The Fountain Opened, Part 1 · Doctrine 4
DOCTRINE IV. The great deſign of Opening this fountain to G… People, is for Sin, and for Uncleanneſs.
THis is directly expreſſed in our T… There are three things mainly inc… ed in this Doctrine: viz.
1. That it was the ſin and uncleanneſs of …, that gave the occaſion for the opening this Fountain.
2. That the great uſefulneſs of this Foun…n, is for the taking away of the ſin and …cleanneſs that man hath contracted.
3. That where this Fountain is ſavingly …plied, it ſhall take away the Sin and Un…anneſs of the People of God. Theſe then …ay be briefly, and yet diſtinctly taken into …ſideration.
1. That it was the ſin and uncleanneſs of man, … gave the occaſion for the Opening of th…s …tain. We muſt here diſtinguiſh between cauſe and an occaſion. They go too far, he aſſign a Cauſality in ſin to the coming … Chriſt in the Fleſh, and his working out … Salvation for us: for though, as will anon … conſidered, if it had not been for this, he …d not ſo come, yet there cannot properly … aſſigned any cauſality in this to ſuch an …ect: and they who ſo think, do not rightly …ſider the order and cauſes of Gods Works … Efficiency. They that aſcribe a cauſality … it, reckon it to be an impulſive cauſe, or a …otive on the mind of God to ſend his Son …to the world on this Errand: but that it …annot be, becauſe the will of God is the ſu…ream cauſe of his purpoſing the works of Efficiency. And as the Glory of his Grace was the laſt end of his purpoſe of Election, … the fall of man into ſin, and under miſ… by ſin, was a purpoſed Medium to it, and … could not poſſibly be a Medium to that … poſe. However in the contrivance of … Media, there was an allwiſe concatenat… of one with another, and ſo the ſin and … cleanneſs of man gave occaſion for the … ming of Chriſt. And we may take this ſ… account of it.
1. That God purpoſed from Eternity to … the glory of his Grace, in ſome laſting M… ments of it. If we would take a right … count of any of Gods works, we muſt … gin at the end or Deſign of them. We … to conceive of God as an Infinitely Wiſe g…nt, and therefore to have ſome worthy … in all that he doth: and according to … we are to conceive of the wiſdom appear… in the means that he uſeth to bring this … about: Now God hath declared or manife… ed himſelf to us in divers glorious Attribu… or Perfections, by which he will make hi… ſelf known; two whereof were his Gr… and his Mercy, which are often uſed pro… cuouſly for one and the ſame in the Goſp… when they are referred to the great deſ… under our preſent conſideration, though th… is a divers notion which we are to enterta… of them; Grace being God Inclined fre… to beſtow his favour upon a Creature that … ſerves it n…; Mercy ſuppoſing the Subject … in miſery, is God inclined to ſuccour it in …at miſery. Grace may exert it ſelf in a ſubject that is not in miſery; yea, all that …od doth for any of his Creatures is free▪ …ence that challenge, Rom 11. 35. Who hath … given to him, and it ſhall be recompenſed him again. Mercy is reſtrained to a miſerable ſubject; and that mercy alſo is a fruit of Grace, becauſe it is free, for the Creatures infelicity cannot make it to deſerve the Succour afforded it. Now God would have ſome laſt… Monuments of theſe perfections of his, which ſhould for ever be Mirrours in which … ſhould be read, how gloriouſly Gracious and …ciful he is. The Apoſtle therefore reduc…th the great contrivance of mans Salvation to this, Eph. 1. 6. To the praiſe of the glory of his Grace. His people are therefore ſaid to be to …m for a Name, and for a Praiſe, and for a Glory, Jer. 13. 11.
2. In the order of the means to this end, there was nothing wherein God deſigned the exaltation of this Grace and Mercy, equally with that of Chriſt in reſpect of his Redemption and Salvation. He that deſigns an end, muſt chuſe and uſe means for the bringing of it about; and many times there is an order of many means for the accompliſhment of that which is intended; and in this order there is a ſubordination of them …e to another, in their ſerving … the deſign of them …nd this is very manifeſt in the wonderful counſel of … the exaltation of … glory of …is Grace and Mercy. Now, as … way in which God choſe to glorify theſe … fections of his, was by the Redemption and S… vation of man, in and by which man was … be made the monument of them; ſo he … pointed Jeſus Chriſt to be the Redeemer a… Saviour, in which he had a regard to Chri… Mediatorial Glory: Chriſt therefore tells us, J… 5. 22, 23. The Father Judgeth no man, but … committed all Judgment unto the Son; that … men ſhould honour the Son, even as they hono…r … Father. The perſon of Chriſt, conſidered … God and man, was a great Medium in … af…air; and for that reaſon he is called a … diator, or a middle perſon, 1 Tim. 2. 5. … is one Mediator between God and man, the … Chriſt Jeſus. God therefore conſtituted … to be ſuch a perſon, that ſo in and throu… him, this rich Grace▪ of his might ſhi…e fo… … to all eternity; and for that reaſon we are … to be choſen in him for this end; Eph. 1. 4. … 6▪ According as he hath choſen us in him, &c. … the praiſe of the glory of his Grace. And th… wherein this Glory was to be illuſtrated … in the Redemption which he was to work … by which our Salvation was to be proc…ed, … the conferring of this purchaſed Salvation up… us by him hence that, Verſe 7. In whom w… … Redemption through his blood. And indeed, … nothing co… the Grace of God, ſo illuſtriou… …ppear, as … the appointing o… his own▪ Son t… … a Redeemer for man, when his caſe was …duced to that exigence, that in no other way … could be Saved; Joh. 2. 16 God ſo loved the World, that he gave his only begotton So…. Rom. 5. 6. When we were without ſtrength, in due time Chriſt dyed for the ungodly.
