The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
Containing a Discovery of Gospel-Hypocrites.
SECT. I.
THat the most hidden hypocrites of the purest Churches under the Gospel are Evangelical,Observ. 2. or Gospel Hypocrites.
For these that were foolish were not such as in appearance rested in the Law, or in a Covenant of Works, but they had escaped those intanglements, and now were Virgins that plead their interest in, and their communion and fellowship, and love-knot with Christ, they had now their Lamps ready, and made much preparation for him, and they did wait for him, and verily looked to have eternal fellowship with him their Beloved, infomuch that they took their flight so high towards Heaven and Christ, that they passed for a time the discerning of the wise: for you must know that where the Gospel comes, there are two sorts of enemies against it.
1. Open, and those are your Justiciaties, that seeking to establish their own righteousnesse, and being pu…ed up with it, can with pretended good consciences in doing God service, oppose the righteousnesse of God.
2. Secret and subtil enemies, yet seeming Friends, and these are your carnal Gospellers that cry down all their own righteousnesse, and cry up Christ, and see nothing in themselves, as there is good cause so to think, and look for all from Christ, and yet these when the Lord comes to search are found false; and these are the worms that grow in this wood, in this building, in these Churches. Thus it was in Christs time, the Church of the Jews had left their grosse idolatries, yet this was their stumbling-stone, they sought to establish their own righteousnesse, and hence he came to his own, and his own received him not, and hence were cut off for this their unbelief, but others (divers sorts of them) did receive him, beleeved in him, Iohn 2. 23. Many took hold on Christ, and he took no hold on them, wondred at him, and entertained him when others did reject him, as Capernaum did, yet under his woe. And these are the spots of Evangelical purity, wenns in the best bodies of the best constituted Churches. Look but upon Christs own Family: Iohn 6. 69, 70. The Disciples professed when others departed, Lord, to whom should we go? thou hast words of life; yet saith he, I have chosen you indeed to be for me, but one is a devil, viz. Iudas the Deacon stood not on his own righteousnesse, but was for Christ, and followed him, and yet in this Evangelical Angel without, is a Devil within, because he still harboured his lusts within. This the Apostle Paul fore-saw, Acts 20. 29, 30. Some Wolves without should come, and also some cankers within should fret, that should draw many Disciples after them (in a Church bought by Christs own blood) speaking perverse things, pretending to draw Disciples after Christ, but 'tis indeed after themselves; and Paul laments this, Many walk, i. e. professe Christ and his Crosse, yet enemies to it, Phil. 3. 19. This Christ foretels, Luke 13. 25, 26. Many seek, many knock, and at last cry Lord, Lord open, and in their life-time they pleaded communion with Christ, yet Depart ye workers of iniquity. Iude 4. Certain …en are crept in turning Grace into Lasciviousnesse; for that is the very form of an Evangelical hypocrite, in denying his own righteousnesse, to establish his sin, 'tis advancing Christ to advance his Lust. The Epistles of Iames and Iohn are antidotes against this kind of poyson, and I look on them as lamps hung up to discover these men, not but that these men are indeed under a covenant of Works, for there be but two sorts of men, and two ends of all men, hence but Two Covenants; hence those that are not indeed under Grace, are under the Law, and under the Curse; but because the most subtil hypocrites ap…ear or seem to be under Grace, and their external operations are chiefly Evangelical, hence I call them Evangelical Hypocrites.
SECT. II.
IN regard of the power of the Word and Gospel of life and spirit in such Churches:Reas. 1. For the Gospel where it comes, as it advanceth the glorious and everlasting righteousnesse of Christ, so it knocks under-foot all mans, as a means subserv…ent to that end, and it coming with power and light, it would be too grosse for Hypocrites to maintain life by Works: hence Christs is that which they look unto; for Christ when he preached, not only many believed because of his Miracles, but when they heard his Word, Iohn 8. 30. Mat. 13. In the Parable of the Sower, the Word came with much power, that they received it with joy, and did believe, but fell by their Lusts. And look as 'tis with the Sun, there comes light and heat with it, so there comes
1. Truth to the mind, and conquers the judgements of Hypocrites, that there is no life, good, righteousnesse, but in Christ, nor salvation but by Christ.
