The Best Interest, Chapter 3 · Section 2
Sect. 2. Helps to get a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt.
Here ſome may ſay, we ſee it is a buſineſs of the greateſt concernment that we have to do in this world, to get an intereſt in Chriſt it is of everlaſting concernment, but what ſhall we do to get a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt.
1. Be ſenſible of, and lay to heart your ſinfull, miſerable, loſt and undone ſtate, whilſt you remain without Chriſt. For a due ſence of our ſin and miſery will make us haſten to Chriſt, and cauſe us with all thankfulneſs to accept of the Salvation that he hath purchaſed for us. Mat. 8.25. His Diſciples came to him, and awoke him, ſaying, Maſter ſave us, we periſh. If we ſaw our ſelves in a periſhing condition, we ſhould be as forward and as earneſt to go to Chriſt to ſave us, as his Diſciciples were, when they were in danger to be drowned. To be in danger of damnation is a greater awakening to a man, then to be in danger of drowning. For Hell is a worſe place than the Sea; A man that is drowned in the Sea is quickly dead, their pain is ſoon over, but ſuch as go to Hell are in everlaſting burnings. And if the Diſciples haſtned to Chriſt to ſave them, when they were in danger to be drowned, how will poor diſtreſſed ſinners haſten to Chriſt to ſave them, when they ſee themſelves in danger of being damned. Luk. 15.17, 18, 19. I periſh with hunger, I will ariſe and go to my father, and will ſay unto him, Father I have ſinned againſt Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son, make me as one of thy hired ſervants. When the prodigal Son ſaw his ſins, and ſaw himſelf in a periſhing condition, then he haſtned to his Father, confeſſeth and bewaileth his ſin, judgeth himſelf unworthy to be owned by his Father, and was willing to accept of mercy on any terms, ſo he might be admitted into his Fathers family, he was content to ſubmit to any thing, though it were to be the meaneſt ſervant in his fathers houſe, and to do the hardeſt work his father had for him to do. And as the ſenſe of a periſhing condition, ſo alſo a due ſight of our ſins, will make us willing to accept of mercy on any terms, willing to ſubmit to any thing, ſo we may be delivered from eternal death. Job. 7.20. I have ſinned, what ſhall I do unto thee, O thou preſerver of men? When Job was under the ſenſe of ſin, he was willing to ſubmit to any thing that God ſhould require of him, to get his ſins pardoned. As it was with the Iſraelites, when they were under the ſenſe of their ſin, and felt their miſery by the oppreſſion of their enemies, they were willing God ſhould do what he would with them, ſo that he would deliver them from the Philiſtines. Judg. 10.15. The children of Iſrael ſaid unto the Lord, we have ſinned, do thou unto us whatſoever ſeemeth good unto thee, deliver us only we pray thee this day. So it will be with us, when we have a through ſight of our ſins, we ſhall be glad of mercy on any terms, we ſhall be willing that God ſhall do to us whatſoever ſeemeth good in his ſight, ſo he will deliver us from wrath to come, and will not caſt us into Hell for our ſins. Now there are but few men, even of ſuch as live under the means of grace, and hear the word of God often preached to them, that have a through ſight and ſenſe of their ſin and miſery. A man may be a Church Member, yea a Church Officer, a Teacher of others, and yet not be under an heart affecting ſight and ſenſe of his ſinfull and miſerable condition out of Chriſt. Rev. 3.17. Thou ſayeſt I am rich and increaſed with goods, and have need of nothing, and knoweſt not that thou art wretched and miſerable, and poor, and blind, and naked. This is ſpoken to the Church of the Laodiceans, and more particularly to the Angel of that Church, that is, to ſuch as were teachers of that Church, and amongſt theſe were ſome that had not their knowledge, that they were poor, miſerable, wretched and naked, but thought themſelves in a good eſtate, to be rich, increaſed in goods, and to want nothing. We ſee the deceit of a mans heart, how he may be blinded, how he may delude and flatter himſelf, in thinking he needeth nothing. when he wanteth all things. If any ſay
How may we get a ſight and ſence of our ſinfull and miſerable eſtate out of Chriſt?
A. 1. Hear, and apply to your ſelves what the Scripture ſaith concerning the ſinfulneſs of a mans heart and life, as long as he remaineth in a Chriſtleſs condition. Jer. 17.9. The heart is deceitfull above all things, and deſperately wicked, who can know it. The heart is not only wicked, but deſperately wicked, ſo deſperately wicked that it is above our underſtandings, to know or conceive all that wickedneſs that is in our hearts. The heart is as full of evil as it can hold, yea of the worſt ſorts of ſins, that if God ſhould let a man alone, he would carry himſelf like a mad man, regarding neither the Laws of God nor men. Eccl. 9, 3. The heart of the Sons of men is full of evil, yea madneſs is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. What worſe ſin then enmity againſt God, and his holy Laws and Commandments? yet this enmity againſt God is in the hearts of all men, till God circumciſeth our hearts to love and obey him. Rom. 8.7. The carnal mind is enmity againſt God, for it is not ſubject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. The heart is ſo vile and ſinfull that it is continually ſinning againſt God, either by evil deſires, or evil thoughts and imaginations. Gen. 6.5. And God ſaw that the wickedneſs of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil, and that continually. It is enough to amaze a man, when he heareth what God (who knoweth the ſinfulneſs of our hearts, better than we our ſelves) ſaith of the ſinfulneſs of our hearts; we may wonder that he lets us live upon the earth, and doth not ſend us down to the Devils in Hell. Oh what need have we of Chriſt to mediate for us, and take away our ſins.
Beſides the ſinfulneſs of our hearts, let us hear what the Scripture ſaith of the ſinfulneſs of our lives and converſations. While a man remains in a Chriſtleſs condition, every thing that a man doth is defiled with ſin. Hag. 2.13, 14. If one that is unclean by a dead body, touch any of theſe, ſhall it be unclean? and the Prieſt anſwered and ſaid, it ſhall be unclean. Then anſwered Haggai and ſaid, ſo is this people, and ſo is this nation before me ſaith the Lord, and ſo is every work of their hands, and that which they offer there is unclean. An unclean ſinner defileth every thing he hath to do with, every work of his hands is unclean, and that which he offers to God is unclean. Gal. 3.22. The Scripture hath concluded all under ſin. The Greek word is foreign not only all men, but all things of all men, all their thoughts, words and actions, all are concluded under ſin, that is, God in the holy Scriptures declareth, all men and all things of all men, before they come to Chriſt to be ſinful. Tit. 1.15. Ʋnto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their Mind and Conſcience is defiled. If one ſin caſt Adam out of Paradiſe, if one ſin caſt the Angels out of Heaven, and of Angels made them Divels, what a woful condition are they in, that have done nothing elſe ſince they were born, and can do nothing elſe but ſin againſt God. When we conſider our ſinful and polluted eſtate, we may ſet down, and bemoan our ſelves, and ſay as Job, Behold I am vile. Job 40.4. And to loath and abhor our ſelves in our own ſight, and in the ſight of the Lord.
