Spiritual Refining, Religious treatise · Section 12 · Sermon 112
SERMON CXII.
More Signs and Effects of Election. And Directions to thoſe that are overwhelmed with Thoughts and Fears whether they are Elected or no.
MAT. 22. 14.
For many are called, but few are choſen.
THe Doctrine contained in the adverſative or exceptive part of this Propoſition, carrieth much terror with it; for how eaſily may the ſoul be diſcouraged under this conſideration, The fewneſs of thoſe that are elected or ſaved? Now although there are few who need encouragements, the greater part of our Auditors being preſumptuous and ſelf-confident; yet that I may handle this truth compleatly, I ſhall Anſwer this particular caſe of Conſcience,
What that perſon ſhould do, who is overwhelmed with fears and thoughts whether he belong to Election or no, whether he hath any intereſt in the Covenant of A Caſe of conſcience.Grace; for though but few, yet ſome ſuch there are, who through the tenderneſs of their own heart, and Satans ſubtil temptations, are many times caſt down, as if there were no hope for them: Though God be gracious to others, yet not to them; inſomuch, That they ſit down like deflowred Tamar, weeping and wailing, not knowing whether to go; would not therefore he be like a Meſſenger from God, that could tell how to eaſe the ſoul of this burthen? But before I apply my ſelf to this ſatisfaction, I ſhall adde ſome further ſigns and effects of Election, to what I propounded the laſt day; and certainly, if the hearts of men were as careful to make their Election ſure, as they are to make the Evidences of their Eſtates, or any outward advantage they enjoy, even a little ſaid, may do good unto them. In worldly things that Rule is received, Tene certum, dimitte incertum, Hold that which is certain, and let More ſigns and effects of Election.that go which is uncertain: Why then are ye not as wiſe in this reſpect? Thy outward mercies, thy ſecurity, and quietneſs of conſcience, theſe are no certain ſigns of thy Election; therefore let them go and put no more confidence in them. We proceed to adde more, That he who is not convinced in the want of one, may be in the want of the other. And
Firſt, They that are thus choſen, the preaching of the Goſpel comes not unto them in word onelyonly, but in a full and efficacious power on their heart, and aſſurance of their underſtanding: We Miniſters of the Goſpel may here take up our lamentations, 4To whom is the Goſpel preached, any more then meer bare words? Do not our Sermons, as the Pſalmiſt ſaid of our lives, Paſs away as a tale that is told? Oh this is an ill ſign! conſider that place, 1 Theſſ. 1. 4, 5. Knowing (brethren) your Election of God: The Apoſtle ſpeaks ſo of others, either in the judgement of charity, or from that ſpirit of diſcerning, which was vouchſafed ſome in the Apoſtles times: Well, how comes Paul to know this? by this glorious effect, Verſe 5. For our Goſpel came not unto you in word onelyonly, but alſo in power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and in much aſſurance: See what the end and iſſue of every Sermon ſhould be, it ſhould come with power, and with the Holy Ghoſt into your hearts; viz. The Spirit of God accompanying the word, works faith, converſion, and a through reformation of our lives: Its therefore very good to conſider, with what power the word preached falls into thy heart: Doth it convince thee, humble thee, mollifie and ſoften thee, this argueth thou belongeſt to God. Iohn 8. Our Saviour argued on the contrary, that the Phariſees were not of God, becauſe they did not hear with faith and obedience his word: Thus you ſee, great diſcoveries may be made of men, according to the efficacy Gods word hath upon their hearts. Every faithful Miniſter is like Iohn, a voyce, but if he be no more, then he ſaid of the Nightingale, vox & praeterea nihil, a voyce, and nothing elſe; woe be to that Auditor who feels it no more: Ezekiel was no more to his hearers; God tell shim, He was like a pleaſant ſong to them, Ezek. 33. 32. they would come and hear as his people, but they would do nothing; If therefore the Election of God ever put forth any glorious power on thee, thou wilt finde it in this ſome time or other, that the word preached will be more then the word of a man, more then a meer humane Oration, or verbal Declamation: Oh! it will be like fire in thy bowels, like a two edged ſword in the ſecret places of thy heart; thou wilt cry out, Verily God is here: Oh the power, the conviction, the meltings of my ſoul that I feel within me!
