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TRYAL&TRIVMPH
F A I T H: i
0
An Expofition of the Hiftory of Chrifts |
difpoflclfing of the daughter of the woman of Canaan. , |
Delivered in S e r m o n Sj which are opened^
The Victory of Faich;^ rThe excellency ofJe:3 The condition of thoft^ < fiis Chrift and Free- that arc tempted- ) ( Grace*
AND
Some fpeciall Grounds and Principles of Lihertim[me and Amimmian Errors , difeovered
B y’
Sauuel‘ RutherfurDj Pxofeflbr of Divinity in the Univerfity of St. Andrews,
R E V E L . 2. 28.
And I will give to him ( that overcemeth ) the morning fiar. Publifhed by Authority.
LONDON;
Printed by fohn Fields and are to be fold by Ralph Smith at the Sign of the Bible in Cornhill neer the Roya l l . E X c H A N G E ; I 6 4 5.
ft''?-
T O
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE LADY
fJ!NiE QAM^ EL,
Vi<x>untcffc of IQnmure , Sifter to the Right Noble and Potent, The Marques of A r o, i l e Grace and Peace.
M A D A
Should complain of thefe mach-difputing, and over-writing times, if I were not thought to be as deep in the fault, as thofewhoml accufe ; but the truth is, while we endeavour to gain a grain- weight of Truth, it is much if we Jofc not a Ta¬ lent-weight of goodnelTe, and Chriftian love : But I am fore, though fo much know ledge and light as may conduce for our fafe walking in difeerning the certain borders of divine truths, from every falfe and i'uppofe that fearching into queft ions of the time were a ufefull and nectlTiry evil only, yet the declining temper of the worlds worft time ; the old Age of rime,
Eternity now fo near approaching, calleth for more neceflary good
things at our hands j it is unhappy, if in the nick of the firft breaking of the morning skie, the night-watch fall faft afleep whrn hehath Watched all the night: Its now near the morning- dawning of the Refurredion. O how bklTed are w-*, if we fhall care hr our one neceffary thing ? It is worthy our thoughts, that an Angel(^nt\c.r crea¬ ted, as I conceive^ (landing in his own land. His right foot upon the Seay and hie left foot on the earth ; hath determined by oath, a Con- troverfie moved by fcoffers, 2 ‘Prt.j.j. Tea and '^ith hie hand lifted,
A 2 UP
Tht Epiflle DedicAtory.
fip to Heaven^ fW^are by him that livethfor ever And ever^ '^he creAted heaven and the things that are therewy and the earth and things that therein are and the fea and things that are therein^ that there Jhonld be time no 'Rev. 10.5,6. Ulitermcy be concluded judiciafly by
, the Oath of Gody as a thing near to us at the door, now about fixcecn hundred years ago, it is high time tc think of it : What we fhail do when the Clay-houfc of this Tabernacle, which is but our fummer- houfe that can have us but the fourth part of a year, (Kail be diflfolved? Time is but a lliort T ranee, wc are carried quickly through it, our /Jo/i? withe reth ere it come to its vigour; Our piece of this fhort- breathing lhadow, the inch, the half-cubitc, the poor fpan-length lob 7*^* of time, fleeth away as Twiftly, as a tVeavers-Shuttlcy which Icapeth over a thoufand threads in a moment ; How many hundred hours in onw Summer, doth our breathing cIay*Poft skip over, paifing away as the Ships of dejire,and as the Eagle that hajleth to the prey? TPideath lob 1$. vvere as far from our knowledge as graves and Coifins(w'hich to our z6. • preach death ) are near to.our fenfes, even calling the fmell of
death upon our breath, fo as we cannot but rub skins with corrup¬ tion , We fliould not believe either Prophets or Apofllesy when they fay, <tAll fiejb is grajfe, and It is appointed for all to die : Eternity is a great word, but the thing it felf is greater ; death the point of our fliort line teacheth us what we are, and what we fhall be ; Should Chrift, the condition of affairs ^e are no'iV in, the excellencie of Free- graccy befeen all in their own luftre and dye, we fliould learn much wifdom from thefe three ; Chrift fpeedeth little in conquering of lovers j becaufe we hvfznot feenhis Jhape at any time, we look not upon Chrift, but upon the accidents that are befide Chrift ; and therefore few efteem Chrift a rich penny-worth : But there is not a Rofe out of heaven, but there is a blot and thorne growing out of it, except that one only rofe of Sharon, which bloffometh out glory, every leafe of the Rofe is a heaven, andferveih for the healing of the Nations, every white and red in it is uncotnparable glory, every afl of breathing out its fmell, from everUfling to everla fling, is fpot- Icfleand unmixed happinefte.-C^rij? is the out-fet, the mafter flower, the uncreated Garland of Heaven ; the Love and Joy of men and (sAngels hue the fountain-love, the fountain-o'elighc, the fountain- joy of men and Angels is more, for out of it floweth all the Seas, Springs, Rivers, and floods of love, delight, and joy j imagine all the raiaand dew, Seas,TFountains and floods fiflce the Creation were
The Epifile Dedicator'^},
in one cloud, and chefe mulciplied in mcafures, for millions of millions , and then divided in drops of (bowers to an anfwcrable number of men and Angels, this Ibould be a created Ibower, and end in a certain period of time ; and this huge cloud of fo many Rivers and drops fhould drie up, attd rain no more ; but we cannot conceive fo of -Chrlft, for If we (bould imagine millions df men and Angels to have a co Eternall dependent ex Hence with Chrift, and they eternally in the A6l of receiving grace fir grace of fnlnefi ; the Bus and iffuc of grace (hould be eternal as is • for Chriff cannot- tire or weary from eternity to be ^^n7?,; and fo he muft nor, he cannot but be an infinite and eternall Bo win:g fba to diff'ife and let out Breams and floods of bottndlefle grace; fay that thcRofe were eternall, thefweetfmell,the lovelineflc of greennefle and colour muft be eternalh O what a happintfle for aloul to lofe its excellency in his tranfeendent glory ? Whaj a bleflednefle for the creature to caft in his littk 4// in Ghrift his matchlefle Al-fifjktency ? Could all the ftreams retire into the fouhtaine^d nrft Spring, they (hould be kept in a more fweet and firme poCTcflioh of their bemg in the bofome of their firft caufe, then in their borrowed channeHthat they now move in : Our neighbourhobd,and retiring in to dwell,Tor ever and ever, in the Fduntain-blefledntfle, Icfus Cnrift, with our borrowed goodnefte, is the firme and folid fruition of our eternall happy being ; Chrift is the fpheare, the connaturall firft Spring, and
. elernent of borrowed drops, and fmall pieces of created Grace, the
Rofe isfiireft in being, in beauty on its own ftalk and root ; let life and fap be eternally in the ftalk and roo^, and the Rofe keep its firft union w’ich the roor, and it {hall never wither, nevereaft its bloffome nor greenntfle of beauty ; it is violence for a gradious im- rit to be out of hisftalke and root; union here, is hie and happineuc, therefore the Churches laft prayer in Canonic!^ Scripture is for union Rev. 11,20. Amen, Even foyCome Lordjefiu : It (hall not oe well while the Father, and Chrifi the prime Heire, and all the weeping children be under one roofe, in thePalace-Royall, it is a fort of rny- ftkall lamerreftf, that the head wanteth an Arme or a finger, and it is a violent and forced condirion for arme and finger to be feparated from the head : The Saints are little pieces of myfticall Chrift, fick of love, for union i the wife of youth that wants her husband fome years, and expeifts he Biall returne to her irom over-fea lands, is of¬ ten on the.ilaoate, every ihip coming near ftioare, is her new joy,
her
%ht Epiftle DediCAtcry,
her heart loves , the ,wind that (hall bring him home, Oie askes at e- very palTenger news; O fa vv you my husband ? what is he doing? when (hall he come ? Is he (liipped for a returne ? Every Ship that carrieth not her husband is the breaking of her heart : What dtfires hath the fpirit and Bride to hear when the Husband Chrifl (hall Ey to the mighty Angels^ Mak^ you ready for the journey letusgod&'^n und divide the skies, and the heaven ; lie gather m'j pr if oners nf hope into me, I can ^'ant my Rachael and her Voeeping children no Ion- ger ; Behold I come quickly to judge the Nations: The Bride the Lamhs Wi/ebltlTeththe feet of the Mtflengers that prcacheth fuch tidings* "Rejoyce O Ziou, put on thy heautifuM garments, thy King is coming j yea, (he loveth that quarter of the Skie chat being rent afunder.and cloven, fliall yield to her husband, when he fbal! put througit his glo¬ rious hand, and Biall cone riding on the Kainc-bow and clouds to receive her to himfe^f.
The condition of the people of God in the three Kingdoms cal- leth for this, that we now wifely confider what the Lord is doing; there is a Language of the Lords^^tf in Zion, and Hu furnace in je^ rufalem\ if we could uoderftand the voice of the crying Rod; The Arrowes of God flee beyond ns, and befide ns, b^t we fee little of God in them. We Saile, but we fee not fhoar, we fight, but we have no vidory, the efficacy of fecond caufes is the whole burden of the bufinefle, and this burden we lay upon creatures (and its more then they can bear) and not upon the Lord ; God is crying lamenefleon creatures and multitude, that his emirency of working may be more feen. 2. Many are friends to the fucceffie of Reformation, not to R e- forraation; Mens Faith go along with the promifes, untill Pro¬ vidence feem io them to belie the promife-.chrough light at a key-hole many fee God in thefe confufions in the three Kingdoms, but they fall away, becaufe their joyning withthe Caufewas violent kinde- neflfc to Chrift; it is not a friends vifice to be driven to a friends houfc to be drie in a ffiowrc, and then occafionally to vifice wife and chil¬ dren; hath too many occafionall friends, but the ground of
all is this : I love Jefus Chrif, but I have not the gift of burning- quifkg for Chrifl : O how fecurely fhould Faith land us, out of the Gun-fliotof the prevailing power of a black hour of darkntffe? Faith can make us able to be willing for Chrift to go thorow a quar¬ ter of Hells pain ; Lord give us not leave to be mad with worldly wifdom; 3. When the Temptation fieepeih, the mad man is wife,
The Epijlle DtdicMorj,
the harloii is ChJte; Bu . when the vcflell is pierced, out cometh that which is wi:hin, cither Wine or Water; Yet if we Oiould attentively lay oureirs to hypocrues.we ihouid hear that their Lute-ftrings do milerahly jar, for Hypoerdie i^ intelligible, and may be found out*
Would TarlUments begin at Chnft, we (liould not fear, that which certainly we have caufe to fear,0»f is pafi, and another ft’o cometh^
The Trophets in the three Kingdoms have not repented of the Su- perftition.will-worlbip. Idolatry, Perfecution,Prophanity, formality which made them before the people, and the fudges and Princes, who/«^^^ judgement into Gall and ^orm^ood^ are not humbled, bc- caufethey were a fnare on Mit^pah^ and a net fpreadnpon Tabor :
No man repenteth, and turneth jrom hu evil Way, no man fmiteth onehisthigh^ faying, What have I done f Its but black Popery (the name being changed, not the thing) to think the by-paft finis of the Land are l^ »paft ; and a fort of Reformation for time to come is fa- tisfaiffory to CJod, Ex opere operate , Tj the detd done j Yea, the divi- fions in the Church are a heavier plague then the raging fword :
Thefc fame fins agaihft the firft and fecond Table, the reconciling of us and Pride, Bribing, extortion, fifehinefife, and intempe¬
rance unpunifhed,'blood touching blood, and not revenged, vanity of apparel b the proftfTed way of falvarionbfsfll kinde offleligions whaefoever, are now a<?fed in another ftage, by Other perfohs, bat jUafeeM they are thefe fame fins; if that head-Jhip that flattering Prelates took eademfa- from lefus Chrijly and gave to fhe be yet taken from buia,
and given to men: if Chrifis Crown be pulled off his head ,
Wayes : not Wax
It if the ^f5.i7.4. faithfull watchmen know what hour of the night it is now, there be but fnoail appearance that it is near to the, dawning of *Bntains deli* verance, or that our skie fhall trlear ih haft, would God the yearc 1^45. were with childe to bring forth the falvation of Hritaio , It Was once as incredible that the enemy fliould have entred Within the gates of lerufalem , as it is now that Lam. 4.11* they can enter within the Ports of London , Edinbrottgh , Dub¬ lin ; I fpeak not this to incourage Cavaliers , for certainly God Avarcheth over them for vengeance; bOcthjt we go niOt far¬ ther on to break with Chrift ; the weakneifeof new heads devifing J*ew Religions, and multiplying Gods (for ti/lrd fundry andcointra-
no matter whofehead it warme, its taken from On/ both I Ihall pray rhat the fatnefle of the fls/h of lacob, for this do leane, and thu the Warfare Britaine 'hc accomplifhed'. Bl
The Tpijlle ^Ded/catery,
.ry Religions argue intcrpreta'tively ivv'ofundry Gods) According the KHmheroy our Cities, muft come from rotcennefTe of our hearts .* Oif we could beinftrufted^^/<?ref6fd(?cr(r<r, that is with-childe of Plagues to the finners in Zion, bring forth a man childe ; and before the lang fhado'^s of the evening be Hretched out on us.
' Buc.of this Theame no more ; Grace is the Propofirion of this following Treatifc; when either Grace is turned into painted, but rotten nature, as Arminians do, or into wantonneffe, as others do : The error to me is of a farre other and higher elevation, then opi¬ nions touching (fhurch Government : Jenacious adhering to Antu- nomian errors,, with an^ibilinate and hnall perfiftence in them, both as touching Faith to, and fuitablepracflife of them , I fhall think canr not be fathered upon any of the regenerated : For it is an opinion not in the Margin and boriderSjbut inthe page and body,and too neat the Center and vttall parts of the Gpfpel ; Jf any.ohfend, that I de¬ fire to angcr^ them with good-will to grace, J .fiiall ftrive and ffudy the revenge only of love, and compaflibn tp their fouU. . '
If fome of thefe Sermons came once to your Honors cars, and now to your eyes(it may be) with more Englifli Language,! having flayed poflably till the laft.grapes were fome riper, I hope it fhal be pardon- edthat 1 am bold to b^orrow your name,which truly 1 fhould not have done, if! had not known of youy pradicall knowledge of this noble, and ^cellent Theame, the Tree-grace of God : I could adde more of this, but I had rather commend Grace, then gracious perfons : I know that /e/iw Chrifi, whoperfumeth and flowreth Heaven, with his Royall p_refence, and ftreweth the Heaven of Heavens to its ut- moft borders with glory, is commended that he was full of grace, a veffell filled to the lip, P/4/.45.2. Ioh.i,i6. Yea, Grace hath bought both our perfon and our fervice, Even as he that
buyeth a captive, gives money not only for his perfon, but for all the motion, toiie, and labour of his body, legs and armes ; and Redeem¬ ing grace is fo.perfe<R, that Satan hath power poflibly , to bid, but not to buy any of the Redeemed ; no more then 3 merchant can buy a- nother mans bought goods, without his confent ; Ail our happinefle that groweth here on the bankes of time, is but thin fowen, as very StraSv-berries on the Sea-fands, what good parts of nature we have without Grace, are like a fair Lilly, but there is a worme at the root of it, it withereth from the Root to the Top ; Gifts wither apace without grace; Gifts neither break nor humble ; Grace can
7hc Epfiie Dedicatory.
do both, Grace is fo much the more pretious and fweec, that, thouch it be the rcfulc of fin in the Aft of pardoning and cwrinl finfull Lamenefie yet it hath nofprmg, but the oowels ot God^ftirred and rowlcd within him by only fpotklTe and holy Poodneffe; Grace is of the Kings houfe from Heaven only the matter, fubieft or perfonit dwelleth in, contributed nothing for the ewatiokffo rWa branch. CAr.yf for this caufe erpec.ally, left the bofome oiGod, and was clothed with flelh and our nature, that he misht be aMaffe. a Sea. and boundleffe River of vfbU,
gr»ce, fwelling up tothe higheft banks of not only the habitable world ; but the fides alfo of the Heaven^
Heavens to ovef-watet and Angels. So as Chrtjl wzs as it were fpcaking, Tfa'L 45* .^2. Grace figging, weeping, crying out of horrour, dying, withering for Tinners living again,
Hel^. I9. hh.3. 16. Rom. 8. 32, 33. And is now glorified grace dropping ^down, raining down floods of Grace on his members,
now interceding for w at the right hand of God , Is thefc fixteen hun¬ dred years the great Apple Tree, dropping down Apples of Life, tor there tiath been Harveft ever fince Chrifis Afeenfion to Heaven, and the grapes of Heaven arc ripe ; all that talleth from th« Tree, leaves, apples, Ldows,fmcll,blofl'omcs,are but pieces of Grace fallen down
itlm^nmvthoisihtfnlneffeofalfandhathfiaedallthingsxy^t^n^^^
never be bleffedperfeftly, till we all fit in an immediate Union un¬ der the Apple Tree 5 This is a rare piece by way of parncipation, of the Divine nature. Chrifi pafled an incomparable aft oi rich Grace on the Croffe, and doth now Aft, and Advocate for Grace, and the applying of the Grace of 7>rofitiation in Heaven, i loh. 2. l.i.And byinAaof 6r4«, hath all the ,
ingraven as a fcal on his heart ; and Chrift being th, MM of God Zac. 15.7 thlmanthatftandethftraightoppofite to his eye, thefirft opening of the eye-lids of God, is terminated upon the breaft of Chrtjr, zna on the ingravening of Tree^grace. All the glory of the glonhed, is, that they are both in the lower and higher houfe, even wnen they are theStatesand Peers of Heaven, the cverlafting Tenants and Free¬ holders of Grace ; fo as a foul can defire no fairer Inheritance, then the Patrimony, Lor, and Heritage oiFree-grace : Now to this Grace commending Your Spirit, as an Heir of Grace, I
Tour Honours at allObliged Reffeldiveneffe tn the God of Grace,
<1 S.R.
i
ERRATA.
■pag.iz-m.irg.for 5 y.r. 39. p. i8.1. i.for o^tes r.i?ty. p.2i.l. i^.for cs^Mturatfr.cofi- * vaturnU.^.ll.l.x^ dch and.p.^x.l lO.for with words of tbev.a^tbe worticr.p.y^ 1.19. for hdviiig r.have.^.y6.mzvg.di(tev beaddc f;;.p.77.for blejjed xMeffcif.ygX's for /K v.and.f .By.Ut 9. for cveuts by duties r.duties by n/mf.p.89,l^^.<idic Tbyfon, p.130.1. zS.tor O/s Ax.U.ih.iGx is A v.fff.p.igo.l.jo.for vaturali U t.is wrff«r<tff.p.i^ 5 {•/^•(oxbreud r.trM^i.p,i40,1.3o.r.rni3NJl P* r.i£:fi.p.i90.1.7.for
di^ofed x.deififed. p.i93.1.9.for r. p. 217.1.1. for (ajUway r.caftawajes.p.i^i. 1. 2;i.for or hdfto x.or tobAlf. p. 262.!. i. for qtialifietb r.quatclKth. p. 272.1. lo.for alfo 28 o.l. 29. for Goa r. Gods.p. zpt- 1. 27. after uof,a.dde every way.p. 2 98.1.1.
dele is. p. 3 1 8 .1. 2 j.. x.he h.
The T'able of the (Contents of the $oo^.
S E R M. I.
THe Scope, Order, and Contents of the Text, Pag.1.2.
Matthew and Mark reconciledy P* ^'5’
T roper t.ies of Ch rifts love, P‘5*
fVhat Oman this ^ as y
The Art of the ^ife contexture of divine T^rovidencCy tn blacky ana '^hite, fair and fnl, .mixed in one for beauties fake, p-4>5
T^o fi^es of Providence, r
PFe erre in looking on Cods ^ayes by halfs, eJpeciA/ly on the bUck^&nd
fadftdeonly,
S E R M. 1 1.
Chrift took^an humane WiWythat he might fioopto God in all things,^. 6, The firength of corrupt Vo ill, P'7*
TVeo thinos in the Will: I. The frame of it : 2. The qualitie and good-
neffeofity ^
There's a necejfitj of reneVcing the Voill, ^ P« 7>°"
The D iffenfation of God, not Scripture, nor a rule of faith, p. 9, 1 o.
fVe trufi poffefften o/Chrift by Faith, mere then ^e do right and La% through Faith, P*
S E R M. 1 1 1.
HoVo Chrift and his Grace cannot be hid, in fix particulars,
I, In his caufe, Pag. 1 1 , 1 2*.
2. In the good and eviU condition jpirituall of the foul, p. il.
In the joy of Chrifs prefence 4. In a Jincere profefion,
5, In the bearing doVpn the fiirrings of a renewed confcience, p. I
6. In Defertions, , , r 1 4 •
We are to be ohfequioHS and yielding to the breathings of the spent
p.J3,i4*
Our hearts are to be varioufly futable to the various operations of i he (pirit, from four reafons, P’ ^4*
Grace faileth on fe% p. 15,1 .
/
THE TABLE.
Grace ho'^ rare and choice a peeccy in finr particulars, p. i ^,iy,
Grace not univerfaH and common to ally ibid.
Nine Ob'yeUions of the ^rminian and naturad man iy^npA>ered ,
pc 1^,17,18,
S E R M. IV.
Grace falleth often on the mofi gracelejfoy p.ip.
Grace maketh a great change j three reafons thereof p. ipjZc.
Xheres a like reafon fir ^race on our Lords partyto thevilefi of men, aa to Mofe?, Daniel, Paul, p, 20.
T he fame Free^grace that have hercy ^e have it in Heaven in the fiate of glory, p. 20,2r.
In Heaven ^e raign by Grace, as by the fame ^e War here, p. 21-. The juftified in Chrift , are correHed fir fin, p. 2 1 ,2 2.
The Furnace of affliQion, the Worke-houfe of the Grace of Chrift;
: fiur grounds thereof p. 22.
Mr. 1 ovjr\zs ajfertion of Grace P* 23.
HoVo Antinomians judge fns to be correHed in the jufiified p. 2.3 ,24. Ho'^ Vnfids judge fins to be punijhed in the jufiified ibid.
That Godpunijheth pardoned fins-y proved by [even Arguments,tp,^a^,^^, Tgsles to be obfervedin affHElion, p. 28,25?.
A Land or a Nation mufi be longer in the fire then one particular per-
f0»y p. 3c,
S E R M. V.
Satan ^crketh as a naturali Agent without moderation. p.5^.
Spirituall evils chafe fe^ men to Qhuii ; three grounds thereof , p.32. Ho^ men naturally love the Devil, ibid.
Satan, ho'^ an unclean (pirit, p. 33,34.
Its true ^ifiome to kno^ Qod favingly, P* 34*
what hearing bringeth fouls to Chrift, p. 3 5,3 6.
Four de fells in hearing, ibid.
HeU coming to our fsnfes in this lifcy Jhould net caufe us btlieve Vcith- out effe^uaH grace, p.3<^>37.
Its good to border near to Chrift, p. 37.
SERM. VJ.
Gryingin Trayernecefiary, P* 37*
Five grounds thereof,
Prayer fometimes ^anteth Steordsfo as groaning goeth for Prayer, p. 40. Ho'bo many other expreffions beftde vocall praying, go under the lieu of praying in Gods accompty ibid.
Q
THE TABLE.
g. Objetlions removed^
$oms ajfe ions gT cater then tears Lookin^H^ to Heaven praying
p.
p.4c> p. 40,4^
_ _ - Ibid
ThT')>lVi«<t^k4 ofpr^ty'r^th, Minimum quod fic c>,nfiftc,h, p, 41
TheLtrdk^»»h a iri>ke« P- 43
S E R M. V 1 1. ,
why chrifi u chilled frtq^intlj the Son of David ? «« /v ,
Sen ef Adam, ef Abraham, V' Tf
Chrifi nKingh Covenant, P' ’
df i" Cevenant ef Grace, F- “t)
ir /f//*. T/>^ Me^enger. ^^The Pf^ttnejfe, 4. >)'» 5 _
MeLter.6.TheTefiMer.j.TheprimipM!art, contrnaer,pA ,^7-
jrhrifb the (Covenant it fe Iff , r • ; 0474.8
4 'Me jf Tnger of the Covenant tn four f articular s, . P *^7’^^*
A Witneffe in four things, . ^
j Medlfer [nlree things, Friend. ..A ^‘onciler-^^.J^
Servant, , r ^ o\r.
chrifi a fervant of God, andour fervant, iki.^
Chrijl confirmed and fealedtheTefiament, r <1
fK;.';;s?ss.Ks.'r.r '"r? :r
Qi\.r.\6.The coMrary'F^afens anf'e/ered, . ' ikll'
A Cevenant hetPeeen the F ether and the fmf roved, IBW.
of the Promifes of the Covenant,
X^o forts of Promifes, '
C hr ill took a Covenant- right to Goto, V • 5
Tiveforis of Promifes made to Chrifi, and byproforttonto «»,p.54.5 5- ■' S E R M. VIII.
r*5?-
ibid.
Xhe condition of the Covenant ,
Libertines deny all conditions of the Covenant,
The »e\^ Covenant hath conditions to be performed bj us.
Six ObjeBions removed, '
A t^old dominion of graciotss and [ufernaturad Alts, . ^
We are not jufiified before ^e believe, proved by fix Arguments, p. 5 9
p.56.
ibid.
r*57-
p.5b,57*
P-57.5*-
A
THE TABLii.
A condition U'ikjn in a threefold Notion^ p. 61^62,
Its not a proper condition by '^aj of firiSl and ^orke, '^^hen are [aid to be jMftified, and fdved ptpon condition of Fdithy ibid.
T"/?*? Freed on], 2. Eternity'. 3. Well ordering of the Covenants, the three properties thereof p. (53 63.
The freedom of the Covenant Is feen^ in. regard l.of Perfons : 2. of Caufes : of Time : e^. of manner of difpenfatioftj ibid.
Zlfes of the Do8irine of the Covenant y P*
.SERM. IX.
Chrift God and man, and onr comfort therein, p. 6^ 66,
Chrifl immediate in the Abl of Redeeming us, and fo f^eetery p,66, chrift incomparable , p.66.67.
Four other necejfary fifes, p. 66 6'y6Sy6p.
To believers ail temporad favours are fpiritualized and Watered, ^itb mercy, four grounds thereof - ^p.6p,‘jo.
By Vohat reafon our Father as a Father gi’Sleth'Hh.jpiritua'H things, by that fame he giveth us all thingSy p. 70>7I.
Aitrcy originally in Chrifi, andhoW, p.71,72.
S E R M. X.
Parents ajfeflion, their Jfirituall duty to children p. 73,74,
Thirteen TraUkalT Rules in obferving pajfages of Tdivine Pro¬ vidence, ^ P*74>7557^77*
1. JVe are neither to leady nor to flint Providenccy P* 74*
2. Tut to obferve God in his '^ayts, and not to look^ to by ays of Pro-
vidence, P*74j75‘
3 . Omnipotency not hid do^n in pa^'ne in any meanSy ibid.
4. God ^allyeth not in the ^ay thaCHoe imagine, P* 75*
5. Providence in its concatenation of Decrees, abiionSy event Sy is one
continued conte xturcygoing along from Creation to the day of Chrifis fecond comingy )?pithout one broken thread, p. 75 ,7^.
6. The IP ir it is to be in an indiffetency in all cajls of Trovidcnce, p.'j6,
7. Lo'W defires befl, P‘77*
8. TVe are to lie under Providence fubmiffively in all, ibid,
p. Providence is a mifiery, ibid.
10. fFalketh in uncertainties toVpard us, ibid.
11. Silence is better then dlsf mingy ibid.
1 2. Its good to confider both What is infilled, and '^ho, ?•?
13. ^od at^ay afeendeth even Vehen fecond caufes dlfcendeth^ ibid.
[
THE TABLE.
S E R V. XI. ■ ^
Every temptutien ha,h he taki«i
v^aOms^hy this \X’aj a temptation to the \^onjan, • P-7y-
The fcope of the Temptation, to make the Tempted believe
w<7Wff like him, ^ ^ikM*
non-anpx^erm of Chriji, « 4» anpeerm^,
5. Reafons of the lords not hearing of Prayer, P*»i-
Seven ^ajes Prayers are anf^ered, ^ vZl- V
Pray ing in Faith dl^ayes heard, even ^hen the particular ^htch ^e
fuit tn Trayer is denied, P*
Faith in one ani the fame Prayer, feeketh andt^keth, and anf^ereW,
and openeth to it felf, t r l v * ^ ^
The light of fiving Faith, and the Prophetical if ght of the pen man of
the ^ord of Godjiffer not in ifece, and nature, p.»2,«3.
The deared not admitted into God at the fir f- knacky P* » 3 •
• - S E R M. XII.
]Taturatlfffen,dndevehthe renewed in Ifiirit, in fo far as therere- maineth fame fiejh in thems, are ignorant of the mjflery of an afj mPled ff irit, . P*
Peacfdf coitfcieneeisa ^orks of Creanon,
A reafcn \\>hy its fo hard to convince the deferted, ' • P-^5>°^-
Chrift fleeter to the deferted then all the '^orld, - . P*.
GDiference bemen gods trying, and the Creatures tempting,
Creature camot put a feM creature- to a di fin npon an intention
of try in? him y ' , ■ _ .j. .
In the aEHons of creatures '^e mnfi 2.
- Who commandeth: 2. What 3. And for what end. a Elions: It is enough to kno'^,Qn\s, fVho, that it u Jehovah, p; 7, .
Four doubts of the Tempted, , r itf
fn thefendinoof Chrift to the, loft (hecp of the Koofe of Iftael j there be^three thinos con ftder able : I. Budefignation : 2. ^salification .• Commijfion, .
The Son mofi ft to be Alediator,
HoW Chrifi is qualified, P- ^ ^ •
His Commiffion, . .
If is not properly orace that are born , its grace that Chnlt«
^ knryy ^ ‘ ?• ^2.
\ Gods
THE TABLE.
Gods hidden decree^ and his revealed Vei/l opened, P>92,93>
A o^o^ld intention in the premifes, ibjd.
Ho'^, and ^ho are to believe the Decree of Reprobation, concerning themfelves, p. ^3,^4.
^ E R M. XIII.
Its a priviledge of mercy that Chrift is fent to the le^sfirfi, p. 94. Nine priviledges of tho ^e)^s , P‘5?5‘
The honeur ^nd priviledges of Bricain, p. 9$, 9^*
The Redeemed called Jheep upon fiur grounds y p. 9^)97-
Ho^ paffivt the Redeemed are in the ^ay to heaven , in five particu¬ lars, 96. &c.
The Saints mofi dependent creatures, p. 97*
HoW )^>e kno^ the Scripture to be the ^ordof God* t^o grounds, one in thefubfiSl, another in the objebl ' p. 98.
Phoney leadeth not she Saints, but Faith p. 99,
HoW the Saints need a frejh fupply of Grace from Chrift, though they have a habit and fiocl^ of grace '^tthin them j proved by fixrea- fons, p. 99. 100,101.
Grace and glory but one continued thredy p. lOo.
Three confiderations ^e are to have of Gods '^orl^ in leading w to Heavenly , p. 1 00,101,103.
Faith is both ablive andpafiive, . p. loi.
Defertions have read advancing in the ^ay to HeaveUy in eleven par¬ ticulars, p. 101,102.
Wc are not freed from Law-Direftions, p. 1 02, 103 . (^c,
AUuall condemnation may bcyandis feparatedfrom the La^, p. 102. T^o ObjeBions removed, p. 102,103.
Ho'^^orkpof ho line Jfe conduce to falvation, three things herein to be difiinguifhedy ibid.
tfe are to do good '^orki, /row the principle of Law and love,
>' P-I04.I05‘
Other three pbjeldions removed p. 105,10^.
Of the Letter both of La!^ and Golfet ; divers errors of Libertines touching the point y ibid.
The Scriptures are not to be condemned^ becaufe they profit not without the teaching of the fpirit ; proved by three reafons, p. lo^yioy. Repentance different from Faitb, proved againfiljbetuncSy ibid. Repentance the fame in the Old and New Tcftament, p. 107,108.
^ E R. M. X I V.
Iw ^hat fenfe Chrift came to [ave the hjt , p. io8.
A twofold prepay atiot7j for Chrift to be corfidered^ p.
Convey [ton u d^ne by foregoing preparations, anifttccejfively, proved by foarreafons, • p. 109,110.
Senfeof poverty fittethfirChu^, P-
The ObySltons of T>. Cril'pe removed j ftntiers as finners not fit to re¬ ceive Chufk, .. : p. 111,112.
Chrift belongeth to Jtnners under the notion of finners^ p. 1 1 2. Ho^ the fbirit aSls mofi in the Saints, ^hen they endeavour leap,
p. 112,113.
The marrd^ of Libertinifine to negled fan<5lification, and to wal¬ low in flefti“\ Is^ft^j , . ^ Jr ^’V^'
Chrifts death maketh m aEiive in duties of holineffe, proved from three
grounds, p. 1 1 3,1 14-
HoW Chrift hepeth w from pn, p. 1 1 4.
. ^ S E a M. XV.
Eiohtnecepiry duties required of a believer under Defertion. I. Pa¬ tience. 2. Faith, ^.llT&c
Hope Preph.fieth glad tidings at midnight,
Its a bl ffedmark^ Vthen temptations chafeth not a foul from duties, tl- luPrated in three cafes, p. 119,120.
It arqueth three good things, to go an in duties under a temptation,
p. 120,121.
^nnnoml^nstakgmenoff' duties, p. 121, 122.
Chrift nirtict J Suwts fiot (tf^^ p# 1 2-2.
Faith trapcjueth with Heaven in the faddef perms, p. 123.
S ER V. XVI.
JSlationaH pns may occur to the confcience of the childe of God, in his ap¬ proach to God, . p. 12412^.
tA fubtill humble pride, the difeafe of ^eak^ ones, ^ho dare net p ly thepromifes, p. 1 26 127.
Senjeof Frec~grace humbleth exceedingly, P* 127.
HoW; far firth confcience of ^retchedne^e hinder eth any to come to Chrift p. 127,128.
who ever doubteth if God^illfavehim,doubteth alfoif Godc n '.-■ve
him, , , ,
Sin kfepeth not the door of Cbnft, to hold out the /inner, p. 1 29 1 30.
Senfe of pn, and fenfe of the grace of Ctuift, may confiP, p. 1 3^^ 3^^
t HE T A RLE.
hioL'j avd txceacncy muj o^,t he j it oyt -t btluv^r ;
holy confidered as 1. A duty. 2. A mean. /4 t' in^
promifed in the Covenant of GracCy p. 1^0
H(7'V iV<? may colleSi our jiate ^ condition from holy ^'alkin^y^. 31 131 The error of D. Crifpc, and Antinomians herein, p. i 3 2.
C[\i\[i a great houfe- holder. p. 1:53.
The prtvih'dge of the Children of the houfe,
Chni\ the bread of life, , ibid,
(fcmnmnion bct^'centhe Children and the f rjl heir Chrift, in f'”e p r~
p. 133 134-
ticulars.
The ffirit of an heir and of a fervant, p. 134.
There is a feed of hope 'and com fins in the har deft T)eferticns of the Saints -y in three particulars iHuflrated, P* ^35
SERM. XVII.
Grace maketh tjuiefneffe and Veittyneffe of heavenly reafoningy p. 136,
137*
Faith contradiSleth Qhu^ tempting, but humbly and mcdeftlyy p. 137. The Saints may dijpute their flatc \S'ith Chrift, Vehen they dare not di~ ffute their ablions, p. I 37 138.
fVe are to accept, humbly and'^ith patience, of a ’^’’afened conjclence, but not to (eeh^a forming confcience, p.138.
True humility and its '^ayfin feven particulars ; fee the place, p. 138.
", i3P>
are to efieem every man better then our felveSy p.l :po.
The proud man ksioX^n a far off, p. 140,141.
Graces lo\X>line(fe in taking notice of (innerSy p. 141,142,
Caufes of unthankpf ulneffe, * p. 142, 143.
A' juflifedfopil is to confejfe fin, proved by three ttArguments, p. 143,
144,145.
And to mourn for jin by divers reafons, p. 145,1 46,147.
]f be not to mourn for fin coynmitted, hecaufe its pardoned, nor fhould our \^i ' be aver't from the comitting oj it ; becaufe befor^ it be committed, it is alfo pardoned, as Aminomians 0.146 ,147. Libertines confpire Veith 93i^\i\.s,inthe doblrtne of jujHfcation,^.i/^j,^%,
SERM. XVIII.
fns are removed in jufiification, ho^ not, p. 148, 1 49.
There remaineth Jin formally in the fujli fed, proved by fx Ar^u- ments, ^ p. 149.
Ho^ fin d'^dleth h m after '^e are jufilfied, ^ , p. i 50.
VV'-': At^O-
the table.
^t^'o^oU rcmovAll of jSn, one Morall or Legall in jfijiification, another
phy/itau in opsr fanCiificcition, ... .
7 he difference between the removall of finne in jttjlification, and its re-
movallin imUification^ _ P-I535i54-
Seven qrounds Whj ftn dwetleth fiill in the jtspficdperfon,\^ 5,156,157. PdoW fins pajf^prefent and to come are pardoned in ftiflific ationy 1 61,162.
Theres a t'^^ofo/d confideration of itejfification , bfit net t'^''o injltfi-
p. i52.
cations^ ;• •
Sins in three divers reffeUs are taken a'^aj, according to Scrtp- turcy p.i62,t63,i64.
Chrifts fatisfaBion performed on the Croffe for fn, is not formally pt^ difcation y but only caufativelyy fundamentally ^ or merit onoujly^
^ p. 162 163.
Theres a change in iufiifcationy P- 1 ^3 •
HoVo fins not committed are remitted, p. 164,
There is but one yu fife atton of a believer y illujlrated by a comp.irifony
p. 165,166.
Theres a diff rence bet'^eenTardon of ftUy the jnfitfication of the per- fonj ani the repeated fenfeef the par don y ^ p. 66.
Juflifying Faith is feme other thingphen the fenfe of jujilfi'^ation,p. l 67. HoW fear, or hopcyor reward of glory have influence in our holyWalk^
ingy p.i(^i6p,
ObieBions removed, P* ^^9^
S E R M. XIX.
The Lord '^efm is fo made the fnner in juffering for ftn^ 04 there re- mainethno fin in the fnner once pardoned, a^s Aniinomi^ns tear hyef. peciilly DoBor CufCy P-
Sinfo laid on ChrtB:,a4 that it leaveth not off' to be our fn, p, 1 71 -17 2. The guilt of fn andfnit flf, are not one and the fame thingypAyiAff^,
/{n inherent blot in ftn, and ihe guilt and debt of fn, ibid.
T Wo things in debt, as in fn, ibid.
The blot of fn , tWo Wayes confdered, P- '74*
lyF tWofld guilt in fn, one intr infecally and of the fault) another of the punifhmentyandextrinfecall, P ^75 ^7^*
Feafons Why fin, and the guilt of fn cannot be the fame, p-7^ ^ 77* not intrin fee ally the fnnery p. 179.1 So.
Imputation of fin, no imaaination, no I'le, P- 1 So i b i.
Reasons provinq that Chrifi Was nu intr'mfecally and forma / phe
fnnel ^ , • p. 182^^3.
‘fe.vi.
7?
lA/U /M 7*
THE TABLE.
J-Vhat righteeufrc^e of Chrift is made ours, ' p. i84»
The believer ho\\> right com ^ and Ql'ws^ho^ not, p.l 84^185.
Q\\n{\s bearing of opir Jins by a frequent Hebraifme in Scripture, ts to . bear the punijhment due to our fins, and not to bear the intrinfecaU blot of our fins, p. 188,189.
Chrift u in our place, p. 189,190,191.
Ho^ the debtor and the fttrety be one in LaSv, and not intrinjecallj one,
p. 192,193.
A perplexed confcience in a good fenfe is la^f filly confijient ^ith a }u~ (lifedfinners condition, p. ip^,
A ccnditionall fear of eternal ^rath required in the jufiified, but not an absolute fear, and yet trouble of minde for the indwelling of fn is required, p.!94,T95. SERM. XX.
The conJcience,in Chrift, ts freed from fn , that is, from aSluaH con~ demnation, but not from incurring Gods dijpleajure by the breach of a LaWi, If ihe believer fin, p. 196,197.
I am to believe the Remijjion of thefie fame very Jins, ^hich 1 am to confejfeypith forro'W’, P* 198,199.
Ho'^ the confcience u freed from condemnation, and yet not from Gods difflcafure for fin, P- 19^) 197.
Bight cafes of confcience refolvcd from the firmer TioUrine, p, 199^20?, To bhjujiif cd is a Jlate of happineffe mojl defirabic, illuftrated from the eternity of the debt of fin, . p. 201,2024
The fmallefi and '^orjl things 0^* Chrift are incomparably above the mofii £xcellent things onearth,i!lHfiratedin fix p articular JVhat mufl Chrift himfielf be,^he» the ^orfl things of Chrift are jo de- frable ? p.2v)7,2o8.
The excellency of Chrift further illuftrated, and the foulneffe of our choice evidenced, p. 208,2* 9,
I-JoXio to ejletra of Chrift, iHufirated, in fiur grounds, p.2io,2rr,2i 2. Degrees of perfions younger and older in grace, in our Lords houfe,-^ .2 1 2 , C hri fls Family is a gro'Wing Family, p . 2 1 3 , 2 1 4.
God bringeth great heavenly Voorl^j out of the day of [mail thinas,
■ p.2r4,2?5.
iVe are to deal tenderly 'ihith ^eak^onesyspon fix confiderations, p.zi') ,2,6,
SERM. XXI.
The prevalency of injl ant Prayer put forth upon Cjod in eiqjht alls,
p. 217,218.219,220 221. Prayer moveth and fiirreth all wheels in Heaven and e art hyp, 2 22,2 2 3 ,
THE TABLE.
p. 223-,
five things concerning Fatth^ P.223./224.
J^L1% f afier, d.fir
^ot oradn^l^y r. 225#
ire ai^ks «4‘ f"’’ »"> p.«5,2i«.
Some marerccnver^m then «h„s, P, 5^
vill.as^'ellM iY^rtfmll, p. 229. 230.
Chripanitj ho^ nn o^erom^ork£) 230.23 1.
X^'eak^Faithi , p.248,249.
*««? <* «»« “f ^ ^ ’,49.
l.lnjiantflesidingame (iljo, _ p.249,250.
/; 0/ grace required m believing, P ^ ^ ^
■ Chrfjl re'Oe^M gr^e^J'^ ^n, . p.250,25 1.
fj'rt^o^i^h, Gr.ee in M
hut olory it on them,' but not to
Grace IS on the Saints, and to tfoemy ftir gi / p.‘2 5 3.
Grac^t'oan An^clnecejfary to prevent pojjtble fins, ^
tSlteofnP'ong fJhnot to he broken ^.tkttmfmont, p.2 5 5^ 5
THE T A B L b.
4. F aUh on God 'Ocithom Hg t oj comjort a Ji-.-'on(r Fnithy
• " , r*'2 5^.^57*
The j'e'A'er externalls that Faiff^eedethy the ftronncr it a witkin,
. " p. 257,258.
Comforts arc externals to Faith, P 5 8.
Some cautions in this, that (on^ helieve ftronglj 'Without the help of comforts, - p.2 58,2 5P-,
Re a fens Why divers of Gods children die vvitho-tit comfort, p.2 jp.
S E R M. XXIII.
The more of the Word 'and the lejfe cf reafon^ the Jlrenger Faith is,
p.2 5P '16q^
6. A Faith that can fo> 00 mnchfor Chrifl,is ajlrongfaithy^.‘i6o,l6i,
7, Its a lirong Faith to pray and believe When ^od feemeth to for-
261,162.
p.262^ p.262 26^. p. 26^. p.264. p. 265 265.
It. id. 2 66.- p.267.
bid praying,
8. Great boldneffe argaeth great Faith, g. To repjce, in tribuls^ticn,
\O.To W.:it on with long patience,
11. A bumble Faith is a fit on^ Faith,
12. A firong defre of a communion With ChriFl,
13. Strength of Working by love, argueth a Jirong Faith,
A great Faith is not free of doubtings.
Divers forts of d.'jubting oppofte to Faith,
Some dmbting a badthing in it felf, yet per accidens, and^in regardof
the perfon, and concomitants . a good figne, and argueth found grace,
p.2(j.2f:%.
Of a Weak Faith, p. 26g 270.
Gfegative adherence to Chrift not fuff dent tofaving Faith, p.2^p.
A juffering Faith a flrong Faith, p.2 7 1 .
Faith in regard of intention Weaky tnay be Jirong in regard of extenfion, in three Relations, p.271 272.
The loWeJl ebbe of a fainting Faith, p. 272,
TVhat of Chrijl remaineth in the loWefi ebbe of a "fainting Faith,
p. 273,274,275,276.
SERM. XXIV.
A fiock^of Grace is Within the Saints, our Grace is not all, and Wholly in Chrift though it be all from Chrift, p. 276,277,278.
The poWers of the feulremain whole in converfon p. 276.
The Jloi ^ of grace is to be Warily kspt^, P- 277, 278.
Four things are to be done,to keep theJlock^Wtthout a cra^e, p. 278.279.
. The
THE TABLE.
q;he undirm '^s 0^ C.uiLis heare, and jhength oj love toward finners,
p. 27^,280.
Chr ft ^orall aBs,and fircngly modtnuetn Katuraii :
t>je contrary is in natura'i men^ p. 279.
Chrids motion of tender mercy as it W'ere naturally p. 281.
Ho'^ mercy Workeih cternaLy^ and Jecretly, and under ground, even un~ der a bloody dis^enjation, p. 282,283.
judgement on the t'lX’a Kingdoms except they repent, P* ^^3 ^^4*
rough ^isfenfation conjifient tendernejfe of love in our Lord,
^ ' p. 284,285.
Tree-love goeth befire our ^redemption, ^ p. 285.
Chtm loveth the perfons of the eleB, but hateth their fins, p. 286. t\Xofildlove of God, one of good Will to the per fen , another of com- pUcencie to his oWn image in the perfon, ^ ibid.
"No neW love in Cod, P* 287.
Ob)eBionsofHv.'Dinnzthe hmmomhn anfWered, p. 287,288.
iKhatitis to be under the LaW, . p* 289.
HoW god lovcth its before time, and hoW he noW loveth us in time,
p. 291,292.
'Ey faith andconverfion our flate is truly changed befire God,p,^y>-7ge\.
To be judified by Fatth, is not barely to come to the kygoWledge that We are )uflified before We believe, * P*
luftificadon not Ecernall, ^ f • 296.
r aith IS not only given for onr \oy and confolation but alfo fir our ]u- Bif Cation, both in our oWn foul andbefire God p . 299,300.
TheresmWarrant in feripture fir tWo reconcUiations‘,one of mans reco't> ciliiti.rrto God; and another of Gods reconciliation to m an yp. 7,01 ,7,02.
ChrilL merit s,ro caufe, but an cjfeB of Gods eterna'l love, p. 302.
what reconcdiatlon is, ioid.
loy Without all (orroW-fir fin, no fruit of the Kingdom of God, p.
The feeing of Cjod, Fkb. 12. 14. and the Kingdem, I Cor. Job. 3. 3.. JKot the Kingdom of Grace, but of Glory, ibid.
AlaBs of jploodand rough dealing in God to his oWn aBs of mercy,
p. 303,304,
S E Pv M. XXV.
Omnipotencie hath influence, on, j, Satan. 2. Difeafes. 3. Starfideath. 4. Mother-nothing, On all creatures, 6, On finyo ffeakjo them,
p.30d,3G7.
Ohedientiall poWer in the creation, What it is, p. ^06.
Omni-
T/
THE TABLE.
Omynpotencie 14 {oi it Were^ a fervnm to Faith, p. 308.
iVo '^orfhip ad. pendent Gad, p. ^cy.
We have need of the Dezil and other temptations fir eur humiluitton,
p. 311,312.
Immediate mercies^ are the f'^eetefi mercies ; cleared^ I. In C'hrijl. 2.
Grace, ^.Glory, ^.Comfirr, 5. The rareji of Gods \\>orks, p.3 i 3,3l4* T he deceit jalne fie ofiour confidence, '^doen God and the creature are joy-
p. 3iy.
p.
p.323.
ibid. p.325. p.325. ^c. p. 325,325.
ned in one ^ork^
S E R M, XXVI.
Chrij} in fiur relations hath dominion over Devils,
Satan goethno '^here '^ithout a Pafie, fVe often fign Satans conditional Pajj'e,
A reneVoed ^ill is a renO'tved man Bight pofitions con' erning the (Kill ,ind ajfePiions,
'A civill '^ili is not a fanfii^ed ^i/i,
Xhe yielding of the joulto Qod, and to his light, a ffieciali note of a re~ ne^ed^i/l, p. 326,327.
A^ePlions fanPlified, eff : dally defires, p. 3 27.
The lejfe mixture in the afifePiions, the fironcrer are their operations, ibid, Alinde and affePlians do reciproea^y vitiate one another, ' p. 3 28. Spirituall defires, feel^natHrall things, jptritually : Carnall deftres fieel^ fpirituall things, natmady, ibid.
God fuhmitteth his liberality ofi Grace, to the meafure of a fanPlified W/7/, infiurconjiderations, P* 3 ^8,329,330,
Our affiePlions in their aids ind comprehenfion, are far beloi^o jpirituzll , ^b)ePls,Qhnii andW^'AVtn, » P* 32^,330.
^ore in Chnft and heaven, then our faith can reach in this life,
- S E R M. XXVII.
Satan not cajlout of a Land or a perfon, but by violence, both to Satan and the party ^ amplifiedinfiur conjiderations, p* 33^5333*
Falfe Prate kno'^n, P* 333*
A roaring and a y^ging Devil, is better then a calm and a Jlteping DevU, p. 334.
Gods yioay of hardning, as it is mjPicriom, fo is it filent and invifible,
P-335>33^-
The
Scrm.I.
I
The Tiiall and I riumph of Faith.
SERMON r.
Mar. 7. 24. J^d Ynm thence be arofe^ and went into the bor^ ders of' T yre and Sidon^ and went into an houfe, and would that m man fljeuld know it-^ hut he could not b-e hid.
Math. 15. 21. ‘Then ^^efm went thence , and came into the coafts of Tyre and Sidon.
V.22. And behold a Woman of Canaan came out of the fame coafis^ and crjed unto him,fayingy Have mercy on me^ O Lord, thou fen of David, for my daughter is grievoufy vexed with a Devil.
Mar .7.2 5 . For a certain woman who fe png {little daughter) had an unclean ffirit, heard of him^ and came and fell at his feet. \.‘i6. {The woman was a Greek .^a Syrophanician by Nation) and fire be fought him^tbat he would cafi forth the Devil out of her daughter.
His Textbein^ with childeof Frce-grace, holdeth forth to us a Miracle of note • and T becaufc Chrift is in the work, in an eminent maner,and there is here alfo much of ^ new creation , and a floor planted and wa¬ tered by Chrifls own hand, a ftrong faith in a tryed woman, it requireth the bending of our heart to at-' tentiori: for to any feeking fefus Chrisf this Text crycth^j^
Come- and fee. The words for their fcopCjdrive at the waken-
ing of beleevers, in Praying (when an anfwer is not given cont^ts of
at the firft^to a fixed and refolved lying, and dying at Chrijis the Text.
door, by continuing in prayer , while the King come out
and open, and . ahfwcrthe defire of the hungry and poor.
2. For the fubje(5l, they area Hiftoryof a rare Miracle, wrought hy[ Chrifi yin calling forth a I>evill out of the 1-.: C Daughter
2 The Triall and Triumph ef Faiths Serm.T,
Daughtei' of a Woman of Canaan ^ and for ChriU to throw the Dcvill out of a Canaanice, was very like the white Ban¬ ner of chriBs Love difplayed to the Nations , and the Kinoes RoyaM Standard fet up to gather in the Heathen un- d?r his colours. The parts of the Miracle are,
1. The place where it was wrought, Matth. 1^.21.
2. The parties on whom, the Mother and the poffelTed Daughter: flieis deferibed by her Nation.
3. The impulfive caufe, /he hearing, came, and pray* cd to fefus for her little Daughter: In which there is a Dialogue between ChriB and the Woman, containing ChriBs uy\n^ of her. i. With no anfwer. 2. With a refufall. 3. With the reproach of a dog. 2. Herinftancy of Faith. I. In crying till the Difciples interpofed them- felves. 2. Her going on in adoring. 3. Praying. 4. Ar¬ guing by Faith, with ChriB ^ thatfhe had fome intereft in ChriB^ though amongft the dogs •, yet withall (as Grace hath no evil eye) not envying becaufe the morning market of ChriB, and the high Table was the lews due, as the Kings Children •, fo Hie might be amongft the dogs^ to eate the cr urns under Chrifis Table^ knowing that the very refufe of Chrift^ is more excellent then ten worlds.
4. The Miracle it felf wrought by the womans faith , in which we have Chrifs heightning of her faith. 2. The! granting of her defire. 3. The meafurc of Chrijls bounty, as thou roilt, 4. T he healing of her Daughter,
LMark faith, that the woman came to ChriB in a houfe, f Matthew {cmcxiiio fay, that fire came to him in the way , i4<ithcw 8t as thefe words do make good : fend her away, for flje cryeth ^fterus. thinketh, that the woman firft came to
«ona e . while hc was in the houfe, and defired to be hid, ei¬
ther becaufe he did not (for offending the lews) openly of¬ fer him felf to the Gentiles, having forbidden his Difciples to. go to the Sammtam.y or bccaufc he would hayc his glory
hid.
3
Serm.^. JheTriall and Triumfhof Paith.
hid for a time, or rather ofpurpofc he did hide himfclf from the womrji, that her faith might finde him o\it , and then refufin^ to anfvver the woman in the houfc,n)e ftill follow- eth him in the way, and cryeth after him as Matthew faith. ForC/^/'/7?J Loveis, i. Libcrall, but yecit muft be fuited, and Chrtjl though he fell not his Lovc,for the penny worth love, of our fweating and pains •, yet muft we dig low for fuch a i . gold-mine as 2. loveis wife, he holdeth us 2- •
knocking, while our defire be lovc-fick for him, and know- cth that delay es raifcth & heighteth the market, and rate of cAr//?- we under- rate any thing that is at our elbow: fhould Chrifl throw himfclf in our bofome and lap, while wc arc Jn a morning deep , he fhould not have the marrow and flower of our efteem: its good there be Tome fire in us meet¬ ing with water , while wc feek after Chrifl, 3. His love muft not onely lead the heart, but alfo draw •, violence in WhyChrrft love is moft taking, and delayes of enjoying fo lovely a thing as Chrifl, breedeth violence in our affedions- and fu- hij love. fpenfion of prefence, oylcth the wheels of love, defire, joy : want of Chrijl IS ‘A wing to the [ou\. Interpreters ask what woman flie was ? Matthew faith, a Canaanite,not of any Gratious blood- a SyopheniciAn^ for SyrcpheniciawAS in the border between pAiefiine and Syria • and it was now inha- was. bited by the Rcliques of the Canaamtes • a Greek not by birth, but becaufc of the Greek tongue and Rites brought thither by Alexander, and the fucceeding Kings of Syria :
All the go under the name of Greeks in Scripture
Language, as Rom. i. 14. Gal. 3. 28. i Cor* i. 22. 24. not becaufe they are all Greeks, by nation and blood ^ but b«- , caufe Conqueft, Language, and cuftomes ftand for blood and birth however it ftandeth as no bleraifh in Chrifls Compt-Book, who was your Father, whether an riie^ or an Bittite^ fb ye come to him, he asketh not whole you are, fb you be his nor who is your Father, fo you will V C 2 be
4
Serra.I.
'The Trial I and Triumph of Faith.
-bee his Brother, aild bee of his houfe;
Mar. 20^. And from thence he arefe and'went into the borders of Tjre and Sidon. ChriB wearied of Judea^ had bin grieved in fpirit with the Hypocrific of the Pharifees^ and the provoca¬ tion of that ftiff.necked people. He was chafed away to the prophane Vagans: The hardning of the Um raaketh way to Chrifts firft and young love, laid upon the Gentiles: ChriH doth but drawbya lap of the curtain of Separation, and The ai t of look through to one beleeving Heathen • the King openeth the wife ji^tlc window,and holdeth’out his face, in one glimpfe, of"prow-^ to the woman of Canaan^ fo Chrifis works of deep provi¬ dence in dence, are free mercy, and pure luftice interwoven, making wh^e ^ fair* one web He departech from the ^ervs^ and fetteth his face and foul, and heart on the Gentiles confider the art of providence mixe^ in Bcre*, I . The Devill fometime fliapeth , and our wife Lord bwuties feweth : Babylon killeth, God maketh alive : Sin, Hell, and fake. Death, are made a Chariot to carry on the Lords excellent Two fides work. 2. The providence of Godh^xh two fides, one black cUncer^' fadjUnothcr white and joyfuil : Hcrclie takech ftrength j, and is green before the Sun, Gods clearing of neceffary 2. and feafonableTruthSjis a fair fide of that fame providence. x^dams fiift fin was , the Devill and Hell digging a hole through the comely and bcautifull frame of the Creation of God, and that is the dark fide of providence - but the flower of feffe fpringing up, to take away fin, and to paint out to Men and Angclls, the glory of a Heaven and a new world of Free- grace ,that is a lightfome fide of providence.
. chrift [cousgtd^Chrifi ip a cafe, that he cannot command a cup of water : Chrifl dying , Uiamed , forfaken, is black .• But chrifl in that fame work, redeeming the Captives of Hell, opening to finners forfeited Paradicc, that is fair and white; flofeph weeping in the prifon for no fault, is foul and fad, but fofeph brought our. to Reign as half aKing^ to keep ^\i\eihe.Church of God in great Famine, is joyfuil
Scrm J. I'riall and T riumfh of Faith,
5
andcylorious: The whipped, imprifoncd, killed all
the dl<'j long y are fad and heavy, but Tewed with this, that God cau feth them ahvayes to Triumph, and fow the favour of the, knowledge of Chriji z, zndPaul riding upon his iron Chains and exalting Christ in the GoTpcll , through the Court of bloody Nero , maketh up a fair and comely con¬ texture of Divine Providence. 3»^^din all his workes now when he raineth from Heaven a fad (howre of blood an the three Kingdoms, hath his one foot on luftice, that wrath may fill to the brim the cup of Malignants ,Prclats, andPapifts,and his other foot on mercy, wafl) away the filth of the Daughter of Zion, and to purge the blood of feruft- lem in the midf thereof, by the j}irit of judgement,^ and by the ffirit of burning. And this is Gods way and ordinary path- rode, ?/^/. 25. I o. and in one and the fame motion, God can walk both to the Eaft, and to the Weft , and to the North, and the South.
It is our fault that we look upon Gods wayes and works, by halfes and pieces / and To wc fee often nothing but the black fide, and the dark part of xh^ Moon •, we miftakeall, when wc look upon mens workes by parts, an houfe in the building lying in an hundred pieces, here timber, here a .rafter, there a fpar, there a ftone, in another place half a .window, in another place the fide of a door^there*s no beau- ! ty, no face of an houfe here •, have patience a little, and Ifte them all by art compared together in ordcr,and youft fee a fair building: when a painter draweth the half of a man, the one fide of his head, one eye, the left arm, ftiouldcr and leg, and hath not drav/n the other fide, nor filled up with co¬ lours all the members, parts, limbs, in its full proportion, • its not like a man : So do we look on Gods workes, by halfes and parts, and we fee him blouding his people, feat- tering Parliaments, chafing away Nobles and Prelats,as not willing they fliould, have a finger in laying one ftone of . . bis
Ufe.
We erre In looking on Gotls wajfs by h.ilfs, and on the black 8f fad iide onel)^.
Simile,
Simile*
Two wills in Chnft.
The T rinll and Trmmph »f Faith, Serm .11,
his houfc ; yet do we not fee, chat in this dirpenfation, the Other halioi Gods work makes it a fair piece. God is wa filing Jivvay the blood & filth of his Church, rcnnoving thefe from the work, who (hall crofTe it. In bloody wars. Malignant fouldiers ripping up women with childc, waftc, fpoiJ, kilJ^ yet arc they but purging Sions tin,braife and lead, and fuch reprobate metall as themfelves*, lefmts & falfc Teachers>arc but Gods fnuffers, to occafion the clearing & fnuffing of the M’r. 7.24. l^t^ps of theuhernacle,^ make truth more naked & obvious,
SERMON II.
Jnd he went into a houfe, and would that no man fhould know it,
THis will^ according to which it is faid, Hewould that no man fhould know it, was his humane will, according to which the Lord fefus was a man as we arc , yet without fin^ which was not alway fulfilled*, for his Divine will, being backed with omnipotency, can never be refifted : Itover- comech all, and can be refifted by none. Confidcr what a Chrijhwt have, one who as God, hath a ftanding will that cannot fail, Efa.ij\., 24. //e doth ail his pie a fare : His plea- fure and his work arc coramenfurablc, F(a.c^6.\o,i\, Pfal, 6, Pfal. 115,3. Yet this Lord did ftoopfo low as to take to himfelf mans will to fubmit to God and Law . And fee how Chrififot our inftrudtion is content, that God fhould break his will and lay it below providence, Matth, 26. 3^. O fo little and low as great leftfsChrijl is, all is come to this, Omy father, remove the cup-, N evert he leffe, not as I will, but as thou wilt ; Chrijl and his Father, hath but one will be¬ tween them both, Ioh.<y.^o, I feek not mine own will, but the will of the Father that fentme, Rom, 15.3. For even Chrifi pleafed not himfelf^ Its a fign of conformity with Chrijl, when we have a will fo mortified, as it doth lye level 1 with Gods providence. Aarons Tons are killed, and that by God hnmcdiatly from heaven with fire, a judgement very Hcll- hkCyLovtt, 10.31. And Aaron held his peace y a will lying in
the
Chyift took » fcunvafte will to to
Goi4 in all thiugs.
Scrm.lL
The Tfiali and Triumph of Faiths
1
the dull: under Cods feet, lO as I can fay {Let his rvill^whofe I am^ enact to throw me inHell^ he fhall have mj 'vote) is very like the Mother- rule of all fandified wills, even like Chrifts plyablc will : There is no iron lincw in Chrijis will, it was cafily broken*, the top of Gods finger with one touch, broke The chrijis wtll» Heb. lo. g, Loe I come to do thy will^ O God. O 1 but there is a hard ftone in our jW/7, the ftony heart is the will/ ftony will *, Hell cannot break the Rock and the Adamant^ and the Flint in our will, i Sam. 8. ip. Nay^ but we will have a King‘s Whether God will oxno, hr. 18.12. Gods will ftandeth in the peoples way, bidding them return • they^ anfwer .• There is no hope^but we will walk after our own devices.
Hell, vengeance, omniporency, crofTed Fharaohs will font. it would neither bow nor break, p. 27. Rut the Lord har dried Pharaohs hearty that he would not let the people go. ^ Things There be two things in our will, i.Thc naturall frame and incur wil, conftitution of it. 2. The goodnelfe of it. The will Angells and of finleffe Adam.^ is not efitntially good, for goJ^ncfll then Angells could ne vex have turned Bcvilts therefore the conftitution of the w//, needeth fupervenient goodneflc and confirming grace, even when will is at its beft. Grace.^
Grace now is the oncly oyle to our WheeUsy Chrifl hath ta¬ ken the Caftle, both in-woi kes, and out-workes, when he hath taken the >y/7/, the proudeft enemie that Chr/jl hath out of //<?//: When renders his iw//, he renders his weapon^ this is mortification. When Chrijl runneth away with your will 5 as Chrift was like a. man that had not a mans »p/7/ ^ fo Saul^ Act.p, 6. Trembling and ajionifbed^fa'd^ Lord what wilt ihouhave me to do 1 Its good when the Lord tr impleth iipori Fphra’ms fair neckyBof. 10. ri. There is no goodnefte in our will now, but what it hath from Grace- a^d to turn the will from ill to good , is no more natures work, then we can turn the wind from the Eaft,t0the Weft: when ,^caffuyof the wheels ofth€ clock- are broken and rufted, it cannot go; renewing
When
Tr»,i .1 — ■! — ii^ . . . ' m — .. ^ .
S' "The Triad and Triumph of Faith, Serm.II.
When the birds wing is broken , it cannot flye : When there is a ftone in the fprent, and in- work of the lock, the key cilnnot open the door. Chrifi muft oyle the wheels of mifordered will, and heal them , and remove the ftonc, and infule Grace ( which is wings to the bird ) if not, the motions of rviU are all hell- ward.
But he could n§t he hid ^ for a certain vfoman^ (-re. Chrisi fometime would be hid, becaufe he hath a (pirit above the ^ peoples windy airc, and their Hofanna ; its a fpiric of ftraw, naughty nnd bafe, that is burnt up with that which hinder¬ ed Themi flecks to fleep. Honour me before the people^ws.^ cold comfort to Sauf when the Prophet told him. Cod had le- G n • 1 defired not to be hid from this wo-
man, he was feeking her, and yet he flycth from hcy:Chrift in ?aitii find- this is fuch a flyer as would gladly Ixive a purfuer. 2. Faith cth him ^ndeth Chrifl out when he is hid, f/i*. 45. 15. Ferity thou ‘j art a God that hide fl thj felf: But Faith feeth under his ^ * mask, and through the cloud *, and daereforc Faith addeth,
'O God of ifraell the Savipur : Thpu hideft thy felf O God from Ifraell, but Ifraell findeth. thee, wr. 17. Ifraell fl)atl he farved in the Lord^ with an everlafting falv alien. Cod call - eth a cloud of anger about himfelf, he maketh darkneffe bis Pavillion, and will not look out ♦, yet Ich feeth Ged^ and findeth him out many hundred miles^ chap, ip. 26. Ttt in my S- flefh I jhall fee Gcd^ 3. Realon, Senfe, nay, Angels feeing Chrifl: between two Theeves, dying, and going out of this world bleeding to death, naked, forfaken of friend and lo¬ ver, they may wonder and fay* 0 Lord^ what doji thou here : Yet the Faith of the Theef found him there, as a King who had the keys of Paradice^ and he faid in Faith, Lord^ remcm- 4. her me when thou come ft into thy Kingdom ,^Luke 2-3 .42 . 4. Faith » feeth him as a witneffc, and a. record in Heaven, Iohi6, , ‘ver. Ip, 20. even when God cleaveth Ichs rjeines afunder^ and j pQwrcth out his gall upon the ground, w. 15*. Bekc ve then t h j t {
chrifl I
Scrm.II.
jh Triall and Tritmfh of Faith,
9
C hri ft ^lowntth that he may kifs, that he cuts that he may cure tfiat he maketh the living bcleevers grave before his eves and hath no minde to bury him alive ; He Dreatheth the fmonk and the heat of the Furnace of Hell on the foul, when Peace, Grace, and Heaven is in his heart, he breaketh the hallow of lacohs thigh, fo as he muft go halting all his daves-,and its his purpofe to bleffe him. Whereas we (hould walk by Faith, we walk much even in our fpirituall walk, by feeling and fenfe •, we have thefe errors in our Faith, we make'not the word of promife the rule of our Faith, but only Gods Difpenfation .• Now Difpenfation is fpotleffc and innocent, and white *, yet it is not Scripture tome, nor all that Drfpenfation “Riid Providence feemeth to fpeak, the word of God: Ram-horns fpeaketh not ta¬ king of Tov.t.cs in an ordinary providence, as fpear and fliidd, and a hoaft of fighting men doth. Killed all the day long^ and efiimated fljeep for the (laughter , fpeakech not to me that Gods people arc thert contfuerors through him that loved Rom. 8. 5^, 37. our Faith in reference to Dif- penfation , isto do two things. To beleeve in gencrall, though DirpenPuion be rough, ftormy, black • yet Chrifi is fair, fweet, gracious-, and, that Hell and Death arc fer- vants to Gods Difpenfation, toward the Children of God : AhrahammwliKiW Ifaack yet in ifaackas in the promifed feed, 4// the Nations of the earth are hleffed^ ifrael is foiled.^ and falleth before the men of Ai • yet, ifrael fl)all be faved by the Lord: fudab fliall go into Captivity, but the dead bones fliall live again, read the promife in generall, en¬ graved upon the Difpenfation of God\, garments are roll’d m blood in Scotland -md. England: The wheels of Chrills Chariot, in this Reformation, go with a flow pace - the Prince is averfe to PeacCjmany Worthies are killed, a for- raign Nation cometh againft us yet all worketh for the bcil to thofc that love God. 2 . Hope biddeth us to await
D the
The dif¬ penfation of God not Scripture, nor a rule of Faith.
lo
The TriaU and Triumph ef Faith. Serm.III.
the Lords event : We (ce Gods work, it cometh to our fen- les,but the event thut God bringeth out of his work Jyeth under ground. Difpenfation is as a woman travelling in birth, and crying out for pain, bur flic fhall be delivered of two men Children • Mercy to the people of God, lun-ice to Babylon • wait on while the woman bring forth,though you fee not the Children.
2. We trufl: poffclTion in our part, more then Law and the fidelity of the promife on Gads pirt* feeling is of more credit to us then Faith, fenfe is furer to us then the word of Faith • many weak ones belccve not life Etcrnall • be- caufe they feel it not •, Heaven is a thing unfeen, and they findc no Confolation and Con^foit, and fo are difquieted : If we knew that beleeving is a bargaining and a buying, we fhould fecthe weaknefTe of nianv •- fhould.aay buy a , field of Land, and refute to tell down the money, except the party fliould lay all the Ridges, Acres, Medows, and Mountains on the buyers flroulders, that he might carry them home to his hoiife, he fliould be increduloufly iinjufl:^ Vt any fliould buy a Ship, and think it no bargain at a (l,cx - cept he might carry away the fl-iip on his back, fliould not this make him a ridiculous Merchant Gods Law of Faith, concluded atonement, is better and furer then your feeling •, all that fenfe and comfort faith , is not Canonick Scripture, it is /Adultery to feck a figne •, becaufe we cannot reft on our Husbands word.
SERMON III.
We n-ijft poffolion of Clinft by feufe, more then we do tight and Law through Faith.
IfcwChrift & his grace cannot be hi4.
O ft Notofhimfelf:
• XJ Its hard to hide a great fire, or to caft a co¬ vering upon fweet odours that they fmcll not .• Chrifls Name is as a frveet ejntment poivred outy he is a Mountain of JpiceSy and hee’s a ftrong Fwour of Heaven, and of the high¬ er Paradice .• You may hide the man that he fhall not fee the Sun •, but you cannot caft a garment over the body of the Sun, and hide day-light.
Serm.IlI . "The TrUli and T riumph of Faith,
II
Trom which it appearcch that Chrtfi cannot be hid
1. InhisCaufeaiidTruth 5 theG'^/^j?/ is fcourged and j. • impri Toned when the Apofles are To ferved •, yet it cometh He cannot to fight and filleth ferufalem^ and filleth all the world.
What was done to hide Chnfi < when he and his GoTpel is buryed undera great ftonC, yet his fame goeth abroad- Death is no covering to C^r/y?, Papijlshwm^W the Books of Proteftants, they kill and flay the Witnefles ♦, Antiochus and the pcrfecuring Emperors^ throw all the Bibles in the Arc •, but this Truth cannot be hid , it Triurapheth : As foon pull down fefus from his Royal feat at the right hand oiGodx, as Bal^ylon, Prelats, Papifl:s, Malignants, m thele three Kingdoms, can extinguifh the People and Truth of Chrrft.
2 . Beleevers cannot hide and diffemble a good or an ill ^ . condition in the foul ^ The wclbcloved is away, and the in a good churches bed cannot keep her : Ail the Watchmen v
all the flreets , all the Daughters of ^erufa'lem • yea,
Heaven and Chrifl muft hear of it, 5.
^,7,8. Mary MagdAens bed, and a morning fleep, and the Company of Angels and Apefiles cannot dry her checks,
Woman^ what ay les thee ? ( faith the Angell j O (he weepeth*
O what ayleth me r* They ha've taken away my Lord, and I know not where thej have laid him • O Apofles^ Where is he?
O Sir, Angell, tell me z/ you faw him ? 0 Grave ! 0 Death ! shew me, is my Lord with you T he Love of Chrift is no Hy¬ pocrite : I grant fome can for a time put a fair face on it^ when Chrifi is abfent •, but raofl: o-f the Saints look as a Bird fallen from the Raven, as a Lamb fillen out of the Lyons mouth, as one too foon out of bed in the morning ^
O fick of Love ! O (hew him ! I charge you tell him , Watchmen, Daughters of ^erufalem, that I am ftek of Love:
Love is a paining,feavorous, tormenting ficknefle .• Grace cannot put on a laughing maskjwhcn fwcet lefus is hidden^
D 2 Love
12
ThtTria.ll and Triumph of Faith. Serm.III.
In the^jpy of his pi e- fcnce.
In a finccrc profcflipn.
yatab.an. in Pfal, 35-I-
Love hath no arc to conceal forrow, the countenance of I>avid,P/4/. 42. 5. is fick : There’s death in his face, when God is not the light of his countenance.
3. The joy of his prefcnce cannot be hid, fhe cannot but tell and cry out, O Fair i O White Day ! He is come again, Cant. 3.4. Itivas but a tittle that I paffed from him\ but I found him whom, my foul loved. She numbred all the miles (he Travelled while Lord was abfent • Toy will fpcak, itsnot dt\imh.^Cant. y.g.The roofe of thy mouth iys) like the beji wine for my beloved ^th at goeth down fweetly.^ caufing the lips of thofe that are afleep to J}eak^ Matth .p. 1 5 . Can the children of the Bedchamber mourn^ ris long as the Bridegroom is with them ? ( i . c. ) they cannot choofe but rejoyce.
4. Grace in a fincere profefror,and Chrif cannot be hid,
there came a good fair breach with a blaft of a fweet weft- wind of Heaven on ^ofeph of Arimathea^ the time was ilL ChriH was dead ^ and hcc can diffeniblc no longer. Mar. 1 5 . 43 . ^ohiJtdms j tvith much daring and boldneffe he went into Pilat with a Pit it ion : / befeechyou Lord Governour, let me but have this fefus his dead Body: There was fomc fire of Heaven in this bold profeflionv What would this be thought of,, to fee a Noble and Honourable Lord- Judge with a dead and Crucified mans Body in his armes But Faith knowet-h no blufhing; Grace cannot be afhamed: there was a ftraiglK charge laid ontlie Preaclrno
moreinthe name of fefus~.^ A€l e^, 13. Peter and fohnyVtixh a
boidly fay,, 'oerf. % o. ; We cannot but feak the things we have heard' and feen : Lay as heavy waights as death, burning quick, fawing afunder,.on the finccrity of Faith in the Martyrs^it nauft up the Mountain. Grace,P/.3p.T was kept in as with aMufellput upon the rnouthes of Beasts \ it was as coals offire in his heart, and he behoved to fpeak even before the wicked^/ bdceved.f her fere I jpake,Pf.\i6.iQ,
5 . When Jererniah hytih imlawfull bands on himfelfc.
13
Serm.II^l. The Triall and Trinmph of Faith,
Te Jfeak no more in the name of the Lord •, there is a fpirit of inthebcar- Prophefie lying on him, he is not Lord of his own choice^ ing down ier. 20. 9. But his word was in my hearty as a burning fire Jhut up in my bones ^and I was weary with forbearing.^and / could not ft ay • renewed Fhere s a MajeBiy of Grace on the Confcience of the Childc confcicncc*. of God., that miift break out in holy duties • though temp¬ tation fhould had^Chrifl in his Grace^ tempted is
over awed yvith chis, Gen. ‘^9.9. Flew can I then do this great wickedneffe^and ftn agatnft God < This awfome Majefty of the Grace of Gods fear, caufech ^ofeph fee nothing in Harlo¬ try but pure unmixed guiltinefTe againft God-, there’s an o- ver mafteringapprehenfion of ChriftshovQ^ 2 Cor, 5. 14. that conftraincch Paul to out the Love of chrisF, in dedi¬ cating himfelf to the fervicc of the Though Paul
would not have preached^ yet he had a lum to pay,^^. i . 14.
/, am Debtor both to the Greeks and the Barbarians^ both to the wife and the unwife. Grace awed him, as a Debt hyeth fet¬ ters on an ingenious minde, he cannot but out his free and honeft. minde in paying what he oweth;
6. Gods Deferrion cannot fo hide and over-cloud Chrift-, 6. but againft fenfe the Childe of God rnuft beleeve- yea, and la Defers pvay in Faith, Pfal.22 . 1. My God^ my GodfVhy haU 'thou for- faken me <2.0 my God I cry by day. Though ftn over- cloud Christy and David iaW in Adultery and blood, there’s a feed of ChriFf that muft caft out blollbms, he cannot but repent and forrow.G^?^^ Decree of grace in the execution of it, may be broken in a link by fome great fin ^ but Chrisis cannot but foader the chain, and raife the fallen hnner.,
It fliallbe ufefull then for the Saints, when the fpirit Ufc. cometh in his ftirrings, and impetuous adts, to co-operate with him-, and to anfwer his wind-blowing : Its good to hoyfe up fail and make out, when a fair wind < and a.ftrortg yiSdmg to, tide callech 5 fometime Grace maketh the- heart as a hot breath- ironj its good then to fmitc with thehammer ; When your olds^pi- : fpirit
.14 Trial I and Triumph of Faith, Serm.Iir.
fpirit is Docile, and there cometh a gale of ChriHs fweet Weft- wind and ruflieth in, with a waimnefte of heart, in a praying difpofition, to retire to a corner and powrc out the foul bcfo;e the Lord • as we arc to take ChriH at his word^ fo are we to take Chrifis fpirit at his work : He knocketh, knociv thou with him : His fingers make a ftirring upnihe handles ef the har^ and drop dervn pure myrhe : Let thy heart make a ftirring with his fingers alfo. t grant, wind maketh ftiiling, and all the powers on Earth cannot make wind • yet when maketh wind, the Sea-men may draw fails and lance forth: God preventeth in all thefc,the fpirit beateth fire out of our Hint, we arc to lay to a match & receive, reach in the heart under the ftirrings of Free-grace, obey difpofi- ons of Grace as God himfelf^when the Sun rifeth the Birds may fing • but their finging is no caufc of the Sun rifing.
Oiir hearts truth of God that fomc teach, that the jufti-
n.uft be va- ficd in chri(j; are of duty alwayes tied to one and the fame lioiiiiy fut- conftant ad of rcjoycing without any mixture of fad- variour^'^ neffe and forrow-,-for fo they cannot, i. Obey and fob operations low the various impreffions of the Lords abfence and pre- «t the fpi- fence, of Chrifts Sea ebbing and flowing, of his fhining and j fmiling, and his lowring and frowning. 2. The Faith of " ^ * a juftified condition, doth not root out all ajffedions,nay not • *" Love, Faith, defire and joy*, if there be fin remaining in the juftified, there’s place of fadneffe, for fear, for forrow^ for the feum of affedions are removed by ChriB piot the af- 3* fedions themfclves. 3. ChriH formcer triall fometimes, for fin other times, doth cover himfelf with a cloud, and . withdraw the fenfe of his favour • and its a curfed joy, that is on foot, when the Lord hideth his face. The Love of j ChriH be fick and fad j I mean the Lover, when the 5 beloved is under a cloud : It is not the new world with the ) Regenerate man here, npra Land where there’s nothing a but all Summer, allSun, neither Night, nor Clouds, nor j
Rain, I
Scrm.IH. TheTriall and Triumph of Faith,
15
Rain, nor Storm, that is the condition of the fecond Para- dice, of the better Adam. 4. Its a juft and an innocent for- xo^\\ to be grieved at that which grieveth the Holy fpirit, and when the Lyon roarethyall the Beafs of the field are afraid.
Grace maketh not /<7^aftock, nor chriB^mm who can¬ not weep.
And behold a Woman of Canaan : And a certain Woman. Of Matth. 1 5. the Woman, i. Rutone pcrfonofallT^r/^ 2nd*S/^/(?;?carae 7-.
to him. 2. She was a Sjrophcnicianhy Nation. 5. Her con^ d'ition.^'She had a Daughter vexed with a Devill, 4. With an ur’xlcj.n DevilL 5. The nearer occafion, 5’/'? heard of him,
6. She adored. 7. She prayed ^ and fo way is made to the conference between Chrift and her: And to the Trial! and Miracle,
A certain Woman. There in but one of all Fyrfts and Si-' Grace falls don who came to Chrift. i . It bcfecraeth the mercy of the on few. ^ good fhepherd, to leave ninety and nine fieej? in theWilder- neffe, and go after one which is losi^ Luk. 1 5 .4. And when all is j . . done (alas ) he hath but one of an whole hundred. Chrift hath not the tithe of mankinderHe maketh a lourney while he is wearied andthirfty through Samaria • yea, and want- erh his dinner for one Woman at thflt draught of his net,and thinketh he dineth like-a King, and above, if he favc one, /^?/7.4.33,34. O fweet husbands word, /cT. 3. 14. lam.mar- ried toyoH.^and I will take you, one of a city, and two of aT ribcyand I Will bring you to Zion. Chrift cakech finners not by dozens, not by choulands Cits but once in all the word, ^6?. 2. that three Thoufand arc converted at once ) but by one’s and two’s. Though ifrael be its the [and of the Sea j yet a Remnant Jkall hut be faved , A I^om. g. 27. Efa. 10. 22.
The Rcliquesand Refufe ihall be faved only. 2. Com- j. ^ mon Love fcarce amounteth to Grace* bccaufe Grace is feparativc, and finglech oat one of many,al! graced perfons arc pnviledged perfons, Hcavenis ahoufe-ofehofenand
pri-
l6
Grace is a rare choice piece.
; 3-
Grace not Vniverlall and com¬ mon to all.
Ohj, I.
Obj.2,
The Trial I and Triumph of Faith. Serra.lII*
veledged ones -there's 1^0 common ftones in thf Teru- but all precious ftoncs, tht foundations Saphirs ^ the iv indents Agats and Carbuncle s.^all the Borders ofpleafant Jlones^ J5/4.54.1 1,12. Chrifts way lieth {o, oi two grinding at the mi If of two in the field together y of two in one bed: Chrift will have but one-,Chrift often wil not have both Husband utkI Wife, both Father and Son but the one Brother, /4- cob^noi Efau: of a whole houfe, 'Chrift cometh to the Devils fire fide, and chufeth one, and draweth him out, and Icavech all the Family to the devil. 4. Chrift knoweth them well who he chufeth: Grace is a rare pecce of the choife and tha floor* of the love of hcaven,there be many common ftones, not many ?^’W/,not many Diamonds .and Saphirs. The mul¬ titude be all Arminians from the womb, every Hcrcfie is a peece of the old Adams wanton wit thoufands go to Hell, black Hcreticks and Heterodox as touching the Dodfrine of thcmfelves, every man hath Grace, if youbelcevc him- ielf - Unufjuisejue eft in ea here fi^ every m.an taketh Heaven for his home and heritage Dogs think to reft in Chrifts bofome, men naturally beleevc, though they be but up and down with Chrift • yet Chrift doth fo bear them at good¬ will, as to give Grace and Glory.
obj. I. Gods Love is not infinite.^ if it be limited to a few. Anf. This iliould conclude, that there be an infinite num¬ ber of men and Angels to whorn^ Gods Love to Salvation is betrothed in affedion but his love is infinite in its Ad, notin its infinite.
obj. 2.Toafcribe Gods' not loving of men, to Gddsdifpoft- ^ tiony hearty willyandpleafure.y and not to our defers is bUfphemy, J Anf. The Lord aferibeth his having mercy, and his hard- j ningto his own Free-will, Rom. 9. .Exed.^. ip. and his love is as free as his mcrc^, and by this meane'S’Gods firft love to us fliould arife from our love preventing his 5
contrary 1
Objed: The way of carrying on his love is
j
Scrm.III.
17
'The T riall and T riumph of Faith
contrary to his own word, Dtut.j. 7. Efh.z, 3, 4. Tit. 3,5.
2 Tim. i.p. and man fhould be thefirn: lover of the two , the creature then putteth the Lord in his debt, and giveth firft to God, and God cannot but recompence, Ffa.
14. Eom. II. 34, 3 3. now its no fhanic for us to live and dye in the debt of Chrifl: : The Heaven of Angels and men is an houfe of the debtors of Chrift Eternally engaged to him •, 'and fliall (land in his Debt-book ages without end.
ohj. 3. Tnfn'tte goodneffe may as foert ceafe tohe^ as, not he ohj.^, good to ail j or withhold mercy from any. ^nf. Every being of Reprobate Men and- Devils is a fruit of Gods goodnclTe, but of Free- goedne fie *, clU^Gcd (liould ceafe to be, if he fliould turn his Creatures to nothing, for he Ihoiild ceafe to be good to things without himfelf, ifthefe were all turned to their poor mother-Nothing. ? .Mercy floweth not from God eflcntially, efpecially the mercy of Conver(ion,Re- miflionof fins.Eternalllife, butof meer Grace-, for then dod could not be Godj and deny thefe favours to Reprobats: Freedome of mercy and falvacion is as infinitely fwcet and admirable in God^ as mercy and falvation it felf.
obj. jSf. But God is fo efentially good to all, as he mujl fom- Gbj.s^. mmicate his goodntfe by way of Ts/licefn order to free obedience , and that is life Eternallto thofe who freely belecve arid obey,
^nf. But the great Enemy of Grace, y^/r;^rw/>//^^teach- eth us, that all the freedome of Grace, Row.(). is refolved in the free pleafure of God, in which he freely and without hire, purpofed to reward Faith, not the workes pf the Law with life Eternall • whereas it was free to him to keep ano¬ ther order, it lb it fiiou-Id feem good to him, and by this mcanes God is yet freely, and by an act of pure Grace not eiTejitially good cpall,cven in communicating his good- neflc, by way of lufricc • For what God doth byneceffuy of his nature and effcnce, that he cannot but do, ' but fure.it :s, by nonecclTuy of nature, dofh the ’{.ord revvard workes,
E faith.
*Tht Triall and Triumph $f Faith. Serm .III.
Okj»6..
Q.hj.%.
Ohj.9.
faith, or any obedience in us with the Crown of Jife Etcr- nail : Ele may give Heaven freely without onesDbedience at all, as he giveththe firft Grace freely, 1^.5,758. Film. 5. 10. Eph. 2.5,4^ But this is fiirer, the fewer have Grace, Grace is the more Grace, and the more like it felf and free..
obj. 5 . But I have a gpod heart te God. A^f. A quiet heart fleeping in a falfe peace, is a bad heart*, moft of linnefs give their fouls to the Devil by theft, they think they are fail¬ ing to Heaven, and know nothing till they flioare, fleeping in the land of Death, LMatth. 7.21,32,23. Luk. 16.27,28.
ob] . 6. Wh) , But God hath beflowed on me^ many favours and riches in this mrld. Anf. Gods Grace is not graven on gold, it fliould be but the Logick of a bcaft, if the {laughter Oxe fhould fay, Mafler favoureth me more then any Oxe in the fall: lam free of the yoak which is upon the neck of others, and my paHure is fattier then theirs.
ohf y.The Saints Uvemt. Anf. The Saints can mif- father their love, and love where God lovech not. .
obj. 8. All the world loveth me. Anf. You arc the jiker to bea flep'Childc of ^erufalem and of Heaven* ioe.Thc mrld loveth its own, leh. 15. ip. better it were to have the world a ftep- Mother, then to be no other^but to lye in fuch a womb, and fuck fuch breads.
ob). p. Jheleeve life Eternal I, Anf. That Faith is with- childeof Heaven, but fecit be not a falfe Birth ^ fewer none come, to age, and none clothed in white and Crow¬ ned , but they were jealous of their Faith, and feared their own wayes : Naturall men ftand aloof from. Hell and Wrath.
S E R MON IV. ‘
The Woman WM a Greek y a Syrophenician by Nation.
Uch woe is denounced by the Prophets againft ^ndSidon^ yet drawethby the curtain,
and
IP
Scrm.nil. 'The 7rM and TriumfJj of Faith,
and bpcneth a window of the partition, and faveth this wo¬ man- Loe here Christ pUntiug in the mldernep, tie Cedar, the Shittah tree,jhe OMirtk, the Ojletree Efa.^r.i9-Mi here i/i. 55. 13. is fulfilled : And tn fieadef the thorn, t what better are Sidonians then thornes ■; ) jhall come up „„,hcmoft the Firre tree, and in pad of the Bryar jhall come up the Mmle .
tree; and no praife to the ground.bucto the good husband¬ man And it lha/t be to the Lord for a name, for an everlaittng fi^ne, that fiall not be cm off. Chrifi then can make and frame afair Heaven out of an ugly Hdl, and oat of theknottieft timber he can make veffels of mercy for fcrviee m the high Pallace ot glory, i . What are they all, who arc now , glorified ; The ftireft face that ftandeth before the throne g^c of Redeemed ones, was once inked and blacked with (in •, ^
you (hould not know Paul now \yith a Crown of a on
his head •, he looketh not now like a BlaJphemerj a Perjee^ ter y an injurious perfon. The woman that had once|evcn Devils in her, is a Mary Magdalen far changed and Grace made the change. 2. Grace is anew world, Heb. 2.5. The Land of Grace hath two Summers in one year, Efa.^^,2a^.
7 he Inhabitant P)all not fay Jam fteky the people that dwell there¬ in Jhall be forgiven their iniijuity, loh. 11,26. Whojoever liveth and bdee veth in me ^ jhall never They a^ not mortall men chat arc in Grace, there’s ncitlier {icknefTe nor death in that Land. 3. We ^y of fucha Phyntian, he hath cured difeafesthat never man could, be cured ftark death", then you may commit your body to him, he is a tried Phylitian, i 7imy i . 1 6. ChriH hath made a rare copy, a cu¬ rious (ampler of mercy of the JpoFHe Paul: For in him he hath (licwn all ldng-fuffering.y for a pattern to them that (hoiLd hereafter beleeve in him to life Eternall : Heaven is a hoiiie full of miracles^ yea, of fpcdacles and Images of Free- gracc \ you may intruft your foul with all its difeafes to ChriFT he h.vth given many rare proofs of his tried art of ■ El Grace,
lO
Thi T i-iati and T rhmph of Faith , Serra J I i I
ohje0.
Grace, he hath made many black limbs of Hell, fair Saints in Heaven * fiich a man, uich an Artificer threw down an old dung'ebn oF clay'and made it up a fair Palace of Gold.
oh] . But fohat dm 1 ? a lump of uarepentifig giiiltm€(je aad f to fitch a \ftfe1l of mtre^ iis hpl'^ Pauf artd Repenting Mary Magdalen <* Anf. Grace as its in God,and ficnefie to receive Grace mars, is juft alike to all. There was no more reafon why Patd fhould obtain mercy, then why thou, Or any other (inner like thee, fliould obtain mercy • there’s a like reafon There* noble and broad thoughts of the rich Grace
like'^reafon Chrifl * ' aS for Abraham^ M^fes, David^ all the Prophets ^ for Grace and ApoflltspiQ bcleeverThere wa-s no'greater ranfbm given LorS^an Chrift to buyTaith and Free-grace for Tob^ znd toThe^il^ Dmief to Mofes and Sammly then to poor and finfuli me • of men, its onc (tauft, onc ranfome, one Free-love. If there had a jRoblerand worthier Redeemer died for Mofes -and Paul i>uuL * then - for you and me : And. another Heaven and a freer Grace purchafed to them, then to me *, I flioii Id have been The fame difcouiuged , Grace is Grace to thee as to meek Mofes^ ChriR is Chrift to thee as to beleeving Abraham ^ : And fsr- have here , ther,Thb fame Griice that is here, is in Heaven-, i. As Faith we have it tHSt is freely given us, is the Conqueft of the new heir Je- ,tn, Heaven. Chrift, loh. ^.i\^.Phfl.i.ip. Eph.i.^. Soarc all Chrtfts Bracelets about our neck in Heaven, and the Garland of glory ,the Free-grace of God * its the fame day-light when the Sun breaketh forth out of the E.ift , and at noon- day in the higheft Meridian ♦, though we change places when we dye, we change not husbands. 2. We ftand here by Free- grace, 5. 2., Re pen ranee and RemiffTonof fins arc free¬ ly given here to Ifrael by the exalted Prince Chrift lefu^f, 5. 5 1. Our tears are bought with that common ranfome^ fo the high Innes of the Royall Court of Heaven, is a free and open houfe, and no bill put upon the Inhabitants 5 nei¬ ther. Eine,not Sccnt,nor Excilc, nor AireiTnacnt, nor Taxa-i
tion.,
Scrm.IIII. 7'riall and Triumph of Faith,
tbiTdHT^on the Royal charges of thePrince of thcKmgs
earth- there’s no more hire.ment.wages.or fees there in He..cn her^Ae ofglory forEterni^,and the hfc-rem wc^^.nc
of a^'cs of blefledncne.is all the good wil of him which (it- j,„e we
teth'on the Throne. Eyeryappleofthetree of life. s grace,
everv (ip every dropof the Sea and Rivei oflife^isthc pur
chafl of the blood oV the Lamb that is in the mids of them . n Thev be as poor without Chrift who are there, as we are Glorv is Grace, and their dependency for ages of ages, fe that Rev. 7.17. That the L amb which is tn the mtdli of the Throne dees feed them, and lead them unto hying Fount amts of waters, and God wipeth all teares aw ar^ from their eyes:
Then they cannot walk there alone, but the ^mb lead- cth them-, and if Chrift were not there, or if he fhould take Grace Glory, and all his own lewels and Ornamerns from kjM^fes, and Enoch, there rbouk! remain no more there but poor nature : As good Angels do therefore not fall,bccau e in Chrift the head of Angels they are confirmed ^ and if they lacked this confirming Grace they might yet fall, and become Apoftate Devils • fo the glorified in Heaven, do therefore ftand, and are confirmed in the inheritance, not bv Free-will there, more then here, but by immediate de¬ pendence of Graceon the Lamb, whom they follow the/foevtrhegoeth: Gracethen for kinde, is as good as Hea¬ ven: Glory, glory to our ranfome- pay^r • >7 ' , r
2 Eter little daughter was nsexed, {f ye faith) Mutib, i<
nPk devilled, or grievouEy cormented with a'
devil : Then obferve that common puniflirnrents of 1111 and The jufti fad affliaions doth follow juftified perfons, as well as the wicked - for it was a fad burthen ta the mother, that the corveaca Devil bad Rich a dominion over her daughter yet the foi ft- Text clearcth, that flie iwas-a juftified pcrfon,as her inftancy of praying, adoring, and great Faith, even prevailing over oS-vk/wdetfadtrialls, do manikftly evidence -, and we
Z2 'The Triall And Triumph ef Faith, Scrm.llll.
