A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 30
HEB. II. 3. How ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great Salvation?
Sermon IX.THE laſt time I entred upon the ſecond Doctrine, viz. That the Salvation of the Goſpel may be neglected.
I ſhewed you who they are that may be ſaid to neglect this great Salvation, that was the ſecond general Head I propounded to do. I ſhall now proceed,
Thirdly, In the third place I ſhall ſhew you from whence it is, From whence it is many People neglect their own Salvation.or comes to paſs, ſome Perſons, nay, ſo many People in the World do neglect the Salvation of their own precious Souls.
1. Some are ignorant of the Way of Salvation, and from hence neglect this Goſpel-Salvation: Thus it was with the Jews; For they being ignorant of God's Righteouſneſs, went about to eſtabliſh their own Righteouſneſs, Rom. 10. 3. Suppoſe a Man that is ſick were reſolved to make uſe of ſuch or ſuch a Medicine to cure him of his Diſeaſe, which he is told the Nature of, and that it is an infallible Potion; yet if he knows not how to apply it, he underſtands not that: why now from thence he utterly neglects to make uſe of it at all, but ſeeks ſome other way of Cure. Even ſo it is here, many hear of Chriſt, and Salvation by him, but underſtand not how to apply his Blood, how to fly to his Merits and Righteouſneſs, and therefore ſeek to be ſaved ſome other way, and ſo neglect the Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt. Or ſuppoſe that a Man who is going a long Journey, yet he knows not the Way, but thinks he is right, and ſo rides on boldly, but goes the quite contrary Way, now he neglects the right Way through Ignorance: even ſo it is with many blind and deceived Mortals, they think they have the right and proper Medicine, or are in the right Way to Heaven; and they go confidently on, take their own Courſes, apply their own Antidote, when alas it is a Counterfeit.
1ſt. May be think that is Chriſt and the true Saviour, which is nothing but the Dictates of natural Conſcience. Some ſuppoſe the Light of Nature, or a ſober and moral Life, will bring them to Heaven, and eternally ſave their Souls.
2dly. Others conclude, their being Proteſtants, and born of Chriſtian Parents, and owning the Chriſtian Religion, is ſufficient, and that they need not trouble themſelves any further about their Salvation.
3dly. Mankind generally ſee not, know not that they are born in Sin, and by Nature are Children of Wrath; they know not that they are under the Curſe of the Law, and under the Sentence of Eternal Death, being Enemies to God, and having Enmity in their Carnal Mind againſt God, and great Mountains of Guilt lying upon them: I ſay, thus it is with them, but they know it not. It is with them as it was with the Church of the Laodiceans; Becauſe thou ſayeſt I am Rich, and increaſed in Goods, and have need of nothing, Rev. 3. 17.and knoweſt not that thou art wretched and miſerable, and poor, and blind, and naked. See what a ſad State this profeſſing People were in, and yet ignorant of it; thought they were perfect, as that Man muſt needs ſuppoſe that thinks he wants nothing; they no more knew their great Danger, than did the old World of the Flood, and Sodom of thoſe Flames which ſuddenly conſumed them all.
4thly. Some conclude they believe, and have true Grace; they make a profeſſion of the Goſpel, and have been baptized, having great Gifts and Parts; and yet for all this never were effectually changed, never obtained the Faith of God's Elect, but through Ignorance they are perſwaded all is well with them, and ſo they come not to look out to Chriſt, but do neglect the Means of Con…rſion, by being perſwaded they are converted already. Now this Ignorance may be occaſioned ſeveral ways.
From whence Ignorance and Blindneſs of Men proceeds.(1.) Chiefly it ariſes from that natural Darkneſs that is in them, and which naturally cleaves to all Mankind; Sin has put out the Eyes of our Underſtanding. But,
(2.) It may alſo ariſe partly from the Ignorance of thoſe blind Guides, whoſe Teachings and Doctrine they may (I mean, ſome of them) ſit under; My People are deſtroyed for lack of Knowledg: Hoſ. 4. 6.and the Cauſe was, thoſe that taught them cauſed them to err. If the Blind lead the Blind, they will both fall into the Ditch. O take heed under what Miniſtry you venture your Souls: The Phariſees and Scribes were learned Men, and ſome of them great Preachers, but wholly ignorant of the Doctrine of the Goſpel, and of Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt: Many, like the falſe Teachers of old, Cry, Peace, Peace, when there is no Peace.
