Davids Repentance, Sermon · Commentary 9
VERSE. 8. 8 Make mee to heare of ioy and gladneſſe, that the bones which thou haſt broken may reioyce.
Dauid heare entreats for peace of conſcience.DAVID hauing in the former verſe craued mercy at the hands of God, for the pardon of his ſinnes which were both many and great, he doth in this verſe beg at the hands of God, the bleſſed fruit of the ſame, namely the bleſſed and comfortable perſwaſion of Gods mercy, and aſſurance of his louelove, for the pardon of his ſins, that God would euen teſtifie vntounto his poore ſoule and wounded conſcience, by his ſpirit inwardly,Sinne had takē away his inward ioy. that he was appeaſed and pacified with him, and in Ieſus Chriſt reconciled vntounto him, that ſo being thus aſſured of Gods louelove, of reconciliation with God, and the pardon of his ſins, his wounded conſcience might be comforted, his wounded ſoule and heauy heart might be refreſhed, and his exceeding griefe might be mittigated and aſſwaged.
Parts of his verſe.In this verſe note two ſpeciall points. Firſt, what is the thing Dauid ſo inſtantly craueth of God, namely that he would cauſe him to heare comfortable and bleſſed newes o… Gods mercy and aſſurance of th… pardon of his ſinnes. Make mee t… heare of, &c.
Secondly, the end wherefore hee ſo begs & requeſts for this, namely, that his broken heart and bleeding conſcience might be comforted, and his vnſpeakeable griefe by the feeling of Gods louelove might bee ended. That the bones which thou haſt broken may reioyce.
[Make mee to heare.]
AS if he ſhould hauehave faid. O Lord I beſeech thee to witneſſe thy louelove and fauour vntounto mee, yea I beſeech thee ſend thy bleſſed and holy ſpirit to certifie my conſcience of the bleſſed pardon of all my ſinnes, that thou wilt not enter into iudgement with me for them.
And that which Dauid doth heare confeſſe of himſelfe, all the children of God ſhall one day be ſure to find by experience, that ſinne doth ſpoile them of their inward peace and ioy. Oh then if we could remember how ſweet the ioy and peace is which by ſin we looſe, for the vaine and tranſitory pleaſures of ſinne which are but for a ſeaſon, wee would neuer make ſo bad exchange.
The maine point is, what is it that Dauid ſo earneſtly craues of GOD: namely, that GOD would aſſure him of the bleſſed pardon of his ſins: but ſome may ſay, this ſeemes needleſſe, did not the Lord ſend Nathan to him (who after Dauid had confeſſed his ſinne told him) The Lord hath pardoned thy ſinne, thou ſhalt not die: 2. Sam. 12.13.How then comes it to paſſe that here hee prayes the Lord to cauſe him to heare and feele this, the pardon of his ſinnes: I anſwere, Firſt, it is true that Nathan the Prophet of God did aſſure him of the pardon of his ſins vponupon his true repentance: but yet Dauids heart being wounded with ſinne, could not ſo fully feele and finde the aſſurance of Gods louelove and pardon of his ſinnes, and therefore intreats the Lord to certifie his conſcience inwardly by his ſpirit, & fully to aſſure him of the ſame: Secondly, I anſwer, that though Dauid heard Nathan tell him that the Lord would pardon his ſinne, yet hee iudged the outward teſtimonie of all men and Angells as nothing vnleſſe the inward certificate and teſtimonie of the holy-Ghoſt go with it: inwardly to certifie, aſſure, and perſwade …he poore wounded conſcience of Gods louelove and fauour.
Doctrine. 1 Hence wee learne ſundry points of inſtruction. Firſt, that as Dauid praies to be aſſured of GODS louelove, and the pardon of his ſinnes; ſo eueryevery true childe of God that beleeues and repents of all his ſinnes may know and bee aſſured in his conſcience of Gods louelove and fauour,Euerie childe of God may be aſſure… of the pardon of hi… ſinnes. and the pardon of them all: And in the Article of our faith, we doe profeſſe, we beleeue the remiſſion of our ſinnes, and life euerlaſting, and ſeeing wee pray for this, that GOD would forgiue our ſinnes and treſpaſſes; therefore we beleeue it, elſe we ſinne in praying for it: ſo that euerie one that truely repenteth and embraceth Ieſus Chriſt, is a new creature, hates vile wayes, indeuours in heart and life to pleaſe GOD:2. Pet. 1. hee may know and be aſſured that he is reconciled to God, and his ſinnes be pardoned.
