Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 2 · Lecture 19
Lecture XIX. On Psal. 51.1, 2. March 21. 1625.
WE have already heard that in these words there were three things principally to be observed. 1. That David in the great distresse he was now in flyeth unto God by prayer, and seeketh helpe; and comfort that way. 2. That in this prayer wherein he seeketh helpe, and comfort from God, he begs nothing but the pardon of his sinnes. 3. That the onelyonly ground of his hope to speed well in this prayer, and to obtaine the pardon of his sinnes, was the knowledge he had of the mercy of God. The two first of these wee have already finished, it followeth now that we proceed to the third, and last of them.
Nota.It is therefore here to be observed. 1. That seeking pardon of his sinnes at the hands of God, he pleadeth nothing but mercy, hopeth to obtaine it no other way, maketh that the onelyonly ground of his hope in this suit, and cryeth Have mercy on me, ô Lord. 2. That the thing that made him hope he should find this mercy with God, was nothing he found in himselfe, but onelyonly the knowledge he had of the Lords gracious disposition. Have mercy upon mee, ô God, according to thy loving kindnesse, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. As if he had said, ô Lord there is nothing els to move thee to have mercy upon me, but onelyonly thine owne gracious, and mercifull disposition. 3. Yet had David before his fall done many good workes. Suffered great wrongs from Saul, with wonderfull patience and freedome from desire of revenge, 1 Sam. 24.5▪ 6. Shewed marvellous zeale for God in fighting his battells, 1 Sam. 25.28. Shewed marvellous love to the Word, and worship of God, Psal. 27.4. One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the daies of my life, and 84.1. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts. And even at this instant when he maketh this prayer to God, there was a great deale of goodnesse, and grace in him. 1. He confesseth freely his sinne unto God, verse 3, 4. 2. He was wonderfully humbled for it, and grieved, and broken hearted, verse 8.17. 3. His heart was quite changed, and turned from his sinne unto God, he loved him unfainedly, and desired his glory, verse 13, 14. 4 And all this he did in uprightnesse of heart, verse 6. Yet now comming to beg pardon of his sins, he groundeth his hope to obtaine it, upon none of his former good workes, upon none of the goodnesse that he found now in himselfe, but onelyonly upon the mercy of God.
Now from these three points thus observed, in the Text, this Doctrine ariseth for our instruction.
Doct. 11That the best of Gods servants, have no other ground of hope to find favour with God, for the pardon of their sins, but onelyonly in the mercy of the Lord. VponUpon this Gods choicest Saints, have builded alwaies; and in seeking pardon of their sins have pleaded nothing but this. So doth David heere, and so doth he in many other Psalmes Psal. 6 2, 4. Have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weake; returne ô Lord deliver my soule, ô save me for thy mercies sake: and 25.6, 7. Remember ô Lord thy tender mercies, and thy loving kindnesses for they have beene ever of old, according to thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodnesse sake ô Lord. So doth Daniel in his prayer, Dan. 9.9. To the Lord our God belong mercies, and forgivenesses. All pardons are mercies, and are obtained by mercy onelyonly. Yea in all their prayers wherein they have sued to him for any blessing this hath ever beene in their eye, and that which they have built all their confidence upon, Psal. 5.7. As for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy. This shall ever draw me, and incourage me to come unto thee. And 69.13. O God in the multitude of thy mercy, heare me; And 115.1. Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory for thy mercy, and for thy truths sake. But what should I heape up testimonies in so plaine a case? And yet because it is so usefull, and comfortable a point, I will not passe over it too sleightly, but insist a while upon it so farre as I shall judge necessary for your edification. And before I come to the reasons, and grounds of the Doctrine I will answer two maine objections, that the heart of man wil be apt to make against this Doctrine.
