Life Eternal, Sermon 14
THE FOVRTEENTH SERMON.
EXOD. 3.13, 14.
And Moses said unto God, Behold when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, the God of your fathers hath sent mee unto you, and they shall say unto me, what is his name; what shall I say unto them?
And God said unto Moses, I AM, THAT I AM, &c.
Object. WHEN men heare that GOD is thus unchangeable, that when he hath rejected any, he never retracts his decree; this objectiō may be made. For what end is it then to pray, to endeavour a change of life, or to repent, for if there be such an unresistable decree past against mee, what hope is there?
Before I come to a particular answere to this, I will premise these two things in generall.
First, you know, that in other things there is an unchangeable Decree,That the unchangeablenes of Gods Decrees takes not away endeavours. as there is an unalterable Decree concerning the time of mens death, and yet no man for this doth cease to eate, or to take Physicke: so there is an unchangeable Decree concerning the successe of every businesse under the Sunne, yet wee doe not forbeare to take counsell, and to use the best meanes to bring our enterprises to passe: And so there is an unchangeable Decree concerning the salvation of men, concerning giving grace, or denying grace to them; and you can no more take an argument from hence, to give over endeavours, than you can in the former.
2. Though there be an unchangeable Decree past upon men, when GOD hath rejected them, and GOD will not alter it; yet this Decree is kept secret, and no man knowes it: therefore there is a dore of hope opened, to stirre up men to endeavour. Indeed if the Decree were made knowne, and revealed to us, then it were in vaine, then there were no place for endeavours: but seeing it is not so, therefore there is place for hope, and for endeavours which arise from hope.
These things being premised, we will now come to a particular answer of this objection.
First, that if thou doest pray, thou shalt change GOD and his carriage toward thee, though hee be unchangeable. For if a man be rejected as Saul was, and as the Iewes were, and as those in Rom. 1. who were given up to a reprobate minde; if he be so rejected, he is not able to pray, or repent, or to seeke to GOD or to desire to go about in good earnest to seeke any change of life: for if he were able to doe it, he was sure to speed. Therefore if thou doest pray in truth, thou shalt prevaile, thou art sure to have mercy at his hand; for it is a great signe that he hath not giuen thee over, that no such unchangeable decree is past against thee: therefore it is no doctrine of discouragement. Indeed it is a doctrine of great terrour to those, whose hearts doe not tremble at it, that let such a doctrine slide a way as water doth off a stone, and not sinke into threir hearts at all: but to a man that saith, I would repent, and pray, and change the course of my life, if there were any hope; I can say this to thee, that if thou doest pray thou shalt be accepted; for GOD hath stiled himselfe, that he is a GOD hearing praiers; and except he were changeable, he must needs be ready to heare thee, if thou seekest to him: For the Lord is unchangeable in his promises, & thou shalt finde him unchangeable towards thee: but to a man that will not pray, that is set upon evill, and will not be wrought upon, to such a man this is a fearefull and a terrible doctrine.
Secondly, though GODS decree be unchangable, yet if thou canst find a change in thy selfe, it shall go well with thee: as if a father should take up an unchangeable resolution to disinherit a stubborne and ungracious child, because he is so; if the child should change now and alter his courses, and grow sober, the father may now receiue him to mercy, and yet no change in his resolution, but the change is in the sonne. Or, if a Prince should set downe in a law, (as a law of the Medes and Persians, that alters not) saying, I will not receive to favour such a rebellious subject, because he is so: yet if his subject be changed, he may receive him, and yet his Decree may be unchangeable, because the change was in the subject, and the decree was grounded upon this, if hee did remaine so rebellious and stubborne: So I say to thee, if GOD hath therefore threatned to reject thee, because thou art a stubborne and rebellious wretch, if now thou shalt finde a change in thy selfe, that thy stubborne heart is broken, standing in awe of him, fearing to offend him, or to commit any sinne that thou knowest to be a sinne, I say, notwithstanding that unchangeablenesse of his, he cannot but receive thee to mercy. As if a Physitian should take up an unchangeable resolution, not to give his patient such restorative physicke, because his stomacke is foule, so that it will not worke, and because he will not receive such purgations whereby he should be prepared for it: But if there be a change in him, if his stomacke be cleane & fit for it, so that it will work, and he become willing to receive it, if hee give it him, the change is not in the Physitian, but in the patient. Therefore when you heare this, sit not downe discouraged, but rather goe and sit alone, and consider of thy sinnes, and give not over till thy heart be broken for them: and when this is done, be sure that he will receive thee to mercy, for he may be unchangeable in his decree, if the change be in thee. And therefore this Doctrine doth not discourage, but rather stirre up, and incite men to change their courses, yea it is the very scope of it.
