■A
p.< y i'
'(\
,V
'N,
ar^*
:^f.
11!^
^45
p#
>.*4
^.
.f^
i.<'
*••
V*
W;
-^ M
*v -^-^
„_^,, ,t * ^'"°'»9'"' ^mi,„^^
I
K
PRINCETON,
N. J
Collection of Puritan Literature
;/
^
«r^
•#:<«£
b4
/
I
"■'''it <^-.
:^i^:
!^<
/ I
^iijSf^^';-
V
t^
it y
I
s
^'=\::K^\'.h
THE
^ A R^A B L E
PRODIGAL
C O N T A I KING,
Riotous Prodigal , or the Sinners Averfion from Qod.
Returning Prodigal^ ortiie The <^ PenitentsCoriverfionto^fi)^.
Prodigals Acceptation^ or Favourable Entertainment with Qod.
Delivered in divers Sermons on L u K B 15. from Ferf. 1 1. to Ferf. 24
By that Faithful! Servant of Jefuf Chrifi
Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D.
?erfe6ted iy hmfelf^andPerufedhy thofe whom He in- t rutted mth the fuhlifhing of his Works,
Xe^Wo^, printed by D.Maxtvely for Sa. Ge l l ibrand, at the Ball in St.PW/ Church-yard. 1660,
' /
*l til nil ill
Christi an Reader,
Ods good Providence doth hand unto thee in this enfii- ingTreatife, The whole ^Pa^ rahle of the ^rodml Son^ both interpreted and improved^ Doftrinally and Pradically, for tby spiritual Advantage/rom the Pen of a vvorkman, who needed not to be afhanaed, Hei^in the Sinners Averfion from GoA^Cmyer- fionto God^ and his Acception with God, are profitably unfolded Reapplied. Helps in thefe ^veral Subjedls^are well worth everyChrifti- ans welcom-and time Icrioufly (pent in peru- fing fuchDifcourfeSjWill not be labor in vain. M^nt^ ,by forlaking God, loft his primitive Glory^which cannot poflibly be repaired in his PofteritVjbut by returning to his Majefty. Manx:omech into the World v^ith his Back towards Heaven^and with ftrongAntipathiea againft God-yea,his conftant courfe of life is a departiug from the Lord,tiU his HighneG by Omnipoteac Grace doth change both his Heart and Way, And when thefecureSin' ner.i^ weii awakened to confider his wofull Apoftacy^attended wich the lad Conlequents thereof, together with the impoifibility of
^ z all
all Creature fuccours to relieve him, then,
.and not till then, doth he ferioufly think of
facing about towards God^whonci he hath de-
ferted with inexcufable ncgledt and difhonor.
Now the felf'Condemning Convidt, Iff
this^olefuU condition, upon frequent felf-
r^flexibns,& aggravating his woful Apoftacy .
dpfh find it very difficult to hold up hope oit
gaining re-admiffion into the favor of flight^
^d & forlakenDiety .This poorS^ir^ did expc-^
rience,as his tears,his tornients, together with
his delpondingjdefpairing language doth de^
jmonftrate. But in chis pitifull plight, the
finking fbulniay receive ftrongfupports, by
confideringjWith application, what loving
Entertainment the guihy jWorthlefs Prodigal
received from his offended, forlaken Father.
Thefe particulars ,which \ve do only hint dt)
are here largely handled forthy profit^theef-
fedling whereof,is dcfired and prayed for,by
Novcmb^i. Thj lovitig Friends , and
i^S9. faithfullServmtsinCh^ig^^^
Humph. Chambers. Edm. Calamy. Sim. Ashe. Adoniram Byf^eld.
. A
A Table of the Contents.
THe Scope of the Parable^ pag. ». The Parts of the Farake^ pag. 4. Sin is a departing from God^ f. 8, A Sinner doth voluntarily , of his own accord^ depart from Godj f . 9. The fleafures of finning mil quick- Ij end^ and the end of them is extreme miferj ^ p, 9, The pleafures of fin are but fhort ^ proved, p, 10. Stn rvill end in many miferies^ p. 12. Though fin brings men ino ft raits ^ yet Jlraits do not always bring men from fm^ p. 22. An afflicted condition no infaU able teftimonf of a fafe condition^ p. 26. The further men go on irt fin^ the worfe work they fhall find it to prove ^ p. 3 1, ^^d the Reafons thereof p. 34. And rvhy we do not always fee it fo^ p. 37. Al ftnner will try all wayesy and go through the utmoft extremities^ ere he will turn from his fins ^ p. 45. How it may appear to be true^ p. 49. Why it fi)ould hejhus^ p. Ji. Take heed of fhuffiing with God^ p. 55. Means to prevent this fhuf flings p. 59. Nothing jhall avail this Jhuffting finn€r till he return^ but God will difapoint all his pro- je^ts^ p.^i. made to appear tobe aTruth^ P«^3. Why nothing jhall avail the jhuffting (inner till he repent, p. ^4, A ferious conftderation^ and right comparifon of the mi" [trable eft ate of a fmfull condition^ and happy eftate of a converted condition , are fleps to true and fpeedy repen- tance^ p. 6^, How thefe two are prime fleps to rcpen- tafjce^ p. 71. Objections, That we are ignorant^ not at leifure^ it will make us defpair ^ anfwered , p 77, How I may know whether my confideration be right ^ p. 78. whether confideration of fin may he right ^ when there
are
The Contents.
are fome fms tha a man thinks not of^ P.B3. whe- sher a fingle confideratim of fm he Sufficient to repen- tance 5 p, ^84. ■ Rules fo\ right confideration^ p. 8(5. Rules for comfarifony p. 87, Sound Re jolution is re- quired to found Reformation^ p. 8p, The proj/ert/es of this Refolufm^ ^.90. why it is rrquifite^ ^,^^2^ The benefit^ and comforts of a firm Refolstion^ p. 95 . The Mems to raife it , p^ 97. ^nd maintain it^ p. loi. True Repentance for fm y^'tll bring forth true Confeffi- on of fm^ p, 106. The^Reafons of it^ p, iii^Penir t^p perfpns are humbly and Imly per fons^ p, iiS^ Ifym- hlcnefi-defcribedj p. 120, jvhy trm Penitents arc, hum- hie per f 6ns y p. 12 4, The means to become humble^ p.128. Per fond Umvmhmef is not prejudicial to jfiritual Sup- plicationy'^p^ 1 ^^ ^Jieafonsfor^it^ p; 151 , jflow m may know that mare tfufyfenfibk of our UmvorthineJ^^ p. 13$, Penitent intentions and. refolut ions [hould be accompanied with preffnt executions and performances^ p. 1 40, Rea- forn for it^ p. 142. The Motives and Means for a pre-- fmt exmitiony p. 148. ^ni Th-e Helps^:^^!')^, The very ■initials vf trUe- Rep^ntance\ are feen ^y God^ p. 157.. proved^ p. 15^. Evidences of true Repentance though initial^ pi 1^3, God /> v^ry ready to (herv all kinds of mercy to the truly. Penitent^ p. 1 6^ - Reafons of />, p. i6g^ By no means defpair ofmerQ% p, 174. Objedions an- fvvered^ P» i.75» Reafons why God ma-kes not knotv-^his, mercy prefently^ ^, 179. ' How cm fljall be (uppoyi;e4. f^ theinterim^ p. 185. God is pleafednot onely t^ol^e recon- ciled^ but mmifefls himfdf fo to be. unto the penitent^ p. 184. Reafons Qf tt^^^.i^^. Motives to feef: aft^r the feals and 4'okens :of Gods favour^ p. 188.: Means tQ\ attain thern^ p. 191. The kindefl expreffions of mercy-, do not hinder ^n humble conf^jfion of ftn^ p,:i95 . Rea- fons of it^ p, ip5. Motiz'es, to it^ p. 1 9 8. God takes nO;.
notice
.TheCohteWs.
himself i^hlh ^V/ lo'V^ and kii^ni£, p. 1 9^; :fy4^f^M it^ p. lo^. Whaisfneant hy thc\ohQ^,a/id^e}e^ Mm^ p. 206. /y^n? mmifj. kj^rv- r)^hether , m yf^4^^\fffhih't^fx^[ p, 2 1 1 , .X Cod fives-fa thefcnite/tt, pr(m nprecjetf^ Faith} bjfvhkhMis ejfott[edormimticdi:^Mh^ri^^^ Wp^
tis i& ht fn^rriid urit<f Qhripsif: 2.i;3 ^ ; Ji^^hj^^^iph mur^ii.^^ us unto Chriftj p. 216. .iWh^intr '^i l^w thi/ M^ p. lip. what is meant by shoes on his^Feet^ p.222. God doth enahls the penitent per fon with XJrace and Jlrength for abetter and fingular courfe of life and obedience^ p. 223, Reafons of it^ p. 227. Every ftnfull unconvertedman is a lofiman^ p. 234. How a man may know that he is lojl^ p. 237, A lojl finner may he found^ p. 238. How God fnds a left fmner^ p. 238. Whf God doth thm find a loft (inner ^ p, 241. Motives to aferiom Trial^ whether our lofi fotils be found^ p^ 242. An impenitent unconverted man is adeadman^"^. 254, Reafons ofit^ p. 256. 7>^ rf/5 whether we he fpiritually dead^ p. 261. Every con- verted man is a living man^ p. 2 ^5 . How this may he evi- denced^ p.268. Trial of our felves about ourfpiritual lifcy p. 2^9. objections anfwered^ p. 276. A very great and notorious fmner may be converted^ p. 279. Who maj be cal- led /i?5 p. 280. How it may appear great [inner s may be com^erted^ip, 2^1, Directions to (uch converted finners^ p. 288. Great afflictions arefometimes an cccafionofgrrnt finners converfton^ p. 289. How it ma) afpear^ p.^po. There is an Almighty Power required to convert afnner^ p. 294. provedy 295. True Converfion is a very great ^ inward and universal change^ P« 3^3* and demon fir at ed^ to p. 312. How may a man know that God hath indeed changed his hearty p. 3 1 ^. Comfort to thofe who are chan- ged^ p. 323, How may we know ^ this change is from conz verting Crace^ and not from the power of a troubling Con- science
The Contents.
Cmverfion brings^ p. 336. why Converfton mAkesthc fouls condition fojo^full^ p. 33^. Horvcdn this condition kfo joyfully thaisjo expofedto affliiiions, p,344. and dirties and abridges many delights , p. 347. Trial rvhc^ ther converted or no^ p. 35^* Hm converted ferfons^ [hofdddo^ to mlk joyfully , p. 3^3.
The
Mtj^gggStf ■ I >»ti L- in \mn
The Tarable of die Prodiqal^
LU K B 15. II, (^C.
1 1 « A certain yuan had two Sons*
1 2 . And the younger of them /aid to his Father^ Fa- ther^ give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his Living.
I ^.Andjiot many days after ^the younger Son gathered all together ^and took hiijourny into a far Country^ and there wajled his fuhjlajice with riotous living.
14. And when he had f pent all^ there arofe a mighty fanme in that Land^ and he began to be in want.
1 5 , And^he went and joined himfelf to a Citi:^n of that Countrey^ and he fent him into his fields to feed [wine ^ &c.
His Ckapter confifls of three Parables, all of them tending to one fcope andiffue, though drftindl in their fpecial matter and objedl. The firft Parable is of ^ Sheepy from verf. 4. to verf, 8. The fecond of apiece of Silver ^ from verf, 8. to verf, 1 1 . The third of a Chi/d^ from verf. II. to the end. ^ All of thefe agree in tWo conditions ; One, of Lofs, the Sheep was loft, the Groat was loli, and the Child was loft : Se-.
B condly.
The Scope of the Parable,
condly cf Ruovtry j the Sheep that vvandred, is brought home; the Oroat which was loft, is found out ; and the Son who dep<-?rt- Cif'ii, ^^> ^^ returned and accepted. There be who undertake the
Reafons of thefe Parables or dark fimilitudes, under which Chrift doth ccuch fome fpecial Leflbn ; as, why man is compared to a Shce^^ i^/V. becaufe of our Creadon, wherein G^?^ »^^^ ^^i^, dni 9iot we onrfelves ; we are thejheep of hu faflure, PfaL loo. And why man is then compared to a Groat ; becaufe of tha: fingular image of God which was itamped in man 'at his creation ; as the royal imdge of a King is damped upon fuch a piece of Coin. And then, why mm is compared to a Son ; becaufe of that near relation which he had to God, being once able to c^ll him Fa- ther. And then, why in every one of thefe, to a /(?/?Sheep, a lof}: Graat , a loft Son, becaufe of his revolt and departure from God by fin : Nay, and if it were Lwfull to put and ufe free con- ceits on Parables, ( as I am fure fome of the Ancients do, as St. e/f;^y?/A7, Gregory^ 6tC.) what if in this threefold Parable , you might efpie a threefold caufe of mans fall. " In the fheep w\m- dring, Satans fuggeftton ; " In the Groat loll by the woman, the womans yielding -y " In the Sons departing, Adams voUmarj revelling^ and fpending of his happy eftate and condition. But thefe and fuch like obfervations, though to fome they feem more acute and pleafant, yet to me they are frothy and unprofitable. The Sco|>c of Touching the Parable therefore, concerning which I am to the Parable, treat, there are feveral conjectures about the fenfe and intention with a divifion ^f it. Concerning the 'Father of the two Sons, they all agree ; w ^^l ^"v^^ f ^^^ '^^'^^ the tveo SonSy they differ. Some by the two Sons un- Whoa'cmcHt d^^^nd Angels and Men: Th^ Ange/s^ they were the elder by chi iwo Son ; Man the younger, being created afcer them. Tlie An- Sons. gels abode at home with their Father, M.in had the ftock put in-
to his own hands, and in a quick time loR himfelf and it. This opinion you fee hath fome kind of Vicinity or correfpondency ; fenfui piui ( as Aquinas fpeaks of it ) but not froprlus. And there is one pregnant Reafon againfl it in the Text ; for that the eldfer Son in this place, is defcribed to be grieved and fad at the acclamations and welcome teflimonies of the younger Brothers return ; but the Angels rejoice apd are glad at the comerfan or Tt- tmn of a /inner,
3. Others
T'hs Scofe of the P arable*
2, Others by the two Sons iinderftand the Jcrvs and the iJe/t^ tiles ; the '^jews were the elder, the Gentiles the younger ; the 'jews kept home, a^ it were ; of all the Nations of the Earth, they feemed to be the inclolure for God and his fervicc ; and the Gentiles were as it were excluded, rejedled, wandring llieep, a loft people ; yet at length ^jod through Chrift looks after thd^ loft ftieep, ( the other jheef of his foldy as Chrift fpeaks, Jch. I p.) and returns and accepts of the Gentiles, which did much prcz'okethejew^ ( as the elder Son was here provoked at the re- pentance and acceptance of the younger, and kept out,) they were provoked to jealoufie by thofe who once were not a people. This interpretation pleafeth S. Aujlw and Cyril ^ and fome others ; and indeed it bears a fair congruity with the Parable in moft refpeds.
?. But the third and general opinion is, that by the elder Son is meant the Scribes and Pharifees^ ( and under them any Jufti- tiaries ) perfons too conceited and confident of their ovYn works, fervice, righteoufnefs, as this elder Son, who had been (as he faid ) thm long in his Fathers houfe^ and never tranfgrejfed any of his Commandments^ but ferved him carefully ; which indeed was the opinion of the Scribes aiid Pharifees^ who trufted to^ and boa ft ed of their own righteonfnefs : And that by the younger Son is meant the Publicans and Sinners^ perfons more notoriouHy riotous and infamous in fmning, utterly forfaking of God, as it were, and living without him. And the end of this Parable was to convince the proud and envious Scribes and Pharlfees^ ( who in verf, i . and i . of this Chapter, murmured againfl Chrift for receiving Publicans and Sinners : ) Now Chrift tells them, that though thefe notorious (inners were defpifed by fhem, yet he came to call them to repentance^ and that God would be moft in- dulgent and gracious to them ; though they h-id been great tranf- grelfors, yet now being penitent, he would receive them into fingu.lar mercy and favour, and that with much joy ; and there- fore little reafon had they to fnarl at his refpe6i: and defires to- wards Publicans and great finners. Thus for the fcone of the Pa- rable, which is, 7o declare the fngular readh^cp of God in and thropigh Chrifi, even to receive the moft notorious finners^ proving penitent,
B 2 Now
The Farts of the Farable,
Th* Parrs of Now the Parable confifts, or rather comprehends two eftates tbe Parable of the Prodigal Son.
1. Of5/V;and Luxury^ where are cor fiderable, i. The Oc- c aft on of it, v,\ 2. Father y give me the portion of goods that fai^ lethtome. He would have the eftate in his own hands: Helolt himfelf, by defirlng to be Lord of himfelf.
2. The Sink [elf y calkd riotous livings v» 13. lightly come, and lightly gone, which quickly walled ^11 the fubftance. Now whether this fubilance were tiiofe good Qualities in Creation, or good Gifts of mind or eftate after ^vard, it is fomewhat difpu- ted ; upon which I ili^ill condder in its time and phce,
^. Ihe event of It : That edate being fpenr, he bethinks of an other courfe ; indeed, I'jow he lliould have thought of coming back to his Father, but he did not ; nay, he tries all conclufi- cns before he refolves on that : Therefore again obferve, upon the Lofs and confumption of his Eflate,
Firfi:, his earthly policy y He joyns himfelf with a Citiz,en of that Coimrejy v. i <. By whom fome underliand the Devil ; fo S^ Amhrofe^ Civis ifte efi i ft ins mundi Princess, Others, fome kind of earthly or worldly employment : But being joyned with him, his fervice is fordid, for he is fent into the fields ( no houfe flialihold him who forfakes Gods houfe ) to feed the fwine ; he is made a fervant of the nalliell beaft, who would not continue the fervant of the beft Father and God. Secondly, his extreme mifery ; this fhift did no way help him : Nothmg fupplies, when God forfakes ; and noway is comfortable, when vye prove {infull. He would fain have filed his belly with the husksyvhich th^ fwine did eaty and no man gaze him to eat, v, 1 5 . Ah, what a change doth fin make ! Here is one, whiles he continued with his Father, enjoyed excellent fociety, tender love, compleat plenty ; but no.v forfaking his Father, he k^eps company with the fwine, is extremely pinched with hunger, glad would he have been ferved after the. very hogs, and no man regarded him in this lAfery and want ; fo that now there is a lofs of all his hap- pinefs, and a certainty of famllliing and perilliing, if he returns not, and hereupon comes forth.
a. The fecond eftate of him, which was of his Converfon end Pmtencjf : Where you have three things obfervabk.
I. Hiis
The Parts cfthe Parable.
5
1. \{\s Confiiltatlon-i fet forth by adouble a6lof reflecHpn. , I. Pojitivc/^, Firit, ofhimfe/fy ver. 17. fie came to himfeif.
Secondly of others^ his faihers fervants , ■ and theii* condition. . 2. Comfarativelyyvh^^tmhz compares his prcfent condition with theirs, in the utility or conveniency of if 5 / hej have breads hut I have none : Quantity of it^ Tiiey have bread enongh^ hm I hnn- ger. Redundancy of it, They have enough, and to fpare, but I periili with hunger : yea themeanelt in my fathers houfe, the fervan'.s, the hired fervants^ yea all m my fathers houfe, though mmy, they have bread enough ; what, and Hull I a fon fam'lh andperiljh? Surelyif my father hath bread enough for fervants, he will havefome for a child ; and if he hath to fpare for hired . fervants, he will have fome to fpare for a famiiliing child.
2. His Re [obit ton • and indeed upon the fenfe of his own fa-» milliirg mifery, and his fathers bounty and clemency, he is re- folved now what courfe to t:.ke. And me thinks he turns off an objedion which might fpring in his mind ; yea, my father hath plenty at home, and for hired fervants, but then they are obedi- ent and careful, but I have been a waftful prodigal, a riotous fpender, a departing and unkind child : To which hee gives an- fwer ; 'Tis true, yet for all that I am refolved to change this courfe, and I will home to my father. Nothing, no not the ^^rea- teft finnings mui\ hind«r our penitential turning to God our Fa- ther.
Now in this Pvefolution of his , there are four things vyhich he did fii"mly purpofe and intend :
1 . Averfion^ to relinqui fh and quit that bafe and miferable life and courfe, [ ver. 18. / W//^r//^] q.d. I will reft here, dvvell here no longer ; live thus, no, not a day more.
2. Conver('on^ to return to his father | and go to my father 1.
^. fo;?/?///^;;, to acknowledge i His fin. 2. H^s unworthinefs. If my father, thinks he, tell me that I have gone away from himj and have offended him, why and I will prevent him, I will con- fefs as much ; I will not defend, nor excufe, nor mitigate, nor mince the matter ; I will fay, Father^ I have pmed againfl hea- ven and hefore thee^ ver . 1 8. And if my father tell me, I deferve never to be looked on, and there is no reafon on my part why hee fhould look on me as a Ibn, or fpeak to mc as a fon ; why, and I
will.
fhe Farts of the Parable,
will confefs that too, that my courfes have been fo liiiful and vile, that I am not worthy to be caikd his fon ; not ondy to be a fon, but to be called a ion.
A, Sfifplic/itlori ; tointreathis Father, that yet he would look upon him, and own him, and accept of him.
Maks ^^ ^ one of thy hired fervams, o. d. ' If I cannot ob-
* tain a fons place, yet 1 will beg hard for a fervants place ; and
* if I cannot get a choicer fervants place , yet I will put m for an *- hired fervants place ; and if I cannot get any fervants place, ' yet I will get to be a? one of the fervants , as one of the hired
* fervants ; which lliewed the humility of his heart, and alfo the vehemency. When the heart is truly broken and humbled, any near relation to God, any owning from God will be acceptable to the foul ; if God will look on the 1 owlinefs, on the unworthinefs of the (inner, how pleafing is it to him
3. Thirdly follows the life of all, namwly the jraHtcal exe^ cmlon of all this. This counfel enlarged it felf to a refoIution,and this refolution is crowned with an a6tual performance : for 'verfe 20. He arofe^ and came to his father. Where again obferve,
I. Somethings or pa{l"^ges on his Fathers part, viz.. i. His qmck^ohfervation ; his Father f aw him, ver. 20. nay, he faw him when he was yet a great way off. The very intentions and fecret motions and clofe purpofes of our Repentance are known to God: in this fenfe, he fees our thoughts afar off ; many times God will not fee thefinner quickly, but he will at all times quickly fee the penitent. / have feen him, and will heal him, &c,
2. His frefent commiferation, \ His father faw him, and had compajjlen on him ] When JE'f/jr^w*;;^ repented, -^d returned and lamented, why the Lord faith, CMy bowels are troubled for him,I willfurely have mercy on him.-So here, the father not only fees but compa(rionates.<5'.^.Look,the poor child is at lenc^th come back,he hath fmarted enough, he ihsll be welcom, I will forgive him all.
3. His gracious Acceptation, exprefledin three particulars : One ol fpeedy readinefs [ The father ran.'] Mercy muft fpeed
to embrace a penitent : Swift are the feet of mercy to a return- ing (inner.
Ai^^cor\do£ wonderful tender nefs\_ The father fell on hisneclQ, How opea are the arms of mercy to t»ke a penitent fmner into
the
y
Jhe Parts of the Parable
the borom. Mercy hath not onely feec to meet us, but arms alfo to claip and receive us, if we be penitent.
A third of ftrong affe[}io»atefjefs |_ His Father kjjfed him "f. Cod hath not on^:!/ arms, but lips ; he hath not naked m^^rcies for a penitent, opening themfelves in minifold promifes onely; but alfo fugred mercies, mercies feaied with the kifles of his lips, with a fweet teiiimony that he doth accept of, and is reconciled to a penitent and returning foul.
2. Some things on the Childs part, which is thereal aciingof hu former refoliit'ioyr w an actual coyifejfton-^ verf. 21. And here obferve a ftrange interruption on his fathers part :
1 . He ftaies not to hear all the confelTion and petition inten- ded, though he have purpofed to have faid more [ nnd make me oi one of thy hired fervants]. Why ! the father (tops him, pre- vents him ; wepropofe a method many times, but Godfudden- ly comes in with his mercies.
2. He cannot confefsfo much, bat the father , though not in words, yet really doth much more ; Fetch forth, h\th he, i.The hfiroh. 2,7he pretlomringy and "^.The comelj fhoos,V<f^Q^n bring nothing to God, but yet he can find enough for the whole foul : And 4. The fatted Calf, Ah 1 how infinitely different [^ the penitent condition from the impenitent : Now the child hath garments, hath ornament^, hath neceflaries, hath comfor- tables ; when we once truly turn to God, we fhall find no lack ; there is a complete happinefs now come to this returning fon,' who adventured on the gracious difpofition of his father : and there is a great gladnefs now In the father, for the penitential re- turnirR of his fon. Our condition is bett, and God is moft olea- fed, when we turn peniteiats, verf. 21, 11, Let us eat and he mer- ry ; for this my fon yxas dead^ and is alive again ; he was lofi:^ avi ts found.
Thus briefly have youthefenfe of the Parable, with adivifi- aa of the chief heads thereof : I will now proceed to pick out the moral obfervations which are couched in it, they may be re- duced .to three general head.
r. A Sinners digreffion^ or averfion from God.
2. A Penitents regrejfion^ or converfion unto God.
;. A Penitents accepatlon and favorable entertainment with God. Itt
8 The Riotous Prodigal^ or
Inthefirft, you Teethe fmners going from God tomirerv; In the iecond, you fee h-m returning unto himfclf by true peni- tency ; In the third, you fee God returning to him in mercy : In the firfl: you fee him iofmg himfelf, in the fecond you fee h:*m finding h^mfelf, in the third you fee God finding of him. ^m lofes us, repentance finds us, and then God OrVns us.
I begin with the Sinners d'grellion or averfion from God, which IS fet forth unto hs in -z^. 1 2, 1 3, 14, 1 5, i6. under the fi- militude of a young man, who would have all in his own hands, and fo he left his Father, took his plealure in Travels, foon confumed all, and fliortly brought himfelf to extreme neceifiy and mifery. This is the literal part of the Parable.- But the Moral part comprehends ( if I miftake pot ) thefe fropofi- lions. J) - That: Sm is a de-part'wg from God,
Sinisaccps '.- The young Prodigal, he muft leave his Father, he muft be ingircmGjd gone, what doth it imply, but the hnner is a departer ? Sin- ning is a departing ; we leave God when we betake our felves to a courfe of finning. Thus is it ftiled in ^cripture,£p?/.i.4. Ah f '/if till Nation^ a feofle laden with tnlquity-, a feed of evil doerSy children that are corrufters ; the^ have forfakjn the Lord, they have gone avoay hackvpard. Here fin is called a for faking the Lord, and a going away, and a revolting, ye will revolt more and more : which is a falling off untrufl:ily from God. y^r.2.14. 7 hey have forfaketi me the jonntaln of living waters, Heb. ^.12. An evil heart of unbeliefs in departing from the living God, A two- fold dg- There is a two- fold Departing ; On^ is real^ when he turns paninj. awav from the place or prefence of another, as Jonathan are fe
Real. and de farted from hts father Saul, Thus no man can depart from
God; for he being omniprefent,is with us in every place: Another ^j . is moraly which is, when the heart or foul departs ; and thus the
finner departs from God, when his foul and affe6lions leave him, and cleave to fin. And it cannot be but that finning fhould be fuch a departing, for as iiuich as God and fin are moft contrary, fo that the foul cannot en joy them both ; if you will love and fol- low your fins, you mufi leave God ; and if you will love and fGllow the Lord, you muft leave your fins ; ioi what commmion
can
\i
The Sinners Averfion from Cod,
>^an there he betwixt Itght and darknej^^ God and fm.
Thi Ule of this may inform pi^ of thu madnef and folly of a yfg^ ftnner^ He will live in Inch or fuch a fin, and with greedinefs he j- tuc folly of foUo.vsthe inticements thereof : Well! thou enjoyelt thy fin, thcTian::, butconfider that thou lofelf thy God ; and what doeil thou ^tt in all thy delights, which are but lying vanities^ whilert thou for- fakefl the God of thy mercies ? Thy exchange is miferable, to leave a God, and embrace a fm ; to depart from the chiefelt good and happinefs, and to make choice of the bafeft objecls of iin, which is worfe then hell it felf.
A fecond moral obfervation is this, th^i A finner doth volant a- jy ^ rlly-t of his own accord^ depart from God. Here the Prodigal A fmncr Joth make;? choice of his own way and courfe, and defires to be left to vdunrarily de- h'mfelf, and to take his own courfe. God compels no man to a P*'"- *fon^ God. linfull courfe, nor is he the caufe thereof, nor can Satan compel the heart. A man in this regard is faid to tempt and entice him- filf znd with Ahab to fell himfelf to work^wickednels.
And therefore, The /inner is utterly InexcM fable before God, Vfe, his mouth is for ever (topped, his fin and perdition is of himfelf. Thcretorc the God is cleared in Judgment, who puniilies the wicked who is *''"i^" isinex- the a(!:l:or, contriver, and fole caufe of his own finnings. Take ^" ^ ^^' any finner who delights himfelf in a way of wickednefs, why ! he is voluntary init : *Tis true, in difpute he pretends an infuffi- ciency or inability, but the real caufe of his (inning is his own will, for he loves Darknefs rather then Light^ and had rather ferve his Lufts then God ; he makes choice of them before God, as the multitude did of Barrabasht£o:tChrifi ; and when Life and Death, God and Sin are propounded, yea, and that with the . true rewards froni the one, and fevere wrath from the other, yet he like Iffachar bowes down under the burthen^ and loves refi ; he had rather go on in his fins, and will not leave them : And there- fore we alone are guilty of our own blond, God is innocent as well as ')u% our condemnation is but a due guerdon or paiment for our own voluntary departings from God.
■ A thi^d moral Obfervation is this, thitlhepleafuresof Jinning Doft 2^ ' "mil cjfiiekly e-^dy and the end of them is extreme mifery. The Pro- The plcaiurcs digal here will be gone, hemufthaveple.ifu^e, his Fathers houfe of (in will Was tc^ (Irid ; well, he begins; his riotojjs living, but then you ^^'/^cly «nd »a read that he quickly confumed and wafted all his fubftance, and ^'^^"^X*"
C brought
lO
The Riotous Frodigal^ or
\ ■
brought himfelf into fuch extreme necelTi ties, that he became a ' fervant to thefvvine, and fain would have fed his belly with the husks which they left, but none gave unto him. This poin 1 1 in- tend more fully to prefs, which contains in it two branches : I . That the fUafures of frmwg are htit (hort. 2. That thonglo de^ lights and fie apAres hegma finftillconrfe^ yn extreme 'rtecefjity a^d mifery or Jrnights doe fid it. The pleafurf s I • ^^^ fleaftives And delights of ftnn'mg are but fhort : The rio-
cf fvn arc but touslifeof the Prodigal was a prefent confumption of hiseftate. fiiocc j[ie plepfure of fin is like a Candle, which in the very burning
and lighting burns and confumes away. It is m Scripture com- pared to the crackjlng of thorns^ which is but a fpeedy blaze ; and to the Lighcning, which is but a glance and a flaih and away ; and to a feaion, the fleafttres of fin for a feafon^ Hcb.i i, which '\s> a very inch of time, a t« yJr, a little article of tim- ; for though time be long, yet a feafon v^ but a l>iortfpace. In Job the pleafure of (in is compared to a fweet morfel ; a morfel is no great quantity > and though it be fweet, yet it flips quickly away from the tongue and palate. And the Apottle compares it to'kbait wherewith a fifh is taken ; the filli looks on, and nib« bles a little, and takes it down, and then away goes the bait. Cam pleafed himfelf a while, but not long ; for the fin of mur* ther prefently purfued and cried againft him: And^^^;wbe^ fore him, had but onetafteof the forbidden tree, it quickly fet his teeth on edge: Gehasji's gold and garments, and ^ chad's wedge, as they were ftoln waters, and though fweet, yetfhort. So was it with ^W, he got Naboths vineyard finfully, but he fcarce ever enjoyed it ; he met with a mighty curfe from God prefently upon him.
But here obferv^e, that the pleafures of fiivinay be faid to be fhort, I. In refpeilof efllmatton .- when the hearts of men judge ofthemasfalfe, unlavvfull, and fhort. Thus yl/oj>/ efteemed of them, and therefore refufed the jleafnres of fm^ which were but for- A feafon, 2. In refpeiil of duration : For if Life it fel f be not long, the pleafures of fin muft needs be fhort. It is true, that as long as the impeni ent foul hath a being, the guilt of his fin fhall have a being and confifterce in the foul , but at the utmofl- finful rlea- fures extend not beyond our I'fe, their date then of neceflity muft be expired, though'ufually they are extinguilTied or intern^pted
before
In rflpsft of
Jn rcfpfd of
7he Sinners Aver [ion from God* , i r
t
before, and life is a very fhort tale, hour, moment. 3. In com- in cQmpari»en ^ar'i^onmth etemixy ; thougii a m.^n fl lould live in the pleafures wJibctciiu/. of I'm 20, ^o^ 60 years, yet what is thatfpace of time to an eter- nity of forrovvs and brtLcrnefs. Compare int longed time with eternity, it is fcarce a confiderable moment. But you may de- mand, Why lliould the pleafures of (in be fo Ihort ? SoL IS^y Rtafons of U, you might rather demand. Why theyiliouid be at all ? for in- deed real pleafure cannot arife out of finful ads, yet a carnal and fenfual pkafure there is, which is neverthelefs fliort ; Becaufe tjf; :i. Sin is never fo fle^fant^ hut it breeds that which u Sin is never fo 4p!fleafaKt ; nay the more pleafure we find in it , the more P^««^ant t ut ic difpleafure it works ; like a draught of beer, which the more ^?.^*l*.^^^^ fully and pleafantly drops down, the more danger is added to the ^cafanu""" patient ; So is it with fin, it feems a delightful thing to you to follow your lufts, your evil waies ; but the more you fin, the more you increafe your guilt ; and guilt is but a fword to ait the throat of your finful pleafures ; It is like fvveet poifon,vvhich goes down eafily and delightfully, but it will fuddenly difturb and crack the body.
2. God hath curfedthe r^ies of fm ; and therefore though they God hatb cur- feem pleafant for a while, yet that fhall not be long, he hath hed- fed the ways of ged it with thorns, threamed all evil, miferable and judicial evil ^*"' againlt it. And look as when a good man earneftly prefles God
upon his promifes, his forrowes fhall not ftay lon'g, but fighs and tears fhall flie away : Sovvhen a wicked man provoketh God by his finnings,his pleafures fhall be fhort, for the Lord will perform his threatnings againft him.
3. The f leaf ares of fin mufl nCceffarily be jhort^ becaufe confcl- Confcience ence cannot be long cjuiet : If you fhould wound and Wound a man, cannot be ionj he will begin to feel, and to complain ; even your pleafant fin- ^^^^^" nirgs are the mcH grie\^ous woundings of confcience, and confci-
^ence will not bear, it will awake with blood trickling, and will be revenged of you with moft bitter expoftulations, fevere accufati- ons, unfufferable gnawings , and then where are the pleafures of your fins ? who can fland before envy ? faid Solomon ; f o againfl confcience, the wounds thereof, yea and her woundings by it^ycho can bear ? thy delights will fink and flie off, yea thy heart will fail thee utterly, when confcience arifeth to accufe and condemn thy finful plealures.
' C a ^Xhey
12 The Riotous Frodigaly or
Thfv raiit up 4. ^ ^9' ^^^fi f^p mamfold affliciio/is and calamities which jhorten manifold &fEi- onr fleafures and delights,
ciions. But 1 proceed to tiie opening of the. fecond branch, viz,, the
S'm will end in endings of fn. That though a fmful couiTe may begin in many many miCerics- pleaiiires, yet it fhall end m many mij'eries^extremities^and ftraits. There are diverie forts of ending of things : fome end by way of annihilation^ as the fouls of the bealts, they jliali ceafe to bejthey arerefolved inio.nothing ;. fome end by w^y of perfeHio^y as the fouls and waies of holy men, Glory and Salvation is their end j . fome end by way of corruption , as when the -beauty of a thing is marred, or a goodly body is turned, and ends in a loathfcme car- leafs, or fweet Wine turns to fharp Vineger. After this manner doth fin end,or a finful courfeend ; as it was with the day in which Sodom was deftroied,it began with the pleafard light of the Sm^hut it ended in fire And hrimjlone : Thus was it with thofefinnerSjtheir delightful flames of luft ended in horrid flames of Vergeance. Ths^re are two forts of forrow and trouble : one Penitential , and the other Judicial^ one of thefe fin mufl end in. ^chans wedge pie ^ fed his eie, but it loft his life. dAhahs defire was fatisfied to ^Q,t Naboths yineyardy but his blood paid for it m the portion of Jez,reel, Gehaz>i obteined the garments and talents^ and at the end a Leprojie to his dying day. Judas gets favour with the chief Priefts, and money io betray his Mafter, but he got horrour of confcience, final defpair and damnation for his treachery. The Prov.7 ,17' yomg man in the Proverbs is inticed with the filthy flattery of the whore, her led wa^ perfumed with Myrrhe^ but her houfe is the J 7* way to hejl^ going down to the chambers of death ; thofe chambers of delight prove chambers of dea -h.
But to open ihis in fome particulars t-
Quefi. I. To what extreme m'feries and ftrei ts may fin bring
Miferics of bo- the finner? Sol. i . To thofe of Body; fin m.^y be rottemefs of his
dy. bones ^ and may infe6l him with ^he mod: nafty, irking, painful dif-
eafes, that he fliall h n^e no reft in his fleili : it may fo poifai his
marrow, inflam.e his fpirits, corrupt his humors, that many time?
the body, which was the inftrument of fin, proves to be the great
q: g^jj^^ torment of the finner. 2. To thofe of Eflate ; finning may eat
out a goodly eftate, as the wo-m which is gnawing at the root of
a tree, difrobe> it^ d'sflouriflies it, pines and flirivels it : though
a man haih quickparts, ample dealings, yet if he has fecret waies
The Sinners Aver fi on from God. j ^
of finning, his fms will bL:it mm , th^y will be as the Moth which eats out the garmmt , or as the cankwi lo .he brafs or iron. How many by fuch & fuch finnings are quickly Itripc, laid low, brought to a morlel of bread , and are doathed in rags , as the Prodigal here in the tex waited himfelf out of all. 3, To thofe of Namc^ Of name, which is one of thvi three precious and tender"things ; viz,, a m.ms Eyey a mans Conscience , and a mans Name, This is a precious F^/mx, ointment, a mans life is as his name is, yet finning calls a flie in- ^^^"' to ihat ointment, a blur upon that copie, it procures reproach '" ^V and lliime, anhifling, a Proverb, a by-word, an.odious name, a n«amethat lliall perilh. 4. To thofe oiCoKJclence^ whxh are Ofconfcicocc. ftreits indeed, fo that a man is almofl dillradled, knows not which way to turn himfelf ei cher to God or man, day nor night, is weary of life, and yet afraid to die ; he fears God, he fears man, he fears himfelf,he fears the lliadows of things. 5. To thole of the Ima- o • the im3|i- glmng a-^dthlnklng^artofman ; a mms heart fhall do nothing ''^,^1 snd thin- but meditate terr our, apprehend guilt; fee the form? of bitter '''*'^» P*" °^ iinningS'ind the Idea's of in [inite vvrath kindling from God aga'nfi "' ■ him, fo that he fliall be (iill amazed at the reprcfentation of his former finnings, or at the expectation of future fudgments. 6. To of the sffed- thofe of the ajjeBlng fart ; all his arfe6tions Hiall rife up as a tu- jag pare, mult within him ; burthens of cruel fear, tremblings of a fainting grief, and thick throws of hopelefs defpair.
Quefi, 2. But why is it that fins, or finful courfes, end in fuch Rgif^nj Qf • 1 extreme miferies and (treits ? Sol. Reafons thereof are many : * '
1. Becaufe though the beginning if fin be from a deceived hearty yet The ending- of the endlngoffin Is, from a jufi God. The corrupt heart begins fin, (^" *^ ^^^^ * deluded thereto by finful pleafure, but GjSd puts a period to the ^'^^^°^'
fin in full judgment, in wrath and trlbttlmloh upon every foul that
does evil. What we conceive about fin is oiJrtBing, and what God
will do to the finner is another thing ; we m ike \\. Aveet, but God
will make it bitter at the latter end ; The intentional way of theft
is with delight, but the judicial end of theft is 6.ii\}[\ ; fo P^*^^- '•^p''»*«.
is it in all Ymnings , the intention of the finner is to pleafe ^-^P^rantis.
his own corrupt heirt, but the judicial end of it (vvhich
belon^^s to God, he being the righteous Judg offended ) is mifery.
2. The true effe^ls of (In mtifl be made manlfell. Men would not "^^^ "^"^ "^ ^^ onely queftion the Righteoufnefs of God, but the unlawfulnefs of ^^ j" manifcft fin, if finning lliould end peaceably. Well, might they fay with
\ him>
*.
I A The Riotcus rrodtgdl, or
him, I ^^"vs cUa^fed mj heart in vn'm-^ if fin (liould end in peac^i and bleiiing ; but God by ihis doktull Cataftrophe of fin doth convince man, that Tin deceives them while it precends fo much pleaCure, delight, contentment, and at length repays them vvicb To put a dii ili^im^^^lofs, horrouranddefpair. 3. Hereby men jho id d learn fercncc be- ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^ diferer.ce tw'ixt them who fear God, and Inch 04 fear
thac tcai God ^'^ ^^^^- ^^^ mdeed, m th:s,3mong m.-iny otner things, do godly and that tar vvays and the ungodly dife : The Godly begin oft times in ibf' him not. ro'.v, in trouble, but the end of them is peace at the iafl ; we fee and meet with the worft of our jcurney at the firjft, as the Ifraelites did with the Wildernefs and Sea, but they came to Canaan at length; but the Ungodly ways yield their belt at firft, their var^ nity, delights, like painted colours, fall off, and their worft \s hidden, and appears at laft : Alas, thou doeft not imagine that hell which thy finnings are kindlings, or that fword which it is un- fiieathing, or that death which it is breeding, or that horrour which it is m.iing within ihee againftthee; thefe are now hid from thy eyes, but yet they are the end of thy finnings. ^.r I now come to the applicadon of this point. Is the entrance of
-^ * fm pleafant, andis that pleafure but fhort, and ends thatpleafure
in milerable extremity, then i. for _ . ." 1, Information:, Wemay hence be informed, 7 hat all things
All° things' "re '^^^ ^'^^ ^^^^^ andfafe^ which yet are^leafant, 7 he ways of a man not fafe v^hich /^^^ ^^^^^ In his ovoneyes^ {vASohmony and the motives of fin yet are plea- feem pleafant to our corrupt hearts ; yet finfull ways are falfe, f«nr. and finfull pleafures are nought and l^iort. The firft demand of
any in point of opinion fhould be, how true ^ not how plaufible ; and of affection oradlion, Qiouldbe, Howgood^ and the next, how pleafant ; not firft how delightfull, but firft how lawfull. We may not do about our moral adls, as we do in our civil, ask Gen. 3. 6. what fine Stuffs, but firft, what good. The Apple, the forbid- den Apple, which if tafted had death in it, ^^SiS yet goodly to to look on, It was fleafant to the eyes. And the Wine of which PiO. 13 .3 1) 3 i Solomon fpeaks, though it bit like a Serpenty and flung hhj an Ad- der ^ yet It looked red^ and gave Its colour in the cup. As all fins have after their commiiTion fomething to back them, fo they have before their commiflion fomething to enter them : After our finning, there are cox^rupt defences and reafonings ; and be- fore our finnings, there are corrupt pleafures and delights : As in
the
7he Sinners Aversion from God. . i j
the fevving of a Garment, there is a Needle to make way, and then a Thred to keep faft ; fo it is in the conftitution of a'finfuH
courfe, there is pkafure to make way for the fin, and then there is love and defence which keeps iT^^ the fin. Therefore we murt in this be informed, noc to entertain any thing becaufeitdoih plenfc and deh'ght us, for ufually that is fmfuJl vvh^ich at ^xH is de- li ghtful I ; itisnothowitpleafethme, but how it plealeth God : The foul of man naturally is very corrupr, and as it is with fome itomacks which are foul, the worftdiet is moft delightfuU, fo it is with our fouls being evil, therefore that \\hich is ^-^iX fuits befls with them and pleafeth them moft. \ kvifures of any thing muft be judged by i. -^ Word of truth ; for if they be not good, as welh^ pleafant, th ey are fins fa6lors ; md 2, hy the refpo^def7cj^ , '
they have to a KattirCj not as corrupt, but as renewed,
2." That pn is not onelj had^ b:it plh'ick^ ; not onely unlaw ftillj jj,^ j^ ^^^ ^^^y but deceltf till, J^ it is with fome faces which have natural w;in- unUwfull, but kles, rhefe arc dawbed over with painted glofles ; or with fome dccdLfull. bodies which are crooked, thefe are bolflred out with fecret ihft- nings ; or as with rotten wares, thefe are glazed over with gaudy dyings : So i^ it with fin, in it felf a foul thing, a lo.ithfome and odious thing ( therefore in Scripture called an abomination^ a filthinefs^ a vi/e things a difeafe^ a rottennefs^ ^fore^ -pmrifjing fore^Uc.) yet it draws on the finner by pleafure and del ighr. Sin doth not move us nakedly as finfull, but cunningly as de- lightful! ; it doth not temot the young man to uncleannefs^ and tell him, th^t whoremof7gcrf and adn/terers God will jfidge '^ but fome^ let tu take onr fill of love ^ I have perfumed my ledy ^C, as the ftrumpet in the Proverbs ; It doth not tempt the perfon to drunkennefs, and tell him that no drunkard iliall inherit the Kingdome of God, and that there is a woe belonging unto him ; but it fhews him the rednefs and colour of the Wine, and fuggelts the fweetnefs thereof un:o him. So in fins of murther, it dorh not fhew that revenge which God threatens, but that acceptable revenoe and way of eafe wh^ch the finner deliehtfully thinks on. As Balak fent to Balaam the rewards of D'vination, and then defired him to cnrfe Ifrael : And that Afocalypical whore had in her hand a golden cup^ and within that the wine of fornication : So deals our fin with us when it tempts us, it doth hide rhe hook, and fliews the bait ; it conceals the obliquity, and reprefents the
beauty 5,
i6
The Riotous Frcdt^d^ or
All finnrts are extremely de- luded.
Gen. 3 7.25?.
Sins, tho?i jh
temporally pleafanrj yet are certainly dangerous'.
beauty ; it covers the mikry, ana fhevvs oneiy the pkafure, to draw and inlnare our fouls.
7, 1 hat all jin'fiers are extremely mocked arA deluded. They may more fafely fay of their fins what J=fati fpake of J acob ; 7 hy name is rightly called Jacoh-^ for thefe two times thou haft: dceived or fti'i flamed me. So may finfuU men lay of their fins. Not hyico. or thrice, but always ye ftill mock and deceive me. I remem- ber, thatwhenjo/^;?/? J brethren hadcafthim into the pit, Repir- hen anon returns thither, hut finds him not ; he was newly there, but he was quickly tdken thence, and he faid, ^i he child ur.ot^ find i, whither f all I go ? So may a mm fay of the pleafure of his fin. Even now they were, but now they are not : And inlkad of that pleafure, he may now be wringing of his handjs, and cry out ; ^The pleafure is gone and is not, the fin remains and here ^ (ticks ; the draught* is gone, but the poifon is not gone ; the 'delight is gone, but' the guilt is prefent ; the delight is fallen
* off,- but the grief is prefent : And I, now I, whether iliall I
• go ? Confcience galls me, fears crufh me, God abhors me, ' ihe world doth not help, friends cannot eafe me ; what I feel 'is bitter, and what 1 fear is worfe ; Ah nry- fins, you faid I ' fhould have pleafures ftill, you faid that I fhould not fee mife- ' ry, you faid that God would be eafiiy mercifull, you faid thefe 'were nothing, you faid that to morrow fhould be as to day, ' and much more abundantly : Ah that ever I truffed you, belie- ' ved you, yielded unto you ; you have deceived me ; by a little ' pleafure I am now brought into, and left in the midfi of all 'mifery: Ah, you fins which were once fopleafanc, can you 'not deliver me ? can you not comfort me ? do ye forfake me ? 'is this your kindnefs? is this your delightfulnefs ? where is ' it ? I am bereaved of your pleafures, and by you, you alone, ' am I now funk into the moft foul-cutting and anguifhing di- ' ftreffes,
4. That thoHgh fins he temporally fleafant^ yet they are cer- tainly dangerous : They end miferably, though they begin fweet- ly ; like a River which begins in a quiet Spring, but ends in a tu- multuous Sea. There are thefe dangers in the pleafures of Sin ; I. They are /?pr ft? ^r/?7v and entice us, 2. to hew itch and en- tangle us. 3 . to enlarge the fpirit of rrayifgreffion within. 4. to hinder all true -pleafures:, 5. to fear up the ear and confcience <i- gainfl all holy connfel and remedy^ But
The Sinners Averfion from God, ij
But I pafs to a fecond life, which fliall be oiCamionj to take Vfe 2, heed of being deluded any longer with the pleafures offin: me Caucion. thinks Eilphaz. (pake punduall y, and to the purpofe ; Let mt him '^^^ ^"^ °^ thtit is deceived truft \^ any more) in vanity^ forzamtyfhallhehls ^^^^^ ^^"^^^^^ recommence. Though fin be a while pleafant, yet hearken not unto ^^xtsoi^ln^' it, futter not thy fclf to be deceived by it : wine is a mocker^ and job i y.g 1/ fireng drinks is raging^ and whofoever i^ deceived thereby u not Prov.ioi. »•//<?. The like he fpeaks of the unclean woman, whofeheart ^^^^'7''^^' :;.• isfnares and net s^ ( Hill drelfing them to catch the bird ) and her hands are bands. The fame may be Did of any fins whatfoever. But now tO' move and quicken your hearts to take heed of fin- ning, though mixtwith ple^fures and delights •, Confider thefe motives. ^ _ Motives.
1, what thing that is wherein thou doefl takefleafure ? Why ! W^hat :$ that what is it, O man, that hath enticed thee? and what is it, O wherein thoi man, which in thee is fo enticed ? It is /» that hath enticed <lo«ft cake plct- thee,and it is thy foul which is thus enticed by fin. Sin eiTticeth *'
thee, then which no evil is worfe; thy foul is enticed, then which no part in thee is fo precious. And wilt thou adventure that pre- cious foul, that immortal foul, which muft live forever, wilt thou adventure it for a fin, for one draught of finfull pleafure ? Wouldeii thou adventure all thy earthly eilate for one draught of Beer, ( as Efau did his for one mef of pottage > ) Thou Wouldefi: not; Yet wilt thou adventure the eternal being of thy foul f6r one minutes pleafr.re of fin. Though thy fins be pleafant in thine eyes, yet they are odious in Gods fight, though thy fins do de- light thee, yet they do grieve him, they do incenfe and provoke him : -Hall thou nothing to take pleafure in, but that which pro- vokes thy God, and will damn thy f o 1 1
2. 7 ho ft mayefi enjoy thy fleafures without fin. Haft thou not Th'-u may? ft
a Wife to delight thee, an Husband, Children, many outward J")°y'^yp^^*" comforts, not a God, not a Promife, not a Chrift, that thou J>J" without longeft onely for forbidden frui t ?
^. Is fna thing to taf^e pleafure in ? didit not (he d the blond of Is fin a tbing to Chrift ? doth it not break a righteous Law ? tranfgrefs an holy "k^pUafarc Will ? grieve the Spirit of God ? caft the clouds of threatning? *"" over our heads ? bring down all our Judgements on body ? kin- dle our terrours in Confcience ? heap up all our wrath againft the day of wrath ? is this the thing of thy pleafure ? call you
b tms
1 8 The Riotous Trodigal^ or
this z delight ! If one iliould fay unto thee, Be drunk, ' Gc^mic filthinefs, and within an hour af.er, thy vvhok body i^iali be roafted in a fire, or ihy skin iliall ht flead off thee, or every bone in thy body fliould be diifin6lly broken in pieces, wouldi'i: thou now fin } And what arc thefe punilliments to fins themlelves ? and what are thefe puniiLments to thofe of Confcience, or to that of Hell? God can eafily 4. God can eafily fhortenthy fleafures offin^ ahd he hath many (horccn thy -iipales to do it, Firfi, Is not his fford of mighty power ? 'fe it not picarurcs of li, ^ difcerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart ? can it not divide twixt the marrow and the joint ? Is it not a light, and a foe? Is it not thefword of God, a two-edged fword, able to pierce, and that vyith quicknef?, and that with jharpnefs ? Or, Se-^ condly^ if yet thou be able to maintein thy fins,and by the flrenc^th of fenfual pleafures to beatolF the purefi convictions, and revela- - tions, and purfuits of the Word , cannot the Sfirlt of God drive home the Hiarp difpleafureof God ? cannot he breakthrough the midfl of all thy refolutions and delights , -and fo enter into thy confcience ? can he not in a moment awaken that drouzie con-' fcience? can he not inliven that feared coilfcience? can he not in- join it to ff.mdup and a6l its accufing power, when he hath irre- lifiably inlightned it, and fet the great fins of thy delight before thee ? and when confcience h deeply wounded, where then arc - all thy ple^fures ? O, it will be as bitter then unto thee as hell : the wrath of God fel:, and the guilt of fm felt, and the terrors of- Confcience felt, O how will they drown ihy ple-ifures, fink thy fpirits, and ( if God be not mt more merciful ) confound thy foul 1 Yet this God can do, and he can eafily do i\.\ if he faith but the word, Mv wraih be upon h*m, Confc^irce arife and acciiie him, it is done, and then where are thy d \ \^p. ts ? Thofe fins of thine, unto which thou haft been enticed by a littlefalfeplea- fures, even they alone fh^ll rife up, and be the fufficient puniili- ment for all their pleafures. Or, Thirdly^ Uq can ili or ten thy pleafures by many Judgements ; he can lay 'inch a difeafe Hpon thy body, or fuch a lofs on thy eftate, or fuch a rottennefs ©n thy name, or fuch a vexation upon thy i]^irit, or fuch amad- , nefs in tfiy mind, or fuch a crofs in thy delight, that thou fbalt
find no more ple.^fure !n any fhing. Or, Fotmhly^ Can he not fend forth the Kingof Fears^ thatvvhich thou leaft thinkefl of,
and
I'he Sinners Aver fun from God. ^ jg
and which will make thy joynts to trv^mble, Death it [elf upoa thee ? Haih not He the Kc) s of Life and Death ; and when life is gone, where then are the ^eaiures of thy iin ? Sin makes way for death, and death to a wicked man, though it makes not an end of his (inning, yet it makes a full end of the pleafures of fin- ' ning ; then llialt never rejoyce in the way of thy wickednefs more, thou llialt never talk delight more, neither lawful! delight, .^ nor unlawfull delight. And cannot God do this fuddenly ? and art thou able to vyitWhnd him ? art thou greater then he?
^. 1 hy f leaf ures of fin will end m bitter nef^. Read the Scrip- Thyplcafes ture, fee whether it be not lb, and I befe^ch thee tell me, haii ?^^? ^^^^ *"^ thou not found it fo already? canjft thou not fay-- That thy fin ^*"""^'^- hath been an evil things ami hitter ? Canli thou not fay, what fruit have I in thofe things whereof I am now a^amed f Two things remember, There is a. certainty of hitter nefi for former (innings, Eccl, ii.p. Kejojce O yomgman in thy youth ^ and let thj heart chear thee in the dap of thy youth^ and walk^ in the ways of thy hearty and in the fght of thine eyes ; ' htit kpowthoHy thatfsr all thefe things God will hring thee into judgment, 2, Thou knoweft not the manner of that hitter nep. The finning, that is thy work ; but the puniiliing of thy fins, that is Gods work : thou halt taken the 'pleafures which fin delivered unto thee, and thou muft now take the bitternefs which God' will infli6t on the^e. And canl^ thou tell . i . vi^en the Lord willbegin to account with ^^^ Tuddcn. thee, either to night, or to morrow ? thou art not fecure a mo- ment. Secondly, How the Lord will begin with thee, whether Haw great, in thv body, or in thy foul, or in both, in confcience, or eftate ? Th'Ydly, How far the Lord will extend the cup unto thee ; per- How cndlcfs, haps it flyat4 be in thy hind a cup of fury; -and trem'^ling, and am^t^.ir^; hofrcuf, and whether he will hc'l^>e thee to drink to the loweft dregs of his wrath, howknowelithou ? This bitternefs , afrer rhy pleafure^ maybe purely Judicial, which fhall not be tem- pered With anycomfo^'lfnctfyteat-all with the hope of any.mer-^ cy^^ it^may K^ -aff endT^^' difple'^Tiire^^m God. ^ • ' •
O^^^r?. Ye^^-j^^biit vve in'eaff\b"re^eht hereafter, and fo we will prevent all' that bitternefs. • - v • :^ ■ r-" Sol, i; You cannot repent at pleafure, though you fin at plea-^ flif e' 5 nay, the more ple;ifant thy^ fins are, the more they do dif- M)le thee to repent ; for they by thy delights do hold thy affecli- I? D 2 ons
2Q The Riotous Prodigal^ or
ons more hrm, and increafe ihy finfull a6ts more otcen ; and both of thefe do crofs repentance.
2. But fuppofe thou fliouldeft jepent, yet muft thy fins be bitter unto thee ; though thou mayeft believe with joy, yet thou muft repent with forrow : Repentance is a mourning weed, a fad lamentation, a reformation with tears.
q. And believe me, thy penitential work will be the more fowr,by how much the more iweet thy finnings have been.InPhy- Tick ( if I miftake not ) they hold, that Dnlcla cite venmttv/in hllemy the fweet meats are moft eafily turned into bitter choler ; fo iTialt thou find experimentally, thy fwee.eft lins to prove, (even if thou doeft repent ) thy lliarpeft burthens and griefs. Davids adultery coft him more tears, then any fin of his that we read of. Vfs J. A third Ufe lliall be of VlreBlan : If any man of us hath been
Ditcction. «nticed, that we have taken the fweet bait, that fia hath infna- red us by its pleafures, my advice is. Let h^m vomit up the mor- fels again, and -no more to embrace the fin for the pleafure, but to abhor the pleafure for the fins fake. The rules which I would prefcribe, are thefe, PrefentlYim- i. Frefently to imhltter thofe finfull fie ^ fares : Do you youT'
^'^ii'V^'r^^ ^"' ^^^^ begin the work, defer it not to God ; if you begin it in ape- piwiurcs. j^-^^j-j^-^i yyay^ God will fpare you m a judicial way. Judge your
fehesj and ye fhall riot he judged of tlye Lord. See and confider what thou haft done ; True, I have had the pleafure, but by fin- ning God hath had the diilionour, much diilionour, great dif- honour, frequent diiTionour. Oh grieve for this, that thoit :fiiouldtft ever del'ght in that which grieves thy God ; that fin Should be pleafant to thee, which is fo diil^ionourable unto him : AfHi6l thy fr^ul, and do this prefently, take down thy fins the fe- cond time with bitter herbs, which at the firft thai fwallow- edft down with fweet delights ; or rather caft- them out with hearty forrow, which thou didft haftily take in with vain pleafure. 2. Tor time to comey let two.thoughts lodge htween thine eyes^ Think ot the ^-^^ ^ Vormsr fins have he^n hitter thenghf leaf am \ 2 FutHre i ^me" fins' ^^"^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^'^^^ f^ fie a f ant -^ will prove more hitter, O let thefe andtha^ future be engraven in thy foul, never believe thy thoughts, thy hopes, fins will be thy confidences, nor Satan any more, nor thy own falfe heart ; morejiuer. ^^ vvas pleafant heretofore^ but it ended bitterly ; if thou any
mor«
The Sinners Averfion from God, 2 1
more hearken unto it, it will be 1>j1s plealanc, aud much more -
terribly bitter ; the fecond iuneits of fm do either breed more ft up ef miction, or more confufion in the conlcience.
■^, Study to find and tajh that fleafure which arlfeth from an entire communion with God^ and a converfation which t^ upright, ^^'■'^y to find Talk whac ihou wilr, the foul wiH have lome pleafure or oth;ir ; V'^ ^*^'^^ P'^*" if it picchcth not on God, tor it, it will ftray afidj to hn for it. ^^^^^j^^^ ^-^^^ Now then itrive to take pleafure in the Lord, and in his work, Go j. and in his w.w, 'i^'d in his Graces, and in his Chrift : This ilialt thou find of ipiritual pleafure ^ Spirit uarplcai*
,1. It i^ more f wen a thonfand times then that of fm : One glafs 'urcs are cf Spring-wa.er is more fvyeet then a Caldron of Sea-water ; m^^c fwcct; thoueh the Sea be larger, it is fouler and mixt. 2. his more lafitng and durable : Ah, thou needeif not to repent of it ; it is More lading, a Spring, and not a Puddle, and its foundation is conftrant ; never torfake thy mercies, for lying vanities. ^, h ts More afFcaing, more ajfefllng then the other : That of fin goss not beyond the. fenfe and arieilions-, but this of God enters into the confcience,. which is the feat of trueft comfort or faddelf mifery. 4. /f Will drown will drown your fnfnll fleafures : Oh, thou fhalt find fuch a real ourfinfuilplcar- value, fuch a furpafiing excellency, fuch a full contentment in ^^"^• the all-fufficient God, that, thou mayeft well fay as Ephraim, what have 1 to do any more with Idols ! So thou with the vain, piercing, falfe, fhort, pleafures of fin. Therefore fet thy heart not on fin, butholinefs ; though it may fall out, that at the be- ^innin*' the ways of God and holinefs may feem bitter unto thee, yetk'iow, i. This bitternefs either is by reafon of thy former. '
plcaf.mt fins, or thy prefent finfuU nature: 2. That aifuredly thy delights in holinefs will bring thee at laft to that right hand where there are pleafures for evermore ; for as fin, though plea- fant in entrance, is bitter in conclufion, fo holinefs, though it fets forth with a llorm, fhall land fafely in a Calm.
j4tjd when he had fpent all, there arofe amghtj famine in that Luke 15,14,.
Land, a^d he began to he in want. And he went and ioyned himfeif to a Citiz.en of thM CoHntrey^ and j c,,
htfent him into his fields to feeds [wine.
The Pfodigal hath done with hi? £fiatej and dl thepkafures
,22 The I^iotous Frodigdly ^r
orit ; now we are to confider him boch in his fireights^ and in the itiinlediate ufc which he made of them. Touching ihe former, I j'hall fay little ; onely you may obferve, i. Thp occafion of it, a great famwe : ■:, Wis {tncc oiitj he hegm to he in i^ ant, Touch- ' . - ing the latter, you m.iy obferve two things, i . His pnctice under his ikeights, Andhewentandjejn£dhlmf€lftoaCtt'iz.enofthat Countrej : 2, His fuccefs or reward,^W he fent htm Into the field tofeedfw'we. By the Citizen generally is expounded,the Divel; by the Countrey,the World ; by Swine, wicked Men. There are two Prcpofidons which I would hence obferve, viz.,
1 . ThM though fin hr/igs men into firaits^ jet firms do not aU rodys hnng men from pn,
2. That the further m^n go on in pn^ the worfe work^they fihaU find it to frozje,
1, JDofi. That though fin brings men into flraits^ yet ft:raits do not aU^
Though fin vpays bring men from fin. You fee here the prodignl is pincht with brings men in^ famine, and yet he comes not home to his Father, but goes on fur-t to ftrans, ytt ^j^^^. -^^ j^-^ ^^^j^ wdi'^s. For the opening of this Aflertion a little,
always brin<^ Y^" ^^"^ diUinguilh betWixt,
men from (in. I. VoUibilky-tm medium, tindlnMl'h'Vity^ut remedium, Diftinguirti b«- 2. Betwixt Reprefentation of finjand Reformation of fin. Straits twixc PoffibiU- ^^^ miferies are ordinarily the Looking-Glafles, wherein we may Vi\ks ^" ^ '^~ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ finnings, but they are not always the Phyfick- Keprcfentation Glaffes, wherein we find the cure of our fins ; they are more often of fin, anc Rt- an eye-fah^e,than an he?rt-falve ; they may be a cualm to bring formation of {^j-j to fence, when yet they are not a pocion to bring off the finner *^"' from wandring.
Impediment to :^. Again, twixt imfedimtnt to fin, and twixt amendment of fin^ fin,and amend- Miferies and firaits may be a V>2VSi to ftop the Current, when mem of fin. ^^^ ^j^^y ^^^ ^^^ Hl^^ ^1^^' p^^pj^ets fait, etfe^ual to heal the wa- ters. A Lock may (top a Thief, but not alter him. When the the Prophet Eliah met Ahab with a iliarp meffage about Na- boths bload and Vineyard, it made h'm go foftly, it cooled his fpirit, but did not change it. M'teries more ordinarily ( for the prefent) make men lefs forward and b6ld,4h fin f^as Jupiter's Log did quaili the noife of the Frcgs). when yet they make them not fo good as to turn them from fin : They do (like a fhower of rain and hail)make the Traveller to fiand a while under the Tree, who yet intends to hol3 on his journey again. - - ^. 4. Again,
7he Sinners Jvcrfion from God. - 23
4. Kfmv.simxtDtclamation^Vii^iDecltKatton, A firmer under n-ri,.^-- s miiery may play uieOratour, and yet never prove tli^Pcniten- and Drclina^ tiary ; he may both indite and accufe the fm, which y^i by no li^n. means he intends to condemn and execute. It is one thing to confefs, thnt my fins do now hold mt in bonds of alHiclion, and thereupon to profels adilcharge of fuch inmates ; and iris anoher thing,re>illy to repent and .0 forfake ihofe fins, ye.i,the very thofe v\diich a man more then Uifpecls as pvitrons of his mifery. So that (iraits may bring fin to fight, andthefinner to a ihnd, and to a -Confefrion,yet not always to repentance and to converfion ; which j\^^ jj j^^p . is true,
1 . Of tKivard fir^its ;tho(i manacling and fevere fettersr of con- of inwari. fcience, to which no diftrefies are comparable. The boylings of. ftraits. . conference may be but 1 ke the boylings of the Sea : a pcrfon
m.iy have m^ny guilts fretting. there like a Leprofie, and gnawing there like deaih, and Aiming there like hell it felf, and yet not be brought off from fin. Ksjndas^ who betrayed his Mafier (O think of that fin ' ) and fell into quick horrours of confcience, and thefe cured him not, but he proceeded to defpair, and then to felf— murther
2. Oi omward flrahs'^ which do never come without caufe,but q, ^.. ^- many times go off without remedy ; they may in all the forts of itfjits. ' them fay of: ^''mes, as they did of Babylo-n^ We would have healed
Babylon^ and fhe would not he healed. They find us evil, and they leave us wo'-fe, as we do our friends upon their dying-beds ; Te re'volt more and iTiore^ why ^ould ye he [mitten any more ? Ifa. I. %. This is evident in Pharaoh^ whofe hardnings incre?fed ( like the iron) with the ttro.iks. Or. like the Sn ike which, 5/?/'z//^;?fp.ike, did milt iply by occifion. It was no better with Saul and Ahah., nor with that King Ahaz.^ who \> blackt and fingred out amongft all the Kings of Indah^ becaufe he fought not to the Lord in his dt- ftre(?^ hnt trefpajfed yet more againit the Lord •, This Is that Kwg uihaz.. 2 Chron. 2K. 21. Thus it was with the Ifraelites rrnny a time, who felt the fcourge, but m.ended not their vvo"k> but with bleeding fhoulders oft times went away to fin ; and no fooner were the Affizes pafi:, but they adventured the way to the prifon ' again.
If you now demand ^he Reafons vvhy ftraits or mlferies do not Rnfcn? cf Ir> always bring men off fromfins ? I anllver,
r,Be^
2 A The Riotous Prodigal^ or
. I . Becaufe, that oneiy true Grace is it which brings men o^from
grace brings /^«-^. Aftlidtions may bi confidcred tvvo ways, 6x\izzimmed^meiy men off from and folitarily, fo they are not forcible to bring any m.m o.t from •fin. his finfull courfe ; no punilliment whatfoever is aii immediate
:Agent, and fufflcient to turn a {inner. Mediately and concomi- tantly as they are fan6lified, ( /.) either as they light upon an heart fan6tified, or as fanclitying Grace, with them, or by them is wrought in the foul, andfo they may bring off the heart from lin; not the naked afflictions, but grace in the heart afflicted, turns the heart ; for nothing turns the heart from nn ^ bu ^ that which is con- trary unto iin : now though miferies are contrary to the firmer^ yet not to the fe ; they are contrary to the finners eafeand way, hwl not to the affedion and delight of fin, which may, and ofc times doth live and remain even under extreme miferies. Now then, many men are in miferies by reafon of fin, yet they turn not from fin, becaufe they want true grace, by the llrength of which alone men come off from fin, for that it is which changcth the finfull heart. You know that Phyfick ordinarily works as the bo- dy is, into which it is received; there muftbefome ftreng.hof nature to help it, elfe it will not work ; the Philofophers rule be- ing true, Quicqmdrecipitur^ recipittir admodnmreciple^tu. The he^ which melts the wax, hardens the clay ; and the juice which goes into the Rofe mak:sitfweet, but that which goes into the Nettle makes it ftink ; fo it is with miferies, they work as he is on whom they fall ; if true grace be not in the heart, what good ufe can an evil heart_make of them ? Straits are fom- ^. Secondly, Becaufe fir aits a-zid miferies are fometimes meerly times meerly judicial^ onely theltrokes of revenging Juftice. You know, that judicial. there is a great deal of difference 'tvvixt a whio which caufeth
fmart, and a plaifter which caufeth healing : All miferies which befall us are not hdahng plai/lers, fometimes they are judicial lailies, they are not the wounds of a friend, but of an enemy. God is faid in Joh^to difirihuteforrovps in wrath^^ud then they are not remedial effeds, butexitial; they come not then with their teaching and recovering afflfimcc, but are the beginnings of a greater judgment yet to come. You k^^ow that God plagued Pha- raoh in a judicial way,the miferies which befel him were as i^harp, and great,and many,and came as thick as moft that ever befel any man of whom we ever read ; ne\^erthelefs they vverefo far from
reclaiming
The Sinners Jverfion from God, 2 5
reclaiming of hii)i from his fins, that ft ill he hardned his heart, and exalted himfelf 5 If you ihould demand why it (hould be thus with him, that no, not quick, nor great, nor many plagues did him any good ? I anfvYer, One caufe, amongft many , is this, Becaufe they came onely m a judicial way ; they did not come out of the hand of a m,:rci'full Father, but of a provoked and re- vengin; Judge : If there be not grace in the he:irt tojoynwith, and to improve th^: affliction, and if there be not mercy to fend out and blefs the affliction, it will then never do us good, it will not turn us from our Sins.
3. Thirdly, The Heart of a Sinner may he above his mlferles : rhe heart of a There is not fuch a po.ver in miferies alone, as to over-rule the finner iray be heart, or to mend it. As it was with Gallloy when the Jews did >bovc his mifc- beat Sofrhenes^ and kept a lUr, the Text faith. He cared not for ""• ^ny of thofe things : ( I.) they made no prevailing impreflion on him, fo as to divert his purpofe : In like manner may it be with the miferies which perfonally befal a man, his heart ( not- withftanding ) may not regard them, neither may he lay things to he.irt, they may be thrown off, in refpecl: of any beneficial hvir , prelTion, as water from a rock ; as is evident in Pharaoh^ and in the Jews, fee I fa. 42. 25. He hath -pawrednfon htm the fury of his anger ^ and the ftrength of battel^ and It hath fet him on fire round about ^ yet he knew it not ; and It burned htm^ yet he laid It not to heart. Here was anger, and fury of anger, and poured out, and fo as. to fet him on fire, and to burn him, yet he laid it not to ' ■ ",
heart. If you Hiould take drofs and corrupt fluff, and put it in- to the fire, you fhall never refine it, it is to no purpofe, the foun- der in fuch a cafe would melt but in vain, Jer, 6, 29. fo in thi.'? cafe : For the proper operation of all miferies is onely moral,and rather re ''refenta rive then effective (/.) they can of themfelves do nothing ; perhaps they may point a man to his fins, but his hear t may effecluaily refift that evidence of fin by the rod of God, as well as by the word of God. Look as it is with the Light of the Sun, though great and gentle, yet it never opened a blind mans eyes ; no'; yet the Lightning, which runs fwiftly in the time of Thunder : For that natural privation exceeds the flrength of fuch Agent<^. So it is with a finner, his heart may fo cleave to fin, that neither the Light of the Sun, I mean the blefled Word of God, nor yet the Lightnings and Thunders of affliftions may dl-
E vorce
z6 *Ihe Eiotons Frodigd^ or
M«n batchoU- nefs more then ^
vorce him ; fo great may the power of. finfull love be, that i:,ot the kindeft mercies, nor the fliarpeii miferies ( alone ) ihail ever be able to melt him, cr turn him. The love of fin may increafe even an incorrigible and defperate perverfnefs in the Will ; fuch perverfnefs, that tlie afflicted fin-er (poifibly) may befo far from leaving his fins, that therefore he will cleave to his fins the more, and in a proud defpite will forfake God ; as that prophane perfon, This evil is of the Lordy vphy fhoMhe wAit for him any longer 7 2 Kin. 6. 33.
4. Laftly, Miferies do not always bring men off from their fins, )ecaufe Men hate hollnefsand a godly llfeymore thcK miferies .- (if\ There is a greater contrariety twixt their finfuU natures and holi- Refs, then twixt them and miferies ; it is confefled, that mifery, m fome refpe6l, is contrary to nature, at leail to the peace and eafc cf nature ; yet mifery is not fo diitaftfuUy contrary to a wicked nature, as holinefs and godlinefs. Sin can live and rule wliihs the finner is under mifery, but it never can do fo when he is under grace. You know that a man never can turn from fin, but when he loves holinefs ; now holinefs is that which many a finfull heart,, like Patd before his converfion, perfecutes to the death. Why ! if fome finfull hearts will venure the lofs of heaven, rather then- they will be holy, will they not rather then endure the lofs of friends and eftate ? &c, and if they will adventure the pains of hell rather then they will come off unto an holy life, will they not rather endure fome temporal diiirelfes ? &c, and doth not this , /hew, that fome had rather be paiTive in mifery, then adive in holinefs ? Vfe I. Noyv I proceed to the ufefuU Applications of all this to our
Information, felvcs : Whti^ iSoz Information, Do not firaits and miferies al- ways bring men otf from their fins ? then A n 8 ffl-i de J I . -^n fijflBed condition u no Infallible tefllmonyof a fafe condl^
condition no tlon. Some people are of an opinion, thatif God doth punilli infalliWe tcfti- i)^^^ jj^ ^j^jg Y^£^^ \^ croffes, lofles, fickneffes, penuries, &c, they
sor^^cion* ' ^^^^ ^"^^ ^^^^^ portion of mifery already, and undoubtedly fhall befaved. To which I reply, i. Though as the 7/r^(f//Vfj came af length to Canaan through the Red Sea, and through the wilder- . nefs ; fo a perfon may after many afflictions and miferies come to heaven : Heaven can admit of a poor Laz>arus^ and of a diflref- ftd J oh J and of a purfued David, 2. Yet it is not always fo :
A.
•''■ I l-l'
The Sinners Averfion from God. ' ^ 7
A perfon may be under many miferies, and no^vithftand- ing them, he may never be happy : the meer prcf«jnce of mi- feries is of common providence, and not a diftinguiiliing [ri- viledge ; by what is before us, whether outward good, or outward evil, we can know neither love nor hatred ; but as it is with the Ships at fea, whether of the Kings Loyal fubje6ls, or of hoftile pirats, either of them are cxpofed to winds and ftorms, to leak* and rocks, andfands ; fo is it with good men and bad men, each of them are expofed to outward calamities, as each of diem are capable of outwjrd mercies; there maybe a change in their outward condition, when yet there is no change in their inward difpofitions. Joi? may hold faft hijs uprightnefs under all his mtfe- ries, and Pharaoh mzy retain his hardnefs under all his Judg- ments. And where the finful affe6lion and pra6liceis flill re- tained, he Oiall not be free, becaufe of hisprefent miferies, but for ever reje6led, becaufe of his continued iniquity.
7 . That the ConjunUion twixt Sin and the finful [sttl is very The Conj^n- firong : Forasmuch as very great ftraits and miferies effedt no- <5ion betwixt thing many times. You fee here, that though the Prodigal had j?" «i^^ the fpent all, and a famine, yea, a great famine arofe over the Land ftr^p^/"' in which he was, yet he isfo far from returning and giving over his finful courfe, that he does not fomuch as think of it or mind it : afluredly, the Covenant of affedion is very firm, which cannot be untied with thQ faireft promifes, nor with thefeverelt indurances. When the Lord fhall come to a finner, meet him in his courfe and way, and becaufe of his contempts and rebelli- ons, dilbein his eliate and goods, and then lay an Attachment of fickrefs on his body, and more then this, indite him for his life by the fummons of death ; And yet neither the lofs of all the Mercies which once he had, nor the prefence of all the Evils which now he feels ; neither the poverty of his Tabic, nor the rags on his Back, nor fhivering in his Bones, nor anguifh in his Confcience, no, nor appearance of Death, nor yet the r^refenta- tions of Hell, do turn him from his finful affedions and courfes; j«dge,vvhether the tree be not tough,which no Wedge can cleave; andthedife-^febenotdeep, which no Potion can remove; and fin doth not fit clofe and ftrong to the heart, which no not ex- treme miferies can occafionally and effeilually difcharge and quic There are no penalties fo grievoufly and unfpeakablyafflidVmg
£ > . and
^8 '^he Riotous Prodigal^ or
and miferable as thoCe in riell^ which caufe weeping and giialli- ing of teeth; andyetthefe, though high efi for inLcntion, and, endlefs for duration, never are able to turn the finning foul : fo madly and exceffively is the perfon enthralled , that the greitefi Calamities etfed^ually avail not to bring him off from the kali. ccurfeof Iniquities.. - .r 3. Not to wonder If fome nJ£^ make ordinary Revolts after or^-
io'ne men Re- ^^'^^^7 mlferies : Some perfons may (like fome ftones which, vole after mi- yield a fvveat in change of weather) fomewhat refledl on them- ferics. felves, and relent, and confefs, and profefs what they will be and.
do if God will takeoff his heavy hand. And may I not appeal to many of you this day, whofe hearts have been vifited vvidi. the plague, that tiius then it was with yoa,.&c. Yetwhcnthe. plague is off, and the fmart and fear gone, the . bitternefs of death. is paft, that health fucceeds the ficknefs, and plenty fucceeds the. want, aud rtrength fucceeds the we?.knefs, good Lord ! what are. they? how live they? what do they? what mind they? what affecl they ? what work they ? Do they leave their fins ? ah,as the. Pharifees made their prof elites twice as much more the children of the Devil then before , fo thefe men become more vile, more. profane, more carelefs, more rebellious againft the truth of God,, more earthly , fenfual then ever. Brethren y i£. as Solomon. f pake in another cafe , when thoti feefi a violent perverting of. £ccl. 5.8 judgment and jufti'ce In a Province^ marvel not at the matter : So,
if thou feeft a man to pervert the judgments of xh^ Lord, to per- • vert his affli(5i:ing hand, to go on in his fins afier he is punifiied for his fins; Lfay, in this cafe do not much marvel at. the matter , for raiferies alone cannot make any faving im- prelfion, or fan6i:ified alterations. If men m ly holdfaft their fins even under their miferies (as a Thief miy fleal under the Gal- lows) what marvel then if they go on in their fins after their mi- feries? And what caufe have we to think, that any pious fem- blances and pretences fhould hold long, which did owe them- felves to fuch temporary caufes, as were never able to alter the finiiers heart, though they were in fome degree able to ftop the finning perfon? ^^ - But I proceed to a fecond life, which fiiall be a little to refle6t.
R ft • cfc upon ^^ ^^^ ^^^ hearts and wayes , and to enquire how it is vtith us, our o'frn bcwis. notwithftanding the miferies; and ftr^its that are upon us> a^ Solo^
The sinners Aver fton from God. . 29
mon fpake concerning lin, Who can fay^ My heart is clean ? that I may ipcak. this day concerning punilhment of fin, Who can fay, Ihaveb^enfree? As it was in ^gyp-^ upon the departure of tiie Ifraelites, fo it hath been of late with moit of us, there is fcarce an h )ufe of us where at leaft one hath noc been dead. I may contidendy affirm, That either deadi in oppofition to Life, or death in oppofition to Livelihood, to fonie one kind or degree of outward comfort, hath within this year befallen mott of us th.it. are now here this day. Never theleis, I pray you tell me> Can you fhew your repentance yet, as you can relate your ftralts and raiferies ftill ? Have not we , the Minirters of God, faithfully and plainly told you of your fins ? have not your miferies and. ftr aits been clear Glaffes to reprefent. your fins? have not your. Confciences delivered up your fins, and faid as 'jonah^ I kpow ■ that for my fakj (fo they for our fake) this great Temfefl is upoft^ yoH^ Jon. 1.12. Were you not in great fears, in great griefs and troubles of mind ? need I fay, in great Proteftations and Por- pofes ? But now I dem.ind of you , , Have your great fl:rait;- brought you off. from your great fins ? did they not find thee in a finful way, and do they not nov leave thee walk'ng in that, path ? Ah ! and muft the Lord fay of you, They refufe to re- ceive infeu6tlon ? they turn not to him that f mite s^. yet have-.
thev not ret timed to me ; they will k/^ow no (ham^ ? they are repro^ ,,
V l^ r^. / \ r J .. J 1 ' r ' J- It wc continue:
batefilver ; they are not refined nor forged ; their jcum is not de- ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^-^ ^
■parted; therefore Jhould they k [mitten any more ? they revolt. (^tic^^ more and more. Well, if it be thu? with thee, yet remember, I. Thh this continuance in fin (notwithftanding our miferies) Wemayfur- nK'^y give us jufi fufpicion to fear that our Car regions come not p^donv corrc- frommercyy becaufe they go off with impenitencj. You ^eed ^ onsccm; not afcend into heaven, to pry wherher your chattifements come ^°^^"'"" "^''^°' out of the land of Indulgence or of Vengeance: when they. come from a merciful hand, they are affilkd with fome recove- ring^ and curing blelfing. The Prophet faith, That the Lord did ^. not [mite his people as he [mote others : and in two refoedls he m.^nifefts the difference ; one of Proportion, He did debate with them in w?f<t/}/r^,ver. 8. Another of Operation,v.9. By this fhall the- inicjuities c/ Jacob he purged; and this is all the fruit to take arvy his fins. God never ftrikes in mercy, but he in fome meafure bet- ters thefiiiner. Look as every outward good>if it comes in mercy, .
it
-3Q The Riotous ProM^alj fir
it j:roves aftep untomore holinefs ; fo every outward mifery, if it Wc msy fear come m mercy ,it proves a liop, nay an abatement of more iinf ul- our hearts »re nefs. 2,We mdj juftlyfear that our hearts are kardfied^for the foft bardncd. j;ieart will tremble with Jofah^ at a corredtion in a threatmng,and much more will it melt and amend when it is in execution, as he in Jolf 34. 3 1 . i have horn chafiijemeayl will mt ojfendany more^ But when the heart can feel wrath , as well as hear of it ^ and re- ceive the Itroaks with ftoutnefs, and ftrike God by iinning, when God (irikes it by puniihing ; is it not hardned, unfenfible, I had almoltfaid, defperate ? And is an hardned condition, a good or We treble our fafe condition ? '^, T>o we not trehk our accounts unto God by not accounts CO coming ojffiomfifis which have brought on our mlferles ? Now we ^^^* muft aniwer i. For the fins which brought down our correcti-
ons : 2. For the continuing in thofe fins itill. 3. For doing this, being corre(5ied thus for our fins ; not onely thy fins , but Gods puniilments ( being thus abufed ) come into the account, the Vineyard was reckoned with for th^ pruning ^ as well as the W- , ^ therlng, 4. And UiWy^fVhat can we leok^forfrom Gody when for-
lock for from ^^^ mlferles bring m not off from former fins? Chrifi faid, Sin no Godjwhenmi- more^ lea ft a worfe thing befall thee -, and will not a worfe judg- ferics do noc ment then attend us for worfe finnings? It is with divine puoilli- bring us off ^ ments,as with the melfengers of a difpleafed King, who in his name rem our ins- fi^jj^j^Qj^g yg ^q ^idd and become loial ; and if you defpife a few meffengers, they indeed may reLurn,but then more and greater are fent, perhaps not to parley, but todeflroy : If one punifliment brings not off from fin , it doth onely go back to fetch a greater^ and thou canii not tell but th^t the next meflenger may be death ^- it felf , and then fomihing vvorfe then dearh .
r ,^/^ 5 The 1 aft ufe which I will obfervefrom this point, is^ fincemi-
Apply our feWs ^^^^^^ ^^ i^<^^ alwaies bring men oif from fins, therefore to afflj to fuch waits our f elves tofuch wales ^ and to 2^tt thofe things under our mlferie^ under our mi-^ which may bring Us ojffrom our fins. In the general,tWo things 4P f«ricsj as may available hereto : i . ^fanBlfied heart ; until the heart be fan- from our fins. ^^*^^^' ^^" itpoffibly br«ak off from fin ? 2. ^fancilfied ufe; In general. you mufi not be fenflefs, nor yet impatient, but under every hand A landificd of God feek for dire6tion and bleffing from God:Secondly,'in par-' fecarr. ^ ticular,! conjedlure thefe things mainly conduce : 1, Repentance^
A fanaified^ule y,y)^i^^ y^^ ^^^^y ^^^^ -j^^q • ^ ^^^^^ branches : i . Serious confide-*'
RcpcTcaficc, " ^^^ion<^fth€prefent condition, andof theend of prefentaffli6H-
ons.
7he Sinners Averfion from God. ^ i
ens, 2. Solid humiliation. 3. Earnef^ praier. 4. Effedual re- formation 2. Love of Cody and more intire communion and de- ^^jy^ ^f q. ^ lightinhim,and mth him. Afflictions will drive you oltfrom God, unlcfs you love him.. Even a fmall ftroke is enough to mend and bring in a loving child. 3. F^ith to believe our pardon and p . acceptance. Nothing more avails with the foul to leave the courfe of fm^then when it can be ai lured if it comes back to God it ihali receive the pardon of fin. Therefore God generally propounds to his afBi6led people, an hope of mercy, as the great motive to bring them home from fin to himfelf by true repentance, Joe/^ 2, &c. All which are wrought by the Spirit of God in the ufe of the Word, and lli.all be given unto us, if under our miferies and (traits we do earneftly crie and pray unto the Lord.
^tai he fe/jt him into hu fields to feed Svp'iKe ] You have heard "^ of the Prodigals defign under his mifery to relieve himfelf 3 he did not return to his father,but /j/V;^^ himfelf to a chiz^en of a far conn- try. Now yee are to hear of the fuccefs of this defign, how muchr it mended his poor and f-imifhed condition, W^. nothing at all; and that will appear in two particulars : Onzlnthehafejlftsfsofhis fervid. That cltlz,e»fe»t him Into his fields tofeedfrvme. Of all creatures the moft nafty and filthy, thefe muft heferve, and none butthefe : his whole fervice was to be bafe, and therefore he is fent into the fields to perform it; any houlliold-fervice and home- fervice ( though mean ) had been tolerable. Another, in the no- thlngnefs of his reward or wages ; he did the bcifett fervice , and without the leaft husk of paiment : for it follows in verf i6,7hm he fain would have filled his belly with the hnskj that thefivlrje did taty a-f^d Ko man gave ttnto him. If he had had any thing afforded, ei ther to have nour iilied, or to h ave procured nouriilimsntjthous^h it h.id been but mean,nay the meanell: ; but to have nothing at all, for the fordidelKervice of all ; yet this was the fruit of his finful ^£;n, that he was fet upon a moil: b.^fe work, and without any profitorrelief at all; whence I conje6lure we may ohfervethis DoH:. 2., fecond conclufion, 7 hat the further men go on Infn^the worfi work^ The further they fha.ll find It to prove. You fee it a manifeft truth herein the [pc"soonin Prodigal, his fin drew down his penury ; notwithftanding this, he ^3j|[^[.^°[{^ proceeds to his fins, and now he is fent to the Swine, -&c. For the prove. ' better opening of this Aflfertion, premife with me feme ftvv parti- Here is prcmi?- ailars, H
A Suppofition Wicked men
The Riotous Trodigdlj or
I Tim. 1. 17. Levic.i j.8.
I Cor. 5.6.
P: or, 1 3. 3 J.
1. A fuffoftion^ VIZ. Ihat wickjdmen do tifeto goon w fin. They are laiu hi Scripture to proceed t'roin evu to vvorie> and to
ufe'Vo'Eoon in ^^ drtink^me^ to thlrfiy and to fill nfthemeafmeof inlqmyy fin. and to k^^ow mfhame^ and to revo^t more ardmore^ and to grow
worfe and worie, z'iim, 3. 13. therefore is lin in thtm compa- red to a Canker^ vvhxh frets frcm place to place, or eats up from p^rt to part ; inid to a fretting Lefrofie^ which dirfuieth it feif from a lefler to a I irger comprls ; and to a Plagne^ which by de- grees feizeth on all the fpiriis ; and to Leaven^ which fpreads over ail the h mp. And this is veriHed of them every way, whether they live in eafe, or live in mifery ; prof erity and eafe do but flelhthem the more, adverfity and puniilimentsdonottnrn them at all 5 fmiles or frowns, word or rod, mercy or mifery, neither of them do alter, but after both they yetputfonh, they will lanch further : As he in the ' roverbs concerning his Wine, fvhen I Jhall awaksy ^ '^^^^ fi^k. ^^ J^t <^g^'in^ that may be faid of evil men ; though they ha\e felt, many a fmart bl^w from God for iher finnings already, yet they will look back to this trade again, they will ft ill deal unjuftly : What David fpake in ano- ther Cc^fe, they will fully ad'l in this of Sin^ / will he yet more 'vile,
2. A Poll ion, which is this, 7 hough after fmifl:i(ient they will he yrogrejfive in fin^ yet they fhall never he fine cefif nil in fin : They may renew their work, but they fliall never amend their
. wages ; they may fet up again, but they fhall break again ; if
^et^r dialf ^^^^5 ^^^^^ ^^ S^^^^ '^ fhalcing, vyill build upon the fame founda- tion, they fhall find their future labours to end in the fame ruine : Nay, that's not all ; but as Jejh^^ah's curfe upon the man who fhould again build the City J mc^^, was, that He jhouldlaytht foundation thereof in his fir fi-horn ^ /ind in his jotingefi fon he fet up the gates of it^ J of. 6, 26. So will it prove to theperfon whofefinsGoddidftrivetodemolini, and overthrow by former punifliments, if he again will prefume to fet up the gates of them, recover them to their ftrength by future love, and further -progrefs ; he fhall befo far from being hereby more fuccefsfuJI, that his condition doth become more fearful! ; he doth lay his foundation again irl the ruine of his foul, and fhall build up. the gates with a greater curfe from God. Therefore you read of fixh who are entangled asain, That their latter end is worfe then
their
A pofition.
Tfloujh after ju'iilhmcnt men be pro
re yet cncy never be fuc cefsfuil.
The Sinners Averfion from Cod, 3 3
their hgiming, 2 Pet. 2. 20. Men are entangled again, when (either by the vigour of conrcience,or fliarpnefs of afflid:ion,c^c.) they have made a paufe orftop; but, like the retrained River, which climbs over the Dam, fo they get over thefe, unto their courfe of fmniflg again : Now faiih the Apoftle, thefe men fiiall never better their eiiates, nay, they make them the worfe ; the latter end of them, or with them, is worfe then the beginning.
Thirdly, know, That by progrefs in fm, after punifhment, projrefe in Gn the eftate is worfe, Tormally ^'judicially ^Eventually, i. For- 'aitVi%\)xtt- mMlyworf€: For, if fin be it which makes tiie eftate bad, then p*/* *^°'^''** more finning mult needs be that which makes the elhte worfe ; ^^^^ ^' as on the contrary, the additional? and incrementals of Grace, ( /.) when a man doth add one degree of grace to another, and rifeth in a better, and a ftronger, and fuller a6ling of grace, hereby the moral perfe6^ion of his foul is much more bettered and perfe6kd ; fo when the habits of fin admit of more love of fin, more exercife of fin, that a man doth go on from one fin to another, by way of addition, or in the frequent praclife of the fcime fins, by way of iteration, he cannot but make his finfull na- ture much more finfull, more filthy, and more vile ; as, when a man doth twine one thread upon another, or one cord upon ano- ther, he adds a greater firength unto it ; fo, when a man fh. ill rovvl and file one fin upon another, &f. by further progrefs in (Tn, 'the very pollutions are more fpread, and more eftaBlifhed, and n|ere enlarged, by it a man is always more under the pollu- tion i fin, and more under the dominion of fin, as the Profelytes were made ten times more the children of the Devil.
2. Judicially worfe '^ which appears in two particulars, viz,, J^^'^'}?^^^'.r.,
1. In a Dereliaim on Gods part; he doth more fadly leave fuch ^"*^*"^i*^^*
r 1 • -^ -in J -^ -i rr o- on on Gods
a loul, give It up to its ownluits, and its own vile aftections, pj„^
and unto Satan, to rule m'ghdiy and efficacioufly in fuch a child
of difobedience, who loves to adv^enture in a known vvay of curfe
and mifery5fo that the Lord may withdraw himfelf,and defert that
progrefllvely finning foul, and not aid and alTift it in cafe of molt
horrible lults, or of moft hideous temptatiotis. 2. In Condent- la Conkmni-
'/lation on Consciences part : For the progrefs in finning^, as at any "^-'^ o" C'^""
time,fo after the time of punifhment for fin, will make and raife a ^^^^""^ P*"-
louder cry, and a fiercer fentence from the confcience. A man
who will not re pent for the lafhes on his back, Ihall by his conti-
F nuance
34
The RUtOf^ Trodigal^ or
Evpitually.
Verba.
Vctbira.
Vulnscff.
Reafons.
Sin is 3 barren
and unprojpc- iQUSching.
nuance in fin, quickly feel thelafhes of Scorpions in his foul » as more guilt doth ariie from finfull pradiccs, fo more horrour doth enfue upon more guilt ; more: guilt is but like a great itorm at Sea, or like a great raging of a difeafe.
3. Eventually worfe : My meaning is, that by this continued finnings, he fKall not onely continue, but much more enlarge his outward miferies, and ftraits, and punilliments. / w/// fmlfh yoti- yetfeven times more, Levit. 16, Pharaoh itill hardned his heart, but God ftill fcUowed him with fofer Judgments, deftruilion of his fields, and then of his cattel, and then of his children, and at lengih of his ovn life. As it is with a Bird in a Net, the more fbe flutters and {iirs,the more is iliehamper'd and involved ; fo it is with the finner, the more he ftirs on in a finfuU way, the more doth he enwrap,, and intrap too, himfelf with greater mifchief. The Ifra^lhes did begin to murmur againft God j and God then- as it were did privately correct and chaftize them ; afterwards they did revolt from God, and then he did let loofe fome of the Candanltes and Mtdlamtes upon them, who did greatly diitrefs them ; at length they grew common in Idolatry, and very au- dacious i;i their Rebellions againll God, and then they were car- ried away captive by the Babylonian Armies : So that if you read" the HiRory of them, you (hall evidendy difcern, that every further finning of theirs, was nothing elfe but a further cn- g.'ging of themfelves unto -greater calamities, and as it were an adding to more cords wherewith they were more held and beaten.
If you now demand the Reafons, or caufes,, why that the fur- ther men go on in their finning after punifi^.ment, the worfe work they ll:iall find it to prove. I anfwer, the Reafons thereoFmay be thefe. I . Slfi is a mo ft barren and unfrof^erous thuig, who hath hardned himfelf agalnft God^ and frofpered ? faid lob p. ^. his mC'-^ning is this, that finning is no profperous and thriving way. It cannot be, that a man ihould go on in fin, and ye<" meet with profperity and good fuccefs ; and therefore Solomcn faith expref- ly. He that hardneth hps hearty fhallfall Into mifchief^ Pro. 2 8. 14. So that finning is not onely not -rofnerous, but it is alfo mifchie- vous;it will do a man a mifchief fcm^ime or other. Can a man ga- ther grapes of thl files ? faid our Saviour : It cannot be; for thiftles produ'ce blofibmes according to their kind, of a filthy and fharp
quality :
- -— — — — ^-— ^-— »— — — ^— ^— ^
The Sinners Averfion from God, 3 j
c[uality : But as for Grapes, which are of a fvveet and refreiliirg and delighting nature and virtue, they come not from fuch a root as a Thilile. Ccmfortjand bleiling, and peace,andprofperity, and good fuccefs, thefe cannot grow from a finfull courfe ; the land of iin is al'vyays a land of famine and barrennefs, and watered onely with clouds of wrathyand fet wi th thorns of vengeance, a land where- in a perfon muft not look to fe^ good. So that what the Lord faid ofComah^ Write that man chi/diefiy the fame miy be affirmed of every finfull way ; It is a barren, an accurfed, an unprofitable, an unfucccfsfuU way: No way to betcer, but the onely way to in- creafe wrath and punifl^ment to the finner.
2. Nay, fin is not onely a barren thing, unable to produce Sinfsaujj any good or bleffing, but fin is alfo a ver^ wicked things and fro- p^'ovokin j coking. The finnmgs of men, are the provocations of God to ^ ^"2* wrath and punilliment, and the more finnings, are (HU the greater provocations. How long ( faith God to Mofes of the Ifrae/kes ) will they provoke me ? Look as the froward and perverfe vvalking of a child provokes the parent ( /.) fiirsuphis difp'lec>fure and anger : So the finnings of men, they do provoke the Lord by them unto jealoufie and wrath, and ftir up his difpleafure againft them ; therefore it cannot be, but that if men go on further in finning, they iliould find a vvorfe thing of Mt ; for every finning is but as it were a further kindling of the fife, and a new inee'n- fing and provoking of the Lord ; and the more thaf-the Lord is provoked ngainft a flnner, the more mifery and pUnitliment is the finner like to feel from God.
■^. No fmtfhment which any pnner hath already felt, is a dif- Puniniments charge^ hut onely a part of gre^ater pmijhment yet df^e Unto him, ^^i^f^i^y^^h is As the firll-friiits were a pledge of thectxyp, We may hot ^^^^^l^arte think, that becuife God doth for precedent finnings a-ffl 'id and b^bfliS^* judge the finner in fome particular kind, therefore he is n6,Y fecured and difchirged for rhe time to come, as if God did net ititend" to.' reckon vvtTh him -fdr lifter' fi ^'nings ^ Butthis vve muft 'kPj^'- t//?/.-': irThnt in5nitC'''M'fiiIl' wrath 'is the due debt ^i the tnhifgrelin'g'Tbul: ; hot • one'' r^t , two punifliments, but all the teft^mTiies and degrees of vVMth. 2. That parti- cular «demonftntions. of Gods wrath, are no acquittances, but fitftei^ tehificit^s'of'a fiiHer vV-at'^^et behind, /f 7^ yet (hall 5i/lkicoF^tmry unthme f faith God ta thb Ifraeli ces, Lev, 16, 2 1 .) ^ ^'■•^' ■■* . , Fa wUl
^6 The Riotous Frodtgal^ or
roillfiimfh yoiifeven times more for yoAr fins, q.d. If ye will ^o on in finning, I will furely rife higher m puniiliing, I have great- er punilliments yet behind ; fo that if yo'u confider that debt un- to fin, which is the full latitude of punillinient, it muft be, that if the finner goes oninfm, he.iliall notdirive, but ftill become moremiferable. The Nature of ^* N'^Y? do but confider the A^4^//r^o/^/W;^7/^//V^ , and this Pivine Juftice.. ^^'^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^" ^^' Divine Juftice appears in two things, one in an Homogeneous Rembution , if I may fo phrafe it , according ta the qnalitj of ad: ions and ferfons. If thou dofi wei/y (halt thou not be accented ? and if thou do^ ill., fin Ijeth at the door^ faid God to Cainy there is an acceptance upon well doing, and vengeance for evil doing. The juii: God will recompence every man according to the quality of his work ; fo that in this regard the finning perfon , who doth not change his finful work, muft. . look for no other pay from God at any time, but thz wages for fin- ful work,which the Apoftle affures us in Kom.z, is tribulation and anguiili. Another is, A praportionable Retribution according to th^ ixtenfon of actions or works ;md therefore you read of more ftripes, according to the greatnefs of the fault in the knowingly difobedi- ent fervant. Now , as it were againft the natural retribution of Juftice, to give unto the wicked as unto the righteous ; fo it were againft the proportionable retribution of JuiHce, to repay either no punifiiment to a greater finner, or lefs puniHiment for greater finnings; That when he continues worfe in finning, he fliould either profper at all,or that the puniiliment fhould be more mittigated, when the offence is more raifed and aggravated.,. To inch that 5* L^fily? ^^^ would hereby teach all men-^ that no time , what^ no time i< ftfe focver^ i^f^f^ to fin : Before puniiliment come,it is not Mq to fin ; wfio, for we fee that finners do pluck down punifl men ts, and as it is
with thewinds,which bring the clouds,and fiy away; yet thedouds pour themfelves down on the eartii;fo the fins which-bringout the threatnings of God, though in refpedl of particular fa(^s, they are gone,yet the threatnings pour down many a curfe and mifery upon ftnners : and when puniilimcnts are off, it is nota fafe time to fin,, forafmuch as God is ftill as ready to punifii,as men are forward to fin ; as we may fee in the Ifraelites , whofe pride and murmuring caufed the earth t9 of en her mouthy and tofwallow up Corahy Dor thany &c. And the next day when they murmured again,.God prc- . fcntly
The Sinners Aver fwn from Cod. ^^
fently fent the Plague amongft them , which fvvept away many thoul'ands of them ; for as time is not allowed to fin, fo no time can at all feaire the finner from puniflimcnt.
Obje^, But now againft all this truth it may be obje6led, That vve^j^ no: lU vpe do not allwayts fe€ It fo : that men after puniiliment , making waycs fee k fo. progrefs in fm , find it to prove aworfework, inrefpectof- greater miferies and ftraits.. Nay, Secondly, We fee oftentimes the contrary..
Sol, I anfwer tothe firftpartof the Obje^lion, That you D'ftinguifli iBuft diftinguiih, Bttwixclm-
, > I. 'Twixt immediate fHmJhme^tymd twixt certain pmjhment ; mcdia:c, and' It cannot be denyed, but granted, that a worfc punifhmant com- ^^^*^" '^"" eth not alwaycs immediately unto the adventurous finncr : In- deed fometimes God doth fhoot an other arrow of puniiliment,as foon as the finner ilioots up a fecond arrow of rebellion ; as you read in the Ifraelites cafe of murmuring ; 1 fay, fometimes God doth thus, but alwayes he doth not fo. Sometimes he do:h fo, that, finners might know his Juftice can be quickly even, and meet with a daring finner ; but alwayes he doth not fo , becauf© that even great finners might ccjnfefs fomewhat of his great patience. Neverthelefs,there is a certainty of a worfe mifery un-- to the progreffive finner; for as when God defers a Mercy, it ufur ally comes down in a clufter ; fo when God defers a Judgment, it ordinarily falls dovvn in a thunder : he is therefore in the Pfalm^ faid to whet his fvcord. The whetting of the fword is but a time of preparation , and a putting on a Jliarper edge to give the deeper wound ; fo, &c. and he is faid to be righteous in recompenfing vengeance, therefore there is a certainty of a worfe punilhment.
2. Twixt F7y/^/f punifiiment, and i?^^/ punifiiment : though Bef^j^t-Vifi* to the eye of others, a man ra=iy feem either not to be , puniflied bicsnd Real at all, or lefs now in kis continued finnlngs then before : yet the puni&menr. . perfon may be more really puniflied then before; the mifery upon him may be a greater mifery , not for the quantity of the thing,but for the quality of his affeclion to the thing; for that evil is alwayes molt grievoufly miferable unto us, which meets us in our higheft way of Love,or clofefi fufpicion of fean And again, the greatnefs of the punifliment is as God mingles more wrath in the confcience at the time. Even a little outward mifery, if it he joyned with a greatly acaifing and condemning confci-
cncej>
38 7he Riotom Vrodigal^ or
ence, is amifery, more rhen all other mifcries befides. 0^/. But we ffic OljeEh, Yt^^ but we do fee^ that wicked men, who do continue the conn ary. their finnings more after their 'pum(hm^nt^ th/it their co^ditlo^s are fo far from being worfey th^-t the^ are mo ft merry and fr of per ? Sol. This is not SoL I. This is not always true^ hm onely infome^^nd but for fome always true. time. 2. Thefe very things prove to them very fore judgments-^ for the * for^^" by the abufe of them ( like an ill fiomach, which gath^s a furfeit wrsJ\ upon good meats ) they do more increafe their fmnings, and the
Tir ft or laft Wrath of God. 3 . Flrfl or laft they fhall know that it (hall not he they fliali liiid roe II with the rvlcked^ and that between a former punifhment and ic true. ^ greater theremay ftep in many mercies, as twixt the fits of a Fe-
ver, fome real numbers and paufes. .^/-^ Now I proceed to the Appi'caron of this Point, which fhall
€on*;jdion of ^^ ^^^ Conviction, i. Of the vanity and deluding frefumftl" The vanity on in the heart of [inner s^ who imagine, that worfe they cannot and deluding be, and as much mifery is befallen them as can be, and there- prerumption of fore thcy will on to their /ins again. Let us not deceive our CDciinncr. felves j that God with whom we are to deal, is of infinite power and wrath, and the conscience of a guilty finner is capable of in- finitely many miferable imprelTions. The Bee m^^y leave her fting in the flefh, and fo be difabled, &c. Therefore \tt no man foy as ^g^g-i Surely the hitter nef of deaih is pa ft ; you know So.- mml prefently herped him in pieces he fore the Lord in Gil gal. Alas! thou knoweii not the wraih which is 'yet behind. God doth never fully manifeft his wrath upon any finner in this life ; nor doth he punifh him fo in any kind, but that a greater judge- ment, a worfe things as Chrifi: fpake to him in the Gofpel, may - yet befal him. Confider, that as greater judgments are yet behind all the punifhments which we have felt ; fo it is Gods method to begin low , but to end his work of Judge- ment heavily: he doth by fome lighter aflB'!6lions skirmifh with a perfon, or a Nation, and if they yield not, then he will bring the great Army of his Plagues and Judgements* And again, know , that multiplication of fins is a jufi caufe for the addition of Juc^gements. Eenewed finnings are al- wayes the more hainous, and (irong.in deferts ; but fenew- ed finnings after punii^.ment for fin , are' yet of a deep- er dye , becaufe They rellfh mtic^ rf Frefimption ; though God hath already- teftified his difpleafure, yet the finn'ei? . . will.
7he Sinners Averfion from God, 3^
will adveniure on his wrath, and p:ovoke him agAiii. Theyr^- ceive Hmver[iil condemnation ^ the inner now iins againftail the waies of recovery ; the JVordof Cod which c.illed upon him to be wife, and to receive intkudion,and to return unto him that fmote; The pHniJhment or rody which did tender iiim the fins which bi ought this upon his back ; The mercy of God which drew- otf the wrath, and though it might have been a deftroying Avord at once, tiiat deltruction fhould not have rifen up the fecond time, yet it fo wrought with the maikr, that he woul(i try the (inner yet a little longer, thou mightft have been ^miong thedead,yea among the damned for thy former finnings, ye: mercy hath fo tempered juftice, that time is left thee to repent, and this fpace thou abufefi to fin again; yea, though juiiice met with thee for them already,yea though mercy releafedthee yet a little longer,yea though thou qMH confefs thefe (ins, yea though thou wert greatly troubled for thefe; {ins, yea though thou didft r^^folve againfT thefe fins ; and if thou thus iinneil more, will not thy punifliment be greater ? Doth not God hate fins now as well as 'then? Or if thou be greater in tranf- grefrions,will he be lefs in juliicePCanfl thou exped mercy fhould come more eafily>>when fin is raifed more deeply. He that being often reproved hardneth his neckSSi\ th Solomon^ Trov, 29. i . ) fhall fuddenljf be deftroied^andthat witho'At remedy: The fame may be affirmed of being punifhed f ufually perfeverance in fin after pu- nifhmentjbrings a fudden and a fore deflrudion. God hath many arrows which flie over the heads,and after that hee haih arrows to wound the hearts of his enemie?. You know that there be not one- ly warning-pieces,but murdering-pieces in theroial artill ery.The ■ punilliment which a man hath already felt fo: his fins, are but fo many warning-pieces to repent, to return from (in^but \i men will harden their hearts,there are murdering-piece>;God can io deeply ■ fbike, that defb:u3:ion fhall not rife up the fecond time..
2. The fecond conviition fhall be oi B^ty \ If the further CoviaknoP men go on in fin, the worfe rhey fh.iUfpeed ; then let us learn a ^ -*■>'. double duty ; i . To avoid fuch things as will occ ifion a further progrefs in fin after punilliment. 2. To appl y our felves to fuch A vuii^ waies as may take us oflffrom finning being punillied. i. Vitan- da^ The things vyhich we muft avoid as occafioning a further pro- grefs in fin are thefe i. Ignorant MifconfiruftioH ;^ if Gods i^noranr m'f-^ arrows did flyeout as his, who ihot at an adventure, and lighted conftruaicn.
on
/p The Riotaus Prodigal^ m
pviuc.
on t^yihabSo that our punilliments are but meer cafual things; na- ked a6^s, but no leffons. Nay brethren , if we had but an ear to hear, every afflidion and puniflnment hath a voice to fpeak ; this may be faid of every punifliment, what Ehud faid to hghn ; A h**ft'c I ^ ^^^'^^ ^ meff^gs unto thee from God, 2. -^theifiical pride ; as Pharaohy who is the Lord^ that I ftould^let Ifrael g!j ? When a perfon will exalt himfeif in the times of wrath, and will not trem- ble nor fear before the Lord , but flights the operation of hi? hands, and for all this will not lay to heart the hand of God, alas, this makes way /or finning. ^Frcward im- 3* ^'''oTvard Impatience ; when perfons are fenfible of puniili- paticncc. ' ment, but vex againft God, who Itrikes fo clofe, yea and like that King in the fir ait. This evil is of the Lord , why fhould I wait on the Lord any longer f When men will forfake God becaufe hee doth punifh them, this is a further fin, and makes way for more fmning. The foul,vvhich is moft apt through a murmuring impa- tience to question God, will be apt through a prefumptuous con- fidence to fin againft God; in the dead fea there is leaft failin*^, and in the raging fea, there is moft fliip-wracking. Bmpiy confcf-/ ^-^^p) confejfions^\y\izXi perfons fatis fie themfelvs with words, f ons. ~ 3nd a meer form of Repentance , putting on for the time a grave
countenance, and fetching a figh , and dropping a tear , and ac- knowledging that. all is not well ; but all this while they fearch not to the root, they do not ftrive x.o examine their hearts, to hum- ble them, to cleanfe and reform them ; and what then can be ex- pefted, but upon fom^ convenient occafion the old heart iKould return to its old waies and courfes? Pharaoh confefTed that he and his people had finned^ but ftill he hardned his heart, and would not let Ilrael go : Hypocritical humiliation or repentance, becaufe ri- fingfrom mutable caufes, lafts not long, nor changes t]>e difpofi- tion of the foul. The fore which is but covered and not cured, will break out again. Ncgligeat re- 5» Negligent remiffions -, An heart which likes not to change «iflions. its courfe, may yet for the obtaining fomefpecial good, give out unto the doing of much good, and for the removal of fome evil, ^ make a ftop of much fin. You may obferve , that fometimes in the heat of a punillnment , how our hearts ( perhaps ) fall down before the Lord , and we are very urgent on him, -and very diligent ; fpend much time in his fervice^ and a
"kind
The Sinners An^erfion from Cod, 41
kind of vvcitchful tendernefs is come upon us againft fin , but then we let fall ourhands> and our candle quickly burns mure dimly, cur task abates, our affedlions grow flack, our purpofes, our fervi- ces wear awa}', and we begin to grow as forward to our fins as be- fore : the liking of God, and of his waies and fervices cool , and finful occa fion.^ grow as pleafing and acceptable. Remember it, that man will be quickly bad, who grows negligently good, and the foul which is weary of Gods fervice, \s ready for fins
work. Partial R fe -
6. Partial refnvatlons; when men in or after punifiament will y^ i»n$. profefs againfl the great bulks offinjand as Pharaoh (at length )was willing to let the people go,but to ftay the little children^fo we wrl bid defiance, andfeem to take refolution againft our former great iniquities,in the greatnefs of them,but yet we will keep back and not part with fuch and fuch things , which perhaps formally are not finful, but occafionally they may ( to our corrupt atfeclions ) prove fo. Why ' how can it be but fuch a foul lliould make yet a progrefs in fin, who refervs ftill an incendiary motive, a quick and captivating incentive unto fin ? The river will quickly over-fpread and fill the channel if you give it way.- Ipare but your felf in occa- fions, and they will bring on firft thelelfer trials of fin, and the lefler trials will quickly ingage you to greater adventurings , and fome adventurings will eafiLy bring you to your old courfes.
In the fecond place let us affly ourfc/vs to fuch wales as may Olrcdions. take iu off from pnmng^ yet more after fumfhment y which you have heard doth make the condition yet worfe. The direilions which I would commend unto you, are thefe :
I. In all ^umfhment for f ml ng follow the wrlty of en /V, and fee ^^ allpunifli- whofe name is In It ; my meaning is^ enquire into thy felf, fe.irch "^^"y^"^ |*" ' diligently fo: whofe fake this evil befals thee ; as the Mariners in ^^juf^^ fonah concerning the tempeft, they did caft lots, that they might know for whofe caufe that evil was upon them ; fo fhould we in theprefenceofourpunifhment, when Gods hand is in any kind upon us, fearch and lift up our hands unto God , to fhew us the fpecial reafons of his wrath and indignation ; for though earthly parents do many times inconfiderately in pafTion chaftize their children after their own pleafure,yet God doth it wifely and never without caufe; we may fay of all our punifhment what the Prophet faith to the Ifraelites, Jfr.4. 1 8. Thy way and thy doings have fro-
G (tired
42 The Riototu ^rodigal^ or
€iired thefe thi^igs unto thce^ this is thy w'lckjdftejsy &:c. Puniili- m^nts never prove reformation^ until firft they be informations; they never cure the heart, unlefs firft they clear the eye : We mull firil fpell the Leffon, before we can take it forth ; there- fore this do, if thou canft not find thefpecialty of thy provoca- f( tions, I. Look thy affiiclions and punilliments well in the
face ; perhaps thou mayeil in them fee the very feature of thy fin which hath caufed God to punifh thee ; very ufually,that punifli- ment which is a Rod, is alfo a Glafs, it ihevvs us the fault for ' which we are lafhed. 2. Obferve thy fdf in the eftate when thy punifhment doth come ; do but recai thy bent of heart, courfe, ways, imagination, devices; fometimes a man is taken by the punishment, when he is dealing in a way which doth more especially provoke God.. 5. Perufe the Word, and well Pares culpa, confider what fins have brought downfuch kind of punifhment. Fares f«n<s» q^^ Jq^.]^ many times keep his courfe of the fame punifhments with the fame fins ; elfe the ApoiHes dehortation of the Corlmht- ^/^j-from Idolatry and Uncleannefs, which was the Ifraeiltes fins, for fear of th e like puni Aiments, were fomwh at vain. 4. Laf il y, Regard the firft and more frequent verdids of thy ovYn confcience,. There are two times when Confcience deals more home and faith- fully with us : One is, when we are to die ; Another is, when we aretofuffer ; in a time of judgment and affliilion, we find, as Jofephs brethren did, the remembrance of former evils, Surely this is befallen us hecaufe of our brother^ &c. faid they : So our hearts tell us, Well, afliiredly this comes upon me for my Swear- ing, for my Drunkennefs, for my Uncleannefs, formyCove- toufnefs, c^r. Whenthefn* ^* ^^^" Y^^^ ^^^ ^^^ brought to light, that you can fay, difcovered, so Here is my punifhment, and there are my fins ; then go to God to God in an with them, to him that fmote thee, By mofv humble and broken bumbe confer Confeffion^ that thou haft done wickedly, butthe Lord hath dealt fioucfr. moft righteoufly ; acquit him, but condemn thy felf: Accufe and indite thy finning foul ; O Lord, thus and thus have I fin- ned and provoked thee, &€. Deal ingenuoufly with the Lord, and freely confefs unto him, and never leave, until thy foul be afflidedfor finning, as well as thy body ; until thou c-inft griev^e a thoufand times more for thy fins, than for thy punifhment ; for the diHionour which God hath felt by thy finnings, than for
■ - the
I
The Sinners Averfton from God, 45
the fmart which thou fecleft under thy puniHiments. By mofi q^ ^q q^j \^
vehentent and conflant Petition*, and that for two things efpecial- carneftpccitioa
ly, viz. for
I. Reconciliation with that God whomthoti hafl fo much provty- r> . «^'i;«: 111 / />• . -, r r r ■ \ A r4/ /^ Kcconciiiati-
ked by thy fimnngs : As Mojes laid to Aaron^ lalie aCenfer^ on.
^nd pit pre therein from 0^ the Altar^ and goquickj)' to theCon^ Numb. 164^. ff'^gation^ and make an attonement : So Jet us Ipeedily itrive to reconcile our felves unto the Lord, befeeching him to love us freely, to receive us gracioufly, to pardon us for his own fake, to remember our fins no more, not to contend with us for ever, but to c^ft our fins into the depths of the Sea, and mercifully to be our God. And in this bufinefs of reconciling our felves with God,_ take notice, i . Of the merit oriom carafe of ity which is the bloud of Chrift, called therefore our attonement^ Rom. 5. and our Propitiationy i Joh. 2. i. Now befeech the Lord to look on thee in Chrift, and to remember the bloud of the everlaliing Co- venant, which was (hed for the remifTion of fins, and to make peace : Befeech him to be reconciled unto thee in and through - Chrifl: , and do thou ftcdfaftly trull unto him by faith for it. 2. Of the means of it. To the Word, to Prayer : O be earneft for fuch difpofitions upon which the Lord will feal mercy and fprgivenefs. He will be gracious to the cry of the mournfuU foul, If a. 30. i p. and to the penitent, 2 Chron.
2. San^lficatloH : Alas, if the Lord fliould lay upon thee Sandification. as many and as great plagues as he did on Pharaoh^ and iLould they come as thick on thee as on him, or any that ever thou didfi: read of ; yet if the Lord did not give thee a fan6lified heart, or if the Lord did not co-operate with the afflictions in a fandli^ fying way, thou wilt be fo far from defifting, that thy heart after a while will grow as wicked as before. It is not abfo- Uitely the punifhed foul, nor is it abfoliitely the troubled con- fcience, nor is it abfolutely all that we can fee or fiy which will divert bur future courfe of finning ; but it is the fandi- fied heart, the new heart, which will mike us to leave old fins, and live new lives : Therefore to the Lord muft We go un** j -
der our afHidlions, and befeech him to open our ear to difci- ■*
pline, and to purge away our iniquities, and to mike us part.ikers of his holinefs, and fo to eaufe us to bring forth the more peace-
G 2 able
44 ^^^ Riotous Prodigal^ or
able fruits of righteoufnefs : and note this, Th=it all mismuftb^ done not in a fit , for a little time, but habitually ; we muil not ceafe confefTmg, until we can heartilv mourn ; we mull not ceafe confeiTing, mourning, praying, until we find the Lord reconcil- ed unto u.s, and our hearts changed and renewed. Now thofe Sanaificd fan6lified Quplitics,. which more fpecially a punilTied finner Qualities to be ih'.uld beg, to divert him from prngrefs in fin, and to turn him ^^W^' off from fin,. I conjecture are th.f- ; i. Hearty contrition for fms
Hearty Con- ^^a , He-whois a merry Penitent, proves an e.^fi^ Delinquent : pj^^ it tormer finnmgs be no Grief, future hnmngs \yi11 be no Fe.ir ;
he will never with ftedfaftnefs learn a good Courfe, who can without mournfulnefs come off from a bad Way. Beg of God Real Convcr- ^^^ ^^^ ^^ "iXi^t thee fenfible and mournful. 2. Real Convert iion. ^''^ • That the very frame of the Mind, Will and Affedions be
changed ; the Frame more then the Form : that thou become a AfincercLovc new Creature, get a new heart and Spirit. 5. Ajincere love of ic God. God : If thy heart knows not yet how to love God, it never for-
gat how to go on in Sin ; there is nothing which heals the Soul of Sin, fo as the L:>ve of God : this fets the hertonhim and makes \x. to cleave unto him, and tender to pleafe Solid Rear of hJm. 4. Solid fear of God .- A reverent awe, both of his good- ^°^* nefs and of his greatnefs ; this will ftrike off fecurity, and hard-
nefs, and prefumption, and fet us in Gods prefence, and keep the confcience tender, and increafe humblenefs, &c. ^. Watch- Witchfulmfs^ /«/;;^y} over our fpecia! corrnftions ; which, if any, will mike us to allcorrupt^^*' ^'^l^^^ooneft. Do not forget how much they did provoke God ©US. already, and how affuredly bitter they will prove, if thou doli re-
fume them.
y^yC j^ j^nd he f am would havt- filled his hslly w'th the hushj that the
Swine did eat^ axd no man gave unto him,
Thefe words comprehend in them two things, F/r/?, The utmofi: defign of the finf ul Prodigal , ^ He woiildfmn have filed his belly with the huskj that the Swine did eat.
