The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI.
That true saving Grace in the Hearts of Believers can never fail.
SECT. I.
THat those Graces of the Spirit wherewith those Heavenly Vessels,Obs. 4. or Souls of the Faithful are filled, are constant and of an eternal Nature.
For thus the wi…e Virgins, their Vessels were not only filled, but the Oyl was constantly preserved in them, and continued in their Vessels, until they met the Bridegroom. 'Tis true, their Lamp went out, outward acts of the Spirit of Grace, expressed in the Profession of the Saints may be extinct for a time, yet the Oyl did remain in the Vessel still, which was not so with those which were Foolish, not only their Lamps were out, but their Oyl was spent; so that here is a third Difference between the Foolish and the Wife Virgins: That the Spirit of Grace in the one is of a dying, withering nature; in the other, of an eternal and everlasting nature. There is an eternal excellency stampt upon them, Iohn 4. 14. The water that I shall give him, shall be in him, no Pools, but a perpetual living Spring. Heb. 6. 9. Some that were enlightned and tasted, fell away, but we are perswaded better things of you. The Saints have better things, which do not cause, but accompany Salvation. The Lord is so far from suffering it to die, as that he will add to it, Luke 8. 18. To him that hath shall be given. Though it be like Mustard-seed, yet it shall grow; there is a growing vertue in it. But as the Lord speaks of his people, Isa. 65. 8. As new wine is in the Cluster, and one saith, destroy it not, for a blessing is in it, so it shall be here. Nay, though it be not so much as seen, yet the Lord then can see it, and doth then keep it, and will preserve it, Isa. 40. 29, 30, 31. Nay, though opposed and resisted by temptation, yet, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. 'Tis not consumed, but tried, that it may be to Glory another day, notwithstanding manifold temptations. 'Tis one of the greatest Miracles in the world to preserve it, as a Spark of fire in a Sea of water: Nay, though it seems to a mans feeling to be quite quenched and put out, that a man finds no more than a Reprobate, yet the Seed of God then remains, and it will break out again. There is life at the heart and sap at the root, yet the Lord will fetch them again. When the Lord of Glory was crucified, and all the Disciples fled, not one spake for him, none durst confesse him, yet the Lord returns to them, and they again to him.
SECT. II.
HOW comes it to be thus immortal and of an eternal nature?Quest.
1. 'Tis not only in regard of the power of Grace received,Answ. though it were perfect, for then Adam had not fell from it.
2: Nor in the freedom of a man from temptations, for then the Angels had not fallen.
3. Nor yet in the power of a mans own watchfulness and care to keep it. For if the Lord keep not the City, the watchmen wake but in vain.
4. Nor yet in the power of any means; as many think, if under a powerful Ministry, then they are out of danger. 'Tis not in Paul, nor Apollos, but in the Lord. Men may rejoyce in Iohns Ministry, and be affected with it, but 'tis only for a season. But,
I. In regard of the eternal Election and Purpose of God. Their constancy in the State of Grace depends upon that immutability of his counsel, Matth. 24. 24. They shall deceive if possible the Elect; but its not possible, they being Elect. Wise men may have their Brains crazed, and Nebuchadnezzar like, the use of reason gone, but the Principle of reason continues, and the use of it in time returns again; and so 'tis in regard of damning delusions, 2 Tim. 2. 19. Hymeneus and Philetus fell; Hence do not the Elect f…ll? No, for that Foundation remains sure. 1. The certainty of their continuance in Grace is built upon a Foundation. 2. Not every weak one, but a firm Foundation. 3. Not a Foundation of mans laying, but Gods. 4. Not a wavering and tot…ering, but standing Foundation, and that sealed with the Knowledge of God, the Lord knows who are his, i. e. though some men fall, that one cannot tell by outward expressions and profession who are the Lords, yet The Lord knows who are his, and they are sealed by his love and knowledge. And it seems this is the prime cause of the continuance of Angels, 1 Tim. 5. 21. And Election being free, for his own sake, not for their sakes, the Lord foresaw all their good and evil; hence they are not cut off.
II. In regard of the Faithfulness and Promise and Covenant of Gods Grace. Adam had that Covenant: If he did do, he should live: But he had no absolute Promise he should do, or continue to do; but the Faithful have; and hence they stand, not by the strength of Grace, but by the strength of the Covenant of Grace. And hence that which to reason is incredible, to nature impossible, is brought about by Faith; not by vertue of any power of Faith, but by vertue of the power of a promise. God hath said it, and Faith believes it; and hence Abrahams dead body begets, and Sarahs barren womb brings forth Isaac. Hence through all the Word, when the Apostle perswade… himself of their continuance, he ever puts in Gods Faithfulness, 1 Cor. 1. 8, 9. 1 Thes. 5. 24. 2 Thes. 3. 3. Hence Ier. 32. 40. I will not turn away from them. Answ. True, if they do not from the Lord. No, but they shall not turn away from me. Object. But we see many do fall. Answ. But if he doth, he shall not be broken, but taken up again, Psal. 37. 24. Yea for a time the Lord may do thus. But will this continue, having sinned against such mercy, and my sin being now greater? Now the Lord will depart. Answ. 1 Cor. 1. 8. Yea, he will confirm you to the end. Yes, it may be he will, as he hath done, while I am out of temptation: But I may meet with it before I die. Answ. 1 Cor. 10. 13. He will not suffer you to be tempted above measure, &c. Yea, if I was such a one as Abraham or David, that had such hearts, and did the Lord so much honour. Nay, but Isai. 55. 3. Even the sure mercies of David. This is the Faithfulness of God.
