A Hand of Fellowship to Help Keep Out Sin and Antichrist, Sermon 3 – Title page 2
THE HID MAN OF THE HEART.
2 CORINTH. 5.17.
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
NOT to ſtand vponupon the coherence of theſe words; there is decided in them a caſe of conſcience, which being well conceiued, will giuegive great ſatisfaction to a tender ſoule.
The caſe is this: How I may know my ſelfe to be in Chriſt? The reſolution is this: If any man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature. Which reſolution that we may conceiue and apply, I ſhall take this courſe: Firſt, I ſhall open the doctrine of it: and ſecondly, apply it.1 Explication. The doctrine of it is this; He that is in Chriſt is a new creature.
For the opening whereof conſider two things. Firſt, the ſubiect or party ſpoken of, that is, he that is in Christ: ſecondly, the predicate or thing ſpoken of him, to wit, that he is a new creature.
To conceiue aright of the party ſpoken of, conſider three points. Firſt, what it is to be in Chriſt. Secondly, the neceſſitie of it. And thirdly, how many waies we may be in him.
As to the firſt; To be in Chriſt is to be in the ſtate of grace,Wh…t it is to be in Chriſt. that is, to be conuerted from ſinne, to be glewed by faith vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, and ſo to hauehave fellowſhip with him in righteouſneſſe and holineſſe. As to be in the Lord, Apoc. ….…is to b… in a gratious eſtate, cut off from th… old man, and grafted into …eſus Chriſt: ſo is it likewiſe to be in Chriſt. Rom. …There is no cond mnation to them that are in Chriſt, ſaith Paul, tha… is, to them tha… are in the …ta…e of grace. And no other thing doth Paul …ignifie by ſleeping in …eſus, 1 Theſſ. 4.14, 16.and dying in Chriſt, but dying in a conue…ted and gratious eſtate.
Now ſecondly, for the neceſſitie of our being in Chriſt, it ſhall appeare three waies.It is neceſſarie that we b… i… Chriſt.
Firſt, becauſe if we be not in Chriſt we ſhall periſh for euer: for which cauſe the Apoſtle chiefly deſired to be found in him, as he ſaith, I hauehave accounted and I doe iudge all things to be loſſe and dung, Philip. 3.9.that I might winne Chriſt, and that I may be found in h m.
Why, ſhall we periſh if we be out of Chriſt? I anſwer, ſecondly, becauſe if we be our of Chriſt, we hauehave no ſauing right either to our naturall, ciuill, gratious, or glorious liues. All our ſanctified right is by purchaſe, all our purchaſe comes from our price, and all our price from the God-Man Ieſus Chriſt who hath giuen himſelfe for vsus.
But, why doth all our ſauing right to all things come from Ch…iſt our price? I anſwer thirdly, Becauſe all the true good we hauehave comes vntounto vsus by couenant. Be it ſpirituall things:I… ….3… God puts the law in our inward parts, for our illumination; he writes it in our hearts, for our ſanctification; he taketh charge of vsus, for our protection; he manifeſteth the inward graces of the Spirit in vsus by his knowledge and worſhip; he forgiueth our iniquities, and remembreth our ſinnes no more, for our iuſtification;Ier. 32.40, 41. he will delight to doe vsus good, and neuer depart from vsus, for our perſeuerance; and all this comes to vsus by couenant. Be it temporall an… bodily things:Hoſea 2.21, 22. I will heare the heauens (ſaith God) and they ſhall heare the earth, and the earth ſhall heare the corne, and the wine and the oyle, and they ſhall heare Iſrael; …hat is, they ſhall hauehave plentie of the things of this world: and all this comes vntounto vsus by couenant, and by Gods mariage of himſelfe vntounto vsus, as the Prophet ſpeaketh. Now then, ſeeing …ll things come vntounto vsus by couenant, let mee a…ke you, what difference is there betweene comming to vsus by couen…nt, and comming to vsus by Chriſt? Surely no…e at …ll. For therefore the Prophet calleth Chriſt, Eſay 42.6. Eſay 49.8.The Couenant of his people, that is, of the Iewes (the ſeed of Abraham according to the fleſh) firſt, becauſe to them belong the Promiſes, and to their Children; next and in reuerſion to vsus, who are Abrahams ſeed ac…ording …o the Spirit. If you a k…e why Chriſt is called the Cou…nant of the people? I anſwer; Firſt, becauſe he doth re…iue the Promiſes from God in Abraham, Iſaack, and Iaacob, in the behalfe of the Church. In which reſpect the Apoſtle ſaith,2 Cor. 1.20. Which as I …ke it may be …xt…nd…d …oth to the …t and to the ac…ompliſhment of …he…. Gal. 6.15. that in him (that is, in Chriſt) are all the Promiſ…s, yea and in him they are Amen. Secondly, becauſe in him the Church doth bend her ſelfe to performe couenants, yea and doth it in him, and as his bodie: In which reſpect the Apoſtle ſaith, (In him) a new creature a…aileth. So that not onelyonly the promiſes o… God are in him, but our performances alſo. Thirdly, becauſe as Chriſt …ade this Couenant, ſo he confirmed it by his death. In which reſp…ct his bloud, euen in the ſhadow, is called the bloud of the Couenant: Heb. 9.20.and the remembrancer and ſeale of it is called the New Teſtament in his bloud. Luke 22.20.Now doe but briefly collect theſe points together: ſeeing without Chriſt we ſhall periſh for euer; becauſe without Chriſt we hauehave no ſauing right to our naturall, ciuill, gracious, or glorious life, becauſe all ſauing good comes vntounto vsus by couenant, and Chriſt is the Couenant of his people: therefore it is neceſſarie that we be in Chriſt.
Thirdly, to conceiue this yet more fully, I ſhall ſhew you how many waies we may be in Chriſt. How many waies wee may be in Chriſt.To ſpeake then to this point, we may be ſaid to be in Chriſt three waies.
Firſt, by Ordination and appointment in Baptiſme: for God hath ordained Baptiſme to be the outward ſigne and ſeale of our putting on Chriſt, Gal. 3.27.and to be the outward meanes of our grafting with him to the ſimilitude of his death and reſurrection.Rom. 6.5. For the laying on of water doth ſignifie and ſeale our buriall with Chriſt, and the wiping of it off our reſurrection: which, becauſe it is conditionall in reſpect of the effectuall working of it, to wit, ſo farre forth as we ſhall, when we grow to yeeres of diſcretion, manifeſt our effectuall faith by making the right vſe of Baptiſ…e, that is, keepe the couenant which we publikely enter with God in it,Rom. 11.22. therefore it admi…teth of a cutting off, and ſtandeth or falleth as the condition is obſerued.
Secondly, we are in Chriſt by Acceptation: for God doth account of vsus as in him, he being the prince of our ſaluation, and that generall root and ſtocke which ſtands in the roome of the whole Church before God. In which reſpect as the whole Church (being the body of Chriſt) is called Chriſt: 1 Cor. 12.12.Be…ma. in manud. ling. l…at. cap. 2. ex Keckerm.ſo likewiſe (and that not by the fond conceit of the vnlearned) may Chriſt be ſignified by the name of the Church, as well as other members; when Paul ſaith, The Church is the pillar and ground of truth. 1 Tim. 3.15.As the firſt Adam was the generall root of mankind, and ſtood in the nature and name of all mankinde before God, and receiued and loſt all the indowments of his nature both for himſelfe and vsus: ſo alſo was it, and is it with the ſecond Adam; he is the root and head that ſtands in the roome of all his Church, to pay for them, and purchaſe for them.
Thirdly, we are in Chriſt by Contract and couenant: not onelyonly by outward contract, which is outwardly and ſolemnly made in the face of the Church in Baptiſme, and renewed in the Lords Supper, but by inward contract, whereby God doth marrie vsus vntounto him for euer, and whereby God being the God of vsus and our poſteritie after vsus, the Children of beleeuing parents are holy. 1 Cor. 7.14. Hoſea 2.19.20.Of this the Prophet ſpeaketh in the name of Chriſt, I will marrie thee vntounto me in righteouſneſſe, and in iudgement, and merciemercy, and in compaſsion: I will euen marrie thee vntounto me in faithfulneſſe, and thou ſhall (know) the Lord; alluding it may be, to the coniugall knowledge of man and wife, and ſignifying that we ſhall hauehave ſpirituall communion with God, and through the worke of the Spirit bring forth fruit vntounto God. Looke as therefore man and wife doe become one fleſh, and are concorporated either into other by vertue of that contract and couenant of God betwixt them made,Prou. 2.17. and that actuall knowledge which they hauehave either of other: ſo thoſe that are thus giued vntounto the Lord (as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh) are one ſpirit, and are ſo vnited vntounto Chriſt, 1 Cor. 6.27. foreign.that there is a mutuall fellowſhip betwixt him and vsus in three things. Firſt in Natures, be being made partaker of the humane, and we of the Diuine Nature. Secondly, in Goods, 2 Pet. 1.4.he being made ſinne for vsus, and wee the righteouſneſſe of God in him. Thirdly, in Eſtates, 2 Cor. 5.21. Rom 6.5. …. l. 2.9, 20. …l. 3 1. …. ….6.we being grafted into the ſimilitude of his death, and hauing the old man crucified with him, and being riſen with Chriſt, and fitting with Chriſt in heauenl… places; and Chriſt ſuffering with vsus, and being honoured with vsus: as Chriſt ſaith, He that heareth you heareth mee, and hee that deſpiſeth you deſpiſeth me; according to that of the Pſalme,Pſalme Thine enemies hauehave reproched thee, O Lord, becauſe they hauehave reproched the footſteps of thine anointed.
