Sacramental Discourses Before and After the Lords Supper, Discourse 3

Sacramental Discourses Before and After the Lords Supper · Discourse 3

p. 89The Third Diſcourſe, Concerning SPIRITUAL WASHING, The Nature, Means and Evidences of it. Before the Lord's Supper.

1 COR. VI. 11.

And ſuch were ſome of you, but you are Waſhed, but ye are Sanctified, but ye are Juſtified, in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God.

OUR Lords condeſcention to waſh the Feet of his Diſciples, and the diſcourſe between Him and the Apoſtle Peter upon that occaſion, contains many things very obſervable and Inſtructive unto all Chriſtians. S. Peter is aſtoniſh'd at his Maſter's p. 90Propoſal to waſh his feet: he wonders he ſhould ever deſign or attempt ſo low a ſervice, He cries out as a man amazed 13. John 6. Lord doeſt thou waſh my Feet? words that ſavor of humble reſpect. and Reverence unto Chriſt: and had he proceeded no farther, it had been very commendable, for theſe expreſſions ſeem to proceed from a true ſence of his owne unworthineſs, conſidering both himſelfe, and our bleſſed Lord, and the meanneſs and inferiority of the action, which he offered to do toward him. Unto which our Lord Replys. What I do thou knowest not now, but thou ſhalt know hereafter. i. e. when the Spirit ſhall be more aboundantly pour'd out. as it was upon his Aſcention into Heaven. But Peter is not ſatisfied with this, but peremptorily refuſes to ſubmitt to an order which he did not yet underſtand the Reaſon of, and therefore replies againe, Thou ſhallt not waſh my Feet. or far be it from me, that thou ſhouldeſt waſh my feet.

This gave occaſion for that ſevere Rebuke and Threatning, which went to his very heart in thoſe words of Chriſt, If I waſh thee not, thou haſt no part in me, no Intreſt in me, no communion with me. It cannot well be thought that the p. 91external waſhing, ſhould be the only thing here meant, for Judas was partaker of that as well as the Reſt: and yet our Lord ſays, at the tenth verſe, ye are clean, but not all. Upon this we find the Apoſtle Peter ſubmitts to his Saviour, and inſtead of denying that he ſhould waſh his feet, he paſſionately cries out, not my Feet only, but my hands and head too, i. e. Lord waſh me all over, Hands, Head, and Feet, the three moſt viſible parts of the body for the whole: our Lord tells him, that was not neceſſary, for he that waſheth, need not but to waſh his feet, verſe 10. as one that comes out of a Bath, may have contracted ſome Filth in walking out of it, and therefore needs only to have his feet waſhed; alluding to the Cuſtom**D. Lightfoot. of the Jews, as to thoſe who did officiate in the Temple, who after having been purified and Waſhed in the morning, as often as they came out, and returned againe, did only waſh their Feet. Doubtleſs therefore the neceſſity of inward Purification and Holineſs muſt be comprehended, as the import of this waſhing: The being ſanctified in Soul, Body and Spirit, as neceſſary unto all that are accepted of God, and in a Covenant Relation with Chriſt: neceſſary to a ſaving intreſt in Him, and p. 92Communion with him. And ſuch a Change as this ſome of the vileſt, and worſt of ſinners have experienced, upon true Repentance and an unfeined Faith. This the words I have read give us an account of. And ſuch were ſome of you &c.

In the beginning of this Chapter, the Apoſtle reproves a very unwarrantable Practice among theſe Corinthians, to implead one another in matters of Right and Wrong, before the Heathen Tribunals: which ſeems to blemiſh the Chriſtian Profeſſion, and contradicted the preſcribed Rule of our Lord. Matth. 18.15. they were alſo Injurious, and Unjuſt in their Carriage to their Brethren: from which he Indeavours to deter them. 1. By that dreadful threatning, vers. 9. Know you not, that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? And for the farther confirmation of it, enumerates ſeveral kinds of ſuch Perſons; and bids them look well to it, and not deceive themſelves (tho' one would hardly think that men ſhould be deceived in ſo plain a caſe) as if their profeſſion of Chriſtianity would ſave them, while they lived in any ſuch wickedneſs. Be not deceived neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers in any, &c. ſhall inherit the Kingdom of God.

p. 93He then adds another argument in this Text, to diſwade them from ſuch an unchriſtian Behaviour, viz. from the mighty Change, that had been wrought upon ſeveral of them, by their Converſion to the Faith of Chriſt. And ſuch were ſome of you but ye are Waſhed, &c.

