Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 8 · Lecture 150
Lecture CL. On Psalme 51.7. Novemb. 15. 1631.
IT followeth now that wee proceed to the third principall effect, and fruit, whereby a man may know that he hath the spirit of Christ. The point then that we have now to handle is this.Doct. Hee that hath indeed the spirit of Christ in him, and is in the state of grace will take to heart the cause of God, and of his holy religion, nay he cannot choose but doe so. I will give you both the explication, and the proofe of the point together, that is, I will both shew you what it is to take to heart the cause of God, and religion, and also prove that he that hath the spirit of Christ in him, cannot choose but doe it. And this I will doe first generally, and then more particularly. And my generall proofes shall be an introduction unto the particulars. In my generall proofes I will observe three degrees.
First then he that hath the spirit of Christ in him cannot choose but love the Lord unfeignedly, yea love him above all other things, even better then his owne selfe. This is made the summe of the first Table of all the duty and worship we owe unto God, Mar. 12.30. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, &c. If any man come to me (saith our Saviour, Luk. 14.26.) and …ate not (that is love not lesse then me as it is to be interpreted out of Mat. 10.37.) his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his owne life also hee cannot be my Disciple. He cannot be in the state of grace, he cannot have the spirit of Christ, that doth not thus love the Lord. And on the other side he that can find in himselfe that he doth thus love the Lord (though he have otherwise many defects in himselfe) may be assured that he is in the state of grace, that he hath the spirit of Christ in him, If any man love God (1 Cor. 8.3.) the same is knowne of him, hee is approved, and beloved of God. Therefore when Christ would comfort Peter after his grievous fall, he examineth him thrice (and by his examining of him so, provokes him to examine himselfe about this, Ioh. 21.15.) Simon sonne of Ionas lovest thou me? As if he had said then all is well, be of good comfort, thou art in a happy state.
Secondly, No man can thus love God, but he must needs have the zeale of God in him, he cannot but be zealous for God, grieved, and troubled in himselfe to see God dishonoured. When David had said, Psal. 119.158. I beheld the transgressours, and was grieved because they kept not thy word. He gives in the next words the reason of it, verse 159. Consider how I love thy precepts. Because he loved God, and his Word, he could not but grieve to see him dishonoured. See an example of this in Eliah, I have beene very zealous for the Lord of hoasts (saith he, 1 King. 19.10.) He was so troubled for the dishonour he saw done to God, under the governement of Ahab and Iezabel, that it made him weary of his life as you may see, verse 4. See it also in David, Psal. 69.9. His zeale had even eaten him up he saith, and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me, as an intollerable burden that I cannot beare. See lastly an example of this in Hezekiah and his Nobles, 2 King. 19.1—4. We read that Hezekiah rent his cloathes, and clad himselfe in sackcloth, and so did his Princes too, they were in great griefe, and trouble of mind And what was the cause of it? Not the extreame danger they were in, of the sword of Sennacherib who had proclaimed warre against them, and had already taken all the defensed cities of Iuda, Chap. 18.13. and was so potent an enemy, that he was able to besiege Ierusalem with an army of above an hundred, fourescore, and five thousand, Chap. 19.35. No no, the blasphemy that Rabshakeh had belched out against God, and the reproach, and dishonour he had cast upon him, troubled them more then all the danger they were in. In craving the Prophets prayer he mentioneth this more then the other. This is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy saith he, ver. 3. and ver. 4. It may be the Lord thy God will heare all the words of Rabshakeh whom his master hath sent to reproach the living God. And in his prayer unto God, verse 16. he complaines most of this, Heare the words of Sennacherib, who hath sent him to reproach the living God.