(3.) Moreover, this Ignorance ariſes partly from Satan, he hath too great an Influence on the Hearts and dark Minds of Men; But if our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt: In whom the God 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4.of this World hath blinded the Eyes of thoſe that believe not, leſt the Light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt, who is the Image of God, ſhould ſhine unto them. Satan hath a mighty Power over ſinful Men, by his cunning Devices, to keep them in Ignorance, and to hinder them from ſtudying, knowing, and believing the Goſpel, and by this Means they neglect this Salvation: Such are blinded by Satan that believe not; he may perſwade them that a general Faith, or a common Faith, is true Faith, and ſufficient, and ſo he cheats them with a Counterfeit inſtead of ſaving Faith: or Satan blinds Mens Eyes by moving them to ſeek Salvation in ſome other way, than by Chriſt alone, and by believing in him, reſting, relying and depending on him; like an evil Perſon who puts a poor Traveller out of his way, or directs him the direct contrary way, that ſo he may be robbed and murdered by him, and by other Thieves that may way-lay him.
2. Some neglect the Salvation of the Goſpel, from that inordinate Love they have to the things of this World: Thus the young Man that came running to Chriſt neglected it, he had his Heart ſo ſet upon his great Poſſeſſions, that he went away from our Saviour ſorrowful, and refuſed the Salvation of his own Soul; he could not part with the World for a Part in Chriſt and Eternal Life. So they that were invited to the Marriage-Supper, out of an inordinate Love to the things of the World, refuſed to come: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain King, which made a Marriage Mat. 22. 2, 3.for his Son, and ſent forth his Servants to call them that were bidden; and they would not come. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his Farm, another to his Merchandiſe. This Marriage-Supper Ver. 5.is this great Salvation; but the things of the World are more valued by moſt People than the Salvation of their Souls: Luke ſaith, And he ſent forth his Servants at Supper-time, to ſay to Luke 14. 17.them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready. Many Perſons refuſe to feed on Chriſt,, they believe not, will not eat of this Supper, will not feed on a crucified Chriſt, or eat his Fleſh, and drink his Blood by Faith, through Love to their carnal Pleaſures, Honours, and worldly Profits. And they all began with one conſent to make excuſe: The firſt ſaid unto him, I have bought a Piece of Ground, and I muſt needs go and ſee it; I pray thee have me excuſed. Ver. 18, 19, 20.And another ſaid, I have bought five Yoke of Oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excuſed. Another ſaid, I have married a Wife, and therefore I cannot come. Lawful things may be abuſed, and the Heart ſo ſet upon them, that they drown Men in Perdition and Deſtruction: Mens Hearts naturally are earthly and ſenſual; and as they know not, ſo they deſire not the Knowledg of God and Jeſus Chriſt, they are ſatisfied with that Portion they have, this World is for them; they care not, regard not the things of another Life.
3. Some neglect this Salvation, out of Love to unlawful things: They will feed on forbidden Fruit, I mean, on their filthy Luſts; they will ſwear, ſteal, whore, be drunk, grind the Face of the Poor, deal unjuſtly, give way to Pride, &c. and from hence neglect the Salvation of their Souls. I was lately told of a gracious Woman living near this City, whoſe Daughter wore a very high Head-dreſs, or that ſhameful Mode now in faſhion, which ſo grieved the Mother, that ſhe gave her a rich Ring, upon condition ſhe would leave off that Dreſs, or Top-knots: Her Daughter took the Ring, and conformed for a while to her Mother's juſt Deſire; but it was not long before ſhe gave her the Ring again, and repented of her Reformation, and got on her old Dreſſes again. Alas, ſome will not leave off and forſake their Luſts for Chains of Gold; they will live in their Sins, perſiſt on in their ungodly Courſes; let what will come, they matter not who they grieve: they prefer their curſed Luſts and Pleaſures above this Salvation, though it be ſo great, as you have heard.
4. Moreover, ſome neglect Salvation, becauſe there is a Croſs joined to the Crown; they muſt take Chriſt's Yoke upon them, and be expoſed to Reproach for his ſake, and this they cannot endure, the Yoke is uneaſy to the Fleſh, the Fleſh cannot bear it. No, it is only eaſy to ſuch whoſe Hearts are renewed, who have got a new Nature. The Croſs makes many loſe the Crown; but, Brethren, had Jeſus Chriſt refuſed the Croſs, where had we been?