2. Hear and apply to thy ſelf what the Scripture ſaith concerning the miſery of all thoſe that are in a Chriſtleſs condition. As
1. They are under the wrath and curſe of God. Eph. 2.3. And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. All men by nature, one as well as another, are the children of wrath. And as long as they abide in a natural, unbelieving Chriſtleſs condition, they abide under the wrath of God. Joh. 3.36. He that believeth not the Son ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Now this is a moſt dreadful condition to be under the wrath of God. The wrath of an earthly King is as a meſſenger of death. Prov. 16.14. And a meſſenger of death will ſet a man weeping ſorely. Iſa. 38.1, 2. Hezekiah wept ſore, when Iſaiah came with a meſſage of death to him. It is like the roaring of a Lion, Prov. 19.12. And when the Lion roars, all the beaſts of the Forreſts tremble. Amos 3.8. The Lion hath roared, who will not fear. If the wrath of an earthly King be ſo dreadfull, how dreadfull is the wrath of the great God, who is King of Kings. Gods anger is unconceivable, we cannot underſtand the power and dreadfull effects of his wrath. Pſal. 90.11. And it is intolerable. Nah. 1.6. Who can ſtand before his indignation.
2. They are under a ſentence of eternal condemnation. Rom. 5.18. By the offence of one man, judgment came upon all men to condemnation. And this ſentence of condemnation abideth upon a man as long as he abideth in unbelief. Joh. 3.18. He that believeth not is condemned already. Now eternal condemnation is far more dreadfull than any troubles that any man ever met with in this world. Job. 10.1, 2. When Job was in great bitterneſs of Spirit, and was weary of his Life, he dreaded condemnation more than all his ſorrows. I am weary of my Life— I will ſpeak in the bitterneſs of my Soul, I will ſay unto God, do not condemn me. The thoughts and apprehenſions of eternal miſery, make the hardeſt hearted ſinners in the world to fear and tremble. Of all ſinners, ſuch as live under, and reſiſt the means of grace, are the hardeſt hearted ſinners, and ſuch as make a profeſſion of Religion, and are but Hypocrites have very hard hearts and ſeared Conſciences, yet the ſinners in Zion, and the hypocrites tremble at the thoughts of everlaſting burnings. Iſa. 33.14. The ſinners in Zion are afraid, fearfullneſs hath ſurprized the hypocrites, who among us ſhall dwell with devouring fire, who amongſt us ſhall dwell with everlaſting burnings.
2. Underſtand and believe that there is Salvation from your ſin and miſery, to be had in Jeſus Chriſt, and by no other way or means whatever, but by Chriſt. There is Salvation to be had in Chriſt for ſinfull, loſt, undone creatures, yea even for the chiefeſt and moſt miſerable ſinners in the whole world. 1 Tim. 1.15. This is a faithfull ſaying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Chriſt Jeſus came into the world to ſave ſinners, of whom I am chief. Luk. 19.10. The ſon of man is come to ſeek and ſave that which was loſt. Hoſ. 13.9. O Iſrael thou haſt deſtroyed thy ſelf, but in me is thy help. There is help in Chriſt, not only for ſuch as have hurt themſelves, for ſuch as have wounded, ſorely wounded themſelves, but for ſuch as have deſtroyed them, yea though they be Iſraelites, which is an aggravation of their ſin and miſery, for its worſe for an Iſraelite, then for a Moabite or an Egyptian to deſtroy himſelf. Here is the extremity of miſery, deſtruction, and the height of ſin, which is for a man to be the Author of his own deſtruction, yet there is help in Chriſt for ſuch as are undone, deſtroyed, and have been the Authors of their own deſtruction. O Iſrael thou baſt destroyed thy ſelf, but in me is thy help. And as our Lord Jeſus came into the world purpoſely to ſave loſt and undone ſinners, ſo he is able to ſave perfectly, thoſe that come to him, and unto God by him, from all their ſins, and all their miſery. Heb. 7.25. Wherefore he is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them.
And as there is Salvation to be had in Chriſt for loſt and periſhing ſinners, ſo this Salvation is to be had no where elſe, and by no other way or means whatſoever, but by Chriſt. Act. 4.12. Neither is their Salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we muſt be ſavtd. Iſa. 43.11. I even I am the Lord, and beſides me there is no Saviour. We are not able to ſave our ſelves, neither can all the men on earth, or all the Angels of heaven ſave us. We cannot ſave our ſelves by any ways or devices of our own, or by any works or duties that we can perform; if we could any way ſave our ſelves, it muſt be either by fleeing from God, and hiding our ſelves where God ſhould not find us out, but that is impoſſible, for God filleth Heaven and Earth, and is preſent in all places, ſo that a man cannot flee from God, or hide himſelf where God ſhould not find him. Jer. 23.24. Can any hide himſelf in ſecret places that I ſhall not ſee him ſaith the Lord? Do not I fill heaven and earth ſaith the Lord. Pſal. 139.7, 8, 9, 10. Whither ſhall I go from thy Spirit, or whither ſhall I flee from thy preſence? If I aſcend up into heaven thou art there. &c. Or elſe it muſt be by doing ſome works, whereby we may procure the pardon of our ſins, and the Salvation of our Souls. Neither of theſe can be purchaſed with mony. If a man would give all that he hath in the world to purchaſe the love of God, and the pardon of his ſins, and the Salvation of his Soul, it would be deſpiſed and contemned. Cant. 8.7. If a man would give all the ſubſtance of his houſe for love, it would utterly be contemned. Job. 36.18, 19. Becauſe there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his ſtroke, then a great ranſome cannot deliver thee. Will he eſteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of thy ſtrength. It is a moſt deteſtable thought, for a man to think that the gifts of God can be purchaſed with mony. Act. 8.20. Thy mony periſh with thee, becauſe thou haſt thought that the gift of God may be purchaſed with mony. And as we cannot purchaſe our pardon and Salvation, ſo neither can we obtain it by any works of Righteouſneſs, that we are able to do. Rom. 3.20. By the deeds of the Law, there ſhall no fleſh be juſtified in his ſight. Tit. 3.5. Not by works of Righteouſneſs which we have done, but according to his mercy he ſaved us— And as we are not able to ſave our ſelves, ſo neither can any men on earth, or angels of Heaven ſave us. Pſal 60.11. Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man, And if man can't ſave us from troubles on earth, then much leſs from the torments of hell. Jer. 3.23. Truly in vain is Salvation hoped for from the hills, or from the multitude of mountains, truly in the Lord our God is the Salvation of Iſrael. By the hills and mountains we may underſtand either
(1.) Their Fortifications which were very ſtrong, by reaſon of the hills and mountains. There were many hills and mountains round about Jeruſalem, which made it very ſtrong. Pſal. 125.2. As the mountains are round about Jeruſalem—And therefore called the hill country. Luk. 1.39. Or
(2.) By the hills and mountains may be underſtood the mighty Kings and Princes of other Nations, that had promiſed them aid and aſſiſtance. Hoſ. 7.11. Hoſ. 5.13. Iſa. 31.1. Or
(3.) The Idols which they worſhipped on the hills and the mountains. Jer. 2.20. Jer. 3.6. 'Tis as much as to ſay, Salvation is to be had from no creatures, from none of the Gods of the Heathen, but only from the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
3. If you would get a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt, know and conſider well, that God maketh a free and general offer of Jeſus Chriſt, and all his ſaving benefits, unto every one that findeth a want of him, and is willing to receive him. I ſay Jeſus Chriſt and Salvation by Chriſt, as all things requiſite to Salvation, is offered freely to every one that findeth the want of him, and is willing to receive him. Rev. 22.17. And let him that is a thirſt come, and whoſoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For opening of this Scripture, let us obſerve.
