Practical Commentary of 1 Peter Volume 2, Commentary · Chapter 1 · Verse 18
Verse 21.
21. The like figure whereunto, even Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good Conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Iesus Christ.
AS the Example the Apostle here makes use of, is great and remarkable, so its fit and sutable for the instruction of Christians, this he clears in the particular resemblance of it with the rule of Christianity; Baptism, the like figure, &c.
In them. 1. The end of Baptism. 2. The proper vertue or efficacy of it for that end. A resemblance in both these to Noah's preservation in the flood.
Save us.] This is the great common end of all the Ordinances of God, that one high mark they all aim at. And the great and common mistake of them is, that they are not so understood and used; We come and fit a while, and if we can keep awake, give the Word the hearing, but how few of us recei…e it as the ingra…ted Word that is able to save our Souls; were it thus taken, what sweetness would be found in it, that most, as hear and read it, are strangers to. How precious would these lines be, if we look… on them thus, saw them meeting and concentring in Salvation as their end. Thus likewise the Sacraments considered indeed as Seals of this Inheritance, annexed to the great Charter of it, Seals of Salvation; this would powerfully beget a sit appetite for the Lord's Supper, when we are invited to it, and would beget a due esteem of Baptism, would teach you more frequent and fruitful thoughts of your own, and more pious considerations of it when you require it for your Children. A natural eye, looks upon Bread, and Wine, and Water, and the outward difference of their use there, that they are set apart and differenced, as is evident by external circumstances, from their common use, but the main of the difference, where their excellency lies, it sees not, as the eye of faith above that espies Salvation under them; and Oh! what another thing are they to it, than to a formal user of them. We aspire to know the hidden rich things of God, that are wrapt up in his Ordinances. We stick in the shell and superfice of them, and seek no further, that makes them unbeautiful and unsavoury to us, and that use of them turns into an empty custome. Be more earnest with him that hath appointed them, and made this their end to save us, that he would clear up the eye of our Souls, to see them thus under this relation, and see how they …uit to this their end and tend to it, and seriously … Salvation in them from his own hand, and we shall find it.
Save us.] So that this Salvation of Noah and his Family from the Deluge and all outward deliverances and Salvations, but dark shadows of this, let them not be spoke of, these reprivalls and prolongings of this present li…e to the deliverance of the Soul from death, the Second death; the stretching of a moment to the concernment of Eternity. How would any of you welcome a full and sure protection from common dangers, if such were to be had, that you should be ascertained of safety from Sword and Pestilence, that what ever others suffered about you, you and your Family should be free; (And they that have escaped a near danger of this kind resting there, as if no more were to be feared, whereas this common favour may be shew'd to these that are far off from God;) and what though you be not only thus far safe, but, I say, if you were secured for afterwards, which none of you absolutely are, yet when you are put out of danger of Sword and plague, still death remains, and sin and wrath may be remaining with it, and shall it not be all one to dye under these in a time of publick peace and welfare as if it were now. Ye… something more unhappy by the increase of the heap of sin, and wrath, guiltiness augmented by life prolong'd, and more grievous to be pulled away from the World in the middle of peacable enjoyment, and Everlasting darkness to succeed to that short Sun-shine of thy day of ease; happiness of a short date, and misery for ever. What availed it wicked Cham, to outlive the flood to Inherit a Curse after it, to be kept undrown'd in the waters, to see himself and his posterity blasted with his Fathers Curse. Think seriously, what will be the end of all thy temporary safety and preservation if thou share not in this Salvation, and find not thy self sealed and marked for it, to flatter thy self with a dream of happiness, and walk in the light of a few sparkles, that will soon dye out, and then lie down in sorrow, a sad bed that the most have to go to after they have wearied themselves all the day, all their life, being in a chase of Vanity.
The next thing is, the power and vertue of this means, for its end. That it hath a Power, is clear in that it is so expresly said, it doth save us, which kind of power, is as clear, in the way of it here exprest, not by a natural force of the Element, though adapted and sacramentally used; it only can wash away the silth of the Body, its Physical Efficacy, or power reaches no further: but it is in the hand of the Spirit of God as other Sacraments, and as the Word it self is, to purifie the Conscience, and convey Grace, and Salvation to the Soul by the reference it hath to, and union with that which it represents. It saves by answer of a good Conscience unto God, and it affords that, by the Resurrection of Iesus from the dead.
