Twenty Sermons, Sermon 2
LIGHT DISCOVERED, AND MAN RECOVERED.
A SERMON Preach'd Augst 17. 1656.
2 Tim. 1.10, the latter part of the Verſe.
And hath brought life and immortality to light through the Goſpel.
THE Apoſtle in the beginning of this Chapter, exhorting Timothy to a faithful diſcharge of his Miniſterial Calling, puts in this weighty caution, in the 8 verſe, Be not thou therefore aſhamed of the teſtimony of our Lord, nor of me his priſoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Goſpel, according to the power of God: that is, be not aſhamed of the Goſpel, that he calls there the Teſtimony of our Lord Jeſus: Though it may be thou maiſt meet with afflictions, and oppoſitions in the profeſſion of it, yet ſeeing theſe afflictions are but ſufferings for the Goſpel-ſake, therefore bear them patiently: it is better that thou ſhouldeſt ſuffer, than that the Goſpel ſhould ſuffer. This Caution, or Exhortation the Apoſtle preſſes from an Argument drawn from the unſpeakable benefit and advantage that comes ſtreaming to us by the Goſpel, namely, Eternal life; and that the Apoſtle might be rightly underſtood, he lays down the three cauſes of this Eternal life or Salvation.
Firſt, The principal and moving cauſe of this Salvation, that is, the Grace of God, in the foregoing verſe, ver. 9. Who hath ſaved us, and called us with a holy calling: not according to our works, but according to his own purpoſe and grace, which was given us in Chriſt Jeſus before the world began.
Secondly, He lays down the meritorious cauſe of our ſalvation, that is, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath merited this ſalvation by dying for us: in the middle part of the 10th verſe, who hath aboliſhed death, that is, who hath taken away the ſting and curſe of Death.
Thirdly, He lays down the inſtrumental cauſe of our ſalvation, that is the Goſpel, in the words that I have now read to you: And hath brought life and immortality to light through the Goſpel. Let me firſt unlock the Cabinet of the Text, and then ſhew you what treaſure is laid up in it: Briefly, He hath brought life.] As Calvin well obſerves upon the Text, It is an eminent and memorable Encomium of the Goſpel, that it brings life? and what life? not a temporal life, but an eternal life; therefore there is another weighty word added to expreſs it, life and immortality, or an immortal life; a life that is not capable of corruption; an incorruptible life, that never ſhall have end; after as many millions of years as there are drops of water in the Ocean, this eternal life and immortality ſhall be the ſame ſtill. He hath brought this life to light, the Text ſays; that is, He hath revealed it, and diſcovered it, although before it was, as it were, in the dark; it was a myſtery unknown to us: but now he hath revealed this myſtery, he hath revealed the way to eternal life, and he hath revealed the unconceiveable joy and happineſs that is wrapt up in it; and all this is done by the Goſpel, the Text ſays: that is, by the preaching of the Goſpel; as is in the words following the Text, ver. 11, Whereunto I am appointed a Preacher, and an Apoſtle, and a Teacher of the Gentiles. Now Goſpel, according to the acceptation of the word foreign, Goſpel; that is, as if one ſhould ſay, a Goodſpel, that is, good news; that was the old antient word for good news. The glad tidings of ſalvation was ſuch a welcom meſſage, that it was fit for the mouth of an Angel to publiſh, Luke 2.10, And the Angel ſaid unto them, Fear not: Behold, I do Goſpel you good tidings of great joy, which ſhall be to all Nations: or I do preach the Goſpel, the welcome meſſage of a Saviour being come into the World, by whom eternal ſalvation may be obtained. So then the words being thus opened, the Doctrine I ſhall commend to you from them, ſhall be this.
