The Saints Only Way to True Blessedness, Sermon 2
HEB. 2.3.
How ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great Salvation.
THe Apoſtle had told us, in the foregoing verſe, that if the word which was ſpoken by the Angels, that is, the Law which was publiſhed upon Mount Sinai, by the ſubordinate adminiſtration of Angels: If that Word, the Law, were ſo ſtedfaſt; if it obtained full authority, ſo that every tranſgreſſion, every diſobedience againſt it, received a juſt recompence of reward; If men were ſeverely puniſhed for tranſgreſſing the Law of Moſes; how much more ſhall we be ſeverely puniſhed, if we ſin againſt the glorious Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt! How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great Salvation.
I would willingly ſpend the ſhort time allotted for the preſent exerciſe, in that diſcourſe which might moſt conduce to general edification: And therefore I ſhall without further delay preſent to you this doctrinal point of Obſervation, from the words to be inſiſted upon, Namely, Doct. That thoſe which go on in the final neglect of that Salvation which is offered and held forth in the Goſpel, they muſt unavoidably periſh.
In the Handling of the point I ſhall propoſe this enſuing method.
Firſt, I ſhall ſhew what this ſalvation is.
Secondly, Why it is called a great Salvation.
Thirdly, How many wayes men are guilty of neglecting this great Salvation.
Fourthly, What are the cauſes from whence the general neglect of this great Salvation may proceed.
Fifthly, I ſhall wind up all in ſome uſefull application.
Firſt, What this Salvation is.
The word foreign, properly ſignifies the preſervation of any thing or Perſon in a ſtate of ſafety. But in the Scripture it is taken divers ways.
Firſt, It is taken for a Deliverance from ſome temporal danger or calaminity. Thus you have it in Exodus 14.13. When the Iſraelites were encompaſſed with an Army of Egyptians at their backs, and the Red Sea was before them, and that the murmuring of the people might be ſatisfied, Moſes ſtands up, and bids them ſtand ſtill and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord; as if he had ſaid, Let not your hearts be troubled, let not your ſpirits ſink under a load of diſcouraging fears, do not fall into the hands of unbeliefe; for that is worſe than if you ſhould fall into the hands of your enemies; but have a ſtedfaſt eye unto the God of Iſrael, and ſo take notice what a ſeaſonable and ſpeedy deliverance he will work for you.
Secondly, Salvation is taken for the providential care and power of God, whereby he will not let his people want thoſe things that are needfull. Thus you have it, Pſal. 78.22. When the Iſraelites murmured againſt God in the Wilderneſs for want of food, why ſaith the Pſalmiſt, They truſted not in his ſalvation, they believed not in God, and truſted not in his ſalvation; that is, They truſted not in that wonderful providence of God which would certainly make a proviſion for them in their wants and difficulties, had they but patience to wait for it.
Thirdly, Salvation is taken in ſcripture for the Author of ſalvation, Pſal. 27.1. The Lord is my light and my ſalvation; whom ſhall I fear? ſo in Luke 2.30. they are the words of Simeon, Now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace, verſe 30. for mine eyes have ſeen thy ſalvation, that is, I have beheld him that ſhall be the Author of ſalvation both to the Jews and to the Gentiles.
Fourthly, Salvation is taken for that ſtate of Glory and perfect Bleſſedneſs which the ſoules of Gods people ſhall enter upon immediately after the diſſolution of their bodies.
Thus you have it in Heb. 1.14. ſpeaking there conc rning the Angels, Are they not all miniſtring ſpirits ſent forth that they may miniſter for thoſe which ſhall be the heirs of ſalvation? the heirs of ſalvation, that is, the heirs of future Glory.
And Laſtly, Salvation is ſometimes Metonymically taken for the doctrine of the Goſpel, becauſe that is the only way which God hath ordinarily appointed for the ſalvation of his rational creatures.
And thus it is taken in the words of the Text, How ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great ſalvation!
I have finiſhed the firſt Branch, and proceed to the ſecond, to enquire why this is here called a great Salvation.