Secondly y The utmoli difappointment, of that utmoli defign, And no man gave unto him. According to either of thefe,. there are two Propofitions obfervable by us ; viz.. That a finner will go through, and try the utoioft extrciiiitics and vvayes ere he. will
return
The Smners Averfton from God, 45
return from his fins. 2. That nothing /haJl zv^il the iTiuffling and trying finn^r, untill he do-h return from his fins. When the Lord forukes a man, nothing avails to help a m:in.
That ajtnner -will try all wayes^ a»dgo through theuimofl ex- jy^^j. j tremities^ ere he will return from hii jms. The Prodigal here Alii»ncrwill fperids ally yet he returns not ; he is finched withfamwe^ yet he try sil way-s,to. .returns not ; he joyns himfelfvphh aCitix^en^ and he fends him thcutm.lt tx- to feedSrv'we^ yet doth he not return: if he could have got cr«ni»ti:s^crchc but the husks which the Swine did eat; husks are but poor, from his fins, empty, light things , miferable nouriilmient ; but if he could have made any il*aft, any way to have fupported himfelf,he would not have returned unto his Father. Thus you read of Pharaohy that though there were a Climix of plagues upon him, and won- ders of ruine upon his Land,and Cattel,and Servants , rinng like a Tide and Flood , yet till it came to his firft-born, and the next ftrokew.is to reach his own life, he would not obey the Voice of the Lord in letting of Ifrael eo ; like obftinace defendants in a City, which will lofe one Outwork after another, and fufe the Underm'ning of their Walls, ere they -will come to terms of Capitulation. So we read of the Ifraelites before the Captivity, how extremely they did endure a very fucceffion of Judgments, and variety of ftrange punillim-n s before they would return ? Amos 4. 6. Cleannefs of teeth^ and want of hreitd ; yet have, thea^ not returned tcme^ faith the Lord. Ver. 7. Rdin was with- held^ andgreatfcarcity was thereof water ; yet, Ver. X. Have ye not returned tome, Ver. 9. Smiting^ with l?la flings and mil- dejVy and the Palmer worm^ yet. &c. V<ir. lO. Fejillence after the manner of Egypt ^ and the Sword -^ yet have ye not returned, Ver. II. Overthrowing forne of them as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrha^ and pulling forne of them as a frehrand out of the burning ; yet have ye not returned unto rm^ faith the Lord. And thus was it with them after the Captivity, all the fimi-ne and mi- fcries, which they fuffered in the Siege, where the mothers were- forced to eat their children of ajpan long. Lam. 2. And all the mer- cilefs devourings of thefword,and all th. kinds of deftroying fick- neffes,did not turn them to the Lord agunil whom they had fin- ned; but after all, they fpend the utmoft of their pollicies forfafe- ty, running mto Lgyft^ flyi^^g unto ^y^^r ; they tryed all forts of fruitlefs confidences, before they would return unto the
Lord;
4^ The KiotoU'S Prodigal^ or
Lord, therefore doth the Lord threaten to hedge their waysmth thorns y and to make ^ wall that they Jkall not find their paths, HoC 2.6. ( i) he would caRthemupon fuch a condition that they rhouldnotgoany further, or if they did, they ijhould have little eafe, they fhould walk as upon thorns, upon continual prickings and woundings ; and all this muft be done before they will return to their fir ft hmhand^ verf. 7. Now for the clearer opening of this Afl'ertion, confider of thefe particulars : This is to be !• Ihat h is to he under ft ood of the natural ten^^er of the finner^ ui:dci flood cf The finner may be confidered two wayes under extremities : As the natural effe[iually aftljied hj the yr eventing grace of God^ which \s> o£ tcrrjper or tbe iurpalTlng vertue to renew the foul, and to conquer its ftubborn- nefs and averfnefs, and efifedually to perfrvade and draw in the heart to yield unto God, and to give up its weapons of lufts. The which grace ( if God infufeth ) at any time whe- ther before, or under, or after alBidions, then the finner doth not wander in the paths of perverfnefs, nor doth he hold out fo long, but in ftead of trying all ways to continue in his fins, he will fpeedily aflay all the ways to be freed from them. As left unto his own corrup: fpirit^ and the projects, contrivances and ways there- of. . And thus it is with him, like a befieged enemy, which will retreat from hold to hold, and difpute every inch of ground, before he will give up the City : So is it with the finner, his heart will devife one defence after another, and he ha"th yet an- other fhifr, though he be many times hardly befet in his name, or in his eftate, or in his body, yea, or in his conference. And God doth narrowly watch over h'm, and doth fpoil him of his many f.ilfe confidences, and deals more fmartingly with h'm to yield and return ; yet he hath not onely much fubtilty of fpirit behind to delude all, but alfo he hath exceeding ftubbornnefs of fpirit to oppofe all the means which are ufed for his conver- sion. j^ A- ,, e 2, fVe muft dlfiingfiifh of the ways wherely God doth deal the wayes ^ with a finner \ which are of two forts : Some are r/^^^nW^'^/.r, whereby G)-:! wherein the Lord undertakes the conqueiiof the heart him- doth deaiwiih felf by the imm.ediate power of his own grace, to pluck 2 finner, ^^^^^^ Hrong holds, and to caf^ down high imaginations ; upon
which, as the converfion of a finner doth infallibly enfue, fo likewife prefently and fyeedily -; for this way- exceeds, the
flrength
the Sinners Averfion from G(rd, 47
jftrength of rebellion in fin, and in defpite of it overcomes the heart.. It is the itronger man difpoflelfing, and the llronger hand puUing us out of tlie powers of darknefs. Others are j^orai wajes^ which confiit onely in external means ; not in theinfufing of grace,, but rather in the propofal of it, and in- vitations thereto bycounfel, reproof, threats, rewards, andfe- conding this propofal with feme or many raiferies : the Pro- portion, Thi^t a fmer mil ufe all the wayes and methods ert he will return from his fmSy. is to be underftood onely, when God deals with him in a moral way, by the prefence of means onely, ( not otherwife ) for which his corrupt heart may be too
ftroiig.
3. Wemiifidtftwgm(hofttirmKgfromfin: It is two-fold, ei- DiftinjuiHi of ther Hypocritical^ and feigned ; and thus many times at the turning trom firlt, upon the very denunciation of a Judgement, as ^/j^^ ; or upon the perception of it, as Jerolfoam, when his hand was flrucki evil men may feem toconfefs, and to grieve, and to forfake fin,, and to feekunto the Lord, and pretend to ferve him. jRealy and folid; when the heart is truly aite6led with a found detefhtion of fin, and the occafions thereof ; and with a fincere atfeclion of. love to God, and endeavour of new obedience , Though,the for- mer may bz aded by the finner without the applying of himfelf ' to the utmoll extremities, yet the latter is not. ^
4.. There are two forts of fms in a perfon : Some which are there are two moitufeief^y either for the profit, or for the pleafureof the fm- fores of fins i.i ne:;-they are not the favourites : Others are mort fpecia/y which > perf«^n. are wrought into fingular affe6lion ; the cuiiomeof pra6life, and the much experience of their d.imnable delights and revenues have exceedingly indeared the foul unto them. Though a (inner might more eaiily be upon parting terms with an unprofitable fer- - vant, an unferviceable Cm ; yet when the divorce is to be made; twixt him and his fpecial luft, the (in of his love and airertion, the fin which lies in his bofome, this he will not eafily part with. A man will endure much pain ere he will part with his right hand, orfutferhis right eye to beplucktout ; he will ftir much, and rage much, and proje6V much, and adventure much, ere he will be perfwided to let this Benjamin go from him.-
. . ^. There are two kjnds of f/djifience .- One is comfgrtaiflejWhtrc-^ v a^ f'7 h^al m a perfon hadi many fupports, ev-en of a chearfuU and a plen ti- {^^^^e.
full
^8 The Riotous Fndigal^ er
full living, his cup runs over, and his head is anointed with oil. Another is akfolme^ vvhen there is no more then to keep foul and body together : The proportion is true, even in this latter fenfc. That a imne-r , though God doth {have off and fufpend all the Comforts of his life, and doth reduce him fo fhort, that there re- mains no more then upon what he can live, if there remains but any one fprig on which he can take hold, if he can devife any one method of fafety , fo that he mayimagin I iliall yet live and be fafe, though I go on in fm , he will not turn in unto God now, and leave his iins, but will live the bafeft of lives, rather then he will relinquilli the worft of lives ( a fmful life) he will walk in rags, and beg his bread, and leave all his friends , and become an out-caft , and a companion of the moft ignoble and infamous wretches, rather then, &c. This true of aU . <5. This propoCiiion holds true of all forts of extremities : /«- forts of Excrc- ;vardj in thofeof confcience ; a (inner oft-times will rather en- ™"'*^' dure the fharp edge of the Word, which fpeaks nothing but wrath
and bitternefs , yea he will live under the galling Items, fevere frowns, bitter accufations, intolerable fcourgings, and terrours and condemnations of his confcience, though his confcience ma- ny times upbraids him in fociety, amazeth him afleep, terrifies him in the dark, condemns him for a wretch, and claps on him the apprehenfions of Hell, which makes the foundation of his foul to quake, yet it falls out frequently that he will not turn from his iinful courfe.- Outward in all the kinds of mifery. A mans finful wayes may be like the putrifyings of the body which be- get the worms, that eat it out, and confume it : fo the finnings of a perfonmany times do rot and confume his name, yea, all his eftate ; yea, all his amity ; yea, all his ftrengrh, and yetthrorgh the affe(Stionate combination of his heart with (in, he may rather indure inf^^my, fcorns, poverty, defertion of friends, famine and nakednefs, any thing rather then he will leave his Cm ; the wick- ed know no fhame. Pharaoh did not fet his heart fo: all this, &c. This true not 7. Laftly, This is true not only in a tranfcient and faffionate only in a tran- /f/^/^^when through the rage of fome prefent diftemper and fury,a fienc and pafli- perfon will hear no counfel (this is tme of Nations as well as Per- lijtTn^t more ^<^"0"^^ regard any dealing, but is violently on a fudden carried a- pe^manenc and ^vay with the ftrong tide , or ftorm rather, of his foolifh mind and deliberate fenf. palTions.-But it holi true likewife in a more prmanent and deliberate
• ' ferfe
The Sinners Averfion from Cod, ' ^9
fenfe : When a (inner is exempted from the times of rafhnefs , and is able to fee and judge of his vvayes a"nd courfes to be finfuL Yet is it poilible, that he may fuffer not a little, but much evil ; rot in one kind , but m manifold kinds ; not for a lliort tim- , * but for fome long duration ; many weeks, yea, perha^ s mmy years , ere his heart doth yield to return from his iinful w/yes to God Thus briefly have you the Explication of. the AfTerti- on. Now I will touch two things more, and fo proceed to the Application. One, how this may be manifefted to be true : A- noiher, why it is, or fhouldbe thus with a finful heart.
Quell. I. Hgw it may affCAr^ that ajir^fnl ferfonwiUtry all^ H wtb's &c. erehewillretHrn? appeactobe
So/, It may manifeftly appear, if you confider thefe particu- true.
lars.
1. The patient contmHat'ion of fpirtttial m€ans^ without any By the conti* frtiit of Comjerfion: God hath ufed inceflant means, and follow- nuance of Spi- ed and preifed uponfinners by his Servants,the Meflen^ersofhis ''*:"^^ °^^*"* Word many tunes, and for a loi^ time, yet they repented not, ^^^.^ ^^ ^^j^, nor turned from their fins. 2 Chr. 36. 15. The Lord God 0/^^.^^. their fathers fent to them by his Meffengers^ ^ifi^g ^p betimes and
[ending : he did fend, and fend again. Ver. i <5. Bfit they mocked the Mejfengers of Godj and defpifed his wordsy and mlfufed his ProfhetSy until there was no remedy. So Matth. 25. ^7, O Je^ rufa/emj Jerufalem , thoH that kjllefi the Prophets, andftonefi them which are fent unto thee ; how often would I have gathered thy children together ^even as an Hen gathereth her chickens under her wings ^ and ye would not ? Rom. i o. 2 1 . ^nd to Ifrael he faith , All the day long I have fir etched forth my hands unto a dlfobedl- ent and gain faying people,
2. The large expeEiatlons of God^ for the returning of [inner Sy'^^\}^i\^xott without any fuccefs : Luke i 7.7. Behold^thefe three years I come expeditions of feeklng fruit on this figtree^ and find none, Num.14, ii. The ^^o^^o^^bc Lor df aid Unto Adofes, Ho^^ longwlU this people provoke me ? and ^^^^l^^,\f^r how long will It be ere they believe me^ for all the fignes which I facccfj. have fheyved amongthem ? Ver. 27. How long (hall I bear with
this evil Congregation which murmur agalnfime^ Jer. 4.14. 0 Jerufalem^ wafh thine heart from wickednefs, that thou mayefl^ be faved', how long fhall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee, Hof. ^.5. How long will it be ere th^y attain t& innocency ? Jer. i .?• 27.
H 07^-
50 The RiotOtts Frodtgal^ er
P Jerufalem , wUt tho/i not he made clean ? when jhall It QKce he ? By the lonj -^ ^he long and. exceeding complaint $ of God cencermngjinner^ »
com fgV'^'"^ That he is forced aili to bear vvuh them ; inioinuch that their • GocT' concern- ^^"^^i"^^^ finnings have grown (as it were exceeding of Gods pati- inj finncrs. ence) too much for God to bear any longer \ Amos 2. 1 3. / am ■frejfed under yoa^ as a Can is frejfed that Is full of Sheavef^^ Jer. I ^. d. Ihou haji forsaken me^ faith the Lord y thou art gone hackward^ therefore will I fir etch out my hand agalnfl thee* I am weary of relenting, Ifa. 43. 24. 1 hon hafl made me to ferve with thy fins ; thou haft wearied me with thine ini- qmties, Bythenon- 4* ^^^ Non-fluffes (if I m^yfo phrafe it) that wicked and piuflfs tbat ob- obfttnateferfons^ hy continuing m their fins ^ have pit God unto: ftinate finncrs Hof. 5. 4. O Ephraim^ whatfhall I do unto thee ? Q Judah , bavc put God yphat [hall I do unto thee ? for your goo dnefs is as a morning cloudy ^'^* and as the early dew it goeth away. This is an Antropopathy ,
a fpeech after the manner of men. Not that God doth not know what to do ; but he expreffeth himielf after the manner of a perfon who hath ufed all the wayes and means to reclaim ano- ther, and yet the other, though ibmetimes cunningly he pretends a reformation, falls away again. Now, faith a father, fuch and fuch wayes have I ufed, and fuch wayes, and nothing doth avail ; my fon (iiU is wicked, he runs on from evil to worfe ; I know not what to do with h^m, lean think of no courfe, &c. So, Ifa. 5. 4. whatcosild have been done more to my Vineyard^ that I have not done in it ? wherefore when 1 looked for grapes^ hr ought it forth wild grapes. By the Dcfpa'r 5. Nay, the kjnds of Defpair (as it were) which God hath con- which God celved after many dealings , to do any good ^ or 10 reclaim them hitb conceiv- fj^Qj^i finful waye<? : Hof. 5. i ^r. ^ w/// ^0 and return to my place, edjaftcrmany j(%j j - why (hould ye he firicken anymore^ ye will revolt more any sood. ^^^ ^^^^ ^ J er. 2 3 . :^ 9. / rvill utterly Jorget you^ and l will for-
fakjyou; reprobate filver (hall men cali them, Bythofcfare- 6. YQ^-,thofe dying knells and farewel wljhes and refolutions wel willies and of God,becaufe of the impenitency of perfons^demonHrates this r^°i"i!'°'^V^f ttuth. Expoftulations upon utmoftterm^;, fvfyy will ye dye ? tbetlmpenV^^ And, Tou [hall dye in your fins ; andl will for fake you j and I sency, " rvill utterly deftroy you, Luke ip, 41, H^ beheld the City , and
wept
The Sinners Averfion from God* ^ 51
ypeptoverh', Ver. 43. Othat thonhadfl kj^ow^y eventhopiy at the leafi tn thu thv da^y the thifigs which belong iinto thy peace • hat now they are hid from thine eyes. Gen. 6. 3. My Spirit fhail not alwayes f^rive with him,
7, LafUy, It may appear that finners will try all vvayes ere Bythcmu!d< they turn, and endure much, By the multiplication of many plication of Judgments , and repetition of manifold calamities. The many many Jud j- vvedges which are knockt in one after another, fhew that the o^^n^s* wood is tough and unyielding : this giving pill after pill, ihews that the corrupt humor is ftrongly rooted, Mic, 6. i j. / will ' make thee fck^ injmitingthee^ bccanfe of thy Jins. So that when all is done andfuffered, God muft lay and do what he promi- fes in I fa, ^j, 17. I was wroth with him^ andfmotehimy 1 hid mey and was wrothy and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart, Ver. 18. 1 have feen his wayes and will heal him. When all is done, one thipg more God muli do, he m'lft come into the heart, and over-rule, and heal, and turn it, and then it jQiall be turned.
Qh. 2. Now for thefecond Queftion, Why it fhould be thus, yyhy it Is thus, that linners Oiould try all ihe wayes, and indure to the utmoft ra- ther then to turn from their fiinful courfes ?
I anfwer. It is not either, i.Becaufe finis fuch an Excellent "fc^'snot^ thingy or really beneficial to the foul; by reafon of which ex- fc^irb- fi*^' cellency and ufe, a m.in might be moved to endure much in his all to^thclouL body, for the preferv.uion and defence of it; for fin is an evil thing, and therefore worthlcfs. Or, 2. Becaufe any fin is lefs jsior becsufe i» evil then mifery ; and therefore this fhall be endured rather nyiinislefs' then that i"hallbeforfaken. But, i. The finner doth exceeding- ^"^^^-^^^^ mifc- ly love his Jim The heart of a finner is {^t on his fin; he hath ^y' •mide a Covenant with deathy and an agreement with hell. He j^ r^^^ ^* loves dcirknefs, and is held faft with the bonds and cords of his H^thcxcced- finful affedions. A perfon doth many times fuffer rains fharper ingly love his then death,bec.^ufe he doth exceedingly love life : Why ? a finner fi^- loves his fin as he loves his Ufe ; nay, more then his life, the which' he doth often hazard for ever to preferve his fin. 2. The ftnneris aVool: Put a fool never fo oft in the Stocks, it doth Thefinneris him no good r, heunderfi^ndsnotthe caufeno- e-^d of it. Evil a Fo^I- men are chnfti zed and puni <lied by God,hut they know not nor un- ^derftand;they know not that their iins are the caufe thereof and ^'-'"^ ■ H 2 that
,,,^^^____^^_ " " ' -^— ^i—
52 ^ T'he Riotous Prodigal^ or
There is a that Coiiverlion from fin is the end thereof. 3 ,. There is a m^ir^ ftout [piric of <ijdlons fiont Sfirit of pride in the firmer ; who is therefore faid to pcidc in a fin- ^^^ againft God,and to refill him^and though he be fm(tten,"yet to refufe to return^and wilfully to tranfgrefs,and that they will not hearken. Stifnecked are they called; and foreheads have they which Fromavainc cannot be a jliamed, and faces that cannot bluiX ^, Avainpre- prclumption. fumftior^jthat jet their fi^iful wayes fhall he well at Ufl : It is but r^^n"^^"'^ bearingawhile, and at length their calamities vYillotf. He who fliaUbeTelUt go^s on in a finful way, is never without fomefinful projedand Ijft. chimeraes; filly fancies of fome good>and fome fupport and wear-
f rom the Ing out of his troubles, &c. 5. There ua hitter contrariety twi.vt Contrari:ty flje rvajes of God md the [inner s heart, . Light and aarknefs are not betwixcthc ^ more oppofite; hence is it that in foh they fay unto God, Depart TnT^thc sL- f^^^ ^^<^^ ^^fi^^ '"^^^ ^f ^ kjiowledg of the Almighty. And in Pfal. 2. ners btarc They hreak^ the cords in f under, Ai:id Heb. i o. 7 hey Are faid to offer deffight tinto the Sfirit of Grace ^ Holinefs and holy walking , ah ! it IS chat which their hearts hate more then hell; :they will adven- ture their dnmnation,bef ore they will affect and pra6lice holinefs; Brotn unhc- ^^^ greater burden and tormenc to them then it. 6. And fometimes iiefc. Unheliefm^y be a fpecial caufe , why a finner doth thus fhift and
try. The guilt of his fins under his afflielions may 'ie heavy upon "his confcience!,and he may befo wiiolly taken up vvith the appre- henfion of wrath and judgment and an implacability in God towards him,that God will never fbew him mercy,who hath been fo much and fo long provoked,that it is in vain to return,now there I^jrom th« Va- is no hope. 7. The F'anity of a corrupt Judgment-^ which deludes niiy of a Cor* ^|^g finner,as if he could be finful and fafe ;■ or that he could fub- ruf cjudjmcnt. ^^^^^^y^ enough without returning to God.
Ufe \, Now I proceed to the Application of this point ; the Ufes are
Cbnviaion. many, I . For ConviBion of Error in Judgment. It is no eafie j , That it is an eape workjo Repent ^and to leave fn^Whtn lam
'woikto Re- fick,or come to dy,then I will think of that work. No,brethren, if ^^"^* the heart of man be of fo fubtil a temper,and fo perverfe a frame ,
can afflidions do it of themfelves ? if the love of fin be fo ftrong- ly in grain, that many waters of afBi6Vions cannot waili it out,nor many be.Mns of mercy melt and turn it ; you muft then imagine it not to be an eafie work to turn the heart from fin, if it will adven- ture the lofs of heaven, and the endurance of hell, and the ai^ual prefence of many fore calamities ; confefs then, That the defcents: ' into
Tht Sinners AverfionfromGod. ' 5 j
into iin are eafie^but the returns from it are not ordinary or fdcile. F«?c/7a aHiw Where all the means, tending to the Converfion of a linner, are i^ificilyexi' oppofed, and, as it were, wholly defeated and fr unrated, there the ^f '/^^^^ ^'' heart is not fo eafily wrought upon to ret rn.. : . That no more is. ^J^]^ f^qm-. required to Convert afrmer^hut External and CongmoHS Grace ; as, rcci coConvcrr, if the heart were lilc: a Fiih upon the hook, which might be drawn then Exccrnal at pleafure to the lliore ; or, like Wax prepared, and It were no ^^^ Con^ru- more but to put on the Seal : or,as if. to Convert a finne, were no °"* ^^'^"* more then ro report a Hiliory,or to offer a man a Purchafe. Nay, hut there mu(t be likewife Im^rejftans as well as Invitations ; not only Means, but Grace it felf ; not only the Rod and Word, but likewife the Spirit of God,and his mighty Operation ; not only a Voice faying, This Is the way^ but alfo the Spirit of God which mufl canfe us to wall^ in that way : there muft be healing Medi- cines put within the Soul by the hand of God himfelfjor elfe all the means in the world,the Word, the Sacr.iments, the affliclions, and miferies,and examples may fay and complain withtheProphet,//iti 4^.4, / have laboured In valn:I haveffcnt myfirength for nought,
2. ¥0: Information, j. Of that excejfivefiubhrnnef sand mad- Information, r nefs in the hearts of us (inner s. Good Lord ! what an hand hath (in Of chc exccC- over us. That terrors fhould arifelike an horrible tempeft within ^''^ ^,"^" the confcience for (inning, and drive a man to his feet; yea, to h«rrof°firi^* the duft ; yea,almoft as low as hell. That his finning fhould pull ^^^^\ down onecal:mity after another ; take away the dayes of peace, of plenty, of fafety,of health, and darken them with war, and tu- mults; with fcarcity,and indigence; with danger ,andtrouble;with loffes, and difeafes ; cloath a mans body with rags, fill a mans bo- dy witth rottennefs , obfcure a mans name with infamy, and yet, yet after all,and under all that a perfon fhould hold faft his wic](^ ednefs,which is the caufe of all and will not let itgo,he will not bi weaned from it,nor charmed. No Mercy,nor JuftLce,nothing can diffolve the Covenant twixc his heart and (in;but like that Atheni- an Comm.:inder(if I forget not the ftory ),vho when he was thre it- - ned to let go the Ship, held it ; when one hand was cut of^'^he held it with the other ; when both were cutoff, he held it with his teeth. The Lord be merciful to us,thus is it with us, though God threatens, yet we fin ; though heflrike? us in onekiud , yet we fin ; ^ though in many kinds , yet we fin ; though loffes though crofles, tihough de^th be in our doors , though it rifeth on our
bodies^, •
rA The Riotous FroMgalj or
bodies, though we lofe earth, life, heaven, all, yetvveftillfin, OFtheadmi- ^^^^ return iiot, but Itand it out, 2. Of the admirable pati- rable patience ence and goodnefi of God, Not without reafon is he ftiled a God and joodncfs ef long-jidff'er'mg^ and to endure with much lortg-fujferlng the vef^ of God, fe Is of wrath : and his Goodnefs, the riches of Goodnejs, Rom. 9.
22. Bom, 2.4, That he {hould luok after a finner, nay, fpeak, nay, ftrike, nay, wound, nay, almoli take awayhislifetofave his life ; that he fliould run after a proud and refitting finner, though a fmner doth contrive the ways of oppoling, and cunning- ly itrives againft all the methods of mercy ; yet that God fhould not defer t him, and give him over, but try again and again, and be adively ready to give grace to an unwilling, to a refifting, to an obfiinate, fooliili (inner ! who but a vile fmner would obfti- nately abufe fuch great mercy ? who but a God would endure the fame with fo much patience ? It is not that th^ Lord feeth not the ways of a finner ( for he is Omni fc lent ; ) It is nor that he ap- proves or likes the ways of a finner, ( for he is mofl Holy ; ) It is not that he will not recompence the ways of a iinner, ( for he is
nltelhlmm ^^^ T^fi ' ^ ^^ ^^ "^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^"^"^^ ^^^^^ ^^ execute his wrath mAZlttamen^ ^"^^ difpleafure, (for he is Almighty:) No, no, that he all diu ttnere pixi- this while fp.ires and holds up, arifeth onely from his nature, entimy tis'i, vvhich is delighted rather to flievv mercy, and which is flow to Cyprian. wrath, and of much long-fuffering. 5. Of the freene^ of Of the freene'^s Gods grace. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that run- of Gods grace. ;;^^^^ hut of God that jheweth mercy ^ Rom.p.i6. Alas! what is it that the Pelagians fcribled of Merits, andPapifts of Deferts and Congruities ? Lo here ! naturally we run from God, and natu- rally we are fighters againft God, we refift the motions of his Spirit, the counfels of his Word, the leffons of many Affli6li- ons ; and could we any how fubfift, we would never lay down our weapons. Did not the Lord fhew more compaffion to us, then we do unto our felves ; did he not enquire after us, and fol- low us, and as it werebefetus on every fide, and in a fort fur- ^ ' prize us by the goodnefs and ftrength of his own Grace, we
Hiould perifh in ourbloud, die in our folly, and be loft forever ; but this commends the exceeding c^racioufnefs of his Grace to- wards us, that though we be not onely enemies by nature, but rebellious alfo by practice, yet the Lord Hiews pity to our wan- dring fouls, will forgive our proud rebellions, and wiU heal our
fooliih
— ■ . . ■■ — - ■ ■ ■■ ■ ■■■.. ..
7he Smners Avnfion from God. ^ j j
foolifh and gainfaying hearts. It is great mercy for him to fpare us, who might tor our manifold finnings fp often have condemned us ; and it is the greateli mercy, that he doth not onciy not leave and damn us , but pities, converts, and faves i^s, ^
3. For Caution: And this is the main Ufe which I defire. to For Camion. in(iil on, 'i 0 takj heed of jhafflfig with Cody and diggmg after ^«''<^ heed of pits, which will hold no VYaier, when God calls upon us by his ^"^ ng wiih Word, or byiiis Corrections, to return from our fins unto him, ° * and not to hold them fail, or to withftand the Lord, and hold h'm off. Here I fhall propound two things :, i. Some Mo- tives, or Arguments to hearken unto this; 2. Some Rules and Directions to guide us. The Motives may refpeCt us either, I. in the evil of thus fhuffling with, and delaying of God, 2. in ^°^*v^^^- the good on the contrary. I will mingle them tc^ether. Confider therefore,
1, It is a mofl freclcm thing which the Lord offers umomy j, js , ^^^. rehen at frfi he calls nfon us to leave onr fins^ and to return unto pvuions ihlng: him, A thmg may be reputed precious, partly, in refpe61: of the ^^c Lord offirs neceffltyoflt^ when it doth fo nearly Concern us, that we are un- l" n ^' when at done without it. Now what fl\:ll become of us, unlefs we come ,,Ln ii« m^n... off from our fins ? What is it that wefo ihume for, and will not turn. let it.go ? What ! is it a good in it felf, or a caufe of good to us ? and what is it that we fo hold off from? is it not Grace and Salvatr- on? I fhall ferijh with hunger^ -i^kh xh^ Vrodi^^l, Somayeli thou truly fay, Unlefs 1 do accept of this offer of Grace, if I do thus hold on in my finfull ways, if I fhuflPie never folong, yet if I continue thus, I fhall at length perifhfor ever, Exod.io.y. Kmweft thou not that Bgyp is deflroytd ? fo, &:c. to go on thus is the way of death, to return and fubmit is the onely way of life : I cannot be faved unlefs I repent : It is not a vain thing for which the Lord ftrives with me, it is to give grace and life to my poor foul. In refpe6l of the excellency of It .-Excellent things are truly precious. Now every grace is excellent, it hath a native beauty in it, and makes us a cho'ce and eltim.ible pecple. Do throughly weigh a penitent and converted condition? how in it we are partakers of the Divine nature ; what a communion we have thereby with God; what a fellowrhip with Jefus Chrifi;^ how we pais from death to life, are madethe fons of God, and
become
J 5 T'he Riotom Predtgal^ or
"^ ^ become the heirs of glory, and will we then thus devife and flie
from our beft go:)d ; Why ! when the Lord offers grace to a Tin- ner, what doth>he therein but ofter himfelf to be his God > oiter Ghrift to be his Saviour, offer the pardon of all hisfms, offer ail , the comforts of his Spirit, the blelfings of his promifes,and the hopes of eternal life ; and i£ this be not an excellent tiling, tvhat is ? can a better or greater matter be tendred to you. Ths Lord will 2. The Lord will not alwaies be. callr^g ufon m^mr tendrlng refers not alwaics be taKce unto ///>, and which brings forth falvation , as the Apoftle ciliing upon us., {peaks; My Sprit ^dl not alwaies ftrlve^ faith God, Gen. 6, Godftrives, when he comes clofe in any means. 2. Whenhec continueth and multiplieth means. And r# da^ if ye will hear his voice^ harden not J oHr hearts J its in the frovocationy Web, 3. God did deal often with the Ifraelites by wonders, by words, by corre- ctions ; but you know that though he bore long with them , yet he did not bear for ever; at length he confumed and made an end' of them, he would not continue to feek after them for ever. I will eafe me of mine adverfaries ; Cut it down, why cumbers it the ground. If we will not become obedient, he can quickly de- ftroy us for our difobedience. There is a day wherein God offers himfelf to be ours in grace and pesce ,, iiow long or how fhort that day is, I cannot juftly determine ; onely of this we may bee ■^'fure, that God may in julnce refuf^ us forever, if we refufehim once. Note thefe Scripture', and rhey miy perhaps awaken and recall us, Ez^ekj 24, 1 2. She hath wearied her f elf with lies , and her^ re at f cum went not forth oat of her , her fcMmjhall be in the fire, \.\7,,Inthy pthinejsis lewdnefs^ becanfe I have purged thee ( by afflidions, ) a^d rho-iwafi mt purged (by repentance,) thoti ■fhalt not he purged fron^ thy filthinefs any ?mre , till I have can fed my fury to reft: upon thee Ve**. 14. / the Lord h^ve fpoken ;V, it fhall ■come to pafs ^ and I will do tt^ I will not go backj) neither will I fpare , neither will I repent : according to thy waieSy and accord- ing to thy doings fhall they iudge thee^, faith the Lord GodyLu\^ 19. ver. 42. Oh ! if than had ft known , even thou at the leafl in this thy day th^ things which belong unto thy peace , hut novo they are hid from thine eies, Hebr. ?. ver 10. I was grieved with that generation^ andfaid, they do ahvaies err in their hears , and they have not known my wdes. Verf. 1 1. So Ifware in my wrath ^ they fimllnot enter inte my r-eft^, V^^\. 81. ver, 11, Bm my people
wctild
The Sinners Averfion from God. ^ 5 y
Vfi9Hld not hearken to my voice, And Ifrael rvoM none of mi, v. 1 2. So I gave them up to their own hearts Ufls^ and they walked in their 0 rvn conn fe Is, The! e four pi a ces do a tf ord us four fad th 1 ngs, which rmy betal perfons rcfufing to return from their fins, and deluding that work. i. That the Lord will not ftiil beufv.gof iriwans. 2. That he will draw otf the means. :?. He will Lave fuch fmners, and give ihem up to themfelves. 4. They iliall never enter into his ref^ ; and this the Lord buids with an Oath. Every one of thefe is a Judgment fufficienJy fearful! ; for, whit fliall become of the fmner, when the Lord fli:JI ( judci^liy ) draw offthe mean? of his Converfion ? or if the means be con- tinued in common to others, y^t he will not work any more upon that perfon through them; but he Ouil defpife the counfels of th^ Word, and flight the mefl'age of all Afflictions ; and th.it a per- ^
fon iliould run fo far and fo high in a way of wickedn.fs, that the Lord gives him over as a defperate, hopelefs, and forlorn wretch, to walk in his own counfels, and after the lulls of his own heart ; and when the Lord feals him up by his Oath^ that this is a perf jn who l"hall never fee my face ; though mmy a finner iliill be par- doned and faved, yet this finfuil Tranfgreffor fliall never enter into my reft : Now what do:h the finner know, who feeks ne»v ways to fecure his finning, i^nd oppofeth thereby all the ways which God ufeth for his co);iVerting, I fay, how doth he know, but that the Lord vvill deal thus with him. God hath dealt'fo with fome, for dealing thus wiih him ; he clofed up the day upon Jertdfalem , and left the Ifraelites to their own hearts lufts , and never anfwered Saul any more, neither by Pro- phets, nor by Dreams, and threatens to remove the Candleftick, Revel, 2.
^ Confider, That if the Lord fhould Hiew almoft the Mi- '^^^/''^"!'^^' racle of his Goodnefs towards fuch a fliuffling finner, his Con- ^^^^\\\hf verfion vvill be i. the Harder, 2. the more Bitter. It w'U be the Harder, for as much as all further degrees and fteps ThtHirdcr. in finning , do engage the heart more to the love of fin, ^nd naturally infers more hardnefs of heart , and refiftance againft the motions of Grace. When a Skaine of Thread is more and -more clotted and entangled, it will be the hrder to clear it ; and a Cord may be fo k.iotted, that you cannot undo it, but by cutting it afundcr : Though the work of Con-
I verfion
. 5 8 ^^^ Riotom Frodigd^ or
verfion be not ^difficult to God^yet the far running finner lliail find it, for his part, a more intricate and hitching thing, to wind his heart from thofe a6ls and paths of iniquity, into which it hath Or ihe har/bcr. '^^^^ ^^ ^^^^'S ^ccuRomed. HovVever, 1 1 v\iii he the Harfher ; ihe ' child which ihcks fo often in the birth, caufeth the birth to be more fharpand dolorous. Ufually, the more hnfull a m^n hath been, and the longer he hath hela off God, his foul is more cut ;.. partly with Fears^ for now he hath many doors to unlock ere he ^ can faften on grounds of comfort 5 not oncly that he hath held
on acourfeof fin fo long, butalfo that he hath fo fubtiily and frequently withttood the tenders of grace, and Gods manifold^ ^ dealings with him already. Though tiie perfon may have grace: truly wrought in him, to make him fee will this vileneis, yet it may be long ere his faith fhall be able comfortably to apprehend Gods mercy to forgive it. He may have doubts, Kot onely of mercy, but of the truth of his con verfion, as if it fcemed rather to be compiilfive ; God may long withhold from him thetefH- mony of his love, who hath a long timeperverfly withheld the confent of his heart from returning unto him. Partly with Shame : It will be an exceeding reproach and confufion of face unto this perfon, when^ ever the Lord converts him, that he |< Should deal with the Lord thus, refitt his Spirit fo much, and
withliand thatgr^atkindnefs of God intended to him by the ma- ny means which he • hath ufed. Surely\^ after that I was tHmedy J repeated J faith Efhralm^ and after that I was InflrHcied I fmot-e fifon my thighj I was afhamed-, yea^ even confounded^ heeanfe I did hear the reproach of mj yonth-^ Jer. :?i. ip. Then [hall ye- remtmher yottr own evil wajs^ and your doings that were not goody and fhall loath jour [elves In your own fight ^ for jour iniquities^ akd for your abominations, Ezek. ^(5, n. Ah 1 how itwill rent and prefs the foul ! Such a fool, fuch a benli: was I, to purfue my own ruine, to rejedl: my own mercies, to flight fo great falvation, to vex fogood a God, and to be fo infinitely,, unchankffcilly b^fe, that if Lcould have found any means of fupporty I vvould never have fubmitted unto him, and left my finfull cbiirfe : Ah ! how doth the Lord take this at my hands > how unnccertible may my returning now be, which may feem rather to be forced through 'extremity, thantofpringout of any ingenuity. So ihat you fee, "By our finfuli jQiiftings , either God may deny us converting
grace^
The Sinners Averfion from God. ' '59
V
grace, or elfe we fhafl make cur Converfion much lefs eafie and comfortable.
Cijcci, But fome may fay, Whnt can we help it? can we turn y^^ ctnnot cur own hearts ? it mulV be the Lord who mull- do that ; and he convert our might do it at the firft as well at at the bft, if he would. ^elva.
Sol, And is this excufe to pafs for currant ? hath not God dealt Anfwered: with thee often ? didft not thou more often harden thine own heart, willingly withdraw thy felf , and all cut of a love to fm ? 2i' Though thou couldft not convert thine own heart yet this thou mightefl: have done in the times of atflidlion?, &c, confi- dered, what might move the Lord thus to deal with thee ; all, or fome of the caufes which thy own conscience did freely iuggeft, and iheends which God pointed thee to, to reform them ; And then to have gone to him by vehement prayer, to convert thy heart from thy fins, to teach it righteoufncfs, to fubmit to his in- ibu6lions : Thou mightft thus have gone to him who can convert, and have waited on him in the means of converfion ; but thou didfi nor defire after him, nor delightedi-l: to feek him, &c,
2. But what may we do to frevtnt this (htiffllngy and affaying of Mians to pre- means tofupport us in finning, when the Lord deals with us, and vrcnc this (huf- calls upon us for the leaving of fin ? fl'^^
Sol, I would commend thefe five Dire6lions. i. Strive to h gg convinced convinced of this^ That A4 long as the Conrfe is pi finfull CoHrfCy It of this, Tkac can never be a fafe Courfe, We may weary our felves in the mul- * ^^"^"H courfc titude of our imaginations and ways, but run what courfe yoa ^Y"°' ^c' ' ^^ pleafc, and purfue your own devices, yet this ye fliall reap of the Lord, you fhall lie down in your fhame and forrow ; you may run to new experiments^ but mifery will follow your fins the next time as well as this, and in e\^ery way as well as one way : Tour fins will find you out ; and as long as you carry your fins with you, you cannot keep oft' calami tics from you.
2, Of necelfity joh mn(l retwn or j)erijh : Your fiwfull courfe is You muft re- ^ a by-path, and leads to de.nh. It is finfi'll,and you know it ; and ^^^^ ^^ P"*^' ^' being finfull, it muft be miferable. To what end doth tht Patient excufe the taking of the Receipr,the wholfome Balm ? he muft die if he doth not receive it : So confider, To VThat end do I thus vary my paths, and fiiufflc and feek fupports ? there U nothing ft.ong enough to fecure a finner ; and let me fadly confider, that I muft on e time or other leave thefe finnings, or elfe f arewel my Sourand Salvation. I 2 ' It
6o ^ The Riotous Frodigal^ Or
,5. It cAnmt hut he hefry the footer it is ; I muft return, or r^- be* th ^f"^" *^ riHi ;- too foon I cannot return, and the fooner the better. A ic is. °^^ ^ Souldier of a middle age, a Counfellor of a grave age, and a Bift Penitent of a young age, are IM the beii The work which
For Safwty. muft be done, is belt done when foonelt : Bert, for Safety ; for, thy life is very uncertain ; -and if thou doelt not leave thy ims to day, thou mayeft be in Hell ( for ought thou knowell )'for thy For Accp- iins to morrow : V or Acceptance '^ the Lord likes it belt, when tance. one Word of Mercy can caufe us to 'rufl-, and one lliJikin^ of the
Rod can caufe us to tremble, and when one command fufficeth to turn us ; when upon the firrt Arreft, we give up our Weapoiis,; F.r Quicrnefs. i^ pleafeth Soveraignty beft i for Qmetnep-^ for we do hereby deliver not onely our Souls, but Bodies alfo, from many trou- bles, the fooner we do repent, andplainly yield ; why! Confci- -cnce fpeaks peace the fooner, and God commands mercies the fafter ; ilrong Sins, breed long afflidlions ; but o^ist up the Sins^! and God gives up the Qu^arrel ; throw over Blchrls head to Jo^h^ and he will prefently remove the fiege. If a man had healtib, he might tcike fleep the better ; butaslongasthebodyisdifeafed, it is unquiet. Strive 8|ainft 4. Strive again ft thofe dlvertwg Principles^ which do draw thee. difcrtingPrin- from the right and onely way, and put thee on by-thoughts and cjplcs, as by-paths, and a vain aflayment of means to fupport u^ ; As i. Prpfumption Prefumptlon, either of Aievcy^ though thou doeft add drunken- ^^^icy, j^^jTg ^^ third, and liill findeft out thine own inventions ; or thine Or of thy own oy^n Povper .- Thou mayeli be hindred of the time which thou doeft ^'^"' proje6t,and mayeft want (treng th to execute thy purpofes : For fin-
full pra6lifes do altogether weaken our power, whileft they delude Scnurnefs and US with a conceit of ftrength hereafter. , 2. Stoutnej? and prldn of podc of fpirir, fplrlt : I>onot,in a bravery of villany,dirrute with the Almighty God ; it may prove a fad Victory to thee, that thou art able to re- D:Iijht in fin. je6l good counfel, and to quench all good-motions. 3. Delight
Z;;//^, which drowns the errand of aU afflictions, d'r. L d I V- 5- ^^P^^^^^^ Lord^ at the very fir fi^ to clrcumclfe the finh^
cumcifc \ht hornnef^ of jour hearts^ and to give you theundcrlimding ear, and ftubbdrnnefs the obedient fpirit ; that when in the Word he calls upon you to af your hesns. jurn from your fms, your hearts may fall down, and cry out, O Lord, turn me ; and vvhen by afflictions he calls upon you to turn, you may prefently humble your hearts, and cry out, O Lord,par-
don
The Sinners Averfton from God, 6 1
doii me ; O Lord,heal me ; O Lord,iurn and fave me : Let us all
think of this ; You know that the Lord is difpleafed with us, and we have hitherto hardened our hearts againit the Lord ; God hath de.ilt with us once, twice, often, in pubhck, in private ways, and (iii-i we feek our own ways, delude the work of Repentance, fet nothing to heart, nor repent of our evil doings.
11. Now I proceed to the Second thing, which is, ^^^^ fi'' "^^ '^ l^^^^^^^^^ difaffolritment of the Prodigals ajfap and depgns^ in thefe words, gfi jhrProdi- \jAy:dno man gave HKto him,] Y^\\znC(t\o\)i^lv^-t. |a!s t^rfi^ns.
y'That mthtng (hall avail the fhiffiifig. fimer ^ until he doth Docl, 2. tmn f^^om his /ms ; but Cod will difa^poi'^jt all his frojecis^ Litter Nnhingfhall down all hu cenfdences^fruftrate all hi4 exfetlations-, drive him om '^^^'^^^^ ^"'/J of all his harbours^ and overthrow all the means andways which he ^^'^^^^^^ '^uc pes unto. Before 1 confirm this Aflertion, let me premife a few God will dif- particulars, that fo^you may rightly conceive the fcope of \.\.^ appoint all Lis Thus then. P ojefts.
, -: I. I intend the Affertionjof a Tinner whom God doth intend to Some thmgs ,
I , , ....... prcmilcd.
convert ; others he may leave to prof per in their imaginations : y^j^ j^ ^^^^. For you fee it raifed fromthedifappointmentof a Prodigal, one of a (inner whofe converfion at length attended his manifold afifli6tions,and as whom God in- manifold contrivances to keep up his finfull converfation : though tends ro caa— fuchaperfonknows notit, nor thinks on it, yet God is fecretly ^"^' againft him,and thrulls him off from all the Cities of Refugejupta which he flies ; which wayfoever he turns,and wh it courfe foever. he apiiies himfelf unto, whatfoever veffel he putshimfelf into, it fhall be I'ke Jonah sfhipy wh'ch will not be quiet until he be c^A out, until hedoth come to confider of his doings, and return. .
2.1 intend the Affer tion, of an eventnal^ not of an inflantaneom ^V ^ »n"f^af a ^ dJ (appointment : //.)Though for the prefent,and fome fhort fpace, ^^^ ^^^ ^f ,„ * the cunning (inner may quietly polTefs the fruits of his proje6ls,and mftancmccus , folace h'mfelf in fome cirnal fecurities; yet at length,fooner or la- difippolnc- ter,God will ag^in befiege him,and take him off. Asit was with °'''^*' j^donljahs gtiefts. though for fome minutes they did fe.^fl and rejoyce, yet on a fudden they were all amazed, fled and difper- fed ; or as it is with the Fowls which are purfued, though they light, as they think, upon a prey, yet the. Piece is difcharged, and they are all driven away: ^ois it wi'.hthefinner (whom- God in ♦■ends to convert ) thoiic^h he may contrive a way ( as he thinks ) and quietly and fafely go on in his iiafull
courfe^.
' (52 7'he 'Riotous Prodigal^ or
courfe, and begin to fit down, yet thither alfo vvill the Hue and Cry come, and he jliall be forced away ; all tha: alfo fliaii be daihed in pieces ; there will come down a Writ of Ejedion, ?,nd -caft him out of the hoiife, as it did Ahah out of the VmeyarJi which he had unjufily pofiefled \ fo that he fliail not fettle hng upon any way or courfe, without fome fpecial and effe6tuai diliur- bance from God. The rhiifiling 5, The fh^ffli^g projects of a [tmer may be refuted invalid^ el^ projfds of a ther^ when that every thing or waj which he contrives is rafed and InTaiid tmral -/^#^^^ • As a Callle, unto which the Souldiers fly, isdemolifh- ways. ' ed ; fo when the Lord takes otfth.u Friend, or utterly blalis-;hat - courfe of Living, that way of Trade and Imploymmt wherein a finner trufted all his hopes with : Or, when that which the /inner contrived as his help and firengthy /hall /hut the gate againfl himy not admit him into harbotir : Or, when that which he hath with ' much art and fains contrived-, is /p far from proving an helf^ that it augments his grief and trouble : There is ,as it were,an evil fpir it, put in twixtthe plotting heart, and the obtained help, fo tha: it proves a bitter enemy inftead of a friend, and a further mifery inftead of a comfort. One of thefe ways doth God mike the fhuffling projedsof a finner unavailable ; either by blafHng that vain Gourd which delightfully fhadowedh'm; or by turning off the finner from the Horns of thofe Altars, unto which he flies in times of mifery ; or elfeby making the land of Egypt, into which he flies for Bread and Corn, to become an Houfe of cruel Bon* dage; I mean, by turning his defires into, ifnotCurfes, yetin- tollerable CrolTes. -^
The (hiiffllng 4. Wh^th^nhQcaufesyhy thefnner d?thf^i^ffle^ bt inward, or finner (hal nei - whether itbc outward ; whecher it be the ftrokes of Conference ^ or ^er keep down vvhether it be the flripes of JffliBion ; he fhall neither kjep down fckn?^^ ^^"" ^^^^ ^^^' ""^^ ^^P ^ff^heother^ but the inward wounds fhalj ever k^epoffaffli- ^nd anon be renewed. As all the endeavours of the Mariners ^ions. could not calm the Sea, until 'Tonah was CL^ft out of the fhip ; fo
until the finner forfakes his evil ways, there is no efcaping the one or the other.
The Propofition being thus explicated, I fi^all briefly confirm
it, byrefolvTng two things; 1. How it may appear to be true. >
How thismsy ^- Whyitisfo?^ , ^ ' t- n_ «
appear (o be Qhi^it.i* Hotp it may appear to be a. truth ^ that nothing ihall
irui' ' ' avail
The sinners Aver fion from God, ^3
avail the fhuffiing fiiine>, until he returns from his (ins ?
Sol. Thus: I. The Lord doth many times make all the helfs q^j ^j^y a-rid meoi^s which tie (inner ufethy tohevam^ andunah'.e^ and in- times makes fhffcienf. This is imported in that phrale, J^r. ;?. 23. 7rnly '1'^ th.ir belpi in vain isfalvation hofed for from the hi lis y and from the multitude >'"a^ means in- • of mountains. The Ijraelites were dillrelled by reaion of iheir iins, they were befieged and furprized by the Babylonians ; their proper work now had been to have returned unto the Lord : But they ilill go on, and think to falve and fecure themfelves by the help of Syria • but ^ill in vain, they could not preferve them, they were not able.. So the Prophec, Hof.<^ 11^, when E^hr aim farv his fickle [iy and J^udah bis woundy then went Ephraim to the ^ffyriarty anil fent to KingJ arihy yet could he mt heal yo>iy nor cure joH of your wounds He alludes to a iick patient, and an im- potent Phylitian,. who cannot poiTlbly heal. See, all the ftrength ■ unto which they repaired, could not deliver or fecure them ; though they did undertake the cure,- the fafety, )^t they could not performit,. 2. That fhame which hath covered the faces of Sh?.mehacfj [inners after all their cunning expertmentSy confirms this truth al- covered I'fee fii- ia, That nothing avails, &c. The Ifraelites tried the help of ^^^o^^^"^'".* jijfjriay but that was too weak a BoW; then they have another *"^f ''^^""^ ^ projedl, they will make ufe of Egypt-, nor fhou'ld this profper, ^ jatn"?. " when they had tried it, they were afhamed of it ; they had pro- pounded great matters, and boafted much, how able they fhould now be, andhowfafe; but when all came to all, nothing at all came of it. ler.2, 3 6, pyhy gaddeft thou about fo much to change-^ thy way ? thou alfo (halt be ajhamed of Egypt ^ as thou waft afha- med of Affjna, v. :?7, TeOy thou (halt go forth from himy and thine hands Hpon thy head ; for the Lord hath re;eEied thy confi- dencesy and then (halt not profper in them, ^. The Lord hath Thetordhsthi pulled the fnners out of their fanduaries and helps unto which they P'-^ l'^ fmners have fled; yea, hath pulled them out //^^/^^^p, Jer. 12. :?. ^n<^ ausries co^"° t2ktw'hzm^\yd.y OiS with fi(h^hookj^ Amos 4, 2. 4. He hath v^hich they da(hed inpieces the refuges on which theytrufled ; blown down the bawr fled, houfe which they took up to lo-c^e in ; as is evident in the crack- Hi bsth dafh- ing rf the King <?/ Egypt, unto whom the //"r^//V<ri in their capti- ^^ i" P«ces vities fled ; but the Lo^d brought on him the Army of the ChaU ^^ich t"b\^ trii- deanSy which utterly overthrew him. As it was with Jonahywho ftcd. fled from the Lord, and got into a (hip for lar(hlfh ; the Lord
fent
^4 The Riotous Frodigd^ or
fent a wind and fi&rm^^yhich did never leave vvorking,till it purged • J^;?^/; out ofthe ihip. So that ftrength, and fecure defence, unto which the fmner betakes himfelf, God doth as it were befiege him therein, and never leaves, undl hehathdemoiiilied it, and He mskes his brought him to terms of capitulation nfreili. 5. Bjf making hts iinfuil contri- jinfull contrivances to frove hts flronger a?2d harder fetters ; that vinc« to be that way, and that ccmfort which the fmner took up as a fhadow hjsftroniec from the ftorm and heat, hath ( like fome hired Souldiers m the , ' * day of battel ) wheel'd about, and become the itrongeltfnare, and
bitterett burden. As D^Wi/complainedoffome of his friends,(h.it they did prove his mcfl: enraged and cutting enemies • Or as the Trophet fpeaks, The men of thy Confederacy have brought thee even to the horder-^themen that were at feace with theefoave deceived thee^ they that did eat thy bread-^ have laid a wound under thee, Obad.y, So the Lord hath fo over-ruled it, that he hath driven the (inner to a miferableftand, even when he hath purfued the vvyaes ( as he thought) of his own contentment; in the purfuing whereof^he hath onely followed a fmiling River, into a moft unquiet and trouble- By the belei- fome Sea. 6. Bf a moft perfeB beleagrlng (as it were ) of a gring of a f f 0- froje^lng Jtnner : hedging up all his ways with thorns, or immu- jidjng finaer. j-fngof him as in a Calile, Hofi. and lliutting of him up, that there iliall be no going out or coming in. ^ n Now for the fecond Qneftion, Why nothing fhall avail the
Rea^'t^' I* ^uffl^"g fi^ner, until he repents ? ' ' . ' I con jevflure thefe Reafons may b t rendred. i.That unhappy
^^ ' u quality of (In which makjs every way unfucce(^fulL It is like fome
The unhappy / ,/ j'/. Y-n \ "^ ^ - ri ^r r
quality of fin. ^^eeds which mar every diin they come mto; or like fome fervants,
^ under whofe hand nothing profpers : So is it with fin ; it is an un-
profperous thing,and mars all ; the worm in our gourd,arms every
creature againft us,it alone were enough to batter down the lirong-
ert Carile,and to blaft our fweeteft comforts ; it thrufts in a fecrer
Whileft the ^^^^^ ^V^^'^ ^^^ ^"^ undertakings. 2. PVhlles the Lord is agalnfl a
Lord is s^ainft nt^n^nothlng can be fnjfclent to help him. What can prove a friend,
a m3r,Tio:hinj while the Lord is an enemy? all thirgs come on,orfall off,as God
is fufficien to draws near,or fiands off from us; we can never elhblifh our felves
e P biir. by ojjf f^vvn hand,nor againtt Gods. You may read in Hi?/. 5.1 :?.that
Ephralm and Judah in their dlfirefs betookjhem to theAffyrlans^hut
they could do them nogood.Y, i ^Sor I will be unto Ephralm as aLl-
inland as a yomg Lion to the houfe af Judah -^ I^evcn I^will tear^and
go
*The Sinners Converftcn to God. 5^
go away 'J will takj away ^and roue (hall rejcne him.Butnow whiles a
man goes on,{liuffling,in a finful vvay^theLord is againli: him. ^Xhe j^^ ^^j^^^.
fmier Wduld never tHrn to God^tf any of his own waies could ava.l.lf y\oald never
the fliip could any way hold cut^the men would not come co lliore; '"^« to Gad.
but when it is all fplit, and they muft perifli if they fvvim not, ^^ '"^ °,^ ^^^
now they make to the iliore : So is it here; the Lord muft wholly °^^\^^^^*i -
unbotLom the linner, he muft /trip him of ail hopes and conti- him,
dcnces, yea hemuft hold him as u were over the flames of hell,
-before he will turn unto him ; Oh ! the heart of a {inner hath
made a covenant with fin , which will not eafily be difannuUed;
ordinarily, till the very life comes to it, that a man fees he muit
prefently be damned, if he doth not repent , he will ftand it out
againft God.
Now to proceed to the Application of this : Shall nothing help .
the lliufflins; finncr till he repents ? then certainly the Lord (hews ^. (^\ . ^ /• •. • r.L n • 1 . -^ 1 Thin the Lord
great mercy unto htm ; it is one ot the greateit judgments, when (^zy^^ ^rtin
the Lord lets the firmer alone, to go on and profper ; amiferable mercy cofuch thing it is>,when the patient is given over , and noPhyfician will a finner. ^^ meddle with him ; fo on the contrary, It is a great mercy, when the Lord doth not give over the finner, but ftill follows him, and ftill difappoints his counfels, and undermines as it were his pro- jedls, and is too hard for him in all his waies. Thou doeft oft times take it heavily, that die Lord fhould fland againli thee thus , and pull away this comfort, and fiop up that way, and diuppoint and defeat one enterprife after another : Why ! now confider, were it kindnefs to let thee make up thy works to hold out againfi: God? Were it a mercy to thee,to let thee grow ftrong in a way of dam- nation ? The Lord is ftill againft me, faieft thou, I can ^tt on no way,but I find him my adverfary^I cannot fettle on any thing,but be plucks it off : I anfwer. The Lord is not fo much againft: thee, as thou art againft thy felf ; it is true, the Lord hath not yet done with thee ; Why 1 becaufe thou haft not yet done with fin ? and bis hand is ftill ftretched out againft iht^^ Why ? becaufe thy hand is ftill ftretched out againft him ; he doth by variety of af- flictions and croffes ftill purfuethee ; but let me tell thee one thing, It is better he fhould purfue thy fins, then thy foul ; let the afflictions be what they will, they are better then damnation;-' ^11 that God intends unto. thee is onely this, he will never leave thee> untill he hath overcome thee ; as they in the war take one
K out-
5^, The Riotous Brodtgal^ or
out-work after another, i^ntill the befieged do yield up : So is it vvith the Lord, he will drive thee out of all thy holds, as he did Nehuch/id^ez,z.ar out o£ his Kingdom, untill he hath brought thee to humble thy felf for thy fins, and repent. And what is all this, but a moli: tender mercy which doth thus purfue thee, onely. that-itmayfavethee. ^ • ^
It Is in vain to ^' Then /> /V/;?^;^/^ y?nW^^^;;^y?6'^ to hold out, forno- ftrive aiainft thing fhall avail : ^re m jironger then he^ faid the Apoftle ? Can ^o<J» our counfels lie hid from his wifdome ? or can we (et upon the
v^raies where his eie cannot find us ? Can we grafp the comfort at all, which his hand cannot inftantly pull from us ? Can VYe com- mand ourownfafeties,vvhilfihe is difpleafed with us ? or profper • atallwhilehefaies, Curfed is every fruit of thy labour ? Can any way of thine enable thee againft him who can crack a whole world at once? thou canfl: repofe thy felf on none but creatures, and hadil thou them all, what.were they, could they fecure thee againit their Lord ? Is there any creature a Cafile (Irong enough to retein a fmful traitor againft God.; Lctusfrecdily- 3* LMy^thcn let us f-peedi/i return j ^"d at once take forth return. . the leflbn of all Gods dealing with us; that which he aims at is our
repentance ; Let former times and denials and fubtilties fuflfice us; doth God firike off all thy friends, and lay them afide ? doth he pull thee out of every harbor > do all the means 6n which thou trulkdR for fake and fail thee ? O then return unto the Lord ; all this befalls thee, purpofely to bring thee home to thy father ; It is becaufe the Lord would have thy heart, thy love, thy joy, thy fear, thy hope, thy confidence, thy obedience, &c.
Luk^ i^. ly. ^nd when hee came to himf elf ^ he/aid^ Hor» many hired [erv ants of my father have bread enough^ and to jfare^ and I perlfi with hunger? ver. i8^ / mil ar if e and go to my father y &c, Thefe. words contain in them the happy fr^iits of iharp afflidlions , the dawning of the day afteraftormy night, the c uicki:iings of a dead man, the penitential recovery of a finful Prodigal. Wemuft not defpair of men, though they be great finners ; a prodigal, riotous, luxurious perfon begins nere. to r^ turn ; «or muft we be cuick and peremptory in cur final cen- fures of;them, though (like;: a jQiipinmanyflorms) they hold on their finful coiirfes fif'-sr, in.iny dealings , for the power which converts is mighty ^ and th<i feafon to convert is different ; God
doth
. ■ — I ■ ■ I I — .
T^he Sinners Averfion from God, 6j
doth as it were nurfe up fome from tluir youth in grace , others
he leaves to conquer ui battel ; when their defeal'es are grown
to age and flrength , yet he can over-m^fter and heal them, as
here the Prodigal. Concerning whof- pemte/jt: ejla.e ( which x \.
was the fecond General) you may he pleated to confidcr a d-.ubh r!)c diviUjuof
a6l : I. One of his Judgment, defcribed in this verf, ly, clu'X.x^
2. Another of his Will, defcribed in z^erf, 1 8. the fo fncr is an
a£l of infpedlion, in the vievving of his bad life ; ih : o;her is an
act ofrefolution, to change and leave it ; ihat is, ( if I m^y fo
call it ) xh^ftrndamentalwoiV of Repentance, a :d this is \\itfor^
mfil work of it ; the one is the framing, the o-her is the launching
of the lliip.
I muti treat next on the firft work, which is i\\z jtidgmefjt of the rhe ju<^gmcnt Trodlgal, Some call it an ntl ffConfderaticwy which is fuch an ef- of chc prodijsl fed of right reafon, whereby we righdy underhand and judge of ^^P^^"-^'^ *" things; Others -conjecture it an ^<S ofConftiUatim^ wherein he did deliberate and debate his way and condition throughly in his mind, in comparing it with another Qppofite condition ; fothen in this 'udicious working of his you have :
Firfl-^A [erlom confidcrmon [ he came to himfelf] (/.) now he ^ fcrious con- began to bethink where he was, and what he had done 5 like a Ujeration ; mad man before he ftill raged , and ran on , never minded any thing but his fins,but now his reafon comes inta joint again , 'hee foberly andingoodearneft confiders of hiscourfeandeitate.
Secondly^ A wife confultation : Ah ! thinks he, I have brought ^ ^\[^ conful- myfelf into a miferable. condition, I am even ready toperilli „ation. with hunger ; I have gone on fo far in fin, that if I return not, I am ioii for ever ; I have tried all the waies that I can imagin, but they profper not ; die and periih I would not, is life to be had no where? Where might fuch a poor famiflit creature find a bit of bread to fa\ e his life ; Now I think on it, I have a father living, and he hath bread enough, even his meaneft fervants have enough, and to fpare ; he hath bread for fervants, will he have none for a child ? they have enough,'! have none at all ; they have to fpare, and i hunger, I perifh with hunger, my condition is mofl: mifera- ble, their condition is moli plentiful ; Well ! thus I will not rett, I will arife and go to him, &c. Before I handle that Affer- tion which the text will immediately afford , there may be many
K a not ,
• - ■ ■
58 The Returning Prodigal^ or
notunufeful obfervation*, which occafiondly and collaterally fall in : I will but mention them unto you, and then fit dovvn upon the principal intention of the Verfe. ^ .|ri;ci., I. That great aff,iBions may end In a fweet converfion^ or^the on* m^ end jharfefl mijerles ^ may prove a jn^ans to bring m to the fweetefl in a fwce.: mercies: Storms, though they be to fome iliipwracks, yet they Convei-rion. landfome ; the prodigal met with famine 5. and that brought him back to his fathers houfe for bread. / had perljh^^d, faid one, m- lefs I had perl [bed ; fo may many a man fay. Had I not been af- flidted, I had been damned ; my great loffes have.proved ray greateft gain; I never fell into the love of God, untill I came un- der the fcourge of God. . ' ^ g. 2. Tha-t even a great [inner is net uncapahle ef mercy or grac^ ;
ncr ii noc un- ^ l^^^urious prodigal , who fpent all among Harlots , . is capable of now returning home to his father, , a penitent and grieved child: - Hi-"?*^» and the reafon is this ; Though the fins of a man l>e great, yet
the mercies of a God be free, and mercy advanceth its own- glo- ry, vvhen it ili'nes on thegreateft finners. Sin is great, but grace ""isilronger, it can quicken dead men. As theknottieft wood,vvhen ii is fQuared, proves of ftrongeft fervice ; fo the.vileft finner,once converted, proves the faithfullef-l: and a6tiveft inftrument of glory to God ; and laftly, God doth extend grace to great finners, that no finners might defpair, ^. That God doth many times permit the fnner to trj te Oo lomc- ^^^ Htmofl^ and then converts him, A loni^ feafon ere fome return : the Sinner to asr^^/ to breatn outperfecutions , and to get authority to bind try ihc Bjmnft, all, &c. and then he is firuck down ; hereby he magnrhes his pa- andthetscon- tience, and more demonfirates his mercies and^goodnefs, thataf-*^ fertshim. ^^^ ^jj ^ j^^^ ^yjljj y^j. ^cgept of fuch a finner , and pardon
him.
4, That an Unconverted man Is a mad man-^ he is befidc?
An iiaconver- j-j j j^feif. Sin bereavs the finner of the right vSq of reafon, and he
aiai~m£.n. never comes to be fober , to be himlelf, until n2 dotn repent ;
whatfoever fury offpirit,wildnefs of fancies, rendings ofcloaths,
tearings of bonds, untameablenefs,. ragings, inconfiderations,are
extant in m^dnefs, the fame are to be found in a meerTmfui heart
, and life: all thefe proportions are obfervable and ufeful^ but
that which I intend to. iniiit on, is this i
Thai
.jfmngif.
The Simers Converfion to God, , 69
That aferloHs Confideratlon^and the right Comfmfon of. the mi- Do^, Jerable efiate of a/ir/ffi/ Car^ditio^y with t he-happy efiate of a Con- A fcrious 'verted cc'^dhion^ are the prime fteps and occajw^s of a true and Confiicraiion, fpeedy Repef7taKce, For the Explication of this poinu I miifl: 0- ^T'^ "^^^ ^ pen fome particulars ; i. Concerning a Serious C onJtderatioy2 of ^| ^^f^ mifcra- a Suful Condition: It is an Imeyitlve work^of the Judgmem ^ blcftitcofa ' wherein It doth narrowly and diligently meditate on. the whole finful Condi- efiate of [In. It is called in Scripture, a remembri'ing of our "on, andfcap- waves ; aid fometimes a bethinking of our felves;, and a feeini^ r^« j^ *
I ' I T 1 • r I T • r T ^ Converted
what we have don^, a ponaring of. our paths, it is oppoied not Conditiooj arc only to Ignorance and Nefcience,. but alfo to Negligence ; yej, ftcpsto true torafhnefsandfuddennefs ; and indeed it is a very deep fearch- '"^ fpecdy ing, and minding, and weighing of matters : \Vhen a man iits ^'^/"^f^^^i down and mufeth,fo that his mind and thoughts are throughly im- rious^Confidel • ployed, he makes it a fpecial bufin'fs, be bends all his i^rength radon is. rightly to inform himfelf,, to. bring himfelf to a right underitand- ^ ing of his eftate ; this is a proper confideration. There be . two kinds of thoughts and mindings :fome.. are only /^i'/'/^/V/W; they ' • are bat the cafl of, the eye, , a glancing, lightning motion. , O- thdrs are Dlfcurf-ve^ full y fearch ing ; the mind in them doth tliroughly inhli an the Natures, Kinds, Circumftances^ Occur- rences and Iffues of things, it is taken up with it as a bufinefs. The ferious confideration of a m.ins iinfulnefs, falls into this ht- ' ter ; it is not a confufed work, or a light overly fight of fin, i't is a-fetled and deep pondering • of the etiue in the Qualities, A6h; and Fruits of it ; Nature, Number, Cireumftances, Danger: " ^'. ^. -When I ferioufly confider of my finful ^ti^xx^y I refleil " *' on my felf, what kind of life I lead , what ai^e thofe qualities 5 *' what thofe wayes which I find and w.'>lk- in ; my Thoughts , " my Affeilionsjmy Speeches have been thus ; and thws my xtk\- " ons, and thus my courfe- of Life. I have many bonds upon ** me to ferve the Lord, and not to fin againft him ;' but, Wretch - ** that lam, Ifeeall my way? (which I took for ple>.afures and " profits) havebee^i finful and vile. By them all I have violated " -a righteous Will, dillionored and provoked a great God(whofe ■ *' wrath is a confuming fire) I h^ve (to fatis fie them) lofl all my " comforts, caufedmanyev'ls to others, brought many miferies "on my felf, putChrift to'de.^th, and, if God be not mer- ^
J^ciful, loft my miferable foul for ever, • Thsfe wayes (will!
"net
-*-r
yo The Riotous Predigd^ er
*' not believe mine own eyes ? ) are extremely linful, and there-
" fore (fhould I not believe the Scriptures) are damnable : many
*' a year have I run this courfe, and often times under checks of
" Confcience ; very much evil hath already been upon me, and
*' ail for fin; fome troubles of Confcience : And that wrath
^' which God threatens and is behind, is terrible. If I go on
thus, I perifb for ever ; for whili^ I keep my fins, the leaft fin
of them, I muft neceflarily part with God, and lofe my foul.
"Tell me, O my vamly deluded foul, can that be good whicii
'■ "God hates, or fafe., which God doth curfe? VVoiildftthou
** dye thus ? O then thou dyeft for ever • and why then wik thou
'*' live thus any longer ? O thou haft prcfmned too far already ;
*' perhaps Patience will bear no longer, and Mercy being often
" abufed, may be for ever recalled ; and then, thoU; O my Soul ,
" then whither wilt thou go ? No, no, we muft no more of thefe
*' forbidden fruits, andnoloiigermuft we trade in the paths of
" death ; there is a God who hath lookt on thee all this while ,
■ *' and hates thy wayes, and hath fealed his implacable wrath with
** an Oath if thou return not : Come, my foul, think aright of
*' God, of thy paft a6ls, of thy prefent eftate, of thy future
" condition ; believe me, thy Guilts are many,thy Accounts will
'' be bitter ; God hath been ftill difhonoured , ' he will not be
^^ mocked :, \tt us return, for we are out of the way of Heavenjand
*' are even upon the brink of Hell.
What ibis right 2. Concerning the right Cowfarlfon of the mlferahUnefs of a
Comp?ti[on is flnful^ mth the ha^pnefs of a jenltent Condhion , I need fay but
Cppofiujuxta little: It is nothing elfe, but after .a diftin6l view of either, to
[epopta^ &c. ^^^ ^^^ oneagainft the other in the Nature, Kinds, Qmlities,
Concomitants, Ends and Iffiies, 'v,g, " Thus bafe and foul is an
" Impenitent eftate ; thus excellent andglorions is a Converted
"eftate; ThathoW oppofttctoGod, This how fuitable; That
*' how odious to God, This how acceptable •, That how covered
*^ with threats, This how inriched with promifes ; That is a cloud
** of thunder, This a river of delight ; Thafis a path of mifery,
" This a way of mercy ; in that God Abhors me, in this God
" loves me ; m that I feel his Frowns andftrokes, in this I feel
" his Smiles and comforts ; that brings down all Curfes on me ,
. '^'thisallBlenfingsonme; Inthat liliewmy felf a Rebel, and
*'donothingbutdiftioaoUi:God, inthis a Servant, and in feme
^'meafure
The Sinners Averfion from God^ ^ 71
meafure bring him Glory; li' I continue :n thatjfarevvell all Mer- cy and happineisjl perii'n with hunger,! am loii tor evei:; if I at^- tain to this^God is mine5Chriil is jUinejMercyjPardonjFavcur ,. ^' Comfort, Grace, Heaven, Happincfs, 1 ilia 1 be faved for ever, *' NoWjO my Soul, thou feeft both tfta.tes in theix Nature,in their *-' FruitSjin their Ends;yea,thou hail felt the bicternefs of the one, "fay. Is not Mercy better then Mifery ? is not God better then " Sin ? is not Heaven better ihen Hell ? is not Plenty better \^m. " Famine ? Life, then Death > O then, arife, up, be gone, re- *'lmquilh thy courCe of Sin, of Mifery,. of Death, of He]l, " and arife and go by true Repentance unto God , , unto Chril-iv ** unto Grace, unto new Obedience, unto Mercy ,\unto Jo^',/un- *' to BlelFing, unto Life, unto Eternal Life^ ajid that mofthap-'
"py, &c. . . '
7,. The third thing is to dear it, How thefe mo are f rime y?<?/?/ Hew rlrcfc arc to RefeynaKce ; viz., A CcnlTderation that a finful courfv; ^ inoR pii-nc ft^ps ta- miferable , and a penitent is, moft happy-and comtprtable ; jre Repentance, fteps, &c. Only premife adifeence tv^^xt ^C^ife-^ and tyyi^^t an Occajion of Repentance. The Spirit:of God is the G/tt^f^ ^ thefe confiderations are QccAJions , and ycorl^bf w^^y of Argmmnt 9rmay2S, Tbeywo^kby
1. That they do fo, ^;;(?4rj ^>5'frfy/^r^,/.i King. 8.47, -^f^^^^^'^l^^ they jhall be thitik^themf elves m t^he Lmd^ whlth^- thjs-y were oar- p^^ygj " ried,Cafpive<^ a^dr^fe^Tt, Ezek. i^.. 2,?:. BeciiH^eyjf^ 0iifd£mh BySeripturc, ard ttirneih On^ay fwm ail hjs, Ty^'^fgi^^^JTiof^ b^c, .'Nayyif in-r
, confideration be given as a proper reafon^why fome repented not (^m mati repeated- .y ' f^ywgt H^hat have I dofte'-f } ph^n . ecomra^ Coniiderati on of our. fins muil be a right, ftep -.unto Jlepe^lcaiiCje : _ . .
Here you fee cleaily, that folid conriderationis^, asjt vvere^, the poi^cdHion o£ tru^' < ".onverfioa ;l the^-e itibj^gins^.and^. t^es ' . rife^: there is a ;Bei'hinking. of fin, -befote .-a, Repentuigfro^i
2. Nay, and it is evident in Example too : 1 thought on my ??^iK/(faiciI?^W^,.,Pf^.ii^^..59..) a/id.jurned m-y: feet mtq' thy ^y^^*°^P^^' Tefllmonies : Like a Traveller, who in a Journey, jftandsftilMnd fior^fxfeFs.i^lh-iTigifeilfv, f^itely ti>i% w^j$c wrong,. I am oiit of my
wiy, and trien'te:ttonai' about- aiid-;get$ him into the right way ^ain. So- ivi tHfe qafo^. the 'Uk^may^ bo^ faid for com^arifon of fin UiKonv^ted couffe, with -thehappinefs; of a Cpi?ye^^<i and
peni-
72 The Returning Frodigaly or
penitent condition, Hof, 2. 7. The,ifhall Jjhe fajy I will go unJL ruurn to my firfl husband y f9r thm it>a6 it better with me then now. The condition in which the Church then was , was a condition of much mifery and afflidtion ; .her way of fin was hedged up with t horns y verf. 6. and the way of obedience llie confidered of to be a path of mercy, and much profperity ,; and comDaring the one condition with the -other, hereupon refolvs, io return to her first husband (/.) to turn unto God by true Repentance.
By Ar^uGieoc. . 3* I^ inay be cleared by Argument and Rea^ouy thatthefe two, VIZ., Solid Gonfideration, and Right Compariion, are fteps unto Repentance. -
For foiy Con- '^^ ^^^ Solid Confiderationy thus : '!£' Jnconfiderationbe thecauje
fidcriii#n. r>f impenitency- ( or of going on in a finful courfe ) then Confide- ration u a proper means and way for Repentance ; for as much as
Itinconiidcra- ^i^^j-^ ^^^^ .^^^ contraries, and contrary cai;fes produce contrary ef-
tlOn DC the r o. 1 ^- rj • • r*r- ' r \ V^
caufe of iuxpi- ^^^^^ 5 '^ut mconiideration is a caufe of i-mpenitency, lo the Pro* nitency, then phet, Jfr. 8. (5. No man repented him ofhisWickednefis^ f^y'^% con fi deration what have I done ? every one turned to his cotirfe , a^ the horfe is a proper rujheth into the battel. They minded not what they did, whether pentancr ^ lawful, or unlawful^ or VYhat would be the iflue of thefe things ; ^ but like the horfe, which without fear or wit rullieth into the bat- tel among "fwords and pikes. ^ .--^ Confiderition ~''-'Z,'ConfiderationvffinYreino^esm^^y qualities which k^ep the of £n removes ijearf in impenit^fncy ; therefore it is a good Ikp and way unto aiany qualities j^epentance. •'• Ther€ are three cualities VYhich hold f aft t'he foul
of lin, which p ^ ^
keep the beat f^0«^ ^^^^^n^ng • , . / ., , , . ' \,
In impenltca- ' I . Jg^oraM; therefore darkjicd Underfi-amings^^nd hearts ahe^
cy. as5 natedfrnm th^ilfi of ^odyZrcconjoimd y £ph, 4, 18. ^ blind
Ignorance. mhid^and a wicked-life,are infeparable ; yea,greedinefs to rin,and
ignorance,are there alfo coupled, verf, 18, 19. no man foforward
to "fin, as he who khow& it not. - 'iSfow- folid Confideration removes
ignorance, it opens the eies of our under ftanding^ and makes us
to fee and behold that evil in fm which we never faw before ; in a
tight Goniideration there -is <i,<Lumen fcientia, ■i.Conjciem^,
'^, Experiential,
^?wgtyi 2. Security ; for prefusnptuous men will never leave fin-, -if
they may be fafe. He who- fears not miferable ^vil i will not be
perfwaded toTorfakehis finful evil: He who thinks thathemay
be wicked and fafe, will be vyicked ftill i nay, he adds drunkennefs
the Sinners Converfion to Gbd. . " ^ y ^
to thirft who prefiimes of peace. No evill iliall befall us, faid they who defpifed all warnings to Repentance ; • but folid confide- ration removes this fecurity and prefumption ; it makes the foul to fee,that as fin is an evil thing^fo it will prove a bitter thing ; and that the way which is finful (^ all wayes) is the moft fearful : it makes the finner to behold the Angel with the ivvord drawn in rhe way of fin ; my meaning is,to behold God exceedingly dif] ItSiiod-, the Wrath of God revealed againft all Unrighceoufneft, ieverely threatning, and one who will afluredly execute his wrath to im utmort, if finners will not hearken and return ; by no me ins ac- quiring the guilty : Exceptye repent ye fhdli ^z:\QrL,7,.H^.rdyiefs of /jf^irr.-That brawny Rockinefs which is ever acccmpanycd with Hear" an.impudent refolution 5 calimg oif, and fligh .ing ail means , and which is gainfaying, or fruftrating all the Leffons of Mercies, Alfii6lions, Ordinances, &c. they made thslr hearts as an Ada-: mantftone^ leaft they iTiould hear the Law, &c. Zachq, 1 2. But folid confideration helps much againft this unfenfible temper \ il is of great force towards the melting of the heart,\vorking ftrong- ly upon the affe6lions, as Feter thought thereon 4^dwept hitter^ ly. Then fhajl ye remember your wayes ^ and (hall loath your fehes : FornovV a man fees indeed that he is in a very evil con- dition, and loft for ever, if the Lord be not the more merciful to him ; and this will ftartle him fomewhat, pierce him , n^ake him, with them in ^^^ 2. cry out, Men and brethren^ what [kallldo?
3. Solid Confideration of fin^ makes Jin appear to the foul In Solid Confide its own proper nature ^colours and effects : As we are drawn to com- ^^}i^^ makes mit fin, fo likewife to continue in it : through faliliood and error, ?^". ^^^^'^ '" we are deceived ?.nd err in our hearts, and therefore we continue pe ^Nacwc^^^ in finful wayes ; but as Truth doth rife in the mind, fo Refor- mation will appear i^ our hcarts^- and wayes ; know therefore that fin appears unto us two wayes ; either Erroneoufly^ as invert- ed and clothed with ple?fures , profits, much ferviceablenefs to our ends, and as fatisfa6^ions of our defires ; as Judas lookc on his fin in the money, and went on ; and thus they tend to impe- nitency , they keep us fall in an evil way, becaufe of fenfible fweetnefs. O:^ Proper I y^md nakedly as fin; as the Violation of a moft holy Will, dillionour of a great God, and feparation from a good God , and as expofing us to the wrath of Gcdy
L curfs
N.
y A Tht Riotous Prodigal^ or
curfe of the Law, and pains of Hell and all outward C.iLimities. ■ And thus apprehended , new Arguments and Reafons of hatred jind Deteftation arife within the Soul .* Should I love that^or live in thatjwhich is Gods dilhonour, and will prove mine own damr nation ? My troubles, lodes, fears come all from my fins ; thefe are my fins and my doings, they are the caufe of all this trouble, inward and outward : But folid consideration makes fin to appear as fin in its own nature and true erfeds ; therefore it occafioneih hatred of fin,and confequenily Repentance^ Ccmparifon 2. For Comparifon of the mifery of a finful, with the hap-
©fthc. mifery pinefs of a penitent and converted condition ; that thislikewife ^[ J. h'^h^^' : ^^ ^ ^^^P^ and vvay to Repentance, maybe thus proved : ^l!r. %^-«?rr I. T^^^^ Comparifon breeds (oHndludqment in us of thlnQS tent conilicion, that djfer • All corrupt Works are rooted m a corrupted a fttp to Re- mind ; like ill rhiimes in the Head, which come from ill qualities pentsnce. in the Stomick: or rather like fome ill difeafes and irre<^ularities Tbi b ceJs ^^^ ^^^ Limbs, ^rms and Feet, which come from unfr>und humours found Ju V- ^" ^^" Brain.So it is in this cafejmen go on confidently in fin, and ^cnt of things are taken excefiively with thofe poor baits of fenfual pleafure rhatdiff;:. and profit, as if there were no other pleafure, delight, gain, ac- quirable,or to be found, but in the waycs and fervice of fin ; as they in hell, think there is no other heaven : Or as fcolilli chil- dren, who conceive no o:her fport or delight like a rattle or dirtmg their hands, &c. But now, when by a comparifon and truefurveyof eitherefhte, it Inall appear unto the foul that all thefe finful pleafuresand profits are but ftolen waters, and at the bell but for a fe.ifon, they will end bitterly ; and on the contrary, That Repentance from fin makes way for rhe Ti oft precious foun- • tains of the moft living comforts; that it en ibles a man for a nearer conjundicn with the trueft happinefs,an i fi Irefs of moft infinite goodnefs, and lets intofuch pleafuresand joyes whichpafsall underftanding, &c. Now the foul is reduced to a right judgment, and begins to contemn thofe faife, vain, deluding temptations by fin, and is carried off to another courfe or way which will afford thereal,foiid,fuperlative advantages in happinefs and comfort, (^•^. 2, This Comparifon will win mr love and affeLiion to a Com er- Tbis wins ^^^ ^^^ fenltent condition : It is true,that as long as the heart loves
converted con- -^^"^ ^^ ^^^^^ "^^'^ ^^^^ ^^ ' ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^" ^^^^ ^^"^^P' ^ ftrengthning iition. quality, a ftrong and tenacious quality 5 but if a mans lov^ be
changed^
The Sinners Averfton from God, 75
■changed, then his (infull vvayes will quickly be changed ; for that way doth the heart and life go, that love do h go; they are not' out who fay that Amor is Radix aEiionnmy as well as Fyffionum. Now by ii right comparifon of eftates, there will ap- pear in a converted and penitent condition the Icleandfufficient cauies of Love ; vi^. Good5and the befl good,and only good,and mclf proper and fu table good ; all which is apt to draw lore, and . -confequcn Jy Repentance , for as much as Converfion from (in, -begins in love to God.
:^ . This comparing of eftates, in the wofulnefs of the one, and "^^J^ /i^*^* in the happinefs of the other ; that the one is death, and ^^e o- "^'^"JJ^^j^^'^p"! ther is life (as Af^?/^/ propounds it to the Ifraelites) occuf.omlly m Gx\ by jHrs f^p the heart to fly tinto God hy frayer^ and tn the ufe 0/ P.aycr,?nd other means , for grace and ability to leave the paths of death , ''^ ^■■'' ^^^ °^ -and to walk in the wayes of life ; for naturally men do affed life °^'*"^** and happinefs, and are afraid of death and mifery.
The lirli Ufe which I would make of this fhall be for Infor- y^ mation. You here fee the Catdfe why many are yet in their jins ; \^'^ mtorma- that they repent not , though we preach, though God punifli- q[** ^jjj ^jufc eth, though man counfels. Surely they never yet did fearch ,,hy many arl their hearts and wayes, theyneverdidconfiderofwhatthey have yet in tluit ^onc ; they are like the LaodiceanSy who thought themfelves to ^^5, be rich and increafedy and tofl-and in need of nothing ; but they rcver yet faw their blindnefsy nakjdnefs , and extreme poverty 4ind mifery. There are many duties unto which men will be perfwaded, as to hear the Word, receive the Sacrament, give feme Almes, fayfome Prayers, and. now and then to confer of fome good ; but of all the duties which do fo nearly concern them, they are hardly perfwaded to this, viz„to confider of their fins: 'tis true, they will confers. That all men arc Tinners, and themfelves too, but as fome do with their debts, they care not to fee and view them ; fo many with their fpiritual e{tates,they have no mind to fearch into them, to look them over , to meditate of the Vilenefs of them.
Coniider thefe things, i. That this inconjideration leaves ma- ..
ny a ftn already committed upon a flad account, God doth confider toluchaTdec* them, though we will not ; they are in his book and before his eye, not Corfidec - though we will not think and look on them. 2. That it ripens fn th?iu waycs. exceedingly : The heart which will not confider of paft, will
L 2 break
y5 The Returning Prodigal^ or
break out into (in future ; it will be high in finning, if: negli- gent in confidering; he will venture deeply , r/ho knows not the nature nor the merit of finning. 3. <>y4ll the work^ of Re^ fe^ta^ce will Ijefiat 4nd dead ; Why ? where can be that broken- nefs of heart ? that filial lamentation for finning ? that remorfe offpirit? that indignation, thatdeteftationof it? that refoluti- on againii it ? that watchfulnefs and fear ? until by a found con- fideration we come to fee the vilenefs and miferablenefs of fin- ning, &c. He who thinks his way right, will not turn cfide.; and that man who knows no better, will nevSJr leave, or change, a bad courfe. 4. Ton advantage Temptations exceeding! y r , You are under the td^^ and power of them all, for you fee norhing to hiu- - der you; the motions to fin will pafs without any contradi6Hon, for you know not the evil nor mifery of being Impenitent. Great fins will feem but little, little will feem none ; how eafie is he to fin, who confiders not the great evil in fin? ^. Mi the edge of the Ordinances is blunted and dulled by inconjlde- rations, they are but water on the Tiles, which paffe away: For what are Threatnings againft.fin ? what operation have they on us to make us tremble and humble our hearts,whiles we hear them as -Pieces ,#charged at others, not at our felves? And fo , what force have the Precepts for new Obedience , or the Promlfes for much mercy to the Penitent, until we fee that we are the men (as Nathan faid to David) whom all this cofi- cern*?. 6, Ton will never prlz^e Chrlfi aright^ nor the love ofXjod in giving of Chrlfi^ nor will you ever feek him to purpofe { with hungrings arid thirftmgs) until you do ferioufiy confider 6^ your finful eftates : A man, if whole , will not feek to the Phyfician, and if be hath but a fcratch, will not fend to the Chyrurgion : No, fenfe, or flight fenfe of fin, hath no in- fluence on our afteftions ; but let a mm fadly view and find out that he is bad indeed , out with God, ready for Hell, muft perifh for fin,' this man will cry out, Is there ntPalm In die- ^d ? is there no hope, for us finners ? He will enquire for a Sa- viour , and when ne knows him , he will with tears befeech him {O the hope of Ifrael and the Saviour thereof In the time of Trouble ! ) Mafter, have mercy on me or^elfe I perifh : if thou canil do any thing , fave me. 7. ^<?^ f^Hl never corns to any true fetlednefs , mr gromdfd afpuranee of peace with
Ctd^
7'he Sinners Converfion to God, 77
God 5 Kor in your oyvn Con[cieriCes , Ufitil yo'i do throHghly confder of yonr (iff til conditions and eftates : For hevv know ycu whether- you be good or hid ? in Covenant y or out of Covenant with God ? that he will f^we you or condemn you ? what jfhall become of you when you die ? Untill you by folid Confideration find out the vilenefs and miferable- nds of your fmful condition, out of which you muli mdeed be tranllated , if ever you would be faved , or know affured- ly that you flioll be faved. ^. Ton will not kj^ow how to make Jfecial rec^uefts unto God : For you know not the nature nor danger of that pride , of that hypocrifiCvOf that uncleannefs, of that envy and malice, d>cc, which are in you : When we do not know what our felves are, what our eftates are, we can never make' fpecial requefts for the fupply of fpecial wants; either vve make no prayers at all, or only general, and faint, and flat Pedtions. p. LaiHy , If yon will net thinks on your wayes with' a Penitential Conpderatien ^ yonmiif^ one day thinks on them with a Judicial Cenjideration : Tis bet- ter to confider of them now and Repent , then to feel them and find them in Hell and be D.imned.
OlfjeB, But you'l fay ,1 We are Ignorant , and it belongs to This belongs fiich as h^ve. Learning tff confider throughly of their, Jinful to inch as haye efiates, , learning.
Sol. 1. It doth indeed helongto the Learned^ hut not only to them: Anfvrcrcd,
A learned confcience is neceflary for every (inner, though not a
learned head : the Subjed who fliould confider, is not the learned
man, but the lamed finner;art not thou one? 2. God hath given thee
a Reflexive Faculty ^-^ confcience, a memory inabling thee to re- ,
view what hath been done ; thou haft thefe ftill in thee,and thou
canft make ufe of them for other butinefles ; . why not in this ?
7,, But then,ftudy the Word more, that thou mayeft thence be in-
lightned to conceive of fin aright, &c. get knowledg, get un-
derftanding, &c.
Ohj, But vve are not at Leifure^wo. dbave fo much bufinefs to „,- .- Jr. Qr^ - ' ■' ■ wc are not as
Sol. I. This is a mo ft neceffary work, , it deferves thy ^j^fy^^^f j^ . pains and time : What, notat leifureto fave thyfoul ? atlei- fure to eate, to drink, to play, to be idle, to fin, andnotatlei- ftire to confider of fin? to repent of fin? tofave thy felf from
fiii?
78 -' 21^^ Rietouf Predigal^ or
fin ? f^Iave you kifure to go to Heil , and none to <yoz to Heaven? 2. It is a mofl Beneficial work^i it will deliver thee from Hell , and make way for Heaven. 3. It is the mofi excellent work^ that thou cmil fpend time upon, the chmi^e of ihee frrm Sin, to Grace ; from a finfiil, to an holy con- dition; It is a glorious change, even into the Image of God in O^'Vf? Chrift. . 1^ wiiimakc w.t ^^^^^- ^"^ It will make me nothing but mourn, andfigh,^ and
niornc, defpair, de^P^il'j ^nd ^^^^- , , -
and fear. Sol. i. iS't? ^^r^« f^f//j f/?^^ ;i fo doth not God nor his Word tell
Anfncrcd, thee, 2,IfconJtderationofSiny breeds godly forrow for Sin -^ twd Godly forroTfVy Repentance unto Salvation j thou hafi link canfeto^ grieve to he thus grieved, 7, . Nay, th^ negleB of timely conjldera- tion^ that is the caufe indeed of fuchfear and defpalr, ' 0,fay men ! had we thought of this courfe, known this heretofore, we had ne- ver run on fo, we had never come into this extremity of horror, &c. It is with fin as it is with difeafes, if taken or not taken in time. ^P ^« Another Ufe which I would make of this Point, fhallbeof
1°..^^"^!, _ Satis fa^lon to fettle and relieve troubled Souls , who fear much bka^Souls^"" V'^^^^h^^ they have ever throughly and rightly confidered thus of fin or no ; and confequently , fear tke truth of their Re- Some Cafcj pentance. For the fuller fatisfying of them I will pro- Rtfolved for pound fome Cafes,the Refolution of which may afford more clear
Jatisfadion. light :
Cafe I. I. How aChriftianmiy know that his confideration of fin is
Howaman^ right and penitential ? Icon je6lurethus,
may know his ^^ yy i^yp^yj^y^ /,/^ ^ Condemnation of fin i Before a mm
h Rifiht. confider aright of fin,he is ready to call the proud happy;he know;?
If it work in how to crmmit fin,and to approve it, and defend it, and plead for
him a Con- it. Sin feems his daintiefl bit, and choicert bait ; as if nothing elfe
df mnation of j^^j.^ delight and contentment but fin:but when the heart is brought
^^' rightly to ponder and to confider of fin, he is enabled not only to
condemn fin in the general, (thus,fin is an evil thing;) but alfo in
particular (thefe my fins are vile and evil things ; I have done
exceeding foollfhiy-i faid JDavid; ) O that I fhould ever open my
mouth for them, that ever I lliould love them, follow them as I
have done; I now behold them as the only dillionour of God,grief
cf his Spirit, Violations. of his Righteoufnefs, Injuries of his
Pa-
■SHMafiHHMBna^
The- sinners Averfion from Cod. 79
patience, abufes of his goodnefs md mercies ; the fpeares in ih;: heart of Chrijft,the fpots in my Toui, the wounds in my con- lx:iencejCrr. It is one thing to look upon fin as a mecr OJpjeft^md it is another thing to look upon fin as a vi/e Obje^ : to look on fin as a meer Obje6l, this is but th^i natural ad of the underftandmg, which, like the eye , is ready to fee all colours ; but to look on fin as a vile Obje6^, this is the work of a penitential under- lianding , wherein a perfon fees fo much intolerable and cxcef- live foulnefs in his finful wayes, that he now condemns and judg- eth thofe wickedneffes and abominations ; and himfelf too for higheft folly and madnefsfor lo^'C, fervice and obedience to them.
2. Jf It work^ i» him htimllUtton for fn ; we read of Feter If it wcrk in that he confidered, or thought on the words of Jefus ( and ^^^ Humilia. through them , of his great Vin in the denial of mafter ) but "onfor im.. how did he confider of them ? What, only by his fimple refle- dlion, that Chrifi had forewarned him, and that he had done evil in denying him ? Surely thus he thought , but the matter went further then his thoughts ; he confidered it in an afre6ling, or rather , in an atflidting way ; for the Text faith, That when he had thought thereon, )^f went out and weft bitterly. There is a fourfold confider ati on of fin ; One is only a consider m on of fin ; when a man thinks of fin as he hears a Sermon , hear it only : fo, think of ic only, and that's all ; this is an empty confideration. Another is, a finful confideratlon mly -^ when a man confiders of fin in a finful way, either to boaft of ic, or to excite his heart to more delight and propenfion to fin; this is a guilty confideration. A third is a judii>ial confidera- tion y which arifeth from the promptings and fuggefiions of a confcience awakened , now accufing, and condemning', and purfuing the finner , both with the remembrance of for- mer fins , and with the evidence of Gods preCcnt and future indignation. A fourth is, a Pen'tential ernfideration ; wherein, upon the evidence of finning, the foulisfenfible, nottodefparr, which breeds hopelefs terror, yet to repentance, wherein it is ex- ceedingly grieved, ^nd troubled, and difple.ifed for the fins com- mitted. If the confideration of Cm be a dry ad, fuch an a6l as fets where it rifeth (only in the mind) and hath no influence upon the atfedions- ; if it be not afympathizing a6l(»^)ruch an aft as works
So - ' ^^^ Returning Frodtgaly or
grief in the fciil , as well as diicovery of evil in tiie mind, it IS but a vain thing and never conduceth to repentance ; for as it is with mercies received, unlefs the apprehenfion of their kind- nefs and goodnefs defcends to the affedtions, they never iiir up •thankfulnds ; and as it is VYith the promifes, unlefs their excel- lency .and futablenefs come down from the mind to the will, they never excite faith : fo is it with fin; unlefs, befides the con- sideration of it, there be not an operation and influence up- on the heart to grieve and mcurn,it will never prove right and penitential. ' ;
Thou fayeft, thcu knoweft thy fins as well as any man can tell thee: Beit fo5but if thy heart remain hard, not humbled, aba- fed, broken, grieved for thefe fins, alas! as their unworking faith, J^m. 2, fothy unaite6ledfpeculationoffin,is vain :but findeftthou this, that upon the ferious confideration of thy fins, thy heart is humbled and abafed in thee ? that thou art caft down inthe fenfe of thy exceeding vilenefs? 0 wretched man that 1 fim \ O Lord to me belongs nothing hm fhame and confafon 1 and that thy heart is grieved within ihee andafflided? that bitter mournings arife becaufe of bitter finnings? my [onl. hath them in remembrance and IS humble dmthln me '^ Lam, 3. Thy heart melts before the Lord ; I aflure thee, this is a right and bleffed conlideratioD of fin. Jfic work ,^^' ^ ./^ It work^ In him Vete flat ion of Jin. Gnt^t feemes to be more uitationotin ^^^^^^^^^^^ but hatred is a more fixed quality, aslmayfo phrafe 'iX^Ez,ek^, 3^.31. T^ jhall remember pur orvn evil vp ayes and your doings- that were not good (here. is the confideration vvefpeak of) and ye fhall loath your [elves in your own [tght for your Iniquities and your abominations ( here is deteftation, the proper effe6l of true confideration ; • ) for in a right confideration,the fingular cau- fes orreafons of hatred do arife: v,g, Excefs of evil, ab- folute repugnancy to our bert good, effedlual prejudice , and greatefl injury. Rejugnans' O" Ojfendens , the Schoohnen '^ make the two chief grounds of hatred. Vide Summiflas in
I. 2d^,q,2^. But I Will not profecute that. Now then perufe thy felf, Hafi thouconfidered of thy finnes aright? if thou doefl: not hate them, thcu haft not; Seeft thou -finne , and art thou brought to hate it ? Let me but pro- pound a few things unto I'vit^^ that thouinayeft fee whether
thou
The sinners Converfton to God, 8i
thou loathelt and hateft fin, or no, " Is it fcacCy or is it ■ war^ If fin lies quietly in the foul, it is peace, it is not ha- tred ; hatred breeds variance, enmity, oppofition , conflid. Tatil hated fin, Rom,q, i<j. and Wars with it, v, 23. "// h a. deadly tvar ? is it for life ? will this fuffice thee, that fin .doth not terrifie thy confciencc ; or wilt thou not be fatisfied, till iin be mortified and crucified in the lufls and affections thereof ? ^^ h It iiks Davids w^r, wherein he left not one >^- »^/z/V/<jVf to efcape and carry tidmgs ; and not like 5Wj, to kill forae, and fpare the red ? CanlUhoufay, Lord^ I huts the thing that is evil} Pfal, 97. 10. dwd I hate every fadfe way} Oh, if there be raifed in thee, upon the confideration of fin, a deadly enmity and defiance with it, an implacable, general diflike, abomination, refiftance, and defire to root it out ; happy arc thou ; thy confideration of fin is rightly and effe6tually peni- tential.
4. /f It work-in hlmy Reformation of Jin : Do you not read in Hit work in Pfal, lip, ^g. that David confidered andthoti^htonhisyvayes?^^^^»^iioimt' I thonght on my rvaysy faith David^ ( f o do many, many indeed "^°' do fo, but not as' David did ; for after he had faid, I thought on my ways, he addeth,) and turned my feet unto thy teflimonies. He fo thought of his ill ways, that he left them, and betook himfelf unto good ways. If, thinking on fin doth not produce leaving of fin, it is nothing ;^ if thinking of fin doth not breed leaving of fin, then going on in fin will make you leave think^ ing of fin : And though vve think of an ill way, yet if we do not enter into, and walk in a good way, it is nothing. There I is a two-fold leaving of fin, one which is proper to the conditi- on of Glory ; another which is proper to the condition of Grace. I fpeak not of the former, which is the abfolute diflblution of fin; but of the latter, which is an imperfedl ( though true ) feparati- '^ on from fin ; confifting, in ^jf<?^/<?», wherein the Will is alie-
nated from fin ; the evil which I would not doy faith the Apoftle : L In Mourning ; O wretched man ! whojhall deliver me from this bo-
dy of death ? In Endeavour ; willingyOr endeavouring to live honefi^ lyy H^b. 13.18. There is a purpofe to walk in new obedience, and an hearty defire fo to do, and not to ferve fin any.longer ; and alfo an a6live endeavour to put off the former converfation, and to crucifie the flelli, with the affeftions and lufts thereof. , M To
(
i 5
H-
82. The Returning Trodigaly or
rf*
To confider of fin, and yet ftiil to love it, and ftill to live ia ir, to ftudy to fulfil the liifts of it, to give up cur fdves to the fervice of it, to walk in darknefs, to be the fame in our affections . to it, and in our obedience unto it, this is not onely a vain, but a fearfuU confideration; But if, when we have throughly confi— dered of fin in the vilenefs of it, we are etfe6lually wrought ud- on to arife from our fmfull courfe ; O Lord ! I have finned exceedingly, and done very foolifhly -, I am rcfolved to leav this linfull way ;. Lord 1 help thou me, give me thy grac turn thou me, and I il^all be turned ; turn away my heart and eyes, caufe me to put off my old convcrfation i enable me to walk and live in newnefs of life. This is an happy Fruit, efpecially if it hath two other Erfecb accompanying it, "viz,,
1 . Fervent Stiff Hcmion ; if it carries the foul to God in Chrift for mercy, for grace, for ilrength. The refolution to reform^ if it goes no further than theitrength of the foul, it will eafily cool, and quickly fail us • if ever it prove right, it muft carry us to Chrili, for as much as it is by his fteigth, and by his grace, that we get our hearts turned from fin, or that we are able to forfake our fins. Haft thou confidered of thy fms ? why and doeft thou not difcern fuch infinite guilt in them, as makes thee for ever accurfed, if thou haft not mercy in Chrift ? and doeft thou hereupon apply thyfelf, in^allhumblenefs of heart, to the Throne of mercy ? O Lord bs nurclfull tome a fmner ; according th rmihitude of thy tender ?nercies^ blot out my tranfgrejfions : Behold me through the bloud of Chrift, yea, O Lord ! heal my iinfull foul ; O Lord ! change my heart -, O Lord 1 diffolve the powers of fin in me, by thy mighty power fubdue my iniqui- ties ; turn me from all fin, make me a fervant of righteouf- nefs.
2. Diligent application of our fehes to the Means ^ private and publick, ordinary and extraordinary ; through the right »jfe of n^ich, we may expedl fufficient grace from God to work Re- pentance never to be repented of. Haft thou rightly confidered of fin, why! what art thou now doing ? where mayeft thou now be fcund ? what courfe doef^ thou take to leave fin ? what helps doeft thou apply thy felf unto ? what occafions of fin doeft thou decline .? what furtherances of a new life doft thou regard and
The sinners Con'vcrfion to God. 83
life ? If there be no vvatchfulncfs over thy fpirit, no reftraint to thy flelli, no ftoutnefs of refolution, no reparation from the occafions of fm, no humble ftudy and refpe6l to the Word, no fruitfull converfe with holy fociety, how is it that thou fayeft thou haft confidered thy fins ?
Whether the conjj deration of fm may he rights and avallahle to \\^ Cafe, Refentance^ when yet there are fome fns which a man thinks not Wbethcr Can- on ? To this, I conje6lure it may be thus anfwered. i. Ihat fideration of aUnal or f articular inconf deration^ if it he iioluntarj and affetl^ ^.^ °^-y ^* ed^doth pejudice Repentance : For it is to be fuppofedjthat he who ^^fc'arc fom-s yviil not take the pains to think of his fins, hath not yet found fins thac aman an heart or a will to leave his fins. Therefore confider,that a6lu- chinks not of ? al inconfideration may arife, either, From want of light or e:ui- Particular in- dence; the eyes of the mind are not yetfo fully opened, they •°^-^^^'^*"|*"^ are not fo perfectly acquainted with the Law, which difcovers ^^ docbprc- fin ; much fin they fee, but not all; not that they would not, judice R pen- ' but, becaufe they cannot ; fo a weak eye hath not fuch clear and cance. full fight ; Or, From hjfocrifie of will ; when means of evidence are prefent, and commands of confideration are urged ; but either from a fecret love of fin, or from a lazinefs of fpirit, the perfon will not take pains to confider throughly of his manifold fins, this kind of inconfideration being wilfull and affeded will be inter- preted for Impenitency, becaufe the perfon will not endeavour faithfully the wa yes of Repentance. 2. That the latitude of the Ohjeii confidered^ doth not fo immediately difcover and decide^ as the effcacy and influence flowing from confideration it felf. Though I am not able to find out every particular where- in I do offend ; yet if by the confideration of thofe fins, which I do confider of, my heart doth m -It and mourn, and ftrives to loith and forfake them, becaufe they are fin- full : If thefe drive me out of my felf unto Chrili ; if thefe occafion me earnefily to acquaint my felf wich God, to beg for Reconciliation , for Grace , for Mercy , for Strength, &c. though" there be many fins which I have not a6lually thought on, yet this may be a right and penitential confide- m. CafeJ^ I
ration, Wh«hcrafin-
Another Cafe may be this ; Whether the Confideration of ^^ Coniidera- fin, tending to Repentance, muft be frequent? or. Whether J'*^ °^ ^^^ ^^ ^ fmis Confideration may be fufflcient ? For the refolution of ^^^^^^"^^^
M 2, this
,i«t«eWi
84 The Returning Frodigal^ Or
Diftindions. this Cafe, thus. i. DivinesdiftinguiiTi of Repentance,, that premifcd. it is either Initial, or Gradual : The Imtlal Repentance is, ^^^•^u?"" the firft turning from fia, nay, the very firlt will and defire Inkhl' rf ^^ ^^ ^^> ^^^^^ ^ purpofe and endeavour toetfe6tit: The Gra^ Gradual, ^^^^ Repentance is , the ripening and perfecting of Repen- ~. . ^ tance in the degrees of all the parts of it, 2, Again, There fold con fidcra- ^^ ^ two-fold conlideration of fin: One is folemn^ wherein the tionofiin. foul fequefters it felf, earnelily fearchethintothe Lawof God, Sokmn.. and into its, own fpirit, and into the vvays of L'fe ; perufing
and reviewing the , finfull condition all over, in the parts and kinds, in the hainous circumllances and agravations ; and here- upon folemnly indites it felf before the Lord, by confclTing, . Otdmary, judging, &Ci _ Another is ordinary ^ which is a daily look- ing over the Book ,, and perufing of the finfull Accounts Dlftinjui(h froni time to time. 3. You mull diftinguifh twixt the twixt the Grace Grace .or quality of RefeyitarxCy and twixt the uiB; or exer^ -
and^thcTa^'f ^'^^ ^^ ^^t^'^^^'""'^^ 5 ^^^ Grace is wrought onely by Gods Spi- ij, rit ; the Exercife or operation is wrought and occafioned by
confideration. Thefe things being premifed, I conjecture thus much. Solemn confi- i, T\\2t [oUmnCofifder^ttoKls '4ecejfary to Initial Repentance, deration ne-^ jj^g Htsin is not eftedlually excited to the adual leaving of fin,, thl^Repcn-^' "^''^^^ ^^ ^^th firll ferioufly examine and try it felf, .find out and - lancc. ponder the vilcnefs of its finning and tranfgreifion ; flight
thoughts work no more then flight confeOTons, That we are all finners, and there's an end ; but the. hear tmuft'look'on fin in the kinds, circumfiances, helliili viienefs of its thoughts, if ever Ordinary con- it ^vill repent indeed. 2. That ordinary confideration is ne^
fideration ne- cejfary to gradual Repentance, If ever you Would perfe6iyour: eeffary to Gra- Repentance, you mu ft ever think of your fins, thofe that are canw ^^'"" ^^^^> thofe that areprefent. By ordinary confideration,- 1 da not mean, a flight and perfundlory view of them ; But a dai- ly view, though not in length of time, yet having the fame difpofition of heart to condemn and abhor them, and quick- ning ws, more fervently to feek God for ftrcngth, and to de- cline the occafions of fin , and to grow more watchfull and tender , &c. If you do not ordinarily confider of the viie- nefs of fin , you will be ordinarily infnared by the deceitiul- nefs of fin 5 if you would enjoy conftant viftory and deli- . ^ , verance.
inn»'
iix..-^
7he sinners Converfton to God, ' 85
verance, you muft admit of frequent confideration. As
for the ^okmn Cenji deration^ that I conjc6lure is not necejfary at ^-olcmncorfl-
all timesy but upon fpecial occafions : Either i. Before we derarionnoc
enter into foinj vveii^hcy bufmefs : 2. When vvelie under feme "'^^^^^y *'*'^
weighty a tfliclions : 3. When we are to die, and make fkaight ^"^ ^\^^^
cur weighty accounts : 4. When we are more folemnly to y^hen nis nc-
meet the Lord and renew^ our Covenans with him ; as in ccflary,
the day of Humiliation , or v^hen we are to come unto the
Sacraminr. Now are we more folemnly and ferioufly to ,
confider of our fins, partly, i. Becaufe now the Lord Rcafons o^icr
confiders them who come into his fpecial prefence, how
you come. 2. Becaufe you are ferioufly to renew your
Repentance , which you cannot ferioufly do , , without feri-
ous confideration. 3. Becaufe you are . to renew your
Covenants with God, to keep a more ferious watch, crc.
Therefore now let us fearch our hearts, try, and conlider of
our ways, renew our Repentance, turn with all our ftrength -
unto the Lord , put away iniquity far from us, humble our
felves low before the Lord , eonfefs our fms , judge our
felves ; thus if. we. do, we fhall find more ftrength in our
R-epenrance, more peace in our Confciences, more fweetnefs
in the Sacrament, more confidence towards Chrift, and may
comfortably expedl the pardon of our flns, and falvation by. his
bloud. ' '
. The third and 1 aft life ftiall be for Exhortation, to fet upon Vfe j..
thefe two works of Confideration and Comparifon. Here let Exhorcation to
me propound two things unto you , refpeAiuii the practical ^o'^^^^^'^on 'r r \ ^ ii . ^ • I /, and conapari-
exercile ot them.. Qu, i. what is required to enable a pr- ^^^ ^
[on rightly to con^der^ and to com fare ? d)CC, I Conceive thus. WhatJsrtqui- I, 7 here muft he knowledge : Right Confideration and Compari- ccd to enable , fon, are works of an illightened mind ; to underftand the pro- "^ there:©^^ per nature and diftindion of things,- neceffarily requires know- ^"^^^^^S^* - i ledge : For Ignorance can neither confider nor diftinguifli ; therefore ftudy the Word, and other Books, Xo underftand what objeds are, of which you are to confider. 2. There muft be fome wifdome : For every Underftanding cannot find out things, ^*^'°'"^' nor is able to make their differences of vilenefs or excellen- cy ; as David faid of the Works of God, that a hrmifhrnan under jlands them mt ^ &c. Pfal. p2. 5, 6. that w^s fay
85 7he Returning Prodigal^ or
of perfons onely enlightened, That if they have not fpiritual
Wifdome, to compare things, or to confider of them, they will
never, by the evidence of the vilenefs of Sin, or excellency of
Retired nefs. Grace, be drawn to Repentance. 3. There muft ho. Ret'u-
redr.ejsy or Sequeftration : You maft feparate your felves, as 5^«-
lom-jfi i^^Qsks. Tumults of bufinefs. or violence of noife, diiiradl
the thoughts, and alienate them, utterly difabling. to confider.
Gathering our 4- ^ouixiuil gather par feives together : You mult ftrive againit
thoughts togc- divifion in mind ; be careful! to unite and to center your thoughts,
thcr. not fuffering your felves to be fcattered, or blown away from
prayer. your felf. 5. You mu'fl: praj unto God to open your eyes
to fee, and to give a judgment to difcern, and to unite your
hearts, and enable them to go through the work ; for verily you
fhall find much reludancy and oppofition of fpirit, tofucha
work.
In whit man- Q^^fi* 2* In what manner we are to confider, and to.com-
ncr w8 muft P^re, Crc, I Anfwer, i . The Rules for a right conf deration^ fo
confider and ,as to occafion Repentance, are xhd^, i. Do it in a free time;
compare. there arc times, wherein a man is moft unapt for fuch a work as
The ^^^^^^^^ °^ this, as when very fick in body, or under fome pafTion of grief, or
radon °^ ^ ^^^^' ^^ ^^^^ ' ^^^^ the foul is in a Tumult, it cannot fee things
Do it in a frtc aright, nor judge aright„ Take a calm time for all works of mo-
time. mcnt, either to know, or to judge thy Eliate. 2.- Doit with
T>3 it with a a full time : The matter is weighty, not the work of a day, as
fuH lime. they fpake concerning the feparation in Ez^ra^ it was not a work^
to he^done in one day. Nor is this of found Coniideration, a bu-
flnefs which can be h.^.ftily done, and well done ; you muil do it
deliberately and ferioufly ; for there are many (ins, and many cir-*
cumftances to be confidered of, and to be weighed and judg-
. ed, c^c. 5. Do it throHghl^ : Do not begin a little, and then
Bo ic through- ^-^^^ ^^^j, . 1^^^,^ ^^^ ^jjj ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ bottome ; fee the worfl
^' of it, and the utmofi of it, if ever you will fee the good of
it : You are never a jot the worfe, by feeing how bad you are ; but you may be the better all the cJayes of your life for it. You muii be faithfull to your own foul, not to pafs over any fin that D it d 1 yotican well conceive your felf guilty of. 4. You mufl: do it ° - -^ "^y* orderly : Confider not of all fins in a Lump, but break your thoughts^ And as they in Judgment confider of one Caufe, and_ then: of another 5 fo do you of your fins ; what are your chief fins:,
in
^he Sinners Converfion to God, 87
In aff^ilion, orpradice, or inclination, and fo go to other, (^r.
in their order, time, place, &c, 5. You mult do it [0 long^ Do it till your
until joHY hart begin to relent^ and grows tender and foft : Ah 1 bca« begin to
horV vile, and abominable, and wretched, o-c, and then (trike ^«^^"^-
in with God by Prayer and Confeflion, &c. And this is a w^y to
bring you to Repentance.
Secondly, the Rules for Com^Arl [on. If you would To com- Rules for com- pare the miferablenefs of the finfull, with the happinefs of a con- P*''^|'" ®^ ^^* verted condition, fo as to be brought to Repentance, then i. verted^ftatc°'*" Tan mtifl compare them in their proper natfires andejfe^s ; not by Compare them that which is accidental, but by that which is natural ; there in their proper may be fome trouble to a converted eibte, and fome delight up- n»L"fc and ef- on an unconverted eftate ; thefe then are preternatural, they ' ^' arife not from : the ihings themfelves, but are contingent ac- cidents : But compare the real natures and fruits of the one with the other, and then you iliall fee reafon to leave the one, and to choofe the other, 2. You mufl compare them by a pro- Compare thfm per Rule-: not ftanding, in point of definitive fentence, what p^^j*p[*^°^" your own heart, or what the World approves ; but onely what God in his Word doth fentence to be moft vile and miferable, and what he pronounceth to be mott good and comfortable. The Rule of Comparifon muft ever be pure, impartial and perfe6l. 3. You mul^ have Jo muchf^ith alfoj as to believe what God faith Believe what of either eflate .- For though you lihould refer the decifion unto 9 .^ ^T ^ him, yet if upon his refolving, you are refolved to quarrel againft it, and difpute the truth and validity, and fay yet, It is other- wife, we will not believe that our finfull courfe is fo bad and fo dangerous ; alas ! you will never repent while you live : But you muft refolve of this, that the Word Hiall captivate your thoughts, and fhall difcover, and fet the differences of efiatcs ; and fo you may be occifioned to repent. 4. You muft take an humble Rcfojve to fol- f^ firm refolmion to take) and follow that way which God difco- lowjbat wjy vers unto yoii for the be jl ; and to decline that way which God God difcoycrs ^ difcovers to be fed and damnable: {'/.) You wii I betake your ^° cbc ,. felves induftrioiifly and ftedfaftly unto all the ways and means by which you may be lengthened to leave your finsf, and to walk with God in newnefs of obedience,
^ . . LuKB
,£^
'88 The 'KetHrning Frodtgd^ dr
XiiK E 15.18. I y^'dl arlfe^ and go to mj T other.
Thefe words contain in them, the other fundamental part of 'The Rc^oluti- Repentance appearing in the Prodigal, viz,. Ihe Refolutlonof on of the Pro- his fvill. To apprehend evil, is romihing ; but to leave it, is the ^^^^ ' fafeil thing- tofee a better condition, {hews that the eye is open-
ed, but to go to our Father, this iliews that the heart is changed. .Jafcnhby This Refolution of the Prodigal, is fet forth, partly by the i. The Matter of Matter ofity which is very compleat ; it cont^ns as much as Re- "• pentance requires, ( Surgam o* ibv^) I will ar i fey I will go, St.
Atifiin'is fomething facetious upon the words; Strrgam^l will arife, qtdiajacehat^lo: the Prodigal was down before : Sm is a fall, and •Repentance is a rifing-. and ibo^ I will go to my Father, qim hnge ahrat^ for the Prodigal was far from home : Sin is a long travel, a wandring rather ; and^Repentance is afweet returning : We go abroad when we fin, we come home v^^hen we repent. And Chr J fofio/ne upon Ii;o ad patremj I will go home to my Fa- ther, wittily compares the motions of Hepentance to thofe of a journey. That though which T do moft conjechire at in the words, is. The Prodigals compleat Refolution for the matter of Repent:.nce.- Repentance is a motion twixt two terms, and is made of Averfio and Confverfio\ Averfion from a finfull courfe, and that is in Surgam^ I will arife ; Converfion to God, and this The Manner ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ f^trem^ I will go to my Father. 2. The Manner
of it. ^^ Torm of it : It is not votumy a wifli, nor yet velleitas^ a would-
ing, nor yet volttia defmurGy I will hereafter : But his Refolution to arife and to go home, is as compleat as the Matter on which he doth refolve ; lyvilUrlfe^ I will go : It was aftrong andperemp- Tte Motive to ^^^y ^^d prefent Refolution. q. The Motive or hdacement to ity k. and' that is in the word [mj Father.'] The apprehenfions of a Fa-
ther, work moft to the return of a finner. That I Hiall find a Fa- ther of God, prevails much to make a penitent Child of men. Gen era! Pro- There are many excellent Propofitions obfervable out of the words; pofifions. fome I will onely point at, the refi: I will infifl upon. Thus then. Repentance is ^» '^hat Repentance is a Gradual thing in working. Though the a Gradual , habitual implantation of it be inftantaneous, ( for li is a Grace thin J in work- infufed, and therefore admits not of fpace andleifure,) yet the *^- actual operation of it is fuccelTive, and by degrees -, as here in
the
*The Sinners Converfion to God, 8p
the Prodigal, i. He came to himfelf, 2. He conftders of his fe- rifhing condition. ^.Th^n compares it with the baffy cor^ditionof thoje in his fathers honfe. And then 4. Refolves to leave his fins, ^nd go home to his fat hers houfe.
2, That Repentance is an AB:ivexhing ; it will make a {inner Rfpentance Is to leave his place and to find his feet : rifing and going are an adivc ihinj a6live motions. He who repents indeed, is doing, indeed ; it is
not an an indifferent, cold, grave, dull nothing, But the oul itirs indeed againft fm, and Itrives indeed to enjoy and pleafe - God. Efhraim defiles his graven Im3ges,and will no more have to do with them ; and readily come unto the Lord, Behold we jceme unto thee ^ for thoH art the Lord our God, And therefore S. John faith, Bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Repentance is a working Grace, itfets the judgment,the will, the affediolis, the whole man on work.
3. That found refolntion is reqitifte to found Reformation, Sound Refalu- The Prodigal here is peremptory, / will arife^ I will go to my ^^°" '^ '''^"*" Tather : This is a point of great confequence , and very pro- Rcformacion. per to the Text, and therefore I will infift upon it, by inqui- ring, I. What this found refolution is ? 2. Why it is requisite
to a found Reformation? 3. Then what ufeful Application of this to our felves ?
Qup{\. 1. what fclid Refolution is? What Solid
Sol. It is a well grounded^ ft^ong^ cmflant and aElive purpofe R-«folution is. 9f the will of a penitent finner^ wherein he is peremptorily bent to for fake a fmful courfe, and to lead a holy and a better life,
r. Jt is a purpofe or knt of the will: Soit is C3\kd,j^^.ii.2^. Itis-a purpofc J purpcfe of heart : when matters of faith or f a^: are only difco- ° ^| ^ °^ '^^ vered unto us, the work of the mind about them is called Appre- benfion ; when they are debated and difputed there, this is called ' Deliberationrand when the will is fully inclined and wrought upon, that it is with it as with the body carried to the Center, the natural Inclinations poyfe and bend it thither ; So the very Spirits, as it, were,of the will,the Pondns of it,is carryed about the vyork,it is {qz upon it ; this is called Refolution.
i.Toforfakeapnfulcourfe : You muft diftinguifh twixt Inter- To forfake 1 mijTionSjand Excifions ; twixt paufmg and forfaking.In folid refo- ^^"^^^ coyxdu lution the will is purpofed not to make only a ftop, or to admit of fome interruption , but alfo to make a divorce, an iitter fepara-
N tion.