Thus then we have a true Accompt of the Power of this, and so of other Sacraments, and a discovery of the error of two extreams. (1.) Of those that ascribe too much to them, as if they wrought by a Natural inherent Vertue, and carried Grace in them inseparably. 2. Of those that ascribe too little to them, making them only signs and badges of our Profession, signs they are, but more than signs, meerly representing, they are means exhibiting, and seals confirming Grace to the Faithful. But the working of Faith, and the conveying of Christ into the Soul to be received by Faith, is not a thing put into them to do of themselves, but still in the Supream hand, that appointed them: and he indeed both causes the Souls of his own to receive these his Seals with faith, and makes them effectually to confirm that Faith, which receives them so. They are then in a word neither empty signs to them that believe, nor effectual Causes of Grace to them that believe not.
The mistake on both sides arises from the inconsideration of the relative Nature of these Seals, and that kind of Union that is betwixt them, and the Grace they represent, which is real, though not Natural or Physical, as they speak. So that, though they do not save all that partake of them, yet they do really and effectually save Believers, for whose Salvation they are means, as the other external Ordinances of God do. Though they have not that Power which is peculiar to the Author of them, yet a Power they have, such as befits their Nature, and by reason of which, they are truely said to Sanctifie, and Justifie, and so to save, as the Apostle here avers of Baptism.
Now that which is intended for our help, our carnal minds are ready to turn into a hinderance and disadvantage. The Lord representing invisible things to the eye, and confirming his Promises even by visible seals: we are apt by the grossness of our unspiritual hearts, instead of steping up by that which is earthly to the Divine Spiritual things represented, to stay on the outward Element, and go no further: therefore the Apostle to lead us into the inside of this Seal of Baptism, is very clear in designing the effect and fruit of it. Not (says he) putting away the silth of the flesh, and water, if you look no further can do no more. There is an invisible impurity upon our Nature, chiefly on our invisible Part, our Soul; this washing means the taking away of that… and where it reaches its true effect it doth so purifie the Conscience, and makes it good, truly so in the sight of God who is the …udge of it.
Consi. 1. …s a pitiful thing to see the Ignorance of the most professing Christianity, and partaking of the outward Seals of it, and yet knowing not what they mean, know not the spiritual dignity and vertue of them; blind in the Mysteries of the Kingdom, and not so much as sensible of that blindness. And being ignorant of the Nature of these holy things, cannot have a due esteem of them, which arises out of the view of their inward worth and efficacy. A confused fancy of some good in them, and this rising to the other extream to a superstitious confidence in the simple performance, and participance of them, as if that carried some inseparable Vertue with it, which none could miss of, that are sprinkled with the Waters of Baptism, and share in the Elements of Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper.
And what is the utmost Plea of the most for their Title to Heaven, but in these relative and external, things they are Christians; are Baptized; hear the Word, and are admitted to the Lord's Table, not considering how many through all these have gone, and daily are going on in the ways of death, never coming near Jesus Christ, who is the Way, and Truth, and the Life, whom the Word and the Seals of it hold forth to Believers, and they are washt in his Blood, and quickened with his Life, and made like him, and Coheirs of Glory with him.
2. Even th…y that have some clearer Notion of the Nature and … of the Seals of Grace, yet are in a practi… Error▪ that they look not with due diligence into themselves, enquiring after the efficiency of them in their hearts; do not study the Life of Christ, to know more what it is, and then to search into themselves for the Truth, and the growth of that Life within them. Is it not an unbelieving thing for a Christian, (when he is about to appear before the Lord's Table, and so looks something more narrowly within) to find as little Faith, as little Divine Affection, a Heart as unmortified to the World, as cold towards Christ, as before his last Address to the same Table, after the intervening possibly of many Months; in which time had he been careful often to reflect inwards on his Heart, and look back upon that new sealing in his last Participation, he might likely have been more suitable. And truly as there is much guiltiness cleaves to us in this, so readily much more in reference to this other Sacrament that is here the Apostles Subject, Baptism, because but once administred, and that in Infancy, very seldom and slightly considered by many, even real Christians. And so we are at a loss in that Profit and Comfort, that increase of both Holiness and Faith, that the frequent recollecting of it after a Spiritual manner, would no doubt advance us to. And not only neglect to put our selves upon the thoughts of it in private, but in the frequent opportunities of such thoughts in publick; let it pass unregarded, are idle inconsiderate, and so truly guilty beholders, and the more frequent we have them, are the less toucht with them; they become common and work not, and the …lighting of them grows so common with us, as the thing. Yea, when the Engagement is more special and personal, when Parents are to present their Infants to this Ordinance, and then might, and certainly ought to have a more particular and fixed eye upon it, and themselves as being sealed with it, to ask within after the Fruit and Power of it, and to stir up themselves anew to the Actings of Faith, and Ambition after newness of Life, and with earnest prayer for their Children, to be Su… ters for themselves for further evidence of their interest in Christ: yet possibly many are not much in these things at such times; but are more busied to prepare their House for entertaining their Friends, than to prepare their hearts for offering up their Infant unto God to be sealed, and withal to make a new offer of their own hearts to him, to have renewed on them the inward Seal of the Covenant of Grace, the outward Seal whereof they did receive, as it is now to be conferr'd upon their Infant.
