Sermons on Isaiah 11:1-10, Sermon 4

Sermons on Isaiah 11:1-10 · Sermon 4

p. 286Soul-healing Vertue from Chriſt, by believing in him. SERMON IV.

JOHN 3.14, 15.

And as Moſes lifted up the ſerpent in the wilderneſs: even ſo muſt the Son of man be lifted up: that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have eternal life.

IT is ſaid, Joh. 1.17. The Law was given by Moſe…; but grace and truth came by Jeſus Chriſt. The Moral and Ceremonial Law was by Gods appointment proclaimed by Moſes; but the grace of Juſtification and abſolution from the curſe of the Moral Law, as alſo Truth in fulfilling the Ceremonial Law, and anſwering to all the types under the Old Teſtament, came by Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Truth, the body, and ſubſtance of all the legal Sacrifices and Offerings, Joh. 1.29. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the ſin of the World. He is the truth of all the legal waſhings and purifications, p. 2871 Joh. 1.7. The blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son cleanſeth us from all ſin. He is the truth of all the lights and lamps in the Levitical ſervice, Joh. 8.12. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, ſhall not walk in darkneſs, but ſhall have the light of life. He is the truth of all the Levitical Altars, as he was of their ſacrifices, Heb. 13.10. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat, which ſerve the tabernacle. He is the alone Altar that ſanctifieth all our ſpiritual offerings, 1 Pet. 2.5. His death was the true antitype of the lifting up of the brazen Serpent in the wilderneſs; as is clear from the words in the text: in which we have a vive reſemblance between Chriſt crucified, and the brazen Serpent; as is clearly inſinuat in the particle of ſimilitude as, and in the particle of reddition and application, even ſo.

The reſemblance is, 1. In that which was lifted up, to wit, the brazen Serpent, and the Son of man. 2. In the place, to wit, in the wilderneſs. 3. In the lifting up of the Serpent upon a pole; and the lifting up of Chriſt upon the tree of the Croſs. 4. In the neceſſity of the lifting up of both; there was a neceſſity of lifting up the brazen Serpent to heal thoſe who were ſtung; ſo there was a neceſſity of the death of Chriſt, for healing and ſaving ſinners, even ſo muſt the Son of man, &c. 5. There is a reſemblance in the conſequent and benefit following, their looking: all thoſe, who being p. 288ſtung, did look on the brazen Serpent, were healed: So all ſinners wounded with ſorrow for their ſins, and looking by faith, receiving him in all his offices, and reſting on Chriſt crucified, as he is offered in the Goſpel, ſhall not periſh but have eternal li…e.

2. There was ſome reſemblance between that brazen Serpent and Jeſus Chriſt, who by way of excellency, is called, The Son of man, 1. That Serpent was in outward form, like unto Serpents that have ſtings; but really it had no ſting: So our bleſſed Lord, though he was in form like unto ſinful men, yet was he without all ſin, Rom. 8.3. He was in the ſimilitude of ſinful fleſh, it is not ſaid, In the ſimilitude of fleſh, for he was truly and really partaker of fleſh and blood; but without ſin: for he behoved to be clean himſelf, who was to cleanſe us; and to be whole and perfect, who was to heal us. 2. That Serpent was not made of Gold, but of Braſs: Jeroboams Calves were made of Gold: Our Lords outward Garb and faſhion before the world, was without all ſhow and pomp, Iſai. 53.2. When we ſhall ſee him, there is no beauty that we ſhould deſire him, Luk. 17.20. The kingdom of God cometh not with obſervation. The ordinances of men are oftentimes very ſpecious in their out-ſide, as were the Calves of Jeroboam; but the Ordinances of God are ſimple, without outward ſplendor: as the holy Word preached in ſimplicity, and the holy p. 289Sacraments adminiſtred in ſimple elements, yet with them is great vertue, and a bleſſing to believers. The Word, accompanied by the Spirit of God, is the power of God to ſalvation, Rom. 1.16. and worketh eff…ctually in thoſe that believe, 1 Theſ. 2.13 The Sacrament of Baptiſm, through the Spi…it, is the Laver of Regeneration, Acts 22.16. Tit 3 5. and the Sacrament of the holy Supper, is through the bleſſing of God, the real and ſpiritual communion of the body and Blood of Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10.16. Jeroboam his Calves, though of Gold, did not heal any who worſhipped them: but there is much comfort and benefit to be had in the …ple Ordinances of God, much more than in all the ſpecious and gliſtering inventions of men. One old zealous Father, at the Council of Nice, prevailed more with that young Heathen Philoſoph, for his converſion to the Chriſtian Faith, even by ſpeaking to him in the ſimplicity of the Goſpel, than all the learned Fathers could do by diſpute and arguing. 3. The occaſion of making and lifting up the brazen Serpent, was their great pain and danger in being deadly wounded by the fiery fleeing Serpents, Numb 21. So the occaſion, both of the Incarnation of Chriſt, and of his death upon the Croſs, was our ſins, wherewith we were wounded by the old Serpent, and had been in pain for ever, if Chriſt had not been p. 290Incarnat and died alſo for us; he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, Iſa. 53.5.

