The Jailors Jail, Address
THE IAYLERS IAYL-DELIVERY.
ACTS 26. 30, 31.
Sirs, what muſt I doe to be ſaued? And they ſaid, Beleeue in the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, thou ſhalt be ſaued, and thine houſhold.
THE onelyonly courſe the Lord our God doth take in the effectuall calling and conuerting of ſuch, whoſe names are written in the booke of Life, is this: hee humbleth, before he exalteth; he ſhews our daninable eſtate through ſinne by the Law, before euer hee ſignifieth vntounto vsus, that hee is our ſaluation.
A three-fold reaſon may be rendred thereof:
Firſt, becauſe till men bee thus humbled, they will neuer ſeek after Chriſt nor deſire him, without which they can neuer finde him, for God hath appointed that by ſeeking we ſhall finde him.
Secondly, that our redemption might be more precious vntounto vsus: as health is more pleaſant after ſickneſſe; liberty, after bonds; plenty, after ſcarcitie; peace, after warre; and faire weather after foule.
Thirdly, that Gods mercy in our deliuerance might bee prized in his kinde: the redeemed, in heauen for this eſpeciall cauſe extoll the Lord and the Lambe with a perpetuall Halleluiah: for an euerlaſting redemption from an euerlaſting damnation requireth an euerlaſting glorification.
This generall truth is confirmed by a particular example, in the words of my text: for this poore Iayler is moſt greeuouſly tormented through the horror of the Law, before euer hee can finde his ſoule recouered by the ſaluation of the Goſpell.
Sirs, what muſt I doe to bee ſaued? and they ſaid, Beleeue in the Lord, &c.
In which words I commend to your religious conſiderations in generall theſe two.
Firſt, an earneſt inquiſition for ſaluation, and that on the Iaylers part: Sirs, what muſt I doe to bee ſaued?
Secondly, a comfortable reſolution to this perplexed Iayler; and that on Paul and Syla's part: Beleeue in the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, thou ſhalt bee ſaued and thine houſhold.
In this Iaylers earneſt enquiry for ſaluation, I note theſe three.
Firſt, his reuerent carriage to the Miniſters of the moſt high God, in the firſt word, Sirs.
Secondly, the occaſion of this his earneſt inquiſition, and that was his humiliation by the Law, in thoſe words: What muſt I doe? I that am the ſonne of bitterneſſe, indignation and eternall weeping; what muſt poore, lamentable, damnable I doe to bee ſaued?
Thirdly, the inquiſition it ſelfe, and that is for ſaluation, in theſe words: To be ſaued. Sirs, Sirs, what muſt I doe? Sirs, what muſt I doe to be ſaued?
Sirs, It is nomen honoris, a name of honour, and Sirs.title of dignity, elim tributum ijs qui ſapientia abundarunt: in elder time appropriated to wiſdome and learning.
Heere firſt I might take occaſion to ſhew with how great reuerence Miniſters of the Goſpell are to bee reſpected: good Paſtors are to bee had in double honour: yea their feet to be eſteemed bleſſed, that bring glad tidings of peace to our ſoules; but I forbeare the proſecution of this point, and propound vntounto you the marueylous change that is Note.found in this Iayler: for in the precedent verſes it is euident how doggedly and deſpectiuely hee vſed theſe holymen: he laid vponupon them hand and foot bolts and fetters as many as they could beare, hee thruſt them into the inner dungeon and priſon: but now the Lord hauing taken him to doe, and giuen him the true and terrible fight and ſenſe of his ſinnes, hee is of another minde: now he brings them out, waſheth their wounds, refreſheth their bodies, and reuerenceth their perſons; Sirs, Reuerend Sirs, you Miniſters of the moſt high God; what muſt I doe to be ſaued?
No reaſon can be rendred for this miraculous change, but this: The winde bloweth where it luft…th: John 3. 8.and God hath mercy on whom he will hauehave mercy: and Rom. 9. 15.Of this ſtone God can raiſe a childe to Abraham.Math. 3. 9.
This change wee muſt all be acquainted with, if euer wee will proue our ſelues truely conuerted.
The Greek word for repentance, foreign by name ſignifieth a change, ſignifying vntounto vsus, that hee that will proue himſelfe truly penitent for his ſinne, muſt bee truly changed from his ſinne.