Did we often look upon the Face of our Souls, the seeing of the many spots we have defil'd them with after our washing, it might work us to shame and grief, and would drive us by renewed Application to wash often in that blood which that water figures, which alone can …etch out the stain of sin; and then it would set us upon renewed Purposes of Purity, to walk more carefully, to avoid the pollutions of the World we walk in, and to purge out the pollutions of the Hearts that we carry about with us, that de…ile us more than all the World besides: It would work an holy disdain o… sin, often to contemplate our selves as washed in so precious a …aver; shall I, would the Christian say, considering that I am now cleansed in the precious blood of my Lord Jesus, run again into that puddle where he so graciously took me out and made me clean? Let the Swine wallow in it; he hath made me of his She…p…old; he hath made me of that excellent order for which all are consecrated, by that washing that partake of it, washt us in his Blood, and made us Kings and P…ests unto God the Father. Am I of these? and shall I debase my self to the … pleasures of sin? No, I will think my self too good to serve any sinful lust, seeing he hath lookt on me, and taken me up and washt and dignified me, I am wholly his, all my study and business shall be to honour and magnifie him.
The Answer of a Good Conscience, &c.] The taking away of Spiritual … as the true and saving effect of Baptism, the Apostle here expresses by that which is the further result and effect of it. The answer of a good Conscience unto God. For its the washing of that filthiness which makes both the Conscience good, and in making it such, fits it to make answer unto God. A good Conscience in its full Sense, is a pure Conscience, and a peaceable Conscience, and it cannot indeed be peaceably good, unless it be purely good. And although on the other side it may want the present enjoyment of Peace, being p…risied, yet certainly in a purified Conscience there's Title and Right to Peace, its radically there, even when it appears not. And in due time it shall appear, shall spring forth, …ud and flourish.
The purified and good Condition of the whole Soul may well as here it doth, go under the name of the good Conscience, it being so prime a faculty of it, and as the glass of the whole Soul, wherein the estate of it is represented. Therefore Heb. 9. the Efficacy of the Blood of Christ is exprest thus, that it purgeth our Consciences from dead works, which Expression is the s…me thing in respect with that here, the answer of a good Conscience unto God.
The answer foreign] The asking or questioning of Conscience, which comprises l…keways its A…swer, for it intends the whole Correspondence of the Conscience w…th God, and with it self as towards God, or in the …ight of God; and indeed God's questioning it, is by it self, it is his Deputy in the Soul, he makes it pose it self for him, and before him, concerning its own Condition, and so the Answer it gives it self in that posture, as he sitting and hearing it in his Presence, is an Answer made unto him. This questioning and answering (if such a thing were at this time, as it was certainly soon after) yet means not the Questions and Answers us'd in the Baptism of Persons, who being of years professed their Faith in answering the questions moved, it possibly alludes unto that, and by way of resemblance, expresses the inward Questioning and Answering which is transacted within, betwixt the Soul and it self, and the Soul and God, and so is allusively called foreign a Questioning and Answering, but distinctively specified, foreign that whereas the other was towards Men, this is unto God.