Againe, I adde this further; he that saith, to what purpose is it to endeavour, whosoever it is that sayes so, I would aske that man this question; Didst thou ever goe about any holy duties, and yet didst finde this stoppe in it, that though thou wouldest doe them, thou couldest not be accepted? hadst thou ever a serious resolution to forsake such and such a sinne, and the occasions of it, and yet thou didst finde such a barre as this, that thou couldest not alter GODS decree thereby, and for that onelyonly reason hast gone on in it? Did ever any man upon his death-bed say so? No man will say so: but it is because he would not. Therefore complaine not of the unchangeable decree of GOD, but of the stubbornesse of thy heart, that thou wilt not buckle, and come in unto him.
The best way in this Doctrine of the unchangeablenesse of Gods decree of election, is this: It is good to consider in what manner it is delivered in the Scripture, and to what purpose, and to make that use of it, and then thou shalt be sure not to abuse it. As for example; to what end, and for what occasion is this Doctrine of election delivered? You shall finde that it is on this occasion. Rom. 9.18, 19. When many of the Iewes did not come in, to whom did belong the covenant, and the lawes, and the testimonies, this was an objection that was made against the Doctrine of the Gospell; what was the reason that the Iewes did not come in, and that his owne people were not wrought upon? To answere this objection, the Apostle tells them, that it was not against Gods good will, hee was able to doe it, if it was his pleasure, but, saith he, some hath hee chosen, and some not; some hee loves, and some hee hates; some hee hath mercy upon, and some he hardens. So that the scope of the Doctrine is, that God might be magnified, that no objection might be made against the almighty power of GOD, that hee was not able to bring them in, that men might not say that they have resisted his will: and the Apostle reveales it for that purpose, that men might be answered. So that such Doctrines as this, you must consider for what end they are revealed. As for this Doctrine of Gods unchangeablenesse, what is the end, why it is revealed? You shall see in Numb. 23.19. He is not as man that he should repent: Therefore I have blessed Israel, and he shall be blessed. The end is, to shew that his favour is an unchangeable favour: So he hath cursed Saul, and he shall be cursed, 1 Sam. 15.29. his decrees are unalterable. As it is Iam. 1.17. GOD is good, and cannot be otherwise, therefore he can tempt no man. Out of all these places it is apparant, that the use of this Doctrine is, that we might tremble at his judgements, and that we might rejoyce in his favour with joy unspeakable and glorious: In a word, that men might know the excellency of the Almighty, and might know and magnifie GOD, because constancy and unchangeablenesse is a property of wisedome. This being the end why it is revealed, it ought to be applied onelyonly to this use: as to come to particulars, which before we did not mention. When we heare that GOD rejected Saul, and will not repent of it, and the Iewes, &c. the use that we should make of it is this; If GOD should passe such a decree of rejection upon me, it cannot be changed; therefore I would feare before him, and take heede of that stubbornesse and course of disobedience, that may bring that curse upon me, and such a stroke upon my soule; and for this purpose is this doctrine revealed to us. And this use the Apostle makes of it, Heb. 3. when he had delivered Gods unchangeable decree, declared by his swearing in his wrath, that they should never enter into his rest: therefore deferre not, saith he, while it is called to day, lest that you continuing in a course of rebellion, the doore of mercy be shut upon you, and GOD doe sweare in his wrath, as he did to them, that you shall never enter into his rest. Beloved, there is a double time: a time of the comming forth of this decree, and a time of preparing and trying, while the doore stands open. Therefore take heede that that acceptable time doe not passe away, lest thou be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne.
