The Sinfulness of Sin, Sermon 2
THE FULNESSE OF CHRIST.
Iſaiah, 9. 1, 2.
Nevertheleſs, the dimneſs ſhall not be ſuch as was in her vexation, when at the firſt he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievouſly afflict her, by the way of the Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the Nations.
The people that walked in darkneſs have ſeen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the ſhadow of death, upon them hath the light ſhined.
THeſe words do relate to the former Chapter, us you may ſee by the word nevertheleſs; in the end of the former Chapter the Prophet ſhews, that great trouble and miſery ſhould befal the people of God, It ſhall come to paſs, that when they ſhall be hungry, they ſhall fret themſelƲes, and curſe their king, and their God, and look upward, verſ. 21. and they ſhall look unto the earth, and behold trouble, and darkneſs, dimneſs of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkneſs: nevertheleſs the dimneſs shall not be ſuch as was in her vexation, &c.
So that in theſe words you have a great affliction mentioned, and the mitigation of that affliction: the affliction, or trouble, is more eaſie, and more heavy; it hath two parts, a more eaſie part, and a more heavy part; at the first he lightly afflicted the land of zebulun, and the land of Nephtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the Sea. The ſtory whereof you have in 2 King. 15. 19. Pul the king of Aſſyria came against the land; and Menahem gave Pul a thouſand talents of ſilver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand, and Manahem exacted the money of Iſrael: ſo the king of Aſſyria turned back, and ſtayed not there in the land. There was the more light affliction: but in ver. 29. there you have the more heavy affliction; In the days of Pekah king of Iſrael, came Tiglath-Pileſer king of Aſſyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbeth-Maachah, and Janoah, and Kedeſh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Aſſyria. Here was the affliction wherewith they were vexed, both more light, and more heavy.
The mitigation follows at the ſecond verſe; The people that walked in darkneſs have ſeen a great light, they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Here is an alleviation of this affliction by the promiſe of Chriſt, which is interpreted of Chriſt, in Matth. 4. Now (at Ver. 12.) when Jeſus had heard that John was caſt into priſon, he departed into Galilee, and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the Sea-coaſt in the borders of Zebulon and Naphtali: that it might be fulfilled which was ſpoken by Eſaias the Prophet, ſaying, The land of Zebulon, and the land of Nephtali, by the way of the Sea beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: the people which ſate in darkneſs ſaw great light; and to them which ſate in the Region, and shadow of death, light is ſprung up.
So that Chriſt, and Chriſt alone is an alleviation to our greateſt afflictions.
And ſo the Doctrine that I ſhall fall in with at this time is this.
Doct. There is that in Jeſus Chriſt alone-which may and can and doth afford ſufficient comfort and relief in the worſt of times and conditions.
For the opening and proſecution whereof
Firſt, We will inquire into the truth of it, that it is ſo.
Secondly, What that is in Chriſt, that may, or can ſuccour, comfort and relieve in the worſt of times and conditions?
Thirdly, How far this concerns us?
And ſo to the Application.
1. Firſt, As to the truth of it; it is ſaid of Chriſt, That in him the fulneſs of the God head dwelleth bodily, Col. 2. 9. and there is enough in God to ſupply all our wants; As there is enough in Heaven to pay for all at the laſt; ſo there is enough in God to ſupply all at the preſent. He is too covetous whom the great God of Heaven cannot ſuffice. When David was in the greateſt ſtrait that ever he met with in his life; his Wives, and goods taken and carried away by the enemy, and his own men and ſoldiers mutined, and ready to ſtone him; how did he comfort himſelf, but in God? David incouraged himſelf in the Lord his God, 1 Sam. 30. 6. There is enough in God to comfort in all conditions, and the fulneſs of the Godhead dwelleth bodily in Chriſt; Therefore there is that in Chriſt which may afford ſufficient comfort and relief in the worſt of times and conditions.
2. If you look into Scripture you ſhall find, that the promiſes and prophecies of Chriſt are calculated and given out for the worſt of times: it was uſual with the Prophets to propheſie of Chriſt; but mark how their prophecies were calculated for the worſt of times: In Jer. 23. you have a prophecy of Chriſt, Verſ. 6. In his days Judah shall be ſaved, and Iſrael shall dwell ſafely, and this is his name whereby he shall be called, the Lord our righteouſneſs. Well, what time doth this prophecy relate to? A very evil time: Woe be unto the Pastors that deſtroy and ſcatter the sheep of my paſture, v. 1. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord God of Iſrael, ver. 2. Againſt the Paſtors that feed my people, ye have ſcattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not viſited them: and then comes in the prophecy of Chriſt. So in Iſa. 28. you have a great prophecy of Chriſt, ver. 16. Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a tried ſtone, a precious corner-ſtone, a ſure foundation: A plain prophecy of Chriſt: Well, but how comes this in? Why it was calculated for an evil time, at the 14th Verſe; Hear the word of the Lord ye ſcornful men that rule this people which is in Jeruſalem, becauſe ye have ſaid, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement, when the overflowing ſcourge shall paſs through: Therefore thus ſaith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a ſtone, a tried ſtone, a precious corner ſtone; judgment alſo will I lay to the line, and righteouſneſs to the plummet, and the hail thall ſweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place, and your covenant with death shall be diſanulled, and your agreement with Hell shall not ſtand: a prophecy concerning Chriſt, calculated for the worſt of times. So in Ezek. 34. you have another prophecy of Chriſt, v. 23. And I will ſet up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my ſervant David, he ſhall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd; plainly ſpeaking of Chriſt: VVell, but when doth he ſpeak this prophecy of Chriſt? Look into the beginning of the Chapter, v. 2. Son of man, propheſie againſt the shepherds of Iſrael, propheſie, and ſay unto them, Thus ſaith the Lord God unto the Shepherds; Wo be to the Shepherds of Iſrael that do feed themſelves, should not the shepherds feed the flocks? ye eat the fat, and ye clothe ye with the wool, ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the flock. Now in this time comes out the prophecy of Chriſt; you make mention of Aqua-vitae at other times, but when there is ſpecial mention made of Aquavitae, and the Aquavitae-bottle in a fainting and dying time; what doth this argue but there is a cordiality in it? the firſt time that ever Chriſt was propheſied of, what time was it? Adam fell, and all the Children of men were in a moſt ſad condition, what cordial was then brought forth but this? The ſeed of the woman shall break the ſerpents head, Gen. 3. 15. and this is ordinary; the promiſes and prophecyes of Chriſt are calculated for the worſt of times: why? but to teach us, that there is enough in Chriſt to comfort, ſuccour, and relieve in the worſt of times.