2. There comes some goo…nesse of the Gospel to the heart, that men hearing and seeing Salvation wrapt up there, Oh that is sweet and good! and hence their affections and hearts are in some measure conquered by the power of the overdazeling truth, and hence Hypocrites being thus conquered, partly being of this opinion, partly tasting some good of it, desire it out of self-love, expect it out of self-delusion, and professe themselves Virgins out of these Principles.
In regard of power of Evangelical examples in the five wise Virgins:Reas. 2. for look as 'tis with living men when the Sun shines upon their heads, they cast their shadows that follow them; so when the Lord Jesus shines upon the souls of his own people, almost every honest sincere-hearted man will cast his shadow that will be like him; hence Hypocrites in those Churches which are commonly rather led by example than by rule, will be very like them, and imitate them: if they should not, what communion could they have with them, or what love could they receive from them? for there is a mighty power in eminent examples to overbear Hypocrites, that if they will turn themselves into any form, they must into theirs, as in Ioash: for there are two things in the carriage of the Saints.
1. There is a condemning power in it; hence men fear to live unlike them.
2. There is a winning vertue in it, an attractive vertue; hence men endeavour to be and live like them, to be of the same mind, the same heart with them: and hence others take them, and they take themselves to be sincere, and hence they are Evangelical Gospel Hypocrites that lye hid in these Churches: Hence Zach. 8. 23. Many shall take hold of a Iews skirt (I doubt not but some false ones,) we have heard God is with you. And as Christ when lifted up and risen, so Saints draw Hypocrites to them.
Because the Gospel brings the greatest and sweetest consolations with it.Reas. 3. Hence a man under the terrour of the Law, and sence of curse for his sin, will make his last refuge hither, and hide himself under the wing of the Gospel, not so much out of love to Christ, or Gospel, but because they serve his turn, and give him ease. Like men scorched with hea…, and almost ready to die, the shadow of a Tree is now very comfortable, and therefore there they sit; so these: Or as men with scalded arms, they put them into wate…, which gives them ease, no cure; but because it gives them ease, there they keep them, so here: Men have been scalded with wrath, Oh now Gospel is very sweet, and so are e…sed … it, never cured by it. Therefore here you shall find them disclaim all Works, and cry up Grace only; where the purest Churches are, there are usually great awakenings, there God is very near men, and made most manifest to mens consciences, and there are most soul-plagues, contempt of the Spirit of Grace, and hence most dreadful torments of conscience, and fearful lookings for of Judgement. Now hence it comes to passe when Christ is offered, and general notice given to mens minds, that yet there is hope and mercy for great sinners, this fills them with joy and peace, as Iohns hearers, Iohn 5. 35. and hence they beleeve as the stony ground that had some plowing, and hence received the Word with joy and believed, Psalm 66. 3. It's a Prophecy of the Kingdom of Christ, Antichrist he tormented the consciences of men, Rev. 9. Men have no peace within or without. Luther is raised up, and preache…h the Doctrine of Free Grace, which a world of men looking to their ease, others in truth receive it; for some time before his death he cries to God that he may not live to see the ruines that were coming on Germany for their contempt. The Law is the Ministry of Death, the Gospel propounds great priviledges, with much more sweetnesse to sinners, and hence hither men fly.
