A Comment Upon Christs Last Prayer, Verse 20

A Comment Upon Christs Last Prayer · Verse 20

p. 1M^R HOOKER'S Seventeenth Book Made in NEW-ENGLAND.

JOHN, 17.20.

I Pray not for theſe alone: but for them alſo who ſhall beleeve on me through their word.

IN this 17. Chapter: We have a moſt heavenly prayer of our Savior, expreſſed immediately before his departure hence, which I ſuppoſe he preſents to the Father, not as a man, or yet Miniſter of the Circumciſion, unto whom he was ſent, but as Mediator, & is part of that Interceſſion, which he performeth in the behalf of his Church and people. And being now ſhortly to offer up himſelf, and to lay down his life for his Children, and to go out of the World, (as though his ſoul had been tranſported into the Suburbs of Heaven, as though he would unbowel p. 2his deareſt and heart-blood deſires into the boſom of his Father) he ſends this prayer before-hand in the power of his Interceſſion, to lie leidger there in the behalf of his Diſciples and faithful ones, that ſo he might fully provide for their everlaſting life and ſpiritual welfare, before he left his own life, and provide comfort in Heaven to be ſent down to them, before he left the Earth, and went to Heaven.

A Prayer of unconceiveable and incomparable worth, above al that ever was expreſſed or recorded in the word: Like a confection or compound of thoſe ſoveraigne excellencies; beyond the higheſt ſtrayn of the deſires or conceivings of the ſouls of the Saints.

That which containes the quinteſſence or the pith of al the cordialls of the Goſpel; the very marrow of al that great redemption, he had wrought and purchaſed: the higheſt pitch of al that happineſs, which Heaven can afford, or the very richeſt Diamond in the crown of Glory: for that we may ſee, he here prayes for ſomething beyond glory, that for which glory was made, and therefore better than glory it ſelf, for ſo the words: I have given them my Glory, that they may be one, as we are one. So that that is the end of Glory, and therefore better than Glory, able to carry the heart beyond al the riches of admiration.

This is expreſſed in the parts of it according to the parties for whom it is made, and thoſe are two.

1 For himſelf to verſ. 6.

2 For his ſervants and thoſe

His Apoſtles. ver. 6. to ver. 20.

The reſt of Beleevers.

Hence generally for our imitation and direction, learn from our Savior.

1. That the firſt eſpecial ſcope of Prayer ſhould be for ſuch things that do more eſpecially concern us.

Whether it be in regard of any thing which reſpects p. 3the Glory of God, the furtherance of his truth, or the good and benefit of ſuch, whoſe conditions or relations do moſt neerly touch us; for thus Prayer ſerves the end beſt, for which it is appointed by God, and for which it ſhould be uſed by us, to help forward the occaſions that be under our hands: Prayer is like the paſſing boat of the Ferry, it helps al Travellers, but it attends them next, that come firſt; So it was with Jacob, it plyed God for the particular, and eſpecially where the pinch lay, Gen. 32.10.11. So Eleazar, good Lord make it hit right to day. Gen. 24.12. And it ſeems it was that which God complaines of Iſa. 64. At leaſt he condemnes in Joſuah, that his hand was in the wrong box. Joſ. 7.10. quorſum hoc? not that he faſted, but that he ſearched nor, examined not the ſin, and ſought not the reformation of that which indeed did eſpecially concern him.

The preſent work done, want to be ſupplied, the way of Providence furthered. Here is our prick and mark at which our prayers ſhould aim, we muſt not ſhoot at rovers, Prayer like a Skilful Phyſitian, ſtudies the cure of al diſeaſes, but adminiſters a receipt to him, whoſe neceſſities preſent themſelves.

2. Prayers muſt be of a ſpeeding nature ſo to attend perſons or things of preſent neceſſity, as to reach al in a right order. So David Pſal. 50.2. laſt. Paul brings in al Churches within the compaſs of his care and of his prayers. I make mention alwayes of you; and of you al in my prayers, and this almoſt in al his Epiſtles. Prayer is like the blood and ſpirits which paſs through the whol body of Chriſt, and hath its conveyance even into the leaſt member and joynt. Like a Pinnace of diſpatch, that gives intelligence from each quarter.

The Subjects of our Saviors Prayer are ſet forth, two wayes.

p. 41 From their quality and ſpecial effect, they ſhal beleeve: and that from the generality of the

Object, in Me.

Time, Hereafter.

Inſtrument by which it ſhal be wrought, by their word.

2. From a compariſon of equality or parity. i. e. Chriſt prayes not alone for the Apoſtles, but equally, but indifferently, for al, as wel as they.

For Explication, there is nothing difficult but that: what is meant by their word.

That is the Goſpel, which they publiſhed by preaching, or left upon record in writing, as they were inſpired by the ſpirit: The Lord Chriſt providing therein for the good of his Church, unto the end of the world, that ſo they might have the path of life paved out before them, and a certain rule to guid them, until the end of the world. Not that none did formerly beleeve by the word of the Prophets in the Old Teſtament, for even then alſo the Goſpel was preached, Gal. 3.8. Preached the Goſpel to Abraham, in thy ſeed ſhal all the Nations of the Earth be bleſſed. The word was preached to them, as wel as to us, and it was a word of promiſe Heb. 4.1.2. And therefore the Apoſtle profeſſed, He preached no other things, but what were contained and expreſſed in the law and the Prophets. Acts, 26.22. the Prophets and Moſes did ſay, ſhould come; the Prophets foretold, in the Types was prefigured, and in the Covenant expreſſed, in Geneſis promiſed. So that this their word is oppoſed to two things.

1. Ʋnto the Law, which is our Schoolmaſter, to whip us unto Chriſt, but is not able, either to declare him to us, or to work faith in us. Its that which onelyonly makes way for faith, but is not that ſeed, whereof faith is made and begotten: and therefore when it was ſaid, Faith comes by hearing and the word, Rom. 10.17. if ye look into verſ. 15. foregoing, ye ſhal ſee what word is meant: How beautiful are the feet of thoſe that p. 5bring the Goſpel of peace?

2. It is oppoſed to al the Doctrines of men, al humane devices, al unwritten traditions, al conceited revelations which are nothing but Satanical deluſions; in which there is no power to beget faith, no ground to ſupport it.

We have here two points.

The word of the Goſpel is the onelyonly ordinary means to work Faith.Doct.

It was not onelyonly then, when the Apoſtles were preaching and planting, not onelyonly there and in thoſe coaſts, where the ſound of the Goſpel was Glorious and Famous: But whoever did then, and whoever ſhal beleeve, unto the end of the world… for After-times, in al ages, and in al places, in an ordinary courſe of Gods diſpenſations, (leaving ſecret exceptions, or miraculous proceedings in the privy purpoſe of his counſel) there never was, nor ſhal be any under the power of Chriſts prayer, or poſſeſſed with the truth of ſaving Faith, but by this meanes, and this onelyonly.

