, „ Giver of it. T7;«5 tht Commandment Rom. 7* I J • 5 1 r r 7 o-
10. that was or dam d unto Ltje^ by 3m was
found unto Death.
(j.) Sin is an extream vilifying
of God's Goodnefs, in preferring ^ Q Carnal Pleafures to his Favour, and Dcos CO- Communion with him, wherein kudos the Life, the Felicity, the Heaven cnti. a!r ^f ^^^ reafonable Creature confifts. ergo a God is Infinite in all poffible Per- c^tTr^ f^^ions, All-fiifficient to make us rum iiie compleatly and eternally happy : rcjedus he difdains to have any CompetitOi ,
eft? nihil , . i r ^ '
rcfiat ut ^"^ requires to be lupream in our dicant, Efteem and Affections : the reafon faclr^e^ of this is fo evident by Divine and cipere Natural Light, that 'tis needlefs to "^'"^' fpend many words about it. ^Tis quia fo- ^^ Obfervation of St. Auflin ^, That lum fe tt was a (2^w/e amongU the Heathens^ that cS^>«'{/"^ Mtw Jhouldworjhip all their Dei' de Con. ties. Thc Romans were fo infati- fenf. E. ^{jjg jj^ Idolatry, that they fent to 17. Foreign
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 29
Foreign Countries to bring the Gods of feveral Nations: an unpolifli'd Stone, a tame Serpent, that were reputed Deities, they received with great Solemnity and Reverence. But the true God had no Temple, no Worihip in ^me, where there was a Pantheon dedicated to the Ho- nour of all the falfe Gods. The Reafon he gives of it is, that the true God, who alone has Divine Excellencies, and Divine Empire, will be worfhip'd alone, and ftridt- ly forbids the Affumption of any into his Throne. To adore any be- fides him is infinitely debafing, and provoking to his dread Majefty. Now Sin in its Nature is a Con- verfion from God to the Crea- ture i and whatever the Temptation be, in yielding to it, there is figni- fied, that we choofe fomething be- fore his Favour. Sin is founded //* hono jucundo, fomething that is de- legable to the Carnal Nature : 'tis
the
30 SERMON I
the univerfal Charader of Carnal Men, They are LeVers of ^leafure more than Lowers of God, To fbme, Riches are the mod alluring dBjed. The young Man in the Gofpel, when our Saviour commanded him togiVe his Ejlate to the Poor^ and he (hould haVe Ireafure in HeaVen, went away forrol^ful, aS' if he had been offer'd to his lofs. To others, the Pleafiires that in ftrid Propriety are ftnfual, are moft charming. Love is the Weight of the Soul that turns it, not like a dead Weight of the Scales, but with Eledion freely ^o its Objedt : in the carnal Ballancc the prefent Things of the World are of gpnfpiciious Moment, and out-weigh Spiritual and Eternal Bleffings. Altho the Favour of God be eminently all that can be defir'd, under the Notion of Riches, or Honour, or Pleafure, and every Atom of our AfFedion is due to him; yet Carnal Men think it a
cheap
oh Gen. xxxix. 9. 31
cheap Pui?chafe to obtain the gcocf Things of this World, by finful means, with the lofs of his Favour! This thfeirA(ftions declare. Pro- digiolis Folly! as if a few Sparks ftruck out of a Flint, that can nei- ther afford Light or Warmth, were more defirable than the Sun in its Brightnefs. And how contumeli- ous and provoking it is to God, he declares in the mod: moving Ex- preflions : 'Be aJio7uJ]?ca, 0 yc Hea- Jer- 2. Vens at thisy and-' he horribly afratd^ '^' *5' he ye Very defolate^ faith the Lord. For ?ny Teople have committed two Evils ; they haVe forfaken me the Fountain of living Waters y and hewed them out broken Ctfterns that can hold no Water, This immediately was charged up- on the Jews, who fee up Idols of Jealoufy, and ador'd them, rather than the glorious JehoVah: and in proportion 'tis true of all Sinners ,■ for every vicious Affedion prefers fome vain Objedl, before his Love, ' ■" and
52 SERMON I.
and the Enjoyment of his glorious Prefence, that is the Reward of Obedience. ,^ g^.
5. The Sinner difparages the ' impartial Juftice of God. In the Di\ ine Law there is a Connexion between Sin and Punifhment ,• the Evil of doing and the Evil of fuffering. This is not a meer Ar- bitrary Conftitution, but founded on the infeparable Defert of Sin, and the Reditude of God's Na= tare, which unchangeably loves Ho- lincfs, and hates Sin. Altho the threatning does not lay a ftrid ne- ceflity upon the Lawgiver always to inflid the Punifhment ; yet God having declared his equal Laws as the Rule of our Duty, and of his Judgment, if they fliould be ufually without Effed upon Offenders, the Bands of Government would be diffolv'd, and confequcntly the Honour of his Juftice ftain a both with refped to his Nature and
Office:
On Gen. xxxix. 9, 53
Office : for as an effcntial Attribute 'tis the Correfpondence of his Will >. and AdjLons with his Moral Per- fedions';} and as Soveraign Ruler, he is to preferve Equity and Order in his Kingdom. Now thofe who voluntarily break his Law, ptefume upon tapunity. The firft rebel- lious Sin was committed upon this Prefumption : God threatn'd. If you eat the forhMm Fruity you [Jx^ll die : the Serpent faySj Eaty and you finill not die; and aflcnting to the Tempta- tion, Jdam fell to Difobedience. And ever fince Men are fearlels to fin upon the fame Motive. God chargeth the wicked, Thou thoughtejl pfj, ^^ that 1 UMs altognl?er fuch a one as thy ftif; not concern'd to punifli the Violation of his facred Laws. The Sinner commits the Divine Attri- butes? to fight again ft one another, prefuming that Mercy will difarm Juftice, and ftop- its terrible Effects upon irripenicenc obft in ate Sinners : iy D From
94 SER MO N I.
From heftcc they become bold and harden'd in the continuance Dcut.2p. oF their Sins. Tl^ere is a (^oot that >7> i^, heareth Gall and Wormwood: and when the Curft of the Law is declared and denounc'd againft Sin, the Wicked hlejjeth himjelf in his Hearty faying^ I p^all haVe ¥eace^ tho I walk in the Imagination of my Hearty to add J)runkennefs to ThirJL This cafts fuch a foul Blemifli upon the Juftice of God, that he threatens the fevered Vengeance for it. The Lord will not jfare him^ but the Anger of the Lord and his Jealoufy Jhallfmoke againft that Man, and all the Curfes written in this Book p?all he upon hini^ and the Lord p-) all blot out his Kame from under Pfal. 50. HeaVen. Confider this ye that forget God J leji I tear you in pieces, and there he none to deUyer.
6. The Sinner implicitly denies God's Omnifcience. There is fuch a Turpitude adhering to Sin, that it cannot endure the Light of the Sun,
or
On Qen. xxxix. ^. ^5
or the Light of Confcience, buc (eeks to be conceal'd under a Mask of Vertue, or a Vail of Darkncfs* There are very few on this fide Hell> fo transform'd into the likenefs of the Devil, as to be impenetrable by Shame. What is faid of the Adulterer and Thief, Sinners of greater Guilt, and deeper Dye, is true in proportion of every Sinner : ]f a Mans fees them^ they are in the Job* terrors of the Jhadom of Death. Now from whence is it that many, who if they were furpriz'd in the acf^ings of their Sins by a Child or a Stran- ger, would bludi and tremble, yec altho the holy God fees all their Sins in order to judg them, and will judg in order to punifli them, are fecurc without any fearful or fliame- ful Apprehcnfions of his Pre^ fence ? Did they ftedfaftly believe that their foul Villanies were open to his piercing, pure and fevere Eye^ they muft be (truck with Terrors, D I and
|($ SERM ONI.
and covered with Confufioti. WiB he fonethe Queen before m^ 'Pace ? was the Speech of the King inflam'd with Wrath J and the Prologue of Death againft the fallen Favourite* Would Men dare to affront God's Authority, and outragioufly break his Laws before his Face, if they duly confider'd his Omniprefenee and Obfervaace of them ? it were impoffltJe. And Infidelity is the radical Caufe of their Inconfidera- tion. fc was a falle Imputation againft 'joh^ but juftly applied to Job 5 2. the Wicked, T7?o« fciyefty tioK> does *3» M» God know ! can he judg through the dark Cloud > thick Clouds are a. Cover- ing to hhfky that h fees not. Andi fuch are introduced by the P&lmiffi declaring their inward Senriments : The Lord [hall not fee^ mltlm Jhall th God of }acob vegar-d it.
Laftly; The Sinnei: flights the Power of God. This Attribute renders God a dreadful Judg. He ''^^^ " has
On Gen, xxxix. 9, 37
has a Right to punifli, and Power to revenge every Tranfgreffion of his Law. His Judicial Power is fupreme,his Executive is irrefiftible. He can With one Stroke dilpatch the Body to the Grave, and the Soul to Hell, and make Men as miferable as they are finful. Yet Sinners as boldly provoke him, as if there Were no danger. We read of the infatuated SyrianSy that they thought that God, the Protedor of IfraeJ^ had only Tower on the Hilts, and not ift the Valliesy and renewed the War to their Deftrui^ion. Thus Sinners enter into the Lifts with God, and range an Array of Lufts againft the Armies of Heaven, and blindly bold, run upon their own DeftruiSti- on« They neither believe his All- feeing Eye, nor All- mighty Hand. They change the Glory of the living God into a dead Idol, that has Eyes and fees not, and Hands and handles not ; and accordingly D 3 his
38
SERMON I.
his Threatnings make no Irpprefli- on upon them.
Thus I have prefented a true View of the Evil of Sin confidcrM in it felf : but as Job faith of God, How little a Portion. of him is known ? may be faid of the Evil of Sin, How little of it is known? For in proportion as our Apprehenfions are defective and below the Great- nefs of God, lb are they of the Evil of Sin, that contradicts his Soveraign, Will and diflionours his excellent Perfections.
SER.
39
SERMON 11.
Genefis xxxix. 9.
How can 1 do this gnat Wkhfidnefsy and Jin againft God ^
2. IT fiiall proceed to confider the 1^ Evil of Sin relatively to us, and prove it to be mofl: pernicious and dcftrudive. If we compare it with Temporal Evils, it preponde- rates all that Men are liable to in the prefent World, Difeafes in our Bodies, Dilafters in our Eftates, Difgrace in our Reputation, are in juft Efleem far le(s Evil than the Evil of Sin : for that corrupts and deftroys our more excellent and immortal Part. The Vde 'Body is of no account in comparilbn^ of the precious Sotd^ Therefore the Apo- ftle enforces his Exhortation, Dearly D 4 bdoVed
4Q SERMON II.
beloved 'Brethren^ ahjtain from flejhly Luflsj tlyat war againji the Soul. The IfTue of this War is infinitely more woful, than of the mod cruel a- gainft our Bodies and Goods, our Liberties and Lives : for our Eftates and Freedom, if loft, may be re- cover'd ; if the prefent Lite be loft for the Caufe of God, it fliall be reftor'd in greater Luftre an,d Per- fedlon; but if the Soul be loft^ 'tis loft for ever.
* All Temporal Evils are confiftent with t^e Love of God : JoJ on the Dunghil, roiighcaft with Ulcers,^ was moft precious in God's fight.: La:^artis in the loweft Poverty, a,n<!t wafted with loathfome Sores, was dear to his Aifedions ; a Guard of Angels was Tent to convoy his de- parting Soul to the Divine Prelcnce. Sut Stn Jep urates hettveen God and us^ who is the Fountain of felicky, and the Center of {left ' tq> tht^ Soul.
Other
0;x Gen. xxxix. 9. 41
Other Evils God, who is our wife tnd companionate Father and Phy- fician, makes u(e of, as Medicinal Preparations for the Cure of Sin : and certainly the Difeafe which would be the Death of the Soul, h worfe than the Remedy, tho ne- ver fo bitter and afflifting to Senfe.
Sin is an Evil of that Malignity, that the lead degree of it is fatal. If it; be conceiv'd in the Soul, tho not aftually finifh'd, 'tis deadly. One Sin corrupted in an inftant An- gelical Excellencies, and turn'd the glorious Spirits of Heaven into De- vils, Tis Poifon fo ftrong, that the firft Tafte of it flied a deadly Taint and Malignity into the Veins of all Mankind.
Sin is luch an exceeding Evil, that *tis the fevereft Punifhment Divine Juftice inflids on Sinners on this fide Hell. The giving Men o'Ver to the ^owcr ^ their Lujlsy is the moft fearful Judgment, not only with
reiped
4'
42 SERMON U,
re(ped to the Caufe, God's unre- lenting and unquenchable Anger, and the Iffue, everlafting DeftrudH on, but in the quality of the Judg- ment. Nay, did Sin appear as odi- ous in our Eyes as it does in God's^ we fhould account it the worftpart of Hell it felf, the Pollutions of the Damned to be an Evil ex- ceeding the Torments fuperadded to them.
Sin is pregnant with all kinds of Evils, the Seeds of it are big with Judgments. • The Evils that are obvious to Senfe, or that areSpi- litual and Inward, Temporal and Eternal Evils, all proceed from Sin, often as the Natural Caufe^ and al- ways as the Meritorious. And ma- ny times the fame Punifiiment is produced by the Efficiency of Sin, ^ well as inflided for its Guilt. ThusUncleannefs, without the mi- raculous Waters of Jealoufy, rots the Body, and the Pleafute of Sin
is
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 45
is revenged by a loathfom condi- ming Difeafe, the natural Conle- quence of it. Thus Intemperance and Luxury fhorten the Lives of Men, and accelerate Damnation. Fierce Defires, and wild Rage are Fewel for the everlafting Fire in Hell. The fame Evils confidered Phyfi- cally, are from the Efficiency of Sin ; confider'd legally, are from the Guilt of Sin, and the Juflice of God.
This being a Point of great Ufefulncfs, that I may be more in- ftru<5live, I will confider the Evils that are conftquential to Sin, under thefe two Heads.
fh'fty Such as proceed immedi- ately from it by Emanation.
Secondly 'y Thofe Evils, and all other as the Effeds of God's Juftice and Sentence,
Firjl,
44 SERMON II
Firji^ The Evils that proceed im- mediately by Emanation from it t and tho fome of them are not re^ fentcd with feelitig Apprehenfions by Sinners, yet they are of a fear- ful Nature. Sin has deprived Man of the Purity, Nobility, and Peace of his innocent State.
I. It has ftain'd and tainted him with an univer(al, intimate and permanent Pollution. Man in his firft Creation was holy and righte- ous: a Beam of Beauty derived from Heaven was fhed upon his Soul, in comparifon of which, leri* firive E^eaucy is but a^ "i e Cleartiefi of Glafs, to the Ltiftre of a Dia* mond. His Underftanding v^ds Lkfjt in tht Urd, hts Will and Af- feftions were regular and pute, the Divine Image was impreft upon all his Faculties, that attracted the Love and Comp*aceney of God himfelf. Si-n Jias bfoirted ^ut all his amiable Excellencies, and (uper-
induc'd
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 45
induc'd the moft foul Deformity, the Original of which was fetch'd from Hell. Sinpers are the natu- ral Children of Satan, of a near Refembknce m him- The Scrip- ture borrows Gowparifons to re- prefent the defiling Qualiry of Sin, frona Pollutions that are moft loath- fom to our Senfes : fro^n pejlikuttal Ulcers^ ftUrifym^ Scf^esy filthy Vomty and defil'mg Mm, Thi^ PoUutioii is univerCil through the whole Man, Spirk^ Send and 'Body, It darkens the Mind, our fupream Faculty, with a Cloud of Corruption,- ic depraves the Will, and vitiates the Affections. 'Tis a Pollution fo deep and permanent, that the De- luge that fwcpt away a World of Sifioers, did not wafli away their Sia$ : and the Fire at the laft Day, ihat flmll devour the Drofs of the vifiWe World, and renew the Hea- vens and the Earth, Hull not purge away the Sns of the guilty Inha- bitants.
46 SERMON II.
bitants. This Pollution hath fo de- filed and disfigured Man, who was a fair and lovely Type, wherein the Skill and Perfections of the Creator was confpicuous, that it re- pented God that he made Man, As an Artificer having formed a fiir- prizing Piece, either a Statue or Picture, wherein Art almoft equall'd the Life and Luftre of Nature,- if it be torn or broken, throws it from his fight with forrow, impatient ro fee it (b rudely defaced : Thus God is faid to hide his Face from Sinnersy to exprefs his Difpleafure, as un- willing to behold the Difparage-* ment of his Mafter-piece, the ex- cellent Product of his Wifdom and Power.
2. Sin has degraded Man from his native State and Dignity. Man by his Extraction and Defcent was the Son of God, a little lo'iVer than the Jn^elsy confecrated and crowned, as a Prieft for the Service and Com- munion
V
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 47
rnunion with his glorious Maker, and as King over the World. But being in Honour^ he underjlood not his Dignity, his Duty and Felicityy and became like the 'Beajis that perif?. By his Rebellion againft his Creator, he made a Forfeiture of his Domi- nion, and loft the Obedience of fenfible Creatures, and the Service of Inienfible ; which I only men- tion, and {hall reftrain my Confi- deration, to fhew how he is be- come like the Beafts, as an Effed refulting from his Sin. He is de- vefted of his white Robe of Inno- cence, and his nobleft Perfedions, Reafon and Religion. Senfe and Imagination, the leading Faculties in Brutes, are his Rulers : The ra- tional governing Powers of Man, have loft their fuperior Sway, and the Carnal Paflions rove without Reins to forbidden Objed^s. The lower Appetites are predominant, which is the moft ignominious and
cruel
48 SERMON IL
cruel Servitude wherein Human Liberty can be intangled and fe&- terM. His Underftanding and Will, that were capable of taking a flight for the Difcovery and Fruition of Celeftial and Eternal Things, arc debafcd, and limited to fenfual periftiing Things, and derive vHi* fying Qualicies from them. He is Earthly -minded i his. Aims, Contiir vances, Defires are faftened to the Earth: the Divine Spark within Kim is covered under Aflies. He is carnally mindedy always ftudyingand ma k ing Trovifions for the Flejh, This is a viler Debafemenc, than if the Counfellors of State were employ* ed in the fordid Offices of the Kitchin or Stable, Nay, 'tis a Di- minution below the Rank of Beafts, for by Nature they are uncapable of diredling their Eyes and Defires towards Heaven ; but Man is Bru* tifli by his voluntary Sin. To-(ec the Head of a rapacious Wolf^ or
fierce
On Gen. xxxix. ^. 45)
fierce Tyger, or luftful Hor(e joined CO the Body of a Man, how mon- ftroLis would it appear? But 'tis more unnatural and ignominious, for Men, in whom Reafon and Religion ihould govern, to refera- ble them in the Brutifli Appetites of Luft and Rage ; for there is a nearer Affinity between the Body of a Man and of a Beads, that agree in the common fenfible Na- ture, than between the ImmclTtal Spirit of a Man, and the Beafts ihac perifh. In fhort, Sin has enflaved Men to Satan an Infernal Fiend : Ihey are taken Captives by him at his Plcafure : And, which is the lowed Vegradattonj they are the Servants of Corruption.
%, Sin has broke the fweet Peace and bleifed Concord in the Soul^ the Felicity of our innocent State. Peace is the Tranquillity that refulcs from Order and Unity. In Man there was a regular Harmony of all E his
50 SERMON II.
his Faculties i the AfFedions were confonant with his Will, his Will with his Underftanding, and his "Underftanding with the Law of God. This was the inward State of his Soul in his Creation; for having a derived Being, it was na- tural and necelTary, that he fhould be appointed to his End, and re- ceive his Rule for the obtaining it, from the Underftanding and Will of -rfiis Maker. Now w^hilft there W*b?a Correfpohdence in his Facul- ties, and their Operations with his Rule and End, the Will of God, and the Glory of God, the Refult of ir, as well as the Reward of it, was Spiritual Peace with God, In- ternal Peace with himfelf, External Peace with others. Now Sin has diffolved this Unity, violated this facred Order: And from hence, B (i.) Peace with God, that con- jfifted in his Favour and Friendfhip CO uSp and our Filial Dependance
upon
On Gen. xxxix. ^. 5 i
upon him, which is the Spring of full and fatisfying Joy, is brokci God appears a fearful Enemy a- gainft the Sinners ; the penal Effeds of his Wrath, I ITiall fpeak of di- ftindly under the fecond General : And that Divine Calm in the Con- fcience, that Peace joyn'd with the pureft Pleafure, that was the Re- flex of God's Favour on the Soul, is changed into anxious Apprchen- fions of his juft Power to punifh us. Guilt generates Fear, and Fear Hatred, and both caufe a woful * flight from God.
(z.) Internal Peace is broke by Sin. Whilfi: the Paffions were fub- ordinate to the Empire of Reafon^ and in Accord amona themielves. there was a perfed: Peace ; but Sin has raifed an inteftine War in Man's Breafl:. The Law of the Members re- bels aga'mft the L^nf of the Mndi for there is no Man fo prodig.ioufly wicked, and fpoil'd of his Primi^ E % tivlf
52 SERMON II.
tive Endowments, but dill there
remains fome Principles of Mora-
Prima 'i^Y ^^ ^^^ Mind, fo that his Con-
V.xc eft fcience difcovers and condemns the
"'"^? r Vices he allows and pr^^difes, which quod ie ' i ^ i • r i r
judicene- makes the Sinnci' unealy tohiinlelr, reo no- 2j^j mixes Vinegar with his Wine. Svit! " Befides, fince the Paffions are dif- banded, into what Confufion is Man fallen ? How various, how violent are they, and often repug- nant to one another ? How often do we change their Habits and Scenes in a day ? Sometimes we are vainly merry, and then as vain- ly (ad ; fometimes defirotis, and then averfe; and with refpcd to our lelves, fometimes pleafed, fome- times vex'd, fometimes amiable, and fometimes odious ,• we are more mutable than the Planet that is the Emblem of Inconftancy. How often do Clouds of Melancholy darken the bright Serenity of the Spirit, and caft a dreadful Gloom
over
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 55
over it ? How oft do Scorms of Paffion difturb its Tranquillity ? The Breaft of Man, that was the Temple of Peace, is become a Den of Dragons ; every exorbitant Affection tears and torments him. 'Tis true, this is al(b a penal Effe6l from Divine Juftice : There ts no Teace Jaith my God to the JVtckd: With which that Saying of St. Ju- flin is confonant, Juffit Vom'me^ (sr fie ej}y omnls inordinatns ciffeHm ejl Jtb't poena,
(3.) Sin has broke our Agree- ment with one another. When there was a regular Con fen t be- tween the fuperiour and lower Fa- culties in all Men, they were in Unity among themfelves, for they were perfedly alike. But the tu- multuous and tyrannical Paflions have engaged them in mortal En- mity. 'Tis the account St. James gives, From ivhence come Wars and fightings among you ? Corns they r^t E 2 hence^
IJJIUJ 1. :— '
54 SERMON II.
hnce,y_ eyen of your Lujlsy that war in your M^^nhers ^ Sin kindles and blows the Fire of Dilcord^ in Families, Cides, Kingdoms: Sin is the Fury that brings a fmoaking Firebrand from Hell, and fets the World in- to Combuftion. Ambition, Ava- rice, the greedy De fires of Rule i^nd Revenge, have made the World a Stage of not feigned, but the iT\oft bloody Tragedies. In this Men arg not like, but worfe than the Bcafts : for the fierceft Beafts of Jfrka or Hyrecnmy have a- re- fpe^ for their own Likenefs : . tho they devour odiers^ yet they Ipare thoie of their own kind : but Men are fo degenerate as to be moft cruel againft their Brethren. Thefe ar^^ fcine of the Evils that proceed ftoai Sin as their natural Caufe. And from hence 'tis evident, that Sin makes Men miferable, wxre there no Hell of Torment to receive them in the next State.
Secondly s
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 55
Sf
Secondly 5 I will confider the Evils confequent tQ Sin, as the Penal Effeds oi the Sentence ngainft Sin ; of Divine Juftice that decrees it, and Divine Power that inflids it : and in thefe the Sinner is often an active Inftrument of his own Mifery.
I . The Fall of the Angels is tJhe firft and moft terrible Punifhment of Sin. God Jpared not the Angch that finned^ hut cafl them down to Hdl^ rejer^^ed in Chains cf Ddrhiafs to Judgment, How arc they fallen ? from what height of Glory and Felicity into boctomlefs Perdition ? How are they continually rack'd and tormented with the Remem- brance of their loft Happinefs ? If a thoufand of the prime Nobility of a Nation were executed in a day, by the Sentence of a righte- ous King, w^e (hould conclude their Crimes to be atrocious : innumera- ble Angels, dignified wtth the Titles of «? E 4 Vomi-
5^
SERMON II.
'Dominions and Tnrapalities^ were ex- peU'd from Heaven, their na ive Seat, and the Sandtuary of Life, and are dead to all the joyful Ope- rations of the intelledual Nature, and only alive to Everlafting Pain.
One Sin of Pride or Envy jbrought this terrible Vengeance ; from whence we may infer, how pro- voking Sin is to the holy God. We read of King U:^:^ahy that upon his Trefmnption to offer Jnccnfe, he was jlrnck with a Leprojy^ and the ^riefls thrufl htm out^ and him j elf hafled to g9 out of the Temple : a Repre fen ration of the Punifliment of the Angels : by Prefumption they were ftruck with a Leprofy, and juftly expelled from the Celdtial Temple j and not being able to fuftain the Terrors of the Divine Majefty, they fled from his Pre(ence. 'Tis faid, ^od cajl them down^ and they left thir own Habitation^
2. Con-
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 57
2. Confider the Penal EfFeds of Sin with refpedl to Man. They are comprehended in the Sentence of Death, the firft and fecond Death, threatened to deter Jdam from tranlgreffing the Law.
In the firft Creation Man while innocent was immortal : for altho his Body was compounded of jar- ring Elements, that had a natural Tendency to Diffoludon, yet the Soul was endowed with fuch Ver- tue, as to imbalm the Body alive, and to preferve it from the leaft degree of Putrefad:ion. But wh'.^n Man by his voluntary Sin was fepa- rated from the Fotoitain of Ltfe^ the Soul loft its derivative Life from God, and the active Life infufed by its Union into the Body, It cannot preferve the natural Life beyond its limited Term, A righ- teous Retaliation. Thus the Apo- ftle tells us, Sm came into the Worldy and Death by Shh Even Infants who
never
58
v-SLMvam*
SERMON R
never committed Sin, die, having been conceived in Sin. And Death brought in its Retinue Evils fo nu- merous and various, that their kinds are more than words to name and diftinguifh them. Man that is horn of a Woman, is of few days, and full of Trouble : at his Bit th he enters into a Labyrinth of Thorns, this mi- ferable World, and his Life is a continual turning in it: he cannot efcape being fometimes prick 'd and torn ,' and at going out of it, his Soul is rent front the Embraces of the Body. 'Tis as poffible to tell the number of the Waves in a tem- peftuous Sea, as to recount all the tormenting Paflions of the Soul, all the Difeafes of the Body, which far exceed in number all the unhap- py Parts wherein they are (eated. What an afflicting. Objedt would it be, to hear all the mournful Lamen- tations, all the piercing Complaints, all the deep Groans from the mife-
^ rable
On Gen* xxxix. 9. 59
rable in this prefcnt State ? What a pro(pe6t of Terror, to fee Death in its various Shapes, by Famine, by Fire, by Sword, and by wafting or painful Difeafcs, triumphant o- vcr all Mankind ? What a fight of Woe, to have all the Graves and Charnel'houfes open'd, and to ma- ny loathfom Carcafes, or heaps of dry naked Bones, the Trophies of Death, expos'd to view ? Such are the affliding and the deftrudlivc Effeds of Sin. For Wkkc due fs hums as a Fire ; tt devours the Sriars and Tf)orm,
Befides other Mileries in this Life, fometimes the Tenors of an accu- fing Confcience feize upon Men, which of all Evils are moft heavy and overwhelming. Sokmon who underftood the Frame of Humane Nature, tells us. The Spirit of a Man can bear his Infirmity : that is, the Mind fortified by Principles of mo- ral Covinfel and Conftancy, can en- dure
6o SERMON II
dure the Affault of external Evils : hut a 'bounded Spirit %vho can beari This is mod infupportable when the Sting and Remorfe of the Mind is from the Senfe of Guilt : for then God appears an Enemy righteous and fevere ; and who can encounter with offended Omnipotence ? Such is the fharpncfs of his Sword, and the weight of his Hand, that every Stroke is deadly inward. Satan the cruel Enemy of Souls, exafperates the Wound. He difcovers and charges Sin upon the Confcience, with all its killing Aggravations, and conceals the Divine Mercy, the only Lenitive and healing Balm to the wounded Spirit. What Vifions of Horror, what Sped:acles of Fear, what Scenes of Sorrow are prelen- ted to the diftraded Mind by the Prince of Darknefs ? And which heightens the Mifery, Man is a worft Enemy to himfelf than Sa- tan : he falls upon his own Sword,
and
On Gen. xxxix. g. 6 1 \
and deftroys himfelf. Whatever he fees oi hears, afflids him ; whatever he thinksjtorments him. The guilty Confcience turns the Sun into Dark- ncjs^ and the Moon into 'Blood : the precious Promi(cs of the Gofpe!, that alTure Favoar and Pardon to returning and relenting Sinners, are turn'd into Arguments of Defpair, by reflediing upon the abufe and provocation of Mercy, and that the Advocate in God's Boibm is become the Acculer. Doleful State! be- yond the Conception of all, but thofe who are plung'd into it. How often do they run to the Grave ^
for Sand^uary, and feek for Death H:^^'^
as a Deliverance ? ^'^
Yet all thefe Anxieties and Ter- rors are but the beginning of Sor- rows : for the full and terrible Re- compences of Sin fliall follow the Eternal Judgment pronounced a- gainft the Wicked at the lad Day. 'Tis true, the Sentence of the Law
is
62 SERMON II.
is pad againfl: the Sinner in this pre- fent State, and Temporal Evils are the EfFeds of it . but that Sentence is revokable : at Death the Sentence is ratified by the Judg upon every impenitent Sinner^ 'tis decifive of his State, and involves him under Puniflhment for ever : But the fuU Execution of Judgment fhall not . be till the publick general Sentence pronounc'd by the everlafting Judg^ before the whole World. It ex- ceeds the compafs of created Thoughts to underftand fully the direful Effeds of Sin in the Eternal State : For who knows the Tower of God*s Wrath? The Scripture repre- fents the Punifliment in Expreffions, that may inflru6t the Mind, and terrify the Imagination : that may w^ork upon the Principles of Rea- Ibn and Senie, by which Men are naturally and ftrongly moved.
I . Sinners flball be excluded from Communion with the bleflcd God'
in
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 63
in Heaven, In it>hoJc Trejmce is Ful- nefs of Joy^ and at whoje ^ight-hand are Tleafures for eVermore, In the clear and transforming Vifion of his Glory, and the intimate and in- diflolvable Union with him by Love, confifts the Perfedion and Satisfaiftion of the immortal Soul. The Felicity relulting from it, is fo entire and eternal, as God is great and true, who has fb often promis'd it to his Saints. Now Sin fcparates loft Souls for ever from the revi- ving Prefence of God. Who can declare the Extent and Degrees of that Evil ? for an Evil rifcs in pro- portion to the Good of which ic deprives us : it muft therefore fol- low, that Celeftial BlejOTednefs be- ing tranfcendent, the Exclufion from it is proportionably evil : And as the Felicity of the Saints rcfults both from the dire(5l Pofle/Son of Heaven, and from comparilbn with ; the contrary State: fo the Mifery
of
64 SERMON U.
of the Damned arifes, both from the Thoughts of loft Happinellsj and from the lafting Pain that tor- ments them.
But it may be replied, If this be the utmoft Evil that is conlequent to Sin, the threatning of it is not likely to deter but few from pleafing their corrupt Appetites : for carnal Men have fuch grofc Apprehen- fions, and vitiated Affedlions, that they are careleis of Spiritual Glory and Joy. They cannot tajle and fee how good the Lord is : nay, the Di- vine Prelence would be a Torment to them : For as Light is the moft pleafanc Quality in the World to the found Eye, fo 'tis very afflid- ing and painful to the Eye when corrupted by a SufFufion of Hu- mours.
To this a clear Anfwer may be given : In the next State where the Wicked fhall for ever be withouc rhofe feniual Objeds which here de^
v«eivci
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 65
ceive and delight them, their Ap- prehenfions will be^hanged; they Ihall underftand what a Happinefs the Fruition of the blelTed God is, and what a Mifery to be uncapable of enjoying him, and expell'd from the Celeftial Paradile. Our Savi- our tells the Infidel Jews, There P?all be wcepinv and gnafhing of Teeth^ ^^'^^ ^^• when ye fljdll Jee Ahr^iha.i'n^ W Ifaac, and Jacob, and all the Trophets in the Kingdom of ^od^ and yon your fflVes pmt out. How will they pine with Envy at the fight of that Trium- phant Felicity of which they (liall never be -Partakers ? Depart from me^ will be as terrible a pare of the Judgment, as Eternal Fire.
1. God's Juftice is not fatisfied in depriving them of Heaven, but inflidts the molt heavy Punifhment upon Sen(e and Confcienee in the Damned : for as the Soul and Body in their State of "Union in tliis Life, were both guilty, the one as the F Guide,'
66 SERMON II.
Guide, the other as the Inftrument of Sin ; fo 'tis equal, w^ en re-uaicedi, they fliould feel the Penal Efefts of it. The Scripture reprelenrs both to our Capacity, by the Worm thatnel^-*er diesy and the Fire that fhall nel^er he (Quenched : ^ni by the dejlroyhig of ^ody and Soul in Hell Fire, Sinners fhall then be tormented, wherein they were moft dehghted : they iliall be iavcfted with thole Objexl^s, that will caufe the moft dolorous Perceptions in their fenfitive Facul- ties. The Lake of Fire and %'imflond^ the Siacknefs of Darknefs^ are words of a terrible Signification, and in- tended to awaken Sinners to fly from the Wrath to come. But no words can fully reveal the terrible Ingre- dients of their Mifery : the Puniili- raent will be in proportion to the Glory of God's Majefiy that is diilibnour'd and provoked by Sin, and extent of his Power. And as the Soul was the Principal, and the
Body
On Gen, xxxix. 9. 6y
Body but: an Acceflary ia the Works of Sin,- fo its capacious Faculties will be far more tormented, than the more limited Faculties of the outward Senfes. The fiery Attri- butes of God (liall be tranfmitted through the Cjlafs of Conlcience, and concentered upon damned Spi- rits : the Fire without them is noc (o tormenting as this Fire within them. How will the tormenting Paffions be inflatxi'd ? What Ran- cor, Relud:ance and Rage againft the Power above that Icntenc'd them to Hell ? What Impatience and Indignation againfl thcmlelves for their wilful Sins, the juft Caufe of it ? How will they curfe their Creation, and wifh their utter Ex- tin(5lion, as the final Remedy of their Mifery ? But all their ardent Wiflies are in vain : for the Guilt of Sin will never be expiated, nor God fo far reconcil'd as to annihilate them. As long as there is Juftice F 1 in
68 SERMON II.
in Heaven, and Fire in Hell, ss long as God and Eternity (hall continue, they muft fufFer thele Torments, which the Strength and Patience of an Angel cannot bear one hour. From hence we may infer, what an inconceiveable Evil there is in Sin, and how hateful it is to the moil High, when God who is Loye, who is jiiled the Father of Me}xiesj has prepared and does in- flidl fuch Plagues for ever for the TranlgrtfTion of his holy Laws ; ^nd fuch is the Equity of his Judg- ment, that he never puniflies Offen- ders above their Defert.
I fliall now apply this Do6lrine, by refledling the Light of it upon our Minds and Hearts.
1. This diicovers how perverfe and depraved the Minds and Wills of Men are, to chuje Sin rather than JffliFiion^ and break the Divine Law for the obtaining Temporal Things.
If
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 6(^
If one with an attentive Eve re- gards the generality of Mankind, what Dominion prefentand fcnfible Things have over them, how fe- curely and habitually they fin in prolecution of their Carnal Aims, as if the Soul fhould not furvive the Body, as if there were no Tribu- nal above to examine, no Judg to fentence and punifli Sinners ; if he has not Marble Bowels, it will ex- cite hisCompaffion or Indignation. What Com pari fon is there between the good Things of this World, and of the next in Degrees or Du- ration ? Aiery Honour, Senfual Plea- fures, and Worldly Riches, are but the thin Appearances of Happinels, Shadows in M^ifquerade, that can- not afford folid Content to an im- mortal Spirit : the Bleffednefs of Heaven repleniflics with everlafting Satisfad:ion. What Proportion is (here between the I'l^ht andniomcntary jffliciions here^ and a vaft Eternity
F 3 /;//;/
yo " SERMON U.
Jill'd mth Indignation and Wrath, Tr'thu- latwn and JnguiJJ?, and dcjperate Sor- row^ What ftupid Bead, what Monfter of a Man, would prefer a fuperficial tranlient Delight, the Pleailire of a fiiorc Dream, before ever-latisfying Joys ? Or to avoid a flight Evil, venture upon Deftrudti- on ? Yet this is the true Cafe of Sinners : if they can obtain the World with the lois of Heaven, they count it a valuable Purehafej if they can compound fo, as to efcape Temporal Troubles, tho in- volved under Guilt that brings ex- tream and eternal Miiery, they think it a faving Bargain. Ama- zing Folly! Either they believe or diO not, the Recompences in the fumre State: if they do not, how unaccountable is their Impiety ? if they do, 'tis more prodigious they do nor feel the fowm of the World to come, (b as to regulate their Lives, And controul the ftrongeft Tempta- tions
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 71
tions to fin againfl: God. A wicked Believer is more guilty than a wic- ked Infidel. How could we con- ceive it pofiible, were it not vifible in their Adlions, that Men who have judicative Fr.culcies to compare and di;linguifli things, and accor- dingly be moved wich Defires or Fears, fliould wich ardent AfFedi- ons purfiiedelpicible Vanities, and negledt fubllantiai Happinefs, and be fearful of the Shadows of Dan- gers, and iitrepid in the midft of the trued Dangers ! He is a defpe- rate Gamefter that will venture a Crown at a Throw, agAinft fome petty Advantage: yet this is really done by Sinners who hazard the lofs of Hea.ven for this World : they hang by flender Strings, a little Breath that expires every moment, over bottomlefs Perdition, and are infenfible, without any palpitation of Heart, any fign of Fear.
F 4 How
72 SERMON II.
How ftrong is the Delufion and Conciipifcence of the carnally- minded ? The Lufts of the Flerti bribe and corrupt their Underftand- ings, or divert them from (erious Confideration of their Ways, and the liTues of them. From hence it is they are pre(ently entangled and vanquifliM by fenfual Temptations ; they are cozen'd by the Colours of Good and Evil, and Satan eafily accomplifhes his moft pernicious and envious Defign, to make Men miferable as himfelf. How juftis the Reproach of Wildom, How long )'e f^ynple ones mil ye IoVg Simplicity.^ and Fools bate 'J^iioU'leJg 5* The Light of Rcafon and Revelation fhines upon 'them, they have not the ex- cufe of Ignorance, but the righteous and heavy Condemnation of thofe who lo'Ve Darknefs rather than Lightj be- caufc their Deeds are eViL 'Tis no mean degree of Guilt to extenuate Sin^ and make an Apology for Sin- ners.
