The True Way to the Tree of Life, Part · Section 2
II. Direction.
BE clearly and fully convinced in thy Conscio…ce, O Natural man, That thou still remainest in this thy sinful and wretched condition, un-converted, un-regenerate, un-renewed, until this present day. That, thou art still in the first Adam, and not as yet transplanted into Christ the last Adam. That, thou art still in thy sinful and miserable state of Nature, and not hitherto translated into an holy and happy state of Grace. That, thou art in thy sins still, 1 Cor. 15. 17. Thou art in the flesh still, Rom. 8. 8. Thou art dead in sins and trespasses still, Eph. 2. 1, 5. Col. 2. 13. Thou art in darkness, and very darkness it self still, 1 Ioh. 2. 9, 11. Eph. 5. 8. Thou art an enemy to God still, Rom. 8. 6, 7. Col. 1. 21. Thou art wholly displeasing to God still, Rom. 8. 8. Finally, That thou art in thy cursed and damned state still, Gal. 3. 10. Ioh. 3. 18, 36.
Here therefore I shall offer to thee chiefly two things for thy most serious consideration, viz.
I. That, it is most necessary for thee, O Natural man, to be throughly convinced, That thou still remainest in thy most sinful and wretched state of Nature, even until now. For,
1. Vntil thou beest throughly convinced, O Natural man, that thou still remainest in thy sinful and wretched state of Nature, thou wilt be apt to flatter thy self into a fond and groundless imagination, that thou art in a good spiritual state towards God, especially if thou hast been kept by Gods common restraining grace, from grosser sins, and hast been exercised in some outward acts of Religion and righteousness. Thus the un-convinced Pharisee, though in his un-justified Natural state, had an high opinion of his good spiritual state beyond other men, and beyond the Publican, and bragg'd of it even in his prayer to God, because he avoided some gross sins, and practised some outward duties, Luk. 18. 9. to 15. Thus Paul before his conviction and conversion, thought himself alive once without the Law, by reason of his outward unblameableness, legal priviledges, and external exercises of Religion: but when the Commandement came and convinced him, sin revived and he died. Compare Rom. 7. 9. with Phil. 3. 4, 5, 6. Thus the Laodicean Angel had an high opinion of his own good estate, till Christ convinced him of the contrary, and taught him the right way of bettering his condition, Rev. 3. 16, 17, 18, 19. The Natural man's self-opinionateness of his good estate, seals him up incurably in his bad estate. Many might have attained to a great degree of Christianity, if they had not presumed themselves to be Christians good enough already.
2. Vntil thou art fully convinced, O Natural man, that thou still remainest in thy sinful and wretched state of Nature, thou wilt never be kindly humbled for, nor become weary of, thy Natural state. Without conviction, there's no true sence of sin and misery: without true sence of sin and misery, who will be humbled for it or weary of it? Conviction, How did it humble Manasses? 2 Chron. 33. How did it abase Paul? Act. 9. Who can clearly see his own Natural sinfulness and wretchedness, and not abhor himself as in dust and ashes? Zech. 12. 10, &c.
3. Vntil thou beest kindly convinced of thy present sinfulness and wretchedness by Nature, thou wilt never seriously and sincerely seek out for supernatural remedy. When Peter's Hearers were convinced and pricked in heart, then they presently repair to the Apostles, saying, Men and brethren what shall we do? Act. 2. 36, 37. When the Iaylor's heart was convinced and shaken as well as the foundations of the Prison, he presently enquires of Paul and Silas, Sirs, what must I do be saved? Act. 16. 30. There are three steps towards the cure of a sick body, and of a sinful soul, viz. Inveuire morbum, To find out and be convinced of the malady; Adire medicum, To have recourse to the Physician for direction; and Applicare medicinam, To apply the medicine for the attaining of recovery. Who will seek to the Physician or apply any remedy, that feels no smart of his malady?