3. If there was enough in the types of Chriſt, to comfort and releive the Saints and people of God under the Old Teſtament in the worſt of their times; then there muſt needs be enough in Chriſt himſelf to relieve and comfort the Saints, and people of God now in New Teſtament times, in the worſt of our times. Now ſo it was, in the times of the Old Teſtament, in caſe they had ſinned, what relief had they? a Sacrifice to make an attonement, Levit. 4. 20. and ſo a type of Chriſt the great Sacrifice, Heb. 9. 26. in caſe they were in the wilderneſs and wanted bread, what relief had they? they had there, Manna, a type of Chriſt, The true bread that came down from heaven, Joh. 6. 50, 51. In caſe they wanted water what relief had they? The rock opened, and that rock was Christ, 1 Cor. 10. 4. The Rock followed them, and the Rock was Chriſt. In caſe they were ſtung with the fiery Serpents, what relief had they? They had the Brazen Serpent, and that was a type of Chriſt, Joh. 3. 15. Now I ſay, if the people of God in Old Teſtament-times had relief in the types of Chriſt, ſurely there is relief enough for us now in New Teſtament times, in Chriſt himſelf.
4. If all the promiſes of good things made to us were origined in Chriſt, and if all the promiſes that are made unto Chriſt of good things to come do deſcend and run down upon us, more or leſs; then ſurely there is enough in Chriſt to relieve and ſuccour in the worſt of times: For what are the promiſes but divine conveyances? Now all the promiſes of good things that are made to us, they flow from Chriſt, for all the promiſes are yea and Amen in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 1. 20. Yea, that is affirmed,; Amen, that is confirmed; all the promiſes made to us are affirmed and confirmed by Chriſt. And on the other ſide, all the promiſes that are made to Chriſt do deſcend upon us; Look into Pſal. 2. there is a great promiſe made to Chriſt, at ver. 8. Ask of me, and I ſhall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion: thou ſhalt break them with a rod of iron, thou ſhalt dash them in pieces like a potters veſsel. A promiſe plainly given to Chriſt, and ſee how it deſcends and falls upon us. Revel. 2. 26. He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the Nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the veſsels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers, even as I received of my father: Even as I received of my Father, look what promiſe I have received of my Father, the ſame doth deſcend and fall down upon you: Now then, if all the promiſes of good things made to us were origined in Chriſt; and if all the promiſes that are made unto Chriſt of good things to come do deſcend and run down upon us, ſurely there is enough in Chriſt to ſuccour and relieve in the worſt of times.
5. One thing more; If that all our want of comfort and ſatisfaction doth ariſe from the want of a ſight of Chriſts fulneſs and excellency, and all our ſatisfaction and comfort doth ariſe from the ſight of Chriſts fulneſs and excellency, then this Doctrine muſt needs be true: Now look into Revel. 5. and ſee how John weeps, and upon what account; I ſaw (ſayes John) in the right hand of him that ſate on the Throne, a book written within, and on the backside ſealed with ſeven ſeals; and at verſ. 2. I ſaw a ſtrong Angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the book and to looſe the ſeals thereof, and no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book. Then at ver. 4. (ſays he) I wept much, becauſe no man was found worthy to open, and to read the book, neither to look thereon. What ſtilled him, what quieted him? The ſight of Chriſt, at ver. 5. And one of the Elders ſaith unto me, weep not: behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David hath prevailed to open the book: ſo he goes on opening the excellency and the fulneſs of Chriſt, and John weeps no more: So that I ſay, all our want of comfort doth ariſe from our want of a ſight of the fulneſs and excellency that is in Chriſt: therefore certainly there is enough in Chriſt to comfort, ſuccour and relieve in the worſt of times: and ſo you have the firſt thing.
2. Well, but then ſecondly, What is that in Chriſt that may or can comfort, ſuccour and relieve in the worſt of times and conditions?
1. I anſwer, Firſt, Look what that good thing is which the world can either give or take away, that is in Chriſt in great abundance; and if that be in Chriſt in great abundance which the world can either give or take away, then there is that in Chriſt that may or can ſuccour, comfort and relieve in the worſt of times. Now what can the world give or take away?
1. Can the world take away your Eſtate, Gold or Silver? then read what is ſaid in the third of the Proverbs concerning VViſdom, (where Chriſt is called wiſdom) Happy is the man that findeth wiſdom, v. 13. For the merchandiſe of it is better than the merchandiſe of ſilver, and the gain thereof than fine gold; she is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canſt deſire are not to be compared unto her.
2. Can the world take away your liberty, your Goſpel liberty? Then you know what Chriſt ſayes, Revel. 3. 8. Behold I have ſet before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.
