Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 8 · Lecture 120
Lecture CXX. On Psalme 51.7. Iune 9. 1629.
IT followeth now that we proceed unto the second use of the Doctrine and that is for exhortation.Vse 2. For if this be so that no man may hope to find mercy with God for the pardon of his sin, but onelyonly through Christ and his bloud, then must we all labour to know that we have our part in Christs bloud, that we are of the number of them that he did undertake for. O this is the excellent knowledge when all is done. This was the knowledge that Paul made such reckoning of as he professeth to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 2.2. He determined not to know any thing, among them, save Iesus Christ and him crucified. Three points are to be observed in that speach of his. 1. That though hee did so excell in knowledge as he durst (without vaine-glory) compare with the very chiefest Apostles, as he saith, 2 Cor. 11.5, 6. Though I be rude in speach (saith he) yet not in knowledge, but we have beene made throughly manifest unto you, in all things. As if he had said, There was no point of religion needfull for you to be instructed in, no difficult case of conscience that any of you had occasion to propound unto me, but I was able fully and cleerely to resolve you in, He had received that abundance of revelations from the Lord as hee was in danger to bee exalted above measure with them, as himselfe confesseth, 2 Cor. 1….7. Yet doth he professe here, that hee made no reckoning of all the rest of his knowledge in comparison of this, To know Iesus Christ and him crucified was the onelyonly knowledge, the onelyonly high point of learning, that he made account of and gloryed in. 2. That this was the onelyonly point of knowledge that in his whole ministery, in all his preaching among the Corinthians he laboured to bring them to, To know Iesus Christ and him crucified, this was the whole scope and drift of his ministery. In which respect also he calleth his ministery, 1 Cor. 1.18. The preaching of the crosse; and verse 23. The preaching of Christ crucified, as if he preached nothing but that, all his preaching tended to bring them to this point of knowledge to know Iesus Christ and him crucified. 3. Observe that hee saith hee did this advisedly and upon judgement foreign saith hee I determined and resolved with my selfe before I preached among you, that this should bee the onelyonly point of knowledge that I would professe my selfe to have skill in, and which I would in my whole ministery labour to bring you unto To know Iesus Christ and him crucified. O that wee were all of Pauls mind; ô that wee all that are preachers of the Gospell were of Pauls mind; that wee would not so much affect and admire the knowledge of nice and intricate speculations, and busie our owne and other mens heads with unprofitable controversies, with oppositions of science, falsly so called, as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Tim 6.20. that wee would not count it our glory to excell others in such points of knowledge and learning as are vaine and unprofitable, but study this point better and strive to bring our selves and others to this skill To know Iesus Christ and him crucified. To this end marke how that blessed Apostle doth further expresse himselfe in this matter, Phil. 3.8, 9. Doubtlesse I count all things but losse, for the excellency of the knowledge of Iesus Christ my Lord; for whom I have suffered the losse of all things, and doe account them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him, &c. Foure things are worthy to bee observed in this speach of that holy man. 1. That there is an excellency in this knowledge, in the knowledge of Christ above all other knowledge in the world. 2. That he himselfe had suffered the losse of all things for Christs sake, the cause of all his losses, of all his troubles and persecutions was the constant profession he made of his love to Christ, and the high and account hee made of him, that hee would not shrinke from him nor forgoe the comfort and sweetnesse he found in him. 3. That he did not this out of a rash zeale and head-strong affection, but advisedly and upon good judgement and mature deliberation, I account all things but losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Iesus Christ my Lord, I account them but dung. As if he should say, I see good reason why I should be content to purchase this knowledge with the losse of all things, yea that I should even loath all things as the filthiest dung and cry fie upon them, when they come in competition with Christ and I cannot enjoy them, but I must loose my comfort in Christ. 4. Lastly, Observe what a kind of the knowledge of Iesus Christ it was that he made so great account of, I count all things but losse (saith he) for the excellency of the knowledge of Iesus Christ my Lord; and againe, I count all things but dung that I may win Christ and may bee found in him. As if hee had said, To know Christ to bee my Lord and Saviour, that hee did undertake for mee, to win and weare him as mine owne, to know that I am in him as the branch is in the vine, and the sience in the stocke, ô this is an excellent knowledge (saith hee) this is such a knowledge as a man should bee willing to purchase with the losse of any thing that is dearest to him in the world. And this is the knowledge of Christ that I would faine perswade my selfe and every one of you (beloved) to make high account of and to give no rest to our selves, till we have attained unto it.