3. That way might be made for this, there muſt … a ſubject for it to work upon▪ which needed this Redemption and Salvation. A Redeemer, and Redeeme… are Correlates, and one cannot be without the other: This is a Relative Title, and …refore if there had been nothing to Re…m, Chriſt could never have born that Title … him: Redemption ſuppoſeth a forfeiture, … captivity, which the ſubject which is to par…ake in it, is fallen under, and from whence his …eceſſity of being redeemed doth ariſe, in that … is by this means to be reſtored from it. … is true, there are other ways among men, by which ſuch an one may be delivered, viz. …ither by a free ſetting him at liberty without any ſatisfaction made, by the bounty of the Creditour, or by a forcible recovery of him out of the hands of thoſe that hold him; but this is one way, and the only one in the caſe before us; viz. by the laying down of an indented price, or by an exchange of perſons, to …oth of which the caſe in hand is referred, 1▪ Cor. 6. 20. Ye are bought with a price 1 Tim. 2. 6. Who gave himſelf a ranſom for…s. Gal 3. 13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the Curſe o… … Law, being made a Curſe for us. Hence … appointing of Chriſt to be a Redeemer, ha… reſpect to mans fa…ing into ſuch a condition… … made him to ſtand▪ in need of one; w… neceſſity was another Medium for the … feſtation of this Grace and Mercy.
4. That which was to enhau…ce this Mercy … the forlorn ſtate of the ſubject, and his helpleſ… … out of it, in any other way. The more there … of Grace and Mercy in it, the more are th… Attributes glorified by it: hence every circu… ſtanc… in this affair belongs to the … The more of unworthineſs there is in the … ject, the greater is the Grace afforded to … and this Grace alſo holds proportion with … greatneſs of the kindneſs it ſelf that is done … it. The more miſerable the ſubject is, … more a…oniſhing is that mercy which Succo… it; and the more ample deliverance it afford… the greater is its praiſe: and that which giv… a peculiar luſtre to both of theſe is when t… ſubject is brought into ſuch a ſtreight, th… there is but one door at which its help c… come in; when there is no other poſſib… way of relief, and then that affords it; we a… therefore acquainted how all theſe circumſta… ces concent…ed in the caſe before us: ho… miſerable we were become, how unworth… we had rendred our ſelves (who indeed neve… had any me…torious worthineſs in us) may b… read in the word of God: and that …r condition was helpleſs, if Chriſt had not ſtept in for our Succo…; is there alſo witneſſed to; we a… …old, Acts 4. 12. Neither▪ is there Salvation in … …ther, for there is no other name under heaven, gi… amongſt men, whereby we muſt …e Saved: a… we have that remark, Iſa. 59. 16. He ſaw that there was no man, and he wondred that ther… … …o interceſ…o…r, therefore his arm br…ht ſalvation unto him, &c. This therefore is given as a great commendation of Chriſt, Pſal▪ 7…. …. H… ſhall deliver the poor, …nd him that hath … … And God himſelf mentions this as a …morable thing, Ezek. 16. 5, 6▪ None eye pitie … … and when I paſſed by thee and ſaw th… … in thy blood, I ſaid unto thee, live.
5. Way was made unto t…s by that ſin and … …neſs that man had contracted to himſelf. It is certain, that the abounding of ſin, made the way for the abounding of this Grace, Rom. 5. 20. Man indeed, had he kept his pri…itive integrity, would have been a ſ…bject of Gods Grace; every thing that he received from God would have been a free favour: but Grace is wonderfully enlarged in and by the Salvation which is provided for and afforded to fallen and ſinful man: and as to Mercy▪ in the ſtrict ſenſe of it, man was not a ſubject …xtly capable of it, till ſin had made him ſo; he was not miſerable, nor was there any diſtreſs upon him which called for ſuccour and compaſſion. It was ſin that hurled him▪ into all his inconveniencies, and thoſe miſchiefs that now ly upon him, and have hi… in purſuit. We are therefore acquainted ho… this came about, Rom. 5. 12. By one man … came into the world, and death by ſin. … now, when man is brought into ſuch a ſtate he is a ſubject fit for Grace and Mercy to work upon, and erect to themſelves trophies of honour and glory, in doing for him, by raiſing him out of that …orlorn condition, and beſtowing upon him the contrary bleſſedneſs. Not as if this miſerable eſtate which man ha… by his own folly brought himſelf into, laid any obligation upon God to work for him i… this way; for it indeed expoſed him to his ju… indignation: but only that it laid open an Object that needed it, and upon which, if h… ſaw meet, he might exert thoſe Attributes of his to the higheſt, and thereby bring to himſelf a Tribute of everlaſting praiſe. When therefore Paul had mentioned how notable a ſubject he had been of this, he could not bu… ſhut up the diſcourſe of it with that Doxology, 1 Tim. 1. 17. Now unto the King Eternal… Immortal, Inviſible, the only wiſe God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever, Amen.