III. In regard of the constant abode of the Spirit of the Lord in the hearts of the Saints, whereby they are kept, Iohn 10. 28. None can pull his Sheep out of the Fathers hand. Look as the first Adam sinning, conveys the power of sin and Satan and death, which reigns with unconquerable power over all the Sons of men; so Christ rising, conveys that Grace and constant presence of the Spirit which reigns to eternal life, and carries the soul through all difficulties, Deut. 33. 27. The eternal God is thy refuge. Let what evils can come, there is a refuge. Yea so long as I can stand. But what if I fall? Underneath are the everlusting arms. Let a Saint fall never so low, yet Gods everlasting arms are still lower; where ever he falls, he falls at last into the Lords arms; For else it was impossible for any soul to continue, Isa. 46. 3, 4. From the womb to the hoar hairs I will carry you. Saints when they are little, think they shall fall at last, and when strengthened, fear if they live till old age, their hearts and spirits will die; yet they do not. But how comes this about? I will carry you. And hence 'tis impossible they should ever die or perish, no more than the Lord Jesus, Iohn 14. 19. So that if Gods purpose is firm, his promise sure, his Spirit able, the Spirit of life and grace in the hearts of the Faithful, shall be kept even to eternity.
SECT. III.
LET that Opinion that the Graces of Saints are fading and mortal,Use. rot and die, and be had in everlasting derestation of them that know the Lord.
But we see how many fall off and fall back,Object. and I have found it by experience so.
The seed that is cast into the earth,Answ. first dies, and then lives and growes; so no sooner doth the Lord fill his Saints, but there is much self-confidence on it, and resting in it, hence it dies, yet it lives and grows again. And hence the Lord keeps his people poor & sensible of their own weakness as long as they live; but if it quite dies and withers, they were never the Lords, nor never had …ne Dram of Grace, 1 Iohn 2. 19. If it be taken away, he did but seem to have it. All fleshly excellencies in men, as common gifts be, do wither, Isa. 40. 6, 7. All Flesh is grass: But Plants in Gods Orchard never lose their greenness, though Plants and Flowe…s in the field may, Psal. 1. 3. Whose leaf shall not wither.
But this may make men secure, say the Arminians.Object.
1. Nothing puts more life in the Saints. It would sink them else,Answ. if it were not thus, as when the Lord told Ioshua, where ever th… settest thy foot, thou shalt prosper, not a man able to stand against thee, this puts life into him.
2. Though they cannot fall quite away, yet they may fall so as to lose the sweetness of Grace, and presence of God. If a man should eat too much, and ever be sick, though not die after it; or if one should fall and break his bones, though he doth not lose his life: Is this any gap for any to rejoyce?
3. Though they cannot wholly drive away nor beat out the breath of the Spirit, yet they may grieve the Spirit by which they are sealed, Eph. 4. 30. Which is more sad to a holy heart than all evils in the world beside. But therefore let this Conceit die and perish, which is raised up by Satan to disgrace the Image of God and Spirit of Grace in the hearts of the Faithful; for who will make men seek after perishing things, under a colour of making men seek for the Spirit, it is to resist and quench the Spirit of God in them.
SECT. IV.
IT may comfort the hearts of the Faithful exceedingly against fears of Apostacy,Use 2. when they see great Cedars fall, How shall I stand? And when they hear of some temptation that may be hereafter, then they fear. And when they feel the evil of their own hearts (which the Lord lets them feel to humble them that they may grow lower, and so stand the faster) they say, I shall fall, and when they have found the Lords presence, oh if now I should relapse after this health!
How shall I know whether I shall stand or no?Quest.
'Tis not only discernable by perseverance,Answ. but by somwhat begun, though very difficult to be seen. As,
1. Observe Gods several and various dispensations of himself and his Grace toward thee, whether they issue from his everlasting love or no; for if so, then he will everlastingly keep that which he hath given thee. Quest. How shall I know that? Answ. Look as that issues from eternal wrath, that separates the soul from God, or therein 'tis exprest; so that is the expression of eternal love which draws thee to God in Jesus Christ. Observe therefore the Lords carriage, Doth it draw thee at last to him, nearer to him; and so the more he dispenseth of himself, the nearer thou art brought to him; here is the expression of eternal love, and the Lord will keep thee, Iohn 6. 37. All that … given me shall come to me. Let the Lord give his Spirit, though but little, they grow thankful. Oh he is come, whom I thought would never have returned again! Let him deny it, this keeps them humble. Let the Lord dispense himself in an Ordinance, they love him; and … day …, better than a thousand elsewhere. Let him not do so, they feel the more need of him. Let the Lord free them from temptations, and give them conquest, Faith now rejoyceth. Let them fall into many temptations, their Faith growes the more purified than ever. Let the … give them outward blessings, they grow more vile in their own eyes, lesse th… the least, with Iacob. Let the Lord deny them, Hab. 3. 18. they rejoyce in the Lord. They get good and are more endeared to the Lord by every carriage of the Lords, at least in the issue it is so. As 'tis with wicked men, they may for a fit be affected and return to the Lord, but in the issue they forget the Lord, so 'tis here contrariwise. There is not any unregenerate man, but somthing or other … him. The wicked ever are like Chaffe driven from God. Gold that is of an everlasting nature, keep it, beat it, burn it, you cannot consume, but only purifie it, 'tis not so with Chaffe. Let the Lord give him tasts of Grace and joy, it estrangeth his soul from Christ, it doth not bring him nea… to Christ.