Thirdly, and lastly, He that hath any true zeale of God in him, will shew and expresse it towards his house, and worship especially. Thus did David shew his zeale for God, The zeale of thy house (saith hee, Psalme 69.9.) hath eaten mee up. And so did Iehojada, 2 Chron. 24.16. the cause of that great honour that was done him after his death is said to be this, Because hee had done good in Israel towards God, and towards his house; hee had restored and established the pure worship of God in Iudah. And so did Nehemiah expresse his zeale for God, and tooke great comfort in expectation of reward from God for it, Remember me (saith he, Neh. 13.14.) ô my God concerning this thing, and wipe not out my good deeds, that I have done, for the house of my God, and …or the offices thereof. And indeed there is no way whereby we can expresse our love to God so well as by loving, and delighting in, and taking care for the house, and pure worship of God. Therefore in the reason of the second commandement (as I told you the last day) they that make conscience of that commandement (that use, and love that worship onelyonly that he hath in his Word appointed) are called such as love God, Exodus 20.6. and they that are addicted to will-worship, and care not for the true worship of God are called, ver. 5. haters of God. Thus did David expresse his love to God, Psal. 26.8. Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. He that careth not for the house, and worship of God, whether it be maintained in purity or be corrupted, whether it prosper or no, certainely hath no love of God, no zeale of Gods glory in his heart. And this shall serve, for my first sort of proofes which I told you should be more generall.
Now you shall see the point opened, and confirmed unto you in foure particulars.
First, He that hath the spirit of Christ, will rejoyce to see religion prosper, to see the purity, and sincerity of Gods worship restored, and set up. See what Ioy there was in Ierusalem in the daies of David, when the Arke of God was brought to Ierusalem, 1 Chron. 15.28. And in the daies of Hezekiah when the Sacrament had beene celebrated according to the first institution of it which it had not beene of a long time before in such sort as it was written, (saith the Text, 2 Chron. 30.5. and verse 26. from Salomons raigne to that time there had not beene such a Passeover kept) it is said, ver. 25, 26. All Gods people did marvellously rejoyce in it. So when Nehemiah had reformed, and purged the house, and worship of God from sundry corruptions, and restored it to the primitive purity, and sincerity thereof. It is said, Neh 12.43. That Gods people did rejoyce, for God had made them to rejoyce with great joy; their wives also and their children rejoyced, so that the joy of Ierusalem, was heard even a farre off. Nay he that hath the spirit of God in him, will rejoyce to see any beginnings of reformation in places that were rude before, to see religion get any entrance or footing, any beginnings of a Church in such places. It is said, Ezra 3.11. that all Gods people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. On the other side he that hath the spirit of God in him cannot chuse but grieve, to see or heare that the true religion, and worship of God, is banished from any place, and that Idolatry and a false worship is set up in it. Old Ely is noted by the Holy Ghost, 1 Sam. 4.17, 18. to have grieved much more deepely, for the taking away of the Arke of God, then either for Israels flying from before the Philistines, or for the great slaughter that had beene made of Gods people, or for the death of his two sonnes, Hoph…i and Phineas? It came to passe (saith the Text) that when the messenger made mention of the Arke of God, hee fell from of his seate backward, and his necke brake, and hee died. And this is also noted to have beene the chiefe griefe of his daughter in law, and maine cause of her death too, verse 22. this would never out of her mouth in all the extreamity of her paine, and anguish, while breath was in her body, the glory is departed from Israel, for the Arke of God is taken away And this was that that troubled that zealous man of God Eliah and made him even weary of his life through griefe, and discontentment, 1 King. 19.10. The children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant (saith he, they are fallen from thy holy religion) they have throwne downe thine altars; that is, they have abolished, and shewed contempt and hatred to thy true worship; and why should I desire to live any longer in such a time? Hee that hath any love or zeale of God in him, cannot but grieve to see or heare that idolatry is set up in any place, that it groweth, and increaseth any where specially in any place where God was truly worshipped before. We read of blessed Paul, Acts 17.16. that when hee saw even the city of Athens (where God had never beene truly worshipped) wholly given unto idolatry, his spirit was stirred in him, he was incensed with zealous griefe, and indignation to see it. O how would it have troubled the good man, to have seene or heard of such a thing in Corinth or Galatia or Ephesus that were true Churches of Christ where the Gospell had beene, and still was faithfully, and plentifully preached? Nay hee that hath any true love or zeale of God in him, cannot but grieve at the least Eclipse that religion suffers in any place; though the substance of it doth still remaine, yet if it have lost any thing of that luster, of that purity, sincerity, and power that once it had, even that is sufficient cause of griefe to every good man. Wee read that when in the dayes of Zerubbabel the foundation of the second Temple was laid, and Gods people that had seene no better did greatly rejoyce in it, Ezra 3.12. Many of the Priests, and Levites, and chiefe of the fathers who were ancient men that had seene the first house, wept with a loud voice, even when the rest shouted for joy, and the noise of their weeping, was as great every whit as the noise of the others rejoycing? And why did they so. Surely it grieved their hearts to see how farre the house that God was now to have in Ierusalem, was short in beauty, and glory, of that that God had, had before in that place.