1. Here is an offer of Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt; Let him take the water of Life. By the water of Life underſtand Jeſus Chriſt, and thoſe ſaving benefits we have by Chriſt? Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, is ſet out by the water of life; For as Chriſt is the bread of life. Joh. 6.48. I am that bread of life. So he is alſo the water of life, and as he is called the bread of life, becauſe he giveth eternal life to thoſe that are pertakers of him. Joh. 6.51, I am the living bread which came down from Heaven, if any man eat of this bread, he ſhall live for ever. So he is called the water of life, becauſe he giveth eternal life to thoſe that are partakers of him, And as Chriſt himſelf is ſignified by the water of life, ſo alſo are his ſaving benefits. Remiſſion of ſins is ſet out by clean water. Ezek. 36.25. I will ſprinkle clean water upon you, and ye ſhall be clean. The Spirit of Chriſt and his ſaving graces, are compared to water. Joh. 7.38, 39. Eternal Life and Salvation is ſet out by Fountains of living waters. Rev. 7.17.
2. The offer of Chriſt and Salvation by Chriſt is general, it is to every one, whoſoever he be that finds his want of him, and is willing to receive him. Let him that is athirſt come, and whoſoever will, let him take the water of life.
3. This general offer of Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, is made upon terms of free grace; Whoſoever will, let him take the water of life freely. And Chriſt with his ſaving benefits being offered to every one that is willing to receive him, he is offered to you, as well as to any other perſon in the world. This free and general offer of Chriſt being a point of very great concernment, I ſhall farther open and prove, that there is a free and general offer of Chriſt, with all his ſaving benefits, to every one that finds a want of him, and is willing to receive him. And that will appear theſe ways.
1, By the command of God for preaching the Goſpel to every creature, Mar. 16.15, 16. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Goſpel to every creature. He that believeth and is Baptized▪ ſhall be ſaved. That is, tell every creature that God ſent his Son into the world to ſave ſinners, and make an offer of Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt to every creature, and tell them that every one that believeth in him, and will be obedient to him, ſhall be ſaved by him. He that believeth and is baptized, ſhall be ſaved. Baptiſm layeth an Obligation upon us, to repent of our ſins, Act. 2.38. Mar. 1.4. and to obey Chriſt, and walk in newneſs of life. Rom. 6.4. And as Chriſt commanded his Goſpel to be preached to every creature, ſo his Apoſtles where ever they came, preached the Goſpel to every creature, young and old, rich and poor, male and female, they made an offer of Chriſt with his ſaving benefits to every creature. Col. 1.23. The hope of the Goſpel which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature, which is under heaven.
2. There is a free and general offer of Chriſt, with all his ſaving benefits, in thoſe gracious invitations that are given to all perſons, in all places, and all ages of the world, to come unto Chriſt for Eternal Life, and all things requiſite to their Salvation. Iſa. 45.23. Look unto me, and be ye ſaved, all the ends of the earth. Be ye ſaved, that is, ye ſhall be ſaved, I will give Salvation if you look to me. And the perſons that are invited to look unto Chriſt for Salvation, are all the ends of the earth, that is, all perſons in all places of the world, from one end of the earth to the other. Mat. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. Here is a general invitation of all that are in a diſtreſſed and burdened condition, and labouring after Life and Salvation to come to him, and he will give them reſt. Iſa. 55.1. Ho! every one that thirſteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no mony, come ye, buy and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk, without mony, and without price Here is a free offer of Chriſt and his benefits, to every one that thirſteth after him, though they have nothing of any worth in them, they may take Chriſt and all his benefits freely, and look on him upon their cloſing with him, as much, and as ſurely their own, as they do look on thoſe things to be their own, which they have bought with their mony.
3. It appeareth from the Types of Chriſt, under the Old Teſtament. I will name three, the Manna, the Rock that gave forth water, the Brazen Serpent. The Manna that fell in the Wilderneſs, was free for all the Iſraelites to gather it and eat it, that found a want of food, and had a deſire to it. Exod. 16.16. This is that which the Lord hath commanded: Gather of it every man according to his eating. We ſee here, it was free for every man to gather this Manna, that fell in the Wilderneſs. This Manna was a Type of Chriſt, Joh. 6.33, 48. and it is as free for every man that findeth his want of Chriſt, and deſireth Salvation by Chriſt, to take Chriſt with all his ſaving benefits, as it was for any Iſraelite to gather the Manna that fell in the Wilderneſs. Joh. 6.50. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not dye. There is a liberty given to any man to take Chriſt, the bread of Life; A man may eat thereof, and not dye. The Rock that gave water to the Iſraelites in the Wilderneſs, was a Type of Chriſt, and it was free for any man that was athirſt to drink of the water that iſſued out of that Rock. 1 Cor. 10.4. And did all drink the ſame Spiritual drink? for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Chriſt. So it is as free for any man that thirſteth after Chriſt and Salvation, to take Chriſt with his ſaving benefits freely, as it was for any Iſraelite to drink of the water of that Rock. Joh. 7.37. If any man thirſt let him come to me and drink. Rev. 22.17. Whoſoever will let him take the water of Life freely. The brazen Serpent was a Type of Chriſt; And it was free for any man that was bitten by a fiery Serpent, to look to the brazen Serpent, and every man that looked up to the brazen Serpent lived. Num. 21.8, 9. And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, make thee a fiery Serpent, and ſet it upon a pole, and it ſhall come to paſs, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it he ſhall live; And Moſes made a Serpent of braſs, and put it upon a pole, and it came to paſs, that if a Serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the Serpent of braſs he lived. So it is free for any man that ſeeth himſelf in a periſhing condition, to look up to Chriſt (who was Typified by this Brazen Serpent) for Salvation, and whoſoever doth look to Chriſt and believe in him, ſhall be ſaved by him. Joh. 3.14, 15. And as Moſes lifted up the Brazen Serpent in the Wilderderneſs, ſo muſt the Son of man be lifted up, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have Eternal Life.