And Firſt, It is ſo called becauſe it doth concern our ſoules.
Oh! that men were more deeply ſenſible of the incomparable excellency and preciouſneſs that is in their ſoules! Why, Pleaſure is a Dream, Honour is a ſmoak, Wealth is a deceitful ſhadow; Our ſoules are the onelyonly jewels, that are worth the preſerving. If theſe be ſaved, no matter what is loſt; and if theſe be loſt, no matter what is ſaved.
Alas! What would all the preferments the world can give, avail us if after the enjoyment of all, our ſouls ſhould be ſwallowed up in a gulf of remedileſs torment? I tell you, and there is ground for it in the word of God, that the loathſome toad and the venemous ſnake, they are in a better condition than the higheſt unſanctified Monarch upon the earth who ſhall be condemned to have his portion in this preſent life. If you highly eſteem thoſe things or perſons which may be inſtrumental for the ſaving of your eſtates, or to ſave the life of your bodies; are you not infinitely much more engaged to ſet an high eſteem upon the Goſpel which God hath appointed to be the only inſtrument for the ſaving of your ſouls? Why, our time is here ſpent to very little purpoſe, unleſſe we do induſtriouſly promote the ſalvation of our ſouls. We live here in vain unleſs that ſhort time which is allotted for us to continue here upon the earth, be wiſely improved to prepare us for an everlaſting enjoyment of God in heaven; it had been better for us that our bodies had never lived the life of nature, unleſs a life of grace here, diſpoſe our ſoules for a life of Glory hereafter.
Thoſe which lay out all their care to cheriſh frail periſhing bodies, and in the mean time neglect their ſoules, they goe the ready way to plunge both body and ſoul in everlaſting ruine. For oh ſinner, doſt thou not know, that at the Reſurrection thy body ſhall be in the ſame condition with thy ſoul? when they are reunited together, they muſt be both companions in joy, or companions in torment.
But, when the care which we lay out upon our bodies, is nothing, if compared with the care which we lay out upon our ſoules, we go the ready way to ſave both, to make both eternally happy; that is the firſt reaſon, it is called a great ſalvation becauſe it concerns our ſoules.
Secondly, That ſalvation which the Goſpel brings, is therefore called a great ſalvation, becauſe it is often beſtowed upon the greateſt Sinners.
There is no perſon ſo deeply defiled with the pollutions of the world, or grown ſo black with the guilt of high and hainous ſins, but that the Goſpel can furniſh him with a robe of imputed Righteouſneſs large enough to cover all his ſpots, and ſtains, to conceal all his ſhame and nakedneſs in the preſence of God.
No perſon hath ſo much run upon the ſcore of divine juſtice, but the Goſpel can bring him acquainted with a Surety which is able to diſcharge his debt, and pay the utmoſt farthing. Never yet did any ſinner come to Chriſt, and Chriſt refuſed to ſave him, meerly upon this account becauſe his ſins were too great to be pardoned; there never was any had occaſion for ſuch a complaint; No, the greateſt ſinner in this congregation may be encouraged; Thoſe which for many years together have continued ſlaves to the Prince of darkneſs, thoſe which have ſpent the flower of their age, in the ſervice of ſin, and making proviſion for their luſts, thoſe that have trifled away their time, that have abuſed the patience of God, that have trampled under foot the riches of his goodneſs, that have reſiſted the work of grace, and grieved the Spirit, why yet if they will accept Chriſt, and come up to the terms of the Goſpel, they ſhall not miſs of a full ſalvation.
Thirdly, This is called a very great ſalvation in regard of the great price which was laid down to procure it. God ſcornes to ſell ſalvation to any creature; it is therefore freely offered unto us; we may have it without money, and without price; Oh! but it coſt Chriſt full dear; it coſt him no leſs than the ſhedding of his own precious Blood, the leaſt drop of which was more worth than the whole frame of this material world; if all the mountains had been turned into gold, and every blade of graſs on the face of the earth, had been changed into a precious Jewel, and all this laid together had been offered up to procure the ſalvation of but one ſingle perſon, yet it would not have been accepted.
