Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 8 · Lecture 131
Lecture CXXXI. On Psalme 51.7. Octob. 27. 1629.
IT followeth now that wee doe proceed unto the second sort of uses that I told you this Doctrine serveth unto, and shew you how it should worke upon our affections.
And there be two uses of this sort principally. The first is for comfort, and the second is for exhortation.
For the first.Vse It is not possible for any man to understand, and receive, and meditate seriously of this Doctrine, that hee that is once purged and washed by the blood of Christ, that is, hee that truly beleeveth in him, is not onelyonly perfectly cleane in Gods sight from all filth and spot of sinne, but whiter also then snow, perfectly just and righteous before God, I say it is not possible for any man to know and thinke of this, but if himselfe be a true beleever, he must needs take comfort in it, it must needs warme, and revive, and glad his heart. And certainely no man doth truly beleeve in Christ, that taketh not comfort in this Doctrine. We find in Luk. 2.25. that our Saviour is called, and was ever so accounted by Gods people, the consolation of Israel; that is, the onelyonly ground of comfort to the Israel of God. And the Angell when hee telleth the shepheards of the birth of Christ, saith Luke 2.10. hee brought them glad tidings of great joy, that should be to all people; As if he should have said, All Gods people throughout the world should greatly rejoyce in Christ. And the Apostle maketh this a speciall note of a true Israelite, Phil. 3.3. that hee is such a one as doth rejoyce in Christ Iesus. And the Apostle Peter, 1 Pet. 1.8. saith of all the elect strangers to whom he wrote, that beleeving in Christ, they did rejoyce with joy unspeakable and glorious. And though all these places doe proove, that we are in a wofull and wretched estate, none of Gods Israel, no better then infidells, if Christ be not the only ground of our consolation, if we cannot rejoyce in him; yet alas to many that thinke themselves to bee good Ch… istians, this Doctrine yeeldeth no comfort at all, they heare it without all joy; the reason is, because they have no need of comfort, they have other comforts that doe fully satisfie and content their soules for the time. The full soule loatheth an houy combe, saith Salomon, Proverbs 27.7. The sweetest and comfortablest Doctrine that is, is but unsavoury to the soule that is full of comfort already; but the humbled soule, the soule that hath need of comfort, (and such may the soule of every one of us be we know not how soone) will find more sweetnes and comfort in this Doctrine, then in any thing in the world besides. To the hungry soule (saith Salomon there, Pro. 27.7.) every bitter thing is sweete, that that seemeth bitter to others, is sweet to him. To the soule that doth indeed hunger and thirst for comfort, Christ is most sweet, notwithstanding all the bitternesse that the flesh findeth in him, and in those termes and conditions upon which he is to be received by us. And to these hungry and thirstie soules am I to direct the word of consolation, that I shall now deliver, and to none other persons. Hoe, every one that thirsteth (saith the Prophet in the name of Christ himselfe, Esa. 55.1.) come yee to the waters. Thou that art most deepely afflicted in spirit, that thinkest thy thirst to bee insatiable▪ such as can never be quenched, come thou to these waters, and thou shalt find them aboundantly sufficient to quench and satisfie the thirst of thy soule; come unto Christ, and thou shalt find there is in him, and in that that he hath done for thee, comfort enough to raise up, to refresh thy spirit, though it be never so much dejected in thee. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall giv… him (saith our Saviour, Iohn 4.14) shall never thirst (with a tormenting and deadly thirst) but the water that I shall give him, shall bee in him a well (or fountaine) of water springing up into everlasting life. Come unto me (saith hee againe, Mat. 11.28.) all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Certainely the cause why wee have so little rest, so little comfort, is because we come not to him, because we seeke not comfort in him; if we would come to him, wee might find comfort enough in him, against all the angvish of our soules, bee it never so great. A man shall be (saith the Prophet Esa. 32.2. speaking of Christ) as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shaddow of a great rocke in a watry land. See in how many words, and with what variety of most apt Metaphors the holy Ghost teacheth, that there is no kind of affliction, or distresse of mind, that any of Gods people can bee subject unto, but there is sufficient ease and comfort to bee found in Christ against it. He is able to save them to the uttermost (saith the Apostle, Hebr. 7.25.) that come unto God by him. And what are the grounds of this aboundant and all-sufficient comfort, that the humbled and afflicted soule of every believer may find in Christ?