The conſideration of this, that our ſins were the cauſe of the lifting up of Chriſt upon the Tree of the Croſs, ſhould work in us theſe three penal affections, 1. Grief and great ſorrow for our bypaſt ſins, Zech. 12.10. David when he ſaw the innocent people deſtroyed by the Peſtilence, he was grieved at the heart, and ſaid, 2 Sam. 24.17. Lo, I have ſinned, and I have done wickedly; but theſe ſheep, what have they done? So we may and ſhould ſay in the grief of our hearts, What hath the innocent Lamb of God done, who was without ſpot, and blameleſs? But we have ſinned, and we have eaten the ſo… Grape; and his teeth was ſet on edge: we ſtretched out our hearts and hands to iniquity; and his back was ſcourged for our offences. 2. It ſhould work in our conſciences, ſhame and ſelf-indignation; and we ſhould afflict our ſpirits for our ſins, as Ephraim did, Jer. 31.19. I was aſhamed, yea even confounded, becauſe I did bear the reproach of my youth. 3. An active deteſtation of all ſin…ul wayes for time coming, as it is ſaid, Job 34.32. That which I ſee not, teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more, Hoſ. 14.8. Ephraim ſhall ſay, what have I to do any more with idols?

2. The place wherein the Serpent was lifted up, was the wilderneſs: even there did God provide a remedy, where no means of humane p. 291help was to be had: there was no antidotes to be found in the wilderneſs againſt the venom, for preſerving from that infl…mmation, and extreme burning with pain: So fallen man, was in a wilderneſs-eſtate after he had ſinned againſt God: for in holy Scripture, wilderneſs i… taken for, a deſolat condition, Iſai. 35 6. In the wilderneſs ſhall waters break out; that is, plentiful refreſhment by the Meſſias. Iſai. 41.18. I will make the wilderneſs a pool of water. When no remeed for healing man could be had from creatures, the righteous Angels could not ſatisfie infinit Juſtice, they being finit creatures: no more than the payment of ten pounds can exhauſt the debt of an hundred thouſand pounds: holy and righteous men cannot ſatiſfie for themſelves, Pſal. 143.2. And enter not into judgement with thy ſervant, for in thy ſight ſhall no man living be juſtified. Yet in ſuch an extremity, like a wilderneſs, wherein no out-gate is ſeen, the Lords own arm brought ſalvation to his people, Iſai. 63.5. I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought ſalvation unto me, and my fury, it upheld me. In this wilderneſs, our bleſſed Lord was lifted up; let us look by faith to him, when at any time we are ſtung with the tongues of a viperous generation, and back-biters, who are like Dan, an adder by the way; in ſuch a caſe look thou to Jeſus Chriſt lifted up on the Croſs, mocked p. 292and reviled, Heb. 12.3. Conſider him, that endured ſuch contradictions of ſinners againſt himſelf, leſt ye be wearied and faint in your minds. In this world, that is a wilderneſs of many Labyrinths and difficulties, wherein many times we ſee no probable outgate: Let us lean by faith and dependance on Chriſt crucified, the Captain of our Salvation; and he will at death lead us out of this wilderneſs, into that Paradiſe that is above. as it is ſaid of the ſpouſe in Cant. 8.5. Who is this that cometh up from the wilderneſs, leaning upon her beloved? Rom. 8.39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, ſhall be able to ſeparat us from the love of God, which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord.

3. As the Serpent was lifted up upon the Pole; even ſo was Chriſt upon the Croſs, 1 Pet. 2 24. Who his own ſelf bare our ſins in his own body on the tree; the word there (foreign) ſignifieth both to bear a burden, as Matth. 4.6. The Angels will bear thee in their hands, foreign and alſo to take away, Joh. 1.29. Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the ſins of the world, foreign. So our bleſſed Lord took away our ſins, by bearing the burden of the puniſhment due to us; and thereby making ſatisfaction to Divine Juſtice, Iſai. 53.6. We have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all; and verſ. 12 He was p. 293numbered with the tranſgreſſors, and he bare the ſins of many. He was lifted up upon the Croſs, and died that kind of death, to take away the curſe of the moral Law, threatned againſt us for our ſins, Gal. 3.13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law, being made a curſe for us: for it is written, curſed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Although there be no proportion between a temporal curſe or puniſhment, and that eternal curſe and puniſhment due to us for our ſins; yet the infinite worth of the Perſon, being the Son of God, gave infinite worth and value to his ſufferings for a ſhort time, for taking away the eternal puniſhment, and for procuring to us an eternal and exceeding weight of glory, according to that of Heb. 9 14. How much more ſhall the blood of Chriſt, who through the eternal Spirit, offered himſelf without ſpot to God, Purge our Conſcience from dead works, to ſerve the living God?