The Change is repreſented by three ſeveral expreſſions: and the Means by which it was brought about is double viz. In the name of our Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1. The mighty Change which was wrought upon them by their Converſion to the Faith of Chriſt, in thoſe words, But ye are Waſhed, but ye are Sanctified, but ye are Justified; ſome would conſider theſe three expreſſions, as a regular Gradation, and make this Waſhing to ſignifie the firſt Change by Regeneration, or the new Birth: and being Sanctified, to denote the further progreſs, meaſure and Degree of the ſpirit of Holineſs: and being Juſtified follows, as that, which by a real change of Heart and Life is evidenced, and cleared, to the comfort of Believers. Others think we may conſider this being Waſhed as the general Term comprehending the other two, Sanctification, and Juſtification. For we find that expreſſion uſed in both p. 94ſenſes: for our deliverance from the Guilt of ſin, by pardoning mercy; and from the impurity and ſtain, the power, and filth of ſin by renewing grace. David beggs to be Waſhed and made Clean in both reſpects 51. Pſalm 2.7.10. And our Lord is ſaid to have loved us, and waſhed us from our ſins, in his owne blood! Rev. 1.5. Which comprehends both the forgiveneſs of ſin, and the ſanctifying influence of the ſpirit of Chriſt. Others think all the three terms Waſhed, Sanctified, and Juſtified, are here Synanimous: as ſignificant of the great Change, that is wrought by the renewing and converting grace of God; and that Juſtified in this place is not to be taken in a**Le Blank, Theſes theol. de uſu & acceptatione vocis Juſtificandi &c. p. 256. §. 6.8.9. Anſwered by Dr. O. of Juſtification. p. 179. Forenſick or Law ſence; but hath the ſame import with the other two expreſſions, Waſhed, and ſanctified, ſo the expreſſion 12. Dan. which we render turn many to Righteouſneſs, in the Original is Justifie many.

So Sanctification they think may be comprehended under the term Juſtified, Rom. 8.30. Or elſe one of the greateſt Advantages we enjoy by Chriſt is not there enumerated. So here where p. 95our Juſtification is aſcribed to, the holy Spirit, whoſe office and work it is inwardly to renew and change us: and whereby thoſe Corinthians, who were vile and impure before, are now qualified for the Kingdom of God, Tit. 3.5.6.1. However I exclude not our being waſhed from the guilt of ſin, as part of the Senſe of this Text; but it is the other Waſhing by Sanctification, of which I would ſpeak at this time.

2. You have the double means, whereby this is brought about. In the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God, &c. 1. In the Name of the Lord Jeſus, or by, and through the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as the Greek Particle doth often ſignifie. For it is the ſame in the Original, in both Clauſes. The firſt may as well be rendered, By the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: as the other, By the Spirit of our God. The ſame Prepoſition being uſed in both. Referring the whole to Sanctification. In my preſent Diſcourſe I ſhall not need to Aſſign Reaſons, why the word Juſtified is put laſt, or ſearch for the like Inſtances of an foreign, or foreign, tho ſuch may be given, to vindicate the order of the Expreſſions; and why the Name of Chriſt, which eſpecially refers to p. 96Juſtification, ſhould be mentioned before the Spirit of our God, which eſpecially refers to Sanctification, which yet is named before our being Juſtified.

In the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, or by his Name, may import, in the General, for the ſake of Chriſt, upon the account of his Merit, and Mediation: and ſo we pray in the Name of Christ, and beg Mercy for his ſake. But more diſtinctly, the Name of Chriſt may be conſidered,

1. In relation to his Office of Mediator, and the Soveraign Authority of it: he is the Jeſus, the Saviour; this is the Name, that is given him above every Name, and ſo in, by, or through the Name of Chriſt, does ſignifie, through faith in him, as the only Mediator between God and Man. In ſeveral like Expreſſions we muſt grant that Faith muſt be ſuppoſed, when it is not expreſſed: As when we are ſaid to be Baptiz'd in the Name of Chriſt, for the remiſſion of ſin, Acts 2.38. i. e. believing on his Name.

2. It may be conſidered in relation to the Truth of his Doctrine, and the Divine Authority of that Revelation, which he made from God to the World, p. 97upon which his Name is engraven: As when we read of ſuffering for the Name of Chriſt, i. e. for owning the profeſſion of the Chriſtian Religion. To this purpoſe our Sanctification is ſaid to be by the belief of the Truth, John 15.3.17. chap. 17. 1 Pet. 1.22. 2 Theſ. 2.13. Ye are clean through the word that I have ſpoken to you, ſayes our bleſſed Lord. And in his Mediatory Prayer to the Father, Sanctifie them by thy truth, thy word is truth. Accordingly we find Sanctification is aſcribed unto Faith in Chriſt, as the true Meſſiah, or a ſound Belief of the Revelation he hath made, Act. 15.9. Purifying the heart by Faith. So that we are waſhed, and ſanctified, through the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, or by Chriſt known, and beleived on, as one means of it, and by the Efficiency of the Spirit of God, as the other; wh…ch I ſhall afterwards ſpeak of. In the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God.

In diſcourſing of theſe words I ſhall therefore, Firſt, Give ſome brief account of the Nature of this Change, here expreſt by being Waſhed, Sanctified and Justified. Secondly, Of the two great Means, whereby it is brought about, the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and the Spirit of our God. Thirdly, Make ſome Improvement, by p. 98Application: eſpecially to aſſiſt you, in examining your ſelves, in order to the Lord's Table; that we may know, whether we are in the number of ſuch, upon whom this Change is paſſed. Whether we are Waſhed, Sanctified, and Juſtified, in the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and by the Spirit of our God.

1. Concerning the nature of this Change. It is evident, that the defiling nature of Sin is here ſuppoſed: there could not otherwiſe be any need of Waſhing. And we find it repreſented in Scripture by Spots, and Blemiſhes, by Mire and Vomit by the Blood and Pollution of a New-born Child, by the moſt filthy dung and Excrements, and whatſoever is reckoned the moſt vile and abominable. Therefore whatſoever Excellencies and Ornaments, whatſoever Priviledges and Advantages, an Unſanctified Perſon may partake of, to recommend him to the eyes of the World, he is yet a Vile Perſon, loathed and abominable in the ſight of God.