Secondly, He that hath the spirit of Christ in him will joy in the frequency, and fullnesse of the Church-assemblies. When David to aggravate the misery of his present estate, Ps. 42.4. speakes of the joy, and comfort that he had formerly taken in going to the house of God, he names this twice in that verse as a maine cause of that great joy he tooke in going to the house of God, that there went such a multitude with him. And this is noted for one cause of that great joy the people of God expressed at the celebration of that Passeover in Hezekiahs time, 2 Chron. 30.26. that the number of the communicants was so great, as it is said, verse 13. There assembled to Ierusalem much people to keepe the Passeover, a very great Congregation. On the other side even this hath grieved Gods people to see the Church-assemblies neglected, and unfrequented to see the Congregations much thinner then they had wont to be. I wil gather them (saith the Lord, Zeph. 3.18.) that are sorrowfull for the solemne assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Observe in the Lords speech five things. 1. This was one of the greatest sorrowes of Gods people, in their captivity, that they wanted then their solemne assemblies. Though they might have some religious meetings, for Gods morall worship (yea they had publique fasts then, foure times a yeare as appeares, Zach. 8.19.) yet their assemblies were nothing so solemne, so populous as they were wont to be at Ierusalem. 2. The Caldeans their enemy were wont to reproach them for this, and to say to them to this effect where are your solemne assemblies now as it is said, Lam. 1.7. they did mocke at their Sabbaths, they joyed to see they could have no such solemne assemblies as they were wont to have, as indeed the solemnity, and greatnesse of the Church-assemblies, hath ever beene a great eye-sore to wicked men. 3. It was a burden to Gods people to have this reproach cast upon them, they could have twitted them with nothing, that would have grieved them more. 4. That the Lord saith to his Church, of these that were so sorrowfull for the solemne assembly these are of thee, these are indeed naturall, and kindly children, and members of the true Church that do stand thus affected. 5. And lastly, The promise that the Lord makes to such. I will gather them, saith the Lord. I will have a speciall respect unto them, and though they be thus scattered, and dispersed, not one of them shall be lost, but I will bring them back againe to their own land.
Thirdly, He that hath the spirit of Christ, any true love or zeale of God in his heart, will joy in the plentifull, and free preaching of the Word, which is a chiefe part of Gods worship, a principall occasion of our most solemne assemblies. All that have true hearts to God doe, and ought to desire heartily, and to pray to God for this. When our Saviour had complained Matth. 9.37. that there were so few labourers about Gods harvest, he commands his Disciples Verse 38. To pray unto the Lord of the harvest foreign that he would cast forth (speedily, and without delay send forth or by a strong hand (as in a case of present necessity) thrust forth labourers (many labourers, labourers indeed he would have them to be, not loiterers or such as should doe the worke of the Lord negligently) into his harvest. Brethren (saith the Apostle 2 Thes. 3.1.) pray that the word of the Lord may have a free course foreign that it may run freely, that preaching of it may not be hindred, or interrupted by any meanes. And Col. 4.3. Pray for us (saith he) that God would open to us a doore of utterance, that we may have free liberty to preach the Gospell. And as all men you see, are bound to pray to God for the increase, and liberty of faithfull preachers; so will every one that truly loves God, and hath any zeale for his glory, rejoyce greatly in the liberty of the Gospell, and when the truth is plentifully preached. Wee reade in the reformation that Nehemiah wrought Neh. 12.44. That Iudah rejoyced for the priests, and for the Levites that waited, that stood saith the originall. They joyed in this (as in the chiefe part of the reformation of Religion) that they had store of faithfull, and able Priests, and Levites; and that they also stood, and were setled, and established in their places with liberty, and maintenance, and all good encouragements. And the Apostle Paul was so z…alous for much preaching, and rejoyced so much in the glory he knew redounded to God by it, that speaking of some in Rome, that preached the truth, and sound Doctrine, without all truth and soundnesse of heart, he saith Phil. 1.18. Nothwithstanding every way whether in pretence or in truth Christ is preached, and I therein doe rejoyce, and I will rejoyce, saith