4. Because the Gospel yields the fairest Colours for a mans sloath,Reas. 4. and strongest props for that. Hence you shall see them w…lking in this garden. For the last sin God conquers in a man is his sloath. When the swine have no s…ill to eat, yet you shall find them in the mire of sloath; this slaies the foolish. Hence the best Hypocrite will plead the Gospel, its troublesom to the flesh, to bear a daily sense of the sins and wants of the soul. Hence you shall have Capernaum receive Christ, and wonder at his Doctrine; and yet Christ upbraids them, they repented not, Mat. 11. 20. Its troublesom, nay impossible for a man to break his chaines and get his soul loosed from his lusts, and free for the Lord. The Gospel shews all fulness in Christ, & that he must do all, a sloathful false heart there…e closeth with Christ as the end, but neglects him in the means. Why? Christ must do all, say they, and hence if Christ do drop upon their hearts, well and good, if not, 'tis Christs fault, he is a hard Master that gathers where he did not sow, and hence wrap it up. A mans false heart is weary of the yoke of Christ, and hence would fain be eased of it. Now the Gospel promiseth libe…ty from the bondage and curse of the Law, and a sloathful heart can find out reasons to free himself from the Rule of it, as part of Christian liberty, this is our Liberty in Christ Iesus, 2 Pet. 2. 19. And they rejoyce exceedingly that the Law is dead, as they did, Rev. 11. 10. for the death of the witnesses, because they tormented them: I say again, they rejoyce not because the Lord makes them like himself, and because of his Image restored by the Gospel, and because they feel the power of it, but because they are free from the power of it. Its an old deceit, yet subtil, to rejoyce, and love, and blesse Christ, because he will pardon sin, though I lie and live in them. Or if they do not free themselves from it, the Gospel shews the Law within closing with the Law without, to be an evidence the Lord will not impute it, and that 'tis not therefore they, but sin in them. Hence a sloathful heart will continue in his sloath, and to ease himself of trouble for sin and obedience too, say 'tis not he, but sin. And hence Arminius makes a strange interpretation of Rom. 7. Because he saw German Professours plead that for themselves. The Israelites entred not into Canaan, unbelief caused it: And why did that shut them out? Oh there were walled Towns and difficulties, and this was the last shock, and hence they fell off; so 'tis in Hypocrites now. The safest place to lie asleep is in Christ Lap.
5. From the mighty cunning of Satan,Reas. 5. the strength of whose Kingdom is made and continued by peace, Luke 11. 41. Hence he will turn himself into an Angel of light, and suffer men to go to Christ and Gospel, to avoid the search, that they may be Christs in appearance, and his indeed, 2 Cor. 4. 4. He hath a mighty power over men to blind them: For there be three things which trouble men usually, and make them question their estates, and the Gospel quiets and absolves them from all.
1. Conscience, that cries dolefully sometimes, these sins shall have these woes. Yes, unlesse I believe; but I believe, and trust to Christ, and flee to Gods Mercy.
2. Ministry, that cries and searche…h into the deepest windings of mens hearts, that men cannot but see that Christ hath eyes of flaming fire to see through the…. Now hence men avoid the stroke and power of all Ministry, thus it is with me, thus it is will be with me, but I believe and trust to Christ. And hence men bea… back like Brazen Walls all Blowes.
3. Gods judgment-seat. What though men see you not, yet God seeth. Why, they have sinned they confesse, but Christ hath suffered, they have sinned, but they trust, &c. Micah 3. 11. Is not the Lord among us? Look as it was with Ioab, he runs to the Horns of the Altar, yet there he perisheth, there he would die, there was the last refuge from search and death, so here.
SECT. III.
HEnce do not think your estates good,Use 1. because you look only for justification by Christ, and look only to Gods free Grace, and count of Grace in Christ. Its a common errour for men to think, being they be of this opinion, only to look for Grace in Christ, to think that therefore their estates are safe, and they are justified by Christ. Why there may be such a power of Word and Spirit to conquer their judgments as those Papists that have been pleading against it, have been overcome by it. Thou maist receive the Notions of it thy Head, but the power of it never into thy Heart.
Obj. 1. But my heart hath been affected with this, to see when my sins deserve death; yet there is mercy for the vilest in Christ.
Answ. Thou maist tast and joy, and yet fall off at last.
Obj. 2. But I have Fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
Answ. Thou maist eat and drink in his presence, and yet be bid Depart, I know you not, a worker of iniquity.
Obj. 3. But I have escaped the pollution of the world, 2 Pet. 2. 20. And that through this knowledge of Christ, his love hath much moved me to part with my sins.
Answ. It may be so, and it may wash thee from all external pollutions, and yet thy swinish nature remain still hidden from thee, but seen of an all-seeing God.
Obj. 4. But I look for Christ, and wait for him and desire him, and all that are wise think well of me.