Surely these inestimable benefits that wee have heard in the Doctrine, every true beleever receiveth by him. 1. Because hee hath purchased by his precious blood our pardon, and blotted all our sinnes out of God debt-booke, and made us as cleane in Gods sight, as if we had never sinned. 2. Because by his perfect righteousnesse, and fulfilling of Gods law for vsus, and in our stead, he hath made us more perfectly righteous before God, then if we had in all points observed the whole law our selves. Both these points I will handle distinctly, and shew you that they are sound grounds of comfort, yea the only sound grounds of true comfort.
For the first of these, See how just a cause of comfort it is to every afflicted soule, to know his sins are pardoned. Esa. 40.1, 2. Comfort yee, comfort yee my people, saith your God, speake ye comfortably to Ierusalem. See how earnest God is in charging his ministers to comfort his people, yea to comfort them effectually to be diligent, and zealous in this worke, and beat much upon this: and whereas they might have said, Alas, how should wee comfort thy people, that are so much dejected and afflicted in spirit? To this the Lord answers. Cry unto her that her warrefare is accomplished (all the enemies of her salvation are fully vanquished) her iniquitie is pardoned; for shee hath received at the Lords hand (in Christ her surety) double for all her sinnes. As if hee had said, perswade her in this, assure her of this, and this will comfort her aboundantly. So when our Saviour would comfort Mary Magdalene, who was as much humbled and troubled in mind, as any poore Christian can be (her sorrow was so aboundant, as she was able to wash his feet with her teares) how doth he seeke to comfort her? Woman (saith hee Lu. 7 48, 50.) thy sins are forgiven thee, goe in peace. As if hee had said, Thou hast cause to be comfortable, and cheerefull, for thy sins are forgiven. O this peace of God (the comfort and joy that riseth from the knowledge of the pardon of our sinne and reconciliation with God) is said, Phil. 4.7. to passe all understanding. No heart can conceive how sweet, how blessed and comfortable a thing it is, but that only that hath felt, and enjoyed it. David could tell what it was from his owne experience; and therefore saith, Psal. 32.1, 2. Blessed is hee (or the blessednesses of that man; for the word that hee useth there, is not an adjective, but a substantive; hee speaketh not in the concrete (as wee say) but in the abstract, neither is it a word of the singular, but of the plurall number, that hee useth to expresse himselfe by. As if hee should say, ô the compleate, the full, the infinite; happinesse of that man) whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered, ô the infinite and unspeakable happinesse of that man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity. As though hee had said, This is even enough to make a man perfectly happy, if his sinnes bee forgiven him; nothing can make that man miserable, that hath once obtained this. And the reason of this is evident. For, 1. sinne is the onelyonly cause of all the evills and miserie that can befall a man. In them all it may bee said, as the Church speaketh, Lamentations 3.39. Man suffereth for his sinne. 2. Sinne is the onelyonly thing that maketh all miserie to bee miserie indeed, all crosses, and afflictions so intolerable to us as they be, Ieremy 8.14. The Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drinke, because wee have sinned against the Lord. The sting of death is sin, saith the Apostle, 1 Corinthians 15.5, 6. Neither poverty, nor sicknesse, nor death it selfe could sting and paine us, as they doe, if our sinnes were pardoned. 3. If all the crosses and miseries of the world, should fall upon us, the burden and bitternesse of them could not bee so intolerable unto us, nor torment us so much as our sinne will doe, when God shall charge it upon us. O that will bite like a serpent (saith Salomon, who spake this from experience too, Prov. 23.32.) and sting like an adder. A wounded spirit (saith he, Proverbs 18.14.) who can beare? 4. Lastly, Sinne and nothing but sinne separateth betweene God and us. Your iniquities (saith the Prophet, Esay 59.2.) have separated betweene you and your God, and your sinnes have hid his face from you, that hee will not heare. You see then how sound a ground of true comfort this is, and how just cause every humbled soule hath to rejoyce in Christ, in respect of this first benefit wee receive by him, that through him our sinnes are pardoned, that the bloud of Iesus Christ hath cleansed us from all our sins, As the Apostle speaketh, 1 Ioh. 1.7.
