Spiritual Bondage and Freedom, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Wherein is handled the ſecond branch of the Doctrine; namely, That Jeſas Chriſt doth offer freedom to poor ſinners that are in the houſe of bondage.
I Come now to the ſecond Branch of the Doctrine; which is, Thht Jeſus Chriſt doth offer freedom to poor ſinners that are in the houſe of bondage. If the Son ſhall make you free. It carries an offer of Freedom in it. I ſhall ſhew,
1. What is to be obſerved in this offer, from this kind of Expreſſion, If the Son ſhall make you free.
2. Where Chriſt doth offer this Freedom.
3. Upon what accounts he doth offer it in reſpect of himſelf.
To the 1. From this kind of Expreſſion, If the Son ſhall make you free, obſerve Two Things.
1. That this Offer is real. Chriſt doth not deceive, or diſſemble with ſinners, but really he doth deſire they ſhould have Liberty. Men ſometimes make offers of good things to one another, but they are not ſincere in them. But it is not ſo with Chriſt: He is a real well-wiſher to ſinners ſouls. He hath expreſt it all the ways that can be deſired. Would you believe his reality, if he does wooe ſinners? Why, ſo he does, Luke 14. 23. compel them to come in, viz. by importunate entreaty. Would you believe his reality, if he does wait for ſinners? Why, ſo he does, Rev. 3. 20. Behold I ſtand at the door, and knock, &c. Would you believe his reality if he does weep for ſinners? Why, ſo he does, He wept over Jeruſalem, Luke 19. 41, 42. Would you believe his reality if he does dye for ſinners? Why, ſo he did, Rom. 5. 8. While we were yet ſinners, Chriſt died for us. Nay, would you believe his reality if he ſhould be damned for ſinners? Why, ſo he was, tho not in reſpect of the place, yet in reſpect of the pains of Hell: He was made a curſe for us, Gal. 3. 13. What would you have Chriſt to ſay or do more than he hath ſaid and done, to convince you, that he would have ſinners to be partakers of this Freedom. Hath he not ſaid ſo in his word? Hath he not ſealed it with his blood? Hath he not accepted and embraced from time to time, whoever came unto him? Doth he not engage himſelf by his faithful promiſe, to do ſo ſtill to the end of the World, That he will in no wiſe caſt out ſuch as come to him, John 6. 37. And yet what a wonder is it, that the World is ſo unbelieving ſtill? and ſo hard to be perſwaded, that Chriſt hath any loving thoughts or purpoſes towards them? Oh this curſed unbelief, and hardneſs of heart, that is in men and women, that makes them, that they will not come to Chriſt that they might have life!
2. If the Son ſhall make you free]. Obſerve from it, That this Freedom is needed by ſinners. Spiritual Freedom is one of their greateſt wants. This is implied in Chriſts offer. There is a Two fold need that we have of things.
1. There is a need for conveniency, That tho one could make a ſhift to be without ſuch a thing, yet it would be more convenient a great deal, to have it. They could do better with it, than without it. Now 'tis true, That ſinners have this need of Chriſt, and the benefits of his Redemption, it would be highly convenient for them. Chriſt is ſo fit and ſuitable to their condition, that the leaſt that can be ſaid of it is, That to be ſure they can do better with him than without him. If they had Chriſt, and had the Freedom that he offers them, it would not at all be inconvenient for them. He would be no hindrance to them: It would be more for their profit, and more for their good, than it can be now. If they had him, he would be no clog nor burden. Let them look to it how they can do well without him: I am ſure they might do better with him. No ſoul receives him to his loſs. It will be to our loſs to refuſe him, but it cannot be to our loſs to receive him. Can it be to ones loſs to become a child of God? See John 1. 12. As many as received him, to them gave he power (right or priviledg) to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Why, therefore I warrant thee, poor ſinner, if thou hadſt Chriſt, he would not hurt thee; he would be convenient enough for thee. But alas! this is too low: This is not worthy of Chriſt, to ſpeak meerly in this kind of way. Therefore,
2. There is a need for neceſſity, for abſolute neceſſity, That if one hath not ſuch a thing, there is no ſhift can be made, in the world, without it. You may bring this and that, and try whether 'twill ſerve inſtead of it, but all wont do. If you had but that, that would do alone, but nothing will do without it. Now ſuch need there is of Chriſt, nothing will do without him: There's not ſalvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven, given amongſt men, whereby we muſt be ſaved, Acts 4. 12. There be many that have tryed to get their freedom, and pardon, and ſalvation in another way, but all in vain. Some have gone to an outward Profeſſion for it; ſome have gone to this and that Opinion for it; and ſome have gone to Duties, and to the Righteouſneſs of the Law for it: but all would not do. No: why, 'tis Chriſt that is the one thing needful. Oh beloved! labour to preſs and urge this upon your ſouls; You muſt have Chriſt; and therefore aſk thy ſoul, Soul, why doſt ſtand a dallying, and a trifling? and why art ſo hard to be perſwaded to cloſe with him? Why, have him I muſt, and therefore have him I will. I know there's this and that in my way to hinder me; but through Gods help, nothing ſhall hinder me; I'le break through all difficulties. I, poor ſoul, the Lord grant thou maiſt: and I am confident, that if thou once comeſt to this, the Lord will give him thee. He never denies Chriſt to them that will take no denial. If they will have him, they ſhall have him. 'Tis a very obſervable and encouraging Scripture, in that diſcourſe of our Saviour with the woman of Samaria, John 4. 10. Jeſus anſwered, and ſaid unto her, If thou kneweſt the gift of God, and who it is that ſaith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldeſt have asked of him. The Greek word ſignifies, thou would'ſt have asked like an importunate beggar, that muſt have what he came for: And what follows? and he would have given thee living water.