As our bleſſed Lord was lifted upon the Croſs; ſo let us lift up our minds and hearts to him, and as Paul had the Philippians alwayes in his heart, Philip. 1.7. So let us carry Chriſt crucified alwayes in our hearts. 1. This ſhould be our great care and ſtudy, with the Apoſtle Paul, who ſtudied nothing ſo much as the knowledge of Chriſt and him crucified, 1 Cor. 2.2. And Philip. 3.10. That I may know the fellowſhip of his ſufferings. For this end, the p. 294holy Sacrament of the Supper was inſtitute, to bring often to our remembrance the death of the Lord Jeſus, 1 Cor. 11.26. 2. Serious and frequent thoughts of his Croſs, will mortifie ſin in us, Gal. 2.20. I am crucified with Chriſt. Thoughts of the great grief and ſhame, brought upon the Innocent Lamb of God by our ſins, ſhould pierce our hearts: ſhould we rejoyce in that, which made him cry out, My Soul is exceeding ſorrowful unto death? God forbid we ſhould glory in that which procured the ſhame of the Croſs to him. The thoughts of his Croſs will mortifie our impatience in all our afflictions; when we look to him, who with ſo great patience endured the Croſs, and with inſuperable courage deſpiſed the ſhame of the World. This will mortifie our love to the periſhing vanities of this preſent world, Gal. 6.14. God forbid that I ſhould glory, ſave in the Croſs of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. As a dead man is not affected with the pleaſures of the world; and the world is crucified to him, as a man has no pleaſure to look upon the limbs of a malefactor hanged up in the high way. 3. Thoughts of the croſs of Chriſt, have an active and attractive Vertue: they will quicken our Faith, and draw us nearer to Chriſt; where the carcaſe is, there will the eagles be gathered, Matth. 24.28. The ſweet ſmell of the croſs of Chriſt, draweth Believers p. 295to him: It will quicken our love to Chriſt, and our obedience, Can. 1.3, 4. Thy name is as oyntment poured forth, therefore do the Virgins love thee: draw me, and we ſhall run after thee. A thankful man cannot but love his ſervant, that has ſuffered much for him; how much more ſhould we love our bleſſed Lord, who ſuffered ſo much for us, who by an evil Nature, are born enemies to God? The conſideration of his death, will quicken our hope and dependance upon God, for all things needful in time coming, Rom. 8.32. He that ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all; how ſhall he not with him alſo, freely give us all things? It will quicken our love to all who belong to Chriſt, eſpecially in the time of their diſtreſs; as the love of David to Jonathan, in the remembrance of his great kindneſs, did make him enquire after theſe that belonged to Jonathan, that he might ſhew kindneſs to them, 2 Sam. 9.1. The conſideration of this great love of Chriſt, in dying ſuch a death for us, by the power of his Love, will ſubdue our ſinful luſts, and make us by patience to overcome difficulties and afflictions in ſuffering for his Name, Rom. 8.37. Nay, in all tbeſe things we are more than Conquerours, through him that loved us. This Heavenly fire of his Love in our hearts, like lightnings, will quench that earthly fire and exhalations of unclean luſts. 4. Serious and p. 296deep thoughts of the croſs of Chriſt, will comfort and encourage us againſt all our enemies, whether devils or wicked men, becauſe Chriſt, upon th… c…oſs, hath ſpoiled principalities and powers. Col. 2 15. Satan our arch-enemy, is both bound and ſpoiled by the Captain of our Salvation. He may and will moleſt us, like an enemy beſieging a City, and making frequent aſſaults; but he ſhall not prevail to get poſſeſſion, John 10.28. They ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any man pluck them out of my hand. The true Believers, may and will be moleſted, by wicked men tempting them to ſin; and perſecuting them with tongue or hands, becauſe they will not run with them in the exceſs of riot, 1 Pet. 4.4. But be of good comfort; for even all the wicked in the world, are ſubiected to him by the merit and power of his Croſs, Phil. 2.8, 9, 10. Joh. 16.33. Theſe things have I ſpoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace; in the world ye ſhall have tribulation: but be of good chear, I have overcome the world. The thoughts of the death of Chriſt, will comfort us againſt the ſevere charge, and ſharp challenges of a guilty and accuſing Conſcience, Rom. 8.34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Chriſt that died, yea rather th…t is riſen again; who is even at the right hand of G…d, who alſo maketh Interceſſion for us. It will comfort and encourage againſt the fear of death; ſeing our bleſſed Lord by p. 297his death on the Croſs, hath taken away the ſting and curſe from our death, 1 Cor. 15.57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

4. The neceſſity of the death of Chriſt upon the Croſs, even ſo muſt the Son of man be lifted up; It was neceſſary our Lord ſhould die. 1. There was a neceſſity of immutability in reſpect of Gods decree to ſave loſt man by the ſufferings and death of Jeſus Ch…iſt, Heb 2.10. For it became him, for whom are all things; and by whom are all things, in bringing many ſons unto glory, to make the Captain of their ſalvation perfect through ſufferings. 1 Pet. 1.20. Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifeſt in theſe laſt times for you. 2. There was a neceſſity in reſpect of infallibility to fulfil the Propheſies concerning his death for our ſins. Iſa. 53.12. He hath poured out his ſoul unto death. Dan. 9.26. The Meſſiah ſhall be cut off, but not for himſelf. 3. To fulfil and to be anſwerable by his death and bloody ſacrifice to the typical ſacrifices, Heb. 10.4, 5, 6, 7. For it is not poſſible, that the blood of Bulls and Goats ſhould take away ſins, &c. And, Rev. 13 8. he is called, The Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world; to wit, in theſe myſtical and typical ſacrifices, before, and under, the Law. 4. There was a neceſſity for him to die this kind of death on the Croſs; whereof ſee more in Serm. Joh. 12.32.

p. 298Though there was a neceſſity for our bleſſed Lord to die, yet he ſubmitted to it moſt willingly; he poured out his ſoul unto death, and frequently it is ſaid in the New Teſtament, he emptied himſelf, and gave himſelf to the death, Gal. 1.4. Eph. 5.2. Tit. 2.14. This kind of neceſſity agreeth well with a ſpontaneous willingneſs, though not with a liberty of indifferency toward the oppoſit act. And ſeing our bleſſed Lord ſubmitted himſelf willingly to this neceſſity, in order to our ſalvation; let us alſo, when-ever in a neceſſity of divine providence we are called to undergo this or that croſs, willingly and chearfully ſubmit our ſelves to the neceſſity of his wiſe providence: Let us ſay as our Lord did, Not my will, but thine be done. Let us ſay as David did, 2 Sam. 15.26. Behold, here am I, let him do to me as ſeemeth good unto him. And with theſe loving Profeſſors, Acts 21.14. When Paul would not be perſwaded, we ceaſed, ſaying, the will of the Lord be done.