This change we finde in penitent Mary: thoſe eyes which once inticed to ſinne, and thoſe hayres which once were employed to iniquity, were wondrouſly altered and changed; for her eyes were conduits to diſtill whole buckets of teares to waſh our Sauiours feet, and her hayres an acceptable towell Iohn 11. 2.to wipe them.
This change wee finde in penitent Paul: who of a Perſecutor became a Profoſſor, of a Lyon a Lambe: Acts 9. 6.and as he put to death others for the Goſpell; ſo in the end himſelfe put to death for the ſame.
This change wee finde in Zacchee: who before his conuerſion was a notable pick-purſe and poller of the Commons: but when Chriſt came to the houſe and home of his heart, proued bountifull and liberall, inſomuch, that halfe of his goods hee Luke 19. 8.gaue to the poore, and if any man could proue that hee had wronged him a penny, he would make him quadruple reſtitution.
So this Iayler before his conuerſion, an inſidell, prophane, and hard-hearted member: but the Lord hauing taken him to taske, and trembling him by the ſpirit of bondage, now hee reuerenceth Gods Miniſters, now hee humbly ſues vntounto them for counſell and inſtruction, ſaying: Sirs, Renerend Sirs; what muſt I doe to be ſaued?
And thus muſt wee all be changed, (beloued in the Lord) from darkeneſſe to light, or el… hell and damnation muſt bee our portion to drinke.
The Lord then worke this excellent change in our hearts, the Lord create in vsus all a new heart, and renew a right ſpirit within vsus; the Lord take away our ſtony hearts and giuegive vsus hearts of fleſh; the Lord renew vsus in our minds and iudgements, wills and affections, words and actions: turne vsus (O Lord) and wee ſhall be turned, conuert vsus thus (O God) and then, and neuer before then ſhall we bee conuerted.
Thus much for the firſt word, Sirs.
The ſecond orderly to be conſidered, is the occaſion of this his earneſt enquiry for ſaluation: and that was his humiliation by the Law in theſe words: What muſt I doe? I that am the childe of wrath and What muſt I doe?ſonne of perdition, I that am leprous, lothſome, and out of meaſure ſinfull, I that hauehave the wrath of God ſenſibly vponupon my ſoule for my ſinnes, I that know no way out of this my feare and miſery; O what muſt poore lamentable, damnable I doe to bee faued?
Whence wee note the power, office, and property of Note.the Law: that it is (as we reade Galathians 3. 24.) A Gal. 3. 24.notable Schoolemaſter to ſend vsus to Chriſt: it ſends vsus to Chriſt, non aliciendo, ſed compellendo, not by alluring, but by compelling.
The Law is a killing letter: When the commandement came, I dyed, ſaith Paul: it killeth by ſhewing Rom. 7. 10.vsus and making vsus feele the damnability of our ſinnes: ſome by the Law killed to deſtruction, as Caine, Eſau, Iudas, and ſuch as wholly deſpaire: others killed to ſaluation, as Paul and ſuch as by their deſpaire are driuen vntounto Chriſt.
The property of the Law is to humble and quake vsus for our ſinnes: it ſheweth vsus our ſinne, and miniſtreth wrath vntounto our ſoules.
This humiliation ſtandeth in two.
Confeſſion.
Attrition.
The firſt brings ſhame, the ſecond horror: ſhame from ſinnes filthineſſe, horror from ſinnes fearefulneſſe: This doth the Law being knowne and applyed, as a Centinel it bewrayeth the enemy, and makes vsus flye vntounto Chriſt.
Thus were they humbled that heard Peter in the Acts: they were wounded in conſcience and pricked in heart before they cried out, Men and brethren, Act. 2. 37.what muſt we doe?
Thus the Law wrought vponupon them that heard Iohn, before they cryed out, What muſt wee doe Luke 3. 10.then?
And ſo Nineueh being firſt humbled, ſought vntounto Ion. 3. 5.God, and Paul firſt trembled, then ſaid, What ſhall I Act. 9 6.doe Lord? And heere a poore Iayler in the ſorrow of his ſoule, cryeth out for ſaluation; Sirs, what muſt I doe to be ſaued? ſo that the Law prepares vsus to Chriſt.
It is moſt certaine that ſaluation belongeth to none but the humble: To whom will I looke (ſaith Eſay 66. 2.the Lord) euen to him that is of a contrite heart, and trembleth at my words: yea the refreſhing is promiſed to none but the laden: for we muſt go through Math. 11. 28.the hell of a wounded conſcience, before wee ſhall taſte of the heauenly refreſhing: Merchants waxe Similie.muſt leach in a candle, before it can take a ſtampe or impreſſion: the terror of ſinne muſt languiſh our ſoules, before wee can come to bleſſed remiſſion.