8
90
T'he Returning Frodi^al^ or
The on of digs
The
Th ofi
T1
k;i.
poi
R
a thi
To lead a
Godly lifer.
tion : what have I to do with idols any more ? faid Efhraim ; and
this reparation is not onlyinr;:fpedtof a particular or perfonal
ad ; as thus, 1 vvill do this evil this time, or for fo long a time ;
but alfo in refpe^l: of courfe, I am [ urpofed to relinqui fh k^ both .
in part, and in whole, both no. v and for ever ; there is difference
betwixt I. Abrteining. 2. Foriaking. ^. Stopping. No».
fropom feccarCj fed frofomnon feccare, J {0,1,-^0,22, Thou (halt
cafi them away as a menflrmHS c loath , and fay , get thee hence.
In the extent and latitude , though they have been Mala utllia ,
jucmda c^ char a,
3. Kndto lead a Holy or Godly Life : And in this refpe6l j,
this refolution is called fometimes,a choofing of the way of God, .
fometimes a cleaving to the Lord, fometimes a ferving of the
Lord, fometimes a Covenant toferve the Lord, and to walk with..
him, and Tomtimes a readinefs to hear what the Lord will fpeak ;
/ and myhotife will fervethe Lord, Pfal. ilp. 106, I have fwornandwilij &c. Thefum of all is this. Then is it a refolu- tion of the will, when a perfon attains thus far ; " This is an evil
*'way, I am heartily purpofed never to walk in it more ; this is- ^ an holy and good way, I am heartily purpofed to walk therein for "ever; thef^fms I wiJl follow an'dferve no longer; but this *' God iliall be my God, his Lawes iliall be my rule, and guide^ *' and^his wayes Hiall be my wayes in the which I will walk. The properties ^.In the difcription confider the properties ofthisRefolmionjWh Ich cichis Rcfolu- are four. i. It is^ well grounded purpofe of the will ; it is not a houfe without a foundation, nor a Oiip without a bottom, nor yet with a weak bottom ; It is not raifed, I know not how,or on a fudden, in an irrational and humorous way, or in all haft; Ordi- narily, he who will leave an ill courfe in h.^ft , comes off from it (indeed) with too much leifure ; but it is fuch a purpofe, as is- throughly bottomed upon fuch grounds as can give life, and main- tain the bent and inclination of the will. It doth arife from, and depend upon mature confideration, and upon deep convi6i:i- on : The finner doth firft look into, and ferioufly perufe and weigh an impenitent and (inful courfe,and feeth the ilrongeft, and forcibleft , and juReft caufes to renounce it for ever ; and alfo upon due t^ial, and fearching, and weighing in the ballance of thfe San6hi3ry, he doth find the wayes of new obedience to be the true and only wayes of life> to which if he doth not turn,he
cannot
tion.
AvFcIl ground
The Sinners Converfion to God* , ^i
cannot pleafe God,nor be faved ; and unto which if he doth turn, then he is under the beft God, and in the moft excellent and la- ving condition: and hereupon begs of God for grace and lirength ; and fo refolveSjezT. In a Word,the Refolution is well grounded ; when it followes ferious deliberadon, and is raifed upon divine alTiftance , and entred into with earne(t fuppiication * for our jftrength cannot brmg forth, nor maintain fo great a work as refor-
Hia.ion.
2. It IS a. firor.gpfirpfffe of the will: Tlie operations of the a ftronj pur- will are reputed Itrong , when either they are not divided , pofe of chc but united ; or when they are rooted in an habit or principle, and ^i^^* not only in an occafion and accident;or when thty are abf3lute,and not conditional ; If the operations be divided, they are weak as Rivers, &c. fo when a man partly wills this, and pardy that • he is inclined fomewhat to leave his fin, and yet he is inclined to keep it ; this divilion hinders right refolution, which is not ^foindifferent,fo indeterminate, fo divided, but centers the incli- nation of the will, only one way, viz,, to a peremptory reje6tioii of evil,and a peremptory ele6lion of good ; the fcale goes down, and it is not a grain which will turn i t ; Apin, if the operations of the VYill arife only from occafions which is bufied in alterable circumftances , they can never be ftrong ; as the colour in the face, which arifeth from violent exercife only, goes offprefently ; fo that refolution ( if it may be fo called) which arifeth froiii changeable imprerfions, is alwayes weak and fading ; a deceitful bow,unfkdfaft. /« their afjilBions they wlllfeek^ me earry,but,(^r. Ho[. 6, 4. But to the production of a penitential refolution ( which makes a ftrong purpofe in the will) there muft be an ha- bit which will fet the heart , and incline it fo , that it will not be taken off; ^sin Ruth to Naomi ^ Intreat.me not^d^iC, there was a ftrong principle of love, which made up this ftrong purpofe to cleave unto her. Again, if the operations of the will be conditionaI,they can ne\^er be (o ftrong,as when they are abfolutc ; for afuppofition and cafc,where the will may put off anddifpence withitfelf, cannot make the a6l of the will fo .firmas.wherc.the cafiC is abfolute(for now the whole bent of the will is carried with- out any check or diminution.) If a man faith,! will leave fuch a iinful courfe, in cafe I may have the countenance of fuch friends, or the benefit of fuchaneftate; and I will lead a godly -life, in
N z cafe
^2 The Returning Frodigdy or
cafe I may hold correfpondence and efteem in the. world, &c. purpofes upon variable conditions are variable. . Thefe conditions do diminilli the (trengch of Refolution ; but when a perfon is car- ryed in an abfolute way, come what will come, friend:bip or en- mi ty5greatnefs^r poverty, life or death,!- will change my courfe .; this is a ftrong purpofe of will^ and a right Refolution. It is aeon- ^ It is a conftam furfofe^or continued : The thylofophers do
ftam purpofe vvell dilHnguifh twixi PajfionSy which are but the foul in a mood, and a Rty and twixt QmHtiefy which are ferled tempers and Gonftitutions,as it were. Refolution is not a tranfient palfion, but it is a fixed quality. Not that it is not interrupted, but that it is not renounced and given over, but is ftill maintained,. Nor that It is not aflaulted , but that it is not changed. A twifted Gord, Proftffitt tenaxythn is a refolute min, & (ihl confians^ but a double minded man, an unftable fpirit, a will , though iirong as Paffion , yet if unftable as water ( hot in the firlt aflault, as if we would be ftronger then Men, and flat in the fucceeding • affaults , . as if we were weaker then Women) thefe humours are rather fome complements , which ftill fhrink' at the adding , then refolutions for change of Life : PalTions are violent , but jiiot conilant , as the Gdathlans to FauL It is an aftivc 4. Laftly, It is an a6live purpofe : for as it is a vain thing to Purpo[e. deliberate much, and torefolve on little at length, fo it is a vain
Refolution which purpofeth great things, but doth nothings If I refolve to take Phyfickfor my he^ilth, and never take any, what avails that Refolution ? Like -Antlgones^ J will glve^ but ne- ver gave. So, if a man' refolve to leave his fins, but the day is ftill to morrow; he fets not upon it indeed, but yet a little ftumber, yet a little fleep, as. S, Auftin fpake of him- felf, crasy crasy this is vain. But true refolution is ftir- ring and ftriving ; it puts a man upon the work , as the Pro- digal , 7 wi/l arife and goe^ to mj Father , who indeed did thereupon arife and go. I am refolved to confefs my fins, to judge my felf, to feek unto God by prayer; and I do indeed do fo, I do confefs, judge, pray , ufe the means,
"^^l ^^^^l' 'Quel}. 2, Why this Refolution is requifite to a found.Re-
on is Requt - ~ .
^te. formation ?
X. Be-
The Sinners Connjerfion to God, ' $i
1 . Bccaufe Reformation of our waves cannot he performed wtth- _,. ,
I ^ r • A LA7/ ^/L '^•i 1. Tntrecan bs
<mt much Oppojition:As when Nehemiah began to repair the walls, noR^formacion
was vvuh much oppofuion. If yru v^ill not lcrve/« as a Lord, you with uc much muitexpecl to hear of//? as an Enemy; if you will not ferve cfpcfiion. its Lulis,you lliall be iiindred and mclefted v\ith its Lulb. Strong- er rowmg is requifite againft a llrong Tide ; So for Satan, he will not eafily be difpoirell ; if you will not follow his Couniels, you /hall feel his Dar.s ; and the world will wonder at you, and re- proach you, and vilifie you ; temptations on the right hand, and on the left. Now, all thefe fhocks and bruncs,will not be fuftained without a firm Refoluaon.lt mui^ be an houfe Ikongly built, upon an unmoveableRock,which will ftand againll all winds and waves.
2. Becaufe (in hath been very dear unto us^ and is beyond mea- Sin is very fhrefubtiU to ferfwade and entice us. It is not an ealie thing f^^^^^^o Intice- (^though death otherwife be threatned) tom.ike a man willing to "''
\i\s^ his Arm or Leg cut off. Sin is as our members to us,it is cal- led cur felf,born and bred with us.. The feparat'on is not eafe where the Conjundion is Natural, and hath been more familiar : It will not be done by renfoning or inrreaty, but Refolution is ner- - ceflary. Again,6'/» is rnGfiJukile to alurens^ to entice «/,to put out our thoughts of Reformation. How often doth it untwift the Cord and propound delights and pleafures (fome fweet baits or other) which take us quite away from our private- intentions ? How ex- tremely doth it fill the heart with Unbelief,that the Reformation ' of fuch a fin can never be ? and if vve fet upon it , how ftrangely doth it amaze us, that there is no hope of mercy,and therefore we were better enjoy fome pleafure a while , then bitternefs and an- guiili for ever.
3. The heart is naturally deceit f a/ ^ and apt 1 9 turn or be turned: The tejrtis' A fmall thing will make the eye to lliut,and the very imagination nacurally
of danger is enough todifcourage mmy am.ui, and to make him Di"i;fal. torecoyl : A cunning mm muft be tyed in firm bonds. We think that vve will do much,and fuflfer any thing ; but this we find,that if the way be good,we do not eafily like it;if it be long,we are quick- ly weary of it;if it be harlli,weare ready to forfake it.Now occur- rents and accidents do ordinarily put on us new Intentions and -
4.1f you confider the frame and difpoftion of that nerv courfe <?/ t'hc nc^cou fc • Godly wa/k^ngyyou will confds that a refdution is neceflary ; for, of Godly m]k^-
J. Itin^..
p^ The Returning frodigdy or
Icisfpirkual. i. It is fpiritud, and wholly hevweidy. 2. Itisftricl, and muft Sc.ia. ^ be ordered by rule ; no room for any one iinfui lult or way, (trait
Offofueto ^s ^he gate. 3. It is o^^pofice and contrary to that nature and cor. upt nature. Will which is corrupt in us, it is [p fra x-r contra, 4. It is difficiilt DifRculc, and very high ; grace and fupernatural works are hard, to deny Capable of oiirfelves, our own righteoufnefs, c?^r. 5. It is cafah:eof fuch jreat dargfrs. dangers^ which mil not eajilybe digefled ^ even lofs of life it VciyUbdd- felf. 6, Itisv^ryUbortotiSy it mull coft a man much liudyand rous. fearch , much care and watchfulnefs , much prayers, and many
tears , much felf-denial, and mortification ; much going out of himfelf, and adventuring upon pure promifes. 7. Oinecefs'ny^ The Sou I mi3 ft ^j^^^otil muH- under goe much , if n mil lead a godly life ; many forii!"*^'"^"^ violent temptations from Satan-, inward conflicts with the love, •of fin, outward perfecutions from the world , 7/?f^ f/?^rW// //t/^ godlj muft fuffer perfecution. Now tell me whether a firm refo- lution be not neceffary , when a man changeth to a courfe which is very fpiritual and holy, whereas before he lived in a courfe that was fenfual and impure ; again, into a courfe very ftrid and con- trary to him in great part, and very difficult, and very dangerous , and wherein he muft be very induftrious, and go through many a iharp trial and brunt. ^l^ All the ufe which I fliall make of this affertion fhall be redu-
•ced unto two heads, i. Of Exhortation. 2. Dired^ion. Exhortation to ^ • ^^^ Exl-iortmon is, that as we do defire a real reformation of .bring our " our finful wayes,fo we flrlve to bring our hearts to a folld refolutlon bearrs to this again ft them. Two things I will propound as motives to edge Solid Rcfoluti- ^j^jg exhortation, i. Th^ folly and Inconvenience of an irrefolute Motives. and tottering and hovering fpirit viz.. i. Till you attain to a firm
Six dangers of refolution,you will never he free from ftrong temptations : Faint Irrefoluricn. denials' are interpretative Encouragements; as it is with the ill Ifoo will not humours of the body, they flock and refort to acrazy part ; So :ftron"t ""ta- ^^ ^^ with Satans temptations, they will ever be frequent where laon.^ the heart is ready to embrace, or not refolved to refill : why
•fhouldeft thou expe6l that Satan Oiouldfall ofF,when thou art yet irrefolved to refift him ? that he ihould not be backward to tempt, when thou art not refolved not to yield ? 2. Till you attain to a ^ou will never firm refolution, yon will never come to a firm peace ; Confcience come to a firm cannot be clear in its teftimony, when we are indifferent in our J^stcc tnirpofe againft fin. Tml could fay, the evil tJutt Jr\oHUmt doe ;
'^ ' ' thou
The Sinners Converfion to God', . 5^5
thcu canft not fay fo : The decifion of that efta:e will be under
a cloud 5 and you will be ftruck with more fufpicions of hyro-
crifie and wrath, while you come to be plain-hearted and refolute,
1 wi'l ferve no fm any longer. ^. Till you attain to a firm re- y^^^ ^jn ^^
folution, y§H will be [nhjett to the frequent mangli'rjgs of fin; we.ik (ubjed ro cfac
feiolutions are like a weak child, orafeaher, or like weaj{ walls, cn-snjUnjs cf
through which any bullet will flye : Thou ha(t no armour on, ^'"•
till thou be refolved ; any finful occafion or opportunity is too
hard for him , whofe heart is not clad with a peremptory denial :
How can he be ikdfali,. who is not found ? a lame Legg is apt to
fall ; or what iliock can a we,ik body fuftein ? it cannot be y
but thou lliouldefl: be under the guilt of much c(xruption, who art
not determinately fixed in thy refoives againft all linful fuggefti-
ons ; Thou wondredft at It^ that perhaps after many Prayers, and
much hearing, yet fome fin or other ftill pre\^uls : but can it well
beexpedled, that Sin iliould not be thy Conqueror, when as yety.
thou art not refolved to be its enemy ? 4, Till you attain to a firm
vt{o\\xi\o\\ pnwill but fhtijfie in a good courfe^ off and on, fome- J^^^^^' ^''^'^
times much, fometimes little , fomedmes nothing : A donble- Good Gjurfc.
minded man Is Hnfi-able Inallhisuvajes^ faith St. James i. 8. every
bufinefs will withdraw you, and any occafion will excufe you;
from Gods fervice, while you are indifferent unto it; every
wind drives through thy Boat, 'and every frolhvill nip thy Bud.,
%. Nay, Irrefolution will prove ^^/Vr^^ root of apofi^^icy: il dan- * ' .1.
r • *L .L 1 r L 1 . .• ^ .L • I it wil proves;'
gersfurprize thee on the left hand, or temptations on the right bitter Root of
hand; it is a thoufand to one, but thou wilt deny the faith, and Apoflicy.
make Shipwrack of confcience. There lies much of our
hopeful conftancy in Religion as we fet forth ; if we begin with
faint and irrefolved hearts , we Ihall fall back with wounded and'
broken Souls ; he cannot be long, good,who is notrefolvedly good.
6. Fiat and foor nmmmlon iplth God : You will mike no prayer, There v. ill hv
or but cold indifferent Prayer .• ^t^flln wasaffraid that God fla:an<i poor
would hear him. Communion.
2. The benefits and comforts of a frm Re folution , which ^V*^ ^^^V are mmy. i . It will be a great Tefllmony unto you , that your of a full Rcf^- hearts are upright. He who will not refolve againft a finful courfe, lution. either his heart hath a flaw of hypocrifie , or a fink of impiety ; Ic>Triilb:a cc- he loves fin,or would not yetleave it; thegreateft part of our inte- ^^^^^o^y^owf grity lies in the hearts frame and purpofe ; thatm.m who is refol- ri^'il" ''^ "^~
ved
p6 The Returning Fredtgal^ sr
ed to part with all fin , hath an heart who loves all good,; it k
Ic *iill be an only found grace which breeds found refolution. 2.hmllha
Apology in £reat ap'ogy , in cafe of falling , that yet it is I'ioif re fnmf mo asy
'Xafcpf falling. ■ i^u^ ^f Infirmhj. (The evil that I wonld m do ^ that do 1 ^
&c. Rom. 7.) and rather an affe6^ of a Itoig temptation, then
. of any fecret afFe6lion of the heart to fin ; for vvhq:e the purpofe
and refolution of the heart is fet againfl a fin^and makes its refi-
fknce ; though the finning may be great , yet it is not prefum-
ptuous. Four effeds this firm Refolution worketh about fin ;
either it doth, i. Ceafe the motions of it ; or 2. Ahates and lef-^
fens them ; or 3. Difappo'nts and fruftrates them ; as Jofefh a-
bout his mif^refs ; or elie, ^Jt mitigates and correlis them in the
degree of guilt ; either it keeps me found,or elfe caufeth that the
Such 1 one wound is lefs. 7,, Such a man may confidently go to God for he/p and
may conh- affifiance. If I regard iniqmy in my heart , the Lord will not
Ojd fgr help. ^^^^ ^J f^^)^^ (i:dd David) but veri/y^ God hath heard me ^
he hath attended to the voice of my Prayer^ Pfal.6g. i«, ip^
Thou ilialt not flruggle with fin in vain , nor cry unto God in
vain ; if once thou couldfl be firmly refolvcd againfi fin, thou
fhouldft more confidently repair to Chrift , and iliouldfl afTured-
ly find more Vidory over it, as P^/^/, Rom,j, 24, 25. jrhat
have I to do any more with idols f / have heard him^ andohfer^
ved him ; lam like a green Fir-Tree^ from me is thy fruit found,
Nof.i^M. 4. And mor^ confidently y expect the rfmi/pon of Jins
And Conh- ^^y^ . ^^^^ ^^1^^^ face can a m -in embolden himfelf before tiie
il-mifnon^of L^^^ ^ " ^ Lo^^ ^ befeech thee to pardon fuch orfuch a fin , lins paft. *' and I truf^ thou wilt do it , but I am not yet refolved to leave
" it. And when a perfon can come before the Lord , and fay , '* Search and tell me, O Lord, if there be any way of wicked- - '' nefs, which I know and allow agalnft, which I am not refolved *' and firive. Now O Lord, thou art a gracious God, I befcecH ** thee for thy mercies fake , forgive my fins, blot them out , I *^ hate them with an unfeigned hatred , do thou for thine own Ic will free us " ^^^^ pardon and fubdue them. 5. You iliall much free yowr Irom the Su^- fi^^'^csfrom the Ancient fuggefiions of SatAnyabotit partictiUr Sins : fcftionsofSa- Rejifi the Divel And he will f,ee from yoH^ Jam.4.7. Where there iEsn abour par- is no hope of Vi^lory , there will be little encouragement to - ticular fins. fight; firm refolutions are like rocks, againft which the waves inay beat and ftrike , but cannot move nor alter 5 Satan may in- deed
The Sinners Converfion to God, ^7
deed fomevvhat mokfi, but the heart is in a fort impregnable,
which is fkdfaftly reColved. ChrlfiUna [um^ faid Ihe, I am
a Chrifiian, who w.is much afTaulted to deny the Faith ; and ^^^^^^ JQ, Otn,
fo filenced all threats and allurements for the abnegation of
Chrift. Wheniheyfaw Paiil*s refoltition fixed for 'jerufdem^
they gave otf their importuniy ; fo Temptations will flack when
our Refolutions are fettled. It is in vain, I will not hearken ;
thou ma}eft moleft me, Satan , but I will never yield unto
thee.
6, Tou mil be Ie(iimerrufted In jour holy fervices, Whileft vVc flia'l bclefs the heart is any thing indifferent and flexible, (infuU motions, interrupted in like the Birds, will return and flock about the Corn, if the ^^^ holyfcrvi- Watchman be now there, and anon removed. When the Mi- ^^^' nijfter is fpenking to your ear. Sin will be fpeaking to you: heart ; and when your tongues are fpeaking to God, your thoughts will be bufied in giving Sin an anfwer, or the World ^ But if the heart were more refolved ?gainft fm, it would i^ more united in duty ; the thoughts, and mind, and affedions would bemorecolle6i:ed and center'd upon the t9 €p>or, the work in hand ; it would not fcatter fo much, it would not follow that which it cares notfor, but peremptorily abhors. . -
The next Ufe fhall be iot DlreHiony and that in two partlcu- z^fe 2] lars : i. How to raife a folid Refolution ; 2. How to keep and DIrcttion. maintain it.
Firfl, The Means to raife It, There are fome things of How to ralfe s which you muft take heed and (trive againfl, as being vigorous f<>lid Refolud- impediments to the rearing of this frame, and twifting of this °"* firm cord. Take hecil of
I . A fecret favstmng of fin. As long as your hearts cunning- a Tccrct fa- ly connive at, and harbour your lufts ( thofe evil Inmates) \ourinjoffin.' ydu will never throughly come to a Refolution to cait them off. For love will untwili many arguments, and prevail againft ftrong Motives ; it will let down your mind, as faft as reafons do raife it up. It is the beli Friend, and ftrongeft Advocate that fin hath. You fee a P.irent ( perhaps David againit Ahfalom ) refolved to exile tis Child from his prefence ; but natural affedio;rturne<j him, ard wrought fo,after a while,that D^^iW longs ioi Ahfalom again. As a Spring will work out that which is caf^ in ; fo will a fecret affection to fin, work off the impreflion of all Arguments,
O and
j8 ^^ Returning Prodigal^ or
and any fuch prepofterous Refolves againi fin. Bc«cacy©f ^« -^ terdemejS or delicacy of ffirit : I mean, an inordinate
Ipifii. felf-love : Love of fin, and fo alfo the love of our felves, both
of them are adverfaries to a penitential Refolution : If a man will go to Heaven afleep, have his eafe, and his friends, and his liberty , and his fafeties, and his quiet, and his plea- fures, and great matters, he will never come to a through Re- . folution. God likes no fuch bargain, no condition ; as, I am willing to ferve thee, but I am refolved never to futfer for thee ; I will be good, if I may be fafe ; I will ^o to ^ fea, bat on condition I fhall meet with no liorms »-; I will enter into the war , but on condition that I will have no blows. We mult be at a point for all things except what is good, if we be refolved to be gocd indeed ; no, not Life it felf muft be dearer to us,, than that which is far better than Life. Ap«rv«rfntr$ 3- A jerverfneji of fftrh^ or felf-wilfulnefs ; if you do re-- of Tpirit. folve to be your own Mafter, you can never refolve to be Gods-; Servant ; if your hearts be not difpofable to his will, they will never be flexible and fixed on his work. You muft in many- things be contented to deny your own thoughts, and to captivate your own judgments and reafonings, and to fubmit both your judgment and will to a Divine Rule, and there take forth dire- ctions for your lives, how contrary foever to your own conceits and delights. A falmnefsof 4. K fAwtnepof ffirit, ff you make the work abfolutely im- J"p'nt» pofTible, you do but cool and qua/h refolutions. There is a need
of bellows, not waters, for tender fparks ; for no man will at- tempt a hopelefs work, or that which he knows will certainly prove fruitlefs. Do not fide with fuch thoughts as thefe ; I fball never be able to get vidory over fuch ftrong fins, and long cor- ruptions : Or, I iliall never be able to do miat the Lord requires, fo much, and with fuch affe6lions ; nor fhall I ever bear fuch re- proaches, loffes, difgraces, indignities. Never confult with flefh and bloud in a cafe of holy Refolution, nor credit Satan about the leaving of fin : but if thou wilt confult with what may fear and difhearten thee, confult alfo with what may encourage and quick- en thee. Though thy fins be ftrong, yet they are conquerable, ( onely true Grace is invincible.) It is poiEble for a finfuU na-
i ture
The Sinners Converfion to God, pp
ture to be altered and renewed, and therefore it is not impoffiblc for any fm to be fubdued : Though thy ovvn ftrength be inluffici- ent, yet ChrifVs is not ; He who hvith commanded thee to com- bat with Sin, hathlikewife promlfed to conquer fm ; if thy duty be adive, he is able to work in thee both to will and to do ; if thy cuty be paflive, he can give thee not onely to do, but to fuf- : fer for his fake ; if thou mult not be lefs then a Sufferer, he can make thee more than a Conqueror : Thy helps are far great- er than thy difcoufagements , there are more with thee than cigainft thee : Therefore fear not to refolve ; 'tis a vanity to talk of another , or fitter feafon ; you will be more un- willing to leave fin, the more time you take to commit fin.
II. There are fome things which you muft, in fome mea- tsbout for fure poflefs , if ever you would be brought to a penitential Re- folution.
I. Get 06 dlft'mB a kjiorvledge of fm^ as clear convlFHonAs Clear Conti- yen can. It is our blindnefs which keeps us in fervice ; and the ^^^"* Willis ufually perverfe, becaufe the Judgment is greatly dark : Did we know fin aright, ( truly, fully, experimentally, ) you have attained to Reafons enough, why you ffiould refolve againft it. Sin carries its own condemnation with it : Sometimes the particular effecls of fin do half perfwade us tobeChriftians, to, leave the fervice of finj a firoke or two upon the Confcience, ^
do thus far prevail, as to paufeand flop ; ^ If then we knew fin
* in the latitude of its bitter effc^s, and in the intenfivenefs of
* them ( beyond all thoughts ) for bitternefs and perpetuity,
* as alfo that extreme vilenefs in the formal nature of it, which
* is the vaft womb and Ocean, out of which thefe bitter waters do
* flow ; if we did know fin as the darkeft blot, and loath-
* fome blur, oppofite to the truell Glory of pureft Holinefs ;
* and as the moft deformed and higheft Rebellion to the moft
* equal Laws and Rules of Divme Soveraignty ; and as the very
* Eclipfe, and utter Inconfilknce with all real Happinefs ; and
* as the infallible and unavoidable Precipice of our intollerable
* and eternal Damnation : At leaft, this would be an occa- fional excitation, if not a ftrong foundation , upon which to raife a Refolution to quit and forfake it. Sure I am, the de- feat of this, that m^n know not fin, makes them bold and ven- turous, obftinatej and tenacious ; they will not defift from the
O a praftife
lOO The Returning Prodigal^ or
pradlice of fin, becaufe they know not the evil of hn.. Cordial dcce- * 2. You muft get an hatred of fin^ elfe you will never truly and fiacion. efFe6lualiy refolve againtt it ; All the adHons of our lives are fed
by the affe6\ions of the will ; thele are (in morals) frincipia im^ mcdlata & vlncemla ; and of ail the aite6lions ( as the Anato- ' mitts obferve in the body, two matter- Veins, Fenacava^ & vena .aorta ; j To in the foul, there are two which are Soveraign, and bear fway ; one is Love> amd the other is Hatred ; that bears fway in matters elegible and practicable, this in matters finfulUnd de- clinable. Refolutions againit fm, not rooted in. hatred, will flack like a deceitfull Bow ; and Refolutions to a better courfe, not raifed from love, will be but as the morning dew : It is hatred which makes us bent and peremptory again6l evil, . and it is love which mak-s us refolute and ttedfatt for good. Hatred hath three properties in it againtt an evil Object, Enmity, Flight, and Irre^ concileablenefs : And Love hath two properties in it. Union, and Adhaetton ; Ruth clave in love to Naoml^ and wasfededin it, never to leave her : And Ephralm was ttrong in detettation, and therefore peremptorily in refolution, what have I to do any mere with Idols} Yaich.. 5. There muii be Falthy and then there will be Refolution.
Faith, I. To Relieve the /fbr^^^/G^o^, difcoveringand threatning an evil condition and courfe ; 2.- To believe the excellency of a good Condition^ and Life, and Rewards. If thou didiiindeed be- lieve that fin would damn thee,wouldft not thou refolve againtt it > if thou didft indeed believe that the holy life were the happy life, CGuldft thou by Faith fee him that is invifibk, and the beauties of holinefs, wliich are hid from the World, , and ihofe great coi>- folations andrevvj^ds referved forapioushe:^rt and converfati- 011, thou vvouldft quickly turn the Scale., rK-ke the choice, and refolve, 'Tis true,I mutt leave my ttns, but I fhall gain my God ; ;i,i their pleafures, but I ttinll gain his delights ; I may forfeit the
i love of Friends, but I fhall find kindneis of. God ; I quit
JJ Earth, but I fhall get Heaven ; I leave but filthinefs, but guilt,
I i but mifery, but Hell ; I fhall get holinefs, and pe^^ce, and
[ ; Chritt, and Comfort, and Heaven 5 ' I am infu fficienr, but God is
I fufficient.
I Vehement 4- ^^^^^^^t Trayer^ that the Lord would give a heartwilling
j prayer* ' to foifake ttn, and willing to choofe him and his Ways : For the
purpofes
It
The Sinners Converfion to God. K) i
purpofes of our hearts are from him. Refolution fhould be a Po- fieof Prayers,. Ikept in prayer, blown up by ^he breath of Hea- ven ; Pjal, 1 19. 5. O that my rvays were direfkd to keep thyfta^ tmes, V. 8. i will k^ep thy ftatutes ; 0 for fake me .not utterly . What you undertake without prayer, you will forfake without comfort : All refoiutions are beft made, which are made upon the knee of prayer, ,
Secondly, The maans to maintain and keep uv^ this Refolution, The means ro If you would attain to a folid and permanent Refolution, then, "maintain tbis -
1. Let yonr RefolMtlort not be preftimptHdPts^ hut humhle : If you ^ • lQ^!^"°"- raile your Refoiutions upon your owniirength, you will ihortly prcfump'.uousa quit them by your own weaknefs. No fpiritual frame or work is but humble, fafe or iirong, which is reared upon it felf alone ; it muft not be
lefs than a rock higher than our felves, upon which we mult build. The wings bear the body of the flying Fowl, but this they cannot do without air to fpread and bear up thofe wings. I can do all things through Chrifi that fire?igthens me, Philip.4, There muft be fome ftrength in us to advance a Refolution, but then there muft be another Strength^ upon which both that Refolution and that Strenc^th muft depend : And therefore ais a Warrant is of no force, if it goes not out in rhe Kings name ; fo a Refolution is too recoiling, which begins not in Chrifts power : As David encoun- tredGc//^/;, not with his own Sword, but /;?(jo^jAr<^wf; fo we muftrefolve againft our fins, with Godsftrength a (lifting of us ; otherwife, our fins may reply to us, as the Devils to the fons of Sceva^ '^:efiu I kr.ow>^ and Paul I know ^ • hut who are ye ? A ft"iip> though well built, muft have wind to drive it, and fet it forward; and a Chriftian needs more ftrength than his own, to forfake a bad, or to follow a good courfe. It is a wife courfe, in lending of Money, tojoyn another party in the Bond, who is more able and fure th.in the borrower : Doeft thou refolve againft fuch afinfuH way, or for a holy lite? t'ke not flngle Bond ; ( thy own heart, though to thy think'^^g well fiirniiht and ftocktwith refolution, is etbut a cre:Kure,and miy deceive thee, and make thee to break:) ut t.^ke double Bond, befeech the Lord to be bound for thee, to give thee his ftrcngth, which is indeed fufficient to preferve, and to perpetuate thy refoiutions. ^
2. You muft be fure that you get a moHmfult heart for what f^n ^^^^^ f^p" if J^flt or elfe you will neyer get a refolute heart for the nhatispafe^-
future : -
I
502 ^^^ Returning Fndigd^ ir
future : if the heart be not broken for fin, fm will quickly break the refolution of the heart ; He who will without any more ado2 be joyoufly good,! fear^ leart after a while,you fee h-m earneilly bad. We feldome obferve, that an unbroken heart is rted- faft; that his foot ftands fure, whofe eyes remains dry, f/.) who can leap into a good way, yet never was truly grie\'ed for a bad. Be.er's Refolution to confefs his Malkr, held out better after his tears, than after his confidence : The mournfull re- membrance of a bad life., wherein God hath been fo much difhonoured, and his fpirit fo often grieved, it excites and quick- ens, and doubles our hatred, and fears, and cares, and refolves. Should I any longer continue thus ? fnould I thus offend ^gain ? Patd doth frequently remember his finfull perfecutions of Chrift, and then is inflamed, with a more zealous refolution andinduitry, to preach and advance him : Nothing daunts him, in the right- ing of that good Lord and Chrift, whom before he had. fo. much wronged.
Bs fi^ivc tp ^- ^^ A^ive again fi /», and that is the way to'keeptip your
gaiiift lin. Refolutions againft it : My meaning is this, you muft endeavour
tomortifie an evil heart, if you would hold up your refolutions
againft an evil courfe : The heart is all in all for Life or Death,
j for a good, t)r for a bad way ; kill the root, and the branches
[ will foon wither ; diminifli the Spring, and^iiie Streams will fail ;
weaken the Spirits, and the Limbs mil be ufclefs. It is a faolifh
thing to fay , /will not have the fit of the Ague again, unlefs
you receive fome^hing to alter the evil humour which caufeth it :
' ./ will never lin thus again ! thus how often do we refolve, and
yet break out again ! why ? becaufe we would refirain effe(fls,
without furprizing their caufes. Be more earneft with God, for
L a fober heart, and for a chart heart,and for an humble heart,and a
' "heavenly heart, and a meek and quiet heart : Thou fliouldeft not
■onely refolve, but prevail againft evil a6Vs , if thou didft vehe- ;mently ftrive with God, to feafon the Springs, to alter the na- ture, to better and -ftrengthen the heart, that fountain whence •thefe arife and flow ; for all things are ftrongeft in their caufes, and the iirength of the caufe is the ftreng«-h of the effect. An oc- cafion may be vigorous to produce a refolve, but alteration is required to make it &ja and effeilual ; it is health which breeds
iirength.
4. let
The Sinners Converfion to God. 103
4. Let it be watchfully and not curde^ : They are not the ma- Be watchful), ny Souldiers which keep the City, but the vvatci^full Souldiers ; and not cari-- the City which is got by iirength, m^y be loft by carelefnefs. To ^'^^*
be a6^ive andinquifitive how to make refolutions againrtfin, and afxrw;rds to be negligent of our hearts, this is to make a ftrong door, but not to mind whether it belockt or no. Our hearts ( take them at the beft ) are very untrufty and deceitfull ( atlealt in part) and are quickly weary of fpiritual bonds ; and as an untoward Servant, after all warnings and threatnings, is hanker- ing to whisk out after his old companions ; fo our hearts, after all relolutions, are yet inclining to evil. Therefore let us not one- ly enjoyn our fpirit to take heed of finfull courfes, but guard them, ; fet a guard upon them, as Davidy Pial. 39, i . - A man may quick- ly Humble, who hath an able foot, if yet he hath a care- lefs eye ; the eye and the foot muft go together to keep us up-- rjght.
5. If you would ftill keep up your Refolutions, then often re- -
view and renew them. Our resolutions come to be (irengthened and renew re^-^ by frequent enquiry, how they are performed. Daily account- folutions. ' ings with the fervant, may be the means to keep him faithfulL • IF we did daily fequerter our felves, and commune with ourfpirits, , and take an account of them ; ^ O my foul, thou haft feen the vile- * nefs of fuch finfull courfes, and haft felt the bitternefs of them, . l*-and haft folemnly protefted againft them before the Lord, and ■tefolved to profecute them no more ; thou haft given thy Word d Bond for this unto the great God : Wellj how haft thou performed this purpofe? art thou ftili willing? haft thou been ^ faithful! to thy felf, and to thy God ? waft thou no way furpri- 2ed this day ? though thou didft not break, yet didft not thou ■ "bow to day ? though thou didft notfall, didft not thou trip ? did nothing come from thee to undo, orelfe to weaken thy refoluti-- " bn ? Such evil motions fprang from thy heart co fin again, didft thou abhor them, and cry unto God a^ninft them ? fuch tempta- tions prefented themfel ves unto thee, didi\ thou rejefl ai- d ftout- ly refift them ? or haft thou not found an heart fomewhat heark- ^ning, fomewhat yielding, fomewhat venturing? Iffo, thew umble thy felf, and as David to Joa^^ 1 Sam. 11.25. -^^k^ ^hj '^^tel mere ftrong againfi the Ctty ; fo do thou, bewail thy .'il- J5, and renew thy refolution agam more ftrongly and cai"ef.]lly.
6, If-
104 ^^^ Returning Predtgd^ or
When rcfolu- <5« I^ ^^^"^ Refolmlons k anj thing imfaired, let them he pre- tioasareitn- fently repaired, Ic is.poirible, aotwuhftanding our Refoludons paired, ice agaiult evil courfes, to be furpriz-d vvuh evil adls, andnorvws them be pre- ^^^ ^^j. ^^ g-^^ ^^ ^^^ Rdoiudons themfelves ; but do not fo : lentiy repaired, jj^^^g^ ^^^ ^^^„^s ^^j-j^^e back the Manner, yet lie holds faft his reiblution (till for fuch a Cape ; and i£ a man falls in his journey, yet he will rife and be going again : So let us do; if we have not anfvvered our R^-foIutions, let us-not end tnem> but mend them: Above all, fearch the cauies of impairing thy Refoiutions, and then thou mayelt f^e thy reparations. Say fe- rioufly, i. Didrt not thou relie too much upon my Refoluti- on> as if therefore thou vvertfafe, becaufe refolved ? 2. Didll: not thou grow weaker in Prayer, when thou greweii ftrong in Refolution f or, 5. Uaft thou not. been more venturous up- on occafions? haft thou not been tampering wi h finfull occa- fions, fuch adts, ways, obje6ls, as thou knoweft have powder to irritate and inflame Luft ? Confider ferioufly how thoucameft to violate thy purpofe and intention, and penitently confefs it before the Lord, and take up thy Refolution again upon right grounds, iet refoiutions 7' Let^<7//r -^^/o///^/W be accompanied with the i^fe of all holy be accompani- t^^^^ which will ftrengthen and perfeH: them. Doth not the ci with the ufe ftrong ijian grow weak by fafting, as well as by ficknefs ? How is ,ofboIy means, it.poflible but that thy Bow fliould flack, (/.) thy Refolution, fliould ftart afide, when thou art a negligent Hearer, and an in- conftant Petitioner ? why ! where lies thy ftrength to perform? why doeft thou put off thy h^lps ? what I art thou alot^e ? He who hath not -ftrength to fight, how fhall he have power to con- quer ? wouldft thou ftand ? wouldft thou refolve ? wouldft thou refolvefo as to reform ? Be much in Prayer ; Keep thy fervant, O Lord, uphold me by thy Word, preferveme by thy Spirit; work irt me the will and the deed, work thine ovvn wo^ks in me, finifh what thou hdft wrought ; fhew thy power in my weaknefs, let thy Grace be fufficient for me; leave me no:, norforfake ^' jne ; incline my heart to thy teftimonies, turn away mine eyes
from vanity. And fo for the Ordinances, attend ihem ; they are the Strength of God for thee ; they work holy qualities, holy mo- tions, hoIyconvi(5^ions, holyexcitations,holy affe6lions, de(ires,a if ear left we depart, and fall from our Ikdfaftnefs ; and they kindle
more
The Sinners Converfion to God. J^^5
more and m^e'our purpofbTto walk with God, and to iliun ini- Guitv Oh, how admirably the heart under them is caufed to burn with ardeatlove of God 1 with defires and refolutions to keep cloler to him , how is it ttirr'd up with more deteiia- tionotTm ? how often do they melt the heart ? recover the heart, rettore the heart, and fend it acvay with this refoiution. Well ! by the grace of God 1 will never go on mfuch a hnful
courfe, &C. . i r U rr^r. '
Thelalturefhallbe-for£^/;^n^f^^;^untous, though we have ^,VJe. taken ill courfes formerly, yet now r. refohc againfi them , to ^^^^^^^^^^^ arife and go home to our Father;, What ihall I lay tomoveand 'l'^^^^^,^ perfuade Is here to confidcr. i. Either you maft re five to le^ve \onrpns,oi be damned for them, why wiL thou lofe thy pretious j^^^.^.s. foul for ever. 2. Whether is better to come ba<;l^ and find God a Father, or iodepartfiillfrom him, and feel him a JHidge. limiz- cy be better then wrath, if heaven be better then hell, refolye to arife and leave thy finful waies , and return unto a God and Fa- ther 2 Haft thou not found thy finfd coMrfes to be evil and bit- ter mto thee already : why wilt thou ferve an evil mifkr for evil wa^es, the v^hich alfo will Ml be more fearful and heavie , by ho\v much the longer ihou continues, finful and wicked ; thy ter- rours will not fhorten, while thou dolt lengthen thy fins, nor mai- qL\ thou expea that thy latter daies will be peace, when al thy daies h we been wickednefs ; if thou lived in fm, tnou mult lie downitiforrow. 4. Sin u an hateful ohjeB, and a tonq^rable enemy, therefore refolve againftit. Ic onely hath the moti ablo- lute reafons of the ftrongeft hatred, as being completely evil and vile ; it is the bafeliof all objedts, and is thine higheft enemy, there i^ nothing which can undo thee but fm; and yet ^ is a con- querable enemy, it is very pOlTible hat a fmner may b- changed. \ If tho 1 once could ft bm get ttnhem to refolve agawftjtn, thou %9tddftfind theivork.moreeafte. Sain: Auftin pror.4Ti.li, that thou-h the thoughts of le wing his fins were once a gre^. burthen - to him, yet at length being peremptorily refolved he toimd ita mofteafie and delightful thing to live wifhoMt hem. 6 Anew courfe of^dience -,0 this is life indeed, Nov art ^hou alive from thcdead,if thy heart be truly refolved,! may fay to 'heeas Chr^ftto ZAchew^Thudayisfalvmoncome to thine houfe-, an -holy lite , - ^ "^ -n and
10 6 The Returning Trodigal^ or
' and courfe is the moft excellent , is the mol^ eafie , is the molt
L peaceable, is the mol^ gainful, it is the bell:, ic is the fweetefi, it
^ is the happieft life ; it begins in Grace,it will end in Glory.
Luke 15. v. 185 ip, - ^
A fid mil fay unto hlm^ Father^ I have Jimed agaJnfl He Ave n ^ and before the , and am no more worthy to k called thy Son ; make me as one of thy hired fervants.
You have heard of the Prodigals penitential conji deration of his finftil eflatey and of his penitential refolution^ to forfake that con- dition and courfe , / will arije and go to my father : now you are to hear his penitential confejfion , jind ivillfay unto him, Fathery I have finned again ft Heaven-^ &c. In which words you have coa- iiderable. i. who doth confefs \ /. 2. what he doth confefs ^^ Ihavefnned, 7,, Towhom he doth confefs^ Father ^ I have Jin-' ned^ . 4. }ioy9 he doth confefs^ Againft Heaven and before thee ; In te & coram te % There is no difficulty in the word ; and there- fore I will proceed to t he intent of it, which is this : That true Re-^^ T R pentance for fin dgainft Gody will bring forth true Confeffion of Sin
tince for^n, ^ntoGod, This is evident almofl: in all perfons , whether fingle will bring forth or conjoyned, who are itt out for penitents in Scripture. David^ , true confeflion his heart bleeds , and his tongue acknowledgeth, / havejinnedy of iintoGoi. 2 Sam. 12. upon Nathans convi6lion. The Fuhlican^ Lord be merciful to me a fmner ; he flood afar off, fmiting his breft, and inditing himfelf for his fins : A whole Church in Es^ra , in Nehemiahy in Daniel ^ all at once confefsing, We h a v& finned, we have done wickedly , our fins are gone over our heads. For the better explication of the affertion ; know, A thff efold That there is a threefold confejfion ef fm ;
cdnfcffionof i. Aurictdar y or Sacramental, which the Church of i?^;^^ ^"•.^ dpthinjoyn, but not the Scripture. Confiteriora & Jingula pec-
i^uricular. ^^^^ mortalia^ to confefs all, and every mortal Sin, quornm me^ moria cum dehita & diligentl premeditatione haheatur ; which a diligent , and indulbious memory can recal etiam oceultay even your fecret fins, & quefmt contra dm ultima decalogl pr^cepta ; Nay, thofe which are committed againft thetwolaft command- ments, (^ circmtflancias y yea, and all the circumftances of youffins; this is the confeflion which the Church of Romem
.'
The sinners Converfion to God. 107
the Trent Council doth in join upon pain of Anathema to be made unto the Prieft. Sejf, 14. Can, 7. but without any "Warrant from the Scripture, or averment from true Antiquity ; for Scripture af- Cures us J that confelTion of iin made to God alone, obtained re- million of fins and favour, PfaL 32.^. I faid^ I will confefs my • fins unto the Lordy and thotiforgaveft the iniquity of my Jin, Lo [ here confeHion to God alone, not to a Prielt, and upon it remilTi- on of fms by God himfelf ; dares any Popifh Prieli: reverfe this abfoIutk)n or confelTion, becaufe not made to man , which yet is accepted with God. Saint Chryfofiome^^QAs ftrange words ; Let J"^- \- ^^^' God onely fee thee confefflng. And again upon Heh. 1 2. Horn, ci/ftff''La^ed. 31. ci'7ro;^Ki4'^v <s:^ i Ku^iov tIw' \J^ov fl-y, Reveal thy Way ^mo Baj. an. i^^9, the Lord 5 Itti tv 0£s tavta oi^ohoyiio^y, Conf efs them before God : and ?gam , tcr/ t» J^i^t^ if^hoyn nustf tm/:x«t<*, Confefs thy fins before thy Judge ; and Saint Auflins tongue needs to be con^. lib 10. clipped ; Q^id ml hi cnm homlnlhm^ut audi ant confeffisnes no fir as cap, 15. quajilffifanatarljint omnes Unguores meas f What have I to do with men,that they fhould hear my co'nfc{Iions,as though they could heal all my difeafes ? Saint Bajil faith,that the groans of his ^^ ^i^^' 17* heart did fuffice for a ConfelTion. Surely here was no abfolute ne- celfity to confefs all to the Prieft : but yet again obfervc, there is a ufe of ConfelTion in cafe of i. Injury. 2. Anxiety. 3. Scan- dal to the Church, as in the next particular. \
2. Chrlfilan and prudential ConfelTion ; and this is the ac- Chfll^^^n ani knowl edging of fins to men, either in cafe of notorious fcandal , P'^^^^Q'i^l* which the primitive Churches much urged and ufed ; or elle in cdfe of trouble ; and thus we deny not but any perfon may law- fully,andwarrantably go unto a faithful, godly, skilful, compafsio- nate Minifter,and confefs his'fins5elther to obtain counfel out of the Word of God for the remedy of fins,to recover or prevent them ; or to be imformed aright concerning his prefent ettate, or to have his confcience quieted and fettled.
-3^, Penitential^ which is made onely to God : this the Scripture ^^"'"ntia^ to doth command, and this wee hold 3s abfolutely neceffary; when wee do repent, then to make confelTion of our fins to penijentUl God. ^ ^ confcflioacon^
Secondly, This penitential conf ejjion mxy be confidered, either fiJcred, in refped of the material part onely, and fo it confiils o£ words ^" "^^^P^^ °^
partoflclyjOf,
1^8 The Returning Trodigd^ or
Ok
_ , whereby we acknowledge wherein we have tranfgrefled, Hof, 4^
airo^; ^ ^^^^ "^^^^ ^'^* ^^ of the fovmal pan a/foy and thus it coiitems theie ingredients which fpeci lie and difl nguilli it from all fuperititious, And Co h Is ^^ hypocritical, or falfe confefTions.
I. It IS a» heart J ackj^owledgment^noi ntida confejfw ; feignei kr^o^UdL^^' ^" meerly verbal confeiTion : It is affedionate, the lips do urter ^ msnt ; the mind of the heart in it, am^cnfti peccati cr mferUy. as a fick
man opens his difeafe, here I feel it, &c. -The publican [mote up- ■ on his hreafl^ and confejfcd. True confeflTion is the languaije "of And volun- ^^^ very foul, being very fenfible of fin. 2. It ^ volmtdrj^ not wry^. coacia confejfie y the Thief miy confefs upon the rack : though
there were no wrath in God, no rack in confcience, no flames in hell, yet the true penitent will confefs ; When there is no other caufe of confeflion of fin but that which is penal, it is not then truly penitential. Pharaoh confeiTed under the plagues, and Ju^ das under the ftings of /confcience, it was an extorted confeilion,^ but penitendal confeffion is voluntary, it is ana6l that arifeth' from an inward difplicence with , and deteftation of fin, thougb there be no apprehenfion of hell, no fenfe of wrath, yet the peni- tent confeffeth even to a Father, / have finned. Many of the. Saints did I (h^it up In p^ifon ^ and when they were pm to death T gave my voice agalnfi them. I punlfhed them oft In every Syna- . ,.j.o. £v g'fg^^y A'fls 2(5. 10, II. :?. It is ^/y?/W, and not confufed : the penitent hath fpecial bills of inditement : he knows his fins, and ' wherein he hath exceeded andfail-ed : fuchfinsashe hath moii, delighted in, fuch as he hath moft walked in, fuch as he hath moft dillionoured God by > fuch as cleave-mofl unto his na:ure, fuch as confcience may be moft clogged with> thefe he doth more efpecially confefs unto God , and indite and condemn him- felf for fmail fins as well as great ; Sapih /^p, as well as Vrlahs murxher , antient fins as well as prefent , fecre^ fins as well as open. But mufi: our confeifion of fins- be particular? Sol, Either explicitly fo, or virtually fo; the. heart hath a particular intention or afFedion ; the more particular , the. • better , to humble our hearts , -to obtein mercies , to make us fervent. As David , though 'hee did give a touch at all his fins in the beginning of the 51 TfMm^ yet at length
brancheth
T^he sinners Coni'crfton to God, 109
hrancheth his confelFion into particulars, into that of AdHltery ^ and the other of BUod, So doth I^ahI often un- cover his i'pccial imsof Perfecting the Qiurch, and Blafphe- niing, and of Injurioufnets : 'jndas cryed oul of Blood, but not of Covetoufnels and Hypocrihe. 4. It is Hnmhley and not And Humble, jrroud (as ^(?^//j<^<;/^^ifervants,with ropes, &c.)done with Contri- tion of Heart, not with Often tation of Spirit. Like a flaili of Lightning, breaks out of a cloud renced ; and Jofephs girment was llicwed to his father rent and dipt in blood. Anciently, when I hey did confefs their fins to God, they did it widi Sackcloth and Ajhes ; and the opening cf their fins is term-^ . ed , Ths p firing om of water before the Lord ( I am vllcy Job 40.4. Not Tvorthyy &;c. Li:ke i^. ) becaufe when they pou- red out their fins in confelfion of Tongue , they likewife poured out con:rition of Heart; their tears of Grief, fpakeas much as the words of their Lips : / ivJ/l decU^re mine Inl- qmles ^ and he ferry for my pn ^ Tfal. 38. The Papilts in- deed have as courfe a Garment , and as fev^ere a Garb in penitential confeifion as any , but underneath they have dain- ty Linnen ; thereliesgreat pride under all -this pretended Hu- miliation , as if all this did merit at the hands of God ; tha- Voice is humble y^iTo^'s, but the pride upon the a6l is proud - E fan's. , If they fawthe wrong which they did by finning, bbw*- could they fo proudly challenge God upop their confelling ( what doth the murtherer deferve becaufe he conf^ifeth? ) Rut truly Penitential Confeffion is accon^panied with griefs in the heart , and with fhame in the. face , and vyith acknow- ledgment. That by-reafon of air fi.ns there belongs nothing to us but iliame and confufion , Daniel g,. ^. It Is mlxt . . . ,, yvith jome Faith , not overcome with Defpair : If the (^^^^ Vikh, confeifion of fin be not mixed with fome hope of pardon, it is not penitential but defperate : Cain-, in fome mea- fure confeflfed , but fed Into the Land of Nod , and re- putes his offence Unpardonable, beyond the power or in--' tention of Mercy to pardon him. Jf^das likewife utters his fin in particular , ^ have fl.nned in betraying Inn^-- unt . Blood i But then he goes ont and hangs hlmfelf -
But.
no The Returning Prodigal^ or
But if the confeifion be truly penitential, it acknovvledgeth fin fully, yet believingly ; not to a meer Judge, who out of the mouth of the Confeiibr condemneth, but to a father (Father ^ I havefimedy faich our Frodigal)\y\\o knows how to abfolve and fon- give him, that knows how to accufe and condemn himfelf. As you mull: in ConfeiTions acknowledg, O Lord my fins are very great; fo likewife muft you relieve your felves, OLord, thy mercies are exceeding many ; thus have I finned, but thou cantt pardon ; I defer ve wrath, but thou canft freely fhew me mercy ; I am a finner, yet, Lord, be merciful-tame a finner. 6, It* is .^Rd .^incerf. sincere and not fraudulent. : then is the Confcffion fincere, not only when the heart ads in it , but when alfo it ads plainly and plenarily in it. We are but Flelli and Blood, it is my nature, I cannot help it; I am not the firft that did fo ; it was company that drew me. 1 did Q^tyfud ^dam, huXth^ ^voma^ gave it me to eat, I did eat, faid the woman, but the Devil tempted me. I did offer Sacrifice, faid Sau/^hnt 1 was afraid of the Philiflims, Thefeare fraudulent Confeffions, when either a part is know- ingly and willingly kept back; or if all comes forth, it is- exte- nuated as much as may be. Not that any perfon is to accufe himfelf of more then he is guilty, but that he is not to extenu- ate and mince any thing wherein he is faulty, but therein to fet out himfelf to the full; Of whom-, I amchief {^id Paul : And the Prodigal here, / havejimed again fl heaven-, and he fore An3 joyned ^^^^' ?• ^^ ^^/^ ^^ )oyned with dejire and endeavour of Refor^ wichdcfirc and ^^tion : Therefore forfaking of fin (atleaft in Voto &conatH) endeavour of isaiinextto confefiion, Prot'.iH. 1 3. Saul confeffed his finful jPvcformation. injuries to David his Son in Law, 2 Sam,^^, 16. Ch.26, z, and wept, but then he purfued him again : So did Pharaoh^ Exod, p. 27, 34. but then he hardned his heart, and finned yet more. They loved eafe , but not cure ; but David defires medicine as much as quiet ; Grace to heal, as well as Mercy to quiet : he did not open his wounds, and then make more, but defires thofc which are made, that they might be bound up and healed. So did Shecaniahy not only confefs their trefpafle, in taking of flrange wives, Ez.ra 10. 2,. 3. but intends reformation: Norv therefore let us make a Covenant with God to fut them all ^ay\
Thefe ingredients I do conjeSture that they make up the ve- ry
7he Sinners Converfion to Cod, 1 1 1
ry form and vitals of a penitential ConfefTion. But why fliould
true penitents mak^ confelfion of their fms to God ? Reafons sf it.
1, There Is -a necejfity fo to do : Necejfitds ex fane Deiy & Thcic is a nc« ex fane ret. i. Ex f^rte Dei^ God reqmreth you fo to do; cefluyto^do. Acknowledge thine I m quit y^ that thou hafl tranfgrejfed again fl ^
the Lord thy God^ and hafi jcattered thy wayes to the 'Strangers
uncur every' green tree^ Jer. 3.13. So Hof, 14. i. Return to thi
Lord thy God. Ver. 2 . Tal^e with you words ^ and turn to the
Lord-i and fay unto him-. Take away all Iniquity^ and receive
us graclofifly, 2, Ex f arte Rei : When the heart is peniten- Ex parte KsL-
tially changed, it cannot but confefs iin will lye fo heavy ; as
when health comes in, pain is felt : There is fuch an abundant
fenfe of fin, that the heart cannot contain it felf. If the affedli-
on be full, it muft vent it felf, Jofefh could not refrain : So is
the heart of a penitent overcharged with the iniquities of
his Life, and Indignity by him caft on God, a gracious
God.
2. There is Vtility in fo doing : Though true confcffion of ji^^i jj ^uti^ - fin doth not at all merit, yet it is a way or means to obtain three lity in [0 do- fingular things -^ viz,, i. Remiffionof Sins : This is amoftfweet »ng.
and furpalTing mercy ; David accounts him Bleffed whofe iniqui- ^' "^ means ties are covered : but ConfeiTion is the -means for RemifTion , Rg^^ion of • which m^y evidently appear, i. By Gods dire5iion of his feofle ^^^ to take this courfe^ that fo they might be pardoned, Jer. 3.12,13. 2. By his ffecial Promifey upon their true confefTion, for to par- don them their fins, Pr&v, 2^,1'^. He that confeffeth and for-- fakjth his fins y (hall find mercy, i Joh. 1.9. If we confefs our finSy God is faithful and jufl to forgive us our fins, 3. By fre- quent exferience : David f aid, I will confefs my Tranfgreffions^ And thou for gave fl the Iniquity of my /«, Pfal. 3 2. 5. The Buh- lican penitentially confefled, and went home Jufiiiied, Luk^ 18.. 13,14. 2.Boweragainfl fins'. By hearty confeflion to uncover Power ajaini^t fins, is a way not only to get God to cover them by Jufiificati- lin. on, but alfo 'to cure them by Sanguification. You muH take off Vulnerati tegumentumy if you will cbt^m Medici Emf la ftrumy «^wi^?**» as S. Auflin alludes upon the Bfa, 32. When you open the wound, then you make way for the healing PJaifier; andthere*^ £or^ S.John doth not only fay, If we confefs our fins God is fmhffil to forgive us Qur ftns ; but alfo addeth, <mi to ckanfe
112 The Returning Prodigal^ or
Pf ace of Con- MS from all Hnrtghmnffjefs, 3. Peace of ConfcieriCe : You may fciince. fee this m:inife(tiy in David^ who being diltrefled in fpirit for
fin, is much dirquieted,and roars, and his moifture is:urned into the drought in Summer, Pfa/, 3 ^ . 3,4. His iilencc railed his Im- patience and Trouble, but as foon as he confefled his ^s, he recovered his peace, ver. 5. I ack^wledgimy fin ur^to thee^ a»d mine iniquity have 1 not hid: I fald I will confefs my tranf- greffions untothe Lord^ and thoii' forgave ft the inlqmty of my fin^ belah. So Job 33. 27. // any fay ^ 1 have finned^ and perverted that which is right, and it profited me not ; Ver. ^'6, His life fhallfee the Uglft : It is one of the Windows Co let in the be.inis of heavenly comfort. Gad IS much 3* Laftly, God is much Glorified when the penitent doth hum-
■Gioriiied by ic. blyand truly confefs his fins.- David acknowledgeth his fins. That thou might fl be ',uflifed whn thoti fpeak^fi-, and he clear -when thoujfdgefl^ foPfai.51.4. q. d. Lord, thus have I fin- ned; and whatfoever puniAment thou haiHnflided, ormayeft inflici:, I muft quit thy j uftice in all thy proceedings ; thou canft not but be Righteous, for I confefs my felfto'be iinful: Nay, his Jufiice only is not glorified , but his Wifdom, that he Jcnows all our fins and wayes ; and his Power, that he is able to Judtge and condemn us ; yea, and his Mercy too, that we hope yet he will pardon and forgive the fins which we confefs unto him. Ufe I, If true Repentance brings forth true ConfeOlon, then by this
Then there are it will appear. That there are very few true penitents, becaufe very few true very few who do truly and aright confeis their fins. Pcni:cnt5. '^ ^^^ ^^^ y^^ of fm, what Pilate did of truth, what's
Truth ? So they, what's Sin ? They are fo ignorant, that they know not what is evil, or wheri they do evil. Now, how can, any confefs or acknovvledg that fin to God, which is not known at all to himfelf.
2. Others arefo far from confefiing themfelves tp^be finful , that they (like the proud Pharifee) jufilfie themfehes to he righ- teous ; talk of their goodme.inings, purpofes, jufl:dealmgs,&c. Sana memhra oflendebat (^faith S.Auftino^ that Pharifee) vuh Mr a tegehat \ I am no Extortioner, no Adulterer, &c. Ask fome > perfons , Do you acknowledg One only God, who is mofi Merci- .fd, Jui% Holy, Omnipotent, Faithful, Loi-^-fuftering, full of .
Goodnefs
The Sinners Converfion to God, 113
Goodnefs and Truth, &c^ Yes,that do they,God forbid elfe,(^f. Ask them ,^gain, Are you Idolaters ? make you no Idols? or did you ever vvoriliip them ? Who they 1 nay, they defie them, and all fuch trumpery. But do you not ufe to fvvear, and take the Name of God in vain ? Nay, for fvvearing, of all {ins they can- not away with that; a m^in gets no good by fwearmg. But do you remember to keep holy the Sabbath ? Yea, all their neigh- bours can bear -witnefs, that they keep to the Church conftantly. Ask them again, Did you never injure your Parents ? O, they were always dutifull Children. But did you never pl.iy the whore, or the adulterer, or the thief ? Nay, now they t/ill talk no longer with you, if you be fo uncharitable as to im^igine fuch guilt. Why, O thou ignorant firmer ! why doett thou deceive thy foul? if thou art thus righteous, thou needelt not to repent ; and if thou art free from all fin, how canlt thou confefs thy fins ( as a true penitent ought to do ) to God ?
5. But fome others there are, who do both know and acknow- ledge their fin ; but how ? oyiely In afermal^ coU^ indifferent man- j^er. True, weareall finners, God help us, and there is no man but he fins, yea, the befi of them all ; Never confidering, That great Juftice of God which is provoked by their fins; nor that vile and abominable nature in their fins ; nor that infinite wrath unto which their guilt doth oblige them ; nor the excellency and necef- fity of pardoning mercy, which we fhould earneftly fue out when we confefs our fins.
4. There is another fort, whodomorediftinc^ly, and perhaps fomewhat feelingly and freely, confefs their fins; but then they keep Be?ijamtn kack^: And as Rachel hid the images under her ^ fo they refervefome one [fecial luft ; they do not bring all the Pri- foners forth unto the Bar: There is a '{in which they hide clofe becaufe it isfweetyZS Zophar fpeik<?,7(7^ 20.12. Now this argue?, i,Hypcrifie and guile of hearr,a fecret love to fin ; it is made,in J oh 20. 1 2. the guife of an Hypocrite, to hide his fin. 2, Extreme folly and vanity of fpirit ; f or,canft thou conceal any fin from that God,who is acquainted with all thy paths, and knows thy thoughts -afar off, and to whofe eyes all things are naked ? will not the Lord difcover the fin ( which thou doeft cover ) before Men and Angels, to thy eternal inf .imy and condemnation ? afiured- ly, though thou wilt not fet thy fins in order before him, yet he
Q^ will
iiA The Returning Prodigal^ er
VYiU fet thy fins In order before thee^ and will re f rove thee for then^y Ffd, 50. {i) ^^ vviirpublilh them, and he will everlafiingly punilli thee for them.
^. Others do confefs all their fins, but this onely in times of wrath^ andjudgmepity and death ; not like Penitents, but as Ma- fefa6tors, ( as men make their Wills upon a death-bed;) not out of an hatred of lin, but out of meer fenfe or fear of punifliment ; it is not Filial, ingenuous, free, but onely extorted, involuntary, andfervile, and therefore not truly penitential : They do not go and confefs their fins, as they to John the Bapti fly but cry out and confefs thei* fins ; itisthat, not which they would do, but which they cannot avoid : Confcience, like an over-charj^ed iio- mack, doth fo over-prefs and pain them, that they cannot hold^ but out it comes, what oppre(rion,injuiHce,ururious, injurious^ beaflly, filthy, fwinilli fins they have lived in.
6. Others feem to be more ingenuous and voluntary, or ready . to confefs their fins ; but then this is with fuch pretences^ colottrsy
fhiftingsy fhitffling', as if they were, like Lawyers, to mitigate and colour a bad caule. S. ^^y?/« complains off ome, who would im- pute their fins to Fate, to Fortune, to the Devil, nay, to God himfelf : The complaint m.iy well fuit with us ; generally, we have fome device or Oiher, either to deny, or to extenuate our finfullfads ; rather to plead for our felves, than to plead againlt our iniquities. It was company, and we are but llefh and bloud, and it is not ufual, or (which is contrary) it is my nature, and the Devil was firong with me, others do worfe, &e,
7. But of all men, they are moft contrary to penitential Con- ferfion, who call evil good ^ and darkaefs light, and that make a a mock^andafport of fin; whereas they ibouldjwith grief of heart,
> andinameof face, mournfully, penitently, humble themfelvesf before the Lord, and acknowledge their iniquities, inflead there- of. They bo.U-t themfelves of their iniquites, and m^ke but a - jeft of that which coft the bloud of Chrift ; It is but a trick of
Youth, and good Fellowlliip, and Handfomnefs, and Comple- ment, and difcreet Thrift ; thus do they phrafe their Unclean- nefs, their Drunkennefs, their Pride, their Lying, their Cove- toufnefs.
8. Lalily, to mention no more. They are defedive too about the true penitential confeffion, who are afflduQHs to eonfej^^ but
defidmm
t
The Sinners Converfion to God, ^ 1 1 j
defiducm toforfaks y frequent to acknowledge and declare their fms, but negligent in tbriaking and leaving of them : Difcovery fufficeth, but Recovery they mind not. This is moll ordinary vv ith us,that we make our confelfion of fms to God, rather an aA of our Memory, than a vvork of our Confcience*: it fufficeth us to deliver in the tale, to number cur tranfgreflions ; but then we v^^:e(ile not with the Lording rayer, for his Spirit of Grace to heal cur hearts, and to turn us from the (infull ways unto which we find our hearts fo apt and forward. But I will no longer infifl up- on the Convicling part, 1 proceed to another Ufe.
Which fliall be. Not to hide onr fns^ but to declare and <«^- ijfe 2. kyiorvledge them w a right penitential manner before the Lord^ that Exhortation , fo we may declare our fdves true Penitents. This exhortation To confefs our you fee confifts of two parts ; Not to Cover, To Difcover. ^'^^^ ^" * P'"^*
I. Not to hide and cover our fins. There is a two-fold Cover- """"^^ °'^^" ing of our fin ; One is natural^ which is that Vail of Ignorance M^rto cover and blindnefs drawn over the foul by Original fin, keeping the our fuii^ mind in fpiritual darknefs, not able tofeeitfelf, norails, nor wayes aright : This is fuch a Cover, wherein we our felves are hid from our felves. There is another Covering, which is volmtA- rj :ind artificial; wherein we dig deep to hide our counfels, in- tentions, delights, adions from the Lord, cunningly contriving and feigning a fecrecy, as if we could put a curtain of a cloud twixt Gods eyes, and our a6lions ; doing evil, and faying. None iliall fee it : And when it is done, never bringing that forch by a penitential confefTion, which we did bring out by a finfull com- miifion. Oh take heed of this, though we be forward to fin, be- " ware left we be artificial to conceal it. , If we cannot h.avci eyes to forefee, and ftrength to prevent evil ; yet let us have hearts to bewail, and tongues to confefs it. Confider ferioufly
1. J\\\shiding quality leaver y ill qtialitjf ; it is an embleme rh's is a very of an heart, that will not yet be rid of fin : As Beggars, that will ill quality. not be cured of their fores ; for if thou wouldftbe cleanfed,why concealeft thou .thy difeafe ?
2. It ad2s much to jour fin : To commit a fin may be an a6l of I: adds m-ich infirmity, but to hide and conceal it argues either ftrong Atheifm, to your iia. that the finner thinks God regards it not though it be vile ; or elfe perverfe wilfulnefs, he will not humble, he will not turn unto the
Lord.
CL2 * 3.^J^
1 1 5 The Returning Frodtgal^ er
3 . Zr adds yiothlng to our fafet^ : Adam hid himself In the thickjty
You m.w put gold in a fecret place, and perhaps it m.^y be un- der a fafer cultody ; but he who will hide his fin, doth but put a fair cloth upon a dangerous wound^which now rankles, gangrenes, kills. Of all fins, thofe do moft endanger the foul, for which we . are not truly humbled,, or do not ferioufly confefs them unto God. Why fhould God iliew thee mercy,- w^ho wilt not acknow- ledge thy felt guilty ? and how can fin but be fiercely reigning, where it is mofi willingly harboured and concealed ? Nor dotb \: ^, JVor doth it add.to ourfecr^cj : For all thr^gs are naked and add CO our iV y^y^ y^foy^ Godj S^c. God - can eafily difcover thy fin. i . He fees crcc^.. -^^ i^g l^^g ^^^ all-feeing eye. 2.. He can make thy confcience the
rack of torment at confeHlon. 3. And will at the lafi day ; Nsth'wg is hid that jhall not he made manifefl. In two things . doth the inconfitent finner much prejudice himfelf by hiding, of his fins : One, that he contrives himfelf for a fore puniili- ment j another, that he repriev.es himfelf for an open iliame.. It. is Gods difpofition, this, that when we difcover our fin, and condemn our felves, then will he-cover thofe fins, and not ji%e our perfons. i Cor. 1 1 . 3 1 . ifype woald judge our je Ives ^ ne jhould not he judged. But when we with wile and guile contrive to keep them clofe, God then will publifli, and man^feft them.; for ther« is nothing ( in this kind ) fecret, which fhall not be made ma- nifefi : Nay, fimply, manifeitation is not all ; judiciary is it ;• he will fo difcover them, as to queftion, as to arraign, as to con- vi6l, as to fentence, as to condemn your fins. • Ohjetl, But finners are ready to objed ; Who is able to con- fefs his fins ? Doth not David fay, who kjwweth horv eft he offend- ^/Z? f Pfal. 19;
Sol, It is true, every particular, numerical thought and a6t of fin, is not poTibleto be cited and confefled ; butwhourgeth. that'? This belo'.igs to. thee ; i. Toftudy thy heart and life; 1, To obferve WiV.t the Lord forbids and commands ; 5. To. hear what thy Confcience w^ill fpeak fo: kinds and a^Sls ; 4. To give diligence to find out as many of thy fins as thou canft, and by no means to omit thy fpecial fins; and fo to fpread allof them, wirh humble, hearty, and mournful! acknowledgment be- fore the Lord.
OhjeB..
The Sinners Converfion to God. r 1 7
OhjeB, This is the way to breed defpair, tu fee an Army of fuis on a fudden raifed up in the foul.
Sol, I. See them you muft, firli,' or laft ; either now to your humiliation,or hereafter to your confufion ; better fee them now, when you have time to get God to pardon them, then after life, when it is Gods time onely to condemn you for them. And
2. He who bids thee to fee thy fmp, bids thee to confefs them ; and he who bids thee to confefs them, hath promifed alfo to par- don them.
ObjeH, But I lliall be afhamed to confefs them, fo many, fo" foul tranfgrefllons.
Sol, I, If it were to M m,then thou mightft blulli and fear ; h^ might wonder at thee, and perhaps incompaifionately cenfure and blab. 2. But it is to a God onely ; One who is very merciful! and will keep counfel, he is very ready to pity and to fpare thee.
3. The commilllon of fin fhould be a fliame,but the confelfion of it is an honour ; it is an honourable thing that a Tinner will glori- fie God, and confefs and forfake his fins. Let the difeafe be what- it will, thou wilt difcover it to the Phyfitian ; why then this fin- full modefty to reveal thy fins to God? And 4. efpecially, if thou confidereft thus much, that thy confefiion is not to give him knowledge of any fad with which he is not acquainted, but to yield a teftimony of thy obedience, and repentance, and grief^ find to get thy acquittance and difcharge:
II. But difcover and confej^ them : and to move you to this, But (31 fcovfr confider i . Thoughit be a (h^me to commit fn^ yet it is an ho- and confefs nyur to confefs It, My foyjy give glory to the God of Ifrael^ and con- ^^'^' fe^mto him, faid Jofhua^ cap. 7. 19. to Achan. Mourcj..
2. Though the commiffion offn brings heavy gut It ^ytt. the confefft— on of it brings peace and eafe.- It is the letting out of corrupt & ulce- ■ rous matter, which rages,and fwelleth,and boils in the confcience.
:^, Is it fo great a matter y beinggreatlj guilty ^ freely and hum^-, . r hiy tocenfe[^^ If the Prophet had bid thee to have done fomej^atrc*rfortbe great thing, &c. \o if the Lord hid required of thee C'. m- g'eit guilty pcrfon^ matter, proper and high fatisfadion for the wrongs thojhill freely to con- done unto him, thoufandsof ram?, or ten thoufand rivers of oyl, ^^•^^• &c, Rnt when he faith. Be grieved for what thou h.ift done, do fo no more, onely aci^nowledge thine iniquity ^ that thou hafi tranf- greffed again fl- the Lord thy God^ Jer. 3.15.
4./?.
1 1 8 The Returning Fredtgd^ or
I: (hal! Curdy 4; ^^ j^^Hl^^^) fi»d mercy, O pardoning mercy ! hovvne- fini m;rcy. ceflary, now iWeet for a finner ! But who lliiall have it f He thcx confeffeth and, fgr^aketh hij ffis, jhaU fmd mercy ^ Prov. 28. / /^/W, / yo'ill confe^ my fins unto the Lord^ and thon for gave fi the imqmty of mj f>ny Se/ahy Pul. 32. 5. Nondam pronnntiat, fed fromittlt fe pronnntiattirnm^ & ille dimmlt^ faith Saint Anfliny ihld. And again ; Vox nondnm m ore erat^ fed anris Dei In cor- deer at : So was it with the Prodigal ; hepurpofeth toconfeis, and his Father feeth him a far off.
Luke 15:. 157. Andamno morevporthy tc he called thy Son ^^ makj me 06 one of thy hired Servants,
Thefe words contain in them, a continuation of the Prodigals humble Confefllon ; he had in the former Verfe acknowledged He GonfcfTcth his hnfuhiefs, and in this he confeffeth his tinworthlnef^ [And am hisuRworthi- nomore worthy to he called thj Son, '\ 2. A modeft fupplication, "cis* \^Make me as one of thy hired Servants,'] There are three Prc-
pofitions which thefe two parts do a tford us, viz. i. That feni- tent perfons are humh/e and lowly perfons. [ I am no more wor- thy] 2, 7 hat mworthinef is no jufi prejudice to ftipplication, [ I am not worthy, yet make me, &c,'] 3. That penitent per-" ' fons eameftly defire jome relation to God, [Make me as one of thy hired Servants.] DoH, I. That penitent perfons are humble and lowly perfons, [_I am n9
Peniccnt per- more worthy,'] Look on every word almoft in the Text, and you Cons sre hum- fhall fee in it the blufh of humility ; I am not worthy,'] The lan- blc perfons. guageof Pride is, I am not as other men ; the voice of Humi- lity is, I- am not worthy ; what I have is of meer mercy, what I crave is not of my merit; God may give what he pleafeth, and I may receive what he giveth, but I am unworthy of both ; I dare not ^xpoftulate nor 'challenge, I have finned, and what mercy can I then deferve. No more worthy?^ Was he ever wor-^ thy? 'No. Why then no more worthy ? q,d, OLord, I de- ferve nothing, no, nothing at all ; fo vile a wretch have I been, that it's lingular mercy if thou look at all upon me. To he thy Sonr\ A Son, thy Son, O it i? a high Relation, an high Digni- ty! for a Vaffal of Wrath to be made a Vetfel of Glory ! for a
Slave
The Sinners Convey f^on to Cod. 1 1 ^
Slave to Sin,to be tranflated to a Son of God ! Who am I ? it Is that which I want, \x.'v^ that though which is too great for m^to ask ; I am not worthy to be thy Son , nay , not worthy to be called thy fon^] the very title and n^me is too good for me : that fo deb.mched and luxurious a fmner as I, fhould have that honour from thee, to be mentioned or f pollen of, to be in any fort reputed among thofe of fo Angular Rdation unto thee ; I who have finned fo much againll thee, that I fhould in any kind be owned as a Son by thee, this is an eminency ; I ^^m not wor- thy to be called thy Son. Thus you fee his humblenefs in con- feflion ; Not worthy, utterly unworthy to be a Son, nay, to be called thy Son : See fome Ikps of it in his Petition ; Make me 06 one of thy hired [erv ants ^^ A low requeli, but it is the modeft breath of a lowly fpirit. If / may be thy fervar.t^ I fhall be glad of that; not thy onely fervant, but^?;?^ ofthyfervants; not the chief eft of thy fer\Mnts, but any one of thyfervanis, thy hi- red fervant : And perhaps even that is too good for me, to be a fervant, to be an hired fervant, to be one of them ; / fhall coa it my felf happy, if / may be a^ one of the mean^ft fervants, \i I may be but a fervant xo the meaneft of thy fervants that ferve thee. And Father, 1 beg for this too, make me as one of thy hired fervants ; '/ am, not worthy of the leaft place, nor of. the meaneft Relation ; / challenge it not, onely be thou pleafed to beftow it upon me. He is not worthy to defire the greateft, and he doth modeftly intreat for the loweft Relation ; both which fhew the humblenefs of his penitential fpirit. Thus was it with P^«/ after his converfion ; how he fmks his thoughts and eft' ma- "■* tion of himfelf ! When he is to fpeak of his fins, i Tim, 1.15. then Primus feccatorum^ I am the chief of finners ; Nemo frt^ . tfr, none exceeded me, nemo pejor^ I was worfe then any : And when he fpake of Gods mxercy to him, then, mlmmns Afoflalo^ rum^ /am the leaft of the Apoftles, \Cor. 15. 8. & Indlgnlf" /ww, notworhy tobecalled an Apoftle. Nay, he fcTlls lower than this, Fphef :;. 8. Mlmmr^i fanBorHm mlmr minlmo^ lefs than the leaft of all Saints, is this grace given, C7f> Do you not fee this alfo in the fenltentlal PHhlkan} He fteodafaroff^ and Publican* vpotild mt fo much as^ lift up his eyes to heaven^ h'a^f?mte trpon his hreft^ faying^ God he merciful I to me a fnner. He judges thofe feet unworthy to carry him unto God, which fo often carried him
from
120 '^he Returning Pr$digd^ or
from God ; and thole eyes unworthy to look on his hoUners,vvhich had been fo frequenily caft upon finfuhiefs ; and whereas the Pha- rifeefpreads his hands abroad, he turns them upon his brell:, his contrite breft , and doth not boall of his righteoufnefs, but cries out of his fins j and jultifies not himfelF, but humbly begs, Lord, be mercifull to me a finner. Thus was \i with Mtir^ Magdalene upon her repentance, Luc,^, 3 8. She flood at the feet of J efm^he-- hind himy weepi^g^ and began to wafh his feet with tearSy and wiped them with the hairs of her heady and kjjpd his fe£ty and anointed them with ointment. Mark it ; all her fervice is lowly ; ilie ftood, ilie did not fit ; .fitting was a poiiure of familarity, Ikndingof humility : and llie (iood behind ; to look after Chrift vvas enough, to look upon him flie was unworthy: And then (lie ttood at his feet,the humbleft pofture, and there all her work is aded : Stood at his feet, wept at his feet, wailied his feet, wiped his feet, kif- fed his feet, anointed his feet.
But now for the opening of this Propofition, I will briefly dif-
cufs, I. What this lowly humblenefs is, which accompanies true
Repentance? 2,. The Caufes why true Penitents are fo humbly
lowly? 3. Some ufefull Application of this.
. .. I Qtiefl.i, what that hnmhle low Une^ isy which is to be found in
is. Sol, It is not a promifcuoHsjamiliantj with every body 5 fuch an
humblenefs becomes Solomon ?> fool ; nor is it an affefed garb of complemental dljfimulatlony thcitwas Abfalom*s treacherous flirrup to mount up himfelf into the Throne ; nor is it a flavingly abafiiig of a mans felf to a6ls incongruous with the dignity of his place and calling ; this were to be the Tom of a ParilL ; nor is it a de^ nlal of thofe glfs and graces that God hath be ft owed upon us^ this is a modell lie, it is not lowlinefs ; nor is it pajftve humlUatlony wherein the fpirit may be crackt as low as Hell, and yet be ftill as proud as Hell ; nor is it a rejeEilng of Godspromlfes^ becaufe 7ve can bring no worth \unt9 them : But Humblenefs which ac- Humblenefs companies Repentance, It Is a Grace of Gods Spirit^ whereby the defer ibed. penitential perfony from right knowledgCybecomes low In his own ejes^
andjudgeth himfelf mo ft unworthy In his addreffesunto God, It is 1 Grace of \, It Is a Grace of Gods Spirit,'] It is one of the Pearls in the Gods Spirit. Chain which the Apoftle would have us to put on, Col, ^.12. an .humble fpirit is a fpiritud ornament. Some Graces are more vifi-
ble
the Sinners Converfton to Gvd* 121
ble and ftirring, as Faith and Charity -, others are more referved and hidden (like 5^/^/ among the ftutf) as Patience and Humi- lity. But a Grace it is, being a fupernatural Quality , not born with us, but added unto us. In our firit Birth, we com^ out with very high and ftout Spirits; in our fecond Births, with very lowly and humble Spirits ; iii our low Birth, with high Spirits ; in our high and excellent Birth,with lowly Spirits.
2. MakJ'^g us low in our own eyes :] Behold^ faith Job, 40. 4. Makinr us low / am viky (.i.) nothing worth, bafe, PFhat jhall'I anfwer thee ? In our oun / am as a weaned chi/d, C^id David^ Pfa.131.1. I have not the <:ycs. Unde rjianding of a man^[.\id -^g^r^ Pro. 50. 2. JVot as if I had yet ^;r^/W,raith the AporUe,^/?//.^. Hence is it that in Scripture humble perfons are called Little^ (one of thefe little ones , faith Chrift) little, not only in the proud contempt of the World, but little in their own humble eftimation of tiiemfelves. Ks David is faid to be little in his owu eyes ; one who fet a very low rate and value on himfelf. And they are faid to be poor , por in f fir it ; they have indeed very rich Graces , but very poor opinions and conceits of themfelves ; /, tvho am but dnft and ^y^f/,faith Abraham : a worm and no man^iiid David. Excel- lencies they have, but they are not puffed up by them. God doth raife them , but they raife not themfelves ; they are precous and honorable in his fight, but vile and nothing in their own; they' have an high Calling, and high Graces, and high Privilcdges, but ftiir low hearts : when they look on their Natural frame, that's as low as Earth ; when they look on their finful fr?me , that's as low as Hell ; when they look on their Spiritual frame , then how little; itisbutfomefaith , Oh, that God would help my Unbelief! that forrow is but a drop, thatlov^ebut afpark, that knowledge but a dawnirg light , their ftrength but weak- ne(s ; others have more, they have but little ; ftill they complain of defe6ls,infirmities, failings ; what they have is nothing to the much they want : No Vines fo unfruitful , no fervants fo unpro* fitable as they.
fudging themfelves unworthy In their addreffes to Gvd : ~) 7'hy JucJpinp t^fin- S/tints^ faid Mofes, humble themfelves at thy feet ; unworthy to frUes unwo-ihy come before God, unworthy to obtain any thing from G^d : the ^nihnr addrti- Publican dares not lift up his eyes to heaven ; Ez^rn is afliamed ^^* '° ^"^*^' and confounded to look up : the very Majefty and Purity
. R of
(
122 Tk Keturnmg Prodigal^ or
of God do da2le,andfometim2s filence their thoughts ; and when they <lo worihip towards his holy place, then mark how their Pe- titions run, Not for my fake, O Lord, not in my own name, not formyrighteoufnefs, fhame and confufion belong to me; but do it for •thine Ovvn fake,for thy Mercies fake, for thy Truths f^ke,. for thy Chrifts fake, O Lord : If thou fheweft me no Mercy,! de- ferve nonejif ihou giveft me any Mercy,it is only of thy abundant Mercy.
^'- h"l^^°"^ * Ariftng from a right kmwledg: ] As Pride Is rooted in Ig-
Ictiee! ^^'^' "^^^^"ce and Error ( it is bu l the corrupting of our Text, a fooliili blafl and miflake) fo Humblenefs is grounded in right Knowledg and true Judgment.
OfGjd. 1, Of God : Humble perfons do more exa<3:Iy apprehend
him (what Heis,what his Will is^ in his perfe6lion3 of Holinefs, and Mercy, and Juttice, and thereupou are ab^ifed in their own fenfe. To compare our felves with our felves m^y be dcingerous , and to compare our felves with others inferior to us in gifts, and graces, andfervices, itmaybeafpeedy way topufFusup. But a comparifon of our felves with God , O how fhort are we ? how nothing are we in comparifon of that infinite fulnefs of excellency in him ? The Stars make a twinkling in the nighty, but when the Sun appears they hide their faces and Veile themfelves. Our Graces may feem to caft their Raves , their Beams, and to have fome Luftre m our eyes, vvnilft we compare them with others , or our felves in darknefs ; but when we look on God, that Sun, that fulnefs of all Ho- linefs, then we are afhamed, may hang down our heads ,j and, with the Angels, cover our Faces : Our Features are but as Deformities, and our Fulnefs but Poverty, in compa- . rifon of him : And therefore wh(^n Joi? had a while conferred with God, he then confeffeth his ^olly and ignorance, and abhors himfe/f and will ffeak^m mo^e.
Of ou" Sdvcs. 2L. Ofourfehes^ both in £W/ and in (7W, For Evil: It is difcerned in the proper nature, forms, colours, deferts of it. Ob,
For Evil. Pjqvv much hath God already been diijhonoured by me? How often? how highly? Any one TranfgrelTion , rightly appre- hended, jnriy ferve to abafe us all ourdayes. But then Iftill feel a corrupt nani.re, apt to rebel, to llepafide, to break out. Oh, how wonderfully do unbelief, hardnefs , fecurity , dul-
The Sinners Converfion to God. 123
nefs, diltradion, hypocrifie, vain-glory, unthankfulnefs, foUy, indifpofuions, evil thoughts, corrupt affections cleave unto me, though under many mercies, opportunities, helps, aflift^inces ; what am I vvorihy of ? It is pure mercy that I am not ahnoR eve- ry hour thrown into.Hell, by reafon of continual finnings ? For Good ; look on it in all rerpe6ts,and know it aright : you may fee caule of humblenefs : i . Look on it in the Qualities or Habits : at the bell very weak, things rather of defire, then of poflelTton ; we know but in part, believe with fear, trult with doubt- ings , fee but as in a glafs ; we rather imitate then appre- haid. As Profper fpnke of the joyes of Grace , Ipfa & vlr^ tutam gatid'ia valntis habent ^ that is true of the very Graces, even our wine is m'xt with water ; and like Jacobs fpcckled Sheep , fo is it with our fouls , feme of all graces, yet but alit- tie, and accompanied with thereliques of 3ll,and too much finful- nefs. 2. Look on it in the ABs and Frnlts : We can-
not go without a Staff, and, too like Jacohy halting to our dy- ing day ; either we want minds to good, or wills or power, not able of our felves to ha ch one good thought, and when the will is prefent, yet we find not power to perform ; and tliough fometimes we do good , yet evil is prefent with us : like Beer which runs lovy with the liquor , there runs out much muddy , grounds; or like ^^r^/^-«;«/ Sacrifice, many Birds lighting on it; or like Solomons O'mment -^ in which is fome ^^^// Flle-^ or like a Candle, which burns with a Snuff; or like the fire, which afcends with much fmoke. Our anions are like the Arrows which are (hot, one is too far , another is too fhort, another is too wide , not one of an hundred that hits the mark ; fo is it with us , many Duties and Services are performed by us, but which nmoi^gft them all is performed with that reverence of Spi- rit, faith on Chrill, integrity of Affedlion, unitednefsof Soul., and fole fidelity of intention to Divine Glory. Our excellencies arc weak, and the Lord be merciful unto u?, how often do vve weaken them ? our work is but little that we do , very little ; take afide the averfnefs, the indifpofitions , the formalities , thecoldnefs, the di(}ra6tions , the unbelief, the wearincfs , the inconlimcy, the infinite infirmities which accompany them , vvhat poor things will they then appear? may we not fall down and fay, having done our beft, We are
R 2 but
\
124 The Returning Prodigal^ or
but unprofitable fervants. Nay, and that which being known may iikewife abafe us , is this^ we may juRly fay of all our poor excellencies , as the Widow of her Veflels , They are but borrowed ware ; What have we which we have not received ? Every Gift and (Srace which we have, is but a Beam born of the Sun, a drop coming from another Fountain then our Natures : all our good is but free Gift; take the borrowed feathers from the Crow , it is then a mofi black creature alone. So that con- iider our good aright, eidier in the initial caufe of it, viz.. Divine and free Grace; or in the upholding caufe of it, Di- vine alfiftance; or in the qualities of ic,how Weak and imperfed ; or in the acts of it,how rare and uneven ; all thefeare th^ fprings as it were,which feed humblenefs of heart in the true Penitent.. Wby true pc- Qneft^ 2.. NovV I proceed to the next inquiry , why true Pe- nitents arc merits are fnch hnmbU and lowly perfons ? / am not worthy tohe humble per- called thy Son.
5<?/. The reafons are moft of them infinuated already ; I will either exprefs them again,or add more lo them : thus then. 1 .Con- Convcrfion '^f^rfon neceffarily infers an alteration in the whole man : Though infers an Alee- it doth not deftroy Subftances, yet it chasgeth Qu:lities ; of un- radon in the holy,itm^kes us holy ; of ignorantjknowing ; of lilthy,clean ; of whole m^n. obliinate, flexible ; of unquiet^meek ; of proud and lofcy,humble and lowly ; therefore penitent perfons,who are converted perfons, mufl needs be lowly , ex naturarei-^ this is forcible. 2, They never did experimentally \now thernjelves till they began to re^ e 1 e"°V^' /'^^^* Sin was but a delight, or amxk, or a meer difcourfe knoWihem-^ unto them before; thevilenefs of it, the contagious pollution fdvcs. of it, the ftinging guilt of it, the terrible effedls ofic, both in
refpe61: of God and themfelves, they never favv it till now; they fee that of fia which they favv not before, both for the filth and the guilt of it;and they fee it with other eyes then they favv it before ; no m.irvel then that they become lovin their own eyes. Should they not be very vile in their own eyesjWho perceive them- felves guiltv of that wh ich is mofl: and only vile in Gods ? / h^ive ■^ob T 10 ' fnned what (hall I Jay untp theefl thou preserver sfmen ? 3 . They- never faw till now how (kort they came m that good of duty- T^cy now fee which they owe to God , and how unanfwerahle they are ta ho5^ (bore they the many bonds ef obedience : I have done nothing for somunducy. God all my dayes, rior to him in any Service and Honour.
4, They
4
s
The Smners Converfion to God. 125
They never knew till now how injurious they have been un- to God , to the kindnefs of his Love, to the ccunfel of his Spirit, ^^.^ ^^"^ '^^' to the righteoufnefs of his Will ; how unworthily and ftubborn- i""°bccn"o ly they have refiftedjdefpifed him, abufed all his mercies : Thus GjJ. for the Explication of the point. Now for th^ Application of it . to cur felves ; Doth true Repentance produce humble lowlinefs ^r^ of Spirit, then let us reflet on ohy own hearts^ and judge what fo- Lci u^ judge of lidity of Refentar:ce is wrought in us by that lowlmefs and fenfe of ouiRepcmai^ ftnwonhinejs which is to be found in true penitents. Confider by our iowli- Pride, and loftinefs, and fe/f-wonhinefs are very natural to us : "^^^* though we be born wholly n.iked, not any external ornament is prfje and fdf- upon us , no inward excellency , yet our natures are puft with worthincfs arc wind and a haughtinefs; and could we be rifled and ftript of every very natural co fm, we lliould find this of pride ( fo oppofite to lowlinefs ) moA "J* intimately cleaving to us : Paradife was not free of it : What do I fpeak of it ? nay,Heaven it felf was troubled with it;the Divels, * who are caf-l: into the loweft darknefs, fell thiihef by reafon of their proud loftinef >. Look over all forts of perfons , it s a won- der almoft to find one truly humble-hearted iinner. If a man hath parts, the Apoftle tells us that knowledge ruffeth up ; the the wmd gets into the bladder ; as it was with Diatrephesy &c. who is the Lordy faid Pharaoh ? if a man have dignities, how rare is it to fee greatnefs {looping, and lowlinefs of heart with highnefs of honor. If a min have riches , he needs an Apoftles charge, Not to he high-minded. If a man be poor, he is like Dior- genes:, trampling upon the Philofophers chair with greater pride. Generally thefcum is mofl light , and vu'gar fpirits moft cenfo^ rious and infolent. If a man be ignorant,- yet Laodicea thinks her felf r/V/j, and ificreafed^and to have need of nothing ; though indeed flie be foor^ and hhnd^ and miferable^ and naked,
2, if habitually and fredowinant/j proudythou art as yet impe^ If Habkually. nltent ; 'tis true that Co'.werfion doth not give an abfolute ctm- t^rcubihcuarc tioH to fin, yet it do h take off dominion, and caufeth diminuti- io^pfnitcm. on. It cannot be,that a man lliould have an heart rightly fenfible offiUy and fetagainftit, and yerbe high in the opinion of his own excellencies and w.^rth. The mountains are call down into a valley, and the high im"'ginations brought into captivity ; the fwellings of our corri-pt fpints are in great me?fure abated and let ©Ht, when onc€ Grace enters our hearts , and Repentance hath
opened<
126
The Returning Frodigd^ or
Few men ufc
tit mc?ns to make {beai bumble.
How it may bf known ibatctr begirt s are not lofiy, butlow-
Yu then live upon mccr mercy.
You will be pacienc under delaycs.
You will be fi. lim in denials.
opened our eies. Though you may be free from many other adu- al and grds exorbitancies, if yet the fpirit of pride ( be it in Spi- rituals, or Naturals, or Civiis, or Morals ) dwell within you, and rule over you, it may be faid of you what the Prophet fpake of the ftcut-hearted, They were far from rlghteoufKefs,
3. Tew men ufe the means to make them humble , they feldom are at home, they are fo ftudious of other mens fins , that they negled their own. This is a moft ordinary tru:h , that they who are fo prying after fhe faults of others, feldom fearch themfelvs, and hereby onely enable their own pride, but difable themfelvs for humbleneis. It is not forreign , but experimental knowledge which makes us lowly. But you may reply, Hov may it bee known that our hearts are not lofty, but lowly, that fo we may judge our repentance not to be be formal, but found. Soi Prc- mife a word or two and then I have done, that I fpeak onely of LoivHnefsj as it is to be found in Chrijftians in thu llfe^ which v^ not a ftate of perfe6^ion, but impcrfedlion. Secondly, as it is /« confllSi and cembate^ not as abfolute and free. Now then i. If yon he truly lovfly-^ then you I he altogether upon free ^nd meer mer- cy. Every mercy is an alms unto you , and is fued out not upon defert, but upon promife : you can find no mony to buy corn,but all mufl: be free gift : you will be content to buy without mony, and to receive without price. 2. Ton will then he more patient under delays .- it is but a proud beggar who will be ferved at firft knock, or elfe will be gone. It is a very ill fign when we are fo quick with God, that he fhall lofe our fervice if he doth notpre- fently fend out his anfwers. Were we indeed fenfible of our own unworthinefs,we would hold it nodifparagementto wait at heaven gates ; he will patiently wait for fome mercy, who humbly knows that he defervs none. Even an humble heart may urge God to m<?ke hafte,but itiscur proud heart which accufeth and quarrels with him for delay. 3 . You will hefilent in denials and 7vithdraw7?tents, Doth not God anfwer me? Why ! I deferv no look nor anfwer. Doth he not ^wQ. what I ask, but take aWay what he hath given? Why ! it is the Lord,Iet him do with his own what he ple^feth.It is mercy that I have yet any mercy : I am unworthy to enjoy any good, who am moft worthy to enjoy all evil. When we are our felves, this will U be our temper,ifvve be humble, God fhall ufe his own authority 11 andpieaft«:e to difpofe of the mercies which we crave, and of the "'
mercies
^
7he Sinntrs Com 'erfton to God, 127
ve-
mercies alfo which we have ; we will be ni(xe patient in denials, and filent in loffes ; What can we fay who are unworthy of all ? 4. Ton will be v€ry thankjtii for any afifwer^ or the leafi mercy, y<,,jvvill be If nothing will content us but great mercies, atfuredly we are not ry thankful for humble, but have too great fpirits. He who indeed judgeth him- the Icaft mcr- felf not worthy of the leait of all the mercies and truth which ^1r God i>iews unto him, will take up a great mifery vVith quietnefs, and a little mercy with thankfulnefs. The body of man if it bee found, can ftoop for a pin, as well as for a piece ; and the heart, if it be humble, can blefs for Httle mercies, as well as for great. The touch of the little finger, as well as of the great , will make a well-iuned ttringed inlkument fpeak, and even the whifperings of the voice are ecchoed back in an exa6t concave. The leaft drops of mercy affedt the lowly heart, which can awake upon the leaft noife. The proud heart like the mountain yields a poor crop after a fliower of mercies, but the humble heart,like the Gardens, yields plenty of fweet fmellingfacri rices, after the led (t dews or drops of merciful blelTings and anfwers from God. Now fay , How do you plead with God when you approach unto him ? what - can you fhew for the mercies that you ask ? onely his own msr- cie, no worth in you to move him : And how are you when God delaies, or denies, or removes his mercies ? can you then be in , duft and alhe*?, and not in fire and flames ? can you yet quietly ferve him, wait on him, depend on him, iubmit to him upon this ground ? Ah 1 1 am a finner ; I have wronged the Father of mer- cies ; abufed all his merc'e> ; am not worthy of the leaft of merr cies : It is mercy that ever I had mercy, that now I have any, that which is oft and denied, I am not worthy of them ; that which I hive, I am not worthy of. And when God anfwers you either mfpiritu?.ls, to yair fouls ; or in temporals, to your out- ward mm. How do you look upon his anfwers ? Do you look a fqutnt 01] them as he upon Salomons Cities ? Are you able to abufe great mercies, and flight the leaft ? %, If you bee Thcmoremei truly humble, then the w^J'f mercies and anfmrsfrom God , will c'cs from God, jllll add and maks ym more humhle and lo)v!y. Not onely the '*''^^ ^^^^ y°** fenfeof your iniquities, but the experience of Gods mercies will "°" hu^nWc. m^ke you low in your eies.Mercies have two effedl:s upoi humble hearts^they m.:ke them more humble,and more fruitful. D^wW in 2 Sam, 7, when God gave him the advouzon , and, as it were,
con-^
128 ^^^ Returning Fr(^digAly er
confirmed and added to his former Charter, an intention of grea- ter mercy to his potkrity, Why ! this cafts P^Wdown, ver.n^. Then went King David i/jy and fate before the Lerdy and hefaid, lyho ^m /, O Lord God , and what is my honfe , that thou hafi brought me hitherto. The more corn is in the ear , the more it hangs down the head ; and the tree bends raoft, when laden wich fruit. But if mercies make us forget God, as afflictions make \xs forget our felves ; if it be with us as with the Arrow,which when the Bow is moit bent and drawn, it flies fartheft from us ; Or as with the Dial which calls the lliortefl {hadow, when the Sun is higheft j or as with fome grounds, which yields the rankeft corn after the fulleli tillage .: we growcarelefs of God^, of his Ordi- nances in publick, of his worfhip in- private, fcornful of heaven- ly reproof, admonition, obedience ; alas ! this lliews we are not humble. 2. Vfe, If upon due fearch we find our hearts lifted up with an opini-
Wcftiou.d be on of our own worth and excellencies, and far from penitential bumbled for humblings, TVe jhou/d he humbled for want of this humblenefs : as the wan: cf this j-jez^ekjah, though his heart was lifted up, yet the text faith. He urn encs. humbled hlmf elf for the pride of his hearty 2 Chron. 32. 25, 2^, A r1 r h ^7* hxAtifethe means b J which we may become humbly fenjible means tc be- af our own great unwort hi nefs, v. g, i. Study our felves more, come humble. Alas ! what are we ? but duft and allies ; nay, but lin and cor- Study cur ruption : We cannot fay of our fins, as the Prophet fpake of xl'[\z ftivcs more. fore-running calamitie<^. Gray hairs are here and there ufon htm^ No, no, but as David , who can tell how oft he offends ? if we Ipew our felves, we would abhor our felves. 2. Study the Law more, the perfe6lion and excellency of it , and bring thy many $tu(3y the Law yQ^s to that purity, thy many crookedneffes to that plainnefs. ^^^^' Taul was alive before the Law camCy but when the Cemmandement
c^mcyjin revive dy and he died, ^. Study your own -performances ^erformT«" ^^^^^^' '^^^ true^ fomething is done, b 't there is more undone, Cctcr. ' ^^^^" ^^^ ' ^^y ^^^ fovices have more in them to humble, then to puff thee; thou canli: not do at all, unlefs God aids thee (but art like a Mill without water, or a Dial without the Sun)and when thou dofl: go, it is like MephibofJ:eth , lame on both feet. When thou haft made the bcft praier, thou m.iieft well bow the knee, and pray again, that God would forgive thee the much dullnefs, the many diftrailions, the infinke unbelief in thy prayer.
^,Study
The Sinners Converftcn to Cod. 12 p
4. Study the creatures better^ which are the bellovves to blow up . , . your fdf-concdts and high thoughts. What is thy ham^ but a cu^^J better * fading dye, a changeable tincture, which one blow or one dileafc may da{h ! if it efcajie both , yet time will unvarniHi the houfe newly painted ? What are riches but a labour, an heap of va- nity, and a vexation of fpirit ; they are a Tree long in growing, and quick in fading : Solomon compares them to a Bird re^idj^ to five ; Paul reputes them mcerta'my and Banjid wonders who (hall enjoy them. What ^:^c/oathes but a few Garments of Trees , of Bcalis , fomewhat trimmed up ? And our HontHrs^ bii tho, breath of ihe People, a vain aire and wind at the beft, cuicky ftirred^ e.ifily turned about and allayed? And our bodies^ but a piece of clay,a wall of earth ? Our heads are but earthly Globes , and our eyes but walling Candles, and our feet but decaying Pil- 5 . ^ . lars, d'^. ^. Study Ged more y in his excellencies of holinefs, g^^j^g, of jultice , of mercy , and then you will abhor your felves in dull and afhes.
Now I proceed to the fecond Proposition, viz..
That ferfonal unvporthlnefs is not frejudlclal to fflrltual fupp/i- Do5f:, 2, cation ; \_I am not worth y^ jet makjme as, ] Of this Propofi- Pirfor.al un- tion , I will give you i. Thefenfe. 2, Arguments to con- '^°'''**'^^^V-^. , firm it. 3. Some ufeful Applications. ^ Z(I\^!\^f
Touching xh^jenjeot txflicationoi it, premue tnele parti- plication, culars. I. There is a twofold unworthlnefs • Privative '^ when -ru . there is no quality or ad which the perfoncan fhew to God, as a f^j^ unwonhil meritorious caufe, why he fhould accept of him or his fervices. n< Cst Negative ; wh*n there is no meetnefs or fitnefs of capacity in the fubjecl, enabling of him to receive any thing from God : for as there is a double dignity or worthinefs ; One of Caufality to defervc good,anoiher of Receptivity to obtain good ; fo anfwerably there is a double un worthinefs, one which confifts in the defect of me- rit, another which confifts in the defeil of meetiiefs : I fpe^ik only of the former, not of the latter, for a perfon may not be unworthy , ( .1, ) unfit or uncapable to receive good, who yet is unworthy , ( ./. ) im:ible to deferve and merit it,
2. There is an abfolute and plenary unworthlnefs ^ wherein as there is no caufe of good , fo there is effe6lual caufe to hinder J ^^ isanab- it ; this may be called amoral unworthincfs ; And this a natu- narymwouia. Tz\ , a reftri6live and partial unworthincfs , when there are quali- n^-fs. ,
S • ties
130 The Returning TroMgd^ or
ties in , or a6lions by a perfon, againft which ftrid ju/Hce mi^ht mak^ exceptions , yet through a gracious indulgence they avail not to the pre udice of ihe "^ erfon. David faith in Pfal, 66, 1 8, If I regard Imqiilty In my hearty the Lord will mt hear me ; and the blind min cured, faid well , Jo/?. 9. 31. We know that God heareth not [inner s. When people have not onely fin livin^ in them, but themfelvs living in fin ; when they know and affedi their fins, have means to leave them, but will not have hearts to- forfake them ; this now imprints an abfolute unworchinefs, (/) fuch an unworthinefs , as doth effectually prejudice their accefs and confidence t© God in praier. Never thelefs there may be the prefence of many corruptions for quality and fad ( which the iinner 'inows, and bewails, and judges ) and though in firi6l ju- flice they are a fufficient prejudice.; yet through a divine graci- cufnefs, t-hey prove not effed^ual hinderances to the prefentin? or accepting of Praier. The privative 3. The privative and natural or reflridtive unworthinefs may be unworthinefs confidered again two waies : Either inrefpe6l of the matter ofit^ dercd two '^ which is fome kind or kinds of fmfulnels , either in nature , or wayfs. f a<5l : for nothing makes us unworthy but fin, this abafeth us:.
In rcfped of and keeps us at a di fiance ; Or,(?/ the fenfe and afprehenfon of it ; the martcr of it. when the finfulnefs which doth make us fo unworthy, is difcerned Or of thc^ j^y yg . ^^^^ r^ difcerned, that by reafon thereof we do judge our , felves not worthy of the leaft of mercies. In neither refpe6l is it prejudicial to fpiritualjupplication, (/) though there be finfulnefs in us, and upon us,- and we know it, and that by reafon of it wee are neither worthy to fpeak with God, nor to prevail with God, yet we may prefent our fupplications unto him. Prayer may be 4 Praier may he tonfderedin a threefold reffeB ; Either^ Asa confidered in a Duty to be acled; As a Duty ailing; As a Duty acl:ed. The fenfe threefold r<- of our unworthinefs fhould not be any prejudice to praier in any ] »Pf^« of ihofe refpe6is. i. Nor to tal^ us off from performing the dut]^
Unwrrtbineft of praier : We may ofFer up our facrifice, though we cannot offer i\ ©iia not take Hp cur worthinefs;we may bring our gift, though we cannot bring us ( ff from ^yj. inerit;though we cannot buy heav€n,yet we may beg it. Po- '*^*'** verty doth not hinder ,but a man may be a fit beggar; and fin doth
not hinder,but a perfon may be a fit petitioner to God. David was f?enfible of his fins, P/^/.4o.i2, Inntimerahle evils have compaffed mi ahm j mne inic^mues have t^k^n hold upon me^^ fo thai lam
mt
The Sinners Convsrfion toGod^ 131
not able tt look-up -^ thej are more then the hairs of my head^ there- fore my he Art fade th me-. Yet hv makes his Supplication pre- iently 111 the next verie, v,\i. Be p/eafedy 0 Lordy to deliver me ; O Lord make hafle to he/p me. So did Mz,rayC.p.6. and Damely C. p. ", 2. Nor taks off' Confdence m the time of Performance : Nor take off An UnvYorthy perfon may lawfully bee an earned Suiter. He Confidence in may put up requefts, and alio believe that God will grant them : tl^e time of See itin the Church; If a. 6^,6. fVeareallas an unclean things P«fotmaiice. tind all onr righteonfneffes as filthy rags^ (jrc, Ver. 8. Bm norvy O Lordy thoft art our father, Ver. 9. Be not wrath very forey Q Lordy neither remember Iniquity for ever ; beholdy fejy we befeech theey we are all thy people. So Ptal. 25. 11. For thy Names faksy O Lord^ pardon mine iniqmtyy for It Is great. He \NX^ lenlible of the greatnefs of his fin, yet puts up a believing Peti- tion for pardon. 3. Nor yet take ofFonr expectation of the fuc- Nor tike cS^ cefs and fruit of Prayer : Though a m.in'hath fown his feed ^^^ txpcftaci- with an hand perhaps foul ' or lame, yet he expe6ls on Harveii *^" °^ '^^ ^'*^-' We may expe6t a moft gracious, and proper, and fcafonable an-
fvver to our ptayers, though we be moft unworthy of the mercy
or bletfing which we do defire. Though we know nothing in our felves to commend us to God, yea, though we know enough in our felves to condemn us before God, to non-fuit all our prayers, if the anfwcrs were to be given according to our deferts , yet we may not only requeft the Lord, but iliould by Faith rely on God ; yea, and exped an anfwer what the Lord will anfwer us, and when he will perform his promife to us.
2. But you may demand, Why iTiould not the fenfc of our unworthinefs prejudice our prayings ?
Sol. 1 will give you divers Reafons for it : Arjumfnts to
I. Becatife though we cannot Sue In our own namey yet we may condrmu. Sue In the J^ame of Chrljl : There may be a worthinefs For us Though we though not In us. In the Old Law it was a dangerous prefumpti- """°^ '** . on for any man toofter a Sacrifice without ^ Pr le ft yLtv, 17. ^, yccwcmsym 4,5. fuch a perfon was to be cut off : in like manner it ismoft the Name of dangerous for any man to offer up his prayers to God without Chrift. Chrift : to come in his own ndme, it is the way to cut off our prayers. God will not take any petition from us, unlefs it come v^
out of the hinds of our Mafter of requefts (./.) Chrift Jefus.
And again, in the Old Law,. if the Prieil did offer up the Sacri-
S 2 ficqp
132 7he KtturningFrodigd^ or
fice, though it were not a rich facrifice of a Bullock or a Sheep , if it were but a pair of Turtle Doves ;. nay, if it were but ihe tenth part of an Epbah of fine flour, it was available for the perfon, it was accepted , Levlt. 5. intim.uing unto us, That it is not our own names, nor any excellencies in us, which make way for x!az acceptance or the anfwer of our prayers , they are accepted for his fake in whom our perfons are accepted j and' therefore you read in Rev, 8. 3. of the Angel that flood at the Altar , having a golden Ce^fer^ who hadmAch ir.een^e^ which he offered with the jrajers of all Siunts ufort the golden Al» tar which was before the Throne, The golden Altar, and the golden Cenfer , and much Incenfe make, all accepted ; and ver. 4. The fmoke of the wceytfe^ which came with the prayers^ §f the Sams J afeended uf before God o^t of the Angels hand. It was the Angels Incenfe which made even .the prayers of x^n^ Saints to afcend ( ./. ) the meritorious interceHTion of Chrift ,. which giveth acceptance and audience to our Peutions ; as he isafufficient Redeemer, fo is he a fufficiait Inter cefTour , and therefore our own Unworthinefs muft not prejudice or difcou- rage us, for as much as the name of Jefus Chrili is enough to? imp! ead God withall ." €dis of a 2. Secondly, ivhen we come to God in Prayer^ we come t^
moft liberal Of^e who is of a mofl liberal and gracious Nature^ therefore our and Gracious unworthinefs fhould not difcourage our petitions. That God saturc. is cf a liberal Nature, is unqueftionlble, he is abundant tngoodnefs-i
find truth ^ic) Mofes. He will give grace and glory ^ fo David. He^ ^.vsth to all men liberally and ufbraideth not^ fo Jam. 1.5. Water comes not from the clouds as from a Pump ; a bountiful and noble Nature ftsnds not on defert, it finds principles enough with- in it felf to fhew kindnefs. But which is vet m^ore, the Lord hath not only a nature full of goodnefs, and m^ofl: propenfe to give^,. butalfo'he hath a gracious Nature which difpenfeth all good upon free terms, not for our fake who receive-, but for his own fake only who gives. As Gods liberality appears in giving many times before we ask , and fometimes in giving more then we ask, and fometimes in giving a better thing- then wc ask; fo his gracioufnefs appears in not confidering how wor- thy we are , what Caufes and Arguments we can bring, but in a afieedifpenfatioii of his mercies to us, without all defert or
caufa-
7he Sinners Convsrfion to God, 133
caufality on cur parts : The whole caufe of the mercy, is only in mercy, as in Dent, p. 6, The Lord thy God doth not give thee tJj'tsgood Und topofefs ity for thj righteonfnefs^for thou art afiiff^ flecked peof'e : Thi: gift then was gracious, no defert of it ; nay^ a defert of the contrary. Ct?;^^ jfaith the Prophet, ye thnt have ^ m monj^ come ye^ hnj and eat ; yea^ come buy wine and milk^ without monj andvolthont price ^ I fay 5^. I. If God doih not fell any of his mercies, if he will take none of our coyn ; if he doth not Ihnd upon a price, but only upon the asking and on the acceptation of his gifts, then our Unworthines doth not preju- dice our prayers.
•^,We do not only advance the name efChrlfl^ and the name of dl-* Commir^ Vine Grace h commlnQ with a fenfe of our Unworthlnefs. bm It is '*,'^^ ^^* (*P^* the neceffary concomitant of acceptable prayer. There are two nn- ^^p^ advan- gular Graces, which muft excrcife themfelves in prayer ; one ceth rhc name is Faith 5 by which we go in the name of another ; another is of ChriH, and Httmlllty by v\^ichvve go out of ourfelves. When Abraham '^^*^^^[^^^y . prayes,his form was humble, / who am b^t dufl and ajhes. When j^^^'J^^" Jacob prayes his form was humble, / who am not worthy of all Pj-gygr^ the goodnefs and truths &c. He hears the de^re of the humble \ This poor man cried unto the Lord and he heard him. When We pray to God, vve are faid to fall down at his footilool ; not only our bodies but our fouls alfo mult fall down at his footftool r And when do our foul es fall down? Then when they are fully afFe6led with the fenfe of their own unworthinefs. If vve would pray acceptably, we muft pray humbly. If we would pray humbly, wc muft be fenfible of our own Unworthi- nefs.
4. God hath rejeBed the Prayer of fach who have refied upon Go^ hith Tt']^^
their orvnworthlnefs : The PW/7<?f was re je6led upon this ac-^ J-^" F^^ll^' count. Jam, ^.6. God refifieth the proud (./.) he regards them: ^jytrcftd"^ ^ not, *he rewards them not; the humble he doth, but the proud onh irovn^ be doth not : He hath filled the hungry with good things^ and the wo thineCs. rich he hath fent empty away^ i^o Mary yLuk.i, ^:?. A confi- dence of our Worthinefs makes us uncapable, therefore a fenfe of our Unworthinefs makes us not uncapable. An empty Stom.ick will receive, but a full Veffel will admit of nothing ; you ilKall never find a rich God, if you come to him with rich Spirits :. The Pharifeehc goes up to pray; and what doth he difcoverin.; •■ - his-
1^4 . The Returning Frodigal^ or
his prayers ? / am n9t as other men ; I am no Extwttoneryl am- no Adulterer^ I fifiji twice in the week^. He conceales Jiis fins, and dii^ layes his peri'edions j he ftands upon his vvorthinefs, but he lofeth his acceptance ; he juftified himfelf , but God did not jufiiiie him, accept him, acquit him. None have 5. None ever fotind more mercy then ffich who have come
found more j^^tQ Q^d inthe fenfe of their own Vnworthinefs : I will give you
thcl^wboTav ^'^"^^^^^^^^"^^^^^^^^^^ °"^^^ Scripture. Matth.S.Thc Centn^ becnm ft an- ^^^^ ^"^^^ ^^ fenfible of his unvYorthinefs , that he durlt not Cblcofuniror- himfelf prefume to invite Chrifttothe help of his fcrvant ; thincfs. and when he had intre.ued him, he did not think his houfe VTorthy
of Chrifts prefence, I am not worthy that thou flcotddfi come un- der the roof e of minehoufe^y^ti, 8. yetheprayes, Sjeah^ the word only J and mjf fervHnt [hall ^^ ^^^/^^, and he fpeeds ; his Faith is applauded, and his prayer fully granted; ver,i7,. His fervant •was healed the fame hour. Mar. 5.25. The por woman^ who was fo fenfible of her unworthinefs, ver, ^^ 7,, fhe came fearing ^ and tremblings and fell down ; fhe durft not either immediately or mediately fpeak to Chrift, only her Faith fpake at her fingers ends ; for /lie faid, If I way bm tot^ch his cloathsy J fhall be ■whole, wQT.iS, How doth this fpeed? ver.zg. Straightway the fountain sf her blood was dryed uj). What fhould I fpeak of the woman of Canaan^ who confeifing her felf to be as a Dogy^nd thereupon craving for crumbs^ was prefently fed and anfwered with a great mercy ? Or,what fhould I fpeak of the Publican^ a penitent all in iighs, all in tears, altogether unworthy , and he knew if, and therefore Stands afar off^ dares not lift up his eyes to heaven, fm tes on his breft, andcryes out, Lord^ be mercifnl to me afinner } Here was a deep fenfe of Unworthinefs ; here was neverthclefs a fervent prayer , and upon it amd^ gracious anfwer, He went home juftifed, Scnfe of un. 6, Laftly, Senfe of our nnworthinefsy it is afirong principle worth'.ncfs is a and furtherance of prayer : We are mojft barren and idle in prayer, J.°?L F^^^u^' ^"^hen weareleaft fenfible of our fins ; and we are more diligent
pie and furthc-- ^1 i 1 n r i
ranc: of prayer ^^^P^^yer, morefpurred on, and are more zealoufly fervent and importunate when we are moft fenfible of our own vilenefs and unworthinefs. For indeed the true fenfe of our unworthinefs, is a fpecial part of our fpiritual poverty, and poverty of fpirit breeds the ftrongeft defires, c\^cn hungring and thirfting after
righ-
I'he Sinners Ccnverfion to God, 135
righteoufners , and bo:h of themh.we promires of a mod full and exceeding great reward, as you may fee in Mat, 5, 3,6. And thus briefly for the Explication and Comfirmation of the Do- ctrine. Now I proceed to the ufeful Application of it :
The Ufes which I will make of this point flidll be. i. To z^fe i, try our felves whether we be fenfible of our unwonhinefs in our Addreffes unto God. 2. Then to encourage our hearts, not- vvithftanding our unworthinefs to draw near to xh^ Throne of Grace. i. For Exdmi?iat'wn, Are we fenfible of our unwor- pcr Examina- thinefs in our approaches unto God ? that we deferve nothing at tion. all ? that we come not to buy,but to beg ? not to deferve, but to receive ? There be many reafons why I put you upon this Reafons of our fearch. Trial.
I. Becatifr many f erven this DoEirlne of jerfgnal w/iwor- vi^nynprvert
thmefs : they utterly miltake it ; they do profefs that no- the Doannc cf
thing that is in them can deferve any thing with God, and p rConal un.
therefore trample upon all holinefs of heart,and godlinefs of life, worchincfs*
as if there were no ufe of Grace but to merit; or Gold were of no
life but in a Crown. But thefeare a loathfomc people, who
would link great mercies and a wicked life together : To be fenfi-^
ble of our unworthinefs is not to reft in an evil condition,' nor is
it to run on in an evil converfation, nor is it to flight holy duties
for thy performances, nor is it to difregard habitual or
a6lual Grace : this argues an unfenfible and feared confctence :
But this it is, to ftrive againft fin, to [{rive afcer all holinefs , to
be careful and watchful to pious performances, yet with all , and
after all, to caft thofe Crowns to the ground , not in their names,
but in the name* of Chrift, and free mepcy to expe6l anfwer and
help. Though imperfeil: holinefs in the hal jits oralis cannot ju-
ftifie men, yet they may glorifie God ; and though they put not
dignity into the hand, yet they put a capacity into the hand ; z
fitnefs to receive, though not a worthinefs to claim.
2*. Becaufew^;?? tender Chrlfiians are not yet rightly fenfihU ., /. ; . » • / L • /t J / ^^^^^ render
oj their unvo&rtinnejs ; rhey are very apt to inhlt and adhear unto Chriftians arc
themfelvs. Two things do evidentlyfbew,that,l ike T^fo^'s5<»///, nor ver rightly
who went down with rmney In their Sacl^s^ and would not go with' ffnfibie of rhcfc
am Beniamm ; fo thefe Chriftians would bring fomething to buy "fiworthincfs.
out their requefts with God ; One is this, that all the fromlfes of
free Grace and mercy do not fails fie thm^ thoiigh God hath faid he
Wili
jy6 7'he Returning Frodigdl, er
will love freely, and pardon fm for his own fake, yet they are n ot contented to accept, to receive; they are mofl. hardly perfvaded that the Sun will" lliinefo freely , that God will accept fucha vile fmner upon fuch eafie terms , . and withouc any more adoe pals by all tranfgreffions.
