Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 7 · Lecture 106
Lecture CVI. On Psalme 51.6. Decemb. 30. 1628.
Vse 2.IT followeth now, that we proceed to the second use of the Doctrine which is for exhortation to worke upon our affections, and provoke us unto sundry duties.
And this use of exhortation concerneth three sorts of people especially. 1. Such as live where they cannot enjoy the ordinary means of grace & conversion. 2. Such as do enjoy the ordinary means, but want grace to profit by them. 3. Lastly, Such as both have the means, and have also obtained grace from God, to profit by them.
For the first. Though wee may not, nor dare say, that all they are damned that live without the ministery of the Gospell (which as we have heard) is the onelyonly sufficient, and ordinary meanes to bring men to grace) because the Lord is not tyed to any meanes, but can without meanes (if it please him) worke grace in his elect, as is plaine by Heb. 11.31. that hee did in Rahab while shee lived in Iericho, and by Matth. 2.12. that he did in the wise-men while they lived in the East, among Pagans and Infidells; yet may we confidently say, that the present estate of such men is most feare full, and such as if themselves could discerne it, they could not choose but tremble at it. And though they cannot doe it, because this is hid from their owne eyes (as our Saviour speaketh of Ierusalem, Luke 1….42.) yet ought wee that have heard this Doctrine, and doe, beleeve it, to bee deepely affected with their estate, and even weepe over them as our Saviour did over Ierusalem, Luke 19.41. And that out of there two considerations.
First Because wee cannot find in all the word, any one ground of certaine hope, that such shall ever bee saved, but many grounds of feare, that they shall perish eternally. Of the people of Galilee, the holy Ghost saith, Matth. 4.16 that before Christ brought the light of the Gospell unto them (though they were all Iewes and members of the true visible Church, yet) till this light sprung up among them, they sate all in the very region, and shadow of death. As if hee had said, They were in a damnable estate. And though no doubt may bee made, but God can save such, yet that hee will doe it, wee have no ground at all, nay wee have great cause to feare the contrary. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall bee saved, wheresoever hee live, whatsoever his former course of life hath beene (saith the Apostle, Rom. …0 13, …4) But how shall they call on him, in whom they have not beleeved? And how shall they beleeve in him, of whom they have not heard? And how shall they heare without a preacher? Are not these fearefull sentences, that the holy Ghost giveth, concerning the estate of such as live without the word, and such as may move the stoniest heart among us, to pitie them, and tremble for them.
But then consider secondly, Whose doing this is, and then you shall see yet a further cause of feare then this. I doe not doubt, but men themselves have an hand in this judgement; and that their owne sinnes are a chiefe cause, why they want the meanes of grace. For to all that perish (specially spiritually, and eternally) it may be said as the Lord speaketh, Ho…ea 13 9. O Israel thou hast …estroyed thy selfe But that is not all. The Lord himselfe (as wee have heard proved in the Doctrine) hath also a chiefe hand both in giving, and with-holding the meanes of grace; it is hee, it is hee, that in his wrath with-holdeth the ministery of his word, from them that doe thus want it. That which the Lord saith of the materiall raine, whereby the earth is made fruitfull unto us? Amo… 4 7. I have with-holden the raine from you, when there were yet three moneths to the harvest, and I caused it to raine upon one citie, and caused it not to raine upon another city; the same hee saith likewise of the spirituall raine (the ministery of his word) whereby his vineyard is made fruit full unto him, Esay 5.6. I will also command the clouds, that they raine no raine upon it. It is the hand of God and his wrath upon a people, that keepeth his word from them. Yet such people never looke up unto God, nor take notice of his fierce wrath, that is upon themselves in this judgement. Whereas they should say as the Prophet teacheth Israel to say in another case, Esa. 42 …4. Who gave Iacob for a spoile, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, hee against whom wee have sinned? And Esa. 43 …8. I have given Iacob to the curse. And Esa 9.19. Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts, the land is darkned It is the Lord, that for their sinnes giveth over a people to this curse; it is through the wrath of the Lord, that any people doe abide in this darkenesse, that the light of the Gospell is denyed unto them. And even as it is a signe, that God hath determined the temporall ruine and destruction of a people▪ when he taketh from them the ordinary meanes of their preservation and safety, and so maketh way for his anger, as the Prophet speaketh Psal. 78.50. when he bereaveth them of wise & prudent states-men, and counsellers, and of valiant and expert captaines and souldiers, as you may read. Esa. 3.2, 3. and Obaediah 8.9. that the desolation of Iudea in the Babilonish captivitie, was prognosticated by this signe; even so is it certainely a fearefull signe, that God hath determined the eternall destruction of a people, when hee depriveth them of the ordinary meanes whereby they might bee saved. Where there is no vision, the people perish, saith the holy Ghost, Prov. 29.18. And is there not then just cause of feare and trembling (thinke ye) for these men? If they should be long without the materiall raine in the spring or summer-time, so as they could see no hope of grasse for their cattell, or corne for themselves, they would easily acknowledge Gods hand in it, they would bee deepely affected with it, and ready even with fasting and prayer, to beg it of God. But they have no sense at all of Gods wrath, in with-holding from them this spirituall raine, without which, their soules can never beare fruit unto God. Oh though they cannot themselves take this to heart, let us doe it for them, let us beg this mercy of God for them. Let the same mind be in us, which was in Christ Iesus, Phil. 2.5. who when hee saw multitudes of people that were like sheepe scattered abroad having no shepheard, foreign saith the Evangelist, Mat. 9.36. hee had compassion on them, and pitied their case, even from his very bowells, and out of this compassion, charged his Disciples to pray to the Lord for them, that he would have mercy on them.
The second sort, whom this use of exhortation doth concerne, are such as doe enjoy the ordinary and sufficient meanes of knowledge, and grace, but cannot profit by them. And there bee two things that I must exhort these people unto. 1. That they would take notice of, and become sensible of their owne dangerous, and fearefull estate. 2. That they would use their utmost endeavour to come out of it.
And before I speake of the first of these, I must premise two Cautions to prevent the mistaking of that that I shall say.
Caution 1First. That which I shall say of the danger they are in, that cannot profit by the ministery of the word, doth not concerne all that they thinke they profit by it. For there are many of the best of Gods servants, of the best proficients in the Schoole of Christ, whom you shall heare complaine of nothing more, then this, that living under excellent meanes of grace, they profit not at all by them. To these poore soules I have three things to say for their comfort. First. Thou mayest have profited by the meanes of grace, and be a fruitfull hearer, though thy profiting come farre short of many others that thou knowest have enjoyed no better meanes then thou hast done. The seed bringeth foorth fruit, in some an hundred, in some but sixty, in some but thirtie fold, as we read, Mat. 13.8. yet all good ground, all elect, and profitable hearers. Secondly. Thou mayest bee the elect child of God, though thou be very dull of understanding in heavenly things, and though thy memory bee very weake in retaining them, when thou hast learned them. For so were the elect Apostles themselves, while Christ lived amongst them, and they enjoyed the benefit of his ministery, Luke 9.45. Iohn 12.16. So were they whom our Saviour calleth fooles, and slow of heart to beleeve all that the Prophets had spoken, Luke 24.25. and of whom the Apostle Hebr. 5.11. saith that they were dull of hearing. Thirdly. thou bearest about thee two evident markes that thou art an elect hearer, that thou hast profited by the meanes. 1. Because thou hast learned to feare God, and that little knowledge thou hast gotten, keepeth thee from sinne; thou darest not doe any thing that thou knowest would offend God. And he that hath learned thus much, is certainly a good proficient. To man God saith (saith Iob 28.28.) the feare of the Lord, that is wisedome, and to depart from evill, is understanding. 2. Thou discernest thy non-proficiency, and art troubled, and grieved for it, thou unfeinedly desirest to profit more. And so long as thou canst doe thus, thou art in a blessed state. For so saith our Saviour. Mat. 5.3.4, 6. Blessed are the poore in spirit, blessed are they that mourne, blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse. Nourish these things in thy selfe, and thou art safe enough. These non-proficients that I am to speake of, are such as enjoying, and frequenting also the meanes, can obtaine no grace by them, no saving knowledge, no faith, no change of heart at all, but become the worse by them rather, and yet are never troubled nor grieved for it.