And for the second of those benefits which every true beleever receiveth by Christ, see also how just a cause of comfort it is to every afflicted soule, Esay 61.10. I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord (saith the true beelever) my soule shall bee joyfull in my God, for hee hath cloathed mee with the garments of salvation (hee hath imputed and given unto mee the perfect holinesse, and obedience of my blessed Saviour, and made it mine) hee hath covered mee (all over from top to toe) with the robe of righteousnesse, as a bridegrome decketh himselfe with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth her selfe with her jewells. Great is the comfort that the soule of a Christian findeth in that inherent righteousnesse, which God by his spirit hath wrought in him, though it bee so poore and unperfect, and maimed, and slained as it is. When he can find that he hath been able to pray, or to confesse and mourne for his sinne, or to do any other service to God with an honest and upright heart, O what a comfort it is unto him? And certainly, if Christians did thinke well of this, it would make them looke better to their hearts when they performe good duties, and take heed of slubbering them over, it would make them carefull to performe spirituall duties spiritually. The people rejoyced (saith the Holy Ghost, 1 Chronicl. 29.9) for that they had offered (toward the building of Gods house) willingly, because with a perfect heart they had offered willingly to the Lord. And our rejoycing is this (saith the Apopostle 2 Cor. 1.12.) even the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdome, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world. And it is joy (saith Salomon, Proverb. 21.15.) unto the just man to doe judgement. As if he had thus said, He joyeth not so much in all the gaine that he getteth by his trading, his buying and selling, and dealings with men, as he doth in this, that his conscience beareth witnesse with him, that he hath dealt justly with all men, he hath gotten it justly whatsoever he hath. But if this poore and imperfect righteousnesse that is in us will yeeld us such comfort; how just cause of comfort and rejoycing hath every true believer in this, that he hath another manner of righteousnesse than this is, the perfect righteousnesse of Christ Iesus is his. Iob saith of his inherent righteousnesse whereby hee had beene so rich in good workes, so abundant in the workes of mercy to all that stood in need of him, Iob 29.14. that he put on his righteousnesse, and it cloathed him; my judgement (saith he, this care I had to deale justly and uprightly with all men) was as a robe and a diademe unto me. And a goodly garment and robe (doubtlesse) that was. As comely apparell is knowne to set forth much and adorne the person of a man (O that men and women specially knew not this too well; O that by their pride in this, by their over-much care to adorne and decke their bodies this way, they did not make both their bodies and soules loathsome unto God) as comely apparell (I say) if it be used in sobriety, and moderation, doth much set forth and adorne the body in the eye of man; so doe those graces of the Spirit, that Iob speaketh of, even our inherent righteousnesse, much more beautifie and adorne us in the eye both of God and man. Be ye cloathed with humility, saith the Apostle 1 Pet. 5.5. to all Christians. As if he had said, That is a goodly garment, a goodly robe for any Christian to weare. And speaking of Christian women he saith, 1 Pet. 3.3, 4. their adorning should not be that outward adorning of plaiting the haire (no, nor of cutting and shearing it, would he have said, if he had lived to see the fashions of these dayes) nor in wearing of gold or jewels saith he, nor in putting on of any apparell. Why how then should a Christian woman dresse and decke her selfe, will you say? Surely, with the ornament of a meeke and quiet spirit (saith he) which is in the sight of God of great price. Grace is a goodly garment certainely. But if this garment of inherent righteousnesse that hath so many spots and rents in it, will adorne us so much, if that be so much to be joyed in, what a beauty and glory is that which the Lord our God hath put upon us wretched sinners, in cloathing us with the robe of Christs righteousnesse? In that he hath not onelyonly taken from us our owne filthy garments (as he did from Iehoshua, Zachary 3.4.) but cloathed us with change of raiment, with a righteousnesse sufficient, and more than sufficient to make us comely and beautifull in his eyes; In graunting to us that wee should bee arrayed in that fine linnen cleane and white, as wee heard the last day out of Revelation 19.8. This robe the Lord hath put upon thee beloved, I speake to the poorest, to the weakest of all Gods servants, that heareth me this day, this perfect righteousnesse of Christ is thine. O that thou hadst eyes to see thy happinesse in this; O that thou hadst an heart to be affected with it, and rejoyce in it, as thou oughtest to doe. Great was the glory of man in his first creation, and in that righteousnesse wherewith hee was cloathed then. God created him in his owne image, saith Moses, Genesis 1.27. and hee repeateth it againe in the same Verse, In the image of God created he him, saith he. And this is expounded by Salomon, Eccles. 7.29. God made him righteous. And by Paul; this image of God saith he, Ephes. 4.24. was righteousnesse and true holinesse. And great was our losse (doubtlesse) in being stripped by his fall of this garment. But wee have recovered more by Christ than wee lost by Adam; the robe of righteousnesse which wee have gotten by Christ the second Adam, is farre more glorious than that which wee were deprived of by the fall of the first Adam. Every true believer is in a more blessed estate by Christ, more white and beautifull in Gods eye, than Adam was in his innocencie, before hee had ever sinned. And that in these three respects.