2. Conſider, that by Nature we are All as an Unclean thing. That which is born of the Fleſh, is Fleſh; and, Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean, John p. 993.6. Rom. 3.10. Job 14.4. All the Purifications and Waſhings under the Law, did ſuppoſe our inward Defilement, and repreſent our need of Cleanſing.

Whatever was injoyned by the Moſaick Inſtitution of this kind (which we find was very ſtrictly charged, and earneſtly preſt, and indiſpenſably required, and the neglect of it moſt ſeverely puniſhed:) yet did but ſignifie and repreſent this. Which proves our Sanctification neceſſary, Tit. 3.5. He ſaved us by the waſhing of Regeneration, and by the renewing of the Holy Ghoſt. All Men are Defiled, and Unclean by Nature, and need to be Waſhed.

3. We are all over Unclean, from the Crown of the Head, to the Sole of the Foot; Univerſally diſeaſed and polluted, and ſo need to be Sanctified in Soul, Body, and Spirit, Epheſ. 5.26. 1 Theſ. 5.23. Iſa 1.6. we read of the filthineſs of the Fleſh and Spirit, from which we are to be cleanſed, 2 Cor. 7.1. All the Powers of the Soul, and all the Members of the Body are tainted; Heart and Hand muſt be Cleanſed; the inward and outward Man Sanctified. Cleanſe your hands ye ſinners, and purifie your hearts ye double minded, Jam. 4 8.

p. 1004. The Change therefore by Sanctification, muſt be Univerſal, in heart and life. By the knowledge of God, and affection to him (of whom we were Ignorant, and to whom before we were Diſaffected) by the Image of God recovered; by participation of the Divine Nature, and Life; by the Law of God written on the Heart, and expreſſed in the Converſation. Holineſs and Love to God muſt be the frame and temper of our Souls; ſo that the Actings of it become eaſie, pleaſant, and delightful. The Old Man muſt be put off, the New put on Old things be done away, and all things become new. New Principles, new Ends, new Motives, new Rules, new Comforts, which will make an unſpeakable difference between this Change, and that Negative Religion, and common Honeſty, which many may pretend to, who are ſtrangers to Regeneration. There were many Philoſophers and Sophiſts among theſe Corinthians, who boaſted of Purity and Reformation, which came unexpreſſibly ſhort of this Sanctification which I am now ſpeaking of, as owing to ſome other cauſe than the Spirit of Chriſt, unto whom the production, continuance, and progreſs of this Sanctification, is alone to be aſcribed.

5. It may farther be conſidered in its Begining, or Progreſs, or Conſummation. As begun by the Spirit of Life and Power from Chriſt; as maintained and carried on, by a continual influence from the ſame Spirit and the diligent uſe of God's appointed means. Whereby the Lineaments of the Divine Nature are rendred more clear, holy impreſſions more powerful, and efficacious; Whereby we go from ſtrength to ſtrength, and are inabled to perfect holineſs in the fear of God; preſſing on towards perfection, to the fulneſs of the ſtature of the Man Chriſt Jeſus, till it be conſummate in Heaven: when, by ſeeing Chriſt as he is, we ſhall be made like him, and be preſented to the Father without ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing.

6. For the ſake of thoſe who intend to come to the Lord's Table, let me add, That ſuch Waſhing and Sanctification is requiſite to our Communion with Chriſt in the ſpecial Ordinances of the Goſpel, particularly that of the Lord's Supper. This is intimated by our Lord in the 13th of John, v. 7, 8. in his words to Peter, If I waſh thee not, thou haſt no part with me. It muſt have a Spiritual p. 102meaning, becauſe notwithſtanding the external Waſhing, Chriſt ſays, All of them were not clean. And ſoon after this, he inſtituted his Supper, to the due participation whereof, it is neceſſary we be Waſhed and Sanctified. For we cannot otherwiſe have a Right to the Benefits purchaſed by his Blood, which are Sealed to us in that Ordinance; and we can have no Communion with him there, till partakers of the Spirit of Chriſt. Unleſs we are Sanctified by that Spirit, we have no intereſt in him, no Right to his Supper, and ſo we can have no Communion with him: if we are not cleanſed from our Filthineſs, if we have ſpots upon us that are not the ſpots of God's Children, unto whom this Feaſt doth particularly belong. And therefore I may ſay, as Peter to Simon Magus, Thou haſt neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right with God, neither can it be, if this Change do not precede. The Enquiry therefore is highly ſeaſonable, whether we are thus Waſhed, and Sanctified, or not? But before I give the Characters of ſuch Perſons, it will be expected, I ſhould ſpeak ſomewhat concerning the double means of this Change, In the Name of our Lord Jeſus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God.

p. 103II. The double Means of this Change, by the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Firſt. We are Purified, and Waſhed, By the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, or by Faith in him.