3. If the Son ſhall make you free]. Obſerve again in this Offer, That Chriſt prevents ſinners with his mercy. He is aforehand with them. They do not ſay to Chriſt, Pray, will you make us free? but he makes the firſt mention of Freedom to them. Free Grace is the moſt condeſcending thing that ever was. Never did any creature ſo ſtoop to another, as God ſtoops to ſinners. He comes and knocks at their door, before ever they knock at his, 2 Cor. 5. 12. God was in Chriſt, reconciling the world to himſelf. Mark, the World was not reconciling it ſelf to God, nor God to it ſelf; but God reconciling the World to himſelf, God's love is always the firſt love: 'Tis the Fountain, and the Cauſe of our love to him, 1 John 4. 19. We loved him, becauſe he first loved us. 'Tis true, that the Lord is ſought unto for mercy by them to whom he intends to ſhew it; but 'tis the Lord that ſtirs up their hearts to do it: He ſets them a crying, and then they cry. They come to Chriſt, but 'tis the Father that draws them. There could be no deſires, or breathings in us after God, if they were not begotten of his Spirit. Alas! our corrupt nature wont afford one good deſire, till God give it. It will go further from God, but it wont come nearer to him of it ſelf. And therefore the mercy of God towards poor ſouls, is a very wonderful thing, not only in that it is ſo large, but in that it is ſo early. It is up before the ſoul is up, Iſa. 65. 1. I am ſought of them that asked not for me: I am found of them that ſought me not: I ſaid, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. Oh, how much are we beholding to Chriſt, for coming to us firſt!
4. If the Son ſhall make you free]. If he ſhall. Obſerve this next, That 'tis much to be feared, whether ſome that have the Offers of Grace, will ever cloſe with them. Here you ſee they had an Offer of Freedom; but Chriſt puts a doubtful word upon it, as to their acceptance: If he ſhall, &c. As if he ſhould ſay, It may be ſome of you will hear of this, and yet never partake in it, but live and die in the bondage that you are in. In this very Chapter, where Chriſt is offering this Freedom, he tells ſome of them in ver. 21. that they would die in their ſins. Now beloved, oh what a joyful thing would it be, if you would all accept of this Freedom, and cloſe with this Grace that is offered to you! Why, truly it would be ſuch a joyful thing, if but one amongſt you ſhould accept of it, that it would be enough to ſet all Heaven a rejoycing, Luke 15. 7. 10. And why ſhould I not hope, but that it may be thus with ſome or other of you? yea, perhaps with many of you. The Lord grant, that there may not be one amongſt you, that ſhall turn his back upon Chriſt. Whoever that man or woman ſhall be, wo be to them. And yet now 'tis much to be feared, that Chriſt will be rejected by ſome, to whom he hath been offered. The Apoſtle Paul tells the Corinthians, that he was with them in weakneſs, and in fear, and in much trembling, 1 Cor. 2. 3. Why, what made Paul fear and tremble ſo, that while he was a preaching, he was, as 'twere, all of a trembling? What, was it becauſe he was afraid to preach? No: but he was afraid what his preaching would come to, in reſpect of ſome of them, whether ever it would profit them, whether ever it would prevail with them. Now give me leave to acquaint you a little, what things, as to ſome perſons, may be grounds of fear, whether ever they will cloſe with Chriſt's gracious offer of Freedom.
1. In that there be ſo few, in compariſon, in all Ages of the World, that have done it. Beloved, Chriſt's flock will be but little, when he hath gathered all his ſheep. Heaven would hold a thouſand times more than ever will come there. No doubt but there be ſome that ſeem now, as if they had cloſed with Chriſt, and yet will be found at laſt not to have done it. They have miſtaken their whole work, and their hearts have deceived them from the beginning to the end. A right cloſing with Chriſt, is a very exact thing: 'Tis not every one can hit on it, Mat. 7. 14. Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth to life, and few there be that find it. And therefore may it not be feared, that this preſent Generation; yea, and this preſent Aſſembly, may have ſome amongſt them that will never cloſe with Goſpel Offers?
2. The little good news that there is up and down where the Goſpel comes, of the converſion of ſouls. People flock to Meetings; but who believes our report, or to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Sinners abiding in an unconverted condition, is a great ground of fear, what will become of their ſouls. If you have not yet cloſed with Chriſt, as unregenerate perſons have not, we cannot but fear you may loſe him. If a man be in a very dangerous ſickneſs, is there not cauſe to fear he will die? So if a man be ſtill out of Chriſt, why, certainly this is ſomething to queſtion, whether ever he will be in him, Acts 8. 22. Peter puts it as a doubtful caſe, whether ever Simon Magus would be pardoned his ſins, becauſe he was ſtill in an unrepenting condition.
3. When men do ſet light by Chriſt, and the Offers of Grace. There's great hopes of thoſe ſouls, that tho they have not cloſed with Chriſt, yet they begin to have good thoughts of him and his mercy, and love, and ſalvation, is ſomewhat commended; if they acknowledg, yea truly, this is the rich goodneſs of God, that ever ſuch Offers ſhould be made to me. I confeſs I do look upon Chriſt, and the Freedom that he holds forth to poor ſinners, as an excellent thing. God forbid that I ſhould ſay to the contrary. I know the pardon of ſin, and the love of God, are great Priviledges; happy is that ſoul that hath them: and I would I might be one of them. Ay, why, this is ſomething. Methinks 'tis a kind of Language that would give one ſome hope concerning ſuch a ſoul, as the young man in the Goſpel, when he did approve and commend of what Chriſt ſaid in Mark 12. 32, 33. Well, maſter, thou haſt ſaid the truth, &c. is anſwered by Chriſt, v. 34.—Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. But now when a man ſhall look upon all that Chriſt offers to him, as nothing, and ſet himſelf to deſpiſe and diſgrace his invitations, as if Chriſt had done him no kindneſs in ſending all his meſſages of love to him; and let Chriſt go where he will, and his ſalvation go where it will, for his part, he does not care for them. This is a great ground of fear, that ſuch a perſon will never cloſe with the Offers of Grace. See Mat. 22. 3. Thoſe who in the Parable were called to the Marriage-Supper, it's ſaid, firſt they would not come: then ver. 4. being invited again, ver. 5. they fell a ſlighting of it, or, as in the Greek, they ſet it all at nought: and ver. 6. they dealt with his Servants, as if he that had ſent them had been their Enemy. Why, ſee ver. 7. what becomes of theſe perſons; they were deſtroyed, and their City burnt; and compare with it, Luke 14. 24. for 'tis all to the ſame purpoſe: they were not to taſte of the ſupper.
