A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 21
HEB. VI. 4, 5. And of the Powers of the World to come.
Serm. III.THE laſt time I ſpoke of the World to come, and of the Powers of it; eſpecially of the Powers, Glory, and Pleaſures of the World to come, reſpecting the State of the Saints therein. I ſhall now proceed to ſhew you, what a kind of taſte of the Powers of the World to come, the Perſons mentioned in our Text may be ſaid to have, which is the next thing propounded to be done under this Head.
Secondly, The Perſons here meant, I have proved are not true and ſincere Believers, though ſuch who come very near unto ſuch, being almoſt Chriſtians. Now the laſt Qualification or Attainment they are ſaid to arrive unto, is this, Of taſting of the Powers of the World to come.
Firſt, I ſhall ſhew you what may be meant by the Powers of the World to come.
Secondly, Shew what a kind of taſte they may have of thoſe Powers, &c.
1. By the Powers of the World to come, (of which they are ſaid to have a taſte) I underſtand are meant the Glorious Effects of God's mighty Power, that was and ſhall be further exerted in bringing in the Kingdom of the Meſſiah, firſt in thoſe miraculous Operations which (being to aſſure us of the certainty of the new World) were wrought before theſe Mens Eyes.
2. The Powers of the World to come, do doubtleſs conſiſt alſo in the diſſolving of this preſent World, and all the States and Kingdoms of the Earth. Thou haſt of old laid the Foundation of the Earth; and though the Heavens are the Work of thy Hands, they ſhall periſh, but thou ſhalt endure, yea all of them ſhall wax old like a Garment; as a Veſture ſhalt thou change them, and they ſhall be changed: compared with 2 Pet. 3. 10, 11, 12, 13. The mighty Power of God ſhall be put forth in diſſolving this old World.
3. And not only ſo, but alſo that God by his Almighty Power will bring in and eſtabliſh the Kingdom of the Meſſiah in the Glory of it; for as the diſſolving of the old World appertains to the Power of the great God, ſo doth alſo his bringing in, according to his mighty Power, the new Heavens and the new Earth: The Heavens ſhall paſs away with a great Noiſe, and the Elements ſhall melt with fervent Heat; and the Earth and the Things therein ſhall be burned up. 2 Pet. 3. 10.And all this is but to make way for the World to come, or for the new Heavens and new Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteouſneſs.
4. The Reſurrection of the Dead alſo appertains to the Powers of the World to come, and in it lies no ſmall part of God's mighty Power neither; Who ſhall change our vile Body, that it may faſhioned like unto his own glorious Body, according to the working whereby he is able even to ſubdue all things to himſelf.Phil. 3. 21.
5. The Power of the laſt Judgment and definitive Sentence, together with the eternal Puniſhment of wicked Men and Devils, may alſo be here intended; Who ſhall be puniſhed with everlaſting Deſtruction from the Preſence of the Lord, and the Glory of his Power.1 Theſſ. 1. 9.
6. Moreover, the exerting of God's mighty Power, the Power of his Grace, Divine Love and Goodneſs in his glorifying of the Saints, may be meant alſo here by the Powers of the World to come; When he ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in Verſ. 10.all them that believe. For as the letting out of the Power of his Wrath and Vengeance in the World to come upon the Wicked, as was hinted before, may hereby be comprehended, ſo likewiſe the letting out of the Power of his Love and Goodneſs on the Godly.
Secondly, I ſhall ſhew you now what a kind of taſte the Perſons in our Text may be ſaid to have had of the Powers of the World What a taſte of the World to come a falſe Profeſſor may have.to come.
1. They had, or might have, a taſte of the Truth and Certainty of the World to come, which they clearly ſaw confirmed by thoſe miraculous Operations in the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit, and wonderful Works that were wrought by the Apoſtles, nay which perhaps ſome of them had Power to do themſelves; for many ſhall ſay at the laſt Day, Have we not propheſied in thy Mat. 7. 22.Name? and in thy Name caſt out Devils? and in thy Name done many wonderful Works? To whom Chriſt will ſay, I profeſs I never knew you; depart from me ye that work Iniquity. No doubt but as Saul and Balaam propheſied, ſo Judas might as well as the other Apoſtles caſt out Devils, and do other wonderful Works.