Vſe. 1 This condemnes that helliſh Doctrine of the Papiſts, who teach and hold, that no man can bee aſſured of the pardon of his ſinnes, vnleſſe God ſend a reuelation from heauen to do it: and that it is a vertue of faith to doubt of GODS louelove:Rom. 8.38. Iob 13.15, 19, 25. Pſal. 125.1. but how did Paul doubt when he ſaith, I am fully perſwaded &c. Alas how dares a vile ſinner, not iuſtified, nor aſſured of GODS louelove, and the pardon of his ſinnes, how dares he come to call on God and make his prayer vntounto him? dares a traitour come to his King, ſpeake vntounto him, not hauing his pardon? Well, this Doctrine of doubting, it is a racke for wounded conſciences, and torments afflicted ſoules when they can not tell whether God loueth or hateth them, nor know not that their ſinnes be pardoned.
Vſe. 2 And therefore that religion which teacheth doubtings, and pronounceth them accurſed, who …old that a man may be aſſ…red of ſaluation: we accurſe it as a Doctrine enemie to faith and ſaluation. And indeed it is ſtrange to ſee, that whereas they teach a man is able to fulfil the whole law of GOD, and by his workes to merit eternall life; yet they accurſe him if hee ſay hee is ſure to be ſaued: ſo directly doth one point of their falſe Doctrine impugne another. Indeede it is no maru…ll though their religion can yeelde no comfort for certainety of ſaluation, ſeeing they draw men from off the foundation Chriſt Ieſus, in whom only it is promiſed, that we ſhall find reſt for our ſoules.
Seeing Dauid prayes for this aſſurance of Gods louelove to bee aſſured of the pardon of his ſinnes, by his ſpirit, and that vponupon his true repentance. This ſhewes that the confidence that moſt men hauehave, is a fond preſumption and ſecuritie: They would not doubt of GODS louelove for all the world; they beleeued euer ſince they were borne, and thus they brag of their ſtrong faith, but they deceiue themſelues: for till a man do repent, turne to GOD, beleeue in Chriſt, be a new creature, hee can hauehave no aſſurance of Gods louelove or pardon of his ſinnes.
Let all true Chriſtians examine themſelues, whether they feele and finde this bleſsed aſſurance and perſwaſion of Gods louelove, and the pardon of their ſinnes: if thou haſt it, make much of it, looſe it not: If thou want it, vſe all meanes, giuegive all diligence, to get it, repent, turne to God, begge mercy, and pardon for thy ſinnes, embrace Ieſus Chriſt, beleeue in him, that thou mayeſt bee aſſured, and neuer be at reſt till thou canſt ſay, I am perſwaded of Gods louelove in Chriſt Ieſus, I know my Redeemer liueth: I am perſwaded I am the childe of God, elſe a man can hauehave no ioy, peace, nor comfort.
Doctr. 2 Though Nathan had told him his ſins were forgiuen,Mans teſtimony of the remiſſion of ſins is nothing without the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit. yet Dauid could not be aſsured till he felt the inward aſsurance and certificate of Gods ſpirit to perſwade and witnes the louelove of GOD vntounto him for the pardon of his ſinnes.
Hence we learne, that it is not the teſtimony of all men & Angels, that can aſsure vsus in our ſoules of Gods louelove, and pardon of our ſins, without the inward ſpeciall certificate and perſwaſion of Gods Spirit, who is called the Spirit of Adoption, Ro. 8.15.16.becauſe he doth reueale, yea perſwade and aſſure our ſoules that we be adopted. If Peter, Paul, Nathan, yea al the world; nay if an Angell from heauen ſhould tell me I am the childe of God,Note. yet vnleſſe God doe farther certifie my conſcience inwardly by his Spirit, I ſhould not be aſsured, but doubt ſtil, euen as Dauid did in this place, although. Nathan had ſaid; Thy ſinnes are for giuen. yet Dauid could not bee aſsured vntill he had the inward and comfortable perſwaſion of Gods holy Spirit. Men cannot know the ſecret councell of God, they may deceiue, and be deceiued; but the Spirit of Gods knowes all things, and the Apoſtle ſaith,1. Cor. 1.10 Ro. 8.15, 16 Ye hauehave not receiued the Spirit of bondage to feare againe: But ye hauehave receiued the Spirit of Adoption, whereby yee crie Abba Father. The ſame Spirit beareth witneſſe to our ſpirit, that we are the children of God. Galat. 4.6. 2. Cor. 1.22And becauſe ye are ſonnes, therefore GOD hath ſent foorth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts, whereby we cry Abba Father. Againe, God the Father hath ſealed vsus, and put into our hearts the earneſt of his Spirit. So that you ſee it is the proper worke of the Spirit to aſsure our harts and conſciences of Gods louelove, and the pardon of our ſinnes, and without this inward certificate and aſsurance of the Spirit, all the teſtimonies of men and Angells can not aſsure our conſciences.