The comming of God into the ſoules of his choſen, is notably reſembled by his appearance to Eliah: Firſt, there came a mighty ſtrong winde 1. Kin. 19. 11. 12.that rent the mountaines, and brake the rockes, but the Lord was not in the winde: after the winde came an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake: after the earthquake came fire, but the Lord was not in the fire: at laſt came there a ſtill and ſoft voyce. So the Lord appeareth to his redeemed ones, firſt by the winde of his wrath, breaking their hearts; then by the earth-quake of his anger, ſhaking their ſoules; then by the fire of his diſpleaſure, ſmoking their conſciences: but in the end, by the ſtill voyce of his mercy hee refreſheth their ſoules.
This poore Iayler had an earth-quake in his conſcience, as an earthquake in his Caſtle, before euer hee perceiued his election and ſaluation.
There is an old ſaying, Wee muſt goe by the gates of Hell to Heauen: but I ſay more, We muſt after a ſort be in Hell before euer we can bee capable of Heauen: that is, in the hell of an aſhamed, affrighted, and confounded conſcience, before euer the Lord will ſay vntounto our ſoules that he is our redemption.
If humiliation by the Law precedes the ſaluation of the Goſpell, then they are not conuerted that more or leſſe were neuer humbled.
Secondly, they that are troubled and amazed at their ſinnes, let them not be diſparaged; ſo farre they are in this their hell from Hell, as hereby they are compoſed and fitted for Heauen; for wee muſt be loſt before we can be found, wee muſt bee condemned before we can be ſaued.
Thirdly, let not humbled conſciences reſt here, but paſſe on ſtill till they hauehave found the ſpirit of bondage become the ſpirit of adoption to their ſoules.
And this counſell I giuegive all troubled ſoules for ſinne:
Let them come to the Temple.
Let them impart their griefe to ſome friend or Miniſter.
Let them conferre with them that hauehave beene in the like caſe.
Let them know that they muſt be thus ſicke, before Chriſt will euer heale them.
Let them build vponupon Gods mercy promiſed to ſuch.
Let them pray that God in his good time would miniſter refreſhing.
What muſt I doe?Text.
AGaine heere wee may note the miſerable Note.miſchiefe and curſed condition of ſinne: how burthenſome and irkſome it is to the ſoule, it miniſtreth nothing but horror and hell to our ſoules.
The ſeruice of ſinne is farre worſe then the ſlauery of Egypt.
The bondage of Egypt was of the body onelyonly: this of ſinne is both of ſoule and body.
In the bondage of Egypt they ſerued men: in this, ſinne and Satan.
In the firſt, they had a ſenſe of their bondage and deſired liberty: in the ſecond, they thinke themſelues free and deſpiſe deliuerance.
In the firſt the miſery was but temporall: in the ſecond eternall.
In outward bondage men may help themſelues by running away, by intreaty, by ranſome: in the the ſecond they lye ſtill till Gods mercy deliuer them.
A wofull thing it is to abide in the eſtate of ſinne: yea the damned themſelues confeſſe that the way of ſinne is a weariſome way to bee walked in: Wee hauehave wearied our ſelues in the wayes of wickedneſſe, Wiſd. 5. 7.and the light of righteouſneſſe hath not ſhined vponupon our ſoules.
No maruell therefore if the bands of wickedneſſe bee called, heauy and importable burthens.Eſay 58. 6.
Sinne is onus Deo, a burthen to God: Eſay 1. 14. Your ſacrifices are a burthen vntounto me.
Sinne is onus Angelis, a burthen to the Angels: for it ſunke them downe from heauen. Luke 10. 18.
Sinne is onus creaturis, a burthen to the creatures: for it makes them grone. Rom. 8. 22.
Sinne is onus hominibus, a burthen to men: Mine iniquities are gone euer my head, and as a weighty burthen too heauy for me to beare. Pſal. 38. 4.
Let vsus then beware of ſinne that made this Iayler roare and cry, O what muſt I doe to be ſaued? For though ſinne fawne vponupon thee now, yet it will in the end pluck out the very throat of thy ſoule.
Let vsus then flye from ſinne as from a ſtinging ſerpent and biting Cockatrice; for they that doe ſuch things, ſhall neuer ſee the ſaluation of God.
