A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 29
HEB. II. 3. How ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great Salvation?
Sermon VIII.Doct. II. THE great Salvation of the Goſpel may be neglected. This is implied in my Text.
How ſhall we that preached it eſcape if we neglect it? Or how ſhall you that hear it preached eſcape if you neglect it?
Firſt, I ſhall ſhew you what is intended by neglecting this Salvation.
Secondly, Shew you who they are that may be ſaid to neglect it.
Thirdly, Shew you from whence it is that ſome do neglect it.
Fourthly, Shew you what a great Sin it is to neglect the Salvation of the Goſpel.
Firſt, To neglect the Salvation of the Goſpel, is to neglect the Means of it, the Way which God hath appointed in order to our obtaining an Intereſt in it.
2. It imports a ſlighting of it, to omit ſeeking after the Knowledg of it, or to take no pains in order to the obtaining the Grace and ſaving Bleſſings thereof.
3. Or to ſeek Salvation ſome other ways. But,
Who may be ſaid to neglect this Salvation.Secondly, Who may be ſaid to neglect it?
Anſw. 1. Such who do not think upon this Salvation, they do neglect it: Some do not regard it at all, it is not in their Minds; they do not trouble their Thoughts about it, though it be ſo great. That which a Perſon thinks not of, let it be Matter of never ſo great Moment, be ſure he doth neglect. Have you, ſaith a Man to his Friend, done that Buſineſs I deſired of you? No truly, ſaith he, I never thought of it; this diſcovers he hath neglected it: So it is here in reſpect of this great Salvation.
2. Such neglect the Goſpel Salvation, who do not ſtudy it, pry into it, and labour to find out the great Myſteries that lie hid in it. As he that is put out an Apprentice, to learn ſome curious Art or Trade, that never ſtudies the Matter, or pries not into the Myſteries thereof, neglects his Trade: So they who do not ſtudy the Goſpel, and the Myſteries of Chriſt crucified, do neglect the great Salvation thereof. Paul determined to know nothing amongſt the Learned Corinthians, but Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified; this ſhews he did not neglect the Salvation of his own and 1 Cor. 2. 1.other Mens Souls. Without controverſy, great is the Mystery of Godlineſs: 1 Tim. 3. 16.'Tis not eaſy to underſtand the Goſpel, it is ſo great a Myſtery; if it were only a Law, with Promiſes annexed to thoſe who lived up in Obedience to the Precepts of it, and Threats to ſuch who were diſobedient to its Precepts, it would not be a Myſtery; nor would the Learned Greeks have counted the preaching of ſuch a Goſpel to be Fooliſhneſs; for ſuch a Goſpel comports with Man's Carnal Reaſon and with Natural Religion: But to preach Salvation by a Man that was hanged on a Tree, or by a crucified Saviour, that is a Myſtery. And hence it was contemned by the Greeks, they could not underſtand how they could be juſtified by another's Righteouſneſs, or that Chriſt could ſatisfy for their Sins; or how our Sins could be made his, that his Righteouſneſs ſhould be made ours; this is a Myſtery, and this Myſtery ſome People do not, will not ſtudy, and ſo neglect this Salvation.
3. Such neglect it, that will not hear the Goſpel preached, but either lie at Home, or walk in the Fields, or content themſelves to hear Morality or good Manners only preached, which is all the Salvation too many preach in ſome Places: they think they need not trouble themſelves about any other Matters of Religion, but only to do to others as they would be done unto; or to live ſober Lives, and to do juſtly: This is good, and it is in a right manner held forth in the Goſpel, and preach'd by ſuch that preach this Salvation: But if this were all, in vain was it that God ſent his Son into the World; nay, if Morality could ſave Mens Souls, or any Righteouſneſs of the Creature, or inherent Holineſs, Chriſt is dead in vain. Theſe Men know not what the Goſpel is; and thoſe who preach no other Goſpel than Morality do but go about to make the People good Heathens; for what is this, but the Religion of the Heathen Philoſophers?
4. Such alſo neglect this Salvation, who though they come to hear Chriſt preach'd, yet only come out of Formality, Cuſtom or Curioſity, or to divert themſelves; having little elſe to do, they will go and hear what ſuch or ſuch a Man will ſay, it is not to be inſtructed in the Myſteries of Salvation: nay, may be ſome of them may come with a Deſign to catch up things to improve to the Reproach of the Miniſter. Now be ſure theſe Perſons are ſuch who neglect the Salvation of the Goſpel.
