Christ the Way and the Truth and the Life, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. How Christ is the way, in General. I am the way.
WE come now to speak more particularly to the words; and first of his being a Way. Our designe being to point at the way of use making of Christ, in all our necessities, straites and difficultyes, which are in our way to heaven: and particularly to point out the way, how beleevers should make use of Christ▪ in all their particular exigences; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance & march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amisse to speak of this fulnesse of Christ in reference to unbeleevers, as occasion offereth, because this will help to cleare the other.
Before we can cleare up, how any can make use of Christ, we must speak some thing of their necessitie of him, and of his being furnished fitly, fully, richly & satisfylngly for their case; and this will make the way of use making of Christ more plaine.
While Christ then sayes I am the Way, he points out those things to us.
first. That man is now estranged from the Lord, and in a wandering condition: He hath departed, from God; he is revolted and gone. They are all gone out of the way. Rom. 3▪ 12. They goe astray, as soon as they are borne, speaking lies. Psal. 58: 3. Nay not only so, but we …ove naturally to wander, and to run away from God▪ as Ieremiah compleaneth of that wicked people Ier 14: 10. Naturally, with the dromedary, we traverse our wayes. Ier. 2. 23. and run hither and thither, but never looke towards him. Nay we are like those spoken of Iob. 21: 14. We desire not the knowledge of his wayes we will have none of him Psal. 81: 11. Nor of his reproofs Prov. 1: 30.
Oh how sad is this? And yet how is it more sad, that this is not beleeved, nor once considered. And that it is not beleeved, is manifest, for,
1. How rare is it to meet with persons, that are not very well pleased and satisfied with themselves and their condition? They thank the Lord, it was ay well with them. They have no complaints. They see no wants, nor necessities. They wonder what makes folk complaine of their condition, of their evill heart, or of their hazard and danger. They understand not these matters.
2. Do we not finde people very quiet and at rest, though they remaine in the congregation of the dead P…ov. 21: 16. They sleep in a sound skinne, because they see no hazard. The thoughts of their condition never bereave them of one nights rest: no challenges have they; all is at peace with them, for the strong man keeps the house.
3. How rare is it, to finde people exercised about this matter, and busied with it in their thoughts, either while alone, or while in company with others; or once seriously thinking and considering of it, yea or so much as suspecting the matter?
4 How rare is it to see any soul brocken in heart, and humbled because of this? who is walking under this as under a load? whose soul is bleeding upon the consideration of this? Is there any mourning for this?
5 Where is that to be heard, Men and brethren, what shall we do to be saved? How shall we enter into the right way? where is that good old way, that we may walk in it? Few such questions and cases troubling consciences: and no wonder; for a deep sleep is upon them.
6. How cometh it then, that the pointing forth of the way is so little hearkened unto; Sure, were this naturall condition perceived, a report of the sure and saise way, would be much more welcome, then it is. Christ by his Messengers would not be put to cry so often in vaine. This is the way, turne in hither.
Here is enough to convince of this ignorance, and in sensiblenesse: but it is his Spirit, which convinceth the world of sin, Iohn. 16. that must beare home this conviction.
Secondly. It pointeth out to us this, That the way of man is not in himself Ier. 10: 23. That is, That nothing he can do, can or will prove a way to him to the Father: for Christ is the Way, as excludeing all other meanes and wayes. And that man can do nothing to help himself into the way is cleare, for,
1. His way is▪ is as darknesse Prov. 4: 14. He knoweth no better, he is satisfied therewith, there he sleepeth and resteth.
2. He cannot, nor doth not desire to returne▪ He hateth to be reformed.
3. Yea, he thinketh himself saise; no man can convince him of the contrary, The way he is in seemeth right to him, though the end thereof be death, Prov. 14: 12. & 16: 25.
4. Every man hath his owne particular way, to which he turneth Esa. 53: 6. some one thing or other, that he is pleased with, and that he thinks will abundantly carry him through, and there resteth he: and what these ordinaryly are, we shall hear presently.
