Spiritual Refining, Religious treatise · Section 9 · Sermon 69
SERMON. LXIX.
The Motives and Grounds, of our turning unto God.
EZEK. 33. 11.
Turn ye, turn ye, Why will ye dye, O houſe of Iſrael?
THe ſubject of the Text, viz. Converſion, is vaſt and large, like a living fountain that alwaies ſends forth freſh ſtreams: We have ſpoken of the particular difficulties in ſome mens converſions rather then others: not that they were to be without hope, but to awaken them out of their ſecurity. Now motives and grounds for our turning unto God, are in the next place to be conſidered. For in our Exhortations to be converted, we do not ſpeak as men deſtitute of reaſon, and forſaken of truth: But it is even a wonder when all the Arguments out of Gods word ſhal be propounded, if every one do not ſay, Ariſe, let us go hence from our ſins.Motives to Converſion. 1.
And firſt, The poſſibility of thy converſion may make thee ſet about it. It is not with thee as with the damned, and divels in hell. Being thou art not yet in the Grave and Hell, there may be hopes for thee. Although the laſt day I ſhewed how difficult and unlikely ſome men were to turn to God, yet that was onelyonly in reſpect of viſible ſecond cauſes; otherwiſe as when our Saviour ſaid, It was as impoſſible for a rich man to be ſaved, as a Camel to go through the eye of a needle; the Diſciples then cryed out, Who then can be ſaved? But our Saviour ſaid, With man indeed it is impoſſible, but with God all things are poſſible; So ſinners, and wicked men under thoſe Characters thus deſcribed, are no more likely to turn to God, then a Camel with its bunch-back to go through the eye of a needle: but with God all things are poſſible. An abſolute impoſſibility of turning to God is onelyonly in thoſe that have ſinned againſt the Holy Ghoſt, or are for ever delivered up by God to an impenitent and a hard heart. But who they are, is rather a ſecret in Gods councel, then a myſtery diſcovered to us: ſo that no wicked men under any Characters whatſoever (unleſſe thoſe excepted) may conclude in deſpair, That it is not poſſible they ſhould ever be converted. God doth here invite the ſinners of Iſrael in what quality ſoever, to turn to God; now this is a great encouragement, the very poſſibility of turning to God. Ah, How juſtly might God ſtrike thee dead in thy ſinnes, ſend thee with thy goar blood to hell, and leave thee hopeleſs and helpleſſe? But he hath not ſhut the dore againſt thee: He hath not yet bid thee depart into everlaſting fire, He knoweth thee not. It ſhould be like oyl in thy bones to think ſuch a thing may be. O Lord, Is not my condition deſperate? Is there any hope left for me? Am I not paſt all favour? Is not my time ſpent? Oh, What a mercy is this? But …ing the poſſibility is uncertain, thy life is ſo ſhort, time is ſo quickly run out, that it may be thy converſion is not poſſible for any longer then a day more, or a night more; then what inexcuſable folly and madneſſe will it be to defer it? It is many times Satans temptation to hold men a long while in ſin, and then to perſwade them it is too late to turn to God. At firſt any time is ſoon enough, and afterwards every day is too late; but never believe that ſuggeſtion. Oh then, as the Husbandman ploweth in hope, which nouriſheth all actions; ſo thou maiſt hear in hope, pray in hope, ſet onwork of reformation in hope; for God never bid a people ſeek his Name in vain.
Secondly, Not onelyonly the poſſibility, but the probability may much prevail with thee. For on Gods part it ſeemeth more probable thou maiſt be converted, then millions 2.in the world. So that howſoever many men by abuſe of the means, may make their condition far worſe then that of Heathens and Pagans: yet if we ſpeak ſtrictly in reſpect of the means themſelves, it is far more probable thou that haſt the means of converſion, ſhouldſt be converted, rather then thoſe that enjoy them not. The greateſt part of the world ſits in horrible darkneſſe without any light: to them the word hath not come, which yet is the ordinary means of converſion; ſo that on Gods part, and the means, it is far more likely that God wills thy converſion, rather then thoſe to whom he ſends no Prophets at all. It is true, the word is ſometimes ſent to harden men, and it becomes the ſavour of death; but this is after men have horribly abuſed it: and it is not the proper and genuine effect of the word, but accidental through the indiſpoſition and obſtinacy of the hearers. Well then, let this encourage thee to turn to God, God hath not withdrawn, or denied the means to thee; yet he ſends his Prophets, and miniſters to call thee to him: Why doth God vouchſafe all this to me? who ſhould turn if I do not? Oh it is intollerable ſhame if any in the world turn to God, and thou doſt not who art ſo often exhorted. Doe any in the world repent, grieve for, and forſake their ſinnes? and doeſt not thou who enjoyeſt the powerfull means of Grace.