5. Such likewiſe who are careleſs Hearers, who hear as if the things preached did not concern them, or that ſleep under the Word, theſe alſo neglect this Salvation. I have heard of one that would go to the Place of Worſhip, becauſe ſhe could ſleep ſooner and better there than at Home; and no wonder, ſince the Devil rocks the Cradle, (as I may ſay) or hath ſuch Influence upon them, and makes them comply with his Temptations: and you ſhall have help, no doubt, as ſome who have hanged themſelves; it has been obſerved to be ſtrange how they could do it after ſuch a manner: alas, Satan helped them, he knows how to tie the Rope, and to choak them too, when they enter upon this Work. Perhaps ſome ſhall have their Thoughts in a wanton manner, run out after this or the other Object they have before their Eyes, when with Holy Diligence they ſhould attend upon the Word of this Salvation to the profit of their Souls; or elſe have their Hearts and Thoughts run out upon their worldly Affairs; ſome on their Riches, Trades, and how to order their Buſineſs the Week following, and others upon their Poverty. All theſe I muſt ſet down as Neglecters of this Great Salvation.
6. Such who ſlight or neglect the Convictions of their own Conſciences, or that ſtrive to ſtifle their Convictions, whilſt under the Word, or when gone from hearing it, like as Felix did when he ſent Paul away; the Fire the Word had kindled in his Conſcience, being too hot for him to bear.
7. Such who comply not with the Call of the Word, and Offers of this great Salvation, but reſiſt and quench the Motions of the Spirit, out of love to their Luſts, and ſo reject the Word, like them of old; Lo they reject the Word of the Lord, and what Wiſdom Jer. 8. 9.is in them? Theſe ſeem to ſay in their Hearts, As for the Word ſpoken in the Name of the Lord, we will not do it: But we will certainly do Jer. 44. 16.whatſoever goeth out of our Mouths, &c. Theſe alſo with a witneſs neglect this great Salvation.
8. Such who regard not the Time, the Day and proper Seaſon of this Salvation, do neglect it: Behold, now is the accepted Time; behold, now is the Day of Salvation. But this is not their Time, they 2 Cor. 6. 1, 2.delay the great Matters of their Souls, God's Time is not their Time: Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near, ſaith the Prophet. But they will not do this, they Iſa. 55. 5, 6.think it is too ſoon, they reſolve to take more of the ſweet of Sin, and feed on the Vanities of the World a little longer. God calls now, whilſt it is to Day, To Day if you will hear his Voice; but they will not regard it: Becauſe I have called, (ſaith the Lord) and Prov. 1. 24, 25.you refuſed, I have ſtretched out my Hand, and no Man regarded.—But ye have ſet at nought all my Counſel, and would have none of my Reproof;—I alſo will laugh at your Calamity, and mock when your Fear cometh.
9. Such who prefer their ſinful and earthly Pleaſures, Profits and Honours, above this Salvation, do alſo neglect it: 'Tis ſaid of ſome of the Phariſees, that they believed on him, but did not profeſs him, leſt they ſhould be put out of the Synagogue; for they loved John 12. 42, 43.the Praiſe of Men more than the Praiſe of God. I once told you of a Man who living a looſe and ungodly Life, and was by that means in danger of loſing his Eye-ſight, inſomuch that his Phyſician told him, He muſt leave that exceſs of Prophaneneſs, or he would be blind; Ah, ſaid he, is it ſo? Then farewel my ſweet Eye-ſight, or to that Effect. Juſt thus do many poor Sinners, they will not part with their Sins, their ſinful Ways, and ſinful Companions; for when they hear what they muſt do if ever they are ſaved, namely, believe in Jeſus Chriſt, repent and turn from all their ſinful Courſes, they ſay in their Hearts, Farewel then Great Salvation; if theſe things muſt be done, they will have none of it. I remember I heard in our Countrey, when I was young, of a prophane Perſon, that ſaid in plain words, That he would have his Luſts, his Pleaſures, his merry Bouts, or to that purpoſe, for it was all the Heaven he look'd for. O how juſt will it be in God to ſentence ſuch to eternal Flames!
10. Such neglect this Salvation, who ſay in their Hearts to God, Depart from us, we deſire not the Knowledg of thy Ways: They like Job 21. 24.not, approve not of God, nor of the Ways of God, therefore deſire him to depart; they would not have God come ſo near them, as to diſturb their Thoughts, nor diſquiet their Spirits about their eternal State, therefore they ſtrive to divert themſelves. The Wicked (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) through the Pride of his Countenance will not ſeek after God; God is not in all his thoughts: he will not trouble Pſal. 10. 4.himſelf with God, and the things of God, and ſo neglects this Salvation.