Vſe. Well then, ſeeing that there can be no aſſurance in a mans conſcience of the pardon of ſinne, and life eternall, but by the inward certificate and teſtimony of Gods Spirit, let vsus pray for this, labour to find and feele our hearts perſwaded and aſsured inwardly by the holy Ghoſt of the pardon of our ſins, and the louelove of GOD in Chriſt,2. Cor. 13.5. Proue your ſelues whether yee be in the faith. And becauſe men are deceiued generally with a fond preſumption, and fooliſh opinion, that they be the children of God, and ſhal be ſaued: and this carnall preſumption is more common then true ſauing faith:Markes of Gods Spirit. I will ſhew how we may know this teſtimony and certificate of Gods Spirit, when it is in our conſciences.
Firſt, the Spirit of God aſsures no man of the pardon of his ſinnes,That Man repents of his ſinnes. but ſuch as be humbled for them, repent of them, leaue and forſake them, become new creatures, and walke in newneſſe of life: and therfore if thou liue in ſinne, be not humbled for them, nor bewaile them, haſt a purpoſe to liue ſtill in thy ſinnes, ignorance, lying, ſwearing, couetouſnes, vncleanenes, &c. Thou canſt hauehave no aſſurance of Gods louelove; and this perſwaſion of thine, if thou haſt any, it is meere preſumption; for where men doe not repent, and turne vntounto God, and amend their liues, there is no faith, neither is the Spirit of God in them; and therefore they can not bee aſsured of GODS louelove and merciemercy.
Secondly,Is perſwaded of the Spirit. the ſpirit of Adoption doth not onelyonly tell a man that hee is the child of God, but doth by ſundry arguments and reaſons perſwade the childe of God that hee is elect, that God loues him, and that his ſinnes be pardoned: but wicked men hauehave no ſuch perſwaſion in their hearts; onelyonly they hauehave a fond opinion and conceit, which is no good ground, neither did the Spirit of GOD euer perſwade their hearts thereunto.
We ſhall know the teſtimony of Gods Spirit,The effects will appeare. that it is ſure and ſound by the fruits and effects of it: for if the Spirit of God do truly teſtifie the louelove of God for the pardon of our ſinnes, and life eternall: then it will follow, that we ſhall hate our ſins, loathe & abhorre them, becauſe they grieue our moſt gracions God & louing father: yea, wee ſhall deſire in all things to honour God, to doe his will, to pleaſe and ſerue him: ſo that if wee finde and feele theſe things, a true hatred and diſlike of ſinne, becauſe it diſhonours our God, a deſire to liue in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe before him all our dayes: it is a certaine ſigne that the Spirit of God doth aſſure vsus of our reconciliation with God: But if men find not this, no hatred of ſinne, no louelove to obey his will and keepe his commandements, but ignorance, rebellion, prophaneneſſe, and the like; let them bragge what they will of their ſtrong faith, feeling of Gods louelove, and I know not what, yet it is certaine, they hauehave not the teſtimony of Gods ſpirit, which Dauid praieth for here, but a ſond and fooliſh opinion proceeding of ſelfe-louelove, carnall ſecuritie and diuelliſh preſumption, which in the end will deceiue them.