To this purpoſe, Conſider,

First. That all the Arguments laid down in Scripture, to preſs Sanctification and Holineſs of Heart and Life, have influence and force according to our Faith. The Arguments from God, from Chriſt, from our ſelves, from the Divine Nature, from the Example and Life of Chriſt, from his redeeming Grace, and dying Love, from his precious Promiſes, &c. They all depend upon our Faith; and have no force, or power, any further than we believe in Chriſt, and heartily embrace the Goſpel-Revelation.

Secondly. It is by the Name of Chriſt, or by Faith in him, that we are Sanctified, becauſe in order to our Sanctification, Chriſt is to be eyed, and improved ſeveral wayes.

p. 104Firſt. The Blood of Chriſt muſt be eyed in order to our Sanctification. Our Faith muſt be employed upon a Crucified Saviour. As his Blood is able to cleanſe us from all ſins. Who loved us and waſhed us from our ſins, in his own Blood; Who gave himſelf for us that he might ſanctifie and cleanſe us, by the waſhing of Water by the Word, Rev. 1.5. Epheſ. 5.25. For, as the Apoſtle argues, from the taking away of Ceremonial Uncleanneſs by the Legal Purifications; If the Blood of Bulls and Goats, and the aſhes of an Heifer, ſprinkling the unclean, availed to the purifying of the Fleſh, how much more ſhall the Blood of Chriſt, who by the Eternal Spirit offered up himſelf to God, purge our Conſciences from dead Works, Heb. 9.13. Accordingly we find, The Sanctification of the Spirit, connected with the ſprinkling of the Blood of Jeſus, or, as the purchaſe of his Blood, 1 Pet. 1.2.

Secondly. Faith makes uſe of the Interceſſion of Chriſt, and his Prayer in Heaven, for this Effect. The whole fruit of the Death of Chriſt, whereof the Sanctifying Spirit is one Principal part, is given out by the Father upon the Interceſſion of Chriſt. What he merited on the Croſs by his great Sacrifice, he prays p. 105in Heaven may be applyed to Particular Souls, as the fruit of it: and upon the account of the everlaſting value of his Death, his Interceſſion founded on it, is always Prevalent.

Thirdly. His Promiſe and Covenant, whereby he hath engaged to cleanſe us from all Iniquity, and to ſprinkle clean Water upon us, Ezek. 36.25. He hath promiſed his Blood ſhall be a Fountain open for ſin and uncleaneſs, Zach. 13.1. That Chriſt ſhall ſave us from our ſins, and be exalted to give Repentance, and to turn us from our Iniquities, and bring us back to God, &c.

Fourthly. Hereupon our Faith muſt eye the Spirit of Chriſt, as the great Sanctifier of Souls, and the Author of all our Purity. This great Benefit, which is promiſed in the Word, purchas'd by Chriſt upon his Croſs, and beſtowed, granted, and given out upon his Interceſſion, is applyed by the Efficiency of the Eternal Spirit. He Sanctifies our Hearts and Natures, and continually vouchſafes holy Influences of Light, and Life, and Power, anſwerable to the Duties, Difficulties, and Neceſſities of particular Souls, in every Age and Place of p. 106the World. This brings me to conſider the other means of our Sanctification, viz.

Secondly. By the Spirit of our God: And that he doth two ways; Firſt, By removing our Defilement and Pollution, and Secondly, As the Author of Actual Grace and Holineſs. Firſt, by the removing our defilement and pollution; and accordingly he is promiſed ſometimes as a Refiners Fire, and Fullers Soap, Mal. 3.2. and ſometimes under the notion of Water, Iſa. 4.4. Becauſe all things under the Law, were purged from their Typical Uncleanneſs, either by Fire, or Water. What would abide the Fire, was to be Purified by Fire: and what would not, was to be Cleanſed by Water. Numb. 3.23. And here I might conſider a Three-fold Defilement, wherewith we are chargable. Firſt, That of our Nature, by Original Sin. Secondly, That which is contracted by Actual Sin. Thirdly. The Pollution and Defilement that cleaves to our beſt Duties. So far as we are delivered from our Pollution, as to either of theſe, The Holy Ghoſt, in the vertue of the Blood of Chriſt, is the Author of it.

Secondly. We may conſider the Holy Spirit, as the Author of Poſitive Holineſs, p. 107and Grace in the Soul; and ſhow,

Firſt, How he convinceth us of our need of it:

Secondly, That he enables us to pray for it.

Thirdly, To beleive the Value and Vertue of the Blood of Christ, as able to procure it.

Fourthly, How he makes uſe of the Word, as the ordinary means of our Sanctification.

And Fifthly, Sometimes enables us to improve Afflictions, to promote the influence and efficacy of the Word, to this purpoſe.

APPLICATION.