Thus hauehave I opened the firſt part of the doctrine of the Text, namely, the partie who is ſpoken of (Hee that is in Christ.) God ſtirre vp our hearts aboue all things to be thankfull for Chriſt, through and with whom we hauehave this eſtate. Wee can with ſome ſenſe and feeling be thankfull vntounto God for thoſe mercies we receiue with our ſenſes; Oh that our hearts would be alike (if not more) inlarged for thoſe which we receiue with our ſoules by faith!
To come now vntounto the ſecond point, that is, the predicate (or that which is ſpoken of him that is in Chriſt, A new c…eature.namely, That he is a new creature) conſider with mee two points: Firſt, What this new creature is: Secondly, Why hee that is in Christ is a new creature. What it is.For the firſt, either wee may call it a new man, 1 Pet. 3 4.which is called by Peter, The hid man of the heart: for the word (creature) is taken by Ieſus Chriſt for man,Marke 16.15. foreign. as when he ſaith to his diſciples, Preach the Goſpel to eueryevery creature, that is, to men, who by an excellencie are called creatures, they being the moſt excellent of all the ſublunary workes of Gods hands: or wee may call it, A new creation, as the word ſeemeth to be vſed by Paul otherwhere,Rom. … 2… foreign. when he ſaith, The whole creation groaneth: and this the rather, becauſe it is a difficult worke, and farre aboue all created power; yea it is more difficult than to create a world, it hauing all curſed powers againſ… it: and therefore the Holy Ghoſt ſpeaking of the creation of the world,Pſal. 33.6. ſaith, By the Word of the Lord were the heauens made: Pſal. 8.3.and againe, When I behold the heauens the worke of thy fingers: Pſal. 102.25.and againe, The heauens are the worke of thy hands: as if the greateſt ſtrength that was put to that worke was but the power of a hand. But ſpeaking of the purchaſe and procurement of this new creation, he ſaith,Luke 1.51. He hath ſhewed ſtrength with his arme: Eſay 9.6.and the gouernement is vponupon his ſhoulder: and againe, A body haſt thou prepared mee: Hebr.Yea and he hath made his ſoule an offring for ſinne; Eſay 53.as if his bodie and ſoule muſt be imployed in this worke; whereby he would ſignifie the difficultie of this worke. All which may eaſily teach vsus, not to wonder that it ſhould bee called a new creation: or elſe haply wee may call it a new ſtructure or building: as when the Apoſtle ſaith,Epheſ. 2.10. foreign. Wee are his workemanſhip built in Chriſt to good workes. And the reaſon is, becauſe the foundations of ſin are ruinated, the rotten poſts of ſinne pulled downe, and when the droſſe of the ſubſtance and faculties of bodie and ſoule (which ſtill remaine) are ſcowred and pared off through the worke of the Spirit, we grow vp into a holy building fitted for God to dwel in. Would you hauehave in a word now what this new creature is? I anſwer: It is The hid man of the Heart, which contrary to all powers of darkneſſe, and the corruption of our owne hearts, is, through the worke of the Spirit by the Word, builded vp from the ſeeds of grace towards a full age in Chriſt, to reſemble the excellencie of Gods image in all the parts and powers of the bodie and ſoule.
Secondly, Why is hee that is in Chriſt a new creature? This being the ſecond point to bee conſidered,Why he that is in Chriſt is a new creature. 1. In reſpect of acceptation. receiue (I beſeech you) a fourefold reaſon of it. Firſt, in reſpect of acceptation: becauſe God doth account them that are in Chriſt new creatures, accepting the will for the deed, and couering our imperfections with his merits. Whence are thoſe ſpeeches of Chriſt to his Church, My louelove, behold, Cant. 1.14, 15.thou art faire: behold, thou art faire; thine eyes are like the doues: my welbeloued, behold, thou art faire, and pleaſant? Whence doth the Apoſtle ſay, That the Church hauing receiued ſanctification from Chriſt, Epheſ. 5.26, 27.is a glorious Church to him, not hauing ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing? Whence (I ſay) doth the Holy Ghoſt ſpeake vntounto Gods people, Let vsus as many as be perfect bee thus minded? Philip. 3.15.as if they had no ſin, but onelyonly becauſe God doth accept vsus for ſuch, ſeeing wee are in Chriſt.
2 Of apparition.Secondly, He that is in Chriſt is a new creature, in reſpect of apparition to the world. A burning candle cannot lie hid in a light lanthorne: no more can grace in the heart of him that is in Chriſt. Faith that inrighteth vsus to Chriſt cannot but be ſeene: It will eaſily make an apparant difference in vsus from what we were. When the Apoſtle Peter ſaith,1 Pet. 1.3. It is ſufficient for vsus, that wee hauehave ſpent the time paſt of the life after the luſts of the Gentiles, walking in wantonneſſe, luſts, drunkenneſſe, in gluttony, drinkings, and in abominable idolatries: doe we not thinke that this difference in the Chriſtians liues did eaſily appeare to the Gentiles?1 Pet. 4.… Yes ſurely: therefore it both ſeemed ſtrange vntounto them that they runne not with them into the ſame exceſſe of riot, and alſo they ſpake euill of them: euen ſo is it with all new creatures. As they appeare to the good to be new, as Paul did,Gal. 1.21, 23. when of a perſecuter he became a preacher of the faith which before he deſtroied, inſomuch as they glorified God for him: ſo they appeare to the wicked to be new, and therefore their by-words, tants, reproaches, and diſgraces are more ordinary with them, then their thankſgiuing to God for ſo gracious a change.
3 Of inchoation.Thirdly, He that is in Chriſt is a new creature in reſpect of inchoation: Old things are paſſed away, behold all things are become new. There are new eyes, leauing with delight to behold vanitie,2 Co…. 5.17. Pſal 1… 9. …b 31.1. couenanting againſt luſt, and ſearching into the wonders of Gods law: there are new eares ſtopped againſt the inticements of the ſerpent, and open to heare what God will ſpeake: there are new tongues,Pſal. 85.8. not to ſing the old dittie of nature,Pſal. 40.3. but to ſing a new ſong to the praiſe of our God and Sauiour, that ſo the tongue of the righteous may be like fined ſiluer: there are new hands,Prou. 10.20. Eſay 58.4. not to ſmite with the fiſt of iniquitie, not to pull in with rapine and robbery, but to deale (according to abilitie) the dole of mercy to men in miſery,Eccleſ. 11.1. to caſt our bread vponupon the waters, to turne ouer the pages of Gods Booke, that the Word of God may dwell plentifully in vsus,Coloſſ. 3.16. Apocal. and to giuegive the right hand of fellowſhip to eueryevery good action within our reach: there are new feet,Rom. 3.15. Pſal. 122.2. not to bee ſwift to ſhed bloud, but to ſtand in thy gates, O Ieruſalem, and (ſo farre as the bodie can execute it) to run the way of Gods commandements:Pſal. 119. there are new vnderſtandings to know and acknowledge the truth that is according to godlineſſe,Titus 1.1. new wills and affections to come vntounto Chriſt, to louelove him,Matth. 11.28. to feare him, to cleaue vntounto him, to put a mans whole truſt in his mercies and merits,Matth. 5.6. Pſal. 119.5. new deſires to hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſſe, and new conſciences to bee watchfull ouer all our waies,2 Tim. 4.5. Pſal. 39.1. and not to let the leaſt ſinne to paſſe without a ſtrict examination, condemnation, and ſettled purpoſe and reſolution againſt it. In all parts there is newneſſe, and as Chriſt hath giuen vsus a new commandement, ſo we, through the power of Gods ſpirit, do giuegive him a new obedience in all the powers of our ſoules & bodies.
Fourthly, Hee that is in Chriſt is a new creature in reſpect of communion: becauſe hee hath fellowſhip in the holineſſe of Chriſt, which doth (as it were) caſt him into a new mold.Col. 1.19. It pleaſeth the Father that in him ſhould all fulneſſe dwell: Iohn 1.16.and out of his fulneſſe wee doe all receiue grace for grace. Which grace doth not onelyonly couer ſinne, but cure ſinne, according to that of the Prophet;Eſay 53.5. The chaſtiſement of our peace is vponupon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed. How therefore can it be otherwiſe but that ſuch a man ſhould be a new creature, ſeeing before times hee had fellowſhip with corrupted Adam, and ſo was the childe of wrath, but now he hath fellowſhip with him, who aboue Dauid, is a man after Gods owne heart, euen his welbeloued Sonne, in whom he is well pleaſed?
2 Application.You hauehave heard now the Doctrine of the Text opened vntounto you, namely, that hee that is in Christ is a new creature: now if you will be attentiue, you ſhall heare the application of it for the benefit of our ſoules. To apply it then, we ſhall make a double vſe of it.
Vſe 1 Firſt, we learne, as wee doe deſire to finde our ſelues to be in Chriſt, ſo to be carefull to ſee our ſelues to be new creatures. No new creature, no Chriſt: wee muſt be in Chriſt, as I hauehave ſhewed vntounto you: if we be in Chriſt, we are new creatures, as I hauehave cleared: what then muſt be our care, but only to proue our ſelues to be new creatures, that ſo we may aſſure our hearts that we are in him.
How we may proue our ſelues to be new creatures.Yea, but now you will ſay vntounto mee: How may I proue my ſelfe to be a new creature? I anſwer, Wee may doe it two waies:
Firſt, if we be cut off from the old ſtocke.
Secondly, if we be grafted into the new.