5. Some Perſons neglect Salvation, through the treachery and deceitfulneſs of their own Hearts: 'Tis ſlighted out of an Opinion or Perſwaſion, that all is well with them; They believe in Chriſt, hope in God's Mercy: Chriſt, ſay they, died for Sinners. And thus the Devil, and their own deceived Hearts, cauſe them to neglect ſeeking out after the ſaving Knowledg of Chriſt and Salvation by him on Goſpel-Terms; for Sin predominates in them, reigns in them, notwithſtanding all their Hopes and Confidence. What ſignifies ſuch Faith that does not purify the Heart and Life, or ſuch Hope? Alas, it will be but like the Spider's Web, vain Thoughts reſt in thoſe, and deſtroy them; vain in their Riſe, vain as to the Ground they build their Hopes upon; a vain Bottom, vain as to the Motive: and vain as to the Fruit or Product thereof; they think they have hold of Salvation, yet are dropping into Hell.
6. Some neglect the Salvation of the Goſpel, partly out of ſervile and ſlaviſh Fear, and partly out of pretended Modeſty; they dare not be ſo bold to take hold of Chriſt, or venture their Souls on Chriſt, becauſe they are ſo vile, filthy, and abominable, unleſs they had ſomething to bring, ſomething to preſent to Chriſt, to render them acceptable or welcome to him; they will not come, they pretend they dare not come, they can't think ſo great Salvation ſhould be beſtow'd freely on ſuch as they are: if they could be rid of their Sins, or waſh themſelves from their Sins, then they would come; or could they get themſelves ſome new Clothes, make themſelves a new Heart, or get ſome inherent Righteouſneſs of their own, then they would come. Sad Caſe! but it is no wonder ſome are carried away with this Deluſion, conſidering what a kind of Doctrine is preached in theſe perilous Times. But, Sinner, know thou muſt come to Chriſt to be waſhed, come as one that ſees what need thou haſt to be put into the Fountain, which is ſet open for Sin and Uncleanneſs; and come as one naked, that Chriſt may clothe thee. Chriſt calls Sinners to him; may be you will ſay, What is it to come to Chriſt? Why, to believe in him, to lay hold by Faith upon him: And if thou doſt thus, though thou art never ſo great a Sinner, thou ſhalt be ſaved.
7. Others neglect Goſpel-Salvation out of Idleneſs and curſed Sloth: 'Tis a hard thing to enter in at the ſtrait Gate, Self-denial Mat. 7. 13, 14.is of abſolute neceſſity. O but this is too difficult for this ſort, they can't pray, read, meditate; they don't love to hear Sermons, they do not care to put themſelves upon Spiritual Duties, as to ſeek the Kingdom of Heaven, nay, and to take it by Violence; they can take pains to damn their own Souls, but cannot, will not take that pains they are enabled to do to ſave their Souls. Sirs, Men will not be condemned for not doing that which they had not Power to do, but for neglecting that which they might have done; their Deſtruction is of themſelves, though their Salvation is wholly of God, and of the free Grace of God in Jeſus Chriſt: Have not Men Power to leave all groſs Acts of Wickedneſs, and to attend upon the Means of Salvation? They who ſay we put the Creature to do nothing, falſly charge us; we preſs Men to leave their wicked Practices upon a right foot of Account, and to wait upon God in his Bleſſed Ordinances, which he has appointed for the begetting of Faith. True, we ſay a Man can't change his own Heart, yet he may leave the groſs Acts of Sin; 'tis one thing to have the Life reformed, and another to have the Heart renewed: 'Tis the changing the vicious Habits, or the Work of Regeneration, which we ſay muſt be done by God's Almighty Power; Grace muſt be infuſed into the Soul, which works phyſically.