3. Can the world take away your life? You know what Chriſt ſaith, I am the way, the truth and the life, Joh. 14. 6. ye will not come unto me, that ye might have life, Joh. 5. 40. On the other ſide, what can the world give to you?
1. Can the world give you peace, reſt, quierneſs? Then you know what Chriſt ſaith, Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt, Matth. 11. 28. I create the fruit of the lips, peace, Iſa. 57. 19. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you, Joh. 14. 27.
2. Can the world give you happineſs or bleſſedneſs? I am ſure Chriſt can. Bleſſed (ſayes he) are the poor in ſpirit; bleſsed are they that hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs; bleſſed are the pure in heart: yea, bleſſed are ye when men shall revile you, and perſecute you for my ſake, Matth. 5. It was the work of the High Prieſt to bleſs the people, and Chriſt being our great High Prieſt, it is his work to bleſs us: He, and he alone can make us bleſſed. Would you therefore know what there is in Chriſt that can ſucconr, comfort and relieve in the worſt of times? Look I ſay whatſoever good thing the world can either give or take away, that is in Chriſt in great abundance.
2. There is in Jeſus Chriſt the greateſt excellency, under the beſt propriety. The greateſt excellency; for,
1. If the knowledg of Chriſt be the moſt excellent knowledg, then ſurely Chriſt himſelf muſt needs be moſt excellent; the knowledg of Jeſus Chriſt is the moſt excellent knowledg.
1. It is the moſt certain knowledg; you know other things by their ſhapes and ſpecies, you know Chriſt by the ſpirit; you know other things by the teſtimony of men, you know Chriſt by the teſtimony of the ſpirit; and as the teſtimony of the ſpirit is more certain than the teſtimony of any man, ſo the knowledg of Chriſt is the moſt certain knowledg in the world.
2. It is that knowledg that gives you poſſeſſion of the thing you know; By my knowledg of Chriſt, I am poſſeſſed of Chriſt; ſurely therefore it is the moſt excellent knowledg in the world, and therefore Chriſt himſelf muſt needs be moſt excellent.
2. He is called The deſire of all Nations, in Hag. 2. 7. Some Nations deſire one thing and ſome another, but Chriſt is the deſire of all Nations: VVhat is moſt deſireable that is not in Chriſt? 1. Is Gold and Silver moſt deſireable? Sayes he, I counſel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, Rev. 3. 18, 2. Is wiſdom moſt deſireable? He is the wiſdom of the father, 1 Cor. 1. 24. In him are hid all the treaſures of wiſdom, Col. 2. 3. He is wiſdom in the abſtract; Wiſdom hath builded her houſe, Prov. 9. 1. and it is in the plural number, wiſdoms hath builded her houſe; he is not onelyonly wiſe, but wiſdom, and wiſdoms: And 3. He is called that good thing, Jer. 33. 14. Behold the day to come ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, that I will perform that good thing which I have promiſed unto the houſe of Iſrael, and unto the houſe of Judah. That good thing, with an emphaſis, what is that? At that time will I cauſe the branch of righteouſneſs to grow up unto David, and he ſhall execute judgment and righteouſneſs in the land. Chriſt is that good thing; He is the excellency of Jacob, the greateſt excellency.
And this excellency is under the beſt propriety, inſomuch as you may challenge it with a double my: My God, my God, ſayes David, Pſal. 22. 1. My Lord, & my God, ſayes Thomas, Joh. 20. 28. There is ſuch propriety in this excellency as you may challenge it with a double my. And it is ſuch a propriety as can never be loſt; None ſhall take them out of my fathers hand, Joh. 10. 28, 29. Would you then know what there is in Chriſt that can comfort, ſuccour, and relieve in the worſt of times? I ſay there is the greateſt excellency, under the beſt propriety.
3. There is in Jeſus Chriſt the greateſt fulneſs joyned with the moſt communicativeneſs: Some things are empty, and not full; ſome things are full, but they are full of wind, as the bladders of the Creatures are, that the leaſt prick melts them down into nothing; full, but not communicative; and ſome things are communicative, but not full; as Springs, little water Springs: but Chriſt is both full and communicative; He is the Roſe of Sharon, and the lilly of the vallies, Cant. 2. 1. The roſe of Sharon, not the roſe of a Garden, that onelyonly ſome can come and take the ſweetneſs of, but the Roſe of the field, that every one may come and ſmell on; his blood is a fountain opened, not a fountain incloſed, but opened; He is the Tree of Life, whoſe leaves are for the healing of the Nations. So that there is not onelyonly Plenitudo abundantia, ſed reduntantiae; a fulneſs of abundance, but a fulneſs of redundancy; flowing over in Jeſus Chriſt; Would you therefore know what there is in Chriſt that can comfort and relieve in the worſt of times? I ſay there is the greateſt fulneſs joyned with the moſt communicativeneſs.
4. There is in Jeſus Chriſt the ſweeteſt love, under the greateſt ingagement: The ſweeteſt love; Thy love is better than wine; thy name is as oyntment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee, Cant. 1. 3. Greater love than this hath no man, ſaith Chriſt concerning his death, Joh. 15. 13. There is love in Chriſt beyond all dimenſions; there is height and bredth, and length, and depth, of love in him, Epheſ. 3. 18, 19. 1. There is giving love in Chriſt, who loved us, and gave himſelf for us, Gal. 2. 20. Epheſ. 5. 25. 2. There is forgiving and pardoning love in Chriſt; witneſs Peter, whom Chriſt forgave when he had denied him. 3. There is in Chriſt condeſcending love, witneſs Thomas; Come Thomas (ſayes he) reach hither thine hand, and thrust it into my ſide, Joh. 20. 27. I condeſcend to thee. 4. There is in Chriſt accepting love. I tell thee (ſayes he) whereſoever this Goſpel is preached, that which this woman hath done, ſhall be told for a memorial of her, Matth. 26. 13. accepting of what ſhe did. And 5. There is in Chriſt a ſympathizing love; For he is not ſuch an High Prieſt as cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, Heb. 4. 15. There is the ſweeteſt love in Chriſt.