4. Another ground of fear, that ſome will never cloſe with Chriſt, is, when they turn back again from that forwardneſs to good things which they began to put forth. They ſeemed to have a love, and a zeal, and a deſire towards Chriſt: But it may be they are now grown dead, and cold, and careleſs. They had fine and hopeful buds a while ago. One might ſee how they were convinced, and ſtirred. Oh, what hope was there, that ſuch a one would prove a Convert and a Saint! But it may be all is gone, and worn off. Their goodneſs was but like a morning cloud, and as the early dew it paſſed away, Hoſea 6. 4. 'Tis thus, beloved with many that make a Profeſſion: They promiſe fair at the firſt, and for a while, but then there comes ſomething, and turns off ſuch a one, and then there comes another thing, and turns off ſuch a one, and Chriſt and they are parted for ever. And therefore I beſeech you, as you love your ſo… take heed of growing looſe, and vain, … lukewarm, after you have begun to have ſet out for God. Oh! conſider what a ſerious thing Religion is: and if you begin to own it, why, ſtand to it, charge your hearts againſt back-ſliding. 'Tis a great ſin to fall off from good beginnings, and exceeding dangerous to the ſoul; ſee 2 Pet. 2. 20, 21. If after they have eſcaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledg of the Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, they are again intangled therein, and overcome; the latter end is worſe with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteouſnes, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
5. Another ground of fear of this, is when perſons are grown old, and are ready to go out of the World, and yet have not cloſed with Chriſt; that they have let it alone all their life hitherto, and now their life is even ſpent by courſe of nature. I would diſcourage none, tho they be ſtricken in years, from looking out for Chriſt. I know God is not bound to any time: He ſaves whom he will, and calls when he will But oh, you that have put off cloſing with Chriſt till old age, why, why did you not minde it ſooner? I ask you, Is this the fitteſt time for ſuch a work? or the likelieſt time for ſuch a work? Do you think there is not ſome reaſon to fear, leſt you ſhould die Chriſtleſs, as you have lived thus far without him? I dare not ſay that your condition is hopeleſs; but I will ſay, that the condition of young ones is more hopeful: Chriſt hath ſaid, They that ſeek me early, ſhall find me, Prov. 8. 17. I am certain, 'tis the great deſign of the devil to do what he can to hinder perſons from being good while they are young, becauſe he hopes that then they won't be good when they are old.
5. If the Son ſhall make you free.] Shall make you; obſerve one thing more from this kind of Expreſſion, viz. That upon whomſoever Chriſt beſtows this Freedom, he takes in the conſent and will of that perſon in the doing of it. Tho at the firſt, there is an unwillingneſs in the Soul, and Chriſt hath a croſs piece to deal with, and there's ſomewhat to do to get its conſent (as there is ſometimes in a perſon, to whom a man goes with a deſire to take her for his wife, ſhe is hard to be won) yet at laſt, the free and the full conſent comes: So that when Chriſt hath put the queſtion, Soul, ſhall I make thee free? and hath preſſed it home with plentiful and powerful Arguments (as he knows how to do it) the Soul is brought to make this anſwer, Thou ſhalt make me free; much like to that, Gen. 24. 57, 58. where Rebekah being askt, Whether ſhe would go with Abrahams ſervant, anſwers, I will go. The match between Chriſt and the Soul, 'tis not a forced buſineſs altogether; not but that he puts forth an holy violence in the work, elſe he would never obtain his ſuit: he compells them to come in; but it is ſuch a compulſion that carries ſuch love with it, as that the Soul neither can nor will finally ſtand out againſt him, but it caſts it ſelf at laſt into his arms and boſom, and 'tis glad 'tis there, Cant. 2. 3. And unleſs Chriſt ſhould take in the will of the Soul, the Soul and Chriſt could never live comfortably together; and that's the great deſign of Chriſt, that the Soul ſhould live comfortably with him, that it ſhould have a huſband that ſhe can rejoice in. Yea, the ſoul is made ſo willing, that it would have Chriſt upon any terms. If Chriſt ſhould, to try the truth and the conſtancy of her love, make as if he would not have her, and ſeem to caſt her off, oh the thoughts of this would wound her, and grieve her ſo, as that ſhe cannot but faint under it: nothing will ſatisfie her but his perſon and preſence, Cant. 1. 2, 3, 4. Let him kiſs me with the kiſſes of his mouth, for thy love is better than wine.—Draw me, we will run after thee.—We will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine. You ſee how ſweetly the Soul comes off to him; ſhe reſolves to run after him, and reſolves to love him, and reſolves to rejoice in him.
Hence then you may know, when there is like to be a match betwixt Chriſt and your Souls. How do your wills come off to the buſineſs? Are your affections turning towards him, and prizing of him? That's a ſign that Chriſt hath laid ſome good hold upon you, if he holds you by the heart. God hath undertaken, that Chriſt ſhall have the free conſent of thoſe whom he is to make his own, Pſal. 110. 3. Thy people ſhall be willing in the day of thy power. Iſa. 55. 5.—Nations that knew thee not, ſhall run unto thee. It is therefore this willingneſs that we pray that God would work in you; and when that is once wrought, let all the devils in hell keep you from Chriſt if they can.
