Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 5 · Lecture 69
Lecture LXIX. On Psalme 51.5. Septemb 18. 1627.
1Cōverting grace.THe second thing wherein the admirable goodnes of God appeareth unto us, is this. If we could rightly weigh what we were by nature, we would see just cause to wonder at the power and goodnesse of God in this, that there should bee any truth of grace in any of us. Let us consider this first in generall, in the whole worke of our conversion, and of that change that is wrought in our hearts, by the grace and spirit of God; Secondly, In every particular act of grace that we do discerne in our selves.
And for the first, wee shall find the Apostle maketh this use of the Doctrine of originall sinne, Ephes. 2.4, 5. God who is rich in mercy, for his great love, wherewith hee loved us, even when wee were dead in sinnes, hath quickened us together with Christ; by grace yee are saved. As if hee had said, this was nothing but meere grace, this argued the riches of Gods mercy, the greatnesse of his love to doe this. When the people beheld the mighty workes that Christ wrought, in giving sight to the blind, and hearing to the deafe, and speech to the dumbe, and life to the dead, it is said, they were all amazed at the mighty power of God, Luke 9.43. and as it is said, Matth. 9.8 they marvelled and glorified God. And the party himselfe whom Christ had restored to sight, admired the worke of God upon himselfe, and said, Iohn 9.32. Since the world began, was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was borne blind? But the worke that God hath wrought upon our hearts whom he hath converted, and begun saving grace in, is (though not so sensible, yet) a farre greater demonstration of his power, and goodnesse, then any of those was, and such as wee, have much more cause to admire, and glorifie God for. Certainely it is as possible for a blackmore to change his skinne, or a leopard his spots, as the Prophet speaketh, Ieremy 13.23. for a Camell to goe through the eye of a needle, as our Saviour saith, Luke 18.25. as for us to have a change wrought in our hearts. But blessed bee God that the thing which is impossible with men, hath beene possible with God, as our Saviour there speaketh, Luke 18.27. This admirable power of God is sensible and apparant in the conversion of some men; of such I meane as have beene prepared for their conversion, with legall terrours; such as (having beene notorious sinners before) have beene by some strong hand of God changed suddenly. In the conversion of such as Paul was, that of a bloudy persecutour, was of a sudden made, not onelyonly a disciple, but a zealous preacher also. Where hee that was even now a Wolfe, and a Leopard, was so chaunged, that hee dwelt with the Lambes, and lay downe with the Kids, as the Prophet speaketh, Esa. 11.6. All men will bee apt to take notice of, and to admire the power of God in the conversion of such a man, as Paul saith of himselfe, Galathians 1.24. that the Churches glorified God in him. But the worke of Gods power in the conversion of most men, of such as have beene bred in the Church, and who by the restraining grace of God, have bin ever kept from grosse sins, is not so sensible, but more secret a great deale. The most Christians, though they bee able to say with the blind man, Iohn 9.25. One thing I know, whereas I was blind, now I see, they know well, and feele there is a blessed change wrought in their hearts, yet when it was wrought, or how it was wrought, that they know not. That which Solomon saith of other of Gods works, Ecclesi. 11.5. is verified in this especially. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones doe grow in the wombe of her that is with child, even so knowest thou not the workes of God, who worketh all. And as our Saviour speaketh, Marke 4.27. When the seed is sowen in the heart, it worketh, and springeth, and groweth, no man knoweth how. And yet even in this conversion of such men, though the worke of God bee more secret and insensible; yet is the almighty power of God, to be acknowledged as much in it as in the other. As the omnipotency of Christ was as well shewed in the turning of the water into wine, Iob. 2.11. and the curing of the woman that had the bloudy issue. Mar. 5.29. as in the helping of him that was from his childhood possessed with a dumbe and deafe spirit, Marke 9.25, 26. O that wee could see and take notice of this admirable power of God, in the change that he hath beene pleased to worke in our hearts. O that God would bee pleased according to the prayer of the Apostle for the Ephes. 1.18, 19. to inlighten the eyes of our understanding, that wee may know what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to us-ward, who beleeve according to the working of his mighty power. That we may accordingly admire and magnifie it, and give him the glory of it.
And yet his goodnesse and mercy will appeare to bee no lesse admirable in this worke of our conversion, then his power was, if wee rightly consider what wee were by nature. Observe this I pray you in three degrees.