Answ. You may do all this, and yet you may be found foolish for all this. Evangelical work which is accompanied with Salvation in some, it may be Hypocritical in thee: And therefore take heed you do not take shews for substance. For look as in the Gospel Gods utmost perfection of wisdom and love appears, so the most hidden and admirable delusions of Satan are Evangelical. There his power is employed to undermine, and so to keep his head. Oh that we could but imagine and set before our eyes the amazing condition of such a man! whose plagues shall be made wonderfull, that hath been troubled with sin a long time, at last looks to Christ, and there rests, and so hears all Sermons, and there still sleeps, and considers often that his waies are evil, but never suspects his Faith to be evil, then he comes to die, and then looks for Christ; at last the week or snuff dies, and Sun sets, and darknesse approacheth, and then suddenly slips into Hell, where he sees Christ and Saints afar off: And what hath deceived them? Oh their Faith hath deceived them, to see Christ shaking them off as dust: Oh they wish, Oh that I had known or feared this before! and will you not fear now? as for you prophane ones that can scoff, and drink, and break Sabbaths, and live idly, your judgement is writ upon your foreheads: but Oh take heed you that have escaped these pollutions, lest you deceive your selves here. To shew you that deceit particularly, it's not my time yet, but go alone and think sadly of it, I may look for justification by Christ, and wait for Christ, and yet perish. Oh let me be sure I get such a Faith as will not deceive me here: Should not a man you will say trust to Christ? yes when you can in truth; but thy Trust may be but Presumption.
II. Take not up therefore every Opinion and Doctrine from men,Use 2. or Angel that bears a fair shew of advancing Christ, for they may be but the fruits of Evangelical Hypocrisie and deceit, that being deceived themselves, may deceive others too, Mat. 7. 15. Beware of them that come in Sheeps clothing, in the innocency, purity, and meeknesse of Christ and his people, but inwardly are Wolves, proud, cruel, sensorious, speaking evil of what they know not; by their fruits you shall know them. Do not think Beloved that Satan will not seek to send delusions among us, and do you think these delusions will come out of the Popish pack, whose inventions s…el above ground here? No, he must come, and will come with more Evangelical fine-spun devices. It's a rule observed among Jesuites at this day, If they would conquer Religion by subtilty, never oppose Religion with a crosse Religion, but set it against it self; so oppose the Gospel by the Gospel: and look as Churches ple…ding for Works had new invented devised Works; so when Faith is preached, men will have their n…w inventions of Faith; I speak not this against the Doctrine of Faith where 'tis preached, but am glad of it, nor that I would have men content themselves with every form of Faith; for I beleeve that most mens Faith needs confirming or trying, but I speak to prevent danger on that hand. For it was that which Christ did fore-tell, Mat. 24. 24. Many false christs should arise, i. e. such as should misapply Christ, that had a spirit for Christ, which was a spirit against Christ, and would deceive if it were possible the very Elect; for coming with Christs Spirit, they dare not oppose them, lest they oppose the Spirit of Christ; the only remedy is to hold to Christs Word, and not to depart one hairs bredth from it, Rev. 3. 10. and to a Word well understood, and then dispute no more. Satan comes to Eve, and bids her eat, no, God forbid, yet eat to be like gods; He dazeled her eyes with that which was not: now she fell. Take the truth from what the Word saith, and depart not from it.
III. Here see the dreadful estate of all them that be found false-hearted in the purest Churches,Use 3. and that in these three respects.
First, That they should so horribly forsake and blaspheme the Name of God, to make the glorious Gospel of God, and all the sweet Doctrines of Grace a cover for their hypocri…e and sin, as indeed it is, for were it not for this, they might be found out in their sins, but now they are beyond the discovery of all men, or means.
Secondly, That they should be so lamentably forsaken of God, as to be left,
1. To the most subtil and spiritual Hypocrisie in the world, which being most crosse to God, shall receive most fierce and searching wrath. For as Divines say of Christ, he was forsaken in Soul, because man had sinned with his Soul: so Gods wrath will …earch deep in their hearts, whose hearts have guilefully departed from the Lord.
2. That he should lead them so far, and yet in the main forsake them; Oh this is heavy wrath, for a man to be lead in the day-light of the Gospel, almost to the end of his journey, and at last the Sun sets, and he left to wilder.