The ſecond thing propoſed to be inquired into, upon this ſecond Branch of the Point, is, Where Chriſt offers this freedom. And I anſwer, Where ever the Goſpel comes. You that live under the Goſpel, and the preaching of the Goſpel, you live under a Diſpenſation, where Soul-freedom is to be gotten. You ſhall find, that when the preaching of the Goſpel is ſpoken of, it is ſet forth as a Diſpenſation, under which poor ſinners that are in bondage may come to Freedom. Thus Act. 26. 17, 18. Chriſt ſayes, that he ſent Saul to the Gentiles, to turn them from the power of Satan unto God. So, 2 Cor. 10. 4. Paul ſpeaking of his Preaching, he ſaith, 'twas for the caſting down of ſtrong holds; that is, whatever holds a ſinner in his ſpiritual Bondage, why this ſame Goſpel which was preached by him, is a Diſpenſation for the pulling of it down, that by it, through the power of God going along with it, the impriſoned, inſlaved ſoul, may be come at, and ſet free. So 2 Tim. 2. 25, 26. when Paul ſpeaks to Timothy about his preaching the Goſpel, he bids him inſtruct in meekneſs them that oppoſe themſelves, &c.—and that they may recover themſelves out of the ſnare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will, &c. ſhewing, that the Goſpel is a Diſpenſation where Freedom may be gotten. And hence you may ſee, that this great Ordinance of preaching Chriſt to you, is ſet up and appointed by God for the bringing to paſs of great things. 'Tis the Lords mighty Engine, to work ſinners out of the kingdom of the devil; which when once 'tis done, oh how will a poor ſoul admire Gods goodneſs to it, and be thankful! So was it with the Apoſtle Paul, Col. 1. 12, 13. Giving thanks▪ unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of ſaints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkneſs, and hath tranſlated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
And you, Sirs, that are yet out of Chriſt, that come hither and hear the Goſpel preached, you muſt know that this is one of the Places and Aſſemblies in which Chriſt offers Freedom to you: and therefore, the great end of your coming hither ſhould be, that you may get your freedom. Don't come for Faſhions ſake, but for Freedoms ſake; that you may not any longer remain in this cruel, curſed Bondage, which I have ſhewed you are in.
Obj. But you ſaid, that Chriſt offers this Freedom: I don't ſee that Chriſt is here.
Anſ. 'Tis true, he is not here perſonally: Time was that Chriſt in his own perſon was in the World, and offered this Freedom; he ſpake theſe words here in the Text with his own mouth, If the Son ſhall make you free, you ſhall be free indeed. If you had lived in thoſe days in which Chriſt was upon Earth, and in any of the places to which he came, you might have heard Chriſt himſelf preach, and inviting and incouraging poor ſinners to come unto him, and take this Freedom: for when he was here, he made it his buſineſs to offer it up and down where ever he came. But that was but for a while; that bodily preſence of Chriſt was quickly withdrawn; after that he died and roſe again, and aſcended into Heaven, and there he ſits at the right hand of God, till he ſhall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, &c. 2 Theſ. 1. 7, &c. But in another ſenſe he is here ſtill; and 'tis as well for the getting of your Freedom, as if he were here in perſon.
1. He is here by his Embaſſadors; what we do in his Name, that he doth by us. You never have any Miniſters of Chriſt preaching to you, but Chriſt is by them offering Freedom to you; and in this Work and Miniſtration that we are about, you ſhould be carried beyond thoſe weakneſſes and infirmities which you ſee in us, and you ſhould conſider whom we repreſent, as the Apoſtle tells the Galatians, that they did ſo at his firſt preaching the Goſpel to them: See Gal. 4. 13, 14. Ye know how through infirmity of the fleſh, I preached the goſpel unto you at the firſt. And my temptation which was in my fleſh ye deſpiſed not, nor rejected, but received me as an angel of God, even as Chriſt Jeſus. And I'll tell you a little, Beloved, for the ſtirring of you up to prize a Goſpel-Miniſtry, what uſe Chriſt is pleaſed to make of us, in order to this Freedom (though we are but earthen Veſſels, and poor Creatures like your ſelves) As,
1. To be. Publiſhers of it among you. He commands us and ſends us to blow this Trumpet of the Goſpel in your hearing, to proclaim this joyful ſound to you, that Chriſt came into the world to ſave ſinners. We are bound, as we will anſwer to Chriſt, to acquaint you with this good news, that God is in Chriſt reconciling the world to him▪ſelf: that now is the time wherein priſon-doors may be opened, and the yoke of your ſpiritual Bondage may be broken all to pieces: and oh, how ſhould you welcome us in the Name of the Lord, for bringing you ſuch a Meſſage as this is! Such an Entertainment doth the Prophet foretel the Preachers of the Goſpel ſhould receive; ſee Iſa. 52. 7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publiſheth peace, &c. Beloved, I am ſure that the news of this Deliverance, cannot but be welcome to thoſe that are ſenſible of their Bondage: See Exod. 3. 16, 17. q. d. Moſes, go and publiſh this among them, that I will deliver them out of this ſad ſlavery that they are in. Now compare chap. 4. 29, 30, 31. where the Meſſage was delivered to them: you ſee how they imbraced it, they believed, bowed their heads, and worſhipped.
2. To be Pleaders with you about it. The Lord gives us leave to be exceeding earneſt with you about the matters of your ſouls, to ſtir you up by all the Wayes and by all the Arguments that poſſibly we can, to look after this Freedom. He requires, that we ſhould lay out the very ſtrength of our ſpirits in this Work; that we ſhould deal with you as for our lives, and as for the ſaving of our own ſouls. He would have us ſtudy what to ſay to you, and to pray much to God, that he would fill our mouths with Arguments when we come to ſpeak to you; and that he would help us, that we may not be willing to let you alone in your trifling careleſs delayes; but to urge upon you the neceſſity of this Freedom, and the danger of miſſing of it, and the benefit that you will reap by it. Miniſters ſhould not only be Publiſhers, but they ſhould be Pleaders, yea, Beſeechers of their hearers in this matter: We pray you in Chriſts ſtead (ſaith the Apoſtle) be ye reconciled to God, 2 Cor. 5. 20.
3. To be Inſtruments for the conveying of it to you. Through grace, Beloved, we can help you to Chriſt, and help you to Freedom: Thus the man of Macedonia that appeared to Paul in a Viſion, prayed him, ſaying, Come over and help us, Act. 16. 9. Poor ſinners need help for their ſouls, and God hath made his Miniſters helpers; they can help them to Knowledge, and Repentance, and Faith, and out of their Sins, and help them to Heaven. He hath given them Gifts and graces for it, and a Scripture call to the Work; and he hath put a willingneſs in their hearts to do good to ſouls: and he hath, and doth give ſucceſs and bleſſing to the word of his grace by them, and by the fooliſhneſs of preaching to ſave them that believe, 1 Cor. 1. 21. So that Chriſt is here ſtill by his Embaſſadors. But,
2. Which is more than this, He is here by his Spirit; and as long as that is here, there is no fear but Freedom may be gotten. This is the great Succeſſor to Jeſus Chriſt, in that work of doing good to ſouls, Joh. 16. 7, 8, 9, &c. I beſeech you conſider, that the Spirit doth attend the preaching of the Goſpel, and therefore 'tis called the Miniſtration of the Spirit; and what that can do in our preaching, you may ſee, 2 Cor. 3. 6.—the Spirit giveth life. And were it not for the preſence of this Spirit of Chriſt in his Ordinances, both our preaching and your hearing would be in vain. But now, becauſe Chriſt hath ſent his Embaſſadors, and ſends his Spirit alſo with them, I tell you, Beloved, you are under a glorious Miniſtration, 2 Cor. 3. 7, 8, 9, &c. becauſe whatever veil is upon peoples hearts, and whatever bondage they are in, this Spirit can take it away, and bring them into liberty, verſ. 16, 17. But I muſt haſten.