6. There were divers steps to this, all of which were ordered by the holy counſel of God. Every thing that bears the conſideration of a Medium to this great end, muſt needs be acknowledged unto Gods fore appointment; for all things fall out according to the counſel of his will: and though he is not in any reſpect to be accounted the author of ſin, yet he is the Supream Orderer of it, and that according to his permiſſive will. Now there were ſuch ſteps as theſe, all of which made way for the introduction of this Grace and Mercy of his.
1. The Creating of man Upright. That God did ſo Create him, we are told, Eccleſ. 7. 29. God made man upright… Adam was Created in a ſtate of integrity, which conſiſted in the rectitude of his nature, by vertue of the Concreated principle of Holineſs and Righteouſneſs which was put into it; and was called Gods own Image after which man was made, Ge…. 1. 26. &c. And if he had not been thus made he could not have been capable of the following tranſactions that were betwixt God and him: for to require that of a Creature which it was never in a capacity of complying withal, had been unworthy of Gods infinite wiſdom, and altogether inconſiſtent with that Juſtice which God laid the foundation for, in the nature and ſtate that he Created man in.
2. The Covenant of Works, and the Sanctions of it. That there was ſuch a Covenant plighted with man, the Word of God gives us ſufficient intimations of: and as it was requiſite that man ſhould be a cauſe by Counſel of his own actions, or elſe he could not have, been treated with in the way of a Cove… which ſuppoſeth a mutual …ipulation betwee… the perſons Covenanting; ſo the works … quired of him in that Covenant, could … have been performed by him according to the tenour of it, without the moral rectitude of … nature, which we have taken notice of. No… in this Covenant there are conſiderable … Sanctions of it, but for which man could no… have been happy or miſerable according to … and his carriage of himſelf towards it. Go… therefore, beſides a Rule which he gave … man di…cting him how he might ſerve hi… aright, annexed a promiſe of life in caſe … Obedience full, and perfect, and threatne… him with death i… …e ſhould tranſgreſs the precept; which is intimated in that, Gen. … 17. In the day that thou eateſt thereof thou ſha… ſurely dy; and thus man, under the firſt Covenant, ſtood a proba…ioner for life or death according as he ſhould behave himſelf.
3. The permiſſion of him to fall That ma… did eventually fall from his Rule and Happineſs, is a thing very notorious. That this … was a foil on which God …rew the lines, and laid the colours o… his Grace and Mercy, is no leſs obſervable in the Word of God: henc… that, Rom 5. 20 21. The Law entred that ſi… might abound; but where ſin abounded, Gra… did much more abound: that as ſin hath … unto death, even ſo might grace reign through righ▪ teouſneſs … eternal life, through Jeſus Chriſt … Lord. And that God had a reſpect unto … in appointing Chriſt to be a Redeemer and Saviour, is not to be doubted, inaſmuch … this was the very thing from which he was …o redeem and ſave us: this therefore is ſaid to commend that Grace, Rom. 5. 8. God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were … ſinners, Chriſt died for us. God therefore muſt needs have a foreſight of this Apoſtaſy, becauſe the aſſignation of Chriſt to his Media…al Offices had a reſpect to it; and that man had not …allen but by Divine Permiſſion, is certain: for God could have kept him from it, without offering force to his free will, as he did the glorious Angels that keep their Station, as he doth the perfected Saints in Glory, and as he doth true Believ…rs in this life from final Apoſtaſy; and this Permiſſion muſt needs flow from his will, be…auſe he is the Supream Governour of all Creatures, and all their actions, according to is holy pleaſure. Hence, though God doth …ot approve of, but hateth ſin, yet he ſaw it …ood, for an higher end, that there ſhould …e ſin by his Permiſſion.
4 The miſerable …ſtate to which he is reduced the fall, by vertue of the Curſe of the Law … man had retained his uprightn…ſs, he had ever been miſerable, and ſo had not ſtood … need of Mercy, but all miſeries are contained in that Curſe which man is under by … ſon of ſin and uncleanneſs: and they are … other than what he muſt righteouſly ſuffer▪ … there be no way of delivery from them; … as much as he hath procured them to himſelf his ſin, Jer. 2. 17. Now this miſery was a … per reſult of the threatning conditionally … …aced in the firſt Covenant, which the … brought himſelf under, by tranſgreſſing of … Law▪ which was ſo guarded.
7. Hence, if man had not by his ſin and … cleanneſs involved himſelf in that miſery, t… had been no occaſion for this fountains being pr… red and opened. There was no Mediator in … firſt Covenant, neither needed there a… God and man were in a…ity, and this frie… ſhip had been confirmed between them up… mans entire conformity to the will of G… and been ſealed up to him, upon his ea… of the tree of life, which was a Sacra…ent … it. But now when the Covenant was vi… …ed, man was expoſed, the Curſe was fa… upon him, he was a man of death, there … an opportunity for Gods ſhewing himſelf … …iful and gracious; and for the diſplay o… … to ſend forth his Son to be a Saviour; … for that end to cauſe all fulneſs … dwell in … that might derive from him to the un… creature, as from a Fountain. And this … to give us ſome light into the ſtupen… myſtery of the Providence of God, in … ing of poor man to fall upon the Law, and …eak himſelf in pieces; but for which the glorious things of Chriſt had never been heard of in the world.