5. In this his way, which yet is a false way, he trusteth Hos. 10: 13. he leaneth upon it, little knowing that it will faill him at length, and that he and his hope and confidence shall perish.
Is it not strange then to see men and women gaudeing about to seek their way, as it is said, Ier▪ 2: 36. as if they could finde it out; or as if they could of themselves fall upon the way. What a lamentable sight is it, to see people, wearying themselves with very lies, Ezech. 24: 12▪ and wearyed in the multitude of their owne counsells, Esa. 47: 15.
But what are those false and lying wayes, which men weary themselves in, and all in vaine, & which they choose & trust into, and yet are not the way, which will prove sa… and sure?
Answere. It will not be easie to reckon them all up, we shall name some, that are principall, and most ordinary: such as,
1. Good purposes and resolutions, with which many deceive themselves, supposeing that to be all, which is required: and alas all their purposes are like to Ephraims goodnesse, like the early cloud and morning dew, that soon evanisheth: their purposes are soon brocken off, and soon disappointed, because made without counsell, Prov. 15: 22. Many foolishly rest here, that they have a good minde to do better, and to amend their wayes, and they purpose after such a time or such a time, they shall beginne a new manner of life; but their purposes never come to any effect, and fo at length they and their purposes both perish.
2. Some convictions and inward challenges. The word now and then p…erceth them so far; and …ore and sharpe dispensations from the Lord so far affecte their heart, that they see it is not well with them, and they are made with Saul to cry out, I have sinned 1 Sam. 15: 24. and they advance no further, those convictions either die out againe, or work no further change: And poor souls they think because at such a sermon or such a Communion, they had some such convictions and sharpe challenges, therefore they imagine all is well with them▪ when a Iudas may have convictions, sharper than ever they had. & a Felix Act. 24: 25.
3. Convictions followed with some sort of amendement. Some may dreadfully deceive themselves with this, and conclude that all is right with them, and that the way they are in is saife & sure: because they have had convictions, which have been so effectuall, as to cause them amend many things, and become, as to many things, changed men & women, when alas their way is but a way of darknesse. still; it is not Christ, they have never, come to him. Herod hearing Iohn Baptist had his owne convictions and amendements: for he did many things, Mark. 6: 20.
4. Many rest upon their outward civility & morality, or negative holinesse. They cannot be challenged for grosse faults, and that is all the way they have to rest in: alas, could not a wicked Pharise… say, as much as they, viz That he was no extortioner, unjust person, nor an adulterer, nor such as the publicane was, Luk. 18: 11? How many heathens, as to this, shall outstripe such as professe themselves Christians? and yet they lived and dyed strangers to the right way to happinesse. See what that poor young man said Luk. 18: 21.
5. Some may win to more then civility, and attaine unto a kinde of outward holinesse, and outward performance of the duties of religion, such as hearing, reading, prayer, communicating; and rest there, and yet perish: for that is but their owne way; it is not the right way. Had not the foolish virgins lamps? and did they not waite with the rest Matt. 25? and will not many say in that day, we have eaten and drunken in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streats, to whom Christ shall answer, I know not whence you are, depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity▪ Luk. 13: 26, 27? were not the jewes much in duties & outward ordinances? and yet see how the Lord rejecteth them all, Esa. 1: 11, 12, 13▪ 14, 15▪ & 66: 3.
6. Much knowledge doth deceive many. They think because they can talk of religion, speak to cases of consciences, handle places of scripture, and the like, that therefore all is right with them: when alas that is but a slippery ground to stand upon. The Phari…ees sat in Moses seat, & taught sometimes sound doctrine: and yet were heart enemies to Jesus, Mat. 23. And will not many, think to plead themselves in to heaven. By saying, that they have Prophecyed in his name, Mat. 7: 22? There is a knowledg that puffeth up 1 Cor. 13: 2▪ Some there are, whose knowledge seemeth to be operative and practicall, and not meerly speculative. Some may escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord & Saviour Iesus Christ, and yet againe become entangled therein & overcome, so that their latter end is worse than the beginning, See 2 Pet. 2 20, 21, 22. knowledge, I grant, is good, but it is not Christ; and so it is not the way to the Father: and many, alas leane to it, & are deceived, at last.
