The Best Interest, Chapter 3 · Section 3
Sect. 3. Hinderances of an intereſt in Chriſt removed.
I ſhall in the next place mention ſeveral Hinderances which keep men from being made partakers of Chriſt, and his ſaving benefits, and endeavour the removal of them.
Firſt Hinderance. Ignorance is a great hinderance to moſt men, that keeps them from getting a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt. They are ignorant of the worth and excellency of Chriſt, and their own want of him, and ſo do not ſeek after him. And they are ignorant of Gods willingneſs to beſtow Chriſt upon them, and they are ignorant of the way and means whereby they ſhould come to enjoy and attain to an intereſt in Chriſt. There is a great deal of ignorance in many people that live under plentifull means of Grace; The Jews had Moſes, and the Prophets, and Prieſts in abundance to teach and inſtruct them, yet the generality of them were very ignorant of the things of God. Jer. 4.22. My people is fooliſh, they have not known me, they are ſottiſh children, and they have none underſtanding, they are wiſe to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. See how the Prophet multiplyeth expreſſions to ſet out the ignorance of the Jews. He ſaith they were fooliſh, ſottiſh, had no underſtanding, did not know God, had no knowledge to do good. And as people that have great means of knowledge may be very ignorant, ſo alſo are many that take upon them to be teachers of others. Jer. 2.8. The Prieſts ſaid not where is the Lord? and they that handle the Law know me not. And that ignorance is a great hinderance to our ſeeking after and obtaining Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, we may ſee from ſuch Scriptures as theſe. Joh. 4.10. If thou kneweſt the gift of God, and who it is that ſaith to thee, give me to drink, thou wouldeſt have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. Eph. 4.18. Having the underſtanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the blindneſs of their mind. Rom. 10.3. If any ſay, what ſhould we do to get this ignorance removed.
1. Search the Scriptures, read them diligently, and meditate on what you read, thereby you ſhall come to the knowledge of Chriſt. Joh. 5.39. Search the Scriptures— They are they which testifie of me. The Scriptures ſet out the excellency of Chriſt, and ſhew us that all things are but droſs and dung in compariſon of Chriſt. Phil. 3.8. They ſet forth our miſerable and undone condition without Chriſt. Eph. 2.12. They ſet forth Gods willingneſs to beſtow Chriſt freely, on every one that is willing to have him. Rev. 22.17. They ſhew how, and by what means we are made partakers, which is through Faith. Eph. 3.17. Heb. 3.14. By ſearching the Scriptures we ſhall be made wiſe to Salvation. 2 Tim. 3.15. And that from a child thou haſt known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wiſe unto Salvation, through Faith which is in Chriſt Jeſus. If we do ſearch the Scriptures dayly, and meditate on what we read, we ſhall greatly encreaſe in knowledge. Pſal. 119.99. I have more underſtanding than all my Teachers, for thy Teſtimonies are my meditation.
2. Turn from your ſins, and then God will pour out his Spirit upon you, and enlighten your minds, and open your underſtandings, that you may underſtand his word. Prov. 1.23. Turn you at my reproof, behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Continuance in ſin darkens the mind, that though a man have means of knowledge, and ſet himſelf to get underſtanding, he will be ever learning, and not be able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Tim. 3.6, 7. — Laden with ſins, and led away with divers luſts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. What is ſaid of hating our Brother? 1 Joh. 2.11. He that hateth his Brother is in darkneſs, and walketh in darkneſs, and knoweth not whither he goeth, becauſe the darkneſs hath blinded his eyes. The ſame is true of other ſins alſo, they blind the eyes of our underſtanding, and keep us in darkneſs, although we have great means of light and knowledge. But when we forſake our ſins and turn unto God, he will take away our ignorance, and give us ſaving knowledge. Joh. 8.12. I am the light of the World, he that followeth me ſhall not walk in darkneſs, but ſhall have the light of Life.
3. Pray to God to give you Wiſdom and Underſtanding in the myſteries of your Salvation, and he will give it to you. Jam. 1.5. If any of you lack wiſdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it ſhall be given him. Obſerve here,
(1.) The perſons to whom God promiſeth to give wiſdom, ſuch as find their want of it, and ask it of God.
(2.) The extenſiveneſs of this promiſe; It is any one, whoſoever he be that lacks wiſdom, and asks it of God.
(3.) The great readineſs that is in God to give wiſdom to all that ask for it. He giveth to all men, he giveth liberally, he giveth without upbraiding; He will not upbraid us with our unworthyneſs, with our dulneſs, our frequency or importunity in Prayer.
(4.) The certainty of ſucceſs to ſuch as ask wiſdom of God. It ſhall be given him. What an encouragement is this to all that find any want of wiſdom and knowledge, to pray to God for it, and to pray in Faith, that we ſhall obtain what we pray for. We have more promiſes to this effect. Prov. 28.5. Evil men underſtand not judgment, but they that ſeek the Lord underſtand all things. Joh. 6.45. It is written in the Prophets, and they ſhall be all taught of God. Iſa. 29.18. The eyes of the blind ſhall ſee out of obſcurity, and out of darkneſs. And let not any ſay I am ſuch a ſinfull creature, I am afraid God will not teach and inſtruct me, though I ſhould pray to him. For good and upright is the Lord, therefore will he teach ſinners in the way. Pſal. 25.8. Neither let any ſay, I am ſo blind and ignorant there is no hope that I ſhould attain to ſaving knowledge; For God can make the blind to ſee. Pſal. 146.8. The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind.
4. Converſe with the Servants of Chriſt, that have acquaintance with Chriſt, and they will bring you acquainted with him. Prov. 13.20. He that walketh with wiſe men ſhall be wiſe. The Daughters of Jeruſalem that could ſee no greater excellency in Chriſt than in other things, and wondered that the Spouſe ſhould be ſick of love for him, and give them ſuch a charge concerning him. Cant. 5.9. What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou faireſt among women, what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou doſt ſo charge us? After they had heard the Spouſe diſcourſing concerning Chriſt, and ſetting out Chriſts excellencies, ver. 10. to the 16. they were in love with him, and had their hearts ſtirred up to ſeek after Chriſt. Cha. 6.1. Whether is thy beloved gone, O thou faireſt among women, whether is thy beloved turned aſide, that we may ſeek him with thee.
Second Hinderance. Many men are willing to have Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, if they might have Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt in their own way, and upon their own terms, as if they might be exempted from the croſs, if they might have liberty to continue in their ſins, and the like, but they ſtick at the terms of the Goſpel, on which Chriſt is offered to them. To remove this obſtacle, I ſhall propoſe theſe following conſiderations to thy Soul.
1. Conſider who thou art, that thou ſhouldeſt ſtand upon terms with the great God, about thy Salvation. Thou art a condemned creature, a child of wrath, a loſt creature, an undone creature, a ſinner, a miſerable creature, a poor worm. And ſhall a condemned creature refuſe a pardon unleſs he may have it on his own terms? Shall a child of wrath refuſe reconciliation with God? Shall a loſt periſhing creature refuſe a Saviour, an undone creature refuſe help, a great ſinner refuſe forgiveneſs of his ſins, a miſerable creature refuſe mercy, unleſs he may have it in his own way? Shall a poor worm that is not worthy of the leaſt of all Gods mercies, refuſe Chriſt and all the benefits of Chriſt, becauſe he may not have them on his own terms?
