Last Three Sermons, Sermons

Last Three Sermons · Sermons

p. 1SERMON I. Of Converſion to God.

JER. III. 22. latter part.

Behold we come unto Thee! For Thon art the Lord our God.

THERE are ſeveral earneſt Exhortations by the Prophet in this Chapter, to ſollicite and perſuade the unfeigned Converſion of a ſinful People to God. As ver. 1. again, ver. 7. then ver. 12. and laſtly in this ver. 22. which repreſents a kind of Dialogue between God and the People of the Jews; his Speech to them in the former Part of the Verſe, and their Reply to him in the latter Part of it; What he ſays, is full of Kindneſs and Affection; What they ſay, is expreſſive of their Duty and Submiſſion.

1. What God ſays, This contains a Precept and a Promiſe. A Precept, Return you p. 2backſliding Children: A Promiſe, And I will heal your Backſliding.

2. What the People ſay; both with Reference to the Act it ſelf, Behold we come unto Thee; and the Reaſon of it, For thou art the Lord our God.

Whether the Jews were ever really prevailed with to do after this Manner, by the Miniſtry of the Prophet, is very doubtful; or whether this were a Prophecy concerning the Time to come; (though it be ſpoken in the Time preſent here, and in the Time paſt, ver. 21. A Voice was heard, &c.) is alſo queſtionable: But this is certain, that the Prophet ſpeaking in the Name of this People, in the cloſe of the Verſe, as he had done in the Name of God, in the beginning of it, ſets down what was proper and meet to be ſaid: As when Iſrael was admoniſh'd, To return to the Lord their God, Hoſ. 14.1. Words were put into their Mouths, fit to take with them at their return, ver. 2. So here, the Command being given for their Return, here is a plain Inſtruction what they ſhould Anſwer, which would be as a Teſtimony againſt them, if they refuſed to do it.

Obſ. 'Tis a bleſſed Thing, when Sinners are effectually inclined to come to God in Obedience to his Precept; and upon the Encouragement of his Promiſe. Here,

p. 31. Shew what it is for Sinners to come to God?

2. How they ſhould do it in Obedience to the Precept, and upon the Encouragement of the Promiſe.

3. Wherein lies the Bleſſedneſs of this.

4. The Uſe.

I. What is it for Sinners to come to God?

Anſw. It does not imply any change of natural Place, ſecular Employment, or Civil Relation, but of ſpiritual State.

There are three Things eſpecially in it.

1. A Relinquiſhing of every Thing that is contrary to God, and yet keeps us at a diſtanc from him. To come to God, and bring our Luſts along with us, and deſign the retaining of them, is utterly inconſiſtent; 'tis an aggravated Abomination, as if we had a mind to unite God and Belial, or to bring about an Agreement between Heaven and Hell, which is as impoſſible as to travel Eaſt and Weſt at the ſame Time. Whenever the Spirit Works an Inclination in any Soul to return to God, there is alſo wrought a ſincere Deſire of Separation from every Sin. There's nothing more plain and evident, through the Scripture than this is, Iſa. 55.7. Let the Wicked forſake his Way, and the unrighteous Man his Thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, &c. All returning ſuppoſes and includes an abandoning of that p. 4which is offenſive and diſpleaſing to him, to whom we return; Ezek. 18.31. Caſt away from you all your Tranſgreſſions, whereby you have tranſgreſſed, &c. If a Rebel intend to ſubmit to his Soveraign Prince, he will not come with the Weapons of his Rebellion into his Princes Preſence, but leave them behind him. That Grace which turns the Heart towards God, does always ſet the Heart againſt all fleſhly and worldly Luſts: It no ſooner ſeeks to have to do with him, but 'tis made truly willing to have no more to do with them.

2. A making uſe of Chriſt as the Way to God. Chriſt is ſo, and muſt be uſed as ſuch, by every returning Sinner that would proſper in his Way. God is inacceſſible without a Mediator; He opens the Paſſage betwixt God and us, which Sin and Wrath had ſhut up; he enables us to come, though lamed by the Fall, ſets us on our Feet and holds up our goings. We muſt look to Christ as the giver of Repentance, as well as of Forgiveneſs, Acts 5.31.

Two Things ought to be ſeriouſly conſidered and impreſt upon our Minds in this Caſe.

1. That there would have been no place for Repentance, if Chriſt had not interpoſed with his Blood. Repentance would have ſignified nothing, if he had not purchaſed Forgiveneſs. The Penitent would have been as far off from Pardon, as the moſt Impenitent, p. 5if that Pardon had not been meritoriouſly obtained by the Death of Chriſt.

2. There never would have been any Principle or Exerciſe of Repentance, if Chriſt did not produce it by his Spirit. The natural hardneſs of every Heart excludes the leaſt Diſpoſitions to ſound and ſaving Repentance, till he hath ſoftned and ſubdued it: Therefore Christ muſt be eyed as making us what God requires us to be, for our Repentance is not only accepted on the account of his Sufferings, but acted by vertue of his Grace.

3. A giving up of our ſelves to God, and reſting in him as our End. The Scope of a Sinners coming to God, is not anſwered, without entire and abſolute Reſignation. When we come to God it is in order to our being diſpoſed and governed by him, as he thinks fit; not doing our own Pleaſure but being Subject to his. Except we yield our ſelves to God, Rom. 6.13. we do not really and heartily Return to him; for by our return we pretend to acknowledge the right which he hath in us, and the wrong which we have done to him, by living ſo long without him, and in Enmity againſt him. If the Sinner do not reſolve to make the Will of God the ſtanding rule of his future Practice, he does but affront God and deceive himſelf with a mock Repentance. Whoſoever hath been in Dominion heretofore, it muſt be only allowed to God for p. 6Time to come, and to him unreſervedly. And whereſoever we have rambled and ſtrayed in the vain purſuit of Happineſs and Satisfaction, like thoſe that have forgotten their reſting Place, Jer. 50.6. We are to make a final ſtop at our coming to God, and look no further. Here we are to ſit down and fix, as having found that Good which is incomparably the beſt, and moſt worthy to be choſen: For he that can ever think of removing from God, with hopes of mending his Condition, is a wretched Hypocrite, and hath not returned in good Earneſt.

II. How ſhould Sinners come to God, in Obedience to the Precept, and upon the Encouragement of the Promiſe? For this penitent Profeſſion here in the Text is brought in, as the iſſue and reſult of both.

1. How muſt they come in Obedience to the Precept? God calls to them to return; In what manner are they to do it, with reſpect to his Call?

I Anſwer in two Things.

1. Sinners are to come to God humbly; and that in Conſideration of the Command of God, upon two Accounts.

1. All Acts of Obedience to God are to be performed with Humbleneſs of Mind. 'Tis becoming a Creature as being under Authority, though innocent and ſinleſs. Pride of p. 7Heart is enough to corrupt the beſt ſervice of the holieſt Angel in Heaven. Inordinate lifting up, was the fatal caſting down and Condemnation of the Devil. It is an Honour to a Creature to receive any Commands from its Maker, and obey them; but this Honour is to be worn with Humility; we are in our beſt Eſtate ſo much below God, that we are unworthy of being employed or commanded by him; and ſo long as Adam retain'd his Integrity, he was ſenſible of this.

2. Returning to God after former Acts of Diſobedience, requires ſpecial Humiliation. So it follows here, ver. 25. We lye down in our ſhame, and our Confuſion covereth us, for we have ſinned againſt the Lord our God, and have not obeyed his Voice. A ſincere Convert muſt needs be ſtruck with ſhame, under a Senſe of his wicked Departings. We cannot reflect, how we have tranſgreſt without Cauſe, and run away from God without Provocation, but that we muſt ſee abundance of Reaſon for the deepeſt Self-abaſement. We cannot ſay, that we ever found any Iniquity in God, but we have a great deal to charge upon our ſelves; all the Commands which we have broken have been juſt, and therefore an humbling Conviction of our Guilt is neceſſary.

2. We are to come to God readily. Inſtantly with all the haſte and ſpeed we can, or elſe the Precept does not ſway us in our p. 8coming as it ought to do; for we are born under a Law to God, his Commands oblige us aſſoon as we have a Being. We can name no Time wherein 'tis not the Duty of the Sinner to return to God, therefore the leaſt delay is increaſed Diſobedience. And diſobedience to the preſent Call is no more excuſable then diſobedience to the next, if you ſhould ever have another. We are as much bound to come now, as at any other ſeaſon. The Authority of God enjoyning it, ſhould be Argument enough with us, and that Argument we have now, conſequently, if we will hear his Voice; defer not hearing of that till to Morrow, which ſhould be heard to Day. When God is ſo kind to admit your Return, there is no Reaſon that he ſhould wait for it.

2. We are further off from Coming to God, the longer we go on in Sin: The Command will have ſo much the leſs Force upon us, the more dilatory we are in our Obedience to it. If every Sinner in the World, would ingenuouſly declare his own Experience, he could not deny the Truth of this; his own Conſcience tells him that he ſinds it ſo to be. Every Days Sins put him at a greater diſtance from God, and beget a greater Backwardneſs and Averſion to return. He that tarries till hereafter, will be more unwillig then, than he is now. Who can tell but that your Preſumption now, may be then changed into Deſpair, and the p. 9ſame Tempter that now ſuggeſts that 'tis too ſoon, may then tell you that it is too late?

2. How muſt they come upon the Encouragement of the Promiſe?

God ſays, he will heal the Sinners Backſlidings, whatſoever, or how many ſoever they have been. In what Manner ſhould they come with Relation to this,

Anſw. In two Things: With Faith and Joy.

1. Sinners are to come to God Believingly, with regard to the Promiſe: For theſe two Reaſons.

1. If Faith be not the Spring of all our Motions towards God, they cannot be acceptable to him. You cannot provoke God more, then by making him a Lyar, which is the Language and Tendency of Unbelief, 1 John 5.10. To come to him with diſtruſtful Apprehenſions of him, is to caſt as foul a Reproach upon him as is poſſible to be raked out of the bottomleſs Pit. He that comes to God muſt Believe or he cannot be welcome; he muſt believe in God as more ready to Forgive, than he is to Repent in his beſt and moſt melting frame; he muſt believe in Christ as one who has more Power to ſave, than all his Sin hath to deſtroy.

2. The Promiſe does encourage ſuch a Faith, as much as we need or can deſire. p. 10Beſides his gracious Entreaties, affectionate Offers, importunate Pleadings, you have his poſitive Aſſurances that he will receive you, if you return, 2 Cor. 6.17. He cannot reject you without denying of himſelf; his Word belongs to every one alike that laies hold of it, and it will as certainly be verified and fulfilled to you, as ever it was to any. You may as well Queſtion, whether ever God embraced one Sinner that came to him as doubt of your own Reception, upon your compliance with his Call. Unleſs you think that he hath excluded all, why ſhould you ſuſpect that he will caſt out you?

2. Sinners muſt come Joyfully to God. The Promiſe is ground of rejoycing, as well as of Hope and Truſt; and God never deſigned, that our Sorrow for Sin ſhould be ſo extream, as to ſtifle or drown the Joy of Converſion. This will appear, if we conſider.

1. That God who makes the Promiſe, rejoyces in the Performance. The Scripture does not barely ſay, that he will ſave, but that he will rejoyce over thee with Joy, Zeph. 3.17. Even over thee, that has ſinfully grieved his Spirit ſo many thouſand Times over. A loſt Sheep is a pleaſant Load to a Man that hath found it, and laies it on his Shoulders, he does it rejoycing, Luke 15.15. So 'tis pleaſant Work to God to fetch home a rebellious Sinner, and when returned to lay him in his Boſom. If his Patience could bear p. 11ſo long with thy Sins, gueſs how delightful the Exerciſe of his Mercy muſt be, upon thy Repentance. And ſhould not that which is his Joy, be much more Ours?

2. We who have the Benefit of the Promiſe, muſt needs be ſtill doubtful of it, if we do not Rejoyce in it. If we ſearch to the bottom in this Caſe, we ſhall find that 'tis Infidelity which cramps our Joy; this makes the Sinner come drooping and trembling to God, when he ſhould come (as that Lame man entred with the Apoſtles into the Temple, after they had healed him. Acts 3.8.) leaping and praiſing, triumphing and glorying in the Lord. How can we think of being received by God, after ſo long and hainous a Revolt, but that it muſt raviſh our Hearts, if we believed it to be true? If we had Faith ſuitable to the faithfulneſs of God, it would tranſport the Soul into an Extaſie, that we who have lifted up our Heels ſo oft againſt God, ſhould be taken into his Arms.