Doctr. 3 Make me to heare of ioy and gladnes: God conuaies confort vntounto vsus by the miniſterie of his holie word.In theſe words note a third point of doctrine: namely, whence, and where Dauid looked for comfort: namely, from the word of God, and hearing the ſame opened and preached vntounto him: So that in his example wee learne that all true comfort and ſpirituall conſolation is to bee learned and fetched out of the word of God, that is, the ſtore-houſe of heauenly comfort. And therefore our Sauior Chriſt bids vsus ſearch there for comfort,Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures, for in them yee thinke to hauehave eternall life. Againe, it is called Spirit and Life, Iohn 6.63becauſe God vſes the preaching and miniſterie of the Goſpel to beget ſpirituall life. It is called, The word of truth, euen the Gospel of our ſaluation, Epheſians 1.13.
The Lord might hauehave illuminated the minde of the Eunuch, Actes 8. by the mediate working of his owne Spirit, and hauehave made him vnderſtand that ſcripture which he was reading, without any Interpreter, but it pleaſed the Lord to doe it by the Miniſterie of Philip; hee might hauehave likewiſe communicated his Spirit to Cornelius, Actes 10. But the Lord would not do it but by the miniſterie of Peter. According to that of the Apoſtle, 1. Corin. 1.21. It hath pleaſed the Lord by the fooliſhneſſe of preaching to ſaue ſo many as beleeue: and ſo many ſhall beleeue as are ordained to eternall life. If then thou be deſirous with Dauid to heare of ioy and gladneſſe: and to hauehave aſſurance of the pardon of thy ſinnes, then reuerence the miniſtery of the word by which the Lord communicateth his Spirit to ſuch as hee will ſaue. And ſurely this muſt needes be an exceeding comfort to all the children of GOD, that GOD doth not onelie freely forgiue them their ſinnes, but alſo telleth them of the forgiueneſſe of the ſame, ſealing vp in their hearts the teſtimonie thereof by his holy Spirit.
Ʋſe 1 Seeing God hath appointed the miniſterie of the Word to bee the meanes to worke all true and ſpirituall comfort. Oh then in all our needes, wants and diſtreſſes, let vsus ſearch the word of God, ther is comfort to be found, many heauenly and ſweete promiſes of the goſpell to quicken & reuiue our poore diſtreſſed ſoules;Pſa. 119.50 Pſa. 84.1, 2 Pſalme 43 Pſalme 4. Reu. 22.2. and this the Prophet Dauid knew by good experience, that there is more found comfort in the feeling of Gods louelove, then in all the world beſides. It may well be compared to the tree Saint Iohn ſpeaketh of, which beareth twelue manner of fruit, and the leaues of the tree ſerue to cure and help diſeaſed and wounded ſoules, and the fruit of this tree of the word of God is moſt ſweete and pleaſant, and therefore let vsus, if wee deſire to deſire true comfort indeed, ſeeke it in the meanes: namely, in the word and miniſtery of the holy goſpel.
Ʋſe 2 This ſheweth, that all thoſe be enemies to their owne ſoules, tha… deſpiſe the miniſtery of the Word, and preaching of the Goſpel. If euer thou finde one iote of true comfort, thou muſt hauehave it in the meanes that God hath ordained: namely▪ in the miniſterie of the Word: let men ſeeke it elſe-where, and they ſhall find none. Men may ſeeke delight and ioy in their golde and ſiluer, in merry companie, in this or that, as men vſe to doe: but (alas) they can not finde it there; yea, experience ſheweth, that diſtreſſed ſoules, full of woe and miſerie, could neuer finde true comfort in anie thing elſe ſaue in the miniſterie of the Word of GOD, and there they hauehave found endleſſe comfort, by the hearing of the bleſſed and ſauing promiſes of the Goſpel: and therefore it men ſhall neglect or deſpiſe the word preached, how can they euer find ioy or gladness, or anie dram of ſauing comfort?
Doctr. 4 Whereas Dauid craues of GOD, that he would cauſe him to heare of ioy and gladnes, that is, that his ſins were all pardoned, and be reconciled to God in CHRIST, that ſo he might hauehave ſome good matter of ioy and gladness.
Wee learne hence, that there is no ſound ioy nor comfort to any man or woman,Where ſin is not pardond ther can be no true ioy. but onelyonly in the pardon of ſinne, and feeling of Gods louelove in CHRIST, and all other ioy which men do frame and deuiſe vntounto themſelues, alas, it is but from the teeth outward, it is not ſound nor durable, it is but carnall and earthly, and will eaſily be loſt, Thus ſaith the Lord, Iere. 9.23.let not the wiſe-man reioyce in his wiſdome, nor the ſtrong man in his ſtrength, nor the rich man in his riches: But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he knoweth me to be she Lord: And without this there can be no ſound ioy, as we ſee in Dauid, and ſo in all diſtreſſed ſinners till they feele the aſſurance of Gods louelove for the pardon of their ſinne.