8. Moreover, it is through Pride in ſome that they neglect this great Salvation; they have ſuch a good Opinion of their own Righteouſneſs, they cannot ſee they have any need of the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt: they are ſuch that our Saviour ſpeaks of; And he ſpoke a Parable unto certain which truſted in themſelves that Luk. 18. 9.they were Righteous, and deſpiſed others. Theſe are ſo conceited of themſelves, that through pride of what they have got of their own they regard not an imputed Righteouſneſs to juſtify them; Man naturally affecteth to ſtand by a Righteouſneſs of his own. Adam was a rich Man, a noble Man, he had enough of his own to live upon; and his Sons retain a proud Spirit, like ſome Sons of a decayed Gentleman: their Father was a Knight, a Lord, and they are great in their own Conceit, (though their Cloak perhaps is nothing but Patches) they ſcorn to beg, or to dig, no they will ſooner ſteal, and ſtand on the High-way. Proud Man doth thus in a ſpiritual Senſe, he will not beg, he will not go to Chriſt's Door for Bread, he will rather ſteal and rob Chriſt of his Honour in their Salvation, by ſeeking it ſome other Way, even in an unlawful Way; this is no better than a ſpiritual robbing Jeſus Chriſt of having the whole Glory and Honour of the Salvation of the Soul: and yet they do not enrich themſelves hereby neither, it is but only in conceit; they fancy themſelves rich, and truſt in their own Righteouſneſs, as if it were choice Treaſure, when it is nothing but filthy Rags which they pride themſelves in and boaſt of.
11. It is through Unbelief this Salvation is neglected, Men believe not: The grand Neglect centers here, this is the killing Evil, the Sin of all Sins, the Plague of all Plagues.
I conſider Unbelief in general, not only as it is a non-reception Unbelief the greateſt Sin.of Chriſt, not believing in Chriſt, not accepting of Chriſt, but as it is a denying to give Credit to the Revelation of God, and of what he declares in his Word.
1. They do not believe Salvation ought to be the main Buſineſs of their Lives, which they ſhould regard and ſeek after above all things, it being the one thing needful, yea, more than Meat, Drink, Clothes, Wives, Children, Health, Credit, Riches, Honours, Pleaſures, or Life it ſelf.
2. They do not believe that Sin is the greateſt Evil, nor that God is Man's ſupreme and chiefeſt Good, wherein his only Happineſs lies.
3. They do not believe that ſuch is the Holineſs, Juſtice, Wrath and Severity of God, that he will throw Sinners into Hell, although he poſitively declares in his …ord that he will do it, except they believe, repent, and forſake their abominable Ways; yet they doubt not of their Salvation, though they are perhaps Swearers, Drunkards, unclean Perſons, proud Perſons, covetous or perverſe Wretches.
4. They will not believe what the woful End of all Unbelievers and Unregenerate Perſons will be.
5. They will not believe that they are in a ſpiritual Senſe brought to utter Beggary, being Sons of a Beggar that ſpent all he had.
6. They will not believe, though it is told them again and again, that they are blind, miſerable, wretched and naked, and for Rebellion condemned to die, nay, to be burned for ever: Unbelief was the Cauſe of Man's Fall at firſt, he would not believe God who told him, In the Day he eat of the forbidden Fruit, he ſhould ſurely die; No, he rather adhered to the Devil, and gave credit to the Father of Lies. This alſo was the grand Cauſe of the Iſraelites falling in the Wilderneſs; And to whom ſware he that Heb. 3. 18, 19. Heb. 4. 1.they ſhould not enter into his Reſt, but to them that believed not? So we ſee they could not enter in, becauſe of Vnbelief. Let us therefore fear, ſaith the Apoſtle. Brethren, there is a notional and practical Unbelief: Some believe there is a God, but they deny him by their Works; and deny Chriſt the only Saviour, by cleaving to and truſting in other things for Salvation: They perhaps think that their good Deeds, their Prayers, their juſt Dealings, and ſober and moral Lives, will ſave them. Some are like a poor ignorant Wretch that I heard of, who being lately ſick, and a Chriſtian Neighbour being ſent for to come to him, he asked him ſome Queſtions about his Soul, who replied, that he had been a Sinner; but if God ſpared him, he hop'd to make God amends for all. Some ſin, and commit horrid Evils in the Day, and then pray at Night, and confeſs their Sins; and may be drop a few Tears, and that they think cures all, and makes them as ſound again as a Fiſh, and ſo go on the next Day in their old trade of ſinning as briskly as before. Some have a humane Faith, an hiſtorical Faith, and from thence do many things, though they do not live up to that Faith neither, nor improve what Knowledg and Light they have received to that degree they ought, and ſo ſhall be condemned, like as was the Man that improved not his one Talent. I call it a humane Faith, becauſe it is the Act of the Creature, by virtue of his natural Powers and Capacity: the Spring and Motive of their Faith is Humane, therefore their Faith cannot be Divine.
I ſhall ſum up the whole of this Head, and come to the Application.