Fourthly, This is a very great ſalvation if we conſider thoſe great benefits that are comprehended in it; why, this ſalvation, it doth comprehend Adoption, Juſtification, and Eternall life. The benefits are exceeding great; though men are naturally born veſſels of wrath, and fire-bands of hell; why yet the Goſpel ſhews them how they may get into a ſtate of peace and reconciliation with God.
The Goſpel ſhews them how they may have their ſins forgotten and forgiven; how they may have their perſons juſtified, and their natures ſanctified, that they may be made meet to be partakers of an inheritance with the ſaints in light.
Fifthly, This is called a great ſalvation becauſe it brings a great revenue of Glory to the excellent Name of God: God is more glorified in that ſalvation which is extended to ſinners in the Goſpel, than by any thing elſe; why, here in this Salvation the riches of his wiſdome are diſcovered, his juſtice is ſatisfied, his grace and love are exalted, his mercy ſparkles forth to the greateſt advantage.
And then in the ſixth place, It is a great ſalvation if we conſider its everlaſting nature. Thoſe that are once effectually called, and juſtified, though they may fall under the merit of condemnation, yet they ſhall never be brought into a ſtate of condemnation; they that are once the children of God, ſhall ſo remain for ever; for the gifts of God are unchangable; they ſhall ſure enough be kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto ſalvation. They that are once made partakers of this Salvation, though they may be encompaſſed with trouble, why yet their graces are ſafe, their comforts are ſafe; Chriſt, their head, their hope, and all is ſafe. This is the ſalvation concerning our ſoules, being beſtowed upon the greateſt ſinners, having a great price laid down to purchaſe it, comprehending great benefits, bringing great glory to the name of God, and being of an everlaſting nature, juſtly called a very great Salvation.
I hauehave finiſhed the ſecond thing propoſed, and come to the third, inquiring how many ways perſons may be guilty of neglecting this great Salvation.
And firſt, men are guily of neglecting this great Salvation when they will not obey the Goſpel; whoſoever lives in the practice of any known ſin, in a ſtate of open rebellion againſt God, preſuming to out-face the Sun of Goſpel light, (Oh that God would powerfully ſpeak to his heart, and effectually convince him of it!) this perſon is guilty of neglecting this great Salvation. Why ſirs, why doth the great God of Heaven ſpeak to poor wormes here upon the earth, unleſs it be that they ſhould obey him? and how can perſons more evidently diſcover that they deſpiſe the Goſpel of Chriſt, then when they will not give up themſelves to be ruled and governed by it? when they will not ſuffer it to have any transforming or reforming efficacy upon their hearts, & when they peremptorily refuſe to live up to the purity of a Goſpel converſation; but though the word be never ſo much Preached, yet they ſtill wallow in their filthines; the Swearer, the Sabbath-breaker, the Perfidious perſon, the Scorner at an holy life, will ſtill be the ſame, ſay the Preacher what he will. If Goſpel Miniſters call upon the Drunkard to be ſober, and watch leaſt he be drowned in the next intemperate cup of Wine, and he be ſnatcht away by death in the midſt of his ſin, as many others have been in the like condition, before him: why yet he will not be prevailed upon, to break off his revelling courſes. Though Miniſters would fain perſwade the covetous wretch to ſeek after the Kingdome of God, and to lay up treaſure in Heaven, and to look after an inheritance of a better nature then the World can give, why yet he ſtill remaines a ſlave to unrighteous Mammon, he ſtill continues rooting like a Swine in the earth. Though they call upon the laſcivious perſon to put on the Ornaments of chaſtity, and to poſſeſs his veſſel in ſanctification and honour; why yet when they have ſpoken all that can be ſpoken, the Whore muſt ſtill be followed, and Chriſt be rejected. Alas! Friends, meer nominal Chriſtians, by their wicked converſation they are a perpetual reproach to the name of Chriſt. Cyprian brings the Heathens in his days, thus upbraiding the Chriſtians, Quare in ore ſemper evangelium, evangelium, cum tua vita ab evangelii praeceptis diſcrepat?