Doct. The knowledg of eternal life and ſalvation is diſcovered to the ſons of men by the preaching of the Goſpel. God bring life and immortality to light: he diſcovers it, reveals it; he makes it known: but how? ſays the Apoſtle, it is by the preaching of the Goſpel. I ſhall not need to travel far to fetch in proof for this plain Doctrine: that Scripture is very remarkable, Rom. 16.25, 26, Now to him that is of power to ſtabliſh you, according to my Goſpel, and the preaching of Jeſus Chriſt, according to the revelation of the myſtery which was kept ſecret ſince the world began, but now is made manifeſt; and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the commandment of the everlaſting God, made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith The Apoſtle ſays, The myſtery; that is, the myſtery of mans ſalvation: the myſtery of our redemption by Jeſus Chriſt, it was kept ſecret from the beginning of the World: but was now at laſt, ſays he, revealed by the Goſpel: the myſtery of mans ſalvation and redemption had been a claſped book for ever, if the Goſpel had not been a key to open it. What doth the Apoſtle mean by that Scripture, 2 Cor. 4.3, 4? But if our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſi, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, leſt the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt, who is the image of God, ſhould ſhine unto them: As if he ſhould ſay, Whence it it men periſh in death and deſtruction? Whence is it they are loſt, quite loſt, and periſh without hope? ſurely, it is becauſe the Goſpel is hidden from them: either they want light, or elſe want ſight: though the Goſpel ſhines about them, it ſhines not unto them, into their hearts, to give them the knowledg of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt: If our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt: a ſad ſpeech! Again, Whence is it ſo many glorious Titles are given to the Goſpel? for example, it is called the word of life, Phil. 2.16, Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoyce in the day of Jeſus Chriſt, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. It is called the Goſpel of the Kingdom, Mat. 24.14, And this Goſpel of the Kingdom ſhall be preached to all the world for a witneſs unto all Nations, and then ſhall the end come. It is called the word of Gods grace:Acts 14.3, Long time therefore abode they ſpeaking boldly in the Lord, which gave teſtimony to the word of his grace, and granted ſigns and wonders to be done by their hands. And it is called the word of Reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5.19, To wit, that God was in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf, not imputing their treſpaſſes unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Yea, it is called the word of Salvation, Acts 13.26. Men and Brethren, Children of the Stock of Abraham, and whoſoever among you feareth God: to you is the word of this ſalvation ſent. And it is called the Grace of God that bringeth ſalvation, Tit 2.11. Nay, yet more, it is called Salvation it ſelf: there cannot be a higher title given to it, than to call it Salvation it ſelf: In Acts 28.28, Be it known therefore unto you (ſays the Apoſtle, ſpeaking to thoſe ſtubborn Jews), That the ſalvation of God is ſent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. The Salvation of God, that is the Goſpel, called there the Salvation of God, is ſent unto the Gentiles. All theſe titles ſufficiently clear this truth, That the knowledg of eternal Salvation is diſcovered by the Goſpel. Now for the better explication of this point, there are two Quaeries would be ſatisfied:
Firſt, How, or in what reſpect the knowledg of Salvation may be ſaid to be diſcovered by the Goſpel?
Secondly, Whether the knowledg of Salvation be diſcovered only by the Goſpel?
Firſt, How, or in what reſpect the knowledg of Salvation may be ſaid to be diſcovered by the Goſpel? I anſwer in theſe three or four regards:
Firſt, the Goſpel is ſaid to reveal the knowledg of ſalvation, becauſe it reveals to us the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Author of this eternal ſalvation, as he is called, Heb. 5.9, And being made perfect, he became the Author of eternal ſalvation unto all them that obey him. And he is called the rock of ſalvatiom, 1 Cor. 10.4. Deut. 32.15. And he is called a Horn of Salvation, Luke 1.69, And hath raiſed up an Horn of ſalvation for us in the houſe of his ſervamt David. In this regard the Goſpel may well be compared to the Star that led the wiſe men to Jeſus Chriſt: The Goſpel is that Star that leads us to the Day-ſpring from on high, to him that is the Morning-ſtar indeed, to him that is ſalvation it ſelf, cloathed in our fleſh.
Secondly, The Goſpel may be ſaid to reveal ſalvation in this regard, becauſe it is a means of conveying the ſpirit of grace into the ſoul, who is the applier of this Salvation. Hence it is, the Goſpel is called the Miniſtration of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3.8, How ſhall not the miniſtration of the ſpirit be rather glorious? And you read in Acts 10.44, that while Peter was preaching to Cornelius and his Company, the Holy Ghoſt fell upon them: While Peter yet ſpake theſe words, the Holy Ghoſt fell on all them which heard the word: ſo that the Holy Ghoſt was diſpenced to them in the preaching of the Goſpel.