III. Wherein lies the Bleſſedneſs of this? When Sinners are thus effectually inclined to come to God; When the Precept and Promiſe work ſo upon them, as to influence their actual Return.

1. When a Sinner comes back to God, he is brought out of a moſt miſerable Wilderneſs Condition, wherein if he had remained he muſt have periſhed. Inſtead of p. 12faring better or ſo well any where elſe, as with God, no Sinner can ſtay where he is, remote from God, without inevitable Deſtruction. If he ſits ſtill he muſt dye; there's no way of eſcape. How ſecure and proſperous ſoever Men be for the preſent, yet they are indeed loſt and undone, if they do not return to God; for all the World cannot defend them againſt God, nor make them Happy in the want of him.

1. They cannot defend them againſt God. Who or what can deliver out of his Hand? If his Wrath be kindled who can quench it? He in his Anger overturns the Mountains, as firm as they are, with more eaſe than we can move a Feather, Job 9.5. What Created Power is great enough to grapple with Omnipotence? Whither can we ſly for help, when Almighty Revenge is following of us?

2. They cannot make Happy in the want of God. The whole World would be a ſorry Recompence and a poor Supply, for any one Man that were to live without God in it. The thirſty Soul cannot take its fill at ſuch broken Ciſterns, but its Thirſt will continue, unleſs it have recourſe to the Fountain. Set God aſide, and every thing elſe is as nothing, and will leave Men unſatisfied.

2. When a Sinner comes to God, Salvation comes to him. As Chriſt ſaid to Zaccheus, Luke. 19.9. This Day is Salvation come to this Houſe, &c. Sound Converſion p. 13and certain Salvation are inſeparable; they never were, nor ever can be divided. He that hath heartily renounced his Sin, and is returned to God, is from that Time forward an apparent Heir of Salvation; and may be numbred with the ſaved of the Lord. Ʋnto us which are ſaved, &c. 1 Cor. 1.18. Salvation is either Final, or Initial; the ſame Salvation, only diſtinguiſht as to order of Time, wherein 'tis gradnally wrought and carried on: Final Salvation is the Priviledge of the glorified Saint, Initial Salvation is the Portion of the new-born Convert, both run into one; he that is ſaved Initially ſhall be ſaved Finally; Salvation truly begun, will be Salvation fully compleated. Every Babe in Chriſt hath the real firſt Fruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8.2. And he that hath thoſe firſt Fruits cannot fail of the Harveſt of Glory. Salvation takes in all Spiritual Bleſſings at once, and Eternal Bleſſings are chained to them. Every Child of God aſſoon as he returns to his Duty, hath a Title given him to all the Riches of his Fathers Houſe; he may look up to Heaven and ſay, I have a large Inheritance there, which Earth and Hell cannot deprive me of.

3. When a Sinner comes home to God, all his fellow Creatures ſhall be ſome way or other ſerviceable to him; either willingly and gladly, or by conſtraint and over-ruling Neceſſity. The whole Creation is on Gods ſide, and will take Part with him againſt his p. 14Adverſaries; ſo that no Creature can be at Peace with us, till we are reconciled to him; but after that, they all immediately turn to be our Friends; or at the leaſt, all the Enmity which we meet with, ſhall be turned to our Advantage. Either nothing ſhall hurt us, as Chriſt told his Diſciples; Luke 10.19. or the hurt which we receive ſhall be requited with a far greater and more excellent Good. Angels above us will encamp round about us, be miniſtring to us, and do all the friendly Offices for us, that we can wiſh to have done. The beſt of Men who are Creatures of the ſame order and rank with us, are all for our uſe ſo far as we ſhall need them; and as for Devils and the worſt of Men, we ſhall have Gods Protection from their Malice, or his Influence to ſanctifie us by it.

4. When a Sinner is come to God, he may viſit God by Prayer in all his Neceſſities, and be ſure of ſufficient Relief. He may go afterwards to the Throne of Grace, whatever he lacks freely and boldly, and ſhall never be treated as a Stranger, nor ſent away empty. To have Liberty of doing this in any peculiar extraordinary Strait, would be a mighty Favour; but what a Priviledge muſt it be to do it always, every Day, upon every occaſion, and to know that God will not be wearied, but rather pleaſed and delighted with our continual coming. It is a proud miſtake for any Creature to think p. 15that they can live of themſelves, though it was that which the Jews ſtand arraigned for; Jer. 2.31. Wherefore ſay my People, we are Lords, we will come no more to Thee? They might better have ſaid, we are Beggars, and cannot ſubſiſt without coming to thee. This is indeed our Caſe, and therefore 'tis well for us, that we are not debarred from Coming; yea we are invited to come as often as we will, and the oftner we come, the better we ſucceed; this is the Happineſs of a Sinner after his Converſion, but not before it.

5. A Sinner that is come to God, may ſweetly walk and Converſe with God, through the reſidue of his Life; and the benefit and ſweetneſs of ſuch Communion is not to be imagined by thoſe that have it not, they that are far from God can be no Judges of the Bleſſedneſs of thoſe that are near unto him. The Preſence of God is a glorious Priviledge which can never be valued high enough, even by them that do poſſeſs it; none can tell what a bleſſed Thing it is, to be able to ſay, as the Pſalmiſt does, I am continually with Thee, Pſalm 73.23. When I lye down, when I riſe up, when I go out, when I come in, when Providence ſmiles upon me, and when it frowns, when I enjoy the outward Mercies that are moſt deſirable, when I ſuffer the outward Afflictions that are moſt uneaſie; I am ſtill with God. So long as my Sin is put away, nothing now can ſeparate p. 16me from him; on the other Hand, while Sin remains, there can be no ſuch Fellowſhip; in whatſoever State I am, 'tis moſt certain, that I am abſent from God, a meer Out-caſe, a Fugitive, a Vagabond, like Cain excluded from all amicable Correſpondence with him.

6. A Sinner that is come to God, may go to him with Comfort and Conſidence at Death, whether ſooner or later, when a few Years (it may be Days or Minutes) are come, then I ſhall go the Way whence I ſhall not return, Job 16.22. We muſt in a little while go to God, as a Judge, whether we will or not, and immediately thereupon our Everlaſting State will be unalterably ſixt, and what is not done before is impoſſible to be done after it. Now none are prepared to go to God as a Judge, but what are firſt returned to him as a Father; and what an unſpeakable Mercy is it to be ſo prepared? With how much Peace and Quietneſs may a Man paſs the Time of his Sojourning here, that hath no Reaſon to be afraid of departing hence? The Terror of Dying makes it a Bondage to Live; but when once God hath received a Sinner through Chriſt, the Grounds of thoſe Fears are taken away; ſuch a one may at any Time leave the World, and go forth out of the Body, with a chearful undaunted Spirit in the ſame Hope that the Pſalmiſt had, For God ſhall receive me, Pſalm 49.15.

p. 17IV. Uſe.

1. This ſhews that they who will not come to God are not come to themſelves. So ſoon as the Prodigal came to himſelf, he preſently Thought of returning to his Father, Luke 15.17. When Nebuchadnezzar's Underſtanding returned to him, he Bleſſed the moſt High, and Praiſed and Honoured him that liveth for ever, Dan. 4.34. He had lived like a Bruit before, and ſo do all that are alienated from God, and turn their backs upon him. religion makes us mad in their Eſteem, but the want of it makes them truly ſo. They think that we who urge their Converſion are beſides our ſelves, but 'tis a Sign that they are ſo indeed, becauſe they will not hearken.

2. Miniſters will have a dreadful and unpleaſing Account to give of thoſe, whom they leave unperſwaded. Our Time is ſhort and the Hour is coming, when we muſt leave this Work of Beſeeching, and Preſſing, and Arguing with you, and go to him that ſent us, with a faithful account of the Iſſue of our Meſſage. 'Tis againſt our Minds, againſt our Prayers, againſt the whole Purpoſe of our Miniſtry, to accuſe any of you to the Father: But we muſt do it, if you will not prevent it by hearing and obeying. It will be a Melancholy thing and Matter of Grief, Heb. 13.7. For one that hath laboured in this Goſpel to ſtand forth at the great Day, p. 18and produce no Fruits; Here we are, but they that were bidden and invited in thy Name by us refuſed to come. We warned, we begg'd, we did what we could, but they would not yield, and we were forced to leave them as we found them in their Sins.

3. God will be juſtified in their Condemnation, to whom his Precepts and Promiſes avail nothing. To entertain ſuch gracious Offers with ſuch ſhameful Contempt, is a Sin which cannot be revenged with exceſſive Severity. If any of you did but make a ſerious Tryal, and God would not receive you when you come to him, you might have a Plea for your going back again; but when God comes forth to you with Salvation in his Hand, and Compaſſion in his Heart, you that never tryed can have nothing to ſay for ſleighting it.

4. The Devil can lay no blocks in our Way againſt our coming unto God, but what we may eaſily remove or couragiouſly leap over, if we look no further than this Text. Hath not God warranted our coming by his Precept, and encouraged it by his Promiſe? Hath he not commanded us to return, and engaged to heal us? What would we have him to ſay which he hath not ſaid?

Obj. If I were ſure he were my God I would come.

Anſw. 1. If thou deſireſt that he ſhould be thine, if thou chooſeſt him to be thine, he is ſo.

p. 192. If thou Conſenteſt to be his, he is undoubtedly thine.

3. Though thou canſt not regularly claim him as thine, while thou art at a diſtance from him, yet in thy coming, thou mayſt lay thy Claim. There is a Propriety and Intereſt in God transferred to Thee in that very Moment.

5. How unreaſonable would it be, if any of the Storms we meet with in our Way to God, ſhould ever drive us back, or ſhipwrack our Faith! When Peter was coming to Chriſt upon the Water, the Wind grew boiſterous, and he began to ſink, but Chriſt caught him and ſaved him.

So when we are upon our Return to God, 'tis no wonder if we find Diſturbance and Oppoſition, and a great many things to pull us back, and ſcare us from going forwards. The Maſter whom we have ſerved ſo many Years is unwilling to part with us, and therefore will create all the difficulties, and repreſent the utmoſt dangers which he can; but Gods good and comfortable Word ſhould weigh down all: And when ſo many have done well, why ſhould any one of us imagine that he ſhall be the firſt rejected Perſon?

6. How Happy would it be, if the Efficacy of this Doctrine were equal to the Concernment of it! It extends to All that are born into the World, and therefore ſhould operate upon all likewiſe. All Adams Poſterity are a brood of Backſliders, vile Apoſtate Creatures, that have univerſally p. 20gone aſide, and ſtraggled and wandered from God, and therefore all are bound without Diſtinction, to agree and joyn in this dutiful Profeſſion, Behold we come unto thee.

If this whole Aſſembly would Eccho ſo to this Sermon, it would be the moſt joyful ſound that ever I heard. The Spirit and the Word this Day ſay come; and if every one that heareth did alſo ſay, Lo I come, it would be the beſt Sabbath that ever I ſaw. Not that it is enough to ſay, we come, unleſs we do it; he that ſaid I go and went not, ſtood condemned out of his own Mouth, Mat. 21.30.

But ſuch Words accompanied with our Hearts, and accompliſht in our Practice, are the beſt which can be uttered by any Tongue on Earth.

p. 21SERMON II. Of Eſtabliſhment.

ACTS XI. 23. latter part.

And exhorted them all, that with purpoſe of Heart, they would cleave unto the Lord.