1 Wee muſt be cut off from the old ſtocke. Epheſ. 2.The old ſtocke is Adam corrupted; in whom we are by nature, and in which condition wee are the children of wrath, as much as the moſt curſed wretch in the world (as he is borne) and ſo dead in ſinnes and treſpaſſes. Now, from this ſtocke we muſt be cut off: for as a ſience muſt be cut off from one tree, before it can be concorporated into another: ſo we muſt be cut off from the wilde Oliue, before wee can be planted into Chriſt. If therefore wee can finde our ſelues to be cut off from the naturall root wherein we are by birth, then we may ſecure our ſelues that wee are in a good way to be in Chriſt. Perhaps you will ſay that heere is difficultie ſtill: for how ſhall I know that I am cut off from the old Adam? I anſwer that (through Gods bleſſing) I ſhall giuegive you two manifeſt ſignes of it.
The firſt ſigne is taken from the cauſe of it,1 How we may know that wee are cut off from Adam. Col 2.11. Dan. 2.45. which is God only. As our circumciſion is made without hands (as Paul ſpeaketh:) ſo muſt our cutting off be. As our Sauiour Chriſt is that Stone which was cut out of the mountain without hands (as Daniel ſpeaketh:) ſo wee that are his members muſt be cut from the quarrie of Nature. Of his owne will begat he vsus by the word of truth, ſaith Iames; Iames 1.18. foreign. Matth. 3.9.and we that are borne of God, are borne, not of blouds, (the higheſt prerogatiues that births can afford vntounto vsus, cannot make vsus more pretious with God:) nor of the will of the fleſh, (all humane obſeruation and outward righteouſneſſe attained vntounto, by the power and policie of man,Phil. 3.6, 7. can ſtead vsus little with God:) nor the will of man (heroicall gifts of wiſdome, valour, noble ſpirits, in which reſpect men of old hauehave beene called the ſonnes of God (which is tranſlated The Sonnes of the Mightie) cannot make vsus any thing ſooner deare to God:) but we are borne of God (ſaith Iohn. Pſal. 29.1. 1 Cor. 1. Iohn 1.13.) There are many men ſeeme to be cut off, when they deſiſt from the outragious ſinnes of nature, who yet are not in Chriſt, becauſe they are cut off with hands: for the meanes to reſtraine them are ſome of theſe. Sometimes their complexion pulleth them in: cholericke Saul, finding his opportunitie, threw his jaueline at Dauid; he would hauehave writ the malice of his heart in bloud: but ſanguine Dauid, though hee had his opportunitie, tooke but Sauls water-pot, Speare, and lap of his garment, and that (iuſtly) with touch of Conſcience alſo. Though Dauid fell into murther in temptation, thinking ſo to couer his ſinne. Sometimes Natures impotencie pulleth them in: to ſome ſinnes are required the courage of a Lion, to ſome the craft of a Fox, to ſome comelineſſe, to ſome ſtrength, to ſome the heat of youth, to ſome the experience of age, and the like: In any of which, when Nature is defectiue, there is a reſtraint. Sometimes they are pulled in by knowledge: when a man is not giuen vp to a reprobate minde, hee ſeeth dutie and comelineſſe, and is reſtrained from thence. As ſome know their maſters will and doe it not, ſo there are others that do it not, becauſe they are ignorant: whereas if they had knowledge but according to that light which Nature can afford, it would be a bridle. Sometimes they are pulled in by proſperitie: He that hath enough will not ſteale; and if he ſometimes doe ſteale by oppreſſion, bribery, vſury, or the like; ſo much the greater is his ſinne, by how much more violently God pulled him ba…ke by taking away the cauſe. Sometimes they are reſtrained by aduerſitie. Hee that is poore cannot exerciſe the outward acts of pride, he cannot ordinarily ambitiouſly climbe to honour, hee cannot be actually couetous in keeping, ſeeing he hath not what to keepe. So that in theſe caſes his pouertie is a bridle. Sometimes they are held in by Education and imployment. A Citizen will carry himſelfe more grauely in habit, complement, and conuerſation, than a Courtier, for his credit ſake: and who ſeeth not that imploiment doth hold backe from many ſinnes?Vellem ſi non of ſem imperator. Scipio could ſay when an Harlot was off…red vntounto him, I would hauehave her if I were not a Gouernour. Sometimes they are reſtrained by the power of naturall conſcience: for though it bee much wounded and weakened in the offices of it, yet euen naturall men cannot be rid of thoſe blowes which it doth giuegive in ſecret. In which reſpect they hauehave beene and are kept from many ſinnes made knowne from the light of nature. Sometimes againe they are reſtrained and pulled backe by policie, becauſe they might the better conceale and couer their aimes and intentions. Thus was Iezabel reſtrained from the open murther of Naboth: and of Haman it is ſaid,Heſter 5.10. that, though he was full of indignation, yet he refrained himſelfe. All theſe bridles we may obſerue to be in the hand of Nature to reſtraine: Or thus; Theſe eight kniues are in Natures pocket, to cut vsus off from the old ſtocke. But all this is but a ſeeming cutting off: for it doth but cut off from the outward practiſe of ſinne, it weakneth not the root one iot. The habits of ſinne are no leſſe powerfull, the will no leſſe willing, the affections no leſſe vehement, and the deſires no leſſe violent. VnderUnder all theſe Nature ſinneth not either becauſe Nature cannot, or becauſe Nature dare not; and not becauſe there is diſabilitie either in the ſeeds and ſp…wne of ſinne, or in a willingneſſe to ſinne, if it either could or durſt. Durſt, I ſay: becauſe naturall conſcience may plie a man with club-law, and awe him from that which with all his heart he would be doing.
But now on the contrarie, when our cutting off is wrought without hands, and is ſuch as Nature with all her bridles and kniues cannot reach vntounto; then we doe not only deſiſt from the practiſe of ſinne, but we doe weaken the power of ſinne; wee doe not only not commit ſinne, b… cauſe we cannot or dare not, but becauſe we will not. And though ſometimes through the power of the fleſh fighting againſt the ſpirit in our mindes, wills, affections and deſires, we are againſt our wills ouer-taken with ſinne: yet (becauſe ſinne doth defile vsus, who are the temples of God, and doth diſpleaſe God, as God, and doth carrie the Deuils ſtampe vponupon it, though it were neuer ſo ſmall, though neuer ſo profitable or pleaſurable vntounto vsus, though God did not ſee and iudge, and the Deuill would not execute) wee would not willingly commit it.
Behold this is our cutting off without hands. Oh (my beloued Chriſtians) now enter into your hearts, and I hope that by this ſigne you ſhal ſee your ſelues to be in Chriſt. If, when you compare your ſelues with them that walke in naturall courſes, and ſee that you are cut off from them in iudgement, in heart, and in conuerſation, you can in ſimplicitie and godly pureneſſe ſay, Lord thou knoweſt that our care hath not beene only to hauehave holineſſe to the Lord without, but to reforme our hearts, and to dreſſe them vp for thee, according to thoſe ſpirituall abilities which thou haſt giuen vsus. Thou knoweſt, Lord, that we hauehave complained, ſighed, and prayed vntounto thee againſt the bodie of ſinne and death: and becauſe thou loueſt the ſoule beſt, we doe account all the ſinnes of the ſoule moſt fearefull, and therefore hauehave laboured againſt the blindneſſe, vanitie, and carnall wiſdome of our minds, againſt the deadneſſe and ſecuritie of our hearts, and the like. It is not hid from thee our God, that we hauehave beene and are vpright with thee, Pſal 18.23.and hauehave kept vsus from our wickedneſſe, not ſo much becauſe it hurt vsus, as becauſe it diſhonoured thee; not ſo much becauſe it diſpleaſed vsus, as becauſe it diſpleaſed thee and was contrary to thy moſt holy Law and Nature, in the in…oyment of the communicable glorie, whereof ſtandeth our ioy and happineſſe. If it be thus with our ſoules, at the leaſt according to the deſires, purpoſes and endeuours of our hearts: and if we doe groane vnderunder the want of that full meaſure of it which we might attaine vntounto: then we may comfort our hearts with this perſwaſion, that we are in Chriſt.
The ſecond Signe of our being cut from the firſt Adam, is taken from the effect of it, which is tenderneſſe of heart and conſcience. We know that a thing newly cut is tender, as we may ſee in the example of Sychemites, Gen. 34.newly circumciſed. And this was the reaſon why the Iſraelites were not circumciſed in the wilderneſſe, becauſe through tenderneſſe they might not be vnfit for warre or trauell. Now, you muſt know that this our cutting off from Adam (which, being ſo done, as it is alwaies doing till death, is ſtill freſh and bleeding new) doth breed a double tenderneſſe. Firſt, an inward tenderneſſe, which is diſcouered by a ſenſibleneſſe of our owne eſtate. Secondly, an outward tenderneſſe, which is manifeſted by our ſenſibleneſſe of anothers touch. Wee are inwardly tender ouer our owne eſtates, when with quickneſſe we can apprehend the ſinfulneſſe of our natures. Thus it was with Paul, Rom. 7.18.when he profeſſed to know, that in him, that is, in his fleſh dwelt no good thing. This will fill vsus with godly ſorrow, with a baſe opinion of our ſelues, with Chriſtian watchfulneſſe, and with a care (to our power and in our places) to preuent ſinne in others, and not willingly to admit of any thing that may kindle any luſt, or increaſe the practiſe of any ſinne.