Thirdly, The Goſpel may be ſaid to reveal ſalvation, in that it is an Inſtrument of begetting faith in the ſoul, which is the hand whereby we lay hold on this ſalvation: Faith comes by hearing of the Goſpel, Rom. 10.17.
Fourthly, The Goſpel is ordained by God to be an Inſtrument of Regeneration, and Sanctification, and of Edification.
Of Regeneration, 1 Cor. 4.15, For though you have ten thouſand Inſtructors in Chriſt, yet have you not many Fathers: for in Chriſt Jeſus I have begotten you through the Goſpel.
And then it is the Inſtrument of our Sanctification too, in John 17.17, Sanctifie them by thy truth, (ſaith our Saviour), for thy word is truth.
And it is the Inſtrument of our Edification, or building us up in our moſt holy faith, Acts 20.32, And now, Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace (that is, the Goſpel) which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them that are ſanctified.
Now then, if the Goſpel be the Inſtrument both of our Regeneration, Sanctification, and Edification, it muſt needs be alſo the Inſtrument of our Salvation: that is for the firſt Quaery, How the Goſpel may be ſaid to reveal Salvation? Becauſe it reveals Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Author of this Salvation; and it is an Inſtrument of conveying the ſpirit of Grace into the heart, who is the applier of this Salvation, and works faith, which is the hand whereby we lay hold on this Salvation: and it is the Inſtrument of working Regeneration, Sanctification, and Edification in us: and therefore muſt be the Inſtrument of our Salvation.
The ſecond Quaery is this: But is the knowledg of Salvation revealed only by the Goſpel, may ſome ſay? Does not the Law alſo reveal Salvation? Does not the Law ſay, Do this, and live? To this I anſwer, Though the Law may be ſaid in ſome ſenſe to reveal the knowledge of Salvation: Yet there is a very great difference between the Laws revealing, and the Goſpels revealing it; and that in theſe two reſpects eſpecially: Firſt, the Law does not reveal the knowledg of ſalvation ſo clearly. Secondly, The Law does not reveal the knowledg of Salvation ſo effectually.
Firſt, The Law does not reveal the knowledg of ſalvarion ſo clearly: for it reveals it only in types, and ſhadows, and reſemblances: therefore the Apoſtle ſays, Heb. 10.1, The Law having the ſhadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things. He compares the Law to a ſhadow; it had a ſhadow of good things to come: For example, The Law told us indeed of a Saviour that was to come into the World, and the Law told us of the blood of Jeſus Chriſt; but it was typified in the multitude of thoſe bloody Sacrifices that were offered from day to day: and it told us of heaven, and the heavenly inheritance: but it was but obſcurely, it was ſhadowed out by an earthly Canaan, or the Land of promiſe: whereas now the Goſpel brings in Jeſus Chriſt fully and clearly exhibited; it brings in Jeſus Chriſt as the Day-ſtar from on high, which does enlighten us, and the Son of Righteouſneſs that does diſpel all thoſe clouds and ſhadows that were in the Ceremonial Law: The Goſpel does, as it were, draw the Curtain, that now we may with open face behold as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3. laſt verſe: therefore the Law does not diſcover the knowledg of ſalvation ſo clearly.