He prayes for no other than bel…vers, he wil own none, ſave none, but ſuch. And therefore none but ſuch have ſaving Faith. And that is the reaſon, why the Goſpel is ſet in oppoſition to the law: Rom. 10.5. compared with verſ. 9. The word of Faith is that which is neer unto us. Hence its called the Miniſtration of life and power. 2 Cor. 3. When the Law is ſaid to be weak, through the infirmity of our fleſh, Rom. 8.3. and not able to give life, Gal. 3.21.

Reaſon, 1.

Becauſe the Goſpel alone reveales that which may ſatisfy our ſpiritual neceſſities, and anſwer the expectation p. 6of our faith, and the deſires of our Souls: upon the ſenſe and feeling of thoſe evils, which as unſupportable, would otherwiſe ſink them, This is the Argument the Apoſtle gives, Rom. 1.16. I am not aſhamed of the Goſpel of God; For it is the power of God unto Salvation: and why? Becauſe by it the righteouſneſs of God is revealed, from faith to faith. i. e. from one degree of faith unto another.

A man is unrighteous, and poſſeſſed of the power and preſence of it, and under the hand of revenging juſtice by reaſon of the ſame.

And where may a righteouſneſs be found, which may anſwer the neceſſities of the Soul? the Law never diſcovered this, the creatures never heard of it, the wiſdome of man could never reach it, nay the excellency of all the knowledg of all Angels was never able to deviſe: but Chriſt who came out of the Boſome of the Father, hath wrought this righteouſneſs and by the Goſpel hath brought life and Immortality to light (2 Tim. 1.10.) which otherwiſe had never ſeen light, and therefore it is, that the glad tidings of peace is ſaid to come this way, and is not to be heard from any other coaſt. Tydings of evil come, like Jobs Meſſengers from every quarter, tidings we heare from the law, are nothing but threatnings and wrath, ready to condemn us: tidings from our own hearts are nothing but guilt and fear, to terrifie and arreſt us: tidings from Hell are yet worſe, there be nothing but accuſations ſubtil and Malicious, and thoſe preſent us, at home and abroad, in Earth and in Heaven at Gods Tribunal, and require preſent execution to be done upon ſuch undeſerving creatures. OnelyOnly, the glad tidings come from the Goſpel.

Jeſus Chriſt came to ſave ſinners. This is a faithful word and worthy of al acceptance and therefore the Soul looks out and ſaies, It may be. This keeps the Head above Water.

p. 7Reaſon. 2.

Here, in the Goſpel only is certainty to be had of ſome intereſt and ſpecial Title; whereby the Soul may be encouraged, and faith alſo find ſome foot-hold, whereby the heart may bottom and bear up it ſelf in ſome confidence. For righteouſneſs there is to be had from God in Chriſt: but this Iſſues only (in the communication of it) from free mercy. The Lord may do with his own what he will; and therefore he may deny whom he wil, and give to whom he pleaſe; how then ſhal I know, and have any ground or evidence, upon any certainty that he wil do good to me? God is bound to none.

True. God is bound to none further then he will bind himſelf; and he binds himſelf in no wiſe to the creature, but by his promiſe, and that he wil never deny, who cannot deny himſelf. Now in the Goſpel only this promiſe and ingagement of God is revealed, he hath promiſed to work the condition, and then tied himſelf in his truth to do good to thoſe, whom he wil ſo fit for his mercy. And now the Soul upon this notice grows in upon God, here is a handle, as it were, for faith to lay hold on, therefore ſaid a word of promiſe, Rom. 9.9. and therefore the whole Goſpel is called the promiſe. Gal. 3.29. Beleevers are ſaid to be the Children of the promiſe, that is, of the Goſpel.

Reaſon. 3.

The Goſpel is the only means, whereby the Soul is inabled, with power from above, even with a Spirit of Grace f… to go for ſuccour and reliefe; where it is thus evidenced, and whence it hath now received ſome intimation of Gods ingagement, intendment and ſo of certainty, by which it may be incouraged to go upon ſuch p. 8grounds, as will never fail nor break under a man. That he may go ſtedily and comfortably 2. Cor. 3.6. Its ſaid to be the adminiſtration of the Spirit. Not of the Letter; that is, there is not Barely a diſcovery and manifeſtation of what Gods mind and counſel is, that ſhould be done; ſuch the ſenſe and meaning of words and ſentences may deſcry, ſet out, and hold forth. But there is a Spirit of power, that is promiſed, and ſo diſpenſed and conveyed in and by this word, for to inable the Soul to do that, which the Letter ſhews it ſhould do; Gods ſaying is doing, his calling is making: he ſpeaks not only to the ear, but conveyes a power by ſpeaking. Lazaruscome forth. The dead ſhall hear. John. 5.25. Gal. 3.3. Received ye the Spirit (even this Spirit) by the preaching of the Law, or by the Doctrin of faith?

This is the word by which God begets us. Jam. 1.18. If in the Goſpel there be that freeneſs of Grace, that is ſufficient to anſwer all the neceſſities and deſires of the Heart: certainty of promiſe to incourage it, if it ſhal come, and power and Spirit to inable it for to come: Then, The word of the Goſpel is the only meanes to work faith.

Uſe. 1. Of Terror.

This diſcovers the woeful and miſerable condition of ſuch, who want this Goſpel: But eſpecially the hainouſneſs of the ſin, and the dreadful condemnation of ſuch, who Oppoſe the Goſpel. God hath ſhut up al under unbelief, in the Kingdom of darkneſs under the power of the Prince of darkneſs: they look out as priſoners through the Grates of Hell, and Infidelity; there is no poſſibility to help to a Key to open this Dore, but the Key of the Goſpel; they wilfully keep the Dore bolted, and refuſe the only help, which the Lord hath provided, Chriſt hath purchaſed with his Blood, appointed p. 9and ſanctified by his ſpirit, and doth promiſe to accompany for their deliverance, yea this they oppoſe. This was the doom and ſentence which Paul paſſed upon them, Act. 13.46. Ye judg your ſelves unworthy of everlaſting life, by putting away the word: Thou ſtoppeſt thine ear at the glad tidings of it, ſhutteſt thine eyes at the righteouſneſs thereof, Putteſt by and caſteſt away, withdraweſt thy ſoul from under the prevailing power of that word.

Know: Thou needeſt no Devil to accuſe, no witneſs to evidence, no Judg to condemn, thy practiſe doth judg thy ſelf unworthy, unfit to receive Grace, who reſiſteſt it; to ſhare in mercy, who deſpiſeſt it; or to injoy eternal life, who haſt rejected the offer of eternal life. So Paul again ſent thoſe away with their load, when they refuſed to hear. Act. 28.26.

Uſe, 2. Inſtruction and Comfort.