7. A kinde of seeming seriousnesse in the performance of duties, and in seeking of God, deceiveth many. They think because they are not conscious to their owne dissembling, but they look upon themselves as earnest in what they do, that therefore all is well. Sayeth not Christ, that not every … that sayeth Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God. Mat. 7: 21? that is, not every one that reneweth their sutes, & ingeminateth their desires, cry and cry over againe, and as it were, will not give it over. And yet they come short of their expectation: did not the foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when they continued waiting with the rest, and at length, cryed Lord, Lord open unto us; and yet they were keeped at the door▪ Many consider not that there is a secret and closse hypocrisie, that some may be under and not know it, as well as a grosse hypocrisie, and dissimulation, which may be easily observed: Will not many seek to enter in, that shall not be able? Mat. 7: 13. Luk. 13. 24.
8. Many may deceive themselves with this, that they are looked on by others godly discerning persons & ministers, as good serious Christians, and that they carry so handsomely and faire, that no man can judge otherwayes of them, than that they are good serious seekers of God. But alas the day is comeing, which will discover many things: and many one will be deceived both of themselves & of others. Not he who commendeth himself is approved; but whom God approveth. 2 Cor. 10: 18. Therefore Paul exhorts Timothie to study to show himself approved unto God, 2 Tim. 2: 15. Men look only on the outside, and cannot see in to the heart▪ but God searcheth the heart: and it is an easie matter to deceive Men: But God will not be deceived.
9. Some may suppose themselves in a saife and sure way, if they out stripe others in religious dutyes, and be much in extraordinary dutyes, when alas, for all that, the heart may be rotten. The Pharisee fasted twice a week. Luk. 18: 12. and yet was but an enemie to Christ. O how deceitfull is the heart of Man!
10. Inward peace and quietnesse of conscience▪ may deceive some: and they may suppose that …ll is right with them, because they do nothing over the belly of their conscience. Their heart doth not accuse them of falshood and dissimulation in their way with God or Man; but they do all things according to their light. No doubt that young Man, Luk. 18: 21. spoke according to his judgment, and light, when he said, all these things have I observed from my youth. And Paul sayeth of himself▪ Act. 23: 1. that he had lived in all good conscience before God till that very day. Meaning, that even while he was a Pharisee unconverted, he had not thortured his conscience, nor done any thing directly against it, but had alwayes walked according to his light. See Act. 26: 9.
11. A way of Zeal may deceive many; who may think their case unquestionable, because they are Zealous for their way: and as they think their Zeal is pure zeal for God: was not Paul, while a Pharisee, very Zealous, when out of zeal to his way he persecuted▪ the Church? Phil. 3: 6. See my zeal for the Lord, could a I…hu. say, 2. King. 10: 16. and the jewes had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, Rom. 10: 2. and Christ tells us, that such as should persecute the Apostles unto death, wouldthink they did God good service Iohn. 16: 2.
12. Some also may put it beyond question, that they are in the right way, because, they are more strick in all their wayes, than others, and will not so much as keep fellowship or company with them, saying, with those Esa. 65: 5. Stand by, I am holier▪ than thou, come not neare to me, who yet are but a smoak in Gods nose, & a fire that burneth all the day.
13. Some may rest on, and deceive themselves with their great attainments, and more then ordinary experiences. When alas! we see to what a hieght some may come, and yet prove nothing▪ Let such souls read with trembling that word of Paul Heb. 6: 4, 5. where we see some may come to be enlightened, to taste of the heavenly gift, to be made partakers of the holy ghost, to taste the good word of God, & the powers of the world to come▪ and yet prove castawayes: taking these expressions as pointing forth some thing distinct from reall grace.