Firſt, From the conſideration of what theſe Corinthians were before this Change, we learn, that ſome of the Worſt and Vileſt of ſinners may be call'd, and ſanctified, and find Mercy with God: Such were ſome of you, ſuch Idolaters, ſuch Drunkards, ſuch Extortioners, ſuch Adulterers, &c. foreign, ſuch things, ſuch ſins, were ſome of you, to expreſs the heighth of their Wickedneſs. Sins of a Crimſon and Scarlet Die may be cleanſed and forgiven. The moſt polluted ſinner may be purified by the Blood of Chriſt. The moſt loathſome Diſeaſes may be healed by our heavenly p. 108Phyſician. The moſt unpoliſhed Stones may be framed by the Spirit, for a ſpiritual Building; a Manaſſes, a Mary Magdalen, may be changed and juſtified; God will hereby magnifie the Truth, and Authority of his Word, and the Power of his Spirit. He will hereby bear Teſtimony to the Freeneſs of his Love, and the Riches of his Grace. He will hereby hearten and encourage the greateſt Offenders to hope for pardon, upon Repentance, Iſaiah 55.7. Let the Wicked forſake his Way, and the Ʋnrighteous Man his Thoughts, and turn to the Lord, and he will abundantly pardon him. He will hereby encourage Miniſters in their Work, though among a diſſolute, and perverſe People: For we preach in Hope, that if the vileſt of Men can but ſo far break the Snare of the Devil, as to hear the Word, we preach to them in hope of ſucceſs. We know not whoſe Hearts God will touch. It may be the moſt Unlikely Perſon in the whole Aſſembly ſhall feel the Power of the Word.

Secondly, What Love and Thankfulneſs do we owe to Chriſt? And how ſhould we Admire and Praiſe him, for his Blood and Spirit, unto which we owe this great Bleſſing of Sanctification? That there is a Fountain opened for Sin and Ʋncleanneſs, p. 109for the Men of Judah, and the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem: for all Sorts and degrees of Perſons, and kinds of Sins. That His Blood cleanſeth from all ſins: Not only did ſo formerly, but does ſo ſtill.

Thirdly, Learn where to go for this Benefit even to Jeſus Christ. Beg to be Sanctified through the Merits of his Death, and the Influence of his Spirit; endeavour to be ſenſible of thy Filthineſs, and cry out, Ʋnclean, unclean: Lord, waſh me throughly from my ſins, and purge me from all my pollutions. Apply the Word of God, and eſpecially the Promiſes of the Goſpel, in order to thy being cleanſed from all the Filthineſs both of Fleſh and Spirit, 2 Cor. 7.1.

Fourthly, What a Difference doth the Grace of God make upon the Hearts and Souls of Men, from what they were, and what others are. You were ſome of the moſt Abominable Sinners; but ye are waſhed: You were carnal, but you are ſpiritual; you were proud, but now are humble; you were Darkneſs, but now are Light; You were earthly and ſenſual, but now are heavenly; You did wallow in all manner of Impurities, but now are p. 110Holy: You were ſick, but now are healed: You were defiled, but now are cleanſed: You were at Enmity with God, and Haters of him, but now you love him, and his love is ſhed abroad in your hearts: You did love and delight in Sin, and Sinners, you now diſaffect and loath it, and them; and are aſhamed to think of thoſe things, wherein you once took pleaſure. Such were ſome of you, but you are waſhed. You were careleſs and vain, and wordly as others, but are now a ſelected, choſen, peculiar people, zealous of good works. You could before live without Prayer in your Cloſſets and Families, for many Weeks, but now dare not live a day without it. You were glad when the Sabbaths were over, and the Seaſons of holy Worſhip gone, but now you are as glad when they approach, and think with pleaſure before-hand that they do ſo, &c. Oh the mighty Difference that the Grace of God hath made, between what you were, and what you now are: What manner of thankful Rejoycing in God, have ſuch cauſe for, as are thus waſhed? But this will lead me to the Principal Uſe, viz.

Fifthly. To Examine and Enquire, whether we are in the Number of ſuch. Whether any ſuch Change of Heart p. 111and Life, any ſuch cleanſing from the filthineſs of Fleſh and Spirit, hath been experienced by us. To aſſiſt you a little to underſtand this, Conſider, First. What have you ever experienced, and known of any humbling Convictions of your owne Pollution, and Defilment by ſin? How loathſome to God ſin hath made you: How odious and abominable to God's Holy Eye? Have you been made to Loath and abhor your ſelves, as in duſt and aſhes, before God? trembling before his Holyneſs, and Majeſty, who hateth your ſins with a perfect hatred? being covered with ſhame and Confuſion of face, to think of your owne vileneſs? That your Hearts are ſo diſaffected to him, the Author of your Being, and the Fountain of your Felicity: That you have ſo often affronted; and provoked him to Anger, by violating his Authority: That you have Lived ſo long as without him in the World: and would …e content to live ſuch a ſtranger to the God, that made it and you. That your corrupt Inclinations, contrary to his Holy Nature, Image, and Law, ſo long remain'd uncured: That you have gratified thoſe Inclinations ſo often, for ſo many years, &c. Have you thereupon been heartily deſirous to be purged, p. 112and cleanſed, to be Sanctified, and renewed, to be delivered from the Power, and Pollution of ſin, as well as from the Damning-Guilt of it? If you have known nothing of ſuch kind of Convictions, you have no reaſon to conclude that you have been Waſhed.