2. Observe whether thou dost grow out of, and live upon an everlasting Covenant or no, Rom. 11. 1. God hath not cast off his people, whom he …. Who are those? Children of the promise, Rom. 9. 7, 8. That are born and bred of the promise or whole Covenant of Grace; God hath treasured up all Grace in Christ, laid it up in that store-house, Christ hath dropt it in his promises. Now when the soul is rooted in the Covenant, now it shall never die nor perish. As 'tis with some trees, set them in the ground, they will grow, if they have Sun and rain, but die at last: Take another, and set it in a Stock, so that it abides there, and fetcheth all its life from thence by cleaving to it; now it will grow and become a flourishing Branch. Now then the soul growes out of the Covenant, when the whole soul cleaves to the whole Covenant, for the whole benefit of it, and is fully satisfied with it, 2 Sam. 23. 4, 5. As take a soul that feels a want of all the benefits of the Covenant, pardon, peace, life, that the Spirit is ready oft to fail, and hath no assurance it shall have any part of that which is the Childrens portion; and looks upon his own unworthiness, never to have any from the Lord, yet it looks up to the free mercy and Grace that made it to some, to make it good to me, and so pleads the promise, and so laies it self there, and there rests, and there looks, and here sucks, and takes root, and the roo… spreads to every part of the Covenant. The Lord hath now rooted the soul in this Covenant, and it hath received life from hence, this is everlasting, you shall continue. And when the soul especially is like a bough blown by the wind, yet it stands fast still. If men have been in horrors and then fell to reformation, and there rested, it will not last. If men have had some workings and actings of the Spirit upon them, and then say, God must do all, but they grow not into the Covenant, they will die; But here though God keeps thee short and naked, and thou only pleadest the Covenant, thou shalt stand. If you plead for pardon, and some good, not the whole good of the Covenant, you shall die also. If you grow upon some distemper, and the whole heart grow not upon this, you will die also. Look as 'tis with a man that builds, he will make an end if the foundation be laid, but if not pull it down, so here.
3. If the power of Grace received and acted by the Spirit, hath risen to the nature of fruits, and not leaves only, Iohn 15. 2. And that is, when the soul receives that Grace, as that in every thing its scope is to live to God, to give his heart content. For fruit is the end of the trees growth, and leaves and fruit is not for the tree, b… for the content of the owner of it. If so the Lord hath undertaken to purge thee, though there be much Self-seeking in thee, and he hath…undertaken though little at present, to make thee bear more fruit. … Many a man hath much affection and grace, but when he hath it, what is it but leave; to adorn and beautifie himself? But he lives not to the Lord; another man will live to the Lord in what he does, the Lord is so dear, and himself so vile; as that he doth thus.
4. If you pray for it in Christs Name. Object… Many pray. Answ. But when Christ and you pray together, you will speed; and then Christ praies, when his Spirit cries at the Throne of Mercy, then himself is at the Throne of Justice. And his Spirit cries, 1. Not for an unfit person, that hath some slight change, but … his Saints, whose hearts are endeared to him and his whole will. 2. No… fo… … evil or private end, but the Lords. 3. Not coldly, but with gro…s unutterable. Is it thus with th…e? Oh then how canst thou fall I Dost fear …, Mat. 16. 18. he shall not prevail against thee, but thou shalt give the last blow and wou…d▪ Dost fear the world, the deceits of it? Mat.24. 24. (if possible the elect) Dost fear the evil or good things of it, Iohn 17. 13 though in the world, yet Christ prays you may be delivered from the evil of it. Dost fear thy sin, that will separate? Answ. Rom. 6. 2. How can we that are dead live any longe… therein? 'Tis a strong, but a wounded, but a dying enemy. Dost fear the Lord, thou hast walked so unworthy of him? He will not break the bruised reed till judgment come to victory, though little, though weak. Oh therefore be comforted against this in these times, which are aposta…ical, declining, evil daies, and bless the Lord!
SECT. V.