Thirdly, In regard of the cries of the very Gospel it self against them. Oh that the precious Gospel of God coming with so much Peace, Love, Grace, mercy, should win them to be Hypocrites, but never to be Friends. Beloved as there is vengeance of the Law, and of the Temple, so there is vengeance of the Gospel when the soul shall be drawn before the Tribunal of Christ, and shall stand there quaking, all sins set in order before you, and your mouth shall be stopt. What say you then for your life? Oh Grace and mercy Lord, Oh now shall the Gospel come forth and say, all this I did, I spake, I strove, I comforted, I terrified, and yet he hath opposed the Lord, and me, he hath made a cover for all these evils, and therefore Lord let him never be comforted more, Iohn 3. 19. Oh Christ hath heavy things against these Times, that take light of the Gospel to see to commit their sin by! And therefore lament your present estates you that know your selves naught, never yet drawn to Christ, never yet humbled at the feet of Christ, and look up to the Lord what-ever misery he inflicts, not to suffer thee to be deceived here; not only to have such a Faith as may catch hold on Christ, but he on thee, and come unto the light to manifest the hidden enmity there. Never was yet man deceived, but he that was willing to be deceived, that would not use the means, and search.
SECT. IV.
ALL you therefore that live under the light of the Gospel,Use 4. consider if it doth not nearly concern you to search and try your selves whether you, or some of you may not be Evangelical Hypocrites; the time is coming that you shall stand before the Tribunal of God, wherein the hidden things of darknesse shall be brought forth to light, and it will be too late to know your selves then: Oh therefore search now. No mans misery will be so great as this, if your heart be found false. I shall speak in a manner but generally now.
1. Those that do believe,Sign 1. and yet fail in respect of the efficient cause of Faith, it never had the right maker, never came out of the right shop, nor mint, it was never a Faith of Gods making, but a faith of your own making, so that it's a base bastard Faith, that though it be born in the House, it shall never possesse the inheritance, because it was never begotten of the right Father, the Lord never wrought it, but themselves, for many a man is convinced by the Law, and spirit of bondage that he must die, and that he is a most grievous sinner, and that when he hath done all he is unprofitable, but yet he trusts to Christ, and Gods mercy, and so believes, he finds no great difficulty in this, nor no great need of the Almighty power of the Lord to work this, and all men living shall never make him think but that he doth heartily and truly beleeve: but ask him, have you no doubt of your estate? and of Christs not taking hold of you when you take hold of him? Yes, but seeing he hath been troubled about his estate, and repented of his sin (in his fashion) and reformed himself and Family, and loves the best things, he believes without question, and so misapplies promises to himself, never feeling a need of the revelation and donation of Jesus to him by the Father; and thus the Lord finds this man a Christ, and this man finds the Lord a Faith, and the Lord Jesus redeems this man by price, and this man redeems himself by power, and so the Father shall have some Glory for providing a Saviour, Christ shall have some Glory for paying a price, and the Spirit of Christ which only can draw to Christ, shall lose his Glory, and so this man may take it to himself. And is this good think you? Col. 2. 12. Risen with Christ through Faith of the operation of God, 1 Pet. 1. 3. The same power that raised Christ from the dead, must raise you to a lively hope. Mat. 22. 1, 2, 3. One man came from his hedges and High-wayes to the Feast of the Promise, and Ordinances of the Gospel, till the Lord saw him without Christ; but Iohn 6. 64, 65. Unlesse the Father reveals Christs face, the Father perswades thee of Christs love, you can never come to Christ, men know not thy Hypocrisie, thou dost not, but Jesus doth, and what good will thy Faith do thee then? It was a sweet speech of Christ, Thy Faith hath saved thee. Oh heavy when it shall be said, thy Faith hath damned thee, that which I thought to be the way of life, is the way of death; truly so it will if you do not fetch it out of Heaven.
II. Those that do believe,Sign 2. but they fail in the object, i. e. they close with Christ, but they know not who he is: that as the Woman of Samaria that had some lookings to the Messiah, she did worship whom she knew not: so men beleeve in one whom they know not, only have heard the fame of. For there are two things in the Gospel. 1. The outward words and letters. 2. The things contained in those words: Hence there is a double knowledg of Christ.