he. Surely they were very bad men of whom he saith Verse 15.16. that they preached Christ even of envy, and strife even to adde affliction to his bonds to increase his griefe, and trouble, who was then in bonds, and prison for the Gospell. How could Paul rejoyce in such mens preaching will you say? Certainely he knew that (though they were so bad in themselves yet) their Doctrine which was both for matter and manner sound, might through Gods blessing upon his owne ordinance) become effectuall to the conversion, and comfort of Gods elect. For be you s…re of this, that if Paul had beene of that minde, that he that is a wicked man himselfe, cannot by his Ministery be the instrument of the conversion of another, he would never have said of such men as these I doe rejoyce that Christ is preached by them yea, and I will rejoyce in it. On the otherside he that hath any true love or zeale of God in his heart cannot but grieve for the want of preaching, that preaching should be hindred, that good Preachers and such as God hath made able, and willing to doe him, and his Church service should have cause to complaine as Paul doth 1 Thes. 2.18. that Satan hinders them. No good man will rejoyce in this, but grieve, and mourne for it. It is said of out blessed Saviour Mat. 9.36. that when he saw the multitude to be like sheep without Shepheards, that the harvest was great, and the labourers so few, that there was such want of preachers foreign saith the Holy Ghost, his bowels eraned in him with inward griefe, and compassion of their misery. And which of us should not desire to be affected as our blessed Saviour was? When Eliah would give unto the Lord himselfe, a reason of that griefe, and passion he was in, which made him weary of his life, he alleadgeth this for one chiefe cause of it, and healledgeth it twice in that one Chapter 1 King. 19.10.14. They have slaine thy prophets with the sword, and it was a death to the good man to thinke of that.
Fourthly, and lastly. He that hath the spirit of Christ in him will rejoyce to see the Ministery of the word fruitfull in them that doe enjoy it, and powerfull to bring them to the obedience of it; when it goeth forth conquering men, and to conquer more as it was Revel 6.2. said to doe in the primitive Church, in those Apostolicall times. This made Paul to rejoyce, and praise God for the Thessalonians 1 Thes. 1.5, 6. For our Gospell came not to you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and yee became followers of us and of the Lord. This is that that every good heart ought to desire, and begge of God not only that the word of the Lord may have a free course, but also that it may be glorified as the Apostle speaketh 2 Thes. 3.1. that it may have good successe, and prosper in that that God sent it for, that is to reforme the hearts, and lives of men. He that hath any true love or zeale of God in him, will rejoyce to see this. When the faithfull Iewes that had beene before much offended with Peter, for going unto Cornelius, heard of the fruit, and successe of his Ministery there, it is said Acts 11.18. That they h…ld their peace, and glorified God saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Though we know that the Iewes naturally fretted at nothing so much as this, to heare that the Gentiles should become Gods people (as every naturall man doth to see others more Religious then him selfe) yet the Iewes that were converted joyed greatly in this. When Paul and, Barnabas Acts 15.3. declared to them the conversion of the Gentiles, they caused great joy unto all the brethren. He that hath any grace in his owne heart, will joy in the conversion of others. And on the other side, he that hath the spirit of Christ in him, cannot choose but grieve to see how unfruitful the Gospel is in most places, how little power it hath in the hearts of men. This the Prophet foretold Esa. 53.1. should be the complaint, and lamentation of the Ministers of the Gospell (and daily experience proves it to be so) Who hath beleeved our report; and to whom is the arme of the Lord revealed? And of our blessed Saviour it is said Mar. 8.12. that when he saw the infidelity, and hardnesse of heart, that was in the Pharisees, and Iewes, who (though they had seene so many miracles of his, and heard so many of his gracious, and powerfull Sermons) could not beleeve but asked still for a signe from heaven that he sighed deepely in his spirit to see, and thinke of this. And so will every one in some measure doe that hath the spirit of Christ in him, when hee seeth the marvellous senselessenesse of most men under the powerfull, and excellent meanes of grace that they doe enjoy. The reasons of this point, and the application of it I must deferre till the next day.