^ Another is, that thej are frequent In digging after rsafons and laiifesof good in themf elves ^ If they could bring Hearts more broken, traces more Itrong, Affections more melting, Conver- iations lefs tainted ; then they cculd be perf vaded that God would hear and grant them the mercy- -or good which they do delire : I confefs that we muft ftrive af ler perfection in all Grace; enlarged defires , an humble complaint, a fervent endeavour in the ufe of all f acred means ; all of thefe are commend^le pradi- ^ ces5 yethereinwefail, and exceedingly to, if we pluck back the
hand from receiving , becaufc we are not full ; that we will not fuck the bretts, becaufe we are empty ; that we would find any caufes of. good in our felves,who at our beft are unprofitable and unworth)'. It is very dan- 3. Becaufe it is a very dangerous thing to /land ajfon our fer- gcroDS to ftand fonal worthinefs , when we approach unto the Lord ; For, Now we wo°th^r [ ^^^^ 'ivlthout Chrifij we do facrijjce alone , we take the Office of our high TrUft out of his hands ; Nay, we frufirate the wort hi- r^efs of Chrifi y for we cannot joynour worthinefs and iiis toge- ther ; if we plead in our own n^mes, we make void his : As it isinthepoint of Juftification, if we {land to our own righte- oufnefs, we make void the righteoufnefs of Chrift : So is it in the matter of fupplication , i£ we ftand to our own worthinefs, and will be heard for our own fake , we exclude the merit of Chrifts interceffion ; we may as well be our own redeemers,as our own interceffours : fVe meet with pure juHlce ; for if we fland upon perfonal dignity, then our qualities and a6tions muft necef- farily have equality to j'ulHce ; God muft difperxe to us accor- ding to cur own deferts ; when we ftand upon our own worthinefs, thenGoddeals withusinjuftice; if we renounce it , then room is made for the mercy-feat. How weirdy Qj^fl> But then you will demand, how may we know, that kfww tji«t we ;Ye aj-e rightly fenftble of our unworthinefs, in our approaches
.rctrulyfcrfx- ^^^
blc of our un- ^ r^ / T -PL *u
^mUviKk. ^^^- I conjeaure thus :
I. If
' - I I . - . ■ ■ -
The dinners Converfton to God, ijj
1. If ycu are fenfible of your own Umvorthlnefs, when you
fray unto the Lord, Jhe/j Jefus Chrifl will he your great efi: fUa ; If Jefus Cbrift you will bei^in to move in his Nsme, and you will urge and pro- ^' ^^^ ircattij fecute it in his Name, and you will fhut it up with an expe6la- ^ "* - t'on in his Name ,• Thou wik not i^:[yy I am now in an excel- lent foft temper, and for its fake fhall I prevail ; and I have •carried the day through now with more affe61:ions, and lefs d:- lirailions, therefore for this iliall I prevail ; As Leah faid, / hiive born mj Imsbanci this foriy therefore my husband will love me^ But in all thy facrifices and fervices, thou wilt fly unto a. Me- diator, and fHll plead his Title, his Worth, his Merit ; Lord, help me to pray for Chrift^s fake ; Lord, give me mercy and grace for ChriiliS fake ; Lord, hear, accept, anfwer, do me good, for thy ChriiVs fake.
2. Then the Covenant of Grace mil p^n heart moyoHy and dravf If the Cove- rs?// on alone to your prformances ; as ihz wind alone will ftir the i^^^^o^ Grace Mill, or the tide alone will drive the Boat : I affureyou, that if P^J^^*""" ''^^'^ you be rightly fenfible of your Unworthinefs, you will look af-
ter a Mercy- Seat, and after a Throne of Grace ; you will be in- •quifitive, upon what terms Grants of Mercy and of Grace are iffued out of the Court of Heaven. Nor will it feem a fmall thing in thine eyes, that the Lord will do good to an unworthy finner for his own fake, yea, that he hath affirmed as much;' and obliged himfelf thereto in a firm Covenant. This will breed in thee, Ihankffilnefr, it will be, notonely a fupporttothyfoul, '
but a joy to thy heart, thy cafe is yet hopeful 1 ;'for, though thou be not worthy, yet God will do thee good readily and free- ly : And VfefulneJ^ ; thou wik be readily content to accept of mercy upon the terms of mercy : A beggar ready to (iirve, will be glad to take an Alms, he will put out his hnnd to receive it, and thank you too. As the Servants cf Benhadad catcht the word, Thyfervanty &c. fo will you the word of promife ; Re- fpe6l, Lord, for thy Covenant f:ke. At this door of free Grace, there you fhall have the finner fenfible of his unworthinefs, fi-anding night and day expedling when the Scepter l"hall be held o«t : Gods own arguments and motives of doing good ( which are to be found onely in the Covenant of Grace ) they arc fuch as you will accept of with all your hearts, to plead vvitk Goi
T The
■•Mi.
jog The Returning Frcdigal^ or
Vfe 2. The fecond Ufe is for EncoHragement : That though we be fen-
Enccuragc- fible of our UnvYorthinefs, either to approach unto God, or to mem to draw fpedk unto God, and much more to deferve any thing from God ; near to the yet not to be difcourciged, kn humbly and confidently to draw nc^r Grace!* ° to the 7hrone of Grace ^ expelling grace and mercy to help in time
of need: And to excite you thereto, comfider,
Ic is not cur ^* ^t.u notour rf^erlty hut onr dm y that we mn ft lockjinto : 'Tis-
nurir, but our not thoufands of R^ms, or ten ihoufand Rivers of Oyl ; it is nojt
duty we aiuft thepe^^rls of the Sea, or the Treafuresof the Earth, orthe Ex-
lQok,un;p» cellencies of Angels ; aias, God puts us not to that to deferve his-
mercies, tp deferve his graces ;- if fo, what one finner fliould
ever receive mercy or grace ? no fleih righteous can be juftifiedm
his fight ; and if he iliould mark what is amifs, who iliould ihnd
before him. But the Lord puts us upon our duty^^si^^and ^o,*i jhall
receive ; kjwcl^^ anditjhall be opened /into )'o^, Hoy every one that
thirftsy come J drlnk^ofthe water of life freely.
Itis notour 2. li'is not our worthlnef that we mujl-fleady hm Gods fromlfe^
worthini fs ibat when we fray unto htm. Remember the word upon which thoH haft-
we muft pksd, canfed.thy fervant to hope^ faid David^ Pfal. i ip. Remember thy
m\ft ^^^' ^^'^^^^^^ '^^'^^-^ Abraham^ Ifaac^ and Jacobs faid Mofes^ Exod.3^.
ThoH faidjlr. that thou wotildft do me. good^ faid Jacoby Gen. ^ 2.
Mercies come to thee, not for thy worth inefs fake, but for his
promke fake ; not ^>v dignitate petentM^ but ex dignatione do-
nantis,
t^M csrintvec ?• ^^^ can never be fo worthy ^ but that Juflice may take ex-
be fo worthy, ceptlons againft you ; nor yet fo unworthy ^ but mercy may fUi yotir
but Juiice mouth with arguments, Though I were right eom^ yet would I not
msy cake cs- anfwer thce^ b^t I would make fupplt cation to my Judge^ faith Job^
s<p\iQns.. chap.g, 1 5. . And, Though lam poor and needy ^ yet the Lord thinks
//po«?wf,faidi>^W, Pfal.40.17. The proudefi P/j^r//ff may find
enough to Ibp his mouth, and the humbl eft P/^Mc^/^tnay find
enough to open it. No, not the moft righteous can ftand at the
Bar of Juftice, and yet the moi^ deje6led iinner may humbly
plead at the Throne of Mercy ; there are Arguments enough in
mercy, for any finner to plead mercy.
Wt are not to . 4.. Tou are not to pray inpride^ but in faith ; And then what ]s
pusy in prWc, thy condition, that Faith cannot deliver up to God through
fcut ia f dth. Q^^^i^^ p ji^Q^ knoweft that it is the oH^ce oFFaith, not to prefent
VYorthinefsj but thy wants : It looks, on arguments for thee; -
not
—————— ' ■■ • - ■■'"• ■ -■- ■^- .
the Sinners Convcrpon to God, 139
^not how good ;hou art, but how much good thou needed j not what thou canft deferve, but ic looks on what (TOi will belbvv. Is it the many fms thou hart committed, which prefenc an utter unworthineis to thy confcience? why Faith will teach thee to confefs the debt, and yet to crave for pardon. Is it the hardnefs or viienefs of thv heart which makes thee afraid ? Oh 1 the Lord is of purer eyes than to look on fuch a dead doj, fo vile a wretch . ^ I : Why ! Faith will teach thee,that though the Lord be lofty^ and high are his habitations ; yet of all people he looks after the humble and contrite, and hath refpedl unto them, and looks on ,fuch through the bloud of the Covenant ; and that he will give Grace as readily as he will give Mercy ; and as freely bellow on thee a new heart, as a gracious pardon.
'^, God ^nely mtift have the glory to he the Giver of Good : and God only muft therefore be not thou difcouraged, i^ thou be admitted onely to be ^*vc the glory the receiver of good. To be King, no way befits the Subjed ; ^%^^^^^ '^^*- the King honours the Su-bjeil highly, if he make him the Kings ° ^^ - Receiver. O Chriftian, let it fuffice thee, let God alone find gifts to beftow, do thou ftudy more for hands to receive them : if ever thou vvouldit have mercy,gec fuch an humble and believing heart, as to be willing to receive any mercy, upon any of Gods term>.
Luke 15. 20. jind he arofe and came to his Father : Bnt whe» he wa^yet a great tvayoff^ his Father f aw h'lm^ and had comfajjloriy and ran and fellonhis tjeck^^ and kjjfed him.
Thefe words contain in them Vfvo parts.
X. The very Life of true Repentance : Which confifts not in a
'bare Refolution, but in an a(5live and real Execution : / rolll arlfe^
faid the Prodigal, and here he did arife \ I will go to my Father^
and here did come unto his Father ; [ He arofe andcame mto his
Father.']
2. Thgraclotis Acceptanee of a real Penitent, The Graciouf- nefs of it appears, 1 . In the prefent ohfervatlon of htm ; ( vphea he was yet a ^eat way of^ his Father f aw him : ) the very inten- tions, much more the prefent affmgs of repentance, are quickly cyedandobfervedby amercifullX^od. 2. In a prefent afeUi- 9n to him ; ( and,h ad: cornea ffi on : ) the bowels of xnercy will ftir,
X 2 whea
lAo The Returning Prodigal^ or
when the heart of a finner is peni ten tially touched. 3. In^
jrefent AffUdf^on ; His Father favv him, and his Father pitied
him ; but this is not all, [His Father alfo ran^ayidfellon his neck^y
anlkijfedhim.\ Mercy runs,, and Mercy embraceth,. and Mercy
cheareth the penitent (inner. The firll part atfordeth us this
Proportion, viz,.,
-^ - That fement intent I q?7S and re f pint tons (hoiild he accomf anted
« ^ ' ^' r with prefent executions and perfarmances. The Text properly Penitent Relo- . , , ^ ■ ^ . 1 i !- • 1 1 1 • 1 f • -^
lutions ihould yields . his j. tor the words of it are but the lively and written. be accompani- copy of the Prodigals private and conceived purpofe, to leave cd with prefcm his iinfull courfes, and to come back to the obedience andfervice. Exrc.uti.ons, ^ j^^jg Father. It is obferved of Hez>eklah^ 2 Chron. 29. 3. That he opened the doors of the hottfe of the Lord In the frjl year^ and. m thefrfi mo'neth of his relgn^ and repaired them. The publick Re- formation was the principal work, and it vv^s the prime work too. So mnii it be with a true Penitent ; as foon as God (^ts up a Throne of Grace in hira, prefently to a6l that Grace, in purging out of (in, and walking in the paths of righteoufnefs. We read this m Jojlah^ as foon as ever he heard the threatnings of God ©ut of the Law, his heart melted^ and humbled It feif 2 Chron.. 54.19,27. and tnftantly hQ gathered all the Elder j of Judah a?ui Jerfifa/em', v. 29. and made a Covenant^ V. 51. and they f^?^;^ 4iwaj all the abominations out of all the Countrejs^ and turned hack^ tsferve the Lord their Gody v. :^ :^. This you fee in Pradlife ; you may fee the fame likewife in Prfff/>f, Joel 2.12. Therefore^ nor9 turn unto me with all your hearty andwlth fafllngydnd mth weep-: ing^ andwithmotirnlng. The Duty is charged upon them forfu- nefs in all the parts of Repentance ; and for .quicknefs, Now, turn, &€. For the better opening of this A(rertion, prcmife with me a few particulars. This IS meant i. That the execution of a penitential refolution, is nothing. of the very pra- elfe but an acting courfe^ or the very prafilfe of Repentance, When Aife of Rcpcn- j^^j. ^j^^jy ^j^^ Judgment approves of the parts and rules of Rer ^^*' , pentance, and the Will embraceth them with confent and defire, but the Endeavour alfo doth, as it were, copy them forth in thei- Converfation. I exerclfe my felf to have a goodconfciencCy faid the Apoflle : So when the fmner doth exercife Repentance, when- be doth hate (in indeed, and flies from it, and*forfakes it indeed ;. aad.vrhen he doth indeed walk iii the ways of new obedience, be- comes
The Sinners Converfion to God, 141
Comes a very fervant of nghteoufnefs,and works the work of God, this is the execution, or the perforaance of a ^^nitential pur- pofe and refolution. As walking is to a journey, or as writing is to a copy, or as fighting is to a war, that is penitential execution to penitential refolution. - It is but the Theory (as it were) drawn down and put forth; It is as the tree lliooting out into blofToms and fruits : It is repentance in life,which is the life of repentance..
2, That prefentnefs of Execution is ^ /W^/^/^<^ ^^i/A7^. Our And of m on- anions fall within three fpaces of time ; either of the which \s delayed aamj.- pad (as what we have^done;) or of that which is future (as that wh'ch lliall be done;) or of that which is prefent (as that which is doing.) Look as true Marriage , it is not a future, but a prefent. acceptation : So true Repentance is not a delayed, but a prefent reformatfon. Or as in Writinp,, the motion of the Pen and the. forming of the Letter are fimultaneous ; Or as in a Clock, the w^heel doih move and the finger doth move ; So in the bufinefs of . Repentance ; thepurpofe of amendment, fliould at the fame time, drop out into the change of heart and ways. To have repentance, onely in our purpofes, is onely to have water in a cloud, or phy- fickin a glafs, it is not yet to do it. Refolutions may be for the future, but Executions ^e for the prefent acl ; an hearing while. it is to day, and not hardning of the heart. As St. PW, bein^. called, went immediately up to J^r/</k/f^w; fo prefentexeciiti- on«f repentance is, when we do not defer the penitential work;- a not allowing of our felves in giving way to our fins, no, not an hour, as the Apoftle fpak^ in another c^^^t,
5.. That there is a two-fold prefent execution of penitential And ofa prc- purpofes :. One is immediate-^ or when the purpofe and the acting fcnc fxccucion, (without diltance of time) fucceed one the other, there being no *'^^*'^ ^°'' *°^' predominant impediment to the inftintaneous execution of that [^^r'^^Jij^'^ penitential purpofe. Another is feafonable ;. where, though ' •'
twixt the purpofe and the acting there may be fomedilhnceof ttme, yet the apprehenfion of the nextcccafion may truly make the execution or pra^life to be prefent. As in the cife of peni- tential reftitution, it m:iy fo fall out, either through the inability of theellate, or thefubje6lion of the perfon, that he cannot im- mediately rei-lore ; yet becaiife the penitent perfon in fuch a cafe layes hold on the next opportunity and occafion, his refolution- may hz faid to be a6led prefently, {i.) upon the next prefent
time,.,
■"^
■-. r
142
The Rcturnirjg Fredigd^ or
And in fxrcu- cio .>in endea- vour, or in vi
.aory.
•Rfafons for ir. God com- mands us CO repent prcCcnt
^It 1$ dangerous 10 d(;Uy.
time when God enables hm to ad hispurpofe of re(ioring : So that penuential RdoLution produceth prefenc Execution ; either for immediateners, as m molt cafes ; or for feafonabiends, as in fome cafes.
4. That there is agam a double penitential Execution cf peni- tencial Refolution : One confilb in erJeazour and afflication ; when the perion, without delays, addreiieth or applie^h himfelf to the ways by which fins may be fubducd and forfaken : Ano-. ther coniifts in vlFtory and affesmlon^ wherein the Penitent doth in fome more eminent degree lead Cviptivity captive. That peni- tential Execution whereof I fpeak, properly and naturally con- fii^s in the farmer, though it muft aim and ftrive after the latter alio ; ( /'.) when a perfon doth indeed refolve to leave his iins, and to ferve the Lord in newnefs of life ; this Refolution do.h actively excite him to be much in Prayer unto the Lord, and dili- gently to hearken to, and obferve his Word, and to decline the occafions which may giveftrength to his corruptions : It caufeth him to refill evil motions, and to bewail them ; itfets him upon all forts of Duties and Ordinance?, fo that the perfon is now real- ly vvorkirg ag.iinft fin, and throughly working for God ; he is in the ways of God, and according to the,me.2ure of grace recei- ved, working the works of God.
But why lliould penitential Intentions be accompanied with prcfent Executions or performances ? ^
SoL Reafons for it are many. i. That God who commands m to re pent J commands hs frefently to re feat. . The Time is utxier Precept, as well as the Work. Some Precepts bind us femper^ huX not ad femper ; other Precepts bind us femper & ad femper too : When the Lord commands any man to repent, this is a Duty which concerns the whole courfe of his life ; it takes hold of him as foon as ever he lives,and is become a finner ; and con- cerns him, notonely in his latter days, but all his days.
2, It is very dangerous to defer oitr penitential Exec tit Jons or actings : Whether we confider, 1 . The Refoiut ions themfe Ives ; they are but accidental, and not natural thirgs ; not fuch quali- ties (or rather motions ) which arife from an in-bred principle, *but are forenfical to our natures, and being not prefently cheriilied by ading, like little fparks of fire, m^y eafily vanidi, languiili, and extinguifh. We read of the Jfraelltej^ that they were an un-
Ikdfaft
The Sinners Converfton to Cad, 1 45
iiedfad people in Covendiit, and like a d^ceitfull Bow, Naked Refolutions will never ripen and abide ; if you will not go be- yond yoiir Refolutions j you will quickly fall from your Refolu- uons, 2. Onr own hearts^ ah! how deceit full are the jf ! how full of •rebellion 1 how averfe to all good 1 Like the cold hearth to a little fire ; how cunning to keep up Sin in the Throne ! how willing to break afunder all ihe bands of Obedience 1 with much adoe refolving, with little adoe .dilfolving thofe refolves again, Volebam (faith St^Afifiin) c^ noleham ; 1 would, and yet I would • not ; one while I would, and by and by I wouldnot. It is the Genius of cur fmfull hearts, to apprehend the prefent time for- fin, , and to crave the future time for repentance : Our worft work we would do inftantly, our beft work we would do negligently ; Good motions are like a Bird falling into our hands, which if we prefently catch not, flie im^antly flees away. Gracious purpofes in our heartSjare like warmth in the vYater; the irapreflion requires fome degrees, and fome blowing ; but thereceilion is z^{\t ; the natural col dnefs in the water will injftantlyrifeup and expel that heat r if you be not watchfull , &c, ^. Exti^gwfljiMgoccafi-. fms. Repentance, in all the parts of it, hath many enemies and hinderances, fome wirhin us, fome without us : the Re'olucions are weak, but the Occafions are ttrong. Let the Oiip alone, .and if the Pilot hath onely a refolution to fail with, the next tide, or the next wind may carry the fhip away. How ordinary is the experience, That the ftrength of occasions have beaten back, ^ and put to flight many and miny a refolution ? like a crofs wind, which hath carried back the fhip untofhevery harbour whence it cnme forth. Meer refotutions are but unarmed Soiildiers, or as Unwalled Cities. You Oi all find much of this truth, That meer refolutions are too weak for proper and fudden occafions. 4. Or the (ijfifta?ice of Grace To refolve, and not to ^6^, is one way whereby we quench the Spirit. Tiie Spirit, you know, mny be - quenched mmy ways : Fojftlvely^ as when we will walk in paths cxprefly contrary to'hls motions ; this is to throw water upon the ' fire : Negatively^ when we do not follow no: cherifh his motions; as yoit quench the fire, if you donotflirit, o: blow it, or add. more urito it. So vvheii the Spirit of God fhall deal thus far with ' us, as to convince us that our courfe is evil, and yet further, to excite a purpofe in our hearts to defifl ; but then we let.the work
lie:
i^ The Returning Trodigal^ or
lie ftill, vve do not fet againlUhat evil way, this may caufe the Spirit 'of God to withdravv, to defer t the (inner who doth defer t his counfel ; who will be a Counfellour to him, who will walk in no counfel but his o.vn. Prtfcnc exfcu- ^. Femenval Executions^ if prefect ^ will he fmre eafie^ and don irlll be ^^^^ comformhle. i. They mil k more ea[ie, St. AhjUh Mjcewfic. had almoli wafted his fpirits with refolutions and conflicts; Quamditiy crasy crasy c-rc and he thought it many times im- polfible for him ever to be rid of fuch an inmate as Jin : But when his refolution brake out into pra(il:ife, then Facile & fttave^ the work grew eafie and Aveet. When we come to the ading part, then the Lord will exert and put forth his power in our weaknefs : the acting and doing Chriftian partakes of moft af- fiftance. Do we not find it thus in Prayer , and in many other Duties, which perh.ips we look upon with much fear and fufpi- tion ? But when we are acting of them, how Angularly doth the Lord enlarge our thoughts and affedions ? Why ! this holds in the very Duty of Repentance ; fet againft thy fins in good earneft, fet upon a holy courfe in good earneft, thou llialt ex- perimentally find, that it was thy own deceitfull heart which re- prefented the work with more diifficuUy; but now having taken >uponthee the yoke of Chrift, thou fhaltfind it eafie, and that More Comfor- God can as well work in thee to do, as to will. 2. They cable. .will he more comfortable, Meer purpofes cannot fpring up fuch
comforts as a6tings ; nay, even weak actings yield a thoufand times more comfort than ftrong refolutions : AH the fap in the root doth not make the flower to fmell fweet, unlefs that* fap -comes to a bloffome. We cannot fay our refolutions are folid, if ■unadtive. If they do not alter txhe courfe, for ought as we know yet, they miy be but falfe flaflies, occaflonal impreflions, not fpringing from renewing Grace, ( which will break out into pra- (^ife,) but from fervile caufes, which may be fufficienttoflop a finner, and with Sml^ to profefs he will perfecute T>avU no more : But when Execution attends Refolution, now the heart may be confident , that there is a renewing Prin- ciple implanted, which carries the foul from one degree ^ to another ; from convi6tions to refolutions , from refoluti-
-ons to actions, from aSions to courfes with ftedfaftnefs and fruit- ■fdnefs.
£^.Ths
The Sinners Converftcn to God* i^r
4. The Soul gets no ground hy mecr Re[oltiUons i It doth nei- The foul gets ther alter the inward traiiii, nor m^nd the outward life ; that "*^ ground by which is of no influence, is of no furtherance ; if the refolution ^'^'^ ^eroiuti- be on y a reiolatinn, it is but a dead thing. "°"^*
Now I come to the Application of all this to our felves : You - «- ,/- hive feen th .u penitent reiblutions lliould fall into prefent execu- ''^
tions ; good purpofes iliould be turned into quick pra6tices. The ir quire whc- m-eat enquiry will hence he , what do we f iti^ obferved of fome cher ic be fo Nations, th.it they are too foon in the Field, and of o.hers, too '^^^^ "*• long on the bench ; too quick in a6lion, and too long in conful- tation. 1 confefs, that Repentance lliould begin \n deliberation ,, , and it tliould defcend to refolution ; but there is more recjuired to building then a preparation of wood and ftone. Thou haft re- folved to leave fuch and fuch a fm ( Oh ! in thy laft ficknefs , in thylaft crofs, in thylaft diftrefs of confcience; atthelaft Sermon, didft thou not refolve upon ii^ I will never ferve fuch a luft more, Iwill walk more confciencioufly before the Lord ? ) But what is done? ihewmethy Repentance in the ading part, , as well as in the contriving part ; thou art ftill held faft with the Cords of the famelufts, and art wallowing ftill in the fame mire, and artlinf^eringyet, and haftes not to come out of thyfinful vvayes. Zachens made hafie^^ndc^m^ down at once ; do we do - , fo ? David thought on his wayes^ And turned his feet unto Gods pr 1*' xi^\^^ Tefilmonles ; he made hafle and delayed not to keep his Command- ments ; But may not the Lord fay of usjas he did of the Ifraelltes^ How long will it be ere they believe me ? fo, how long will it be ere we turn indeed from our fins to God ? *Tis true , fome re- folutions there are working in us, oftentimes, but like the goodnefs ef Ephi'^im and ]ud.\h:QhyEph:3.im what fhaif I do unto thee?Ohy rr r ^ "jxxd^a Tvhdtfhalll dountothee ? for yotir goodnefs isas aMornlng Cloudy and as the early Dew It goeth away : So is it with many of us,we purpofe and profefs,but we fall back to our fins ftill; what we were, that we are ; The time Is not yet come{^2^id they)r(? hnlldthe houfe ofGodj Hag.i. Our purpofes arepaft, but our executions are ftill,ftill to come : Confider of a few things, i why do yoti refolve ^^}^y j^ ^^ at all^when yet you execute and act nothing at all.Refolutto efl opus refolve at all imperf^clum & Ordlnahde ; doth. Jiotxefolution tend to a6^ion ? wuhout cxcc«* will God be mocked vyith meer purpofes ? or think you to charm "°"* jind fatisfie your confcienccs alwayes upon frequent finnings,
V to
146 The Returning Prodigal^ or
to multiply retoltitions only ?Alas'if Repentance be not now done,. it is not yec begun ; fo much as thou doli,thou repent'li ; if fin be yet Lo be left, as yet it is not left ;, and then where art thou as yet,. Is not Repcn- ^ut in an impetitent condition ? 2.. Is not Repentance a great raaceaireac work^l Whj^then ish. not th)i prefent work^f Thy Soul is emr work, why not barked m thac Veiiel ; eternity depends upon a moment: That ^kT ^^^J^^" vvhich. muft be done,, why is it noc quickly done ? and if it ba not prefendy done, we may be e:ernally undone ; why do we de- fer the doing of that? the beiUvorkilnould have the beft time rpi, life } andpljice». g. h not thy life a flon&Ji hreath ? a thinneft va- wry Hiorc.*^ pour ? a flying Poll? a gleaning iLadovv ? every moment we. are dyin^; eat and dye , flecp and dye .♦ Should not our laft ^ . work be our prefent work, vvhen our Lift work may be our next
c IS prclump- ^^^^i^ p y>^ camot he lefs then prefumption. to put off the pra5ii^
lion to put eft . T „ V ^ ^ i, ^ -^ ^^
thcpraaical cM fart cf Repentance: hither you mult prefume upon future
part of Rcp.n- li^^ ( which yet is a Cord that thou canitnot lengthen ; ) or you^ Jtncc. ' muft prefume on future ftrength f which is a marrow flill waited by a lingring difeafe ; ) or youjmuft prefume on Divine Grace , which may be an hand juftly withdrawn, becaufe it was a mercy unjulily referred and delayed* f^. Ton. mil hut harden your Ds'ay hankns hearts the more^ and skill the way of hypocrite tiiemore; for the feeart the tftis t6 uniwift your Cords, wherewith you have fo often bound your felves , makes you to venture , and venture yer a litde fur- ther I yet once more, till a little and a little inflames your Souls to much evil, and the cuHome of finning wears out both thefenfe of fin, and refolutions againft it. 6, Lafi:ly, Ton do hm ag-^ V^^ ^^.^^^^gravate your fins the more ^ hynaked and empty refolutions again fl empty rtfo'uti- ^^^^ T you do not hinder the courfe of it, and you do inten- ©ns ajaiiift fivcly raife the guilt of it ; for finning againft refolution i^ a fin-- ihcm. ning againft exprefs light, and ngainfl a condemning light; AV
perfon who hath refolved "to leave fuch a courfe, itisfuppofed that he.notonly knows it to be evil, but likewife condemns h as evil : Now it is a great aggravation of fin to continue in it,, with light revealing, and accufing,and.cirttirg,^
(9iy. Butfome may fay, We hope,that though our Executions are notfo full, yettheyare real; the quality is there , though^ the equality be not; fomething we do, though not fomuch. iS"©/. To this I anfwer. i. That itis moft evident, that many- ^erfons do not hy pra^lfe and (xecmm anfwer their refolutions at
7'be sinners Converfion to God, w i^y
M ; their reColutions arife from fuch grounds as will not hold out to an execution and practice: It one iliouid demand, what are become of the many fick-bed refolutions ? of thofe that yoU made, when the hand of God was upon you ? you vowed much •unto God ( as he did in a Ibrm , &c, ) but as the King faid of Ad'ordscaly what hath h^n dons to Mordoc^i for th^? fo what have you done to make good your refoiudons r I believe your hearts are fpeechlcfs, your confciences do condemn ycu, that ileal th* hath been the time of more finning, though ficknefs was the time of more refolving. The fame may be faid for others , whofe confciences have been more a6lively and fiercely flirring ; *Oh ! if the Lord would abate that wrath, and cool that inflamed fpfrit, &c. yet what are the fruits of many f ch refo'utions. As the Divel faid of J<>^, But mw ftretch forth thy hand^ and he ypill curfe thee to thy face ; fo here on the contrary , as foon as the Lord takes oft' his hand , thefe are as ready to continue and pro- ceed on in their fins, as the Tfraelltes were, when they were de- livered out of the Land of Egypt, from the fiery furnace; Yea, and of others ^ is it not manifefi that they are far enough from prefent executions , when they voluntarily defer the acting part of Repentance to old age ? Hereafter is time enough , &c,
2, Others ferhaps da ati and exec me frefently^ yet they^e exceedingly em : For i. Though it be pre'/^W^, yttitisfar^ tlally ; they a6trefolutions,as Satddxdi his Sword,upon the mean- cfi and pooreft , not upon the greateft ; they do not anfwer their refoluiions to the full. Deal kindly mth the yomgmanfor my fake ( faid David ) So when many .perfons come to execute their Refolutions againiifin, they fail, they falter, they do not execute ^"igag ; fome pleafant corruption ( which will mar all ) finds favour. 2. Though it be prefently^ yet it is lut frefently ; tlie prefent execution of the purpofe is but a prefent, a tranfient execution, an hanging down the head for a day or for a week ; a 'i)u(ie and carnefl: reformation for a vvhLle,but this AfTize (like ours here) is but for a fewdayes, it breathes away; the heart turns again to fin, and the next convenient occafion is too prevalent, it carries away the Soul.
2. But to draw nearer to our felves ; however we have been de- Vfe 3» fe6live to anfwer our manifold refolutions by prefent executions L?t us i«c upon fijfKl praftices ; yet now let \xs for the time to come, as he faid of * ^?^^^^ "^' ^ V a words,
148 The Returning ?rodigd^ or
words, fo lof purpofcs, vertere jrofojita tn 0fer4 ; Not ba like
Glouds, feeming to be full of Water ,but to pour down .* Let m
ad the parts of Penitents , as the Prophet faid to the hovering^
Ijr^.elites^ if Ged h God^ferve him ; fo here, if Repentance be.
a neceffary duty to be performed, let us then a^ it^ati it frefentl^.
For this , I will only propound two things i^ The Motives,
1^ J 2, The -^^(?<?/2/ for a prefent Execution, i. Thz Motives,
A pre(en: cxe- i« -^ frefent Execution is the trnefi fart of Refentance ; At the
cution is ths bel^, you are but in a preparation , in a meer difpofuion towards
tfueft part of Repentance, until you a^ it ; it is not fo much what you would
JUpcmince. ^^ aswhatyou are ; what you intend, as whit you praclife> thac
will give the molt real teftimonyof your Repentance. 2, A
And the fafeft T^^f^'^^ execmiony it is the fafefi fart of refentance : Of the two,
fttircofRtpen- he is in the more furc condition , whoreiolves to leave a wicked
ttiice. life, and doth indeed forfake it ; and refolves to lead a holy life,
and doth indeed enterprize it ; than he who refolves on both ,
butpradifeth neither. The doer of good is a thoufand times more
fure then the refolver : fomething in fome cafes may be faid to
ftayaperfon from his refolutions; yet if nothing comes of the
refolutioiis,! affure you the fcales will hang trembling : but adlion
doth more fully determine the eiiate , and the Scripture is more
ctear for the fpiritual eltate , as it lies in pradife, then as it lies in •
And tire com- P"^F^^^* 3* -^ P^^fi^ exectiticn ^ It u the comfortal^lell fort^
fortabltft part Wliiie repentance lies only in refclution, it is but as^aTree in
©f il^pcntancc. the Winter , perhaps well rooted , but it lives dry ; but when
repentance breaks out into action, it is as a Tree in the Spring,
well rooted, well flowered, and well fmellmg too. There is more
<:omf ort to do,then to intend to do; indeed to ceafc a (inful courfe,
and indeed to walk an holy life, this opens all the comforts of
of thepromifes, draws down the favour of God, affures us more
of intereft in Chrifl:, excufeth more in the confcience, reviveth
A^d iht wirffi ^0^^ ^^ ^^ occurrences. ^.Afrefem exectition^it is the mfefifart ;
pact, we cannot fay what we Hiall do to morrow,when we cannot affure
our felves,what,and where we fh all be to morrow : He is wifeft for
Divine Glory, and for his own happinefs, who a(5Vs an immediate
duty of falvation,uponprcfent terms. There are four things which
declare wifdome; One to fow in feafon; Another,to fail in feafon ; A
third,to accept and receive the Word of Grace in feafon; A fourth
loadrepentance infeafon,evenaowwhile itis called taday.
The Smners Converfien to God. i^
2. The means : If vVt^ Would execute our penitential refolu- Mcanej. tions , then we muft i . Take heed of the impediments of this prefent Execution. 2. Make ufe of the helps and furtherances
of it. Take bted cf
• '^i. The impediments of a prefent execution are many. thtimpedi-
I. ImbecUhyof refglmiani Ddflle fundamentHm falllt ofta i ""C-iis.^ if the foundation be weak, how can the buiiding be lirong? the r^^^Iu ^-^"^ °^' houfe which was built on a Rock,did ftandjbut that which was ere- cted on the Sandsjfell down : Where refolutions are either weakly raifed on ftrong grounds, or fuddenly raifed on weak and mutable occafions, there is either no execution, or uncertain ; fornoef- fe6t doth exceed the virtue of his caufe : Thm hafl almofi per-' fvpaded me to he a Chrtfllan; this left King J^grifpa ftill ifi Heatheniime. You will never go through with the work, if vou attain not to a thorow refolution ; v\hen vou have an heart that goes and comes , you will have only fits of repentance-, which will come and go : Of two things be fure, if ever you would penitentially a6lto purpofe ; One that youfeefirong and prevalent reafons to change your courfe of life, fuch as may not Be overtopped by any arguments that fin may fuggefl hereafter; they are the fpirits in the brain , vyhich confer to motion in the Hands and Legs: Another, that you refblve not on deceitftrl and fallible grounds. If your refolutions be upon Motives, ei- ther mutable, or conditional; you may be troubled with much temptation , but . you will never advance in m,uch penitential a4l:ions.
2. Servile fear : Wh^n we {o exalt the opinions of men, and Servile (tut- their Tongues, and their Power; what will they think of me?
>
how will they ntck-n3me,and difgrace me ? what miy befall me ? who can tell what mifchlef thevmay do unto me? Thefeare the Frods which nip the buds,^na the Winds which bind the Ship,- and the Remora*s which hold the Children ftill in the birth. We l6ve the opinions of men, to be well thought on ; pnd the Tongues of men to be well fpoken of ; and the reipeils of men to be coun- tenanced,and encouraged : A crofs way makes U5 liirt ; Zedekjah would not obey the Lord, leaft the Princes fhould laugh at him ; and many of the Jews durft not confefs Chrift, for fear of the Scribes and Pharifees. For a man who enjoyes friends, and e.^fe, and eftace,' and abundance in all Iorts,to thruft out into a Seaj ' to i^ entef^'
159 The Returning Frcdigal^ or
enter into aholyanditrtdcourle of Life, wherein he fliall be fure to be fcorned as the r-tf-rcouring of the vva^d, be trdnip- \td upon as the mire in the ftreets, be tornein his name by the teeth oi wild be.^fls, fufter ("hip-vvrdck in his liberty, in his plen- ty, in his body ; Why ? th:fe apprehenlions are e ^ou^h to quell and to keep in all forv\\;5rdnefs, all allien; ^s Sfira confelleth, That they wrought on him when he denyed the profelTion of the Truih ot Chriit, Therefore if you would defcend into the pre- fent execution of penitential purpofes, yoa mult not be flaviili- ly aifecled unto man ; you mult not fear the power of man^ nor be aihamed cf the Crofs of Chrift ; you muft put your fnouider under the Crofs, and the contempts of men under your feet \ 1 am ready (faith Paul, Acls 21. 13) not to bs honnd onl^^ hidt alfo to dys at Jerujalem for the Name of the Lord Jefns, If ye be reproached for the Name of Chrljl^y haffy are j/e^f or the S fir it of glory and of God refteth ufonyoH^ faith S. Feter^ \ Pet. 4. 14. / mil ndt fear what man .can do hmo me^ faid David, who art thoHy that thou fhoHldfl be afraid of a man that fhall die^ and of the fofj of man who [hall be made as grafs ? and forgetteftthe Lord thy Adak^er ^ and ha fl feared continually be- ca-ife of the fAry of theopprejfory as if he were ready to defiroy ? and where is the fury of the opprejfor f Ifa.5 i.i 2,1 ^. Befpairofper- 3. Defpair of performance : Why, fay we, as good never a ioimancc vvhit as never the better. It is not poifible that ever we fhould get hands to coiquer all thefe (ins , or feet to walk in all thefe wayes which are fo holy,fo many,fo itrid,fo difficult. We cannot .find words to pray, nay,God knows,fometimes not hearts;the mo- tions of fin arc thick and ftrong, and ableevery moment to lead us captive ; we have made fome affay, but alas, the work proves fo faarfh, fo uncomfortable, fo unprofperous; we are without all flrength, we iliall never breakUl thefe bonds of fin, nor tread through all thefe pathes of holy duties. Thus as death clofcth up our eyes, fo doth defpair iliut up ail our a6^ions; where there is no hope to finifh, there will be no heart to begin : But let us reject fuch defpairing delufions ; what hath been done may be <lone ; what God commands to do, he can enable to do; and whathepromifeth thatwe fhall do, that he will make and caufe us do : But God hath commanded us to leave all our finful cour- fo, and to lead a life of holinefs ^ God hath promifed grace
fuflfici-
V
7he Sinners Conifer fon to Cod, 15 1
fufficient to forfake an evill way and to walk in a good way, / will fHt my S fir It within yoH^ unci caufe yon to wa!k^i» my fla- tutes^ and yonfia/i kjep my judgments and d) them^ Ezck. 36, 27. If God gives lirength to work, why fhi uld wc with-hold hearts to work }- Da Domine quod , v.bes^ O' juh quod vis , laid S. Ah^ ftin : Lord, ^^\t what thou ccminandeil , and then command what thou wilt. Sericufly confidcr anyo'ie penitential work, £br which God hath notpromifed grace and (irength to perform.- Many have travelled in this penitential Work, and have found it very feifable and palfable : How miny are this day in heaven ? and how m.iny are walking towards heaven? all of them^ prove, that it ij not imjoliibleto execute peniteii.iai refolu- ti;.ns.
4. Hypomjie and guile of heart : Where the heart isfalfe, H^pocrKte. there the performance is faint ; if the work be not done in the heart, it will never be done in the life; the work is beft done in the life, which is firft done in the heart. They in Jeremiah had rotten hearts, they did not cordially intend to leave their own wayes, and therefore when they were put to it indeed,they would not yield to wjilk in the wayes which God prefer! bed. Where an holy way is not throughly approved, and where an evil \yrjf is not throughly hated, there may be many ilalli-' es, but there will never be folid performances or courfes: Tet a little flee p^ yet a little flnmher^ yet a little folding of the hands y faid the Sluggard, who loved fleep and idlenefs, Prov, 6, ID. So where our affections are hank.-ing about a fin , ih:::re is e\^er,at the lea(t,a fiownefs to le.ive that frMMedo^mt^doyhid S>.Ari' ftinywhtn modons c^me into him to forfake his • ncleanLufl:s,they nnfwered. Shortly, Hiorily ; Hereafter, here.'frer ; and this mo- doy modoy \ v^s fine modo ; this putting off from day to day, would have continued fo all the dayes of his life. Therefore if you would execute your penitential refolutions; tnke heei of cor- rupt affe6^ions ; if they again prevail upon yoa, they will ^^' furedly intangle and hinder you, they mar the judgment, and clofc with temptations, and hinder aiiions. Oh howfuddenly will they quench your fpirits, alter your judgment^, put afide your duties , extenuate your purpofes, bring you into further bondage, confirm your unwillingness, excite your fears, raife up difcoiiragements, and all to fruftrate. the prefent executions:
i^% 7he Returning frodigdy or
of your foriner refolutions. Corrupt afteclions are the very gates of fin,ihe Bane of holinefs, the Quenchers of refolutions, and the Impedinisnts of all good performaiKes.
W Id'v carcf ^* f^o^'^^y^^^^^' ^^^ Saviout faith, That the feed rrhich " fell among thorKSs was choakedy Luke 8.7, And what was it which didchoarvit? fee^•^r/. 14. The.caresy am riches^ and fleaf^res of this LI fey There are two things which worldly. cares do choak VIZ., Heavenly diredions of the word, and Heavenly refolutions of the heart ; fo that neither the one nor the oiher do come unto perfe(5lion, Hcly performance or action, it is the end or per- fection of all knowiedg andrefolution, and worldly Ccires ftifle both. You have many a man who comes to the word, and hears the terrours of God and his wrath revealed againft his unrighte- oufnefs, infomuch that his foul (with Felix) trembles under the itrokes of divine jultice ; Or he hears how happy and bleffed the .condition and life of holinefsis; what heavens of mercies, what jivers of comforts, what excufations and peace of Confcience^ what bleirmgs in life , what fupports in death, what rewards af- ter death it J>iall procure to perfons ; upon the one and the other he is itirred up to the fenfe of his fins, to the admiration of Ho- lirefs ; to a condemnation of his evil courfe, to a refolution for a better. But then it is with him as with fome iliip, fometimes as foon as it is putting out of the Harbor, it iirikes upon a rock, or falls into the fands, and lofeth aH the precious lading : Or as ' with Corn fown and let fall in an open and folid place, where
the Birds come down and inftantly pick it up ; fo is it here with this man, the world meets him again at the Church door, or at his own door, and all thefe impreinons and refolutions are fpilc and gone; Worldly engagements take prefent poffeifion of his thoughts, and all the fervice of his affedions, fo that he hath no time to confider what God did fpeak or v\ork in him ; no time fecretly to beg of God to Write thofe truths in his heart , * to keep all this in the purpofe of his heart, to give Kim the Spi- rit of Grace and Itrength to walk in the wayes -of God revealed now unto him. When you turn the courfe of the water another -way, the Mill cannot ft'ir ; fowhen men turn the courfe of their thoughts and affections to fecular and vain imployments, iW re- folutions ftand ftill , they have nothing now to elicit or cjravv them on and out into any holy or careful diligence of obedi*
ence
The Sinners Converfton to God, i r ^
ence and performance : Th Oxen and the Farm^ q^c, took th^m quite off, mdih^y made excf^fes (.i.) for theprefent they had other engagements .- therefore take heed of worldly cares. It is impoflfible that you Hiould be much in the adings of any Grace, if you be very much in the fervice of worldly cares.
6, LMy-i'PreffifHptU9fis Confidence is alfo an Impediment to tyhe Pre fumpruaui prefent executicnsotgoodrefolutions; whether it be oi future confidence, fiw^jhereafter fhall ferve the turn ; it is not vvifdom to be fo for- ward ; foft and fair will go far; we have day enough yet before us; a year, two or ten hence; after fuch abufinds is efteded, or( which is worfe)after thepleafuresof fuch a finis a little moretalkd. Or 0^ Future ahi/it ^iJhis is a work which we will do at pleafure and at leifureiwhen we fee the fcouts,the fcf erunners of the army, then we will buckle on our armorrvvhen we efpy the harbingers of death approaching,old age,iicknefs,weaknefs,direafcs,then we will think of heaven,and forfake hell : what need we be troubling our felves to be doing of that a longtime, which wecan difpatchat any ' time ? if wc have but time to fay. Lord have mercy upon me , what would ye more ? Or of FntHrc Mercy .- Wherefore hath God Mercy but for finners ? and he hath faid,That if at any time a finner convert he will have mercy : We have found him kind unto us all our dayes, and doubt not of his fatherly compafTion at the laft. Thus do men port off all penitential executions, and' for - ■ever endanger thsir fouls. Alas! for future time, whofe is it? Seneca the Heathen could fee mere truth then this : Sohmtempus -prefens noftrum: No time is ours but the prefent. Thou carrieft thy life in thy hands , thy breath in thy nortrils; and feert more Graves made for the young then for the aged. And as for thy future ability, why doft thou fo grofly befool thy felf ? knowctt thou not that prefent Negle6ls caufe ftron^er Indif- pofitions ? Qui non eft hodie^ eras minus aptus erlt^ the School- boy will teach thee. Every mm by more finning grows mcJrc finful, and therefore moft unapt and averfe to good. And then Future Mercy , it is of all things the moft uncertain to pardon fin, where prefent mercy leaves us not to repen- tance from (in : it is all one as if thou fliouldft thus argue , God will hereafter parc^on me, and therefore for the prefent I will fin againft him, difobey, di (honour, vex, and grieve, and a- bufe him, Thefe ^^e the principal impediments to a prefent
X cxe-
I J A. The Returning Prodigal^ or
expedlation of penitential refolutions , and are to be declined K«ip5* by us. I now proceed to th^ helps ^nd furtherances to a frefent
execution of penitential refolmlons ^ which are thefe, amonglt. many. ... J^a
Solid convi- ^* ^^^^^^ ConvlBlon of a finfnl eflate : This will put us upoii '
aion of a fin- ^ prefent Execution. When the Soul is brought to an experi- fui ftatc. mental fenfe of the vilenefs and bitternefs of fin, it mil not
then lye hovering ; Were I belt to give up this courfe, or fhalt I go on in it (iill ? No, but when the Soul is indeed wounded, the waves lliall without delay be reformed ; take a perfon in fome judicial , and clofe conviction of fin, upon a fick and dying bed, how forward is a perfon then to change and better hisi courfes ; much more do foliH and evangelical convi6tions fweetly difpofe , and incline the heart to the forfaking of an evil, and _ walking in a good way. They in ^Bs 2. 37. were pricked in their hearts, and what did this work in them ? they cry out pre- fently. Men and brethren what [hall we do ? So Sanl was ftruck to the ground, and was aftonifhed, and trembled, and then pre- fently cries ont^Lord^what wilt thou have me to ^(?f^^.p.4,6.0ut- vvard afflictions you fee many times do put on men to alter and reform their wayes ; of much greater force are inward afflictions of fpirit. Go on yet in fin ! God forbid ! fiiatl I continue in fin any longer, who, if I make not hafte, may lofe all mercy,and drop into Hell it felf ? what I feel is much, what I defer ve,I can- not bear. Holywlfdome* 2. Holy wlf dome - To know times and feafons, is an high part of Wifdome ; Walk^ not as fools, but as wife, redeeming the time, ( faith the Apoffle ) Efh. 5. i5,i(5. There are four things which folid Wifdome teacheth a man 5 One is,to look to the bei^ part; Another ,to make choice of the belt good; A third,towalk in the befl: wayes ; A fourth is to do all this in the firlt place, and fureft time : Have I any thing more near to me, then my foul ? more concerning my foul then God ? more concerning God, then walking before him ? Where am I, if I lofe my Soul ? what am I, if 1 enjoy not God? whether run I, if I continue in fin? if my foul be neare{l,and God choiceft,and his wayes fafeft,why do I ^ demur ? what, fhould I take time , or put oft the doing of that which is ever belt done , when it is done ? If I will live yet in jfin, for blight I know, I may then dye in fin; and if I
dye
7he Sinners Converfton to God, 155
<lye in fin, I muft for ever periHi for fin ; Why fhould I not ? Do I not admit the prefent lofs of that , which elfe may be the eternal lofs of my Soul ? But if I fet into an holy life, this is the very path of God, the image of Glory, the Ark of fafety, and the pledg of an happy eternity. Why fhould I be fo foolifh, to be miferably bad, who in a moment may be afluredly bkfled ? any wifdome will teach me to leave a wicked life, for an holy and good ; vYhich hath made me to know, that mercy is better then mifery ; and that Heaven is better then . Hell.
3, Chriftlan CoHra^e : If we will not a<^ the wayes of cbriftian coa^ Heaven , till we fee all difficulties removed , and all dangers rsjc. fecured, we Hiall never enter into thofe V7ayes ; but when the love
cf Chrift hath inflamed our hearts with a right zeal of his Glory, affuredly, fve will be doing : Modt magmfketwr Chriftui-, I mutt bring fome Glory to my God , &c, Lnthtr feared not to go to the Diet at Worms , hacl there been as many divels, as tiles on the houfes : What do you tell S. P^tul of bonds , or fpeak to the couragious ChrifHan of difcouragements ; Ihavefwomj and mil perform It ( faith David ) that I will kjep thy rlghteons fiatfites, S. Jertm would not only renounce, but throw off, and trample upon father and mother for Chrift : What do you fpeak of poverty , of difgraces , of loffes, of want, of felf- ^ denials in eafc, in pleafures? err. He who will be good, can lofe nothing but that which will loofc him ; and get that which he fhould never have gotten , had he not been good indeed.
4, A frecitus eflm^lon and affe^lcn after Gods honour : Ah ! ^ precious did we in any holy meafure comprehend the height, and brSdth , ^i]"*"^" ^^ and depth of his favour m Chrilt ; would we not Itrive to enter
in at the ftrait Gate ? fhould not the Kingdome of Heaven fuffer violence ? What to ftand upon a finful pleafure, or profit, or way, and to lofe a good, gracious, bountiful God : What fin- ful luft,pleaf«re, way woufld we [ftand upon ? What holy courfe orway would we fet upon ? would we be flow to fee the face of God, and live ? wfculd we not fpeedily fet our felves in the wayes of his countenance ? Zachens being defirous to fee Chrlfly tipon his call, made ha fie and came down, Luke ip.6,
X 2 5, n/f
ij^ Gods gracious Acceftance
^, A tender fear of God: This alfo caufeth - a prefent execu- tion of our purpofes. You read what it wrought in J oft ah ^m No^ ahy in others. When the heart apprehends its way to be e\il , andthedifpleafureof God to hangoverit, and his threatnings idl in armour, &c. Oh, I dare not go on to offend any lon- ger!
A ttnicr fjsr ^* ^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^f ^^ ^^^ ' ^^^^^^^ 7^" ^^^^ ^^ ^^"^ ^^^ threats j of God. " ^ ^hey of Nimveh believed the preaching of Jonah , and prefently humbled and reformed themfelves and wayes, chaf, , .3. 5. JPr9mtfes of fvveetefl: mercy mide unto real penitents , that full, fi'ee, foon mercy iliall be had: Why? if thofe A rijht Belief be believed , they will draw off the foul from a finful courfe ia God. unto a good courfe. The Apoftle therefore befeecheth the Ro-
mans, by the mercies of God' to be trans forme dy R^m.12.1. O this, that God offers and affures me of mercy, and now I may have it if I will now reform , puts the foul to the prefent work j ' ^ To day I will hear his voice, for to day is the day of mercy , this is an acceptable feafon,. now I may be made happy foj ever.
Luke 15. 20. And he Arofe and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way o^y his father f aw him ^ and had comfajjiony and ran and fell on his netk^^ and kjffed him.
Thefe words contein in them two parts,
1. 77?^ real froBlce of Repentance; which coniifts i;iotina bare Refolution, but in a iincere Execution ( IwlUarlfe^ faid the Prodigal)this was Motns volentls ; (and he did arife,)this yvas ojhs^ -penltentls, I will go to my father ; and here [^Hearofe and came t a his fat her, ~\
1, The comfortable Iffue of real Repentance \BHt when he was yet a great way ojf &c,] Wherein you have confiderable, i. The qulck^obfervatlon of this penitents Father ^\_Hls father f aw him ^ytZy -when he was yet a great way cjf:'] Even in tins fenfe God fees our thoughts afar off ; God many times is unwilling to fee the finner, but he is at all times very willing to efpy the penitent. i,Hls pre- fent comm'feratlon^Hls father f aw hlm-^and had compajjlon on hlm~\
Wickedmen look on a penitent with derifion; penitent perfons
look
<?/ f A^ Retiming Frodtgd, 157
look on themfelves with abom:nation5but God looks 011 thtm with compafllonihe looks on thefinner with indignatioHjhe looks on the penitent finner with a pitiful affediion : When Ephraim repented, and turned, A(; Bowe's ( faith God ) ^re troubled for him , J will fnrely hiivc mercy on him : As foon as ever the Pxodigal looks back, mercy looks out. tji.d. Ah ! is he returned indeed ? I pity him, I will receive him, I will forgive him. 3. His gracious ^cceftation exprelled in three particulars ;
1 . One of [feed J readinejs : [ The Father ran ] The Son doth go,the Father ran. Mercy hath not only a quick eye, but foot alfo ; ^ it portsjit fpeeds,it runs to embrace a penitent : God is very flow to puniili a finner, but he is very ready to relieve and accept of a returning iinner.
2. A fecond, Of wonderful tender-^efs ; [ The Father fell on his neck^ ] To have looked on him,was it not enough ? to have gi- ven order for his ufage, had it not been well ? to have taken him by the hand , had it not been too much ? but the Father did more tnen all this [ He fellonhusyieck^. ] Divine mercy will not only meeta penitent, but embrace him. That iinner whom the h.inds of juftice would haveeverlaftingly confounded, if he be peni- tent, the arms of mercy will lovingly clafp, &c.
A third, Oi flroyig affeFllonmnefs : [^Andkiffedhim'] Hcrc arc eyes to behold the returning Son, and an heart to pity him,and feet to meet him, and armes to embrace him, and lips alfo to kifs him : Naked mercies are not enough ( in Gods account ) for a true penitent , he muft have fealed mercies too. God doth not think it enough that he is reconciled unto him, unlefsalfo he doth teftifie and make it known that he is fo.
There are many excellent Pr opofuions obfervable out of thefe words, v.g.
That the very Imtials of true Repentance are feen by God : j)^si The penitent Prod'gil was in the way, but yet it was a great way The very ini- off; and his Father faw him, andbadcompalTion, //^/V,/W// cialsof ;ruc confefsmy trangrejfions unto the Lord^ and thou forgave]} the im- Rfp<Jntsnce ^uity of my fm^ Pfal. t? 2. k^Vox n r.dtim in or a erat & Auris Bel ^'* f'^" ^^ in cor da eraty So S. Aufiin in Locum. Ifai. 66. 2. To this manvpilll look^.evento him that is poor and of a antrite fpirit y and trembles at my word. Repentance may be considered in three degrees, i.In the ImpreJJlon of /V;And this is when fo much grace
I J g Gods Gracious Acceptance
is implanted , as to turn the heart. 2, In the exfrejjlon of It : and this is, when fo much Grace appears, as to enter into a new path,and do ne^v works. 3. If^the frogrejfion of it : And this is, when a greater Vi6lory is obtained ov^r our Tins, and appears in our courfe of new obedience. Now the Initials of true Repen- tance, I conie6lure, to confift partly in the Converlion of the heart; when the mind, and will, and affe6^ions are healed,and turned : and partly, in the reformation of the life ; when the perfon out of an hatred of fin, and love of God, fets upon ano- ♦ther courfe of obedience, and fervice. It is juft like a Ship, that is going out, or like a Shop that is newly fet up ; things are very raw, there is much drofs with the little Silver ; a little health,and much lamenefs ; a great journey, and but a few fteps ; the work is rather in defire, and much in complaints 5 and though perhaps little be done, yet all is heartily endeavoured to be done; this I call the Initials of Repentance.
Six things (hew There are fix things fhew that Repentance is begun in truth.
Repentance is j^ One is Cendemnmisn : When the judgment looks upon all
C^ndemnaaon ^" ^^^^^ another manner then formerly, fentencing it as the moft 'vile, and accurfed of all evils, and no fin f knowingly) finds
Averfacioi. favour. 2. Another is ay^verfmon : When the will flies, and fhuns it, as that, which is moft contrary to all goodnefs, and
Wcarinefs. happinefs. 3. A third is fVearmefs : When the Soul Is as weary of Sin,as any Porter can be of his Burthen,or as a fick-man is oi his Bed. Pfal.^1.17. T^he facrifices of God , are ahrokjn fprlt ; a hrokjn and a €intrlte hearty O God^ thou wilt mt defflfc.
Lamentation. ^^ ^ fourth is Lamentation : That the Soul cannot yet be rid of the unruly motions, aad infolencies of fin ; It is grieved , that Life and Death, Hell and Heaven, Grace and Sin fliould thus be
Rcli^ancc f^g^ther. 5. A ^fth is Kef fiance, orconflia: The Soul doth ufe the beft means it can, to feparate more from fin, and all finful wayes, and to walk only in all holypathes, in the pathcsof righ-
An aai«c Ii- teoufnefs. And the fixth is an aBlve IncKnationy to obey God in
elination. ^^ things ; a thirfting and ftriving,an aiming, a writing after the Copy.
Four things ^pj there are four things , which do fiievv that Repentance is
fticwthttRe- butbe^un, it is only initial, i. Ont is Impotency y orweaknefs pmtance is but _ & / ,,.f , , . , ^ ^ ^ ir.-
bfgun. ^^ operation : When the penitential parts do move and ftir, yet
Impotency. like a child, who begins to go very feebly. There is as much
appears
/
J
of the Returning Prodigal, 15^
I
appears in the courfc, as declares another fpring or principle, and rule,by which the Soul drives to vvalkjbut tne performance is very ' tender and feeble; like a young Tree that hath but tender branches, and fmall fruit : The * perlon doth mourn , and coitfefs, and pray, and live, and obey, but with much weaknefj. 2. A fe- Efficacy of ? cond is effcacy of Temptatio» : When Temptations do eafily Temptation, befet anddifcourage the Soul; as when the Tree is but a young plant,the Winds do tofs it, and make it reel^fo when Temptations do,as it were, drive the Soul, and are apt to raife quick fears, and difcouragements : Ohl I lliall be overcome again, Uliali hard- ly hold on y I cannot well fee how I fhall be able to perform, andperfevere in theCe wayes which I have choien. A third is the P^alidhy of frefent CorrHftion ; which though it be truly ha- Valfdiry of ted, and bewailed, yet it is very apt upon occafions to aflault and prcfenc Corru- prerail ; v\^hen every little ftone is apt to make one ftumbie , it ption. argues that the ftrength is weak. 4. Neceffary f referee of many NecelTary pre- hel-ps : When a Man cannot go, but with two Crutches ; and a fence of mmy Child muri lean upon many props,and a penitait upon many fen- ^«lps- fible encouragements*
Now that thefe Initials of Repentance are gracioufly accepted '^^^ Do^rin* of God, may be thus mamfeikd. i. The Lord doth refpe^ the Q^^^rcVpcas trftth 9f Gracfy as well as the decrees of it^ every quality as well j, ^ tj-uth as well as the quantity.^re not thine eyes upon the truth f The Goldfmith as the degrees hath his eye on the very thinraies of Gold, as well as on the of Gjace. great knobs and pieces; Grace is excellent and amiable at the loweft, though then admirable when at higheli 2. Them^in . , « thing that God lookj ufon^is to the heart ; ( My Son^ give me thy ^^^ Heart heart : ) All that is done, if the heart be not in it, it is of lit- tle or no eftimation with God; but if the heart be right, this the Lord pri zeth exceedingly , and fo much, that for its fake , he paffeth by many infirmities.T/?^ good Lord pardon everyone that prepareth his heart, &c. 2 Chro. 30. 19. Now in the Initials of Repentance, the heart is fet right ; it is fet on God, and towards God in truth. :^. Even the Initials of Repentance are his own Gifts ( fpecial gifts of his bleffed Spirit) it is he th^t worketh 1)'J^^I^^\f^ in us to will and to do^ Phil. 2.1^. The fpiritual will , and the fpi- hij cift- ritual deed ( though both be imperfe6l ) yet are they the genu- ine effei^ of Gods own fpirit ; fparks out of his fire, works of his own hands ; Now as in the Creation , God looked upon all
that -
1 60 Cods gracious Accep^nce
that he made, and favv that it was good , he liked it vvdl. So is it in our Renovation ; all that good which Gcd works in us, he doth accept and approve , he doth not defpife his own image > which though it fhine more fairly in progreifive Repentance, yet Th's Sprites ^^ it truly iiamptin our initial Converfion., 4. Tnat which c$mes homhiiK r.ot oytlyfrom^ ferfon ^ having fait h-^ hm from fait hit felf^ that the Lord will graciotifly accent : For as our ad^ions do nor pleafe him without faith ( it is im^ojfihle wit horn faith to fleefe Cod : ) So on the contrary, when tiie a6lions do come from faith , they do pleafe the Lord, u^k/s Sacrifice prefented in Faith, did pleafe him , when Cai^s prefented without faith, was not re- garded ; faith puts a value and acceptance on our adions. But even initial Repentance comes from faith ; the perfon is by faith united to jefus Chrifl , from whom he hath received ftrcnc^th ^ and grace to forfake his fins, and to become a fervant of righte-
«.t unall lum^ of fmall things ; mr quench the fmeaking fax , nor hreakjhe
hrmfed reed : What Husbandman doth defpife the little plant
which he hath fet? Or what father doth defpife the little child
he hath begoten? Why! that God who hath appointed all the
meanes and ordinances, tocherifh, and prop, and comfort, and
nouriili, and ^"erfed the inidals of Repentance; doth not he
gracioufly accept of it ? have we not reafon to believe that he doth
countenance thefe beginnings, who prefently makes all provifion
for the nurfmg and fupplies of it ?
r To make fome Application of this, i .It convinceth the common
^i^ ^' obloquies and afperfions caft upon religion and religious courfes to
:hac sfperfion ^^ ^^"^ injuries and tallities. viz., tnat ij once jou beginto be re^
that if we be- ligions and penitential^ thenfarrvel all comfort -^ as if the grave of
gtn to be peai- fo^ Were the Refurre6ticn of Griefe ; or of neceffity, men muft
Tc^^'^^^^ be everlafiingly penfive, if once truly, and ferioufly peni-
aj- cmion. j^^-,^'^j . But this is falfe, no courfe fo good, fo comfortable, as
the penitential; mercy to invite you, mercy to receive you,
mercy to pardon you, aiid mercy to fave you. Asfoon as ever
we begin to be good, and to be penitent, and are entred into
the way of new obedience, prefently the merciful eye and
favour of God is upon us; mercy looks after us; and
though we have been foul Tranfgreflours, and have now
but "the very feeds and implantations of repentance ( mixt
with
of the Rtturning Prodigal. i6i
with exceeding imperfections ) yet the Lord will benignly and gracioufly accept of us, and love us.
And as it doth convince th.u err our, o£ the fad^eji of en- Vfi 2, tringinto a goodcourfe; fo alfo another err our, c£theaptfterlty Ana ot chat ^rjdhar(hyiefi of God towards f§or Pements^ as if nothing would ^'^°"':°^'^^* pleafe the Lord but quantity, and great meafures of Grace. Oh, Qg/^Qj^ay^j if I had fo much forrow for fin 1 if I hadfo much hatred! if I Piujccnts. had fo much power over my corruptions ! Why [ it were well if diouhadfl, and thou doeli not well, if thou ftriveft not beyond all the meafure of grace which thou doeft attain ; But then to think, thatonely great grace is in grace wich God, and not little grace ; Repentance grown, and not Repentance begun ; that God will not look on drops, but rivers ; not on weaknefs, but ftrengthonely ; that a poor, contrite,broken,troubledfoul,which prizeth grace above heaven, and hates fm above hell, but yec is troubled with the prefcnce of much corruption, and is apprehen- {\VQ, of manifold wants in all kinds of grace, that the Lord will never look upon fuch a thin, new, weak ChrilHan, unlefs with aulterity and dilhnce : Why do we thus belie the Lord ? and falfifie the gracioufnefs of the Almighty ? who doth fo love ho- linefs, and delight in the converfion of a finner, thatasfoonas ever the iinner begins truly to repent, the Lord hath thoughts of mercy and peace for him, he is obferved and accepted, ( ^m- ma6 Is frefently fenttoPanl^) melfengers of peace are prefently difpatched. Patents of mercy are fealed for him.
And thirdly. It doth jufi'ly abafe that mworthy^ frondy and yfg , ' "^ ccnforloHS harfhnef and firangenejs^ which many ( who would take Ic diieovcrs the it ill, if they be not in your opinion {qx up in the higheft form of proud harfhncfs Piety,) dofinfulIyorfooUrhly exprefs, €\^t^ in condemning^ ^^ of men towards tn contemning fuch as fall very (hon ( in the penitential work ) of ^^^^^ f^^^ ether Sy or of themfelves -^ yea, and will iliun tender fociety with fdycs oj others, them, till they fee fome further perfections and ripenefles. Alas, what do wel by what rule do we walk ? whofe example do we look upon ? We muft be wife, it's true ; and what wifdome is it to leave tender buds to the frofl:, which we might have cover- ed and enlarged with heat and warmth? I befeechyou, let us paufe a while : i. Are all in our Family Men ? Are there not fome Children, perhaps new-born Babes ? Are all in the Flock ftrong Sheep ? are there not fome Lambs ( perhaps ) - Y netvly
1 62 Gods Gracious Acceptance
ne.vly yeaneu ? Are all the Star^ in the Heaven of the fam^ m.^gnitude ? fame are greater, others are iefs, yet ail m ihe Hea- vens. Do you defpife Children ? reject the L;?mb.s ? or fiic^ht the Moon, becaufe of her fpots, and lelfer light than that of the Sun? Why! we read of the like difparity in the heavenly courfe ; St. 'joh^ itWs us of Fathers^ and of Tonyig-men^ and of Chidren too, yea, and or Bahs ; and Chrifl; adviied Peter % re- fpeds, as well unto the L<^/;?^^j, as unto the Sheep, 2. fVere not we Beginners once oiir pelves ? Was our Sun at the top ? our Gold fo exquifitely pure ? did not we then need companions and helps in times of infancy, weaknefs, conflids, temptadons ? What is our prefent ftrength, but fome help to former weaknefs ? Time was, we could hardly go or iknd, although now we can walk and run : What a childifhnefs is it, for the Artift in Gram- mar to flight the Youth who is now fpelling his Letters, when this was the firii Line of his own Learning, the firft ftep where- by he went to his height ? :?. And dui God deffife w In om heglnnwgs f Did not he gently lead thofe that were with jonng^ and carried the Lambs in his arms ? as the P.ophetf peaks. How often hath he laid our fainting and weak fouls to the brefts of confolation ? comforted us in our fears ? ftrengthened our feeble' hands ? anfwered our doubts' ? 4. Nor doth he now flight them^ whom he tenderly owns upon the very entrances into a new and holy courfe, fees .them afar off, and hath compaffion ; Why i then do we fo (light and neglect them, and put them from usr,
who have as good a God as our felves, ( and if we be good,) the fame, the fame Chrilt, and alfo the fnme truth and reality of Re- pentance ? And is not Minimum Chrlftl amahlle ? But they are indifcreet ? Surely, they are no true penitents that are very fools : No mdn fo wife as he who is w^fe for his foul. But they have many failings ? And not one of them approved, all bewail- ed. But they come fhort in Duties, alas they are very iLort ? In exprelTio s, which the vileft hypocrite may excel in ; not in affections, which the true penitent onely abounds in. There- fore repent of your pride and ftate : Seed thou a peni-ent higher than thyfelf, honour him, and imitate; feeft thou a penitent Ten Evidences lower than thy felf, honour and cherifh him : God w-ll meet him ©f TrueR^pen- with much mercy, do thou meet him with much love and pity, lance, ifeon^b j^^ ^]^ tJ^^fg 7>;^ {.vidences^ that a mms Repentance is tmCy
^•~~^^-^~— ' ■ 'I -11
of the R et timing Predigal. 1 6^
thoffgh weal^; and rea/j though but ImtlaL i. Hf is mf4ch M\.\ch in Gne?, in (jriefy though little in Strength: He V7il I grieve for finnnig/j^^°"^?*^^^"^**^'» though he iliould never be damned for (in ; and fin is his daily /^charWfin, grief, as it is his daily temptation. 2. He hates jin^ ^^'^^.^^ nt^be nd^ r"' he cannot he rid of it : His foul loaths not onely the actions, but corfliajwuh* ' nature alfo of fin, 2, He confliBs with fin. thomh he cannot !?"' 'i^o^ghhc conquer it ; IS aa Enemy to it, though not a Conquerouroverit, 'c. though much aflaulted by it ; fears Sin more than Hell. 4. He ^^^ ^Jlj 'jo^ *»« will not be a Servant ^ though fometimes he is forced to be a Captive : though its'cap^ His Will and Love are unconquerable. <, He cries out for M'^; . ^ , ,
. , , ,11 1 ,' 1 j^ T ^ \ * -r ttccies tot help
help J thoHgh he he not yet delivered', O Lord, help: Laments fhough. 10c uc. his condition, becaufe fo peftered with finfull motions. 6. He 'hc mufthave mujl have God recoKciledy though he much q'^efiions it : He muft ^^d reconciled, haveChrift, and Mercy, &c, 7. He would obey God inall'^Zfn^"'^''"' things^ though he falls very jhort of it^ 8. He friz,es more He would ob:y, Grace^ and lirives after it, though he enjoyes very little of it, Jhou§h\c^-lns p. He holds up his purpofe to walk^ with Gody though he he not ^»^rc fibiCy in every things and at all times^ to make it good, 10. what gr^ace,Th jt'-'h he he wants in the he'ghts of Repentance^ is made up in the depths of ^^i^r i'"ie! Humhlenef^ and Moumfulnef^. ^^\^^lf' "^ ^'*
A fourth Ufe of this Point fhall be for Comfort znd Supportj He mourns for to fuch as have though but the initials of Repentance in them : ^^ !l. r^^*"^^** The fountain of Godly forrovv drops, though but a little, and For co.nforc to the journey of an holy life is but begun ; they hive newly (with- ^^ch a. have the in thefe few dayes ) fet the firft foot in the paths of God. What pJnlancef ^^' {ball Ifay to fuch perfons ? Surely,
I. Let them not he difcouraoed at all : Though it be but a lit- ^ ^'^''* Grace, if tie grace. Repentance newly planted and begun ; yet // it be true Grace, i. It is worth a who e world: One mans Soul is worth is worth a whole the World, much more is Grace ; Grace ( even in the leall de- ^**^^^* gree of it ) is of an invaluable allay : The Lord hath {hewn thee mercy indeed, if he has beRowed any grace on thee ; it is mor« Worth than if he had 'given thee all the Kingdomes of the /
World ; more, in refpedl of Excellency, and in refped of Con- fequence. 2. u4s little as it is, it is as much as ever any Pe- Vl ^W T"'^^.^^ mtent had at the firft. Tis true, our improvements of Grace ac fi-ft. are very different in the courfe of our lives, but the habitual im- plantations of Q^i'kCQ are alike and equal : Thou haft as much now . as ever any h.id at firft, who are now gone to heaven. 3. ^s
Y 2 little
X
1 64
Gods Gracious Accepancc
This Uctle wi be ridorioui.
Ir fliall not ccafc till ic bring chec co bcayen.
It (hall grow ftrongcr and
§ron<
:r.
Thjy have matter of r€- joycinj.
Their fins are
paEikned.
Ifheftiould now dfej he ihculd be ra- ted.
II /m/^ /?/ it u^ it Jhall full down^ And work^ out the ftrongefl Jin that ever did cleave unto thee ; though not at once, yet by degrees ; a beam of Light which appears in ih^ morning feems no great mat- ter to deal with all the dirkneis in the ayr, yet depending upon fuch a ftrong principle and fountain as the Sun, it doth by de- grees chafe away, &c, 4. As little and a£ weal^ as it isy it Jhi^ll never ceafe^ till it hath brought thee to heaven : The Ark had many tofTings, and thy weak Grace lliali have many aflaults ; but thy weak Grace is in the fure hands of a ftrong God, who by it will make thee more than Conquerour, through him that lo- ved thee. 5, As weaJ^ as it is noWy it [hdl he jlronger and. ftrenger : God hath but begun his work in thee, the which he will riniili ; the Foundation is laid, but the Covering is to come : The feed is butfown, which will arife and fpread ; the fire kin- dled, which will be blown and flaming : God doth nor leave any gracious work, until he hath made it glorious ; and havmg giv^n truth, will alfo enlarge it to a jult meafure,. fufficient for thy foul, 2nd place, andfalvation..
Nay, let them be encouraged and rejoice .- Even a little
2.
Grace may be juft caufe of great joy. The Mother rejoyceth much if the Child be born ^ Though your Repentance wants much, in refped of gradu-1 perfection ; yet being real and true, I. All thefifiS that yon have committed-) are -pardoned : The pro- mife of pardon or remiifion of fins, prefently and afluredly opens to every true Penitent ; as foon as xhtwicked for fakes his vcaysj, and the unrighteofis man his thoughts^ and turns to the Lordj he will have mercj^ and. abundantly pardon^ He who doth more perfed and polifh his repentance , it is confefled , that he hath the more affurance and comfort of his pardon ; but the. right unto, and grant of pardon, immediately appertains to a perfon upon thievery entrance of his repentance.. Now pardon of fms is a teftimony of Gods higheft Love, and therefore a q^\x{^ of moft exceeding joy^ 2. if yoti fhojild now die^ you fmtld befaved^ The firrt fruits you know were a pledge of the full h:T- velt ; though you have but as it were the firli fruits of Repen- tance, yet thefe are fure pawns of fullefl: glory. Godly furrow worketh repentance to falvation. Chrift failh, Blejfed are the per in ff Wit ; for their sis the Kingdome of Heaven^ Matth. 5. :?.
Though you have but fome lower, weaker ftock of Graces, fo that
you
of the Returning Prodigal, _ 165
you are in your own opinion poor, fcarce worth any thing, or en- joying of any thing, yet the vveakeft Chriftian iliall have an Heavenly Kmgdome. 3. Tonr ferfons Are dear unto God. Their perfons
J er. 3 1 . 1 8. i have purely heard Ephraim bemoamng himfelf ; 7i are dear to JEphraim mj dear fo» ? is he my fleafantchlldf 6cc, So Ifa,66, ^°^* 7 0 thps m^n will I laok^^ even to him that is poor^ and of a contrite, fpirit. 4. Tinr vpeak^[ervices are accepted : God hears your Their weak fcr- groans, coniiders your fighs , puts yoHr tears into his bo^tel. ^'"* '^* *"«- ^. By reafon of that reality in yow repentance^ the Lord -mil paj^ p^ ; .,, r ly many infirmities and imperfeciions : Infirmities fhall not hin- 5^ msny infii;- der, where a reality of Grace and Repentance is begun. They in mitits, the time of Hez^ekiah did truly repent and prepare before the Pafl- over ; and though they were very defe6tive,yet the defe6ls did not prevail to hinder the effeils and acceptance of their fervice, IwllL [pare them^as a manfpareth his ownfon-thatferveth himyM^l, 3.17. How indulgent is the tender father to the obedient child, though he- can do but very litt'e,^nd very weakly? Where the Lord feeth that the heart is- rightly fet; O Lord,I would not offend thee;0 Lord,!- would obey thee ; then he is very mercifuU to pafs by our failing?, and to accept of our weak beginnings,and very weak endeavours.
Now I come to a fecond Propofition, which is, That God is Do^\ ^. 'very ready and quicks to (hew all kjnds of mercy to the true Pern-- God is very tent, Jfaid IwilleonfefSy and thoH forgave fl me, ready to (hew
You fee here in the Text, what tender, what affe6lionate,what *^^ ^^^^^ °* fpeedy, what free mercy is fhewed to the returning Prodigal {His ^^J^^J peniccnti Father f aw him afar off'^ and had compajfion^and ran^andfellon his neck:, and kjffedhim,) What could he do more ? There is a great difference twixt Gods coming to punilli a (inner, and his coming to iliew mercy to a Penitent : (Tardus ad vindiftam^) when he is toinflidpunilliment, then he walks and deliberates, as it were, there is a kind of rtrife within h'm ; How fhall I give thee up ^ Q Ephraim ? how fhall I deliver thee up ^ O Ifrael ? how (kail Imak^ thee as Admah ? how fhall I fet thee as Zehlm} Mine heart is turned within me ^ my repent ings are kindled together-, Hof. 11.8. He is flowtowrath^ Nah. 1.7,, but then he is veloxad mifericordiam^ fwifr, quick and ready to (liew mercy. He runs- here in the Text to accept of the penitent Prodigal. As foon as ever£p/)m/zifaid, I repented, Jer.:?T.i9. inftantly it follows, / willfurely have mercy upon him faith the Lordly, 20.. / have fnnedy
faith
God$ Gracious Acceftance
faith Dav'd ; Nathan hath it in CommifTion prefently, 2 Sam, 12 I ^. The Lord hath done away thji fin. The Prophet j^/^^, c. 30. 18. hath a (ingular phrafe ; The Lordmll wait that he may he gr adorn unto pti, _ He doth even watch, andlilien, and hear-, ktn for the firlt hint and occahon to fhevv mercy ; I hearkened and hear dy Jer. 8. why will ye die^ O houfe of Ifrael! Ezek. 18. 31. What anexprelTion is that? ^,d, Lo here's mercy for vouj if you will but leave your fins : I pray you draw not confu- iion on your felves; mercy is better than wrath, turn you and iive ; do not refufd mercy f I ftand not upon what is paft, fo that you will repent, I had rather fhew you mercy.
For the opening of this excellent Ailertion, prem'fe thefe par- ticulars. J. What it is to fliew mercy. 2. What it is to bs
What • ! ^^^^^ ^"^ ^\^^cky &c. •
ihermercy^ i. To Ihew mercy to a Penitent, imports many things, v.g, PitiftillComfajJion', Acceptance into Grace andJ^avour^ ahmdant Tardonj wnhdrawment of Wrath and Evil^ collation of any Good ^ all this is fhewing of mercy ; when God doth pity a man, bring him into favour, remit offences, take off judgments, pourdovv« ^ ^ blelTlngs ; thus is the Lord ready to do to the true Penitent, if a
God will phy nian repents (indeed) of his fins. The Lord, i.willpityhim : He will have comfajfion on m^ faith the Church, Mic,q, ip. and will pity him as a Father doth the Child, T[aL lo?, '
Aec'pthimin- 13. 2. will accept him into favour : ( /. ) He will be
to favour. reconciled unto him, and will be highly well oleafed with him ; He fhall fray unto God^ and he will he favourable tinto him , and he fhall fee his face with joy ; faid Elihu^ Joh ^^. 26. When they in Ifa, i. did ceafe to do evily and learn to do we 11^ Come now^ faith the Lord^ and let us reafon toge^ ther : ^.d.'Wt are now very good friends, all is well, I love
Pardon hJm. you, I am pacified towards you. :?. will pardon him : ( /.) difcharge him of all the guilt, that it fiiall not be redundant ; he
Jer. 5 1 . J 4. Vvill blot out his iniquities y and remember them no rmre ; and though they be fought for ^yQtthty fhall not be foundy Jer.?;o.20. Jfthe wicked forfake his waySy and his thoughtSy God will abundantly
With4r»whis pardon himy Ifa. 55,7. 4. will withdraw his wrath: And
wrath. therefore it is faid, that he referves not wrath for every and \i 15
but for a moment : He bre^ifc off the fhacMes and bolts, Mic. 7.18. Mine anger u turned away from him^ faith God of peni- tent
of the R et timing Prodigal, 1 6j
tent Ifraely riof. 14. 4. Lai^ly, mil he flow any Covenant BeftowblcC- "
hUJftngs Hfon h'lm : li yot confent and ohey^ yon ^all eat the good li.i^s upon
of the Landy Ela. i. 19. And Hof, 2. 21. The Lord will hear bia>
the heavens^ and the heavens fhall hear the earthy and the earth
jhall Lear the com and the wlne^ and all thefe fhall hear Jf^-
reel,
2. To bi ready to fhevv mercy, is ofpoj^teto dnlne^ and fl(m^ fiefi^ and imports a fpeedy aptnefs, and quicknefs, andch^ar- fulnefs. There is a four- fold readineis in this kind. i. One ^ fcur-foM is of apprehenfto»j which con Ms in a quick obfervation of the read intfs to niifery and need that a (inner lies under : Such a readinefs to mer- (hr w mercy, cy there is in God to a penitent (inner. I have heard Ephraim If^ Apprehend hemoan'wg hlmfelf^ Jer . 3 1 . 1 8. Ephraim did grieve for (in, was ° ®* much troubled^ and afhamed, and confounded, ( Alas, I have, finned, I have oiTended the Lord : ) Well, faith God, I have heard £p/?m/w bemoaning himfelf ; q. d, I take fpecial notice of him. Or as he expreffeth it in Hofi^,)^, I have heard himy and dferved him, 2. Another is oi Commlferatlon', ( that is ) In Commire-
God takes the condition of the Penitent to heart. He doth look "tl<^"' on him with tender aife6lions, ( my bowels are troubled for himy Jer.;^i.2o.) As when a Parent beholds a Child falling down: and begging for acceptance with flouds of tears, this goes to the ' very heart of h'm, it liirs his affe6lions, &c^ :?..- A third is ia Rcfoluuon- of Refoifition : I will fnr^ly have mercy upon hint. The nature of God doth prefently incline hrm topafs by otfences, and to ac- cept of the Penitent, to think thoughts of peace and mercy to- wards him. 4. A fourth is, of Exprefflon: { i.) the Lord O'Exprtfii* is very ready, not onely to intend mercy, but to manifeft it unto o.i, the penicent perfon ; and therefore as foon as ever any foul doth repent, God dofh fend unto him by the Miniftry of the G^fpel, and ailiires him by ill his loving promifes, that tiiere is mercy for him. Ifa.^rs, 1, Csmfort ye my people. Ail. 2, ^^, The promt fe isto yo'4^ and to your children. 'Tis thus fpoken prefenly upoii' their Repentance. The Promifes of Pardon are Letters Patents of Gracioufnefs, and are fealed by the very Truth of God, and left open for any penitent perfon to behold Gods abundant mercy tofo-giveh'm, and to accept of him. ^ G^dJsrcacV
;. Go ' is not onely ready to (hew mercj to the Penitent^ hut all ^^ 0,^^ j;| kinds of mercy. You may read in Scripture of feveral qualifici- kinds of mcrc^
tioiis
1 68 Gods Gracious Acceptance
Free mercy. ^^^"^ ^ ^^ ^^ ^^'^^^ ) of mercy ; I . There is Free mercy ; which is an acceptance of, and a remiirion o: difcharge, without any defer t in the party receiving ; though he hath no.ning to deferve mercy, nay, though he hath enough to deferve wrath, yet the Lord will freely forgive him ; fuch a kind of mercy hath God for the Penitent ; and therefore he faith of fuch, / mil love . , , them freely , Kof. 14. 4. and that he for fives them for his
jjj^j.^ own Jake^ Ha. 43. 2. There is Abmidam jnercy : God is
faid to be rich in mercy -y to be plentiful! in compaffion, to have manifold mercies, even multitudes of mercy? and to par- don abundantly. Though the penitent hath m^iny fins to be pardoned, and many neceifities to be fupplied, yet the Lord is very ready to multiply pardons unto him ; not to forgive fome fms onely, but all the fms committed : It is not the quantity of iins for number, nor the quality of iins for kind,, nor the aggra^ vations of iins by circum^ftances, which hinders mercy, if a* a man be penitent ; but though the fins were as red as Scarlet^ they jhall he as white as Snow ; and though they have hen like
Tender mercy. Crimfon, they fhall be asWool^ Efa, i. 18. 3. There is r<f«- der mercy : Tendernefs confirts in an eafmefs of CompafTion, and forward willingnefs to help. The tender Mother eafily draws out the br^ts* Such a tendernefs of mercy is there in God to the Penitent 5 he is moll willing to forgive, he rejoyceth to fiiew mercy, and doth it with his whole heart. Noiuloth he upbraid and grieve the fmner when he flieweth mercy ; but in the fhewing of mercy, onely fhews mercy ; he will forgive fins, and never mention them any more to the forgiven Peni-
Sur« m«:cy. tent. 4. There is Sure mercy : A penitent perfon may be unfure of many things of his earthly comforts, of his worldly friends, of his own life ; but of two things he may be fure, of Heaven hereafter, and of Mercy prefently; as foon as ever his heart is taken ptf from fin , his faith may look on mercy : Though he hath reafon to be grieved for fins, yet he hath no reafon to doubt the pardon of his fins ; for that God who hath promifed to pardon abundantly , hath alfo faid, / mil fnrely
Reviving mcr- have mercy onhim^ Jer. :?i.2o. %* There is Living and
*/• reviving mercy ^ fuch as takes off the turbulency of the Con-
fcience, fettles, and coiiapofeth, and fpeaks peace unto it, and admirably refrellieth it by tbe imprciTionof Divine confolations.
Even
The Sinners Converficn to God. i^p
even fuch mercy is God ready alfo to %\vt to the penitent, even to ^
bind up their bruifed fpiiits, and to give them hcmtyfor ajhes^ .the ^y^ ^f P7 f^^ rnotirniyig , afid the garment offraljefor theffirh of heaiinefs, lla. 6 1 . i , ^ . He will create lips of peace , and words of covaionySfcak, comfortahle to Jeruf^lemyfuy mto her ^thathr J^ns 4ire jardoned. Ii'a.40. .
But why is God fo ready to fhevv mercy to the. pen i tent perfon > SoL There are reafons,partly rcfpee^ing God , and the penitent. ^^'^^"^ 0^ ^f« I . In refpect of God. i . It is his nature to be the Lord^ the LordGod ' gracious ymer elf Hl^ahiind^nt Ingoodt. efs and truth, forgiving iniqmty c "^f^^^ °^ tranfgrejfion ^andfn ; therefore called a Fatherland the Father ofh h his naturt merclesyZ Husband, Friend, Phyfician v Every nature Is apt to pro- duce,or fend out fuch a6ts as lye within it,and are fuitabie unto it : The Fire is apt to heat, and the Sun to iliine, and iHq Water Co ' * moiitcn:The liberal mnn, it is his nature to be apt to give, and the courteous man to fpeak kindly; the nature of the Lord is merciful 4nd therefore no wonder, that he is ready to /Lew mercy. 2. It It is hij p is hispromfe to fliew mercy to the penitent ; his nature is ready ni»i>. to pity any man in mifcry , and to offer him mercy and help- but befides this, he is ready to make good his promifes, he hath palled his holy word of truth, that he will have mercy on the pe- nitent; the promifes are fo many that I cannot mention them> See Ifal. ^ 5. £zel^. 1 8. &c. 3. It Is his delight to ibew them' Ic Js bis Di- mercy ; he dellghteth in mercy, Mic. 7. 1 8. What any deli ^hts Ilg^f* in, that he is ready to do ; there is nothing more hcAt to a6lion , or more abundant in a6lion, or more unweariable in adion then delight ; delight is noturden:when God fhews mercy ,he is'doino- thatjwherein he delights. Two things God delights in , One is^ a penitent foul (there Is joy In heaven for hlsconverfion^) and ano^ ther is,to lliew mercy to that Soul, ^er, 3 3. ». / mil pardon all their Inlcjultles^Tvherehy they have Jinnedagainft: me. v. 9. And it [hall he to me a name of joy, 4. It Is hlsghry ; is it \hz alory It jj his ' of a man to pafs by an offence, and is it not the glory of a ^God ^^^'^'''
mercifully to pafs over tranfgreifions? you get by it, and God gets by ir. Ifal. 30. 1 8. Therefore will he be exalted^ that he may have mercy ufonyou ; there be miny things \vK\ch do qxM God ((Qt his glory on high ; )our humility doth it,our hith doth it,and his own mercies do it. Jer^:^. 9. This fhall he to me a name of jgy (indfralfe , and an honour before all the natlgns of the earth •
^ 7vh§
170 Gods gracious Accepance
rvhojhall hear all the good that 1 do nnto joh. When he pardons a {inner and fhevvs him mercy, why now he gets him a Name ; Wi.o U a God liks ^^^0 ^^^^) forgiving mqaltj^ tranfgrejfiort and fyn ? God gets him a name diree wayes ; fometimes by OmnU fotent acis, as when he works wonders : never vvos the like feen in Ifrael. Sometimes by VnidiEllve a6ls, as when he over rules and confounds the great enemies of his people ; fo he got him a name upon Pharaoh, Sometimes by his Gracious a<Sts , as when he pardons a finner. Paul fets it down for all pofterity to look on that mercy which was fhewed unto him. The Lord gives the Penitent mercy, and hereby he gets unto hi mfelf much Glory. His love 1$ ^^ j^i^ i^^g Is great to PerJtetas^ and therefore his mercy is rea- fenis ^° ^" " ^y ^^^ penitents : his general Love, his Philanthropie inclines him thus far as to reveale mercy, and to offer mercy, and to be- feech by mercy, even the unkindeft Impenitents, why wlii ye dy ? turn and live : wioenfhall It once be ? O then what muft nis fpecial love produce ? if he be ready to ilie.v mercy to enemies^ is he not ready to lliew it to fons ? If to Rebels, furely then to friends ? if to theni that difobey him, how much to them who do> humble themfelves at his footftooL } who repent, for whofe fouls - ^ ^ be gave the blood of his Son ? the P. nicem Secondly in refjeB of the penitent themfelves, God is very rea- dy to iliew them mercy, i. There is nothing m the World that Thtv need no- ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ mercy : It is the only Plainer for their wound, and cy!'^* '* Anchor for their Ship,- if they have not mercy, they are un- done. Ufually there is in every condition fome one thing, which ' the heart of man doth moi\ need ; if he be fick, then health ; if poor, then fufficiency ; ifdeje6led, then comfort; Chrifl tells Martha of one thing that was neceffarj : and David he hath one thing to deftre of the Lord ; and the penitent perfon he hath one needful requeft too, O that God vponld be merciful to me a be'fw^now^d ^ /««^^*, fo the Publicane. 2. If God were not ready tofhew mer- up w.th Dcf- ^7 to the penitent y he might Be fw all owed up with defpaire,^ Ifa. 57, fairc. 16. / will not contend for ever^ neither will I he alrvaies wroth ^
left the Jfiritfhouldfaii before me : Do you know what belongs to a wounded Confcience, to the fence of fin and the wrath of God ? how great, how fharp, how bitter? Is it a fmall thing, think you,to dwell with everlafting burnings? to fee nothing but fin,and Hell ? No, No, the Lord knows what the feverity of his wrath
if the Returning Prodigal. iji
^s, and he knows what the Impotency of the foul iSj and he • knows what the terrouc of a troubled confcience is , how it fmks, and cracks if no hope of mercy appears ; and therefore he is ve- ry ready to (hew mercy to the penitent , left defpair fhould overwhehn them : defpair is ready to rife in two cafes ; One is when there is exceeding tcndernefs and fenfiblenefs of fin; Ano- ther is, when there is a long abfence and improbabiliiy cf mercy; for what haih the foul now to reft on, and to fupp®rt it > Now of all perfons living there are nonefo fewfible of fin, as true pe- nitents; (we may fay of other pcople,as the Apoftledid, the refi are hardned^zvid of all penitent people, they are moft tender in confcience, and appreheniive of fin, and fearfull about mercy, who are newly converted from a finful way : O hovvhard is it to keep them above water, to perfwade them that any mercy belongs to them? and therefore the Lord is ready to fhew them mercy, that their fpirits might not fail before him, nor be overwhelmed with defpair.
Is the Lord fo ready to fhew all kind of mercy to the peni- V[ei. tent ? Thence m^iy we be inftru6led unto two things, i . To the inftrudion. approbation. 2. To the application of our felves to a peniten- tial! Courfe.
I.. To the j4ffrohation of a fsmtentUl Courfe : Why are ye fo To approve, averfe, and accufe, and condemn it ? They have a faying, that ofapentccmiil Tinls ddt amahtlitatem Mediis : the end doth make the means courCe. lovely, it doth give fpirit and encouragement to the ufe of means. Repentance is in it felf a moft excellent and peculiar grace, a fin- gulargiftof God, and therefore defirable ; But befides that(^^- holdthy fon livethy &c.) it brings the foul to partake of mercy (of the choiceft mercy in God) pardoning mercy, which is of moft immediate concernment and influence to the everlafting falvation of man : nay, it brings mercy and falvation prefently. This day Is falvation come nnto thy hotife : *Tis granted, miny - perfons do accufe a penitential courfe of much vexation, and fad- nefs, and grief, as if it were the grave of all delight ( whereas indeed it is only thefepulchre of our Lufts, and of luftful plea- fures.) And others cry out upon the difficulty of it, as if it were tin heavy yoke , and an intolerable burden. But judge not of duties by the opinion of ignorant and grncelefs men ; nor by the folly and error of your own finful and inexperienced hearts. No,
Z 2 but
i]7^ Gods gracious Acsepan^c
but judge of them by what the Word pronounceth of thenr^in themielves, and by their ends.. Is .Salvation a defireable thing ? is mercy an excellent thing? Why^ then Repentance muft be an excellent thing, which brings us unto mercy, and , unto Salva- tion..
OhjeEi, But there muft be brolcennefs of heart for fin,and there" muft be a diligent endeavour to leave all fm, and there muft be ftrid care to walk with God.
Sol, And What of all this, It is as if thou ftiould^ft fay, - O but I muft not be wicked, I muft become a new man, I muft kave that which will damn me, I muft think . well of fuch a courfe as will bring mw to find faving mercy with God ; there cannot be a worfe eftate and more fearful end then Impenitency, and there cannot be a better and morefoul-faving eftace then Re- pentance.. A'ppl Y your -^» ^^ t^^ qmcJC^fflic^tton of Gurfelves to a Temtemal anrfe. :
fcivcs to a ptf- I bifeech you at lengch, if there be any underftandii-ig in you, any mtcmial fenfe in you, any credence of a hell and heaven, any belief of a
couUCo. Q^^ Q^ happinefs, feriouily conftder with me thn,. j. Ton maji
ferifhfor fver^ if yon have not mercy : If Mef cy does not fave you, . Juftice muft damn thee ; whcU fhail become of thy ibul,if thy luis be not pardoned ? they cannot but be condemnation unto thee, without gracious and merciful- Rcmillion. Therefore ?icw^ faith the Lord^ turn unto ms^c^c. J oel ■? . 1 2 . & Heb. :? . 1 5 . whiles- it is faid to dtiy. harden not yoptr hearts. Repentance is a prefent duty, Ntnw God commands every one to refent^Aci. i ?• !5 o. 2. Are you finners, or are yoii- not ? if you be not finners, then I confefs you need no pardoning mercy ; hut if you be finners, then mercy mui} he your flea a/id anchor : Save me for thy mercies fak^, ardhlotoMtmy tranfgreffi'ons^ according to the mHltitude of thy mercies y{:\v^^I>a^ vid^ Pfai;^. 51. Ah w-etches that we are ! we are finnesby Nature, and finners by Life; who can fay, My he^rf is c'cn ? We lie down in our fins every moment; fo that we fteed mercy, much mercy, all mercy. 2. Vnlefs yon do ^raBically recent., (./.) indeed forfake your finful vvayes, and vvalk in .rewnefs of obedience, yon ^ all never have mercy ;, Except y oh re-^ent^y^^r --. fhall all lUemfe ferifh^ faid jefus Chrift. It is the un- changeable Decree of God, and the revealed pleafi.Te of God,: that no man iLalt have his mercy but the Penitent : . It were an
un-
if the Returning PredtgAl. i^^
imreafonable thing, that he fliould have mercy to pardon fin , who will not have an heart to leave fin. I know very well, that the Lord is very rich in meafure, and delights in mercy, and is ready to (liew mercy,and is able to pardon abundantly; C-od forbid that any fiiould Itraighten the Mercy Seat at all. But O thou vainly prefumpiious foul , look over all the Bible, read it often, and tell me,where doefi thou find,that God will be thus merciful to a- ny onefmner, but him who istruly penieni? It is not to him who is crvil,but penitent ; it is not to him that faith he is a finner, but who doth forfake his fins ; this is he that ll^all find mercy. 4. Yea,andconfider one thing more; how utterly mxcufabU ym Tfcou art In- an before God and men^ If you doe n9t recent : ah ! what a fad and ^.'^^"^^^^ »f iliameful appearance wilt thou m^ke before the Lord, when he iliall aepcm."^^ attlielaitday judgthee for all thy finfulnefs ? when thou ilialt be fet in the prefence of Chrirt,^nd Angels, and men,and devils ^ And the Lord Hiall fay,This is the perfon to whom I have offered the faving blood of my fon, and all my pardoning mercies , if that he would but hive left his finful wayes. Thy ownconfci- ence will condemn thee for ever,that ever thou fh oul dil exalt the luft of thy fin before the mercy of God ; yei,the very Devils will cry rh.imeof thee; they miy fay, If we had had fuch mercy offe- red,we could not have been worfe then have refufed it ; thou hadil mercy offered to pardon thee, and yet thou wouldel^ go on in tky fin?. Know, O mm, thou art inexcufable before God,thou canft m^ke no apology at all. Two things let them befor ever ingra- ven in your brefts;One is,that if mercy will not bring in your fouls lo repentance, nothing will do it ; I aff rm it, that if you were in hell it felf, the tormeitsof it world not incline you to repent, if the mercies of God norv^upo-* earth will no. prevail with you: An- other, if mercy do not le?d you to repentance, there remains no- thing but a fearfull expectation of the fiery indignation of God ;:• thou art as fure to be damned as thou nowliveft, if .thou doell not repeat thee of thy fit^s,
A fecond Ufe llaM be of C lut'onf Since the Lord is fo readyto "^fe- 2 • iliew all mercy to thepen'te'n^rhe'-efo^er^/^(r heed that jou J^eej) not Cau.ioi, fffffrom repentance ly deff airing of mercy. The:'e are three forts 0/ ^'^P "'^t off ■ finners.-Some whofe hearts are hard-^ed ^^ the Adam mt, through aiv ^^^^ R^p«n- iiabitual iteration by fin, nnd m Infl m:d affection unto fin: who fpa^rinjo/^ lite that mjfift^jHdgfcaring neither God nor man^io they are fenfible M«cy, . ^
neither.
■ ■ ' ■ ■»i~«— ■ I , Tji
1 7^ Gods Gracious Accepmcc
neither of thevileners of im , nor of the goodnefs of mercy? Some whofe hearts are mollifyed, graciouQy altered, havefccn the evil of their vvayes, and forfaken th^m, and are turned unto the Lord , ieeking him with mourning , and with fupplication y to whom the Scepter of Mercy hath beengraciouOy ftretched forth, and they have effe6lually touched that Scepter with believ- mg hearts, and are returned with much peace and joy unfpeakable : lOthers there are twixt both thefe ; they are not £o low as the firli, for their confciences are awaked and troubled ; nor yet fo high as the laft,for they cannot believe any mercy will reach unto them ; their fouls cannot difcern any intention of mercy towards
them, and all the promifes of mercy fcem to them as reHridtive, nay, as exclufive proclamations, denying unto them( though grant- ting unto others) the priviledg of their Books, and the Pfalm of mercy,and fo are apt to defpair;mercy feems to them a far ofF,and flow,and long a coming. Therefore now, to fuch perfons who are a- wakncd in their confciences,to fee the vilenefs of their finful ways, and their loft condition ; my advice is, by no means to defpair of Rcsfonsa. ^ mercy.
DcSiifhavi- .Re^^^ons why I thus advlfe are thefe. i. Dcf fair is a very ry Leiflous Sin. ^^'^^^o*^ dn \ It is one of the higheft impeachments of Gods greateft glory and delight: there is nothing wherein God doth more magni fie himfelf in the eyes of the vyorld , or more glory in, then to fit upon his mercy- feat: Now defpair is not every diminution, andeclipfe of mercy, but it is (initsiind ) a very cxtindion of all the love, andkindnefs, and mercifulnefs in God ; it gives, I. The lye to the promifes. 2, Reproach to Gods na- ture; and particularly to the attribute of mercy, that it is not, I. Kind enough. 2. Willing enough. 3. Full enough. 4. Ffee enough. 2. It is a fore enemy to Repentance ; if no hope of The moft un- x^-rcy, then no care to repent , I can but be damned. 2. And comfortable ^^^^ • ^ -^ ^^ ^jj. f^.^^.^f.^^ah/^ j^„ , Qther fins afford fome
' (though ungrounded and poor) contentment either in profit or pleafure : But defpair being the grave of mercy, it is alfo the very night, and funeral of all comfort ; and,as S.Anflln fpake of an evil confcience, that is true of defpair , It is Its orvn torment ; for taking the foul off from all remedy, it mul^ neceffarily afflid
- it with the moft exquifite fenfe of fear and horrour. i> . Satan u
Satan IS very very aft to fall In with an awakened confcience^ and there to aggra-
tpc to draw us y^^g gj^ above all meafure, thereby to mllne It to defpair of mercy ; 80 defpair. ' ''^ ^ '^-
of the Returning Prodigal. 1 7 j
if he cannot make us dye in a fenfelefs Calm , his next aim is to make us periHi in an unquiet and defpairing Itorm ; either to un- dervalue our fins, and fo to flay us with iecurity 5 or elfe to un- dervalue mercy, andfotofink usvvithdiftrufh 4. Yea, ^"^dno XMyi^^mi^- confclence is more frsftrtfe t9 fufpeH divine favour , and to credit ned confcicnct fiilf^ff^ggcftions^ then a newly awakened confcience : Indeed while *s apttoic. our hearts are totally feared, and palt feeling (much fin being not at all felt ) here is an eafie ground to delude our relves,that mer* cy will quickly bend unto us , who do take cur fdves to be good enough, and not much to need it ; but when mmy fins fhall be laid to our charge , and great ones too, with that wrath which a juft and holy God hath threatned , and we feel the burnings of the wrath begun within us ; I affure you, it will be mof^ difficult to withhold that Soul from defpairing of mercy , which at once fees much guilt, and feels much wrath. 5. There is '^/-^'^^ Thfrcishff- iwtfrr/ in God : It '\s his nUure , and he can forgive iniquity , nice m«rcy in tranfgrelTion, and fin ; Efhinmlfericordia divina^divina Omnifo- God. tentia ; Therefore this I fay unto you, any of you,whofe conCci- ences God has awakned to the fight and ienie of your fins ( whe- ther by the Miniliry of his Word , or of his rod ) as you defire not utterly to cali difhonour, extreemeft dil"honour to God , and to draw the faddefl;, and yet moft fruitlefs anguifh, on your ovyn fpirits ; and yet again, as you tender the welfare of your Souls ,. your everlafting fafety, by repentance and faith ; do not defpair of finding mercy with God, but come in unto him by folid re- pentance, and you fhall find him, even unto you a God ready to forgive iniciHity^ tranfgrejfionj and fin,
Oh\ Yea, bntthouah the Lord he merdftly yet is he juff^ he I>but God will will by no means clear the gui/ty, Exod. ^4.7.! have refufed mercy ; ^^!, ^^^^ ^^^ I cannot pray ; I cannot be heard or anfwered ! How then can I ? ^"^ '^* I, who have finned fo much, now exped ^ny mercy ! Sol. To this I anfwer briefly : There are two kinds of finners, whom Godwin not clear. One is, wh9 do not fee their fins^ yet love them. Another, }Vho do not fee their fins , and yet go on in them. '^"^'''*"*- Pfal. 1 1. 5. The wickjd^^nd him that loveth violence^his foul doth hate. And Pfal. 63. 2 1. He will wound the head of fach as flifT go on In their wickjdnefs. If you be fiich finners , who do fee- your fins, and will love them,and not forfake them , be confident, that remainmg thus,there remains nothingfor you,but an expe6la-
tion^
iy5 - Cods gracious AccfftAnce
tion of wrath and juft judgment from the righteous God : But if you fee your fins, and defire to repent, to bewail them ^ to torfake them with all your heart, to turn from your evil wayes ; why! the Lord.hath meixy for you , he is very* ready to pardon - and accept of you : Jfyve confefs our fins ^ i joh. i.p. he iijmh- fnltoforgi'veHsoxrJins,
Qb . 15ut do ye not read the threatmngs of God } as Jonah i. 31. Tetfofirt^ da^es^aKdNimvcJkail k dejhoyed, Sol, Remember one thirg as a Prefervative, that ^11 Gods thremnlngs againlt our • .fins,are to be underftood infenfii compoJitOyZi the fchools fpeakJ^'/<^, ^ ' thus,if we continue im:enitent, and not other wife ; not /«/^«- fti divifoj if we return from them : like a Kings proclamation of death, if the Traitors do not lay down their Weapons, but if they do,he offers and affures them of his pardon. I did not yicU . ^^7' h ^^is is it I / had mercy offered In the Kings VrocUma^ wfccn mercy tton^ if I Would lay down my Weapons ; but / did not yield when WL s tendered, mercy Tpcis tendered : If I had repented, when God formerly of- fered me mercy , there had been hope;but I continued m iin5vvher^ grace abounded, and fince mercy was offered ; therefore now too ^ Anfv^etcd. htQy in vain. Sol, To this al£o,let me give anfwer. i. Indeed it Tvas thy duty to have repented^ upon the z/eryfirfi propofal of grace and mercy ; and it was thy (in (at all) to ftand out , yea, and thy finnings contrail a deep guilt by ccmmifTion after the tender of divine mcrcy,(fin is moreiinful,where the offer of mercy is more plentiful.) But fecondly. Though the precedent refufals of mercy make the courfe of fin moregulltfy yet they do not make the condi- tion of thefinner to be hopelefs^ and utterly uncapable of mercy ■: For I. Mercy is -able to pardon^ even fins again fi mercy i^s it is the .antidote for lins againft the Law, fo likewife the falve for fins- a- gainft the Gofpel : There is fo much mercy in God,as can rejoice agahiff judgment,yea,and that can rejoice over fins againft mercy too ; my-meaning is, that Gods goodnefs is fo natural to him,and great,that it can pafs by the evils,againft his goodnefs , and kind- nefs. 2. And th^tyGod Is wllllngand ready foti'doyitm^Y^^^pQ^i: by this, that he continues his invitations , and offers of mercy, though formerly negle6^ed;i/<9w? often would I have gathered thee ? faith Chrift of jerujalemimd let It yet alone one year^oi the Tree* s And then know that this is certain; as long as God continues a fuit
<of mercy unto thee , neither is the date of thy mercy expired ,
■nor
of the R eturning Prodigal. 177
nor doth thy former refufal jiiftly prejudice thy prefent right to or acceptance of mercy. If the King renews his Proclama ion of favour to thofe who have formerly defpifedit, it is now lavvfull and fafe for them to come in and accept of it; Butfincethy former refufal, God hath, as it were, renewed the Emballagc ; He hath fent other fervants unto thee, to proclaim ujito thee Mercy, if thou wilt return ; yea, and hath aflured thee, that he " will pardon all former' rebellions in ail kinds ; if now thou wilt > hear his voice, thou llialt live, and not die : Therefore now turn unto the Lord ; this day doth Mercy befeech thee to leave thy fins, and faith. If thou wilt forfake them, I am thine.
Ohjccl. But fur el y the Lord hates me, and hath no delight to- Godhiffsmcj wards me ; I have been a vallal of fin, and novv mufl: be a veflel «'^d v?iU dc- of deftru6lion. Sol. Ah foiifh and fenflefs finner, who plea- ^^T ^*- felt thy felf with the arguings of an unbelieving fpirit ;I>ath ^"^^^'^«^' God hate thee ! or doth he delight in thy deftrudHon ! Had this been fo, what wants there that thou hadft not been irrecover- ably fent to the place of the damned long ere this ? How eafily could he, ( if he had delighted in thy confuiion and deftrudion) Ikuck thee at once ? Doeft thdu not ree,that when thou waft mad ill renewing thy fms, then did his repentings kindle within him ? When he had juft, and many, and ftrong occafions and provoca- tions, yet he hath fpared thee to this day ; vvould he have done fo, had he defired to have deftroyed thee f 2. ^nd ivhat is the end of all this fatlence and forbearance } Doeft thou fo ill inter- pret it an intention of revenge, which is altogether a fruit of his great mercy ? No, no, itis notthydeftru6tion, but thy repen- tance and converfion which he delights in : See Ezjek^. 3 5- 1 1- Not the ruine of thy perfon, but corruptions : He delights not in the death ef a pnmr^ imt rather that he (hoitld turn from hu wicked-- neji and live,
'Ohjeft. But I cannot repent, and I cannot turn mine own I cannot re- heart. S9/, Pray unto him. Turn me^ and I fhall k turned, P*^"^- OhjeH, Bwt I cannot pray. Sol, Sigh then, and grieve ; pray Anfwercdc that you may pray, aixl mourn beeaufe you cannot mourn. And ^ cannot pray therefore leave thefefalfefurmizes of God, andfinfull, f^olifh, Anf^^rcd. unworthy reofoning*? ; fet upon the work rf repentance indeed, and thou fhalt quickly find, that God is fo far from hating thee, that he will meet thee with loving kindnefs, and great mercies.
A a . OhjeU,
1 78 Cods Gracious Acceptance
Never fuch a OhjeU, O no, never fuch a finner as I have been ; a (inner finner as Ihave ^t>ove meafure iinfuU, fo wholly finfull, fo onely (infull, £0 con- been, tinually linfull. To this alio a word. \. Greatrnpof fming AnfwcrecL ^ ^^^ ^^ ^^Jolnte imfediTnent to Gods readiKeJsw fArdonlng ; for as much as great finners are called upon to repent, as well as lefTer . finners ; and if the duty of Repentance concerns them,then there is a capacity of m^rcy for them. 2. God doch ufon repentance fromlfe to fardon great pnners. Ceafe to do evily Uamto doivelly Ifa.i.i6. Co/ne nowy and let us reafon together y faith the Lord. V.I 8. Tho'igh your fins be as [carlety they fijallhe as white as [mw ; though they he red like crimfo»y they fijall he as wooll, I fit dnocolores j'tintvalde tenaces (^manfivi qulhm intell'igitHr teccata quantamque fint gravia ex genere cr hahitnata ex confticttidiney di" Vina gratia purgahuntury faith Lyra well upon that place : Yea^ though they have been peccata [angmneay f© S. Jerome upon the fame place. 3. Great finnings^ upon repentance y have fomd greater mercies : Adam*s hn, very great,^ ( whether you confider It formally or caufally,) yet upon repentance, mercy pardoned it. ~ David's, fin of mtmheryiyX was a crying fin,)and of adnltery^Qx was a wounding fin;)yet,upon his repentance, both pardoned by mer- cy. What ihould I fpeak of Manafesin the Old Teftament,or of Paul in the New ? ^, The greater finnings jhoM ever prove the quicf^r reafons of repent ant ancey and not be made the caufes of defpairy or more finning : If thy finnings had not been fo high, it had been better; but being fo, thy remedy is not an addition of a worfe fin, or a continuance in the fame fins,but to pray unto the Lord to turn thee, and to forgive thee. I have prayed, Ohje^, Why, I have prayed, and yet I can get no mercy, nor and yet can get fee any hopes or appearance of mercy ; therefore, furely God will no mercy- j^q^- ]^^ ^^ ready to fhew me mercy. Sol, This is a fore Ob- Anfwercd. jeclion, and ufually troubled Confcicnces are enthralled with it, and many times receive great difcouragementbecaufecf thefi- . lence of mercy to their tears and prayers : But let us fee how we God IS rear y to miy inftrudl and fupport perfons in this cafe. i. God u ready mar [ rj y<r. ^^ ^^^^ py.^ y^^^ l^>£^^j . 6 <^ . 2 . O thou that hearefl prayer. Before they cally I will anfwer ; and while they are f peaking J will hear^ Ifa.6 5. M'ft reatJy to ^» Q/" ^^^ ^^'^^ prayer s^he is mofi ready to hear the prayer ofafflici- hesr the prayer ^d perfons, Pfal. j 8. 27. Thou wilt fave the afflitfed. Pfal. 2 2. -»4. of tbealfl dtd. Jic hath not defpifed nor abhorred the ajfli^tons of the affltTledy
neither
- ■- ' ■ -1 ri 'i
of the Returning Prodigal, i yp
fttlther hath he hid his face from them ; but when he cried unto himy he heard him : Of all the Prayers which he is ready to hear, there are none which he doth more feelingly and compalfi- onately tender, than the Prayers of affli6led people, dpccially fuch as are inwardly afflided in their fouls and confciences for their fins. No people are more apt to fear that the Lorci doth not hear their Prayers, and yet no Prayers doth God fooner hear than theirs ; %x as much as the Lord doth exceedingly delight in thefacrifices of a broken fpirit, and he is full of pitialnefs and bowels towards them ; / have farely heard Ffhralm bemoaning himfe/fy Jer. 31. 18. when Efhr aim fmote upon the thi^h^ and was confounded and afhamed^ why ! you know the Lord could not contain his afFedions ; Is Efhraim my dear f on ? is he a pie af ant child ? for fnce I f pake agalnft him^ I do earneflly remember him [till : therefore mj bowels are troubled for him ; / will furelj have mere J upon him^ faith the Lord. Bavid^ you find him much affl idled and dilireiTed in his foul, Pfal, 3 2. 5, 4. he did no foon- er acknowledge his fin, but God did exprefs his mercy, v, j. The like you may fee of him, in Pfal, 6, i, 2. compared with 'V, 8, 9. The Lord hath heard the voice of my weepings the Lord hath heard my fupUcation-, the Lord hath received my Prayer. So true is that of the Prophet, I fa, ^50. ip. He will be very gra-* cioHS unto thee at the voice of thy cry ; when he fhall hear ity he ' will anfvper thee. But then know we, that there may befome- God Joth not times fome fpecial Reafons , why the Lord doth not pre- P''^^^"f|y. makt fently mike known his mercy to the troubled and feeking ^^^^ ** foul. The Reafons may be either on their part, or on Gods Reafons of it
part. on our parts,
I. QmcI^ mercy mnfi fir ft fee <jmck»^d fervency : Though ^ . , . , , God be ready to hear their Prayers, yet there may be fome rea- ^^^^^^ ^ay be fons, why he doth notprefently ^\vt them fenfible tokens that wantin<y. they are iieard. If you pray for pardoning mercy, as Auflin did for repentance ; if you pray with a carelefs, dull, ^ikt^ formal, negleifting fpirit, not efteeming of Gods mercy and favour as your lives, nay, above your lives ; if you feek not the Lord in this with all your hcc^rts. Pardoning mercy is the greateft mercy for the foul, and muft be defired with the greateft aflFe6lions of the foul, with cries, with importunities: If you do not m'ghtily wreftle with him, as J^avid m Pfal,6, and as 'Daniel in c. 9.
Aa 2 No
1 80 Gods Gracious Acceptance
p
No marvel that cold Suits have flow Anfvvers ; though you be af- ^\dLZ(i in your confciences, yet if thofe inward afflidlions cannot raife the price.of mercy, andfet a ftronger edge upon your affecti- ons, if the burnings of your confciences do not kindle flames of affe:tions for mercy, you may wait for your anfwer^ -. 2. As it muft be a quickned affeelion which muft find quick
ftion.^"'^* ' ;inercy, [0. it muft he a. ffire affetilon, I will that jnenfray every where^ lifting up pnre hands^ i Tim. 2, 8» Art tl^u fure that no iniquity cleaves unto thee, and is an impedit to thy fuit for ^^. , mercy ? Thou art troubled with the groflnefs of fome one of thy
fins, but doeft not thou connive at the flireds of the fame fin ? ^'••i^he limbs of it alflid thee, but do not the leaves and the twigs hang on ftill ? If we do not purely and entirely put off our fins, why l"hould we complain, that God doth not l^t down his mer- cy ? // / regard imqtiity in my hearty the Lord willrM hear me^ PfaL 66, 1 8. If you favour your known fin, in any part, or the leaft degree of it, where now hath God prcmifed to flievv thee favour o: mercy? Or fuppofe thou fliakell off one crying fin, and yet retain fome other fin j put off one fervant, and take ano- ther ; be troubled for one tranfgreffion, and yet live in another ; is this repentance ? Thou doeft not change thy courfe, but thy fin, and horV then canft thou expert mercy ? But ifthott frep4ri thine hearty and fir etch out thine hands towards God, and put ft ini- qnity far from thee^ then fhalt thou lift up thy face without f pot ^ hia Zophary Job 11. i :?,i4. If thou thus return to the Almigh^ ty^ and put ft away iniquity -, J ob 22.-23. thou jhait make thy pray^ er unto him, and he fhall hear thee^ v. 27. As your prn^ers mult be fervent, fo they muli be the fervent prayers of a righteous man^ which do frevailmuch : Not tbit he who prays muft have no fin, but that he muft love and connive at none. D'^eft tliou 3. Thy heart is troubled with the guilt of fin, but doth it mourr^
njourn for the foy ^/^^ vi'lenef and filth of thy fn ? Thou feekeft 'for a 'Cordi-
tHnefr? fb" " ^^' but doeft thou pray for Salve too? Vehement thou^art for ^nesott y y^^^^^^^ y^^^ ^^^^^ £-^j. Qj-^ce > Where guilt onely troubles, it
may mike me earneft for mercy to e^fc me, th:it is involuntary ; would not be troubled but is' tfoubled becaufehe is troubled: But where the fil.hinefs of fin troubles me, now I do not onely importune in orayer, but mourn alfo, and amas.defirousof heaK ing, as I am of pardoning, this is voluntary ; he would mi6^j^
and
of the Returning Prodi^^al. 1 8 1
and mourns becaufe he can mourn no more : If thou feel<eft the Lord with a mourning heart, as wdl as with a troubled heart, the foHKtaln is fet of en for trafifgrejfions dndJinSy Zach. 1 3. i . and if the fountain be opened for tliee, i^ cannot be long ere mercies will fvvim unto thee.
4. Andmth rt hat faith kafi thoH frayed ? Thy troubled Con- With what fcience would trouble thee if thou'didft not pray, and therefore ^*'^^ *'■* ^*»o« ha(i thou prayed to give it a little quiet, as we do a crying child P^Y^* - the brcit to iilil it : What things foever ye defire, when ye pray, believe that you receive them, and ye iliall have ihem ; Halt thou, and doeft thou confider and ponder the promifes of Gods mercy made aver to penitent pcrfons ? Haft thou confidered of his mcrcifull nature, tender love in and through Chrift ? of his commands to broken and alHitled fouls to come unto him for Bahn'andOyl ? Haft thou found how proper his mercifull pro- xniflfe are to thy condition ? ( every way good and convenient ; ) and doeft confefs this word of promife a gracious and a good word? and judgeft him to be faithfull who hath, promifed, and thy felf unworthy of mercy ? and thereupon, in the Name of the Lord Jefus, haft bended thy heart and knees to the God of mercy, tru- fting through him to find grace and mercy tahelp in time of need, and thofe his promifes to be Yea and Amen to thy foul through Chrift? J$h, 14^13. what foever ye ask^lnmj T^ame,^ that will I do-, Acc9rd\ng to your faith (faid Chrift to the blind mtn^Matt, ^,2p,)fo he it unto pa, Alas! thy prayers, have not found the way to Gods Mercy-Ceat all this while, becaufe they have not had faith for rheir Guide ; if our Meffengers lofe their way, no mar- vel if we ftay long for an anfwer.
Laftly ; why hair than called hormthe Emhajfadors^ thofe fray^ Haft thou not trs pf thine which were Leigers at Heaven ? In a fit of proud im- ^^^^\ *^°'"{ patience, and fruitlefs* vexation, and bold prefumption, thou ^ y P-*M ^ haft limited the holy One of Ifrael to a day : And if at fuch anor- dier prayer God did not fenfibly anfwer thee, thou wouldeft and haft reftrained feeking of h'm. What doeft thou mean tO' beg, and yet to prescribe ? Alis I that there fhould be fo much pride yet in an heart, which we would think humbled as low as Hell 1 That it fhould profefs it felf to deferve a thoufand damnations y and yet quarrel with God , for not being quick in a prefent expedition of mercy I Thou art too.
quick
182 Gods Gracious Accepance
quick with God. Judge hovv thefe anfwer one the other: O Lord, I do not delerve the teali mercy, I deferve never to find mercy ; and yet if the Lord doth not prefently flievv me mercy, I will not feek unto him any more. As you muft get humbled ^ hearts, fo you muft get humble hearts ; He hars the de fires of
the humble. Your Prayers muft be patient, as well as fervent : Mercy, pardoning mercy, is worth the waiting for : \x. is the moft excellent of mercies, and mcii fure to the patient Petitio- ner ; ?/<?/. 40, 1.. / waited fatlently for the Lordy and he wcU" ned unto me^ and heard m) cry, Bleffed are all that wait for it, Ifa. 30.18. ■Reafors on ^^ there may be Reafons on Gods party why he doth a while
Gods part. fufpend or holdup the demonftration of his mercy to a troubled God fufptnds foul and feeking. i. To give us fome tafie^ what It is to fro- mercy. voke him^ and fn again ft him, ]Qr, 2, ig, Thwe ownwlckjdnej^
To 5'vj"s fhall eorreEi thee^ and thy hack-flidinps (hall reprove thee : know ic is to provoke ^'^^^V^^^j and jee^ that it ts an evil and a bitter things that thou him. ^^ft forfaken the Lord thy God. As we have had years to bath
^ our felves in the delights of fin, fo we muft have fome minutes to tafte the proper fruits, the bitternefs of fin : Thoa wonldft To a'ifnate ^^\ believe the Gait and the Wormwood.^ &c. Lam, 7,. 2. To our afFc&ions alienate or work^offour affeHions wholly from fin ; which now is ib fiomfin. deadly a fting, fo fmart a wound, fo noifome a prifon, which fills us with fuch horrible terrours, and cofts us almoft our lives to obtain pardon and mercy : Thou wouldft qot eafily part with fin. Who would love fin any more,- which i. raifeth fo great terrours, 2. utterly depiiveth of mercy, 5. or hinders it, and To abafe us the makes it flow to anfwer, 3. To abafe m more In our own eyesj more in our that fo his rmrcy may exalt ^, and we may exalt his mercy ; to own eyes, that ^^j^^ ^^ excellency of mercy, to confefs our unworthinefs of we may exalt \ ^ y r r ^r ^ 1
bis mercy. mercy, to enlarge ourdefires of mercy.* , 4. Nay^ not one I y
^^ to exalt his mercy y but retain his mercy '^ not eafily forfeit the
lecain his mcr- excellency and fweetnefs of mercy, by any future finning. The cy. Church which had much adoe to find Chril^, Ihe then caught
him, and would not let him go. The pardoning mercies of God To make us an ordinarily yield us moft fweetnefs, and abide in their ftrength L;ft3nceof yvith us, after deepeft humiliations, and difficulteft fruitions of ftrumcnrof "' ^^^^^- ^- Perhaps the Lord will make thee a great Infi:ance of
comfort. mercy y and a ^e at Jnftrument to comfort others '^ and therefore
fuffereth
of the Returning Trodigal, • 1 83
fuffereth thee to lie a long time in darknefs and iilence, and at length will relieve thee.