4. There is a free and general offer of Chriſt, with all his ſaving benefits, in the general promiſes, of beſtowing Chriſt and all his ſaving benefits on all perſons whatſoever, that do or ſhall believe in him. Remiſſion of ſins, and Eternal Life (under which are comprehended all the ſaving benefits of Chriſt, are promiſed to all, whoſoever they be that do or ſhall believe on him. Act. 10.43. To him give all the Prophets witneſs, that through his name, whoſoever believeth in him ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins. Joh. 3.16. God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but ſhould have Everlaſting Life.
4. If you would obtain a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt, get the knowledge of the terms on which God is willing to beſtow Chriſt, and his ſaving benefits upon you, and on which Chriſt is willing to beſtow himſelf upon you. By theſe terms I mean, what it is which the Lord Jeſus requireth of thoſe whom he will own for his, and on whom he will beſtow himſelf, and all his ſaving benefits. Theſe terms are briefly comprehended under theſe two heads, Faith and Repentance. They that believe in Chriſt and repent of their ſins, ſhall undoubtedly be made pertakers of Chriſt, and his ſaving benefits; All that believe in Chriſt, ſhall aſſuredly be ſaved by him, Joh. 6.47. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlaſting life. Joh. 3.15. That whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. And ſo ſhall all they that repent of their ſins. Ezek. 30.18. Repent, and turn your ſelves from all your Tranſgreſſions, and ſo iniquity ſhall not be your ruine. All perſons in all nations that repent of their ſins, ſhall, for Chriſts ſake, have remiſſion of their ſins. Luk. 24.47. And that repentance and remiſſion of ſin ſhould be preached in his name, among all Nations, beginning at Jeruſalem. I ſhall briefly ſhew you what Chriſt requireth of thoſe that he will own for his, and to whom he will become a Saviour.
1. That we love and prefer him above Father and Mother, Wife or Children, the neareſt and deareſt Relations we have in the whole world, yea and above our own lives. Luk. 14.26, If any man come to me, and hate not his Father and Mother, and Wife and Children, and Brethren, and Siſters, yea and his own life alſo, he cannot be my Diſciple. Hating Father and Mother &c. is not to be taken in the uſual and proper acceptation of the word; For to hate any man in a proper ſenſe is a great ſin, it is Murder in the ſight of God. 1 Joh. 3.15. Whoſoever hateth his brother is a Murderer, and ye know that no Murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him. And our Lord Jeſus doth not make any ſin to be the condition of becoming his Diſciple; And therefore hating Father and Mother and other Relations, is to be underſtood improperly, for loving Father and Mother, and other Relations, and a mans own life leſs than he loveth Chriſt; So it is explained Gen. 29.30, 31. He loved Rachel more than Leah — And when the Lord ſaw that Leah was hated. We are not to entertain ſuch thoughts of Jacob, as if he hated Leah, for it is not conſiſtent with Gods grace for a man to hate his wife. But the meaning is, Leah was not loved ſo much as Rachel, as it is expreſſed in the former verſe; The meaning of Leah's being hated, is this that Rachel was loved more than Leah: So he that hateth not his Father and Mother, and Wife, and Children, &c. cannot be my Diſciple, that is, he that loveth not me more than his Father and Mother, and all Relations, and his own life, cannot be my Diſciple; and ſo it is explained, Mat. 10.37. He that loveth Father or Mother more than me, is not worthy of me, and he that loveth ſon or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And this is but equal, that we ſhould love Chriſt above all Relations in the world, becauſe he is better than all, he is more amiable, more excellent than Father or Mother, or any other Relations, and he hath done, and will do more for us than Father or Mother, or Wife, or Children can do for us, for he dyed for our ſins, and will ſave our Souls, and that is more than all the men in the world ever did, or can do for us.
2. That we deny our ſelves, and depart from all our ſins. Mar. 8.34. Whoſoever will come after me, let him deny himſelf — There is no being a Diſciple of Chriſt for any man without ſelf-denyal. Now this denying a mans ſelf implyeth,
(1.) That he muſt deny his own ſinful inclinations, and ſinful affections. 2 Tim. 2.19. Let every one that nameth the name of Chriſt, depart from iniquity.
(2.) That he muſt deny himſelf of things in themſelves lawful, when they come in competition with Chriſt. Joh. 3 Epiſt. ver. 7. For his names ſake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. It was lawful for thoſe that taught the Gentiles to receive maintenance from them, for the Lord hath ordained that they that preach the Goſpel ſhould live of the Goſpel: But in ſome ſpecial caſes, where it is more for the honour of Chriſt; theſe perſons ſpoken of by the Apoſtle, would take nothing of the Gentiles.
(3.) We muſt deny our ſelves in Religious duties, and works of Righteouſneſs, not by neglecting them, but theſe two ways.
1. By attributing nothing to our ſelves, but aſcribing all to Chriſt. 1 Cor. 15.10. By the grace of God I am what I am, I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
2. By putting no confidence in any thing that we have done or can do, but placing all our confidence in Chriſt. Phil. 3.3. VVe have no confidence in the fleſh. 1 Joh. 5.14. This is the confidence we have in him.
3. That we take up the Croſs; Mar. 8.34. VVhoſoever will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and take up his Croſs. By taking up the Croſs underſtand a willingneſs to undergo any ſufferings for Chriſt, that we ſhall be called unto, as reproaches, perſecutions, hatred of the world, loſs of liberty, eſtate, yea and life it ſelf. Unleſs we are willing at the call of God to undergo the greateſt, as well as leſſer ſufferings for Chriſt, we cannot be his Diſciples. Luk. 14.33. VVhoſoever he be of you that forſaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my Diſciple. There muſt be a forſaking in affection, and reſolution by every one, and an actual forſaking when they can't be enjoyed without ſinning againſt Chriſt.