Secondly. What is your practical Judgment concerning Holineſs, and the Divine Image, and Life? and what Prevalency hath it with you? Do you eſteem, and yeild conformity to the Image of God? Is Holineſs accounted your Honour, your Glory, your Pleaſure, as unſpeakably preferable to all the Riches, and Pleaſures, and Dignities of the Word? Is this your fixed Judgment? and does it put you upon the diligent uſe of Gods appointed Means, to recover this Image, and to be made partaker of his Holineſs? Does it make you watchful over your Hearts, and ſenſual Appetits, Paſſions, Words, and Wayes, ſo far as ordinarily to prevail againſt the Power of Worldlineſs, and ſenſuality? I do not ask, whether it keeps you from every ſin but whether it prevail ſo far, that you regard no Iniquity in your Hearts. Is there no ſecret way of Wickedneſs you Indulge, and continue in? But you loath your ſelves in the Preſence of God, p. 113and Mourn in ſecret for thoſe ſins, that none but God and Conſcience can charge you with? and carefully watch, and Walk, as believing ſin to be the greateſt Evil? Is this your Habitual Frame, and ordinary Courſe? If it be thus, you are Waſhed, and ſanctified.

Thirdly. Examine your ſelves, from what Motives, and upon what Principles, you abſtain from thoſe Sins, you are otherwiſe inclined and tempted to. Is it from the Fear of God, and Love to him? Is it from the awe of his Authority? and gratitude for the Innumerable Obligations you are under by his kindneſs and Grace? Is it becauſe ſin is hateful and diſpleaſing to God, and Chriſt, as well as becauſe of its miſerable and deſtructive Conſequences and Effects to you? Is it from an inward Ruling Principle, that makes the pleaſing of God your daily and delightful Work?

Fourthly. How do you ſtand Affected to the Impurities, and Sins of Other Men? Are you grieved at the Diſhonour of God, by the ſins of others. Do you pity and pray for your ſinful Neighbours, Relations, and Acquaintance? Eſpecially when they fall into the ſame ſins, that p. 114you your ſelves have formerly committed, and repented of. And therefore endeavour what you can to promote the Repentance, and Salvation of others, in your place and ſtation?

Fifthly. How are you Affected to Heart ſins? and to the Remainders of Impurity in your own ſouls? If the Fountain be cleanſed, and the Heart purified, the inward motions of ſin will be abominable and hateful to you. Do you feel the Burden of the Body of ſin and Death, and complain of it? Do you walk humbly under the ſenſe of your remaining Pollutions? The more you are Waſhed, and the more Aſſurance you have of it, the more you will mourn for your remaining Uncleaneſs. Ezek. 36.25.31. I will ſprinkle clean water upon them, and they ſhall be clean: I will give them new Hearts, and new Spirits, and they ſhall remember their evil wayes, and doings, and loath themſelves for all their Tranſgreſſions.

Are you Diligent in the uſe of all Means, for further Purification of Hearts? Is it the grief of your ſouls, that there is ſo much Filth yet remaining; Do you not find, that you are not cleanſed enough? Do you not goe to Sermons p. 115and Sacraments, with this Deſire and Deſign▪ and Hope, That you may be more Sanctified in Soul, Body, and Spirit. Do you not beg that all Providences may be bleſſed, and improved to that Purpoſe? Can you not thank God for ſuch Afflictions, as you hope have been ſerviceable to this end. &c.

Sixthly. How are you affected towards the Temptations, that would inſnare you, and defile you again? He that is truly cleanſed, will take care to keep himſelf Clean. If Conſcience be not tender to make you watchful, and circumſpect to avoid being defiled, it is a ſign you were ever truly waſhed. If you can make as bold with Temptation as ever, and are not afraid of entring into it, and being overcome.

Seventhly. How are you Affected towards Chriſt, by whoſe Blood and ſpirit we are Sanctified and cleanſed? He loved us, and waſhed us from our Sins in his own Blood: And if he have applied it to you in particular, you cannot but adore, and Love him, and delight in Communion with him: Love him, and love his Image wherever you ſee it: Love him, and have the ſame Friends and Enemies with him: Love him, and prize your part in Chriſt above all things in this World. And if you love him you will watch and obſerve his Carriage and Behaviour; whether he ſmile or frown; whether he be angry or pleaſed; more than what all the World can ſay, or do, for you, or againſt you. If you are waſhed by Chriſt, it muſt needs be ſo.

And the ſenſe of his redeeming Love, and pardoning mercy, and Sanctifying Grace, will ſo raiſe your Love to him, as to increaſe your hatred and deteſtation of ſin. You will remember, and be confounded, and melted, and aſhamed▪ and humbled for ſin by the ſenſe of his being pacified toward you, and having waſhed you in his Blood; For ſo is the Promiſe, 16. Ezek. 63. That thou mayeſt Remember and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, becauſe of thy ſhame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou haſt done, ſayth the Lord God. The experience of Chriſtians confirms it.

Eightly. How do you ſtand Affected as to your Company. Waſhed Perſons will delight in clean Company. They that are the ſheep of Chriſt, waſhed in the Blood of Jeſus, cannot take delight in the Company of Swine. Nothing but neceſſity, p. 117or the deſign and hope of doing them good, will bring you into ſuch Company. You will not chooſe it, and take pleaſure in it, as formerly; or make ſuch your Familiars.

Ninthly. I might add, that ſuch will long for the Perfection of Holineſs; when they ſhall be perfectly cleanſed and purged from ſin. It will be their dayly work to purifie themſelves, as Chriſt is pure, by the hope of ſeeing him as he is, 1 John 3.3. the thoughts of Heaven, as a ſtate of Perfect Purity, in conformity to the Image of Chriſt, will be very delightful: and Death it ſelf, as the way to it, will loſe it terrors, and become deſireable.