IT is no ſmall Inſtance of the Wiſdom of Providence, that God hath always over-ruled the Malice of the Devil, to be a means of accompliſhing the Deſigns of his own Grace: About the Time of Stephens Death, (who was the firſt Martyr in the New Teſtament Church) there aroſe ſo violent a Storm of Perſecution, that it diſperſt the Church which was at Jeruſalem, and only the Apoſtles were left to keep Poſſeſſion for Chriſt of the Goſpel there; but this happen'd to the furtherance of that, which Satan intended to ſtifle and obſtruct; for they that were ſcattered abroad, Went every where Preaching the Word, Chap. 8.4. We find ſome of this number arrived at Antioch, ver. 19, 20. of this Chapter, and they had great ſucceſs in their Work there, p. 22for the Hand of the Lord was with them, a Divine Power accompanied their Miniſtry, and Multitudes believed, and turned to the Lord, ver. 21. The Church at Jeruſalem hearing of this, take care to ſend Barnabas thither, ver. 22. A Man whom the Apoſtles gave that Name to, which ſignifies, a Son of Conſolation, Chap. 4.36. And a Man of Note and good Reputation among the Apoſtles, as appears Chap. 9.27. And one that hath an excellent Character here, ver. 24. A good Man and full of the Holy Choſt, and of Faith. This is the Man that is diſpatcht to theſe Chriſtians at Antioch, and this, ver. 23. gives us an Account of the Iſſue of his coming, Who when he came, and had ſeen the Grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpoſe of Heart, they would cleave unto the Lord. The whole may be ſum'd up, under three General Heads.

1. What he ſaw [and had ſeen the Grace of God] that is, the viſible Fruits and Effects of it, in their Holy Converſation and Godlineſs, and whereſoever the Grace of God is truly planted and deeply rooted in the Heart, it will diſcover and evidence it ſelf by ſuitable Workings in the Life: 'Tis a Seed which will ſpring up, a Light which will ſhine, and a Fire which will flame, more or leſs, to the view of others.

2. How he was affected with what he ſaw [was glad.] he did not Envy or Repine, but Rejoice. The ſucceſsful progreſs of the Goſpel, and ſaving Efficacy upon thoſe that p. 23hear it, is Matter of Joy to Holy Souls. It is a mighty Addition to their own Comfort, when they ſee others brought home to God by the Word. The encreaſe of the Body is acceptable to all the Members.

3. His Exhortation grounded hereupon. [And exhorted them all that with purpoſe of Heart, they would cleave unto the Lord.] There are three Particulars in this.

1. The Act Cleave, foreign, which ſome render continue or abide in; the Senſe of both is the ſame.

2. The Object, to the Lord. That is, to Chriſt, who is uſually to be underſtood by that Title in the New Teſtament.

3. The Manner, with purpoſe of Heart. The ſame Word which we tranſlate Purpoſe here, is uſed to expreſs the Eternal and Immutable Decree of God, concerning the Salvation of his Elect, Rom. 8.28. Eph. 3.11. 2 Tim. 1.9.

Obſ. Reſolved cleaving to Chriſt, or cleaving with purpoſe of Heart is the proper and neceſſary Duty of thoſe that are already Converted to him. Here,

1. Shew, how we are to cleave to Chriſt.

2. What it is to do this, with purpoſe of Heart.

3. Why is this the Duty of all that are Converted to him.

4. Uſe.

p. 24I. How are we to cleave to Christ?

1. We muſt cleave to the Perſon of Chriſt, by a continued Life of Faith upon him. Thus Hezekiah truſted in the Lord God of Iſrael, and in that reſpect is ſaid to cleave to him, 2 Kings 18.5, 6. This is the Foundation Grace, and the daily Exerciſe of it is highly requiſite. Beſides, our firſt receiving of Chriſt whereby we are united to him, we muſt be often renewing our Applications to Chriſt, and Dependencies upon him. As the Traitor Judas, when he gave that Sign to the Officers, Whomſoever I ſhall Kiſs, that ſame is he, bid them to hold him faſt, Mat. 26.48. So it may be ſaid to all thoſe that have apprehended Chriſt, and are apprehended of him, hold him Faſt; take freſh hold, and further hold of him every Day. The Faith of Adherence and Recumbence muſt be acted, whatever Circumſtances we be in; whether clear or cloudy, calm or ſtormy.

There are two Conſiderations which ſhould enforce this with us,

1. The miſchievous workings of Ʋnbelief in our own Hearts. This Infirmity ſometimes prevails too much, where there is the greateſt Strength of Grace. Eminent Saints that have been lifted up to the Heaven of Aſſurance, have fallen from thence almoſt (though not altogether) into the Hell of Deſpair; they that have triumpht in Chriſt, p. 25and thought their Intereſt in him paſt all Queſtion, have been ready afterwards to renounce all their Conſidence and Comfort, as Men aſhamed of their Hope. This ſhews how the Leproſie of Infidelity cleaves to us like a ſtubborn Diſeaſe, and will be breaking out, unleſs we are careful to keep it under by conſtant actual Believing.

2. The ſubtle and dangerous Inſinuations of the Devil. His buſineſs. is to beat us off from our hold, to looſen us from Chriſt, and perſuade us to let him go. And without great Caution and Diligence on our Part, he will get ground upon us: What he cannot do by his Rage, he frequently accompliſhes by his Cunning: As the falſe Teachers falſly ſuggeſted to the Corinthians, concerning Paul, that being crafty he caught them with Guile, 2 Cor. 12.16. Satan labours to diſcourage many a Saint, from cleaving to Chriſt by urging that his Iniquities have ſeparated between Chriſt and him; whereas no Sin can really ſeparate where Faith unites.

2. We muſt cleave to the Truth and Doctrine of Chriſt, by a ſteady acknowledgment and Profeſſion of them. It is as much our Duty to retain them, as it is to embrace them at the firſt. Whe… God has brought us to the Knowledge of the Truth, as it is in Jeſus; we muſt take heed of being led away by contrary Errors. Errors in the Plural, for they are manifold, though Truth is but one, and this as a ſacred Truſt which is p. 26delivered to the Saints to keep, Prov. 23.23. Buy the Truth and Sell it not. We are to endeavour the getting of it by all the Means we can; but not to part with it at any Rate, or upon any Terms whatever. The Doctrine of Chriſt in all the Branches of it, ought to be precious to us, as well as Chriſt himſelf. As the Fragments of a Miraculous Entertainment, ſo the leaſt parts of Divine Revelation are not to be loſt. If the whole Counſel of God was worthy of his declaring, 'tis worthy of our aſſerting. It was the Commendation which Chriſt gave to the church in Pergamos, Rev. 2.13. Thou holdeſt faſt my Name, and haſt not denied my Faith, (with this remarkable Circumſtance) even in thoſe Days wherein Antipas my faithful Martyr was ſlain among you. So to the Church in Philadelphia; Thou haſt kept my Word, and haſt not denyed my Name; though ſhe had but a little Strength, yet it was well improved, Chap. 3.8. If the Name, and World, and Faith of Chriſt be relinquiſhed by us, we do really abandon him; we cannot adhere to him, and give up any thing that is his, that hath been revealed and taught by him, or by thoſe that were ſent by him, or any thing that carries his Mark and Impreſſion upon it.

3. We muſt cleave to the Ways of Chriſt; that is, his Commandments and Ordinances.

1. To his Commandments by ſtrict Obedience. In this Senſe we find cleaving to God ſeveral Times enjoyned, Deut. 11.22. p. 27and 13.4. Joſh. 22.5. All Divine Precepts as they have a never failing Authority, ought to have an abiding influence; They are a fixed Rule, and they challenge our ſetled regard. Bind them continually upon thine Heart, Prov. 6.21. They ſhould be ever with us, and ever before us. They are not to be obſerved now and then, performed at one Time, and neglected at another; but we are to walk in them at all times; and at no Time to go back from them. This ſuits with the honourable Character which Paul gives of his Philippians, Chap. 2.12. You have always obeyed. They that do not make Conſcience of obeying always, are truly Children of diſobedience; if we are under a Law to Chriſt, we can never imagine our ſelves to be without Law to God.

2. To his Ordinances, by a Religious uſe of them in their various Seaſons. And thus cleaving to God is ſometimes preſt with reſpect to Matters of Worſhip, and in Oppoſition to ſtrange Gods, Dent. 10.20. Joſh. 23.7, 8. We do not indeed cleave to Chriſt, if we forſake any Inſtitution of Chriſt, and take up with any Invention of Men. We muſt cleave to him as the Lord over his own Houſe, inveſted with Soveraign and incommunicable Power, to diſpoſe and order whatſoever ſhall be done in it. The diſuſe of any Holy Appointment of his, is a degree of Apoſtacy from the Author They that have Solemnly given up themſelves, and their Names p. 28to Chriſt, by perſonal Covenanting with him at his Table, are eſpecially Guilty in this Caſe, if they afterwards withdraw from it, or attend it uncertainly. It argues great forgetfulneſs of Chriſt, and our Engagements unto him, not to do that ſtatedly in Remembrance of him.

4. We muſt cleave to the People of Chriſt. He directs his Spouſe to go forth by the Footſteps of the Flock, Song 1.8. Not to follow them afar off, but to joyn and aſſociate with them and never to quit, or divide from them. They vainly hope to enjoy Communion with Chriſt, that leave the Communion of Saints, Zech. 8.23. Ten Men out of the Languages of all Nations, ſhall take hold of the Skirt of a Jew, ſaying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. It ſeems to be a Goſpel Prophecy dreſt up in Old Teſtament Phraſes, and refers to the embodying of the Gentiles with the Chriſtian Church. The peculiar Preſence of Chriſt is with his People, and they go out from that preſence, that ſeparate themſelves from that People. We muſt not do like the Samaritans of old, who were wont to own a Relation to the Jews in their Proſperity, and diſclaimed it in their Adverſity; but whatſoever their External Condition be, the living Temples of God are to be preferred to all the gaudy and pompous Synagogues of Satan. Moſes his choice of ſuffering Affliction with the People of God: Heb. 11.25. Is a Pattern to us, if they wander in Deſerts, in Mountains, p. 29in Dens and Caves of the Earth, 'tis beſt to be with them. Where they go and lodge we ſhould alſo, as we deſire that their God ſhould be our God.

II. What is it to cleave to Chriſt with purpoſe of Heart? I Anſwer in three Things.

1. It implies a deliberate Act of the Judgment. Every rational Purpoſe is eſtabliſhed by Counſel, Prov. 20.18. It is founded upon Reaſon, or elſe we may expect it to be diſappointed and overthrown. He that reſolvedly cleaves to Chriſt, is firſt ſuppoſed to ſit down, and ſeriouſly conſider why he does ſo; for if he be not convinc't that he ought to do it, and if he do not proceed to reſolve upon thoſe grounds, all will come to nothing. Therefore when the King of Babylon out of his peculiar Favour to ſome of the Children of the Captivity, appointed them a daily Proviſion of his meat and Wine, 'tis ſaid that the Prophet Daniel purpoſed in his Heart, that he would not defile himſelf with the Portion of the Kings Meat, nor with the Wine which he drank, Dan. 1.8. This was not obſtinacy or humor in him, or a fooliſh ſtiffneſs without a Cauſe, for he had weighed the Matter and found that he could not do it without Pollution; For Firſt, The Babylonians freely eat of many Things forbidden to the Jews. Secondly, 'Tis probable that many Times they eat of things offered to their Idols. Thirdly, Such riotous living p. 30and pampering of the Fleſh, could not be excuſed from Sin at any Time. Fourthly, It was much more unbecoming any of the Seed of Iſrael, in their preſent Circumſtances in a ſtrange Land. Thus Daniel's Purpoſe to abſtain was an Act of Judgment, upon due Deliberation with himſelf; ſo muſt our purpoſe of continuing with Chriſt be; that we may do it with all our Mind, and with all our Underſtanding.

2. It includes a determinate Act of the Will: When after debating of the Thing in our own Thoughts, we come to a final Iſſue, the Will gives poſitive Sentence that it ſhall be ſo. This is called decreeing in the Heart, 1 Cor. 7.37. Thus David ſays, I am purpoſed that my Mouth ſhall not Tranſgreſs, Pſalm 17.3. Which we have in other words, Pſalm 39.1. I ſaid, I will take heed to my Ways, that I Sin not with my Tongue, &c. To ſay in our Hearts, that we will do this, or that, is indeed to Purpoſe it. He that reſolves in good earneſt is no longer in ſuſpence, whether he ſhould or ſhould not; he does not hang like an even Ballance, or halt between two. Thus muſt we cleave to Chriſt, with Hearts fully ſet in us ſo to do; as that Scribe pretended when he came to Christ, and ſaid, Maſter I will follow thee, whitherſoever thou goest, Mat. 8.19. If thoſe Words had been more adviſedly ſpoken, they had been well ſpoken, but by our Lords Anſwer, verſe 20. It ſhould ſeem as if he knew not what he ſaid; that he dreamt of better Accommodation p. 31than Chriſt had. If we are determined to follow Chriſt, the bent of the Soul muſt be towards him.