Thirdly, It is not onelyonly probable, but thy turning to him is very acceptable and welcome. Thou art ſure to have the dore opened to thee: Never any man turned 3.to God that was put back again: Come unto me, ho, every one that thirſteth come, come and buy without money, Iſai. 55. 1. No man that cometh unto me, will I in any waies caſt off, John 6. 37. ſo that this ſhould be like fire in every ſinners bowels. Oh Lord, when men have been offended, and grievouſly injured, they many times become ſo implacable, that no ſubmiſſion, no ſatisfaction can content them. But God after all the deſpite and diſdain done unto him, is willing to be reconciled: this goodneſſe and mercy of God ſhould abundantly change thy heart. And certainly thou doſt not ſeriouſly and fully ponder theſe things in thy heart, if thou dideſt, thou wouldeſt not a moment longer ſtay from running to him: Thou wouldeſt not onelyonly turn, but run to him; Draw us, and we will run after thee, praieth the Church, Cant. 1. God doth not onelyonly powerfully over-rule the ſoul, but ſo ſweetly enclines it to delight in good and holy objects, that when the heart hath once taſted of the goodneſſe of God, nothing can keep it from him: Seeing therefore thy turning unto God is ſo acceptable to him, is ſo vehemently deſired by him, Why ſhould it not make thee ſhake off all ſlothfulneſſe, and addreſs thy ſelf to him?
Fourthly, Therefore turn to God, becauſe this will prove thy good, and thy happineſſe: It makes not at all to Gods happineſſe: God is all-ſufficient, the Sun, to which the Starres contribute no light: My goodneſſe doth not extend to thee, 4.Pſalm 16. 2. If a man drink of a fountain he bettereth himſelf, he doth not profit the fountain: If a man ſee any comfortable objects by the Suns light, he refreſheth himſelf, he doth not advantage the Sun: So it is here; If thou turn to God, God is not made more happy by thee, he needeth not thy converſion, or thy Graces; but it is thy ſelf onelyonly that will reap the profit. Oh then let this move thee, What doth this at all avail God? If I turn to him, it is my good, not his that is intereſted herein? One would think that ſelf-love would herein provoke thee; for will a man give all he hath for a Temporal life, and not much rather for Eternal?
Fifthly, Therefore turn to God, becauſe he is your God. God is the God of a people two waies, internally, when he changeth their hearts, and indeed beſtoweth 5.all ſpirituall priviledges upon them; and thus he is a God onelyonly to thoſe that have true grace; that are the Children of the promiſe, and according to the ſpirit: but then he is a God externally to all ſuch who outwardly own him, and call upon him: A God by externall Covenant and acceptation; and in this ſenſe he is the God even of thoſe that are the Children of Abraham, according to the fleſh onelyonly. Now the ſcripture makes this externall relation to be a ground why we ſhould turn from our ſins, Hoſea 12. 6. Therefore turn thou to thy God; to thy God, the propriety is a ground of Converſion; and certainly the motives are very attractive which are drawn from this: You all by your Baptiſme have received God as your God; to be no more the Divels, or ſins, or the worlds: if therefore thou haſt Apoſtatized, and broken this Covenant, How neceſſary is it to re…urn?
For 1. By External Covenant, thou tookeſt God to be the Husband of thy ſoul. The Scripture delights to expreſſe it, by betrothing, and marrying the ſoul to God, Hoſea 2. 19. Thou wast to leave Father, and Mother, and all Loves, and to cleave to him onelyonly. Now by thy ſins thou haſt turned from this Husband, and haſt ſet thy heart upon other Lovers. Thus the Scripture doth not onelyonly call Idolatry Adoltery, and going after other Husbands, but all inordinate love of the World, or any thing therein, James 4. 5. Ye Adulterers, and Adultereſſes, know ye not the friendſhip of the world, is enmity with God? Here all kinde of immoderate, and exceſſive affections to any Creature, is Adultery: ſo then whenſoever thou art turned from God to any ſin, thou haſt run from thy Lawfull Husband; thou haſt forſaken the true object of thy Love: is it not then all the reaſon in the World to take up the Churches reſolution, Hoſea 2. 7. I will go and return to my firſt Husband, for then it was better with me then now: ſay then, my ſoul hath been playing the harlot all the while it hath forſaken God; it was God, and not theſe that my ſoul promiſed to cleave unto.