2. And as by thoſe miraculous Operations they might have a taſte of the Powers of Chriſt's Kingdom as it began then, ſo this might cauſe them ſtedfaſtly to believe the Truth of the Powers of the World to come, in the future State and Glory thereof: Many Perſons do not firmly believe this, and therefore regard not how they live here in this preſent World, but ſay, let us eat and drink, Iſa. 22. 13.for to Morrow we ſhall die. So alſo in another Place by the ſame Prophet it is ſaid, Come, ſay they, I will fetch Wine, and we will Iſa. 56. 12.fill our ſelves with ſtrong Drink, and to Morrow ſhall be as this Day, and much more abundant. Theſe ungodly Wretches fear nothing of thoſe Judgments that are come, but lay their Hearts looſe upon the Neck of their Luſts: But the enlightned Perſons in our Text did believe, or give ſtedfaſt Credit to the Truth of that future State, both of the Reſurrection and Judgment-Day, even of that Day of Reckoning, when Sinners ſhall be puniſhed for all their abominable Wickedneſs; they believed God's Word, and the Revelation thereof, touching what will come upon the Ungodly in the World to come, and ſo are ſaid to taſte of the Powers of it: and this Perſons may do and yet periſh.
3. They might not only have a taſte of the World to come, by a common Faith, or by giving ſtedfaſt Credence to the Truth and Certainty of it, but might alſo be under great Convictions of the Evil of Sin, knowing that all the Sweet thereof will be turned into Bitter, and that Sin in the World to come will be puniſhed, and the Sinner condemned to Everlaſting Burning, and that God will reward every Man according to his Deeds; and might know alſo, that ſome ſhall find greater Condemnation, or a hotter Hell than others, more intolerable Pain in that Day. As,
(1.) All ſuch who draw others into Sin, whether it be Drunkenneſs, Pride, Theft, Uncleanneſs, &c.
(2.) All ſuch who ſin after ſtrong Convictions and great Illuminations, or that ſin againſt Light and Knowledg.
(3.) Such who have been often reproved, and yet live in their wicked Practices, and harden their Hearts; let Miniſters and godly Parents ſay what they will, they regard it not.
(4.) Such who have greater Means of Grace than others, or who live under an awakening and powerful Miniſtry, and yet go on in their Sins, in Pride, Swearing, Drunkenneſs, Uncleanneſs, &c.
(5.) Such who ſin under Judgments, or when God's Hand is lifted up, and his Wrath poured out upon Men for their Abominations, and greater Wrath denounced and ready to break forth.
(6.) Such who ſin boldly, impudently, in the Face of the Sun; Shew their Sin as Sodom, and hide it not.
(7.) Such who expoſe the Holy Name of God which they profeſs, to Reproach, and harden the wicked World in their Sins, and open the Mouths of many to blaſpheme God, and ſpeak evil of his Ways and People.
(8.) Such who delight in Sin, or take pleaſure in their Wickedneſs; do boaſt and glory in that which is their ſhame.
(9.) Such who deſpiſe and contemn Jeſus Chriſt and his Miniſters in their Hearts, and wilfully caſt off all Counſel.
(10.) All th…ſe who abuſe God's Patience, Goodneſs, and Long-ſuffering; and make that an encouragement to them to continue in their evil Ways, which ſhould lead them to Repentance; and Rom. 2. 4.may be, hate, reproach and perſecute the People of God; nay, and are guilty of Blood, crucifying Chriſt afreſh in his Members. Now I ſay they might be convinced of all theſe, and many more great Aggravations of Sin; and yet after ſuch a taſte, fall away themſelves, and become as bad as the worſt of them I have mentioned.
4. They might have a taſte of the terrifying Powers of the World to come; even ſuch a taſte as Felix had, who trembled Acts 24. 25.when he heard Paul preach of Hell, Wrath, or of Judgment to come. This I find our late Annotators intimate to be meant hereby: "Some of them (ſay they) were affected with the powerful Doctrines of the Goſpel concerning the Final Judgment, as their Natural Conſcience was wrought on by the Spirit in the Word; they felt it as if it were begun in them, the Sparkles of God's Wrath having ſet their Conſciences in a light Flame for their Sins." This is a taſting of the Powers of the World to come with a Witneſs.