3. It takes in an unwearied purſuit of what we do reſolve. All Purpoſes which are not duly executed, but eaſily broke off, are inſignificant. This argues Levity of Spirit, and is ſtiled purpoſing according to the Fleſh, 2 Cor. 1.17. Carnal Hearts never reſolve any otherwiſe in Religious Matters; and in Carnal Things we may reſolve, and yet change our Intentions without Sin. We are not neceſſarily obliged to do all that we ſometimes ſay we will do; if we find Reaſon afterwards to revoke our Purpoſe, and alter our Minds, as 1 Sam. 15.26. Samuel ſaid to Saul, I will not return with thee, yet ver. 31. we read that he returned again after Saul. But now in this Caſe, of cleaving to Chriſt, our Purpoſe admits of no Revocation. There is as much Reaſon for our final perſiſting in it, as for our firſt Agreement to it. That was vain and needleſs, if this be ſo. Our Thoughts with reſpect to this Matter ſhould be as truly unmoveable in our meaſure, as Gods are; of whom 'tis ſaid, He is of one Mind, and who can turn him, Job 23.13.

III. Why is this the Duty of all, that are Converted to Christ, to cleave reſolvedly to him?

1. The Sincerity of our Affection muſt be p. 32proved by the Stedfaſtneſs of our Adherence. 'Tis a ſign that we did but make a ſhew of cloſing with Chriſt, except we keep cloſe to him. Which way ſoever our Faces ſtood, 'tis certain that our Hearts were never right, if we can be by any means influenced to turn our backs upon God again. They that at any Time wholly fail of the Grace of God, never knew it in Truth. Your Converſion was but a feigned thing, or you could not be guilty of a total Revolt, Heb. 3.6. Whoſe Houſe are we, if we hold faſt the Confidence, and rejoycing of Hope firm unto the End. All that are an Habitation for Chriſt, are diſtinguiſhed by this Token; lively Stones have ſuch a Conjunction with the Head of the Corner, that they cannot drop out of the Building. Branches that are in Chriſt by real Union, always abide in Chriſt, and Chriſt in them; but others wither and dye, and fall off from him. That Profeſſion which is not crowned with Perſeverance, is tainted with Hypocriſie; for they that come to Chriſt in the uprightneſs of their Souls, cannot break away from him.

2. 'Tis baſe Ingratitude to ſhake off Chriſt, who is ſo true and faithful to you. His forſakings of you are never but in Appearance only, His Promiſe is ſure; I will never leave thee nor forſake thee, Heb. 13.5. He is with Believers always, but ſometimes hid and unknown, ſo that they diſcern him not; but if he were not with them, the whole Work of God would ceaſe, and be deſtroyed immediately. p. 33He is careful to ſupply the want of his bodily Preſence, by his Spirit, whom he not only promiſed to ſend, but engaged for his Abode with us for ever, John 14.16. He does not call back this Spirit, when you ſinfully grieve him, nor deliver you up to your own Luſts, when you provoke him ſo to do. He holds you in his hand ſtill, when there are Legions of Devils banded together, to pluck you out; and do you thus requite him, to wreſt your ſelves out? 'Tis too foul a Thing to be done by any of thoſe, that are truly his; but they that are not, will reward his greateſt kindneſs, at one Time or other with the vileſt Treachery.

3. If you do not cleave to Chriſt, you let go all your Happineſs at once. As Moſes ſaid to Iſrael, Deut. 30.20. That thou mayſt cleave to him, for he is thy Life, and the length of thy Days, q. d. You are dead Men if you depart from him, he had given them an Inſtance of this, Chap. 4.3, 4. All the Men that followed Baal-peor, the Lord thy God hath deſtroyed them from among you; but you that did cleave unto him are alive every one of you this Day. We are no longer ſafe than we abide with God; aſſoon as we leave him, we expoſe our ſelves to them utmoſt Miſery, in that very Moment. Therefore when many Diſciples went back, and he put it to the Twelve, Will ye alſo go away? Peter makes an excellent Anſwer, Lord, to whom ſhall we go? thou haſt the Words of Eternal Life, John 6.67, 68. q. d. What we have left to follow thee, p. 34was leſs than nothing, but if we ſhould forſake thee, we muſt Part with more than all; we who have counted every Thing but loſs for thee, can reckon nothing to be gain without thee.

4. The longer you cleave to Chriſt, the more pleaſant it will be, and at the cloſe of all, it will be impoſſible to repent your Choice; while you are following on to know the Lord, you will find cauſe to like your Way the better; and the improving of your acquaintance with Chriſt, will encreaſe your Delight in him. Go to thoſe that have had moſt Experience of the Grace of Chriſt, to old Diſciples that have had their ſtanding in Chriſt, for the largeſt number of Years, and they will tell you, that they are ſtill every Day further off, from repenting that they were added to the Lord and to the Church. The ſeeming grievouſneſs of Religious Duties wears away, when the Heart comes to be exerciſed in them. Chriſts Yoke grows eaſier and ſmoother, when we have born it upon us; though perhaps at the very firſt putting on, the Fleſh will ſtrive hard to fling it off.

5. Reſolution in cleaving to Chriſt, will carry you through all thoſe Diffculties which affright and deter an unreſolvedly Man. Ruths cleaving to Naomi, when her Siſter Orpah returned to her People and her Gods, and notwithſtanding Naomi's Perſwaſions to her to return, ſhewed her to be inflexible, and made Naomi ſilent, Ruth 1.18. When p. 35ſhe ſaw that ſhe was ſtedfaſtly minded to go with her, then ſhe left ſpeaking to here: So here, if Satan find us wavering and yielding, he will preſs the more upon us, till he hath compaſt his Deſign; but if we ſtand unſhaken againſt repeated Temptations, and keep our ground, it will be a diſcouragement to the Tempter; a weakning of his Hands, and a ſtrengthening of our own. Reſiſt the Devil and he will flee from you, James 4.7. But how muſt he be reſiſted? Stedfaſt in the Faith, 1 Pet. 5.9.

6. The Time of Tryal and Exerciſe is ſhort, and the Reward is near; this makes it ſo much the more your Duty to hold out. You are not to ſpend your Eternity at ſuch a diſtance from Chriſt, as you now are; you are not to tarry very long in the Devils reach, yet a little while and all the danger will be over; you will hear no more of theſe helliſh Sollicitations to depart from Chriſt, when you come to Heaven; and then will feel no more of thoſe wretched (remaining) Propenſions to it, which now you do. Be but faithful unto Death (which may not be very far off) and Death will tranſlate you where Chriſt is, and all his perfected Saints with him. Let none take away your Crown now, and they cannot do it then. Cleave to Chriſt while you are in this Tabernacle, and you'l go out of it with HOnour and Triumph. As David prayed and pleaded, Pſalm 119.31. I have ſtuck to thy Teſtimonies, Oh Lord! put me not to ſhame. p. 36IV. Uſe.

1. Learn hence, that the Foundation which Men lay at the beginning of their Way, needs to be well examined, that it may bear what is to be built upon it. I do not mean that we ſhould always be calling our firſt Work into queſtion, or making a doubt of it at every turn; but that we ought to make it ſure by ſtrict Examination and Enquiry; and whatever defects we diſcover, which are eſſential, they ought to be mended before we go any further. It is good to proceed upon a ſound bottom, or elſe we ſhall not proceed far enough to attain what we hope for. If we take but a ſuperficial hold of Chriſt, when we enter our ſelves his Diſciples, we ſhall not perſeveringly cleave to him.

2. All the Work which we have to do, is not done at firſt, how well ſoever that be done. The end of a thing is better than the beginning, Feel. 7.8. And this we muſt have a careful reſpect to. The new born Soul is not to take its eaſe, or neglect its watch, to be careleſs or ſlothful, but to be employed with all its might, till its grown up to abſolute Perfection. Wiſdom is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold upon her, (but 'tis immediately added) and happy is every one that retaineth her, Prov. 3.18. So get Wiſdom and forget it not, Chap. 4.5. That which is loſt again, is worſe than if it had never been poſſeſt at all.

p. 373. The Miniſters of Chriſt have a great deal of eſtabliſhing, as well as converting Work upon their Hands. Paul and Barnabas, when they came to Antioch in another Journey, ſpake to thoſe that followed them and perſuaded them to continue in the Grace of God, Acts 13.43. So at another Time, when they returned to the Cities where they had preacht the Goſpel before, they confirmed the Souls of the Diſciples, and exhorted them to continue in the Faith, Chap. 14.22. Our buſineſs lies with Saints as well as Sinners; Propheſying ſerveth not for them that believe not (only) but for them which believe (alſo) 1 Cor. 14.22. We dye in Travel if Chriſt be not formed in you; and we cannot live, except they that are brought home, do ſtand faſt in the Lord.

4. Effectual Religious Parpoſes are of extraordinary Importance. I ſay effectual; for as they will not ſuffice, where the deed may be, 2 Cor. 4.11. So Reſolution without Action will not be accepted: For it is not ſerious and hearty, Pſalm 119.106. I have ſaorn and will perform it, &c.

2. How ſhall we do that our Purpoſes in cleaving to Chriſt, may be Effectual.

Anſw. 1. Reſolve not in your own Strength; then you will certainly fail and miſcarry, to puniſh your Preſumption and expoſe your Weakneſs. Say with the Pſalmiſt, I will go in the ſtrength of the Lord God, Pſalm 71.16.

p. 382. Let your Ends and Motives be right: Cleave to the Lord for his own ſake; follow him not for the Loaves of temporal Advantages, leſt they ſhould abate and vaniſh. The Purity of our Aims, will conduce to the Stability of our Purpoſes.

3. Keep up an high Valuation and Eſteem of Christ; ſpiritual Beings are cemented by Love, ſo as to be inſeparable, 1 Sam. 18.1. The Soul of Jonathan was knit to the Soul of David, &c. Shechems Soul clave to Dinah, ſo that he would agree to any Terms upon her Account, Gen. 34.3. with 12.

4. Labour after an encreaſed Senſe of the odiouſneſs of Sin. Rom. 12.9. Abbor that which is Evil, cleave to that which is good. They are well coupled, for the more loathſome the one is, that more Tenacious ſhall we be of the other.

5. Sit looſe from the World, and its entangling Enjoyments. The greater hold they take of us, the more apt and liable are we to be removed from Chriſt. Solomon clave to ſtrange Women in Love, and they turned away his Heart from God, 1 Kings 11.2, 3.

6. Let no Example have any influence upon you, which is againſt the Rule. When every Man of Iſrael went up from after David, and followed Sheba, the Men of Judah ſtill clave to their King, 2 Sam. 20.2. If you could ſuppoſe Chriſt univerſally renounc't, and your ſelves left alone in adherence to him, it would be your Glory to be Singular, and to abide Faithful.

p. 39SERMON III. Of Conſolation.

MAT. XXVIII. 5.

And the Angel anſwered, and ſaid unto the Women, Fear not ye: For I know that ye ſeek JESƲS which was Crucified.

THE foregoing Chapter gives us a large Account of the Death and Burial of Jeſus Chriſt, and of the Care which his Enemies took to keep him faſt in the Priſon of the Grave; but this could not be done, for the Morning of the third Day after his Deceaſe, which was the firſt Day of the Week, was the appointed Time of his Reſurrection. Accordingly, when this Morning came, the Earth was ſhaken and gave up its Dead, and an Angel was diſpatcht from Heaven, to roll away the Stone from the Door of the Sepulchre, ver. 2 of this Chap. This Angel when he had removed the Stone, had not done all his Buſineſs, but went and ſat p. 40upon it, and appeared in ſuch an awful manner, that the Keepers who were ſet to watch, trembled at the ſight of him; like Men amazed and utterly diſpirited, ver. 3, 4. Yea it ſeems that not only they, but the Holy Women alſo (mentioned, ver. 1.) who came with a better deſign to ſee the Sepulchre, aſſoon as the Jewiſh Sabbath was over, were through the Infirmity of their Fleſh (though not like the Keepers, through guilt of Conſcience) under ſome diſcompoſing Terror. As the Diſciples themſelves, when they heard the Voice out of the Cloud in the Mount of Tranſfiguration, were ſore afraid, Mat. 17.6. So if theſe Women had not been exerciſed with timorous uneaſie Apprehenſions now, thoſe comfortable Words which are ſpoken to them here in the Text, would have been altogether needleſs. Which I have the rather choſen at this Time to Diſcourſe on; not only becauſe they may ſeem to have ſome Reference to the Ordinance of the Lord Supper which is to follow; but alſo as the fitteſt I know of to Connect with my two Laſt Diſcourſes; the Firſt was on Converſion, the Second on Eſtabliſhment; therefore I ſhall now add a Third on Conſolation; and if I do by the Bleſſing of God obtain my End in theſe Sermons, I need Preach no more.