First. That God should seeke out any of us, that like a poore lost sheepe was gone astray from him, some of us in one evill way, some in another, according to that parable, Luke 15.4. wee being so farre from seeking him, from doing any thing to further our owne conversion, that we desired nothing lesse, but opposed, and resisted it, and were in our hearts ready to say with the man that had the uncleane spirit, Luke 4 34. Let us alone, what have wee to doe with thee thou Iesus of Nazareth. That hee would take no nay at our hands, but by his most effectuall grace, overcame us as hee saith, Revelation 3.9, Behold, I will make them that are of the Synagogue of Satan (which say they are Iewes, and are not, but doe lye) behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feete. He made us to turne, hee made us to obey, and follow his call. This gracious favour I say that the Lord hath done us in the worke of our conversion, ô it was his admirable mercy unto us.
Secondly. That the Lord should seeke reconciliation with us, when we were his enemies, as the Apostle speaketh, 2 Corinth. 5.20. and make love to us, when wee were such loathsome creatures, that passing by us, when wee were in our bloud, even when wee were in our bloud (as hee saith, Ezek. 16.6.8.) hee should looke upon us, and that that should bee the time of his love, as hee there speaketh. That hee should never give over making love unto us, till hee had wonne our hearts, and made us able to affect, and love him, and to seeke him, and his love unfeinedly (who were by nature much more alienated from him, then hee was from us, even hated him in our hearts, much more then ever hee did us) this was I say, his admirable mercy toward us. And so the Apostle speaketh of it, Colos. 1.21. And you that were sometimes alienated, and enemies in your minds, yet now hath hee reconciled. And the Lord by the Prophet, Esay 65.1. I am sought of them that asked not for me. Even this, that such as we were by nature should have the grace to love the Lord, and to seeke his favour, which we could never have done, if he had not bin first reconciled unto us, 1 Iohn 4.19, is the admirable goodnesse of God unto us.
Thirdly. That God should thus change and convert our hearts unto him, and give us any measure of grace, to desire unfeinedly to feare, and please him, that hee should pull us out of our naturall estate, and leave others in it, that are farre our betters, not onelyonly in birth, and wealth, and wisedome, and learning, but even in the unblameablenesse of their conversation also, that were never in their lives guilty of so foule sinnes as wee have beene.
That he should deny this grace to such as the young Noble man was, that had lived so civilly, and had so many good things in him. Mar. 10.20, 21. and grant it to such as that infamous harlot was, Lu. 7.37. This is certainly the admirable and unspeakeable mercy of God to such a one.
And as the infinite power and goodnesse of God is to bee acknowledged, and admired in the worke of our conversion in generall, so is it also in every particular act of Gods grace in us. That any of us should bee able to delight in the law of God, in the inner man, Rom. 7.22. to love the brethren. 1 Iohn 3.14. to weepe and shed teares for our sins, 2 King 22.19. to make any one prayer, Psalme 17.1. to give any almes, Matth. 10.42. in truth and uprightnesse of heart, considering what we are by nature, is to bee ascribed to the marvellous power and goodnesse of God toward us. When David and his people had offered toward the building of Gods house, it is said, 1 Chron. 29.9. They rejoyced with great joy, because with a perfect (and upright) heart, they had offered willingly unto the Lord. And David himselfe burst out into words of strange admiration, verse 14. But who am I Lord, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee.
Applic.Now let me apply this that hath bin said in three points, and so lay it somewhat neerer to our hearts.