2. Conſider what the torments of Hell are, from which Chriſt came to ſave ſinners, they are intolerable and eternal torments. And conſider what the joys of Heaven are, which Chriſt hath purchaſed for us, they are eternal and unſpeakable joys. And ſhall we refuſe to have deliverance from the torments of Hell, unleſs we may have it in our own way, and upon our own terms? Shall we refuſe a Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven, unleſs we may have it in our own way, and upon our own terms? Did we underſtand, believe and conſider the reality, and greatneſs, and eternity of Hells Torments, and Heaven's Joys, we ſhould be willing to do any thing, and ſuffer any thing, ſo we might eſcape the Torments of Hell, and obtain the Joys of Heaven when we dye. VVhat the Apoſtle ſaith to the Galathians. Gal. 3.1. O fooliſh Galathians, who hath bewitched you, that you ſhould not obey the truth — The like may I ſay to ſuch as ſtick at receiving Chriſt on the terms of the Goſpel, O fooliſh ſinners, who hath bewitched you, that you ſhould not accept of Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt on the terms of the Goſpel. O fooliſh Sinners, who hath bewitched you, that you ſhould not accept of Chriſt and Salvation by Chriſt in the terms of the Goſpel. How gladly would the Devils, and the damned in Hell accept of Salvation on the terms of the Goſpel, if it were offered to them; And wilt thou refuſe that which a Devil would joyfully accept, if it were offered to him. How earneſtly did the rich man beg for a drop of water to cool his tongue, when he was tormented in Hell fire; and if he were ſo earneſt for a drop of water to cool his tongue; how readily would he have embraced deliverance?
3. Conſider what great want you have of Chriſt to juſtifie, ſanctifie, and ſave your Souls. You have greater want of Chriſt, than you have of Food, or Rayment, or any thing in this world. You are in ſuch want of Chriſt, that you are utterly undone to all Eternity without Chriſt. When men are in want, they will comply with hard and difficult terms, to have their wants ſupplyed. Luk. 15.14, 15, 16. When the Prodigal Son began to be in want, he was willing to ſubmit to a very low condition, to feed, and look after Swine, and he was willing to fare very hardly, to eat husks, ſuch as were given to Hogs. He would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the ſwine did eat. And theſe difficulties he readily complyed with as ſoon as he began to be in want. We have been in want of Chriſt ever ſince we were born, and our want of Chriſt is greater than our want of neceſſary food; for the want of food only deſtroys the Body, but for want of Chriſt, our precious Souls periſh for ever. Why then do we ſtand upon terms with God about accepting Chriſt, that either we muſt have him on our own terms, or elſe we will not have him all. We would undergo much hardſhip to get bread for our Bodies. Lam. 5.9. We gat our bread with the peril of our lives, becauſe of the ſword of the Wilderneſs. And ſhall we not be willing to undergo greater difficulties to get Chriſt the bread of Life.
4. If thou wilt not have Chriſt and Salvation by Chriſt in God's way, and upon God's terms, thou ſhalt never be ſaved by him, for God will not alter the way of Life and Salvation for the ſaving of thy Soul. Job. 18.4. Shall the Earth be forſaken for thee? And ſhall the Rock be removed out of his place. God's Eternal counſels and purpoſes for the ſaving loſt man, are firmer than the Rock, and ſtand faſter than the Earth. And therefore 'tis a vain thing for thee to imagine that God ſhould alter the way of Life and Salvation, decree'd in his eternal counſels, and propoſed in the Goſpel. When they that were invited to the Marriage Supper, refuſed to come; the King was angry, and ſaid, none of them ſhould ſo much as taſte of his Supper. Luk. 14.24. I ſay unto you, that none of thoſe men which were bidden ſhall taſte of my Supper. And if we refuſe and fall ſhort of Salvation by Chriſt, our caſe will be worſe than the caſe of the Heathens, that never heard of Chriſt, and in ſome reſpects, worſe than the condition of the Devils, that never had an offer of Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt.
5. The terms of the Goſpel on which Chriſt is offered to us, are all of them beneficial and advantagious terms, and nothing in them be excepted againſt, as I have in part ſhewn already, and ſhall ſhew more fully in ſpeaking diſtinctly to thoſe terms, that carnal perſons are moſt ready to except againſt as ſuffering for Chriſt, obeying Chriſt, forſaking our ſins, which were none of them to be refuſed, as will appear in anſwering each particular diſtinctly.
3. Hind. Some men would willingly have Chriſt and Salvation by Chriſt, but they ſtumble at the Croſs of Chriſt. They are unwilling to ſuffer for Chriſt, to take away this ſtumbling block out of the way. I ſhall propoſe ſome conſiderations to make you willing to undergo any ſufferings for Chriſt.
1. The Croſs is the way to the Crown of Glory. As Chriſt ſuffered before he entred into Glory. Luk. 24.26. Ought not Chriſt to have ſuffered theſe things, and to enter into his glory? So muſt we bear our Croſs, before we wear our Crown. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath aſſured us, that if we will ſuffer for him here, we ſhall reign with him for ever hereafter. 2 Tim. 2.11, 12. It is a faithful ſaying. For if we be dead with him, we ſhall alſo live with him. If we ſuffer, we ſhall alſo reign with him. And who would not ſuffer a little while with Chriſt here, upon good aſſurance that he ſhall reign with Chriſt in Heaven for ever. The way to the Kingdom of Heaven lyeth through much tribulation. Act. 14.22. We muſt through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. That man hath very mean thoughts of Heaven, that will go out of the way that leadeth to the Kingdom of Heaven, for avoiding the troubles that are in the way to this Kingdom. All the troubles that we meet with in this preſent life, for the ſake of Chriſt. are not worthy to be compared with the glory we ſhall have in Heaven. Rom. 8.17, 18. If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may be alſo glorifyed together. For I reckon that the ſufferings of this preſent time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory that ſhall be revealed in us. Here are two arguments to perſwade us to be willing to ſuffer for Chriſt.
1. If we ſuffer with him, we ſhall alſo be glorifyed together with him.
2. The Glory that we ſhall have with Chriſt, and by Chriſt, is ſo great, that all the ſufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with it.
2. Sufferings for Chriſt are, and ſhall be attended with abundance of ſweet and Heavenly Conſolations. Uſually Chriſtians never have a greater abundance of the joys and comforts of the Holy Ghoſt, than when they go through abundance of ſufferings for Chriſt. 2 Cor. 1.5. For as the ſufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our conſolation alſo aboundeth by Chriſt. VVhen Perſecution aroſe for the Goſpel-ſake at Antioch, and the Perſecution was ſo hot, that Paul and Barnabas were expelled out of their Coaſts, the Diſciples were as full of joy as they could hold. Act. 13.50, 52. The Jews raiſed Perſecution againſt Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their Coaſts, and the Diſciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghoſt. VVhen we meet with great troubles, God is wont to give great comforts, ſuch as make the heart to ſing for joy. Job 35.10. Where is God my maker, who giveth Songs in the night. The night taken figuratively, ſignifyeth a dark time, a time of trouble, now in the darkeſt times, in the night of affliction, God giveth his people Songs, that is, ſuch comforts as ſhall make them ſing for joy. Iſa. 65.14. Behold my Servants ſhall ſing for joy of heart.
3. Sufferings for Chriſt are a ground of joy, rather than of ſorrow. VVhen God calls us to ſuffer for Chriſt, we ſhould be far from refuſing the Croſs, that we ſhould eſteem it a ground of great joy, that we are called to ſuffer for Chriſt. 1 Pet. 4.13. But rejoyce in as much as ye are partakers of Chriſts ſufferings, that when his glory ſhall be revealed, ye may be glad alſo with exceeding joy. When the Apoſtles were beaten and expoſed to pain and ſhame for Chriſt, they took theſe ſufferings joyfully. Act. 5.41. They departed from the preſence of the Councell, rejoycing, that they were counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his name. VVe ſhould be ſo far from refuſing and ſhunning the Croſs, that we ſhould account it a great happineſs to be expoſed to reproaches and other ſufferings for the ſake of Chriſt. 1 Pet. 4.14. If ye be reproached for the name of Chriſt, happy are ye, for the Spirit of glory and of God reſteth upon you.