1. A good Conscience is a waking speaking Conscience, and the Conscience that questions it self most, of all sorts the best; so that which is dumb or asleep, is not active and frequent in self inquiries, is not a good Conscience. The word is judicial, foreign Interrogation used in Law for the trial and executing of Processes; and this the great business of Conscience, to sit, and examine, and judge within, to hold Courts in the Soul, and it is of continual necessity, that it be so: no vacancy of this Judicature without great damage to the Estate of the Soul; yea, not a day ought to pass without …a Session of Conscience within; for there are daily disorders arise in the Soul, which if they pass on will grow and gather more, and so breed more difficulty in their trial and redress. Yet men do readily turn from this work as hard and unpleasant, and make many a long vacancy in the year, and protract it from one day to another; in the Morning they must go about their business, and at night they are weary and sleepy, and all the day long one Affair steps in after another, and in case of that failing, some triffling company or other, and so their days pass on, the Soul overgrows with impurities and disorders.
You know what confusions, and disorders, and evils will abound amongst a rude people, where there is no kind of Court nor Judicature held, thus is it with that unruly rable, the lusts and passions of our Souls, when there is no discipline nor Judgement within, or where there is but a neglect and intermission of it for a short time. And the most of Souls are in the posture of ruin, their vile affections, as a head-strong tumultuous multitude, that will not suffer a deputed Judge to sit amongst them, cry down their Consciences, and make a continual noise that the voice of it may not be heard, and so force it to desist and leave them to their own ways.
But you that take this course, know, you are providing the severest Judgement for your selves by disturbing of Judgement, as when a people rise against an inferiour Judge, the Prince or Supreme Magistrate that sent him hearing of it, doth not fail to vindicate his honour and Justice in their exemplary punishment.
Will you not answer unto Conscience, but when it begins to speak, turn to business, or Company, that you may not hear it? know, that it and you must answer unto God, and when he shall make enquiry, it must report, and report as the truth is, knowing that there is no hiding the matter from him. Lord, there are to my knowledge a World of enormities within the circuit I had to judge, and I would have judged them, but was violented, and interrupted, and was not strong enough to resist the tumultuous power that rose against me. Now the matter comes into thine own hand to judge it thy self; What shall the Soul say in that day, when Conscience shall make such an answer unto God, and it shall come under the severity of his justice for all. Whereas if it had given way to the Conscience to find out and judge and rectifie matters, it could have answered concerning its procedure that way, God would accept this as the answer of a Good Conscience, and what he had done, he would not do over again; it is judged, then I acquit, for if we would judge our selves, (says the Apostle) we should not be judged.
The questioning or inquiry of Conscience, and so its report or answer unto God, extends to all the affairs of the Soul, all the affections and motions of it, and all the actions, and carriage of the whole Man. The open wickedness of the most testifies against them, that though sprinkled with water in Baptism, yet they are Strangers to the power and Gracious Efficacy of it, not Baptised with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: still their dross and filth remaining to them; and nothing else appearing in their ways, so that their Consciences cannot so much as make a good answer for them unto Men, much less unto God. What shall it answer for them being judged? but that they are Swearers, and Cursers, and Drunkards, or unclean, or that they are slanderers, delighting to pass their hours in descanting on the actions and ways of others, and looking through the miscoloured-glass of their own malice, and pride, that they are neglecters of God, and holy things, lovers of themselves, and their own pleasures more than lovers of God, and have such as these impudence enough to call themselves Christians? and to pretend themselves to be such as are washed, in the blood of Christ? yes they do this. But be ashamed and confounded in your selves, you that remain in this condition; yea although thou art blameless in Men's Eyes, and possibly in thy own Eyes too, yet thou mayst be filthy still in the sight of God. There is such a Generation, a Multitude of them that is pure in their own Eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness. Moral evil persons that are most satisfied with their own estate, or such as have further a form of Godliness, but their lusts not mortified by the power of it; secret pride, and earthliness of Mind, and vain glory, and carnal wisdom still pleasingly entertained within; these are foul Pollutions, filthy and hateful in the sight of God, so that where it is thus, that the heart is peaceably possest with such guests, there the blood and Spirit of Christ are not yet come, neither can there be this answer of a Good Conscience unto God.
This answer of a Good Conscience unto God, as likewise its questioning, to enable it self for that answer, is touching two great points that are of chief concern to their Soul, its Iustification and Sanctification, for Baptism is the Seal of both, and purges the Conscience in both respects, that water as the figure both of the blood and water, the justifying blood of Christ, and the pure water of the sanctifying Spirit of Christ; takes away the condemning guiltiness of sin by the one, and the polluting filthiness by the other.
