Christ the Way and the Truth and the Life, Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX. And the Life. How Christ is the Life.
THis, as the former, being spoken indefinitly, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the State of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace; and so may be considered in reference to both, & ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other. To wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his helpe, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by Him can we get that supply of life▪ which we stand in need of; for He only is the Life, excluding all other. 3. That this help▪ is to be had in Him fully and compleetly: for not only is He able to quicken, but He is called the Life. So that the help, which he giveth, is full, excellent, and compleet.
Looking upon the words, in reference to such as are in Nature, they point out those three truthes to us.
First. That all of us by nature are dead, standing in need of quickening and of life: for this is presupposed, while He is said to be the Life: and that both legally and reall…: legally being under the sentence of death, for Adams transgression Rom. 5: 15. and for that original corruption of heart we have: and Really, the sentence of the law being in part executed▪ & that both as to the body, & as to the soul. As to the body. It is now subject to death, and all the sorerunners thereof, such as weaknesse, paines, sicknesse, feares, torment, trouble, wearynesse: yea and in hazard of hell fire, and the torments of the second death for ever. As to the soul, it also is many wayes dead, both first in away that is purely penal, and next in a way that is also sinful; and both wayes, as to what is present, and as to what is future: for as to that which is penal and present. It is (1) separated from God and his favour Gen. 3: 8, 10, 24. (2) is under his curse and wrath, whence it cometh to passe, that by nature we are children of wrath Ephes. 2: 2▪ 5. Servants of Satan 2 Tim. 2: 26. The consequence of which is sad and heavy; for hence it is that we cannot please God, do what we will: till we be brought out of that state, our ordinary & civil actions, even plowing the ground, is sin. Prov. 21: 4. Yea out Religious actions, whether natural or instituted, are abomination; even our sacrifices Prov. 15: 8. & 31: 27. & prayers Prov. 2…: 9. Ps. 10: 7. Yea and all our thoughts & purpose… Prov. 15: 26▪ and likewise all our wayes Prov. 15: 9. As to what is penal and future, it is obnoxious to that everlasting excommunication from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power 2 Thes. 1: 8, 9. and to the torments of hell for ever Mark. 9: 44, 46, 48 Luk. 16▪ As to what is not only penal, but also sinful, the soul here is under the stroke of darknesse in the understanding, perversenesse and rebelliousnesse in the will, irregularity & disorder in the affections, whereby the soul is unfit for any thing that is good, & prone to every thing that is evil. Rom. 3: 10▪ 20. Ephes. 2: 1, 2, 3. Rom. 5: 6. & 8: 7, 8, whence proceedeth all our actual transgressions. Iam▪ 1: 14, 15. And moreover sometimes the soul is given up to a reprobat minde Rom. 1: 28. to strong delusions 2 Thes. 2: 2. to hardnesse of heart Rom. 2: 5. horror of conscience Esa. 33: 14. to vile affections Rom. 1: 26 and the like spiritual plagues; which, though the Lord inflict on some only, yet all are obnoxious to the same by nature, & can exspect no lesse, if the Lord should enter with them into judgment. And finally, as to what is future of this kinde, they are, being fuel for Tophet, obnoxious to that malignant, sinful, blasphemous and desperat rebellion against God, in hell for ever more.
O how lamentable, upon this consideration, must the condition of such be, as are yet in the state of nature. Oh if it were but seen and felt! But alas there is this addition to all, that people know no… this, they consider it not, they beleeve it not, they feel it not, they see it not: and hence it cometh to passe, that
1. They cannot bewail and lament their condition, nor be humbled therefore.
2. They cannot, nor will not, seek after a remedie: for the whole will not trouble themselves to seek after a physician.
And sure upon this account, their case calleth for pity and compassion from all, that know, what a dreadful thing it is to be in such a condition: and should stirre up all to pray for them, and to do all they can to helpe them out of that state of sin and misery, which is dreadful to think upon.