We are outwardly tender vnderunder anothers touch, either in reſpect of euill or good. In reſpect of euill, when it is death and daggers to our ſoules that God ſhould be diſhonoured. As in reſpect of our ſelues, if ſinne doe but touch our eares, eyes, tongues, hands, or thoughts, we doe ſpeedily turne them ouer to Gods vſes, deſiring God to protect them, and make them weapons of righteouſneſſe vntounto holineſſe: ſo in reſpect of others, like Ioſephs irons it entereth into our ſoules, that God ſhould be diſhonoured by them. It was thus with Moſes, who,Exod. 32.32. when he ſaw how greatly God would be diſhonoured, if hee ſhould deſtroy a people whom he had ſo newly deliuered by his mightie power, was ſo tender of that euill, that he deſired God rather to raſe him out of the Booke of life. You can parallele this with Paul his example alſo.Rom. 9.3. Oh how excellently had they profited in Gods Schoole, and learned to manifeſt their cutting off from the old ſtocke, by their tenderneſſe vnderunder the touch of ſinne! Wee ſhall well imitate them when we can make all the reſt of the petitions in faithfulneſſe and truth to follow, Hallowed be thy name.
In reſpect of good alſo wee are tender vnderunder anothers touch when we ſtartle at the touch of God. If God touch vsus with his threatnings, we muſt be as ſenſible as hee that ſaid,Pſal. 119. My fleſh trembleth for feare of thee, and I am afraid of thy iudgements. If he touch vsus with his promiſes, we muſt hide them in our hearts, and be ſo rauiſhed with them that wee can feelingly ſay, How ſweet are thy promiſes to my mouth, Pſal. 119. 1 Sam. 3.yea ſweet…r than honey to my mouth. If he touch vsus with his precepts, we anſwer with Samuel, Speake Lord, for thy ſeruant heareth: and our hearts can eccho as Dauids did to this precept,Pſal. 27.8. Seeke yee my face, ſaying, Thy face Lord will I ſeeke.
What ſhall I now ſay? I will call vponupon all our ſoules to apply this ſigne. Let vsus examine our owne hearts vponupon our beds, Pſal. 4.and be ſtill. Aſſure our ſelues of this, that if we would fi…de our ſelues to be cut off from Adam, wee muſt finde our ſelues tender, Pſal.as I hauehave ſaid. Me thinks I heare you ſay, that your ſinfull eſtate is a burthen too heauy for you to beare: that daily you groane to God vnderunder the ſenſe of it, as Paul, Rom. 7.Wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliuer me from this bodie of death? That you are grieued when God is diſhonoured, and becauſe he is diſhonoured daily, therefore the very thought of it doth daily make you ſigh. Me thinks you ſay that you heartily deſire that your eyes could guſh out riuers of waters becauſe men keepe not Gods law: Pſal. 119.and that you quickly apprehend the touch of God in all his word; or at the leaſt if you cannot, that your ſoules are filled with godly ſorrow, and that you doe deſire God to circumciſe the fore-skin of your hearts. Deut 30.6.If it be thus, then feare not but that you are in an vndoubted way to your being in Chriſt. But if otherwiſe, that our hearts are hard and ſenſeleſſe of our owne miſeries and Gods touch, then woe, woe, woe vntounto vsus: we are farre from being new creatures, and ſo farre from Chriſt, and ſo farre from heauen and happineſſe.
T he ſecond generall way whereby we may proue our ſelues to be new creatures, We muſt be grafted into the new ſtock.is by our ingrafting into the new ſtocke: for before we are in Chriſt we muſt be grafted in. Now, in this ingrafting (which is by the power of faith whereby we are through Gods ordinance made one with Chriſt in his life, death, reſurrection, and aſcenſion) there being two things diſtinctly to be conceiued (which yet goe together in time): firſt, our being made members; and ſecondly, our receiuing the gifts of members: vponupon this, I ſay, there will grow two queſtions, wherein our conſciences will deſire ſatisfaction, whereunto I would intreat you to attend in their order. The firſt is this: How we may know that we are made liuing members of Chriſt?How we may know that we are made liuing members of Chriſt.
It is a ſweet queſtion, and worthy our conſideration. Therefore marke diligently that this ſecret will be diſcouered vntounto vsus by three ſignes eſpecially.
The firſt ſigne of our being a member of Chriſt is, If we are borne againe. No member can be a member of the bodie but by naturall generation (and therefore in the want of armes and legs, all that are made by Artizans are but counterfeit members:) ſo none can be a member of Chriſt but by ſpirituall regeneration. Therefore through the power of Gods ſpirit and word we muſt finde an alteration in all the parts and powers of the bodie and ſoule from what we are by nature. This is called a turning in the Scriptures, when of Prodigals we become Conuerts; feeding no longer vponupon the husks of ſwine, thoſe noyſome and filthy luſts of the fleſh, but of the feaſt of fat things and fined wines (as Eſay ſpeaketh) or of the fat calfe which God hath prouided;Eſai. 25.6. Luke 25. that is, chearing our hearts with the wiſdome of Chriſt againſt our folly and blindneſſe, with the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt againſt our guiltineſſe, with the ſanctification of Chriſt againſt the reliques of our ſinne and vncleanneſſe,1 Cor. ….3. and with the redemption of Chriſt againſt our apoſtaticall and back-ſliding hearts.
The ſecond ſigne of our being a member of Chriſt is, If we receiue new ſenſe and motion from the head. As in the naturall bodie all the members doe receiue ſenſe and motion from the head: ſo in the ſpirituall bodie. For though there be no naturall connexion of parts betwixt Chriſt and vsus,Act. 3.21. the heauen containing him in reſpect of his bodily preſence, and we being here on the earth: yet by vertue of the ſpirituall ligatures and ties of faith (which is Gods ordinance to this end) wee hauehave no leſſe reall coniunction (though we cannot ſee it) than naturall head and members hauehave. Wee cannot ſee the coniunction betwixt man and wife, who yet are one fleſh, though they are a thouſand miles aſunder,Prov. 2.17. by vertue of that contract and couenant of God betwixt them. The vnion betwixt the beaſts and the wheeles in Ezekiels viſion was not viſible,Ezek. 1.21. yet it was reall, becauſe the ſpirit of the beaſts was in the wheeles, which made them moue together and ſtand ſtill together. So it is betwixt our Head and vsus. If therefore by vertue of this vnion we doe not daunce after natures pipe, which the Apoſtle calleth, walking after the fleſh, or ſowing to the fleſh, or fulfilling the luſts of the fleſh, but are moued to walke after the ſpirit, ſo to runne that we may obtaine, not to be clogged with the earth, but to hauehave our conuerſation in heauen, to ſit with Chriſt in heauenly places, and in our whole courſe (though with much ſtrife and reluctation) to moue vpwards, then may we ſafely ſay, that we are members of Chriſt.
The third ſigne of our being a member of Chriſt is, if we worke for the head. As the whole naturall bodie is vnderunder the obedience of the head: ſo the whole ſpirituall bodie doth worke for its head, as for its king and ſoueraigne. If the head be warred againſt, the foot runneth, or ſtandeth, and the hand doth defend: if the head be in peace, the whole bodie maintaineth its honour, vſeth meanes to better vnderſtanding, to ripen iudgement, to corroborate memorie, to quicken ſenſes, and to performe other offices vntounto it. So muſt we worke for Chriſt: he muſt increaſe, we muſt decreaſe. All our labour muſt be to maintaine his honour: therefore wee muſt denie our ſelues, to wit, our naturall iudgements, wills, affections, and the worth of our worke… …hat Chriſt may be all in all vntounto vsus, and wee may cry out with that bleſſed Martyr, None to Chriſt, none to Chriſt.
Oh that we had hearts to try our ſelues by theſe ſignes! How great will our comfort be if we can finde our ſelues to be members of Chriſt! Some men ioy that their armes and legs are members of ſound and healthfull bodies: but it is no matter though the outer man periſh, ſo long as the inward man by being a member of Chriſt is renewed daily. I bowe therefore the knees of my heart vntounto the Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and beſeech him, that hee would grant, both to you all, and me, and all Gods people, that wee may for euer proue our ſelues to be borne againe, to receiue heauenly motion from Chriſt, and to worke for him, that ſo wee may proue our ſelues to be his members. I will open a little light vntounto you in theſe three points.
We may know our ſelues to be borne againe,How wee may know our ſelues to be borne againe. if God hauehave giuen vsus a conſcionable care to nouriſh the hid man of the heart. EueryEvery thing hath a naturall inſtinct to nouriſh it ſelfe, ſo ſoone as it hath a naturall production: euen ſo muſt wee hauehave.1 Pet. 2.2. For therefore Peter ſaith, As new borne babes, deſire the ſincere milke of the word, that yee may grow thereby. As babes deſire the mothers dug, ſo muſt our ſoules (if they be regenerated) deſire the word of God. How is that?1 Vnappeaſably. I anſwer: Firſt, wee muſt deſire it vnappeaſably. GiueGive a childe houſes and lands, gold and gaine, profit and pleaſure, and nothing will content it but a dug: ſo all the world is worth nothing to Gods babes without the word;Pſal. 1 19. as Dauid ſaith, The word of thy mouth is dearer vntounto me than thouſands of gold and ſiluer. Secondly, we muſt deſire the word conſtantly.2 Conſtantly. Little children doe not onelyonly deſire the dugge waking, but when they are aſleepe their lips will be going: ſo Gods babes (though they being ouertaken with drowſineſſe cry out with the Spouſe, I ſleepe) yet their hearts awake,Cant. 5.2. and when they are moſt drowſie they will be nibbling vponupon the word; yea they cannot be content without it. For looke as the needle of a Diall doth nothing but tremble and ſhake, and hath no reſt till it be turned vponupon the North pole: ſo the heart of Gods childe can hauehave no peace in any degree of ſecuritie, till it be raiſed feelingly to imbrace the word of God againe.3 Cryingly. Thirdly, we muſt deſire the word cryingly. EueryEvery one of vsus do ſee the new-borne babe to cry for the dugge: euen ſo muſt we for the word. We muſt cry to God for it, and deſire him that we may neuer be without it. Thus we ſhall reſemble that man after Gods owne heart, Pſal. 84.whoſe ſoule longed and fainted for the Courts of the Lord. Fourthly, we muſt deſire the word by ſupernaturall inſtinct. By inſtinct.Babes in deſiring the dugge doe not reſpect the profit, the pleaſure, the goodneſſe, and nouriſhment of it, but are carried vntounto it by a naturall inſtinct: ſo we muſt be addicted vntounto the word, not for eloquence, learning, law, or times ſake, but by a ſupernaturall inſtinct and ſpirituall inclination, to ſeeke nouriſhment from thence from whence we receiued our being in grace. Let theſe foure be tokens of our n…w …irth, which if wee finde in our ſoules, yea but in deſire, (prouided there be a purpoſe and endeuour to increaſe) let me then ſay vntounto vsus all with ioy, that if we care a while we ſhall be for euer ſafe.