Secondly, The Law does not diſcover the knowledg of Salvation ſo effectually: True, the Law hath told us of Salvation, but it doth not ſhew us the means whereby we may attain it: the Law ſhews us the way, but it does not help us to walk in the way; the Law hath commanded us to obey, but it gives us no ſtrength to perform: therefore the Apoſtle ſays, The Law was weak becauſe of our fleſh, Rom. 8.3, For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the fleſh, God ſending his own Son in the likeneſs of ſinful fleſh, and for ſin condemned ſin in the fleſh. Again, The Apoſtle tells us expreſly, Heb. 7.19, The Law made nothing perfect. The Law could never bring Man to Heaven; never was mortal man ſaved by the Law: It is true, indeed, it required obedience, but it gave us no ſtrength to perform that obedience: it exacted obedience upon the penalty of a dreadful curſe, but it did not enable us to avoid that curſe; for its ſaid, Curſed be he that continueth not in all the words of this Law to do them, Deut. 27.26. And it's ſaid, the man that doth them, ſhall live in them, Gal. 3.12. Lev. 18.5. I, but the Law gave no ſtrength to do what it did enjoyn: I, but now the Goſpel reveals the knowledg of Salvation more effectually: becauſe, as it commands us to obey, ſo it gives us ſtrength to perform: the Law commands, but it is the Goſpel that helps us: How doth it help us? it helps us thus, Becauſe it directs us to Jeſus Chriſt by whom we may have ſtrength: Surely ſhall one ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſneſs and ſtrength, Iſa. 45.24. And ſays the Apoſtle, I can do all things through Chriſt that ſtrengtheneth me, Phil. 4.13.
I, but here it may be objected: Does not the Apoſtle ſay, That the Goſpel is the ſavour of death unto death, as well as the ſavour of life unto life? 2 Cor. 2.16. Now, if the Goſpel be the ſavour of death unto death, then how can it be ſaid to bring Eternal Salvation? To this I anſwer:
When the Goſpel is ſaid to be the ſavour of death unto death, it is not ſpoken becauſe the Goſpel does kill and condemn ſimply. and in its own nature; but through the corruption of mens hearts that do not obey it, but do reject it, that do reſiſt it. A Kings pardon, you know, does not kill any by it ſelf, but by the contempt of a Malefactor that does reject it; and ſo the pardon may double the Malefactors guilt, and bring upon him a more ſpeedy and fearful execution. So here, the Gracious pardon of God that is tendred in the Goſpel, does not kill, or condemn any in it ſelf, or in is own nature, but through the contempt of thoſe that do diſregard it: in this regard, not ſimply, but accidentally, through the corruptions of mens Hearts, and Natures; in this regard, the Goſpel may be ſaid to increaſe a mans curſe and condemnation: Whereas now the Law in its own nature is ſaid to be a killing Letter, becauſe it leaves a man in a ſtate of death, and leaves him under a curſe, and does not ſhew him the way at all …ow to avoid that curſe, as the Goſpel does: therefore the Apoſtle ſays, The Law is a killing Letter of it ſelf, but the Spirit giveth life, 2 Cor. 3.6. becauſe in the preaching of the Goſpel, the Spirit of God is conveyed into our ſouls, which enables us in ſome acceptable manner to perform what the Goſpel enjoyns: and thus you have the Point opened to you, That the knowledg of Life and Immortality, that Eternal Salvation that is laid up for the Saints in light, is diſcovered and revealed by the Preaching of the Goſpel. For the Uſe of the Point now.
And the firſt is by way of Information; and there are four Doctrinal Inferences, or Leſſons, that we may learn fron this point thus opened.
1. See how infinitely we ſtand indebted and ingaged to our gracious God, that hath lookt upon us here in this Nation, and in this City; who hath brought us into the fellowſhip of th Goſpel, and hath kept us in that fellowſhip for ſo many years together. Oh, that we ſhould live under the ſhowres and Sun-ſhine of the glorious Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, for almoſt a hundred years together without interruption! What a ſingular mercy is this, if we did but know how to prize it? He hath ſcarce dealt ſo with any Nation under Heaven as he hath dealt with us: What did God ſee more in us than in Turks, Indians, and Pagans, that never heard of God nor Goſpel? He foreſaw how we would deſpiſe this precious Pearl, and how we would be ready to trample it under foot: God foreſaw how weary we would be of thoſe glorious Goſpel-myſteries that are diſcovered to us from day to day: yet it did not hinder him from beſtowing this precious Jewel upon us; therefore, not to us, not to us, but to his own Name be the Glory.