Why is the Goſpel ſo much in their lips, when there is nothing of Goſpel purity that appears in their lives? Why? you may be ſure that Miniſters were not ſent that they ſhould be as muſical Inſtruments to gratifie the ears of the people with pleaſant ſounds, nor to feed the wanton curioſity of nice critical hearers with choyce refined notions; Chriſt did not ſend his Goſpel that it ſhould onelyonly furniſh men with matter of diſcourſe and empty ſpeculations; No, but the holy Apoſtle tells you why the Goſpel was ſent, Tit. 2.11, 12, 13, 14. The grace of God that brings ſalvation, hath appeared to all men; to what end? why, Teaching us, that denying ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, we ſhould live ſoberly, and righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world, looking for that bleſſed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie to himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of goodworks.
Secondly, men are guilty of neglecting this great ſalvation, when they will not lay to heart the things of the Goſpel; when they count it a burthen to be engaged in meditating upon them, when they will not conſider nor allow the Goſpel any room in their ſerious thoughts, but rather do what they can to baniſh and caſt it out of their minds; how can you more evidently diſcover that you deſpiſe a thing, then when you do not judge it worth the thinking upon?
Oh! how many are there, that melt themſelves into luxury, and wantonneſs, rufling it out into pride and bravery, and waſting their precious time? yet they never took any ſucceſsful care for their impartial ſouls; they never ſet apart one hour ſeriouſly to conſider how they might provide for their everlaſting ſtate.
Alas! what will become of thoſe men? do they not think that they ſhall taſte of Death as well as others? and then how can they look their Judge in the face? I beſeech you ſinners, take notice of the indiſpenſible neceſſity that lies upon you to practice the duty of conſideration. Is Chriſt before you, is grace and a crown of glory before you, and will you not conſider? why is Death ready to ſeize upon you, is the judge at the door, and yet will ye not conſider? why, have you any better things to conſider upon then the Goſpel doth afford? what is not a God and a Chriſt, is not the ſtate of your ſouls worth the conſidering upon? why, Crowns, and Kingdoms, Lands, and Lordſhips, they are but toys and trifles, but chaff and ſtubble, droſs and dung, if compared with thoſe everlaſting things; and yet will you not be perſwaded to conſider? Alas! doth not Conſcience tell you that you can entertain wanton, and covetous, and revengeful thoughts from morning until night, and that is no weariſomeneſs to your ſpirits; and have you no leiſure, no time to think how you may make your peace with God, and procure the pardon of your ſins? That is the ſecond; Men are guilty of neglecting this great Salvation, when they will not meditate upon the Goſpel.
Thirdly, Men are guilty of neglecting this great Salvation, when they will not put forth their ſtrength to work out their own Salvation; when they reſolve to be at no further coſt for the ſaving of their ſouls, then the laying out of a few cold cuſtomary deſires, and ſluggiſh wiſhes; why conſider what work you have to do, if ever you will enter into life; you have a dark underſtanding to be enlightned, an hard heart to be ſoftned, a ſtubborn will to be ſubdued, defiled affections that muſt be cleanſed, ſtrong corruptions that muſt be mortified, violent temptations that muſt be reſiſted, and can all this be done, while you ſleep in the boſome of brutiſh ſecurity, and ſlothful negligence? why, doth not the Scripture tell you that if you will be ſaved, you muſt ſtrive to enter in at the straight gate? for many ſhall ſeek to enter and ſhall not be able; you muſt wreſtle with Principalities and Powers, ſo run that you may obtain, and fight the good fight of faith, that you may lay hold upon eternal life; and do ſuch expreſſions as theſe, give the leaſt encouragement to ſloath. Oh! that men ſhould take more paines to get a morſel of bread, then they do to get an immortal Kingdom of glory! that they ſhould go to bed late, and riſe early, and eat the bread of carefulneſs, as if they never could take too much pains for the getting of earthly riches! yet think every hour too much that is ſpent for the things of eternity; thoſe which will not put forth their ſtrength in working out Salvation, they are guilty of neglecting it.