Secondly, we may know that we receiue motion from Chriſt our head,How wee may know that wee receiue motion from Chriſt our head. if our heads and hearts be not moued to the world as the world, but as it may be (in any of the kindes of it) a teſtimonie of Gods louelove, and a neceſſarie ſupply for our pilgrimage in this vale of teares. It is true …hat Agar may be in the familie for ſeruice, but Sarah muſt be miſtreſſe. Abraham may build a Groue for his delight,Gen. 21.33. …ut hee muſt not forget God, but call vponupon the Lord the euerlaſting God there. The things of this world are but left-hand bleſſings, and they muſt be vſed accordingly. We all feele to our griefe, that naturally we are carried to the earth: but Chriſt ſwayeth his members another w…y. For as it is wi…h the waters of the Sea, though by their naturall courſe they follow the Center, yet by obedience to the Moone they are ſubiect to her motion,As it is conceiued and reſolued by the wiſe men of nature. and ſo turne and returne, ebbe and flow, and are kept in continuall motion to keepe them from corruption: ſo is it with Chriſts members, though by their owne motion they are carried to the ear…h, yet by obedience to Chriſt their firſt mouer they ſeeke the things that are aboue to keepe themſelues from corrupting.
Laſtly, we may know that we as members doe worke for Chriſt,How wee may kno… that wee worke for Chriſt our head. if we ſeeke to aduance the honour of Chriſt in all things, but eſpecially in our ſelues. If we looke into our owne ſoules, wee ſhall finde that there is a curſed carnall wiſdome which will worke a glorying in our worldly happineſſe, and an aduancing of our owne righteouſneſſe and moralitie, together with a drawing vsus to pride our ſelues in the many graces which God hath giuen vsus. But if wee can wiſely ſeparate the worke of Chriſt from our owne working: and when we feelingly conſider our ſelues, cry out with that holy Martyr,Gehennah ſum Domine. I am hell, Lord, I am hell; and with the bleſſed Apoſtle, I am the leaſt of Saints, I am the chiefe of ſinners; and notwithſtanding all the graces that are in vsus, to ſay in humble wiſe with the ſame Apoſtle, I thanke God through Ieſus Christ our Lord: Rom. 7.25.and againe, thanks be to God for his vnſpeakable gift: then with a holy confidence in the merits of our Sauiour, wee may write our ſelues members of Chriſt.
Thus I hope that (through Gods goodneſſe) I hauehave in ſome meaſure ſatisfied the firſt demand, and made it appeare vntounto vsus how wee may diſcerne our ſelues to be the members of Chriſt.
What are thoſe gifts of members which we doe receiue in our ingrafting into Chriſt.The ſecond queſtion may be this: What are thoſe gifts which we doe receiue in our ingrafting into Chriſt, by which it may be manifeſted vntounto vsus that we are new creatures and in Chriſt? I anſwer, that there are many gifts which God beſtowes vponupon vsus at that time: but I ſhall onelyonly ſpeake of thoſe that are moſt ſenſible in their working, as being moſt manifeſt diſcouerers of our new eſtates in Chriſt. Theſe gifts are two. The firſt is the death of ſinne: the ſecond is the life of grace. Sinne muſt die and by degrees periſh; Grace muſt liue and by degrees flouriſh in vsus, if we be new creatures in Chriſt.
Firſt, ſinne muſt die in vsus. This the Apoſtle expreſſeth by mortifying our earthly members, Mortification.by crucifying the old man with the luſts thereof, and by caſting off concerning our conuerſation in times paſt, Col. 3.5. Gal. 5.24. Eph. 4.22.which is corrupt through the deceiueable luſts.
For the effecting whereof I would hauehave you diſtinctly conceiue theſe two points.
Firſt, what we muſt doe againſt ſinne.
Secondly, what we muſt ſuffer for the death of ſinne.
As for our doing againſt ſinne, we muſt imitate the crucifying of Ieſus Chriſt,What we muſt doe againſt ſinne. which is an exact patterne of Gods iuſtice againſt ſinne. Firſt, wee muſt attache ſinne, by not ſuffering it freely to doe that miſchiefe which it hath done. It hath conuerſed formerly in our ſoules without controll, but now we muſt begin to thinke that it is poſſible for ſin to be our enemie. We muſt ſuſpect it of felonie and treaſon againſt God; therefore we muſt lay hands vponupon it, and reſolue that it ſhall not hauehave that liberty to play its prancks as it hath had. This counſell Paul giues to the Romanes when he ſaith, Let not ſinne reigne; that is,Rom. 6.12, 13. call the authoritie of it into queſtion, giuegive not your members as weapons vntounto it, call in your forces from it, and put it in hold that it may be forth-comming to anſwer that which ſhall be laid vntounto its charge.
Secondly, We muſt arraigne ſinne, by bringing of it vntounto a iudiciall triall before the barre of our conſciences, as before Gods deputie. We muſt examine it vponupon the diſhonour which it hath done to the God of mercy, the wounds it hath made in our ſoules, and the hurt it hath done to all which wee are and hauehave: want of this it was that God complained of by Ieremy, when hee hearkened and heard, and no man ſpake aright, ſaying, What hauehave I done? That is,Ier. 8.6. no man betweene God and his owne ſoule called his ſinne to an account.
Thirdly, wee muſt indite ſinne, by making the accuſation of it as large as the flying booke of Zacharies curſes. As if we ſhould ſay; O my God, Zach. 5.2.this rebell ſinne diſhonoureth thee, defaceth thy image, makes me like the deuill, hides thy fatherly countenance from me, grieues thy ſpirit, and wounds my conſcience, Luk. 15.17, 18, 19and the like. Thus the prodigall laid to the charge of ſinne, that he died for hunger, that he had ſinned against heauen, that he departed from his father, and that he was not worthy to be his ſonne.
1 Cor. 11.31.Fourthly, we muſt condemne ſinne by iudging of it out of meaſure ſinfull, and our ſelues for it worthy of eternall wrath.Ezek. 36.31. Marke the words of the Prophet, Yee ſhall remember your wickedneſſe and your deeds which were not good, and ſhall (iudge) your ſelues worthy to hauehave beene deſtroyed for your iniquities and abhominations. Thus the Prodigall iudged himſelfe not worthy to be called his fathers ſonne. Luk. 15.19.Moſt of vsus iudge our ſelues better than we are, becauſe we compare our ſelues with our ſelues, and with them that are worſe: ſome iudge themſelues worſe than they are, as ſome few poore afflicted ſoules, who being ouer-borne with the violence of temptation, cannot ſee themſelues in Chriſt but in the Law: but we muſt paſſe righteous iudgement, and that without repeale.
Fiftly, we muſt execute ſinne: and to this end we muſt doe three things. Firſt, wee muſt make a croſſe for it, by croſſing and thwarting all the ſlights and fetches of ſinne whereby it would gaine vponupon vsus. And this muſt be by caring and ſpeedy paines-taking in our ſoules both after the pardon of ſinne,2 Co…. 7.11. and after power againſt it: by apologie, or clearing of our ſelues, and vomiting the poyſon of ſin vp by hearty confeſſion ſo ſoone as it is committed: by indignation, in renouncing all friendſhip with ſinne, and being angry with our ſelues that we ſhould be ſuch varlets as to commit it: by fearing leſt we ſhould fall into it againe: by deſiring ſpirituall communion and fellowſhip with God in Chriſt in the vſe of ſuch meanes as God hath appointed for our ſtrengthning: by Zeale, burning vp and conſuming all fleſhly louelove and deſire after ſinne, and all ſluggiſhneſſe to the practiſe of contrary graces: by reuenge, depriuing it of that which doth maintaine it, that is, not onelyonly the luſts of pleaſure and profit, but the garment ſpotted by the fleſh, together with all occaſions which may either draw on ſinne, or incourage it to be the more bold, or take new hold vponupon vsus, as exceſſe in our Chriſtian libertie, either in the vſe of our meats, drinks, or cloathing. Of theſe parts is the croſſe of ſinne excellently framed to bring it vntounto death.
Secondly, wee muſt number ſinne amongſt theeues before wee will execute it. Wee vſe not to execute any but thoſe which are malefactors: to this end therefore wee muſt account ſinne ſo, and reckon it to be as odious as may bee. For thus wee ſhall both keepe our ſelues from danger, when the very thought of the greatneſſe of it doth affright vsus: as alſo we ſhall manifeſt our hatred of ſinne, when all the rhetoricke and eloquence we hauehave is little enough to ſet out the deformitie of it.