ObjC^, Yea, but how iliall a troubled [ohI be [uf ported In the How fhall one the interims^ until mercyy pardoning mercy ^^r/? fo/w^, and pray- be lupporud ia ers therein be anfwered fully. Sol I anfwer to this alfo ; i. ^/ ^^* *"'^"°^ ^ thoH caafl not have comfort to feed on^ yet thon h^ft duty to wcrk^ on : ^^ ^^°^ ^*^ "°^ Every ChriiVian may either find it an Autumn to gather fruit, or jo^^o'fj^o*^'* '° elfe a Spring to fet it. It is a great mercy that thou art at the gates of Mercy; it is a great mercy, i. to enjoy, 2. to beg, 3. to wait for mercy ; a comfort, to have fuch an heart to come fo near to mercy; thou halt a time to fearch thy heart more,and to review thy eiiate,and to perufe thy prayers,to mend and continue all. All vviiich are but thy improvements in grace, and will eventually prove the enlargements of thy mercy and peace. No man can make a better progrefs in his repentance, but he doth thereby prepare for the greacer,for the fweetcr,for the longer mercies. 2. Though yoH have not experience tofupport joHyjet you have faith, though cbou It is written, and fealed, though not delivered as yet, Whofoever . "°^ ^*P'" doth truly repent, (mourn for rin,forfake it,endeavour to walk with bj{|7aft[u^ °^ GodjC^f.) though he have not the joy of his pardon in his confci- ence,yet he hath the arfurance of his pardon in the promife. Now Gods Word lliould fupport us as much as Gods Teftimony ; his Word iliould be as good to our faith, as his Teftimony is fweetto our fenfe and feeling. :?. The dawnings of pardoning mercy "^^^ dswninjs ( which are rifing upon you ) may alfo fupport you : Though you ^erc mT"^ cannot read your Pardon under the Broad Seal,yet you may find it fupporr, pafTing the Privy Seal. For i. Upon your humble praying for pardoning mercy, you do feel your confciences more quieted and fetkd and revived with better confidence and expe6tation of mer- cy. 2. You find your hearts more enflamingly refolved,that you will never give over ; you will now follow on to know the Lord and his mercies. It was a fign (anciently) that God regarded pray- trs^whenfire came down upon the facri fee ^ as i Kin.iS.2^. 2 Chro. 7.1. fo is it a fingular argnment that God accepts of your prayers for rtiercy orgr^ce, when upon your prayers he dotfi enlarge and enliven you moreearneftly tofeek him in thofe kinds. If God doth himfelf hold up thy fuit, he will not long hold off his an- fwer ; vvhen vve will have no Nay, then, Be it unto thee as thou wilt. If he prepare thine hearty he will at length incline his ear.
And
1 84 Cods Gracious Accepamc
And fell on hps neck^ and kjjpd himj] You have feen already, the Eps of Mercy to efpie a returning Penitent, and he Teet of Mercy, us fpeedy pace to meet a returning Pe-iitent, ike Father ran ; and of the Bowels of Mercy, He had comf^>jfi9n on him. In ail which, we have difcovered that fingular readmels which is in God to ihew mercy to a true Penitent. Now there yet remain, I. The Arms of Mercy y Amplexus mifericordiarum, [_Andhe fellonhis neck^,\ 1, The Sealings of all this mercy ^ though not verbally, yet moft fignificantly expreffed towards the returning ^.r r . Prodigal, ^and kjjfedhim~\ What they fay of Scire^ that though hoTfcht^alter vve do know, yet this fatisfies u« not, unlefs another doth know * thatwedokaovv ; the fame is true of Love and Mercy ; though we have loving affe6lions and mercifull intentions towards any, yet this is not enough to the party^ unlefs he be made to know the fame. Therefore here are lingular expreflions, as well as admi- rable intention? ; the Box of Ointment is opened ; Jofeph cannot contain himfelf, but cries out, I am Jofeph: The Father of the Prodgal doth forgive and accept of him, and teltifies all this, by falling on his neck and kilTlng of him. There be divers Kiifes ; Not to fpeak of the Kifi of Subje^ion and Reverence ^ which David calls for, Pfal. 2.12. Nor of the Kifs of Incivility and FilthineJ?^ the whorijhki(Sj of which Salomon [^Q^ksy Prov,ij,i:^, Nor of the Kifs of Falfhood and Treachery, Judas-kif^, Matth. 2(5.49. Nor of the Kifs of Conrtep^^ common to all friends,the Heathens ufed it, as Xemphon and Herodotus relate : Nor of the Kifs of Cha^ rityy ufed among the primitive Chriftians, efpecially before the Lords Supper. The Kifs in the Text is a Kifs of Merciful Af^ feEiion ; and ids given unto the Prodigal by his Father, infignum Reconcilimonisy that He and his Father were now friends, and in a ftate of love and kindnefs : In fignum Vacisy to take off all fears and doubts,all was exceeding well ; and infignum Lmtidiy to inti- mate unto him, what a welcome child he now was. His Father was not more grieved at his linfull departure, but he h now much DoH, more gladded at his penitential return. God is nor cnc- The proper Obfervatlon from this I conjedlure is. That God ly reconciled, ^ pleafedy not onely to he reconciled^ hut alfo to manifefl and declare bimfclf fo himfelf as one reconciled to penitent people, Joh. ij^,2i, I vpill love
be untochc Pc- him^and manifefl my felf unto him. Rev. '^,20. If any man hear my nitcnt. voice^and open the door^I will come in to him^and will f up with him^
and
of the Returning Prodigal, 185
#rW he vfith me. Rev. 2". 1 7. 71? htm that over comet h will I give t9
eat of the hidden Manna : and I will give him a white Stone y and
in the Stone a new name written^ whish no 7nan knoweth^ faving
he that receizeth it, Rom. 5. 5. 7'he love of God is [he d abroad
in ofir hearts by the holy Ghoft which ts given unto hs. This is a
Propofition of deep confequcnce , andalfoof rcmecifticulty,
and therefore mu(t be the more warily opened and attended. 5 ?,»,•«
For the ienfe and meaning of itpremife thefe particulars : ^xt^l.T/'
1. That Gods reconciled favour is a thing demonfirableto a Goqs}^ coti' fitted foul ; (.1.) it is not befides the nature of Divine favour, to ciled favour is open it felf fo that it may be apprehended, no more then it is a- «^emonftrabIe^ gairtt the nature of Li-ht,to rev^eal it felf. Nor is it beyond the '° * ^"**^ *°* • capacity and proportion of a penitential foul to be cognofcitive ,
(i.) to be able to look on, and know Divine favour. In Univer- falij the Papifts and others do grant, as, That God was in Chrirt reconciling the world to himfelf ; but more then this , I affirm in particulars, There is not only a Notional knowledge in the ge- neral, but there may be an Experimental knowledg in particu- lar of Divine favour. B^fthis^imh David, / know thcufavgu- reft me. And S. Pauloi Chrift, who loved me, God hath a6Vu- ally manifefted his love and favour to his people of old ; Son^ h of good comfort y thy fns are forgiven thee, Mat.9. And Rom. 8. P4/</ hid it, and all the Saints had it: And he doth manifert it, and will manifeft it to all true penitents. But then,
2. There is a double manifeftation of his favour ; One is Na- ^ double Ma- turaly and this is when God doth imprint fuch qualities on the nifeftation of foul, which arethefole fruits of a reconciled Love, as when he ^'s favour, beftowes on it the fan6lifying graces of his Spirit ; Another is ^*^""^^' Formaly wherein he doth evidently make over the goodnefs of Pcrmall.
his Love, (i.) make us diredly to know that he dorhloveus, and is reconciled unto us .♦ which is done two wayes, either , I. By the Tefiimony of the Word apprehended by faith ; i. By the Tefiimony of his Spirit, caufing in us an exprefs evidence and fenfe of Gods love, as a witnefs, and as a feal. Now one of thefe wayes God is pleafed to manifeft his reconciled favour, or to evidence it unto the penitential foul, and fom^times both.
^. The time which God taketh to declare or make known (in a The time of more formal way of evidence) his reconciled love unto the pf- this mini fcfts- mtential foul y is not -^eceffary and determinatCy but arbitrary "°"^* aibitra-
' Bb and'^*
_-_ - ■ - — — ^— — ^— ^— ^-^^^^—
1 86 Gods gracims Acaftancc
^ndfree. It is not reftrained to the very birth or hour of our Converfion, nor limitted to any one part of time after it more . then an other. But God is pieafed differently to mike himfelf knov7n> and his loving favour known. X-/4[/^ partaked of Joy as foon as 'be partaked of Grace ; but with other Chriftians it may be, perhaps, as with St??%eoK^ that their eyes do not fee their Salvat'on till near their death in the latter end. The mcafurc 4. The meafure of Gods djfpe^jf/ition in this farticfiUrj Is a/ft' of Gods Dif-^ i;(jrji different and vhtIohs :■ Every Penitent hath not one and the ^*"^*^^TfF^ *' fame degree that another hath ; andhevYho hathmoft of it in \t^w ' ' evidence, hath it but mixt and imperfe6>. A Declaration there is- to every penitent foul that God loves it , but not equall, nor abfolute. This Dcdara- 5. T^^'^^^ Declaration of Divine Love^ thfugh It he verj-com* tloii IS ff pjra- fiTtahle^ yet it is ver j fef arable^ ejfeclally hi the fen fe and feeling ble ac leaft in ^^/^ . ^oi it is (for the duration of it) an effect of mcer favour, tecccot It. vY}5ichfsletoi;t^^^<r??^^//j?r/V/^;wonly, and it is not an eflential to the Chriftian condition, therefore it may go off. So that this is the fum of the Propofition, That Gods reconciled favour is a thing which maybe known, and God is pieafed to make it known to all penitents either Naturally or Formally, at fome time - or other, in fome meafure or other, fo long as he himfelf fhall judge bed. Keafons of ir.^ j^e Re.ifons whereof are thefe .• i. His promife Is not only t(y- Gods P.omiic ^^^^ ^^-^ peofle^ hnt llkewlfe to makj kjtown his love to them ; not knowne his ^^^^^Y ^^^ aftection,but the declaration of it is in pr6mife,£^f /^. :?4^ loYC to them. 50. Theyjhall hnsw that I the Lord their God am ivhh them^ and that they-y even the houfe of Ifrael^ are my people ^ faith the \^*h^G^d"^ X/7r^ God, 2. It Is the thing which the penitential people of people dc fire. ^^^ ^^ exceedingly crave and de(lre. Pfal.4. <5. Lord lift up the light of thy Countenance uprn me, Pfal. 17.7. Shew thy marvellous loving klndnefs. Pfal. 10^.4. Rememher me^ 0 Lordy with the favonr thou bearef^ unto thy people^ O vlflt me with thy falvatlon, Pfal. up. 1:52. Look^uponme^ and he merciful un^ to me ^ as thou ufefl- to do unto thofe that love thy Narne, Cant. 1.2. Let him kjfs me with thekjffes of his mouth j for- th y love Is better then Wtne, Now I pray confider two things , that, I. The prayers which God commands his people to make*. 2. The tilings which God promiies to grant ; where proraifes^
are
of the Returning Frodtgal, 187
are made, and commands are made,there if prayers be made,God will fulfil diem. Ths manifettation of Gods favour is that which the people of God are commanded to feck; ( Seek^ ye my face , Pfal. 27. 8. ) and God hath promifed to declare his loving fa- vour to theng , and therefore if they feek it, he will. 3. It it is theihfnj ^ the thing which they do exceedingly need: Though not fim- which chty ply to their ^Jffy ytt refpe6lively to their Be»e ejfe, The/ovi^^g^^^^* kjnd/:efs of God it is their /ifij and it is the Joy of their j'alvation , and it is their reviving, it is the binding up of their wounds, the fetling of their fears, the ftrength of their foul, the peace of their corfcieiice , the anchor of their Hiip, the Ark of refc
4, The Lord vpHI grarit mt9 his feofle^ even in this life^the G^d vrill give firfl fruits of their glorious life : though hereafter they iLall ^^^ proplc here fee him face to face , yet here they fhall^;7^Hf him as throng f^aci "'* a Glafs ; here they fhall taft how good he is, that they may |ifg^
more carneftly look after a full and Beatifical fruition of him.
5. And likewife to let themk^orv the difference twixt afnfnl^ Ta let them ^nd penitent courfe ^ in the one they fhall know how jufl: he is in ^"ow tbc|(liftc- wrath, to hate, and punil"h (in ; in the other how gracious, and ^ "^* ^^'J^ *
' merciful he is, to comfort, and revive a penitent. 6. Yea, niJcnciiUoutfc yet more, he doth declare his reconciled favour to them that To diftinguifli they likewife may diftinguifh twixt thefe foor^ f^lfe-, niiferahle^ twlxc cbc plea- joUities^ and pleafures^ which they had hy Jin -^ and twixt thofe furfsoffin and foul reviving tranfcendently affeBing comforts^ nnffeakjahle u^i^°iu a joies , unconceivable -peace which arife to them^ upon the kncw^ Jedg of God reconciled to them in and through Chrlfl : That there is not that juice, that fupport, that delight, that £ngu- larity of contentment in any way, as in a 'good way ; nor the like life and fpirit to be drawn from any fmful or earthly fpringf:, as from the goodnefs and kindnefs of his loving favour : that a God reconciled is the only happinefs of the foul.
Doth the Lord manifeft unto penitential perfons his reconciled Ufe favo.r ? Then you who take your felves to be converts ard Sa:isfy not penitents, fatisfie not y&ur felves^ he not contented until you find 5'^"'^ ^^^^^^ the Seals and tokens of Gods fav9ur. You have(I know)his Word ^a[^^"\ U* (f. and Bond for your reconciliation, and your condition really is the favour, ftate of reconciliation ; you do love the Lord, and the Lord doth love ycu:But yet advance fomwhatfarther,ftriveto find the kife, the gracious exprdTions and evidences from God,that he is recon- ciled unto you. B b 2 Tfo
ie
1 88 ^ods gracious Jcceftance
Motives, The Motives to excite you hereto, are m.my and forcible.
Ttii diftetcn- i .77?^ differences trvlxtGed and you have keen very great and hlghj
ccstwixtGod fuch as have much provok-d the Lord; and they have been of
and you have j^j^g continuance, fuch as have defervcd ten thoufand Hells:
hath pardoned you,and is in Chriii gracioufly reconciled unto you ? If there have been differences ber.vixt us and a man of place, we will ufe all the m-ans to take up the controverfie, and get a re^ leafe of all ihings ; how much more having to do with God ? Reconcllf d 2, This Reconciled Love is rvorth the fmng out : No love like
love is worth ft; partly, b^caafe it doth fo immediately concern the foal of a ibeluiri our. chrifiian. It is a love which accepts of a (inner^ and makes the finner accepted ; it is more to him then the Princes pardon to^a Traitor : Indeed,it is his paiTingfrom death to eternal Life.What fhould become of a finner, if the Lord were not reconciled to him ? If the Lord be his enemy and holds diftance , the foul can never ftand before him in Judgment : Farewel Peace, farevvel Heaven without it. Par tly,becaufe it is the choicefi c^ chiefefiLtve th^itGod doth beftow: There is no one whom he doth imbracc vvith the love of friendilnip and reconciliation ,but Eled perfons,and fuch as he intends for Glory. Therefore this Love is called,/-/?^ ancient Love^ great Love^ Efh. 2. and ihtfree Love^ and the Love of his chofen^ and a Loz^^ which is fure, and a Love which neither Powers ^ nor frlncimlitlesy nor worlds nor hfe.mr deaths nor things prefenty nor things to come ^ can extlr fate or ahollfh. You may partake of his common Love,and the common eifedls of that Love, yet you may be his very enemies,and veflels of wrath. P^tly, becaufe It frees yoti from the foreft- fears^ and fharf eft- torments. You know that there are no troubles like thofe in Conrc)erce,r<or fears like thofe concerning our eternal Conditions. Whn ' if I be one whom the Lord hates ? what if I lliould Gye,and then be damned ? what if J be not in favour with the Lord ? what if fuch or fuch a fin be not yet pardoned? Now the evidence that rodisreconcile<iroyou, doth filence thefe fears, and eifcs the confc-ence o^ rhefe torment- ing fufpicions : The Lord Is my light (fa'd O'lvfd, VM, 27. i.) yphomfhall 1 fear ? And,/ vpIV lay me dovon In teace^Vh.^. 8. It comfcrtf tfce ^.^^ l^ ^^^ of the mofl admirable comforters of the foal In any con- foul in any dltlon. If your condition be prof perot^s^ whv^thQ .i[^\iti\^cq th^i: God foncUiion. jc reconciled unto you, makes ill your outward comforts the mor«
com-
if the Returntfig frodtgd. 1 8p
comfortable unto you : It is like he.3ltb to a good complexion, which ipriiiklesit over, and inameis the face with a fair beauty ; or like the light to colour, which unveils and difclofeth allihcir art ; or like the dew to the herbs, which makes them the more fra- grant ; when a man can fay,I have all things, and God is recon- ciled to me too ; I havefuch a Lordil:)ip, and the King is my friend too ; fuch hoiours, friends, eftate, and x^z Lord hadi ac- cepted of me too, and I know that all is pardoned ; is not this a comfort, when cill is ple.ifant on earth, and all is right in heaven :, whereas, if the Lord be not reconciled to a man, wh.n avails all the world ? // jo''*r conditions h caUmlteWj yet the aflUrance that God is reconci'ed to you, is an admirable cordi.il. You read in Mat^g. 2. Of a mm (ick^whh a dead Pal fey ^ ( a difeafe which exceedingly dejeds thefpirits; )Chriit comes unto^^im,and gives him a Cordial ; what was it, think you ? why this , Son he ofgo-od cemforty thyfns are forgiven thee. You will think this an im- proper comfort to a mm in fuch a difeafe, but it was not ; tht af- iurance that our fins are pardoned, and that God is reconciled, re- vives, and cheers up the heart , nothing more. So S. P^///fpeaks of Tribulation^ Dl'lrefs^Perfecmiony FarHineyJVt^ks^KefsyPeri/y Swordy Yea,<Tf Death it /(f//,Rom. 8. 3 5 , 3(5.and addeth.^'. 37./;? ak. titefe things we are more then conquer etirs ; he made light of them all, they were as nothing. How fo?vvhence came thisPvvhylfrom af-
furanceof Godslove;for(faitbhe,z',38,39.X^'^?^'/^^^'^^5 ^^^^ neither death mr life , nor any Creature fhall he able to fe far ate us from the hve of God^vchich is in Chrifi Jejtu our Lard.If ymr con- dition he piousythls evidence is the main thing whic^fi makes i t moft comfortable ; all the habits of graces are no a61ual comfons,unlefs they become evident ; and fo far do they comfort you, as they are true and real evidences of Gods reconciled love and favour unto you.
^. It mil be an unfpeakahle flay unto you in death ; you know Ic will be a thedayof death will iTiortly overtake every one of us: Hereft«iyin D«c^ is no abiding City ; and what temptations may befall us then, we cannot aflure our feK^es ; we know not what Satan or confcience snay raife up againft us : When, our fouls are ready todeparr,then either to be dete^minare ; God is not yet reconciled to me , (that jufl: God , before whom I muH immediately appear to an- Aver, and make accounts ; ) or to be indeterminate • It may be, I
am
ipo ^^^^ Gracious Acceptance
em reconciled, it may be I am not, I never had any folid evi- dence of it; how diltra(5ling a thing is this, that the foul, one minute hopes the belt, and prefently,it doubts the worft ? Now I think I iliall go to Heaven ; and by and by , I fear left I iliaU be calt into Hell : But if you had obtained to an evidence of Gods reconciled favour unto you, that thz Lord had pardoned all the (ins of your life,and had gracioufly accepted of you inChrift, though death it felf appears, you would not much be moved. / know that my redeemer fives y faid J oh C ip. And Tve kriow^ that if onr earthlj hotife he dljfolved , we have a bmld'mg $f Gody dn honfeeterndm theheAvenSy{{iix}i\\!az Apoftle) 2 Cd?r. 5.1. „ ^. It is of all the mo [t ^ulck^wg andforwardingthingtothe
Qakkni^^ift ^^^^h M the performarice $f all forts of htly duties ; We often- jiuty. times complain, what dull and flow hearts we have to Prayer ;
were we more alfured that God is reconciled to us, we fliould quickly find hearts more affe6led, and more enlarged for Prayer ; though we be afraid, and flye from an angry and juft God, yet we would hye in, and fpeed un:o a reconciled^and gracious God. Pf al. 63. I. Thotiart my God ; ( here hedifcerns that where- of we fpeak./^. God reconciled ; ) and then it followes, early mil Jfeek^Hnte thee. Again, we wonder at our liiineffes of our fpirits to the werd , that we do not mind itjlong after it, afFe6l it more ; were you more affured of Gods love, being more afFedted with him, we fhould certamly grow more affected with his word. They , in i Pet. 2. 2. muft defre the fincere Milk, of the Wordy as new horn Bahes (./.) with much eagernefs, and delightfulnefs ; but how might this apprehenfion be wrought in them. Why ! v. ^. If fo hy that you have tafledy that the Lord Is gracious^ q.d. a taft ( an experience, an affurance ) that God is your gracious God , that is it which will whet an edge and appetite after the word ; I fay no more but this, you will ferve the Lord with more willing hearts, and cheerful, then ever you did in all your lives, if fo be you could §Qt affurance that God is reconciled. Itmsk«su$ 6, It makes your hearts mvfi confident on God In evil time 5 ^^
Confident in when aflflidions are upon you, when dangers arife, when diftra- cvill tim<$. (^ions are in the world, when any near calamity breiks in ; \)[it{z are I ike Land- floods, which carry away all, or like the deluge in Noah's time, which exceeded all the mountains5fo do thefe drown all the vain hop e>, and confidences of evil men, that are not re- conciled
of the Returning Prodigal. i ^ i
conciled to God ; they know not in the world what to do , they bavc no heart to go in unto God , for their confciences now tell them plainly, that they are in the elkte of enmity, and wrath. But even now, though the foundations of the earth be Ihaken > the afliired perfon , who knows God is reconciled to him, knows alfo that his foundation of love f lands fure and firm, and through all, does he mike his addrefs unto the God of his mercies, and Ihali find acceptance with him.
7. Ladly, It isthMtwbiehmll vfionderftiUj inlarge pur gra. It will won- ces ', the Apoftle delivers it in the general , that the k:4owledgef^''^^'^}}y'^^^^^^ the love of Chrifi , is a means by which we come to ht filled with ^^^ ^""5. allthefnlnefs of God, Eph. ?.i9. See but Lnkj 7. 38. You fhall find that much was there forgiven ; the woman, though a great (inner, was graciouily reconciled ; what foUowes on this,f^f loved much^ fhe weft muchy fheiiumbled her felf much, her affection? to Chrift ; her tears for her fins, her humility of fpirit, all of them are fet down as exemplary copies ; this is it, which will make the light of our Mom^ to be as the light of the Sun ; and our light ef the SuKy as the light of feven daves.
You may perhaps reply unto me , this evidence that God \s reconciled to us (which is fo excellent in itfelf,and produces fucb cffeds) were a very heaven upon earth, if we could attain unto It. But, what means fhould we ufe , that we may at length enjoy It : Mwns toat- I con:,e6lure thus, that the means of obtaining it, are twofold. In- tain it. ternal. External. The Internal means are three, viz,. Confcience, the Spirit of God, and Faith; for allthefe have in them a re- I««"^*Aa»"n« fiexive, and an evidencing virtue or power. ^
I. The n^j OH mtifl get yonr confcience s renewed', Confcience, Gee your Con- ablolutdy*confidered,hathareflexing power, it can look on our fcicnees natural adlsand conditions ; but it muff be confcience renewed, renewed. which mufl tef+ifie of thefpiritual effate,and that God is reconciled to you. The teffimony or evidence of confcience renewed,is fyou '
know) fyllogiff ical,and nothing ^iz but the eccho of the word,z^.^^ whofoever truly repents of fin,the Lord is reconciled to him ; this is the propofition of the word, as you may read in //-?/'. 14. i, 2, 3.. They are defcribed, as acting the parts of true penitents ; and then v. 4. Iwlll love them freely. So Jer. ?i. 19. Ephraim/jf tHYned^^xA repents,and then v. 20. Er hraim Is a dear child , and 4t fleafant Son ; he is earneftly remsmbred,and fure mercy is his ;
(.i.) Efhralm
ip2 Go^^ gracims Accep^nce
(.1.) Efhralm is reconciled, and dearly loved of God. Here re- newed confcience aliumes,But I do unfainedly repent, I do truly niourn,and forfake fin;and now with allurance,it concludes by way of evidence and teiiimony, Therefore the Lord is reconciled unto me,he doth freely and furely love me.O^y.But it is objecled,Con- fcience may be deceived; it may aflume without ground, and fode- ludingly conclude the matter. Sol, I grant that confcience may be erronious in its grounds,but confcience as renewed,and coHcludin«> as a renewed confcience, will not delude you, nor err ; for confci- ence renevved,concludes not upon an empty imagination, but upon a folid examination of the heart and life. It finds that integrity in the heart,and that uprightnefs in ordering the life, which doth an- fwer the word of God; And reading that the Lord loves the ufright^ And that he will Jjhew his Jalvatlon to him that orders his converfa-- tion aright : Now uponfearch, finding this habitual and a6tual uprightnefs, it concludes, Surely I am the perfon whom the Lord loves, and to whom he is reconciled. Get the fpiric -' ^^^ mtiftget thefpirit of God: The Apoftle in Rom,^,^, of God. faith, that the love of God is (bed abroad in onr hearts hj the holy
Choft ; fo that if ever you would know the love of God unto you, you mult have the fpirit of God : the fpirit of God hath many operations given unto him , ^s that he inlightens the mind, hum- hies the hQan^fa/^^iifies it, and then that hcfealeth and comforteth it; and as thefe effe6ls,fo the order of them is obiervable ; he doth not firfl of all feal or aflure,and then inlighten, and then fan6tifie, aiid then humble ; but he firli inlightens, humbles, fan6i:iiies and converts the foul,and then affures and comforts it : Perufe Rom.S, you rhall find, that the witnefs of thefpirit that we are the chll- drenof Gody v. i6, foUowes the fpirit of bondage^ a-z^d of adoptio^iy and of fuppHcatioHyW 1 5 ,and the qmckningof the fpirity v. 1 1 . a»d ) A leading of the fpirit ^ v.\^. So that if ever you would be aflured
that the Lord is reconciled to you, you mufl get his fpirit con- vincing, humbling,renewing,and leading you ; fo much evidence as you have of holinefs , fo much aifurance you may build on of Gods reconciled favour unto you. Obj, But here alfoitisob- je6^ed, we may thta be coz^ened with Enthufiafms^ taking a fond dream and delufion, for a witnefling or teftimony of Gods fpirit. Soil anfvver, this is a fond and ridiculous exception ; for thefpirit c£ God(as S,Ardrofei^iks)Q2.'a neither deceive,nor be deceived.
The
of the Returning Prodtgd, ip ?
Thefealing or affuring teitimony of Gods Spiri t, is never iVW;/^
nor Nfid^ti.m tefilmomfim ; but as it is afeal to a dec d drawn, (I
mean an heart firii written over with renewing graces; ) foin the
fcaling, it alwayes produceth more tender and lively operations of v ^
holinefs, in all good rvorks.
3. La(Hy,lf you would get affurance of Gods love reconciled unto your fouls,/^/^ mufi get Faith. Faith is the eyc,by which we ^ p . . look on God, and it is that light, by which we fee God looking on ' * * us : How did Simeon fee Chrlfl to be his Suviour ? Or Panl l^now that Chrlfi loved himyhiit by F<«/V/?f There are two wayes by whicii Faith can and will bring the foul to fee or know God reconciled unto it; One is ,^7 W /» Chrifi ; there is no feeing of a reconciled God,but in a Mediator, and therefore Chrift is called fo often our Peace, our Atonement,ourReconciler.-The other is,^^ afjd through the Promtfesywhich is therefore called the Covenant of Grace; q,d.
fcts forth,and prefents God unto us,a^ graciouflyrcconciled.If you have fo much faith as will bring you to Chrift,to know hiin,to em- brace and accept of him, to rely on him , you m.iy with fafeft confidence conclude and be perfwaded,that God is your reconciled God : For God was in Chrifi reconciling the world to himfelf.
2. 7l>f ^^f^«>r/ w^4«j of obtaining aflurance are : i. Confci- External enable and diligent amplication of onr f elves to the Word, The word °'^*"*' of God is both the inliriiment of our Regeneration^ and of our ^/'^^^"^ ^^" Confolation ; and is not only produdive of faith, as '\x.\% an adhe- fj/^g cTihc^"^ rencc, but able alfo to produce il^ as it is an evidence : and there- Word. fore, as you read that faith in acceptance depends on the word, Rom, 10. 17. fo we read that faith in affurance flovves likewifc from it. I Joh.^.i^. Thefe things have I written unto pu that hilieveonthe Nameef the Son of God ^ that ye may knovo that ye have eternal lift. And as the Word is oftentimes ciUed a Word of Faith ,fo it is fomctimc? called aLip of Pe.ice.//^. 57.19. ^. it produceth an affurance from which that peace doth flow. 2. jind to the Sacrament, The Sacrament hath, I confefs, mmy y . ^ , ends;and it is(as the Word of God is)anOrgan or Inlirument of iht ^^^ * ^'^^ Divine fpirit,for much good unto believing fouls. Among the reft, it hath a lingular virtue to breed afliirance of Gods love,and there- fore it is called, a Seal'm R0.4.. i i.In it Chrift Jefu<^(in whom God is reconciled) is moft diftin6lly rcprefented in his Pa(rion,as mak- ing peace by his blood for our fouls : In it the fame Chrift Jefus i.<?
C c parti-
i^^ Gods graciom Accepame
patient Fjiycr
particuhrly offered and applyed unto us, with ail the benefits and efficacies of his perfon : Take^eat .this Is my body nvhich wasgi- 'venfor y9Hj i Cor.i i. 24. As if God fhould fay, As furely as I give thee this bread and wine, fo I give thee my Son, and the purchafe of his death,even reconciiiation,and pardon, and mercy. A believing celebration of the Sacrament is a mott admirable means to remove our doubts , and to eftablilli our hearts with an
Fervent and ^^ui^^i'i^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ reconciled unto us. :? . Tervent ^W jment Trayer ; prizing the favour of God, as David did, Pfal.63.3, Hungringand thirfting after it,as he hid,P/^/. 106.4,5. And thus continuing to feek with diligence , being withall teiaderly careful in our hearts and wayes to pleafe the Lord ; we /hall have the de- fires of our Souls crowned with the teftimonies of his love here, and with the full glory of his face, and favour hereafter,
Luke 15. n, 22, 2^.
21. And the Son [aid unto hlm^ Father^ I have pnmd agAmfi hea^ *veH^ and in thy fight j and am no mtre ivorthy to bs callsd thy Son,
22. But the Father f aid to his fervants^ Bring forth the hefi Robe^and ftit it on him^ and put a Ring on his handy and Shoes en his feet,
23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it^ and let us eat ^ and be merry,
Thefe words contain in them. t. The real aBing of a feni- tential intention: The matter whereof, in his humble and fad confef- fion,I have infifted on already,when I touched on'i^.i8,i9.NovvI fhall obferve a little more from the circumihnce and manner of it. 2. Thefirange alteration of his condition : The heart of man ne- ver alters from fin to its prejudice ; the bcft courfes ever draw af- ter them,the be(^ comforts. While he was a prodigal,he had nei- ther bread to eat, nor Rags to cloath him, nor houfe to lodg him> much lefs Jewels to adorn him, and feafts to entertain him : But now he becomes a penitent, here is a Father to admit him into a houfe, to put the beft Robe on his back, and the Ring on his fin- ger, and Shoes on his feet, and likevvife to provide meat, even the choiceft for his belly.Before I touch on thefe,diHine"lly and parti- cularly, there are fomePropofitions, which I will briefly touch on^v.^. D06I. That
of the Returning Prodigal, - l ^ j
D06V. Thatynomtthekjndeflexfreffions of mercy dofilencCA Xh« klndeft irtily ^enhcmial hearty from an humble cenfeJfioN of Jin ; Kindeft exprtflions of mercies driw out humblelt confcifions : The Father pities,meets, "iiffcyjdo 00c embraces, kiffeth this penitential Prodigal. What doth he ? rife ^''"'^'[^*^" ^^^^ up and ilight all hat hath been evil ? Oh no ! mercy melts him ^^^^ Qf (^^. down, and he confefteth with tears. Father I havtjiftnedy^c.q.d. What is this, that thou iliouldft fo eafily, fo freely, fo mercifully behold fo finful,fo unworthy a vvretch as I have been ? As DavU^ when God declared unto him the intentions of his further mcr- cies,for him and his pofterity : He fate before the Lord and faid, Whi am ly O Lord God f and what is my hov.fe that thou hajt hroHght me hitherto ? So is it with the true pcnitent,upo!i the De- claration of pardoning and accepting mercy.Novv, O Lord God, who am I? I, who have done fo Wickedly, yet to be rcmembred fo gracioufly ? The Dme you find in Panly who, though he recei- ved a teftimony of his pardon and acceptance,by a mclfenger gra- cioufly diipatched from Jefus Chrift himfelf, u4^s 9. 17. Yet he doth moft frequently , and humbly aekno.vledg and confefs the kinds and greatnefs of his former tranfgrcfllions.
There is (for the time) a twofold ConfefTion . i . u^ntecedenty There h a which is that humbling way, which God defigns for the aflecuti- cvrofold Con- on of mercy.See Prov,22. 1 3. & i J^, 1.9. To mike us indite,^and ^f ^*^"* 1 condemn ourfelves, that he may acquit and pardon us. 2. Confe- Co^f^q^jjic] 4^He»t',\\h\ch is that judging,and felf- condemning way,after mercy is obtained : The fight of mercy breeds four notable effe6^s in a true penitent ; i . Mnch Admirations (Oh,that God fhould look on me ! ) 2. Much Deteflation^ ( Oh, that God fliould ev^er par- don me ! ) 3. Mor^ contrition^ (Oh, that I fhould fin againft fuch a God ; ) 4. More Confefflon^ (I have finned, and done very foo- lil>ily to fin agiinft a God much in mercy. )
2,Thif confequrnt confe ffion. whkh foil owes the expTelTions or Confcquent teliimonies of r ardomng mercy hath the] e cjualities, i. -'^^^ '^'^ rhcfe qualicies. ack^orv [edging of Jin^ with more comfuntilon of fptrlt : Sight of It js an sc- ^< pcirdon doth not only open our lips, but our eyes, and fetcheth knowlcdgment forth not only words but tears; the he.irtdoth breakout, when °f fin, with mercy br^^aks forrh : The heart never confefieth fin with m^re ^?^* ccoipun- filial grief , then when it apnrehends fin,miich fin difcharged with a paternal love : the wind breaks the clouds but the Srn melt«: them mort into fhowers, fa CT'f. 2. It is an acknoA'ledgi^^g of
C C 2 fin,
1^6 Gods gracious JcecftAnce
WJthmote in- fin, with more indignation ; The greater mercy makes a peni- dignacion- tent to be the fharper Judg ; the more God is no.v pleafed with him , the more is he dii'pleafed vvuh himfelf, for finning againrt him. When God r erne mhrtd his Covenant^ Ezek.id. do. then did che peiitemial Ifraelites remember their wayes with [h^me, v.6i. And vvhen he m^de it known to them//?^f he wa^ faclfyed towards them , then were they confounded , and never of ened their momhs more^ v. 5 :? . 3, 1 c is an acknowledging of fin with more Wi-h more jg- aggravation : Servile confefiions are ufually more deceitful and jravaiion. partial ; as Adam did acknowledg his fin, but puts it on Eve ; no confeifions are fo free and full,as fuch vvhich arife from the appre- henfion of mercies. David got his pardon for a great tranfgref- fion ; but then how exact is he in the diliin6t accufation of him- felf, and humble acknowledgment of his fin,in all the articles and circumftances of it? P(aL 51. 4. It is an acknowledgment of With more dc- fin, with more deteji^athn. Evidence of pardon produceth two leflation. effects : One isymore ardent affe^lon of love to God ; Another i$
(which neceflariiyfollowes)^ deeper hatred of [m^ which oppofed fo gracious a goodnefs. All that good which God mentions in the Covenant, -E;;:,^^.:? 6. 2 5. to the end of -z/. r?o. produced a better remembrance of former evils,and alfo a deeper loathing of them- felves for their iniquities, v.-^i. As Job upon Gods appearing to him,and conferring with him,«ow abhors hlmfelfln duft andafhes^i So the penitent upon the manifeftation of di\'ine favour , doth more acknowledg his vilenefs, judg his follies, and abhor his ini- quities; it is ever true, that the greateli mercies fet the heart at greateft diftance with fin.
But now it is demanded ; Why fliouldtbe expreffions of mercy
elicite confeffion of fin, if it be pardoned ? why any more con-
Resfons of ir. feifion ? Reafons though hereof be mmy. i. Piety In man is
Piety in man is ^^^ offojtte^ but only fnbordlnAteto Pity In God, Divine love doth
but7ubcr<Jinitc ^^t dettroy, butincreafe duty : Affurancefol loves the habits ,
to pity in God. and alwayes advances the ads of grace: As it is our duty to
feek our pardon by confe(rion,fo alfo to carry away the fame with
continued confeffions ; confeffion of finis not a tranfient , but a
conftant duty ; As the Mathematicians fpeak of a Line, That it is
Hot funElum^nX fluxHs fun^orum ; fo I fay of any duty, It is not
one indivifible 2^ only,but an a^l repeat-ed : to believe is a duty ,
in which one ^^i only i^ not enough , iat I muft ftill keep my
eye
0fthc Returning Prodigd. 1^7
eye upon Chrift. So to confcfs fin, is a duty not done altogether, becaule once donejbut lUll to be done, bccaufe a duty to be done : though Ood be plealed to forget, yet it is our duty to remember. Buc iecondly, By conjcjfion of fin^ lifter remijfion and uftimony^ yi^xt^ i; now mcrfj is now acknowledged to be mercy : What a man may fpealc acknowledged in (iraights is one thing, what in free circumltances, when ex- co be mercy. tra aleam^ is another. Many a man cryes out for mercy, who perhaps fcarce will give mercy all the glory afterward. But when we are pardoned, and yet confefs fin, we do really profefs. That it was not Worthinefs in us, but only Goodnefs in God, that pardoned. No man can more fully give the glory of his pardon to fole mercy , then he who doth confefs his fins after mer- cy : What is this confeflion of fin , but as if the perfon fhould fay, O Lord , to me, indeed, nothing did belong but Oiamc and confufion ; for I, for my part, have thus and thus finned againft thee, and deferved thy wrath, but itwas meer mercy that favcd and pardoned me ? :?. The more pardoning mercy «, God ilr\t\ys , The more hHmlUty is thereby wrou^t in the heart; J . *"^'P*^* for who can behold much pardon , but wiihal muft know, it rhemorcHu-'^' was much fin that hath that much pardo i ? He hath great- milicy cr caufe of iliamc , becaufe all this while a God of fuch mer- cy hath been otfended : So that here is more caufc for the heart to abafe it felf and to confefs its own vilenefs. 4. ^p-vT..«-nJ »n gracio^*s rcmjjjion , moye , and new grounds of C onjejjion do grounds of conn Arifei Before 1 am pardoned, I confefs my fins, becaufe ft^ondoarife God requires confefiion , and alfo becaufe he doth upon a right confeflTion rrom'fe RemilTion. When I am pardoned , more rcafons of ConfefTion are upon mercy, namely, mer- cy granted, and m.rcy fealed. O then ! have I notm<^re caiife to corfefs my finful vilenefs, having talied of moft unfpeak- able goodnefs in the pardon of ii?
Doih the penitent perfon hnmMy co-^fefs his fins after the „.f pardon of them ? Why , let us {If any of us thinks that we are q ;l^^^^ ^^ fardoned) do fo too : Tis a truth, that of all things vve are moft pardon let us W'll'rg to fo get our fins ; we have rnixh adoe to keep our tiofo. thoughts on them in a penitential way ( i's de^'h almoft tofome m:ntothipkon their fins thus) ^M in c^^t if by a little du- ty we have got the leaft hot-)c of pardon, we ordinarily put thofefins off from any future folemn Confeifioi^is, This I con- ceive
T
ipg Gods Gracious Accepance
ceive arifeth from two caults ; the one is th^ fenpke wflfience
rphlch Jin (often to be thought on) imfrlf^s on the eoHfcicKce,
Af.er confiderations of fin, we have ulually molt bitternels and
trouble, which we willingly would not fed. Another is m Igm-
ranee of the power and ^fe of fardonmg mercy; which as it brings
Such as fail in R^^ft) P-ace, fo moli hearty grief and conteifion: I will fay to
ifcer confcffi- men preiumirg on pardon, and yet failingin an after confeificfi
*'": . r. . . of their fins, i. It is fufpidons whether ever they had any far don
whithc? m "* ^f ally or real aflurance thereof; forafmuch as they fail in this af-
they had any ^^^ effe6l of confeflTion, which is alwayes the more increafed by
Pardon at all. the greater evidence of divine mercy. 2. It isfufficiom whether
Or whecbcr they ever truly repented or no; for as much as true repentance doth
^ c*^ *^f ^'^'*^^ incline us to go over and perfect all the ac^s and branches of Re-
j: pane or no. p^^-j^^j^^^^ whereof confelTion, in a right manner perfcHrmed,
is not the lea ft.
But for our parts, if any of us upon a penitential courfe have
been fo far blefled as to fee the face of Ltod with peace, and
have found any teftimony of his pardoning mercy, let us never
ceafe to blefs that mercy, and with mournful and felf- judging
hearts to iterate and continue our confeifion of the fins for which
we have found mercy.
Mot ive$ ro'it. Motives hereunto are thefe, i . we fhall hereby the better pro^
u'h k *^*' ^^^£/^^ increafe our affnrance of divine mercy • I conje6l:ure that
increafc"u" X^"^ ^^'^^ ^" X^^^ experience find this truth, viz.. That aflurance
aflurance of lives longefiin a believing Eye, an humble Spirit, and in a Soul
mercy. accufiomed to the liridil excrcife of Repentance : the way to get
afiiirance of pardon, is ever the bell way to preferve and inlarge
OurConfci- -^^ ^^ Hereby o^r Con fciences (hall moft- accfuit hs for the fin-
ence will here- . r ■ r rr A^j*^nj-'^i -ii
by acquit us cerity oj our conjejjion : Antecedent acts do not alwayes yield
for .he linccri- unto US that fol id ground as fubfequent a6ls .- As about our out- ty of our Con- vvard mercies, after prayers do more denominate the celeftial feiion. frame then former prayers, bcc.mfe thofe may be depending on
felf-lovc and neceffity, but the other fprings out of fpirimal love and piety, and refpe6ls to divine glory. So is it in the bu^ finefs of confeiTion of fin ; to confefs under the beams of mercy is a better temper then to confels under the firokes of Juftxe ; it argues a more holy Ingenuity to acknowledg and bewail our vilenefs, being difcharged of wrath and punifhment, then only to.exclaim either upon the Rack > or upon hopes to be taken oflF.
3. Hereby
of the Returning Trodtgd. ig^
g. Hereby the frame of the heart is k^ept more tender againfl fi»^ rhcfrimeo^ S&Ez,rA 9.14. Should Tve agalyibreak^thy Commandments ^ Con- '^cbeart is tinuedfenfe of fin produceth four fmgular effeds, and with much ^^"^^^y ^^?^ addition too ; Mo ji cordial rhankft*lncfs^ Mojl tender Fearful- ^'"jl^ft'fl*^ ftefsy M0 ft diligent Frmtfulnefsy Mojf careful Tendemefs, The ^ *^*
daily judgcr ot his former lins by a penitential confeifion , he is the mm who abounds moii with the thankful Lip, the watch- ful Hcc^rt, the fruitful H.md and tender Confcience. Two things make us hard ':ed and carelefs ; Forgetfnlnefs of Mercies from <jody and of Sins again ft God. But no more of this AiTer- -don.
- There is another implicit Obfervation from the carriage of the Father to this penitential Prodigal upon his Confefifion. It is this, As there is nothing in the Sons thoughts and exprelfions but his Sins,fo there is nothing in the Fathers Intentions and expref- lions but Kindnefs. The Son he thinks of his fins , intends to leave his iins, aiui to confefs them, and fo he doth ; The Father he thinks of mercies andcompalflons, intends to accept and par- don him ; and when he comes, he doth not fpeak a word of his iins, but e\^ery exprefifion is mercy, and peace, and kindnefs ; Fetch the be ft Roky put on the Ring^ &c. Whence Iconje6lure this Propofition is obfervable ;
That God tak^es no notice of our ftns uftn our true Repentdncfy j)^ ^- but wholly exprejfeth himfelf in love and kjndnefs. There are God takes no two Branches of this AfTertion ; i. One^ that God takes no no- notice of our tice of forrMr fins upon our true Repentance, There is a threefold ^"^ upon Re- notice of (in in refpe<^ of God ; i. N9titia Intuitiva ; which is P*""""» ^f^ his all obferving eye of Omnifcience, from which nothing can "f" holly la ' be hid ; but every Creature, and operation of the Creature, love and kind- whether open or fecret, isvifibleand manifeft unto God : that ncfs. diftindion of known and unknown , fecret and open, hath no 9°!^ fa'^« no pkce in God, to whofeeye all things arc n.iked. In thisrefped^ mcr fins the former (ins of a penitent fall within Gods notice ; for the jhcre it, goodnefs of Divine Mercy doth not blind- fold the .eye of Di- Hotith intu- vine Omnifcience. 2, Notit^ Charitativa; which is a notice ^^i'^^-^ of (ins, as akind Creditor takes notice of Debts owing unto him, ^^^^f^^O^' andfet down in his book , his eye is on them, and his Pen alfo to crofs and dafh them out. And in this refpcd alfo God takes notice of former (ins, namely, fo as ont of rich love ,
and
200 ^ods gracidus Acceftance
^nd gracious favour to crols and forgive them : unlefs we will fondly imagine that God forgives fms by hap-chance, at an ad- venture, never feeing and conhdering what he doth. ^.Notitia f^QtitUyiJi" Fi»dlBlva; which is a J udiciary notice, as a Judge takes notice MHiva, of the evil fads of a Maiefadtor to Condemn him, or to trouble
and vex him. In this refpedl, upon true Repentance, God takes no notice of former fins, (./.) cither to co/7d€mn the peuitem per-- fon for themy or, to uf braid him and diihearten him by calling them into his difli, or hitting of him in the teeth, as we fpeak Proverbially. Hence hofe phrafes in the Scripture upon fup- pofition of Repentance, Jer. \i. ^4. / will forgive their ini* quity^ and I will remember their ftn no more. Not that Repen- tance makes God forgerful (for he is no: capable of fuch a de- fe6t as Oblivion) but that when men ceafe to fin,God will ceafe ^ to argue and fpeak with them after a Judicial manner for their fins. So Ezek. iS. 21. // the wlckjdwill turn from all hisfms that he hath committed ; ver. 2 . All his tranfgreffions tvhich he hath commute dy they (hall not be mentioned unti him ; he means> in any harfii, judicial, and cutting way. More fuch phrafcs there are, as, that he will cover our fins, caii them into the depths of the fea, and caft them behind his back ; and though they be fought for, yet they iliall not be found. He expreffeth The fecond Branch is^ that he expreffeth himfelf wholly in himfelf wholly love and kjndnefs ; the which is moft evident in J^n^i.19, In love and when Efhratm repented and confefled his fin , all the exprefiions kindn$r$. ^^^^ ^^^^ q^^ ^^^ f^Q ^^ tender Love, Is Fphraim my dear fon ?
is he a f leaf ant child?! do eameftly remember him flilly(Ephmm thinks that I have forgotten him, that I regard him not, but there is no fuch muter ; ) my bowels are troubled for him^l will ft4relj * have mercy on him,Hof. 14. 2, ^ Ifrael is rcpenting,and confeffine, and pray ing,ind how doth God anfwer him ? See v.^J will heal their backrfidings^ I will love them freely^ for mine anger is turned away from him, Ver. 5, / will be as the dew unto If- rael. Dlftin juffii Yet here we muft diftinguifb, i.Tvyixt Gods exfrefpons^which
Twixf Gods are alwaycs very gracious, gentle, clofing up, comforting and re- A^d*? "p* • vivingof the penitent. And the penitents apprehenfons^^ which jcmiApprc'"^" by reafon of feveral principles in him, arefrmetimes mifplaced hcflfions. andmiliaken: Cod is jul^, anjd he is afinncr 5 he is a penitent / ■ £nner.
of the Returning Prodtgd, 201
/inner, andUod is nKrciiul : Now \y)[\i[^s iho. penitent appre^ hends his Sins only, and not his Repentance; or Gods Juihce only, and not his M:rcy, that tender gracioufnefs and lovin.c^ - kindnefs, is not fo acquitted by him in his apprehenfions. Not that God is not really tender to him, but that he, through mifiake and error, apprehe-^.ds it not fo.
2. Again, you mutt dilHnguilli Gods tender tove^vA kindnefs rj.^. as it is coniiderable, m Divine fromlfe^ and in Humane fenfe and God 1^"'^ ^ feeling-: You can no fooner repent,but Cod is wholly in terme,'? of is °confi Jcr'b'e tender love , if you will behold Kishehavlottr towards you In his » ' Divne P. 0- Fromlfes : In them indeed you have the Idea, as it were, of '^'^''^^ *"^ ^i»- his mmdand affedion ; they are the right glalTc to behold the ^^"^ ^^^^' face of his mercifulnefs in ; through which, if you look, you iliall not find any one harfli word, or look, or intention towards a penitent, but all his thoughts in th^m are thoughts of peace , and all his words in them are lips of peace. Though the Sama- maritan poured both Ode and Vinegar into the wound, yet God, through his promifes, pours out only the Oile of gladnefs. But if you" confult with his fenfe and feeling (which is out of the roade of Faith) then indeed this gracious tendernefs is not (0 evident, but we arc apt, through incredulous haihnefs, and unground- ed mif-judgings , to exclaime with Zlon , But my God hath for- gmen me; or with David ^ He hides away his face from me : orvvith J<7^, (it was in the fits of impatience) He writes bitter things again fl- me.
^. T^xTdytToHmuftdlfllngtiljhofthefenitent khavlng him- ^^fltinguiih of fe/fy either, ad modum fenltentls^ as a pCmtQntjad modum peccan- ^^* behaviour, r/V, as a delinquent. Let him repent and keep on in the vvayesof "^5^*^^]^?^' repentance , he fhall meet with nothing from God but [wcQt- qu*n ' ' nefs of love and mercy ; twQvy ftep of rlghteoufnefs is a path of * fea<:eand ]oy ; but if he (kp afide, if he goes to a by-Lane, he may quickly lofe the fight of the City; if the arm or foot fl'p out of joynt, then indeed there is ache and pain , inftead of cafe and quiet ; , fo, if a penitent perfon do what is finful, he muft not think that God will appear in that amiablenefs ; for as t).>i. .^ God will frown on no man which is in a good way,fo will hefmile QQ^^stxortm^ on no man, if found in an evil path. ons of himielf,
4. Laftly, 7o!4, mufl dlftlngmjh of Gods expreffion of hlmfe/fy 3n<J Seirans re-
^^d either Satans or our own unkllevinp hearts reprefematl- P''/^ "^^ ions ^
rv J *^ ^ ^ ot hiai.
\
202 Gods gracious Accepance
ons of God : Before we repent our own hearts and Satan reprc-- fentGod all in mercy to us, and when we do repent, fofar as our hearts are fmful , they are IHll guileful, and conjoyn with Sa- tan to reprefent God unto us all in Juftice and terror. But a natural and proper reprefentation is one thing, and a preternatu- ral and corrupt reprefentation is another thing. How the difpofi- tions and a6l:ions of men may prefent me in their due and real Entity to a man, is one thing; and how the cunning lies, and ar- tificial devices of an envious enemy may report m", this is an- other thing. This th^n is the fenfe of the aflertion, That when anyperfon doth truly repent, God will not only not upbraid, and objedl unto him his fins , but will gracioufly pafs them over ; and for his part, the penitent behaving himfelf like a penitent, and judging of him aright, according to his nature and promifes, ihall find all in love , gracioufnefs, and kindnefs toliim and for him. Reafcnscfir. Reafons whereof are thefe ; i, .Vpo» tme reperita-^ce fn is Upon true Re- pardoned: Repent^ faith S, Peter ^ that your fins may he blotted P*"J'"^*^^^ ** oHt^ A6ls 3. tAnd he that forfakes his Jin fhall find mercj^Vrov. pardoned. ^^^ And Ifa.^<^,j, Let the wicked forfake his way^ andlwi/i fihiindant I y pardon : Whence I infer, If fin be pardoned, then there is no voice from heaven to be heard but that of Love and kindnefs. Indeed while we continue in fin, like Adam^ we hear the voice of God and, are afraid ; for then it is the voice of his wrath and threatnings : but fin being pardoned, wrath is remo- ved, God is reconciled , and his voice now is only the fweet voice of the Gofpel ; not the thunders of "^S/W, but the glad ty- God will not ^ dings of ^Z^';^ .• Therefore, 2. God hath faid^ That he will not ^iT\ ^^* ^'^"^" breahjhe hruifed reed^ and takes it ill from any to add affli6li- ^ ^* ' ons to the affli6^ed. Now there is no expreilion more obferved by a penitent then Gods. Gods exprelTions are bruifing or raifing % all is for comfort or difcomfort, as it comes from God ; the leaft hnnhnefs from him would {^i back the penitent into an overwhel- ming multitude of terrors,fears, and diftradions, and difcourage- ments ; the which the Lord likes not , having made the foul fit for his mercies, n, . Comfort is the proper expreffion for the peni- Comfort !s tic ^^nt : As thrbatnings are the moft proper for an impenitent perfon, fioTfor thfpc^ ^^ comfort for a penitent It were a dangerous miftake to give a nitcnr. * Vomit when a Cordial is or ; binding up is proper for the
broken
of the Returning Prodigal, 203
broken in heart, and comfort for mourners, and reviving 'for the contrite. Gracio.s exprefllons from God, are the very thing which the penitent needs,his fpirit cannot eh e live aixl uphold it felf. There are two things under which the fpirit of man cannot .well bear up and fuihin it felf ; One is,near andftrong afflidions without Divine flrength ; Another is,the quick fenfe of fm with- out the gracious fight of mercies. As they are needful, fo are they fealondble, for as much as i. Satan is mod ready to fall f .ul upon the Soul, upon its Re^^entance, with ftrongeft accufations, ^
falfeft fuggeitions and oppreffions, to overvvhelm it with defpair, as on him in the Corinthians, 2. The Heart at fuch a time i$ molt apt to fear the worft , to fufpe6l its owtj foundnefs and rGods kindnefs. 3. Nothing would fettle and quiet the Spirit of the penitent perfon more then Gods gracious exprclTions : This IS light in darknefs , life in death, the only Reftorative to a fenfible (inner, and a langui fhing foul . Therefore,
The firlt Ufe of this Point , fhall be to imitate God in this yfi kindnefs of ex f re fflon^ and goodnefs of ohlivion : When VVe Imitate God fn iee per fons truly penitential for former (ins, as we mufl: not this kindnefs i:A{Evil,Good^ fo neither muft we call Coed, Evil-, if God will *^^ soodncfi. -not mention former (ins to a penitent , how dare we to do it ? It is an ufu?! way of a fly and malicious perfon in^ his t3etra6^ations ; Yea, he is fo and fo now indeed , but what was he heretofore ? And thus he digs up thofe old rotten corrup- tions with his maiicious tongue, which the penitent hath long buryed with many tears, and God hath covered with much mercy. It k an argument that thou art of a beaftly nature, who art ftill in the wounds and not on the found parts. Speak againfl fin , and condemn it as well in thy felf as in "Others , with all fir zeil , but fparc at le.i(t the converted and penitent (inner : Never open a wound which God hath healed, iior fhamefully blaze the (in which God hath mercifully par- doned. 2. Ton fee the ivay to have your fins covered and \^\xitt the hid : Men upon (inful commilTions devife m^iny fhifts , and ^'V ^^ ^^''^ colours, and arts to keep their (ins clofe and hid, as if the ^j*^^"? k^7"^ Sun could be muffled, or the Fire (Rifled, 'or the Wound not ^ *" * ' * cured, would not break out ; No, truly repent of (ins , and that is the beft way for to get (ins concealed as well as par- doned. Now the Lord will^.-ot mention them; but if we
D d 2 con-
204 Cods gracious Accepancc
continue impenitent y the Lord will fet our fins in order ,. they lliall break out to our fhamc as they have broken OHt to his diilionour.
But the Father [aid to his fervams ^ Br wg forth the kfl Rohy andfut It on him y and -fHt a Ring on his handy and. Shoes on his feet ^
The fpecial fa- jhefe Words are a Lift of the fpecial favours which were con- rcdupon^he" furred upon the penitential Prodigal ; where you have, i. The penitential Nnmher of them-^ i. The Rohe^ z.The Rlngy ^»The Shoes'^ afuit Piod jgal. large enough from top to toe . We need a compleate furniture,and God here beltows it. 2. 7 he Qmlity of them-, i.. The Robe is? the bed; and 2. The Ring is precious; and 3. The Shoes are prop- er,and fitj.and the befi God gives unto his people what is moft excellent, and what is moft ufeful., 3.. The Order of them; firft the Robe,and then the Ring ; becaufc if the Allufion be to a Mar- riage^ the Wedding Garment is ever put on before the Wedding Rnig. Or elfe becaufe the Garment (which is the Robe) is al- wayes more neceffiry then the Ornament (which is the Ring.)Or which is choiceft, becaufe Intereft in Chrift, preeedeth our Bene- fits by Chriii Again, as the Robe before the Ring , fo the Ring before the Shoes -^ not becaufe the Hands are moreeiiimable then the Feet, but becaufe our Feet can never tread well with Shoes of Patience, until! we firft finger the Ring of Faith ; we can never go well, nor bear well, unlefs firft we believe welL The prime fa- j j^g^in with the firft of thefe, the prime Favour beftowed on ii°"n the Pi o -^^^ Prodigal; in which you have obfervable, i . The matter of that dfcal. ' favour^c^kd a Rok^ md the Fefi Robe. What this Robe \s^ and Tbc matter of Why called the Beft, whether for Order,or for D'gnity,or for Ne- it- celfity,or all, we fhall prefendy difcufs. 2. The Author ofthisfa^
The Auvhor ^^^^.r j^^^ j^atherfaid ! Why that phrafe,the Father ? why not,God faidPSurely bccpife our mercies,choicer mercies, come out of the hand of a reconciled God;they come from the Father of mercies, who is al fo the G od of a I ! gr a c t. And why no more then, The Fa-- ther faid ? 5ic. becaufe frying from G od is enough,it is z% good as doing : his Imperative f^y'ng,is a Gaufative faying;if he fpeaks the ofcoitoine "^^^^^ we are made whole ; and we, thaigh n^iked, arecloathed. it, 3 . The manner of (onferring ity \Jlefaid to his fervantSy Bring it
fortb^
0fthe RetHrningFrQdigal. . 205
forth^ and put it on ; ] Some think the fervants here are the An- gels ; Others rather think them to be the Minifters of the Gof[;cI. But why , faith he, to his fervants, bring itforth,and put it on ? IS he not able to do it himfelf ? True, God alone is able ; but he who for power is able alone to coHfer any grace,being Lord of all, in wifdome thinks fit to confer and difpence Grace by the Miniflry of fervants, that fo the ufe of means liquid alvvayes accompany the dependance on his power: But why, faith he not, let the Prodigal put it on himfelf? Iconjedure, becaufe, as God only hath Grace, fo he only can inveft us with it; we can no more drefs our felves with fpiritual abilities , then the child that is newly born: God finds the Garment, and he alfo finds the; hands to put it on ; gives Chrift, and an hand of Faith to put him on ; gives grace, and a will alfo to receive it. If the Prodi- gal had been naturally able , as the Pelagians chmour it, it had been enough that the Garment had been brought forth, and jfhewed unto him as the belt, and then he could have of himfelf put iron, but there is no fuch matter ; the Prodigal wanted not only a Robe to wear, but Itrength alfo to put it on , and therefore the Robe is by his Fathers will , both reprefented to him, and he invelled with it by a Forinfecal Induition. So that you have at this time, r. The gift and the excellency ef it^
2. The Author^ or caufe of it, 3. The means , or man--
ntr of Application of it. Touching the firft, two queftions crave our refolucion:
I. what thit Kohe or Garment is ^ which is here beftovved on What this the returning Prodigal ? Sol. There is,you know,a forcfold Gar- R^^c or Gar* ment. 1. Natural : Our Skin is the Garment that fwathes our "^^^'^^s. fletli and body, fob feemeth to infinu:ite this, to be as a moth- eaten Garment .^ c. 1 3. 2X. and a changeable f nit y c.30. 1 8. The Text fpe%notof it. 2. Civih Such as we, wear for ufe and di- ftinilion ; nor of this doth the Text fpeak. 3. Evilx The Apoftle calls it a Garment f potted with the flcfhyjude v. 2 3 .and thQ Prophet (tiles it a menftrmus f/<7^r^,andS.?^///advifeth us to put it wholly ofiF,iE/?^.4. 4. 5f /nV//^/: Which is ofth.it regardand con- The Spiritual cernment to the Soul, as a civil Garment is to the body; this is iho. ^o^- garment of which theTextdoth fpeak. This agiin is twofold,either I. ImpHtedrighteoMfnefs.2.0' Inherent righteoufnefs^both of thefe
are in Scripture cxprefled as Garments,, and we are often called
■ to
*• 5
2o6 ^^^^ Gracious Acceptance
to put them on, as Rom. 1 3 . Efh,^. and the JVoman in the Reve- lation is faid to be ehaihed with th€ Sim,
The Robe, though as, I conjecture in this place, is^ that of Of imputed imfHted rlghteoHfnefs^ namdy,the active and paiFive obedience of Rifibceoufncfs. Jeius Chrilt,\vhicn we then put on, when by faith we receive je- Puconby fus Chrilt ; and it is well compared to a Robe or Garment, ^lith. j^ For '/lecejfuy ; though all lores of Garments be not necellary,
RoS^*^ ^° * y^^ ^^"^^ ^^^? F^J^fW, to cover ourfhamt a-rd tjakednefs^md defeds, For N^s.flTny. that they appear not : before the fall of aAdam^ nakednefs was a badg of mnocency , but after it, a reproach and (hame ; and therefore God made our firft paren s Garments to cover their fhame : In like manner, if we would have our finful, naked Souls, which .ire Ihameful in the eyes of God and man , covered from the revenging eye of his juttice, that our nakedness appear mt^ Rev,7^^i^, Of neceflfity, wemuft be cloathed vvith th^ Robe of Chrifts righteoufnefs : Partly, 71? prote^ us from Injuries of ex^ treme cold in the wlnte-r^ and violent heat in the Summer^ &c. Of the fame virtue , is the Robe of Chrifts righteoufnefs tofecurc the Soul from the fcorchmg flames of divine wrath , and the pier- cing terrours of a guilty and accuiing confcience ; by the Hiadow of it, we enjoy peace unfpeakable, and moft delightful tranquil- lity : 71? preferve and cherijh natural heat and life ; our Gar- ments are the warm Bed we walk in, and fomewhat anfwerable to food for prefcrvation : uch is Jefus Chrift, in rcfpedl of julH- fying righteoufnefs, a very quickning fpirit, our life, and the ftay thereof, and the fpring of our fweeteft comforts, and refreiliings in coiifcience ; for what is juftification but life from the dead, mercy at the bar, pardon to a condemned perfon , God atone TorOrna- vvith us, and we eftated into his favour and happinefs? ^, For meat. Ornament , Therefo"e you read of coftly Apparel,of Purple ,
and foft Raiment,of Cloathing of wrought Gold,and Raiment of needle work, all vvhich are beautiful adornings, and fetus out in a kind of Majeliy and State. Doth not the righteoufnefs of Chrift do fo ? it is our comely :5nd glorious Ornament, which for the glory of it, is called the cloathing of the San , and heamiful Ornaments ; luch as make us altogether comely, and lovely, vvith- out fpotor wrinkle , and verv pleafant and precious : It is the For Dlftindi- choicelt Jewel which the Chriftian can wear. :?. For diflinBion : Qvu Nations you know , arc diftinguiflicd by their habits ; and fo
amongft
' — — ' - ' '<! -
of the Returning Prodigal. a c 7
amongft us, the orders of Callings are, or iliould be differenced by variety of Garmeats. Thus our profelfion of , and reliance only on the righteoufnefs of ChriR, doth dilHngui/h us from all Infidels, Jews, Papifts, who either deny the thing,or elferely on lomeching elfe.
3. But why is this G/irment called the tefl Rahe ? Some think To the bcft it is called Beft, byreafon of its amqmtjfimi therefore they ex- R-^be. pound r ^ohh T •T^^arnv^Stotam primfimyth^ firlt RobCjas if Jidam had wore this Garment before his Fall ; but how he lliould get Chriiis Garment (who in thateliate neither had, nor did need his perfon ) I cannot ye: conceive : Others interpret the Belt- nefsof this Robe, not fo much by the antiquity , as by the ex- For excellency. cellency ; for it is a garment more excellent then any other in all the world : To lliew its precedency , in refped of our ordinary ^
GarmentSjis a meer idle and vain labour ; for indeed there is no comparifon twixt them, becaufe of different kinds, andof vaft difproportion. But frame the comparifon with Garments,which have fome excellency in them, yet,as Solomon fpake of the daugh- Xtx^ihe furm-mnted^kizm all ; fo here,&c.
Firft, Comport h with that Garms^t which Adnm hadtrtlnno- cency , yet this of Chrifts is better .• Better if you confider the ^{^l^^^^f^ ffdjefis^ChnR and Adam ; or the duratlon^ioi ftability,or vigour, Aim in inno- for our benefit : Thz firfl Adam was a perfe6l man, but the ccnc/. fecond Adam was perfed God as well as man ; the righteoufnefs in the one, though it was perfe6l pr<? ftatu^sti it was both mutable, and incommunicable ; zy^dam might,and did lofe it, nor did he derive it in the virtue and benefit of it to another, or in the mat- ter it felf ; But Chrifts righteoufnefs is immutable,and alfo com- municable ; it is a Garment for the head, and for the members , and not in dur keeping , but in his own ; and therefore not a changeable Suit, but a Garment which fhall never wax old. Secondly, Compare it with the Garments which the high Prie/} ^ .
did wear., it is far more excellent then any of them. The Ef hod', ^{([-^ t|,g q^^^ ■ which the high Prieft was to wear , was made of white Linnen , mcnts of the and it was 1 irge, and ^tt with many precious ftones ; and fo alfo bi^h Piicft. was the Breft-ffate of fudgmentvery precious , and the Rohe of theEphod, which had the Pomgranats , and the Bells of Gr>ld ; as alfo the Embroidered Coat which was curiou fly wrought of moft precious matter, and cunning workmanfliip. But far inferiour
to
2o8 ^^^^ gracious Acceptance
to this Garment of Chrifts righceournefs, of which all thofe Garments were but types and iliadowes, but a Ceremonial adum- bration of his fubftantial perfection, fuggefting that more admi- rable perfedion, and excellency which was to b^ believed, and ^ • h • h ^^^^^^ ^^ Chrirt and his righteoufnefs. Or thirdly , Compare rent holincfs. " ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ holme fs which we call inherent y becaufe exiting in us ; though this be a rare and diftinguiflimg, and excellent Garment , yet it is not comparable to that of Chrijfts righteoufnefs ; Becaufc . ijt wants much of perfe^tomlt is not theSun,but a twinkiingStar ; there be many iioles to be pickt in this Goat, ix. falls, flionfor length and breadth • much corrup ion clings about it 5 Weknovy, and 'believe, and love, and obey, but in part. 2. It wants ex^ ceedlnglj in reffeB of dignity and merit ; VVe cannot get ,the blef- fing for its fake;though it be "via yet it is not canfa. But tht righ- teoufnefs of Chriil, it is a moi\ abfoluce and compleat thing, and alfo eminently meritorious ; it is a full price, and def^^rves Hea- ven it felf for us ; we ftand perfe6t, re^i in curia^ before God in it; it covers all our defe6l:s, and reprefentsus altogether accep- table before the judgment-feat. In a word , to fum up all con- It is beft in re- cerning this Garment r It is the beft in refpeil-, Of Divine De(i^ o^n* • A ^^^^^'^^5 ^^^ wifdome of God appoints it as the choiceftand fitnat/on"^ chiefeft : Of Divifte acceptation ; Heiooks upon ix. with more fa-^ Of Divine ac- vour then any other righteoufnefs: Of Com^arifon^ with all o- ccptation. thers, as I have fhevved .• And of our Condition^ there is not fo Of Compari- proper , andfoufeful, and fo meritorious a Garment for any
Of 0 '* C^"ft^^" ^^ P^^ ^"> ^^ ^^^^•
don. °"^'" - Thus briefly of the excellency of the Gift. Now I proceed to thefecond Branch,which contains the Author 01 Giver thereof,
ihis^C^ft ' [The Father f aid. Bring forth] as alfo the manner of Application of it, \_ He faid to his fervants, Pfiton, ]
God is the Au- ^ • ^^^ lAmhor of this RighteoHfnefs(\yhkh is the beil Robe)
iborof it. is God^y and therefore it is frequently called the Gift of righteouf- nefsj Rom, 5. ly.and the righteoufnefs of God^Phil, ^.p.Becaufe it isf a righteoufnefs of his giving. God is th^ caufe of it, By giving of Chriiltobeour righteoufnefs, who is expreflyfaid, of God to be made unto m wife dome and righteoufnefs , i Cor. i. 30. By giving unto us the means by which that righteoufnefs is commu- nicated, i'/^. Word and Sacraments : By blefflng thefe means to work in us Faith to receive Jefus Chrirt, and fo become par- takers '
^ .
of the Returning ?rodtgd. 209
takers of his rightcoufnefsjby imputing that righteoufncfs ©fChrift unto us, upon our believing, and lb accepting of us to eternal life.
2. The manner of Af plication : Put it onhimyhith i\\z Tt\t, -r^ ^
There is a threefold Application of this Robe of righteoufnefs un- Application.^" to finncrs : One,^A' fane donanth^which is God,tlie prime caufe, who applies it to ush Impntationy as you may evidently fee m Bj,^. i? ?, 5 . A fecond,^ AT fane mimjhaj^tisyVfhxch are the means , through which the righteoufnefs of God is revealed, and likewifc (^7 the effe^nal csKcomitancy of the ^/>/V/V)applied unto us : The Ordinances §f God are the Orb which carry the Sun of righte- oufnefs. A third is , ex parte recifiems : and the Application, or putting on of this robe of righteouincfs on our part, is partly Sacramental y\y\\^x\ we are baptized into Chrift , aftd pr of efs pub- iickly to receive him : partly Spiritua/y which belongs to that faith(which Gcd alone implants) inabling us to put on Chrijft, as the Scripture often exprefl'eth it.
I will now bring down all this to our felves,in fome ufeful Ap- Vfe, plications: All that I will infijft on at this time,{liall be reduced un- to two heads, i. For Examination; whether this beft Robe be put p upon us,yea or no. 2. For AVf(^/^;;. i.How to get it, i.Howtoufe ^5°^ Exammi- and wear it. Examine your fclves what Wardrobe you have ? You have, I perceive, many fafrions,many kabits;we know not hovy to ^*''* y°" P*« call them,whether civil,or uncivil, you fhift fo often: there is fuch ^"nV?^^ a vanity in man, that difpofeth his fancy to alterations; and befides that,there is an extream pride in perfons , they muft be in brave cloathing, and mithke their conditions, and abilities : though they lofe theirRcputation and their Elhte for it, They will wear after the *
beft.Wel,if you have fuch a mind to richGarments,what fay you to the bcft Robe that ever any finful perfon did wcar?what fay you to the righteo'-ifnefs ofChriftPhave you put it on,yea or no? Confidcr
I . It is fuch a Garment ythat of all other thou needejl moft : Our j^ f j iGirmeA beft Garments are many times fupcrfluous, we need them not, that of alio- we can attire our felves, well enough without them ; but this beft tb«r$ we ncc4 Robe is the moli needful ; thou canft not live without it, nor °*^** ,
mayft thou dye without it : How naked art thou with thy ' ll
fiithinefs , before the eyes of a pure God ? And how at once P
may his wrath pour out it felf like fire, and confume thee, having no covering at all to fhelter thee? Friend (faid he) to that btruder in the Gofpel , JfJoav camefi thon in hnc without
E e thy
210 Gods grmous Acc^pamc
thy mdd'mg Gdrment ? When thou goeit to Prayer, or fteps ta the Sacrament, or art giving up thy Soul into the hands of God ^ and haft no covering for any of thy fins ; miy not God in the fame way of judgment fay unto thee, and befpeak thes .- How doft thou prefent thyfelf before me with all this finfulnefs ? thou knoweft that I am a God of purer eyes then to behold fin, and there is no communion tvvixt light and darknefs : I tell thee,thac there is, No acceptance of thy perfon without this Robe; the Lord cannot abide the fight of thee without it, for tkou canft not but provoke him, as oft as thou appears before him in thy nakednefs ^Tvi. vilenefs : No refped unto thy fervices; not that the Lord do h diflike any duty, but that the perfon muft be rtrft covered with the righteoufnefs df Chrift, if he would have his offering tobeac- By njturc wc cepted. 2. By namn we are horn nakjd^ utterly deftitute of this are born niked. pj:ecious Robe.^//or the nativity [[zidGod tojerufalem)/;? the day that thofi waft hornet hy Travel was not cut ^neither waft thou wafljed in Witter to [piffle theej^elther waft thou fa/ted at alienor fwadled at all. Ezek.id.4.0f as Chrifi to the Church of LaadtcAyThoH art wretched^and mlferahle^and foor^and bllnd^and naked : So we by nature,cloathed only with raggs of corruption {w'wh filthy raggs^ Ji^^.6^.6.) mdy^s Jojhua in Zach,^, :^^ C/oathed with filthy Gar- f«^??rj,deftitute of God, of Chrift, of all righteoufnefs : as if you fhould fee a naked child, born with Sores,aHd Boils, and Plagues , Wc are of no and Leprofies, running and fpreading from top to toe. ^,Toh are of excellency n9 excellency without this Robe : Then only we come to excellent witbout thh Ornaments when this is put on. All the Robes you get on you, • . are but the llirouds of dead men,or like Velvet caft over an Herfe.. KiSolomon faid oi beauty in a fooliili womanjit is but as a ^ewel\in a fwines fnout : So we fay of all other Garments , they are Or- There is none naments put on a bafe dead and loathfomefoul. 4. The Robe of like it. Chrifts righteoufnefs^ there is none like it^ for thy good And benefit :
It is an Otna- Foi* I .^^ i^ ^» Ornament as well as a Garment: All our acceptance ment as well as before God is as we are cloathed with it,then are we cloathed with a Garmcnr. the Sun,noVY are we precious in his eye^; it makes us beautiful and An Armor as Jovely,- and accepted in the eyes of God. 2. It is armour as well as an Or- weU as Ornament : For the precioufnefs of it, it is a vefiure of namcnt. puj-e Gold; and for the ftrength of it,it is, as a Coat of }AiA\Let #«
fut on the Armor ofLght-fRom,! ;?. 1 1. We may by it5keep off the ftrongeft accufaticms of Satan,and ftand even before the judgment- feat.
of the Returning Prodigal, - 2li
feat/ / ^m yiAck^hnt comely ^ faith the Church, Cant, 1.5. though
in her felf black, yet in this rightcoufnefs comely.It can anfvver all
our own imperfedtions, and all that Satan can objedi againli us, or
the Lavv,or our own fearful hearts ; Sins and imperfections, and
defers, cannot anfwer Go^ ; but a perfe6l righteoufnefs can.
:^, his a Garment for warmth as wtU as for fight : When we look j^ jj jGarmcnc
on our felves and our own righteoufnefs,our fpirits may dye within for watmch as
us ; but peace and comfort flow from the righteoufnefs of Chrilf, ^tl! is iot
it was ]:erfe(l;l,and meritorious,and accepted;and this will chear the ^i*^^* l
heart above all , if we be fomd In Chrijf having his righteoufnefs.
There goes wonderful virtue from the hem of this Garment, both
to fatisrie God , and to pacifie the confcience ; as Jacob got the
bleffmg with the elder Sens Garment-^ fo do we ^ti all our mercies,
and comforts, and bklTings , by being cloathed with the Robe of
Chriifs righteoufnefs.
But hvvfi may rvekjtow that we have jm on this hefi Robe ? How may we SoL I will inrtance but in three particulars to difcover this. i. If know that we jwe havep,'.ton Chrtfis Robe^ we havefm ef our own Rags ; ( vve *^*^^ P"^ ^^ °*** have put them off, i. AfeUu, 2. CemuA As it was with ^^^''^^P"^
rr n rj \ rr- ri I -n J / / 0" OUrOWa
jojhua^ Zacn.^.4. His filthy Rags were takjnaway^ and then g^g^,^ he wa4 ihathed with change of Raiment : So here , no man can aflure himfelf that he is cloathed with Chrifts righteoufnefs, unlefs he doth difmantle himfelf of his own unrightcoufnefs. Eph. 4. 21. If y^ have been taught as the truth u in Jefus ; V. 22.Put ofroncerning the former converfation^the old man which it €orYHp according to the deceitful lufls. v. 2:?. And fut on that new man^Uc, Rom. 1 :? . 1 2 ,Caft ojf the }yorkj of Darknefs , and fut on the Armour of light: For a man to imagine that he hath the Robe of Chrifts righteoufnefs,and yet to walk in the paths of un- righteoufnefs, in chambering and wantonnefs^in f^rife and envying^ ' in all volupt\ioufnefs, and beaftlinefs , &c. No w^;;,faith Chrifl-^ foweth a piece of new C loath to an old Garment ^ Mark 2. 7. i . 'Tis truc,that none but finners are cloathed with this Robe ; but then it is as true, that no iinners are cloathed with it, but drive widi all their might,' to put off their finful rags by hearty contrition, and confeifion , and <:onverfion. 2. Only faith puts on this Robe ; Only faith ,' And therefore , as this Robe is called the righteoufnefs of God , P"» 0" thh bothfo: derignation,imputation, and acceptation ; Soitis alfo ^'^^** called the righteoufnefs of Faith : Not that Faith in a formal
E e 2 fenfe
212 Cods gracious Ace ep ami
fenfe is our righteoufnels : For Faith did not dye for us ,. nor can Faith of itfelf merit for us ; nor is Faith of itfelf com- plear>but imperfeft : bm becaufc it is the InftrHrwKt which appre- hends Chnft and his righteoufnels , and by which we put on Chrill with his righteoumefs. Have you Faith, or have you not ? Nay, but deceive not your felves, The Faith which puts on this righteoufnefs, muft be able, i, Tq det^ji our own rlghte-^ enf-nefsy to take of ail confidence in the fleili ; Faith cannot put on Chrilis righteoufnefs , until it hath put off your own. 2. 7» fee a need of this rlghtetufnefs ^ and to prize and defire to be found in it, above and before all other ; the Laodiceans muilfee that they /ire naked^and then hny Rmment^zs, 3. 5, Tonmte
tii to Jefus Chriflilt mufi work in us,both eifimation(for our judg- mentsj and acceptation (for our vrills; )io that it muff make us one with Chrif^, and fo we come to be cloathed vvi:h the Garment of Chrili : But perhaps you can reft upon your own good meanings, works , innocency. You are r/V/?, and need not to borrow any Garment ; you are united to yoi;r luih , and will not part This Robci vvith them for Chrif^, nor for all his Ornament.. :;, This Rok and chat ot ho- */ righteoufnefs^ and that other of hollnefs are Infef arable ,'■ It lineistrc infc- is granted,that inherent holinefs is not formally the fame with im- parabif. puted righteoufnefs ; it is granted, that the one is in Chrift , the
other is in us ; that the one is perfe6l , the other is imperfed ; that the one is meritorious,the other though '\x be precious,yet it 15 not meritorious : Yet as the light,and heat of the Sun,though the one be not the other, yer they go together; fo the Robe of righte- oufnefs, and the Robe of holinefs go together ; the new Garment is only to befeenupon thenewm^.n. Therefore you read, that Chrif}: is made not on\y Righteoufnefs ^hwt alfo5^;7^/^r/?r/W:Righte- €)ufnefs,this is a grace without us,vvhereby we are advanced ; San- ^ification,this is a grace wrought within us,by which we advance and glorifie God; that refr>ecl.s the State, this the nature of the per» fon:^J Grace muft reign through righteoufnefs to eternal life ^"Ko. 5, 21. Soalfo holinefs mufl reign to ezerlaftlng life yRo. 5.22. The one as a cauTcjthe other as a mcans.Now then,as If thou canft dif- cern any light in the morning, thou concludeft that the Sun is ri- fen,fo if thou canft difcover any true holinefs in thy heart, thou maift conclude that the Sun of righteoufnefs is rifcn : the ap- pearing of holinefs is a fign of the rifmg of righteoufnefs*
Yea J
efthe Returning Frodtg^l. 213
Yea, the Prophet fpeaking of the Sun of Righteoufnefs,faith,//l? Jhallarifc with healmg in his wings ^ Ma/,^, 2. to intimate, That where righteoufnefs comics, there holineis comes. Ah 1 doft thou find no change in thy Nature, in thy judgment, in thy Mind, in thy Will, in thy Arfedtions ? why (as fure as the Lord lives) thou haft not yet put on this Robe of righteoufnefs. Doth Chrili prefent thy pcrfon unfpotted before God ? and doth he (thinkfl: thou)leave thy heart with all its fpots and filthinefs ? [^And fat a Jiing on his Hand, j This is the fecond favour conferred on the penitent Prodigal by his Father. A Ring is fuch a piece of fubftance which is put on the finger,partly for Ornamenc,and partly to telHfie Nup-^ tial union and conjunftion. S. Chryfofiom doth conjedure, that the Ring in this place is, Nuftiarum infigne qui has Chriflns Eeclcfiam Sponfat^ an embleme of the Efpoufals mixt Chrift: and his Church. So that then we have this Proportion to . infift on:
That God gives unto the penitent perfon a precious Faith^ By Docl, 2 yvhich he is Efpoufed or Married unto Chrift, There are three G^d ^i^^s [be things, which being explained, will give up unto us the full fenfe P«ni:cnc pcrfon of this Affertioa: i. What it is to be married unto Chrift. P«itiJ ^y wbicti 2. That Faith doth Efpoufe and Marry a perfon unto Chrift ; JcS and what faith that is, and in what refped"^. 3 , That the penitent perfon hath this faith.
Quefi.i, For the firft of thefc ; H^hat it is to ^ Efpoufed or Whit it is to Married unto Chrift^ (which is here fignified by putting on the ^* matred un- Ring.) Sol, They who write of Marriage do conjed^ure that thefc ^° ^^^*^- fix things concur unto it, i . Mutum Confenfwyi mutual Confent- ing. 2.Mutuus Contrafius^^ mutu.^1 Cbntrading; ^,Mutua Obli- gation a mutual Obliging ; 4. Mmua Conjun^lloy a mutual Union and Conjun6lion ; ^. MutuA Poteflas^gt mutual faculty or Right; 6, Mutua SocietaSy^ mutual ,ufe or Society, Tranfl.ite this from a Civil to a Spiritual confideration,and then to be married to Chrift impl yes, 1 ,A Confent to take or accept of Chrift: Though knowledg of perfons be neceffary and ^t^ yet it is not fuflFicient to marriage ^^ '[J'pVw^ ^ without confent ; for marriage ought t^be a voluntary tranfaition ^°"^^"^ of perfons,and in it we do,in afort,give away our felves ; but then this is not without our felve?; yea,and therein we doele(^ & make choice for our felves, and therefore confent is a neceffary concur- rence
2 1 A Gods Gracious Acceptance
rence to marriage. Novv this confent is nothing elfe but a free gnd plain a6t of the will, accepting of Jefus Chriit, before all othd:,to be its Head and Lord. Chrift offers hinafdf in theGofpel un.o aperfon, I am the only Saviour of finners, and Lord of ail, dc- figned to be Prieii, Prophet and King ; art thou willing to ac* cept of me ? canft thou like of me before ail others ? doft thou f 0 ? doii thou m.^ke choice of me for thy Saviour and Lord? A mutual 2. A Contra^wgof the SfHlwhh Chrlfl : Cont ravins \iw^i\\m^ Contraft. elfe but cQnfenfns exflicatHs^ a con trad is a confent expreffed in words; but then they muft be words pro^r to make Marriage, Theymuftnotbe v€ri^a dnhU^ dubious words ; as, I will marry Hone but you ; but verba cUra & afjirmativay affirmative, I * will marry you : for the Rule of the Cafuitts is good, Cotifenftii mn datur fer ?neram Ktgmonem, And as they muli not be verba dtihla^ hut affirmativa^ fo they muii not be verba futura (^r con-- dltionatay hereafter, or upon fuch a condition, but v^rba de j)re-^ ferny I now accept or take, &c. Then a man is Married unto Chrif^, when he doth freely, and abfolutely, and prefently re- V ceive the Lord Jefus. Not, I would have Cbrift if it did not prejudice my worldly eftate, eafe, friends, dec. Or, hereafter I will accept of him, when I come to dye, and be in diftrefs j but now when Salvation is offered, now while Chrifl tenders himfelf, I now yield up mv heart and life unto him. 5. A;t ob- A mutual Ob- ligmg of the Soul to Chrlfl ; for, ex coniraEiti oritHrvinmlam ; ligation. iox^z call this tradition or, refignatio : and therefore Marriage is
/ a Knot or Tye, wherein perfons are mutually limitted and bound
each to other in a way of Conjugal feparation from all others ; and this in Scripture is called a Covenant. So when any one Marries Chrifl , he doth therein difcharge himfelf in affedion and fubjedion from all that is contrary to Chrift ; and folemn- ly Covenants and binds himfelf to Chrift alone : He will have no Saviour and no Lord but Chrifl, and to him will he cleave for ever; Slrfffliclter & Indijfolubl liter ^c^ fer fona^C^ flatt^^ & tem^ fore : It is not every apprehenfion, nor every tranfcient appro- bation, but the Will muft come to an obligation, bindinj^ it felf A Mutual ^"^ 3 perpetual Covenant to Chrift alone. 4. An Union or Con-- Conjundion juntlion with Chrlfl : Before Marriage the perfons were diftin6V, and had no other relation but what was common to Nature ; but upon Marriage two ^rem fide &nf fejhy iCor,6,i6. This
is
- — -- . ■ ^
of the Returning Prodigal. 215
is bone of my hone^ and flejh ef my flejh-i faid Adam of his Wife, Gen, 2. So when the foul is married unto Chrift, not only in refpe6i of affe5^ion (for love unites) but likevvife in refpedl of nature ; he that // jojned to the Lord is one Sprite faith the Apoftie, lCor,6,ij, That Nature which is in Chrift, it is participated
, of by him that is married unto Chrift ; fo that there doth arife, upon this marriage, the neareft and deareft relation of union that is ill all the world. 5. A f amity of right or merefii Indeed ;^ Q,ufu i Chrifts faculty over us is, facuitas Domimly & facnltas Infiu- Riohc. entidL ; a faculty of Domlmo^ (he hath a right to rule and guide us) and a faculty of InflHerxe , he hath a right to teach and heal us : Such a faculty of Soveraignty we have not over Chrift • yet we h^vizfactiltatem Jurls^ a faculty of Right or Intereft, which they call Jus Ifjre, or as others,a faculty of propriety. Though the Wife hath not a power of authority over her Husband, yet ilie hath a power of propriety in her Husband ; that as he can fay. This IS my Wife, fo fhe can fay. This is my Husband. In like manner, whofoever is marryed unto Chrift, he hath an intereft in the perfon, in the condition of Chrift ; there" hath pafled fuch an intire, and proper, and peculiar, and mutual refignation, that he may fay as the Church in the Canticles, My Beloved is mlne,^ y
And I am his : The married unto Chrift gives up the right . of his foul and body unto Chrift ; O Lord Jefus, all that I am, all that I have, all that I can do, is thine and for thee. 6, Laftly, A mucual So- There is Society and Ufe : As marriage infers with it Co-habita- cicty. tion and Co-intereft, they dwell together, and make ufe of either, both perfons and eftates. Thus is it when any perfon is married unto Chrift, there is a holy fociety and fellowftjip of him with Chrift ; Chrift dwels in him, and he dwels in Chrift ; Chrift de- lights in him, and he delights in Chrift; Chrift makes ufe of him, and he makes ufe of Chrift: If he wants grace, or mer- cy, or ftrergth, or peace, or comfort , why, faith Chrift, I am thine, I have them for thee, make ufe of me : And if Chrift would ufe him in any ferrice , Lord, faith the foul that is mar- ried to Chrift, If thou wilt have me to fpeak for thee, I will fpeakfor thee; If thou wilt have me to do for thee, I will do . . - •
Tor thee ; if thou wilt have me to fuffer for thee, Iwillfufe
- for thee ; if thou wilt have me to dye for thee ; I wili dye for the Name of Chrift , faid TohI. So that you fee
what
21 S €ods gracms Jeceftanee
what the Ring in the Text may import, namely, the marriage of the foul unto Chritt, and what that is. What it i» Qf^efi. 3. The next thing to be difcufled is, Hijatthat Is
which mirri- which marrjeth us unto Chriji- ? and that I told you was Faith : «h us unto jf^e principal caufe of this match is the Spirit of jefus Chrift, Faitb'^^^ but the internally inftrumental caufe is Faith. I know you know the feveral acceptations of the word Faith; I take it in the Habitual fenfe, not in the Dodrinal, and there too ia „ the choice and eminent part; I meanjas retrained to J uftifyiog
do^h'u. ^"*^ Saving : of ail other Graces in man, this is it which makes
the match and draws up the marriage twixt the Soul and Chrift. And the manner how it doth efte6t itj I conceive may be thus : By Difcovcr- ^* ^/ ^'7^''^^^% ^^^ frehemincnt excellencies of Chrifl : For inj the excel- till the foul can difcern a better excellency in Chrili then in any lencict of other thing, it will never yield to match it fclf unto him. Ch ift. jvJq^y Faith hath two Virtues ; One is, to nuike the mind rightly
to judge all finful and worldly things as hafe and vile^ drofs and dung f Phil. ^.) i'n com far if on of Chrift, Another is, to refrefent unto the foul the real and f^rpajjing excellencies of Chrift. It is the Jacois StafFwhich makes us to take the heigth, and depth, and breadth of the excellency of Chrift ; that there is no Belo- ved like Chriit ; he is the Choiceft of ten thoufand ; fuch a one • in whom the God-Head dwels bodily; full of Grace; the holy One of God ; the brightnefs of the Fathers Image ; the Lord of Life ; tfee Prince of Glory ; the moft excellent in himfelf,and moft ccxnplete and abfolute for the Redemption and Salvation of a fitiner. Byfubjf^ing 2. 3y fuijeBing the Judgment to the ajfent and af probation of thf J udgmcnt j^;^ excellent trmhy That none is like Chrift for afmner ; That he batioV^/his ^^ ^^^ ^"^7 ^^viour and Redeemer ; and that fuch an offer of Je- cxedlcncy. fus Chrift unto a (inner, is worthy of all acceptation; the fmner is made for ever if he can get Chrift, and he peri/lies for ever if he enjoyes him not. As a woman in a difpofition to Mar- riage , ilie confidcrs of the perfon , and his qualities , and . condition, and thinks often , This man hath choice parts in him, a good eftate , I cannot better mv felf if I rcfufe him, I fee I may do very well if I match unt© nim. Anfwerable effedls doth Faith work in the foul , it doth make the mmde of a man
to
of the Returning Prodigal. 217
'to fee the fuperlative excellency of Jefu's Chriff , and to fall in li-^ king of him and them. Come, I need a Saviour ; Chriit is he, and none eJfe ; he is the Prince of my peace, the Lord of my life ; his Nature is excellent, Redemption fuflicient and proper. Laws righteous and good ; it is my vvidcme, it is my Tafety, it is my falvation to accept of him, and to bcltow my foul on him.
^. Bylnclimng the mil to confent and emhracc the Lord jefns : ^ ' V \ For true Faith is not a meer notion, buc an operating grace ; it ^be will r.o fm- is as light in the mind, and as heat in the will ; there it is a fmgu- brace him, lar reprefentation, and here it is an eflfedual inclination. It \s •granted, that to embrace, or 10 be willing, or to confent, are the ndls of the will ; but to. embrace Ghrift with a conjugal confent, to be willing to belbw our felves on him, this comes from faith enabling the Will fo to will. Not by way of coad^ion, for the Will cannot be compelled ; nor doth Faith work in a violent way, though it works in an effectual way, enabling the Will to a free eledion of Chrift before all others, ( /.) predominant caufes in Chrill, to accept of him, and to refign up to him, rather than to fin, or world, or any thing elfe ; and when the Wil is wrought upon, fo as to accept of Chrift in his Perfon, and Offices, and Eftates, the foul is now matched or married to Chrift by Faith. It beftows it fclf, and gives Chrift all the right, and cleaves.un- "to him in an indiifoluble bond of affection and fervice.
Quefi, :^ . The third refolveable, is,concerning the SubjeB of this The fubic a of falth^ who hath it ? The Text refolves that, by telling us, that chi$ fiicb. the Ring was put on the returning Prodigals finger, fo that the femtCfft ferfoH is he who wears the Riffg^ ( /.) who is anefpoufed fbe pcnhert or married perfon by Faith unto Chrift : You miy be married P^"^^®" «sonely ^ toyourLulfe, and to the World, though you be impenitent ; yet^?"^^""^* none but Penitents are married unto Chrift by Faith. Not that Repentance goes before Faith in Chrift, ( for no Grace habitually confidered, is in time before another, though in operation it be:) 'Nor that Repentance is thecaufe of Faith ; for it is a moft im- proper Affertion, to make one Grace to be the caufe of another Grace, when as every Grace doth come onely from the Spirkof ^**^°''**' Chrift as the caufe. But becaufe, i . The penitent perfon is only the pj,. pcnrm- ftih^ecb of Faith which doth marry us to Chrift ; no perfon 15 a be- perfon onely liever,who \^ not a penitent perfon : The Prodigal, while onely a hitfe faiih. Prodigal, he hath neitherGarment nor Ring; but when he is a retur-
Ff . ning
2 1 8 Cods Gracious Acceftance
, ning Prodigal, then he hath both, and not till then. 2. One-^ Onely pcni- y^ -pemtent ferfons can evidence their faith and efpoufal luita caa^^Wence ^^^^^ • Another, who is impenitent^ can no more evidence their faith. his intereft or title to Chrift, then an Alien that never heard of this Land, can e\adence or conclude his title and right to any Goods or Chattels of yours. The title to Chrift is proper onely to the Penitent ; for them he lived, and for them onely he died. ~ .
Why will tilt Novvifanyfhould yet further demand, why the Lordjhau/d Lord give this £ive unto penitent perfons a free tons faith to effonfe them to Chrifi ? to penitent j conje6lure, briefly, thatthefe may be the Grounds or Reafons* ^r ons. ^ ^ To convince all the worlds that there is no lofiin leaving of Jin,
theworlT" -Ai^jice te5ifim & tolie coslfm, faid one. The repentant perfon is no lois^n forfakes his fins, but prefently finds a Saviour ; he is divorced leaving iifl. from that which would damn him, and by faith is efpoufed unto To fupport the one that will fave him. 2. To fafport the foul of the penitenty foul of the he a- which of all other is mofi Pck^aftd heavy laden : It is molt fenfible vy laden. .q£ f^^^^ ^^^ gyii^.^ ^^^^ Qq^js difpleafure, on all which it cannot long look alone. If the penitent perfon had not faith to fee a Media- tour, he Would not long have an eye to look upon his tranfgreffi- ons. It is a truth, that Repentance could never ac^ it felf, un- lefs the penitent perfon had faith to a6l it felf too. The forrow in Repentance would infinitely fink into defpair, and the forfa- king of fin would turn into a forfaking of God, if Faith favv not a Mediatour for Tranfgreifions, and a mercifull God through Gd intends him. 5. Laftly ; The Lord intends jingtdar mercy to the pe-
finjulsr Hicr- nitent perfons ; to perform many precious promifes of pardon and ne$ to the Pe- o^qq ^^^ comfort unto them, and therefore gives them Faith, unto which all the Promifes are made. The promifes may be confidered two ways ; either in refpe6l, i. oi Intention^ fo they look unto the Penitent ; of Application^ fo onely Faith- 1^ the Hand in the Penitent which actively applies the Promifes. A- galn, you know that the Promifes of God are Tea^ and Amen In Chrifi:^ (/.) they are all fealed by him, and made good unto us by him ; fo that firfi: we muft have Chrifi, before the Promifes m:ide good unto us by Chrift : And therefore God gives unto the pemtent perfon the Grace of Faith to efpoufe him untoChril^, that fo be may fettle upon him all the Dowry ( upon the Marri- ;ige ) of the rich mercy and good in his precious Promifes,
The
■I II I I t tiitmtmbmmm
of the Returning Prodigal. 219
The main life which I will make of this aiTertion, is, 71? rr; surfe/veSy whether we have this freclom Ri'/ig of Faithy (aRin*^ ^ c\
more precious than that of Gold,) put on our fingers, yea, or ^hcthcr^ wV" no. ' It is as neceilary a demur as ever you were put unto all your wist this pre- dayes, whether you confider, i. The paftcitjr of true k/ievers, (^'^oatUlib, All men have mtfalth^ faith the ApoHle : Ail men ? nay, very A n,cc{Iiry few ; fvho hath believed our re fort ? faid the Prophet : We ""'' *^ '^^
preach, we offer Chrirt unto you, we befeech you to accept of f?"^^^"» . ^iTi/^T--/. • L. ^ ji- I- ^1 Ttie paucity of
the Lord of Life, to give up your hearts and lives unto him ; but tr^ bciicycrs. who believes our report? We tell you that Chrirt is better than all the world, his bloud is better than rin,it's better to love and ferve him than world or fm;but who believes our report ? Men care not to know the excellencies of Chrift, they prize him not, they care not to hear him fpeak in his Ordinances, they will in no wife confentand yield to his terms and conditions. 2. The Vti- The utility of Tttyofit. To the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, if we come ic« without our Wedding- Ring, it will be as fad a day to us, as to him roho came without his fVedding Garment, We do not onely receive no good at the Sacrament ; for we have neither hand nor inouth to take and eat, if we have not Faith ; not title at all to the intrinfecal benefits by Chrift, if we have not faith in him. Nay, we occafion much evil and Judgment upon our felves,^ we adventure to e^tanddrir^ onr owk damnation^ notdifcemingthe iCot.iil Lords body i And righteoufly may the Lord judge us for coming to his Sacrament without Faith, forasmuch as info doing, we do not onely prefume againft an exprefs prohibition that wc fliould hold off, but alfo we do ( at the leal^ interpretative! y ) affay to make God a Liar, and a favourer of all villany, as if he would put his Seal of Pardon and mercy, and for all the good .of his Covenant in Chrift, to a wicked, impenitent, and un- believing finner. ^. The Hypocrijiepf our hearts ^ fo apt to ^. deceive themfelves with fhadows in ftead of fubftances, not^fp^JJ®" • confidering, that Satan can delude a man with the fhew of any grace. Every .Ring is nota Ring of Gold ; nor is every Faith A precious aod unfeigned Faith: There is a thing called Pre- fumption,. which is bold enough, but it is not Faith ; and there . is Knowledge of Chrift, as revealed in the Word, which a maa may have, and utter too, and yet not have Faith ; there is Pro- i^ffion of Faith, for the truth againft ercours, and yet the Grace
Ff 2 of
220
Cods Gracious Accepmce
The miftry and danger.
Qualities pro- duced by an cfpoufini faith.
iftfmation.
£lc^loB.
A^^^ion.
of Faith is another thing. A man may have fo much faith as to be-- lieve that there is a Chrift, and to confefs his excelL^ncies,anci in feme fort to fee his own neceflities of Chrift, yea,he may begin to article and capitulate as the ToHng-man^ and yet break otf^and be far enough from a Faith which doth indeed efpoufe andm^rry his-. foul unto Chrilh 4. LalHy, The mlfery and danger : Suppofe you do deceive your feives, and in the event it appears that you are not efpoufed to jefusChrift by Faith,, th^t you never gave your hearts unto him, that there never was any conjugal Union and Bond twixt you ; if thou indeed fhouldft live Chrililefs, and die Chri(ilefs,what helplefs, hopelefs, happylefs perfon art thou f But you will reply. We truft that we are truly penitent per- fons,and that God hath given unto us fuch a Faith,whereby we are really married unto ChrilL So/, Well ; if. that be fo, you have great caufe to bl efs the Lord :. And that you may not be de- ceived therein, I will deliver unto you, fime proper ejfe^s rvhlch that Faith produceth in every foul that is indeed married unto. Chrifi, There are four Q^ialities produced by anefpoufmg. Faith. I. Eftimation: Let the wife fee that fhe reverence her Hfishndy faith the. Apoftle, Ephef ^. She muft both ackriowledg. him as a Head, and honour him as a Lord, judge and efteem of him ( in a relative consideration ) above all other. The likeef- fed doth Faith produce, if it efpoufcth us to Chrifi, it fets up Chrift above all, accounts of him as moft excellent, judgeth of all other things but as drofs and dung in comparifon of him, will part with all for to get Chrift : The beauties of Chrift are glo- rious in the eyes of every believer ; Chrift doth not feem a mean thing, an ordinary or common thing ; but he is the Pearl, the Sun of Righteoufnefs .• My Lordy and my God^ faith Tho^ miu. In a word, Faith (if right) exalts the Excellency of Chrift, and the Authority of Chrift ; the Excellencies of his Perfon, and the Authority of his Will and Laws. 2, E'efiion : • We make choice of Chrift before all other.. Though fins, though the pleafures and profits of the world, proffer themfelves, yet, as the Martyr at the ftake. None ^at Chrifi : Or as Paul, Idejire t^ kn0w nothing hm Chrifi crucified : So the true believer ,Give me Chrift, I have enough, I have that which is beft of all; he is the the Optimum and the Vmcnm to Faith. 3. Affeciion : Conju- gal Faith ever produceth conjugal Love. It were a monftrous evil,
for
of the Returning Vrodi^d,
221
for a womm to marry a man, and no- love him ; and it were an adulterous thing,for her to love any more then her own Husband. Marriage doth,by way of Djty,infer and draw with it two qualities of Love; one is excluiive,and it is an unity ofLove-^iht other is in- tenlive,and it is a rednndaKcy of Love : Thus is it with us;it Faith hath efpoufed us unto Chriiijit do.h kindle in us a love untoChrili; not a divided love, a love to Chril^, and a love to (in ; a love to. Chrifijand a- love to the world -, but an tmted hve ; none is by us elieems^d and loved as our Lord,but Chrift.-Nor doth it fadshe it felf with a remifs and diminutive love,which may ferve any inferi- our objecljbut dLS Chrilt is in himfelf the molt excellent objedi/o Faith produceth fuch a degree of love which bears fome proporci- on with that objedi:, viz., ^ f/iperlatlve love^^ love of Chrili above all, and more then all; more fet on Chriit than on any other objeil, which yet may lawfully beloved more than our fat her, or mother, or wife,or children. Do we find this love in our hearts to Chrili, againlt all,and above allfNay again,True conjugal love infers with it a Love,i .0/ Comflacency^to delight in the thmg loved; 2 .*/ So- ciety ^io be with the perfon loved-.Is itfo with usPwhat delght have we in Chrift? in his perfon,in his cxcellencies,in his vvorks,in his ordmancesfls it our beft joy to hear him,to fee him,to fpeak with him. 4. Suyje^lon : I confefs that marriage doth not make the ^"^i^^i^n- woman a {lave,yet by vcrtue thereof fhe is bound to fubmiiliori 01; fubje6lion; flie, doth in a fort give away her felf wnto the difpofal of another in the Lord : Thy dejirt^^zixh Qoi fieri, -^,16. (hall he to thy huihAnd^and hcjhall rule over thee. If thou hali a Faith which doth efpoufe thee unto Chri(i,that Faith brings thy heart into the obedience and fubje6tion of Chrift. It fubjeSs thy will to Chrifts will,and thy judgment to his truths, and thy defire to his rule, and thy works to his laws. If Chrill would have thee be and do one thing,and thou wilt- be and do another, that thy will is Hill contra* diding of Chrifts will, and thy way is ftill contrary to his way ; - ,
Though a man may be married to fuch a ftubborn and perverfe piece, yetChrift is not ; for all that are married unto him by 'i
Faith, have in fome meafure wrought in them, an obediential fpirit, defirous to know the mind of the Lord, and willing t© live godly in Chrift Jefus. Now this fubje6lion which is the cffedl of an efpoufing Faith, hath thefe properties in it, v}z,. I . Vrnverfality ; the wife is fubjeft in all things : 2, jyillgencc',
we
I
222 Cods Gracious AcceftarKe
we mud take care to pleafe him : 3. De light f nl^e Jb -^ it muli be no burthen : 4. Confimcj ; as long as we live, we mull be <i , fubje6l to the will of our Lord.
V(c 2. The hli Ufe lliall be ioi Exhort Atm^ That in cafe you find
ij Exnoitacign. this Ring of Faith, by which you are efpoufed unto Chrifl, gi-
I' I ven unto you, then be very carefull to wear it, and to bring it
'I ' along with you to this next Sacrament. We uiually put on our
'i ; Robes and our Rings, when we come to any folemn Fealis : The
Sacrament of the Lords Supper is a Feaft of good things, there is Chriff, and mercy, and redemption, and fandification, and what not for the foul ; but bring your Ring with you ; Chrift looks that you fhould come with it, and you can do no good at ihe Sacrament, if you have not the Ring^on your hand : Though you put forth your hand, yet if the Ring be not on it, the hand may take the bread , but the Ring is it which onely can take Chrifl: ; therefore bring Faith with you to the Sacra- ment. Jofefhs Brethren murt bring Benjamin with them, or elfe they muft not fee his face, nor fliould get food. And \tx. your faith work upon Chrilt all along ; on the love of Chrill, on the fufferings of Chrift, of the Covenant of God with you in Chrift, of the offer of Chrift unto you, ( now under feal that he is yours ; ) feal with your Ring, put your Seal to the Cove- nant and Deed of Chrift and God ; and feed on him, believe on him, draw from him ; This is my Lord, this 1% my Saviour, this bloud was fhed for me, my Chrifl will do me good, I fliall be faved by his bloud, reconciled by his bloud, healed and preferved by his Spirit. ' Ard fljoes on his Feet,
This is the third Favour which is beftowed upon the re--
penting Prodigal ; his Lips were kifTcd, his Back was clothed,
his Hand was adorned, and now his Feet are fhod ; the pe-
What !s meant nitent perfon is onely the compleat perfon. But what tnefe
by fliocs on his Feet are, and what the Shoes which are put on them, is a point
* differently conjed'hired of by Interpreters. SoL Not to
walk time, both the Words are Metaphorically to be under-
ftood for fome things which do in fome ref pedis anfwer to
Feet, and Shoes. Teeet are taken fometimes, i. for the
fprings of our adlions and courfes ; as for our will and Af^
feUioHS^ fo £.c<:lef, 5, i. 2, For the aftions and courfes
themfelves
■■■! "I
of the Returning Prodigal, 1 23
thenafelves, which Solomon calls the fath of our feety Prov.4.
26. And in this fenfe David faith, fVllt thou Kot k^ep my feet from falling ? Pfal. 56. J 3. and God is faid to guide the feet of his People, and to prefer ve die feet of his Saints, i Sam.
2. p. And Shoes on the feetj are alfo diverfly taken in a metaphorical fenfe : i. Sometimes for a mortified dlf portion to the worldy as the flioes keep the feet at a diihnce from the earth, and with them we trample upon the earth. 2. Some- times for firength againfl paffive Injuries and evils 5 as feet iliod can p.ifs upon fharp thorns and (tones j this is called, Teet fhod with the preparation of the Gofpel of Chrlfi , Ephef. 6,
3. Sometimes for a fit ability in all walking ; for the llioes do not onely adorn the feet, but ftrengthen them in and untQ motion : From all which we may, I thmk, obferve this Propo- iition.
That Godd^th enable a penitent perfon with grace and ftrength BoFl, for a better andfngular walking or courfe of Life and Obedience, G )d doch fna- The Prodigal before his Converfion walked with naked feet, ^Jc a penitent wildly, loofely, difgracefully, dangeroully ; but upon his re- P^^^o" wuh pentance, he hath fbocs put on his feet ; not onely his Heart is strength for a altered, but his Life ; not onely his difpoficion, but condition ; finguUr walk- not onely his condition, but his converfation : He was another inj. man, and now walks as another man. The fame you fee in Paul^ before his Converfion, and after it : Before his Converfion^ his feet were fwlft to [bed bloudy he perfecuted the Saints and Mem- ^
bers of Chrilt to the death ; but after his Converfion^ he exalts JefusChrirt, and is endeared in higheftaflFe6^ion unto him and his fervants, prizeth Chrift above all, loves Chrirt above all, ftrives for the propagation and for the obedience of the Gofpel above all-, and his feet carry him to molt places and perfons for the fer- vice of Chrift : And this alteration in the courfe of life, Paul exprefleth to be in all that arc effeilually called and con- verted, that they do not now walk^ as other Gentiles^ Ephef.
4. 17. nor as they themfelves once did, in darknefs dnd voluptu- oufnefs, but do put off their old Converfation^ Ephef. 4. 22. and walk^ as children of the light ^ Ephef. %. 8. and become fer^ vants of right eoufnef^y Rom. 6, 1 8. and have their fruits unto
bollnej?, V. 22. W^^if ^^'«^n-
But the Queftion may be, fVhat that fngular courfe of living j^^"^*^ walking
or '
'
224 Cods Graciof^s Acceptance
or walking is, unto which God doth enable penitent perfons ? A hcavfniy '^^^' I conjedure of it thus. i. It is an heaven' j and ffirhnal and fpiritual walkjng. In Abraham this is called, a walking before God* walking. ZYid'm Ngah^ avpalkingwith God ', in the Galatians, a walking
in the Spirit ; in others, a walking in Chrifl ; in the I^hillifpians^ a conversation in heaven. Before our converfion,, we mind no- thing, and endeavour after nothings andimfloy our felves in no- thing but linfuU, fenfual, vain things andcourfes : But when the foul is truly made penitential, now our hearts mind a God, and - his Word, and his Glory ; now they meditate on his Will and Laws, now they crave after Orace and heavenly Rrength, novv they bufie and endeavour, What jliall we do to be faved f Now our feet can bring us to the Courts of God, and now we can con- fcionably prize and ufe communion with Cod ; we take more de- light a thoufand times to read his Word, than all Play-books, and merry Hiftories ; to hear the voice of Chrift, to oe reforming of what is evil, to be much in Prayer, and all the works of holy Obedience, than in any v^icked or vain way whatfo- .ever.
2. It is a regular cturfegf life : The feet, when fhoes are on
ccu'-r^of fife ^^^^> ^^^ ^^^n reftrained, as it were, and confined ; they are kept to a fize, and do not fquander and expatiate : So is it with the courfe of a man who is made a true Penitent ; it is not novv loofe and wild, guided by the feaf on of every company, nor by the examples of every man, nor by the courfe of the world, nor by the lulls of his own heart ; what others do, is no rule to him; and what others applaud, is no rule to him ; and what others de- cide, is no rule to him ; and what his own heart fuggefts, is no rule to him: But he hath a furerule unto which he takes heed, and according to which he orders his converfation, and walks. If / the Word of God faith. Go, he goeth ; if that fay, Come, he Cometh : If that, like the Cloud before the Ifraelitesy moves by Precept, he rifeth up, and endeavours to follow it ; if that, like the fam,e Cloud, doth reft and forbid, he fits down, and dares not do it ; He doth not do what he will, but wh it he may ; live after an Humour, but after a Law ; he would have every a6lion, not bad, but good ; and that it may be fo, firft conful ts with tnQ Word, Is itlawfull? and then refolves topra6lifeit, becaufeit Is fo.
3. It
of the Returning Prodigal, 225
5. It Is an even and u fright courfe of life -, as the ilioes keep An even and the feet up on either iide. Such feet doth God beftovv upon pe- up'itht courfc ni tent people, as the living cre.uures had, their feet were ff-raight ^^ ^^'^ feet^ E2ek.i.7. not like the Im-'ges feet in Daniel 2. 3 3. which were fart ef Iron^ ar:d fart of CUj, A converfuion that is like -the Profhets cake , which was not ^/.rW, Hof. -7. 8. Douc^h- ^ baked bread on the one fide, and dough on the other ; fo Pious in one pare, an d Impious in another; publickly Religious,and fecrct- ly Frophane ; in one foci-ety Angelical, in another Diabolical ; in one place a Doclrme, and in an other an Ufe of Confutation : like a Filli, to give a frisk into the Aire, and then to plunge in- to the Ocean of Lulls. Such a Leopard-like life, fpotted courfe is ignoble ; when the Chriftian runs, like that Beaft with two feet of different length, with a general unevennefs in his wayes • but ftrait feet are thofe which the Penitent walks withal ; as he hath not an heart and an heart, fo he hath not a foot and a foot : Tis granted, he may be fometimes lame and trip ; frailties and infirmities befal the beft , but an even, equal tenour is yet to be found in the main bulk of his paths. He hath no Artificial Aioes , wider and lefler , made on purpofe, but in the bent of his heart and endeavours, defires to have a good confcience in all things, void of offence to God and man. The Philofopher doth diftinguifh twixt a Complexion which arifeth from Paflft- on, and that which buds out from an Habitual temper; when a perform occafionally bludieth, though he be of a oale Complexion, yet colour arifeth in his face ; but the Sanguine temr)er is ftill of a ruddy face : PalTionate adions are rare and unequal', but natural are frequent and even. The penitent, in the whole courfe of his conTerfation,is homo qtiadrattis^^o^w^x^^^wd uniform,and beautiful, and comely in theexpreifion of holinefs.
4. li'is Ingenious and fngle : His life moves notbyfeveral Inj^nious ani Rules , nor yet runs by fever ai Principles, nor yet is carryed finglc. unto oppofite Ends. The Mariner he fpends his life at Sea for Profit, and the Scholar he fpends his life in Study for Know- ledg, and the Ambitious man he follows the Court for Honour, and the Hypocrite he trades in Duty for appliufe: but the true Penitent, he is careful, and vvatchful, snd diligent over all his vvayes, and in all the duties of piety, for Divine glory, Gre- gory NaxAdnx^en diftinguiilieth of three forts of men ; fome
G g are
226 Gods Gracious Acceftance
arc Mercenaries , who work to get a good reward ; others are ServafitSy who work to avoid puniiliment ; others are SonSy, and thefe labour for thehigheft good, to enjoy God, and to fet out his Glory : whether rve live^ we live mto the Lord^ faith the Apoftle. The Chriftian lives by the Lord; By the Grace of Gody 1 am that I am^ faid Vaul, And he lives up- on the Lord , The life that I now Uve^ I live by. the Faith p/ the Son of Gody faith S, Paul again. And he lives unto the Lord, both to his approbatiori and to his honour. So that Chrlfi may he ma^nfed , faith Paul yet again : his in- tentions are fuch as have the glory of God molt principally in them ; fo that if you could unbowd the wayes of a Chri- fiian to difcern their fcope , you lliould find in them this In- fcription , To the Glory of God, And the a6lions themfelves ( for the courfe of them ) are fuch as refpe6l the glory of God , they are all of them Hoiinefs to the Lord, God is mag- nified by them. Aprr Stable 5. It is a profitable Walkjng.'^ The Impenitent mm is a dead
walkirj. man, and his life is a deadly life, like the Plague, which is an
infedting difeafe ; like the Prophets girdle , rotten , and good for nothing. Either he is a dead letter, barren to any good, or he is a killing letter, doing much evil ; either he is a rotten ftick, good for nothing , or elfe he is a fire-brand, caufing much wickednefs. But when aperfon becomes penitent, now his heart is made good, and his life becomes prohtable. As Paul wrote of Oneftmus to Philemon , That In time paf} he was unprofitahle to him, hut new^ faith he , profitable to thee and me,
* There is good to be got by him that is mide good ; blood runs
* through all the veins of his Converfation;one may get heat at his^
* fire, and light at his candle, and refrell:iing at his flreams, and
* clothing by his fleece ; one may mel t by his tears,go by his light,
* learn to truft by his faith, to fear by his tendernefs, to live by
* his obedience. Oh how he flrives to convert others, with S.Au- ^filn; to give kiowledg to others, WithS.Paul; to warn and
* befeech others,w^th Lot ; to profit thefouls of others, and help
* the bodies of o:hers.In his general calling he is diligent,and inhis
* particular he is a6live ; his counfels arefavoury, and his walkings
* are heavenly, fuch as mv^y fave himfelf and thofe about him, if
* they be fo humble and wife as to apprehend and learn.
d.Laftlyj"
of the Retuming Prodigal. 2 27
6. Laftly, It is a comely walkirig ; hovf btatitiftd arc thy feet j^ jj, ccmeiy
' mthjhoes^ Uith Chrift of the Church, Cant.j,\, (Congruous to walkiiij. the condition of his pldce, of Grace ; ) the walkings of a pe- nitent are beautiful walkings, fuch as adorn his profellion , fuc'i as become the Gofpel of Chrifl , fuch as fet out the truth of Grace, which he hath received, and the hope of glory which he expedfs , like fo many Stars which are the glory of heaven : fo are his particular actions inamelled with that Ornament of A>^^- nefsy with that Crown of mfdome ^ with that Tendernefs of CireHmjfeBlor^y with that Sweetnefs o^Charitjy with that Grace- fuhiefs of Piety , that no: only the mouths of fome are flopped, but likewife the mouths of others are opened y by beholding the uniform light of his new Converfation , to glorifie our father which is in heaven,
2. Qj^f^, Thus you fee what that better and fingularcourfe of life is,unto which God enables penitent perfons : Novv let us confider the Reasons v^hy God doth enable them thus to walk. RcaCons cf it. It cannot but be thus,if you confider i . The frinciple which is ^^^^^ ^^^ " . ^^^ imflamdtnthem : As things are in being,fo they are in vyorking; ciple which is that nature which is moft predominant in any, hath ftill the com- implaactd ia mand of the adions in him. Doth the penitent now live an ^^^^' heavenly life ? Why, God hath given unto him a fpiritual, and heavenly nature ; He is made fenaker of the Divine Nature y which of all others is moli holy , and fpiritual , and heavenly. Doth he order his life by the rule of the Word ? Why,the Word of God is ingrafted in him, and abides in him in the virtues and efficacies of it, fo that he was converted by it, and will now be guided by' it. Doth he lead an upright life ? Why, the Lord hath taken from him the fpirit of guile and deceitfulnefs, and hath givdn unto him an One heart, a plain , fincere , perfedi , or A
upright heart ; aright heart which cannot abide doubling, and
^ dividing, and hollownefs, but it is of the truth ; there is truth i
in the inw.ard farts , and therefore, there is truth in the outward a'6l^'. ' £)othhelcadafingleIifefor Divine Glory? Why, he hath r^?:eiveH real, grace from God, which will work only for Cod ; the Waters which come from the ^ea , will run into the 5ca again. Doth he live la profitable life ? Why , it is the na- turp of true grace , and true repentance to make us as adtive in a gOodvY^, as we wete viofent in a bad;the nature of Good is to be ' '-^'-^ *•' G ? 2 ^ diffu-
228 ^ods gracious Accepanee
diffufive y as the nature of fire is to heat , and of the Sun is to give light: The love of Chrlft coHftralr;eth me ( faith P^/^/,. ^ Docn he adorn his holy profeilion with an anfvverable converfa^
I tion ? Why ! how can it be oiherwife, but that gracious habits,
fliould breed gracious a6ls ; and glorious qualities , fhould breed
^i glorious effects ? It is the nature of a Star to fliine, as it is the
nature of dirt to defile; and it is the nature of a Diamond to fparkle, as it is of the^earth to be black, &c,
f \ 11:001 the pcca- 2. The fectilUr diffofltloyi of Refemance, Repentance in liar d'.rpoficion theproper nature produceth two effects, i. One in neronefs of t Kepeatance. ^^y^ . j^. -^ ^^^^^^ the truth of Repentance for a man to live the
fame life > to keep on the fame courfe, for this is iinpenitency ; not converfion, but continuation ; not a regrefs, but a progrefs ; not a change of life, but a courfe of the fame life : But when Repaitance comes, change comes ; for what is repentance but the new purpofefor a new life ? A man muft Be what hevYas not, and do that which he never did, and run an other courfe quite con- trary to what he did ; i^nt off the old corrverfaiwH^arjd fm on a new ; Ceafe to do evil', and learn to do well ; put off the fervice of un- righteoufncfs, and become the fervant of holinefs ; this is to be a penitent. 2» Another is revenge : you know the Apoftle makes this one of the fruits of godly forrow and repentance ; jiea what revenge} 2. Cor. 7. Now this revenge., as it confil-ls in mmy other things, fo in this efpecially ; that as we have imploy- cd our f^iules and bodies in wicked a6ls to ferve againft the Lord to his diflionor, fonow we imploy ^nd improve them in holy fer- vices to the proper glory of God ; now we bufy them, to know him, to love him, to obey him, to honour him : The penitent perfon is fo fenfible of the infinite dilTionour which God hath had I 6y his finful life, that if he had now a thoufand fouls and bodies,
,. and ten thoufand lives , all were little enough in all holinefs
f of Conrcrfation to redeem thofe dilhonours , and repair
j ^^ them. ^ ^ ..,.^
' Tbe peculiar ^, The peculiar intentions which God hath toward^f pemteM per-
oTd^towTrds M ^ ^^ ^'^^ mend much glory to himfelf hy them , for; Peniccnc fia- ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ people whom he doth form for his glory, and j nerj. raife up to declare his praife, as is evident in P^«/, and all other >
H intcRds Angular penitents, they have been the great inliruments .of much Glory by 1^^ glory; but they cannot bring him glory unlefs they be 'I *°^* » ' ■ enabiJed'
of the Returning Prodtgal, 229
enabled to live better lives then before. If they be alienated from the life of God, they necelTarily are alienated from the glory of God. Right believing, and righ t living,thefe are our methods to difplay the glory of God. 2. He doth ir4e»d much peace and joy ^^^ ^^^^i unt 0 their Cot: fclences y a peace which paffethall underlianding, pea c and joy and a joy which pafleth all expreffion ; even that which fprings un.o ihcm. from his gracious favour and reconciliation -with them inChrift, which both pacifies the confcience,and alfo quickcnsand revives it. But this could not be , unlefs he enabled them to new and better lives ; the life of holinefs is the only path of peace, that of wick- ednefs is a way which knows not peace ; there is no peace unto wicked men,nor unto wicked wayes. And for Joy,that only breeds joy in confcience , which mikes the confcience not to accufe,but excufe;not to tormettt,but comfort ; only the new life is the pro- . perly joyful and comfortable life ; there are no fpirits in the life which is not fpiritual. 3. He doth intend mtieh outward mercy to ^^^^ much, them : See how full the field of bleffings is to the penitent; but it outward mercy is upon this condition,If his life be obedient ; as it were upon his to them. good behaviour, If ye confent and obey ye lliall eat the good of the Land. 4. He doth intend them Glory before men , and Glory And Glory be- with himfelf in heaven : For the penitent he m.ikes to be the ex- ^'^j"' meojand cellent on earth ; his refined pieces of gold,a choice people whom !^^^ himfcli in Nations fhall honour, and the people fhall call bleffed. When a ''^^' man leaves a fordid and ignominious courfe of finning, he then be- comes honourable in the eyes of God,and reputable in the eyes of men. Now the fpots of Leprofie fall off from Naoman , and his flefh grows clear and fair; but how lliould this Sun break outjif the clouds ftill remiine ? Of neceflfity the life mull alter,if we would have the opinions of m.en to alter ; ye.i, and to what purpofe '\% it to imagine an eternal life hereifter,unlers we here firfi live an ho- ly \]{tywithofU which noman fhall fee God ?