1. A fantacy knowledg, as a man that hears of any thing absent, presently fancies the thing in his head.
2. There is an intuitive know… hereby the soul doth not only see words and fancies, but beholds the things themselves: Hence it comes to passe that many a man hearing the Fame, and receiving the fancy of Christ, beleeves in him, but not seeing him indeed as he is, therein he beleeves in one whom he knows not: and hence the Lord Jesus may be a hid thing to many a man, and the Gospel a sealed Book, though he lives and remains in the very light of the Sun, and that all his daies: Hence Christ laments Ierusalem, Oh that thou hadst known, but now hid, hid; and yet Christ Preacht. Yes, Deut. 29. 4. You have heard and seen, and yet the Lord hath not given a heart to see to this day; So 'tis with many a soul, you have heard with your ears the great things of the Kingdom of God, yet the Lord hath not given you eyes to see: you have seen deliverances on Sea, yet the Lord hath not given you hearts to understand: and if so, all your Faith is naught, and profession and affection vile, and estates miserable, 2 Cor. 3. 18. All we with open face, &c.
But many see it not so.
I confesse some may see more darkly,Object. Answ. and be mourning under it, ye… he that doth not in part, he to whom it is hid, 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4. is one of them that be lost, whose eyes Satan hath blinded, Iohn 6. 45. He that hath heard and learn'd of the Father: Many hear, but never learn of the Father; hence never come truly unto Christ; 'tis in this case as 'tis with a Traytor, he comes to the King for his life, and prayes for his Sons sake; the King sends for him, and saith, here is one that beggs for your sake, do you know him? For my sake! I wonder on what acquaintance, he is a stranger to me, and therefore I regard him not. So here.
III. Those that have some kind of sight of the Object,Sign 3. and see Christ, but there is a wound in the subject, because their Faith ariseth and springs out of an ill soyl, it's in such a party that never was yet throughly rent from his sin, and here is the great wound of the most cunning Hypocrites living: for there are two things in him,
1. A carnal heart, which cannot be satisfied with a spiritual good with Christ; hence he must have his Lust.
2. A convinced conscience, which cannot be quieted without Christ and mercy; hence men close with Christ, and their Lusts too. Look as it was with the stony ground, and thorny soyl, they beleeved, but had a stone at bottom, but … of bitterness, &c. These men can sometime plead acquaintance with Christ, Luke 13. 26, 27. yet workers of iniquity, 2 Pet. 2. 19, 20. Some had escaped the pollution of the world, that you may do, but a swinish nature lasts, that they never selt, or grew not in the feeling of it, and loosening from it: as with Apricocktrees rooted in the earth, but leaning on the wal…; so they on Christ. Oh consider of this, let a man be cast down as low as Hell by sorrow, and lye under your chains, quaking in apprehension of terrour to come, let a man then be raised up to Heaven in joy, not able to live; let a man reform and shine like an earthly Angel, yet if not rent from Lust, that either you did never see it, or if so, you have not followed the Lord to remove it, but proud, dogged, wordly, sluggish still, false in your dealings, cunning in your tradings, Devils in your Families, Images in your Churches: you are objects of pitty now, and shall be of terror at the great day, for where sin remains in power, it will bring Faith, and Christ, and joy into bondage and service of it self.
IV. Those that beleeve,Sign 4. yet fail of saving Faith in regard of the very act of beleeving and closing with Christ, viz. they close with Christ, but 'tis without a high esteem of him, or love to him, they have some, but right Grace consists in a kind of summity, or excellency, else 'tis not right, 1 Pet. 2. 5. To you that beleeve he is precious, and hence it comes to passe,
1. That some never come to find or enj… …hrist, because they will not come off to the price of him, to sell themselves … for him.
2. Some sell him away again in time of Temptation, like Esau that sold his Birth-right, and never make any thing of it; because the Bond is not strong enough down, they fall from him.
3. Hence comes all a mans uneven carriage.
4. Hence comes sometimes the unpardonable sin, Heb. 10. 29. Many a man laies claim to Christ and his Blood, and righteousnesse, that never knew the worth of it; and this is Christs complaint me thinks in Heaven, (and of Saints on earth) He comes unto his own, and his own esteem him not, his own love him not, his own receive him not: him that is the glory of Heaven, the beauty of the Father, the delight of Saints, the wonderment of Angels, he I say is not esteemed by many a man, that in his judgement esteems him, and in his heart doth despise him. There are two parts of this esteem. 1. To esteem him only, Iohn 5. 44. 2. Him ever and alway, Psalm 73. 26. Thou art my portion for ever, Many say they esteem Christ, but to be ever loving him, ever looking on him, this is not their frame. Oh think of this, fail here of your valuing of him, and you fail every where.