5. They may taſte of the conſtraining Powers of the World to come; ſo that their Conſciences might curb them, and put a Bridle on their Luſts, ſo that they might not run into Sin as others do: the fear and dread of another World keeps them in awe, and reſtrains them for a time from committing any open or ſecret Acts of Wickedneſs; and by the Power of this conſtraining Grace they might, as you have heard, reform their Lives as to become other Men and Women.
6. Moreover, as the Powers of the World to come may refer to the Everlaſting Joy and Comfort of the Saints, they might alſo have ſome ſeeming taſte of the ſweetneſs thereof, I mean, they might have a ſight and ſenſe of that happy State the Righteous ſhall be in in the World to come; and they finding Chriſt to be a Redeemer, and that he came to ſave Sinners from Wrath, and to purchaſe Everlaſting Bleſſedneſs, may have ſome hope of Intereſt in that Redemption from Wrath, and of being made happy eternally in the World to come: they might promiſe to themſelves a part in the firſt Reſurrection, and their Hopes herein might be as a ſweet taſte of the Joys and Conſolations of that Day. Mr. David Dickſon ſpeaking of this Paſſage, ſaith, They may taſte of the Powers of the World to come, that is, ſaith he, in contemplation of the Bleſſedneſs promiſed to the Saints in Heaven; and have a natural deſire of it, as Balaam deſired to die the Death of the Righteous. Thus many of the Jews rejoiced in John's Doctrine: He was a burning and ſhining Light; and ye were willing for a ſeaſon to rejoice Joh. 5. 35.in his Light: It was but a taſte of Joy, it did not continue, it was but for a Seaſon.
1. It is but a Taſte or Savour that ariſes from an enlightned Conſcience, not from a renewed Heart.
2. It is not a taſte that makes them out of love with this World, or to be weary of it, or to die to it: though they ſeem taken with the Thoughts of the World to come, yet they value this World, no doubt, too highly; 'tis this World that is in their Hearts.
3. It is not a taſte of the World to come that changes them into a meet and ſit State to be partakers of the Glory and Bleſſedneſs of it, as the Saints are ſaid to be giving Thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints Col. 1. 12.in Light. 'Tis not a bare taſte can do this, no, nothing but a thorow change of Nature, or a ſpiritual receiving and feeding by Faith on Jeſus Chriſt.
4. It was not ſuch a taſting of the Powers of the World to come that made them long for it, and to ſeek it with the full bent of their Wills, and urgency of their Affections, and to contemn all the Riches, Honours and Pleaſures of this preſent evil World for Heb. 11. 13.it; as Moſes and all the Holy Patriarchs did: For they that ſaw ſuch things, declare plainly they ſeek a Countrey; and confeſſed they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth.Ver. 13, 14.
5. It was a taſting not a feeding on Jeſus Chriſt, and a digeſting of his Word; they come not to experience the Powers of the World to come were begun in them, ſetting them againſt Sin, Satan, and this World.
6. And laſtly, It was a taſting, but no ſaving Reliſh, no Soulcraving after a true Intereſt in the Glory of the World to come; they did not find the Power of the Reſurrection and laſt Judgment in themſelves: And that taſting that doth not ſecure the Soul againſt a total and final Apoſtacy, as Union with Chriſt doth, is not to be valued or accounted of.
APPLICATION.
1. I told you, Brethren, at firſt, that touching theſe Perſons Attainments, here is nothing ſpoken of Union with Chriſt, of the Faith of God's Elect, of Regeneration, Love to God and to his People, nothing of Adoption, Juſtification nor Sanctification, and ſo nothing that is pecuſiar to a true Chriſtian, nothing of thoſe things that accompany Salvation.
2. It appears they are like the Ground, that oft receives the Rain that falls upon it, and yet bears or brings forth Briars and Thorns, therefore they are nigh unto curſing, whoſe End is to be burned; and this the Apoſtle hints of them in Verſ. 7, 8.
3. This informs us that Men may go a great way in a viſible Profeſſion of the Goſpel, by common Influences of the Spirit, and Light improved by natural Powers, and yet be in the Gall of Bitterneſs and Bond of Iniquity.
4. O bleſs God for the leaſt degree of ſaving Grace: Have you love to God, to his poor Saints? Do you miniſter unto them for Chriſt's Sake? then have you obtained to a higher degree of Attainment than thoſe ever had, and no cauſe to fear your ſpiritual State and Condition.