2. That the great uſefulneſs of this Fountain, is to take away the Sin and Uncleanneſs which man had contracted. It is certain that Chriſt is a fountain of all Saving good to ſinful man, as hath been already obſerved: but the Spirit of God doth point us here to ſome peculiar benefit, that it was deſigned for, and for that reaſon do require our particular conſideration of. Here then we may enquire;
1. What we are here to underſtand by Sin, and Uncleanneſs?
2. In what reſpect Sin and Uncleanneſs may be ſaid to be taken away?
3. What is the uſefulneſs of this Fountain for ſuch an end?
Of theſe in order.
1. What are we here to underſtand by Sin and Uncleanneſs?
A. There are ſome who take theſe two words to be Synonymical, and to intend one and the ſame thing; only allowing an Emphaſis in▪ the ingemination of things, they ſuppoſe them to include all ſorts and degrees of Sin. Some, by Sin underſtand thoſe errors, or ordinary tranſgreſſions which men live in the Commiſſion of; & by Uncleanneſs the more enorm…s and Conſcience waſting ſins which they defile themſelves withall▪ ſ…me again, by Sin underſtand Actual Sin; and by Uncleanneſs … riginal Sin, which is the root of defilement … man, and makes all the actions which he doth▪ polluted. But there is yet another ſenſe which is more generally entertained, and ſeems mor… appoſitely to belong to the meaning of the Text, and recommends to us the excellent vertue of this fountain, and its extenſive uſefullneſs, viz that by Sin we are to underſtand the Guilt, and by Uncleanneſs the Defilement that … contracted by Sin. There are two wofull p… perties of ſin, recorded in the word of Go… in which the miſery of ſinful m…n is comprehended.
1. There is a Guilt that is contracted by it; which is properly a reſpect that it bea…s to the Covenant of works, or the Sanction which was added to the Law which God at firſt gave unto man, Expreſſed in, Gen. …. 17 In the … thou …ateſt thereof thou ſhalt ſur…ly dy, Expounded in, Ezek. 18. 4. The ſoul that Sinneth, it ſhal… Dy. This word is therefore uſed for the puniſhment of ſin, or rather for the Guilt by whic… the man l…eth obnoxious unto puniſhmen… Gen. 4. 7. If thou doſt not well Sin lyeth at t… door. Levit. 20. 20. They ſhall bear their ſi…. And in the Levitical Law it is often uſed f… the Sacrifice that was offered for ſin, for th… expiation of the Guilt of it, Lev. 4 20. 2… And frequently elſe where.
2. There is alſo a defilement which the Sin leav…s behind it upon the man: and that in reſpect both of Original and Actual Sin. Original ſin is the very pollution of our nature, which makes us unclean things: and hence it is Allegorically and Emphatically ſet forth by the condition of a New-born Infant, in Ezek. 16. begin. And every actual ſin leaves a ſpot, a ſtain, a filthineſs behind it upon the man that commits it, Ezek. 20. 43. Ye ſhall remember your wars and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled. And this ariſeth from the moral reſpect which ſin bears to the Law of God, which is an holy Law, and men are ſaid to be holy when they obſerve it; and for this reaſon ſin is ſaid to be an abo…i…able thing, Jer. 44 4.
2. In what reſpect this Sin and Uncleanneſs …y be ſaid to be taken away?
A. This will be evident from the former; for in what reſpect Sin and Uncleanneſs cleaveth to the man, in the ſame it muſt be removed. There is therefore a double taking away of …, anſwerable to the twofold miſc…i…f which it doth the man, b… its adheſion to him: t… former is by Justification, the latter by Sanctification. And the…e are two great and comprehenſive benefi…s which the Goſpel tells us do derive from Chriſt to us. Theſe were in the old Moſaick Law repreſented, the one by the Sacrifices of A…ement, in which the blood o… the offering was made u…e o…; hence that, Heb. 9. 22. Without the ſhedding of blood, there is no remeſſion. The other by the many waſhing… and pu…ifications that men were appointed to make uſe of. And ſome think theſe two were Emblematized in the blood and water which iſſued from the body of Chriſt when he was pierced: Here then,
1. Sin is taken away by Juſtification, when the Atonement being accepted for the Sinner, he is pardoned, and his Guilt removed. As long as the Law makes its demands of the ſinner perſonally, ſo long his ſin lyeth upon him, & he is Guilty; but when this pardon is beſtowed, he ceaſeth legally to be a Sinner, i. e. He is not a Guilty one, becauſe he is diſcharged from the Sentence that was out againſt him: his ſin is in that regard as if it had never been; we read in, Jer. 50. 20. In thoſe days, and in that time, ſaith the Lord, the iniquity of Iſrael ſhall be ſought for, and th…re ſhall be none, and the ſins of Judah, and they ſhall not be found; for I will pardon &c. And this is done by Gods accepting▪ of a… Atonement, when he ſaith as, Job 33. 24▪ Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ranſome
2. Sin is taken away by Sanctification, when God, by his Spirit, applies …is Grace to the Soul, by which he mortifyeth ſin, and cleanſeth it of the defilement which …e…v…th to it. This is called the purgi…g away o… iniquity, Iſa. 27. 9. By this ſhall the iniquity of Jacob be purged. And th… purifying of our hearts, Acts 15. 9. And we are all…ſively told how it is done, Ezek. 36. 25. I will ſprinkle clean water upon you▪ and ye ſhall be cleanſed from all your filthineſs. And this is nextly applied to Original ſin, by the mortification whereof we are Sanctified, and as ſin decreaſeth, ſo Grace encreaſeth, which is our purity.