"* ' ‘ I M , -I... I I . - - -- - — . . . . -
fee the re afo ns that the Scripture alledgech : i.That the . gold of precious Faiths and the upright mettall therein, may befeenjiP^t.i.y. Affli(5tionsarc the fervants and Purfevants of the accuhng Law, fent out to caufe us lay hold by Faith Th€fur- on peace made, and pardon purchafed in ChriH : The hot furnace is the work-houfe of ChriH , in that fire he taketh hllufe^of away the fcum,the dro{re,the refufe of the true mettaiiathat ihc grace Faith may be found unto praile, and honour, and glory :,at the of chriji. cf^^efus chrijli 2. A(hidions drive us to leek God,
they being fire-men, and his hired labourers, lent to break the clods, and to plow Chriftsland, that he may fow heaven there, but Chrift muft bring new earth to the Murtiaiad. foyle .* In profpcrity we come to God, but in a common cur’intfL- ^^7 -» the grave man came to the Theator , only that he trum, Cato might go out Again *, but in trouble the Saints do more then peveu, VC- come, they make a friendly vific when they come*, alfo the ^%hdco prayers of the Saints in profperity^arc but Summer prayers, uvtm VC- flow, lazie, and alas, too formal! ♦, in trouble they rain out nergs^ut prayers, or caft them out in cd-naturall violence* as a fountain doth cafl out waters, both thefe arc in one well ex- preffed, by the Prophet^ Ifa.2d.16. Lord in trouble they have vifitedthee^they povore out a prayer^ when thy chaflening hand is on them-^ Vatablus expoundeth idSd Malmad^ A murmur¬ ing or prayer which trouble powreth out*, the Chaldee Para- pbraft turnctb it fiUntium^(\\cncc^ becaufc the confcience wakened is filent *, it is a Prophefic, what Gods fire doth effedfuare, which you have, Bof.’^, 1 5 . /» their affiiHion they will feek me early, 3 . Wc mufl: be made hke Chrifi, in the Croffc, and the Crown, 2 Tim.2,i2. and conform to him, Rom,Z.29. Chrifl: the corner ftone,though there was no fin in him, yet before he was made the chiefe corner flone, he was by death hammerd,>^<5?:4.io.i i,is.Anid much more, theftrokes and fmiting of the Crolfe muft knock down all the fupeifluity of naughtinefte, and every height, till by
fmooth-
^3
Sernt.lin . 'The Triall and T rhmph of Faith,
rmoorbing and chipping,thc childe of God be made a ftone in breadth, length, proportion, fmoothneflTe , feme way conforme to the fitft Copy, and to Chiift the farnplar- ftone. There is a fourth reafon, but its-a controverted one, the juftified perfon may be afflifted for fin-, feme teach that this is Popery to affirme, that the juftified bear the punifh • mentoF their fm, becaufe Chrtft onl^ rvas wounded for our inictuii'^-i und d^d hear in his own bodie our Jins on the "Tree^ therefore (fay thej) reffcTt feemth to he had (as one fpeaketh) to fm^not principally y hut feciindarily and occafonally^ not as it Aa'cnion o fendeth God (who by that one facrifee is for cverpaeifiedy Heb. of grace.
I o . T 4. Mat .^) hut as it ofendeth and dffeaf nh the minds ofthe\ ^nf. faithfull^, not that affl/Wons fmplyy properly, and immediatly to Dv.r^/- do eafe, ^uict, and cure the confcienc e ( for their naturall ejfe^ is to deje^ and terrife, as appendixes of the Law) but that they a- waken and fir up our dnlnefe to a lively apprehenfton of ChriHs , Righteoufnefc’j and fo while God ai a Father corredteth for fin^ How An- fm bath not properly w 'th God the natu re of fin^ which is an of- tinomians fence of Divine ]uftice-y But is confidered as a difeafe troubling his childe ^which in love^and in pitty he feeketh to make riddance refted in of^ in manner afore faid^ and not in anger and d/fp lea fare . the jufti
- ’its true, Papiftshoid, that when God forgiveth fm in Va- vfdyhc forgiveth not the ptiniHiment- for D^Wis^is punilhed with the fvvord on his houfe for thatfime (in-, but it is finstobc tpown that this doarinc is a too fall and Pillar to under- prop the Chamber in Hell, which they call Purgatory*, and that their meaning is, that punifhment in fli(51:cd on a jufti¬ fied perfoUjis a fatiifaHory to the juHice of Godt,
thi fo they may make the merits of the Saints fnffering to ride up as a colHtcralL flnrcr with the high & noble blood ofthe killed Lamb orGod,whoonely fatisfadorily,takech away thefihs ofc^|jtWoild r This we difclaim : but on thfe other hand, w^l^'that there is another juftice in God^^
then that Icg^ll; and fm-revenging juftice/ which . : . fufrenngs v
'The Triad and Triumph of Faith,
Serm.IIII.
24
fufFerings hath expiated and fully fattsfied, both in regard of acceptation, and of the intrinfecall worth of the death of him, who was God the Prince of life : And this other juflice, isalfo the juftice of an offended Father cor- . reding though in mercy (and fo it is a mixe jufticc) the fins I , of the Saints as fins : i . Becaufc the fins of the Saints arc not only the offending of divine revenging juftice, but alfo a wrong done againfc this mixe juftice,and againfl: the mer¬ cy and kindeneffe of Godf 2 Sam.ii.'] Eieod.io.i.i, >py4/. 81.6,7,10,11, rfaf. 78.11,12,13,42,55,54,55,56. Dent. 32.1 1,12,13,14,15,16.17,18. Amos 3.2. And there¬ fore God doth pimifli, in his own, fins as fins. ,
That God ^ ^ ^ ^ periili with the world
punifheth ^re for this caufe (bccaufe they cat and drink unwo rthily) pardoned fick and punifhcd with death, 2/. 3 0,3 2, 3 3. It is clear againft the Text, that Mr. T otvne faith, T hat a jufiified perfon having proved by the Uaft meafure of Faith ^ cannot eat a^ad drink unworthily ^the ftvenAr- [mailed F a 'lth makcth them worthy, and fo thofe who in that ^ ^ ' T ext did eat unworthily , did but dally with the Gofpef and ne-- ver aBully put on Chrip, But Faith doth no more hinder a jufiified perfon to receive the Lords Supper unworthily, then it doth hinder him to commit adultery, or incefl-, or tokill^and whofoever (liould come to the Lords TablCjim^ der thefe fins, without repenting, fliould Eat and Drink un* worthily, and fuch a fin may a beleever according to Gods heart (as David commit-, and there is great ods be¬ tween bj’ing unworthy, and eating unworthily, all belee- vers of themfelves are unworthy of Chrift and Salva^ tion, but being in Chrift by Faith, they are counted wor¬ thy, and yet they may Eat andoDrinke unworthily • but Mafter Townes fenfe feemethto carry, That aj^iftified perfon cannot finne , nor Eat and Drinke unworthi¬ ly , becaufe Faith maketh him worthy; and if fo, the way of -Grace is a wanton merry way; the rjuftified are
freed
25
Serm.II II . 5 ^ ^ riumph of Faith,
- ■ ■ * ■■ ' — — " ' — ' . ' ' ‘■" ' ■ ■ ■ I ^
freed from the Law , and from any danger of finning.
3. Hothing more evident then that D4^'/V was punifiied according to the rule of that-mixed and fatherly juftice, which keeps a due proportion between the fin, and the pu- nidiment *, his fin was to cut off Vriahs houfe out of ifrael-y
^ndcth the fwordagainfl: his houfe all hisdaycs •, he took another mans wife fecretly, and did commit fikhi- neffe with her, the Lord took his wives before the fun, and gave them to who defiled his bed: Here’s ju- fiicc (though I grant mixed with mercy) fword for (word, bed for bed, 2 Sam. 11, Bit honoured his fons more then God, fuffered them to profane Priefthood and Sacrifices ; juftice rooted out his fons from Priefthood and Sacrifice : HtT^kiah out of his pride fhewed all his Treafures, and all that was in his houfe to the King of Babylons Meffengers^ and juftice raeafured out the like to hira,all that was in his houfe, and all his treafures were carried away as a fpoilc to Babylon.
4. EK.el^9.6.Slay old attd young-- - begi» at mj fanB:uary^'ak.i*20.
And behold thoft jhah be dumb - becaufe thou bdeeveB not my
Xoord. The Church of God Interminis faith /o Lament, i . 1 S. The Lord u righteous for 1 have rebelled againfl his Commandment :
14. The yoke of mj tranfgrejfton is bound by his hand : they are ^rea- thed, and come up upon my nec^ ch.^.^9. tvherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punijhment of his fin, 40. Let us fearch and try our ^ayes, and turn again to the Lord,l{2L.^i.is^. fVhogave lacob for a Jpoil, and Ifrael to the Robbers ? did not the Lord againfi 'dehorn dee have finned ? Mica.7.9. 1 deiUbear the indignation of the Lordbecaufe I have finned,! Kin. 24.20. For through the anger of the Lord it came topajfe in Jerufalem andjudah, untill he had cafi them out from his prefence, that Zedekiah rebedtd againfl the King of Babylon, Its not of weight that is brought to take off the force of thefc pregnant Scriptures : The church con fifing of mixed per fons,, good and bad^ eleLl, and reprobate (fay they) is according to the wicked parip,puni- Jhedin juftice, but not the believing party : But I anlWer aU ^udah good and ill, ^eremiah^ Daniel^ and all the holy
F feed
A
TheTriall and Triumph of Faith, Serm.IIII.
feed were involved with the perverfe and obftinate Idola¬ ters, in the fame common calamity of a fid captivity, and it was not the ill figs, &ftifFe-necked Idolaters, that did con- feflTe the Lords Righteoulheffe, and their own Rebellion againft the Lord, nor did the wicked party enter in a Triall of their wayes, and acknowledge that the unregenerate man only fuffereth for his fins, nor did any of that fide, with patience, hope, and filcnce,bear the indignation of the Lord, it was the true Church, Gods the meek of
the earth, that did thus ftoop to Gods corre/^ion, and yet thefe farBie were punifhed for their fins, as they acknow¬ ledge, 1. 1 8. Mic.j.g.
5. 5. Thisisalfo againft the Covenant and threatnings
thereof, Levit, 26.11, And if ye walk contrary to me^ and wid not hearken to me.., I will bring fe'oen times more Plagues on you If then {in their heavy affli^iions) their uncirm
cumci(ed hearts be humbled^ and they then accept of the puni^j - ment of their iniquity. 42 . Then will I remember my Covenant with Jacob jPfal.^g.'^o, If his children forfakemy Law ^ and walk not in my judgement s,(^c. 3 i.Then will I viftt their tranf grefsions with the Rod^ and their iniquity with ftripes. 3 3 . Ne- vertheleffe my loving kindnejfe will 1 not utterly take from him\^ See, Nothing move evident, then that thefe that are in the Covenant of Grace, from whom God cannot remove the fine niercies of David, arc vifited for their iniquities with temporall Rods.
g 6, It is againft Gods anger and difpleafure at the fins of hisi own children, for God is really angry at his own chil¬ drens fins, and why then doth he not punifh them for their fins < Exod. 4. 14. The anger of the Lord was kindled againfi Mofes .Dcvii, 1.57. Alfo the Lord was OJOgrj with me for your fake : And the ftory fheweth, becaufe Mofes fandified not ihtLord, at the water s'of Meribah.^ God would not fuffer him to let his foot in the holy Land. i Chron, 11, God
Sertn.IIII. 'The TrUll and Trhwfh of Faith, 17
vf4saii^f‘ywith Solonion^ Dcut.i.so. The Lotd W3.s very Aaron, 2 Chron.i9>'^- The Prophet ^ehu faid to fehofaphat th^i aood King, There is wrath upon theefrorn the Lord, 1 fa. 60, i o . For in tny wrath I [mote thee, but in wy fa¬ vour, I htive had mercy on thee, '
7. The contrary error is found^ed tip-on two other errors, that all 7,
dffiiUions, are fubfervient officers, and Sergeants to the Law, arnd Jo they are fignes of Gods wrath, as is the Law, and as be- tee'vers are freed from the ruling power of the Law, [0 alfofrom the Rod. But this is falfe/or Gods rod of it relf,is neither a figne of revenging juftice, nor of free mercy-, but it taketh its nature and fpecification, from the intention and minde of God • ail thefe excernalls fall^alike, to Ele(a and Re¬ probate:' The repenting Theefc, and the blaCpheming Theefe are under the fame Rod of God, both die a violent death : wicked Ahab, and good tfofiah are both killed in War : the Botches, and Agues threatned in the 'LvN,DtuS, 28.60. arc upon 5^0^, chap. 2. v.7. Whatmaketh then the fatne Rod to bea workof revenging jufticein the Repro¬ bate, and of juftice mixed and temperd with mercy and fatherly kindeneffe in the other I Certainly Gods pleafure and wife intention, punifhing for different ends, varieth the nature of the rods, fo as an intention to take fatisfadory vengeance on the Reprobate, fpecifiech his Rod, and ma- keth it puniftiment of black wrath, of fait, and unmixed jufticeon him, and this intention is an eftentiall ingredient in fatisfa(ftory puniftnnent. God writeth and ingraveth up¬ on the tooth-akc of a Reprobate, a parcell of Hell and he ftampeth upon burning quick, racking, and torte- ring, the ingraving of Heaven, of mercy, and loving kinde- nefte in thebeleever : baftard Croft'es, and lawfully be¬ gotten aftiidions have the fame Father, but not the fame Mother: 2. If the Patrons of this error could make Rod as Arbitrary, as they fancy the duties of the teaching,
F 2 and'
28 TheTriaU and Triumph df Faith. ^ Serm.IIIL
and ruling Law of God to be, they fliould cry down all CrolTcs, and fend all the juftiEed per foas to heaven, with- a Pafrc,feciiring them from all afflidion in the way to hea¬ ven, and fb Chrift fhould bring his many children to glory with dry faces, and whole skins • whereas Chrifthimfelf paired to.hcavcn with.the tear in his eye, and a bruifed foul. The other error is, that chrifi hath made afuU atonement for fW] andfttll’t fatisfied juflicefer allthat art jufltfed in his blood, apd therefore they cannot be punt fhed for fin themfelves : But 1, There is more in thc.concluEon then in the premifes : F/gOj the jufliEed cannot fuffer fatisfadory punilhment for fin, either in whole, or part 5. this is moft true, no mans^ garments were ever died with one drop of red fatisfadory v:cngeance for fin, chrifi hath alone troae this Fine-pre[fe, and of all theliations^there was none with him: but yet it no wayes fplloweth, that the regenerate doth not fuEer punifliment for fin,accordlngtothe rule of another mixed & tempered juftice_; 2. If this Argunaent from;Chrifts fuffering,have nerves, it firall conclude,that the Elcd before they be ju- ftified,. are. never punifhedfor fin, more then beleeving Saints are • yea, that God is not dirpleafed with Abrahams- Idolatry before his converfion, nor wich Manaffehs blood, nor with Sauls perfecution,becaure chrifi payed juftice for fins of Elcd perfons committed before juflification, as for fins committed after juftification.
life. i« can fetch no conclufion of, a bad condition from^
afflidion. Its a part of tenderneffe of Confcience in the Regenerate to be too applicatory ofthcLaw and of wrath: beobfema Jttm- affixed above alt others^ therefore God is angry with mCy inafBiair and I Am cafi off by God. Its a bad confequence,there be fome Rules tobe obferyed in afflidion; i. We are not either to I. Rule. over*argue,or to. under. argue, neither to faint, nordefpife, Heh. 1 2, Confcience is too quick- fighted after illumination,, and too dull fighted before : . The reafons why we. argue:
from .
Scrm.IIII. %heTriall and Triumph of Faitk _ ^
fromaffliaionsto Gods hatred, arc- i. There’s a Confd- ence ofa Confciencc in the beleever, thatis, even m an m- liehtncd Confcience •, there is fomc ill Confcience, to deem ill of God, Pfal.^i. 2-2. For I [aid in my haft, J am cut of from kfore thine eyes. This is a hafty Confciencc, as we iay,Such a one is a hafty man, and foon faddicd, eafily provoked to anger ; this is a Confcience foon provoked to
anoer. 2 . Wc have not that love and charity to God, that we have to fome Friend 5 we have f tich a love to forae dear Friend, that all his blacks are white, his feeming injuries to us, do not provoke us * wc fay (l ean beleevc no evill of fuch a man)and we over-fhoot our felves in an over-charge and furfet of charity , v^hich proceedeth from a Superplm and dominion of Love to a creature : We are in the other extremity to God’ and Jefus Chrifl: : Senfc of afflidion cooleth our Love, and we cannot extend charity fo far to our Lord, as when we fee he dealcth hardly with us,to keep the other car without prejudice, free from the report that affli(5lion,andthefenfe ofafflidion maketh. 5. The fleih joynethwith afflidion againft God,affiiaion whifpereth wrath, juftice,finvand the fledi faith, That is very true For fiefli hateth God, and fomuft dander his Dirpenfation: Ahab could not but (lander Micaiah, he never Prophefieth goQd{^mh\\Q)to me. Is not Gods Truth good f Suiely, every word of Prophefie is like gold (even times tried: V he reafon of the-flander is given by himfelf : I hate him. The other extremity is, that we undei'argue in a(ffi<5l:ion5as i .We fay. Its not the Lord* the Philiftimsdoubted whither God^ had fent the Emrodson them, for keeping the Ark captive, or if chance-had done It*, its grace tp father the crofCe right. 2. We look feldome fpiritually on the erode, a earnall eye upon a croffe is a plague, Ffa. 42.23 . Gods anger fet him on fire round about,andhe knew not Arid it burned him Arid he laid it not to heart, ftrange thatGods fire (hould burn a raan^and
30
Serna .1111,
‘The Trial I and Triuntphof Faith^
yet he neither feeth nor fecleth fire : Why f there’s fomc- thing of God in the croffe, that the carnall eye cannot becaufe as Zophar faith, Tob 20.26. Z fire not blown (hall con- fume him : Some make it (and not without reafon) a fire that hath no noife of bellows or wind to make it take fire, and to flame upXome are burnt, & they neither hear nor fee-, there’s a white powder chat burnetii and maketh no noife or found - a dumb rod is twice a rod, we fcarce fee what God is -doing in this war, we are fmitten of God in the dark-, and fo wicked men never do come lawfully out of af- iflidion, they fee not God, nor fin, and for that cometh not out of prifbn by the Kings keyes, but they break the Goal, and leap out atu window-, the Landis to fee all thccir- cumftances of this bloody war in thefe three Kingdoms. Ufc. 2. We are .to put a difference between Gods afflidting one
man, and a whole Church : Now, God hath his fire in our Sion, & we wonder that wars have lyen on Germany twenty fix years,& that for divers years the fword hath been on us Naf thefe Kingdoms, i . There be many vcffels to be melted
muftTe a fire for an afternoon, or a war for a morning, of a day, longer in or a Week, cannot do it. Seven dayes fickneffe of a dying then Childe,putteth David to go foftly and in fackcloth : Years particular are little cnough to humble proud Scotland England. perfon. (^ocl humblcd Ifrael 400. years and above in ^gypt, and kept them forty years in the Wilderneffe, and ^u^ah mwlk lye fmoaking in the Furnace feventy years. 2, One Tem¬ ple was forty fix years a building, God hath taken eighty years to Reform England, and many years to Reform land, and the Temple is not builded yet give to our Lord time, hope, ahd wait on. 3. Babylon is a great Cedar that cannot fail at the firfi: flroak, its not a work of one day or a year, to bring that Princeffc, the Lady of Nations from Her Throne of glory, to fit in the dufi^ and take the Milfiones and grinde meal t ■
SER-
Scrm.V.
TheT ridil and Triumph of Faith
3*
SERMON V.
VFxed with a Devil. She is Devilled^ thatiS; satanwor-
fwlly polTeffcd : The malice of the Devill is a naturall keth as a agent, and vvorketh as intently and bendy as he canvas agem maximum quod fic^ the fire putteth forth all its ftrength in out niode- burning,theSun hcateth and inlightncth as vehemendy as it can ; A Milftonc fallen from the fphere of the Moon down to the earth, ufethno moderation or abetment in its mo¬ tion : The malice of Hell being letloofe.it workethmii- chief by nature, not by will. Satans polfelFion is full^P^- ter faith to Ananias ^ A5is 5 . 3 .Why hath Sathan filled thy heart to lye againli the Holyy GhoH? As there is a fulnelTe of God, Eph.^.ip. fothere’sa fulnelfeof the Devil, as being filled with all tsnrighteoufneffie. It is no wonder that Cavaliers md. CMalignants^ot^2ts their Father, the nature of the Father is in the fon, modus operands fequitur modum the manner of working, is futable to the nature of the worker ^ Hell works like Hell, Ier:~i.^. Behold thou hafi Jpoken^ and done evill as thou coitldfi^ Efa.$.iS. They draw fin ' ^ and iifiquity , not with arudior a threed, but with cords of vanity^ and with a eart rope^ Mic. 7.3. They do evill with both . i hands earnefiy. All that malice and Hell could do of cru¬ elty to young and old to women and fucking infants, hath been done in Ireland and England: The De^il in his cle¬ ment is twice a Devil ^ he is in his own when he formeth and aduateth bloody inftruments, and he aboun^deth in his own fphere- Satans malice, its alone, is great, and a hilners wrath is heavier then ftones and fand but whcn they arc conjoyned ( as united force is ftrongcr ) who can ftahd before them < Chrifts Lambs have been preferved amidH Devils and men, fince the Creation, amongft Wolves, by no humane power and ftrength.
, Oblerve, That all that came to Chrift have been forced • ibrongh feme one necdlity or other, eitlier a Icaprous
body,
3^ The Triall and Triumph df Faith, Serm.V.
body, blinde eycs,a palfey,a bloody iiTuCja withered armc, or a dying fonjand that fome have bin brought to Chtifl:,ac lead their Parents or Friends have come to Chrift through reafon of bodily pollcflion by the Devil ^ but we read of spitituil none that came through reaibn of the Dcvifs fpirituall few pofTefling of thetn^cither by themfelves or others, i .There none w mucli flcfli and much nature in us, and fo much fenfe and Chrift. little fpirit, and little of God ^ a blinde eye will chafe thee
I. to Chrifl, a foul under the Prince of darkncfle will not.
; 2. 2. Wc arc all body, and life, and time-, but we are not all
Soul, and Spirit, and Eternity: Heaven is far from being i* the mafter Element in us. 5. Mifplaced love is much, loh, 8.44. 7“^ fff your Father theDevil^ faith Chrift to the lews-, every childe loveth the Father. Why ^ And men love not the Devil; doth not every wretch through natures t inft;in(5l3abhor the Devil < Is not this the Mother- devotion of any wretch that knoweth nothing of God from the womb ^ God fave me from the D^w7, and all his rvorkcsj %owmen nothing to do with that foal ^irit. Its true. There's a naturally phyftcall hatred of the Devil-, as he is a fpirit, an Angel Devif and thePurdvant of divine juft:ice,infli(ft:ing evil of punifh- ment on all men naturally -, but there's in all men an in- bred morall love of the devill,as he is a fallen fpirit^tempt- ing to fin-, here every prilbner loveth this keeper, like lo¬ veth like, broken men and Bankrupts flee together to Woods and Mountains-, an Out- law loveth an Out law. Fowls oF a feather flock together, the Devil and finfull men are both broken men, and Out-laws of Heaven, and of one blood; wicked men are, i ^oh,^, 10, The children of thel>e<vill^ they have that natural 1 relation of Father and Son : There’s of the Devils feed in finners, there’s a fpirit tuall concupifcencc in Devils, to luft: againft: Gods Image - and Glory, and Satan findeth his owm feed in us by nature, to wit , concupifcencc, a ftem , a fprouting , and childe
of
Serm.V.
The T rUH and Triumph of Faith.
of thc houfeot Hell. It were good wc knew, our own mi- feiy,the man refolvctha prifoncrhasa fwcetlife, wholo- veth his own chains becaufe made of gold, and hateth them not becaufe chains, and falleth to Paint the walls of his Dungeon^and to put up Hangings in his Prifon, and will but over- gild with gold his Iron Fetters : Oh ! are we not in love with our own Dungeon of fin ** And do we not bear a kinde love to our Father the Devill < We bring in provifion for the fielli, and nouriftithe Old man, as old as fince Adam firft finned : Alas, we never faw our Father in the facejwe love the Devil as the Devil fallen in fin, but we fee him not as a Devill, but only under the embroderies of golden and filkentemptationsi we fow to the flefli, we Inne our Crop to the Devil, but we know not our Landlord- and becaufe fenfe and fle(b is nearer to us then God, we de- fire more the Liberties of State, free commerce, and peace with the King, then Chrifts Liberties, the power, and pu¬ rity of the Gofpel , that we may negotiate v/ith heaven, and have peace with God."
Unclean Jpirit~\ Thisisthequality of this Devil; Anun- Satan how clean Devil. Now whether he be called fo, becaufe he ^nu^can tempted the rtiaid to fome prodigious adfs of uncleannefTe, ^ * or becaufe in generall he tempteth to uncleannefTe of fins^ fo as uncleannefTe is but a generall Epithet of all the Devils^
I profefTc my ignorance, how ever all Devils have thisgc- nerall name, mcUam Sprits j becaufe of their fpirituall un¬ cleannefTe : Its certain, Devils are, i .Black, now they being fallen in a fmoky HelL and kept under the power and chains of darknefe^ and they are but lumps of black Hell, and darknefle, whereas they are created fair Angels : i. Truth is the fiireft thing that is, obedience to God is truth, Job,
3.21. Sin is the mofi ugly, and deformed thing in the world : and therefore finiiers can have no communion with God, while they be wafhed : 2 . Devils were once pure
G and
34 The Tridll and Triumph §f Faith, Serm.V.
—* — — — - - — _ — — . _ .
I and clean fpirits, their underftandings were made clear, to
! fee God and his beauty 5 now thcfc fair Ipirits arc darkncd,
I for their fcllow'Angcis who finned not, zxt^yn Seraphims ,
i and Lampes of light, and thefe Angels (faith Chrifi,Matth,
i 1^,10^) Bo alwa’^es behold the face of my Father which is in
Heaven,
Then the more Grace of Chrift, the more cIcarneflTe of faving knowledge and found rcafon • Grace makcch more j folid wifdom then Art, or Learning • by this David excel-
! led all his Teachers^ and the Ancient ones : In Satans fools-
the right principle of wifdom is extinguiilied 5 the Prophet fpakeicof States-men, or rather State-fooles^ Jct.S.p. Lo I they have rejeHed the word of the Lord ,, and what wif-
dom is in them f As there bee pollutions of the , fle(h , fo. are there pollutions of the minde and jpirit y
2 Timothy 5. 8. Men of corrupt minde, arc men of Ifstmc rotten mindes ♦, T^l^c opinions of God are rottenneffe V Sow^God inthe uridcrftanding, i Ttm r.y. The Jpirit of a found mi nde^
1 favingly. vcr. i hold fa fl thc forme 6 f found words: There arc feme words that come from a fick minde, as T/t.i.i^, The A- poftle holdeth forth,chat there be fome fick of the Faith, as there be Tome found of the Faith, Prov.z.j. The Lord giveth found wifdom n’tt'OD its Effence, and being : aVtOvy-is , Pagnin, SuhjlantUm : R. Levi, refervahit reHis id quod ef-,
j. Fa. faith, Bec ail fc wifdom and the Law of God is an
i' abiding, and(?.s A ben E’^a faith) A living thing that endurcih
!; to eternity •, whereas indeed humane wifdom, and falfe opi-
1 nionsof God, are paffiiig" away things, the 13’e liveth not a
i longagc: wifdom isaTieeof Life, Pfal.119.%0. Let my
I heart be found in Ah'! Starnes : perfedf, wanting no¬
thing, a foolwanteth the beft part of his heart : Scate- wirdom,not lying levell to Cbrifts ends, but commenfura- Ariic,y,, ted with carnal! projedls, is but folly.
( Mark. 7* . ’ ' Hearing of him~\ V/bat had.fiie heard f that ^efus was ! the ;
35
^ -
rhe Tridll md triuwphof Fdith.
the SorJfif God^ the CAieffhhof I fme I ^ and could, and was willing lo heal her daughter : two things are hereobjet- vablc,%;/r/>^of Chrijl drew her to Chrtfi: 2. Its good to border with Chrijly and to be near hand to him : There is a necclTity that we hear of Chrift^ before we come to mrn.
This is Gods way, Rom. 10. Faith cemoth by huring : Chfi\t is not in us from the womb. Faith is not a flower thatgrow- cth out of fuch a fowre and cold ground as nature •, its a ftemme and a birch of heaven: 2. None can come to Chrt]t, except they hear a good report o^Kim.mrvJfjall they bekeve in him^ of vrhom they have not heard ‘f Thofe who ing bring-
ri<^ht to Chrif, miift have noble, high, long, deepjand broad ah fouls to thoughts of fefm, and know the Gofpel.Now what is the Chnft. Gofpel^ Nothing but a good report ot Chriflr, you mult hear a Gorpel- report of C^r/jf?, ere you come to him ; Ill principled thoughts of Chrijl keepeth many from him,
I Kin.S.^2 . Strangers pall hear of thy great name^^ and of thy fiyong hand. Chrift wasto be heard by the deaf Gentiles,
Jfip.i SJn thatday pal the deaf hear the words of the booh.SNc hear, and we hear not* becaufe the Lord wakeneth not the ear, morning by morning, that we may hear its the learned'. Many hear, but they have not the learned ear, nor the ear of fuch as have heard and learned of the Father : Many hear of Chrift, a voice, and no more but a voice, they know not that Pro- phefie, I fa. 7,0.2 1. Thine ears pall hear a word bthwde thee/ay- ing, This is the way, walk ye in it: There’s another vice in our hearing, men do not hear, that they may hear, iS. Bear ye deaf and behold ye biinde^ that ye may fee: That is , hear that y£ may hear, fee chat ye may fee : the Lord giveth Grace, that he may give Grace, and we are to receive Grace, that we may receive Grace : Grace is the only re¬ ward of Grace : 3 We hear, and we hear not-, we fee, but we have no reflexft-aff upon our feeing: Many open their ears 10 Chrif, hi\i they hear not, they want a jpiricuall fa-
G 2 cthy
3^
The Trull and Triumph of Faith.
Sern>. V*
Three vices in hearing.
Smile, i
A.hght of- He! ihould not work Faith with¬ out Graces efticacious aftton.
culty of obferving, Efa. 42,20. Seeing many things, but thou obfervejl not-^ opening the ear.^ but he heareth not. 4. Many put Chrift in an ear without a bottome, or in ecu* with a hole in its bottome-, we hear of Chrifi:3H^^,2.bLit we are as leaking and running* out vefTels, Era.42.23. Who aynong^^ou will gin»t ear to this, and hear for the time to come ? Phyfitians give their three cauies of DeafnefTe ^ i. When there’s a carnofity on the Tympanum aurisfht drum^ this is Extrin(icall,the world is another lover, and the care of it, and thar hindcreth hear¬ ing. 2. When the organ of hearing is hurt and diftempered, as a lame hand caanot apprehend : now when there be falfe fancies, and Principles contrary to the Goffel in the heart, the ear cannot hear. 3 .When there is abundance of humors in the brain, and they raife a noife and tumult in tympanOj in the drum ,and hinder founds to be heard . W hen Pride,and Principles of Senfuality and vain pleafures make a noife within, that neither Chrift knocking,nor his voice without can be heard, men are deaf.
But why do we not hear and fee Chrift revealing himfeif in his wayes and works ^ Reafon would fay, If Hell and Judgement were before our eyes, we ftiould hear and come to Chrift : Suppofe wee faw with our eyes, for twenty or thirty yeers together, a great furnace of fire,of the quantity of the whole earth, & faw there Cain., fudas^Ahitophef Saul, and all the damned, as lumps of red fire, and they boyling and louping for pain in a dungeon ofeverlafting brimftone, and the black and terrible devils with long 8c ftiarp-tooth’d whips of Scorpions, laftiing out fcourges on them •, and if wc faw there our Neighbours, Brethren, Sifters^ yea our dear Children, Wives,Fathers and Mothers, fwimming and finking in that black Lake, and heard the yelling, fhouting, crying of our yong ones and fathers,blafpheming the fpot- lefte Juftice of God *, if wee faw this, while we are living here oa Earth, we. fliould not dare to offend the Majefty of
Scrr/*V. TheTriall and Trittmfh of Faith, 37
Cod, but {hould hear, come to Chrrft, and belecve and be favcd . But the truth is, Ifivee beleeve not Mo fes and the Pro- fhetSyntiihtt fliouldvvce’beleeve for this, becaufe wee fee with our eyes, and hear with our ears, even while we are in this life daily, pieces and little parcels of Hell, for wee fee and hear daily fome turhbling in their blood,thoufands cut down of our Brethren, Children, Fathers, Malefa^ors hanged and quartered. Death in every houfe : Thefe, thefe be little Hells, and little coals and fparkles of the great fire of Hell, and certain Documents to us, that there is a Hell.
Yet wee neither hear nor come to Chrift. Nay, fuppofe a Preacher come from Hell to the rich Gluttons five Brethren^
Luke i6, andfliOLild bring with him all the lafl-ics, and print of the whips of Satans Scorpions, on back, and fide, on thighs, arms and legs-, and though he fiiould bring up to us out of Hell, ten thoufand damned, and bring with him the fire, the red coals of the Fury of God, every coal as great as a Mountain, and offer them all to our eyes,and cars and fenfcSjfuch is the power of our deafnefs and blindnefs, that wee fiiould not believe : For when many little Hells work fo little by length of time, this one great Hell fhould never bring us to hear, and come to Chrift. See how little wee are affedfed with the blood of fb many thoufands of our own flefh in the three Kingdoms ; Alas 1 ourfenfesare confined within time .
The other thing obfervable,is, That it is good to be necr its good to the place whereChrift is. It was advantage.that the woman dwelt upon the borders of the Land where Chrift was-. Its ' good for the poor to be a Neighbour befide the rich, and forthethirfty to take up houfe and dwell at the Fountain, and for the fick to border with the Phyfician. O love the ground that Chrift^ walketh on To be born in Sion is an ho¬ nour^ Pfal. 87. 6, becaufe there the Lord dwelleth. Its a blef- fing to hear and fee Chrift, CMat. 13.16* we do not weigh,
nor
38 The Triail and Triumfh df Faith, Sercn.Vl.
■nor duly efteem what a favour it is, that Chrift w^Iketh in the midfl; oi the golden Candlefticks, that the voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land^ its ours, to build hima pal-^ lace of Silver.
For the (ixch Article, which is. Her adoring of Chrift^ it fliall be fpoken of in another place: Ihaflcn therefore to her Prayer.
SERMON VL
Crying in Prnyer ne- ccfl'ajy.
1.
2.
IN her Praycr,as its exprcfled by Matherv,\vQ \\2.WQ^ i .The maner of it, She cryed. 2 . The compellation, or party to whom , (he prayeth, O Lord^ thon fen of David. 3. The Pe¬ tition, Have mercy on me, 4. The Rcafon, For my daughter is vexed with a Devil.
she cryed: The poor woman prayed (as wee fay) with good will, with a bent affedtion. Why is crying ufed in praying ^ Had it not been mor© modefly to fpeak to this ioul-redeeming Saviour, who heareth fomecimes before we pray, then to cry outandfhout^ For the Difciplesdo after com plain, that She cryeth fo after them : Was Chrift fo difficile^to beintreatedi’ The reafons of crying-, are, i. Want cannot blufh the pinching neceffity of the Saints, is not tyed to the law of Modefty : Hunger cannot be afliamed, Pfa. 5 5 . 2 . / mourn in my complaint, and make a noife^ faith Da¬ vid^ and E%ekiah^ Efa. 38. 14. Like a Crane or a Sw allow, fo did J chatter z, I did mourn as a Job 30.28./ tirent mourn¬ ing without the Sun ♦, I flood up {and) I cryed in the congregation, 2. Though God hear Prayer onely as Prayer offered in Chrift, not becaufc very fervent yet fervour is a heavenly ingredient in Prayer •, an Arrow drawn with full ftrength^ hath a fpeedier iftue-, therforc the Prayers of the Saints arc expreftej by crying in Scripture,Pfa.22.2.(9 my God,! cry by day, and thou hearefl not, Pfa. 55. 17. y^t noon will I p^ay., and cry aloud^ Pfal. 18. 6. In my diflreffe I cryed to the Lord, P f d .'8 8.13. Vnto thee hitve I cryed, O Lord^ P fal . 1 3 o . i . Out
I
Scrm. VI. 7heTrht!l And Triumph of Faith,
39
of the depths have I cryedyfon. 2. 2. Oat of the belly of Helf leryed^ Pfal.aS.i . Unto thee mill cry ^ O Lord^my Rock : Yea, it goctli to fomewhac more then crying, ig.y.Icryeut of wrong, but am not heard, Lam . 3 . 8 . Ifo when I cry and J1)out, he Jkutteth out my Prayers : He who may teach us all to pray, fweet fcfus^ Heb. <,.y. In the dayes of bis flcjh offered up prayers and jupplf cations^ with Hrong crying and tears, he prayed with war-fliouts: 3. And thefe prayers are fo prevalent, that God anfwerech them, Pfal.^A. 6. This poor man cried^and the Lord heard and faved him from all his fears^ Pfal. 1S.6. My cry came before him , even to his ears : the cry addech wings to the prayer, As 4 j^eedy PoH fent to Court upon life and death, Pfal.' 22. 5. Our fathers cryed unto thee ^ and were delivered^ Pfal. 34. 17. The righteous cry ^ and the Lord heareth : Wc all know the Parable of the poor Wi¬ dow , and the unrighteous Judge •, if the opprelfed be not delivered, Chrift and his Father, and Heaven, iliall hear of it: hence, 4. Importunity in praying, I will not let 4'* thee go (,{aith to his Lord) till thou ble/fe me: So
calleth it, chap, j.ver. 16. Prayer pof-
feffdwHh a fftrit^ but a good fpii it- Prayer, fteeled with fer¬ vor of fpirit, fo fervent, th'xx. David like the P oft, who laycth by three horfes as brcathlcffe *, his heart fis throat, his eyes, Pfa, 69.^. I am weary of my crying, my throat is dried, mine eyes fat f while I wait for my God : 5 . There is violence 5 . offered to God, in fervent prayer, Bxod.^z.io, Mofes is an- iwered, when he is wrcfrling with God by prayer, for the i people. Now therefore let me alone, that my anger may wax hot i againflthem: Let me alone word, of putting violent I hands in any : there be bones and finews in fuch prayeiSjby them the King is held in his Gallcnes^ Cant. 7. 5 .
objehl. Rut iffo he that prayers mufl he fervent -even to vocall Qhj^ i crying and fsouting, then f cannot pray, who am often focen- founded^ that I cannot {feak.one word, Anf, So was the fer-
vant ,
ro
40
The Triad and Triumph of Faith, ' Serm. VI.
gocth for Prayer.
Ohj.2,
God, in a Spirituall kinde of prayingjin uttering the wTntaU^ when he faith ‘i/. 4. Thou holdefi mine eyes wakings
words/oas 1 am fo troubled that I cannot fpeak yea groaning gocth for groaning praying to God,P/4/.i02.20. The Lord looked down from hea¬ ven^ to hear the groaning of theprifoner^ Rom. 8. 26. The Jpi- rit tntercedethfor us^ with fighes that none can
fieake. Faith doth figh prayers to heaven, Chrijl recciveth fighes in his cenfor^ for Prayer : words are but the body, the garment, the outfide of Prayer, fighes are neerer the heart-work, a dumb beggar getteth an almes at Chrifis gates,evcn by making fignes,whcn his tongue cannot plead for him, and the rather becaufe he is dumb.
Objecfl:, 2 . / have not fo much as a voice to utter to God-^ and Hovvnnny Chrift faith, C4»r.2 . 14. Caufe me hear thj voicc. Anf, Yea,
Other thing hath a voice befide the tongue,?/. 6. 8. befideTo- The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping: Tears have a call prayer, tongue,and Grammar,and language,that our Father know- eth. Babes have no prayers for the breaft, but weeping, the prayer in mother can read hunger on weeping.
Gotis ac- Object. 3 . But I am often fo as I cannot weep ^weeping ispecu-
^obF'^ to a man as laughing is, and jpirituall weeping is peculiar to
Sorncafl renewed man. Anf. Vehemencie of affedion dothof-
fcaions in ten move weeping, fo as it is but fpilt weeping that we can prayer are hencc, BXechiah can but chatter as a Crane, and a SwaU
above wee- and moan OS a Dove.^ Ifa.^^S. 14. Sorrow kecpethnotal- P'"g- way the Road- way, weeping is but the fcabberd of forrow,
and there’s often more forrow where there is little or no weeping, there’s mofi: of fire, where there is leafl fmcke.
Objedl. 4. But I have neither weeping one way or other., or¬ dinary, nor marred. Anf. Looking up to heaven, lifting up of the eyes, gocth for Prayer alfo in Gods Books, Pfal.'^.^.My ven goeth Prayer will I direct to thee, and I will look up, Jfa.c^S.i 4. Mine
with lookingupward, Pfal.6p.3. Becaufe, i. Prayer is a pouring out of the foul to God, and Faith will come
out
ohj.a^.
Looking up to hca-
insj.
Serm .V 1 11 . 'The T ruJl And T riumph of Faith,
out at the eye, in lieu of another dooi^often affedions break out at the window, when the door is do fed, as fmoak vcn- teth at the window, when the Chimney refufeth paffagc*, Steven lookt up to Heaven, 5 • He fent a Poft, a
ereedy, pittifull, and hungry look up to Cm/, out at the window, at the necreft pafTagc^to tell a poor friend was <:o- inin«^ up to him : 2 . 1 would wiih no morc,tf I were in Hell, but?o fend a long- look up to Heaven 5 there be many love- looks of the Saints, lying up before the Throne, in the bo- forae of Chri j, the twinkling of thy eyes in Prayer are not loft to C/^r// ♦, clfe StevemXoQk ^ Davids look Ihould not be regiftred fo many hundred years in chriBs written Te-
Qbje(ft. 5 . AlasB Tublican^vk,
I %. T>eoked dorvn to the earthy and what fenfes Spiritual have I to fend after Chrift ^ Jnf There’s life going in and outat thynoftrils; is praying, and taken of our hand,
as crying in Prayer, Lam, s.'s 6. rhou hajl heard my voiceMde
not thy ear at my breathingyat my cry,
Objecft. 6. I have but a hard heart to offer to God tn Prayer^ and what can I fay then, wanting all praying difpofition f Anf I. Therefore pray, that you may pray : 2. The very afped, and naked prefence of a dead Spirit, wHerT there is a vocall praying, is acceptable to God^,ox if an over- whelmed heart refufeth to come, its bcft to go and tell Chrif, and re- quefthimtocomeand fetch the heart himfelf; 3. Little of day light cometh before the Sun, the beft half of it is under ground, 8.2 3 .We our felves groan within ou^filves-. All is here tfanfaded in our own heart, the foul eff eth, O when will my Father come, and fetch his children ^ VPhen jhall the Spoufe lye in her Bushands hofome ? 4* ^f Chiifts eye but look on a hard heart, it will melt it: 5. I fliew hear the Minium quod fic, thefmalleftot Prayer, in which the life and effence of Prayer may breath and live : Now Prayer
H beins
41
Obj. Breathing goeth for praying.
obj. 6,
Wherein that the Icaft of prayer may be confer-
ved.
I.
2 •
3-
4.
' 5-
42
oh],'].
Broken Prayers, arc Prayers
'The Trial! and Triumph of Faith. Serra.VI.
beingapowi'ingoutof the foul to God, much of the af- fedions of love, defiie, longing, joy. Faith, forrow, fear, boldneffe, comes along with prayer out to God, and the heart is put in chrifts bofpme, and its neither up nor down to the effence of fincere praying • whether the foul come out in words, in groans, or in long4ookes, or in fighingjOr in powring out tears to God,^^^?^ 16.10. or in breathing.
Objcdi.y. what fluU be done with half prajing.^ and words without fenfc< Jnf.This is the woman of Canaans cafe, Pif~ obferveth an Elepfis wTchwbf^S7~of the Particle or (becaufe) or (for) flave mercy on me.gny daughter is vexed^ file fhould have faid, becaufe my daughter is vexed : But the mindc is hafty,that flie lets flip wordsifo are broken Prayers fetdown in Scripture, as Prayers,?/^/, n 6.1. T love, becaufe the Lord hath heard my voice : There’s nothing in th.t Hebrew but one word, Tlove^ but he fheweth not whom he
loveth • its a broken word, becaufe as Ambrofe faith, He lo¬ ved the mojl de fir able tiring : I have love ( he would fay ) but its centure and bed is only God, Pfal.6.^ . My foul is fore vexed., but thou 0 Lord, how long ^ That is a broken fpeech alfo, P/^/.iop. 4. For my love they were my enemies, in the Hebrew its Vaani Tephilla, at ego oratio: But I
Prayer -, or, I was all Prayer, as if I in foul and body had been made of Prayer. Thereafons of broken Prayers, are often 5 I . The haftincfle of the affe(5i:ions,not the haftineffc alwayes of unbelief, Efa. 2^.16. But often of Faith, 1. Pet. ^.10. Love and longing for Chrift have Eagles wings, and love fiyeth,when words do but creep as a Snail : 2 , It cometh from a delique in the affedlions (they arc bro¬ ken as a too high bended Bow) that there’s a fwooning and delique of words 5 every part of a fupplication to a Prince is not a fupplication: a poor man out of fear may fpeak Non-fenfe,and broken words that cannot be underfloo d by tbeiPrince, butmon-fenfe in Prayer, when forrow, black-
nejQTc,
Scrm.VI.
7 he Triall and T riumph of Faith.
43
neffe, and a dark over whelmed Spirit di(51:ateth words, are well known in, and have a good fence to God - therefore The Lord to [peak morally, Prayer being Gods fire, as every part of ^”°7enfe fire, is fire-, fo here every broken parcell of Prayer, is in a broken Prayer-, fo the Forlorne foon forgot the half of his prayers, Spirit to be he refolved to [ay.Luk.i'^.jp.Make me as one of thy hired fer- njants v.2 1 . He prayeth no fiich thjng,^Wj^e/ his Father fell on his neck and kijfed him-^ a Plant is a tree in the potency, an infant man, feeds of faving grace, are Paving grace-, prayer is often in the bowels and womb of a figh , though it come not out, yet God heareth it as a Prayer,i?(7?w.8.2 7. t^nd he that fearcheth the hearts ^kneweth what is the minde of the Spirit.^ hecaufe he maketh intercefsionfor the Saints according to the will of God, P(al. 10.17. Lord thott haf heard the defire of the humble : Defires have no found with men, fo as they come to the ear, but with God they have a found as Prayers have:
Then when others cannot know what a groan meaneth,
God knoweth what is under the lap of a figh, becaufe his Spirit made the figh : he firft made the Prayer as an inter- cefior, and then as God heareth it : he is within praying, and without hearing.
Objed. 8. But are all my cryings in Prayer works of the Spirit? Anf. The flefh may come in and joyne in Prayer, and fome things may be laid in hafte,notin Faithjas in that Prayer, Pfal.yy.g, Hath God forgotten to be gracious 1 Nor is that of Jeremiahs to be put in Chrifts golden ccnCw/ to be prefented to the Father, 5.18. kVilt thou be altogether to me as a Liar^and as waters that fail? nor that of 3 .24. wherefore holdejt thou me for thy enemy ? Chrift wafheth fin- ners in his blood, but he waflicth not fin : he advoca- teth for the man that prayeth to have him accepted, but not for the upftarcs and boylings of corruption, and the fleOi that are mixed with our Prayer, to have them made white :
Chrif rejedkth thefe things in prayer that are efientially ill,
H 2 but
Serm.VlI I-
Tht T r 'latt and Triumj^h ef Faith,
hee wjflieth the prayer, and caufeth the Father accept it. There bee fo many other things that are a powring out of the foul in prayer, as groaning, fighing, looking up to hea¬ ven, breathing, weeping, that it cannot be imagined how far fliort printed & read prayers cometh of vehement pray¬ ing *, for you cannot put fighs, groans, tears, breathing^and fuch heart-melfengers down in a p*'inted Book, nor can pa¬ per and ink lay your heart in all its fweet afedlions out before God, the Service-book then muft be toothlefTc and fpirit-leffc talk.
SERMON VI 1.
Son of David, O Lord thou [on of David:~\ In this compel- lation, confider why Chrift is called the Ton of David, never the fon of Adam , never the fon of Abraham ? Its true, he is called frequently the Son of man, but never when any prayeth to him *, and he is reckoned in his Genealogy, Da¬ vids ^on, Abrahams (on, the fon of . but the fon of David is his ordinaryftile when prayers are directed to him in the dayes of his fleOi, The Reafons are, i. Chrift had a fpeciall relation to K^hraham being his feed, but more fpe- ciall to David , Becaufe the Covenant was in a fpeciall mancr eftablifhed with David as a King, and the hi ft King in whofe hand the Church, the feeding thereof as Gods own flock, vvas as Gods depofitnm and pawn laid down • the Lord eftabhflied the Covenant of Grace with David, and his fon Solomon, who was to build him a houfe, and promi- fed to him an Etcrnall Kingdom, and Grace, and peifeve- rance in Grace, and that by a fure Covenant, the furc mercies of David, Efa. 55.3. 2 Sam. 7. 8, p,iG,i 1,12,13,14,1 5,16. I Chron,22.p.io. 2 Sam. 23. 5. Yet bath he made rvnh me an everlafiing covenant, ordered in ad things and fure, for (this is ) all my falvation, and all my deftre, Pfal.8p.3 . i have fnade a co¬ venant with my chofen, I have [worn unto David my fervant. 4. Thy feed will 1 eflablijh for ever, and buildup thy Throne to
45
"Scrm.V III. Trial I and T riumfh of Faith. _ _
aU ^emratiens., vcrf. 21
^2 q3,34>25,3^>37- fpeakcth the fame
to 'zacharias., Luke i . 32,33‘ ^n-^h’
n 36,37. Ads 2.30. Now it was neceflary that Chrift the
Me^iah fliould lineally difcendof a King: Abraham\vzs, not a King, Adam was not formally a King by covenant as David was. 2 . Chrift changeth names with David^ as hee never did with any man : Chrift is never called Abraham, butJ5:rff^.34.23.24. David m-j fervant M be a Prwcea- mon^ them, HoL^. 5- They flail feek the Lord their God and David their King •’ 3. David entred to a Typicall i brone againft the heart of Jew and Gentile, Pfal. 2. 1.2. fltXLi fodid Chrift, 4.2 5,26. And did kcdihc people of God in the midft of manycnemics, Pfal. 110. 1.2. And io aid Chrift, ^^.2.34,35,3^- Not io Abraham,hc was abc-
friended man in a ftrange Land. .... r
That which I aime at is this, by the received Dj^;;<nity or the Jews, and of the Gentiles who knew God, t hrisi xViU a Kin^ by the Covenant of GracCy and the fleciall part) of the ntvo Covenant, as was David. This may be made moie evi¬ dent, if we enquire a little in the Covenant : i , Wnat it is : 2. who be the parties. 3 . What promifes. 4. What condition : 5: what properties. 6. Some tfes , with all Brevit) : The Covenant is heie a joynt and mutual bargain between two, according to which they promife freely fuch and fuch things each to otherwhence God and man made up a {blemn bargain in Chrift ; 2. They both confent: Chrjft forced not'his Spoufe to marry againft her will, nor was God lor- ced to make a covenant. Love and Grace was that which lead Chrifts hand at the pen, in ftgning the covenant with his blood. 3. Asaclufterof Stars maketh acqnftellation, a body of Branches a Tree, fo a mafte of Promifes concur- retli in this Covenant. Where eve; Chrift is, clufters of Divine Promifes groweth out of him> as the Motes, Rayes,
WhyChrift is fic- quemly cilled the fon of Da- viti, not the fon of A- datn, &c.
The Cove¬ nant. Chrift a King by- covenant.
What the covenant of grace is,and what things arc in it.
I .
3
Serm.Vir.
46 T'he Tria.ll and Triumph of Faith,
and Beams from the Sun, and a family (as it were) and a fo- 4. cicty of Branches out oi a Tree. 4.There is here giving and receiving ♦, Chrift offercth and giveth, fuch and fuch fa- .vours, wee receive all by beleeving, except the grace of Faith, which cannot be received by Faith, but by free fa¬ vour and grace without us in God : Grace firO; and laft was all our happinelfe •, If there had not been a Saviour (to bor¬ row that expre(rion)niade all of grace,grace it felf^we could never have had dealing with God.
2 * TW parties of the Covenant are, God and Man • Oh how fwset ! that fuch a Potter, and fuch a former of all things diould come in terms of Bargaining with fuch clay, as is guilty before him ! Now the parties here, on the one part, is God •, on the other, TIk Mediator Chrift y and the chil¬ dren that the Lord gave him. Obferve, i . In the covenant of Nature and Works : God and his friend Adam were parties contrading : And in the fecond covenant, God and his fel¬ low chrift, and all his are parties^ a covenant of Peace can¬ not be between an Enemy and an Enemy as they are fuch - thofe who were Enemies,mufi: lay down wrath ere they en¬ ter into covenant-, contraries as contraries cannot be united: 'God being the foie author of this covenant, didlayafide enmity firft Love muft firft fend out love, as fire muft call out heat : Its true, this covenant is made with finners, (as God made the covenant of nature with Adam^ yet righteous) but an Union covenantwife could never have been, except God had in a maner bowed to us, and grace proved out of meafure gracious.
Chrift h^ath Chi'ift is the party here-, fo Chrift hath a feven fold re- rdS ii •: I . As he is more then a creature,he is the Covenant the cove- it felf : 2. As he dealeth between the parties,he is the Mef- nant of fengei* of the Covenant : 3. As he favv and heard, and te- ftifieth all, he is the Wimfteof the Covenant : 4. As he un- ;;dei takech for the parties at variance, he is the Surety of the
Cove-
Partics in the cove • nant.
Scrm.VII.
47
'TheT riall and T riuwph of Faith,
Covenant : 5 . As he ftandeth between the contrary parties, he is the Mediator of the Covenant : 6. As he hgneth the Co¬ venant, and clofeth all the Articles •, he is the TeHator of the Covenant'. 7. Ashe is a fide or the half of the Covenant •, he is the Vart'f contraEiing in the Covenant.
For the firft, Jfa.e^2.6Jgave thee for a Covenant ofthepeo- for a light of the Gentiles^ I fa . 49 . 8 . I will prefer ve thee., covenant it and give thee for a Covenant of the people : Chrift, God and fdf. naan, is all the Covenant : i . Becaufe he is given to fulfill the Covenant on both fides : 2 . He is the Covenant,/;? ab- jlra he is very peace and Reconciliation it felf, Mic, 5.5.
And this man (hall be the peace, when the Affyrian fball come un¬ to our Land : As fire is hot for it felf, and all things hot for it, and by participation : fo thou art info far in Covenant with Chrift, as thou haft any thing of Chrift, want Chrift and want Peace and the Covenant.
2 . eJHal.i, . I . The Lord whom ye feek^ [ball fuddenly come to ^ ^ his Temple^ even the Meffenger or Angel of the Covenant whom chrift the ye delight in : Chrift travcDeth with tidings between the Meil'enger parties : i .. He reporteth of Cod to us, that its his fathers will that we befaved, foh. 6.^g, 2. Chrift reporteth of ciniftas himfelf, for it fetteth C hrift to be a Broker for Chrift-, and Mcflenger wiidom to cry in the ftreets (who will have me) Prov. r.zo,
21,22. Pri?v.9.i,2,3,4,5. It became the Lord jefus to keth report praife himfelf, 6. 48. foh.%.12. I amthat hreadof life, to usothis / am the light of the world^ joh. 10 .g. lam the door, v. 1 1 . I ot am the good Shepherd : 3. Pie praifeth his Father^ Joh.15. himrelf. Adj Father is the geod Hnsband-man. 4 He fiiteth us in marriage, and 3- Of Ins commendeth his leather, and our Father in Law : Ton marry me, detr to us fmh,0 but my Father is a great perfon, Ioh.14,2. In my Fathers houfe are many dwelling places : 2. He commendeth us tothe Father, a Mef- fenger making Peace will do all this, foh.ij. 8. They have received thy Words, and have knoWn furcly, that I came cm from thee, and they have ■ heleeved that thou didflfend me. 27. O Righteous Father, the WorU have not knoWn thee„ but I have kuoWn thee^ and theft have^k^oWn that thou
The Tridl and Triumph ef Faith, Serm.VIII.
ha(l fern me: Miiufters cannot fpeak of Chrifl & his father, as he can do himfclf ; O come hear Chrift fpeak of Chrifi-, and_of^ his Father, and of heaven, for he faw all: O f^^eet^beleever, Chrift givech thee a good report in heaven, the Father and the Son are fpeaking of thee behinde-backs; A good report in Heaven is of much efteem- Chrifi fpakc more good of thee then thou arc all worth • He tell«h over again Ephraims prayers bchinde his^back, ^er, 30.18. 0 woe to thec^ ChriH is telling black tidings of thee in Heaven, Such a man will not belceve in me^ he hateth me, and my canfe^ and my people : chrifi cannot lye of any man. chriit the is an Eye- witneffe of -the covenant, and heard
•witmffe of and faw all- the whole covenant was a bloody ad , aefted upon his perfon, Efa, 5 5 .4. Behold I have given him for a wit- neffe to the people^ Rcv.i. j . The faithfull witnefje^ Rev.3 . 14. The K^men, the faithfull and true witneffe. The Covenant fiith, I . The fon of man came to feek^and to fave the lost, Luke ig. 10. Amen^ faith Chrift, I can witneffe that to be true. 2 . chrifi dyed and rofe again for finners ; Amen, faith the witneffe, ^oh, i . 1 8. I was dead, and behold I live for ever¬ more, Amen, Chrift putteth his Seal to that-. This is a true and faithfull faying, Thai Chrift fefus came into the world to dye for ftnners. I can (wear that is true, faith Chrift, 3 . The world fhall have an end (faith the covenant) andtime fhallbe no more. By hm that livethfor ever and ever, who created hea¬ ven and earth, (faith this Angel- witnefte-, Rev, 10.^) that is moft true. Time fhall be no more. Its a controverfie to the world, if Eternity be coming: Chrifi the contro¬
verfie with an oath. 4. Chrifi (hall judge the world, and all fliill bow to me. This k^men of God, faith that’s true, Rom, 14. 1 1 . For as it is written, as I live faith the Lord every knee jkallbow to me. The covenant of Works had a promife 5 but becaufe it was, i. Conditional!. 2. To be broken and done away, it had no oath of God as this hath. Odoubt-
t lie' Cove¬ nant.
Chrift wit- iiefTeth c- fpv.cially
3 • things.
1.
2.
ing
Serin .V II . "The T rialt and T rinmfh of Faith. 4P
ing foal, thou fayll: thatthy falvation is not furc. Why ^
And its a fworn Article of the Covenant thou haft Chrifls great Oath on it : Alas, Gojd loveth not me : haft thou the Son ^ thou haft a true Teftimony, its not fo • and Prov.i^.
5. A faith fril Witneffe will mt lie: Chrift has caufe to re¬ member that thou, art favcd,, he beaveth the marks ot it in. his body: Atheift ! thoufayeft, who knoweth ther' s a heaven and hell i Why, the Witncffe of the Covenant faith , I was in both, and faw both.
Of. Heh.i.ii. Chrif tsthuj^urety of the better And in this the Father is wRty for Chrift, if he undertake ofthe'cX David y and He\ekiahy Pfal. up. 122. ifa.^S. 14. Far venam. more for his own Son • God hath given his word for Chrifi^ he ftiall do the work, ffa. 52.15. Behold mj righteous fervant frail deal prudently^ Ifa.’) o.p. Behold the Lord God will help ine^ and again^the Son is Surety to the Father •, And the great un¬ dertaker, that God ftiall fulfill his part of the Covenant, that the Father ftiall give a Kiingdomto his flock, Luk.ii*
52. W^.d.57. 38.55?. I* Chrift as Surety for us, hath payed a ranfom for us. 2. Giveth a new heart to his fellow’- con- federats. Andising^gcdtolofe none of them^feh.ij.i2»
But raifethemupatthelafi day^Joh.S.^p. If we could fur- render our felves to Chrifts undertaking, and get once a . *
word that he is become ^ood to the Father for us, all were well, wo to him who is that loofe maUjUS he has not Chrift under an Act, and band of Surety, that he fh^H keep him to the day of God : we make loofe bargains in the behalf of our fouls. ‘
5. As Chrift ftandeth between the two Parties,be is the 5. Chrift great Lord CMediator of the new Covenant.^ Hebr. 12.24. aJlor of*^ I . S tebll anti ally ^ our Text calleth him Lord the Son ofDavi'd^ the covc- by condition of nature, he hath foracthing of God, as'bd- nanc. ing true God, and fomething of*man, as fharing withiS^, hence is he Mediator by Office, and layeth his hands on
I both
50
‘The Triall and Triumph df Faith. Serm.VII.
Chrift hath a threefold relation as Mediator.
1.
2.
^ • Chrift Gods fer- Yintj and onr fer- vant, and frtiittcn of both.
6. Chrift confirmed and fcaled the Tcfta- ment.
V eil .sfier
both parties. As ada-^es man doth.^ JoWp.55. In which he hath a threefold relation : i . Of a friend to both , he hath Gods heart for man to be gi;acious, and facisfie mercy, and a mans heart for God to fatisfie juftice : 2. Of a recon¬ ciler to make two one, to bring down God to a Treaty of peace, to take him off Law, and high demand-; of Law, which fought perfonall fatisfadion of us, and in his body t'O bring us up- to God, by a ranfom payed, and by giving us Faith to draw neer to his Father*, fo he va^y tdy Sijler and Spdufey come up now to my FJt^er^ and your Father ^ to my Godt and your God 5 and Father^me down to my Brethren^ my kindred and fltjh : 3 . He is a common fervant to both : Gods fervantj in a hard piece of fervice aseverwas, i/4.42 . 1 . Behold my fervant , Ifa. 53.11. Biy righteous fer^- *, yea and our fervant, Math.20.2S, He came not tobe fervedy but to ferve.^ and give hu life a ranfom for many : Alas, both parties did finite him, 7/4. 53.10. It pleafedthe Lordto bruife him^Rom.S.'^z, God (pared not his own Son, 3nd the other party his own, fmote him, Matth. 21. $S. This is the heire cjome let us kill him (fay they ) and fei^ upon the inheritance : This was cold incouragement to fweet fefus : if it had been referred to us, for fhame,. we could not have asked God to be a fuffering Mediator for us, there’s more love in Clirifl: then Angels and men could fathom in their con- jccptions. 2
6. The Covenant is the Tcfiament of our dead frien d .^efus, heJiedto confirmethc Tcftament, Heb.p.i6,iyi Every blood could not feal the Covenant, Chrifts blood
dyingicaled the cvcrlafting Covenant, IJeb. 1^.20. It both expiated the fins of the Covenanters , and alfo brought back the great Shepheard of the fl)eep from death For Chrift having once paid blood and died, it was free to. the Surety to come outof prifon, whcn he.hadpay- .s.dthefum^.
7. The
l:
Serm.VII. .
TheT riall and Triumph of Faith.
51
7. The fcventh relation of Chrift maketh waycothe^^- parties, and here Chrift cometh under a double confidera* paii^confc- cion, one as God ^ fo he is one with the Father and ipirir, derate par* and the Lord and the Author of the Covenant : 2 . As Me- ^ovLallt diator,and fo heis on ourfideof the Covenant', Then is the Covenant made with Chrift and all his heirs, and af- ftgnes principally with Chrift, and with Abrahams nature in him, but perfonally with believers: i. The Scripture faith fo, Gal. ^.16. The Promife for Covenant) is made to A- hr ah am and to his feed., he faith not., and to feeds., as of many, but as of one, and to thy feed f which is Chrift. I grant, Be^a, nam nude Fifeator , and many expound Chrift, formyfticall withchrift
for (fay they) it cannot be meant of perfonally, for fo it fhould-fight w'ith the fcope of Paul, who proveth the Proved Promife of lijfe eternall to be made to all believers : 2. It fliotild follow that life eternall is given to Chrift only, but th^Tou. with l^ave this is not fure, for the truth is, the Promife is neither made to Chrjfts perfon fingly confidered, nor to Christ Myficall • For i . The Promife is made to Chrift in whom the Covenant was confirmed,‘L'.i7.2. In whom the Nations were bleffed, 14.^. In whom we xtatwt the Pro¬ mt fe of the Jpirit through Faith., 14. Who was made a cur fe for us., ver. 13. Now not any of thefe can agree to Chrifi My* fiicall., chrift Myfticall did not confirme the Covenant, nor give the Spirit, nor was he made a curfe, but Chrift Media¬ tor is he, to whom the Promifes are made, and in Wm to> . all his heirs and kindred •, not limply in his perfon, but as a publick perfon and Mediator.’
Becaufe the Scripture faith to a Cove-
that is, Chnjt was the Covenant made and thefe words of nant be- thc Covenant, Pfal. 8p.2<5. He full cry to me,thcu art my Fa- F'^^“"r'and ther, my God, &c. are expounded, Heb. i.^,And again I will thoSoif be to him a Father, and he full be to me a [on, and Jdi.20. 1 7.
Goiomy brethren and fay to them ^ I afeend unto my Father and .
52
T'heT riall and Triumph ef Faith,
Serm.VIL
^our Father, to mj God, and to your God : So Chrifi^ the heir of all things^ and the fecond heirs under him, are all but one confederate 'Family. 2. The covenant made Wixh David and his feed, and the Fathers, is fulfilled to chrift^ind his feed, A(51:. 1 5.34,35. concerning that, he raifed himup from
the dead^ no more to fee corruptionjje [aid on this ii^ife^I will give you the fure mercies of David. 3 . As the covenant of nature and works was made with Adam,znd al 1 his, and there were not two covenants*, fb here, the better covenant coming in place of the former, is made with the fccond Adam and his children, 5.18,19. i Cor.i'5.20,&c. 4. All that ferveth to make a covenant arc here, i.God demandeth of his fon, that he lay down his life 5 and for his labour he promifeth, that he Jhall fee his feed^ and God Jhall give him many children, Ela.53.10. 2. The fon confenteth to laydown his life,and faith. Here am I to do thy wilf thou hafi given me a body : T his is the fornaality of a covenant, when confenteth to the condition. Now this covenant was manifefted in time between, the Father and the Son,butit was tranfaded from eternity. This is comfortable, that the Father and tranfaded a Bargain from eternity, concerning thee by Name. There was communing between the Father and Son concerning thy heaven, Father, what lhall be given to thy luftice to ranfom fuch a owe, fohn^ Anna ^d)CC. And Ci&r/j!? from eternity did bindefor fuchaperfon, hee lhall believe in time. The Redemption of Sinners, is not a work ofyefi;erday,or a bufinefs of chance, it was wel advifed,and in infinite wifdom contrived, therefore put not Chrift to be challenged of his ingagement,by refilling the Gofpefwhen thou believe ftThou makeft Chrifls word good-, he that be- leiveth not, maketh God a lyar, though in another fenfe^ and for ought he knoweth, even in this, that he frulfrateth Chrijls undertaking in the covenant *, Men beleeve the Go- fpel to be a cunningly devifed FabJe, 2 Pet. 1.16. The Fa¬ ther
53
Scrm.VII. TheTridl and Trittwph of Faith.
thcr and ChriH arc both in this bufinclTe- Heaven, Hell5ju- fticc, Mercy, Souls, arid deep Wirdom, are all in this rare piece, and yet men think more of a Farm, and an Oxe, Lake 14.18,1.9. and' of a Pin in the State, or a Straw, or of the bones ot a crazy livelyhood, or a Hoiife.
3. Touching the Promifes, i. There is no good thing, but it is ours by free promife, and not by fimple donation Promifes. only-, this covenant turns over Heaven , Earth, Sea, Land,
Bread, Garments, Sleep, the World, Life,Death, into free grace yea it maketh Sin and croffes, golden Sins and crof- fes by accident , through the a^ts of fupernaturall provi¬ dence toward us, i Cor, 3.21. Ro?n. 8. 28. working on and about our fins. 2. All good cometh to us now, not immedi¬ ately ,but through the hands of a free Redeemer-, & though he be a man who redeemed us, yet bccaufe he is God., there is more of God^ and Heaven, and free Love, in all our good things, then if we received them immediatly from God^ as Ravens have their food from God, without a Mediator, and Devils having their being onely by creature- right, not by covenant-right.
Now for the Promife^, they flow from God to us, but all afing they fall firfl: on cAr/y?* they are of two forts,! .Some Two fon* only given to C^r/7?,not to ns- as the Name above all names of Promi- to be adored, and fet at the right hand of God^ is properly promifed to Chriji^ Angels fhite not with him in this chaire, P^//. 2.9,10. There is promifed to
ChriB^ A feed, a rvilling people .,the ends of the earth for his inhe¬ ritance, Efa. 53.10.Pfal. 1 10.2. Pfal.2.8,9. ChriBs locks and his hair are hufliy and thick., Cant. 5 . ii . He is not bal d , nor gray hair'd, but he hath a feed like the Stars for multitude that no man can number.^ Rev. 7.9. but all thole hairs grow out ol a head of gold - and his off-fpring of children is as nume¬ rous as the dew of the morning dawning,P/iiio.3. Af/V.5 though the Devils locks be more numerous^ but its wofull.
54 Triad and Triumph of Faith, Serm. Vlf.
_ _ _ * _ _
that Chnfi & his children ftanding upon Mount a
huge Army, and a pleafant fight, yet thou art none of that jiumeroiis houfe, all round about thee, arc graced of him, and thou liveft and dicfi: in the houfe, but lay not in the womb of the morning, and fhall not abide in the houfe with the fons.
But there be other promifes which go along with Chrift and his feed, and thefc of two forts, Generali, fpeciall: ge- nerall, the CMother Prernfe^ I will be thy God^ is made both to Chrill, Pfal.89.2^. He fhall cry to me thou art my Father, Za'chV^' I0h.20.17, Pfal.22.i. And tons I will be your
God) how fvveet is it, that Chrifl having God to his Father by eternall birth-right, would take a new Covenant-right Chrifttook to God for our caufe f Oh what a honour it is to be with- a new CO- covcnant with the firft heire c' -
Jighno Q^c/}. But why are all the promifes inclofed in this one God. lie be your God? Anfi.BcccLurcas ChrifAy^xh covenant-right to the Promifes, by this Mother right, that God is his God Five forts by Covenant, fo we firft muft have God under the relation ofPromi ^ QqJ made ours in a covenant, a Father, a Husband, Chrift,and and then by Law, all his are ours.
by prepol- ^ . chrijl God is more then grace, pardon,holincfre, thrtfn LThim.”* created glory, as the Husband is excellentcr then his Mar¬ riage-Robe, Bracelets, Rings • and we are to lay our love and faith principally upon the. Father and the Son, more then all created graces^ the Well and Fountain of Life is of more excellency then the ftreams, and the Tree of Life then the Apples ofthc Tree of Life : Chrifi himfell:,thc ob- jetftivc happinefte, is far above a created and formall beati¬ tude, which iftlieth from him , as the whole is excellenter then the part, the caufe then the effetft.
Speciall Promifes are made firft to and then by
proportion to us 5 and they be theft, i . God promifeth to grace his Son above his fcllows^that he may dye and fuffer,
and
Serm. VII.
rhe Trull md T rmmph of Faith, 5 5
and merit to us grace anrwerable to this : A mtv hearty and 4 new (pirit , Icrcmiah 52. 3p. Ezechieh 36. 2^, 27. Tor i out of his fulneffem receive, and grace for grace, lohn 1.16. ^
a. Jrftification is promilcdtoC^r/y?5 not perfonall , as if 1 he needed a pardon for finhc,but of his Caufe^thevcis a ( cautionary or Surety-rightcoufneffe due to the Surety when he hath paid the Debts of the broken man , and |•omcrh out of Prifon free by Lfiw, fo he came out of the Crave for our Rightcoufnefre, but having firft the Righteoufnelle of his Caufe, in his ownperfon, Ifaiah * joTs. He is neer that )ttftifieth me^ (,hith Chrijl) whojhall ccnmdmthme? i Timothy 3.16. Nullified in the Jpirit.
50' ‘have yjc luftification of our perfons, and Reminion in' his blood, Ephefians and that by Covenant, Jeremiah 31. 32, 33. 3. Vitoy and dominion is pro- 3*
mifed to Chri0^ Pfalme 110.1,2. Pfalme 8p.2i , &c.
1 Corinthians r 5 .2 5 • He muft reign till he put all his Ene* mics under hiS feet, and vidlory over all our Enemies is promifed to us, fohn 1^.33. and 14.30. Romanes 6,
14,15. Galatians Collofians 2.14,15. 4. The 4.
Kingdom and glory is fought by C hr id ^ feh.ij.'^. from * his Eathcr*, thenhebad a Word of Promife from his Ea- thcr for it, Philippi ans 2.9,10. and we baye that alfo, Luke 12.32. ^<>/>.i7.24.5^tf^. 14.1,2,3. 5. Chfift had aword 5* of Promilc, when he went down to the grave, as fomc Eavourite by Law goeth to Prifon, but hath in his bo- fbme from his Prince, a Bill of Grace, that within three dayes he fhall come out to enjoy all his wonted Honours and Court , Pfalme id. 10,1 1. fo have we the like, foh,
II. 2d. & 5.38,39*
1 S E R M O yiii.
TH E condition of the covenant is Eaith : holinefTe and
fandfification is the condition of Covenanters , Gal, thJ.'cove- 4.2 1522,23,24. 10.4,5,5,7. was the condition nant.
5^
"The Triad and Triumph of Faith, Serm.VIII.
of the covenant of works: This beleeve^ is the condition of this covenant t becaufc Faith fendetha perfon out ot himfelf, and taketh him off his own bottom, that in Chrift he may have his righteoufnefrc : works is a more fclfy condition, a.nd giveth therefore, 2.1efre glory to C^od : Faith holdeth forth God in Chrift in the moft lively and Iqvely properties of Free-grace, mercy, love tratif- cendent- hence a believer as fuch cannot pofifibly glory rx himfelf^ all that Faith hath, is by way ot receiving, > anc* begging wile. r
But fomc teach, that this covenant hath no condition at all : So Dr. Crifpe and other Libertines •, Fpr this is an e^et'- lafiing Covenant^ Mm is not now fo conf rmed in grace he may fail in believing^ and fo foon as the Condition faileth^ the Covenant faileth, as we fee in the frfl Covenant . Jnf,i.ThB.t vve have no confirming grace to fl:ab\ifli us to the day of Chriliy is to teach with fome Farnilifts,that There is no grace in found Believers^ different m kinde and nature^ from that grace winch is in many Hypocrites, Y ca, but the poor in fpirit are blcffed, and fliall fee God, Hypocrites are not fo. And what elfeis thrs but the Kings Road- way to the Apoftacy of ^th? Saints, if believers have not Chrift for their un¬ dertaker to bring them to glory ^ To intercede for them, Heh.2 . 1 o. Luk.ii.^ 2,33.2. And though they belicyc not at the fir ft hour, ytttWxsGofpel-covemnt is not fruftrated, even if poor fouls believe at the eleventh hour •, the former covenant leaveth-finners for the firft breach without reme¬ dy, or hope of life, by the tenour of the Law, not fo this Covenant. Chrift knocketh while his locks be wet with night raine.
O b jedf, 2 . (/ will put my Law in your inward parts) is no con¬ dition to be performed by us ^ but by God only; and fo all the tie lieth upon God^ if God do not this as he Promifethy tftre- mi ah 31. eJMuf not the fault or failing be his who u
Ob). 1.
Dr. Crirpe Chrift a- lone exal ted, Sci’.6. pag.i^o.
Rife reign and Ruine of Antino. Familifs, Er.i6.p.4.
Libertines deny all Conditions of the Co¬ venant of grace.
Ohj, 2,
Scrm.VIII. TheTrialL and Triumfh of Faith,
57
tyed in a Covenant to perform his parta^d doth it not f Now this
-h
Cod promifethyfer . Hxh* 8»io. ^%^ch, hsthcondi-
Either doth God Y>^omHe to give us Faith , and to caufeus to tions to be walk in his rvajes^E‘^c.‘^6.i6j2’j, and to circumfe our hearts to love the Lord, Deut. 30. 6. which Arrainians deny, contra¬ ry to the deer day-light of Scripture , or then , when ever we fin, who are under the covenant of Grace, by commit¬ ting and ading works of the flefh, and omitting to beleeve, pray, praife, humble our fouls for fin , <70^is to be blamed, who worketh hot in us by his cfficatious Grace to will and to do^asTic hath prbrmieJ, fhil.t, i3» E\ech, 3^. 26,27. an^inc regenerate cannot fin at all, becaufe its the Lords
't
fault {God avert hlafphemy) that we fin,for without. his give- ^ f:, ing of an new heart, and his efficatious moving us to walk in his way ( to which God is tyed by covenarit, E‘i{ech. 36. 27.
D^/#. 30. 6.) We cannotchufc but fin-, hence they teach we are not obliged to pray y nor do we fin in not heleevingy in not prayings when the breath of the winde of the Holy Chojl doth not blow , and att m to thefe holy duties. Hence alfo it is taught ^
That none are exhorted to beleeve , but fuch whom we know to be mian”E^r the eleB ofCod^ or to have his fpirit in them efetlually working, page
obj,2> To do any thing in confcienceto a commandement is * 3* to be under the Law^ and contrary to the Covenant of Grace ^ ib. ijr.33. Anf.The Law of Grace or Gofpel hath comman- dements, ^sRom,6, 12. Let not fin raign therefore in your mortall bodies,^ And this is backed with a reafon taken from the promife of Grace, 1 4. For fin f\)all not have dominion A two fold overyeux, for •joti are not under the Lawful under Grace fo Phil. Dominion 2.12. WorJ^out^c: for ver.i-^. Its God who worketh inyouf^^^i^^^A^ Though have no Phyficall dominion over theafsift- n^mraii "ing Grace of God, fo as I can forceably command the winde of the Spirit to blow, when I pleafe, yet have^ifee a certain Morall Dominion by vcfcue of an Evangelick pro¬ mife, fo as Faith is to have influence in ail ads of fandifi-
K
canon
58
The Trial I and Triumph of Faith.
Serm.VIII.
fication, and to look to the promifc of alTiflance, which He who cannot lie hath promifed, though he be not tied to my time and manner of working yet do I fin in not praying, and in not believing, even when his windc bloweth not : Gods liberty and freedom of grace doth not deftroy the Law of cither works, or grace, and free me from a duty.
ohj, 4. Objedt. 4. Believing and obedience of Faith.^ is hut a confe* quentof the Covenant^ not an antecedent., fo I muB believe up- on other grounds^ but not in voaj of the condition of the' Covenant^ for in that teno^r I am to do nothing, Anf T he Apoftle^ R$m» 10. Exprefly diftinguiflieth between the righteoufiielTe of the Law,/i^^r, 5. Which requireth doing as a condition 5 and the righceoufnefle of Faith, ver. 6. Which requireth believing, V. 10. and <74/. 5. 5. We through thej^rit wait for the hope of righteoufneffe through Faith : any have claim
to the covenant but fuch as beleeve,
oh] . 5 . O bj ed. 5 . The covenant is Gods love to man^ to take him to
Grifpe i$. himfelf ^ that before the children do good or i If and to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace^ but of debt. Anf. The covenant is a fruit and eifed of Gods lovc, but its not formally Gods love, for becaufe God loved Ifraef there¬ fore did he enter in covenant with them, jyettt.y.y.^.FT^ech,. Id. 8. and Arminians expound, that of Jacobs the covenant by Faith, and of rejeding of it through unbeliefc : Whereas Paul ipeaketh of Jacob and Ffaupis they lay ftaced in the eye and view of God from eternity they were borne^ and had as yet neither done good nor ill : Now the covenant of Grace or Gofpel manifcftcd“tb Jacob and Tfau^ is noteternall, butpropofed to them after they, are borne, and when the offer of Chrift in the Gofpel is rrtade,and how could Bfau ere h& was borne, refufe the Gofpel, except you fay he did evil before he did evil i which is non-fenfe : 2. Paul faith plainly. To him that believeth is the work reckoned
Obj.d.
Serm.VIIL
'The Triall and T reumph cf Faith.
59
Objed. 6. Our a6t of beleevlng is a mrk^ and no rvork can Ob). 6, be a corMon of the Covenant of Grace ♦ yea Chrift alone jufi- fleth., faith Is not Chrifl^ nor any partner rvith him in the mrke •, yea rve are ju fifed, before rve believe^ and Faith only ferveth for the manlfejUtion of jufiification to our confcience, fir we believe no lie^ when we beleeve we are juf/fied., but a truth., then it mu(l be true that we'arejuft/fei, before we believe. Anf. i . Chrift a- v^gare noc lone as the meritorious caufe juftifiech, and his imputed juftified lighteoiifncfTe as the formali caufe ^ and this way Chrift a- lone juftifieth the Patriarchs,ProphetS, Apoftles and all be- ieevcrs, ere they be born, but this is but the fountain ready CO walh : but believe it, ChriH wafheth not, while we be foul, heciotheth us not, while we be naked, he giveth not eye'ralve,while we be blinde, nor gold while we be poor 5 nor is his name onr righteoufneffe, while we be finners:
I . Men not borne cannot be the objed of ad uall rightcouf- neffe, the tin- borne childe needeth noaduall application of Chriftstyt-^dlwQ, of his gold and righteoufneffe •, now ju- ftification is a reall favour applyed to us in time, juft as fan- dification in the new birth, i Cor. 6, 1 1 . And fuch were feme ofpu., but ye are wafhedfittye are fanBifiedftut ye are juftifed-, then they were fometimes not waflied ; 2. Poverty putteth beauty, worth, and a high'pricc on Chrifti, fenfe of fin faith,
O what can I give fir precious lefus ChriB ? But bis Father cannot fell him. 2. Yet is Faith a palfie hand under Chrift toreceive him,/(?^.i.ir. ItsanEvangelickad, and not a meerpaffion, but of grace deputed to be a receiver, a cer¬ tain Inne-keeper to lodge and fo ChriB his alone
doth not juftifie us, being mcer Patients, this is not to put Faith in the chair and Throne of Eftate with (Thrift, Faith giveth glory to Chrift., and taketh Grace as an aimes , but taketh no glory from h.\m.^Fom. 0^.20, But he was flrong in the Faith giving glory to God : We cannot be juftified before we believe: 1. We are damned before we believe, he that be-
K 2 . iicveth
6o
4-
5-.
Rife and Reign of Antin. err. ?8.p.7* ib. Err. 48. P:?-
T^e Triall md Triumph »f Faiths Serm.VIIL
lievech not is condemned already , ^ohn i, 2. He chat is juft ified is glorified j andfaved, CAiar.\6,i6,
3 . Wc are borne, and b'j nature the fans of wrath^ Eph. 2 .2 . We our [elves so ere fometiwe dif obedient^ See . But he hath faved U6\ v.^. That being juflified bf his Graoe^rve jhould be made heirs according to the hope of et email life, Rom 7. Paul maketh clearly two different times and States of the Saints, on veri 5 . when ive were in the fiefh, and the motions of fins which were % the Law did work in our members^ to bring forth fruit unto death, then our frft husband the law was living, and vve under a mother and father that begat children to death, and fo we were unj.ufl:ified:v.6,.B«f new we are delivered from the Law,St S.om.6.iaf. Tea are not under the Lawy but under Grace, when Chrift our fecond husband marrieth the widow freed from her firft husband the Law, then are we under grace and ju- ftiified, and then new Lord, new Law : 4. By Faith wc are on¬ ly united to ChriU, pofTefted of him, Chrift dvvelling in us, Bph.^.i'j, Living in me by Faith, f oh. 11,26, Gal. 2.2O', Receiving fo'h. 1,11, Having Chrift, \ foh. 5. 12. Married to 5.32. Eating and drinking Chriji
by Faith* ft eh. 6.3 5 ,47,45 . Cmtng to him to a living (lone, I Pct,2,c[. Abiding in him, as branches in the T ree, Joh. 15.4. 5. Now if wt were juftified before we believe, we ftiould havc.a Union by the vitall ad of Faith,, befofe we be ju¬ ftified, and fo we fhould live before we live, and be new creAtures, while we are yet in the State of fin^ and heirs ot wrath : 5. This juftification without Faith cafteth loofc the covenant. I will be your God: But here a condition. God is not bound and we free , therefore this is -the other part : And ye fhall be imf people: Now it is taught by Libertines: That there can be no clefing with Chrift in a promife that hath a qua- Jif cation or condition expr£j]'ed,and that conditionall promi fes are legall : Its true if tlxe word {emditiort) be taken in- a wrong fence. 5 tlie promifes are not conditional! For ^ i^jifrminians
S erm . V II I . "The Triall and T riumph of Faith.
^ take a condition for a free adt, which weabfolutcly may performor not perform by free-will, not adled by thepre- determinating grace of Chrifi, fo ^uyijls take the word, but fold notion this maketh men Lords of Heaven and Hell ,and putteth the keys of life and death oyer to abfolute contingency: 2. Con¬ ditions have a Popifh fence, for doing that which by Lome merit moveth God to give to men wages for work, and fo promifesarc not conditionahBut Liberrines deny all condi¬ tions: But taking condition for any qnahfication wrought in nsby the power of the faving Grace of God : chrtH^io- milech foul-eafe, but upon a condition which (I grant) his Grace workech, that the foul be fin- fick for chriU •, and he offereth winz and milk, iff 5 5 • ^ • -^^dthe watcf of hfe ft eelj.
Rev. 22. 1 7. Upon condition, that you buy without money*, no purfe is Chrifs Grace- Market^no hire and fence of wret- ^
chednelfejis a hire for chrijl^ and the truth is, its an improper Condition condition, if a father promife Lands to a Ton fo he will pay by wy of him a thoufand Crowns for the Lands, and if the Father of ^ Frcc-grace can- only, and doth give him the thouiand Crowns alfb, the payment is moft unproperly a hire or a when wee condition, and we may well fay the whole bargain is pure Grace, for both wages and work is Frce-grace •o but the “
ground of Libertines is flefiily lazinefie, and to fin,becaure uppneon- Grace aboundeth • for they print it, that all the aclinjit)
Bcleever is to [w: So to bclccvc muft be fin *, torun the .vayes of Gods Commandments, with a heirt inlavged by Grace, Rdgn,Err. nuiftbenoaaionof Grace,butanaaion of theflelh.
6. Paul in the Epifle to the Romans j to the Galatians pkt&i 6. for grantedjthat juftificatio is a work done in time,tranfient onus, notan immanent, and ecernall a df ion remaining ei¬ ther in God from eternity, orperformed by Chrift on the Crofie before we believe • and fo never taketh on him to ' prove that we arc jiiftificd before, we cither do the vvoiks
©f the Law, ot believe in f>efus C hr Hhhixi that we are juft i'
fied .
(52
TheTrinll and Triumph of Faith, SernT. VIII-.
The pro¬ perties of the Cove¬ nant : i.Preetlom, in regard
1.
Of PeiTons
2.
Of Caufes.
fied by Faith, \^luch certainly is an a(5t performed by a re¬ generate perfon, for a new creature only can performe the works or the new creature , and Faith is not the naked manifeftation of our juftification , fo as we are juftified before we have Faith > fads faifiion is indeed given to juftice by chriB on the Cro/Te, for all our fins before we believe, and before any juffified perfon who lived thefe fifteen hun¬ dred years be borne ^ but alas, that is not juftification, but only the mcritoriouscaufe of it, that is, as if one fhould fay this wall is white fince the creation of the world, though this very day only it was whited, bccauic whitenclTe was in the world fince the creation* juftification is a foriniecall fentence in time pronounced in the Gofffefmd applied to me now, and never while the inftant now that I believe^ its not formally an a(5l of the underftanding to know a truth con- concerning my felf, but its an heart-adherence of the af¬ fections to asthe faviour of finners ^ at the prefence of which a fentence of free abfolution is pronounced : Sup- poie the Prince have it in his minde to pardon twenty Male- facflors, his grace is the caufc why they are pardoned, yet are they never in Law Pardoned, fo as they can inLaw plead immunity, while they can produce their Princes Royall lealed Pardon.
5. The properties of the covenant I call: i. The free¬ dom of it confifting in peiTons : 2. Caufes : 3. Time: 4. Manner of difpenfation : i. Men, and not condemned Angels are capable of this covenant : 2 . Amongft men fome ISIationSjnot others, P/^/. 147. ip. 20. 3. So many, not any other: 4. The Father, not the Son, the poor, notal- wayes Kings*, the Fool, not the wife man* the husband, not the wife, not thefe who mere hidden to the Supper^ but hedgers ^ haltywithered^ Ume. 2. Caufes ^in the firft covenant there was Grace not deferving, and therefore now as the Law is pro¬ pounded, it is a Purfevant of Grace, and the Gofpels fer-
vanc
Scrm . VI 1 1 • riumfh of Faith, _
vant to {land at Chri^s and the Believers back, as an atten¬ ding^ fervant : 2. Yea mercy unto thoufands^ toward tbefe who have but Evangelick love to CMT?, comech into the Law^
ChrUi having (in a fort ) married the two Covenants : 3. ^ amthe Lord thy God^^i^od.io, Is Grace (landing at the en¬ try of the door, tothefethat are under the Law, to bring them out, but in the Gofpel all is unmixed Grace : i . Hot perfonall obedience is my heaven, but I (land {lill,and ano¬ ther doth all that may merit glory ; ChrtH fakh, Do ye but p:ahd ft i Uphold me , and (ee^frtends^my garment t roled in bloody I binde for you^enly con font , futyour hand to thePen^but I am the only undertaker to fig/jt itout foryoui^.For time^ihc firft breach the Law is wrath • a«dno place by Law for repentance, but here come to Chrilfvfho will,and when you will, after thou haft plaid the Harlot mth many lovers : bring Hell, and fins read as (carlet and crimfbn, come and be waflien, conae at the eleventh hour and welcome-, fall and rife again in ChriH run away, and come home again and repent . 4. The 4. ^
mancr is : i .That fo much as would have bought ten thou- fand worlds of men& devils, was given for fo many only, an infinite fuperflu^ of love, fo (as I may fay) Chrift did more then love u^.JBjgypt and JEthiopia was not given for our ran- / fom. 2. A fure and ctcrnall coyenant,^bottom’d upon infinite love J VVhy may not the link be broken, andtnc fhcep venant: pluekt out of his hand c- Why, the Father that gave them Etemall. tome, is greater then all. Where dwelleth he f In what Heaven Who is ftrongcr then the Father ^ The cove¬ nant, with night and day, is natural], and cannot fail^ con¬ firming Grace in the fecond Jdam is moreconnaturall:
3. Well ordered, Chrift keeping his place, the Father his j-Wdl 01- place. Faith its place, the finner his place. ’
1. 1//^, All without this covenant arc miferafele* chriB undertaketh not for them : The Lord dealeth with them by i Law, read Deut,i2. Levit, 2^* ^eb zOi chap,iS,dc ay.They
have
I
The TrUll and T rUmph ef pabh.
Serm.VIlI.
64.
bread, buc its not fure, not fo the belecvcr, 7/453,1^. Hii bread fhall he gi'ven him, his waters P)allbefure: The bc- imdcr the liever has all by tlie free holding of Grace^ his bread by Law covenant, his fleep by promifc, fafety from the fvvord, to
lie down, and no man fliall make them afraid by covenant *, his land is tilled by the Covenant of Grace, E^k, 55.54. The man not in this covenant hath all by tenour of the condemning Law, the weapon of Steel fliall go through bpnes and liver, by vertue of the curfes of the Law.
2. life. 2. Men never try their {landing, whether they be un- Men tiy detihe firfl husband the Law, or if they be married to the bein^covL husband and under Grace, where art thou O
nant with {inner, in ChriH or no^ They live at random,and by chance not knowing that the two covenants hath influence on eter¬ nity, a man is judged according to hisllate, rather then hisa(5lions.
5. Ufc. 5. No {late fbflable and fure,as the covenant of Grace. They are chrifi is furcty for the Believer that he fall not zwayiChriJis honour is ingaged, he {hall not have fhame of his T utory, cannot fail, ifa.'^o.^ J know I Jhall not he ajhamed^^sith. ChriB : Its his ho¬ nour to raife me when I fall.
4. life. 4* We may ufe arguments of Faith, challenging God, Wc may 5 1 . 1 8. Tum thu me^ and I Jhali he turned : why, Ter thou
c^^^rom the covenant is Faiths CMagna chart
2vcnm. ^ the grand mother-promire>all prayers mufl be bottomed on ihh^Ier .1/^,1! .Vo not abhor us : Why,ver.22. Art not thou he the Lord God.^ Ifa.54.9. Remember not our Iniquity for ever., behold., fee we befeech thee : Why, we are all thy ^eofle ^ eveiy one doth for its own, the Prince for his own People, the Father for his own children 5 yea, the damme for her own young ones, the Shepherd for his own ihecp, and God for his own in covenant with him ; an offenfive, and defenlivc covenant of Peace and War taketh in the believer, and all that ferveth him, the hones of the field, ^ob 5.25. and in
covenant
T'he T riall and T riumfh of Faith,
65
Scrm. IX.
covenant with the horfe thou rideft on, that it (liall not caft thee, and crufh thee • in covenant with the fword, with the Canon and Musket, with the Speare and Bow 5 yea, with Death, as a Boat to carry thee over the water to thy fathers Land ; So the covenant. He blefe them that bleffe thee^ and curfe them that curfe thee^\[d.,^/[,i6, I have created the wa¬ ter todeF^rcy : Creation is a work of omnipotency only, no creature can do it. Then fire cannot confume, water cannot drown the Saints, except by a dirpenfation of the Lord. '
5. Chrift is not faftned asa looferiail, or as one broken 5. Ufc. or rotten wedge in the covenant : He is ther^ as a nail in a fureplacc, ^4c^.ic.4. //^.22.25. Hang all the veffels of the Fathers houfe on chrifi : He cannot break • O fweet ! we are
given to the Surety of the covenant, loh.i'j,^. Son anfwer for him, thy life for his life, thy glory for his glory • and render account of him, when the Kingdom (hall be given up to the Father : Adam was furety in the firft covenantjand foit fell out, free-will holdeth all fure in the Arminian Covenant.
6. In dcfcrtion,to fwim upon the covenant keepeth from 6. life, finking:, fo ChriH in his fad and black hour. My God my Godytvhy haH thou forfaken me ^
SERMON IX.
O Lord thou Son of David'] The one word (O hol¬ deth forth Chrifs Godhead, the othtv {Son of David) holdeth forth his man- hood • Here’s the perfeeffion of our Mediator, in that he is the fubftantiall covenant, and Ema¬ nuel^ God with ns, or God us in a perfbnall union,^ the Pub- Chrift ftantiall marriage and aliance between the twohoufes heaven and earth- God and clay : 2, He is not afamed to call the’m brethren^ Hcb.2.11. And why would he take part of a»dcom- flefli and blood, but becaufe he would be achildc of our houfe, 'L'. 14. 3 . He would be of blood to us, not only come to the lick, and to our bed fide, but would lie down and be
L Pick,
66
The T rUll and Triumph ef Faith,
Serin. IX.
I. life.
Chrift im¬ mediate in the aft of redeeming 11 s, and fo fweeter.
2. life.