Thus I have paſſed through the ſecond thing I firſt propounded to ſpeak unto, namely, What thoſe Attainments are that are ſpoken of the Perſons in our Text. I ſhall now come to the laſt thing, to ſhew you what is ſpoken of them.
Thirdly, What is ſpoken of theſe Perſons, conſiſts of two Parts.
1. That they may fall away.
2. That it is upon their ſo falling away, impoſſible for them to be renewed by Repentance.
It is the laſt of theſe I purpoſe to ſpeak of, viz That it is impoſſible How it is impoſſible for theſe to be renewed unto Repentance. Heb. 6. 6.to renew them again unto Repentance; either to ſuch a Repentance they once had, or to true, ſaving, and Evangelical Repentance: The Reaſon is by the Holy Ghoſt added; Seeing they crucify to themſelves the Son of God afreſh, and put him to open ſhame.
1. It is not doubtleſs impoſſible, in reſpect of God's Abſolute Power, had he not limited himſelf by an unchangeable Decree: But if he hath determined to deny Grace, and all ſaving Influences of his Spirit, to theſe Apoſtates, that makes it impoſſible for them ever to be renewed; which ſhews us that the Power to change the Heart is not in the Creature, it is God's Work on the Soul, 'tis he that ſtamps his own Image upon us; and if he withdraws the Influences of his Holy Spirit from Men, or refuſes to give Grace to them, in order to bring them to Repentance, and to believe in Chriſt, they muſt periſh. Now God will not afford theſe Perſons that ſo fall away, the Aſſiſtance of his Spirit, in order to the working the great Work of Faith in them; therefore it is impoſſible for them to be renewed. "He ſaith not (ſaith one)Dickſon. it is impoſſible they ſhould be ſaved, but that it is impoſſible they ſhould be renewed unto Repentance; theſe Apoſtates Salvation is impoſſible, becauſe their Repentance is impoſſible." He that never repenteth, can never be ſaved; for he that repenteth not, ſhall not have Remiſſion of Sin: and if the Holy Spirit be utterly withdrawn from Men, it is impoſſible they ſhould ever be renewed to Repentance.
2. The Perſons therefore here intended, do not repent, cannot repent, Repentance is hid from their Eyes; they never endeavour after Repentance, they are left to hardneſs of Heart, and to final Impenitency by the Lord, as a juſt Judgment for their horrid Evil and curſed Apoſtacy: poſſibly they may fall under Terror and Deſpair, yet never deſire or look after Repentance on God's Terms. Brethren, it is not impoſſible for the greateſt Sinner in the World to be renewed, that hath not ſinned againſt the Holy Ghoſt, or whom God hath not wholly given up to blindneſs of Mind, and to hardneſs of Heart: All manner of Sins and Blaſphemy againſt the Father and the Sun, ſhall be forgiven unto Men; but the Blaſphemy againſt Mat. 12. 31.the Holy Ghoſt ſhall not be forgiven unto Men. And all Vnrighteouſneſs is Sin, and there is a Sin unto Death.
3. God leaves theſe Perſons for ever, he utterly caſts them off: And wo unto them (ſaith he) when I depart: And may ſay unto them, and much more, as he ſaid once unto Ephraim, Ephraim is joined unto Idols, let him alone. He commands his Miniſters to let them alone, and not ſtri…e with them reprove not exhort them any more. He ſaith unto Conſcience, Let them alone, check, curb, reitrain nor rebuke them any more. He ſaith unto his Spirit, Let them alone, move them, or excite them to perform Religious Duties no more, ſtrive with them no more for ever; No Doctrine, no Word, no Rod, no Affliction or Judgment ſhall do them good any more for ever. This Spiritual Judgment is the worſt of all Judgments, and ſo makes it impoſſible for them ever to be renewed unto Repentance; for there remains no more Sacrifice for Sin, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery Indignation, which ſhall Heb. 10. 26, 27.devour the Adverſaries.