The second Caution that I told you I must premise, to prevent the mistaking of that I have to say,Caution 2 is this. That even of these that I have long enjoyed the meanes, and beene never the better for them, but the worse rather, I dare not say they are reprobates, I dare not conclude from hence, that they shall bee damned. None of us is able to say unto the worst man that heareth us, as that Prophet by immediate revelation was able to say unto Amaziah the King, 2 Chron. 25.6. I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast not hearkened unto my counsell. For God may bee pleased hereafter, to make the meanes effectuall unto them, though hee have not done it yet; and wee know by Matthew 20.6. that hee hath sometimes called them at the eleventh houre, that had stood idle all the day. But this I say, that the present estate of these men is most dangerous and fearefull; yea, the more excellent the meanes have beene which they have enjoyed, the more dangerous and fearefull their estate is, if they cannot profit by them. And to perswade you of this, consider these three things.
First. How fearefull a sentence …hrist hath given of them that doe not receive and profit by the meanes of grace. Whos…ever shall not receive you, nor heare your words (saith hee to his Apostles, Matth 10.14, 15. and that which hee saith of their ministery in that place, hee would have to be understood of the ministery of any other, whom he sendeth to teach his people, Iob. 13.20.) verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, then for that city. Yea (wilt thou say) they that refuse to heare Gods ministers, are in this danger I grant, for that is an high contempt done to the word indeed; But I thanke God I am none of those, I am willing to heare. True, but thou art in the danger Christ speaketh of heere, unlesse thou receive the Word, and profit by thy hearing, unlesse thou heare it, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, as our Saviour speaketh of the good hearer, Mar. 4.20. Thou wilt say againe, I thanke God I do not onelyonly heare, but profit too, I get some knowledge by my hearing. True, but thou art in the danger Christ speaketh of here, unlesse thou profit unto repentance, unlesse thou be humbled and reformed by that thou hearest. So our Saviour expoundeth himselfe in the next chapter. Why should they of Capernaum be in worse case at the day of judgement then they of Sodom, as he saith, Mat. 11.24. He telleth us ver. 20. Because (having such meanes of grace) they repented not.
Secondly. Consider, that if the ministery of the word convert thee not, thou canst have no hope that any thing else will ever be able to doe it. For that is the power of God unto salvation, Rom. 1.1…. that is the ministration of the spirit, … Cor. 3.8.
Thirdly and lastly. Consider what is the cause thou canst not profit, and then thou shalt see yet more just cause of feare and trembling in thy selfe. I doe not deny but thou art a chiefe cause of it thy selfe. 1. Thou hast not done what lyeth in thee to make the Word profitable to thee. So as the Lord may say to thee, as the Apostle saith in another sense to the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 6.12. Thou hast not beene straitned in mee, but thou hast beene straitened in thine owne bowells. I have not beene wanting to thee, but thou hast beene wanting to thy selfe. 2. Thou hast wilfully hindred the fruit of the Word in thine owne heart. When our Saviour speaketh of that fearefull sentence that God had pronounced against the wicked Iewes, Matth. 13.14. Ye shall heare and shall not understand, ye shall see, and shall not perceive, he layeth all the blame of this upon themselves, and giveth this for the reason and cause of it, verse 15. For this peoples heart is waxed grosse, and their eares are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed, le…t at any time they should see with their eyes. So expounding the parable of the sower, and shewing how many of them that heare the word are never the better for it, hee giveth this for a cause of it, Luke 8.14. that when they have heard, they goe forth and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life. 3. Thy former sinnes have provoked the Lord in his judgement, to