4. The rough and narrow and difficult way of ſufferings, is better than the ſmooth, broad, and eaſy way of ſin; For the broad and eaſy, and pleaſant way of ſin leadeth unto deſtruction, it leadeth a man unto the Lake, that burneth with Fire and Brimſtone. And who would be tempted to go in a ſmooth and pleaſant, and broad way, that is ſure as ſoon as he is at the end of his way, he ſhall be caſt into a Furnace of Fire? But the narrow, and difficult, and rough way of the Croſs leadeth, as we heard before, unto the Kingdom of Glory. Beſides, they that walk in the ſmooth way of ſin, though they may have eaſe to the Fleſh, yet they have trouble and pain in their Conſciences. Job 15.20. The wicked man Travelleth with pain all his days. Iſa. 57.21. There is no peace ſaith my God unto the wicked. But they that go in the narrow and rough way of the Croſs, though they meet with troubles in their outward man, yet they have peace in their Conſciences, and joy in their inward man. Joh. 16.33. 2 Cor. 7.4. And it is far better to have peace of Conſcience, and comfort in our Souls with troubles in the Fleſh, than to have the Fleſh at eaſe, and trouble and diſtreſs in our Conſciences.
5. Sufferings for Chriſt have a greater excellency in them, and are more to be deſired than all the Honours and all the Pleaſures, and all the Riches that this World can afford us. Heb. 11.24, 25, 26. Let it be obſerved here.
1. What an high eſteem Moſes had of ſufferings for Chriſt; He eſteemed reproach for Chriſt greater riches than the treaſures in Egypt. Yet Egypt was a very rich Country, all Countries coming into Egyyt to buy Corn in the time of Famine. Gen. 41.57. And he eſteemed ſufferings for Chriſt above the higheſt honours and preferments of the Court; For he was adopted by Pharoah's Daughter for her Son, and ſhould as Joſephus obſerveth, have ſucceeded Pharoah in his Kingdom, who brings in Pharoah's Daughter ſpeaking thus to her Father; Hunc decrevi mihi adoptare in filium, tibivero in Regno ſucceſſorem. I have determined to adopt this Moſes for my Son, and your Succeſſor in the Kingdom, yet Moſes preferred ſufferings for Chriſt above this Honour and Dignity, and refuſed to be called the Son of Pharoah's Daughter. He alſo preferred ſufferings for Chriſt before the Pleaſures he might have had by living in the King's Court.
2. Obſerve how freely and willingly Moſes embraced a ſuffering condition for Chriſt, above all the Honours and Pleaſures and Treaſures of the Court of Egypt; He refuſed to be called the Son of Pharoah's Daughter. She did not refuſe him, ſhe did not out of diſtaſt diſown him, but he voluntarily refuſed this Honour; Chooſing rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon. He was not neceſſitated to undergo affliction, he might have enjoyed all the delights of the Courts, but it was his own choice to ſuffer affliction, and he choſe this rather than the pleaſures of ſin.
3. Obſerve the greatneſs of the afflictions Moſes made choice off, the ſcoffs and reproaches of the Court, the wrath of the King, living in a low condition, as a ſtranger in a ſtrange Land, where he kept Sheep for his livelyhood, and afterward he lived forty years in a Wilderneſs with the People of God. Moſes who ſaw the corruption of the Court, and their hatred and oppreſſion of the Iſraelites, knew he muſt expoſe himſelf to all manner of ſufferings, if he would joyn himſelf with the people of God, yet he choſe a Shephards life in Median, rather than a ſinfull life in Pharaoh's Court, he choſe rather to live in the Wilderneſs with the people of God, than in all the delights and honours of the Court with a polluted Conſcience.
4. Obſerve who it was that eſteemed ſufferings for Chriſt above all the Honours, Pleaſures and Riches of Egypt: It was Moſes a wiſe man, who had all the Learning that Egypt could afford him. Act. 7.22. Moſes was learned in all the Wiſdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. It was Moſes who was brought up at the Court all his days, and had full knowledge of what delights, honours, treaſures, were to be enjoyed at the Court; Add alſo the time when Moſes made this choice of forſaking the honours and pleaſures for this comfort, to embrace an afflicted life with the people of God, and that was when he was come to thoſe years whereby he was able to make a right judgment of the enjoyments of the VVorld, and of the nature of ſufferings. Moſes when he was come to years refuſed to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter. VVhat years he was come to is expreſſed Act. 7.23. And wh… map the comfort old, it came into …, as well as an hun… the Children of Iſrael. And ſuch a man as Moſes who was learned in all the wiſdom of Egypt, and trained up from his Infancy in a Kings Court, was able at forty years of age, to give a right judgment of things.
5. Obſerve what carryed out Moſes to refuſe the honours and pleaſures of the Court, and to chooſe affliction, and to eſteem the reproaches of Chriſt greater riches than the treaſures of Egyyt, it was his Faith, and more particularly, his believing and having reſpect to the recompence of reward, that ſhould be given him in the other VVorld; It was not his learning, or his courage and magnanimity but his Faith. By faith Moſes refuſed, &c. for he had reſpect to the recompence of reward. This inſtance and example of Moſes may teach us to have an high eſteem of ſufferings for Chriſt, and to be ſo far from ſtumbling at the Croſs, that we ſhould eſteem ſufferings for Chriſt above all the treaſures in the world.
But here ſome may ſay, methinks I could ſuffer ſomething for Chriſt, I hope I could ſuffer much for Chriſt, but I know not how to come up to this, to ſuffer the loſs of all things for Chriſt. For how ſhould we do to live, if all we have ſhould be taken from us?
A. 1. VVe muſt come up to this, not only to ſuffer much, but to ſuffer the loſs of all …, when called to it, elſe we … Luk. 14.33. Whoſoever he be of you, that forſaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my Diſciple. Is it not better to forſake all we have and to enjoy Chriſt, than to ſtick to our worldly enjoyments, and go without Chriſt? Chriſt is the Pearl of great price, and it will be our wiſdom to part with all that we have for the purchaſe of this precious Pearl. Mat. 13.45, 46. That which we have to loſe is but droſs and dung compared with this Pearl of price; Phil. 3.8. And ſhall we not be willing to ſuffer the loſs of droſs and dung, that we may win Chriſt, the Pearl of price?
2. All loſſes that we ſuſtein for Chriſt, ſhall be made up to us with an hundred fold advantage, whether it be Houſes or Lands, or Relations, all ſhall be made up an hundred fold, if not in the ſame kind, yet in that which is an hundred times as good or better than that which we forſake for Chriſt. Mat. 19.29. And every one that hath forſaken Houſes or Brethren, or Siſters, or Father, or Mother, or Wife, or Children, or Lands for my names ſake, ſhall receive an hundred fold, and ſhall inherit Everlaſting Life. Weigh this promiſe of Chriſt, which is very encouraging in a ſuffering day. There is a bountifull reward in this life, an hundred fold compenſation, and an Eternal Reward in the other World. Loſs for Chriſt on Earth, will prove Treaſure laid up in Heaven, we ſhall reap the comfort of it in Heaven for ever, as well as an hundred fold advantage in Spiritual comforts and bleſſings in this life; And this bountifull reward is promiſed not only to ſome, but to every one that forſaketh any thing for the ſake of Chriſt, be it Houſes or Lands, or the deareſt things or Relations we have in all the VVorld. And who would not willingly part with all that he hath upon good aſſurance, that beſides an eternal compenſation of all his loſſes in Heaven, he ſhall have an hundred times as good or better things given to him in this Life? And what better aſſurance can we deſire for this, than the word and promiſe of God, that cannot lye.
3. God can take away all we have from us in one day, if we refuſe to ſuffer the loſs of all when he calls to it. He can take away what we have by Fire, or by ſuffering Robbers and Oppreſſors to take away our eſtates. Pſal. 109.11. Let the Extortioner catch all that he hath, and let the Stranger ſpoil his labour. Job was the Richeſt man in all the Eaſt, and yet had all his eſtate taken from him in one day; And can't God do the like by us? Now it is better to ſuffer the loſs of all we have for Chriſt, than to ſuffer loſs by Gods judgments, for there is no reward of ſuch loſſes. And as God can take our eſtates when he pleaſeth, ſo he can curſe them to us, if we refuſe to part with them for Chriſt; He can make our Table to become our Snare. Rom. 11.9. And our Riches prove hurtfull to us. Eccleſ. 5.13. And proſperity to be our ruine. Prov. 1.32. And we had better ſuffer the loſs of our Eſtates, than to have them curſed to us.