2. As an Husband, ſo in the next place, a Father alſo thou tookeſt him to be, and by this means thou art commanded to call him Father: But if thou like a Prodigall haſt left thy Father, and ſpent thy ſubſtance in the ſervice of the Divel, With what face canſt thou call him Father? Think of it ſeriouſly, you who live in groſſe and palpable ſins: Is God the Father of ſuch wicked ſinners? Have they the Characters of ſons, and not rather of enemies, who thus diſobey him? remember then that thou haſt forſaken thy Father, and by thy ſins haſt turned from him. Is it not time then with the Prodigall to ſay, I will ariſe, and goe to my Father, and acknowledge that I have ſinned againſt him?
And Laſtly, Then was he taken for a Lord and Maſter; for a King to rule and reign over thee. Thy Baptiſme was a giving of thy ſelf wholly up to Gods government, to walk according to his Laws; now ſince that, How perfidiouſly haſt thou violated thy Oath? Thou haſt not been a ſervant to him, but to the Divel, Gods great enemy. It is uſuall with Divines to ſay, Baptiſme is Sacramentum militare, a Military Oath; becauſe every Chriſtian being called to a ſpirituall warfarre, doth there ſwear fidelity to Jeſus Chriſt, as the Captain of his ſalvation. Now every wicked man is, Proditor militiae, a flyer from his Colours, and runs into the enemies Camp. Conſider then what Rebellion and Treaſon againſt God is in every ſin, after thy Baptiſm-ingagements; thou art a runagate ſervant from thy Maſter. Now if ſo, is it not requiſite that thou ſhouldeſt turn back to him? Every ſinner is not only an Apoſtate, and Covenant breaker in Adam our firſt Parent, but a ſecond time a revolter, and Covenant breaker alſo, by not living according to that …ipula…ion in Baptiſme. Oh then it is high time for men to awaken out of this wretched eſtate. Go to the true husband of thy ſoul, return to thy Father, and true Lord and Maſter again.
Sixthly, Therefore turn to God from ſin, becauſe ſin is a ſtate of thraldom…, 6.and ſlavery, and our converſion unto God, puts us in a ſtate of freedome and libertie. Of what a man is overcome, that is he a ſervant to, ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Pet. 2. 19. Now then, thou being daily Maſtered by ſuch luſts, daily overcom by ſuch ſins, thou art made a Slave and Vaſſal: And if liberty be Bo…um ineſtimabile, a good that cannot be prized, yea, as the Rabbins ſay, If the heavens were Parchment, and the ſea Ink, it could not ſufficiently contain the praiſes of Liberty; How much rather is this true of ſpiritual Liberty, when the ſon of God hath indeed made us free? Why then canſt thou endure to lie in the Dangeon of ſin, to be kept priſoner and Captive in the Divels ſnares? And if thou ſai…ſt, I finde no t…raledome, I feel no miſerie or bondage in ſerving ſin: It may be ſo; but therefore thy miſery is far the greater: A man may deſperately be ſick, and yet not feel he is ſo: And ſo maieſt thou be kept faſt in the Chains of ſin and yet apprehend no but then at all. But thou art to believe the Word of God againſt thy own ſenſe and feeling; that makes it ſuch a Captivitie and ſlavery. Oh therefore pray to have this Captivitie turned: Why do I live in a Dangeon, when God hath glorious manſion places? Why do I feed on husks, when God hath ſuch dainties for a true convert? leave off this drudgery to ſin: The divel is an …ll maſter; fils thee with much trouble here, and eternal torment hereafter.