3. What is the Uſefulneſs of this Fountain for ſuch an end?
A. There are two things to be conſidered in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt as a Fountain, or a Treaſury in whom they are laid up, which do ſuitably and ſufficiently Anſwer theſe two occaſions of Sinful men, viz. his Merit, and his Grace: I ſhall give ſome general glances at each of theſe.
1. There is an Infinite Merit fountained in Chriſt, for the taking away the Guilt of Sin, & the Juſtifi…ation of the Sinner. We obſerved that this Guilt is an obligation lying upon the Sinner by reaſon of the threatning, to ſuffer the penalty menaced by the Law. The Removal of this Guilt, with reſpect to the Sinner himſelf, can be only▪ by a free pardon; for he ha…h nothing of his own to make compenſation to the Law withal: But the removal of it with reference to the Covenant of works, and the Eſtabliſhed Rule of Relative Juſtice in it, m…ſt be by Juſtification. God, as a Judge, muſt either Juſtify or Condemn him, upon his Trial: and yet, in Juſtifying him, he muſt alſo pardon him. Theſe two are inconſiſtent in the procedure of humane Judges, but they are inſeparable in Gods proceſs upon believer…. It is called Juſtifying the Ungodly, Rom. 4 5. But the ungodlineſs muſt be forgiven to the perſon freely, and ſo Juſtification is an act o… Grace, Rom 3. 24. Being Juſtified freely by … Grace. And yet it muſt be upon a Satisfactio… and Merit, elſe the Law cannot be anſwered in it, nor the Juſtice of God conſiſt▪ with … Grace, and it muſt ſo do; Verſe 26. That God may be juſt, and the Juſtifier of him that believeth. In this Juſtification there are two thing… ▪ viz. the pardon of ſin, and the declaring the perſ…n righteous; …or which there muſt be found the Law anſwered in both parties; the threa… …ing muſt be ſatisfied for, which is to be do… by a bearing of the whole penalty denounced againſt the Sinner for ſin; and the condition of the promiſe of life muſt be complied with, which is by perfect Obedience to the whole Law. That this may be done fo… the Si…ner by a Surety, the Goſpel aſſureth us; and that Chriſt was a Surety on this account, we are there informed, Heb. 7. 22. Jeſus was made a Surety of a better Covenant. A…d this is alſo implied in that▪ 2 Cor. 5. 21. He hath made him ſin for us, who kn…w no ſin; that w… might be made the righteouſneſs of God through him. And thoſe ſeveral expreſſions amount to as much, Iſa. 53. 4, 5, 6. He hath born our griefs, and carried our ſorrows; he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, &c. Now Chriſt, by the Redemption that he wrought out, …id in an▪ infinite treaſure of Righteouſneſs for this end, and on this account it is called, the Righteouſneſs of God, Phil▪ 3 9. Rom. 3. 21. And Everlaſting Righteouſneſs, Dan 9 24. the ſatisfaction and merit of it is ſufficient to expiate the guilt of all ſins, 1 Joh. 5. 7. The Blood of Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſin. There is a boundleſs Ocean of vertue in him, ſo that he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt all that come to him, Heb. 7. 25.
2. There is an incompr…henſible fulneſs of Gra… in Chriſt, which he is able to communicate to us for our Sanctification. Not only had h… in him an unmeaſurable fulneſs of Grace; and hence he is ſaid to be full of Grace, Joh 1. 14. to have an univerſal fulneſs in him, Col. 1. 19. It pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fullneſs dwell. Not only to have Grace poured forth on his lips, Pſal. 45. 2. but to be anointed with the oyl of gladneſs above his fellows, ver. 7. Yea we are told, that God giveth not the Spirit by meaſure to him, Joh. 3. 34 But he received it as a Fountain or Store houſe, that he might communicate it; hence that, Joh. 1. 16. Of his fulneſs we all receive, and grace for …race. For this reaſon he is ſaid to be made Sanctification to us, 1 Cor. 1. 30. There is no Grace that we can want, but there is enough of … with him to beſtow upon us, and furniſh … therewith for New Obedience, that we ma… be ſo enabled to glorifie God in our lives▪ Nor is there any duty that he calls us to, … hard but that he can ſupply us with abundant ability to diſcharge it, and carry us through it to his glory. Paul could be confident of this, Phil. 4. … I can do all things through Chriſt ſtrengthening of me. It is the work of his Spirit to convey this Grace from him to as, Joh. 16. 14. He ſhall receive of mine, and ſhew it unto you. And he who is priviledged with this indwelling Spirit, needs not be diſcouraged at any thing which God lays in his way as duty, but may confide in this, that Chriſt can and will be with him, and carry him through victoriouſly, over all that would obſtruct him in it: and this is the ground upon which he bids his people, though weak in themſelves, not to be afraid, Iſa. 41. 14. Fe… not thou … Jacob, and the men of Iſrael, I will help thee ſaith the Lord, and thy Redeemer. His Grace hath a cleanſing vertue in it; and though we are at preſent Sanctified but in part, yet this is not through any defect in his vertue, but becauſe he will carry the work on in his, gradually, for holy ends, and that he may learn them the experience of the ſpiritual warfare, whiles they abide in this li…e: yet he who carries it on by degrees, will give us the experience of the fulneſs of it, when he ſhall have purged away all our iniquities, and made us entire and ſpotleſs, which we are aſſured is the deſign to which his Redemption leads, Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27. Chriſt loved the Church, and gave himſelf for it, that he might ſanctifie, &c. and preſent it to himſelf a glorious Church, not having ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing.