11. Moreover, all ſuch who believe not, give not credit to the Revelation of the Goſpel, they do not believe the Report of it; Lord, ſaith the Prophet, Who hath believed our Report? Though the Report of the Goſpel is given out upon the higheſt Evidence Iſa. 53. 1.imaginable, yet, Brethren, there is an humane Faith that a Man may attain to and exerciſe without Divine and Supernatural Grace, which Men do not exert; which if they did, it would (were it improved) deter them, and put a ſtop to many of their abominable Practices: but as ſome in other caſes ſay, I will not believe ſuch or ſuch a thing, though it is confirmed ſufficiently; ſo it is here, Men will not believe, they will not give Credit to the Report of the Goſpel, it is not agreeable to their carnal Reaſon: What! believe there is no Salvation but by the Righteouſneſs of another? How can this be? Can his Righteouſneſs juſtify me, be made mine? I believe that if I do live an Honeſt Life, and do good to my Neighbours, I ſhall be ſaved. Says another, I can't believe that all ſhall be damned unleſs they are born again, and experience ſuch a Change as ſome Miniſters talk of; for if it be ſo, Lord have Mercy upon us, what will become of the greateſt part of the World? Says a third ſort, God is above the Devil, and I cannot believe he will ever ſuffer Satan to get away the greateſt Number of Mankind. Ay ſays a fourth ſort, we can't believe that Sin is ſo great an Evil, or ſo great a Matter, or that God will be ſo ſevere as to caſt us into Hell for it: What's Drunkenneſs? 'Tis for our Health to be drunk now and then: and what is ſimple Fornication? Tuſh, will God think you ever caſt us into Hell for ſuch ſmall things as theſe, or throw us into a Furnace of Fire? It cannot conſiſt with his Mercy and infinite Goodneſs. Now, Brethren, as all theſe Perſons neglect this Salvation, ſo they make God a Liar: God hath ſaid, There is no other Name given under Heaven whereby Acts 4. 12.we muſt be ſaved; no other way but through Chriſt's Blood, by his Merits and Righteouſneſs: but they ſay there is. He alſo hath ſaid, That the Wicked ſhall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations Pſal. 9. 17.that forget God; even whole Nations if they do ſo: and that no Drunkard, Fornicator, Proud Perſon, Unbeliever or Covetous 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.Man or Woman, &c. ſhall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven; but contrariwiſe, ſhall have their Portion in the Lake that burns with Rev. 21. 8.Fire and Brimſtone: but they will not believe it. And God ſays, Except a Man be born again, he ſhall not enter into the Kingdom of John 3. 3, 5.Heaven; but they will not believe it. O what is the Condition of theſe Men, Unbelief is the damning Sin in this reſpect, as well as it is in reſpect that it leads Men out to refuſe and contemn the Remedy God hath appointed, I mean, the Application of the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt. Theſe periſh as the Man did, who was told of his Danger, but would not believe it till it fell upon him to his Ruin.
12. Such neglect this great Salvation, who delay the looking after it until old Age, or till Sickneſs, or Death comes upon them; How many are there of this ſort? They mind not their Souls, nor Soul-concernments, but think it is time enough, when they have ſpent their beſt Days in the Service of the World, nay, in the Devil's Service, to look after Religion, or an Intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt: theſe, I ſay, alſo are neglecters of this Salvation.
13. All ſuch who make not Religion, or the Salvation of their precious Souls their chief Buſineſs, or Matter of the higheſt Importance in the World, theſe muſt be ſet down as neglecters of Goſpel-Salvation. Brethren, this is that one Thing needful, namely, to provide for the Soul in reference to Eternity. This was that good part Mary choſe, that ſhould not be taken from her; ſhe took more care about the good of her Soul, in attending on Chriſt's Word, than on any thing elſe whatſoever. This ſhould be our general Calling, to which Work we ought to give up our ſelves continually, in improving all Seaſons and Opportunities, and in the diſcharge of all ſpiritual Duties. O how buſy are ſome Men, and how wiſe; nay to get this World, no Time, no Care, no Opportunity ſhall be omitted. But they have no regard of this great Concernment, it is not weighed, nor thought upon by them: yet what can be of like Importance; and what Fools are they, whoſe chiefeſt Care is to live well for one Day, and regard not what will become of them afterwards? Alas, what do the greateſt part of Mankind more than provide for one Day! Nay, ſhould the whole Time of our natural Lives be ſeventy Years, it is not as one Hour to Eternity. Now that the Salvation of our Souls is matter of the higheſt Moment, will appear many ways. And firſt by giving you a ſummary Account of what I have ſaid.