4. Vntil thou art fully convinced, O Natural man, that thou continuest still in thy Natural sinfulness and wretchedness, thou wilt never repent, and turn from thy sinful estate to God. Till the Prodigal soundly smarted under sence of his sin and misery, he never came to himself, or to a penitent resolution of returning to his Father. But then he comes, and sayes, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee—&c. Luke 15. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21. Here see, how conviction and lively sense of sin and misery, put him upon serious Consideration: Consideration put him upon penitential Resolution, Return, Repentance, Confession, Reformation, and humble Supplication.
5. Vntil thou, O Natural man, shalt be throughly convinced of the sinfulness and wretchedness of thy present Natural state wherein thou remainest unto this present day, thou never givest an actual entertainment and present welcome in thy soul, unto Jesus Christ and him crucify'd, as the only remedy against this sinfulness and wretchedness of thy Natural condition. 'Tis the sense of present pain, that makes the Patient cry out for means of ease till he find it, and having obtained it, how doth be esteem it and delight in it? 'Tis the apprehension of present danger at Sea in a storm, that makes the Passengers cry to God and man to help, Ionah 1. 5, 6. Psal. 107. 25, 26, 27, 28. and if the storm cease, and the Sea becomes still, that they can come to their desired Haven, Oh how welcome and acceptable is the Haven unto them! Psal. 107, 29, 30. So here; 'Tis the conviction of thy present Natural sinfulness and wretchedness, that makes thee in thy servent desires even thirst and long after Christ, the only Redeemer, vehemently; and upon obtaining of Christ, makes thee prize him highly, love him dearly, and delight in him most contentedly: As the penitent soul did, in like case, who washed Christs feet with her tears, wiped them with the hairs of her head, kissed them, and annointed them with oyntment, Luk. 7. 37. to the end. Oh, how acceptable is Christs Redemption, to them that feel their bondage under sin and misery! How amiable is Christs all-sufficiency for salvation, to them that are apprehensive of their sins damnation! And how precious, sweet and delectable is Christs sin-cleansing and soul-saving blood, to them that are aright convinced of the wormwood, bitterness and gall of their Natural sinfulness and wretchedness! Ease is alwayes acceptable; but double acceptable after tormenting pain: Health is alwayes sweet; but double sweet after long, tedious and tyring sickness: Life is alwayes pleasant; but to have returned from the brink of the grave to life again, is a double life.
Thus, O Natural man, it appears plainly, how necessary and advantageous it is for thee to be convinced, of the sinfulness and wretchedness of thy Natural state, wherein thou still remainest even until now.
II. How, and by what Discoveries, thou maist be clearly convinced, O Natural man, that thou still remainest in thy sinful and wretched state of Nature, in the first Adam; comes now to be considered, and to be considered by thee most seriously.
Know thou therefore, O man, O woman, whoever thou art, That the great God hath, in his faithful Word, certainly discovered and declared, every one, and consequently thy self in particular, to be and remain still in the Natural state of sin and misery: If these ensuing notes and characters of a state of sin and misery do certainly belong to them and to thee, viz.
1. If thou art without God in the world, foreign. Eph. 2. 12. compared with verse 3. wherein the Apostle intimates; That the Ephesians, while in their sinful and wretched state of Nature, were without God in the world, and while without God in the world, they were children of wrath, even as others. Art thou not without God? Where's the divine Nature? 2 Pet. 1. 4. Where Gods Image? Eph. 4. 24. Col. 1. 10. Where the life of God? Eph. 4. 18.
2. If thou art still without Christ, [that at that time (i. e. while in your Natural state) ye were without Christ] Eph. 2. 12. with verse 3. Christless men are Godless men, for it is by Christ, as the way, whereby we come unto God as the end, Ioh. 14. 6. Heb. 7. 25. And Godless men are graceless men, sinful, wretched men; for God alone is the Author of all grace, 1 Pet. 5. 10. Eph. 2. 8. Art not without God? Then is Christ thine Head and Husband to guide thee? Eph. 5. 22, 24. Thy Lord and King to rule thee? Col. 2. 6. Thy Christ to annoint thee? 1 Ioh. 2. 20, 27. Thine Inhabitant to dwell in thee? Eph. 3. 17.