Ʋſe. 1 This ſhews, that the common ioy of moſt men and women, is but a carnall ioy, earthly, & vaine, it is not ſpirituall, it is not true ioy: for al the while they eate, drinke, make themſelues merry, laugh, and ſing, they liue in ſinne, in danger of Gods anger and condemnation, no feeling of Gods louelove, no aſſurance of ſaluation, and then how can they hauehave any true ioy, for this proceedes from the aſſurance of Gods louelove, and the pardon of ſinne; The kingdome of God ſtands not in meate and drinke, Ro. 14.17.but in righteouſneſſe, peace, and ioy in the Holy Ghoſt: Eſa. 57.21but vntounto the wicked there is no peace.
Obiect. Obiect. But, doe wee not ſee that wicked men, that liue in ſin, that be notorious ſinners, ſwearers, blaſphemers, drunkards, &c. that theſe liue in mirth, and iollity, in eating, drinking, in eaſe and idleneſſe, and the children of GOD hauehave much forrow and heauineſſe, griefe and wrong.
Anſw. Anſw. Yes it is true, that wicked men that liue in ſin, paſſe their dayes in eating, drinking, ſport, and paſſetime, no ſorrow nor heauineſſe, but ſpend their dayes in pleaſure,Iob 21.13 Pſal. 73. But ſodainely they goe downe to hell.
Now, who wil call this a true ioy? nay, it is a ſwiniſh and brutiſh ioy, carnall and fleſhly, for if they knew all, and ſaw their miſery, that they be in danger of Gods eternall vengeance, of hell and damnation: oh! then they would mourne, and turne all their mirth into teares. If a traytor be apprehended, arraigned, conuicted and condemned to bee hanged, drawne, and quartered, and looks for nothing but preſent death and execution, and yet ſhould giuegive himſelfe to eating and drinking, to carding and dicing, to ryot & reuelling: Would not all men ſay he was a madde man, and out of his wits? ſurely this is the caſe of all wicked and vnregenerate men, they bee arraigned and already condemned, they want nothing but execution, and they bee eueryevery moment in danger of hel-fire: alas! what cauſe hauehave they to bee merry? yea, how hauehave they cauſe to howle, and cry, and mourne for griefe, and therefore their mirth is but madneſſe.Iam. 4.9.
Vſe 2 Seeing wee can hauehave no peace of conſcience, nor any ſound comfort, till wee hauehave the feeling of Gods louelove, and aſſurance of the pardon of our ſinnes, let vsus neuer giuegive any reſt to our ſoules, till we hauehave repented and got ſome bleſſed perſwaſion of Gods louelove in Chriſt; and ſome warrant from the Spirit, that our ſinnes are done away:Rom. 14.17. For the kingdome of God ſtands not in any outward thing, but in righteouſneſſe, peace, and ioy in the Holy Ghoſt. Alas! if any of vsus were condemned to death, lay in priſon looking for nothing but preſent execution, What could do vsus good? There were then no ioy in wife nor children, lands nor liuings, meate, nor muſicke, no, no: vnleſſe were hauehave the Kings pardon we cannot bee merry, but would contemne all theſe things: Euen ſo when a poore ſinner is arraigned and condemned in his owne conſcience for ſinne; hath no feeling of Gods louelove and mercy for pardon of it, how is it poſſible that hee ſhould hauehave one dramme of ioy till the Lord in mercy ſeale vntounto his poore ſoule a generall pardon by his ſpirit, dipped in the bloud of Chriſt Ieſus. Well then, let vsus neuer be at peace, nor giuegive any reſt vntounto our ſoules till we hauehave got ſome comfortable perſwaſion of Gods mercy for the pardon of our ſinnes.
[That the bones which thou haſt broken may reioyce.]