4. Death will take away all that we have from us. 1 Tim. 6.7. For we brought nothing into this World, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And why ſhall we not part with all for Chriſt, when we muſt part with all we have at Death: what we part with for Chriſt, ſhall be recompenced to us an hundred fold in this Life, beſides Life Everlaſting in the other VVorld: But we have no reward for what Death takes from us. But here may be 2 pleas; why men would rather part with all at Death, than part with all they have for Chriſt.
1. VVe ſhall have no need of theſe things when we dye, and therefore we are willing to part with them when we dye, but we ſhall have need of them while we live, and therefore we can't tell how to part with them for Chriſt.
A. 1. If you part with all that you have in this VVorld, you do not part with the providential care and the promiſe of God: You have a Father in Heaven, that knoweth all your wants. Mat. 6.32. Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all theſe things. And as he knoweth all your needs, ſo he hath promiſed to ſupply them all. Phil. 4.19. But my God ſhall ſupply all your need. according to his Riches in Glory, by Jeſus Chriſt.
2. It argues little love to Chriſt, if we will part with nothing for Chriſt, but what is uſeleſs and ſuperfluous, what we ſhall have no more need of: we will do as much, and more then this for one another, But ſome may reply again. What Death takes from us, it leaves to our Children, but what we part with for Chriſt, is gone from us, and from our Children for ever; and therefore we can better part with all we have to Death, than to Chriſt. I anſwer,
1. We may deſign our Eſtates for our Children when we die, but we can't tell whither they ſhall enjoy them. We know not how the providence of God will diſpoſe of what we leave behind us, when we are gone out of the World. Luk. 12.20. God ſaid unto him, thou fool, this night thy Soul ſhall be required of thee. Then whoſe ſhall thoſe things be which thou haſt provided.
2. Suppoſe all we have ſhould be taken from us and our Children, we muſt prefer Chriſt above our ſelves, and love Chriſt, more than Son or Daughter, or elſe we are not worthy of him. Mat. 10.37.
3. Sufferers for Chriſt, that part with all they have for Chriſt, leave their Children a better Inheritance than Houſes, or Lands; they leave them the bleſſing of God. God bleſſeth the Children of righteous men for what they part with to the poor. Pſ. 37.26. He is ever merciful, and lendeth, and his ſeed is bleſſed. How much more will he bleſs our ſeed, and return to them what we part with for Chriſt?
5. If we do ſuffer the loſs of all things for Chriſt, it is no more than what others, and they better than we are, have done before us. Matth. 19.27. Peter ſaid unto him, Behold we have forſaken all, and followed thee, what ſhall we have therefore? Phil. 3.8. For whom I have ſuffered the loſs of all things.
6 If we ſhould ſuffer the loſs of all things for Chriſt, we may live as well, as holily, as chearfully, as comfortably as we did when we had all thoſe things that we have parted with for Chriſt. When the Apoſtle Paul had ſuffered the loſs of all things, he was as contented, as cheerful, as if he had poſſeſſed all the word. 2 Cor. 6.10. As ſorrowful, yet always rejoycing—as having nothing, and yet poſſeſſing all things. Neither the preſervation, nor the comfort of a mans life lyeth in the abundance of thoſe things which he doth enjoy, but in the providence, and promiſe of God, Luk. 12.15. A mans life conſiſteth not in the abundance of the things which he poſſeſſeth. When David was perſecuted by Saul, and forced to flee into the Wilderneſs, and hide himſelf in the Dens and Caves of the Earth; and had nothing to live upon, but the providence, and the promiſe of God; he found as great comfort in Gods promiſes, as if he had enjoyed great riches. Pſal, 119.161, 162. Princes have perſecuted me without a cauſe, I rejoyce in thy word as one that findeth great ſpoyl. They that have ſuffered the loſs of all things, have Gods providence, and his promiſe for their ſecurity of providing them a livelihood. Pſ. 111.5. He hath given meat unto them that fear him, he will ever be mindful of his Covenant. It is God's Covenant to give meat, that is, all things needful for the bodies of his people, as well as grace for their Souls. Iſa. 33.16. He ſhall dwell on high, his place of defence ſhall be the munitions of rocks; bread ſhall be given him, and his waters ſhall be ſure. And what better ſecurity can we deſire for a livelihood, than the providence and promiſe of God? How ſweetly do the Birds ſing, yet they have no barns, they know not one hour, where they ſhall have proviſion the next. Matth. 6.26. They have nothing but what the providence of God giveth them. Pſ. 104.28. That thou giveſt them, they gather, thou openeſt thy hand, they are filled with good. And may not a Chriſtian who hath a more excellent Spirit than the Birds; be as cheerful as the Birds, though he knoweth not one day where he ſhall have proviſion the next, though he hath nothing to live on, but the promiſe, and providence of God?
2. Though we ſhould ſuffer the loſs of all things, yet we may live cheerfully, becauſe we have a rich God for our Father, who hath promiſed never to leave, nor forſake us. Heb. 13.5. and that he wil ſupply all our need according to his riches in glory. Phil. 4.19. Though a Child hath nothing, yet if he hath a rich Father, that hath promiſed to take the care of him, and to ſupply all his needs, ſo as he ſhall lack nothing, he reſts ſatisfied in his Fathers proviſion. The Lord is a rich God Pſ. 24.1. The Earth is the Lords, and the fullneſs thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein. Pſ. 50.10, 11. Every beaſt of the Forrest is mine, and the Cattle upon a thouſand hills. I know all the fowls of the Mountains, and the wild Beaſts of the field are mine. 1 Chron. 29.11. All that is in the Heaven, and in the Earth, is mine. And this God, who is Lord of Heaven and Earth, and all things that are therein, is our Father, and a God in covenant with us, to provide, and take the care of us as long as we live. And why ſhall we not reſt ſatisfyed in the bounty, love, faithfulneſs, and tender care of our Heavenly Father, who hath all things, though we our ſelves have ſuffered the loſs of all things?
But ſome ſay, if I had but little in the World, I ſhould be willing to forſake all I had for Chriſt, but I have a great eſtate, and I find it difficult to be willing to forſake a great eſtate for the ſake of Chriſt.
A. It is true it is harder for thoſe that have much of the world, to part with all for Chriſt, than it is for thoſe that have but little; and that is one reaſon why 'tis ſo hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. An inſtance of this we may ſee in the young man in the Goſpel, who when Chriſt bid him fell what he had, and give to the poor, and he ſhould have treaſure in Heaven, went away ſorrowful, for he had great poſſeſſions. Matth. 19.21, 22. The greatneſs of his poſſeſſions was the cauſe that he would not part with them to follow Chriſt. I ſhall therefore lay down ſome arguments to perſwade ſuch as have great Eſtates to be willing to forſake them for Chriſt.
1. Chriſt forſook more for our ſakes, than we can forſake for him. He was rich, he was Lord of all the World, yet for our ſakes he left all, and became very poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. 2 Cor. 8.9. Ye know the grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that though he was rich, yet for your ſakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Yea, he became poorer than the Birds and Beaſts, for they have holes and neſts to go to, but he had not where to lay his head. Matth. 8.20. The Foxes have holes, and the Birds of the air have neſts, but the Sun of man hath not where to lay his head.
2. Though we forſake never ſo much for Chriſt, he is able to make up all the loſſes we ſuſtain on his account; 2 Chron. 25.9. What ſhall we do for the hundred talents, which I have given to the army of Iſrael, and thee man of God anſwered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this. An hundred talents is a vaſt ſum of money, ſufficient to defray the charges of an Army of an Hundred Thouſand men. ver. 6. When Amaziah was afraid of loſing an Hundred Talents by following the Prophets Counſel, the Prophet tells him, the Lord was able to give him much more than an Hundred Talents.
3. We ſhall loſe greater and better things by forſaking Chriſt, than we can loſe by embracing Chriſt, and adhering to him, though we ſhould loſe a Crown, a Kingdom, the whole world for adhering to Chriſt. For,
(1.) We ſhall loſe our own Souls, for Salvation for our Souls is to be had no where elſe, but in Chriſt. Act. 4.12. And to loſe our Souls, is a greater loſs than to loſe the whole world. Mark. 8.34.