Secondly, A further effect of Predeſtination, is a conformity to the image of Chriſt: 2.Thus the Apoſtle expreſly affirmeth, Rom. 8. 26. Whom he did foreknow, he did predeſtinate to be conformed to the image of his ſon: This is a glorious fruit, to be made like Chriſt, to have the image of Chriſt in us, affections like Chriſt, zeal and heavenlineſs like Chriſt. This conformity unto Chriſt, may be in three things:
Firſt, That which is future and to come; viz. To be glorified, as he is glorified: Thus the Apoſtle elſewhere ſaith, Our vile bodies, ſhall be made conformable unto his glorious body, Phil. 3. 21. and as we have carried the image of the earthly, ſo we ſhall the image of the heavenly, 1 Cor. 15. 49. An ineſtimable priviledge it is: But I intend not that.
The Second particular of conformity, is the grace and holineſs of Chriſt; that as he was altogether holy, humble, doing the will of God readily in every particular, ſo ſhould we. Hence we are commanded To be followers of him, and, To put on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, Rom. 12. 14 as a garment which covers the whole body; ſo that we are to expreſs the ſavor and life of Chriſt in all that we do, let nothing of our ſin, our nakedneſs appear, but every thing like Chriſt: How excellently did Paul arrive to this, when he could ſay, I no longer live, but Chriſt within me. Hierom ſaid of Auſtin, That he did Diligere Chriſtum habitantem in Auguſtino, he loved Chriſt dwelling in Auſtin: Oh! this image and ſuperſcription they bear who are elected; they ſhall, at leaſt ere they dye, manifeſt the life and power of Chriſt dwelling in them. Conſider then, are thy affections, thy thoughts, thy actions ſuch as reſemble Chriſt? Thoſe that are elected, are predeſtinated to ſuch a conformity.
Thirdly, There is a conformity unto Chriſt, in regard of his ſufferings, and patient obedience thereunto: This ſome interpreters make to be the chief ſcope of the place; that as Chriſt had in this life a ſuffering, afflicted and perſecuted life, in all which he was full of humility and patience, and after this he was exalted to glory; ſo it will fall out with every member of Chriſt; every member, as well as the head, ſhall have a ſtate of humiliation, before a ſtate of exaltation: Let not thoſe then who will live in the power of godlineſs, expect great and comfortable things always in this world: Though they be choſen ones with God, yet with the world they may be the off-ſcouring and dregs of mankinde.
Thirdly, The third effect, Is thankfulneſs, and continual hearty gratitude unto 3.God for this ſo great and unſpeakable a mercy: You can no more keep in the heart from overflowing, when its ſenſible of this everlaſting love of God, then you can put bounds to the ſea: See Paul, Epheſ. 1. and in other places, with what heavenly joy and inlarged thankfulneſs he amplifieth the love and grace of God in electing of us before the foundations of the world; he cannot ſatisfie himſelf with any words, but heaps them up one upon another; and certainly, in that God hath elected and choſen thee, he hath done more for thee, then if he ſhould give thee all the glory of the world. That elect Lady Iohn wrote unto, was more happy in being elected, then in all the external glory ſhe had; How then is thy heart affected with joy, and praiſe, and thankfulneſs in this matter? He that beſtoweth great things, looks for great return of thanks, eſpecially this being all we can do.
Fourthly, Thoſe that are elected, have a ſpirit of heavenly fortitude and courage 4.beſtowed upon them, whereby they are able to rejoyce and triumph in all adverſities and troubles: The apprehenſion of this doth ſo animate them, that like Salamanders, they live in the fire of perſecution; like the Ark, they are ſo far from being drowned in the waters, that thereby they are exalted nearer Heaven. Read Rom. 8. What glorious triumphs doth Paul, in the perſon of all the elected, make over all kinde of Enemies that can be thought on! he challengeth every adverſary to put forth his ſting: Now whence comes all this boldneſs and confidence? even becauſe God had elected, and nothing can ſeparate them from this unchangeable love: How can men endure the loſs of goods, eſtates, name and life it ſelf, did not a gracious aſſurance of this, raiſe them up above all humane ſtrength? This is the Aqua fortis unto their deſpondent ſpirits; this makes them, with Paul, ſay to all friends that would hinder them in ſuſtering for God, Why do you break my heart? I am ready not onelyonly to be bound, but to dye for Chriſts ſake.