On G
en. xxxix.
75
ners. The vvifefl: of Men cells us, Fools make a mock of Sift : they count it a fond Nicenefs, a filly Precife- nels to be fearful of offending God. They boaft of their deceitful Arts and Infinuations, whereby they re- prcfent Sin as a light matter, to cor- rupt others. But 'tis infinitely bet- ter to be defedlive in the Subtilty of the Serpent, than in the Innocence of the Dove. A meer Natural, who is only capable of fenfitive Actions, and is diftinouifli'd from a Brute by his fhape, is not fuch a forlorn Sot, as the linful Fool. What the Prophet Jcrc)?iy fpeaks of one who gees Riches unjullly, that he fliall leave them, and in the end die a Fool, will be verified of the wilful obftinate Sinner : in the end he fliall by the terrible Convi(5lion of his own Mind, be found guilty of the molT; woful Folly : and how many have acknowledged in their Lift hours, when ufually Men fpeak
with
74 SERMON H.
with th( mod feeling and leaft Affectation, how have they in words of the Pfalmift arraigned them(clves, So foolijh haVe we bee/iy and like 'Seajls before the ^
1. From hence we may be in- ftruded of the wonderful Patience of God, who bears with a World of Sinners, that are obnoxious to his Juftice, and under his Power every day. If we confider the number and aggravations of Mens Sins, how many have out-told the Hairs of their Heads in actual Tranfgreflions ,• how mighty and manifeft their Sins are, that the Deity and Providence are que- ftioned for the fulpending of Ven- geance ? And yet that God notwith- ftanding all their enormous Inju- ries, and violent Provocations, is patient towards Sinners, it cannot but fill us with Admiration. His Mercy, like tke cheerful Light of the Sun, vifits us every Morning with
its
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 75
its benign Influences; his Juftice, like Thunder, rarely ftrikes the Wicked. He affords not only the Supports of Life, but many Com- forts and Refrefliments to the un- thankful and rebellious.
'Tis not from any Defed in his Power that they are not confum'd, but from the Abundance of his Mercy. He made the World with- out any ftrain of his Power, and can as eafily deftroy it : he has an innumerable Company of Angels attending his Commands,- and eve- ry Angel is an Army in ftrength : one of them deftroyed an hundred and foLirfcore and five thoufand in a Ni^ht. He can ule the moft de- fpicable and weakeft Creatures, Frogs, and Lice, and Flies, as Inftru- ments of Vengeance to {libdue the proudcfl: Vharaoh^ the moft obfti- :^
nate Rebels He fees Sin where- ^
ever it is, and hates it where-ever he fees it 5 yet his Patience endures
their
76
SERMON 11.
their crying Sins, and his long-SufFe- ing experts their Repentance. 7he Lord is not jldckj as jome Men count flachiejsy but he is long-fuffermg to m- Wdrdy notyi)iUing that any Jhould penj}>y hut that all jhould come to Repentance. He fpares Sinners with fuch Indulgence, in order to their Salvation. 'Tis defervedly one of his Royal Tides, Tl^e God of Tatience. Our fierce Spi- rits are apt to take Fire and Revenge for every Injury real, or fuppos'd ; but the great God, who is infinite- ly lenfible of all the Indignities offer'd to his Majefty, defers his An- ger ^ and loads them Knth his benefits el'ery day. What is more afton idl- ing than the ^ches of his Goodnefs^ unlefs it be the perverfe Abufe of it by Sinners, to harden themfelves in their Impieties ? But altho his Clemency delays the Punifhment, the Sacrednefs and Conftancy of his Juftice will not forget it : iphen patience kis had its perfect workj Juftice
fiiall
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 77
fhall have a folemn Triumph in the final Dcftrncftion of impenitent unreformed Sinners.
}. The Coniideracion of the Evil of Sin, lo great in it felf, and pernicious to us, heightens our Ob- ligations to the Divine Mercy, in Hiving m from our Sins, and an ever- lafting Hell, thejuft Puniflimentof them. Our Lofs was unvaluable, our Mifery extream, and wichou: infinite Mercy, we had been under an unremediable neceffity of fin- ning and fiifi^ering for ever. God faw us in this wretched and delpc- rate State, and his Eye affected his Hearty in his ^ity he redeejiied and re- ftored us. This is the cleareil Teftimony of pure Goodneis : for God did not want external Glory, who is infinitely happy in his own Perfedlions : he could, when Man revoked from his Duty, have crea- ted a new World of innocent Crea- tures : for infinite Power is not
fpent ■
78 SERMON II.
f ._
fpent nor leffened by finite Pro- du6lions, but his unde(erved and undefired Mercy appeared in our Salvation. The way of accom- plifliing it, renders Mercy imoiie il- luftrious : for to glorify his Juftice, and preferve the Honour: pf his Holinels unblcmilTi'd, he laidiipon- his Son the Inicjuity of us all. This was Love that pafleth all Under- ftanding : Our Saviour fpeaks of it with Admiration ; God Jo loVed the Worlds and hated Sin, that he gave his only begotten Son to die for it ; that IbhoJoeVer helteVes in hiniy p)ould not perijDy hut haVe eVerlaftifi^ Life, And how dear are r _ Hngkgc- fpnents to Jefus Chri'" . The Judg would not rel^f^ ' le Guilty with- out a Ranfbm, nor the Surety with- out Satisfaction^ and the Son of God moft compaffionately and wil^ lingly gave his precious Blood tO: obtain our Deliverance. If his* Perfeditions were not moft amiable
and
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 79
and ravifhing, yec that he died for us, ihould infinitely endear him to us. To thoje who bdieyCj he is pre^ cioiis: to thofe who have feic their undone Condition, and that by his Merits and Mediation, are reftored to the Favour of Gocl* he is emi- nerKly precious. Who can break the Conjh'-amts of fuch LoVe ^ If there be a fpark of Reafon, or a grain of unfeigned Faith in us, We mtijl judg^ that if one Sie^for all^ then all ipere dead ; and thofe that liVe, fhould liVe to his ^loryy who died for their S ah at ion.
Add to this, that in the Suffer- ings of Chrift there is the cleared -^ Demonftration of the Evil of Sin, and how hateful |6K is to God, if we confider the Dignity of his Perfon, the Grcatnefs of his Suffer- ings, and the innocent Recoilings of his Human Nature from fuch fearful Sufferings. He was the Eternal Son of God, the Heir of
his
^i
8o SEPiMON II.
his Father's Love and Glory, the Lord of Angels; he fuffered in his Body the mod ignominious and painful Death, being nail'd to the Crofs ill the fight of the World : The Sufferings of his Soul were inconnparably more affliding : For tho heavenly meek, he endured the Dcrifon and cruel Y<'olence of his Enemies with a filent Patience ; yet in the dark Ecliple of his Father's Countenance, in the defolate ftate of his Soul, the Lamh of God opened hts Month in that mournful Com- plaint, My God^ 7ny Gody Avhy haft tbon forjakeii me ? His innocent Na- ture did lb recoil from thofe fear- ful Sufferings, that with repeated Ardency of Affedion, he depre- cated that bitter Cup 5 Jbba, fa- ihe}\ all th'mp are fojfible to Thee ^ let this Cup pafs me: He addrefs'd to the Divine Power and Love, the Attributes that relieve the Mifc-rable, yet he drank off the
Dregs
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 81
Dregs of the Cup of God's Wrath. Now we may from hence con- clude, how great an Evil Sin is, that could not be expiated by a meaner Sacrifice, than the offering up the Soul of Chrift to atone incenfed Juftice ,• and no lower a Price, than the Blood of the Son of God, the mod unvaluable Treafure, could ranfom Men who were devoted to Deftrud:ion.
4. The Confidcration of the Evil of Sin in it (elf and to us, fhould excite us with a holy Cir- cumfpe^lion to keep our lelves from being defiled with ic. Tis our in- difpen fable Duty, our tranfcendenc Intereft to obey the Divine Law entirely and conftantly. The Temp- ter cannot prefentany Motives, that to a rectified Mind are fufficient to induce a Con(ent to Sin, and offend God. Let the Scales be even, and put into one all the Delights of the Senfes, all the Pleafures and Ho- G nours
82 SERMON 11.
nours of the World, which arc the Elements oF Carnal Felicity, how light are they again ft the Enjoy- ment of the blefled God in Glory ? Will the Gain of this perifhing World, compenfate the lols of the Soul and Salvation for ever? If there were any poffible Compari- fon between empty deluding Vani- ties, and Celeftial Happinefi, th^ Choice would be more difficult, and the Miftake lefs culpable ; but they vaniHi into nothing in the Comparifon; fo that to commie the leaft Sin that makes us liable to the forfeiture of Heaven, for the ^leafures of sSin that are hut for a fcajouy is Madnefs in that degree, that no w^ords can exprels. Sup- pole the Tempter infpires his Rage into his Slaves, and tries to con- ftrain us to Sin by Perfecutian ; how unreafonable is it to be dif- mayed at the Threatnings of Men, who mujl diey and who can only
touch
On Qe^i. xxxix. 9. S ^
touch the Body ; and to defpife the Tenors of the Lordy who lives for ever, and can punifli for ever ? Me- thinks we fliould look upon the perverted raging World, as a Swarm of angry Flies, that may dilquiec, but cannot hurt us, Socrates, when unrighteoufly profecuted to Death, faid of his Enemies, with a Courage becoming the Bread of a Chriftian, They may kill me, hut cannot hurt 7?ie» How fhould thefe Confiderations raife in us an invincible Refolution and Relu6tancy againft the Temp- tet, in all his Approaches and Ad- drefles to us r Jnd that we may fo rcfijl hmi, as to iaii/e his flight from u5y let us imitate the excellent Saint, whole Example is fet before us.
(i.) By polteffing the Soul with a lively and folemn Senle of God's Pretence, who is the Infpe6lorand Jiidg of all our Actions* Jofefih repelrd the Tempcarion with this G a power-
84 SERMON II.
powerful Thought, How flmll J fin a^ainjl yod ? The Fear of the Lord is clean ; 'tis a watchful Sentinel, that refifts Temptations without, and ftippreffes Corruptions within : 'Tis like the Cherubim plac'd with a flaming Sword in Paradife, to pre- vent the Pve-entry of Jda}?i when guilcy and polluted. For this end we mufl:, by frequent and ferious Confiderations, reprelent the Di- vine Being and Glory in our Minds, that there m.ay be a gracious Con- ftirution of Soul,- this will be our Prefervative from Sin : for altho the habitual Thoughts of God are not always in ad, yet upon a Temptation they are prefently ex- cited, and appear in the view of Confcience, and are effedual to make us reject the Tempter with Defiance and Indignation.
This holy Fear is not a meer ju- dicial Impreffion, that reftrains from Site, fir the dreadful Punifhment •^■7c^ that
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 85
that follows ,• for that levvile Af- fedion, the ic may flop a Tempta- tion, and hinder the Eruption of a Luft into the grols Adl:, yet it does not renew the Nature, and make us Holy and Heavenly. There may be a refped:ive Diflike of Sin with a dired Affedion to it. Be- fides, a meer fervile Fear is repug- nant to Nature, and will be ex- pell'd if poffible. Therefore, that we may he In the Fear of the Lord all the day long^ we muft regard him in his endearing Attributes, his Love, his Goodnefs and Compaffion, his rewarding Mercy ,• and this will produce a filial Fear of Reverence and Caution, left we fhould offend fo Gracious a Cjod. As the na- rural Life is preferved by grateful Food, not by Aloes and Worm- wood, which are uleful Medicines; fo the Spiritual Life is maintained by the comfortable x\pprehenfions of God, as the Rewarder of our G J Fidelity
U SERMON a
Fidelity in all our Trials.
(2.) Strip Sin of its Difguifes, wafh off its flattering Colours, that you may fee its native Uglinefs. Jo- fph^s reply to the Tempter, How fhall 1 do this great WickeJmfs ^ Illufion and Concupilcence are the Inducements to Sin : When a Luft reprefents the Temptation as very alluring, and hinders the Reflection of the Mind, ypon the intrinfick and confequen- tial Evil of Sin, 'tis like the putting Poifon into the Glafs : but when it has fo far corrupted the Mind, that Sin is eflieemed a fmall Evil, Poifon is thrown into the Foun- tain. If we confider the Majefl:y of the Lawgiver, there is no Law fmall, nor Sin fmall, that is the Tranfgrenioa of it. Yet the moft are tecure in an evil courfe, by Con^ ^eits that their Sins are Imall. "^ Tis true, thvFC is a vaft difference be^ tvveen Sins in their Nature and Circumftances i there areinfenfible
Omiffi-
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 87
Omiffions and accufing Ads, biic the leaft is damnable, Befides, the allowance and number of Sins re- puted fmall, will involve under intolerable Guilt. What is Ijphter than a Grain of Sand ? you may blow away a hundred with a Breath ^ And what is heavier than a heap of Sand condens d together ? 'Tis our Wifdom and Duty to confider the Evil of Sin in its eflential Malig- r^ity, which implies no Icfs, than ihzt God was neither wife nor good in making his Law, and that he is not juft and powerful to vindi- cate it : And wlien tempted to any pleafanc Sin, to confider the due Aggravations of it, as 'jofeiih did, which will controul the Efficacy of the Temptation. I fliall only add, that when a Man has morti- ficd the Lufts of the Flefh, he has overcome the main part of the in- fernal Army thitt wars ngainjl the Soul, Senfual Objcdls do po.wet- G 4 fully
88 SERMON II.
fully and plcafantly infinuate into carnal Men, and the AfFedions are very unwillingly reftrain'd froni them. To undertake the Cure of thofe, whofe Difeafe is their Plea- fure, is almoft a vain Attempt : for they do not judg it an Evil to be regarded, and will not accept di- ftafteful Remedies.
(j.) Fly all tempting occafions of Sin, jofeph would not be alone 'with his Miftrefs. There is no Vertue fo confirmed, and in that degree of Eminence, but if one be frequently ingaged in vicious So- ciety, 'tis in danger of being e- clips'd and controulM by the op- pofite Vice. If the Ermins will aflbciate with the Swine, theynnuft lie in the Mire : if the Sheep with Wolves, they muft Ifarn to bite and devour : if Doves with Vul- tures, they muft learn to live on the Prey. Our fureft Guard is to keep ap a diftance from all engaging
Snares.
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 89
Snares. He that from Carelefnefs or Conficlence venaires into Temp- tations, makes himfelf an eafy Prey to the Tempter.
And let us daily pray for the Di- vine A/Iiftance to keep us from the Evil of the World • without which all our Refolutions will be as in- effectual as Ropes of Sand, to bind us to our Duty.
5. The Confideration of the tvil of Sin is a powerful Motive to our folemn and ipeedy Repentance. The remembrance of our Original and Acftual Sins, will convince us, that we are born for Repentance. There are innumerable filent Sins, that are unobferved, and do not alarm the Conlcience : and altho a true Saint will neither hide any Sin, nor fuffer Sin to hide it lelf in his Bread, yet the moft holy Men in the World, have great reafon with the Pfalmift, to (ay with mel- ting Affections, V/ho can underjhind
his
90 SMKMON 11.
his Errors^ 0 cleanfe me from my fe- cret Sins ; difcover them to me by the Light of the Word, and cover them in the Blood of the Re- deemer. There are Sins of Infir- mity and daily Incurfion, from which none can be perfectly freed in this mortal State; thefe ftiould excite our Watchfulnefs, and be lamented with true Tears. There are crying Sins of a Crimfon Guile, which are to be confeft with heart' breaking Sorrow, confoun4fr. ing Shame, and implacable Anti- pathy againft them, and to be for- iaken for ever. Of thefe, fome are of a deep die in their Nature, and fome from the Circumftances in committing them ,• fome are of a heinous Nature, and more diredly and exprefly renounce our Duty, and more immediately obftrudl otir Communion with God : As a Mud -Wall intercepts the Light of the Sun from fliining upon us.
2. Some
On Gen. KXKixiio, 91
^ i| V. ^—
1. Some derive a greater Guilt from the Circumftances in the commiffi- on. Such are,
(ij Sins againft Knowledg: for according to the Ingrediency of the Will in Sin, the Guilt arife. Now when Confcicnce interpofes between the Carnal Heart and the Temptation, and rcprefents the Evil of Sin, and deters from Com- pliance, and yet Men will venture to break the Divine Law, this ex- ceedingly aggravates the Offence ; for fuch Sins are committed with a fuller Confcnt, and are juftly called Rebellion againft the Light. And the clearer the Light is, the more it will increafe the difconfolate fearful Darknefs in Hell.
(1.) Sins committed againft the Love as well as the Law of God, are exceedingly aggravated. To pervert the Benefits we receive from God to his Difhonour, to turn them into occafions of Sin, which were
defigned
SERMON IL
defigned to endear Obedience to us ;r to fin licentioufly and fecurely in hopes of an eafy Pardon at laft^ is intenfive oF our Guilt in a high degree. This is to poi(bn the An- tidote, and make it deadly. There is a Sacrifice to reconcile offended Juftice; but if Men obftinately continue in Sin, and abufe the Grace of the Gofpel, there is no Sacri^ fice to appeafe exafperated Mercy..:: (j.) Sins committed againft (b- lemn Promifes and Engagements to forfake them, have a deeper Die : for Perfidioufnefs is join'd with this Difobedience. The Divine Law ftridly binds us to our Duty, ante- cedently to our Confent ,♦ bilt when we promife to obey it, we increafe our •Obligation's, and by finning, break double Chains. In fhorc, any h.i'birual, allowed Sin, induces a hea\?y- Guilt ; for it argues a deeper root' and foundation of Sin in the Heart, a ftronger Inclination to it, ijjiigUjiJ from
On Gen. xxxix. 9. 95
from whence the repeated Adls pro- ceed, which are new Provocations to the pure Eyes of God. Accord- ingly in repenting Reflections, our Sorrow fliould be mofl: affliding, our Humiliation deeper, our Self- condemnation moft fevere for thole Sins w^hich have been mod diflio- nourable to God, and defiling to us. Not that we can make any Satif- fadion for our Sins, tho we fliould fill the Air with our Sighs, and Hea- ven with our Tears 5 but it becomes us to have our Sorrows inlaiged in fome proportion to our Unworthi- neG. And this mournful Dilpofiti- on prepares us for the Grace ot God. The Law does not allow Repen- tance, but exads entire Obedience : 'tis the Privilege of the Golpel, that repenting Sinners are aflur'd of For- givenefs : without this Qirilification 'tis inconfiftent with the Majefty, Purity and Juftice of God, to extend pardoning Mercy to Sinners: for
thev
94 SERMON II.
they will nev€t value, nor humbly and ardently feek for Mercy, till they feel the Wdful Effedls of Sin in their Confcience ; only the ftung Jfraelite Would look to the brazen Serpent. And this is requifite to prevent our relapfing into Sin : fot the Dominion of Sin being founded in the Love of Pleafure, the proper means to extinguifh, it is by a bitter Repentance : the Heart is firft bro- ken for Sin, and then from it.
To conclude ; Let us renew ouf Repentance every day : let not the Wounds of our Spirits putrify : kt not the Sun go Swn upon God's Wrath : let us always renew the Application of Chrift's Blood that alone can clean fe us from Sin.
-in T -r I", I! J.;
s£^R.
95
SERMON III.
I John v. 2.
!By this we know we are the Children of God, if we loVe Gody and keep his Commandments,
OF all the Marks that are u(e- ful in the Trial of our Spi- ritual State in reference to Eternity, there is none affords a more clear and comfortable Affurance of God's fpecial and faving Mercy, than Love to the Saints. This has often re- folved the Doubts, and quieted the Fears of afflidted enquiring Souls, when other Graces have not been fo apprehenfible in their Operati- ons. But there is no Mark which the deceitful Heart does more fe-
curely
96
SERMON III.
curely reft upon, through the mif- take of Natural Human Love for that which is Spiritual and Divine : It is therefore moft worthy our le- rious Thoughts^ the Deceit being fb eafy and infinitely dangerous, to fliew what is the unfeigned ge- nuine Love of the Brethren, to which Salvation is annex'd, to con- firm the humble fincere Chriftian, and undeceive prefuming Hypo- crites.
The great Defign of St»]ohn in this Epiftle, is to excite and en- flame in Chriftians the Love of God, and of their Brethren, the two comprehenfive Duties, and bright Sum of the Law, our principal Per- fections in Heaven, and Earth. Thefe he recommends by the moft affectionate and obliging, the moft warming, melting Perfwafives j the luperlative Love of God to us, and our Communion with the Saints in Nature and Grace.
In
On 1 ] on N V. 2. 97
In the former Verfe the Apoftle argues from the reality of che Effect, as an Evidence of the Caufe. rF/;o- eVer believes that Jefus is the Chrlfi^ that is, the Saviour of the World, foretold by the Prophets, and ex- prefies the Truth of that Faith in a futable Converfation, is born of God ^ and e^ery one that lo'Veth him that begat^ loVeth him al/o that is begotten of him, Grace is not le(s powerful in pro- ducing tender reciprocal Affections between theOff-lprlngof the fame Heavenly Father, than the fubor- dinate Endearments of Nature. The Pretence is vain of Love to God, without loving his rcgenc'- rate Children^ And in the Text ■he argues from the knowledg of the Caufc, to the difcovering of the fincerity of the EfFe<^ : 'By this 4ife know that we lo'Ve the Children of God^ with a holy Affedion, f we h^e Gody ani hep his Commandments,
H There
98-
SERMON III.
There is but one Difficulty to be removed, that the Force of the Apoftle's reafoning may appear ^ 'tis this, a Medium to prove a thing muft be a clearer Evidence than what is concluded by it : Now tho a Demonftration from the Caufe be more noble and fcientifical, yet that which is drawn from the Effect, is more near to Sen(e, and more difccrnable. And this is verified in the Inftance before us ; for the Love of God, who is ab(blurely fpiritual in his Being and Excellencies, doth not with that fenfible Fervour affed: and paffionately tranfport us, as Love to his Children, with whom we vifibly converle, and who are re- ceptive of the mofl fenfible Tefti- raonies of our AfTedtion. Accor- dingly the Apoftle argues, He that loVes not his brother whom he hathfeen, how can he lo'Ve God whom he hath not fcm^ As the Motives to love our Brethren, from our Co junction in
Nature,
_ • ■ - - — — - . ■ . ■ - -:- -- . I- ■ "l -
On I John v. 2* 99
Nature, and familiar Converfation, are more capable to allure our AfFedtions, and more fenfibly ftrike the Heart than the invifible Deity, who is infinitely above us ; by the lame reafon we may more eafily judg of the truth of our Love to them, than of our Love to God, To this the An(wer is clear ; the Apoftle doth not fpeak of the Love of God, as a ftill, filent, contem- ^
plative Affection, confined to the fuperiour Faculty of the Soul, but as a burning, fliining AfFedion (like Fire*) adive and declara- ^Lumlnf tive of it felf in thofe EfFeds that ^"' ^^«^- neceffarily flow from it, that isdhun^'< voluntary Obedience to his Com-^uo* mands ; and thus it becomes mani- feft to the renewed Confciende^ and is a moft convincing Proof of the Sincerity of our Love to the Saints.
The Text being cleared, affords this Doftrine*
H 1 Doa?.
loo SERMON m.
Doft. The Smerky of our LoVe to tht Children of Qod, k eertmly Sfcoyered hy our LoVe to God^ and Obediefice to Us Commands.
For the Ulullfatflon andPtoof of the Pointj I will briefly fliew,
I. Who -are ^eferibed 'by this Title, T^he CJnldren of God,
II. What is included in our Love to them.
JH, What the Love of God is, aod the Obedience th^t flows fyom it* ii .
rV. How fibm Lave to God, and willirig Obedience to his Conattiands, we may con-^ vincingly know the Sincerity of our Love to his OhiWren.
^' To explain the firft, we muft confider that this Titlcj The ChHdren
*f. ,'f-^- ■' - - - 7, --t - ■ ^
On t John v. 2. loi
-i iririMiT- -III II III ~ !■ ii««
of Gody Is giv^ fipori feve^al ac-
COUflftS.
Fir/i^ By Creation the Angels arc Galled the Sons of God, and Men
Tfee reafon of the Title is,
1. The manner of their Pro- diK^ion^ by his immediate Power. Thus he is ftiled, The Father of Spi- rits^ in diftindtvon from the Fathers
of the Flefh. For tho the Concep- > eioft and forming of the Body be the Work of his fecret ProA'idence, yet 'tis by the hand <rf Nature, the Parents concurring as the fecond Caufes of it : but the Produdliom of th^ Soul is to be entirely aferibed to his Power, without the Interven- ♦ tiori' of any Creature.
2. In their fpiritual immortal Nature, and the intellectual Ope- rations flowing from it, there is an Image and Reiemblance of God ; from whence this Title is common
H J to
,02 SERMON III
&
%
tp all reafonable Creatures, and pe- culiar to them : for tho Matter may be ordered and fafliioned by the Hand of God into a Figure of admirable Beauty, yet 'tis not ca- pable of his Liken efs and Image ; fo that neither the Lights of Hea- ven, nor the Beafts and Plants of the Earth are called his Children^
Secondly, By External Calling and Covenant fome are denomi- nated his Children; for by this Evangelical Conftitution God k pleafed to receive Believers into a filial Relation. Indeed where there is not a cordial Confent and Sub- jedion to the Terms of the Cove- nant, vifible Profeflion, and the receiving the External Seals of it, will be of no advantage ; but the publick lerioLis owning of the Go- Ipel, entitles ^ Perfon to be of the Sobriety of Chriftians ; and Film ^nd f(£c(eratus are all one.
Tl/irclly, I
On I John V. 2. 103
Thirdly^ There is Sonfliip chat a- ii(es from fupernatiiral Regenera- tion J that is the communicating a new Nature to Man, whereby there is a holy and blelTed Change in the dire(ttive and commanding Facul- ties, the Underftanding and Will, and in the Affcdions, and confe- quently in the whole Life. This is wrought by the Efficacy of the Word and Spirit, and is called. by our Saviour Regeneration, becaule it is not our Original Carnal Birth, but a Second and Celeftial. 'Tis with the new Man in Grace, as with an Infant in Nature, that has the efiential Parts that compole a Man ; a Soul endowed with ail its Faculties, a Body with all its Organs and Parts, but not in the Vigor of mature Age. Thus re- newed Holinefs in a Chriftian, is compleat and entire in its Parts, but not in Perfev5lion of Degrees ; there js an univerfal Inclination to H 4 all
I04 SERMON III,
all that is holy, juft and good, and a univerfal Averfion from Sin, tho the Executive Power be not equal. And regenerate Chriftians are ttuly called the Children of God ; for as in Natural Generation there is corn- rnunicated a Principle of Life and futable Operations, from vvhence the Title and Relation of a Father arifes ; {b in Regeneration there are derived fuch holy and heavenly Qualities to the Soul, as confticute a DfWie Kature in Man, whereby he is Partaker of the Life ^nd Likeriejs of God himfelf : from hedce he is a Child of God, and has an Intereft and Propriety in his Favour, Power and Promiles, and all the Good that flows from them, and a Title to the Eternal Inheritance.
IL I will flieit what is included in our Love to the Children of God.
Ftrft,
On i John v. 2. 105
Ptrfly Tfee PrtnGi'j)le of this LoVe is Divine. 7he Soul is purified thresh i Pct. i. the Spirit to unfeigned LoVe of th ^2« ^rethfm. Naturally the Judgment is corrupted, arid the Will depraved, chat Gafnal Refpe6^S eithet of Pro- fit or Pleafure are the quick afid fenfible Incitements of Love; and till the Soul be- c»r#d of tb6 feni- fual Contagion, the Inclinatidn can riever be dircd"ted, and the DefireS faftned on the fupernatu- ral Image of God in his Saints^ As Holincfs in the Creature is a Ray derived from the infinite Beauty of God's Holinefs, fo the Love of Holinefs is a Spark from the fa- cred Fire of his Love. St. John ex- horts Chriftians, Let m loVe one am- ' ■' "*' thcr^ for LoVc is of Qod. Natural Love among Men is by his gene- ral Providence, but a gracious Love to the Saints is by his fpecial Influ- ertce. The natural AfFedlion muft be hdpti:^d with the Holy Ghojl^ as
ipith
io6 SERMON III
with FirCy to refine it to a Divine Purity.
Secondly^ The Qualifications of this Love are as follow :
I. It is fincere and cordial; it does not appear only in Expreffions from the Tongue and Countenance, but fprings from the Integrity of the Heart. 'Tis ftiled unfeigned LoVe of the 'Brethren; 'tis a LoVe not in Word and Tongue only, but in Deed and Truth. A counterfeit formal Affe^lion, fet off with artificial Colours, is fo far from being plea- fingtoGod, the Searcher and Judg of Hearts, that 'tis infinitely pro- voking to him.
2. 'Tis pure,- the attradive Caufe of it is the Image of God appearing in them. Our Saviour allures us, that Love iTiall be glo- rioufly rewarded, that rcfpe<5ts a Dijaple upon that account as a Vifci" pky and a righleom Mm as a righteous- Man.
On I John v. 2. 107
Man, The holy Love commanded in the Gofpel, is to Chriftians for their Divine Relation, as the Chil- dren of God, as the Members of Chrift, and Temples of the Holy Ghoft.
3. From hence it is univerfal, extended to all the Saints. The Church is compofed of Chriftians that are different in their Gifts and Graces, and in their external Order / fome excel in Knowledg, and Zeal, and Love, in active Graces i others . in Humility, Meeknefs and Pati- ence, that fuftain and adorn them in Sufferings; fbme are in a higher Rank, others are in humble Cir- cumftances : as in the vifible World things are placed futably to their Natures, the Stars in the Heavens, Flowers in the Earth : and our fpe- cial Rcfpefe are due to thoie whom the Favour of God has dignified above others, and in whom the Brightnefs and Power of Grace
(hines
io8 SERMON m
fhines more cleariy : for accordiftg as diera atie xii(»e Rcafons that itiake ^ Perfoii <Jeferving Lav6, the d^rees of Love fhould rife in jpropoftion. But a dear Affe<5kiotl is due even to the loweft Saints ; for all' have Commutrion in the lame holy Nature, and are equally iftiftated in th^ lame bleffed ARi<» Stict,
4. It muft be fervent, not only vx Tiruth, bat in a ckgree of Emi- nency. St, ^sterjo'ms the two Qua- lifications 5 Sar that ye love one am- tker with a pure Hem fervently. Our Savidur f&is before us his owni Pat- tern, as a; Pillaa: of Fire t© dirciSfe John 1 5. and inflame us; This is my Com- ^^' mandnmitj that ye loVe one another asi J haVe toyed y OH, As IhdC^z loVedyou f Admirable Example ! His Love was lingular and fuperlative ,• a Love that faves and aftoAifhes us at once ; for he willingly ga^e his precious Life for our Ranfom. 'I'his we
fliould
On I John v. 2. 109
fliould endeavour ro relenable, cho our higheft Expreffions of Love and Compaffion to the Saints, are but a weak and imperfe<5t Imitation of jhis Divine Perfection.
I fhall add farther ,• Thi^ Love includes all kinds of Ix>V€.
I. The Love of Efteeni cor- refpondenc to the real Worth and (pecial Goodneft of the Saints. 'Tis one Charadter of a Citifeien of Heaven, that in his Eyes aVtle Terfon^^^^* i5' w contemned^ however fet off by the Clory of the World, and the Orna- ments of the prefcnt State, that, as a faUe Mask, conceal their foul De- form«ity to carnal Perfons ; hut he honours them that fear the Lord^ tho disfigured by Calumnies, tho ob- fcur'd and deprefs'd by Afflidions, and made like their blelfed Head, in whom there was no Form nor Contelimfs in the Judgment of Fools. In our Valuation, Divine Grace
Oiould
no SERMON III.
fliould turn the Scales againft all the natural or acquired Perfedions of Body or Mind ,• Beauty, Strength, Wit, Eloquence, human Wifdomj againft all the external Advantages of this Life, Nobility, Riches, Power, and whatever is admired by a carnal Eye. The Judgment and Love of God fhould regulate ours. A Saint is more valued by God, than the higheft Princes ,• nay, than the Angels themfelves, confidered only with refpe(5t to their Ipiritual Nature. He calls them his peculiar Treafurey his Jewels^ the firft-Fruits of the Creatures^ fa- cred for his Ufe and Glory, in comparifon of whom, the reft of the World are but Dregs, a corrupt MaG. They are ftiled his Sons; being Partakers of that Life of which he is the Author and Pat- tern : And what are all the Titles '" on Earth, compared with lb Divine a Dignity ?
2. The
(7^ I J O H N V. 2. Ill
1. The Love of Defire, of their prefenc and future Happinefs. The Perfedion of Love confifts more in the Defire than in the EfFecls ; and the continued fervent Prayers that the Saints prefent to God for one another, are the Expreffions of their Love.
J. The Love of Delight, in , .- fpiritual Communion with them. All the Attrai^ives of human Con- verfation, Wit, Mirth, Sweemeis of Behaviour, and Wife Dircourfe, cannot make any Society fo dear and pleafant to one that is a Lover of Holinefs, as the Communion of Saints. DaVid^ whofe Bread was very fenfible of the tender Affedi- ons of Love and Joy, tells us, That the Saints in the Earthy the Excellent^ Pfai. i6. were the chief OhjeEl of his Delight, And conlequent to this, there is a cordial Sympathy with them in their Joys and Sorrows, being Members of the fame Body, and having an
Intereft
112 SERMON III.
Intereft in all cheir Good or Evil. 'Tk obfervabk, when the Holy Spirit dcfcribes the fweeteft human Comforts that are the prefent Re- ward of the godly Man, the En- joyment of his Eftate in the dear Society of his Wife ^nd Children, there is a Promife annexd^ that fweetens all the reft, That f?e fhall ''^ 'fee the Good of Jerulakm, W ^ea€e upon Ifi-ael. Without this all Tem- poral Comforts are mix d with bitter pifpleafure to him. Thete is an eminent Inftance cf this in Nehe-
Nch. 2. miah^ whom all the Pleafures of the ferftan Court could not iatisfy^ whilft Jerufala?i was defolately mi- ferable.
4. The Love of Service and Ee-
.> neficence, that declares it ielf in all outward Offices and Ads for the Good of the Saints : And thefe are various ; fome are of a fublimer Nature, and concern their Souls; as fpiritual Couaftl and Inftru^lioH ,
com-
Qn I JoH N V. :>. 115
compalTionace Acl monition and Coniolation, the confirming them in Good, and the fortifying them againft Evil, the doing whatever may preferve and advance the Life and Vigor of the inward Man; others refpe£t their Bodies and Temporal Condirion ; diieiTiing rhem in their Affairs, protetfling them from Injuries, fupplying their Wants, univerfally aififting them for their tolerable Paffagc through the World. And all thefe Ads are to be cheerfully perfomcd ,• there is more Joy in conferring than re- ceiving a Benefit, becauie Love is more exercifed in the one than the other. In fliorc, the highefl: Effedt of Love chat comprizes all the reft, is to die for the Brethren ; and this Ave oug»ht to do when the Honour of God, and Welfare of the Church require ir. Hereby perceive TVe the Lol'e of GoJy hccmje he laid do^l'ti his Life for us ; and ipc ought to lay down 1 our
114 SERMON III.
our Lives for the Brethren, If Chri- ftians thus loved one another, the Church on Earth would be a live- ly Image of the bleffed Society above,
III. The Love of God, and Obe- dience to his Commands, the Pro- dud of it are to be confidered.
Firfty The Love of God has its Rife from the Confideration of his amiable Excellencies, that render him infinitely worthy of the high- eft Aifedion 5 and from the bleffed Benefits of Creation, Prefervation Redemption and Glorification, that : we may expedt from his pure Goodnefs and Mercy. This is the moft clear and effential Charader of a Child of God, and moft pe- culiarly diPcinguiflies him from un- renewed Men, however accom- pli (hed by Civil Vertues.
■ Now.
0;^ I Jo H N V. 2. 115
Now the internal Exercile of Love to God, in the Valuation of his Favour, as that which is better than Life, in earned Defires of Communion with him, in ravifh- ing Joy in the Teftimonies and AfTurance of his Love, in mourn^ ing for what is difpleafing to him, is in the fecret of the Soul ,• buc with this there is inleparably join'd a true and vifible Declaration of our Love in Obedience to hirrl; This ii the Lo^e of Cody the moftijoh. 5, real and undeceitful Expreffion of ^^' it, tj?at we keep hu Commandments,
The Obedience that fprings from Love, is,
I. "Uniform and univerfal ; for the two piincipal and neccflary Effedts of Love are an ardent Defire to pleafe God, and an equal Cars not 10 diipleafe him in any thing. Now the Law of God is the Signification of his Soveraigri and Holy Will, and the doing of I 2 ic
ii6 SERMON III.
it is very pleafing to him, both upon the account of the Subjection of the Creature to his Authority, and Conformity to his Purity : He de- clares that Obedience is better than the moft coftly Sacrifice. There is an abfoluce peremptory Repug- nance between Love to him, and deipifing his Commands : And from thence it follows, that Love inclines the Soul to obey all God's Precepts, not only thofe of eafy Obfervation, but the moft difficult and diftafteful to the Carnal Appe- tites ; for the Authority of God runs through all, and his Holinefs fliines in all. Servile Fear is a par- tial Principle, and caufes an unequal Refpe^ft to the Divine Law ,• it re- ftrains from Sins of greater Guilt, from fuch dilorderly and diflolute Adtions at which Confcience takes Fire • but others are indulged : it excites to good Works of fome kind, but negleds ethers chat are
equally
On I John v. 2. 117
equally neceffary. But Love re- gards the whole Law in all its In- junctions and Prohibitions,- not meerly to pleafe our lelves, that we may not feel the ftings of an accnfing Confcience^ but to plea-fe the Lawgiver.
2. The Obedience of Love is accurate ^ and this is a natural Con- fequence of the former. The Di- vine Law is a Rule not only for our outward Converiation, but of our Thoughts and Affedion?, ofalltlie interior workings of the Soul, that arc open before God. Thus it re- quires Religious Service, not only in the external Pertormance, but thofe reverent holy Affedlions, thofe pure Aims, wherein the Life and Beauty, the Spirit and true Value ok Divine Worfhip confifts. Thus it commands the Duties of Equity^ Charity and Sobriety, all CiVil and Natural 'Duties for Divine Ends, „ , to pleafe 2ind glorifj God. It forbids ' ' ,<$* I .; all
ii8 SERMON m.
all kinds and degrees 6f Sin ; not only grofs A6ts, but the inward Luftings that have a tendency to them. Now the Love of God is the Principle of fpiritual Perfedion. t Cor. 'Tis called the fulfititng of the Law^ 10. 31. not only as it is a comprehenfive Grace J but in that it draws forth all the adtive Powers of the Soul to obey it in an exadt manner. This caufes a tender fenfe of our Failings, and a fevere Circumlpedlion over our Ways, that nothing be allowed that is difplealing to the Divine Eyes. Since the mofl excellent Saints are God s chiefeft Favourites, Love makes the holy Soul ro ftrive %o be like him in all pofllble de- grees of Purity. Thus St. ^aid^ m whom rhe Love of Chrift was the imperial commanding Affedion, declares, his zealous endeavour to Phil, 3, be conformable to phz T>cath of Chrijly i^y^t* in dying to Sin,' as Chriit died for Sin, and chat he vii^ht attain to the
On I John V. 2. 119
^furreBlon of the Dead^ that Per- fection of Holinefs that is in the immortal State.