4. God puts an end unto all expectation concerning them; he looks for no more Good from them, he exerciſes no more Care about them, no more Labour, Pains nor Patience towards them; God affords no more Means of Grace for their Converſion, Repentance is hid from their Eyes; he ſays, Let this Ground lie barren for ever, it ſhall never be plowed, ſowed, nor watered any more for ever: He looks for no more Fruit, he will not dreſs it nor dung it any more; his Sun ſhall ſhine upon it no more, nor ſhall the Rain fall upon it from Heaven any more: wo unto ſuch Souls God ſaith to them, as Chriſt ſaid when he curſed the barren Fig-tree, Never Fruit grow on you any more.
5. God in Judgment and Wrath gives theſe up to a reprobate Senſe, to hardneſs of Heart, to blindneſs of Mind, and to a ſeared Conſcience; and they become notoriouſly Wicked, being filled with Rage and Madneſs, full of Envy and Malice againſt God, and againſt Chriſt, and againſt all that fear God.
6. And uſually they are left in ſeverity to their ſenſual Luſts, and become notoriouſly Wicked and Prophane, nay rather worſe than the worſt of Carnal Perſons that never were enlightned at all. And ſo he gave them up to their own Hearts Luſts, and they walked Pſ. 81. 12.in their own Counſel: They are left, or given up unto Satan, to be led, acted and influenced by him; and are commonly alſo carried away into pernicious Errors and Deluſions, even to believe a Lie, that 2 Theſſ. 2. 10, 11, 12.ſo they may be damned, becauſe they received not the Truth in the Love of it, that they might be ſaved: And many times they become Perſecutors of God's People, reproaching, vilifying and contemning all Religion.
Queſt. What a kind of Sin is the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt? And what ſort of Perſons are they who may ſin this Sin?
Anſw. 1. I ſhall ſhew you, firſt in the Negative, what a Sin it is not; Namely, all Sin or Sins whatſoever that any carnal Perſon, What is not the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt.who to this Day abode under the Power of Natural Ignorance, and never was inlightned by any Operations of the Spirit, commits; for ſuch cannot commit the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, it being poſitively ſaid, That they are ſuch who were once enlightned.
2. It is not every Sin which is againſt Light and Knowledg: for no doubt but David and Peter ſinned againſt Knowledg, and the Light of their own Conſciences, and after they had been enlightned, yet were recovered and renewed unto Repentance.
3. The Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, is not every Sin that is committed againſt the Holy Ghoſt; for he that grieves the Holy Spirit, and that quencheth the Holy Spirit, ſins againſt the Holy Spirit; nay, all wicked Men who ſit under the Preaching of the Goſpel, no doubt, ſin againſt the Spirit whilſt they reſiſt the Strivings and Motions thereof.
4. It is not any hainous and abominable Sin, as Whoredom, Perjury, Murder, no not Self-Murder; not the murdering of the Saints of God nor putting Chriſt himſelf to Death by wicked Hands, or the murdering of the Lord of Life and Glory. Paul was guilty of the Blood of Stephen; and many of the Jews were pardoned who might have a Hand in the barbarous Murder of the Son of God.
5. It is not every wilful and preſumptuous Sin; for multitudes of wicked ignorant Perſons ſo ſin daily, for whom there is Mercy and Pardon upon Repentance, though they have a Whore's Forehead, Jer. 3. 3.and refuſe to be aſhamed.
6. It is not every degree of Apoſtacy or Backſliding from God: A true Child of God may be guilty of a partial Apoſtacy; for thus Iſrael ſinned and fell from God, nay, backſlid ſo far, as to turn to curſed Idolatry, yet God offered them Pardon: Return, backſliding Iſrael, ſaith the Lord, and I will not cauſe mine Anger to fall upon Jer. 3. 12.you; for I am merciful, ſaith the Lord, &c.
7. Nay, I will not ſay that every malicious Sin againſt God's People is the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, when Men hate the Saints for their Religion and Goodneſs; though it be one of the higheſt Degrees of Wickedneſs, becauſe therein their hatred againſt God himſelf is manifeſted: But what may not a Man do that is acted and influenced by the Devil in the Times of his Ignorance?
8. It is not the Sin of Unbelief, though that be a damning Sin, yea [the damning Sin] as it is a Sin againſt the Remedy God hath provided, and againſt the higheſt manifeſtation of God's Goodneſs, and againſt the higheſt Teſtimony and Witneſs: yet many that thus ſin, nay continue at preſent in and under the Power of Unbelief, may come to ſee their horrid Evil, and by the Grace of God may believe, and be forgiven this as well as other Sins.