(2.) By forſaking Chriſt, we ſhall loſe the favour of God. Heb. 10.38. If any man draw back, my Soul ſhall have no pleaſure in him. And we had better loſe the favour of all the men in the world, yea, better loſe the whole World, than loſe the love and favour of God.
(3.) If we forſake Chriſt, we ſhall loſe the Kingdom of Heaven. 1 John 5.12. He that hath not the Son of God, hath not life. And a man had better loſe all the Kingdoms of this World, if he had them all in his poſſeſſion, than loſe the Kingdom of Heaven.
But ſome may ſay, I hope I could ſuffer the loſs of all that I have for Chriſt, only the laying down my life, that ſeems a hard matter, I do not know how to be willing to lay down my Life for Chriſt.
A. It is true that it is hard work to Fleſh and Blood, for a man to lay down our lives for Chriſt, harder than to part with our Eſtates, Job. 2.4. Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath, will he give for his Life. But though this ſeem very difficult, yet it muſt be ſubmitted to, elſe we cannot be Chriſt's Diſciples. Luk. 14.26. If any man come to me, and hate not his own life alſo, he cannot be my Diſciple. Now to perſwade you to a willingneſs to lay down your lives for Chriſt, Conſider,
1. That if you will love Life for Chriſt's ſake, you ſhall ſave it, but by ſaving your Life when Chriſt calleth you to lay it down, you ſhall loſe it. Mark. 8.35. For whoſoever will ſave his life, ſhall loſe it, but whoſoever ſhall loſe his Soul for my ſake and the Goſpels, the ſame ſhall ſave it. That is, he that will ſave his Natural Life, and refuſe to lay it down for Chriſt, ſhall loſe Eternal Life, and that will lay down his Natural Life for Chriſt, ſhall have Eternal Life. And it is of univerſal concernment which Chriſt ſpeaketh here: Every man, whoſoever he be that will lay down his Life for Chriſt in this VVorld, that ſame man ſhall have Eternal Life in the other VVorld. And every man, whoſoever he be that will not lay down his Life for Chriſt in this VVorld, when called to it, that ſame man ſhall loſe Eternal in the other VVorld. And what a good, and what a happy Exchange is this, to exchange a ſhort and temporal Life, for an Eternal Life; a miſerable ſinful Life on Earth, for a glorious Life in Heaven?
2. If we refuſe to lay down our lives for Chriſt vvhen he calls us to it, he can take them avvay from us vvhen he pleaſeth; He can take them by the Svvord, or Peſtilence, or ſome violent ſickneſs, that ſhall make us a terrour to our ſelves, and to all that are round about us. He hath the Keys of Hell, and of Death. Rev. 1.18. He kills, and ſaves alive whom he pleaſeth. Pſ. 31.15. My times are in thy hands. Job 12.10. In whoſe hand is the Soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. If we were to live for ever in this VVorld, we might have ſome cloak for our ſins, in being unwilling to die for Chriſt. But ſeeing we muſt die within a few days, when Chriſt pleaſeth, and of what Death he pleaſeth, is it not better dying for Chriſt, than to dye of the Peſtilence, or dye of a Fevour, or any other kind of Death? Is it not inexcuſable folly for to loſe Eternal Life for the enjoying our Life here on Earth a few days, when as we know not whither we ſhall onjoy it one day, or one hour after we have refuſed to lay it down for Chriſt: And if vve do enjoy it for ſome time, vve muſt never expect to have any comfort of our Lives after vve have refuſed to die for Chriſt.
3. If we refuſe to lay down our lives for Chriſt, he can make our lives ſuch a burden to us, that we ſhall count it a great mercy to be rid of them. The Lord can lay ſuch troubles upon us, that we ſhall be burdens to our ſelves, and long exceedingly to be in our Graves. Job ſpeaks of ſome men that are in ſuch miſery, that they ſeek for Death, as for hid Treaſures, and rejoyce exceedingly when God will take away their lives. Job 3.20, 21, 22. Wherefore is light given to him that is in miſery, and life unto the bitter in Soul, which long for Death, but it cometh not, and dig for it, more than for hid treaſures, which rejoyce exceedingly, and are glad when they can find a grave. Yea, it was Job's own condition, to be a burden to himſelf. Job 7.20. Why haſt thou ſet me as a mark againſt thee, ſo as I am a burden to my ſelf. He vvas in ſo much miſery, that he prayed earneſtly to God that he might die. Job 6.8, 9. O that I might have my requeſt, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for: Even that it would pleaſe God to deſtroy me, that he would let loſe his hand, and cut me off. He vvas in ſuch diſtreſs, that Life vvas loathſome to him, and if it had been lavvful, he would have ſtrangled himſelf. Job 7.15, 16. My Soul chooſeth ſtrangling and death, rather than life. I loath it, I would not live alway. And vvho can tell, but God may lay as heavy affliction upon us, if vve refuſe to die for Chriſt, as he did to his Servant Job, who was an upright man, that feared God, and eſchewed evil? Who can tell, but God may deal with us, as he did with Paſhur. Jer. 20.4. I will make thee a terrour to thy ſelf, and to all thy Friends. Now is it not better to die for Chriſt, than to live in ſuch miſery as to be a burden to our ſelves, and to be a terrour to our ſelves, and all our Frinds?
4. If we will not loſe our lives for Chriſt, we ſhall loſe that which is the life of our lives, yea, that which is better than life. What is that which is the life of our lives, and which is better than our lives? I anſwer. The love and favour of God. Pſ. 30.5. In his favour is life. Pſ. 63.3. Thy loving kindneſs is better than life. Now if we draw back from Chriſt in a ſuffering day, becauſe we are not willing to lay down our lives for him, we ſhall loſe the love and favour of God. Rebeccah was ſo concerned for Jacob, that if he miſcarried in his match, ſhe thought ſhe ſhould be weary of her life, and her life would do her no good. Gen. 27.46. I am weary of my life, becauſe of the Daughters of Heth. If Jacob take a Wife of the Daughters of Heth, ſuch as theſe which are the Daughters of the Land, what good ſhall my life do me? If the miſcarriage of a Child in a match will make us weary of our lives, what will the loſs of the love and favour of God, which is the fountain of all mercies. May not ſuch ſay, I am weary of my life, what good will my life do me, ſeeing God hath taken away his loving kindneſs from me?
5. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt laid down his life forus. 1 John 3.16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, becauſe he laid down his life for us. His Enemies could not have taken his life from him, if he had not been willing of himſelf to lay it down, and his laying down his life was upon our account, and for our ſakes. Joh. 10.15, 18. I lay down my life for the ſheep.—No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my ſelf. And what the Iſraelites ſaid of David, 2 Sam. 18.3. Thou art worth ten thouſand of us. The ſame may be ſaid of Chriſt, he is worth ten thouſand of us, yea, more worth than all the men that ever lived, more worth than all the Angels of Heaven, yet he laid down his life for us. And ſhall we that are his Servants, poor worms, ſtick at the laying down our lives for him?
6. It is a bleſſed thing to dye for Chriſt. Rev. 14.13. Bleſſed are the dead which die in the Lord. The dead which die in the Lord, and which die for the Lord are in a moſt bleſſed condition. There is a peculiar honour promiſed to thoſe that ſuffer Martyrdom, for Chriſt. Rev. 20.4.
It may be ſome will ſay, I could be willing to dye for Chriſt, ſo I might dye an eaſy death, but I can't tell how to endure ſuch tortures and pains, as ſome have met with for Chriſt. I can't tell how to undergo burning at a Stake, or how to bear tormenting pains.
A. It is true that tormenting pains are hard to be born, yet we muſt be willing to undergo any kind of tortures for Chriſt, not only to dye, but to ſubmit to the moſt painfull death, if God ſhall call us to it, and to perſwade us to be willing to undergo torments for Chriſt; Let us conſider.