5. There is a reſemblance in the conſequent and effect of their looking to the brazen Serpent, and of believers their looking to Chriſt on the Croſs. 1. Theſe Serpents in the wilderneſs were deadly: the Septuagint Interpreters calls them foreign: ſo in ſin there is the bite of the old Serpent, when a temptation to ſin is faſtned on our hearts, and we give conſent to it, Jam. 1.15. When luſt p. 299hath conceived, it bringeth forth ſin: and ſin when it is finiſhed, bringeth forth death. The bite of the Serpents, was painful before they looked up to the brazen Serpent; there was a burning inflammation and pain from the ſting: ſo it is in ſinne…s, after they have ſinned, the ſting of an evil conſcience remains burning and tormenting them from the ſenſe of guiltineſs, and the fear of wrath to come, and fear hath torment, 1 Joh. 4.18. 2. They were pained at the heart, before they looked to the brazen Serpent: ſo before a ſinner can look by faith to Jeſus Chriſt, and ſo be healed, there muſt be pain and grief at his heart in ſome meaſure of ſincerity, for offending the juſt and gracious God, Mat. 9.11, 12. Jeſus ſaid unto them, they that be whole need not a Phyſician, but they that are ſick. Two ſorts of perſons are not healed at the firſt, to wit, thoſe that are lethargick, or phrenetick; ſenſleſs of ſin, or conceitful of their own righteouſneſs: The Church of Laodicea is convinced firſt of her ſecurity and vain imaginations, before ſhe be invited to be healed, Rev. 3.19. And the Phariſee, conceited of his own righteouſneſs, returned to his houſe not juſtified, Luke 18. As the lethargick is ordinarily cured by caſting him into a fever, and then he being ſenſible of his diſtemper, is healed by the Phyſician; ſo our great Phyſician puts ſecure and ſenſleſs ſinners oftentimes to a ſharp fever and exerciſe of conſcience, by diſcovering p. 300covering ſin and wrath to them, and thereafter heals them, as he did the Jaylor, Act. 16.30, 31. The Phrenetick and conceity ſoul, the Lord heals, by beating them with the ſharp rods of affliction, Job 36.8, 9, 10. If they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; then he ſheweth them their work and their tranſgreſſions that they have exceeded: he openeth alſo their ear to diſcipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

They were healed by looking up to the brazen Serpent; ſo by faith in Chriſt Jeſus, we are healed from our ſins, Act. 16.30. Believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved. He is the only Phyſician, that is both able and willing to heal the broken in heart: As the People ſtung, were healed by their looking up, as a condition appointed and required by God: But they were not healed for their looking up, as a cauſe meritorious of healing; ſo Faith is appointed, and required as an inſtrument or condition, without which there is no Juſtification and Salvation; but it is not the cauſe meritorious, but looks to Chriſt alone, as the procurer of our Juſtification and Salvation in his blood: The ſick Woman was healed of her bloody flux, through her touching of Chriſt, but not by any vertue in her touching; for the healing vertue came from Chriſt himſelf alone, Mark 5.30. Luke 6.19. He healeth us of all the ſtings, that diſquiet p. 301and torment our ſpirits; of which there be four. 1. The ſting of a guilty and tormenting Conſcience, ſpoken of, Job 20.12. 2. The ſting of outward great afflictions, not only in the Wicked, but alſo in the Godly; to wit, a fear and apprehenſion of wrath in the affliction, Job 6.4. The arrowes of the Almighty are within me, the poyſon whereof drinketh up my ſpirit; the terrours of God do ſet themſelves in array againſt me. 3. The ſting of temptation, 2 Cor. 12.7. There was given to me a thorn in the fleſh. 4. The ſting of death, 1. Cor. 15.56. At that time, our ſins that were quiet from tormenting us, as the viper was for a time, Act. 28. at death they leap on our Conſciences, to torment them with fear of the ſecond Death. Therefore let us look to Chriſt crucified, that we may be healed of all theſe ſtings, Iſai. 45.22. Look unto me, and be ye ſaved all the ends of the earth: Look to him, who ſhed his blood for the remiſſion of ſins; who has reconciled us in the blood of his Croſs; and this look, will calm the Conſcience, from the ſting of guiltineſs, Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 2. When thou art diſquieted with the ſting of afflictions, look to Chriſt, who by the merit of his ſufferings, hath taken away the curſe and wrath from thy ſufferings, and maketh them medicinal and profitable for thy ſoul, p. 302Heb. 12 10. He chaſtiſeth us for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holineſs. 3. Againſt the ſting of temptations and ſharp tryals, look to his rich and free Love, Rom. 8.37. He will give ſtrength to reſiſt, 2 Cor. 12.9. He will give outgate, 1 Cor. 10.13. 4. Againſt the ſting of death, look by Faith to Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Saviour of his body, Rom. 8 1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus. Look by Faith to him, interceeding at the right hand of God, for preſerving us Believers unto eternal Life, Rom 8.34. Joh. 10.28. As by his death he purchaſed our peace with God, ſo by his Interceſſion he perpetuats that peace, Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the outermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeing he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them.