Chrift in¬ compa¬ rable.
fick, taking on him fick clay, and be in that condition of clay, a worme and not a man, that he might pay our debts 5 and would borrow a mans heart and bowels to figh for us, mans eyes to weep for us, his Spoufes body, legs and arms CO be pierced for us, our earth, our breath, oi r life and foul, that he might breath out his life for us, a mans tongue and foul to pray for us ^ and yet he would remain God, that he might perfume the obedience of a High Priefl: with hea¬ ven, and give to juftice blood that chambered in the veins and body of God, in whom God had a perfonall lodging.
I. Ufe, O what love ! Chrift would not intruft our re¬ demption to Angels, to millions of Angels, but he would come himfelf, and in perfon fuflPer, he would not give a low and a bafe price for us clay, he wmuldbuy us with a great ranfom, fo as he might over-buy us, and none could over¬ bid him in his market for fouls- if there had been millions of moe Believers,and many heavens without any new bar¬ gain, his blood ftiould have bought them all, and allthcfe many heavens fhould have fmellcd one Rofe of Life -^Chrijl fliould have been one and the fame Tree of lifeinthem all- O we under-bid, and under- value that Prince of love, who did over- value us we will not fell all we have to buy him, he fold all he had, and himfelf too, to buy us.
2. What an incomparable thing muft the Mediator God man bet' Thcres no fair creature, no excellent one,but theres a piece of nothing, and crcature-balcnefte, and creature- va¬ nity in it, even a thing of blood to the mother-nothing of the creation of God there is no Rofe, but it hath a Bryer growinif out of it, except the Rofe of Sharon^ that flower of the field, not planted with hands, the Son without a Fa- ihcx^andwho flrall declare his generation^) A Role that fliould fraell, and call out odours for a mile of earth, or for ten miles could draw to it many bcliolders,but if it fliould fmell for thc.bounds of the, half of. the earth, it fhould be more
ad-
Serm. IX . T'he Triad and Triumph of Faith, 67
admirable, the flower that fprang ©ut of the root of lefe^ fpreads his beauty, & th« odours of his myrhe through hea¬ ven & earth*, could the darknes of hell flrand and look on the face of the fun ^blacknefle of darknes fhould be better feen 5 but convene all the little pieces of the Creation, fummon before fair Angels, all the Troops of the fln-lefle, glorified {pirks, the broad skies, fair heavens, lightfbme ftars, all the delicious Rofes, Flowers, Gardens, Medowes, Forrefts, Seas, Mountains, Birds, all the excellent Sons of r^dam^ as they fliould have been, in the world of innocen- cy, and let them all ftand in their higheft excellency before ^efm Chrifl-^ the matchlcfTe and tranlcendent glory of that great ^//, fhould turn the worlds all into pure Nothing^^whit wonder then that this fame Lord Jefus be the delight and heaven of all in it 1 The Lamb hath his Throne
in the vciid^ihcrQO^^Rev.^z.t^.Andthey fhall fee hisfaceiThcY do nothing elfe,but flare, gaze,and behold his face for ages, and are never fatisfied with beholding •, fuppofc they could wear out their eyes at the eye-holes in beholding God, they fhould flill defire to fee more. To fee him face to face, hath a great deale more in it, then is exprefled 5 words are lliort garments to the thing it felf: Your now finfull face to his holy face, your piece clay- face to his uncreated foul- delighting face is admirable. We do not praife Chrift, and hold out his vertues to men and Angels. The creatures, as the Heaven, Sun, Moon, are Gods debtors, and they owe him glory ; but men who have underflanding and tongues, are Gods Fadors and Chamberlains to gather in the rent of glory and praife to God-, the Heavens do indeed declare the glory of God, Pfal. 1 9. i . but they are but dumbe Mufi- tians, they arc the Harpe, which of it felf can make no Mu- ,,, fick *, the creatures borrow mans mouth and tongue to fpcak what they have been thinking of God and his excellency t thefe five thoufand years 5 now all the glory of God, and
L 2 the
68
The Trinll and T riumph of Faith,
Serm. IX.
the glory of the creatures aje made new by Chrifl^ Rev,2i. 5, And made friends wkhGod,C<?/, i .20. and are in a fpcdall manner in the mediator Chrif:^ he is, Heh. i . -5 . ^
the irradiation or brightne^e of the ghrjy and the char aEier or expreffe image of his perfon : All creatures by Adams fin, lofi: their golden lufter, and are now vanity- fick, like a woman travelling in birth, 8.2 2. All the creatures by fin did
lefie objedively glorifie God, then they (liould have done, if fin had never been in the world,and fo they were at a fort of variance and divifion with God- And tt pleafedy Col.i. 20. the F athcr inChrif umyJjctKA^auldxrkvjA to make friendjhip between God and all things^ that is, to confirme Angels,to re¬ concile man, to reftore the creatures to be m’ore illuftrious objeds of his glory- now the in-come of the rents of glo* ry is. more due to Chrif^znd the debt the greater, in that cM'/? hath made all things new-, and why fhould we not in the name of Sun, Moon, Earth, Heaven, which arc all loofed from the arreftment of vanity by ChriBy and in the name of Angels and of Saints redeemed , hold forth the praifes and the glory of God in ChriH Pay, pay whac you owe to Chrif ^ O all creatures I but efpecially you re¬ deemed ones*,
Ufe. ^ , Ufe.l^ Chrifi: the Mediator be fo excellent a perfon, we are to feek our life the Gofpel-way in Chrift- we often con¬ ceive Legal! or Law- thoughts of Chrift, when we conceive the Father juft, fevere, and Chrift his Son to be more meek and mercifull -, but the Text callech him Lord^ and fo that lame God with the Father-, nor hath Chrift more of Law, by dying to fatisfiethe Law, nor is he more mercifull then the Father, becaufe he and the Father are one-.there are not two infinite wills, two infinite mercies, one in the Father, another in the Son-, but one will,onc mercy in both,and wc owe alike love and honour to both, though there be an or- d^r in loving God^.and ferving him through Chrift.
Ufe
Scrm. IX.
‘The T riall and Trhmfh ofpaith^
69
4. Ufe. Infinite love, and infinite majefty, concur both 4. in Chrift*, love and inajcfty in mei\ are often contrary to one another,and the one leffcneth the other*. In Chrift, the infinit(7t7^/breatheth love in our flcflLi. And we fee but little of Chrift, wee know not well the Gofpel-fpirit, wee reft much on duties to go civil Saints to Heaven • but the truth is, there be no Morall men and Civilians in Heaven, they be all deep in Chrift who are there- we arc ftrangers to chrift tind believing. 2. The fpirit of a redeemed one can hardly hate a redeemed one, or be bitter againft thm-^Chrift in one Saint, cannot be crtiell to chrift in another Saint.
3. cannot lofe his love, orcaftitaway, the love of
chrift is much for conquering hearts • his chariot is bottomed and paved with love-^ duties bottomed on Chrifis love, are fpi- rituall ^ as the Father accepteth not duties, but in Chrift, fo cannot we perform them aright, when the principall and fountain caufe is not the love Chrift^ Job. 21.1^,
5. The Ancient of daycs,the Father of Ages taketh a 5* ftile from his new Houfe, The Son of Man • he hath an old Houfe, from whence he is named. The Son of God • he muft aftedf us, and his delight be with the fons of men, when he taketh a name from us, we fliould affed: him, andaffeda communion with him, and ftrive to have Chrijls new name, as he taketh our new name. The Son of man,ofX)/f't'/W.
Son ^ David, have mercy on me The fecond Article of a. her prayer is conceived under the name of Mercy Why ^
Gods mercy is a fpirituall favour*, deliverance to her Tobelce- daughtcr, is but a temporary favour, that may befall a Re- probate: The Devil may be caft out of the Daughters body, faveurs' are and not out of the Mothers foul. Yea, but to the Believer, all temporal! favours arc fpiritualized , and watered with mercy,, with iner-
I. They arc given as dipped in Chrifis bowells and mercy, wrapt about the temporary favour. Mar. i .41 . fefus
cured
I.-
70
r^e Triall and Triumph ef Faith, Serm. IX.
cured the Leaper ^ but how 1 ^efmj moved with compafsion^ put forth his hand and touched him : So is the building of the Temple given, but oyled with mercies, Zach. i,i6. There¬ fore thm faith the Lor d:^ I am returned to f^erujalem withmer- cics-^m'j Houfe fja/I he builded in it. Epaphroditus recovered health, but with it, fome of Gods heart and bowels alfo, Phil. 1.27. For indeed he was fick neer to deaths but God had merc^ on him.
* 2. 2. The ground of it is Gods mercy-, the two blindc men,
Mat. 20. 50. put this in their Bill, they cry. Have mercy on Lord.jthou Son of David. They wil not have feeing eyes, but under the notion of rnttcy^David pained with fore fick- neffcjas fome think, or under fome other rod of God, defi- reth 10 be healed, upon this giound3By4/.6.2 . Have mercy on me.., 0 Lord.^ for I am weak.
3, 3. Faith looketh to temporall favours, as Faith with a fpirituall eye, as Chriji and his merits goech about them, Heb. 11.27. By faith ^ofeph when he dyed made mention of the children of Ifraels departure, i^.By faith ^Mofes come to age.p'e- fufed to be called the fon ofFharaohs daughter. Why t' and that was but a civil Honour. Mofes his faith lookt at it in a fpiri- tuall manner.
4. 4. That fame ground that moveth God to give Chrifl.^ is By what enough to move him to give all other things with Chrijf- as .Rther « what right, evcn the right of a Son * a Father giv<^h the Tather gi- Inheritance to his Son, by that fame he giveth him food,
n^s J^^y^^'^^^jPJ^otedionjphyfick- there be not two Patents here, b^that but by one and the fame covenant, 36. 25, 26. The
fame he gi- Lotd givcth to his pcople remiffion of fins • and v.30. He tbin4* ^tihiplyeth the fruit of the Trees ^ and removeth Famine, In the
fame fpirituall capacity of fons we pray, that Our Father would forgive us our fins.^ and give m our daily bread. Get ’ Chrift firftjthe great fhip,and then all other things, the cock¬ boat failech after him, with the fame motion and wind- they
be
Scrm. IX.
71
'The Triall and Triumfhof Faith.
be not two tides, and two winds, that carry on the (hip and the Boat : Chrifi: injoycd by Faith , trailcth after him death, life, the world., things prefent^and things to corner, x^God give you Chri(l\m the fame Charter all things arc yours, caufeye are ChriBs, and Chrift Gods^ 1 Cor. ^,21. ChriBw^i- tereth with his blcffing all things, if all that a Saint hath be bleffed, and every thing (tofpeakfo) mercied, and chri- {[Izncd,, tven his basket and his dough^Dcut. 2S.$ . Flis inhe¬ ritance muft be blelTed , much more all Chfifts inheri¬ tance muft be bleffed, bccaufe he is the feed, the Spring, andabftiacftofbleflfings. ]<[qw ChriB^Heh.j .2. is appointed the heir of all things -^ihen he is the heir of a draught of wa¬ ter, of brown bread, of a ftraw-bed on the earth, and hard ftones to be the pillow: to theSaints,to the children of God., hell (to fpeak fo) is heaven’djforrow joyed, poverty riched, death inlivened, duft and the grave animated and quickned with life and refurredion. God fave me from a draught of water without peace and deliverance from the fword without Chrift and the Gofpcl are linked and chained to thecurfeof God-, alas, if men have the fingle creature, they make no account how other things go : Give m Pea/se upon any termes (fay they) you may have the earth,peacc, and the creature, and the Devil to fait them to you with the curfeof God. had the bag at his girdle, but withall,
the Devil in his heart, the creature wanteth life and blood without ChriH,
2 . All mercy, that is^graced mercy is to be fought in Je- fus ChriB‘^ every mercy is- mercy, becaufe its in every
ftream is water, becaufe its of the clement of water : every thing in its own element and nature is moft copious*, water is no where fo abundant as in the fea, fo in Chrift the great treafure of heaven, there is fulnefte,yi?/;. i . 16. but Col. i . 1 8. ginaiiy^n" Theresa a fulne^e in ChriH, but 2. A Tmvn Chrift,ancl
that fulneffe^ that all fulnejfe. And 3. that ailful-
nefle
72
The Trial I and Triumph of Faith,
Serra, IX.
nedeisnotin Chrift, as a ftranger in an Inne, coming in, and going out- hut it p leafed the Father that it Jhould
dwell and remaine in him The grace and mercy that is in Chriftmw^i be fought, and no other, upon thefc grounds :
I. I. Its a fpeciall choice mercy that hmChriji, Fori. No pciTon could ferve Gods ends, in fuch a way as Chrtft did,
2.. < being focompleatas he is. 2. God out of the deep of his wildom found out fuch a Mediator, and fo graced • Ifaac fliould have been undutifull, if he had refufed a wife of his fathers chooijng, for both out of love aild muchwifdom he choofed her*, now when God out of infinite love and deep wifdom hath chofen to us an husband , an head, fuch a head, fuch a Captainc, and Leader in whom there is fuch fiilneffe, fiiall we refufe him, and fhall we not feck the beft things in him Now Chrifi is a husband of ’Gods choo- fing , 1 fa. 0^2.1. Beheld my chofen one in whom my foul de- dighteth : 2. Its not from God, that we now receive mercy immediately, but from Chrifi God in the Mediator,though Grace and mercy be every way free ^ yet now mercy is a ' flower that groweth in our land, in him who is our blood- friend* fo now we have mercy by nature, as well as by goodwill*, we muft have it by an ad of the man Chrifts will, and when our W rits are waxen old , why feek we not that which God hath laid by for us c' Grace is more Con¬ natural! to us now, in that it is in the bofome of our brother,
3. and ours by derivation. 3. There’s a difference between mercy, and purehafed mercy, its payed for mercy that we receive, and fo more excellent then Jn^el mercy : As fome waters that run through metcals, hath a more excellent ver- j tue then thofe that fpring from pure earth*, mercy is fo much the more defirable, that its a River iffuing through that more then golden, and precious Redeemer *, and fo to us its 3 twice mercy, to ^eAngels*its but once mercy: Even as the Bee gathers fweetnes out ofvarious and divers flowers*,
yet I
Serm. X.
The T rtall and T riumph ef Faith,
73
' ' !■■■■■■ - - - ' ■— ■■■ I ■ ■
yet its fb compofed , that the liquor refulting out of them all, hath not any particular tafte from the fundry flo¬ wers, the Violet, the Pink, the Rofe, the Woodbine, the. Claver,but it tafles of hony only^ fo all we have meeting in Chrifty wife, children, ht ufes, lands ^ honour to the Saints have not their own natural tafte, but out of all theres in them a fptrituall rcfultance of fome heavenly compofure of Chrifts fweetnefle, and are fo {prinkled, and dipt in Grace and Mercy, that as frefh Rivers do borrow a new tafte from the Sea, when they flow in to its bofome, foall earthly fa¬ vours borrow anew fmell and relifli from thefountaine Chrift: What do they lay then, that teach that a man may have all Graces •, yea, and poverty of fpirit, and yet want ChriH < As if thefe could be feparated ; he that believeth hath the fon, Grace and ChriH cannot be ieperated, Ffh. i . 2.C74/.1.3 Thefe by- wayes funder fouls and the
foundation Christ.
SERMON X.
MT daughter is grievoufiy vexed with a Devi 11} Chil- dren.erpecially to motherSjWhofe affedions are more weak and loft, arc taking levers, efpecially being parts and fubftantiallfliadowsof ourfelf- yet foui things are confi- derable in us to them ; i . So to hold, as we are willingly to letgo , love them as creatures only • often the childe is the mothers daughter, and the mothers God r 2 . We are to ftrive to have them freed from under the power of the De¬ vil, as this woman doth^ for they come into the world fuell for Hell-, Parents make more accompt all their life to make gold, rather then grace, their childrens Patrimony ^Legacy; 3. Look at them as May- flowers, as borne to come and ap¬ pear for a fpace in the clement of death-, fo they fportjlaugh, run, ear, drink, and gliftcr like Comets in the Air, or flying Meteors in the Spheare of the Clouds, and ofien go down to the grave,beforc their Parents : 4. Beware of -felfinefre,
M fox
Parents fpirituall a (Fed ions, 3nJ duty to their chil¬ dren.
Simile,
74 TheT riall and Triumph Faith . Serm . X.
£oi‘ children are our {elf, and their fins white and innocent fins to us : Eli honoured his fbns more then God, and God put a mark of wrath on hishoufe.
Obfirve the rife of this paffiigc of Provi¬ dence t r . Chrifi wearied of tfudux came to the borders of T'jre and Sydon : ?. He went to a hoiife to hide himfelf from her: She heard of Chrifi: 4. The hard condition her
daughter was in, tormented with a Devil ; upon this God driveth her to Chrisf ; 5, ChriHh hereby declared to be the Savior of the Gentiles: 5. An illuftrious miracle is wrought; fee a wife confociation of many ads of Providence *, as one cjufler of pafTages of the Arc of wife omnipotency-, as many herbs, and various forts of flowers make up one plea- fanf, and well fmelled Meadow-, many Rofes, Lillies, and the like, one fwcet fmeliing Garden, in which thefe pradj- caU confidcrationsmay have our thoughts for Rules.
1 . Fule, I . Rule^ Go not before God and Providence, but follow RuksS^^ him, prefeription of fuchand fiich means to God and no obVrving other, is to fiint omnipotency, and to limit the holy one of pafljjgef of jfrael.i The true God tied to a forbidden I mage, to receive
gloiy,is made an Idol-, fb to fetter God to this mean, as if not free to work by other means,is Idolatrous.
2. 2. Rukj The book of Providence is full both Page and
Wearenei- j^fargin, God hath been adding to it fundry new Editions-, lead nor children we are in love with the golden cove-
Hint Pro- ring, the Ribbons, Filleting,aod the Pi6fures in the Frontif- vdencc. pifee,but underfiand little of the Argument of Providence, Wc .are to f faL 1 07*4 ? . f(? U wifc^ and will obferoje thefe things
Godin his thcyf^iid Under fl and the loving kindeneff^ of the Lord^ hi q.
wayes. / /aid { fmh Elihu) dayes ( livings ok Providence) Jha/l (peak ^ ,3 . Rule* ^ud multitude of ^ ears jhouldteash wifdom : God is worthy to Qmnipo bc Chroniclcd. ^
tcn^cy not ^. Rulcy God hath not hid his Godhead and omnipo- pawn ”on tency in pawn^ in the power of means, fo as God ufeth
ai|vy means. . ' means.
Scrrn . X . ^ ^ rwmph ef Faith,
75
means, becaufe they are efheatious^ but becaufc he ufeth them, they are efficatioiis : A Knm horn is as near of blood, to caufe the vods of lericho fall in Gods hand, as Engines of war*, a ftraw is a fpear to omnipotency.
4. His wayesarc often contrary to our judgement, we 4. Rule. lie and wait the way to fee God come upon the tops of mountains, but we are deceived, he cometh the lower way through the valleys: we thought omnipotence rauft change we imagme the Kings heart, ere fuch Brambles as Prelates be thrown o- ver the hedge, but our King is himfelf, and Omnipotence 'taketh another way ♦, the Difciples thought Ghrift (hould make them Kings and reftore the Kingdom : chri/l is dead and buried, and he goech another low way, through deaths bel ly to ma4tethcm Kirtgs and Priefts to God 5 Chr ft goeth away, there be great indeavourSj and running through ft rects, Cities, walls : f) (Ireets farvpu him^ O broad svayeSf ftn> you h'm rvhom my foul lovethf O dear watchfnerfjwhere is hef But they are all dumber taketh a lower way,
4. It was but a little that I faffed from them^ but I found him whom my foul loveth,
5. Rule^ Slander not Gods waycs of Providence, with provMencc the reproach of confufton and diforder*, to God all his initscon^ Works ars good, very good, as were the works of creation. o?^“es, Thercisalong chain, and concatenation df Gods wayes, aAions, c- Counfells, Decrees, adions, events, judgements, mercies* afnd there is white, and black, good and evil, crooked and confexturq ftraight interwoven in this web, and the links of this chain,
; partly gold, partly braftc, iron and clay, and rhe threds or ^ his difpenfation go along tlirough the Patriarchs dayes, vf * day ’of ; dam^ Enochs Noah^ ^braham^ and are fpun through i the ages of CMofes^ and the Church in F^ypt^ and the wilder- *i°nc?/and \ neftc, and come through the times of the Kings of Ijrul and nor a thred Indah^ and tlie captivities of the Church., and defeend aJong
through the generations of Prophets*^ ChriH, the; fair ’and
Ml jper* white.
Serm. X.
7^ The Triad and Triumph of Faith,
j)erfccutmg Emperors^ and CMartyrdomes rhcwicncfTes af ^cfm {lain by the woman drunken with the blood of the Saints>^ while the end of the thi ed, and lafl: links of the chain be ti¬ ed to the very day of the marriage of the Lamb: mow in this long contexture of divine Providence you fe^ : i . Not one threed broken, Mj Fat her. w or keth hitherto:, and I work (faith Ci?Wy?)provicience hath no vacancy, but can res,e vents, a(5fions, wayes, are all bordered one upon another, by the wifdomof Providence, fo that links are chained, andtet- tered to links, not by hazard, or chance ; 2. Though this web be woven of threds of divers colours, black and white, comfortable and fad paffages of Gods Providence, yet all maketh a fair order in this long way •, facob wecpech for his dead childe fofeph^^fofeph rcjoyceth to come out of the pri- fon to reigne ^ David danceth with all his might before the Ark-, weepech fore for Abfalen his fons miferablc death • ^eb waflieth his fieps with butter^ and the Candle of the Almighty fbineth on his head ^ and f-ob de filet h his home in the dufi^ and lieth on afhes, and mourneth ^ all is beauty and order to God.
6. Rule. 6, i?«/^,Put the frame of the fpirit in Eqailibrio^ in a cora- pofed, flayed, indifferent ferenity of mindc looking to both The Spirit fields, black and white, of Providence-, fo holy David is to be Tm was above his croffe, 2 ^4;^. 15.25, 2(5. Jf I [ball finde favour ten "^in Si Lordy hc wUl bring me again ^ and floew me both
oft? of ^ ^he Ark and his habitation : Rut tf he thus fayy I have no delight providence. behold her c am f let him dotome as feemethgood : He putteth his foul u^on Gods two {ifs) if he favc its good, if he deftroy its good ; Make fure this generall, Chrijl is mine: at that Anchor^ in this harbour my veffell muH ride : W hat e- verwindeblowin externals: Chrtjl,diedforme: If I live, its in Chrift-y if I die, its to Chrifl -, if I ride wit h Princes on horfes, its good-, if I go on foot with ferVants, it is good ; it ChriB' hide his face and frown, its Chrifi^ its good 5 if it be
full
I
Serm. X.
The T riall and Triumph of Faith.
77
full Moonc, and he over fliadow the foul with rayes and beams of love and ligh^its alfo Chrif^ its alfo good.
7. In all things, blelfed C/’r/i? , let the defires be low, 7*
.5 . Seekejl thou great things for thj felf't Seek them mt^ fii^aave" limh. Jeremiah to Baruch its caher to adde to defires, then beft. to fubftrad i better the heart afeend from a Sallee of herbs to Wines,, tnen compell thy fpirit to defeend and weep.
8. Faiths fpeculations to the worft and hardeft, in point
». Rule.
Rule.
of refolutionds fweec *, Job putteth on a concluhon of faith, pjov^dc^cc from blac k premifes^ fuppofe the Devil and Hell forme the rubmifiive- principles, Faith can make a concliifion of gold and of hea- veil : What if God fliould kill me ? What though it ivcre fo ^ Tet I will truB in Gody lob 13.15. What if he throw me in Hell f It were well refblved, I would out of the pit of Devils cry, Dallelujah^praife the Lord in his jujfice ; What if the enemy in War prevail over me ? What if I were brought from Scarlet^ to embrace the Dung hill i Faith can (hape what Providence polTibly may never fow : What if I be brought to the wheele, to the rack, to burning quick ''
p. There’s a myffery of Providence, that we fee not^wc know not what is doing with us, when he is binding' us* as the Sheep hath no notion of death in its fane/, even when the knife is at its throat, fo arc we.
10. Providence walketh long in unccrtaintics-his way that Rii^^ rulcth,the world. is in the clouds • Pe^^ce is within a ftepiyet eometh not full vidfory and deliverance necr,and the enemy is well nigh fubdued .• and the Lord tumeth the Scales, and laycth us low again : life is within the eighth part of a fpan to Jhab^ yet God fo timeth and placeth vcngeance,that the arrow of Godmuft pitch on no place, but between the
ioynts of the harneffc, and is killed.
II. We are with all filenceand quietneffe of fpirit to fub- Rule'ti. mit to Gods wayes, not to fret^ believing can eafe us dif- putrng cannot.
12. Its
78
'The T ridl md T riumjih $f Faith, Serrn. X h
Rtde 12. 1 2 . Its eafier to fee what is inflicted on us, then to fee who
infli(5teth it^ evil cometh, and we look iio higher then the creature, as if the world created it felf* lb is this, when wc dream that the creature moveth, and is not moved of Godi Rale 13. 13* This is to be obrcrved,that God afeendeth in all his
courrc,and Providence never goeth down the mount: when ^’ofej/h goes down to the Pit, to the Prifon, God in his coiirfe of Providence is going up, and advancing the frame of beautifull providence* for ^ofephs going down, and his falljis a higher ftep to Gods exalting of Jofephx, and faving his Church*, fudahs falling into captivity, is not Gods fal** ling, but his advancing of the work to d^chem good in the latter end ^ Reformation goeth down, when obftrueftions and lets come in the way ; but God worketh on *, fecond caufes move backward and mifearry, when omnipotency earrieth on the Lords work.
SERMON XL
Matth, 15.23. But he anfwered her not a word : 0/ nd hts dif- ciples came and besought hiwy faying^ Send her away y for Jhe cry- eth after us,
24. But he anfwered’^ and fatd^ I am net fent,but unto the lofi Jheep of the houfe of ifrael.
25. Then came fhe ^ and warfhtpped him ^ faying ^ Lord, help me, .
X 7E now enter into the Dialogue between the Woman V V and Chrijl : The firft tryail is, The woman cryeth: But C/^^-/j?anfwer€th not a word : I fbew firft wherein the temptation ftandeth ; 2. The reafons of it, and in what cafes Kvery chrisi anfwercth not : 3, Bring the ufes*, for the firft , Gods temptation temptations and and the fieflies, agree in this, that
Its ta- 2JJ temptations are of one colour, to wit3white5aHd feeming from^the good,cvcn when the skin of. temptation is black as Heir,yet feeming there is white in ltjiis{Curfe God and die^hat thou mat fl be hid- in the grave from miferie) the reafon is, temptation were ^ ^ ’ not
19
Scrm .XL The Tridl and t riumfh of Faith. * _ _
not temptation, if it had not a taking power to break in upon rcafon • this is clear in temptations, he knows man is
a fallen and broken creature like him{elf,yct that there s rea- fon left- that muft have a fair object, the firfi: black apple muft be good to the eye* fo the Devil fuiteth a wire ever^ his whites, though if you would wafh the Devil in the he, the bones are alwayes black : Now this woman feeth that which (lie looked not for, and the afFe^ions muft be hhred-.
Is this the Lord^ the hearer of Prayers ? 2. Is this he that bid- deth tts fray^ and promt feth to hear ? 3 . Is this the meek Lambe cf God., of whom its faid, He fhad carry the Lamhs in his bofome.,
Efa. 42 . 1 1 . dnd a bmi fed reed he jhall not break., a fmoaking Flax he fhall not quench ? He anfwereth me not one word - yea^he
deniethmetobe his^ as its hereafter ^herepreacheth me with the
name of a nature would fiy,I repent that ever I came to him,
let my daughter fufer twenty, one hundred,a Legion of Devils, I ^hy this
have done with Chrifi, I come no more at him : efpccially fup-
pofing what was true, that (he had a great Faith ^ and Faith woman cannot be but loving and kind to ChriH: What? my heart fadned, and hroheni, my daughter vexed with a Devil I but oh a- las,my Saviour anfwereth not one word, fweet fe fm rejelieth me, how can I Jland under fo many Hells ? He cureth all that cometh to him : / am the firfi that ever this King fmt away with a fad heart, he cafieth none away that cometh, he wekometh all, only he wiU not look on me poor and miferable ?' oh what can I now^ do I You may know a mothers heart to her tormented cbilde, and a Believers bowels to a Saviour, here’s a buiden above a load : Fut why anfwereth he all [inner s, but not one word to me?
Anf. 1, Fewer none are tempted,, but the upfliot of the temptation is to beget big apprehenftons of the temptati¬ on : never was man in the condition I am in : Chnsi anlwe- reth the Devils when they Qtyjlse wilt not give me one look, me caji of his eye, not one half word': The temptation muft re- prefent Chrifi, as a noa-ftidh. feuc rough dealing , and the
tempted ’
8o The Triall and T'riumph of Faith.' Serra. XT.
S?opris ^ noh-fiich for mifery: Elias muft fay, i Kin, i8.
to make the 20« 1 left akne^^and they feek my life^{2i.zi./s^.
Our fathers truHed in thee.. t-hestruHedinthee. and were deli-
hove theres ,» ^ i i ^ i
none like vcr.o. / 4;;^ ;?<? body : /4w 4 worme and no man.^
inm. Lain, 1.12. O pafl’ers by, hear, behold, and fee if there he any forrowj like unto my forrow ! ^c. 1 Cor.4.9. We are made a theater.^ a fpeBacle to men and Angels : The temptation miift put on the face dr Hell to drive at this, to caufe the childe of God put himfelf out of the Kalender and fociety of Gods children : hence, that {jio-d^ere was never a foul fince the world' ^ waSjlikeme^ lammyalonCf i. C^r//? once, firft or laft, muft be no ChriB , and God not God to the tempted, Bath he for¬ gotten to he gracious ^ Pfa.77. A forgetting God, a changed God is not God • flick by this principle. Yet he is Chrift, The non- and my Chrift too. 2. Itsfaid, he anfwered her not a word- of Ch but its not faid, he heard not one word • thefe two differ is an an- muclv, often hcarcth when he doth not anfwer, his fwer. not anfwering is an Anfwer, and fpeaks this Kpray on^ go on., 2. and cry) for the Lord holdeth his door faft bolted, not to keep out, but that you may knock and knock prayer is to God, worQiip-,to us,often,its but a fervant upon meer necef- fity fent on a bufineffe : The father will caufe his childe fay over again, what he once heard him fay, becaufe he de- lighteth toliearhim fpeak: fb God hearethand laycth by him an anfwer for Ephraim^lcv.^i . iS.I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himfelf • but Ephraim heard not, knew not that God told.all Ephraims prayer over again behinde his back ; 3* No anfwer from ci>r/7? is to a Believer ^ but to kiffe
and embrace ZZe//, becaufe its Chrifls Bell^is a work ofinucb acceptance: when you fay. He pray, and die praying^thongh I be never heard, becaufe praying is my duty, and Gods I 4* glory : let me diein aduty that gforifieth him. 4. Wieft- ling addeth ftrength to armes and body, praying and pray¬ ing^ again, ftrengthneth Faith-, cuftoraary running, lengthnech
the
Ser m . ^ I . 'I he TrUll and Triumph of Faith,
the breach : By much praying faith is well breathed : facoh is ftronger in the morning when he hath prayed a whole night, then at bed-rime, Gen. 32.,2^. The Angel {aid ^Let me go^ for the daj hreaketh : And he ftid^ I will not let thee go ^ till thou blcfje me. Then in the dawning he hath prayed har¬ der, and ufed his arms with greater violence then before, by this hunger groweth fatter, fenfe ftronger: its he;e.
Fate and be ^hungr’j , nay and defire more firongly to pray.
3. Rcafons oi Gods not hearing prayer are , i. Su- pcrftiiious and falfc worfhip , Ifaiah 16, 12. CMoah prayer. wearied of his high places , comes to his San5iuary to' i . pray .y but prevai let h not. Wildfire cannot raft raw flefti.
2. Go^sfheai’s not finners , Joh.p. 3 1. Let his prajer be fin., 2. Plal. 109. 7. Yea the prayers oi Britain 'oxc not heard, nor their Solemn Fafts accepted •, for iniquity hath feperated be- tweenGod and us^EL$9.2. 3. G'c^^sfheareth not when there's 3. a heart- love to vanity, Pfal. 6^.18. Job35.iy. 4. God 4. heareth not Malignants, nor us, when many are heart- enemies to the Caufe, Pfal. 18. 41. 5. He heareth not 5.
bloudy men., Ef 1.15.N0W for the Saints, fenfe maketh non- anfwering a mercifiill judgement, its here as in riches-, he is rich who thinketh himftlf rich, and defireth no more : So not to be anfwered Is a plague ^ but to findc you are not an- fwered, and be fad for it, hath much of Chrifi : The Saints arc heavier, becaufe 6'<?^.anrwereth not, then becaufe the mercy is denyed.
Queft. How fijall we know we are anfwered ? h.n(ysf .Hannah How to knew it by peace after prayer : 2 . Paul knew it, by receiving new fupply to beare the want of that he fought in prayer • areaSS- he is anfwered that is more heavenly after prayer. 3. Li- berty and boldncffe of Faith, is a fign of an anfwered pray- ^ ‘ ' cr : The intcrceftbr at the right hand of cannot lofe his own work • his fpirit groaneth in the Saints • doth not 3* my head accept what I fet my heart on work to do 1 Rom.
N 8. 23. 25, 27.
82
‘TheTr'rnU md Trhtnf^h ef Faith,
SeVm. XT.
S. 25,2^, 27. compared with Rev. 8. 3. 4. We are heard and ahfwered oT Gdd^ when we are not heard and anfwered of I pray for a temporall favour, vldlory to Gods peo-
battle, they lt>re the day* Yet lam heard and heard : anfwercd, becaufe I prayed for that vidory, not under the
Ki?h^sal- f^ctionofvi(5lory, but as Jinked with mercy to the Church wayeshcsrd and tlic hoHor of •* Soihc ferwall ohjcB of my prayers tfven wheh a fpirituall mercy to the Churchy and the honor of ^efks lar Swt' we Chrifi. Now the Lord by the Ioffe of the day, hath fhewen aske, is dc mercy on his people in humbling them , and glorifieth his Sort, in preferving a fallen people^ So he heareth that which is fpiritnall in my prayers • he is not to hear the er¬ rors of them. putteth not droffe in his Ccnfer^ofGold,
5 • 5 . We are heard when ever we aske in Faith • but let
Faith reach no farther then Gods will : when wc make Gods will our rule, he will do his own will *, if he do not my will, ks robe noted.. That the creatures will, divided from Gods will, in things not neceflaiy for Salvation , and Gods glory, is no part of will, and no asking of Faith. Therefore, Faith frequently in the Pfalmes, prayetb, and anfwereth.
Faith in a ^*'^*4* Compared wkh V. p. Pfal. 55. 2. Attend unto
praye/ as^* ^^5 V. ip. Gcd jhall hcore, and affli^ them.^ Pfal .
kethandan- ■ i. Be rntrctfull unto me O God (jrc.v. 5 . Be fhall fend from fwereth It andfa'isemefrom the reproach of him that would frval-
ierv m up^ Pfal . 59. 1 . Deliver me from mine enemies^ 0 my God. 1. Deliver rne from the workers of inlquify.^ v. 10. The Bod of mercy fullprcvvTttTne^ God fjafl let 'me fee 7ny defire upon Faith , and mine enemies., Pf.’ 60. t . O God thou haft caft us off , thou h.ift fcattered usy^c. But in thb end, v. 1 2. through God we fttall liphTiihc do valiantly, Th^ prophecying of Faith is not dead with the pfophets Prophets. Faith feeth a far off as yet*, to fee things that God cnt^ii'nai^' either by Himfclf, or by Angels , is an adf of pro-
cave and phecy , and differeth not in nature from the propheiicall ^pece. light of the prophets mow the light of Faith feeth as yet the
fame,
rm . X 1 1 . ^ rimph FAith, ^ 3
fame, to wit, that chrifl fhaU raifc the cic;a4, ai^ fcflid bis
Angels to gather in his Wheat int^o his bar^^ ^ efpecjally hope of glory is Prophetical!. 6, Patience to wait on, while thcvirionipeak, isananfwer. 7.. Some letters retjuire no f nl'wer, but are meer cxprefllons of the defires of the friend^ the generall prayers of the Saints, that the Lord would ga- therein his Eledt, that Cbrifi would come and marry the Bride, and confummate the Nuptials, doc refer to a reall anfwer ^ when our Husband the King fhall come in perfon at bis fccond appearance.
1. Ufe, You take it hard, that you'are notanfWcred, and i. Ufe. that Chrijis doore is not opened at your firft kpock; DAvid
muft knock, P/4/. 22. i. 0 my Godl cry h} day ^ and thou hu- refi not ^ and in the njght feafon I am not filent. The Lords at the
Churchy Lam. 3.8. And when I cry and flout ^ he flutteth out ‘
tny prayer. Sweet lefue the Heire of all, prayed with teares and firong cries.^ once^ O my father ytigiiinQy 0 my father^ and the third time, 0 ere he was heard. Waite on, dye
praying, faint not.
2. Ufl. Its good to have the heart ftored with fwcet 2. Ufc. principles of chrift^ when he hcarcth not at the firfi . Its chrifl^ he will anfwer. Its but Chrifls out-fide that is unkindc.
SERMON XIL
t^nd his Difciplcs came and befought him, faying^ Send her awayy^c.
IN the Difciples we fee Utile tenderneffe, no more, hut fend her away jfle trouhleth us with crying*^ forfooth they were fore fiaine, that their dainty eares were pained with the crying of a poore woman. Why i they fay not, Lear e mafier., her little daughter is tormented with, the Devil, and thou her Saviour anfwer efl her not one word ^ fhee cannot but break her heart : we pray thee^ M^i^erfleal her daughter : Dodf.
JAaturall mert, or chrifis Difciples^ in fo farre as there is fleff)
N 2 in
§4
The Triail and T riumph of Faith. Serm . X IF.
Naturall thtm^ nnderftandeth not the my fery offorrerv.^ and fervour of
"h^rcnew - the Saints ^Crying to God in defertion, and not heard.
cd info far I . Natutall iTicn jccf at Chrifi dcfcrtcd, Pf. 22. 8. Hetrufed matnetV^ />; the Lordy let him deliver him. Heavie was the fpirit of the in them wecptiTg Chiitch, 3 captivc woman at the rivers of Bahy- flefli,are ig* (ojj . yet fec, they mock them • Sing m one of the fongs of tlK m'iftfry ^ * Evcn the Saints^in fo farre as they are unrenewed, of an affli- ai'C ftrangcrs to inward conflicts of foiiles praying, and not &cdfprnr. answered of God , the fainting and fwooning Church,
^ * Cant. 5. 7. is pained- 0 deare )vatch-men^faxv you my F/uf-
handi Heavie was her fpirit, but what then c* v. 7. The rvatchmen that went about the City found me^ they [mote me^ they wounded me.^ the keepers of the walls tooke away my vaile from inftead of binding up her wounds, they returned her buffets, and pulled her haire downe about her eares. And tht daughters of ferufalem£3.y to the fick fighing Church, pained for the want of her Lord,v.p.Fr/»4/ is thy beloved more then another beloved y See. Whereof is thy Chrifl made , of Gold < or is thy beloved more pretious then all beloveds in the world ^ Troubled Hannah grieved in fpirit, to T//,is a drunken woman. The Angels find Mary Mafdalen weepings they leave her weeping, they give her a dodfrinall comfort^ Woman why wecpesl thou y he is not here^ he is rifen againe. i . Tf a Firing in the confcience be broken, the Apoflles that were with cannot tye a knot on it againe- if there be a
rent in the heart , fo as thetwofldes of the foule of the w'oman rent aftinder, fhe poore woman 11 ill weepeth - 'O why fpeake you^ 0 Angels.^ to comfort me • they have taken away my Lord. Angels/^ what are you to me S And indeed, they can¬ not few up the womans rented heart. This is the Lords Peace of Pterogative, Efa. I create the fruit-ofthe lips^ feace^
Confcience I know no Creator hut ouQ y and I know no Peace- creator hi\t is a work of- one pcacc ofconfciencc is Grace, Grace is made of pure creation, nothing, and not made of nature ; Pallors may fpeake of
peaccy
SertTl. Xll.
7heT riall and T rtufftph of Faith.
85
peace but God fpeaketh peace to his people.^ Pf. 85.8. 2 .There , 2* be fomc ads of nature, in which meh have no hand^to bring Bread out of the earth, and Vines , men have a hand^ but in raifing Winds, in giving Raine, neither King, Armies of men, nor ads of Parliament have any influence* The tempering of the wheeles and motions of a diflempered ■ confcience is fo high, and fupernacurall a work, that Chrift behooved to have the Spirit of the Lord on him above his fellowes., and muftbe-fent with a fpeciall Commiflion to apply the fw'eet hands, the foft mcrcifull Angers of the Me¬ diator, with the arc of Heaven, Efa (5i. i. /(faith he)
SnDtiS fhould as a Ch^rurgian bind up with fplints and bands the broken in hearty and comfort the mourners in Sion. T here muft 3. be fome immediate adion of Omnipotency , efpecially 3. when he fees a Koaft of terrors, in battle array, againft the foule, as is evident in Saulfm ^ob.jC. 16. I’^Mls Archers com- pafje me round about • that is, no lefle then the foule is like a man, belet by enemies round about, fo as there is no help in the creature,but he mufldye in the midfl: of them, lob 5.4 The t err ours of God doe fet themfelves in array againH me-^ on¬ ly tha Lord of Hoafis.^ by an immediate adion, raifeth thefo fouIdierSjthe terrors of Godpixnd he only can calme them.
What wonder then that //w/Zerj-, the Word, Comforts.,
PromifeSj Angels, Prophets, A^ojllcs Cimnoih'md up a bro- a Reafon ken heart , fiiends cannot, while a good w'ord come from God • its eafie for us on the fliore to cry to thole Y?ncct!efcr- tolfed in the fea between death and life, Sayie thus, and ted ones of thus its nothing to fpeake good words to the ficke, yet Angels have not skill of experience in this*, the af- Spint.ana Aided in minde are like infants that cannot tell their dif- . eale, they apprehend Hell, and its reall Hell to them, Ma- n'y Miniftei^ ■are but Horfe-phifitims in this dil^afe *, 'winfc and muflekare vame remedies , there is need of a Creator of peace ^ fhe is frantick ( fay they ) and its but a Ac of natu- ‘ • rail
85
'Ths T riall and T ritm^h Faith, Serm. XIL
2. Ufc.
Chnft fweetei to the dclcited then all the woild.
Verfe 24.
I Peftt,
How God umpteth.
rail melancholy and didratS^ion,
The Difeipks are Phyfitians of no value to a feulc crying, and not heard of Chrifl, Oh, Mofes is a meek man , iP^Wa fweec ftnger, ^ob and his experience profitable*, the Jpofiles Gods Inftruments, the Virgin Mary is full of Grace, the glorified defire the Church to be delivered, but they are all nothing to ^efus chriH • there is more in a piece of a corner of Chrifis heart ( to fpeake fo )then in Millions ' of worlds of Angels, and created comforts, when the con- fcience hath gotten a back-throw with the hand of the Almighty. .
24. But he an frvered and faid^ I am not fern hut for the loH Jbeep of the hotife oflfrael.
In this anfwer two things are to be obferved •, i. The temptation coming from cMj'?, denying hehad any thing to do with this woman, I am net (ent for her, 2. The mat¬ ter of the temptation, containing chrrfis i. fending^ 2. to whom, To the houfe of Ifraeh, 3. Vneier what notion. The fleep of the houfe of ifraeh^ 4. what fort of fheep, The left jheep. In the temptation confider, i. whotempreth;
2 . the nature of the temptation *, for the former , Its Chri/l who tempteth. Hence thelc Pofitions* i.Pof. tempteth no man to fin, lam. 1.15. Let no man fay^ when he is tempted ^ I am tempted of Cod^fer God cannot he tempted,^ neither tempteth he any. 14. But e'uery man is tempt¬ ed., when he is drawn away of his own luft : God doeth try, ra¬ ther then tempt. I. cannot command fin. 2. He can¬ not adluatc the crooked faculties to fin, as he that fpurreth^ Horfe, putteth the horfe to adtuall motion .* But the diflo- cated legge of the horfe putteth in adf the halting power of thehorfc, 3 . He cannot infufe finfull habits , which are as weights of Iron and Lead, to incline the foul to fin. 4. He cannot approve fin. Satan never tempteth , but upon pra- ilicall knowledge , either that the wheels may run down
the
87
Scrm. XII. The TriaU and Triumph of Faith .
the mount, as he tempted and upon that falfe perfwa- fton tempted Chrijl to fin- or then he knoweth fin hath oyl- God trying ed the wheels and inclinations, and fo cafteth in Fire- brands, knowing that there’s powder and fire-wood within ^^hd and iis, in our concupifcence •, he fhould not offer to be a Fa- fin tempt- thertothebrood ofHdl, if he knew not that a feed and mother were within ns-, except Chrift by grace caft water on our lufts, and cook the furnace, we conceive flames eafily.
Pof. Neither Devils, nor men, nor our heart may, without fin, tempt or try the creature by putting it to do that which may prove fin, upon any intention to try , whi- canot piu, ther that creature fliall obey or not; Had Abraham com- anothereg- manded Tfaac to y;:\\\facoh his fon,to try whither ifaac loved Gody or no, it had been a finfull tempting of him. A crea- an intenti- ture eannot’pLit his fellow-creature upon the margin and border of death (fuch as all fin is) to try if the creature hath creature, a good head that cannot be giddy. God may try duties by events, He is the Potter the Clay-^ but -clay is limited to try events upon clay by duties only-, and ndte\^ents by dunes.
5. Wanton and vain reafon would fay. Why did Pofit, the mfe Lord create fuch a Tree of knowledge ^the tafling whereof was the fccond death b) LaWy and that in E^es eye < Why did net Codfortifiethefirf befeged Caflfe ^ Eves will and minde with grace^ that the day jhould not have been the Devils ? But, O vain man, is the potter holden to make a vefiell of earth, as ftrong as a veffell of iron, or Braffe, that thouph it hill , by no fault ofthe maker it flrall not be broken ^ We may fay to fuperiors or clay, yea to Who art thou that com- comandc-
mandefl r And befidewe may fay, What doelitbou< and, why doefl thou ? and, What commandef thoUy amther Gofpef kno\v,c%« er no ^ Atid wc'may take their will with a reicrve • But we who com may know of God^ who he is, that he is fehovah. But
we arc notto t acquire, and cur^ Lordyt^hy doef thou this 't wiur. he or^Lord^ What is it that thou~ commandejl ? The Agent here commands.
warrants
The Trial I and Triumph of Faith.
88
Serm. XII.
5-
Vpon wJut Rcafon he coinmiiid’- cili. But for 'Gols ,5- t'tions 3ivl conima^n- Ucmcius, Jts cnoiioh,
WJio doth it, who com - mnilclcth it. 3 1 ■Jehovah j I am lilcnr, and muft obey.
I Fofit.
v/arnnrs the a<ftion , and all its motives • (l^d infufeth wif- dome and goodnclk in all his wayes, bee aufe they are his wayt's •, goodneile is a ftrangcr to what Angels and men doc, except there be a fafer Law for their doing, then their perfon. God muft have abfolute obedierce, though he feeketh no blinde obedience-, mens actions muft be warran¬ ted, not only from the wifdorne of the doer, but alfo from the nature ot the deed *, Gods adions have all, and abun¬ dance of goodneffe in them, from the Its enough to
me wh;it I fuffer ( I meane it ought to be enough ) if ten Hells for oneTin, if the abfolute former of all things doe it* we love to put Law on God-^ whereas to examine mens commandements is religion, we take them upon truft ^ and to examine Gsds wayes is arrogancy- yet we muft judge God. We fee i i permitting finne in bloods, in confufion, in the fall of A da?^., more fairneffe, beauty, and glory in
and his new Heaven, then we can fee of blacknefte, of Hell, of ftij^ne in Devils , and in finne • poffibly it ftiould have been law^full to the Creature, and to Angels to permit fin, fo they could and would from thence raife a Gofpel, an heaven of Lrec-grace. Now for temptations from God, we are to confider that they are all reafbn, all wifdorne, all goodnefte.
I . Pofit. Chrifl faith to the Difciples of her { it had been fome comfort, ifhe had given her felfe but one word ) / am not fentfor this tooman^ nor for any of her bloody and kindred-^ [1)6 is a Gentile J am fent primarily for feivs.Hcnce Chrifi may in words,and totheapprehenfion ofweak ones, fay, lam net thy Saviour thou art not any of redeemed ones. ChriH may give rough anfwers, when he hath a good minde *, he put a hard word upon the Noble man, loh. 4, that came to him for his dying fonne *, Te { and all your nation ) will not beleevcy except you fee ftgnes and wonders. Never any man faw and apprehended harder things of God then lere-
miah.
Scrtn. XII . The Triall and Triumph of Faith,
mtah^c..i')*v^ i8. Wilt thou he altogether to me as a I'jCTy and as waters thatfaile ?
2. Poftt. How often doth the promifes of the Gofpell 2. Poftt lye at a diftance to. us, and we have foure doubts touching them ♦, I . They are rot mine. In difpenfation God dealeth ted. ether wife with me^ then with the reft : to David^ Pfal. 22.4. i • Our fathers trufted in thee,, they truBed in thee,, and thou delive- redB them 5 and why ftiould he not deliver thee alio v. 6\
, alas, its not fo : But T am a worme and m man, fo Eia 49.13.
Sing O Heavens, be jot full O Earthy and hreake forth into pag¬ ing, O Mount aines. What is the matter, that the Skies and Starres are bidden fing Pfalmes't for God hath comforted hispeo- pie,, and will have mercy upon hU affliHed. Yea, but no merej^ for me, V. 14. But Sion [aid, the Lord hath for faken me, and my God hath forgottenme 5 whoever fade mercy, Gods diffenfa- tion faith, I ftall pnde^none. z. For untvorthinejfe and pane, I 2* amnncapablcofmercy',, the forlorn fbnne dare not beleevc liis father will make him a ibnne in his houfc : vvhy^ there is ali his reafbn, Luke i y. 18, 19. Father, I have pnned againft Heaven, and in thy pght, and am no more worthy to he called thy f onne, make me as one of thy hired ferv ants. Thy fbnne, fuch w as Peters rcafoning ^ Lord depart from me, for I am a pnfull man. 3. I know not how the promifes ftall be made good to me*, 2, but lofeph had a word, that the Sunne, Moone , and e- leaven Starres fhould honour him, but how that could be performed he faw not •, when he was fold as a Have, and that was farre from honour, yet was he to bclceve his Dreame fhould be fulfilled : and fb K^ihraham did adheare to the Promife, when commander h the Sonne of Pro-
mifp to be killed, Heb, n. 19. accounting that God was able to raife him up,evenfrom the dead. 4. 1 fee not the time of the -t •
fulfilling the^Promife yet, Hab. 2.3. Though the Vipon tarry, waite for it, becaufe it will furely come, and not tarry , We are to r€member(?<?^can trayl his promife, in our feeming, through
O Hell,
90
The Triall and T riumfh ef Faith »
Serm. XII.
Hell^ and the Devil's black hands, (as he led ChriB through Death, the Cur fe, and Dett) and yet fulfill them* when chrift is under a ftone, and buried, the Gofpell feemes to be buried.
3. Pofit, ChriB is on both fides, he holdech up, and throweth downe_, in one and the fame zd: he denyeth the woman to be his, and is on her fide to grace her, to be- leeve that he is hers. Chrift putteth his childe away, and he defireth that his childefhould not be put away from him^ he is for in his vvreftling, and as if he were againfi: him, faith. Let me alone, chrift here doth both hold, and draw* oppofe, and defend at once.
I am not fent'^ He doth not here deny the interefts of the Ventiles In the C^Pesftah:, but his meaning is, I am not fir ft and principally fent-^ 2 . in thcftefb^-andperfonally as man for the Centiies^to preach the Gofpell to them^ and to worke Miracles for them ^ hut principally as'the MiniBer of Circumoi fton^ to the lewes therefore CA€ at, 10. he forbiddeth his Dilciples to goe to the Samaritans^ hut rather to preach to the houfe of/frael. Firfi: then a word o^ ChriBs fending, which includcch thefe three': •
1 . Defignation.
2 . Qualiftcation*
■ 3 . ^ peciall Commisfton.
I. The De- j j;he Defignation was an adf of Divine and voluntary Dif- Chlift°w° pe^afation, according to which the fecond Perfon of the T rini- his dlfice. ry, the Son of God^ not the Father ^ not the Holy Ghoft, was de- figned, and fee apart to take on him our nature, place, and the Office of the Mediator to redeeme us, in his owne Per¬ fon*, the Son was fitted to be the firft,and originall fampler • of fonne^ • the Sonne by naturall generation was the mod Ho.w the apt Perfon to be the perfect mould and patterffb of all the Sonis moft fonncs by the adoption ofgracc. Gal. 4. 4. the fubdantiall power of(7c?i is in the Holy Ghodj the perlbnall rife and
fountaine
Serm. Xll. 'The Triatt and Triumph of Faith, 91 '
fountain of all the excellencies of God, was in the Father* and {b, though there was no unficneffe in either to be our ’
King^ Friefi^ and Prophet •, yet the love, grace, mercy, righ- teoufnefTe of God and his infinite wifdom dwellcth in the Son: O what a bargain of love that(to borrow theword)thc lot of matchlelTe lbve,and free grace fell upon the Son: Son-y my onely begotten Son^ thou mufJ; go dorvn^ empty thy felf and Simile^ leave heaven ^ and go and \bring up the fallen fons ' out.of Hell : Mankinde like a precious Ring of Glory fell off the Finger of God, being his Image, and was broken*, the Son thuR Roop down, though it paine his back', to lilt up the bi'oken lewell, and mend and reftore it again, and fee it as a leal on the heart of God : This was the rife of the Covenant from Eternky* that gave his
word as the prime Son, that all the derived Tons fliould put their hands and hearts to the Pen, and figne and fiibfcribe the Covenant of Grace *, the Writs, Evidence';,and Char¬ ters of our falvation were concluded, and paffed the figne and leal of the Slcffed Trinity^ in Heaven from Eternity:
The Gofpel is nota yefterdayes fable, its an old counccll of infinite wifdom.
2. The Son was qualified: i. With a PafTive aptitude 2. Thcqua-
(tafpeakfo) to be a man, that he might faffer: 2. He was graced with all a^ftive indo\Vments, to be a Mediator • The ° *
ground- work of all was the grace of Unipri^ the Gqd- - head dwelling bodily in him ; 2. The fea ofinfufed graces above all his feltoWs*, to fay nothing of what he learned
by experience, being a Son put to School he learned his leffon of obedience, with many ftripes, though an inno¬ cent childe, Heh,'],v.%. Hence he came loaded with Grace and bleflings for all the curfed Tons.
3. All was nothing, except this Ambaflador of Heaven
had alfo had a Comniifsion for us : but he brought two ^ ^
Writs, .two Books from Heaven : i . He came as a flying '
0 2^ Angel
^ l . .r ’$*.1 ‘
pi The Triall and Triumfhif Faith, Serm. XII,
Angel with the evcriafting Go/pel, to preach to the Nati¬ ons: 2. The book of Life alfo; in the former, were three aefts of Law : So Chrifi is our Saviour b oth by nature, and by a Pofitivc Law : and Grace is Law: i. Becaufe
of his place and birth, being our goel and neereft kinfman, he was more kinde then any other here to redeem the fold inheritance: C hr iH s in the wombe was grace, its
peri”°*^ace t)ut nature, and that bad enough, for us to be born;
tha/w?are mothers wombe was Grace ; it was gnee that the
borne, iw Son fhould be conceived, and born, and by this he free grace, ^ . chrifis a(^ of dying, was a fpeciall Law;
that Chrift foh, 10. 1 8. This commandement received I'of my Father,, that was borne. / ia<^ ; g . By his death and Refurredipn,
he is made a Prince by Law, and harii Law and authority to forgive fins, 5.3 And power to give
life eternall, And rule allby a nevvLawinhis new Kingdom, Matth.iS.^, Our heaven now is by Law, and a fpeciall Commilfion: But the Gofpelis a Gene¬ rali ; he brought aWOeds fecrets from Heaven, and in his fpeciall Commifsion , Chr/fi hath fas it were) private In- ftruftions, Save fuch and fuch perfons^ not an^ other,, not all if- rdelj but the loB jheep ; Not the Goats-, there’s a great my fie¬ ry, how there be no double dealing in the Go^el,and owo contrary wils in God.
r. Ufe. I • He offereth in the GofpelWh to all fo they believe,and Gods hid- God mindeth to work Faith, and intendeth to beftow life ^d hTre' ^ ^ Kings Son coming to a Prifbn of con-
vealedVnl dcmncd men, with offered Pardons to all, upon condition opened, they accept of them ; but yet^he fingleth out fome, and per* fwadeth them to lay hold on the Fathers Grace-, and by the head taketh them out, Icaveth all the reft to juftice: Yet is this no greater myftery then this, Many are called^ but fem are Ci&Wf// fending with his Commi(fion,comcth un¬ der a twofold notion;One is, in the intention of the Evangel;
the
the other is, in the intention of him who propofcththe E- vangelto men: I mean Gods intention to give Faith and tion in the effcduall Grace. The former is nothing but Gods morall offer of the complacency of Grace, revealing an obligation, that all are to beleeve if they would be faved •, and upon their own pe- rillbe it, if they rcfulc C^r//.Thisis the heart and minde of Chrifi to perfons, revealing two ^ i. Mens duty. 2. Gods Grace to give life Eternal to beleevcrs • but the latter is not a morall will in God onely, but a reail phyficall will (to fpeak foj according to the which C//r;7f efFe(5tually, ftrong- ly,layeth bands of love, cords of fweet inforcing Grace, to perfwade the Soul to take ^^eftss Chrift. Chri(i cometh'to the minde under a higher apprehenfion, with his rainy and wet hair, knocking, and again knocking, to fhew his face in fuch foul redeeming beamy and excellency^ as the foul muft bctakenCaptivc,lIibdued and overcome wichthelovc of ChriHr, as the Spoufe is fo wrought on with the Beauty,
Grace, Riches, Indowments of excellency, words of love of fuch an husband, that fhe is forc'd to [^y^Ihaveno poiver, neither heart nor hand to refufeyois. Now the former notion of the Gofpel is enough to lay on the obligation of bclecving on all ^ fo as though the Gofpcl reveal not Gods purpofe of Eled ion (that is onely and formally revealed in, and by - Gods efficacious working of Faith, called the inward cal¬ ling) yet it faith this to all, Ton are all to beleeve no leffethen if there were not any Reprobated perfons amongfl you ; If there¬ fore any difpairing ones, as Cain^ yea, and many weak ones refufe to beleeve upon this ground, {Why fhould I beleeve the XHoJpel hath excepted me^ it belongeth not to me^ I am a Reprobat) they arc deluded, for the Gojpel formally revealcth , neither the Lords decree of Eledion, nor Reprobation • the cm- bdeev^^he bracing of the Go/l>ef and the finall rejedion thereof, can ^^eaecof fpeak b both thefe 5 but that is neither the Go/f^e/i voice^ uXwnl nor the G9(^el ffirityihzx. rcvcaleth any fuch bad tidings. Its cerning
true,
94
‘The Trtall andTriumph ef Faith, Serm. XIII.
txv,ZySataf3 may fpeak fo, but Chrifi cometh once with good tidings to all, Eled and Reprobate • men do herebuya Pica againft chri/l, and force aquarrell upon him • the be- lecv.er bre.ikcch firft with ChriH^ before ever ChriflhxQdk- eth with him bad tidings are too foon true*, I doubt if Re¬ probation i)e fo far forth revealed to any, even tothofc that f\n againR the Bel) GhoH , as they are to beleeve their own impoffibilky to be faved. For though a man knew bimfelf to be over fcorc, and paft all remedy, he is obliged to beleeve the power of infinite mercy, to fave him, and to hang by that threed in humility and adherence to chrtft.
If Chrtfi be fent for. loft Ifrdel^ and fay in .the Goj^el, who will go with me And fay to thee, Mf Father the King font me his own fon^ to bring thee up to his houfe : Why c' But thou fliouldft go: When old i^jctf^faw' the Chariots and M c (Ten gers that Prince fofephhls. own fon, yet living, had fentto fetch, hhvy His heart failed for joy t Seeibthou the Cha- riot of r far ao patved with love^, make then for the joiirney* the home we have here, is a taking lover ; Why f' But thou maift fiy, I cannot ftay here*the King hath fent for me.
SERMON XIIi;
Ttsa privi-
mercy that Cliriil is lent to the Tews lirft. Priviledges
I
2.
F Jfrael ] It was then a priviledged mercy that ChriB was fent to the lews^ i. The lew is the elder Brother, and the Native heir of ChriB : ChriB is of their blood and houfe, Rom, Rom.g.^. They were ChriBs^x{k Bride. Alas, they killed their husband • there’s a born of die Tews Icw in Heaven jin foul and body •, its fwcet to have any re- 9. rcckned Uuon XQ ChrisK 2 , C atholkk Covenant oi Grace made
with the great S'Atxxht Church Univerfall, was firftlaid down in pawn in their hand •, they put their hand firft to the contract, in fubferibing the marriage contrad, ler.z.^, Jfrael was holy to tlie Lord^ & the firft fruits of his increafe : O fweet ! the fallen race of mankinde was ChriBs corn¬ field, and his wheats the lews were the firft fheaf of the field,
Deut,
Scrm.XIir. 7he TridLand T'rmmphof Faith. 95
Deut,j,6. They got Chr'ifls young love and ( co fpeak (o)the firft handfell'of Ftee-^racema Church waj. 3. ChriH in 3. .
the lews flelh, (yet not excluding Ruth.^ Rachab^ and other Gentiles o^ih^ Blood-Royall) afted the whole Gofpel •, a born lew Redeemed the loft v/orld, ofFcred a facrificeto God for {inner s •, a born /ov is heir of ail thingSjis exalted- a Prince to guide and. ride all, and Oaall judge men and An¬ gels : 4. The Lord ChriJi in the dcfli w.iS firll: offered to them •, they had the firft Gofpel-/^'U(?, Matth.io.^ 6. Acl.
13.45. 5. The Oracles of 6't/i was committed to them, 5.
ii^?>^.p.4. Th6' Teifator ChriA^ his written will was in their, keeping ; 5. God was their firft Crowned King. <5,
Be ffave Ethiopia^ and Egypt and Zehaa random for them, and was their Law'giver: 7. Every Male childeamongft the 7- Jews, did bear fomewhat of Chrift in- his flefti, Col.^.w,
When all the world was without Chti ft : 8. Their land 8. was Chrifts by a fpeciall typical! right : God faith of it,
Its my land Chrift was their Soveraigne Land- lor d^dind they the great Kings Free-holdcrs : 9. The Lord never dwelt 9. in a hottfe made with hands ^ in a Temple as amongfl them, having fpeciall refpe^ft to the true Temple, ^efm Chrisl:, foh.z.ip.
1. Letus pray our Elder lifter home to Chrift, Cant.S. i. Life. They faid, We have a little ftfier, and fl^e hath no breasis, what
jhall we do for our filler irkthe day that jhe jhall be f/oken for P Now we have a greater lifter : What lhall wc the Gentiles do for her p There's a day, when ten men Jhall take hold., out of all Nations , of the skirt of a few , faying., We will go with you • we have heard that God is with you, Zac h . 8 . 2 r .
2. It is the happineffc of our Land , that we have a
three-fold relation to I meane the fe two Nations, The ho»
chat we have avowed the Lord by a Nationall Teftiniony,
and the Nations are the publick Martyrs and witneffes of Tf jbSI Chrifi, in tl^at they are made a field of blood, for no other
quarrel] 5
96
The Triad and T riumph of Faith, Serm . X I If .
Why the Redeemed are called the S heepc of Chrift.
I . Reaf,
How paf- five the re¬ deemed are in the way to Heaven.
1.
2.
3-
quarrcll, but bccaufc they defire to (land for Chrifis Truth, againft Antichrifl-^ fure in the intention of Papifts now in Armes againft us, there is no caufe of warre but this only, 2 . That we have fworn that the Lord ftiall be our God, in a folemne Covenant. 3. That we arc honoured to build the Temple of the Lord, and reforme Religion. O that we could fee our debt and be thankfull.
5. The lewes had the morning market of Chrift and they would notpay the rent of the Vineyard to xht Lord there¬ of • we have the after- noon of Chrifi, and know we what a mercy it is, that our beloved feedeth amongH the Lillies^ till the day breakc^ and the fhadotves fly avoa% and that the njoyce of the Turtle is heard in our Land? God for our abufc of the G’^»/p^//hath fent amongft us the bloody Purfevants, and Officers of his wrath, men skilfull todellroy •, God is now in three Kingdomes, arreftingthe Carcafes of men ; we are owing much to he will now have husbands, and ions from us, and leggs, and armes of wounded and m .n
from us, for that rent i»e on^e to the Lord of the for
our contempt of the Gofped. Sheep ] firft a word oi sheeps then of loft fl)eep •, I take no other reafons wh > «■ e redee¬ med of the Lord are called fheep, then art obv 3 , ^ in Scrip¬ ture. I. The fleepe arc \)2L{fiycctcm\tcs-j ana ,n doe little for themfelves *, fo can belecvcrs in the workc of their fal- vation : as
I. They have not of themfelves more knowledge of the faving way then flieep, and fo cannot walkc but as they are taught and led, Pp/. up, ^^.Teachme 0 Lordfl^fi,2$,y, lead me in thy truth. Like a blindc man holding out his hand to his guide, fothey^ Pfal.’y, 8. Lord leademe inthy righ- teoufneff'e, 2, Its not common leading, but the leading of children learning to goe by an hold, Hof, 11. i. When Ephraim was a childefl loved him, 3. I taught Ephraim alfo to goe ^ taking them by their armes *, but Ephraim like a childe
knew
Sertn.XllI . The TriaU and Triumph of Faith,
91
Icncvvnot his leaccr-. But they know not ( faith the Lord ) that 1 healed them, 5 . Leading may fuppofe Tome wiJIing- nelTe, but we muft be drawn, loh, 6, 44. Ide man can come to me^ except the father draw him^ Cant .1.4. Braw me^ wh wili run after thee, 4. There is a word of fpeciall grace, which is more then teaching, leading, drav^^ing-, and that ’is lea- nii^. Cant: 8.5. Who is this ^th at cometh up from the wilder ^ neffe gleaning upon her beloved, 5 . There is a word yet more, and that is bearing, 1 5' when the good fliepherd hath found the \o&: {ktti^, Bela)eth it On his ffwulders with ]oy, Ela.
4^» Bearken to me O hotifeof Jacob ,y and all the remnant of the houfe of Ifraef which areberrfe^ ( by me ) from the belly and carried from the gray haires fo alfoy Dent. 32. ii. God bcareththem on Eagles wing's. Grace, grace is a noble Guide and Tutor.
2. The life of fhcep is the moft dependent life in the ^ pcaC. world, no fuch dependent Creatures as fheepc • all their TheSaims happinede is the goodneffe, care and wifdom of their fhep are moft
htxd‘fVohes^Lyons^Leopards need none to watch over them-, erSturer Briers and Thornes grow there alone ,the Vine Tree^ creatures.
the noble Vine is a cenderthing, and muft be fupporced^
Efa, 40. II. Chrift muft beare the weake Lambs in his bofome •, the Shepheards bofome and his leggs arc the leggs of the weake Lamb • even the habit of Grace is a crcature,and no independent thing, and fb in efe^yn conferva- ri., in its creation, in its prerervarion,it dependeth on Chrift:
-Grace is as the new-borne Bird, its life is the hcate and warmenchTc of the body and wings of the Damme, its like a Chariot, though it have foure wheelcs, yet it moveth only as drawen by the ftrength of Horfes without it, its a Plough of timber only , that without Iron and Steele breaketh up no earth. The new Seed of Godz^^ih as adled by God hence repeating ler. 31 , 18. Turne thou
tne^ and I jhalt be turned'^ renewed David is often at this,
P Qmcken
98
The Tria.ll and Triumph of Faith.'
Serm. Xllf.
How know we Scrip ture to be the Word of Godjby a fuperna- tnrall in- ftind'
4 Reaf.
Quieken me^ quicken me % the fwoonins; Church.^ Qzm. 2. Sta-j me rvith Flagons ^ and comfort ?ne with Apples. . ;
3. Sheep are docile creatures, 10. 'iq.Mq fbeep heare voyce^ I know them^ and the) follow There is a Concrover- fie with how we know Scripture to be the Word
there is two things here confiderable *, one with¬ in, and another without. How knoweth the Lambc its mother amongft a thonfand of the Flock < Naturall inflinSl teacheth it. From what Teacher. or Art is it, that the Swallow buildeth its clay houfc and Neft, and every Bee knoweth its ownc cell and waxen Houfe*, fo the inftind of Grace knoweth the voyce of the Beloved amongft many voyces. Cant. 2.8. and this difeerning power is in the Sub' ]e6i. There is another power in the of many thou-
fand Millions of men, fince the Creation, not one, in figure and fliape, is altogether like another, fome vifibic diffe- renccthereis • amongft many voyces, no voyce like mans EonguC',amongft Millions of divers Tongues of men, every voyce hath an audable difference printed on it, by which its difeerned from all other. To the newCreature,there is in Chrifis Word fome charader, fbmc found of Heaven, that is in no voyce in the world, but in his only, in repre- fented to a bcleevers eye of Faith ^ there is a fhape, and a ftampe of Divine Majefty, no man knoweth it, but the be- leever^ and in Heaven and Earth , ChriJi hath not a Mar^ row like himfelfc. Suppofe there were an hundred coun¬ terfeit Moones, or fancied Sunnes in the Heaven, a natu- rall eye can difeernethe true Moone, and the naturall Sun from them all •, the eye knoweth white not to be blacke, nor green. Chrifl offered to the eye of Faith, ftampeth on faiths eye, fpeces, little Images of Chrifl that the foule dare goc to Death, and to Hell with it •, this, this only was chrifl, and none other but he only.
4. Sheep arc fimple, fancy Jcadcth them much*, there¬ fore
99
Serm. XI IT. 'The TrUll and Triumph of Faith.
fore they are ftraying creatures, Efa 53.5. Pfal. up. v.
176. I Pet, 2. 2^, thereisnothing of the notion of death, fhVsaims, or of another life in the fancy of Sheep, a mouth.full ofbutfauh/ greea Graifc carrieth the fheep on upon a Pit 5 and the mouth and teeth of Lions and Wolves. Fanq is often the guide of weake Beleevers., rather then Faith ♦, litiie care we by nature, what we (hall be in the mixt Generation.
Fancy and Nature cannot out-fee time, nor fee over , or beyond death ^ fair green-like hopes of gaine are to us hopes of reall good : we thinke we fee two Moones in one Heaven, there is a way good-feeming that deceiveth us *, but black Death is the night lodging of it. Alas, we are journying, and know not our night Innes, and where we fhall lodge, when the Sun is going down, poore foul where fhall you be all night ^
1. If Bcleevers be fuch dependent creatures, what doe Libertines and Antinomians teach us •, That the foule need not Andnom. goe out to Chrijl^ for frej}) fupj^ly^ but it is aided by the fpirit in- errour, jr. habiting and dwelling in us • alfo, that it is the way of the Law, not oftheGofpell^thatwe aB in the Jlrength of Chrift : both TheSaims thefe arc againftthe Gofpcl* i. W^e are commanded pray, even the Tonnes who in faith calleth God, Our Father ^-L^eVom which is in Heaven., leade us not info temptation, which God Chrift, doth no other way then by giving us newfupply of Grace to adfual] refiftance* and Chrift will have us to pray, b^te and increafe our faith-, the Virgins in love with Chrift pray,
Draw us. Paulpxzytxh, X.h2i\:the God of peace would ranad theThefjatenUns wholly , i Thef. 5. 23. and for this he bow- moved by ctu liis knee^ thst thcbciccvirig E^hejidtj^s he iixreafons.
ned according to the riches of his glory, with might by his Spirit ^ * in the inner man, that Chrifi may dwell in their hearts by faith, andthat with all the Saints they may be able to comprehend the
tranfeendent Love ofGod in Chrifi, Eph.s. 15,15,17,18,19.
and that Author, Heb , 13* 20,21. That the God of peace may
P 2 ma]ie
100
The Trull 4nd T riumph $f Faith,
Serm.XlII.
make the Saints perfeSi irt every good worke to doc his wiH, work-
2, inginthem^ that which is tvell pleafing in his figh,. z. Its a-. gainftGhrifts intcrceffion^whofe it is to keep the. faith of the Saints from failing, Lnk, 22. 52. and v^h.o fimjhethourfaith^ J-leb. 12. 2. confrmeth us to the end:, i Cor. i. 8. advecateth for new grace, i loh, 2.1,2. appearethinthe prefcnccefGod form, Hcb.5>.24. 3. This cannot ftand with the promife of perfcverance, made in the covenant of grace, Ter. 32.40, 55>.2 i.2j!^,E^ch.^6 .ly.Toh.S.jg.^o. loh. 4. 13,14.
4. Nor 4. with the faith of perfwafi on of perfcverance, 8.38,35?. lude^v. 25. Pfal.2^.6. zTim. 4, 18. and
5 . 5 . This muft infcrre cither that the regenerate doe not, and cannot fin by not belecving and perfevcring in faith, and per feeing holineffe in the fear e ofGod^ ( which is blafphemy ) or that the Saints may finally fall from Grace , or that the ufe of grace, and willing and doing in the Saints is not of, or from confirming and affifting grace. 6. This ptitteth our ftock of Grace in our owne h2nd,cs if Chrift did literal¬ ly only levealc to us, the way to Heaven^ and leave it to our owne free will to guide well or ill.
T . Ufe. And fo we arc to thank Christ for beginning in the fpirir, Grace anci and to thank our fel ves that we go on,and grow in grace, or onTlaRri- in, the flefli; Nay but ChnHs difpenfation, in whofe
flucdthtead graccwcare ftrong,Tj&i».6.io. & cando allthings^Phil.a^.ii is nothing but one cominuiite a€f of Free- grace, ora long cord or chain of dependency on Chrifi •, yea Grace is glory on the wheels^. Its glory like wheat in the blade, in the way, in the flux and tendency to the car and Harveff, de¬ pending on the continued afped of the Summer- Sun of In our pro- 7 the ncw cteatiire is the iron in the fire, greffeto hcavcn in the moulding and framing, and under the ham- ^eaven,i^we toolcs of cbrt(t^ and a rofe in the opening before
it caft out its leaves^and in this we arc to have chefe con- aerations. fiderations.
I . Faith
lOl
Scrm . XIII. TheT rialL and Triumph of Faith.
I. Faith is leafurely to look loChrtffm bringing his i.ConJi- work out of tht mould and taking the new ihip off the deration* {locks, as aperfeded veffell : We conceive erroneonfly ^oth that Faith onelyeyeth Chri(l^.s pardoning - and that it hath active and no eye, no adivky and influence on our own gracious ads wrought in us by ChriH ^ but Faith is an agent, as it is a patient, and joyneth with and with Free-will to an adive purif)dng of the heart ^ It belecveth Heaven, and woiketh Heaven.
2. We often go on, imagining that we are in a way ofback- 2. Con ft- Aiding, deleited fouls notconfeious ofthe refledads of be- deration. leevins,and longing for Chrifi think thcmfelves t^pofates^ ’
when they are advancing in their way : In great Water- advancing works, where there be a great multitude of w'heels, the intkeway (landing of fome five or fix, is the advancing of the work in other twenty,or forty wheels : In defertion fome wheels ticuhri. are at a (land, and move not*, as often ads of feeling, joy, fell- delight in the aduall beholding of Chri(l, are at a^ftand, and then its thus : I faid^I am ca(i oat of his fi<^ht yeto- ther wheels are moving, asi. Humble and bafe thoughts of himfelf. 2 . Broird and large thoughts of Chrifi and his Grace, g. Hunger and long ing for Chrifi. 4. $elf-difli- dence is much. 5. Care and iove-:ficknefic {Saw je him whom mj foul lovetk) is vehement. 6. Senfe of fin, and of wonts andfpirituall poverty increafeth now. 7. Senfeof themifery of the combate,is much more then before r O miftrahie man that I am^^c, 8. Beleeving under hope^ 0' and againft hope, is firongeft now. 9. There’s more ten- derneffe and humble fear now then before. 10. A ftronger
, refolucion to entertain Chrifi moxt kindly, when he fiiall return again in his fulneffe of prefence. n. Sorrow, that remembring he faid, My head is fuH of dew^ and locks
' with the drops of the night, Cant. 5 .6. Yet the deeping foul kept him at the do or.
; ' We
y
1
102
The Triall and Triumph of Faith. Serm. XIII.
The 3, Confide-
ration.
•Ufe.
\\ c are not freed from Law-tli- icdions.
Okj. I . Acliiall condemna¬ tion may be fepara- ted from the Law.
2.
Ohj.
'.2.
How works of holinefl'e conduce to Salvation. Three things here £n to be diftin- guiflied.
We arc to adore that Difpenfadon who will have us not ftepping one foot to Heaven , but upon Grace and up¬ on Graces charges-, he could make Saints to be finleffc Angels ; But what hafte c' We fliould then, not yet being habituated with glory, nor confirmed in Heaven, think little of
If we be lb dependent on Chrift,we have not ended with all Law-diredions, the Law ftandeth us yet in good ufc.^ I mean, when Chrift hath made us and -the Law friends, and hath removed the curfe, and made the beleever fay, O how love I ihj Law i
Obj. Can you (faith Mr. Town) federate the directing or ■ commanding power of the Law from the condemning power of the Law ? can the Law [peak to any but to thofe who are under the Law Is it Law at allfif it condemn not < Anf. Adluall con¬ demnation may well be feparated from the Law; as a Lyon is a Lyon, and yet being chained, cannot adlually devour. To condemn may well be removed from the Law, it could not condemn \^dam before fin entred in the worlds it can¬ not condemn the Holy,Ele<5l,and finlefie Angels -ppet khad, and hath a commanding and obliging power to command and dired both • to condemne is accidental! to the Law, as the ftate of fin is accidental! to man. 2. The Law may fpeake by way of diredion to Belcevers, but cannot fpeake to them by way of aduall condemnation , bccaufe Chrift hath removed the ciuTe.
Obj. 2. Holinefje and walking in the way of holineffe contri- htiteth not one jot to Salvation^ as caufes , or as the way there¬ to^ Chrifi hath done that perfeHly,
Anf. I pray you confidcr three things here-, i. The Wilt of God to fave-^yea^ and to jufiifie the ungodly. 2. the Law-
right to righteoufneffe and falvation. 3. Aciuall falvation^ Chrifts merits are neither caufe, nor motive, nor condition moving God to will, to choofe,or ordaine perfons for glory,
this
I
Serm. XIII. * 'The Trhll ajud T riumfh of Faith,
this is aa a(5t of eternal I elcdion to glory, which is not from Chrifts ments ^ nor doth any cxtcmall vvorke or conditi¬ on, either good or evill in ox Bfau^ or in the furety ChriH:, move God to fuch an ad of free liberty. Libertines are ignorant in fo fpeaking- yea, faith is no condition, caufc, or motive of fucha will. 2. Chnfts merit Sy not faith, not holineffe in us, mufl: be the caufe ofour Larv right to rightc- oufriefe and glory • Chrift, his alone gave the price of Redemp¬ tion for us,noGarments were roled in blood for apatent and risht to He.tvenjbuthis only-his alone trod the Wine-preffe of Wrath*, in thefe two notions, workes of holineife hvive no footing in the workc. But 3, as touching aPiiull y4/'t/4tio/^,the way to it is holinelTe^ without which none cm^ccGod. Its exprefly commanded. Be yee holyyO^s I am- /Wy, I Pet. 1. 20. and Rom. 6. 21. But being now made free from ftnne , and become fervants to God^ yee have your fruit into holinef^e^and the end life everlafling^ 2 Pet. i. 10. if yee doe thefe things yee jhall never faff for fo an entrance fait be mini fired unto you abundantly j unto the ever U fling King- dome of our Lord and Saviour lefii^s Chrifts R ev. 2.7. To him thatovercomethlwillgiveloeateofthe Tree of life ^ which is in the midft of the Paradice ofGod^ Revel .3.21. To him that e-ver Cometh will I grant to ft with me in my Throne^ even as I alfo overcame^ and am fetr downe with my father on hk Throne. They m^wtx.j-vcrcoming is by fadh. But I reply- Faith to- i/^ert/V7e;isbuta beleeving that Chrtfl hath overcome in i their perfon and place, for faith is no more totlaem a con- 1 ditionorwa’y to f)lvation then good workes 5 for Faith \ ( fay they) is not Chrifl - Chrift only is the way to Heaven- but this were a vaine promifc, if overcoming were not y 1. A duty required of us in time,, upon the performance ; whereof, we have an entrance made to life eternall. 2. If ; overcoming be but only be'eeving, and fo an ad of the foulc only thofe to whom the promife is made, are to doe
103
104
The Triad and Triumph ef Faith, Serm.XIII.
Ohj,^.
oij. 4.
Wc arc to pcrfotmc good works both front the pi inci- ple of love and Law.
no more but beleeve ChriB hath overcome the pcrfecu- r.ing world for them, and yeild, and in profefTion deny the Faith, and accept of conditions of fife, andfobc foylcd, and yet claimc right to the prornife, contrary to the intent of CM7?, Revel. 2. 13. who commendeth Pergamm for not denying the faith. Now in all chi-s, as the walking in the way to a fairc Palace to dwell in it, in honour and hap- pinelTe, cannot be the price, the ranfome •, the fumme gi¬ ven to buy right to that place, and to the honour and hap- pineile thereof, fo neither can our walking in the’way tO; glory be the price of glory.
O bj . 3 . But we art faved ^31 Chrifrs merits he fare we can doe any good war keSj ihen gcodworkes cofneth net to ferfeB and make tsp falv at ion. ^
Anfw. So arc we in regard of right of pur chafe, jfiived before we beleeve 5 yet that hindreth nor, but faith is a way to falvation. 2. This concludeth that good workes are no caufc, or way, or mcanc of obtaining the'right {jtes) of purchafe to Redemption, which we yield, but not that we are adlually faved without walking in the way, called the way of holinejfe , which the uncleane JI)all not pajfe over,
Era.35.8.
O bj. 4. TVe are to doe good workes from the principle of the love of Chrifi conf raining m, not from the Law commanding^ or dir cBing m,
Anf. I. Thefe arc no way contrary, the Regenerate from both Principles are to walke in love and holinelTc as Chriftdid; the Law directing is not abolifhed by Grace, or by love to Chriff, and this is no other then the realo- ning of old Libertines Paul faid, Rora. 7. 6. Now we arc delivered from the Law. O then fMd Libertines • We may fin, and fleshly walking jhall not pre-judge falvation^ nor condemn m., verf. 7. what fhall we fay then ? Is the Law fin ? God forbid, andRom. 5. 20. Where fin abounded, grace did much more
abound'.
Serm.XIII. 'TheTrUli andTriumph of Faith,
105
abtmd. Then faid the Libertine ^chap. 6» i . What fhaf/ we then fay? shall rve continue in fin that Grace may abound z,God forbid, then the Law commandeth and diredech not to fin • and ChriH and Grace being friends, fpeake with the fame mouth, God forbid that we fin-, we are not fo freed from the commanding power of the Law, as that we fin not : when we do what is contrary to Gods law, we arc fo far under the Law, as not to fiujbecaufe the rule of Law is removed-, nay, the Law backs a man while become to C^r///f,and to glory*, and Chrijl backs the Law, and faith, the Law forbiddeth you / fay Amen, Grace faith,//;? net • ^nd Chrif aUo layeth new bands of love and obligation to thankfulnefle on us, not to fin,but removeth not the ancient bounds.- Grace and condemnation ate oppofite 5 but not Grace and the com¬ manding power of the Law.
Obj, 5 . The Law is a letter of death and bondage, and can never convert the fouf only the Gojpeldoth that^ for in the Gof- yel, Grace is given to obey what is commanded • Therefore your Law-preachers lead men from the foundation ChriU.Anf. i .The Letter of Law without the fpirit of Chrift, cannot convert any, nor can the Letter of the Gofpe for Gojpel-threatnin^s without the fpirit of Grace convert any - both Law and Gofpel feparated from the fpirit are alike in this • and nei¬ ther Law nor Gofpel according to this reafoning fhould be preached. K^ntinomians do in down right. tcarms teach this: for they fay, i. (a) That the due fearching and know¬ ledge of the Scriptures^ is not a fafe and fure way of fearching and finding Chnji, The Word faith the contrary, Ffd. ip. 7,8, p. Abi. 10.45. Rom, ‘^.21, f^oh.'y.^p, Luk. i. 70.71. 2, (b) To do any thing by vertue of a commandement^ is a \^aw way^ not Goff el obedience. Contrary to Pfal, i ip.(5.45 . 44. V, 11, 2 Pet. i, ig.20, 2 Tim. '^,16, 5. (c) All verbal Covenants^ and the word written is but a Covenant of works ^and taketh men off from ChriPf And(dj the whole letter of the
Q_ Scrip-
Obj
. 5- Of the let-
tci both of Law and Gofpel, di¬ vers eiTOis of L.ber- tines touching the point.
Rife arid Rai^n, er. (3^ 9 j
(b) er. 33.
(c) er. 74.
(d) cr. 7.
io6
TheTrtall and Triumph of Fatth, Serm. XII I.
(t) Er. 6i.
The 5cn’p- nircs are not to be coiuh mned bccaufc they prolit nothing without the teaching ot' tire (pint.
1.
2.
3*
t)hj.6.
He?/. Pe?/«c Doftor of
Toh. Bap tiftsjpa.45.
47-
Repentance is cifteicnt from Faith, the contra¬ ry v/hcreof Libenvies teach.
Scr/pture holdeth forth a Covenant of vforks. {t)..All Do^rines^ Revelations-^ and ffirits are to be tried by Chrifl^ rather then by the Word. Tliofc that go from the Sun muft at length walk in darkncfTc, ^nabaptisls of old {'aid ^ the Covenant of Grace jvas written in the inward parts ^ and In the heart.., and therefore there was no need of word or minifery r Bur when knocketh, his knock is dumbe and fpeechlclTe- he bringeth not the Word, and fpeaketh not according to the Law and T esfmony Becaufe he is a dumbe Devil : Chrijl bringeth the word with him. To all thefc, we can fay no other , then that they condemne the Scriptures and the Preaching of the word !, Becaule nothing can availc usto Salvaiion without the fpirit.This is i.to condemn the wif- dom of our Lord, who hath appointed that Faith fltould comc% and that the things that are wiitten, are
wsiacn^That yve tnheleeving.^ might have Eternal life.^ foh. 20.31. 2. Its to fetter the free operation of the fpirit,
whole wind blowcth when he lifteth,to the preaching of the word. 3. Yea to make Death, RePir region,
Afeenfion, and Intercellion at the right hind of God which all mufl be the marrow of the EvangeLthings meer- ly legall, and things belonging to the Covenant of woiks- becaufe all thofe without the Grace of the fpirit, are meer- ly fruitlelfe to many thoufinds.
Obj. 6. But Repentance in the New Tefl ament, is nothing clfe hut thexhiinge of the minde, andio he of another minde then to feck Righteoufncjfe by the works of the lawz, even to feek it in ChriH alone *, and mortification is but the apprehenfion of fin futin hy Chrisi,and fo Repentance is apart of Fadh.^ though Re¬ pentance in the old Tc (I ament., was to bewail fin and fo fake it, Anf. But this is to dally with cZ?r/Tf-,all mortification & do¬ minion over our lufts that fighteth againft mercy and ju- ftice, and the duties of the fecond Table, muft be, by this means, an a<ft of Faith, and the Jdei^ight of Chrifi in the
minde.
Scrm . X 1 1 T . The Trull and T riumph of Faith, 107
minde ybeleeving our Right eoufntfe to he in ChriFl : And fo an ad of Internall worftiip belonging to the firft Table* then as the Scripture faith. The (inner is juftified by Faith, apprehending ChriHs Righteourneffe*, fo might we well fay that we are juftified by Repentance and by mortification.
2. That Repentance layeth hold on Chrifts Righteouf- nefte. 3 .That as to belecve only without works doth jufti- iie and Five • fo to repent only (that is to change the minde and apprehend Rightcoiifneftb not in works, but in the Chriftj without all holinefte and forfaking of fin fliould Five us : But this is to acquit men from all dudes of the fe- cond Table* yea, and of all the fiift Table, loving of gW, Praying, Praifing, hearing,&c. except ( nly we are to bcleeverThis is clear the way of the old GnoHicks^ who pla¬ ced all holinefte in meer knowledge and apprehenfion of
will, without love or obedience. 2. Repentance is Repentance forrow according to God^ i Cor.'j.g^^io.fam.a^.g. And efchewingevill and doing good, I Frf.3.11. And the and New cifying of the old man^ a^d the lush thereof rts F ornication^ Teftamcar. llnclcannefe^ Inordinate afe^iion^ evill Concupi fence , Covete- oufnc(fe^Co\,^.^ . \nd thefe arc commanded in theNewTe- ftament,as the very leftbn oFthe Grace of Goi^ Tit,z.\\. Its true in theOld Teftament,the People were under tutors and bondage *, but that was in regard of the carnall commande- mentof Ceremonies, the cognizance of our bloody de- : merit held forth in bloody facrifiecs. 2. In regard, lefte of
Chriftand the fweetneftcof the Gofpcl was then known, and the Law chafed harder the guilty to Christ. But i.
Servile obedience through apprehenfion of legall terrors, was never commanded in the fpirituall Law of God to the more then to us. 2. The /^rv^were not juftified by the works of the Law more then we* but by Faith m Chrift as well as we, Aft, Act, 10. eh
I Qr.io. 132,3. Yea, we are juftified as David^ and \^bra~
0^2 ham
jo8
TbeTridl and Triumph ef Faith, Serm.XIV.
T Loft, is cither underftood of the o
cum to favc ^ Condition of all men, and (b becaufe all are the
the loti. niv/rfh Pr\Vi o A U aviA fUnvf nf
ham were, ii<??«.4.3,4,5,(5,7,8. Yea, the lews leeking of Righteoufnefte by the works of the Law, is a ftumbling* at the ftone laid on i?<7W2. 9.3 1.32,3 5. Yea , its blaf- phemy to fay, Repentance in the Old Teftament was a for- row for ftn, and a forfaking ot it •, as if under the New Teftament we were Licenfed to fin, and turn Grace into wantonnefte,
SERMON XIV.
common Hciys ef
wrath, Eph. 2. All have finned^ and commeth jhort of the^ldrj of God, Rom. 3. 23. and foare loft : But the Scripture inti- tuleth men by that which they are in their own eftcem, as Math. 9.13. I am not come to call the Righteous bat (inner s to Repentance-^ this may feem to hold forth that there be lome ftnners, and fome not ftnners, but righteous- whereas none are righteous that ftnncth not^Rom. 3.10. but God givethto men the title which they give themfelves, and fo loft here, is fuch as are loft in their own efteem- for Chrifls intention in comming in the fleHi, and dying, is to feek and to fa-ve the loft, L«^^ I p. 10. In this fence, Math, g.i^, and iTim.i, 15. Chrifl came to fave fimers , otherwife, all the houfe of Ifrael are \o{k..^Ier.^o.6.My people have been lofi jheep.^ E^cc.3. 4 Neither have ye fought that which was loH: Nor is this to be meant of the loft conftdered,as redemption is purchafed,ia this notion, ChriU died for his enemies, Rom. 5. 10. the juft for the unjuft, 1 Pet.^.i^. And fo for the loft : But we are here lead to this.,that thefe at whofe falvation Chrifl hath a Chrift im- fptciall ayme , and whom he aFiually converteth are frB ftnners y
their own eyes, as is clear, 13.1 Tim. i . arcfiift^ 15. L»/e ip. 10. It is one thing to be loft, and a finner, and another thing to be felf-loft , as many are loaden who are not weary, and yet none are weary, but they be loaden. i. all that Chrifi converteth are fclf- ftnners too^but Chrift coir-
vertech
Thofe
whom
loft.
- - 9
Sc r m . X I V . Th 'Tridl and T riumfh of Faith. i op
- - - - - — ■ — * ■ - ^ . ■ I '
verceth not all fiiiners. Hence Chyift adually callcth and fa- veih but thofe who arc fuch and fo prepared- now there is a preparation of order .,and a preparation of deferving: I cannot fay, there are preparations in the converted by way of defer- before con- ving. Chrif calleth not finners becaufe,or for, that they are veiuon. iinners in their own fenfe, For he hath mercy on whom he will.
2. Nor are their preparations in the converted, to which converfion is promifedasa free reward of grace, which may be called mordl preparations ytherc is no fuch promife in the word as this .• Whofoever are wearied and loft in their cwn eyespthey fbafl he converted-^ 3. Its hard to affirm that all who arc prepared with thefe preparations of order are infal¬ libly converted* its like ludas^Cain, reputed thcinfclves (in- ners, and had fonie law- worke in their heart, and yet were never converted. But ordinary way, is to bring men intoC^/7j^^ being firft fclf-loft, and fclf- condemned, and that upon thefe grounds that proveth Gods way of work¬ ing to be fucceffive: i . Becaufe converfion is a rational! work, and the Gofpel is amorall inftriimentof converfion t"rh<*'fuc- therefore Chri(l here openeth a vcine ere he give Phyfick • cdTion oi . he hrft cutteth and then cureth,for though m the moment of formal converrion,mcn be patients, and can neither pre- . vent chrift^ nor co-operate with Chrift ^yet the whole work by four rea- about converfion is not done in a moment* for men are not converted as the Lillies grow ^ which do not lahour nor. in there be fome pangs in the new birth^nor are men conver¬ ted • as Simon carried Chrifts Croffe^ altogether again ft their will ^ they do hear and read the word freely* nor are men converted befide their knowledge, as Caiapha-s prophecied* nor are we to think with Enthaftafls^^ that God doth all with one immediate rapt, as the fun in its rife inliehtnech the aire. The workab morally as doth theLaw^ Rea- fons work notin a moment, as fe-flaughts inthcaire':
Chrtft piutcth foules to weigh the bargain, to confidcf the
field
110
'The Triall and Triumph of Faith. Serm. XIV.