Therefore this word of the Goſpel ſhal undoubtedly be preſerved and publiſhed, and that until the end of the world; as long as the Lord Chriſt hath any to be gathered, any of his to be brought home to himſelf by a ſaving Faith. They ſhal beleeve by this, therefore they ſhal have this, maugre al the malice, the power and policy of Hel, the rage and reſtleſs oppoſition of al the inſtruments of Satan. That word cannot be falſefied, This Prayer cannot be fruſtrated, and therefore, This work cannot be hind…ed. Seem it never ſo improbable, never ſo impoſſible in our Eyes, and feeble apprehenſions Meaſure not the power and Faithfulneſs and wiſdom of the Lord, by the ſcantling of our ſhallow apprehenſions: but know, he hath ſaid it, and he wil doe it.

The fan is in his hand, not in any mans hand. Its ſaid of the Apoſtles their ſound went through the world. They are compared to the courſe of the Sun, in his Sphoere and Orb. So it wil be with his meſſenger, when p. 10it is his mind to cal any of his. His Doctrine is as the dew, no man can hinder it from falling; Either the means to the man, or the man to the means he wil ſend: Oneſimus his theft ſhal bring him to priſon, and ſo to Pauls miniſtery, and ſo to Heaven: Naaman muſt go to be cured of his Leproſy, and ſo meets with the Prophet to cure him of his ſin. Philip is ſent poſt to the Eunuches Coach, though it was in an extraordinary way.

Uſe, 3. Examination.

Know whether our Faith be of the right make or no. Ask whence came it? where hadſt thou thy Faith? by what word? If it came the right way, It came by preaching the Goſpel.

It wil ſhew thee,

1. Thou hadſt once none.

2. That thou art not able to beleeve.

Jam 1.18. By bis own good wil begat be us, by the word of truth.

If thou canſt ſay; I heard thus and thus of a Chriſt, and ſo I beleeved: then it is in thy wil to beleeve, not in Gods wil that begets thee. 3. It wil ſhew thee, that Faith is made of the immortal Seed of the word, 1 Pet. 1.23. that is the Spirit in the promiſe; That as a man is made up of the Seed which enters his conſtitution: ſo made up of promiſes. Hither belongs that of Eph. 5.30. We are Fleſh, of his Fleſh, and Bone, of his Bone. i. e. As the woman was made of the Rib of Adam: So Faith hath its fleſh and bones out of the promiſe: and the root of it is in Chriſt, for the firſt ſtrok of it.

Uſe, 4. Exhortation.

Therefore In the want of Faith; bring our own Souls, bring our Wives and little ones, and beſeech the Lord, that one word may be ſpoken to them, to beleeve and Live.

p. 11The means or inſtrument whereby Sinners are brought to beleeve was the word. That is finiſhed.

2 The Parties Faith was ſet forth from the object of it. ME. Beleeve in Chriſt.

Saving Faith hath the Lord Jeſus for its object.Doct.

So the text. Though not him alone, to exclude the other Perſons, ſo not them alone, to exclude himſelf. Ye beleeve in God; beleeve alſo in me. That ye beleeve in the Father is not enough, ye muſt beleeve alſo in the Son, and by like reaſon in the Holy Ghoſt. Joh. 14.1. This is eternal life (faith our Savior) to know thee, the onelyonly true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. i. e. To beleeve in the Father and Son, is that onelyonly means appointed to bring in eternal life.

The Second thing is.

The Parties for whom Chriſt prayers are here ſet forth by a Compariſon of equality and parity. I pray not for my Apoſtles alone, who are the main Pillars of the Church, & now to be ſent upon the moſt weighty imployments, that can be committed to the hands of f…e…le men, to publiſh the Goſpel to every creature, to plant Churches, and to gather mine elect from al the corners of the world; notwithſtanding al the oppoſition they ſhal find from Hel, and fierce perſecution they ſhal meet withal, from the hands of unreaſonable men. And therefore ſince the work lyes firſt upon their hands, and requires preſent performance, and ſo have need preſently to be remembred, and to have the firſt place in my prayer.

Yet my love and care reacheth proportionably, even to al the meaneſt and feebleſt of my ſervants, that ſhal beleeve in me, unto the end of the world: though they come in the ſecond rank, yet ſhal they ſhare alike in p. 12my prayers. For I pray for them, as for theſe. That they may know, I remembred them before they were: and wil not therefore forget them, when they ſhal be here in the conflicting times, upon the face of the Earth.

The Interceding Prayer, or Interceſsion of our Savior doth alike reſpect al, that ſhal beleeve in his name.Doct.

I cal it here an Interceding Prayer, becauſe herein his Interceſſion is in a ſpecial manner both expreſſed and accompliſhed. For it is not to be attended as a prayer which he put up, as man alone, or as the miniſter of the Circumciſion, as the Apoſtle calls him. Rom. 15.8. For then it can avail no further, then the prayer of a man without ſin will do: and anſwerable to that kind of willing. Math. 23.37. How often would I have gathered them &c.

But its here the ſpecial work of Interceſſion, and proceeds from him, as God and man, Mediator of his elect and faithful, and ſo Interceſſion in their behalf: That being (as I told you) ſhortly to offer up himſelf, he ſends his prayer, as the great high Prieſt of his Church, in power of his Interceſſion, to lie Leidger there in the behalf of his beloved Children, that he might provide in Heaven for them, before he leſt the Earth. And this prayer is part of that Interceſſion he now puts ſorth, at the right Hand of the Father. So that the Sum in ſhort is.

Chriſts Interceſsion was intended for all beleevers alike.

Hence are al theſe general and indefinite expreſſions, as p. 13carrying an equal Eye unto all, without any Special reſtraint to any particular, of what quality or condition ſoever. Heb. 7.25. He is able to ſave them that came unto God by him; (i.e. Who beleeve in him) ſeeing he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them. i. e. For any of them, for every one of them, that ſhall beleeve. And therefore it was, when the high Prieſt was to go into the Holy of Holies, he was to bear the names of the twelve Tribes upon his Breaſt-plate i.e. The names of all the Saints, which ſhould profeſs the Faith, and by Faith beleeve in him. And it is the condition of the great work of our Redemption, it carries no reſpect of perſons with it (provided they be under the condition and terms of the covenant) it lies open unto all.

That which Jude ſpake of Salvation, its true of the whole work of Mediation and Interceſſion, Common Salvation: Common Interceſſon. In Chriſt Jeſus, nor Jew, nor Gentile, Graecian, nor Barbarian, Bond nor Free, Male nor Female. So that of Paul Rom. 5. If reconciled by his Death, when ſinners; much more ſhall we be ſaved by his life, being reconciled. If the death of our Saviour could purchaſe our Reconciliation; much more ſhal his life (now interceding in Heaven) be able to ſave us, i.e. All for whom he died.

I ſhall open here.

1 The Nature and manner of this Interceſſion.

2 The works and vertue of it.

3 The reaſons of the point, why it appertaines to all the Saints.

1 This Interceſſion, or the manner of our Saviors praying muſt thus be conceived: that he doth preſent his merits & obedience before the Father as fully performed in the behalf of his elect, and (according to the righteous covenant and agreement paſt between them) doth challenge the communication of al that ſpiritual good he hath purchaſed, and the Father hath promiſed to beſtow upon them. That is the meaning of that expreſſion p. 14in ver. 24. Father I will, that thoſe whom thou haſt given me, be where I am, that they may beh…ld my Glory. It is my good pleaſure, that they ſhould enjoy that happineſs, that thou haſt given me. and given to them, in me, according as thou haſt promiſed.