4. All that looked to the brazen Serpent, were healed; although in ſuch a great number of men, all were not alike quick-ſighted; ſo all Believers, though not alike ſtrong in Faith, by looking to Chriſt crucified, are ſaved from their ſins. There is no exception of infants in the life of Faith, although in the eſtate of Grace, and for the time they be not able, by a reflex act, to diſcern their own eſtate: as infants are refreſhed with bodily food, although their hand be not ſo large, as the hand of men grown up to ripe age: the promiſe of ſalvation is univerſal to all true Believers, whether p. 303ſtronger or weaker, Joh. 3.16. Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting life: The Church of Chriſt, is compared to a flock of ſheep, Act. 20.28. And all the ſheep are not alike ſtrong; yet the great Shepherd of our ſouls, doth gather the Lambs with his arm, and carrieth them in his boſom, and doth gently lead thoſe that are with young, Iſai. 40.11. It is compared to a family, Heb. 5.14. And all in the family are not alike ſtrong; ſo it is in the Church: and yet our heavenly Father feedeth all by Jeſus Chriſt, the bread of life. Therefore look unto him, with the eye of Faith, though weak, and be ye ſaved, Iſai. 45.22. It is not ſo with the eye of a believing ſoul, as it is with the eye of the body, in beholding this created Sun; the more it looketh upon it, the eye is the more dazled and weakned; but the more a Believer looketh on Chriſt the Sun of righteouſneſs, he groweth the ſtronger in the grace of Faith: becauſe he ſeeth more and more of the power of Chriſt, to ſave all who come to God by him; who is the Son of God, in whom the Father is alwayes well pleaſed; he ſeeth the more of his willingneſs to accept of ſinners; he ſeeth him on the croſs, giveing pardon, and promiſing Paradiſe to a notorious malefactor; he heareth him praying for forgiveneſs to his enemies: Therefore he concludes, that he will not reject his ſoul that cometh unto him ſincerely, though weakly.

p. 304It is not ſaid, that the Son of man muſt be lifted up, that all men may believe; or that all men may have eternal li…e: For if the Lord had intended, that all men ſhould believe, or that all men ſhould be ſaved, then all men ſhould believe and ſhould be ſaved; for who hath reſiſted his will, and purpoſe? Rom. 9.19. It is alſo repugnant to his wiſdom, to intend what he knows cannot come to paſs, to wit, that all men ſhould have Faith; for Faith comes by hearing the Goſpel, and God intends not to ſend the Goſpel to all men.

The bite of the Serpent in the wilderneſs, was in it ſelf deadly; yet all who looked to the brazen Serpent were healed: So all ſin in it ſelf is deadly; for the wages of ſin is death, Rom. 6.23. But if we confeſs our ſins with ſorrow for them, and a purpoſe to forſake them; and if by faith, we look to Chriſt crucified, and reſt on him, we ſhall be ſaved, 1 Joh. 1.9. If we confeſs our ſins, he is faithful and juſt to forgive us our ſins, and to cleanſe us from all unrighteouſneſs. We would conſider well the covenant of Grace, made in Chriſt to Believers: It is a covenant well ordered, ſure and everlaſting, 2 Sam. 23.4. It is well ordered, and adorned with rich and free promiſes of all things requiſit for our eternal happineſs; as promiſes of mercy, (I will forgive them their ſins) of grace and ſanctification, p. 305I will put my Law in their inward parts, and writ it in their hearts, &c. Jer. 31.33, 34. It is a ſure Covenant, becauſe grounded on two things immutable, to wit, Gods eternal Counſel and Decree manifeſted in the Goſpel, for bleſſing and ſaving all Believers in Jeſus Chriſt, Gal. 3.16. All the promiſes, are Yea and Amen in him; becauſe, made in a reſpect to his ſatisfaction, and performed by him in the fulneſs of time: The other ground of the ſureneſs of the Covenant, is the Oath of God, Heb. 6.17, 18. Gen. 22.16. It is made ſure by the blood of our Surety and Mediator Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhed his blood both to purchaſe, and to aſſure us of the remiſſion of our ſins: It is enſured to us by the Seals of the holy Sacraments, and although the Seals under the Old and New Teſtament, be diverſe: yet the Covenant ſealed, is one and the ſame; as the face is one and the ſame, when vailed and unvailed. It is an everlaſting Covenant, Jer. 32.40. I will make an everlaſting Covenant with them, &c. It is put in the hand of our Surety, to be kept for us, and he by the power of his invincible Grace, keepeth us for the poſſeſſion of the heavenly Inheritance. 1 Pet. 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto ſalvation. For farther clearing the Doctrine of believing in Jeſus Chriſt for Juſtification, or Remiſſion of ſins, and p. 306for eternal Life, we would anſwer ſome Queſtions.