The 3d Inquiry is, Ʋpon what account Chriſt doth offer this freedom, in reſpect of himſelf? I will give you an anſwer to this in three things.
1. Upon the account of his Purchaſe: he hath purchaſed Freedom, and therefore he may offer it; 'tis his own to diſpoſe of, as a thing that a man hath bought is his own: the Lord Jeſus was willing to buy Freedom for you, that he might give it to you. And here, it may be, you may deſire to be reſolved in two Queſtions. Qu. 1. Of whom did Chriſt buy it? Qu. 2. And what did Chriſt pay for it? Anſ. to the 1. He bought this Freedom at the hand of his Fathers Juſtice: for by ſin we were all fallen into the hand of Juſtice, and out of that hand we could not be taken, but by Chriſts making full Satisfaction to it; therefore he had to deal with a juſt and an angry God in this buſineſs. This is the meaning of that, in Gal. 4. 4, 5.—God ſent forth his ſon made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of ſons. Mark here how 'twas with us, and how it muſt be with Chriſt, that he might redeem us. We were under the Law, i. e. we lay liable to all that the Law could threaten to us, or inflict upon us: And therefore, Chriſt he muſt be, and he was made under the Law; i. e. in what he was to do for our Deliverance, he muſt give the Law or the Juſtice of God its full demand: and he muſt not expect to have any thing abated of it, by any ſuch thing as mercy; for he had not at all to deal with that in this work, he was not made under Mercy, but under the Law. Now from hence we may quickly give an anſwer to the 2d Queſtion, What did Chriſt pay for this Freedom? Anſ. Why to be ſure ſome great price, ſince he had to do with the offended and inraged Juſtice of God. For you muſt know and believe, that for our ſins, the wrath of God was dreadfully kindled againſt us: and if Chriſt would put himſelf in our place, and be our Redeemer, all this wrath muſt dreadfully burn againſt him; he muſt ſuffer ſo, as that he muſt be made a curſe for us; and he muſt be ſo bruiſed and broken, and marred by the heavy weight of Puniſhment that lay upon him, that people might even be aſtoniſhed to ſee him, and ſo as to make him that he could not even be known who he was, he looked ſo ghaſtly. See Iſa. 52. 14. and therefore, his precious Life and Blood muſt go for it; Body, Soul and all muſt be filled with the tokens of God's diſpleaſure. And therefore, you ſhall find the Lord, as it were, ſtirring up of his Juſtice, as if that it ſelf were too ſlow, againſt him, when his ſufferings are ſpoken of, Zech. 13. 7. Awake, O ſword, againſt my ſhepherd, and againſt the man that is my fellow. Oh Beloved, the great worth that there is in one drop of Chriſts Blood! but in this Work, he muſt pour it out like water: See Pſal. 22. 14, 15. And therefore, I pray obſerve this, that generally when you have this Redemption of Chriſt ſpoken of his Blood is mentioned with it, to ſhew what an ineſtimable price he paid for it. See Zech. 9. 11. As for thee alſo, by the blood of thy covenant,—Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood. Heb. 9. 11, 12.—By his own bloud—1 Pet. 1. 18, 19. Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,—but with the precious blood of Chriſt—
2. Upon the account of his Pity. The Pity and tender Compaſſion that was in the heart of Chriſt towards poor ſinners, as he ſaw them lie in their loſt condition; he ſaw they needed Deliverance, and he could not paſs him by, as this and that man did the man that lay among thieves; but as the good Samaritan; he would go to them to pour in Wine and Oil into their Wounds, and bind them up. Do you think, Beloved, that ever Chriſt would have indured, that ſuch cruelty from his Enemies, and ſuch ſeverity from his Fathers Juſtice, ſhould have been exerciſed upon him, if he had not had his heart full of pity towards poor ſinners, as it could hold? Certainly, 'twas his mercy that made him undergo all that miſery. See Heb. 5. 1, 2. Tit. 3. 4. Beloved, Jeſus Chriſt ſaw that we were pitiful creatures by ſin, and by reaſon of what was due to us for ſin, and he did pity us, Iſa. 63. 9.—In his pity he redeemed them: Yea, and he doth pity us ſtill, and he hath compaſſion for poor ſinful creatures ſtill, Heb. 4. 15. We have not an high Prieſt that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Therefore his pity to you makes him, that he cannot but offer this Liberty to you.
3. Upon the account of his Power. He offers this Freedom to ſinners, becauſe he can ſet them free; how faſt ſoever they are bound, he can looſe them. Hence 'tis ſaid, Pſal. 89. 19. I have laid help upon one that is mighty. As the Lord, when he came to redeem Iſrael out of their Bondage in Egypt, he came with a mighty hand, and with a ſtretched out arm: So doth Chriſt, when he comes to redeem a ſoul; let him meet with what as w…ll in his way, he carries all before him; where he will deliver, he will deliver, … goes all that ſtands againſt him. The ſinner at firſt, and Satan with him, they do what they can to make good their Fortifications againſt him, to keep out ſuch a Word from entring, and ſuch a Conviction from faſtning; and it ſets up its own carnal plea's, and excuſes, and delaies, and ſelf-righteouſneſs, &c. and all to keep out Chriſt from ſetting up his Throne: but all before he hath done, tumbles like a Babel, and crumbles into duſt before him. 'Tis true, there is a great deal of ſtrength put out againſt him; the ſinner calls all his ſhifts together, and the devil calls all his devices together, to reſiſt, but Chriſt is reſolved to have the day. And therefore, mark how he is deſcribed as one that goes forth with invincible Power in this Work, Pſal. 45. 3, 4, 5. So Rev. 6. 2. He went forth conquering, and to conquer. Beloved, we muſt offer this Freedom to you, tho we of our ſelves have no power to prevail with you; but he in whoſe Name we come, he can break your gates of Braſs, and cut in ſunder your bars of Iron.