2. A ſecond Leſſon we may learn by way of inference, is this: If the knowledg of eternal life be diſcovered in the Goſpel, then it follows, Whereever God hath a Church planted, or a Church to be planted, there will ſtill be need of a powerful, quickning, ſoul-ſearching Miniſtry, for the diſcovery and making known the Myſteries of Salvation: The publick preaching Miniſtry of the Goſpel, is that ſtanding Ordinance that muſt continue in the Church of Jeſus Chriſt, ſo long as he hath a Church here upon earth: and this appears by that of the Apoſtle, Epheſ. 4.11, 12, 13, And he gave ſome Apoſtles, and ſome Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtors; and Teachers, for the prefecting of the Saints. for the work of the Miniſtry, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt, (How long? till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledg of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt: That is, to the end of the World: God will have a ſtanding Miniſtry, where-ever he hath a Church planted, or to be planted: God will have a Goſpel ſtanding Miniſtry, till all the Saints be gathered. If this be ſo, then how juſtly are they to be reproved, that think that a Goſpel-miniſtry, of all other things, may be beſt ſpared? if there be any ſuch here, mark what I ſay, You could ill want any of the four Elements, Earth, Air, Fire, or Water: You could ill want Salt, Bread, Drink, Cloathing: let me tell you, a Goſpel-miniſtry is as needful as any of theſe I have named: as Earth, Air, Fire, Water: as Salt, Bread, Drink, Cloathing: for does not Solomon ſay, Prov. 29.18, Where there is no viſion, the people periſh? and would you have your ſouls periſh everlaſtingly? Is not our ſoul worth a whole World? It was a noble ſpeech of Luther, It were better that the whole World were in a Combuſtion and Confuſion, than that the Goſpel ſhould not be preached, or that any one ſoul that belongs to Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be neglected. And it was ſpoken concerning Chryſoſtom, who was a famous Light in the Church, It was better that the Sun ſhould not ſhine, than that Chryſoſtom ſhould not preach: and it was a witty obſervation of a Father, ſpeaking concerning the beheading of John Baptiſt; Herod took off John Baptiſts head, becauſe of the promiſe he made to the Damoſel, Whatever ſhe ask'd him, to the half of his Kingdom, ſhould be granted; ſays that Father, ſpeaking of this paſſage, Herod might have kept his promiſe, though he had not taken off John Baptiſts head: for he promiſed the Damoſel, to give her to the half of his Kingdom; But now, ſays he, John Baptiſts head was worth a whole Kingdom. Pray tell me, you that have ſlight thoughts of the Goſpel, or of a Goſpel-miniſtry, Does not the Scripture compare Miniſters to Planters, to Builders, to Fathers, to Remembrancers, to Stars, to ſpiritual Guides, and to a City upon a Hill, and the like? If ever you be trees of Righteouſneſs in Gods Garden, it is a Miniſtry that hath planted you: and if ever you be ſpiritual ſtones in Gods everlaſting Building, it muſt be the Miniſtry muſt build you: if ever you be Sons and Daughters begotten to eternal Life, it is the Miniſtry muſt beget you, For in Chriſt Jeſus I have begotten you through the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 4.15, ſays the Apoſtle; and if ever your ſeet be guided into the way that leads into everlaſting life, it is a Goſpel-miniſtry muſt guide you: and if ever you be led to Jeſus Chriſt, as the Wiſe-men were by the Star in the Eaſt, when Chriſt was born in Betlehem, it muſt be theſe ſpiritual Stars that are in the firmament of Gods Church that muſt lead you. Now judg in your ſelves therefore, whether a Goſpel-miniſtry can be ſpared?