8. That where this fountain is ſavingly applied, it ſhall take away the ſin and uncleanneſs of the people of God. This ſhall be the certain and unfailing operation of it. If ever the vertue of Chriſt's Redemption be communicated to any of the Children of men, it ſhall certainly have this operation upon them; it is an inſeparable quality of the fountain. This Propoſition may be laid open in the following Concluſions.
1. That the great errand on which Chriſt was ſent into the world, was to take away the ſins of his people. We have before obſerved that it was our ſin that gave the occaſion for the opening of this fountain, and why did Chriſt take an occaſion from thence to appear in the ſtate of a Redeemer, but that he might remove it? Joh. 1. 29. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the ſin of the world. Mat 1. 21. He ſhall ſave his people from their ſins. It was not to reconcile God to ſin, but to reconcile Sinners to God, 2 Cor. 5. 19. God was in Chriſt reconciling the world to himſelf; which recon… liation could be made in no other way, … by the removal of that which had made t… diſtance, which was nothing elſe but ſin, … 59. 2. Your iniquities have ſeparated between … and your God. It was becauſe ſin had ma… the world an Hoſpital, that Chriſt was ſe… into it to come as an healer, a Phyſician, and ſo he compares himſelf, in Mat. 9. 13.
2. That the whole buſineſs of his Humiliati… was to enable him thus to do. Chriſt was n… only to be the Phyſician, but the Phyſick to… all the ſanative vertue by which Souls who… ſin had deadlily wounded, might be cure… muſt proceed from him: there muſt ther… fore be ſuch a vertue in him; and there m… be an infinite fulneſs of it, that it might extend to all ſin, and compleatly heal Sinners o… i…. He muſt be able to ſave to the uttermoſt, Heb. 7. 25. And for this he muſt be a Divine perſon, cloathed with an Humane nature, and in that nature he muſt accompliſh all that which was neceſſary for the fitting of him unto this great work. Now this he did in his ſtate of Humiliation; the application of this belongs eſpecially to his Exalted State, Acts 5. 31. Him hath God exalted, &c. to give Repentance to Iſrael, and remiſſion of ſins; but he laid in for it in bis humbled ſtate, which was therefore introductory to the other, as we are told in Phil. 2. 7, 8. 9. In this he made the atonement, without which Guilt could never have been removed; hitherto belongs that, … Cor. 5. 21. He was made ſin for us, that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God through him, in this his blood was made cleanſing blood, for the purifying us from all our iniquities, according to, 1 Joh. 1. 7. The Blood of Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſin.
3. That the Reaſon of this was, becauſe there were ſome that needed it, whom God purpoſed to make partakers in the benefits of it. As, if mans ſin had not brought him to that exigency, that without ſuch a fountain he muſt have periſhed for ever, Chriſt had not come; ſo, if God had not reſolved to impart the efficacy of it to ſome ſuch neceſſitous ones, he would never have been at the charge of providing it. God did not only intend the proviſion and exhibition of this fountain, that ſo if any would come to, and make uſe of it, they might be ſaved from their Sins by it; if that had been all, Chriſt had died in vain; for it is certain that none of fallen men would ever of their own accord come to him: that is true of all, till Chriſt draws them, Joh. 5. 40. Ye will not come unto me that ye may have life: The natural man loveth his Sin, and delighteth to wallow in the mire of his uncleanneſs; but God choſe ſome from eternity to be made the monuments of his rich Grace, in taking away all their iniquities; and he provided Chriſt for this end; and therefore all ſuch he deſigned this for, ſhall come to Chriſt, J… 6. 37. All that the father hath given me, ſha… come unto me; they ſhall be cleanſed, and waſhed and healed▪
4. That they may partake in this benefit, there muſt be a ſaving application of the vertue of it t… them. Theſe waters quench the thirſt of the Soul, by being drank of; they waſh off the Guilt and filth which cleaves to the Soul, by being waſhed with them; they heal the mortal diſeaſes which Sin had infected … withal, by the influence of the ſanative vertue of them on the Soul. It is not enough that they have all theſe good qualities … them: the Goſpel therefore acquaints us with an Application conſequent upon the Redempti… wrought out by Chriſt, whereby he becomes ours, and we are ſaved by him; and hereupon life is reſtrained to our having of Chriſt▪ 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son, hath life, and he that hath not the Son, hath not life.