Seventhly, Turn unto God, becauſe he will then turn unto thee, for ſo he promiſeth. Do thou turn with an holy change, and he will with a gracious change. Thou hadſt thy back on God, and God turned the back upon thee. Thou was an enemy to God, and God was an enemy to thee: But who can ſtand under his enmity? Who can endure his wrath? But upon the ſouls turning to God, what an happy change and turn is made in all Gods diſpenſations? The Creatures are now turned when he is turned; for they groaned under him as under a burthen. The Angels are now turned to him when he is turned; for they are reconciled, and take him for a fellow ſervant. The Scripture that is curned alſo; for whereas before every page did ſpeak terror, and breath forth anger, now it breaths onelyonly comfort and conſolation to ſuch. The providence of God is now turned; for whereas before every thing was a Curſe, and wrought to thy Damnation, now every thing worketh to thy good, and furthers thy ſalvation, Yea now God is turned, (to ſpeak after the manner of men, though the change is properly in us, not in him) for he that was an enemy, that was angry, that accounted all thy prayers Abhominations, that askedſt thee, What thou hadſt to do to take his Name in thy mouth: Now he becomes a gracious Father, anſwereth prayers, and welcometh thee into his preſence. Thus you ſee how happy a thing it is to turn to God, for then every thing in Heaven and Earth, becomes alſo turned for thy good.
Eighthly, Turn unto Chriſt, for he is the true and proper reſt for the ſoul. You heard converſion was a motion, and all motion is at laſt for …ome reſt: Now all the while thy heart moveth after any ſin, or Creature, as if happineſſe were to be found there, thou art carried out in reſtleſſe motions, thou …neſt to one thing, and then to another, and in all there is vanity Turn then to that God, which if once ta…ed of, thy ſoul will thirſt no more, thou wilt be at thy jou…nes and, thou wilt deſire to have nothing elſe. Thus David, Whom have I in H…ve… but th…e, and whom in earth but thee? When his ſoul was turned to God, he was like the D…ve returned to the A…k: He was like an houſe on the rock. Where is every wick…d man is like a man in a burning fever, or in exquiſite pa…s and tor…en…s of body; he turneth on this ſide, and turneth on that ſide, and can get no reſt or eaſe. Thus it is here; the wicked man turneth from one luſt to another, from one ſin to another, but can have no eaſe in all. It therefore thy ſoul be wiſe, thou wilt think on theſe things: Thy actions are a way, as the Scripture often calls them, and ſo they will lead to ſome end: if they be the way of ſin, they lead to death and damnation: why do…it thou not think of turning to God? for in any thing that is not God, there cannot be full content and ſatisfaction in the heart: Feciſte (Domine) cor noſtrum, as Auſtin; O Lord, thou madeſt our heart, and it is reſtleſſe till it come to thee again: Even as the Waters that come from the ſea, never ceaſe runing till they are at laſt emptied into that Ocean whence they came. Come unto me ye that labour, and you ſhall finde reſt to your ſouls, ſaith Chriſt: Think not then to ſay, It is good for us to abide ſtill in our luſts, it is better then if we turn unto God; for in this thou ſpeakeſt as one who never knew God, or his goodneſſe.
Ninthly, Set before thy eyes thoſe Converts who are recorded in the Scripture, and ſee the joy and happineſſe of their condition, and then do thou write after their copy. Man aſſes a bloudy ſinner, that did not onelyonly ſin himſelf, but cauſed many others to ſin, yet when he repents and turneth to God, God receiveth him, and his iniquities are forgiven as if they had never been. Oh bleſſed change! So Paul, he had gone farre in bitter oppoſing, and perſecuting the waies of Chriſt, though in ignorance; but when converted, Oh how doth his heart burn with all thankfulneſſe and praiſe to God? What unſpeakable joy doth he finde in his heart to think he is what he was not once? If thou hadſt never heard of any that turned from their ſinnes to God, or if they did, that they have repented that ever they repented, they were ſorry that they turned from their ſinnes; it was better with them when they ſerved their luſts, then when they ſerved God. Then thou mighteſt have ſome plea. But when thou readeſt of the exceeding joy, and wonderfull bleſſedneſſe and peace of Conſcience they have had, who have been thus converted from their evill waies, What cords of ſinne can be ſo ſtrong as to hold thee any longer? Oh ſay then, as I have ſinned like a Manaſſes, like a Mary Magdalen, ſo I will turn to God with mourning and humiliation as they did.