3. The third Doctrinal inference is this; If the knowledg of eternal Salvation comes by the Goſpel, then it teacheth us this Leſſon alſo; How infinitely it does concern us to prize, and fruitfully to improve our Goſpel-ſeaſons, thoſe opportunities God puts into our hands for the enriching of our ſouls: but eſpecially, we ſhould improve our Sabbath-day opportunities, becauſe Sabbaths are the Market-days of Eternity, the Markets wherein we muſt make proviſion for Eternity: Oh, how careful ſhould we be to improve theſe Goſpel-ſeaſons! Let me tell you, Goſpel-ſeaſons are very precious ſeaſons, becauſe marvellous precious things are tendred to you in the preaching of the Goſpel; more precious than all the Gold of Ophir, more precious than all the Kingdoms of the World, if they were in your own power: for in the preaching of the Goſpel, a precious Chriſt, who is the Pearl of price, worth ten thouſand thouſand Worlds, and more worth: this precious Chriſt, this Pearl of Price may now be obtained: and a precious Covenant, a Covenant made between God and the ſoul, this precious Covenant may now be confirmed, and precious Evidences of Eternal Salvation may be now gained; and likewiſe precious Graces, and precious Faith, and precious Hope, and precious Love, Humility, Repentance, and Self-denial: theſe precious Graces may be now procured; a precious ſoul may be ſaved, a precious pardon may be ſealed: Oh, what precious things then are tendred to you in the preaching of the Goſpel! theſe opportunities therefore are exceeding precious: if Chriſt be thine now, he is thine for ever; Oh, that you you did but know the price of theſe things that are tendred to you in the preaching of the Goſpel! if a condemned priſoner did know how precious the pardon that was brought to him was, would he ſlight it? Here is a precious Pardon, Grace, Mercy, Peace, all tendred to you in the preaching of the Goſpel. How infinitely then does it concern us to improve our Goſpel-ſeaſons?
4. The fourth Leſſon by way of inference, is this, It lets us ſee the contempt, nay, the neglect of the Goſpel, is a very dangerous ſin; for if the knowledg of Salvation be brought to the ſoul by the Goſpel, then certainly he that neglect the Goſpel, neglects Salvation, and Salvation it ſelf ſhall not ſave that man that deſpiſeth the remedy, yea, that neglects Salvation; ſays the Apoſtle, How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great Salvation? Heb. 2.3, As if he had ſaid, It is impoſſible to eſcape eternal Damnation, if we do but neglect this eternal Salvation: Theſe are the Leſſons from this Doctrine, and that's the firſt Uſe, of Information.
The ſecond Uſe I ſhall make of this Doctrine, it is for Examination: If ſo be the knowledg of eternal Life be brought by the Goſpel, be diſcovered, and revealed by the Goſpel: then take occaſion to call your ſelves to an account, and ſee whether this eternal Salvation be ſo diſcovered to you, that you may be partakers of it; otherwiſe, what advantage will it be to you, to hear that Life and Immortality is brought to light, unleſs this Light do ſhine into your ſouls? But may be you will ſay to me, How may we do to know that the Day-ſpring from on High, hath ſhined into my ſoul? that God hath called me out of darkneſs into his marvellous Light? that he hath diſcovered the Myſteries of Salvation to me, even to me?
I anſwer, You may know it briefly thus: If the Light of Life be revealed to thy Soul, then certainly thy knowledg will not be a Notional knowledg only, but an Experimental knowledg; thou wilt not have a knowledg ſwimming in thy head only, but a ſoaking, and ſinking knowledg in thy heart: thou wilt not only know Chriſt, but taſte Chriſt; thou wilt taſte that hidden Manna, Rev. 2.17, To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden Manna. Thou wilt not only know, but taſte the bitterneſs of ſin: and thou wilt ſay, Jer. 2.19, It is an evìl and bitter thing that I have for ſaken the Lord, and that his fear is not in me. A blind man may talk of Colours that never ſaw them, and a hungry man may talk of a full dinner that never taſted it: ſo a carnal man may have a great deal of knowledg in his head, and never relliſh nor taſte it: but he that hath the knowledg of Salvation revealed to his ſoul, he hath a Light ſhining in his heart, Jer. 31.34, And they ſhall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, ſaying, Know the Lord: for they ſhall know me from the leaſt of them, unto the greateſt of them, ſaith the Lord; that is, they ſhall not need to be taught thoſe experimental truths that are written in their own hearts, by the finger of the Spirit of God. A man that hath this Life and Immortality brought to light by the Goſpel, will ſay, You need not tell me that ſin is a bitter thing, I have taſted the bitterneſs of it; You need not tell me, the favour of God is ſweet and lovely; Oh, it is ſweeter to me than life it ſelf; You need not tell me that Jeſus Chriſt is very Amiable and Beautiful, I ſee him to be ſo with my eye of faith; You need not tell me, there is a marvellous power in the death of Chriſt for the crucifying of ſin, I do experimentally know it: when a man hath this experimental knowledg, he will ſay as the Apoſtle, 1 Tim. 1.13, I was before a Blaſphemer, and a Perſecutor, and injurious, but I obtained Mercy becauſe I did it ignorantly. When a man hath the feeling and experience of ſpiritual Truths in his own ſoul, then may he be ſure that Life and Immortality is brought to light by the Goſpel unto him.