Many such false wayes, wherein Men please themselves, might be mentioned: By these every one may see cause of Searching & trying, over & over againe. It is a dreadfull thing to be deceived here; and it is best to put it to a tryall, when there is a possibility of getting the matter helped: and many may feare and tremble, when they see, they are not yet come the length of many such, as sit downe without Christ, and lose all their labour. O▪ if this could put people to a serious examination & tryall of themselves, and of the nature of that way, wherein they are & rest at present!
Thirdly We might here observe. That this true & living way is but one for all. There is but one Mediator betwixt God & Man, 1 Tim. 2: 5. One Mediator for both old & new Testament: the Seed of the woman: Howbeit the Lords dispensations with his people, in that one way, may be various; as his way with his people under the Law is different from his way with his people under the gospell; and his dispensations with individual beleevers, whether under the law, or under the gospell, is not the same in all things.
And this should teach us to relinquish our owne wayes, and to enter into this one only way: and it should move such as are in this way, to study unity and agreement among themselves; and yet not inferre or suppose that Gods way with them must be in all things alike. Yea, though the Lords way with them be different from his way with others, & more dark, disconsolate, and bitter; yet let them be quiet and silent before the Lord, and acknowledge his goodnesse, that hath brought them into the one only way▪ Iesus Christ, and keepeth them there.
But fourthly, the maine thing here, and which is obvious, is this, That Iesus Christ is the Way to the Father▪ the one and only way, the soveraigne and excellent way: and he alone is this way. There is not another. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, Act. 4: 12.
For clearing of this, we shall speak a little to those foure things, and show
1. What is our case, and what need we have of a way.
2. How Christ answereth this our case & necessitie, and is a fit way for us.
3. How he alone is this way, and answereth this our case.
4. What are the rare advantages & specialities of this way.
And this will make way for our clearing up▪ how Christ is made use of as a way by poor sinners.
For the first of these, our present case & necessitie, something was spoken to it before: we shall reduce all to those two heads. The first is our state of guilt, and separation from God because of sin & guilt. The next is our state of wickednesse and enmity against God.
As to the first, we may take notice of those things.
1. That sin originall and actuall hath separated us from God, and cast us out of his favour, and out of that station of favour & friendshipe, which once we were advanced to, in Adam.
2. That we are under Gods curse & wrath, and excommunicated from the presence of the Lord, by a sad, yet just, sentence, according to law, and so are under death.
As to the next thing, we may take notice of those particulars
1. That we are impure and polluted with sin, and dayly iniquity.
2. That we are ignorant of the right way of returning into favour with God, seeking out to ourselves many inventions.
3. That we are impotent for any good work or commanded duty.
4. That not only so, but we are unwilling to do any thing that is good, or to enter into the way, when pointed out unto us; ye… we are enemies to God by wicked works, & have an innate hatred to all his wayes.
5. We desire not to be out of the condition whereinto we are: there we love to lie and sleep, and desire not to be roused up or awakened.
6. We are under the power & command of Satan, who leadeth us out of the way, yea & driveth us forward in the wrong way to our per…tion.
These things are plaine & undeniable, and need no further confirmation, though alas! it is little beleeved & laid to heart by many.
For the second, How Christ answereth this our …ase and necessitie. He is a way to us, to helpe us out of both these, both out of our state of guilt, and separation; and out of our state of wickednesse, & enmity.
And first he helpeth us out of our state of guilt & separation.
1. By Taking away our guilt & sin, being made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5: 21. He hath filled up the great gap betwixt God & us, with his body, and hath made of it, as it were, a bridge, by which we may goe over unto the Father: we enter now into the holyest by the blood of Iesus, by a new & living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh, Heb. 10: 19, 20. we are now brought neer by his blood, Ephes. 2: 13. So that through him we are restored againe to friendship with God, & made one with him: for Christ the Mediator hath made both one, reconcileing jewes & Gentils both unto God, in one body, by the crosse, having slaine the enmity, Ephes. 2: 16.