give thee up to this blockishnesse, and hardnesse of heart, that no meanes can doe thee good. As they did not like to retaine God in their knowledge (saith the Apostle, Rom. 1.28.) God gave them over to a reprobate mind. All this is true (I say) that thou art a chiefe cause of this thy selfe, that thou canst not profit, thou canst not bee converted. But that is not all, there is more in it then so; Wee have heard in this Doctrine whereof wee are now making use, that the Lord himselfe hath a chiefe hand, as in giving and with-holding the meanes of grace; so in making or not making them fruitfull, in them that doe enjoy them. To have the meanes, and to have grace denyed thee of God to profit by them, is a fearefull signe that God loveth thee not, that hee regardeth thee not, that hee never ordained nor appointed thee unto life. You know who it is that said, Iohn 8.47. Hee that is of God, heareth Gods words, yee therefore heare not, because yee are not of God, and 10 26. Yee therefore beleeve not, because yee are none of my sheepe. What (will you say) are wee all reprobates that are never the better for your preachings? No, I say not so; for they may doe thee good hereafter, though they have not yet. But this I dare boldly say, that if thou dye in this estate, thou shalt carry with thee to thy grave, as fearefull a marke, and note of reprobation, as any wee can find in the whole booke of God. I told you even now, that it is a dangerous signe, when God denyeth unto a people, the meanes of grace, but it is a farre worse signe to enjoy them, and to bee never the betterr but the worse rather for them. Therefore Iohn Baptist compareth the ministery of the Gospell. Mat. 3.12. unto a fanne, when Christ maketh use of this fanne amongst a people, it will appeare who among them are wheate that shall bee gathered in the Lords garner, and who are chaffe that shall be cast into the unquenchable fire.
Applic.Oh consider this I pray you, and lay it to heart, ye that doe enjoy the ministery of the word. And if you have beene unprofitable hearers hitherto, thinke seriously of the danger of your estate, and use your utmost endeavour to come out of it; which is the second thing that I told you, I must exhort you unto.
And if you desire this, you must doe these three things.
First. Neglect not the meanes, though you have beene hearers thus long, and got no good by it, God hath not beene pleased to worke with his word in your hearts, yet you must bee hearers still. If ever God purpose to worke grace in thy heart, he will worke it by this meanes. Doe therefore as those poore impotent persons did, Iohn 5.3. Come to the poole of Bethesda, and lye there waiting for the moving of the water, Vse the meanes, and wait for the good houre, when God shall be pleased to worke with his word in thy heart. That which Solomon saith of the workes of mercy, Eccle. 11.6. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening with-hold not thy hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that; As if hee had said, Whether shall do most good; that may be fitly applyed to this case. Heare the word in the morning, in thy youth, and with-hold not thy selfe from it in the evening, in thine age, for what knowest thou which is the time God hath determined to convert thee in, or which is the sermon that hee will doe it by? Though hee have shewed no signe of his eternall love toward thee all this while, but of his wrath rather, yet I may say to thee, as the Prophet doth in another case, Ioel 2.14. Who knoweth whether he will returne and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; for (as he saith ver. …3.) he is gracious and mercifull, slow to anger, and of great kindnesse, and repenteth him of the evill.
Secondly. Seeing it is so dangerous a signe to remaine blockish, and senselesse, and a non-proficient under the meanes of grace, therefore content not thy selfe to heare, but as our Saviour saith to his hearers, Luke 8.18. so say I to you. Take heed how you heare. Hearken diligently unto mee, saith the Lord, Esay 55.2. Prepare thy selfe before, keepe thine eye, and eare, and mind, attentive when thou hearest, meditate, conferre, use all the meanes thou canst to make thy hearing profitable unto thee.