First, That righteousnesse that Adam had was uncertaine, and such as it was possible for him to lose; yea he did lose it, and that in a very short time. God gave him power and freedome of will to hold and keepe it, to stand in that blessed estate, if he would himselfe, and he gave him also power and freedome of will, to part with it, and lose it, if he would; to fall into sinne, yea even into that sinne which is unto death. But the righteousnesse that we have by Christ is made more sure unto us: it is that good part yea the best portion of that good part which Mary had chosen, of which our Saviour saith Luk. 10.42. that it should never be taken away from her. And indeed how is it possible we should be spoiled of it? Who should take this robe from us, or spoile us of it? Who shall separate us (saith the Apostle, Rom. 8.35.) from the love of Christ? And he concludeth verse 39. I am perswaded that neither height nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 1. Not all the policies of the world how strong soever they be. It is not possible (saith our Saviour, Mat. 24.24.) that false Christs and false Prophets with all their great signes and wonders should be able to deceive the elect of God. 2. Not Satan with all his strength and subtilty; he that is built upon this rocke (saith our Saviour, Matth. 16.18. he that hath gotten Christ and his righteousnesse) the gates of hell shall not prevaile against him. 3. Lastly, Not the corruption of our owne heart. He that is borne of God (saith the Apostle, 1 Iohn 3.9.) cannot sinne, he meaneth the sinne unto death. It is not possible for an elect child of God so to sinne, as that he should utterly lose Christ, and this robe of righteousnesse which he hath received from him.
Secondly, the righteousnesse that Adam had, was in his owne keeping, the spring and root of it was founded in himselfe, and that was the cause why he lost it so soone. He (like the Prodigall Luke 15.12, 13.) had all his portion, his blessednesse and righteousnesse in his owne hands, and so made it quickely all away, as he did. But the righteousnesse we have by Christ is in our Fathers keeping. Our life is hid with Christ in God, saith the Apostle Colos. 3.3. The cause why it is not possible for any of our ghostly enemies to spoile us of it, is not any inherent strength that is in us, to keepe and hold it fast, but the faithfulnesse and power of God whereby he watcheth over us and keepeth us from sinning that sinne which is unto death, whereby we should lose Christ. The Lord is thy keeper saith David to his own soule, Psal. 121.5. We are kept by the power of God unto salvation, saith the Apostle, 1 Pet. 1.5. My sheepe shall never perish (saith our Saviour, Ioh. 10.28, 29.) neither shall any pluck them out of my hand; my father that gave them me is greater than all, and none is able to plucke them out of my fathers hand.
Thirdly and lastly, Admit the righteousnesse that Adam had in his creation had beene unchangeable, and that he could never have lost it, yet had it been but the righteousnesse of a man. But the righteousnesse that we have by Christ is the righteousnesse of such a person as was God aswell as man. And therefore as the second Adam was a farre more excellent person than the first Adam was, The first was of the earth earthy, (as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Corinth. 15.47.) The second was the Lord from heaven; So his righteousnesse also must needs bee farre more absolute and sufficient to satisfie the infinite justice of God, and the exact perfection of his holy law than Adams righteousnesse could possibly have done. That righteousnesse that we have by faith in Christ, is the righteousnesse of God, saith the Apostle, Roman. 3.22. He made him to be sinne for us, (saith he, 2 Corinth. 5.21.) who knew no sinne, that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God in him.