V. Those that beleeve,Sign 5. but they fail in their end; and these may for a while in a ho… fit prize Water, prize Christ and mercy above all things in the world, but their end is naught; so that men here may ask and never have, because of their Lusts: As a man that lies on his death-bed, or in a Sea-storm in fear of Hell, he may now prize and take hold on Christ to save him. A man lies upon the Bed of horror of heart, he may prize Christ to comfort him, and getting a conceit of it, be wrapt up almost in an extacy of joy, that a man would think he was sealed with the Spirit of Christ, and yet his end being naught, Christ only to comfort him, misseth of Christ in conclusion; for when a man beleeves indeed, he receives Christ for the end the Father sent him, viz. to be King and Soveraign of the whole man as well as Saviour. Psalm 24. 7. Open your gates that the King of Glory, &c. Rom. 8. 38. I am perswaded nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ Iesus our Lord; our Lord as well as Jesus. Indeed Iohn 6. 15. some did receive Christ to be King, but it was that he might be their cook, he provided loaves for them; so here. Psalm 66. 2, 3. Because of thy power thine enemies shall flatteringly submit: …tis but flattery, not Faith; look to it therefore.
VI. Those that beleeve, but fail in regard of the use of the Gospel,Sign 6. and of the Lord Jesus, and these we read of, Iude 3. viz. of some men that did turn Grace into …nt…nnesse, for therein appears the exceeding evill of a mans heart, that not only the Law, but also the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus works in him all manner of unrighteousnesse; and 'tis too common for men at the first work of conversion, oh then to cry for Grace, and Christ, and afterward grow licentious, live and lye in the breach of the Law, and take their warrant for their course from the Gospel; I shall not name all the wayes that men do so, but I will only speak that which conscience and compassion moves me to; not to begin, but if possible to still division, and what I shall speak shall be by way of prevention.
1. Take heed of making Graces in a christian the weaknesses of a christian, for this is to make darknesse light, and Grace wantonnesse indeed: Is it not? Take heed then of thinking or saying counterfeit or false Sanctification consists in feeling something in a mans self, as love to, delight in the Lord and his wayes: True Sanctification, in seeing nothing, no love, no delight: why the Apostle Paul …new that in him, i. e. in his flesh dwelt no good thing, but he calls it flesh there, and groans under it, yet he felt a Law within closing with the Law without, and blessed the Lord for it, and that was himself. Do you think the Holy Ghost co…es on a man as on Balaam, by immediate acting, and then leaves him, and then he hath nothing: Yes Beloved, know you not Christ is in you (2 Cor. 13. 5.) as well as out of you; in you, comforting, dwelling, sanctifying, preparing the heart for himself. Indeed to be puft …p with Grace, or rest in it is a sin, yet that Grace is not that sin.
2. Take he…d of making weaknesses Graces or Duties: as
First, To make poverty of spirit, the sight of nothing in a mans self; why, he that is poor hath Heaven for his, and so Christ and Promises his, and hath Faith his, at least some seeds. Now to see nothing now, is to see an untruth, and to tell a flat lie to God, and Men, and Scripture too. Indeed a man that is poor doth usually see nothing, but that is his weaknesse, not any Grace.
Secondly, To say there is no difference between Graces of Hypocrites and Saints. Why so? Because I cannot see any. Is this your weaknesse or your wisdom? you can see no…e, and will you make your weaknesse your Religion?
Thirdly, That a man must not evidence his Justification by his Sanctification, I speak of that which accompanies Salvation. Why so? Because then there will be comfort to day, and sorrow to morrow, grant it, but then consider, 1. That is either a mans weaknesse and ignorance that he doth not see it, or 2. his wickednesse and carelesnesse that hath stained that work: And will you make this a D…ty, a Grace? Oh but many have been deceived here; grant it, and will you … your wret…hed basenesse of heart the foundation of this conceit?