And for the better enforcing of this so necessary an exhortation, I will 1 give you some Motives to quicken and stirre up this desire in us. 2 Because most men are too light of beleefe and confident in this point that Christ is theirs, I will give you some signes and notes out of Gods Word, how we may know this and not be deceived in it. 3. Lastly I will shew you the Meanes that they who have not yet, but would faine win Christ and be found in him, must use to obtaine their desire.
And for Motives there be foure that may serve in stead of many, that might be given.
Motive 1First, Till thou know that Christ is thine, and that thou art one of them that he did undertake for, thou canst have no assurance that any sinne that ever thou didst commit is pardoned, but hast cause to judge that thou art still in thy sins, as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Cor. 15.17. And consequently that thou art under the curse of God. He that beleeveth not the son (saith our Saviour himselfe, I…h. 3.36. that is, on the son as is plaine by the beginning of the verse) shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Motive 2Secondly, Till thou know Christ is thine, thou canst have no hope of mercy from God in any distresse, but though thou bee jocund and joviall now in thy health and prosperity, and gloryest much in God and in his mercy (as many a vile wretch hath done. Thou makest thy boast of God saith the Apostle, Rom. 2.17. of the Iew that had no part in Christ but hated and blasphemed him; and the Prophet Mic. 3.11. saith of many most lewd men that they leaned upon the Lord) yet when some sharpe and bitter affliction shall awaken thy conscience, thou canst have no hope no comfort in God, thou wilt find nothing but terrrour in thinking of him. I remembred God and was troubled, saith the Prophet, Psal. 77.3. And if it were so with that holy man (whom Christ had but withdrawne himselfe from for a time, and who had this helpe to recover himselfe by, he could consider his former estate, and call to remembrance his songs in the night as he saith, ver. 5. and what will thy case be that never hadst any assurance that Christ is thine?
Motive 3Thirdly, Till thou know that Christ is thine, and thou art one of them that hee did undertake for, thou canst have no assurance of any blessing from God, spirituall, or corporall. For all the promises of God in Christ, they are yea, and in him they are Amen; that is, sure and certaine as the Apostle speaketh, 2 Cor. 1.20. They that are not in Christ have no promise of God, for any thing. The Lord hath made Christ his steward and put all his goods into his hand. All things are delivered to me of my father, saith he, Mat. 11.27. Nothing can come to us, but through him. Nay God hath made him heire of all things, saith the Apostle, Heb. 1.2. All things are his owne, and therefore we can have nothing but from and through him.
Fourthly and lastly,Motive 4 Till thou knowest that thou art in Christ, and one of those that hee did undertake for, though thou dost possesse any blessing of God in never so great a measure, yet canst thou not enjoy them nor have any sound comfort in them, for thou canst have no assurance that they are given thee in mercy, and in love. And that is it that giveth the sweet rellish to all Gods blessings when a man can say of them as Iacob doth of his children, Genesis 33.5. These are the children which God hath graciously given thy servant. And as David doth, 2 Samuel 22.20. Hee delivered mee, because hee delighted in mee. Then are Gods blessings sweet to us indeed, when wee can rellish Gods louelove in them; when the heart is perswaded God hath given us them in love. Alas wee know God hath powred his blessings abundantly upon many men, not in love but in much wrath. I gave them a King in mine anger, saith the Lord, Hos. 13.11. Hee gave them their owne desire (saith the Prophet of rhe rebellious Israelites that perished in the wildernesse, Psalme 78.29—31.) but while the meat was yet in their mouthes, the wrath of God came upon them; they had the blessing, but they had it with Gods curse and vengeance. And had they not better have beene without it, then to have had it so? I will curse your blessings, saith the Lord, Mal. 2.2. And surely the great hurt which many receive even by Gods blessings, which they have (The prosperity of fooles shall destroy them saith Solomon, Prov. 1.32.) proveth evidently that God cast them upon them in wrath, rather then in love. And a man were better to be without them then to have them without his love. And no man can be assured God giveth him any thing in love, till he be in Christ. For it is he onelyonly that hath reconciled us to God and made him our friend as the Apostle teacheth us, Rom. 5.10. These points if we could rightly weigh them will bee Motives strong enough, to every one of us to seeke to make this sure to our selves, that Christ is ours, that we are of the number of those that hee did undertake for.