HEnce we learn what verdict to pass and give in concerning those men thatUse 3. decay and fall off from the Lord. They never had Oyl in their Vessel, never had dram of Grace in their heart, Thus, 1 Iohn2. 19. If▪ they had been …f us, they would doubtlesse have continued with us. It seems they were such men which were so eminent and excellent, as that there were no brands nor marks upon them to give notice to the Churches that they were markt out for apostacy, but were only discovered to be unsound by their apostacy; and this was argument good enough. Hence Christ, when some of the Iews began to believe in him with a temporary Faith, Iohn 8. 31. If my Word continue in you, ye are my Disciples; as if he should say, your Faith is a Fancy, if it continue not. Look therefore as the Prophet said, Zach. 1. 5. Your Prophets, where are they? Your Fathers, where are they? So say I to you; Your Tears, your Tenderness, your Groanings, your Heart-breaking, Prayers, &c. Where are they? Is it with them as with ships that are sunk and wrackt, some of the ribs remain, which gives you to see and say, there was a fair ship, but it…s sunk, 1 Tim. 1. 19. Make shipwrack of Conscience, and so lose their Faith also. Some men for a time seem to keep a whole Conscience, wind and water-tite, they can pass through many storms, yet at last it breaks, and when that is lost, their Faith is lost also. Their Faith before God▪ and Conscience before men, both of them break.
Now there are two sorts of Apostates: 1. Open in mens life, whose falls are like the falls of a mighty tree, it falls with noise, and breaks down all the under-wood: So their falls make a noise in all the Country where they lived, and by their falls some are sadded, others offended and damned. 2. Secret, when men are Apostates in heart, Prov. 14. 14. which have chosen some sinful ways, Ier. 3. When 'tis with men as it was with Saul, there is no commendation of him but this, that he was higher by the head and shoulders then any of Israel: So 'tis with these, in outward profession higher than others, but their oyle is spent.
But do not many of the Saints fall openly and secretly?Object.
True, they may and do fall exceeding greatly. But as Moses prophecying of theAnsw. apostacy of Israel after his death, Deut. 32. 29. yet 'tis said, 'tis not the corruption, nor spot of his children, Deut. 32. 5. There is a great difference between an Hypocrites Apostacie from his grace, and Saints from theirs. Its one thing to fall from branch and root too, another thing only for the branches to be broken off and the root not pulled up, Iude 12. There are some apostacies that argue there was never a dram of grace in that soul. Saints fall down, but do not fall away: And of such Apostacies as argue want of grace, take the following Discoveries.
1. When a mans rising is the cause of his fall (or seals a man up in his fall) or at least the cause, through his corruption, Ex. gr. Time was a man lived a loose, careless, carnal life; by the Minstry of some Word, or reading of some Book, or speaking with some Friend, he comes to be convinced of his misery and woful condition, and sees no good, nor grace in himself, he hath been even hitherto deceived; at last he comes to get some light, some taste, some sorrows, some heart to use the means, some comfort, and mercy, and hope of life: And when 'tis thus with him now he falls, he grows full and falls, and this rising is the cause of his fall, his light is darkness, and death to him, and grows to a form of knowledge: His rising makes him fall to formality, and then to prophaneness, and so his tasting satisfies him, his sorrows empty his heart of sorrow for sin, and his sorrows for his falls harden his heart in his falls, and all the means of recovering him harden him; that now if men never had had means, even Sodom, they would have relented before now. This is a sad token of falling away, and having had only lighter work, it being a plain evidence that at their best they were filled with their lusts, because a little light and affection satisfied them, which is now turned by the power of their lust to harden them, Isai. 6. 9. This is given as one sure sign of a people forsaken of God, when in seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not. Look as it is in diseases, if the Physick and me…t turns to be Poyson, then there is no hope of recovery, a man is sick to death now. The Saints little measure makes them forget what is behinde, Prov. 4. 18. He shines brighter and brighter till the perfect day. So that let him fall he cannot be quiet there, but when he remembers from whom he is fallen, if once he tasted the Lord, this will fetch him again, and make him restless till he return. But if it be so as now it is with these, then the case is woful, when there is such a plague on men and they know it not.
When a man saith to himself, as the Glutton said to his soul, Take thy rest, for thou hast goods laid up for many years; so thou hast repentance, and grace, and peace enough for many years; and hence the soul takes its rest, grows sluggish and negligent. Oh if you die in this case, this night thy soul shall be taken away to Hell.
2. If when men fall from the Lord, and they rise up only in Ordinances, but fall down constantly out of Ordinances without feeling. A carnal heart falls, but he thinks himself is not therefore without all grace, because in an Ordinance his heart sometimes is affected, so they were Ezek. 33. 31. The Prophets Ministry was sweet to them, but their hearts went after their covetousness, their Hogs, their houses, their lusts, their lots; and they joy in the Prophet, but never mourn for that. A precious heart also falls out of Ordinances, but he feels his falls▪ Though he falls from the Benefit of his rising, yet not from the feeling of his fall, But to another man the sweet he finds in Ordinances, is but Musick to his meat, or as a man falls from Musick to his meat, Mat. 7. 26, 27. He that heareth my words and doth them not, that mans house is built upon a Sand, which falls, and the cause of great falls is this: Look as 'tis with corn-ground, if rain falls upon that, though it be long before any ripe fruit comes; yet it makes it at last come to some ripeness: But if it falls on other ground, seed is sown there, but it brings forth Briars, though it drinks in rain, 'tis nigh to cursing, Heb. 6. 7, 8. Look as it was with Saul, God had forsaken him, 1 Sam. 16. 14, 23. and a Spirit of Satan came upon him, yet when David played with his Harp, it stilled the spirit in him, & affected him much; it did not cast out the spirit, for when he had done playing, the evil spirit came again upon him. So 'tis at this day, a man is forsaken of the Spirit of God, and haunted with an evil spirit of pride, world, passion, lust, Libertinism; a man prays, hears, and is made much better; tis stilled, not cast out; for after this a man returns to his old spirit again, and in time he cannot be quieted with preaching, nor praying, no more then he could with his harping.