Vse 3 If GOD be unchangeable, then looke whatsoever hee hath done in former times,We shall finde God the same in dispensing iudgements & mercies in these times to us that he hath beene in former times to them. what judgements hee hath inflicted, and for what, what mercies hee hath shewen, and upon what ground; and thou maist expect the same, because there is no change in him: therefore goe over all the Scripture, and beholde what hee hath done there, looke through all thine owne experience, & see what he hath done to thee, & to others, & know that he will doe the same to thee, for he is unchangable. As for example, look what he did to Ioab, Shimei, and the house of Saul. You know the sinnes that they committed; Ioab had committed murther, and Shimei reviled David, and Saul slew the Gibeonites against his oath: though they went on a long time in peace and prosperity, yet because their pardon was not sued out, therefore after many yeares God called them to an account. As Ioab went not to the grave in peace, and Shimei deserved death, and therefore it was brought upon him; and Saul was punished in the blood of his sonnes, and hee was slaine himselfe, as hee had slaine others in battell. So be thou assured, if there be any sinne which thou hast formerly committed, unrepented of, though it be long since, GOD will waken it in due time. So, looke what he did to David; hee had committed a sinne in secret, but the Lord saith, that hee will make his punishment to be open, he will doe it before the Sunne: So if thou hast committed a sinne in secret, take heede lest hee bring it to light, he will doe to thee, as he did to David; and I say unto thee, that though thou be regenerate, and art one of his elect, yet if thy case be the same with Davids, hee will doe so to thee, for hee is unchangeable. There be two cases wherein the Lord will not spare, but bring judgement upon his owne children.Two cases wherein God will punish his owne.
First, in the case of scandall, as Davids was: for though his first sinne was secret, yet his second was publicke, and made the first so too. Therfore though his sin was forgiven him, God tells him that his punishment should be open, and that the sword should not depart from his house.
Secondly, if their sinne be not scandalous, yet if it be unrepented of, GOD will even punish his owne children. And as GOD deales with secret sinnes to bring them to light: so he will doe with secret innocency, on the other side also. As Ioseph, whose uprightnesse was in secret, for none did see it but himselfe; as for his Mistresse, she accused him, and was believed: yet the Lord brought it to light in due season. So he will doe thine. Let men keepe their credit with GOD, and he will keepe their credit with men, let them raise slanders, or what they will: looke how he did with Ioseph, so he will deale with thee, for he changeth not.
So looke how the Lord hath dealt with wicked men; looke how the Lord did deale with them that did meddle with holy things, as Nadab, and Abihu, and Vzzah, and the Bethshemites; you know that he destroyed them all, and that with a present destruction: so if thou wilt abuse his name, abuse his holy things, and come unto the Sacraments with an uncircumcised heart, he is the same God still, hee is as much offended now, and hee is as ready to execute his wrath upon thee, as he was then.
So looke how hee dealt with Saul, with the Iewes that came out of Egypt, hee swore in his wrath, that they should not enter his rest: if thou wilt doe the same that they did, rebell against him as they did, he will sweare in his wrath, that thou shalt never enter into his rest. As hee passed his sentence upon Saul, and as hee passeth his sentence upon any: so he will bring it to passe, if thy case be the same, for he is unchangeable.
So looke how hee did deale in Iohn Baptists time, and as it was with them, Now the axe is laid to the roote of the tree, when the Gospell, and the meanes of grace, and the spring-time of the word began; because they did not regard it thē, they were cast off: the time of their ignorance God regards not so much; but then hee called upon every one to repent, and because they did not come in then, hee deferred not his judgement. That upon which I ground this, you shall finde in two places of Scripture. 2 Pet. 2.4. If the LORD did so with the Angels, spared not them, saith he, he is the same GOD, and therefore hee knowes how to reserve the unjust to the day of judgement, and especially those that are uncleane: the ground of it is his unchangeablenesse. The other place is in 1 Cor. 10. You know what he did to the Israelites, saith hee, hee will doe the same to you: therefore doe you take heede, that you doe not commit fornication, as some of them committed, and died in the wildernesse, &c.
OnelyOnly here is this caution diligently to be remembred, which we must adde to all this that hath beene spoken.A caution added. It is sure, that whensoever it is the same case, hee will doe the same thing: though his judgements are different, the time different, the wayes and meanes are different.
As for example, he stroke Vzzah presently, and so he did Gebazi, and Nadab, and Abibu; yet to others there may be difference in time: to these he did it presently, to others it may be he will doe it many yeares after. Againe, he stroke them with death, but it may be there is another kinde of judgement reserved for thee▪ as it may be he will give thee up to hardnesse of heart, or the like.
Againe, so it is in shewing mercy, for the rule is as true therein also: For he shewes mercy to some this way, and to others that way, and he humbles men after divers manners; and so some men hee punisheth for their sinnes in this life, some hee reserves for another world: Againe, some hee strikes presently, and some hee forbeares with much patience.