Applic.Now to make some application of all this that you have heard. You see how just and sound a ground of true comfort this Doctrine is unto all true believers. Let us then stirre up and provoke our selves to take comfort in it, to rejoyce in Christ, as we have just cause to doe. Are the consolations of God small with thee? saith Eliphaz to Iob 15.11. and so should every one of us say to our soules. We should checke and chide our selves for this, as David oft doth even thrice in two short Psalmes, Psalme 43.5, 11. and 43.5. Why art thou cast downe O my soule, and why art thou disquieted within me? Why takest thou no more comfort in Christ, why dost thou not rejoyce in him? As every breach of Gods commandement is a sinne, so it is certainly a sinne and a just cause of humbling to every true believer, that he doth not rejoyce in Christ. For this is also a breach of Gods expresse commandement. Rejoyce in the Lord (that is, rejoyce in Christ) alway (saith the Apostle Phil. 4.4.) and againe I say rejoyce. Nay in some respect it is a greater sinne than the breach of any of the commandements of the morall law, for it is a breach of the commandement of the gospell, which is greater than the law, as is plaine by that comparison the Apostle maketh betweene them, Hebr. 2.2, 3. 8.6.10.28, 29. It is a sinne that carryeth in it a contempt and light esteeme of Christ thy Saviour, and wherein canst thou sinne more hainously than in this? Charge therefore this sinne upon thine owne heart, be humbled for it, and strive against it. Labour to find out in thy selfe the cause of it, and purge thy heart of it, strengthen thy selfe against it. For certainly it is some dangerous humour and corruption or other that distempereth thy soule, so as thou canst relish no more sweetnesse in Christ than thou dost.
Three things there are principally that Gods poore servants that Christ hath done all this for, object and alledge for themselves, why they cannot rejoyce nor take that comfort in him, that they ought to do; which I will endeavour to strengthen you against.
Object. 1Alas (saith one) how can I be joyfull or comfortable in Christ, that have the hand of God so heavy upon me many wayes as I have, both in outward and inward afflictions, and which (though I have oft and long sought to the Lord to be eased and delivered from them) yet I cannot prevaile?
Answ.To this I answer: Remember what thou hast heard in the Doctrine▪ 1. Thou maist be as deare to God as any is upon earth, though thou be thus afflicted. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth (saith the Apostle Heb. 12.6.) and scourgeth every sonne whom hee receiveth. 2. Thou canst not justly say that those afflictions that thou complainest so much of, are certaine arguments that God is angry with thee for some sinne that thou art guilty of; For it may be he hath no respect at all in them to thy sinnes, but either to keepe thee from some sin that he seeth thou art in danger to fall into, if thou shouldst not bee thus kept under, as it was in Pauls case, 2 Cor. 12▪7. or to try thy faith and patience, and make thee an example of faith and patience unto others, as it was in Iobs case. 3. Admit God hath respect to thy sinne in keeping thee thus under the rod so long; yet are not thy afflictions punishments whereby God taketh vengeance on thee for thy sinnes, but fatherly chastisements onelyonly whereby he intendeth to doe thee good. Christ thy Saviour hath borne the whole punishment due to thy sins. The Lord hath laid upon him (saith the Prophet, Esa. 53.6.) the iniquity of us all. And thou maist be sure, that God hath pardoned and will never lay to thy charge that sinne, that he thus correcteth in thee, because thou dost what thou canst to find out thy sinnes, and the sins thou hast found out, thou art unfeignedly humbled for and resolvest to forsake. For repentance and remission of sins are never separated, as is plaine by that speech of Christ, Luke 24.47. 4. Lastly, So long as thy sinnes are pardoned thou maist bee and hast just cause to bee comfortable, what ever thine afflictions be. Sonne be of good cheere (saith our Saviour, Matth. 9.2. to the man that had as uncomfortable a disease upon him, as a man can lightly have) thy sinnes are forgiven thee. As if hee had said, This is a sufficient cause of comfort unto thee what ever thy distresses and afflictions be.
How can I take comfort in Christ (saith another) that am privy to my selfe of such odious and enormious sins as I have beene guilty of in times past,Object. 2. yea as I find in my selfe continually, such cursed and blasphemous thoughts, as never child of God was troubled with?
To this I answer,Answ. 1. First, Christ hath satisfied the justice of God not for small and ordinary and common sinnes of his people onelyonly, but for all their sinnes how great, and heinous soever they have beene. The bloud of Iesus Christ his Sonne cleanseth us from all sinne, saith the Apostle, 1 Iohn 1.7. As all bodily diseases were alike to him. He healed every disease (saith the Evangelist, Mat 9.35.) and every sicknesse among the people; so all sinnes (which are the diseases of our soules) are alike to him. Blesse the Lord ô my soule (saith David, Psal. 103.2, 3.) who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases. Let Israel hope in the Lord (saith David, Psalme 130.7.) for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him there is plenteous redemption, As if he had said, The redemption that Christ made, the ransome that hee paid was not scant but plenteous, enough and enough againe for all the sinnes of his people how many or how heinous soever they were. Where sinne abounded (saith the Apostle, Romanes 5.20.) grace did much more abound. As if hee should say, No sinne of any of Gods elect can be so great, but the merit of Christ and Gods mercy in him is farre greater.
