A Word to Sinners and a Word to Saints, Part 1 · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII. The second branch of the Vse of Exhortation unto the Regenerate.
HAving done with the first branch of the Use of Exhortation unto the Unregenerate: Come we now unto the second which concerneth the Regenerate, and consisteth of divers heads;
1. Admire and adore Gods special mercy and goodness in thy Regeneration. Let thine heart be ravished with the consideration of his love to thee in Christ Jesus, the bottom whereof cannot be fathomed by any Angel in Heaven. And therefore well maist thou cry out, Oh the heighth, and the depth, the length and the breadth of the love of God unto thy soul! If David upon the consideration of the goodness of God to man in his Creation,Psal. 8.4. cryed out so affectionately, Lord what is man that thou art mindfull of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him? Surely upon the consideration of Gods mercy unto thy soul in this work of new Creation, hast not thou cause to say the like, Lord what is man that thou art mindfull of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him? Lord what am I among the Sons of men, that thou shouldest have respect to me? That the Lord should pluck thee as a brand out of the fire, that he should take thee into his special grace and favour, when he left many millions of Men and Women to perish in their sins: that he should make thee an heir of Heaven, when he left so many to be fire-brands of hell: that thy nature should be renewed and sanctified, when others are left in their filth and pollution, hast not thou unspeakable cause to sit down and admire the freeness of Gods grace, and riches of his mercy towards thee? Surely nothing but free Grace hath put this honour upon thee, and put such a difference between thee and others. For what did God see more in thee than in others, to move him to set his special love on thee?
Oh cast thine eyes round about thee, look upon thy neighbours, who live under the same Ministery, partake of the same Ordinances as thou dost, and yet never felt the power and sweetness of them in their souls. Let the abominable wickedness which thou daily seest in others, fill thee with wonder at the loving kindness of the Lord to thee. That the dew of his free Grace should fall upon thy soul, when the hearts of so many about thee should be dry, not having one drop of that dew upon them, is not this a mercy to be admired? Oh consider it, and adore it, and say, Lord, how is it that thou shouldst bestow thy grace on me, and deny it to so many, who in many respects are better than I?
That thy heart may be the more raised up in admiration of the mercy and goodness of God unto thee herein, take notice of the manifold priviledges which do follow and accompany such as are Regenerated.
1. The love and favour of God wherewith they are embraced. Love is weighty and falleth downward from Father to Child. Yea love in God is as a Fountain and spring-head, and the channel or pipe in and through which it runneth, is Christ: now that spring continually floweth forth through that pipe to every Regenerate person. Observe the love of earthly Parents to their Children, how great, how constant it is: withall consider how far God exceeds them in his love, even as far as he doth in greatness, which is infinitely. So as every Regenerate person may with assurance rest on the love of God his Father, which cannot be but most sweet to the soul, and exceeding comfortable. For in Gods fatherly favour consisteth our happiness.
II. Union with Christ. For Christ is the head, and by Regeneration we are his members. The Apostle writing to the Corinthians, who were born again by the Spirit,1 Cor. 12.22. saith, Now are ye the body of Christ, and members in particular, meaning of the mystical body of Christ. This Union of the Regenerate with Christ, is one of the great mysteries of our Christian faith:foreign, Eph. 5.32. Joh. 20.17. Heb. 2.11, 12. Heb. 1.14. and it is a Mysterie of an unspeakable comfort and consolation. For by vertue of our Union with Christ, God is our Father; Christ is our Brother, and our Husband and Head; Heaven is our inheritance: Angels are our attendants and guardians, who are sent forth to minister for them, who shall be heirs of Salvation. These Angels are those Horses and Chariots of fire, which were round about Elisha: and which are also round about every member of Christ in all their dangers, though they see them not. If the eyes of the Regenerate were but opened to see their glorious attendants, how would their hearts be comforted and cheered in all their distresses.