1. Our Lord Jeſus did not only dye for us, but he ſuffered a moſt painfull, ſhamefull, accurſed Death of the Croſs for us. Phil. 2.8. He humbled himſelf, and became obedient to Death, even the Death of the Croſs. What Death is more painfull than the Death of the Croſs? Our Lord Jeſus was in ſuch extremity of pain when he hung upon the Croſs, that he was like a man that had all his Bones out of joynt, his heart melted like wax that is brought to the fire, his ſtrength and the moiſture of his body, was dryed up like a Potſheard, his tongue cleaved to his Jaws, as we may ſee, Pſal. 22.14, 15. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joynt, my heart is like wax, it is melted in the midſt of my bowels, My ſtrength is dryed up like a potſheard, and my tongue cleaveth unto my jaws, and thou hast brought me into the duſt of death. That this relates to Chriſts ſufferings on the Croſs, is evident from the laſt clauſe, his bones were out of joynt, his heart melted like wax, &c. when? when he was upon the Croſs; Thou haſt brought me into the duſt of Death. And from ſeveral other paſſages in the Pſalm, which relate to Chriſts ſufferings on the Croſs. As ver. 1.7, 8, 16, 17. And beſides that anguiſh which our Lord Jeſus felt upon the Croſs, when he was in the Garden, he was in ſuch an agony as made him ſweat drops of blood. Luk. 22.24. Now ſeeing our Lord Jeſus Chriſt endured ſuch torments and pains for us, ſeeing he ſuffered the painfull, ſhamefull, accurſed Death of the Croſs for us; Shall not we be willing to ſuffer any ſhamefull or painfull Death for him? Seeing he bore the wrath of God for us, ſhall not we be willing to bear the wrath of our Perſecutors for his ſake.
2. If we refuſe a painfull and tormenting Death for Chriſt, God can inflict worſe pains upon us for our ſins, than men can inflict upon us for our fidelity to Chriſt. For
(1.) God can ſend racking and tormenting pains into our bones and bodies. that ſhall be more grievous to us than any men can lay upon us. Rev. 16, 10, 11. They gnawed their Tongues for pain, and blaſphemed the God of Heaven, becauſe of their pains and their ſores. Theſe are worſe pains then the pains of Martyrs, for they have gone ſinging to the Stake, and have glorified God in the fires, but theſe ſinners ſelt ſuch anguiſh, as made them gnaw their own Tongues, and to blaſpheme the God of Heaven. We find greater diſquietneſs in David, through the pains he felt in his ſickneſs, than many of the Martyrs expreſſed in the Flames. Pſal. 38.6, 8. I go mourning all the day long, I have roared by reaſon of the diſquietneſs of my heart.
(2.) God can wound our Spirits, and the pains of the Soul when that is wounded, are far greater then all the pains that can come upon the body. Prov. 18.14. The Spirit of a man will ſuſtein his infirmity, but a wounded Spirit who can bear? When God inflicts his terrours upon the Soul, they are ſo inſupportable, that many times they cauſe men to fall into deſtruction. Pſal. 88.15. While I ſuffer thy terrours I am diſtracted.
(3.) If for fear of being tormented, we forſake or deny Chriſt; God can inflict on us the torments of Hell; And all the torments that man can inflict, are but Flea-bites compared to the torments of Hell. We ſhould fear offending God, who hath power to caſt us into Hell, more than we ſhould fear all the men of the World: For the worſt that they can do is to kill the body, and after that is done, they can do us no further hurt. Luk. 12.4, 5. And I ſay unto you my Friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye ſhall fear: Fear him which after he hath killed, hath power to caſt into Hell, yea I ſay unto you, fear him.
3. We are willing to endure great pain for the preſervation of our Temporal Life; We are willing to let the Chirurgeon cut and lanch our Fleſh, yea, to cut Legs and Arms or other Members, when the whole body is in danger to periſh, And ſhall we be unwilling to go through a painfull Death for the obtaining Eternal Life? Though the pains of Martyrdom are ſharp, yet they are but ſhort, and the joy that follows thoſe ſhort pains is Eternal and unſpeakable. What are a few Minutes of pain to an Eternity of Joy and Glory.
4. The more torture and pain we endure for Chriſt here, the greater glory we ſhall have in Heaven for ever hereafter. Heb. 11.35. Others were tortured not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better Reſurrection. The more we are tortured, the more glorious ſhall we be at the Reſurrection, for we ſhall have a full recompence for all our ſufferings, as well as our ſervices. 2 Cor. 4.17. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
5. They that have been far better than me, even ſuch as the World hath been unworthy of them, have gone through great torments for Chriſt. Heb. 11.37, 38. They were ſtoned, they were ſawn aſunder, were tempted, were ſlain with the Sword, they wandered about in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins, being deſtitute, afflicted and tormented, of whom the World was not worthy. How many Martyrs in all ages, men of eminent piety have laid down their lives for Chriſt, and endured all kind of torments cheerfully; And why ſhall we then think much to endure a painfull and tormenting Death for Chriſt?
6. The Lord will uphold us by his Divine power, under all the pains and torments that we ſhall undergo for Chriſt; If we were to go alone through fiery tryals, we might be afraid leſt we ſhould ſink, and not be able to bear them. But ſeeing God will be with us and ſtrengthen and uphold us, when we are to paſs through fiery Tryals, this may diſpel all our fears, and make us go willingly through any ſufferings for Chriſt. Iſa. 41.10. Fear thou not for I am with thee, be not diſmayed for I am thy God, I will ſtrengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the Righthand of my Righteouſneſs. Iſa. 43.1, 2. Fear not, thou art mine, when thou paſſeſt through the waters I will be with thee, and through the Rivers, they ſhall not overflow thee, when thou walkeſt through the Fire, thou ſhalt not be burnt, neither ſhall the flame kindle upon thee. God will proportion our ſtrength to our troubles, and when we meet with days of great trouble, he will give in great ſtrength. Deut. 33.25. And as thy days ſo ſhall thy ſtrength he. And that weaker Chriſtians may not be diſmayed when they ſee great troubles coming, he hath engaged his faithfullneſs, that he will not ſuffer them to be tryed above their ſtrength. 1 Cor. 10.13, There hath no temptation taken you, but ſuch as is common to man. But God is faithfull, who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation, alſo make a way to eſcape, that ye may be able to bear it.
3d. Hinderance of a ſaving in Chriſt, is unwillingneſs to leave our ſins, either from the delight we have in them, or ſome profit we have by them, The hearts of Unregenerate men cleave faſt to their ſins, and are exceeding unwilling to part with them. Jer. 8.5. They hold faſt Deceit, they refuſe to return. Let me ſhew ſome inſtances of this, how men love and cleave to their ſins, and how unwilling they are to part with them.
1. Many men love their ſins as they love their lives, they will as ſoon part with their lives, as part with their ſins. Ezek. 7.13. Neither ſhall any ſtrengthen himſelf in the iniquity of his Life; It is rendered in the Margent, whoſe Life is in his iniquity; That is, who love their iniquities as they love their lives, yea, they love their ſins above their lives, for though God tell them if they live after the fleſh they ſhall dye, but if through the Spirit they mortifie the deeds of the body, they ſhall live, yet they chooſe to go on in their ſins, and dye rather than to turn and live.
2. Many men do ſo cleave to their ſins, that no commands, no threatnings, no promiſes of God will prevail with men to leave their ſins. The Lord ſent often by his Prophets to the Jews to command them to turn from their ſins, yet they would not leave their evil ways. Jer. 25.4, 5, 7. The Lord hath ſent unto you all his Servants the Prophets; They ſaid, turn ye again every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings— yet ye have not harkned unto me. Jer. 2.25. With hold thy feet— but thou ſaidſt no, for I have loved ſtrangers, and after them I will go.
3. Many men are ſo unwilling to leave their ſins, that none of God's judgments nor mercies will prevail with them to forſake their ſins; Great judgments will not do it. Prov. 27.22. Though thou ſhouldeſt bray a fool in a Morter among Wheat, with a Peſtle, yet will not his fooliſhneſs depart from him. Iſa. 1.5. Why ſhould ye be ſtricken any more, ye will revolt more and more. Amos 4.6. to the 12th. verſe. Neither will great mercies prevail with many men to leave their ſins. Iſa. 1.2. I have nouriſhed and brought up children, and they have rebelled againſt me. Yea there is a very great unwillingneſs in moſt men, to leave their ſins, now I ſhall lay down ſome arguments to perſwade you to be willing to forſake all your ſins, in order to your being partakers of Chriſt, and all his ſaving benefits.