Queſt. What is the Object of juſtifying and ſaving Faith? Anſw. The Object of divine Faith, is all the divine truths revealed in the holy Scripture; but the Object of juſtifying and ſaving Faith, is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; he is the only Object, whereunto we muſt look for juſtification and ſalvation, Iſa. 45.22. Look unto me, and be ye ſaved, all the ends of the earth. Act. 10.43. To him gave all the Prophets witneſs, that through his Name, whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins. Act. 13.39. By him, all that believe are juſtified from all things, from which ye could not be juſtified by the Law of Moſes. As theſe who were wounded by the firy ſerpents in the wilderneſs, looked alſo to the pole whereupon it was ſet; but they were healed only by looking to the brazen Serpent its ſelf; ſo though the whole Scripture, is as a ring of gold, precious and much to be eſteemed, yet the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is as the precious ſtone in the midſt of it; and for obtaining juſtification and ſalvation, is to be looked unto allanerly: The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and Gods rich and free love in ſending him into the world, is moſtly, among all divine Truths, to be looked unto, Joh. 5.39. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which teſtifie of me. Joh. 20.31. But theſe are written, that ye might p. 307believe, that Jeſus is the Chriſt, the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through his Name. So as he is the alone Object, to which we ſhould look, as the meritorious cauſe of our juſtification and ſalvation; ſo, of all revealed divine Truths, he is the principal Object of our Faith; he is the end of the Law Cerimonial, Gal. 3.24. He is the entire ſupplement of the Moral Law, by his perfect righteouſneſs and ſatisfaction to divine juſtice, Rom. 8.3. For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the fleſh, God ſending his own Son in the likneſs of ſinfull fleſh, and for ſin condemned ſin in the fleſh. And he is the Mediator and ſubſtance of all Goſpel-promiſes, 2 Cor. 1.20. All the promiſes of God in him, are Yea, and in him Amen. Therefore it is our duty to be converſant in all divine Truths revealed in holy Scripture; but we ſhould meditate moſt frequently upon this divine Truth of our juſtification and ſalvation by Jeſus Chriſt, wherein moſt eminently is manifeſted the Father's love in ſending him, the love of the Son in coming into the world, that by the merit of his death, we may be juſtified and ſaved; and the love of the Holy Ghoſt, in anointing and qualifying him for theſe great effects: as the Bee paſſeth thorow many flowrs in the Garden, but ſtayeth longeſt on theſe, where it getteth moſt hony; ſo we ſhould often meditate upon the myſtery of Gods free love in Jeſus Chriſt: All the Scriptures are p. 308faithful ſayings, and worthy of all acceptation; yet this ſaying is eminent above all, 1 Tim. 1.15. Chriſt Jeſus came into the world to ſave ſinners. We ſhould turn away our eyes from looking to any thing as meritorius of juſtification and ſalvation: but we ſhould look unto Chriſt alone and his righteouſneſs for the ſalvation of our ſouls; becauſe life eternal, is the gift of God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, Rom. 6.23. And we are ſaved by grace, through Faith in him, Eph. 2.8. This doctrine, from the force of truth upon the Conſcience, and for quieting the heart in the remembrance of our own unrighteouſneſs, the learned and worthy reformed Divines, have maintained according to the holy Scriptures; and the learned Biſhop Andrews, (in his Serm. on Jer. 23.6.) ſaith piouſly and ſoundly, That if men would ſet God before them in his juſtice, and their own ſouls in their guiltineſs, they would interpoſe nothing between the revenging juſtice of God, and their guilty ſouls, but the alone righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt: yea, ſome of the Roman Church, have acknowledged, that juſtification and ſalvation, is to be ſought only in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; as was evident from that directory for viſitation of the ſick, reprinted at Venice, one thouſand five hundred ſeventy ſix; the prieſt is directed to propone this queſtion to the ſick perſon, Believeſt thou that none can be p. 309ſaved by their own merits, or any other way, than by the merit of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt? And the Prieſt is directed to inſtruct the ſick perſon, that there is no other way of ſalvation, but by Faith on Jeſus Chriſt alone. Bellarmin. (lib. 3. of Juſtif.) after a long debate, he concludes, It is ſafer for the uncertainty of our own righteouſneſs, and for ſhunning the danger of vain glory, to put our confidence only in the righteouſneſs of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Ferus, a learned and moderat Divine, commenting upon the parable of the Labourers in the Vine-yard, Mat. 20. ſpeaketh to this purpoſe, God promiſed freely, and he rewardeth freely; therefore if thou wouldeſt keep Gods favour toward thee, make no mention of thy own merits; for he will give all things out of his own mercy; nevertheleſs thou muſt not be the ſlower to do good works; yea rather thou ſhouldeſt be the more zealous of them, ſeing we have ſo bountiful a Lord.