2. The work of this Interceſsion is.

To act all our affayrs with God the Father, to further our comfort & ſpiritual wellfare here on Earth, until we come to him in Heaven, and to ſhal have an end of al our wants, feares, and deſires; that we ſhall want nothing that is good, …o… ſear any thing that is evil, nor deſire any further or more perfect good to be added, which is ab…ent from us: but he takes care, al ſhal be fully accomliſhed. As it is with States, who have Affayre… or great conſequences, depending in other countries, they have their Ambaſſadors, which ly Leidger at Court, to take advantages to continue Love and honourable Correſpondence betwixt the King and States, and to diſcover all undermining Plots, which my breed any diſtaſt, and ſo procure no ſmal dammage to thoſe who do imploy them. So it is with our Savior, he is gone to Heaven, and there remaines a Leidger with God the Father, that he may obſerve, and take al ſuch Special advantages, for acompliſhment of the comforts of his.

Queſt. If you ask; What be thoſe Spiritual affayres of ours, there to be tranſacted?

Anſw. They appear in three Particulars.

1. Our Savior being in higheſt Honor and favor in the Court of Heaven, and of moſt perfect intelligence touching all the counſels, purpoſes, and proceedings of the Father: He there ſpeaks good unto God the Father, in our behalf dayly: ſets on going al the paſſages of Providence, in juſtice, and mercy, grace, and Truth, p. 15Patience and Bounty, as may beſt anſwer al the occaſions of the Churches, in al their conditions, as may moſt concern them: And anſwerably ſends an expreſs by the powerful operation of his good Spirit, into the Hearts of his people. So verſe. 11. Keep them through thin own name. Joh. 16.15. All things that the Father hath, are mine, therefore ſaid I, that he ſhal take of mine. Chriſt hath liberty to take of all the choiceſt of the Treaſures of Heaven, and thoſe he doth, and ſends them by the ſpirit unto the Hearts of his people. Joh. 14.16. I will pray the Father and he ſhal give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Thus our Saviour doth us many ſecret kindneſſes, which we little conſider: and ſends privy Intimation, how things go in Heaven in our behalf.

2. He ſtands betwixt us and our Harms by theſe his prayers and Interceſſion, and if there by any evil plotted, or intended againſt us, or hurt coming to us, he foreſees it, and way-laies it, that it may not be to our prejudice in any particular. The guilt of new ſins daily committed, freſh accuſations of conſcience, new pleas which Satan the accuſer of the Brethren would dayly commence and put up unto divine juſtice againſt us.

Our Saviour, he is our Advocate, undertakes our cauſe; pleads for us, and prevailes: gives in ſo ful ſatiſfaction unto divine Juctice, that neither ſin, nor world, nor Satan, can be heard againſt us. Theſe ſins have been committed, theſe diſhonors done, theſe evils practiſed, ſaies Satan, and the world can witneſs, and their own conſciences. Yea ſaies divine Juſtice: Their Advocate hath been here, hath plainly and truly related all theſe; they are not new, and hath fully anſwered and ſatisfied to the utmoſt that can be exacted. Rom. 8.34. Here is the ground of the Apoſtles Triumph: Who is he that condemneth? it is Chriſt that died, nay makes Interceſſion for us. So that there is neither condemnation nor accuſation that can get any hearing againſt them, p. 16for they are al before diſcovered▪ and anſwered: the Lord Chriſt hath intelligence of their intendments, and diſappoints them wholly.

3. He intercepts all our prayers and performances, which we tender up unto God, and perfumes them with the ſweet Odors of the incenſe of his own Interceſſion, and ſo they find acceptance, and make a pleaſant ſavor in the Noſtrils of the Almighty. As it is with brackiſh Water, which comes from the Sea, paſſing through ſome precious Gold or Silver Mines, it becomes, not only ſweet and purified, but of Soveraign vertue and taſt. So it is with our ſervices, being brackiſh with many baſe diſtempers, which cleave to them and us, being intercepted by the Interceſſion of our Saviour, and paſſing through the Rich mines of his Merits and obedience, they prove marvailous pleaſing and acceptable to the Lord. Rev. 8.3. The prayers of the Saints are offered up, upon the Golden Altar of our Saviors precious Merits. As an Advocate in the Court, if any of his Clients commend their cauſe to ska…ning, though they be weak and unskilful, yet he can ripen them, and being Rectified, preſent them ſo ordered, as that they may find acceptance with the Lord, through the influence of this Application of the vertue of his Merits.

3 The Reaſons are three.

1. Becauſe our Savior Chriſt hath indifferently undertaken the Salvation of al his Children: and therefore out of his faithfulneſs it cannot be, but he ſhould indifferently attain the accompliſhment of it, in the behalf of them. This was the Covenant and Agreement betwen God the Father and Chriſt. Thoſe that the Father in his counſel determined, he commended them all unto the care of our Savior, and gave him the liſt, as it were of their names, that he ſhould look, that none of them miſcarry: Our Saviour did freely undertake p. 17that charge, for al thoſe ſo committed to his care: and therefore for al, muſt diſcharge that truſt alike. Joh. 6.37.38, 39, 40. All that the Father giveth me, ſhal come to me &c. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own wil, but the wil, of him that ſent me. And this is the wil of the Father, that of al which he hath given me, I ſhould loſe none. And this is his wil, that he that ſeeth and beleeveth ſhould have everlaſting life &c. And he profeſſeth he was faithful herein. Joh. 10.14, 15, 16. I am the good Shepherd: I lay down my life &c. And I have other Sheep, and they muſt come. And therefore when he hath gathered al his elect, and brought in his tally, Here am I, and the Children thou haſt given me, He ſhall then reſign up the Kingdom to the Father.

2 Becauſe this is common to all alike. The whole work of redemption is common to al that muſt be redeemed. But this is one part: Ex…tation, anſwerable to his humiliation, Rom. 4. and the laſt. The whole ſum is every mans. Its called the common Salvation. Joh. 16, 8, 10. This is a convincing of the world of righteouſneſs, becauſe I go to the Father. Els it had not been complete righteouſneſs.

3 Becauſe its neceſſary alike unto al. Rom. 5.10. How much more ſhall we be ſaved by his life? Heb. 7.25. He lives that he may ſave perfectly. The Application is as neceſſary, as the Redemption. There is the vertue of his death and merits to purchaſe life; And then, the vertue of his Interceſſion to apply it: to continue, and perpetuate the vigour and vertue of it.

If Chriſt hath undertaken for all alike. If it be common unto all: If it be alike needful for all: Then its that which Chriſt intends to al his.

Uſe 1 for Inſtruction.