1. Either you muſt leave your ſins or leave Chriſt; You cannot have Chriſt and his ſaving benefits, and continue in your ſins. Math. 6.24. No man can ſerve two Maſters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or elſe he will hold to the one, and deſpiſe the other; Ye cannot ſerve God and Mammon. The like may be ſaid of enjoying Chriſt, ye cannot enjoy Chriſt, and enjoy your ſins too, for either you will hate your ſins and love Chriſt, or you will hold to your ſins and deſpiſe Chriſt. And therefore what Chriſt ſaid to the Jews concerning his Diſciples. Joh. 18.8. If ye ſeek me, let theſe go their way. That may I ſay to you concerning your ſins, if ye ſeek Chriſt and would have Chriſt, ye muſt let theſe go away. That we muſt part with our ſins, or part with Chriſt for ever, is evident theſe ways.
(1.) Becauſe he requireth of all thoſe that will become his Diſciples, and have Salvation by him, that they depart from Iniquity. 2 Tim. 2.19. The foundation of God ſtandeth ſure, having this Seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his; And let every one that nameth the name of Chriſt depart from iniquity. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt will not own any one man for his, that doth not depart from iniquity, it is the immutable purpoſe of God, that no man ſhall have Salvation by Chriſt, that doth not depart from his ſins. Luk. 13.5. I tell you nay, but except ye repent ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh..
(2.) Our iniquities ſeparate between us and our God. Iſa. 59.2. Your iniquities have ſeperated between you and your God. And if we continue ever in our ſins, there will be an eternal ſeparation between God and our Souls.
(3.) At the great day of judgment, he will not own one Man, Woman or Child for his, or admit any into his Kingdom, that have been workers of iniquity, but that would not depart from their ſins, ſhall depart from Chriſt for ever, though they have propheſied in Chriſts name, and caſt out Devils, and done many other wonderous works, Math. 7.23, 24. Many will ſay unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not propheſied in thy name, &c. And then will I profeſs unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, ye workers of Iniquitie. Now is it not better parting with our ſins, than parting with Chriſt, and the Kingdom of Heaven for ever. What is there in ſin, that ſhould make us more willing to part with Chriſt, than to part with our ſins.
2. God makes great proffers, and great promiſes of very great things that he will give to us, and do for us, if we will forſake our ſins, that he may perſwade us to be willing to leave our ſins. If any ask, why what will God do for us, what will he give to us, if we will forſake our ſins.
A. 1. If we will forſake our ſins, God will receive us into his love and favour, and will beſtow himſelf upon us for our God, and accept us for his people, he will become our Father, and own us for his Sons and Daughters. Jer. 7.24. Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye ſhall be my people. 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. Come out from among them, and be ye ſeparate, ſaith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye ſhall be my Sons and Daughters, ſaith the Lord God Almighty.
2. If we will forſake our ſins, the Lord will forgive us all our ſins for ever, and will not ſo much as mention any of our ſins unto us. Ezek. 33.15, 16. When I ſay unto the wicked, thou ſhalt ſurely dy, if he turn from his ſin. None of his ſins which he hath committed ſhall be mentioned to him—he ſhall ſurely live. Iſa. 1.16, 17, 18. Ceaſe to do evil, and learn to do well—Come now, and let us reaſon together ſaith the Lord, though your ſins be as ſcarlet, they ſhall be white as ſnow, though they have been red like crimſon, they ſhall be as wool. Iſa. 55.7. Let the wicked forſake his way, and return unto the Lord, for he will abundantly pardon.
3. If we will leave our ſins, God will pour out his Holy Spirit upon us, to dwell in us for ever, to enlighten, quicken, ſanctifie, and comfort us under all our troubles. Prov. 1.23. Turn ye at my reprooſ, behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you. Act. 2.38. Repent, and ye ſhall receive the gift of the Holy Ghoſt.
4. If we will turn from our ſins, God will take us into covenant with himſelf, and give us all the bleſſings of the new Covenant. Iſa. 59.20, 21. The Redeemer ſhall come to him, and unto them that turn from tranſgreſſion in Jacob. As for me, this is my covenant with them. See here with whom God makes his Covenant, his Covenant is with them that turn from tranſgreſſion in Jacob. And when he makes a Covenant with us, his Covenant is to give us Grace and Glory, and to withhold no good thing from us.
5. If we will forſake our ſins, the Lord will ſave us from the torments of Hell for ever, and give to us his Heavenly Kingdom. Job. 33, 27, 28. He looked upon me, and if any ſay, I have ſinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not, He will deliver his Soul from going down into the pit, and his life ſhall ſee the light, What is there in ſin, that we ſhould refuſe all theſe great things, rather than leave our ſins?
3. Conſider that Sin is the greateſt evil in the world, that there is nothing doth us ſo much miſchief, and is ſo prejudicial to our wellfare as ſin is, and that may make us willing to forſake our ſins. See what an evil thing ſin is.
1. Sin is worſe than any affliction, as the Sword, Peſtilence, Famine, Poverty, noyſome Diſeaſes, &c. For neither Sword, nor Famine, or any other affliction can ſeparate us from the love of God. Rom. 8.35. But ſin makes us hateful to, and hated of God. Pſal. 5.5. Thou hateſt all workers of Iniquity. No affliction can hinder our Salvation. Lazarus was exceeding poor, he begged his bread, and was full of noyſom ſores, yet his Soul was carryed by the Angel into Abraham's boſom, but ſin will hinder the Salvation of our Souls. Now we flee from the Sword and Peſtilence, and other Judgments, and ſhall we not much more flee from ſin, which is a greater evil than all theſe.
2. Sin is a greater evil than Hell it ſelf; for God made Hell, but ſin is the work of the Devil. And therefore ſin, which is the work of the Devil, muſt needs be worſe than Hell, which is the work of God. Hell ſets forth the glory of Gods Juſtice, but ſin wholly diſhonours God, and therefore ſin is worſe than Hell. Now we are very deſirous to be delivered from Hell, and why ſhall we not be willing to leave our ſins which are worſe than Hell.
3. There is nothing in the world doth us ſo much hurt and miſchief, as ſin doth. Sin ſeparates us from God the chiefeſt good. Iſa. 59.2. What poyſon is to the body, that ſin is to the Soul, the Souls poyſon. Rom. 3.13. The poyſon of aſps is under their lips. Sin wars againſt our Souls. 1 Pet. 2.11. And will be the Death of our Souls, if we do not forſake it. Rom. 6.23. The wages of ſin is death. We flee from Death, and thoſe things that bring Death. VVhen there was a deadly herb in the pottage, the Sons of the Prophets would not eat thereof, but cryed out, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot, and they would not eat thereof. 2. King. 4.40. I may ſay the like to impenitent ſinners, O thou ſinner, there is Death in thy ſins, O thou Drunkard, there is Death in thy Cup, O thou Unclean Perſon, there is Death in the Harlots houſe, and to the unrighteous man, there is Death in thy falſe weights, and falſe meaſures, and deceitful-balances. And ſhall not this make us willing to leave our ſins, that there is Death in our ſins.
4. If no conſideration will encline your hearts to a willingneſs to forſake your ſins, look up to Chriſt that he would put forth his grace, and divine power upon your Souls, to make you willing to forſake your ſins, and willing to ſerve and obey him. Pſ. 110.3. Thy people ſhall be a willing people in the day of thy power.
5. See what it is which makes you ſo unwilling to leave your ſins, and get thoſe cords cut in ſunder, whereby your wills and affections are hold intangled in your ſins. VVhen men are unwilling to leave their ſins, it is uſually from one of theſe two cauſes, either from the delight and pleaſures they have in their ſins, or from the gain, and profit they have by them. Moſt men are very unwilling to part with their ſinful gain. Act 16.19, 20, 22. Act. 19.24, 25, 27. And with their ſinful pleaſures, in ſo much, that they love their pleaſures more than they love God. 2 Tim. 3.5. Lovers of pleaſures more than lovers of God. I ſhall endeavour the removal of both theſe.