Queſt. Is there no more required for juſtification, but only Faith in Jeſus Chriſt? Is there no more required for inheriting eternal life, but to receive him, and to rely on him? Anſw. Some of late, even Divines of the reformed Church, have ſpoken very raſhly (to ſay no worſe) of ſome eminent and Orthodox learned men of the Reformed Churches, as if they did not require in the believer new obedience and ſanctification: It is true, they require according to the p. 310Scriptures, that by Faith alone in Chriſt and his righteouſneſs, they ſhould look for juſtification; but they require new obedience and ſanctification in the believer, as a neceſſary antecedent unto eternal life. The Harmony of learned Divines of the reformed Church, in the Doctrine of juſtification, See in learned Hornbeck his Inſtitut. Theolog. Cap. 11. and they affi…m that as our ſins were imputed to Chriſt the Surety and Mediator of the New Covenant, ſo his Righteouſneſs is imputed to believers for juſtification: therefore it is not, as ſome in their expreſſions, complying with the Papiſts, have ſpoken, a fancy, or Juſtitia Putativa, a ſuppoſed righteouſneſs, but it is real of God the Father, accompting his Sons Righteouſneſs unto the ſinner, and by that accompting, making it his to all effects, as if the ſinner himſelf had performed it: as ſpeaketh the learned and famous Arch. B. Ʋſher, in his Sum of Chriſtian Religion up…n this Subject: Becauſe (ſaith he) this Righteouſneſs is in Chriſt, not as in a perſon ſevered from us; but as in the head of the Church, the ſecond Adam, from whom therefore it is communicated unto all, who being united as members unto him, do lay claim thereunto, and apply it unto themſelves, Rom. 5.19. Rom. 10.4. And though (ſaith he) it be not fit to meaſure heavenly things by the yard of reaſon, yet it is not unreaſonable, p. 311that a man owing a thouſand pound, and not being able to pay it, his Creditor may be ſatisfied by one of his …riends: And anſwering to that queſtion, how then doth the ſoul reach after Chriſt in the act of juſtifying? Even as a man (ſaith he) fallen into a river and like to be drowned, as he is carried down with the flood, eſpyeth the bough of a tree, hanging over the river, which he catcheth at, and clingeth unto, with all his might to ſave him; and ſeeing no other way of ſuccour but that, ventureth his life upon it: This man ſo ſoon as he had faſtned upon this bough, is in a ſafe condition; though all troubles, fears and terrours are not preſently out of his minde; until he come to himſelf, and ſeeth himſelf quit out of danger; then he is ſure he is ſafe; but he was ſafe, before he was ſure: Even ſo it is with a believer, Faith is the eſpying of Chriſt, as the only means to ſave, and the reaching out of the heart to lay hold upon him: God hath ſpoke the word and made the promiſe in his Son; I believe him to be the only Saviour, and remit my ſoul to him to be ſaved by his Mediation: So ſoon as the ſoul can do this, God imputeth the righteouſneſs of his Son unto it, and it is actually juſtified in the Court of heaven; though it is not preſently quieted and pacified in the court of conſcience; that is done afterwards, in ſome ſooner, in ſome later, by the fruits and effects of juſtification.

p. 312Queſt. Is there an infallible and inviolable connexion between true faith on Jeſus Chriſt, and ſalvation by him? Anſ. Yea, for it is ſaid here, That whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have eternal life. And it was ſaid …y the Apoſtle Paul unto the Jaylor, Acts 16. Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt he ſaved. Chriſt is ſaid to dwell in the heart by faith, Eph. 3.17. As there is a local union between a man and the houſe wherein he dwells and reſides, ſo there is a ſpiritual and real union between Chriſt and a believer; and there is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt: and to aſſure believers on Chriſt, of the certainty of their ſalvation, it is ſaid in the preſent tenſe, Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting life. Believers are as ſure of it by their claim of faith on Chriſt, as if they were already in preſent poſſeſſion of it: yea, it is ſaid in the preterit tenſe, Rom. 8.30. Whom he juſtified, them he alſo glorified.

Queſt. May not one have true juſtifying and ſaving faith in his heart, and yet not know that he is juſtified? Anſ. Yea, he may have the direct act of faith, whereby he is juſtified; and yet not have the reflex act of faith, whereby he knows, and is aſſured of the gift of Faith, freely given to him of God, by which act he is Aſſured of his juſtification; as an Infant has the truth of life natural in him, though for want of ripeneſs in judgement, he p. 313doth, not by a reflex act of underſtanding, know the ſame: Yea, a true and juſtified perſon, may be ſo overwhelmed in ſpirit with the fears of his former great and many ſins, though he embrace Chriſt, and rely on him wholly and only for ſalvation, that yet he may ſo faint in his fears, that at the time he doth not diſcern the truth of the life of grace and faith in his Soul; as a perſon in the time of his bodily ſwouning and fainting, doth not diſcern the truth of a natural life in his body: Notwithſtanding the true Believer, in ſuch times and caſes, cannot diſcern the truth of the life of faith in himſelf; yet other godly diſcerning Chriſtians, perceiving his ſincere deſire after the means of Salvation, and his appetite toward the Goſpel, which is the immortal ſeed of the new life, do very rationally conclude, that he has the truth, though not the vigor of the life of grace and faith in his ſoul; as theſe who look on, and ſee an Infant greedily ſucking the breaſt, though the Infant it ſelf has no knowledge to diſcern its own life, yet they truely conclude from its natural appetit to the means of life, that it has life; becauſe as new born babes, they deſire the ſincere milk of the Word, 1 Pet. 2.2.