But in the fourth place, what are the cauſes from whence the general neglect of this ſalvation may proceed.
Why, firſt ignorance, many are ſo ignorant, as that they do not underſtand the common termes of Chriſtianity; though Miniſters do cloath their matter in the plaineſt and moſt familiar expreſſions, yet they hear all as if the diſcourſe were delivered in an unknown language.
Secondly, another cauſe is unbelief, why men neglect this great Salvation; though they have a competent meaſure of knowledge, yet they do not believe the Goſpel of Chriſt to be true, they dont heartily believe that tis the word of God, though perhaps with their tongues they may profeſs to believe as well as others, leaſt they ſhould be ſhamed by the company with whom they converſe yet in their hearts they have no ſtedfaſt perſwaſion concerning the truth of theſe things; if there were not ſo much unbeleif, men would be a great deal more diligent in working out their Salvation.
Multorum fides natat in labris, dum nulla eſt in corde, aut vehementer languet; (as ſaith Cyprian) many profeſs to have faith, when nothing but the works of infidelity appear in their lives.
Thirdly, Hardneſs of heart, that is another reaſon; men are hard enough by nature; but by cuſtomary continuance in ſin, and by grieving the ſpirit, and by ſlighting the means of grace, they grow harder; ſo that their hearts will not be broken under the threatnings of the Law, nor melted under the promiſes of the Goſpel; A broken heart can no more neglect the Goſpel, than an hungry man can neglect his food.
But Fourthly, The greateſt cauſe of all in the generality of men, is earthly-mindedneſs; they are ſo taken up with the things of the world, that they have no leiſure to think of heaven; their thoughts are earthly, their project and endeavours are earthly, their affections earthly; head, heart, hand, and all conſpire to carry on thoſe deſigns, on which their temporal advantages do eſpecially depend. You know in Mathew 13.22. thoſe hearers that are compared to the thorny ground, they received the word, but the cares of the world, and the deceitfulneſs of riches, choaked the word, ſo that it became unfruitful; they were never the better for it. If a perſon goes aſide to conſider about the matters of his ſalvation, preſently ſome worldly buſineſs or other ſteps in and interrupteth his thoughts. The young man in Matthew 19. was very fair for heaven; yet notwithſtanding the world that was a bar to him; for ſaith the text, he went away ſorrowful, becauſe he had great poſſeſſions; Chriſt and the world, they are contrary Maſters, and they ſet their ſervants about a contrary work; therefore none can ſerve both of theſe together.
I come to the firſt and laſt thing, which is to wind up all in ſome uſefull application.
And firſt, If thoſe which neglect the ſalvation of the Goſpel, muſt unavoidably periſh: then let all take heed how they do attend and give ear to the preaching of the Goſpel.
For firſt, there is much of God and Chriſt in the Goſpel, there are thouſands, amongſt the glorified ſaints and Angels, bleſſing the Name of God for ever for that which they met withal in the preaching of the word; if it were poſſible that ſin ſhould be committed in heaven, that would be greater than ſin here committed upon the earth; therefore the ſin of the fallen Angels was the greater, becauſe committed in a place, where God was pleaſed to make ſpeciall and extraordinary diſcoveries of his preſence; the more of God there is in any thing, the greater is their ſin who abuſe it; there is more of God in the Goſpel, then there is in all the works of the Creation and providence.
Secondly, We ſhould have a care, leaſt we be found guilty of neglecting the Goſpel, becauſe that is the conduit, which God hath appointed to convey the choiceſt bleſſings to the hearts of his people; Thoſe that live under the faithful and powerful diſpenſations of the Goſpel, let them know that they enjoy the greateſt priviledge, which they are capable of receiving in this life. Oh then what ſhall we think of thoſe poor ſoules, which have continued for many years, and are grown gray-headed under the preaching of the Goſpel, and yet are never the better for it! every Sermon hath been like a ſhower of water, falling upon a rock, making no impreſſion at all.