Kcaf.2, field and the pearle, and then buy it : 2. Chr/fh faving and calling the loftj is a new generation as well as a crea¬ tion : A childe is not born in one day* faving Grace is not Phyfick that worketh the cure while the fick man is flee- ping : ChrifI: cafteth the met^all in the fire ere he form the Velfell of mercy 5 he muft call: down old work, ere he lay Feaf.^. the new foundation : 2. Converfion is a Gofpel-blefiing, & fo mufi; be wrought in a way fuitable to the fcope of the Gofpel ^ Now the fpeciall intent of the Gojpel is to bring men to put a high and rich price upon C/jrif^and this is one Co(^d- offer : What thinkeft thou offo excellent a one as Chrift? What xvouldjl thou part with 'f What rvouldfl thou door fuffer for Chrift “f Now men cannot prize Cpjriff who hive not found the terrors of the Law : So Paul finding himfelf the chiefe of finners, and in that cafe faved, i Tim. i . 1 5 . Muff hug and embrace Chrifi:,and burfl: out in a Pfalme,'z;i;T.i7. Flow to the King eternall., immortally invifihle.^ the onely xvife God, he honour and glory for ever and ever: Amen. A fight of the Gallows, of the Ax, raifeth in the condemned mans heart, high thoughts of the Grace of a Pardoning Prince • to be a Tenant of Frce-Grace isfofwecta free-holding, thatit
Feaf. A. niutt put a high Rate on Tree-Grace. 4. The Clay-organs and faculties of the foul working by them, cannot bear the too great violence of Legall terrors *, for in reviving" the Spirit, 5 7. 1 5. Jf he [hould let out all hu wrath, the fouls Jhould fa I that he has made : Nor can they bear th t God let out all his ftrength of love in one moment • rough or violent dealing fhould break Chryftall Glaffes: Chrift fhould break the needle, when he foweth a heart to himfelf, if he fliould put to all his ftrength *, too fwift morion of wheels may break the Mill*, Chrift muft drive fofdy for a fight of the fourth part of the fire of Hell, and a fight of one chamber or one window of heaven is qnough at once.
I . Its not enough to be fitted for the P hy fick, and not s for
Serm. XIV. "The Triall and Triumph of Faith,
III
for the Phyfirian : The weary and laden are fit to beea- Senfeoi fed, but not fitted for Chrifl: the Phyfitian, except they ^°ccthYor come to him and believe : Faith is a thing very fuitable for Chnft. Chrifl ; Ho, one that thirfleth ,come ye tothe waters, and he that hath no mone’^y come and eat^ I fa.5 5 . i . It is true, in regard of ail good delcrving, moving*God to have mercy on one, rather then another ; ferufalem md all converted ate dying in their blood, and no eyepittyingthcra,£^. i5.
6,8. And therefore are none difeouraged to come becaufe of their wretched c ftate *, that is to fay, we cannot come, we have no money : But Chrifl invitech thefe which have no money, and though Chrifl feem to exclude the woman from mercy, yet Chrifl in wifdom holdeth forth the pro- mife here in that latitude of Frec-Grace •, w'hile as he (aith, he came for the fluep-, chat there is room for the wo¬ man, and all believing Gentiles to come iojand lay hold on the Covenant • Senle of wretchedncile and unbelief repre- fenteth Chrifl as coo narrow, and contra(5leth and abridg- eth the Promife'^,as if there were noplace forthec, becaufe thou art thus and thus finfull .
Obj. I The King pntteth forth agenerall rroclamatien to all 7heenjes\ nh (faith one J but he man mean others but not me •
Why ? he means T hee-ves in general f he excepteth none •, why fcq. fonldjl thou fay not me, Chrifl bebngeth to (inner s (ts fmners, herecetveth finners as fnrerSy yea he ascended on h'gh to five gifts to the rcbelfoMs., there fire theres no qnalfctaion required 3*.,
in men, that believeth in Chi'ifl, no nor doth unbelief debar a not fir to man from Chrifl, it only excludeth him from the experimentall revive knowledge that Chrifl ishis. Anf i jes true.the GofpeltKcep- teih no man from Pardon, and all that heareth the Gofpel arc to be wearied and loaden, & to receive Chrifl by faith, as if God intended to fave them : But the Promifes of the <7<>/j?Harcnot fimply VniverLll . as if C7t7<af intended and purpofed, that all and every one fhould be aiSlually redee¬ med
II2
, Tht T rtall and Triumph ef Faith »
. Scrm.XlV.
How
Chnft be- longcth to finncrsj under the notion of Hnncrs.
Rife, and Reign, &c. error 43 .
mcd and faved in Chrift, as Arminians teach- and fo God exceptech in his owne hidden Decree, not a few i though he reveale not in the Gofpd who they are, yet he revcaleth in the Gorpcl the gcnerall , that Man^ are called^ but few are c ho fen : And I grant there’s no ground for any one*man not to believe upon this ground, becaufe fbme are reprobated from Eternity, and it may be I am one of lihofe , for the contrary is as fure Logick • many arecholen to life Etcrnall, andic may be that I am one of thofe.?.It is moft imtmc^thnC hr if belongeth to ftnners as fm- ners^ for then Chrift ftiould belong to all unbcleevers, how obftinate foever, even to thofe that finagainft the Holy CJ/^fly^.NayjChrift belongeth only to ftnners clecfted to glo¬ ry, as elected to glory, in regard of Gods gracious purpofe, and he belongeth only to bcleeving ftnners as beleevin^, in regard of acftuall Union with Chrift, Ffh,'^.\q. Gal.^,
20. 3. Its falfc, that ftnners as ftnners doth receive |
for. {ofudaa and all ftnners ftiould receive ChriH: Now the Scripture (heweth that Believers onely receive him, fohn I. 12. Galatians 1.20. Fphefans^.jy. 4. Its faife I that ftnners as ftnners beleevcin This way of Z/- |
bertines is a broad way for Sorcerers, Thceves, Murther- I CI S, Pariddes^ Idolators, remaining in that damnable ftate to bcleevc whereas ftnners as fuch, ftnners thus and thus qualifted, arc to bclecvc-, that is humbled, wearied, and fclf'Condemned ftnners only are to belecve, and come to Chrift. Its true, all ftnners arc obliged tobeleeve-, but to beleeve after the order of Free-grace- that is, that they befirft fclf-loftand ftek, and then be faved bythePhy- fitian.
I cannot but here mention fome damnable errors of Li¬ bertines^ contrary to this Truth of Chrift- as this. That the fpirit aHs mofl in the Saints ^when they indeavor least, i . It may be by accident and through our abufc, who confide in
our
Scrm. XIV. 'The Triall dnd Triumfh of Faith,
113
ourin'deavors and works, that Grace and the fpn-ic Tp^ntafts
flatter merits , which are too naturall to us ♦, that God let
afwcating wrcftler who hath fpent nights in
is caiefull in all means, and dhtmdant tn the work of the Lora,
See and under ftand, that Free grace, not our indpvors, icadetiius on to Heaven; Better it is I be confcious to my felf that I am Chrifts debtor , not debtor to my iclr.
2 . That we fee felf to be wretched, and that felf loveth to fliareandto divide the glory with Tree-grace. 3. That Chrift referveth the flowing oftis tide, and the blowing of his wind to his ownvFree-gracc, fob. 3. 8. And that Grace in its filling tbeTailes is notin the Sea-mans powe**.
But this error i3 the Daughter of another more damnable; Enorn- that is. That the a^ivity and efficacy of Chnlis death,, is to kid The mir- dfi adlivity of Grac es in his members, that ChrtU may be all in ad,. nmini:.
This I take to be the marrow of fleflily Lib rtinifme,, thai tonrgL^ notoncly the Regenerate cannot fin ^ but they ought to fin that Grace may abound •, and that Chrift died for this jow in end, that we ftioiild live in fin, the contrary of which is flvfhlyluftj faid,i foh, 3.8. That ChriH died that he might deftroythe mrksof theDevif that is fin. Now the not ftirring upol the Grace of Chrift in us, is a grieveous fin, i Tm,^,\/Sf. chnfts I Cor, 15. 10 Tea he, i Pet.2,2a^,Bear our fins on the Tree that being dead to fins, flmld live unto righteoifneffe yV^om. 6.
That we fliould walk in neivneffe of life. And Gal. 1.4. Chrif dutiesof ^ave himfelfeforus,, that he might deliver pis fromthis ^refent holmege. cvill world, according to the will of God, and our Father, And 1 Pet. I, 18. We are not redeemed from ot^r vain coimerfation receiwdhy tradition from our fathers, by any corruptible thing, &c. This maketh good that which is the up-ftiot of all theAntinomian-Doarine,thatC^r/y? is fo ourTanaifica- tion, that there i^^ekher Lawnor Gofpd which requireth ot us that we be holy. Hence their fifth Errour ^ Here is a great fir about graces y and looking to hearts,^ hut gi've me Chnft , g^j-or s’
R / feek
II4
Toffnc Anf. to D. Tdi-
Rife p. 7.
Vnfavoury
fpeechcs,
£r.4.p.ip.
HowChrift Icccpeili us from fin.
2«
3-
The Trial! and Triumph ef Faith. Scrm.XIV.
J feck net for graces^ nor promifes^ nor fanBtficatieny tell me not of meditation and duties^ but tell we of Chrtfl. So ChriH hath not onely fuffered for us all that he Hiould fuffer, fo as its lacriledge toaddc to his fufferings our own - and the like facriledge it is for us to be holy, and to adde any of our adtive holineffe to his adfivc obedience. So Mafter Torvne 'faith, ^ ll our obedience as its the work of the Spirit^ its pafive^ and trul'^ called the fruit of the fpirit^ Gal. 5". 72. and foits an entire work, and unde fled , every way correfpondent to the minde of the effeient, and Authour^ which is the Law and Rule he worketh by : but as it is actively our obedience, fo its very im- perfebi ^ and polluted-^ yea, fimply eonfidered^ its amenfiruoua cloth, and dung •, and their 36’. Error, is, All the abiivity of a beleever is to abl to fin • fo we can do nothing but fin, and we are to do nothing, nay, not obliged to pray, but when the Spirit mo~ veth m,^that is the work of the Spiritr,we are in it meerPatients: fb Er.4. faith, Ifchrif will let me fm,let him look to it, upon his honour be /^. Indeed, it ftandeth upon the honour of him who has promifedto keep us fpotleflc untill the day of Chrifi, and C/'Wy? is fo an ingaged Advocate to intercede for the Saints, when they fin, that the redeemed of the Lord, fall not away, but be prefented fpotleife before the in the dzyoi chrifi: But what is all this to annuli, i. All adion of grace, and to (both men up in alaziedead fuch (f 2. To take away all commandments of duties fo frequent in the word of grace, which teacheth us to deny all ungodlinefiTe, and to live fiber ly, right eoufiy, and godly inthis prefent world : Tit. I. II. 'y. To make an oppofition between Chrift and his grace, the fountain and the ftream ^ ^oh.\.\6.Ttt.\.\a^. I ^oh, 3.8.
Ob j. If the a(5f ions of grace be all turned upon this axle- tree of Gods gracious will, what can I do, when I am in- difpofed to do good ? Anf. If this be a rationall queftion, then is no man condemned, bccaufe he belceveth not in the
only
Serm. XV . *The T rUll and T riumph of Faith,
ondy begotten Son of God, contrary to John 3.18.
36. For Reprobates are finally indifpofed to believe:
2. Indifpoficion is our fin that we (hould be humbled for, and Inkc water cannot wafh a blacked cloth, fin excufeth not fin.
SERMON XV.
2 5 .Then came fhe and rvorjhipped him •, faying, Lord help me~] 8. Nca-ffa- had denied her to be His, but fhe will not deny but Chrfjl is hers •, See how a Believer is to carry himfelf a believct toward ChriH deferting,frowning. ChriH firfi: anfwcred her not one word : 2. He gave an Anfwer, but to the Dif- ciples,not to the woman-, O dreadful, refufeth to give v her one word, that may go between her, and Hell, and dif- • paire : 3. The Anfwer that he giveth, is fadderand heavier then no Anfwer its as much, rvoman^ I have nothing to \ do with thee ; 1 quit my part of thee ^ Yet fhe is patient: 2 . She believcth ; 3. She waiteth on a better Anfwer : 4. She con- - tinueth in praying : 5 . Her love is not abetted, fhe cometh and adoreth : 6. Acknowlcdgeth her own miferie : Lord help me 5 And putteth ChriB as God’vn his own room to be adored : 7. She taketh aright up, and Teeth the temp¬ tation to be a temptation : 8. She runneth to chrifl fhe came nearer to him, and runneth not from him*,fheclaimeth to Chrid, though Chrifi had cafl her off.
I. Padent fubmiffion to God under defertion is Eveet :
What though I fiiw no reafon why I cry and fliout, and God anfwererh not : i .His comforts and his anfwers are his own frce-graces •, he may do with his own, what he thinks good, and grace is no debt : Bear O Lord for th'j own fake, Dan.9,19, 2. Infinite Soveraignty may lay filence upon
all hearts •, good He‘i{ekiah^ Ifa.38. 15. What Jkall! fay ? he hath fpoken unto me., and himfelf hath done it : It is an a(5t of .Heaven 5 I bear it with filence.
' ^2. She believcth, //4.50.11. There's a high andnoble
R 2 Cora-
1
The Trtall and Triumph ef Faith. Serm. XV.
Commandment laid upon the (ad fpiric .• He that walketh in darknc^e, and feeth no li?ht^ let him tr up in the name of the Lord^ and Jla’^ upon his God: 2. FiH the field with F^iith • double or fieq-ient ads of Faith, PftL22.i. My God.myGod- why hajl thou forfaken me ? T wo faiths, are a double breaft- vvorke againft the Forts of Hell. :
3. In the greateft extremity bdievc,even as David m iht borders of Tea though I walk through the
'valh'j of the Jbadow of deaths I will fear no evil its a LitotCy I will believe good: its a cold and adark (hadow to vvalke at deaths right fide, ^ob^ i 3 • 1 5 • Though he flay me^ yet will I truji in him : See Stevtn dying and believing both at once, GhriBs very dead corps and his grave in a ibrt believing, Pfal. 16.9. My flefb alfo fhall ref in hope : How fweet to take Faiths back- band, fubl'cribed by Gods own hand into the coM grave with thee, as Chrift did,'y.io. Thou wilt not leave my jottl in grave : 4. Faith faith, fen(e is a Liar ^ Fancy ^fenfe^ the flefl) willfiiy, ^ob 16.13. His i^rchers compaffed me round about foe cleaveth my reins a funder^ and doth not fp-ire^and poureth out my ^all on the ground: but Faith* faith, 19.
I have a friend in Heaven : Alfo now my witnefje is m heaven.^ ^eb 19. 1 1 . Senfe m iketh a lie of God : He hath alfo kind¬ led his wrath again (I me^ and taketh me for his enemy: bl o , ^oh.y thou art the friend of God ^ fee how his Faith cometha- bove the water, 'y. 2 5 . I know that my friend by bloody or my ^ Redeemer livethy fre, 3. She waitech on in hope, and took which pro- not the firft nor fecond An(wer : Hope isdong breath’c,and ph.^icth at mid-night prophefieth good of God, Mie.y.9. Though I
agatny^onAsx 2.4. Then I faidy I am caf out of sight. thy fight y yet I will look toward thy holy Temple -y Theres a feed of heaven in hope, 1 3. When God did hide his face from him, ‘i'^r.24.. Yctver.i6.He alfofhallbemy falvation : There is a negative, and over-clouded hope in the foul at die faddcil timcithe believer dares not fayChrift will never
come
Serm .XV. T'he TrUll and Triumph of Faith. 1 1 7
come again : if he fay it, its in hot blood, and in haftc, and
he will take his word again, I fa. 17.
4. She continueth in praying: She cried, 4-
have mercy on me • (lie has no Anfwcr- {he crieth again, while the Difciples are troubled with her fliours • fhe get- tcth a worfeanTwer then noanfwer , yet (Ire cometh and prayetht,we know the holy wilfulnelTe o^faceb.Gen. 32 .2d«
/ IV/// not let thee go till thou hleffe me : raine calmeth the (lor- my winde •, to vent out words in a fad time, is the way ot Gods children, 88.7* T‘hy wrath licth hard upon fnc : p. My eyenioiirneth by reafon of my afflicliom And what then “f Lord I have called daily upon thee.,1 have fir etched out my hands tothee.pV{d\.i2.i. Chrift in the borders of Hell prayed ,aad prayed again, and died praying.
5. She hath ftill loye to Chrift, and is not put from the ^
'duty ofadoiing, i Pet. 1.8. Whom having not feen^yet ye lovc'-y The deferted foul feeth little, there muft be love to thrift, where there is i , Faith in the dark • Faith is with childe of love : 2. Where the believer is willing, that his pain, and his Hell,- may be matter of praifing of God, P/4/.77.13. who is fo great a God as our God: The Church was then de» ferted, os the Pfalme cleareth.
.6. She pLittcth Chri ft in his Chair of State, and adoreth him • the deferted foiil faich, he what I wid.^ he is fchovah Goti and the Lord confeftion is good in faddeft defertion, fob 7.20. exalting of. / have fmned.^ what fall T do to thee., O preferver of man ? Lam,
1. 1 7. The feed of facob is in a hard cafe before God, and under wrath, “i/er. r 2. 1 3, 14. Yet 16. The Lord is righte¬ ous ^f or I have finned: This maketh the fou) charitable of God, how fad foeverthe difpenfation be.
7. She feeth it is a triall, as is clear by her inftant perfur 7- ing after Chrift, after manyrepuife^: Its great mercy that .ptauLasr God cometh not behinde backs , and ftrikethnot in the a tempta^ dark, P/i/.yy.io. Andl faid^this is my infirmity-., he gathereth
his.
The Triall and T riumph ef Faith*
Serm.XV.
bis fcattered thoughts, and taketh himfelf in the temptati¬ on : Its mercy I. To fee the temptation in the face Tome lie under a dumbe and a deaf temptation, that wanteth all the five fenfes : Cain is murthered in the dark at midnight with the temptation, and he knoweth not what it meaneth: 2. Gods immediate hand is more to be looked at, then any other temptation : 3 , Hence the confcience is timerous and traverfeth its wayes under the Triall ; when a night Tra¬ veller dare not truft the ground he walketh on, he is in a fad condition • he is under two evils, and hath neither comfort, nor confidence, ira.50. that walketh in darkne(fe^and hath (but fome glimmering of ftaiTight, or half moon under the earth, and knoweth not the ground he walketh in) Let him trtijl in the name of the Lord.
8. She runneth not away from under de^rtion: But I. She cometh to him, its a queftion what deferred fouls ihall do in that cafe : See 2 . that you run not from Chrifl: 5 it was a defertion that Saul was under,and a fad one we read of, but he maketh confefiion of his condition to the De¬ vil, a fad word, I Sam. 28. 1 5. Jam fore dijlrefed^ there’s a heavy and lamentable reafon given, why the Philifiines make War againft me: Why f That isnotmuph, they make war alwayes againft the people of God: Nay, but here is the marrow and the foul of all vengeance , God is departed from me : Why ? Foolifh man. What availeth it thee to tell the Devil God is departed from the •, ^udas was under a totall defertion *, he went not to Chrtjl^ but to the murtherersof Chriftto open his wound- I have finned 5 Fool, fay that to the Saviour of finners, the Church defer¬ red, Cant,i. dz 5. betaketh her felf to Chrift, and fearch- eth him out , Saw y€ him whom m^ foul loveth Its a bad to¬ ken, when men conceiving themfel ves tobe in calamity, rna- keth lies and policy their refuge.
ob] . But it is a greater (i» to go to Chrifi^bting in a fate of fim
what
Scrm . X V . Tridl and T rmtnfh of Faith .
what have J to do to go to him whom I have offended fo highly ? Anf To run from Chrtfi^ under defertion, is two deaths.
1 . Defertion is one, and if reall, the faddcft heU out of hell.
2. To flee from Chrift and life is another death • Jiow to
come to him, though he fhould killtheefor thy prefump- tion, is but one death, and a little one in comparifon of the other, and one little death is rather to be chofen, then two great deaths. 2. Confiderhow living a death itistobej killed doing a duty, and aiming to flee in to Chri ft ^ better! die by Chrifts own hand ( if fo it muft be ) as by another •, and better be buried, and lie dead at his feet, as to run away from him in a heavie defertion ; ifthe belccver muft die, its better his grave to be made under the Throne, and under the feet of jefus Chrift, as to die in a ftate of ftrangeneffc, and alienation from Chrift, not daring to come nigh him : all the deferted ones that we read of did flee in to himfelfe, P/4/.34.P/4/.88. P/4/.39. 13.15. 7/4,38. 2. Its good
to claime him as thy God^ though he fhould deny thee, and creepintohim,. though he fhould throw thee out of his fight : Better kifle the fword that killeth thee, and be flain with his own hand, as caft away thy confidence.
25. But /he came and woffhipped. 2 An heavier temptati¬ on cannot befall a foulc tender of Chrifts love, then to cry to God, and not be anfwered, and to cry and receive a flat and down-right renouncing of the poor fupplicant • yet this doth not thrufther from a duty, fhc commeth and wor- fhippeth, and praycth. It is a blefled mark when a tempta¬ tion thrufteth not off a foul from a duty : and i . when the danger and fad ti iall is feen, its good to go on. Chrifl knew before, he fhould fuffer, and when they would apprehend him, yet he went to the garden to fpend a piece of the night in prayer. It was told Paul by Agabm^ if he went to ferufa- lem the Jewes fliould binde him, and deliver him to the Gen^ tiles 3 it was his duty to go,thither he profefTcth he will go,
AH*
up
To run fromChnft in deferti- on is two deaths ; to flee in to him,thoiigh unpiep.ait:d, at woift is but one death, an da little one.
Its a blef- fed matk when a tcinptation chacetli not a foul from a duty, in 3. cafes illu- ftrated.
1.
m
120
I'heTriail md Triumph of Faith.
Serin. XV.
1 . 1 3 . what mean to rveep , aiid break my heart , 1 am ready not onely to be bound y but to die for the name of feftes • dye¬ ing could not thrufthim from a duty. £/?/^crran thc hiz- zard of death to go in to the King •, yet confcience of a dii- 1, ty calling, Oie goeth on in faith • iflperifhJperifJ). 2. In the ad of fuifering : Chrift on the CrolTc prayeth , andcon- verteth the Theefe • Paul, with an iron chain upon his bo¬ dy, paeacheth Chrift before and his enemies, and
preaching Chrift was the crime ^ Paul and Silas vvith bloudy fouldiers muft fing Pfalmcs in the ftocks. 5 In¬ definitely • after the trial], and when the temptation is on, yet the Saints go on, Pfal. 44. 17. ll this ts come on us ; there is the temptation : the duty • T et rve have not forgotten thee .y neither dealt falflie in thy Covenant , Pfal. up. 23. Prin¬ ces did fpeak again f me • there is a temptation : yet here is a duty •, Put thy fervant did meditate on thy Statutes,v^iL2>i . My foul fainteth for thy falvation^ but I hope in thy Word^verf. 1 10. The mcked have laid a fnare for me^ yet I erred not from thy Precepts^ vcr[. 157. Ma^y are my perfecuters ^ and mine ene¬ mies., yet do I not incline from thy Tefiimonies., Pfal. 109. 3. They fought againf me without caufe, verf. 4. For my love they were my adverfaries^ but I gave my felfe to prayer.
I. i. Its a figne of a fweet humbled fervant, who can take To go on a buffet, and yet go about his Mafters fervice • ^ nd when a foulc can paftc thorow fire and water to be at a duty •, for temptati then the confcience of the duty hath more prevailing tivcr^od^ power to ad obedience, then the fait and bitterneffe of the temptation hath force to fubdue and vanquifh the spirit •, its like Grace hath theday,and better of Corruption. 2. It argueth afbule well watched and kept from theincurfion ofahoufe fin, and a home-bred corruption-: for the temp¬ tation fetteth on the ncareft corruption, as fireikindlcth the ncareft powder, and dry timber • and fb goeth along, Pfal. 18. 18. They prevented me in the day of my calamity. V^rf. 2 3 .
Iwas
Serm. XV.
121
The Trialland Triumph of Faith.
I was uoright before him^ and I kept my felfe from mine iniqui- tie. The Devill hath a friend within us ^ now there be de¬ grees of friends, fome nearer of bloud then other fome, the mans own predominant is the dearer friend toSatan,thcnany other fin • if pride be the predominant, its fo Satan bis firft- born, he agents his bufinefic by pride . 3. So it may argue, that the foule fieclcd and fortified with grace, taketh occa- fion from the finfulneffe of the temptation, and the edge of it, to be more zealous and active in duties. David fcoffed at by Micholfdid^tle be more vile yet ^ fo Pral.22. 7. All that fee laugh me to [corn, they fJioot out the Hp^ they [bake the head :
8. iietrufted in the Lord See. See here a heavie temptation, but his faith diggeth deeper, to the firft experience of Gods goodneffe : verf. 9. But thou art he that took me cut of the voomhe.^c. As the Church mocked with this • Sing m one of the fongsof Zion^ Pfal. 137. raifethan higher efteeraof Zion, bccaufe Zions fongs are fcoffed at-, Verf. 5 . Let them mock Zion as they lift. But if I forget then, verf. 6. I fray God my tongue may cleave to the roof of my mouth : S o the Thccfe hearing Chrift blafphemed, and railed on by his fellow, doth take more boldncfic to cxtoll him as a King •, remember me when thou commefl to thy Kingdome: Grace appeareth the more gracious and aefive that it hath an ad- vcrfary-,contrarics in nature,as fire and water,put forth their greateft ftrength, when they actually conflidt together.
Ufe. I. Antinomians turn grace in a temptation, and I- U-fe. then caft off all duties , as Chrijl has pardoned all fin , his righteoufnefie imputed, is mine ^ what do you fpeak to me of Law-duties >: The way that cryeth down duties and fan(ftificauo-n, is not the way of grace ^ grace is an innocent thing , and will not take men off from duties , grace dc- ftrcvyyrh obedience ♦, chrif has made faith a friend to •, the death o^Chrifi defttoyeth not graces activity in-dudes . Jtsx-ruc,,g}:a£;€ trnftediu3 becomes our felf, not
$ grace
122
JheTrtaii andTrfttmvh of t'd\th ^ ill. X-V-*
grace •, and ielfe cannot ftorm he;, v eri , and tak; Chr // by violence • grace, though near of ki idred to Chr: ft , as i is received in ns, is but a creature, and fo may be made an I- doll, when vve truft in it, and feek not Chrif firft , and be¬ fore created grace j but beleeving and doing are bloud- 11.26.
2. life. Ufe 2. This would be heeded, that in difficuhies and ftraits, we keep from wicked wayes, andbeirrg tempted, that v/e ftrive to come near the forerunners way ^ it was pe¬ culiar to to be angry , and not to fin; to be like us, in all foints tempted like as v?e are^ yet withent fm^ Heb. 4.15. with this difference , Cbrifi was tempted, but cannot fin ^ the Saints tempted, but darenor fin. The Law of God^ ho- ; ' neyed with the love of Chrift^ hatha Majcftie and po .ver to keep from fin : So chrtfi: made under the Law for us, Jfa. 53. 7. was opprefed, he was affliBed ^ ( opprefiion will make a finfull man mad) but it could not work upon Chnft-^ He was 9pprefed^ yet he opened not his mo’ith ; he is brought as a lambe to the {laughter .* So all Chrifls followers did, they are tcmp'ed, but grace putteth a power of tendernefie on them. tempted, faith, 3p.p. How can I do this
great wickedneffe^ a'nd Jinagainft God, David is reproached by Shmei^ but he dares not avenge himfelfc. ^ohy heavily, as any man, tempted, yet 1.22. In all this f-ob jinned noty nor charged Godfoolifhly, I deny not, but the temptati¬ on doth fometime ©btatnnalfc aconfent5 Habal tempted David^ fo that he relblved to be avenged. 2. It will leave a bleck and a crook behinde it in fomCjfor their whole lifcj Teter {hall be all his life known to be one that once for- fwarc h\s Lord, But this is fear full , when men both creat temptations, by defending a bad caufc, ( as holy men may have an unholy caufe ) and then can finde no way to carry it out, but by crooked policie, and calumnies. Wc are now purfued by Malignants with an unjuft war; to embrace
p^ce
Serm. XV. TheTrUtl mdTrhmfh of Faith.
peace upon any diflionourable teanns to Chriji, is to defeit a duty for fear of a temptation : On theother fide to refufe an offer of peace, becaufc many innocent perfons have been killed, IS alio a yeclding to a tcmptationjfor by war we kill many moc innocent ones , and its againft the Lords coun- lell,Pla. J4.i4.5fr^;,e4i:e. that is, as much as we arenot to be patients onely, but agents, even when we are wronged in feeking peace. But what if peace flee from me ? I confeffe that is a temptation, then faith the Loti, follow after it ■ the wordBinn Darafh, isJ»«t.V Heb. 12. 14. the Syrochald : IS, rm after feace^ compel! peace, and force it, asmenfol-
ihing^ofS
^ J
( ^ ® temptation , ,
Lull traffiqueth wuh and heaven in the darl upon ^
f ah"2o'‘*2t"‘^R/ff'y’ "'■.‘'’"'i' 3"y Surety or paL,
It ' 5’ “ft «et feen, and yethave
heleevtd: And the reafon is.becaufe faith is fine wed and bo¬ ned with fpintu il couragejfo as to keep a barred city againft hell yea, and toftand underimpoflibilities 5 andhere’sa aveak woman, though not as a woman, yet as abelervei ftanding out againft him, whois, Ifa.p. / Thenefthtyll the father of ages, the Pttnee of peace. Faith onelyftandeth
ctions, I 5.4. This IS our vidory, whereby one man overcommeth the great and vaft world. ® ^tone man
Ufe.
SER.
124
The Trial! and Triumph ef Faith*
Serm.-XVI
Mat. If.
Mark 7.
Nationall fins may occurre to the confci- er.ccoi the chiide of God in his approach to God.
SERMON. XVI.
Vci r. 2 6. But he anfiveredj and [aid, it is not meet to take the childrens bread, and to cafl jt to whelps.
2 7 . nd fhe faid^Truth Lordly et the whelps eat of the crums
that fall from the iJMafiers table.
28. {_^nd fefias anfwered ^ and f aid unto her O woman ^ great is thy faith fbe it unto thee even as thou wiltiand her daugh¬ ter was made ivhokfrom that very houre.
30. K^nd when jhe came to her houfe , (Jje found the devill gone out^and her daughter laid uponthe bed.
THe difpuce between ChriHtmd the womsngoethon :
bringeth a ilrong rcafon, verf.iS.why he fliould not heale her daughter • becaufe flie, and aU her nation, not being in covenant with God, as are the ^ewes the Church ofCod^ are but dogs, and profancj and unworthy of Chrijl, which is the bread ordained for the children.
When ChriH humbledi, he may put us in remembrance of our nation, and nationall fins, I fa. 5 1 . i . Look to the Rock whence ye were hewen^ and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged — I alone called Abraham^ he was an Idolater^ Hof! g. 10. I fo ind Ifi-ael like grapes in the wildernefie, they fhould have been wilde grapes rotten in the wildernefTe, had I not put them in my basket, 16. 2. Ron of min^ caufe ferufalem to know hr abomination. H6w < Make them know the ftock they came of. 3. i^nd fay , thtss faith the Lord unto ^ernfalem^ Thy birth ^ and thy nativity^ is of the lard of Canaan thy father was an Amorite , and thy mother a Hittite. when the feww?s to offer the firfi: fruits to the Lord, L^ut. 2d. 5. ^^itd thoufialt (peak , and fay before the Lord thy S^l, A Syrian ready to per ifh was my fat her ^ and went down to Egypt to fjourne there. T hus the forgetting of what we are by nature, addech toourguiltinenre,£;(ec^. i5. 22. And in all thine abominations , and thy whoredomes , thou has! not rtmemhred the dayes of thy youth ^ when thou wuH mked^ and
hare.
Serrfi.X VI . Triali and Triumph ofTaith.
125
bare ( and rvajl) polluted in thy blood : So the Ephefians nn\{^ be told how unfit they were by nature for Chrift • being the very worke-houfe, and fliop of the Devil, in which he wrought, £//a2.i,2,3. "Nationall fins hath influence in their guilt and contagion on believers: i. When they mourn not for them, Gods difplearure fliould be ourfor- row : 2 . When they ftand not tn the gap to turn away wraths £:(.22.30. There were, 7/4. 59. Godly men that departed fromill, 'y.15. But Gods quarrell was, that there was no intercefibr.-in Fafting^believers, though pardoned, mayhave on them a burden of the fins of three Nations, and be in¬ volved in that fame wrath with them : Nationall repen¬ tance is required of every one, no lefiethen perfonall Re¬ pentance : who forrowes for the blood of Malignants and Rebels f for their oaths, mocking , fcoffing, MafTing •, The fins of the Land, Idolatry, Superftitious dayes, vain Ceremonies, ^c. have influence on abelievcrsconrciencc in his approach to God. But we are heieto coi fider,that Chrifl; doth two great and contrary works at once: i. He humbleththe believing woman, in reproaching her as a
pfophanc unworthy of the childrens breads that the Will
may be more broken for believing : And 2. He tryeth and
tempiech her, to fee if flie can, by rcproches be takenoff rrom ChriH.hhxoktn will is a broken heart- for will is the iron fi- nue in the hearty decourt merit & conceit of any good in thy felfe, but the uncleinnenTe of a dog : And 2 . break 5w7/,that that proud thing may fall in two pieces at Chrifts rcec : d\nd Believe, flick by thy point, that though a Dog. yet thou art one of ChriHs Dogs, and then all is well : Lh^aeft way to break the iw7/ is i . to offer 7/^//, and thecoaGilfof Lifting burning to it ^ yea, and when the foul is humbled, to humble -it more : chrifi knew, that this wonvy.^ was ly¬ ing in the duft,but he will have her below the duit when he-
triech her with fuch a humbling te*yg';tation 5 Many chinke
the
2
The Trial I and Triumph of Faith, Serm, XVI.
the troubled confciencc fhould not be furrher humbled: Theyuy {There is nothing for fneh a foul hut the henif and fveetneffeof cenfolatlons in the Gojfel) Nay, but often that which troubleth them, is fubtle, and iiivifiblc pride • he’ll not believe for want of fclf worthineffc : oh I dare mtreU on Chrify nor aj^ply the PromlfeSy becaufe of my ftnfull unwor- Afuinlc, thinefe : Now if this be humility, its the proudeft humi- ^'rSe die ^*^^7 vvorld, for thc foul thus troubled, faith, I am not S^Lifeot good enough, nor rich enough for Chrijl^nA his fine gold-, v/cakconcs and thc truth is, he is not a good enough Papifl to give a notVpSv r^^ufomeof felf- worth, for that great r rnfomc of blood,
’ ' 1 fliouldft buy
is 1
humbieth fercnce between down-cafting, and faving-humiliation • exceeding- rafting may cxcccd meafure in the too much appre-
henfionof the Law-curfes, and may be conjoyned with much Pride, and felfe-Iove : But right and f.ving-humi- liation, conjoyned with Faith, cannot over paffe bounds • it arifeth often from the fenfe of grace,rather then from thc Law^ ♦, God giveth grace to the humble, and he giveth hu¬ mility to the gracious, under the fenfe of rich grace, i Tim, 1. 15. Eph.'^.^. 77>.^.5,4,5. 2Tim,i p. Nothing hum- bjeth us more then an opinion of the power and excellency of Grace: Grace known and apprehended in its worth, layethdown proud nature on the earth, i Cor,i^ .p.io, Chrifs Grace was Chrifts Accompt-book to Paul ^ But hy the Grace of God, I am that lam: A borrowed garment, though of filke, will make a wile m.m humble; many fins pardonectoade much love to Chrtfl , and much humility in thc w^an, And made her lay head and hair,
yea, and heart alfo, under the fo’es of chrifis Feet no doubt fhe thought bafely of her felf, and her hair, remcm-, bring that grace put thefe feet to a fad & tircfbmc journey, .
to
difpofed to here is a dif-
thc proini- whicii caunot be Dou gut but tnougn tno If®- . the Father will not fell him : C/jr/7?
Fice-Grace a finrei'jjs a free tzilt,not as a wage ©r a hire
Serin, XVI. TheTridl andTrivmfh of F aith, . 127
to come in the world tofeek the loft, and to be pierced with nails for her : There’s courtefte in Free grace, being the marrow and flower of unhired love, to kill h gh thoughts of a fclf-dcftroying (inner.
Oblerve alfo, that not to dare to come to Chr’fi.m^ be¬ lieve and pray,becaule of unworthine(re,.ruch a- is in Dogs that are without the new City, i?^‘v.2 2.i 5. Is but a very temptation : And Chrift under the notion of te npdng and trying, offeieth that to the woman, that fhe was too daring and bold, being a Dog, to prefume to ask for the ch 1 Jrens breads hence have we to conftder how far the confciencc of fin ought to ftand in our way toward C^r/j^-hence thefe confiderations : i. Confcience of fin is to humble any, that is,ro make out for C/yW/?, Ad.p. (Saul^ Saul^ why per fe- forth con- cutefl thou me?') Spoken by Chrtfl ^ brought Paul downctenceof offhis high horfe, and laid his foul on the duft, Rom.'^.ig.
Flow x»c know that what things foev'rthe Law fa 'th^ it faHh ro hinder any them who a^e under the Law • that et ery mouth may he Jlopped,
1 and aS the wor Id may become guilty before God: Ics a fpcech j,ow Vis a
i taken from a malefactor Arraigned and pinnelled upon his temptation.
[ head : When the judcfe Objec^cth , What fay you? this and [ this Treafon is witnefed againfi you : Alas, the poor man ftan- 1 deth fpecchlcfle, and dumb, his mouth is flopped^ Ezek. 1 6.
5 63 . That thou maifi rememberiyhy old fhame)and be confounded,
I and nev^r open thy mouth any more^ becaufe of thy fl)ame : Chrifi I then hath the finriers neck under his Axe: Whit juftice i and Law may do, that Chrif may do : T he Captive taken ^ in war, may be kdfeJ, by the Law of Wars, if herefufeto : fubmit ; 2 . No fi 1 is unpardonable T reafbn, but the fin a- gainft the holy Ghoft, and finall impenitence : T'fte Gofpell is a_ T reaty of Peace, between parties in war, none arc cx- cepLcd but the^e two : 3. But what then, if a foul come to this* I have either fnned againfl the holy Ghofl^ or certainly 1 am upon the borders of it becaufe Chrili knocked long^ and a
year
TheTrtall a^ul Triumph ef fait/j. Scrm.XVI.
T2S
'>j ear ago ^ or a long time from this ^ I remember of his f drew ell rap : When Chnfl knocking^ took his ia(l good-night with this word •, he that is fitljy.i let him be filthy fiill • and ftid he would never come again : I grant, an ill confcience can fpeak pro¬ phecy , Exod. \o,2^,29^ So Fharaoh did Prophefie, and C4//? alfo, 4. 1 3., 1 4. But 2. I can yceld chat there be fome farewell-knockings of Chrifi^ after which Chrifi is never feen or heard at the door of fbme mens hearts. Aid.
I ? .46 . Paul fpeakech fo to the ^ews : But feeing you pufthe Gofpel ) from you^ and ]udge your felves unwortlry of everla/ling Itfe^ lo we tiirne to the Gentdes ; The like is Chrifis 1 ingiiage to them, foh.S, 11. Thenfaid ^efm tothem^ I go my way ^ and ye fijall feck me, and fhall die in your fins • whether I go, ye cannot come. I doubt if any can fin the fin againfl: the holy Ghofl:,5t the finncr only &no other complain ofit*,that fin brcaketlj out in prodigious Ads of wickednefTe, as blood and perfcciition : Though it were true, that you were upon the borders of Hell, ytiihcGofipef though it except you- from acluall mcrcy,yet not from the duty of beleeving and coming to Chrift •, and though fuch think, and imagine that they believe Chrifl: is able to favc and redeem them, oncly they doubt of his will* yet the truth is, the doubt of unbelief is more of the power of mercy and infinite Grace in Chrift, then of his will*, and my reafonis, that whafoever believeth , ^oh. 3.33. hath fet to his feal that God 'is true., and i foh. ^.10. He that believeth not God., hath made him A Liar., becaufe he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son: How it is not Gods Teftimony, nor any Gofpel- Trudo^ that fuch as fin againft the holy Ghost fhall be pardo- ned ♦ yea, thecontraryis faid,M4«^.i2.5i,32. Yecthefc God will that fin againft the Holy Ghofi are condemned, for unbelief, all ocher unbelievers are, fohn^.rS^^S. Then fuch as aKoifhe fall in this fin, though they fay. Infinite mercy can pardon can favc. thcjn^ but infinite mercy wiU not patdon them *,. flaould not be-
Seim. XVI. JheT rial I and Triumph of Faith,
he God,, by unbeleeving thefe truths, for they arc Gofpeh truths % then miift the imbeliefe of thofe that fin againff the hol^ GhoH put a Jie upon fomc Gofpel truths and this can be onelyon the power of infinite mercy •, and fo they mufi; fay, C hri it cannot live , though he would , for there’s a power of Chrift in mercie, no lefie then a will. I f Spira go for adefpairing Reprobate ( which I dare not averre ) yet when he faid, he beleeved C/^r/i^was ableto favehim, but he doubted of his will 5 he mufi; not be fo underftood, as if it were fo indeed : Unbeleevers know not all the my- fferious turnings of lying and I'elf deceiving unbeleef. Un- belcef m ly lie to men of it fclf,when it dare belie the worth of that foul redeeming ranfome of if he that
finncchagainfi: the holyGhoB, could beleeve the power of infi' ite mercy, helhould alfo beleeve the will and inclina¬ tion ol infinite mercy, for the power of mercy is the very power of a mercifull will. I fh. 11 not then be afraid that foul is loft, which ha';h high and capacious apprehenfions of thv worth, value, dignity and power of that dear ran- fbme, and of infinite mercie. Its faith to beleeve this Gofpeh truths which is, Heb.y. 25. That Chrif is ahleto fave tothe uimoH alt thofe that come to himi if I beleeve foundly what free grace can do, I beleeve alfo foundly wh. t frec- gracewilldo. Its true , can fave many , whom he he never will five • but the faith of the power of mercie, and of his will to fave, is ofa far other confideracion. 4. It muft then be the prevailing of a temptation, nottodarcto come to Chrift , becauic I am a dog , and unworthy.
I . Becaufc fin is no porter put to warch the door of Chriks houfe of fiee-erace, mercie keepeth the keys •, fin maypb- jeeft my cvill defer ving, but it cannot objed Chrijls^ rich door of -deferving. 2. That which maketh me .unworthy, and gracclefic,and unfit to be faved, may make chrif wor- finned? thy, and gracious to favc^ my fin may be Chrifts rich grace.
T Though
^3^ The Triall andTriumph of Faith. Serm. XVI*
though fin maketh me unworthy of Chrifl it makeih me a fit pafilve objcd for the Phyfician ChriH to work on- and maketh not Chrijl unworthy to fave. If I feci fin , ic then faith, Thou art the very perfon by name thacChrifi ice- keth. Therefore is the (enfe of fin required as a condition in all that commeth loC hrifi it be before converfion, or after converfion, when adfs of faith are renewed.
Obj, But we pnde by experience^ that true poverty of j^irit^ Rifejraign, f^ttfe of ftrifuH wretchedfiejje, doth kiU and defroy any ftght and ruine of guilt and wickedncffe in my felfe-^ if I rightly fee Chrifl^ I jhad error"!/"^’ alfo fee any unworthinefc in my felfe. K^nfw. Thisex- p ig 4. perience is not warranted by the word of truth . T hefe may
well confift together: i. That felt and apprehended wrctchedneflc of a finner, may ftand with a fight of Chrifts riches of grace , is as evident, as the felt painc of thefting Senfc of of the fcrk Scorpion., may ftand with looking up to the hra- imfun*' , and being faved : yea, when the poor man,
condition, p. 24. faid, Lord^ I beleeve^ help my ttnbeleefe *, he both and a fight was fcnfible of faith, and unbelcefe. 2. Yea, the converted ccilendc^ef gracc and holincftc in himfclfe , ( elfe how
Chrift and fhall hc bc thankfull to Chrif: the giver) and alfo fee Chrifi^ «!a bcleeve his righteoufnefl'e.? for holy walking commeth
t^cther. under a threefold confideration : i. As a duty. 2. As a Holy wal- mean ordained of Godthat wo fhould walk />,Eph .2, 10.^. As a be" elt”b^ a thing promifed in the new Covenant : and in this
the belec- thtccfold confideration,wemay know how far we may build ver in him- our pcacc upon any duties, as upon evidences of our ftate of Chn'ft^^ gracc^ I. as holy walking,as aduty comming from us, is no excelkncie ground of truc peace , bcleevers often feck in themfclves H^hneflc ftiould fcck in Chrtslt, this naturall is mcrit^often
confidcied we argue from the nleafure of obedience to deny gracc al- I. as a Du- together^ this is a f aife way*,crpccially iLS aial fe way ofLo- mian ^As ^rguc Ncgativcly, from want of fiich and fuch a
rpromife. mcafurc of obedience, to deny you are in chrilt how we
may
Scrm. XVI. 'The T rUll and Triumph of Faith,
131
may argue Affirmatively, we fhall hear hereafter. 2. The da¬ lle h Cnrifts raean^not injoin’d in a ftria Law-way, but in a Ceffel-xpay^^is rhe commandment is oiled with a GoJpel-Jpirit of love ; Law and love are not contrary , as Antinomiam do imagine • ChriB has united, not onely perfons, but alfb graces and vertues. This way the duty is a mean , and a way , not to the right of falvadon, but to the aduall pof- fefion of it • and as it is , or ftandeth ftated before us in the letter of the Gofpely in a Moiall commanding, or a Dodri- nall, or direding way , without theefficacicof grace, it can be nothing but a Dodrinall* mean , no more then the Law* way is*, for all Gofpel- precepts without grace , areas little available to us, as the Law : But in the tliird Notion, holy walking as performed by that efficacious grace pro- mifed in the Covenant ofgrace*, is an Argument on which we may build our peace, not as a caufe , or a merit-defer- ving peace, but as a grace threeded upon the free promife of God : fo the Saints have builded upon their fincere walking, as on a fruit of the covenant of grace promifed to us, ^er, 31. 33. 32. forfo duties fpeak the mercies promifed in the covenant, 3 8 . And I rvill gi'ue them one heart , and one vfajy that they may fear me for ever : See F^ech.^S.^y.
1 3. Upon this ground E\ekiah plcadeth with God , when he heard the fcntcnce of death, I fa. 38.3. Remember now^ O Lo^d^ rbefeech thee^ how I have walked before thee m truth ^ and with a perfeB heart , and have done that which is good in thy fight: And D^oz/iputteth his faith upon this, as a gracious fruit of grace promifed in the covenant of grace : So David plcadeth, and in faith, Pfal. 86. 2,Prefirvemy foitle *, here is a prayer in faith, and upon what groimd,/^^ lam holy. Now this would feem Phariiaicall , and merit-like , if holineffe did not relate to the free promife of the covenant of grace, in which God hath promifed , and tied himfclfe by cove¬ nant, to make his own children holy 5 and alfo is refblvcd
T 2 upon
Auguft. Dm eoro- iiilt in ?;•- bisy non no- fir a. meriti, fed fuii do ■ M.
How wc colled peace in our fpirt- tuall ^atc by holy walking.
t-32
The Triall and Triumph of Faith, Serm .XVI.
upon a propofition of che covenant of grace. Gedh^th both promifcd to caufe his covenanted ones walk before him in truth, as did E^cchiah, as we have it, Ezech, 27. and he has promifed to five and deliver the upright ia heart *, as is clear. P/.50.2 3.P/’.34. r 5.1 Pet. '^,12, P/". 145. 18,19. So all the peace we, can collect, for our comfort, from holy wal- kin^ is refolved on a promife of free-grace, and the duty as performed by the griice of the covenant,may a-nd doth lead us to the promife, and fo no ways from Chrifi but to ChnH, Holy walking,, is a faithful 1 wi neffe •, and a true witneife. may lead any accufed man to Law-right • holinefle may lead me to the promife, and that is good Law- right : if we cannot gather any affurance of ouf fpiricnall effate from ho¬ ly duties in us, fuch as are univerfall obedience, fincerity in keeping clofc to ChrJji^ and love to the Saints, becaufe they may deceive us, and may be in Hypocrites , as D.odtor Crifpe faith, then may F i:h alf) deceive us, for there be as many kindesof: falfe Faiths, as there be ofcounterfeit loves to the Saints : and there is fomewhat of pecu¬
liar to the regenerate in their love,obediencc,and fincerity, which they may difeern to he a favingChara<fter,and badge of Chnfi.^ nolcffe then in Faith : 2. But here's the myfe- ry, neither Fai:h, nor any thing inherent in us,- can yeeld us certainty that we are in Chrift^ or any Peace with God, in regard.all giMce, all evidences of our good eftatc is with¬ out us inC^^;/7?,inherent holineffe and duties are but fancies^ When we then refufe the comforts of God.^ and Peace from holy walking, as its thred*, and linked to the Promife,we re¬ fufe ChriH *, efpeJ.il y, under de.'ertion, v.ebid Chrifi look away from us- and there's a' wilfulneffe of unbelieving IbiTow, fo that Rachael will not be comforted : But when we refufe Ghrifts comforts, w'C refufe himfelf • flie who rc- fufeth CO accept of a Bracelet, or of a Gold-ring from him who fuiteth hler in marriage flie refufeth both his love, . and
him-
The Triad and Triumph of Faith,
Serm.XVI.
himfelf, in that (he refufeth his love-token.
Ohfcrvcalfo, that C^r/7?hnngeth himfcIF in, asanreat chrift a Houfe* holder in the Gofpel ; in his houfe mere be divers g'^arhouf- children, fervants, Dogs, and the I’oulc is bread, a'^d open to all that comes : There’s bread in our Fathers honfe tor i,dwsoV all: What bread? A sreat Marriage- Supper ♦, here’s ihecing a Kings Son Married., 2. Lfd'.i^. and many excel- lent dainties, and all dainties is ChriB xht marrow of the Gofpel that bread of life, J^ohn 6.^.%, lam that bread cf life : he was the wheat, foh. 12 24. That dieth and rotteth in the earth, and thentakcch life, and bringeth forth fruit- he is the wheat that buffered the Winter Frofts and /forms ^ rain and windes, andwv^nt through the milllonesof Gods wrath, and was bruifed for our iniquities^ Ifa. 53.5. For it pleafcd the Lord to bruife him : ver. 10. Dakeo, is Con- tundere^ tognndcits in a Morter, or Mill- and he went ° through the O'^en and Fiery furnace of the anger of God, before hecouM be bread for the Kings Table and :he chil¬ dren : 2. Every bread is not the bread of children : Chrif is not a loaf, nora Feaff, tor the m in that wanttth his wed¬ ding-garment -, iuch a fiiend was never invitedtotheban- q’ et,"3/rfrA.2 2.i 1,12. and of thofe that loaths chr 7?,and loveth F eirlufts better 'hen him , faith, 14.24.
Jdoue of thefc men that voere bidden jhall tafle of mj [upper: The children are parts of the houre,and are more then children, heirs, even jovnt heirs wdth the eldeff heir C/'r//?, Rom. 8.
17. I. Becaufe and the younger heirs divideth Her- CommurJ- 1' ven(to fpe.ik fo) between them, and i. the fpiric that railed oni ctwcen h Chrifl from the 'tad^Rom. 8 t i . dwellech in them: 2 . They r have on God, and on Father chnfl.tmd we are Fathers chil- hjir,Chuft li dren, 20.17. Goto m't b-ehren^ and [a'j to them, / afeend inUvepai- j unto Father , and pur Father, and to mf God, and pur God:
, 3 We muff be together in one place, all the children muff ^ *
, be in one houfe together, 1 7.24. 14.3.
(its
134
The Triall and T riumph of Faith,
Serm. XVL
(its not an if) of doubting) And prepare a place for yo»y I mli come a^ain^ and receive you unto myfelf that where I am^ there ye mayhealfoj loh. 12.25. i^ndwhere I am^therejhall alfomy 4. fervanthe: iir*0\'\KQ^\xnQ(Ti^n^foh.ia^,ig.BecaufeIlivey ye jhall live alfo^ i Cor.15.25. Every believer is ratfed in Cbrift, but in order, man in hit own order ^ Chrift frft^ 5. as the frH fruits: 5. One Heaven, and one Kiigdom, and one Throne,E»j^.2 2.2p. Rev, ^,2 1 . 2. There be great oddes The Spirit between the fpirit or mindc of an heir, or a fon, and a fer- ofanheire vant i the hcirc will do much for the birth- right, take his
Svant dif- Heritage from him : Efaws
ferem. face dried, he weeped no more, when his father blcflTed him with the dew of Heaven, and the fatneflfe of the earth *, a fervant will not contend to be an heire : foh,^.^^ .The
fervant abideth not in the houfe for ever^but theSon ahideth ever: Thefons reward is all hope* as fome courtiers attend Princes upon hopes *, fervants have hand-payment , and prefent wages, every Profeffor trie his fpirit, and nature, if the fpirit bend toward the inheritance and Heaven-ward its rights fee who looketh to the laft year of Nonage and mi¬ nority, and hath not an eye and heart on time 5 theirs a la¬ tent hope in all troubles in fbns, as in a Kings heite in a far Country where he is not knowen, not honoured as one of a Princes blood, but neglcded, injured *, yea, in want and neceffity, yet when he cafteth his eye upon his over- fea hope, it cometh home to his heart with eafe. One day / jhad be a King^ in honour^ and wealth : 2 . Try the free and ingeni¬ ous fpirit of afbn toward the Father, there's not a nature or an inftind in the fervant, nor fuch an inward principle toward the lord ofthe houfe, as in a fon •, blood and nature is ftrong and prevalent, blood- bonds, nature-relations are mighty, Mark 7. 2 7. Rut fefus faid unto her.^ let the children firfi be filled: Chrift denied not, but the woman and the have a right to the bread of Chrifts houfe, only
Grace
Serm .XVI. The Trull and Triumph of Faith.
135
Grace l^eepan oraer *, let the ^etves fii ft have the loaf broken CO them, and then let ihcGemUes have the by boaid or the Iccond Table of Chrift., hence obferve Chrifts wife attempteracingof the temptation in thefe particulars:! That temptations are meafured by grans and fcruplcs to the Saints •, there's a feed of comfort and hope in Chiifts glownmg and frownings 5 he would fay, when, the children arc filled with bread firft, then you that are dogs ihall alfo Theres a have your portion of the childrens bread • there is a kiffc and bowels of companion under the lap of that covering and do k of wrath, with which he is covered, for t» voretth Je-
he remembers merciCj and moderatech anger-T//ry is not in me of
r and temptations are for a merci-
rull end, that P4?// may not be puffed up, or as he faith ^ *
^ 777W^/d' like a Meteo>\ lifted up m the arr above meafure, 2 Cor.i.5>. But tPc had the Sentence of death in onr {elves {as condemned m^: "amors') that mjhould not trusJ in our {elves : 3 . God will not have them above our ftrength. but the burden and the back are pro- poruoned, i pr.t0.i3. Irs good that we know Chrift breweeh or mixech our cup , he can Sugar the fait and bitter wine with mercy there is no defeition of the Saints that we
^ r f heavp; Heaven is ftamped upon the Hell
of the Saints, life is written on their death . their grave and dead corps are hot, and doth breath out life and glory
m immortality and refurreaion
to life ; Even when Chrift is gone from the church He lea- vah a pawn or a pledge behinde him, as love-ftckneftc for the want of him, C'4»^3.&5. When Chrift is nothino but an empty grave, and he himfelf is away yet weepin<> fo^ the
’Tv T Aprils, when the beloved himfelf is gone is fomewhat of Chrift. yca,hc
Icndeth before a Mcffcnger to tell that the King himfelf is
Grace nr. kctli quick ncffc aiu^. wittincAo heavenly rtafonmg.
Tlje Spirit of the Lord fhall make him of an cxcel- leni flrculty of finel- ling.
F oreriujs his brea¬ thing or fmelling of things fliall be Ill the fear of the Lord.
TheTriall and Triumph ef Faith. Serm.XVT.
coraing^as in a great Summer drouth, little drops goeth be- foi e the great fliowcr, to make good report that the earth dial be refreflied- i. longings for him; 2. waiting after him : 5. Chrift in you (eeking after Chrift are Medengers of hea¬ ven fent before to drefie and adorne the lodging for the Prince, who is on his journey coming to thee.
SERMON XVII.
27. And fl)e faith truth Ford^ '^et the whelps eat of thecrums fhat fall from the Maflers Table.
OBlIn ve I . The womans witty anfwer by retortion in great quicknefle by conceTion of the concIufion,and gi aiiii ig fhe was a Dog, (he borroweth the Argumcnt,and taketh it from Chrifts mouth to prove her queftion : She Argucch from the temptation : Let me be a Dog, fo I be a Dog under Chiifts feet at his Table: Wifdoms Schol- Icrs are not fools : Grace is a witty and underftanding fpi- ric , ripe and fliarp fo its fiid of ChrfAh. 1 1 . 3. Vatablus : 0 dor ar i facit ilium Forerius refpirare ejm erit in ti- more Domini. Grace has afagacity to fmcll things excel¬ lently • fo Frov. 1 , 4. The wifdome of God in the Proverbs giveth fubtilty to tine (irAf[c^,Vatablm duBtl bu^ caHiditatem, Petaim, a Rad. nnS Aquila, fuch as
may eafly be m/lked.^ and flattered^ and perfvadei-^ in you g ones, reafon Jleepeth., affection rnleth all -^and HDiy Gnarma, the 70. quickneffc in all things-, and the other word, rendered Difcretion^its Tboughtfulneffe grace furnilh- eththe foule with quick, fliarp, deep thoughts, to know a Devif and an Angcl-^ Heaven^ rnd He//-, and that ftolen waters are not fweetflth. 5 . 1 4. They have A^VmdeycyjfavdurAp-M their fpi- rituall fenfes are as wreftlers experienced , or as learned Scholers in llniverfitics, acquainted with the knowledge of good and ill. 2.Faithisthus pregnant, as to draw Laving conclufions from hard principles,and to extra<51 the fpirit of the promifes.C/^r/// came to fave finnersj then faith Paufto
favc
mm
Serm.XVlI. T’heTftaU and Triumph of Faith, 157
fave me: tor 1 Tim. 1.1$ Jam the chiefe fifthefe ftnmrs • and though a temptations language be the language of Hell and unbelief; 2St\\m.,Thou art a finner^ a lo^ and a condemned one., and therefore haft nothing to do with Chrift • Faith argu- cth the language of Heaven^ and the Gof^el from this t 1 am a (inner y and a loft one, but one of Chrifts ftnners, and one of Chrifts lo(l ones, and for that fame very caufe, I belong to ChriB. ^
3. Faith doth here contradict the temptation, and mo- . deftly refute Chrift, if ChriB fay, Thou art a tranfgreffor from the wombe : Anf. Iconfeffc LerdyBut . Chrift; died for tranfgref Chnft fors : 2 . If he fay, Thou art under a curfe : Anf. With a di- ftinCtion, Its too true Lord : So I am byname, Chrift blyana was made a curfe for me : 3 . I f he fay. Thou had holden me at moileftly. the door : 1 confeff'e Lord it is fo But if ChriB fay, / came not for thee, thou art a Dog, to fuch belongeth net Chrift the bread of children^vovi may then Anfwcr, O Lord,with all reverence to thy holy Majefty : Its not foft am thine ; thou didft come for me, the bread belongeth tome : When a ftnner daie not difputc his actions with ChriB, yet he may difpute his eftatc : The ^utc tiidr ftatc of Son-fhip is not fin, and therefore we miift ad- ftatewith here to this, as Chrift did, when he was tempted*, ^h”^they thou be the Son of God,^c. Hercfufcdtoyceldthat, ifthen dare not chrift himfelf fhould fay. Thou art a Reprobate, expound it as a temptation; far more if Satan., if confciencc, if the world fay it *, you arc not to acknowledge thefe to be He- I raids fent to Proclaimc Gods fecrets ; would not be- ; Iccve his friends in this: Then to be femptcd,to deny your S fo.i-fhip 5cclaim in C/'r/y? may be your temptation, not your I fin; injections of coals to try, may come immediately ( from God, as well as from Satan : 2. It is good (,fay Antino- Er. 66.
^ mians) T 9 lay the Saints under a Covenant of workes, becatife it \ doth this goodyto make us make fure our evidences, that Chrift is ours ; yea, fomc defire a wakened confciencc, that the tcr-
V rors
I
138
TheTriall andTrtamphtffaiih,. Serm. XVJI.
ming con' Icicncc.
True hu-
acccjrfX ' But I .that is a mur-
miiriveiyof uluringat Gods difpenfation: hnchrifl: turour mcas he a wakened thinkcth good, hc hath feven eyes, I have but one, and that SnocTo' coodimme’; 2. We are not to make kid, whom God huh feekaftor- not made fad, E^e, 1^,22, Nor to make a lie of Grace: Nor 3. to ufurpe the Devi/s office, to accufe a brother, far leffc yourfelfe.
Tmth Lord^ theT>ogs~\ Behold where humility fitteth: I. C/yr/y? cannot put humility lower, it fitteth intheduft, ,\g.I dm not worthy to be called thy fon : O gre:t Fduli What is lefle then nothing, and lefTc then the leaf!: of all ^ ralhiy* and ^ - J < 8 . Unto me who am leffe then the teaft of all Saints^ if this
its way in grdcc gi'ucn^ I Tim. 1. 1 3. I wa^ a perfecuterj a blafphemer: tkiUaJs^" I Cor. 1 5.9. T am the leaft of the Avofiles humility is no Chriftcan- it daic fcarcc leek to be a door keeper . in hea-
notpuchii- ven » itfetteth it'fclfinhcll : 2. Though humility , be vv.ell militylo- 'born, and of kin to fweetfefits\ who is lowly and meek : yti and only is humilities frce-hold; The humble 'i 2. foul knoweth no Land- lord but Chrifl , and is only Graces humble Tenant • tbeic is none to him but the Hujnility With his^ rich rahfom of blood, i-TimciA6^\rj\ Sothei^ knovyeth rs much humility in heaveO h were poffible that tears ?ord"Tut' could be'in heaven, the humble Saints that are there fhoiild Chrift apd not {ct chrtfi relihout a Grown to ^eto^'thdr. hbad^, but ¥ree grace. ' ^ ffiOuld' t^eep and hoId away cheinhead 5 yer:, tlis glo¬ rified are afliamed to bear a crown of glory oh their head, when they look Chrtfl on the face, and To cannot but caft down their erdwnes before the Throne^ Rev.4. lo.* l^-.bAIl thic Samrstrul^f^urhbled cry up Chrip.y\ap:<i'down itenifcl-vcs- .and in'their own bdoks are far from Chr.tfi as ^my-Matth, 8, 8,9. I km mt worthydhat thou fhouldf come mder my reaf but fpeak the word ontf^ mdm'j fervantfkjl'l he'healed^ytSy.vtQ ga¬ ther ff^(im pl^adi ngj'p i t .ibas'^bumbie Saints think not
fhenife^vb^ only below grace^nidriaeyciyjbotdfo b^lQWihe
glory
[5«
Semi. XVI I.
The T riall and Triumph of Faith.
13.9
glory of juftice and wrath. Job 14.2. 'Man fleeth alfo as a Humility padow and continueth not: Anddo^ thou open thine eyes upon leth^Chnlt,
fj4ch \oney and hringofl fneudto judgement with thee ? 4. Who foie think- can bring a clean thing.^ out of an ' unclean one ? Not one : he would I am not only^ frail by condition of nature be- ly below inga (had'»w of clay, -i;. r.2i But alfc^ by' birth, finfull and Grace unclean, by reafon of fin o^iginall : I am therefore a par- Sdow*" ty unworthy of the ^nger God • as a Beggar is not wor- the luftkc
thy of the wrath of the Emperour.^ or a wormc of the in- dignation of an Angel: 4: Any rhan is nearer God then the ° humble foul, in his own 32/24. Our fathers trujled
i-n thce.^ ^c. 6. Bat I am a worme and no man ; Becaufe hn- milityisa foul fmoothed, and lying levell with it felf, no men Aovc higher then God hath rak'yPf.i^^i.^iJdonotexercifemjfelf^^^^^^’^' ingreat matterSyOr in things foo high for me : The proud foul hath feathers broader thren his neft : 5 . The humble foul is T* a door-neighbour to Grace: Chriff is near a caden-down Nonefo
mourner in Zion'^ to give him beauty for 4fl,ts, thegarrnems frdife forth fpmt efhdvixfffe, 6i.j. Chrift hath a the humble ■Napk:r:rpr.the \yeEfaceof a humbled finner. Chrid the ' Chirurgion of Souls hath a wheel to fet in joynt the bro¬ ken hearty Theresa Saviours hand in heaven to wheelinanill-boned foul ori'carth5T/C?/.-5'i.8.p what con- . .
folation- Chri ft 'doth both-ieek and fave the felf- loTV foul, '
Luk. i^.iG, Th^ tambeoneof the lowHed and nieckeft creatures hath a bed befi'd*^ the heart, and in the bofome of Chrifl:,//^.40. 1 1 . He^ fball carxg the Lambs in hii bofomct^yea.^ ^
he fhalldUigaer thch^^fvfhe^^ cXttth'fthe pikr alfo'p and that hdth nohedper \ . 'the Lor/i giveth. more grace Joe
refifteth thepro^d^ and ^iveth'gfdce to the fumble , ' G I'ice tip- ^ '
on grace is for d. Thehumbldcan- The Kum-
Dot conip;hrin-0(fiGOds dirpenii5i?ih ; r Samgi ^ ? 6: HdmbTe uavid.^ Btttif tlk 'Lord faylfhavt ho. delight intheefehold here pi3in°*^o?'^ tifn flet him dii'^jo tAtyadfeirfieth goodid'him: Jfhat I am not Oodsdif-
: Y ^ penfation.
14-0
TheTriall and Triumph $f Fatth, Scrm.XVII.
fettered with the Prince of darkncs, is the debt of grace on me: then that you are any thinq lefTc then timber and fiie- wood,for Tophet.^ut it up in Chrifls compc,and ftrikeiliil to 7. Chrift,and ftoopto him: 7. Yet is the hope of the humble
lavT/s COT ^ broken tree, Pfa.g 1 8 .
krredon" \ God fhall favi the httmhU^ iz.ig, i. And hear
the humble hls defire^ P (.10.17. R ‘vivt his Ip rit^ - 5 7 . 1 5 /Sf.Beati- tifie him \vhh fdvat'on^ Pf. 149.4. 5 . H mvir him, Prov. i 5. 3^. 6, Satisfie him-^ Pfa.ii.ed. 7. Guide h’m in judgeme'it^ S . Encreafe h/^ ]oy Jfa.29 19. g.BleJc h/my^iz,^ , and give him a Cure inheritance : N me can ex ;oiI qncc as the humble (bul, i Cor. i ^ . lo. Not /, h n the 7race of God 'n me^ I Or, 4. 1 have writtm that ye he no^ pu^^d up for one a -^a nd: another: 7. For who maketh to d ffer from another ^ ^ jd what haf thou that thou d/dji not receive^ i Cor, 1.27.28.29. Then becaufe .hm artlittlein thine own eyes, put not thy felf out of graces writing, for04fputtcch thee in: Grace U mercy given for nothing, & the promife is made to the humble : In the judgement of (enfe, every one is to efteem another better *;:em eve- then himfclf,P/»/7.2 .3 . Peter is to have a deeper fenfe of his terXn''' o^n finful Condition, then of the finful condition of ^udat cm- felfe the T raitor- Though Peter being graced of God, owe more ^ud^emem himfelf then to Judas •, when Judas is a known
of knfe. Traitor, yet fhouldnot humility decline to that extream, Rotefeha 35 to Weaken Faith, and to fay, becaufc I am unworthy h7k}k7f pardon , therefore its prefumption to believe pardon verity. of fins.
Beware of Pride,''thc F/ephants neck ^nd knees that can¬ not bow, Ood muft break : God knoweth the proud a far ojf, 3. Ufe. Pfa, 138.^. the word Gavoah is the high man, the Pride hate- Scriptute wofd, Jam-^,6, is vmtnUv& the proud man is an full £0 God appearance , not a rcall thing , and an appearance more then enough : thePhrafcimportcchtwo: i. Its borrowed from men , who fec things near hand , before they fee
things
4-
5- 6.
7*
8.
How we «re to e-
Scrm.XVII. rhe Tridl and 'frmmph of Faith, 141
things a far off, and fo more of their eyes is fixed on that which is near hind,&fo its more delighted in- we fee things a far of with lefe delight to the fnfe. Lorin-is, in tranft-
tLvidere, arfd with contempt. The humble manfieth near Gods eye, the proud man is further from his eye, and feen in the by. and with contempt by God.^.K man Teeth his enemy afar 6ff,and loveth not to come near to him-, hath an old q larrell agaiaft pride, as one of the oldeft enemies born in heaven, in the breaftofthe fallen Angels, and thrown out of heaven, and it feeketh to be up at its own element -, and countrey, where it wasborn^ as proud men are climbing and afpiring creatures : But God a far off ^ refifteth the proud, and denieth grace, or any thing of heaven, to the proud Pharifec. WhenGo^ firft Teeth a proud man, he ffith. Behold m'j enem^ : The lowly man is Chrifis
friend.
4. Though the woman be a dog in her own eyes, and fo a Tinner-, See, O Tinner, rich mercy, that ChriFl 4. Ufc. fliould admit of dogs to his Kingdom : O grace, that ChnH Graces fliould black his fair hands (tofpeakfo) in wafhim: foul and defiled dogs : How unworthy finners, and To foul tin- nonce of ners , that they fhould be under ChriHs table,& eat his bread finners. wifhinthe Kings houfe : What a motion of free mercy, that Chrili fhould lay his fair, Tiotleffe, and chafte love,upon lo blick, defiled, and whorifh fouls O what a favour, that ChriH maketh the Leonard and Ethiopian white for heaven •*
Thcfc two go together, Revc’. 1.5. Who has loved its ,, and wajhed us: Humble finners have high thoughts of free- grace ftand not afar off, come near, be waflied , for free- grace is not proud, when grace refufe-h not dogs falvati- on muft be a flour planted without hands, that groweeh on¬ ly out of the heart of ChriH, Take humble thoughts of your felves, and noble and high thoughts of excellent
(tis to heaven with you : A curfe upon the creatures proud
naerits.
42
TheTriall andfritmph of Faith. Serm.XVII.
merits, if you make price with Chnlt, and compound with cverlaftins grace, you Hiarne the glory of the Ranfom- payer. Its no fliame to dis in Chrilh debt, all the Angels, the Cedars of heaven are below ChriH •, Angefs and Saints (hall be Chrilis debters for eternity of ages, andfo long as God is God, Tinners (hall be m graces compt-book.
Ufc. The truly humble is *the moft thankefull foule that is, unthankfulnelTe is one of the fins of the age we live in *, it floweth from i . Contemning and defpifing Gods in- ftruments •, The valour of J^ephtah is no mercy to ifrael, be- caule the Elders hate and defpife a baftard, i . i, 2,(5.
The curingof Naawam is not looked onas a mercie:
Why wa(hing in ^^ordan muft do it, and there be better Rivers in his own land, in Not onely , but
all hisinftruments, that he vvorketh by, muftbeeye-fweec tons, and carry C7(?^and omnipotencie on their foreheads, elfethe mcrcie is no mercy tons. 2. Mercies ceafe to be mercies when they are fmoked and blacked with oUr ap- prehenfions ; David, 2 Sam. c. iS. Sc 19. reCeivetha great vidfory, and iseftablifired on his Throne, which had been reeling and fiaggering of late , bur theres one fiid circum- ftance in that vidory, his dear fbn K^bfolom was killed, and the mercy no mercy in Davids apprehenfion • Would God 1 had died for t^bfolom • (b a little crolTe can wafh away the fenfe of a great mercy ; The want of a draught of cold wa¬ ter, ftrangles the thankfull memory of O' wonders done for his peoples deliverance out of Epypt , and his dividing the Red'iea. What a price would the godly in England have put on the removall of that which indeed was but' a Mafie-book, and the burdenfome Cereraonies,within thefe few years ? But becaufe this mercy is- not moulded and lhapen according to the opinion of many , with fuch and fuch a Reformation, and Church-government, I am atfraid theres fretting in too many, in Head of the returne of
praife 5
Serm .XVII. ThcT' riall and T riumph of Faith,
143
praife ^ and hating of thefc, for whorn they did fometimes pray V God grant that the fufferings of the Landi, and this unnaturall bloud-(hed may be neer an end ^ except the Land be further humbled, I fear the end of evils is not yet come. This is adire<aing of the Spirit of the Lord , to teach how to fhapeand ^orhis mercies toward us. Is it not fitting there be water in our wine, and a thorne in Our void Shall God draw the lineaments and proportion of his favours after the meafure of my foot < Shall the Al¬ mighty be inftmded to regulate his wayes of fupernatu- rali providence, according to the frame of our apprehenfi* ons -f O, he is a wife Lord, and wonderfull in counfell : Every mercy cannot be overlaid with SaphJres and preci¬ ous ftones, nor mufl: all our deliverances drop [met- fmelling myrrhe. God knoweeh when, and bow to levell and fmooth all his favours, and remove all their knots , in-a fwcet pro¬ portion, to the main and principall end, the falvation of his own : There is a crook in our beft defircs, and a rule can¬ not admit of a crook, even in relation to the creature ^ far lefie tohim who doth all things after the counfcljof his
own will.
■Truly Lord ^ the dogs~\ See and confidcr this woman, whofc faith was .great,- as faith, and fo was juftrfied :
fheconfelfethV ahdifteemeth herfeHadog-, andfbanun- wctfthy and profane perfon.
DoCf, A juftifiedbeleevcristoconfefiehisfins, to hate a feiife & forroW for them, though they be pardoned. The Word is clear- for both confeffion , and forrow for fin: though GAntimmiahs-m^kt it a work of the flefh in the ju- ftified perfon, cither to confeffe fin, or to forrovv for it, or to crave pardon for it : For confeffion there is command¬ ment, praffice, prornife, hlumb-.5 . 6. Speak unto the dHidren -of if del ^ when a marior a woman fall comm it dry that men tornmit to do a trefajje agnmfi the Lord^ and that perfon beguil-
Do(5i:.
A jufti&cd foul IS to confeile firs and CO be forty for it- Conte lltoa ot fins made by the juftiR- ed proves to be a dij- tic.
Serm.XVin
The Triatl and Triuntfh efpdith,
ty, 7. Then they fhaH confeffe their ftn^ thdt they hdvedone'- This is not a duty of the unconverted oncly, but tying all the children eflfrxel^ men and women, 5. 16 » C onfeffe
your faults one to another : Now ics not confefllon 10 men on¬ ly, as if they were fins onely before men, which the jufti- fied perfon commicteth,and not fins in the court of heaven before God, as Libertines teafti : therefore ic is added, Con- felfe-~-and pray one for another^ that ye may be healed y for the ef- feCluall fervent prayer of a righteom man availeth much, T hen juftified perfons are to pray for pardon of fins confefied. I take it to be a Precept, that as many as fay. Our Father ^ to Godin prayer, fiiould alfo fay, For give us our fms as we for¬ give them that fin againjl m ^ and fo pardon of fins, by a ju- ftified perfon , and a fon of God , is to be asked when we Daily breads and the commingof ChriBs Kingdome^ Hof. 14. 2,T (ike with you words ^ and turn, to the Lord f fay unto hiWy T ake away all iniquity : This muft b^ a confeflion, that a people turned to the Lord are in their iniquities.
2 . This is fet down as a commendable ^ra6tice,Ezra 10.
I . E'^ra confeffed and wceped^ Nehcm.p. 1,2 . And the feedgf ifrael feparatedthemfelves from ad firangers ^ an^ flood and conffffed their fins^ and the iniquity of their fathers, Dan. 5?. 4.
1 prayed unto the Lord ^ and made my confefion. So Davia^
2 Sam. 12. 15. / have finned againB the Lord, I fa.,54. 5 . the Church confcficchjT^i^^ art wroth^for we have fnned --6,But we are all as an unclean thin<^, Ifa. 59. 17. per lur tranfgrefi- ons are multiplied before thee , and our fins tefiife againB us. Job 7.20./ have finned againfi thee, O preferver of man, Pfa. 40. 12. U^y fins are more in number then the hairs of my h^ad. Jer. 14. 7. Our iniquities tefiife againfi us- —our backflidings are many. Its a vain fhifttofay. The Church praycth and conteffech in name of the wicked party, not in name of the juftified ones^ for as many as were afflicted , confeffeth their fins, for the which the hand of God was upon thciB $
now
Serm. XVII. 'The Tridland Trhmfhof Faith,
145
now Gods hand was upon all : Daniel, and Jeremiah , were carried away captive, yea, the whole feed o^J-acoh, 11:1.42.
24,25. Ifa. 64. 5,^, 7. and Jeremiah, Lament, 1,16. in name of the whole captive Church, faith, The Lord is righ- teofssy for I have fmned, ^ . There is a promife made to thcle that confefTc : Prov. 28.13., Whofo confeffeth, andforfaketh ^ * their fins, lljall have mercy, Pfal.32.3, When I kept filence,
( and con feded n ot) my bones waxed old, ^c, Vc r f. 5 . / [aid I will confefie my tranfgrepoyj unto the Lord, and thou forgave d ' the iniquity of my fin. And this is not an oldTcftament-fpi- ritonely, for the fame promife is, i Job. 1.8, p. if we CO a- fefi our fins ,he is faithfull and]uft to forgive. Lev. 2 6.40 . If they Jhall confiffe their Iniquity, 4 2 . Then will I remember my cove nant withfaceh, 3. Not to confcfre,is holden forth as a guil- tinelfc.Iei .2.35 •Tet thou faidfi ^Becaufe I am innocent , fur cly his anger fia I turn from me, behold J wil f lead with thee, bee anfe ‘thou
fayeft,! have not ftnned:\iS‘dtoktno'tim^(tnktnc\Q, ler. 8. 6,
No manrepented him of his rvickednes, faying, What have I done:
2, Ephraim, Gods dear childe, is bjoughtin, as commen- 2. ded os God, and the Lord telleth over again Ephraims pray- Mouming ers and fortowing for fin, 5f^r.3 1 . 1 8. 7 have frreh he/ed E- ,t,ed 7' fha^m bemamng hmfelf, drc. We have a precept for it in 7re who the New Teflament, f^am.^,g. Be affliEfed and mourn and weep: Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joyto^'^'
^ ° ‘ f fight of the Lord,and
hejhadliftyou up. Now there.is better reifon to mourn for rin,becaufc they did lull, war, and were contentious, then becauie there was affli(aions on them. Nature will caufe ^y cry, when punifhment is on them- but not nature, but Grace not the flelh, but the fpirit caufeth men forrow for
then their unchcumcifed hearts be humbled and they then accept of the punijlment of their ini am ^ ty,/[2. Then 1 will remember my covenant with lacob, 2. To 2. mourn for fin is a Grace promifed under the New tefta-
X nienr.
14^
TheTriaii and iriumphof Faith, £e.m. XVII.
i
rntm^Zdc. 1 2 . io,And I will povore upon theHoafc of Davd^aad tivo:t the Tnhah tmts of Tcriifalera^ the jp r t of Grace and f'p-^ j^l 'calion, and thq [ball look upon 7ne whom they have p 'crced^and they fnlt^.ourn as one mourmth for his on^y h irotten fon, 3. Tho^e for whom the confohuions of Chri(l are ord iine l, tXTt t\\Q mourners in Zion But the confolacions of Chrift, are not for legal 1 mourners, and fuch as are weary and laden for fin, and yet never cometh to Chrift, nor beleeveth: there’s no promife made to fuch mourners as Cain and das were. Can we fav that God promifeth Grace and mer¬ cy to any atfls of tlu or of unbeliefe ? 4. Its a mark of a confcience in a right fr ime,to be affe^bed with the fenfe of the lead: fin as David was one in whole confcience there remained the charadber of a ftripe, when he but cm the lap of Sauls Rohe^ 154^:4. 5. And when wicked men fin, their confcience Is pajl feel/ng, Bph. 4.19. And feared with an hot iron^ I Tim. 4.2. It is not an Argument of Faith, apprehen¬ ding fin pardoned, not to mourn for fin and confefie it* for if this be a good Argument, that if we being juftified, cannot but out of unbelief, Harrow for a fin that before Godisno fin, as it is, Jer. 50.20. Fully removed and taken ai-vioned t.ip.Mic. 'j.ig.Cafl in the depths of the Sra^
tb: pardon- ( as Libcrt/ms argue )for then ( fay they ) we were both to be- cd fin heve., that that fin remain^th and rnaketh the jujlifed per fon - wrickrarc ^hleto Eternal wrath., and fo to for row for it cU fin before God • wetoef- and alfo to bdieve that it is taken away., and rnaketh the per [on chew the kable to Eternal wrath, which are contradictory. If this ( I of fin, be- ray) Were a good Argument, thcn were we not toeicncw evill, and to be averie to the ading of fin, before it be com*
If wc arc not to mourn for fin becaufe
caiifc it is
be^^)rc”ifbc 5 ^01* by the Doddne of Antinomians., All fins,even
committed, ei'C they be committed, yea from Eternity ( Gy fome ) are do^^d^Os* taken away and pardoned, as after they be commit-
Libertiiics tcd, and as whcn wc do now bclic VC and repent *, For if we teacb)fiom wctc to havc a will avcide to the a<5i:ing of fin, before it be
ctermtv.
com*
^47
Seriti . XVI I . The Triall and T rh<mph of Faith,
committed, it muft be upon this ground, that it fin be¬ fore God ^ and not taken away by Chrish death , elfewe (liould not abftain from fin as fin • but this is afalfe ground lo Antincmians, and inconfifi.ent with the objedf of faith, which is to beleeve this truth, that all fins pa[l, prefent, and to come^are ccjuall'^ removed^ pardoned^ and in Chrijl taken away .. as if they never had been •. and fo forrow for fin committed, being an adf of the fand'tificd will difpleafed with fin, if it be unlawful!, the will of the juftified perfon is not to be difpleafed with it, ere it be comnucced •, but by the contrary, if he is not to be difpleafed wfith fin commit* ted, but rather to wi 1 its commilfion • not to forrow for it, becaufehe be) eeveth its pardoned , and in Court its no fin to him, being in Chrifi •, by the fame ground, ere it be committed, in Gods Court its no fin •, and fo, neither can he be difpleafed with it, ere it be committed, but may alfi) wdll it, and beleeve its pardoned, and he ought to have no ad of remorfe, nor reludance of Confeisnee, which is Gods Solicitour^ before the committing of it ; For how is it not equally an ad of the flefh and unbeleef to fear fin to be committed as not pardoned in Chrifl:,as to fear fin alrea¬ dy committed as not pardoned ? 2. If it be a lie and an ad of unbeleef for any juftified perfon to fay, {Lord I have_ fin- ned) {O God^ thoit knowe/b my foolifhnejfie ^ and my fins are not hid from thee) as juftified David faith, PfaL 69, 5. in regard all his fins are pardoned, and the man in faith, contrary to thefenfeof his weakflefli, is to beleeve that they arc all taken away. Upon the fame pretended ground of faith, he is to fay, {Lord^ I fhall never fin^ though 1 am to commit adul¬ tery^ and to murder innocent Uriah to morrow^ yet thou , O Cod, neither to morrow, nor at any time^ doe/l fee my feolijhnefie and fins) becaufe the fins to come are equally removed, and ta¬ ken away in the free juftificatit n of grace, as the fins alrea- dy paft. Mafter Eaton faith, T 9 hold^ that when God hath j u- comil oi
148
The Triall and T riumph ef Faith,
Scrm.XVIII.
Dcc.j.fcff
Chemniti- us exim. Con.Trid.
P^g-94- Libertines confpire with Pa- pifts in the Doctrine of j unifica¬ tion.
How fins arc remo- ▼ed in ju¬ ft ifi cation, and how not.
fit fled both t'ts and our works ^ God '^et feeth m in the imp^rfe^ion ef our fimFtific at icn^ is another evident mark of an hypocrite^that was never yet truly humbled for the imperfe^ion ef his fanSlif- cat ion- -But thefe imperfections of our fanCt/ficat/on are left in us to our fenfe and feeling, that they may be healed in our juftif ca¬ tion: And he Dringech,/>4^. 375. divers Rcafons to prove, That we are not both righteous in the (ight of God, and yet fin- ners in our [elves. Let me anfwcr, That Antinomians in this joyn hands wich the Councell of Trent, who curie us Prote- ft ants , becaufe we fay, T he guilt of trigin all fm is taken away in Baptifme, hut that fm^ and that which is ejfentially ftn, dwel- leth in m, while we are here, as the fad complaints of juflified Saints do teftifie, as Chemnitius obfcrvcth ^ yea , Andradius laith , as Antinomians do, that we put blafphemy upon Chrili his merits and grace, as if he could net in a moment waft} us perfeCflyftom all ftn: And what Arguments PapiHs in this Point ufe, the fame doth Fatenzn^ Antinomians ufea^fb- yca, but juftified Job faith, cap. 9. 30. Iflwafi} my felfwith fnow-water, and make my hands never fo clean ^i.Tetftjalt thou plunge ?ne in the ditch, and mine own clothes ft) all abhor re me. Job 40. 4. Behold, I am vile, what fl^all I anfwerthee p This fob, after he was by Gods pen declared an upright man, faith of his own wayes,in his fufferings : And David, a juftifed man, faith, Pfal. 143.2. Enter not in judgement withthyfervant,forinthy fight (hall no fiefh bejufitfted •, yet fob and David were no hypocrites.
SERMON XVIII.
NAy, give me leave to fay, that Antinomians make juffi- fication and free grace their Common- place of Divi¬ nity, as if theyonely hadfeen the viftons ef the Almighty, and no other , but they arc utterly ignorant thereof for they confound and mix what the Word diftinguiilaech, be¬ caufe juftification is onely a removallof fin by a Law¬ way, fo that in Law it cannot adually condemne^ R0.8. i .
There
149
Scrm.XVIIT. Triall and Triumph ef Faith.
There is no condemnation to them that are in Chrijl y^TTt^ifxny he faith not, ifiv )&TtiKffniv , nothing that deferveth condemnation* Nihil condemnabtle:So that in Law, all obli¬ gation to externall punifhiTaent, called Reatm per the
ouiitinelTe of the finner is removed, and he (liall never be condemned for fin, becaufe did bear that guilt for
him *, hence we fay , in this regard its blafphemy to fty, that tears of finner s do wafh away f n, that forrow for f n, and fading, pacifiech, orremovech Gods wrath*, for my part I never ufedfuch Popiih and unfivoury fpeeches.
Papifts do, and we muft diftinguifli between the 1 x Rhe- toricky<ind the ftridi Divinity of tathers. But 2*Juff ideation is not an abolition of fin in its reall edence, and Phyfcail indwelling. Juftified ?4«/righethandcrieth, Rom. 7. 14.
J am carnalij fold under fin. 18./ know that in me^ that is^ in my flefh-) dwelleth no^ood. 24* 0 wretched man that I amy who fhall deliver me from the body of this death : Now if the fenfe of the corrupt flefli make chcle complaints in ^ob^ David,
Patdy and if finfull flefli oppofite to futh , apprehending muhcri
the juft contrary in ChriH who ]uftifieth the finner ^ dwell not
in tts*y Then i.Davidy ^^ohy Rauf did lie in thefe confeffi- is formally
ons*, for to fpeak contrary to the language of jiiftifying
faith, muft be a lie. 2. They were not really carnall , and
fold under fin, but onely according to the finfuil doubting dwelleth m
and apprehenfion of the flelh : Pauls crying out of the
of fin, was an irrationall, fiefhly, and hypocriticall cony ^-oveaby
plaint. 5. We are not to grow in the grace of fandfificati- 5.Argu-
on, andabftinence from yeeldingto the motions of the
flefh,becaureiftherebenofinfuU impCTfe(5tion5 in our fan- ^ *
(ftif^cation, we are not to grow in grace really, but onely in ^ '
the falfeand hypocriticall apprehenfion of the ftefii. 4. If God fee nothing of fin in the Saints after their juftificati- 4* on, then there can be no fin in them after juftification, and fo the juftified cannot fin, except they may fiujand yet
God ,
150 The Trial I and T ritmph of Faith . Serm , X VI 1 1-
Sin tiwel- bng in us after wc are jufti- Hed.
God cannot fee them fin, contrary to Pfa.69.^ . r.
2.3. Yet ^ohn faith, even of himfelfjand of thefe who have rn A dvocate in heaven , i Job. 2 . i .T hat if we fay we have no fin we deceive our f dves^ and the truth is not tn i kdi .1.8. No\v he ermnot ipeak of men as confidered intheftateof na.tiire and nr juflihed, becanfeto anfwer a doubt of weak cofifcknces who faid •, oh if we have fin, then are we eter¬ nally loff and conckenaned: he^aiJ^fw^reth, I. the juffified are to confcfTe, v.g and God is fnthfull to forgive : 2. He an- fwereth, 1 fob. 2.1. if we fin, we have an Advocate with the Father. s.Ic mnfl inevitably follow that Chrift command¬ ing thefe who. have a Father in heaven to pray {forgive m our fns) commandechthem daily to pray out of a flcdily doub;ing,not from the Spirit of Faith-,1 had ratheriay with Scripture, that all che.juftified Saints muft take down their Top-Saile, and go to heaven halting, and that they carry their bolts and fetters of indwelling fin through the field of Free- Grace, even to the gates of glory, Chrift daily wa filing and renewingFardonSjand we dailj^defiling, to the end that grace may he grace.
6. Yea, the Scripture is moft clear, that the faireft face that is now fliining in glory , was once even in the Kingdom of Grace, and in the ft ate of juftification • blacked with fin, and fin-burnt by reafon of fin dwelling in them, i Kin,^, 4(5. For there is no man that fnneth not. This is a black put on the faces of all men dwelling on the earth, amongfi: which you muft reckon' juftified, and pardoned fouls, £c/c/i 9. V. 20. For there is not a ]uf man upon earth., that doth good., and fnneth not : Then there’s a T home in our faireft Rofe, Davids Sun ftiincs not fb bright, but there’s a cloud going over it ^ in every juftified mans good he doth, in every fii- crifice he offereth, there’s fome dung • The fun hath looked on him •, uguflinc had the fime controverfie, but on ano¬ ther ground with ffultan. who aifo of old, conceited that
jufti-
Scrm.XVIIL
The Triad and Triumfh of Faith.
151
juftified To: Is were free of inhercu fin, as Libertines now te.ach,biit Auyuflins frith ^XwiXY^That fin drpellcth.in the rege- n rati^ hut it is nos imptited., and concuffcence after Bapfifnte is remnv:'d: Non ut non fit., fed nt non imputetunNot that it is not., hut that in the Court o f juflice it is not reckoned on our fcore : by which it is more thenevicic u that jufiification is not fiach an ab )lition of fin, in its root and efie ice, as fliall be in ebe ^ ftate of glory, when root and branch fliill be abolifhcd,and vcnvwirof not only fli.ill jnftification Free iisyis it doth in this lite from finne, one all Law-cuilt- and obligation to wrath, which is but JMsis or Seemdus, the fecond Adf of fin, the effed, not the efience luaifica- ot fin, but alfo findincatioi being perFcded , all in- tion, ano- dwellingof fin ihall be removed ^ fin in the juftified h.uh but houfe room, and ft lyeth within the walls as a Captive, fand-fica an Underling, a fervant, it hath nor the keys of the houfe to command all, nor the Scepter to rule : All thekeysare upon Chrifis fijoti/der, far lefte hath it a Law-power to con- demne, therefore faith (.^y^ugufiine cxccWquiIv., Cont.ful an^ hb.6.c.^,Sanat vitiatum d reatu fatim.,ah infi/m’tate paulatim:
God healeththc fmner from his guilt ineffe fits a Law word, and a Law cure) prefently^ hut from his infirmity bj de^i^rees, hy Tittle and little, mds Gregory, Moral, lib. 29. C, 2. O^tidin hac ruita omnes, qui 'veritatem fequimur, ntfi au> or ifumus<t aurora enim noNcm preteriiffe nnneiat, ncc tamen diet c tar it at cm ilia fatis ojlendit, fed dim illam pelltt,cf hanc fufeipit, lucem te- nchrU per mixtam tenet, fre nos quedamjam qu£ lucis funt agi^ mm, (ft tamen in qu/hnfdam adhuotenehrarum rehquiis non caremm: The holicft in this life, is but the dawning of the morning, we are half night, half day, who
can fay I have.made my heart pure,I am clean from fw? 'IDts'l 123 Who can fay I have a clean heart, and not lie t' Li her tines can fay it, in a higher manner then Papijis, who acknow¬ ledge chat venials, little fins, and motes are in us alwayes in this life • but it may be this is the old Tefi ament- Spirit that
Serm.XVnr.
The Tr?^U md Trmmfh of Faith,
fpeakech^ as they fayi, but the ApoHle^ Rom, 3. applyeth the Pfalme 14. that ftoppeth allmouthesof the world, asfo many guilty malefactors at the high bar of heaven, and he proverb that no flefhmot David nor the holiefl: on earth can be juftihed by works, either done by the ftrength of nature, or by the help of gracernow if there be no indwelling fin in the juftified perfon , we anfwer not Papifis Pela^iam^ who fay, That rve are ^^ujlified by works done by the help and aid of Grace after regemratton, but net by the works that we per¬ form by the frength of nature •, for if there be no indwelling fin in the regenerated •, all their good works muft be perfe(5 and linleffe, and can draw no contagion from an impure heart, becaufe if there be no indwellig fin, and no imperfeCt fan<51:ification in us (as Mafter Baton faith, its hypocrifie fo to think or fiiy)how can an impure heart defile thefe works, that arc done by the aid of Grace f for that which is not, hath no operations at all ; if there be no contagious foun¬ tain, and no indwelling fin, but root and branch be remo-. ved in juftification, then fucha fountain cannot defile the adi\Q\\%^fam,'^.^.Inmany things we offend Metaphor from travellers walking on ftony or flippery ground, Rcm.y wretched man that! ampwho Jhafl deliver
me from the body of this death < If this was but the flefla and unbclicfe that made this complaint, then the combat be¬ tween the flefii and the Spirit, lhal come from the fiefli*,now the conflidf of two contraries,fuch as arc the flefii & theSpi- ric,is not from the one more the the other,but equally from both *, the conflia between fire and water, is neither from the fire only, nor from the water only, but from both, yoking together*, yea, certain it is, that the flefh cannot, and doth not complain of its own motions againft the Ipi- rit, fin cannot complain of fin, its the renewed part that complaineth of the ftirrings and motions of the unrenewed part : Satan is not divided againft Satath nor fin againft fin^ .
153
Trialt and T riumph ef Faith,
c ^ _ ________
Its true, the fins of the J’uftifi(dare\faidtobe fittght^ and not fomd^ Icr.50.20. And our tranfigrefsions are faid to be blot¬ ted out^ and blotted out as a thick cloudy and to be remembred no more,, Ifa.4^.25. . And to be fubdued^and
cafl in the depths of the Sea^ Mic. 7. 1 9 . and rve rvajhed, Kcw. i .