2. By taking way the curse & wrath, that was …ue to us, being made a curse for us, Gal. 3: 13. So that he is become our peace, and through him, we have an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father, and are no more strangers & forreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the houshold of God, Ephes. 2: 14, 18, 19. He is set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, Rom. 3: 25, 1 Iohn. 2: 2. & 4: 10. by him have we now received atonement Rom. 5: 11.
Next, He helpeth us out of our state of wickednesse & enmity.
1. By taking away our impurity and uncleannesse, by washing us & cleansing us in his blood Ephes. 5: 26. 27. Col. 1: 22▪ having purchased grace for us Ephes. 1: 3. we are blessed with all spirituall blessings in Him: He applyeth his merites and layeth the foundation of grace & holinesse in the soul, & carryeth on the work of mortification and vivification, and so, killing the old man by his Spirit, both meritoriously & efficiently, he cleanseth and washeth. Hence we are said, to be Baptized with him in his death, and buryed with him by baptisme into death, that we should walk in newnesse of life: and so our old Man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin, Rom. 6: 3, 4, 6. And for our dayly infirmities & escapes, whereby we pollute ourselves his blood is a fountaine opened to the house of David & to the inhabitants of Ierusalem, for sin & uncleannesse Zach. 13: 1. and to this fountaine he bringeth, by the spirit of repentance, which he, as an exalted prince, bestoweth. Act. 5: 31. & by faith. So 1 Ioh. 2: 1. If any Man sin, we have an advocat with the Father, &c.
2. As for our ignorance & blindnesse, he taketh that away, being given for a light to the Gentiles. Esai. 42: 6. & 49. 6. Luk. 2. 32. He is sent to open the blinde eyes Esa. 42: 7. to bring out the prisoners from their dark prisons, Esa. 42: 7. & 61: 1. Yea, he is anoynted for this end. So that such as walk in darknesse see a great light, and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light hath shined, Esai. 9: 2. Mat. 4: 15. and he hath eye salve to give Revel 3: 18.
3. He is qualified for taking away our impotency: so that through Him, we can do all things, Phil. 4: 13. When we are weak, we are strong in him, who is our strength, and liveth in us, 2 Cor. 12. 10. Gal. 2: 20. Hence He worketh in us both to will, & to do, of his owne good pleasure, Phil. 2: 13.
4. He also taketh away our naturall aversenesse, unwillingnesse, wickednesse & hatred of his wayes, making his people willing, in the day of his power. Psal. 110. So he taketh away the enmitie that is in us Col. 2: 20, 21. and reconcileth us to God, and to His wayes, that our hearts do sweetly comply with them, and we become most willing and glade to walk in them: yea & to run the way of his commandements through his enlarging of our hearts, Psal. 119: 32.
5. He likewise taketh away that desire and willingnesse; which we have to lie still in our naturall condition; by convinceing us of the dreadfull hazard thereof, through the Spirit of conviction, whereby he convinceth the world of in▪ Iohn. 16: 8. and circumciseth their care to hear, & maketh them willing to hearken to the counsel of God.
6. As for the power & Dominion of Satan, he breaketh that, by leading captivity captive. Ephes. 4: 8. Psal. 68: 18. and spoiling the strong Mans house: for he is come to destroy the works of the devil, 1 Iohn. 3: 8. and He spoileth principalities & powers, Col. 2: 15. Thus, as captaine of salvation, he leadeth them out as a conquerour; having payed the price, he delivereth also by power and authoritie, from the hand of this Jailour.
And thus we see, how he answereth our case and necessitie, and is a fit way for us: and though this be not questioned; yet little is it beleeved and considered, and lesse put in practise.