But what needeth all this may some say?Object. I thanke God I doe verily beleeve t' is already and am confident in this, that Christ is my Saviour, he undertook for me, he died for me. And who but an Infidell and a beast, will doubt of this, seeing the Scripture saith expressely he died for all mankind. Iohn Baptist calleth him, Ioh. 1.29. The lambe of God that taketh away the sin of the world. And the Apostle Iohn (1 Ioh. 2.2.) saith, he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world; And the Apostle Paul expresseth this plainely, by an excellent comparison, Rom. 5.18. As by the offence of one, judgement came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousnesse of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
But for answer unto these men,Answ. I shall not need to enter into the controversie which hath much troubled the Church whether Christ died for all men; or whether the Lord in sending his sonne into the world, intended that all men should have benefit by him. But this I say (wherein we all agree, and of which there is no controversie; and which is as much as need be said for the purpose we have now in hand) that certainly all men shall not have benefit by him, he hath not made all mens peace with God, he hath not undertaken for all men in particular nor satisfied Gods justice for them, his death is not effectuall for all men. No no (beloved) be not deceived with this conceit, but know. First, There is now and ever hath beene a world of men that shall have no benefit by him at all. I pray for them (saith he himselfe, Iohn 17.9.) I pray not for the world. Secondly, There are now, and ever have beene many even of those that have professed faith in Christ, that have beene most confident in this, that he is their Saviour, he died for them that yet shall have no benefit by him at all. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord Lord (saith he, Mat. 7.21—23. he bringeth them in doubling that word, to expresse their earnestnesse of affection and confidence that they have in him) shall enter into the kingdome of heaven. Many will say unto me Lord Lord, and then (then in that dreadfull day when they shall have most need of me, they shall find they were miserably deceived) then will I professe unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, avaunt ye wretches, fie upon you, out of my sight, I cannot abide you. O (beloved) let every one of us take heed wee bee not found among them in that day whom Christ shall so disclaime. Thirdly, Know that those generall speaches of holy Scripture touching the large extent of the merit of Christs death which thou buildest so much upon (and which the Holy Ghost to a singular purpose is pleased to use for the comfort of Gods elect) are in many other places in a speciall manner appropriated to a certaine choise and peculiar people. For the transgression of my people was hee smitten, saith the Lord himselfe, Esa. 53.8. And this Church and people of God for whom Christ in a speciall manner was stricken, to whom his death is effectuall, is not the common field, the vast wildernesse of this wide world but Gods severall and peculiar plot of ground. A garden enclosed is my sister, my Spouse (saith our Saviour, Cant. 4.12.) a spring shut up, a fountaine sealed. And thus did our blessed Saviour himselfe (who best knew who should have benefit by him) professe. I lay downe my life for the sheepe, saith he, Ioh. 10.15. And Iohn 17 9.) I pray for them that thou hast given me, for they are thine. And for this cause doth the Church admire and magnifie the love of Christ, toward them in their solemne song of thankesgiving, Revel. 5 9. Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy bloud out of every kindred, and tongue and people and nation. See an universall grace, see how universall a redemption Christ hath made; thou hast redeemed (say they) by thy bloud us out of every kinred and tongue and people and nation. Fourthly and lastly, Know that the number of this peculiar people that shall have benefit by Christ, and whose peace he hath made with God, is very small, is nothing if it be compared with the number of them that shall have no benefit by him. We know that we are of God (saith the Apostle, 1 Iohn 5.19.) and that the whole world lieth in wickednesse. The whole world (in a manner) lyeth in wickednesse, and shall perish in their sins; few or … (in comparison) shall have benefit by Christ. O therefore (beloved) be not deceived or made secure any longer with this vaine conceit that because Christ died for the world therefore that Christ hath payed every mans s…or…, …at…fied Gods justice for every mans sin. But seeing there be very few (in comparison) that hee hath in speciall undertaken for, let thou and I labour to know that we are some of those few, of that small number, of that remnant … hee hath answered for.