Laſtly, I have ſhewed you that no true Believer can commit this Sin; He that is born of God, cannot commit Sin, viz. he cannot ſin unto Death. So much in the Negative, what Sin the Sin againſt 1 Joh. 3. 9.the Holy Ghoſt is not.
Secondly, I ſhall ſhew you, in the Affirmative, according to that What the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt is.Light I have, what Sin this Sin is, or open the Nature thereof, and what ſort of Perſons they are who do or may commit it.
1. The Perſons that may commit the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, our Text informs us, are ſuch who have been once enlightned, and that have attained to the Knowledg of the Truth, or true way of Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt, and have had ſuch a kind of Taſte of the Heavenly Gift, and of the good Word of God, and Powers of the World to come, more or leſs, of which I have ſhewed: they have received the Gifts and common Graces of the Spirit.
2. And alſo have eſcaped the Corruptions of the World, through the Knowledg of Jeſus Chriſt, or attained to a great Reformation of Life in ſo much that they were look'd upon as 2 Pet. 2. 20.Saints and eminent Chriſtians, many of them being Profeſſors of the Goſpel, and might be great Preachers thereof: Tho it ſeems that others who never profeſſed the Goſpel, were and may be guilty of committing of this Sin, as thoſe Jews no doubt were, who ſaid, our Bleſſed Saviour did caſt out Devils by Beelzebub the Mat. 12.Prince of Devils.
3. It is a ſinning wilfully, after a Perſon hath received the Knowledg of the Truth, or Goſpel of Chriſt; For if we ſin wilfully after we have received the Knowledg of the Truth, there remains no more Heb. 10. 26.Sacrifice for Sin. Though every wilful ſinning is not this Sin, yet every one that is guilty thereof, doth ſin wilfully, and that in the higheſt degree. Pray note it, 'tis a wilful caſting off and forſaking the Truth of God, and an utter deſerting the Church and People of God, nay, a wilful rejecting the Truth which they before had embraced, and taſted ſome ſweetneſs in, oppoſing and contradicting that which the Holy Spirit teſtifies to their Conſciences is the Truth of Chriſt; therefore they wilfully reject the Motions of the Holy Ghoſt, nay contemn the Operations thereof.
4. And as it is a rejecting of the Motions and Operations of the Holy Spirit, after thoſe Illuminations they had received, ſo alſo it is done maliciouſly, or from Spite and Malice; And hath done Deſpite unto the Spirit of Grace: They wilfully deſert the Aſſemblies Heb. 10. 29.of God's Church and People, and eſteem the Blood of Chriſt (whereby he was conſecrated a Sacrifice unto God, or (as ſome) whereby they thought once they had been ſanctified) an unholy Thing, and accounting the Motions of the Holy Spirit, and his Operations, a meer Deluſion of the Devil: And thus ſome of the Phariſees ſinned. Chriſt healed one poſſeſſed of an unclean Spirit, a Work wrought by the Power of the Holy Ghoſt; they imputed it to the Devil, ſaying, This Fellow caſteth out Devils by the Prince of Devils. This was a wilful Sin, and done no doubt in Malice, and Mat. 12. 22, 24.againſt the Convictions of their own Conſciences: for they could not certainly but know, that he was the Son of God by the wonderful Works he did. See ver. 31, 32. Upon this our Saviour doth intimate, that they were guilty of ſinning the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, that ſhall never be forgiven unto Men.
5. It is a treading under Foot the Son of God, contemning and vilifying him, as theſe Phariſies ſeem'd to do; and which, as it is thought by many, Julian the Apoſtate was guilty of, who in difdain, when he was wounded, threw his Blood up towards Heaven, crying, Thou Galilean thou haſt overcome me, or to that purpoſe; he in reproach and hatred, ſeemed to call Chriſt a Galilean, would not call him by any one of his own proper Names.