3. If thou art still without the Spirit of God, and of Christ inhabiting in thee. Remarkable is that of the Apostle— Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Rom. 8. 9. Here the Apostle intimates, 1. That, the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Christ, is one and the same Spirit. 2. That, to be Christs, and to be in the Spirit, amounts in effect to the same thing. 3. That, they who have the Spirit of God and of Christ dwelling in them, are not in the flesh, (i. e. in their sinful and wretched state of Nature) but in the Spirit, (i. e. in a spiritual, holy, and happy state of grace. And 4. That, they who have not the Spirit of Christ, are none of Christs, are not in the Spirit, but in the flesh, i. e. in their sinful and wretched state of Nature.
Now, they have not the Spirit of God, and of Christ,
(1) Who are Unregenerate and Unrenewed. For the Spirit of God, and of Christ is a Regenerating Spirit, Ioh. 3. 5, 6. 8. A Renewing Spirit, Tit. 3. 5. He renews the whole man, in part. All things become New. 2 Cor. 5. 17.
(2) Who are Unsanctified and Unholy. For the Spirit of God and of Christ is an Holy Spirit, Psal. 5. 111. Eph. 1. 13. and 4. 30. The Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13. 14. Tit. 3. 5. 2. Pet. 1. 21. 1 Ioh. 5. 7. Iude vers. 20. And all those that are builded by the Spirit for an Habitation of God, are by him made an Holy Temple in the Lord, Ephes. 2. 21. 22. 1 Cor. 3. 16. 17. And this Holy Spirit is the peculiar and immediate Author of Sanctification and Holiness to all Gods Elect, 1 Pet. 1. 2. A Spirit of Grace. Zech. 12. 10.
(3) Who are grossly ignorant of the Spiritual things of God, So as not to receive them, but to count them foolishness. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Eph. 4. 18. For, The Spirit of God and of Christ is A Spirit of Truth, leading unto all Truth, Ioh. 16. 13. A Spirit of wisdom and Revelation for the knowledge and acknowledging of the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephes, 1. 17. &c.
(4) Who are not of Gods own family, are not his Adopted children nor are furnished with Filial Confidence, Fear, Love, Obedience, and other Childlike Properties. For, The Spirit of God and of Christ is a Spirit of Adoption where he dwells, Rom. 8. 15. Confirmin…g their Sonship, and assuring them of their Adopted State, 1. As a Witness Rom. 8. 16. 2. As a Seal, Ephes. 1. 13. 3. As an Earnest of their Inheritance, Ephes. 1. 14. And 4. As a first-fruits, Rom. 8. 23.
5. Who are prayer-less persons, wholly unable with filial faith, zeal and affection, to cry, Abba Father. For the Spirit of God and of Christ is a Spirit of prayer, a Spirit of grace and supplication, Zech 12. 10. enabling Gods children to cry fervently, Abba Father, Rom. 8. 15. and the Spirit helps our prayer-infirmities, when we know not what to pray for as we ought. For he maketh intercession for us, (viz. by enabling us to intercede for our selves) with unutterable groans, (i. e. with unutterable desires and longings of soul) Rom. 8. 26, 27.
4. If thou art still without the immediate, fundamental, and saving effects of the Spirits of God and of Christ, viz. Regeneration, Ioh. 3. 3, 5, 6, 8. Renovation, Tit. 3. 5. New Creation in Christ, Eph. 2. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Conversion from sin and Satan to God, Act. 26. 18. Effectual vocation, 2 Thes. 2. 13, 14. 2 Cor. 6. 1, 2. Ioh. 6. 44. And Sanctification, 1 Pet. 1, 2. 2 Thes. 2. 13. By which Gods Spirit brings sinners out of the state of Nature: Then art still in the sinful and wretched state of Nature.
5. If thou art still unbelieving, without faith unfeigned, as by Nature all are, Tit. 1. 15. 2 Thes. 3. 2. And having no hope, no well-grounded hope of salvation and happiness by Christ, in this or the world to come, as is the condition of all in state of Nature, Eph. 2. 12. Then thou remainest in the state of Nature to this hour.