Doth God inable the true penitent to a new and better life or ,'^J ^ ^* walking ? then let us refleB on O' r wayes and lives, How do wc live ? vVhat kind of •What kind of life is that which we do now live ? Is it the life of a life dodt ihou penitent or no ? Never talJ^ that thy heart is as good to God-ward '^ve ^ as any mans though thy life be vile '^ thou deluded thy felf; ? ^5*,r*^ ?^jj .if thy life be evil, afliiredly thy heart is not good: The Tree, Shfg^Jnefsof fayes our Saviour, is known by his fruits-^ for a perfon to talk thy hcarr,ifrhy «>f a penitent heart, and what terror he hath had for fin, and in life be bad*
fome
2 20 ^^^^ gracious Acceptance
feme par ticulars to m ^ke a little femblance of godiinefs,vYhen yet all this while he goes on in a courfe of drunkennefs,or of unclean- nefsjof riotoufneis, or of lying, or of pride, or of covecoufneis, or of injuftice, or of fcoffing/&:c. What a monftrous and wilful de- ceit is this of a mans foul ? Thou a penitent, who art ftill a fervant of Luit I Thou a penitent , who (iill walkell in darknefs 1 Thou a penitent whofe very courfe of life is nothing but a confutation of repentance, a trade in fin ! Knowelt thou not,0 finner,that where the heart is changed,the life will change? If thou haft once put off thy corrupt ^nature, thou wilt eafily put off thy corrupt converfation. Who doth as he did, if he be not as he was ? No,real repentance turns us, and that is,from the love of fin in the heart,and from the courfe of fin in the life ; as it fuf- fers thee not to be an hypocrite , fo it abhors that thou lliouldft be profane ; if thy life be bad, queftion it not, thy heart is bad ; that filthy fpeech comes from thy filthy Nature , that haughty look from thy proud Nature, that griping hand from thy auel Nature>that fraudulent tongue from thy coufening Nature. 2. As No? with a much are they deceived who go on gently and gravely in their old, cold, formal, formal, cold,negative way of repentance ; deeming themfelvcs peowacc 1^0 lefs then Penitentiaries, who have this only to plead, They never in all their lives did wrong or harm, &c. But remember, O felf-deceiver , if ever God gives to thee repentance indeed, thou Wilt find other finful courfes to be left befides thofe of Com- mifiion ; thou wilt find thine OmifiTions to be a highly guilty courfe of fin,that thou frequently omits calling upon God, hear- ing of his Word , reading of his Word, examining of thy heart, humbling of thy foul, walking in an holy , and heavenly, and exa6t manner, &c. Thou often crieft out. What bad courfe am t! I in ? I demand of thee, what holy courfe art thou in ? what other
courfe of life leadefi: thou then ever, &c. Well, I will fay no more but this ; but if other and better lives be the arguments of true Repentance, the Lord be merciful to us, there are then but very few penitents ; the fame oaths, the fame curfings, the fame worldlinefs, the fame pride , the fame drunkennefs, the fame Vfi 2. uncleannefs,the fame neglects of God andfpirirual duties ; we are let as ftievi not others then we were, we live not otherwife then v^e kave done. ourRepentance Butfecondly, If any of you take yourfelves to be penitents, c r"ion.°^' ^ befeech you then, let us carefully {k€w if by our lives atd
cm*
of the Returning Prodigal. 25 1
$9rnjerfamns^ Confider to this purpofe, i. If there be trmh of If there be true Refentanse^ there mil be nervnefs of Corfverfati$yi : A monlirous K.-pentancc tningtofec a manibrtup and walk with his Coffin and Crave- ''^^'^,,^ ^f cloaths. If it b^ light it will iHne, and if it be tire it will heat, converradon. and if it be fait it will feafon ; if thy heart be purged indeed, thy life will aUo be reformed indeed. // ye have been taught as the Ephcf.4.11, truth isinjefus: fm cjf.^coyicern'y/jgthe former converjat'ion^ the old man, 2. The Lord jefus hath -pHr chafed thy Life as well as /-u 'a u- 1 thy 5W, and redeemed thy Converfation as well as thy Nature; purchaied thy He did dye not only co recover thy inward Man, but alfo to cure lif? ss well >s thy outward Man ; that as thy Heart iliould not be profane,fo thy thy Coui, Converfation lliould not be vain : Chrlf}- hathfuffered for us In thefejhy that vpe.fhottld no longer live the re fl; of our time in the- flejhy I Pet. 4. I, 2. Chrifi hath dyed for thee, that now ihou iliouldfl: live unto him. 3. The honour of Religion Ijes upon thy Tbc honour of Life : Thy heart may be a fecret, a clofet of much good or evil, R«i«&>^" '>^* we leave it to the Searcher of hearts; but thy life is apublick ^^^^ ^ ' ^^ Letter, an audible Voice, a common Ob je6l : The profefllon of truth and holinefs is an honourable thing in itfelf, but a good and anfwerable Converfation adds and reflects a greater honour to it. As the Heaven is a beautiful Creature, but it is the more beautified by thefhiningof the Stars: So is it with Religion, it is an Excellency in it felf, and is made the more excellent by an excellent Converfation. But a lewd, rude, foolifli, boyftrous, in- congruous, fowl, uneven, evil life, makes Religion to look like Gold in the dirt, or like a Jewel in a Swines fnout, or like Beau- ty in a Whore. It is the very fcandal of Religion, and as a death- verfe upon an holy profelTion : What is it,that thou now and thea filleft the eyes of men with a little gravity, and the ears of men ^
mih a little piety, when ftill thou, by thy vvicked life, armes the hearts of men to fcorn, and the tongues of men to bl.tlpheme the Name of • ■oi and Profeflors ? The more pretence thou haft to repent^nce,^e more odious art thou,by thy impenitent life, to the profcflion thereof. The ftrideft eyes are upon the ftridleli profef- fors,and.no mifc-trriiges takefo fooGWith men,or damp Religion moTQ.^, The fouls of men He much upon their lifeiWhM Greg.Nor- The fouls of z.ianz,S?\d of the Painter, That he teacheth not by his lang«age,but ^^^ c^cTufc*. by his hand;and Chryfo/fom of the Mini(kr,That his firft part is to Live well, and iheu to Teach well ; that is true of every penitent
Cbriftian^
2 52 ' Gods gracious Acceptance
Chriitian, for his inward affeclions come not fo into our fcales as his ouavard adions : We judge of nim, and imitate him not by whjt lies hid in his heart, but by what appears in his life ; and Q/i ail men we are moil confident to imitate the actions of thole who pretend moit agund fin.- Now then, if thou who pretend- ell: to repent of all iin, by thy fmful life lliouldli mulciply finncrs amonglt men, or Ikengthen the hearts of finners from returning, O how bitter, O how difmil, how fearful, how an amazing ac- count, that thou even under a forme of -Repentance, iliouldft keep men in an dUtz of impenitency, to damn their fouls by thy continual finnings ? Sins in converfation are alwayes of more'pub- lick danger then thofe of difpofition, as aFeavor.or a Pla.^ue, „-, r ^. The ecmfort and feace of thy Conscience lies much in It :
and peace cf A good Life is the beft Commentary of an upright heart, and up- cby Conicitnce rightnefs is a comfort : A good Life is the beli Star to clear up Iks much in ir. Qq^s gjory ; and to bring him glory, is to bring our felves com- fort. Confcience will judge thee more for evil in life, as more perfedled, more hurtful, than for that within. A good life is the only Plaifter, by which we heal others ; the only Pilot by which .\vedire6l others ; the only Hand, by which we hold up others : We may think good,but this circumfcribes it felf with our felves- we may defire good, but this alfo confines ix. felf with our felves. The good life is the life only which doth good to o- • thers ; and the more good we do, the more comfort ftill we have. rhcRfward 6, Ihe reward will he great to the life that is good: Its true, ^*'' ^"J'r*/ ^^ ^^^t God in his future retribution hath refped to the inward gra- :he good iitf. ^^^ ^^^ difpofitions, but he takes publ-ck notice of the operadons of ihem in our lives, as for a6ling themfelves, and therefore pro- nounceththc reward to the doer, and the kingdom unto him that cloaths,andfeeds,andvifits,&:c. What! an eternal life for a good All that ar« jj^£g | gy^. j^f^jy Loq]^ on all who are trnly penitent, or have
bavebecn very ^^^^ J^ ' ^^^ tender and circumfreci they have been of their dtc'jmf^td q{ l^'^^^ ^^dwalkjngs : How extranely circumfpe6l was David o£ tfacir lives. his tonguQ^P fa, :?p. and as exceedingly penfive for any unbefeem- ing word or fa6l, much more for any fcandalous evil ; f!ich a fool ftich a beaft was /, Pfa, ^ i. So the Apoftles, both in their wayes and in their dire6lions unto all the Saints, prefling ear- neftly, and that by the Lord Jefus, th^.t they live and walk as becometh Saints, and as becometh the Gofpel, and
tha
of the R e turning Prodigal, 233
that the Name of Chrift be not blafphemed ; and as he who hath called them is holy, fo iliould they be holy in all manner of converfation.
Qutft, But how fliould our lives be foled, that it may appear jht minner we are Penitents indeed ? Sol. For ih^manner of life which of a P^nh^nc? the truly Penitent fhould lead, either it refpeds, i. God^ in du- '*^^' ties of Piety. And herethefe adjundls of Life are necellary : Asurcfpe^as I. Solidy and not formal perform apices of RellgloHs Services ; in ^<5;J'>«iii'i« the main Duties ; not an empty cloud, a naked vizard, a life *^ ^^^^* without life. 2, Adeqmte^ and not partial ways of obedience, like and diflike. '3. Conftant^ and not light and changeable ex- ercifes of holy a6ls ; without wavering and unfetlednels. Se- > . „^ « condly, Men : And here the walking or converfation muft be, ^^^' ^^^P^"* 1. fvifty and not ridiculous ; 2. Meek, ^nd gent k^ and not tur- bulent; :?. Proftahle^ and not vain or evil ; ^, Merclfdl^ and not cruel ; 5. HtiTnhle^^Lnd not cenforious ;- 6, Jufi^md not fcan- dalous and injurious ; 7. In all things clrcHmfpeB without offence. Thirdly,T/?o/f In relation to as : And here the life muft be an Oh- fervAnce^ without contempt and flighting of thofe to whom ho- nour is due ; 2. AffeBlon with love and pit^y without fcorn or rigour ; ^. A Care, with furtherance of their fouls, without ncgled and wearinefs.
*
For this my fon T»as dead, and is alive again ; hs rpas lofiy and is found : And thejf began to be merry ^
Thefe words feem to be an Abridgement of the whole Parable of the Prodigal Child. And they comprehend in them, 1. His natural J iinfull, or unconverted condition; [^ This my fon was dead, and was loflj] A natural man is a dead man, and a lolt man; either of thefe expreffes a fad mifery, but both of them conclude him complcatlymifer able. 2, His fapernatiiral^chm^Qd'^o^ con- vened condition; land Is alive agaln^and Is found,'] No man live?, till he be a converted man. Fult (faid Seneca) non vlxlt ; cr ah eo tempore cenfemur^ ex cjho In Chrljlo renafcimur^ faith Hierome, ^, ^'The joy^ comfort,, and delight of that altered condition; lAnd they hegan to he merry, '\ Joy is a drop diftilled from Grace.; the c6ndition is then comfortable, when it is godly. I begin with the firft part,and there with the loft eftate of the Prodigal; where ob- ferve, H h Thai
_ MPI ^IBIB. !■■ I ' B^n ■ ~ ' ^* ^ ^^^^-^ ■ • » » I J — ■ ■ ™
234. (S'i?^!// Gracious Jccep;ance
That every j'tnftill or unconverted man is a lofi r/yan, [ This
'Do^, I. my fen was lofi,] There are two forts t)f Tinners in Scripture,
Every lixituii vvho are ftikd loii i. Finally Im^emtent: Thefe are irrecover-
nian^is^riolt ^^^^ ^^^^ ' ^^^^' ^"^ "^^^^ found. Thus JW^ was loft ; ^None of Bian. ^^^'^ ^ ^<5[/^) ^^^ ^^^ /^^ ^/ f^'fditioyi^ Joh. 17. I :. And of fuch
the Apoftle fpeaks, Ifonr Cofpel be hld^ *tu hid to them that are loft, 2 Cor. 4. 3. 2. 1 emforary ypanderers ; vvho qMAntum
ad fiattim frefemem are lolt, but quoad decretum de fnturo lliall be found : Tothefe that faymg feems to refer, in ^«^. 19. 10,. 7 he Son of Man u come to feek^ and to favethat which was lofi. Again, One may be faid to be iolt, i. vvho is ftept out of tiie way : Every (inning is a ftraying, and every liraying is a kind of loftnefs ; thus even a converted man is many times ioii / have gone a fir ay (faith David ^ Pial. 119. I70.) ///</ a lofi fkeef, 2. who 16 n&t 04 jet come int^ the way : Thus the unconverted man is loft. Pfal. 58. 3. The wicked are eftranged from the Tv^^w^ ; they goaftray asfoon as they beborn. And Pfal.i^, -^^ They are gone afde. And Rom^ 9. 1 2. They are all gone out of the way. And may be To Now an unconverted man may be called a loft man, in eight called in d^bt refpe^ls. Becaufe, i. He hath lofi his God: Everyman (at refpcfts. ^ ti^e ^^1^ ^ l^^j Qq^ jQ [^ f^jg Q^ . b^t j^3j^ finned, and by fin
He bach loll his every man loft God : We never lofe our felves, but when we ^ • lofe our God ; and we never lofe our God,but by finning. There
lypmaahus. ^'^^^ ^^^ once, ivho loft his Kingdomefor a draught of Heater ; and we, in ^dam^ loft our God for rhe tafte of an Affle, This is a great lofs, to lofe our God. A Child may lofe his Father, arid yet live; the Mariner may lofe his Anchor, and yet fail: But if the World doth lofe the. Sun, it lofeth all ; But if Man lofeth his God, he lofeth him who is better than All. There are four great loiTes in that one lofs of God: There is a lofs, i. of the Image ofGody that Royal Crown is gone ; 2. of the Favour of Cody that friendly look is gone; 3. of the Society of God^ that fweet fruition is gone ; 4. of the Hapfinefiof Gody that onely - life is gone: AjuftGod remains ftill, and a Mighty God re- mains ftiil; but the Gracious God is loft, b>it the Biefled God is loft. :■;;
.O*,:'
Loft hh Para- 2. He hath loft his Paradife : Paradife was the garden of ^ir<, bleifings, and of all delights ; and fome con jefture^ that allhap^
pineft
Vi II
of the Returning Prodigal, 235
■pmefs CGftfifts in delight ; but the im]:)enitent, wandring, un- •converted fmner, is far from blefTing or conitort. The child of dif obedience is only an heir of the curfe; fVrlte that mm cWddle^^ faid God of Cm^h ; fo may it be faid of an unconverted finner> Wri^e th.it man comfortlefs. Or as Jeremiah faid of Pafhury Thou rh:)ltbe called Magor-mijfMhy terrour round ahom ; the fame may be affirmed of this fmner, He is exiled from all com- fort and blefllng, there is no peace unto him, no blefling ; he cannot juflly expe6l one crop of mercy, not one good day all his days; the womb isaprifon, the world a fea, fia agrave, life a vvildernefs, death an hell, to a wicked man.
3. He. hath loft hu font : And what is left when my foul i^ t a t,f r t loft ? There are divers kinds of lofles ; fome Lolfes are Gain ^ to us, ( fuch was Pauls hf^ Phil. 3.) Some Lolfa are a Pam to us, a little diminution, an excire onely of this or that com- fort; fome lofe Sin, and get Chrift ; fome lofc Earth, and get Heaven ; but no lofs like the lofs of the Soul : Now every un- converted man hath loft this Jewel, this Soul of his ; He hatk loft his Soul, I . To Satan^ who hath the dominion and ufe of it^ he rules, and he works mightily in it, and over it ; a wicked mans foul is the Devils flave, he takes it captive at his pleafure : 2. To a co'/idemmngandrevenglngGtd I The foul th^t fins jhall die ; the Leafe is forfeited ; fin forfeits the foul into the hands of a condemning God, and there it is flayed for ever, unlefs a price be paid by the bloud of Chrift to ranfome and recover it.
4. He hath loft his Excellencies : His Glory is departed. Sin- Loft his Excel- full man doth not know what is become of created man ; yea, he Icncies. hath lolt thefe fo long, that he knows not whether ever he had any of them, or no ; whether he ever had fuch an eye or Lamp of ex- quifite knowledge, whether he ever had fuch a vefture of righte- oufnefs, whether he ever had fuch a flock of ability and futiici- cncyfor Obedience. As he once could not find Ro?»e in Rome^ nor they know Jez,akl to have been 'jes^ahel ; jufl fo is it with a poor (inner. He once was a child of Light, a Ton of Obedience, he was created holy and righteous : But what is become of all his created flock? Butmandleth^ and manglveth uptheghoft^ and ivhere is he ? Job 14. 10. So here, man hath finned, and man hath lofl all his excellencies, and where is he ? Adam^ where art the^i ? faid God; A fad queflion, Where art thou? An hour
H h 2 fi ce.
X
2^6 Gods Gracious Acceptance
fince, ^^^;wwas^^<ifw; but upon his (inning, Adam^ where is Adam f Where is righteous -^i^/?^ ? Where is ^rf'^^/^, who had power to believe, to love, to obey all my will ? Where ]S he f and where is all this ? All is loft.
Left his way ^' ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^'^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^"^^ * Every (infull man is a wandring Meteor, a very Planet on earth ; he is gone from the
fold, as a filly fheep ; he is gone from his Fathers houfe, as a fil- ly Child ; he is gone out of the right path, like a filly Traveller in the Wildernels. Sin puts us into a Maze, into a Labyrinth ; we go' frcm one (In to another fin, out of one by-path into ano- ther by-path ; and the further we go in finfuU paths,the more ftiU we go cut of the way ; But the right path which leads back to our God, O the finner hath not an eye to fee it ; and when he hath light to fee it, yet he hath not an heart to turn unto it^nor feet to .walk in it, Rom, 5.12. 7I69' are all gone out of the rvay ; v.iy. The way of peace they have not known, Pfal.p 5. 10. It is a people that do err In their hearts^ and they have not known my ways. The loft finner hath an erring mind, and an erring heart, and erring affe6Vions.There is but one way to come h^ck to God,which is by Chrift, {lam the waj^ &c.) but the loft finner knows not Chrift, nor the way unto Chrift.
Loft his abi- ^* ^^ ^^^^ ^^fi ^^^ Abllhy : He who once had power to fall, li:y, being fallen, hath now no power t© rife any more ; a felf-deli-
verance is as impofifible as a felf-creation : It muft be light which finds that which is loft, but finfuU man is darknefs ; it muft be ftrength which raifeth up one who is fallen, but loft man is lefs than weaknefs. He who lofeth himfelf by (m^ muft come back again by grace ; but the natural man hath no grace, no not a de- fire of it, no not a thought of it^ no nothing of all of it. What Sin c^ih down. Faith muft ^zt up ; but the unconverted man dorh not, nay, cannot believe ; of himfelf he cannot : As all our powers were at firft in Adams hands, fo all our powers now are in Chrifts hands. Loft inrefpea y. The finner is z^o lofi mrefpeU of his Title rndPlea^ and of his iibcny, '^^ refped^ of his Liberty and Freedome, fo that now every finner How man is a very flaveand bondman, Ohj. But how comes man to be CO aits to be a loft man ? I anfwer, Man came to be a loft finner, Firft, loft. ;^y Temptation : The Dcvil loft his own happinefs, and by his
Bjr tcQiptacion- cunning feducements, Man loft his happinefs too. Four things he
ufed
of the Returning Prodigal, ■ 237
ufed for this : i. He raifed a fufpition and je.iloufie in our hearts
of God ; 2. Then a diliike of ourprefent condition ; 3. Then an
atfedtation of an higher condition ; 4. A falfe perfwaiion of Gods
threatning. Secondly, Bjt his own will. And there were (be- gy Y\\% own
fides our original Liberty ad titmmlibet) four principal fins which will.
brought us into our Lolin^fs : i. Pride ^ 2. "Unbelief y ^.Prefum-
ftioriy ^,Difconteyitment..
Objet}, But how may a man know that he is as yet in a lofi con- How a man
dition ? Sol, This may be refolved by thefe Queries : i. Where may know ihac
is thy Home ? 2. What is thy way ? :j.When didft thou return? ^^ " ^°*'
I. Ever^ lofl man Is a man afar off". In longum abiit^ he is gone Every loft man
far from home, from his Father : When the Prodigal was loft, ** "^""^ °^*
where was he then ? The Text idiim^ That he vfas gone into afar
Cauntrey, When the E^hejians were loft, where were they ? Afar
offy Ephef. 2. 1 7. When the Jfraelites were loft, where were they?
7 hejt aregone arvayfarfrommey ]t^,2. ^, A natural man is fiir
from God, ( take me right,) you can never find God and a wick- ed man together ; his nature is far from God, and his thoughts
are far from God, and his affe6^ions are far from Cod : O, he
cannot endure the prefence of God, he cannot endure Holinefs,
he cannot endure holy Ordinances, nor holy Services, nor holy
Admonitions,nor holy Reproofs,nor any holy Communion ; ih^
further he is from thefe, the better doth he think his conditioii to
be. A man is never at home till he hath a God, and till he ftands
in Gods prefence, and till he hath communion with his God : But
the natural man, &c, 2. Every loft- man is in a falfe- way j in Every loft man tii
a by-way ; his ways are finfuU ways : The loft man, he is out of is in a falfc , the common and known Road ; he is in the Woods, in the Ditch- ««/•
es, in the Deferts, in the Fields, and he goes from one ftrange i
place to another ftrange place. O man ! whileft thou walketi
after thy fins, whileft thou runneftfrom fin to fin, whiles thy way
and courfe of Life is in the fulfilling and following of thy Lufts,
aifuredly thou art a loft man. ?. Didfi thou ever yet return ta He is loft fihi ' God ? If not, then as vet thou art in a loft condition. O confi- ^ '^^^ not re-
derthis, confideritferioufty. When didft thou return ? How '"'^"*
didft thou return ? Wherein didft thou return back unto thy God ?
Is not he loft, who is ftill lofing of himfelf ? who ftill goes- on in
his Wildernefs ? And this thou doeft ; where thoii waft twenty
years ago, there thou art ftill.
r
ajS Gods Gracious AccepAnce
' ^ That a loftfinner may h^fomd, \_This wj [on was ioft^ anA «
A I hfinner ff^^^^l In Scripture there is a two-fold finding, i. We are niay'b:(ound. ^^^^ to find God: Seek^the Lord) while he may k fonndy Ifa. 55.5. I fomd himwhommy [ohI lovethy Cant, 3.4. 2. God is faid to find us. Now God finds a finner two ways : i. Judici- ally, and in vyrath, ade:venendiim:y 2. Gracioufly, and in mercy, ad emvertendnm. Here three Queifions offer themfelves to oe difcuffed.
M fiffn"/* '^'^ ^^^^- ^ • ^^"^ ^ '^ ^^^^ fi"""^^ "^ ^"^^ '^'"''^'^ ^ ^''(' ^^^ ^"'" o ^ inntr? ^^^^^ -^ ^^^^ ^ j^ -^ q^^ onely. / W// /^^^ that which was lofi.^
0 one y. £z.€kj, 34. id. It was he who found Abraham in Caldea amongft the Idolaters, and David among the fheep-folds, gnd M^naps among the thorns and bufhes, and Vaul in the way to Damafcns^ and Matthew at the receit of Cuftome, and the Ifrae/ltesm their bloud, and Mary Magdalene in her uncleannefs. Ihe finnercon" not find hlmfelf ; he can lofe htmfelf, but he cannot find himfelf; he can wander, but he cannot return of himfelf : Avertere a Deo^ man can do that ; but convertcn ad Deum^ -man cannot do this. Man loves to wander ; but to come back, man hath neither will nor power. N9 man can find a hfl^ finner. He may find a lofl finner, by way of difcovery, but he cannot find him by way of recovery ; I may ^/Jcot/^r, but not r^r (j'&'^r ; 2. Bewail^ but not ■prevail ; 3. give Comfel^ but not give Grace .• I may fee one running from God, but I cannot bring him back to God ; I may fee him wandring to Hell, but I cannot fet his heart to turn back to Heaven ; and Imay bewail a loft finner, yet I cannot prevail upon a loft finner ; and I can give him counfel to come home, but I cannot give him grace to come home : It is God, God one- ly, who can find a loft finner, Quis ovemferdlcamrecjmrefe debeaty mnneqm ferdidlty quis ferdtdlt ^ nonne qui habuit f Qms habulty ncnne qui fecit. So Tertulllan appofitely. He onely that made man, he onely it is who can find the finner. HovrGod finds QH?fi' ^' Hi?^ God finds a lofi finner ? Sol, There are B loftfinncr ? ^^ven A6ls of God, which are converfant about the finding of a jHc 'is moved ^^^ finner. i. He is moved with comjajfion towards him ; the wiih compafli- Lord pities fuch a finner : Alas, faith God, this poor, ignorant, on towards foolifli man, is gone from me, the fountain of his life ; lo,how '^lra» his lufts deceive him, how Satan rules him, how he wanders up
and down in vanity j he is quite out of the way of his happinefs ;
he
of the Returning Trodigd, 2 39
he is running towards hell, but perceives it not ; he is undoing
and deftroymg his immortal foul, but obferves it not ; he knows
not whether he goes ; he is undone for ever, if I ftay him not,
if I turn him not. 2. He Intends good to this panicti/ar lofl ^^ intends
fmer, I will fare ly have mercy on him, 1 have feen his ways^ ^^od to this
a?7d will leal him, I k/iow the thonghts that I thinks towards him^ loft finncr.
tho'fghts ofgoodj and mt of evil, J will gloriiie all my mercy and
goodnefs m ihis very finner ; I will not fuffer him to run on thus, ^ -
1 will look after him, I will bring him home to my felf, and fave
him. 3. He fends out after him ; one fervant, and another H« fends out
ferv.^nt; one Minifter, and another Minito: Go, faith God, *^^" ^^'"*
to fuch a Parilli, and x.o fuch a Family, and preach, and make
enquiry, Is there not fuch a miferable finner here ? is there not
fuch a (oft man there ? one that is gone from his Fathers houfe ^
tDne that hath fpent all in riotous living ? Is there never a man
here, who hath departed from God, lived without God, run all
his life in finfull, loofe, bafe courfes of difobedience, and would
no.v be glad of mercy ? This is the general feeking of a loft fin^
ner, a^. He makes a^privyfe arch after him -^ ioi ( perhaps )" He mskes a-
the general Hue and Cry will not find the finner, and therefore privy fcarcb^
the Lord makes a privy fearch : As to find out Achan^ there was •^'^ ^^°^'''
Tribe fearched by Tribe, and Family by Family, and Perfon by ^
Perfon; and thus doth the Lord in finding of a loft finner; He
comes more diftindlly, and his Word or Afflidions draw after
this finner more perfonally ; they light at his door, ( upon his
perfon ) and knock, and enquire. Art not th6u the man I doth
not the lo(^ finner abide here ? Art not thou he who haft lived ig-
noramly,or profanely, and gone aftray from thy God? 5. He He IJgbis on
li^s OK him at length : And then the Lord lights on a loft finner, ^^ *^ Icng-ib,
when he ad^uates and quicken^ Confcience in hrra,- which now
can be filent no longer, but crie? out, ' Lord, her^ he is ; Here
* is the Swearer, Drunkard, Whoremonger, Sabbath-breaker, d^r.
And now out comes the loft finner, with a trembling heart, and a
giiilt-fmiting fpirit, *Lord, who is it that you look for ? do you
Mtiok tfter a^ finner, a loftfihner ? 1. aiij the min you look for :
*'^Oh'^ I haye^fifjnibrj^ f have vvatidtedi I have been loft atl . rHy
^ my^\ l^at '^MI f^'f hkt^^
*vVhi(t:^n-ralH do ? Oh V -iif thou takeft not pity on liie, if thou
Ihe.yeft not mercy- unto mbjTperilli, I die, I am loft for even
•^^ . 6.H§
240 Gods Gracious Acceftance
H rl 1 • h ^* -^^ ^^^^^ ^'^^^^ ^^^ firmer to return and come hack^ unto him,
him t« return ^^^- 14. i. O Ifraely return unto the Lord thy God \ for thott
P hafi: fallen hy thine iniquity. And there are four vyays which the
^^ ' . Lord uleth to prevail upon a loft finner, to turn back unto him :
By Expoftula- ^' "^y Exfojitilation : What have I been unto thee, or what have
lion. I done unto thee, or what iniquity haft thou found in me,
that thou haft all this while departed from me ? Was not I the
God that formed thee ? the Father that brought thee forth ? the
Mafter that fed thee, and took care of thee ? Was there not
goodnefs, and kindnefs, and fulnefs enough in me ? why haft
Bf Convidi. ^^^" ^^^^^ ^^"^ unkindly with me ? 2. By Conviction of his
on. wandring condition, with the bafenefs and miferablenefs thereof.
Thefe are thy ways, and thele have been thy doings, and what
profit haft thou by thofe things whereof thou art or raayeft be now
afhamed ? Why 1 what haft thou got by all thy finfuU wan-
drings ? See how naked thou art of all fpiritual good, how ftiame-
full thy courfe hath been : Is the Wi'dernefs a place for a
Child ? How poor and undone thou art ! Thou haft fpent all ;
and if thou continueft in thy finfull ways, thou wilt certainly pe-
rifti with hunger : Sin hath been thy lofs ; and if thou return
not, it w 11 certainlybe thy ruine. Return, O loft Sinner, re-
By t^rcpofici- turn, return, why wilt thou die and perilli for ever ? 5.^7
©ns of M(rcy, Profofitions of Mercy : As S. John raa after that youag loft man
oi^jerufialem^ crymg unto him. Return, my fon, return ; Chrift
will yet accept of thee, Chrift will yet fhew thee mercy. So
doth the Lord God, when he would bring back a loft fmner ;
Return^ faith he, and live^ return and live, Ezek. 1 8. 3 2. Though
thou haft forgot the Duty of a Child, yet I have not put off the
Affe6lion of a Father : I am that Father, in whofe houfe then is
bread enrngh^ and to ffare ; Do but come back unto me, and all
fliall be well: Canft thou live without Bread? canft thou live
without my Mercy ? Mercy ilhall be thine, if thou wilt return
By dircftfnt ^^^^ ^^y ^^^ ^"^ ftnfuU courfes. 4. By dircEllng him into the
him into i;be ^^J of coming hack^: As I . With nfeurnfull confeffion of his fins,
way of Return- Hof, 14, 2. Take with you rvordsy and return unto the Lord; fay
^V mto himyT^ke away iniquityy and receive Hi graciouflj^, 2iff^ith
penitential reformation, Jfa. 5^5. 7. Let the wicked forfake his
WAy^ and thennrighteem man his thought s^ and let him return un-
to th Lord^ md he will have mercy on him-^ and to our Gtdy for
he
of the Returning Prodigal. 241
'hs will iihun^Anilj far don, ^ . ffith hcucvir^ application : Thou muH go, laith Vjod, to my Son ; for he is tiac way aiid the life, and he: came tofeek and to lave that which Wis loft. Seventh- By UyUt hold ly : Now, notwthlianding ail this, the loft ftnner isnotperfed- upon him bjr ly fr>und, and therefore the Lord doth one thing more ; he doth ^^^ Almijbty vviih ihis 1(41 finner, as the fliepherd did with the loft ilieep, Jf^'Y^t^hr^" who took him on his llioiilders, and brought him home ; So the a wtulnine"* Lord lays hold on this poor loft fotd^ by his Almighty Spirit 9f hcirc. GracCy ar,d puts into him a returning hearty an other heart, and m.ikes him willing and glad to leave his iinfull wayes, and to re- turn to himfelf, and to implore his reconciled favour and accep- tance in Jefus Chrift : Which being done, now is the loft finnec found indeed ; for then, and then onely is a loft finner found, when he, in truth, turns back to God, and enjoys him as his re- conciled God in Chrift. Jer, 3. 22. Return^ ye back^-fliding children : Behtld^ we come unto thee^ for thou art the Lord our God,
Qnc^"^. ^ ^'h ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ look^fter and find a loft fimer > '^^J.^^^'^^ Sol, TheReafons may be thefe. i. Although the (inner be no: f^j^^er ? * ^ worth the looking after, yet the foul of a finner is worth the looks tat foul is ing after,' The finner is the Devils creature, but the foul is worth the look- Gods creature, (7 he foul that I have made^ faith God, Ifa. ing aftar. 57.1(5.) The loft fioeep was worth the looking after, andfowas the loft groat ; furely then a loft foul is worth the looking after, which i5,at leaft,Gf as much value as a loft Groat. Chrift (faith Theophylafl on Matth. 1 8.) was the man who left the Ninety nine ftieep, and lookt after one loft ftieep ; he left the fociety of Angels in Heaven, to find one loft Soul on Earth. O, the Soul of Man is a precious, a valuable Subftance made only by God,and fit only torn Itch and convcrfc with God. 2. As God knows God knows tb« the worth of a foul, fo God knows the lofiof a Soul : O Sirs ! we ^^^^ of «rwui, make little account of lofing fouls ; but verily no lofs like the lofs of a foul : As Chrift fpake of the fall of that houfe. The fall thereof v^as great^ that^s true of the lofs of a foul, the lofs thereof is very great. A man. In the event, lofeth no- thing, though he lofeth all the world, if his foul be not loft ; But if the foul be loft, all is l^ft, all is loft to an eternity ; nnd Jthere- fore the Lord, out of unfpeakable pity," looks after a loft finner. ^^"ft hath 3. Jefus Chrift hath laid df,w»aprici for fome foulsy and Jefus '/i^e'^fr" fculf
I j Chrift ^'^"
242 Cods Gracious Acceptance
Chriil: Jhall fee of the travel of his Jo44/y he (hall have his pur- Goi will have chafe 10 the full value. 4. God will have fome to magnlfie the fomc 10 magni- riches of his gloriotii Grace j and Love5and Kindnefs,and Mercy, fie the riches i f yea, and to enjoy eternal Glory with himfelf ; therefore he will his Grace. ^j^ j ^^^^ yj^ hnners : For no finner but a found finner jCan either glorifie God, or be glorified with him. Vfe 1: The hrrt U^^ fhall be for Examination of oar felves, Whether
Examiiiacion. our loft fotils he found thus of Cod, or no ? I will propound Iftr'^Tb"'^ unto you, i. Some Argtimems of: Motives to put you upon this foundT ^^^^^» 2. Then the trials or Charaders^ of a perfon whom
God in mercy hath found. Motives to a The Arguments which may move us toaferious Trial, whe- fcriaus Trial, ther we be found perfons, or no, arethefe: i. Everyman is Hrcry man is loft^ km every man is not found : All are loft, but few are found f loft, but eviry ^j^^ ^y^y ^£ ^^^ j^ general, but the way of mercy is fpecial : Mat, fiiund, 1* "^S* ^i^^ ^ the gate^ and broad is the -way that leadeth to de^
fir ntlion^ and many there he that go in there at, v. 14. Btitflrait is the gate y and narrow is the. way that leadeth mta life^ and few there be that find it. You read of a general complaint. They are all gone om of the way I but you read not of a general acclama- tion, They are all returned into the way. Take the way of find- ing a loft fmner, asxl bringing him home to God, either i. by MepeMance : Why 1 the number of finners is exceeding large, but the number of repenting finners is very fcant. As hefaid once of an Army,. Here are many Men, but few Souldiers ; fo may it be faiii in this cafe : Sinners are like the Sands in the fea, very numerous; but Penitent Sinners are like Pearls in the fea, very rare and precious. - -2^ Bj> Faith : All are finners, but few, very few are rrue believers : Hi/teical Faith, though it be a common faith, yet it is not very common ; who hath believed our report ? They are the feweft part of the world, who do credere Chrififimy believe that there is a Chrift ; but hovvfew^ even of thefe, do credere in Chrifium^ believe in Chrift ? And Men,'are never found , til 1 Fdith be found in them. It is 8 very fad 2. It is a very had ^ and a very fad condition^ not to be found' conditicn, not oHt ofy biit to he found [till in alofi condition : If it were no more 10 be found, but this. That fuch a perfon cannot find himfelf imder the clafp or compafs of anyfaving mercy, this were heavy : To be in a Dsfertj and not to know that ever he fhall come alive oiit of it 5
ta>
of the Returning Frodtgal. , 243
tobs in the Ocean, and not to know that ever he fliall comefafe to Land ; to be in a finfuU condition, and not to know whe her ever Divine Mercy will pull him out of this condition : Yet this is the cafe of a loR linner ; he cannot tell whether ever Divine Mercy will look after him, or no ; perhaps it will, perhaps it will not.
Butbcfides this, let's confider what may find thatloftfinner, ' whom Divine Mercy hath not yet eftediually and gracioully found. I. All external miferies may fuddenly fmd him. A- All external
d^m run away from God, and what did he find ? and ^oyiah^ and i'^Vr*'? T'!, what did he find ? All lolfes may fpeedily befal a loli perfon ; ^^^^""^^ ^* Safety is at home, and Dangers abroad : In how many dangers is the loit fheep upon the mountains ? In how many perils is the loft man in the wildernefs ? they may become an eafie prey to all devouring beafis, and are oft times forced to eat up themfelves to preferve themfelves. A loft, impenitent, unconverted fin- ner, is fure of no mercy ; and he is naked, and expofed to all mifery. In the fidnep of hts [n^cUncj ( faith Zophar^ Job 20. 2 2.) he [hall he In ftrelghts^ every hand of the wicked iliali come upon him, v. 23. When he is about to fill his belly, God fiiallcaft the fury of his wrath upon him, and fhall rain it upon him while he is eating. 2. A gmlty andamaz^ingConfcience . ,. _ . may qmckjy find him ; that inward Hell, as one fpeaks :' The ^ifnce'^may'** gliftring Sword cometh out of his Gall, terroars are ufon hlmj qaickly find J oh 20. 25. When Judas had loft himfelf, how quickly did he him. find a guilty Confcience ? It is an heavy thing, to be found out by that which, as Bernard fpeaks, is Bailiff, and Jailor , and Witnefs, and Jury, and Sheriffs, and Judge, and Executioner T too. Everyman that finds me will kill me^ faid Cain^ Gen 4. 5. And Death may find thee ; to which thou wilt fay, as Ahal X)zx\h may to the Prophet, Hafl- thou found me^ O mine enemy ? And findtUee.' Death may return 'the Prophets anfwer unto thee, Tea^ I havs foundthee, hecaufe thou hafi fold thy fe fto work^ evil in the fight of the Lordy i Kin. 21. 20. 4. And Gods condemning Q^s canitvA'
Judgment will find thee. If thou, O loft finner, be not now "*"§ Ju'^f- found to thy converfion, God will one day find thee to thy ^«n's wUlfind fubverfion ; if Mercy finds thee not to come baclc to ^ ^* God, Juftice fliall find thee to caft thee quite away from God,
ij2 5. h
844
Ic it unfpcak- able joy, if God have found thy loft foul. Here is, Rcfcuing mcr
Pardoninj fncrcy. Reconciled communion
with God-
Thy foul feall be found in S-'ory.
Afany men think (bcm^ Iclvcs fou dj who yet arc
Gods Grmous Accepance
How may one know tlac God festh found bis left iouL
Trials of it.
He finds him- felf rob: nun- ly loft.
g. It is an fi^fpeakjtkk jo^y If thou canft find that God hmh in mercy found thy hfifopiL O there are many precious mercies which a fouad foul doth and may find* i. Refctm^ mercy : H; IS delivered f rora Sin and Satan. Is it not a mercy to be freed of a Diieafe, of a Prifon ? O vvh'at then to be delivered from Sm, from Satan 1 2. Pardoning mercy. That of the Prophet is certainly verified of thee, in J ^r. 50. 2 o. In thofe days^and in that timey faith the Lordy theinii^tiity of Ifrael fhall he fought for.y^ and there fhall he none ; and the fins of fudahy and they (hall y.ot h^ found : for Iivill fardonthemy Sec. ^. Reconciled commnmon
with thy God : Thou who waft found in Jail , before, mayeft now be found in thy Fathers houfe;-thou who waft a Vagab(»ii before^ art now a Son ;: God hath accepted of thee, thou haft found fa- vour in his eyes, and mayeft find free acccfs unto his prefencc; 4, Nay, If God hath fonnd thee in mercy y it mil not he long ere, that foul of thine fhall he found in Glory,
4, Many men do reckon ufon /V, that tbey.are fonndy when yet. they remain in A loft condition. There are three things vyhich dif- cover the miftdke of men in this kind. i.. Though they fay, that they have found out their fmfull condition, yet ftiil they rem*ain in their finfuU condition. 2. Though they fay, that they have found out the true way of life, yet they cannot be found walking in that way of life. ^. Though they fay that God hath found them, yet you cannot find them to fear this God, nor to love this. God, nor to honour and exalt this God ; all the marks of Loftnefs are upon them, ignorance, blindnefs, fuperftition, profanenefs, vile wayes, &c^
But will fome fay, How may me kj^siVythat God hath found (in convertingmercy ) hi^ loft fonl ^ This -leads me to thefecond thing, which comprehends the Trials or Cbar36lers of a loft foul truly found : And there are Nine infallible Evidences of a loft perfon gracioufly found.
I. fvhen a lofi (inner is found hy God^ he doth then find him felf t9^ he utterly loft, Vnckany uncleany faid the Leper. Undone, un- done, God he mercifiill to me a PnneryiixA the Tuhlican. In me there dwels no goody I am thtgreateft offinnerSy faid Paul. God finds us by making us to find our felves. There is a vaft difference twixt I. A vnlgar confejfiony I am a (inner, all men are finners ; 2. An sxferimemal conviBion^ I am the loi^ finner, thefe fiins, thefe my
fins
1
of the Returning ProS^al, 2 4 j
fins have undone me ; I am undone and lo(i for fuch a rip> and for fuch a fin ; I perilli, I perilli, if I get not out of this conditi-^ on ; my God is lofl, and my foul will be loft ; I am gone from God, I am out of the way of life ; if I iiiy here, I die ; / ferljh for hunger ^ faid the found Prodigal . Thou lookeft on thy felf and Ihte, but how ? as finfuU ! well ; but doeft thou look on that thy finfuU eftite, as aperilHng, as thy perifhing condition ? as a con- dition, not a day, not an hour, not a moment more to be Ihyed in f Doeft thou look on it as on the Leak in the Ship, as a fink-t ing Leak, as afplitting Rock,.as a feul-deltroying, murthering, ruming condition ? The Lord never finds any man, but he finds - him and brings him back> fo as he fhall acknowledge who hath . found him>(even a God,)and what hath found him,(even his mer- cy ; ) arjid this will never be acknowledged, until God makes us> firft to fee how utterly loft we were ; that the found (inner may fay, 'Twas mercy that pi tied me, 'twas mercy that looked after. me, 'twas mercy that lighted on me, 'twas mercy which dealt, with me, wooed me, overcame me, brought me back, favedme-. meer mercy ; for I was utterly lofi, I had perifhed, if mercy had not recovered me, &6,
2. when God finds a loft- (inner ^ that Jinner finds hlmfelf without He finds hfm- 41U ftrength t9 come backet 0 God. Though you find your felves to Ui( without have !oft your God, yet if you can find ftrength of your owti to ^fcngth to rs^ bring you back unto your God, affuredly your loft fouls are not .^"'"' found : For (tofpeak,pun6hially ) no man finds himfelf loft., who as yet can find any thing in himfelf to fet up himfelf; if I yet poffefs ftrength^ I am not yet loft : But a truly and experi- mentally loft foul, feels in it felf not onely a lof<? of God, but aU fo of power to come forth, to come back to God ; Rom. 5. mth- 9m ftrength. It knows not, by its own light, one foot of the way; and when it is made known, alas, it finds no power to ftir ; nay,. if .1 might have mercy, and heaven upon the freeft term.=?, but for coming home, I am not able to do i t. O how a found loft foul complains ! It complains as much of an impotent heart,' as of a * wandrins; heart : I cannot com2,I cannot turn thus wandrirg heart into the rigkt wy;comc back to my God I lliould,but come I can- HOt;go to Chrift I ftiould,but go I cannot; if Chrift doth not come . to me, I dial I never be able to come to him ; if he doth not feek me,I fhall never feek him; if he finds not me with ftrength,I flaall weyer find him with comfort and fafety. 3. If."
-2^6 Gods Gracious Jcceftance
„ .M , 3. If God hath indeed found thee, Iha^ wllty above all
alltbii£?dc- thwgs^ defire to h found in Chrifi, The found ibul prefently
fire to be found finds a need of Chriii P^^/, as foon as mercy found him,
in Chrift. would by no means be found m huiifelf, but by all me.ans be
found in Chrilt ; That I may kfonrJ In htm, faith Partly PhiL
^. p. There was a Nobleman ( one ElyeariHs ) who was fuppo-
fed to be loft, and his Lady fent up and down to find him ; One
at length meets with him, and tels him how follicitous his Wife
was to find him out; O ( anfwered he ) commend me to my
Wife, and tell her, That if Hie defires to find me, iTie mult
look for me in the heart of Jefus Chrift,for there onely am I to be
found. And verily, there is no poor foul, whom God is finding
and bringing honie tohimfelf, on whom he hath imprinted a true
fenfe of his loftnefs, but prefently the foul cries ou*, What fball
I do ? what ilicill I do to be faved ? O that I might have Chrift 1
and O that I might be found in Jefus Chrift ! Remember two
things: I, Thatthe Lord will hr'wghack^to hlmf elf no foul, hut
by Jefm Chrifi ■: Chfifi is the finners way to the Father ; he is
the door by which you are admitted ; If ever the Lord caits an
eye on thee, or take thee by the hand, it is for his Chrift'sfake.
2, A lofi foulyWhich is found,yrWx a^ ahfolute need of Jefus Chrifi:
Nothing out of Chrift can make peace, can juftifie,can reconcile,
ran fet us ftraight, can make us accepted. Had I all other things,
and had not Chrift, I were ftill a loft perfon : Had I the righte-
oufnefs of Angels, yet if I had not Chrift, I were loft ; could
I mourn, could I repent, could I pray, could I live holily,
could I walk exactly, yet I am loft ; I amitill loft, until I
get into Chrift. / count all things but lofi^ for the excellency of
the knowledge of Jefus Chrifi my Lord, God will look on me as
my Judge, he will look on mie as his enemy, he will not own me
as a Father, as a reconciled Father, but in Chrift.
JefusChrift 4- If thy lofi foul be truly fomd, then Jefus Chrifi may he
may be found found injhat lofi fettl of thine. They report of Ignatim, that
in that lolt the Letters of Jefus were found written in his heart : This I dare
^°"^* affirm. That the Piauredf Chrift, the Graces of Chrift, tlie
Life of Chrift, is to be found in every found man. Pauly Lydiay
the Jailor, Chrilt was fought by than, and found in them. It
cannot be, that a finner fhould be found, if Chrift be not to be
found in him. Why I if thou be a Chriftlefs man, who doubt?
of the Returning Prodigal, 2 47
ky but that thoa art a loR man ? Now do not deceive thy foul ; thou canlt fay, that Chnil once was to be found ni the Temple, and Chrili once was to be found on the Crofs, and Chrilt is liill to be found at the right hand of his Father ; but is there no: one place more where thou cantt find him ? hait thou not a heart ? Is Chrilt to be f«iind there, I fay, there, in thy heart ? I find him in thy Ear wh^n thou hearert, and I find him in thy mouth when thou fpeakeft, and thou findeft him in thy mind when thou thinkeli ; but Hill I ask. Doit thou find him in thy heart > which bves, which fears, which joys, which delights, which embra- ceth ? O, is Chrifl in thy heart ! what > a found man, and no- thing of Chrili to be found in thee 1 I know not, perhaps wilt thou reply. Why this is Ikange, that Chrift fhould be in thee, and thou never know it ! Chrill dwels in the broken heart, in the believing heart ; Chrirt lives in him, who onely lives upon Chriii Chrift was a crucified Chri(t, doth he crucifie thy heart ? He was a holy Chrift, doth he purifie thy heart? He was an humble Chrift, doth he abafe thy heart ? He was a tender Chrift, doth he mdlifie thy heart ? He was a fatisfying Chrift, doth he paci fie thy heart ? He was an obedient Chrift, doth he command,, doth he lead, doth he rule thy heart ? He did for thee, canft^ thou do for him ? He died for thee, canft thou fuffer for him ? He loved thee, canft thou delight in him?
• 5. If the Lord hath gracioufly found thy loft foul, and indeed Then thou wile brought it home unto himfelf. Then thm wilt find [ujficlency^ m find fufficiency emtigh at leafl^ in thy Fathers houfe. There is enough in God, in thy Fatherr* to allure and draw a finner home, to keep a finner at home that - be needs not wander abroad, mercy and pleafurcs for evermore : This the Prodigal difcover'd afar off, even in the birth of his finding ; There is bread Cnongh^ and to /pare, God feems a poor . thing, a mean thing, an infuflRcient thing to a loft man ; and therefore he WJinders up and down, and ferves his lufts, and begs; from the Creatures to make him out fome delight, fomeplea- fure, fome proRt, fome fubfiftence, fome contentment : But God is a rich thing, a Fulnefs ; He alone is enough ; One God is enough for my one foul, if my foul indeed be found of him : O, he hath Mercy enough for me to fave me. Love enough for aie to delight me, Heafure enough for me to comfort me, Dig- mty enough for me to advance me, Help enough for mc to
preferve
248 Cods Gracious Aeceftanee
I preferveme; Happinefs enough forme, to fave me. If I want
-Grace, he is the ood of Grace ; if 1 want Peace, he is the God
of ^i2iCt - if I want Mercies, he is the Father of Mercies ; if I
. ^ want for Earth, the Earth is the Lords ; if I VYould nave Hea-
! ven, he is the God of my Salvation. Now^ friend, what fay
you? hath God found your loft foul? and what hath your foul
found in your God? What canft thou fay of this God, of .his
Mercy, Love, Entertainment, Communion ? with thee thefa^
theriejs fi'/ideth mercy ; Thy favour is better than life ; It is good
for me to draw near unto God ; canft thou fay thus ? is there bread
enough f«)r thee in thy Fathers houfe ? If fo, why doeft thou yet
run away? run abroad to Sin for delight, to the Creature for fa-
tisfa6lion ?
Thou wilt be 6. If God hath gracioufly found thee, and brought thee out of
afraid to lofe thy loft and wandring condition, Ihon wilt he afraid to hfe thy
-f thy idf ajain. f elf again j to wander again, togoaftray again from thy God who
hath found thee. There arefe things which the found and re- covered perfon doth a pprchend ; i . The great imftlty in h is for- merly loft and wandring courfe of life. 2. His great vanity all that while, to forfake his own mercies, to fow the wind, and ' reap the whirl vvind. what profit had ye in thofe things whereof ye
^ dre now afhamed f Rom.6. ^^ The great ki^dnefi and love
' which God hath manifefted towards his loft foul, in bringing him back to himfelf, and now to own him as a Fatlier doth a Son. 4. The great ingratitude^ to difpleafe that mercy which was pleafed to find him. %, The madne ^ of folly ^ to return to an experimental mifery, and to forfeit fvveet mercy, which he hath liberally tafted fince he was found. 6, The great haz,ardy whether -mercy will ever look after him any more, who hath fo prefumptuoufly abufed mercy received. O no ; the found fin- , ner hath found fi-ch freenefs, fulnefs, fweetnefs of entertain- ment ; fuch rich mercy, fuch free love, fuch wonderfull klnd- nefs, that as Peter in another cafe, ( it is good for hs to he here ; ) or as the returning Church, ( it is beft being with my firft Husband ; ) or as Panl about his being with Chrift, fo he about continuing and complying with his God, It i§ heft of all. And therefore he cries out againft all temptations, Shall I return to folly, when God hath fpoken peace ? fhall / •fin again, fincc Gad hatt given me fuch a deliverance as
this?
f •'
of the Returning Prodigal, 249
this? O no,0 no ; C^nann is bcj.ter then £gyfty Paradife is bet- ter then a vvilderncfs , a Fathers Houie is better then to ferve Swine, plenty is better then famine; NovvGod rmiiesonme , and ("hall I raile his frowns ? Now confcience fpeaks peace, Ihall I turn this oyle into a Sword ? O let me never unjoynt the Rones which mercy at leng h hath let ; O let me never darken the Sun, which lliines fo comtortably ; O let me never feed on husks,who may (Hll feed on bread ; O let me never run from a Pailace to a Prilbn : It w.is Gods mercy,and my happinefs to be refcued out of a loft condition ; let it never be my fin and curfe, to throw my felf dutof Heaven, to cart myfelfoutof Paradife again, for a •' fins fake which formerly loft me , to depart from mercy , which hathgraciouflyfound me.
'7. If fit found ferfon doth ftray \ h cannot he qniet until he he If he do firay foHndy and come hack^agam to his. God, Ffal.i 19.175. I have *l^'^"°^ ^'^'^ gone ajlray like a loft fheef^ [eek^ thy fervant : There is this dif- ^ . ^ ^°^* ference twixt the ftrayings of the Godly, and of the wicked ; when a wicked man ftrayes he is then at home, ( fin is his home , and finful paths are the paths in which he loves to wander ; the mire and dirt are the delightful home of the Swine ) and there- fore he delights to be abroad, and cares not to come back again : But a Godly man, if he ftrayes, if he fins, he is now from home, hefeethfome fteps of loftncfs in every ftep of finfulnels, his heart is aptprefently tofmite him for it; Alas! what hav6 I done ? whether am I going ? ihall I go again from my Fathers Houfe? whatayled me thus to ftep a fide ? I cannot reft thus, I will home again vvhat ever comes of it. And back he comes with an afhamed heart , as Ephraim did ; and with a mourn- ing heart, as Peter did ; and with a felf- judglrg heart, ^s David did : O my God , O my Father, I, even I have finned, finned again ; yet for Chrifts fake, accept of me sgaiu. ' Me thinks it
* IS with him , jufi as it is with a poor Child, vvhomevilcom-
* pany hath feduced from home ; hi^ heart akes , and he flips ^ from them , and under a Bufh he fits, and there bethinks him-
* felf, and fighs,and weeps as if his heart would brenk; after which *: he rifeth, and home he comes, and Ikals to the door, and liftens, ' and knocks fof tl y ; and the Servants comes forth, and, fliy they, ^ where have you been all this while ? O, your Father wonders
* at you ! and hath been much troubled that you have dealt
K k ' thus
2 50 <^ods Gracious AccepAncc
* thus with him : Now the child takes on,and is cut to the heart j
* and V7iil not my Father be pacifyed ? I know that I have oifea-
* ded him, and dealt unkindly with him : Never had a Child fo
* good a Father ; I pray you, fpeak for mc, and tell him, I am
* without. Let him come in, faith his Father : In he comvS, and
* falls do.vn, and with floods of tears acknowledges his ikayings, *-and humbly intreats his Father to pafs by this wandring, and to
* own him again,and to look on him as he was wont to do : O Sir, '(faith he) I canno: live without your favour,, nor will I live out
* of your houfe.. Even thus is it with a found Child of God,if he ; ^ happens to ftray and rin,his heart fmites him,and his heart akes ; . ^(Ofaith he) what have I done to deal thus with my good God
* and Father , I am ailiamed and grieved ; To one Muiifler he
* goes, and perheips to another ; Do yow think that the Lord will ' be merciful to me again ? Yea,, to God he goes, and confefleth
* all,, and befeecheth him to deal with him like a Father ; Lord,
* ( faith he) it hath been a woful and bitter time to me, I cannot *ftand it out ; I come in unto thee , fin is my burthen , and thy
* difpleafure is my burthen : I befeech thee to pardon the tref-
* pafs of thy fervant, , and be reconciled unto me, and OrVn mc
* with thy favour and mercy once again.
He fades vours B. //<? Tvh& is truly found by Gods Grace and Mercy-, doth de^
, 40 £cd ©iters, pre And endeavour to find others , c r that others may alfo hefofirJ ;
, Jf. 1.43, 45. Chrift finds P/:///p, zndPhlllf Rnds Nathamef t
• ' There is no good man who would pertake of Grace and Heaven
alone ; and there is no vvicked m.'in who vould enjoy fin and hell alone ; Wicked men are like thofe that are drowning, who catch] hold on others ; and every good man is like a Candle, which be- ing lighted holds out light to others ; or like a fiick of fire,which being kindled, would kindle more ft'cks : Good Lord, the fame- Meicy, the fame Grace , the fame Ch'-'fi , the fame reconciled <}od,and Father for my poor Child too,and for my poor HusSand too, and for my poor Parents too : O Lord, pity them too,tlaey are loft, and they know not themifery of a loft condition , nay, the happinefs of . a found condition : Good Lord, open their I eyes, and bring them home to thy felf inChrift,, And to his
friends he goes >. O continue not in this condition, you are loft, I was fo ; Return to God,you knovV not the fweetnefs of his mer- cy, of. his love, .
f . If
■
of the Returning Trodigd. 251
9. If God hath found thee indeed, Then thou mayfi be fomd ^^ ^^^^ ^^ in Gods wajes : The wayes or courfe of life which a man leads, ,,,.jna in Gods plainly difcovers whether he be found or loft; a man that is ftill v^a/($. loli , he continues in vvayes which are loofe and loll, which will brin^ him to everlafHng perdition and lofs : A man ihat is found by Grace, isno\v, in fuch vvayes as brings Glory to him which finds, and alio brings him to Glory who is found ; What ' talk of being found by Gods mercy , and yet wallowing in thy ki^s, itill runnmg on in thy finful bafe vvayes 1 whatibrought back :o God, and (hll running away from God ! Affuredly, thefound man is to be found in new waves, in the paths of righteoufnefs and ho- linefs ; he is alliamed of his old vvayes, and forfakes them : P^f*^ - is not perfecuting now, but humbling himCelf for it, and praying, and preaching, and living to Chrift. .
The next Ufe fhall be of Exhortation unto a twofold Duty. p^^l^{[]^^^ I. Ta find out your loll condition. 2. To get out of a loft conditioii. i. L/thvur to find ont your lofi C9n2ltloH : Be con- To find out vinced, that naturally you are loft men. There are two ReaCons our loft condi-^ which may move you to this. i. The extream fride andfelf-con- "°^' . ce'itednefs ; the felf-conceit,andfelf-deceitm every fmner ; there y^" fxcresa is no finner thniks himfelf fo fafe ai^d vvell as the loft (inner ; pridt and fdf- Jhave need of n9thlng({2iid Laodlcea.)! tv as alive o»#tf(faid Pauiy) conc«itc<lners fVe Tvrre never in bondage (faid the Jews. ) 2. Toti mil never feek^ of every (i oRcr. unt9 the Lord to bring you out of a lofi condition^ until yopi find 5^^ c^\ jour [elves Ufi .- Who feeks his bread but the hungry ? or asks ^^ ^^*^ ^^^ ' theway,who thinks himfelf in the way?or comes hDme,vvho is not feivci loft, gone abroad ?
Ohj, But you will fay , how may a man be convinced that his condition is loft ? Sol, I anfwer, there are feven fpecid con- vidionsof if. i. The fall tf mankind in Adam : Ourna- Seven Gonvi-
ture was like a ftock depofited in his hand , what he had, we had ; aions of our what he kept,we kept ; when he feU,.wc fell ; and what he loft, io^ conditiQa. we alfoToft; his condition was not pcrfonal, but natural ; not particular, but Univerfal : Oh, that Ship is fpHt, tha^ Tree is fallen, that Stock is fpent. 2. Tfje Obfervatifx of onr w^yes
findfathes : do but eye them, and judgof tiiem : Asr/hcn God opened the, eyes of the Syrians , they faw themfelves to be mt\t&m\d{{o^ Samaria'^ fo if God ever open th'ne eyes, thoii VYiItf^eand confefs thatali thy vvayes are but wandrings, and.»I!
' ' K k a the .
252 ^^^^ Gracious Acceftance
the time of thy life hath been loft in iniquity , and vanity. 3. The P^udy of the Law: Ah! When wilt thou read thy felf in it! thou v^'iit find thy felf many a thoufand mile from home, and to have been along, very long wanderer, aloft and undone perfon» Rom. 7. 9. JVhen the CommAniment came , fm revivedj and I dyed, 4. u4 confctcnce inllghxned and qmckc ned: There is no one faculty in mm, which can difcover his prefent condition to him, fo certainly and fo clearly as Con- fcience; Men fpeak, fancy fpeaks, corrupted judgment, and reafon Ipeak, yea, but what doth confcience fpeak, mprivate, on a fick bed, in an imminent judgment ? 5. The judgment of Godly and exferienced Chn'flians , who have known experi- mentally a loft condition, and a found condition. 6, The un-lnc It nation of hii fpirit to all Commmton with God : Nay, the very averfnefs of it thereto. 7. The ahfolme inexferi- ence of his foul,, in the family of God, never yet knowing what fuch a fathers houfc doth mem. Scrivetogct Secondly, when yon have found om your lojl condhlony then ou? oHbis left flrlve to get out of it : O, do not continue in it , either through Condition, prefumption, that you can quickly come home,or through defpair, that G od now will never look after you,nor regard you ; Bat pray the Lord in mercy to turn thy heart, to give thee an heart to come back unto him. 0^/. But I have wandered fo long, that I fhall never be accepted, nor welcomed, although I ftiouldcome back. SoL ^ay not fo : But confider well of thefe enfuing particulars, i. The Lord faith, 1 hat he hath been found of them that fought him not ; and will he not then be found of them that return and feek him ? Sifecc.am , ^uid pemtenthfi errantl ^md qudrenft? If he looks after thee then, will he not look on thee now? 2. There was never a wandering loft Soul ^ that ever returned hack^to his Fathers Houfe , but the door hath been opened to him^ and he ha h found mercy ; the Prodigal h^rty Manajfes^ Paul Scc^ f?. If thou hafi a heart to turn home^ It Is a certain fign that God Intends thee rnercy ; he. h:ith putreturning.thoughts in, thee, becaufe he hath already contrived thoughts of mercy to- wards thee. We love hlm^ becaufe. he loved us firfi ; we turn to , him, becaufe he firft turned to us. 4. The Lord God hath fent Jefis Chrlftfrom Hea:zcny to look^aftery and to findy andiofapfi that which was /op : Novy, though thouxajqift ru>t expe<S to find -
■" ■ the
of the Returning Prodigal, , 253
/ the door epened for thine own fake; yet thou flialtfee the door open , and the Armcs of Mercy open to thee, for Chrifts fake. 5. How m,iny mejjengers and ^ervmts hath God-, and doth God ft ill
_,. fend afttr^ which cry earnelHy unto thee, Come back, return and live? Thus the Gofpel cries, thus Confcience cries, thus all thy mercies cry, thus all thy affli6lions cry : If God be yet feeking after thee, thou mayit yet be found ; and if thou wilt feek, and wait a while, thy poor lof-t foul fhall alfo be found. 6, God hath chalked $Ht the wajes and fte^s of returning home to him. j, God hath fgy.nd men in their blood , and hath [aid unto them^ Live, Ezek. (5,
For this my Son n>as dead-, and is alive again,
Thefe words do hold forth a pithy defcription of a finners converfion ; that is, a paffige from death to life ; or a mutation from a dead condition, into a living condition ; the eftate of fin is a dead eliue, yea,a deadly eliue ; and the 'ik:\.x.t of Grace, is a living eftate, ye^^, a lively eftatc. There anyminy Do£^rinal PropofitionS) which are couched in thefe words : As i . That an impenitent, or unconverted min , is a dead man : [ This my Son was dead ] 2. That when a finner is converted , he is, then mide a live : [And is alive'] jj. That God doth fometimes con- vert a very great and notorious finner : [This^thismySon] 4, That great aifliclions are fometimes the means of a great finners Con- verfion : [7 his my Son was] 5. That there is an almighty power,re- quired to convert or change a finner [ As much as to make a dead man to live.l 6, That true Converfion is a very great and confpicu- ous alteration : (No change is like that from death tolife.) y.That true Converfion is an inwirdror a foul-alteration 5 notof cloath?, or painting : (It is the putting of life into a dead min. ) "6, That a finner contributes nothing at all towards his CoHver- fion, but Co'iverfion of a finner , is the fole work of a God ; (for it is God only, who can quicken the de.id, no dead m in can make h'mfelf alive. ) 9. That the Lord takes notice nf e-- very condition of m>n (of the Prodigals former condition, he was deady and of his prefent condition, hut he is alive again. ) 10. That the Lord doth own every converted perfon, as a Fa- ther ovTns a- Son : [ This my Son, ~\
, "■ That
2^^ A Gods gracious Acceptance
■pa. I . That an impenitent or unconverted man is a dead man [ Thu
An unconvcr- ?«7 Son was dead ] Thefinriwris in Scripture fom.^tiines itikd, A ted man, is a fallen man. i/^/. 14. 1 . Thou haft fallen by thine imqiiitj : Yc^a, dead man. ^^t this fall is a deadly fall ; not like Epitjchits Fall, Aots 20. 29. in whom yet there was life, verf. 10. But like ^haz,iah's Fall, - which was deadly to hini, 2 Kings i .4. A difeafed man, {I fa. i .5. From thefole of the foot even to the heady there is no fo-indnefs) but this difeaie is a deadly difeafe; and therefore fin is called the P/a^nff .fif the hearty 1 Kings 8. No difeafeis fo deadly as tke Plague, and no Plague is fo deadly as the Plague in the heart. A -wjund- edmivi ( Luk^. 10,^0, A certain man fell among Theeves^ wht wo:-ndedhim,) But this wound is a deadly wound,likethac which the King of Bahilon gave to Pharaohy\yhxdim ide him groan with the groanings of a deadly yvomdsd man^ E z ek. 3 o. 24. An inthr ailed man. 2 Pet. 2.19. Of whom a man is overcsme^ of the fame he z^ brought in Bondage ; But this Bondage is a deadly Bondage; whether $f Jin unto death (faith the Apoftle) of the fervants of fin, Rom,6, 16, A dead man ; and this is the highe({,unlefs you fay, a damned man ; frequently doth the Scripture Phrafe this way. Fjalm 106, 2^, The-y did eat the facrifices of the dead ^ becaufe offered to dead Idols, and by dead Idolaters. Prov, 21. 16. The man that vpandreth out of the way of under ftanding^ fhall remain in the Congregation of the dead^ ( ./. ) of the ungodly, wicked , impenitent : The Efhejians , what were they before their converfion? See Chap. 2. i. Bead in fins and trefpajfes. The Ctloffians , what were they before their converfion ? See Chap. 2.1^. AndyiH being dead in your fms^ &c. i Pet.4. (5.71^^ G of pel was preached to them that were dead/S.) to wicked and im- penitent perfons; nay, jWf,v.i 2. fpeaks of fome that were twice dead ; dead in refpe(5^ of Original Sin^ and dead in rcfpe6l of ABualfin ; or,dead in rdpe6^ of corruption, and dead in refpe6i: to their former profefTion. I grant, that an unconverted finner may be alive. 1, In rQUpQ^oi his own opinion: I was once ^ live (faid Paul Rom. 7.9.) but when the Commandment came , fin revive d^and I d)'ed, 2. In the opinion of men. Rev. :^. i. Th$fi haft a name that thou liveft^and art dead ; So Chrift of the Church of Sardis, 3. To Jinful workj ; he lives in them, and lives with them,and lives to them;but this life is death, this life is a fign that ke is dead, that untofpirituals he is dead* This is a great Point,of
which
of the Returning Prodigal, 2 55
which I am now difcourfing, and hath been the fubje^l of much
dilpute, as in former A^es , fo iii this latter Age. There have
been f( me that have denyed (utterly) this death of a (inner ;
others have held finful men to be wounded, and to be half dead : . . ^
The Pelagians ^^o this way, fo do all ih^ Papijh , and verily the
Armlnians come not much lliort herein ; yea, moft men preiume
that though they be finners, yet that they are not altogether dead, .
but fome life llill remains in them, or fome power. Favour me
therefore,to o:en the point with fome diftin6lions,and then I lliali
confirm the truth delivered, both with Scripture and Arguments , , rv-n, -
and wind up the reft with fome profitable Applications to our ^j^J^* "•'
fclvcs.
I. For the firft of thefel diftinguifh thus; Man is confiderable Mm confidcr- under a threefold eftate. i . Of I'/iflhmlo?7^or Creation fWhtrdn he ''d under a ihtee- was alive,and had a power to live or dye. i^ofDef^mtion^or Deoe- ^2^f ^*^^* , neratttn : In this eftate every man hving is dead. 3. 0/ Rcflituusny Qp oc^nera- 6r Regeneration : And here he is born again, and is made alive a- tion, * gain. Again,man in his degenerate or fallen e(iue5may be confider- Ot R?gen«ra-- ed in relation to adiionsjand obje(^s, either, i . Natural : To thefe ^ion. ^ he i^ alive ; the foul in man is no dead,but living thing, and is able ^f^ ^" *^*? to underftand, will, dciire, difcourfe, and realon; and this man can colffidered Is eat,drink,{leep,c^f.2.Pc//r/V;^/;Herealfo life is found in him;even to a wicked man (deftitute of all Grace) is alive to trade, to bargain, Nacural adi- to buy,to fell,to planr, ro build, ^,Theolegica/y or Spiritual : Now °"^. ^ here the ^mr cm tent, or unconverted mm hflane mortuu6 , ftark j^',^^'^* ' '** dead. An un^erfl-andlrg ( I confefs) he ftill hath, but none that is Or* Thcolori* ^ able to know God aright, or Chrift, or any faving truth (without caL Divine aid or Grace.) 2 Cor. ^.5. ff^e are not /efficient of onr fehesy te thinks any thing as of onrfelzesy If we ( Apoftle and regenerate) be not fuilicient, who is! if not to think, then to what 1 to think, is the loweft a6l of power, i Cor. 2. 14. The natural man reeeizeth not the things of the Spirit of God j . for they arc foolifhn^fs unto him ; neither can he knorv them^^ kecanfe they are fpiritnaUy difnemed, John i. ^. The light fhineth in darkle fs , and the dark^efs comprehended it mP, ^ mil alfo I gr<int unto the natural and unconverted man , . for he could not be a m^n , if he bad not a will , but this will (without Grace) cantTOt do any fpiritual good, rtorchufeit,, norleve.it, nor dcfire it: No» joteji h$mo aliquid velle nlfl
^djJtVftUTr
255 Gods gracious Acceftance
Adjpivettir ah eo , qui malmn non f(^efl velle : So S. Anflln a- ^m\ii Pdagiusy 'lom. 3. De ffinm O' Liter a cap. 3. wlthom me (laith Ciirift)^^ can do nothings J oh 1 5.5. No ma,n comes tome^ exec ft the Father draw him^ J oh. 6. 44. h is God who workj in m to will and to do (faith the Apoftie) 'Phil, 2.13. And Workj^ \ grant
im o this man, but fpiri ual work I d^ny to them. ^/W ^oW /?/?-
tef}: ferditus mfi in qHamum k ferditione liherattis \ Auitm inEn-
chirid.C^o, Ihej that arn in the p^ cannot f'.ea[e God^ faith the
Apofile^ Rom. 8. 8. An evil Tree cannot bringforth good fruit ^
fo our Saviour, Mat. 7. 1 8. without faith it is imfojjlble to pleafe
CodjHQhrAi.S,
J. r .. 2. But let US proceed further, and fearch What Reafons may
be produced to demonrtrate the Aflertion: That the natural, or
unconverted man is fpiritually dead , and as to fpirituals altoge-
H t bath no ther dead ; Thus th^i, i . He who hath no Commmion at all with
communion the principles of fpiritnal life , is (in a fpiritual fenfe) altoge-
¥*ub the prm- ^-j^gj. ^^^^^ . f^^. vvhere there is no principle of life, there can-
tua'uifc. ^^'*" not be any thing but death : Tolle animam^ tdle vitam :^ but the
impenitent and unconverted finner, hath no communion with any
one principle of fpiritual life : Therefore, (^c. There is a twofold
principle of this life. i. A primitive conjunBion with God ^ In
theefiateof Imocency r^ but this is lofi 2. ^renewed Con-
junRionwith God by Chrljl ; but yet this \s not attained to by an
unconverted finner. It is a confeffed truth, that Jefus Chrift is the
Author of fpiritual life to the finner : He that hath the Son^hath
hfe^and he that hath not the Son^hath not life^ Joh. 5.17. And the
finner hath it partly hy Faith ^ which taking Chrirf, takes life
from him ; by the Spirit of Regeneration^which renewg, and makes
him alive ; but the unconverted finner, hath neither the one, nor
the other ; had he either, he were then converted.
Origin a! (in, ' 2. Original Jin (whilfi reigning) is a compleat caufe offpirittial
Is a compUac death : But original fin reigns in the impenitent and unconverted
caufc of fpiri- finner, therefore he is dead. The Fathers have diverfly Phrafed
tual death. Original fin ; fome call it Venenum Syerpentis^^o Cprian ; others
Flagamferpent.iSj{oIreneus; others Vitium parentum^ {oF^u-
linius in Aujlin ; the Apoftle Faul calls it, fometimes, the body
°f P'^t (otnQtimQs^thebody of deathj fometimes, the Law of fin
and death ^(omtXimts-ithe Vnclrcumcifion of the heart, 0\jx. Divines
generally conceive two things in it, 2;/^. In Original fin, there is
I. nA
of the Returning Prodigal. 257
X. A total deprivation of original right eoufnejS : The Faculties remain, but the Redtitiide is gone. It is reported of an excel- lent Philofopher, that he fell into a Difeafe, which daflncd out all ihe Learning that ever he acquired, fo that he forgat even his own Name. Original fin is like the extinguifliing of a Candle ^ the Candle remains IHII, but the Light is gone: Or like the quenching of red Iron; the L:on remains, but the fiery rednefs is all gone : O: like a Tree, the Limbs remain, but the Life is gone. It is an Univerfal fpoil ; it hath robbed . us of all our fupcrnaturals ; worfe to us than the Devil to J#^, who took away all that he had, yet fpared his Life ; But Ori- ginal Sin not onely took away Paradife and Righteowfnefs, but all felf- power fo much as todefire to be good. 2. A tctdl depravation of all the man, Seges uhl Trola : The Soul of Man was once like a Garden, fully fet with the fweeteit Flow- ' ers of Righteoufnefs ; but now it is become like a Wildernefs run over and filled with Briars and Thorns : Or it is like a Face, vvh'ch once was the moft curious of features, ( every part ex- prefllng moft amiable fweetnefs ; ) now it is like the fame Face, moll deformed with the clufters of the Pox, and the very fhame and reproach of it felf. There is not a Faculty in the Soul, but it is like the Bough of a fruitful! Tree, thicMy laden with Ini- quity : It is a Spring, bubling out nothing but averfatiow, en- mity, refinance to fpiritual good ; and rcadinefs, incfination, cagerncfs, unfatiablenefs to all that is evil : Godfarv that every imagination of the thoughts of the heart of man vfOf onely evil contwHaUy^ Gen. 6. 5. The beft of men complain of blind- nefj, of dulnefs, of deadnefs ; Alas then, what, or how is it with the worft of men ? Paul could not do good, a wicked man would not do good : Paul complains for want of pow- er ; what then may an unconverted man do ! By all this ( I think ) it manife6lly appears , That the unconverted man is fpiritually dead , becaufe Original Sin reigns in bim ; ( if in any, then in him ; ) and where Original Sin reigns, there is. a total privation or ^bfence of all fpiritual Life , and total corruption or prcfence of fpiritual Death in the Soul. Thetfrmsuft^
3. The Terms ufed in Scripture to exprefs a finners converfi- *^ ^^"pturc t* •n, dofeem futficiently weighty, to prove, That before his con- ^^^ * «»¥«•
LI vcrfion
2 J 8 Cods Gracious Acceftame
vefion he was fpidtually dead : For it is fet forth fometimss, By the RefHrreEiionof the dead -^ Ephef, 5. 14. Aivaksy thon that Jleepefi^ and arife from the dead. By the Generation of a per f on. Of hi4 own good will hegat he us mth the word oftrmhy Jam. 1. 1 8. By Creation, 2 Cor. 5.17. If any man he in Chri^^ he is a new creature. Now obferve ; if Converfion be a Rerurre6^ion, ' a fpiritual Refurreclion, then the foul before Converfion was fp'i- ritually dead ; if Converfion be a Regeneration, then a new life is brought into ihe foul, which it totally wanted before ; If Con- verfion be a Creation, and the converted m.in qtia talis be a new creature, then he had no fpiritual being before. If fpiritual Life • be a creature onely of ChrilFs making, then, &c, Tke promifcs 4. To me, thofe fpiritual Prowifes which God mak^Sy ofgi^ ot giving* fpi- i^lng a fpiritual being and life^ do abundantly clear, that man is andUfc''"'' ^^^^ ° "^^' of pouring forth the Spirit of Grace, giving his Spi- rit, taking away the heart of Stone, and giving the heart of Fie ("h, of giving Knowledge, Love, Fear, c^^. Such kinds of Promi- ' fes imply three things : i. 0:4r total want mi n^Qd ; 2. Gods Hndertaki.ng to he flow them ^ 5 , A free and total donation of them to us on Gods part. The (Juzy of 5. S. ^^iflin ufeth the t)uty of Prayer, to prove this Aflfertibn
i fa/cr, againft the Pelagians ; Petenda a Deo lpphaoif$m a, ergo nihil boni ex
rfiohis poffamm^ And in an Epi (tie to ^/m/^, he faith, Prorfus V r*on erampii^DeHfn^ fed orare ms fngimuifi nos ipfof non Ilium credit . mus facer e quod or dmtis,
6. I will add but one Argument more, 'viz-^ That man is tc-
Afan cannoc ^ tally dead, ( qtiantum ad fpiritaalia^) who cannot fo much as
so^i^f" ^'^^^^ prepare himfelf, no not remotely, no not in any degree unto the
life of Grace: But, the Unconverted man cannot, ('^^V^^'^/^r^?-
jria^ and without fupernatural aid,) in h : leaft degree'prepsre
himfelf, &e, for, without that aid, he cannot de&e deliverance
- .out of his finfwll eftate, nor m<:>urn over it, nay not feel it, nay
Rotfpiritually knowit. ^. ^-^
The Ufe which I defire to Bi^ke 'orthis Point, I^allrSdfice unto, I. Information,:?, Jfialj 3 Inl^rii(5lion. InformatloD* ^ For /^/^^'w^^f/W Is every natural and unconverted man. a Tbc unccn- fpiritually dead man? Hence we may be informed of fevehl ]n?h f"d(left Truths. i. That the unconverted man is-, of all men- on the
seiididon, f^rphy in the faddejl^ vlle/l, mferahlefi (ondition : Why? Be-
cayfe
of the Returning Prodigal. 259
caiife he is fpiritually dead, dt^d-^ fpiritually dead. A wounded man is in a tedious condition, and a difeafed raan is in a languifh- ing condition ^ but what is a VYound to death ? what is a difeafe to death ? Me morientl morl ; Death is the Sun-fet of all coinfort ; Death is the drowning of a little world ; Death is the very Hermitage of forgetfulnefs and loathfome corruption: Death is the loweft and vileft condition; what then is a fpiritual Death ? No Death like the fpiritual Death. O my friends, con- r n l. lider Ipintual Death, eitnerm companion, or m its proper com- d-a^^^ plexion, or in the confequents of it, furely, no Death, no con- dition is fo difmal as it. i. In comfmfon mth any other Inccmparlfoa Death : This is the worft, this is the heavieft. There is the Death wich ochct of our Goods di\-\d Eftate^ ( inco which Job fell ; ) of oixt Name «icatiu and RepHtatioyi^ ( into which David fell ; ) of our Bodies and natural Llfe^ ( into which Laz^artu fell ; ) of the Sonl^ the im- mortal foul of man, into which every unconverted finner is fal- .len ; Now what is a dead Eftate to a dead Soul ? Or what is a dead Name to a dead Soul ? Or what is a dead Body to a dead Soul ? It is not fo much as the death of a Dog to the death of a Man. Every unconverted man hath a dead foul; a converted man may have a troubled foul, but the unconverted man hath a dead foul, fin hath flain his precious foul ; If the foul be dead, what is alive ? What is that man whofe foul is dead ? In all other deaths , fomething is alive \;^ if Goods be gone, the Name lives; if the N^me be gone, th^ Body lives ; if the Body be gone, the Soul lives : But if the Soul alfobe gone, what lives ? 2. In tt felf : Why fpiritual Death is a total privation of God, Inicffftf, ofChriii, of Grace; no life of God, nolife of Chrili, no life of Grace is there in any unconverted perfon ; none at ^11. Ah rpoor wretch ! what art thou, and what is thy condition, who art thus dead? A total corruption, diifufion, pofleHionwithGn. S. Aufi'm affirm>. That the very Vertues of the Heathens were but [pkndida feccata^ meer flowers on a dead man: And Solomon^ 7 he facrlfices of the wickjd are an ahom'inathn tojhe Lord, What a gaiHy fight would it be, to open a gra^ve, ancn<e the' dead bo- dy run over with crawling worms, and 'a general putrefa6lioa over all the parts 1 And truly, fo it is with the foul of an uncon- verted perfon ; it is the filthieft, n^iftieft, corrupted^, may I fay, Carrion,.^ X//5/;£r.iaid once, SomanyfiniSj fo-many hells ;
T
a5o ^^^^ Gracious Accepanct
furely, I may then fay, So many Sins, fo many Deaths. The unconverted man is full of (in : his heart is fttlUfevilj fo 5#/(?-» wan. ; He is filled with all mrighteoufnej^y fo Paul affirmetb. Joif was filled with botches, yea, but he was not filled with fins ; ^nd X.az>arHs was filled wiih fores,yea,but he was not filled with fins; and Davids foul was filled with complaints, and Chrifts foul was filled wich forrow, yea, but it was not filled with fin. Every un- converted mans dead foul is filled with living fins, as a good mans foul is filled with dying and dead fins ; and a foul full of living fins, is much like a foul filkd up with Hel-fire. There is no evil fo evil as fin, and no fin fo evil as living fin, and no living fin fo evil as a fulnefs and an onlinefs of living fin. Inj^eeonfc- 7,. In the confequents of it : I will name but three of them, qucms of ic. I, ^u the guile of all thbfe fins lie on him alone. 2. All the wrath of God looks on him, the fentence of curfe^ 3, An eter- nal death may foon befal him. No mirvd that 2.. Then m marvel^ that fuhtick, and private admmtiffns^ couH' admonitions, fels^ reproofs^ , prevail not with the mofl of merh We Miniikrs reproofs, coun- preach, and we think we preach Religion, and with evidence with^ mVflt "°^ ^°^?^ of Reafon, and deliver things fairly and plainly and aijn, convincingly ; and now we wonder at it, that men ihould hear
fuch clear and undeniable truths, and not be moved and perfwa- ded 1 And Parents give admirable counfels and inftrud^ions to their Children, and no good comes of them ! &c. Why Sirs, are not unconverred men dead men? And what can all our un- dertakings ( alone confidcred ) do unto ded men ? Afluredly, unlefs the Lord of Life himfelf will fpeak.thefe counfels and thefc admonitions unto finfuU men, they will never hear them fo as to be (iirred, fo as to be moved, fo as to be converted by them ; they • will remain in their finfull condition- and obftmate waycs to eter- nity. 2e is Gods 3- Then it is of Gods meet mercj^dnd pitj^ andfoyver^ if ever
mercy that an*/ thy poor font he converted : Never afcribe it to thy excellency, fouliscenveri- ( vvhat excellency is there in a dead man ? ) to thy power, (what * power is there where there is no life ? ) to thy felf preparations,
(Avhat a6liv€ difpofihg or preparation can a dead man afford ? ) ' The dead finncr is the meer objedi of purefl mercy, and the dead iinner is without all ftrength ; if ever his fouls live^,then to Chrift snuflL that life own it felf,, and to Divine Mercy, and Po^ver, &.ti
Tht-;
of the Returning Prodigal, 16 1
The next Ufe (hd\\ be for Trial or Examination. Since every unconverted man is fpiritually dead 5 let's therefore fearch our ^ • ^-'^.u*. hearts, in what a cowdition they are : Are not many of us yet thlJ*^^ bclpi- dead in fins and trefpaffes ? fpiritually dead men ? There are four ricually dead. Tokens of a man fpiritually dead. i. V^f^nfilflcnefs : Where ^^^^ ^^.j^gn, jj£ there is no life, there is no fenfe ; of all finners, the unfenfible it. finner is in the molt deadly condition. Tante pejor quAmo infen- Ui^f^nfibiencrs* fihliter^ faith Anfrw, Do what you will to a dead man, he is unfenfible of it; ca'l to him, he hears not; put the fweeteli perfumes to him, he fmels not ; kick him, cut him, burn him, he feels not; although he be full of loathfomnefs, he perceives it not. Now I befeech you mind this Trial ; for verily, if fpi- ritual unfenfiblenefs prevail upon you, you are fpiritually dead : If fpiritUvil fenfe be the firft evidence of Life, then e contrHy fpiritual unfenfiblenefs is a fure evidence of Death : And what fpiritual fenfation is yet wrought in you ? There are fins upon fins ( mountains upon mountains ) in your hearts, the leaf! of them hath been an heavy burthen to a living foul, but what haft thou ever felt of thy (infiill heart and life ? There is in the Mi- niftry of the Gofpel, no lefs than riches of Mercy, freenefs of Love, glories of Ffeavcn tendred to you ; but what do you per- ceive in it ? Didlt thou never yet feel and cry out of a body of Death ? O here, here is a dead heart, an ignorant heart, a proud heart, an unbelieving heart, an heart in which there is no good, in which is all evil. Ah poor man, thou art a dead man ; no feeling, no complaining, no crying out of thy he^t againit all ' thofe many many vile and notorious fin<?. ^
2. An Hrtiverfal 4nd einj^ant coidnej?. If life be gone^ heat Anuniverfal' is gone ; the Feet are cold, and the Hands are cold, and the whole and conftint-' •Body is cold, and the very Heart is cold too : A living man may coldncfs. have cold hands and feet, but he never bath a cold heart ; for life is there,and heat is there. Why ! there is no one converted man un- der heaven, but he hath fome heat in him ; though not much in fome of his a6tions,yet certainly fome in his heartK>;faith he,I ap- , prove of what is good,and I would do good,and I delight in theLaw of God after the inward man; I beiieve,Lord help my unbelief. But now,an unconverted man hath,^ j, A eM heart mf any ffirltHal good. Suppofe he be at Prayer,and at Sermon; why! but he huh no heart to' or in thefe duties,hchath no mind to thefc worte, no de-
Iignc
^6i G^di Gracims AccepAnce
liglit in thciii, or in the S,abbath> or in a F^^lt i. and thoiigh his body be pcefent, yet hi5.he;arx is, aftirjotf, it goes after h^sco- vetoufuers, 2:. And /this -..C^j/^/zf/ ^ mlverfal ; There is noc. any one fpiritual Duty, unto which his heart is not dead or cold. He will tell you when he hears Catechizing, I fhould like Prea-r . ching ; and To when he hears Preaching, I could like. Praying ; and lb when Praying comes, I couldlijce Reading ; and when Reading coines, I could like: Meditatii^ ; ,ahd when that comes, I could like Pradlifing; and when Practifing^coine^,: I couldt like Underftanding : But he dilTenibles, he loves not one Duty at all ; his heart to thefe is like a fick ilomack, that feems to like any thing but what it hath, but/indeed likes, no meat. . . 3. A^d . it is Mfo confidnt : I confefs, even a good and converted heari; may find foimetimes more actual indifpolitions to good, than at other times, and fometimes a greater meafure of dulnefs and deadnefs ; but an heart conliantly cold, from one end of the year to another, all the life lo:ig, i^ll tp loath fpiritual fervices, never to attain unto a delightfull and affei^^liionate comipunion with God, This is a Token of a dead foul. Where the 3» Where the Word i^s ache ci is hut a dead Letter mto the heartr^
Word preathrd certainly that man is in a dead condition. If our Go/pel he hldy is but a dead 'tis hid to them that are lofl^ faith the Apoftic : So may I fay, il-«cer. If our Gofpel be dead, it is fo cnely to them that are dead. The
Gofpel is tlie great Trumpet of Chrif>, the Silver Trumpet by which he raifeththe dead ; ,as, atthelaO, he (liall raife the dead ■ by the Voice of the Tri-mpet ; this is that by which Jefus Chrift quickens and pulls a feul out of its finfull condition, i. It lets in light to fee that condition: . 2. It affeSs Confcience to feel iti ^. It puts 'in Faith to .go to Chrilt to fetch life ; Yet many men are not wrought on at all by the Gofpel preached ; Unmoveablenefs'is-the token of a dead man. Adclightin 4. Adelight indeadthingSy andln deadwork^ fl^inly declare
dcadwoiks. a dead condition, Paftlj in Ephef, 2,1. tdsthQ Ephefans^ that they were once dead ; hat how did that appear ? See verf, 2, In time pafl ye walked according to the eonrfeiff this world. And ' verf. :?. Te had your converfation in the Ififts of the fle'fh^ fulfilling
\ the de fires of the flefh. and of the mind. J. In dead things.-
. ^Dead men are heavy, and defcend to the earth ; worldly things
" ■■aretheO/r/w/i.andtbe:.Z^A?Wo£ anijrxonve;rtedhjeart. who
win ■\
of the Returning Prodigal, 26^
-willfheTf ns anj good'^ \KA, 4. If that of P^;^/ ( Coi. ^. i, .2. If
■ye he rijen with C hrift^ then feek^ thvfe things, that are above y and
-Jet yonr afj^^lensofj things that are ahove^yhit^ l:\xt ^-i^n of a li-
^ving railed m.in, then e contra^ to feek, to fettle atfe:^ions on
things below, is a true hgn of a dead man. 1, In dead
yvorkj : Th^^t bferamorttia & mortifera. And truly, nothing
doth more difcover a fpirituai death, than a delight, and a
fervice of (in ; c'ertainly,' I'uch a man is yet an unconverted .
man. • ^"
The laft U^o. Hiall be for Infiru5iJonnnto(cvtrA Duties. I will ^r^ but glance a : them. - 1 . Nave 06 little fociety with wicked men Lift, u Aioii. < AS may he ; for tiiey ar^ deadftien ; Would any man living have y^yj ^^ jj^^jg a dead man to be his companion? There is- a two-fold Society fxicty with with men : i . One isnecejfaryy in refpeCl: of our Relations, or unconvcrttd of our Commerce and Trade, which cannot well be avoided : wen as may be. '2. Another is ariitrary^ in rerpe6l of our Election; avoid this, ""do not -make choice of vvicked-fociety. There are two Reafons ''tQ hearken to this advice :; Ghe is. Ton fhall never get any fpiri- - ■ tmi good by their [octet y ', a Wicked man iscin unprotitableman ; . Can any one gather Figs of Thorns, or Grapes of Thiftles ? '-'Who is the better for a dead man ? ■ Another is. Ton fhallre- ♦ 'ceive much h»nbyft4chfoclety : The JsvVs were unclean, if they *did but touch a dead body. It was the practice of a Tyrant bnce, 'to tiea dead man to^ a' livingtrian, that! 'the filthy favour of the ^'-dead-man m'ght infe6i and deftroy the life of the living man^ '• O "you' who are to marry your children, take heed of marrying - 'them' to the dead ; and you who are Free- men, ^ take heed of em- bmcingfociety with the dead. ^ There are three notorious mif- - chiefs vyiU enfue hereupon : ''■i.*''I>?^^'/5c-/V/-)' iv/7/, bydegreesy '^ hrlng yoH into (t deadnej^'of heart \ 'wicked company wi ll certain! y 'abate your zeal and holy^'aflFee^ions, as waters do the- flaming 'fire ; 2. Dead fociety will quench your Life in fpirituai Dn- - '^^r/fr^'^they will not enely 'imerrupt,-but miticrate your fweet /ai|d' Wonted fociety with God "and gaod^men '. 7^: Tkad fo^ ^^ciiny^'wiliy in^ timCyi corrtipp-yotito dead^vorkj : Remember So-
"^tmon.
:;t
2, Lament and bewail thy unconverted Friends and Kt^dred, Lament thy ^'Yoii'-tead that David wept ^o^ Ahfa'om, O Ahfalom, my fon, unconrertcd ^%rfjifHy&cc. ^nd youi-read5-that'Chrift Wept fbr-X^^^^r;^, being "''"^*«- •
^
2^4 C0d$ Gracious Mcef tame
^ — — —
dead ; and ,you read, of both of thefe weepirg alfo for thofc that were fpirituaUy dead: David, Pfal. 119. J^lv^rs of tears run down mini ejes^ bscaufe men kief not thy Law, Chrifl came near to Jerufa/emy and wept over /V, faying. Oh if thon hadfi kKowny eventhoH^ at theleaftin, &c. Wouldit not thou vveep to fee thy Fathers, or Mothers, or Silters, or Brothers dead body carrying out to the grave ? and fay, Alas my Father, alas my Brother, alas my Child ? How then canft thou refrain tears for their dead fouls ? Why doeft not thou pity the dead and un- converted foul of chy Father },&c. At a Funeral Feall, ihere is no mirth, becaufe the Mafter of thehoufe is dead; Ah, weep orer thy JFather, over thy Son ; the Matter of the houfe is dead, his precious foul is dead : Thy pity can do a dead body no good, but it may do a dead foul fome good, efpecially, if you take in the next Duty, which is. Pray for the ;?. Fray for the dead : I mean not in the Popifh fenfe ; they,
l>c«do you know, pray for fouls departed, fuppofing them to be in Pur-
gatory, where the pains, as they fay, are intoUerable, equal to them in Hell, and the fouls are deprived of the vifion of God ; and therefore their Priefis and others often pray for them ; and iipon the Graves they infcribe, Pray for the foul of fuch a one,and on his foul Jefu have mercy : But this is a wicked fuperftition. . We acknowledge no Purgatory, and.no need of Prayers for fouls , <leparted,yet we hold Prayers requifite for one another, whiles we are upon the earth. And becaufe fome are dead whiles they live, O pray to the Lord for them ; Lord Jefu, have mercy upon the foul of my Husband, Child, Wife ; O convert them, quicken them from the dead, fuffer them not, their poor fouls, to die for ever. When Steven was t® die, he prayed for thofe that were fpiritually d^ad : When Chrifi was dying, he alfo prayed for them : And Monica, the Mother o^Auftin, prayed for him; and all of them were heard. OhjsB, But I have prayed, but yet no good comes of it. S@L Pray iWl ; as long as there is life, and as long as there is prayer, there is hope : It will be an excellent comfort to thee, and eternal happinefs to thy friend, if thou canft, at length, by thy prayers, prevail with God todeli- U Te tbe means ver that one foul from death. .
by waich you ^^ If the Lord hath opened any of your eyes but to fee what ^A ^^ ^^^^' your fpiritMal condition is, that, you are yqt in your graves, y,et
dead
of the Returning Prodigal. 265
dead in trcfpaffcs and (i;.s ; my advice unto you is this, 6'<7, ufe thi means hy which johy dead fouls may be qmcky^ed^ Ohjett, Why ! but this is ridiculous, to bid a dead man do work, go,{Hr,do any thing. Sol, I anfiver, i. Th<ire is a ditference tvvixt a man corporally dead, and a man fpintually dead : The former can do no action vvhatfoever, neither fpiritual, nor civil, nor natural ; the latter, though he can do nothing in fpirituals, yet for the other, he may, and can. 2. You m\xi\ diftinguifh tvvixt a fpiritual adVion, and an adiion which brings to a fpiritual means : He cannot convert his own heart, yet he hath power to hear the Word, VYhich can. 'Ti-s true, that a wicked unconver- ■ ted man cannot exert any one fpiritual aclion ; neverthelefs, he hath liberty and power to go to Church, and hear a Sermon : Why ! ufe this power, and this liberty, to come to the Pool where the Angel ft Irs ; to come to the Ordinances, where God is pleafed to quicken and raife the dead. 3. When thou art under a fpiritual Ordinance, thou art under the voice of Chrift himfelf, who hath faid , That the dead Jhall hear the voice ef the Son of God, and live. And truly , let me tell thee, That the Voice of Jefm Chrlfi in his Word, hath not only a power to find a loft man, but alfo to quicken a dead man.
I have finirhed the firll Proportion out of thefe words,' vlz^, Luh, I ^.la"* That the unconverted man is a dead man : I now proceed to the '
fecond, which is this ; ^
That every converted man is a living matt. When the finner DoH,!, is converted, he is then made alive. Conversion is a Sinners Every convcrc- Life. So the Text, 7 his my fon is alive again. It is report- «d rfisn h a li- ed of Slmllisj Captain of the Guard to the Emperour Adrian^ ^*^l °**"' that he retired from the Court into the Countrcy feven years be- fore his death, and caufed this to be written on his Tomb, Hie jacet Slmllis ctijm atas multortiTn annorumfulty i^fte [epem dun- tdxat Annas vtxlt t For fo many years only was he converted. We count the length of our lives from the time of our hirth^ and voe mufl count the life of our fouls from the time of our nerv hlrthy faid Hlerem, It is frequent in Scripture, to ftile converted pcrfons living perfons, or perfons made alive, Rom. ^.13. Yield your felves unto God^ as thofe that are alive from the dead. Chap, t, V. 10, // Chrlji he in ym^ the fflrit is life hecanfe of
M m righteouf*
2 6o Gods Gracious Acceftmce
righteotifnep. Gal. 2. 26. I /he^ hiih Paul, Col. 2.13. Tan who were dead In jonr fins hath he qtiickjied. For the advanta- gious dircuifion of this Point, I AuU briefly open unto ycu, I, What Life thit is, which the converted (inner attains un- to ? 2. How it may appear that he is inverted wi-th fuch a Life?and why ? 3. Then the uleful Application of all this unto our felves* What is the i* What Life that is, wherewith the converted man is inved-
\ih of a son- ed ? Sol, I fpeak only of that Life incident unto man, which vcncd (inner, is four-fold. i . Life natural^ which \s> a power to move and A four- told ad. / C9H/it not my life dear unto me^ {ixAPanl^ A61:. 20. 24, ^ * All that a man hath he mil give for his Itfe^ Job i. This is
Natural. ^j^^ ^jf^ ^£ Nature, a^id every man, good or bad, enjoys it. Life connatu- ^* ^'7<? <^^^^^^^^^ ; vvhich is a profpe^ousfrui don of our Lives ral. with peace, contentment, and comfortable fuccefles, in the ex-
tern?! matters and affairs of our life :. This alfo is poffibly inci- Pfctcrnstural. dent to all forts of men. -:^. Preternatural ; which is a death, rather than a life : A finfull life, a life aded under the power and motion of (infull lulis. I was alive once^ faid Panl^ Kom.y* Supernjturai. In this refpecf, wicked and ungodly men only are alive. 4. Sh- fematural; a divine life, a new life, a life in Chrift, and from Chrill, and to Chrift : Of which there are two parts, and they *are proper only to converted perfons. i. There is the Life of €race^ which they enjoy in this world : 2. There is the Life of Glory ^ which they enjoy in the world to ccme, called often in The life of Scripture, eternal life. The Text fpeaks of the firft of thefe; The Gracej is converted Tinner is invelied with the Life of Grace : And this The life of Ju- ^gain is branched into the life of, i. Jufilfication ; for when « fiificaiion. (inner is juftified, he is then in the condition of life : The un- juiHfied man is a dead man, ( for he lies under the fentence of death ; ) andthe juftified man is a living man, he is palled from death to life ; the Lord takes off the fentence of eternal death from him; He fhall not die for the fins which he hath committed, for I have pardoned all his fins, and now he fhall live,and not die, Of Sanaifica- faith the Lord. -2. SanBlfication : When a finner is fandifi- '^®"; ed, he is then made alive. At this, I fuppofe, the Text doth prin-
^^'r^ "'•y ^^ cipally aim. This Life is confiderable, i. I» the Canfe of it, cf ill * ^ and the Soul together ; and upon this union, the Soul is quick-
md with the life of Chriii / live ^/ th^ faith of the Son of Gody
of the Returning Prodigal. . 257
.Gal, 2, 10. 2, Lithe Nat fire of ft ; it is a nevum & fplrhuale effe^ which doth regenerate the man, and, as it were, create him ^^f i^^ again. The Scripture (tiles this quality, a mvf creature^ andr^^ new m(in: It is an holy Jiving principle. In aword, this life is nothing elfe but the Grace of the Spirit, regenerating, artd re- newmg the whole foul of a finner. It is faving light fet up in the - Mind, and faving vvifdome fet up in the Judgment, and faving grace fet up in the Will and Atfedions, which alter the old fin- full nature in man, and are a new fpiritual inclination to matters that are fpiritual, ye^) and a new fpiritual ability or power in the whole foul of man to work that is fpiritual : Whereas the Un- derftanding could not know the things of God, now it is enabled to know them, and to admire them, and to ttudy them : where- as the Will was both unable to good, and unwilling to good, and only fet on what was evil ; now, being quickned by Grace, • it is drawn off from that affectionate inclination to evil, and it is bent and inclined, and in fome meafure enabled to defire Chrift, to love Jefus Chrift, to fear God, to obey God, and to walk with Cod : And when this comes into the heart of a finner, he is faid to be alive again.
Shall I draw out my thoughts of this Subjed more clearly unto When a finnic you ? Take me then thus. When any finner is made fpiritually is made ali?f. alive, I. JefuiChrlfi affiles himfelf to the Soul^'and he JcfusCbrifi:
breaths Into it the Spirit of Life. He doth with a poor dead foul, applies hicr/clf much like as Eliah did with the Shmamites dead child ; who ""J^,^.^*- {°^^'^ lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon the childs mouth, f°l^ thcbrcath and his eyes upon the childs eyes, And his hands upon thechilds of life hands ; and he flretched himfelf upon the child, and the lie /1\ of the child vvaxed warm : So the Lord Jefus applies .himfelf by his Spirit to the foul of a finner, ( to all the foul of a finner,) and works mightily in it, producing knowledge in a blind mind, and feeling in an hard heart,and faith in an unbelieving fpirit, and all his Graces in the whole Soul. 2. which graciom frincifles Hc puts in if- are all of them living frl^cifles ; and alter all the foul, and in- ving princi- j cline it fpiritually : So that the man who cared not for God, P^"* . nor Chrif^, nor Grace, nor holy Duties heretofore ; now his foul bends tothefe, and he minds thefe, and he is never better than when he is thinking of God, and mourning for his fins, and thirfting for Chrifl:, and praying to God, and hearing of the
Mm 2 Word
2 68 Gods Gracious Acceptance
Word of God ; this is his defire, and this is his delight^.
There is power 3. T^^^y^ is ^ fower in thefe frinclfles of fplrlmal life, A povv-
of rpirituai lift cr agaiait his fins ; fo- that now he cat! hate them, and fay,. H^hat
in rhefc prin- j^^^g i^q do an j more with Idols ? Get ye hence. And a power in
'^ "* his afFc:6tions ; fo that now he is able to love God above all,.
and able to fear God, and n6t difpleafe him willingly. And a
power in his will; fo that.nowheis able to come to Chrift,
and cleave to Chril^, as his onely happinefs. And a power
to fpificual adtions ; fo that he is now able to hear and under-
fiand, to pray and vvrelile, to pray and believe, to believe and
repent.
How this may Queft. 2, How It mdj he evidenced,^ that the converted man is beevluencd. thus made fflrltually alive , SoL Thus, i. Every converted Me hath a \i- man hath a living mionrvith Jefm Chrlft ; he is brought into ^^"sunioa fdlowlliip with Chrili Now Jefus ChrilHs aliving Head, and wit Chrift. ^11 i^-g j^-jeiT^i^ers are living Members, i J oh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son^ hath life. And J oh, 6. 51. I amthellvlnghread^ Y . Jf ^^y man eat of this hready he fhallUve far ever, 2. All
• i?ai^l^«**^^ *^^^ ^^^<^^ is of a llvmg nature : Falfe mce is a dead thin^ , it hath no life, and can give no life ; but true grace is living. True faith is a living faith, / live by the faith of the Son ofGody Gal. 2. 20. And true hope is a living hope 5- i Pet, i. 5. God hath begotten us to a lively hope. True repentance is a \Wm^ repentance, . a repentance unto life, 3.. Every- converted man is the child of
^dMn*Gof ^^^ I'^'vlngGod; he is born of the Spirit, who is i^^z Spirit of life. ® * God k not the Godof the deady hut of the living - and God as a Father never begets any dead Children : All his children are be- got after his:Own image ; they are partakers of the Divine nature, Yt^Y , and that is a living nature. 4. The converted man lives the refl
reft of his life ^f ^^ ^'^f^ ^^^^^ ^^^' ^ ^^^' ^* ^* A/^?;?^? of us liveth to hlmfelfi 10 God. /or whether we live j n-e live unto the Lord^ Rom. 14. 8. Can he
podibly live unto the Lord, until he be made alive by the Lord ? What glory can God get by the life of a dead finner ? The li- vings the Hvmgy he fhall fralfethee^ a^ L do this day y faid ii/i?- z^eklahy If J!. 38. 19. God vmii have much glory from the con- verted man ; not only paffive glory on him, ( this he hath on wicked men,) but a6live glory fro^k^jm, glory from his belie- ving, and glory from his obedience, which cannot be unlefs he be made alive, fpiritually aliv^ ''
The
of the Returning Prodigal, 2 69
The life of this Do6lrine iliall be to draw you into a fearch- iiig acquaintance with your fpiritual condition. There is not L, . ^J^' a bufmefs which can poiTibly concern you more nearly than this, j-^iyg, ^[^^^ Whether you be children of Death, or of Life ? Whether yet our fpiritual dead in fins, or quickned by the life of grace ? Can it be faid life of us a? here of the Prodigal, This ray Son was dead, but is alive ? So we were fometimes difoMie^t^ Ignorant-i froad^ vlle^ fervlng divers lufts .- bat after that the grace of God hath ap- feared^ we are alive ; we have put off thofe luRs, and have other Principles, (^her Natures, other Lives. Let me oifer unto you four Motives^ to try your fouls about their fpiritual W'^"j^c« to this Life. *'**^-
1, Ten have enjoyed the means of Life, The Gofpel is often .\ouhav5fn- called, the Wordof Llfe^ a quickning and regenerating Word ; 0/1,^^,
it carries Chrift in it, the Author of Life ; and the ApolHe calls it, the Adinlfiratlofi of Life : And perhaps it hath been fo to fome poor man and woman, and to fome of thy children. But- O how long haft thou heard it? how often hiftthou come to this Bread of Life ? to thefe Waters of Life ? What 1 and yet dead in thy fins ? not yet quickned and made alive ? Why 1 thou art a reproach to the Gofpel ; and thy fins have not only given death to thy foul, but death to the Gofpel of Chrift, t\k Gofpel is made by them a dead Letrer ; it is not fo initfelf, but thou hafl made it fo : And how wilt thou anfwer God, for killing thy foul , and killing his Chrift , and killing his Gofpel ?
2. Many have a name that the y live ^ hm (like the Angel of ^^^n/ ^''^^ * the Church of Sard^ ) thy are dead. Revel. 3. i. Oh Sirs! "*^*'°^j'g' Spiritual life, ( the life of grace,) is a rare thing, and a difficult ^^^^^ thin^. Every mm love> his life, but few love this life: No mm
hates his own life ( almcft,) but raoft men hate this life of grace^becaufe it is deftrudive to this life of fin : And many think they have it, and others think fo too, and yet they have it nor. . You know, it is one thing to put Flowers upon a dead body, and another thing to put life into a dead man : It is one thing for the Sun to convey light, another thing for the Sun to con- vey life, I might fhew you, that men miftake fpirituallife exceedingly : Education in a perfon may lead him far, and fo may an enlightned and generous Coafciencej and Co miy
-reftrainiiig.
z6^ Gods Gracious AccefUms
reftrnining Grace, and fo may Art, andfo may the common gifts of the Spirit ; they may enable a man to ftrange concepti- ons, and ftrange affedions, and Grange acfions, and yet the man may be fpiritually dead : Not any of thefe flow from a gra- cious prniciple of fpiritual life : Why ! common Gifts may lead up the foul far, and Education may lead to Duties much, and Confcience may awe fin exceedingly, and Art or Hypocrifie may counterfeit the very life of Grace ( as a Stage-player doth a King ) wonderfully. O therefore, look to it, that you have more than a name of life ; that you live indeed. It would be vf- 3*^f p^ jhonld deceive your [elves ^ and when you come td ry fad to he dc- die, you find that you have been dead all your lives, and never ccivcd in this, vvere fpiritually made alive ; Oh ! in vvhat a condition will thy poor trembling foul be 1 To die, and fee nothing but death 1 I thought there was life in my heart, and life in my '. (irong faith, and life in my troubles of- fpirit, and life in my obedience ; but alas, I never lived, I never enjoyed Chrift, never enjoyed grace, &c, i To be alive, is 4, If the Lord hath made thee alive from the deadly I do not caafcof ^reat know any man living on the earth, that hath [uch canfe of joy '°y* iinfpealiahle and glorious, I will mention but three particulars
unto thee. i. Hereby thou majefl heajfuredofthy intereflin the richefi mercy ^ and great eft love of God to thy poor fouL Read but the Apoflle in Efhef, 2.4. But Gody who is rich in mfirejy for his great love wherewith he loved us^ v. 5. even. whe'4 we were dead in fnSj hathquickpedus, 2. Thoumayeft palpably difcover the tokens and vertues of Jefm Chrift upon thy foul , the very Effigies of the faving works of Chrifi ; that which Paul fo longed to know , even the power of the death and of the refftrrettion of Chriftj Philip. 3. 10. In thy death to Sin, and in thy 1/fe of Grace, doth the power of Chrifts death, and of Ch rifts refurre6lion appear. 5. Thoti ?nayefl certainly knowy that Heaven fhall he the place of thy refi hereafter. Spiritual life comes from Heaven, and bends to Heaven, and fhall bring to Heaven : It prepares for Hea- ven, and it Is a part of Heaven, and it fliall be perfe6led and filled up in Heaven. O vvhat things are thefe ! who would mifs of thefe ! For Chrifts fake, fearch throughly whether you be made alive.
Now
of the Returning Prodigal, 261
Now ms thinks I hearfome foul fecretly longing to know how it miy be cleared un:o it, That God hath quickned it from the Sijns of fpirl- dead ; That as it vVas once dead^yet it is now alive. Sol. There ^"*^ ^^^^' are m.iny things which miy. clearly declare it ; for indeed, life is fuch an a6live things ( efpecially fpiritual life,) that it may eafi- ly appear, fometimcs or other, to him who hath it.
I. If fin be alive, then thou art flill dead y zndif fnhe deady '] ,
thou art certainty alive. I will open both thefe par^s. ^' "^f u 6 h v % Jtn be alive, thtn the man is dead ; for it is impoifible that the ^^^ man is * fame man flxould be alive and dead under the fame confideration. ^^^^, Spiritual Life and fpiritual Death are incompatible at the fame time in the fame fubj\:6t: And therefore, if fin be alive, quelH- onlefs you are fpiritual! y dead. Now there are four things which manifeli fin to be alive in any mans foul. i. The flaming hems, and infatiable defires of the heart, after things forbidden in the Word, Ephef. 4. 19. we read of fin with greedinefi '" 2. The HKiverfal and eafle authority, law, or command that it hath over the foul and body ; that it can ufe them in the fervice of lufts, when, and as it pleafeth, B^hef, 2. 2, 3. 3. The joyfuU contentatlrn and fatlsfa^lon which the heart takes in evil things ; as we do in meat and drink. 4. The cujlomary trade- and coHrfeofour life in finfull ways ; a walking in them, a living in them. O, if thefe be yet found in thee, fin is alive ftill', and thou art dead ftilt. 2. But if Jin be dead^thon art certainly alive, \{ fm be ^ttl> I confefs, fin may be retrained, and a man not alive ; and fin thou art tlivc . may be troublefome in fome refpe6ls, and a man not yet alive : But if it be dead, the man is fpiritually alive ; for fin in thea can never come to be dead, but by fpiritual life. Now fin is dead in thee, if thou canil find two things, i. If it hath Ufl thy affe^ions : If love to fin be gone, and hatred of fin be come ; if delight in fin be quenched, and forrow for fin be implanted. ~ Oh Sirs ! the love of fin is the life of fin ; and if the hatred of . ,
fin doth live, then the love of fin is dead. 2. // it hath loj^ its Amhority, its free and uncontrolled power ; although it molefls iiill , and tempts ftill , yet it rules not , thou art not a flave to it , and fubjebl: to it , thou wilt not ferve it, obey it any longer: If thou hift Chrift for thy Lord, the Law of Chrift for thy Rule, iuad Sin for thy Enemy, thou art alive.
272 Gods GractGUS Acceftance
^•^
A Cplricual . '^' A fecond fign of fflrhual life u, a ffirlmal ferife rf fpr
fcnreof rpiritu- ^^^^^^ warns. This is an undoubted imth. That where there is
ai warns. ii^e, there is fenfe ; and where there is fenfe, there is life: tf
the life be a fpiritual life, then the fenfe is a fpiritual fenfe, a
feeling of our fpiritual wants. . When the Prodigal bt^m to live,
he began to feel ; to feel his nakednefs, to' feel his poverty, to
feel his wants ; And when Pafil began to live, he beg.an 10 fee
.^ his wants ; Rom.j, 14. The law is fpiritual ^ but I am carnal^
\^\i\y fold under fn-: I kj^orv that in me there dwelleth no good things
J f^^ how t9 perform that which is good^ I find not. O when God gives
. . grace unto the heart, that grace, though never fo weak, affords
two operations,: i. It gives "^ow a clearer f^t of fin \ 2, it
g'ves you ^ fuller fight of your wants. It is Learning which
makes us to fee how much Learning we want ; it is Healtli which
makes you fee how much Health you want ; it is Grace which
makes you fee how little Grace you have, and how much you
ftill need: No man rightly feels the want ef more Faith, but
by fomc Faith ; the want of more Softnefs, but by fome Soft-
nefs.
Howafpirkuji ObjeB. But now the Queftion may be. How a man may
{cnft m»y be . know, that the fenfe of his wants be a fpiritual fenfe of them ?
known. f^j. ^^^^ ^^^ f^y ^|^^^ ^j^gy ^y^^t fuch and fuch fpiritual
Graces, and yet they have not a fpiritual life in them. Sol, I anfwer. There are four things which declare the fenfe of our fpiritual wants to be a true fpiritual fenfe: i. Or- Ic follows after dinarily, it follows after a deep ConviBion of fin ; that man aion^o?£n' ^^c^^v^ himfelf, who talks of fpiritual wants, and yet ne- ver faw his fpiritual fulncfs of lin. The Lords ordinary way in Converfion is , To (irip us wholly of our felves ; and therefore, i. He opens our eyes to fee how rich we have been in fin ; 2. To fee how poor and nothing we are in It IS an hum- Grace. 2. If it be a fpiritual fenfe, it is an hnmhling biing feiie. f^nfe : He .who can fee much (in in himfelf, and not be troubled, is" not rightly fenfible of fin ; and he who can fee much want of grace in himfelf, and not be humbled, is not fpiritually fenfible of his fpiritual wants. What! arid yet fo little Knowledge 1 yet fo little Faith ! and yet fo lit- tic Love of Chrift ! yet no more flrength Xc> pray, to deny iaiy felf, to overcome my fins ! And now he mourns and weeps.
3' H
of the Returning Prodigal, 2 73
3. If it be a living rpintual lenfe , h Is an hiimh'.e [enfe, Tiie Xt is an ham- pcefence of Gra-ce ( though little ) breeds x^n high conflict with ^^* ^'"^^* all fin , nnd a lowly ipirit under all wants. This m^u admires at other Chriiiians Graces, and prizes them, and goes home, and confefleth, Lord, / am lefs th'/i the lea^ of all Saints, ^, If it be a fpirhu.-il fenle, then it is a careful and, an alllve [mtje : It 1^ '* ^ c^refti would have thefe wants fupplied ; it is full of inquiry, vvh-ufhall*"| aa a^iv^ I -do } and it is full of Prayer , I believe^ Lordjjel^my mbiltefe : The fenfe of want will not ceafe but in the fenfe of fup^P/.
3. A fprhtat appetite is a Jignof fpirltual life ; You know There isa fpi- that life feeks its own prefervation ; the living man mult have ritual jppcche. food,and will have food ; As foon as ever a child is borH,Lf it be living, nature prompts it to crave the brells ; and verily , fo it is with ev^ery nevy born Chriftian ; As new bom babes defre the jincere mllk^ of the n-grd, i Pet. 2, 2. As foon as the Prodigal began to be fpiritually alive, he prefently thought of food ; O, (faith he ) there is bread enga^h in my Fathers h$fifey and to f pare .- As there is bread for life, lo there is bread of life ; and as there are waters for life , fo there are waters of life ; there is fpiritual bread, and fpiritual water: Corpus Chrifil efl pabulum fldei^ The Lord Jefus and his Ordinances are the fpiritual food of the foul ; and when a man receives a fpiritual life, he cannot live without them, but depends on them as for the nutrition and pre- fervation of his life.