Sixthly. The next uſe I would make, ſhall be for the Encouragement of repenting Sinners, and returning Backſliders. How vile ſoever they have been, through Repentance toward God, and Faith in our Lord Jeſus, they may yet be waſhed, Sanctified and Juſtified. If you are under a ſerious Conviction of your Guilt, and Filthineſs; and ready to crie out O God, I am aſhamed and bluſh to look up becauſe of my Iniquities, or with the Prophet, We lie down in our ſhame, and our confuſion covereth us, for we have ſinned againſt the Lord. p. 118Jer. 3.5. Yet turn to the Lord, and he can Heal, and Cleanſe, and Pardon, and Sanctifie. Tho your ſins be as Crimſon, or Scarlet, they ſhall be as Snow and Wool. The Blood of Jeſus can cleanſe from all ſin. That Fountain is yet open. Forgiveneſs and Sanctification may yet be had. He is willing to receive and accept you if you are but heartily willing to forſake you ſins▪ and turn to him, Who is like unto our God, that pardoneth iniquity, and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſions of his heritage, Mich 7.18.

Object. I. But ſome of you. may be ready to reply, I have broken my Vows. and greatly backſliden from God, after I had returned to him: I have defiled my Garments, after having been waſhed: I have turned with the Dog to his vomit, and with the ſow, that is waſhed, to her wallowing in the mire: Surely God will never be reconciled to me, or gracious to me more. I have known ſomewhat of the truth of Chriſt, and taſted of the good Word of God, and had ſome experience of holy Walking, and the pleaſure of it. and gave up my ſelf again and again to the Lord, at his own Table; and yet I have revolted from him ſince. My Conſcience flies in my face; I durst not goe to God, as formerly: He may Juſtly upbraid me, and ſay, what Iniquity did you p. 119find in me, that you have left me? Was I a barren Wilderneſs, or a Land of Drought? That you thus forſook me: Was I an unlovely God, that you could not like me? Was my Arm ſhortned, that I could not help you? or have I ever failed my word, that you might not truſt me, &c. How then ſhall I look him in the Face, after ſuch Apoſtacy? How ſhall I ever hope to be waſhed again, that have ſo defiled my ſelf, after having been waſhed?

Anſw. But have you not an expreſs Call, and Promiſe from God to encourage you to Return? Jer. 3.22. A Promiſe worth Millions of Gold and Silver. Turn unto me ye backſliding Children, and I will heal your backſlidings. Do but turn, and I will help you. He calls you Children, and you muſt call him Father, as you can; and not turn your backs upon him, v. 19. I ſaid, ſaith God, Thou ſhalt call me, my Father, and ſhalt not turn away from me, even though I ſaid, for thy backſlidings, How ſhall I put thee among the Children?

Object. 2. But you will ſay, I have wounded my Faith, as well as my Conſcience: I read a Promiſe, but it yields me no Comfort. I hear of the Fatherly Mercies of God, but I p. 120cannot apply them; for I have forſaken God, and he may juſtly forſake me. My Heart miſgives me, I cannot go to him as to a Father. I queſtion whether ever I was a Child or no: I fear my ſpots are not the ſpots of his Children.

But conſider this: If thou be a Returning Backſlider, God can ſee the truth of thy Grace, when thou canſt not diſcern the truth of his Love. Thy Father ſeeth and knoweth thy Heart; and if thou truly Repent, and Return, he will accept thee. He can behold a Child through a Backſlider. When thou canſt not look up to him, as to a Father, there is yet ground enough for thee to Return, that he may heal thy Backſlidings.

Object. III. But I have little hope, that ſuch a Treacherous Backſliding Heart, as mine, ſhould ever be healed. If I ſhould be waſhed now, I ſhall again defile my ſelf. If I ſhould once more be received to mercy, I ſhould backſlide again: And as good never come, as to come to no purpoſe. If I return to him, and continue not with him, it will but be the worſe in the latter end.

Anſw. If God undertake the Cure, he can purge away thy Iniquities, as well p. 121as forgive them. Deſtroy the power of ſin, as well as remove the Guilt. He can heal thy Backſlidings, in the Root, and Cauſe, and Principle of them; ſo as thou ſhalt not turn aſide from him, as formerly. He can eſtabliſh, and ſtrengthen thy Heart, and give thee more ſtedfaſtneſs, and he calls thee to Turn, in order to it. Therefore turn to the Lord.

Object. IV. O But I am never healed, till I Return, I muſt die of my wounds. I ſhall periſh in my filthineſs, if I am never waſhed, till I come, as I ought, to the fountain opened. For my Heart is hard and impenitent; I feel it ſo. I have not ſuch an heart to turn to God as I ſhould: It is the grief of my ſoul that I find it thus. I am without ſtrength, and unable to turn.