3. When a man is so fallen, as that he returns not in the season of rising: Look as 'tis with Trees in Winter-time, their leaves, their blowths, their fruit, their beauty is gone: Is it then dry and barren, and quite withered, and cursed? One would think so for the present, but 'tis not so, because the season of fruit and leaves is not now; if in Spring and Summer it should be so, then you might well suspect it. Thus Ier. 8. 5, 7, 8. yet they said they were wise, and they had Law and Ordinances among them: True, yet they did not know their season, hence fell with an everlasting backsliding. Hence Psal. 1. 3, 4, 5. They are like the tree planted by the rivers side which bears in season.
What, and when is this season?Quest.
I cannot tell you the season of every man,Answ. but I will shew you the usual seasons of many men.
1. When Jesus Christ the Sun of righteousness draws exceeding neer unto the soul, and that to the reviving of others, Isai. 55. 6. but thy heart never a whit the better, not yet much troubled it is so bad. When Peter falls, a look recovers him; when Ephesus falls from her first love, to remember from whence she is fallen, is enough to restore her to her love again. When the Disciples fell after Christs death, yet when he arose and opened the Scripture, their hearts burned within them. But thou hast had Jesus Christ opening the riches of his grace from heaven, and thou hast heard a voice, but not seen the sight, the glory of the Lord in this thy day; and this thou hast done though the Sun hath come to his full height sometime: This is thy season; Gospel, and Christ, and promises, are grown common to you, &c. As it was with the possessed man, Mat. 17. 15. The Devil takes him oft, and casts him into the water and fire, but if when he come to Christ he have no help, the Lord be merciful to him then: So you have been possessed and fallen, but when the Lord Jesus comes he casts them out; but if the Lord speaks, enlightens, and cometh saying, Remember me whom thou hast abused, my wet locks, my watery eyes, and my sorrowful heart which thou hast broken, here is all my love, and this prevails not, but thou neither risest nor desirest the Lord to raise thee: This is sad. In the day of Jubilee, be a servant then for ever, if your old master still pleaseth you; especially when all means are used; when the last of a course of Physick is taken, and is ineffectual.
2. When the Lord is ready to depart from the soul. Somtime Saints do not melt at love, but the Lord departs, now this recovers them. As a man that hath a friend, though they grow weary of their company, and they begin to carry away divers things, yet when they come to take their leave indeed, now they recover, and they cannot part now. Like Ioseph and his Brethren, they can neither of them part. Nicode…us and Ioseph cannot contain, but cleave to Christ, when most forsaken. David, when God hides his face, is troubled, Psal. 30. 7. 'Tis with … as with sick folks, when their sickness and sores come to their height, now they break and recover, Hos. 5. 15. But if Gods departing from thee makes thee more vile, it makes thee apostatize from him. 'Tis certain thou hadst never life then. This is a Sauls brand, 1 Sam. 28. He forsakes the Lord, and goes to … Witch. Never saw you yet a Gracious heart, but the Lord made extremity fetch him in. And no surer sign of an ungracious heart, than to have this blast him and drive him from the Lord, Mal. 3. 14. A man hath Gods Ordinances, he finds no profit, no God, no Christ, his affection is lost, and now he forsakes the Lord. Oh when Christ is a rock of offence, wo, wo, wo to that soul! Now thou hast neither Summer nor Winter-fruit. Oh look to thy fall here!
4. When men so fall from the Lord, as that their whole hearts make choice of, and are espoused to some lust, wedded to some distemper. For though the Saints may fall, yet never to another Lover; for they cannot fall into any sin that breaks Covenant between them and the Lord, Hos. 2. 19. When men make choice of any thing in the world to take content in more than in the Lord, or together with the Lord, and hence defend it as lawful, and are fully free in it. There was never Grace there. For if any thing doth give the Saints content, 'tis not their choice, but refusing: But you are wedded to your lust. David could say, I have chosen thy Testimonies, oh forsake me not utterly! Others chuse somwhat else, not thee, Psal. 125. 5. Those that walk in crooked waies, the Lord shall lead them forth. This is given as a black mark of men that are broken off from the Lord, Rom. 11. 9. Let their Table become a snare. When it may be no unlawful thing, but lawful is that which banes them, 2 Pet. 2. 22. Sheep may fall into the mire, but if they lie and wallow in it, it's a Swine; and all their excellencies are but Pearls in a Swines snout.
But when doth a man make choice of it?Quest.