Should not the thoughts and consideration of this put us all to try and search, if we be yet translated from death to life, and delivered out of that terrible and dreadful state, and made partakers of the first resurrection. It not being my purpose, to handle this point at large, I shall not here insist in giving marks, whereby this may be known, and which are obvious in Paul's Epistles, & to be found handled at large in several practical pieces, chiefly in Mr. Guthries Great interest. I shall only desire every one to consider and examine,
1. Whether or not, the voice of Christ, which quickeneth the dead▪ hath been heard and welcomed in their soul? This is effectual calling.
2. Whether or not, there be a through change wrought in their soul, a change in the whole Man, so as all things are become new 2 Cor. 5: vers. 17?
3. Whether or not, there be a Principle of life within▪? And they be led by the Spirit?
4. Whether or not, there be a living to the glory of the Lord Redeemer?
And when by impartial tryal, a discovery is made of the badness of our condition, should we not be alarmed to look about us, and to laboure by all meanes for an outgate, considering, (1.) How do…lful and lamentable this condition is. (2.) How sad and dreadful the consequents of it are. (3.) How happy a thing itis to be delivered from this miserable and sinful condition: and. (4.) How there is a possibility of outgate.
Finally, It may break a heart of stone to think, how people, that are in such a condition, are so unwilling to come out of it: for,
1. How unwilling are they, once to suspect their condition, or to suppose that it may be bad, and that they may be yet unconverted?
2. How unwilling are they, to sit down seriously to try and … the matter, and to lay their case to the touch-stone of the word?
3. Yea, how unwilling are they, to heare any thing that may tend to awaken them, or to discover unto them the badness of their condition?
4. How ready to stiffle challenges of conscience, or any common motion of the Spirit, which tendeth to alarme their soul?
5. How great enemies are they to such ordinances, as serve to awaken sleeping consciences?
6. And how do they hate such ministers, as preach such doctrine, as may serve to rouz th…m up, and set them a work about their own salvation?
Secondly, We learne hence. That without Christ there is no imaginable way of delivery out of this natural state of death. No other name is given under heaven whereby we can be saved. Act. 4: 12. and angels can make no help here, nor can one of us deliver another; the redemption of the soul is more precious then so Psal. 49: 7, 8. Not is there any thing we can do for ourselves, that will availe here; all our prayers, teares, whipeings, fastings, vo…es, almes deeds, purposes, promises, resolutions, abstenance from some evils, outward amendements, good morality and civility, outward religiousnesse, yea and, if it were possible, our keeping of the whole law, will not helpe us out of this pit. And we may weary ourselves in such exercises in vaine; for they will prove but bodylie exercises that profite little. And when in this way, we have spent all our time, parts, spirits and labour, we shall at length see, and say, that we have spent our money for that which is not bread.
This should put all of us to try, what itis, which we leane to for life; and what it is, the consideration whereof giveth us peace and quietnesse, when the thoughts of death, judgment, hell and the wrath of God come upon us, and trouble us: for if it be any thing beside Christ that our soul leaneth to, and that we are comforted by, and found all our hopes upon, we will meet with a lamentable (oh! for ever lamentable!) disappointment. Be sure then, that our hearts renunce all other wayes and meanes of outgate, out of this death, beside Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, else it will not be well with us.
Thirdly, We see here. That delivery out of this natural state of death, is only had by Christ: for He alone is the Life, and the life that is in Him is suiteable and excellent. Hence he is called the bread of life Iohn. 6: 35, 48. The resurrection and the life Iohn. 11: 25. The water of life Revel. 21: 6. & 22: 17. The tree of life Revel. 22: 2, 14. The Prince of life Act. 3: 15. our life Col. 3: 4. The word of life, and life it self 1 Iohn. 1: 1, 2.
And as He is a suitable and excellent life; so is He an alsufficient and perfect life, able every way to helpe us, and to deliver us from all the parts of our death. For
1. He delivereth from the sentence of the law Rom. 5: 17, 18. undergoing the curse of the law, and becomeing a curse for us 2 Cor. 5. last.
2. He taketh away the curse and sting of all temporal plagues, yea and of death it self, causeing all work together for good to such as love Him Rom. 8: 28. He hath killed Him, that had the power of death, that is, the devil Heb. 2: 14. And through Him, the sting of death, which is sin, is taken away 1 Cor. 15: 56, 57.