4. That we be ruled and governed by him, and yield obedience to him as our Lord, and then we ſhall aſſuredly be ſaved by him. Heb. 5.9. And being made perfect, he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him. Mat. 11.29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye ſhall find reſt unto your ſouls. By taking his yoke upon us is meant ſubmitting to his Government; To be under the yoke ſignifieth, to be under the rule and government of others. 1 Tim. 6.1. Let as many ſervants as are under the yoke count their own maſters worthy of all honour— Under the yoke, that is, under the dominion and rule of others— See alſo Gen. 27.40. where the yoke ſignifieth ſubjection. The Commandements and Ordinances of God are called a yoke. Act. 15.10.
But here ſome may ſay, is it not derogatory to the free grace of God, to ſay that he offers us Chriſt and Salvation upon terms? Doth he not ſay whoever will, let him take of the water of life freely? why then do you ſpeak of terms or conditions in Salvation by Chriſt.
A. 1. To ſpeak of terms or conditions to be performed by thoſe that are juſtified and ſaved by Chriſt, and yet to ſay we are juſtified and ſaved by the free grace of God, and are not at all inconſiſtent each with other: For the Scripture aſſerts that we are juſtified by the free grace of God. Rom. 3.24. Being juſtified freely by his grace, through the Redemption which is in Chriſt Jeſus. Yet the Scripture requireth Faith in Chriſt, and Repentance in order to our obtaining Remiſſion of our ſins. Act. 10.43. and 3.19. The Scripture aſſerts we are ſaved by grace. Eph. 2.8. By grace ye are ſaved— And yet it tells us alſo if we would obtain Salvation we muſt believe in Chriſt. Act. 16.31. And repent of our ſins, and that unleſs we do repent we ſhall ſurely periſh. Luk. 13.3, 5.
2. There are no terms required by way of merit, for it is not poſſible that any man ſhould merit eternal life: If we were able to do all that is required of us, we muſt confeſs our ſelves unprofitable Servants. Luk. 17.10. When ye have done all thoſe things which were commanded you, ſay we are unprofitable ſervants, we have done that which was our duty to do. How much more muſt we confeſs our ſelves unprofitable ſervants, when we come exceeding ſhort in doing our duty. The greateſt Saints are ſo far from meriting Heaven, that they are not worthy of the leaſt of all Gods mercies. Who was a greater or more eminent Saint then Jacob, of whom it is ſaid, as a Prince haſt thau power with God and with men, and haſt prevailed; Gen. 32.28. Yet he confeſſeth himſelf to be unworthy of the very leaſt of all Gods mercies. I am not worthy of the leaſt of all the mercies, and all the truth that thou haſt ſhewed unto thy Servant.
3. It is no derogation to the free grace of God to ſay that God offers Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, upon ſuch terms as theſe, if we will accept him for our Lord and Saviour, if we will believe in him, if we will forſake our ſins, take up our Croſs and follow him. For
(1.) God requires nothing of us, in order to our being partakers of Chriſt, and his ſaving benefits, but what he himſelf will work in us, and beſtow on us, if we ſeek to him. He requires of all that will be ſaved by Chriſt that they believe in him, but this Faith is not of our ſelves, but is given to us by God. Eph. 2.8. By grace ye are ſaved through Faith, and that not of your ſelves, it is the gift of God. He requireth Repentance of all thoſe that will be ſaved by Chriſt. Luk. 13.3. But this Repentance he himſelf will out of his free grace give unto us, if we ſeek to him for it Act. 5.31. and 11.18. He requireth of all that will be ſaved that they obey Chriſt. Mat. 11.29. Heb. 5.9. But of his free grace he hath promiſed, that if we will ſeek to him, he will put his Spirit within us, and cauſe us to walk in his ways. Ezek. 36.27, 37. He requireth that we take up the Croſs, but out of his free grace he gives us to be willing and able to ſuffer for Chriſt. Phil. 1.29. He requireth of us that we endure to the end, and perſevere in Faith and Obedience if we would be ſaved. Mat. 24.13. But he promiſeth out of his free grace to give us perſeverance, by putting his fear into our hearts, that we ſhall not depart from him. Jer. 32.46. He requireth nothing of us, but what he himſelf will work in us and for us, if we ſeek to him. Iſa. 26.12. Lord thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou alſo haſt wrought all our works in us.
(2.) Theſe things that God requireth of us, as terms on which he will give us Chriſt and his ſaving benefits, are not required as was hinted before, by way of merit, to make us worthy of Chriſt, but as ways and means by which the Lord conveys the ſaving benefits of Chriſt to our Souls, and makes us capable of being partakers of Chriſt. As a man that offers one an handfull of Gold, to one whoſe hands are full of Duſt, on condition he will let go the Dirt that is in his hands, without he let it go he can't receive the Gold. Or as a man that offers a Beggar a new garment, on condition he will put off his old ragged garment and put on his new one.
(3.) Thoſe things which I call terms of Salvation, as Faith, Repentance, Suffering for Chriſt, Perſeverance, are all of them benefits and bleſſings purchaſed by Chriſt, as we may ſee if we conſult theſe Scriptures. 2 Pet. 1.1. We obtain Faith through Righteouſneſs of God our Saviour. Repentance is a gift we have by Chriſt. Act. 5.31. And ſuffering grace is purchaſed by Chriſt. Phil. 1.29. And perſeverance. Heb. 10.14. And are all given to the Elect for Chriſts ſake, with the ſame free and rich grace as Chriſt was given for us. Rom. 8.32.
(4.) The Salvation of a ſinner is infinite Mercy, and infinite Grace, on whatever terms he is ſaved. For the torments of Hell, from which he is ſaved, are unſpeakable and eternal torments, and the glory of Heaven, which they ſhall have that are ſaved, is unconceivable glory, and that God againſt whom we have ſinned is an infinite God, and therefore it is infinite mercy and grace in him, to pardon and ſave a ſinner, on whatever terms he be ſaved.
5. Accept of Chriſt for your Lord and Saviour, and you ſhall aſſuredly have a ſaving intereſt in him. By accepting Chriſt, I mean theſe two things.
1. The conſent of our wills to have Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, on the terms on which God offers him to us in the Goſpel.