In theſe Words we may conſider theſe four Things.

p. 411. The Perſon ſpeaking, And the Angel anſwered and ſaid; thoſe miniſtring Spirits are very ready, to deliver any reviving Meſſages to the Heirs of Salvation, that wherein they can they may be, the helpers of their Joy; as to Zacharias, Luke 1.13. to Paul, Acts 27.24.

2. The Perſons applied to [to the Women,] who ſignalized their Affection to Chriſt, by attending his Laſt Sufferings, and by preparing Oyntments and Spices for his Dead Body, and by their early Viſits at his Grave. As they loved more than others ſo they're favour'd more than others, with the firſt joyful Tidings of the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt.

3. The encouraging Matter [Fear not Ye] There is a ſpecial Emphaſis upon that word Ye, q. d. Let the Centinels whoſe work it is to Guard the Sepulchre be affrighted, if they will; but there is no ſuch Cauſe for your being ſo: I have no Conſolation to impart to them, but to you I have.

4. The ſatisfying Reaſon [For I know that ye ſeek Jeſus, who was Crucified.] Though it be Gods peculiar Perfection to know the Hearts of his Creatures, 1 Kings 8.39. Yet we may know very much of the Thoughts and Intentions of others by their Actions and Deportments; and ſo the Angel might be able to ſay, he knew by the Circumſtances of the Womens coming hither, what it was they came about, and whom they enquired after.

p. 42Obſ. Where any Souls do truly deſign the ſeeking of a Crucified Jeſus, all diſquieting fear must needs be groundleſs; and not a Duty, but a Fault, 'tis not that they are call'd to, but warned against. Here,

1. I ſhall ſhew, Who they are that truly deſign the ſeeking of a Crucified Jeſus.

2. Why all diſquieting Fears in ſuch, muſt be groundleſs.

3. Whence theſe Fears ariſe.

4. Ʋſe.

I. Who they are, that truly deſign the ſeeking of a Crucified Jeſus?

Anſwer in ſix Things.

1. They that ſeriouſly look upon Christ as moſt worthy to be ſought, and neceſſary to be found; and are therefore willing to neglect or abandon all other Things whatſoever for the ſake of him. There are none that ſeek him in good Earneſt, but ſuch as this Character is applicable to; we muſt be,

1. Deeply convinc't, that nothing elſe doth ſo well deſerve our Pains in ſeeking it; nor is there ſuch an abſolute and indiſpenſible Neceſſity of finding it. We may be poſſeſt of all other Things without Chriſt, and yet be miſerable; we may miſs or fail of all other Things, and yet be Happy in Chriſt Whoſo findeth him, findeth Life, &c. p. 43Prov. 8.35. He is the one Thing needful, and the one Thing to be deſired; unleſs there be a ſound and ſetled Conviction of this, there can be no Sincerity.

2. We muſt be fully reſolved to paſs over, and to relinquiſh every Thing in the World for Christs ſake. They that chooſe rather to omit a ſeaſon of Converſe with Chriſt, than the Proſecution of a ſecular Affair, have Reaſon to be Jealous of their own Hypocriſie. Martha had a ſharp rebuke for ſpending her Time about the Entertainment of Chriſt, when ſhe ſhould with her Siſter have been hearing of him. Chriſt muſt be diligently ſought, though all be forſaken in Order to it.

2. They that make uſe of all the appointed Means, and providential Opportunities, of finding Christ, which are put into their Hands. He that conſcientiouſly uſes any one, will thankfully embrace them all; for as the ſame Authority binds to, ſo the ſame goodneſs furniſhes with, all alike. Whereſoever Chriſt hath been, or is to be found, we are to ſeek him; there is a variety of Divine Ordinances, all tending to the ſame Purpoſe, viz. Fellowſhip with Chriſt, but none of them are to be diſuſed. We ſhould follow Chriſt from one Ordinance to another, as the zealous Multitude did from Place to Place. When our Lord departed privately by Ship to a Deſert Place, the People that knew him ſeeing it, ran a-foot out of all cities, and out-went the Ship, and came together to him, p. 44Mark 6.33. They that have an hearty deſire to meet with Chriſt will ſeek him in their Cloſets, and ſeek him in his Sanctuary, and above all at his Table, where his Death is ſolemnly Commemorated. A Crucified Jeſus is there chiefly to be ſought, we contradict our ſelves if we ſay, we would ſee Jeſus, and do not go where he feeds, but avoid the Inſtitutions which he is preſent in, and communicates himſelf by. His Enemies had ſo much Policy as to ſeek him where he frequently reſorted, John 18.2, 3.

3. They that are not contented with the best of Means, unleſs they attain this End; of the Enjoyment of Chriſt by them. As David notwithſtanding his great reſpect to the Tabernacle, and performance of Publick Worſhip there, carried his Thoughts and Deſires beyond it, to him that filled it with his Glory, Pſalm 42.1, 2. My Soul panteth after thee oh God. My Soul thirſteth for God, &c. As true Seekers of Jeſus Chriſt, can have no Satisfaction in the bare Hearing of the Word of Chriſt, though an Angel were to Preach it; nor can ſuch an one really Feaſt upon the ſacred Elements which reſpect Chriſt, though the greateſt Apoſtle were now alive to Diſpenſe them. To an Hypocrite its enough to have the outward Means, and attend upon them; for indeed the preſence or abſence of Chriſt is an indifferent Thing to ſuch; but to have ſome ſweet Experience of Divine Communion, or elſe an afflicting Senſe of the want of it, is the Mark p. 45of an unfeigned Believer. Perhaps the greateſt Saint upon Earth hath not always that manifeſt Communion with Chriſt, which he would have; but the leaſt of Saints is greatly troubled and concerned when he hath it not. I will ſay that Mourning and Lamenting after the Lord, is as ſure a Token of Integrity, as the moſt comfortable Enjoyment of him.

4. They that hold on in the unwearied Purſuits of Christ, notwithſtanding all Diſcouragements. They that do not ſeek Chriſt heartily, will quickly ceaſe, and give over ſeeking him. It is ſtrength of Affection which makes us perſevere, and continue in this Work, which otherwiſe would ſoon tire us out. When Elijah was ſnatcht up to Heaven by a whirlwind, the Sons of the Prophets at Jericho, ſuſpecting leſt he ſhould be caſt upon ſome Mountain, or into ſome Valley, were for ending ſifty Men to ſeek him; and urged Eliſha for his Conſent, till he was aſhamed to deny them any longer; and ſo the Men went and ſought him three Days, but found him not, 2 Kings 2.16, 17. Their reſpect to the Man of God put them upon doing his, as a voluntary act; though they were forbidden, for Eliſha had ſaid you ſhall not ſend: How much more earneſt and eager ſhould we be, in ſeeking after Chriſt, when we are commanded? If we think it our Duty to begin any enquiry or ſearch at all, we cannot but think that 'tis our Sin to deſiſt; even tho he ſeem to flee from us, and to go further off, the faſter we advance towards p. 46him; though he conceal and hide himſelf the more, the nearer we preſs to him.

5. They which ſteer the ſame Courſe which Chriſt did, and walk as he walked, are ſincere Seekers of him. 'Tis a vain pretence to ſay, we are engaged in the purſuit of chriſt, and go a contrary Way; if we would find him out where he is, we muſt undoubtedly tread in his Steps. As ſome quickſcented Creatures in hunting after their Prey, will exactly follow the Track, where it hath gone before them; upright Souls ſtrive as much to imitate Chriſt as to enjoy him; and they practice Imitation in order to Fruition. We cannot hope to have our paſſage through the World ſweetned with the preſence of Chriſt, unleſs we learn to be as he was in the World. As our Lord Jeſus carried himſelf in all manner of Converſation towards God, and towards Men, ſo ſhall we do, if our Hearts are ſet aright; becauſe there is no meeting with him out of his own Way. In that very way of filial Obedience wherein Chriſt ſought the honouring and pleaſing of God, we are alſo to ſeek the approving of our ſelves to Chriſt, and the kind Intimations of Love from him.

6. They ſeek a Crucified Jeſus indeed, that have an holy Ambition of being Crucified with Christ, as Paul was, Gal. 2.20. Perhaps, there are ſome (too many) in the World, who would be glad to be ſure that Chriſt was Crucified for them, but they are by no means willing to be Crucified with p. 47him: i. e. In the Language of the ſame Apoſtle, Rom. 6.6. To have their old Man Crucified with him; their Luſts and Corruptions deſtroyed, and put to Death, by Vertue of his Death. Now this argues a great deceitfulneſs of Heart, in deſiring ſome Benefit from Chriſt, without any regard to his Perſon; i. e. ſeeking not him but his. We diſſemble with Chriſt, except we covet to have our Sins drowned in his Blood, as well as to have our Souls wafted to Heaven by it. This is what the Holy Apoſtle aimed at, and preſt after, To know the Fellowſhip of his Sufferings, and to be made conformable to his Death; Phil. 3.10. All that are found faithful ſeek to reſemble the Death of Chriſt by Mortification now, as well as to reap the Fruit of it in Glorification at the laſt.

II. Why all diſquieting Fears, in ſuch, as truly Deſign the ſeeking of Chriſt, are groundleſs. I would not be underſtood to ſpeak againſt thoſe humble, reverential, cautious, watchful Fears, which do very week become every Child of God, and ſuit with the Relation wherein he ſtands; and the Difficulties, Snares, and Hazards whereby he is yet ſurrounded; but I am to beat down thoſe uncomfortable, reſtleſs, perplexing and diſtracting Fears, which are quite of another kind, which are more proper to Slaves then Children, and which are indeed the Remnants of a Spirit of Bondage in Believers. Theſe ought not to be, for Six Reaſons.

p. 481. This Crucified Jeſus whom we ſeek, lives on our behalf; He Died for us, and now Lives again for us, and Lives for every; and ſo long as he Lives, we ſhall not Dye. When Joſeph's brethren ſaw that their Father was Dead, they begun to be afraid that their Brother Joſeph would now Revenge himſelf upon them, for the Injury they had formerly done to him, Gen. 50.15. So if Chriſt had ſeen Corruption, and remained ſtill under the Power of Death, we might have feared, whether he had made ſufficient Satisfaction in Dying; and whether God might not have proſecuted us notwithſtanding. But now this fear is taken away by his Revival; and therefore what ſhould we fear? Chriſt is our living, powerful Advocate with God; and both able and ready to defend us from whatſoever Charge can be brought againſt us. If any ſhould object and ſay, here is Comfort enough in this; if I could be perſwaded and aſſured, that Chriſt is mine, and that he lives for me; but this I doubt of. I Anſwer in ſhort, thou needeſt no other Evidence of thy Propriety, and Intereſt in Chriſt, than thy ſollicitous ſeeking of him, as before deſcribed.

2. This Jeſus is graciouſly near unto us, or elſe we ſhould not find in our Hearts to ſeek him; our very Enquirings after him, are an infallible Proof of his Preſence with us; 'tis the Influence of his Spirit which draws out our Souls towards him, which of themſelves are naturally removed very far from him. p. 49Never any Man in the World had the leaſt ſerious Thought of taking one ſtep to find out Chriſt, till the Spirit of Chriſt infuſed that Thought into him. Therefore we have real ſaving Communications from Chriſt, though we have not diſcernable refreſhing Communion with him, which we wiſh and wait for. And he never will nor can forſake us, where he hath once wrought ſuch a Work upon us, of inclining our hearts unto himſelf. Do we then fear that we are yet eſtranged from Chriſt? 'Tis impoſſible, for if ſo, no Account can be given, how we ſhould be prevailed with to do what we do. Do we fear Chriſts future Departings at any Time from us? This is alſo to fear where no fear is; for he adheres more firmly to us than we can to him.