Tenthly, Turn unto God from the way thou walkeſt in, becauſe it is a way of death and damnation. We may truely ſay, Lyons are in the way, even thoſe roaring Lyons that ſeek to deſtroy, And wilt not thou turn out of it? What paſſenger doth not take it for a great kindeneſſe, if travelling out of his way to be informed, he is going a clean contrarie way? and beſides it is a dangerous way, many Roberies and Murthers uſe to be committed in that way, Will not he with much joy thank you, and ſpeedily turn out of it? This is your caſe who live in groſſe and prophane courſes: Thou art going the clean contrarie way to heaven; men go not to heaven through ſuch miry paths; and beſides, there is Hell and damnation, and all the curſes of God in the way, Why then ſhould you not ſay, Bleſſed be God, and bleſſed be thoſe Watchmen that have given me this warning? Conſider then, theſe are not waies to live in, to dye in: The life that I live is not a life to have any comfort, any hope in. Oh therefore return unto God.
Eleventhly, Therefore turn from thy ſinnes to God, becauſe theſe are thy enemies, thy deadly Adverſaries, they are ſugred poyſon and venome. Thy ſins do as Jael to Siſera, bid thee come in, come in, and it provides pleaſant ſweetneſſe for thee, and puts thee in a ſecure ſleep, and then it kills thee. Now is it not the higheſt madneſſe in the world for a man wilfully to ſtay under his enemies power that ſeeks his blood, that plots his death, and no friend can perſwade him to come away? This is thy madneſſe; ſo many ſinnes thou liveſt in, they are ſo many bloody enemies to thy ſoul. They are called luſts which warre againſt thy ſoul, 1 Pet. 2. 11. And wilt thou love thy enemies rather then thy friend? Shall not God, nor the Miniſter, nor thy own Conſcience perſwade thee to get out of thy adverſaries hands? Neither think ſinne the leſſe enemy, becauſe it is ſweet, and pleaſant, or profitable for the ſeaſon; for it is an enemy under a friends habit, and that is moſt dangerous of all. It takes thee as Joab did Abner by the beard, as if he would imbrace, but giveth him a mortall wound under the fifth rib. It comes and kiſſes thee as Judas did Chriſt when he had plotted the betraying of him into his enemies hands. Therefore judge thus of thy luſts, and thou wilt peedily eſcape from them.
Twelfthly, Therefore turn unto God, becauſe the end of all Gods judgements 12.and calamities which are brought upon thee, whether publick or private, are for this, to make thee turn from thy ſinnes. When Nineveh is to be deſtroyed, ſhe muſt turn from her evil waies, elſe no hope: That threatning was to prepare for Converſion. Thus the Prophet Iſai, and others, Amos 6. complain, I ſmote you with famine, and reckons up many ſeveral judgements, and in the enumeration of every one, ſtill concludes, yet are ye not returned to me, ſaith God: So that the end why God bringeth his ſore judgements, is, That every one in the Land ſhould turn unto God. Haſt thou any perſonall Calamities, any Domeſtick Afflictions? The leſſon God would alſo teach thee by theſe roddes, is to turn from thy iniquities to him: Yea, as the end of all Gods Works, ſo of his Word alſo, of all Preaching, and all hearing, is Converſion unto God.
Uſe, Of exhortation. Refuſe not all theſe Motives, reject not theſe grounds of Converſion: Which of them hath not reaſon and ſtrength enough in it to bring thee to God? Art thou not ſure to ſpeed? Will not all ſorrow be turned into joy, when all wickedneſſe is turned into godlineſſe? Can you doe better, be more happy by turning unto thy luſts which have a moments pleaſure, and an eternities torment? Why do you not with all humility and thankfulneſſe bleſſe God that calls you to turn to him? Why ſhould he not ſuffer the Divell and ſinne ſtill to reign over thee, whom thou doſt ſo willingly ſerve? Conſider, What joy there is in Heaven, when a wicked man is converted to God; What joy there is on earth to faithfull Miniſters, to Godly friends, when this Converſion is vouchſafed unto thee: Oh ſay Then, though many Sermons have heretofore moved me, and made me almoſt to leave my ſins, yet this ſhall turn me quite from them: I will be tempted no longer: I will no more conſult with fleſh and blood, and God grant you may go home with another ſpirit upon you; God grant that you might finde the World like fire burning in your bowels, that it may be ſaid of every one of you as the Father of his Prodigall Son, He was loſt, but now he is found; he was dead, but now he is alive.