2. A relyance on Chriſt, and truſting in Chriſt for all his ſaving benefits. By our conſenting to have Chriſt, as God offers him to us, and our truſting in him, he becomes ours and we become his; Chriſt is the gift of God. Joh. 4.10. And what makes a gift ours, but an offer on his part that hath power to diſpoſe of the gift, and acceptance on his part to whom the gift is offered, on the conditions on which it is tendered to him. All that receive or accept Chriſt on the terms on which God offers him, have upon their receiving Chriſt this priviledge conferred upon them, to be the children of God. Joh. 1.12. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. As the Shechemites by conſenting to the terms of Union and Commerce, ſhould have become one people with the houſe of Jacob, and greatly enriched themſelves, if the ſons of Jacob had dealt truly with them. Gen. 34.22, 23. OnelyOnly herein will the men conſent unto us, for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumoiſed, as they are circumciſed. Shall not their cattel, and their ſubſtance, and every beaſt of theirs be ours? OnelyOnly let us conſent to them, and they will dwell with us. So upon our conſenting to have Chriſt as God offers him to us, we ſhall have Union and Communion with Chriſt. We ſhall become one with Chriſt, and he will dwell with us, and his blood ſhall be ours, to waſh away our ſins, and every benefit that he hath purchaſed with his blood ſhall be ours, only let us conſent to have him as God offers him to us in the Goſpel. There may be a treaty about Marriage, a propoſal of terms, a woing a long time, but 'tis a mutual conſenting and engaging each to other, that makes the Marriage Union; So it is in our Union with Chriſt, there may be frequent offers, an earneſt woing, but it is conſenting that makes the match between us and Chriſt. When we conſent to accept of him, he will beſtow himſelf and all his benefits upon us. Rev. 3.20. Behold I ſtand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him, and ſup with him, and he with me. Chriſt ſtanding at the door and knocking, ſignifieth the offers of grace that he makes to us in the Goſpel. He offereth himſelf to us to be our Saviour, to ſave us from eternal miſery, and is very earneſt with us to receive and embrace him, when we accept of him for our Lord and Saviour, and conſent to the terms on which he offers Salvation to us, then we hear his voice, and open the door, and then he will beſtow himſelf, and all his benefits upon us, which is meant by his coming in and ſupping with us, and taking us to ſup with him.
But here ſome may ſay, are not men willing to have Chriſt for their Lord and Saviour, and to be ſaved by him in his own way.
Anſ. No, all men are not willing to have Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, on the terms of the Goſpel. There are very few that are willing to receive Chriſt on the terms of the Goſpel; Moſt men either neglect or reject him. Iſa. 53.3. He is deſpiſed and rejected of men. They are ſo few that regard the offers of grace in the Goſpel, that they ſeem as none at all, compared to the multitude of thoſe that neglect and reject thee. Prov. 1.24. I have called, and ye refuſed, I have ſtretched out my hand, and no man regarded. Even among thoſe that profeſs themſelves the people of God, and are accounted Gods Iſrael, there are many that will not accept of Chriſt for their Lord and Saviour. Pſal. 81.11. My people would not hearken to my voice; Iſrael would none of me. It had not been ſuch matter of admiration, to have heard the Lord ſay, Moab would none of me, or Egypt would none of me, but here this charge brought in againſt Iſrael: Iſrael would none of me, that may ſtartle us, and make us look well to our ſelves, that we be not found guilty of rejecting Chriſt as well as Iſrael. Moſt men are ſo wedded to the world, and to their luſts and own evil ways, that though Chriſt offer them all the joys of Heaven, if they will accept him for their Lord and Saviour, yet they will not come to him, though thereby they might have eternal life. Joh. 5.40. And ye will not come to me that ye might have life. And though moſt men would be willing to be ſaved by Chriſt when they dye, if they might have Salvation in their own way, namely, if they might live in their envy, enjoy their hearts luſts, and be ſaved from hell torments when they dye, yet they are not willing to accept of Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, in his way, and upon his terms; They are unwilling to have him for their Lord to rule over them: They ſay in their hearts, Luk. 19.14. We will not have this man to reign over us. They are unwilling to forſake their ſins, and turn from their evil ways, though thereby through Chriſt they might eſcape Eternal Death, and obtain Eternal Life. Ezek. 33.11. I ſhall therefore add ſome motives to accept of Chriſt, upon the terms offered in the Goſpel.
1. Jeſus Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt, is worthy of all acceptation upon any terms whatſoever. 1 Tim. 1.15. This is a faithfull ſaying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Chriſt Jeſus came into the world to ſave ſinners. This Salvation is worthy of all acceptation, that is, to be accepted by all men, with all readineſs of mind yea with all thankfulneſs, without objecting againſt the terms on which this Salvation is offered to us. How readily would a blind man accept of his ſight, a condemned man accept of a pardon, a poor man accept of riches, a dying man accept of life? Chriſt is all theſe and more, and yet ſhall we be unwilling to accept of Chriſt? If we receive him, he will open our blind eyes, he will give unſearchable riches to thoſe that are poor, a pardon to them that are condemned, life to them that are in a dying condition, Salvation to them that are loſt.
2. The Lord thinks nothing to much, nothing to great, nothing to good to give to, and do for thoſe that accept of his Son. If we will accept of his Son for our Lord and Saviour, he will give us himſelf for our God and Father, and will beſtow this wonderfull priviledge upon us to be his Sons. Joh. 1.12. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. And what a great, what an amazing priviledge is this, that ſuch poor, ſuch worthleſs creatures, ſuch ſinfull creatures as we are ſhould be called the Sons of God. 1 Joh. 3.1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath beſtowed upon us, that we ſhould be called the Sons of God? If we accept of his Son for our Lord and Saviour, he will beſtow his Kingdom upon us. Our Lord Jeſus ſpeaking to his little Flock that did accept him for their Shepherd, and yield up themſelves to be led, ruled and governed by him, tells them it was their Fathers good pleaſure to give them his Kingdom. Luk. 12.32. Fear not little Flock, it is your Fathers good pleaſure to give you the Kingdom. And what a great, unexpreſſible, unconceivable gift is this, that God ſhould give us his Kingdom; What greater, what better things hath God to give, than to give us Himſelf for our God, and his Kingdom for our Inheritance? If we will accept of Chriſt for our Lord and Saviour, the Lord will with him give us all good things freely. Rom. 8.32. He that ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how ſhall he not with him freely give us all things. 1 Cor. 3.21, 22, 23. All things are yours — all are yours, and ye are Chriſts.
3. There is nothing in Chriſt but what is deſireable, and worthy of all acceptation. Cant. 5.16. He is altogether lovely. What the Apoſtle ſaith of every creature; 1 Tim. 4.4. Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refuſed, if it be received with Thanks giving. I may ſay of Chriſt: Every thing of Chriſt is good, and nothing to be refuſed, but Chriſt, and all that belongs to Chriſt, is to be received with Thankſgiving. That which moſt men ſtumble at in Chriſt, is his Croſs, they hear that if any man will live Godly in Chriſt Jeſus, he muſt ſuffer Perſecution, but if we rightly underſtood the advantages of ſufferings for Chriſt, we ſhould eſteem the Croſs of Chriſt above all the treaſures of the richeſt Kingdom in the World. Heb. 11.25, 26. As ſhall be ſhewen more fully afterward.