First. If this be so. Then let no man hearken to those that reach. 1. That God hath no such powerfull hand in the worke of mans conversion, but that it lyeth in every mans power and will, when God hath done all his worke, to turne or not to turne. 2. That which God doth in the conversion of any man, he doth to all men. For the spirit speaketh expressely in the Scriptures. 1. That the Lord is not onelyonly a perswader, but the worker, and mighty doer of this worke of our change and conversion. It is God that worketh in us both the will and the deed. Phil. 2.13. And Ioh 6.44. No man can come unto me, except my father draw him. 2. That God doth all in this worke himselfe alone, and hath no helpe from man, and it is therefore called a creation, Ephes. 2.10. a regeneration, Iohn. 3.3. a raising of one from the dead, Ephes. 2.5, 6. 3. That this worke that God doth in mans conversion, is no common worke. For 1. It is evident, hee giveth not so much as the outward meanes, of grace, and conversion in particular to all men. Yea, to the most of the nations in the world by farre he hath denied his word altogether, and suffered them as the Apostle speaketh, Acts 14.16. to walke in their owne wayes. And even those nations that hee hath vouchsafed his word unto, that may bee said of this spirituall raine, which he speaketh of the materiall, Amos 4.7. I caused it to raine upon one City, and caused it not to raine upon another City, one piece was rained upon, and the other piece whereupon it rained not, withered. In Phrygia and Galatia, Paul preached (as you may see Acts. 16.6, 7.) but was forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, In Misia hee preached, but when hee assayed to goe into Bithynia, the spirit suffered him not. 2. To many of those that hee doth give the meanes unto, hee doth not give effectuall grace to bee converted by them. To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdome of heaven (saith our Saviour, Matth. 13.11.) but to them it is not given. This saving grace, it is a rare grace, found in very few, even of them that doe enjoy the meanes in one of a City, or two of a Tribe, as the Prophet speaketh, Iere. 3.14. Many are called, but few are chosen. Matth. 22.14. Acts 13.48. As many as were ordained to eternall life, beleeved.
Secondly. If this be so, let no vaine man thinke that he can repent, and will repent before hee dye, though hee take his pleasure in sin a while. Can the Aethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? Iere. 13.23. then mayest thou bee able to repent when thou wilt. No, no, it is the worke of God alone, yea, the wonderfull, and miraculous, and rare worke of God, to convert a soule. And therefore bemone thy state to God with Ephraim, Ieremy 31.18, 19. and say: turne thou mee, and I shall bee turned, else shall I never bee turned, surely after I was turned, I repented. Till God convert and change thy heart, thou canst never repent. Apply thy selfe therefore to the meanes that God hath appointed to convert thee by, and when hee by his word and spirit offereth to convert thee, resist not, but yeeld thy selfe unto him. Remember the fearefull sentence of God against such as despise or neglect the meanes of their conversion, Ezek. 24.13. Because I have purged thee (that is, offered to doe it, given thee the meanes whereby thou mightest have beene purged) and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not bee purged from thy filthinesse. Because thou hast neglected the time of thy visitation, as our Saviour speaketh, Luk. 19.44. either the meanes shall bee taken from thee, or being continued, shall bee as a dead letter to thee, and never doe thee good. And (doubtlesse) God in his eternall, and secret counsell, hath set a just time to every one of us, that by such a time, the meanes shall worke upon us, and convert us, or they shall never doe us good. That which Iob saith of the life of man, Iob 14.5. may as truly bee said of all things that fall out in the life of man, and specially of his conversion, his dayes are determined, the number of his moneths are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that hee cannot passe. There is mention made of the times of the Gentiles, Luke 21.24. Ierusalem shall bee troden downe till the times of the Gentiles bee fulfilled; which is expounded by the Apostle in another phrase, Rom. 11.25. untill the fulnesse of the Gentiles bee come in. Every nation hath her time set her of God, how long shee shall have the meanes of grace, and how long the meanes shall become effectuall in her, and accompanied with the life and power of Gods spirit; and in this time all her fulnesse, the full number of those that God hath appointed unto life shall come in. God hath set a time for Bohemia, and for Germany, and for the Palatinate, and so hath hee set a time for England also certainely. And as God hath set a time for whole Nations, so hath he for every Towne, and for every person also God hath set a time for this place, and God hath set a time for every soule of us that are here, if wee come not in by such a time, wee may feare wee shall never come in. As it is said of Iezabel, Revel. 2.21. I gave her a space to repent; so may it bee said of every one of us here, God hath given thee and mee a space too. If wee come not in that space, we shall never come in, When once the master of the house (saith our Saviour in a parable, Luke 13.25.) is risen up, and hath shut to the doore, and yee then begin to stand without, and to knocke at the doore, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us, then it will bee to late.