6. And laſtly, It doth conſiſt in a fatal and utter renunciation of the Chriſtian Religion, and all the Inſtitutions, Doctrines and Principles thereof, and a turning to Judaiſm or Idolatry, or elſe to perfect Atheiſm, and all this, as Dr. Owen ſignifies, with an avowed and profeſſed Enmity to Chriſt and Chriſtianity, and therefore not without the higheſt Reproach and Contempt imaginable, againſt the Perſon of Chriſt, as well as againſt the Goſpel, imbracing the Love of Sin, or of the Riches and Honours of this preſent evil World, valuing their Luſts above the Comfort of the Holy Ghoſt. We have, as if they ſhould ſay, taſted of the Spirit, and of heavenly Things, and do diſclaim him and them, and witneſs againſt him, and by that Experience we have had, do diſown all that pretended Good that ſome boaſt of … be in their Divine Things, and contemn that Spirit they glory in and are led by.
APPLICATION.
Firſt, Take heed of thoſe Sins that tend or lead to this unpardonable Sin.
1. Take heed of a malicious Thought againſt the Holy Ghoſt; don't think it is the Devil that diſquiets and diſturbs you about Sin, Wrath and Hell; you convicted Sinners look to it, that you charge not theſe Convictions you have of the Evil of your Sin upon Satan. He you may be ſure will not trouble you for your Sins, but let you go on peaceably in your wicked Ways; though when you are awakened, he may perſwade you that there is no Mercy for you. Doubts and deſparing Thoughts commonly riſe from Satan, but not Sorrow and Grief for Sin: No, no, that is from your Conſcience a it is influenced by the Holy Ghoſt.
2. Beware of harbouring a malicious Thought of Religion, or of praying by the Holy Spirit; as I heard lately or a wicked Man, who hearing a Miniſter pray in a moſt excellent manner, that ſaid, How doth the Devil help him? or to that effect; O this is dangerous?
3. Take heed of blaſphemous Words againſt the Holy Spirit: Will any dare to ſay, that the Devil is in God's People, that they are ſo reſolute in their Ways, and will not conform to the National Church?
4. Beware, you that make a Profeſſion of Religion, and that have been enlightned, how you fall away and turn again to Folly, and to your ſinful Practices; for this is the high Way to the unpardonable Sin, or Sin unto Death; you know not but that a partial Apoſtacy may end in a total one at laſt.
5. Above all things, look to it that you reſt not on a common Work of the Spirit, without a real Work of Faith and Regeneration: Reſt on nothing ſhort of Chriſt, neither on Reformation, Duties, nor inherent Grace, for it is dangerous ſo to do.
Queſt. But why is it impoſſible for theſe to be renewed unto Repentance?
Anſw. 1. It is becauſe the Decree is gone out againſt them, God will not renew them, and none elſe can.
2. More directly and immediately it is, becauſe the Holy Ghoſt hath utterly forſaken them, and withdrawn all his Operations from them for ever, whoſe work it is alone to renew and work Repentance in the Hearts of Sinners: Men cannot repent, when the Holy Spirit hath utterly left them; no, nor have any deſire to repent: think of this you that magnify the Will of Man.
O Sinners, love the Holy Spirit, cheriſh the Motions thereof, and do not grieve him, nor reſiſt his Motions and Operations.
Secondly, By way of Conſolation to Believers.
1. Here is ſtill comfort for you that are the Children of God, born of God, you cannot ſin this Sin, you cannot ſin unto Death, the Seed remains in you: you mourn that you cannot repent as you would do; your Hearts are tender, you need not fear your Condition. Do you fear to offend God, to grieve the Spirit? O that is a bleſſed Sign: Do you love God, love his People? do you miniſter as you have miniſtred to the poor Saints?
2. O remember you are in Chriſt's Hand: We are perſwaded better things of you, and things that accompany Salvation, though we thus ſpeak.
Queſt. What things are they that accompany Salvation?
I anſwer. Union with Chriſt, Regeneration, Juſtification, Adoption, Sanctification, inherent Holineſs and Perſeverance in Grace. O ſee that you endeavour to make your Calling and Election ſure, by adding to your Faith, Vertue; and to Vertue, Knowledg; and unto 2 Pet. 1. 5, 6, 7.Knowledg, Temperance; and to Temperance, Patience; and to Patience, Godlineſs; and to Godlineſs, brotherly Kindneſs; and to brotherly Kindneſs, Charity. And if you do thoſe things (and theſe things you ſhall do, if you are true Believers) you ſhall never fall; For ſo an Entrance ſhall be miniſtred to you abundantly, into the Everlaſting Verſe 11.Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. To whom with the Father and Holy Ghoſt be Glory, Honour, and Praiſe, for ever. Amen.