5. It is ſavingly applied to thoſe only who com… to him by ſaving faith in him for it. Faith is the uniting Grace by which we are made one with Chriſt, and receive him to be our own for all the ends of his Mediatorſhip. This therefore is the great Goſpel condition on which Chriſt is offered to be made ours, and we are given to underſtand, that if thus we do not receive him, we ſhall not partake in his ſaving mercies; Mark 16. 16. He that be…ieves ſhall be ſaved, and he that believes not ſhall …e damned. And as faith comes to Chriſt, ſo it draws the waters out of this fountain, it fetcheth in ſupplies from Chriſt continually, Heb. 10. 38. The Juſt ſhall live by his faith.
6. God himſelf is the Author of this Faith in order to our participation in theſe benefits. Faith is not of our ſelves, it is the gift of God, Eph. 2. 8. God by his Spirit puts this grace into us, and enables us to exert it, and that which he aims at in this, is to bring us to Chriſt by it, and ſo give us a title to theſe living waters, that they may be ours, and we may challenge a property in them, and make uſe of them for all our occaſions continually.
7. Hence all that do thus come to him ſhall receive this vertue from him. Whoſoever is united unto Chriſt, the fountain of life, ſhall live by him: Where God gives faith, he gives all that is connected in the pro…iſe with it. All ſaving good is firmly promiſed to believing; God therefore on our believing, pardons our ſin, the Guilt of it paſſeth off, our perſons are freed from Condemnation: and he ſanctifies our hearts, by laying a foundation of holineſs in us, which though imperfect at preſent, and mixed with de…lement, yet ſhall in due time aim at entire holineſs, without ſpot or blemiſh: Hence we have that title put upon believing, Heb. 10. 39. We are of them that believe, to the … of the Soul.
USE I. This may ſerve to Commend Chri… to the Sinful Children of men, as a deſira… object. And ſurely, there is nothing that … more ſet him forth as a ſuitable and neceſſa… one, than this conſideration. In nothing co… he have been more accommodable to the co… dition of fallen man, for his relief. Let th… the contemplation of this draw your eyes a… your hearts after him, and render him in y… eſteem moſt precious and deſirable. And … this end Conſider.
1. You are all by nature under the Guilt and … filement of Sin. This is the ſtate of all mankind and indeed, if we look upon Sin in its rela… ons, it will infer this. As it relates to the … venant of works, and the Sanctions of that, … it involves Guilt; Sin is the Tranſgreſſion of … La…, and that Law hath ordained Death to … the wages of every Tranſgreſſion of it, Rom 6. 23 The wages of ſin is Death. And by vertue of this Ordination; the Sinner is held a fa… Priſoner of the Law, obnoxious to deſtruction. And if we look upon Sin as it relates … the Sanctity or purity of the Law of God, … it pollutes the man, ſtains him with uncleanne… Now there is none of you but beſides the imputation of the Guilt of the firſt Tranſgreſſion have a corrupt fountain of Original Sin in yo… and innumerable actual pollutions, which you have made your ſelves odious withall: hence that, Prov. 20. 9. Who can ſay I have made mine …art clean, I am pure from my ſin?
2. Your miſery is unconceivably great whiles you are under the Dominion of theſe. Indeed all mans miſery began upon his Sinning: and …here are two ſprings from whence all this in…licity flows, viz. Guilt and Filthineſs, nor can … be taken off but by the removal of theſe. And one would think the greatneſs of your miſery, ſhould rouſe you up to ſeek a deliverance from it: and you may know that it is …comparably great by viewing the effects of …, which are;
1. By Sin you are expoſed to the whole Curſe of … Law. And that is of the very nature of Guilt that attends upon Sin, before it is pardoned; for Guilt is nothing elſe but the binding of the curſe upon the Sinner: And did you but know, or would you but look over and ponder upon the contents of the Curſe, as it is recorded in the word of God, it would certainly fill you with terrours: It is contracted in a narrow word, Death, but if that word be ſpread abroad, and all the contents of it laid open to view, they will fill a prodigious Roll, ſuch as that deſcribed in Zech. 5. 2, 3. All the Evils of Loſs and Senſe which the Sinner can undergo, belong to it; all the ſorrows that can betide …ither the body or the ſoul, are engroſſed in it; all the puniſhments in this life, and in a… ther world, relate to it: it hath its inchoa… in time▪ and the conſummation of it is reſerv… for an amazing Eternity. This is your porti… becauſe of Sin; for all the wrath of God abid… on you, Joh. 3. 36.
2 By Sin you are become vain and unprofitable… and this ariſeth from the Uncleanneſs that adher… to it. For ſuch a Creature as man, to live a… be in vain, is an inexpreſſible miſery; he… that complaint, Pſal. 89. 47. Wherefore haſt t… made all men in vain? It is acknowledged … all hands that mans formal happineſs con… in Eupraxy or well doing; it was therefo… his great priviledge that he was made at … every way fitted for it, Eccl. 7. 29. God … man upright. David obſerves that in keeping … Commands of God there is a great reward, Pſ… ▪ 19. 11. To glorify God is an happy emplo… ment; but Sin hath ſtript you of this pow… and le…t you utterly unable for it, Rom▪ 3. 2… All have ſinned, and fallen ſhort of the glory … God. And this hath brought the title o… V… upon man, becauſe by it he hath loſt the e… that he was directed to, and made for; a… thus ha…h Sin put you below the moſt bru…i… of bruit Creatures, who do all in their ſt… tion and capacity glorify God: and we… you not moſt ſtupid, you could not but … terly bewail this infelicity of yours.