3. The Obedience of Love is chofcn and pleafant. Thts is fkijoh.5. LoVe of Gody that ipc kec'l) his Com' 3*
vumdmcnts^ and his Commandments nn not grievous. Thole that are Stran- gers to this Heavenly Affe6lion, imagine that a foUicitous diligent Refpe^ to all God's Precepts, is a melancholy Task j bot it is delight- ful to the Saints : for Obedience is the continual excrcife of Love to God, the Paradife of holy Souls. The mortification of the Carnal Appetites, and the reftrainc from fuch Objects as powerfully infinu- ate and engage Carnal Hearts, \s with a freer Complacency to a Saint, than a lenfual Fruition of them. The fharpeft Sufterings for Religion are allayed, nay fweetned to a Saint from the Love of God, that is then moft fincerely, ftrongly, I A and
120 SERMON III.
and purely a6ted. The Aooftlc more rejoiced in fliarp Tribulation for Chrift's lake, than in Divine Revelation.
4. The Love of God produces pcrfevering Obedience. Scivile Compliance is inconfiant. A Slave hates the Duties he performs, and loves the Sins He dares not commit; therefore as foon as he is releas'd from his Chain and his Fear, his Obedience ceafes : but a Son is per- fecStly pleased with his Father's Will, a.nd the TenOr of his Life is cot- refpondent to it. He that is prefs'd by Fear to {erve in an Army, will de- fert his Colours the lirfl Opportur nity ; but a Volunteer, that for the love of Valour, ^nd of his Coun- try, lifts himfelf, will continue in the Service. The Motion that is caufed by Outward Poifes, wnll ceafe when the Weights are down j but that which proceeds from an inward Principle of Lifc^ is conti- nual ,'
On I John V. 2. 121
nual ,• and fuch is the Love of God planted in the Breaft of a Chri- ftian.
IV^' We are to prove that from the Love of God, andr willing Obedience to his Commands, we may convincingly know the fince- rity of our Love to his Children.
There is an inleparable Union between thcfe two Graces, and the one arifes out of the other. Godli- nefs and 'Brotherly l\jndnc/s are joined by the Apoftle. And it will be evident that where this Affe(Stion of Love to the Saints is fincere and gracious, there will be an entire and joyful refpcd to the Law of God, by confidering the Reafons and Mo- tives of ir.
Firji^ The Divine Command re- quires this Love. Thefe things I com- mand you, faith our Saviour, that ye loVeonc a}iother. This Precept fo often
repeated.
122 SERMON III
repeated, and powerfully re-inforc'd by him, made fo deep an Imprefli- on on the firft Chriftians, that they had one Hearty and one Souly and their Eflates were common between them. And in the next fucceeding Ages^ this fraternal Love was fo confpi- cuous in the rrofeffors of his la- cred DiCcipline, that their Enemies obferv'd it as a rare and remarkable
Tcrt A- tl^ii^ig • ^^^ ^•'^^^ ^^^^ Chrijlians lo^e one paLc,^^, another ! fee how ready they are to die for one another ! Now the fame gra- cious Principle that inclines us to do one Command, will make us univerially willing to obferve all ; for fincere Obedience primarily re^ fpects the Authority of the Law- giver, which binds the whole Law upon the Confcience. And as he TaiTKs 7 ^^'^^ breaks the Law wilfully in one Tointy ts guilty of ally becaufe the Violation of a fingle Precept proceeds from the fame Caufe that induces Men to rranfgrefs all, that is^ Contempt of
the
On I John V. 2. 125
the Divine Majefty ; fo he that fin- cerely obeys one Command, does with confenc of Heart, and ferious Endeavours obey all. And from hence 'tis clear, that without a re- ligious and unreferved regard of the Divine Commands, 'tis im- poflible there fliould be in any Per- Ibn a gracious AfFedtion to the Saints ; that is the produ(5tof Obe- dience to God, and conlequently the obfervance of his Precepts, is the certain Proof of our Love to his Children.
Secondly, Spiritual Love to the Saints arifes from the fight of the Divine Image appearing in their Convcrfation. Now if the Beauty of Holinels be the attradive of our Love, it will be faftned on the Law of God in the mofl: intenfe degree. The mod excellent Saints on Earth have fome mixtures of Corruption ; their Holinels is like the Morning-
124 SERMON III.
light, that is checker'd with the Shadows and Obfcurity of the Night i and 'tis our Wifdom not to love their Infirmities, but to prelerve an unftained Affedion to them. But the Law of God is the faireft Tranfcript of his Nature, wherein his glorioijs Holinefs is moft refplendent. Ih Law of the
Pfal. 19. Lord is perfeci^ conyerthig the Soul -,
^' ' the Commandment of the Lord is pure^
enltghtmng the Eyes. This ravifh'd
the Heart of Va'Vid with an inex-
preflible Affection. 0 how I loVe
T^liip.thy Law I it is viy Meditation all the day. And he repeats the Declara- tion of his Love to it with new Fervor, upon this ground ,• 7 loye thy LaWy becauje it is pure. Now Love to the Commands of God will tranlcribe them in our Hearts and Lives. As afFedionate Expreffions to the Children of God, without the real lupply of their Wants, are but thefhadows of Love ; (6 words
of
On f John v. 2/ 125
of Eileem and Refpc6t to the Law of God, without unfeigned and uni- verfal Obedience, are but an empty Pretence.
Thirdly^ The Divine Relation of the Saints to God as their Father, is the Motive of Spiritual Love to them. And this is conlequent to the former,- for by partaking of his Holincfi, they partake of his Life and Likcnefs. And from hence they arc the dearefl: Obje6ts of his Love; his Eye and Heart is always upon them. Now if this Confideration excites Love to the Children of God, it will be as powerful to incline us to keep his Commands ; for the Law of God, that is the Copy of his Sa- cred Will, is moft near to his Na- ture, and he is infinitely tender of it. Our Saviour tells us, that it is eafter for Heaven and Earth to pafs^'^^^^^^' away J than for om tittle of the Lam
to
17.
126 SERMON III.
to fail. If the entire World, and all the Inhabitants of it were de- ftroyed, there would be no loft to God i but if the Law lofe its Au- thority and Obligation, the Divine Holinefs would fuffer a Blemifh.
The Ufe of the Dodlrinc is, to try our Love to the Children of God, to which all pretend, by this infallible Rule, our Obedience to his Commands. This is abfolutely neceflary, becaufe the Deceit is To eafy and fo dangerous : and it will be moft comfortable, if upon this Trial our Love be found to be Spi- ritual and Divine. The Deceit is eafy, becaufe A(fls of Love may be cxprefled to the Saints from other Principles than the Love of God : Some for vain-Glory are bountiful ; and when their Charity feems fo vifibly Divine, that Men admire it, there is the Worm of Vanity at the Root, that corrupts and makes
ic
On I John V. 2. 127
it odious to God. The Pharifees i
are charged with this by our Savi- ^
our ,• their Alms were not the Effcdt ^^^-^^'^^ of Charity, but Oftentation ; and vvhilft they endeavoured to make their Vices vertuous, they made their Vertues vicious. There is a natural Love among Perfbns united by Conlanguinity, that remains (b entire fince the Ruine of Man- kind by the Fall, and is rather from the force ot Nature, than the virtue of the Will, and this is in all kind Offices may be exprefs'd to the Saints. There is a fweetnefs oF Temper in fome, that inclines them to wifh well to all, and fuch tender Affedions that are eafily moved and melted at the fight of others Mi(eries ,• and fuch may be beneficent and compaffionate to the Saints in their 2\ffli6tions : buc the Spring of this Love is Good- Nature, not Divine Grace. There are Human Refpeds that incline
others
128 SERMON III.
^WSS-^W^^BWil^
Others to Kindnefs to the Saints, as they ate united by Intcrcft, FcUow-'Citiz^iis and Neighbours, and as they receive Advantage by Comnacrce with them, or as ob- liged by their Benefits : But Civil Amity and Gratitude are not that holy Affedion that is an Affurancc of our Spiritual State. There are other Motives of Love to the Saints, that are not fo low nor mer- cenary; in the thickefl: Darknefs of Paganifm, the Light of Reafon difcovered the amiable Excellence of Vertue, as becoming the Hu- man Nature, and ufeful for the Tranquillity and Welfare of Man- kind ; and the Moral Goodnefs that adorns the Saints, the Inno- cence, Purity, Meeknefs, juftice. Clemency, Benignity, that are vi- llble in their Converfations, may draw Refpe6ls from others who are Strangers to the Love of God, and carelefs of his Commandments.
And
On 1 John V. 2. 129
And as the Miftake of this Af- fedion is eafy, (b it is infinitely dangerous ; for he that builds his ^
hope of Heaven upon a fandy Fonn- dation^ upon falfe Grounds, will- fall ruinoufly from his Hopes and Felicity at lad. How fearful will be the Difappointment of one that has been a Favourer of the Saints, that has defended their Caufe, protected their Perfons, relieved their Neceflities, and prefum'd for this, that his Condition is fafe as to Eternity, tho he lives in the known negled of other Duties, and the indulgent Practice of iome Sin?
But if we find that our Love to the Children of God flows from our Love to God, that fways the Soul to an entire compliance to his Commands, and makes us ob- fervant of them in the courfe ot our Lives : What a hlcjful Hope arifes from this Refletftion ? We K need
I30 SERMON III.
need not have the Book of the Di- vine Decrees opened, and the Se- crets of Election unvail'd ; for we i]dti.^.kno)}? that m are pajl from Death M-to Ufey if "^e loVe the brethren. This is an infallible Effed and Sign of the Spiritual Life, and the Seed and Evidence of Eternal Life.
SER
121
Hon> to bear A§iUiont.
SERMON IV.
Hebrews xii. 5.
My Son deffflfe not thou the chdjlenlng of the Lordy nor faint when thou art rebuked of hmi,
THE words are an excellent Pafiage from the Book of the T rover bs ; wherein the Suprcam prov.' 3. Eternal Wifdom is reprelented, "• giving InftruL^ion to the Afflided, how to behave themfelves under Troubles, fo as they may prove beneficial to them : the Counfel is, that they fhould preferve a Tempe- rament of Spirit, between the excels and defedl of Patience and Courage, K 2 neicher
132 SERMON IV.
neither dcfpifing the Chaftenings of the Lord, by a finful negledt of them as a (inall unconcerning mat- ter, nor fainting under them, as a Burden fo great and oppreffingjthat no Deliverance was to be expedled. To enforce the Exhortation ,Wifdom ufeth the amiable and endearing Title, My Sou^ to fignify that God in the quality of a Father, cor- icdis his People 5 the Confideration whereof is very proper to condliate Reverence to his Hand, and to en- courage their Hopes of a blefled Iffue.
The Propofition that arifts from the Words is this;
'7/5 the Duty and hejl ]VtJdo7n of afflicied Chr'iflwis^ to preferVe themfeVes from the Vicious Ex- treams of dcjjiifiig the Chajlenings of the Lordy or fainting under them.
To
On Hebrews xiL 5. i^^*
To illuftrace this by a clear Me- thod, I {hall endevour to Iliew, :i
I. What it is to defpife the Chaftenings of the Lord, and the Caufes of it.
II. What fainting under his Re- bukes fignifies,and what makes us incident to it.
III. Prove that 'tis the Duty and beft Wifdom of the Afflidcd to avoid thefe Extreams.
IV. Apply it.
F/;-/?, To defpife the chaftenings I. of the Lord, imports the making no account of them, as unworthy '^^V^^- of ferious Regaixi ,- and includes ^^'* Inconfideratenels of Mind, and an Infenfiblenefs of Heart.
I. Inconfideratenefs of Mind, with refpedl to the Author or End of Chaftenings.
(1.) With re-fpccl: to the Aurhor, when the Afflicted looks only down- j-h 5 0. K 3 wards,
134 SERMON IV.
wards, as if the Rod of Affliction fprang out of the Duft, and there were no fuperiour Caufe that fent it.
Thus many apprehend the Evils that befal them, either meerly as the Productions of Natural Caufcs, or as cafual Events, or the Effeds of the Difpleafure and Injuftice of Men, but never look on the other fide of the Vail of the iecond Caufes, to that invifible Providence that or- ders all. If a Difeafe ftrikes their Bodies, they attribute it to the ex- tremity of Heat or Cold, that di- ftempers their Humours : if a Lofs comes in their Eftates, 'tis alcribed to Chance, Carelefnefs and Falfe- nefs of fome upon whom they de- pended ; but God is concealed from their fight by the nearnefs of the im- mediate Agent. Whereas the princi- pal Caufe of all Temporal Evils is Amos 3 ^^^ over-ruling Providence of God. 6, Shall there he Evil in a Cityy and the
Lord
— — — — ■ > ' r
On Hebrews xii, 5. 135
Lori hath not done it^ They come not only with his Knowledg and Will, but by his Efficiency. The Locufts that infedted £g)'pt are as Exod.io. real an EfFed of God's Wrath, as '3> ^9- the moft miraculous Plague, altho an Eaft Wind brought them, and a Weft Wind carried them away. The Arrow that was (hot at a ven- ture, and pierc'd between the Joints of Ahab's Armour, was dire<^ed by i Kings the Hand of God for his Deftrudion. ^ 2. 34* Shimeh curfing of D^zW, tho it was the overflowing of his Gall, the Effe^ft of his Malignity, yet that holy King look'd hi^er, and ac- knowledged the Lord hath bidden 1 San)^ him. As the Lord is a God of**^'*'* Power, and can inflid what Judg- ments he pleafeth immediately j lb he is a God ot Order, and ufually puniflieth in this World by fubor- dinate means. Now where-ever he ftrikes, tho his Hand is wrap'd up in a Cloud, yet if it be not ob- K 4 fervcd,
1^6 SERMON IV.
ferved, efpecially if by habitual incogitancy Men confider not with whom they have to do in their va- rious Troubles, this profane negleft is no lefs than a defpifing the Chaftenings of the Lord.
(2.) Inconfideratenefs of the End of the Divine Difcipline, is a great degree of Contempt. The Evils chat God inflidls are as real a part of his Prpvidence, as the Bleflings he beftows ; as in the courfe of Nature the Darknefs of the Night is by his Order, as well as the l^ight: of the Day : therefore they are al-^ ways lent for (bme wife and holy Dellgn. Sometime, tho more rare- ly, they are only for trial, to exer- cife the Faith, Humility, Patience of eminent Saints; for ptherwif^ God would lofe in a great meafure the Honouv *'^nd J^enown, and his Favourires the Reward of thofe Graces, Affiidlions being the Sphere of their Adivity, ^uc for the moft
part
On Hebrewsxu. 5. 137
part they are caftigatory, to bring us to a fight and fenfe of our State, to render Sin more evident and odi- ous to us. They are fitly expreft, by pouring from Vefiel to Vefiel, that difcovers the Dregs and Sedi- ment, and makes it ofFenfive, that before was concealed. The lead Affliction even to the Godly, is ufually an Application of the Phy- fician of Spirits for fome growing Diftemper : every Corrofive is for Ibme proud Flefh that mufl: be taken away. In fhort, they are de- liberate Difpenfations tocauleMen to refled upon their Works and Ways, and break off their Sins by fincere Obedience. Therefore we are commanded to hear the Voice ofr^wc.d.p. the (?^oJ, and who hath appointed it, 'Tis a Preacher of Repentance, to lead us to the Knowledg and Con fide- ration of our fclves. The Diftrels pf Jojeph'^ Brethren was to revive their Memory of his Sorrows caufed
by
1^8 SMRMON IV.,
by their Cruelty. Now when Men difregard the EnnbafTy of the Rod, are unconviqceable, notwithftand- ing its lively LelTons j when they nei- ther Ipok up to him that ftrikes, nor within to the Caufe that provokes his Difpleafure ; when they are care- l^fs to reform their Ways, and to comply with his holy Will, as if Afflictions were only common Acr cidents of this mutable St^te, the Effects of rafh Fortune or blind JFate, without Defign and Judgment, and not lent for their Amendment, this is a prodigious defpifing of God's job 11. j-j^j^j^ poj. j-j^js reafon the Scrip-
Pfal. 58. ture compares Men to themoft in- ^•obftrvant Creatures, to the ^Pild I* Ajfes Colt J the deaf Adder ^ to the ftily Doye without Heart : and the Advantage is on the Beafts fide, for their Ineonfideration proceeds meer- ly from the Incapacity of Matter, of which they are wholly compos'd to perform reflex A(3:s: but Man's
Incogi-
Hofca 1
(?» Hebrews xii. 5. 139
Incogitancy is the fole fault of hi? Spirit, that wilfully negleds his Duty, The Prophet charges this Guilt upon the Jews, Lord^ when thy ifa. 26. Hand is lifted up, they will notjee. ' '•
1. Infenfibility of Heart is ar> eminent degree of defpifing the Lord's Chaftenings. A pcnfive feeling of Judgments is very con- gruous, whether we confider them tn getiere Phyfico^ or Morali ; either materially as afflictive to Nature, or as the llgns of Divine Difpleafure : for the Affections were planted in the Human Nature by the Hand of God himfelf, and are duly exercifed in proportion to the quality of their Obje<5ts. And when Grace comes, it fofcens the Breaft, and gives a quick and tender (enfe of God's Frown. An eminent In- ftance we have in VaVid, tho of He- roical Courage; yet in his fad afcent to Mount Olivet^ he went up jc ^^'. weeping with his Head covered^and
his
140 SERMON IV.
his Feet bare, to teftify his humble and fubmiffive {en(e of God V An- ger againft him. Now when Men are infenfible of Judgments, either confidered as natural or penal Evils ; if when they fuffer the lols of Re- lations or other Troubles, they pre- fently fly to the Comforts of the \ Heathens, that we are all mortal, and what can't be help'd muft be endured, without the Senfe Huma- nity requires ; that Calm is like that of the dead Sea, a real Curfe: Or fuppofe natural Affection works a little, yet there is no Apprehenfion and Concernment for God's Dif- plcafure, which fhould be infinitely more afte6ting than any outward Trouble, how fliarp foever, no fe- rious deep Humiliation under his Hand, no yielding up our (elves to bis Mana;^ement ,♦ this moll: juftly provokes him : of this Temper were ]«-. 5.5. thole defcribed by jeremiah^ Thou haft flrkken themy hut they haVe not
(9;^ Hebrews xii. 5. 141
grieved; thou hajl confumed theniy but ' they refufed to receive CorreBion,
Secondly^ TheCaufes of this de- (pifing of God's Chaftenings are :
I. A contraded Stupidity of Soul, proceeding from a courfe in Sin. There is a natural Stubborn- nefi and Contumacy in the Heart againft God, a vicious Quality de- rived from rebellious Mam j we are all hewn out of the Rock, and dig'd out of the Quarry : and this is one of the worft Etfedls of Sin, and a great part of its Deceitful nels, that by rtealth it increafeth the natural Hard- nefs, by degrees it creeps on like a „ , Gangreen, and caules an Indolencv, ",/. The Practice of Sin makes the Heart like an Adamant, the hardeft of Zech. 7 Stones, that exceeds that of Rocks. From hence proceeds fuch Unteach- ablenefs of the Mind, that when God fpcaksand ftrikes, yet Sinners will not be convinc'd 5 that Briars
and
142 SERMON IV.
and Thorns are only efFedual to teach them ; and fuch an Untrada- blcnefs in the Will, that when the Sinner is ftormed by Affli£kion, and fbftie Light breaks into the Under- ftanding, yet it refufeth to obey God's Call.
2. Carnal Diverfions are another Caufe of flighting God's Hand. The Pleafures and Cares of the 54.* World, as they render Men inappre- henfive of Judgments to come, fb regardlefs of thofe that are prefent. Some when ever they feel the Smart of a Crofs, u(e all the Arts of Ob- livion to lofe the Senfe of it. The Afflidion inftead of a leading them to Repentance, leads them to vain Converfations, to Comedies and other finful Delights, to drive away Sorrow. Others, altho they do not venture upon forbidden things to relieve their Melancholy, yet when God by fharp and fenfible Admo- nitions calls upon them, they have
prefent-
On Hebrews xii. 5. 1^3
prefendy recourfe to Temporal Comforts, which altho lawful and innocent in themfelves, yet areas unpropcr at that time, as the taking of a Cordial when a Vomit be- gins to work : for whereas Chaftife- ments are (ent to awaken and afFed: us, by ^onfidering our Sins in their bitter Fruits, this un(ea(bnable Application of (enfual Comforts wholly defeats God's Defign. Fot nothing fo much hinders ferious Confideration as a voluptuous in- dulging the Senfes in things plea- fing ; like Opiate Medicines, they ftupify the Confcience^and benumn the Heart. 'Tis Solomons Expreffi- on, I [aid of Laughter^ It ts mad : for ais Oifl:ra6tion breaks the Connexion of the Thoughts, fo Mirth fliuffles out moft fenous Thoughts into diforder, and caufes Men to paG over their Troubles without Re- g, fte^ioa aad Remorfe. i^j.
144 SERMON IV.
And as the Pleafuresj fo the Bu- finefs of the World caufe a fupine Security under Judgments. Wc have an amazing Inftancc of it in Hid the Bethlemite, who laid the Foundation of his City in the Death of his Firft-born, and (et up the Gates of it in his youngeft Son ; yet he was fo intent upon his Building, that he difregarded the Divine Nemefis ^ that was appa- rent, fulfilling the terrible Threat- loihua 6 "^"B prophefied againft the Builder 25* of Jericho,
3 . An obftinate fiercenefs of Spirit, a Diabolical Fortitude is the Cauft that fometimes Men defpife afflid- ing Providences fo far as to refift them. There is a paffive Malig- nity in all, an Unaptnefs to be wrought on, and to receive Spiri- tual and Heavenly Impreffions from God's Hand ,• but in Ibme of the Sons of Perdition there is an adlive Malignity, whereby they furioufly
repel
0/^ Hebrews xii. 5* 14$
repel Judgments as if they could oppofe the Almighty. Their Hearts are of an Anvil-Temper, made harder by Afflidlions, and reverbe- rate the Blow, like that Roman Emperor, who inftead of humbling and reforming at God's Voice in Thunder, thundred back again. All Judgments that befal them, are as Strokes given to wild Beads, that inftead of taming them, enrage them to higher degrees of Fierce- nefs.
The Prophet defcribed fome of this Rank of Sinners, who faid in the Tride and Stoutriefs of their Id. p,p^ Hearts y the bricks are fallen down^ *°' hut m will build ivtth hemn Stones : the Sycomores are cut downy hut we iv'dl change them into Cedars.
And many though not Expli- citly, yet virtually declare a Re- folution notwithftanding the moft vifible Difcouragements froitl Heai- Yen jto proceed in their finful eourfes L ^ith
XA,6 ' SERMON lY',
with more greed jinefs, a,qd froip a fullen {^crec Atheifra are more ftpngly carried to gratify their Lufts again, wheq they a^e ii> Af- flidtions. J
II, I fliall proceed to confider the otlier Extream of fainting under God's Rebukes. dicKvis. I. The Original Word fig niftes 1 the flackening and relaxing of things * that were firmly joiii'd together. The Strength of the Body proceed^ from the Union of the Pares, when they are well compa<3:ed together. By their disjointing 'tis enfeebled, and rendred unfit for Labour. In this Motion the Apoftle in the i ith Verfe exhorts them to lift up the Hands, that hang doivn^ andftrengthcn the fcehU. ^lees : That is, to encourage and fl:i:engthen their Souls by a real be- lief of the Progiitfes madq,c.Q ^{flit^edi Qi^iftiai^^, - '■''■:'•'
2. IC
OnH
EBREWSXII. 5. 147
2, It may refpe<5l the finking, and falling away of the Soul like Water, being hopelefs of over- coming Troubles. When Water is frozen into hard Ice, ic will bear a great Burden, but when 'tis diffolved and melted, nothing is weaker. So the Spirit of a Man confirmed by Prov.ip; religious Principles, is able to /uJJain ''^• all his Infirmities, Si fraSius illabitur orbis^ if the Weight of the heavieft Afflictions fall upon him, yet his .Mind remains ered: and unbroken, and bears them all with Courage and Conftancy : But if through Impa- tience under Tribulation, and Diffi- dence in the Divine Promiies, we ihrink from our Duty, or rcjei!^ the Comforts of ^od as if they were f?nally and not proportionable to the Evils that opprefs us ; this is to faint when we are rebuked by him.
The Caufes of this Defpondency are ufually ,•
L z (k) Either
148 SERMON IV.
(i.) Either the kind of the Af- fliction : when there is a Singularity in the cale, it increafeih the Ap- prehenfion of God's Difpleafure; becaule it may fignify an extraor- dinary Guilt, and lingular "Unwor- thinefs in the Perfbn that liifFers; and upon that account, that Sorrow fwells fo high as to overwhelm him.
(2.) The number and degrees of Afflidlions ; when like thofe black Clouds which in Winter-Days join together, and quite intercept the Beams of the Sun : fo many Trou- bles meet at once, and deprive us of all prelent Comfort. Job loft his Children by a fudden unnatural Death; and was tormented in all the Parts of his Body, and reduced from his rich Abundance to the Dunghil, and a Fotfhcrd to fcrape his Boils. Indeed his Heroical Spirit was fupported under thofe numerous and grievous Troubles,
buc
On Hebrews xii. 5. 149
but fuch a Weight were enough to fink the moft.
(3.) The continuance of Affliifti- ons. When the Clouds return after Rain, and the Life is a conftant Scene of Sorrows, we are apt to be utterly dejected, and hopelcfs of Good. The Pfalmift tells us, ^U^-^^ ., the T>ay long J haVe bem plague J ^ and ' i^* chaficned e^ery Morning ; and from thence was ftrongly tempted to Defpair.
(4.) Comparing their great Suf- ferings with the Prolperity of thofe who are extreamly vicious, inclines fome to Defpair. For not only their prelent Evils are heightened, and more fenfibly felt by the Com- parifon, but the profpcrous Impiety of others tempts them to think there is no juft and powerful Providence thatdiftributes things below ; and looking no higher than to Second Caufes, that are obvious to Senfe, they judg their State pad Recovery. L ? The
150 SERMON IV.
III. The next thing is to prove, that 'tis the Duty and Wifdom of the Affli<Sted nor to Defpife the Chaften- ings of the Lord, nor to.. fain.t un- der them. \ in
Fir ft J 'Tis their Duty carefully to avoid thofe Extreams, becaulethey are very diflionourable to God.
I • The Contempt of Chaftife- ments is high Profanation of God's Honour, who is our Father and So- yeraign, and in that Quality afflicts us : ^Tis our Apoftle's Argument, HeK 12. Furthermore y we ha^e had Fathers of our ^- Flefl? which corrcBed m^ and we gaVe them- QleVerence ; (hall we not much more hs fubjecl to the Fatkr of Spirits, and live I 'Tis a Principle deeply plan- ted in the Human Nature, which the moft barbarous Nations have kept inviolable,to exprefs the realleft Refped to our Parents, from whom we derive our Life, and by who(e
tender
On Hebrews xii. 5. 151
tender Care We have been pre- ferved, and educated,, altho their Difcipline be rigorous : but it is in- finitely more juft and reafbnable, that we fhould reverently fubmit to the Father of Sj^irits, who hath the higheft Right irt us. As much as the immortal Spirit excels the infirm corruptible Flefhj proper- tionably fliould our Reverence to God, when he mofl: fliarply rebukes us, exceed our Reipedts to our Earthly Fathers when they correft us. The manner of the Apoftle's Expreffion is very fignificant, Shall we n-)t tjiiicf? rather f If there 1^ any vital fpark of Confcience remain- ing in our Breads, if Reafon be not wholly declined to Brutiflinels, we cannot do otherwile.
2. Fainting under Chaftenings reflects difhonourably upon God. 'Tistrue in fomerefpc6t, thofew^ho are extreamly dejected, are not (b guilty as the Defpifers ; for ufually L 4 they
152 SERMON IV.
they acknowledg the Order and Jufticeof his Providence. But that falfe Conception of the Father of Mercies, either that he willingly afflidts the Children of Men, or that he hates them becaufe he afflids them here, is fo contrary to his holy Nature, and injurious to his I Toh. 4. Goodnefs, the (pecial Character of 9. his Nature, that 'tis an equal Provo- cation, with the flighting his Sq- yeraignty.
SER-
Ho]3> to bear A^iBiom.
SERMON V.
Hebrews xii. j.
}4y Soti, defpife not then the chajlen'mg of the Lordy nor faint when thou art rebuked of him,
Secondlyy T Shall proceed to prove, i 'tis the bed Wifdom not to defpife God's Chaftenings, nor faint under them* 1 will not infift upon the Confideration that 'tis the Counfel of the fupream Wifdom to us, nor that 'tis the a- voiding the vicious Extreams, which is the chiefeft Point of Moral Pru- dence : but it is the only way to prevent the greateft Mifchicfs that
will
154 SERMON V.
will other wife befal us. 'Tis faid, he that is wife is profitable to him- feUj that is either in obtaining Good, or preventing Evils. Now it will Job 22.^ppg^j. [iQ^ pernicious thofe Ex- * treams are, by confidering ;
I . The Contempt of Chaftenings, deprives us of all thofe Benefits which were intended by them. God's End in them is to imbitter Sin to ourTaile, and maike us diP relifb that deadly Poifon : for as, according to the Rules of Phyfick, Contraries are cured by Contraries ; fo Sin that prevails by Pleafure, by fomething delightful to the Carnal Part,, is mortified by what is sl& flidtive to iSenfe. Repentance is- a- Duty that b^ft complies with Af- fliction : for when the Spirit isitiade fad, and brought to the Sobriety of/ Confideration, it .will more readi- ly refle6l upon- the true Caufes of JEroubles : When the Springs over- sow, 'tis but. di;re<5ting the Stream;
into
0« Hebrews xii. 5. 155
into a right Channel, the changing the Objedl ot our Grief, Vj^. n'tourning for Sin inftead of for row- ing for outward Trouble, and wc are in the way to Happinels. Sen- fible Sorrow leads to Godly Sorrow. The natural is firft, then the Ipiri- tual. Now the Defpifersof God's Hand, that are unaffected with Judgments, are incapable of this Benefit. For if they do not feel the Blow, how fhall they take no- tice of the Hand that ftrikes ? If they are not fbttened with Sor^ rows, how fliall xhey receive the Divine Impreffion ? If they have no lenfe of his Difp^leafure, how fhall they fear to offend him for the future? If the Mei'Jicine doth not work, how can it expel noxious Humours ?
2. The negleift of Chaftenings doth not only render thctn un- profitable, but expofes to g reater Evils.
156 SERMON V.
(1.) It provokes God to with- draw his Judgments (ox, a time. This the Sinner defired, and thinks himfelf happy that he is at eafe: Miferable Delufion ! This Refpite is the Prefage of his final Ruin. **! was the defperate State oi'judah^ as God l(a. 1. 5. expreffes it, Whyjhouldje be flricken any more ? ye H^ill revolt more and more. The words of an anxious Father that has tried all Methods, Counfel, Kindnefs, Corrections to reclaim a rebellious obftinate Son ; and find- ing no anfwerable EfFed:, gives him over to follow the pernicious Iwinge of his corrupt Defires. No Severity is like the fuffering him in his licentious Courfes. Thus when God hath u(ed many gracious ways to reduce the Sinner, by his Word, Spirit and Judgments, but he is inflexible to the Calls of the Word, impenetrable to the Motions of the Spirit, and infenfible of affliding Providences^ wiien after a Combatc
with
On Hebrews xii. 5. 157
with the Rod, Sin comes off un- vvounded, and the Rod retires; this Calm is more dreadful than the fierceft Storm ; nothing can be more fatal to the Sinner, for by this Di- vine Defertion he is given over to a reprobate Mind, and vile Affedli- ons ; he goes on undifturb'd in his Sins, and every day increafeth his Enmity againft God, and provokes God's Enmity againft him. 'Tis not conceivable that one who is not made pliable to the Grace of God by Aiflidlions, fhould fubmit when he is in plcafant Circumftan- ccs, and dilpos'd to enjoy (enfual Satisfactions. If the Whip and Spur cannot break and tame the unrxily Beaft, certainly the rich Pafture will never make him manageable. So that God's ceafing to punifh the Sinner at prelent is (b far from be- ing a Favour, that 'tis the Effed: of his dcepeft Difpleafure ,• for ic contributes to his hardning. 'Twas
the
158 SERMON V.
the Cafe of Tbaraoh^ when any of the Plagues were removed : Indul- gence occafioned his Induration* As Water taken from the Fire, freezes fooner and harder, than if the thinner Parts had never been evaporated by the former Heat ; fo when Men are taken off from the Fire of AfBidion, they are more confirmed in their vicious Courles than if they had never been afflicted.
(2.) The flighting of lighter Strokes, provokes God iomecimes to bring more dreadful Judgments in this Life upon Sinners. No Man can endure that his Love or Anger fhould be defpifed. Nebu- chadne:^i^r commanded the Furnace to be heated feven times hotter for thofe who contemned his Threat- Levit.2<5. nings. God tells the //r^Z/re^", ]f ye 23» 24. -f^ili YiQt he reformed by thefe things ^ hut will ivalk contrary unto me ^ Then mil 1 alfo walk contrary unto you^ and imli
funt[h
(9« Hebrews xiL 5. 159
punip? you jet feycn times for your Sins. He will change the Rods into Scor- pions, and will fcourge them for their continued Rebellions. 'Tis the intent of that Expoftulation, Shall one take up a Snare from the A"ios 3. Earth, and haVe taken 7iothinz at all ? Shall God remove his Judgments while Sinners are carelefsand unre- formed, as if they might be final Conquerors over them ? no, he will multiply and greaten them. It may be at firft God blafts part of the Eftate, and the Sinner is not apprehenfive of his Hand ,• then he comes nearer and fnatches away a dear Relation : if ftill the Sinner is unaffected, be ftrikes his Body with a lingring, or acute Difeafe : if ftill he be not concerned for God's Dif- pleafure, he wounds his Spirit, makes him fick in Senfe and Con- liience at the lame time, fills him with Terror by the Reflection upon his wicked Ways, and the fore-fight
of
1
x6o SERMON V. j
of that dreadful Tribunal before which he muft appear ; fo that altho he cannot live, he dare not die ; tho his Earthly Tabernacle be ready to fall upon him, he is afraid to go out and meet the fupream Judg: and if this doth not work a fin cere thorow Change, God cafts him into Hell to the Company of the ^^^•^'- Giants, thofe bold Rebels that fought againft God. Briefly, as under the Law, an incorrigible Son that negleded his Father's Re- Vid Mr P^*oofs, was to die without Mercys Meie ill (b an unteformed Sinner who kicks ^^' againft the Pricks, and refufes to fubmit to God's Corredions, jfhall be cut off in his Obftinacy ; Juftice will proceed to Excifion, and Ads of Vengeance againft him.
(j.) Fainting under Chaftenings is pernicious to Sufferers : for it renders them utterly indifpofed for the Performance of Puty, and
unea-^
On Hebrews xii. 5. i^i
uncapable of receiving the Com- forts proper for an afBided State,
\fl* It renders them utterly in- difpofed for the performance of Duty. Hope draws forth all the adive Powers of the Soul ; 'tis the great Motive to Diligence, and In- ftrument of Duty. Defpair, like extremity of Cold that checks the Spring, and binds up the Earth that its Fruits cannot appear, hin- ders the free Exercife of Reafon and Grace, and cuts the Sinews of Obedience. He that is hopelefs of a good Iffje out of Troubles, will neither repent, nor pray, nor re- form, but indulges barren Tears inftead of real Duties.
Befides, it often falls our, that the fame Afflidtion is fent from God's Difpleafure upon his People for their Sins, and is the Effect of the Rage of Men again ft them up- M on
162 SERMON V.'
dh the account of their profeffing his Name. Such is the Wifdom and Goodnefs of God, that by the fltVie fiery Trial he may refine his Servants from their Drofs and Im- purities, and render the Glory of the Gofpel more conjpicuous. The Hatred of Religion, and a blind Fury may tranfport Men to A6ts of Cruelty againfl: the Saints ; but 'tis by the permiffion of the univerfai Soveraign,who hath the Hearts of all h. his Hands, and fuffers their Rage for holy Ends. The Enemy de- fijgns againfl their Faith, but God'^ Aim is to make them reform their Lives.
Now if either through ftrong Fears, or the flinging fenfe of Troubles upon the account of Re- ligion, our Courage fails, we aire prcfently in danger of falling away, and denying our Mafler. The faint- hearted Perfon is uflially falfe-
heartedy-
hearted, and for wane of Refolu- tion, being frighted out of hisCori- fcience and Duty, choofcs Sin ra- ther than Suffering, and thereby juftly depYives himielf of the Crol^n of Lifcy that is promifed only id thofc who are faithjnl unto the 'Death, Befidcs, not only the lofs of Hea- ven, but the TormeiKs of Hell are threatened again ft thofe who with- draw from the Service of God to ^ V Old Tern poral E v i 1 s'. The fear- "ktv, i t) fid mid wihelicVin^ are in the front of ^ thofe that fiall hal^e part in the Lake of Fire and 'Srivi/lonc^ ipl:ich is the fccond Death. Now w!i;it Folly is it when two Evils are propaundcd, CO choofe the greateft ^ that ts, Eter- nal Death rather th.^n Temporal: and of two Goods to prefer the fefs ; a fiioit Lite with its Convc- nientes on Earch, before tha: which is eternally glorious ivi Heaven ? By which tc appears how mnch M ii ^
i64 SERMON V.
ic concerns us to fortify and fix our Minds by a ftedfaft Belief of God's fupporting Ptefence with.us in all Troubles, and of his gra- cious Promife, that in due tinae we (hall reap if wc faint not in well- doing.
iMy, They are incapable of the Comforts proper to an afflicted State. Tho(e arifc from the Be-
Rcv. 3. \kiythat God loVes whom he chajlens : for the leaft Sin is a greater Evil than the greateft Trouble ^ and his defign is to take that away, and from the cxpedcuion of a happy Ifiue. Hope is the Anchor wimin the Vail, that in the midft of Storms and roughcft Seas, pre- ferves from Ship wrack. TheCha- ra6ler of Chrillians is, that they
RorTi.'2.^r{' re joking in Hojw: But when the
*^' Afflicted are under fearful Impref-
fions that God is an irreconcile-
able
On Hebrews xiL 5. 165
able Enemy, and fadly conclude their Miferies are paft Redrefs, tbofe Divine Comforts that are able to fweeten the moft bitter Sufferings to Believers, are of no Efficacy. Their deep Sorrow^s are not like the Pains of a travailing Woman that end in a joyful Birtli, but the killing Tortures of the Stone that are fruitlefs to tiie Patient. An obftinate Grief, and rejecting the Confolations of God, is the hegmnm^ of Sorrows^ the firll: Payment of that (ad Arrear of mourning that (hall be exaded in another World.