1. Muſt not that be of higheſt Moment, or ought not the Matters A ſummary Account of the precedent Arguments to prove Salvation great.of that Salvation be our chiefeſt Buſineſs, when all Salvations compared to it are nothing, or not worth regard?
2. Muſt not that be Buſineſs of the higheſt Concernment for us to look after, which God ſo early, even in Eternity, thought of and contrived the Way of bringing it in, or for the … of, in his infinite Wiſdom?
3. Muſt not that be minded before all things, that God in Eternity (as I may ſo ſay) held a Council about the actual accompliſhment of?
4. Ought not we to look upon that Salvation as matter of the higheſt Concernment, which God deſigned for ſuch great and glorious Ends: As (1.) To manifeſt his own Glory; (2.) The utter ruin of Satan's Kingdom; And (3.) to make us everlaſtingly happy in the injoyment of himſelf?
5. Ought not that Salvation to be our greateſt Buſineſs, that raiſes us up to ſuch a Bleſſed State, who were fallen ſo low, and delivered us from eternal Wrath, juſt as the Hand of Juſtice was up and ready to ſtrike the fatal Blow?
6. That which was ſo ſeaſonable, and when all hopes of Relief and Help was gone?
7. Muſt not we needs think that Salvation of the higheſt Moment, that the Son of God himſelf came to work out for us, which he and none but he could accompliſh; nay, both the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghoſt, the whole Trinity join together, and take each of them a part to effect and perfect for our Souls?
8. Muſt not that needs be our only Buſineſs to look after, that Chriſt ſhed his moſt precious Blood to procure?
9. Ought we not to prefer that Salvation before all things, that delivers us from the greateſt Evil, the Plague of all Plagues?
10. Muſt not that Salvation be of the greateſt Moment, and preferred above all things in the World, that is the Salvation of our precious and immortal Souls, nay, of Soul and Body too, from everlaſting Burning and Damnation in Hell?
11. Ought we not to make that Salvation our chiefeſt Work, whilſt in this World, that raiſes us up ſo high, and makes us ſo great, honourable and happy for ever, as you have heard?
12. Muſt not that Salvation needs be our great and chiefeſt Buſineſs to mind and ſeek after, that is ſo full, ſo comprehenſive, perfect and compleat?
13. Muſt not that Salvation be of higheſt Moment, that the Son of God in his own Perſon, came from Heaven to preach and make known to Men on Earth?
14. Is not that Salvation of the greateſt Concernment for us to give up our ſelves to look after, and to be chiefly affected with, which the Holy Angels deſire to pry into, and ſtand aſtoniſhed at the thoughts of, it is ſo great and ſublime?
15. Is not that Salvation buſineſs of the greateſt Moment of all, that is ſo great, ſo ſweet, ſo rich, ſo admirable, and ſo free and eaſy to be obtained? 'Tis but looking to Chriſt, to come to Chriſt, to reſt on Chriſt; 'tis but to take and eat, 'tis but to drink when we are thirſty, 'tis without Money and without Price.
16. And laſtly, Ought not that Salvation to be our chiefeſt Concernment, that is an eternal and everlaſting Salvation; i. e. that ſuch that obtain it, ſhall have a Crown of Glory for ever, or be everlaſtingly ſaved; and they that neglect it, ſhall be everlaſtingly damned?
Now, Brethren, he that makes this Salvation the leaſt of his Buſineſs, does neglect it, yea, utterly neglect it, let him think what he will. And all that make not Religion their chiefeſt Buſineſs, who prefer not the Honour of God, and their own Salvation, before all things, will at one time or another, expoſe God's Name to Reproach, and their own Souls at laſt to eternal Wrath and Miſery. Brethren, doth not he neglect his Trade, his Family, &c. that makes it the leaſt of his worldly Concernments?
Laſtly, They neglect this Salvation, that do not look up to God, to give them the Knowledg of their State, the true ſenſe of Sin, and to reveal Chriſt to them, and work Faith in them.