6. If thou continuest still impenitent and un-reformed to this day, not turned from darkness to light, nor from the power of Satan to God, Act. 26. 18. Col. 1. 13. Thou art still in thy sinful and wretched state of Nature. For by repentance God brings men unto himself, into a spiritual, supernatural state of life, holiness and happiness, Act. 2. 38. and 5. 31. and 26. 18.—Repentance unto life, Act. 11. 18. Ezek. 18. 30, 31, 32.
7. If thou dost habitually and primarily mind the things of the flesh. If thy thoughts, contrivances, designs, &c. are chiefly about carnal and worldly things, how to grow great, rich, &c. but seldom or never mindest the things of the Spirit, how to obtain Christ, how to be saved, how to make thy calling and election sure, how to make Heaven sure, how to walk with God, &c. Then thou art still after the flesh, Rom. 8. 5, &c.
8. If thy mind and wisdom be enmity against God, and cannot endure to be subject to the Law of God, then it is carnal, Rom. 8. 7. Col. 1. 21. The Natural mans mind is so set upon sinful principles and wicked works, that it cannot choose but hate God and his Law that utterly condemn them.
9. If thou art not a lover, but a hater of Gods people, in whom Gods image appears and shines forth. He that hateth his brother, is in darkness, (viz. in the darkness of a sinful and miserable state by Nature) and walketh in darkness, 1 Joh. 2. 9, 19, 11.—He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother, (i. e. his Christian brother, for God, Christ, Grace, Godliness, &c. in him,) is a Murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him, 1 Ioh. 3. 14, 15.
10. If thou art under the Power of darkness, Col. 1. 13. The Natural man is not only Dark in the Concreet but Darkness itself in the Abstract, Eph. 5. 18. He is so dark, that he is all darkness, and nothing but darkness, therefore he is under the raign and power of it, so that he cannot by any ability of his own Extricate or deliver himself out of it.
The Natural man is under the power of a threefold Darkness. viz.
(1) The darkness of Sin, Sins are works of Darkness, Eph. 5. 11. The State of Sin is a state of darkness. Such are dead in Sins and trespasses: and as dead, they are overwhelmed with darkness, dwelt in darkness. Eph. 2. 1. 5.
(2) The darkness of Ignorance. This in part is that darkness that blinds the Eyes of Natural man, 1 Ioh. 2. 11. So that he cannot receive the things of God, they are Foolishness to him, neither can he know them; because they are Spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. 14. The Gospel is hid to them that are lost, the God of this world having blinded the minds of them that believe not, least the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them. 2 Cor. 3, 4.
(3) The Darkness of misery, by reason of his Sinfulness. The Scripture frequently expresseth misery under the Notion of Darkness which is very uncomfortable and dreadful: As, the Miseries in this life, Psal. 88. 6. and 107. 10. In death, Iob. 10. 21, 22. In Hell, wher's utter Darkness, Mat. 22. 13. and 25. 30. Blackness of darkness for ever Iude vers. 13. Everlasting chains under darkness, Iude 6. The Natural man being a child of wrath, Eph. 2, 3. having the wrath of God abiding on him, and being condemned already, Ioh. 3. 18. 36 may well be said to be under the power of darkness.
11. If thou art under the Power of Satan hitherto, thou art still in thy Sinful and wretched State of Nature. For every man Naturally is under Satan's Power and dominion, till he be supernaturally converted unto God. Act. 26. 18. Hence Satan is called, The Father of such, Ioh. 8. 44. The Prince of this world, Ioh. 14. 30. The Prince of this power of the Air, the spirit that effectually worketh in the children of disobedience, Eph. 2. 2. The God of this world, 2. Cor. 4. 4.
Now thou art under the power of Satan.
(1) While Satan blinds thine eyes, so that the Gospel is hid to thee. Is a mystry, a Paradox, to thee, &c.— left the glorious Light of the Gospel should shine unto thee. 2 Cor. 4. 4.