And as for the Third particular. That He alone is this way, and answereth our case herein▪ it needeth not be much spoken to, since it is clear and manifest, confirmed by the experience of all generations, and the disappointments of fools, who have been seeking other wayes. Angels in heaven cannot do our businesse. They cannot satisfy justice for … ▪ nor have they any power over our heart to turne it as they will; nay they are not acquanted with our secret thoughts, that cabinet is keept closse from them, and reserved as the peculiar privilege of God alone. The blood of bulls and goats can not do it: for the Apostle tells us, that it is impossible that that should take away sin, Heb. 10: 4. That blood shed according to the law did cleanse ceremonially, but it is only the blood of Iesus, typified by that, which cleanseth really: so that we are sanctified through the offerring of the body of Jes… Christ once for all. Heb. 10: 10. No paines or labour of ours can avail here. The Lord will not be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil. He will not take our first borne for our transgression, nor the Son of our body for the sin of our soul, Micah. 6: 7. Ordinances and meanes will not do it, nor any invention of our owne, No man can by any meanes redeem his brother, or give to God a ransome for him, for the redemption of the soul is precious & ceaseth for ever. Psal. 49: 7. 8. He alone hath laid downe the price; all our sufferings, prayers, teares, labours, pennances, and the like, signifie nothing here; they cannot satisfie justice for one sin.
As to the fourth particular, viz the singularity of this way, Those things make it manifest and apparent.
1. This is such a way, as can discover it self, and make it self known unto the erring traveller: Christ Iesus is such a way, as can say to the wandering soul, This is the way walk in it, Esa. 30: 25. No way can do this. This is comfortable.
2. This way can not only discover it self to the wandering traveller; but also it can bring folk into it. Christ can bring souls unto himself, when they are runnig on in their wandering condition, He can move their heart to turne in to the right way, put grace in their soul for this end, beginne resolutions in them, and sow the seed of faith; and so stay their course, which they were violently pursueing, and make them look about and consider what they are doing: as the former was good newes to poor blinde and witlesse creatures, that were wandering, and knew not whither they were going; so this is good newes to poor souls, that finde their heart inclineing to wander, and loving to goe astray.
3. This way can cause us walk in it, If we be rebellious and obstinate. He can command with authoritie: for he is given for a leader and a commander, Esa. 55: 4. How sweet should this be to the soul, that is weighted with a stubborn, untractable and unperswadable heart, that He, as a King, Governour, & Commander, can with authoritie draw, or drive, and cause us follow and run?
4. This way is Truth▪ as well as the Way, So that the soul that once entereth in here is saife for ever, no wandering here: The wayfareing men though fooles shall not erre in this way, Esa. 35: 8. He will bring the blinde by a way that▪ they knew not, and lead them in paths that they have not knowne; he will make darknesse light before them, and crooked things streight, those things will he do unto them, and not forsake them. Esai. 42: 16.
5. This way is also Life: and so can revive the fainting and weary travailer: He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might, he Increaseth strength: Yea, he renowes their strength, and makes them mount up with wings as eagles, and run and not be weary, and walk and not faint, Esa. 40: 29, 31. and so he giveth legs to the traveller: yea he carryeth the lambs in his bosome Esa. 40: 11. O! who would not walk in this way? what can discourage the man that walketh here? what can he feare? no way can quicken or refresh the weary man. This way can do it: yea it can quicken one that is as dead, and cause him march on with fresh alacrity and vigour.
6 From all these it followeth, that this way is a most pleasant, hartsome, desireable and comfortable way. The man is saife here, and he may sing in the wayes of the Lord, Psal. 138: 5▪ for wisdomes wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse, and all her paths are peace Prov. 3: 17. He is a Way, that is Food, Physick, cordials, and all that the poor traveller standeth in need of, till he come home.
From all which, …re we come to particulars, we shall in generall shortly point out those dutyes, which natively result thence by way of use.