4. The terms on which Jeſus Chriſt with all his ſaving benefits is offered to us, are reaſonable, beneficial, advantagious terms, better than thou thy ſelf couldſt have made for thy ſelf, if God had left it to thine own contrivance, better than all the Angels of Heaven could have made for thee. All the terms propoſed by God, on performance whereof we ſhall enjoy Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt for ever, are real and eminent benefits, and have a ſingular worth and excellency in them, as may appear if we conſider all the terms required to our enjoyment of Salvation by Chriſt. As
(1.) Faith. That is a moſt precious grace, more worth than the whole World. 2 Pet. 1.1.
(2.) Repentance. There is ſuch an excellency in Repentance, that all the Angels of God rejoyce when any one ſinner is brought to Repentance. Luk. 15.10.
(3.) Taking up the Croſs. This is an honour, and matter of great joy to be called to ſuffer for Chriſt. Act. 5.41. The trying of our Faith with croſſes, is much more precious than all the Gold in the World. 1 Pet. 1.7.
(4.) Serving and obeying Chriſt. It is a greater honour to be a Servant of Chriſt, than to be the greateſt King in the World. For Kings are Honoured only by men, but the Servants are Honoured by God. Joh. 12.26. If any man ſerve me, him will my Father Honour.
6. If you would have a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt, as you muſt accept him for your Lord and Saviour, ſo you muſt give your ſelf to Chriſt to be his. Cant. 2.16. My beloved is mine and I am his. We muſt become his, if we would have him for ours. If we do in truth of heart give up our ſelves to Chriſt to be his, he will aſſuredly become ours, and we ſhall be ſaved by him. Iſa. 63.8. For he ſaid, ſurely they are my people, children that will not lye, ſo he became their Saviour. Children that will not lye, that is, that do not diſſemble in their hearts when they gave themſelves to me, that will not deal diſloyally with me, and there upon, when they in truth of heart gave themſelves to the Lord, he became their Saviour. As the Prophet ſaid to the woman, with whom he made a contract. Hoſ. 3.4. Thou ſhalt abide for me many days, thou ſhalt not play the harlot, thou ſhalt not be for another man, ſo will I alſo be for thee. The like contract is Chriſt willing to make with us, if we will become his Servants and abide for him, and not be for the world or our ſelves, ſo he will be for us, and will be our Saviour. We muſt imitate the Churches of Macedonia, of whom it is ſaid, They gave their own ſelves unto the Lord. 2 Cor. 8.5. And why ſhould we ſtick at this? He gave himſelf to death for us. Tit. 2.14. Who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity— And ſhall not we give our ſelves to him, that we may have Life and Salvation by him? How or which way can we beſtow our ſelves better, than to give our ſelves to Chriſt, who ſo loved us, as to waſh us from our ſins in his own blood? What Maſter can we ſerve, that is like Chriſt? But ſome may ſay, How ſhould we give our ſelves to Chriſt, ſo as he will receive and accept us?
1. Give thy ſelf to Chriſt with judgment and underſtanding. Know and underſtand what it is to give thy ſelf to Chriſt to be his. It is to joyn thy ſelf to Chriſt, to love him, and ſerve him, and to be one of his ſervants. Iſa. 56.6. Alſo the Sons of the ſtranger, that joyn themſelves to the Lord, to ſerve him, and love the name of the Lord, to be his ſervants,— If thou wilt give thy ſelf to Chriſt to be his, thou muſt no longer be thy own, to live to thy ſelf, and to follow thine own will, or do that which is right in thine own eyes, or to go in the way of thine own heart. 1 Cor. 6.19. Ye are not your own— 2 Cor 5.15. He dyed for all, that they which live, ſhould not henceforth live unto themſelves, but unto him that dyed for them. If thou wilt give thy ſelf to Chriſt, thou muſt not be the Worlds. Joh. 15.19. Ye are not of the World, but I have choſen you out of the world. And therefore being not of the world, you muſt not ſet your hearts upon the World, nor the things of the World. 1 Joh. 2.15. Love not the world, nor the things of the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Neither muſt we be conformable to the world. Rom. 12.2. And be not conformed to this world— Neither muſt we be Servants to ſin or Satan any longer, if we would be the Servants of Chriſt. Mat. 6.24. No man can ſerve two Maſters—
2. Count your coſt before you give your ſelf to Chriſt, to be one of his Servants and Diſciples. Conſider what it may coſt you to be a Diſciple, a Servant of Chriſt, and ſee whether you are willing to engage with Chriſt, under all thoſe hazards and troubles, and difficulties that you may meet with in your way to Heaven. I will tell you what coſt you muſt count upon; You muſt count upon loſing the love and good will of the world, and to be hated of all men for Chriſts ſake. Luk. 21.17. Ye ſhall be hated of all men for my names ſake. You muſt count upon many troubles. Joh. 16.33. In the world ye ſhall have Tribulation. Act. 14.22. We muſt through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. You muſt count upon all ſorts of perſecutions, reproaches, confiſcation of goods, impriſonment, baniſhment, &c. 2 Tim. 3.12. Yea, and all that will live Godly in Chriſt Jeſus ſhall ſuffer perſecution. You muſt count upon forſaking Friends, Eſtate, Liberty and Life, all that you have, if you will be a Diſciple of Chriſt. Luk. 14.33. Whoſoever he be of you that forſaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my Diſciple. Are you willing to be at all this coſt to be a Diſciple of Chriſt? If ſo, then he will embrace you for one of his. It is Chriſts own advice, that we ſhould count our coſt, before we engage in his ways. Luk. 14.28, 29, 30. For want of this, many that fall in with the ways of Chriſt in a day of peace and proſperity, fall off when trouble and perſecution ariſeth for the Goſpels ſake.
3. Give your ſelves freely and willingly to Chriſt. Let it be your choice after you have weighed and conſidered all things, whether it will be beſt for you to give your ſelf to Chriſt, or to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon, and to purſue this preſent World; For if it be our own choice, then it is moſt likely that we ſhall ſtick and cleave to Chriſt. Pſal. 119.30, 31. I have choſen the way of truth— I have ſtuck unto thy Teſtimonies. As in giving Alms to the poor, we ſhould give freely, willingly, chearfully, not grudgingly, or out of neceſſity becauſe we can't avoid giving ſomething. 2 Cor. 9.7. Every man according as he propoſeth in his heart, ſo let him give, not grudgingly, or of neceſſity, for God loveth a chearfull giver. So much more in giving our ſelves to Chriſt, we ſhould not give our ſelves to Chriſt grudgingly, or out of neceſſity, but out of choice, becauſe it is beſt for us to be Chriſts, willingly and chearfully, for in this as well as in other caſes, God loveth a chearfull giver.