Now the just period of this time that God hath set to any nation, or person, is knowne to God alone. No man can say of any nation, their time is out, nor of any person his time is out, no nor of himselfe neither, my time is out, the master of the house hath shut the doore, it is to no purpose for mee now to knocke, and cry, Lord, Lord, open to mee, it is too late for mee to repent. It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the father hath put in his owne power; as our Saviour telleth the Apostles themselves, Acts 1.7. This is too great a secret for the wisest or learnedst man in the world to know. Every man is bound so long as he liveth, to use the meanes of grace, and hath no cause to despaire of mercy while life lasteth. To him that is joyned to all the living, there is hope, saith Solomon, Eccle. 9.4. But yet seeing 1. God must convert thee, or thou canst never bee converted, and 2. God hath directed thee to meanes, whereby hee will doe this worke, if ever hee doe it; and 3. Hee hath set a certaine time▪ how long thou shalt have these meanes, and in which space these meanes shall worke upon thy heart, or they shall never work, and 4. Thou knowest not how neere this thy time is to an end, how soone the master of the house will shut the doore. Therefore it standeth thee upon, presently, and without delay, to make thy best use of the meanes of thy conversion God giveth thee, and to yeeld thy selfe to his word and spirit, whereby hee offereth to draw thee. Heb. 3.7, 8. To day if yee will heare his voice, harden not your hearts. Behold, now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6.2. The master of the house hath not yet shut his doore upon thee, but how soone it may bee shut thou knowest not.
Thirdly, If this be so then let every one of us that feele any truth of grace wrought in our hearts, rejoyce in our estate, and magnifie the power and goodnesse of God towards us. Indeed it behoveth us to try well whether we have it in truth, 2 Cor. 13.5. and how that may be done you shall heare out of the next verse. But if thou hast but the least measure of grace in truth, thou hast just cause to rejoyce in this more then if God had made thee the greatest prince in the world. Let the heart of them rejoyce that seeke the Lord, Psal. 105.3. And the Apostle Iames 1.9. Let the brother of low degree rejoyce in that he is exalted. Whatsoever men thinke of thee, or thou art apt to thinke of thy selfe, he that cannot deceive thee hath pronounced of thee, that if thou have but any one grace in truth thou art a blessed man, happy art thou that ever thou wert borne. If thou canst beleeve in Christ heare what he saith, Mat. 16.17. Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona, for flesh and bloud hath not revealed it unto thee, but my father which is in heaven. As if he had said, Thou hast more in thee then flesh and bloud. If thou dost feare to displease God hearken what the Holy ghost saith of thee, Psal. 128.1. Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord. Nay if thou canst but unfeignedly desire to beleeve and to feare God, remember this was all that Nehemiah could say of himselfe, Neh. 1.11. that he desired to feare Gods name. Remember what Christ pronounceth of thee, Matth. 5.6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, for they shall be filled. Nay if thou have but so much grace as to feele the want of grace and unfeignedly to bewaile it, hearken what thy blessed Saviour saith of thy estate, Matth. 5.3, 4. Blessed are the poore in spirit, Blessed are they that mourne for that poverty. Make thy calling and conversion sure, and thou hast made thine election sure, as the Apostle speaketh, 2 Pet. 1.10. If thou have but the least grace in thee in truth, thou hast Gods seale upon thee, whereby hee hath marked and will owne thee for himselfe, by the print and stampe of that seale; According to that speech of the Apostle, Ephes. 4.30. Grieve not the holy spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Wherefore let me say againe unto thee as I began in the words of David, Psal. 32.11. Be glad in the Lord and rejoyce ye righteous, and shout for joy all yee that are upright in heart. And 33.1. Rejoyce in the Lord ô ye righteous, for praise is comely for the upright. O it is a seemely sight to see an upright hearted Christian cheerefull and comfortable.
Say not ô but I have so much corruption in me that I cannot take notice of, nor rejoyce in any goodnesse that I have. For 1 I bid thee not rejoyce in any corruption but dislike, and bewaile it still, but rejoyce in the Lord, Phil. 4.4. In the very same action thou maist have just matter of mourning in respect of the worke of thine owne corruption in it, and of joy in respect of the worke of Gods grace in it, Rejoyce in trembling, Psal. 2.11. Regard not so much thine owne corruption, as to neglect altogether the grace of God in thee. 2. By how much the more corruption thou findest in thy selfe, by so much the more cause hast thou to rejoyce in and to admire Gods mercy that to such a wretch as thou art he should give the grace to make conscience of any sin, to do any duty in truth of desire to please God. Wicked men thinke it strange (as the Apostle saith, 1 Pet. 4.4.) that we do not as they doe that we run not with them into the same excesse of riot. They thinke it strange yea impossible, that any man should be in deed and truth so changed in heart as Gods people in their outward conversation would seeme to be; they esteeme all profession of holinesse to be no better then hypocrisy, and therefore speake evill of us. But we that know our owne hearts, have more cause to wonder at this our selves, and to praise God for it.