Now the Conscience of a real Believer enquiring within, upon right discovery will make this answer unto God, Lord, I have found that there is no standing before thee, for the Soul in it self is overwhelmed with a World of guiltiness, but I find a blood sprinkled upon it, that hath, I am sure, vertue enough to purge it all away, and to present it pure unto thee, and I know that wheresoever thou findest that blood sprinkled, thine anger is quench'd and appealed presently upon the sight of it; That hand cannot smite where that blood is before thine eye. And this the Lord does agree to, and authorises the Conscience, upon this account to return back an answer of safety and peace to the Soul.
So for the other, Lord, I find a living Work of holiness on this Soul, though there is yet corruption there, yet it is as a continual grief and vexation, its an implacable hatred, there is no peace betwixt them, but continual enmity, and hostility, and if I cannot say much of the high degrees of Grace, and faith in Christ, and love to him, and heavenliness of Mind, yet I may say, there is a beginning of those; at least this I most confidently affirm, that there are real and earnest desires of the Soul in these things.
It would know and conform to thy will, and be delivered from it self, and its own will, and though it were to the highest displeasure of all the World, it would gladly walk in all well pleasing unto thee.
And he that sees the truth of these things, knowing it to be thus, owns it as his own work, and engages himself to advance it on, and bring it to perfection.
This is a taste of that intercourse the purified Conscience hath with God, as the saving fruit of Baptism.
And all this it doth, not of it self, but by vertue of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which refers both to the utmost effect, Salvation; and the nearer effect as a means and pledge of that, the purging of the Conscience.
By this, his Death and the effusion of his Blood in his sufferings, are not excluded; but are included in it: His Resurrection being the evidence of all that work of Expiation, both compleated and accepted; full Payment made by our Surety, and so he set free, and his Freedom the Cause and the Assurance of ours. Therefore the Apostle St. Paul expresses it so, That he died for our sins, and rose for our righteousness, and our Apostle shews us the worth of our living hope in this same resurrection, Chap. 1. v. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead.
Now that Baptism doth apply and seal to the Believer his Interest in the death and resurrection of Christ, the Apostle St. Paul teaches to the full, Rom. 8. 3. The dipping into the waters, our dying with him; and the return thence, our rising with him.
The last thing is, the resemblance of Baptism in these things, with the saving of Noah in the Flood, and it holds in that we spoke last of, for he seemed to have rather entred into a Grave as dead than into a safeguard of Life, in going into the Ark, yet there being buried, he rose again, as it were, in his coming forth to begin a new World. The Waters of the Flood drown'd the Ungodly, as a heap of filthiness washt them away, they and their sin together as one, being inseparable; and upon the same Waters, the Ark floating preserved Noah. Thus the Waters of Baptism are intended as a deludge to drown Sin, and to save the Believer, that by Faith is separated both from the World and from his Sin; so it sinks, and he is saved.
And there is further, one thing specified by the Apostle, wherein though it be a little hard, yet chiefly intends the paralel. The fewness of these that are sav'd by both, for though many are sprinkled with the Elemental Water of Baptism, yet few, so as to attain by it the Answer of a good Conscience towards God, and to live by participance of the Resurrection and Life of Christ.
Thou that seest the World perishing in a deluge of Wrath, and art now most thoughtful for this, how thou shalt escape it, fly into Christ, as thy safety, and rest secure there; thou shalt find life in his death, and that life further ascertained to you in his rising again: so full and clear a Title to Life in these two, that thou canst challenge all Adversaries upon this very Ground as unconquerable, whilest thou standest on it, and speak thy challenge in the Apostles stile, It is God that justifieth, who shall condemn? But how know you that he justifies? it is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen, who sitteth at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us, It alludes to that place, Isa. 50. where Christ speaks of himself, but in the name of all that adhere to him; he is near that justifies me, who is he that will contend with me: so that what Christ speaks there, the Apostle with good reason imparts to each Believer as in him. If no more to be laid to Christ's charge, being now acquitted, as is clear by his rising again, then neither to thine, who art cloathed with him, and one with him.
This the grand Answer of a good Conscience, and in point of justifying them before God, no answer but this: What have any to say to thee, thy debt is paid by him that undertook it, he is free? answer all accusations with this, Christ is risen.