1. It appears that the Salvation of the Goſpel is neglected by many; through Ignorance and natural Blindneſs their Underſtandings are darkned: And Light ſhines in the Darkneſs, but the Darkneſs comprehendeth it not. Men love Darkneſs rather than Light, Joh. 1. 5.Error rather than Truth. If another come in his own Name, him you will receive.
2. There is a Perverſeneſs and Rebellion in the Will, and hardneſs in the Heart: Ye will not come to me, that ye might have Life. Joh. 5. 40. Rom. 8. 7.The carnal Mind is Enmity againſt God; it is not ſubject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be.
3. Men are ignorant and unſenſible of their States and Conditions: Are we blind alſo? We are Abraham's Seed, was the Plea of old. We are Chriſtians, the Off-ſpring of Chriſtian People, and good Proteſtants, is the Plea now. They are,
4. Ignorant of God's Holineſs and Juſtice, and ſo truſt in his Mercy, not regarding of his Law and Juſtice. They are ignorant and unſenſible of that inſufficiency there is in themſelves, or in any thing they can do to ſave their own Souls.
5. 'Tis through the Ignorance of ſome of their Teachers, who preach not the Goſpel truly to them.
6. 'Tis through an inordinate Love to the things of this World, their Affections are corrupted and ſet upon the Creature, upon their Riches, Honours and Pleaſures.
7. 'Tis through that Love many have to their Sins, and ſinful Practices, and ſinful Companions.
8. 'Tis through the deceitfulneſs and treachery of their own evil Hearts.
9. Through ſlaviſh Fear, or pretended Modeſty, they dare not be ſo bold to venture themſelves on Chriſt, being ſuch great Sinners, and having nothing to preſent unto him for acceptance.
10. It is from Idleneſs and ſpiritual Sloth.
11. From Unbelief, not giving Credit to the Revelation of God's Word in many reſpects, but think to be ſaved ſome other ways than by Jeſus Chriſt alone, or not by him, and nothing elſe; and conclude ſomething is to be joined to Chriſt's Merits and Righteouſneſs, or they cannot be juſtified nor ſaved: and thus this Salvation is neglected; it is upon theſe, or ſuch-like Conſiderations as theſe are.
APPLICATION.
1. Tremble you that ſlight or neglect the great Salvation of the Goſpel: Will you ſay that Jeſus Chriſt cannot ſave you, or is not willing to ſave you? Certainly thoſe who give way to ſuch Thoughts and Temptations, are ſharply to be reproved.
2. Your Sins and Unbelief is the Cauſe of your Miſery, and if you periſh, it will be the Cauſe of your Damnation for ever.
3. And to you that are Believers let me ſpeak one Word; Have a care of Unbelief, beware of unbelieving and deſponding Thoughts: Why do you hang down your Heads?
Object. O the deadneſs of my Heart! This I know is the Voice and Complaint of your Souls.
Anſw. How came you to know that you are dead? Certainly this is a ſign that there is Life in you. Did ever any Perſon that was naturally dead, ſay he was dead, cold, or unſenſible? that is impoſſible, 'tis only ſuch who are alive that thus complain.
Object. O the abundance of Sin that is in me, that afflicts and diſtreſſes my Soul!
Anſw. Say you ſo, is Sin your Sickneſs, is Sin your Sorrow? Is Sin that which afflicts, wounds and grieves your Spirit? Then rejoice, this is a good ſign. Would you live and ſin not? Do you ſee a lovelineſs in Holineſs? this is, no doubt, an Evidence of the Goodneſs of your Condition, provided you hate it, and allow not of Sin in you.
Object. But, alas, how little do I mind, and am affected with this great Salvation!
Anſw. Canſt thou be contented without it, or give over minding it, and trouble thy ſelf no more about it? Nay, art thou willing to part with that Intereſt thou haſt in Chriſt, and in this Salvation? I am perſwaded you will ſay No, not for ten thouſand Worlds.
4. Moreover, from hence we may ſee the Madneſs and Folly of the generality of Men who live under the preaching of the Goſpel, and yet neglect, Day by Day, the Means of this ſo great Salvation; they regard not their chief and main Buſineſs: What Blindneſs is naturally in Mankind!
But becauſe I ſhall have occaſion to open more particularly the great Evil of neglecting the Salvation of the Goſpel the next time, I ſhall ſay no more to it now.