Object. 1.First, How can our hope to finde favour with God be grounded onelyonly upon the mercy of God? How can the pardon of our sins, bee ascribed to the meere mercy of God, and to his free grace; when wee obtaine not this favour of God till it was dearely bought, and purchased? 1 Cor. 6.20. Ye are bought with a price. Yea sucha price as was foreign fully answerable in worth to the soules of all Gods elect, and to that which God hath given us, 1 Tim. 2.6. He gave himselfe a ransome for all. The Lord forgave not one farthing of that summe wherein we stood indebted to him, till he was fully satisfied for it. First, hee exacted and received by Christs passive obedience, the whole forfeiture of our obligation hee had against us, and so came wee to the pardon of our sins. In which respect it may be said as Esa. 40.2. Wee have (in our surety) received at the Lords hand double for all our sinnes. Secondly, hee exacted and received also in Christs active obedience, the whole debt of obedience to his Law, that wee did owe unto him. For Christ our surety, not for himselfe, but for us, fulfilled all righteousnesse. Matth. 3.15. And so came we to the title and right, wee have to the Kingdome of Heaven. So that it may seeme (not the meere mercy, and free grace of God, but) Christ is the only ground of our hope, as he is called. 1. Tim. 1.1. The Lord Iesus Christ is our hope, And 1. Iohn 2.2. He is the propitiation for our sins.Answ.
To this I answer. That the foundation of all our hope and comfort we have in Christ, is in the mercy and free grace of God only. For although the pardon of our sins and salvation of our soules, in respect of Christ our surety, was no free gift, but a deare purchase; and the Lord shewed no mercy at all to him, but justice only, yea rigour of justice, Rom. 8.32. He spared not his owne sonne, but delivered him up for us all. Gal. 3.13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us. Looke upon him when he was in his agony and passion, paying our forfeiture, and there was nothing to bee seene from top to toe, soule and body, but the curse of God, he was all curse, made a curse.
Yet do we obtaine this pardon, and the salvation of our soules, not by purchase, but by the free gift of God. Esa 9.…. VntoUnto us a Sonne is given. Ioh. 4.10. If thou knewest the gift of God. And the mercy, and free grace of God never appeared so much to us-ward, in all the works that ever he did, as in this worke of redeeming us from our sins, by the bloud of Christ. For thus speaketh the Apostle, Ephes. 1, 7. In whom we have redemption through his bloud, the forgivenesse of sins, according to the riches of his grace; the riches of Gods grace appeared in this.
Observe this (I pray you) in five points.
First, It was the wonderfull mercy of God to us, and nothing else, that moved him to find out, and appoint the meanes to satisfie his owne justice by. It was the Lord himselfe that did fore-ordaine his owne Son to be our propitiation. Rom. 3 27. He purposed this in himselfe. Ephes. 1.9. And so the Lord indeed made satisfaction unto himselfe, 2. Cor. 5.19. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himselfe; His love and mercy appeared more unto us in this, then if by his absolute prerogative, he had forgiven us, without exacting any satisfaction at all Iohn 3.16. God so loved the world, that he gave his onelyonly begotten Sonne; And Iohn 4.10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Secondly, It was the wonderfull mercy of God to us, and nothing else, that moved him to give any of us to Christ, and to appoint us in his eternall counsell, to be of that small number, that should receive benefit by him, Iohn 17.6. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me, and vers. 9. I pray not for the world, but for them that thou hast given me, for they are thine.
Thirdly, It was the wonderfull mercy of God to us, and nothing else, that moved him to give any of us the grace to receive Christ by faith, being offered to us in the ministery of the Gospell, and to obey him, Iohn. 6.44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.
Fourthly, It was the wonderfull mercy of God, and nothing else that moved him to accept of the satisfaction, which Christ our surety hath made for us, and not to exact it at our owne hands. For nothing bound him to it, but his owne free promise. In which respect, all the Elect that shall have benefite by Christ, are called heires of promise, Hebr. 6.17. And therefore the Apostle saith, Ephesians 1.6. It was to the praise of the glory of his Grace, that he hath made us accepted in his beloved. As though he should say, the glory of his grace is wonderfully set forth in this, that hee will accept of Christs satisfaction for us.