III. Adoption. Such as are Regenerated are thereby the adopted Sons of God. Whereas by natural propagation they were the children of wrath; by this Regeneration they are the Children of grace, being translated out of the Family of Satan into Gods own Family, and in and through Christ they are made the adopted Sons of God. Oh that the Lord would open our eyes to see this priviledge!1 Joh. 3.1. Behold, saith St. Iohn, what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the Sons of God. The Apostle not being able to express the greatness of Gods love to us therein, he breaks forth into an admiration thereof. And truly well might he say, Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us. For here is not only love, but love to admiration, that we vile, wretched, sinfull creatures,Eph 2.1. Col. 1.21. Eph. 2.3. who were dead in sins and trespasses, enemies to God by wicked works, yea and children of wrath as well as others, that we should be thus advanced in and by Christ, as to be accounted not only servants which is much; nor only friends which is more; but also Sons, and consequently heirs, and co-heirs with Christ, which is most of all.
IV. Christian freedom. As it is the great unhappiness of the unregenerate, that they are in a state of vasalage: so it is the great happiness of the regenerate, that they are in a state of freedom, being freed,
1. From Satan. Though not from the assaults and temptations of Satan, yet from the power of Satan. For our Saviour Christ by his death hath destroyed him that had the power of death, Heb. 2.14.that is, the Devil. He hath now broken the Serpents head, so that though he may hiss against us, yet he cannot sting us: though he may assault us, yet he cannot overcome us: and though he goeth about like a roaring Lion, 1 Pet. 5.8.s…king whom he may devour; yet Christ hath him in a Chain, and he cannot go one link thereof farther than he pleaseth.
2 From si…. Though the Regenerate are not freed from the in-being of sin, which doth and will live in them, so long as they live in this World: yet are they freed both from the guilt of sin, and from the power and dominion of sin.
1. From the guilt of sin, that is, from that wrath and punishment which is due to sin: so that none of our sins shall be able to condemn us. For Christ as our Surety, Saviour and Redeemer, did bear all our sins in his body upon the tree, and there offered up his life as an all sufficient Sacrifice, and full satisfaction to Gods justice for the same. So that God being fully satisfied by the death of Christ for our sins, he will not, nay he cannot in justice require satisfaction again from us. Well therefore might the Apostle make this bold challenge,Rom. 8.33, 34. who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect, seeing Christ hath dyed, and by his death fully satisfied Gods justice for their sins?
2. From the power and dominion of sin; which cometh to pass by the Spirit of Christ conveighed to them, whereby their sins are in some measure mortified and subdued, so that they do not rule, nor raign in them as formerly. Sin shall not have dominion over you, saith the Apostle, and why? because you are not under the Law, but under grace. In our unregenerate estate, sin had not only possession of us, but dominion over us, so that we did yield a willing subjection unto the command of sin. But since we are regenerated by the Spirit of God, we are freed, though not from the in-being, yet from the dominion of sin. So that though sin may tyrannize over us, yet shall it not raign in us. We shall not yield a free and willing obedience to the command thereof.
This is the great comfort of Gods Children, that though sin be not removed, yet it is subdued. Though they oftentimes feel the workings and stirrings of corruption in them, which make them to have many a sad heart, and wet eye, yet are they freed, through Christ from the dominion of sin.
3. The Regenerate are freed from the Law, not only from the Ceremonial, and Iudicial Law, which were peculiar to the Jews, and dyed with the decay of their Common-wealth; but likewise from the Moral Law, (which concerns all men, at all times, in all places) yet not as it is a rule of Obedience, and Christian walking, for so it still remains in force even to the Children of God even after their Regeneration; But,
1. As it was a Covenant of works, or as the Covenant thereof was works. We are not absolutely bound to such rigour, and exactness as that required. Indeed we ought to endeavor after the most perfect obedience, and to be humbled for our defects and failings therein; but not to despair because of them: for all failings not allowed are pardoned. Besides Christ our surety hath in all things fullfilled the Law, and performed perfect obedience thereunto. So that the strictness of the Law being fulfilled by our surety, its not expected, that it should be performed by us in our own persons.