5 . Pra.5 1 .2. And made whiter then the (now : 7. And Chrifts Church is fo undefled^ fo faire as the Moon^ clear as the Sun,
C4»f.5.2. c.6.10. TbatC^r/T^himfelf givcth a tefiimony of her, Cant. 4.7. Thou art all fair my love^ there is no (pot in thee-, all which are true in a Law-lenfe, and in Legall and Morall- Freedom ^xom fin, in regard the fins of the jufiified and waihcd in Chrifts blood, fhall no more be charged upon them to their condemnation, then if they had never com¬ mitted any fins at all, and as if their fins were no fins to witnefie againft them in judgement, they being cloathed with chrifts white and fpot-leife rightcoufnefie •, for they are in their aduall guilt, as touching the Law-fting and power, as no fins, no debts, but oblitrated in the Book of Gods accomp, and as a blotted out cloud, which is no cloud, in which regard they muft be white and faire whom Chrift wafheth : I profefTe it is fweet to be dipped in the new foun¬ tain opened to the houfe of David , and the inhabitants of ferujalem^for fin and for uncle anne(fe , and under the fweet and fair hand of the Mediator, that he might wafii us- 1 know he fiiould not be afhamed of his labour, but fhould make fair and white wqrk. But in regard of the inherent root, of¬ fence^ and formal! being of fin, the Saints are not freed and delivered from fin, but thefe fame fins, though broken in The diffc- theirdominion to command as Tyrants, and removed and taken 2i\v2cy,^od aftualem reatum eterna mortis (\r\ their Law removall of demerit and guilt, yet do remain and dwell in the Saints, while they arc here in this life-, and thefe two removals of ’c-
fin differ much, the former is a Law- removall of fin, not the movaii m removall of the pfTence and being of finjthc other removall
Y is ‘
154
The Triall and Triumph of Faith, Serm.
'll:
is a Phyfical removall in root & branch •,and therefore done by degrees according to the meafure of begun fandtifica- tion, and iliall never be perfedt in this life, while that habite of fandlihcation which is contrary to fin Phyfically confi- dered, fhall be introdiiccd^and the perfon pcrfedled mglory. whereas the former removall is fo perfedl, as the perfon is made fpot-leffe and whiter then fnow*, which two removals ol fin, may be thus illuftrated, there is a man defiled with leprofie in his bodie, this is a Phyficall contagion, the fame man is condemned to die for a high point of Treafona- gainfl: the State and Prince, this is a Lm-Contagien : The Phyfitian cureth him of his Leprofie by a Phyfieal expul- fion of the dileafe, but by degrees, and by little and little, and makech at length his skin as the skin of a young childe.
Simile, The Prince and Stare fendeth to him a free Pardon of his T reafon,and he is at once perfedfly acquitted from his guilt, but the Princes Pardon doth not Phyfically, and really ex^ pell our of his perfon the fhamc, the inherent blot and in¬ famy of his foul and treacherous dr'floyalcie that he com.- mitted againff Prince and State, fo as this Pardon fhould tranfubfianti ite and change him by a Phyficall tranfmu-. ration in a perfon as innocent and blamelcffe, as any the m oft loyal 1 fubjed of the Kingdom, the Pardon putteth. only upon him a Law- change, and a Morall immunity and, freedom from a fhamefull death • and Chrifts pardon in like manner doth remove a Law-obligation to ccernall death, fo as there’s no condemnation to the man,but k removeth non, the inherent and Phyficall blot, nor the reall obliquity be¬ tween his foul fin, and the Spirituall Lavy of God • nor doth it make him perfedly finleife and holy as if he had
Smile* J^'^ver finned, as {Jgmmornians dream v fo the juftification of* th.e Saints is lili:e the -free acquitting of a broken man, thao- hath borrowed thou&nds, and is unable %o pay,the cancelri ling qf his ^,freeth him in Law>ftQm paying thefumSabur
doth
ocas
Scrm.XVIII.
ThtTriall and Triumph of Faith,
155
doth in no cafe make him a man that never borrowed mony-, nor doth it free him from that inherent blot of tinjuftice, in regard of which he is a broken man, who hath wafted his neighbours goods ^ butperfe(fted (aneftification expel- leth fin in his eftence, being, root and branch in its domini¬ on , Lordly power indwelling, fo that it is no more : and this is like the expelling of night-darknelTe out of the whole body of the Aire, by theprefence of the Sun dif- fufing its beams and light, from Eaft to Weft, and North and South : I grant the habit of fandification perfedfed in" glory doth not make it a falfe propofition, that fuch a par¬ doned and wafhed Saint never finned, for Fdhm inftcium^ feri non Totef : What is done^ can never be undone •, that were a fpcaking contradi(ftion,but it putteth the man in that State that he is as free of the indwelling of the body of fin, and perfedfly holy, as the body of the Aire at Noon-day is free of darknefle, and qualified with inherent light* now Antinomians (efpecially Mafter Faton their
chiefe leader) that we fay that fan(ftification is unperferft in this life, or that the indwelling of fin can confift with free juftification, and remiftion of fins in Chrtfs blood : But let us turne our eyes a little toward the wifdom of Gods free dil'penfation, to lean the reafons why our Lord will have juftified Saints to go halting to heaven.
I. He can at our firft ednverfion make us Glorified and perferfted Saints *, but its his wifdom to take a time and Seven rea- fucceffion to perfed his Saints, he took about thirty and three years on earth for the work of our Redemption, and ie"h would for three dayes lodge in the grave,as it were a neigh- Godly af- howt to our Father corruptions and the mrme our brother and Sifter, lob {Though he fars^ no corrupt ion^ P fa, 16, 10,) fiedby
Hehathbeeii dreffingup the high palace of G^Wy^hisFa- thers houfcjthcfe fixteen hundred years, if he be ^eafed to take moncths and years to the work of the applying of the
Y 1 purr
156
'The Triad and T riumph ef Faith,
Serm.XVlII.
purchafed Redemption *, whereas he might and could have doncitinone inftant, as he created light out of darkneffe with one word •, we are to be filent, his wifdom in fo doing is fuflicient for us, the fecond heaven, and the new light in the Redeemed foul is done by continued acts of omnipo¬ tency, the firft heaven was fooncr made*, fhall it feem hard to us, that our midnight, and our full noon-day-light of grace are not exiftent in one inftant together ^ We are to wait on in patience, and not to fret that wc cannot at our .fiift converfionprayoutof us the indwelling body of fin, and figh out ihc weight and fm that doth fo hardly befet us^Heb, 1 2.1. G'^^'is wife who will have our day to break and dawn by degrees, and our fbadotves to flee away *, and our Sun to a- rilc to Noon-day-light, through length of time, if a crea¬ ture , yea, the moft excellent of created Angels fhould but fit at the hel me of- this great world to Rule and Governe all things but for fourty and eight hours, the Sun ftjould not rife in due time,the wals and covering of the great building of the world ftiould fall, the Globe of the world, and of the whole earth jhould reek to and fro^and flagger like a drun^ hen W4«,all ftiould go to confufion*,and fb if we had a world of Grace of our own carving, and had it in our wife choice to go from the firft moment of our New- birth to heaven, without fin, we ftiould lofe our felvcs by the way, and take one new debt, that ftiould require the new and frefti cru¬ cifying of the Lord of Glory *, we ftiould be no better Tu¬ tors, GovernorSjand Lords to our relves,thcn Adam and the Angels that fell : The weight of a Saints Heaven and Hell upon his own clay- (boulders is a Heaven put to a great ha¬ zard, or rather to a fcmedilclTe Ioffe: I Ihall eafily grant that its fure that my Heaven be upon Chrifts (boulders.
2 , 2 . Grace worketh fuitably to the nature of ffhe Patients,
the Vcifcll would be prepared with the frequent (enfe of Grace, before Chrift powre in it the habite of Glory, its fit
we
Scrm. XVIII. 'The TridUnd Trinmfhof Faith.
wc fee and feci the fliaping and fewing of every piece of the wedding garmcnt,and the framing, moulding and fitting of the Crown of Glory for the head of the Citizen of heaven^ yea, the repeated fenfe and frequent experiences of Grace in the ups and downs in the way, the fal’s and rifings again of the Traveller, the Revolutions and changes of the fpi- rituall condition, the new Moon, the darkned Moon, the full Moon in the fpirits ebbing and flowing, raifeth in the heart of Saints, intheir way to the Country a rank fmell, of that faireft Rofe and Lillie of Sharon ,
Chrift., the delight of men, and Angels-, that as Travellers at night talk of their foul way, and of the jraifesof their Guide-, andBattell being ended, Souldiers number their wounds, extoll the valour, skill, and courage of their Lea- derand Captain ^ fo the Glorif^d Souldiers may take loads of experiences of Free- Grace to Heaven with them , and there fpeak of their way and their country, and of the praifes of him, who hath Redeemed them out of all Nations, Tongues^ and Languages : The half drowned man fhaketh his head, and dryeth his garments before the Sun in the Shoare with joy and comfort : The irapreflions of the kifles of the face of him that fittech on the Throne, arc the deeper, that the frequent experiences of Grace have been many- much dirty and dangerous way, and the lively and hearty welcome of Glory fuiteth well together.
3. As there is much-, yea, an exceeding weight of Glory in heaven, fo its convenient that the way to Heaven be ftrewed and covered with Rofes of renewed adfs of free Grace,and Chrifts repeated expreflions of new pardon, one expreflion coming after another *, that fince the Saints pray daily forgive m our fms^ it is in the wifdom of God fitting, that as glory in Heaven is one continued of happineite for all eternity, fo the Grace that maketh the old and finfull man a new creature, fhould be one continued a(5t of Grace*,
58 The Trial I and Triumph of Faith, Serm. XVIII*
and as many ftrearasand rivers arc one water, and one fpriag in the fountain , and many lines one, in the center • and thoufands of generations of men, are but one man, in the firft father Adam^^ fo multiplied ads of Grace in the Saints , from the firft moment of their converfion , to the period , and firft hour of their glorification , are but one Fountain-Grace God,^ revealed in the MediatouryChrifi: and there can be no reafon why our firft converfion fhould be free Grace, and the perfeverance of the Saints in Grace, and all their fteps in the way fhould not alfo be Grace : Grace is not onely finglie'in the Saints, but Grace and peace multiplyedon them.
, 4. The (landing and prorogated interceffion andadvo-
cation fefui Chrif , everyday, upon occafionof new committed irns, i^oh.2. 1,2. and the golden Altar that hath been hot thefe 1600. yeers, 8. 3, 4. with the
frefh prayers of the Saints, muft have a daily ufe, fb long as Chrift is in the Office of the great, true, and exalted high Prieft, now faffed into the holy of HoUefi *, and better it is that' chrift ad Grace again and again, in heaven, as we fin again and again, on earth, then that the ad of our high Priefts in¬ terceffion had been all but one ad on the Crofte , and the way to heaven was made long , and falls there muft be in the way , to the end that I might lodge many nights and moneths by the way, with my guide Chrift, and my expen- ces and charges in the way might be free Grace.
j ^ 5 . Faith hath its work in our graduall mortification, we
belecve that Chrift (ball perfed what he hath begun , fo it was needfull that Winter, and moneths of Spring and Summer go before our harveft and reaping of the fruits of the tree of life.
C, 6, chrift workes in the lower kingdom , as making the higher kingdom the copy and famplar of his working, now ips moft futablc for flowers and rofes, that muft be tranf-
planted
Serm.XVIII. The T riall and Triumph of Faith.
pbnted to grow up in the high garden befide the tre of life, and to blofTome out glory for all eternity^ that they grow for a tiine in the land Grace ^ that they may take kindlie with the foil- fo the lower and higher gardens of Glorp and Grace dii’Sex notin nature, what groweth in theone , can well grow in the other-, they cannot fuit with the happi- nelfc of that land , except they have experienced the holi- nefie of continued Grace in this land , and Chrifl maketh ftorins of (in to blow upon his young heirs for their Win • ter, God keeping life at the root, that they may be fitter for an eternal lie green (iouiifliing Summer of Gloxy • and when Chrijl conlecrated himfelf through many afflidhons that he might be an heir fuitable for hory , he being brought through fire and water, hot and cold, and many changes^to heaven, and fo came to eternall happineffe through many yeers continued holineffe it was not fit that Chrlfl , who was to make heirs like hk rule and famplar , (hould’brincr them to glory with a leap and a ftep , from a j unified con^ dition , to a glorified eftate , without an intervening pro- greffeinTandificationand holineffe - chrifi underftandeth welhhefundamentall Lawsof the higher Ctti ^ thenewTe- rtffalcm - the frame of the government of that kingdomf is that none be received as free Citizens of Glory^ but fuclvas haveferved Apprentices, Minors, little children, under Tutors-to Grnce.znd the way of holineffe. he is of coo fhort
• A hot and'fmoking out from his luffs,
a juflified finner, to ftep immediatly into Glory^ and fo here IS a ftranger welcomed to heitvenfrom hell - a childe of Satm, playing at the DeviU fire fide yefterd ay, orthelaft hour, now this day, this fame very hour, muft be inrolled amongft thofe who walketh with the Lamb , in white ; SomeSouldiers , I grant y are advanced to be high Com- n)anders, Perfalmm-^ by a leap- but its for fome piece of rare Icrvicc to the Prince and State-, and its like, the repen*'-^
The TrUll and Triumph ef Faith, Serm. XVIII.
ting Theel, in tew hours (pace, had been in three leverall Kingdoms, in the ftatc of Nature, the Kingdom of Dark- ncfle, and the Kingdom of Grace,and that day With Chrift in Paradite. But this is(I conceivc)rare and give me leave to fay. Princes at their Coronation do fome extraordinary adfs of Grace^ by priviledge of the new Crown , that they may hanfcll the new Thtonewith ads of Mercic : ChriH was now in an ad of pure, unmixed Grace aduallyand formally redeeming the loft world , on the Croftc, and was now this day crowned by his Mother the Church,^ and inftalled King- Redeemer of Saints, and therefore would ' hanfcll Paradife with a finner, by a priviledge of match- left'c Grace ^ there is but one example of it in all the Scrip¬ ture.
7* 7. The way to heaven is fwcccer, that it ftiould be here,
Idtilladtes fine Linea^ that every day and hourethat we fin (as every hour we contrad new debt ) ChriHs free. Grace might have its daily flux , the fountain opened to the houfeof David daily running , renewed forgivenefle going along with this dap ^ our daily bread: hence thefe noble ads of Grace, i . Every fin, the leaft omiflion by jLaw, is hell^ Deu,
27. z6. Gal. 3.10. two fins, muft be two hells ; feven fins, (even hells • then multiplied fins, to the number of the hairs of Davids head, Pfal. 40. t2. and not fins onely, but innu¬ merable iniquities muft caufc the account of Chrifts free Grace to fwell and arife to a deliverance from two , from leven,from innumerable hells. O Grace every day, every hour I So then the Rebell brought nine times a day, twen¬ ty times a day, for the (pace of fourty yeers, by his Princes Grace from under the ax : how fair and fweet are the mul¬ tiplied pardons, and reprivals of Grace^ to fpeak fo •*. Here is multitudes of multiplied redemptions, here is plenteous j redemption ^ I defile every hour, Chrifl wafheth *, I fall, 1 Grace raifeth me •, I come this day, this morning, under the
reverence 1
^rm. XVIII. Triad and Triumph of Faith,
1^1
rcverenceof Juftice, pardoneth me ^ and fo along^ while Grace put me into heaven: The Lambs Book of Life concaineth not onely the names of thofe who are ordained for that bkded end of eternall life, but alfo the means lea* ding to the end ^ then here arc written all the fins, all the pardons of free Grace fincc the frf}: Adam finned : O , but the Book of life muft be a huge Volume I O, how large, and broad, and long muft the Accomftsof the Grace of ChriHhc 1 2. Wc.arenot faved, compleatly, becaufe jii- ftified •, but Rom. 8.23. We are expedants of the Divinity of immediate vifion, and groan within our fehes^ waiting for the Adoption^ the Redemption of our body *, v. 24. and are faved by hope. In regard of Tick, we are faved compleatly : but in another fenfe we are but Lords and Kings in Title on cfy *, wc arc far from the Lands, Rents, Crown, and our fathers houfe, and fo arc not faved while our feet ftand within the ftrects of the new Jerufalem. 3. In this confideration , we figh in our fetters: and bolts , and fin remaineth in us , for our exercife and humiliation, that we may have an habitu- all ingagement to J’cfus Chrift and his Grace • That foul lo- veth much.^ to whom much is forgiven-.^ and erpccially,whcn in fenfe and frequent experiences, much and multiplied back- flidings arc forgiven.
O bjed. I . But ju/ii^cation is one indivifble aH of Grace par- doning all fins., pafl, prefent^ and to come.^and is not a fuccefive pre-
and continued afi.^ in pfcgreffe alwaja^fuch as is fancftjicatioa •, lent, and to for we are but oncejujiifed, I anfwer by thefe following Aft pj^donS^ fcrcions : in juftitic.
Affer, T. There is adouble'Notion of juftificacion, as Aider, i. D. Abbot us ! There is a univerfall, and properly
fo called, juftificacion : There is a partiall, and unproperly fZ'. 3 fo called, juftificacion : or, give me leave to fay : There is tnterd\. ju- a juftificacion of the per Ton, of the ftatc •, or a juftificacion repeated, or rather a reiterated remiflion: I doubt if it be
Z CMlled
i62
The Trtall and Triumyh of Faith, Serm. XVIII.
Th rc is a tvvofo^^ confii^cra- viooi iufti firitionjl-u: not t\Mo laftificati- ons , far leflj are there not m iny.
AfCcr,2,
Sins in three divers rcfpefts are taken away, according to the Scii- ptuics.
called a juftification. The former juftification doth in¬ clude; r. The Adof Atonement, niade by Chrift on the Grode, for all the fins of all the Eledf o?God^ paftjprefent, and to come : this Ad is not tied to beleeving. nor arc we properly juftified in regard of this'Ad.But52.Thtr! is a ju- ifification formall, of which Paul fpeaketh 4.and
(7/i/. 3,4,^^ 5. Chupicrs, whichgocch along in order of caufc , time, and a required condition of apprehending Chrijls righteoufheiTe ; and this juftification of the perfon, while hebeleeveth, is but once. done , and that when the belcev^er doth firft lay hold on Chrift 3Lnd righteoufnefte, imputed, in his blood. '.There js, 3. A remiflion, and.taking away of fin ; Now according to thefe are we to conflder of doing away fin,ia a threefold Notion-,for though juftifica¬ tion elTentially include remiftlon Sc pardon of fiujyct every remiftion doth not include juftification, properly fo called, 2. This threefold taking away of fins , Iclear from the Scriptui c : i, Chrift taketh away our fins on the Croffc, caufatively^ and by way of merit, while as he fuf- ferethfor our fins on the Crofle'.* So, Joh. t, 2p. Behold the Lamhe of Cod that taketh away the fins of the world. I Corinthians 5.21. He was made fin fortts. Colof. 2. 1 4. chrift blotted out the hand writing of Ordinances^ that was againft us^ which was contrary to tss\^ and took it out of the way^ nailing it to the Croffe, i Pet. 2 . 24. Who^ his own felf bare our ftns on the tree- 1 fa . 5 ; . 10 . He made his foul an offering for ftn. This Atonement of blood was typified in t^aron , who Levtt. 16. 20,21. was to lay both his hands on the head of the Live-goat, and to confefte the fins of the people, and did tran (late them off from the people •, ft as the Goat was to bear upon him all their iniquities, unto a land not inhabited^ v. 22. Nowthis was thepayingof a ranfomc forus, anda legall tranfiation of the cternall puniftimcnt of our fins, but it is not juftification, nor ever called juftification: there
is
5crm .X V I II. "The Triall and Triumph of Faith, 163
is a fort of imputation of fin to Chrijl here, and ^ fumme paid for me *, but, with leave, no formall imputation^ peiforS no forinfccall , and no perfonall Law- reckoning to me, on the who am not yet born, far lefie cited before aTribunall, and abfolved from fin : when Chvift had compleatly paid foiWiy this fumme, Chrift was juftified Legally, asapublique juftificati . perfon, and all his feed fundamentally^ meritorioujly^caufa- tivdy^ but not in their perfons.
There is a fecond removall of fin, and that is when the beleeveris juftified by faith: Paul^ Rom. 4.^. Even as P4wW(faith he ) alfe dc(cribeth the hleffedneffeofthe man ^un¬ to whom God imputeth righteoufneffe without works : 7. ( fay¬ ing) Ble(fed are they whofe iniifuities are forgiven^ and whofe (ins are cover ed\ S.Bleffed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth no fm : This is the blelTedneftc of a man born, living, belee- ving:Now we fay unproperly,the heirs of a King not born are bleffed ^ Non entis mila funt accidentia : So if Ghrifts re¬ movall of firis on the Croife, were juftification,all Chrifts Iced , and we beleevers of the Gentiles, who were not then born, when Chrift died, fhould be bleffed, and jufti¬ fied before webe born. Now in this which is formally the juftificaiion of the beleeving finncr,the beleevers perfon is accepted, reconciled, juftified, and really tranftated by a There « a Law- change, from one ftate to another. I mean not, that change in there is aPhyficall infufion of a new habit of faniftification, and an expulfion of an old habit, as PapiFls teach, confoun¬ ding regeneration, or fdn<ftification, with juftification. But there is a reall change of the ftate of the perfon, i Cor, 6,
1 1 . And fuch were (ome of you •, but ye are wafhed^ but ye are fan- difiedfut yearejufl/fied^^^c, then they were fbmerime*not juftified. 2. There is here a reall removall of all fins, and a pardon and relaxation from the eternall punilhment of all fins • as well of fins to come, and not yet committed , as of fins paft , prcfent> and already committed •, fo as fins not
Z a yet
1^4
Itow fins not com- miirted arc remitted and pai-- doned.
The Triad and Triumph $f Faith, Scrtn.XVIII.
yet committed, (hall no more involve the belecvcr in the puniihment of eternall wrath , then fins part , or mefent. Yet 3 . the fins not committed,though virtually pardoned^ (with corrciStion and fubmififion) are not formally pardon¬ ed: that which is not fin at all,butonly in a naked potency, it muft be pardoned onely in that notion that it is a fin, and not firfi: formally remittcd,and then afterward committed^ yet IS it paid for, and the perfop freed from all adf uall con¬ demnation for it : but withall, anditionady^ and virtuaU-^^ fo he belceve in Chrifi, and renew his repentance, which graces God (hall infallibly give him , becaufc the calling and gifts of God are without repentance : And of this third re- movall of fin, is that Petition that Chrift hath taught ju- ifified pcrfbns to ask of God ; Forgive us our fins^ as we for^ give them that fn againfi us : And Nathan faith to David^ z Sam . 12. 13, The Lord alfo hath put away thy fm, thou Jhalt not die. before he contra(5ted this horrible guilt of
murder and adultery, was a man according to Gods own heart and fo his perfon was juftified *, this way God daily taketh away fin, Rom. r. 17. For therein is the righteoufneffe of God revealed from faith to faith j as it is written.^ the jufi /had live by faith : Now the life of faith juftifying, is not one fingle ad of faith, fuch as is at our firft pcrfonall relative and uni- verfall abfolution • but the beleever liveth by renewed and often repeated ads of faith •, fuch as is, T 0 walk from faith to faith : The leaft faith, even the Minimum quod fie., doth ju- fiifie, butthcGofpel requireth a growth in faith. In this fenfe remiflion is a continued, and one prorogated ad of free grace, from ©ur firft moment of belecving, to the day of putting the crown on our head.
if any ohieB that I am contrary to my felfi in that / fometimes did write, that jufiification is a plenary Par dorr in one indivifble aB of all finSjpaftyprefent, and to come,and therefore fin cannot he oftner then once Pardoned : If I fhould anfwcr that the
know^-
Semi. XVIII. The Tr/all and T riumfh of Faith, 1^5
knowledge we havc^efpsciiilly in fo fupcrnaturall a myftc-
ry, is but the twilight, or the day- Stars glimmering’ of fin-
full men, it might fufiice, but I judge that I fpeak nocingh contrary to that.
Aifer. 3. For two formal! juftifications of a Believer I Affer.^. utterly deny, which is that which Arminiam preife not a T'k res but little •, yea, and the juftification of the perfon, and his ac- '
ceptance in Gods favour is but one ad : I never fall from a btikvci, that acceptance once being in Court and Grace. I illuffra'-e it thus: There’s a Pardon in a Statute of Paiha- Simile. •
ment, for Grace to all Traitoi's, and that fbrTieafons paff, and alfo to come, upon condition, that after new’' Treafotis committed, theyaddreffe themfelvcs to the Publike Re- gifter of the State, and caiife infert their names in the blank of that Ad of Grace Printed, and in the keeping of fome Officer of State •, now though any one be Pardoned his firft lapfe fully, if he fail again, and again, and yet perform the condition preferibed in Law *, we cannot fay, he hath obtained twenty, a hundred «, yea, as many feverall par¬ dons of Grace, as he hath filled again ft King and State, its but one publike Ad of Grace made nfe of fcvcral times- fo here in the Go/pel there is a written Ad of the Grace of Godin ^efm Chrijl Remifion to all under the Treafon df fin againit the Royall Crown and glory of the moft High, the Supreame Law-Giver, and that to the acceptation. of the perfon of the Traitor in full favoutjWhen he fhall have inhis cojifcience the tranfumpe or tranfeript of it at firft, and alfbfor Grace and Pardon of all after- flips and fins againftthe glory of the Redeemer (fo he fin not ag in/t the only flower of the Prerogative- Royall, thc opemtion of the holy Ghoft in a fpeciall manner) upon condition he walk from Faith to Faith, and renew his addreffeto the great Lord ofthe Rolls, who keepeth thd Book 6f lilfe*, now I cannot fee here many Pardons of Grace, but 6^1 y
i66
The Trial I and T riumph of Fatih. Serm. X VIlI.
the double Excraifl or Copy of the. firft Ad of Free- Grace. . .
ohj.2, Objed. 2, But the fins Pardoned to the ^uFtijied perfon of'- SSence \uHificati0n of his perfon^ were never pardoned he~
between ^hc’^ are now fardoned., therefore there mufi he twoju-
paidon of ffifications : Anf They were virtuallie pardoned, and fo, as luftTficati- be (hall never come to condemnation for any fins paft, or on of the to come, but the man nowftandeth, ineuria^ jufti-
fied in the Court, whereas before his firft believing , God peaKdfenfc looked at him as a Judge doth at a ^li'ty perfon, whofe of the par- perfon he abfolvcth from all punifhm’ent, becaufc his fure- afte °com- given a ranfom for him, and he holdeth forth that
mitttd. ranfom to the ludge, but the man in all his after fanlts is fo far fortha finner, as that which he hath done, though he be a juftified David^difpleafeth the Lord^ 2 Sam, 1 1 .27. And in fo far is he pardoned •, but God now looketh on him, as a Father on an offending Son •, and this Son doth not hold forth a new ranfom to God, but onely renew the former: nor doth it infer a new acceptance of his perfon, that he had not before; 3. Nor place in God any new love of free complacency and good will, but only a further manifefta- tion thereof, and a greater meafure of the love of bene¬ volence; 4. It is the fame Adt of Frec-Gracc that God putteth forth in pardoning his fon now fallen in fin, and in accepting his perfon at firft. 2. Its the fame ranfomeof Chrjfis atonement of his dear blood, that his Faith layeth hold on now, as before. 3. The pardon of this fin corn- mined by a juftified fondsnotthe freeing of him from the eternall puniftiment of this fin, as if he had been under e- ternall wrath for it before • for at his firft believing, when his perfon was accepted, he was fully and freely pardoned and freed from all the obligation to eternall wrath, that all or any of his fins paft, prefenr, or to come might fubjedt him unto, but it is the renewing of the certainty of the fuf-
ficicncy
Scrm.XVIII. *the Triall and Triumph of Faith.
167
ficicncy of Chrifls ranrocn,as upplicd to take away that fin in particular, andtharby a renewed A(5t of F 'ith •, now the renewed apprehenfion of the Grace of God in the fame ranfora of bioo'd for right eoufneffe in Chrift., as applied to this new guiltinefie,maketh not a new forinfccall and Law- Ad, but doth only apply the Lords firfl: Ad of Grace to this particular fin-, nor do I mean that Faith for P emifiion of fins committed after a foul is in the flate of juftifica^ion is nothing elfe but a mcer refled Ad, by which we appre¬ hend, and know the firft acceptance of a finner to righte- oufneCc • for its adrred Ad, apprehending the former graceof a’fufficicnt ranfom, as applied to this new con- traded guiltineffe *, for the finner is condemned for unbe- licfc, foh.^.1^^^6. And becaufe he believeth not, he is ly-^ able to the math ofGbd-^ now he is not condemned, becaufe hedoth not to his own ienfe know, feel and apply the Re miifion of fins and fatisfadion purchafed in Chrifts blood for him, becaufe then he (hould be condemned, bccanfc he doth not believe a lie, for there was never any inch Remif- fion purchafed for him^ he is condemned, not for want of fenfe and aduall knowledge of any fiich pardon, but for want of confiding on Chrift, as on him who hath made afufficient atonement for all that believeth, and fo ju- Rifying Faith is Tome other thing then the lenfe of purcha¬ fed Pardon of fins.
Objed.^. Fhenma^I^ mth the like boldmfe believe the Femifsion of thefe fins that I am to commit.^ and fo fin boldly.^ becaufe I am perfwaded they cannot prevail to condtmne me ctcr- naUy.^ as I may with boldneffe believe the Remifsion of fins al¬ ready committed. Anf, There is a boldneffe of Faith : And’ 2. a finfull boldneffe : In regard of boldneffe of Faith, I am to believe the fulficiency of that un valuable ranfom, that it cannot be more orlefic,nOr intended or remitted, but dothlie under the eye of jufticc 5 and equally, accepted of
God
Tuftifying Faith IS foine other thing then the (enfe of juftificati on pafledj for I may know that I am iufti- fied l>y works of Grace as by witnefie, yet I am not iufti- ficd by workes.
Obj.
168
How fear of Hell and hope or the re¬ ward of lifi: etcr- nall hath influence in our not finning and holy walking.
Obje3,
ThtT rid! and Triumph Faith, S erm .X V 1 1 Iv
God as able fo remove che ecernall guile of all fins, paft, prefenc^ as alfo of thofe to come •, but it were finfull bold- nelfe to commit fin, bccaufe Chnfl: hath payed for it, its a motive to the contrary, not to live to our lelvcs, but to him that died for us, bccaufe Chrifl hart our fms on his own bodj^ cntheTree^ i r Pet. i,iS. Gal. i, Rom,6. j,
I Pet.^. 1 ,2 . For though I be perfwaded there is no fear of cternall wiathin fins to be committed, for my Faith be- lieveth freedom from that, in regard of all fins •, theiebc other ftronger motives to efehew fin, then fear of Hell^cwtn fear of violating infinite love and mercy ^ there’s a more prevailing, and efficacious power in apprehended love to keep from fin (it being faving Grace) then in fear of Z/e//, which of itfclf is no Grace .• 2. Fear of punifhmcnt of fin as fin, is to keep from fin, though it be not fear of eter- nail punifhmcnt •, the eternity of punifhment is nowayes cffcntiall to punifhment : Libertines clofc remove this mo¬ tive, who will have no fin as fin in Gods Court, pu- nifhed in the Believer: Its not punifhed in Order to fatisfaeftion of -jufticc , but it followcth not that its not punifbableas fin.
Object. It is mercenary and peculiar to hirelings to abfiain from fin for fear of frizes., or to ferve God Intuitu mercedis, for hope of reward. Anf. To abftainfrom fin, for fear of punifhment, as the only and greateft evil (^whereas the ill of fin is far greater, and fo rriorc to be feared) is mercena¬ ry: indeed, wc teach that no man fhould upon that fear abftain from fin : 2 . To ferve God for hope of Heaven, as a created good to our felves,£epara'tcd in the intention from . God himfelf and holincfre,is peculiar ta hirelings, bur not to ferve God fim ply for heaven, Mofes did k, 11.25,
X6. Its Chfifts Argument in fiirring up his Difciples to ftiffer for rightcouTnefle, Matih. 5.12.; For great is pur re^ ward in Hespven v And its no lefi e nierccnary which Liber¬ tines I
Sfcrm.X IX . Tthc^trUll M 'Tritmfh of Faith,
i6p
tines teach that to ferVe God for acfluall hire , in hand al¬ ready purchafed 5 to wit, for deliverance from and a purchafed redemption , then what we teach, that we may ferve God fox hope of good to come, if the intention in both be not fteeled with grace, and free of felfineffe.
SERMON. XIX.
Objed:. Gofpel from the Law of lovt^ not the
^ La^ it felf ^ forbiddeih the hehever to fm^ neither teach we ( fay they) that the Gofpel makeih fin to be no fm^ but it onely maheth tt to be no more m-j fin^ but Chrifs, and counted on hisfeore^ who wac wounded for my iniquities^ and was my farety^ and therefore his payment is my paiment^ fo as we have no more confidence off ns .
i^nfiw. Its true, the Gofpel ipeaketh no contraditSfi- ons,and maketh not fin to be no fin, 01 Dav.ds adultery not CO be a violation of the feventh Commandement : indeed, it maketh feters deniall of Chrifi not to be Feters fin,in a Ic- gall and forinfecall way, but that Veter bcleeving in Chrifi^ who )ttflipeth the ungodly^ fhall notbe condemned for that, nor for any other fin, that, and all his other fins with that, are counted upon chrifts fcore. But the deniall o^Chrififm another relationjis the fin of Veter only^^to wit, according to the Phyficall mherencie of it , in that it proceeded from Veters luft, and body of fin dwelling in him, and not any way from ChriB fefas , and in that its againft Chrips ex- preffe commandment 3 who charged to confeffe his Lord and Mafter.
But Antinofhlansym^hy name D. teach us, that not onely the guilt of fin, biit fin k fdf, really, and inherently, was laid upon Chrtflfiin regard Chrip '^ds mi by Way of ftippofition onely, or imagi¬ nation coOktedthe finne7\ biB rnade /?» ; And 2. In regard y not onely the guilt ofipn, but Jin it fielfWds laid upon Chrifiyioi faith D. firijpej the gut li of fin and pn it felf are all one, Gen, 42.21. when '^ofephs brethren Were aecHfedfor Spies, they fay. We are guilty concerning our bretheryin that We fdW the ahgmfi of his fiouf When he be fought us and
A a We
Ohj,
DenneDo- ftiine of lo.Baptift. P'4J>
Chrift is fo made the* finner in fiiffcring for fin, as as there tC“ maineth no fin in the (inner once par¬ doned, as Amino- mians teach. Crifp, Ser. vol z.d'er j
"The Triad and 7 riumfh ef Faith,
Scrra.XlX.
170
'^'on/d not hear, Ri uben expourdeth the meaning, Verf. 22. *Did not J [<^y to you, fm not agairft the lad ? But you '^ould not hearken unto me, and therefore, behold, are guilty, fVhat is that ? jVe did Jin 4- gainjt the childe. To he guilty therefore, and to commit a fin, is all one, they are but t^o ^ords exprejftng the fame thing. 2, Suppofe a male- fa flour be as fed, Guilty, or not guilty ? He anf'^ers, Not guilty : What doth he mean ? He means, he hath not done thefaEl that ^as laid to his charge, when the fury is asked. Guilty, or not guilty ? The 'fury faith Guilty, what do they mean } Tdothej mean any thing in refpeCl of pu- nijhment ? No: The Jury hath nothing todo^ith that, hut one I j in matter of FaEl ; that is, whether thefaSl be done, or not done— It had been extream unjujlice to punijh Chrift, if jin had not been on him , and if he had been at his Arraignment compleat and abfolutely innocent, even as if a Judge Jhouldhang a man, though there Voere nothing found again/} him.— Man is a broken debter , and Chrift a furetj ; God is Ser.4.pag. content to take Chrift s fugle bond, and laokethfor no other pay-mafier io3,iopc Chrift : fin ^as really tranjlated upon Chrift, elfe it ^asfalfe that the Lord laid on him the iniquities of us all • yea, by this tranfaUion of fin, QhiA doth become, or did become, ^heneur fins ^ere laid on him, as really and truly the perfon that had aU thefe fins, as thofe men '^ho did commit them really and truly had them themfetves—So Chrift ^04 made fin it felf, ^e are made righteoufnefie in him, this is no ima¬ gination But'as ’^e are aUuall and reall (inner s in Adam,/^ here is a re all all , God doth really pajfe over fin upon Chrtj}, fiill keeping this faff, that Chrifi ailed no fin- fo that in refpeU of the all, not one fin of the beleever is Chrijis : but in reffiell of tranfallion, in.refpeSl of paf- fing of accompts from one head to another, in refpeU of that, there is re- allity of makjug of Chrijl to be fin,— If a Judge ^ill thinffuch a man to be a malefaUour, and by reafon of his thoughts that he is a malefaUour, he ^ill atlually hang this man ; Js there any jujiice in fuch an all} If God'lupill but fuppoje Chh^to have fin upon him, and kno^s that he hath it not, but others have the fins upon them ; and upon this Juppofiti- on ^ill execute Chrift ; What ^illyou call this ? Ifa. 53. He jhall bear the fins of many ; Doth a man bear a thing on him in a 'Ooay ojfuppofiti- on ? Or, yiohere there is bearing, is there not rcafl height > The Lambe ef Qod takethaXoay the fins of the '^''orld,lo\\.i. 2p. Can itfmkin area- fonable perfon, that a thing Jhouldbe taken a'^ ay, andyet be left behinde} It is a fiat contradiHion ; if a man be to receive money at fuch a place, and he doth taks this money a'^ay '9eith him, is the money left in the place
^here.
Serm.XlX. *TheTriattAndTrittmph of Faith, 171
^here it ^hen he hath taken it a'^'aj ? ^Although f have [e^rched the Scripture As narro'^ly as pojfibly ^ may, yet this I finae,that through^ out the ^hole Scripturey there is not one Scripture that fpeaketh of im¬ puting our fins to Chrifiyhut (iill the holy Ghofi fpeaketh of jin not impu¬ ted to Hiy and of righteoufnejfe imputed to us.
Let me anfwer: That in all this youlhall fin dc Grace turned unto wantonncfic, in all this mans Sermons there is not one word to fijir up to the duties of fandification and holinelTe', but there is much in thefe words, and feverall o- ther paflages of his two little Volumes of Sermons, to dc- prefle , and cry down holinefie and walking with God, I (hall therefore fay a little on this, and deliver truth fliortly in thefe Pofitions ;
Foftt. I. Nobelccvers fin is fo counted upon Chrifts fcorc, as that it leaveth off to be the bclecvers fin, accord- as that it ing to its Phyficall andreall indwelling: Its true ^ itisi«veth Chrifts fin by Law-imputation , and legall obligation to j*® latisfadory punifliment, and onely laid upon Chrift in that Notion : ycrits fo the beleevers fin, as he is to mourn for this very thing, that Chrift was pierced, and crucified, to remove the guilt, and the obligation to fatisfadory punifli- ment,Z4^. 12.10. And they Jhall look u^on me whom they have fiehedy and they jhall mourn for him^ as onemourneth for his onely fon. Yea , its fb the beleevers fin , even when he bc- lecveth that his originall corruption is pardoned , yet it dwelleth in him, having the compleat cffencc and being of fin *, fo as if he fhould fay, he had no (in^ and nothing in him contrary to the holy Law of God • he fhould deceive himfelfy and the truth fhould not he in him^ i loh. 1.8. Yeajethimbe a Pauly Not under the Law, hut being dead to the Law , Rom .
7. 6. as touching all aduall obligation, to eternall death : yet in regard of the rcall elTencc of fin, and proper contra¬ riety that fin hath to Gods righteous Law, he crycch out, f
vcr. 14. For we know that the Law is Jfirituall , hut I am car- naif and fold'under fin, 1 7. Now it is no more 1 , C fandified
A a 2 and
_ "gLJ _ 1. r.r.
172 T/je Trial! and T riumph of Faith, Serm . X ^ X .'
and pardoned /, who am in Chnfl^ Rom. 8. i. deadto the Law^ Rom. 7. 6, freed from condemnation) ^^4^ fifti hut fmthat drvelleth in me. If there weremo finfull / (to fpeak fo) and no corrupt felf in Pauf which breaketh out into fin, and this indwelling fin were as really in its eficnce, and its being removed, and taken dole out of Pauf as money taken really out of a place , is no more left in that pi ace ^ then if it had never been there ; furely, then juftified i^aiftts were as clean asthefe, who are up Seforc.the Throne, clothed in white : and when Paul faith, It is no more / that do fm^ but fin that dmlleth in me, ; he.fiiould.fpeak contradidions,and fay. It is no more I that do fin , bur it is I that do fin : there fliouldbcin jufiified PW, No Laro in his members^ warring a^ainfl the Law of hU minde as hedairh, Rom. 7. 23. No body of death j leading captive to the Law of fin ^ yerf. 2 3.
and making him wretched^ verf. 24. No flefh lufling againfi thefpirit ^ hindering the regenerated to do the good that they would : as P^w/fpeaketh, Gal. 5. 17. There fhould be no members on earth to be crucified y as it is. Col. 3.5. No old man to he put off^ no corruption, no deceitfull lufis in us to be abated • as we are charged, Eph. 4.22, 23. Noflejhly lufis in us, which war reth again fi. the foul: as, i Pec. 2. ii. Ido weighty no fin that doth fo eafily befet us, 10 be laid afidc by the regenerated and juftified, who are to run then race with pati¬ ence, contrary to the Spirit of God^ fpeaking the contrary, Heb. 12. 1, 2. Yea, there (hall be’ no originall fin remain¬ ing in the jufiified perfon which can be named fin, nothing in them lufiing againfi the fpirit^ nothing to be mortified,' crucified, refifted , nothing to be work for the grace of (?<?<^,noching tobea field and plat ofgroimd to.be laboured on by the fpirit, by faith, nothing to be the feed and rife of humiliation^ the finpef may go to heaven, and be nothing in Chrifis debt, to help himagainft indwelling fin , for that ghueft is fo taken away, money that was in a place.
Hhe T riall and Triumph of Faith,
173
Serm.XTX.
and is every peny really removed to another place ; yea, its a flat contradi<fiion(fay Amimmiarts)to be ajtardoned fonl^and Yt to have fin dwelling in the foul,
Foftti, 7. The guilt of fin , andfinitfelf, are not one Pofit.i. and the fame thing , but far different things •, that I may The giuit prove the Point 5 letthe tearms beconfidered. There be two things in fin very eonfiderable : i . Macula^ the blot, rai^aie not defilement, and blackneffe of fin • which, I conceive, is and the nothing but the abfence and privation of that morall re- ditude, the want of that whiceneffe, innoccncie, and righ- teoufnefie which the holy 5d clean taw of the Lord requi- reth to be in theaiflions, inclinations & powers of the foul of a reafonable creature. 2. There is the guilt of fin- that is An mhe- fomewhat which ifiiieth’ from this blot and blacknelTe of i^nt finfull fin -, according to which, the perfbn is liable and obnoxi- anJthV'"’ • ous toeternall punifhment .’this is the debt of fih,the Law- debt and obligation to fatisfadion pafTive for fin ^ juft as there be fin two things in debt, fb thefe two are in fin • for when a man boirowcth money, and proflifely and lavifhly fpendeth it, this is unjufticeagainft his brother, in matter of his goods, and a breach of the eighth Commadment : Again , this breach in relation to polick to the Magiftrate,arrd the Law oftheland, putteth this broken man under another relati¬ on, that he is formally a debter, and foit is juft, that he ci¬ ther pay the money, or fufter for this aeft of unjuftice, and faciffie theLaw of the fifth Commandement-, which is,that hefacisfiethc Law, and the Magiftrate’,the publike' Father, tutor of a wronged & oppreftTed brothef. Now here be two things in debt ; i. An unjuft: thing- a hunting of our bro¬ ther in his goods : this is a blot, & 'a thing privatively con¬ trary to juftice. 2. A juft thing, a guilt, a juft debt, accor- ^-Tfiings ding to which it is moft: juft , thatthe broken man 'either in nm pay or fuffer i Now thefe two, a^ all cohtra'ries do, Facitm mmerum^ they make a dumber 3 as juft and iinjuft muft be
two
74
The Tridl and Triumph of Faith. Serm.X IX.
two thiags, and two contrary things : I know there be ca- vih,and hibtilties of School-men, touching the bIot,oril/4- cuU peccati^ and Reatu^^ the guilt of fin^ but this is the na¬ ked truth which I have declared. Some hlotof fin
is that uncleanneffe ef fm which is wafhed away hy the blood of the Lord fefus., and this is nothing but the very guilt of fin ^ which is wholly removed in fujlification. But I eafily anfvver : The blot of fin hath divers relations, andthefe contrary one to another ; As, i . T here is the blot of fin in relation to the holy Law, as it is a privation of the reditude and holincfie that the fpirituall Law requireth *, and it is for¬ mally fin, and not the guilt of fin ^ in which confideration, as nothing removeth blindnefie, but feeing eyes ^ or deaf- two nefie, but hearing ears • fb nothing, formally, removeth fin, but onely the perfed habit of accomplifhed fandifica- tion • and fo the blot of fin, OHaculdj is not that which is formally removed in juftification, but onely in perfc<5fed fandfification. 2. The blot of fin in relation to God, as offended and injured, putteth on the habit of guilt , and fo it is wafhed away in the Fountain opened to the houfe of David^ and formally removed in juftification, but now it is not formally confidcred as fin, but according to that which is accidental! in fin •, to wit, obligation to punifhment, which may be, & is removed from fin,thetrue effence and nature of fin being laved whole and entire : Hence fin hath divers confiderations : i . As fin is contrary to the righteoulhcffe and holineffe of the Law, it is formally fin, and this effen- ' tiali form, and life of fin remaineth in us while we live, fin being in an adl of dying, or a paffion rather to be crucified, and in the way to its grave and perfed deftrudion, which ihall be, when glory fhall grow up out of the ftalk of Grace, and fandification fhall beperfeded*, for Grace is the bud. Glory the fruit 5 Grace the Spring and Summer, Glory the harveft. 2. As fin is ablackneffe contrary to
w
Serm. XIX. The Triall and T riumfh of Faith. 175
thti ianoccncie that the Law requireth, and as it blotteth and dcfilcch the foul, it is a Macula^ a fpoc, a filthy and de¬ formed thi^g , abafing the creature, making the creature black, crooked, defiled, like the skin of the Ethiopian, or fpotted like the Leopard, 13. 2 ^ 3. As fin is a blot that maketh the creature unpure, unclean, and contrary and hateful! to God., fo it is a blot and unclean thing to God^mdi that two wayes ; i. As its contrary to Gods holy Law, its formally fin, as is before faid : 2. As it ofFendeth and in- juieth God in his honour and glory of fupream Authority, to command what is juft and holy, it is an offence, and a provocation, 7/4. 3.8. P/rfLyS". 1 7. A difpleafing of God,
1 Cor, 10. $.2 Sam.ii.ij, A grieving of him and his fp:- m^Eph.a^.'^o, Gen.6.6, Pfa.p^,iQ. A tempting of God, Pfa.jj.iS. PfaLp$,9, AB,\%,io, A wearying of the and a making himtoferve, 7^.43. 24. 7/4. 7.1 5 . A loading of the Lord, 7/4. 1.24. A preffing of the Lord, as a Cart is preffed under a heavy load of (heaves, and a twofold
fo is punifhed with cverlafting punifhment : Hence there is ^he a twofold guilt, one Fundamental^ potent tail, ream culpa. • fault, and the guilt of fin as fin, this is all one with fin, being the ve- ry c(Iencc,foul, and formall being ot fin, and this guilt of rpun.al fin you cannot remove from fin, fo as fin ftiall remain fin, menr. and take this away, and you take away fin it felf; But this is removed in fani^ification as perfeded, notin juftification, ' as all the Arguments of Dodor Crifpe go along in their ftrength to prove that the guilt of fin. Ream culpa, the fun¬ damental! guilt of fin, and fin it felf are all one • fo we (ball yeeldalltohim, but with no gaine to his bad caufc *. For ^ofephs brethren fay, Gen. 42.22. Truly we finned, Fere pec- cantes^nos f tper fratrem noflrum^, or were guilty againft our bro- r; jn: k
ther: This is nothing, but we trefpafTed againft our bro- Sy ther •, this is not fpoken fb much of guilt, as of fin it felf *, ‘3’nx
and the Malcfador^ faying, lie Is not guilty, meaneth of
fun-
‘The TrUH and Triumph cf Faith, Serm . XIX •
fundarnentall guile, or the guilt of fin, and that he hath not committed the crime charged upon him. But there is ano¬ ther guilt in fin, called Realm pena, reatm perfsm^ realm aCiunlis ^ the guilt er obligati onto pumfhment^ the a6lud guilty or a^uall obligation of the perfon^ who hath finned to puni/h- ment *, and this guilt is a thing far different from fin it felf, and is feparablc from fin, and may be, and is removed from fin without the deftrudion of the efience of fin, and is ful¬ ly removed in juftification; Now that this guilt is different from fin : I prove, i . Becaufc,that which our bleffed Sure¬ ty took upon him for our eaufe, without taking to him any thing which is eflentiall in fin^fuch as is, to be a Sinner like iis,to d0violence,tobe juftlyaccufed of fin, that is dif¬ ferent from fin: But Chrifi took On him the guilt of our fin* that is. the aduiill obligation to be punifhed for fin, while m he bare our fws in his own body on the Tree, i Pet, 2. 24. And was wounded for our tranfgrefsions^ an^ brmfedfor our iniepui- ties, and did bear on him the chaftifement of our Peace^lh *5^*5. And died for our offences, Rom. ^.2^, Rom, ^.6. And this punifliment C hr ifi could, not have borne except by Law he had obliged himrelf,as our furcty to pay our debts, H^^.ro 4.5.5.7.8.&7.22.N0W that in all his lifeand fufferings he did no violence, committed no fin, nor touched any con¬ tagion of fin in his own perfon is evident, becaufe he was hdy, harmlejfe., undefiled, and feparated from finners, Heb.y. 26. Heb,t^ 1$. Ifa.^^,g, The Propofition is fure', for if Chrifi was fo made fin, and punifhed for fin, and liable to fuffer for fin, and yet had not any finfull or blame- worthy ' guilt on him, then that guilt of the perfon by which any is liable to p.unifhmcnt for fin,, is forae other thing then fin, and the blame-worthy guilt that is in fin*, forafmuchj aS' they are really feparated 5 the one. being in Chrift , and the other not being in him, nay nor could it be in him.
2. Thecaufc cannotBe one and the fame with the ef-
fed
Scrm.XIX.
The T riall and T riumfh of Faith.
177
nor the fubjed and fundament one with the adjund, and that which rchilteth from the fundament.But fin is the caufe, fundament and fubjed^, from which, guilt or a<5f nail obligation to puniftiment iducth, bccaufe therefore is the finner under guilt-perfbnall, and aduall obligation to pu- nifhment, becaufe he hath finned, and is under the guilt of tranfgreifion ^ as he is therefore in Law and juftice a guilt- debterto fuffer evill of punifiiment, becaufe againft Law and juftice he is a bad-deferving finner, in doing againft, andfb by a {reatus culfx) a fin-guilt, hath tranfgrefted a Law •, for all evill of punifiiment, is a daughter which lay in the wombe of the evill of fin ♦, and the guilt of the latter ill of punifiiment muft flow from the former ^ to wit, from the ill of fin • fb, to be guilty, or obliged to eternall punifiiment, isafruitand refult, or confequent of the fundamental! and intrinfecall guilt of fin. 3. An unjuft and finfull deviation from the holy will of God revealed in his Law, and hatef ull to, and puniftiable by God,cannot be one and the fame thing with that which is juft , and a- greeableto the juft and holy will of God \ but fin itfelf, in its formall being, is a deviation from the holy will of God revealed in his Law ^ fin being defined by ^ohn.^ tranf- grefton of the Law^ and is hatef ull to, and punifiiable by the Lord : But the guilt of fin, of which we now fpeak. is no¬ thing but the demerit, and a(ftuall obligation to eternall punifiiment, and is no unjuft thing, no tranfgrefiion of Gods will revealed in his Law •, yea, the demerit of fin is a moft juft thing, and the aduall obligation to punifiiment ismoft juft, and holy, and agreeable to juftwiU^ and obligation to punifiiment can neither be punifiiable, nor hateful I to •, yea, it is juft with God that the finner be under Law- obligation, to cat the fruits of the tree of his own planting, to have his teeth fet on edge with the fbwre grapes that he eat himfelf. 4. He that borroweth money,
B b and
178
The Tridl and Triumph $f Faith, Serra.XIX.
and profuleiy and lavifhly Ipendeth it, is in that a tianf- grcifor againft the eighth Commandcmcnt,hccbmmitteth an 3(51 of unjuftice againft his brother-, now this a(5i: of un- jufticc cannot formally or intrinfecally be the fin or finftill guilt of the innocent furety • no Law of God , or man can make a(5fions cvill and finfull , that arc Phyfically, inhe¬ rently, intrinfecally, really the im juft a(5tionsof the doer, the formall fin , or intrinfecall and fundamentall finfull guilt of another man, who in that aeftion is innocent, and is not a member, an hand or a foot of the man that com¬ mitted that fault, which I Ipeak for the Tons Adam^\y\\ct fntrinftcally finned in Adam ^ and by Gods fupream will were made a part of Adam: yet the furety is formally made a debter, and by Law obliged to pay the debt, and its an aift of jufticc that he piy the debt, his promife to the cre- ditour maketh him a debter, but his promife to thc crcdi- tour pinteth no a(5f of injuftice in laviftily fpending his neighbours goods on him , for in that he is innocent, and cannot be charged morally, as a faulty and. a broken bank¬ rupt, the fruit and effe(5i: of the broken mans unjuft ice doth oncly lie upon him , in regard of his promife. There be three brethren born of the fame parents, Adam^ ^ohn^ Tho- fuppofe we then that the Law of the city or kingdom is fo,that one brother may die for his brother, ^>ohn mur- dcreth Thomas traiteroufly, under truft by Law then ^ehn ought to die • the elder brother Adam^ out of love,interpo- feth hiinfelf to the Judge to die for hisyongerbrotherj^o/^^^ in this cafe Adam by Law ought to die, and he is in Law re¬ puted and counted the murderer, but truly, not morally,not intfinfccal y, for he can be reproached formally, with no of treacherous dealing, as if under truft he had ftabbed his btocher ,for he did no fuch aeft-, if fhame by accident ac¬ company his publike laying down of his life, its morally no reproach, no intrinfecall blot to him •, yea, chat K^dam
dicth
9
Scrtn.XlX . TheT rtAli And T riumph 4if Faith, 1 7<?
dictlvier ^^tf^wthc murtbcrer, it is through his own Free conicnt ail ad of cxtream love, in relation to ihejudgeit is a moft juft ad, and in Law only , in imputation and le- gall account, he is the murtherer . But poor foul he never thought, nor adcd any treachery or cruelty againft his
brother. . ^
3 . Hence this Pofition; Chrifi was made lin,or imputed 3 . Pdfit. the finner, and died for us finners : The fecond Adam, the fir ft begotten mawj brethren fufferd for Iris younger
brethren, and fo, by free confenting to be our Surety, and todieforus, P/’/«.40.6.7,S. Beb, 10. ^oh ^oh.i^,$i. Matth,26.4f6. Mark,iJ^,^2. He
was made by Law-account, fin for us, as the finner, ^oh,
15.1^. t c:<?r;5.2i.todiefor us, And the Lord
laid upon him the iniquities of us all, //^.53. 5. iFet.2.7^.
2 5 . But 1 judge it blafphemy to fay : By this tranfaBion of fin upon chrifi j^Chri Ft doth now become ^or did beceme^whenow fins wereUid on him , as really and truly the per (on t^hat did ad thefefins. asthefe men who did commit them really, and truly hadthefe fins on them themfelves : For the Eled: Believers in Chrift not Chrtliwtxt intrinfecally, formally, inherently adulterers murtherers, dtfMient , ferving divers lufts. Tit. 3. 3. Bead rmner. in fins andtrefpafes, by nattirethe children of wrath And in their own perfons aded all thelc Ads of wicked- nefte, fo as fin doth formally denominate them finners •, as whitenefie in fiiow, in milke, in the wall denominateth all thefe white: But never is, never was imrinfecally,
formally, inherently the Adultc.rer,a difobedientperfon, nor is fin pcribnally in Cbrifi, to denominate hfm as really andintriniecally a finner as David, ifaiah, Peter, Paul^ox whom he died ,for Be did never violence, nett her was there any deceit in his mOiith, lfa,^^,g, There was no fundanientall guile, nor any bad deferving in him : How then was he a finner, or made fin for us ? I anrwer,by mccr imputation,
B b 2
The TrinH andTriumph of Faith. Serm. XIX.
» I — - - ■ .— n-^^-^r-i 1 I - ir-a- - - _ .
and Law-account, and no other way : But the Libertine faith, it were the grentefl unjuflice in the world to puniih Chrift, If fi.'i' hid not him on h m ready . If he had been at his J ^ra ^nment compleat and ahfohtely Innocent * and if only in Imagination andb-j alvng fuppofttton^ which want eth all tea- lity in the thing , God [honld put Chri/I to death for *hefe fins^ that he knoweth Chrift to be ^ree of *, this were^ as if a fudge fhofild hang a MakfaBor^ whom in c&nfcience he knew to be free umroffin from all fm^ and could fnde nothing againfi him. But I an¬ no imagi fwer, Law-imputation is a moft reall thing, and no Ima- mtion noi' gjnaQon, norany lying fuppofition, as a man that is furc- ty for his broken brother, who hath wafted the creditors goods, is truly furety and really the dcbter,and his obliga¬ tion to pay tor his broken friend is reall, and moft juft upon two {^rounds : i. That he gave Faith and pro- mife, and W rit and Seal, that his friend failing, he (hould pay: 2. The Credi or accepted him as a reall Law- debtor and Pay-mafter in that cafe, and yet the Surety in his perfon did neither borrow the money, nor lavifhly waft it, and he hath in his perfon neither confcience nor guilt of unjuftice toward his brother, and in regard of per- fonall contagion of ftnfull guilt , ChriB was compleat ly and abfolutely innocent in his Arraignment, as one that neither aded fin, nor could he be the formall fubjc(ft of fin, in whom the blot of it was intrinftcally, or really inherent : But in regard that ChriB was willing to ftrike hands with God, and to plight his Faith and foul in pawn, and did wil¬ lingly figne with his hand, an ad of cautionary as our fure • ty, P/4/. 40. 2^.6. 7, 8. Heb. 10, 3,4,^,6,738,9,10. And the Lord accepted him as furety , and laid our fins on him, I fa, $6.6. 2 Or. 5.21. ^4^.3. 19. 32. He Wits made fin.,
that is, he was made a debtor, and a Law-paymafter fo conftruted by his own and his Fathers will ^ fb that God did no ad of unjuftice in punifhing Chrifi^mr wees he in Law
ibfoluteh innocent^ but nocent and guilcy, that is to fay, m regard oi his Law- place, or Law-conditiofi^he was by im- niftation liable and obnoxious ro a61:uail TatisMion and punifhment for our fins •, yet he was Dehitsr faaus, mn in- trinffc'c. dehitorlegAltter, mnferfomliter, debitor ratione con¬ ditions et officii ^ non ratione perfona^K finner,adebtor by imputation, a debtor by Law, by place, by office, and lei- ved himfclf Heir to our fins, and the mife ties following fin •, Now he was not in imagination , and in a fade and lying fiippofidon , made finne, imputation is not a lye^ But as Triiely and Really, a Real! Law-deed, as f^udah offered himfclfe Surety for Benjamin , and was in Law, and really a Bondman to ^ofeph^ and tnight • have fo been dealt with as a reall (1 ive, if he had plighted himfelfinftead of Benjamins and the Surety by the words of his own mouth by his Covenant and Promife is really and truly infnaredj as a true and reall debtor in Law •, as a Roe is really in the hand of the Hunter •, and a Bird in the Fowlers Net, being once caught and in hands, Prov,6. i. 2 , ;?,4,5 . He is no debtor by imagination, he is not fuppofed to be what he is not indeed by the Law of God and nature and all \j2iVJC^-)Promiffum cadii in reale debitum^K mans pro¬ mile fetcheth him within the 'Law-compaffe of a reall debtor • So Chrifi was under Baile and a Law- A-ft of Sure¬ ty by his own Ad, his own word of Promife and Cove¬ nant: Thou hafi given me a body ^ I have taken the debts and fins of my poor brethren on me s crave me Lord, as only pay-
njaffer^Lohersaml^todothywill, Pfa,^o-6-,j^S, Heb.io.a^,
5, 6,7, 8. f>ohAO,\%. Now there are but thefe two in fin, i! The Ad com nitced againft the Law of God : 2 . The debt and obbgation to punilhment is clear-, and though Dodor Crfpe deny that fin was imputed to Chrijl-dt leaft ^ he cannot fee, or read it i'.i all the Scripture, yet he granteth the thing it felf: But I prove both the one and the other ;
* A
^^2 The Triad and Tritmph $f Faith, Scrm.XIX^
I . And I . That c/wyf commirred and did no Ad, nor deed Rcafons againft Lavv,for which he (hould be iacrinfecally and inhe- tii« Ckift the (inner, is clear ^ becaule that holj thing ^efus
was not in- bciog God-man could not fin,nor did he ever any violence or deceit, i/4.53.9. 15^. and chap.8.ver.26. 2. The maiiy the inherent vitiofitie, and (infull blot of (in, which followeth fmner. upon the Phyficall Ad of (in, being once done and com- 2* niitted by Peter, and all the Eled of God, cannot
come out by a reall tranfmigradon, and true and Phyficall derivatiomor removall from one Agent and Subjed toa- nother, to inhere in, and denominate another fubjed, the fame whiteneife in number that was in milk cannot remove out of it, and refide and dwell in another fubjed-, its a principle of nature, Idemnamrro accidens nonmigrat efuh^ \i5f0 in fnhje^um : No Law in the world,no Covenanc,rio tranfadion imaginable can effeduate this, that the reall wickednelTc once committed by David (hould really and truly remove out of him, and go in, and re(ide in, and de¬ nominate the man a wicked pcrlbn *, its an cverlaft- ing contradidion , That the treacherous murthering of mnoccniUriah, (hould remove out of him into the fon of David, ^efus chrtfl, and denominate him the murthcrer of ' Uriah , (o as the (amc murther can be Paid to be commit¬ ted by David only, and not by David onely, but by the m3.n Chrifl: Itmuftthen be a lie, a dream, and palpable untruth to imkc ^efui Chrifi intrinfecally the (inuer, and murtherer-. Judge then if this Dodrine be of which Dr. Crifpe right down hath alTcrted to the woild in Print, S(r,^, FoL2,pag,S^. God made Chrilt atranfgreffor--— No tranffreffor in the worlds was fueh a tranfgreffor as Chrifl voas^ Y2i<^j^%,Tou will never have quiet m(fe of Spirit in refpeSl of fmy till you have received this principle , That it is iniquity it fclf, that the Lord hath laid on Chrift ; Now when I (ay with the Prophet ^It is iniquity it felf that the Lord hath laid on Chrijl,
I mean
1
5jErm .XIX. The Triall and T rmmjh of Faith .
/ mean the Prophet doth^ it is the fault or the tran'fgrefsion it Ms and to ^eak more, fully ^ that errmz^ and fraying like jheepe % that very erring ^and fraying ^ and rranfgrefsing is paf ^ fed off from thee :, and is laid upon Chrijl : To (peak it more plainly^ Halt thou been an idolator < Haft thou been a bla/phe- mer < Haft thou been a defpifer of Gods word ^ and a tr ampler upon Him ': Haft thou been a Prophaner of hU Tdame and Or¬ dinances ? Haji thou been a murtherer^ an adulterer^ a theefcy a Liar ^ a drunkards Reckon up what thou can ft again ft th^i felf'y if thou haft part in the Lord Chrift^ all thefe tranfgref- ftonsof thine ^ become aHually the tranfgrefsions of Chrift^ and fo ceafe to be thine, and thou ceajeft to be a tranfgreffour from that time they were laid upon Chrift , to the laft hour
of thy life . Mark it well ^ Chrift htmfelf is net fo com-
plcatly Righteous , but we are as Righteous as be was^ nor we fo compleatly (infull , but Chrift became , being made fin ^ as compleatly finfuU as we Nay more, the Ri^h^ t€Oufne(fe that ChriPi hath with the Father, we are the fame Rightcouftneffe, for we are made the Righteoufne(fe of God>^ that very ftnfulnefte that we were^ Chrif is made that very ftnfulnejfe before God, Anf i .No Scripture calleth Chrift the thief, the Murtherer, the Adulterer, the Idolator, God avert from pious hearts , fuch blafphcmics ^ he may by a figure be called /;», and be faid to be made fin for us • but that is by meet imputation: as if you would fay , The furety is the broken and riotous wafter •, all chat have common fenfc know thi-5 to be a figurative and unproper fpeech, that is, he is in Law liable to pay the debts of the broken wafter ^ and the Law-guilt, and Law-obligation, chat was in the broken man, is transferred on liim by his own promife: But no man in his right wits, can lay, that the broken man is as in- trinfecally juft, as fobera manager of his goods, as free from all intrinlecall fault, and fin t)f unjufticc and breach' of the eighth Commandement, as the innocent furety •,
no*
184
The Triad an^Triumph of Faith, Serm.X ^X.
no fober wk can fay, that the unjuftice and injury done by the broken man to nis brother, and againft the eighth Commandement, fhalt not fleal, Is nothing formally^ but the very juft and reall debt that the furety hath taken upon him- & that the furety is as guilty with the fame very fault and fin of waftry, that is inherent in the broken bank¬ rupt, as the bankrupt himlelf and it is as great blafphemy tofay Chri/i is as guilty, and as inherently faulty, and no lefte a rranfgreflbur of the fixth and feventh Commandc- ment, by killing Uriahs and deflouring Bathjheba^ then ever David was, and that David was as ftee from the inhereat Fundamental! guilt of thefe fins from Eternity (for Liber¬ tines will needs have our fins from Eternity to lie on Chrijl, and our perfons before all time juftified) as Chrifi himfclf is. I . God made Chrif fin, God made not David to mur- ther Friah : Then ChriH muft be one way a finner, David another way, the one by imputation, the other by reall in¬ herency. 2 . David, was intrinfecally a tranfgrelfour of a Law : C/;W7? not fo. 5. David vjdiS wafhed and pardoned in the blood q>^ ChriB, ChriH not fb : Then Davids Righ- teoufnefie is but borrowed , and Chrifis Righteoufiiefte tSlif 'Je" 2 ‘There is an effentiall Righteoufneffc that ChriH
ofChriftis hath with the Father, and it is communicable neither to. made ours, ^cn nor Angel, no more then God can communicate with the creature any other of his effentiall attributes, fuch as are infinite luftice, infinite Mercy, infinite Grace, Holi- neffe, Goodneffe, Omnipotencic , Eternity, Immenfity. The belie- It is Only the cautionary, the fiirety-Righteoufneffc of r7 htfoii thrift- God that is made ours, and that we are as compleat- as c:S,^ h righteous as Chrift, is Divinity not borrowed from the how not. Fountain of the holy Scriptures • But the mans own dream, for the broken debtor is never fo Righteous as the furety, except in this fenfe, he is aque^ but not aqualiter, he is Righteous as the furety who has payed the Turn for him,
in
Serm.XlX.
rhefrUll and rriuwfh of Faith,
in regard that the Creditor ,ckh n'dWore ih Lavy, charge
him withthefum, then -ht can in Law, charge the
who hath compleafly paid it- fo are we in Chnft freed from the guilt of eternall wrath, in that the Lord c^n no more m in Law charge fin to adiuall condemnation on the Belee- ver.then he can put Chrift to death again, or give a nCw ranfom for us, but this is but formally a righteoufnefie, in regard of freedom from the puniflimentof fin: But as I have (aid, the furety is more righteous fimply,in regard the Surety never broke faith to the Creditor *, the broken deb¬ tor hath broken to him / 2. The Surety nevennjured the Creditor by unjufticedone againft the eighth Command¬ ment, but the broken man hath failed in this : But I would be re (blved what truth can be in thofe, Vxoy.20.9, Who can fay L have made my heart, clean < lob 14.5 • Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean < No not one^ Eclef.y.ao^T^^r^ is not a \njl man upon earth , that doth good andftnneth not f.oh,
1 ,%Nfwe fay we have no (in^we deceive our felves^andthe truth is not in us ‘ If we be compieatly as righteous as Chrif • and if, as Crifpe Divines • all the Idolatry, Thefts,murthers of the Redeemed ^ Become aBnall-j the tranfgresfiens of Chrift, and foceafeto bethe tranfgresfions of the finnersj from that time they were laid upon Chrift to the hour of their death : Can he determine the time when perfecuting Satds blafphemies, and bloody outrages to, the Saints were laid upon Chrift ? I conceive he will fay from Eternity, they were laid upon Chrift, and ere he believed •, certainly this was an untruth then ^ Saulmade havock of the Church, even when he did makehavockof the Church, and ere he believed*
Saul perfecuting, and all the Ele<ft: unconverted , yet dif- obedient,and boiling in their lufts,be as righteous as QhxiOi all their life •, It is moft falfe that ever.they were dead in fin, or fbmetimes difobedient : If it be (aid. The EleB conf de-
red in them felves and in nature are finners^ but conpdered as
C c tnen
Serm.XlX.
- - , I - — — _ "• •• ~ -~
wm in areas righteous as Chrift- it helpeth not,
- for we muft not dream of, and fancy confiderations, that hath no leality & truth in ihem^ for all now born (incc our Lord died, lampeiTwaded,bythe DocSfrincof Ahtino- mians were never, nor can they be reall and true objed s of this confideration • For from that time that their fins were hid upon Chrifi to the laft hour of their life, they are as righteous as Chrift, and To waftied and juftified •, Now their fins were laid upon Chrift, as fomc Libertines fay, from eternity, as others, from that day that he died on the Croftc:, 2. Sins taken away by Chrifts blood, faith Dr. Crj/fr, are no finnes of the Saints; Chrift did take them arvay^ and bear their weighty even in the fault and fra it felfand not the guilt only^ and not by f uppftion or meer imputation on- ly^ and that from eternity : But when Antinomiaas con- fefte, that Chrift aBed no fin^fothat in refpeB of the AB (the finfuU a(5f againft the Law of God muft be here under- ftood) not one fm of the Believers is Chrifts,^«^ only in relpeB of pafsing accounts from one head to mother : T his is all the truth we hear plead for-, becauje the Adt, (or fomewhac anfwerable to that ) done againft the Spirituall Law of God is fin it felf, and cftentially fin it this was ne¬ ver upon chrift then fin it fclf was never upon Chrift; now there is no other thing remaining in fin but the debt, guilt or obligation of fin that can be laid on Chrift, and the truth is, the Scripture expoundeth the laying our fins upon Chrift, to be nothing but God punifhing Chrift for our fins, as 5 5.4. The caufeandformall rcafon, why Chrift did bear our griefs, and carry forrowes {sver.6* Becaufe the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us ^4?,and is fo ex¬ pounded, I Pet, 2. Whereas it is faid, ver.21. that Chrift fuffered for us, and an objedlion is removed, v.2i.. Why Ihould he fuffer < Did he fin P The ApoJile anfwereth, by conceffion of the Antecedent 5 and by denying the
S erm .XIX. ^ ^ riumph ofjPftith, 187
confequence, verfe 22. Be did no fin (perfonally) neither
^06 guile fouj^d in h'lt ^mouth : But it followcth not that he flioiild not fuffer Legally, and for others the punilhment due to them-, fo*' his fulferings is expound¬ ed -v. 24. who his own felf bare our fins in his own body on the Tree ; Now how did Chrift bear our fins .? On the T rec ^ that is, by buffering, and Gal, 3 . Paul evidently diftinguifii^ eth between two forts of perfons that are curfed •, the ITn- nefs that abide not in all that is written in the Law to do them,'!/. 10. Thebe. are intrinfccally, and in their peiTon curbed, as being finners in their perbon •, and bo the intrin- becall objedis of divine hatred, and a curbe and abhomina- ble to God, Yea, but Chrifi was albo curbed. But how i Not intrinfccally 5 God is never baid to hate his fon Chrifi, nor to abhor him, as he doth fin Which perbonally refideth in: the man who adeth fin in his own perbon : Therefore the Lords forbakingof Chrift his bon, is not anintrinftcall detefting, or a morall abhorring of Chrift- but anex- trinbecall, a penall, or a judicial 1 bufpending of the beames and rayes (as Cyrill faith) or the overclouding of his favour, in the comfortable fhining on the foul of his own fin and it is not faid-that Chrifi was, curfed, but onely, w. 13. yivofj^Qr <sSf Be was made a curfe for us ^ that is,
the fruits and effects of Gods‘eurfe,the puniflimcnt due to finners, even that batisfa(ftory,and penall curfe and punifh- menc, which infinite luftice requireth, was laid upon Chrift, while as he^died upon the croffe, and buflfered the eftedfs of Gods wrath upon his foul fb'r our fins : Then he muft be the finner, only by Imputation, except Antinomi- ans bhow to us, how a perfon is made fin , or accounted the finner And yet is neither a . finner by inherent.^ and per- fonall aeftingof fin-, nor yet by Law- imputation : And truely, its bad Divinity fOrDr. Criffe to Cay, as we are aCluall andread finners in K^dam^ fo here God pajfeth really fin
C c 2 over
288
Serm.XlX,
The Triad undTriumjih of Faith,
over nportChrff Sot wc finned intrinfecal'y in Adamy‘?(S parts, as members, as being in his lojnes^ and wc are thence, na¬ me the children of wrath ^ Eph. 2. But it is blarphemy to fay, that ourblelfcd Saviour finned iatrinfecally in us, as part or member of the Redeemed, or thAtheis afbnof Gods wrath for fin iatrinfecally inherent in him, as it is in us.
farther, Chrifts bearing of our iniquioes is an obvious Hebrairme,and all one with the bearing, not of the intrin- fecall and fundamentall guilt of fin*, but of the extrinfe- call guilt, or debt and punifliment of fin: So,
A Mitre fhall be on Aarons forehead^ that Aaron may bear the iniquipy.of the holt things ^ Heb. Tenafa fignifieth to Carry,' or as the 70. turn it, Aaron fhall take away,©!*,
bear the punifhmentof the violation of the holy-things: OMofes iaith to Aarons fons^ Levit. 10.17. God hath given you the fin offering y to bear the iniquity of the congregation.
n"iyn \\y r\;< Aaron and his font dfd bear the
fins of the people as types of Chrift, not by an intrinfecall guilt put on them, but by mcer imputation, 1^.22. And the G oat Jhad bear upon him all the iniquities of the chil¬ dren of Jfrael unto a Landmt inhabited. The ,Prieff prayed that the fins, that is, the puniflimentof t^,cfirxs of the peo¬ ple might be laid on the Goat^Numb, i, Aaron and his Jons are to bear the iniquity of the fanFiuary.^ that is,the punifh- inenc of their iniquity, in that^^y were punifhcdj if any of the Sandiuary polluced the holy things of God, Lev. 5.1. The witnelfe who feethand heareth 4 fwearing, and doth net utter ity he (had bear his iniquity •, that is, faith Vatablus.^ and all the Inte preters, The punifiment of his iniquity fE.z&ch,iS, ig, Tet fay ye, Why doth not the Son bear the iniquity of the Father ^ycuto. The foul that ftnneth [had dye.^ the fon [had not bear the iniquity of the Father^ Ezech. 23.35. Becaufe thou hajl forgotten m^—- bear thou alfo thy lervdneffe and thy whore-
dome r
Serm.XIX.
7he Triafl and T riumph of Faith.
189
dome : In the fame very fenfe, Chrift, Beb. 9.28. w 04 once offered to bear the fins of many^ i Pec. 2.24. He did bear our fins on his body on the T ree^ Ifa . 5 1 2 . He did bear the fins of
many •, he di^ bear heavy puni(limcnt5de|th and the wrath of God, for the fins of many : the word 7:30 Sabal^ is to bear a burden as a Porter, 6. The Lord laid the inicjuity of us all on him. Heb. Htf^ang.^ The word fignifieth to faU on any rvith violence^ and to kill him 5 as Gideon fell on the Princes of Midian.^2Lnd ver.7 . He rvas eppreffedfoe rva^s affliH ed^ yet opened he not his month. Jdiggas.fKs not in the hebrew. lyJO Higgafh^ per AdduHus obUtus, t^rias Mont, rcadcth it NiggaSj with the point on the left fide of '12^ not So CyrilluSj and it is, he was exaHedgox payment of violence fought of him : Pagnan^ multatuSjQhx'A was put to a Fine, condemned to pay an amercementjOr forfeit, or Chrift was purfued as paymafter and furety for us The Father purfu- cd Chrifts band, that he fhould now at the appointed day, tell down the fum, the great ranfom- money of his life for finners who were broken men. luftice gave in a broad and large claim againft Jefus Chrift, in which were written all the fins of the e!ecl-, And Chrif opened not his mouth was dumbeasa lambe^ led to the fhambles, and his filence was as much, as Lord^I grant^I yeeld to all the accounts in this fad claim •, you will not confefte your guiltinefle, O finners in Chrift / Nor take with riots, murthers, oathes, and all yourfins-, Butthc furety Chrift was craved, and all your accompts demanded of him, and he confefted debt, and granted all, 'z;. 12. He was numbred: So Minna ^ he
was reputed, and written up in the compt amongft theeves^ this was meer imputation , he was not a wicked man in¬ deed : And confider how- 'y . 3 . He is called, defpifed and , rejeded of men, Chrifl in himfelf and intrinfecally was the glory, the flower, the Prince of men, even at his low- eft, he muft then be abafed below all men, in regard of im¬ putation.
ipo TheTrULl and Triumph ef Faith* Scrm.XIX.
putation, and that penairdegrading of Chrift-fo as it is faid of him, be wasD’t^X i’yr\chadal ifl?im^ which is, as Vatahln^ expoundetb it, fo contemprible a man, that men would not admit him in company of men, i^ria, Mont* deflit viris-^ others expound tt^Ceffatio vivorum lerome novif- fmm virortm. SanFiius faith, he was not numbred amongft men, he was fo difpofed, that he was the low^eft amongft thelowcftof men, or the minirntm quod fic o£ men, as it is, rfa. 22.6. J worm, no no body, not in the clafteor ranckof men: He was in himfelf the mighty God, the Prince of Peace, more then above men and Angels, the chief of the kindred of men, the faireft amongft the fbns of men, even at his loweft *, but irT^regard of his low co'hdi- tion, he was made the off-fcouring or the drofte or refufe of all men, as if not a Chriftianed creature. When our Divines fay, Chrift took our place, and we have his con- How dition, Chrift: was made us, and made the finner*. It is Uirift IS ^ legall fenfe, as we fay, the advocate is the
place. client, or the guilty man *, Becaule the advocate beareth his name and perfon, and what the accufed man could in Law fay before the Judge in his own defence, that the ad¬ vocate faith for him •, the, advocate faith, I cannot in Law die for this crime^for fuch Reafons ; So the furety in Law or in a legall fubfticution, is the broken man-, the furety faith, T he debt is mine.^ all the wants .^all the poverty. all the debts and burdens of m) broken friend fe on me., and the rich furety ha¬ lving paid all, can fay^ I have paid alf I am in Law free., my friend and furety hath done all, and paid all forme-, and that is as good in foro, in the Court of luAice, as if I had paid in my own perf on all fox the truth is, there be not two debts & two bonds, and two fums, nor two debtors, the broken man, and the Surety, are in Law but one perfon, one party ad- debted , which of them pay, it is all one to Law and jufticc- it is all one fum they owe ; The Beleever in Chrift is put
Serm. XIX. TheTrialland Trinmfhof Faith. igi
in Chrifts Law-placc , and Chrift by Law is put in his place ; Chrift made Surety, faith • tarn the [inner .^O ]u[ice^ ail my broken friends rvants., afl their debts he upon me.^ mj life for their my foul for my brethrens fouls . my g lorj.^ my hea~
qjenforfnj kinfmens glory and heaven: The Lawes bloody ^■3in^\v:\%ihecurfeof God upon the [nner, uf>on the debtor ;
Chrift changed bands and obligations with us, and putteth out our name, and putteth in his own name in the bloody Band •, and where -rhe Law readeth, the curfe of God upon the debtor : Chrift is Aftignee to this Band, and the Gofpel rea- deth it, the curfe of God upon the rich Surety ^GdX.'^ .13. Hear then the boldnefte of Faith : Now then theres r.o condemna¬ tion to thofe that are in ^efm ChriH: What challenges Sa¬ tan or confcience can make againft the Believer (for juftice being put to file nee by Chrii^maktth none)hear an anfwer:
I tvas condemned^ I xvas judged^ I was crucified for fin., when my Surety Chrifl was condemned^ Judged and crucified for my fins • and what would you have more of a man then his life < it was a mans life and foufmy life that my furety offered up to God for fin, and J have payed aU, hecaufe my furety hath payed all. And the truth is, it is not two debts, one that the believer owes to Gods juftice, and another that Chrifl paid; But the debt that Chrift payed is our very debt and fins which he did bear on his own body on the Tree, i Pit.2.2/[. But though it be true in a legall fenfe, that the furety is the broken man •, yet it is true, only in regard of the Law-puni{bment, or Malum prena,t\\t\\\oi puniftiment, that is laid upon him 5 For I take Dr. Crifps words from his own Pen : Suppofe (faith he) A Malefactor he asked. Guilty, or not guilty < Be anfwer eth,
IT ot guilty, what doth he mean f He meaneth he hath not done the Fad that was laid to his charge : Then not to do the Fa(5l: of fin, to Do<ftor Crifpe, is not to be guilty : Now I af- fume. But ffefus Chrift did never any finfull fad, as he alfo confeffeth, then Chrift was punifhed for fin, and yet was
never
The frUJl andTriumph of Faith, Serm. XIX.
not
revcr guilty of fin, this muft be the gfeateft unjuflice in' the world to pimifh a man for fin, altogether free of the euilt of fin-^ cxct^iAntiriOmians diffinguifh with us^ be¬ tween finfull guilt, and penr.ll guilt, called Featu^ culpXy and Realm Rcatf^s ferfon2e^ feu potent ialis^ and Rea¬
lm for mails, fu aStudis^ they fhall never expede them- fclves.
How the Now thoush it be true, that in Law the Debtor and the ‘Debtor and Surcty be boih one Legall perfbn, yet intrinfecally they arc not one, the broken Debtor as fuch may beanunjuft Law, and man, and the Surety a faithfull and juft man 5 fo that the ot mtrin- Surety as a fatisfying Surety, removeth onely thepunifti- c' yonc. Debtor for his unjuftice-, but he removeth
not formally unjuftice,except he be fuch a Surety as Chrifl, who can both pay the Debt, and fo remove the ill of pu- nifhinent, and alfoinfufe holineffc, and fandifie and re¬ move the evil of fin *, hence in juftification formally, Chrift only taketh away the punifhment of everlafting fire, and etcrnall condemnation due to fin • but he removeth not fin it felf *, fin it felfe is removed in fandification, and by de¬ grees •, juftification taketh the fting out of the Scrpent,but doth not formally kill the Serpent* the Serpent is killed by another Ad of Grace, by infufed, and. perfeded fandifi- cation * juftification is a forinfecall, and a Legall Ad, and removeth the power of the Law, which involvcth the finner in a Curfe: Now the ftrength or the Legall fiingof (in is the Law , i Cor.i$.$6. So we may judge how falfe this divinity is, which Dodor Crifpe afferteth : Tou (faith he) have-quietneffeof jfirit in refpeB of fin, till you have received this principle ^ that it is not the guilt of Iniquity only^ hut Iniquity it felf that the Lord laid on Chrift^ For it is true,quietnefle and Peace of Faith with God flow- eth from juftification, Rom.^,i» And the afturance that Chrift hath pardoned fin, and hath removed the penall ,
guilt.
Serm .X I X^. T'he Trull and T riumph of Faith. 193
guilt, the punifhmenc of Eternall condemnation from fin , but that the confcience fiiould be quiet- that is, that it ,fliould nothavealfoa care to believe that Chrifi: will fan- d:ifie throughly, and peifedl his good work in us, is moft falfe-, for though a foul be jufiified and freed from the guilt of Eternall punifhment , andfothe fpirit is no more to be afraid and disquieted for Eternall wrath and Hell, which (honld never have been feared as the greateft evill, in regard that finJ^TTn is more to be feared then Hellas Hell ^ yet there be two other ads of difquietnefie of fpirit laudable and commendable, even in the Saints after they are juftified • and the guilt of Eternall punifhment remo¬ ved-, as, I . The believer is to have a holy Anxiety and care of fpirit (Ido not call it a troubled confcience) to improve his faith inblieving that Chrifi: will perfedwhat he hath begun. 2. Heistobegaievedthatfindwellechinhim^and to groan and cry as a captive in Fetters, out of the fenfe of his wretched eftate, as Paul doth, Rom. 7.2 3,24. Antinomi- arts will have the juftified to be fo quiet in fpirit, as if Chrifi had removed fin in root and branch, buds and flump-, whereas only the Eternall punifhment and fear of Eternall condemnation is removed in juftification : But there is a worfc thing remaining in fin after this, and more to be fear¬ ed, and a more real 1 -and rationall gound of difquietncnTe of fpirit- and that is the fundamentall, intrinf call, and fin- fuil guilt of fin, which Chrifi never took on him, and is not removed in juftification • but only in the graduall a d fucceflive perfedion of fandification, and fo being jufti¬ fied, lam to be fecureand to enjoy a found Peace, and quietneffe of fpirit , in freedome from Eternall wrath:
But yet am I to be difquieted, grieved, yea, to forrow that ncers^hw- fuch a Ghueft as fin lodgeth in me, and with me-,5even as an con- ingenuous and honeft hearted debtor, is to rejoyce and be ^ glad in the goodneffe and grace of his gracious furety, who tinncis con-
D d hath'^‘-'^"-
. IP4
TheT riall and T riumfh ef Faith, Serm.XI X.
hath payed his debt, and never to fear that the Law or lu- (lice can so again (1 him to Ancft and imprifon him , for that debt which is now comple.itly paid by hi^ furecy ; But if the furecy gave his back-bond to pay him {crvi:e of love, and fervice of forrow, and remorfe for his iinjnftice and finfull livifldng of his Neighbours goods, which did neceilitate his loving fuiety to hurt himfelf, and beat a great Ioffe for him • he owes to his furety the debt of love, and difquictncff'e of rpiric,in fo far, as the blot of his waft ry, and the fname of his riotous youth, lyeth on him all his dayes: Ammomiam conceive, that there ought to be no dirquiecneffe of fpirit, no reniorfe,no trouble of minde, but that which hath its rife and fpring from fins apprehended as not p irdoncdjand fromthe fear of Etcrnall punifhment, to be inflidted for thefe fins*, and it is true,that fuch a trou¬ bled and perplexed foul which is oncein the ftate of jufti- ficaion, is but the ilTue and brood of unbelief, and arifeth from the flefh prevailing over the fpirit in fuch forrow-, yea, or ifconfellioa of fin, arife from this fpring of fervile and A condi- flavifli fear, it is not a work of Faith, except that a condi- ofwrad?^^ tionall fear of Eternill wrath 5 If a David fallenin Adulte- eternall in ry and ticacheious murther, or a Peter overtaken with a de- ^ nyingofhis Saviour before mcn,fhall not renew his Re-
‘ * pentance and Faith in Chrift, is required in all the juftified
An abf per ■ cdf iiig of their falvacion,and finall perfeverance:
lu« fcar'of there is another remorfe and forrow according to God,
Eternall required in all the juftified • and it is this, that though they are not to fear condemnation with a legall fear, foasto diftruft God, and be afraid of Eternal! wrath -, yet he who cd; yet for- is ran fo Hied by Chrift, though he can never recompenfe aSoilk Frce-grace, nor pay a fatisfaiftory ranfome for fo great of minde and l icli a lovc,he is under a back-bond, or ^re- obligation
fervice, and obedience to him thatTanfome "him : (in is re- And this Law of love and thankfulneffc is not, as Liber* qyired. tms^
Serm .XIX . 7heT riall and T mmph ef Faith,
tines^ and others concieve, a Pofitivc and fimply fuper-
naturall Go(^el-obligation *, for the Law of both nature and Nations, require that the Captive be thankfull to the ran- fom- payer: 1 grant that the particular Commandments Pohtive and fupcrnaturall •, fo the juftified is obliged by this back- Bond, and Gofpel re-obligation to confefle fin dwelling in him, to groan, and figh and forrow under it, to be troubled and grieved in rpirit> for fin as fin dwelling in his members, and rebelling againH the Law of his minde » and keeping him in bondage, to walk humbly, and foftly all his dayes- by rcafon of the running Iffue of fin, and to drive by all means to walk worthy of Chrifi: •, and this in the ge- nerall is the Law of Nature, from which Chrift hath in no
fort exempted us, 1 2. i Cor. Eph,$,2S^29*
Now as a man having fallen from a high place upon a Rock, and hath broken bones of Thighs and Legs, though he be cured and can walk abroad, yet all his dayes he hal- teth in his walking yor like one that is cured of an extream Fcaver-Tertian, at fuch and fuch feafbns, Ibme Fits of the difeafe recurrcth *, yet is he not to doubt of the fidelity and love of the Chirurgion and Phiftian^ who have really cu* red him, in fo far as he is in capacity in this life to be cured, and therefore as he is to walke warily, and with circum- fpedion all his dayes, caring for his crazed body, fo is he to be thankfull to thofe who recovered him, and may be fad and heavy now and then-, that by his own folly and temeri¬ ty, he hurt his body for even fins pardoned , as concer¬ ning their eternall guilt, by our Soveraign Phyfician Chrifi: in juftification,lay a law on us to ferve our Phyfician Chiifl: in thefe Pofitive Commandments of obedience, love, for¬ row, foftnelfe of fpirit, with a care to fin no more, though we mufi: needs halt, and flip all our dayes, yet not fo to forrow , as to call in doubt the reality of Pardoning
D d a S E R-
195
Dd 2
196
The Trial I andTrtumyh of F aith ,
Serm. XX.
How the coalcicnce is freed from iin, towit trom the Law- obligation to ad nail Condemna¬ tion , but not from incurring thedifplca- fure of God by breach of a Law, if the belce- ver (inne.
SERMON XX.
'\J E A, the Law from tjie hrgheft bended love , even ^ from love with all the whole foul, and all its ftrength, Matth.22. foybiddeth all fin, no lefie then the Go (pel of love, which Gofpel doth fpiritualize the Law to the belee- ver, but not abolifh it • the Go/pel addeth a new argument of Gofpel-love, becaufe Chrift hath died for me, there¬ fore He keep that fame Law of God I was under before, on¬ ly now I fear not ad uall condemnation which is accidental! to the Law, for Chrift and the confirmed Angels keep the Law, as a rule of life, yet without any fear of aduali condemnation- Nor doth the Gofpel more make Davids adultery, not to beagainft the feventh Commandmentto David^ then it makeththe Ifraelites fpoiling of the Egyp¬ tians of their Earings and Jewels, to be no breach of the eight commandment : The grace of Chrift doth Priviledge the Believer from condemnation, which condemnation is a meer accident, which doth go and come without hurting the eftence of the Law, ard its commanding and eternall Morall-direding power; The Law faith ( do and ltve)i\\cxcs no exception of this, its the will of God eternall ^ as God is eternal, and obligeth us in Heaven,andfor ever,i?e't^.2 2.5. But this {if yott do not ^ yott [ball die ) hath a large exception ^ dhrif my fon Jhall die for yott^ and t\\\s{ify9U keep not the Law, you are condemned) to the believer is abolifhed ,and when we areiJd^^.y.faid to be freed from our firft husband,as tl^ wo¬ man is freed by Law from her dead husband, and may with¬ out fin marry another^ and we not under the Law%the word (Law) is taken only for the Law, as given to the finner^ N ow the Law fliould have been Law, though fin had never been,and is Law to the Eledl Angels who never finned, and that IS only the Law, under the notion of that fad ofiice of eternall condemnation *, the Law could never have been Law, except it had promifed eternall to life thofc who do
the
Scrm.XX.
7ht7ridl and T rhmfh of Faith,
the Law •, but it both is , and (houlJ have been Law to" beleevers in fe(m Chrifi, to the Eled d Angels^ and yet it doth not, it cannot adually condemne them.
But that the Gof^el makcch Adultery to be no fin to Bc-
lieversjisablafphcfnous Afiertion : Then commit Adul¬ tery, murthcr, whore, ftecl •, O Believer / thele are not fins to thee, but Chrifis fins, not thine : O turn not the grace of God into wantonnefie : The Believer hath no conference ef ftnst that is, he in confcience is not to fear everlafting condemnation, that is moft true, bccaufe Chrift hath deli¬ vered him from that wrath to come, Rom.^.i,
Faith of eternalllife by fefm Chrift cannot confift with fear of eternall corxlemnation, for then with a legal, and an Evangelick Faith, one perfon fhould be obliged to be¬ lieve things contradidory, and yet both Faiths oblige us to «^ive credence and afient: But that the Believer hath no confcience of fin, that is, that he is to believe theres nothing in him that is fin, is to believe a lie, ifoh.\,%9. That he is to confefie no fin, and to be grieved in confcience for no fin, and to forrow for no fin *, that he is to be wearied and laden with no fin, that he is to groan under the burden oF no fin, as failing againft the love of him that gavearan- fomforhim-, this isablafphemous dedolencieol confei- cnce , yea, of a confcience paft feeling. Beloved in the Lord, The Gofpel forbiddeth forrow, fear, and Agony of con- fciencc in a Believer, apprehending eternall wrath, (uch a ^ one once truly believing ing in Chrilf as the Saviour of fin- ' ners, and his Saviour, and now beheving the contrary, inuft believe that his Lord is really changed^, that he hath forgotten to be mercifull, that he hath falfitied,and altered his Covenant, Oath and Promife: this were to make God A Liar But the Gofpel forbiddeth not, but commandeth i hat the j uftified perfon forrow for fin *, yea, it comman¬ deth carcfulneife to ^oihQXX^clearingof the offender ^ as be-
I
■ “ipS
Serm.XX.
I may bc- Ireve th: Remifllon of thefc fame very tins, which I am to confefle, and for which I am to be lorrowfuil.