The Ufe fli^ll be to excite us to IV. thofe Duties that are dire(i^ly con- trary to the Extreams forbidden, V/;^. To demean our felves under the Chaftenings of the Lord with a deep Reverence and humble Fear of his Difpleafure, and with M 3 a
x66 SERMON V^
^ firm Hope and Dependance up- on him for a blefled liTue up- on our complying with his holy, Will.
I, With an humble Reverence of his Hand. This Temper is abfolutely neceflary and mofl con- gruous with relpedl to God, upon the account oi his Soveraignt.y, Juftice and Goodnefs declard in his Cb alien ings ; and with relped; to our Frailty, our Dependance up- on him, cur Obnoxioulnefs to his "Law, and our Obligations to hirn, that he will plealc to afflidl us for our good. '^
This is the reafon of that Ex- Arnos 2 pp3:uiation, U'^ill a Lion roar in the ''''"'" ^.Forefr^ ii,Uc}i he hath m Trcy^ Shall God's 1 hreatnings and Judgmenxs have, no Effect ? Who eycr hard- n^d hiuifiilf ^%^''dnjl . /;/?;/, and pro- ]l>crcd? po -))-e froyoh the Lord
On Hebrews xii. 5. 167
tQ Jealoufyj the moft fenfible an4 * ^vere Attribute when it is incens'd r Jre we flrm^er than he ? Can yve encounter offended Omniporency ? Can we with an Army of Lufts pppole Myriads of mighty Angels ? 'lis not Courage, but fuch a prp^ digious degree of Folly and Fury, that one would think 'twere im- poffible a reafonable Creature were capable of it. Yet every Sinner unrcformed by Aflflidtions is thus defperate: He ftretchcs out his Hand joh 15. a^amft Goi^ and flrengthens himfetf 2 5>2o. agatnjl the Almighty ,• he runneth upon him^ eyen on his Kecky upon the thick 'Bojj'es of his 'Bucklers, Suck a furious Rebel was Jha:^^ who m the time of his Di/lrejs^ did trejj^afs more againjl the Lord : This is that iQng ^ Chron.' Ahaz ! But God hath moft Iblcmn-- 28. .ly declared, that he will be vido- rious at lad over the moft fierce obdurate Enemies. As JliVe^ faith M 4 the
i68 SERMON V.
the Lord^ eVery IQiee (hall bow to wie. His Power is Infinite, and Anger puts an Edg upon his Power, and makes it more terrible. If our Subjedion be not voluntary, it muft be violent. 'Tis our Wif- dom to prevent Ads of Vengeance by bumble Submifiions. The Du- ty of the Afflided is excellently lob 24 ^xpreft by Ehhu : Surely it is jmet §1, 32. to he fat d to Qojy I haVe born Cha- ftifements^ I will not ojfend any more* That I hioy>^ not J teach thou ?ne : if I haye done Int(jutty^ I ivdl do fo no more.
Add further, upon another ac- count Reverence is due to God's Chaftenings: for when Love is the Motive that incites one to give us Counfel, tho it be mixt with Reproofs, and his • Prudence is not great, yet a Refped is due to the Affedion. Now God who is only wiftj chaftifes Men from a dcfirc
to
Ow Hebrews xii. 5, 169
to make them better and happy ; he intends primarily to refine, not to confume them by Afflidions : (b that a (erious regard to his Hand is the moft juft and ncceffary Du- ty of the Creature. Briefly, eve- ry Chaftifement fliould leave deep and permanent Impreflfions upon us,- the Sen(e of God's Difplea- fure (hould make our Hearts mournful and mollified, broken and contrite, that his Will mav be done by us on Earth as it is in Heaven.
2. Let us always preferve an humble Dependanccand firm Hope on God, for a blefTed Iflue out of all our Troubles : The Support and Tranquillity of the Soul arifeth from hence. Chriftian Patience fuffers all things as well as Charity, being incouraged by a continual expectation of Good from him.
Patience
lyc? SBKMON V,
Patience confirms all other Graces, and is to the whole Armour of Gpd, what the Temper is to material Weapons, that keeps them from breaking in the Combat. JSlow to maintain a conft^nt Hope in Afflidion, 'tis neceflary to copfi4er the Reafon of the Exhortation as "tis admirably amplified by the Apoftl
e.
(i.) The Relation God fnftains when he afflids Believers. He is a Judg inverted with the Qualify of a Father. The Covenant of Grace between God and J^lus Chrift, our true Davidj contains Pfal. 85. this obfervable Claqfe, Jf thy ChiU ^l^ dren for fake my Law^ and walk ngp hi my Judgments ; Jf they break my Statutes, and keep not my Command^ nients j then will J Vifit their Tranfgrcfr fto^is with a %od, and their Iniipiity with
1 The
^O
OwHebkewsxU. 5- 17X
The Love that arileth from this Relation, tho it cannot hate, yet it may be difpleafed, and chaftife them for their Follies. Mofes tells • ihc ]fraclites, JI?oupalt conftderinthy ^^^^^^• i Hearty that 06 a Man chajieus his Son^ 5-
I fo the Lord thy God chajlens the. In Children Rea(bn is not fully dif- clouded, they are not capable to govern themfelves, and are only taught with fenfible Pleafure or Pain : So that a Father is obliged to join Correction with Inftrudtion, CO form them to Vertue. This is fo far from being inconfiftent with Paternal Affedlion, that "'tis infepa- rable from it. For a Parent to fuifer a Child to go on pleafantly in Sin without due Punifhmertr, is pure Cruelty difguifed under the Mask of Pity : for by the negledl: of Difcipline he is confirmed in his vicious Courfes, and expofed to Ruin. Tiie ApoRle therefore adds,
\]'^?om
172 SERMON V.
Wlyom the Lord loVes^ he chajiens : As from the ftvereft Wrath he fbme- times forbeareth to ftrike, fo from deareft Love he afflids. Humble Believers through a Cloud of Tears may fee the Light of God's Coun- tenance: for having ele(5ted them by (pecial Love to a glorious Inheri- tance above, he difpenfeth all things here in order to the preparing them for it ; and all Temporal Evils, as Means, are transform'd into the Na- ture of the End to which they are fubfervient. So that the fharpeft Sufferings are really from God's Favour, fince they are beneficial for our obtaining real Happinels. The Devil ufually tempts Men in a Paradife of Delights, to precipi- tate them into Hell : God tries them in the Furnace of Affliftions, to purify and prepare them fbr Hea-
ven.
(i.) 'Tis
On Hebrews xii. 5. 175
(2.) 'Tis a ftrong Cordial a- gainft fainting, to confider that by virtue of the Paternal Relation he fcourges eVery Son whom he re- ceives : for no Troubles are more afflidive and flinging than thofe that are unexpe(5ted. Now when we are afl'ured that there is no Son whom the Heavenly Father doth not chaften, we arc le(s furprized when we meet with Crofles. In- deed there is hardly any kind of Affli(Sion that may befal us, but we have fome inftance in Scripture of the Saints fuflfering the lame. Are we poor and mean in the World ? we fliould confider that Poverty with Holinefs is a Divine Com- plexion : Jefus Chrifl: the holy and beloved Son of God, had not where to lay his Head. Are we under bodily Diftempers ? good He:::;i'ki^h was ftruck with an uncomfortable
Difeafe
174 SERMON-V.
Difeafc as to the Quality of it^ and 9^/^ had aflourifliing Soul in a languifhing Body. Are our dear Relations taken away ? Jaron and Day'td loft fonfie of their Sons by terrible Strokes. Are our Spirits wounded with the fenfe of God's Difpleafure ? Job and Heiiwt were under ftronor Terrors, yet! the Fa- vourites of Heaven. Briefly, how many moft dear to God were tailed forth to extrearn- and bloody Trials for Defence of the Truth r How many Deaths did they en- dure in one Torment ? How ma- ny Torments in one Death ? yet they were fo far from fainting, that the more their Pains were exafpe- rated, the more their Courage and Joy was Hiinrng and confpicuous ; as the Face of the Heavens is never more ferene and clear, than when the fharpeft North' Wind blows. 'Tis che" A|)0.ftle'> Inftlenc^^. $ecm
c5.
■ ■ i . . I • «
On HfiBK£Wsxil 5. 175
we art compaffed ivith fuch a Cloud cf WttneffeSy lei us run itith Tatiende the (^ace that is fet pefore us.
This is farther e^ifofc'cJ by the following V TTcis,, If ^e H without Vtx.%. Chajlenin^^ win of all are partakers^ thtn are ye SaJIardsj and not Sotis. If God doth not vouchfafe us the Mercy of his Rod, 'tis evident' \vg are not part of his Fatherly Care. The Bramble is negleded, while the Vine is cut till ic bleeds. 'Tis a miferable Privilege to be cx- errlpted from Divine Difcipline, and by Eafe and Profperity to be cor- rupted and made fie for Deftru^^li- On. St. Jujlin reprefenrs one ex- poftulating with God : 0 Vcm^ ijl.i eft Juftttia tua^ ut mali florcant^ ^ honi In Pial- Idborait ! O God, it is righteous with ^^ Thee, that the Wicked iliould prof- per, and the Good differ ! D/c/j Deo^ tjla eft Juftitia tua ^ <^ Dcus t'ihi^ ifta ift Fides tm^ h^ enim tlbl jjromift^
\
176 SERMON V.
ad hoc Chrijlianus fa£ius eSy ut in fe- culo ijlo florereSy <^ in inferno fojlea torquereris f God replies to him, Is this your Faith ? Did I promift you Temporal Profperity ? Were you a Chriftian for this, that you might flourifli in this World, and be miferably tormented in Hell ? Vcr. ^. The Apoftle reprefents the fpe- cial Prerogative of God as the Fa- ther of SpiritSy and Co hath a nearer Claim to us than the Fathers of our Flefli, and that he is not lia- ble to thofe Impcrfe(5lions that at- tend the Earthly Relations. Tl?ey for a few days chaflened us for their own Tlcafure. Human Love is a troubled irregular Paflion, mixt with Ignorance, and prone to Er- ror in the Excels or Defeat. Some- times Parents are indulgent, and by a cruel Compaffion Ipare their Children when they are faulty ; fometimes they corre<5t without
Caufe,
On Hebrews xii. 5. 17-7
Caufe, fometimes when the Rca- Ion is juft, yet they err in the manner or meafure of the Cor- rection, fo that their Children are difcouraged. But in God there is a perfect Union of Wifdom and Love, of Difcretion and Tender- ne(s ; his Affection is without the lead Imperfedion. His Will is always guided by infinite Wifdom. ' ^
If his Children offend, he will cha- 28101.7. fti(e them with the Rod of Men, *^' that is, moderately : for as in Scrip- ture things are magnified by the Epithet, Divine or of God, fo they are leflened by the Epithet, Human. Accordingly the Apoftle declares to the Corinthians^ that no Temptation had befallen thcniy hut Inch ' ^^''* as is common to Man : hut God is ' '' faithful^ who will not jujfcr you to be Hmpted above that you are able 5 but mil with the Temptation difo make d ivay to efcape^ that ye may be able to H bear
,
lyS SERMON V.
hear it. As a prudent Phyfician confuks the Strength of the Patient as well as the Quality of the Dif- eafe, and proporcions his Medicine ; fo all the bitter Ingredients, their Mixture and Meafure, are difpens'd by the wife Prefcription of God, according to the degrees of Strength that are in his People.
The Apoftle fpecifies the im- mediate End of God in his Cha- ftenings : ^ut he for our Trofit^ that ive may he partakers of his Holinefs, This is the fupream Excellency of the Divine Nature, and our Con- formity to it is fb valuable, that it renders Afflidions not only tole- rable, but fo far defirable as they contribute to it. In the pre(ent State our Graces are imperfedt, and our Conformity to the Divine Purity is like the Refemblance of the Sun in a watry Cloud, very
much
On Hebrews xii. 5. 179
much beneath the Perfedion and Radiancy of that great Light. Now God is pleafed to fafhion us according to his Image by Afflidi- ons. As a Statue is cut by the Artificer, to bring it into a beauti- ful Form.
He is pleafed to bring us into divers Temptations to try ourFaich, to work in us Patience, to inflame oar Prayers, to mortify our Carnal Defires, to break thofe voluntary Bonds whereby we are fettered to the Earth, that we may live with thofe Affections wherewith others die. And certainly if we make a true judgment of things, we have not the lead caufe to fufpecc the Love of God when he chaftifes us, to take away Sin the only abo- minable Objcvft of his Hatred and deep Dcteftation, and to render us Partakers of the Divine Nature. N 2 And
i8o SERMON V.
Jnd the prefent peaceable Fruit of d^ghteoufnefs is the Product in thofo ivho are duly cxercijed by their Troubles. It is an Allufion to the Reward of the Conquerors in the Olympick Games, who had a Crown of Olives, the Emblem and Shadow of Peace. But true Peace, a Divine Calm in the Con- fcience, (hall be the Recompence of all that exercife their Graces futable to an affli6led State. In ? Cor. fhort, the Apoftle affures Believers, that they are chajiened of the Lordy ta present their Conde??ination ivith the World. The corre6ling Rod delivers them from Hell. This Confideriition changes Thorns into Rofcs, and extracts Honey put of Wormwood : if the way be ftony or ITiowery that leads to BlelTednefs, a Chriftian fliould wil- lingly walk in it. To conclude,- frorq the Confideration of what
the
M- ;2.
0;; He B R Ew s xii. 5. 181 "'.
the Scripture declares concerning Tcnfiporal Evils, let us lift up the Hands that hang down^ and the feeble IQiecs ; and make jlrelght ^aths for our Fcety lejl that iphich is lame he turned out of the "^ay ; hut let it ra- ther be healed : i, e. In our Afflidtion, let us take Courage and Refolu- tion from the Promi(es, and live in a holy Conformity to God's Will, that the weak or faint may be reftored.
The firfl: and laft Leflbn of Pagan Philofophy was to fupport Men under the Storms to which they are liable in this open State, to render the Soul yelut Tela»^i rupes immota^ as a Rock unfliaken by the Waves.
But all their Directions were unfuccefsful, and fo could not fe- pure them from Impatience or
Defpair.
'i82 SERMON V.
Defpair. But the Gofpel that aflfures us of the Love oi God in lending Afflictions for our Spiritual and Eternal Good, is alone able to compofe the Mind. And when- ever we faint in Troubles, 'tis either from Infidelity or Inconfi- deration; 'tis impoflible a Perfon fhould be a Chriftian, and be in- capable of Comfort in the mod afflided State : for we are really fo by the holy Spirit, who is the Comforter. When we fpeak Ibme- times to thofe we judg infirm, we fpeak to Infidels, who only receive Remedy from Time which they ought to receive from Faith 5 they they have t^ie Name of God only in their Mouths, but the World^ is in their Hearts. Their Paffionv | are ftrong and obftinate, not Tub }cct to jandlified Reaion. The I Difficulty they have of being com- forted, difcovers the neceffity of
their
(7;/ Hebrews xii. 5. 183
their being a[Ei6led. They need Converfion more than Confola- tion; others, who are fincere in Faich, yet are apt to faint under Troubles, from an Error like that of the Apoftlesj when their Lord came upon the Waters in a ftormy tempeftuous Night to their Affi- ftance, they thought he was a Spi- rit. So they look on God as an Enemy, when he comes to fanclify and fave them : the Soveraign Re- medy of our Sorrows is to correct the Judgment of Senfe by a fe- rious Belief of God's Promife. Thus we fhall reconcile the rough- nefs of his Hand with the fweemcfs of his 'Voice: he calls to us from
»' -leaven in the darkeft Night, 'Tis , he not afraid. He corrects us with the Heart and Hand of a Father.
A due Confideration of thefe things will produce a glorified Joy
in
i84 SERMON V.
in the midft of our Sufferings*
Kom-i^. Whatfoeyer things were ivritten afore- ^'timey were written for our Learnings that we through Tatience and Com- fort of the Scriphtures 7night hay^ Hope,
SER-
i85
SERMON VI.
Luke xiv. 23.
The Lord /aid to the Servant ^ Compel them to come /?/, that 7?iy Hotife may be fulL
OUR Blefled Saviour in the days of his Humility, a- mong other Inftances of his admi- rable Condefcenfion, was pleafed in his Sermons to (loop to the Ca- pacity of the Hearers, and inftrudt them in a familiar eafy way. The infirm Eye of Flefh cannot be- hold Spiritual Things in their im- mediate Purity and Glory, but as fliadowed under fenfible Compari- fons. Therefore his excellent Good- nefs made ufe of Parables, to il- luftrate and explain by Rcprefen- O rations
i86 SERMON VL
tations and Patterns borrowed from things common and known, things of a fublimer Nature, and more diftant from our Apprehenfions : and by this ingaging lively manner to awaken the Spirit to confider by what is faid, what is fignified: and to infinuate into the Affections Divine Truths fo pleafingly con- veyed to us.
Now of all the Parables in the Gofpel, this of the Marriage-Feaft, both in refpe(5t of the Excellence of the Matter, and the manner of Expreffion futable to pur Ca- pacity, deferves the ferious Appli- cation of our Minds and Hearts. I will make feme Obfervations up- on it, that may be ufeful and inj rrodudive to the following Di{| ccurfe.
Two general Parts are to be con- fidered, in it; T;\.
I. The
On Luke xiv. 23. 187
I, The Narrative of the Prepa- tions, and the Perfons in- vited to the Feaft.
II. The Succefs of the Invita- tion.
In unfolding thefc Generals, I fhall confider the Siibftance of the Parable, without {training it by far-fetch'd Parallels beyond the In- tention of our Saviour. 'Tis a cu- rious Folly to turn every Figure in Scripture into an Allegory. The Parable is the fame in Subftance with that in the iii Chapter of St. Matthew, from the id Verfe to the ijt/;: that indeed has more of Circumftance and Magnificence in the Relation. The certa'm Mun that inaile the Feaft is there fl'dcd a I^ng, that is, the blefled God ,♦ and the Feafl is for the Marrian' of his Son : Under this Figure of a Royal Mar- riage is reprefented the Myftical O 1 Marriage
SERMON VI.
Marriage between Chrift and his Church, and the Type is infinitely excell'd by the Reality. If we coniider the Perfons join'd in this Divine Alliance, the Son of God, of the fame Nanire, of equal and eternal Greatneis with his Father, to unite himfelf to finful miferable Creatures in a Conjugal Relation, the nioft tender and entire, What an immenfe diftance was to be overcome ? What a feeming Difpa- ragement^ was it to him ? In order to this it was neceffary there fliould be a Conformity of Nature be- tween us : he therefore ip^ inade Fief?) that we might be one Spirit with him : he affumed our Nature in a Perfonal Union to the Diety, that he might marry our Perlbns in a , Spiritual Union. He was a Saviour to redeem us, that he might be a Husband to inrich us. AftoniOi- ing Love ! The Lord of Glory, higher than the Heavens, ftoop'd
fo
On Luke xiv. 25. 189
fo low as to efpoiife poor Dud : he gave his Life for us, and him- felf to us for ever. What Honour and Happinefs accrues to us by this Alliance ! the Lord of Angels is our Husband. His Gifts are an- fwerable to his Love : he is Heir of all things, and endows his Church with Heaven and Earth : the Apo- (lie afllires Believers all things are yoursy and you are Chrift'sy and Chrift is Cfoas. Our Communion with him is lo perfect, that he difcharges us of all the Evils that we cannot bear, our Sins and the Curfe due to them, by taking them upon himfelf, and bellows upon us all the Bleffings and Bleffednefs we are capable to enjoy, Wijdoni, ^^^DtLoitj- ncjs^ SanFilfication and ^'dem[Hvm.
By the great Supper prepared, we are to undcrftand the Manifcftation of the Mefliah, with all the moft * precious and unvaliiable Benefits purchafed and conferred by him O 3 upon
190 SERMON VI.
Upon Believers; the Pardon of Sins, Adoption into God's Family, the Graces and Comforts of the Spirit, and eternal Glory, the be- coming Teftimonies of his Great- nels and Love.
The prime Guefts invited to this Bead are the Jews, the feled Peo- ple of God, to whofn pertained the Rem. p. Adoption J and the Glory ^ and the Co- - 4? 5- yejiantSj and the giving of the LaWy and the Service of God, and the Tromifes : Whofe are the FatherSy and of whom concerning the Flejh Chrifi camc^ who is oVer ally ^od hlefjedfor e Ver, When other Nations were excluded from the Alliance of God, his Prefence ariS Worfhip was their Privilege, and for them this Feaft was princi- pally intended.
TSe Servants employed in the
Invitation were, firft, l^ofes and
the Prophets, inclufively to John
Rom. 5.^h'" Baptifl:,- all to whom the Oracles
^* of God were committed ^ and by whom
the
Ou LuKZ xiy. 23. 191
the eternal Counlels of his Wii^ dom were declared concerning theE>eut.i8. Meffi^is. All their Prophecies, as fo many Lines, meet in this Cen- ^'' ' ^* tre. The other Servants were the j^^ Apoftles, who were commanded to preach the Go/pel firjl at Jerufalem. Luke 24. The firft order of Servants, and the {econd, both propofed the fame MeffiaSj as the Objed: of our Faith and Love ,• but the Prophets under Shadows and Figures in the Pro- mi(es, the Apoftles clearly in the Truth and Accomplifliment. The firft invited while the Prepara- tions were makings but the Evan- gelical Minifters are more carnelt and preffing, ComCy for nil things are now ready. And in comparing ^tk two Periods of Time, there is the moft fliining and Icnfible Evidence of the Truth of the Chriftkn Re- ligion : for the Marks of it are clear in the Prophecies by their ex- act References to the Accomplifh- O 4 mcnc
192 SERMON VI.
ment in the Perfbn of Chrili ; and they are clear in the AccompliOi- ment by the Correfpondence to the Prophecies. Who can fufpend Affent that our Redemption by Je- fus Chrift is the Work of Divine ^?c, Providence, when the defign of it is fb exadly delineated in the Prophecy ?
Thus the unchangeable PirmnefS and Stability of God's Counfel is the Foundation of our Faith. The Confummation of the Marriage will be at the fccond coming of Chrift.
II. The Siiccefs of the Invita-
jyj^g tioa is related, They all ivlth one
1^5 iQ^Conjent te^aii to make Excufe, The
■20. jiyji j^i^^ J j^^y^ hou^7t a piece of
Qrcundy and 1 mufl needs go to fee it : Another jaidy I haVe bought five Yoke of Oxen. J and go to proVc them : And another laid, / haVe married a Wfe^ and 1 cannot come. All the Carnal
AfFcdti-
On Luke xiv. 25. 193
Affedlions are readily and prefently confpiring in the refufal. It may feem that the Allegations of a Pur- chale and Marriage for not coming to a Feaft were very reafonable: but the Feaft reprefents Celeftial Happinefi, in comparifon ot which all the Profits and Pleafiircs of this World are but Lofs and Dung : 'Tis evident then, their Excuf^s are ftrong Accufatiorfs of tbei^ Folly and Ingratitude : Of Folly in pre- ferring Shadows before (ubftantial Felicity, Moments before Eter- nity : of Ingratitude, in rejeding contumelioufly the moft gracious and earneft Offer of fuch a Happi- nefs. This is fpoken of the Jews, who lived in the time of the Son of God's Defcent for the Salvation of Men : The love of the World caufed them to defpile his mean Appearance, and neglect the Call of humble Mercy. Upon their refufal, the Servant came and frnvcdw^^ 21.
his
194 SERMON VI.
hts Lord thefe things ; Then the Majlcr of the Houfe being Angry^ faid to Us Servant y Go out quickly into the Streets and Lanes of the City, and bring in hither the Toor^ and the Maimed, and the
Vcr. 22. Halt, and the 'Blind, And the Ser'Vant faidy Lord, it is done as thou haft corn-
Ver. 23. ^^^anded, and yet there is ^om. And the Lord J aid unto the Servant, Go out into the High- ways and Hedges, and compel them to come in, that my Houfe
Ver. 24. may be filled. For J fay unto you, that none of thofe Men that tt>ere hidden^ fhall tafte of 7ny Sapper.
The Refufers are for ever excluded from the Joy of this Royal Feaft^ being as unworcliy as unwilling to partake of it. This Judgment, is ftiU vifible upon the Nation of the Jews, who con lent to their Proge- nitors rejeding and condemning the iV'effias, and will not be con- vinced of the obftinate Impoftiire that was devifed to prevent the Be- lief of his Refurre^tion. But it- did
On Luke xiv. 23. 195
did not become the Wifdom and Goodnels of Gorf, that flich coftly Preparations fhbuld be loft : it was requifite that fiwhe Perfons fiiould actually come to the Feaft, that is, obey the Heavenly Call, and re- ceive the Gofpel ; for otherwife the Redemption the Son of God fo dearly acquir'd, had been without Fruit, he had died in vain, which is diredly contrary to the Promife of God to him. / will ^iye thee for ira.4.p,^. a Light to the Gentiles y that thou mayft be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth. Accordingly the Servant is ordered to bring in the Toor^ the Lame^ andtheSlindy and to go into the High' ways and Hedges ^ and compel them to come in^ that the Houje may he filled. Thefe Expreffions declare the excream Milery of the Hea- thens, who were at that time with- iTpi^^r ^ out Chrijiy Aliens from the Common- 12. wealth of Ifrael, Strangers from the Covenants of Promifey having no Hjpe^
and
195 SERMON VI
and without God in the World,
Compel them to come in. The Pa- pifts allege this Text to give co- lour to their Cruelty, in their vio- lent ways of making Profelytes to their Idolatry. Their convincing Argunnents are Swords, and Racks, and Gibbets, and Fires. If this be a proper Method of converting Men to Religion, the greateft Ty- rants are the mod infallible Teach- ers. The Vanity and Innpiety of the Pretence will appear by confi- dering,
I. ' lis ridiculous to Reafonjtoufe forcible Means for fuch an End : for the Underltanding is a reafonable Faculty, and can only be convinc'd by inftrucling. Reafons. It cannot judg of things but as they appear, noi' alTent againft its Judgment. Indeed Threatnings and Tortures niny make Men Infidels, but not fincere Believers: it may make than Hypocrites and Comedians
in
On Luke xiv. 25. 197
in Religion, but not unfeigned Profeflbrs. This is abundantly ex- emplified in France^ where the vaft number of fervile Converts have been made by their Dragoons, not their Doctors.
2. This is mod: contrary to the Practice of our Saviour, and to the Spirit of the Gofpel. The Sword that Chrift ufeth in fubduing his Enemies, and making them willing Subjects to his Scepcer, gees Rev. ip. out of his Mouth. His Kingdom ^5- was introduced into the World by Preaching and Miracles, by doing Good and fufFering Evil : he opcn'd the way for the Gofpel not by killing his Enemies, but by dying himfelf and in his Members : The eftablifliing and enlarging his Re- ligion are by futable means, the Il- lumination of Mens Minds, the Perfwafion of their Wills, the drawing of their Affedions to em- brace it. Accordingly the Apoftle
tells
198 SERMON VL
2 Cor. tells US, 77;e Weapons of our Warfare ^°' ^' ^* are not carnal ^ hut mighty through God to the pulling down of flrong Holds ; Cafling down Imaginations^ and e^ery high thing that exalteth it felf againjl the ^lowlcdg of God J and bringing in- to CaptiVity eyery Thought to the Obe- dience of Chrift, The Weapons, arc futable to the Warfare, and the Warfare to the Kingdom, which is Ipiritual, not of this World, The ufing of Force to conftrain Men to embrace the Chriftian Religion, is contrary to the Love, the Good- nefs, Meeknefi, Clemency and Be- nignity, the blefled Temper the Gofpel plants in the Breafts of Chriftians. How feverely did.our Saviour rebuke the fiery Spirit in , , fames and J obi ^ You know not what K^^. manner of Spirit you are of; the Son of Man came not to deflroy JMens LiytSy hut to faVe than. "JTis con- trary to the Golden Rule given to all his Difciples, What you would
haye\
On Luke xiv. 25. 19^
haye others do to yoHj do you to them»
But this muft be acknowledged, that 'tis very congruous that the Pa- pifts make ufe of the material Sword, when the Sword of the Spirit^ the Word of God^ ftrikes through the Heart of Popery. The Dodrine of the Mafs is a clear Contradidion to the Scripture, and a /notorious derogating from the Value and Virtue of Chrift's Death : they (ay 'tis an unbloody Sacrifice of Chrift, propitiatory for the Living and the Dead : Whereas our Saviour was offered up but once, the Mafs is ten thoufand times in a day repea- ted. Chrift's Sacrifice was with Blood, and an unbloody Sacrifice is not propitiatory, nor can ohtnhi ^miffeoti. Where can they find in Scripture the Religious Worfhip of the Saints ? They fet up an in- finite number of Interceflors, and
rob
200 SERMON VI.
rob our Saviour of his Glory, as if he were defective either in his Gom- paffionate Love to us, for whom he mediates, or in his Power with God. They prefer his Mother be- fore him in difpenfing Mercy of which Sinners have the moft need : they reprefent him as ftridt and fevere, but flie is compofed of Sweetnefs, he is the Judg, (lie the Advocate and Saviour; we will leave them to the jealous God.
I fliall only obferve farther, that many erring Sedts preferve their Allegiance to the Divine Authority in the Scripture, for they do not affume an Infallibility to themfelves, but miftake the Senle of Scripture : but the Papifts by afferting that the Authority of Scripture depends upon the Teftimony of their Church, that is, the Sun borrows its Beams from her Eyes, and by arrogating an Infallibility to it, do in effedl re- nounce Homage to the Authority
of
On Luke xiv. 25* :!0i
of God in his Word. And from hence ic is that the Adherers to that Religion are fo inconvincible : cho Senfe, P.eafon and Scripture difcover their Doctrines to be plain- ly impoifible. Their Dodrine of Tranfubftantiation involves fuch Contradictions as deftroy the Ellcnce and End of Miracles : Their Do- (ftriae of the Pope's Supremacy im- plies there are two Monarchs of one Kingdom, two Heads of one Bo- I dy, two Husbands of one Spoufe. ! No Errors are more ftrong and fatal ; than fuch as are arm'd with Autho- [, rity, efpecially if that Authority be ! efteem'd Tiered. But to return • from this Digrcffion, tho not im* pertinent.
Compel them to mne hi. The word fignifies the u(e of all conftraining Motives, and the moft eavneft In- treaties that are congruous to pre- vail upon thofe who are invited to a Feaft, The fame wOrd is uled P Mat.
S.02 SERMON VL
Mat, 1 4» 2 2. And Jefm conjlramd his J)'tfcipks to get into a Shipj which certainly was not by violent driving or drawing them, but by his conn- nnanding Authority. So 'tis rela- ted of the two that were with our Saviour in the Journey to EmmauSy
Luke 24. that they conflraimdhim to abide with
^^'them : The Conftraint was by ear-
neft Intreaties, far from Force. The
fame word is uftd of Tete/s com-
^^'* ^' pelling the Gentiles to live after the ^tjs of the Jews : that was by his Example. Thus. the Nations were compelled to receive the Gofpel by the Apoftles, the Ambafla- dors for.Chrift, who did ardently, infeafon and out of Jeajon, . pray them in Chrift's (lead to be reconciled to God. Their Do6lrine was recom- mended by the Holinefs of their Lives, and confirmed by the Luftre of their Miracles. In fliort, the Expreffion fignifies how pleafing ic is to God, . that thofe who are in- vited
On Luke xiv. 23. ^c)
vic^d by the Offers of Grace in the Gpfpel, fliQuld come co Chrifl: no obtain Life : and that the Invita- tion fhall be effectual in the Hearts of thofe who belong to the Electi- on of Grace.
The Propoficion that I fhal! in- fift on is this :
[Tis the great Vtity of the Miniflers of Chrifi to uje their hejl Endca- 'VourSj to inftruEi and perfwade Men to embrace the faVin^ Mer- cie$ of tJye Oojpel.
The Commiflion was immeJiai:^- ly given to the Apoftles, bur ex-- * tends to the end ot the World, till the Miniftration of the Gofpel (liall ceaft. I will explicate the Oofliinc in this order.
i. Confider what is implied, the Ayetfnefs in Men from cQij-
F % ienrinst-
204 SERMON VI.
fenting to the Terms of Salva- tion offered in the Gofpel.
II. The Means by which they are wrought on, and induced to come to the Celeftial Feaft.
III. Prove that 'tis the great Duty of the Minifters of Chrift to apply themfelves with a holy Zeal to bring Men to partake of the laving Mercies revealed in the Gofpel.
I. There is an Averfenefs im- plied in the Expreflion, Compel them to come in. This will be evident by confidering, that the World, the Flefh, and Satan, are Enemies in Combination againfl the Souls of Men, and raile an Army of Objedlions againfl: their fubmitting to the Terms of the Gofpel.
I. The World is the general Temptation : the natural World, and the corrupt World, the Things
and
On Luke xiv. 23. 205
I — . 1 —
and Men of the World hinder our coming to Chrifl:.
ifl. The natural World, com- prifing all the Creatures in it, was originally very good, both in lefpcct of the Things themlelves, and their defigned Ule : for they were be- neficial to Man, in order to his ferving and enjoying the bleffed God. But fince his Fall from the State of unftaind Nature, they are accidentally evil to him. Tk Crea- p^Q^^ g^ tures are ffiade JuhjeB to ViUUty^ not mllingly: they are perverted from their innocent ufe, to foment and gratify Mens vicious Appetites. Therefore the Apoftle declares, tJ?c whole Creation o roans and tra^^cls in Tain^ is in a kind of Agony ready to' faint ^ not for the Labour^ but the In- dignities they juffer. The Charge that God faftens upon Idolaters, is true againft Worldly Men : Ye ha^e taken my Siher^ and my Gold^ and haVe carried into your Temples my goodly ■ P 3 fleajant
"206 SERMON VI.
pleafajit things. The Richesy the Pleafures, the Greatnefs apd Glory of the World are the Idols of their Heads and Hearts. The Interpo- ficion of the Earth darkens, their Minds, eclipfcs their Efteem of the Fruition of God as their only Hap- pinefs,- the Love of it alienates and eftranges their Affections from him, their Truft in it flackens their due Dependance upon him. Front hence it is, that the World, which, made by God, was a fair and bright Thg;atre of his Perfections, to rAife the Thoughts and Affections of Men wich Delight and Wonder to the bleffcd Creacorj as 'tis managed by Satan, and abus'd by the Lufts of Men, is the Shadow of Death: fuch as Tome Treg^ Caft, that not only intercept the refiefliing Light of thd Sun, but (lied a malignant Contagious Influence. Strartge Alteration !
The World is prefent and fenfi- ^l^- and Jtnakes ^n eafy entrance
into
0^ Luke xiv. 25. 207
into the Bofoms of Men. Their Souls are furpriz'd and deceived by the Suggeftions of the SenCes, that repxefent earthly things as great Realities : fpiricual and future things are to them but matters of Fancy and Conceit. The prefcnt and fuc- ceeding World are like Counter- ballances ; as the one riles, the other finks in Mens Opinions. When the World has got PolTcffion of them, it commands and captivates all their Powers and Faculties. All the Preaching in the World is in vain, a Throng of Bufineis or loole Diverfions caules the negledt of the great Salvation. Reprelent to them the attractive Mercies of God, his meltingBowels open'd in the Gofpel to all repenting Sinners j they are unmoved, frozen in their Dregs, Remember them, that their Bodies are dying every day, and their Souls are already dead, and that without fiiK^ere coming to Chrifl: they can- P 4 not
2o8 SERMON VI.
not be recovered to the Life of Grace and Glory, 'tis in vain : tell them, they muft fliortly appear be- fore the dread Lord of Spirits, and be accountable for all things done in this World, and the Confequence will be eternal ,• all is in vain : they have other Affairs, other Defires, which they regard and purliie ; they are loft in the Labyrinth of the World, and have no Time nor Inclination to fecure their main In- tereft.
^Tis further obfervable, from the Excules alleged in the Parable of a Puichaie, and a Marriage, and as ^tis faid in Mat. 1 1. That the InVttei made light of it^ one ivent t o his Farm^ and another to his Merchandife ; that thofe Temptations of the World are moft perfwafive and fatal to Men, that feem to be very natural and in- nocent. For what Duty is more dearly natural and reafonable than to make Provifion of Supplies futa- " ■ ■■■■^ ■ ^ '■■^' ble
On Luke xiv. 25, 209
blc to their Condition and State, to their Charge and Families? 'Tistrue, Confcience and Prudence reiquire that Men fhould be dili- gent in their Callings, for the Sup- port and Comfort of the prefent Life. 'But the Kingdom of Heaycti, and the ^ghtcoufncfs that leaJs to it^ imjl he fought m the fir jl place. The brighv.eft Valuations, the moft in- flam'd Affedions, the moft vjao- rous and conftant Endeavours are due to Heaven. Now the Minds and Faculties of Men are limited, and cannot with intenfe and equal Ardency apply themlelves to vari- ous Objeds. If the World be the main Objed of their Care and > Counfel, the Vigor of their leading and inftrumcntal Faculties will be lefs free and active for Heaven : And from hence it is, that the Affairs and Engagements of this World, tho immediately they do not deprive Men of Heaven, yet
medi'
3IO SERMON VL
mediately they are deftruclive to them ; for they lefTen their Efteeiji, cool their AffetSions, flack their Endeavours to obtain it : they op- prefs their Spirits, ingrofs their Time, that they have no leifure to work out their own Sahation: They make them receptive of many Temptations, which wound their Souls to Death for ever. , The conftant Spring of the Sins and Mifery of Men is from hence, they have forgot the regular ufe of the Creatures, as Means and Motives of their afcending to God ; they underftand not the Rule of Wifdom, to make Temporal Things fubordi- nate to Eternal ,• they have loft the happy Temper of not totally de- clining the World, nor of eager embracing it. In fliort, they would enjoy the World, and only ufe God in their Exigencies. 'Tis therefore inculcated in Scripture, That the Frimds of the World are the Encfnies
u:j>
On Luke xiv. tS^i^ 211
of God J and that the LoVe of the World is inconfijient with the LoVe of the Fa- ther. 'Tis a moft dangerous Sin, being fo hardly difcernable, and hardly cur'd : for the more appea- rance there is of Reafon and the lefs of Senfuality in a Sin, the more it infinuates and prevails. We ufually judg of Sins by the Foulneis of the external Av5l, but the Guile of it principally ariies from its in- ward Contrariety to God. The Love of the Woild dethrones God in the Hearts of Men : other Sins difhonour him in breaking his Laws, this reproaches him as lels worthy of our Relpc(5ls. When it has free Dominion, it will as certainly, tho filently, deflroy the Souls of thofe who are of a fair Reputation in the Eyes of Men, as the Riots of notorious Sinners will be their Ruine.
idly. The corrupt World, thofe who are fliled the Children of this
World,
212 SERMON VI.
World, by their Example, and by their Oppofition, are Obftacles in the way to Heaven.