And it is under the greateſt ingagement; for, is not a brother ingaged to help his brother? He is not aſhamed to call them brethren, Heb. 2. 11. Is not a Father engaged to help his Children? He is the everlaſting Father, Iſa. 9. 6. Is not a Husband engaged to help his Wife? The Church of Chriſt is his Spouſe, Cant. 4. 9. And now ſuppoſe there were one perſon that could ſtand under all theſe relations; a Brother, a Father, a Husband; how much would that perſon be engaged to help, that ſhould ſtand under all theſe relations? Thus Chriſt doth, he ſtands under all theſe relations; Therefore, there is in Chriſt the ſweeteſt love under the greateſt ingagement.
5. There is that in Jeſus Chriſt that ſuiteth to all conditions; what condition can you come into but there is a promiſe ſuited to it? and what are the promiſes but the veins wherein the blood of Chriſt doth run? There is no condition but hath a promiſe ſuited to it, and ſo there is that in Chriſt that ſuits to all conditions. To inſtance a little:
1. Are you poor and needy? I counſel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayeſt be rich, Rev. 3. 18. 2. Are you naked? (ſayes he) I counſel thee to buy of me white raiment, that thou mayeſt be clothed, and that the ſhame of thy nakedneſs do not appear. 3. Are you out of the way, wandering? I am the way, Joh. 14. 6. 4. Are you in the dark in reference to any buſineſs or your condition? I am the light, (ſayes he) and the light of life, Joh. 8. 12. 5. Are you hungry? I am the bread of life, Joh. 6. 48. 6. Are you thirſty? I am the water of life? He that drinketh of the water that I ſhall give him ſhall never thirſt more, Joh. 4. 14. 7. Do you need Juſtification? He is the Lord our righteouſneſs, Jer. 23. 6. 8. Do you need Sanctification? For this cauſe do I ſanctifie my ſelf that they alſo may be ſanctified, Joh. 17. 19. 9. Do you need Conſolation? I will ſend the comforter, Joh. 16. 7. 10. Do you need Protection? He is the rock of ages; the Lord Jehovah, Iſa. 26. 4. 11. Are you in a Paradiſe of Proſperity? He is the Tree of Life, Rev. 22. 14. 12. Are you in a wilderneſs of adverſity? He is the Manna that came down from Heaven, Joh. 6. 50. So that then, there is that in him that is ſuited to all conditions.
6. There is that in Jeſus Chriſt that doth anſwer to all our fears, doubts and objections. Hearken if there be ever a poor doubting ſoul here; There is that in Chriſt that doth anſwer to all thy fears, doubts and objections.
VVill you ſay, I am a poor loſt Creature? Then ſaith Chriſt, I came to ſeek and to ſave that which was lost, Luke 19. 10. Will you ſay, oh but I am a ſinner, a great ſinner? Saith Chriſt, I came not to call the righteous but ſinners to repentance, Mat. 9. 13. Will you ſay, oh but I cannot repent? Then ſee what the Apoſtle ſaith, Act. 5. 31. concerning Chriſt, Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince, and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Iſrael, and remiſſion of ſin: not onelyonly remiſſion of ſin, but repentance: It is Chriſts work to give repentance as well as forgiveneſs of ſin. Will you ſay, oh but I cannot leave my ſins, I cannot turn away from my ſins? Then read what the Apoſtle ſaith, Act. 3. 26. Unto you firſt God having raiſed up his Son Jeſus, ſent him to bleſs you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Will you ſay, Oh but I cannot come to Chriſt? Then he tells you that he is come to you; I came to ſeek, and to ſave that which was loſt: He brings the loſt ſheep home upon his ſhoulder, as in the Parable. VVill you ſay, Oh but his ſheep follow him, and I cannot follow him? Then he tells you, He will carry the Lambs in his armes, and gently lead thoſe that are with young, Iſa. 40. 11. He will drive you at your own pace. Will you ſay, Oh but I have provoked Chriſt, and he is angry and will caſt me off? You know what he ſayes then; Thoſe that come unto me I will in no wiſe caſt out, Joh. 6. 37. He is meek and lowly; He is meek, and therefore will not be angry with you; he is lowly, and therefore will not diſdain you: Learn of me, ſayes he, for I am meek and lowly, Matth. 11. 29. VVill you ſay, Oh but I have ſinned to the very utmoſt, Then the Apoſtle tells you, that He is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, Heb. 7. 25. So that there is plainly that in Chriſt that anſwereth to all our fears, doubts and objections.