Fourthly, That a man must see no saving work, nor take comfort from any promise until he is sealed: No, why so? Because many tall christians have deceived themselves so, and deluded themselves there, and been kept off from Christ, and truly I believe it in part. But what of that? Shall mens weaknesse be my Religion or work? No Be…oved, for a man beleeves before he is sealed, Ephes. 1. 15. And hence Christ is his, and now for him to deny Christ to be his own, 'tis to make Christ a lyar, 1 Iohn 5. 10, 12, 13. not that I would have christians content themselves here (it's a sign you never knew what Christ meant if so you do) till he shall send a more full gale of his Spirit.
3. If you do account them weaknesses, yet take heed your closing with Christ do not cause you to make a light matter of sin, either not to take notice of sins at all, only look to Christ, ('tis not I but sin, as being the act of the outward man: one calls this to unknow a mans self) or not to be deeply sensible of them, and so use Christ as your shoe-clout to wipe them off, Oh this is dangerous; the Spirit of joy never quencheth the Spirit of Sorrow. Capernaum entertained Christ, and yet perished, Oh she repented not! What must we repent after we be in Christ? Yes, Ier. 30. 19. After I was turned I repented: It argues a bold conscience, when men as they look to no good in themselves, so to no sin in themselves, but wholly to Christ.
4. Take heed of those Doctrines which in shew lift up Grace, but indeed pull … any part of it, as
First, to think that the letter of the whole Scripture holds out no more than a Covenant of Works, a most prodigious Speech, though coloured with advancing a Spiritual Covenant of Grace, and no Word but Christ.
Secondly, Under a shew of advancing Gods Grace in doing all, to say the Ordinances are not means, but only occasions of conversion.
Thirdly, under a shew of giving all to Grace, to abolish that plain truth, as to say we are not justified by Faith, which though it be true, not really, i. e. not simply, by Faith in it self considered as a work, yet to say [not relatively, as the Lord is apprehended by it] it is false. If we cast off the power of the truth, yet let us not cast off the form of it: keep the form of wholsome words as well as truths.
Fourthly, Take heed of maintaining that a man until sealed is not to be perswaded to beleeve, under a shew of letting the Spirit of Grace do all. And Brethren, doth not the Spirit of Grace accompany the word of Grace; are not Evangelical commands part of that Word? is there not a power going along with them? what is this but to take from Gods Book, and he that so doth, God will blot him out of the Book of Life, Rev. 22. 19.
Fifthly, That a Christian is to gather no assurance from particular conditional Promises under colour of receiving all from Christ and Grace. True, them that have nothing to do with them, ought not; but for those that have to do with them as their Inheritance, not to apply and make use of them for their comfort, 'tis to trample under-foot Christs blood that purchased them for that end, and 'tis to rase out in our practise the greatest part almost of the Covenant of Grace.
Sixthly, That the Law ought not to be our rule of life under a shew of being freed from it by Christ, as though Christ came to set Hell-gates open for men to do what they please. Shall I say any more? I am weary with speaking, I desire rather to go aside and mourn, and to think there is somewhat amisse why the Lord lets these out. You that are sincere, search and keep close with Christ, and fetch more life from him, and though accounted under a covenant of Works with men, yet rejoyce, you know it is better with you in his sight. And you that are weak, beware and take heed, and do not consider what I, but the Holy Ghost hath cleared this day: and as for all them that do turn Grace into Lasciviousnesse, not intentionally, but practically, not in all things, but some things: consider this Scripture, Iud… 4. Men ordained to this condemnation; they thrive and have no hurt, and they joy, Oh but they have condemnation enough upon them. Do but consider ver. 12, 13. Twice dead, dead in Adam, then quickened by Christ with common Gifts and Graces, then dye and turn Grace into wantonnesse, for whom is reserved the very blacknesse of darknesse for ever. They bring in painted prophanenesse.
Oh take heed then,Use 5. lest you fall short of Christ by unbelief, Heb. 4. 1. Christ must do all; Oh but take heed, use meanes, and then put the work into his hands to make Faith right, Heb. 12. 1, 2. Looking to Iesus the Author and finisher. Suppose Christ was here on earth, and thou should beg it, would he deny thee? Oh no, begg hard therefore now.