(i.) By Example: for the broad Way is beaten by the Multitude, and few ftrive to enter in at the ftrait Qate that leads to Eternal Life, Now Men eafily receive the Impreffion of Example. Of this there is palpable Evidence; for when Sins are common, the numbers of the Guilty diminidi the Senfe and Shame of the Guilt. But if Con- science be fomecimes unquiet, they finother the Sparks of Conviction in their Breads, and make a refo- lute Reckoning they fliall be in no worfe condition than others. Mi- ierable Comfort ! as if one tortur'd on a Rack could receive any Miti- gation of his Pains, by the fight of many others fuffering the fame Torture. So contagious are the Fafhions and Manners of the World, that a principal end of our Saviour's
Death
On Luke xiv. 23. 213
Death was to deliver m from this^^^- ^' prefent e^il World : that is, not from the Place, but from the depraved State, and finful Practices of the Men of the World. The Apoftle <Peter remembers Believers, Ye know that ye i Pct. i. are not redeemed with corruptible things^ as Silver and Goldy from your Vain Con- y erf at ion y received by Tradition from your Fathers; but with the precious 'Blood of Chrifl as of a Lamb without Blc- mip) and without Spot, So deep was the Pollution,it could only be wafh'd out in that precious Fountain. The Principles and Ways of the World have a mighty Influence to blind and harden Men in Conformity to them. The Heathen Idolatries and Impurities were continued fo long in the World, being commended and eftablifh'd by publick Cuftom : and accordingly the Apoftle tells the Ephefians, they in time pafi walked according to the courje of the World.
Now
214 S^ERMON Vl.
Now to apply this more clofely to the prefent Subjcd : 'tis vifible by the Converfation of Men in the World, that their Aims, their Ap- petites, their Endeavours are termi- nated in the World : their Souls cleave to it, the Train and Tenden- cy of their Actions leads to it. A fuperficial Tincture of Religion, a Complemental Vifit to God fome- times in publick Worfliip, contents the mod j but their Thoughts, their Time and Strength are fpent to ob- tain and enjoy the prefent World ; for 'tis efteem'd their main Intereft, and Heaven is only fought by the by, as an Accefiion to their Felicity^ Now we ufually approve and afFe6b things according to common Opi- nions and Pva6tice, tho unreafbna- ble and exorbitant. The Pfalmift rpeaking of the gathering uncer- tain Riches, obferves, this theit ivay Pfal. 4p.i5 their Folly ^ yet their ^ofterity approve their Sayings : they imitate the Folly
On LuKg xiv. 23. 215
of their Progenitors, tho fatal to them. Men are vain in their Minds, and fecure in their Sins, by Confor- mity to the numerous Examples that encompafs them. Nay, a re- generate Man by converfing with the unregenerate World, is in dan- ger to be tainted in his Judgment, and to be irregular in his Affecti- ons to Earthly Things : he is apt to conceive fo highly, and to frame fuch glorious and goodly Ideas of Worldly Excdlencies, that his De- fires are inflam'd to attain them, I and proporcionably he is chill'd and i controurd in the Alacrity and Vi- ! gor of his Endeavours after heaven- \ ly things. Thus as a frefh-Water I River by its nearnefs to the Sea has a brackifli Tafte ; fo even the Citi- zens of Heaven are prone to be Earthly-minded, by their Society with the (children of this World. 'Tis the wife and earneft Advice of the Apoftle^ ^e not conformed to
this
si6 SERMON VI.
this World^ but be ye transform' d by the remising of your Minds^ that ye may prove what is that goody and accepta- hky and perfeEi Will of God, The Corruption of the World has deep- ly (eiz'd upon us fince to purge it away J a Man muft be melted a- new and transform'd into another Creature. So difficult it is for a Carnal Man to refift the united Force and potent Sway of corrupt Nature and Cuftom.
(2.) By oppofing thofe who fin- cerely comply with the Heavenly Call, either by Scorn and Derifion, or Violence and Perfecution. Hu- man Nature is very fenfible oF difparaging Refledions, and 'tis one of the fpireful Arts of Satan to make u{e of his Inftruments to deride ferious Religion out of the World. 'Tis ecjually profane and perni- cious to turn into Raillery and wild Mirth the Impieties and Impuri- ties of the Wicked, and the Holinefs
that
On Luke xiv. 25* 217
that fhines in the Lives of excellent Saints : for the making a Mock of Sin, takes away the jufl: Horrour and Deteftation of it ,• and the fcur- riloiis vilifying of Holinefi, takes away the Veneration and high Re- rpe6t that is due to it. Carnal Men who live in Pleafures, without reftraint of their licentious Appe- tites, upbraided by the holy and heavenly Conlcrvation of fincere Chriftians, cannot with Patience fuffer others to praclife what they negled,' and to countenance theii* own Loofenefs, and from Revenge^ fcurriloufly abufe whom they will not imitate. ^we dnd widi'filed ^ligio7i is the Game that winged Wits fly at. He that avoids the appearance and approach of Sin, that fin'Ves to he holy ds God is holy in all m inner of ConVofationj is the Mark wherein their poifon'd Ar- rows are faften'd. The jujl iij^rigkh^ Man is laughed to [corn. Nay, even (3L " ^uU
12. 4»
2i8 SERMON VI.
dull Wretches will fet up for Wits, and attempt by their infipid Jefts, and thredbare Fooleries to abufe the Saints. But all the bitter Sar- cafms that are darted upon Religi- on, are infinitely more hurtful to the Defpilers than the Delpifed. It argues a prodigious Depravation of Mind in thofe who take a per- verfe delight in fcorning Holinefs, the glorious Likene(s of God in Man : fuch in the account of Scrip- ture are the word Sinners, the mod forlorn Wretches, whofe Condition is dreadful, if not defperate.
This fcorniul expollng Religion to make Men afliam'd of it, is moft fuccefsful upon the Dilpolitions of young Pcrlons, and thofe who are of higher Birth and Rank in the World. Youth is the blufiiing Age, and has aTendernefs of Face, that cannot bear the Prints of Dif- grace. If one in his early Age begins to breath, the Life of Holinefs, if
he
On Luke xiv. 25. 219
he abftains from flefhly Lufts that war againft the Soul, he is repre- fented as fondly nice, and ridicu- loufly (crupulous : no lefs than the fpecial Grace of of God is necefla- ry to fortify his holy Refolutions, and make him fuperior to the Scorns of the Wicked.
The Honourable are fearful of Difgrace, and more tender of their Reputation, than others, being in a greater Light, and expos d to more , Eyes and Obfcrvations. If one of noble Quality renounces the Vani- ties and Enticements of the World, makes the Fear of the Lora his Tre.ifwe ; if he zealoufly endeavours to be more diftinguiiTi'd from others by his eminent Vertues, than by the Splendor of his Condition, he is \ fcornfuUy traduc'd as a melancholy Fop, as a low Spirit : as if Con- ftancy in Devotion, and the Pra- ctice of Mortification were a de- fcent from his Dignity, and caft a Q 2 dark
220 SERMON VI
dark fad Shade upon his Honour. Thus the vain perverted World vilifies that Holinefs in Men, which Ifa. 6. the blefled Angels adore in God.
But alasj how many that had fe- rious Inclinations to be religious, and were entred into the way of Life, have been cool'd and checked in their firft Fervors : they could not firmly fuftain Reproach, and endure Conflids with the Paffion ♦• of Shame, therefore return'd to the Courfe of the World, and with it have perifli'd to Eternity. We read Deut 25. of the IJrciel'ites after their coming 17^ ^^' cut of %)]'/■, they met in the way with Ajuakc^ who feared not Cod^ and fmotc the feeble^ and faint, and iveary of them : Therefore the Lord ftridl- ly charged them tobloto/^t the Me- mory of Amalec from under Heaven, In this Type, profane Scorners, that difcourage Beginners in Religion, may fee their Doom,
To
On Luke xiv. 25. 221
To conclude this firft General, I fliall obferve, the Parable repre- fents to us, that thofe who were firft invited, not only made light of it^ hut entreated fintcfully the Ser-^^^^- ^' yajitSj and fle^V thou. Their neg- le6t of the gracious Invitation, was r like the Sleep of one opprell: with the Fumes of Wine, that docs not hear a Meflcige (cnt to him : their cruel Rage againft thofe who invited them, was like the awaking of a diftraded Perlbn, who hearing the Voice that calls him, and by an Error of Judgment miftaking what is faid, in fury inarches his Sword, and deftroys thofe about him. Wicked Men are of Satan's Society : he jvas a Muydeycy frcm the hegln- ning, and hates the Word of Life. As foon as our Saviour was born, and pointed out by a new Scar in Heaven, there wv.s a defign to dcftroy him. 'Tis true, tlie fub- tile Tempter does not at firft in-
222 SERMON VL
fpire Men with Rage agiinfl: the Gofpel : but as in the Art of dy- ing, fome Colours are prep..r.itory for others, the Cloth is firft dipt in Blew before it takes a Black; fo by feveral degrees in finning he brings them toextream Wickednefs. Thus the Negled of the Gofpel makes way for the Contempt of thofe who bring it j and Contempt proceeds to Hatred, and Hatred fometimes produces mifchievous and deadly Effeds. Now the feay of Temporal Evils, efpecially if ex- tream, to which Men are open and obnoxious for the Gofpel, will hin- der them from embracing if, ox caufe them to forfake it, if they are not fupernaturally enlightned and confirmed, by the Spirit of ^ower an4 Loye, and of ajound Mind.
SER-
223
SERMON VII.
Luke xiv. 2J.
The Lord faid to the Seryant^ Corned them to come in^ that viy Houfe may be full,
I Proceed to the fecond Hinde- rance of Mens lejedling the Call of the Gofpel. The Fiefl?, that in the Language of the Scrip- ture fignifies the corrupt Nature, and inbred Inclinations of Men to forbidden things, obftrui!:!: their coming to Chrift. The corrupt Nature is called Flep?^ nor only as that is a term of vilifying, for the Original and Refolucion of Flcfh is into the Dull, but partly with re- fped to its Propagation, and chiefly in that the ufuaV artraftive and de- Qw4 filing
224 SERMON VII.
filing Objeds of Mens Thoughts and Deilres are carnal, and ate en- joyed by the carnal Faculties. Our Minds and AfFe6lions are coloured and qualified, diftinguifh'd and de- nominated from the Objects about which they are converfant. This Corruption is fpread through all the Faculties of the Soul : the Mind is carnal in its Principles and A6ts, hi op0cfition to the Spirit of the Mind renewed hy Qraee: the Will and Affedlions are depraved. WI?ateVer is bom of the Flejh is Flejh. The Apoftle fully exprefles this Corrup- tion: he faith, the natural Man re- % Cor. ceiVeth not the things of the Spirit ?' H' of Qod ; that implies the ftubborn Averlneis in the Will and Affe6li- ons from jpiritual things : fr they are Foolipnufs to him : yieither can l?L' know thern^ tecatfe they are j^iri^ tually difccrned. The natural Mind is indifpos'd and incapable of [iiiowing fupernr.rural things in
their
On Luke xiv. 25. 225
their Reality and Goodnels, fo as
to ravifh the Will into a Com- |
pliance, till 'tis purified and fpiri-
tualiz'd by the holy Spirit. The
fame Apoftle tells us, that the F^om. ^.
Carnal Mind is Enmity againft God, for
it is not fubjefl to the Law, neither can
he. As the Lufts of the Flefh are
oppofite to the Law of God, (b
the Wifdom of the Flefli is to the
Gofpel.
This corrupt Nature makes the World fuch a dangerous Snare to Men : for it blinds their Minds (b as not to fee the Drofs of Earthly Things, and the Glory of Heaven- ly. St. John exprelTes the tempting Objecls of the World by the vici- ous AfFe6lions that are drawn out and faftn'd upon them. All that is hi the World ts the Lujl of the FleJJ?, the Lujl of the Eyes, and the Tride of Life ; for the Lufts of Men put a Glofs upon them, and make ^hem pernicious. The Poilbn is
not
326 SERMON VII.
not in the Flowers but in the Spi- der, that turns the Extradtion from them into its own Nourifliment, Accordingly St. Peter fpeaks of the 2 Pet. I. Corruption in the World through Lujl. The vain Heart is more deceitful than the vain World : for not only Reafon that inftruds the Wile, but Experience that inftruds Fools, affords fufficient Convidion, that all things here below are Vanity and Vexation : there is none fb low, none fo exalted in the World, but finds it fo. By tafting a fprig of Wormwood, the Bitternels is perceived as truly as by drinking a ftrong Infufion of it. The ^^orld with all its Varieties is a multiplied and perpetuated Vanity -, it affords no folid Satisfaction : the fetting down a thoufand Cyphers makes no Sum. But the carnal Heart is fo enchanted with the falfe Luftre and feeming Pleafures of the World, that by changing one Vanity for
another,
On Luke xiv. 23. 227
another, it fecks and expeds Satif- fadtion. This verifies the Obfer- vation of the wile Preacher, T/;e Heart of the Sons of JMen is full o/Ecclef. ^. £V/7, and Madnefs is in their Hearts ?*
whde they live^ and after that they go down to the Dead. What a prodigy of Madnefs is it for Men to catch at a fliadow of Happinefs, to feek for that which they are uncertain to find ; and if they do find, they are cer- tain to lofe ; and to negle<5t fub- ftantial Felicity, which if they fin- cerely feek, they fliall obtain, and if they obtain, they (liall enjoy for ever ! But that it nnay be more evident that the Fief? with its /^ffeHions and Lujls^ does powerfully interpoleto hinder Men from embracing the Gofpel, I will particularly confider its Oppofition to the fupernatural Dodlrines revealed in the Gofpel, the Objects of Faith ; to the holy Precepts of it, the Rule of Obe- flience j to the fpiricual I\.e wards re^
^ommeod-
228 SERMON VIL
commended to our Choice.
1 . . The great Myftery of Godli- nefs, is the Incarnate Son of God, who by an ignominious and ac- iCor. 1 curfed Death purchafed a glorious bleffed Life for his People : this Doctrine is accounted Foolidinefs, and rejected by the proud unre- B.om.io."^w^^ Mind. The Gofpel is ft'tled 2. the Word of Faith: 'tis conveyed to the Soul with Authority and Effi. cacy by Faith. As Faich in Chrift was required of the Sick, and Blind, Mat. p. and Lame, that his healing Vertue 2S. might reft: on them,- fo the belief of the Divinity of his Perfon and Dodrine, is the fiifl: vital Qualifi- eation that makes us capable of fpiritual healing. Infidelity flops the Fountain of Grace.
The Apofl:le faith, the Word preach' d did not profit them that heardl ky not being mixt with Faith. Now altho the Light of the Gofpel be fb clear and convincing that the
fincere
On Luke xiv. 23. 229
fincere confidering Mind cannot fufpend its Affencto it, yet the car- nal Mind ftain'd with Prejudices and vicious AfFedions, will not ad- mit it. ^n eVd Heart is the pyi?icipal Cdufe of Unbelief,
The Jews from Pride, Vain- Glory, and the Love of the World, rejected the Son of God, tho all the Chara(5t:ers of the Meffias were confpicuous in him : he did not come with vifible Glory and Ob- fervation, according to their Ex- pectations and Defires," they Jaw no Form nor Comelinefs in him^ and did not belieye the Report concerning him; they were fcandaliz'd at his Parentage and mean Condition : he difcovered their beloved Sins, and fharply reproved the reigning Vices among them, which made his Perlbn and his Preaching [o odious to them.
Our Saviour tells us, that Light IMS come into the World-, and Men lore
Dark-
250 SERMON VII.
Darknefs rather than Lighty becaufe their Deeds are eVtl, The Prejudice of their Paffions was Co ftrong, that they re jeded the faving Truths of the Gofpel, and believed dam- nable Delufions.
Now the fame Roots of Offence are in the Hearts of Men againft the Gofpel. Such a Cloud ari(es from the Steam of carnal Lufts darkning the "Underftanding, that it cannot j difcover Truths fo high as the my- fterious Doctrines of Chrift. Love in the Heart is requifite as well as Light in the Mind, to know fpiri- tual things : Obedience to the Will of God is the bed Preparative to believe his Word. Our Saviour juftly tax'd the Pharifees, they did not repent^ that they might belieVe. Men are averfe from receiving thofe Dodrines that condemn their Lufts ; and are Infidels that they may be freely wicked, that the Shadow of Repentance may not difturb them. I
;Tis j
On Luke xiv. 25. 251
'Tis faid of Atheiftical Scorners, tJ?ey are willingly ignorant : The corrupt 2 Pet. 3. Will rules imperioufly, and turns the ^' Thoughts from thofe Arguments, which if duly confidered, Reafon with a ftrong hand would conftrain them to acknowledg there is a righteous God who has Authority to command, and Power to pu- nifh thofe who rebel againft his Laws.
' Tis true, they pretend to offer fomething for a more colourable Denial of fupernatural Revelation : but the perverfnefs of Infidelity appears through all their Pretences. Some object againft the Sublimity of the Dodrines of the Gofpel. it was the fcornfulExprcffion of one, This is like the Tcace of God that pafjcs all Under flandmg. As if the Reality of things depended upon the Con- ception and Capacity of the Hu- man Mind, and Divine Truths were impoflible bccaufe incompre- \ henfible.
232 SERMON VII.
henfible. Such foolifh Pride ob- ftruds the Reception of Divine Truths ; and from hence humble Chriftians are defpifed as led by a blind Belief. Others are offended at the fimplicity of the revealing them. The Dodlrines are fo high they cannot reach unto, the man- ner of conveying them is fo low they will not ftoop to. But 'tis evident thele arguings are not from the Reafon but the Lufts of Men. For the rare Accord of the Matter and Manner of tlie Gofpel-Reve- Licion is a fenfible Character of its Defcent from God : The Dodrine is high and bright, of an extraor- dinary'^eYeation ; the Delivery of it is eafy and familiar, fince 'tis for the Inflrudion and Salvation of Men ,• and accordingly the Divine Wifdom has made an exa6l Tem- perament of the(e things. Briefly, the corrupt Aifedlions pervert the Will to rejedt the Gofpel, and the
perverted
On Luke xiv. 25. 235
perverted Will influences the Un- derftanding to difapprove it. Nay, carnal Lufts force Men againft their Light, ( as the Jews did dilate to condemn the Perfon of Chrift) to condemn his Dodtrine.
There are many in this dege- nerate Age, who altho they dare not publickly own the defil'd and abhon'd Name of Infidels, vet a- mong their Companions employ their Wit to difpute and deride the mod fublime and facrcd Truths out of the World. Their Faces are full of Death, the Tokens of Re- probation are vifible upon them. The IlTue will difcover them to be the wretched Examples of that ■fearful Rule. Thofe who are de- fiin'd to final Ruin arc infatuated.
Others are Believers in Profeffion and their own Conceit, but Infi- dels in Practice. Their Faith is but a vain Opinion, a loole Affenc to the Chriftian Dodtrine, becaafe R ^cis
294 SERMON VII.
'tis the Religion of the Country, but with our Radication and Eftablifh- ment. This is evident, confidering that the Do6lrincs of the Gofpel are not meerly intelledual, the Objeds of Theory and Specula- tion, but moral and pradical, the Objects of our choice and feeking: This is a faithful faying^ and worthy of all Acceptation^ that Jefus Chrifl is come into the World to fa\e Sinners. Ac- cordingly the unfeigned belief of them is feated not only in the Mind, but in the Heart, and is correlpon- dent to the infallible Truth and tranfcendent Goodnels of the thing revealed : they make fuch an Im- preflion on the Soul, that the value of them is above Life, and what- ever comes in Competition is with defpifing Difdain rejected. But when Men feldom remember and little regard eternal Things, how fpecious foever the Profeffion is, can there be a reafonable Belief
of
0;^ Luke xiv* 25. 255
of their Words againft their Works > Therefore in the Language of the Scripture, all that do not firjl Jcek the IQngdom of HeayeUy and the ^ghte- oufncfs thereof y are Unbeh'evers ,• it being morally impoflible that Men fhould fincerely believe, and have a due Apprehenfion of it, but it muft be the great Defign of their Souls, and the main Bufinefs of their Lives to obtain it.
1, Security is the conftant EfFecfl of infidelity, and hardens Men in their Sins, and the negle(5l of Sal- vation fo dearly purchased, and gracioufly offered to them in the Gofpel. Dired Infidels let their Mouth aga'mft HeaVcn^ and defy the Furnace of Hell. They are blind- ly bold, and fearlefs of that Judg- ment that makes the Devils tremble. Others, tho not open and palpa- ble Infidels, are in a dead Calm, notfenfible of their Sins, and have flight Apprehenfions of their great R 1 Danger:
I
236 SERMON VU.
Danger : Infidelity lies at the bot- tom of their Security. As the Egyptians in the thick Darknefs that coveried the Lahd^ 7noyed not frorh their Places 5 fo many in igno--' tant Darknefi, fit down and ite ac teft, carelels of the Saviout that can deliver from the Wrath to c6me. Only thofe who have ftfong ApJ^tehenfions of Evils imminent and deftrudive, will fly to Chrift ' 5: a San(5tuary and Shelter, and fubmit to his Terms of faving them.
Secondly; The Corrupt Nature will not fubmitto the Sanctity and Purity oF the Gofpel. The fore- cited Scripture tells us, the Carjiat. Mind is Enmity agamjl God : and that Enmity is arm'd with many ftrong' Lufts oppoGng his Law. The prin-. cipal Cauie of rejecting the Gofpel' Luke 1 p. is common to all, Wc^ill nothaVel ^"^'this Man to rei^n oVer us, 'Ti^ ob-'
fervable.
i (3» Luke xiv. 25. 257
fervables thac as Holinefs is that Attribute wherein God doth moft excel, and Men are raoft defe6livey fo the corrupt Will is moft op- pofite to it. The Juftice and Power of God in fome cafes Men do approve and apply themfclves to : if injurioufly accufed or op- preft, they dell re his Juftice to vindicate their Innocence, and re- venge their Wrongs : if in Diftrefs ^nd Exigencies, they pny that his powerful PrOiWJcnce may regard and reliev^e them : but they are ex- jreamly averfe from his Holinels fliining in his Laws, which excites his Juftice and Power to puniih ^hofe who rebel againft it. They are ready to fay to Chrift, what the rebellious Jjraelites (aid to ^ho- hohamy Thy Father made our Yoke grie- i Kings \.Qi0\ noip therefore make thou the ^^* '^* grievous ScrVicc of thy Father^ and his hcaVy Yoke which he put upon us ^ light ery and vje will ferVc thee. They will R J meafure
2j8 SERMON VIL
meafure out the fcantling of their Obedience, how far he fliall rule, and farther they will not yield. But our Saviour declares, I am not Mat. 5. come to dejlroy the Lam^ but to fulfil it. 'Tis true, the Gofpel is a Covenant of Grace, a foveraign Compofition of precious Promifes of recovering Grace, and pardoning Mercy j but 'tis alfo a Law, and enjoins ^pe?itance towards God^ and Faith in the Lord Jefus Chrift, As without Compenfation to the Juftice, fo without Confor- mity to the Holinels of God, we can never be reftored to his Favour, and enjoy him as our Felicity.
Our Saviour prefcribes this in- difpenfable Rule to his Difciplcs, If any Man will come after vie, let him deny himfclfy and take up his Crofs n?id follow me. This is a compre- lienfive Fundamental Duty, and i,hc natural Man has a ftrono Re- lu^ancy to every part of it,
I, 5elf-
On Luke xiv. 23. 239
I. Self-dependance upon our own Vertues and Duties for the obtaining the Favour of God, and the Eternal Reward, is very natu- ral to Men : it was the Condition of the firft Covenant, to which they cleave. Men of a fair Converla- tion, and unblemifli'd in the Eyes of the World, have fome Sparks of the Pharifee in them, tvho juftificd himfelfy that he was no Extortioner^ nor Unjufly nor an Adulterer^ nor as the profane Ttiblican ; and that he fajled and paid Tithes, Upon fuch Reafons many prefume of the Goodnefs and Safety of their Spiritual State : they take Pride and Content in them- felves, in their Moral Goodnels, and do not feel the want of a Saviour, nor apply themfelves with humble mournful Affedtions to him for Reconciliation to God. Others think by the Worthinefs of their Works to com pen fate for the "Unworthinefs of their Sins, to com- R 4 mute
240 SERMON VII.
mute one Duty for another, and ballance their Accounts with Hea- ven, not confidering that if their Works were perfectly good, they are but the Performance of their Duty, if they had never finn'd. It was one great Obftrudion that hinder'd the Jews from receiving Rom.io. the Gofpel : They heing Ignorant of S' God's ^ghteoufnejsy and going about to eflahli(h their own ^ghteoupiefs^ did not fuhmit themfelVes to the ^tghteouf" nefs of God, One of a high Spirit will rather wear a mean Garment of his own, than a rich Liveryj the Mark of Servile Dependance. Pride refifts Grace, and Grace refifts Pride. The Law of Faith requires us to renounce not only our Un- righteoufnels, but our RighteouC- ftefs, even the moft excellent Graces and the Fruits of them, incompa- rifon of Chrift, and as a Founda- tion of obtaining the Pardon of Siuy and Salvation for ever. Our
Rightc-
On Luke xiv. 25. 241
Righteoufnefs is defedlive and de» filed, and cannot endure the trial of God's inlightning Tribunal. All our Doings and Sufferings cannot expiate the leaft Sin j we ;^ muft only rely upon the Lord our Righteoufne(s, to reconcile us
I to God, and that we may ftand in Judgment. He mts made 6m 2 Cor. 5.
! for U4^ who knew no Sniy that we might ^i.
I he made the ^gkeou/nejs of God m
I him J not in our felves.
J How hard it is to awaken Men out
•' of the Pharilaical Dream of theirown Righteoufnefs, is evident both in t(.2 Dodtrine and Practice of thofe ofthe Roman Communion. They affert the formal Caufe of our Juftificarion in the fight of God is our inherent Holinefs : they blafpheme the imputed Righte- oufnefs of Chrifl: as a fantaftick Apprehenfion : they declare that good Works have the merit of ConcjtUUy and Condignicy to eter- nal
342 SERMON VIL
nal Life: and that by Penance, SatisfaAion is paid to God for their Sins, as if there were a Proportion between the one and the other. They fucceed the Pharifces in their proud and ftubborn Refiftance of the Gofpel. And among other carnal Motives that faften Men in that corrupt Religion, thele have a fpecial force, as quieting Confcience, and gratifying their Lufts, that they can make Compenfation for theic Offences againft God, and that the Abfolution of a Prieft feals their Pardon : thus being clear, they may begin a new Score, and return to their old Lufts with new AfFedi- ons.
2. As Self implies the Fledi with its AfFedions and Lufts, fo Self- denial and Sin-denial are of the func extent. The whole Body of Corruption with all the parts of it, even the deareft, the moft tender and moft cherifli'd by carnal Men,
muft
I
On Luke xiv. 23. 245
mud be mortified. Severe Re- ftraints are laid upon the defiring and the angry Appetites, the Springs of all the Sins and Miferies in the World. We are ftrictly com- manded to pluck out the right Fye^ Mir. 5- and to cut off the right Hand^ upon the moft fearful Penalties, the'^^^^^- fufFering Torments infupportable and everlafting. The Gofpel has the Perfections of a Rule, 'tis clear and com pleat in the Direction of our Duty. It teaches m to deny all Tit. 2, llngodl'incfs^ and Worldly Liiflsj and to live foherly^ righteoufly and godly in this World. Now carnal Men are apt to fay with the Capernaitis^ 7 his is an hard faying. Every one John <?. has a peculiar Favourite Luft, the ^^ Sin of his Complexion, or of the Country wherein he lives, which if you pluck out of their Bolbms, they will fly in your Face Men willingly enough hear Reproofs a- gainft Sins to which they are dif-
inclin'd ;
244 SEKMOM'yH
2r.
inclin'd; but if divefted ^gftinft their own Sins, whether of Pl^fti fure OF Profit, they wiU fcprn the Reproof, and ftorm at the Reprpi ver. They will . perform fpmp '' Duties that are confiftenc with thmc Carnal E^fe and Intereft,. but ob* ftinately ftick at others. Herod h Si, notorious Inftancq of this: 'tis , related he l^eard John ^aptijl gUdlyy ' and obferVed him ; mid when he he^rd htpiy he did many things : but his in- ceftuoqs Affeftion made 'him prcr fer a filthy Harlot befpr^e the pure Law of God,
One indulged Luft cap{;ivates the Soul, and keeps it under the Powe? oi S4tan. It one Leg of a Bird be catch'd in the Net, 'tis as furely held as if its whole Body were en- tangled. One Luft feparates from Chrift, and is a Bar againft out entrance into Heaven, for Chrift is the only way to it. The Word of God is flwl^sf than a two-
edgd
On LuK^ xiv. ^3; 245
edgd Sword; but carnal Men will inter{5ofe their Souls between their tender Lufts and the Word, and receive its deadly Strokes to fpare them. The Lord Chrift tells the Jews, Ye will not come to me that jejohn 5. may haVe Life : They would readily embrace a Saviour that would al- low the Pleafures of Sin, and free them from the Punifliment ; but their Wills were fo ftrongly en- gaged, they would fuffer no Di- vorce from their beloved Lufts : they chole Hell with Sin, rather than Heaven with Holinefs.
^. The denial of Self includes all that in the order of Nature be- longs to us : Life, and all the Sup- ports, the Comforts, the Ornaments ahd Endearments of it; the fweec- ^fl: Relations, Father and Mother, Brother and Sifter, Wife and Chil- dren, the richcft PofTcflions, Houfes and Land, muft be always parted with, in the Preparations of our
Heart,
246 SERMON Yll
Heart,ancl Refolutions of our Wills, and actually, rather than defert our Duty. Such a Supremacy of Affedtion is required by our Savi- our, that fufpends the Operation of our Love upon all inferior things, when they are in Competition with his Intereft and Glory. This Com- mand binds all without exemption : therefore he direds his Followers to be arm'd with Expectation of hard Entertainment in the World. Now this Precept feems fo fevere to carnal Men, that no Motives can reconcile their Affedlions to it. If they are Ipoiled of the Advan- tages, and deprived of the Pleafures of this World, they are ready to com- plain as Micah to them who robb'd. him of his Image and Teraphhn, Ton take away yny Gods. As if the Son of God were flich a poor or illibe- ral Rewarder, eicher defedive in Power or Love, that they fliould be Lofeis for his fake.
Tk'trJly ;
On Luke xiv. 23. 247
thirdly \ The promifed Rewards of the Gofpel nave no affedive Force upon the Carnal Mind, and Affections. 'Tis true, the Gofpel has open'd Heaven, and brought Life and hnmortalky to light ,• a State of entire endlefs Joy in the Prefence of God. Is it poffible that Men fliould be indifferent and carelefs of
■ their final Happinefs ? 'Tisalmofl: equally difficult to induce Men to believe and chufe the Favour and
i Fruition of God as their only Feli- city, as to convince them they do not believe and choofe it. But their Actions declare their Choice, and their Choice declares their Efteem : for if his Favour were efteem d an iinvaluable Trealure, it would be the chief Objed of their Defires^ they would not forfeit it for all the
I World : 'tis therefore evident that the chufing the Pleafures of Sin, and the Profits of the World, is the direct de-
I fpifing the Favour of God. And the
....
248 SERMON VII.
account of k iscle?.r: fottho Hea- ven be a State of eternal and in- expreflible Bleffednefs, yet 'tis fu- ture and fpiritual : it makes but a weak Impreflion upon their Minds, and is unlutable to their Affections. Can carnal Men have but an imagi- nary Reprefentation of the World to come, and their Affent to it is over- fhadowed and eclips'dby the pre- fent World with its Advantages and tleafures ; they cannot relifli a Happinefs purely fpiritual. 'Tis not the GoodriS'lS^tf* the Qbjedt, but the Inclination of the Heart that makes it defirable. The wife Philofophcr obferves, " That fuch " as the radicated Difpoficion and " Habit of a Man is, fuch will th^ *' End appear'©:' him. Therefore a fupernatural fpiritual Good can- not appear to a ienfual Man fb attradivCj as to be choien as hih Felicity. Only tk pure in Heart can feeGod^ and love hirft^ and enjoy
him
On huKE xiv. 25. 249
him in his amiable Excellencies : the Unrenewed have no certain nor Tatisfying Notions of the Happine(s that his Prefence diffufes among the Bleffed above. This will be dil- coiirled of more particularly under another Head.
Fourthly ; Satan has a great A- gency in Mens Oppofition to the Gofpel, and their negled: of Salva- tion. His Title, the Tempter, im- plies his conftant Practice. 'Tis true, he cannot hurt us againft our )5^ills; the Enemy without could not furprize us, if the Traitor with- in, the corrupt Nature, did not give him Admittance ; he cannot imme- diately work upon the Will, nor difcern the Mind : without our Con(ent he cannot obtain a Con- queft over us ; therefore his pre- vailing Temptations do not dii- culpace Sinners that yield to them : he rules only in the Children of S Difobe-
250
SERMON VII.
DifobecJience, they are his volun- tary Slaves y but he has a ftrange power in the Minds and Hearts of Men by his managing tempting Objeds. The World makes an Impreffion upon our lower Faculties, and he improves the Impreffion, and excites corrupt Defires. As the Operations of the holy Spirit in Believers are fecret but ftronger than the Influence of the Stars : fo the Workings of Satan are in the Wicked fecret but powerful. 1 will firft confider the Motives that urge him to be fo active and ardent in hindering the Suc- cefs of the Gofpel for the Salva- tion of our Souls. 2, His Me- thods and Wiles for that end. The Motives are,
i. His eternal Enmity to God : for being under a Doom never to be reverft, his Malice is always raging and w^orking to diflhonour and difpleafe the Righteous Judg*
He
On Luke xivi 23. 251
He finnd from the heginnhigy 'tis his unwearied and uninterrupted Work. Men in complying with his Temp- tations, are Avay'd and carried by the Biafs of their Lufts ,• feme are bnb'd by Profit, others allured by Pleafure : but his great End is, that the Law of God may be violated, his Majefty deipifcd, and his Glory obfcuy'd. As in a rebellious In- furre<5lion, the Multitude are en- gaged, fome for Spoil, others for private Refpeds, but the Defign of the Leader is to dethrone the King, ^nd ufurp his Sceprer. Satan's Opppfition againfl; Ge i 1 ^ more fierce and Redfall: than of the mofi: refqlved Rebels that trample upon the Divine Law every day : they do more accomplifh his Will than their own, which will be the oc- cafion and matter of his infulting Scorn^ and fuiioufi; upbraiding^ them hereafter. Briefly, he loves Sin for Sin's fake, as 'tis an Affront S 2 and
252 SERMON VII.
and Provocation of the Divine Majefty, and is more pleafed in the Sins of Men than in their ever- lafting Damnation, becaufe the holy and righteous Lawgiver is diflionoiired by their Sins, and glo- rified in their Punifliment,
2. His old Enmity and Hatred againfl: the Souls of Men. 'Tis another Hell to him, to fee them reftor'd to the Favour of God, and his glorious Image re-ingraven on them. He is a jealous Jailor, and if poflible will not lofe any of his Captives. Being condemn'd to everlafting Burnings, he will make them feel his Fire.
The Scripture reprelents him as a ftrong and fubtile Adverfary ; a roar'nig Lion that goes about fceking whom he may devour^ and the old Ser^ pent. His Enmity is univerfal, his Diligence is equal to his Malice, and his Malice whets his Invention to lay fiich Trains as may be de-
ftrudtive
On Luke xiv. 25. 255
ftrudtive to them. His Strength docs chiefly lie in his Subtilty. If Men could fee him in his Native Shape of Darknels, an infernal Fiend, the mod ciiifed Creature, or what he is relatively to them, a Liar and a Murder er from the begin- nlng^ hov7 would they flee with Horror from his Temptations? But he does not awake Sinners, and then wound them ; he is not feea till felt, nor difcover'd till he has faften'd his Stings in their Souls. He fpreads his Snares in the Dark,- and when their Spiritual Senfes are lock'd in a Midnight Sleep, he de- ftroys them.
Secondly ; His Methods and Wiles for this end are various.
I. He blinds the Minds of Men, and hardens them in Unbelief This was his firfl: and fuccefsful Tempta- tion, and is the Pattern that he fliill follows. He told the Woman S ^ JJ?c
254 SERMON Vll.
p)C fhoiild not die ; and the Reftrainc of Fear being taken away, the Pleafuie of Tafte and Cuiiofity loon prevail'd with her to eat the forbidden Fruic The Apoftle gives this account of Mens rejeding the Truths of the Gofpcl : If ourGoJpd he hid, it is hid to, than that are lojl : Jn ivhom the Cod of this IVorld hath hiindtd the Minds cf them who believe lioty Icjl the Li^ht of the glorious Oojpcl of Chrifly ivho is the. linage of Qod^ Jhotdd fnne unto them. His princi- pal Dcfign is to encreafe the natu- ral Infidelity in the Minds of Men, who are io govern'd bySenft, that in Matters of Faith they require the Evidence of Scnie : for he knows the powerful Efficacy of the Di- vine Dodrine where 'tis believed. Faith enters into the Confciencc, opens the Heart, commands and caprivares the Will and Affcdlions, ;^nd brings the Vuoii fiiubborn Sin- pers from the Kingdom of Satan
into
On Luke xiv. 23. 255
into the Kingdom of Chrift. He is In tkniy poffefles all their Faculties, and by that advantage works et- fedtiially. He has the Monarchy of their Minds, and diverts their Thoughts from pondering the Ar- guments that would turn their Judgments, and induce the Belief of the Golpel : he excites thole carnal Affed:ions that blind the Mind : he inchants Men with en- ticing (enfual Obje^s, that they '"^^ neirher can nor will believe v^^hac is contrary to their Lufts. Rcalbn, Confcience, Faith, whereby Men are primarily and chiefly diftin- guifh'd from the Brutes, are facri* ^, ficed to the Prince of Darknefs. Then they arc iecurcly his own : for the mod precious Promifcs have no artraclive Influence upoa thole in whom there is reigning In- fidelity : the fliarpert: Threatnings cannot pierce through the Armour of Obftinacy.