Fifthly, The laſt and glorious effect of Election, is perſeverance, and a ſtedfaſt continuance in that way of grace they are at firſt ſet in: Final Apoſtacy, and total 3.backſliding from the ways of God, can never befal thoſe that are thus choſen: If it were poſsible, Mat. 24. 24. The elect would be deceived with the ſigns and wonders of lying Prophets: They went from us, becauſe they were not of us, ſaid the Apoſtle, 1 Iohn 2. 19. many places might be brought to this purpoſe; eſpecially that promiſe, Ier. 32. 40. which is nothing but the Covenant of Grace, and the execution of Gods decree from all eternity, I will put my fear in their hearts, that they ſhall never depart from me: Oh what a bleſſed mercy is this! when there are ſo many hours of temptation in the world, ſo many bluſtring ſtorms and tempeſts, that are able to raiſe up the very roots, did not that immortal ſeed preſerve them. Thus having added ſome more neceſſary effects, that demonſtrate this calling and election of God, I now apply my ſelf to pour oyl into that wounded heart I mentioned, to that tender conſcience who is ſurprized with fear and trembling, leaſt not ſo much as the crums that fall from this table do belong to it; that refuſe to be comforted, ſaying with Zion, God hath forſaken her. And
Firſt, Let ſuch an one conſider, that it is no new or ſtrange temptation, even for the 1. The Caſe of conſciu… r… ſolved.godly to be poſſeſſed with theſe thoughts and fears, that God hath left them, God hath forſaken them: How often may you have the Church ſighing ſuch complaints in Davids Pſalms, Hath the Lord caſt off for ever? will he be gracious no more? and ſo in Iſaiah, Zion hath ſaid, The Lord hath forſaken me: But all that ſhe ſaid, and ſhe thought was not true; nay, what need we wonder at this, ſeeing that Iſa. 49. 1….even Chriſt himſelf was tempted in this manner, though without ſin: Was not this the meaning of thoſe heavy groans and crys, the Apoſtle ſaith he uttered, ſaying, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? My God, my God, there were the expreſſions of faith, adhering and relying; but, why haſt thou forſaken me? they were the words of one not feeling the ſenſible comfort and ſupport of God at that preſent; which was not ſimply a ſin, but part of that ſoulagony, and ſoul-ſufferings he did undergo for us. Well then, let no tender heart, and troubled ſoul be dejected, if it be exerciſed with ſuch black temptations; for theſe things have befallen the godly, yea, Chriſt himſelf.
Secondly, Lay this down aſſuredly, that all thoſe thoughts and ſuggeſtions, as 2.if thou wert not choſen, come onelyonly from the Devil, and are his poyſoned arrows that he darts into thee: He is the Prince of darkneſs, and loveth to keep the ſoul in darkneſs; he is the Accuſer of the Brethren, not onelyonly to God, but accuſeth God to them, as an hard maſter, as one that did watch to damn and deſtroy: Now that they come from Satan, is plain, becauſe they are contrary to the ſcripture: All ſpirits muſt be tryed by the Scripture, and ſo thou muſt try thy ſpirit by the Scripture: Well then, thy ſpirit ſaith, God hath not choſen thee, God hath not ordained thee to eternal glory; now ſay, Where doth the Scripture reveal any ſuch thing? where doth Gods word manifeſt any ſuch thing? If then the Scripture diſcover no ſuch thing, it comes but from that lying ſpirit, and thy lying heart together; ſay therefore in all ſuch temptations, Get thee behinde me Satan, theſe things ſavour not of the Scripture, theſe things come not from Gods ſpirit; therefore Gods ſpirit is called The Comforter, becauſe he inclineth the ſoul to believe in Gods gracious promiſes; Gods ſpirit, is the ſpirit of Adoption, which inableth us to cry, Abba Father; thus the ſpirit of God, where that is, diſpels all tormenting fears, all ſinful dejections, carrieth on the heart to Evangelical conſiderations: Now this ſhould exceedingly prevail with the tender heart, when it feels all thoſe ſad and heavy preſſures: All theſe things are contrary to Gods ſpirit, they grieve the ſpirit of God, as well as my own ſpirit.
Thirdly, Conſider, We are not to live by our own experiences and feelings that we have, whether of joy, or fears, but by the word of God: Its a very dangerous 3.deluſion, when a man makes his own ſenſe and experience, the rule to walk by: He muſt bring his heart, and all things to the word, to be directed by it, guided by it. Now the word of God that commands every one in particular to believe, to repent, to draw near to God; this the word enjoyneth every one, Why then art thou troubling thy ſelf about the ſecret things of God, which can never be known? Theſe revealed commands and duties, they belong to thee; How much better were it therefore to ſhake off all thoſe temptations, as Paul did the Viper from his hand; and ſay, Let me riſe up and fall to my duty: The command is plain, unqueſtionable, Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, Mat. 11. Ho every one that thirſteth come, John 7. Now then, if theſe Texts be ſo clear, ſo evident, how dareſt thou refuſe them? If ſin trouble thee, then let ſin againſt theſe Commandments trouble thee. We have a moſt pregnant inſtance in this caſe, Mat. 11. 22. The woman of Canaan when ſhe deſired help from Chriſt, ſee what a repulſe Chriſt gave her, Its not fit to give childrens bread to Dogs: He calls her a Dog, he tells her, childrens bread did not belong to her; Whoſe heart would not this break? was not this in effect to tell her, ſhe was a reprobate, the promiſe of Grace did not belong to her? Though Chriſt ſpake this by way of tryal, to draw out her importunity the more: Well, what ſaith the woman to all this? yet ſhe will catch ſome thing for an argument ſtill of hope, Truth Lord, yet the Dogs eat of the crums that fall from the table: Let me be a Dog, let me be unworthy, I confeſs my ſelf ſo, I feel my ſelf ſo, yet deny not the crums, the leaſt mercy I ſhall prize; and upon this anſwer what great commendation did Chriſt give her faith? Look you then, here is a copy for thee to write after, endeavor to be like this woman; O Lord, though I feel no comfort, though I be a Caſt-away, though I be a dog, yet let me have but the crums, the leaſt expreſſions of thy love, and they will refreſh me: So that you ſee, theſe temptations are not to deject, but to draw out thy importunity, to quicken up thy affections, as you ſhall hear afterwards.