Secondly,2. The benefit of this ransome that Christ hath paid doth certainely belong to thee, because those heinous sins that thou complainest of are a burden to thy conscience, thou yeeldest not to them, but labourest and strivest against them. For our Saviour expressely saith, that such shall find rest and comfort by him, Come unto me (saith he, Mat. 11.28.) all ye that labour, and are heavie laden and I will give you rest.
Thirdly and lastly,3. The consideration of the heinousnesse of thy sins which thou art thus troubled with and consequently which Christ hath purchased thy pardon for should be so farre from making thee unable to rejoyce in Christ, as none under heaven hath so much cause to rejoyce and take comfort in him as thou hast. They to whom many and foule sins (such as that poore womans were of whom Christ speaketh, Luk. 7.47) are forgiven, will love (Christ and consequently rejoyce in him) much, but to whom little is forgiven, the same will love but litle. Paul that counted himselfe chiefe of all sinners as he saith, 1 Tim. 1.15. found more joy and comfort in Christ, then we shall read of any other to have done: this he often maketh profession of, 1 Cor. 15.31. Gal. 6.14. Phil. 3.3. and sundry other places. Nay in that very place where he calleth to remembrance how horrible a sinner he had beene and what mercy hee had found with God through Christ, he bursteth forth into this doxology, 1 Tim. 1.17. Now unto the King eternall, immortall, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever, Amen.
Object. 3.There is yet a third objection, A third reason that many a poore soule alledgeth why he cannot rejoyce in Christ, nor take comfort in him He that truly beleeveth in Christ hath just cause indeed to rejoyce in him (saith he) As Elizabeth said of Mary, Luk. 1.45. Blessed is she that beleeveth; so saith he, ô they are happy that can truly beleeve in Christ. But (alas) I cannot beleeve.
Answ.Now unto this poore soule I have these two things to say.
First, Yeeld not to this infidelity of thy heart, but strive against it, stir up thy selfe to take hold of Christ, to beleeve in him; and consider what encouragements God hath given thee in his Word to do so. 1. God hath commanded that Christ, and the pardon that he hath purchased, should in the ministery of the Gospell be offered in most generall termes to thee as well as to any other, thou art not excepted out of this pardon. Goe and preach the Gospell (saith Christ, Mat. 16.15. that is, offer this pardon) to every creature. 2. Christ hath in his Word made offer of himselfe and all his merits to such as thou art more then to any other. 1. Thou knowest and feelest the burden of thy sins. And such he inviteth above all others to come to him, Matth. 11.28. and assureth them they shall receive benefit by him. 2. Thou thirstest after nothing so much as after Gods favour in him; and such he inviteth above all others to come to him and to partake of all his merits. In the great day of the feast (saith the Evangelist, Iohn 7.37.) Iesus stood and cryed saying, that all might heare him, If any man thirst let him come unto me and drinke. In which respect I may say to thee as they said to the blind man, Mar. 10 49. Be of good comfort he calleth thee. 3. If thou being thus invited to come, go to Christ and lay hold on him, certainely he will not reject thee, he doth not make shew of more mercy to thee then he intendeth, he meaneth as he saith. Him that commeth to me (saith he, Ioh. 6.37,) I will in no wise cast out. I said not in vaine (saith the Lord, Esa. 45, 19) seeke ye me, I the Lord speake righteousnesse. 4. The Lord hath expressely commanded thee to beleeve in Christ, that he died for thee. And counteth it the greatest sin thou canst commit if thou wilt not beleeve it. This is his commandement (saith the Apostle, 1 Iob 3.23.) that wee should beleeve on the name of his son Iesus Christ. And our Saviour saith, Ioh. 16.9. that this is the chiefe sin the Holy Ghost should convince the world of, Because they beleeve not on me, saith he.
The second thing I have to say for the comfort of this poore soule is this, Certainly thou hast true faith in thee though it be weak and though thou perceive it not; Els 1▪ Thou couldst not feele and bewaile the want of it as thou dost. For our Saviour saith, Mat. 5.3, 4. they are blessed that are poore in spirit, and doe mourne for it; which they could not be unlesse they had true faith. 2 Els thou couldst not so unfeignedly and earnestly desire to beleeve and to be partaker of Christ as thou dost. For he saith likewise, Mat. 5.6. that he that hungreth and thirsteth after righteousnesse is a blessed man, which he could never be unlesse he had true faith.