Ʋſe. And now, doth▪ the Lord Jeſus Chriſt offer this Lib… you? Oh then, I beſeech you, let … …cepted of you. Oh Beloved, 'tis off… … to this end, that it ſhould be accepted: … …ot that it ſhould be made light of, as if t…e were no great matter in it, whether you had it, or had it not. I therefore urge that Scripture upon you now, Heb. 12. 25. See that ye refuſe not him that ſpeaketh: For if they eſcaped not who refuſed him that ſpake on earth, much more ſhall not we eſcape, if we turn away from him that ſpeaketh from heaven. What, ſhall Chriſt make ſuch an offer to you, and will you not cloſe with it? Will you that are in Bondage periſh in your Bondage, when you might be ſet free? Is it ſuch a good condition that you are in, that you ſhould deſire to ſtay in it? The priſon and bondage of the Body, tho it be nothing to this that your ſouls are in, yet how glad are poor Creatures to hear, that there is any hope or way for deliverance out of that. Oh, ſirs, let not Chriſt loſe his love, let him not loſe his labour, let him not loſe his longing: fain he would have you ſet at liberty: And therefore, don't hug your chains, as if you were loth to part with them. Lay this to your heart, that Freedom is offered you; how can you ſhift it, but you muſt cloſe with it now? If it had not been offered, there had been ſome excuſe: but will you put it off, now it hath been offered; yea, when it hath been offered particularly to every one of you, that there is none of you have been excluded from this gracious Invitation: and when it hath been offered with a notwithſtanding, notwithſtanding all the great and grievous ſins which you have lived in, as it was ſaid to Judah, Jer 3. 1, 2. Thou haſt played with many lovers: yet return to me, ſaith the Lord: And when it hath been offered frequently, not once or twice, but often; How often would I have gathered you, ſaith Chriſt to Jeruſalem? God hath ſeen you neglect this Salvation, ſuch a Sermon, and ſuch a Sermon; and yet he hath ſent again, and again, and again to you: And when it hath been offered with ſo much importunity and earneſtneſs, that you have never been pleaded with about any thing in this World, as you have about getting this Freedom: And when it hath been offered to you ſo freely, that you ſhall be redeemed at anothers coſt, and not at your own: you have ſold your ſelves for nought, and ye ſhall be redeemed without price: I ſay, when it hath been offered, and thus offered, why what's your duty from all this, but to cloſe with it? 1. Cloſe with it thankfully. What? Is there yet Freedom for me, for ſuch a one as I? Oh, bleſſed be God! admired be his Mercy! adored be his Name! 2. Cloſe with it throughly. Take heed of doing it by halves: take heed of parting with your ſins but as Pharaoh would part with the children of Iſrael; he would yield to this and that upon force, but he never came up to Gods terms. 3. Cloſe with it quickly, before your day of Grace be at an end, before it be too late to look out for it. Oh, ſirs! ſtir, ſtir for your ſouls, for the Lords ſake, quickly, quickly; you may elſe be undone to all eternity. Opportunities of grace are not long liv'd; and when they are over, you will wiſh you had improved them, and then there will be no fetching them back. I commend that awakening Scripture to you, Heb. 12. 15, 16, 17. Look diligently, leſt any man fail of the grace of God, leſt any root of bitterneſs ſpringing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled: Leſt there be any fornicator, or profane perſon, as Eſau, who for one morſel of meat, fold his birth-right. For ye know, how that afterward, when he would have inherited the bleſſing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he ſought it carefully with tears. That may be loſt in a little time, that can never be recovered.
But becauſe this cloſing with Chriſt is a great Subject, and of ſo great importance; and becauſe I know there is a great deal of backwardneſs in the heart of man to cloſe with Chriſt; and for fear leſt you ſhould not have as mueh ſaid to you as can well be ſpoken by man, to perſwade you to accept of this ſoul-delivering Jeſus whom I preach unto you this day: give me leave to carry on the Ʋſe ſomewhat further, by way of motive. And tho many things might be inſiſted on to ſtir you up, yet I will ſingle out this one thing eſpecially: namely, to beſeech you to conſider how guilty you will be if you don't cloſe with Chriſt; and what grievous ſinners you are, and will be found to be at the great day of his appearing.
1. You are guilty of Ignorance. You'll ſhew your ignorance of Chriſt, that his worth and excellency was never ſeen by you, that you never took him to be a Pearl of great Price; for if you had, to be ſure the next thing would have been to make him yours, Matth. 13. 45, 46. Beloved, there is none that ever refuſed Chriſt, that knew him; I don't mean, that knew him after the fleſh, or that ſaw him with the eye of the body; there were many that beheld him ſo, and had no deſire to him, Joh. 1. 10, 11. but none that ever knew him in a ſpiritual manner, but fell in love with him: He draws all the hearts, and all the affections of them to whom he hath been revealed by the Holy Ghoſt. It is therefore certain, that you dwell in darkneſs to this day, if you have no mind to cloſe with Chriſt; for if you were brought into the light, you would follow him.