Fourthly, Thou oughteſt to be ſo far from being diſcouraged, becauſe of theſe ſad 4.temptations and fears, that thou oughteſt the more to rejoyce, and to take theſe groans and crys, as the ſure ſigns and ſimptomes of thy predeſtination; For ſo we told you, where this election was, there the ſpirit of God did accompany the ſoul with prayers and groans unutterable: So that thoſe exerciſes and troubles of heart, they are to be a great ground of comfort and hope to thee; thou art to rejoyce and bleſs God, that puts thee in ſuch agonies, ſuch exerciſes, though for the preſent ſo heavy and unſupportable: Alas! he that is a reprobate, and indeed forſaken by God, he is never thus troubled, he is given up to a ſtony heart, as Pharaoh was; and therefore ſuch are ſaid to have a blinde eye, a deaf ear, a fat heart, that cannot underſtand: No, thoſe that are thus forſaken by God, they make a mock of ſin, they eat and drink, and go down quick to hell: Let not then, thoſe things which ought to comfort thee, be matter of diſcouragement to thee: Turn not honey into gall.
Fifthly, Conſider, The unprofitableneſs, and ſinfulneſs of all ſuch fears: They 5.come to no good at all, they are thorns in thy ſide, and hinder thee in all that livelineſs and power of godlineſs that ought to be; they hinder thy praying, thy obedience, thy comfortable diſcharge of thy relation, duties: The joy of the Lord is your ſtrength, ſaid Nehemiah, Nehem. 8. 10. and fear, that makes feeble hands, and feeble knees: ſo that as that timber which is eaten into by worms, cannot ſerve for ſtrong building; ſo neither can thoſe who are devoured by theſe temptations, be for that while ſerviceable unto God: Know then, if thou wilt fear, thou haſt cauſe to fear theſe fears, thou haſt cauſe to take heed thou doeſt not run into ſin, while thou art afraid of ſin.
Sixthly, Examine thy ſelf, whether thou doeſt not live in ſome known ſecret ſin unrepented 6.of; and that puts thee upon the queſtion of all; or whether thou haſt not groſly fallen from thy former love, and power of godlineſs: Theſe things many times raiſe a dark and gloomy miſt upon the ſoul. Pſal. 32. when David kept cloſe his ſin, and did not confeſs it, that made great trouble and perplexity in his ſoul. As vapors got in the bowels of the earth, and finding no vent, make a terrible earthquake.
Seventhly and laſtly, Grant all thy fears and troubles to be upon juſt grounds, yet if 7.thou muſt periſh, periſh depending upon God: Take up Jobs reſolution, Though he kill me, yet will I truſt in him; as Heſter, venter to go into Gods preſence, and ſay, If I periſh, I periſh, and thou wilt finde as ſhe did, the King of Heaven Job 13. 15.holding out the Scepter of grace: Thou art ſure to be damned by unbelief, and by keeping off from God, but its poſſible to meet with ſalvation, yea, its ſure, if thou draw near to God: As thoſe Lepers were ſure to periſh with famine, if they ſtaid in the place they were in, therefore they would venture, though in the enemies Countrey: And thus much for application of comfort.
I ſhall conclude with an Uſe of Admonition, Try your ſelves about theſe fore-mentioned fruits of election; do not reject theſe things, as nothing belonging to thee: Oh! doeſt not thou ſee thy ſelf as yet in the ſtate of gall and bitterneſs? what mean thoſe groſs impieties, thoſe unfruitful and unreformed ways, under ſo much preaching? Put thy mouth in the duſt, if yet there may be hope; pray, and again pray, God would deliver thee from thoſe ſins that overcome thee.