Its impoſſible for a beleever to periſh, to looſe his Grace, to fal away, either totally, or finally from Chriſt, p. 18and ſo to be deprived in the Iſſue of eternal life. I Reaſon thus;

That which our Savior died for, prayed for, and doth now make Interceſſion in Heaven for that, he can never fail to attain.

But for the perſeverance of the Saints, and for their everlaſting Salvation, he died, and he did Pray, and doth pray at this day for.

Therefore he cannot but attain his end, and they alſo their happineſs.

So he profeſſeth, and hath left it upon record, to eſtabliſh the Faith of al His, in their greateſt ſhocks. Joh 11.41, 42. Father, I thank thee, that thou haſt heard me; And I knew that thou heareſt me alwaies &c. Chriſt hath here proclaimed it, we may conclude, and that undoubtedly, that which he knows, who could not be deceived: we may know it for a truth, and that it wil never deceive us. Chriſt is ever heard, and therefore the Saints ſhal alwaies be aſſiſted, ſupported, inabled to be faithful to the end, and in the end. If Chriſt may not be heard, then thou maieſt not be helped: and if he wil looſe his prayer, then thou maieſt looſe thy comfort and grace. But that is incredible, this is impoſſible.

Beſides how diſhonorable is this Doctrine of falling away, unto the Lord Jeſus, and the work of his Mediation, which in the Iſſue advanceth the power of our ſin, and the policy of Satan, above the vertue of the death of Chriſt, and the power of the prayer of Chriſt; For it ſaith thus much: That the policy of Satan is more able to undermine us, than his prayer to preſerve us: His temptation to deſtroy us, than the Interceſſion of Chriſt to ſave us.

No, Be the aſſaults never ſo fierce, the allurements never ſo ſubtil, corruptions never ſo ſtrong, Nay let all the power of Darkneſs do the worſt. The prayer of p. 19Chriſt wil yet ſhore up the meaneſt Saint in the greateſt ſafety: Luk. 22.32. Satan hath deſired to winnow (he would have winnowed all the Grace out of his Heart, but our Savior he made proviſion for him, and concludes) but I have prayed, that thy Faith fail not, and there leaves it, as though there was not then the leaſt ſhadow or fear of any miſcarriage. For it might have been ſaid: may be, Satan wil be too hard, not only for my Grace, but for thy prayer: No, our Savior leaves it beyond al queſtion, for its ſo far from any appearance of probability, that the thought of it is no leſs than blaſphemy.

Uſe 2 for Direction:

To take heed, how we deal injuriouſly, or carry our ſelves offenſively towards the meaneſt beleever: Be his place never ſo low, his condition never ſo baſe, his abilityes never ſo feeble and deſpicable in thine Eye: The prayer of Jeſus is to preſerve them from evil, and therefore wil be againſt thee, who intendeſt to do evil againſt them. It was the Argument of our Savior; Math. 18.10. Take heed that ye deſpiſe not one of theſe little ones: for I tel you, that in Heaven their Angels do alwaies behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven. If this was a reaſon of force, as no queſtion it is, that they ſhould not deſpiſe thoſe, whoſe Guardians are the glorious Angels, the Special Attendants at the Court of Heaven: How much more that the Son of God doth pray dayly for them, who is far above al principalities and powers, and advanced at Gods right Hand.

Uſe 3.

Conſolation unſpeakeable and glorious, even to the meaneſt of the Saints; when they are beſet with greateſt p. 20enemies, and that in greateſt neceſſities, and moſt unable to ſuccor themſelves: know there is ſupport that will never fail thee. Thy ſins plead againſt thee; 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. Here is an Advocate, who pleads for thee, and wil undoubtedly carry the cauſe. Thy conſcience that accuſeth, Satan he condemnes; But they al come too late: There is one between them and home, who intercedes and makes perfect ſatiſfaction, and alſo ful communication thereof: therefore Paul flings the gantlet. May be thy Heart and prayers and life and al ſeem to fail thee: Here is one, who lives alwaies and prayes alwaies, and is heard alwaies; and therefore able to ſave to the uttermoſt, them that come.

Object. True, happy they who have a ſhare in that Interceſſion: but ſo ſinful a creature, ſo ſilly a wretch, ſo loathſom an one as I? unworthy that Chriſt ſhould ever have me in his thoughts, much leſs ſhould ever pray for me.

Anſw. Yes, for thee, if thou haſt but Faith as a grain of Muſtard-ſeed: not only for Peter: for his Apoſtles: but for thee, ſilly Woman, Ignorant Child &c.

Uſe 4.

TERROR. This is a thunderbolt to break the heart, and Split the hopes of al worldlings under Heaven.

Doth then thy converſation witneſs? doth thine own heart confeſs it? That,

The day is yet to dawn, the hour yet to come, that ever God ſpake to thy Soul, or plucked thee out of the world, As thou were't, thou art: of the Earth, and ſpeakeſt of the Earth, in the old courſe, and led aſide with old luſts;

Know thou muſt, Chriſt hath ſhut thee out of his Prayrs, and thy Soul out of peace, and ſelf out of Heaven, for ought any living can tel: and I do not ſay, how p. 21ſleepeſt thou, but how canſt thou live, and hear and know this thy condition. That thou doſt not ſit down in ſilence, and thy Soul ſink and die away within thee in everlaſting diſcouragement, in the expectation of evil, that hangs over thy Head? and have thy life hang in doubt, that when thou goeſt our, thou ſhouldeſt never return, and when thou lieſt down, thou ſhouldeſt never riſe up again? Why? there is nothing to hinder, but the hand of Juſtice ſhould plague, and nothing to ſtay it: Thy ſins and Devils to make a prey and ſpoil of thee, and nothing to hinder it.

Bear not up thy ſelf with the Opinion of others, or their approbation, how their Hearts are to thee, and how wel they ſpeak of thee. But know; The Heart of Chriſt he hath diſcovered it, and profeſſed it, He prays not for the world, nor for thee, if one of them. Do not deceive thy ſelf, nor ſuffer Satan to delude thee with vain pretences, That notwithſtanding thy ſins and deſerts, yet there is redemption wrought by Chriſt: vertue and Salvation in the Blood of Jeſus: He died for ſinners, and his Death is able to redeem; becauſe Salvation is laid upon one that is mighty:

True, that is thy miſery: There is enough to be had, but he never ſuffered any thing, did any thing, intended any thing, nay purpoſed to ſpeak a good word for thee: but to leave thee to ſhift for thy ſelf, to the hand of Juſtice to plague, to the hand of Devils to torment, to the hand of thy ſins, to rule & damn thee. And he profeſſeth, he would not ſpend his breath, much leſs his Blood: I think thou haſt thy load, though I could yet lay it heavier. Hy thee for thy life out of the compaſs and company of the world, if ever thou wouldeſt be within the power of the prayer of Chriſt to thine own knowledg.

Uſe 5, Exhortation to beleevers;

To have our hearts raviſhed and our thoughts ſwallowed p. 22up with everlaſting admiration of this indeared love of the Lord Jeſus to ſuch poor creatures: That he ſhould provide and reſerve the rarities of the Riches of his Grace for ſuch miſerable, worthleſs Worms. As Philip in the like caſe.