2. You are guily of unthankfulneſs. What! to make ſuch a ſad requital to Chriſt for all his kindneſs towards you, as to prepare ſuch good things for you, and now to have none of them! Why, hath he not deſerved better at your hands then this? Was there no love, nor no mercy to your ſouls in what Chriſt hath done for poor ſinners? Nay, did you ever hear of the like love, or the like mercy? Is it not beyond all compariſon, and beyond all expreſſion? Did you ever hear of a Saviour that delivered from ſo great danger? Did you ever hear of a Surety that undertook to pay ſuch great Debts? Did you ever hear of a Phyſician that healed ſuch great Diſeaſes? What, and ſhall this be all the thanks he ſhall have now, to be rejected? If God will take it ill at your hands, to paſs by thoſe mercies that are but for the comfort of your bodies, without thankfulneſs; how much more will he be diſpleaſed with you, for paſſing by the offers of thoſe mercies that are for the ſalvation of your Souls? Why, Sirs, you that refuſe Chriſt, where is your ſenſe of God's goodneſs? where is that acknowledgement that he ſhould have from you? Hath he done you no courteſie in ſending his Son? Is the very hopes and poſſibility of being recovered out of your loſt condition, a thing not to be at all affected with? If a man doth but offer you his help in your need, you'll thank him, and you'll ſhew that you are taken with his kindneſs, by accepting of it; and you'll tell him how much you are beholding to him, and that you ſhall own him for your Friend as long as you live. Why, where is your thankfulneſs to Chriſt then? why don't you own him for your Friend? Obj. Why, you'll ſay perhaps, We are thankful to Chriſt for his kindneſs to poor ſinners? Anſ. What, and not cloſe with him? how can that be? 'tis the cloſing with him that is the thankfulneſs to him. If you do not this, you may ſay you are thankful, but who will believe it? ſhew it by your acceptance, Col. 1. 1, 2. Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the ſaints in light. They give thanks; but ſee verſ. 14. they had cloſed with it; We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveneſs of ſins.
3. You are guilty of Willfulneſs. It may be you'll put it upon your weakneſs that you don't cloſe with Chriſt: and I grant indeed that you are without ſtrength, and that you muſt have a power beyond your own to inable you, Joh. 6. 44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath ſent me, draw him: and if ever you come to him, it muſt be by grace from above. But yet, I pray conſider, that it is ſuch a weakneſs, as is joined with wilfulneſs, Joh. 5. 40. Ye will not come unto me, that ye might have life. The great thing that hinders your cloſing with Chriſt is, your will is againſt it. I am certain, that if you were but willing, you would do it: only you muſt know what a willingneſs I mean; Such a willingneſs as is ſpoken of in Pſal. 110. 3. Thy people ſhall be willing in the day of thy power. Oh, if the power of Chriſt were but once come upon your wills, to turn them, and bring them in, you would run to him with ſtrong and ſwift deſires. If ſinners were not willful in refuſing of Chriſt, do you think that God would ever charge them with willfulneſs? How oft would I have gathered you? &c. and ye would not, ſaith our Saviour of the Jews, Matth. 23. 37. A wicked man carries it ſo to Chriſt, as that 'tis plain he is unwilling to have him. He laies it upon his weakneſs, and he thinks thereby to come off the better: I cannot repent, ſaith he, and 'tis true, God ſaith ſo too: and I cannot pleaſe God, and God ſaith ſo too, Rom. 8. 8. and yet this ſhall not excuſe him; for there is a will not, with his cannot. If he were only weak, and deſirous to come, and did not oppoſe and reſiſt the motions and ſtrivings of the Spirit, and the calls of Grace, 'twere ſomething; if he were faithfull in the uſe of that natural Power that he hath, though indeed he wants a ſpiritual Power, 'twere ſomething. But alas! he doth not like Chriſts terms, and Chriſts yoke; his will is againſt them.
4. You are guilty of the love of ſin; not only of ſinning, but of loving of ſin. By your not cloſing with Chriſt, you declare that you have ſome beloved Luſt or other which you cannot indure to part with; and that takes up thoſe affections and that delight which ſhould be ſet upon Chriſt. Sirs, tho I cannot ſee nor ſearch your hearts, yet thus much I know of that which is within you, that you who ſtand out againſt Chriſt, have ſomething in the Throne that ſhould not be there. There is, as ſure as can be, ſome darling-reigning ſin; if there were not, Chriſt and you would quickly make up a Match. Obj. But how can you tell this, ſince you don't know our hearts? Anſw. Why, we know it, becauſe God hath told us ſo in his Word, that 'tis by reaſon of ſome unmortified ſin that people don't cloſe with Chriſt; they have boſom'd up ſome dear corruption or other. I ground it upon that Scripture in Gal. 5. 24. They that are Chriſts, have crucified the fleſh, with the affections and luſts. Mark, if this be a ſign that perſons are come to Chriſt, That the fleſh with the affections and luſts are crucified in them; then the reaſon why they don't come to Chriſt, is becauſe there are uncrucified affections and luſts in them; they have ſome Idol in their hearts, to which they bow down and worſhip. And therefore, let me allude to that Scripture, Act. 3. 14. where Peter is dealing with the Jews about their ſtanding out againſt Chriſt, But ye denied the holy One, and the Juſt, and deſired a murderer to be granted unto you. Beloved, every unmortified reigning luſt is a murderer, a murderer of your ſouls; and now, what's the reaſon that you don't own and cloſe with this holy and juſt One, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt? Why, 'tis becauſe you deſire that this murderer ſhould be granted unto you: As the People there in Matth. 8. 32. with 34. that they might keep their Swine, they beſought Chriſt that he would depart out of their coaſts. So you would keep your ſwiniſh Luſts.
5. You will be guilty of Pride. Oh, in what pride of heart do you walk, that reject the Grace of GOD! You have high thoughts of your ſelves; certainly you take your ſelves to be what you are not, as Chriſt ſaith to them of Laodicea, Rev. 3. 17. Thou ſayeſt, I am rich, and increaſed with goods, and have need of nothing: and knoweſt not that thou art wretched, and miſerable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Pray give me leave to be free with you: Why, Sirs, you that ſtand out againſt thoſe Calls of Grace, why are you ſo proud? Soul, what art thou, that thou lookeſt ſo coy upon Jeſus Chriſt? I would fain have thee underſtand thy ſelf a little: Why, I pray thee conſider, what Portion is Jeſus Chriſt like to have with thee, if he ſhould have thee? What canſt bring to him? Canſt thou bring any thing to him but a broken, ruin'd, undone condition? 'Tis true, thou haſt a deal of thine own, but what is it? A deal of ſin, a deal of miſery, a deal of deformity, a deal of poverty: If theſe things will make thee rich, thou haſt enough of them; but as for any thing elſe, thou haſt it not, nothing at all to render thee deſirable or lovely in Chriſts▪ eyes: and yet doth he offer love to thee, and woo thee as heartily, as if thou wert ſome great and excellent perſon, and hadſt riches, and beauty, and worthineſs, (tho, alas! if ever he have thee, he muſt clothe thee from top to toe) And yet, wilt thou refuſe him? why, I marvel at thy Pride! You know, 'tis counted an odious thing by the common Proverb that goes among us, to be Poor and Proud: ſo ſinner, what, art ſo Proud, and yet art ſo Poor! The Lord in mercy ſhew thee what thou art.