Queſt. What are the effects and ſigns whereby I may diſcern the truth of faith, when we have not the vigor of it? Anſ. We diſcern it by the effects. 1. The true Believer has an high p. 314eſtimation of Chriſt, and a low eſtimation of himſelf: He is precious to Believers, 1 Pet. 2.7. Paul had an high eſtimation of Chriſt, that he came into the world to ſave ſinners; and a low eſtimation of himſelf, as being the leaſt of Saints, and chief of ſinners: The true believer eſteems highly of the Goſpel, whereby life and immortality is brought to light through Chriſt. He accounteth all things but loſs; yea, but dung and unſavory, in campariſon of the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus his Lord, Phil. 3.8. 2. The true believer, as he rejoices moſt in the croſs of Chriſt; ſo he mourns for his ſins, whereby he crucified the Lord of glory; he looks upon him whom he pierced with his grievous ſins, and he mourneth as one mourneth for his only Son, Zach. 12.10. 3. True faith, is a Magiſterial grace, and labours to quiet our unruly affections and paſſions, as an awful Maſter, by his preſence, quiets the unruly Scholars; for, faith receiving Chriſt in the heart to dwell there, commandeth all the affections to be ſtill, and to do nothing that may diſturb and grieve the Spirit of Chriſt; the Spouſe, after ſhee has found her Beloved, ſaith to her heart and affections, I charge you, O yee daughters of Jeruſalem, &c. that ye ſtir not up, nor awake my love till he pleaſe: That ye neither interrupt his delight in me, nor my delights in him, Cant. 3.5. 4. True faith p. 315purifieth the heart, and labours daily to keep it clean by the beſſom of repentance, Act. 15.9. God put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. The Lord is ſaid to dwell in the heart by faith, Epheſ. 3.17. And after the believer has received him, he endeavours daily to keep the houſe clean where he dwells: by faith, the heart is eſpouſed unto Chriſt as a chaſt virgin, 2 Cor. 11.2. And when the believer is tempted to any vile luſt, he ſaith with Joſeph, how can I do this and ſin againſt my Lord, to whom I am eſpouſed for ever in holineſs and righteouſneſs? 5: True faith on Jeſus Chriſt, worketh by love, Gal. 5.6. It commands us, and in an holy violence conſtraineth us to love the Father, who has forgiven us much; to love the Son, who ſhed his blood for the remiſſion of ſins; an… to love the Holy Ghoſt, who is the ſealer and confirmer of our juſtification and remiſſion: Faith on Chriſt, commands us, and by a commanded act, requires us to love one another, 1 Joh. 3.23. This is his commandment, that we ſhould believe on the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and love one another. As lines drawn from the circumference, the nearer they come to the Centre, they are the nearer one unto another; ſo believers the nearer they come by faith to Jeſus Chriſt, the Centre of our ſouls reſt and happineſs, they are the more united one to another in love; yea, when by faith we look p. 316upon Chriſt, as our great example, faith doth command us to love even our enemies, with the love of benevolence and beneficence; when we perceive our bleſſed Lord, both prayed for his enemies, and alſo healed Malchus ear; and in a ſpecial manner to love all ſaints with a love of complacency and delight, as fellow-members of the myſtical body of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and to walk in love, as Chriſt alſo hath loved us, and hath given himſelf for us, an offering and a ſacrifice to God for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour.

It is therefore the wiſdom, duty, and comfort of believers, to examine themſelves, that they be not only ſound in the doctrine of faith, but alſo ſincere in the grace and work of faith, that they may have rejoycing in themſelves from the teſtimony of a good conſcience, Gal. 6.4. True and ſincere juſtifying and ſaving faith, receiveth Chriſt entirely to dwell in their hearts: the ſincere believer receiveth him in all his Offices; as a Prieſt, to bleſs the ſoul where he dwells, with all ſpiritual bleſſings; as a Prophet, to teach him by the Word; and as a King, to rule him by his Law and holy Commandments. As he receiveth him by faith, ſo he intertains him by love; as he receiveth Chriſt by faith, ſo he gives up himſelf by love unto him; as Chriſt dwells in him by faith, ſo he dwells in Chriſt by love and delight; he intertains him by obedience in the p. 317courſe of Sanctification; as an honeſt Subject, who ſometime was a rebel to his Prince, the more he reſts upon the word of the Prince for his remiſſion, he is the more ready and active to obey him in all time coming: for though faith reſt on Chriſt alone, and on no other for Juſtification and Salvation, yet it reſts not from the duties of obedience in the courſe of Sanctification; the true believer in the preparation of his heart, is ready to every good work and commanded duty, with the Apoſtle Paul, Acts 9.6. ſaying, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? For the Doctrine of Juſtification by Faith, obligeth believers the more ſtrictly to the duties of Sanctification: for, knowing they are juſtified in the blood of Chriſt, which is the price of our redemption, therefore ſhould they glorify God in their body and in their ſpirit, which are God's, not only by the right of creation, and temporal preſervation; but alſo by the right of redemption and everlaſting ſalvation, 1 Cor. 6.20. Seing they have the promiſes of free grace, ratified in the blood of Chriſt, they ſhould cleanſe themſelves from all filthineſs of the fleſh and ſpirit, perfecting holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. See more, 2 Cor. 5.15. Tit. 2.11, 12, 14. So that the Doctrine of Juſtification by faith in Jeſus Chriſt, doth not make void the Law, but eſtabliſheth the Law, Rom. 3.31. Though it make the p. 318Law void as to Juſtification by it, Rom, 8.3. yet it doth not make it void, or cancell it from being a fixt rule for our direction. Now to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Author and Finiſher of our faith, with the Father and Holy Ghoſt, be all praiſe, &c. Amen.