The Triall and Triumph $f Faith,
ingin Chrift, and to flee to ChrtH indignation a- gainfl himfelf^ in not forgiving himlclf, fear of offending ioveand Law in Chrifl ^ 'vehement deftrex.o\\z\c ^tdicccon- firmed, ^cal for God j revenge to afjlifi: the fou/^ 2 Cor, p.io, 1 1 . And in this fenfe its blafphcrny to fay that the. Go/fel takechavvay ali confcienceof fin; Believers humbled for fin^ are to be taken off all Law-thoughts, and fear of ccer- nail condenmation, and all thoughts that forrow is a Pe¬ nance and fatisfadory to offended juftice • as we are ready to conceit of our Evangelick rejoycing, and holiefi; works: But they are to forrow for offended love • for the body of fin breaking out in fcandals, I may then have peace with God, in the affurance, remiffion and removall ofeternall wrath-, and yet not have peace with my own confciencen. Becaufc I may be perRvaded that God in Chrift hath forgiven mc^yetam I not to forgive my felfe:2.Iam to believe that in C/w// 1 am delivered from eternall wrath, and jiiftified in chrifl ^ and yet to forrow that I have finned again ft Chrifls love: 1 may have peace, fenfc of peace, and Pardon in
chrifl 5 and yet a neceffary difquietneffe, forrow, and tears, that I fhould have been fo unthankfull to fb lovely a Re¬ deemer : fo ChriH doth commend the womans tears, as a figne of- love, and of the fenfe of many fins pardoned, Z«X'.7.44. Thou gave fl mono water for my feet : But ftie hath wajhed my feet with tears : yet many fins were forgiven her, ^'.47. Hence, I may i. Believe the Remiffion of that fin, for which I am to forrow, and for the Remiffion of which I am to pray, and which I am to con^t{{t:Nathan faid to David, thy fins is pardoned i yet the Spirit of God after that both contelled,forrowcd,prayed for Pardon in David: 2. We may comfort thofe that mourn for fin, from af¬ furance of Pardon, and yet exhort them to be humbled and aftlidled in fpiric, and to confefte, forrow, and pray for Pardon •, [o \^ntinomians re]o)cing evermore after juflifiea-
tion^
Serm. XX . 'I'he Triall and T riumfh of Faith. 199
tion, withouc forrow, remorfc, down-cafting for fin at all, is but flelbly wantonnelTc • I may have and ought to have a difquieted Tpirit, and no peace with my rclf,and yet peace with God, even as the Sea after a ftorme, and when the winds arc gone and the Aire is calmed, hath yet a raging and gteat ^no’.ipn , by reafon of winde inclofed in the bowels of the Sea, and after the cool of a mighty Fea- ver,yct are the humours in th^body ftirred and dihemperd.
But we are hence led to findeout refolution for divers Eight cafes cafes ofconfcicnces after juftification. i. Many dare not quehion their ftate of juftification, and fo are freed from ved from the ftormes of apprehended wrath, arihng from the guilt of guilt of fin-, yet there is another ftorm , within the bowels of the Se.i,arifing from the indwelling of the body the ftorm before juftification is lefte free , leffe in¬ genuous, moicfervile, as looking toth.it Ecernall wrath, hanging over the foul for unpardoned fin-, this is more free,and isa pcacable,a gracious, and heavenly ftorm raifed not for fin unpardoned,and the Etcrnall puniObment thereof- but for fin as fin, as indwelling, not for the penalh guilt and theftingof Hell in fin, but for the finfull guilt, and the wounding of Chrift. 2. Its unpoifible this latter ftorm can be in the foul, till the fentenceof juftification be pro¬ nounced -as none can have the moved bowels of a ion, for the offence of a Father, till he be a fon.
2 . Another cafe is, that many have an abfblute, loofe, and laxe peace and calmneffe, great confidence of delive¬ rance from Eternall wrath- and fb of a fuppofed pirdbn, whole peace is convinced to be but a bale out fide , and meer paintry and fairding^becauie there is in them no ftorm for fin as fin, and forthe over- motions of boylinglufts^ no tendernefi'e to walk fpiritually. A Faith that eateth out the bottome and bowels of confcience, of declining fin, and walking with God -, is the juftification of the Antim-
- marts
Serm.XX.
200 The Trial! and Triumph of Faith,
mianu the old Gnejlicks , of the naturall men ^ all our profefTois nre cured, none or few are healed.
5. Full alTurancc that Chri ft hath delivered from ^ condemnation • yea, fo full and reall, as produceth thanks¬ giving and triumphing in Chrift, Rom.’j.2'y.Rom.^.i^2. may, and doth conftft with complaints and outcryesot a wretched condition, for the indwelling of the body of fin, Rom. 7. 1 4,1 5; ,16.2 3,24. Then the jiiftified that are whole, not fick, not pained, are yet in their fins, and not j uftified, what ever Antinomians fay on the contrary.
4. The flefh in the juftified cannot complain of indwel¬ ling fin • but the flcfli mixt with fome life of Chrift, may raife afalfe Alarm of fins not pardoned, which are really pardoned • fbme falfe grief may and often hath its rife from a falfe and imaginary groimd,asa fandified foul may praife God through occafion of a lying report of the vidory of the Church of God, when there is no fuch matter ^ a fandified childe may fpiricually mourn for the fuppofed death of his Father, or that he hath offended his Father according to the flefti, when his Father is neither dead, nor offended at allr^So gracious aftedions,as gracious, may work fpiritually upon fuppofed and falfe grounds when there is no caufe 5 as that the foul hath grieved his Heavenly Father, and that he is diTplcafed, when it is not fo.
5 . Sin indwelling is a greater evill, then the feared evill often Hells*, and therefore there is more caufe of forrow for fin, confeftion, difquietncfte of fpirit, after juftification then before* beeaufe fin the only true objed of fear and aud difquicrnefte of fpirit, is both a ghueft dwelling in the foul, and is more really and diftindly apprehended as a fpi- rituall evil, after the light of faith hathibowen us the finful- nefte of fin, then ever it was difeovered to be before.
6. J doubt, if juftified fouls are to be refuted in their complaints and feares for the indwelling of fin, providing,
they
Jcrtn^XX. The Tri all andTriumph of Faith, . 20 1
j ■ ■■ ■ ■ ■ ■ — i— ■■ II I ■ ■ I n I •!■ iim i , i , t'l'mmur ' ' '
they fear npt eterniH wrath , which fear is contrary to faith*, and fo they fear hot, and forrow not, for that hath changed the Court , and the wind of his love turned in the contrary air, and he hath forgotten to be merci**
.full.
7. Faith chargeth us to beleeve that Grace fhull at length finally fubduc fin, and as boatmen labour with oars to pro- move iht ir courfc in fayling, even when wind, fails , and tide arc doing fomewhat to promovc the coiirfe • fo doth faith, which purifeth the heart, fet the foul on work to per- feFi holineffe in the fear of God, and belecveth alfo, that God (ball work both to will and to do.
Its not then good Phyfick for many cxercifed in con- fcicnce,efpeciallyaftcr their firft converxion, to apply on¬ ly the honey and fweetnefTe of confolations of the Gofpel, as if there were not any need of humiliation and forrow for fin: Yet it is to be cleared, that i .Sorrow for fin is no fa- tisfa(5fion for fin *, for the pride of meric is crafty , andean row for creep in at afmallhole. We think there is no repentance pardonej where there be no tears , and God of purpofe withholdeth tears, asknowing when w ter goes out, wind cometh in.
2. Theyarctendeily tobebound up, and comforted , in whom fin rifeth up with a witnefie. O what pity, and hum¬ ble on-looking (hoiild be here < For a hell of pain in the body is nothing, wheels, racks, whips, hot irons, break¬ ing of bones is nothing* but half a hell intbefpirit, is a whole hell. The upper helf the grave, to E^echiah is like to fwallow him up, when dipped in the lower hell, and cove * red with the apprehenfion of wrath. O fweet fefm J what u mercy that thouTwallowed up all to be lee vers , and
calmedxhef^ofM. U'e*
life. If in Juftification , blotted o'Jt ,, cad in the To be
depths of the Sea, and removed , as if they nevei had been, thcftaie of Juftification muft be a condition of found bid- pines
E e fcdnelTe
^ 02 The Triall and T riumph of Faith, Serm.XX.
fcdnefle,, the moft cit firabic life in the world , Rom. 4. 6, E'ven its David a/fo deferibeth the bleffedneffe of the f»an^ Unto whom God imptiteth right eoufncffe without works. 7. Bleffed are they whofe iniquities are forgiven y and who fe fins are cjvered^ For confider i. What an Ad of Grace it is in a Prince to take a condemned malefadoiir from under the ax, the rack, the wheel , and fo many hours torture , before he end Simile, his miferable life. Or, 2. Suppofe he were condemned to be tortured leifurely , and his life continued and proro>- gated, that bones, finues, lights , joynts might be pained for twenty or thirty years *, fo much ofhis flefh cut off eve¬ ry day, fuch a bone broken , and by Art the bone cured a- gain, and the flelh reftored , that he might for thirty years fpace, every day be dying, and yet never die. Or, 3 . Ima¬ gine a man could be kept alive in torment in this cafe, from deep, eafe, food, clothing, five hundred years, or a thouland years, and boiling all the time in a cauldron full of melted lead* and fiiy the foul could dwell in a body un¬ der the rack, the wheel, thelafoes and fcourges of Scorpi¬ ons, and whips of iron, the man bleeding, crying, in the 3(51 of dying for pain, gnawing his tongue, for ten hundred years*, now fuppofe a mighty Prince , byana(5i:of free Grace, could, and would deliver this man from all this pain and torture , and give him a life in perfedf health , in ten hundred Paradifes of joy, pleafure, worldly happineffe, and a day all the thoufand years without a night, a fura- mcr all this time, without cloud, {form, winter, all the ho¬ nour, acclamations, love, andlerviceof a world of men and Angels , cloath this man with all the moft complcac delights, perfe(ftions, and vertucs of minde and body , let him ten thoufand degreesofelevation,to the top of all ima¬ ginable happinefte, above in his higheft Royaltie,
or Addmm his firft innocencie,or Angels in their moft tran- icendent glory and happinefte. Yea, 4. In our concep-
Serm..XX.
205
'The Triall and T riumfh ef faith,
tion wc may extend the former mifery ^nd pain , and all this happineffc to the length of ten thouland years, this fhould bethought incomparably the highefl: a(5l of gtace and love , that any creature could extend to his fellow- creature : And yet all this were but a fliado w of Grace, in com pari fon of the love and rich Grace of in Chrifi^ in the juflificarionofa finner. 2. C.)nfider,we aic freed from the guilt of fin in juftification: Now this is the eternal!
debt of fin, thatrcmaincthafter fin, that none can wafha- waybut Chrift , and that this remaineth after fin is aded. 2. That it remaincth for eternity, g. Thvitit is a rnilcry we are oncly in juftification delivered from , is clear in Scrip¬ ture: I. Becaufe fin is a debt: Afei the borrowed mo¬ ney is fpencand gone,fomewhacin Law and juftice remai¬ neth, and this is debt or obligation to make payment to the Creditour. 2. So the Scripture fpeaketh , Jer. 2.22. Tor though thou wajh thee mth Nitre, and take thee much ( , '^et thj init^uitj ts marked before me. Borith, is an hearb that Ful¬ lers ufc for wafliing and purging, yet is fin fuch a Leopard-- fpot, that no Art, no induftry of the creature can remove it,Jer. 17. I. The fm of ^udah is written with a pen of iron., and the point of a diamond , it is gra<ven upon the table of their heartland the herns of your Altars, There is writ remaining after fin is aded. 2 . Writ written with a pen of iron, and di:imond, to endure for eternity. 5. Not written oncly, but ingraved , and indented upon the confcicnce, i Sam. 24.5. When rentthe robe of his heart frnote
him, fb that itieft a he^le, or the mark of the ft ripe behinde it ^ as when a burning* iron is put on the face of an evil 1- doer, it leaveth behinde it a brand, or a ftigma. 2. This is terrible^ that thi brand is cternall - as the Prophet prayeth, Pfal. I op. 14. Let the iniquities of his fathers be remernbred with the Lord : and let not the fin of his mother be blotted fut. 15. Let them be before the Lord continually, O dread full 1
Ee 2 The
To be jtt- ilihcd is 1
ft icc of fj- lid felicitjr. in regard of the eavnall ot fin.
204
The TrUtl and Triumfh $f Faith* Scrixi.XX#
The fins of wicked men (hall ftand up in heaven before the jufticeof God, fo long as God (hall live, and that is for ever and ever: SotheZ-0r<!/ fweareth, Bj the exceltencie of Jacob., that is, by bimfelf, Amos 8. 7. Sttrely, I wifi never forget of their works ^ John 10. 8. II that ever came
before me^ all that came not in by me^ the Door, and the Way,. they Theeves and Robbers. The falfc Pro¬
phets , many, of them were dead , yet being dead ( faith Chriji) this day, the^ are^ in regard of ^m\t.Xheeves’hnd Rob¬ bers, To this day, above fixtecn hundred years the Jews arc guilty murderers-, though their fathers , who flew the Lord of glory y be dead : This day Cain is a murderer, Judas . atraicour,and Hiall t>e fo long as God (hall Iivc,and be Code Now, without ihedding of blood , therein note-
milfion of fins^ Heb. 9. 22. To be delivered from ctcrnall debt j and iatkiiled to an eternall Kingdom , is a life mofi: defireable , and maketh the (inner to ftand in the books of Chrifl y as the eternally ingaged debccrof Grace., Young Heirs, know your ble (fed neile aright •, fianers under cter- nall debt - you laugh , fport , rejoyce •, and you are fire¬ brands of wrath :■ you go finging, and (baking, and tinck- ling your bolts and fetters of black and un mixed venge¬ ance: Alas, how can you (leepfHow can you laugh Sealing f Fat the Crums, ] The dogs defire but the leaff, and to fpeak fo) the rcfule oFchrifi, Do6f. The memeffand worft wp^things things of chriji l^to fpeak fo) are incomparably to be de fired a- are incom- things. I . Any thing of chriji '\s defirablc but .to
mrably a- fay hold on the skirt of a JeWy Zach. 10.25." Becaufe thrtfl' rnoft ex- good. Yea, the duft of Zion is a thing
cellem that the fervants of God take pleafure in, Pfal, 1 02 . 1 4. The
thinpon duft and doncs Zien , arc not like the earth-, and the mules of the holy grave, as Papifis fondly dream , and are but earth- but beeaufc the Lord Chriji dwclleth there, there¬ fore arc they defirable. The people carried their old harps
The fma- left and
earth.
to
205
Serm-. XX^ • ‘The Tridl and Trittmfh of Faith. ^
id Bahion wi'h thertiyind Jvfefhs bones miift be carried ouc ofE^ypt to Canaan : .Why ^ Canaan was Chrifs land , his dweTling : Why, but vvc are to love the ground that 'Chrifs kii treadecli- on. This I fay not, that I judge i^ ho¬ ly earth, that is Pdp.ifh fuperftttion •, bqt that fueh is Chnfis cxcellencie, thai!iiny thing that hath thepooreft reladon tohim, is dcfirableforhim. 2. 'A poor woman , Lukey. fought no more of him, but to wa(h the feet ofchrif^ and kiflethem’: Another womati^ Matth. g. ^u’Ifl may hd touch the border of his garment^ t (hall be whole. Magda¬
len fought but to have her arms filled with his dead body, Joh. 20. 15. She faith, weeping, to the Gardiner, as flic ruJ>p^ofcdyS/i,i/?)^fl« haf born himhence^ted me where' thou haf ^taid hii^-i and Iwifltak^ him away., ^o ^bfeph Mrimatheky his bloody winding flieet , and His dead, and holed, and lorn body In his arms, arc fwcet. Chrifts Clay is Silver, and his Braflc G6ld. 3 . Chrifls fliarpeh rebukes are fweet byl •, the woundV and the Holes that t^h'd Mediacodr maketh in the rpul,when he fmiteth: with fhexod of h^is mou(h-, are with chitde of comforts, he;i:ebiikcd hot the St-rpenc, as not mind"m-g falvation to Satan, but rebuked Bvah , in,* tiding the pfotriired-feedfor her. O whatTweetdelle of ibve is t'hatcxpf’efliorr.^ Jer. v iO'!' tor fince I ake dgainsl
Ffhrainr^ I do ednefllf remember hifn^ I will furely haue mercy on him'y faith the fiord. Then rebuking of Ephraim.,y:^\Q^ is called , [peaking again f hint is dipt in mercy, Hof. 1 1 . 7. My people are b'enr to back ^Jlidlng ih\s is a tebuke fhafp. e'- nough : yet he chides himfclf friends with the people, v.8. How fhall I give thee apt O Ephraim, mine heart is turned with¬ in me. Here is kifling, and love, wrapped about rebukes : fo ^er. I . Fhou haft played the harlot with.mariy: lovers • but (cfe vn^YCpf \ ‘ Tet return to me ^ faith the Lord. 4 His black and fowr Crofle is fweet and honied with comfort, h^dcM dody 4 bundk of myrrhe^Qznx. i . 1 3 . The fxnell of which is
f:reng.
The Tridl and Triumph op. Faith , 3erm .. X X*
(Irong^and fragrant ^.and’fweateth out precious gnm rc- joycing in tribulations, Rom, j.3. Count it ^all'^op ^vohen ye fall in divers temptations^ lam, 1.2. The. Eagles fmcll hea¬ ven in the (;roire,and Chrijl m ii^Gal. 5., 14. Ycajthe refufe. .arid the woiftof C^r/^jf.^crofle , the lliame and the , re* proaches of. Chrifl , are fweetei*. and choicer to cMofes^ then the Treafures, Riches, yea, then the Kingdome Egypt ^ and the glory of it, fleh. ii. verfe, 26.27, the iham^ and^blulhing on Chrifts hir, face, Heb. 1 2 which he fulfered under the:Crode,is furer then Gold^ and hath the colour of the Heaven of Heavens, Ne- buchadm7pfAr\\xC[\ more pain and torment in pcrlccuting, X>an. 4.15). then the thrcechildren had in being perfecuccai There's.pain and fmyinaFiive perfecution ; f^tlof
fttry, and the form of his vifage changed •, but there is joy un-* fpeakable and glorious in.pafhve perfecution, Chrifls fan-» dified croRe droppeth honey , i Pet, j.6, 5. Chrifts glownings and fad d,efcrtions, though to the believer, they be death and hcU-j, yet have much of heaven in them : So, Efal, 30. 7, Thou turnedp away thy face^ and I was troubled^ 7n3i Niuhal^ 1 was troubled like a withered fiowar that lofeth fap and vigor : So , Exod, 15, 15,. The Dukes of Edom, ^71133 Uiuhaln^were amazed-^ yet at tifat time David prayed^ cryed, and was heard, Verw 8,p,io, The fweeteft commu¬ nion that Chrift feeketh of us on earth is prayer. Cant. 2.14, and C4»t.5 .Defertion is death it rclf,and a death to the foub 6, I opened to my beloved^ and my behvtd had withdrawn him- fe If and was gone • And what was the Churches cafe ? My foul went forth from me. The Arabicky My fouldeparted^I died^ So is death deferibed by the like phrafe, (Jr/;. 35. chels foul was in departing.^for fhee died: And when men arc ftricken .with fudden fear, the heart is faid to go out: So, <7rw.42.28. The foul of Jolcphs Brethren departed, that is, the / were' cxtrcamly zmdLZ^d^Whenthej found their money
Scrm.XX. ,The^Tridll and Triumph of Faith. 207
in thptr facks. The like was che cafe of the Church when tihrift aepartedjflie dled for ibrroWjthe foul departed from the foul, becaufe her Lord and beloved was gone : Yet even that deadi, that foul-hedfm the want of Chrift was a Heaven, it was a fwcei: anclcomfortable fe^ fori, then hath fhc a- communion with him, in a moft heavenly manner.
I. Asking at the watchmen for him. 2. In binding fad charges, on the Daughters of ^erufalem, to commend her to G-od by prayer. 3: Then was fhe ficke of Love for him. 4. Then fell fhe out h that large Love- rapture, in a moft heavenly praife of him, in all his vertues,
My XV elk eloped is r»hite and ruddy^and the chief among fi ten thou- fand (ire. Here then the Helf that Chrifl throweth the Saints .6, in, in their Defertions, is their heaven. ’ ’ The meaneft
and lowcft relation with Chrift, is honour : 'fohn placech an honour, in unlooftng the Latchets of his fhooes^ and thinketh to hear his fhooes is more honour then he defcrvech,
^oh. I. 27. David Prophet appointed to be a King:
O if I nfigh^ hfi fo maj^ the Lcrd^ as to he a door-keeper in his houfe;^ pfal. 84.10. Heputteth a happinefte on the Sparron\ and 'he Swaiiorv^ that may build thdt neds heftde the Lords x^Uar : Then the fragments and crums that his dogs eat- €th, niLift: he the dainties of heaven, and Chfifs wafer the wine of heaven. r Now if any theloweft thing of chrift . the Motfell of his dogs be defireable*, how tweet muft
himfeff be, if the parings of his bread be fw^eec ? What mexeeb muft the great loafe ClmB himfelf be r CD^/vj^h'imfelf is fo taking a lover, he hath a face that would ravifli love mit of woS^ ^
! Devils, fo they had Grace to fee his beauty-, he could lead of |. cap'ivc all hearts in Hell, with the lovelinefte of hiscoun-
tenanee^rvhtcb is rvhite and ruddy pleafantas Lebanon^ if ° ^
they hau eyes to behold him. O he himfelf is an unknown Lover ^ he hath neither brim nor bottome,his Goj^el is the unfcarchahk riches of Chrijl *^ his Gofpcl is. but a creature^
How'
ao8 TheTriall Triumph &f Faith, Serm.XX;
How unfeaichable muft he him/clf be ? The wile man, Frov, 50.4. putteth a riddle upbn all the wileH: on the earth, Svlomon and all-. What ii his isame Wc know neither name nor thingjfii. 5 ^.Z,Who jhall preach his Generation^. O what a rhejrcy 1 that he will give finners leave to love himV Gr honour us fo much that We may layout black and fpotted love, on fo lovely and fair a Saviour f That (iich an infinire and dcfirable love as Chrilis love, fhould come f to borrow that exprelTionl within the fidesof thy love and heart, is a wonder •, Alas, its a narrow circle and not capacious to contain him and his love, that pafTeth know¬ ledge, Eph, 5.19. yivSvtu Tt ^ It over
parteth and tranfceridech far the narrow comprehenfion of Created knowledge ekher of men or Angels, To feck Grace is defirable v butfuppofe anyperfon were a Malfc* and nothing but edmpofed of pure Grace, and yet want Chrifl: himfelf, he fhould be but a broken lamed creature 5 put a foul in heaven, and let him be hated of Chfift (if that were poffible) Heaven fliould be Hell, Imagine Devils werd handing with their black chains of darkneire,even up in the Heaven of Heavens, and the Plague of being hated of Chrifl on their foul, and that they could fee him that fitteth on the Throne, and foraewhatof the Rayes and Beames of that fulnelfe of God that is m Chri(l • yet fhould Devils hill The excel- be Devils, they wanting the Heaven of Angels and glorified men. What a flower What a Rofe of love farther il- and light, muft Chrifi be, who filleth with fmell, light, luftrated. beauty^ the four fides, Eafl and Weft, South and North of the Heaven of Heavens, and his glory ? Suppofe in rhe hour of our laft farewell to time, all creatures void of Rea- fon, Heavens, Starres, Light, Air, Earth, Sea, dry Land, Birds, Eiflics, Beafts, were in a capacitie to love us, and they with men and Angels, fhould let out upon us the ful- neffe *, yea the Sea of all their loveCas its a fwcec thing to be
lovely
Serm .XX. "The Triall and T rmmph sf Faith,
lovely and dcfirable to many) yet this were nothing to him who is, ^ant, 5. 16. All defires ^ or all loves: So p'atablm rendereth it, Chriftus efl mas defiideria • He is a MaiTc of love, and love it /elf • lovely in the womb, the ancient of dayes became young for me • lovely in the CrolTe , even when dclpifed and numbred with theeves lovely in the grave,lovcly atthe right hand of God, lovely in his fccond appearance in glory : yea, all defirable,C4»r.5.io.hi3 coun¬ tenance white and ruddy, 1 1 . his head, a golden head • his headfhip and government defirabic ^ his locks hufhie and black *, his counfels deep, various, unfearchable • his eyes as Doves, chafte, pure, and can behold no iniquity 3 his cheeks^ or two (ides ot his face, as a bed offpice^ and fweet {iTselling flowers ‘ his face manly, comely as Lebanon ^ his lips like Ltllies^ dropping fweet fmelling Myrrhe ^ his Gol^pcl fmellcth of heaven • his hands pure, his works holy, fair, as Gold- rings fet with Berill -^ his belly ^ or breaft and bowels, as bright Tvory over laid with Saphirts that is, his breaft and belly, that containeth his bowels, his heart and affe(5i:ions, are as Tvory ^ bright and glorious 5 and T'a/tfry overlaid, covered and adorned with Saphires ^ that are precious flones of a fca-blue, and heavenly colour, becaufehis bowels and in¬ ward affedtions are full of love, tenderneffe of mercy,& the compaflion of his heart, moft heavenly*, his legs are pillars of marble fiet upon fockets of fine gold • his wayes and govern¬ ment like upright, white, pure, and fet on
gold, folid, firm, ftable, that Chrifl cannot flip or fall *, hi$ Scepter a Scepter of righteournefle,and his Kingdom ecer- nall , and cannot be fliaken • his countenance as the moun¬ tain Lebanon, his perfon eminent, goodly, high, great, tall, fruttfull as Cedars 5 his mouth moft fweet, his words and teftimonies as honey , or the honey comb: yea, all creatures are weak , and C/^r/7iftrong 5 all bale, he preci¬ ous*, all empty, he full • all black, he fair • all foolifti and
Ff vain.
209
Serm. XX.
2 "The Trial I andTriumph of Faith.
vain, he wife, and the only Counfeller , deepin hiscoun- fels and waves. The fpeciall Evangclick fin that wcare The 1 i h of-,' is unbelief, Joh. i5. p. and this floweth from -a
cftcLi If cfiimation that we have of Chrifi^ and therefore thefe
Chnifin conficlcraiions are to be weighed in 'bur eftimation of
4- grounds. Chrift.
!• I. The wifdom or folly of any man is moftieen in the efiimative faculty, for it denominateth a man wife many are great Judges, and learned, as the Magicians of Chaldea^ and Pbilofopherj^ who know wonders, hidden things, and caufes of things, and yet are not wife, but fools , Rom. i .2 1 . and vain in their imaginations , becaufe there is a great de¬ fect in their efiimative faculty, in the choice of a God,^'^^. 21.23. the pra(fiicall minde is blinded, and theychufc darknefie for light, evill tor good, a creature for their God. Heb. 11. B'j faith, Mof ’S , when he was come to age , refufed to be called
the fon of Pharaohs daughter ; and chofe.^ rather to fuffer affli- Bion with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleaf ires of fin for a feafon. Ana how is his faith made faith ^ And how is it evident, that he was not a raw, ignorant, and toolilh childe when he made the choice f But a man ripe, come to years, and fb as wife as he was old : It is proved, becaufe his efti- mative faculty was right, verf. 16, Efleemingthe reproach of Chrifl greater riches then the treafures of Egypt, He is a wife man, who maketh a wife choice, and for this caufe Efau is called, Geh. 12.26. a profane man, from SSd oonfu- dft, he had not wifdom to put a difference between the ex- cellencie of the birth-right, and a morfell of meat 5 fo E- %ech. 22. 8. TO cwfCetTn’i to con^o\xnA Go^s Sabbath., with another day: A profane wicked man hath not wifdom to efieem God and Chrifl above the creature , but confoun- deth the one with the other.
' 2 . 2 . Our efieem of ChriH is to be pure, chafie, fpirituall ,
and fo to work purely ♦, that is, the forraall reafon why we
efieem
21 I
Serm.XX.
The Triatl and T riumph of Faith.
cftecm of be becaufe he isChrif^^ not becaufe
Sumsner gocth with • nay, not becaufe heconafor-
teth, but becaufe he is God^ the Redeewev ^ and Mcdiot ouy ^ its a chafte love, and a chafte cfteem, if the wife chufe to love her iiusband, becaufe he is her husband, as the fenfe cftcc- naeth white to be white under the noti on of fuch a colour.
The operation of every faculty is moft pure,&kindly,whcn it.is carried toward its objedf, according to its formall rea- fon, without any mixture of other rerpe(51:s, extraneous and by-reafons, are more whorifh, lefTe con-naturall , not fo chaf^ ♦ there is fome wax in otir honey, and*this we fhould
wkc heed unto 5 the eleefive power is a tender piece of the foul. ^
3. Eftimation produceth Jove, even the love of Chrifl: • and love is a great Favourite , and is much at Court, and ^ dwellcth conftantly with the King • to be much with Chyift^ crpecially in fecrec, late and early, and to o^ive much time to converfe with Chrif, fpeaketh much love'’, and the love of CM// is of the fame bigneffe and quantity with Grace, tor Grace and Love keep proportion one with ano¬ ther.
4. HewhodulyefteemethChrift,isanobIcbidder,and
lo a noble and liberall buyer, he outbiddeth Efau. What is
^ overbiddeth fudas : What is filver to Chrift ^ Yea, a/i things is the greateft count can Ph.j
be caft up • for itincludeth all prices, all fummes, it taketh in heaven, as Its a created thing: Then, all things, the vaft and huge Globe and Circle of the capacious world , and all excellencies within its bofome or belly 5 nations, all na¬ tions j ?AngeIs, 4// Angels ., Gold, 4// Gold. Jewels, all Jewels jiHonour and delights, 4// honour, 4//delights. and every all be fide, lieth before Chrift , as feathers , dung, jliadows npthing : Towafha finner, is the eminencie of love, and chchigheft cfteem of him . But,0 what a mercy,
> . Ff 2 that
4.
.s.
Serm.XX.
212 The T riall and 7 riumph ef Faith,
that Chrift fhauld defile his precious, finlefic, Royall, and Princely blood, by dipv^ing in fuch a loathfome, foul, and deformed creature as a finne :
Dogs eat the crums.'] Here be degrees of perlbiis , and things, incur Fathers houfe : Children , and dogs* yet dogs which the Lord of the houfe owneth • here is a high table, and bread 5 and a by-board , or an after-table , and crums for dogs-, here be perfons of honour , Kings fons clothed in (carlet, and fitting with the King at dinner, \vhcn his Spikenard fendeth forth a fmell ^ and here be fome under the table, at the feet of Chrift, waiting to receive the little drops of the great honey-comb of rich grace, that fallcth from him : Follow Chrift, and grace fhall fall from him •, his fteps drop fatneiTc, efpecially in his Palace, i ^oh, 2.12,13,14. There be in our Lords houfe little children, babes • there be in it alfo experienced ancient Fathers ( for Grace hath gray hairs for wirdom,not for weaknefr^-,')there be ftrong men allb • Chrift was once a little ftone , but he grew a great mountain^ that filed the whole earth : yea,and the heaven too : Chrift is a growing childe In Chrifts-Iower firmament, there be ftars of the firft and fccond magnitude- :and in hii houie , 'vefels of greats and offmall qtsantity , cups and flagons^ Ifa. 22. 24. yet all are faftened upon the Gol- den-nail, Jefus Chrift. 2. All are in the way, the plants all growing, but one is a grain of muftard feed, andarofenot broken out to the flower , and another is a great tree 5 its morning, and but the glimmering of therayes ofthe day- ftar in one , and its high Sun, perfect day , near the noon¬ day with another : Strong father Abraham^ mightyin be- leeving, was once a babe on the bre ifts, that could neither creep, nor ftand, nor walk. The love of Chrift in its firft rife 3 is a drop of dew that came out of the wombe of the morning, the mother in one night brought forth an hoftc, an innumerable millions of flich babes, and
covered
S©rrn,xx. The TriallandTriumfhof fM. 213
""■a FT I mmmmmmmrnm ■ i " - ' ' " ' _ . . _ ^ —
covered the face of the earth with them. But this drop of dew gfo.wcth tea Sea that Iwellethup above hell aud the grave, Cant. 8 .^,7. It is more then all the floods and Teas of the earth, and floatech up to the Heaven of Heavens, and up, and in, it mufl be Upon Chrifl:,i . Pet. i-.S.Te fee not ChriH^yet ye love him. It oveiflo weth Chrift and taketh him, zndravijheth his heart: It is a ftrong chain that bindeth Chrift, when the grave, fin, death, devi^ could not bind him, C4;??. 4.9. A5f. 2.24. 5. Chrift s w.4yof admi-niftra- tion, is a gi owing way, his Kingdom is not a (landing, not a fitting, nor a deeping Kingdom-, But its walking, and porting. Thy Kin^dome come. An increafing Kingdom , a growing-pence, ffa. p.j.^&f the increafe of his Government and peace^lt here flail he) no emiy In regard of^timcion even in Heaven, there [hall be a growing of his Kingdom; There’s notyefterday, and to morrow, and the next year in Hea¬ ven*, yet ther’s a negative increafe^ glory an^ peace (hall afeend in continuance and mever come to an height -, the fun never decline, the long day Chrift s glory and peace (hall never end. is paying twtn now. Father^ I muPd
have all my children up roith me, that where l am, there they may healfo : And therefore 'the hevid draws lip to him how a dinger, then a toe ^ now an arm, then ajeg *, h^-hach becn thefe fixteen hundred years fince his Afeenfiop, drawing up by death, whole Churches, the Saints at Corinth, 2X Pome, at Philipp-, The feven CandleHicks ,z.nd^t fev^en Stars of K^fta,ciYC long ago up above prion , and'th} feven, Stars-, and are now Ihtnirig up before the Throne : This confecrated C)aptain of our Salvation , will not deep till his Fathers houfe be filled, till all the numerous offpring, and the 6c- ner Aliens of the firft horn, be Vtp un der one roofe with their ‘Tather. Heaven is-a growingTamily, the Lord of thc^houfe hath been gathering his flocksfinto the fair fields of the 'Land of Praifes, ever fince the firft t^hell dkd-, and all
down
214
The TriaH and T riuptph of Faith.
Serm.XX.
down along, the believeis were gathered to their Fathers,
I . Ufe is, that we de^ife mt the day of [mall thm<^s •, Gods beginning of great works is fmall. What could be faid of a poor womans throwing of a ftool at the man who did firft reade the new Service Book in Fdenbreugh ? It was nor. looked at as any eminent palTage of Divine Providence; yet it grew till it came up to Armies of men, the fhaking of three Kingdoms, the found of the Trumpet, the voice of the Alarm, the lifting up of the Lords Standard, deftrudi- on upon deftrudion, garments rowled in blood, and goeth on in flrength,that the vengeance of the Lord^ and the ven¬ geance of his Temple^ may purfue the Land of Graven Images^ and awake the Kings of the Earth to rile in Battle againfl the great whore Babylon, that the fewsm2.y return to their CMefiah^ and ifrael, and fudah ask the way to Zion^with their faces thitherward^ weeping they go : that the Forces of the Gentiles^ and the Kingdoms of the world, may become the Kingdoms of God^ and of his fon fefus ChriB, And this ad of a difpifed woman, was one of the firft fteps of Omni- potencie ; God then began to open the mouth of the Viall of his wrath, to let out a little drop of vengeance upon the leat of the Beaft, and ever fince the right arme of the Lord awaking, hath been inadiop, and in a. growing Battle a- gsind all that Worjhipped the Beaf^ and received his mark on their right hand^ and their forehead ; and who knoweth but Chrifl: is in an ad of conq icring, to create a new- thing on the earthy and fubdue the people to himfclf. Omnipotencie can derive a Sea, a world of noble and glorious works from as fmall a Fountain as a ftraw, a ram-horn, yea. Jaw-bone of a dead Alfe. God can put forth Omnipotencie in all its flowers and golden branches of over powering and in¬ comparable excellencies, upon meer Nothings the winde is an empty unfolid thing, t icScaa fluid and foft, and eb¬ bing creature ; yet the winde is Gods chariot, he rideth
on
- . /
Serm.XX . T he Triall and Triuntfh ef Faith. 215
on it, and the Sea his walk, his paths are in the great waters.
2. Ufe. A crum that falleth from Table, hath in
it the nature of bread, fome weak ones complain, O I have not the heart of God like David, nor the ftrong Faith of - braham to offer my Ton to death ^ovChrif, nor the burning fire of the zeal of to wifh my name may be razed out of the Book of life, that the Lord maybe glorified* nor the high efteem of ChriB , to judge all but Ioffe and dung for ^efm Chrifi, as Paul did. But what if Chrifl; fet the whole loafc before the children, is it not well ^ If thou lie but under Chrifts feet, to have the crums of mercy that flippeth through the fingers of Chrifts The loweft room in Heaven, even behindc the door is Heaven, i. There's a minimum quod the loweft meafure, or grain of laving Grace, audits laving Grace'; a drop of dew is water, no lelfe then the great Globe and Sphere of the whole element of water is water, a glimmering of morn- dawning light is light, and of the lame nature with the noon-light, that is in the great body ofthe Sun, the motion of a childe newly formed in the belly , is an a(ft of life ; no lelTe then the walking and breathing of a man of thirty ycares of age in his flower and higheft vieor of life *, the fift ftirrings of the new birth, arc the workings and operations of the holy Ghoft,and the love of God even now fhed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghoft, fliall remain the fame in nature, with us in heaven, i Cor. 1^. ^10. 2.Chrift doth own the bruifed reed, and the fmoaking flax, fo far forth, as not to crufh the one, nor to quench the othetjand can with tender cautcloufneire of companion, ftoop,and with his arm go between the lambc on the margin and brink of Hell, as to ' faveitfrom falling down headlong over the brow of the Mountain- he, Py^/. 147. 3. Healeththe broken in heart, as a Ch^rurgion { fo Vatablm expoundeth it) bsndeth up their and puttech the broken bones in their native place ^
again *,
2i6
The Tria.ll and Triumph $( Faith, Scrm.XX.
again -, and whereas young ones arc eafily affrighted, yea, and diftraded-.wkh fear, when fudden cryes and hidde- ous War-fliouts furprifeth them-, Chrifl affrighteth not weak confciiences with fhouts, to put poor tender fouls out of their wits, with the fhouts of Armies of the terrours of Hellrn the confcience-, yea, I fa, 42 ^2. The meek Lord Jc- fus (had rjQt cry^ mr lift up {a ]hmt) nor caufe his 'voice be heard inthe fireet. O what bowels ! What furrings, and boy- lings , and wrcftlings*, of a pained heart, touched with for- rovv, arein Chriff Jefus ? When h faw the people fcattered Mat. 9.56. as fheep having^ no fheapherdj ^ euir^ He rvas bowed ed
in hearty his bowels were moved with companion for them, O how fweet ! That thy finfull weaknefie fhould be forrow and pain to the bowels and heart of Jefus Chrift • fo as in¬ firmity is your fin, and ChrifVs pitty and compaffion • can the Father fee the childe fvveat, wrcftle under an over- load while bis back be near broken, and he cry, I am gone^ and his bowels not be moved to pitty, arrd his hands not fire- cched outto help C Were not the bowels and heart of that Mother m:\de ot. a piece of the nether Milfione^ had (he not fucked the Milk and breaks of a Tyger, and feemed rather to be the Whelp of a Lyony then a woman, who fiiould fee her yong childe drowned and wre filing with the water, and crying for her help, and yet flic fhould not ffir, nor be mo¬ ved in heart, nor run to help f This is but a fhadow of the compaflion that is in that heart dwelling in a body perfo- nally united to the bleffed Godhead in Jefus Chrift. Wc fliould have tender hearts toward weak ones • confidering,
1. That Chrift cannot difinherit a fon for weaknefTe.
2. Love is not broken with a ftraw , or a lictle infirmity.
All the veffels of Chrifts houfc, are notof onefize..
4. Some mens infirmities are as tranffaram chrtflalfcMy feen through- others have infirmities under their garments.
5. We fliall fee many in Heaven, whom wc judged to be
1 T
Serm.XX I. Triall and T rittmph of Faith.
caft away, while they lived with us on earth. 6. Many go to Heaven with you, and you hear not the found of their feet in their journey.
SERMON XXI.
rhenfefm anfvocredand [aid mtohcTy O Woman^gnat lithy
Faith, ^c. . .
THis isthe laft paflTagcof the Text, containing a com- mcndationof the Woman, given to her by m her face 2. An anfwcr according to herdeure. 3. The i*raycr,in cfFeaof her praying with inftancy and prefllngimportu- nicy of Faith i T he Devil is caft out of her Daughter, go^, c:i^r//acknowledgethhere,That_/;2^-«^C7 of praying in- Faith^ will ovsrcotnc God^ and Satan and all the faddcH Fentp- tations that can befall the Childe of God, Hence obferve what ads of efficacious power,inftant and earneft prayer puttech forth upon God, and how the clay-creature doth work up¬ on, and prevail with the great Potter and former of all
things.
I . Prayer is a Meffenger and a fwift and winged polt dil- • i
patched up to Court, F/4/. 5. 3. David {cnx. away this poft early in the morning, with morning wings : CMy voice (halt thou hearin the wtfi"^/V^^rThepoft is himfelf, for the word is, 'f^-v;y];^<lwiladdre(femy perfonas in Battle Array.7tf^33.
5. Set thy fe If in order before me^ (and) ft and up^faith Elihu to ^ob. Or, I will addrefit my words, 32. 14. Flow be hath not directed his words against me : the Seventy ren¬ der it cTBti and David fent himfelF to Heaven, not
only as a poft, but (as the word Atfappeh found-
cth) I will look up y or.jfpie^^s one that kcepech watch and ward, waiting for an anfwcr from God., as the word is.,
Babbak. 1,1. and Pfal, \ S.6,Inmy dijlreffe I called upon the Lord., — and my cry came before him^ even into his ears .
2. Prayer putteth a challenge upon for his Cove- 2^
nants fake and his Promife •, that is, greater boldneffe then
Gg fo
km l rmmph $f Faith,
Serm.XXI.
4*
to rpeak to and wait on, Ifa. 63. .18. Our Adverfaries have trodden down thy SanBuarj^ 19. We are thine ^ thou never harefl rule over them^ the) were not called by ih) Name^ Lam 2 . 20. Behold j 0 Lor d^ and conftder^to whom thou haflt done this ^ ira.6j.17. O Lord^ Wh'j hall thou made m to erre from thy tvayes ? And hardned our heart from thy fear < Return for thy fervants fake^ the tribes of thine Inheritance, Hence is there an holy chiding with God,, Pfal. 22.2. O my God, I cry in the day time, and thou hearef not, and in the night feafon,, and am not filentf?[i{\, 1 3 . i . How long 'wilt thou forget me, (O Lord) for ever How long wilt thou hide th) face fom me <
3 . It pucceth God to great ftraights, and fiifiFerin? even to
the moving of his foul, 31. When God heareth Ephra¬
im bemoaning himfelf in prayer *, it putteth God to a fort of pinch and condolency, ver. 20, Is Ephraim my'dear fon < Is he my pie af ant Childe < For ftnee I fake again f him, I do earneftly remember him Hilf therefore my bowels are troubled for him. Is ifaacm earthly Father moved, and his heart rent and torn with the vyeeping and tears of Efau his Ton, fo as he miift confer Ibme bleflfing upon him^ far more muft the bowels of our Father infinite' in mercy be turned within him, at the weeping and teares of a praying and cry¬ ing Church.
4. When feemeth to fleep, in regard that his work and the wheels of his providence arc at a (land , prayer a- waketh God, and putteth him on adion, PfaL 7.6. CArife 0 Lord in thing anger, lift up thj felfbecaufe of the rage. of mine Enemies •, awake for the Judgement that thou hall commanded, Pfal . 44.2 3 . Awake, Why fleepef thou 0 Lord < Arife, caft m not off for ever. Both the words nn-iy Gnurah, and rn.*’pn Hakitfa, fignifieth to awake out of fleep ; So prayer putteth God on noble ads of Qmnipotencie, zs to bow tfe Heavens andcomedown,Wz,6i\.i, To fhake, and put on work all creatures in Heaven and Earthy for the faving of one poor
man.
Sertn.XXI . The Triali and Triumph ef Faith, *2 1 p
man, P/4/. iS. As when the fick childe cryethfor pain, all the fons and fervants, yea, the Fathet of the houfe and Mother/are fee on work, and put to bufinefTe for his health. Hence, when David prayed, Pfal. 18. ver. 6, 7. The earth fhookjthe Foundations of the Hills were moved^for the Lord wds wrath^fmoak.andfery coales went out of his mouthy he bowed the Heavens and casne downy he rode upon a Cherub^ and diidfifc up¬ on the wings of the wind. So, itdid put iht Lord to divide the Red Sea, to break the Prifon doors and Iron chaines to deliver Peter y Paul and Silga,
5 . It adteth fo upon God^ that it putteth the Crown up- 5, on Chrifl^ head,and heigheneth the footftool of his throne^ fo much doth that Prayer {Thy Kingdome come) hold forth, and that laft prayer of the Church . Rev. 22. which the Spirit and the Bride uttereth • Even fo come Lord fefuSy is a haftning of that glorious M irriage day, when the Bride, the Lambs wifefhdW be married onfefus chriflyZnd a ripen¬ ing of the glory of God, and of Chrift the King, and head Myfticallof hisbody the Church. The Glory of infinite luftice, and faving Grace in the Redemption of men, is like a fair Rofe, but inclofed within its green leaves in this life : But when ChriH fhall appear, this Rofe Hiall be o- pened and caft out in bredth, its fair and beautifull leaves tobefeen and fmelled openly by men and Angels. In ve¬ ry deed, this prayer fo^ come Lord fefus) is fummons
for the laft ludgement , for the full manifeftation of the higheft Glory of Chrift in the finall and confuramate illu- ftration of Free- grace, and mercy in the compleat Redemp- tionofall the Prifoners of hope , onely for the Declara¬ tion of the fupream Iiidges Glory, who (hall then do ex¬ ecution on Satan, his Angels, Antichrift, and all flaves of Hell 5 fo that though prayer made not the world •, yet it may unmake it, and fee up a new Heaven and a new Earth.
6, Prayer is a binding of God, that he cannot depart, '
G g 2 and
/
220.#
The Trial I and Triumph of faith.
Serin. X-XI,
and layeth chains on his hands, and buildeth a wall or an? hedge of thornes in his way, that he cannot deflroy his people, //ii.64.7. And there is none that callethupon thy Name^ and ft.rrfth tip himfelf to take hold of thee, There
is none to lay hands on thee. Ez^ech, 22. 50. And I fought for amanamfingf than that jhould make up the hed^e^ and (land in the ^ap{or in the rupture made by war) before me for the Land^ that J Jhould not deHroy it^ but I found none. If a CMof or a Samuel fhould entercede by prayer that the Lord would fpare the Land, his prayer fliould be an hedge or a wall to ftand in the way of III ft ice, to, hinder the Lord todeftroy his people.
7. Prayer is a Heavenly violence to God, exprefted in divers poweifull expreflions, as, i Ifa.6i.6^y. Thefaith- . full watchmen pray and cry to God fo hard, that they give ^7 ’^^"1 the Lord no. refi , no filence ,, while he Efahhjh J-erufalem,
a fbrtof ftriving with the Lord, Rom. 15.
1 befeech ycu.j—-~j1rrive with me,, in prayers to God for me, 3. facob by prayer wreftled with the Lord *, and the Lord, as if he had been ftraightned faith, G'f;?.32. Sendme
away., difmife me. And Jacob pA'/, I will not difmijfe thee till thou bleije me : Which is well expounded by Holea, chap, j 2.4. Jacob had a Princely power over the Angel, and^ prevail^ edjje weptyAnd made fupplication to him., rn;^’ Is a Prince, or as many render it, Rebft^fuitcim deoj or, Direclus fuit^ vel prolJerum fucceffum habuit^ Which may note either a Princedome in prayer over God, which is the true reafon of the name ifrael •, or as others think,he Rood right up, and his prayer did not bow nor was broken, when a Temptation lay on him as heavy as a Milftone,€vcn when the Lord fiid he would depart from him, yet he pre¬ vailed under that weight : So, Exod. 32.10. WhtnMofes was praying for the people ; . The Lord (aid to Mofes, Let E5s0.33.10. meMone^ that. I may deflroy them. The Chalde .tvanduc it.,
Leave
« 221
Serm.XX I. 'The Triall and T riuwfh of Faith*
Leave of thy prayer before me. All which tendeth to this. That prayer is a Prince, and a mighty wrcftling prevailing King, that hath ftrong bones, and ftrong armes to be rido- rioiis with God. We know the Parable of the Widow, Luk. i8. Who by importiinicy obtained of the unjuft ' Judge, that he Hiould avenge her of her Adverfary. The fcope of which Parable is, that prayers without fainting, putteth fuch a labour and a trouble upon God, thafhe muft hear and anfwer the defires of his Children : So doth the Lord refemblehimfelftoamafter ofaFamily gone to bed with his Children, who yet being wpried by the knocking of his Neighbour.cannot choofe but rife in the night, and lend him bread to ftrangers come to his houfe.
8. Some alio fay that prayer commandeth God, as Ifa. 45.11. K^skme of things to come concerning my fons^ and concerning the work of my hand com n ind ye me: which place though it may well bear another interpretation, yet is this not beftde the fcope of the Text-, for lure it is, that God hath laid a fort of Lawonhimfelf regard of his bind- ingpromife, to hear the Prayers of his Children: And that he cometh down from the Throne rThis Soveraignty to fubmit himfclf to his own promife ci he aing Prayers, P/4/.34. 15. Pfal, 6). 2. Pfal. 14J, 18,19. Matth. 7.7,8. J’oh.iOf. 13^14-
life I. If Prayer prevaiTover God and Chrift^ even to the overcoming of the Devill: then much mo’ e will a praying people prevail over Hell, and fvlalignn.rts it were wifdom then for Malignants to yceld and ftrike Saile to thefe, who can by Prayer fetomnipotcncie on woik , and ingage the ftrength of Ifrael againft them. Amalek omnipotency againft them, and a harder party then fpears, and bowes,and Armed men in that Praying Mofes was againft them; The third Pfalme was a ftrong pecce a- gainft (^bfalom^ ztid Achitophef and all that conf^ir^d a-
gain ft
223
ThsTriall and T riumph ef Faith, Serm.XXI.
gainft David : ChriJfj Prayers for the perfeding of his own Body, and gatheiing in his firft bc.rne, include in them a Curfe upon all thofe that hinder the gathering in of his flock ; Wo to the enemies then againft whom our Interceffor prayeth ciirfes : The Prayers of Chrift againft . his enemies, fhallblaft them and their Counfels, and all their War- undertakings.
2. Ufe. tdfei. Some arc difcouraged, they can neither fight for Chrifi^nor do any thing to promote this Caufe, as wanting fircngth of body, and means : Nay,buc if thou canft pray thou doft let the whole wheels of Omnipotency on work, for the building of the Lords houfe, in which regard the Prayer of afickandpoor man fhall do more in War for the Caufe of God, then twenty thoufand men; It was not Ahafuerm^ nor the grace that Bjiher found in the eyes of the King, that faved the whole Church of the lewes from deflrudion, but the Prayers of Efther and her maids ; Its true, an Angel brought Peter out of Prifon, Aid, 12, But what ftirred that wheel in Heaven < ver. 5. Here’s the Caufe, Prayer was made without ceaftng to God for Peter by the Church', ^od eft caufa caufx eft etiam caufa cattfati's Prayer, Prayer can put a reeling and tottering on King and Court, Pope, Prelate, and Babylont,\ve aie to pray the King of the bottomlefie pit, the man of fin, the graven Images of Apoftate i?^?»^^outof the world : Prayer can yoke all thefwords in againft the Whore-, every one who
hath the Spirit of Adoption, though poor and rejedted of men, by prayer have powerfull influence on all the Na- tionsof the earth, on all on the ends of theearth,
on the hearts of the Jewes, on T urkes and Indians ; prayer can pach as far as Omnipotency, accompanied by the wife decree of our Lord ; And the pooieft Girlc or Maid that can pray, doth lend a ftrong lift to heighten the foot- ftoole of Qhrifis Royall Throne ^ children and poor
Maids
Scrm. XXI.
'The Tridlmd Triumfh of Faith,
223
Maids by prayer, may put the Crown on Chrifis head, and hold up his T hrone, and may ftorc and increafe heaven by praying. Thy Kingdom come , and inlargeHell, and fill the pits with the dead bodies of enemies, and may by prayer binde Kings in Fetters,chain up'and confine Devils, fubdue Kingdoms.
Great is th) Fa!th~\ For the clearing of thefe words; we arc to confider three points : i . What Faith is ; 2. What a great Faith is : 3. Why he faith thy Faith,, appropriating Five things It tothe woman. Now of Faith, I fliall fpeak, i . A word to be tica- of preparations for Faith : 2 . Of the grounds and neceffi- ry motives to Faith: 3. Of the Ingredients of Faith :
4. Of the finners warrants to believe.* 5. Of divers forts of falfc, and ill rooted Faiths.
• I. There be fome preparations which go before F iith I . Faith is a feed of heaven, it is not fo wen by the go.^d huf- aprepaL'' . bandmaniwwxvfiowtd,, and inFaUorv ground], ChriH'for\rf{h'‘'^TP^^'& ^ not among/l themes ', we are buildedon 4he Faith, ffones are hewen, rubbifli removed before one ffone be laid : 2. E- verya<5fof Grace in God, isana(5f0f Omnipotency an’d fo requireth not time or fucceifion God might have fet up the frame of the world in all its fulnefle, with leffe then one thought, or ad of his will put forth by Ornnipo- .
^ncy : yet did our Lord fubjed the ads of creating the nrft world to the rule of time, arid to a circle of evenin^^ and morning, nights and dayes, fo doth the Lord fet up a new vvoild of Faith, in a foul void of Faith by degrees ;
Theresatimcwhenthcre’sneitherperfednight,«norper-
fedc^y ; but the twilight of the morning, andGodnot- withftanding created the morning no lerfe then the noon- day Sun: There’s a half Summer, and a half Spring in me clofe of the Spring whidi God made. The Embm yOx birth not yet anirnated, is neither feed oncly, nor a man- childe onely *, fb is a Convert in his firft framing, neither
per-
224
'The Tria.ll and Triumph ef Faith, Serm.XX I.
There's no neceflhry and intrm- fecall con¬ nexion be¬ tween pre¬ parations going be¬ fore Faith, and Faith.
perfcdly untamed corruption, becaufc there’s a crack and a throw in the iron finew of the neck* nor is he achorow childe of light, but as we fay, in the dead-throw, in the place of breaking forth ef children , as Hefea fpeaketh ; A child with his head come forth of the womb and no more, and fo half born only^ fo is the Convert while he is in the making, not taken off Chrifts wheels *, half in the bor¬ ders of Hell, and looking a far off at the Suburbs of Hea- ven, not far from the Kingdom of Heaven.
But. 2 . This bridge over the water between the Kingdom of darkneffe, and the ftate of faving Grace, hath no necef- fary connexion with that Kingdom oft he Son of Gods love, but fuch as it hath from the foie and meer decree of the free Eledion of Grace, and therefore many Reprobates may enter the Bridge, and never go along to the other Banke of the River: God breaketh the Bridge, this being the very divifion and parting of thefe two unfearchable wayes of Ele(ffionand Reprobation, yet fb as the fin in cutting the bridge is the guilt of the Reprobate man : As many births die in the breaking forth out of the womb, divers Rofes in the Bud arc blafted and never fee harveft, through the fault of the feed, not of the fun.
3. Its true, the new cr acion and life of God,is vertually Seminaliterm thefe preparations, as the feed is a tree in hope, the bloffomc an apple, the foundation a Palace in its beginning*, fohalfadefire in the Non- converted is love fickneffe for Chrisl in the feed, legall humiliation is in hope Evangc’ick Repentance and mortification ; But as the feed and the growing tree differ norgradudly onlyjaut in nature and fpecifically as a thing without life is not of that fame nature and clfencc with a creature that hatha vegetative life and groweth, fo the preparatory good affedions of defire, hunger, forrow, humiliation going before con verfi on, differ fpecifically from thofe renewed affections which follow
after
Afftftions going be lore con- verfion and following after defer rpecificali
ty-
22?
$erm*XXI. "Tht T rM 4nd TritmfhiOf Faith,
— — . r nr m i - ^ . .
after : The former being ads of Grace, but not of feving grace, which goeth along with the decree of Eledion of Grace, and of like Latitude with it, the latter being the na¬ tive and connaturall fruits of the Spirit, of which the Apo- fflc fpeakcch, (^4/. 5*22,25. In which regard no man is morally and in regard of a divine promife fuch as this ( Do this And this ^ and God (had hefoxo on ’^mthe Grace of convert fion) fitter and in a nearer difpofition to converfion then another, i. Bccaule, we reade not of any fuch promife in fo^convec- thc Golpel. 2. Becaufe,amongftthings void of life, all are fion. equally void of life, and there's here no degrees of more or lelTelife, nointenfion, noreraifliOn or flacking of the de¬ grees of life 5 for even as an Ape or an Horfe , are as e- qually no men,as ffones and dead earth arc no men, though an Ape or an Horfe have life common to them with men, which ftones and earth have not*ycc they are equally as de- ftitute of rcafon & an intelleduall life which is the onlyJife of a man as a man,as ftones & earth are. So Saul only hum^ ^
bled by the terrours of the Law ^ & lick of half- raw defires of Chriflj is no leffe yet a creature void of the life of God^ then when he was in the higheft pitch of obftnacie, fpitcing out blood and murthers on the face of that Lord fefm whom he perfecuted • and in this regard, converfion is n6 leftc pure Grace every way free to Saul humbled, and lb . , - having only half a thirft and defire of C^y/7?, then if he wereyetin thefeaverof his higheft blalphemy, thirfting after the blood of the Saints.
4. Yet arc the Saints thus prepared and hurtibled, but not converted Materiady, Phyficadfi ov k wete paflively nearer chriB^ and in relation td Eternall Eledion of others are. Grace , who maketh this a fttp relati\fe to his Eternall love, they are under the reach' of Chrijfs love, and at the Elbow of the right arm of the' Either, who draweth fbuli tothefon, ^oh, 6.44, And in the Gofpebbounds and
H h fields
7 m 7 r)Ail And I rmmph $f Fatth, 5erm.XXh
fields or liftsofFree-gracc, as the height and rage of- a fea- ver, is near a cool and a return to heakh^and yet mofl: con¬ trary to health, and the utmofl: flowing of the Sea, when its at the remoteft (core of the Coaft, is a difpoficion to an ebbing, though moft contrary to a lowcbbe* fb are the humbled fouls, who have fonie lame and mained eftiina- tive power of light, to put half a price on Chrifl^ and Andes apprehended fin, the mouth, throat, and out entry of Hell in that cafe moft contrary to Chrift, A fifh within that cir¬ cle of the water that the net cafteth, is no leffe living in its owiiclement of water, then if it were in thebofome of. the Ocean, fome hundreth miles diftant from fiflier or net , yet is it in a near difpofition to be catched.
For grounds of Faith to lead us on to believing : Con- fider, I. two words, O/. i. 27. fpoken of the objedtof Faith. I . Its named, The riches of the glory of this Myjicry a- mongfl the Gentiles, 2 . Which is (faith Vmt) Chrifl in you the hope of glory. Now Faith leadeth us to a Myftery that none knoxyethy but fuch as are the intimate friends of ChriBy and are put upon all Chrifs fccret Cabinet- Coun- fcls. 2. Glory isfo taking a lover, that it will deprive a naturall man of his fleep. but the Glory of a Kingdome revealed in the Gofpel, is the flower, marrow, and fpirits of all glory imaginable. 3 . what is riches of glory ^Eph.^. 8 ,Thdt I Jhould preachy tui^iyjr'a^vifrHrtvTys'^exs'i The gold mine of the riches of the glory of chrifl that none can finde
them out, and fo large that when they are ioundout,men and K^ngels fhall not finde their boctomc. O what foldings and turnings,and inextricable windings of glory are lapped up in chrifl < Y ea, TreafureSj all T reafures^ are in him. Col. 2.3. So it is called, 2 Cor. 4. 17. weightof
glory. But 2 . a weight Eternal!, a weight aged, and full of ages of glory,: 3 . An exceeding great weight, and not tlutonly. But 4. a far more exceeding and Eternad weight
Three grounds and mo¬ tives of believing.
Glor y and Chrift the hope of
glory>
ftiong mo¬ tives to be iievc.
Scrtn. XXL
' The Triall and Trinmfh of Faith, ,227
ofzlcry,^ no Ofator in the Greek Tougue, hath any fo fu- perlative exprefldon, mwiov c^^ec/t
but weigh how weighty precious ^efm ChriH is,, how hea¬ vy, and how maflle and ponderous the Crown is, an d what millions of Diamond4 ^ Rubies,^ S ap hires ^ and Precious Stones d© fhine, and caft out raycs and beames of pure and unmixed Glory out of his Crown? What fmlles and kiffcs breathing o ut Glory, on thy now finfull face, Hiall come out of ChriB, Now the light of Faith even as a lantern or aday-ftar, iiji a cloudy dawning, leadeth thee up to this.
2 . Chrift in yon the hope of glory. How in them ^ By Faith,
Fph, 3.17* Chriftthe hope of glory ChriBih^ glory hoped
for, by a figure*, that is, Faith putteth chriB and Heaven in youby hope : So in the believer there is the Lamb,
the Throne, the Glorified Angels, and finleffe and bleffcd -Mufitians, that ftand in a circle about the Throne, praifing him that liveth forever. Allthele are in the believer'^ ^7 Faith, andin him is Heaven, the Tree of Life, the higher Paradice,theriver of water of Life*, unto all thefe Faith intituleth the Soul, and they be all nothing to ChriB the hope of Glory : Even the only begotten Son and Heir of a King, is called the hope of his houfe,the only hope of his houfc • but in regard the Heires of mortall Kings are mot- tall, the houfe is weak, and ftandeth but upon one foot, when he hath but one mortall Heir : Now its the infii ite perfedion of God^ that he can have but one Son who is in¬ finite, and the fame Eternall and Immortall God with the Father, and that he cannot die. SoChriB ftandeth theon- ly'hope of the hoide of He iven*, a King by hope, the King of hope • and all hope of the Captives and Sons of hope ^ 2.
and all the Glory of his Fathers houfe hangeth upon him. Filths ob- ChriB hath allthe Heires-upon his ibouldery and Faith in- ^
vefteth the believer to all this Power and G lory. 2 . Faith muft be fo much the more precious, as that it layeih hold ti ibutts, o
Hh 2 fpeak fo.
2 2 8 TheT ri'all and Triumph of Faith . Serm . XX I
for its poffeiOSon on Cod^ aod on the Garland, M^trow, ( if any comparifbn here can ftand ) and Flower of all Gods at- trtbuteSj'theRightcoufncfTc^of ChriJi. 2. The Free- grace oF<7f>^^the moft taking, heart- raviHiing attribute mGed^ andrnoft fuitableto oyr {infiill- condition. 3, The high and deep love Ov God,^ love which dvvelleth in,,&with,thc noble and excellent blood that fatisfieth infinite luftice i There is no fuch Glory byanyadtof obedience tendered to Godhy Adam in his innocent condition • ox by x^ngels OtholVke never finned. 3. There is as great a neceflityof
ejace rc- Faith, as of Life •, for the j unified man mu ft hy Faith quirca m There’s no Grace fo Catholike, it being of neceflky inter- woven in all our adfions, as they fall under morall confide- widcivill, ration-, not onlyin fupernaturall adlions, but alfb in all' as.wai as our naturall and civill adtions, in fo far as they muft be fpi- fpiruiu ^.jjjjallized in relation to honour, i Cor. ro.31.So as fopma^ Baruch^ Sampfon^ David^ did fight Battels^kill men,, fubdtie Kingdoms by Faith, ii. 31,33. So muft the Souldier now fight, by that fame Faith , and fo are the Saints, to cat, drink, fleep, journey, buy, fell, by Faith: We are not to put on Faith as aGloak,or an upper Garment when we go to the Streets, Fields,or Church, and then lay itafide in the houfe, at Table, or in bed ^ yea, the renewed, man is not to eat and fleep, becaufc the light of rcafon and the Law of nature teacheth him foto do, or the conveni^ ence of a calling 3 for then all thofe adfions fhall be refoL ved in the fame principles and formall rcafon of morall performance of them, in the believer , as-in the Carnall man, in whom a naturall fpitit is ftirfman, and then we do but in thefe adf ions. Walk in the light of our own fre^ an^ the fiarh that we our felves have kindled., and fhall not fee to go to bed, but Ip down in forrow^ ira.5 o. 1 1 . . But we are to fee Faith as the Plummet and line to ‘Regulate thefe adfions to do them, i , Becaufc he who hath bought us with a price,
CO*lr
Strm.XX I. The Triall a?$d Triumph ofFAtth.
229
commandethusbythc light of nature. 2. And the light of Faith is to moderate us in eating , drinking , fleep- ing, according to Chriftian fobricty, in the meafureof the a(5i:ion. g. Faith tcachcthus not to eat, that wc may eat, or forannaturall or civil! end. Grace heightneth thena- tiirall intention, to a fiipernaturall end, and to do all thefc for God and his fervicc, i Cor, i o . 3 1 . And tvhatfce'ver rve do (though but civill fcrvice as (ervants to earthlymafters in acivill calling, in trading in arts) we are to do ad as to the Lerd^ not untomen^CoX.^.i^, Then Chrift adting and mo¬ ving by the light of Faith, is the formall reafon'and prin¬ ciple in which laftly and forrnally [idtimate) all our adfions are refolvcd . 2 . Look of ,how much worth and price thy foul is of as great necelFty is Faith, except thou wouldft look for the Gofpel- vengeance, the day or the ages of E- tcrnall vengeanccat Chrifts appearance, 2 i. 8. Ifa, 61. 2 5* 18.35. chap. 8. 24, Bmif ithe fothat Faith
is required in all that I do^ the bufine^e of S alvation {\x\tay fome fay ) is hard and diffcill mrke : Where Jhall / have Faith for every Hirring of my Foot ? I Anfwer, as all our a- aions, except where Imagination is Principle of the ad, muft be deliberate , and fothe adions of a rational! m n, fo muft they be raorall • noAr there is no morality in a man, who is a citizen of the Church , but the morality of Faith , for its a duty laid upon every one within the vifible church that all his adions morall be watred and luftered with Faith: And the truth is, the work of our falvation being compared to failing, Heb,6. ip. and to fighting,
7. 2. T/>». 2. 3,4. Itsvery like a ftiip, which requireth many hands and much attentive carcfulnefte in the owner andfailors: Now the Maft is hurt, then fomewhat wan- tirig in the Deck, now the Hclmc is faulty, then the Cords are to be repaired, or the Anchor is broken , or ftie taketh* m under- water , or the Sail is >torn , or the motion flow :
There’s.
Chrifliani*: tyis .1 toil- {on«e and operous work.
250
The Triall and Triumph ef Faith, .Serm.XXL
5. The in¬ gredients of Faith 6. m number.
There’s charges to the owner, and much work to all hands, and how many things are required to a huge body of an Army c So many thoufandmen muft be lyable to fo ma¬ ny thoufand wants; Some are fick, fome wounded , fomc a dying, fbme hungry, fome naked, fome fallofFthe Ar¬ my, and are carched by the enemy, fbme be faint,romc too bold, and precipitate, yea. Armour, Houfes, Bread, Drink, Fire, Tents, Phyfitions, Workmen, Mattocks, Spades, Bridges, Lathers, Horfes, Engines of War, Art and Skill, Medicine, Councell, Courage, Intelligence, and a thou- fandThings of this kinde arc requifitc • and feldome is an Army, but there be fbme one inconvenient or other in this needy and cumberfome huge body. And when is the bu- finefle of Salvation not at a ftand, one way or other ? Is there not either one piece or other, the fhield of Faith, or the Anchor of Hope, or the Brcftplate of Righteoufnes, or fome the like,broken or faulty < Is not our guide,who hath feven eyes, ten times a day cumbered with us < Mufl not Chrijl loader our broken Weapons ? Sow our torn Sails Repair one breach or other in us In a thoufand the like , Faith is to improve the Free* grace, the omnipotence , the unchangeable love of Chrifl ^ to promove his own work, and to work in us to will„ and to do. according to his good flea fare., Phil. 2.15.
Now for the ingredients of Faith- i. There be in us , 2. Cor. 10.5. \oyi(r[Mt Great Forts railed againft the light ofFaith. Thefenaturall difeourfes in the minde, thatarc great works and hdghts, ftrong holds builded againft Chrifl. The prime fliculty reafon , the difcourlive power j)civoU that thinketh flie hath wit enough againft Chrifl.^ and to keepc the man out of all danger of eternal falvation, over-toppethand out-groweth all Gofpel-truths , Chrijl muft over-power carnall, fate, rank, and heady fouldieis, called thoughts , every thought , and fo kill
fome
231
Scrm.XXl. The TrUU and Triumph ef Faith,
fbme that will not be taken, and led captive other thoughts to the obedience of Faith. Reafon{s2L predominant bone in it felf; The carnal) minde neither will, nor can keepe rank as an obedient fouldier , under the Law of GoJ, Rom. 8. 7. Its much for fine,{ilken, and golden reafon to fay t ^ Chnfl^ Lord, Prsv. ^o,2» There s more of a beajl in me.^then of a man, I have not the under (landing oj a man. The learned, the fchoolmen, feldom beleeve • except gray, haired wit turn achilde, and go to fchool again to learn from Chrijl the new art of beleeving 5 for there was never an a(5f of unbe¬ lief in any, but it grew out of this proud and rank ftalk^ of a loftie wit 5 Therefore breaks out a new window in the foul , and brings in a new fun, that flelh and blood never faw, nor heard of before, 16. 17. 2. Faith hath low and creeping affedfions to the creature But when the affedions are big with childe of the crcatui e, as, I . They are ftrained and f welled in their aiffs , Faith is no faith,butadelufion, the rich man fpeaketh with all his heart, and with good will ofhis full barnes , and its deer I he had neither Faith nor Hope toward eternity, Luke 12. v,
I 19,20. For every word being (as we fay) of the length of a cubit, a foot and a half, 1 2. 18. He cafteth forth words of pulling down, building greater houfes, and fera- I ping in all • his goods are,7a tu mj goods ^
i all my births and bowels all my good things he had no
other good things, and there’s rio apoftrophein the words,
I he fpeaketh them with their full found, and we fpeak with 1 good will thefe things that we tell to our foul. Faith hath but, half words and half affedions touching the world,
' half ads or broken ads in the atfedions , clofing with the creature,niiell of a Faith with childe of eternity*, to make the excellency of the creature a matter of meer opinion, to ! reckon the worlds witchcrafts of luff, gain, glory, but un- I certain and topick arguments to conclude a God-head and a
golden-
2^2 T'he Triad and T riumfh of Fdtth, Serm.AAi.
golden heaven in the creature, isthe height of the wifdom of Faith : So Patd^ Gal. 2.20. / am crucifi(d mth Chrifi, O then (may fome fay) ?aul^ you are a dead man ; He faith no. Neverthelejfe I live ^ but I live the life of Faith, For chrifi liveth in m. All his motions toward the creature were half dead , like the vitall motions of a crucified man half out of the world, and his ads of Faith were lively and vitalljand high tuned, like the higheft note in the mufick- fong. Faith cannot break and violently rent in funder the two fides of the affedions,with too violent and intenfe ads of love, joy, fcar,defire,forrow,as thefe are terminated up¬ on the creature : Its true , Faith clippeth nothing from the outmoft and moft fupcrlativc pitch of the love of God^ of defire, fear, forrow, joy, as they ad upon God *, but addeth 'wind to the fails in that flux of the fouls way toward God, But Faith modcrateth and lefTcneth all thefe in relation to the creature, fo the Faith which hath its dired afped to- Faithtutn- ward eternitie, and looketh on the fhortneffe of Aiding a- ra$^ which and the tranfient wheeling away ofthe poor fl¬
are terrni- gure of this world, I Cor, 7. V, 2^. 31. turneth all thefe nated on • ads into but half a face on the creature, and into Icafurely tiux r w' ^ leaden motions,or half to non- ads, as if made up of hea- Halfafts. vcnly contradidions, v. 2^. 30, 3 1 . Having rvives^ having no wives Weefing^noweepingt, Rej eyeing^ no rejojeing-y Buy- ing^ no poffefsing-^ Ufmg the world ^ not uftng the world. When the Saints throng through the prelTc and croud of the creatures ( for the world isabufhieand rank wood ) thorns take hold of their garments,and 1 etard them in their way ; Faith loofeth their garments , and riddeth them of fuch thornie friends, as are too kind to them ifl their journy^ whodiggeth for Iron and Tin in the earth with mattocks of Gold i What wife man would make a Web of cloth of gold,a net to catch fl{h/*Expcnces fhould over- grow gains: There's pauch of the mcttall of heaven in the foul: Faith
would
the Tnall and Triumph of Faith.
1^5
would torbi.1 us to wear out the thieds of this immortall fpirit, fuch as are love , joy, fear , forrow , upon peeces of corruptible clay ? Alas, is it Faiths li-ht that fetteth men a work, to make the foul a golden-needle, and the precious powers and affeaions thereof, tbreds of filver to fow toge¬ ther peeccs of fackcloth,and old rotten raggs ' What bet- ter, I pray you, is the fineft of the web in the whole fy- fteme of creation ' Certainly the heavens muft be a thred of better wool then the clay earth, yet if you (hould break your immortall fpirit , and bend all the aas to the higheft extent of your affeaions, to conquer thoufands of Acres of ground in the Heavens , and intitle your foul to that in¬ heritance, as to your onely patrimony without CArr/f; Faiths day- light (hould difcovet to you, that this fineft part of that web of creation, with which you defire to cloth your precious foul,is butbafe wool and rotten thred, and though beautifull and well dyed to the eye , yet, Plal.
102.26. The heavens, even all ef them (Isallrvax eldlskeagar-
menf. Andthewtfdom of Faith knovveth a (hop where there’s a more excellent fuit of clothes for the foul,
<. 1,2. And a more precious peeceofthe Heaven to dwel in even a Heafi tvhich is frm Heaven, tvHh which yotsjhalbe
chthed.: 'When life (hall eate up death and mertality.
2. The creatures ate below the affeaions of the belee- ver 'and his affeaions conquereth them, as having the van¬ tage of the mount above all the creatures. So Paul maketh an°elegant contrariety, Phil. ^ ’
whole heart, fenfes, minde, findeth neither niiell.taftc nor
wifdom,but in earthly things •, ( for « w fo
minde things of the earth, importeih all thefc) and thofe whoby Faith look to Heaven and dwell there : And the temporaries heart is below the world, and the creatures are up in the mountabove him. So, eMatt. 1 3. v. ?•
The thorns or cates of riches have the fore-ftartofthc
2 54 The Triall and Triumph $f Faith. Serm .XX I.
earth, and fap above Faith, or the good feed : For the feed wa=; caft in the earth , when the thorns had been there before, and had the vantage ofthefeafbn, and the foil both. The firft love is often ftrongeft. The Martyrs, Beb. 11.35. had poor and weak thoughts of this life , and would not accept and welcome life and deliverance from death • but had ftrong ads of Faith and love toward a het‘ ter refurreBion. Its a fouls ftrong Faith that bringeth him to niladmirari • and to wonder at nothing. Never to love much, nor fear much, nor farrow much, nor joy much, nor weep much , nor laugh much , nor hope much , nor di/paire much , when the creature is the objed of all thefe ads 5 there is nothing great, not the worlds All things or their Ttt vav'nt to him who is pofteffed with that Righteoufnefe which is of God y by Faith ^ ThiL 3. 8,^. Men that talketh
with good wilfand all their heart, of their learning, books, of their own Ads, good Works, Wifdom, Court, Honor, valour in War, Flocks, Lands, Gold, Moneys, Children, Friends, T ravels, are to Examine , If Faith be not a chafte thing, and that ads of whoredom with the creature and of beleeving in Chrifi^ are fcarce confiftent. Let your affe- dions move toward the creature , without great found of . feet.
5. There muft be felf-forfaking in beleeving. i. An affirming, and an (ay) to grace, is a negation and deniall to it felf, I Cor. 15.10. I laboured more abundantly then they all . Tet not /, but the grace of God which wa4 with me: To de¬ ny that you arc Chri/ls^ or that you have any grace • ( If Chrift have any thing of his in you ) is not felf-deniall, but grace deniall, and God-deniall, deny the work of the fpi- rir, and deny himfelf. Its a faying of humility, Cant,i.^. J am black , and of Faith , but comely as the tents of Kedar^ as the curtains of Salomon. And Cant, 5.1, / flept., but my heart waked. Its Faith to hold faft your ftate of adoption ; Lord,
J am
Scrm. XXL
The Tridl And T riumfh of Faith.
235
I am thine. 2. When our felf maketh afuic to fclf, and putteth in a bill to the flefh. 0 pue thy felf Rejoyce^ O young man in thy youth. Its felf- renouncing to deny this requeft to the fleOi : And Faith onely can give an anfwer to leU- decUning the crolTe. He that denieth me before men^ him ml I deny before my Father and his holy Angels ( faith And another anfwer Faith givcth, Rem. 8. 12. I am not debtor to thee,0 flefli. I owe thee nothing. And its F^‘jhs word of anfwer, Fcclef. 11.9. But know thouyhatfor alltheje things God will bring thee unto judgement . 3. Faith putteth the foul in that condition , that felf may be plucked from fyf ^ without great violence, as an apple full of the tree, and of harveft-fap> is with a fmall motion pluckt off the 21.13. f ready vrdyMt ^ have my felf in readinefe^ not
mil tobehund^ but alfo to dye ht ferufalem for the name of the Lo^dTefus. Cettairdy Faith faw here more in ^efm ofex- cellencie and fweetneue, then there could be of bitternclfc
in bonds and death to felf. 1 mi rj c
4 There’s a deniall of the creature , and a bill ot deti- an« lent to all the lovers of the world, when Ephraim is brought to this aa ofbeleeving , Hof 14. 3. For in thee the Fatherleffe findeth mercy. Then its fiid , \^jhurjhall not fave m : We will not ride upon horfes. That creature that wc truft on, wc ride, upon it , as ifrael c id upon the hoides of Afyria and Mgypt. Bat in this regard, Faith difmounteth the beleever, and abafeth him to walk on foot. All the creatures 5re fhips to the beleever without a bottomc : They are empty and weak : David forbiddeth us to ride on a Prince, Pfal. 14^* 3» 4' For that horfe fliali faint, jmd fall to clay. God alloweth Scotland to help England , but will not have the fouls of his children in England to ride upon an Army ofanother Nation , and to trufl; in them for falvation. To make fire, is not fo proper to fire , To give light, not lo kindly to the fun , as falvation is Gods onely
li 2
T he Trial I and T riumph of Faith , Serm . XX I.
due , and tlierefore let England m this, walk on foot , and truft in the Lord.
5 . The fifth ingredient alfo in Faith, is, that its botom- cd upon the fcnfe and pain of a loft condition. Pover¬ ty is the neereft capacity of belecving. This is Faiths me¬ thod , Be condemned^ and be faved. Be hanged /Siud be par¬ doned. and be healed, 9. 13. ^4^.4. 7.8.
Matt. II. 28. Luke 19. 10. Faith is a floor of onely planting, yet it growcth out of no foil, but out of the mar¬ gin and bank of the lake of fire and brimflone, in regard there be none fo fit for Chrift and Heaven^ as thofe who are felf-fick, and felf-condcmncd to Hell. This is a foundati¬ on to chrift that becaufe the man is broken , and has not bread- therefore he muft be fold, and Chrif muft buy him, and take him home to his fire- fide , and cloche him , and feed him. The chafed man, purfued upon death and life, who hath not a way fo r life, but one nick of a rock - if he miffe that, he is a dead man, had he a hundred lives. So is the belecver purfued for bloud, there is- but one City of refuge in Heaven, or out of Heaven -, this is only, only Chrif the great rock. And it is true, its in a manner forced Faith , and forced love caft upon Chri(l upon a great venture -, yet we may make neceftky here the grea- teftvertue, or the higlieft grace , and that is to come to chrift. Satan doth but ride upon the weaknefle of many , proving, that they are not worthy of Chrifi , which is the way oid.Sophift^ to prove an evident truth that cannot be denied , But there’s no greater vantage can be had againft Sin and Satan then this • becaufe I am unworthy of Chrift^ and out of meafure finfull , and I finde it is fo, ( Satan2^nd confcience teaching me that truth, to bring me on a falfe conclufion) therefare ought I, therefore muft I come to chrifi unworthy as lam.. For Free- grace is moved from wijLhia it fclf from Codt good will, oncly without any mo-
Serm.XX I. riumfh of Faith,
237
tion or adion from fin, to put it Iclf forth upon the finncr- to the end, that fin being exceeding finfull , Grace imy be abundantly ; ar:d no thanksto 54/4;? for fuggefting a
true principle i art unworthy of ChnH) falfc conclufion, {Therefore thou art not to come to Chrpt) toi the contrary arguing is , Gojp el- logic k, Safins reaioning fhould be good, if there were no way but the law to give life But'becaufe there is a Saviour, a Gofpel, and a new and living way to He«\’-en: The contrary arguing is , the
(inners life and happineffe.
The (ixt Ingredient in Faith is , that the finner can Faith hath lay hoW on the Promife. i. Not Amply, but withrcla- tion to the precept-, for prefiimptuou^s fouls plunge in their foul fouls in fair and precious prom>res,and this is the Fat h doi.ng^ of for the promife is not hoi t- • u
finners as finners, but as to fuch finners , for we make Fai th to be nn aa of a finner humbled, wearied, laden.poor, ielt- condemned , now thefe be not all finners, but onely fome Idnde of finners. i^ntinomians make Faith an aa ot a lot- tv Pharifte, of one vildeperfon, applying with an imme¬ diate touch, tmmcdiato contaSlu^hh hot boiling, and Imoak- ino lulls to Chnfls wounds, blood, merits, without any co°nfcience of a precedent Commandement,that theper- fon thus believing, fhould be humbled, weaned, loaden orieved for fin.I confeffe this is hafty hot work.md maketh Faith aftride.or one Angle ftep^but its a wanton,fle(hly,ana a prefumptuous immediate work to lay hold on the promi- fes of mercy and be faved : This is the abfolute F ith that Papifts and Arminians flandereth our Doarine svithall, becaufc sve rejea all foregoing merits, good works, congruous difpofitions, preparations moving o to convert this man, becaufehe hath fuch preparations-, and to rejea and to leave another man to his own lurd- neffe of heart , becaufe he hath no fuch payment m hand.
2 58 The Tr tall and Triumph ef Faith. Serm.XXl.
by which he may redeem and buy convcrfion, andche Grace of eflFe(5fuall calling* efpecially, they building all upon a Babell of their own brick and clay , that free will in all ads of obedience before or after converfion, is abfb- lutely indifferent to do, or not do*, to obey, or not obey^ to chufe Heaven and life, Hell or death, as it pleafeth , as be¬ ing free and loofed from all Prs^dctermination, and fore¬ going morion, ading or bowing of the will, coming ci¬ ther from Gods naturall or his efficacious or rupcrnarurall Providence. And fbthe PapiB^r)d Arminian on the one extreamity,inthroneth nature, andextolleth proud meric, and abafeth ChriH and Free grace: The FamiliH^ Liber¬ tine^ and Antinomian, on a contrary extremity and oppo- fition, turn man' into a block, and make him a meer patient in the way to Heaven *, and under pretence of exalting ChriFtzvid Free~grace^{^x. up the flefh, liberty, licence, loofe-. neffe on the throne, and make the way to Heaven on the other extremity as broad, as to comply with all prefump- tuous proud flefhly men, walking after their lulls, and yet fas they dream) believing in Chrifi. 2. The foul fecth Chrift in all his beauty ,cxcellencie, trcafurcs of Frec-grace lapped up with the curtain of many precious promifes ; now the naturall man knowing the liteiall meaning and fenfe of the promifes,reeth in them but words of gold, and things a far off* and in truth, taketh heaven to be a bcau- tifull and golden phancy *, and the Goffel-premifes^ a fliower of pretious Rubies , Saphirs^ Diamonds , fallen out of the clouds only in a night dream-and therefore jeers and feoffs at the day of ludgement, and at//c4'i;^« and Hell^i Pet. 1,2,3. For can every capacity fmclland taftethe unfearch- able riches of Christy the fulneffeoF God in the womb of the promifes, by medicating on them, and fending them, in their fweetnefTc and heavenly excellency, down to the affe- dions to embrace them < No,ic cannot be, that words and
founds.
Serm.XXl. T'heTriaiandTrittmphef Faith, 5 3P
founds, and fyllables, can fo work upon a naturall fpirit ;
If you (how not to a buyer pretious and rare commodities, and bring them not before the fun, he fliall never be taken fo with things hidden in your coffers, as to be in love with them, and to fell all he hath and buy them ^ Preachers cannot, nay , its not in their power to make the naturall fpirit fee the beauty of ChriH •, Paul Preacheth it,but the Gofpel is hid¬ den from the blinded man, 2 Cor. 4.3. If I cannot Com¬ municate light, far lefte can I infufelove in the foul of a loft man. 3. Literall knowledge of Chri^M not in the 3* power of naturall men *, but laying down this ground,that a Pharifee lend eyes and eares to ChriH and his" miracles ^
The light ofthe Gofpel worketh as a naturall agent ^ for „
make open windows in a houfe,whcther the indweller will as
or he will not, the fun fhal-dart in day light upon the houfe, a naturall foh. 7.28. Theft cryed fefu^ in the Temple ^ as he taupht^ fty- Te both knew me^ and ye know whence I am. And thtrc is a covering upon the fpirituall fenfes and faculties of the foul of naturall men , that though eyes, and eares, and minde, and foul be opened •, yet its as unpolTible for the na¬ turall 4'h'it, or the Preacher to remove that covering, as to remove a Mountain , it being as heavy as a Mountain : And therefore there be three bad (ignes in a naturall fpirit; i .His light,which is but literall, is a burden to him, it but vexerh him to know ChriH^ and if a beam of light fall in on the apple of the eye of a naturall confcience, its as a thorne between the bone and the flcdi, the man (hall not fleep,and yetheisnotfteke. I doubt if either Achitophef Oifudas wakened with their light could deep. 2. Though a promife ftiould difpLite and argue ChriH in at the door of the natu¬ rall mans foul, as the Gofpel by way of arguing may do much, y.i%.foh.\z. 37. Heb. ii. i. The w^ord of the Gofpel being a rationall , convincing Syllogifme , as Chrifi faith, J-oh. 13.24. Put mrothey have both feen^and
hated f 1
I **
240
TheTrtall und Triumph of Faith, Serm.XXI.
hated both me and Father, Yet men may fee the princi¬ ples and the conciufion, and hate & pradically fufpend the 3. alTcnt fromrhe conclufion. 3. Converfion is feared as a great danger hy naturall men, left the promifes put them on the pain and the main- mill of godlinefte. For men do flee nothing but that which they apprehend as evill, dan¬ gerous, and fo the true objed of fear. Now when Fdlix and ^grippa were both upon the wheels,! cannot fay that Qorwcfion formally was begun • ytt materially it was, the one trembled, and fo was afraid , and fled, and did put Paul away till another time ^ then he faw the danger of Grace, 24. 23,2^. The other faith, he was ^4//
4 Chriflidjt • ( but it was the pooreft half) and he arofe am went aftde^AFl, 26, 28.30,31. The naturall Ipirit may be convinced by the promifes, and have the pap in his mouth, but dare not milk out the fap and fweetnefle of the prorai- fes, Matth. 13.13. Their eyes they have clofedy lejl at any time they fhould fee with their eyes, am hear with their ears^ and Jhould under ft and with their hearty and fhould be converted, and J fhould heal them. So is it, Ifa. 6. i o. In which words con¬ verfion is feared as an evill, as is clear •, So one wretch faid, he was once in danger to be catched^ when a Puritan Preacher (as he faid ) was Preaching with Divine power and evidence of 4* thefpiritof God. 4. Thetruebelieversfoulhathinflu- cnce on the promifes, to a(ft upon them, to draw comfort out of them, Pfal. 119 pz. Unleffe thy Law had been my de^ li^ht, 1 fhould have perijhed in mine affiiFlion, ver. 8 1 . LMy foul fainteth for thy Salvation *, (But) / hope in thy word. And there’s a reciprocation of adions here ^ the word a<ftcth upon the foul again, Pfal. i ip. 50. This is my comfort in my afftiFlton^ for thy word hath quickned me. A dead Faith is like a dead hand, a living hand may lay hold on a dead hand*, but there’s no reciprocation of adions here, the dead hand cannot lay hold on the living hand*,ro the living
wite
Scrm. XXT
The Tridl and T rmmfh of Faith. 241
wife may kiiie, and embrace the dead husband, but chere can come no reciprocal! aSt of life from the dead husband to her, nor can he kiffe and embrace her: The promife may a<5t upon the natural 1 fpiric, to move and affed him, but he cm put forth no vitall ad upon the promife to embrace it, or lay hold upon the promtfe : But the promife adeth up¬ on the Believer to quicken him, and he again putteth forth an ad of life to embrace the promife, and putteth forth on it, fome ad of vital! heat, to adhere and cleave to,and with warmneffe of heart to love it •, and here the cafe is as when the living hand layeth hold on the living hand, they warm one another mutually, according to that which Paul faith, Phil.?,r2- But I follow aft er^ if that I way apprehend that for which alfo I am apprehended of Chrijl fefus : Here be two living things, Chrifl, and believing Paul ading mutu dly one upon another, theres a heart and a life upon each fide.
5 . Faith under hunting and great ffraits can fo improve 5. the promife as to put an holy and modefl: challenge upon God,ro Pp/.i 19.4P. afflided David faith, Remember the word unto thy fet vant^ upon which thi u haft eaufed me to hope^ and the Church, ^er. 14.21. Do not abhor m for thy names fake^ do not dtfgrace the throne of thy glory remember^ break not thy Covenant with m ; and the Lord commandeth that this challenge be put on him., lfa.43 .2 <5. Put me in remembrance ftet m plead together • then he giveth faith leave to plead bn the contrary with God •,.naturall fpirits faint, and cannot fb far own the promife, as to plead with God by their right and juft claime to the promife : Now the fourth point con¬ cerning faith, is what grounds and Warrants the
hath to believe. point con •
• 4. Its an ordinary challenge made by Satan.^ confcience^ ceming and the Arminian, fince Chrift died not for all and every one of mankiridc •, and all are not chofen to life eternall, \v.u rams but only thofe, on whom the Lord is pleafcd, according to of bdie
7/^2 T'heTriall and Triumph of pAtth, Serm.XXI.
T*
the free decree ot Ele(5tiori to confer the grace of believing. What wari'ant can the unworthy (inner have to believe,and to own the merits of Chrift ? For he knoweth nothing of the Elcdlion, or Reprobation that are hidden in Gods etcr- nall mindc : for Anfwcr,
I I . Its no prefumption in me to believe in Chrift before The War- j know whither I be chofen to falvation or not, for nothing cla/meof a hinder me in this cafe to believe,fave only prefumption finner why as the adverfarics fay, but it is not prefumption, becaufc beUcK prefumption is when the foul is lifted up, and T owred like
an high building, as the word is, And therefore
the lifted up man, Ssy Gnophef is he that hideth himfelf in GnupbeU 3. high Caftle-,as every unbelieving prefumptuous (bul hath fmmmuefi Eis own Caftlc, the unbeliever hath either one Ophel^ mUage high T ower or other, either the King, friends, ricfies or generum. his own wifdom, for his God on wnich he refteth, befide the God that the Scripture recommendeth to us as our on¬ ly rock and. foul-confidence : All men on earth live, and do all morall anions, even when they goon in a wicked life, as flaves of Hell, to rvork all uncleanneffe withgreedtmffe^ upon fomc ground of faith, though a moft falfe and coun¬ terfeit Faith, that they (hall profper by evildoing,and that fin (hall make them happy, fo PfaLio,^, The wicked man^ Praifeth the wicked man^ then he muft believe that wickedneflfe maketh men praife worthy, and this belief is but prefumptuous confiding, and refting on a Tower of his own building : Now to believe in Chrift, though the decree of Elc(5iionbc not revealed to me,is no prefumption^ for I am not obliged, before I believe, to know that I am Elededto Glory : It being one of Godsfecrcts not re¬ vealed in the wordjbut made manifeft to mt^After I believe^ and am fealed unto the day of Redemption : and therefore in a humble refting on Chrift , though the foul know not his Ele<ftion , which is not revealed in the word,
in
Serm.XXI.
The trUll and T riumfh of Faith,
243
in that condition there can be qo Pride nor prefiimption 5 forheisfelf wife, and prefumptuous, who intrudeth into thofe things that he hath not feen. Col, 2, 18. knoweth not that which God hath revealed, and fo which he ought to know*, now the Believer ought not to know, that he is e- leded to glory *, he yet being an unbeliever, To his know- ledc'e cannot deviate from a rule which doth not oblige to conformity therewith as with a Rule*, the Pourtrad of Cafar doth not erre from the famplar, becaufe it is not like ' a Bull or a Horfe, bccaufe neither a Bull nor a Horfe is
the due famplar. , , ^ l r
2. To warrant an unworthy humble finner to believe 3»
there’s no need of a pofitivc Warrant, or of a voice to fay {thoa art e leafed to glofy , therefore believe^ the ivord is ntar the in th) mouth *, yea, there is a commandment laid upon the humbled finner {Come 0 may^^and loaden finner to Chrifl^ and beeafed) Now when thewinde bloweth fweetly and fairc upon an humbled finner, who is eleded to glory, there goech the Spirit of the Gofpel along with this Commandment and the word of Commandment, and the fpirit united in one,adlcth and worketh fo upon the foul, that the humbled finner cannot be deluded and led on a rock of prefumptionj for this fpirit joyneth and clofeth with his fpirit, and he as one of chrifts flieep, knoweth this to be the voice of Chrifi .
I grant when the fame command of Tiith comethto the cars of a Reprobate, he may upon a falfe ground believe, or rather prefume • he neither being rightly humbled, and fitted for nor can the Reprobate know and dilcetn
thewinde of the fpirit, breathing with the command, and aiffing upon his fpirit, becaufe that winde neither can, nor doth breath upon any Reprobate, and there is no need of any poficive Warrant to alcertaine a childe ot^ God to be¬ lieve , befide the commandment of Faith inlived and quickned with the fpirit going along with it, fpr that
Kk 2 com-
244 Tridl and Triumph «f Faith, Scrm .XXL
cominand fo qiuckned doth put Tuch a rcall ftampe of an evident tcftimony, that he hath claime to ChriH,or\ whom ^ the fpirit and the command doth 11) ad, that he feckcth no more any other evidence to prove his claime to Chrift,then the Lambc needcth any evidence to prove,that of ten him* died fheep^this only that ofFereth to it her paps and milke rnuft be its dam or mother, and none oF the reft of the flock : But how do I know that it is the fpirit that goeth along with the Commandment of believing I It may be a delufion, Bcfide that, a deluding fpirit for the moft
part, doth not go every way along with the word : Ir this fpirit keep Gods order, to work upon the humbled and felf difpairins {inner, who is willing to receive Chriji upon hi s own condition, it is not like to a deluding fpirit • for if the word of commandment to believe, and die fpirit agree in o"e, it cannot be a delufion, phancie Icadctli no man to Faith. 2. When objedts of life work upon life, they can¬ not deceive , efpccially all the (enfes, Hearin^^ , Seeing, Tafting, Feeling, Smelling •, the excellency and fvveetnelle of Chnfi, going along with the word,cannot be delufion 5- a man may imagine that he Teeth and hearech, and yet his fenfes may be deceived •, but that all the fenfes, efpecially all the fpirit uall fenfes, and that a man imagineth that he liveth a naturall life and is dead, is rare.