(2) While thou art an Unbeliever, 2 Cor. 4. 4.
(3) While thou art foreign, a son, or Child of Disobedience. Gr. of Vnpersuadeableness, Eph. 2. 2. who are most disobedient to God, Christ and his Spirit. Unperswadeable by his word, Promises, &c. to repent, believe, &c.
(4) While thou art acted, and energetically wrought upon by the Spirit that is the Prince of the Power of the a yr. Ephes. 2. 2. foreign the spirit now energetically-working, or effectually working. He effectually works in such, when he prevails with his Temptations over them, when he attains his will upon them, &c.
(5) While thou art resolvedly set and determined willfully, to do the lusts of the Devil, Ioh. 8. 44.
(6) While thou art held in the Snare of the Devil, and held Captive by him at his will, 2 Tim. 2. 26. Gr. foreign, Taken alive, It seems to be a Metaphor, from Captains and Conquerors, who in war take their Enemies alive, carry them away in triumph, and use them as they please: Or from Huntsmen, who take their Prey wild beasts alive, and do with them as they list. So Satan deals with the Natural man, while under his power, he wholly enters him, orders him, acts him, by his Suggestions as he will.
12. If thou art dead in Sins and Trespasses, and not as yet quickned by Christ, Eph. 2. 1. 5. Col. 2. 13. thou art hitherto in thy Sinful and wretced State of Nature. To be dead in Sin and Trespasses is to be Spiritually dead, while thou art Naturally alive.
And art not thou Spiritually dead? Are not the Tokens of Spiritual Death clearly upon thee?
(1) Art not thou quite destitute of the Fountain and Root of all Spiritual life to the Soul? Christ is the Fountain of all Spiritual Life, being united to the Soul by Faith, Gal. 2. 20. Ioh. 11. 25, 26. As the Soul is the Fountain of Natural Life being u…ted to the body▪ the body is dead, when without the Soul: Iam. 2. 26. So the Soul is dead in every Natural man, while he is without Christ. Eph. 2. 1. 5. 12.
(2) Art thou not wholly destitute of any spiritual sense rightly to discern and receive the things of God? 1 Cor. 2. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14.
And where there's no Soul, there's no life.
(3) Art thou not utterly destitute of Spiritual Breath? viz. The sacred breathings of strong cryes and groans, …ervent desires and prayers, crying Abba Father? This is their breath, that are spiritually alive, Rom. 8, 15.—26, 27. No sooner was Saul▪ converted and quickned by Christ: but the Lord told Ananias;—behold he prayeth, Act 9. 11. Breath and Life come and go together. Gen. 2. 7. Psal. 104. 29. If thou art without this spiritual breathing, this Spirit of Prayer, thou art without the Spirit of Life from Christ, and remainest dead in Sin.
(4) Art thou not without all vital Heat and Spirit, warmth of heart, desire, love, and all good affections towards God, Christ, his people, and his wayes: and even stone-cold as to all matters of Religion, Devotion, divine Worship, as carnal men use to be? Rev. 3. 15, 16
Then thou art not only mortally …ick; but quite dead in Sin, stretched-out, and ready to be buried in the infernal pit. As where there's Natural warmth in the body, there's life: where nothing but Coldness, there's Death.
13▪ If thou art still an habitual worker of iniquity, A Tradesman in sin: Thou art still in thy Natural state and Condition. Such Christ will not at all own, but eternally reject at the last day. Mat. 7. 23. …Tis one thing to sin, or slip into sin accidently; another to trade in sin constantly, habitually, and to yield up his members as tools of unrighteousness unto Sin. Rom. 6. 12, 13. &c.
14, Finally, Thou art still in thy meer Natural sinful state, if in the whole course of thy life thou walkest according to the Course of this World; The Lusts and wills of the Flesh, The suggestions, Temptations and operations of the Devil. All such are dead in sin, and by Nature Children of wrath. See all this most fully in Eph. 2. 1, 2, 3.