To bee ſaued.Text.
THirdly, let vsus behold the ſubſtance and ſubiect of his fute,
It is not with Iames, to ſit by Chriſt in his Mat. 20. 21.glory:
It is not to hauehave an inheritance diuided with that Luk. 12. 13.worldling in the Goſpell:
It is not for any worldly pompe or honor, but it is for ſaluation: What muſt I doe to be ſaued?
The moſt principall thing that all men ſhould Note.ſtriue for vnderunder Gods glory, is the ſaluation of their ſoules.
Firſt, and aboue all things ſeeke the Kingdome of Math. 6. 33.God and the righteouſneſſe thereof, and in a ſubordinate manner the things of this life: for what if wee hauehave all the world, and bee damned when wee dye, what a miſerable condition is this?
O how Moſes beg'd to ſee the face of the Lord! Lord (ſaith he) ſhew me thy glory.Exod. 33. 18.
O how Dauid ſued to God for his louelove: Some Pſal. 4. 6.craue worldly goods, and riches doe imbrace; but Lord, grant me thy countenance, thy fauour and thy grace.
O how this Iayler cries out heere for ſaluation! O what muſt I doe to be ſaued?
This meets with careleſſe and deſperate people of the world, that worke not out this their ſaluation with feare and trembling, that make not ſure their election and calling: O better for theſe neuer to hauehave beene borne, than not to be reborne.
O how carefull were the Apoſtles, when Chriſt told them that one of them ſhould betray him! they could neither eate nor drinke till they knew themſelues freed from that curſed fact: Numquid Math. 26. 22.ego Domine? Is it l, Lord, is it l?
O wee ſhould reſolue with Dauid, not to ſuffer our Pſal. 132. 4.eyes to ſleepe, nor eye-lids to ſlumber, nor the temples of our head to take any reſt, till wee hauehave found the boxe of Election opened vntounto vsus, and the ſweete odour of Gods louelove ſhed abroad in our hearts.
To bee ſaued.Text.
IN that this Iayler by the Iudgements of God, is drawne neerer to God, wee may ſee the different Note.working of Gods iudgements vponupon the Elect and Reprobate: the one hardened by them, the other humbled: the one deſperate, the other ſeeking to God for remiſſion and ſaluation.
Euen as the Sunne in the Heauens melieth wax, Similie.but hardeneth clay: as the ſame water ſaued Iſrael, but drowned Pharao: and as the ſame trumpe in battell incourageth the one ſide, but diſcourageth the other: So the ſame word and iudgements of God draw neerer to the Lord the elect, but harden the hearts of the wicked: Cain hardened, Manaſſes humbled: Iudas deſperate, but Paul by Gods iudgements conuerted.
It makes againſt ſuch as with Pharac harden their hearts againſt God by his iudgements, vtterly deſpairing of his mercy for remiſſion: Maior eſt Deipictas, quam quaeuis iniquitas.
Gods mercy is greater then mans miſery: God is more merciful then man can be ſinful, if man wil be truly and heartily ſorrowfull.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth: God Pſal. 25. 10.hath two feet whereby hee walkes in his wayes, the foot of mercy and the foote of iuſtice: If we looke vponupon his mercy only, ten to one we ſhall periſh by preſumption; if wee looke vponupon his iuſtice onelyonly, ten to one wee ſhall periſh by deſperation: therefore let vsus humbly fall downe and kiſſe both of his feete, that in reſpect of his mercy wee may keepe hope, and in reſpect of his iuſtice wee may keepe awe, reuerence and feare.
If therefore the Diuell tempts thee to preſumption, look what thou art in thy ſelfe, vile, wretched, miſerable, and thou ſhalt neuer preſume: if hee tempts thee to deſparation, looke what thou art or maiſt be in Chriſt Ieſus, ſpotleſſe, holy, glorious, then thou ſhalt neuer deſpaire.
Thus the Church of Chriſt did: I am blacke, (O Cant. 1. 4.yee daughters of Ieruſalem) yet comely as the curteines of Salomon. How could ſhee bee black and beautifull? black in her ſelfe, and beautifull in Chriſt Ieſus.
Thus plainly hauehave I vnfolded the firſt part of my text, the Iaylers miſery: the ſecond part is miniſtred mercy by Paul and Sylas, and as plainly by Gods aſſiſtance I purpoſe to paſſe thorow that: for I had rather pleaſure your hearts then pleaſe your heads, worthy is your ſcience, but (I feare me) farre ſhort comes your conſcience: giuegive me leaue then to beſtow my labour where there is moſt need, and I pray God as meane an inſtrument as I am, I may be a meane to further you all in the way of Gods Kingdome.