And to that end I will shew you out of Gods Word (which is the second thing I promised to handle for the enforcing of this exhortation) the signes and notes whereby we may know this and not be deceived in it.
Signe.One signe and note the Holy Ghost hath given us to know this by Hereby we know (saith the Apostle, 1 Iohn 4.13.) that we dwell in him and he in us (that he is ours and we have good title unto him) because he hath … us of his spirit. If thou canst find that the spirit of Christ dwelleth in thee, and thou art guided by it, thou maist be sure that Christ is thine.
But if thou have nothing in thee but nature (be it never so good a nature) thou canst not say thou hast any part in Christ. If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ (saith the Apostle Rom. 8.9.) He is none of his.
But this signe is somwhat too generall. I will therefore give you foure particular effects and fruits of this Spirit of Christ wherby you may judge of this.
First, They that are Christs (saith the Apostle, Gal. 5.24.) have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If any …inne raigne in thee, and thou obeyest it in the lusts thereof; nay if thou do not make conscience even of thy evill affections, and passions, and desires, if they be not grievous to thee, if they never trouble thee, certainly thou canst not say that thou art Christs, that thou art one of them, that he did undertake for.
Secondly, If any man be in Christ (saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 5.17. he is a new …rrature, old things are past away, behold all things are become new. If there be no change wrought in thee by Gods Spirit, in thy mind, in thy affections, in thy words, in thy company, in thy whole conversation, but thou art the same that ever thou wast (if not worse) certainly thou canst not say that thou hast any part in Christ.
Thirdly, Christ became the author of eternall salvation (saith the Apostle, Hebr. 5.9.) to all them that obey him. Till thou canst bee content to take Christs yoke upon thee, and resolve with thy selfe willingly to obey him in all his commandements; so long as thou bearest this mind that thou wilt beare no yoke, thou wilt be a free man, thou wilt live as thou liftest, Christ shall serve thy turne, but thou wilt not serve him; thou sayst, all that he did and suffered was to save thee, but thou wilt neither suffer nor do any thing to honour him, certainly thou canst not say, He is become an author of eternall salvation unto thee.
Fourthly and lastly, I will powre upon them (saith our Saviour, Zachar. 12.10.) the spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall looke upon mee whom they have pierced, and then they shall mourne and be in bitternesse. If the knowledge of this that Christ died for thee, keepe thee from being troubled at all in thy mind for any of thy sinnes; nay if thou have not felt more hearts griefe and bitternesse in thy soule for thy sinnes, and canst more heartily sue to God for the pardon of them since thou didst believe in Christ, than ever thou didst before, certainly it was never the Spirit of grace, but thy owne foolish fancy that hath perswaded thee that Christ was pierced for thy sinnes, or that thou hast any thing to doe with the merits of his passion. O thinke of these things (beloved) and suffer not thy heart to bee any longer deluded in this matter, that so much concerneth thee; but by these notes examine thine owne heart, and labour to bee assured upon good grounds, that thou art Christs; so as when thou shalt appeare before him, either at the houre of thy death, or at the dreadfull day of judgement, he may not renounce thee.
And if thou canst not find that thy title to Christ is so good, as thou though…st it had beene, and wouldest faine mend it; I will shew you how that must be done, which is the third and last thing I promised to doe for the inforcing of this exhortation.
I will not now speake of the outward Meanes whereby God hath ordained to bring his people unto faith;Meanes. that is to say, the word and prayer, I will speak onelyonly of three things whereby every mans heart must be prepared to receive Christ, and without which hee shall never be able to know Christ to bee his, though he use the outward meanes of the word and prayer never so long.
First, He that would know indeed that Christ is his, and undertooke for his sinnes, must be able to desire and long after Christ, more than after any thing in the world besides; and be able to say in truth of heart to him, as the Prophet speaketh, Psal. 42.1, 2. As the hart panteth after the water-brookes; so panteth my soule after thee O God, my soule thirsteth for God. And as the Church Esa. 26.9. With my soule have I desired thee in the night, yea with my spirit within we will I seek thee early: Such as these are Christ inviteth and biddeth come and welcome, and take their part in him and all his merits, Esa. 55.1. Ho, every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters. VponUpon such as these he hath promised to bestow himselfe and all his merits, Rev. 21.6. I will give to him that is a thirst of the fountaine of the water of life freely. But so long as thou desirest many other things as much as Christ, or more than Christ, thou shalt never have sound assurance that Christ is thine, that he hath undertaken for thy sinnes.