Why wilt thou ſhew thy ſelf to us, and not unto the world? why pray for us, ſpeak, intercede for us in Heaven, and not for the world? when there be ſo many wiſe, Rich, honorable, that thou never intendeſt any good unto, nor ever put teſt them within one ſentence of thy prayer? Lord, who am I, ſilly Woman, Ignorant Child, diſobedient, rebellious ſervant, that yet thou ſhouldeſt cal me out of the world, and make it thy great work in Heaven, to keep me in the world, and bring me to Heaven?

What wil you do, to honor this Chriſt, who hath thus honored you: how ſhould you indeavor to ſerve him in Earth, who indeed ſerves you in Heaven? He provides for your ſafety and comfort: provide you for his Glory. He ſtands betwixt you and your Harms, againſt al ſins, Devils, Temptations: ſtand you between him and his wrongs, that may be done to him.

Before we paſs from this verſe, one thing more may be ſhortly handled: and that taken from the conſideration of the Time; When theſe perſons ſhall beleeve, for whom our Savior here prayes; and that is cleerly diſcovered, to continue, until the end of the world, thoſe who yet were not in the world, and thoſe who ſhould beleeve, even at the end of the world, for theſe now our Savior praies. Hence.

Our Savior hath a ſpeciall care for thoſe that ſhal beleeve on him,Doct. even in the worſt condition of their Unbeleef.

So the text gives in, undeniable evidence; even before p. 23many had any being in Nature, and when ſome were, and others ſhould be brought into the world, and had neither mind to know God nor Heart to ſeek after Chriſt, or to pray for themſelves. Yet here ye ſee, our Savior takes in al thoſe now within the compaſs of his prayer and care, to provide for them, and to contrive all for their good, when they neither did, nor could care for him, or for themſelves: therefore its plain.

Our Savior cares for ſuch, who ſhal beleeve in him, when they are in the depth of their unbeleef: and his prayer is then working for their good, when they intend no good unto themſelves. Our Savior, when they were in the heat of that helliſh villany, in blaſpheming, and killing the Lord of life, even then he intends life to them, procures and purchaſeth life for them. Luk. 23, 34. Father, forgive them, they know not what they do. This prayer it was, that wrought more than Peters preaching, when his ſpirit was warmed with the Love of Jeſus, and the Blood of a dying Savior ran freſh now, in al the Veins of his Heart, and the power and vertue of it was mighty upon the conſciences of Peters Hearers, ſuch, as had before been Crucifyers of the Lord of life. It then took place and prevailed mightily. Iſa. 57.18. I have ſeen his waies, &c, though he ſee not himſelf.

See this made good in ſome particulars, as

1. In the ſeveral degrees of it,

2. The Reaſon,

and 3. The Uſe.

This care, and the vertue of this prayer of our Savior will appear thus, in five Particulars.

Hence 1. It is, that the Lord contrives means in the waies of his. Providence for the bringing of theſe men into the world, ſo that the Parents and Predeceſſors of ſuch, though happily deſperately wicked and forlorn, ſhal yet have their ſtock and poſterity continued in the world; becauſe they ſhal bring theſe into the world, who ſhal beleeve. And therefore it is, the patience of p. 24God is extended towards many a wicked parent, nay to the whole ſtock and Linage of vile and looſe men; not for their ſakes, but the ſakes and cauſe of ſome that ſhal come of them, whom the Lord Chriſt doth purpoſe to bring to himſelf. Math. 24.22. Had not God ſhortned thoſe daies, no fleſh had been ſaved: but for his Elects ſake, the Lord ſhortned thoſe daies. i.e. The generation of the Jews now rejecting and moſt Helliſhly blaſpheming the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, had ſo provoked the Eyes of the Lord; That ſhould he in Juſtice have proceeded againſt them, and executed his righteous Judgments, either as the Nature of their ſins deſerved, or their Enemies intended, and out of their power and rage could eaſily have accompliſhed it, there had not been one Jew left alive to propagate their poſterity, or name, or Nation.

But the Lord had an Eye to his Elect, that ſhould come of theſe, in the laſt Age of the world, after ſo many Ages and generations paſt, when their dead Bones ſhal live, and the Redeemer ſhal come out of Sion, and turn Jacob from iniquity, then all Iſrael ſhal be ſaved: So the Apoſtle. Rom. 11.28. Hated for their ſins ſake: but beloved for their Fathers ſake, i.e. For Abraham, with whom, through Chriſt, the covenant of the Goſpel was made to him, and to his Seed: i.e. To al the faithful, whether Jew or Gentile: but with the Jew firſt, and then with the Graecian. For this calling and covenant, being everlaſting, is without repentance, and wil aſſuredly take place, in the ſeaſon thereof, when it ſhal be moſt ſutable to ſhew forth free grace.

2. The Lord even ſo provides, that ſuch means in an ordinary way of Providence, may be ſent, continued, and diſpenſed to ſuch, who never had a thought of them, enquired after them, or had a Heart to entertain them, when they are offered. Upon this ground the Lord appoints, and incourageth the Apoſtle. Act. 18.9, 10. Speak and hold not thy Tongue: Speak plainly and p. 25fully, fear no mans frowns, regard no mans favors, no man ſhal do thee harm: for I have people in this City. Thus the Spirit ſtopped the paſſage into Bithynia; for when they aſſayed, the Spirit ſuffered them not. Act. 16.7. But Chriſt ſends poſt, by an expreſs in a Viſion to Paul; A man of Macedonia appeares, with this Petition in his Hand, ſubſcribed by the Hearts of the meſſengers, Come into Macedonia, and help us. And when they came, the Iſſue ſhewes their Errand, A poor Woman, a Purple-ſeller, and a Stubborn and Rebellious ſpirited Jailour, was all the Markets he made.

But this is the Lords manner: if there be but one Grain of Corn in many heapes of Chaff, he wil never leave winnowing, rather than loſe it: ſend he wil, Meſſenger after Meſſenger, until he hath gathered that into his barn. Oneſimus, a Runnagate from his Maſter, without the reach of government of Goſpel: God coops him up in Priſon, and caſts Paul thither alſo, that ſo he may come to the ſpeech of him.

3. He keeps them by his reſtraining Grace, and ſome ſtrong hand of Providence, ſometimes from groſſer ſins (I ſay ſome of thoſe that ſhal beleeve from ſome loathſome and hainous evil) but alwaies, from falling into that ſin againſt the Holy Ghoſt: becauſe that is a Diſeaſe which admits no Remedy, a Dungeon of that depth from whence there is no deliverance: beyond the reach of the work of Redemption, as that which comes not within the compaſs of mercy, and the Riches of the compaſſion of the Almighty.