Thirdly, for the executing of ſinne wee muſt die with Chriſt: for by faith we muſt ſet our ſelues in his roome, and feele ſo neere an vnion betwixt him and vsus, that his death may really be ours, and wee virtually die in him. Then ſhall we hauehave our iuſt plea againſt all allurements to ſinne; How ſhall we that are dead to ſinne liue yet therein? Rom. 6.2.We cannot and be in Chriſt too: for he that hath ſuffered in the fleſh (ſaith Peter) hath ceaſed from ſin, 1 Pet. 4.1, 2.that he hence-forward ſhould liue, (as much time as remaineth in the fleſh) not after the luſts of men, but after the will of God.
Thus (deare Chriſtians) hauehave I taught you what wee muſt doe againſt ſinne that ſinne may die: which becauſe it cannot be without our paſſion and ſuffering; therefore in the ſecond place conſider what wee muſt ſuffer for the death of ſinne. My hope and deſire is, that as your ſoules hauehave gone along with me hitherto, ſo they ſhall ſtill hold out vnwearied in ſuch ſauing points of diuinitie.
We muſt ſuffer for the death of ſinne, ſome things that goe before it; ſome things that come with it; and ſome things that doe follow after it. Firſt, yee know that, ordinarily, ſickneſſe goeth before death: ſo we muſt be ſicke of ſinne. As a man that is ſtomack-ſicke can hauehave no eaſe till the humors be abated one way or other: ſo muſt it be betweene vsus and ſinne till ſinne be abated. Looke vponupon Dauid, …and you ſhall ſee that his bones were troubled, his ſoule was vexed, his heart fainted, his eies were dimmed, his bed was waſhed, his couch was watered, and all becauſe he knew his iniquities and his ſinne was euer before him. P…l …1.….When Dauid was thus ſicke of ſinne, there was hope that the graue ſhould be digged for it ere long: meane while the ſpirit within him compelled him to goe to the Phyſitian of his ſoule, and ſay, O Lord heale mee, for my bones are vexed: And againe, O Lord deliuer my ſoule, that the bones which thou haſt broken may reio…ce.
Secondly, yee know that two things come with death; namely, decay of ſenſes, and pangs of death: ſo theſe two things alſo we muſt ſuffer for the death of ſin. Our ſenſe of ſinne muſt decay: our eies muſt feebly behold the obiects by which …inne is nouriſhed.See …y S…r…on vponupon Gal. ….…. We muſt turne them away from beholding vanitie with pleaſure, our eares muſt not endure to heare of it, as I hauehave ſaid before. Our ſenſes abuſed are the Deuils cinque-ports, both to let out that wickedneſſe which is bred in our hearts,M…m … & … and to let in that which by the aduerſarie is ſowed in the field of Gods creatures: when therefore we doe challenge them from the Deuill,I…b 31.1. and ſenſe them for Gods vſes, as Iob, when he made a couenant with his eyes; and Dauid, when hee would hearken what the Lord will ſay, and the like: then doe …hey decay and periſh from ſinne, and from vncleanneſſe. Againe, we muſt finde, to the griefe and v…x…tion of our naturall eſtate, that our ſinnes doe ſtruggle and ſtriue as for life and are vnwilling to die. The Deuill, finding his kingdome in ſinne to be diminiſhed, muſt then or neuer beſtirre himſelfe, as a ſhe Lion robbe… of her whelpes. We know by common experience that the birth of a childe naturall cannot be without paine: ſo neither can the birth of the new man, that hid man of the Heart. Was it not a paine to the Iſraelites to be called out of Aegypt, and in the wilderneſſe to be fitted for fellowſhip with God by thunderings, lightnings, earthquakes, and the like? It is no leſſe to all Gods Sonnes, whom he calleth out of the Aegypt of ſin, whereof Pharaohs Aegypt was but a type and ſhadow. Therefore was Dauid caſt into the deepe,Pſal. 130.1. out of which hee called vntounto God: and when Ionas was of a prodigall to become a conuert, he cried vntounto God out of the belly of hell.Ionas 2.2.
Thirdly, yee know that two things alſo follow after death, to wit, coldneſſe and putr…faction: euen ſo theſe two things alſo we muſt ſuffer for the death of ſinne: for firſt, ſinne muſt be cold in vsus: Before it was, as it were, our life bloud (in our account) without which we could not liue. If euer we ſhewed any actiuitie, it was in ſinning: we ruſhed into wickedneſſe, as a horſe into the battaile, we drunke iniquitie, like as the wilde Aſſe doth water. But now our heat is much abated. As it was with Iob, when God had brought him to ſee himſelfe, hee was cold in his pleadings againſt God, and ſaid, Once hauehave I ſpoken, but I will anſwer no more, Iob 39.38.yea twice, but I will proceed no further: ſo it is with all Gods people; ſo that if euer they fall into ſinne againe, they are very bu…glers at it, they cannot hide it, and colour it as they did before, they cannot giuegive it the full ſtrength and force of will and affections: yea as there is great difference betwixt the naturall worke of a childe and of a man; ſo is there no leſſe difference betwixt ſinne in the childe of God, (in whom it waxeth more cold eueryevery day than other) and in the wicked, who is a man in ſinning, and in whom it is vigorous, and (like the Leuiathan in the ſea) in its owne proper element.
Secondly, ſinne muſt, as it were, ſtinke in our noſtrils. It muſt be like Lazarus in the graue,Iohn 11. of whom it was ſaid, he ſtinketh alreadie. As therefore Dauids enemies ſaid to him, Fie vponupon thee, fie vponupon thee: ſo muſt we with loathing ſay to ſinne. The Prophet ſpeaking of thoſe that ſhould be true conuerts from Idolatrie,Eſay 30.22. ſaith, Yee ſhall pollute the couerings of the Images of ſiluer, and the rich ornament of thine Images of gold, and caſt them away, as a menſtruous clout, and thou ſhalt ſay vntounto it, Get thee hence. Thus mu…t all true Conuerts deale with all ſin. If the righteous man can ſmell ſin and iniquity euen in his holy offerings, Exod. …8.38. …a… …4.….in which reſpect our righteouſnes is as a menſtruous and polluted cloth: how much more muſt a penitent man ſmell hell in his ſinne, to make him to abhorre it for euermore! Me thinkes now (my beloued) I hauehave laid a glaſſe before you, wherein you may view your ſoules: God make it to cauſe a comfortable …eflexion vponupon you, that yee may ſee your owne pictures. My hope is, that the more yee view it, the more yee ſhall ſee that it is none other, but what yee feelingly and from experience finde to be wrought in you alreadie towards the eternall death of your curſed enemie.
2 Viuification.Yet yee muſt goe one ſtep further (as I hauehave told you:) for as ſinne muſt die and periſh, ſo grace muſt liue and floriſh. The ſecond gift therefore which we doe receiue, in our grafting into Chriſt,2 Cor. 4.10. …phe…. 4.18. 1 Pet. 4.2. is a new life. This is called the life of Ieſus, and the life of God, and liuing after the will of God, and Chriſts liuing in vsus, & liuing vntounto God, …al. 2.20. Rom. ….…7.and obeying from the heart vntounto the forme of doctrine to which we are deliuered, and the like. Looke as when there ſhall be a new heauens and a new earth, wherein righteouſneſſe ſhall dwell (as Peter ſpeaketh,) there ſhall be a new life,… Pet 3.13. and a new m…nner of liuing (for wee ſhall not need the ordinarie ſupplies in this world for our neceſſities or infirmities, when the Lambe ſhall be all in all vntounto vsus:) ſo when wee are new creatures in Chriſt Ieſus, wee doe receiue a new life, and a new manner of liuing. The old courſe of ſinning cannot agree with this eſtate.Rom. 8.1. He that is in Chriſt muſt not walke after the fleſh, but after the ſpirit. Hence is it that Chriſt ſaith, He that abideth in mee, and I in him, Iohn 15.5.the ſame bringeth forth much fruit: And Iohn doth ſtrongly ſecond it, ſaying, If we ſay that we hauehave fellowſhip with him, 1 Iohn 1.6.and walke in darkneſſe, we lie. As therefore when we looke vponupon the Impes which we hauehave grafted, and ſee them bring forth bud, leafe and fruit, we reioyce in the worke of our hands, and ſay they take well: ſo when we looke vponupon our ſelues, who are grafted into Chriſt,Philip. 1.11. and ſee that wee bring forth the fruits of r…ghteouſneſſe, which are by Ieſus, wee may reioyce in the worke of Gods hands (who hath wrought all our workes for vsus) and ſay that we take well.Eſay 26.12. The Spirit of Chriſt, which, in our grafting into him, he conueigheth vntounto vsus, is a Spirit of life: it is an actiue and operatiue Spirit,Rom. 8.2. in which reſpect the ſecond Adam is called a quickening Spirit. What muſt we doe now? I will tell you:1 Cor. 15.45. Seeing thoſe that are new creatures in Chriſt, muſt liue a new life, therefore eueryevery one of vsus muſt trie whether we hauehave this new life in vsus, yea or no. I know that the neweſt life wee can procure, cannot deſerue Gods preſence and fauour, yet by Gods gratious acceptation, it giues a fit qualification for the entertainment of ſuch a gueſt as God is. For if to bring vsus vntounto Kings, we muſt not be baſe and ſordid in our perſons and conuerſations, yea we muſt be acquainted with fit complements for ſuch a preſence (for Mordecai might not enter into the Kings gate when hee was clothed with ſackcloth:Hoſt. 4.2.) much more muſt we be furniſhed with fit complements and qualities for the preſence of God in Chriſt, and to hauehave communion and fellowſhip with him.
How wee may diſcouer this new li…e.Lift we vp our hearts then, and let vsus conſider whether we hauehave this life in vsus yea or no.