A third Uſe I ſhall make of this Doctrine, it is of Reproof: Two ſorts there are, that are juſtly liable to the reproof of this Doctrine. Firſt, It condemns and crys down that Helliſh practice of the whore of Rome, and the Popiſh Clergy, who lock up the Scriptures, and keep Millions of ſouls from the knowledg of Goſpel, from the knowledg of the myſteries of Salvation; this is all one, as if they ſhould lock them up in the pit of Infernal darkneſs: for if ſo be Salvation, or Eternal Life be brought to light by the Goſpel, and this Goſpel be to them but as a Light in a dark Lanthorn, muſt not they needs inevitably periſh? Oh cruel bloody Butchers! Oh mercileſs miſchievous Souldeſtroyers! may we ſay of the Romiſh Synagogue: well may the whore of Rome be ſaid to be drunk with blood, becauſe ſhe is drunk not only with the blood of the bodies of Men, but with the blood of the Souls of men. Oh, the tender Mercies of God that hath opened our eyes to ſee better things, and to free us from the bondage and ſlavery of that Antichriſtian yoke: this is a great mercy to be delivered from the poyſon of thoſe ſerpents, and a greater mercy than ever we can be thankful for. But take this withal, I beſeech you, Take heed that Popery do not creep in at a back-dore of Toleration: let us bleſs God for that liberty that we have; but take heed that you do not hanker after thoſe Popiſh Doctrines that may poyſon the ſoul, and that will provoke God to remove his Candleſtick from amongſt us.
A ſecond ſort to be reproved, are thoſe that grow weary of the Goſpel: I, but may be you will ſay, Are there any ſo bad in our days, as to be weary of the Goſpel? yea, my brethren, many there are that are weary of the Truths of it: many that are weary of the Profeſſion of it, many that are weary of the Power and Practiſe of it.
Firſt, Many there are that are weary of the Truths of the Goſpel, that chuſe rather to be raking in the ſtinking puddles of Popery, Arminianiſm, Socinianiſm, and other damnable hereſies, as the Apoſtle calls them; they chuſe theſe rather than the clear fountain of truth revealed in the Goſpel: Oh, theſe are in a very dangerous condition, when men chuſe rather to be Maſters of new opinions, than to be diſciples of old Truths: theſe men may be ſaid to be weary of the Goſpel.
Secondly, Are there not ſome that are weary of the Profeſſion of the Goſpel? ſuch as are Atheiſts, and prophane Libertines, Swearers, Drunkards, and others of that Gang, that could be contented that the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt ſhould be extinguiſhed, that the Candle might be put out, ſo they may but ſin more freely: but our Saviour hath read their doom, John 3.19, This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkneſs rather than light, becauſe their deeds are evil.
Thirdly, Are there not ſome weary of the Power and Practice of the Goſpel? ſuch are Hypocrites, Apoſtates, luke-warm Profeſſors, and carnal Goſpellers, that have (it is true) a form of godlineſs, but are as far from the power and practice of it, as Pagans are from the profeſſion of it: Are not theſe worthy think you to be reproved? yea, God reproves them, and his Word reproves them, and their own conſciences will one day reprove them: nay, that Goſpel which now they deſpiſe and undervalue, will then arraign, indict, and condemn them, at that great day: for if the Lord Jeſus Chriſt will come in flames of fire, to take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not his Goſpel, as it is 2 Theſ. 1.8, What will become of them that are weary of it, that deſpiſe it, that do undervalue it?
The fourth and laſt Uſe (to ſhut up this point), is this, If the knowledg of ſalvation be diſcovered by the preaching of the Goſpel; then let me preſs upon you three very neceſſary and ſeaſonable Duties.