3. Faith can ftand upon one foot, even on a gencrall word ^ hence this is a Gofpel word in the Prophets which requireth Faith, T urn to the Lord for he is mere i full, Jer.3. 1 2 Joel 2.1?. Jon. 4.2. And becaufc a gencrall promife re¬ ceived with heart-adherence and confidence giveth glory to God ^ and ifit be holden forth to an humbled foul who is now within the lifts and bounds of Grace, and for any thing that the perfi)n thus laden with fin knowethonthe contrary (for the fecrets of Eledion and Reprobation be- longeth to the Lord) Chrtft mindeth and intendech to him Salvation,thercfore heistobelieve. 4. This^
Serm.XXl. Thelrtali andTrmmph of Faith, ?45
4. This would be confidered, that unbelief breaketh 4. with ChriU firft, before ChriH break with the unbeliever • and the Ele6t of God finderh no mo’-e, nor any higher fa¬ vour in the kinde of excernall means^to open the Lambs Book of Life, which is fcaled and clofed with Gods own hand, then the Commandnuentof believing. Now when our Lord maketh offer of the Kingdom of Tons to flaves, and cideth his Jewe’l o^Chrift offered in the Golfcl in the lap and bofome of a B id ird, what ever be the Lords fecrec Decree and purpofe in fo doing- The Baftard is to take God at his word, and to catch the opportunity of Gods love in fo far , and if he do it nor, the Gofpel offer to the Re¬ probate being a treaty of peace,then the treaty breaketh oif firft upon his iidc-,for Chiift cometh within a mile of mer¬ cy to meet the {infier,and the finner cometh not the fourth part of a mile, yea, not half a ftep of love and thankfull o- bedience to meet Chrift • and fo Chiift killeth the unbe¬ liever with the fweecnefte of the preventing coiittefieof offered mt rcy.
5. But if the /inner be wearied, and loaden, and feeth, 5 though through a cloud only , Chrifl only rnuft help and ftive, if not, he is utterly and eternally loft : What is there upon Chrifts put to liinder thee to believe < O guilty wretch ! 0 (fliith he) I fear Chrifl only offtreth h/?nfelf to me, bat he mindeth no Salvation to ? C^nf, Is not this to raifeanevill report and ft inderon the hel^ one of ifrael 1 Tor Chrifts offer is really an offer, and in fo fir, its reall love, though it cannot infer the love of Eie6fion to glory yetthetotall deniall of this offer, openeth up the black fcal of Reprobation to heathens without the Church-and there¬ fore its lov'^e to thee, if thou be humbled forfiii. 2. And h ve half an eye to the unfearchable riches of Goffel mircy,
3. And be felf condemned. 4. 'And have half a defire of Chrili I, thou may ft expound love by love, and lay hold on
The fifth point of falfc Faith, and the ufc of all. Grace cflcntiall to Faith.
Dive IS forts of people who cannot have Faith.
I.
246 The Trull and T rmmph of F^th . Se rm . X X I
■ I ■ ■ - - — ■ - _ _ _
the promire and be faved ; An errour of humble love to ChrtB is.no errour.
That which is next, is a word of the EflTentia! principle of true Faith, and that is a proportionable mcafiire of grace, pW. r. 2 p. required in Faith: men naturally imagine that faith is a work of nature • hence that fpeech of a multi¬ tude of Atheifts (/ believe all mydayes^ I believe night and day) But they never believe at all, who think and fay, they believe alwayes. The Jervs afferted that they believed Mo~ fes alwayes, and fb oppofe ihcmfelves to the man altoge¬ ther born in ftn^^oh.g,^tx. 28, 2p. compared with ver. 34. But told them, they neither believed the Me(ft- ahj nor Mo fes ^ chap. 5. ver. 35, 36,37. Nature WvUketh al¬ wayes alike, and without intermiffion or freedome. The Floods alwayes move , the Fountain alwayes caft out Breams, the fire alwayes burncth, the Lamb alwayes fieeth from the Wolf ^ but the wind-of the fpirit, doth not al¬ wayes enacB the foul to believe • they arc not in an ill cafe who wrcftle with unbelief, and finde the heart and take it, in the wayes of doubting and terrours, as feeling that be¬ lieving is a motion up the moun^, and fomewhat violent* facilland connaturall ads cannot be fupernaturall ads of Faith : Its no bad fign to complain of a low ebbe Sea, and of neither Moon light, nor Bar light. 2. Its'unpoBible they can fubmit to give the glory of believing to Godfm whofe heart there’s a rotten principle deBrudivc of Faith, and that is an ambitious humour of feeking glory from men, 5. 44. Little F ith there’s in Kings Courts, Faith dwelleth not in a high Spirit. 3. Such as take Rehgion by the hand upon falfe and baBard motives, as the Sum¬ mer of the GofpeLand fame, cafe, gain, honour, cannot believe: A thorny Faith is no Faith, Matth, 13.22. A Carnall mans Faith muB be true to its own principles . and muB lye levcll with externalls, fo as Court , eale , the
world.
2.
3-
Scrm.XXI.
The Triall and Triumph of Faith.
247
world and its fweec adjun<5ls, are a meafuring line to a rotten rooted Faith , neither longer nor broader then time, it goeth not one fpan length within the lifts of Eter^ nity. 4. Phancy cannot be Faith • fuch as have not Gof- pel- knowledge of Chrjft.^ cannot believe • but muft do as the Traveller, who unaware fetteth his foot on a Serpent in the way, and fuddcnly ftarteth backward, fix fteps for one, .E/; 7« cwow :foh. 6. 66, So do they that phancy all the Gojpel tobeaCarnall or a Morall dircourfe, 5. Thofe cannot have Faith, in whofc heart the Gofpel lyech above ground. Devils and fin having made the heart hat d like the Summer ftreets^ Matth. 1^,19. wkh daily treading and walking on them. A ftony Faith, or a Faith that groweth out of a ftone, cannot oea faving Faith: There’s a heart that is a daily walk, in which the Devil (as it were) aireth himlelf. 6, If Chrift have given the laft knock at the door, and all in-paftages be clofed up, and heart- infpirations gone, there can be no more any fort of faith there,F/>^,4. 19. 2Tim 4. 2 . The heart is like a dried up arm in fbme , all the oile in the bones are fpent. y.Loofe walking with greedinefle,argues that hell hath taken fiie on the out- works of the foul./Zf// in the hands & tongue as in the out- wheels, muft argue heU & unbelief in the heart and the in- wheels, i . Loofc believers go to Heaven by miracles, I dare go to Hell for a man , if fuch an one go to Heaven , who liveth prophanely , and faith, He hath a good heart within : 2. The going in waics of blood, Extortion , Covetous Idolatrie, belyeth the decree of cledbion to Glor'j, Grace leadeth no man to the Eaft, with his face and motion clofe to the Weft. 3. This way of working by contraries, is not Gods way : God can worke by contraries , but he will not have us to work by contraries. There’s fome heaven of holineffe in the court- gate to the Heaven of happinefte. 8. Faith ovcr-looketh time, Heb. 1 1 . 10. AbrahamXookQ^ for another City.Faith
in
4-
5^-
6,
7-
1.
2.
3*
8.
248
'The T rinll and T riumph $f Faith, Scrm.XX~ir.
A great Faith. Ingredi¬ ents of a ftroiig Faith.
1. Strong Fraying
in m^ofesvjSiS great with childe of heaven ,1^.25. He had an eje to the recompence of reward. Eternity of Glory, is the birth of Faith. Oh ! we look not to the declining of our fun, its high afternoon, of our pecce of day, eleven hourcs is gone, and the twelfth hour is on the wheels, and 1 fee not my own gray hairs • Its upon the margin and borders of night, and I know not where to lodge. We ai'e like the manjfwimming through broad waters, and heknowethrot what is before him, he fwimeth thorow deeper and deeper parts of the river, and at length , a crampe and a flitch co- meth on arms and leggs, and he finketh to the bottom and drowns: We fwim through dayes, weeks.raoneths, veers, winters, and arc daily deeper in time^while at length death bereave us of flrength oflcggs and arms, and we fink over head and ears in Eternide. Oh ! Who like the fleepy man, is loofing his clothes, and putting off the garments of dark- neffe, and would gladly fleep with Chrifl i Men are clofe buttoned, and like day-men, when its dark night. Its fear- full to lye down with our day-clothes, J-oh 20. 1 1 . Sin is a fad winding- fheet ; Oh ! Whatbeleever faith, I would have a fuit of clothes for the high Court and Throne to be an EfTay, to fee how a fuit of glory would become me Thus much for Faith.
SERMON XXI I.
NOw a word of a flrong and great , and wkhall
of a weak and fainting Faith. For the moft I go not horn the Text, to find out the ingredients of a great Faith. I . A ftrong, praying, and a crying Faith, is a great Faith. So muff Chrijis Faith have been , who prayed with fliong cries and tears : Strong Faith maketh fore fides , in pray¬ ing as this woman prayed with good will^here’s an effica¬ cious defire to be rid of a finfull temptation, as Paul pray¬ ed thrice to be freed of the prick in the flelh. Their Faith is weak, who dare not pray againft feme Idoll fins : Or,. 2.
I w _ ^ ... . : _ _ _ ^ - - - '
Scrm.XXII. 7he Tridl And Trtnmf)f of Faith, 249
If they pray, its but gently, with a wifh, not to be heard.
2.The womans crying, herinftant pleading in Faith, yea % inftant I . Above the Difciples care for her •, yea^ above Chrifts ^'leading, feeming g^owmes, who denied her to be his, who reproa¬ ched her as a dog,argueth great grace, great humility with ftrong adherence, and fo great faith.
2. ForFaithfailethfometimes with a ftrpngtide, and 2. a faire winde •, according as the Moon hath an afpe(5l on the Sun, fo is it full, or not full, when the wheels are fet right
to the Sun, the clock moveth and goeth right : The fairer and more clear fight that Faith hath.of Chrift, the ftronger Grawfre- are thea(^s of Faith, it cannot be denied but Faith hath a quired in good, and an ill day : becaufe grace is various, its no ftrong believing, proofe that its not grace. .
3. To put Faith in all its parts, in light, in flaying on 3. / C^r//?, in affiance, in adherance, ih fell- diffidence, in fub- miflive affenting forth in all its ads, and to lift the foul all
off the earth, reqnireth Chrifts high Spring-tide • its not cafie to put all the powers that do ad in Faith a float, efpe- cially becaufe a ftrong faith iS a great veftell, and therefore more of Chrifts tide is required for weighing Anchor, and Launcing forth : The wings of a Sparrow fhould not raife an Eagle off the earth, the limbs of a Pifmire could not fuit with a Horfe or an Elephant, there is need of a ftrong winged foul to believe, eTpecially againft hope.
4. To believe Chrift, when midnight fpeaketh blacknefle 4.
of wrath, requireth eyes and light of miracles •, yea, its a greater work then the very miracles of C hr iff fdm 14. 1 2 .
But efpccially when Chrift is abfeht, its with the foul, as with a clock, in which the wheels are broken, the paffes or weights arc fallen down.
I O b j ed. I . But 1 aime andindedvour to belie*vf hut can do
I nothing ^ and mthout his ^face my 'violence to heaven ii without
fruit. Anf. i. Its true ftiQ Semipelagians halfingof the work
LI of
Ohj .1,
2 50 T'he TrUB. and Triumph of Faith, Serm.XX II.
of believing, and the glory of it between co-operating ‘ grace and will, as if nature could divide the Ipoile with the grace of Chrift, is damnable pride*, but its Gods way to halfc the work between Chrift within, in regard ofthe ha¬ bit of grace, and Chrift without, in regard of the allifting grace of God, Luk, 15.20, While he wa^ )et a great way offy his father farv him^ and ran and fell on his neck^ and ki(fed him-^ Chrift re- chrif rewardeth not natures aims with grace, nor doth he gr^aawuh make gifts the work,and gracc thc hire, or natures labour grace. the racc, and grace the Garland : but he rewardeth grace ' ‘ with grace, and chat of meer grace,gp0/>.r5.3. He hath in his Decree and Promife marfhalled fuch and fuch ads of grace to ftand befide others, and that by . Covenant *, and therefore believe, that you may believe ^ pray, that you may pray.
Ohj,2, Objed.2. But who canaSi faving grace ^without the blowing &f faving grace I can no mere do it ^ then / can command the WeB wind£toblow when I hft. ^nf. I grant all, nor do I (peak this to infinuate, that Free-will fitteth at the helme, or that Grace fleepeth, and Will waketh, the contrary is an evident truth : yet give me leave to lay, theres ods be¬ tween blowing of the winde, and making ready the fails : Though Sea-men cannot make wind, nor is it their fault to want winde, yet can they prepare the Sails, and hoife them up to welcome the winde *, we cannot create the brea¬ things of the fpirit, yet are we tomifte thefe breathing^5 and this is a fitting of the Sails, and wearetojoync with the Cpirits breathings. ChrlB bindeth up the windes in his garment, fo as if one look of faith, or halfe a fpirituall OiOLild ranfom me from hell, I have it notin ftock - ail fupL- therefore hath God ordered fuch a difpenfation, that in all Stovall ftirringsof grace, ;the firft fpdng^ Prinerpium motus^ the fountain- rife of ca/li/tg f efus Lordy {hd\\ he up in Heaven at-the right hand of the Father,, and the fartc end of any
graci-
ersciou's thought, is as far above me as the heart of Chreft who is in the Heaven of Heavens is above the earth, though ve think nothing of it and better Chrift be my Stevs r, , and that the Gofpelbe at the end of all afts of grace, as that Chrifl be Free-wills debtor : More reafon chrifl be Creditor then debtor to his Redeemed ones : i.l '‘"ow the childe of God may be fo far forth lazie, as that its his fai.lt that the wind bloweth not , if we fpeak of a morali caufe. 5. Its his part to joyne with the working of affifting grace,
tohuworkiHi^hichmorhthin mcmightilj. V&i Lord ham by free promife, laid toly bands on himfelf, to give pre - teminaung grace to his own children ‘o F end, and to prevent Apoftacy and hainous fins inconfiftent with faving faith, iCor.i.S. iude,v.2^. ^er.s^'39,^,
41 iCa.^ A^io. I fn l Yet
foas^ehath relerveda liberty to himfelf to co-operate W'ith them in particular aas as it fhall be their fin, not withdrawing of Grace that raaketh them guilty , to th^e end we may know we are in Graces debt,tn all good ar. uper- naturall Aas,fo a Chr.^i . ; i .B\echhh was tried of God m the bufineffe of the King of Sahylens Amboffodors , that the King might fee that he could not walk to he.ivenon day Iccrsiot by his own ftiength, and the reafon is clear •, God cannot make a Promife of contributing this bowing and predeterminating Grace, but in a way fui table to Free- grace. For God cannot change Grace unto naturall debt, ic remaining grace, for fo k fliould be Grace and ^^^ace, which is a?ontradiaion: 2.The Lord hath relerved liber¬ ty to himfelf in this promife, that in this or this particular
Aa (the omififion whereof may confift with perfeverance
in Grace) he may contribute his influence oi Grace, or no contribute fo David hath not aauall Grace bis will and nod, to efehew adultery and murchcr as he plcafet^h^^
L I 2 ^
The Tr'tdl And T riumph ef. Faith, Serm .XXIL
252
fons vv?' Pehr to decline an evil hour, when he (hall be tempted Grace'll/ to forfwear his Saviour Chrijl'^ nor hath Hemm in his hand, the work pfal.SH. nor tlic defmcd Church power^ Pfal.yj, to pray mift be- believe, and rejoyce in the'falvation of God at the dif- g n, and fo poficion of Free- will : But the key is up in the hands of the b gin, as Kingly IntercelTor, At the right hand of the Father thzx. muft gmlTy in heart/, its far tO fetch, as far as the Heaven of hea-
notfol- vens, to make wind and failing to C^r//?-ward •, there- lowing. fore, 3.Searonsof A^fsof Grace to believe, to walk in any warmnelfe of love to C/'r//? and his Members, are fruits of Royall Liberty and Free-Grace*, who hath the key of the houfe of wine , to ftay the foul with the Flaggons and Applcsof love ^ Certainly, it is the King himfelf that takcrh the Spoufe into His banqnetting Houfe^ C4;?f.2.4. And yet fo as the omifTion of all fupcrnaturall dudcs^yea,our la- zinefTc in the manner of doing, our fillings and fins are im¬ puted to our felvcs,and not to the not blowing of the wind of the holy fpirit, nor to the want of the ejfficacious mo¬ tion of the fpirir, as Libertines teach, with Arminians ♦, For we fo fin through the want of the motions of efficacious Grace, as through the want of a Phyficall , not of a m’orall caufis,; ahd^fo as we are mod willing to want that influence, and foare guilty before the Lord: God hath reafons ftrong and convincing, why he worketh thus* I . It letteth not Grace to work by ingagemenr*,.thc fpirit of the living creatures is within every wheel of Chrifh , that it muft move from an inward principle • the motion of fa- ving Grace^ is Chrifls heart wheeled about by it fclf, and by no forraigne caufe without it felf : Love worketh as Love without bud or bribe ^tovnMenot Angels, is both wages and work, the race and the gold to it felf. 2 . God delights to have men and Angels his debtors. Grace hold- cchan open and a freeinne, with all the dainties that Chri^ can make, to ail comers and goers, for nothing but thanks
Serm .X XI 1 . TrUil and T mmph of Faith, 253
and heartily welcome : Grace maketh no gain ol my work.
The fweating of Angels, and of the Thoufand Thoufands that fing up the ^lory of Chrisi before the high Throne, is no income loChriHs Rent : Grace fhould not be Grace^ if it could T raffiqac, or buy, or fell with a creature. Angels and men ftand inthe Books of Free-^race for Millions of borrowed fummes. ChriHs blood and deep love may be prnifed, but never recompenced : ChriHs love hath filled this world and the new Paradicc with Debtors • and An¬ gels can neither reade, nor fum, nor caff up the Accompts of Free grace. 3. That we cannot be Mafters of one good ad, without his preventing Grace evidenceth what nature is, and maketh Grace both myftaffe and my convey ii andon-hc at Heavens Gates •, Nature and Free-will muff ffoop and do Samts.but homage to Chrift, There’s a G/tfr^adive, and a Glory five, as there’s alfo Grace adive and pafTive, Fiee-willis tothem, adive under Grace^xnd paflTivc alfo, and therefore Grace and Mercy ^ is to the Saints, and upon the Saints • Nature emp- tieih its lamp upon the golden pipe, the rich Grace of the Mediatour and Free-will moveth and runnech, but not but as moved, driven, and breathed upon by Free- grace : .
But as concerning it hath a more eminent and no¬ ble relation • Glory fliall be on the Saints as a garment, as a Crown, for they (l-iall be glorified: But no to the Saints, but only, onely to the L/imh , to the flower of tht Glory of Glory ^ fefm the Cclcbrious, Eiment , moff high and adored Prince of the Kings of the earth •, and there¬ fore there’s room and place left tor ifin and fhame to Free¬ will in the bufinefTe of praedeterminating Grace, that na¬ ture can but figh and fin, and Grace fing and be fpotlelTe and innocent: ChriUio draweth, as we fin in not being drawen ^ ChrislCo taketh and allureth, that it is our guilt that we are not taken and overcome with the fmell of the Kings Oyntments : So is fin the field out of which Ipringeth
254
How there’s a promile of bowing and prxde- termma- ti»g grace made to lu- pernaturall afts i yet God lefer- veth his own liber ty. I. How. a When.
3 . In what meafure he doth co¬ operate.
The Trtall andTriumpb of Faith. Serm. XXII.
the Rofe, the flower of free and unhired Grace fin muft go with us, as near to heaven asto the threftioldof the gates, that the finner may halt and crook , when he movethhis foot on the threfhold-flone of Glery^ thatfo pardoning Grace may enter the new City with us. 4. The Lord will have us take to Heaven with us, a Book of the Pfal mes and Praifesof Grace that in that land we may extoll and ad¬ vance Fiee-grace, and may hold the Book in our hand all the way, and figh, and weep, and fing, and adore the Savi¬ our of Free-grace^ and may take Graces bill in our hand into Heaven with us : O how fweet to be Graces drowned and over- burdened Debtor Its good hereto boirowmuch, and profefle inability for Eternity ,ro pay, that Heaven may be a hoLife full of broken .men , who have borrowed Mil¬ lions from Chrif^ but can never repay more, then to readc and fing the praifes of Graces Free-bill *, and fay, Glory ^ Glory to the Lamh^ that fitceth on the Throne for evermore*, praifing for ever m Heaven,rauft bein liewof paying debt. I . God is not behinde nor wanting to the gracious ibul, for there’s a promile of Grace here. 2 . There is an inter- ceflion at hand, and that more mighty now then at Chrifls firfl: afeenfion , and fliall be more mighty when all Jfrael lhall be converted. There is a ftirring required in a graci¬ ous fpirit, but withfenfeof natures weaknelfc, lb as he is to arfe^ and be doings and the Lord fha/l be with him^ and he is fo to 'blow upon the coals, as if he could do his alone, though not without the Faith of Dcpendance upon an im- mediateadfing from Heaven.
Obje(5f.3. But then Adam yet pnlef was to believe weaknejfe and ftnin htmfelf before he fmned. Anf Not fo,but he was to have chat which by Analogic anfwereth to fenfe of fin, that is a finlefs confeioufnes & folicitude,that if God fliould withdraw his ftirring and praedeterminacing influence of corroborating him to will and to do , (you may call it
Grace)
Serm.XXII.
Tht Triall and Triumph cf Faith.
*55
Grace) he (hould tall, and that legs in ParadiK without adtuallafliftance, could not fecundo, bear the bulk and “ \vei<jht of Jdams connaturall and conftant walking with Ge/that Jdam might know, before he was a debtor to III- (lice, that he had need ot mercy, or the free goodnefle ot G«e » a furety, fuch as fefrs Chiii to prevent debt, no leffe then to pay debt even as Angels are debtors to ChrtH their prevent head, for Redemption from allpoffible fins, no leffethen poffiMc we are (though the degrees of altitude of Grace varieth much)the obliged underlings of fuch a bountiful Landlord, for Redemption from adluall mifery. . ■
5 that is a great Faith,that is not broken with a Temp- 3 . ration. But i. taketh ftrengtli from a Temptation ’ broLn fomerun more fwiftly afterafdl, that they mayrecom- wuha pence their loflTe of time and that is great Faith that ar- temptation. Pueth from a Temptation, as this woman doth. That is great Faith, chap. 2.5. That he fitll holdeth f 4 hu rnte^rm : the mrd UalAk, is to hold with ftrength and power, He keepeth faH and with violence his mnocencie and Faith maketh him ftrongcr then he was*, the word is ufed, ?]al, 147, 13. Tor making Wronger the B^s of Ports,
And its ^^(^^/praiie, chap. i. 22. Inallthis fob finned nof nor charged God with folly- 3. Its a ftrong Faith in this Woman3that,in a manner. Conquers Omnipotcncie by
\ytYitmng-,yt^fiatanfiVinds4ireUomHeavenfiVtfe,Sabeans,,
vea, apprehended Wrath cannot prevail wida ^ , to fubdiie his Faith; in all he ftandeth by this, fob 15. 13.
*lhouzh the Lord fiwuld jUy I U tmfl in him'., Its great Faith to be at holding and drawing with God *, and yet believe and pray, 12.3. 3^*2^* And not let the Lord a-
lone, nor give him any reft, /p.62.<5,7. fuppofe thy prayers were never heard, and the Aas or be- iievinf^ were but Dartsthrown at Hcavenandtbe Throne without any effea *, yet becaufe. Prayer and believing
2^6
TheT nail and T rmmfh $f Faith,
Serm.XXll.
ads of honouring God, though they never benefit thee • it a»rgucthfi:rong grace, and fo great Faith, th^t it can be (aid, there be ten ycars,twenty years of reiterated Ads of Faich,& prayers of fuch a man lying up before theThrone, yea, in Chrifi the high Priefts bofome ^ Let Ged make of my faith what he will^ yet am I to believe continued believing is Chrifts due, though itjhould never be to me gain of comfort or fuccefithn is a weak man who is thrown down on his back with a blaft of wind, or made to ftagger with the caft of a draw, or a feather:The temporary faith is in this feen to be foft, that its broken with perfecution-,W^^(?;?t^^ funrifeth 4- non^lvbl^f Mat, 1 3 .2 1 .//e ^ o-ffended wither eth quickly-focnt fpirit of fbft clay for a ferat with a pin on his credit, cafteih away all his confidence, difpaireth,^and hangeth himfelf as Achitophelfwoh a Temptation would not once draw bl-ood of a ftrong Believer : Strawes and Feathers and Flax dp quickly take fire, and are made aflies in a moment, but not fo gold, there's bones and mettall ini drong Faith ^ lb the Martyrs Faith that could not be broken with torments is proved to be a great Faith, Ueb, 11.35. F heir
bodies were racked out as a drum, and beaten to death after racking, and they would not accept a deliverance ^ why. Faith looked to a better refurreBion : He who fweateth , panteth up the brow of the mount after and carrieth death on
his back, mud have this drong faith, that ChriH is worthy of tortures, a drong faith can bear H^//onits fboulders, the Grave^ and the forrpws of deaths and not crack, nor be broken, P/4. 18.4. 5 ,6. P/4/. 1 1^.3. 4.
4. Faitii That Faith is argued to bedrong that hath no light
G^d whh- comfort, but walkech in darknefle upon the Margin and
out light borders of a hundred deaths, and yet dayes upon the Lord, ^f4.5o* 1 1 . So this woman had no comfort, nor ground of fenfc of comfort from except rough anfwers, and
reproaches, yet die belie veth^ and fo mud be drong in the
Faith,
Scrm.XXII.
T:he Tridl and T rmmfh of Faith,
2 57-
Faith, P/^/. 3. 6. Faith ftandcth ftraight without a
crooke, when ten thoufand deaths are round about him , and P/4.23.4 feareth no ill when he walks in the cold and dark valley of the lhadow of black death : Hcman,, Thy wrath lieth hard on nte,, thou haft affliShdme with all thy waves fThen in his fen fc, God could do no more to drown him, not waves, but all waves-, alt Gods waves was on him ^ and above him, yctver.9. zW, I have called daily upon thee-^ then he believed daily: He’^ekiahs comforts are at a hard pinch, 7/4.39.14, Mint eyes fail with •koking upward ,0 Lord, Jam oppreffed- yet praying argucth believing. Lord undertake forme : We muft think Chrifis fenfe of comforts was ebbe, and low,whcn he wept, cried, fieb.f'j, and was forfaken of God 5 yet then his faith is doubled, as the Cable of an Anchor is doubled, when the ftbrme is more then ordinary. My God,my God : David ^hidcfh his caft-down foul, when theres no glimpfeof comfort with ftrong Faith, Pfal.c^i.ii. Hope thou in God, for I (hall yet praife him. In fwimming well, theleflc natu- rall helps to hold up the chin and head, the greater wave, if the fwimmer be carried ftronglj^-thorow, as it were in de- fpight of the ftreame, theres the more art Art may coun¬ tervalue ftrength , and fometime wifdom is better, [then ftrength : The lelfe comfort, if yet you believe at mid¬ night, when the fpirit is overwhelmed , the more is the art of believing-, when an inward principle is w'eak, we help itwithexternalls : That the childe muft be allured with rewards , as with Apples, a Peny or the like, it is becaufe his fight and defire of the beauty and excellency of learn¬ ing and Arts , is but weak or nothing at all : fenfe and comforts are cxternall Subfidies and helps to Faith ^ and thefe that cannot believe, but upon feelings, and fenfe of the fweetneffe of comforts, are hence argued to have weak •and broken inclinations and principles of Faith -, the more
M m free-
Thc fev/cr externals that faith necdethjthe. ft longer it is with¬ in.
258
T'heTrtall and Triumph of Faith, Serm.XXlIv
freenede and ingcntiky of fpiric that is in believing , the more ilrtngth ol Faich^ for that is moft connaturali chat hath Jeaft need of hire *, you need not give hire, rew ird^or buds to the Mothers aife(5bion to work upon her, and caulie “her to love her Ghilde *, lav6 can hardly be hired, nature fftronger then rewards or any external^; Comforts are but the hire of ferving of Cod^ and the refults of believing in 2 iad Gonditiony There be fomc cautions here, thaf 'Gon5fiderable.li , <jod kadGth fonac ibong ones t<> ^ie^veii,, whoreaffe(Stions,arefofc as\Z)ir»y/dj werc;.,P/*4.35^i gv&i ig, 25.28.135. 53. Pf 6,6. And yet Faith is ftrong, Pf. 12,^.^, God poflibly immediately working upon the^alfenting or .believing faculty:, leaving the ^fe6lionsto!t-hekown na¬ tive difpoficion. 2 . God ufeth fotne priv.iledged difpet^(4- tions, 10 as a ftrong Believer fhall doubt Upon no good ground, P/4/. II 5. ix. God fo difpofing, that grace may appear to be grace, and the man but ftcQi. .3. Softneffe qjf 'afFc(^ion:,v anddight of comfort, may by accident concur wirh ftrong ads of believing- for with thcrc,in many, there is little light, much Faith, and theyflipuld withourthefe apples given to children, ftronglybelieve., and God to con¬ firm his own of meer inrdulgence fweetneth affedions. Comfoit$ But if God give comfoircsi ordinarily its a foijt of :iadub
U?to " gence of grace, or the grace of grace. Its triie, rejoycing faith. falleth under a Gofpel-commandement, Phil.^.^. yet lb, as God hath not tycd the fwcet of the comfort of believing to believing, that you may know its ftrength of Faith that is the principle of ftrong Faith, as intenfe and ftrong habits maketh ftrong ads. God keepeth Tome in a fad condition all their life , who are experienced believers, and they never feel the comfort of Faith, while the fplcndor of glory glance on their eyes 5 as one experienced believer kept un¬ der fadnefte and tear for eighteen ycares, at length came to this, 1 ettjoy and rejoyce mth joy un^eakabU and glmom 5 But
Serm.XXlII*
25P
Triall dnd Triumph of Fattt,
he lived not long after.* Another living infadneffe all his life died with comforts admirable. And 3. let this be put as a cafe of Confcience , why divers believing and joying much in Salvation all their life, yet die in great con- fli^s and to be holders with little expreflion of comfort and feeling ? As diVers of the Saints die. Certainly, God I Walketh in liberty here. 2. He would not ljaveusto limit the breathings oii\\thol^ghoft,to jump with our hour of dying. 3. Wemay make ah Idoll of a begun Heaven, as if it were more excellent then Chrijii To conclude, lit¬ tle evidence, much adherence, fpeaketh a ftrong Faith. SERMON XXIII.
TH E Woman had no aparent evidences of believing yet did Ihe hang by on Tingle thred of the word, pf the
mercies of the Sm ofDo^id. Avmj4cUp, V xk mo«
The more thattlie wordof . promife hath influence in be- lieving, and the lefle of convincing reafon and appearances, vvord an^ the greater Faith , Rom. 4. K^brahm had a promife of a Son in whom the Nations of the World [hfiuld be hle(jed : ftior.gcr
But I. there was no appearance of this in nature, ^bra^
ham and Sar ah this time were between them, two hun¬ dred yeares old lacking one, and To nonaturall hopeot Childc. 2 . He had but one promife for his Faith - we halve twenty, an hundred, yet Rom, 18. Nc againfi hope ^ be¬ lieved in hope. Its an elegant figure having a form of-a con- tradi(5fion, there was no hope, yet he had hope, t ^er. \g.
Not being mak in the Faith : then he rvas ftrong in the Faith, and gave glory to God, asitis,w. 20. 3. He Bagger^ not through unbelief, then its an >^irgum^c ofa,
weak Faith, to difpute according to the principles of natu- rail Logick with God to go on upon Gods naked word without reafoning is a ftrong Fai/ih, efpecially wherithe . .u courfe of Providence faith the. contrary.. The word . of ; i
promife is the mother and ft^id of Faith, i Ret. i . 23 •:
Mm2 moi'c
260
• The T rial! and T riumph sfFAtth, Serm.XX III.
more of the feed, the more of the birch : Wine that is fepa- rated from the mother doth fooner corrupt : that is ftrong- eft Faith that hath moft of its feed and mother, that is, of the word of promife in it. Abraham had nothing on earth tofiiftain his Faith in killing his fon, but only a naked Commandement of God, all other things were contrary to the Fad 5 yet is Faith ftrongeft, when it ftandeth on its own bales and legs, and that is the word of Omnipotencic, the word of Promife-, other pillars of Faith are rotten and fandy foundations - Infpirations befide and without the word, are the naturall Faiths unwritten traditions ; Every thing is flrongeft on its own pillars that Ged and Nature hath appointed for it : The earth hangeth by God and Na¬ tures ftatute in the mids of the Air, if the earth were up in the Orbe or Sphere of the Moon, it fhould not be fb fare as it is now ; And if the Sea, fountains, and floods were up in the clouds, they fnould not be fofrec froms perifhing,as they now arerFaith is feated mofl: firmly on a word of him, who is able to perform what he hath Paid . Wicked men are feeking good in bloods, in wars, in the deftrudion of the Church, of the Reformation and Covenant of God y yet their ad:ions are not feated on a word of promife • but on a threatning that deftrudion fhall come on themas a whirl¬ wind, therefore is not the wicked mans bread fure, when the Childe of God hath bread, fleep, peace, immunity from the fword fin fo far as the fword is a cuiTe) and that by the Covenant of promilc. This woman had one Gof- pel-rverd^ mercy from the cMefiah^ Divtds fon.
&. A laitli That is a ffrong Faith which can forgo much for Chrill^
that can and the hope ofHeavcn. MoftswiS ftrong in the Faith in rhuch°for refiifcd tHc T icafures of the Honour of a
is a Princedome, and to be called, Pharoahs Vaugh-
, /er, Heb. ii.2<5. For he had an eye an look,
and. eye to heaven ^ to the refompenge of reward, Abraham^
fore
Scrm.XX III. '7'^^ TriaE and T riumph ef Faith, 2 61
forgoech Country and Inheritances for God , ii.p. By Faith he S$]ourned in the Land of Promife , as in a lirange Country^ dwelling in Tabernacles. 1, He fojourncd : 2. He played the Pi’grime ; 3. He dwelt not in Caftles and Cities, though the land was his by pro- mi fe, and his grand{on5^4c<7^dirpo/ed of it in his Tefta- ment, C7e».49.io. For he looked for a City which hath foun^ diiions'. (to the ftrong faith, all Cities are bottomlefle ex¬ cept Heaven) Whofe maker and builder is God: Now this womans Faith is great in this ^ flie looked for a Temporary deliverance from power to her daughter, under the
notion of one of the fare mercies of David ^ and that by Faith which inheriteth all the Promifes ndtto fee beyond time and death, not to fee the gold at the Races end fiinteih the travellcr,a fight of the fair City is as a draught of \yLnc to the fainting Traveller^itaddeth legs and ftrength to him^ Heaven is down-ground, when Faith feeth it, it is (when light faileth us) toylefome and up the mount When 5te^ venin a near diflancc heard the mufi'ek of Heaven, his countenance did iliine, he didleapto be at it : Pfee Heaven e^en and f‘efus!;^c,
7. Its great Faith to pray, and perfevere, and watch unto praying, as this woman did, when feemeth to for¬
bid to pray-, as hel)0th reproached this woman in her pray¬ ing, as if i: had been but the crying of a Dog, and faid he was not fent for her : When the promife and Cbrifl^ feem to look away from you, and to refufc you , yea, to forbid you to believe ^ then to^believc Ls great Faith, adlions in na¬ ture going bn in ftrength , when contrary a<ffions doth countermand them , muft be carried with prevajhng ftrength.: Its ftrength of nature that the Palme Tree groweth under great weights, its prevalency of nature that mighty Rivers v/hen they fwel hover banks doth break over alloppofitiohs : Satan. \id.xh a Commiflron to burne and
7. Its 3 fti'ong faith to pray and believe, when God feemeth to lorbid praying.
2 6z The TnaJi and Triumph $f: Faiths Serm .XXIII.
Hay •, a ftrongTakh qualifieth allSiis. fiery jS , 1 6»
. Eet me alone, (faith the Lord to favohiCen. 52 . 2^ Pray no more • Jacobs ftrong Faith doth meet wit h this Com¬ mandment : mil not let thee alone, ImuH pray on till
thotiileffeme : ftrong Faith beatcth down mifapprchenfi- ons of promifcs, or of Chrijl^ and layeth hold on Chrifi under his maskc of wrath, Lam.^.g, K^nd covered with a cloud,
8 Great Great boldneftc in the Faith argucth great Faith-, there
boldntfle be three things in Faith, in this Notion. i . iAn agony, and aiguet^h^^^ a wreftling of Faith, C<?/.T.2p. which is a heavenly vio* gjcat ait . lerice in believing. 2. To be carried with a great meafure of perfwafionand Plerophery, with full and hoifed np fails in believing, CoLz,!. There’s a rich aftlirance of Faith. 2 . N ot that only, but in ahftrall'o, theres the riches of affu- rmce, 3L Thereha^ riches of affuranco.'o^. Ah riches of the full af nuance of Faith : So ftrong prevailing light produceth a ftrong Faith •, Alas, its but twilight of evidence that we have. 3 . To be bold, and to put on a heavenly ftoutncft'c, and daring'^ in venturing with familiarity into the throne of Grace, is a ftrong Faith, Heb^io.zi.^nd Heh,s^,i6, We are to come with liberty, and holy boldnefje to the Throne, as children to their father, fothe Church with heavenly fa- ’ . miliarity, and the daring of Grace and Faith ^x^ytt\i,Cant,
• 1 . 1 , Let him ki(fe me with the kiffes of hk mouth t ^ohns lean¬ ing on Chrifts bofomc is not familiarity of love only , but of Faith alfo ^ In whom we have.boldnefe and acceffe with con^ jidence by Faith, Fph, ‘^,12, 'Emh 6i2iXQ.gomtoihtT\\xonQ, and Heb, 1.0,19, To the hoik of holies , Faith blufheth not.
9. To re- 9, That which leadeth a man with Paul and Silas to ling Joyce in pfalmts in the flocks , in Prifon, and in fcourges, thatis a
isaVrong fttong Faith , fob is hence known to be ftrong in the Faith. Faith, becaule bang made, a moft milerable man in regard of hea\7 afflictions he could blclTe God : A ftrong Faith
pro-
5erm.XX III. TheT r^thnd7uumfh of Faith,
prophccieth glad tidings out of the firc,out at the window of the Prifon, and rejoycetkin bonds Uic,q.%^g,
1,2. and 54.1,2,3,4. Fo glory in tribulation h an Argument of one juflified by Faith, Rom.^, 1^2;^^. And the greater gloriationof chains and -croffcj isa ftronger rear
fon to conclude a ftrong Faith.
to. To wait in patience for God all the day l<ing is an Ar¬ gument of gfciti Faith , ifa. 2 8 ,16 . / hat heUevnh (hdl not
■^ake ^4iif-,kcikillinotbciQ0nfoui)dcd with fhanaeCfo the 70. trandateth it, ^d after them Rom.g.^^i)^s thofe that flocth from. the enemy out of hiftineffe, procured by bafe -fear, which is a fliame I date not fay that the 70. readech ftpnei; inffed of confunda itr ; biit itprovethbe- heving and a valorous keeping the.ficld without dying, arid fo continued waiting ort God, to be of kin to believing.^ and the longer the thred'of hope be, though it were ftventy years Jong, osH4^.2.i,2vot though it were as long as a cabl^ going between the earth and th6beaven,:«^l»W^i^» the mil, ipitiik'.ftrongercheFaitllifmuft be, uribejief not, being chained to leapech over board at firft, as the wicked King laid xhthc haft of jurioe iefv 2 \ What Jhould
I toai't anplo9^er on the hird*? Faith is a gtac^'^foir w.i^Jter to igive God Idftiie to bfirss Surhiiicrdn his O:w:ni0^'fon)v '^h:P Ireafons of '©nr we k'neftfebetvv©? r;)We fee,ijV^r/ ond their dow on their fliotilders'wearied and tired, d^rtely come out -of.the brick-Furnace^,, wandering with6ut>oftefdpc of he- ‘titage, foury years in tbe-vwlderheffe,.and four hundred ' years in Egypt ; AB. y.tiJ. il hisiooketh like poverty^, to believe the other myftery dn the other fide or.Page of Providence., the Glory of dividing the Red-Sea , .and of giving fevea^iglity^MatioDSttoibis. peoflle;!, their buirdtngssland,mnayardk^ GarderiSSoKt3tftrong'Fai?b. 2. The^f urnace is a thirig'WOid of .rcafon and .aajtj arid. -lb knoweeh litiiciithat byldubc Goldfriiith jm^ethian ejQcel-
2^3
10. To
wait on with long patience is an Argvi- menr a ftiong faith,
I
2^4
T'he TrUH and Triumph ef Faith, Scrm.XX III.
lent and comely velTell of Gold : Its great Faith tobe- lieve,that God by crooked inftruments, and fire and fword Oiall refine a Church and ere6t a glorious building, and and thefc Malignant inftruments are as ignorant of the Art of divine Providence, as coals and fucll are of the Art and intention of the Gold- Smith, Af/V.4. 1 2. 10.5,6,7.
The Ax and the Saw knoweth nothing of Art, nor the fword any thing of Juftice^ Prelates, Papifts, Malignants in the three Kingdoms , underftand nothing of God^ deep counfell upon themfelves, in that God by a fire of their kindling, is burning themfelves, and taking away the Tin and Braffe, and reprobate mcttall, and refining the Spoufe of Chrift : they ferve a great fcrvice, but know not the maftcr of the work. ^ . ■
An humble Faith, fuch as was in this woman is a
j I. An humble Faith is a ftrong Faith.
II
II. A ftrong dc- ftre ot a communi¬ on argueth a ftrong Faith.
great Faith : the more fins that are pardoned, as it inferreth the more love to Chrifl^Luk,'j,^j, So the un worthier a foul is in it felf, to believe pardon in Chrift, argueth the greater Faith 5 it muft be a greater Faith, to beleeve the pardon of ten thoufand talents, then to believe the forgivenefte of five hundred pence : Chrifi efteemeth it the greateft faith in Ifra- f/, that the Centurion abafeth himfelf, as one unworthy to come under one roof with him; and that he exalteth Chrifi in his omnipotency to believe that he can command all difeafes, at his nod, A/4fr/^.8.8,p,io.
12. A ftrong defire of a communion with Chrifi Is an Ar¬ gument of a ftrong Faith, Rev,22.20. Surely I come filttickly^ faith anfwereth with a'hearty defire : Amen, even fo^ Come Lord fefu^, and 2 Pet, ^.12. Thefe two arecon- joyned, the one is a word of Faith, Looking for:
the other a word ofearncfl defire^ xtnviwm Aliening after ^ (^Stejfha. vottsacceler antes) the earning of the day of the Lord : Faith defireth an union with and a marriage- union •.
The reafon is, ftrong Faith comcch from ftrong love, and
Scrm.XXlII. rhe7rUlUndT:rium^hofjFmh, i6^
ftron^ love, and ftrong coals of defiring to be diffolved, and to be with chrift, ?hiLi,2l, Burneth in at Heavens door^ love-ficknelTeforglorygocthas highas theloweft ftcpof the Throne that iht Lamb Chrifi fitteth onj and its faith and love together, that defireth Chrift to mend his pace, and faith, Cm 8.14. hafte.my beloved.^nd be as
a Roe or a "^oung Jiart ftyo/f the mountains of juices. The fer¬ vor of love challengeth time , and the flow-moving wheels of veers and moneths^and reckoncth an hour for a day, and a day for a yeer, rfal. 101.2. 0 when wilt thm come to me ^ So hope deferred is a child-birth paine^ and ajtck- nefeofthefod, Prov,i^. 12. Faith with love cannot m- dure a morrow: Faith putteth C/'W/? to ping over mountains^ and skipping over htls^ Cant, 2.8. And addech wings to him, to flee more quickly. Yet is there a caution here moft confiderablc •, Faith both walketh Ici- ftirely & with leaden feet, and moveth fwiftly with Eagles wings : Faith in regard of love and defire of union with God is fwift, and hath ftrong motions for an Union ^ Yea, a love-fickncfle to be at the top of the mount to be fatiaced with a feaft oUhrifh enjoyed face-, but in regard of a wile aflurance that Gods time is fitteft, it maketh no hafte: So to wait on , andtohafle may ftand together , 2 Pet. s- lo-
12. Faith effeauall by, or with child of love and good Strength oJ works is a ftrong Faith , i Thef. 1.3. Remembering your wojkrng^^
fvork of Faith^Philem.v, ^
in a ftrong Faith ; yea,fap and life. How many Thou- fands of Apples be there vcrtually in a T ree that bearcth fruit, for thirty or forty yeers together f So its faid phenj’Xh^.thtvr^s full of faith and power , APi.6,%,
Rarnabas^APi, ii. 24. Full of the holy GhoB^ and ofpaith.
What is then a fmall Faith, or a weak Faith, is eauly known, i. AFaithvoyd of all doubting is not a weak Faith: Nor yet the ftrong Faith. K^ntinomiam erre many
N n ^vayes
266
The Triall And T riumph efFAtth, Serm.XXIII.
Rife,raion,^ waycs in this point. I . After the reveUtien of the fpirit, nei- Antinom^- Tievill HOT fin can make the foul to doubt ( fay they: ) Y ea,
nns, Er.gz. but the fpitit of tevclation was in Jeremiah , who doubted a“i tt when he coniplained,!^^^^. i%,v.i^.to God of God^ wilt thou FakhTs*^ be to me altogether as a liar^and as waters that fail < Chap , 20 .
notfrce .i6. doubtcd c. 1 3 . 'I'. 14. when he
I ou tings, ^ wherefore hidefi thou thy face y and holdeB me for thine Enemj< And A faph PfaL Heman, Pfal. 88.13.
'14,15. And tho.Church']'], PfaL Yet all thefe were Declar. by the fpirit unto the day of redemption, 2. This is like the
Slant.” foule errour ofthe 5 \Nho^\v\xhSocinians ^ hold
Ex more , that as there be three degrees of belecvcrs, i .Some babes. abreptiove, ^ ^ fome agedTo there is a third lort of truly perfedl ones , utmemen- who do not tin trom the root or concupilcence,
J/V. bate between the flejh and the fpirit now ceafmg , oncly they finne
through inadvertence or [ome errour^ or over -clouding of their light ^2,% Adam and the Angels finned, there being no inward principle of corruption in them : Hence fome Libertines fay. Theft that arc in Chrifl can no more fin, and not walk with God^ then the fun can leave off to give light, or fire to caft heat, or a fountain to fend out ftreams , in regard that the fpirit adeth them to walk with God by fuch a nc- celTary impulfion that deftroyeth all freedom of will*, and if they fin, they are notto be blamed , becauft. the- fpirit moveth them not to abfiinencc from fin, and to holie wal¬ king. But Pauly a chofen veffelyZnd a ftrong believer,i?d?w..7.
; - 14,1 5 ,16517, drc. Complaincth of the in-dwelling of fin,
■ 'of his carn3litie,and the flefhes lulling againfi: the lpirit,and of his captivity under fin, which muft argue his imperfed Rife,Ragiri Faith, liable to the diftemper of finfull doubtings. It is alfo and ruin, a 'great cnoufto fayy that to call in quefionywhether God be my P3ge/4. futher after yor upon the commifsion of fome hainomfinsyosmur- ther^ncefiy^c .Both prove a metn to be in the covenant of works » . Now there be fundry forts of doubtings oppofit to Faith.
In
Scrra.XXIII . 'The TrUll and T rittmph of Faith. 267
In the renewed : There’s, i. A naturall doubting - and ” as all Popery is naturall and camalifo this ftrangeneiTc of at- doubtings^ fcaion by which men are unkind to ChriH^ and never per- oppofu to fwaded of Gods favour in fefm ChriB, argueth ihcpartk to * be under the law, and not in Chrifl. This doubting may, and doth in carnal men confift with prefumption , and a morall falfe perfwafion that natural men have all of them , while their confcience be wakened • that they fliall be fa- vcd. why ? I am not a Murtherer, a Sorcerer^ Why < ;
or horv can God throw me into Hdk So its made up of real lies and contradidions : Yet they have no divine certainty of Salvation. For aske a naturall man. Have you a full alfuranceoffalvation, as you fay, that you alwayes be¬ lieve and doubt not-f he fball be there at a ftand, and an- fwer *, who can have a full afurance ? But I hope well, I be¬ lieve well night and day. ^ nd fo doubt Papijls alfo^ and
they have a lie in their right hand it cannot /land with Gods mercy or juflice^j fincel am not this and this., to throw me in¬ to Bell, So is unbelief a lie^ Ffa, 57.11. And of whom haft thiu been afraid and feared , that thou haB lied and haft not re¬ membered me't 2. There's an occafionall doubting that rifeth
by ftarts upon wicked men out of an evil! confcience of fn, but it vanilheth as a cloud : as in Pharaohs corifeflion ,
1 and my people have ftnned. This argueth a law-fpirit, rifing and falling a deep again. 3. There’s a finall doubting of dcfpair,like the doome pad on the condemned maleradoFY doubting asin Caw, Gen, 4* In W, i. iSi-’iy,-
Allthefe conclude men under the law, and the curfe of it.
But there’s 4. A doubting in the believers, which though yet Fer (ic~ a fin, yet riM might have leave to borrow the expreflion ) is a godly fin •• Notbecaufeitisnotafin indeed , and good
oppofic to grace and godliriefie, but a gracious fin , Ratio- figne and ne fubjeBifm regard of the perfon and adjunds , it being a neighbour to faving Grace *, and no reprobate can be ca thepor-
N n 2 P^ible tie.
4-
Some
68 Jhe Triall and Triumph of Faith. Serm. XX I II •
pablc of this fin , no more then Pagans , or fl agitious and extreamly wicked men can be capable of the fin againfi: the Holy Ghoft. So beggars are remoteft from high and per- Tonal treafon , becaufe they have never that honor to come neer the Kings Perfon. So Davids bones, not Sauls bones were broken, Pfal. 51. 10. Humbled hones. ( For a hum¬ bled heart is called nuu Nidcheh.) Broken, and bruifed with a feare of Gods wrath for fm. And the converted fouls moiflure is turned to the drought offummer.^Pf. 32.3,4. And his hones waseen old with roaring all the day , God withholding the joy of his falvation.. This doubting befalleth never a- ny reprobate under the law or covenant of works', and fo though it be an ill thing, yet its a good fign, as out-break¬ ings of boils in the body, are m themfelves,direafes , infir¬ mities, dirtempers and contrary to perfic health •, yet they are often good fignes and arsuments of firength of life, and much vital 1 heat and he dthinefie of conftitution. That affedions of the childe of God^ under inceft, murther, or other hainous fins be ftirred , that fbrrow be wakened and rife, when our Father is offended, and when our Lord frowneth and fiandeth behind the wall, and goeth away,is lawful!', yea it fpeaketh tendernefie of love, foftnefleof heart, but that they be fo far wakened as to doubt, and fear that the be changed, he hath forgotten to he
mereifull that isfinfull doubting, but doth no wayes conclude, that the perfon is under the Covenant of works:, but the contrary rather, that Grace fitteth and bordereth with this doubting. And fo that the perfon is under Grace, not under the law. Even where Faith is ftrong , it is not ever in the fame temper. Health moft vigorous will vary in its degrees , and decreafe at times of diflemper , and yet be ftrong and have much of life in it. Take the ftrong and experienced Chriftians life in its whole continued frame , and for the moft part he hath the better of all temptations^
Serm.XXlII. The Triall and Triumfh of Faith. 269
- - i - - - -
but take him in a certain ftage, or nick of providence when he is not himfclf, and he is below his ordinary ftrength, e- ven in that wherein he excelleth. If a gracious temper of meeknelTe like was not the predominant element of Grace in Ol^ofes , yet it was in a great mcafure in liim , he bearing the name with him, who beft knovveth names, and oi the ?neekeB man in the earth : Yet in that which was his flour, he proved weaker then hlmfelf, and fpake unadvifedl) with his lips. O ur higefl %‘accs may meet with an ill hour, f'ob by the teftimony of the Holy Ghojf is pati¬ ent, Te have heard of the patience of fob. And, Chap. We have heard of the curfing paffion of fob alfo. Believing is like failing, which is not alwayes eqaall, often ftrength of wind will blow the ftiip twenty miles backward,
2. The fmalleft meafure of Faith. The minimum qmdfic , weak faith, is fincere adherence to ChriH. Not that negative adherence Negative fimply, by which fomc one may fay , I dare not for a world adherence quit my fart in Chrif^ or give up with him. Natural 1 fpirits n°oSftki. may have a naturall tenderneffe , by which they dare not ent to fa- quit and give up with him. Yet there’s no faving vmgFauh.
Faith in naturall fpirits, but there’s in the believer feme po- fitive adherence under, or with the negative, by which there’s a power of love and kindnefte , makiif^ the foul to cleave to Chrid : There may be great weaknefte with this, and great failings, and yet Faith unfained*. We have need of much charity to thefe that are weak in Faith. A reed, a broken reed may grow *, and Chrifl will not break it. A buried believer is a believer •, if Chrlf have a neer relatioii ofbloodtoapceceofblewclay, and the dead corps of a believer-, feeing in his flefti theresthe feed and hope ofa refurredion, as the feed and hope of harveft is in rotting, and dying grains of Wheat, fown in the cold earth, as is deer, P/4/. 1 5. p. i 1 5. 42, 43, 44. Muchmorethe relation of mercy remaincth in C^r/7? 5 toward the wreft-
syo The TriaU and Triumph ef Faith, Serni.XXIir.
ling^ deferred, and felf-dcad believer. Now this fmallcft meafure of Faith, may confift, i . With much ignorance of God, as it was with the believing Difeipks , who con¬ tinued with in his temptations , copfeffed him , be¬ lieved and adhered to him, when many went backhand de¬ parted from him, 22. 28,29. ait att. 16. 16^1^. tpgh. 6. 66, 67, 68, 69. And yet were ignorant of great points ofFaith, as of his death, Af4rr. 16. 21,22. Of'his refurre- dion, foh. 20.9. So there be great faintings and doubtings,when a ftorm arifeth , and the foul is a finking. Matt. Z.v. 25, 26, 27. Man. 14. Yet a little Faith is Faith. As touching a fainting Faith, itsnotalwayes a weak Faith that fainteth •, ftrong and healthy bodies may have fevers, and deliquics. For the caufes of fainting are, i . The want of the influence of mercy, and of ftirring or exciting Grace caufeth fainting , 2 Cor. 4.1. As tve are mercied^ faint notfNt degenerate not. It is in the
bofbme oichrifl, and lieth about the bowels of our mer- ciftill high Prieft that keepeth from fainting ; If our Inter- ceffor pray not, we hint Luke 22.32. I have prayed that thy Faith., m may not be eccHpfed, The Moon is in a cer¬ tain death, and foon in an ecclipfe ^So is Faith under faint¬ ing. 2. Feag of wrath may caufe diftra6i:iQn and hanging of miiide, and uncertainty, where there is ftrong Faith, Pf. 88. 14. 15. Compared with 2/. 8,9. As apprehenfions re¬ port of (bare we affedted in believing. Yet may it be colle(5i:ed from Matt. ,i o. 19. • In that hour it fhall be given 'jou, that ChriB holdeth the head of a fainting believer. 3 . The dependenceof Faith will faint, when ChriH with- draweth love, though he inflid: no anger. The ingenuity of Grace gathereth fear from a cloud , though there be no ftorm. 3. A foul dead in hi mfelf,and that cannot put out Faith in ads, for want of light and comfort, is a weak Faith. A tree in winter is a living tree. There may be life
where
271
Serm .XX 11 1 . the Triall and T Humph ef Faith,
where there’s. little ftirring or motion. 4. That Faith that feemed fmalleft to the man himfelf , is fometime in it felf greateft. i . In fad defertions there’s moft of Faith , and ieaft of fenfe of Faith, py^/. 22. i. 2. A. fuflPering Faith may be fmall.to the fufferer. Many of the Martyrs in their own fenfe were in a dead and unbelieving conditi- pjjf on: Yet is more corrimended for a fuffering- Faith ftrong
then any, 12. 1,2, In that he did run, indiirethe
croffe for the glory that was before Mm. He law Heaven.
And his Faith went through tc^e-at Heaven. There is a high commendation put on Ihe fuffering Faith of thcle who were tryed with bands^ imprifonment., fawn a funder ^ mocked^ Jlain with the fwsrdy Heh. 11.37,38. of whom the world was not worthy 5 . Thisvis not put upon the a(51:ive and doing Faiths which is put upon the pafhve Faith, nor is fo much laid of thefe, who by Faith down the walls of ^ericho^ of Gideon., Baruch^ Sampfonj and fuch as by Faith fubdued Kingdoms. The reafon is, fuffering 'k a Ioffe of be¬ ing, and welbeing: Thefc who* by doing giveaway their evill being, for , and crucifie' their lufts for him, are dear to him : but fuch as die for Chrifij they give away both being, and welbeing. Mofes., and Pauf who in a manner were content to go to Bell , with* believing that Gods glory in laving the people of God was to be preferred to their etcrnall being, and well-being , bchovedto have great Faith. 3 . The Faith that is weak, in regard of in¬ tention of degrees, may be a great Faith in regard of ex- Faith weak tenlion : Children of God, whofe life is the walk of Faith., in regard
2 Cor. 5. 7. May have but a fmall mcalure of Faith : Yet its a conftant and wcU breathed Faith , good at the long ftiongm race, that carrieth a foul through: In, i . . His naturall ca- pacity to believe God will feed him : And, 2. In his civill relations, as a father, fon, fervant, magiftrate. 3. In his f
fpiricuall condition , in the duties of the firll table v if^ ^11 2 ]
which
TheTriall and Triumph of Faith, Serm. XXIII.
27s
which capacities wc are to walk by Faith. Yea to eate, drink, fleep, to laugh, to weep, as concerning the ordering of all thefe Heaven-ward by Faith. All the Saints that go to Heaven believing, and ordering all thefe conditions by Faith, have not alwayes a Faith, as great as \^byaham^ as Mofes, Weak leggs carry fome through the earth many thoufand miles ^ A Torry and fmall veflell in comparifon of others, may fail about the Globe of the whole earth. The wings o^a Sparrow or a Dove can carry thefe little birds, througfTalio much Sea and Land, as the wings of an The low- Bagle doth carry the Eagle. But ere I go from this point, a faindng I crave Icave to addc fomewhat of the leaft and fmallcft Paith. meafure of Faith. 2. Of the condition of the childe of God under it. Touching the former,! onely fay, There is a degree of fire, and a coal fo fmall, that lefle cannot be, the thing remaining , Fire haveing the nature, efTcncejand pro¬ perties of fire. And when any is in a deliquium or fwoun, the man hath life, but it is kept in narrow bounds, there is breathing onely. 2. Some virall heat. 3. Some internall motion in the heart and vitall and animall fpirits , but no more to prove life almoft then the man is a dead corps,yec fomewhat there is to difference him from dead clay : For fiiends will not bury a founding man willingly and know¬ ingly. Soat the lowcft condition of the weakeft Faith that the believer is in,rome fire and coal of love and Faith there is, and fome fmoaking, though little fire, and poffibly we cannot give it a name. Yet if the juB live by Fatth^ there muff be fome meafure of Faith. 2. Some fmoaking of love to ChriB. 3. Some difeerning of an ill condition. No man on earth in a fleep hath a refledf a(a to know that he fleeperh, no dead corps knoweth it felfto be dead. Ne¬ ver flecping man could fay, nay, not Adam in his firff fleep, when Codfotmed the woman out of a rib of his fide ; Nojv I am Jleepng* N 0 man naturally dead can fay , Jdoiv am I
Scrm .X X III . T'he Trull and Triumph ef Faith, 273
- , - -- . .. • ■ , ^ . _ _ • . . ■ - . . - - „ ,
dead^ artdX lie among jl the worms and corruption. Death ma- kethno report of death: but the believer can fay at his loweft condition. Cant. 5.1. 1 (leep, hut mp heart waketh and he who faith, Pfal. up. Lord c^mcken me.^ muff fay,
Lordf I am dead^^y^t to fay. Lord quicken we, and to feel and know deadneffe, are ads of the life of Grace. A Saint in this condition may love Chrift through half a dream, and half fleeping, half waking, retain honourable thoughts of Chrift, 15. ^ob ip. 25,2^.27. Some havefaid in
Hell theyfhould XovcChri^, This truth is ‘ifiit, that in fucha pgin and fad condition of fufFeringas the damned are in, (fin, defpair , or Gods hating of them excepted^
Saints can believe and love Chrift, PfaL 22. i. at leaft de- iire to have leavcJto love Chrift, for the- evill of fin may, the evill of punifhment cannor quench the love of ChriH.^ which is ftronger then death, then hdl^Cant, 8. 6,7. The foul at the loweft condition is like the man who hath in- gaged his lands for fo great a fum, as may be a juft price to buy the land,and fo in effed he hath fold the land, but with a reversion, he keepeth the reverfion,and fo by Lav’^^ with¬ in fuch a time, he may redeem his morgaged inheritance.
The weakeft of believers at his loweft ebbe, keepeth the reverfion o^ChriPt: He may by fome grievous fin, be un¬ der fuch a terrible dcfertiori, as to put the inheritance of Heaven to a too great hazard of being loft ; and in appea¬ rance and in his own fenfe, and in the fenfe of many, all is gone 5 yet then ro fay nothing of the invifible chain of Gods unchangeable decree of Eledion, which the ftrong- eft armes of Devils and Hell cannot break*, there is fire under the embers, fap and life in the root of the Oak tree :
God faith of the bud of this Vine tree, though the man Chrift re- neither fee nor hear It^dejlroy it not fir there is a bltfing in it. maineth, in As touching the fecond. The (^eftion may be. What ebLofa remaineth for him in this condition , to know his condi- fainting
O o tion,
'The Triad and Triumph of Faith, Serm.XXIU.
tion, or whac can he do ? 1 anfwer , i . When Chrift hath left his bed and is gone, he is to keep warm the feat that Chrift was in Ido not fay that the Churchy Cant. ^.6. was at the 'oweft ebbe • yet a defertion there was and a fad one : But in this condition, fhe openeth herheart to Chrift, J reft up to open to my beloved. 2 . ver. 5 . T here be fome drop^ pings of Mirrhe from her hands, fome fenfe olchrif.i.t cal¬ led himj but he anftoered me not •,the' e remaineth a faculty of praying. 4. A love- fickrielfe: hence it is evident in the low- eft and ebbeft condition of a fainring faith , there is forne- ihing anlwcrable to this, and this is to love the fmell of Chrift that he hath left behinde him, when he himfelf is gone- itistodtfi eto behold with love and longing the print of his feet, the chair of love that he fatem: hence though you feel no woi k of fan6fification, his feat is kept by fome fpirituall meditations, as to confider, whac a kinde of love it is, that Chrift hath beftowed on finners, for that he loved his own before he died for them, his love being the caufc why he died for them * and ftill after, the purchafed Redemption, he loveth them , and interce- deth for them up at the right hand of God 5 and this is as much as to fay, Chrift hath loved you, and repenteth not of his love ^ love made him die for you, and if it were to do again, he would die over again for you, 35,
34. 1 T?w.3.i6. And fuppofe wethatthere wereneed tlaat Chrift fliould d^e twice, or four times, or an hundred or millions of times, and that he had ten thoufand millions of lives, and that our fins fhould have required that he ftiould firft die for one believer, and then die again the fc- cond ime for another,and then the third time for another} and fo that hemuft for every fcvcrall Eled perfon, have died a feverall death ^ Love, love fhould have put him upon allthefe deaths willingly: and therefore if the be¬ liever had ten loves, as many loves in one as there be E-
lc(ftcd
VXIIL and T riumph of Faith. 275
ieaed men and Angels, all had been too little for Chri'l,
and when the believer hath been ferving and praifmg up in the higheft Temple as many millions of ages of yeares, (or a tral of Eternity anfwerable to that duration of agts)
L the number of the fand on all the coafts m earth, of all the flats in Heaven, of all the flowers, hearbs, leaves of trees that hath been, or fhall be from the Crea¬ tion of God, to the taking down of the workmanftip o Heaven and earth, yet fhall he be as much in Chiafts debt for this infinite love when that tme is ended, as when he firfl opened his mouth in the fitfl breathing out of prai- fes in the Hate of glory. 2. He may turn over in his minde all the ptomifes, and the literall revolution of them in the minde, though it be but a deed or ad ofthc underftandi g and memory, may call fire on the affedions in which ther refideth a habit of grace, though there be no fire in the be - Ws vet blowing withithe bellows, may waken up and k^di; fire in t^e hfarth where there is little : The hab^t of grace isoftenas fparks of fire on the hearth under the allies,
Ind may be kindled up and made a fire. 3. When Faith is
weaken, and the foul under a winter and a dead ecclipfc ; its fit to keep the heart in a paflive frame of receiving of himagainas toforrow for fin, and to put to door unre¬ pented fins, as when the King goeth abroad, fweepthe Chamber for his return. Miffing of longing or
his return, inquifition for him, An- K to -
Love- lickneffe for him, putteth the foul in a fweet paffive capacity to receive him ag^in^Ca^t. •4* ^
the Church is inbedfleeping, yet flie is charpd to open, Ca»f.5.2.to weep at the node of Chrifts knock, when you cannot rife is fomewhat, a pvifoner may flir his legs and caufethe iron fetters tinckle, though he cannot get out , there is feme flrength when we are bidden, ii- ia- Lift »f the hands thathmg down, and the feeble knees -Mo-^
27^
The T rim and Triumph ef Faith, Serm.X Xl V.
Rife and Reign, Er
tion will rrijke fire. 5. Efpecially Chrift fleepeth leaft, when his childe is in a high feavor : Love watchech then moft at the bed fide.
S E R M 6 N XXIV.
TH T Faith~\ Faith is fo thrifts, as the fountain and the caufe, that itisour^as agents moved and adted by A ftockof Chrift. Hence its a foul errour to fay, that there'4 no inhe- w7t?in*the thc Saints ^ and no gf accs in the fouls of
regenerate. heltevers.bmin Chrlft only i There’s water^ even the (pirit Ouv grace powrcdon the drf^ground^ Ifa. 44. ^.'Go^ds fpirit put within and wholly Ezech. 36.-l'6,2 7. The fpirit of grace and of fupplication in Chrift, porvred on the houfeof Bauid, Zach. 12. ro. \j4 welt within' fubjeaive- Saints jf ringing up to life everlajling^ Joh. 4. 14. The
h be all^ Father and the Son, through the operation of Grace', take up fro Chrift honfeinthem, Joh. 14. 23. Such a new ftock and plant of cflcaive y. them, as they have the Anoynting dwelling in
them, I Joh. 2. 27. The feed of God abiding inthern^ i Joh. 3.9. Unfained Faith dwelling in Timothy, 2 Tim. i. 5. Grace in them as fire under allies, 2 Tim. i . 6, And a new R’f d nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. K^n inward man^ 2 Cor. 4. \6,
Rcign^Ei-. I .1.27. ChriH in you the hope of glory ; N or are the' fa-
cultres of the foul and the workings thereof in our converfon defiroyed, as fome fay, as if the Holy Ghof fhould come in fteadof thefe • for Chrift taketh down old wdrk j artd maketh a new building for him fell, but the ftones are ours, the foul remaining in its powers and operations, the Thepow- underftanding and will remain, but opened, 24.45. foufre^^^ ^^^.21.18. 1.17,18. 4.23^24. Chrijl Xt\noVQ\.h.
rnain whole rubbilli, and the frowardnelfe, and overgoldeth our inconver- ftones, its our matter, and his workmanfhip. Hence we are agents, Grace teacheth no man to be lazie, for bccaufe all the morall adions of the renewed are commanded of God-, if we by Grace were no agents in thefe, butmeer Patients, and ChriH and the holy Ghojl the onely immediate
agents,
fton.
277
S<“rm .XXIV. The Triall and Triumph of Faith.
agc.us, in the omitting ol believing, praying, praifing, hearing, in not doing all our naturall and civili adions for Gddy and in a fpirituall way • yea, and in our forbearing to murther, whore, blafpheme, &c. ( for by the Grace of Chrifl the Saints abftain from fin ) we fliould not fin, all thefe wicked ads were to be imputed to the Grace of Chrift and the holy Ghoft, which is blalphcmy, and a flat turning of the Grace of God into wantonnefie ? Now we are by Grace to be agents to purge our felves, i feh. 3. 3, to run with inlarged hearts in Gods way, P/4/, up. 32. toflir^u^^ind blbw upon Grace underafhes, 2 Tim. i. 6. To walk in ChriJi we have received him^ Col. 2. 6. To
I ^
keej^ oiPr felves in the love of God Jnd. 21. life. We are to be carefull-of the flock, not to hurt or waft the flock of Grace, he who is fpending on his flock, ere it be long ftiall have nothing ^ caft not water upon your own coal to quench the fpiric or to grieve it. See what grows out of your flock < What income and crop of the fruits of the . fpirit dial return to- Chnft /“The Lord demandeth of every childe oF God, what, and where is the flock, & where is the rent of Heaven^ Itis the vertuc of the Merchant to increafe the flock, and in all loflres.,to flrivc to keep it whole. There is a wafting of the habit b%race,whichis‘a dangerous thing, £/?A.4.30.There is a f/eftihg of the fpirit, and a rubbing off of Tome Letters or Gh^raders of the broad Seal of the fpirit which is forbim^y jeven as break fome fpaikes or Axtree of the wheHs of a'^great work, and the mill or the horologuc is at ftand an^’^an "work nothing •, beware that no wards of the ConfcicniTe'be broken, for fear that the key of Baruid that openeth th'e heart, fit them not, or fliit not with the lock : David brake a ward and a (print of the new heart by his Adultery and bloodfhed, and there¬ fore no Artificer but one only in Heaven, could put the lock in frame again, PfaL 51. 10.. The new^ creation is
like
2-78 The Tri all and Triutnpb of Faith, Serm.XXlV*
likeacurious horologe made of Chriftall glaffe, it mufl: be warily and tenderly handled • the frame of thework- manlhip of the holy GhoU dmlling in 2 Tim, i . 1 4. muft be kept from the leaft craze or throw in all the wheels and turnings thereof, yea the lea(t mote muft not reft on ir.
What muft be done to keep in good temper the new Creation (f ^nf, i . Beware to go to bed and deep ^ with a bone broken or difjoynted in the inner man: Its good to be dilquieted in fpirit, as if there were an aking in the bones, after fome great (in not repented nor bewailed-, when by denying his Lord, had rotted a bone or a joynt of the new man in himfclf, he refted not well that night, he went out and wept bitterly^ Matth. 26.57. Jeremiah made a ralh and paflionate vow to fpeak no more in the name of the Lord •, but he could not deep with that coal offire in his bones, Jer. 20.p. 2. Putthe keeping of the new Creature off your hand *, make it a pawn committed to Chrifts keeping, %Tim.i, 1 2 . let him anfwcr for it ^ be not you under the burden of it your felf. The habit of Grace and the man put under lock and key to Chrift, is in fuic keeping, condder what cometh of him, Jude ver. 24. This is a broken world, there be many loofe-handed devils going abroad through the earth-, there be robbers lying a- wait in the way to heaven, to take the crown from ws^Kev, 3.1 1. The believer who hath a dock of Grace, muft be at holding and drawing with men and Devils. Cemmitthe keeping of your fouls to the faith full Creator : but be not you idle, do It in well-doings i Pet, 4. ip. 3. Deal kindely with Chrift when you have him , breake not with Chrift if you would keep the habit of Grace fafe, doe nothing againft your ftate • grieving of the Holy GhoHfxs unworthy of thercondition of a redeemed one-, your place cannot confift with walking after the flefh : The Campc you arc in cannot well bear compliance with
Serm.XXIV. rhcTrUll and Triumph of Faith,
279
the Aidi-So, have fut on the tmd fef w,Rom. 13 .v.ia.^^U cannot lay in for, or viduall tuch a Caftle as the flefli, for fome exercife a providence, & lay in provifion for the flelh. a.Tobedoinggoodkeepeththe habit of Grace in exer- cife, and in life alfo •, for Grace is of the nature of life, and life is preferred by motion,and,the frequent operations of life • \t3, with this difference the naturall life may be worne out and confumed away with too frequent and vio¬ lent labour and toile •• This Hfeisencreafed by affiduous walking with God, for Even branch that beareth
fruit inChriJl ; OHy Father (faith he) furgtth it, that it may
^’^‘Tefumt Thee^thou tv//t] Chtift cannot long diffemble jhc ten- (to fpeak fo) and keep up his love •, he tried this woman = hardly • now he praifeth her in her face *, Great is thj fa , fe^c^,on,
Ld g«nteth her Sefire to the full y^^ere was fuch a bro- ana
therly and naturall compalhon in fofephy . T thereof to-
fephs \yo^t\% yerned they were hot, and G’^/j.45 . i ward fm-
could not refrain himfelf FatMn^ notet n ^ ^
word is. He could not do violence to himfelf-. His
like a hoc Furn ce,and it was like to make ^ ’
and to overcome him -, now the man Chrifi ^
heart, and bowels of a man, and I conceive as was a man void of fin, fo the afts of naturall vertues, as to pit- ty the affliaed were ftronger m him then in us, fin blun- teth naturall faculties, efpecially fuch =*5 Chrift
laudable and good,fuch as are love, compaffion to the mi- ferable and fin boweth, or rather breaketh naturall ads mmail
to’indifferent in their nature, and faftler removed from morality, and maketh them mtenfe above nature, fin „
being a violent thing, fo in hun“i
power in carnallreafon over ads of gen^ation, hunge
thirft deep, and fuch as have their rift from the fen fitive „hich.sm.
foul:’ Chrift having ftrengih of finlelfe reafon
2»0
'The Triall and Triumph $f Faith, ^ Serm.XXI V.
far above,- Jdam was ftrong in the ads of the former kinde,and moderate in the other *, cfpecially being a high Prieft that matchcth m in naturall pafsions, 1 5 . Even
in a Sympathie, and having thefe fame palTiohs that we have *, Herveeped overf erufalem^ Luk. ip, When they were ctym^ Hofannato him and occafion of joy furnilEedto him, yet ver.41,42. Bervcpt over the City and fpake mrds of compafsiom, hut broken and imprifbned with fighing and forrow : 0 if thou knetv^ evtnthou^ &c. Now what com¬ panion miift be in him, when his affedion had fuch an edge.? fofeph is nothing to him, he having taken a mans heart to go along with the Saints to Heaven, fighing, weeping, mourning yTempted in alhhefe^as we arej?ut tri//;- o«//?;?,Heb.4.i5. Now though there be no paffions,’ as theres no infirmities in God •, yet the flower, the blolTome, the excellency of all thefe are infinitely in God, he ftri- keth and tryeth, and yet pittieth, fudg, 10. Ifrael cr^eth to the Lord in their bondage^ he giveth them a hard 'anfwer. Go to the Gods (faith he) that )e have chofn^ and let them deli-
bondage, and weep upon him, inMurginc vcr.i^. The Lords foulwos grieved^ Heb. Cm jhort for the ^ Mgii- miferie of Jfraef fo fer, 3 1 . T wo evils befall Ephraim^one ml Gods correding hand •, another is, bemoaning and for-
vmb. for fin, both are trials, but how doth God expreffe
AbreviAu himfelf toward Ephraim? ver.20. Is Ephraim my dear fon he a fon of confolations ? fo the Hebrew, Is he my dainty childe^. for (ince I fpake againft him lido earneftly remember him ftilf therefori_ mi bowels are troubled for him ; Obferve the in-come of Gooconfolations, after fad and heavy tryals, ^.54.11. Othou afjliBed, tofedwithtempeli^ and not com- fortedy behold I will lay thy fiones with fair colours, and thy foundation with SaphireSy If5.40.i. Comfort ye y comfort ye^ mi people faith our God: 1, Speak to the heart of lerufalem, and cry to her that her warfare ii aceomplijhed ; There is a vio¬ lence
- . . ■ . ■ - - - ■
Scrm.XXIV . 'The Tridl and Triumph of Faith, 2 8 1
lence of Heavenly paflion in Chrijls love, it will come out at length •, tempted ones wait on, youfliallfce Chriftas Chrift in the end of the day • Chrift is well worchy a dayes weeping, and a dayes waiting on •, compaffion ftran- gled and incloled in Chrift muft break out , it eaftch Chriftsminde that his bowels of mercy ftndetha vent • pitty kept within Gods bowels (to ipcak fo) paireth him, it muft come out, Hof. 1 1 . 8. Mine heart is turned with¬ in me^ my repentings are kindled together. O how rude and inhumane hath fin made our nature ! His love who died for us, brake Heaven, and rent the two fides of the Firma¬ ment (as it were) afunder ^ our Lord Defcended, and was ‘made a man in all things like us, except fin. But O the firft,nay, the doubled fummonsof Chrifts love are not obeyed. Love cryeth, we are deaf • Chrifts love hunteth no other prey but our heart, and he cannot have it. After Chrift hath tempted a foul, he muft put it in his heart*, its an cafe and comfort to Chrift, toeafe and comfort the tempted: he is now trying Britain^ and giving his Bride a cup of blood and tears to drink • But who knows what bowels, what turnings of heart, what motions ot com- paflion are in the man Chrift now in Heaven ? Thofe who fhall live to fee the Lord take his Bride in his armes and embrace her after thefe many temptations., that now your eyesfeeth, fhall fubferibe to the truth of this, and thofe who finde Chrifts love-embracemcnts , after Defertions know this. Should we fuppofe that there were in Chrift but this one attribute of tender compaffion toward his own tempted ones, it fhould make him altogether lovely to us : for the motion of tender mercy in Chrift, upon the Chrifts fuppofition of Frce-love that he died for his own, is natu- "potion of rail, he having taken a mans heart to Heaven with him, as and borrowed nature from us as our compaffionateHigh- it were na- Prieft, he cannot but piety*, mercy adeth asanatiuall a-
P p gent
s82 TheTrtAll andTrtumjfhof pAith, 6erm. XXIV*
gent in him. Now fuppofe we that the mother wereeter- nall, and her childe eternally but eternally weak ^ compaf- fion (hould er.ernally flow from the mother to the childe » fuppofea fairRofe to grow eternally, and the Summer Sun to fhine near it eternally, and life and fap to keep it vi¬ gorous eternally, it fhouldcaft outafweet fmell, and of¬ fer its beauty to the eyes and fenlcf; eternally. In^efuf ChriB the heart and tender bowels of the fvvecteft,mildefl-, and moft compaflionate nature of man, that God can pof- fiblyform, hath met wkh eternall and infinite mercy in God Chrift, and to fay nothing that mercy in Chrift man hath been putting forth thefweet fmeliing adfsof love, without tiring, fummer, and winter, night and day . thefe fixteen hundred yeaics, and that even now while you read this, he is cafting out a(5fs of love and mercy • an eternall High-Prieft could do no other thing for ever, but compaf- fionate his own redeemed flefh. Mercy chufeth a lover freely, not EfAu •, this man, not that man ♦ the fool, not the wifeman *, the beggar, not the Prince ♦, the fervant, not the mafter ; but having once made choice, it worketh neceffarily and eternally. Chrifts love hath no vacation, no ceffation • but when he tempteth, fmiceth, affiic5feth, trieth, Lovemd tender mercy worketh in the dark, ^'ofefhs bowels were upon adioUjand bufie when his Brethren faw no fuch thing, even when he was accufing the?n as SpieSj And dcAling rottgh^w'tth them. When the fwordof th« Lord, drunken, fwelled, and fatted wkh blood, is now raging in the three Kingdoms - mercy in our High-Pricfl and his bowels are rowled within him, though we cannot fee Chriflrs inner fide, itislike the place, 4. 15. is Mercy • but an allufive Expofition of the rowlcdand moved bowels worketh in oj'God^ fer, 3 1 .-20. Chrift is, as it were in Heaven burning ^7rTbioo- fl-iming in a paffion of compaffion toward his weak difperv- oncs he is not only touched, but pained with cur infirmi-
Serm.XX IV. The TrUll and Triumph of Faith,
283
ties fo the word doth bear •, we ihall not do well to make the tempted condition that either the Church oralouhs in the rule of Gods love: Gods fiery difpcjifation m Zi¬ on, or in a foul, in the burning bufh, fpeaketh not alwayes wrath , make not falfe Commentaries on Chrifts temp- tine Difpenfation : Hell is accidental! to the love ot Chrift and cannot change it. Suppofe Chrifts tender mercy were in the midft of the flames of Hell •, yet there mercy fhould be mercy and work as mercy, and not belie
it felf • never a rod of God upon any elcd childe ot God,
(favc u’pon Chrifi only)did fpeak fatisfadory vengeance for fin Q«-f/?.Whyfis not Ghrift now red in his apparel,& his earmSits died and dipped in blood, and hath he not put on vengeance as a garment in the three Kingdoms.^ Anf Yes, and for the provocations of England, their unrepentedl- dolatry,fuperftition, vanity, pride, fecurity, unthankful-
nede to God, who hath broken the rod of the opprefiour, and delivered them from preffures of confcicnce under £- tifcopaci-j a Mafe-fervice,^t\d. burdenfbme Ceremonies,and for the fins of the King, Queen, Court, Prelates,and Pro¬ phets the perfecuting and killing the witneffes of Chrift \nSi^cen Maries and in the late Prelates t.me and
the prefent un juft ice, carelefie> and remifie minding Ivcli- the King- gion and theit labouring to fpoile the Kingdom of Chrift doms, ex
of that power that Chrift hath given to his people of cept^W Church difeipline, and tranflating it to their Parliament, to make Church-difcipline Parliament-difciplinc, con¬ founding fo the two Kingdoms •, their tollerating oihM- phemous Seds •, fome denying the Godhead of Chrift, feme his Kingly Office to fanaifie, govern his people.* fome his Prieftly,fomc his Prophcticall Omce,and many other fins of Prophets, and people notrepented of •, and moftof thefc fins, and many others, and efpecially the
breach of the Covenant in Scotland • thefe two Kingdoms
Pp 2 are
284
TheT riall and T riumph ef Faith, Serm.XXI V.
are to fear heavy judgeraencs, and that their calamity is not yet at an end : But rather one rvo is p^(fed^ but another co- meth^ Except thefe lands be humbled, and lie in thedufl: before the Lord ; Yet in all this, the diipenfation of God, though bloody, is but the Lord faying, as of old, Co now to BritainCj And I will turne my hand upon thee, and
purely purge aw a) th) droffe^ and take away all thy Tin,i6. And I wdl reliore thy fudges as at the frjlyand thy Counfellors as at the beginnings afterward thou (halt be called the City of righ^ teoufnefe , the faithfull City : 27. Zion Jhall be redeemed with ]udgement ^ and her converts with righteoufne(fe : 2. A rough difpenfatton of Chrift cannot abide long rough to A rough the Saints, he muft anfvvcr and eafe the paine of the wo- tionTon* mans broken fpirit •, its a nights pain to Chrift to caufe the liftent tears run down the cheeks of his Church all the night, he derneffrof cannot but bring a day light of joy before the Suns or- lovcinour dip.ary time to rift, P/4.30.5. Chrift fmiteth and weepeth Lord. for compaflfion both at once: Tender mercy in Chrift moveth as much, if not more within then without : The mothers bowells are as much on work within, when the childe is but upon her breafts, and he is not capable to know a mother, as a mother, and love as love as ever •, when the deferred is but new and hot come out of the ft- cond womb , and a babe born over again, yet in a fpiritu- allFeiver, he is as much as everin the bowels of Chrift, though he be not in that cafe capable of the fen ft and adu- all apprehenfion of Chrift as Chrift, and of the ftnft of Chrifts loveas his love, ^er.'^i.io. Since the time that I fufficiently talked wHh him in corre^ing him^ or fnce the time ^ my. fufficiency of fpeaking again ft him^ in remembring him^ 1 do remember him, I fpake much in mine anger againft him, and half againft my will-, I did chide him and feourge him, but my moved bowels, the ftirrings of a compaftio- nating heart, did contradidf (in a manner) my rough cor-
redfing
Scrm.XXlV. The TrtaU and Triumph ef Faith, 285
re(5ting: my heart came out of me with every rough word, andftroke: The Sun and nature worketh long and many years under earth, in the generation of Geld and Silver ere we fee gold and (liver ; God and his fervant nature did usaplealure and a great favour in that kinde , in fecret, down in the bowels of the earth, to make unfeen and con¬ cealed provifion for our purles, this fecret love to us a(fled down in the dark is no love to us, while we finde it, and fee it , yet is nature in a myftcry under a vail, fweating under earth to bring forth for us Mectals, Trees, Herbs,
Flowers, Come for our fervice, but we fee no Hai veft at that time: Chrifts bowels are fweating and as much la¬ bouring in childe-birth pain of compartion and love, and tender mercy toward us when we are in an Ague, and a fit of defcrtion,as at any time^ but we are loved of Chrift, and pitcied, and we know no fuch thing : All Chtifts an- fwers and words to this woman till now, were but inter¬ pretations and Proclamations of wrath, and rejeding of her, as not one of the loll Jbeep of the houfe of ifrael , a Dog under the Table, notachildeof the houfe ^ love came never above ground till now-, yet did Chrifts affedion and love yern upon her all the time.
. Out of all this we colled : Chrif may love perfons,and yet his difpenfation may be fo rough, as that to their fenfe there is no ground of. being affured that Chrift loveth them, till he (hall ^be plcafed to manifeflit: Htnce we may gather thefe Propofitions confiderable for the Times.
I . Propof, Gods free and unhired love is the cau(e of our ^ ^
Redemption, Vocation, Sandliflcation, aud cternall falva- tion^ he loved us in our blood, and while we were polluted goethbe- inour blood, 5.6. 8. When we were the lo(l world,
5^0^. 3. 1 6. ungodly, Encmies,ver.io. He quick- tion.
ned us, called us, when dead indns, Eph.z.i. Without
works,
it6
TheTriafl and Triumph of Fdith, Serm.XXIV.
Den. Scr. Grace, mcrcie, p.
Props. 2,
Confefle of the Bel- ,gick Anni.
Chrift lo- veth the pevfons of the Eleft, and hateth their fins.
P rope. 2
A twofold love in God, one of good will to the perfon, a- nother of compla¬ cency to his own image in the perfon. Ibp.jj.
vvorkSj 2 The Bill of Grace Is Chrifs welcome
an:’ pay nothing.
2. Our Divines fay God lovech the perfons of the E- ledf , but hateth their fins, Mr. De^;^e ofFendeth at this, and fo doth the Arminians with the fame reafon, if God hate the tvorkes of initjnity he cannot hut hate the perfons^ and wor¬ kers of iniquity alfo : Its true,the Lord hateth fo the perfons of the Ele(5t for their fins •, as hetaketh vengeance of their fins on their Surety Chrift, but this confifteth with the Lords loving of their perfons to eternall falvation ; The truth is, Gods affedion ad intra of hatred and dirpleafure, never fo paffeth on the perfons of the Eled, as on the per¬ fons the Reprobate* he had thoughts of love and peace in fee ret, from eternity, to his own Elcd, he did frame a Heaven, a Saviour for them, before all time.
5. Propof. Our Divines do rightly teach, that there is a twofold love in God • Amor henevolentia^ A love of well willing^ which he did bear to them before the world was, and it is called the love of Flexion ; Of this love, Pom.g, 1 3 . Paul fpeaketh , I have loved facob and hated Efau : this is fountain lore, the Well-head of all our falvation: There is another love called Amor complacentiee.^ A love of complacency .^aXoveo^ juftification (fo Mr. Dennetermeth it ) which prefiippofeth faith : Without which its unpof- fihleto pleafe God inch. 11.6. of this fpeaketh,
14.2 1 . Be that loveth me fall be loved of my Father.^ and I will love him^ afid will manifefl my felf to him^ ver. 2^. If a man love me^ he will keep my words, and my Father will love him.^and we will come unto him^atid make our abode with himfo Chriflihewiidom of God faith,/ love them that love me^P^ro, 8.17. hr\d{oChriH fpeakethof his love to his Redee¬ med and fandified Spoufe, Cant.4.p. Thou hafl ravijhed my heart my ftfter^ my Spoufe 3 thou hafl ravijhed my heart with one of thy eyes, with one chain of thy neck : Holinelfe
and
Serm.XX IV. TrUll And T mmfh of Faith. 287
and the image of God is the ob)e(ft of this love, not the caufc nor any hire: it is not fo properly love as the other.
God rather loveth perfons , dcfiring well and good to them, then things. Mr. Denne is not content with this dt- ftindion-, and why rhe love of EleBion, and the love of ffufificatJon (diith he) are not divers loves ^ or divers degrees of love ^ but divers manifejlations of one and the fame infmH love •, as when a Father hath conveyed an Inheritance to his fon^ here is no new love from the F at her to t he fon., but a new rnxni- ^ ^ ^
fefation of that love wherewith the Father loved the (on hefcre, new
Anf, Men (hould not take on them to refute they know not ^ve in what not any Proteftant Divines ever taught, that there hanevvlove inGod^ or any new degree of love in God, that was not in him before.* Arminians indeed tell us of new love, newdefires, and of ebbing and flowing-, love and hatred fucceeding one to another in Gods minde,thele r^7r/?/4;»?blafphemies we difclaime- it is indeed, one and the fame fimple and holy will of God, by which he loved and from eternity, andchooled themtofalva- tion, and by which he fo loveth them in time, as of Free- f^racc he beflowethonthem Faith, Holinefle, Pardon in Chrift, and follower h thefe with his love ^ and the for¬ mer is called his love of good will to their perfon, ere they do good or ill ^ the latter his Jove of complacency to their State, and the Lords new workmm-lhip in them, as with the fame love the husband choofeth fuch a one for his wife , and loveth her being now^ his married
^Obj.2. cMenlike thofe whom they love .^andfo doth God. oh], 2. i^nf. We grant all-, thefe terrnes of loving^^nA
^ood-hking, are chofen of Divines to expreiTc the thing. ^ * God loveth and liketh ^acobiiot EfaUjicom eteiniry,ere he believe or do good ^ but he doth not fo love and like
ttacob from eternity , to beftow Faith ana the Image of the ^ • fecond:
288
Ths Triull And Triumph of Fdith, Serm.XXI V .
fccond Adam on him, while in time he hear the Word and be humbled for (in, and the truth ir, the love of compU- cencie is not a new ad: of Gods will that arifech in God in but the declaration of Gods love of good will in
time
oh). 5,
Tag. 37-
thiseffed , that God is plcafedto beftow faith and his beauty of holinelTe which mrketh the foul lovely to God, and it is rather the effcd of eternall love, then love. And God hath a love of complaccncie toward the perfons of the Eled, and love of good will ( though not of chufing good will toward them ) for their holineffe. Cam. ^.9, Obj. 3. It is ah fur d that God fbould love the Ble6l tvith ir/fniteloveytochufethcmto falvAtien.^a^s touchingtheir per- fens.^ and rvithall to hate them voith an infinite hatred^ as mr- kers of iniquity, Anf, It were abfurd I grant, if Gods ha¬ tred to tie Eled as finners, were any immanent affedion in God oppofltc ro his love, by which he fliould be averfe to their perfons. But Gods hatred to the Eled, becaufe they are linners,is nothing: but his difplicencie againft fin ( notagainft the perfon ) foashe is to inflid fatisfadory punifhment on the furety Chrift for their fin. A Father may fo love his Prodigall Son , as to retain a purpofe to make him Inheritor of a Kingdom (if he bad a Crown for himfelf ) and to pay his debts, and yet both hate and pu- nifh his profufe and laviGi wafting of his goods.
Mr. DcnnevfouXd teach us how love and hatred toward finneis doth confift. The Law ifmhht) and the Gofpel fi^eak nievcy,ancl divcrs things^thc One being the manifefiationof Gods lujlice^ pejicc. pag. ^ xvh:it rve are by nature • the other , the manifefl'ation of Gods mercy, tells us what we are by Gods mercy in fefus Chnfi'. The Law curfeth and condemneth the [inner 3 The Gofpel blefeth andjuHtfieth the ungodly. Anf, What is this elfe ? But that which Mr, Denne^ind oxhet Anti nomians condemn inus^ How can one and the fame unch mgeable God curfe, con¬ demn, and fo hate finners, as to punifh them eternally, and
yet
Dcnne,
Seim.
Gracf,
Serm.XXIV.
'The 7 riall and Trmmfh of Faith . 2 8 9
yetbleffcjjuftifie, and love to ctcrnall falvation their per- fons, except they teach the fame very thing which we doc For the Law and the Gef^el are no more contrary one to another, then love to the perfons of the Ele(5f5 and hatred and revenging juftice to their fins; yit.Deme would fur- the<r clear the point thus* What ever wrath the Law Jpeaketh^ it is to the (inner under the Law , although the ele6i are fwners in the judgement of the Law^ fenfe^ reafon, yea oftentimes con- fcience^ jet having their (ms tranjlated into the Son of God ( in whom they are elelied ) they are righteous in C hr i ft the Media¬ tor, Anf, The Law fpeaketh wrath in regard of its reign and dominion to death to the eled not yet converted, Whatitis and to the reprobate without exception or perlons ^ but it the Law. cannot fpeake wrath to the beleever though he be one that daily fins, and is under the Law *, that is, under the rule of the \j2.v^'.ndw to he under the Law to >P4«/,Rom.6.and 7. is to be under the damnation of the Law • in which regard be- leevers are not under the Lavv^ but under the fweet reign of pardoning grace , yet arc they under the Law as a T utor, a guide, a rule *, and that the rule and reign of the Law are different is evident, i. becaufc the ruling power of the Law is an effentiall ingredient of the Law, without the which the Law is not the Law *, the reign or damnation of the Law agteeth to the Law by accident, in fb farre as man is a finner, which is a ftatc accidental! to the Law. 2. The Law is a rule, and hath a proper guidance and tucory over the confirmed Angels, and fhould have had overman if he had never finned, but the Law can have no reigne to death over the confirmed Angels, and man in that cafe, as the laylcr hath no power over the man^ who was never anevilldoer. 1. We are finners in the judgement of Law, both fin dwelling in us, and 2 . the guilt of the Law lying on us to condemnation : But being once in Chrift, and juftificd, we remaine finners, as touching the indwelling bloty
Qjq but
2po The Triall andTriumpb of Faith. Serm. XXIV*
■ ' ■ ' , .1 II I 1. i “. .'■■“_■
but we arc not fianers, as we are juftified in Chrift, as touching the Law-obligation to eternall condemnation, from which we arc fully freed. But the juftified and re¬ deemed of Chrift remaine as formally and inherently fin- ners, as Milk is formally white, a Raven black ; luftifi- cation removethnot the indwelling of fin, and fo in re¬ gard of fenfe, reafbn,and confcience, we are finncis to our dying day, but not condemned finners. Mafter Benm ob- je^teth ^ We fray daily, forgive us our fins, then we are not righteous in Chrifi:^ he anfwereth , that ProteBants fay, we greater certainty and.affurance forgiveneffe ^ but not content with this artfwer-^ fie addeth , Whe!9 we pray for f&rgiveneffcy we magmf^-.hh grace^ who hath freely gi'uen for givenefe^ it were not folly to a condemned perfon^ havin? received a par don, and being afured of it ^ to fall down and fay ^ Pardon me my Lord the King. Anf. What Protc- ftant Divines fay in this, we acknowledge • but if we feek only a fuller certainty of forgivenelfe in this Petition, and not alfo the application of thegenerall pardon, as appro¬ priated to the fins we daily fall in •, I fee no other thing we feek, but a greater meafure of faith to lay hold on rc- miifion ^ I fliould ask a warrant of Scripture to prove that foigivenefie of fin fignificth afiurance of the pardon of fin. 2. Thatto feekforgivenclfe daily is, to glorifie and mag- nific him from whom we once received forsivenelfe^is not to pu'rpofe, for that is a general! in all Petitions that we put up to God, no leffe then in this . 3 . If a pardoned ma- IcHidlor having affurance he were pardoned, fiiould fall downe and begge pardon of the King, and not rather ten¬ der him thankes and bleffings, for a received pardon •, I fhould beleeve he called in queftion the Kings favour^ but fhould he every day, when he cateth bread, begge pardon from the King, as we begge daily forgivenefie, he might be charged with more then ordinary folly, Mafier Venne-^
Scrm.XXIV. The triall and Trhm^h of Faith, 2pi
God loves us in blond ( faith he ) and polutienj as well before converfton^ as after converfton • and though faith procure not Cods love and favour^ yet it ferveth us for other ufes^ that we may be fealed bj beleeving^ Eph. i . 13. and mat thereby know the love of God, It is faidy he that beleeveth not is damned • not hecatife his beleeving doth alter or change his eflate before God^ bntbecanfe God hath prom/ fed ^ that he will not only give us re- mis fton, but alfo faith for oar confolation^ and fo faith becometh a note ^ and a mark of life ever lafting^ as finajl infidelity is of eternall condemnation* j, Itistrue, God loveth the ele6I before converfton etyually^ as after converfton^ in regard of that free love of ele6fion, that moved him to give his Sonne to death for them, 3. id. and to call them cffe<5lually5 zTim. i,p.Ephef, z. 1,2, 3,4. Tit, 3. 3,4.