Thirdly, Therefore do not neglect the Goſpel, becauſe it is very quick and lively in its working; it will quickly bring men into a ſtate of Salvation, or elſe ſinke them deeper into perdition, Heb. 4.12. the word of God is quick and powerful (ſaith the Apoſtle) and ſharper than a two-edged ſword, and pierceth even to the dividing aſunder of the ſoul and ſpirit: Math. 3.10. Now the Ax (ſaith he) is laid unto the root of the Tree, and every Tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen down and caſt into the fire; The Ax is laid to the root of the Tree; When was that? Why, when John the Baptiſt came preaching repentance, becauſe the kingdome of God was at hand; the preaching of the Goſpel was at hand; though the tree was barren before, yet it might ſtand ſtill, and not be cut down; but now when the powerful miniſtration of the word cometh, either cloſe with the Goſpel and be ſaved, or elſe refuſe the Goſpel and periſh, So Mar. 16.15, 16. Goe (ſaith Chriſt) and preach the Goſpel to every creature. He that beleeveth, and is baptized ſhall be ſaved; and he that beleeveth not ſhal be damned.
Fourthly, therefore we ſhould not neglect the Goſpel, becauſe it is that by which we muſt be judged at the laſt day. Heathens that never heard of Chriſt, they ſhall not be puniſhed for not beleiving in him; for obligation unto duty doth neceſſarily preſuppoſe the promulgation of a Law; but as for thoſe that have lived under the Goſpel, without controverſie they ſhall be judged according to the Goſpel; what would many a perſon give to know how it ſhall ſpeed with him in that great and notable day, when the Heavens ſhall paſs away with a mighty noiſe, and the Elements melt with fervent heat, when all the beauty and bravery of the World, ſhall ſink into a bed of aſhes? what would many a man give to know how he ſhall ſpeed then? why, the Goſpel tells you; thoſe which the Goſpel doth condemn now, they ſhall be condemned then; and they that are acquitted by the Goſpel now, they ſhall be acquitted then.
Fifthly, All that neglect the Goſpel, they are near to a curſe, &c. There is a clear place for it in Heb. 6.7, 8. The Earth which drinketh in the rain, that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth for Herbs, meet for them by whom it is dreſſed, receiveth a bleſſing from God, but that which bringeth forth briars and thornes, is rejected, and is nigh unto curſing, whoſe end is to be burned; the meaning of it is briefly thus, the good ſoyl are thoſe honeſt hearers which receive the word, and bring forth fruit, and receive a bleſſing from God; but that which bears briars and thornes, the bad ground, is thoſe hearers which receive the word, hear as many Sermons as others, yet they bring nothing forth but briars and thornes, repining and murmuring againſt the purity and truth of Goſpel-Ordinances; theſe are rejected, and are nigh unto curſing.
Then in the laſt place thoſe that do neglect the Goſpel, it will deeply agravate their condemnation. The Sodomites that were conſumed with fire and brimſtone from Heaven, you will ſay they were great ſinners, and yet Chriſt tells us plainly, it will be more tollerable for them at the day of judgement, then for thoſe that neglect the Goſpel.
Secondly, if it be ſo dreadfull to neglect the Goſpel; then endeavour to receive the Preaching of the Goſpel, as Chriſt hath appointed; receive with meekneſs that ingrafted word which is able to ſave your ſouls. I ſhall onelyonly name theſe three.
1. Receive it with reverence and attention, as thoſe which muſt give an account to the Lord of Glory for every Sermon which ….
2. Receive it with thankfulneſs; we give … for the ſhining of the Sun, and for the dropping of the clouds, and for fruitful ſeaſons; … ſeldome do we break forth into … Chriſt, for the unſpeakable benefit of his Goſpel!
3. Receive it with an holy hunger, and … after it; as new born Babes deſire the … Milk of the word, that you may … thereby.
FINIS.
End of the text · Thomas Cheesman, The Saints Only Way to True Blessedness (1663)