1.Answ. When a mans heart is set upon a lust, and God blesseth and prospers him in it. When God fills the back-slider in heart full of his own waies. His heart is wordly, and he thrives in it; his heart is ambitious, and he hath his Honour. This the Lord gives not to his people, but some rod or other upon their backs, Hos. 4. 17. Let him alone.
2. When a man lies long in his Fall. Saints lie not long: I limit no time, but when day after day, a man lives in it, Rom. 11. 10. Let their Backs be bowed down alway. Oh when a mans heart and back is bowed down alway! Saints are under Christs care.
5. When the Cause of a mans withering is a withering root. Trees in winter cast their leaves, as withered trees, but others root is hurt. If the branches do wither, yet if the root remain, it will recover again. So the Saints cast their leaf, and their branches wither in desertions and temptations, but they preserve themselves at the root. But why do others wither? 'Tis because their Faith withers, Heb. 10. 39. & 3. 12, 14. Many a man withers because of his Faith: He feels many wants. Why lives he so? Why dies he in beggery? Why see, Micah 3. 11. When a man is twice dead and pulled up by the roots, so that the root perisheth; for him is reserved the blacknesse of darknesse for ever. That the means and way of enriching Saints is a way of beggery, to these 'tis very fatal. There is some false Faith in Saints, but it is not wholly such.
Oh consider these things! No Grace, What no Grace? I say then no life, no God, no Spirit, no Christ, no Glory. Oh mourn here! See it now, that you may be humbled, and so saved. Else you will fall worse and worse still, Ier. 3. 5, 6.
SECT. VI.
HEnce see how far they fall short of saving Grace, that serve the Lord by fits and starts,Use 4. and whose hearts follow after the Lord, and make much of the Lord only in good moods. Dying pangs are not eternal graces; Withering Grace is flourishing and prosperous wickedness. If the Spirit of Grace in the Saints be of an eternal, constant nature; that is not the Spirit of Grace which accompanies salvation, which is alive to day, but dead to morrow, which a man is full of to day, but quite empty of to morrow. Hence the Prophet cries out, Hos. 6. 4, 5. Oh Ephraim what shall I do? What more means can I use for thy good? Why, do we not get good by means? Yes, but thy goodnesse is like the morning dew, soon lickt up by the Sun, and like a cloud which passeth away, which promiseth much, but is scattered again. The Lord knows not what to do with such men; yet how many be there of such, that like Ionas Gourd, spring up for a time, and then die the next day, and they comfort themselves under the shadow thereof. That take them in their Moon, they are as good as you can wish, more than men, but out of it, they are bruit beasts, not men. Whatever is in a godly man, the likeness and similitude of it is for a time in an Hypocrite. Would you have earnest prayer for a blessing? look upon Esau, he seeks for it with tears, and mourns for it for a time. Would you have following the means, and that the most powerful and searching▪ and joy in it also? See Iohn 5. 35. What went they out into the wildernesse to see? a Prophet, a burning and shining light, and rejoyced therein for a season. Would you have hazarding life for Paul and Ministry of the Gospel? Alexander did thus for a time. Would you have people enter into Covenant with God? Look upon the Israelites, Deut. 29. with 31. 16. I know that after they death this people will go a whoring. Would you have thankfulnesse? Psal. 106. 13. They sang his praise, they soon forgat the Lord. And these Affections are for a time stronger than the Saints, like land-floods; and because they be violent and strong, they last not long. But however, it argues a wretched false heart, Psal. 78. 37. Their hearts were not right, because not stedfast in his Covenant.
But what man is there but changeth? What body so healthful,Object. that is found alway in the same temper? Do not the Saints find their hearts soon cold, their joy soon quencht, their affections soon spent? This therefore will discourage them.
I answer to it two waies,Answ.
First, They sometimes deny the constancy of Grace, where constantly it is, (for the Spirit of Grace in us is like life, for 'tis eternal life. It's ever acting or remaining in the soul) and this they do by reason of many mistakes. As
1. They think the Grace of God in them perisheth, when the act ceaseth. Whereas a man may be weary of actions of life, where life remaineth, as in sick men. A man may have a rich treasure alway with him, yet not alway spend it. There is a gracious frame of heart which the Lord regards chiesly, which is before the act, & hence may be without it. The wheel doth not run that it may be round, but it is made round that it may run. Hence when the act of running ceaseth, the frame whereby its fit to run again, remaineth; And this is the Seed of God, 1 John …. 9.
2. Many think the act of grace ceaseth, when it doth not act alway upon the same object; as some think, because they have not the sence of Gods love alway, all grace is lost, when it may be there is sence of corruption at that time; sometime God gives victory over temptation, it riseth again: Now the soul thinks the very act of grace ceaseth, when yet its now warring against the temptation; sometime the Spirit of grace may lead a man to prayer and sadness, sometime to a mans calling and cheerfulness. The act of grace is small, its dominion large.
3. They think they are not constant, when they are not so at all times, as they are at some times: As a man thinks he is unconstant at prayer, because he is not all day upon his knees; not heavenly minded, because he is not all day long minding heavenly things: Whereas the Spirit should be ready so to do and be at all times, and in every worldly occasion to be sowing or reaping some spiritual good; yet 'tis not a season alway to be upon the Mount. Somtime Moses must come down to the camp. God requires every …it season for his special Worship, not every Particle of time.