Thirdly and lastly. Rest not in, nor ascribe too much to the meanes, nor to any thing thy selfe can doe to make them profitable to thee. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy, saith the Apostle, Rom. 9.16. Thinke not thou canst receive, and profit by the Word, when thou listest, thou canst repent when thou listest, Say not, ô if I lived under such a mans ministery, how should I profit? No, no, remember who it is that saith, Esa. 48.17 Thus saith the Lord thy redeemer, the holy one of Israel, I am the Lord thy God, that teacheth thee to profit. I have planted (saith Paul. 1 Cor. 3.6.) and Apollo watered; but God gave the increase. And therefore thou must joyne prayer with thy hearing, and beg earnestly of God, that he would worke with his word in thy heart. If thou cryest after knowledge (saith Solomon. Prov. 2.3.5.) and listest up thy voyce (cryest heartily and earnestly) for understanding, then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
The third and last sort of people which I told you this use of exhortation doth concerne, are such as have obtained of God, not onelyonly the meanes of grace, the ministery of his Word, but grace also to profit by them. Such of you (for I doubt not, but many of you are such) must know that you can never bee sufficiently thankefull unto God for this singular mercy. First. It is a great mercy, a great signe of his speciall and eternall love, that hee giveth thee the sound ministery of his Word. And I may say to thee, as they did to blind Bartimeus, Marke …0.49. Bee of good comfort, arise, h…e calleth thee. Even this outward calling on thee by his Word, is a great signe hee loveth thee, and would have thee to bee saved, it is a just cause of hope and comfort unto thee. Looke abroad in the world, and thou shalt find it is no common mercy, hee hath not dealt so with every nation Psal. 147.…0. That the place where thou livest, should bee as Goshen (enjoy the light, Exod. 10.21—23.) when as so many other places remaine in palpable darkenesse, as all the rest of Egypt did, this is surely to be acknowledged as a singular mercy of God unto thee. Surely I may say unto you, as our Saviour doth to his disciples, Matth. 13.17. Many righteous men, many good people desire to heare that that you heare, would count it their happinesse to enjoy the meanes that you do, where you dwell, and cannot. This is a great mercy that you enjoy the meanes.
But (secondly) it is yet a farre greater mercy, if you have felt the power of God in them to your conversion; if God have given you hearts to savour them, and profit by them. If God have done this for thee (beloved) know thou hast cause to doe as that poore convert did when he had felt this power of God in his ordinance, 1 Cor 14.25. even to fall downe upon thy face, and to worship, and praise God for it. From hence thou mayest conclude infallibly (and so canst thou no… from al the outward blessings, that ever thou receivest from him) that God loveth thee with an everlasting love, and hath chosen thee to life before the world was. I have loved thee (saith the Lord, Iere. 31.3.) with an everlasting love, therefore in loving kindnesse have I drawne thee. If God have shewed thee that mercy, that loving kindnesse, as to draw thee by his word and spirit, certainly he hath loved thee with an everlasting love. Admit God hath done no more for thee but this; admit he exercise thee with never so many afflictions, outward, or inward: admit thou find thy selfe to be so much the more subject to scorne and contempt in the world, yet art thou an happy soule. We know (saith the Apostle, Rom. 8.28.) that all things worke together for good, to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose. If thou find thy selfe to be thus effectually, and inwardly called, certainly every thing that befalleth thee shall tend to the increase of thy happinesse. O looke about thee (I beseech thee) looke upon many of thy neighbours, yea, looke upon sundry that are neerer unto thee, who all enjoy the same meanes that thou dost, and yet never felt any sweetnesse, never felt any power in them. Let the hardnesse of heart, and profanenesse that thou seest in others, draw thee to an admiration of this goodnesse and mercy of God towards thy selfe. That the dew of Gods grace should fall upon thy heart (as the materiall dew did upon Gideons fleece, Iudges 6.37) and the ground that is round about thee should be dry, not one drop of this dew upon it; is not this a wonderfull mercy? O consider it, and admire it, and say with the Apostle Iude, Iohn 14.22. Lord how is it, that thou wilt manifest thy selfe to us, and not to the world? Lord how is it, that thou shouldst give thy grace unto me, and deny it unto so many that were every whit as good as I, nay better farre then I, better in state and calling, better in capacity and understanding, nay, better in life, more unblameable, more civill, free from sundry grosse sinnes that I was given unto. Take notice of this mercy of God, thou that hast received it, and rejoyce in it, and be thankefull for it. But take heed thou be not puft up by it, so to thinke better to thy selfe for it, as to despise others to whom God hath not yet bin so mercifull this way as he hath bin to thee. But say oft to thy soule, as the Apostle doth to them, 1 Cor. 4.7. Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou, that thou hast not received? And if thou hast received it, why gloriest thou? Remember what use David made of the difference God had made betweene him and Saul, 2 Sam. 6.22. I will be more vile then thus, and will be base in mine owne sight. And we shall see great reason for it, if we consider well what our Saviour saith, Luke 12 48. VntoUnto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.