7. Yet one thing more. There is that in Jeſus Chriſt which doth and will ſupply all our wants: VVhat is there that you want? Do you labour under deſertion? Then ſaith he, I will lead you in a way that you have not known, Iſa. 42. 16. And I will never leave you nor forſake you. Heb. 13. 5. Do you labour under corruption and bondage to ſin? There is freedom in Chriſt; Thoſe the Son makes free are free indeed, Joh 8. 36. indeed really, indeed eminently; Thoſe the Son makes free are free indeed; indeed and indeed. Do you labour under great Temptations? It is he that treads down Satan under our feet, Rom. 16. 20. and, ſaye he, My grace is ſufficient for thee, 2 Cor. 12. 9. Do you labour under the want of the means of grace, or the miniſtery of the VVord? He hath received gifts for men; and what thoſe gifts are, the Apoſtle tells you, Epheſ. 4. 11. Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Paſtors and Teachers. Do you labour under weakneſs, ſpiritual infirmity? Then he hath ſeven Horns, and ſeven Eyes, as you find him deſcribed, Revel. 5. 6. anſwering to your infirmity or weakneſs; or do you labour under any affliction, outward or inward, under perſecution from enemies? Then ſee what is ſaid concerning Chriſt, Micah 5. 5. And this man ſhall be the peace when the Aſſyrian ſhall come into our land. Are you afraid of an enemy coming into the land? This man ſhall be the peace when the Aſſyrian ſhall come into our land. This man, VVhat man? See at verſ. 2. it is plainly ſpoken of Chriſt. But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thouſands of Judah, yet out of thee ſhall come forth unto me, that is to be ruler in Iſrael, whoſe goings forth have been from of old, from everlaſting, & he ſhal ſtand and feed in the ſtrength of the Lord, in the Majeſty of the name of the Lord his God, and this man ſhall be the peace: This man, that is Chriſt; he ſhall be our peace when the worſt of enemies come into our land.
Aye, but you will ſay, we ſee no likelihood of this; mark then what is ſaid at ver. 7. And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midſt of many people as a dew from the Lord, and as the showers upon the graſs that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the Sons of men. If a Garden be to be watered with a watering pot, it ſtayes for man; but if it be watered with the dew, it ſtayes not for man: So ſaith the Lord, Shall the remnant of my people be, as the ground that waits upon the dew, that tarrieth not for man; Though you ſee no likelihood of deliverance, no means whereby ye ſhould be delivered, when the Aſſyrian comes into our land, when the worſt of enemies come into our land; yet ye ſhall be delivered, For this man shall be the peace: So that look whatſoever that is which you want, it is all to be had in Chriſt. And thus now you ſee in theſe ſeven Particulars, what there is in Jeſus Chriſt that may and can and doth afford ſufficient comfort and relief, in the worſt of times and conditions, That's the ſecond.
III. Well but then you will ſay in the third place, This is good in the general, but what is this to us? We know there is enough in Chriſt to ſuccour, comfort and relieve in the worſt of times and conditions, but what is this to us?
Yes, it is to you, and to you very much; for,
1. If you be overcommers and do overcome the evil of the times and places where you live, then all this fulneſs and excellency that is in Chriſt doth belong to you; for if you look into the ſecond and third Chapters of the Revelations, you ſhall find, that unto every Church there mentioned, there is a promiſe made of giving out ſome of the fulneſs and excellency of Chriſt; and ſtill the promiſe runs to him that overcometh, at the end of every Epiſtle: To him that overcometh; that is, to him that overcometh the evil mentioned in that Epiſtle; not in the general, but the evil mentioned in that Epiſtle. As now to inſtance in the Church of Laodicea, ſaith he, chap. 3. 21. To him that overcometh, will I grant to ſit with me in my Throne; even as I alſo overcame, and am ſet down with my Father in his Throne What is the thing promiſed here? Communion with Chriſt in his Kingdom on Earth. Well, but who are thoſe that ſhall partake thereof? Such as overcome; to him that overcometh. That overcometh, what? That Laodicean Lukewarmnes; The ſin forbidden in this Epiſtle is luke-warmneſs, a mixture in the worſhip of God: He that overcometh this mixture, he ſhall have communion with Chriſt in his Kingdom on Earth. Now I ſay, this fulneſs and excellency of Chriſt is promiſed to him that overcometh. Then (friends) you know what the evils of the times are; if you overcome the evils of the times wherein you live and are, then ſhall you be made partakers of this excellency, and fulneſs of Chriſt, and ſo this concerns you.
2. If our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt hath therefore received all this excellency and fulneſs from the Father, that he may give it out to you; then it concerns you, and much concerns you. Now why hath Chriſt received all this excellency from the Father? why hath he received the ſpirit? why was he annointed with the ſpirit? He tells you in Iſa. 61. 1. The ſpirit of the Lord God is upon me, becauſe the Lord hath annointed me. Why? To preach good tidings unto the meek, he hath ſent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the priſon to them that are bound: for this cauſe was I annointed. And why hath our Lord and Saviour Chriſt received gifts? The Apoſtle tells us, and the Pſalmiſt tells us, for men, for the rebellious alſo, Eph. 4. 8. Pſal 68. 18. Will you ſay, oh but I am a poor Rebel? he hath received gifts for men, for wicked men, even for rebels; Paul was a Rebel, and Chriſt received gifts for Paul, even that rebel. And why hath he received all power in Heaven and Earth from God the Father, but in reference to your concernments Matth. 28. 18. Jeſus came and ſpake unto them ſaying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth. What then? Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to obſerve all things whatſoever I have commanded you, and loe I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Go ye therefore; mark what a therefore is here: All power is given unto me in Heaven, and in Earth; Go ye therefore; Jeſus Chriſt hath received all power in Heaven and in Earth in reference to your concernments; therefore it is much to you, that there is that in Jeſus Chriſt whereby he is able to ſuccour, comfort and relieve in the worſt of times.
3. Yet thirdly, If that our Lord & Saviour Chriſt doth therefore ſtoop to your infirmities, becauſe he is clothed with Majeſty and Excellency, and inveſted with all this power; then this that I have ſaid is to you, and much to you: Now look into Joh. 13. you have there an aſſurance of what you ſhall find in Chriſt now, by what he did then when he was to die, at verſ. 3. Jeſus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, he riſeth from ſupper, and laid aſide his garments, and took a towel and girded himſelf: after that he poureth water into a baſon, and began to waſh the Diſciples feet. Whence doth this ariſe? See at verſ. 3. Jeſus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands; He was not therefore proud, he did not therefore diſdain his poor Diſciples; No: but he did condeſcend to them upon this account, and ſtoops to their infirmity: his humility prompts on his excellency to be good to us. Now if he therefore ſtoops to your infirmity, becauſe he is clothed with excellency, then this that I have ſaid is to you, and much to you. And ſo you have the Doctrine cleared.