4. Many think the power of Grace is ceased and taken away, when some special enlargements are: As a Christian shall find at some times, having special work to do, special miseries to go through, he hath special enlargements of the Spirit, of joy, courage, boldness with God, love and zeal. These lasting not, he thinks all is gone now. But look as it was with Ionathan, 1 Sam. 14. 8. Then he alone and his Armour-bearer went against an Host, yet 1 Sam. 17. 11. Against Goliah not a word. Paul to his death was a faithful and able Minister of the Gospel, though sometime his mouth stopped, and his heart straitned: The Ship may be going to the Harbour, though somtime greater, somtime lesser winds.
Secondly, But yet I confess there is much changeableness in the Saints, and unevenness in their course, and their Spirits are apt to grow weary and faint, otherwise they had not need to be exhorted not to be weary, and when they are lifted up, they soon sink down, Heb. 12. 1. And hence question, Was there ever grace in this heart? But yet there is much difference between the unconstancy of the one and of the other, in three things:
1. An Hypocri…es affections when they cease, they are raised in him again by some external Principles and Motives; but the Faithful when they have lost what they had, they recover it again by a new nature, an inward principle; which is an evidence there was the being of Grace all this while. Empty a Pond, it will never fill again till the Clouds above it poure down rain. Empty a Spring, though it sees no Clouds in the Heavens, yet it runs of it self, and will fill it self again. So when an Hypocri…e is left dry and empty, if some clouds of displeasure, fears of death and hell come, he is filled; but a child of God when no fear of death or hell, yet many times somthing within begins to work, as in David Psal. 39. 3. While musing, the fire kindled, the sence of sin, to lie out from God, to quench his Spirit, the Beauty of Grace, the Command of God, the honour of the Lord Jesus recovers him, Heb. 8. 10. Deut. 5. 29. They spake as largely as any could desire, ye… their hearts were naught, because this came from no inward principle, but only from external fear. When the Priests feet touch Iordan, the waters stand on heaps; but when they are passed through, they overflow all the Banks again, according to their nature. So when the Word is preacht powerfully, and the Gospel with authority, and the Priests feet touch mens Consciences, and they come to make way for the Arke, for the Lord, men in fits fall down before the Lord against their natures; & for a Sabbath day men are as full of good purposes and hearts as may be, yet pe…ish at last, Iohn 8. 30, 31. Many believed when they heard his Word; but then are you my Disciples, if you continue. All Hypocrites pangs come from external principles; and hence take them away, their affections die. Somtime the novelty of a thing affects a man; the sight of shore is beautiful; at last when Manna proves dayly bread, 'tis loathed. At first Ministers feet are beautiful, they would pull out their right eyes for Paul, yet afterward cast him off. A Pharaoh in Thunder and fear of death, cries, take away the Plague. A man in affliction promiseth much; when 'tis past, his care to find out his sin, his seeking to be purged from his sin ceaseth. Ioash is good while Ieh…jada lives. A man is good in quickning company, but when iniquity abounds, his love waxeth cold; whereas when these fail, a holy heart grows better. That which make… the one to fall, makes the other to fear, and so to stand. A Conceit carries a man on, but when his Conceit is gone, he falls. Look as 'tis with dead men, they may have heat and colour, but 'tis from the fire; a living man may be cold, and his beauty gone, yet he comes to be hot again, not from external heat, but internal life within: He can get himself heat, as we say, so 'tis here. Or as 'tis with the Clock and the Sun, the one moves by Art, the other by nature.
2. Suppose there be some inward Spirit to raise their Affections, yet these graces arise in them without the destruction of the contrary Corruption. And so are like to Moses burning Bush, the Bush burning, but yet not burnt. And thus it was with Balaam, suddenly the Spirit of God came upon him, and he saw the beauty of Iacobs Tents and blessed them above all people in the world, yet his cove…ous, malicious heart against them was not consumed: We never read of Balaams mourning for want of the sight of their glory, and of love to their persons and posterity; but the graces of the Saints do arise from the dying of the contrary lust or corruption which they see and are sensible of; and hence the act of grace ceaseth some…imes, because 'tis opposed by corruption, yet the being of it remains in full power, though not in the exercise thereof, because 'tis in such a Subject where corruption is dying, not living; falling, not raigning. Christ, dies, and so lives in his people; where Christ is indeed, there we are first buried with Christ before we are raised by him. Paul could do great things for Christ, yet sometime is weak, because his streng…h arose from the sense of his own insufficiency to think … good thought. The Saints see great things but 'tis in such a way, as that they that see not, might see, Joh. 9. 39. Paul is sometime set at liberty from pricking temptations, yet he hath them sometimes that he may feel them, and so be raised again. Hence many people suddenly finde they love the people of God, and love the Lord, but never felt the contrary sin; suspect 'tis but a pang, as Capernaum was much affected, yet repented not.
3. The continuance of the risings of a Saint are life to him, they are his life; his coolings, and declinings, and decayings, death: But è contra to an Hypocrite, the continuance of his affections in Ordinances are deaths and burdens to him; the loss of them his liberty and life, wherein he allows himself.