1. O! what cause is there here for all of us to fall on wondering, both that God should ever have condescended to have appointed a way, how sinners and rebells, that had wickedly departed from him, and deserved to be cast out of his presence and favour for ever, might come back againe, and enjoy happinesse and felicity, in the friendshipe and favour of that God, that could have gote the glory of his justice in our destruction, and stood in no need of us, or of any thing we could do: as also, that he appointed such a way, That Iesus Christ, his only Son should, to speak so, lie as a bridge betwixt God and sinfull rebells, and as a high-way that they might returne to the great God, upon him: Let all the creation of God wonder at this wonderfull condescending love of God, that appointed such a way; and of Christ, that was content to lou… so low, as to become this way to us, this new and living way▪ and that for this end, he should have taken on flesh, and become Emmanuel, God with us, and taberrackled with us, that through this vaile of his flesh, he might consecrate a way to us. Let angels wonder at this condescendency.
2. Hence we may see ground of being convinced of those things 1 That naturally we are out of the way to peace and favour with God, and in a way that leadeth to death, and so, that our miserie and wreatchednesse, so long as it is, so, cannot be expressed. 2. That we can do nothing for ourselves, set all our wits a work we cannot fall upon a way that will bring us home. 3. That it is madnesse for us to seek out another way, and to vex ourselves in vaine, to run to this and to that meane, or invention of owr owne, and be found fools in end. 4. That our madnesse is so much the greater in this, that we will turne to our owne wayes, that will fail us, when there is such a noble and excellent & every way satisfying way prepared to our hand. 5. That our wickednesse is so desperat, that the way, which is pointed out to us, doth not please us, and that we will not enter into it, not walk in it, 6. That this Way, which is also the Truth and the Life, is only worth the Imbraceing, and is only saife and sure: we should be convinced and perswaded of the worth, sufficiency and desireablenesse of this way. Reason with ordinary light from the word may teach these things; But grace can only cary them into the heart, and make them take rooting there.
3. We may read here our obligation unto those particulars. 1. To turne our bak upon all other false and deceitfull wayes, and not rest there. 2. To enter into this way; though the gate be narrow & straite, Mat. 7: 13. Luk. 13: 24. yet to strive to enter in. 3. To resolve to abide in that way as acquiesceing in it, resting satisfied with it, and this is to be rooted in him, Col. 2: 7. & to dwel in him. 1 Iohn. 3: 24. & to live in him or through him! 1. Iohn. 4: 9. 4. To walk in this way, Col. 2: 6. that is, to make constant use of him, and to make progresse in the way, in & through him: to goe from strength to strength in him, drawing all our furniture from him, by faith, according to the covenant: And this sayeth, that the soul should guaird against, 1 stepping aside out of this good & pleasant way. 2. backslideing. 3. sitting up & fainting by the way.
In a word, This pointeth out our duty, to make use of Christ as our way to the father; and only of Christ: and this leads us to the particulars we shall speak a little to.
There are two maine things, which stand in our way, and hinder us from approaching to the Father, 1. Unrighteousnesse and guilt, whereby we are legally banished because of the broken covenant, and the righteous sentence of God according to that covenant: & 2. Wickednesse, impurity & unholinesse, which is, as a physicall bar, lying in our way, because nothing that is uncleane can dwell and abide with him, who is of purer eyes then he can behold inquitie; and nothing that is uncleane can enter in there, where He is. So then there must be an usemaking of Christ, as a way, through both these impediments. We need justification & pardon for the one, and sanctification & cleansing for the other. Now Christ being the way to the Father; both as to justification, in taking away the enmitie, in changeing our state, & removing our unrighteousnesse, & guilt, whereby we were lying under the sentence of the law, adjudging such sinners, as we are, to hell: and as to sanctification, in cleansing us from all our pollutions, renewing our souls, washing away our spots & defilements &c. He must be made use of in reference to both.
In speaking to the first, we shall be the shorter, because, through God's great mercy, the gospell pure way of justification by faith in Christ, is richly and aboundantly cleared up by many worthy authors of late, both as concearning the theoreticall, and practicall part.