3. He reconcileth to God, taking away that distance and enmity 2 Cor. 5: 20. and so He is our peace and peace-maker, purchaseing accesse to us to the Father Ephes. 2: 14, 16. & 3: 12.
4. He also delivereth from the power of sin and corruption Rom. 7: 24.
5. And from all those spiritual stroakes; such as blindnesse, hardness of heart, &c: for He is our light, and hath procured a new heart for us, even …n heart of flesh.
6. So delivereth He from hell fire, having satisfied justice, and having brought life and immortality to light. And He giveth life eternal, as …e see Rev. 2. & 3.
Oh! it is sad, that Christ is so little made use …, and that so many will forsake the fountaine of …wing waters, and dig to themselves brocken ciste…s, that can hold no water; and slight, despise …d undervalue the gospel of Christ, which bringeth life and immortality to light.
Oh! if the consideration of this, could move …ch, as never found any change in themselves, to …to and make use of Jesus Christ, for life: and would for this end,
1. Cry to Him, that He would make them …ensible of their deadnesse, and waken them out of their deep sleep.
2. Cry to Him, to set them a work to renunce …ll other helpe beside his, as being utterly unable …o quicken, and put life in them.
3. Cry to Him, that He would draw and determine their souls, to a closeing with Him by faith …lone, to a hearing of his voice, to an obeying …f his call, to a following of his direction, to a giving up of themselves to Him, leaning to Him, …d waiting for all from Him alone: in a word, to …ake Him for their life in all points, and to leane …o Him for life, and to expect it from Him, through …th in the promises of the gospel.
Next. This being spoken to the disciples, whom …e suppose to have been beleevers, it will give us …round to speak of it, in reference to beleevers, and … yeeld three points of truth, which we shall briefly …ch, and then come to speak of use-making of …hrist, as the Life, in some particular cases.
First. It is here clearly presupposed, that even beleevers have need of Christ to be life unto them; & so have their fits of deadnesse. If it were not so, why would Christ have said to beleevers, that He was life? And daylie experience doth abundantly confirme it. For
1. They are oft so weak and unable to resist temptation, or to go about any commanded duty, as if they were quite dead.
2. They are oft so borne down with discouragement, because of the strength of opposition, which they meet with on all hands; and because of the manifold disappointments, which they meet with▪ that they have neither heart nor hand; and they faint and sit up, in the wayes of the Lord; and cannot go thorow difficulties, but oftim… lye by.
3. Through daylie fighting, and seeing no victory, they become weary and faint hearted; so that they lie by as dead; Esai. 40: 29.
4. They oft fall sick and decay, and have need of restauration and quickning.
5. The want of the sense of God's favour, and … the comforts of the holy ghost, maketh them … dwine, and droup, and look out as dead.
6. While under soul desertions, upon one account or other, they look upon themselves as f… among the dead, that is▪ as dead men▪ of the society of the dead, with Heman Psal. 88.
7. Yea many times, they are as dead men …d captive in chaines of unbeleef, and corrup…ons, as we see David was, when his hea… panted, and his strength failed him, and … light of his eyes was gone from him Psal. 38: 10.
8. Many times the frequent changes, and ups and downs they meet with, take all courage and heart from them▪ that they become like men tossed at sea, so as they have no more strength.
And many such things befall them, which make them look as dead, and to stand in need of quickening, reviveing and strengthening cordialls from Him, who is the Life. And thus the Lord thinketh good to dispense with his owne people.
1. That they may be keeped humble, and know themselves to be indigent creatures, needing influences of life daylie.
2. That they may have many errands to Him, who is the Life, and have much to do with Him, and depend upon Him continually.
3. That He may shew himself wonderful, in and about them, giving proof of His skill in quickening the dead, and in bringing such thorow unto everlasting life, who were daylie, as it were, giving up the ghost, and at the point of death.
4. That heaven may be heaven; that is, a place where the weary are at rest Iob. 3: 17. and the troubled rest 2 Thes. 1: 7. And where the inhabitants shall not say they are sick Esai. 33: vers. 24.