And then for the mortifying of sin, and strengthing of thy Graces, look daily on that death and resurrection; study them, set thine eye upon them, till thy Heart take in the Impression of them by much Spiritual and affectionate looking on them, beholding the Glory of thy Lord Christ, then be transformed unto it, 2 Cor. 3. It is not only a moral Patern or Copy, but an effectual Cause of thy sanctification, having real influence into thy Soul; dead with him, and again alive with him. Oh Happiness and Dignity unspeakable, to have this Life known and cleared to your Souls! If it were, how would it make you live above the World, and all the vain hopes and fears of this wretched Life, and the fears of Death it self, yea, it would make it most lovely to them, that is the most affrightful Visage to the World.
It is the Apostles Maxime, that the carnal mind is enmity against God, as it is universally true of every carnal mind, so of all the motions and thoughts of it, even where it seems to agree with God, yet its still contrary, if it acknowledge and conform to his Ordinances, yet even in so doing, its in direct opposite terms to him, particularly in this, that which he esteems most in them, the carnal mind makes least account of. He chiefly eyes and values the inside, the Natural Man dwells and rests in the shell and superfice of them. God according to his Spiritual Nature looks most on the more Spiritual part of his worship and Worshippers. The carnal mind's in this, just like it selfe altogether for the sensible external part, and cannot look beyond it. Therefore the Apostle here having taken occasion to speak of Baptism by terms of Paralel, and resemblance with the Flood, is express in correcting this mistake. It is not (says he) in putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience.
Were it possible to perswade you, I would recommend one thing to you, learn to look on the Ordinances of God suitably to their Natures, spiritually, and enquire after the spiritual effect and working of them upon your Consciences. We would willingly have all Religion reduced to outwards; this is ou… natural choice, and would pay all in this coyn, as cheaper and easier by far, and would compound for the Spiritual part, rather to add and give more external per…ormance and ceremony. Hence the natural complacency of Popery, which is all for this service of the flesh and body-services, and to those prescribed of God, all deal so liberally with him in that kind, as to add more, and frame new Devices and Rites; what you will in this kind, Sprinklings, and Washing…, and Anointings, and Incense; but whither all this? is it not a gross mistake of God to think him thus pleased, or is it not a direct afront, knowing that he is not pleased with these, but desires another thing; to thrust that upon him that he cares not for, and refuse him what he calls for, that single humble heart worship and walking with him, that purity of Spirit and Conscience that he only prizes, and no outward-service, but for these as they tend to this end and do attain it? Give me, says, he nothing if you give not this. Oh! saith the carnal Mind, any thing but this thou shalt have; as many washings and offerings as thou wilt, thousands of Rams, and ten thousand Rivers of Oyl; yea, rather then fail, let the Fruit of my Body go for the Sin of my Soul. Thus we; will the outward use of Word and Sacraments do it, then all shall be well; baptised we are, and shall I hear much and communicate of…en, if I can reach it, shall I …e exact in po…nt of Family Worship, shall I pray in secret, all this I do, or at least I now promise. Ay, but when all that is done, there is yet one thing may be wanting, and if it be so, all that amounts to nothing; is thy Conscience purged and made good by all these, or art thou s…king and aiming at this, by the use of all means, then certainly thou shalt …ind life in them? But does thy heart still remain uncleansed from the old ways, not purified from the Pollutions of the World? do thy beloved sins still lodge with thee, and keep possession of thy heart, then art thou still a stranger to Christ, and an enemy to God, the word and seals of Life are dead to thee, and thou still dead in the use of them all. Know you not, that many have made shipwrack upon the very rock of Salvation; that many which were baptised as well as you, and as constant attendants on all the Worship and Ordinances of God as you, yet remained without Christ, and died in their sins, and are now past recovery. Oh! that you would be warned; there are still multitudes running headlong that same course tending to destruction through the midst of all the means of Salvation; the saddest way of all to it, through Word and Sacraments, and all heavenly Ordinances to be walking hellwards. Christians, and yet no Christians, baptised and yet unbaptised; as the Prophet takes in the prophane multitude of God's own People with the Nations, Jer. 9. 26. Egypt, and Iudah, and Edom; all these Nations are uncircumcised, and the worst came last, and all the House of Israel are uncircumcised in the Heart. Thus, thus the most of us unbaptised in the heart, and as this is the way of personal destruction, so it is that, as the Prophet there declares, that brings upon the Church so many publick Judgments; and as the Apostle tells, that for the abuse of the Lord's Table, many were sick and many slept. Certainly our abuse of the holy things of God, and want of their proper Spiritual Fruits, are amongst the prime sins of this Land, … which so many … have fallen in the Fields by the Sword, and in the Streets by Pestilence, and more likely yet to fall, if we thus continue to provoke the Lord to his Face; for it is the most avowed direct affront to prophane his holy things; and thus we do while we answer not their proper end, and are not inwardly sanctify'd by them, we have no other Word, nor other Sacraments to recommend to you, than these that you have used so long to no purpose; only we would call you from the dead forms, to seek the living power of them, that you perish not.