And they ſaid, Beleeue in the Lord Ieſus Text.Chriſt, thou ſhalt be ſaued and thy houſe.
BEfore I come to the particulars of their anſwere, I muſt needs commend the wiſdome and diſcretion of theſe Preachers: they miniſter a fit ſalue to this poore mans ſore: they put oyle to vineger, mercy to iudgement, Goſpell to Law: an excellent temper for health euerlaſting.
Had they preached the Law, and denounced Gods curſes againſt him, they had ſunke him downe to hell by deſpaire: but perceiuing him ready to bee ſwallowed vp of damnation, by the caſting-net of the Goſpell they ſaue his ſoule from ſinking.
A good preſident for all Gods miniſters, that they bee carefull wiſely, diſcreetly, and rightly to breake the Bread of life to the people.
Wee muſt preach the Goſpell to languiſhing ſoules, and the Law to preſumptuous: otherwiſe wee ſhall ſooner damne then ſaue by our preaching.
To this poore Iayler in the very iawes of Hell and mouth of damnation, Paul and Sylas tender Chriſt Ieſus for his recouery and ſaluation.
And thy houſe.Text.
I Muſt here reſolue a doubt, before I come to this heauenly reſolution.
Some may obiect and ſay, What, ſhall the Iaylers Ob.faith redeeme his family? if the maſter beleeueth, ſhall the houſhold be ſaued? It may ſeeme ſo by the words of the text: Beleene thou, and thy houſe ſhall be ſaued.
To anſwer this: heere is ſomething implyed Anſ.that is not expreſſed: Beleeue on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, thou ſhalt bee ſaued and thy houſhold: that is, they beleeuing with thee
As if they had ſaid: Poore Iayler, be no diſparaged, but looke vponupon Chriſt Ieſus, there's mercy enough in ſtore, not onelyonly for thy ſelfe, but for thy whole houſhold if they can but beleeue, yea aboundant ſaluation for all humbled beleeuers.
That the faith of one ſaueth not another, (at leaſt in adultis) looke into Ezekiel. That ſoule that Ezek. 18. 20.ſinneth, that ſoule ſhall dye: the righteouſnes of the righteous ſhall be vponupon him, and the wickedneſſe of the wicked ſhall be vponupon himſelfe alſo.
In the old Law, it was Fac hoc and viues, Do this, and thou ſhalt liue. God gaue vsus leaue to doe it by another Ieſus Chriſt the righteous: but in the new Law it is Crede & viues; beleeue and thou ſhalt liue. God gaue vsus leaue to doe this by no other.
Can a man ſee with another mans eye? No more can a man goe to heauen by another mans faith; EueryEvery man muſt beleeue for himſelfe, if he will be ſaued himſelfe.
This is notably apparant in the Parable of the Virgins: The fooliſh would hauehave borrowed oyle of the Math. 25. 9.wiſe, but they anſwered, Not ſo, leſt there be not enough for vsus and you: they had (it ſeemeth) grace little enough to ſaue themſelues, they could ſaue none for their ſiſtren.
I know, for the godly mans ſake, God many times ſpareth the wicked: as if there had beene found ten righteous in Sodome, for their ſakes the Gen. 18. 32.City had beene ſpared, but this was in a temporary ſaluation: but in the point of iuſtification to eternall happineſſe, eueryevery man muſt hauehave faith in himſelfe: therefore quod dixit Chriſtus, dico vobis, Habete ſalem in vobis: what Chriſt ſaid in his Goſpel, that I ſay vntounto you al, HaueHave the ſalt of faith in your ſelues: for Iuſtus exſua fide viuet: the iuſt ſhall liue Hab. 2.by his faith.
Beleeue on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and thou Text.ſhalt be ſaued.
IN this heauenly reſolution I note three.
1. Firſt, the act: Beleeue.
Secondly, the obiect: on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt.
Thirdly, the euent: And thou ſhalt be ſaued.
Beleeue: Beleeue on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt: Beleeue on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt bee ſaued.
Beleeue.Text.
FIdes, faith, in the Hebrew is called Amnah, of Aman, which ſignifies firmum eſſe, to be firme or ſtrong, or well reſolued.