And this you must remember in both these, that though hee doth the same things, yet hee doth them in a different manner, time, and way: he hath divers judgements, and afflictions; and as there are divers meanes to attaine to the same end, as some may ride, some go on foot, and yet all come to one journeys end: So the judgements and afflictions may be different, yet the end the same; and that this caution being taken in, thou maist be sure, that the same judgements that he did execute in former time, he is ready to execute them still. As he hath given them up to open sinnes, that did neglect him in secret, so he will doe to thee; as he hath stricken some men in their sinnes, so the same wrath is gone out against and remaines for thee, if thou doe not repent and turne to him: for the kindes, as whether by sicknesse, or death, &c. these we cannot determine of; the wayes of GOD are infinite, and exceding divers, unsearchable, and past finding out: but though in regard of his particular wayes it doth not follow, he did thus to this man, therfore he will doe the very same to thee; yet because he did this to them, he will doe the same thing to thee in the same or in a different manner.
So looke what he hath done to all his Saints, hee hath blessed them, and heard them. But thou wilt say, I have prayed, and I am not heard. I say to thee, if thy case be the same, thou shalt be heard. To this end are those places: The Lords hand is not shortened, Esay 59.1.that he cannot save, nor his eare heavie, that it cannot heare: This is the scope of the Prophet; as if he should say, you wonder why you are not heard, that you have not the same successe in prayer that they had, but the case is not the same, saith he: they repented, but you doe not; you are mistaken, for you are yet in your sinnes; I am as strong to helpe you, and as ready, and if I doe it not, it is because the case is different: your sins have made a separation betweene me and you. Which implies, that GOD will heare if the case be the same. OnelyOnly remember this, that GOD may deferre it something long before he heares you, yet he will doe it in the end.
Vse 4 If unchangeablenesse be proper to GOD (for so you must understand it, proper to him, and common to no other) then learne to know the difference betweene him and the creatures.
There be diverse branches of this use:Containes two branches. As,
First if this be so, then every creature is, and must be changeable, and if so, then take heed, that you doe not expect more of the creature,Looke on the creatures as mutable, and expect not much from them. then is in it, for this will raise our affections to the creature, and so cause griefe and vexation in the end: and indeede the forgetfulnesse of this changeablenesse in the creature, and unchangablenesse in GOD is the cause of all our crosses and sorrow in outward things we meet with. There be these degrees to it.
For, first, The forgetfulnesse of the mutabilitie of the creature causeth us to expect more from it then is in it. Secondly, This expectation raiseth our affections unto the creature: hence it is, that we set our affections too much vponupon them, and delight too much in them. Thirdly, Strong affections, when they are set vponupon the creature, doe alwayes bring forth strong afflictions: for what is the reason of all the griefe, that we undergoe from day to day? Is it not, because our affections are set upon changeable objects, vponupon the creatures? And therefore when they are changed, then there is a change in the mind: whereas if thou didst looke alone upon the unchangeable GOD, this would keepe thee from worldly care and sorrow, this would preserve in thee evenesse and aequability of minde. Therefore take heed of forgetting this, that to be unchangeable, is proper to God alone; Therfore set thy affections vponupon none but him: and if thou wilt doe so, thou shalt allwayes injoy a constant security of mind, as if a man were in the uppper region, where there is no change of weather, when as belowe here, there is one day foule, another faire; so that if a man could live with GOD, and walke with him, and have his conversation in heaven, he should not be subject to such change: whereas if a man set his minde upon earthly things, he shall be still subject to perturbations and unevenesse. All griefe of mind comes from hence, that thou lookest for unchangeablenesse from the creature, where it is not to be had. If thou wouldest looke up to God, thou shalt find all things a like there, there is no change with him. When an earthen pot is broken, it doth not much trouble you, for you remember it to be but an earthen pot: now every thing here below, all your friends, wife, children, they are but earthen vessels, and the consideration of this would exceedingly helpe you, if you would settle it on your heart. Therfore say, what a foole was I? I did not remember, they were but a flower, a vapour, and a shadow: for so the Scripture calls them. And shall a man take on, because a vapour is scattered, and a flower withered, and a shadow vanished? Therefore remember, that to bee unchangeable is proper to God alone: and to be changeable is as proper to the creature, as to him to be immutable.