3. This Jeſus will certainly ſupport and ſuſtain us in ſeeking him, till he is found of us: When like Gideon's handful of Soldiers we are faint, yet purſuing, Judg. 8.4. He will take Care to Miniſter ſecret Cordials for the relief of our Spirits, in due Meaſure and Seaſon. He that Conquers our Averſions at the entrance of this Work, will be ſure to help our Infirmities in the Progreſs of it. Hear what David ſays, and he ſpeaks it as his own Experience; Pſalm 63.8. My Soul followeth hard after thee, thy right hand upholdeth me. Do we therefore fear, that we ſhall droop and ſink, that we ſhall flag and fail, before we have attained our End, and met with Chriſt to our Satisfaction? There is p. 50Cauſe enough for this fear, I confeſs, if we were to look to our ſelves only; for we are poor, feeble, ſpiritleſs Creatures, when we are left alone; but conſidering the mighty Aſſiſtance we have to depend on, this fear is cauſeleſs, Iſa. 40.31. They that wait upon the Lord, ſhall renew their Strength; they ſhall mount up with wings as Eagles, Creatures noted for ſwiftneſs in haſting to the Prey.

4. We are never out of our Way, while we are in the Purſuit of Chriſt. The very ſeeking of him is ſuch a ſafe and bleſſed Employment, that no Evil can befal us if we cloſely follow it. And indeed 'tis that which ought to be the continual Employment and Buſineſs of our Lives; for as long as we are Pilgrims and Sojourners, which is our State here upon Earth, we are ſtill to ſeek, Heb. 11.13, 14. Chriſt may be loſt again and again in our Apprehenſion, before we leave the World; the Diſcoveries and Manifeſtations which he makes of himſelf to us now, are but Tranſient, like the ſhining of the Sun in a Cloudy Day, which often breaks out, and is as often darkned again.

Chriſt draws near to the two Diſciples going to Emmaus, and walks along with them, but their Eyes were held that they could not know him, Luke 24.15, 16. Aſſoon as they knew him he vaniſhes, ver. 31. A little after he appears in the midſt of them, ver. 36. And then he is parted from them again, ver. 51. Therefore the ſeekers of Chriſt are in the way of Chriſt, and need not to fear.

p. 515. Our ſeeming Separations and Diſtances from Chriſt, ſhall Work for our Good. Gods withholding of many Things from us, which we reckon very deſirable, is as truly an Act of Mercy, as the giving of his Son to us; and his Sons withholding of himſelf as to ſenſible Fruition, may be in as much Love, as if he imparted himſelf moſt freely. Yea, why may not I ſay, that he may withhold himſelf in more Love, and make it turn more to our Advantage? Then if he imparted himſelf moſt freely. If he in all his Diſpenſations and Dealings with his own, does that which is beſt, it muſt needs be ſo. The Women here were paſſionately concerned that their Lord was taken away; they ſaw the Place where he had lain, and they wanted to ſee him in it: But was it not much better to hear the News of his being riſen again; than to find him Dead? So poor Souls that are ſeeking of chriſt, ſhould ſuppreſs their Fears with this Conſideration, that 'tis better for them to be covered with a Cloud, than brought forth to the Light, if Chriſt think it ſo. Communion and Defertion (like Eſthers Faſt and Banquet, Sackcloath and Royal apparrel) ſhall ſerve the ſame end of their Salvation.

6. What we come ſhort of obtaining upon Earth, will be abundantly recompen…'t, and made up in Heaven. Where, they that now ſeek the Lord, ſhall be ever with him, 1 Theſ. 4.17. If it be afar off, that we ſeek him now, 'tis our Comfort, that we ſhall have p. 52the neareſt views hereafter; whatever Doors, or Walls, or Latteſſes are now betwixt him and us, hereafter there ſhall be none. 'Tis uncertain, whether I may find my Beloved, ſo as I would, or ſo as perhaps I have ſometimes done, at this or that particular ſeaſon, in this or that particular Duty, I cannot abſolutely depend upon it; but this I may be Poſitive in, that he can withdraw himſelf no longer, than while I am in this World. Nothing more certain in all the Bible, than that in Glory there will be conſtant ſight and full Enjoyment; and 'tis as certain that this will be may final Lot, if ſeeking with my whole Heart be my preſent Work. Every Holy Soul will drop all its fears at the Gate of Heaven, as aſhamed of them; and therefore why ſhould we indulge that fear here, that muſt be bandiſht thence?

III. Whence do theſe Fears ariſe, in ſuch as ſeek a Crucified Jeſus?

Anſwer, From four Springs.

. From darkneſs of Ʋnderſtanding. The Children of Light are enlightned but in part, their Knowledge is imperfect, and Miſtakes may ſometimes have as much influence upon them, as the greateſt Truths. Thus wrong Apprehenſions of Things will produce unreaſonable Fears; when a Believers way is plain and clear, he goes on Boldly and Conſidently; but when he is bewildred and confounded, and the Eye of his Mind overcaſt, p. 53ſo that he cannot diſcern where he is, every Shadow will affright him. As the groſs Ignorance of Carnal Sinners is the Impediment of their Converſion, ſo the remaining Ignorance of troubled Saints is a great hindrance of their Comfort. When the Devil Tempts or Terrifies, he does it in the Dark; he firſt caſts a Miſt before us, and then comes out like a roaring Lyon againſt us. Error in the Judgment, diſpoſes to fearfulneſs of Heart.

2. From weakneſs of Faith. Where Fear is under the Rule and Government of Faith, 'tis never exceſſive or ſinful; but where fear gets the upper Hand of Faith, and prevailes againſt that which ought to give bounds and meaſures to it, 'tis always inordinate and irregular: This was the Caſe of Chriſts Diſciples; Mat. 8.26. Why are ye fearful, O ye of little Faith? Our Lord does in Effect anſwer his own Queſtion, for the Reaſon of their being ſo fearful, was becauſe they had ſo little Faith. Faith will hold up the Soul that's embarqued with Chriſt (as they were) in the greateſt Storms, and though the Soul may be moved with Fear, it ſhall never be ſunk. If we did but believe ſtrongly and ſtedfaſtly, we ſhould find a cure for all thoſe tremblings and toſſings which now our Spirits may-be too much hurried and diſturbed with.

3. From forgetfulneſs of the Promiſes. We have many precious Promiſes given us in the Goſpel, which if we did receive and hold faſt they p. 54could not but ſilence and confute our Fears. I Remember thy Judgments (ſays David) and have Comforted my ſelf, Pſal. 119.52. Whenever we are ſinfully afraid, the Promiſes of God are out of our deliberate Thoughts; we either do not think of them at all, or think not ſo of them, as to ſix our Minds upon them. Therefore the Angel puts the Women in remembrance of what Chriſt had told them before his Death, that he would riſe again and meet them in Galilee, ver. 6. He is riſen, as he ſaid. This Promiſe of his ſeems to be forgotten and buried with him. Nay the Enemies of our Lord ſeem to take more notice of it, than the Diſciples; they thought of it ſo much, that therefore they ſecur'd his Grave that he might be hindred as they thought from riſing again.

4. From the Ardency of their Love. As to all the other three Springs of diſquieting fear in Believers, it may be truly ſaid, that it cometh of Evil, but it may partly proceed from this better Cauſe alſo. There is no Perſon who knows what it is to Love, but alſo knows, that the greater and more vehement our Love is to any Object, the more apt we are to be afraid of loſing it, and the more jealous and miſtruſtful upon the leaſt appearance of Alienation, or any Interruption of Converſe with it. They that Love not the Lord Jeſus, are not exerciſed with any ſuch Fears concerning him; ſo that theſe fears are hopeful Evidences of a good State, though in themſelves they are not excuſable from Sin.

p. 55IV. Uſe.

1. Learn, that the offence of the Croſs of Chriſt is really no Offence; and none whoſe Hearts are right and ſound can ſtumble at it. The Women here ſought Jeſus who was Crucified, they did not ſleight him for being ſo. The Croſs of Chriſt is not a thing to be aſhamed of, but rather to be gloried in, it ſhould not prejudice us againſt Chriſt, but rather be a Motive to attract us to him.

2. The Memory of him that dyed for us, ought not to periſh with us. We are very prone to forget our Friends, ſoon after we have laid them in the Duſt, how amiable and ſerviceable ſoever they have been in their Lives: But Chriſt is to be everlaſtingly Remembred. The Devout Women expreſt their Reſpects to him after Death at his very Tomb.

3. The ſhewing forth of Chriſts Death, is as neceſſary as the belief of his Reſurrection. It is not enough for us to ſeek him as glorified, but we muſt alſo ſeek him as Crucified; ſeek him where he once was among the Dead in the Grave, as well as where he now is among the Living in Heaven.

4. Let no Sinner whatſoever be afraid of ſeeking Communion with Chriſt. Mary Magdalen is particularly named here, ver. 1. See Mark 16.9. Do not ſay 'tis Preſumption in ſuch as you; for 'tis a commendable p. 56mendable Act of Faith, and wretched Inſidelity not to do it.

5. Let no Sinner that ſeeks, doubt of his Succeſs in ſeeking; Pſalm 69.32. The humble ſhall ſee this, and be glad, and your Heart ſhall live that ſeek God. This is as true as God is true, and therefore Queſtion it at your Peril. 'Tis his faithful ſaying, and in his Name I require you to receive it, you who deſire to find out Chriſt, and be found in him, can never be loſt fro want of him.

p. 57SERMON IV.

Nov. 5. 1697.

ISA. LIV. 15.

Behold, they ſhall ſurely gather together, but not by me: Whoſoever ſhall gather together against thee, ſhall fall for thy ſake.

THE Great and Magnificent Promiſes which this Chapter contains, ſhew plainly enough, that they concern not ſo much the Jewiſh Church after her return out of Babylon, as the Chriſtian Church, which was to be far more glorious, in the New-Teſtament Times. The very firſt Verſe, hath a manifeſt Reference to the numerous Converſions of the Gentiles, who though formerly Barren, ſhould exceed in fruitfulneſs under the Goſpel; and on this Account, we read Ver. 5. That the Holy One of Iſrael, ſhould be called, the God of the whole Earth. Large Aſſurances of ſpiritual and temporal Bleſſings are given hereupon; with reſpect to the Proſperity of Souls, p. 58and the flouriſhing alſo of their outward State. As to this latter, we need look back no further, than ver. 14. The Words Preceding the Text; In Righteouſneſs ſhalt thou be eſtabliſhed, thou ſhalt be far from Oppreſſion, for thou ſhalt not fear, and from Terror, for it ſhall not come near thee. The Summ of which ſeems to be this; God will raiſe up ſuch righteous Magiſtrates and Rulers every where in the latter Days, as that his People ſhall be deliver'd not only from Oppreſſion, but from the Fear and Terror of it too. The Church and the World have been ſeverely exercis'd with Princes, Who like Lions, have learned to catch the Prey, and devoured Men, Ezek. 19.3. Such as have removed the Bounds, Hoſ. 5.10. Trampled upon Laws, and invaded Properties: But there is a Time to come, when all ſuch Thrones ſhall bee caſt down, and Zion ſhall be redeem'd with Judgment, and defended with Equity. Then (may ſome ſay) ſurely after this, we ſhall have no Tribulation in the World; we ſhall meet with no more Storms or Tempeſts, but enjoy Calm and ſettled Weather, without any Interruption; we ſhall have nothing to do, but to ſit under our Vines and Fig-Trees, and there will be none to Moleſt and Diſturb us from that Time forward. The Text is brought in as an Anſwer hereto; Behold, they (i. e. they that wiſh thy Hurt, that would be oppreſſing thee, as before) ſhall ſurely gather together, &c. q. d. You muſt p. 59not think, that Sinners will be ſo entirely conſum'd out of the Earth, as that there ſhould be no Deſigns or Endeavours to overthrow your Eſtabliſhment; As you will have the Poor always with you, to draw out your Charity, ſo you will always have ſome Enemies (though Feeble and Impotent) for the Trial of your Faith and Courage; you'l never want ſome to unite and combine againſt you; but whoever they be, you have this for your Encouragement, I will not be on their ſide, nor take their Part, and by ſeeking your Deſtruction, they ſhall in the Iſſue, find their own.

Obſ. The unwearied miſchievous Attempts of the Adverſaries of Gods People in the World, as they are made without God, ſo they ſhall end in Ruine to themſelves. Here,

1. 1 ſhall ſhew, That the Adverſaries of God's People will be unweariedly attempting of Miſchief againſt them.