In the Greeke it ſignifies a perſwaſion: in the Latine, fides, quaſi fiat quod dicitur, of the two ſillables, fi-factum, des, dictum: that ſhall bee done, that is ſpoken. 'Tis Auguſtines deſcant vponupon them.
Thus therefore I deſcribe faith: It is firmus ac Faith.conſtans animi aſſenſus Verbo Dei, Spiritus Sancti afflatu ad credentium ſalutem: Faith is a ſtedfaſt and reſolute aſſent or conſent of the heart to Gods Word, by the breathing of the holy Ghoſt to the ſaluation, of beleeuers. The materiall cauſe of faith, is the Word of God. The formall cauſe, is the act of conſent. The efficient cauſe, is the holy Ghoſt, the finall cauſe, is the ſaluation of our ſoules.
Now leſt wee ſhould imagine eueryevery beleeuer to bee bleſſed, wee are to know that there is a fourefold faith, yet but one ſalutiferous.
The firſt, Hiſtoricall: when a man aſſents to the truth of the word; the Diuels goe thus farre in Iam. 2. 19.faith, and tremble.
The ſecond momentany: when a man with ſome howerly delight imbraceth the Word, meerely for knowledge ſake and no further, and ſuffers not the power of it to bee lodged and ſeated in his ſoule, in proſperity to make a great flouriſh in Religion, but in the time of triall to fall away, as in that of Saint Luke, They depart from Luke 8. 13.God in time of tribulation.
The third, Miraculous: ſpoken of in the Corinths, What if I had all faith, that I could remoue mountaines, 1 Cor. 13. 2.and hauehave not Charity, ſuch a faith profits me nothing.
The fourth, Iuſtifying: whereby a man poſſeſſing and imbracing Chriſt Ieſus with his merits and graces, is accepted as iuſt before God: This is alſo called a liuely faith, ſhewing that it may bee as eaſily perceiued in the wombe of the conſcience, as a childe after quickening in the wombe of the mother. Bede makes a triple diſtinction of faith.
Credere
Deum:
Deo:
In Deum.
To beleeue there is a God: to beleeue that he is faithfull and iuſt in his mercies and iudgements: to beleeue that hee is reconciled to vsus in the bloud of his Sonne, into whom wee are inſerted as an ympe or ſciens into a ſtocke or tree, and ſo liue by the ſap and iuyce of his deriued merits and graces: this is the faith that inſtrumentally is ſaid to ſaue all our poore ſoules euerlaſtingly aliue: And I may well ſay inſtrumentally: for faith, as it is a bare and meere quality, ſaueth no man, but as it hath reference to the obiect Ieſus: As a Diamond Ring is ſaid to be rich Simile.and precious: but take out the Diamond and it is worth little: Faith is this Ring, Chriſt is this Diamond which enricheth vsus all with heauenly ſaluation.
Now leſt wee ſhould build vponupon the ſands of preſumption, and thinke wee are in this faith, being yet farre wide: Let vsus examine this faith by his fruits; for as fire is not without heate, and the Sunne without ſhine; ſo this faith is neuer knowne without workes of amendment: Hee that rubbleth muske, cannot but ſmell thereof; ſo hee that hath put on Chriſt, cannot but bee a new creature, cannot but ſmell of Pſal. 45. 8.Myrrhe, Aloes and Caſſia, out of Chriſts Iuory Palaces, whereby his heart is made exceedingly glad.
There are fiue eſpeciall euidences and fruits of this faith.
It brings peace of conſcience, and ioy in the holy Ghoſt, vponupon our reconcilement with God: Being iuſtified by faith, wee are at peace with Rom. 5. 1.God &c.
It cauſeth a man, boldly and openly to confeſſe the name of Chriſt: For, by the heart Rom. 10. 10.a man beleeueth to righteouſneſſe, and by the tongue, a man confeſſeth to ſaluation: Where there is a beleeuing heart, there will bee a confeſſing tongue and profeſſing life to Gods glory.
It teacheth a man to reſt vponupon Gods promiſe and prouidence in all ſtreights and tryalls whatſoeuer: The iuſt ſhall liue by faith: that is, they by faith Hab. 2. 4.ſhall reſt vponupon God in their ſtreights, and God will preſerue them.
It ſtirres vsus vp to often and earneſt prayer: Lord, I beleeue: there is his faith: Helpe mine vnbeliefe: Mark. 9. 24.there is his prayer: therefore no prayer, no faith; cold prayer, dead faith; vehement prayer, ſtrong faith.