It may be you will ſay, How ſhall we know whether we hauehave this new life of the new creature? I anſwer, that this may be diſcouered vntounto vsus two waies.
1. By our aptneſſe in procuring the helps of life.
2. By our imployment of our ſtrength in the acts of life.
Firſt, Where there is the life of grace, there is an aptneſſe to preſerue it ſelfe by procuring the helpes of life. Now, theſe helpes doe either reſpect our ſelues,Helpes of a new life. or our enemies.
That which reſpects our ſelues is fit maintenance for grace.Fit maintenance. Grace thriues not where it cannot bee maintained, and whereſoeuer it is it will ſeeke for more. As I ſaid before, that in the very entrance of our new birth, We will as new borne babes deſire the ſincere milke of the Word: ſo at that time, when our ingrafting into Chriſt is more manifeſted vntounto our conſciences, wee ſtill ayme at meanes to maintaine and preſerue it. Oh how doe we pray to God, That God would ſtabliſh vsus by his free Spirit, Pſal. 51.and not take his holy Spirit from vsus? How doe we pant vntounto God, That hee would grant vsus according to the riches of his glory: …heſ. 3.16, 17.that wee may be ſtrengthened by the Spirit in the inner man, that Chriſt may dwell in our hearts by faith, and that wee may bee rooted and grounded in louelove? How doe we hunger and thirſt after the good Word of God which is able to ſaue our ſoules? As wee doe wry our mouthes with the new borne babe, after the dugge of Gods Word: ſo with the growne man we hauehave a good ſtomacke and appetite vntounto it. The huskes of mans wiſdome and humane traditions are hunted after, of thoſe of whom the Apoſtle ſaith, Beware of dogges: Phil. 3.2.but the man of God hungreth to heare God ſpeake. And becauſe he knowes that he is borne againe for the kingdome of God, therfore, though when he meets with the things of this world, he doth thankfully embrace them, & vſe them as if he vſed them not; yet he ſeekes after the things aboue: Col. 3.1.aboue the world, the Church; aboue nature, grace; aboue the fauour of Princes, the grace of God; aboue ſinne, a Sauiour; aboue earth, heauen. If therefore it be thus with our ſoules, that, as all creatures do ſeek their meats ſutable to their natures: the Lion, fleſh; the Horſe, graſſe; the Fowles, Wormes; the Catts, Miſe; and the Bees, hony; ſo we doe hunt after theſe things, then hauehave we entred into this life.
Secondly, Thoſe helpes that doe reſpect our enemies, are our naturall vigilancy and watchfulneſſe, againſt that which doth thwart and oppoſe life. And from this head I ſhall commend vntounto you two ſignes of life.
The firſt is Senſibleneſſe of the leaſt degree of death or oppoſition of life. He that is in an irrecouerable eſtate,2 Senſibleneſſe of death. findes not the leaſt degrees of death creeping vponupon him, and when hee is readie to die, ſaith, He is well; whereas he that is well is ſenſible of the leaſt diſtemper: but if a man be dead, he doth not feele death it ſelfe, he heares no alarum to battaile, ſees not the approach of any enemy, nor ſmels the ſtinke of any wound: So if we be in a ſpiritually-dead eſtate, we feele not killing ſinne to approach;Prou. as Solomon ſaith of the foole, Hee caſteth fire-brands, arrowes, and mortall things, and ſaith, I am not in ieſt: So we make ſport vntounto our ſelues in the committing of ſinne, and ſay, Doe we not liue? Yea, if we be dead, let God ſend one letter of defiance vntounto vsus after another, for our ſinnes, we heare and heare not, we know and vnderſtand not: and though from …he crowne of the head to the ſole o… the foot there be no part whole,… nothing but botches and blaines full of corruption, yet wee ſmell not the ſtinke of the corruption of our wounds, we runne not to the b…lme of Gilead, wee deſire not the good Samaritane to helpe vsus: but if wee are aliue, oh how doe we ſcud from death, as the fearfull Hare from the greedie Hound? How doth the leaſt approach of this death by the leaſt ſinne, make vsus cry out with Paul, Wretched man that I am, Rom. 7.who ſhall deliuer mee from the bodie of this death? Poore Chriſtians, who are deiected and caſt downe at the fearefull fight of their owne guiltineſſe, the more ſenſible they are of the death of ſinne, the more they cry out of themſelues as of dead men: whereas if they would paſſe righteous iudgement, they ſhould conclude that the ſpirit of life is in them.
3 Fi…hing againſt death.The next ſigne of life is fighting againſt that which would take it away. The liuing worme being trod vponupon will turne vp the taile, Heare O worme Iacob: ſo wilt thou, if thou hauehave any life in thee. When the worme feeleth the earth to be ſhaken, preſently it commeth running out of the earth, fearing the approach of the mole: ſo if thou liue, when thou feeleſt the ſhaking of the cabbin of thy eaſe and ſecuritie (thy bodie I meane) by paine…, ache…, and diſeaſes, then thou doſt preſently ſtartle, come to the doore to ſee what newes, meet thine enemy death, diſarme him, and pull out his ſting, that at the laſt …he conqueſt may bee thine. Againe, is there life in vsus? then the Spirit of life doth fight againſt the fleſh,…om ….… leſt, wee liuing after it, do die. Oh how doe liuing men ſtriue againſt the whole bodie of ſinne and death? How doth the ſpirit luſt aga…nſt the fleſh? Yea,Gal. 5.17. how doth the liuing ſpirit get the vpper hand, and ſight more manfully eueryevery day than other, eſpecially againſt that ſinne which doth moſt croſſe it? I hauehave kept me from my wickedneſſe, ſaith Dauid; that is,P…l. 18.23. that ſinne whereunto hee was moſt inclined: euen ſo muſt we if we hauehave this new life. This is the way to finde all liuing gr…es to increaſe, & all ſin to be in a decaying eſtate. For we know that there is no equall match betweene the old man & the new: as God ſmites the enemies of his people on the checke bone, that is,Pſ…l. 3.7. hee deales not with them as with men, but as with boyes, in ſtead of oppoſing them with ſwords and ſtau…, hee ſends them away with a boxe on the eare: ſo will the liuing ſpirit deale with the dying fleſh, it will maſter it at the laſt, as a growne man would a childe, and ouercome it with leſſe difficultie, though not without all danger to it ſelfe.
Secondly, Where there is the life of grace, there will be an imployment of our ſtrength in the acts of life. The actions of liuing men are proper to men that are aliue: ſo are they to theſe new men. From this head therefore I ſhall giuegive you further two ſorts of ſignes; either ſuch as doe concerne a mans owne indiuiduall perſon, or thoſe which are ſhewed for ſucceſſion in propagating their kinde.
They which doe concerne a mans perſon are two.4 The breath of the new man.
Firſt, if we can freely draw the breath of the new man. It is a ſigne of life to men of the world, if wee can freely draw that breath which God doth offer for the prolonging of naturall life: ſo likewiſe is this a ſigne of this new life, if wee can freely draw the breath of Gods mouth which God doth breathe vntounto the hid man of the heart. And what breath is this, but the Spirit of the Lord in the Scriptures? Marke therefore, if wee can draw in the Word of God, to the cooling, comforting, and refreſhing of our weary hearts, which pant vnderunder the burden of ſinne, and if we can put it out againe, both to coole the violence and fierie courſes of ſinfull men, and to heat and warme the lukewarme and frozen hearted ſonnes of men, this will aſſure vsus that we liue the life of God.
5 Seruice of God.The ſecond ſigne, which doth concerne our perſons, is this; If wee doe put ouer our whole bodies and ſoules to the ſeruice of God. For as then wee doe liue a naturall life, when we doe imploy all our ſtrength to the ſeruice of nature: and as then wee doe liue a loyall life to our Soueraigne, when wee are wholly taken vp for his honour and maintenance in good: ſo then wee liue the life of God, which is called a new life, when both in bodie and ſoule we are taken vp for the ſeruice of God. Dead and curſed Idols ſerue not them who gaue them all their imaginarie liuelihood, they hauehave eyes and ſee not, eares & heare not: but it muſt be otherwiſe with vsus if we liue. Our mindes muſt be inlightned with the eye-ſalue of Gods word in ſome comfortable meaſure to know our ſelues and God in Chriſt; our memories muſt be confirmed to lay vp the promiſes of God in our hearts; our conſciences muſt be cleared, at the leaſt, to begin to teſtifie truly of our eſtates in Chriſt; our wills muſt be inclined to put ouer all that wee are and hauehave to the honour of our Sauiour; our affections muſt be wooed to runne vntounto Chriſt, and to rowle themſelues vponupon him for the ſuccour of the whole man; our deſires muſt be inſatiably carried after him aboue all things; our bodies muſt hauehave all the parts and powers of them directed to doe the will of God cheerefully, and to be weapons of righteouſneſſe vntounto holineſſe; Rom 6.and becauſe there are failings in eueryevery one of theſe, therefore we muſt attend them with godly ſorrow, and ſupply their defects by faith in Chriſt, in whom all their wants are couered. Thus muſt our whole liuing man attend vponupon the ſeruice of the liuing God. It is true that we owe dutie to others as well as to God; as to countrey, kindred, friends, yea to our ſelues: yet all this muſt be done as ſeruing the Lord; Rom. 12.11.and then may wee be ſaid to ſerue the Lord, when all our ſeruice either to him or other is imployed according to Gods will. Oh that we may euer ſee our ſelues new creatures by this new ſeruice! How eaſie will it then be for vsus to ſee vsus in Chriſt prepared vntounto good works to the glory of God & our eternall comfort?