Fiftly and lastly. It is his wonderfull mercy, and nothing else that moveth him to performe this promise, and to keepe covenant with us, considering how weake and staggering our faith, and obedience is, and how oft we breake covenant with him. And this made Solomon to fall into that admiration. 1 Kin. 8.23. O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like unto thee, in heaven above, or in earth beneath, who keepeth covenant, and mercy with thy servants, that walke before thee with all their heart. As if hee had said: It is the mercy of God that he keepeth Covenant even with such. And thus have I finished the answer to the first objection, and shewed you, that it doth no whit derogate from the mercy and free grace of God, but amplifieth, and advanceth it greatly, that wee obtaine pardon of our sins, by the merit of Christs bloud, and no other way.
Object. 2The second objection is. How can it bee said; that wee have no ground of hope to find favour with God, and the pardon of our sins, but onelyonly in Gods meere mercy and free grace? Will a mans good workes do him no good in this case? Is there no ground of hope, and comfort for us in that goodnesse, and grace, that God hath wrought in our hearts by his holy spirit? The Scripture teacheth us, that there bee sundry graces, and good workes, that may give us much comfort in this case, and bee good grounds of hope unto us, that wee shall finde favour with God. As 1. If a man can find hee doth truly feare God, Proverbs 14.26. In the feare of the Lord is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge. 2. If a man can find hee hath bin of conscience towards God, given unto works of mercy, Psal. 18.…5. With the mercifull, thou wilt shew thy selfe mercifull; and 41 1. Blessed is hee that considereth the poore, the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble; and Iam. 2.13. Mercy rejoyceth against judgement. 3. If a man can find that of conscience towards God, he can forgive his enemies, Matth. 6.14. If yee forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you. 4. If a man can find, that he is able with an upright heart, to confesse his sin unto God, even that is a good ground of hope, that God will forgive it. For thus David reasoneth here, verse 2, 3. Cleanse me from my sinne, for I acknowledge my transgressions. 5. and lastly. If a man can but humble himselfe, and mourne before God for his sin, even that will give him good hope of comfort. For Christ saith, Mat 5.4. Blessed are they that mourne, for they shall be comforted. And the Publican doing so, went home justified, Luke 18.14.
Answ.My answer to this objection, shall consist of two parts. 1. I will shew you how much is to bee ascribed unto good works, and to that goodnesse and grace, that Gods children may find in themselves. 2. I will let you see that this doth nothing derogate from the truth of my Doctrine, concerning the reposing all our hope in the mercy of God only.
For the first. I say first of all, that these good works and graces, we find in our selves, though they bee not the causes why God pardoneth our sins, yet are they certaine and infallible signes, that wee have found mercy with God, and that our sins are pardoned. For thus runneth the covenant of God. Ezek. 36.25. I will sprinkle cleane water upon you, and ye shall be cleane; and then followeth verse 26. A new heart also will I give unto you, and a new spirit will I put within you. And thus speaketh our Saviour of Mary. Lu. 7.47. Her sins which are many, are forgiven her, for she hath loved much. As if he had said, shee could not have had this grace to love me, as she doth; if her sins had not bin forgiven.
Secondly. This grace and goodnesse, which a man findeth in himselfe, may bee a ground of hope unto him, that God will respect his prayers, Iohn 9 3. We… know that God heareth not sinners, but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doth his will, him he heareth. Iohn 3.22. Whatsoever wee aske, we receive of him, because we keepe his commandements, and doe those things that are pleasing in his sight. The Angell telleth Cornelius, Acts 10.4. thy prayers, and thine almes, are come up for a memoriall before God; Certainely his almes made his prayers more effectuall with God.