THeſe words containe in them the ſecond part of this verſe,2 Part of the verſe. and it is as much, as if the Prophet ſhould hauehave ſaid: O Lord I intreate thee for Chriſt Ieſus ſake to for giuegive me my ſinnes, and giuegive mee the bleſſed aſſurance of the ſame in my ſoule and conſcience, that ſo feeling and finding that thou art reconciled, and haſt pardoned my ſinnes; my ſoule ſo wounded and ouerwhelmed with griefe and ſorrow, as my very bones and moſt ſtrong parts are waſted and conſumed, and my ſtrength decaied, may be reſtored, cheered vp and gladded.
By this ſpeech he would ſhew his …xtreame griefe and ſorrow for his ſinnes,Pro. 8.14 Pſa. 32.3.4. which was ſo extreame, that it waſted & conſumed his ſtrength, dryed vp his bones, ſpent his marrow.
Doctr. 1 Hence we ſee that there is no ſorrow in the heart of Gods children, like that ſorrow which is for ſin,No ſorrow in the godly like the ſorrow for ſinne. and offends our moſt gracious God and mercifull Father. Great is the griefe of an husband that looſeth a kinde and vertuous wife; and who can expreſſe the ſorrow of a father or mother for the death of their deere and onelyonly childe? But yet all the ſorrow in the world is not like that ſorrow and griefe of heart for ſinne: this will wound the conſcience, cauſe weeping and wailing, and great heauineſſe, it will euen weaken the body, and ſtrength of nature; and if it bee of any continuance, it will waſte the bones, and conſume the fleſh. When I held my tongue, my bones conſumed.Lam. 1.2.5.2.11. Pſal. 32. Pſal.
And the reaſon is this, becauſe a poore ſinner being wounded in conſcience for ſinne, and not feeling the louelove and mercy of God for pardon, he ſees nothing but hell, nothing but damnation and the wrath of God, which is a fearefull thing: for this cauſeth torments, and feares, and terrours, and makes iudgements what is more terrible and fearfull then to feele the heauy weight and burthen of Gods anger, which is inſupportable? For as Salomon ſaith:Pro. 18.14. A man may beare his ſickneſſe and infirmitis, but a wounded Conſcience who can beare? Againe,Heb. 10.31 It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing GOD.
Vſe. 1 Seeing this is the wofull fruite of ſinne, that is, thus wounds the conſcience, and waſteth the fleſh, and the bones, we ſee how God hateth ſinne, euen in his deereſt children, ſo as if they will needes ſinne and rebell againſt God, they muſt feele the wofull ſmart of it. And therefore let vsus aboue all things ſhun it, auoid it, nor dare to commit it: Oh! it will coſt thee deere, it will make thy heart to ake, it will breed thee much woe and miſery in ſoule and body.
Vſe 2 We ſee the miſerable blockiſhneſſe of all carnall men and women, who are not aſhamed to ſay, that they had rather deale with God then with men for ſinne; but alas they neuer knew nor felt the weight of ſinne: but if God ſhould once open their eyes, and let them ſee their ſinnes, and feele the weight of his anger for them, Oh! then they will confeſſe it is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of God. If he be angry (ſaith Dauid) bleſſed is the man that truſteth in him.Pſalm. 2.
Vſe 3 Let vsus learne that it is not ſome light ſorrow, or ſmall ſigh, or Lord hauehave mercy on mee, will ſerue for our ſinnes againſt God. No, no, let vsus labour to bee humbled more deeply for our ſinnes, ſeeing by them wee offend a moſt mercifull God: yea, if it were poſſible, to ſhed euen teares of bloud for our ſinnes, for all were little enough to expreſſe that griefe for ſinne wee ought to hauehave.
[Which thou haſt broken.]
THat is, which thou, O Lord, my God, in iuſtice haſt inflicted vponupon me for theſe my great and heynous ſinnes.
Doctrine. There is no reſpect of perſons with God.Hence behold, that God is moſt righteous and iuſt in puniſhing and correcting the ſinnes of men, he cannot winke at ſinnes of men, he cannot winke at ſinne in any man, no not in them that bee deere and neere vntounto him, in his moſt holy ſeruant Dauid, 2. Sam. 24. Eſay 39. Math. 23.a man after his owne heart, a holy Prophet of the Lord, yet if he rebell and play the wanton, he is ſure to be whipt for it, as heere in this place: ſo when hee numbred the people, ſo Hezehiah, Ieruſalem the holy Citty: yea, if the Son of God which had no ſinne, take but our ſinnes vponupon him, he muſt be puniſhed, the Iuſtice of GOD will ceize vponupon him. And the reaſon of this is manifeſt, becauſe God doth ſo hate ſinne, that he cannot winke at it in any man.