Now by way of Application.
1. If this Doctrine be true, that there is that in Jeſus Chriſt alone, which may and can and doth afford ſufficient comfort and relief in the worſt of times and conditions; what a mighty encouragement is here for every one to get into Chriſt, to get an intereſt in Chriſt? Get but an intereſt in Chriſt, and you have a ſtanding relief in the worſt of times and conditions: No intereſt in Chriſt, no relief in the worſt of times. Who would not get an intereſt in Chriſt? If there be any ſuch here that are yet without an intereſt in Chriſt, man or woman, conſider what there is in Chriſt; there is (as you have heard) that in Chriſt that will afford ſufficient comfort and relief in the worſt of times: Times are evil, O be encouraged to get an intereſt in Chriſt.
2. If this Doctrine be true, Why ſhould we then complain? why ſhould we be diſcouraged in ſuch times as theſe, or any time or condition we can come into? Shall the living man complain, Lam. 3. 39. Shall a living Chriſtian complain, that hath a living relief by him? The book of Job ſayes of the wicked, That in the fulneſs of his ſufficiency he shall be in ſtraits, Job 20. 22. and shall we be in ſtraits in the midſt of Chriſts ſufficiency? Shall we complain, or be diſcouraged, when we have Chriſts ſufficiency for our relief at all times? You have heard of that woman, who when ſhe met with any loſs, would ſtill comfort her ſelf thus; True, I have loſt ſuch a Child, or I have loſt ſuch a friend; ſuch a friend, or ſuch a relation is dead, but ſtill God is alive: and when ſhe had loſt her Husband, and cried and lamented very much, her Child came to her and asked her; But Mother is your God dead? So may men ſay to us, while we complain and are diſcouraged in theſe times, Is your God dead? Is your Saviour dead? But either there is a reality in this Doctrine or not; if not, why doth the Scripture ſpeak at this rate as you have heard? and if there be a truth in this Doctrine, why ſhould we be diſcouraged, or complain whatever our condition be?
3. If this Doctrine be true, why ſhould we not own Chriſt in the worſt of times? why ſhould we not confeſs Chriſt in the worſt of times? Shall Chriſt be our relief in the worſt of times, and ſhall we not own and confeſs him in the worſt of times? Shall we not own his truth, and wayes, and Ordinances, and confeſs them before the Sons of men in the worſt of times? When the Sun ſhines ſcorching hot, men run to the ſhadow of the tree; and when it rains much, men run under the tree for ſhelter; but when the heat is over, and the rain over, the tree ſtands alone, and no man looks after it. So long as the Sun ſhines upon the Dial, you will run to the Dial; but when the Sun is off the Dial, you come not at it. So when the times ſhine upon the Ordinances, the truths and ways of God, many will run to them, but when the ſhine is gone, and truth be in the dark, the Sun off: How few will own Chriſt and his truth? But if this Doctrine be true, why ſhould we not own and confeſs Chriſt in the worſt of times?
4. If this Doctrine be true, here you may ſee, what an evil thing it is to ſin againſt Chriſt. It is to ſin againſt our remedy, our relief; it is to ſin againſt our ſuccour; of all ſins thoſe ſins are worſt that are againſt the remedy: Therefore (as I uſe to ſay) Adultery in married perſons, is worſe than Fornication in thoſe that are unmarried, becauſe it is againſt the remedy. Chriſt is our remedy, our relief, in the worſt of times; therefore to ſin againſt Chriſt, Oh what a great ſin is it? It is to ſin againſt the remedy.
Now 1. Look when men offend the weak brethren in things indifferent, the Apoſtle ſayes expreſly, they ſin againſt Chriſt, 1 Cor. 8. 12.
2. And look when men and women will not believe, notwithſtanding all the offers of grace and love that Chriſt makes to their ſouls; then they ſin againſt Chriſt.
3. And look when a Profeſſor, a member of a Church ſhall walk ſcandalouſly, haunt Taverns or Alehouſes, or deal unjuſtly, and is a diſhonour to the name of Chriſt, he ſins againſt Chriſt.
4. And look when men perſecute the wayes and people of Chriſt, they ſin againſt Chriſt. Saul, Saul, why perſecutest thou me? Act. 9. 4. Theſe, and many other wayes do men ſin againſt Chriſt; and O what an evil thing it is to ſin againſt Chriſt, it is to ſin againſt the remedy, the greateſt remedy in the world: Take heed how ye ſin againſt Chriſt.
5. If this Doctrine be true, that there is that in Jeſus Chriſt, which may and can and doth afford ſufficient comfort and relief in the worſt of times and conditions; then here we may ſee, what we ſhould do, and whither we ſhould go for relief; why ſhould we not go to Chriſt for relief in all conditions, and relieve our ſelves in him upon all occaſions? If there were a ſoveraign water that would cure all diſeaſes, what flocking of people would there be unto that water: Here is that water, that ſoveraign water; Chriſt alone, that can cure all diſeaſes, that can ſuccour and relieve in the worſt of times: Why ſhould we not now come to him, and draw water out of this well of ſalvation?
Quest. But you will ſay, I confeſs indeed Chriſt is the well of ſalvation, and there is enough in him to ſuccour and relieve; but the well is deep, and my line is ſhort, and my arm is weak, and I know not how to get this water: I know not how to improve Chriſt; What ſhall I do that I may be able to draw water out of this well of ſalvation? what ſhall I do that I may improve Chriſt, for my ſuccour and relief in the worſt of times and conditions?