As for example, Take an Hypocrite to prayer, he is affected for a time, but let him …e long at it, he is like a Fish in a Feaver fit out of the water, Mal. 1. 13. So for sanctifying the Sabbath, and being very strict, but stay long here 'tis death, 'tis burdensome to him; and hence we shall see his decays are his life, and that which makes him walk loosely is, sometime he repents and beleeves, and hath his Canonical set hours of prayer, and he thinks this is enough, and pleaseth himself with this, (who is constant?) But now take a childe of God when his heart is …nlarged for the Lord, that is heaven; it is his food, and now he is in health, as Paul said, 1. Thes. 3. 7, 8. Now we live, if you continue stedfast: So for others, so also with himself, Prov. 4. 22. and if it might be ever thus, then happy; and the thoughts of this sweetens heaven; but take away these, 'tis his death; and hence he groans to God for the removal of it, Psal. 119. 4, 5. What good doth Christ, mercies, Ordinances, heaven do me with such a heart? Be not discouraged you people of the Lord, nor encouraged you that are good only in your Moods, as the winde turns you; whatever love you have 'tis whorish, and whorish tears, if you follow the Lord and yet have your haunts, whatever service you do it is odious to God, to work all day for another Master, and twice a day come to the Lord for bre…d. Do you think the Lord likes this, to taste of his grace, and make a meal of your lusts?
SECT. VII.
FIrst,Use 5. To them that are fallen to begin again, if God would but give you ears to hear,Of Exhort. who like strange Eggs being put into the same nest where honest men have lived, there you have been hatcht up, and when you were young, there you kept your nest, and lived by crying and opening your mouth wide after the Lord, and the food of his Word. But now your wings are grown you have got some affections, some knowledge, some hope of mercy, and are hardned thereby to fly from God. Can that man be good whom Gods grace makes worse? And that flies from Gods Ordinances, and people, and private prayer? Consider what thou hast done.
1. You bring an ill report and name upon God, Ier. 2. 5. What iniquity have you found in me. If a Country be well reported of, its no matter if some others bring an ill name on it, Wise men will not beleeve them: But for the searchers of Canaan to bring an ill report of Canaan, this is sad.
2. Thou hast lost all thy prayers, all thy profession, nay better never to have known these wayes, 2 Pet. 2. 21. then to forsake the Lord.
3. No mens misery is so great, Iude 13, 14. the blackness of darkness is for such. Search your selves, you may secretly depart, when you are turning to the Lord ; as a Snail round about the wheel, the wheel moves it, but it moves a contrary motion of its own from the wheel: Therefore begin again. Oh but will the Lord receive me? Who knows but he may? And heal your back slidings, Hos. 14. Because fallen, return: I know not how. Answ. Take words; But the Lord may not regard us, You shall grow like the Lilly, and be as firm as Lebanon.
Let them that stand, take heed lest they fall, and you discover your hypocrisie toExhort. 2. all the world, or be like the Hypocrites whose beauty soon fades. And here let me commend three things to you.
1. Take heed that there be not found in your hearts a root of bitterness to grow up and choak you, Hebr.12. 15. If your house be left empty, and yet one living lust left in it, seven Devils will enter again, and your latter end will be worse then your beginning. You do not know what hearts you have. Am I a dog, saith Hazael, ever to fall so? Let there be a lust after any creature, you will finde the spirit of prayer die; then to think them too long in the Word, then to forsake the assemblies of Saints, then when your lust is met with, to oppose men, Ministers, &c. One reigning lust will bring all into captivity to it self, it will slay some, and make others serviceable to defend it self, Psal. 106. 14, 15.
2. Take heed of taking on you the profession of a Christian course without finding the rest, peace, joy, sweetness of such a course, Prov. 2. 10, 11. There is a satisfying pleasantness in promises, commands, Ordinances, you will never hold out else; for where-ever the heart finds rest, there it will abide, and for want of that it dies. As in Creatures, if it had rest there, the soul would not be unquiet, if in God, it would never go to the creature. Some sweetness you may finde, but look to finde full rest; as men do find some sweetness in creatures, and so in Ordinances; yet being used to them, they grow weary of them, because they finde no God there, no fulness of rest, Hebr. 4. 11, 12. and go through all the world you shall never have it: Get all the terrors of Devils upon you, you will never stand by that; consider therefore as 'tis in sin, there is the act, and there is the pleasure; so in every Ordinance and Duty there is both. All Apostacy is from this, Ordinances are too burthensome unto men to be held unto.
3. Take heed you neglect not private prayer, build your houses fit for that purpose, though you sell some of your clothes; you will for your Swine to lie in, and will you not to meet God in? one hours meeting the Lord in private will quit your cost: And pray for this, do it least you do it in the woods, and desarts, and dens of the earth: So much strangeness from God, so much Apostacie; Pray that you may hold out in this hour of Temptation; that you may with David, not be forsaken, when gray-headed.
Thus you see now the particular Difference between Wise and Foolish Virgins, and what is the ground of the acceptance of the one, and not of the other? What then will be said? Can it be, That there are no Grates in Saints: Or, That there is no Difference between the one, and the other?