Vſe. If the Lord do ſo ſharpely and ſeuerely puniſh ſin in his deereſt children, whom he loues beſt, Oh! then what will he do vntounto thoſe that are his enemies? If to the greene Tree, what to the dry? 1. Pet. 4.17 Ier. 25.29.If Iudgement begin at the houſe of God, Oh! then what ſhall be the end of thoſe that obey not the Goſpell of God? If God do ſo ſeuerely handle his owne people, then much more the wicked.
[May reioyce.]
Doctrine. Pardon of ſin brings true ioy.HEnce we learne that there is wonderfull ioy and gladneſſe in the hearts of thoſe who hauehave the pardon of their ſinnes, it is matter of endleſſe comfort to feele the louelove of God in a mans ſoule: to know God to bee my gracious Father, Ieſus Chriſt to bee my Redeemer, and the Holy Ghoſt to be my Comforter, it is matter of endleſſe comfort.Pſal. 32.1. Bleſſed is hee whoſe wickedneſſe is forgiuen, and whoſe ſinne is couered. Againe,Rom. 14.17. The kingdome of God ſtands not in meat and drink, but in righteouſneſſe, peace, and ioy in the Holy Ghoſt.
Vſe 1 Wee learne hence that ſuch as continue in any knowne ſinne vnrepented of cannot looke for peace from God, for where goes ſinne there goes the curſe, Eſay 48. There is no peace to the wicked: God doth euen wage war, & enter into a combat againſt all impenitent ſinners: This the Prophet ſpeaketh Pſal. 7. God doth whet his ſword, bend his bow, and make it ready againſt the wicked: And therefore if we want this, and hauehave not the feeling of Gods louelove, and aſſurance of his mercy for the pardon of our ſinnes, Oh then let vsus labour for it, vſe all meanes to attaine vntounto it, pray for it, begge for mercy, and giuegive no reſt vntounto thy ſoule till thou haſt it; and if thou haſt it, Oh then make much of it, looſe it not though thou mightſt gaine a Kingdome: for all the world will not affoord one dram of ioy and comfort without it, and take heed of ſin, which will driue it away, dim it, and damp it, and depriue vsus of the feeling of it.
Ʋſe. 2 Wee ſee that vngodly men doe offer great wrong vntounto the children of God: Oh! ſay prophane beaſts and Atheiſts, theſe profeſſors, theſe Puritanes, they are alwaies heauy and dumpiſh, there is no comfort, no ioy, no mirth in them, they are alwaies ſad and heauy. Thou lyeſt like an Atheiſt, they hauehave more ſound Ioy, and Chriſtian Mirth in one houre, then the curſed Athieſts of the world hauehave in a yeare: yea, who ſhould bee merry, if the children of GOD be not merry? Who can reioyce more then hee that is the childe of God, that feeles Gods louelove in his ſoule,Rom. 8.1. is a member of IESVS CHRIST, and to whom there is no feare of condemnation.
It is true indeed, in regard of our ſinnes and euils, wee hauehave cauſe to mourne and lament: yea to weepe, if it were poſſible, teares of bloud: but in regard of Gods mercy, in that wee bee reconciled to God, deliuered from Death, Hell, and Damnation, by the death and merites of IESVS CHRIST, in whom we beleeue, we can be merry: yea, reioyce in all eſtates, in ſickneſſe as well as in health, in pouerty as plenty, in priſon as in liberty. Looke on Peter in priſon, Paul in his chaines; whereas wicked men hauehave onelyonly a carnall and worldly ioy in their friends, riches, honors, pleaſures, and delights, if theſe be gone and loſt, all their ioy lyes in the duſt, then they be dumpiſh, heauy, and ſad; no ioy then, no reioycing, but a knife, an halter, a pond.
So that by this wee ſee a cleare and notable difference betweene the ioy of wicked men, and the ioy of Gods children: the ioy of wicked men it is carnall, and worldly, and earthly: the ioy of Gods children is ſpirituall, inward, and heauenly: theirs is onelyonly in time of proſperity, but the ioy of Gods children is durable, permanent, laſting for euer in life and death; whereas the ioy of wicked men ends in death, if not before.