The Lord hath paſſed the ſentence, and that moſt Peremptory, and ſhews the deadly Malignity of that evil, by way of difference from all others. Math. 12.31. Wherefore I ſay unto you, all manner of ſin and Blaſphemy ſhall be forgiven unto men; but the Blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt ſhall never be forgiven, in this world, nor in the world to come. i.e. There is no p. 26Hope. It here cannot be pardoned: and at the great day he ſhal never be acquitted; neither here done, nor then declared. So that ſuch a perſon hath the Tombſtone of everlaſting deſtruction turnd upon him & ſealed: paſt Hope and help. And therefore the Apoſtle puts it upon an impoſſibility. Heb. 6.4. How far that goes, I wil not now diſpute, whether in regard of the covenant of the Goſpel, the counſel of the Lord, the Decree of the Almighty, that he ſhal never have Grace give him to repent: for then it ſhould not ſo much aggravate the hainouſneſs of the ſin: becauſe from impenitency and final preſev…rance in any ſin, its not poſſible ſuch ſhould be recovered; and this great evil upon this ground ſhould have no other impoſſibility than many other. And withal the impoſſibility ſhould then ly in Gods counſel, and definitive purpoſe, not in the Nature of the evil, which anſwers not the terrible expreſſion of the wrath of God in the Text.

But however it is, it is ſafe and ſure to Joyn Iſſue with the word of truth, and to take that upon truſt. Its impoſſible ſuch a one ſhould be renewed by repentance. And therefore its impoſſible, a man, whom Chriſt hath ordained to beleeve and repent, ſhould ever fal into that evil.

4. However the Lord many times, for reaſons beſt known to himſelf, and his infinite good pleaſure, ſuffers ſome, and many of thoſe, whom he will afterwards effectually cal, to be overtaken with moſt loathſom abominations, yet he ever over-rules and over-works al thoſe Helliſh miſcarriages of theirs, for the furtherance of his own work in them, when he ſeriouſly ſets upon the accompliſhment of it.

Somtimes there is no waies to cure Poyſon, but with Poyſon: no means to cruſh the pride and ſelf-confidence and overweening conceit of a mans own worth, but to leave him to himſelf, that he may bedaub himſelf with ſome dirty and deteſtable diſtemper; that ſo his own p. 27experience may evidence his own baſeneſs, and force him to put his Mouth in the Duſt, and cover himſelf with confuſion: when, through his own ſelf deceiving apprehenſion, he could never either ſee it, or bring his heart to be humbled for it before the Lord. Thus many, who in former times have ſoothed up themſelves, with the glorious appearance of a formal profeſſion, ſo that they could keep out, or wipe off, al the convictions that were preſented before them: At length the Lord leaves them to ſome noyſom luſts, one is overtaken with bruitiſh Drunkenneſs, another with ſome baſe uncleanneſs: and ſo the breaking of the impoſtume, and the venting of thoſe vile evils, conſtraines their conſciences to condemn themſelves, for rotten; when the evidence of the word could not: and this hath been the occaſion of the through converſion of ſome men.

Somtimes again, the Lord takes ſome men out of a ſink, to make them mirrors of the power of his ſaving mercy to al poſterity: The greatneſs of their ſin, was the occaſion, why their Hearts, were pierced for al ſin. Act. 2.36, 37. 1 Tim. 1.16.

5. When the time appointed and determined before, in the counſel of the Lord is come, then the prayer of our Savior ever takes place, and makes the means effectual and prevailingly ſucceſſeful for the good of ſuch, for whom he hath taken the care. Joh. 10.16. I have other ſheep, which are not yet of this fold, (ſuch as in his counſel, were ordained to life, yet not called to the ſaving knowledg of the truth:) them alſo I muſt bring, and they ſhall hear my voice.

Theſe wandering ſheep, that are gone aſtray from the walks of the Lord, yet he muſt bring: he muſt pluck the Adulterer from his luſts, and the Drunkard from his Cups, and worldling, who hath been Buried in his earthly occaſions, theſe ſhall hear his voice; they are within his Ken, and under his care, and he provides for p. 28their good, though they intend no good unto themſelves. So Chriſt to Paul; (he is then pitying, while he is perſecuting; he comes to ſave him, when he purpoſeth to deſtroy himſelf:) why perſecuteſt thou me? Act. 9. So, Again he ſends a Phyſitian to him. Ananias, go &c. verſ. 11.

Reaſ. 1. From the Soveraignty of Gods wil, who looks at nothing in the creature, for which he ſhould be moved to do good unto it, but only his good wil and pleaſure, according to which …e curves out his compaſſion as ſuits with his own liking. Rom. 11.7. The Election hath obtained it: its not in the power of Iſrael. And therefore hence it is, He ſhews mercy, becauſe he wil ſhew mercy: and he it is that raiſeth up a mighty Salvation for his people, when they were in the depths of their ſins and confuſions alſo. Luk. 1.69. Ezek. 16.6. I ſaw her in her Blood, and then I ſaid, Live.

2 The Riches of Gods mercy in Chriſt, and the ſcope of our Saviors coming, it is to deſtroy the work of Satan, and to bring life out of death, and light out of Darkneſs. Rom. 5. and laſt. That where ſin abounded, Grace hath abounded much more. That is the aim of the place; why then was the Law given, ſince the Law could not ſave, but only Chriſt? Anſw. It was, that ſin might abound: when corruption was diſcovered, oppoſed, and provoked, then it was made out of meaſure ſinful. That where ſin hath abounded, Grace alſo might much more abound. q.d. The Lord Chriſt would redeem his people, let the Devil and ſin do their worſt. So the Apoſtle again diſputes, Rom. 5.8. God commended his love to us, that when we were ſinners, Chriſt died for us. foreign, The Lord painted and limned out the ſurpaſſing excellency of his love in moſt lively Colors.

Its the ſcope alſo of the coming of our Savior. He came not to call the righteous, but ſinners to Repentance. He was not to find them bleſſed, but to make them p. 29ſo. Iſa. 49.5. Chriſt was formed from the Womb, to be his ſervant, that he might bring Jacob again. Its he that leaves the ninty nine in the Wilderneſs, and goes to ſeek up that which was loſt in the Wilderneſs.

If the Soveraignty of Gods good pleaſure appointed this; The Riches of his free Grace and the ſcope of our Saviors coming intended this: then certainly our Savior would carefully accompliſh it: but the antecedent is ſuch: therefore the conſequent.

Uſe 1 of Inſtruction.

Here ſee the different diſpenſation of the dealing of the Lord in the waies and works of his providence towards men of the ſame quality, and that in the ſame condition, men as ſinful, one as another, and under the power of their ſin, and in an unregenerate ſtate both of them: Yet the counſel of God and the care of our Savior Chriſt is farr different, even ſurpaſſing mans imagination and thought.