Anſw. But haſt thou no Strength, no Power to conſider whence thou art fallen? and how low thou art ſunk, and to bewail the wretchedneſs of thy preſent Caſe, which thou beginneſt to be ſenſible of? Canſt thou not lament the hardneſs of thy Heart, which thou owneſt to be thy grief? Canſt thou not conſider thy paſt, and preſent c…ndition, and thereupon Cry to God for help? and p. 122a little thing will ſave a Man that is Drowning. One look from Chriſt made Peter remember the Warning, he had before given him, and go out and weep bitterly. Canſt thou not reflect, and conſider? how much better it was with thee formerly than now? when thou hadſt good hopes, through Grace, of Divine Acceptance; when thou couldeſt go to God with Comfort, and pour out thy Heart before him with freedom: But now, ſince the breach thou haſt made upon Conſcience, if thou comeſt at all into his Preſence, thou art drag'd by fear, and hardly knoweſt what to do, when thou art there. Art not thou ready to cry out, O the Communion with Chriſt that once I had, in ſuch or ſuch an Ordinance; but now it is loſt. He is a ſtranger to my Soul. He hath justly withdrawn himſelf. If I ſeek him where I was wont to find him, I find him not. My Peace, my Joy, my Light, my Strength, is gone. Therefore let me return to my firſt Husband, for it was then better with me than now, Hoſea 2.6, 7. Can you not thus reflect, to awaken your Repentance, and aſſiſt your Reſolution to return, and ſtir up your ſelves to call upon God for healing Mercy?

p. 123Object. V. But ſome may ſay, If God ſhould again receive ſuch a returning Backſlider, Will he not bear me a Grudge for it? Will he not hereafter upbraid me with it? I ſhall hear of it again the next Sacrament beſure, or under the next Afflicting Providence.

Anſw. No, ſaith God, turn, and I will heal your Backſlidings; I will receive you graciouſly, I will love you freely, I will be merciful to your Iniquities, and remember them no more, Hoſ. 14.1, 2, 3. Did he upbraid the returning Prodigal, and ſay, Where haſt thou been? Reſolve, therefore, O Backſliding Children, to return to your Father; to be again Waſhed, Sanctified, and Juſtified. Whatever Diſcouragement be in the way, you may hope for welcome. For you are Children ſtill, though Backſliding Children. And remember he is your Father, though you have diſpleaſed him. For,

Firſt. If it be ſaid by the Devil, or an accuſing Conſcience, How dareſt thou take the Name of Father into thy Mouth, ſince thou haſt ſo diſhonoured him, and grieved his Spirit by thy Revolt? A Returning Backſlider may ſay, he is A Father ſtill; and the Love of a Father is unmeaſurable; p. 124meaſurable; the kindneſs of a Father is infinitely Tender. Though his Paternal Juſtice may Correct me with a Rod, he will not take away his Loving Kindneſs utterly from me. I will, therefore, go to my Father; though he frown upon me, though he chaſtiſe me, though he threaten to turn me out of doors; I will yet Return and go to my Father, for I muſt be there. I will dye in his Arms, or I will dye at his feet; I will Return. But,

Secondly. What wilt thou venture to go preſently, all in Rags, like a Beggar, rather than a Child, all in thy filth and dirt? thou wilt ſhame thy Father's Houſe, and diſcredit his Family, if ſuch a one as thou ſhouldeſt come, and call him Father. Notwithſtanding this, I will return preſently to him, ſaith the penitent Backſlider; for▪ the longer I delay, the more hardneſs ſhall I contract, and the greater will my ſin be; and every day I ſhall be expoſed to further ſin; and the ſame Duties now lie upon me, as before, which I cannot perform duly, except I Return; therefore I will return preſently. This Dr. Preston, upon 1 Sam. 20.21. adviſeth, as the wiſeſt and beſt p. 125way, after the Commiſſion of any great Sin, or the Guilt of any great Backſliding.

Thirdly. But it will be ſaid, thy Work is great and difficult, before ever thy Peace can be made, thou muſt mourn and weep, and Repent in duſt and aſhes, and be humbled to the very mouth of Hell, before thou and thy Father be Friends again.

And will not that diſcourage thee?

No, ſayes the Returning Backſlider, I will vet go to My Father; I will own, that I deſerve to be rejected for ever; but I'le plead the Mercifulneſs of his Nature, and the freeneſs of his Covenant Love, and Promiſe; you ſhall never beat me out of it, I will return to my Father. I know he will meet me half way; yea, he hath met me, and prevented me by his Grace; He put it into my heart to return, therefore he will accept me.

I eaſily foreſee what will be Objected againſt all this. That no Backſlider is able thus to argue; He is p. 126holden in the Chain of his own Sins; He durſt not uſe ſuch Language.

I grant, that while he is under the full power of Backſliding, he cannot thus ſpeak, and act.

But, to a Returning, Penitent Backſlider, that begins to be Awakened, who feels the burden of his ſin, and ſeeks after God, the Relation of a Father, is an unſpeakable Support. And notwithſtanding his late Backſlidings, he may make out his Relation to God as his Father, when once he is awakened to Repentance; Partly by his Mourning, and Godly Sorrow for Sin; Partly by the remembrance of his former Covenant, and Communion with God, which, when he returns by Repentance, may yield him comfort, though before it could not; Partly by the Inward Motions of the Spirit, which he finds luſting againſt the Fleſh; Partly by his vigorous importunate Deſires to turn to God, and be at Peace with him.

p. 127When it comes to this, he may take Heart, and ought to receive Encouragement by the Promiſe and Call of God, Turn you Backſliding children, and I will heal your backſlidings.