6. You will be guilty of Cruelty to your ſelves. I might ſtand upon that of Cruelty to us the Miniſters of Chriſt, who take all this pains with you, as though God did beſeech you by us, to pray you in Chriſts ſtead to be reconciled unto God. Beloved, if we ſhould ſpend our ſtrength and ſpirits (as we do) in earneſt intreaties of you to cloſe with Chriſt, and you ſhould not be perſwaded, would you not ſhew in this, a great deal of hardneſs of heart againſt Chriſt's Embaſſadors, in ſuffering them to weary, and wear out themſelves in pleading with you to repent, and believe the Goſpel, and all in vain? I tell you, the account of this will lie heavy upon you another day; that you ſhould let our Strength, and Spirit, and Labours run to waſte. You muſt needs think, that the pains that the Miniſters of Chriſt take with you in this kind of work, are very ſpending to their outward man: their Strength is not the ſtrength of Stones, nor their Fleſh of Braſs; therefore, there ſhould be ſome pity towards them, and you ſhould not, by your delays and backwardneſs to imbrace their Meſſage, put a kind of neceſſity upon them, even to lay out themſelves beyond their ſtrength.
But now, to come nearer to you; What Cruelty do you ſhew to your ſelves, by not cloſing with Chriſt? Saith Wiſdom (that is Chriſt himſelf), Prov. 8. 36. He that ſinneth againſt me, ſinneth againſt his own ſoul. The great hurt of all, is that which you do your ſelves: by refuſing of Chriſt, you are with your own hands making weapons of Death to deſtroy your ſelves. If you would ſtudy which way in all the World to do your ſelves the greateſt miſchief, 'tis in this, to neglect this great Salvation. I tell you, In this you take the ſhorteſt cutt that can be, to manifeſt that you have no greater enemy than your ſelves: And this is the reaſon why the Lord will condemn at the laſt day, every Chriſt-refuſing ſinner, for ſelf deſtruction. Oh, Sirs, you are not in a right ſenſe ſelf-lovers, till you are Chriſt-receivers. 'Tis true, you have a carnal ſelf love; but that's but a love to ſin, 'tis not a love to the ſoul: and therefore, 'tis not the right ſelf-love, which teacheth one to look after ones own everlaſting Salvation, next to the Glory of GOD.
7. You'll be guilty of undervaluing the higheſt mercies. Conſider, you are offered as precious things as God himſelf can give to his Creatures: what can he give more than Himſelf, and his Son and Spirit, his everlaſting Love, and everlaſting Life, his Pardon, his Promiſes? Why, you'll be found deſpiſers of all theſe, if you don't come to Chriſt. And what, is it nothing in your account to be a Child of God? to have all your ſins blotted out? to be juſtified, and ſanctified, and ſaved? Is it nothing to be delivered from the curſe of God, and the wrath to come? Methinks you ſhould be dealing with your own thoughts a little thus: Why, what? ſhall I let theſe great things go? a great God, and a great Saviour, and a great Reward? Certainly, Friends, if you undervalue theſe things, 'tis becauſe you overvalue other things; you overvalue your ſins, and you overvalue the world, and you overvalue your own righteouſneſs. If you could but count theſe loſs, you would count Chriſt to be gain, Phil. 3. 7.
8. You'll be guilty of Hypocriſie. What! do you come hither, and ſeem to be a people that would cloſe with Chriſts offers of Grace; and yet, when all comes to all, you will not do it? What Hypocriſie, what double dealing is this? You put us in hope, by your attendance upon the Means, that you will give up your ſelves to Chriſt; and upon this account, we are glad to ſee every one of you here, hoping that you will be willing to liſt your ſelves into the number of Chriſt's true Diſciples: and now, what, won't you be ſincere? Shall your faces be towards him, and your hearts againſt him? Will you not be as you ſeem? Pray be down-right with us; give in your Souls to what you are about. This is no place to diſſemble with God, and with his Ordinances: and therefore, as in 1 Pet. 2. 1, 2. Laying aſide all guile and hypocriſies, As new born babes, deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
9. You'll be guilty of Ʋnbelief. You that cloſe not with Chriſt, you believe him not. We tell you, he came into the world to ſave ſinners; we tell you, that there is mercy, and pardon, and life for you, if you come unto him; but you believe not our report: if you cloſe not with him, you believe not the Scripture, you believe not the Goſpel; See 1 Joh. 5. 9. This is the witneſs of God which he hath teſtified of his Son. Shall God teſtifie theſe things concerning Chriſt which we preach to you, and ſhall he not be believed? Will you make God a liar? verſ. 10.
10. You'll be▪ guilty of Fooliſhneſs. What? not to accept of an offer that is ſo much for your good? Is there any wiſdom in this? Do you uſe to do thus about the things of the World? Come eat of my bread,—Forſake the fooliſh,—Prov. 9. 5, 6. Obſerve here, we ſhall be among the fools, till we cloſe with Chriſt.
11. You'll be guilty of Preſumption. You talk of your hope to be ſaved, what? and not cloſe with Chriſt? Why, 'tis high preſumption in you; a tempting, a daring of God.
12. You'll be guilty of Ʋnprofitableneſs. Why, till you cloſe with Chriſt, what good do you do? This is that which muſt enter you into a holy, fruitful life; without this, you have not laid the foundation of any ſpiritual walking. Glorifying of God begins here; hence it is that People get no good under Ordinances; do no good, upon a ſpiritual account, in their Places and Generation; why they are out of Chriſt yet, from whom they ſhould draw virtue and ſtrength to bring forth fruit unto God.
And ſo I have done with the ſecond Branch of the Doctrine, That Chriſt offers Freedom to poor ſinners that are in the houſe of Bondage.