Thirdly. The goodnesse and grace which a man findeth in himselfe, may bee a sound ground of comfort unto him, even in greatest affliction. So was it to Paul. 2 Cor. 1.12. Our rejoycing is this; even the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, wee have had our conversation in the world. So was it to Iob, the testimony that his owne heart gave him of the conscience hee had made of all uncleannesse, of dealing equally with his servants, of his mercifulnesse to the poore, of his freedome from covetousnesse, and maliciousnesse. Iob 31. And of his hearts love to the Word, and pure worship of God, Iob 23.12. susteined and yeelded him great comfort in his extreame affliction, as you may see Iob 31.35, 36. If mine adversarie (man or Satan) had written a booke against mee, surely I should take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crowne to mee. So was it to Hezechiah, when he had received from God the message of death. Esay 38.3. Remember ô Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.
Fourthly. These good works, this goodnesse, and grace that a man findeth in himselfe, are foundations, upon which a man may confidently ground, and build his hope, to receive a reward, and blessing from God: This a man must beleeve. Hebr. 1.6. He that commeth to God, must beleeve that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seeke him. Yea, a man may ground his hope upon this, to receive the greatest reward and blessing of all, even eternall life. 1 Tim. 6.18, …9 Charge rich men, that they be rich in good workes, ready to distribute, laying up in store for themselves, a good foundation, against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternall life.
Fiftly. I will say more then all this, when a man is to seeke comfort, and hope to find mercy with God, hee must looke first for it heere, Wee read. Rom. 8.28—30. of certaine degrees, whereby the Lord worketh our salvation, like the steppes of Iacobs ladder, of which we read Gen. 28.12. whereof the highest were in heaven, the lowest upon the earth. And although the Lord in his worke begin at the highest step, and so come downeward 1. Hee foreknoweth us, loveth us, setteth his affection upon us. 2. Hee predestinateth us, 3. He calleth us, 4. He justifieth us, 5. He sanctifieth, and glorifieth us Yet in our worke, when we would find comfort in the assurance of our salvation, wee must begin at the lowest step, and so goe upward. We must as David did Psal, 77.6. Commune with our owne hearts, and let our spirits make diligent search, what sanctification, what goodnesse, and soundnesse of grace wee can find wrought in our owne hearts. This sanctifying grace is called the Lords earnest, and seale, which we have received, and have the keeping of our selves. 2 Cor. 1 22. He hath sealed us, and given us the earnest of the spirit in our hearts. Commune therefore with thine owne heart, and search for this earnest, this seale, and if thou find it, thou mayest boldly reason thus: I am sanctified, therefore justified, justified, therefore called; called, therefore predestinated; predestinated, therefore loved of God. And thus have I finished the first part of my answer to this second objection, and shewed you how much is to bee ascribed unto good works in this case.
Now I come to the second part of it. Though therefore good workes be indeed foundations of our hope, and comfort (as you have heard) yet are they but secondary foundations; as the Apostles, and Prophets are called the foundations of the Church, Ephes. 2.20. Revel. 21.14. like the fills you lay in the building of your houses, that have a stronger foundation under them upon which both the weight of them, and of the whole house doth lie; the maine foundation of all the hope, and comfort wee can have in any of our good workes, in any goodnesse that is in us, is the mercy of God only. This will appeare evidently to you in two points.
First, it was his mercy onelyonly that moved him to worke this grace in us. Phil. 2.13. It is God that worketh in you both to will, and to do of his good pleasure. Who maketh thee to differ from another (saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 4.7.) and what hast thou that thou hast not received?
Secondly, it is mercy onelyonly that moveth him to accept or reward any good that we do, Psal. …2.12. VntoUnto thee ô Lord belongeth mercy, for thou renderest to every man according to his worke; and 130.4, 5. If thou should▪ marke iniquities (even the blemishes, and foule staines of our best services) ô Lord who shall stand? But there is forgivenes with thee that thou maist be feared, or served. And that made Nehemiah 1….22. to pray thus, Remember me ô my God concerning th… also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.