Here again it may be dem?iwded,Ho'ir a Chriftian may kno'.Y that his appeiitc is a truly fpiritual appetite, flowing from life? To which signs of »ppc- I anfwer thus.-If it be an ap;:etite flowing from fpiritual life,!. Then cite flowing it is ^ft-rong (ippetite;th^ Scriptures call it an hmgrlng and thirfii^gy ^^^^ 1*^* the ftrongeft and ficrceit of all appetites:OSirs,There is an appetite ^^ *f ? "^ <dainty,and there is an appetite hur!gry;there is a difference twixt a wanton empty deflre,and an hungring,or an appetite for life. Give me children^ or elfe I dye ; the word is to fuch a man, more then his appointed food, 1. It is an Vnlverfal Appetite: Some men have a iiomack to the Word, but not to the Sacrament ; and fome A MnUtx'iA have aftomack to the Sacrament : (0,th*tthey muft have)butnot aFp^cicc. to the Word; and fome have a (iomickto this part of the Word,not to that part of the Word,and to it as thus drefred,and another way drefled ; New Difhes for dainty ftomacks : But ft Chriftia'n ki whom the life of Grace is wroi5ght,why ! he is for the Word,
N n and
[ f. 274 Gods Gracious Acceptance
and he is for Sacrament, and he is for all Chrlfls Ordinances ,. and all Chrifts truths : Why ! ( faith he ) I have a proud heart, and fuch a truth will humble i: ; and I have a troubled heart, and fuch a truth will comfort it ; and 1 have a doubtful heart , and (uch a truth will dire6t it ; and I have a weak heart, and fuch an 0;dinance m\\ ilrengthen it • fo that he fees food in all o£ A esnftaacap- them, and he hath an appetite to all of them 3. It Is aeon-
ptdtc, fi^'f^^ appetite : Give a living m,in food in the morning, and Life
looks for fome at night ; he can feed to day, and he can feed to morrow too. Thus it is with a living man; though when a man is dying, his ftomack dies in him, and leaves him: One; Sermon a moneth, or a year, will fatisfie. A living ChriiHan , he takes in provifion every market day ( every Sabbath ) for his[- foul,- and he longs for the m.irket day again : O, when will the Sabbath come again 1 O, when fhall I appear before God again ! O, when fhall I lit down, and be entertained at Chrifts Table a- gain! O, I could hear of Chri/i , of Faith, of Mortification, of the Love of God, of newnefs of Obedience, C/^f. ftilllneed more heavenly nouriiliment for my Graces, drc. There Is fpirl- 4* ^P^^^^^^^^ Growth is a pgn of Spiritual Life: You know mljrowth, that living men do grow, until they attain unto that proportion and meafure, which Nature (fay the Philofophers,) God (fay we) allots unto them. Therefore living Christians are compared to a fucking and thriving child , which fucks and grovves by fucking : And to living branches that grow into more ftrength ; and in Scri- pture, True Grace (which is the fame with fpiri:ual life) it is of an increafing and growing nature ; Chrift compares \t.\.oagrain #/ Muflard-feed^ which is little at firrt , but in time grovves and fpreads exceedingly ; and 5i?/W^« compares it to the Sm^ which, rifeth more and more to the perfe6l day. Patil commends the Corinthians^ that they did ^fo/W in all Grace '^ and praies for the Philipp'ans^ that their love m'ght a bound yet more and more in kr^owledg^ and in all Judgment ; And he himfelf for gat what was behind -i and pre ffed forward^ and counted himfelf not to have ap' prehended, O you ! who take your felves to be alive,do you grow in grace ? Many men grow worfe and worfe under the means of Grace ; many grow in notions, but they do not grovv in Grace ; many grow in'o new opinions, but they do not grow in holy atfe- fiions. But do you grow in Grace? and do you grow in all
Grace?
— — — — - - -
of the Returning Prodigal. 275
Grace? and do you grow according to the means of GrovYth ? \
Alas I many men decay apace , and many m^n, like pidlures, re- tain the lame dimenfions ; fin is no more vvcakned after forty years living, then at the firft ; their old fins retain their old (Irength , and their faith receives no augmentation ; they are no more able to trail on God for their bodies, nor to rely on Chrid for their fouls then heretofore. The barrennefs and unfruitfulnefs of Chri- ftians, is'an unfpeakable dillionour to the Gofpel, and an evident teiHmony, that they have but a form of Godlinefs without the power of it; I might now have fhewn you, that true fpiritual Growth is i. Eipecially an inward Growth. 2.Andagene^ ral Growth. 3. And the Growth comes in by the Growth of Faith. 4. Andappearsbeft in the Growth of humility.
^, A fflrituaUry or breath •, is Another fign of ffirlmul life : There is a fpi- If a man can but groan and breath, that man is a living man. "tual breach. When Pau/ was converted , Anani^^s was fent unto him, as to a ^hofen Veflel, Behold (faid God unto him) he pra^eth : in Zach. 12. 10. The Spirit of Grace^ and of Supplication ^:^]oy\\^dy fot the one never goes without the other: But will fome reply. This cannot be a fure fign of fpiritual life ; for a wicked man may pray, and cry to God ; we read of their Prayers and cries in Scripture often. I grant it. But i. There is a difference twixt a fpiritual cry, and a natural cry ; their cries arife from natural principles , but not from a fpiritual principle. 2. It is the cry of adiilreffed man, but not of a renewed man. ^. It is a cry for natural and outward good, but not for fpiritual and everlafting good. 4. And when they cry for mercy and heaven ; it is not that mercy may bring them into an holy communion with God > fcut only that mercy may keep them from wrath and Hell.
6, Lalily, A fpiritttal manner of workj^tg is an infallible evi- There is a fpirl- id^ncegf a fpiritual ^mckjiing : When the Lord converts a man wl manner of and makes him fpiritwally alive", he now works fpiritual work. ^^^^^%* 1. By Spiritual Rules. 2. From SpiHtual Principles in the ftrergthof.Chrifi, byFaith, and from Idve..''^ With Spin'tu- al Affe6^ion§, willinglyj cheerfuHy^'^n^^deHghtfulIy. 4. For Spiritual ends. i. B^ Spiritual Rules ; To as many as wall^acr By fpiritual kdrding to this Rule ^ pea^e he onthem^ G^h6.i6, A dead and '*^^*'. iirfebfiverted rtianl'Ves by the Rules of his ferfual Luff? , or the iTuftomes of the Wofld/or'the vvifdome of cainM policy ; /In . N n 2 ' nil2S
,,-,-■-- . ^^^ I " »• . . - , ^
2n6 Gods Gracious Aeeeftance
^ ■" > II ■■»»■■■ I " ' —HI,.. I. ■ ■ 1 i« I I » ■ I I ■ ■ ■ ^
rules hiiH) and men rule bun, and his profits and pleafwres rule him: But when the man is converted, now God rules him ; he fiends in ^rve ef G§ds JVord , md lives , as x Pet.4. 2 . 7 # the. will of Cod : His a(^ions, intentions, defires, fteps are meafured by ihe word;tis not An likt^hut An licet ; The word lets him out^ and brings him in : whether the living Creature went^ thither
¥rom fpiriru?!^^^^^'^^^^-^'^^^^'^^'^^- 2. From ffiritml FriKcifles .- O Sirs, principles. a man may do much work (which we call fpirimal) from a Carnal and low principle; felf-Love, vain-Glory, Education, a quick Confcicnce, may fet out much : But the living Chriftians-work ariTes from union with ChriR ; all is done in th^ ftrength of Chnft , and Filth fetchcth llrength from . Chrift to pray , and to
With fpirhual P^'^^^^'^^^^^^:^^"^^'^^"^^^^^^?^^*^^'^^* 5* With fplritptal af-
tCdicas. jeBions : There is a connatural ncfstwix-t a fpiritual hearty and a
fpiritual work. Thy word was the rejoycing of ray heart ; / wot
glad ( faid David ) when they faid mte me , let hs go to the
Hoiife of th^ Lord, 1 delight ( faith Panl ) in the Law of
God After the inward man: It is good for me to draw near ts
God:. There are affe6^ions in the works of a living man; his
works drop out of his heart , another mans fall out of his party.
fd? fpiritual 4- ^^^ ffi^i^^"^^ ^^^^ l ^0 that Chrift may be glorifyed: wc.live
ciids. unto the Lord, unto him that dyed for us; whatfoe'ver yedo',,
do it. to the Glory of God ; that G»d in all things may he glorify id
through jeffisChrifi J iPet.4.11.
Complaints of ^H* ^"^ ^"^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^Y ' i^ ^^cfe be figns of the: life of the want of sU Grace; of one being made fpiritually alive, then I am in a i^bcfc. f^d condition : For i. I hnd much fm ftill. living in me.
2. And' I find very dull , if not dead affe6lions ; and I find,
3. Exceeding, impotency to what is good. 4. And I can- not find that old appetite , and thofe old fervent cries of Prayer which heretofore I found. 5. And as for growth under fpiritual means,. O', my heart finks to behold therich feafons of Grace ,
iknfwered. .andmy barrennefs andunfruitfulnefs under them. i'*/.;Iftould be loath that any trulyiiving Soul fliould go away ^VYithafad heart ; therefor? give me leave to anfvver thy fears, i.^Genci'ally. .2. Thendifiindly. ^ 1
^cncraMy. • i. Generally thus: , i^ SuphcQipjlaints as thefe {ordinarily ) 0ire the language not of the dead^ hm of the living : When mall joM-hear fucb inditeftients from a bafe,lewd>fin-loving,and fcr^ing
perfon ?
ef the R etHrning ?Y$iigd, 277
perfon ? O no, th^fv^ are the complaints of an heart that is fpiii- tually fenffile, and Tpiritually tender, and fpiritually jealous, and which would not be deceived in its fpiritual condition. 2. If fftch complaints as thefe ke attended with inward hHmlfhngs^ and a^ yajings »f the hearty and with dejires and endea'itmrs of hel^ , af- furedly they arc the Tcltimonies of a living mm ; H'hofhall de- liver me ^ O wretched man ! was the complaint of living Paptl, 3. Jf th$ii canfi n$t fit all times find every oneoi the forenamed Symf tomes of life ; yet if at any time thoa canfi find Anj one ef them , it is a fign that thou lived ; if the child doth not go ,. yet if it fucks , this fhews life ; if it doth not fpeak , yet if it cry, it is alive; if it doth not cry, yet if it breath, it is a fign of life : If there be groanings under the burden of fin , and fighings , for help , for grace , for Chrift, &c. they are a fign of life. O Chriftian , the fpiritual life is fometimes more open, and full, and lively, and quick inad'ons; and fome- times it is reduced to defires , to a will , to a complaint, to a tear, to a figh, to a groan ; O, that I could pray, O, that I could believe.
2. Didin6tly to the particular Cafes. Difti-aiyro-
Oh], 1. Then fearefi that thoH art not alive , hcaufe much cbt paiticular fin u jet living in thee -' To which I anfwer. i. It iswith the C2[cs. Chriftiftn made a/ive hy Grace , as it was with Lazarus made alive 1 aoi noc aHvr,^ by Chrift^ who had for a while his grave cloathes on him, and {i'"s'iivin%f,- he was bound hand and foot, and yet he was made alive ; fo me. there may be many finful corruptions, yet cleaving to that Anfwcred, foul , which is indeed quickned with fpiritual life. Nay , if thou didfi feel no finful corruptions , I iliould qucftion whe- ther yet thou wert made alive, for fpiritu;^! life or grace doth give unto the foul, i. The clearefi fenfe of fim 2. t^nd
the greatefv grief for fin. 3. And the firongefl comhate
and conflict with fin, 2. There is a difference twixt a feeling
cf fin fim flirring in «/, and of the life of fn flill ruling in us : Thou feel eft fin living in temptation , but doft thou feci fin living in thy affe6tion ;^ Thou feel ett fin moleflingof thee 3i% z' Tyrant, but doft thou acknowledg fin ruling over thee as a Kirg. ^. And what dosfl thoti^ when thoti fndefi fn thns
j¥orkinz? Doli thou dye daily .^ If thou feeleft fin as if it were alive, dpth not ^his humble. thee? asd doth not
tWs>
y
278
Geds gracioHS Acceft^nse ||
this haften thee by Faith uato Chrift , for more crucifying virtue ? There i h ^^J' ^' ^^^^^ feireft that yet thou art not alive , becaufe tho^. dulnefs and difcemejl m chjftrltHal dnlnefs^md deadnefs In thji ajfeciions and deadnefsin operations, Sol. I anrwcr. i. Even the Ihing have foind tot my sfFcdions ^^uch ffirltHal deadnefs in their hearts : Davids foul was heavy, and operiti- ^^^ ^^^^ down, and indifpofed, and a deadnefs poflefled him, and Anfwcfcd. ^^ prayes often ; O Lord quicken me. 2. But is there not
a difference twixt deadnefs and death ; death is the total privation of life ( where there isfpiritual death ? tkere is not fo much as the habit cf grace ) but deadnefs is fome diminution, or fome damp upontiie habit of grace , that it ileps not out toitsa6l'S, vviih that liberty, and that alacrity as it was wont, andfuch a deadnefs may be in a living foul. And thi:d[yy Thou fec/e/i- this deadnefs^ and than diflikefl it, and thou bewailefl: it, and thou prayell , how often , how earnelHy : Lord quicken this dead heart of mine ; Is it thus where death prevails ? do dead men do thus ? 4. The actions of life are various ; Let the a6lion for the quantity be what it will, greater or leffer, quick or dulL, free • or checked, and interrupted ; yet if what thoudoft be done in the llrength of Chrift , if it be wrought with an humble and an up- right heart; afluredly, thou art not adeadfinner, but a Hving (though perhaps troubled ) Chriftian.
Ohj.^, But / have no power to do any good ; I cannot believe, I I have no pow- ^^j^^qj. pj-^y^ \ cannot mourn. Sol. i . iVhat^ no Power at all ?
good. °*"'^ never any power , no power from thy felf , nor any power from AnCwcrcd. Chrift ; no power perhaps to this work ; but what, no power to any fpiritual work ? no power ( perhaps at this time ) to an eminent a^ , but then is there not a power to pray for power ? Though power appears not in the work, doth not power yet ap- pear in the will and defire ? JRom,j, 1 8. / kj^ow that in me (that is in my f-^fh^ dwelleth no gosd thing. For to will is prefent with p^e ; hut to perform that which is good I find not : I cannot do it, but I would do it. 2. If there be a power living in the wHl^
it is the heflfjgn of life : A wicked man doth often the go&d which his will is againft , and the good man often doth not the good, cannot do the good, which his will is yet for. Now God looks upon the will, more then upon the work : If gracious a6^$ be couchant in the willj life is in thee, 3. However, although
thoH
cftheR €t Hrning FroMgai ^79_
Thnhafi not forver ( i ometimes ) let down for ffirhnal work^; yet thou hail fo much forver fit// remaining^ 04 to lift Hf weal^ hands for more power : Though thou c an(t not believe , no: re- pent, nor mourn as thou tninkeft , yet there is anhearttofeek unto Jod in Clirift for this power to believe, &c.
Oh I 4. But my 0ld /ive/y affetilons are gone, my old eilimations, My o.d hvcly my old hungrinos and thirilings, my old delightful communion ^ftj^^J^iQ'^^ «" with God in praycrjand in his ordinances. So/,To this I would on- ^j^^^^j-g^j, ly fay thus much. i. There is a difference mi xt the intenfive fwlftnefs^ or flafh of affeBlons , and the Intenfive f/rength^ and weight of the ajfeftions, A young Chriftian is moft in the former, an old Chriftian ( who a6ts more upon Judgment and Faith ) is molUn the latter. 2, The cafe fee ms rather to be of a living man^ /Ike to dje^ then dead : Of a man decaying in Grace,rather .then tot.illy deprived of grace; of a fick ChriiHan, rather then of a deadChrifiian. :?. And th^rc^oTQ fer loaf! j fear ch the catifes of the remlffion of thy firfl /ove , of thy ancient favour in holy communion : O, look whether a dead flye be not fallen in- to the ointment, whether fome infnaringlurt, fleOily, or world- ly hath not robbed thee of thy ftrength. 4. If fo , Be ham* h/ed great/ Yy and repent ^ and dothy firfl worJ^^.
Obj,^, "^But where there Is llfe/here is growth y but I find it not. ^ ^^^^^^ So/, A word to this : The denial of growth m^y be either Anfwcrcd,. I. Negative y. Never any at all; this is impoOlble if life be wrought. 2. Comparative '^ Not fo much as another, notfo much as I have found under fuch, or fuch means ; not fo much as I defire; and this may be where there is life.
I have finiilied two Proposition from this Text : Onercfpe- 6ling the death, and the other refpe6ling the life of a finner ; I now proceed to a third, which is. That a very great and notorious ^ocl, ^. • fnnermay be (at length ) converted and changed, \_ This my Son ^ ^-'y ^''**bc was dead, and is alive again :^^ This Son! and who vvas he, orj"^^'^?^^^ what was he ; in the precedent Verfes, you miy fee his pi^ltire , you miy read the Hiftory of him ; he was one , who would be gone from his Fathers Houfe, and into a far Country he went, and there he did waRe his fubftance with riotous living. He m ide an end of all of it , and in the bafeft of wayes , amongft Harlots ; and then betakes himfelf to fordid lliif ts : He offered himfelf to feed Swine , and would have fed with the Swine , nay, woild
have
2.8o Gods grdcious Accepmce
have lived upon the Otfals and Husks which the Smne left : He ftood it out to the Uii\ if he could poiVibly have fuhiifted, if lie could but have lived , he would never have ccmc back to his Father : Yet this Son^ this Son at length comes bac^, at lengtii is converted, and is alive again. But I obta'iK^d mercy (laid Paal^ I Tim. 1,1 3. ) Miferlcordlam donar>tem-, mercy of Converiion ; mifericordiam coyiddi'ianiem^ mercy of remiHion:! obtained mercyl Why ! what was he more thsn another, that he does fo emphati- cally fpeak of himfelf, I obtained mercy I Yea, there was reafon to let it oflf thus with an Emphafis ; for he was a notorious linner, / was ( faith he ) a BUfphemer , and a Ferfccmer and Injurlotis , yn 1^1 obtained msrcy \ Some of you know that it hath been an ancient quetiion and debate about the equality or inequality of fin; I think thus, i. Ihat Orlgwal fin {^quantum adfe^ ts e- qually divided amongfi all men , there is atqudis carentia dehhl ^ and £qti(ilis lyih^rema I»debiti(m touching the nature of Original .fin)in every man;in refpeCl of it, one finner is not a greater (inner then another, i, Tetthe aHHalexerclfeof that fin-, may bemore in one man^ then In mothr ; and hence it is, that fome tinners we call them lelTer , and others we cil them greater : By a great {inner , I mean one who exceeds another very much in (inful wayes and guilt. And one may be called a great, a very great ^ou!^°l^"L.!^ (inner in four refpe6ls ; neverthelefs thev have not hindered con-
firmer in four verlion.
itfpcas. ^ J. One may be called a very great (inner , whafe fingle fin is of
When a (inele ^^ ^^^^i'^^g qmlity ; fuch as not only Scripture condemns, but
(in is of ?.n a- even nature (Tirinks at it, as Incefi and Sodemy ; there is a kind of
mazing quali- relu6lancy , and abhorrency in nature againit thofe, and the very
ty- Heathens jftart at them : Yet God hath converted fome men
guilty of thefe (ins. The ineeflmtis Corinthian^ ivhom Paul -ivould
have delivered to Satan , was wrought upon, and converted, and
repented ; and 1 Cor. 6, 9. Some of them who were abnfers of
themfeheswith mankjnd^ V. 11. Were yet wafhed^ and fanBify"
ed and jufiifjed, 2. One may be called a very great (inner ,
Wbofc kincSs of y^hofe kinds of fiming are very many , and all of them exceed-
fmningarc vc- ingly frozoking: When they ^re as a volly of poyfoned ar-
rymsnyand rowe*, all of them levelled at, andfliot into the very face of
provotmj. x3od; every one of them, like 5^«/, is higher by the head then
other fins, which in comparifon are ®f a lower (iatiwe : Such a
great
of the Returning Prodigal.
great fiimer was ManAJfes ; he was one of the hlghefl Idolaters
that evo- we read of, and a witch^ and dealt with the Devil^ and
offered fome of his children to the Devil ^ 2 Chron. 35. 5,
4^ 6. and jhed much Imscent blond : Yet this notorious (iiv
ner at kngth humbled himfdf greatly, and was converted :
See verf, 12, 13. 3. One may be callecTa very great fin- vv ho barhcoo
ner, who hath continued a long time in the conrfe ar:d pra^ife tinucd a long
pf great finsy perhaps twenty, forty, fifty years : Abraham tim«»nacourfe
continued a long time in his Idolatry, and at length was cal- «>^r"^ ^"5.
led and converted : The Ephejians walled according to the
cmrfe of this worldj and had their coKverfation tn times fafi
in the liifis of the flefh , ftlfiliing the defires of the flejh ,
and of the miyidj Chap. 2. verf.2,3. yet at length were quick-
ncd and converted, verf. 5. 4. One miy be called a great whofc fin$ arc
(inner, whofe Jinr/r/igs are \Q}[y greatljf circtimftanced : Cir- •: ready cit cum-
cumfiances, you knuW, give a very great accent unto moral ft«i*ccd.
adiions.
Quefl:, But how may it appear, that a very great finner may Dw-monftrati-
be converted ? SoL There arc four Reafons of it, or De- ®^** "'
monlirations for it. i. Becaufe fame oreatfinners hdonitothe ^ - ,
r, -,' c r- 1 ^ T> 1 r ^ L r ^ ^ ^om« great fan-
Eleciwn of Gods Grace .- Paul was ( as you have ieen ) a very „? rs belong to
great finner ; yet faith God of him, A^i, 9. i ^. He ts a chofen the Elsdfou o£ ^ejfel unto me. There are two things ( amongft many other ) Grac«^ which belong to the Divine Eletilion. \, It is a free AB^ and if Imiy ufe the word without offence, an Independent A(^, raifed only from the good pleafure of the Divine Will, and not from the corydition of the Obje6l. Rom. 9. 1 5. I will have mer- cy on whom I will have mercy ^ and I will have compaffion on whom I win have co'nfaffion. Verf. 16. It is not of him that willeth^ nor of him that rnnneth^ but of God that (heweth mercy. If God will choofe foolii-h things, and bafe things, &c, 1 Cor, i. 27,28. 2. It is an infallible Decree : I mean, fuch a Decree which 6od will certainly fulfil. In Ebdion, God doth decree or ordain a perfon unto falvation ; and this perfon God will certainly bring unto falvation, by thofe meai-^s which he hath appointed fdr rh.U purpofe : And therefore , if a great finner be within the compafs of Gods Eledion, him in time will God con- vert ; A^, I ^. 4S. As many as were ordained to eternal life^ believed.
O 0 i,BecAHfe
r
283 Gods Gracious Aceeftance
The converfi-
2, Bscanfe the Conver[ionof a Sinner u an omm^Qteni worl^: It on"f Tfinner ^^^^^d^ ^^ ^^^> ^<>.^^'honi nothing is too hard; he can pardon Is an omnipo- great fins as Well as little, and convert great finners asfvell as or-* KnEivork. dinary finners.. There is as muchpo^ver put forth to convert a finner> as there was to make a world, yea, and more: For in Creation> there ^as nothing in the Subject created to refift and vvithftand ; but when a Sinner is to be converted,, there is an ex- ceeding great refilhnce, fuch a refuiancc, -as is able to put by all the {irength and power of a moral Agent. No created and finite power can convert a finner :. An infinite power is required ;. and if that be pat forth, the fiouteft and ftrongeft finner mull and doth yield. If the Sun rifeth, then the diickelt darknefs flees away and vanifheth : If Chrift fpeaks the word, then Laz.arn4^ who had been dead four dayes^ lives again, Steven preaches, and not only Paul flights his Sermon, but confents alfo to hk death : But when Jefus Chrift fpake only a few words unto him, Paul now quakes, and trembles, and yields, Lordy what wilt thou have me to do, ©od hath the 3- ^^^^^j^ ^he Lord God hath the ah [olute dominion over the abiblute domi- heart ; he can difpofe, fafl\ion, alter, tunrit, as he pleafeth,, nica.oYer che and when he plealeth : ^ Ke hath the command of the heart and heart. grace.. Take the heart '( as ufually we do ) for any or all the
faculties of the foul, yea, as corrupted by nature and cuflome^ yet God hath a dominion over ir, and he can make new impref- fions, and divine alterations and inclinations upon it. The Un- derflanding naturally is blind and dark, unable to unfold and ap- prehend the morality of conditions, ailions, obje6ls; but God can turn it from darknefs to light ; he can imprint on it the clear-
I, efl light, whereby it lliall be able to behold what is good, and
I what is evil. The Judgment naturally is erroneous, it miftakes
f good for evil, and evil for good ; judgeth finfull evil as the hd\
j- and fweeteft way, condemneth good as moft contrary to us, to
aur delights, courfes, ends : But God is able to imprint on mans Judgment, a difcerning and righteoufly fentencing ability, that a man lliall not only fee his finfull nature and life, but condemn it ( Iwas^ mad, faith Pan/ ; fuch a fool, a beafl was I. The^ pall remember their evil wayes, and loath themfelves, Hof. 2. 7.) ^ his greatefl: evil arid mifery ; and conclude, that a new holy penitent life is the belt of all lives, and that for himfelf. The
Confeiense
of the Returning Prodigal. 2 8 ?
CoKfc'iencc is either fleepy or leared naturally : But God can avva- kvin it> and imprint on it a porver to feel fin; to complain, accufe, indite, wound, and Hay the finner, that he iliall have no reft as long as he lies in his (intull condition : Sin revived a^d I diedy Rom.q, The will is naturally averfe, andperverfe; itisfet againll all fpiritual good, and fet upon evil: But cannot God alter this Will ? He can eafily turn it about ; let him but drop in the lenft degree of Grace, and the Will prefently wheels about, and is as ready, and defirous, and cleaving to good, as ever it was to evil : Lord^ whatwiltthoHhavemetodof hdi,(;. So for the -AfeBions^ the Lord hath the dominion over them : He 'can make them to love him as much and more than ever they loved fm ; and to grieve, and to hate, and to fear fin, &c. Get thee hcKce ; vphat have I any more to do with Idols ?
4. The Lord doth fometimes convert a great fmerto glorifle his God doth this own Grace, i. The fower of it, that it is able to cure great and to glorific his ftrong difeafes. If ordinary finners onely were converted, men °^" S*"*^^' would im.igine but a common and vulgar power lay in converting Grace ; where there is a lefler oppofition, there a weaker Orength may fuffice to do the work : But if fin be firong, now the pow- er of Grace appears, in refcuing the foul even from the Gates of Hell, and from the Powers of Darknefs . 2. The riches of it : When all the world knows, and the man himfelf knows. That there was nothing in him, but a vileft heart, and lewdeft courfe, and yet Divine Grace hath converted him ; O, faith he, this was rich Mercy and Grace indeed. The Apoftle faith, That God quickned the de3d Ejhepans, that he might fkew the exceed- ing riches of his grace, chap. 2. verf. 7, O, faith the great finner, ( now converted,) never was there fuch a gracious and fuch a mcrcifull God, fuch ^'indand loving God ; I was dt^dy and he hath made me alive ; I was the greateft of finners, and I have yet obtained the fweeteft of mercies ; I Avas the greateil Enemy, and yet God would be my kiaideft Friend* overcome by Sin, and now overcome by Grace ; falling down into Hell, and now lifted up to Heaven ; fo bad, that Jurtice might' have had much Glory to damn me, yet God hath been fo good, that Mercy fhall have the Glory to fave me. Vfe i.
The firft life of this Point (hall be, To relieve any troubled ^0 rdicve the 0nd difirefed Confci^m:e. You fhall find by experience thefe ''.^y^^^ ^^"'
O 0 i. two
w
284 CodsGr/icious Accepame
trvo Truths ; i. That whiles men are in a dead, lott, vile, and unienfible condition, they then imagine that their fins are little, and mercies great, and they have power to turn to God when theypleafe: 2. Thai when they come to be truly fenfible of their hearts and ways, then their iins appear exceeding great, and the mercy and grace of God feem little ; O ! th jy have withitood the offers of grace, and ail felf-power is gone, and the great- nefs of their linning is an abfolute bar to their converfion. Reafons why a -^^^^ ^^^^^ are eight Reafons, why a mm ( made fenfible of. man fenfible ef his great {iifnings ) inclines to think that God will never con-*^ hisgrcstfin, vert him. I. Beeatife he hath been o^e who h^th exceedlfjgly wiiUotc ^ p^"^^^W Gsd to wrath againfi klm : He fees great wrath in God, vtrthim. ' and that he hath, by his continual finnings, incenfed the Lord, O, faith he, it is mercy that m.urt convert ;, but I have turned a mercifull God into a juft God, and a kind God into an angry God ; my great fms have put me into the hmds of nis great wrath, 2. Beeatife fueh a f erf on fees his condition lying under
the threatmngs of Gady and oM of the reach of the promifes ef God ; God threatnmg him. Warrants iifued out to take and arreH him, an Arrow levell'd at him ; God hath faid, That he will wound the hairy fca/f of him that goes flillyn in his iniquities ; and that he who hardens his hearty hsmg often reproved^ fhall he dejtroyed without remed J ; Now I have been that finner. ^^ Becaufg
jueh a f erf on feels the imfrejfisns of Gods diffleaf^re on his Con" u fcience : He is in the very hands of wrath; Confciencc tells
him, Thou art the man, and thefe have been thy finnings, thefe have been thy ways and thy doings ; and Confcience condemns him for one who hath delighted himfelf in zwil^ and fecretty goes and fmites him with unavoidable fears and terr ours. Now when* a man feels wrath, 'tis an hard thin^ to perfwade him, that God hath any thoughts and intentions "of mercy and grace for him. M i^. Sueh a -per f on ordinarily, lookj morenpon the examples of de-
j. JirnBionj th^ri upon the mftances of comer ft on ; rather what God
A heirraeHfs'^^^'^^'^"^^&'^^"'^ ^^^^^' than for any of them. O, faith he, God pral. 81. 11. i" Scripture hath often left fuch and fuch great Tinners to their 2 Thcf. z. own hearts lufts, and he hath given them up to Satans delulions, J;r. Jj. 14. and to a reprobate mind and fenfe, and would not have mercy on them, he would deal with them no more. 'y, Ihe dlflanct iwixt his greatly fmingfotily and converting gracCy feems to him
wondroufly
of the Returning Prodigal, 285
wondroufly large : If I had been but fick andvveik! but can a dead m.in live ? lliould a Rebel be embraced ? can a Blackmorc be made white ? Jt is great grace to convert a little fmner, but what grace is fufificient 10 convert fo great a finner ? 6. He fneaf fires the diffejitionof Divine Grace^ by the Ir^dlffoftlon of hit own heart, O, faith he, I have been, how long, how iTubbornly unwilling to receive grace,how violent to oppoie grace 1 If I had negleded it only, but I have rejeded it ; I have been fo long unwilling, defpifing, will Grace be pleafed and fo willing to one fo unwilling ? Grace will not be willing to fmile on him who hatb fro.vned on it ; Grace will not ftoop to him who hath trampled upon Grace: Can Divine Grace and I be foeafily friends! ^ What, forty years lying in Hell, and now to think I ili^iU go to Heaven! all my life toferve the Devil, and yet novv to think that God will take me, or make me his ferva it ! 7. Such a man fees htsfns in another manner than ever before : The face of fin is unvailed, like fo many fpears in the heart of Chril-l, like fom my wounds given to fweeceft Mercy, like fommycupsof poyfon that he ha:h drunk, andfo miny cups of wrath which he hath made Chrift to drink, and as fo much dung caft upon the Beau:ies of Holinefs. 8. Tea^ and he feels his fns In another manner. O, faith he, I feel my proud heart ftill, and my adul- terous heart Itill, and my covetous heart ftill ; and when any good arifeth, it is furprized, it it refifted, it is quenched by a thoufand evil motions ; And though I hear, and though I feek God, yet it is thus with me. O ! my fins have been fo great, that God vvill never undertake my converfion, my change ; had I been more civil, had I beenlefs evil, perhaps he would.
Now I would'fay {\\ things to this s^reat finne-. i. Great: Six things ro
ingly, befeech God to give thee an heart to mourn exceedingly ; fens of great and think not, that God cannot do much go:»d, becaufe thou hift ^u nbiings, buc done much evil. 2. Great (Innings (hoMwork a fe/f-defpalr^ "occf unbelief.
hat they (honld never yvo^k,a God~defpalr. Great finnings fhew Grrat Gnnings a great fclnefs of fin, which cannot be overcome, but by a greit '^,^"1^ ^^®^^* God. Thou art a great finner, but God is a great God ; tliere ^^^~^ GiT-dc^^ u no finner like to thee, and there is no God lik^i to him : fpair.
Ho
286 ^ Gcds gracms Acceftance
He is great in povvei', ( if he were not able to convert a great finner, he were not great in power ; ) atid he is great in mercy ^d love, ( he were not great in mercy to pardon, nor great in love to fave, if he did not pardon great iinners, and convert great fmners : ) Therefore, as the leait iinner ihould defpair of his own power, fo no (inner, no not the greatell, (hould defpair Cod bsth ccn- of Gods power, 3. God hath cativerted great finner s, Ufual- vcfccdgreac jy^ ^^ fmners whom God hath converted, they have been of iina«ri. the greateli rank of fmners; He hath pafled by many an hun-
dred civil righteous perfons, and his converting Grace hath laid hold on the notorious finner. Thou art not the iiril Idolater, the firft Thief, the foil Whore, the firil Adulterer, the foft Drun- kard, the firft Swearer, the firft Sodomite, the firii Perfecutor, the firf^ Unbeliever and refufer of Grace, that Divine Grace hath affayed and converted : They had no more power to contri- bute towards their converfion ; there was no more reafon in them to move the Lord to look upcnthem, than there is in thy felf ; No fmncr can yet 'God did convert them. 4. Though a ferfon can [ay^ lay, God ml ^^^^ q^^ ^^^^ ^^^ hitherto converted htm ; jet no finner ( living- ^un. ^°"^^*^^ under the means of Grace ) can fafely fay^ that God will never conven htm : For no finner can know his eternal Reprobation, this is a fecret counfel which is refervedin the bofome of God ; can know the feafon, the very defigned feafon whai God will convert him ; for the Lord referves the power of converiion, and the feafon of converfion to himfelf ; he converts fome at one time, fome at another : God never revealed to any man, that at fuch a time, at fuch an hour he would convert him ; Confi^nenter^ a man may know the hour of his converfion, but Antecedemer^ he could not know that God would then ( juft then ) convert him. ^herc is mere 5. There is m»re frohablllt y that God will convert thee ( thus fen^ probsbility of fil;/e^ &c.) than that he will not. For I. The clearing of thy Lv ^"^"r^^r".' ^^^^^ finfulnefs unto thee, andthefettingof th y great fins in or- hblf^thanno:" ^^'^'^^^^^^^^"'^^ ^y^-^ ' ^' '^^^ quicknings of thy Confcience Reafonsofit. ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ burthen and weight of thy great: tranfgreffions ; .3, The great- perplexities and fearsin thy heart becaufe of thefe gre.it fins, are no ,evil figns at all : Of the two, the troubled Confcience is much more hopefull than the feared Confcience. F'lclnlor falutl eft dolor -pat tenth quam fiufor mn fentientlsy as jiuftm well. Though trouble in Confcience be not alwayes an
infallible
of the Returning Pr^digd^ ^^1 _
infallible Argument of UiQy yet it is an ordinary Antecedent unto Spiritual Life : The Itill Voice came after the Whirlwind, and Chrilt c^me after the ftorm, and Canaan came after the WiLlemefs, the Spirit of Adoption comes after the Spirit of Bondage. 6. But what if the Lord hath already converted What if the thee ? What if God have done that work in thee which thou Lord bive al- fearelt he will never work further ? ' Alfuredly, if thou art great- r«<^y convct-
* ly alliamed of thy great trangreilions ; if thy foul can now '^^ '^"' ' loath ic felf for all its abominations ; if thy heart can remember
* them, and bitterly mourn over them ; if thy cries be great to
* be delivered from them ; if thy fears be great to fin no more ; ' if thy he.irt will not be content without a new heart ; if thou ' and God mult be reconciled ; if thou haii received an heart wil-
* ling.to be converted ; What fhall I fay ? Thou art indeed con- ^^ verted.] Remember twofupports which I leave with thee :
I.
No poor firmer can be fo ready and willing to be converted by God, but God is much more ready and willing to convert him ; 2. A willingnefs to be converted, is converfion begun ; the firft flroke of converfion lights upon the Will of a Tinner, and the greateft part of converfion appears in the change and converfion of the Will ; it is from the will of Gods grace, that ihou art willing to have grace.
A fecond life Hi all be of Caution, Let kb man f re fume to con- ^r 2* timie in great fins y or to remain fecure and carelefs, becaufe he ^^^'*''"* hears that a great fmner may be changed and converted : For' i.. p^]\^^^ ^o Although God doth comert fome^reatfimiers^ one Abraham^ one continue in^ Vanly one Mary Magdalene ^ yet there are m.xny of them whom he great finsa never converts, 2. Perhaps he may converty perhaps he may not ; and what if he dodi not ? It is but contingent to thee : Perhaps he will convert thee, this lliould move thee to feek him ; per- haps he will not, this may affright thee to ftand out any longer againft him. Therefore , to be bold in fin , becaufe God can, and fometimes doth convert a great finner, miy move thee rather to conclude, he will rot, he intends not to convert thee, than that he doth. When Divine Goodnefs is madeen-^ courageable to fin againrt that Goodnefs ; when it is not a melt- ing Sun, but an hardning Sun ; it is a prefnge rather of a mans fubverfion, than of his converfion. :?, Thongh God can^ and doth fometimes convert a grfatfinmr^ yet ufuatty the ^ eater finner
fomeS'
288 Gods Gracimis Aeceftance
comes off vfith the Jharper co^werfo». The great Malefaclor lome- times hath his Book and his Lite too,but he is burned in tlie Hand> and in the Shoulder, Paul was a. great finner, and was convert- ed 5 but his great fms, which were a troubling to Chnli, did } rove a trembling to his heart. God puts luch a (inner upon the Rack ; he lirikes and wounds him, that all the Countrey iTiaii hear of the troubles which his Conicience feels for his fmnings againll God ; Cod doth, as it were, finge him with the flames of Hell , before he meets him with the kilTes of Heaven. ^, Moji lifuallj^ thofe great and Kotorlous finners whom God con- vert s^ are p/ch who have thus fanned under their tgmrance, I was A blasphemer ^ &c. faith ?atd^ b/.t I did obtain mercy ^ for I did h Igfiorayitlj^ and thro'igh misbelief. He did not know what he did, he thought he had been in the right : You feldome read of one knowing Pharifee, who perfecuted Chriii, thnt was conver- ted ; yet you read of many of the Jews, and of the Elders, that were converted ; for they did not know Jefus Chrift to be the Lord of Glory. I will not fay, that no knowingly notorious iinner Hiall ever be converted ; but certainly, Converfion is ve- ry rare, where Knowledge holds the Cand'le to long and great works of Darknefs. Thofe fmners who go on :igmiii the work- ings of an enliehtning Spirit, fall very rarely within the favour of the converting Spirit : Therefore let no man gather poyfon from this honey, drc. ^'^fi 3' The I aft life O-iall be a word of Dlre^ilon to w great and mto-
Direction ro noHs f-nner^ whom God hath been p/eafed mightily and fracloufly fuch converted ■' \ , , j u r » j r / u- r
fiar>cj$ ^^ comert. I would commend theie Adviloes unto him. i. Let
Take pains to ^^^^ ^^^ much fains to get his Acquittance fairly writ andfealed ;
be atJurcd of ^ mean, to be well aflured that his fins are pardoned. Believe
pardon. it, no man i nail find his title fo queftioned, his heart fo affault-
cd with often doubts and fears of pardon, as one who hath been
a great Tinner : The Provocations have been great, and Confci-
ence haih been boillrous, and Satan can lay in fhrewd excepti-
K«pcon"c*i- ens, C^r. 2. Let Confclence he exceeding tender : O awake
tiics icn^cr. it x\ot-^ difpleafe it not by new adventuring? ; all the old wounds
will bleed afrefh : A little new fm committed, will raife up the
old ghofls ; it will revive the fcnfe of all the old great fms,
which although they be pardoned, yet thou wilt now think they
are not. A perfon who before his Gonverfion lived as li he had
been
of the Returrjin^ Prodigal, 2 8p
been in Hell , fliould after his -Converlion live as if he were in
Heaven. ^. Lovfmnchy and do much \ do fome great thing Love much,
for Gods Glory. and do mi'cb.
This my Son rvas deady and is alive again.
Alive again ! but how Cdme this about ? what vv.is the occafi- on of this Prodigals Converfion ? look backuntot^.i5,i(5. he was brought fo low as to feed Swine , and would have been glad of the Husks,but no man gave unto him, and he is ready to p^riili with hunger ; and now returning thoughts came into his rnind ; now he refolves to come back again unto his Fathers houfe : Whence obferve.
That great afjUnJons are fometimes an occajion ef the Conner- Dool,^, p on of a great [inner. There are two forts of atHiitions, i.ln- Gf<:at aiH.cti- vpardy which fet upon the confcience ; thefe are fometimes an °"^ ^^^ ^°'"^"
i r r^ r A 111 r • ^ ' times an occs-
occahon of Converfion.- A troubled confcience dotn many fionof '^rcac
times end in a renewed confcience ; troubles of heart are often- ficners convcr-
timesclofed with change of heart. The great ftorms occafionthe fion.
Traveller to come in for fhelter : The biting Serpents occafi-^
oned the Ifrae/ites to lookjo the hrafen Serpent ^thc avenger of blood
made the guilty perfon to fje to the City of refuge ; and a con-r
demning confcience oftentimes makes a poor troubled Soul to
Gomc in unto JefusChrili for cafe and refl:. z^Omward^which light
upon the body and elbte of a (inner ; thefe alfo fometimes ferve
to fetch in a (inner; as he once faid, perlljfem nlfi perllffem , I had
perillied unlefs I had periilied. Jojephs brethren had never found
JofephyZnd craved food of him,unlefs a famine had befallen them.
If God had not deprived fome men of their worldly goods, they
had never come in to feek heavenly Treafures : We may
fay of them that if they had been fed , they had been fami-
fhed; and if they had not been famillied, they had never
been fed with the bread of life.
Again, thefe outward affli6lions may be confidered two waye?, either 1. Simply y and nakedly in themfelves ; fo they cannot con- vert any linner, no more then the pool of Bethefda (alone) could heale a dif^afed Perfon, or Elijahs fait could heal the wa- ters, 2, Co;7f#w/V^«/-/7, as accompanied with, and fanci^ifyed by Gods Spirit : It is not the hammer,but the fire which foftens the i,j^^\ P p Iron,
2po ^^^^ Gracious Acceptance
I
iron ; It was not the Water,but the Angel that liirred the water, vvhicn made the water medicinal : It is not the Rope, but the i^rength of the hand upon the Rope, which dravvs m the Boar. Afflictions in themfelves are privations of a comfortable good ; ~ but if God fan^tihes them, they may then be a means of our everlafting good : Cjod can ufe them as a bridle,not only to tiop us running out of the way, but alfo to turn us into the right way. Hof. 2. 1 4./ will a/hre her^ and bring her Into the wilderness. By al- lurmg,he means a gracious and effectual perfvvaiion,a prevailing e- ven to Converlion; but then he will bring her into the wildernefs; God brings men into the Wiidernefs( into a barren,defolatemife- rable conaition)and then allures or converts ^^m.Manajfes was a great imnerjjnd yciGod hnmhlcd him greatljf^md(^ it is thought) converted him;but what means did he ufe for this? See 2 Chro. :^ ^. 11,7 he Lord brought ufm htm the captains of the heft of the King #/ Aflyria, who tool^Mm^i\^h amongthe Thorns y andbomdhim with fetters y and carrj'ed him to B^ihylou. v. 12. And when hs was In ^tffl:[}iony he be fought the Lord his God^ and humbled him- fe If greatly, Nebuchadnez,z,ar was a proud and lofty (inner , and therefore God puld him down ; he did drive him from men , and he did eat Grafs as Oxen , and his body was wet with the Dew of Heaven', and having thus abafed him, he wrought up- on him to acknowledg and praife the true God, Dan.^. 3 3, 34. How this may Que ft, HovY may it appear that, &e, Sol, There 'are four sppor. things attending uponfandifyed atfl!dicns,and all of them contri-
Afflidons bute to Converfion. i. AffilHlons ( fantilfyed) are the ^r^^ Is Lo''V ^^^^^ Loifklng'Glafsy wherein a man may fee his fins , which are ia? G.aiies. ^^^ caufes of afflidlions ; there are divers Glafles in which we may fee the face of otir fins. i. TheGlafs of the Word. 2. The Glafs of Reproof. 3. The GKifs of Confcience.- 4. The GL^fs of Aifli61:ions : Affliction is a Glafs wherein a perfon firft fees his own fins ; Ocules quam cm fa claudlt fena a- perlt. We were verily guilty of the blood of our kr other ( faid fo- fepWs, Brethren • ) and as 1 have ferved other s^ fo the Lord hath fervedme(jL2idAdonlbez.eckJ) 2, See^them asfinners. Ih pro^. fperity we fee the pleafures of (\:\ , but in adverfity the bitter:,-' nefs of fin ; in the one we fee them as our friends , in the other as our enemies : An evil and bitter thing that we have forfaken the L$rd {^[q Jiremlah i'^^A^ih,) ^, Sees therewith a feriouf
1^
of the Returning Prodigal, 2p I
/#«i^; lees them, and thinks of th^m ; Tecs them, and hyes them toh^art: Thy mekednefs hath prscnrfd thefe thir:gs unto thee. Now when a perfon is brought to aright fight of (in, to fee his own fins, and as fins, and ferioufly confiders of them ; this is a way tending to his Converfion : leonfidered my wayes ( faid David ) a^dtHrned my feet tm$ thy tefttmonles,
2. ^^ichlofiS (^fan^tfyed) rpork^much tifon the Cof^fcie^e ; jj,gy ^^^ j^ they are the rods of God upon the Soul ; they are the Waters of much upoa the Mar ah ^ bitter Waters, and theyltir up confcience to fpeak confa^Acc. bitter words unto us : Thefe Were thy wayes , and thefe were thy doings ; thou wouldfinot be warned, thou wouldft not hear- ken , and now fee whither thy fins do tend, now fee into v\'iiat liraits they have brought thee, now ihou vvilt believe that God is difpleafed with thee : When confcience is ftirred , when the burden of afflictions turn into the burden of confcience, two things ordinarily cnfue rhereuf on. i. A mans carnal Jecnri^ ty If hrok^n : The man thought himfelf fafe and fecure before ,; but now he fees his condiuon to be very fad, unfound, unfafe , and miferable ; not only my goods are gone, but my God alfo is gone. 2. The heart comes to be humbled: O, A working confcience, afmiting confcience is the KcHTimer of God, by which he breaks and bows the foul. AfHidions nowftir up the Gall and the Wormwood, and the foul is humbled by them; and when the foul is brought to fee fin , and to confider of fin , vand to be humbled for fin , it is now in a fair way of Con- verfion.
^. Afjiiftlons ( if fanFlifyed ) are gales t9 Prayer : Lord y x,eyarc gsUs in trouhle have they vijltedthee ; they fowredout a Prayer^ when to pjaycr. thy chaflening was upon them, Ifai.id. to. ^^ theiraffliEiioyiSy they will feel^ me early , Hofea 5. It is almoft natural for an afflided man to pray , and afflictions put an edge of z^al on Prayer ; we are feldome more frequent and more fervent in that duty, then in the times of o:ir diiirefs. But then obferve,that as affli6lions are apt to quicken prayer ; fo if they have occ ifioned a fenfe and trouble in the heart for fin. Then i. Vfnally they ftiruf Prayer for far don of fn , and for converfion from fin. Blot oHt my tranfgrejfions^ praies afflidled David, Turn thoti me ^ and I (hall he turned^ praies diftreffed Ephraim, Jer. 31.18 Thefe are the two great defires of a diflrefted foul. 2. Ufually God
P p 2 hears
_ .. ■■ ^l■ ■■■■ ,1 ,— .. — — ■ ■
2^2 ^^^^ Gr adopts Accepmcc
hears thefe PrAyers^ The facrlfices of God are a broken fpirit ; a broken and a contrite heart ^O Ged-^thou wilt not defplfe^ pf, 51.17. A poor finner cannot put up a more acceptable rcqueft unto God then this : Lord, I beieech thee,change and turn my heart,fubdue muie iniquities 1 let not fin have d- ^minion over me ! I befeech thee, fuffer m^ not to diilionour th^e any more ! So that now you fee that afflictions have brought the Soul and God together ; the affliiled Perfon fees a need of Mercy and Grace , and unto j God he applies himielf who is jhe only Author of a finners Con- J verfion> theonly Phyfician of afinfulfoul. '
Tfef Y incline 4. Affil^lons (If fancilfjed) Incline hs unta converting Ordl- ustoconvec- nances: You fliall obferve that men under their affii6tio.:s are snjordinancis. j^ Jt^are willing to hear, 2. More attentive In hearln(J, -i^ More tra'ciable and fllable^{,\.)mort eafie to be vvrough upon m hearing : when a man Is chafined with patn^ and his flejh confnmed away , and his foul draws near to the Grave ; then he will make ufe of a Meffenger^ of an Inter preter^ of one amo/7g a thotifand to [hew unto him his fiprlghtnefs J ]ob 33. ig.toi:^. Oh, what a Divine in- fluence and authority hath the Word over fuch a mm ? he can be content to have his fins ript open, and he can hear and weep, Oh,a finner ! and he longs to hear of fome word of hope,and when he hears it, Oh, how good is God ! and he catcheth greedily at the word of dire6lion ; and v^hen he hears it,Oh,vvhen fhall I be this ! when (hall I do this ! Lord,givegrace,give ftrength unto thy poor fervant ; the man in his profperity would not know the Lord,nor bear-ken to him ; he was above counfel and inftru6^ion, but now his ear Is opened to dtfcipltne , and inftruBion Is fealed unto htm , Job 2i,,i6, Now it is^ Lord^ that which I fee not^ teach thou me ; and If I have dene Inlqmtj^ I will do no more^ Job ^4. 3 2. Vfe, • The lirR Ufe fhall be ioxTrlal of ourfelves, what the fruit ef
TihU^hii i\i all ojir ajplBlons ts I I think there is no man almcft in all tiie ^'m^' ^^^ Kingdome , but Go,d hath of late fome way or other afflidled iffl^ionjs. ^jj^^ Many have loll all their eiiaces , not an Houfe is left to them, nor Land, nor a Rag to their backs-; many have loft their Husbands or their Children in the War ; many have loii fome of their Family with the Plague lately ; who hath not been fome V IS the faddc ft yyay Qj- Qther afflidled ? Now confider, i . It Is thefaddefi affll^ ^^tf k" ' "°fl ^^*^^' ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ bettered by affll^h'ons ; No mifery like that , byaffliftioa, ^0 ^^c the fins, and Continue ftill inihe fins which brought our
mifery:
of the Returning Fndtgd, ___ ^^3
mirery : Oh, co be as far from our friends (as before) aiid as far from our God as before ; to be thrufl: out of an earthly poflelfion, and no: yet to get an heavenly inheritance ; to lofe our Lands5and not yet to get Chrilijto have no home to go tohere,nor any home to go unto iiereaf ter;to lofe our eihtcs,and keep our lins^to lofe the \Yorld,and to lofe the foul too; to lofe all our comforts,and yet not to lofe the caufe of all ourdifcomforts. It was a miracle that the three children were in a fiery furnace ^ jet net one hair ef their he^ds was finged ; It was a miracle that Aiofes bujh was btrmng^and Kot eoKfumed : Oh, it is a fad wonder thatfo many afflidlions are upo i men, and not one fin troubled, not one fin confumed, mortifyed !
2. A'f^fiy ferfons, thangk much afflicted, arJ long affiled, yi^t are ^ perfons not converted ; God compLiineu of old , they return not to him c^otijb much that [mites the?n ; and in another place, yet have ye not returned to md long artli- wf, faith the Lord. There are eightforts of men, whofe atili- ^^^^'/"^"^^ £tions have not been etfeclual to their Converlion. i. Stufid Sin- ^^^^^fo ts o£ >iers , who know not from whom afflidrions are fent, nor to: what p.^^^^^g. end: Pf^herefore hath all this evil befallen uSyWid th^y. 2. D^- Stupid (inncrs. /jpfr;«r<f 5/Wrj-, who forfake God in their afflictions ; They cry D. p:racc fm- not when he bi^deth them^ J ob. 3 c. 13 . This evil is of the Lard-, rvhy "^ ' ^* fhould I wait ufon the Lord any longer ? faid he in 2 Kin. 6. 3 3.
3. Boldfinnersy\\[\o grow worfe and vvorfe under their alBicl:ion;as Sold firmer* the Anvil e by blovs is more hardened ; like Ahaz. in his difirejjes
who finned yet more ^ 2 Chr.28.22. 4. Proud Sinners ^ who repine, p j r and murmur, and complain ag.iinitviod, fretting againrthim,and perhaps curfing of God, as they m //8, 2 1. ^^Carelefs Sinners^swho CareUfs da- regard not the operations of Cods hands y and lay nothing to heart : ncrs^ The unjnfi knows no fha?rte^Zt^, 7.5. 6.Pe/itickSinnerSy\vho think Poij^icfe Ci:v to make up their lolTes by any rem norizing compliances.y.D^/j?^/- n-rs. ring Sinners^who fuik under the burden of workily lolfes and crof- P-ipairing fes ; a worldly forro.v doth feize on them, even unto death,and ^^"'^^"• crulli them as ^^^r/jf/, Sec. X. Hypocritical Sinners^ who C^^m ^ - • --al to turn unto God in Prayer and Fafting,but it is like Judah^friend- ^^ ^ J^^j ly not with their whole hearts ; at the beft they doe but itop in (inning,but they do not forfake their (ins ; their righteoufnefs k but as the morning dew, Hof 6. I will but fay three things to all thefe men. i. It is afnrejign , that the ajfiiclionsare whips $f wrathy and not rods of love , they come not from a Father , but from a Judg. 2, It is a fure fign that greater aJJlifiioKS-
arc
2^4 Gods gracious Accepance
aretofollevp , J will chaftifeyotif^v^n times mon^ Lev. 26. zr, or elie,vvhich is vyQr'ie,etern?l deikudiou. Reprobate Silver jhaU they he called : Becatifel vpoHldh^'ve pttrgedthee ^ and thou wa^ mt purged^ then jhalt not he f urged till 1 caufe my fury to rtft mon thee, 3. ,^f Is a fign that men ^re very wxked , drovvnid in the love of fin, or the World, or that a fpirit of Atheifm prevails and reigns in them.
I now proceed to another Propoiition , which is implyed in
thefe words :
3ofl:, ?. That there is an Alm'ghty Power re quired to eonvert or changed
The c is an si- fimer^ no lefs then is requifite to quicken a deadman : ( This mj
milhcy pcvrer Son was dead , and is alive again ; ) To awaken a man out of
required co fl^ep, needs no great power ; ( a word, a call, a cry, a little ftir^
aiverc a m- ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^ _j l^^^ to quicken a dead man,here calls,and cries,
rcr.
and itirrings will not do it, all the power of Men and Angels will not do it. In zy4Bs 2,^1. you rQ3.dot three thouf and converted at one Sermon, And in ^Bs 4. 4. of five thonfand converted m another Sermon^ fo many, fo quickly converted ; certainly the Power that wrought this mufi be Almighty. Jefus Chrifi him- felf mult come , and he muft cry , and he mult cry with a loud voice -^ Lazar^^, come forth^ Joh.i 1.43. The Apoille fpeaks of xhi exceeding greatnefs of Gods Power ^ towards them that believe , and of the working of his mighty Power ^ Ephef. i . 1 9. Even fuch a Power as God wrought in Chrifi^when he raifed him from the dead yV, 20, The power pur There is a twofold opinion about the power which is putfprth forih in con- i" ^ finners Converfion. i. Some hold it to be Moral only ^ verfion. becaufe this is moft congruous to the will of man, which vi a mo^
Nor moral «n> j-al fubje6l. God ( they imagine ) dodi offer and propound fuch "^ Obje6ls, with iuch Arguments which do wooe,and allure, and pre-
vail with the will of a finner. Sol. It is true that the outward means work only after a moral way. The word ( which \s the miniflry for Converfion ) it coth offer to the finner Argu- ments of life, and death ; It reveales, and commands, and pro- mifeth and " threatneth : But a moral fuafion ( as they call it ) is notfufflcient to convert: And there are four Reafons wh-'ch Proved. to me feem verv ftrono andunanfwerable a^ainlHr, i. The
very Phrafes by which a Jinners Converfon ts exfreffed in Scri- . ft fire J do furmount a moral fualien : There is no lefs power to
convert
of the Returning Fr$dtgd, 295
convert a iiimcr then there was i. To create man at the firft, 2. There iliall be to raife the dead at the lad ; when a finner is' converted, he is faid to be created again, to be born again, to be regenerated; his heart is faid to be opened', and circumcifed ; bis Hrong heart is taken away , an heart of flefh is given unto him; furely all this is more then amoral power. t. This wotaI ftmfgyt mnfineceffarlly preffippcfi fome power ayid abJltles in him with whsm it deals ; as if you counfel a man , you fuppofe fomething in him to incline him to hearken ; . if you do not fup- pofe fuch a power, then it mull be fuppofed that your counfel is in vain; as if you fhould counfel an Ethiopian to change his skin, or a blind m m to fee ; this were in vain, for there is ho power in t-hem to do thde. 7, The corrverjron of fi finner i» refpeB of '
Godfhotild he then contingent ; It might be, and it might not be ; Though God intends to convert a man , yet he may fail and mifs of ihe event , for as much as a moral work is reliftable, and may eafily be put by. Ho^ ofttn wovdd I have gathered y»tir children^ and yon would not ; '' jee alwa^jes rtfifl'theHoly-Ghol^. 4. Tea^ the Converfion of a fnner fhotdd in the event dep€nd mors upon the will of man^ then $'4 the will of God. The grace oftered is com- mon, and it is made peculiar, and differential by mans will : the r-ifzhtufeof grace is not of grace, but of freewill ; fothat dif- enmenfiHoTHm Dei c^fec!i/ij\s a natHr^yUOt ex gratia. The mo- ral fuafi on isprefented unto two finners, the fuafion is- alike; why doth it brin^^ this man and not the other m ^n to Conver(ion ? There can be no reafon given but this , that the one would hear- ken to It, the other would not ; fo that the effed of Conversion ( by this opinion)is manifettly placed in the liberty of a finners will, where.is the Scripture plainly afcribes ictoihe will of him \y ho calls, not to the will of him who is called. 2. Others hold it to be much beyond this ; To he a mofl High Power ^ a i, isa mnft Creating Power , a Divine Power , an Alm'ghty Powder , fuch a ^ig'^ power, a Power as overpowers all the finful power in man, bears it down," «fa"n| power, and overcomes a Droud,llubb;^rn, refilling heart; though it dot9 not toialiter eradicare , yet i t doth aBnaliter predominari (^ vlnce- rs refifieniiam voluntatis. Now thatnolefs power is fulHcient, ef- Proved. fe6tually to convert a {inner, m ay be cle ired by thefe A:'gumcnt5. I. If you. confider the nature of Converfon itfe/f : there are two ^^^^ ^^' "'• tliiiigs which Conyerliondoth d^iote ; 6;;^ kunimmediatt vPark^ p"^^°^ conves-
2p5 Gods gracious Accepancc
of God ^ renevving mm, or giving unto him a new birth- this cannot be done without an ahnighty Power. Our Divines in ' ahe Synod of Dort^ call il^is Mir f^blls^n oferationem -^ Proffsr calls this Grace Bomrum In nobis creatricem : This is the creat- ing work, to bellow a Soul upon the Soul , a Spirit of life upon aipirit ; this mull: be the work of an alm'ghty God indeed, Ormifotentijjima foteflas ^ncrin^^rAi hnmanorum cordmm : Auilm ^e Cor, & Gra, c, 14. No man nor Angel can make a. creature , only a God can make creatures, and new creatures : The Ethtspian cannot change his skin , and can any but a God , change the heart, the nature of a finner ? Another is, Awork^ of mm by Faith , and Refcntance , turning himfelf unto God ; forae term the ioimticonverjior.em-primam^ and the latter ^tf;?- verfionem fecurJam ; thefe two in the order of time cannot fcarce be dilHnguitlied, but in order of caufality they are, the work of God convertmg man is before , and it is a caufe of the a6lion in man converting unto God : Now Con\'erfion in this fenfe. depends upon an almighty Power ; even the believer cannot believe without Gods mighty Power ; there is a wonderful Power required to draw out the adt of believing : Oh, how much power is neceffary to make any troubled broken heart ailually to come unto Chrift , a6lually to believe,to em- brace Jefus Chrift ! how many Seas mufi be divided firfl ? how many Meuntains levelled and removed out of their places lirft ? It murt come from the Father , if any do c©me unto the Son. See Ji?. 6, 37. 45. Vnt^ yon it is given to believe, ( rl 'Trmv^v ) Faith is the gift of God , and the ail of Faitii is the gift oi God too ; a renewed will is from God , and when \t is renewed , even now to will is from God : God works in you to will and to do of his good pleafure. Phi/, 2,1^, there mull be his good will to make us will good, and his 0 hifyuv for our TO «vf f >#<v,his work to make us to work. 2. If you confi- From the ^^^ ^^^ ftrength of fn in mans nature : wc look upon two things in
ftrcngth of fin fin ; ihtgtiUt of it ; Oh,this was fo^great,fo mighty that it could InmaAsoacure. never be expiated but by an almighty fatisfaclion, even the blood of the Son of God ; tht fi/th and corruption of it,vvhy ! thus con- fidered, it is of that ftrength in the Soul, that no Power but what is Divine can overcome it, an almighty Power is neceflary to this, it muft be a ftronger then the ftrong that muft difpoflefs this lirong
man j
of the Returmn^ Prodigal, 2P7
man ; they are no weak weapons, but mighty weapons ; and mighty through God, which muft pull down thefe {irong holds ; the heart of man is full of cvllj faith Solomon; it is defter At sly Tvickjdy Taith 'jercmj : I bcfeech ycu paul> a while upon two Conftderations. i. 1 here is an exceeding ftrerjgth in Sin^ even in {he Regenerate^ and converted R erf on : Raul cries out, / am fold, I aw led captive. David is weeping for no k^fs fins then of eyidtilteryy and Murder : Peter weeps bitterly for no lefs fin then denying of Chrift^ then for fwearing and curing. In the very bed thefefh lu/leth again/} the Spirit ; So that they cannot do the Good' they would^ and cannot overcome the evil that they hate. Now mark, if there be fo much ftrenghth in finful nature dying, how great is the ftrength in (inful nature living ? If there be fo much power in a broken arm, how great is the power in a perfect, ftrong unbroken arm ? If all the Chriftians Grace he hath be fometimes too weak for his finful inclination, afluredly then all external counfels, advifes, reproofs are too weak to alter the whole finful nature ; for the quality of Grace is much more urong, then the exhortation unto Grace.
2. That there isfuch a firength in JtHy that all the de^ees of Grace unto which a converted per f on can pojfihle attain in this life^ are not able totally to rid the foul of it. Till the mud-wall be quite pulled down, fome of the Ivy will ftick unto it ; Jacob went hal- ting unto his grave. Till death makes an end of our lives, Grace cmnot make an end of our fins. Is it thus with the converted perfon, that- neither Counfels, nor Exhortations, nor Grace re- ceived can utterly extirpate fin ? nay is fometimes too weak for fin ? verily then there can be no converfion of a finner with- out an Almighty power : the power of fin in an unconverted man being in fulleft ftrength,in every facility and making highefl: rcfi- ftance toGracejbecaufe naturally of deepeft contrariety thereunto.
^. Nay thirdly, confider as there is a mighty (trength From thir in fin , fo there is a mighty firength joyned with Jin , to op- ftrength joynfd fofe the fnners Converfion ; and the finner "cannot be converted ^'^^^ ^*"5 '° ' until both thefe -irmies be conquered : i. Satans firength is ''^^^^^^^f/^^^ joyned with the firength of fin .- the finner is under the dominion ^.i. of fin, andheislikevvifc under the dominion of Satan; and as fin is a powerful Lord, To Satan is a powerful Prince ; he is the God of this world, he workj mightily in the Children of difohe-
Q^q dienfe^
2<^g Gods gracious Accep^nee
1, I .. dlence^ EpheC 2. 2. He takes th^m captive at his plealurc ;
Li and as P/?^rWj raifed all his hoft, vvhen the Children of Ifrael
\ were 10 go out of Egjft i fo doth Satan ftir up all his policy, and
j; put forth, all his povver, to withhold a perfon from being con-
verted. He arms the Judgment with reafons, exceptions, iliifts, difputes ; and he arms the Will with averfnefs, unreafonablenefs, ft ubbornncis, pride ; And he arms the Confcience, and he arms the Affedlions. O what corrupt re^fonings ? how many proud denials ? what hideous reprefentations of the wayes of Grace ? what delights, wh.it prohts we have had by fin? what im- poiTibilities, what difputes, what feares, what terrors, what dampings of the Word, what diftra6lions in Prayer, what agonies, and continual, and vehement, and violent conflio^s, doubts, fcruples, &c ? 2 ^// thefe rnufi he anfwered^ and all thefe muR be conquered, if the foul be converted. Andean all this be done by amorall power ? O no; it muft bean Almighty power, which muft refcue a poor foul out of the hands of two fuch mighty Lords. The people of Ifrael could not be delivered from one King, and with a temporal deliver an ce,but by the excee- ding greatnefs of Gods power,and by an high and infuperable wor- king of divine Grace. 4. There is more then an ordinary &&. ' hich P<^^^'^^ required for ejfeHs which fa/i (kort of Converfion : and if falliliort of ^^ ^^^^ ^hen an almighty power bs required for thefe (^^\\iq\{ are Converfion. at the heft but fubordinate and preparative workes to the main work of Converiion, ) queftionlefs then, the work of Converfion - depends, and muft depend on an almighty Power. Such a '\, quantity of power cannot be denied for the greater, which yet ;' muft- be granted for the leder works, in the fame Order. There \ ' ■ Sync6. Djrdr. are fome good and learned Divines, who handling the preparatives pag. 160. ^Q Converfion, do conceive four precious ads or works, wrought before it. v, g. i. Notltla dlvlnA mlantatis^ a knowl edg of the Divine will. 2. Seyifiu fee cm ^ a fight and feeling of our fins, and iinful condition ; ^. Coghatiode I ikratior,e, {om^ tho^Q^hts and defires of deliverance; 4. SjesvenU^ an hope at hit of apolTibility of mercy and pardon : all which God works by the preaching of the Word. As upon Peters fermon^ they came to a fenfe of their fin , and fear, and trouble, and defire, and had fome hope of deliverance preached unto them, the promife being made to them and unto their Children ; upon -which God con- verted
ef the Returning Prodigal, ^ 99
verted them. No.v mark me ; There is a neceifity of aa al- xnighty Power to produce thde anteccdaneous,and inferior work?. None but the God of our Lord Jefus Chrlft^the Father of Glory ^can InUghtcrtthe eyes of the EfhefiaKSy c. i. 17, iS. Surely chen,nnne lefs then he can open the heart of the Hphefi.iiis ; for which is the greater work, to open an eye, or to open an heart ? Is it not more to give life to the dc^d^ then to give fight to the blinde? None but God can make a finner fenfible of his Ci^m ; when the Commandment came J fin revived-, and I die d^ Fvom. 7.5?. NovY which is the greater work, to make me feel my fins, or to m^.ke me forfake my fins ? to trouble my heart, or to alter my heart ? to feel my difejife, or to heale me of my difeafe ? to fhew me my fetters, or break off thefe fetters ?
5. It is (at lea(t) as great a vfork^ to convert a, finner^ as It Is tt ^''°^ ^^* P°^' freferve a [inner converted ; aad one would think a greater work ; p^gf/rvc^'j {^n- lor to the one man is dead , to the other he is living. Is it not ner converted, more to make the houfe, then to repair the houfe ? but to pre- fcrve or keep a converted pcrfon (tedfaft to the end, there needs no lefs then the power of a God .- {fVe are k^ft by the power gf God throH^h faith Hnto Salvation, iPet. i. 5.) therefore to convert a iinner doth require no lefs power then that of a^ God. Now put all thefe things together ; the nature of i^onvcrfion, the Power of a (inful heart, xv\z Strength of Satan, the Power required for leffer works then converfion,thcGreatners of makings then keeping,and then I think it wil manifeily appear,That no lefs then an almighty Power is neceilary to a finners Converfion.
Is there an almighty power required to convert a fin- '^r ^» ner, as ^reat a power as to make a dead man alive ? how To humble us may this humble all our thoughts^ and all our hearts ! you may fiom the con- judl of the depth of the difeafey by the bredth of the Remedy ; io fi^icrstion of may we of the sreatnefs of our fall , by the ereatnefs of the ^^' ^T^ °* power which is required to raifc us up. O who can utter the im- fulnefs of a (inner 1 who of us would believe that there is fo great a ftrength in one of his fins ! that all the powers in heaven andearth(lcfs then Gods)arc not able,are notfufficient to turn his heart from it 1 That one luft of Pride, that one luft of Unclean- nefs, that one lurt of Covetoiifnefs, that one lui^ of vain- Glory, &c. is too ftrong for thee, and it is too ftrong for all the -men on earth, and it is too ftrong for all the Angels in heaven.
Ci,2 Th'Ugh
300
Gods Gracious Acceft/ince
Though Gse puis and the other puis, and all of them pull toge- ther, Lijey cannot pull it from thy heart, nor thy heart from it: you re^.d in 2 Kings 4. 31. that Gehajz,l went before Elijha and laid thefiajfufoK the face of the Chi/dy but there was nei- ther voyce, nor hearhig ; wherefore he went again to meet£///^^, and told him laying, The child is not awaked ; Why ! thus it is w'ith thy heart under all the means of life and Grace ; they may all turn back to God and fay, This fmner is not yet awakened, he is not yet turned ; The word of G od may fay , h cannot with all my inftruclions, with all my Reproofs,, with all my^ Exhortations convert him : nor can I, faith Confcience ; nor I, faith Afflidlion; nor I, faith the Minifter ; nor I, faith the Faiher, ' The proud Pelagians, .. Papii^s, Aimini.ms dre?m in this Point of a fleeper> but think not of a death 5 . they talk of a prifon, and opening the doore, but think not of the chains wherewith the prifoner is bound and fettered : they talk of a.Counfelkr, but forget the Phydtian ; they w;ice,as if a linner were to:be converted with Logick and Rhetorick ; but alas ! if any word converts a finncr, it muft be an almighty word ; God mull quicken, as well as call ; God muft heal, as well as fpeak ; God muft work as a God, or elfe the (inner will remain an eternall finner. It IS foolifli ^' *^^ %^ ^-"^ almighty Power be neceffary to convert a flnner, " frcfuoipticn to then what a /W//^ PrefamftloM is h to defer to beg Refemanctj defer Rcpcn- ftiffsfng a lurklr^g dormant power in the heart to turn when nr lifi; ? But, O vain mm I why yet a little Oeep more , and yet a little flumbring more ! and why to morrow, or why hereafter ? .what is thy power, or what is thy ftrength to come off from thy fms, or to overcome and turn thy hnful heart? Why! Go and tryfomeleffer thing, change the Leopards fpots, turn night into day, raife thy dead child out of the grave. Hop the courfeof the Sea, and fweeten it: Read the word, and m.Tke'-rhyfelf to underftand it ; Read thy heart and m:ike thy felf to humble it ; if thou cmi\ not do the leffer , the weaker, why wilt thou endan- ger thy felf with a prefuming to- do the greater, the ftronger ? Is it credible, that a (inner is able to do the work of a God ? thou canft not break the ihred, and fhalt thou be fufficient to bre^k the Cable ? thou canft not pluck up the plant, and fhalt thou be able to pull up the Oak ? thou art not able to extinguifh the rifing of a linful thought, and wilt thou ever be able to con- vert
tancc upon a prtccnce of turning when
cfthe Returning Prodigal, 301
vert a finful nature ? And telme fcrioufly, doth thy finful power decreafe by finful actings ! In civil trading the fiock is foinetimcs diminiihed ; but in hniul tradings, fin increafeth the more in ftrength, by how much ihe more is it laid out m (inning ; and the more that finful pover increafeth, the more need is there of a greater power to convert the heart. If the wcakeft finner doth ' need an almighty power to convert him, O what an almighty, almighty power doth the flrong finner, doth the long (inner need for his Converfion !
3. If an almighty power be required to the Converfion of a if you would (inner ; then^ if ever you W9;4ld he converted^ look^tothat which be converccd is more then a finite fewer. If thou VYouldii have thy felf con- ^^^K ^^^^"^ ** verted, or any who belong to thee converted, do not expe6l it *^^*&^^y ^^' from men or means' ; Friends may delire coriver(ion, and M:ni- fters may preach thedo6trine of Converfion, but it is God only who can effedi the work of Converfion. I ffal^eunto thy Difci- p/fj(faid that troubled m.in about his pofTefled child) r<? cajlhim oHt^ dnd they coM not ^ Mar. 9. 18. Iconfefs, we miifl: ufe fpi- ritual means, we muft hear,- we mul^ pray, we muR confer, but if you think that any of thefe (';^//^^ vlnnte) by their own natural power can convert, you are deceived. It is not the word, but God by the' word; {the power of God to falvation : ) it is not prayer, but God to whom ye pray ; it is not the minifter, but God who fends the minifter, who is abile to enlighten thy mind, to ■quicken thy confcience, to convert thy heart ; Turn tha:^ me^ and Ifhall be turned^ faid Ephraim^ Jer.31. 18. So fay thou, O Lord, thou art the living God, thou only art the Lord of life, I come to thee to convert mee unto thee ; I hear, I read, I confer, I meditate on arguments, I purpofe, and yet I am not converted ; Minifters deal with me, and Friends deal with me, and Mercies deal with me, and Atfliclions deal with me, and 0;di- nantesdeal with me, and yet I am not converted ! O Lord, I am without ftrength, and they are without ftrength ; but thou arf not without (length. No power lefs then thine will be fuffi- cient for my Converfion : Now , O Lord, reveal thine arm ; ftretch out thine hand ; O pity, fpeak, quicken, turn, faveone (inner more ; nothing is too hard fo: thee, thou didft m.ike a world by thy mouth, and thou wilt raife the dead, by thy word ; O fpeak ,
but one word, andmydeadfoulHialllive. 4. Doth the coi-
^^ verfion
X
\
202 Gods gracious Acceftancc
~7 . " " verfion of a (inner depend upon an almighty power ? then let us a mkbty" n-° ^"^^ deffaiVy of a mighty fnner ; nor yet let a mighty iinner defpair ncf, * of a poiribility of Converfion. God hath an almighty Power to condemn a finner, therefore let him not prefume ; God hath an almighty Power to convert a finner, therefore let no finner defpair. Blcfs God for 5» Then if any of you be converted, Blefs God fork : we our converfion. Could never do it ; it is God,and God alone, who hath done it : there are reafonswhy God referves the power of a finners Con- verfion to himfelf alone; i. That men fhould feek to him alone for it; If God alone had not all the power of giving, he iliould lofe of all the duty in praying, and askicg. 2. That he Comfort to us ^l^ne may have all the glory, and praifc. that God con- 6. This is of exceeding Comfort to Hs^That It belongs to the aU Ktrts by an al- mighty power of God to convert a finner : For i. That power mi|hiy Power, jg pQ^ygj- fufiicient : 2, It ever abides in God : 3. It is accom- panied with an exceeding willingnefs ; if thou feekeft to him,thou fhalt find his will to be as great as his power ; he is as vvilhng as he is able to convert thee ; thou canft not come with a more ex- ceptable petition.
tuke 15. 24.
7 his my fon was dead^ and Is alive again,
Thefe words comprehend in them ( if I miftake not ) a mofl: exad difcription of a finners converfion ; both i. In the ge- neral nature of it, that it is a(perfe6tive) change ; [wasy and Is ; was dead^and Is alive ;] 2. And in the differential or proper ingre- dients of it, which are couched in thefe VYords [^is alive again J^ In which three diftinguifhing ingredients of converfion are efpi- able; namely, That it is a C^^;?g^ : i. Yzx^ great ^ znd not- able : The inlivening of a dead man is fo. 2. Very fecret and internal ; the puting of life into a dead man is fo. 5. Very ffreading and unlverfal ; wJien a dead man is made alive, it is fo. I confefs that every one of thefe particulars doth merit a full and large difcourfe ; but becaufe I defire to open unto you the true nature of converfion, at the firft, in as narrow a comoafs as I can, I fhall therefore endeavour to draw all thefe goodly truths into one little Map , that fo you may be the better able to underftand and remember them* With your fayour* I will
of the Returning Prodigal, ^oj
grafp them into this one Propofition.
That triicCoHVjjr^on is a change , a very or eat ^ and i.vUfard^ DoB. 6. And umverfal c hangs. You plainly fee four things in this Aiierti- •^ruc canvcr- on which offer th jmtelves to our confiderat'on. i. TrueConver- ^'^^ *^ * fion is a change ;(wa^ dead and is 4-/V^;)certainly here is a change. [ *"^^\* ^l^ul EgofmnegOy faid the Harlot, here was no Converfion, Eg^non ^^\^j^^[l[ fum egoy anfwercd ih^ young man ; here was converfion, for here Change, was a change ; There may be a was^ and an «, without a change. It " aChanje. Chrifl was God, and is God, Kevel, i. S. And in many m^n the yvasy and the ^, are without a change; They were ignorant, and are ignorant ftill ; they were filthy, and are filthy ftill ; Rev. 2 2. II. But if a man be converted, the 7y^/,and the is^ are dirferent, they are changed : Ivpas a Perfecntory faid Pay.l^ but being converted he is not fo ; [uch were fome of joa^ faid Panl of the Corinthians, hm ye are wajhed^ bm ye are fan^iified. Now when I fay, that Converfion is a change, you mult know that there is a t.Vo-fold Change : One is, Suhftantia/, which alters the fubltance of man, as in Generation, and in Corruption, of which ■ the Philofophers fpeak: Converfion is no fuch change ; the foul and body of a man remaines the felfe fame fubftance before and after Converfion: It was the fame Pafi/ who Was a Perfecutor,and Is a Preacher of Chrift : As in the Sacrament, it is the fame Bread for fubfiance dfcer Confecration, which it was before Confecration ; So is it the fame mm, for the Philofophical fubfiance, before and after converfion. ' , , .
Another is accidental, which alters the qualities of man. N'aa- man was the fame man when he was aLeper,and when he was cu- red of his Leprofie ; he w.3s thef^me for fubftance, (of it there ' was no change,)but he was not the fame for the accidental quality, (becaufe his leprofie was changed.) Such a ch inge is there in con- verfion ; the finfull Leprofie is changed, and a fair beautiful form of holinefs is put into his foul ; . the Glove is now perfumed, the bitter water is nowfeafoned, another nature contrary to his form.^r nature is now infufcd ; old things are pafi arvay, all things Are become nevfy 2'. Cor. 5. 17. Againe obferve, that the acci- dental change, or alteration of a perfon, is likewife two-fold ; I. One is Corr/zpr/V, wh'ch is from good to evil ; fuch a change was there in the Angels thatfell^ (they fell from heaven to hell, from being Children of Light, to be the Princes of darknefs)
and
304 Gods gracious Acceftame
and Tuch a change was there int^dam that fell.O what a change ! , what a fudden iois of great poflelTions, of unCpeakable perfecti- ons. O how good once he was, O what a linner now he is! 2. Another is perfeUive^ which is from evil to v cod ; Such a change is Converfion : Why 1 it is from f\n to God : It is more then fcxjofeph to leave theprifon and be made a Prince : when a man is converted , he is now raifed and enabled with the na- ture, and life, and excellencies of God and Chrift ; true Conver- lion is a perfeding change.
One diftindlion more I cannot omit ; It is this, The perfe6live change is likevvife tvYo-f old i. ReUtivemdfon'^feca/y ai in the Juliitication of afinner; when a (inner is juftified, the fhte of this (inner is changed ; before it he was in the ftate of death and condemnaiion ; after it he is in the (bte of life and abfoludon. 2, Inhere yjt and mr In fecal ; as here in the converfion of a finncr, which is a change within a man ; a change not fo properly of his iondhlony as of his difpofitlon ; even from one contrary to ano- ther, 2x\d\}[[2XaGenere ad Genus ^ from one kind of quality to another kind. A fmner hath fometimes a contrary motion of good to evil put into him, but this is not Conver(ion ; for it is not a mutation,but a motion: A Tinners inclination is fometimes with- held, that he doth not fm; yet this is not converfion, for it is a chaining only, not a changing of his difpofition ; the Lyon is a Lyon in chains. A fmner goes from one fin to another ; he leaveth his riotoufnefs, and turneth to coveteoufnefs ; he leaveth profanenefs, and turneth to hypocrify ; yet this is not Converlion, for his (inful difpofition is not altered from kind to kind: It is but a fhlf ting from one evil to another evil; as the wind from one poynt to another ; it is not a change from evil to good. If a man could leave all the (ins in the world, and yet he loved and ferved but one, this man is not a conver- ted man, bee aufe converfion is a change from one kind to a con- trary kind, which the m.m comes fliort of whofe heart is ftill fet
on any one fin. - -
U is a very 2. True Converfion is a very greM and notable Change ;
I reac and not ^^j.^ jg j^q change, I think, in all the world of that height and zHx change. ^^^ ^^ ^^ converfion of a finner. No not that from Grace
to Glory ; becaufe it is but ah imffrfe^fiy and this is a eon-
trario.
pfthe Returning Frodigdl. 305
trmo. The Scripture doth frequently parallel it even with thole changes which are miraculous: When Chrill mide i\\t blind t9 fee 5 and the deaf to hear , and the dHinTf to fpeak^y and the dead to live y mddlfpeffeffed Devils -^ thefe were very great and notable changes , take them Tingle and they were lo. Mow all thefe miracles are wrought m any one converted perfon ; *Tis called a Creation ^ ^ Reftirrecilon^ &:c. becaule God puts out as much Power in the Converlion of a finner , as he did in creating the World. It is the prime work of the Spirit of ■ Chril^,the top^ths very higheft ; when any one man is converted, the blind is made to fee , and the deaf is made to hear : (Ifai. 29. 1 8. In that day fhajl the deaf hear the words of the Bookj^ and the eyes of the blind (hall fee out of obfeurityy a^d tnt of darks nefs , j and the dumb is made to fpeak , and the lame is made to leap: Ifai. ^5. 5. The eyes of the blind fhall he openedy and the ears of the deaf fhal I be Hn flopped, y.6. Then Jhall the lam^ man leap as an harty and the tongue of the dumb fng : X'\ 5 and the dead is made to live ; \Thu my Son was deadyand Is^ alive again ; ] and fo many fins as there are from which the heart is converted, of fo many Devils is that heart diipofiefled ; thy fiUhinefs was ^ an unclean Devil , and thy perfecution was a raging Devil ; every fm that pollcfTed thee was aRrong Devil within thee : Oh, what a great change is it to behold a ftone turned into flelli ! and yet in Converfion, The heart of flone is turned Into an heart of fe^^ Ezek. 3<5. 26. What a change were it to fee a ^. * itone changed into a Son of (*y4braham ! and yet in Converfion a llony hearted (inner is changed into a Son of God ; what a chan?,e were it to fee darknefs turned into li^ht 1 vet in Convert- on it is fo ; Te were once darknefs ^but now are ye light In the Lordy. Eph.5.8.What fhall I fay ? in Converfion, the Bramble becomes a Fig Tree, and the Lion becomes a L3mb,and the Wildernefs [^ turned into aParadife, and Hell is turned into Heaven ; the Ex- tortioner turns liberal, fo did Zachem ; the Perfecutor becomes a .Martyr, fo did P^^/ ; the hideous finner become a Saint, fo did Fnar things fet the Corinthians ; the .blafphemer now fears an oath. There are cutrhe grcai- four thing's which fet out the greatnefs of the change in a fi.nners "^^^ ®^ ^^* Converfion. i. There is a change of nature In nature ; there is -r^J^^^ a man, and a man, in the fame man ; an old man,and a nevV man, chance of na- , in the fame man ; two judgments in one judgment, two wills in turc in nature,
R r one
'/ ■
2o5 Gods Gracious Acceftance
one will, like two Armies in one Field , or like the Twins in This !s in a Rebeccas. Womb. 2. There Is the ftrangefi ptnlikenefs to tt
Bjomenc. mans f elf in a moment that ever was ; in a moment to hate Chrilt exceedingly , and the next moment to love Chrift above all ; tocrucifte Chrift becaufe he faidhew^sthe Son of God, and prefently confefs that he is the Son of God ; to mock the Apo- liies as drunkards, and prefently cry out, what fhall we do ? &c. this moment to love fin, as i£ it were my only Heaven ; and the next moment to loath fin, as if it were my only Hell: Now to count all truth and holinefs , but as dung to the World; and prefently to count all the World but as dung to Grace and There is the Chrili 3 . There Is the hlghefl contrariety in aHlons and conr- tijgheft contra- /^-^ ^/^^-^ ^'^^^ ^^ ; to fee a mm pull down what he built up, and ricty of courfes to build up what he pulled down ; to bemad againft Chrift, and andsdions. then prefently evenbefides himfelf for Ghrift ; tofcourgeand revile Taid and Silas ^ and prefently after, honour and embrace, and almoft adore them : To reproach the Saints and their wayes, and fuddenly to admire them, and value them and their paths, as And a little vvorthieft of our dearciUove and fociety. 4. And a little^ grace to pro- "iJ^yj little Grace to froduce all this : That one drop fhould fwee- duce all this, ten thegreat bitter Ocean ; that one little fpark fhould caufe all this flame ; A very little Engine fhould move all the World, and level the Mountains ; a little Grace to enter the Throne , and to turn all the foul round about. That Mofes little Rod [hould di- vide the Sea^ and melt the Rock; a little Ant tumble down a Mountain ; that the Grain of Mujlard-feed^ which is the leal^ of feeds, fhould grow into a Tree : That a very little Grace Ihould transform the molt rebellious heart,humble the moft proud heart, quicken the dead, purifie the moi\ vile afte^ions, con- quer the Gates of Hell, overthrow fin, difpoffefs Satan ; fhould beget fuch a River of Grief, kindle fuch a flame of love, fuch a zeal for God, tendernefs in Confcience, fuch a ftrcngth to do , and fufFer, to believe, life in death, joy in forrows , hopes in defpair ; raife fo high as to love them that hate us , blefs them that curie us, pray for them that defoightfully u(t us, and do good \: js an inwird for evil. ^. True Converfion Is an Inward change : When
- cbanic. a dead man is made alive , this is done brthe mfufion of an in-
ward principle of life ; the cloathing of a dead man is one thing, Slid the quickning of a dead man is another thing ; it is one
thing
of the Returning Prodigal, ^ 307
thing to plainer an old houfCjond it is another thing to build anew
houie ; ConverIi:.n may be confidered two vvayes; either i. Ex-
tenfvely : So it is a change even of the life, and outward a^^i*-
ons of men ; it is a cleanfing of the flelli, as well as of the fpi-
fit ; itis af^ndlifying of the body , as well as of the foul : It
is a fHttlng off the former Coyrverfatton^ Eph. 4. 2 2. 2. Dem-
minatlvely : So it is an inward change ; the Prophet calls it a
wadding of the heart, fVafhthi^e hearty Ojerufa/emy J^r. 4. 14,
The Apoftle calls it a transformation by the renewing of the mind,
Rom. 12. 2, and a Clrcumcifon of the heart-, Rom. 2. 2p.
St. John calls it,^ laying the Ax to the root of the TV^f ,Mat. ;? . t o.
Ezjeklel calls it,the giving of a new heart , and of a new fflrity
E2ck. 3d. 2(5. Every converted man hath a changed heart ;
we fay in nature, that Cor eji frlmnm vlvens : It is true alfo in
Grace, thefirftworkof quickning and converting Grace begins
in the heart of a (inner. The heart firft fell from God, and it
is the firft that turns unto God. The heart is the firft Scat of
Sin, and it is the firft Throne of Grace : Sin is the wound and
difeafe of the heart, and Grace muft bring the Plaifter thither ;
fin is firft in the heart, and moft in the heart ; dominion is there ,
the poyfon is there ; bring in the heart, prevail with it, and you
bring in all the man : An outward change without an inward
change, is i. But Hyfocrlfte : The Hypocritical Pharlfees
made clean the out fide of the Cup y hut not the injlde ; a golden
profeflion and * rotten heart, this is but Hypocrifie. ' 2. But
Vanity ; it is to lop tke Boughs, and leave the Roots which can
fend out more ; it is to empty the Ciftern , and to leave the
Fountain running, which fills it again. :?. Butfelf andfoul^
deceit : What a foolifh fancy is it to think my felf a converted
man, becaufe my Tongue is quiet, and yet my heart doth curfe Whether every
God ? becaufe my body is honeft, when yet my heart burns and jntemalchange
boils with luft ? becaufe my hands ftrike not, and yet my heart is ^f trVconvei^
full of malicc,and revengc,and murder ? (^op^
Quefl:, But here a fia'=;le fcruple may be propounded, viz., Fonr internal whether every Internal change he an evidence of true Converfion, chsn^es may To which I anfwer, it is not ; there are four Internal changes ^^*" *"^" ""' -which may be in a man unconverted. i. A change from Igno- ^ change from ranee to k^wledg : The man who was an ignorant finner , may ignorance n become a knowing finner, and yet remain ftill an unconverted knowledj,
R r 2 fianer ;
5o8 ^^^^ gracious Acceftinfe
{inner ; for a man may hate the good which he knows , and love tile evil which he knows ; neither of which can confift with Fom error to true Converfion. 2. Kchmgi fror^ error to truth. Many iru;h. a manforfakes the Poplfh Religionjand embraceth the Proteltant
Religion ; his opinion and judgmenc cf things mxy be altered , and yet his finful heart may not be altered ; he may hold juiH- fication by faith only, and yet his heart be utterly void of faving faith ; . he may deny merit unto the works of Repentance , and yet his heart never truly repent; he may hold the true and right Government of Chriltin his Church, and yet that Government of Chrill mw never be fet.up in his own heart. ^. A change From fccurity fromjectirhy to tronhl^ and perplexity r \i is poifible that a great lotiou&ie. ^ iiimer who was as fenfelefs as the Rock, may now be as trembling as the Leaf 5 and his confcience troubled as the Sea , and yet his heart not converted ; Cain was troubled, fo was Pharaoh , fo was Sauly fo was Judas^ yet none of them converted : There is a trouble which rifeth from a quick confcience, and there is a trouble which rifeth from quickning grace; this latter is an evidence A tcmporay Qf true Converfion, the other is not. 4. A temf ovary cha?7ge^oz cfcangc. rather a tranfient diverfity in the affe6lions. It is poifible for
fome fcornful perfon to hear the Gofpel preached by fomc John Baftlfl (as Herod did) with joy , and to hear fome Paul (as Fe^ llx did ) yvith trembling , who formerly fcorned all preach- ing ; yea, this man m.iy be in a great changeablenefs , yet never be truly changed; divine truths may fall upon him with that evidence and efficacy , as to fhake his heart , ilir his afFe6l:ions, excite his refolutions , and yet after a little while , . as the cold doth on Water that is Seated , all thefe workings expire into nothing , his old incorporated , familiar lutts prevail over them, and work themvvholly out ; till the inward change be a change of the heart, it is not a truly con- verting change. ' It is a uflisfcr- 4. Laftly, true Converfion is an miverfal change : When h\ change. ^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ -g qyickned , the foul is not. only infufed, . but al- fo diffufed , it is tota in toto^ c^ tota in qftallhet fane , the whole made alive ; fo is it in true Converfion , that grace which converts a finncr, doth change all the finner, every facul- ty of the foul for the quality of it, and every member of the body, for the fpiritual ufe of it ; Therefore, converting
- grace
of the Returning Frodtgal, 309
grace is compared to the L!gk\yh\c\\ runs through all the body
of the aire, every part whereof is inlightned ; and it is compared
to Z/f^z^^;? which fpre.ids and infinuates it felf into every part of
the Lump. You cannot dip into any leaf of this Book, into
any parcel of a converted man , but you fliail find a divine and .
fpiritual change , a fpirit of grace on it. He is fanctifyed
throughout. In [ohI^ fptn't and body : I confefs , it were a
work worthy of the deepeit liudy of the exa6lefl: Minifkr to
find out , and deliver two things unto us : i. One is, the
Mlnimtim c^md fc , the leall breath or life of converting
grace. 2. Another is. The fpecifica/ operations of convert wg
grace , j'pj all the fac ft/ties of the foul , fo that one may fay
lafely, this faculcy is changed, and that faculty is changed
by grace and nothing elfe. This Imakeno queiiionof, that
converting grace doth mike the whole man alive. For 1 . It is ~
a nerv and renen^wg qnallty, 2. It is of a difftifve virtne^
being a good in Genere optlmoram, 7,, It m\x\\ be Co-extenpve
with ftnyy\\\c\\ hath perverted the whole man : But yet to fet out
its changing work in every faculty of the fou' , I cannot undertake
it in theexquifitenefs thereof; yet if you will favourably accept ConccrmVe
of my endeavours , I iliall attempt towards it, that fa you may ^\^\^ univciul
the better conceive of that univerfal change wrought in a finner changr,
upon his Converfion.
I. I prem'fe a few Proportions which I take for granted PremiTefcme truths, i'^'g.) T. That converting Grace ^ (vvhich chahgeth the things, foul ) is a Concatination of all particular faving graces : It is ^o verting not Faith onIv> nor Repentance only , nor Hooe only, nor Love S'^" '^ * ^^J^'
only, C^'c, but all of them, a Lmk or Golden < ham, as it were, aiif,ving fra- of them. 2. That allthefe are fimultaneoHS in their birth -^ ces. they are not implanted one before another , or one more than ^U thefe are another, (habitually confidered ) but are of a fimultaneous^ ?''^^"';*"^°"' and coexirtent produi^ion, although in the order of working and '" ^^^^^ mmifeftationof work, there be a precedency. ;?. j^llthefe p^\\ jhefc con- graces concur in their fpecifical nature^ and immediate operation , cur in their fpe* as to a change of the foul. The change wrought in the mind, *^*^<^^1 nature^ is of the fame nature with that which is wought in the will ; ^^ ^° ^^'* and the change in the will , is of the fame nature with that *"^'* in the affedlions. ; every faculty is renerved and changed with the fame kind of Grace in Converfian ; for all true
Graces.
;1
3 10 Gods gracious Acceptance
Graces are of the fame nature, and all of them concur to wc^k a like faving change ; though one grace be feated in one faculty , and another grace m another faculty ; ail of them are like lb ma- ny ikeams flowing from the fame Fountain , ^d coming into diverfe Rooms, and vvafhing, or cleanfing of them all,fo that the whole houfe is made clean by them. . 2. Thefe things being premifed; I fhall now briefly ilievv
ky of "this" "'^^^ y'^" the Umverf?licy of change vyrought by converting cbJirge (hewed Grace. i. In ihtmind or mderftandmg oi a Tinner ( when in tht particu- he is converted ) there is implanted an heavetily and faving light !«"• . or knowledg, which removes the power and dominion of dark- In chc mind. ^^^^ ^^ ignorance, and now inables the perfon to behold the fav- ing truths, and will, and vyayes of God in Chrift, in a fpirituai , clear, ferious, and delightful manner;all which he looks upon,not with a naked or mecrly intuitive apprehenfion , but with admira- tion, but with application, but with delight, and Angular dcfire, and a certain kind of transformation. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Bmwe all ■with of en face beholding as in a glafs the G lor ^ of the Lor dy are changed into the fame image from Glory to Glory : When the mind is renewed, it hath now a fpirituai light to fee and conceive of fpirituai things in their fpiritud excellency and worth. Jefus Chrifl appears as an excellent Objeft to Paul^ Phil. 3.8. and the Statutes of God an excellent Objedl: to Davidy Pfal. 119. 4, 5. In the judg* 1, In the judgment of a hnner ( when he is converted } there ^enr» is alfo a faving and a gracious change ; for there doth converting
Grace cafl down the high imaginations of afinner (as touching himfelf ) and his carnal reafonings , and fleflily difputes againft God and Chrift, and holinefs , and io captivates the judgment of a flnner, that he conf efleth and acknowledgeth, and approvcth of all the methods, truths, caufes, means, andwayesof falvation,as bcft, and befl for him,and now beft for him ; Oh, none hm Chrifi^ none km Chrifi (faid the Martyr : ) It it wonderful to behold how the judgment of a converted man condemns what he for- merly approved mofl , and how it approves what he condemned mott ; the man now judgeth of his fin, as the only evil, and of Chrift as his only good: Oh, howfoolifli, how vain, how vile , that I have lived in, and ferved , and followed my finful lufts I Oh , how glorious, how happy, how defireable is a part in Chrift and Grace ; yea, and the judgment now is as fruitful and
vigorous
of the Returning TrUtgd, 311
vigorous in forming Arguments to forfake fin , a? it was once to dravv the heart to fm, and fees a thoufand times more rcafon to > embrace Chrift,and love holinefs, then to flight and refufe them. 3. In the will of a finner ( when he is converted ) there isalfo i^^he will, a change wrought by Grace ; the refifting, proud, unreafonable fiubbornnefs and enmity of it is fubdued , and an holy piiable- nefs, yieldingnefs, willingnefs is conveyed into \x, Tis rare to behold how the Needle with one touch of the Adaman: wheels about , fo to behold the admirable inclinations of the will of a finner, upon one touch of Grace from Chrirt ; not long fince deaf, bu: now hearkening ; not long fince refitting of Chrifi to the death, and now following Chrift as for life ; a little while fince fhuttmg the door, and barring it , and now unlocking the door, and opening it ; ere while I will not, and now Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ? I fhould be tedious unto you to dif- courfe of the new inclinations and averfations^of the new electi- ons and rejedions, of the new purpofes and refolutions, of the new conform iblenefles and fubje6lions which are i^l.iinly evident upon Converfion in the will of the (inner. 4. In all the affeBi- ^^ ^j^^ a£Ai- oKso[ a (inner, which in Converfion are fo m -tam :>rphored or on$. changed, that you can hardly perfwade yourfelf , this is the man to day, whom you knew yelterday; one affection feems to be changed into another, love into hatred, and hatred into love; joy into grief,boldnefs into fear ; Lately , the dc(ires were, who will fhew us any good ; now the de(ires are, what fhall we do to be faved ? Lately , the delights were irt (in, in fenfualities , in vain focietie^ ; now they are in the favour of God , in Jefus Chrift , m pardon of (in , in heavenly communion : Lately, the love was feton that which was moft unlovely , now it is feton themcrt lovely ob'e6l indeed, Chrift is the center, &c. Lately , the grief was a turbulent Sea for worldly lofles , but now it is a running River for finning again(t God : Lately , the affedions were wings for iniquity, but now they are fprings for duty : I may not inlarge ; by what you have heard, it m^y plainly appear ^-monftraci- that true Conver(ion works an univerfal change in the (inner : b!7cbaD£"in'* Demonftrations that therein a notable change in Coiver(ion. Converlion. I. 77?^ f^^/o« converted , he Is made -per taker of the Dlvme Na- From the per- tiire^ 2 Pet. 1.4. He Is a>mvp Creature^ 2 Cor. ^.7. He is ^///V/<7 'o" conv:itf<i. nedfrom the dead, Eph. 2.1. He is horn again, Jo. 3. 3. 2. The ^/^^^'^i^^''
« :
312 Gods gracious Acceftmct
work, of Converfion : It is the eftc6t of the great and good will . of Elc6lion; and in it, God difplayes the glory of his great Love andGrace^and Mercy ; And Chniifees of the travel of ^is foul , fome fpecial fruit of his wonderful fufferings and purchafes ; And the holy Ghoft doth manifeif his alnnighty Po,ver,and the noblei! a6l ihereof ; and converting grace is a ne^v contrary nature, a new F o-nthccnd ^'^"* 3* ^^^^ ^^^ ^f Converfton: Converlion is the firft ot Conrcifion. inward Work for heavenly glory. It is wrought to mt^k? us meet to he -partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light 'y Naturally we are oppofite to God 5 and to all Commu- nion with him ; Without holinefs no man fhall fee the Lord '^ no unclean .thing can enter there ; finning Angels were caft out of Heaven ; God qualifies thofe whom he will dignifie ; he qualifyed Saul for an earthly Kingdome , much more the finner for an heavenly Kingdome : Heavenly glory is abfo- lutely inconfifient with a gracelefs heart ; the promife of it is fo, and the nature of it is fo , and the work of it is fo , and the reward of it is fo. 4. Converted perfons are to live other lives , Converted ^^^^j ^q Jq ^^]^^^ works : therefore, there muft be a chans^e of their
live o'hcr lives. -^^^^5) ^"^ Prmciples, and Powers.
f^r^ ^ Is true Converfion a change ? a great change ? an internal and
Thisconvin- Cordial change? an universal change? Why! then this one ce:h many to truth palpably convinceth multitudes of people^ to he (as jet) Kot bs yet uncon converted,
Vui u I. There are fome men inwhom there appears no chanz^ at
buchin whom ^j, • 1 - j i 1 t j r . • *^ 1
appears na '^'^J neither mward nor outwara ; the jeopards ipots remam, and
change at all. the Blackmores skin is unchanged ; they were ignorant, and fa are ftill ; they vvere drunkards, fwcarers, railers, fcoffers, mock- ers of godlinefs, and godly men, Sabbath-breakers, unclean, proud, and fo are {fill. The Prophet fpeaks of i^omQ-,whofe fcum depart^ ed not from them,Ezck, 24,12. And theApoftle, of (omQwht cannot ceafe to do evily 2 Pet. 2. 14. And David , of fome who hate to he reformed^VM, ^0.16, And St even j of fome who alwayes refijithe holy Ghoft ^ A6IS7. 51. And Paul ^ of fome whg wax worfe and worfe^ 2 Tim. 5.13. Although changes go over I their age, they were young, and now are old, yet no change goes over their hearts and lives; although changes go over rfieir bodies , (their ftrength is changed into weaknefs, and their health is chan- ged into ficknefs ; ) although changes go over their eftates, ( their
wealth
of the Returning Frodigdl. ' 315
wealth is changed into poverty, and their abundance is chan- ged into want;) althouj^h changes go over the times, (peace is changed into war , and fafety is changed into danger :) nay although fometimes changes goe over their confci^nces, , ( Stupidity IS changed into horrour, and pleafurc into terrour : ) yet their hearts are not changed : (they approve, love and de- light in their fins as much as ever : ) and their Converfations are not changed ; they drive the fame trade, run on to the fame excefs of Riotoufnefs, wallow in the fame mire of Un- godlinefs ; defpiie converting Ordinances , converted Per- fons, converting Graces. Now what fhall I fay to thefe Perfons ? They are unchanged finners, and fo is God an unchangeable God ; who hath threatned them, and fvvore his Wrath againft them. Thou wilt not repent of thy fins, nor will God repent of his Wrath ; thou ivilt not turn to kim, and therefore witllie turn away his mercy from thee, and will ovcnnrny overturn^ overturn thee, as the Prophet phr:feth it.
2. There are fome vphefe change is only $Htvfardy hut It is Such whofe mt inward and cordial ; they ftand off from many (ins, and come Change is on to many duties , and yet their hearts are not changed .• o«ly ouwrd There are fix things which may convince a man, that his heart is not changed ; i . When a man feems to be tender leafi he fhonld *|* ^^]^P <^<5n- commit a /«, but yet his heart was never tender and humbled J''"" * ^^P' for all the fns which he hath committed, Jer. ,^1.19. / Tsfas a(ha- ^^^ chanted. med^ yea even confounded^ hecaufe 1 did hear the reproach of mj youth. If Repentance begins not in tears, it will end in tears. When I look forward and fee fin with a trembling eye, (O I dare not offend my God : ) and when I look backward and fee fin with a mournful eye ; (0 1 have finned, I have finned :) thefe indeed do fhew a converted and changed heart. But I fear it is rather a policy, then a change, and a regard more to my credit, then my confcience, when I expoftulate with a fin in Temptation, and never mourn for many fins in Commifllon.
2. When a man leaves many fins, but yet he doth not loath any fn. Many a man fometimes abftains from meat, yet loves it ; but a good heart abftains from fin, as from a ferpent, which * he hates. He turnes his face from them, but he turnes not his ■> heart from them; he doth not a6l the fin,nor doth hate the fin ; ^ he doth not let fin out of door , nor yet crucify it within
S f door;
514. ^ods gracious AcceftAr^ee
door; he feems not to be a friend, and yet is not an enemy to (in ; this mans heart is iiot changed, 3. When a man aEIs frem an awing Co/.fcleKce and -not from a reriewiKg Spirit ; flies from fin, only, when confcience flies' upoii^ him tor hnning, and dodi good only when confcience is unquiet ; wlien not Horace (which
vvorlts uniformly,) but ter our (which works accidentally) is hi? Prniciple ; though a while there be feme diverhty and diverfion too in this man, yet there is no change of heart in him ; even .Pharaoh under a judgment yielded, who yet upon a refpite hardned his heart again ; and Iron, whiles hot, becomes malle- able, neverthelefs, it is not changed in its Intrinfecal difpofi- tion. 4. When a man is f or;»^/ m duties, but not Sfiritml in duties ; he holds a cuftomary courfe, but not a confcientious courfe ; this mxans heart is not changed : Jpidas was as bufie about Chrift as the 'other Difciples, yet he was not changed ; Some unconverted man may be as frequent in religious duties as con- verted perfons are, yet their hearts unchanged. There are four Four tbln|s things vyhich prove a formal Chriftian to have an unchanged prove a torcnal Heart ; for though he doth good duties, yet he doth them, Cbriftianto i^ prom carrM Frincifles^ of Cuftome, Education, Example, ^^pV^'m" ' "^t from Faith, Love and Spiritual Principles. 2. Yo: Carnal argea ^car.. £^^j.^ ^^,-j.|^ ^ refpe6l to his Elf imation with men, rot with
God ; or he doth feme good, to blind and cover more evil. 3. As a Carnal or Natural work,not as a Communion with God or Chrift ; if he doth them it is fufficient, but whether he
j meets with God in them, or God with him in them; whether
he pleafeth Cod, and God accepts of him and them, or what heavenly revenues come into his foul upon them, he regards not. ^. without any Delight *j Agoodm^n hates the fin which he doth, an e\il man hates the good which he doth ; he delights not in the Law of God after the Inward man ; he is glad when the work is done, but not to do the work: It is his Task, it is
'' not his Pleafure ; It is a Heavinefs, but not an Heaven to him ;
his Spirit is weary, a^ much as his Body ; he cannot take hold of God, be importunate in prayer for any Grace ; he doth not put out a Might, a Power, a Zeal in holy Services ; but a6ls the^n with a fleepy, faint, wearifome undelightful Spirit.
|{ ^. when c man hath been and ftill is a ftranger to Inward Con-
fii^Sy certainly that mans heart was never changed : there may
if "
fifthc Returning frodtg^l. 315
be two conditions , wherein all may be quiet : One is in ano- there life vviiere grace Itands alone ; in rieaven there is no fm , but holinefs is grown unto its utmoft perfedHon , and therefo: c it is above contrariety and conflict Another is in thislif:^,where fin liinds alone, it hath the dominion, and blinds the mind, fears the conference , and hardens the heart ; there is neither a con- trary light, nor a contrary grace, to raife any ffirs aiinconflidls. But then there is a third condition, which hath msdi:m pmicipa- tioms m it, in which the foul is partly flc:lli and partly ipirit , fin is there, and grace is there ; there are two contrary Natures, two contrary Lawes, two contrary Inclinativons and workings ; two Adamants as it were , one drawing the foul to evil , the other drawing the foul to good, one willing, the oth :f unwilling , one yielding, the other refifling, one putting on to faith, to love, to mourning, to praying, to repenting, the other putting oB-" the foul from all thefe ; when 1 would do goody evil u prefect with mc , faith ?mL And verily it is thus with every converted and chan- ged man : l^he fejh lufleth Againfl the Spirit^ and the Spirit lu- fieth Ag^infl the fiefh i ^nd thefe two are contrary one to another , fo that they cannot do the good th^t they would ^ Gal. ^,17. And if no fuch thing be in thee, thy heart was never changed : That man who never finds an unbelieving nature , oppofing and con- fliding with a believing nature ; hardnefs conflicting with foft- nefs, &c. his heart was never changed , for converting grace is in us but in part ; and if but in part, then fome finfulnefs ftill remains ; and believe it, there are not two more a6live , more contrary, more conflidVmg prindples then grace and fin in the fame fubje6l. 6, When a man is conftantly formal in the
fame rode and pofture , all his daycs like a Picture , never better . . ^ rirNH itr/^.-r-* ' Such who Kcm
norworie. b h n d
^. There are many men who feemto be changed without and ^i-houcand within^ yet the change is mt a total or univerfal change ; and there wichin^bwc ii is are two things which do manifeft a partial change only to be in not total. many men. 1 . when they do not come up fully to GodJn refpeB Two things of ms commanding will '^ they cannot come up to the Will of ^,^^1 ^^jj^,^'^ God, when his willhmofl fpiritnal^ when his will is moftftriCl When they Uo as felf-denial , when his will is moli difficult ; Oh, tofacrifice not esmc up Ifaac that beloved Child, to part with Benamin^ this is againft ^"^'y ^° ^^* them ; to pluck outthe right eye,and cut off the right hand, ^^^^ JyiiUrGod^
' S f 2 is
21^ Gods gr^ieus Acceftanee
is an hard faying, when his will is mofi ftijferlng : For ihtyomg man to forfake all his riches, ihis is a forrovvful Injundion ; to renounce all our honours with Mofes , aiid to fufter reproaches with the people of God ; to leave Friends , and Father, and . Mother, and Brethren, and Siiters, and Children, and Lands , and Life too , as the Apoftles did. When a man is converted , he is nowfo changed that his will and Gods Will are notfutable, but alfo coextenfive ; It is pliable , and it is parallel : Gods Will is my will, and what he wills I will ; the Law of God it vfritten in his heart , every command of God is ingraven upon it ; there may you read the Mafters Copy , and the Scholar writing after it. This is to be done (faith God,) this I defire to do, faith the Godly heart; this I would have thee to believe. Lord I believe y he/p my w/ibehef -^ Thus much I would have thee to fuffer ; Lord ftrengthen me, and give me not only to believe , but to fuffer for thy fcike : But in a partial change it is otherwife. Nor ro the for -• ^hen they do not fully come uf to God in refpefi of his for bid- bidJing Will ding will ; You know that God forbids all (in , he forbids fpiri- of God. tual fins, (pride,ambition,c^"^^.)^s well as flefhly ftns,2 Cor.7.1.
little lins ( faith and troth, vain thoughts ) as well as great fins ; fecret fins ( alone ) as well as open fins ; heart fins ( heart- adul- tery, revenge, malice ) as well as life fins ; Gofpel fins ( un- belief and grieving of the Spirit of God) as well as Lawfii-js'-; fins of OmiiTion as well as fins of Commiilion ; breeding or original fin as well as a6lual. '
How a man Q^^fl* But fome msy fay unto me ; If the cafe be fo. How
ir%y know that may one know that God hath indeed converted and changed his ^^j^h ^.*"^ ^'^^'y heart,, fo that he may confidently fay , that although I was fcis heart ^^* ^"^^ dead, yet I am now alive ? This Queftion deferves a feri- Some things ^tis Refolution. For i. ^^ There are many abortive changes ^ prcmifed. *' deluding changes, rifing from falfe and infufficient Principles, There are ma- tt £^q^ ^ terrifyed confcience , or from politick parts , or from my abortive "the power of reliraint , or from denial of occafions, or from ' * ^ ' . *' prevalent paffions , or from the contrariety of one fin to ano- "ther, or from aprefentand fiidden apprehenfion of matters, " or from the defeat of ftreiigth, or from judicial imprelTions, *^ by the appearing of death, or from education, or from refpe6l " to our fuperiours and friends , and hopes^ which we have from
If tse heart be ci jj^^jj^^ ^g^ 2. If the heart (hoti Id never gracioufly be changed^ a.verciang? , ^^^
of the Returning Prodigal, jiy
( as fure as God lives ) the man will he damned ; though the the man ij man may have parts, abilities , honours , be civil , ingenuous, ^aB^"c<i« Cvindid and punctual with men, and in-ofenlive in his dealings : O friends ! the Heart ( or Soul ) is that which God looks on , and every man is as his heart is ; as that is, fo the man is ; he is fo for the prefent , and he is fo for eternity. Except a man he born again he cannot enter into the Kingdome of Gcd , faid Chrlfl to Nicodcmus^ Joh. :?.;?. // ^/^/ man he in Chrlfl^ he is a new creature^ faith the Apoftle 3 C^r.^.iy. Old things are ^a ft a- v?aj^ all things are become new, Chrlfi you know is the way , the trmhy and the life : Can the Chriftlefs man ever be a hea- venly man ? ailuredly no Chrilt, no Heaven : But then if a man be m Chrift he is a new Creature (J.) Chrift doth change him, and forms him a new ; he (-trips him of his old heart , and puts into him a new heart.
Thefe things being premifed : I now come to anfwer the Cafe The csfe an- propounded ; Only I mufl: crave favour to acquaint you with two fwcrcd, things. One, that I fpeak not of ff^ch a change as implies perfe- ^ilon^ but only of that which although it be rr^'^and faving-, is neverthelefs Imperfeci^ for fo is all the work of grace in this life. Another is, that I intend not to give you CharaEiers of a progref- fiz'echange^ which may be found in Chnftians whom God hath called, and converted , and changed for many years, in whom the work of Converfion is come to much maturity and Ikength ; but only of an initial change, as it Hands in truth and fincerity , although newly wrought , and perhaps it be very feeble and weak, yet it is to be found in every man whom Divine Grace doth convert. Now this Initial change m ly be evidenced hy -^ht initial
the fever al contrary habitudes and fixed carriages in the converted change eviden- perfon , as to time paft , and time prefent , ^ and time future ; in ced by the fc- refpedl of all which you fhall clearly difcern. a fingular alteration, ^*/*^ conuari- if the Converfion be true. *""•
I. The firft contrariety or alteration, rd^pock^ the time pafl - ^st-irhziimt Before the limier was converted, there were four unhappy qualities P^^^- poflefflngof him, as touching his linfulnefs. j. A marvel-
Lous hl'mdnefs^ an J reflexive unfenliblenefs of his finful condition, dead in tref gaffes ^ndfns ^ Eph. 2. Pafi feelings Eph. ^. i^, 2. A wonderful erroneoufnefs and falfe judgment of his eftate ; thinking highly and proudly of himfelf, as once Laodicea did^ and
the
2i8 Gods gracious Acceftancc
the Jews and Piiarilces did ; JVe are Abrahams feed^ and never In bondage^ j oh, 8. 33. 3. -^ miserable Security of fpirit^
extreamly carelefs and negligent about the internal and eternal concernments of his ibul ; a/lvc oas without the Law^ Rom.7.9. Somy take thine eafe^ &:c. They {^y^peacea^d fafety, i Thef.5.5. ii}.. Aremorfelefi purfuing of his Jtnftd luft^s^ Without any heart- fmiting troubles for his finning and provoking of God. No man repented^ fajtng^what have 1 done ? every one turned tg his coarfe^ Jer. 8. 6. 5. Alienation from the life of God^ Eph. 4. 18.
Thus it was with the mm, before God converted him , and chan- ged him ; but now behold the alteration and contrariety.
1. There Is a gracloufly qulck^ and a^ilve qmckning light fallen into him , which opens his eyes , and affetts his conference to a clear and right fight of his finful heart and life. Rom.7.9. -^^^ when the Commandment came^ fin revived-^ &c. As if the light of the Sun brake into a darkroom, and reprefented all the nalti- nefs in it. Acts 2(5. 18. To open their eyes ^ and to turn them from darlinsfs to light , otnd from the power of Satan unto God, His fins arefet before him , and confcience acquaints him with his forepaft evils, fo that he is convinced , and can make no de- fence , but cries out with the Leper , lam unclean^ unclean,
2, All his erroneous and proud conceits of hlwfelf are tumbled down ; jthe Mountains are laid low, and the man judgeth of him- felf, as if he were the greateft and vilett finner that ever lived ; he abhors himfelf , Oh, how wicked 1 Oh , how vain ! Oh , how vilel Oh, howmnd! Oh,hovvfo©lillil Oh, how beaftly ! I have been a tranfgreflbr from the womb; I have lived without God, againft God ; none fo ignorant, none fo proud, none fo filthy, none fofroward and rebellious againii the Will of God, againlf the goodnefs of God as I : In me there dvoelleth no good thing ; I am without firength : No man living hath fuch pro- per thoughts, fuch humble thoughts of himfelf as he. Oh, un- fit to dye, unworthy to live, undone if mercy be not free mercy, and abundant mercy. 3. His C a file offecurity isdemolljhed^ andthefecure negligent man becomes now amoft anxious and felicitous and careful man about the condition of his foul. 2Cor.7.ii. what carefulnefs it wrought in yoH '^ this now takes him up. whatfhall we do ? fay they to fohn the Baptifl : And yphatfhall we do f fay they to Peter : , And wh^t fkall 1 do to he
fa^ed ?
v^
of the Returning Prodigal, jip
faved ? Ads 1 6. :?o. O my Soul ( my poor lofi, wandring, fin- ful, undone Soul ) what fliallldo? vvhdt will become of me? and vvhat will become of thee for all thefe fins ? And now the m -in m quires 5 and hears , and confers , and prayes , as for his life : Oh (faith he) I need mercy, and mercy I mult have ; I need Chrilt , and Chrifl I muft have ; I need grace , and grace 1 mull have ; and as that impotent perfon lay at the Pool for cure, fo doth this converted fmner ; he lyes at the pool of the word, and at the gates of heaven day and night ; and there he - cries out, God be merciful to me a finner ; and there he wrefi/es ivithGody ^sjacohonct; 1 will /m let thee go unlefs thou blefs me -^ until thou be reconciled, until I have Chrift , until my heart be fandifyed. 4. Hishardncd remorfelefriefs Is kow
turned into ci fmgnUr hrokennefs and grief of fpirit ; the Rock is fmitten, and the waters giiHi out ; a Fountain is opened within him: He who made but a fport of finning before;he who could grafp the nettles, and tread on hell, and vex mercy, and ilioot through the heart of Chri(l,and not be moved or troubled at all : Oh now, how is the mm altered ? I fee him trembling and quaking with Patd^ I fee him bitterly weepi^^ with Peter y l[<dQ him wajhmg his Couchywith David ; I fee him in heavinefs and bitternefs for his finnings, ns one for his firR born. One while he meditates , and then weeps ; thus,and thus, and thus have I diilionoured my God. Another while he hears, and reads, and weeps, I am that m.in,0 Lord ; I am he of whom thou fpeakeft, I am that finner ; lam he who hath ou*-faced thyLaw,out-ftood thy offers of grace, and refilkd (Oh how often ) thy good Spirit, ^. He is novo for the life of God to he wrought in him : This he now prizeth as the molt excellent life ; and for this, he praie5,Lord,another heart, a new fpirit.
2. The fecand contrariety refpetls the tl??^e prefect : And As to rhrclmt there arefour diings for the time prefent, in a truely changed and P^dcnr. converted perfon which never were in him before. i. A
prefent hatred of fin. 2. A prefent flying unto Chrif^.
:?. A prefent love of God. 4. A prefent courfe of new
obedience. i. When the Lord hath converted and changed
the heart of afinner, there is wrought in him^ prejent hatred of fin ; the m:w loved his fins before, and took pleafure in unrighte- cufnefsjheld it f art,and defended it 5 fin is now feen as the greatert
evilj
320 Gods gracious Accepmct
evil , and the ntore he fees it , the more he hates it : As foon as e\'er the heart is changed, immediately it is a lin-hating heart ; I do not fay there is no fin , but I fay the heart hates fm : The evilthdt I'hate^ i^id Pan/ y Rom. j. 15. znd in JEz^el^. 36. where God promifech to give them a »jw heart , he faith , Then P^aU jeremembsr ycHY own evil wayes y and jh^ll loath your feives in your own fght for your imqtiities , and for yonr abomina- tions, Hjw a msn Qj;^!^* But here novv is a great Scruple , how a perfon may
way know ikac ^^^vv that he hates fin ? Many think they do fo,and are deceived, he ha.ei fin. it proves only a pafTion.
Sol, In true hatred there are fix things, i. zAn extream detejiation : Eviery diflike is not hatred , but true hatred is an extream loathing. Thofi fhalt caji them away as a menflrmns cloath ; thofi {halt fay unto it -^ Get thee henee^ Ifai. 30.22, 2. An earnefl fefaration : He ihat hated his wife did fue out a Bill of divorce from her in the Law. 3. An irreconcileable
Alienation: Two angry men may be made friends ; but if two men hate each other , friendlliip is everlafiingly broken betwixt them. 4, A con/fant and ferpetual tollu^ation : If they cannot be fevered one from the other, they (lili oppofe and con- flidl one with the other. 5. A deadly intention ^hd dd^m-
dtion ; for nothing fatisfies hatred , but death and ruine ; Saul hated -DW^, and fought his life , Ahfalom h^tcd Amnon^ and killed him. 6. An impartial averfation ; hatred is of the whele kind, / hate every falfe i»ay .• Wilt thou novv know whe- ther God hath changed thy heart , then ask thy heart ; What is it that thou abhorreft as the fuperlative evil ? what is that which thou wouldft have feparated as far from thee , as hea- ven is from hell ? what is that thy heart will never renew league or friendfhip with any more ? what is that againft which thy fail doth rife, and with which ( as Ifr^el with Amalek^ , ) thou haft war for ever ? what is that which thou wilt be avenged of, and daily doft endeavour the mortifying and crucifying of ? vVhat is that which thou fets thy heart againft, in the comprehcnfive la- titude thereof, whether great, or little, open, or fecret ? If it be fin, if it be thy fins, affuredly here is true hatred of fin, and af- furedly here is a moft dil^inguifhing Chara6ler of a found Con- verfion and change. It was not wont to be thus with thee, nor
i$
of the Returning Prodigal, 521
is this findeablc in any unconverted perfon whofoever. Sin vv^s once to thee as Da/i/inh to Samfon , and now is it to thee as Tamar to <*Amnoft, It was a Iweet morfel once which thou heldrifaft, but now it is the ^lendruous cloath which thou dolt caii away, and fay, get thee herce ; what have I to do any more with Idols ? If it be thus with thee , blefs thy Qod who hath Aiewed grace to thy foul.