Secondly, He that would faine know indeed that Christ is his, and hath made his peace with God, must shew the truth of this his desire, and longing after Christ by being content to buy and purchase him, by parting with whatsoever is dearest to him in the world, rather than he would want him. Come buy and eat (saith our Saviour in that gracious invitation I told you of, Esa. 55.1. and he repeateth it againe and saith) yea come, buy wine and milke; and so he speaketh againe Revel. 3.18. I counsell thee to buy of me gold, and raiment, and eye-salve; Nothing will be had of him but it must be bought. And what must we pay for it? Surely all that we have; as you may see in the Parable of the wise merchant, Math. 13.46. When he had found one pearl… of great price, he went and sold all that hee had and bought it. And in the example of blessed Paul: For him (saith he, Philip 3.8.) I have suffered the losse of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ. Why Paul? Couldst not thou have won Christ unlesse thou hadst suffered the losse of all things? No verily, saith he, unlesse I had counted all things but as dung in comparison of Christ, and had beene willing to lose all rather than him, I could never have wonne him. Hee that loveth father or mother (saith our Saviour, Matthew 10.37.) more than mee, if not worthy of mee. And hee that loveth sonne or daughter more than mee, is not worthy of mee. Of thee then that saist Christ is thine, let mee aske this one question, I pray thee what did hee cost thee? What payedst thou for him? What didst thou ever part with that was deare unto thee that thou mightest win him? Sure I am thou must buy him before thou hast him or els thou never camest honestly by him, thou canst have no just title to him. And to thee that complainest thou hast no assurance that Christ is thine; I say, and what marvell is there in that? Thou that wilt part with nothing that is deare unto thee for his sake; with no one of thy lusts; with nothing that may yeeld thee either profit, or credit, or pleasure; Nay that art willing with Iudas to sell Christ for a little credit, or profit, or pleasure in the world; what hope canst thou have to win Christ, or ever to have any sound comfort in him?
Thirdly and lastly, No man can desire and thirst after Christ more than after any other thing in the world; much lesse be willing to purchase him at such a rate as you have heard; and consequently no man can have any sound assurance that Christ is his, till he feele the burden of his sinnes, and know himselfe to bee in a damnable and desperate state without him. Till wee can apprehend our owne extreame danger, as the Disciples did when they were at the very point of drowning, and cry as they did, Matth. 8.25. Lord save us, we perish. These are they whom Christ inviteth, and promiseth to refresh, Math. 11.28. even such as are ready to faint and sink in despaire, through the intolerable burden of their sinnes. Yea he professeth none els shall have benefit by him but such onelyonly. I am not come to call the righteous but sinners, saith he, Mat. 9 13. and whom he meaneth by sinners, he had expressed, Verse 12. such as are even sicke and pained at the heart for their sinnes. Certainly no man is so fit to receive comfort from Christ, as he that is most deepely humbled in the sense of his owne unworthinesse, and is even apt to judge himselfe unworthy of mercy; and to say to God as Mephibosheth did to David, 2 Sam. 9.8. What is thy servant that thou shouldest looke upon such a dead dog as I am? Three notable examples we have to prove this. The one of the Centurion, Matth. 8.8. that judged himselfe unworthy that Christ should come under his roofe. The second of the woman that had the bloudy issue, who judged her selfe unworthy to aske helpe of Christ, Luke 8.44.47. but came stealing behind him in the throng, to touch but the border of his garment, and when she found her selfe discovered, came trembling and fell downe before him. The third of the woman of Canaan, Matth. 15.27. who judged her selfe to be no better than one of the dogs which eat of the crummes that fall from their masters table. Alas then, so long as thou remainest so heart-whole, and art never sicke of thy sinnes, never pained or troubled with them, thou canst run and skip and dance with thy sinnes on thy backe, and feelest them to be no burden at all unto thee, how shouldest thou ever come to a sound and comfortable assurance that Christ is thine? And thus have I finished this use of exhortation; and should now come to that of comfort, which is the third use I promised to make of this Doctrine. But I must be your debter for that till I come to the next Doctrine, whereof I shall have every whit as fit occasion to handle that Vse.