Laſtly,6 Begetting to God. that ſigne of life which is ſhewed in propagating our kinde is this, If we ſtriue to beget others to God. Wee ſee that it is naturall to eueryevery liuing creature to gender, and by the bleſſing of multiplication, to bring forth liuing creatures like vntounto themſelues: ſo is it naturall to this new creature in vsus to ſhed abroad that grace whereof wee hauehave beene partakers to beget others to God. Chriſt weddeth Peter to this worke, when he ſaith,Luk. 22.32. When thou art conuerted ſtrengthen thy brethren: ſo likewiſe Paul, Timothie, ſaying, What things thou haſt heard of me by many witneſſes, 2 Tim. 2.2.the ſame deliuer to faithfull men which ſhall be able to teach others alſo. So that here is a ſpirituall line wherein new creatures muſt be begotten vntounto God. Paul begetteth Timothie, Timothie faithfull men, (as they proue, or as they are) to wit, to the increaſe of grace, and faithfull men, others. If therefore we can ſay that we are not ſatisfied with our owne goodneſſe,Iam. 5.20. Dan. 12.3. but hauehave a ſpirituall proneneſſe to conuert a ſinner from going aſtray, and to turne many to righteouſneſſe, that we may ſee more men like God, and walking holily before him after the manner of the liuing; then build vponupon it, that we are liuing men.
Thus hauehave we (through Gods aſſiſtance) ended the firſt Vſe. The Doctrine of the Text was this, that He that is in Chriſt is a new creature. The Vſe was this, to learne vsus that we must labour to be new creatures, if we would perſwade our hearts that we are in Chriſt. To this end I hauehave directed you how we may proue our ſelues to be new creatures, both by our cutting off from the old ſtocke, and by our grafting into the new. As for our cutting off from the old, I hauehave ſhewed you both how it is wrought, and how it is diſcouered. As for our grafting into the new, I hauehave ſhewed you that in it we are made members, with the ſignes of it, and that in it alſo we doe receiue the gifts of members; that is, our dying vntounto ſinne, for which we muſt both doe and ſuffer: as alſo our liuing vntounto grace, which I hauehave alſo ſtriued in ſome meaſure to manifeſt vntounto you. What ſhall I now ſay vntounto you? I will heartily in…at you that you will be all of one minde in prouing your ſel…es by theſe notes whether yee are in Chriſt yea or no. D…ferre not a worke of ſuch moment. Yee may all die before yee are aware, this night may your ſoules be taken from you, and then woe, woe, and a thouſand woes vntounto you i… ye are not in Chriſt. Or it may be yee may liue longer, but what comfort is there in that eſtate, wherein we hauehave not the leaſt ſecuritie that we are in the fauour of God? Heare therefore the words of the Prophet ſomething altered; Fanne your ſelues, Zeph 2.1.2fanne you, ô people, whom I would faine hauehave to be the beloued of God, before the decree come forth, and yee be as chaffe that poſſ…th in a day, and before the fierce wrath of the Lord come vponupon you, and before the day of Gods anger come vponupon you: for why, why will ye die, ô ye houſe of Iſrael? I ſay no more, but leaue you thus in the conſideration, and to the practiſe of this firſt Vſe.
Vſe 2 The ſecond Vſe which we make of this point is this. Seeing he that is in Chriſt is a new creature, therefore wee learne that if we ſinne againſt Ieſus Chriſt, and walke in the old trace of corruption, we are not in Chriſt. Such as are in Chriſt muſt be new creatures: and Chriſt cannot but ſpew out him, and diſclaime him vtterly, who pretending to be a member doth yet ſinne againſt him.
If now, that yee may auoid this danger, you ſhall aske me, how we may be ſaid to ſinne againſt Chriſt?
I anſwer;How wee may be ſaid to ſinne againſt Chriſt. that infinite are thoſe ſinnes which wee commit againſt him; yet, as more direct, I name onelyonly ſinnes of two ſorts: either ſuch as are committed againſt the members, or ſuch as are committed againſt the head. Sometimes we may ſinne againſt Chriſt in ſinning againſt his members: and that two waies. Firſt in others, when we doe perſecute the myſticall bodie of Ieſus Chriſt, that is, the ſaints and people of God: when we are either Iſhmaelites in perſecuting them with the tongue, or Saulites in perſecuting them with the hand. For what is this but to perſecute Christ, ſeeing Christ ſaid to Saul, Act. 9.Why perſecuteſt thou me? Secondly, in our ſelues, when we profeſſe our ſelues to be fleſh of his fleſh, and bone of his bone, yet liue like deuils incarnate: when we take the members of Christ and make them the members of a harlot, drunkard, lyar,1 Cor. 6.15. or ſwearer, and the like. What greater indignitie can there be to Chriſt his bodie than to take his members, and giuegive them vntounto the Deuill? Sometimes againe we more neerely ſinne againſt Chriſt our head: and that both in his owne pe…ſon, and in his ordinances. We ſinne againſt Chriſt in his owne perſon, either when we expect the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes and iuſtification from God for the workes of righteouſneſſe whi…h we hauehave done through the aſſiſtance of Go…s grace; (for by how much we fl… to any thing o t of Chriſt, by ſo much wee derogate from the worth o… Chriſt:) or when wee doe no… learne to know him in his natures and offices, and worke, as God hath ſet him forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his bloud, Rom 3.25. Hebr. 2.3.to d…clare his righteouſneſſe, &c. (for what is this but to neglect ſo great ſaluation?) or elſe when we returne to the luſts of our former ignorance (as Peter ſpeaketh:1 Pet. 1.14, 18, 19.) for as this is to ſinne that the merits of Christ may abound, ſo in a manner wee doe account the bloud of Chriſt an impure thing, and therefore doe rather cleaue to ſinne than to it, which is alone able to purge our conſciences from dead workes to ſerue the liuing God.
Secondly, wee may ſinne againſt Chriſt himſelfe in his ordinances, both in the Word, and Sacrament. We ſinne againſt Chriſt in his word either when we deſpiſe the miniſterie thereof as a poore powerleſſe, and beggarly means to bring vsus to ſaluation; whereof Chriſt ſpeaketh, He that deſpiſeth you deſpiſeth me: or when we apply not the promiſes to our owne ſoules in particular. For what is this but to ſay that Chriſt came in vaine? In vaine ſhould …he clouds drop fatneſſe, if the ſhowres that be ſent by God ſhould not be applied vntounto the earth: ſo in vaine ſhould our Chriſt be giuen, if he ſhould not be applied to eueryevery ſoule, by it ſelfe, to whom he is giuen. I know that Chriſt ha…h not ſpoken vntounto me by name: but if when a man doth bequeath legacies to all the ſonnes of my father, I will come in for a ſhare though I am not named; how then can I doe leſſe than ſinne againſt the will and new teſtament of Ieſus, if I that am a ſonne of my Father in heauen (to whoſe ſonnes all things are giuen) doe not come in for a childes part for my ſelfe in particular?
Laſtly, wee ſinne againſt Chriſt in the Sacrament, when we doe receiue it with a prophane and vnworthy heart. Yee know the words of the Apoſtle,1 Cor. 21.27. Whoſoeuer ſhall eat this bread and drinke the cup of the Lord vnworthily, ſhall be guilty of the bodie and bloud of the Lord. If therefore we receiue bare ſignes of bread and wine, and doe not diſcerne the Lords bodie, yea and receiue it according to the ſpi…ituall manner, of perceiuing and receiuing, wherein God doth offer him and communicate him vntounto vsus: or if wee doe denie the truth of theſe ſignes by tranſubſtantiation, whereby it is childiſhly faigned, that the ſubſtance of bread and wine doth paſſe away, and the very bodie and bloud of Ieſus Chriſt doe come in the roome, whereto (beſides the word of God) euen our very ſenſes doe giuegive the lie: or, if we come to eat this Lambe, but without the herbes of godly ſorrow: or laſtly, if we, by ſealing Chriſt vntounto vsus when he belongeth not to vsus, doe betray him into the hands of an impenitent and vnbeleeuing heart; then doe we ſinne againſt our bleſſed Sauiour in the Sacrament.
Loe thus (my brethren, beloued, Philip. 4.1.and longed for) hauehave I ſhewed you in part how we may be ſaid to ſinne againſt Chriſt, that ſo we may auoid the danger. God ſtirre vsus vp and ſanct…fie our hearts and minds wiſely to conſider theſe things. How miſerable are we if we are not in Chriſt? yet to be in Chriſt is impoſſible if we ſinne againſt him. Alas Lord, what then can we doe to helpe our ſelues? Plow vp we humbly beſeech thee (ô thou Creator of cleane hearts) the fallow ground of our hearts: cut vsus off from the old Adam by that circumciſion which is made without hands: glew vsus vntounto thy ſelfe in thine only Sonne Ieſus Chriſt by a true and a liuing faith: out of his fulneſſe let vsus all receiue grace for grace: open from him a fountaine for vsus the houſe of Dauid for ſinne and for vncleanneſſe, that wee hauing abilitie and power of not ſinning willingly, either againſt thee our God, or againſt him our Sauiour, either in his members, or in his owne perſon; either in his ordinances, or in himſelfe, we may doe accordingly: that ſo we aſſuring our hearts that we are in Chriſt, and new creatures, we may liue like Chriſtians, and by power from on high prepare our ſelues for that new eſtate in heauen, which thou at the laſt wilt bring vsus vntounto, to thy eternall glory and our eternall comfort. Euen ſo, Amen.
A PREVENTER OF SECVRITIE. ƲPON 1 PETER 4.7. By ROBERT ABBOT.
LONDON, Printed by John Haviland for Nathaniel Butter. 1623.