5. That they may be taught more the life of faith and of dependence on Him, and trained up in that way.
6. That He may be owned, acknowledged and submitted unto, as a Soveraigne God, doing what He will▪ in heaven and in earth.
For all this, there is no cause, that any should take up any prejudice at christianity: for, for all this, their life is sure, and the outgate is sure and saife. Nor would they think it strange, to see beleevers oft mourning and drouping, seing their case will oft call for new supplies of life. Their fits are not known to every one; nor doth every one know what lyeth sometime at their heart.
Nor would they think it such an easie matter, to win to heaven, as they imagine, and so deceive themselves. The righteous are saved through many deaths.
And as for beleevers, They would not think it strange, to meet with such fits of deadnesse; nor thence conclude, that all their former work was but delusion, and that they are still into the state of nature. But rather observe the wisdome, faithfulnesse and power of God, in bringing their brocken shipe thorow so much brocken water; yea and ship wracks; and his goodnesse in ordering matters so, as they shall be keeped humble, watchful, diligent, and constant in dependence upon Him, who is and must be their life, first and last. And hence learne a necessitie of living alwayes neare to Christ, and depending constantly upon Him by faith; for, he being their life, they cannot be without Him, but they must die and decay.
Secondly, We hence learne. That under all these fits of deadnesse, to which his people are subject, nothing without Christ will helpe. Not
1. All their paines in and about ordinary meanes, prayer, reading, hearing, meditation, conference &c. They will all cry out, that help is not in them: for He is the Life.
2. Nor extraordinary duties. Such as fasting and prayer, and vowes, these will never revive & quicken a drouping or fainting sickly soul: for they are not Christ; nor the Life.
3. Nor will a stout couragious Spirit, and resolution of heart avail. If He, who is the Life▪ breath… not, all that will melt away, and evanish.
4. Nor will the stock of habitual grace, which remaineth in the soul, be sufficient to quicken and revive the sick soul: if the Life breath not on these habites, and if new influences of life and strength flow not in upon the soul, and new rayes come not down from this sun of righteousnesse, to warme the frozen soul, the habites will lye by as dead.
5. Far lesse will their great gifts and enduements helpe them out of that dead condition: all their light and knowledge, without the influences of this Life, will prove weak and insufficient for this end and purpose.
6. Nor will sound, pure, and lively like ordinances work out this effect: for till He look down, all those ordinances may prove dead and deadning to them.
It were good if beleevers were living under the conviction of this daylie, and, by their practice and carriage, declareing that they believe, that Christ only is the Life, and that they must live in Him, and be quickened and revived through Him alone.
Thirdly, We see hence▪ That Christ is the Life▪ that is, one that sufficiently, yea and abundantly, can helpe the beleever, while under those fits of deadnesse, which have been mentioned, and the like. There is in him a rich supply of all things, that tend to revive, encourage, strengthen, and enliven: soul, under spiritual deadnesse and fainting. Therefore is He called the Life; as having in Him all that, which is necessary for, and answereable to souls under spiritual sicknesses, distempers, desertions, fainting & swooning fi…es, &c. for with Him is the fountaine of life Psal. 36: 9. and He itis that upholdeth the soul in life Psal. 66: 9. and can command the blessing, even life for evermore Psal. 13 3: vers. 3.
For further clearing of this, we would consider those things.
1. That He is God, equal with the Father in power and glory, and thereby hath life in himself Iohn. 5: 26. and can quicken whom He will. vers. 21. By this He proveth there his own godhead & equality with the Father. So Iohn. 1: 4. Itis said that in Him was life; and that life was the light of men, whereby also his Godhead is confirmed. This should be firmly beleeved, and rooted in our hearts, as being the ground of all our hope, comfort and life: for were it not so, that our Mediator were the true God, all our hopes were gone, our comforts could not be long lived, and our life were extinct.