Secondly, You may see from hence, how to helpe that vanity to which the creature is subject:Goe to God to put a stability into the things thou enioyest. for if unchangeablenesse be the property of God, thou must not seeke a stabilitie from the creature, but consider that it hath no further in it, then God is pleased to communicate the same to it. Therefore to goe to him to whom unchangeablenesse belongs: for as mutable as they be, yet if he will make thy freinds to be stable, or thy wealth, it shall be so. Therefore the only way is, to goe to him, to make those things firme, which otherwise are unconstant. The love of a freind is unconstant, for hee may dye, the breath is in his nostrils, and if he doe live, yet his thoughts may perish, and his affections alter: So that they shall faile thee as a land floud doth in summer, as Iob saith. It dries up in summer time, and yet that is the time of thirst; and so will they faile thee in time of neede: and the like may be said of all things else, so that he whose comfort doth depend upon them, hath but a dependent felicity, which is like the motion of mills, and ships, which cease when the water or wind failes them. But yet as mutable as they are, God can put a constancy unto them. Apply this therefore to thy selfe. Thou livest now, and art in health and wealth, in such and such a place, and such circumstances as may continue it: the onelyonly way to establish thee in all this is, to goe to God, and to beseech him to put a stabilitie into thy condition. For the creature, as it is made of nothing, and is built upon a foundation of nothing: So it is apt to returne to nothing. And remember this, that the more retired, and weaned, and fearefull thy affections are about any thing, so that thou canst say in good earnest; If God will, I shall injoy them to day, and next day, but his will I know not, I know not how long I shall injoy them; if thou canst say thus, thou shalt hold them the longer, and the faster: for that is a signe that thou dependest upon God, and not not on the creature, that thou trustest him, and art not fastened to it.
Vse 5 If this be so, then unchangeablenesse is an excellency in him:Learn to prize things by their unchangeablenesse, as Grace &c. for all his Attributes are exceeding excellent. Then if thou wouldest judge of any thing in the world, thou must take this as a measure by which thou maist prize and esteeme it: looke how changeable it is, so much the worse it is; if it be good, the more immutable, the better it is, for all changeablenesse commeth from weakenesse. Therefore learne to value it so: and you shall finde this of much use. As we may see in the heavens: it is said that they are vaine, because they waxe olde as doth a garment, but thou art the same, Psal. 102.26, 27. Go through every thing glorious in the world, glorious Churches, they are subject to change; as Ierusalem, the glory of all the earth, it is ruinated, and brought nothing. Take men that are most eminent, yet because they are subject to change, by death or by passions, there is an unevennesse in them: though they live here like Gods in their glory. Therefore magnifie no man, but labour to be perswaded of thy selfe, as a man. I need not speake to you of riches, they take to themselves wings and fly away; nor of credit and honour, they are in the power of them that give them: whatsoever is changeable, according to the mutability of it, so value it. But I presse the contrary. Looke upon the things that are not changeable, and labour to prize them. Thou shalt find saving grace to be unchangeable, though it may be impared in degree, and may recoyle to the root, and may not bud forth as at other times, yet it is unchangeable, it shall never be taken away: So spir…uall life is unchangeable, when that begins, then the other shakes off, even as old nailes doe; when new grow under them: therefore this should teach us to value it much.
So the word of GOD is an unchangeable thing, Isay 40.8. The grasse withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of the Lord shall stand for ever. So Matth. 5. Heaven and earth shall passe away, but my word shall not passe. Now what use should we make of this? Then study the word more than any thing in the world besides. There is much learning in the world, and there are many creatures: now all other knowledge is of the creature, and that vanisheth away with them, but the word of God shall not passe, the word indures for ever. Therefore looke what truthes thou canst get out of the word, which may build up the inward man, looke what profit thou canst get from it, that shall remaine for ever: therefore thou shouldest prize it much, get it plenteously in thy heart, in the wisedome and power of it. We have many imployments in this life: but that which is bestowed upon unchangeable things, which shall shall never alter, that is the best time spent.
Lastly, all the good workes thou doest, and all the evill workes of unregenerate men unrepented of, shall remaine for ever. Looke what good workes thou doest in the world, they shall remaine with thee for ever, they shall be had in continuall remembrance. Therefore thou shouldest labour to be abundant in good workes, that is, to be sure to serve GOD whatsoever thou doest. If thou be servant or a labouring man; when thou doest thy workes out of obedience to him, even those workes shall remaine. So looke in any thing that thou hast done for Christ, all these things shall remaine for ever: what faithfull prayers soever thou hast made, or whatsoever thou hast suffered for Christ, what paines thou hast taken in preaching, or in repenting, or in advancing the cause of CHRIST, these shall be had in everlasting remembrance. So looke what sinnes unrepented of thou hast committed. The sinnes of unregenerate men shall also remaine. All the praise that comes from any action, and the pleasure of it, that passeth away, and comes to nothing: but looke what sinfulnesse there is in any worke, that remaines, and if thou repent not of it, that sinne shall be reckoned upon thy score; and what uprightnesse soever there is in any worke, that shall remaine. Therefore learne from hence to prize and value onelyonly those good things that are immutable, and proportionably to feare and shunne the evill.
FINIS.