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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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