Anſw. 1. If you would draw water out of this well of ſalvation, and improve Chriſt for your relief and ſuccour; be ſure of this, that you look upon Chriſt as the great inſtitution and appointment of the Father for all thoſe ſuccours and reliefs that are in your eye. In the ſixth of John, ſaith Chriſt, Ye ſeek me, not becauſe ye ſaw the miracles, but becauſe ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled: But at verſ. 20. ſayes he, Labour not for the meat which periſheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlaſting life. Where ſhall I have it? Which the Son of man ſhall give unto you. How ſhall I get it from him? Look upon him as the appointment of the Father, for him hath God the Father ſealed, him hath God the Father appointed; look upon him therefore, and go to him, as the great appointment of the Father for the very thing you want.
2. Be ſure of this, that you make good your intereſt in Chriſt; get aſſurance of your intereſt in him; elſe you will be afraid to come at him; For all things are yours (ſaith the Apoſtle) whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death: Why? For ye are Chriſts, 1 Cor. 3. 21, 22, 23. But if you be not aſſured of this, that ye are Chriſts and Chriſt yours; how can ye relieve your ſelves in Chriſt in an evil day? Get therefore an aſſurance of your intereſt in Chriſt.
3. Obſerve what thoſe attributes and titles of Chriſt are which are moſt ſuited unto your condition, and lay them much before you, and preſs your hearts therewithal; it is not enough for us to come to Chriſt in the general, but we muſt come to him, and deal with him according to thoſe attributes, or titles, that are ſuited to our condition: Chriſt is willing we ſhould do ſo, and hath on purpoſe clothed himſelf with ſuch titles as ſuit our condition; the ſecond and third Chapters of the Revelations are a proof of this very thing; all the Epiſtles to the ſeven Churches begin with titles of Chriſt; in the Epiſtle to the Church of Epheſus, there is one title; in the Epiſtle to the Chuch of Smyrna there's another title, and ſo to all the ſeven Churches: Every Epiſtle begins with a ſeveral title of Chriſt, and according to the condition of the Church he writes to, ſo is the title he begins with. As to inſtance in the Church of Smyrna, at the 8th. verſe, there his title is, The firſt and the laſt, which was dead, and is alive, Rev. 2. 8 Why this title? He writes to the Church in Smyrna that was to ſuffer hard things, ver. 10. Fear none of thoſe things which thou ſhalt ſuffer, behold the Devil ſhall caſt ſome of you into Priſon: Is that all? Is the Priſon all? No, ſayes he, Be thou faithful unto death, ye shall have tribulation ten dayes: relating to the ten perſecutions in the Primitive times, dying times: VVhat then? Now remember my titles, my attributes; this is my name and title; the firſt and the laſt, which was dead, and is alive: ſee how this title ſuited to their condition. And (friends) aſſure your ſelves of this, that Chriſt will certainly make good his titles that he is clothed with: David aſſured himſelf of it, The Lord is my shepherd. VVhat then? I shall not want, Pſal. 23. 1. He will make good his title, I know I ſhall not want; he relieved himſelf in that title of Chriſt that ſuited his condition. So do you do this day: As for example. Is there diſtreſs among the Saints and people of God? remember his title, he is the King of Saints, Rev. 15. 3. Is there great diſtreſs of Nations? remember his title, he is King of Nations, Jer. 10. 7. Are you under any dimneſs or vexation? (as it is in this Chapter) remember his title, A light is riſen up, a marvellous light. Thus be ſure you deal with Chriſt according to that title of his that is moſt ſuited to your condition.
4. Be ſure of this, that you ſtudy Chriſt and your condition together; ſome ſtudy their condition, ſtand poreing upon their condition, but they do not ſtudy Chriſts; and they are full of unbelief: Some think much on Chriſt, but not on their own condition, and they are given to Preſumption: But would you find true relief in Chriſt whatever your condition be? Then ſtudy Chriſt and your condition together; as thus; Chriſt is a King, a Prieſt, and a Prophet: if you be ignorant, now think on Chriſt as a Prophet; if you be guilty, now think on Chriſt as a Prieſt; if you be diſorderly, now think on Chriſt as a King. Thus ſtudy Chriſt and your condition together.
5. Be ſure of this, that you put Chriſt upon it, to ſuccour and relieve you in the worſt of times; to do that for you that he hath entitled himſelf unto: So David did Pſal. 31. See how he argues, and his argument is exceeding good; Lord, (ſayes he ver. 2) Be thou my ſtrong rock: why? for thou art my rock, verſ. 3. Lord, this is thy name, this is thy title: Thou art my rock; then be my rock: and ſayes he, ver. 4. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me, for thou art my ſtrength. I have to deal with enemies, and they have laid their net privily for me; Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me, for thou art my ſtrength. So now, popiſh men have laid their net privily for us, and we may go to Chriſt and ſay, Lord pull us out of the net that they have laid privily for us, for thou art our ſtrength. Thus put Chriſt upon it to anſwer his titles.
6. If you would find ſuccour, comfort and relief in Chriſt in the worſt of times and conditions; then reſt upon him in oppoſition to all other helps and ſhifts, or unlawful means of deliverance, in caſe you come into any ſtrait: Chriſt is ſo much yours, as you reſt upon him; as our reſting on the promiſe makes it ours, ſo our reſting on Chriſt makes him ours. And you know how graciouſly the Lord appear'd to the three Children; Chriſt came and walked with them in the fiery furnace, and delivered them, Dan. 3. 25. How ſo? They reſted or him: We know that our God is able to deliver us, we will not bow down to the Idol, whatever comes on us: We know our God is able to deliver us, ver. 17, 18. here they reſted upon him alone in oppoſition to all unworthy ſhifts, and unlawful means for deliverance, and then Chriſt appeared and gave out his ſuccour and relief to them.