4. Engage your ſelves to Chriſt, by Covenant to be his, wholly his, only his, his for ever. It is ſaid of Jehojada, 2 King. 11.17. Jehojada made a Covenant between the Lord and the King, and the People, that they ſhould be the Lords people. So ſhould we make a covenant with Chriſt, that we will be his people, and that we will be his for ever. We ſhould joyn our ſelves to Chriſt by covenant, and this covenant ſhould be an everlaſting covenant. Jer. 50.5. Come and let us joyn our ſelves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant, that ſhall not be forgotten. We ſhould engage our ſelves to Chriſt to be wholly his; 2 Chron. 15.18. And they entered into a Covenant to ſeek the Lord God of their Fathers, with all their heart, and with all their ſoul. And to be only his. Pſal. 62.5. My Soul wait thou only upon God— Mat. 4.10. Him only ſhalt thou ſerve. This engaging our ſelves to Chriſt by covenant is very acceptable to God, and beneficial to our ſelves. It is ſo acceptable to God that it is a means of turning away his wrath, when his anger is kindled againſt us. 2 Chron. 29.10. Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Iſrael, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. And it is very beneficial to our ſelves, many ways, I will inſtance only in two.
(1.) It will more ſtrongly oblige us to adhere to Chriſt when we have obliged our ſelves to be his, in an everlaſting covenant.
(2.) It will be a good evidence and teſtimony that Chriſt is ours and we are his, when we find that we have choſen him for our Lord, and obliged our ſelves to him to be his by covenant. Pſal. 119.30, 94. I have choſen the way of truth—I am thine. Pſal. 16.2. O my Soul! thou haſt ſaid unto the Lord, thou art my Lord. Iſa. 44.5. One ſhall ſay I am the Lords—and another ſhall ſubſcribe with his hand unto the Lord— When they made covenants to be the Lords People, ſometimes they that entered into covenant ſubſcribed their hands to their covenants. Neh. 9.38.
7. If we would be made partakers of Chriſt and his ſaving benefits, after we have received Chriſt as God offers him in the Goſpel, and have given up our ſelves to Chriſt to be his, we muſt continue and abide with him all the days of our lives; we muſt continue in his word and in his ways, we muſt continue believing in, loving, and obeying the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and walking in his ways; For if we abide in the Doctrine of Chriſt, if we continue to believe in, love, ſerve and obey Chriſt, he will own us for his, and we ſhall aſſuredly be made pertakers of Chriſt, and all his ſaving benefits. To aſſure us of this, let us conſult ſuch Scriptures as theſe. Joh. 2d. Epiſt. ver. 9. He that abideth in the Doctrine of Chriſt, he hath both the Father and the Son. Joh. 8.30, 31. As he ſpake theſe words many believed on him. Then ſaid Jeſus to thoſe Jews that believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my Diſciples indeed. Heb. 3.14. For we are made pertakers of Chriſt, if we hold the beginning of our confidence ſtedfaſt to the end. That is, if after we have begun to believe, we continue ſtedfaſt in the Faith of Chriſt to the end of our days, we ſhall certainly be partakers of Chriſt. And becauſe it is a difficult thing to abide with Chriſt, and continue walking in his ways, when troubles and perſecutions ariſe for the Goſpels ſake, I will give you ſome encouragements to continue with Chriſt in an hour of temptation.
1. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt will greatly reward our fidelity in continuing with him in his temptations, and will aſſuredly give us eternal life. Luk. 22.28, 29, 30. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations, &c. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt obſerveth who they are that reject him, and who they are that continue with him in his temptations, and he takes it very kindly from us, when we continue with him in an hour of temptation. He ſpeaks it to his Diſciples commendation — Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And ſee how he rewards their fidelity in adhering to him in a time of trouble. He promiſeth to give them no leſs reward than a Kingdom; I appoint unto you a Kingdom: And in that Kingdom they ſhall have joy unſpeakable and full of glory, and Royal dignity. That ye may eat and drink at my Table. It is a great honour to ſet with the King at his Table, that we ſhall not only ſet at the Table where Angels ſit, but at Chriſts Table. Not that there is eating and drinking in a proper ſenſe in Heaven, but in as much as there is delight in eating and drinking, (Iſa. 55.2. Eat that which is good, and let your Soul delight it ſelf in fatneſs) eſpecially what is ſet on Kings Tables, by theſe expreſſions is hinted to us, that ſuch ſhall enter into the joy of their Lord. And beſides their unſpeakable joys, they ſhall have royal dignity conferred on them, and ſit on Thrones— See ſome other Scriptures to this purpoſe. Mat. 24.13. But he that ſhall endure to the end, the ſame ſhall be ſaved. In the foregoing verſes the Lord Jeſus foretells great National calamities, Wars, and Peſtilences, and Famine, ver. 7. And great perſecutions againſt his Members. ver. 9. Then ſhall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and ſhall kill you, and ye ſhall be hated of all Nations for my names ſake. And then tells us that when ſuffering days come, many will be offended and prove treacherous. ver. 10. But to encourage us to continue faithfull to the death, he aſſureth us that whoſoever endureth to the end of his life in times of trouble, and perſevereth in Faith and Holineſs, the ſame ſhall be ſaved. But he that endureth to the end the ſame ſhall be ſaved. And if we may but obtain the Salvation of our Souls, whatever we looſe, whatever we ſuffer for the obtaining the crown of glory, we ſhall be happy for ever. Rev. 2.10. Fear none of thoſe things which thou ſhalt ſuffer. Behold the Devil ſhall caſt ſome of you into Priſon, that ye may be tryed, and ye ſhall have Tribulation ten days, be thou faithfull unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
2. Abide with Chriſt in an hour of temptation, and he will abide with you; Joh. 15.4. Abide in me, and I in you. And if Chriſt will abide in us and with us, we need not be troubled though all that we have be taken from us, for Chriſt is better than all the World. If Chriſt abide with us, we need not fear though all the World be ſet againſt us. Pſal. 118.6. The Lord is on my ſide, I will not fear; what man can do unto me! If Chriſt abide with us, the Conſolation of Iſrael abideth with us, yea all good abideth with us.
3. Abide with Chriſt, and you ſhall become powerfull and prevalent in Prayer, and ſhall bring forth much fruit. Joh. 15.5, 7. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the ſame bringeth forth much fruit. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye ſhall ask what ye will, and it ſhall be done unto you. This is a large grant, Ye ſhall ask what ye will, and it ſhall be done unto you. We muſt underſtand it of ſuch things as are agreable to the will of God, ſuch things as are for the glory of God, ſuch things as are conſiſtent with our eternal welfare, when our will is thus regulated, we may ask what we will, and it ſhall be done for us. And is not this a great encouragement to abide in Chriſt, that we ſhall be ſo powerfull in Prayer, as even to obtain what we will from him?