§. Arg. To perſwade us to be willing to part with our moſt delightful, and pleaſing ſins.
1. God parted with his beloved Son, in whom he was well pleaſed for us, and delivered him up to death for us. Matth. 3.17. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed. Rom. 8.32. He ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. And ſhall not we part with our beloved and pleaſing ſins for him, and deliver them up unto Death. They that take moſt pleaſure in their ſins, and have the greateſt love for them, will, or ought to be aſhamed to ſay, they love their ſins, and are pleaſed with their ſins, as much as God loved Chriſt, and was pleaſed with Chriſt, and therefore they ſhould alſo be aſhamed to ſpare their ſins, and not deliver them up to Death for the enjoyment of Chriſt.
2. God will give thee better pleaſures than ever thou foundeſt in thy ſins, if thou wilt part with thy ſins, he will give thee better pleaſures in this life. Job. 36.10, 11. He commandeth that they return from iniquitie. If they obey and ſerve him, they ſhall ſpend their days in proſperity, and their years in pleaſures. There are better pleaſures to be found in Chriſt, and in the ways and ordinances of Chriſt; than are to be found in ſin. Prov 3.17. Her ways are wayes of pleaſantneſs. Pſ. 36.8. They ſhall be abundantly ſatisfied with the fatneſs of thine houſe, and thou ſhalt make them drink of the rivers of thy pleaſures. The comforts of the Holy Ghoſt are infinitely better than the pleaſures of ſin. Now if you forſake your ſins, and walk in the fear of God, you ſhall have the comforts of the Holy Ghoſt. Act. 9.31. Walking in the fear of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghoſt. Beſides the pleaſures that God giveth you in this life, if you will leave your pleaſing ſins, God will give you the pleaſures of Heaven, where you ſhall live in fulneſs of joy, and pleaſures for evermore. Pſ. 16.11. In thy preſence is fulneſs of joy, at thy right hand there are pleaſures for evermore.
3. Pleaſing ſins are like poyſon in ſweet wine. What wiſe man will be allured to drink a draught of poyſon, becauſe 'tis put into ſweet VVine. though it be ſweet in the mouth, it will torment and rack a man exceedingly. Job 20.12, 13, 14. Though wickedneſs be ſweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue, though he ſpare it, and forſake it not, but keep it ſtill in his mouth. Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of aſps within him. The poyſon of aſps is the moſt deadly poyſon. Thoſe ſins in which men find moſt pleaſure, will one day torture and torment their Conſciences, as much as the moſt deadly poyſon doth their Bowels. Mens pleaſing ſins will be like the little book the Angel gave the Apoſtle, which was in his Mouth ſweet as hony, but made his Belly hitter. Rev. 10.9, 10. Sweet ſins will be bittterneſs in the latter end. Take an inſtance in two ſorts of ſins, in which men find pleaſure, Uncleanneſs and Drunkenneſs. Prov. 5.3, 4. The lips of a ſtrange woman drop as an hony comb, and her mouth is ſmoother than Oyl, but her end is bitter as Wormwood, ſharp as a two edged Sword. Prov. 23.31, 32. Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth it ſelf aright; At the laſt it biteth like a Serpent, and ſtingeth like an Adder.
4. The pleaſures of ſin will coſt a man dear without Repentance, for they ſhall be puniſhed with the pains and torments of Hell for ever; And from the firſt day that a man comes into the torments of Hell, all the pleaſures of ſin will vaniſh away for ever. The Rich man that had fared deliciouſly every day, when he was in Hell could not get one drop of Water to cool his Tongue; They are dear …ght pleaſures, that muſt be paid for in …orments. Momentaneum eſt quod delectal, E…ernum quod cruciat; The pleaſures of ſin are gone in a moment, but the pains of Hell are for Eternity.
5. The pleaſures of ſin are ſuch poor, vain, vile things, that bitter and ſharp afflictions are rather to be choſen than the pleaſures of ſin, which are but for a ſeaſon. Moſes who was a wiſe man, preferred the afflictions of a Wilderneſs with the people of God, before the delights and pleaſures of a Kings Court, when they could not be enjoyed without ſin. Heb. 11.25. Chooſing rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon.
§. Arg. To perſwade us to leave gainfull and profitable ſins.
1. Such gain as is gotten by ſinfull and unrighteous means, will prove the greateſt loſs in the World; For it is gotten with the loſs of our Souls, and with the loſs of the Kingdom of Heaven. 1 Cor. 6.9. Know ye not that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God? And what loſs like the loſs of our Souls, and the loſs of a Kingdom, even the Kingdom of Heaven? The gaining of the whole World will not make up this loſs. Mark 8.34. For what ſhall it profit a man, if he ſhall gain the whole World, and loſe his own Soul.
2. You ſhall gain greater and better things by forſaking your ſins, and leading a Godly Life, than you can gain by continuance in your ſins; For what you gain by Unrighteouſneſs doth you very little good, but Godlineſs will be profitable to you for all things, both in this life, and in the life which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8. Godlineſs is profitable unto all things, having the promiſe of the life that now it, and that which is to come. If you will leave your gainfull ſins for Chriſt, you ſhall in gaining Chriſt, gain unſearchable Riches. Eph. 3.8. Yea in gaining Chriſt you ſhall gain all things. 1 Cor. 3.21, 22, 23.
3. Such gain as a man gets unrighteouſly will profit a man nothing, either in a day of wrath, or in the day of death, or at the day of judgment. Prov. 10.2. Treaſures of wickedneſs profit nothing. Though a man hath gotten a vaſt Eſtate, though he hath heaped up Treaſures in great abundance, yet if he hath gotten them by wicked ways, they will profit him nothing; They will be ſo far from profiting him, that they will hurt him exceedingly. What a man gets unrighteouſly, he leaves behind him when he dyeth, but his guilt will follow him into the other World, and will torment him like Fire. Jam. 5.3. Your Gold and Silver is cankered, and the ruſt of them will be a Witneſs against you, and ſhall eat your Fleſh as it were Fire, ye have heaped Treaſures together for the laſt days.
4. Uprightneſs and Righteouſneſs in our dealings, is a far better way to get an Eſtate than Fraud and Unrighteouſneſs. For
(1.) Such as deal Truly, and Righteouſly ſhall have God's Bleſſing in an abundant manner. Prov. 28.20. A faithfull man ſhall abound with Bleſſings: but ſin and wickedneſs bringeth the curſe of God. Prov. 3.33. The curſe of the Lord is in the houſe of the wicked. Now who is in the moſt likely way to thrive, they that have the curſe, or they that have the Bleſſing of God.
(2.) If a man ſhould get but a ſmall Eſtate that dealeth righteouſly and uprightly, yet a little eſtate gotten righteouſly, is better, and hath more comfort in it, than great Revenues gotten by unrighteous ways. Pſ. 37.16. A little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked. Prov. 16.8. Better is a little with righteouſneſs, than great revenues without right. For there is more comfort in a little gotten with Gods bleſſing, than in a great deal gotten by ſinfull ways. Prov. 10.22. The bleſſing of the Lord it maketh Rich, and he addeth no ſorrow with it.
(3.) What is gotten Righteouſly abideth longer than what is gotten by ſinfull ways. Jer. 17.11. He that getteth Riches, and not by right, ſhall leave them in the midſt of his days, and at his end ſhall be a Fool. Prov. 28.22. He that haſteth to be Rich, hath an evil Eye, and conſidereth not that Poverty ſhall come upon him; That is, he that makes ſuch haſt to be Rich, as that he will uſe undue courſes to get Riches, takes the ready way to become a Poor man; But when men get Eſtates Righteouſly, that is the way to have their Eſtates bleſſed to themſelves. Prov. 28.10. The upright ſhall have good things in poſſeſſion. And to their Poſterity for many Generations; Prov. 13.22. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his Childrens Children, and the wealth of the ſinner is laid up for the juſt.