Firſt, Learn to prize the Goſpel while you have it: labour to know the worth of it now you have it, leſt God let you ſee the worth of it in the want of it, when it is too late: God will never hang a Jewel upon a ſwines ſnout; God will never long continue the Goſpel in mercy to a People that do not value it. True indeed, ſome there are that are ready to ſay of the Goſpel, as Naaman the Aſſyrian in like caſe; Are not Abana and Pharphar, rivers of Damaſcus, better than all the waters of Iſrael? may I not waſh in them to be clean? So ſome will ſay, Are not the doctrines of Popery, and other corrupt doctrines, better than all the doctrines of the Goſpel? But I hope you have not ſo learnt Chriſt: Oh, learn to prize the Goſpel as the doctrine of your ſalvation, as the evidence of your inheritance; Do you learn to prize it as the tree of life, which is for the healing of the Nations, as the pledg of the hope you have of eternal life? Labour for ſuch an eſteem of the Goſpel as David had, Pſal. 119.111, Thy teſtimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever, for they are the rejoycing of my heart: Oh, do you now learn to prize the Goſpel as the greateſt priviledg that ever God did beſtow upon you next to Jeſus Chriſt, and his Spirit.
A ſecond Duty I would preſs upon you, is this, not only to prize the Goſpel, but to make uſe of it, and improve it for your own ſpiritual advantage: Yet a little while (ſaith our Saviour) is the light with you: walk while you have the light, leſt darkneſs come upon you; for he that walketh in darkneſs, knoweth not whither he goeth, John 12.35. Oh, that you and I could learn to make hay while the Sun ſhines! Oh, that we could improve theſe opportunities while we do enjoy them! If ſo be the Goſpel ſhould be taken away from you, before your peace is made with God, before you have gotten Jeſus Chriſt into your hearts; before the Covenant between God and your Souls be ſealed; Oh, how ſad and doleful would your conditions be! ſure I am, we were never in ſo much danger of loſing the Goſpel as at this day, for our barrenneſs, and unfruitfulneſs, and wearneſs of the Goſpel. We are ready to ſay, Mal. 1.13, What a wearineſs is it to ſerve the Lord? and for our contempt of the means of grace. Now if ſuch a day ſhould come as God threatens, Micah 3.6, Therefore night ſhall be unto you, that ye ſhall not have a viſion, and it ſhall be dark unto you, that ye ſhall not divine: and the Sun ſhall go down over the Prophets, and the day ſhall be dark over them. If ſuch a day ſhould come as God threatens, Amos 8.11, Behold, the days come ſaith the Lord God, that I will ſend a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirſt for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they ſhall wander from ſea to ſea, and from the North even to the Eaſt: they ſhall run to and fro to ſeek the word of the Lord, and ſhall not find it: Oh, what a black, doleful, diſmal day would this be!
Thirdly, It ſhould teach us to walk worthy of the Goſpel, Phil. 1.27, Only let your converſation be as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt. Oh, let us learn to lead Goſpel-lives under Goſpel-light; let it never be ſaid to us, that the Goſpel is a grace to us, but we are a diſgrace to the Goſpel; I beſeech you, my brethren, ſtudy to live up to your light: ſeeing God hath called you out of darkneſs into his marvellous light, walk as children of the light: follow that golden Rule of the Apoſtle, Phil. 4.8, Finally, brethren, whatſoever things are true, whatſoever things are honeſt, whatſoever things are juſt, whatſoever things are pure, whatſoever things are lovely, whatſoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praiſe, think on theſe things, ſpeak of theſe things: Oh, could we but once learn to caſt off the works of darkneſs, and to put on the armour of light; could we once be brought to this, to repent of our Goſpel-ſins, may be the Lord may lengthen our tranquility: may be God may revive his work in the midſt of our days: may be glory may yet dwell in our Land, and make us a name and praiſe throughout the whole earth: But if we go on in a courſe of Rebellion; if we rebel againſt the light; if we deſpiſe the means of grace; if we undervalue thoſe precious ſeaſons of Salvation that are tendred to us; if we grieve the holy Spirit of God from day to day, and cauſe him to withdraw from us; what a black and doleful day may ſeize upon us! The Lord work theſe things upon every one or our hearts, that ſtill the Goſpel in its power and purity may be continued to us.