2. How thoſe Attempts are without God.

3. That they ſhall end in Ruine to themſelves.

4. Why they ſhall do ſo.

5. Uſe.

1. To ſhew, That the Adverſaries of Gods People in the World, will be unwearied in their miſchievous Attempts againſt them. So ſays p. 60the Text, they ſhall gather together. This is ſure, upon various Grounds.

1. He who foreknows all their Thoughts, Inclinations and Purpoſes from Everlaſting, hath foretold it. His is a ſure Word of Propheſie, and not a Tittle of it ever fail'd; and 'tis as impoſſible that finite Agents ſhould do leſs than he hath ſaid, as that they ſhould do more. He hath a full Proſpect of all before him, and does in one undivided inſtant ſee how every Cauſe will operate, and what Effects it will produce; He can tell what he intends to ſuffer them to do, and what he intends to withhold and reſtrain them from doing: And therefore if his Underſtanding cannot be deceiv'd, nor his Knowledge be miſtaken, his Predictions muſt needs be true. So when we read of Gog's coming up, as a Cloud to cover the Land (which ſome think, is meant of a Succeſſion of the Churches Enemies) and not of a ſingle Perſon; the Lord puts the Queſtion. Art thou he of whom I have ſpoken in old Time, by my Servants the Prophets of Iſrael, which Propheſied in thoſe Days, many Years, that I would bring thee againſt them? Ezek. 38.16, 17. God hath infallibly determin'd in himſelf all that ſhall be, and ſome part of thoſe Determinations are declared in his Word; and therefore nothing can fall out contrary to that Word, but every thing muſt fall out to agree with it, if it be a ſaying of God, it cannot be unfulfilled.

p. 612. So long as there are any of the Children of the Devil out of Hell, he will be inſpiring them with Malice againſt the Church of God on Earth. The Old Serpent will be the Old Serpent ſtill, and there is the ſame Poiſon which runs in the Veins of all his Seed. The Enmity is incurable and immortal, and not to be ſlain between the two Seeds, unleſs they were to joyn and become one. They that Work Iniquity, and they that live Godly in Chriſt Jeſus can never amicably walk together, any more than Fire and Water can be reconciled to run quietly along in the ſame Stream. Till all Things are ſubdned to Chriſt (which will not be till the end comes, 1 Cor. 15.28.) we cannot expect that all ſhould be at perfect Peace with thoſe that are Chriſt's; for as our Lord and they that are his, are united in their Intereſts, ſo they are uſually aſſanlted with the like Opponents. The Chriſtian Society cannot look for univerſal Concord and Good-will, except there were an univerſal Subjection to the Holy Founder. 'Tis no wonder, that they ſhould Act againſt Religion, who are under the full Power of natural Corruption, as many will be to the very Laſt. Wickedneſs proceedeth from the Wicked, 1 Sam. 24.13. juſtly applied by David to Sauls unreaſonable purſuit of him.

3. The very Defeats and Diſappointments which the Enemies of the Church receive, make them to renew their attempts with greater Violence p. 62and Fury; they are not the more diſhearten'd, but the more exaſperated; not made to deſiſt, but rather provok't to go on. When God ſcatters and foils his Adverſaries, they will, if poſſible, rally themſelves again, and ſtrive to recover their Ground: And when their Projects are blaſted, and their Hopes periſht, they are ſo much the fuller of Rage and Revenge, Iſa. 44.25. That fruſtratcth the Tokens of the Liars, and maketh Diviners Mad. The more eminently God hath lifted up his Hand, the more inſolently have they ſtretcht out theirs; and to make amends for their being driven back, they have made the greater haſt in their next return. Pharaoh grew the harder, and more obſtinate in refuſing to let Iſrael go, after God had ſent ſo many Plagues upon him; and though he did unwillingly diſmiſs them at the laſt, he would have ſatisfied his Luſt upon them, if he could have overtaken them. When Dagon was fallen upon his Face before the Ark, the ſottiſh Philiſtines took him, and ſet him in his Place again, 1 Sam. 5.3. Divine Appearances againſt them do not eaſily Plung them into Deſpair, but add a fierceneſs to their Spirits, and put an Edge to their Oppoſition.

4. The fearful Expectation of future Vengeance, is a Spur to their diligent Ʋſe of all the preſent Opportunities of ſinning. 'Tis not ſo in it ſelf, but the contrary; it ought to deter them from Sin, and excite them p. 63to Repentance, but through their Corruption, it renders them moſt reſolvedly and deſparately Wicked. As God ſees that their Day is coming, ſo his Enemies cannot but have ſome Dread and Jealouſie of it themſelves; they can hardly forbear to think (ſometimes at leaſt) that their Day of Triumph and Jollity is going over, and their Day of Reckoning and of Account is coming on; but they are the worſe by reaſon of ſuch Thoughts. As ſenſual Beaſts cry, Let us Eat and Drink, for to Morrow we Dye; 1 Cor. 15.32. So Cruel Beaſts, and inhumane Devils, quicken themſelves to acts of Barbarity, to eat the Fleſh, and drink the Blood of Saints, on the ſame Motive. Becauſe they know that Death and Judgment will ſpeedily prevent them, and they cannot do what they would, they will be eager to do what they can; if their Time be ſhort, they will hatch as much Miſchief in it, as is poſſible; as if it were their only Covetouſneſs and Ambition to ſill up the Meaſure of their Sins, before Wrath come upon them to the uttermoſt. Men of ſuch Principles and Tempers will ſurely gather together.

II. How are theſe unwearied Attempts againſt the People of God, without God? So God himſelf ſays poſitively, here in the Text, but not by me. This may be open'd and ſtated in five Propoſitions.

p. 641. 'Tis moſt undeniable, that the Churches Enemies can neither do, nor contrive the doing of any thing abſolutely without God. No ſecond Cauſe can Act but in dependance upon the firſt; no Creature can ſubſiſt, no faculty can perform any of its operations, if Providence did not concur. The worſt of Men live and move, and have their Beings in God, while they are running to do Evil; for if he ſhould ſuſpend his influence, they muſt ſtand ſtill, and ſink into nothing. The whole Power of Darkneſs would be utterly diſabled from doing any harm, as the moſt innocent Creatures are uninclin'd to it, if that Power were not upheld in its Exerciſe by a greater. All the Plots which are formed beneath, prove vain and fruitleſs, unleſs there be a Permiſſion given from above. Proud Menwould turn the World upſide down, but the great God carries their Counſel headlong whenever he pleaſes, Job 5.13. If he put his Bridle in their Jaws, it will either hinder them from ſtirring, or cauſe them to err, Iſa. 30.28.

2. It muſt be granted alſo, that the Enemies of the Church can do nothing effectually, but as God really employs them to be the Inſtruments of his juſt Diſpleaſure; and ſo they are frequently employ'd, being not ſit for any other Work, and on ſeveral Accounts moſt ſit for this; like the common Executioners in humane Courts, who are generally the baſeſt of Men. They are ſaid p. 65to be ordain'd and eſtabliſh't for Correction, Hab. 1.12. They are called Gods Sword, and Gods Hand, Pſalm. 17.13, 14. The Rods of Gods Anger, Iſa. 10.5. The Weapons of his Indignation, Chap. 13.5. Hence it is that the King of Babylon is ſtyled God's Servant ſo often, Jer. 25.9. ch. 27.6. ch. 43.10. Becauſe God puniſht his People by his Means. When the Aſſyrian came againſt the Jews, and made ſuch havock and ſpoil among them, God ſent him, and gave him a Charge, Iſa. 10.7. Thus wicked Men are many Times the Meſſengers and. Commiſſioners of a Juſt and Holy God againſt his offending Children.

3. The Attempts of Enemies againſt Gods People are notwithſtanding, without God's Approbation. God permits many Things to be done which he approves not the doing of; and therefore we are not to fetch our warrant from Providence, but from the Word. Whatſoever is againſt the Rule of Gods revealed Will, is not by him; for we muſt go according to that, or elſe we walk contrary to him, and Sin in what we do. On this Account God entred that complaint againſt his People, Hoſ. 8.4. The have ſet up Kings, but not by me; they have made Princes, and I knew it not (which muſt be underſtood of his approving Knowledge; as Chriſt is ſaid not to know the Workers of Iniquity, Luke 13.27.) That which the Prophet refers to, is the falling off of the Ten Tribes of Iſrael from the p. 66Houſe of David to Jeroboam; God ſays expreſly, that this Thing was from him, 1 Kings 12.23. Providentially order'd and diſpos'd by him, as well as foretold, Chap. 11.31. Yet they ſiun'd, becauſe God had given the Kingdom to David and his Family for ever, 2 Chron. 13.5. And to that Family they owed Subjection.

4. The Attempts of Enemies, when they have moſt Succeſs, are without God's truly favour able Preſence. None of the Adverſaries of the Church can ever lay any Claim to that gracious Promiſe, which belongs pecullarly to the Church her ſelf, I am with thee. God hath no reſpect to their Perfons, even when he ſhines upon their Counſels; nor is it out of Kindneſs to them, but to ſignifie how he is diſpleaſed with his People. Treacherous Dealers are counted happy oftentimes, and appear to be ſo; for God Plants them, yea they take Root, they Grow, yea they bring forth Fruit, as the Prophet ſpeaks with a remarkable Gradation, Jer. 12.1, 2. But there is nothing of the real Love and Good-will of God in all this; they are the Objects of his hatred and loathing at the ſame time; he abhorrs them, and beholds them afar off. Theſe Diſpenſations, though ſuch as they deſire, and are pleaſed with, are no Tokens of Mercy; Their Proſperity is a Curſe and a Plague, but not a Bleſſing.

5. The Attempts of Enemies at that Time, which the Prophet here hath a Relation to, will p. 67be without Gods Aſſiſtanee, and conſequently without Succeſs. God will not ſo much as ſeemingly favour them alays; but when he hath perform'd his whole Work by them, he'll make them know that they are but Men, Pſalm 9.20. Poor weak Creatures, when his Power is withdrawn from them. I have Created the Waſter to deſtroy, ſays God, ver. 16. of this Chapter, the Words following the Text; but what can the Waſter do alone, more than any other Creature of God? What can he do when God hath no further uſe to make of him, when Deſtructions are come to a perpetual End? This Text gives ground for the Expectation of ſuch a Time; wherein all the Commiſſions of evil Men from God againſt his People ſhall finally expire. Though they may falfly pretend and preſume otherwiſe, as in the Caſe of Sennacherib, which the Event confuted, 2 Kings 18.35. Am I now come up without the Lord againſt this Place to deſtroy it? &c.

III. That all theſe Attempts of the Adverſaries of God's People will iſſue in Ruine to themſelves. So we read here; Whoſoever ſhall gather together ſhall fall, &c. Their fall is as certain as their gathering together, and ſo muſt neceſſarity be, if we conſider theſe ſix Things.

1. The greateſt Attempt which was ever made by the Devil againſt the Church, in the p. 68Perſon of Chriſt himſelf, became the Means of ſubverting his own Kingdom. Herod, and Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the Children of Iſrael were all gathered together by the Inſtigation of Satan againſt our Lord Jeſus, Acts 4.27. But what was the Iſſue? He was ſet as King upon his Holy Hill of Zion, Pſalm 2.6. And they were broken and daſht in Pieces, like a Potters Veſſel, ver. …. The Devil thought he had laid the Ax to the Root then, and ſhould have cut down all the Hopes of God's People at once; but he then receiv'd the greateſt and moſt fatal blow. Our dying Redeemer by Death deſtroyed the Deſtroyer, triumpht over Principalities and Powers; and he hath the Promiſe of the Father, that all Enemies ſhall be put under his Feet. The Head of the Serpent is irrecoverably bruis'd, and ſo ſhall thoſe other Dragons be, which are no better than his Seed and Spawn, Pſaim 110.6. He ſhall wound the Heads over many Countreys.

2. The ſtanding of the Churches Enemies, is the most precarious and uncertain Thing; not like that of the Church upon a Rock, an Everlaſting Foundation, but a ſandy, deceitful Bottom. Pſalm 73.18. Surely thou didſt ſet them in ſlippery Places: Places which they hold and poſſeſs, meerly at the Pleaſure of God, which they cannot ſettle or faſten themſelves in, at their own Will; Places, ſometimes of the greateſt heighth, but proportionably of the greateſt Danger, from p. 69whence, while they are dazled with the Light ſhining on their Ways, they commonly tumble on a ſudden. They ſtand the longer, that they may the leſs ſuſpect their fall; and God does conceal the exact Period of teir ſtanding, with this Deſign, that their fall may be the more ſurprizing. They ſtand only till their Iniquities are compleated, till the Judgments of God are Ripe to be inflicted, … till they have worn out the Leaſe of limited Time, and Wrath is ready to break forth; and how ſoon this may be, they can never tell.