2. We are freed from the Curse and condemnation of the Law. Gal. 3.13.Christ, saith the Apostle, hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us. So that although we do not perform it in that exact manner and measure which it requireth: yet our transgressions shall not be imputed to us to condemnation. The Law may condemn the actions, but not the persons of the Regenerate, it hath nothing to do with them;Rom. 8.1. therefore the Apostle saith, There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus.
V. Provision of all needfull good things is another priviledge of the Regenerate, who have a right to all good things through Christ, and the possession of all things God seeth good for them. It is observable that when God was with Israel in the Wilderness (where nothing was to be had) they lacked nothing. Deut. 2.7.It is naturally engrafted into all Parents to provide for their Children: what then can they want who have God for their Father? who as he is all-sufficient, so a most loving Father to his Children, whose love far surpasseth the love of natural Parents to their Children. Art thou a Child of God by Regeneration? then look up to thy Heavenly Father for a supply of all good things. For can they that are evill, know how to give good gifts to their Children? saith our Saviour. And shall not your Heavenly Father give to you the things whereof ye have need? He feedeth the Fowls of the air, and the Beasts of the Field; and he that is carefull to provide for his Hawks and his Hounds, will he suffer his Children to beg and starve, who must one day be his heirs?Matth. 6.31, 32. Be not then faithless, but believe, and say not, What shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or wherewithall shall we be cloathed? For your Heavenly Father knoweth whereof ye have need, and shall relieve you.
VI. Acceptance of their Services though full of weaknesses, infirmities and imperfections. Natural Parents are not more ready to accept of the weak Services performed by their Children; than God is to take in good part the imperfect services of his Children. How maimed and broken are our prayers many times! yet coming from a broken heart they find acceptance with God. Though he regardeth not the glorious works of hypocrites, yet he graciously accepteth of the weak Services of his Children done in sincerity. When we cannot pray with that affection and fervency as we desire: yet if we set upon it with an honest and sincere heart, doing it in obedience to the command of God, with a desire to approve our selves unto him therein, and grieving for our failings and imperfections, God will overlook our failings, and crown our weak endeavours with acceptance.
VII. Protection from things hurtfull, is another priviledge of the Regenerate. They are here subject to manifold casualties, and contingencies, from which the Lord in mercy protects them, keeping Watch and Ward for them.Zech. 2.5. Yea he is said to be a wall of fire round about his people. A wall to defend them, and of fire to consume those that rise up against them.Psal. 112.7. So that they shall not be afraid of evil tydings, for their hearts are fixed trusting in the Lord. I deny not but the Children of God may be wronged, oppressed, spoiled of all they have, and unjustly stain, yet in all these shall they not be hurt, for God will turn all to their good. Note what David said of Shimei's cursing him,2 Sam. 16.12. The Lord will look on my affliction and requite good for his cursing this day. Heb. 10.34.On this ground the Hebrews took joyfully the spoyling of their goods.
VIII. Support under all afflictions is another priviledge of the Regenerate. For God is present with them in all their afflictions, supporting their weakness with his might; and manifesting his greatest power in their greatest impotency. Yea though sometimes he seems to leave them in their distress, yet he giveth such sufficient strength as they are thereby enabled to bear it, and well to pass it through.2 Cor. 4.8, 9. This is evident by the Apostles holy triumph in this case, We are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken: cast down, but not destroyed. The ground hereof is the assistance which God affordeth us, and the strength which he communicateth to us.