S 4 2. The
256 SERMON VII.
2e The raoft that refgfe the Offer of Grace in the Gofpel, are not abfolute Infidels ,• therefore the Tempter tries other ways to ruine them. He obferves the Difpofiti- Cns and Circnmftances oF Men, antl prefents fuch Temptations whereby they are moft likely to be taken and held in his Snares. Al- tho Human Nature be wholly depraved, yet all Men are not caft into the {anie Mould : they are diftinguilli'd by their various Afpe<5ls5 Conftitutions 5 Defires^ and Conditions of Life, and are not wrought on by the fame Motives. The Tempter by his natural Sagacity and Experieftce ( he is fliled tlie oU Serpent ) has exaft Knowledg in the Art of difcerning Mtn. Sometimes fud- dcn Paffions are painted in the Ciuntenartce^ and he takes parti- cular Advantage tQ (Irike in wkh ^^jhgm. But his uniyerfal lylethod
is
On Luke kiv* ts^. 257
' is to prefent the fitted Baits to
! the natural Inclinations, and ha- bitual Difpofitions of Men : he knows the Fadtion within will
1 readily open to his Call. The
j Sanguine are foft and diffolute,
I atid are eafily drawn to exorbitant
! Pleafures : The Melancholy are inclined to Dilcontent, Sorrow, Im- patience, Defpair : Thofc who have active reftlefs Spirits, are taken -
with the Advantages of the World. ^
The muddy Mind is eafily ftirr'd by the Offer of Gain : the vo- luptuous Mind is ftrongly allur'd by fenfual Delights: the afpiring Mind is incens'd by the profpe^l of ^
Honour. Now tho the Tempter be a Spirit, and not capable of thofe Sins which are adled by the fenfible Faculties, yet not only fpiritual Sins, Pride, Envy, Malignity, and the like, but Fleflily Lufts, even the foulleft A<^ions are from his Jncitations. H-e was not only a
proud
258 SERMON VII.
proud Spirit, but an unclean Spirit aChion. in DaViii. He Was a covetous Spi- rit in Judcis: an hypocritical Spirit in Ananiits : Satan put it hito his Heart to detain part oj the Trice^ and lie to the . Holy Qhojl, He prefents the Temptation, and fuggefts Mo- tives to encibrace it. He brings the Fewel, enticing Objeds, and in- fpires the Flame, ardent Dcfires to them. If burning Luft^ begin to cool, and raging. Corruptions arc controul'd by the threacning of the Word, and the Terror^ w Confcience, he will blow them up again. Now any reignmg Luft is a Viceroy of Satan's, and keeps Pofil'ilion for him, and conlcquent-* ly excludes the Son of God from Admiffion into the Heart.
3. He perfwades Men that Re- ligion in its Power and Stridlnefs is not neceffary : the abftaining frorr^ enormous Crimes, and the perfor- mance of feme outward Service
will
0// Luke xiv. 23/ 259
will be available for Salvation. Hell is the Portion of the Devil and his Children, and none are of his Race but incarnate Devils, unclean Spirits in briitiili Bodies. He makes ufe of carnal Men, under the pretence of FriendlTiip to per- ivvade thole who make a Shew of Confcicnce, to be lels tender and vigilant, by telling them, this Stric^nels is fuperfluous, 'twill Ipoil you, m\kc you unfbciable and o- dious: the Wile and Learned thac think to go to Heaven with the firft, take a greater liberty : chey will lay Moderation is a Vertue, and by the pretence oi Temper cherifli the loathfom Diftemper of Lukewarmnefs, thac is as fatal as a deadly Coldnefs. The Tempter will permit Men to make ufe of Religion as a Medicine, a little in fainting Fits, to relieve and recover them, but not as our daily Food : not to be their diligent and con-
ftanc
■-j^
26o SERMON VII.
^
ftant Pr'adice. The crafty Serpent will abufe the Words of the holy Spirit, ©^ 7Wt righteous oyer7tmch^ As JfiJds faid of the precious Oint- ment poured upon our Saviour, Why was this wajie f fo carnal Men are apt to fay, Why thefe fevere Reftraints fronn fatisfying the natu- ral Appetites ? Why fuch Circum* fpe<!iion in our walking? Why keep the Lord's- day (b religioufly ? Is it not enough to hear the Ser- mons ? May we not afterwards un- bend, and enjoy free Society, and recreate our felves with carnal Con- tentments ? They do not believe that God is fo ftri6t in his Com- mands, nor will be fo exadt in requiring an account for them : fond Creatures ro entertain fuch carnal Conceits of God, to think him like themfelves. They are apt to fay, the Minifters will fetter them all by imaginative Rules of Holinels unprefcribed in the Scrip- tures.
On Luke xiv. 23. 261
tures. For Men would fain have the Light, and the Law that regu- lates them, to be futablc to their Appetites and Adions. But are we not commanded to imitate and honour our Pattern, to he holy as our Heavenly Father is holy^ in all vian" ner of ConVerlation ^ Arc we not en- joined to work out our own Salvation with Fear and Trcmhling ; to cleanfc our febes from all Pollutions of Flep) and Spirit y and to perfcB Holimjs tn the Fear of God : to follow Holinefs with the mojl :^ealous and unjatisfod Dcfires^ that, if it were poflible, we might anticipate Heaven on Earth ? Can there be any Excufe for negleding thefe holy Duties ?
There are none more dangcroufly deceived than thofe that think they are holy enough, and make no queftion of the Favour of God and their final Happinefs. They con- demn profane outragious Sinners ; thofe who vifibly come fliort of
them,
i
262 SERMON YH.
them, they think will fall fliorc o£ Salvation 5 but to excel them, they think is a needlefs Precilenefs, a Pride of Singularity, a Mask of Hypocrify. 'Tis one of Satan's Arts to conceal the Good that is in the Saints, that they may condemn themfelves, and to conceal the Evil that is in the Unregenerate, that they may flatter themfelves. How ma- liy fall as deep as Hell from fuch high Hopes ? for he that does not ferioufly defire and endeavour to be renewed into the unfpotted Image of God, was never truly renewed*
li-m.
SER-
SERMON Vm.
Luke xiv. 25.
The Lord [did to the Scry ant y Compel the?? I to come in, that my Houje may be full.
-^dly. 'WV Con fcience be not feared |_ and fenlelefs, but: awakens Sinners co refle6l upon their Condi- tion, and to (eek for the pardoning Mercy of God, he deceives them with falfe Notions of Faith .md Re-- pentance, and hinders their entire Compliance with the Terms of Mer- cy offered in the Gofpel. Final Un- belief and Impenitence utterly ex- clude Men from Salvation : for the Death ot Chrift was not appointed to be a Sacrifice for thofc Sins. There is no Salvation to be obtain'd with- out
2^4 SERMON VIII.
out the Remiflion of Sin, no Re- miflion without the Blood of Chrift, no Application of that precious Blood without Faith. This is the vital Qualification required in all juftificd Perfons : for it has a pe- culiar Efficiency in receiving Chrift and Pardon, and afcribes the Glory of it intirely to the Mercy of God and Merits of Chrift. 'Tis faid, John I. To as many as received him^ he gaVe 12. (power to become the Sotis of Cody. ta thofe ipho belie')^ed on his Name. Re- ceiving is relative to God's Offer of Chrift to the Condemned and Miftrable, and implies the taking him in all the Eflentials of his Office ; as a Prophet, to inftrud: u$ in our Duty and Happincfs by his* Word and Spirit,- as a Prieft, to atone the Divine Difpleafure by his Propitiation and Interceflion ; as ap King, to govern us by his Law, and to beftow fpiritual and eternal Bleffings on us. Faith receives
whole
On Luke xiv. 25. 265
whole Chrift as a Kingly Pricft, and a faving Prince ; he is ftiled a Trieft upon a Throne, a Trince and a SaViouVj to gtVe ^paitance and %e- miffion of Sins. He purclias'd the Forgivenefs of Sins as a Prieft by his Sufferings on the Cro(s, and par- dons as a King upon the Throne : from hence it neceffirily follows, that Faith receives Pardon from him in that Relation wherein he torocut'd it, and confers it. The Apoftle declares, He died for our Sifis, and rofe agatn for our JuJIification^ and thereby redeemed us, and ac- quired a Dominion over us : then 'tis clear and confequenc,that faving Faith receives him for all thoft Ufes for which God did appoint him ; and accordingly purifies the Heart, overcomes the World, works by LoVe : and Love is the Spring and Sub- ftance of every Duty, t\\Q fidfilimg &f the Law, Now Carnal Men are; deceived iii this Imagination, that T the
266 SERMON VIII.
the fingle A6t of refting upoa Chiift is fufficicnt to entitle them to the Promile of Salvation to all that believe in hitn : they defire an Intereft in Chrift, to quiet their Confciences; and the World, to fa- tisfy their AfFedions. They will reft on him as a Redeemer, but rejed him as a Lord : they would enjoy his Salvation, but will not endure his Dominion : they will come to partake oF the Feftival- Encerrainment, the Pardon of their Sins, but not for the Honour of the Bridegroom. As it the Gofpel were a tree Charter to Sin, and gave an impure Indulgence to the vicious Aftcdions; which is as inconfiilent with it, as the Dark- nefs of the Ni<?,ht w^ith Noon- day in the lame Hcmifphere: for then it w^^uld foil it fclf, and fruftrate its own End. Our Savi- our firft redeems from Sin, fronhthe
1 Pet. I
i^yain Conycrjation, then from Hell.
There
On L UK E xiv. 23. 26 J
There can be no regular iaving Truft on liis Death, withouc an unfeigned Refolution to live with- in the Compafsof his Laws. Hj. is the Author of Eternal Salvation to aUthat obey him. Tis a blafphemous Conceit, that he will fave Men- with their Sins. If they will die in fuch a pleafing Dream, who can prevent it ? .
2. Menaremiferably deceived about Repentance. This is indi- fpenlably required not only by the Command, but as a Djlpofiripn that qualifies the Sinner for par- doning Mercy. For alchb the Ma- jefty and Supremacy of God be^ illuftrioufly vifible in pardoning Sinners, and 'ris mod evident than his Authority is above the Rigor, of the Law, and his Mercy is. infinitely free ; yec they are al-^ ways exercis'd correfpondently. to his effential and unchancreable Per- fections, his ruling WUdorn, his T z unfpot-
268 SERMON VIII.
unfpotted Holinefs, and governing Juftice : From hence it follows that a Sinner rennaining in the Love, and under the Power of his Sins, is not a capable Obje6l of pardoning Mercy. Who can conceive that a wife Prince fliould fend forth a Proclamation of Pardon to Rebels, without their Confent to return to their Allegiance ? John the Baptift, the Forerunner of the Rifing Sun of Righteoufnefs, the Morning-Star of the Golpel, preach'd the ^aptifm of ^penta?ice for the %em'iffwi of Sins* Even our Saviour begins his preach- ing the Gofpel with this, %€]^nt ye^ and believe the GojpeL St. Teter di- re<fl:ed thofe who were anxious and inquiring about their Salvation, ^pent^ and he hapti:^ed in the Name of th Lordjefus Chrtjlj for the ^ctnif/ion of Sins, He repeats this DoiStrinc in JBs 3.19. ^pentye therefore^ and be converted J that your Sins may bt Mottcd out J when the Times vf rtfnjh^
in^
On Luke xiv. 29. 26()
in^ (hall come from the Prcfence of the Lord. And he gives Teftimony of the Refurredion of Chrift, Hhn hath God exalted to he a Tr'mce and a Saviour y to ^iVe ^^pejitauce to Ifrael, and Forgiyenefs of Sins, According to this unalterable Tenor of the Gofpel, Repentance is the Condi- tion that qualifies the Subjed, with- out which no Man is pardoned. Some are ftrangely fcrupulous of ufing this word Condition ^ tho 'tis authorized by the full Current of the Reformed Divines, and I know none more convenient to exprefs the neceffity of it in a pardon'd Perfon. Our Saviour tells his Difciples, Te are niy Friendly if ye do whatfoeVer J command you : Are not thofe words a Conditional Afler- tion, upon what Terms they poflels that ineftimable Privilege of being his Friends ? Thus when God in- vites Men to come out from the Pollutions of the World, and to T 3 touch
qyo SERMON Vlll.
touch no unclean tbingy and I will re* celycyoUj anihvill he your Father yandyou Pmll he my Sons and Daughters ^ faith the Lord Almighty : Are not thefe Condi- tional Promifes ? And upon the Per- formance of the Terms, the Bleffing will be bellowed, and not otherwife. 'Tis objeded, that the aflerting Repentance to be the Condition of Pardon, leflens the Grace of the • Gofpel : but this is a great Miftake, for Repentance is an Evangeli- cal Duty and Grace. The Law re- quires Innocence and perfe(5l Obe- dience, or condemns without Mer- cy : the, Gofpel commands and ac-r <;eprs Repentance. This Grace was purchased by our Saviour, and is wrought in us by the holy Spirit ; and join'd with Faith, are the firft Fruits of the returning Sinner to God. \Vhen 'tis exercis'd in the mofl: erpinenc degrees, it has not the lead Merit nor Caufality in the p^caiping PavjJQnj If a repenting
Sjnnei;
On Luke xiv. 23^ 271
Sinner could fill the Air wicli his Sighs, and Heaven wich his 1 ears ; if all his vital Springs were open'd, and Streams of Blood flow'd our, they cannot be fatisfadlory to Gcd's injured Jullice. The unrcconcil.ible Hatred of Sin, the ardent Love of Holinefs, and fledfall Refolu- tion to follow it, which are Ingre- dients in fincere Repentance, tho they are pleifing to God, yet are the Duty of the reafonable Crea- ture before the commiffion of Sin, and therefore can dcferve nothing of God. But the ordaining an. infeparable Connexion between . Repentance and Pardon, is ho« nourablc to God, and very bene-< ficial to Men : for there is no State of Mifery more miferable than for the Sinner to be hardned in liis . Sins. But to return from this Di--, greffion.
The Scripture defcribes Rcpen- ; tance by a fincere Change and Re- T 4 novation
272 SERMON VIII.
novation of the Mind, the leading Paculty i by the entire turning of. the Heart from the love ot Sin ta the love of Holinefs , by the adtive lively Pafiions,Sorrow, Fear, Shame, Indignacion, Zeal, that are princi^ pal Ingredients in it; and by the Fruits twrthy of Repentance y and Works meet for Repentance. Tis called (?(e- pcntance from dead iVorksj and 5^^- pentance unto Life. Now Men are willingly deceived with an infin- cere and inefFe(5live Repentance : either with a meer mental Change, or with broken Refolutionslnftead of the intire Heart ; or with the leaving fome Sins, and retaining others that are %able to their Hu- mours and L: Is. They confefs their Sins, and condemn themfelves for them : fometimes they have flafliing Thoughts, melting AfFedli- pns, good Purpoles to forfake Sin, this they think to befincere Repen- tance : hm wn^n a Temptation * •• ^^'■^>'^"- appears.
\
■--- -■- ■ — - ■■- '_•• ..-■ ■ —
On Luke xiv. 25^^^ 273
appears, tfiey are eafily overcome, and live in the habitual Pradice of their provoking Sins. This Con- ceit of their being true Penitents, is as unreafonable, as if one that has a returning Ague, (hould think himfelf freed from his Difeafe in the intervals of his Fits. Now to quiet Confcience, they readily ap- ply to themfelves the words of the Apoftle, l^^at 1 Jo, I aUow not. And fince the beft Saints, while they are in fympathy with frail Flefh cannot be per fed, but many Sins they unwarily and unwillingly commit, which are Infirmities la- mented by them, and gracioufly forgiven by their Heavenly Fa- ther 'y therefore indu ^^^^ent Sinners take (belter under this Pretence, ~ that their Relapfes are meer un- avoidable Infirmities. But what Weaknefs can be pretended for wilful habitual Sins? Such Excufts do not cover the': Guilt , but
difcover
374 SERMON VIII.
difcover their ftrong AfFedions to their Lufts : They have not the Excufe of Ignorance: to. pretencj the Flcfli and the World are omnii potent Enemies that cannot bp r^-| lifted, is to blafpheme the Grace •pf the holy Spirit. In fliort^r; a^ njevy Life is infeparable from Re- pentance in its Reality. Sad and. i'erioiis Thoughts, Sighs and Tears^ the forrowful Confeflion of Sins,, and good Piirpofes againft them,^ are the Bloffoms of Repentance,- ineftedtive without the lubftantial^ Riuts of it in a reformed Conv^r-> {ation. 'Tis one of the Arts of^ Satan to joia things together that 2xCi inconfiftent : In Paradife he aflfured the Woman that fhe might _ tafe of the forbidden Tree, and of the Tree of Life : and he now deceives many with the hope that their indulged repeated Sins are confident with- Repentance. jBut if. J^ea do not forfake the foul ,".-"«'. Sins
On Luke xiv. 23. 275
Sins they lament^ their Sorrow will go with them to Hell, and fettle in the Worm that J]?all mVer die.
^ Fifthly; The Tempter hinders Men from Compliance with the prefenc Invitations of Grace, by fuggefting there will be time e- nough for accepting them hereafter, and a future Repentance will be fufficienc to rcdrefs all their Mif- carriages. By this Deceit he trains them on to Ruin. By this he e- ludes the Force of prefent Con- victions : that without Repentance they muft perifli for ever, and puts Men out of the Compafi of Con- yerfion. 'Tis clear by its own Light, and needs no other Proof, that pre- fent Obedience is due to the Com-r mands of God,- To day if you will hear his Voice ^ harden not your Hearts : Yet againft all the Evidence of the ^Qxd without, and of Confticnce
within
Q7^ SEKMON VIII.
within, Satan fo ftrortgly deceives Men, chat they rehelHoufly neglc(ft their Duty, rill their Time and Life are expiring. But how unbe» coming, how difficult, how hazar** dous is a late Repetitance ? How unbecoming is it to put off God till hereafter ? Such is his glorious Majefly, we Dhould with the moft reverent Refpedt, and humble Thankfulneis obey- his firft Call, If iia.Prince ftiould invite a Subjc(5t to come CO him for fome great Favour, would he (b break all the Rules of Decor mt^ as to delay his coming,^ by faying, Hereafter will be time enough ? And what is the greateft Majefty on Earth to the P God of .Glory ? no more than a Mote to the Sun : and proportio- nably the Indignity arifes to neg- Ie<4 the Offers of his Grace.
Befides, how incongruous is it to give the Flower of our Time and Strength to our Lufts, and toreferve
the
On Luke xiv- :2 5* ^jj
the Bran for God ? To (jpend the Age of our viral and vigorous Adions in the Vanities and Bufinefs of the World, and to allow only our lan- guifliing Age for the obtaining of Heaven ? That Men fhould content themfelves with dead Affedions in his Service who is their Life, that were fo lively in the Service of Sin that is their Death ?
How difficult is a late Repen- tance ? Can you repent and believe at your plealure ? "Men think that in their Age, after the ebbing and re- tirement of the carnal Alfedions, they fhall more eafily foriake their Sins : but 'tis a pernicious Deceit. The native Corruption of Mens Hearts, alienates them from a duti- ful return to God ; and contracted Corruption by habitual Pradice, failens them in Sin as their Centre. In Youth, when the Blood and Spi- rits are high and fierce, the Body has a corrupting Influence upon the
Mind ;
7^' SERMON Vllf.
Mind ; but by Cuftom in Sin, the Mind is fo depraved, that it heats the frozen Blood and corrupts the Body. Suppofe the exciting Grace of the Spirit be not totally with- drawn, which has often been in- cffedual i Can it be expedled that after Men have been hardened in the commiffion and continuance of Sin^ they fhould be more receptive of Heavenly Impreffions ? A. Difeafe negledled at firft, that ftealingly flips into the Habit of the Body, and gra- dually weakens Nature, becomes at lafl: uncontroulable and incurable.
How hazardous is it to neglect prefent Obedience to the Call of Divine Mercy ? Our Days, in the Language of the Plalmift, are hut as, an hmi- breadth i and can Men extend their Lives beyond their Span ? A ' vaft Eternity follow^s wnthout Di- menfions, an undivided Duration.; It is no more in their Power to continue Time to come, than to
recal
On Luke xiv. 25. 279
recal Time paft. How many are furpriz'd by hafty Death in their Security, and die in their unrepented Sins, and perifli for ever ? The wile Man alarms the Sluggard with ap- ! proaching Poverty, and his Ex- preflions are very applicable to the Delayers of Repentance : Death comes like a Traveller, gradually by (ilent Steps ; and as an armed Man, will irrefiftably arreft them : and Damnation follows, which they caa neither repel nor dilcovcr* till they are fciz'd by it. O that deluded Sinners would confider, that no- thing fo ripens them for Death, and accelerates Judgment, as thePre- fumption that the Seafon of Grace will continue notwirhftandin^ their lavifh and carelefs wafting; it !
But fuppofc that Life be extended to the utmoft Dare, can you ex- pert that the holy Spirit fliould vific you that have been fo long putrifying in the Grave, and breath
a
s8o SERMON VIIL
a new Life into you > Tis the nioft fcvere threatning, My Spirit Jhall not alwayf Jlrive mth Man ; and then their Cafe is defperate. There is a fearful Example reoorded in Scrips turcj the old World was firft drowned in Senfuality, and refilled the holy Spirit till he was with* drawn ; and then the Deluge wafli'd away thole Swine in their Mire, Can you exped that at laft when the World and your Sins leave you, God will accept and receive you ? You are commanded to feek him in your early Spring, in the firft Dawnings of his Light and Favour^ and is a poor Remnant of your Life fufficient for obtaining his Mercy t The Harlots refpeded not the dead, but contended for the living Child : Satan and the World ftrive to have the prime and beft part of yout Lives, and will God be contented with the dying Remains ? Or, io you expect an cafy Compofitiort
for
0^ Luke xiv. 25. 281
for all the Abiife of his Benefits,
becaufe of his Patience ? Do you
pr^fmne becaufe he forbears fo long,
he will readily forgive at laft ? The
Servant not call'd to an account till
he was run into an irrecoverable
Arrearage of ten thoufmd Talents,
was delivered to the Tormentors
till he fhould pay all his Debt. How
are Men degenerated, and fallen
lower than the Brute Creatures ? The
Stork in the HcaVen knows her np- Jer. 8. 7.
pointed times ; and the Turtle, and the
Crane y and the Swallow obfer^e the time
of their coming ; but Men know not the
Judgment of the Lord, This Confi-
deration made our compaffionate
Saviour dip his Words in Tears.
He beheld the City, and "fi^rpf oVer ity
faying. If thou knifl known, eVen t])Ou,
at leajl in this thy day, the things that
belong to, thy Teace / but now they axe
hid front thine Eyes,
O wretched deceived Souls ! how -long will you negle(ft a Saviour U and
282 SERMON VIII.
and Salvation ? How long fliall he wAit to he gracious^ and expert your lingering Repentance in vain ? Re- member the time of Grace is limited : if you refufe Obedience to the prefent Call, do you know he will renew the Offers of his Grace ? Now is the accepted Ttme^ now is the Day of Sahation : Will this Now laft for ever ? There is no Now of Favour and Hope in Hell. 'Tis true, God is merciful ; and 'tis one of his Royal Titles, The God of Patience : though Threatnings are denounced againft Sinners, and Judgments are ready to feize upon them, he repents and flops his Wrath : but there is no State more fearful in this World, than when Men by negleding Repentance, make God tpeary of repentuig. When Pa- tience has had its perfeft Work to- wards the Unrelenting and Unre- formed, Juftice fiicceeds : before God cuts off a Sinner, he cuts off
• all
On Luke xiv. 25. 285
all his Excufes. Read with Fear the firft of the J^roVerhs^ Becaufe I haye called^ and you refufed; I will laugh at your Calamity ^ and mock ivhen your Fear cometh, God's Frown, much more his Scorn, is infinitely terrible and infupportable. Thofe who de- lay Repentance till the Body is difeafed all over, and Death is printed in the Countenance, and the languifhing Lights are almoft quench'd, and the vital Frame is near a DifTolution, yet prefume a few Sighs will tranfport their Souls to Heaven, How juft and dreadful will their Difappointment be ? However they are deceived^ God is not mocked i as a Man JoiPs^ he jhaH reap.
u 2 SER-
284
SERMON IX.
Luke }^iv. 2j.
7 he Lord /aid to the SerVanty tompd them to come m, that my\ Houfe may be full. i-Tm,
II. ^Am now to confider the j^ Means by which Men at^ wrought on to accept of the Invi- tations of Grace in the Gofpel. The Sum of what has been dif- courfed of finful and milerable Man is this, The Underftanding, the direding Faculty, is in ignorant Darknefs, and a dead Slumber, not apprehenfive of his Mi(ery. A dead Eye does not (ee its want of Sight, nor a dead Heart feel its want of Life. If the Head be obfl:ru6ted with clammy Humours,
the
On Luke xiv. 23. 285
che whole Body is without Senfe : for the Nerves have their Root in the Brain, and are the Channels to convey powerful Spirits, to give Senle, and Vigor, and Morion to all the Parts. The Will is a fierce and free Faculty, connmanding and active, perverted and ftubborn a- gainft the holy Law of God. The Affections are exceedingly di (or- dered, and ftrongly inclin'd to fen- faal Things that flatter them with Satisfadion, and very tumultuous and fiery againfl: whatever fhall crofs their natural Inclinations. Now how can one fo ftupid and refiadtory, be made foft and flexi- ble to the Call of Mercy ? As the Epicurean in Tully objeds againfl the making of the World, qud; ma- chhidc qui veflesj What Engines, what Leavers were ulcd in raifin^ this vaft Fabiick ? What he fpoke in Derifion, may be fiid with Wonacr ; What Engines, what Inftruments U 3 aie
286 SERMON IX.
are iifed in craning up a Soul funk below the Center, to the higheft Heaven ! What in making the hew Creation, that is more glorious and lading than the firft ! " Fis a Work refpedively impoffible, not abfo- lutely, it can only be cfFedled by the Power of God.
There is no Principle of Reco- very left in fallen Man. The Converfion of him from Sin to Ho- linefs, and from the Creature to God, is a Miracle of Grace : if he converted him (elf, it were fuper- miraculous. God can by his com- manding Power bring Light out of Darknefs; but 'cis plainly im- poffible that Darkncis (hould pro- duce Lighr.
The external Miniftration of the Gofpel, without the concomitant Miniftry of the Spirit, is ineffective. The DivineH: Preacher cannot foften the Iron Stneiv^ nor melt the Heart of Stoncy nor make the Rock to trem- ble.
On Luke xiv. 23. 287
ble. The Prophet Ifa'tah^ whole fublime Eloquence overcomes all the acmiired Orators of the World, yet complains, Who has belk'Vcd our Ifa. 53. Report ? to whom is the Arm of the Lord reyedd ^ The Angels of Light, if they were fent from Heaven, and were in this fenfe 7?imijlrin^ SpiritSy they could not by their Seraphick Zeal, and mod excellent Elo- quence change and reform Sinners. One evil Angel feduced and cor- rupted the bed Man, /lda?tij in the State of Innocence and Happinefs : but a Council of good Angels can- not reftore one Man, tho the lead tainted, to Holinefs and Felicity. No Creature can be a Creator ; the Sandlification oF a Sinner is a new Creation. 'Tis only the Word of Life fpoken by the Lord of Life, that can raife dead Bodies and dead Souls. Suppo(e the Word of God be affifted by his Rod, yet that will be ineffectual to cleanfe and change U 4 their
288 SERMON IX.
their Hearts without Divine Grace, 'Tis according to the wife Order of God, whom the Word does not convert, the Rod is made ufe of to cure ; and whom the Rod does not cure, the Sword cuts off.
Profperity furnidies the Carnal Appetites with delightful Objeds, and Men are eafily induced to negledl their Duty : like Children that forget their Leflbn when they are at play. Senfe that reigns in Beads, and fliould ferve in Men, is then predominant. But Afflidi- on imbitters the carnal Sweets, and is a proper Means to fix the Thoughts, and reftore the Mind to its Right and Jurifdidion : as Blows and hard Ufage bind up the ranging Fancy in diftraded Per- fons,- tames and tires them, and thereby reduces them to Sobriety. Thus God is ofcen plealed, by Job s^. Afflidions, to f;ew Men their Tranf- grefjmsy to open th^ir Bnrs to Vifti-
flme,
On Luke xiv. 25. 289
pl'me^ and ejfeEiually command them to return from their Jnujiitties. But with- out the Inftrudlion of his Spirit joins with the Voice of the Rod, the utmoft EfFecl: of even fharp and long Afflictions is a forc'd and fading Repentance. Conftrained Devotion is like Fire ftruck out of a Flint, hardly got, and foon gone. Thus 'tis laid of the Jfraelites in the Wildernefs, When he flew them^ they jought hiniy they returnd and fought early after God; hut their Heart ivas not right with him, neither were they jledfafl in his Covenant , How many open Rebels have been awaken'd by the fear of Death ? and when they have tafted and feen the Ter- rors of the Lord, what Addrefles, what Submiffions, what Promiles have they made to God ? but after their Reprieve, how foon have they forgot the pad Terrors, and broke all the Bars of Reafon, and of their Refolutions, and been as
unre-
290 SERMON IX.
unreform'd as ever. The wife Man tells us, Sray a Fool in a Mor- tary pound hhn hi pieces^ his Folly will remain in htm.
Nay, Miracles without the Ap- plication of them by Grace to the Spirits of Men, are ineffedual to work Faith and Repentance. The End of them is by the Evidence of Senfe to excite the Mind, to con- fider the Power that works them. But they may aftonidi the Senfe, and the Mind not be convinced ; or if convinc'd, yet they leave no permanent Operation upon the Hearts of the Spedators. Mofes charges the Ifraelites that notwith- flanding they had (een all the mi- raculous Strokes of God's Power D f2c ^^P^^ Pharaoh and his Servants, yet 4. the Lord hath not gi'Ven yon an Heart to perceive y and Eyes to fee^ and Ears to hear to this day. When the Son of God appesr'd in his own Likenefs, and did fuch numerous and confpi-
cuous
On huKE xiv. 23. 291
cuous Miracles that compeU'd the mod ftubborn Devils to acknow- ledg his Deity, yet the Tbarifees remained obftinate and inconvinci- ble. The Souldiers who law him rifing in Power and Glory, and were aim oft frighten'd to Death at the fighr, yet continued obdu- rate in their Infidelity.
Our Saviour afliires us, No Man TqI^,, 5^ caji come to him, except the Father which 4i- hath lent me^ draw him. The Words are full of Emphafis, No Man : the Negation is univerfal ,• not only the A61 is denied, No Man comes ^ but the Power, can co??ie ; no le(s than Omnipotent Grace draws him. A carnal Man will not come to Chrijl for Life; and he cannot will to come : for his Mind is fo fore- laid witl^ Prejudice, and his Will is fo de- praved and inrangled with the love of Sin, that he cannot fincerely ^defire to be let free. Every de- ^ Nectc li^htful Sin is like a charm'd Circle P°^^ ^^-
^ rere ve-
out lim.
292 SERMON IX.
out of which the Sinner cannot move.
We are not to conceive of this Dif- ability, as if Sinners had not delibera- tive and eledive Faculties to confider and choofe what is beft : fuch a Dif- ability would be an Argument for their Innocence and Juftificacion : Neither as if Men had a Will to forfake Sin, and wanted Power 5 like a miferable Slave that fighs after Liberty, but is faflen'd by hea- vy Fetters : but the perverfe Will keeps them in Bondage : They ferVe divers Lufts and Tleafures^ and de- light in their Fetters. 'Tis a vo- luntary culpable Impotence join'd with a ftrong Reludlancy to Grace : 'tis the impudent imperious Weaknefs of the IVhorip? Woman charged upon the JfraeliteSy and admits of no Apolo- gy and Defence: Nay, it aggra- vates the Sin and Sentence of fuch depraved Creatures. As there is in Vertue and Holinefs a Divine De- gree
On Luke xiv- 23. 295
gree df Perfe<5lk>n, that makes Per- fons not capable of departing from their Duty : fo there is a Diabolical Degree in Sin, when the Soul is fo depraved, that it cannot abftain from doing Evil. And as con- fummate Vertue is mod worthy of Efteem and Praife ,• fo when a vicious Habit contra<5ted by long Cuftom in Sin, abfolutely pofiTeffes the Soul, 'tis moft worthy of Ab- horrence.
Now only Divine Grace compels Sinners to come to Chrijt, and to partake of faving Mercies : that is, changes the Bials of the Will, and makes it obedient to the Heavenly Call. God is the fupream Mover, and turns all Occurrences in the World to his Purpofe and Praife: and the Hearts of Men are not exempt from his Dominion, but he turns them as the levers of Wnters. The effe(5tual Operation of Grace does not vio- late the native Freqdom of the
Will,
294 SERMON IX.
Will, but is congruous to it. God's
drawing is by teaching ; HVery one that hath heard and learned of che father j comes to me. When the Author of the Gofpel is the Teacher of it, the mod ftupid and obftinate Sinners (hall be convinc'd and obedient. To make this more clear, I will briefly confider the Intellectual Prame of Man, and the natural Subordination of the Faculties in their various Operations. As the Spring in a Watch, (b the Under- (landing is the firft Mover in the reafonable Creature : the Under- ftanding has a double Faculty ; the Apprehenfive, to difcover the Good and Evil in Objects prefented to it ; and the Judicative, to compare and ponder the Good and Evil difcern'd in things ; and accordingly to efteem or difvalue, to approve or diflike. The Will choofes what the Under- ftanding commends, and rejeds what the Judgment condemns. The
Affca:i-
On Luke xiv. 25. 295
AfFedtions of Defire and Delight are from the Choice of the Will, the AfFedions of Averfation and Flight are fronrl the Rejection of the Will. The Purfuit or Negled: of Things, the Application or Op- pofition we make in our Actions and Practice to them, is from the Delight or Diftafte of Things in our AfFedions. But when Luft enter'd into the Soul, it perverted this Or- der. As the ftrong Tide of the Sea pouring into Rivers, turns them back to their Springs, in a Courfe contrary to their natural Motion : thus the Heart overflowina with a ftrong Tide of Corruption, emp- ties it felf into the Head the Spring of Actions: the unholy AfFedl ions work upon the Will to rejedl: the Offers of Grace in the Gofpel ; and ■ the corrupt Will works upon the Mind to vilify them. 'Ti: to be obferv'd, that the Tempter works upon Mens Minds in the unnatural
vvav ;
296 SERMON IX.
way ; he makes ufe of the diforder'd Affections to pervert the Will, and of the perverted Will to divert the Underftanding from due Confide^ ration of Objects, and to corrupt its Judgment. But God works by the Underftanding on the Will and AffecStions, according to the regular Dependance of thofe Faculties.
The firft Beam of faving Grace fliines into the Mind with fo ftrong a Light, difcovering Spiritual and Eternal Things in their Reality and Glory, that the. Will and Af- fections are drawn to choole, and embrace, and to follow them with Zeal and Conftancy^ In this blefled Work, we are to confider the Re- velation of the Objed, and the Irradiation of the Mind. As in the difcerning of Corporal things, there muft be Light in the Eye, or there can be no Seeing, and Light in the Air, or there can be no Sight : So the great Myfteries of Godlineft,
which
On Luke xiv. 25. 297
which are of impoffible difcove- ry without Revelation, are made known in the Gofpel ,• and the Underftandmg is illuminated to fee them in their Reality and tran- fcendent Goodnels, as the Apoftlc expreffes, This k a faithful jayingy and worthy of all Acceptation^ that jefu^ Chrift is come into the World to jaVe Sinners, He prays for the Ephe/ians^ That the God of our Lord Jefus Chrift^ EphcC the Father ofQlory^ may pVe them the Spirit of Wifiom and (^Velation, in tlye IQiowledg of him ; that the Eyes of their Underflandmg being i?dightened^ the^ may know what is the Hope of his Callings and what the ^{(iches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Samts, Altho the Evidence of Fai:h be not fb clear as that of Senfe, yet 'tis fo fare, that the Adherence of Fairh is more firm to its Objedls, tho future, than of Senfe to things prefenr. With the Irradiation of the Mind there is fuch a determining X Influ'
298 SERMON IX.
fluence on the Will and the AfFedti- ons, that Chrift and Heaven are joyfully choien before all things. 0 in converting Sinners there is not a bare propofal of the Objects of Faith, with the Motives to believe and accept them, and Men are left to their own Difcrerion and Choice : The Holy Ghoft who certainly knows the manner and efficacy of his own Operations, exprefles converting Grace hy the Ephef. I. exceeding Greatnejs of his ^ower to- tvard them that helic^^Cy according to the tporking of his jnlghty Tower ^ which he jpy ought in Chriji when he ra'ifed him from the Vcad, and jet him at his oivn ^ight-hand in IJea'Ven, Tis true, the Principle of Refiftance in coiS- rupt NaLLirs is not quite extin- guifb'd j but acliial Refiftance is overccrr.e by the holy Spirit, who works to will and to do of his good Tlealnre,
In
On Luke xiv. 29. o.^<)
In the Human Will we are to confider the Faculty of choofing and refufing, which includes in ic Freedom and Liberty, without which it ceafes to be a Will. 1, The Depravation of it : and this confifts in a necefficy of choo- fing the Evil of Sin, reprefented as pleafing to the Carnal Affedions, and reje(^ing the Law of God, which is holy and good. The finning Will con traded this necefll- ty. Now Grace, does not deftroy the Nature of the Will, but changes its Quality : of Carnal and Earth- ly makes it Holy and Heavenly : this is expreft hy a mw Hearty and a new Spirit, And when the Spirit, of the Mind is renewed hy illuminaring Grace, and the Will and Affeci^ions of the Heart are renewed by puri- fying Grace, the Will does as freely and neceffarily choofe Spiritual and Eternal Thinas, as in the State of Nature it choic Things plealing to X 2 the
300 SERMON IX.
the corrupt Appetites. God draws Sinners to himfelf with the Cords of a Man, in a rational way, with- out Violence to their Faculties, and faftens them hy 'Bands of Lo'Ve, He inftruds the Soul, and infufes fuch a Principle and Difpofition as is futable to the Dodrine. When the Will is direded and drawn, by the illuminating Guidance of the Mind, to choole and embrace the mod excellent Good, and the other Faculties to obey, this is Man's true Liberty. In Heaven the unvari- able fixing the Will upon God our Supream Good, is its Perfedion and Felicity.
The outward Means of inducing Men to comply with God's Call, is the preaching of the Word. If it were the Will of God, he can immediately create Men as Adarn^ m compleac Stature, and with the Perfedlion of Reafon ^ but he makes ufe of Second Caufcs, forms them
in
On Luke xiv. 25. 501
in the Womb, brings them into the World by the ordinary way of the Earth, and raifes them from In- fancy to a mature State, according to the Rules of Nature. Thus God could by one A(5t (andtify Sinners in Perfection ,• but he is plea(ed by the preaching of the Word to convert Sinners, and gra- dually perfed: the Saints : The Go- ^ q^^, ^- fpel is the Miniftry of Reconcilia- tion, and of Regeneration. AndJ*^'^"'- this is very congruous to the Hu- man Nature : for the Sinner is not converted, as a Stone afcends by a forc'd and blind Motion, but is inftrudled and afFet5ted by propo- fing Objeds to his Mind and Will, and a6ts according to the Impreffion he received from them. Now the Natural Man being a Sen^ant to Corruption^ the external propounding of the moft powerful Objeds and Motives cannot change him : the converting Efficacy of the Word X 3 is
502 SERMON IX.
is from Jefus Chrift. To make this more evident, let us confidcr, In every Adlion v^here an Inftru- menr is us*d, the Action is proper- ly afcrib'd to the Agent. God is a pure Spirit, without any Compofi- tion of bodily Organs of Speech ,• yet when he form'd a Voice in the Air for the proclaiming the Law, Exo^- He Jpake ; and whether by any ^°* '• created Voice, or by the Voice of Dcut. 5. Men appointed for preaching the '^"Gofpel, he rpeaks, In human fpeaking, the Voice is from the Tongue, but the Senfe and Mean- ing is from the Mind that direds it. Prom hence i\ is that the Gofpel preached is of admirable efficacy, and works above the Power of any Creature. The Word of God is aukk ,2. ^nd powerful y and jhcirper thaji any two- edged Stpord, piercing eVen to the di- Viding a/under of Soul and Spirit, and of the Joints and Marrow -, and is d pifcerner of the Thofights and Intents
On Luke xiv. 25. 303
of the Heart, It fubdues open Re- bels, and makes their Pride and Confidence fall as low as Hell ,• ic mollifies the moft obdurate, and makes them compliant to the In- vitations of Grace. Andakhothe Minifter be never fo mean in his Perfon and Appearance, yet a weak Inftrument in an Almighty Hand does Wonders.