3. All that they have or can have to Support and Deſend them, will not be ſufficient, when their appointed Deſtruction comes. What can be the Strength or Stability of the Enemies of God in his Day of Viſitation, who ſhakes the very Earth out of her Place, ſo that the Pillars thereof cremble? What can bear up thoſe, whom her hath purpoſed to throw down? If he will not withdraw his Anger, the Proud helpers do ſtoop under him, Job 9.13. They that think to Protect their Confederates from the ſtroke of God, may feel it and ſhare in it themelves, but can never Guard another Perſon againſt it, Iſa. 31.3. When the Lord ſhall ſtretch out his Hand, both he that helpeth, ſhall fall, and he that is holpen, ſhall fall down, and they all ſhall fall together. Every Creature that offers to do ſervice, will he a Part of the Sacrifice, when God comes in his Garments of Vengeance. Even Beaſts are threaten'd p. 70with Men, Zech. 12.4. Chap. 14.12, with 15. compared, And God's rebuke on ſuch is Recorded, Pſalm 76.6.

4. The Enemies of the Church are rais'd up for this Purpoſe, that God may Honour himſelf upon them. Pharaob is an inſtance of it; exod. 9.16. In very Deed, for this cauſe have I raiſed thee up, to ſhew in thee my Power and that my Name may be declared throughout all the Earth. God would never ſuffer ſuch Monſters to Tyrannize over the beſt of Mankind, and to Reproach and Blaſpheme him, as they ordinarily do, if he had not ſome Ends to bring about, that would be honourable to himſelf, and degrading to them at laſt. As long as they ſill their Thrones of Iniquity, and keep their seats of Violence, the Majeſty of Heaven is contemn'd and vilified: And if they ſhould go off with Impunity, his Glory would be loſt. And therefore we may be ſure, this ſhall not be; if God be ſo Jealous for his own Name, that he will be ſanctified in the needful Correction of his own People, we cannot imagine, that he will fail to vindicate himſelf by the juſt revenging of his Adverſaries.

5. The greateſt Enemies that the Church of God ever yet had, have fallen; though as likely to ſland once, as any now or hereafter can be. How have all the Parts of the Image in Nebuchadnezzar's Prophetical Dream been ſmitten one after another? Who does not know, that there hath been a ſucceſſive Diſſolution p. 71of all the Four Grand Monarchies and Empires of the World? Was not the Babylonian pull'd down by the Perſian, the Perſian tript up by the Graecian, the Graecian ſunk by the Roman, and the Roman at length loſt and ſwallowed by the Papal Power? What's become of all the formidable Men of Blood, that have ſlain their Thouſands, and ten Thouſands, and not been ſatisfied? Have they not born their ſhame with them that go down to the Pit, though they cauſed Terrour in the Land of the Living? Ezek. 32.24. What are they that breath out Threatnings now, better or mightier than they that have periſht in all Ages before them?

6. The preſent Enemies of the Church have indeed begun to fall; which is au hopeful Token that they ſhall ſurely fall. And whether the preſent Enemies may be the laſt or not, I think, 'tis beyond all Controverſie, that they are the worſt which can be. Now that there are certain beginnings of their Ruine is hardly to be doubted alſo. It was ſounded long ſince in Propheſie, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, Rev. 14.8. And without any nice and curious Obſervation, we may diſcern that the Building cracks. Antichriſt hath been conſuming eminently ever ſince the Reformation one hundred and eighty Years, by the Spirit of Chriſts Mouth in the Preaching of the Goſpel, according to 2 Theſ. 2.8. He hath been driven out of theſe Nations, and ſeveral other Countrys, p. 72into which we hope, he ſhall never re-enter. Many Learned and Holy Men have batter'd the Roman Jericho a great while with invinſible Arguments; and Miniſters, like the Prieſts of Old, continue Blowing with their Trumpets; we only wait for ſuch a Breath of God, and Shout of the People, that the Walls may fall down flat and the City be taken.

IV. Why ſhall the Attempts of the Enemies of God's People end thus in their own Ruine? The Text acquaints us with this likewiſe; they ſhall fall for thy ſalke. Quest. How is this to be underſtood?

1. Some read the Words, they ſhall fall before thee, that thou mayst ſee it. The God who is now ſecretly carrying on their intended Ruine, which is the matter of thy Faith, ſhall at length viſibly accompliſh it in thy open view, to thy Comfort and Rejoycing. So Prov. 29.16. the Righteous ſhall ſee their fall. Pſalm 52.5, 6. God ſhall deſtroy thee for ever, he ſhall take thee away, &c. The Righteous alſo ſhall ſee, &c. So Iſrael ſaw that great Work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians, Exod. 14.31. The Impreſſions which ſuch ſights make upon ſuch witneſſes, render them deſirable, though awful, Jer. 20.12. Let me ſee thy Vengeance on them.

2. For thy ſake, cannot be meant, for thy Merit, but for thy Good and Benefit. So p. 73Mal. 3.11. I will rebuke the Devourer for your ſakes; not becauſe you deſerve it (the People of God never did that) but that you may have the Advantage of it. Their Deſtruction is to make way for your Salvation, Prov. 11.8. The Righteous is deliver'd out of trouble, and the Wicked cometh in his ſtead. Pſalm 141.10. Let the Wicked fall into their own Net, while that I withal eſcape. They muſt fall, that the Church of God may riſe; for while they ſtand, the Church is kept under. Babylon muſt come down into the Duſt, that Zion may be lifted up out of it.

3. For thy ſake, may be meant, for the Kindneſs and Care which I bear to thee, q. d. For thy ſake, whom I am ſo mindful of, ſo watchful over, and ſo delighted in, and have ſuch an affectionate Regard to; thou art the Object which I have in my Eye, anhd my Compaſſion and Good-will are the Springs and Reaſons of my promiſed actings and appearances on thy behalf. God Loves his own ſo well, that as he upholds the World on their Account, ſo on their Account he will deſtroy any Part of it, which is injurious to them. Therefore they are much miſtaken, who level them with other People; as Ezek. 25.8. Behold, the Houſe of Judah is like unto all the Heathen.

p. 741. Security and diſtruſt are ſinful Extreams, and both of them equally to be avoided. To preſume that Enemies will not g ather together, and to deſpair of their fall, are flat Contradictions to the Text. To ſay that the Church of God ſhall not be aſſaulted, is againſt Scripture. To ſay, That ſhe ſhall not be moved, is what the Holy Ghoſt ſays, Pſalm 46.5. We ought not to fall aſleep, or to dwell careleſsly; nor yet ſhould fearfulneſs ſurprize us, or horror overwhelm us. We have a mixture of Good and of Evil Tidings; like Milk and Honey, to temper the Wormwood and the Gall, there is enough on one Hand to awaken us, and on the other to encourage us. Aſſociate your ſelves, O ye People (there's Matter of prudent Fear) and ye ſhall be broken in Pieces; (there's Matter of comfortable Hope) Iſa. 8.9.

2. A People dear to God, and peculiarly intereſted in him, are in a far more bleſſed Condition, than all the Earth beſides. God will do any Thing, or undo any thing for their ſake, he will Cut off Nations, tread upon Princes, remove Crowns and Scepters out of the way, for their ſake, Enemies cannot do ſo great Things againſt them, but that God will do as great for them, and much greater, Joel 2.20, 21. All the ſpecialities of Providence are upon their Account, and if any thing extraordinary happen at any Time in the World, we may be Conſident, it is for their Service. p. 75As God is their God, ſo he is their peculiar Saviour, and therein they have the preheminence to all other People whatſoever, Deut. 33.29. Happy art thou, oh Iſrael, who is like unto thee, oh People ſaved by the Lord?

3. The greateſt Danger which God's People are or can be in, is when they engage God againſt them by Sin, and provoke him to favour their Adverſaries. 'Tis poſſible that God may for the Chaſtiſement of his People, turn away his Wrath from their falling Enemies, Prov. 24.18. i. e. To puniſh us, they may for a while eſcape unpuniſhed; and during that Time they may gather, in ſome Senſe by God; and then onelyonly are they terrible and dreadful. When God lengthens out their Chain, and lets them looſe upon his People, none can foreſee the Spoil and Deſolation which they may be empowered to make; otherwiſe we might boldly and ſtoutly bid defiance to them.

4. The Obſtructions of Mercy are on our Part, and not on god's. If any ask, why this Word is not fulfilled, and all our Enemies thrown down, the Anſwer is eaſie, becauſe we our ſelves do help to hold them up. They would fall for our ſake, if they did not ſtand by our Means. Two Things eſpecially prolong Babylons Reprieve; the unreformed, and the divided State of the Proteſtant Churches.

1. The unreformed State. Our Reformation p. 76is yet too imperfect; and many inſtead of advancing it, are apt to put it back; being fond of retaining Egyptian Fleſh-pots as a part of their Diet ſtill. Many that profeſs to come out from among them, approach too near to them. And even where the Purity of Religious Worſhip is moſt ſtrictly maintain'd, the Power of Practical Godlineſs is too much wanting. There is a lamentable degeneracy among the beſt; that we may ſay, as Lam. 4.1. How is the Gold become dim! thr most fine Gold changed.

2. Their divided State. Enemies joyn Hand in Hand, and their Arms are made ſtrong, by the Differences and Quarrels of our Friends. Our ſworn Murderers that thirſt for our Blood have the fairer Opportunities to purſue their Deſigns, when upon every Difference we are ready to take one another by the Throat. The diſturbance of Jeruſalems Peace by her own Children, is really a ſeeking of Rome's Proſperity; but a firm and hearty and (as much as may be) extenſive Union among our ſelves, would haſten the diſſolving of the Antichriſtian Conſtitution.

5. The Memorials of paſt Mercies are to be proſerv'd for our Support in future Difficulties. Moſes's Rod was laid up, wherewith wonders had been wrought; and ſo was Goliah's Sword, wherewith his own Head had been Cut off, 1 Sam. 21.9. Former Experiences are often improv'd in Scripture as Arguments with God, 2 Chron. 20.7. Iſa. 51.9, p. 7710. No wonder that Faith dies, upon any emergent Hazard, when ſuch gracious Acts of God are buried in forgetfulneſs, and not ſo much as a Monumental Stone erected over their Graves. Therefore,

1. Let us keep alive the remembrance of this Days Deliverances. For God hath upon this Day twice given convincing Anſwers to that tempting Queſtion. Is the Lord among us? Exod. 17.7. The ſame God who blew up the Powder-Traitors, ſet his Hand again a ſecond Time, to reſcue us from their fiery Succeſſors. And this latter Work of God ſeems to have been the greateſt; for the ſhifting and altering of Governments, is one of the moſt illuſtrious Proofs of God's Soveraign Dominion; Jer. 49.38. I will ſet my Throne in Elam, and will deſtroy from thence the King, and the Princes, ſaith the Lord. God hath ſnatcht us from between their Teeth, who, if they could once have ſwallow'd us up, would never have vomited us out alive; theſe Nations have not only heard, but felt how cruel their tenderneſs is; and therefore we may juſtly reckon our ſelves deliver'd from the worſt of Deaths. And even our Enemies themſelves are happily deliver'd from the occaſions of ſuch Sin; for where Men's Hearts are full of miſchievous Devices, 'tis a Mercy (if they would value and improve it as ſuch) to be depriv'd of Power to execute and accompliſh them.

2. Let us live as a People deliver'd from p. 78our ſpiritual Enemies, who would be far more hurtful to us, and ought to be much more hateful. A Deliverance from Sin and Satan is the moſt glorious of all, and indeed without this, all our temporal Deliverances will but aggravate our Everlaſting Deſtruction. Let Sinners go to Chriſt, and let Believers Triumph in Chriſt, as ſuch a Deliverer, and ſeeing there is a ſacred Feaſt appointed to Commemorate this Deliverance, let us keep it with all thankfulneſs, and take care to Live up to the ſolemn Obligations of it.

FINIS.