It behaueth it ſelfe as a Preacher in the Pulpit of the ſoule, alwayes mouing the ſoule to holineſſe: Beleeue thus on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, thou ſhalt be ſaued and thy houſhold.
Now by theſe examine your ſelues, proue your ſelues whether you are in the faith: know yee not that Ieſus Chriſt is thus in you, except you bee reprobates? yee are reprobates, if theſe things more or leſſe be not in you.
The Lord then worke in our hearts this faith, and encreaſe it towards perfection, that ſo our ſelues with our houſhold, euerlaſtingly may bee ſaued.
On the Lord Ieſus Chriſt.Text.
THe obiect of our faith, is the Lord Ieſus Chriſt.
There is not a name vnderunder Heauen, wherein ſaluation Note.can be expected and had, but in the name, merit, and power of Ieſus.
Hee is our Iacobs Ladder, on whom wee muſt climbe to life euerlaſting.
Let vsus not goe to Rome for a Pardon, nor to Mahomet for a bleſſing, nor to the Sorcerer for skill, nor to the Magician for counſell; but let vsus come vntounto Chriſt, and hee will refreſh vsus. Quo ibimus? Whither ſhall we goe? Thou (O Chriſt) and none but thou, haſt the words of eternall life.
Lord Ieſus Chriſt.Text.
ALl the names of our bleſſed Redeemer are happily met together.
Lord: his name of power.
Ieſus: his name of propriety.
Chriſt: his name of Office.
Lord: a name of power, attributing to God his Eſſence and being, ſhewing that hee receiued his being from none but himſelfe alone, as all things elſe hauehave their being from him: For in him wee Act. 7. 28.li…e, wee moue, and hauehave our being.
Chriſt is a Lord
By power, coequall with his Father.
By purchaſe, redeeming vsus by his bloud.
And therfore called, Dominus Dens, Dominus Electorum, the Lord of the Elect.
Heerein his Deity is apparant: He muſt be thus a Lord, or elſe hee could neuer hauehave beene a Ieſus. Firſt, a Lord, to ſupport, deliuer, and make conquer his humanity: Againe, a Lord, to dignifie and make meritorious eueryevery act done in his humanity for the ſaluation of his Elect.
That this glorious title is duely giuen vntounto our Sauiour, witneſſe that of the Pſalmes, The Lord Pſal. 110. 1.ſaid vntounto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enimies thy foot-ſtoole.
And Thomas thus confeſſeth him, Thou art my Ioh. 20. 28.Lord and my God.
This then is no ſmall comfort to the faithfull, that they hauehave ſo powerfull and glorious a Meſſiah; And it maketh alſo much againſt thoſe baſe Heretickes, that mock vsus for our dependance on Chriſt for ſaluation.
Againe, in the laſt place, it ſhould teach vsus what manner of perſons wee ſhould bee to our Redeemer. A ſonne honoureth his father, and a ſeruant his Mal. 1. 6.master; if I then be your Lord and maſter, where is then my feare? Many would hauehave Chriſt their Ieſus, but few can brooke him their Lord; Wee muſt bee conformed to this our Lord in two, in grace, in croſſe, if euer wee will be glorified with him.
There are fiue properties of a faithfull ſeruant, which we muſt labour to hauehave, if euer we will make account of Chriſt for our Lord.
The firſt is Obedience; ſuch were the Centurions ſeruants, He ſaid to one, Come, and hee commeth: to Luke 7. 8.another, Goe, and he goeth: to another, Doe this, and hee doth it. O that wee were ſuch obedients to our Lord!
The ſecond is Diligence; He toyleth and labours dayly in his maſters ſeruice for his maſters aduantage and gaine: ſo induſtrious and laborious ſhould wee be for the glory of our Lord Ieſus.
The third is Reuerence; if his maſter doth but bend his browes, hee quakes and trembles: ſo when our Lord ſeemes angry, we muſt (with Noah) Heb. 11. 7.be moued with reuerence.
The fourth is Patience; if his maſter correcteth him, hee beares it meekely, quietly, and patiently: ſo when wee are chaſtiſed of our Lord, wee ſhould vndergoe it with meekeneſſe and patience.
The fift is LoueLove; if his maſter bee wronged or reuiled, he will not beare it with patience, but ſtand vp to reuenge it: ſo if wee heare or ſee our Lord Chriſt blaſphemed, and his moſt holy Profeſſion derided, it ſhould be a Simeons ſword to pierce our ſoules.