You think the renouncing of Baptism a horrible Word, and that we would speak only so of witches, yet it is a common guiltiness that cleaves to all, who renounce not the filthy lusts, and the self will of their own hearts: for Baptism carries in it a renouncing of these, and so the cleaving unto these is a renou… cing of it: Oh! we all were sealed for God: in Baptism, who lives so? few that have the Impression of it on the Conscience, and the expression of it in the walk and fruit of their life. We do not, as clean washed persons, abhor and fly all pollutions, all fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.
We have been a long time hearers of the Gospel, whereof Baptism is the seal, and most of us, often at the Lord's Table. What hath all this done upon us; ask within, are your hearts changed? is there a new Creation there? where is that spiritual min…dness? are your hearts dead to the World and … and al…ve to God, your Consciences purged from dead works?
What mean you, is not this the end of all the ordinances, to make all clean, and to renew and make good the Conscience, to bring the Soul and your Lord into a happy amity and a good correspondence, that it may not only be in speaking terms, but often speak and converse with him, may have liberty of answering and demanding, as this Word hath both. That it may speak the language of faith and humble obedience unto God, and he may speak the language of peace to it, and both, the language of the Lord each to other.
That Conscience alone is good, that is much busied in this work, in demanding, and answering: that speaks much with it self, and with God; this is both the sign that it is good and the means to make it better. That Soul will (doubtless) be very wary in its walk, that takes daily account of it self, and renders up that account unto God; it will not live by guess, but readily examin each step before hand, because it is resolved to examin all after, will consider well what it should do, because it means to ask over again what it hath done, and not only to answer it self, but to make a faithful report of all unto God, to lay all before him, continually upon tryal made, tell him what is in any measure well done, as his own work, and bless him for that: and tell him too all the slips and miscarriages of the day, as our own, complaining of our selves in his presence, and still intreating free pardon, and more wisdom to walk more holily and exactly; and gaining even by our failings more humility and more watchfulness.
If you would have your Consciences answer well, they must enquire and question much, both before hand, whether is this, I purpose and go about, agreable to my Lord's will? will it please him? ask that more, and regard that more, than this that the most f…llow, will it please or profit my self, fits that my own humour. And not only the bulk and substance of thy way and actions, but the manner of them, how thy heart is set; s… think it not enough to go to Church, or to pray, but take heed how yea hear, consider how pure he is, and how piercing his eye whom thou servest.
Then after again, think it not enough, I was praying, or hearing, or reading, it was a good work, what need I question it further. No, but be still reflecting and asking how it was done, how have I …heard, how have I prayed? was my heart humbled by the discoveries of sin, from the Word? was it refresht with the promises of grace, did it lye level under the word to receive the stamp of it, was it in prayer set and kept in a holy bent towards God? did it breath forth real and earnest desires into his ear, or was it remiss and roving and dead in the service? So in my Society with others, in such and such Company, what was my time, and how did I follow it, did I seek to honour my Lord, and to edifie my Brethren by my carriage and speeches, or did the time run out in trifling vain discourse? when alone, what's the carriage and walk of my heart, where it hath most liberty to move its own pace, is it delighted in converse with God? are the thoughts of heavenly things frequent, and sweet to it, or does it run after the earth and the delights of it, spinning out it self in impertinent vain Contrivances?
The neglect of such inquiries is that, which entertains and increases the impurity of the Soul, so that Men are afraid to look into themselves, and to look up to God. But Oh! what a foolish course is this to shift off that which cannot be avoided; in the end answer must be made to that all-seeing Judge, with whom we have to do, and to whom we owe our accompts.