Our blefTed Saviour in his Per- fon was the firft Preacher of the Golpel ; and in his Sermons we are directed how to work upon the Reafon, and the Affections of Sinners, by which alone they are capable to be rrtovcd. The Subftance of his feveral Sermons was, ^pctit ye y and bclteVe rkM^tk i, OoJpeL
I. The Order and Progrefs of
converting Grace is by the Con-
vi6tion of the. Mind, to turn the
'Will and AfTeftions. Sin prevails
in Men by the /ol^e of Tleajure ; and
X 4 till
504 SERMON IX.
till there be a mixture of what is more bitter than Sin is fweet, they will not forfake it. Jhe World corrupted hy Lufl^ is an imaginary Paradife, wherein there is nothing but forbidden huit ; and the Fruit is (b pleafant to the Eyes and Tafte, that only flaming Terrors will ex- pel them out of ir. No Man will cut off his Right-hand till an in- curable Gangreen has feiz'd on it. The light negiedled Notions of Heaven are ineffective to reform Sinners ; rill the Terrors of the Lord are fee in array againfl: them, they are faften'd in their Sins. Of this there is vifible and frequent Ex- perience : how many that have lived in a carelefs Contempt of God till their laft Sicknefi, and when they feel themfelves finking to the Grave and Hell, and Con^ {cience is an e^adt Remembrancer and terrible Accuier of all their in- Vf^ard Wickednels and notorious Sins,
therx
On Luke xiv. 25. 305
then what furious Reflections do they make upon themlelves? and what Promifts do they make if they might be (par'd ? 'Tis there- fore the firfl: Duty of Minifters, by clearing Light and convincing Strength to work on Confcience, and by the Mediation of it to ap- ply Guilt and Wrath to the Sinner, that he may be reftlefs in his Sins. The Wrath of God is revealed from Rom. i, HeaVen a^^aifijl all Ungodlincfsj and Un- r'tghteotifnefs of Men : lis decreed be- fore the World was, 'tis denounc'd in the Word, and fliall be fiilly ex- ecuted in the Day cf Wrath ^ and the ^y elation of the right eons 'judgment of God: nothing is more certain than that Day, and nothing To heavy as that Wrath. 'Tis a Burden fo in- fupporcable, that the Son of God was ready to fink under its Weight : he meekly and filently endur'd all the auel Rage of his Enemies, but mournfully broke forth, My
God^
3o6 SERMON IX,
■" "' ' - JUL!-- t -X , >W
God, my God^ Wl?y haft thou forfaken me ! Who can underftand the Con- fequencc of that Complaint ? Who can fupport him(elf under the Ap- prehenfion of an abfenc and angry God ? When the convinced Perfon .ponders his Sins, what Indignities he has offered to the glorious God his Maker and Preferver, his Law- giver and Judg ,• that he has abus'd his Mercies, perverted his Benefits, and emploied them in the Service of Satan ; that he has defpis'd his JufticCj and ventured upon his in- flamed Anger for tranfient Plea- lure and trifling Profits,- when theft killing Aggravations are duly confiderd and laid clo(e to the Heart, how are all the forrowful AfFedtions moved ? ferious Grief that fprings from the Depth of the Soul, confounding Shame, anxious inquiring Fear, to (lop the Execu- tion of the fatal Sentence paft a- gainft him ? Thus 'tis related of
thofe
On Luke xiv. 25; 307
thofe Converts at the firft Sermon of St. ^etevj that being convinc'd of their Crimfon Guilt in their cru- cifying of the Lord Jefus, they were pricked in their Hearty and Jaid to the Jpojllesy Men and brethren, what p?all we do ^ Then Sinners will humbly fue for Peace by the bleffed Peace- maker Jefus Chrift : then Salvation will be fo much the fweeter, by how much the Dang"^;,.was more threatning. The Recovery from Death to Life is a double Life.
1. The Lord Jefus mufi: be pro- posed as an all-fufficient and comp4f- fionate Saviour, who inVites the weary and heaVy- laden to come to him for ^ejl. This is the order of the Spirit's Ope- rations, firji to convince of «Sm, then of ^ighteonfmfs» 'Tis true, there are diverficies of Workings; the Spirit infl:ru6ts and terrifies Sinners by his Office of Bondage, but not always in the fame manner and degrees : but the Soul is fo humbled
by
3o8 SERMON IX.
by the fight of Sin, and impen- dent Wrath, as it fees and feels the neceffity of a Saviour, and is wil- ling to comply with the Terms of Mercy offered in the Gofpel. The whole need not a ^hy (tetany hut thofe who are fich A condemned Man values a Sheet of Paper wherein his Pardon is written and (ealed, more than the Conveyance of a rich Eftate. One near drowning values a Cord thrown out for his Refcue, more than a Crown. Thus when the Guilty are deeply fenfible they have loft the Favour of God, and cannot fly from his Power, and there is but a ftep between them and Eternal Death, then a Saviour will be infinitely precious, and they will entirely dole with him. Now the Gofpel reprefents the Son of God incarnate.
ifi. An all- fufficient Saviour by his Propitiation, and Interceflion. The Excellency of his Obedience,
an4
On Luke xiv. ^3. 30^
and the Excellency of his Peifon were influential to obtain the Par- don of Sin. His Propriety in the Sacrifice, and the Value of it, was requifite to atone the juft Difplea- fure of God for our Offences. 'Tis laid, he ojfered his own ^ody on the Tree : his peculiar Right in it was requifite to make it a proper and acceptable Sacrifice. 'Tis true, the Father and holy Spirit had the fame Right in the Human Nature of Chrift as the Son had, with refpcdt to the making it : but the Son by afluming it into a Pevfonal Uni- on with himfelf, has a peculiar Right in it, and offer'd his own in a ftrid fenfe. And in Confequence to this, his Sacrifice was of infinite Value : He did not compound with God, but paid a Ranfom equiva- lent to what was due for Sinners. He bled a Fountain from his woun- ded Side, that ckanfesfmn all Sin. 1 Joh. 2.
idly. By
3IO SERMON DL
zdly* By his laterceflion. He is nhle to faVe to the uttermojl all that come to ^od by hirrty for he e^er lives to make Interce/fion for them, God pardons Sin as a Soveraign upon the Throne: his Authority is pre- fer ved entire without any Conde- fccnfion of his Peifon 5 therefore the Blood of Chrift died on the Croft, is pleaded in Heaven to re- concile God to us : he fatisfied Juftice, and follicices Mercy : his ^lood j^eaks Jim, and irs Voice is as powerful as ever. The Prevalency of his Interceflion depends upon the Dignity of his Saciifice^ theDear- nefs of his Perfon to the Father, does alfo afliire us of his favoura- ble Audience. He declar'd on Earth, J know thou always heave jl me,
-^dly. The Gofpel fets forth his Willingnefs to fave us. Faith has an Afpedt upon Chrift as able and willing to fave : for Power withr out a Will £0 fave is unprofitable,
and
1.
On Luke xiv. 25. 911
and the Will without Power is fruitle(s and ineffectual . For the begetting of Faith we are to con- fider the Propofal and Offer of Grace in the Gofpel, and the Pro- mile of ic.
I. In the Gofpel there is a Pro- pofal of Grace to all : the Invita- tion is univerfal^ Whoeyer tpilly let him come to the Waters of Life freely. Our Saviour gave this Command to the Apoftles, breach the Qof^el to eyery Creature. Neither the num- ber nor quality of Mens Sins are X Bar againft their coming to Chrift for Life. None are excluded but thofe who exclude themfelves. In the Parable thofe were earnejily invited by the Co7nmand of the M^fter of the Feajl , who refufcd to come. This Offer of Grace and Life to all that will humbly receive it, is the firfl Foundation ol Faith, and induces our Accep- tance of ic : for without this, the
fclf- » :
gi2 SERMON IX.
felf condemned Sinner finks into Mifery bottomlefs and helplefs. The moft miferable Defpair is drawn from Impoflibility. If Men think ^tis impoflible to obtain what they defire, they will not endeavour to obtain. 'Tis eafily clear'd by the Scriptures, if Men will believe the Scriptures when they are clear, that as the Bra- zen Serpent, the Sign of Salva- tion, was lifted up on high, and made obvious to every Eye, to convey healing Virtue to thofe who were ftung by the fiery Ser- pents ; fo our crucified Saviour is lifted up in the Golpel for every Soul-wounded Sinner to regard. The belief of inviting Mercy opens the Springs of Godly Sorrow : a Natural Sorrow arifes from the fenfe of oppreffing Evils, and is ,^^^ terminated upon our felves : a Spi- ritual Sorrow proceeds from the fenfe of our Unworthinefs, and the
Divine
On Luke xiv. 23. 315
Divine Goodnefs, that is lb ready and defirous to fave us.
2- There is a Promife of Grace to all that repent and believe. Our Saviour encourages us, Come unto me all ye that are weary and heayy-laden^ and I will giVe you %efl. Thole who feel Sin as an intolerable Burden, and their fainting Souls are with- out Support, let them devolve their Burden upon him, and trull en- tirely in him, they fliall obtain bleffed Reft. The timerous Sinners that tremble under the Weight of their Guilt, are encouraged j for in this condition Chviil: invites them to come to him, and promiies Reft. Let them aggravate their Sins to the higheft, yet St. ^Vaul challenges the Precedence as the chief of Sin- ners, and obtained Mercy. Whe;\ the Heart is broken for Sin, and from it, not to believe the Promife of Mercy, is diflionourable to our Saviour's Love, and the Value of Y Ins .
314 SERMON IX.
his Blood, as if not fufficient to fave poor Souls that would fain live in him. We have the ftrongeft j Teftimony of his Love, in dying for us when we were Enemies. Chrifl: came wnth this Intention to fave Sinners ,• and when they come to him, will he rejedl them ? He cannot deny himfelf, he's Truth, and he has moft'exprefly declar'd. Who- ever comes to me^ I imll in no wife cafl out : and this Promife is confirmed by the Will of his Father that fent him. Chrift invites thirfty Souls to par- take of the Waters of Lifej and when he has infpir'd them with ardent Defires, and they come, will he fend them away empty ?. ^Tis abfolntely impoffible for hinpi who is incarnate Love and Mercy, to defpife and rejed: the Soul that looks to him, that longs and hn- guifhes after him, and will be ever un(acisfied wichout him.
In
■ ^
On Luke xiv. 23. 315
In (horc, the precious Promifes in the Gofpeljof the Pardon of Sin, and eternal Salvation, are lb pro- pofed to us, that the Hope of re- turning Sinners may be cherifh'd and confirm'd, and the Prcfump- tion of fecure Sinners may be dafli'd and controul'd. While we are in this middle State, the fear of Cau- tion, join'd with the lively hope of Mercy, is the mod congruous Tem- per, and becoming the Bread of a Chriftian. The Prefumer is like a Ship without Ballaft, floating fo lightly in his own Folly, that every Guft of lemptation over- fcts him. The fearful Spirit is like a Ship over-laden ; and if not lightned, will certainly fink and perifii. Fearlefs Security expoies to all the Temptations that gratify the Carnal Appetites: delpouding Fear caufes a neglect of the Re- medy. If there be no fear of Pu- Y z niOimeat,
3i6 SERMON IX.
nifhrnent, or no hope of Pardon, the Confequences arc equally fa- tal.
^. 'Tis neceffary in order to the bringing Men to Chrift, to re- move their carnal Prejudices. The firft and moft fear'd Difficulties are, That ferious Religion will be a damp to all their Joys, a harfh and unreafbnable Reftraint of their Liberties, a Bar againft all the Ad- vantages of the World : the fickly Fancy is frighten'd at the thoughts of this. If the Way to Heaven were fliort and fair, Men would like it,- but 'tis long and deep, and they are difcouraged, as the Jfraelites \^v:h. the tedious and troublefom Wild erne fs, before their arrival at the Land ot Promile. According- ly Carnal Men call a flanderotis Shade upon Religion, as a melan- choly, fevere and joylels DifcipHne. Now we may rectify thefeMiftakes
by
On Luke xiv. 25. 517
by the Light of Scripture, of Rea- fon, and of Experience.
(i.) The Scrpirure declares that the Ways of Wijdotn are Ways of Tie a- Prov. 3. fantnefsy and all her Taths are Teace. '7- The Entrance, the Progrefs, and Continuance in thefe Ways, is joy- ful to the renewed Soul. Let us take a right View of the Divine Commands, the Sum of them is this, That Men would be happy here, and for ever. We are com- manded to know Qod and Jefusjohn 17. Chrifty this is our Life : to truft in 3.
him, this is our Strength: to loveifa. 30. him and deliahc in him : And are M- not Love and Joy the mod plea- fant Affedions ? and is not God the^^"^^' ^^' mod amiable and pleafing Objedl ? We are commanded to fear him : and is it not moft reafonable to fear the lofs of his Favour, which is Heaven , and the incurring his Wrath, that is the deeped Hell ? Y 3 We
31^ SERMON IX.
We are commanded to obey his
Laws } and our Saviour ^ffu'es us, his Hoke heafy^ and hts burden ts light : 'tis an eafy and eafing Yoke, that frees us from the moft cruel Bon- dage of Sin and Satan. And will not Mtn believe the Teftimony of Eternal Truth, rather than their fond Fancies and corrupt Appe- tites ? We are commanded to hear his Word ; and is it not a Happine(s to be dire6l:ed in the way to ever- lafling Life ? We are commanded to pray continually ; Is it not a blefled Privilege that poor Duft may ad- dreis their Rcquefts to the Lord AU mighty J the ^ojjcffor of HeaVen and Earthy with an Affiirar.ce, that thofe Pecitions are moft pleafing to him, that nre for his moft excellent Bleffings ?
Bcfides this, nothing is forbid but ilnfnl Pleafures that will end in eternal Torments : finful Pro- firs
Ori huKE xiv. 23. 3,19
fits, the gaining of the World, with the lofs of the Soul : the Gain is nothi ig, and the Lofs is infinite. Now where are the Chairs and Fetters that are fo bard and heavy as Carnal Men complain oh All his Commaads are Precepts of Hap- pincfs.
(2-) Tliis Ttft'mony of Scrip- ture, Carnal Men cdeem a noto- rious Paradox: they can rafte no Pieafares but what are fteep'd in Senfe. Take away the Enticings and BlanduTiments of the Carnal Appetites, they underftand no other Pleafure: which is fuch a Deceit, as if a fick Perfon who feels no Pleafare but in the foft and eafy Intermiffions of his Difeafe, iTiould conclude if he were entirely freed from it, he fliould be deprived of all Pleafure. Whereas the Pleafure of Health is far more defirable and conftant. The Angels are ab- Y 4 abfolute-
320 SERMON IX.
folutely exempt from the Defires of our carnal Faculties, and with- out carnal Fruitions, but are ever bleffed and joyful in the direct Pofleffion of what is good, not in the relief frcwn Evils either natural or accidental, as Hunger and 1 hirft, or Sicknefs and Pain.
Pleafure refults from the futable- nefs between the perceptive Facul- ties and the Objects that afFe<5b them : if there be no harmonious proportion, there will be no Mu- fick, no Delight. Now 'tis true, while Flefh is the prevailing In- gredient in a Man, he only re- lifhes the Satisfactions of the Senfes : he cannot enjoy God, he cannot delight in doing his Will, no more than a Swdne can in clean Pafturc, whofe natural Property ftrongly inclines it to wallow in the Mire. But when the Soul is clarified and purged by the great
Refiner,
On Luke xiv. 25. 321
Refiner, how fublime and fttisfy- ing a Pleafure does it feel in the Love of God, and in his Service ! As in natural feeding, when the Palat is in its due Temper, the Tafte commends our proper Food to the Appetite, and the Appetite to tne Stomach ,• but a foul Stomach difaffe6ts the Appetite, vitiates the Pallate, and the moft favoury and wholfom Meat is loathfom when the^Difeafe is the Tafter : Thus if the Soul be in its due Temper, the doing the Will of God would be Qur Meat ajid Dhnkj mixt with a Tweeter Pleafure than thoie natural Operations are : but the Soul is fo corrupt and carnalized, that it has no Tafte of the pure Delights of blefled Spirits in Communion with God : like the J/raelitcs who defpis'd the Bread of Angels, and impatient- ly longed for the Onions and Gar- lick and Fiefli-pots of Bgypt. Till
Men
522 SERMON IX.
Men die to Sin, the Supper of the Lamb will be infipid and nau- (eous.
The'CamsJ Mind as grofly mit takes about Liberty. 'Tis horrible Folly to think true Freedom confifts in doinCT whatever the vicious Affedlions require, in converfing with fuch Perfons as foment and gratify them. Is that Perlou free that is fetter'd with as many Chains of Heli, as he h.is predominant Lufts ? ^'as the pofllfi: Pcrfon free who lived among the Tombs, a- mong contagious Carcafes? Then a Sinner, that without the fear of Hell obeys his depraved Appe- tites, and affociates with thofe who are corrupt, and Corrupters by their wicked Example, is free. But 'tis evident that the Mind, the fuperiour leading Faculty, is in Bon- dage while the Paffions reign, and the fcnfual Worldly Wretch with
his
On Luke xiv. 25. 525
his imaginary TLiberty, is the moft accurfed Slavt. Ttll the Son makes U6 free from the tyrannous ^ower of 5m, we are Hot free tndted. Till Reafon enlighren:^d by the Word, refumes its Right and JuDrdidion, and leads the Will to chooie what is bcft for a ipiritual immortal Creature, and the other FacuUies to obey, we are the Slaves of Satan* Wl:!en iw are made free from Sm^ and^om, 6, become the Servants of ^t^hteou/nefs^ and yield an ingenuous delightful Subjection to God s Laws, we enjoy a State of Liberty. Nay, the Ser- vice of God is our Glory. He that lo^ed m^ and ivafljd m from our Sms in his 'Bloody has made m ^ngs and Triefls to God. The moft eminent Adls of Royal Authority are to go- vern the Subje<5ls by equal Laws, and to fubclue the Enemies of the Peace and Profperity oi the King- dom: and when Divine Grace
reisns
324 SERMON IX.
reigns in the Heart, ir regulates all the Thoiic;hts and AfFedions, the inward and outward Faculties, according to the holy, juft and good Law of God, and fubdues thefe rebellious Lufts that difturb the Or- der and Tranquillity of the Soul.
(j.) Experience proves that a State of Religion is moft delight- ful. Whenever the captive Soul is refcued from the Bondage of his Lufts, and prefer'd to the Service of God, how fweet is the Change ? and how bitterly will he complain, other Lords haVe had Domitiion oyer me^ but thy Service is the trueft Freedom ? Did ever any of the Saints complain that God is an auftere Mafter, that his Service is a melancholy joylefs Condition ? No, in their Efteem and Affedi- ons, his Law is the moft pure, pre- cious, fweet and profitable Good. Pfal. If. f^i^ Commands arc not grkvom : they
obey
On Luke xiv. 23. 325
obey them from Choice and Com- placence. They love the Law- giver, and like the Laws. Com- munion with God in his holy Or- dinances, is a Heaven upon Earth to them. Ofie day in thy Courts is pfal. 84.. better than a thoufand in the Vanities and Bufinefs of the World. In the Pre fence of God is Fulnefs of Joy j and the more we are admitted into his Prefence here, the more we are admitted into his Joy : all the blefled Means of our drawing near to God, and his drawing near to us, are the Gate of Heaven, and Entrance into Glory. DaVid^ who was fo acquainted with God, declares, There be many that f ay ^ Who Tljilljhcip tis any Good^ Lord^ lift thou up the Li^ht of thy Countenance upon me. Thou haji put more Joy into yny Hdirt^ than when their Corn and Wine increiifed, A Joy more folid and (Iitisfying, than ciunal Men receive in the Spring- tide of their Fruitions. As ona
Spark
526 SERMON IX.
Spark of God's Wrath firing the Confcience, is more terrible than the mofl: fearful Evils in the World ; fo one Beam of his Favour enlight- ning the Soul, is more fweet and raviflbing, than all the mofl: valued and defir'd things in the World.
SER-
■toOHMMMMaMM
SERMON X.
Luke xiv. 23.
The Lord /aid to the Servant ^ Compel them to come in^ that niy Houfe may he full.
III. T Shall now prove 'tis the Jl great Duty of the Minifters of Chrift to apply themlelves with a holy Z.eal to bring Men to par- take of the laving Mercies of the Gofpel.
This will appear by confidering, I. The Command of God. from whom they are fent, lays the highcft Obligation upon them to perform their Duty. The manner and de- grees of Obedience, are meaiured by the greatnefs of the Authority that enjoins ir. To Soveraign Au-
thoiicv.
928 SERMON X.
thority, immediate, iibfblute, and fupream Obedience is due. The Authority of God is more binding than the higheft in Princes, or the deareft in Parents : What are all Kings of the Earth to him ? lefs than nothing. Temporal Greatnefs confifts only in Com- parifon. In the Scale of Magi- ftracy, the Superiors to fome are fubordinate to others : But the Majefty of God is abfolutely and truly Infinite. And as the imme- diate Servants of the King are under fpecial Obligations to obey his Commands, befides the common Duty of his other Subjects ; fo the Minifters of the Gofpel by their Confecration and immediate Re- lation to God, are bound with all zealous Diligence to do his Will.
1. 'Tis the principal End of
their Commiffion. God defigns
in the Contrivance and Revelation
of
On Luke xiv. 25. 329
of the Gofpel,' to glorify his Mercy, and his Son in our Salvation.
fir/?, Love is the cleared and rnoft adequate Notion of the Deity ,• God is Lo've, Now Mercy is medicinal, healing, and recove- ting Love. The Objed of it is the Miferable and Unworthy. In God's Moral Government, Mercy and Jufticc are the leading Attri- butes, and Mercy in its Exercile has the Supremacy : Mercy rejoices againji 'judgment. When our firft parents were cited to Judgment for their rebellious Sin, Mercy pro- mis'd a Saviour before the Sentence Was pronounc'd. Cjod is ftiled the Father of Mercies ; 'tis his natu- ral Off fpring, the freed and moll delightful Emanation from hrmV Judgment is his Jlrahge JVork, that by Conftraint he executes. Hcdoe^ not affliFi willingly the Chiidrcn of Men : God is more plea fed to fee the Jruits of his Mercy in his Great ures^ Z reftorcci
330 SERMON X.' I
rcftor'd to Happihefs, than tht Effeds of his Juftice in the Guilty and MiferaiDle. To be inclin'd to do Evil and Hurt, is arj Imperfe^bi- on infinitely diftanc and oppofice to the Divine i!^aitur^. The Lord Qoi is m Sun : and as 'tis proper to it to enlighten^ revive and irefrcfli the World by its Opei'ation« anJ Influences ,• 'tis accidental to con- fume and deftroy, and proceeds from the toperfedion of Things upon whom his Beams fal 1. Thus 'tis according to the Nature of God to difpenfe the liberal Effufions of his Goodnefs to the Creatures 5 if they feel the Effects of his Juftice/tis for Sin tliat deferves it, and draws it forth into Exercile. Mercy is -God's Glory : by Glory we under- ftand the Luftre that reiults from the Perfection of Things, and is attradive and worthy of Admi- ration. There is Light in one Beam of the Sunj but Glory r^-
fults
On Luke xiv. 2^. 55
fults from dhe Union of alj its Beams in their full Strength. Ac- cordingly a double Glory belongs ^to God.
i i/f. His Effential Glory, thacre- iJflks from his tranfcendent Excel- ienciesj the fupream Beauty and Brightnels of- that unapproachable Lizht wherdn he is laid to dwell % every Attribute being truly infinite, is moft glorious.
%dly. Declarative Glory, that tonfifts in the Operation and In- fluence of God's Perfe(5lions, and in the humble and thankful Ado- ration of them by intelligent Crea- tures. Some Divine Attributes are more eminently the Glory of God : as they are more declarative of his Perfedlions, and more fenfibly and powerfully afte^t the IVjinds and Hearts of Men. In this refpedt Mercy, as 'tis the moft benign and comfortable, fo 'tis the brighteft i^ight ini all the Conftellatibn of Z i the
332 SERMON Y::^
the Divine Attributes j 'tis our Hap- pinefs we are under it A(pe6ts and Influences. The other effential Ex- cellencies or God are regarded as the Qualities of our Soveraign infi- nitely above us, with mod humble Fear and refpedful Admiration :. But his Mercy reprefents him as our Father and Friend, and engages our Affections entirely to him. When Mofes defir'd to /ee God's Glory^ he told him, his ^oodnefs fJwuld pafs before him. Now Mercy is the moll excellent Degree of Goodnefs. 'Tis Goodnefs primarily excited and active from ic felf, and takes occa- fion from the Mifery of the Crea- ture to be beneficent. 'Tis obferva- ble, when he was proclaimed in his glorious Titles, The Lord ^ the Lord God J Merciful and Or adorn ,• next to the Deify, Mercy is plac'd as his deareft Attribute : and of the thir- teen Titles of Honour attributed to him, nine belong to Mercy, to i^T. fignify
On Luke xiv. 25. 555
fignify the advantage it has above Juftice. Mercy is his peculiar Trealure : 'ris faid he is rich iuMercy^ not in Pofleffions, tho the Earth -is the Lord's^ and the fulnefs thereof: his "Riches are not without himfelf, but in his own Perfe6lions. Now 'tis the great Defign of God to glorify this Attribute in the Salvation of the Loft and Milerable. Adam had (uflScient Grace to ftand, but was free to fall, and by the Fraud of Satan join'd with his own Folly, was feduc'd from his Duty, and involved himfelf and all his Pro- geny in utter Ruin. It was very becoming God that his Enemy fliould not obtain his End, that Man- kind fliDuld noi be the eternal Tro- phy of the Tempter, and fo noble a part of the Creation be as it were abolifh'd for ever. From hence the Mercy of God took its Rife, and moft apparently and eminently de- clared it felf, in fending hi^ Son the V Z J Heir^
354 SERMON X.
Heir of his Love and Glory, to be the Redeemer and Ranfom of the Loft and Miferable.
The Gofpel is made up of Ar^ guments and Endearments, of Com- rnands and compafTionate Calls, of incouraging Invitations, and th^ jyioft conftraining Motives, that finful Men would apply thenrtfelvei to our blefled Saviour, and ndi perifli for ever in their Sins. AnJ God has appointed an Order of Men confecrated to this Service. This is moft excellently expreft by 2 Co ,-^he Apoftle )• ISlow tpe are Embajfadoys for Chrijiy as- tho God did befeech you by its J we fray you- in Ch/tft's Jlead^ he reconciled to God, From hence the Duty of Evangei^c:^ Minifters is clear and confequenr, that with zealous Affections and perfevcring Diligence they fliould endeavour to bring Souls to partake of the Grace of the Gofpel. An Objection may be raifed.
If
On LaK:,fc xiv. 23. 535
If God be pleJtled with the Sah- vacion of finful Men, why are not all laved r for nothing, is the Ob- ]QSt of his Willy but is within- the Goftipafs of his Power.
The Objedioni is fpecious, and may fuiprtzc at firft, but divly con- fidered, may receive a fulTScient Anfwer.
. I. "T'is a leading Rule, that when Doctrines are clearly revealed in the Scripture, we mud yield our Afient, tho we cannot refolve all tlie Difficulties that are raifed a- gainft them. *Tis unreafbnable fo deny what is evident, becaufe we caonot unfold what is obfcure. There is no Do6lrine more fre- quently and emphatically afferted in- the Divine Writings, than that the Repentance of a Sinner, and his acceptance of Pardon and Life is very pleafing to God. He afllires us in the moil: lacred and folemn manner of this ; As I liVCy faith theKickss* Z 4 Loniy
II,
^^6 SERMON X.
Lordy 1 haVe 'no pleafure in the Death of the Wicked J hut that the Wicked turn from his way^ and I'lVe : He is willing they fliould be faved, and they are wilful to be damned.' With what tender and melting Compaffions does he argue with them, Why w'tli je dtey 0 Hotije of Ifrael ? as if they were upon the brink of Hell, and ready to drop into irrecoverable Mifery.
2. Wemufldiftinguifli between '^fiou^t^^^ his directing Will, and his approving Will : whatever God decrees to effedl, fliall be infallibly accom- plifh'd J but many things that he /. approves, are left undone. His
Commands are his Will, the Rule of oiir Duty, but not of his Pur- poie what he will do. The Scrip- ture mentions the Word of Qod*s ^oiper^ and the Word of his Ho- hufs,' The Word of his Power feffeds all things according to his !yill : but the Wori of his Holinefs^ • ^'-••l- ■ ' - < his
On Luke xiv. 25. 357
his Laws declar'd to regulate our Lives, are often oppos'd, and with- out Efficacy.
3. TheWifdom of God diredls all the Operations of his Attributes ; thru orders the Difpenfations of Mercy, and the Inflidions of Juftice. When the Apoftle had confidered the aftonifhing Oeconomy of Pro- vidence with refped: to the Jews and Gentiles, he breaks forth, 0 the Depth of the Riches both of the Wtfdom '33* mid K^iowledg of God ! How unjenrch- ' able are his Judgnmits, and his Ways pajl finding out ! That (b great a parr
of the World live in Darknefs, an<^ die in Darknels, and go to their Fathers where they fball never iee Lightj and the Day-fpring from on high vifits other Nations, is accor- ding to the Counfel of his Will.
4. God docs afford nffifting Grace to Sinners, which if they im- proved, he would not defert them. The Gofpel is t^ Miwjlration of the^
Spirit y
SERMON X.
Sf>i)hy to UltHTiWaEej cxeite and ptTtfvv2>de Sin-n^rs noc to farfakf their own Mercy. He flnyes with thtmy he vv^oes md waitfto he ^ac'wiMy liil t>y tbeii? obftinate R^ftancc ibe}^,' cjuepch his holy Moriotvs, Mis rrite, he difpenfo Grace ici ^ihtfetenc degvees, for he is uhe M;ifl:ev of his- own Favours: buc tJio. effectual convertiftg Grace; is ,,RQt beftowed upon aill^ yet there is "-/' " ' coixinions Grace, that has a tend^en*- cy to Coa^verfion, which i£ hum- bly and thankfully improved, fucl^ is the moft free and excellent Good- nt& of . Godj Men would receive furcher Supplies. But they are ^ai^kfs and opposite to his gracious Operations^, therefore the Spirit is moft righceoufly withdrawn fromr them. He that in Luxury has wailed his Eftate, 'tis juil he dies in Poverty. Befides this, *tis very confiderable, that Men {hall be condctiined at the fefl: Da.y not for
mere
i
1
Ork L u Kl E xiv. 23. 359
kiei^e impotence, but obftinate Op- pofition : they loved Varhiejs rather John 5. ttydfi Ltght^ becaufe their Vcrds- arc '^• cT'ii ! not for the want of that ^i Gtice they did not receive, but for the ncgleft to improve that Grace - • they had received, and rejecting what' Was offered. The flothful Ser- ^^^ ^ ^tmt'Ufas coukmud for hiding his fingle talent in a Kafkiny not bccauje he had Udt five Titlefits,
<> • Secondly^ 'Tis the great Dedgn of G6d to glorify his Son. When he brought his Firft- begotten into the World, the Command was, Let all the Ang^U of God worjljip Um, God hds given Um a 'Kamc aboVe eVery TS[anu\ that «t the Name of [^jefus^ eVcry I^ice fhofild bow^ of things m HeaVen^ and Barth, afid under the Earth '^ and eVery Tongue jhoidd confefs that Jefus Chnjl is Lord J to the Glory of God the Fa- ther, Thofe who crojs his Su- preme Wifdom and Soveraign Will, fliall by a conftrain'd Submiffion
acknow-
340 SERMON X.
acknowledg the high Dignity of his Son.
The great Command of the
I Joh. 3. Gofpel isj that Men p?ould belieVe on ^S'the Name of his Son Jefus Chr'tfl : JHim
Adis 5. ^^^'^ ^0^ exalted, to be a Prince and a 3i* Saviour, for to giVe ^penta?ice and ^miffion of Sins, The Death of Chrift may be confidered as an A6t of Obedience to God, and of Love to Men. His Intention was to glorify Godjby bringing loft Souls to him. Now 'tis promiled as a Re- ward of his Sufferings, he fhall fee of the Travail of his Soul, and be fatis- fed. He is infinitely pleafed with the Salvation of Souls, as the Fruit of all his Anguifli and bloody Agony. The Election of a num* ber of the loft World, that fhall believe in him, and be adopted and faved by him, has a fpecial refpecl to his Honour, that his Dearh might not be in vain : that the Son of Qod niay be magnified
in
On Luke xiv. 25. 341
in his unfpeakable Love to them, and their fincere Obedience to him: his relative Glory, as Head of the Body, will fliinc in them for ever.
'Tis al(b obfervable, the Decree of Ele<5tion is of infallible Accom- plifhment, both as to the Conver- fion and Perfeverance of the Eled:, noL only becaufe the Divine Will is unchangeable and infuperable with refpecl to the Events deter- mined by it, but with a peculiar regard to the Glory of Chrift. No Principle of Oppofition in the cor- rupt Heart of Man can fruftrate the Operation of God's Spirit, either in the powerful entrance, or lure con- tinuance of his Grace. Our Sa- viour tells us, All that the Father gi^^es Jo^" ^' me ^ [l)all come tome. And, fpeaking ^'' of his Sheep, he faith, My Father John 10. which e^V^ them me^ is i^-eatcr than ^^' s// : ani none is able to pull them out of my Father'' s Hand, The Purpofe
of
342 SERMON X..
of God, and Purchafe of Clinfl: fc- cure their Salvation: for thefeiaur Johni7.SavioLn: intercedes, Holy Father ^ keep ^^- through time own TSlamey tlx/e whom thou hafl 2i^en we, that they nuiy ht one, as ive are. His Mediation is never interrupted: when Chrifts Prayer and God's Power are in- effeclual, then may they fall away totally and for ever, whom God keeps, and Chrift commends to his keeping. From hence it appears, that the Minifters of the Gofpel are indifpenfably obliged zealoufly to endeavour the Salvation of Souls, which the Father has de- fign'd for the Honour of his Mercy^ and which the Son of Godeft^eras his deareft Glory, "^i 'C ■■
rhe JTfLICJTlON. I
I. From hence there is juft caufe
to admire the glorious Grace of
God in converting Sinners, and
y making
On Luke xiv. ^3. ^43
making A em willing to comply wicfa the Terms of the Gofpel. fndeed 'tis ftrangc to Amazement^ that Men involv'd under the Guile? .moyi ■oFSins fo numerous and fo heinous^ and liable eveiy hour to the Sen- ''
tence of t!ie Law, fo fure ^pd Ic- vere, Eternal Death for tlieir Sins, Ihould negled: a Pardon fo dearly purchas'd, and fo gracioufly offcr'cf, and not with the deepeft Humility, with ravifhing Joy, apd the hjojicft Thankfiil-ners receive it. Is there no Spirit, no Undetllandinglefc in them? Nay, is fenfiblc Nature and^ its inviolable Inclinations fo cxtin- guifh'd, that they are Enemies to themfelves ? But if we confider the Depravation of Mankind fo inveterate and invincible, we fliall turn the Current of our Wonder another way, that the obftinatc Perverfenefs of any is fubdued, and that with confenting Wills they teceive Chrifl: as their Prince and
Saviour-
i
344 SERMON X.
Saviour. Election is the Fountain
of diftinguifliing Grace : Many ut^
^ ^ * * ccilled^ hut few are chofen. Converfi-
on, Adoption, Juftification, Sandli-
* fication, Glorification, are all the
£j^ef, Fruits of eleding Mercy. By the mod gracious and free A6t of his
2 ThtfT. own Will, he chofe fome out of
^' the corrupt Generality, (and they
are but a little diminutiv.e Flock)
Adls 13. to make them Veflels of Honour, that his Good . y might be the more admirabie// Thofe who are
John 12. made a willing l^eople, were by the natural and contracted Hardnefs of their Hearts, as averfe and repug- nant CO the Heavenly Call as others; if after a thoufind Repulfes, the Spirit had been withdrawn, tbey Aad died in their Sins : but as 'tis faid of Lot's miraculous Relcuc from the Flames of Sodom^ While he lingred^ the Angels laid hold upon Us Handj the Lord being 7nerciful to him J and brought him forth^ and fet him
without
On Luke xiv. 23. 345
-without the City ; fo the free and om- nipotent Grace over-rul'd their re- luctant Hearts, and ftrongly and fweetly inclinM them to God their fupream and fatisfying Good, and to come to Chrill as the only means to reftore them to the Fa- vour and Enjoyment of God. The natural Man is no more able to believe \yith a faving Faich in Chrift, than to obey the whole Law : 'tis the Gift of God. He provides the Means of Salvation, and applies them J he by victorious Grace leads Captivity capttVe^ and bcftows that moft precious Gifc upon his People. How many that enjoy'd the fame Gofpel, and did not reject fo ma- ny Invitations, nor fo otcen grieve and vex the holy Spirit, nor lo long abufe the Patience ol God, were juftly left in their Sins ? this will let a Luftre upon fpecial and Living Mercy. O, what a confpicuous Difcovery, what a lively and thank- Aa ^ fill
346 SERMON X.
ful Senfe will there be of this Grace in the next World ! Our Saviour tells the unbelieving Jews, There Luke 13./?^^^^ ^^ iP^eping and gnafh'mg of Teeth ^ 2^- ii?J?en ye p?all fee Abraham, and Ifaac, and Jacob, in the IQngdom ofjOody and you your felves turnd out. The Compatifon of the oppofite States ijvill thenobe more joyful and tranfporting to the Saints, and more manifeft and tormenting to the Reprobatfs. They fliall feel a burning Thirfl: after the Happinefs they have loft, and be torturd be- tween Defire and Defpair for ever.
2. Let thofe who make light of the Invitations of Grace, confider what will be the Iffue of their Gfe- ftinacy. Within a little while Con- icience will awaken the Remem- brance of their carelefs Contempt of the Divine Mercy, and that will awaken Defpair. Toinftru(5l fuch Perfons,and make them afraid, that they may fly to the Sanduary
from
OnhuKE xiv. 25. 547
from the Deftroyer, lee them con- fidcr,
(i.) This will render them in- excufable. Their Objuration and final Ruin will be of them lei ves. \jod is pleafed to appeal to the Human tlnderftanding, tVhat could I do more for my Vmeyardy that J haVe not done f His Works and his Words are declaratory of his Will, how pleafing the Repentance and Life of Sinners is to him. He has pre- par'd a Saviour and Salvation, and "* offers them to loft Souls. In the Year of Jubilee, Liberty was pro- claimed for all the Ifraelites who had been Servants ; but if any one would not leave his Mafter, his Ear was bored, and he was a Servant for ever. Thus the ncceptahk Hear of tk Lord is proclaim'd in the Golpel, a happy Freedom to Sinners by ' Jefus Chrift : but thofe who are in love with their reigning Lufts, re- fufe this Freedom, and are con- Aa 2 demn'd
348 SERMON X.
demn'd to the word Bondage for ever. God by his Authority com- mands them to repent and belie'Ve the Oojpel : He invites them by the moft gvacious Promifes to accept and re- ceive them : he expreffes the moft tender Compaffions tov^^ards perifli- ing Sinners,- Why will ye die? He i^proaches their unaccountable Fol- ly, How long ye fimple ones will ye loVe Simplicity ? He urges them by ter- rible Threatnings, not to negledl his ofFer'd Grace. But they are deaf to his loudeft Calls : if a Luft whifpers from their Earthly Affe6ti- ons, they are prefently moved. No Mercy will foften them, no Reproofs will reform them j the richeft Means of Grace are loft, and they prodigally perifli. Now how Juftly do they fall under the con- demning Sentence of the Law, who flight the Mercy of the Golpel ? God takes no Tleaftire in the Death of a Sifwer^ hut they take Tleafuye in their
Si?is :
On huKE xiv. 25. 549
Sins : they die in their Sins^ becaufe they will die : they are deprived of Life, becaufe they will not come to Chriji that they may hxVe Life, At the Day of Judgment loft Sinners will intirely clear God, and deeply charge themfelves with their de- ferved Ruin.