4. Propofi. It is a palpable untruth, that the elcd by be- Propo./s^. Iceving in Chrift, and being tranflated from death to life in their converfion to God, are equally loved of God, be¬ fore converfion as after converfion^ if we fpeak oi Gods loveofcomplacencie^ for though the inward affedfion and love of God, as it is an immanent and in-dwelling aeff in God be eternal), and have not its rile in time, and be not like the love of man to man, which is like the Sea ebbing and flowing • or the Moon, which admitteth of a cloudy lovaifis^ and dark vifage, andofaninlightencd and full condition, befortt.me. yet as the fame love of God is terminated upon ^*'■^^^11 men, or rather that which is called, the loveofcomplacen- usTntimf/ cicj which is indeed the effedf of Gods love • it is not one and the fame after converfton and before • as it is the fame fountain and fpring that runneth in its ftieamcs toward the South, which by Art and induliry of men may be made to run toward the North, the change is in the ftreames, not in the fountain, yet we fay the fountain now runneth not Southward, as it did afore, but Northward : alfo give me leave to doubt, if thefe fame very vifible Sun-bcames,
Q^q 2 that
2P2
The Triall And Triumph ef Faith, Scrm.XXI V.
that did fall w^on Adam^zvid E've^doth. this Summer fall up¬ on iis^ yet i doubt not but the fame Sun that did fhine the firft fix hours of the Creation, on the Garden of Paradice, fliineth upon all our gardens and orchards that now are. So Gods love is one and the fame toward the eled before time, and while they are wallowing in the ftate of finfull and de¬ praved nature^ and now when they are changed in the jpirits of their minde. But it may well be faid that God loveth his Church,as waflicd, as faitjand fpotlefre5C/?»^.4.7. and that he doth now fay of her. Cant, 4. 10. tiorv fair is thj Uve^mj fifier^my Spoufelhorv much better is thy lo've then mne , and the fmell of thine oyntments then all Spices ? whereas the Lord faid before of her, Ezech .16.3 ,Thy birth and thy nativity is of the Land of Canaan^thy father was an Amorite^ thy mother an Hit- tite.^.As for thy nativity^ in the day that thou rvajl born^hy Na- ^ell was, not cut^ neither waft thou wafhed in water to fupple thee: thou wa f not falted at ally nor fvvadled at all 6. And when J paffeidb^theCy and favv thee polluted in th) bloud^ I faid unto thee^ when thoUwaH in thy blond ^ live ^ and all this the Lord might fpeakto the fame Church yet unconverted •, and at that time the Lord could not utter that expreflion of love, to fay to a bloudy and polluted Church as he doth, 4.7 Thou art all faire^ my love^ there is not a Jpot in thee^, now could it be faid , that the father and the fonne loveth fiich a Church, as fuch as loveth the Father^ and keepeth the words of the Sonne j as it is, loh. 14.21.23. what the Church was not fairc, not fpotleffe but filthy, polluted, not wafhed, notjuftifiedas yet- and though it be true, that faith pro¬ cure not Gods love and favour ( it is a calumnie that ever Proteftant Divine taught any fuch thing ) for the worke of Gods cternall love ineledfion to Glory, or his hatred in reprobation, is not the yefterday or the daies-birth of our faith, or our unbeleefe, yet that bcleeving, or our effeduall converfion maketh no alteration or change in our
Hate
Serm.XXIV. TheTriaHandTriumphef Faith. 2p3
flate before God^ is a groHe untruth •, Faith and converfion makcth indeed, Ho change of an) fate in the ancient of da)es^ in the firength of Ifraef who cannot lie or repent, and put- teth not God from the State of a Reprobating or hating, or a not loving and choofing God, whereas before he was fuch, who did love and chufe us to falvation, (the Lord is our witneife ) we aflerted the contrary Doctrine of Free- grace againft Arminians and Papifis.
5 . Propof. Our believing and converfion to God doth alter and change our fate before God : i. Becaufe God efteemed ' i. an unbeliever that which he was *, even an unbeliever, a childe of wrath, one that is difobedient, lerving divers lufts, a foul unwaihed, polluted in his blood before his God, out- converfion to God 5 but being once converted and graced to believe, his ftate before God is altered and changed,even for/ God in the Court of Heaven, in the Lords Books he is another changed, manjhe goeth now for a fair and undefiled foul, the Church that wasin a polluted, filthy, and mifcrable condition £- 16.3,4,5,6,7,8. Is now in Chrifts heart asafeal, Can.S.G, fo fair,as her beauty ravifheththe heart of Chrifi:*, now Chrift nameth things according to their nature :
2. The condition is fo changed before God,that Hof 1.10. 2i It cometh to pafie, Fhat in the place ^where it was faid to them^
^e are not my people^ there itfhallhe faid unto them ^ )eare the font of the living God^ i Pet. 2. 10. Which intimepafl^ were net a people^ btst are now the people of God^ which had not ob¬ tained mercy ^ but now have obtained mercy : 3 . The words of Scripture, that importeth a teall change, doth p^rove the fame, as Col. 1.12. Who hath madetts meet, or frfffGently (yualifedm^ tobe partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. is a qualified workman, and changeth' Hell, and the moft untoward Timber of Hell, in Heaven and in a Vefiell of glory : It is a vain thing, to dream that chrifl hath no other efteena and warmnefic of heart ro us when
2^4
The Triall md Triumph of Fdith, Serm.XX I V.
we ai’e dead in fins and trefpaffes^ and Porting as in a horfe race after the Devil, who ridcch, and adieth and breatheth in the children of difobedience , and when he hath raifed and quickned m for his great love , aud placed m in Jieavem withchriflj Eph.2.i,2,3,4. And made us Kings and Priefis unto God: Then the ftate of Hell and Death, fhould be the very ftate of Grace and Heaven before God ; A new creature , 2 Cor. 5 . 1 7. Light in the Lcrd^ Eph.5 .8. Parta- kers of 'the Divine nature^ 2 Pet. i .4. Renewed in the /pirit of the m inde^ Eph . 4 . 2 3 . 5 mb as are begotten again^ unto a lively hope , by the Kefurreblion of ^efus Chrifi from the Deady
1 Pet. I . ^.Born again not of corruptible feedy i Pet. i .25. Kings
and Prie/ls unto GodyKcv .1 , A generation of Kings ^ Priefis unto Godyi Pet. 2. 9. Muft bein their ftate, fomc other thing then old cxcz.x.mts,^thendarkneSythtn unrenewedyuncireumcifed old menfSzvt^ of {\n.perfecutorSyblajpbemerSyin)urious perfons : The Lord fpeaketh of a change great enough,! r.45 .o^.Since thou wafl precious in my fight *, thou hafi been honourable ^ and I have loved theCi^c, Were the children of Wrath from E- ternity Honourable ? No, ^vcre they more precious and honourable adfually before God from Eternity , then the reft of the Nations.? No, the contrary is evident, Lz.ech. 16.1, Deut.y Pfal. 147. 19, 20. 25.5.
Certainly, if Faith or Converfion to God ( a fpecia’l part of which is Faith) doth not alter the ftate of Believers be- fore Ged, then are they Believers, and adfually converted before God, and fo juftified from Eternity .? When were they then finners < Never, Their fins were juft no fins from Eternity , and blotted away as a Cloud , as a thicke Cloud, as it is Ifaiah 44.22. And that from Eternity , and from eternity fought and not found, becaufe pardoned, ^er. 5. 20. no more remembredy Ifa. 43.
2 5: . now they were juftified from eternity, and ere they be- leevein him thatjufiifteth the ungodly , no other wayes then
in
Serm.XX I V. 'The Triall and Triumph of Faith.
195
in Gods decree and etefnall purpofe ^ but the truth is, this is the principle, falfc and rotten pillar of all Libertinifme., which I evert thus • and they fball never be able to anfwer it, if faith be fo far ^on\\ am am feBation of oar j unification be¬ fore Gody becaufe juftification was in the fight of cWadu- ally done from eternity, before all time j then are we never ungodly and adually finners before Foricisunpof- fible (fay A ntimmi am) that God can both hate uSy as ungodly., andloveusa^.jufiifiedin Chrifi'^ and it is vain., and non fenfe ( fay they ) that God loved the perfons from eternity., and hated the fins, or that he loved the elcB with the love of eleBion , or love of good- widy^ did not alfo love them with the love of jufii- fication{this is their term not mine)«r with the love of compU- cencie.and his good liking to faith in them.Thcn{^s.y I)from e- ternity the juftified were never ungodly, never finners, never the heirs of wrath^never fuch as ferved divers /«/?^,and were dilbbedient, polluted in their own blood, which is down- right contrary to the word of truth. 2 .Obferve the Princi* faithis not pie of Antinomians :We are notjujlifed byfaithifiy they^How then c* Becaufe we are ytfiified from eternity, onely we are [aid ^yPaul^^^^ ]ufiifiedby faith, in that by faith we come to the ledge that knowledge and aifurance of the (late of elcBion, and ofjuBtfica- tion, and Gods ABof not imputing fin to us, which ABs were fot-e we be pAjJed upon us from eternity y and before the children had done leeve, or goodor-evill, Rom. 9. 13. And obferve the words of Ma- Iter Ben. Denne to this purpofe : I do beleevc ( faith he ) fm Sei-m. of to be of that hideous nature , and the frfiice of God fo perfeB, '
that he cannot but hate the perfon, unto whom he imputeth, and peacc'p’g, upon whom he char geth fin, tffobethe per fon charged cannot 3 3 >3 4- give fully perfeB, and prefent fatisfaBion ^ and yet will I not fay, that the Son of God^ upon whom all our iniquities were char¬ ged, was at any time, Filius odii, a fon of hatred' ( for the Fa¬ ther was eternally well-pleafed with him') the reafon is, that o'tr fins wert no fooncr charged upon him, but that he h.'td given full
and.
196
T^je Trial! and T riumph ef Faith, Serm.XX I V .
luftifiati- on not e- ternall.
2.
and perfeB fatisfaSiiony being the Lambe Jlain fram the fomda- tionofthemrld^Kz\t\.i^.%. i^nfrv. If God cannot but bate the perfon upon whom he chargeth fin , either God never charged our fins upon Chrift, contrary to Scripture, lfa,$^,6. I 2. 23, 24. 2 Cor. $.21. or then he hated Chrift , which no found Divine dare fay : The payment and fatisfadion which Chrift made, cannot hinder Chrift to hate fin, and (o the perfon upon whom fin is (as Antine- mians teach, while as they refufe this diftiniftion) no more then the fatisfadion that Chrift made for fin, can hinder it felf, or hinder Chrift to die for fin • for if God ftiould hate Chrift, it ftiould be fatisfa(ftory hatred, andpenall. 2. I much wonder, if God from eternity charged fin upon his Son Chrift (for the place he citeth, Revel. 13.8. and the judgement of Antinomians fo expounding it , evinceth this to be his meaning) how Chrift from eternity ceuldgive fuU.^ perfeB.^ andprefent fatisfaBton to prevent the hatred of his Father, is not imaginable : indeed, when Chrift gave fa- tisfa^fion , Ibeleevethat it was full and per feB : but that Chrift from eternity gave prefent fatUfaBien , and that to make us adually juftified from all eternity, is a Point no head can conceive, except tierod.^ Pilate^ "ferve's and Gentiles.^ the Traitour , and all who were wicked A dors in killing of Chrift , be men uncreated , who had exiftence and being, and finned from eternity • this lieth fairly for the eternail world of AriBotle-^ then furely faith doth not bring us to the knowledge, oncly of our ftate of juftificati- on, as paffed, and done from eternity • as if eledion to glo¬ ry, and tlie love of God therein, and juftification, and that love, as manifefted by faith, vyere two coeternall twins, both at once begotten from eternity. Sure I am, rve are ju- ftified by faith •, but fure lam, m are not eleBed and ch of en to life eternail by faith : And if to be juftified by faith , be as our Mafters (though ignorantly) teach, nothing but this,
that
S^rm.XXIV. TheTriali aiuiTrtumph $f Faith,
that we come to the knowledge of our juftificationby faith, as by a figne, even as the Day-ftar maketh not the Sun to rife , it being onely a figne that the Sun fh ill rile, and that julbfication is as old a childe of frec-love as ele(fl:i- on to life. Then fay I, Paul might have taken the like pains ‘ to prove thefe P ropofitions : We are chefen glory before the vporld by fait and not by the good works of the Law : and this {men are reprobated from etermty by firidS unkele'ef ) For (ureitis, that we come to the kn‘o\vledge of ourele61ion to glory by beleeving 5 fiot to fay, that Pauls large difputc v/ith jufticiaries , was not whether We know , and appre¬ hend our own juftification by the works of the Law, or by faith in Chrifl-. 5, Antinomians hy ^ That Chrift: was ffain for our fins from eternity, not a<^ually, but onely fh Gods cternall purpole • and they mufl: fay , either he was the Lambe aiJiually cfucificd for us from eternity ( which ts a new eternall world ) and we arc aiflually juftified from eternity, and our fins imputed to Chi'ifi, and adually tran- flated off ns, and laid on him, and fo our fins are aiJfually pardoned from eternity ; Or, then they muft fay , Chrift was the Lambe flain from eternity, not actually, not really, but onely in the decree arid gracious^ purpole of God •, noW that is (I grant, found Divinity) Chrift died not from eter¬ nity, but God onely decreed and purpofed that in theful- nefie of time, he Ihoul d die ; But then it muft follow, that God did not adually charge fin on Chrift from eternity, and that Chrift did notaiftually from eternity juftifie the ungodly, but onely in his eternall purpofc, he did juftifie the ungodly ; Then the ungodly are juftified in time •, and when is this time I bclecve the word of God , that it is never while the poor Ibul belecve^ even as the finner is condemned, and under wrath, but never while hemif-be- lecve, and rejeift the Son of God. But 4. if the meaning {that chrift is the Lambe ftain for our fins from etermty ) be,
R r that
9
4«
2pS ' The Triall and Triumph ef Faith. Serm .X X I V.
that is , he is fliin onely in Gods purpofe , then are we no moie juftified and pardoned from eternity, andfo before we belceve , then the world was created from cternitie. Now in th^Antinomian fenfe, as we are juftified by faith, that is, we come to know that we were in Gods minde adlually juftified 5 Then it may be laid, The world was crea¬ ted hp faith : For Heb. ii. 2. Through faith we under food that the world was created 5 and God UQ our ftns upon Chrifl hp faith • and Chrifl died for us^ and hare our fins, on his own bod'p^ on the tree^ hy faith : For, by faith, we come to know that God made the world 5 but bccaufe the knowledge and ap- prehenfion of the creation ( may fbme fay ) is not a Point ferving for peace of confcience,and Chriftian confblation, which yet is falfe , ( every point of favingiaith is apt to breed peace and confblatton) yet certainly we came to know and apprehend that Cod laid our fins upon Chrifl by faith, Ifa. 53.^. and that Chrifi died for and bare our fins on his own body on the tree bf faith , and b^ faith onely , to our peace andconfolation *, andfo, if juifification by faith be nothing but the manifeftation of Gods love to us in impu¬ ting our fins to Chrift, and have no fubordinatc organicall ad in our juftification, but we be juftified before we be^ leeve, and that from eternity, uponthe very fame ground, God created the world by faith, Chrift died for our fins by faith. 5. Yea, in this fenfe the world muft be created from eternity, and all things which fell out in time fell out in eternity, becaufe as Chrift was the Lambe (lain from c- cernity, in Gods etcrnall purpofe, fo were all things, and the world created from eternity in Gods purpofe and de¬ cree , but things that onely have being in the decree of God, are not fimply, nor have they any being at all 5 and therefore our free juftification from eternity had no being, but onely was to be ,, and adually is , when God giveth U6 faith to. lay hold on. the remiffion of our fins.
Nor.
Serm.XXI V. The Tridland Triamfh of Fdth.
199
Not IS it enough to fay , Thitfdth is inely gtyert for our Md confoUtion, tnd not for the Alteration and change of our • that of unjuftified we may be juftified : Forthis lay- ■(thdownthefetalfe grounds: i. The beleevcris foine- vetv moment of time to rcjoyce , as he is never to forrow for (in nortoconfeffefin, bccanfe fins were pardoned from all eternity ; but fo, neither after a foul belceve, nor before he beleeve , is he to confeflcfins , or mourn for them • becaufe both after and before, yea from etermty, fins ate not at all, but removed in Chrift. a. It layeth down this ground , that weareluftified no more by faith,
then bv the works done, by the favtng grace of God after teceneration, and that Vanl in the Efifile to the Romanes and ralatians does contend with jufticiaries , how thefe who were ftoin eternity juftified, fiiall come to know and appre¬ hend for their own fence, ](% nnd confolation, that they were Juftified , and eleifted to glory •, whether inen may know this h fdth in Chrift, or by the works of the Law. But i . thisisnottheftateof thequeftion between Pa»/ and the tfufticiaries : ForRom-'j. f^/concludeth ftrongly , we are really and indeed changed from a ftate of fm , unto a ftate of juftification, even before God, not becaufe by kee¬ ping the Law we know we are juftified , but l^caufe all have fir.ncd, and are come fliortof the glory of God, and fo are inherently wicked , abominable, doers of ill, and condemned therefore , before God, from Davids ny, Pfal. 14. PfaL 53- This Argument concludeth real! and intrmfecall condemnation, v. 19. not the knowledge of condemnation, northe knowledge that we are not jufti¬ fied by the works of the Law, Rom. 4. a . Pad proverb, that \ve are juftified as David and Ahrahamvtas .■ Now ■they are not faid to be juftified by faitS; becaufe they come by faith to the knowledge of their juftification ; for Jhra-
ir righceoufnclfe , and the bleffednefle of the juftified
R r 2 man
Faith is not ©ncly given for cur joy and confolati¬ on ibvvt alfo for t'Ur j li¬ ft ificat ion, both in our own foul, and before God,
300 Triad and 7 riumph ef Faith, Scrm.XXlV.
man oppofed to die eurfe of the Law, from which we arc freedin juftificatiwti, (J4/.3. 10, 1 1, i2,i3.is.the rcall fruit of juftification, and of believing in him that juftifieth the ungodly, Rom. 4.1. 2, 3, 4, 5 ,6, 7, 8, 9-. But this blefTednelTe, and freedom from the eurfe of the Law, is not any fruit or etfed, orconfequentof our knowledge, and apprehenfion of our juftification in as if we werc,bcfore we be¬
lieve, blefled and freed from the eurfe of the Law, becaufc ' even the Ele($^ before they believe are under the eurfe, and are not bleifed: i. Bccaufe they are, before they believe, the children of lVrath,^^\i,z,i. Ergo^ They are under the eurfe : 1 . Becaufe Paul and the Elciff, before they be under grace and beliefe,wcrc under the Law, and fo under wrath.
Wherefore breihreriyje alfo are become dead tathe Law^ by the body of ChriB, that yc fhould be married to another, 5. For when we were in the fefh , the motions of fins , which were by the Law, did work in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death: 6. Rut now we are delivered from the Law^ that being dead wherein we were held, we (hould jerve innewneffe of fpir it, and not in the oldneffe of the Letter : Hence it is clear that there was a time in which Paul and the Eled at Rome were fervants of fin, Rom.6.20,2i. Under the lulls and motions of fin, ^ which work in their Members to bring forth fruit, that is fins to death eternall, Rom,y.*p, Ergo, They were then un¬ der the eurfe of the Law, and fo far from blefledncffe, and the fervants of fin, Rom.S.io, and perfons in the flcfh: But the cafe is changed, they are now not the fervants of fin, but fervants of righteoufncfle, Rom, 6.22, Married to a new husband fefus Chrifi, Rom. 7. 4. Whence came this change of two contrary flatcs 5 yea, and before God con¬ trary (for before God, it cannot be one flate tobe fer- vunts of fin, under the Law, and fervants of God, and under Grace .•) Certainly from Faith on our parr, or fomc
other
^'Serm.XXl V. The 7 ridl and Tr'mmfh of Faith, 3c i
other grace in u-, at Icaft there muft be fomething of grace, by which the alteration from a curfed eftate, to a bleffed eftate is made •, then Faith is not a naked manifeftation of the bledednefic of juftification, to the which we wasinti- tlcd before we believed, for before we believed, we was in a curfed eft ate : This alfo maybe added, that if Faith be but a Declaration or manifeftation, that we arc juftified be¬ fore we believe *, Paul had no reafon to deny that we arc juftified-,that is, that we know to our comfort, by works of holineffe that we are juftified, for works of fanftification arc evident witnefics that we are in Chrift, and are juftified,
ifeh.1.3. iPet.
I .to. 3. It layeth down this falfe ground, that grace is no¬ thing in us, but a meet comfortable fenfe, and apprehen- fionof Free-love, and Grace is conceived to be only and wholly in fo that there is no inherent grace in the
Believer, by which he is differenced from an unbeliever, fan(ftification and duties flowing from the habit of grace, are nothing but dreams of Legall men 5 Chrijl juftifying thefinneris all and Tome in the Eled*, ftrief and precife walking, conduce nothing to falvation : To think that it can do an'j thing in order to falvation is to rvorfip (faith Mafter Denne) an angry deit'j , 2. To fatisfe jufiicevvjhourworksj s.Propo, fafling, tear Sy duties. Therefore our ^ There i$
6, Propof Is, that it is a vain diftindion of Mailer no ground Denne, who would have a reconciliation of God to man, and of man to God. i . Becaufe we read that man is vecon- jj, ciled'to God, Horn. $.10. 2 18,1^,20. C0/.1 .20,21. Scnpmrc,
Eph. 2.1 6. Man is the enemy, whereas in he was a
friend, and in Chrifl the fecond Adam he is made a fiiend T concilia- but that God Is reconciled to man or changed toward his own Ele(5t from an enemy and a God that hateth theit per- fons into a friend and lover of them, I never read, if at Oois re any time, God be faid tobccomforted toward his people.or ““
502 The Trial! md Triumph Serm.XXlV.
cafed ,thefc are borrovvc^fpecclies ; 2. Love ot Eledion* yea, the love that putteth God on work to Redeem, Call, Juftifie, San(^iifie theElec^^, is no love bought with hire* yea, the price of Redemption, which Chrifi gave for (in- ners, cannot buy eternal lovc;blood,and the blood of God filed cannot woodfet ancient love, all the fins of Devils, ol men cannot forfeit it, make fins, floods & Seas, and ten thoufand worlds of Rivers, they cannot quench that eter- nall coal and flame in the breft of fb free a Lover as God, in a word, the flicd blood of Chrift is an effed, not a caufe Chillis Qf infinite love. What then, doth reconciliation place cauSbut* any new thing in God No, Doth it turn him from an an effca of Hater to a Lovers No, Reconciliation ad^ive on the Lords mlfloTcof a change of his outward difpenfation, not of his in-
Eleaion. ward affedfions : Fury is not in w,he faith himfclf,//4. 27.4. What re- Hc cannot wax hot and fiery in the Adis of his fpotleflc orTi^spro” and holy will *, Reconciliation turncth not the heart, but perly. thc Hand of the Lord, upon the little ones, as he fpcaketh, fo
that hc cannot deal with or punifli his Elcdl, as otherwayes he would do : The Lords jufticc may be fatisfied, his love cannot be buddedjOr hired, and thc effedl of juftice, thc in- flidlingof infinite wrath is diverted, asa River that run¬ neth Eaft hath been made to run Weft , and an ilfue of blood in one member of the body, hath been diverted to run at another channell •, juftice was to run through the , Eledl of God, in the due and legall punifliing of the finner (which yet is extraneous to the juft and eternall will of God) but infinite wife mercy, caufedthac River to run in another vtine, through thc foul of ^efm Chrifl. y. Props. 7. Fropof. loyof theholy Ghoft is afruitof the King- Scr.a. Re- dom of Grace, 14. 1 7. But not that joyfpoken of, mSlto i^^‘^.2i.4.and I/35.10. \yhich excludcth all tears, death, God,pag. forrow, crying, allfighing, as Mafter Df;?^^dreamcth, fo as joy can no more be feparated from the Subjects of
that
Serm.XXIV ,
^h€ T riali and Triumph of Faith,
303
that kingdom then light from the Sun, heat from the fire,or cbbinc^ and flowing can be flopped m waters (as he faith) Whoutaii far leffe is ittrue.that adluall love and obedience doth infe- fonow, is parably follow this condition, except we were made An- [I” kS'I. pels when we are once juftified ^ nor is the Kingdom of domof Godfpokenof, i Or.^.p,io. Andthefeeingof God.Ylzh, God.
12 14. The Kingdom, or ftate of Grace, or the feemg of God in a vifion of Faith, here in this life (but of the King¬ dom of glory, and of the vifm of God in the other life) as Mr. Dewwexpoundeth it that he may elude all neceUity, s«-'- ij- of holinelTe, butthat which floweth from no obligation of any Law or Commandment of God: But which is in out power of love to peiforme, or not performed if we per- pht feeing forme it not, its no tranfgreflion of any Law of God. »( Gnd.
I. Mr. Dewchimfclf granteth, pag.84. God is not like "V.'he’'*' fome nisgardlj mun^who mil not bid us mlcome to his honfe,m- Kingdom Mewebringourco^mthus: Not is holmeffe required of us without Faith, and before we believe and enter Citizens and^o/;. 3.
of-the Kingdom ofgracc;Nay,by this interpretation,! C<?y. 3- not 6, Wemuflrbe Juftifiedand wafhedbefore we can inherit this Kingdom, vcr.p,!©,! I- But we arc not to bcwaflied aomot and juftified before we inherit the Kingdom of grace, and Grace, before we believe •, for fo we ftiould be luftified & waflied before we be iuftified and walhed 5 and the like I fay of the kingdom of God. Joh-B-S* For it Ihould follow that a man miift be born again,ere he be born again, if he muft be born Fropo.S, again ere he enter a lubied of the Kingdom of Grace: How all Nay,’notany fuch condition can go before mans recon- ciliation to God. ,, , , rou^hdcal-
Propof.S. Chrifl can love dearly and tempt roughly both at once : i. His love confiftethnotin ataking his Church int6his bofome, and acontinuall, and never interrnpeed pcopk, laying of her between his breafts ., yea, tempting florveth from the love of God? nor is it any adt of luftice ^ tender
take vengeance on the inventions of his people (fatisfying
lu-
3^4 The Trtall And 'Triumph ef Faith, 5crm.XXiV.
luftice he cannot exercc toward his Eledl: *, yet a punifliing and corrcding luftice, he may^and doth put forth on them) but it hath its rife from love • all the wheels of Gods dif- penfation fwcet or fov/'er, are rowicd upon this Axle-tree of Free- love, the bowels of Chrift^ aeft, move, and breatha all difpenfations to the Saints , through no other Pipe and Channcll, but free and tender companion, fo as mer¬ cy is an immediate Ador; when the Lord is wafting his Church with bloody wars : And (which is wonder* full) Mercy is Chrifts Armour-bearer, and Mercy imme- diatly killeth , even when death climheth in at tbemndms^ and enters into the heufe of the heleever , either in a peftilence known to come from no creature , or fecond caufe ; or in the raging fword , when the careers of men fall as dung in the open feld , and as the handfull after the harvef men , and there be none toburphem^ Jer. 9.21, 22. 2. Tempting
mercy is wife mercy, it were not a tempting mercy, if we faw all the fccrets of love, and the reafons why the Lord buildtth Zion mth blood even thcEledl, and beloved of God, though they be in Chrifts Court, they are not ai- wayes upon his Counfell, ^oh.i^,^. Many are within the walls of the Palace, that are not in the Kings Parlour, and taken into his houfe of wine. The love of Chrift hath its own myfteries, and unknown fecrets, as why one Saint is led to heaven, and to mens eye , The CandleHick of the Al¬ mighty fiineth on his Tabernacle,^ and he wafl^eth his (leps in O'^l: he is rich, holy, profperous ^ and another, no lefte dear to Chrift, never laugheth while he be within the gates of hea¬ ven, but cateth the bread of forrow all his dayes , his face never dryeth while he be in glory, isafecrctof heaven. The love of Chrift is often vailed and covered , and we know not what he mcaneth ^ but he hafteth to fticw mercy.
Ufe*. Ufe, This Ihould make us very charitable of Chrift when he frowneth, and covercthEirafeif with a cloud,
and
Scrm.XX I V. 'Tht Triall and Triumfh of Faith.
and very inclinable to pardon f if I may fo fpeak ) rough and bloody difpenfations in Chrift : He lovcch , and he bloodeth , fcourgtth, and giveth his own childe a cup of gall and wormwood : Could we in filence beleeve its Chrift with two garments on him at once, Chrift clothed with love, wrapped in the unfeen myftery of tendernes of compaffion, and yet his upper garment is vengeance, and rowled in blood,wc fbould kifs the edge of Chrifts bloody fword-,fo we are to beleeverfor,//!^^ . i .Chrift at one time travefleth in the greatneffe of his ftrength^ and jfeaketh in righ- teoufn€(fe,and is mighty to fave i,znd at the fame time his upper garment is bUod : It is true, it is the blood of his enemies-, but it is often the blood of the children of his ownhoufe and Sanduary, B^ch. 6. i Pet.^. 17. And what more concerneth us then to keep our firft love to chrift < When he multiplieth our widows in the three King¬ doms^ as the [and of thefea^ and hringeth againft the mother of the young men^ a ftoyler at noon-day^ Jer. 1 5 .8. This woman ftayedon her watch-tower , and now the vifion fpcaketh mercy to her : Say they were injuries that Chrift inflidteth (which is a blafphcmous impoffibility) yet it is chrift^ it is the Lord, let him do what feemeth good to yotr: Theab- folute liberty of the Potter clofcththe moiith of the clay- veflell, if it could fpeak, Rom. 9. Thatunbeleef hath no reafon to ftomack and difpute againft hells fire coming from him, who hath abfolute dominion over us: As De¬ vils, and wicked men burn in hell with eternall fretting a- gainft God for their pain, fo, if icwere poftible, that the Ele^ and Regenerate were thrown into hell , they are to have eternall charity, and love to the holy and juft Lord, and to bclceve his eternall love.
305
Sf
SERMON
306
The T rUn and Triup/fh ef Faith. Sam .X X V.
thing.
6. On all creatures, &c.
SERMON. XXV.
Omnipo- "O E thee di/S thou rvilt. 3 'p^^'ratni Its a word ot
^Omnipotencie, to create Being • its fpoken of SAthan^ I .On\itan. CO Sdth^in^ Mark 9.25. Luk. 4.35. 2 . None can fpeak
i.Ondii- toLeproEe, but Ghrift, Match. 8. 3. Luk. 4. 39. Be thou -^Itark 3 . Chrift can fpeak to ftark death, foh, 1 1 . 43’, and
Death. 5.38. crysd with d loud vo’^ce.^LaT^rm.^come forth,
4. He can fpeak to life., Ezech. 37. 9. Come
On Mo- the four Winds 0 heathy and breathe ufon thefe Jlain^ that
thcr no- they may live, 5 .. Cod can fpeak to eJM other -nothing , as if Nothing had ears and reafon , and could hear, Rom. 4. 1 7. fJe calieth things that arc not, as thougkthey wero^^^t did but' nod upon Nothing^ OiTid. out of Nothing there compeared be¬ fore him, The great Hofie of heaven and earthy aim all things in 9. 6. There is a Language of Providence
by which every Being, as Being, hath a power- obedienti¬ al! to hear what fakh , and dony^on, 2.1a. The Lord ^aketo the Filh^and it. vomited out ^omhonthe dry Und.fA^.t, 4. 39. And he arofe, and rebuked the wind iTiniuMmd ariixS and faid nnto the feayPeaoe.,bef ili'.,dt' l^he wind ceafed^and there was a great calm: What wife man can boaft the Sea ^ What ears hath the fcnflefic and lifelcffc waters Yes they heaa Chrifts language., tliey fpeak. Tender flandeth our Creator boafiing and therefore mewilLobey, Ifa. 50. 2. Hear himfclf fpeak: Beheld.^ at my rebuke, I dry up the Sea^ PfaL 1 14. There is a queftion put upon the creatures, that they can welt ahfWer: verf. 5 . what atleth thee^ 0 thou Sea^ that thou-fiedf Thou Jordan that thou wa(i driven backward ? verf 6. What ailed you.^ ye mountains^ that ye skipped like Rums , andye little hills like Lambs f Good rcafon faith the Spirit ; verf. 7. T rem- hle thou earth.^ at the prefence oft he Lord: at^^the' prefence of the
^^Jbedien- ^ _
inlL^crTa- ^(^dof^acob: This obedicntiall power is not any quality ture,what created in the creature different from their being , for God it IS? may ule any creature to infinite effeds of omnipotencie,
and
Serm-XXV. 'The Trial! and Triumph of Faith, 307
and fo th ere fhould be infinite created qualities in every fi¬ nite creature. 2. This obedientiall power was in that ther-nothing , out of which , Ged^ by an oranipotent of creation , extra(5ted all the hofts of creatures that now arc-, and its in that other Mother -nothings yet objefted to omni- potencie, according to which God may create infinite mac worlds then now are , fo it pleafe him • its then nothing, but a non - rcpiignancie, to hear and obey Godva thefc parti- i .
culars : As, i . Omnipotencie of ftrong grace, can fpeak to firt^ which none can do; but God^ E'{ech,T6, 6, 1 [aid to ihee^ when thou wafi in th) hlond^ live : This Mandate of omnipo¬ tent grace is fpoken to , as hardened, and cold
dead in fin, Ephef, y . 14. Wherefore he faith ^ Awake, thou that jleepeU^and art fe from the deadband ChriB fh all give thee light:
This is a Commandment of omnipotencie, given out of finfull rebellion .* If Omnipotence fay, See^ yce blinde-fjear^
)t deaf‘s Grace is a King over fiujand omnipotcncy a rnigh- ty Conqueror ^ Rebellion cannot ftand before the grace of Godjcould we refigne Rebellious and dead hearts to God, he fhould change them, though we be moft unable to 2. maftcr them .* 2, Meer-nothing is a fervant to Omnipoten¬ cie he fendeth his mandate, or ftatute of heaven^ to wfer- nothing^ and Darkneffe, as the Sergeant, and Purfevant of God, mtifi fend oqt Light, by vertuc of a creating Mandate,
2 Cor. 4.^. 3. Ev^ry creature is under the awe of Omnipo- tende, and dare not without fas it were) a written and fig- ^ * ned Ordinance arid Statute of the Almighty, exercife their naturall operations : As the Lord fendeth an awf ull man¬ date to the Sea, and God faith, Do not ebbe and flow ^ and the fca is dried up at his rebuke, Pfal . 77. 1 6, The Waters faw thee, O God, the Waters [aw thee^they were afraid /So faith he : Winds, blow not 5 Seas^ rage not fre, burn not Ljons, devoure not 5 Sun, move not Clouds, rain not 5 Devils, hurt not Waters, overwhelme not 5 Sword, defrop not ^ and they all
S f 2 obey
7oS The TriaU andTriumph of Faith, Serm. XXV.
4. obey. 4.:Ther€ is a power obediential!, in creatures to be inftrumencs that can be elevated above, and contrary to their nature, to miracles, as clay to be a plafter to blinde eyes to make them fee, whereas clay can put out feeing eyes *, by this, Iron can fwim, Peter wslkin the Sea- yea, devils and men crolfrng Gods Morall will, fulfill his etcr- nall Counfell } according to that, Py^/.i 19.^. Jil aretlrt fervants. Bell evils Cavalier s^Malignants^PapiJls are Gois * 5. fervants ; 5. By this power, where as nature muft have time and hours, to work, yet nature followeth the fwifr pace of Omni potency :the Feaver deparceth from Peters mo- ^ ther in LaWjin an inftanc. 6. By this power creatures creep into mthingpNh^n God commandeth them fo to do : God putteth his arm to the Heaven, & fhaketh it,and the Hang- ings,Pillars,Walls,pleni{hing of the houfe of Heaven and earth, ^Ta’m are all diffolved- all the old Tenants of the
world, the Heavens which have fitten in Gods houfe 5 ooo years, at the fir ft warning of their Almighty Land-lord muft remove & retire into nothingy if God fo comand them .
Ufe. I . It is comfort, to the believer all things are pof-
1. Ufe. fible •, Faith hath omnipotency at its fervice, the fword Omnipo- and wars are gone, the enemies of the Lord broken , the tency IS (as Xemplc built, Bahylotf plagued, at the nod of Faith, Devi's fi™ to cannot ftand,when ChriUs Mandate chargeth them to falL Faith. ufe. 2 . It is but little that we can do, let us have Hofts
of men, we cannot have the vieftory : Let man be fwift,.
2. Ufe. 'iet the Race is not to the fsvifi'y lethimbeftrong,
tell is not to the flrong •, let him be wife and learned, Neither- is bread to the wife^ nor yet riches to men of under ft anding., Ec- clef.p.ii.i. The word of the Almighty is his deed abb. Via]. ^1.9. Be fpake^ andittvasdonCj he commanded.^ and it flood faft-j ’2 For he himfelf fpake^ and it rvas :
The Lords word giveth being to things, by the contrary •, mens deeds arc nothing but words ^ fb the lives, being,.
Scrm.XX V. "The Triall and Triumph of Faith.
and adions of the Kings of Jfrael and Judah ^ are called 2)/- bre ha^ammy words of dayes: They are the a(5ls and deeds of men living and dying, and compafTed with dayes-, for the deeds and ads of men are but words, they live and fpcakalitcle on earth and die, their ads are of as little worth, and reality as the airing out, or breathing forth of words: The greateft Prince maketha found for a time, as one that fpeaketh words, and then he is gone, and lyeth ftlent in the grave Solomon did many ads, but they are called words only, i Kin. 1 1 .41 . Jnd the reft of the aCis of Solomon^, Hchitw^The reft of the words of Solomon^ Are written in the Books of the of the words of Solomon^
2 Kin. 21. 25. ^nd the reft of the words which Amon did, are written in the Book of the words of the dayes of the Kings of Jt*dah. Weufenocproperly to do, or ad words, but to fpeak words but the holy Language maketh man and all his noble ads but words, and would exprelTc that he is a creature of no great adion, and can fay more, then he can do Strong and mighty man is but a creature of words, he is a fpeaking body of clay, and can do bir. little. We boaft much that this , and this we lhall do,
Cod hath a lock and a chain of Iron on all the creatures Armies are not to be feared, the Lord [mites the her ft and the rider ^^maketh war to ceafe unto the end of theea^th-fte keth the how^& cutteth the ftear in fundi r -Joe burn eih the Chanot in the fire, PfoL 46.9. Be not afraid of clay, Efay 51.12.
Uft^. If the Lords word create the being of things, ufe. then are we to conceive of him as of an Independent So We v/or- veraigne • we forget this, and worfhip a Dependent God :
If 1 fuffer the people to go to worlhip at ierufalem (faith gJcI. Jeroboam) I fliall lofe both life and Kingdom Godh^<i promifed the contrary to eftablifhhim and his Kingdom, fo he would do what is right in the fight of Lord, i Kin. 1 1 .
37,38. But he believed chat God in the fulfilling of his
pro--
HD ht*
210
TheT riall and T rhmph ef Faith, Serm .XXV.
promifc muft depend upon the Calves (et up ^zBan^nd. Bethel : So the J-ewes will have God in the prcferving of their Kingdom and place ^ 1.48. to depend upon the
(infuil murthcringof the •, yea, we imagine
that God cannot carry on the work of Reformation, ex¬ cept we comply with fome fort of Antichrifiian Prelate: The King thinketh he cannot be a Monarch except he have a Prerogative to play the Tyrant, and his Throne muft fail, except the Antichrift and blood, and unlawfull peace with the bloody Trifh martherers^ and deftroying of the Lords Redeemed flock in both Kingdoms, be the bloody Pil¬ lars of his Throne and Royall power; So God cannot fave us, if France, Denmarke^ Spaine and Ireland come a- gainft thefe Kingdoms * we are/o wafted, except we make a Peace diflionourableto fefus Chrif: and his Prerogative Royall *, all this is to place God in a ftate of Dependency, we arc too wickedly carcfull how God {hall acquit himfclf in his office of Governing the world 5 ere you or I were born, the Lord governed the world, and his Church with- ^out a miicarry fthe Churches Heaven cannot bemarr’din Chrifis hand) and when we arc rotten in the duft, he (hall carry on all in righteoufnefte and wifdom, but we take it ill, if we cannot have a Providence as fair and eyc-fwcet, ^ white Paper, though indeed there be not one fpot in oods wayes« fo Martha, f oh, 11.21 , Lord if thou hadfl been here, my brother had not died. But Chrifi- God in prefer- ving lives , depended! not on his own bodily prefcnce here or there: Another complaineth God hath for¬ gotten me , he is not my God. Why c' Becaufe I rvalke in darkneffe and have no light , ' nor any fenfe of his love, h is the black and dead hour of mid- night rvith me. So the ChurchzYgucxt^lfa./^p.ia^fi^^ Pfal. 77. v. 5,4,5 ,6, 7, 8,^. But his unchangeable love depends not on the ebbing and .flowing of your tranfient and up and down fenfe *, in this,
you
The Tridl and Triumph of Faith.
2II
Serm.XXV.
you worfliip a dependent God. There is no rule without God to regulate him, or yet to ftraighten him in his wal¬ king we are not to mifplace God, for though the God of Ho'fishathpurfofedto fain SSnS Lechallel,/^^^^?^^/^^^?;;, and frophane the pride of all glory ^ Ila. 23.9. and fuffer Par¬ liaments, Affemblies, Armies, CounfelsofWar, Statef- mcn, the godly, the Princes, Judges, Pallors, men of Wil- dome , Learning , Eloquence , parts, to mifearry in this great fervice againft Babylon • it is to cry down the crea¬ tures garland, and the rofe of their cminency, that when all l])otsof Sacriledge and Idol- confidence in men are walhed off the woik, the Lord only may be exalted. It is our wifdome to fuffer God to be wife for us •, yea, Antino- mians will have Chrif no independent Redcernerr •, but to them his Grace flrall not be perfed in pardoning, except all fin in root and branch be removed from the juftified, and they made as finlelTe as K^dam before his fall, and the FleTt Angels : Yea, how many connexions of Providence do we fpin and twill out of our own head ? As how happy had we been, if the King had remained with the Bar^ liament to countenance It Yea, but rather how unhappy, for our Reformation had been as an untimely bird’*, if foie had been : How bleffed fliould I have been faith another, if I had been rich and learned r* Yea, rather you fliould have dillionourcd God in that condition. , The Catholick and mother fin is, Gpdmw^ be dependent, we independent.
4. Ufe. All of us have need of a Devil, one or other, 4« toexercifis and humble us-, but we go wrong to work when we think to make good our party againft the Devil Devil and by our own llrcngth. This woman yoked Chrift Devil together, and would not yoie with him her alone, and the fuccclTp is bleffed we go to difpute with temp- imion. cations our felves by reafon •, you lhall not difpute Satan'
to Hell with all' your Logickjnor can Bolide^ and State- rotf
calm '
312
The T rUll and Triumph of Faith,
Serm.XXV.
l(x. f7. Ip-
Immediate
merciesjthc
fweeteft
mercies.
calm the Prince of the boctomleiTe pit, who is let loiole now tn the fe three Kingdoms to kill with the fword ; The Horfeman upon the Red and hloody Uorfe^ and his footman D^ath are porting through the Kingdoms, more wreftling by prayer, the putting Satan in Chrifls gripes, by faith ef fcBuall by love, and fineere humiliation fhould create pcacej. for peace is a work of creation •, there’s but one only can create, I mean God, by, or at the excrcife of thefe graces fliould create peace •, we lye bleeding and dying under our lufts, becaufe was not intrurted with mortification- if we gave in a bill of complaint againft our devils, as this woman did, Chrifi fiiould loofe Satans works and help us.
Be it unto thee ] Faith obtaineth the moft excellent fa¬ vours, refined mercies, and thefe are immediate favours, a(rts of immediate Omnipotencie : Chrift lent an im¬ mediate Port to the Devil , though in a remote place, ( its an ad of immediate creation ) and Satan murt be gone, no creature here interveneth; Its ChriHs Hun^rfja, his Omnipot cnt(^e/>/tf) that doth the turn-, its not Faith, its not a good Angel, expe'ling an evill one, nor one De¬ vil beating another, nor the Difcip’es helping the woman, though they alfo did cart out Devils. The more immedi¬ ate mercies be, the more lovc-cxprefiions of God in them- the firrt rofes, the firft trees and plants that Gods own im¬ mediate art produced, and in which nature could not {hare, are the perfedeft creatures, the rert of the creatures after the falljConic not near in goodnes & beauty to Gods firft fam- plar,which are(as it werc)thc firfl Effajes of Omnipotencie-^thc greateft mercies are moft imrnediatejthefe be fweet favours that come fas it were) hot and new, immediately from God himfelf : Sec it in all the excellent things that God giveth us,efpccially in thefe four, i. In Chrift ; 2. Grace : 3. Glory: 4. Comfort. Chrift is Gods higheft love* gift ; Now Chrif the mediatour, was given without any Oiiedhm, or any in¬ tervening
Scrm.XXIV. TheTriall and Triumh of Faith,
5
tetvcning Mediarour. God out of the mecr bottom of Fice-Iovc givcch Chrift : The Lord Chrift was not given bj^fo much as req lell, or counfcll of Men or Angels: chrift Heb. 1.3. hy himfef f urged our fms^ i Tim. 1.6. Hegave himfeif aranfome for allz^ i Pet. 2. 24. Whohis on>n fel flare our fins^in his own body on the treeihc fatisfied & pay¬ ed in his own perfon; It was not a deputed work. God the Lord of life in proper perfon Redeemed us: ChriHs love to us was not deputy love, he loved us not by a Vicar: Chrift is given freely, as a Redeemer is more efien ially a gift of Free grrce(io fpeak fo)chen the grace of faith which is given tothofe who he r and are humbled for fin. And Chrift given to dye for finners is a more immediate and pure gift of Grace then Rcmilfion of fins, and cter.iall life, which arc given to us upon condhion of Faith, where s a Redeemer is given to dye for us, withoi tany condition, thought, dtfire,any fweating or endeavour in man or An¬ gel. 2. So is Grace given out of Grace, faving Grace is made out of nothing, not out of the potencie of the mat¬ ter. The new heart is a creation, and as its Grace, is framed without tools, agents, art, or fervicc •, Grace if- fuethimmcdiaie'y out of chrjHs heart, he hath no hire, no payment for it: non payment, no money is Graces hire,
3. And Heaven is given, not by art, not by merit, not for fweating ; But how ? Luk, 11.^1, Irs the Fathers wtJd, And ’ Ftvn. I ,Cf ,Gdd Jhad wipe aH tears from their eyes. Its the Twee¬ ter, that no napkin but his own immediate hand fhall wipe my finfull fare.
In heaven the vifion of him that fitteth upon the Throne is immediate, themirrouror looki g-glafleof Word and Sacramer.ts ; being removed, there is i Cor. 13.12. But a vifion of God, face to faccy Rev. 21.22. ylnd I faw no Temp!eihete'*^i If any fhouldaske ridings, and fay fehn what faweft thou in that ntw City, was there any Temple,
T c any
7 14. The TrUft andTriumph of Faith. Serm. XXV.
any any Prophets, any Candlefticks there ^ He
(hould an fwer, O you know not what you fpeak : Ifawno Temple there I faw a more glorious .fight then all the Temples of the earth : I faw the Ldtnh the King!, in the inidft of them - I faw Chrifi: the fountain of Heaven, and though ye (bould know Mofes, Davidy Paul., in glory, you fhall be fo taken with beholding the face of the Lambe for evermore in an immediate vifion, that you findc no !ea- fnre to look over your flioulder to iJMofes or any other: TheLorJs For the Lord God Almighty ^ and the Lambe are the Temple of
fweeter, when the fweet immediate hand of ry imtne- lhall pluck thc_roul- delighting Roles of the
di2te. high Garden, and hold them to yourfenfes, with an im¬ mediate touch, fo as you fhall fee, behold, fmcll and touch his hand with the Rofe, and when he fhall put imme¬ diately in your mouth, the Apples of the Tree of life, and the King himfelf fhall make himfelf (as it were)your Cup¬ bearer, for there fhall be neither need of Paffor, Prophet, or of any Chriftian brother, but only Chnfi himfelf, to hold to your head A Cup of the water of life^ Rev. 32.1,2. And he Jbewed me a pure Fiver of water of ///<?, clear as Cri- fiall.^ proceeding out of the Throne of God.^ and of the Lambyhe Jhewed we, which Be •t The Lord God Almight).^and the Lamh^ chap. 21,22. Be that talked with we, who had a golden reed to mea fure the City^ ver. 1 5 . and v.i o. Be who carried me away in the Jpirit to a great and high mountain^ and ftiewed me the great City^ the holy ^erufalem defeending out of Beaven from Godz, no cxt2iX.cd Angel could fhew to The Bride the Lambs Wife \ and what is that < Be Jhewed me - Be made me fee Is that but a naked caft of the eye, or a fpcculation •* No, it is more. He himfelf who only reveals all the fccrets of God, And meafures the Temple with a golden Reed 5 He only gave me a drink of the water of life iramcdiatly t for to fee in the holy language, is to injoy, Heb. 1 2 . yJ^.Rev,^2y
Serm.XX I V . The T nail and T riumph of Faith.
£L.rfer.i'f.6, PfaLii,.i2.^ob.i9,26, And then he fhewed be this in good fenle,- He the increated Kmg htmfelf made me^ cr caufed me to injof-. Me engers carry love- Letters now • thcres no need of love-Lerteri between the Lord jefus, and Bride the Lambs wtfe in thiscon- dition •, certamitis,adiaughtofruch water atthe Wclb head mufl be fweereft : Then immediate comforts in a hea¬ vy condition muft be fwecceft alfo • as in heavy defertions.
Word, Minifterv, Paftors, Prayer, and Ordinances cannot r i‘'"e up the Spirit •, What doth the Lord elfe fpeak i i this ^ Noleffethcn rhir mcdi itionof means is but mediation of mejns-, and U Chrifi- means in a foul
yea, Apolih'S , i,.ydn^e-Sy a* chmen \2.d i But Chrift himielr comforts with hi- i nmcdiateadionfatlechnor, 1.2.3. v.4. m a fad
.9,10 1 1 , 1 1,1 _M4,1 5,1 6,1 7- himfelf im.
mcdiitelvby himfcT w ll do in a moment, that which all m -an', all Ordmanccs,all fwec.tings, all indcavo rs cannot do : I do not now cry down me ms, and excoll immediate in. piiations *, the latter I deny not in fome cafes, but I only comp ire means and • and is not th;S an experience of (o ne who arc brought to the Margin, and black bor¬ ders of Hell and difpairing, all Creature-comforts having failed them, and they having received the Sentence of the kcond death-,yetC^r//?cometh with an immediate glimpfe, like a fire flaughc in the aire, which letteth the loft and be¬ wildered Traveller in an extream dark night fee a lodging athmJ, where IS oth"r wife he fhould have fallen in a pit and loft himfelf -r and in a moment, in the twinkling oF an eye, the Lord having rebuked the windesand the ftormy Tenipefts in ^he foul ^ there is a calmc, and Ps-acc, 31*
^'ona 2.4. Chrifl is fpcedy , and fwife as a Roe,
22
his leap is but a ftride over a whole mount.un at once, over many motufttains and hills ^ Canticles^.S. Lfpi^^b ally in his immediats , when he comforts by hiiri' ^ T t 2
Serm.XXV.
*■ - - - - -j . -Ii-iii II ri.jjj j. ■
? I The Tnall andTriumyb of Faith.
felf !i he then m keth n ) ufeof a depnty-Sin to (hine^or of" borrowed light , the Sunhimfclt rifcch with his own immedistc ralvation,and his own immediate wings-, and wc fee it w is Chrifts immediate lo^e, yea, comfort , becaufe immediate carrieth with it the heat and fmell of Chrifts Immediate own hand, it hath the immediate warmnefTe of Chrifts bo- ft>nac-confblation,it was an a6f of tender- mercy that came rnimediate hot and fiTioking from the heart of ChriB the immediate fwtciiiefle coal of love fmelling of the perfume of the hearth it came Ciinftthe ^ from , and that was heaven, and the bowels of • feuncain. waters carried from a precious fountain in a veffell many hundred miles, arc not fo fvvcct as at the well head,bccaurc they are feparaced from the fountain , they lofe much of their vertue ; fometimes, itisfo long fince the Rofewas plucked , that the colour and fmell which it had, while it grew on its own ftalk, is quite gone : Look how inferiour Art (which is but medicine for fick namre) is to nature in its beauty and ftrength , (as painted Phyfick can neither purge nor cure) fo far arc all means and Ordinances (being but the deputies of Chnft) below C/';'/ii^hitnrclf, What is Paul ^ What is Apolh ? Put all the Prophets, all the Apo- ftles , all the Patriarchs , all the chiefeft of Saints in one floor, I confcfte they fhould caft forth an excellent fmell, like the utter bordci'S of the garden of the high Paradife, but all their excellencie fhould be mediate excellencie, and but fomev/hat of Chrijly but alas, as low, as very no¬ thing ioChrlB\^ as the fmalleft drop of dew that fenfe can apprehend , to ten thoufand worlds of ftas , fountains and Roods : We defraud our (pirits of much fwcetncftc , be¬ caufe we go no further in our defires then to creature-ex- cellencie , wc reft on mediate comforts , becaufe me¬ diate painted things do work but obje<5fivcly ^ onely a painted meadow cafteth no fmell , a painted tree bringeth forth no Apples.-, the comforts and fweetnefteof the crea-
. turcs
Scrm .XXV. TheT ria.ll and Triumfh of Faith.
nires have fomewhatof paintry in them in companion of ^tfw Chrijl ; all reality and truth of exccllencie is in him : and we know God marreth the borrowed ir fiuence or means, Armirs, Parliaments, Learning, and all mifearry *,
Therct’Orc there was never a Reformation , nor a great work wrought on earth, but Omnipotencie put forth ma¬ ny immediate Adfs in it : The Lord would not be behold¬ ing to Mofes.^ he himfelf divided the red Sea • he would not in<7agc himfelf to fountainsand vmc- trees ; but he gave them rvatereut of the Rock •, he would not borrow from the earth, and rowing , reaping , and plowing, bread, for bis peoples food, htwowX^ give them the bread of Angels horn heaven immediately; he would have no Engines at the taking of l^.erichot the b’owing of Rams»horns was a fignc,not a caufe,
God immediately caff down the walls-, he would not have a {word drawn, nor a dropof blood (bed in the peoples return from Babylon , but the Lord putteth an immediate impulfionupon the Spirit of Cyrtts, as if he had been in
a dead deep, and he being aw'iked by God onely, fendeth ,
the people away, and the Temple rr\u(k bebuilded again: nin-rK
But how t' Neither by King^ nor Parliament, nor Armies, for ^
Zach. 4. 6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, (a^th
the Lord : When Buhylon is to be deft royed (as the work is
even now on the wheeles in Britain) Revel. 18. 21. A
mighty Angel took up the great milftone , and threw it in
the Tea though it be a Vifion by cornparifon, yet it hold-
cih forth !n immediate work of Godin therutneof Baby- mediufin
lon^^tLnd Angels powrc their vials on the Sea,onthe Sm,on the
River Euphrates, to make for the deftrudion of works, and
and in delivering of Zf?? Angels did work: God himfelf
fpake to Noah for meikingan Ark - akhouph Angels great wor^
creatures, yet the Lords Yadion by them ismoieimmedi- now on the
ate, then when he worketh bynaturall caufes -, when the
judges fcourge and imprifon the Apoftlesiy no man will Kingdoms* -
^ . fpeak
Ji8
Serm.XXV.
I '* ' ' "* > I ■ ',1 ■■■
TheT riall and Triumoh of Faith,
Ipeiik tor them, the immediate pow er of God doth it, the chains fall ofFlegs and armes, immediate providence is a key alfo to open the prifon doors, and they are faved: There is a bloody war at the taking of the Ark, and thirty thou- fand footmen of Ifrael killed, i 54^.4.10. 1 1. But there is no: a fvvord drawen when its rclcued : The Ark cometh home, its alone Gods immediate providence driveth and adech upon two milch kine to bring it home again, i Sam, 6.12,13,14. Whokiowcthbut when o u- ftrcigth of two Kingdoms hath failed us, the Lord fhill make Kine to bring home his Kingdomsnd Reformation to our doors t were it polTible that creatures could work falvation for us, and freedom from the fword, and fure peace in England, Scotland md Ireland^ without God, or a y fubo-dination to him, let it be a deliverance from the creature only, it (hoyld no deliverance, but a curfc ♦ that which m k th falvation to be falvation Js, that God hath a finger of po¬ wer, and an influence of Free- grace in it : O but this put- leth the luftre, bvcecnefTe and hai^ll of Heivenonit, that it is the falvation of the Lo^d^ Ex^d. 1 4. 1 3. In regard of ir^ refiftable efficacy, and fucceffe under caufts, though chain¬ ed to the influence of God, are but Idoll-Caufes,ihcy lie as Cyphers, and do nothing, no more then a lame arnie can maftcr a (word : The Lord rvo^keth ad our works for m ^ and Tqe idaily marring, and fliall fuither m:r our Armies, Par¬ liaments, Coimfcls, undeitakings, to the end that more of Chrtfxm.'^ appear in thefe wars, then in other wars •, fome immediate power muft clofe and crown this glorious work in Britain^ God muft be his alone, and appear his aione,and only Jehovah muft be vifible in the Mow'^t, to the end that bleeding England^long Scotland^ & w^afttd Ireland^
may with one fhout ccy^Not mto 0 Lord, Not'unto us, but unto name be the glory. difeovereth the deceit of our
confidence, for when the Lord and the creature worketh
Serm.XX V.
'TheT riall and Triumph of Faith.
3^9
together for our good , Afa^ though his heart was perfcd, podibly fecth not whether he trufl on the Lord^ o'c onthe ofourcon- Phyfjtian • and yet the Scripture faith, When he was dfeafed in his there was a worfedifeafe about his heart - for hecaufe he fought to the PhyJjtians., he is blamed yet to leek creature arc to Phyfitiaiis is lawfulljbut thefpirit of God blamcth his feekin<^ to the Phyfitians* and faith, 2 Chron, 16. 12 . He fought net the Lord in his ficknefe and the reafonis O Becaufe he was in the phyfitians : Sotht Hehrew rcadeth it, he is faid, not to feek the Lord.^ not becaufe he fought m j— the Phyfitians, for that had not been a fin, but bccaulehe was wholly, the whole man, foul and all in, or on the Phyji^ 0^X313 ohis care, paines and heart, was all on the Phyfitians •, fo alfo the Greek exprefle great care and dilisence by the like phrafe, i 4* Give ynduu, thy Yelfto thefe things. Seldome do we feck to God and truft in him, when God and the creature are yoked together in a work that we arc much bent upoUj as in Wars, in a Re¬ formation , yea, in a journey that thefpirit is intent up¬ on, but in trufting on God weinterpofe a folding and a ply of the creature between our foul confidence and the Lord, juft as a pillow' is put betweeh-the mans (boulder and a prcfilng burden, for fear the burden crufh a bone we are afraid we give God too much to ao, or more then he is a- ble to bear : When we fail, we feem to betruft our fclves to the Lord and the Sea- out the truth is, often wetiuft moretoiheftrong Ship, then to the Sea or the Our
confidence jfhiftcth it felf from under the Lord, on upon the creature and the Arm of flefh, fo wc walk often in the ftrength of the Lord, as feme walk upon Icc, they walk foftly and timoroufly lipon it, fearing it fhould break un¬ der them, they put no faith upon cracking and w^aklce: we are not daring and venturous in cafting our fclvcs and burdens on the Lord,,
^20
The Triall and Triumph ef Faith, Serm .XXV.
So in judgements, choice fell upon the PelHlencc nther then ihc Swoid , Why Gods hand is Tweeter and fofcer then the Devils, then the Maiignants hard hand : Samuel is one ol the bcft children, becaufc he is given of God, and is achilde of many Prayers. Ifaac the joyfull childc, Why.? No thanks to nature , or to Sarahs dead womhe for him, he is the Ton of an immediate promife, Frec- grace is rather Father and Mother, then.^^/4^4;» and Sara % in ordinances a man fpeaketh; butif Chrift himfelf would (peak, O his Spikenard f O his own Perfume 1 O hi> own lips drop honey I O hisowii Lebanon- like couate^ nance ! Ahs, we think Chrift is not Chdft, except the King help him 5 Religion is not- Religion, except worldly thrones bear it up- the Gofpel is a very immediate tuing^thc Lilly amongjl the i\\oxx\s^\s Chrifts Lilly*, the Church ftaiids more immcdiatly by Chrift then any worldly thing dorlu Godmaketh the earth to bud and biing forth her fruits 5 but the Son, the foil, the feafon of the year, andjnature, arc his under fervants *, God waccreththe earth but by clouds. Kings are indigent and very mediate and dependent crea¬ tures • they need Armies, Multitude, Navies, PrdatS^ 54- hylon^ Ireland^ France^ Spain, Denmask^ Holland^ Vioi Cys, Friends, Parliaments : But Grace and the Gofpel are more immediate, and leffe needy ; The Gofpel can live without all thefe.
SERMON XXVI.
£ it unto thieas thpu wilt ] We fee what power Chrift
Chrifts power oyer Dcfils-
hath over the deviis* Chdft Tent him invifible fummonSj Let S at an be gone, he muft be gone. It is a proper woik pf Chrift to,oppore Satan, Heb.. 2 , 14. He took part of flejh andbl.)od^ hcL ng.-mfyYKTi, that he rnight make Satan unprofitable andidlesnd fruitlcde, as the word is ufed, 13. 7. hy doth this fiuitU(fe tree keep the ground faplefe and barren i So is the word t..kv n, to make a th. ng of no Rom . 5 . 3 .
Thuigs
Scrm.XX VI. The TrUll and T riumph cf Faith,
3^^
Things that make fport to children^as nuts, feathers, toyes, arc called, things of Infants to be put amy^ iCor So
hath Chrift taken bones, and lap, and ftrength from the dcvil,and made him as fruitleire,as the feathers that ferveth to fport children, i For this purpofethe Son of God
vofts manifefed that he might dtfjolve the works of
the Devil : The word in Scripture, is aferibed to the calling downof ahoufe, foh. 2. ip. To the breaking of a (hip, -^^.27.41. To the loofingofany out of chains, /f^.22. 30.
The truth is, Satans works of fin and Hell in the which he had involved the Redeemed world, was a prifbn hoD{e,and a caftle of ftrength, and a ftrong war-ftiip,and many ftrong chains of finandmiftry. Chrift was manifefted to break down and difiblve the houfe, to break his war- (hip, and to fee the Captives at liberty, 1, 2. 14.30. Andnow eometh the Prince of this mrld^ and hath nothing in w,he had much in Chrift, he had all his Redeemed ones by rcafon of fin • but Chrift took all from him : Since Chrift came in the play, and was mafterof the fields, Satan never did profper: And confiderhow eafily Chrift doihit,witha mecr word. Let it he •, how was this, Chrift fent an imme¬ diate mandate of Dominion, he hath an immediate opera¬ tion upon thefe invifible fpirics of darknefte *, it is no matter how Chrift doit, fo it be done: Chrift- God is a fpirit, and how a fpirit adls upon a fpirit, is to be believed, rather then fearched ; But Chrift hath thefe relations to Satan, i. As God to all creatures, and thus Satan is the y. woikmanfhipof God as he is a fpi it •, fo what ever par- takcch of beings is the adequate and confummate cffedl of Omnipotencie, I mean beirg either pofTible or adluall, dominion and fb the motions of Angels from place to place, and of Devils muft be under a chain of Omnipotencie, as all other things, motions, and adlions of the creature arc : Let Sa¬ tan go whether he pleafe, Chrift traetthhim. 2. Chrift
V u hath
2,
322
The TrhU and Triumph of Faith, Serm.XX VI.
hath the relation of a ludge to Satan, and {b he is tyed in an invifible chain of luftice : and as male fadors that are permiced to go abroad, but alwayes with attendance, lb do Devils trail abouf with them everlafting chains of blacknclfebf darkneffe, ^ud.v.6. Whether fo ever the 3* Devil go, Chrift hath a keeper at his back. 3.Chrifthath a relation ol a conqueror to Satan, and Satan is his taken Captive, Col. 2. 15. He cannot be loofed from under Chrift, either by ranfome, or change of priloner with pri- 4. Toner. 4. 2^^ the heir of all things yheareth up all hy hi^
mighty }v^r^,Heb.i .2 .3 . And is he in whom all things con- fiff Col. 1. 1 7. And fo by realbn that the world by anew gift of Redemption, is fubjeded to fefns ChriH , There is a fpeciall and particular Providence of Chrift upon Satan*, it concerneth the Redeemed not a little, that Chrift keep a ftrong and warchfull guard upon the black camp out of which he hath Redeemed us*, and thatr^^ [even eyes that are before the Throne^ take fpeciall notice of Hell, who come in, and come out, for there is deep coiinfell there againft us ; In this conftderation Chrift numbers all the foo^fteps of Devils *, Satan hath not a generall warrant to tempt the Saints, but to every new ad againft /i?^, chap. i. 12. and ^oh 7, 6, againft Peter ^ ere he can put him upon one ftn- gle Waft,tocaft him but once through his fieve,L«y^. 22.3 1. yea, againft one fow,or a briftle of a row,iW/rr.8.3i,32. He muft have a new figned Commiftion , Chrifts generall pafte, that Satan be fuffe red as any other fubjed topaflfe through Chrifts bounds and Kingdom, is not enough.
life. Its much for our faith and comfort, that our Nk- diatour is a God of Gods^ a God above the God of this worlds a Prince more mighty then the Prince of the Air, who ruleth in the children of difobedience ^ Y ea, now we have a greater Vidory over Satan, then we know*, Satan isfb totally routed, put off the fields, and Chrift To ftrong, that the
weakeft
Serm.XXVI. ‘^heTrtaH and Triumph ef Faith, ^23
weaktft of Saints is ftron'gcr then the world, and the fpirit that dwdlethm the mrld. Chrijls of faith
ts ftronger then Adams (Irengh of innoccncv °i foh ^ i j 14. I feh 5.5. The weakefl meafure of faving Grace" is ftronger then the higheft meafure of malice m all Hell- When SUM Tempteth you, fear him not , refift him m the Faith: but be watchful! , for he hath a PalTe
u ^ could not come fo farrc as
the Court of Guard, to dally with the fenfcs to hold out an Apple to Eve-, a woild of Kinadomes and glory to hath a
not%- his Pafte will bear him jo go to the more inner works then the fcnfo, even to the chimber of the fancy to fend a Trumpeter to the undcrftanding : i. Yea to work mediatly upon the will and the heart of a ^s/d^ and “l'’"', to aft, but m a way of diftance, upon i)W to number Vs& the people - but a counterfeit Paffe with a falfe fubferip- tion cannot permit Satan to go on in real! motions apainil the wi 1 - the chaine holdech him baefr, there is a retrain¬ ing IinK that all the powers in Hel] cannot break .* A Mo- rall tie and iipke of the Law of nature in the breaft of De¬ vils Satan can and doth daily break, Becaufe he fmned from the beg’mm^ : hut the other link of rcall acting againft the dominion of Providence is unpoflTibleto the ftrongeftof Devils, or of Creatures. 2. We our fclves may put in ex¬ ecution, a conditional! Paffe of the Devil, for certain it is, could but knock at door, and play the Ora¬ tor or Sophiff to delude minde and affections, but he could lyings keys (as we fay) and violently breakup ^e door, or force the will, but upon condition that Eve mould confent to eat forbidden fruit, by nccc/Tity of divine We often juftice, Die muft tuin the firft and oldeft Devil in the flefh that ever was, to tempt Adam to fin, and to ear- and there- ^nTl tore if webenoccaiefulltorefifi, wc may fignethe De-
V u 2 vils
324 ^heTrUll andJrium^bof Faith, Serm.XXVI.
vils Paffe of Providence, with our Morall confent •, yield once to SAUm fiift demand of the Treaty, and you dial! feCj you are inpiared by a necefifity of Gods fpotlcflc ju- flice, whopimiflieth Hn by fin, becaufe you go one mile with the Devil to go with him two miles.
2. U{e, If Chriftatanod have fuch a dominion over Devils, vve are under SAidns power in being tempted,more then we need : Certain it is, wc improve not Chrifis power of dominion over Satan to the utmoft • Chrift can fave, Heb.^,1*) . dtra mvTihh to the utmofi^ then he can fandifie u the utmoft^ for is a Saviour not onely by merit, but alfo by efficacy, as ont Divines holdagainft Socinians and Armlnians^ and therefore he fhould give aduall ftrength againfi: temptations ^ if wc (hould not fo careleily im¬ prove that power Chriji: hath over Satan : I do not mean as ArminUns do, that free- will,by order of nature beginneth, firft, to refift Satan^ and then Gods grace followcth, as a hand-maide, but I intend this, that becaufc Veter is fclf- ftrong 5 and his flefii faith to that Chrifl is mifialen, and looketh befidethe fpiric of prophecie, for Matth,i6, 35. He faith, Though I fhould die with thee ^ yet will J not de¬ ny thee ; Belike if he had been diffident of his own flrength, and watched and trufled in the ftrength of an intcrccffor, he fhould not have been deferted, lo as to de¬ ny his Lord • we put not Chrifl to it, to put forth his om- nipotencie in every ad, to favc us, that we yield not-, I de¬ ny not, but there is a neceffity in regard of Gods wife pro¬ vidence that the Saints muft fin, and that they be paffive veffels to carry the luftre, and hold forth the rayes and beams of pardoning Grace : Y et certain it is, there be hy¬ pothetical! connexions of fupernaturall Providence in Gods eternall Decree, never put forth in adion, bccaufe of our lazineffe {As if God fuffer ^ob to be tefnpted^^nd he hy grace fin. mt, as lob 1,22, The Lord fliall alfo firengthen
Serin.XX V I. 7 he Triall and Triumph of Faith.
525
him when he is tempted the fecond ttme^ mt U fin) and {if A- hraham he tempted to ofruv his only Son for God, and if he yield obedience, God fhall fur ely hie fie him with the hlefin^of fanStif cation promi fed tnthe Covenant ) as is clc.ir Gen. 22 . 1 5,
17. H eh. 6, 12,1^1^, For we fee thefe connexions fbme times put forth in a^s : But other connexions are not put forth In ahls, Matth. 11.21, Luk.i6.‘^i. i Sam. 2^, 12^
Such as thefe {if David be tempted by Satan-, he fl)ad not refifi, but (hall number the people) (if Peter he tempted he fjjali not fiand out tn confefimg his UHaficr.) Certain it is, that as we come/hortof thefe comforts of a communion with God which wc might injoy, by our loofe walking ^ fb upon the fame reafon we fall fliort of many vidories over Satan which vtt might have if we fliould improve the dominion and Kingly power of Chrifl over that reftles fpirir.
As thou wilt"} Asthou defireft : God maketh, of his free dirpenfation,a fandified will and affedion in prayer, the meafure of his gifts to us •, a word then i . Of a fandified rr/7/and affedions : 2 . How thefe are the meafure of Gods goodneffc toward us in thefe Portions.
Pofition I. The foul is never renewed while the nv7/ be A renewcii renewed • for the will is the heart of the heart, and the new heart is the new man, E:{fch,^6.26. Deut.^0,6. For the heart is the King and Soveraign of obedience, Deut, ^0,1 9,
Pofition 2. All fandifed affedions are threded upon the will 5 faving Grace can lodge no where but in the cen¬ ter of the heart, and that’s the renewed will, prefuppo- fing new light in the mirtdct Grace taketh this firft Caftlc.
Pofit.^ Hence how many grains of fandified will, as many grains of new obedience , fo lore is the fire of our obedience, and willingnefTc the fat of obedience, which is fet on fire by love.
Pofit. 4, A civill wiRh not a fandified in forae men
mar..
A civill will is not a finftifisd*
the will*
Serm.XXVI.
92^ The Triall and T ritm^h ef Faith,
the tW// is more Morall, lefTe raging, the motions oFit be¬ ing Icfle tumultuous, as in fome carnall fpirits the wheels with lefFe noife • nil Rivers make not alike adion and flirving on their Bankes,bnt that taketh nothing from either their nature or deepneffe, oroccafionall over-Twelling.
Fofit.^, The fpeciall ma'-kofa fan^lified n^/7/,is,thatif.s a br(?ken thing, as it were fallen, in the midft, in two pieces, Theyicl- and yielding to God and h.ving light, there was a fea of ^ grace and faving light in Chrifl^ no created will (looped God, and to the light of a revealed Decree in fuch a fubmifsive mea- rr^cciaii^' fure, in a Hell of fear, forrow andanguiOi for an evil of nouofave punidimcnt, more then any creature was able to bear, as newtii wil. hc did •, NcVerthelejfe^ not mj will^ hut th-j will he done : Farre more in other things of IcTe paine fhould we fuffer •, efpe- cially in thefe, the wid is to ftoope*, i.In oppofingour luft s, as we would teftific that the proudeft piece in us , the will^ hath felt the influence of Chriflt death on it • That we no longer fhould livetherefl of our time^ to thelufisef men^ I Pet.4.2. But to the will of God^ i Pit.i,-^^^, Ro7n,6,6, The dominionof will is the doiri ibn of fin. ?. In that the foul fpeakech out of the dufl, and is put to filence before God, and littcth alone, as Melancholicks do, 28,
29. A tamed man is broken in bis n?///, in which the Pride of oppofing God confifteth: Then ifa. 11,6, The wolfe dwellethwnh the Lamb. 5. The fubordination of the will to God is a great figne of a fubdued fpirit • nothing afFe(T- eth Independency more then the vain will, ■P/4/,37.7. on the LordfF{t\>,Be ftlent toward the t <j/^^Varal>lus,5c quiet ^ Repine not as dt [obedient ^ neither anfwer again., I fa. 61.1. Chrijl is (entto binde up thole that arc broken mwillot he.rt* the Hebrew will include both, Pr 2^15.31. sS hat kneth tor ejiroof, getteth a hearty folfeffeth his heart, {oVa-
tablus. The meek fpirit which in obetience fabmitteth to rebukes, polTcffcth his heart, and pofleflech his own will *,
now
Serm.XX VI. The Tfiall afid Triumph of Faith.
3^7
now the contrary mufi be in the undaunted man , his will and heart mufi: have dominion over him, and his will mufl polTefTe him • Prov.ij.iS, The unconverted man is a man wanting a heart and a rvi/I : a will not broken to God is as good as no will^ and no heart at all, the broken heart is the heart to God, and the broken will the will.
Pofit.6. The affedtions in their naturals being corrupt, AfTeaions grace only maketh them pure, and when they are pureft they arc ftrongeft. itsmoftof the Element of the earth*, that is, all earth, and wanteth all mixture of other Element<^, that is moft fire, that hath leaft of earth in it • that is fineft gold that hath in it leaft of other mettals, lead: droffc, lead oare : When affeaions are mod deeled with Grace, they have the lead mixture in them*, love having The kffe much of Grace, hath lead of lud; zeal with much mixture in grace, hath Icaft of the wilde-fire of carnall wrath, and Sf'' thefe are known by the fwiftneffe of their motion toward ftronger their kindly objeds *, the more of earth in the body, the fwifter is the motion downward toward the earth* worketh mod as fire when it carricth up in the Air, nothing but it fdf, or fiery fpaiks like it felf, but when it afcendech and carried! up with it, houfes mountains and great loads of earth, the motion is the flower : Grace being cTenriall to gracious affea:ions,they run and move kindly, and fwife- ly, therefore is fupernatural I love, as death, hard as the grave : In the Martyrs it was dronger then burning quick, then the wheels, racks, and the mod exqnifue tor¬ ments* ZiidChnBs love was dronger then Hell* of all loves, that is the dronged that bringeth ficknedc, Evoon- ingand death: Gracious love produceth love-ficknede,
Cant.i.^. Swooning, Ca^t.^.S. The OAlartns havedied toinjoyhim, and refufed to accept of life* becau/eofehe love of a Union with him, Heh.ii.-^y. How many deler-
ted fouls come to this, l die^ if I injoy mt Chrifl.
*
328 the triall and T riumph of Faith, Serm . X X V I .
Pofit.j. Its good that the affedions be ballanccd ynd loadenwith Heavenly and fpirituall light: Lower vaults and under houfes, fend up fmoak to the fair pi(5fiires that are in the higher houfes • lufts dominion over light, maketh a mifty and unbelieving minde *, fo when the light is car- nail, and nothing but worldly policie, its like the higheft houfe, which if ruinous and rainy, fendeth down rain and Mmdc and continuall droppings on the lower houfe. Mihdc and affe- do^mumaU ioiis vichtc and corrupt one another. Grace in either, ly and red- contributes much to the fpirituality of the adions one of P ^^Qothcr : fo the mockers of eternity and judgement, are
notkr. ignorant, becaufc they rvid be ignorant, 2 3.5 . And £-
lies (bns roill be abhominably luftfull in their afFet^fions, becaufc they know mt the Lcrd^ and arc ignorant of God, I Sam. 2.11, eJMatthew heareth and feech fefus^ and he ioWoY/ethhim^ Matth. p.p. The more ihzt Mary Magdalen followcth and loveth, the moAC fhe knoweth and feeth the 'excellcncicof ^eh.io, ver. i. com-
Defircs pared with ver. 1 7, 1 8.
feknatu When the defircs arc naturall, then Heavenly
rail thini^s objcdfs arc dcfircd and forrowed for in a naturall way. Ba- defires to dye the death of the righteous 5 hut Efau mU, fcX" weepeth for the blefting m a carnall way • when the ae- ipirituiU fires are fpirituall, earthly objeds arc defired in a fpirituall <mfiy • Even bread as it favourcthof Chrifl^ Matth, 6, p*
compared with ver. 11.13. And fothc woman feeketh deliverance to her Daughter, fpirkually and with a great Faith,
Godfub- Poft. p. The believer faith, if the creature will go along J”* with me to my Fathers houfe, welcome, if not. What libcraiiity then There I mufl lodge, though Gold refufe to go with me.
fnrcofT* 2 manner refigneth hi own freedome
fanaified in giving, and transferreth this honour on the womans de-
Will. fij-g .
Serm.XXVil. "TheTriall andTrittmph&f Faith, 32P
dcfire ; God keeps pace wiih a farK'lified will in fatisfying^ when the jv;// keeps pace with Cod in a(5lin^, longing and defiring, i. He putteth Heaven upon the choice of a fan- i* ^;ficd heart, De?/?, 30.19. Choofe life hat both thoi* andthy joed way live ^ Rev. 22. ly. Whofoever willy let him take of the waters of life freely, Ifa. 5 5 . i . Ho^ every one that thirjtcth come ye to the waters. 2. Heaven is put upon the quality of 2. the willy and what it defires Joh. 4. 10. If thou knewf that gift of God y and who it is that fayes to thee.^ ^ive me dr inky thou wouldf have asked of hiwy and he fhotild have given thee water of LifCj^k-tv, 21.6. I will g:ve unto him that thirUethy of the Fountain of the water of life freely . There’s an edge up¬ on the word Fountain, for the Fountain and firfl: fpring of the water of life is above the ftreames^ and this ispro- mifedtohim thathatha heavenly and fpirituallthirft for Chrift. 3. (7<?^puttech himielf and the meafure or compalfe 3* of heaven, upor the meafure and compare of the benfill & pitch of hf/venly defires, Pro. 2. 3. If thou cry e(i after know- ' ledge ^andlifte(l up thy voyce for under/fanding^/\..Jfthoufeekeft
her as fiver , and fearchejl for her as for hidtreafureSy 5. Then
Jhalt thou underfand the fear of the Lord.^^ finde the knowledge There be four words here to exprefle the benfill of the will and defire-, we are to cry for wifdome.the Chalde reads jnn the othe*' part of the vex, if thou call under fanding thy mother ^ vlp that the cry fpokenof in the former part, maybe fucha Ourafte- high cry as children ufe when they weep and cry after their Mother: The other word iSfTo give the voyce to ivifdomiThc ads and other two^ words do note fweating.^ digging in the bowels of compre- the earthly calling up much earth to fnde a treafure of filver or gold^V{li\ .81.10. Open thy mouth wideband I will fill it: Vata- fpintuall blus, Seek what thou wilt^ and I will grant it. Its a doubt if any man by mlarged defiies, can put Gods giving good- vcn '&c.'^L nef^ to the ucmofl extent. 4. God maketh bis fulneffe in ut which
giving, far beyond our narrownefie in feeking, Bph. 3.20.
V ^ _ •
3^0 The Trial I and triumph of Faith . Serm . XX V I .
He h able to do (this is as much as he is willing to do, Rom, II. 23. V. 24.) exceeding abundant above all that voe ask^ or thinks according to the power that workith in m : This is confiderablc, that when Chriftfhall put the Crown of incomparable glory on the head of the glorified foul, there fhaii be thoufand millionsof moc Diamonds^ Rubies jewels of glory on that Diadem^thzn ever your thoughts or imaginations could reach, and more weight of rweetnclfe, delight, joy, and glory in a fight of God, then the feeing eye, the hearing ear, yea, the vaft underftanding and heart, which can multiply andaddeto former thoughts, can be able to fathom, "i Cor. 2.p. When ye feek and ask ChriH from the Father , you know not his weight and worth, when you fiiall injoy Chrift immediately up at the well head^ this fhall much fill the fool with admiration, I belie- vedto fee much in Chrili, having feme twilight and afternoon^ or Moonlight glances of him down in the earth : But O blind /, narrow I could never have Faith, opinion, thought^ or imagina¬ tion to fathom the thoufand thoufand part of the worth, and in- eomparable excellencie I now fee in him. Y ou may over* think, anci over-praife Paradice, Rome, Naples, the Ifles where there More m Summers in one year ; but you cannot over* think,
cSfft ana OJ" in thoughts reach Chrift, and the invifible things hearen of God- Only glorified thoughts,not thoughts graced only fauh comprehen five, in any due meafure, of God, of heaven,
this life The glorified foul fiiall be a far wider apd more capacious can teach, circle, the Diameter of it in length, many thoufand cubits larger in minde, thoughts, glorified reafon, ivill, heart, de- fires, love, joy, reverence, thenic is now : We would in fteking, asking, praying, in adoring God in Chrift, in- large our own defires, heart, will, and affecfions,broad and deep, that we may take in more of Chrift ^ broad prayers •flow from.broad dcfires,narrow prayers from niggard and narrow hearts *, we may coiled the bignefle of a fiiip from
Scrm.XXVlI. 'ThetrUll and T riumh of Faith,
the propoition and quamitic of its bottome, in its new fra- mine; If the bottome draw but to the proportion ot a fmall velfell^which can indure no more but a pair of oarcs, the veflell cannot be five hundred Tun, or be able to bear eo peecesof Ordnance: Prayer bottomed on deep and broad hunger, and extream pain of love-fickncfTe for Chrif, and great pinching poverty of fpirit, muft be in proportion wide and deep: O but our veflcls arc narrow, and our a^ fcaionsebbe and low, the ballancc that weigheth Chrilt weak it is as if we fhould labour to caft three or four great Mountains in a fcale of a Merchants ordinary ballancc : we are proportioned in our fpirituall capacities but for drops ot mzcc.Chrift is difpofed to give grace as a River- its too little fo feck corn,mne,&: from God, he is more willing to give great things,then fmall things^ to ask a feather, a peny from a mi^^hty Princc,whcn he (iilh, Ask what thou wilt, to the half of Kingdom. & it pjalU granted to thee^is the undervaluing
of the greatneffe of his Royal magnificence.^/^ what ye will (faith Chrift) of my Father in mi name^and it fhall be graced. Mens defires run upon removall of the Sword, Pcace,Pro- tealon. Plenty, Trafiiquing, peaceable Seas, Liberties ot Parliament, Sub je(5ts,Pecrs,Cities : Little are mens defires improved in feeking Chrift to dwell in the land, & that the Temple of the Lord be builded : all thefe fuits are below both the goodneffc of the Lord, and fpirituall capacity ot fanaified affcaions. And God givethto Carnall men, that which their foul lufteth after •, but in his wrath.
SERMON XXVIl.
Mar.7.30. Andwhen jhewas cometoher houfe, [he found the jyevil ^one out , and her daughter laid upon the bed,
BEcaufe I haft to an end, and Ihallnot now tefute the dream of Papijls from this colleamg the lawfiu- neffe of their baftard confirmation,, and of confirming hildrenj by the unhallowed blefling of the Prelate^ only
Serm.XXVII.
532 'The Triall and Triumph ef Faith,
obftrve the cafe of the childe-,M;yi’ faith, im } jaiw< in a violer^t manner^ in a hed\ for this is not to be a bed of reft and fccuriry, as fome VApifis colled, but to expre-Te how violent ^iitan is in his laft fa'^ewell, as when he is to be caft out, Mirkp.20. When the polfefed chtlde is brought to fefiss, and wh 'n he [aw him^ jfraightrvay the fpirit tare him.^ and he fell on the ground and rvdlotved foa ning : The Devil and the unclean fpirits are not thrown otic of a pcrfon, or ^ • Land, but they miift ras^e and foarne ; i. The Lord faith, nTou°of Zac. 1 3.2. I will cutoff the names of Idols oi^t of the land^ a Land or and the] fhall be no more rememhred •, and I will caufe the pro^
r'vSence unclean fpirits to paffe out ef the landyYi^M
b^h'to^st! ’^his canno: be done but with great violence, v<:t,’^,;The fa- tan and the ther and the mother fhdl thrufl through with a fword the falfe paity. Prophet , even their own foa ere he be put out of the land : The Dm'/ will not be removed without blood, fweating and great violence • when the unclean fpirits of men given to curious Arcs, and the Idoll D/4!;^4is preached down in Ephefpts, Ads I p. 1 8. Thai whole great- City was full of wrathy and they cry out. Great is Diana of the Bphepans : ip. And the whole City w^i-s filled with confufion : 'S^htn Chrifl co- meth to the Crown and the Throne • fewes and Gentiles^ the Kin^s and Rulers of the earthy Herod and PiUte with the Gentiles, and the people of Ifrael are gathered together o</c7.4.2 5,2 6,27. The word, Pfal. 2..1. RageflsUy icis CO make a great tumult, as a furious multitude giathered to¬ gether, that maketh a noife as the noife of a troubled lea • therefore feme, not without reafon, fay the Tons of Zebe*- deiss are called Benaire^efci^ Sons of Thunder
Ad. 2. iifech the word after the 70. ejpy^^: Which M- .^s/^T^ expoundeth of fierce and wildc horfe ^ and certainly Chnflh Crowned upop Mount Si^n with garments rovvled in blood, this is a fpoUipg.pfand a triumphing over princ paluies ni powers^ Cy^^^diiedthc black CrolfewitbT
. V _ ^
Scrm.XXVn. TheTriall and Triumph of Faith. 333'
blood, wnen he performed this noble Ad of Redemption,
O/. 2.14,1 5. So when Chrift entreth in any foul to dwell, there he muft fiift binde the Devil, And then fpoile his houfe^ Matth.12.29. What wonder is it, that multitudes of Hc- refies and Seds, and many blafphemous and fal/ewayes anfe now, when the Lord is to hudd up Sion : Satan^ when Chrifl is to fsi’e, and his Kingdom a coming Kingdom (as we pray) raifeth up ftormes and windes in the broad L ke of Brimftone to drown the Ohurch of God : Chrift hath not faire weather when he goeth to Sea, Matth. 8.2 ^,24.
Yet his journey is lawfull : When Chrift is upon Ads of his Priefthood^ and ftandeth at the great hi^h Altar with fis Confer of gold, to offer up the prayers of the Saints to God ^ he cafteth f re with the fame Confer down upon the ear-h^ and there be then Thundrings.^ lightnings ^ and Earthquakes • and hence followeth terrible judgements upon the earth , as half fire mingled with blood, and a mountain burning^ with fre^ 'dnd the third p4rt of the Sea becomes blood., and a cic r burning /?4r, like a Lampe, called Worme wood., making the third part of the Waters bitter ydoth fall from Heaven, which is as much as when ChriH is upon Ads of mercy toward his people- peftilent Hereftes of the Popifh Clergy and others, darkneth the third part of the Sun and Moon that is, of the light of the Gorpel,ii^'y.8.i,2,3,4,5,<5,7,8,9,io,
11,12. Even as when our Lord lefus ftandeth to intercede for the people, and to pray for fallen fierufalem^ which is as a f rebrand pluckt out of the fre : ftandeth at his right
band, his working hand to hinder him, Znch. 2. 1,2, 3.
2. This refolveth to many their ftate Many arc free of 2. the Devil : I thank God (faith one) / know not Satan, nor any of his works • / have peace., Satan did never tare me., nor c anfe me fall to the earth., nor doth he torment me : But this is a fear^ ^ full conditon: I .It is an Argument of a falfe ipcaceiWhen the (Irongmau is within g he houfe is in peace ; Not to be tempted known.
554
T'he T ria.Il and Triumph ef Faith. Serm.XXVII.
A roaring and a ra¬ ging De¬ vil is bet¬ ter then a oalmc and fleeping Dcvill.
Luk. 4.Z3.
of the Dfw/, is the greateft temptation out ot Hell-, and if there be any choice of Devils, a raging and a roaring Devil is betner then the cnlme and fleeping Devil : when the Devil is \5rithin, he fleepeth and is fllcnc, and the houfc or foul he is in, is filent, and there is a Covenant with death and Hell, //4. 28.15. Now Hell keepeth true to a naturall man for a time , CelTation of Avmes between the foul and Satan is fecurity for a time, but its not peace • The Devils war is better then the Devils peace • Carnall hypocrijie is a dumbe and filent thing, but its terrible to be carried to Hell without any noife of feet : The wheels of Satans chariot arc oiled with carnall reft, and they go without ratling and noife-, the Devil carrieth few to hell with fhouting, and crying, fufped dumbe holinefte • when the Dog is kept out of doors, he howles to be in again *, the Covenant of Satan to Eve {fin and you fhall not die) ftandech with all men by nature, till Jefus Chrift break peace between us and Satan. 2. Contraries meeting, fuch as hot and dry firc,and cold and moift water, they confl '(ft one with another, and where Satan findeth a faneftified heart, he tempteth with much importunity, as at onetime, Chrift findeth three mighty temptations,& he departeth from him only, for a little time : Where theres moft of God and of Chrift, there theres ftrong inje(ftions and Fire-brands caft in at the windowsjas Tome of much faith hath bin tempted todoubr-. Is there a Diety that tnleth all^ and where is he < We fee him not Another is often aflaulted with this. Is there a heaven for Saints ? Is there a Hell for Devils and wicked men we never [poke with a Mefienger come from any of thefe two Countreys : A third is troubled with this : Such a hufiineffe I have expede^vvhither God will or not:'Tht flower of the foul, the high lamp of the light of the minde is frequently daik- ned with foggy and mifty fpirits, coming up from the bot- tomlefle pit, and darkning any beams and irradiations of
Serm.KX VII. "The Trialldnd Triumph of Faith.
3'
lighc that cometh from the fun of more affaulted then any other grace :
^ . Unf rViU U winnowed between Heaven tina nariu,
IttVia SdtMS Btd Arrow
i«A..2 2.3i,3 jj . y f jjf Son of Ged.
‘S!Z‘XkJSS- 'rt V **'• "XJ
“‘if s5» i?£fK«;t«dr”iho.
neSrSlifts never while then. 3- Not to betrorrbled hurarsueth ahoufe not watched, the gates are open night A3v as the “ates of Hell, that want feey and lock -, and and day, as o perfon Teeth not what Devils come
the loul fo fecu , ^-.phTet by Gods fear,examineth
!i«rirh the enemy* 4. Gods way or nar o / . of hard-
A-z-rintie filert dumbe and fpeakcth not, Joh.y.39- ^mg and
ten myfterious, hlent, aumoc a k ^ judgement? bhnd.ng,a
For judgement I come into thts . ,T,;rinJaht: Aten myftc-
fTirh nc walketh in the dark., and killetb in a m ■ f P? jjQyg fo
pieces. cArt/f camc-when the nun was f.eepm,j ,
,3S
The Trtall And T Humph ef Faith. Serm .XX VII.
Sergeant the Devil with him, and put his hand on his heart and gave the lock, the fprents, and wards of the heart a throw and a crook, and all the keys in Heaven and earth cannot fhut or open his heart, and this was done without noife or paine, the man was never put to his bed for the bu- (inefTe *, the conveyance of the bufineffe was fpirituall,buf invihble : O fleeeping world, awake out of your rotten and falfe peace : Oh, the Lord bindeth men^ and the) cr) not ; And the Devil bindeth many, and they cry not *, Fhardoh knew not wheh his heart was hardncd, the confcience fuv it not, even as a ftone groweth in the bladder without our fenfe of it : the bufineffe was tranfadied without one cry, or any witnefTe : Carnall Hellifli fecurity is dumbe-born : Let m) chtlde Jleep ( faith the Devil) andarvahe him not, till the heat of the Furnace of Hell melt mvay his falfe Peace : Why^ but men may die deluded, having no bands in their deaths as they lived deluded ? W rath and juftice are moving ro ma¬ ny fouls deeping in death, w4t,hout noife of feet, the fword of God is crying to fouls without any voice •, the wheels of the fiery chariots of Gods indignation arc moving over dain men in Scotland and England without the ratling or prancing of the horfes : O pitty,a Temped, a Devil comes and deals away the mans foul, and his confcience out of him in the night,and he knoweth not ; Chrifl faith, Silence, waken him not, while he be over ears ilT the Lake ^ and Sa¬ tan faith, Waken him not while 1 be furc of him 5 a dumbe judgement is twice a judgement.
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