And truly it would be seriously considered what make… this good Conscience, that makes an acceptable answer unto God That appears by the opposition, not the puting away the filth of the flesh, then it is the puting away of Soul …ilthiness; so then its the renewing and purifying of the Conscience that makes it good, pure and peaceable. In the purifying it may be troubled, which is but the stirring in cleansing of it, which makes more quiet in the end, as Physick, or the launcing of a sore, and after it is in some measure cleansed, it may have fits of trouble, which yet still add further purity and further peace: so there is no hazard in that work; but all the misery is, a dead security of the Conscience remaining filthy, and yet un…tirred, or after some stirring or pricking, as a wound, not thoroughly cured, skin'd over, which will but breed more vexation in the end, it will fester and grow more difficult to be cur'd, and if it be cur'd it must be by deeper cutting and more pain, than if at first it had endured a thorough search.
O My Brethren! take heed of sleeping unto death, carnal …ase; resolve to take no rest, till you be in the Element and place of Soul rest, where solid rest indeed is, rest not till you be with Christ, though all the World should offer their best, turn them by with disdain, if they will not be turned by, throw them down, and go over them and upon them; you have no rest to give me, nor will I take any at your hands, nor from no creature; no rest for me till I be under his shaddow, who endured so much trouble to purchase my rest, and having found him may sit down quiet and satisfied, and when the World makes boa…t of their highest contents, I will … them all with this own Word, my beloved is mine, and I am his.
Towards God.] The Conscience of … is never right at peace in it self, till it be rightly perswaded of peace with God, which while it remains …ilthy it cannot be: for he is holy, and iniquity cannot dwell with him; what Communion betwixt light and darkness; so then the Conscience must be cleansed e're it can look upon God with assurance and peace. This cleansing is sacramentally performed by Baptism, effectually by the Spirit of Christ, and the blood of Christ; and he lives to impart both. Therefore here is mention'd his resurrection from the dead, as that, by virtue whereof we are assured of this purging and peace. Then can it in some measure with confidence answer, Lord, though polluted by former sins, and by sin still dwelling in me, yet thou seest that my desires are daily more like my Christ; I would have more love and zeal for thee, more hatred of sin, that can answer with St. Peter, that was posed, lovest thou me? Lord I appeal to thine own eye, who seest my heart, Lord thou knowest that I love thee, at least I desire to love thee, and to desire thee and that is love. Willingly would I do thee more sutable service, and honour thy name more, and do desire more Grace for this, that thou maist have more Glory, and intreat the light of thy Countenance for this end, that by seeing it my heart may be more weaned from the World, and knit unto thy self, thus it answers touching its inward frame, and the work of holiness by the Spirit of holiness dwelling in it: But to answer Justice touching the point of guilt, it flies to the blood, fetches all its answer thence, turns over the matter upon it, and answers for it; for it doth speak, and speaks better things than the blood of Abel, speaks full payment of all that can be exacted from the sinner, and that's a sufficient answer.
The Conscience is then in this point once made speechless, driven to a nonplus in it self, hath from it self no answer to make, then turns about to Christ, and finds what to say. Lord there is indeed in me nothing but guiltiness, I have deserved death, but I have fled into the City of refuge, thou hast appointed, there I resolve to abide, to live and die there, if Justice pursue me it shall send me there, I take sanctuary in Jesus, my arrest laid upon me will light upon him, and he hath wherewithal to answer it.
He can straightway declare, he hath pay'd all, and can make it good; hath the acquittance to shew, yea, his own liberty is a real sign of it, he was in Prison, and is let free, which tells all is satisfied. Therefore the answer here rises out of the resurrection of Iesus Christ.
And in this very thing lies our peace, and way, and all our happiness; Oh! its worth your time, and pains to try your interest in this, it is the only thing worthy your highest diligence. But the most are out of their wits, running like a number of distracted Persons and still in a deal of business, but to what end they know not. You are unwilling to be deceived in those things that at their best and surest, do but deceive you when all is done: But content to be deceived in that your great concernment. You are your own deceivers in it; gladly gull'd with shadows of faith, and repentance, false touches of sorrow, and and false of Joy: and are not careful to have your Souls really unbottom'd from themselves, and built upon Christ, to have him your treasure, your righteousness, your all, and to have him your answer unto God your Father: But if you will yet be advised, let go all, to lay hold on him; lay your Souls on him and leave him not, he is a tried Foundation Stone, and he that trusts on him shall not be confounded.