(2.) Such are irrecoverable. The Gofpel is the only Difpenlation of Grace ; if Men obftinately reject it, their Condition is as defperate as if they were bound in Chains of Darknefs to the Judgment of the great Day. Mercy alone can heal us \ and if that be wounded, our Sicknefs is incurable. ^^ ^/^^^Johns. helieVeth not th Son^lhAll not fee Life; but 3 ^• tiye Wrath of God abides on him. His Doom is fealed and irreverfible. God now fpeaks in a ftill Voice, bur hereafter he will fpeak in a Whirlwind to the Deipifers of hi^ Grace. Tis true, we cannot fay a Soul is quite loft while there is Aa J a
950 SERMON X.
a delay of Judgment : but the Scripture declares, that Sinners by their ftubborn Refufals of Mercy, make God inexorable to their Luke 1 9 ^f^y^^s : There is a day of Grace, 42. and the Lapfe of it is fatal to the Neo ledgers. Of this there have' been very fearful Examples: hov«/ many Defpifers of the Grace of the Redeemer in the courfe of their Lives, yet in the Agony of their laft Departure, when their Sins with a ghaftly Afpc^ appear, and with frightful Horror they look in- to the bottomlefs Pit, Confcience anticipates the Divine Judgment.- Let the moft compaffionate Mini^* Hers offer them the Cordials of the^- Gofpel, and tell them they defpair too ioon : the felf-condemning Con- Tciepce replies, they repent too iate. Q that Men w^ere early wife £o fecure their eternal Intereft !
{5O The negle(5l of Salvation, ^yill aggravate' Sin and the Judg- ment
On Luke xiv. 25. 351
tnent of Men. This Is the Condofi- John 5. natioHy that Ltght is come into the ^^•
Wof'fiU ^^^^ ^^'^^ ^^^^ Varknefs rather than Light. The higher the Dif- obedience, the lower the Damna- tion will be of Sinners. The Hea- thens in their Race of ignorant Re- bellion are not fo guilty, nor liable to fo heavy a Sentence as tho(e who difobey the Gofpel. The J/raelitcs had [o abus'd the Mercies of God to his Diflionour, there were no fuch Rebels on Earth ; the Prophet was fain to delcend to Hell for a Comparifon to equal their Wicked - nefs : Hear the Word of the Lord, ye ^n- ,. ms of Sodom 5 ^i^^e Ear unto the Law of our God^ ye Teople of Gomorrah. But thofe who turn the Grace of God into an occafion of their finful Security, are not to be parallell'd in Hell. The Devils rebel againil the Creator, againft his Authority and Laws, but Men rebel againft their Soveraign and Saviour, and 'iis Aa 4 admi-
352 SERMON X.
» .
admirable Grace. The Son of God interpos'd as Mediator to make God reconcilable to the World : Heb. 2. Sut he did not ajjume the Nature of Jn^elsy he took no hold of theni^ nor can they take hold of him, T he Golden Scepter was never extended to them : Juftice was ftrict and fevere ; for the firfl Sin they were prefently expel I'd from the Habitation of Glory, and their Doom is irrevo- cable. But Men are within the Refer ves of Mercy ; God fpares them in order to Pardon, and re- news his compaffionate Calls to them to forfake their Sins, and live : by his Word and wonderful Patience he invites them to Repentance, and by Repentance to his Favour, and to Happinefs. Now what a vio- lent Provocation is the Contempt of fuch Mercy ? The Furnace of Hell is heated feven times more for the Defpifers of the Gofpel. How will the remembrance of their
Folly
On Luke xiv. 25. 355
Folly rack their torn Minds ? The fierceft Furies cannot lb torment them as their felf-condemning Con- leiences.
3. Let the Minifters of the Gofpel be excited to difcharge their Commiffion with Fidelity. I iTiall let down fome Directions and Motives in order to it. The ge- neral Direction is thiSy- SaltisTopuli fufrema Lex ejlo : The Salvation of Souls is the End of Preaching, and nriuft regulate it. The Qualifica- tions of a Minifter to make him (uccefsful are,
Firjly Excellent Knowledg. An ignorant Minifter is a plain Sola:- cifm, as to fay a blind Eye, not ca- pable to perform the A6t proper to it. The Office and Authority without Abilities to exercife it, is in vain. The A poftle declares the iPerfedtion of the Scripture, that 'tis profitable for Do^bme, for Reproof 2 Tim.3! for CorreilioHy for J?ipru^ion in ^J^igh^
teoufnejs ^
1^4 SERMPN X
teoufnefs ; . thaf tM M'pi of Qod may he perfect y throughly fur nifi?ed unto ali[ good Works. Be is tp inftrud the Ignorant, to remember the Care- lefs, to refute the Erronious, to re- folve the; Doubtiog, and comfort the Afflided. . N,ot only Fidelity^ Mat. 24. hut. Wtfdoin is 'rf^utfm_ in the SerVant ^'y- whom his Lord mad^, f^der oyer his Houfe^ togtVe them Meat in due feafo)h There muft be fubftantial Learning to conyince Galnfayers^ 4ncl ipirituaV Skill to itnderftand die Arts of th^ Tempter, who will fail with everj^ Wind, and makeufe of the various Difpofitions of Men to do them Mifchief. He feeds the blazing Prefumption of indulgent Sinners : He fpeaks Peace to them when God is their Enemy : if there be fometimes a (ad Countenance, the fliadow of Repentance, it is fuffi- cient. But he perplexes tender and fearful Spirits, by fuggefting they do not mourn enough, to damp
their
On Luke xiv. 25. 555
their Endeavours, and make them heartlefs in God's Service. Now 'tis a principal Duty of an Evange- lical Minifter to unmask the Ma- lice of Satan, and defeat his De- fign : to preach the Word in that diftinft manner, that fecure Sinners may be afraid of Vengeance, and that the Penitent may apply the Divine Mercy. He that wins Sotdsp^Q^^^u is Ti?ife, The Terrors of the Lord 3°* mufl be fet in array againft the rebellious obftinate Tranfgreflbrs ; but the indulgent Love of our Heavenly Father, the tender Com- paffions of our fenfible Head and Saviour, and the Confolations of the holy Comforter,are the Portion of relenting and returning Sin- ners.
An underftanding Minifter in- ftruds his People in their Duty and Happinefs : he will not offer them Stone for ^read ; intricate contro- yerfial Matters that aftonifli and
cannot
556
SERMON X.
cannot edify, but plain Evangeli- cal Truths, the proper Food for the Soul.
The Manner and Language in Preaching muft be anfwerable to the Majefty of Divine Truths. There is nothing more odious than a facred Subje6t triflingly handled. The AfFedation of Wit and flan- ting Eloquence fruftrates the End of Preaching, that is, to convince Sinners of their Guilt and Milery, and by the Conviction of Con- fcience to make them fly to the Sanduary, our blefled Saviour, for Protedion : partly bccaufe thofe things that flatter the Fancy, are not proper to affedl the Confcience : light trimmings of Language, gau- dy Expreffions, glittering Points of Wic pleafe the Imagination ^ but Conlcience is excited and inflam'd by reprefenting eternal Things with powerful Plainnefs, and in a fo- kmn manner : and partly becaule
the
On Luke xiv. 25. 357
the Human Spirit being limited, while one Faailtv is attentive, ano- ther fufpends its Activity and Ope- rations ; fo that the Exercife of the Fancy hinders the Mind from ferious reflecting on Divine Truths, and applying them to the Soul. Vain Ornaments in n Sermon are like a painted Complediton ,• the more 'tis advanced to the Eye, the more 'tis abafed to the Judg- ment.
The Difcourfe of a Preacher lliould diredlly go to the Heart : it fliould be fo fram'd as to prove and illuftrate the Subject, and work on the Underftanding and Affedions. We have the Pattern of this in Scripture, where the Love and Mercy of God to his Childreni^ and his Juftice and Power againft his Enemies, are reprcfented in the mofl pathctical mannCi:, I will produce an Inftance of both : Can a Ifomdn forget her jvxkmg Child^ Ifa. 4c.
\
IJ, 12
^3
358 SERMON X.
that p?e floould not haVe Compaffion on the Son of her Womb f yea^ they may forget 5 yet I mil not forget thee. What can be more fupporting and com- forting ? The other Inftance is as
Pfal. 7. terrible. God is angry with the Wicked e^ery day. If he turn not^ he will whet his Sword 5 he hath bent his 'Bow and made it ready. He hath alfo prepared the Jnftruments of Death. This De- fcription of God's righteous Dif- pleafure is more powerful to (hoot through the Confcience of hardned Sinners, than the bare threatnings that Juftice will furely puniili them.
Secondly^ A Minifter fhould be zealous and diligent in the difcharge of his Office. St. ^aul adjures Ti- mothy in the m oft (blemn and fear*
2 Tim. ful manner, I charge thee before (jod^ and the Lord Je [us Chrijl, who [Jyall judg 4he Qwck and the Dead at his appearing^ and his I\ingdom : Preach the Word^ he inftant in Jealon, and out of Jeafon;
reproVe^
1, 2.
(:
On Luke xiv. 23. ^59
'reprove y rebuke, exhort with all lottos- fuflering and Doftrme. Did the Apoftle ftir up the Fire in fo vigi- lant a Minider, how much more .needful is it to blow up the Em- ^bers in our drowfy Spirits ? Cer- tainly if Confcience be not fear'd and dead, io fliarp a Charge will rouze it to the performance of our Duty.
' ^'[Z.eal for the Glory of our Sa- viour, if it inflames our Hearts, will fire our Lips, and animate our Sermons. Let Knowledg be the Breath to blow the iacred Fire, and- the moft burning Zeal is not ex- ceffive. But our Affections at the higheft are very defedlive : Hovv many preach the Word fo coldly, as if they had no defire to fave Souls from eternal Death r
How many Minifters lie dow^a
in their Lazinefs, and wretchedfv
negledl: their Duty, to better them-
*lelves and benefit others in pre^.ch-
inp
36o SERMQWl^
ing the Gofpel ? Idlenefs enervates and unftrings the Bent of the Spirit : the Mind is benumm'd by a ufelefs and ignoble Dulnefs.
Some who are deputed Shepherds, may think it a Difparagement to their Greatnels, to be frequent::^ in fo mean a Work as Preaching : whereas the Son of God was a Preacher of the Gofpel. Others make a Gain of the Flock, but put off the Inftruding and Care of it to pthers. They will ferve Chtift by Proxy, who died for us in his own Per (on. How can they commit to others the Charge immediately entrufted to thernfelves ? What Exemption can they plead, what Account can they give to the great -Shepherd ?
Thirdly^ Let Minifters, that they
may be fuccefsful, adorn the holy,
^and without Holinefs dangerous
Office of the Evangelical Mini-
ftry, by a jucable, Gonverfatipi^.
. ri Innocence
On Luke xiv; ^5* 361
Innocence, and Abftinence front foul Sins, is not fufficienc to recom- nien^l them j but the ^otper of God- Ime/s, ami the beauty of Hol'mefs muft iTiine in their Lives, They can never cfFedtually reach others what they do not pra(ftile themlclvts : if any Sin reigns in them, their Prayers cannot alcend with Ac- ceptance to God, and defcend v^rith a Bleffing on the People. Let a Minifter preach Divine Dodlrine, yet if his Converfation be Earthly and Senfual, he is more Hkely to harden Sinners than to con vert them. Wovj unbecoming and dilgraceful are unholy Minilters to their Pro- feffion ? What a Scandal do they aive to the Profane, and occafion to blafpherae their high and holy Calling > Let fuch prepare them- {elves for many Stripes : they cannoc efcape a double Damnation^ for the Negledt of their own Souls and the Souls of others committed to B b r.heitl4
SrEKMON Di.-
thcmi Though a Heavenly Light; fliines. in their Sermons^ if in their Practice they are dark Cloudsy the &acknefs of Darknefs is njeryed for them for eVer.
Fourthly J. Union among Miniftcjs is a happy Advantage to recom- mend their Do6trine to the Pea- pie. Divifion and Jealoufy wiU Icflen the Authority and Efficacy of their Preaching. If one Dog opens^ the Deefr; is. not alaimy:, but th^ full Cry ioufes him. When Mi- nillers A^^itk one Confent declare the Wrath of God from Heaven againftSiii, the Profane, and Seciife are afraid : arid the jtwful Fear of juftice^m'akes ihem teek for Mier- c}'. ■ 'Tisrerue, tFiere cannot be Gxpefedt an?- entire Conformity in C>pinions . among the- . .wifeft i i^cui bell Men :. therefore in- Dod:fide^ DOC ioockiir nor oS'Jthlt momehc as the gTeatvTriiths, a ritutual F©i?-» be.iranceijaur Duty, i But-.to coaair !' '--ii ''■ Concro-
On Luke xiv. 23. ^6^
Concroverfies about clear and n^-j ceffary Truths, and obicqrq them by Oppoficion, is a great hinde- rance to the Succe(s of the Gofpel. Some Worthy Men earneftly deny the Gofpel to be a Law : Will they reform the Scripture ? Is not the Gofpel called the Law of Eiith^ the Latp of Liberty y the Law of the Spi- rit of Lift. ^ 'Tis true, the Gofpel is a Covenant of Grace, but it has all the Effentials of a Law ^ 'tis the revealed Will of the Soveraign Law-giver, commanding Sinners to repent and believe, upon no leis Reward and Penalty, than Eternal Life to penitent Believers, and Eternal Death to thofe who dit obey the Gofpel. Now the Com- mand and San'flion are the proper Characters of a Law. If we duly confider.it, the Soveraignty of God is fuch, that whatever Covenant lie offers to the reafonable Creature, has the Fx)rce and Oblig,uion of a Bb 2 Law*
3^4 SERMON Xl->
Law. I iftftance in this one Point^ that of late has occafion'd an un-' happy Difference. O the blefled State above, where Ignorance and' Sttife are abolidi'd for ever ! '-
Fifthly^ Frequent and earneft" Prayer to God is a powerful Mean^' to render our Miniftry fuccefsfuC Paul plants J and Apollos waters j but Godjrives the hicreafe. Let a Mini-^ (let be compleatly furniih'd with Learning, Judgment, Eloquence, yet all his Labour will be fruitlefs^ without Divine Grace. A Key that is exactly fit to all the Wards of a Lock, cannot open it without a Hand to turn it. Let the moft proper and powerful Motives to work upon the reafonable Nature be reprelented, yet they cannot open the Heart, unlcfs they are managed by the holy Spirit.
'Tis very obfervable, that in the Narrative of the Miracles by the Pi ophetSj fome Circumftances are
-^ related,
On Luke xiv. 2 5.
related, chat declare they were done by the Divine Power. Sometime the Command of God was before the Performance : thus in all the aftonifhing Works done by iV/o/fijthe Command of God was the begin- ning, Take thy %od^ flretch out thy Exod, 7. Hand^ and others Orders that de- "^' *9- monftrate the miraculous Actions g^i^. 5?' not to proceed from an inherent Virtue in his Perfon, but from a fuperiour and borrowed Power. Sometimes Prayer was addreft to God before the Miracles were done ; Thus Jojlnid firft jj^eaks to the Lord^ Jolli. 10. before he commands the Sun to ftand ^^' fltll upon Gibeon, and the Moon in the Valley of Ajalon. Thus El'i^ and ' ^'^'^g^ Eltjhii revived the Dead by Prayer to ^^' 2 u the Lord of Life. This was declara- 3 Kings tory, that the Prophets were but In- ^•^5'34' ftruments, and that God was the ab- folute Author of them. Accordingly in the Converfion of Souls, which iaaWork as miraculous as any of .. Bb J thofe
566 SERMON X.
Aofe illuftrious Miracles, there muft be the Divine Appointment of t1i6 Means, and ardent Prayer to God for his Bleffing. 'Tis the great En- couragement of Minrfters in thtk Service, that whatfoever h God's Ordinance fliall effed that for which it is ofrdain'd : the Rod of Mofes was pc^werful to fubdue Eg)ft^ to drown 'Phctriidh and his Hdft in the Red Sea, Three hundred Souldiers with Gideon, only arm'd with Lamps and Pitchers, deftroyed the numberleis Afffty of the Muiutnites. Aftonffh- ing Vi<5tory ! Jnd the ^ofpel is the ^omr of Qod to Salvation, But Prayer is requifite to obtain the holy Spirit, by whofe Influence the Word is effedual to recover loft Souls to Heaven. And 'tis evident, that numerous and entire Cbnver- fionfs of Sinners have been by thie Miniftry of holy Men, who rrtadfe it 'their gt^at and eUrnefl: Retjuefft if^e thpy fiiight Be fuccefifiil ih
bring-
OnTuUKt xiv. 23. 5-67
bringing Souls to Chrift. Cold Formalities are unacceptable toGod, and without Efficacy ; but Prayer aduated with Life and holy Heat of AfFection, afcends to Heaven and prevails. And what is more worthy of our conftant and moil ardent Defires, than the Salvation of precious and immortal Souls ?
n. To excite Minifters to a faith- ful Difcharge of their Dtity, let them confider,
I. The Example of our blefled Saviour. It was one principal Part of his Office to preach the Gofpel : this he undercook in won^ derful Mercy, and perform'd with amazing Diligence. He rifcs be- fore Day, and retires himfelf into a folitary Place to pray, that he may lo(e no time in Preaching, He. preach 'd on the Mountain^ m ihc Dejcrt ^ In the Ship ^ in the Sy- ii^^o^HCs y in the Hi^h-way , in the Bb 4 Hju/c:
5^8
SERMON 1^
Hmfe : no Place, no Perfons, no Mark 8. Time was unfeafonable. Ic was
35. his Meat and Drink to do the Will of Mat K I ^^^ P^f^'>^r* Tnus conftanr and de- Mark 6. lighted was the Son of God ( who
3<^.laid afide his Majefty and Glory, Lukeio. ^hat he might inftru6t the People
3P- without terrifying them) in his John 4- bleffed Work. How does his Ex^
34" • '
ample reprove and upbraid our Negligence ? How (hould it in^ flame us to imirace and honout him ?
1. His Love to us fhould make us ardent and active to (ave Souls, as a Teftimony of our Love to him. Thus he fpeaks to ^eterj Lo^'ejl thou me ^ Feed my Lamhs, ^Tis his Delight and Glory to be the Saviour of Sinners. How dearly has he bought our Love ? How willingly did he redeem us when we were Enemies ? His Love condefcended to our low State, to hecoiiie a Servant, that he might iv. .■ ^xalt
Oil Luke xiv. 25. 369
m I ■■-■ - - ■— ■- — ^ I
exalt us to his State, to be the Sons of God. How does he out-love us? We do nor love his Glory as he loved our Meanncls, not him the blefied God, as he did us curled Creatures. O the Miracle of his ardent Love to us ! O the Strange- nefs of our cold Affe(^ion to him !
Love cannot be idle, but will add Fire and Vigor, and caufe un- fainting Peifeverance in our Lord's Service, Love and Duty will over- con[ie all Difficulties. If we con- fider by how many Titles he de- ferves our Service, and feel the dear Obligations he has laid upon us, we fhaU compel them to come ni^ that our glorious King's Houfe may he full.
I (ball only add, that to (ave Souls, the Work is glorious, and the Reward is more glorious. In the Affembly of immortal Spirits above, all united in Perfedion and Felicity^
Tl^e
g7o SERMON X,
Tljofe who turn many to ^tghteoufnefs^ fhall flme wit}? a brighter Glory, lihs the Stars for eVer and e'Ver, Who would be fo tinhappy as to prefer fluggifla Eafe before a brighter Crown in Heaven ?
Laftly ; I will finidi this Dif- courfe with an earned Perfwafive, that Men would comply with the Invitations of the Divine Mercy. Who can without fome fparks of Pity and Indignation (erioufly ob- ferve that Men are flight and foolifli in things of eternal Intereft, beyond all the degrees of Folly in the Con- cerns of this World ? Who would that is (in danger to lofe his I^fe or Eftare, and has but one day to fecure them, wade it in fri- volous Matters , when the Op- portunity is fo fhort, and the OraiflioQ is irreparable ? Yet al- tho the prelent Life be certainly ^lihort, and uncertainly continued, and Eternity depends upon our
prefent
On LtiKE xiv. 23. 571
prelent fecuring the Favour of God, and our Title in his King- dom, Men employ their Time to gain the World^ and negled their Salvation, in compari^fon whereof all the Affairs of Time ad-e-abufy i^oUy, and vain Imperti-nence. Stu- pendious Security ! No^ to per- •iWade Men t6 come roChrift for Life, let them confider^
1. 'Tis God's Call, to which prefent Obedience is due. Carnal Sen(e is apt to objedt, Is it not a "Man 1 fee and hear ? Tis true, but l^he Meflage is the Kings, not the Embaflador's that brings it. A fpi- ritual Eye looks beyond the Ob- jedof Carnal Sight, and (ees'Ohrift in the Minifter by the "Light of taith. Were this believed, how ^vould it fallen our Minds and Sen- ses in the moft ferious Attention to the preaching of the Gofpel!
2. Make judicious Compari(bns l>ecWcen this World and 'ihe next.
As
572 SEKMONX.^
As in the Light of the Sun there is^ an Influence that cheriflies the vii- tal Heat, and a Power that extin- guifhes the Kitchin Fire ; fo the Liaht of God's Word has a double Efficacy, it kindles Heavenly, and quenches Earthly Affedions. It^ deed there wants neither Glory ^on Joy, nothing of com pleat Happi-- nefs in the World to come, to raife our Affections and faften therti^ upon it : and in this World all is Vanity and Vexation to alienate our Affections from it. What in- finite Diftance and Difproportion is there between the Objeds of our Choice? Who would think it poffible, but that 'tis vifible every day, that they who have Mortaif Souls fliould be carelefs of Eternal t Things, and Ipend all their Pains and Paffions about Things that" expire with the Flux of Time? That they fliould negled folid Hap- pinefs, and purfue fliining Bubbles ?
But
On Luke xiv. i^. 373
But the pi efent World fafcinaces their Underftandings, infpires their Fancy with Dreams of Happinefs here : Senfuality charms them into Stupidity : they are unwilling to be difenchanted ,• they enjoy their Error, and are entettain'd with pleafant Delufions, till awaken 'd by eternal Flames. . Let the enlightened Mind confi- der and judg, the Soul is of a Di- vine Original, a Spiritual Subftance of an everlafting Duration, and can never be happy but in the En- joyment of thole Objeds that are Divine and Spiritual, commenlurate to its Capacity and Duration. Lee a Man poffefs the World with all its Advantages and Delights, the flarved Soul would fuffer infinite Want, and can only be fatisficd with the Fulnefi of God, '^y-
Under what Notion foeverHap- pinefe is conceived, 'tis only to be
found
574 SERMON X.
found m God. What qan inrich a Spirit hm Spiritual Treafures? Holinefs is the richeft Jewel in the Cekftial Crown. What can dig- nify and cnnobk a Spirit, but an Alliance to God as a Father, and the Likemefs of him in his Divineft Excelleficies ? What can fatisfy an Immortal Spirit, and replenilh k with Joy, buit vical Union with God, and the immediate Influence of Almighty and Eternal Goodt nefs ? Carnal Men when they ob*^ tain their immediate End, Riches^ Honours and Pleafures, they fiirlj in their main End, true Happinefi r they leem wife ifor che^prefait, and: are Fook lor ever* r f ;
The Scripture tells us, the Lefsis hlejfed of the Gre4ito\ /How can the prefent World that is fo inferioiK to Man in the Nobility of his Nav ture, afford Perfection and SatiP- fadioii to him ? How unfucable,
how
On L ii K E ^ xiy. a 3 . 575
how iqfufficient is it to fill the lafgefb and ftrongeft Dcfires of the Souf ?
The World may cloy, but cannot (itisfy us ; but the Favour of God, the more 'tis enjoyed, the more 'tis defir'd, and delighted in. Car- nal Joy ieefns, but is not : Fear and Stings of Rcmorfe may be difguifed and glo(s'd over with a chearful Countenance and Carriage, but are not extinguifli'd. Spiritual Joy feems not, but rs : the Apoftle tells us, As for row ful J hut alivay rejoyctng: iCor.6." there maybe a Winter in the Face, ^^• and' a flourrfliing Spring in the.r.f^, Heatt. There is a fecret Sweecnefs ' ' in the Practice of Religion, that th>e Unrenewed are Stranaers to : tHeytannot fte a Tafte*^- • ' Carnal Joy cannot repel i-rs Con- tf5i^ric cannot endure the Allaulrs of the flight and tranfieiu livils, to wkjch we afeexpos'd liere. Sick- ^*i ncK
376 SERMON X.
nefs, Difappoincments, Apprehen- fions of Evils that hover over us, may imbitter the mod pleafant Condition. A wounded Spirit, like an ulcerous Palat that is fretted and pain'd with the fweeteft thingSj turns all the Pleafures of the World into Vexation. Fear ftruck !Be/^ fl?a:^:^n at his Feaft into a trem^ bling. ^ut Teace with God^ and the Joy that flows from it, the World can neither ^ive nor takfi away : 'tis as unable to deftroy it as to produce it,
Rona. 5. 'Believers rejoice in Tribulations, ^' ^' All Carnal Joys are of fhort
I Toh 2 Continuance. The World paffes a- ly.wayy and the Lujis thereof. Life is dying, and the Comforts of it. Ml Flejh is Grafs, and the Glory as the Flower of the Grafs ; that by Heac or Cold, by a Blaft or a Worm is {bon deftroyed. All the Obje<5ts of the fenfual Paffions are very fa* ding* The fineft Scapip of Beauty
irt
J
■ ■HI I ■ » W ^ — — ■ —
On LufeE xiv. 25. 5^77
in the Countenance, how eafily is Jt defac'd by Sicknefs or Sorrow, by many Accidents or Age ? Riches jake the Wings of the Morning, and iiee away from the Pofleflbrs : Ho- nour is cafual and uncertain: the Scepter of VaVid^ fb great a King, the Royal Branch of his Family, degenerated into a poor Carpen- ter.
The greateft in the World, and the mod proud of their Greatnefs, |he Luxurious Volupriraries, (hall •their Pomp and Delights continue with them in the Grave ? Can they reign and revel when their .Bodies are in the Duft, and their Souls in Hell ? Where is their ad- mir'd Happinefs ? Is it nor all dead
.„with them ? nothing will then re- main but the tormentincr Remem- brance of their Folly. Z^wftk ^Forc/o/^ I Per. i.
. .^ thz Lord, endures for eVer : 'Tis an im- ^ 5» mortal Seed, and makes the Ground *cis planted in, to live for ever. We C c are
378 SERMON X.
are affiir'd, he that does the Will of Godj ahidi's for e^^er. The Bleffednefi of Heaven is everlaftirrg, as God the Obje6t of it, and the Soul that enjoys it. There is nothing de'^ festive in the State above, where Happinefs isfurrounded with Eter- nity. Tliis is worthy of our mod afpiring Ambition, of all our Hop^s and Dc fires. Now is it poflible that the prefent World, as empty as the Froth of the Sea, as vanifh- inc^ as a Puff of Air, fhould be chofen before Celeftial Happinefs ? It is by the moft, fo p.odigioufly are Carnal Men fway'd by Senfe, that like Brute Be^fts they are vio- lently drawn by prefent Things, and little moved by Things fpiri- tual and future. The Devil brings ready Money in his Hands, and tempts them with this prefent World: The Son of God offers in his Word Eternal Happincfs,which isdefpifed in theComparifon. If one fliould
choofe
On Luke xiv. 23. 579
choofe a fmall Sum at prefenc before the fure Reverfion of an Eftate that would enrich him all his Life, would he not be defpifed by all for want of Underftanding ? Yet Men allow that Folly in their own Pra(n:ice, that they would con- demn in others. But fuch is the Mercy of God, that to perfwade and prevail with us, he ufes all the Arguments that can work upon the Minds of Men. Hope and Fear are the ftrongefl: Springs to move US; he therefore lets before us Heaven and Hell, to attract our Hope, and excite our Fear. He makes ufe of Hell to kindle our Zeal in feeking the Kingdom of Heaven. The mod violent Pafli- ons are over- ruled by Fear. Now in the threatning of Hell all the Motives of Fear are united. Little Evils are defpifed, not feared : great Evils chat may be eafily avoided, or apprehended ^'ery remote, are C c z ;. not
38
o SERMON X.
not fear'd. But Evils that are imminent and deftrudive, are thp mod powerful Objeds of Fearf Now every Man ifi, his finful State, hangs by flendcr Strings Q" ver the bottomlels Pit : and for his underprizing and negled of Heaven, falls under the Sentence that deteripines his State in an everlafting Hell. Th^re is pp dawning in that Darknpfs pf Sprr row, no refielTiing in thofe Flames. There is a reftlefs Remembrance of what is loft, as 2^ Light that coiTies through a Cranny in a Dun-, geon, that the forlorp Caitiff may remember the pleafant revivirg Light of which he is deprived. Athoufand Years oi Torrnent can- not expiate the Offences of thofe who difobey the Gofpel : they are fuUof Milery, and fuller of Guilt, that remains in its Weight upon them for ever.
•The
04 L u K E xiv. 25. 381
' The fear of this, if duly believed and confidered 5 will bridle the ftrongeft Defires afrer this vaiVt t^tiirtd, dnd make Men wife, thad ?hey iti^y ti^t petifli in their Choice:^
To conclude ; Let thofe who ^ invited to this Heavenly FeaftJ d6me with the JVcdMtiz- Garment : 'tis' an Allufion t6 the decent Cuftom' 6f wearing rich Apparel for Or- nament and Luflre at Marriage- Solemnities, to cxprefs Joy, and to honour the Perfons that are married . Accordingly all that are in the Vifible Ghurch, fliould a- dorn the Gofpel by a Convcrfa- tfion becoming the Dignity and Purity of their high and holy Galling. Unfeigned Faich that u- nites us to Chrift, and is effectual and evident in all good Works, is the IVcddifig-Garment, The Apo- ftle exhorts the ^onrjis to ivaIK ho- neftlyy as in the Vay^ not in ^ot'ing G c 3 and
982 SERMON X.
mid Vrunkennefs^ not in Chambering and Wantonnefs^ not in Strife and E?iVy ; and whereas it might leem con- gruous to have added, in direct Contrariety to thofe foul Sins, Put on Temperance, Chaftity, Patience and Charity, he directs them to put on the Lord Jefi4^s Chrtft : be- caufe he is the only Fountain of fupernatural Grace, by which our Lufls are mortified. Faith Jfa, 61. colters m 'Vt?ith the ^obe of his 5^/g/;fe- oiijmfs^ and clothes us with the Garment of Salvation. A counterfeit Live- ry of Profeflion will not make us accepted of God. Is there any real Chriilianity without Faith in Chrifl: ? and is there a lively Faith without Obedience to him ? Can you be a Subjed: without Subjedi- on ? Cnrift is the King of Saints j they are the Citizens of his King- don, and only enjoy the Privi- leges of jr. How many areChri- ftians in Tide, and Infidels in
Practice ?
JO.
On Luke xiv. 23. 383
Pradice? They live in the bold Contempt of the Divine Law, as if they were afraid the Juftice of God fliould not have caufe enough to condemn them, or they would put it to a venture, whether he would be true to his Threatning, and punifli according to his Law ? Others, tho of a fair Converfa- tion, are but half-Chriftians : they do not fincerely and entirely com- ply with the Terms of the Gojpel, to receive Chrift for their V r nice and W[i\ 22. Saviour. Let iuch remember, the ''.^2. Kj_ng came in to fee the ^ucftsy and Jaw a Man without a Wedding-Gar- mcnt : this fignifies God's judicial Obfervation of all that are in his Church, not one can efcape his all- dilcerning Eye, the doled Hy- pocrite is tranfparent in his Sight. It follows in the Parable, He faith unto him, Friend^ How cameft thou in hither without a Wedding-Qarment ? Nothing will be available in Judg- ^^
menr,
04 SERMON 'X.
ment,'-dbtf tht Ars^ffeil^ecious and gUtcciing "PfofefficMl, ^ichbuc FaiitBt 'm Ch^ik, cind stibtkwti Heart and Life : yQtmariYfoii^^^vt^mthQy ma^ bevfev^ed,' tte rioe^lanaifiedi He Wii§ ^fmhlefsy fed ii^ed to' a <fc^ fencelefe'-- ISik-^ie^-^a^d-' C^infiifi^tt^. xPhe Htfa'rtf Op -Ivhiwol^- d^C-cri^ul'-a'^' bovealltftingSj afid kbcA'e^all'fhing^ deceitfeii to it felf : Wow ofren in the t^ial of h'is SbitiTiw! -State,^ by 'Exci'ife artd'falle- Glo(fes ,te deceives a lid' fatifefi^ hifiifelf. But there are no Apdlbgics before the King : aff things a r^ entirely open to his Eyes-; the'-Tholights of Men ivill be thdsr- A'<aGtifens, and theii< Works will dep(5fe'r.g'ainft them. And how feaifi^l is the Judg- ment that- follows ! Then /aid the K^ng to ti^e ScrVaHPs. &)id him Hand and Foot'j and take him away, and eaft him into outer Darknefs j tkre poall he ipcephv^ and gna[Jnng of Teeth, 'Bind hini Hand and Foot: the Expreffion , fignifies
On Luke xiv. 25. 385
Cgnifies that the revenging Power of God is inevitable and irrefifti- ble. Cuft him into outer DAiknefsy that fignifies the Separation from the reviving Prefcnce and Com- munion of God : there is weeping and gnaflmg of Teeth -y the Expreflion fignifies the deepeft Sorrow and higell Fury in the Damned. What a Difcord and Tumult of the tormenting Paffions is there ? What Mifery, vvhen the quickefl: Senfe to feel, and the greateit Evils to be felt, are there i Hell is an into-; lerable Climate, where cp}d De- fpair and hot Rage are in Extre- mity for ever.
FINIS.
ERR AT J.
E R R u4 T J.
PAge 208. line 10. for. tojly read/oj?. P. 209. 1. 10. f. brighteft, r. higkfi. P. 2 2 5. 1. i $. f. reft on^ r. nftirre, P. 232. 1. 18. f. Revelation, r. Elevation. P. 248. 1. 7. dele Xin. I. 20. f. p/, r. ro. " P. 251. 1. 23. f. fumuftyy t.furiom, P. ,2 5 9. I. 8. f. mal^ a fheWf r. feel the Repaints. 1. 24. f. c«V, r. their. , P. 274. 1. 20. f. f^zl^f, r. tafte. P. 350. l.w/f. f. Sin and pie Judgment, r. thtsin. P. 35 1. 1. »/^ f. V«, r. bis. P. 3 (^o. 1. 7 . f. jrecmntly, r. frequent. P. 3 24 . 1. 1 . f^, r. and. P. 3 3 5. 1. 1 3 . f. directing, r. decreeing. P. 3 4 1 . ]. 7 . f. w, r. Tvhickis. I. i o. del. not only. I. 1 3. f. kf wwt^, r. bath. 03" P. 372. 1. 19. f. «?o?f4/, r. immortal.
^ooks
Sooks writ by William Bates, ©.©.
TH E Harmony of the Divine Attributes, in the Contrivance and Accoinplifliinent of Man's Redemption by the Lord Jefus Chrill : Or Difcourfcs, wherein is {hewed, how the VVifdom, Mercy, Juftice, Holinefs, Power and Truth of God arc glorihcd in that great and blelTed Work, In Odlavo.
Confiderations of the Exiltence of God, and of the ImmortaUty of the Soui, with the Recom- pences of the future State. To which is now added. The Divinity of the Chrilhan Religion, pvoved by the Evidence of R-cafon, and Divine Revelation, for the Cure of Inhllelity, tiic Hedick Evil of the Times. In OBavB.
The Soveraign and Final Happincfs of Man, with the eflfedtual Means to obtain it. In OUavt. Several Sermons upon Death, and Eternal Judg- ment. In OUavo.
The Four laft Things, Death and Judgment, Hcavcn and Hell, pradically confidered and ap- plied, ill fcvcral Difcourfes. In OBavo.
Tlie Danger of Piofperity difcovered, in feveral Sermons upon Prov, i. 17. \\\ OSluvo.
.The grcac Duty of Relignation in Times of Afflidion, &c. In O^avo.
A Funcral-S-rmon preached upon the Death of the Reverend and Excellent Divine, Dr. Thomas Manton^ who dcceaftd Oiloher 18, 1677. To which is now added, the ld(t publick Sermon Dr. Manton preachcl. (n O^i^vo,
The lure Trial ot Uprightncfs, opened in feveral Sermons upon Pfal. iS. 23. In Oclavo.
A
1
I
"x:
A Defcription of the Blefled Place and State of the Saints Above, in a Difcourfe or. Johft i ^2, Preached af the Funeral 0/ Mr. CkfkfoH. ^ '^•
The Way to the highcft Honour, on John 12.26, Preached at the Funeral of D^. JoMmb. '.'-.-^
The fpeedy Coming of Ghrifi to Judgrtient, on Rev. ?2. 12. Preached at the Funcrdl o4" Mr. Senj. u4Jhtir/k.
A Sermon at the Funeral of the Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter,
■.}>;"->?''! T'h n't! ■'■ .!,• y. 'I'.: y ■■ ■ " ■''■'■
A DVrE Rt I^EM ENT,
NEwly printecrthe Holy Bible, containing the Old Teftament and the New : With Anno- tations and Parallel Scriptures. To which is an- nex'd^ The Harmony of the Gofpels : As alfo. The Reduction of the Jewilh Weights, Coins and Meafures, to our Englifli Standards. And a Table of the Promifes in Scripture. By Samuel Clark^ Minifter of the Gofpcl. Printed in Folio of a very fair Letter •> the like n^ver before, in one Volume.
Likewifc his Analyfis : Or, A Survey of the whole Bible •, containing an Analytical Account, or Divition of all the Holy Scriptures j affording a pleafant Profped: into the feveral Rooms of this iacrecl Edifice, and the Variety of Furniture con- tained in them. Now in the Prefs.
Both fold by J. Keb'infon at the Golden Lion in Sr.?^/'s Church-yard.
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