7. If you would find ſuccour, comfort and relief in Chriſt upon all occaſions, and in all conditions, then go to God by Prayer; go and beg of God to open your eyes, that you may ſee this fountain that is by you; it is poſſible that your eyes may be held, as Hagars were; Hagar had the Fountain by her, but ſhe did not ſee it, for her eyes were held: And thus it is with many of us; Chriſt our Fountain is by, and we even ſit down in deſpair: why? for our eyes are held. Go then to God and beg of him to open your eyes that you may ſee this Fountain.
8. And laſtly; If you deſire to draw water out of this well of ſalvation, and to improve Chriſt for your relief and comfort in the worſt of times; then obſerve what thoſe promiſes are, that the Lord hath made to his people for the latter times, and be ſure that you deal much with them: Chriſt comforts and relieves by promiſes: As the Devil tempts by promiſes, ſo Chriſt comforts by promiſes; and when a man is relieved by a promiſe that Chriſt hath made, he is relieved by Chriſt. Now there are nine or ten promiſes that the Lord Chriſt hath made to the latter times for the comfort of his people, to be as a relief for his people in theſe latter times, I will but barely name them, and ſo conclude.
1. He hath promiſed them, that they ſhall have underſtanding in the times, Dan. 12. 10. The wicked ſhall do wickedly, and none of the wicked ſhall underſtand, but the wiſe ſhall underſtand.
2. He hath promiſed, that they ſhall be ſealed, ſet apart, hidden in the worſt of times, in Antichriſtian times, Rev. 7. compared with the 9th.
3. He hath promiſed, that though they meet with Antichriſtian tribulation, they ſhall come out with their garments waſhed in the blood of the Lamb, Rev. 7. 14. Theſe are they which came out of great tribulation, and have waſhed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb.
4. The Lord hath promiſed to his people in theſe latter times, that they ſhall continue in his temple day and night; that is, they ſhall enjoy the Ordinances of God without interruption; though now they are ſcattered and driven from the Houſe of God, the Lord hath promiſed ſuch a time wherein they ſhall be in the Temple day and night without interruption, Rev. 7. 15.
5. He hath promiſed to deſtroy all their Antichriſtian enemies: Babylon is fallen, it is fallen, and as a milſtone is thrown into the Sea; ſo ſhall Babylon be thrown down, and ſhall be found no more at all, Rev. 18. 21.
6. The Lord hath promiſed, that his people ſhall propheſie, though they be in ſackcloth, they ſhall bear witneſs to the truths and wayes of God, and ſhall propheſie, Rev. 11. 3. I will give power unto my two witneſſes, and they ſhall propheſie 1260 dayes. I will give them power, they ſhall propheſie and not be ſilent.
7. He hath promiſed alſo, that the light and glory of his people ſhall be more than ever it was, Iſa. 30. 26. Moreover, the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun shall be ſeven fold, as the light of ſeven dayes. When is this? In the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the ſtroak of their wound.
8. He hath promiſed to his people, that they ſhall ceaſe from their labour, Rev. 14. 13. Bleſsed are the dead which die in the Lord, (that die for the Lord) henceforth they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. There ſhall be a time here on Earth wherein the Saints ſhall reſt from their labours.
9. The Lord hath promiſed, that the number of his people ſhall be much increaſed. When the enemy went about to cut off all the males of the Children of Iſrael, then the Iſraelites were much increaſed: And this the Lord hath promiſed, that in the latter dayes, his people ſhall be greatly increaſed: When the witneſſes ſhall riſe (I do not mean an inſurrection, but a reſurrection) it is ſaid, they aſcend in a cloud, a company of people as a cloud ſhall come about them, to gratifie them in their riſing; And there shall be a great earthquake, and in the earthquake ſlain of men 7000, and the remnant shall be affrighted, and give glory to God, Rev. 11, 12. 13. There ſhall be a great increaſe.
10. And laſtly, The Lord hath promiſed, that the Saints ſhall rule the world, and the government ſhall be given unto them; not, that any should go about to wreſt the Government out of the hands of the preſent powers; but in Dan. 7. 27. the Lord hath promiſed, That the kingdom and dominion, and the greatneſs of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the moſt high, whoſe kingdom is an everlaſting kingdom.
Theſe ten things the Lord hath promiſed to his people in the latter dayes: thoſe that lived in the Apoſtles dayes, they comforted themſelves in theſe promiſes then; they comforted themſelves in the book of the Revelations then; the book of the Revelations is a book on purpoſe for the comfort and relief of the people of God in Antichriſtian times: and if it was a comfort and relief to them in the Apoſtles dayes, what may it be unto us upon whom the laſt dayes are come? Chriſt comforts by promiſes, and when a man is comforted and relieved, by a promiſe made by Chriſt, he is comforted by Chriſt, and Chriſt hath given out theſe great promiſes for the latter times. Now you ſee into what times we are fallen: Are the times evil? do they grow worſe, and will they yet grow worſe, before they grow better? then remember this Doctrine, and comfort your ſelves therein; There is that in Jeſus Chriſt alone, that may and can and doth afford ſufficient comfort and relief in the worſt of times and conditions. Go then to Chriſt upon all occaſions; do not let relief ſtand by, and not uſe it; Chriſt takes it kindly that you make uſe of him, and the more you uſe him, the more kindly he takes it.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Bridge, The Sinfulness of Sin (1667)