IX. All things shall work together for the good of the Regenerate. Rom. 8.28.And God will do them good by all in the latter end. Deut. 8.16.He will turn their losses into gain, their crosses into comforts, their sorrows into joy, their cursing into blessings. Those afflictive providences which seem to be most prejudicial unto them, will in the issue prove most beneficial. As we see in Ioseph, The evil which his brethren intended against him, Gen. 50.20.turned to his good. Their selling him as a slave to the Ishmaelites, proved the means of his advancement. How did Ma…asses imprisonment work for his good? For the text saith,2 Chron. 33.11, 12. When he was in affliction, he besought the Lord, and humbled himself greatly, and the Lord was entreated of him. To know that nothing shall hurt a child of God, is ground of exceeding great comfort and consolation. But to be assured, that all things, even all cross-providences shall work together for his good, is enough to fill the heart with joy. Oh then how great is the happiness of every Regenerate person! who may be assured that whatsoever befalleth him, shall be for his good, and doth work together for the best. Certainly, he may truly say, Soul take thy spiritual ease, for here is much spiritual good treasured up for thee.
X. A blessed death. Rev. 14.13.For so saith the Spirit, Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord; that is, in the faith of Christ. Who are blessed, both because then they rest from their labours, from all their toyl and pains, from all their griefs and sorrows. As also because their works do follow them, through free-grace in glorious rewards.
The souls of the Regenerate, so soon as they are by death separated from the body, go immediately into Heaven, as is clear from that speech of our Saviour to the converted thief on the Cross,Luk. 23.43. This day thou shalt be with me in Paradice, which place the Apostle expoundeth to be the third Heaven. 2 Cor. 12.24.The word in the Original translated, this day, implyes, that immediately after the breathing of his soul out of his body,foreign his soul should go to Heaven. And thus it is with all the Regenerate, unto whom death is like the red-Sea to the Israelites, even a passage, and thorow-fair into the Heavenly Canaan.
XI. An happy Resurrection. For at the sound of the last Trumpet all the Regenerate shall arise out of their graves, like so many Iosephs out of Prison. Whatsoever imperfections were before in their bodies (as blindness, lameness, crookedness) shall then be done away. Though the body was sowen in corruption, yet it shall be raised in incorruption, 1 Cor. 15.42.not to be subject to any manner of aches, pains, diseases, or imperfections. Though it were sowen in weakness, it shall be raised in power. And though it was sowen in dishonour, it shall be raised in glory. Here it is many times deformed, but then all deformities and defects shall be removed, and the body made more glorious, through the admirable beauty thereof. Certainly if the Beauty of all the Men and Women in the World were concentred in one, it would be far short of the Beauty of the Saints in Heaven, whose bodies shall shine more gloriously than the Sun in the Firmament.
XII. The last and highest priviledge of the Regenerate is, That they shall have an Heavenly inheritance. Fathers on earth use to provide inheritances for their Children.1 Pet. 1.3, 4. And the Apost…e Peter, Blesseth God, who hath begotten us to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven. The Regenerate in this life poss…ss Heaven in Christ,Coelum in Christo possidetis. Tertullian de Resurrectione. but hereafter they shall enjoy it in their own persons. When they come to enjoy this heavenly inheritance, they shall not only be freed from all evils, both bodily and spiritual: but likewise replenished with all good. Their minds shall be inlightned, their wills reformed, their memories made blessed treasures, their consciences purged, their hearts purified, their affections rectified, their bodies glorified, and all these perfectly. There shall be a blessed communion of all the Saints together, who shall enjoy the society of Angels, and fellowship with Christ himself, whose surpassing excellency they shall cleerly behold, and partake of that glory wherewith he is arrayed. What tongue can express? what heart can conceive the excellency thereof?
If Peter, Iames and Iohn seeing but some small glimpse of Christs glory and Majesty in his transfiguration, were so ravished therewith, that setting aside all worldly desires, they wished only the continuance thereof. Then how shall the Saints in Heaven be ravished with joy and comfort, when they shall continually behold their Saviour Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of his Father, like a triumphant Conquerour, having subdued his, and his Churches enemies.
Thus have I shewed you some of the glorious priviledges of the Regenerate. Oh happy day may that Man or Woman say, as long as they live, when God by his Spirit Regenerated them, and made them new creatures! Many keep their birth day, as a day of rejoycing and feasting. But they who know the day of their new-birth, may well make that a day of rejoycing while they live, in regard of the many glorious priviledges whereof they are thereby partakers.