Ieſus.Text.
THis name was giuen him by an Angell, before hee was conceiued in the wombe, and a reaſon thereof rendred, Becauſe hee ſhould ſaue his people Math. 1. 21.from their ſinnes. Hee ſaues vsus from ſinnes
Guilt.
Puniſhment.
Regiment.
From ſinnes guilt and puniſhment, by his imputatiue paſſions; from ſinnes regiment, by his merits and graces applyed and deriued vponupon vsus: and by his actiue obedience imputed, he doth entitle vsus to the glory of heauen.
Old Simeon acknowledged Chriſt ſuch a ſaluation: Mine eyes hauehave ſeene thy ſaluation, yea and my ſaluation; thine for ſending, mine for ſauing; thine Luke 2. 30.for louelove, mine for life: Mine eyes hauehave ſeene this ſaluation.
And the ſpirit of Mary alſo exulted in this her Sonne Sauiour.Luke 1. 47.
And all you that would finde him a Ieſus from Hell, bee carefull yee finde him a Ieſus from ſinne.
Chriſt.Text.
CHriſt ſignifieth Anoynted: In the Old Law they anointed three:
Kings,
Prieſts,
Prophets.
And for the worke of our Redemption, Chriſt was neceſſarily anoynted to a triple Office, with the oyle of holineſſe aboue his fellowes.
He was anoynted to be a
King,
Prophet,
Prieſt.
To be a King, a type whereof was Salomon; to be a Prophet, a type whereof was Dauid; to bee a Prieſt, a type whereof was Melchiſedech; Melchiſedech, not Aaron: Aaron a Prieſt, but not a King; Dauid a King, but not a Prieſt; Melchiſedech both King and Prieſt, King of Salem, and Prieſt of the moſt high God; and therefore a notable type of Ieſus.
Hee was anoynted to bee a King, to rule his Elect and protect them; hee was anoyuted to bee a Prophet, to teach his Elect and direct them; hee was anoynted to be a Prieſt, to ranſome his Elect and redeeme them.
If Chriſt be thy Chriſt as King, then the Diuell reignes not in thee but Chriſt; if Chriſt bee thy Chriſt as Prophet, then his word, not thy will, is the rule and ſquare of all thine actions; if Chriſt bee thy Chriſt as Prieſt, then thy affections are ſlaine concerning ſinne, and thy whole man ſacrificed to God.
And thou ſhalt be ſaued.Text.
THe reward of our faith is the ſaluation of our Note.ſoules: Bleſſed is the eſtate of Chriſtianity, for it is rewarded with inexpreſſible felicity.
The benefit of beleeuing is multiple.
Firſt, heereby wee are adopted the children of God: Yee are all the ſonnes of God by faith in Chriſt Gal. 3. 26.Ieſus.
Secondly, hereby our ſinnes are forgiuen vsus, as we reade in the Goſpell: Confide, fils, & remittuntur tibi peccata: Beleeue, my ſonne, and thy ſinnes are for giuen thee.
Thirdly, hereby we hauehave right and intereſt in all Gods bleſſings of this life: Godlineſſe hath the promiſes 1. Tim. 4. 8.of this life, as well as of that which is to come.
Fourthly, hereby we are freed from the damnation of hell: Now then there is no condemnation to Rom. 8. 1.thoſe that are in Chriſt Ieſus, which walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit.
Laſtly, hereby we ſhall be poſſeſſed with the ſaluation of heauen: the glories and ioyes whereof are ſo great, as they cannot bee numbred; ſo precious, as they cannot be valued; ſo laſting, as they are euerlaſting.
Neither, eye hath ſeene, nor eare hath heard, nor 1. Cor. 2. 9.heart of man hath euer imagined, the thouſand part of this heauenly felicity.
Beleene on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt: thus thou ſhalt bee ſaued and thine houſhold.
If then to bee members of Chriſt Ieſus bee ſo bleſſed a condition; O let vsus begge of God the heauenly Huſbandman, to rend vsus off by true humbling from the ſtocke of corruption, and to plant vsus into Chriſt Ieſus, by effectuall beleeuing, that at that terrible Iudgement, wee all with our poore houſholds euerlaſtingly may be ſaued: And that for Ieſus Chriſt his ſake, our only Lord and euerlaſting Redeemer.
Amen.
FINIS.