2. As mediator God-man, He is fully and througly fournished to quicken and enliven his members and followers, first and last: and all alongs their life must be hid with Christ in God, for in Him dwelleth the fulnesse of the godhead bodyly Col. 2: 9. as mediator he is called a tree of life Prov. 3: 18. quickening and enlivening all that feed upon Him; and the bread of life. Iohn. 6: 35, 48. Yea because of power and authoritie to commmand life to the dead soul▪ He is called the Prince of life Act. 3: 15. and as a living quickening stone, he giveth life to all that are built upon Him 1 Pet. 2: 4. Yea as being fully fitted and fournished for this work, He calleth himself the resurrection and the life Iohn. 11: 25. This should be riveted in our hearts, as a comfortable and encouraging truth.
3. Of this stock of life, and quickening and reviveing grace, which He hath gote, and is furnished withal, as Mediator and Redeemer of his people, He is communicative: of his fulnesse do we receive, and grace for grace Iohn. 1: 16. He gote it, that He might give it out; and that from Him as an head it might flow out unto his members, and therefore He is the bread that came downe from heaven, and giveth life to the world Iohn. 6: 35. Yea He giveth eternal life to all his sheep Ioh. 10: 28. and He is come for this end, that his sheep might have life Iohn. 10: 10▪ Therefore hath he taken on such relations, as may give ground of confirmation of this, as of an head, of a stock or root, and the like. This consideration is strengthening and reviveing.
4. He communicateth of this stock of life, and of reviveing strength, which He hath, most sweetly, and on most easie tearmes. So that
(1.) Such as seek him shall finde life by Him Psal. 69: 32.
(2.) Yea such as know Him, shall not misse life. Iohn. 17: 3. 1 Iohn. 5: 20.
(3.) If we will beleeve on Him and rest upon him, we have life, first and last Iohn. 3: 15, 16▪ 36. & 6: 40, 47. 1 Tim. 1: 16.
(4.) If we will come to Him Iohn. 5: vers. 40. and cast our dead soul upon him▪ we shall live.
(5.) If we will heare his voce Esai. 55: 3. and receive his instructions we shall live; for they are the instructions of life.
(6.) Nay, if the soul be so dead, that it can neither walk, nor hear, if it can but look to Him, he will give life Esai. 45; 22.
7. And if the soul be so weak, that it cannot look, nor lift up its eyes; yet if it be willing, He will come with life Revel. 22: 17.
Oh! if this were beleeved.
5. As he is communicative of that life, which he hath goten as Head, and that upon easie tearmes; so He giveth out of that life liberally, largely, abundantly; yea more abundantly Iohn. 10: 10. The water of life, which He giveth, is a well of water springing up to everlasting life Iohn. 4: 14. Therefore he alloweth his friends to drink abundantly Cant. 5: 1.
6. Yet it would be remembered, that, He is Lord and master thereof, and Prince of this life, and so may dispense it and give it out, in what measure He seeth fit, and He is wise to measure out best for his own glory, and to their advantage.
7. All this life is sure in Him, none of his shall be disappointed thereof. His offices, which He hath taken on; and his commission, which he hath of the Father, abundantly cleare this; and love to his will not suffer him to keep up any thing, that i… for their advantage. He is faithful in his house as a Son: and will do all that was committed unto Him to do. The whole transaction of the covenant of Redemption and Surety-sh…pe, and all the promise… o… the new Covenant of grace confirme this, to be a sure truth: so that they that have Him have life. 1 Iohn. 5: 12. Prov. 8: 35.
8. Yea all that is in Christ contributeth to this life and quickening; His Words and Doctrine, are the words of eternal life Iohn. 6: 63, 68. Phil. 2: 16. His Works and Wayes are the wayes of life Act 2: 28▪ His Natures, Offices, Sufferings, Actings, and all He did as Mediator, concurre to the quickening and enlivening of a poor dead soul.
9. This fulness of life, which He hath, is fully suited to the beleevers condition, in all points, as we shall hear.
10. This life is eminently and transcendently in Him, and exclusively of all others. Itis in Him, and in Him alone; and itis in Him, in a most excellent manner. So that He is the Life, in the abstract; not only a living head, and an enlivening head; but Life it self, the Life, the Resurrection and the Life.