Be they both unbeleevers now for the preſent, adverſaries to his Grace, and oppoſers of his word, and the work of his ſpirit, and it may be with greater out-rage and violence, the one more than the other? And yet the Lord may do nothing but in love, and out of mercy to the one; intercede now in Heaven, order al creatures, and overwork al occaſions in Earth, for the good of the one, and do nothing for the other; but there is a hand of Juſtice, and the Poyſon of his diſpleaſure, which firſt or laſt, either in the entrance, or in the Iſſue, wil be an ingredient in every paſſage of Gods providence towards them: Let them both have the ſame outward bleſſing, its Diet to the one, ſurfet to the other poyſon to the one, and a preſervative to the other: the one wil be quickned and inlarged to God by it with thankfulneſs, the other becomes proud, inſolent towards men, careleſs and negligent towards God.

p. 30Let them both be under the ſame Rod and correction, the one wil be made more humble, and the Heart wil be wrought to a more watchful care to walk more awfully before the Lord: the other wil be made more frampful and preverſe and hardned in a ſelf willy erring frame of Spirit. Thus ſome expound that of Paul, Gal. 1.15. God who had ſeparated him from the Womb, had ſet him a part in his counſel and purpoſe to ſuch a ſervice, and even from the Womb, in his education and courſe of life, and ſtudyes, he was ſevering and ſuiting of him for his own turn.

Object. But it wil be ſaid; do not we ſee by proof and experience; that even the deareſt ſervants of the Lord, before their converſion pervert even the bounty and bleſſing of the Lord, to the increaſe of their ſin and haſting of their ruin? The learning and wiſdome of Paul lifts up his Heart in pride, and ſets on his ſpirit to preſecute the Church. He profited more than his equals: and breathed out threatnings more than they al. How are theſe then fruits of mercy, when they are thus accurſed to a man? and indeed can be no other, for an unbeleeving Heart wil ſuck Poyſon out of the ſweeteſt bleſſing the Lord beſtows.

Anſw. They are bleſſings as they come from God, and as he give them, they prove Curſes; as the Heart that is yet graceleſs abuſeth them: they are preſervatives, as they come from the Hand of the almighty, and he adminiſters them: they are turned to Poyſon, as a corrupt Heart perverts them to its own hurt. As the Phyſitian out of love and wiſdom adminiſters a wholſom potion, but a foul ſtomack turns it al into matter of an ill Humor, and ſo a Diſeaſe.

And yet alſo I anſwer in the Second place; That in the Iſſue, at the laſt, the Lord even out-bids all, and over-works all; even the abuſe of all bleſſings, the the furfeting upon al his kindneſſes, to the further abaſing of the ſoul, fearful and thankful walking before p. 31him, when once he is effectually brought home. There is a ſpecial Confection made out of the kindneſſes, and our corrupt diſtempers, for our deeper Humiliation, in regard of our ſelves and admiration, in regard of Gods goodneſs. As it was ſaid of them in Egypt, ſo the Pſalmiſt applies it to al, The Lord doth marva…louſly ſeparate his mercier.

Hence alſo we have an anſwer to the cavil of the Papiſts, who plead, that Chriſt doth not bear al the puniſhment which the Saints deſerve: For ſay they, before their converſion, when they were not in the ſtate of Grace, nor in Chriſt, thoſe afflictions that were laid on them, muſt needs be true puniſhments, and iſſue from divine Juſtice revenging, not from the love of a Father correcting: & therefore Chriſt may ſuffer for the pardon of al their ſins, and yet not bear al their puniſhments.

Anſw. They do come from the love of a Father, who in his counſel hath determined it, and in Chriſt hath fully tranſacted it, though it is not yet actually either beſtowed, or received of them in the work of redemption.

Uſe 2.

Here is matter of admiration, of the boundleſs and unconceivable compaſſion of the Lord Jeſus, towards thoſe that do beleeve, they ſhould get them into Davids Counting-Houſe of ſerious conſideration, and Sum up al thoſe precious expreſſions of his faithfulneſs and goodneſs in their whol courſe;

Inſtead of reckoning up the value of them, melt away, and be wholly ſwallowed up in the wonderment and admiration of that, they are not able to recount, much leſs to comprehend, according to the worth thereof. Pſal. 40.5. Many, O Lord, my God, are thy wonderful works, which thou haſt done and thy thoughts p. 32which are to us-ward, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee.

Look back therefore men, Bretheren, and Fathers, beloved and bleſſed of the Lord, unto the daies forepaſt, even from that firſt birth, unto this preſent hour: The goodneſs of the Lord, how hath it grown up, and gone along with you from time to time? view the ſucceſſion of thoſe ſweet and tender compaſſions, which have been renewed and multiplied upon you, as your years, and daies, and months, and moments of your life.

Know it was from the care, and through the vertue of the prayers of Chriſt, that you came into this world, that he firſt time of your breathing had not been the firſt time of your damning. He hath rocked your Cradles, nurſed you at your Mothers Breaſts, trained you up in your tender years, taken care of you, and then prayed for you, when you did not, could not, pray for your ſelves: Oh the Riches of that Mercy!

Will not every Man ſay, cannot each Man confeſs it, had I continued in ſuch a place, converſed with ſuch wretched company, with whom I was ſomtimes linked and confederate, had not the Lord freed me from thoſe ſnares, delivered me from thoſe temptations: had he not born with the baſeneſs of my Heart, but taken the advantage againſt me, and ſnatched me away, when I was poſting down to Hell, in the eager purſuit of ſuch and ſuch baſe luſts; there had been no poſſibility, but I had periſhed. Oh the Riches of that Mercy!

Nay had he but let Satan looſe upon me, or mine own corruptions looſe within me, unto which I was addicted, and which was my delight and life: This wretched Heart had never come to an end, nor meaſure in ſin. A Cain here, A Judas here, An Achitophel here, nay a Hell was here in this Heart: yea what the Heart of Beelzebub harbored, the ſpawn of it was here, So that might I have had but mine own will, I had never ceaſed ſinning, until I had come unto that unpardonable ſin p. 33againſt the Holy Ghoſt, and ſo had been paſt Hope of recovery. But it was the care, the prayer of Jeſus that prevented it, and my everlaſting ruin. Oh the Riches of that mercy!

Nay, when I lay ſecure and ſenſeleſs in my ſin, and never thought of means, nor ever ſought for them, he ſent them: though I was careleſs, he continued them, when there was no Eye to pity me, nor I had a Heart to pity my ſelf, yet when he ſaw me in my Blood, he ſaid, live, Poor creature, live. Oh the Riches of that mercy of a Chriſt!

Nay, ſuch was the rebellion and Enmity of this wretched Heart, that I rejected life it ſelf, took up Armes againſt the Almighty & the offer of his mercy, and profeſſed I would none of that Grace of his, that might pardon, that holineſs that might purge and purifie this vile Heart, none of that life and Power of his that might quicken me, nor hear, though he counſelled never ſo wiſely, I would not yield to his convictions, nor come in to thoſe earneſt intreaties.

But Chriſt would take no nay, I muſt be humbled, though I reſolved to keep my pride, I muſt ſubmit, though my heart was bent to oppoſe. The prayer of Chriſt would preſerve me from my ſins, and bring me to himſelf, though I would have periſhed. Oh the height, the length, the breadth of his mercy.