2. When the Lord hath changed and converted the heart of a finner, the fmner frefently flies unto Jefus Chrift : The firit itrokeof Grace is on the heart, andthehrii breathing of Grace is for Chrift ; as the new born babe flies unto the brelts , or as any creature doth to its center, and place of refh For when ihe heartis changed by converting grace, i. It breeds the moft cxquifite dil'covcry an^ fenfe of fin , and confequently of the fouls need of Chrili 2. It is moft impatient of diftance or difference with God, and prizeth his reconciled favour fuperla- tively, cannot live without it. 3. It i^^m nothing
more valuable in it felf , or more futable to its condition then Chriti, Chriftus amor mew fondus menm. And therefore, if you take notice of it , you may experimentally find upon the firft impreflions of Grace,that the foul is moftly taken up with Chri(^, and with Faith : Oh, that I nbight be found in him ! Oh, that I could believe on h'm ! It fees excellency in Chrill, and\Peace in Chrirt , and Redemxption in Chrift,^ and Righteoufnefs in Chrift, and Grace in Chrili, and Kindnefs in Chrifc, and Help, and Life, and Heaven, and all in Chriii. In Converfion, Chrift fecretly draws the Soul to himfelf ; and being conv;:rted, the foul ttrives to draw Chrift to it felf ; It would have Chrift, it muft have Chrift; it is never well, it is never fatisHed until it hath Chrift.
5. When the Lord hath converted and changed the heart of a Tinner, there is wrought in him a f reflect love of God : It is vvon- derful to fee how the Tide turns upon Converfion. There was / once one found weeping very bitterly; and being demrnded, why ! O, faid he, all other things are loved , but Amorum a-- ?w^r/^r, Love it felf is not loved. So before Converfion, a 'man could find love for his Parents, and love for his relations, and love for his Recreations, and love for his Profits, and love for his Sii^ ; but no love for God. But afcer Converfion , the man can
T t fcaxe
^2% Cods gracicus Accepmee
fcarce find any love for any, unlefs it hz for his God, and in his God. A gracioully changed Heart is enabled to fee, i. The V glories in God ; thole moft Pure and Amiable Excellencies irt God. 2. The Tranfcendcnt Love of God to it, in the Eternity of it, in the Freenefs of it, in the Svvectnefs and Goodncfs of it. 3. The. Unfpeakable Communications and- Bounties of God towards it in jcius Chrift ; for the prefent, and for the future z ft is Grace w^ ich makes us to fee^vvhat a gracious God he is ; It is Grace which makes us to fee what a Royal gift Jefus Chrift is ^ It is Grace which makes us apprehenfive of all the Love in God,. and from God ; and therefore no marvel that the changed heart fals prefently in love with God ; (0 Love the Lord Ml ye his Saints^ into a Leve of Friendjhljy and into a Love of Comfia^ cence ^ as they fpeakc ; that it admires God, and prizeth Communion with him ; and takes its full and highcft delight irjhim: Tlufquam mea^ flufquam meoSy fltifquam ?w, faid Berndrd.
4. When the Lord converts and changeth a perfon, the man prefently Stefs Into the path of new Ohedience ; when Grace hath changed the Heart, the Heart inftantly changeth its Mafter and its fervice ; O it will not live as it hath done, for a thoufand Worlds ; It is a fervant of lin no more, but a fervant of righte- oufnefs : look on any converted man(fince the Word began,) as foon as ever Grace dropt into his Heart, anevvnefs of Obedience dropt into his Life , againft all Eafe, Pleafures, Profits, En- couragements, Difcouragements, Threats, Dangers ; It was fo with Abraham^ with VayA^ with all thofe thoufands in the A6ls, with all thoi^c Ef he fans ; And indeed it cannot be otherwife, forafm ch as al' their external courfe is but the pulfe of the Heart. The Pondus of the will is changed, it is at the command of the Heart ; whici being brought into God, the fervices of the heart are alfo brought in with it, O, that you would perufe your felves in this fecond Tryal, what prefent contratiety you find in your Hearts ; It is a very neer Tryal, and a moft Infallible dif- covery of the truth or falftiood, of your Change. tlie lime ^- '^^^ ^^*^^ Contrariety or C hange (which I iliall but touch) f-acVrc. * ' refpet^s the time Fmure : there are five admirable Proper-
ties for the time future , which may be found in every truly Changed and Converted perfon. i. He is very tender
and
:$ to
ef the Returning Prodi^dl, 3 2 j
and fearful, leaft he lliould (in againll his GoJ : Keef thy fer'^apjt from frefum ftfioHS (ins ; cUanfe thou me frtm fecret faults • Pfal. 19. 12, 13. Should, K9C again hreak^ thy Commandments I faid Exra,c.9.i4 Mov^tan 1 do this Great mckednefs^ and fin a. fa'inft God I faid Jofcph, Gen. 39. 9. There is in a Changed and Converted man, i. A tender Jealoufy over a Deceitful heart. 2. a tender Watchfulnefs, againfl Alluring temptations. 3.2 tender Confcience, which feels the firft Rifings of fin. 4. a tender Diffidence ci" his Own (Irength. 5. a tender Fear, and aweful Regard of Gods Prefence and Goodnefs. He is afraid to fin, although the fin be Secret ; and although it be Com- modious ; and although it be Pleafant. I will but name the reft. 2. He is very Zealous and Adive for God ; Pml even befidcs himfelf. ' 3. He is very Faithful and Conftant unto God. 4. He is very Serious and Iniuftrious, to get aflurance of Gods love, and of his inheritance in the highefl: heavens. Give all di- ligence dec. 2 Pet, 1^0. 5.. He ftrives for the Convcrfion arid change of others.
The next Ufe muft be of dmfort and Supporty to all fufh ^r ^ -who find this change wrought In their hearts by converting Grace, There are four Adjun6ts which make this' Converting change Comfort to
unfpeakably Comfortable and Joyous. i. Next to ^^^'7^ ^'^ '^han cd! ''* jsthe choice ft and chlefefi gift that the heart of man is capable of in this life. The gif cs of God are of feveral Orders and fcveral N«t hc^ch"u Natures, ufcs and ends ; fome are in order to a natural prefcrva- " ^y^^^jhs tion, as food, and raiment, and Health. S*me are in order to an heart is capable cxtrinfecal condition or State of Life, as Honours and civil Au- of. thority ; Some are in order to private fociety and relation, as Wife, and Husband, and Children ; Some are in order tofecu- lar converfe, as Father and Friends , politick wifdome, and parts, &c. Thcfe are all of them good in their kind, but as it is faid of diverfe Captaines belonging to David-, although they did great matters, yet they attained not to the a6ls of the three firft Worthies : So none of thefe rife or mount ei- ther to that intrinfecal Dignity, or to that fupernatural and ultimate End, which the change by Grace doth ; The leaft drop of Grace is more then all the Ocean of the World. The Apoftle Paul faith , it is ^ change from GUry to Glory ^^ the work is a work of Glory and the man
T t 2 becomes
2 24 ^^^^ Gracious Accepance
becomes glorious who is a converted man. S. Peter faith, He Is mrv m^de fart^kjr of the Divine Nature .- The excellencies of God are llamped on thy foul ; the Sun is now rifen within thee as the Glory of God filled the Temple .-^fo when a man is converted, the be^ms cf grac« do fill his foul ; thou art pre- cious, the filthy rags are taken away. J . ._ 2. It Is an evidence of 'great love and rich mere j^ Eph, 2. 4.
dencc cf great -^^^ God who Is rich In mercy , for his great love wherewith he love. loved 1^ when we were deady hath qtilckned us^ &c. It \% ate-
llimony of the greateit love , as it is of the greateii hatred in • God, to be left to our finful lults and wayes. Ic is the fi ft 3. Converting grace tt is the fir ft: ^ vlfible and fare charaBerlftU
vifibU diftin- sal diflvMlon twlxt Hell and Heaven ^ twixt Death and Life, dicabetwixi: twixt a Goat and a Sheep, twixt a wicked condition, andaCod- hcli and hca- |y condition. There is a twofold diiHn6lion of perfons touch- ing their everlafting eftates ; One is In decretoy which lies in the breft and counfel of God ; the other is In ohje^oy which is to be found in the heart of mm. Now quoad ms c^ quantum ad obje- Bum ; Converting grace makes the difference , it fliews who is loved, and who is hated ; it fhews who is for Heaven, and who isfoirHell. It is not honour , nor wealth, nor ftrength, nor parts, nor civility, nor meannefs, nor poverty, nor education , nor knowledg, nor trouble of confcience , nor reliraint, nor profeiTion , nor external a6tion, which is the partition wall which divides and decides the ftatefor theprefent and future. If Miniftsrs or Angels rhould affure thee of an intereft in Chrift, and of remilTion of thy fins, and of future happinefs while yet thy heart is unconverted , they do certainly delude and deceive thee ; for if any man be in Chrili, he is a new Creature : But if God hath converted and changed thy heart, thou arc affurcdiy p.ifl from death to life, thou art among the firrt born of God : No forts of v^icked men are in this changed and converted con- ^dit'on, no prophane perfon, no hypocritical perfon ; as foon ^s any is converted, it may be faid of him, as Chrift of Zacheusy This day Is falvatlon come to him for as much as he alfo is a child cf Abraham. Ic never goes 4. It never goes alonCy it is alwayes accompanied with juftifi- »io^c* cation, pardon, intereft in Chrift , reconciliation with God.
feftis was fent to hlefs them in turning them Away from their inl-
quitieSy
■ /
of the R eturning Predtgal, 325
qnities^ A6ls 3. 26. Be converted that your fns may be blotted o;^f, Acls 3. 19. Cotne now^ and /et us reaf or: together^ l[ii.^^.j, I Cor. 6. II. But ye are Tvajhedy but ye are faMfyedy bntyeare jttfilfyedy&cc, _ Icischcmoft
5. It Is the mofl comfortable and joyful condition i for now comfortable there is a change of all , without and within you. The con- coaduioir. verted fouls are^/W, A6ls 2. 47. the converted JWor rejoyced^ j4Eis\6, 34. xhz Eunuch rejoycedy AUs «. 6, 8. The firft work
of the Spirit is ^r<^^^, the next is ;^/; Heaven now Itands open for you to fee all, crc, Threatnings are turned into promifes , curies into bleifings, enemies unto friends , aliens into fons, ac- cusing into an excufing confcience,voice of terror in^o a voice of peace, hell into heaven. _ Ids the only
6, It is the only unpre judicial change on earth • In all other unprejudicial changes there is either diminution or danger. If a rich man be- charge on- comes poor, there is a diminution of his Condition ; if a poor ^"^'•^* man becomes rich , there is a danger to his fpirit, left he be- comes covetous 0: proud. If a man be lifted up to greatnefs and authority,there is a dangcr,left he forgets God,and be injurious;if
an healthy man becomes fick and weak,here is an impairing, alofs and-danger of life : Only, when a wicked mvn is converted, and becomes holy,There'is neither diminution nor danger ; converting, grace is no thief in the Candle : It is no preternatural heat which fuck^ away that rvhich is vital ; thou lofell: nothing at all by it , no fpot to thy credit, no burden to thy confcience, no eclipfe to thy honour, no gall in thy Cup, nor waft to thy Lands : It doth not darken thy name , nor weaken thy ftrength , nor di- minilli thy coffers , nor imbitter thy comforts : No lofs but the lofing of fin, which we cannot keep but to our lofs ; all that it doth is" this , that it decreafeth and deftroyeth thy finful lulls ; . it roots out thofe weeds, it pulls out hell, it hejils thy wounds , and is the deadly enemy to thy deadlieii enemies.
'J, The converting change is an unchangeable change : The \.\^.^ j^- next change is into Heaven. A wicked mm may be changed c-.ingrab!e into a Godly mm, and a Godly man may be changed into Hea- cbsnjc ven, but the Godly mm lliali never be changed again into a wicked mm : the (iite of crace is an unchangeable ?i^x^^ a bet- ter condition them ayidams in Paradife ; his was perfe6l but mu- table, this is imperfe6\, but not changeable : Once a Son, and
ever
226 ^^^^ gracious Acceftancc
ever a Son; the Son abides in the hmfefor ever (fayes Chrift;)once converted, and for ever blefied. Gods converting Grace is an abiding feed > and it is immortal feed, and it is a gift which God never repents of, although much of the ftrength of it may be a- batedby our falls, as fire is raked up under the afhes ; although thefenfe of it doth fcmetiine fail us, and the comfort, and tne liveiinefs of operation appears not, yet as there is life in the root, though there be not leaves on the Tree , and as there is a foul in the man, though iicknefs be in his body , fo the truth and ftate of grace continues under all a ChriiHans eclipfes , weakneffes , fail- ings ; for converting grace comes from an unchangeable vvill in God, the will of his love, whom he loves once, he loves to the end. 2. It defends Hfon an everUfttng Commmion mth
Chrifly who marries the foul to himCelf for ever. 3. And it is given as a fledg and fawn of eternal ghrj, 4. And it is ajfifted with an everlafl'mg arm^ and power of God. No other 8. No other change (hall hurt you ^ hut further you ; Affli6li-
chanje {hall ons, Death,-it is gain unto you, it iz the laft ftile, and then you are huaus, but at home for ever.
iuru.er us. QhjeB.^ But now foxne difireffed perfon may reply, Thefe arc
comforts indeed, but not to me ; for I fear that my heart is not ^ changed, nor yet truly changed; I am not indeed altogether what once I was , but this I fear is but a flop of confcience, or tT ch 'n ^d ^^^ ^^ ^^"^^ ^ hypocrifie. Oh, I feel fuch changes on my fpirit 1 tcuy c »ngc * j^ ^ j^ ^ way cs alike, and fo much finfulnefs, fo much unbelief, fo much hardnefs, fo much difficulty to good, fo much weaknefs under temptations ; furely my change is not true, a gre^t, an in- ward, a total change,and therefore none of thefe comforts apper- tain unto me.
Sol. Shall I fpeak a few words to fuch a perfon, ( furely fomc fuch there may be.)
1 . The change hy Confuerfiofiis hut mferfeU in this life ; it is a This chan|c total change , although ix. changeth us not totally : A converted f*!"^ \^f*|:. man is fan6iifyed throughout,but not perfedHy throughout ; when la in»s e. ^1^^ ^^y breaks, there is a change that one may truly fay,the night is paft, and yet many degrees of darknefs ftick in the air ; as foon as ever Cod infufeth grace into the foul, there is immedi- ately a change as to the denomination of the eftate, though not as to the confummation of the eftate ; TauH eftate was a con- verted
/
of the Returning Prodigal, 327
verted and changed eftate , and yet there was a Law in his Mem- hers , as well as a Ltiyv in his Mlndy Kona. 7. Converfion is a change from the dominion of what was contrary , not from the' abfolute being of a contrary. Though a Tyrant dwell and llirs - in a Kingdoms , yet if a lawful Monarch ridesj the Kingdom* is changed : Many fins are in a converted man liill ; but if grace doth rule the heart now, which formerly was ruled by fin, that man is a changed man.
• 2. Converting grace ^ although It be nroHght at once ^ yet It is Conrertinf hrou^t on by degrees \ The truth of it begins in an inftant, but |ra«, though the ftrength of it comes in time. It is a very curious queftion ""^'"S^^^l why God gives Grace by degrees , or fucceffively in this life,and b^ouih^on by not all at once , but fli'll leaves fome finful corruption behind, acgrecs! Divines conjc6lure three reafonsofit f i. Onr prefent Inca- faclty of a prefent fnlnefs : The Bottle cannot be filled but by degrees, though the Ocean be full ; there is as much grace given at firft as to make a new creature, but not a ftrong creature. 2. Our efi ate OK earthy mufibea combating eflate^ to difference the eftate of grace and glory ; that in heaven only is the crown- ing and triumphing. 3. Anditis an ^y?^/-^ of faith -^ which is a continual dependance, and a continual drawing of help, and a continual recourfe to the fountain : In Creation, Perfe6lion of being w.is at once , and in Glorification at once ; but not fo in San;Sification, this rifes like Ez^ki^ls Water,or like the light of the Sun. This may yet fatisfie thee , though grace beimperfe6l and not full at once. 1. Juf^ification is perfedl:. 2. Though you find but little, yet you cannot be fatisfyed without more. \, You have perfecting means of holinefs, though you have hot pcrfe6lholiners;aword to build you up. 4. That God who hath begun, has promifed to-finifh , and your little is a pledg of more. 5. Truth of grace may lye in a little compafs.
;. There may he many changes upon the fplr It of a many which There may be yet are not inconjl ft ent with the favlfig change of his Spirit : Some- many changes t^raes he may be lively and quick, fometimeshe may be flat and notinconfillent dull, fometimes he may be confident and cheerful , and at fome JJ,"^/^* ^*^^^'^ other times he may be afraid and mournful ; fometimes he may ■ * be full, and enlarged ; and at fome other time he may be aukard, and ftrcightned ; fometimes he may have more fenfe of Gods Love , and fometimes more fenfe of his own fins ; None of
thefe
328 Gods gracious Acceptance
ihefe things are elT^ntial to the converted eft'.ue ; a mans heart may be truly changed by converting grace, notwithitanding ma- . ny erodes and afflidlions on his outward eitate, many eclipies in his comforts, many varieties in his fpiritual adings, many con- trarieties tvvixt his ience and his faith , many temptations upon his fpirit, to many doubts and fears in his heart. Sinful corru- 4* Smful corrHftions never iivork^ yolth amore [enfible firength ,
prions work ^^^^^ vohen the heart is truly co'/rverted and changed: Bcitore wiih more fen- Converfion, our fins do work more mightily, but we do not then fibic ftrcngth perceive the workings, becaufe your delight was then in finning , is^r^'^' h*"^ and nothing is burthenfome to delight ; and nothing was mus irue.y an> ^^^^^^^^ to our finnings ; theftrongman kept all the houfe, and every faculty was a friend and fervant to fin ; the river ran ail one way : But when the heart is converted, there is n©vv laid into it I. The quickeft principle of feeling. 3. The contrarieft prin- ciple of refifting. 3, The propereft principle of deftru6ti- . on to fin ; and therefore no marvel that we feel our finful natures more than formerly ; for all qualities are moil active, and mofi: felt in cafes of refiftance and deftrudtion ; neverthelefs none of thefe mult conclude againft our Converfion, but rather for it, be- caufe I. Thegreateft work of grace is inward. 2. Theienfe of finful workings Joyned with an hatred of them, and humbling of the heart under them,and with addreffes to God for fubduing power, is certainly a fign of converting grace : Therefore hear- ken unto me tliou diftreffed foul : i. Though the Glory of Grace confifts in ViEiory , yet the Trmh of Grace appears in Combats ; the fighting Souldier is as right to the caufe , as the conquering Souldier ; there is fire in the fmoaktngfiaxy as well as in the flaming furnace. 2. Thit great corrtiftions fiill
remaining in temptation^ are the htttdens of dweah^ ChrlflUn ^ but are not the Charfi.^ers of a falfe ChrifiU^, ;. Jefus Chrifi: can by a h'nU grace weaken flrongeft corrupt ims : The le?.ft true grace will help thy foul to c hrill , through whofe ftrength thou who art now in confli6l fhalt ere long be made more than a Conqueror. 4. True grace begins In weakj^efsy goes on with combaty but ends in vi[iory : There is but little light at the firft, and more darknefs for quantity ; but the light of the Sun is rifing,anddiffipating,and at length remains alone. Con- quering grace hath comfort, confliclinggracchath ftrength, and
even
of the ReturniYig Prodigal. 5 29
even mourning grjce hath truth ; Peters tears ilievved truth of Grace, aswdl as Panl's Triumph.
But how may I detcern my char:geto arife from thc^ower of con- How \i tray be vcrtlnggrace^ and not from the power only of a troubling confci- <i>f«rnccl, thsc ence? Sol, I conceive thus5in four particulars. i. ^^» '^'^^ ^^^"S^ •'« the cha-fige Is made 9nly from the f^ing of cenfciCKce , thm chiinge |J,g ^racf ^anJ gtes'ojf^ a^d var.ifheth , when the trouble of confcience ,goi:s ott', 00c froai the and continues only while that doth continue : whiles thetrouble po^crcfacrru- of confcience is on the man, the man will hear, and the man will ^'^"5 "' ^^'^"^ pray, and the man will confult, and profefs, and purpofe, and re- ^^r^j^j^, folve, yea,andnovv too, to become a new man ; yea, and he will ' ,
cry cut againft his fins , and will not come near his fins. But when that trouble is off, all is off again ; the Water which was heated, grows cold again ; SahI is purfumg D/ivld again , and Focllx is covetous again. But if the change be from grace ,^ though trouble be off, yet the heart is againft fin , and is for good ; for grace fets us againft fin, as it makes us unholy, and e- vil, and not only , or principally , as it makes us uncomfortable and miferable. 2. When the change arifcth only from a troubling confcience , not from a contrariety to God , but to us : It doth '/20t arifefnm 4 hatred of fi^y and a love of good ; ^ht only from a hatred of torment ^ a [el f -love ^ and a love of eafe; the man loves that fin, that he dares not now commit , and hates the good which now he doth ; he doth the 'ood, .only as a means to ' take off his trouble'; he doth it not as a work in which he delights, - nor doth he flie fin as an evil which he hates ; he flies fin as it 15 malum fenfihile^ not as it is malum fprltuak .- But in a gracious change, trouble doth not caufe hatred , but hatred caufeih trou- ble of fin. 3. When the change is only from a troubling confcience, then vohen the trouble Is gone , the mans heart is more hardned, and hegrovves more wicked then ever before, and in after finnings, Icfs fenfible, and lefs troubled ; as Iron growes more hardned after it hath been in the fire , or water that is flop- ped more violent . // thej he again tntangledy and ovtrcome^ the latter end is wtrfe with them then the beginning , 2 Pet. 2. 20, But where the heart is changed by grace, the more gr-ace, ftill the more fenfe of fin, and ftill the more fear to fin , and ftill the more love of God. 4. When the change comes only from ih^ttonU^of caL^[cicncQ y the. change extends no further then t§
V u that^
530 gods ^'^^^i^^^ Accepanee
thaty or thofe particular fins for which the confcience doth trou- ble the man ; if the other fms trouble not , they are not left :.. But when the change is wrought by grace, this change extends to all fins. J hate every evil jv^/(faith David ; -) they do m irnqnityy Pfal. 1 1 9. 'Let US cleanfe onr [elves from allfilthinefs of fejh and . fpirity 2 Cor, 7. I. . Qnefi. How may a man know that his change is mt the fruit of
thh^cL'ngc'^s ^7?^<^K/^^ but of Converting grace ? ^ Sol. This may bedif- not the fruit o; cerned thus. i Thechange byHypocrifie li Is not Cordial y Hypocrifif. ^q Hypocrites heart is changed : In heart yework^ m'ckjdnefs, Anf^vercc.. The Hypocrite dares to give way to heart fins : Jud^h turned not with her heart but feignedly, 2. Is not %Jmverfal : The
Prophet tells the hypocritical Ifraelites, that they were as a Cake ' half h^ked , and not turned ; an hypocrite , though he forfake many fins , yet he loves fome fin ; Jehu cannot part with the golden Calves, though he did deftr oy Baal. 7^. Is not l^fting^ . but changeable ; futable occafions are too ftrong for an heart falfely changed. 4. Is not able to abide three Trials^ of the Wordy of Confcience y of Beath. ^fg . The third Ufe fliall beto^^^^r^ and entreat ustoftir up all
Exhortation to ^^^ hearts, to beg of Godtorvork^ln them this admirable change by- iK| of God to Converfon. I read in Scripture that the blind man cryed out , work this fefu .' thou Son of David have mercy on me ; Qnd again, Thou Son change. ^£ j)^^;^^ g^^. and all this was for a change in his eyes ; and I
read that Naoman took a great journey into the Land of Ifrael,and all was to be cleanfed of the Lefrofleoi his body. And why will we not take a little pains to have our hearts and fouls changed by H^ other want gr^ct-, Confider ferioufty, i. That a man Is not excluded excluGesfrom fy-Qj^ l^^aven^for an] 9ther yfant \ not for want of Wifdome, or This want ccr- p3rts,or riches, or dignities, 2. Thou art certainly excluded tainly c2uiuJes from heaven^ tho. door is fhutup againft thee, if thou be not con- ns, verted and changed; the holy God will never look upon thee , and thou fhalt never look upon that holy God in his holy place. The unclean perf on was flmtout of the Camp, and no unclean It 3s thy duty thing finall ever enter into heaven. ^■. It is thy duty ^ thou art io be changed, bound to be a converted and changed perfon ; every man i^ bound to'hate and forfi;ilce his fins and to come back, and love, andfcrve hisGod ; did God make thee to fcrve thy Ms? hath te, preferved thee all this while to fin againft him ? Is. this the
fruif
of the Returning frodtgd, 33 1
fruit of thy dreadful Covenant which thoCi hafhuade v\^ith him ? ^, iVi.i^t mltthoti get by k^ejing thy fms^ or any one of them ? What wilt thoa Be perAvadedthereiore at leaii unto two things. i. To be- v-^ by keeping fecch the Lord to char?ge arid convert thy heart ^ even thine alfo,^^y""^' remember well. i. None can change a fmner but God: The pobcfcrchtbc MuIiCian muli tune the Inftrument. 2. It is no fn to beg of L^rd to chsne':
G9d a Corwerfionfi om Jin ; No, no, thou canii not put up a more thy heart, acceptable requelt : Lord, I am weary of my (ws-^ I would dif- honour thee no more, I would be good, I Tvould Terve thee ; thou only canll change me,and enable me ; for thy Mercies fake do fo, and heal, and turn me, fo lliall 1 be healed and turned. ^. God hath changed and converted great fnners ; was not Manaffes fo I M, Magdalen fo ! Vanl fo ! the Corinthians fo ! Why, venture toward his mercy feat; who can tell but he may dofo to thee? 4. He hath changed fnners^ who have not fought him ; and will he refufe it for them, who do feek it of him ? if he many times be found of them that feek him not , wilV he deny to them, who feek ? 5. ToH have his promt fe to do thii very converting work^ for you ; He will give his holy Spirit to them that ask^ hlm^Luk, 1 1 . 1 5 . " / will give a new heart, and a new fplrlty Ezek. 36. 26, Behold he calls thee, he tells thee that he is willing to convert thee,why, then art thou not willing to receive it, to have it done ? do not fay, thou art a finner ; God never did convert any but a firmer , nor does he promife to convert any, who is not a (inner, 6, Did ever any beg thls^ and failed of it ? Lord ( faid one 'to Chrift ) If thou wilt , thspi canfi make me clean, ( what, faith Chrift to him ? doth he not anfwer him at all ? Doth he fay, I cannot ? Or doth he fay, I will not ? O no, his anfwer is ( and it is a pre- fent anfwer,) / wlll^be thou clean, 2. To come to the Word, and Cgmc to the come for this end, that God may convert and change ; many came word for thi« to the Tool of Bethefda, to look on it ; and an Impotent man C3me end. thither to be cured in it , and there he was cured; many come to hear the Word, to mock at it ; and many come to get fome notions from it, and many come to catch the Miniftcr \ at it, but he who comes for this very end to be converted aixi changed by it, I believe he fhall firft or laft attain his end ; the word (hall convert and change him. The word is femetimes compared to a Glafs , which difcovers; Jam, i. 29. and fome- times to a Laver vvkich wafheth and cleanfeth, Pfal, i ip.^. even
V u 2 the
5^2 Gods Gracious Accep^nce
the yotmg man ( who of all other is irioft unruly and wild ) is converted by it. , The Power of God^ goes with the Word of God ; and the Grace of God, conies by the Word of God; it is Vehlculnm S^lrlttu^ & eamlis Gratia ; Thoufands have been converted by it, and fo mailUhou. Vfe^, Hath God converted and changed thy heart? hearken then to Counitistothe a few com[els, i. Talie heed of fmrnng after Converfion'
canvercti. Do not fin againft grace received ; if thou doit, thou wilt wea- ken and lame thy ftrength, wilt darken thy heaven , wilt perplex thy confcience , wilt ihew thy felf more ungrateful then any mm ; no wicked man can have fuch an aggravation of fin upon him, as thou hafl:. 2. Honmr God with that Grace which
thoH haj} received : Converfion fits and enables a man for Gods Service and Glory.
Luke 15,24. ^ndthey he-ganto be merrj,
Thefe words are as the Banquet after the Feaft ; they are the- clofc, and the reckoning that is brought in upon the loft Son be- ing brought home. The cafe is wonderfully altered with him , ( all is altered, when the (inner is altered ) when he was wandring from his Father, he ran up and down the Country, and wafted all his eftate among Harlots ; he fhifted him/elf to his very skin, and out he is turned amongft the Swine , and no mm regarded him ; the poor wretch wanted Father, and Houfe, and Cloaths, and all Comforts, and was upon his laft Leggs, at the very point of ftarv- ing and famifLing. But now being found and returned home , all mercies come in unto him ; there's a Father to embrace him, and an Houfe to entertain him, and Raiment to cloath him, and Friends to welcome him , and a feaft to rejoyce him. [. o^W they began to he merry : ] As formerly you have had the nature: of Converfion, fo in thefe , you have the frnlt of Converfion, When Jefus Chrift was born, there was great joy ; and when a dnncris born again, hereupon alfo arifeth great joy. The Pro- portion on which I intend to infifi,is this : jy^'^ -^ That Cstiverjion brings the Sou L Into a joyful J a very joyful ce'/t'
Conv.Tiion dltlony [ They began to be m.erry ] Mirth is the accent of joy, bnrgs thcfoulitisanemphatical joy; but when did they begin to be merry ? '^'p° ® \^/y y'^' why ! as foon as it was faid, This my Son is alive , and this my ^u;cojicjcion. c^n is found ; now tkcy begin Xo be merry. Converfion may
be.
^■■■^.
of the R et timing Prodigal, 333
be conlidered three vvayes. 1, Ante cede mer : For thepreci--^ ous qualities and works, which immediately go before, and ordi- narily uH-er in Converlion ; fo it is fad, and bitter, and iharp 5 for there tke law imprints a fenfeof fm , and of wrath, and a fpirit of bondage t® fear • the Needle pricks , and the Sword cuts and wownas , and the Hammer bruifeth , and the Plough rents and tears. 2. Formallter : as it is a perfe^live change , and alteration , even from hell to heaven, frombafeft lulb, to fweetelt holinels ; and thus it is ( at the leaft ) a fundamental , radical,and virtual joy. 3. ConfeqHenter : For the Crop and pre- fent harveli, which refults out of Converhon ; thus it is the Mu- fick after the tuning of the {kings ; the fruit of righteour«efs is peace, fo the fruit of converfion is joy and delight. There are three things unto which I defire to fpeak about this point. i. That upon Converfion , the condition becomes very joyful andpleafant; quod Jit. 2. What kind of joy and pleafure
Converfion doth bring; ^^^/^/?r. • 3. Reafonswhyfo;^-//r/r .• and then the ufeful Application.
£lf4eft, I, For the firft of thcfe ; thatConverfion doth bring the foul into a very joyful condition. j.^^ ^^^ r^
So/, There are four things which demonftrate the qi^od ft of aemonftrated. this. I. Ma^)f fregndnt f laces of Serif ture ; Pfal. 5^2. 11. .
Shotit for joy ^ all ye that are nfrtght in heart ^ Pfal. 132. p.. ^ cripture. Let thy Saints fkout for joy ^ Ifai. 35. 10. Ihe ranf^med 5/ the Lord (hall return^ and come to Zion wlthfongs^ and ever.Uftlng :ey J4f$n their heads ; they fhall obtain Joy and gladnefs , and farrow andfighlng jhall flee away, Ifai. (55. 13. Behold my fervfints fhailrejoyce^hit yefhall be afhamed. y, i^. Behold my fervants (hall fing for joy of hearty bm ye fhall cry for forrow of heart, Ifai. 61. 10. I vplll greatly re:oyce in the Lordy my fonl (hall be joyful In my God. Rom. 14. 17. The Kingdom: of God confijh ^
in righteoufnefs , and -peace , and ioy In the Holy Ghofl, Prov. 3. 17. Her w ayes are wayes of p/eafantnefs ^ axd all her paths are peace. 2. Many pregnant teflimomes and injionccs : ^. I. jx^^^^^
Whea Z^r/)^^vvas converted, he came down :oyj ally ^ andrecei- ^; vedChrifty Luke 19. (5, 9. When the three thoufand were con- verted y there enfued fingular gladnefs and joy ^ A6ls 2. 41. When the Eunuch was converted,/?^ went home re oyclngyASt. "6, '^9. WhcDthofe in Samaria were converted, the. Text faith, There
was
334
Gods gracious Acceptance
By Compari- (ons.
wds great joy Inthat City ^ hdis%, ^^6, When the Jailor was converted. He rejOjcedy hellcviKg in God with all his honfe^ A6fe 16.34. When they to \'^hQm Peter wrote were converted,they did rejojce with joy unffeakal^le , And full of Glory , i Pv^t. i. 8* 3. Thzmxny Comfar if ons^ by which converting grace is expreU fed, doth comhrm it, that it m.ikes the fouls condition very joy- ful, and delightful : The eAate of grace is let forth by all the things which are elkemed pleafant, and delightful, and joyfuL Men take Deligh , and Joy, in Honour, Beauty, trength. Youth, Riches, Pearls, and Jevvels, in Birth, in Wifdome, and Know- ledg, in Springs, Orchards,, Spices, Perfumes, Buildings, V16I0- ries. Life, Duration, Friends. Why 1 when converting grace is conveyed into the heart, the man now is honourable, and of high dignity; now the beauties of Chrift are on fi is foul , all his gra- ces are more precious then Pearls , and Gold, and Silver ; he is rich in fpiritual treafures, he is one born of the Spirit of God, never truly knowing and wife, till now, crc. Nay, grace is phra- fed by fuch things, which yield a general and univerfal content- ment and del ipht to the whole mm: It is fometimes called Lighty which is pleafant to the eye ; Oyyitmenty which is pleafant to the fmell ; wine^ which is pleafant to the taft ; Mnjickj, or the joyful found, which is pleafant to the ear. Nay, yet again,it is fometimes called 7V/^/-^,and that is pleafant to the underftanding ; Goodnefs , and that is pleafant to the w'ill ; a Kingdonte , and that is pleafant to defire ; an Inheritance^ and that is pleafant to hope ; Cemmuniony and that is pleafant to love ; a Poffejfiony and and that is pleafant to joy ; a V'iEiorjy and that is pleafant to ha- tred ; ^Security^^nd that is pleafant t© fear ; Heaven^the Kingdeme cf Heaven^ and that is pleafantnefs itfelf; and all this even under fears and combates', when atthefirft, andweakeft, andloweft: Nay, yet once more, it is fet out by all the occafioMs , and by all the times of joy, to the hirth of arnairchild ; for joy that a man- child is born (faidChrift; ) A converted man is anew-born. To the day of Marriage , which fome call the only day of joy ; a converted man is marryed toChrift ; To zFeafi-^ Ifai. 25. 6^ Every difh is filled with mercy. To a Coronation day^ which was a day of ghdnefs of heart to Solomon^ Cant. 3. 11. There Is a crown of life for every converted foul. To the time ef Harvef^^ when the Husbandman reaps with joy,//*/, p. ^. To the returns
of the Returning Prodigal, 335
ef Merchants upon the incredfe of Wine and Oyk ; Pfal. 4. To a ranfomc- and releafe from bondage and captivity ; a converted m.in is fet at liberty, he is a freeman in Chriii 4. Confider Converfion in the Caufes of it^ or in the very BytheCsufei Nature of it, or in the A6ls flovying from it; certainly by all of it, of them you may be induced to believe that it makes the Con- dition ;oyful and pleafant. i. The Caufes ofhy which are four, I. The Radical caafe, Whyl Converfion drops out of the Eternal Love of God to a mans foul. Behold what manner of Love^ I Jo. 5. I. as many as were ordained to eternal life believed, Adls. i^. 2. The Meritorious cat^fe : who loved t^s and gave hlmfelf for ///, Gal. 2. It is one part of Chrifts purchafe, he merited Grace and Glory for his. 3. The Efficient cafife » (immediately efficient) it is the firft breath of Gods fandlify- ing Spirit, the Spirit of true Comfort and Joy. 4. The /«- flrti?nental caaje ; the word which is called fvveet, and fweeter then the Hony, and the breafts of Confolation, is the inftrumcnt of Converfion, Jam. i. 2. Its owne Nature, Converting g ^^ j^, Grace hath three things intrinfecal unto it. i. Goodnefs ; it is .of i:. good, and it only makes us good : Now Goodnefs is the foun- dation of Delight ; Nothing is truly pleafant, but what is truly good. 2« Suteabknefs ; There is nothing fo futeable either to the nature of the foul, or end of die foul, as true Grace. 3. PerfeEiion ; it is the Glory of the Soul.
q. The aEis flowing from It ; If the ads flovving-from Con- gy jj,p .^5 verfion be fuch as God himfelf takes delight in, {He takes delight ftow'ngfrom ir. In the fray er of his fervants^ in the broken hearts of his fervants, in the Faith, and in t\\t Fear, and in the Hope of his fervants ; all their fer vices are a fweet favour unto him, as Noahs facrifice was ; ) Surely then Converfion is- able to make the converted Soul joyful and delightful. Againe, there cannot be a greater del'ght and joy then when an A6live and Aclual intercourfe is maintained twixt an immortal Soul and perfedl Bleffednefs ; when my Soul hath a free converfs with Bleffednefs it felf, and Blef- fednefs it felf hath a Gracious converfe with my foul, this is as if two deeply in Love converfed vYith e-ich other : this is as if Jonathan and David met together ; this is as if Jacob and Jofefh met together, and infinitely more : But upon Conver-- fioH, the foul and God have mutual communications. (And is not
God
335 ^^^^ gracioHS Acceftmcc
God the bleflednefs of mans foul, and is not bleflednefs a joy- ful and plcafant fight) God fpeaks to that foul, and that foul fpe.iks with God ; the foul opens its feif to God, and God o- pens himfelf to that foul. £rgo. By I he diftio- 5* ^^ ^^^^ ^ mighty dlfkomnr to God that his Wayes^ his Image^ nourthac o- ^cmU he barren of joy, and yet the Divels vvayes and fin, plea- durwifc vrouid fant. 6. A G re. u motive to draw in a foul Were I oR. j. Grace redcund to (Joth fpiritualize our joyes, it doth not nullify true joy. vvh^' fc' ^ Sj^^fi.2, What kind ofjoy and Pleafuredoth i onverfion bring Joy Convfr- ^^^^^ the Soul. SoL There are five properties in the joy vvhicii fion brings. ^ onverfion lets into the Soul.
ALswfui Jov. I- It Is a lawful Joy and Pleafure. There are many things Q^iidam. ' which are pleafent, but they are not Lawful : StolUn waters art 1. Ncc bona fwm^ faith Solomon^ but Cod allowes them not; the Tree in nee ]ucunda. the garden was Pleafant, but it was not Lawful for Adam and
3. Jucundafcd ^^^^ ^^1 '^^ forbidden fruit ;^ God hath curfed fin and all that non bona. comes out of fin. Agrli^pn'a poyfoned her husband with the
4. Jucunda et jj^eat he moft delighted in. Wicked men delight and rejoyce f°5*i i i^^^^i^^u^^^i^^gs? but this is only fwect Poyfon, God allowes it
not; norisitf«fe: But converfion yeilds a Joy, which the foul may fafely feed on ; It is lawful to rejoyce in the Lord, and to rejoycein Chrift, and to reioyce in thepardon of our fins, and to rejoyce that our names are written in the book of Life. .... 1 . 2. It is ^ Sflrltual Joy ; A Joy that reacheth to the fpirit of
piritua joy. ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ becomes the fpirit of man, and that raifeth the
fpirit of mm, i. Many men have joy in their faces, and yet not joy in their hearts ; A man in a feaver hath a lively colour, when yet he hath a dying heart ; and many have joy in their tongues and mouthes, and yet no joy in their confciences. As hefaidto one that commended his fine flioe. But you doe not know where it pincheth me ; a vvicked man hath an hell in his confcience, who yet hath a fmile in his countenance ; But a Con- verted inans joy, is an heart joy ; My fervants fhall fingfor joy of hearty][z. 6$, i^. My Sflrltrejoketh InGodmy Savior^ faid Mary, Luk. 2. 2. And it is a fpirit becoming joy. Laugh- ter Is not feemly for a fool-, faid Solomon ; There are joyes which are not feemly nor becoming an Immortal foul : Ageflaus faid of fome pleafures, that they were fit for flaves, not for Free-
m^en
of the Returning frodtgd. ' 337
men : a wicked man ta-kes joy either in Vile things, which Hghc^ againll the Soul ; or in vain things, which are bclo.v a Soul ; iiis joyes are fetcht out of hell, or out of the Creature ; either fuch joyes as delight the Devil, or delight the hearts, or delight the., bafelland vaincft of men; in Whoring, and Drinking, and Curhng, and Dicing, and Dancing, and Gaming, and Mum- ming, and Masking &c. Kut Converfion i^^6.% the Soul with the joyes of the Holy Ghort, with Divine ]o^j^ joy drawn out of the wells of Salvation, Ifa. 1 2. 2. And it \^ a Spirit-raifing joy : when the foul is ca(t down, and all the comforts on Earth cannot lift it up and chear it, yet Converfion can let in a fetch- ing Cordial; it can open a window to fee the light of Gods countenance and favour , which can turn night inio day, and troubles into pe^ce , and heavinefs into an exceeding joy ; even DaVids,wfj^ art thou caft down O my Sonl ? into Praife the LordO my S§ul i. It Is of rvo^jd^rfnlljoy ; There are two y^^^j^^^cff^j cafes wherein men do wonder, how a man can pofTibly be joy- joy. ful. I. One is, when all the comforts of the Creature fail him ; not a Candle but is without light, not a Well but is ftopt ; not a Spring but is dry ; No friend to look ai and pity, no main- tenance, no fubfiftance .• Yet in fuch a . cafe (which is wont to be a time Sighs and Tears) can a converted man rcjoyce. Hab. ;. ly. Althotigh the Fig-tree (hallmt hlo^ome^ neither fkall fruit he In the VlnCy The labor of the Olme fhall falle^ and the field jh all yell d no meat ^ the foe k^ (hall be cm off from the fold-, and there fhall he no Herd In the ftals ; Tet I will re-^ofce In the Lordj IwilljoylntheGfidofmyfalvatlon. 2. Another is, when all outward miferies are upon him .- as when all his outward Q{{it^ is taken away, yet then converted perfons h.ive u\zw jey fully ' the fpoyling of their (j<7(3"^/, Heb. 10. 54. When Aflflidlions, Derihons, Reproaches, Bonds, Imprifonments,Scourgings, cruel Torments, are laid on him ; Yet faith Paul, Wee rejojce In Trlhdatlons alfo^ Rom, f, :^, Yet i^aith'Chrift, when men [hall -
rezile yoUf and perfecute yoa^ and fay all manner of evill agamfi you falfly for my fakj-, Reoyce and he exceeding glad , Maf. 5. 11,12. And the Apoftles when they were imprifoned and bearen , rejoyced that they were counted war thy to fuffer fhame for his namey Atk. 5. 41. My Brethren count it all Joy^ when ye fall intf di<;€rfe Temptations ^]dVCi, i. 2. WJien he is going to endure
X X" ^ '- ' -"^ a cruel
2^g Gods Gracious Acce ft An ce
a cruel death, as burning in th^ Fire, devouring by wild Beafts, ro-Uiing on the Gridiron, boyling in Oil, br^jakmg of the Bones, tearing cue the Bo.vels ; All chele hav- co werted perfons fa(tein— ed, with unfpeakeable Courage, dapping of the Hands, kiifing of the Stake, and Glorious Rejoicings, Why, the truth is that though all the Candles on .Earth be put out, yethehith Light and Comfort,, dill the .^un fti'nes, nothing can diffolve, - - . nor yet interrupt tfee fouls fvveetC onununion with God. 4. It is <« puce Joy* ^irmey and Fure^ and V^-doggid Joy ; an unconverted man h,ath his joy, and his delights, and his mirth, and pleafure ; but there are three doleful burdens under which all this while he lies. I. Notwithftandin^ all his joyes, he lies under the ha- tred of Godo . 2. Notwichilanding all his joyes, he lies under the dominion of his fmful Lufts. 3. Notwithftanding all his joyes, he lies under the power of a Guilty, and Accufing, and Condemning Confcience ; but now the Converted mans joy is aPerfe6ljoy, a Wei -grounded joy ; God loves him, Chrift hath fatisfyed for him, his heart is fan6i:ifyed, and his con- Mi-mtW ending fcience pacified. ^. It is aT»ell ending joj- ; A joy which ends Ifh . in joy : an unconverted man hath his joyes and pleafures,but they
end in Griefe and horror. O my poor Soul, faid Adrian^ when he was dying, whither art thou now going ? all thy Mirth, and . Joy, are at an end .• nee mfoles dahlsjocosy thou art- ^ovn^ away, and all thy joyes are going away : Luk. i5. i ^. But Abraham faid to DiveSy Remember thmthon in thy life time received ft thy oqodthlngSy and LAz^arus evill-thngs "j bm nonv he Is comforted^ and thoH art tormented, Dives fared fumptuoiifly every day, he had pleafure on earth, but after them his foul went into hel! torments : he never had pleafure more. Babylon, it is faid of her Rev. 18.7. hoyi> much (he hath glorified her felf^ and lived dpllcloHJlyj fo mtich torment and forrow give her : Job f peeking ©f theWicked,chap. 21.7 . faith, That they take the Timbrel and Harfy and re-oyce at the found of the Organ : v. 12. they fpend their dayes w wealthy and In a moment go down to the Grave : Solomon fpeaks ironically to the Voluptuous Youthes, EccIeC 1 1. ^ Reoyce 0 young man In thy Totfthy and let thy heart cheer thee In the dayes of thy ToHth-, and walk^ In the wayes_ of thine . hfarty and tnthe pght of thine eyes ; But kjitw thoHy that for nil theft things God will bring thee into Judgment : So then the
of the Returning Prodigd. ^ ^ p
converted man's joy> is a (hort joy, and a joy that ends in bitter- citlbrrovv: But a converted man's joy > is a lafiingjoy, and it ends in perfe6t joy; vviiv^n he dies, yet his grace dies not, yet his joy dies not : fVell done good and faithful Servant ^enter into thy Maficr*s joy ; the end of hfe, is the beginning of all joy.
<5. It is a trdnfcendent joy ; it exceeds all worldly joyes. A tranfceiidciic Pial. 4. 7. Thou hafl frngiadnefs In my heart , more th^n in the joy. lime that their C9rn and their fvine increafed, Pfal. (5o. 3, Thy loving k.iy^rie[s is better then life,
Qiiffl, 3. Whydoch Convcrfion make the fouls condition fo Rcifons of it. joyful? Sol, it cannot but befo, ii youconfider Convcrfi- on, either as to God, or as to Chrift, or as to Confcience.
I. As to God, As to God.
1. Trtic dnverji^n is the certain ejfeU of Gods gracious elegit- Convjrlion 2s 9n\ Although Converfion be not the caufe of eledion, yet it is the certain ef- the fruit of ele6tion, it is the counterpane of eIe6Hon. A6i:. 1 3. ^^,^^} ^^^* 4^. e>^-f many as were ordained to eternal life^ believed, 1 Thef.
1,4. Knowingy Brethren J Beloved^ thee led:ioft of God, v. 5. For §nr Gofpel came not to yon in word only , but in power alfoy and in the Hoi J Ghofl„ 2 Pet. i. ic. Give diligence to make yonr cal* ling and eleElion fur e. When the word comes totheperfon, in the Letter only , this is no fign of his ele6lion, but when it comes in power, and in the Holy Ghoft it is ; for to come in povver,and in theHoIy Ghoft,is mightily,and eflfed^ually to change and convert a perfon , and this the Apoftle makes an evidence of eledlion ; and queftionlefs , a copy of a man's eledlion cannot but be a caufe of great joy • Rejoyce (faith Chrift to his Difci- ples ) ihsit your names are written in heaven: Oh, what a com- fort is it to know that God from all eternity hath written and re- corded it down , This is the man whom I will have mercy 0n,and will glorifie to all eternity !
2. True Convcrfion , It is the fnguUr fruit of God's great It « a iintui^t Love^ and of his rich mercy to a mans foul , the fure token of J*""" °*' ^'^-^ great love : God hath a common love and mercy , and God hath
a choice love and mercy ; there are fome to whom he hath a great love, and unto whom he fliews rich mercy : Now Converfion is a drop out of that great Ocean ; the man is greatly beloved of God, who is converted by God. i Joh. 3. i. Behold wh^t manner of L$vethe Father hath beflomd onnSy that r»c (hould be
X X a ^ called
jAQ Cods gracious Acceptance
called the So>is of God, Eph. 2.4,^. Bnt Gsd^ypho Is rich inmir-^
cy.for hisgredt loie yvheremth he loved tu^ \\^,Eve?j when we were dead infms^ kath cjucksiedm. It brings z foul ?• True Converfion brings a fod tvtder f.Il the good And kind ander sll the LAKgHAge of God^ under the fm:les ef Gid'. All the Ordinan- fmiksaf God. ces are ^s ^l'lk, and Honey, ?nd Wine, and Oyle to a convert- ed man. The Word is a good Word to hkn, and the Sacrjim ent is a good Sacrament to him ; Why ! when an unconverted man hears of all the mercy , and kindnefs , and happinefs which God portions out for a converted finner ; I fay, when he hears of all chis , and gets but a lick or a taife of it upon the top of his Tongue, it'erfeds him, and makes him glad. Herod heard John Baptift^W/jK , and the ixony ^wund received the feed with /o^ ; and lliarl not the converted m.m, whofe due portion all this is, fhall not his heart have joy and gladnefs ? lliall ^ ftranger who peeps over into the Garden, and is afpeclator only at the Feaft, fhall he find a relilli? and lliall not he who hatk the Pofie at his Nofe fmell the fweetnefie ? lliall not he who eates at the Table , be filled with the ^ood- nefle, and fat, and m-^rrow, ana rejoyce , and bleffe G^ ? It IS the dafp 4- True Converfion, It is a CUfpe ^ the Golden Clafpetf of the Cove- that ezerlafiing Covenant of Gods Grace, Note here two nam of Grace things. i.' All the defireable delicacies of the foul arc treafured up in the Covenant of Gods Grace ; in it are contained all the gracious attributes in God, all the graci- ous affe6lions of God , all the gracious relations of God, all the gracious promifes and engagements o^ God. There you find the reconciled God, the merciful God , the par- doning God, the fin-fubduing God, the ftrengthning and helping God, the guiding and upholding God, the blelling and comforting God ; you cannot think of a mercy for the foul-, ef a mercy for the body, of a mercy for this life , of an happinefs after this life, but there it \s^ but there it is for you , but there it is afl'uredly for you. 2. Every converted perfon is in this Covenant ; Why ! the new heart, and the new fpirit , ( is not this Converfion ? ) are a very part ©f it ; Ez^ehi, -3,6^ i6, I will give them a nevo heart , and a ficvp li^rit : If this befo, tben certainly Converfion brings a perfon
xnt^
ef the Returning Prodigal, 54 1
into a very joyful condition. Mirk a little : If the mercies which miny receive only from P;ovidjnce do del'ght and pleafe them , Hiall not the mercies which men receive from Gods Covenant ple-ife and rejoyce th:m ? Bread is fweet to an hwngry m.m , out of vvhaifoever hand it comes; and is it not more fweet when it com^s out of the hind of love and kindnefs ? O Sirs ! even the ordinary mercies to a converted m.in,havea fweet difiinilion in them ; they are fo pcrfum :d , they are fo diitilled, they are fo carved, they are all of them the kifles of a father, the gifts of a gracious God. Every bit of Bread thou eatefi, aid every draught of Beer thou drinkefi, and every piece of Cloath thou wearefi, it is the fpecial provihon of thy moft gracious God, and thy lov- ing Father : If fome me royal mercy in th^ Corenant be able fometimes to fweeten an Ocean, to turn hell into heaven, to wipe off all tears , and put the foul almoft into anextafie of joy ; what rivers of joy then can the whole Covenant afford ? If the lifting up cf the light of Gods countenance upon the foul , ( which is but one beam of the Covenant ) if his faying to a man, Soul , I am thy Salvation ; if one word , Son , he of good cheer , thy fins are forgiven thee , im^'>rints a fuperlative comfort, a joy unfpeak.ible and full of glory; if one drop be fo f^veet, how fweet is the Foun- tain ? if one Grape , what is the clufter of Grapes ? Now not only this or that mercy in the Covenant belongs to a converted man , but every mercy , the God of all mercies , and all the mercies of God ; the God of all comforts, and all the comforts of God.
5. True Converiion, Jt is the inUUlble fore-runner^ the Izh&amhWU earnefly the pawn of Glory : the pledg vvhich God leaves in ^1* forerunner hand, the firll fruitsof thy eternal Glory in the h'gheft hea- °f S^o^l- vens ; and is nor this a caufe of great joy? if I look back, and fee a love from all eternity; if forward, and fee a glory to all eternity. Truly, if I lliould never taHe Honey on earth ; if all 0
the Wells of a prefent comfort were (topped up , if my Father iliould never fmileon me in the vvay,if all my Life were a fayling ow brinifh tears , and my Ship \vere ftill to be toflcd with tcoublefome waves ; yet , if I were fure at 'length td put jn at this Port, to come fafe to Heaven at length, toaopear
befcrc
342
Gods gracious AcceftAnce
AstoCbrii^*
bdfore the God of Gods at the la(i, to fee him in Glory, and enoy his face, and the pleafures at his right hand foe evermore, even this confidence and afliirance were enough to make me to re Joyce in the hope of the Glory of God. Oh Chrilfian , beiides all that joy which arifeth from converting grace ( which is it felf a Aveet Rofe ) and befides all thole Honey dewes which fall upon the foul in the exc^rcife of grace,, in the way to Hea\'en, ( Thou meeteft him that reojcsth And workjth rtghtesnfnejs , tho[e that remember thee In thy Tva-yes^ Ifai. 64. 5. ) There is alio refer ved in the higheli heave^ns , that moft perfect happinefs , that moft perfect tranquillity, that moft perfect joy ; Oh, Icannotexprefs it, I cannot com- prehend it. I Pet. I. 3. He hath begotten us again tints a lively hope, v, 4. To an inheritance incorrnpihle , and un- .defiled y and that faaeth mt away ^ reserved Inhe/ivenfor yon, *' Ponder the words \ an inheritance , the bell of poffeili- *' ons ; incorruptible , the beft of inheritances ; undefiled , *' the beft of incorruptibles ; unfading, the beft of undefileds ; '** and referved in heaven , the beft of unfadings : Nothing *'isfo furely kept as that which is kept in heaven for us, and ** born unto all ihis, and a lively hope of all this : Oh,what com- fort 1 Oh, what joy comes out of all this ! If I had all the world , and lookt up towards heaven, but my heart ftiould tell me, that goodly Canaan will never fall to thy pordon ; it would be now with me,as once with v^^^^,who, though he enfoyed a Kingdome, yet was very fad^ becaufe the heavens were ds Brafs to him. But in the midft of all diftrcffes to look up to Heaven, to think of God, and the future Beatifical Vifton, and upon infallible grounds, to fay, that God is my Father, that Heaven is my inheritance, that place of Glory is my home, there fhall I be lliortly, there fhall I be to eternity,! have die eameft of it,the pawn of it in my heart, the firft fruits, &c.
2. Secondly cXf to Chrlft : The converted condition can- not but be joyful,becaufe the converted perfon hsLih,i, A neer rela- tion toChrlfi ; Bone of his Bone. 2, tA,l^»gularprofrlfty In Chrlfi ; my beloved Is mlne^ &c. ; . An admirable revenue hy €hrlfl ; wonderful riches, of andbyChrift allarey§urs^ for se ^t Chrl/hs, 4. He Is h>ught by Chrlft^ and reconciled oy Chrift, and loved by Ckrift, and diichargedby Chrift, and
owned
-^ — ■ -
of the Returning Fredtgd, 343
owned by Chrift, and defended by Chrilt, and kept byChrijft, and lliall one day befaved by Chritt.
3. As to Coyjjcience : As a mans confcience is, fo is his comfort As to Canfci- or difcomfort, fo is his joy orlorrovv : One drop of an evil con- encc. fcience (faith Lmher) doth imbitter the whole Sea of worldly joy : , an evil confcience is an hell in the breR^and in hell (faid Latimer) there is no mirth.-and on the contrary, a good confcience it is a kind of heaven ;-, one good word from it will fwceten all our miferies, and caufe us to rcjoyce under all forrows. Solormn faith It Is 4 cmtlntfol feal^yix. is the year of J«^//^^;confcience fpeaks the truelt joy,and the Rrongeit joy, and the highelt joy, and no man hath a good confcience but a good man : Confcience cannot fpeak peace till a man be converted ; and when he is converted , confcience hath then a commiiTion and authority to look on the man,and fpeak to the man as God doth. When thou heareft of pardon of fins, Oh,faith confcience,hearken and be of good cheer,that s thy por- tion : when thou heareft of Jefus Chrift,and of hisfutferings,and . of his fatisfa6lions,and merits,hearken,faith confcience, and take hold,for all this alfo is thy portion ; when thou heareft the Co- venant of Grace gracioufly explained, and all the glories in hea- ven ; Oh, faith confcience, all this alfo is thy portion : when - thou art about to pray, and fears are intruding themfelves ; do not fear, faith confcience , thou art fpeaking to thy Father : when ^ thou art about to dye, and tremblings are upon thee, do not doubt or tremble , faith confcience , thou art going to thy God ; when , Satan fuggefts thou h-ift nothing to do with the mercy-feat, what, , fuch afinner ? thou haft,faith confcience; when unbelief fuggefts, Chrift will have nothing to do with thee , he will , faith confci- - ence.
Now , againft all that hath been faid ; it is obje6^ed, That the - affection of joy for a converted perfon cannot be true : Becaufc i.No perfons arefo expofed to aflBi6lions,and perfecutions,and in- famies as converted perfons.They are appointed to them, 1 Thcf. ^. And they that will live godly in Chrift Jefus , muft fuffer perfe- - cutions ; how can that condition be fo very joyful, which may, and oftentimes doth deprive a man of all his comf^ rts. 2. Con- - verfion brings the perfon into a narrow path,and under thef-lraiteft rules,even fuch as condemn^and cut off a vvorl J of pleafures, and del^hts 5 caia that condition be very joyful which denies us the
fruiticait
2^^ Cods gracious Acceptance
fruition of m.iny joyes and delights. r. Converfion breeds the
decpeli fenfe of lin, and the greatcllmcurning for fins ; Noth ng
mikes the heart more mournful then coiwertin^ grace. S^t Zach,
12. lo. Can that condition be fo very joyful, which m. ikes the
hear tfo exceeding mournful? 4. We iee no f crfons walk more
uncomtbrtably then ( at le.iif ) feme converted peribns : Yet the
elf ate is joyful,thou§h the man is not alwayes fo ; God^ii a God
of comforr, and they can pray for comfort ; comfort, O Lord ,
thy fervants foul ! But more fully.
How can this Oi;/^,i, Noperlonsare fo expofed to alHidlions andperfecu-
condi:ionbe tions as Converted perfons , and thefe do deprive us of joy and
joyful that is comfort.
lofxpofedto Tothslanfwer, i. Itisatruth that Converfion doth expofe * A f^"^'d. ^ p^rfon to m©ft alHidions and perfecutions.; Many are the ^Z- HioKS of thirlghteoHS^imh DAVidjViAr^^.i^, All that wl I Hive godly in Chrifi J ejus ^ mufi fhffer perfecationy faith Paul^z Tim. 5, 1 2 . F/7/V lucls^^^tFilti crucis^irid Chrifiianus is CrHCianfis((iid Lu- ther,) In the World yotifhall have tropthles (faid Chrill to his Difci- ples) and the Difclple ts r,ot above his Mafier ; if the Mafter dyed upon the Crofs,is it much that the Difciple take up the Cfcfs ? Ne- verthelefs in the fecond place , as it was emblemed in Reverend Hoofers MoitG^ There was a Li^mb in a £.iming Bulli, with the Sun fliining upon it; or as it was with the three Chil- dren , though they were in a fiery Furnace , yet the Son of God walked with them, and preferved them: So, though converted perfons meet with many affli6lions , there is yet a fpring of joy, a Sun of comfort open unto them ; therefore heed me.
I. AfjUBionsaKdferfecmions dornlj take away theChrlftians
Affl^a^ons on- ^,^^^^^^ comforts : The Shell,not the Kernel ; the Cafe, not the
their outwfrd Jewel ( which neither make nor marr the joy and comfort
comforts. of a converted perfon ) they do not take away tha true prin-
" ciples of comfort. There are three forts of comforts ; Senfual ;
which are drawn out of our finfuJ luRs ; Converfion is an enemy
to thefe : Senfiive ; which' are drawn out of the creatures; a fflidi-
on is an enemy to thefe: Sflrltmly which are drawn out of the
favour of God, the blood of Chrill, theTell'monyof a good
confcience ; atBi6lions cannot hinder thefe, and only a finful un-
convirfion is' an enemy to thefe : Tke Winter freiezeth up the
of the Returning Prodigal,
_ ,345_.
Ponds, bun not the Ocean i the winds bloTV out the Candle, but not the Sun : An Unconverted man n^ay have an exemption from all outward Afflidlions, and yet have no inward Joy ; fo: although he hath peace with men, yet he hath no peace with God ; and although he hath no trouble upon his Ethte, yet he may have terror upon his Confcience. But a Converted man, al- though he be compafled with out\Yard Sorrows , neverthelefs he hath inward Joy ; though all the Candles be blown out, yet I am Comforted as long as the Sun doth lliine. There are two forts of evils ; there are mala trlftia^ dr mala turfia : affli6tL- ons are only Sorrowful evils as to our fenfc, they are not Sin- ful evils as to our confcience. Now no evil is able to take away fpiritual comfort, unlefs it be a i^nfuU evil ; I confefs, that did a godly man look upon creature comforts as his ifomm uhimtim^ as that which made him happy, then afHidlions would be incon- fifient with his joy, he might well cry out, as Micah onc^y Te have takjn away my gods^ and what have I more ? But he doth not fo : It is not the Creature, but^the Creator , which is the foundation of his Happinefs and joy. A man may be Bad Who hath them, and Good who wants them : // tve had hope tnly in this life (faith the Apottle, \Cor.\^.) yoe were of aR men the mo ft miferahle, I with that you would or could give credit unto two things, one is. That that only m:ikes the efkte comfortable which denominates it to be good ; for nothing can be truly de- lightful, but what is truly good. The other is. That there is a greater power in the prefence of the chiefeft good to make the Soul joyful , then there can be in the recefs or abfence of the leaft kind of g^od to make it uncomfortable. Were Aflfli6lions the greateft evils, and were Creatures the beft good, then joy j
could not confift with afflidlions ; but God is the chiefeft good, and the Chriftian enjoyes him under all affli6lions as his infepa- rable good; ^rgo, 2. As AfHicVions do not take off the Times of af--'
Chriftians true joy, fo the times of ajjilcilons are oft times the mofi flift ions arc bis frofer feafoMS for joy and comfort t9 hu foul. There are three ^^^ proper fealons of fpecial comforts which God is pleafed to referve for ^"^°°* ^°^ ^'^' his fervants , one is after great temptations^ or to prepare againft them ; as that Voice, 7%is u my well he loved Sony came to Chrift immediately before bis temptation. The fecofld is, ^fter
Yy great:
^a6 €odsgrAcms Acccftanee
' ffCM HtimiliMions. God who csmfons them that Are eafl dovf^y
iutn Paul y 2Cor.j.6. The Angel comforted Chriii after his Agony ; the Cordial comes after the Phyfick. The third is, before and under great affi61:ions and tryals; Paul vvas.to appear before Neroy but firit God appeared to him fayir;gy Be of good c heer Paul . He u come^ he is co % ^ , faid the Martyr when nefaw thefta^e; and^re-p^f^ [aw heaven opened before he dy- ed. The comforts of heaven ci^me into his heart juR before theflones were thrown at hm to daili out his brains. 2 Cor, 1.3. Bjjfed kGtdy even the Father of oar Lord Jefns Chri/}, the Father of mercies ajid God of all comforts , who comforteth HS in all our trlbtilaiions ; for as^ our fujferings ahoHndy fo our C9nfolationahomdeth through Chrifi, Is not the night afeafon to light a Candle ? and is not weaknefs the feafon to give a Cordial ? and is not the winter a feafon to make a Fire ? When doth or can the Chriiiian more need the comforts of God, then when all comforts en earih do fail him ? ^. As afflictions /ffliaions dejrrive not the ChrilHan of the true principles of Joy, fo r.ei- cannoc hinder ^^^ ^^^ they hinder thofe principles in himfelf from aBing in a way ©fYoV'from^ (>f comfort. There are two principles (efpeciallyj in theChri- aamginaway ftian which enable h^m to joy and cemfort : One is Faith i of ccmfori. It is ttill Day,and never Night with Faith ; the Star fhines bcft in the night ; (Believing ye rejoyced with joy unfpeakahle andfuK if Glory^ I Pet.i.8.) iSJow Faith can aa very comfortably in uncomfortable times; it can fee the fame God, with the fame Love, and in the fame Covenant, and in the fame Relation, in Adverfity as in Profperity: i/^^.^.iy. ^Although the Fig-tree jhoill not hlojfomey T^c. yet I will rejoyce in the Lord^ &c, Rom. J. 3. And not only foyhut we glory in tribulation^ &c, i Sam.ip.^^ the people fp^ke of ftoning him, ^t David encouraged himfelf in the Ltrd his God. Rom.8. 35. J^ho fhall feparate us fnm the love ofChrifi ? &c. If even in afflictions I can go unto the fame armes of Chrift, and unto the fame breftsof divine Love, and into the fame chamber of Prefence ; if I can look upon God as my God, and fee him to be my Father, that I can make known my heart toh?m, and he can make known his favour to me, what (hould hinder me new to be Joyful, who ftrll do en- joy him who ("alojae) makes all my joy? Another is, the
Tefiimo"
cf the Returning ?rodigd, 347
TeHlmony of Cortfclence ; This is the Friend in adverfity. This' is onrrejoyc'iyjg^ even the teHtmony of o^r Cor^fclerjce^ 2 Cor. I. 1 2. Conlcience is a mins night or day, his Hell or I:feaven, his Palace of delight or Jail of bitternefs ; If Conlcience be fan6):i[ied or pacified, itcanfpeak a peace or joy that none can cruili ; none can hinder, but under the greateft afflid: ons and perfecutions a converted man may and doth enjoy theteftimony of a good Confcience : Thou art uf right y fa'th Confcience to Hfz.ekjah on his fick-bed ; Thoitfeareft 6ody faith Confcience to J oh under the lofs of all ; Thou loveH Chrifty faith Confci- ence to Pau/y even in the Prifon.
Ohjea, 2. Now to the fecond Objec^lion, That converting brin^uHntr Grace brings the perfon into a narrow path, and under the ftri- amfrow path, 6Vett rules, even fuch as condemn a multitude of joys and de- i: i$ an enemy lights ; how can that condition be fo joyfull, which denies and to many dc- abridgeth, drc ? Sol, To this I anfwer. ^ ^'&^"-
1. It is granted, That converting Grace brings the perfon in- Anfwercd. to a very narrow path, and under very ftrid rules. A converted There is a man mufl not walk as other men ; he mull not al!ow himfelf to ftriancfs re- think, and defire, and love, and fpeak, and a6l as formerly ; 4^"<a» He mufl: fear to fin, he muH love the Lord with all his heart, and
with all his foul, and with all his might ; he mui\ order kis fleps by the Word of God ; he muft deny himfelf, and cmciRQ his -^
deareft lults, and not fhun the hardeft duty, nor delight in the lesft iniquity.
2. But then, Thi^ ftrl^lnef is no adverfary t>o his trite joy. Ik This ftrldneft kjeplfjg of thy commandments there is great reward^ faith David-, '^ noadverrary Pfal, I p. II. Great peace have they who lovethj lawy Pfal. 119. ^^ ^^"^ ^^^' 16%, As many as yvalk^accordlng to this rule^ peace Jpi en them^
and mercy upon the Ifrael of Gody Gal. 5. 1 5. I bcfeech you to confider four things : i. Let thine own Confcience judge ^ whether it he not a more comfort ahk courfe to ohey Gody then to dlfobey God ? to have grace to ferve God acceptably, then to have an heart Rill free and ready todiilionour and provokeGodPWho hath moft true comfort, the bones found and in place, or broken ? to walk on the Land, or to be troubled at Sea ? the Child who runs away from his Father, or the Child who waits upon his Father ? the Child that defires to pleafe, or the Child that continues to grieve and vex ? the wandring and famished Prodigal, or the returning
Yy 2 and
54.8 ^^^^ Gracious Acceptance
and embraced Son. Hof, 2. 7. / wii/ return to my firfl Husband-^ {or tien it was better with me then now. 2. Rightly underhand what it u ftn^ilj to wa'k^ with God ; It is an endeavour in your affe6lions and duties to draw near to God in ail well-plevifing, and to anfwer txhe will of God. The ChriiHans courfe of obedi- cnce,it is his daily communion with his God in this life : When thou prayert, what is Praying, but a divine conference of the foul withGod ? ai\d when thou hearefi, what is this but a di- vine conference of God with the foul? and when thou repent- di, what is that but a recovery and return of the foul to .God ? and when thou believeft, what is that but the recumbency of the foul on the goodnefs of God ? and when thou receiveft the Sacra- ment, what is it^ but a communion, a feafling with Jefus Chrift ? If a ftri6l walking be nothing but a divine and heavenly com- munion with God, why doeft thou, how dareii thou to judge of it as the onely Bar to iliut out all joy and comfort ? Was there ever any affeiiionate Wife, that thought it an injury to her Joy to fpeak with her Husband, or to enjoy the fociety of her Huf- band ? Was there ever any faithfull Friend, who thought it a mifery, a burthen to enjoy xh^ fociety of his Friends, to open his heart unto his Friend ? How then can it be a prejudice to any mans joy, to enjoy communion with his God ? 3. Con- fult with experienccy which hath travelled in the ftrid ways of God ; either thine own experience, ( if any,) which day of thy life kath been clofed up with heartieft joy ? whether the day of iicentioufnefs, or the day of ftri6hiefs ? That day which thou hafl let out to thy lulis,haih made the night a trembling to thee; that day which thou hail redeemed for walking with God, hath always given unto thee the fweeteft refi and repofe at night : ' The experience of godly people ; have any of them ever found more foul rejoycing then when they have abounded in ftri^left obedience ? This is thy burthen, but it is their ddight ; the pureft walking hath diftilled the fweetel^ joy, and their loofer walking hath been thecaufe of their grcateft forrows. It is with a ftri6t ChrilHan as with the Sun, which ftill keeps to the Ecliptiquc Line, and is of all the Stars the moft glorious and comfortable when it is at the highefl; and the higher Sun,the purer and warm- er light : And it is with the loofe Chriftian as with the uneven fdot, the wry fteppiBgis thecaufe of unj5ynting,or pinching and
paining.
of the Returniiig Prodigal. 3 49
paining. 4. The firiciwalk^i^gy what is it but a path te ever-^ • lasting life ? every ikp of it is a liep to heaven. Strait is the gate which leads unto life^ faith Chrilt ; There is an eafie way for m^n to walk in, but that s the way to hell, and what comfort is it, afccr all to go to hell, to go to hell with eafe. There is* a ftrict way for men to walk in, but it is the way to life, to eternal life : NovY even that alone is fu fHcient to create joy, that thefe ileps after a while Will bring me to appear before the God of Gods in Sion ; and truly, there is no end whatfoever, the which if it be ( in it felf ) amiable and comfortable, but it darts alfo an amiablenefs and comfortablenefs upon all the Heps and paths which tend unto it,
3. Laftly, CorwertingGrace doth not condemn or deny any law- Convertinz ■ f till joy and comfort : It doth onely two things ; i. It abfo- grace denies lutely condemns and abridgeth the foul of man of all finfull joys, "oc any lawfull of joys and delights which arife from his finfuU lufls and ways ; i^^* and is it not the great goodnefs of Cod, to deny us leave to drink cups of poifon, and glafles of hell ? Or is it poilible that any Chriftian iliould fet up finfull lulls for his fouls delight ? The Lord be merciful! to thee, that fin fhould be thy delight, which is a departing of the poor foul from God, which is an incenfing of the wrath of God, which was fuch a dreadful! burthen to Je- fus Chrift, which puts tlie foul under the wrath and curfe of God ; one a6l whereof muft coft more then all the world is worth to pardon it, 2. It doth onely order our outward 1 a wfull joys and delights, for the feafons, for the meafures, for other circum- ftanccs ; fo that they may be our fauce, not our food ; our helps to Godlincfs, not damps thereto : It is but the Bridle on tlie Horfe, the Pale for the Garden, the Finger on the Dial. Con- verfion abridgeth us of no delight, but of that which to want is a true delight; and fo orders the reft, that you maynotlofe Convcrfion^ -' delight. makes us
Ob':eH, :?. Conver/ion breeds the quickeR fenfe of (ifi, and mournful for the dcepeft mourning for fin, yea, a continual mourning for fin, ^"' ?"^*!-°^^ makes the clouds to drop, never mournful! till converted ; and "^y" can that condition be fo joyful! which makes the heart fo mourn^ Anfwcted. ]
full ? . T^ue grace
To this I anfwer, i. It is certain, that true grace i. doth makes the M-^ke the fle^refi- difcovery of fn : z. Jp yields the tendered fenfe ^"" 1"°"^^* 5
J JO Oods gr actons Acceftarics
ofjifty (ioi it takes avvay the heart of ftone; and gives an h^art of fleflij and nothing m.ikes the heart more mournfull, then true grace. E K this h not ^' ^^^^ ^^^^^ knovv, that moHrnwg for fm anA jojf in the heart iiiconlitknc ^^^ ^^ ^^^7 inconft stent. Ifai 12. 3. ;^/V/j ;<?/ (h(iU je drarv wa^ \i^iib joy. ter out of the wells of falvation, • Three things 1^ would grant,
I. Thatloveof fin and true joy are inconfittent ; 2. Worldly forrovv and fpiritual joy are inconfiiknt ; 3. That terrour for fin and joy of heart are inconfiftent ; Legal terrour and Evan- gelical joy are fo, but Evangelical forro.v and Evangelical joy are not fo *, for as one grace is eonfiiknt with another grace, fo one heavenly atfe6lion is confident with another heavenly affe- 6lion. And there are three things which ( to me ) fully con- vince,ThatEvangelical mourning is confi(-tent with Spiritual joy : One is. That fuch a mourning is but a drop out of the eye of faith ; They fha/l loo'<^ ufon him whom they have fierce d^ and mourn-i Zach. 12. 10. and certainly, nothing comes from faith, but what is comfortable ; all is Gofpel that Faith trades in. Another is, That the mourning heart is ^ renewed heart, and ve- rily the gracious heart is a joyoui heart. The third is, That the mourning finner is a pardoned finner ; ( Cum intueor flentem^ fentis ignofcihllem^) if the fountain of forrow be fet open in the heart, the fountain of mercy is fet open in heaven, Zach. 12.10. compared with chap. 13. i. Yea let me add to this alfo three experiences : i. One is this. That the Christian is ^evermore fad and mournfully then when he feels his heart lea ft mourn full : He is then c-aft down ; O ( faith he ) into vvhat a condition am I brought ? I was wont to find a tender, fenfible mourning fpirit ; but mc thinks now my heart is grown hard again :• O Lord, why am I now hardened frc^n thy fear ? And the man never gives over with God and himfelf, until tendernefs be renewed in his heart again. 2. Ihat the Christian Is never more joyfull , then when he is mo ft mournfull : Blef- fed are they that faw hepdes all TVaters ^ faith the Pro- phet. Blejfed are they that mourn^ for they (hall k csmfort- edy faith Chrift. They that fow in tears (kail reap in joyy faith David. Godly forrow is the Water that- is turn- ed into Wine ; One drop of a guilty Confcience is a-ble - to turn all our Joyes into Bittcraefs , and one drop of
godly
" — ' m ■ ■■ iwiiiMi ■ I
of the Rettirning Prodigal, . jj i
godly forrovv is able to turn all our bitternefs into joy. / rejojcfy faith Paul, thdt I miUeyouforry ; what c^ufe then had they to rejoyce.who were forry ? forry after a godly fort ; forry with a for- ro.v that bred repentance unto falvation , never to be repented of. ^. That the Chrifiia^ is never more mournful then when he ts mofi joyful : The time of a Chriftians higheft joy, is the tim
of his greatelt aflurance : Sealing and affuring times are the foul- raifmg and reviving times. And the times of greateft aflurance, are the times of our greatett mournings .• The more manifefta- tion of Cods Love, and the more aflurance of Gods Mercy,do ever caufe in the heart more Humility and more forrow ; here is now the greateft joy for mercy, and here is now the greateft mourning for finning againfi mercy.
ObjcB^, 4. We fee noperfons to walk more fadly and moreun- ^j ^umo per- comfortably then (at leaft) many do who are converted perfons, |?"^ ^^^ ^^^^ Ergo. To this give me favour to anfwer more fully : i . This ^^^J^^ p^^vcTm' is ^FalfeCharge^ and a very unjuft Calumny : take the divifi- Anfwcred, onsof the fons of men according to the diveriity of their fpi- ItisaFalfc ritual conditions, compare men with men, according unto them, Charge and I dare confidently affirm. That no condition is more dread- fully fad then the condition of men Unconverted ; and no con* dition is more comfortably cheerful , then the condition of men truly Converted ; let's a while perufe the phrafes and in- ftances of fuch. Me thinks the terrible paflages in Scripture may abundantly convince us of the dreadfulnefs of' an Uncon- verted and wicked pcrfon> Ifa.5'7.20. The wicked are like the raging fea that cannot refiy whofe waters caft up mire and din, ver.2i. There is no peace ^ faith my God^ to the wicked. Job 20. i^, 17, 2:^, '•4,25. there Zophar {qIs him out: Hefhallfuck^ the gall of y^fpSj and the Vipers tongue fhall flay him. He fhall not fee the Rivers^ ntr the floods and fireams of Honey and Butter, when he is about to fill his belly , God fhall fend upon him the fiercenefs cf his wrath , and (kail caufe it to rain upon him. The bow of Steel fhall ffrik^ him through , the gliftring fword cometh out of his gall , terrors are upon him, Pfal. 11.6. XJprn the wicked he fhall rain fnares y fire and brtmftone^ and an horrible tempefi •. this fhalt be the portion of their cup. Again , did you ever read of any one godly and converted perfon who fell into that horrible ddTpair
as
Gods gracims -Acceptance
as Cain or ^ndas did ? B,ut take the hardetl agonies incident to true converts, they are i. rather fears then horrours j 2. rather doubts then defpairs ; 3. effeds of a milhking Confeience ..then a righily condemning Confcience ; 4. They can look to- wards the Promifes, as Jo;^^/? did in the deeps towards God; 5. Faith 'doth doth a6l for relief, and will hold fome cominunioa. with God: 6. They are abated by the Ordinances ; 7. They are but for a time ; 8. They end in fullefl fetling and glorious comforts, andlikewife wi:th advantage to their gracious conditi- on. And truly, it is impodible that wicked and ungodly men iliould ever enjoy that ferenity and peace as the §odly do, for as much as all the principles and caufes of uncomfortablenefs abide on the wicked. i, Sm is In them in all its flrength : They have a thoufand hells and arrows cf guilt flicking in their hearts ; they have fouls full of plague fores, the deadly ftrokes of death, the reftlefs motions of evil fpirits. 2. They carry a roaring Lion in their hreftsy I mean, an evil, acculing, fmi- ting, wounding, racking, condemning Confcience ; which if it once awake, it vvill tear the caul of their hearts, and crulli them with the flames of unavoidable, unfuppor table and continual wrath. 3. 7 he J have no City qJ Refuge ojento their fucc our y no land or fliore, no place to caft anchor, no portion in Chrift ; and therefore the Law of God ftands in full force againlt their fouls, and under its curfe they lie, and at that Bar of Juftice mull they be tried. 4. Ihey end in an eternal and -ferfeU: Hell. 5. Take them at their beft, God is their Enemj^ (th^y never yet made peace with him,J and all their outward blejjlngs fire flee-ped in gall^ and drenched in Wormwood ; as their forrows, fo their bleflings are diftributed in wrath. Many convert- 2* Many converted ferfons are not really fad and uncom- Old pcrfons arc fortable^ but onely feem fo to the mean and childifh opinions of vain not really fads f^en^ 2 Cor. ^. 10. jis forrowfull^ yet always re joycing. The they onejy j^y ^^ Chriftians is an hidden joy, ( Hidden Mmnay Revel. 2. 20.) it is a fpiritual joy to which thou art a ftranger, meat t© eat which thou knoweft not of. Suppofe that thou rejoyceft not in a fine Baby, and a Toy, which is a Childs great delight, art thou therefore fad .? All obje6ls yield not contentment to an high mind, nor joy to a good man ; he cannot take pleafure in an Alehoirfe and Taverw, in fwaggering and masking, in dicing
and
of the Returning Prodigal, ^ ^ ^
and carding, and ivv'earing, ' and whoring ; but yet he can take delight in a reconciled uod, inaChriii, in the Word otGod, in praying to God, in gracious returnes trom God, in expectati- on of Jie Glory of God. A fwine deligh:s in mire, but a man doth not. Tlie Moon is oft times dark to the world , when yec that part which faceth to the Sun is beautiful andlightfome : The countenance and carriage of a ChrilHan, as to the world, feems dull and uncomfortable, but if you could lo.k into the heart of him (which faceth towards heaven) O there is Righteoufnefs, there is PeAce, there is joy in the Holy C hort '
^, If any cerrverted ferfons hefad-^andwant a^ual joy and com- If thty be fad, fort^ yet their Corrverfion is not the canje thereof , Can the Sun be Convcrlion is any^cauie of darknefs ? But, amonglt others, thefe arethe Cau- ^^\ ^^' "^^* fesofitj Either i. Thy Hnconv£rfion. It is the unconverted husband, child, mafter, which makes fadnefs in the heart of the converted wife, father, &c. Itis thy drunkennefs, thycurfing and fwearing, thy fcorning and fcofting , thy refining and iliift- ing the offers of Grace, thy lying and ilandering, thy pride and loofnefs which makes the hearts of Miniikrs ready to break, and the hearts of thy godly friends ready to fink in them ; O they tremble at thy condition, and they grieve to fee God fo extreme^ • lydiihonou''ed.. Ifal.iip. 136. Rlvsrs of tear jjrpm down mine eyes^ becanfe they keef not thy Law, ver. 1 58. W^eheld the tranf- greffors and was grieved^ becaufe they kept not thJfVord. 2 Pet. 2, • 7,8. The wicked deeds of the ungodly Sodomies vexed thefonl of righteous Lot, Luke 19.41. Jt sw as Jerfifalems proud obilinacy, that wo ft Id not ky.ow in her da^y the things which concerned her peace^ that made Jefta- Chrifi to weep, 2 , Their Captivities to fm, Pauls converfion did ne\'er trouble him, but this did trouble him, that he didthe evil which he wohU «or;his Corruption,not Converfion; That the Law of his members led him captive again'^t the Law of his mind, lt\y^s not Peters Converfion^ hut Peters tray/fgrejjfion, that mide him go forth and weep bitterly. It was not Davids Cornier fion^ but Davids great finning^ which made him go fo hea- vily, and roirfo greatly, Pfal.T^z, :?. The Fears and Suf- pitions that vhey are not yet truly converted. 0 wretched man that I amy who [hail deliver me f'-om this body of de^th ! O they feel fomany vvo.k'ng Corruptions ftill, and folittle^pf the ftrength of Ghriftftill, and fo much unbelief ftill, and fopany indifpofiti-
Zz / cni.
^iTA " Gods gracious Acceptance
^ ons ftilijand To m.iny failings ftill,and To many doubis about thefe;
This urace is not right^tiiiv; favmg Work is not begun ; and tiiefe tilings make them -o iigh, and Wv^ep, and go heavily all the d^y long. 4. The ^ are hnt newly creft out of the jke/l : The
Spirit of^ Bondage is yet hdrdly worn crt, feme legal Dmts ftick on them : they are either ftillm travel, or but ncvvly delivered ; Or it they be got out of the ftate of Bondvige, yet they are for ihe prefeni under I'piritud conflicts ; and as ipiritual Bondage before Converlion, fofpiritual conflicts after converfion fufpends the tafie of a prefent and adlual joy : Or if that be not the damp, then perhaps it is fome ignorance or unexperience ; they are not yet come to read their Fathers Will and Chriits Teiiament5vvhat portion is left and laid cut for the Children of God : Ox if that be notlt, then perhaps it is a prefent fit of unbelief, they camiot yet be perfvvaded that God means fo much mercy, and fo much love, and fo many great things for them. Vje I. Is itfo, That C onverfion brings the perfon into a very joyful
Information. Condition ? Hence then i. We may be Informed of four
things, They are rnc- I. That they are enemies to their joy and comfort ^ who are ad- tnies to their verfarles to their Converfion, Prov. 1.22. How long ye fmfle ones j®y, who ?r£ y^lU ye love fimfllclty-^ and ye Scorners delight In f cor mng^and fools Conmlicn. ^^^^ kr<owledg ? Six things flievv one to be in an unconverted condition; Unfenfiblenefs, Love of fin, Path of evil, hatred of Reformation, defpifingthe Means of Converiicn, loathing of Ccnverted-Perfons. There are fome perfons who hate to be re- formed, who hold fall their iins, and will not let them go ; they arelikethofeftiff-necked Jewes, who^/ji^^/fj reft fled the Holy Ghojl ; a difobedient people to the Call of God, they refufe to put their necks into the yoak of Jefus Chrifl:,and will not be bound with his cords ; They love their finful wayes, and will not re- turn to the Almighty : Why ! JVme that man chlldlefs , faid God o'iCenlah ; So I fay of thefe men, Write them comfortlefs: Will theLord lye for you } Or will he mifplace his hands for you? • Peaceis theetfe6tof righteoufnefs, and Joy is the fruit of Con- verfion. And fhalt thou have pleafure,who takeft pleafure in un- righteoufnefs ? Shalt thou know the wayes of Peace, who wilt not "know the path of Holinefs ? Did ever God fmile on him who ";iiated God ? Ox dafp him VYith joy, who defpifed his grace with
hatred ?
of the Returning Prodigal, jjj
hatred ? Go enquire and fearch all the Springs of joy, and knock at all the Gates of pleafure, dih'gently ask, What of'deh'ght they contain for thee ? Knock at the n,€rcj-fi(^t^ which is the Gate of God, and ask ; Lord, had thou not j'-y for one who will go on in his fms, and will not return unto thee ? No (^faith God) not any; hut he whoforfakss his f'/isfhall have mercy , and he who hardens his heart {hall fall into mifchlef Prov. 28. i :^, 14. Knock at the Goffely which is the gate of Chrill: , and ask ; Blefled jefu, hall thou no word of comfort for him who refifts thy fpirit , and will not come in unto thee ? No not I (faith Chrilt; not any ; thou dcfpirell the goodnefs of God , and by thy Imfenitency and hardnefs^ treafnrefi unto thy felf wrath againfi the day of wrath. Knock >^ con fcience J which is the gate oi^ thine own foul, and ask ; O co.nfcience, Ivft thou not a word of peace to fpeak to one who loves his fins, and is an enemy to God and godiinefs ? Who, 1, faith confcience! not I ; thou art an enemy of righteoulnefs , andin Lhegall of bitternefs, and exxept thou repent , thou llialt certainly periOi. Knock at the Scrlfturesy which are the Gate of truth , and ask ; May not the wicked and uncor,verted perfon fuck at the brefts of your confolation ? are not th /e wells of falvation open for me to draw joy and comfort out of ? Oh no, , fay the promifes, we are childrens bread, and legricies for fons ; if thou be a believer , we are a Fountain opened for thee ; if thou be an unbeliever , we are a Fountain fealed againft th^e. Knock at r.\\(^ Creatures^ which are the Gate of Pr^ovidence , and ask ; Have ye no CommilTion of Comfort for one who cares not to remember his Creator ? O no,fay all the Creatures, Sin long ago hath call thee out of Paradifc , and turned the earth into a curfe, and thy bleifings arecurfed, and thy linnings do poifon all the flowers in our Garden unto thee. Nay, Knock at thy very Sins , which are the Gate of Hell, and ask them ; Ye of all 0- ther are my deareil: friends, and choiceft makers, and hive ye no Joy es and Comforts for me ? O yes, fay they, we have, but they are forbidden fruit ,but they arepleafures of fin for a feafon, but ihey will end in everlafting torments and forrow. Thus is every wicked and unconverted man in T^/W condition, who cryed out. Behold^ thou hafi: driven me out this day from the face of the ear th^and from thy face fh all I he hld^andl (hall he a fugitive and a vagabond In theearthyG^n.^A^,
r
55^ . Gods Gracious Acceftance
2. That the J are eyiem'es and jlandercrs of the goodness a,nd dcrer^sof ^^' f'^^^^'^^f^ ^f the wajes of Gody who load the efiate of Convert on fwcetnti's of '^^^^^ ^^'^ ^^^^ igKomlnio'is reproachjs of faidnefs and heav'mefs • and G^ds ways, mopilhnd's, and m^lancnoly, and bitcernefs, and gravv oi all who ibos re- joy andpleafure: A-; the 5/;;V/ of oid traduced thegooJ and plea- prosch cne ftate |-^j^|. j^j^^ ^f Ca aan^ which al?9'.irJsd with mllk^ andhony^ O it / * * was a land that did eat up the Inhabitants thereof ; But as God fpake once to -Aaron and Adlriam^ Haw were je not afraid to ffeak^agalnfi my fervant Mofes } To I to thefe ; How are ye not atraid to reproach the vvayes of the living God ? Is not God the God of comfort ? Is no' ChriR the conlolation of Ifrael ? fs not the Holy Gholt the comforter ? are not the Scriptures writ- ten for our confolation ? are not the Promifes the breads of Con- folation ? are not all the pathes of Wifdome pathes of pleafant- nefs ? are not the Graces of God the very beds of Spices ? Is not the peace of Confcience a peace that pafleth all underftand- ing ? Doth David find the Word fypeeter then the hony comb ? Doth fob find it better then his appointed foed ? Doth Jeremiah find it the Rejoyclng of his heart ? Doeft thou read of fo m my Converted perfons in Scri'.^ure full of joy and gladnefs, rejov- cingin Chrifi, rejoyclng in the hope of the Glory of Gody re iy^ clng in Iro'dbleSy in PerfecHtlenSy yea, in Death itfelf^ and yet d^xdl thou to revile andfcandalize the converted mans condition as the only fea of Bitternefs, and darkeit night, eclipfing all joy and comfort ? I pray thee to confider, i . This doth arlfe from the gall of thy wicked and imblttered Splrlty hiting and defpifin^ the goodly excellencies of holinefs and holy perfons. 2. It doth fhew a, cur fed heart to call good evil y as it doth to call evil good; and as he that jufiifiesthe wlckedy fo he that condemns the jtifly is an abomination to the Lord ; How much more then, he who condemns Righteoufnes itfelf. :?. This doth flievv TmUnt^ verfal rage agalnft Gods glory and mans happlnefs ; So heavily doft thou load the pathes of Converfion, that fo much as in thee lies, thou diffw ideft and difcourageft all the men on earth from leaving off theT fins,fo that God lliall have no Glory from them; . nor they any true happinefs from God. 4. And laftly.-Take heed leafi- God deal with theey as once he did with the lying fptes ; fhut them out of Canaan^ anddeffroyed them with a remarkable Judg- ment.
3.. That
^
of the Returning Prodigal. 357
2. That they have hitherto deluded and deceived themfelv^s ^^ ' I r ,r ' n 1 r 1 . r They who nc-
with jalje joj/y in ft cad of true joy^ who as yet never jaw a csn- ^^^ ^^^.^ ^^^^
verted condhioH, All thy mirth .ind joy hath been but falie fire; vcrced, celude amadnels, nota joytulneis ; fparklesof thy o>vn kindling; thcu .hemfelvcs \\\{\ fed on the husks all tiiis while, on a fancy, on a Dre.im ; ^^^^^ ^*^'*^ i^J^» thou haft never in ail thy life took in one draught of true oy, nor ever ihalt thou, till God convert thy foul. Take heed of fetling your fouls, or relling your fouls on any works, or on any affedions which are antecedent to converfiop, even the forro.vs and troubles before converfion are no matter of joy and ccm- fort ; if any joy depends on them, it is rather becaufe conver- fion hath followed them ; and the joys which many men take be- fore their converfion, certainly they are falfe joys, poor joys, they are not ple^^fures of Gods right hnnd. There are three pro- perties of true Joy : i. It is not the Vf)cr which goes before, but the Handmaid that follows after Grace. 2. It is not a Stir- fet to dcidy but a Cordial to ftrengthen ; and it is not a Feaft to fatisfie, bat a 5^jv^ff to quicken communion with God. g. It is not ^temptation to fin, but upholds againfl: the new temptations of fin. True Joy never goes before true Grace, but follows ic Do you ufe to gather fruit before you plant, or reap before ye fovv.
4. Then if ever yen wotdd have joy , and live joyful! If you wouli lives ^ get converted hearts. Every man deures joy ; and as the ^*^^ ^"^^^ ^^ Bee hunts for honey, fo do men naturally hunt for delight ; u^^Jr^ u »ri^A tt nKifA ant jHCHnde aut non ommno. Let the thing Of ' condition be what it will, if we take no delight m '\X^ it is a bur- then to us : Heaven would not be Heaven to him who cannot find delight in it. Now C^onverfion is the true path to true joy. If God would be pleafed ( once ) to convert thy foul, his converting Grace would lick thy fores, and pull out the ftings in Confcience, and fweeten the bitter Springs, and clear the Hea- vens to thee ; it would make thy bed to be eafie, and thy bread tobcfweet, and thy condition to be a Paradife ; even the Wil- dernefs fhould drop honey to thee, and thy heart lliould fing for joy. It is a witty paft'ige of Bernards^ ( de bonis deferendis ) Be willing to facrifice thy ICuCy and thyK^^c (hall live, IfaaCy you know, fignifies laughter ; do but facrifice thy finfull pleafure, and then thy true pleafure fLali not die, but live, Cains gave
unto
5^8 gods gracious Accepanee
unto A griff a a Chain of Gold which was as heavy as the Chain of Iron that he endured in ti\z Priion : Sins do [. ut upon us a Chain of Iron, which if we would forfake. Con verlion would \ ut upon us a Chain of Gtld ; thou iliak not lofe, but better thy pleaiures, by forfaking of thy (ins and the pleafures of them. Ok that all the joys which you have heard attending.a converted condition, m'ght allure all our hearts to become converted per- lons. I obferve five things about the converted condition in Scripture. i . The j^^vit^tio^ unto it^ and there joy prefents it felf ; Turn and live^ turn and live ; hearken diligently unto me^ md eat ys thai which Is goody and let jow foul delight it felf infatnefi If a. 55. 2. 2. Th^ e/a ranee Intotty and there joy einbr.iceth the perfon .- As^foon 2s the l-Todig:il Sonreiurned, his Fat her f aw him a far off-, ( O how quick is Mercy to efpy a Con- vert!) and had con^fajfiony (O how tender is Mercy to yern over a Convert I ) and ran^ ( O how fwift is Mercy io receive a Con- vert ! ) and fell on his necJ^^ ( O how how out-ftretching is Mer- cy to embrace a Convert ! ) and klffed hlm^ ( O how kind is Mercy to entertain a Convert \ ) ^. The motion or conrfe of
ity and there joy attends the perfon : / harje rejojcedy faith Da^ vidy Pfal. 1 1 p. 1.4. in the way of thy teftimonles^ '^ much m in all riches. When a converted man doth A/e-^/V^/-^, his medita- tion is ftiled fweet ; Hear^ he hears with Joy ; when they heard this they were glad : Pray^ this is a fweet incenfe to David ; jird I mil make them joyfuUinmy houfe of frayer^ Jfa. 56. 7. Believe^ he doth believe and rejoice : Mourns there is appointed thzoyl of joy for mournlfi'gy Ifa. (5i. 3. Do the will of God^ it is his delight to do the will of God: Sujfer ; Rejoyce^ faith the Apoftle, I Fet, 4 i :^. in as much as ye are far takers of Chrifls f offerings, 4. The conclufion or end of It ^ why! there al fo
doth ]oy accompany him .• Ffal,:^^, Mark^the ferfeEi man^ and khold thejuH-j for the end of that man Is feace, 5:. The re-
ward and recomfence of it^ and there alfo joy doth clafp xho. con- verted perfon : Tnter into thy Makers jo/y faith Ch rift to the good fervant : Gaudium fupra omne gaudium, ^t thy right hand are f leaf ures for evermore , faid David.
O ! that all thefe things might foat&6l our hearts this day, as to forfake our fins, and turn back to God Pleafure is the great bait which is laid forth to catch the foul of man ; Satan draws us
to
•vV
of the Retnrmng Frodigd. 359
to fin by plccjfure, and God draws us to grace by pL-afure ; iLall pleafure move thee .o dcimn thy ibul ? and Aail not true plea- lure move thee to favethy foal? Our Averhon from God depends much upon pleafure, and our Converfion unto God depends much upon pleafure ; me thinks that Gods promife fhould be more accounted then the Divels temptation ; is it not more probable to buy a better pennivvorth from heaven then from hell? and is it not more reafonableto traffick ac the gates of life for joy, then to trade at the gates di death for comfort ? Returnjreturn, 6 finner 1 yet, yet, come back to thy God, and do not for lying vanities any
longer forfake thine own mercies, But God mutt perfwade
Jafhet, * r^rg ^
Try whether you are in a converted condition or no. There Xy wh<-rhJr are two forts of perfons. i. Some plainly unconverted, converccd cc 2. Some deceiving themfelves about it. Nine things do fnew '"'^; that a man is as yet abfolutely in an unconverted condition. ^^^^ ^^^'^^ ,
I. VrifenfhUnefs : -^ God promifeth to take away the ftony unc^nvcncd."^ heart; qnanto inlenfihllior^ tamofejor. This is the Stone upon the Grave:
^. Love of pn : Wicked men are defcribed by this in Scri- pture.
5. walklr.g in the path of fin : It is his \vork,his trade ; when a man chufe h an evil way, and fits in the Chair , is a fervant of unrighteoufnefs,walks in the way of wicked men.
^. Hating to he reformed : It is an abomination ^to him to be ^ood , that will rather be d.imned then reformed, brer.ks the Cords, will not have Chrill to reign.
<. Be f fifing of the menns of. Converfon : The Word of the Lord is a reproach to him ; his heart rageth when the word finds out his fins, and would feparate h'm and his lufts.
6. Loathing of converted ferfons ; c.innot endure the hght of grace ; his fpecial diflikes are of the godly, and difgraces, and difcountenancings of them ; he is exceedingly difpleafed and grie\^ed at the eftimations of godlinefs,and rejoyceth in the cloud- ings, and fetting of it.
7. IncommtmonwithGod: It is a note of a wicked man , that God is notin all his thoughts , and that he calls not upon God , but is a Granger to him , the ftii-bo:n child is a dead
childo
S, Difva-^
56o* Gods gracious Accepmce
8. D'fvalfiationsof jefus Chrij}^ and of all the.precious fea~ fons of grace, and opportunities of mercy ; the Svvine traiiiples Hpon the Pearl, the da yes of the Son of man are of no account with him.
9. A?i earthly reft and fails faBlon : When he is a m.m only for this life, and for this prefent world , fets up his ftait on this fide J ordan ; all. his hopes are in this life.
Bivc things Secondly-, Five things which do iliew that a man fl.itters and
(ht w a man dc* dxeives himfelf about his condition , that it is converted,when
ccivcd about y^t it f^Us ji-ioj-t thereof.
hss convcrwn. ^ ^ j^^^^ k^owledg ; though a min knovvs never fo much , yet if he be but a knowiiig^m.^n, he may be a learned man, but he is n'^L a converted man. it is one thing to know con tr overlies, ano- ther thing to know Converfion : If the knowledg be without 3^ Exferience ; know what Cm is, but fee! it not ; know what Chrilt is, but never feel the virtues and powers of his death and refurredlion: 2. Propriety ; kno,v Chrijft as a purchafe, but not as an inheritance ; what he is,^ and hath done , but not what he is tome, or hath done for me : 5. Power -^ as a candle that lightens ,. but not as fire to burn , as an Ornament on a Tomb , not as a Soul to the Body ; as a Star which lliines in the night, not as. the Sun which makes day • new knowledg, but ftill an old heart : 4. ti^ffeBions ; know fin, but hate it not, nor mourn for it ; know Chrift, but love and defire him not ; ^. Pracllfe , like aScholler,whoknows Countries , but never travels to them ; reads the Copy, but writes not after it , know" the way to heaven , but never walks the way to heaven,
2,.. Meer trouble of confeience : A troubled condition is one thing, a converted condition is another ; Cain and Judas were troubled, yet not converted ; many things may fuffice.to trouble us,vYhich yet are not fufficient to convert us ; the Law,the' Wrath of, God, thequicknefsof confeience, fear of death and hell and fhame may fu ffice to trouble us, yet not to convert us. The Sea ; may be troubled, and yet remains brlniili ; the Iron may be bro-
ken, and yet it is hard ; the Water boils, and yet it is Water : T-hareisa difference twixt pa iTive trouble, and a6live trouble; twixt a trouble that I would get off, and godly forrow which I would gee up; twixt trouble in rati&ne fm^^ and m rat lone gratis ; twixt being troubled for fin as it is malum fenfiblle , and as malum
' ^ Ipri"
of the Returning Frodigal,
fplritfiale^imxt malum as caafa mall^ and malum as ajfeclus mall, l^hc Land-ilood is high , but it leaves the tnud and dirt behind • the Wells water is leis, but It deanfeth.
j^. Limited Reformation: When only external ; if internal, yet partial , will (Hck with Chriit for fome one tiling. True Converfion is^an invifible work, it is feed under ground, tisa child formed in the womb, it is the hidden man of the heart, tis Chriit formed and living in us , it is a new Creation of the heart, the new heart, a law written there. The Phar fees were good at Outworks,all fair to the eyes of menrOutward abitinence from fi ! may confift with an invVard love of it ; and a man may do much good, who yet is not good: Self-gr0unds,and ends,of profit, of efteem,of hopes, -of compliance with others, befides thofe workings of confcience, &c, may lead us out to vifiblc conformities, when yet, c^f. -
4. Accidental reftlutions : When a perfon will on a fuddea »rowg^d altogether, only upon mutable occafions ; i. As in an exigence of Confcience, 2. In a fit of Sicknefs, 3. Some pre- fent convidlion of the Word, 4. Some imminent judgements, 5. Some prefent hopes ; not upon folid Convidion, confiderati- on, fervent prayer to God to work the change, &c.
5. FaJfioftAte Jo/es : If taken by the Word upon the difcovc- rics of Grace, and Mercy, andLoveofChrift, and of future glo- ry 'y like one who is taken with the Ware , yet will not come up to the Price : The young man would have heaven,but vyill not fell all, take up the Crofs and follow Chrift. But when a man is tru- ly converted , he is like the fVife Mercha?tt , vpho fouffd the Fearlj and rejticed^ and fold all^ and bought it. He will part with all hisLufts, and Friends, and Pleafures, and World, to enjoy Chrift.- ' tjC
Doth Converfion brln^ the foul into a joyful condition ? Then ^ ^^' ^* •
, ;/•;/•; • ji- L Let every con-
Ict every converted ferfon takj ha dm portion^ and live as becomes y^^jj^j mx[o^
himfelf, joyfully. Pfal.g2.11. Be glad In the Lor d^ and rejoice take his poni- yt righteous, Phil. 4. 4. Rejoice in the Lord alrvay , and again on of joy. / fay , rejoice, I wirfi that converted perfonj would con- fider
I. That God doth not referve all their joyes unto another life : God doth not
O no, fpiritual joy if an allowance alfo for this life; a good jo/co anclhcr
A a a . bit ^jf^^
352
Gods gracious Accepanee
God would bsivs the life of Gr^C£ a
bit and bait by the way. Nay, it is not a meer Toleration or Permiirion, hut it is an expreis Command and Injundion ; and as a man doth fm who refufeth Grace, fo fomc man may liu who refuleth Joy. 2. God would have the life of Grace t9
he afrlmsrdlal (hadow (at leaft) of the life of Olor^ ; and in- deed our eihte of Grace is an Epitome of that in. Olory ; only ftiadow of the ^1^^. -g 3 £y^gj. aj^^ i^i-ger Volume : We h^ve the fame Cod, \iU of Gio:y. ^^^ ^^^^ Ciirift, the" lame Spirit, the fame Communion in- this as in that ; only here it is more Mediate, tijere more Im- mediate ; here Imperfect, there Perfed ; here Mixt, and there Pure. And doeli thou fo poorly conceive of God, that He who is able to make an heaven full of joy to Eternity hereafter, is not able or willing to let fall a few drops of joy upon thy foul on earth? Or that there can or Hiould beany Communion with fuch a God, which iliould not be joyful and delightful ? The God wouU Emperor would have none to go away fad. 3. God would hssti\itQhi\' have the Chrift tans life ^ 06 to be the fruity fo to he the crgdit of i^ians Iif« to Grace, Grace is an ornament to the foul, and fpirituai joy is an be the crcdu of Ornament to grace ; IttelHfies to the world, that converfion ^^^"* quits all colts : What ! flial madnefs be found in the habitations
of the wicked, and iliall not joy be found in the tabernacles of the juft ? Shall the worldly man rejoice in a Creature, and fhall not the godly man re Joyce in his God ? Shall the condemned ma- lefak^l:or take delight, and lliall not the acquitted perfon take com- fort? Shall wicked men fuck pleafure out of bitier waters, and fhall not good men draw joy out of the wells of falvation^ Toy is not comely for a fool^ faith Solomon , but it becomes the upright tore;oicey faith David, 4. As fpritnal ;oy u an or-rjament^
joy IS an Im- r j^ ^ ^^ improvement to grace, Jt is a certain truth, that j^race Gra«j IS ^^^ Mother of joy, and true joy is the Nurfe of grace. Spiri-
tual comforts are inlargements to' fpiritual graces ; look as it is with finful pleafures, they do add to our finful principles ; the more delight that any man finds in finful waves , this adds the more love, and the more defire, and the more eariieftnefs for to fin; fo is it in fpiritual wayes , the more joy and delight any man takes in them, this adds a new quickning io his graces, a freilier edge unto them ; nothing makes either a communion, or an aftion more frequent, or more fervent then delight ; didii
thou
of the Returning Prodigal, 3 63
thou ever find thy hejrt more apt to pray,or more fixed in prayer,
then when thou t'oundeft molt delight and com.'ort, m,or upon
praying ? fofor other duties. 5. Sfirhualjoj mil ^exceedingly £c wjn cxcej-
facklitate the way and ivorl^ for heaven : It is ou: facandm Co- dinjly faciU-
mes^ which is pro l^ehlcalo. As ib^fear of the Lord is our trea- ^^^' '^l^^ "^^1
/«r^,Ita.;3.6. So thepyof theLordlsoHV ftrength,Nth,'6,iQ, ^^'^^^ ^"^^^ ^^
An heavy,dull, fad fpirit, is a burden of[ it felf , and is very apt to '' "*
make everything elte a burden : Nowfpiritunl joy , it takes off
dulnefs and deadnefs , and enables us to run the vTay of Gods
Comm.indments, and to run the r^ce that is fet before us. Aman-
ti nihil di^ cite , it makes our fpintual work to come off; the
Wheels run if oyled.
Quefl, This is rue,willfome reply ; but wh u fhould converted VVhacfhouia
perfonsdo, that they m-iy walk jovfully? Sol, There aretwo J^"'''?'^^^ P*f: i r J r ' 7 ' ' L I n J lons^o to \Yalk
iortsof converted perl ons : iKcipientes; who are newly called, j^yf^Hy ?
newly wrought on, newly brought home ; andthefe ordinari- ly are full of fears, of doubts, of temptations, of confli6ls, of heavinefs : Proficlentes ; who are long ftanders in the wayes of grace. Will you favour me to fpeak a few words to either of thefe.
I. To perfons newly converted : I would hianbly prefent Dlrei^ionj. thefe direAions, as proper means or Conduits of joy and comforts T^ perfons to their fouls. _ _ * ■ "^J^^X "nver-
I. Draw lif yotir fflrltpial condition to fome Iffue : Do not live ^^*
with a doubtful fufpition ; perhaps you are converted, P^^^^P^ ^-pi^i^uafi con- you are not converted : As ignorance is an enemy to grye, fo ^^^{^^ ^^ ^^^^ doubtfulnefs is, an enemy to comfort. That man who is iHll in Iflfac. fuit, whether his Convcrfion be true, will not dare to lay claim to the joyes which reiult from Convcrfion : If I fear my grace , I lliall much more fear my comfort ; Give all diligence to make your calling and eleBion fure. Therefore do this ; bring thy fouls eftate to the word, ( that is the rule, that is the fire, that is the touchftone ; ) if the Word of God will approve and de- cide for thee , blefs God, and maintain the truth of thy fpi- ritual eftate, againft all the fuggeftions of Satan, and ca- vils of thine own heart ; when once that doth fay , truth of grace is in thee ; confcicnce will fay , truth of comfort belongs
unto thee.
A a a 2 2, Getr
2 5a Gods Gracious Acceptance
2. Get a Ihtle more faith ; ons dram more would turn the ^*^';. ^ /^l"^* thefcaie, and fettle thme heart. Faith trades with the Foun- tain, with the God of Comfort, and of Peace, and with Jefus Chrift : It 13 Faith that lets you into Chrift , and it is Faith vvhich lets comfort into you. The God of hope fill yon with all joy and peace inhelieving^ Rom. 15. 13. There are five privi- • ledges of Faith : It hath the firlt look^ of Mercy , it hath the firlt hlfs from Chriit , it hath the firrt neves of acceptance unto Life, It hath the firit anfwer of Peace,it hath the firfi draneht of Joy : Oh, get a little more faith ; a little more faith would weaken the grounds of thy fears, quell the motions of thy doubts, clear thy way to the fountains of comfort , imprint on thy heart a moft joyful Communion with thy God and Chrili ; no life of joy, but that of faith, letrne to live 3 And Le<^rn to live hy falth^ and then you will have more by f alch. joy and comfort. Four things would make a mans life very joy-
full and comfortable, i . If he were eafed of all burthens. 2. If he were fecured from all prejudices. 3, If what he had were good5and enough. 4. If hewereafTured,that whatfoever good he iliould need,, of that he fhould not fail, but be fupplied with it in due time. Now the life of faith, i. Eafeth yon of all pur burthens : There are but two burthens upon us ; i. Tht finfull^ Faith fees this taken off by Chrift, He hare our [ins : 2. The earthly , of cares ; Faith fees Gods providence taking that off. The Lsrd is a Sun^ &:c. Pfal, 84. / will never leave thee^ Heb, 13. Bread [hall be given to hlm^ his waters fhall be fure, I fa. 33. 1 ^. Caft your care on him ^ for he careth for you^ 1 Pet. 5, 7. 2. Secures you again ft all prejudices and hurts : Faith finds us ilill in Gods hands, and in a fafe cuftody : Thou^zh there be evils in the world, yet they fhall not come nigh you ; and his work goes on, though ours do not : God is with you, who can be againft you. There's a Deluge, but JVoah*s in the Ark ; a ftorm,but you are in an hiding place : He holds you in his hand, and covers you under his wings ; makes all things to work for good. Faith fees the Trouble and the San6luary both. Oc- currences and Providence both, ruling, carrying on, obferving, watching, prefervlng : If Earth won't keep you fafe, Heaven iliall, 3. It renders the prefent pojfejfion as goody and enough •
Your
of the Returning Prodigal. 3 65
Your portion is fo : For what \s a Chriliians portion ? Is not God ? IS not his favour ? And is not God enough ? is not his fa- vour better then life ? He who cannot be contented with a God, and a Chrift, and a Covenant of Grace, and Heaven, will be fa- tished with nothing. You have but little of Earth, Ai but you have God and Chrift. If a man have but a little Garden, yet if he have a large field, &c, A little of Earth, and much of Hea- ven, makes a fair Efiate. 4. It ajfures jon ef fupp/ies mi- -verfal andfe^ifonaifle, Vnlverfal ; I ihall not want, Pfal, 2 :j. i. No good thing mil he withhold^ Pfal. 84. 1 1. No good for foul, no good for body, ( you have his Bonds for both;) and this is for life ; Shy el y goodnep and mercy ^oal I follow me all the days of my life^ Pfal. 23. Nay, for everhftingnefs ; I mil marry thee to my [elf for ever ^ Hof. 2. 19. 2. Seafonahle ^ In an acceptable lime, &c. In the mount Gsd mil be feen,
4. Get a little more under (landing and judgment ahom your con- ^''n^'^''f "^" <verted andgrac'iotu condition. Shall I help thee a little with a few ^^^ judcmfat Confiderations and Informations ? Know then, i. The great about your F»Mntainofthy Joy lies more in^ thy Jujtlfsationthen tnthy San^i- converted con^ fication. Thou haft not fo much Holinefs as another, but thou ^H^io'*' haft of Chrifts Righteoufnefs ; thou canft not apprehend fo ftrongly, but thou art apprehended as llrongly, Chrift lays as faft hold of thee. 2. That Grace and PVeal^n^fi may dwell together. It may be very true, though very weak, the fmoakjng flax, and tbe hrtiifed reed, and the grain of mnflard-feed ; A Father hath one Child in the Cradle, and another in the Shop ; a Shepheard hath Lnmbs in the flock, as well as Sheep ; the Gardiner hath Plants, as well as Trees ; and Chrift hath Babes, as well SiS ftrc<?g Men, belonging t® him. 5. That the leaFt Grace, and
the great Love of God de go together : The little drop of Grace comes out of the Ocean of his ^reat Love ; the Penv, as well ^5 the Shilling, bears the Superfcription. 4. That the leafide- gree of true Grace denominates the condition to he converted : I would believe, is Faith; I would love thee, is Love; Idefireto do thy will, is Obedience: Not Strength, but Truth denomi- nates. 5. True Grace and many ConfliBs go together : Let the motions of fin be never fo vile, but I hate them ; never fo many, but I refift them ; here Grace is the Lord which rules me,
though
266 Gods gracious Acceptance
though fin be the Enemy which molelb me. Why ami thus Alasj there are contraries in thee, Light andDarknels, Fieila and.v^^irit. 6. Tr^.e Grace and foms Fallings may lodge tose- ther : I may at the fame time be a Captive to Sin, and yec a Ser- vant to Grace; fin mayibmetimes be tooftrong even for him who hates fin. 7. ^11 fervices to God are interpreted andac- cepted hj God, according to the will of a converted person : Although tijou cand not pray lo freely, fo fully, fo uniformly, yet if God fee a will in thee defirous fo to do, \x iliall pafs for currant ; groans, and fighs, and chattcrings, anddefircs, aixi tears, &c, ^. Iho'A never doe ft any Vmjy hm J^f^s Chrtft gives accemance mto it by his Inter cefflon ; his fvveet Incenfe takes off the ill fa- vour : Thegreateil work done by thee , if '\\. comes in thy own n.ime,is rejected ; the vYeakeft,jf prefented in his Name, a figh or groan 5 is gracioufly accepted ; as the Sacrifices by the Prieft, 9. Qod never expeBs thou fhoaldeft hay om thj own pardon^ or bring from thyielf any fatisfadion for any of thy fins \ he hath defigned that work onely to Jefus Chrift, in whom he hath ac- cepted thee, and for whofe fake alone he doth and will difcharge thee : You trade in Heaven upon gracious terms ; when you come for any graqe and help, thy Reafons and Motives are in G od, who gives, and freely gives. i o . ^s foon m ever con- vening Grace prevails upon thy hearty Salvation is come to thy ]ohI : Thou art now a Believet ; and if a Believer, a Son ; and if a Son, an Heir of all the comfortable Promifes now, and a Co-heir with Chrifl: hereafter. 11. 7'he Lord will If lej^ thy hiidsy and increase thy ftock^of Grace : He will water, as well as plant it. 1 2. That little- Grace fhall never fail thee^ never
leave thee, till it brings thee to Heaven : Thegreateft Grace is imperfedl:, and -he leaft Grace is invincible ; the greateft Grace is weak, and the weakeft Grace is immortal.
Now if Chriftians did believe all xh^[z Truth?, and would confider of them, would not their condition be more joyfuU ? Here's a Weaknefs, I but it is Grace ; that Grace '\s> little, I but it comes from Gracioufnefs, and makes me gracious : O how many conflidls! I but 'tis 'twixt Grace and Sin ; yea, and ma- ny finnings, I but not love of fin, n® voluntary fervice : But how poor in Duties ! I but God regards the Will ; But what will
become
of the Returning Prodigal, ^6j
become of me for my former fins ? Why ! Chiift hath fatisfi- ed, and God hath pardoned : But if I hadftrength of Grace, I • might take comfort ; Why 1 the vveakll Convert is a Believer,- and the vveakdl believer hach Chrirt ; Ergo.
Secondly, to Perfons long fr.ce convened ; What fhould they. Xo pfrfonj do to walk with joyful hearts ?^ I anfwer, i. Ofiren examine long (incc coo- and revieiv jour Spritnal condition ; this will keep you z^dk God verted, friends : often look upon the evidences of Gods favour to your Of^^ncxa- Souls, and maintaine and cleare them if blotted ; Such ex- "lew ^futy'- periences are bathes of Comfort : Remember the days of old. rltuircondfti- 2. Se upright ; maintain theOyI, and you m.tintain the light, on. The rvork^of Righteoufnefs jhali he peace ; and the ejfetl of Righte^ B; upri^hc. oiifnefsy qttietnefs and affarance for ever : Ifai. 32. 17 A liable Spirit will further a il-^ble Joy ; one wry ftep puts the bone out of joynt , That man lofeth his Spiritual pleafure, who fkps out for finful pleafure ; remember Davids fwarving, and Peters^ and Jacobs, 3. Live by faith: We never meet wirh more troii- Live by faitlu bles then when we ihift for our felves. That mm who can truft God moft, him doth God truft with mott Grace and peace : fee Habak. f;. 17, 18. 4. Hold up clofe communion with God Holdupdofe ^nd his people ; hewhorrades moft at heaven, gets the greateft communion ftock of Grace and comfort ; even the negle6!: of one prayer ^"^ ^^^' may lofe a man much comfort; be fatisfied with God alone, and let not out your minds to earthly things ; And that one fer- mon which thou didft overflip, brought in exceeding Joy to thy fellow Chiirtian. 5. Walk^in the fear of God all the day long : ^^^^}^J^l Self-confidence mnkes theperfon to lye down in tears; but he ,h!^jl„ u,,/ who feares to Im, fortihes his uraces and comforts; expoienot your felves to Temptations. 6. Renew afolemn andfpeedy Peace Renew pwce HpoH every fall ; Light may quickly be reftored to a candle new- upai every fall. ly blown out, and the bone difphced may preCen ly be fet again ; Let not a difeafe fettle. 7. Engage not thy mind to vain and new E.^g?^: n$t to Opinions, Mind the maine things of Life and Salvation, and "^^ opinions, not unprofitable ftrifes. He who hath not more Grace to get, hath afluredly much comfort to lofe ; an Unfetled Judgment will quickly raife an uncomfortable heart. 8. Preferve an hnm^ ^ . hie and contented Spirit. Pride is the father of difco nentment, huribl/and and Difcontentment is aprifonto our Graces, and a. Sea to our coaccntad Spi-
com- "«•
3 58 Offds graciom Accepmcf .^r
comforts. Thy Grates will ;not be pleafant to^he^ if thy out- Be aftive and Ward condition pleafe thee not . g. Be aBlve. md thriving. That iferiving* man wbo^oth moft f or God, doth alfo moft for his own comfort ;
Barrennefsjs nogood,fign of Life, and therefore no good way for.
comfort ; the travelling Bee is laden with hony : Thriving Grace
is a clear evideace of truth, aid adds to our excellency and
Dur joy.
F I "ii I ^»
■l !■ f
A •■
<t^