3. There is no remidying of your m…ſery but … removing of theſe from you. The man muſt of …eceſſity be unhappy, ſo long as there is a Sen…ence of Death out againſt him, pronounced …y the mouth of an holy and juſt God, and he goes every moment in danger of the execution of it upon him, and the power of the whole Creation cannot reſcue him from it; and ſo it is with every Unregenerate one, Iſa. 57. 21. There is no peace to the wicked ſaith my God. Nor can the ſinner ſerve to the noble end of …is being, ſo long as he is altogether unclean, …nd hath nothing on him but wounds, & ulcers, and putrifying ſores; whiles he is a ſlave to impure luſts, he muſt needs endure a wretched …ondage, and may well cry out as he in, Rom. …. 24. O wretched man that I am, who ſhall de…ver me?
4. This relief is to be had no where elſe. You may go through the world, and try every …hing in it, and whatſoever other help you may poſſibly find in it, yet in this great caſe, and only diſtreſſing exigence, it can afford you none at all. There is no ſecond being that can take away either the Guilt or the …lth of Sin: the whole world will not make a …p…ice equivalent for the buying off the Sentence that is upon you, and afford you Redemption, this is clearly intimated in Pſal 49. 6, 7. And the reaſon is given, Verſe 8▪ For their Redemption is precious, and it ceaſeth for ever. All your legal courſes, will not take away the ſtain and defilement that is upon you by reaſon of ſin; what ſaith God to them, Jer. 2. 22. Though thou waſh thee with nitre, and take th… much ſ…pe, yet thine iniquity is marked before m…, ſaith the Lord God.
5. This Fountain will anſwer both theſe end… compleatly. The vertue of it extends hither; and it muſt needs ſo do, becauſe God… Infinite wiſdom provided it on purpoſe for this deſig… ▪ and he cannot fail of his end. David ha… contracted horrible Guilt, and polluted himſelf by his great ſin, yet he preſumes of being clean from both, if God will but apply this … him, Pſal▪ 51. 7 Purge me wi…h hyſſope, and … ſhall be clean: waſh me and I ſhall be whiter th… the ſnow. The effectual application of this wil… take away ſin ſo throughly, as if it had neve… been, for we ar… told in, Numb 23. 21 God hath ſeen no iniquity in Jaco…, nor perverſeneſs … Iſrael.
6. And it ſtands Open to you for this end, and you are invited to come to it for this purpoſe God lays before you the matter of conviction of your great Guilt and contamination, to make you ſee your abſolute need …f this fountain; and that this Conviction may …o… drive yo… to diſcouraging diſtreſs, he bids you come to it, and apply your ſelves to obtain the vert… o… it, and tells you what wonders it ſhall d… for you upon this account, Iſa 1. 16. with 1… Waſh you, make you clean, &c. Though your ſins … as ſcarlet, they ſhall be as white as ſnow, though they be red like crimſon, they ſhall be as w…ol. Bleſs God for this diſcovery, and negle… not to make this uſe of it, if you love the life of your Souls.
USE. II. We have here a Rule by which we may Try whether we have a true intereſt in this Fountain. And it very highly concerns every one to put himſelf upon this tryal; for Conſider;
1. If you have no title to it, your condition is very fearfull. That Si… and Uncleanneſs under the efficacy whereof every unregenerate man abides, is certainly deſtructive to him: either it▪ muſt be taken away, or it will work your eternal ruine. This is implyed, when God invites them to Repentance under that encouragement, Ezek. 18. 30. So iniquity ſhall not be your ruine. If this fountain had not been prepared and opened, we had all periſhed without hope: and though there is a good hope ſet before all ſuch as are pointed to it, and bidden to make uſe of it, yet if you do not comply with this offer, and receive Chriſt according to the tenour of it, you will miſs of the benefit, and be undone for all. Chriſt expreſly told them in▪ Joh. 8. 24. If ye believe not that I am he, ye ſhall dy in your ſins. And I am ſure, that man who dies in …is ſins is undone to all Eternity.
2. If you think you have a Title, and are deceived in it, your caſe is next to deſperate. Of all men, there are none that ſtand in greater hazard of unavoidable ruine, than ſuch as nouriſh themſelves with a good opinion of their ſa… eſtate, when it is far otherwiſe. This foſte… in them a carnal confidence, which make them to neglect that great duty, of giving all diligence to make their Calling and Election ſure, which is required in, 2 Pet. 1 10 This … all the Convictions that are offered in the Word and Ordinances, and they fly over their heads, as things which they reckon themſelves unconcerned in: and this is the reaſon why Publica… and Harlots ſooner receive the Calls of the Goſpel than ſuch as theſe, becauſe theſe think that work is over already. And that there will be ſuch ſelf deceivers we are aſſured, Luk. 13. 26, 27 Then ſhall ye begin to ſay, we have eaten and drunk in thy preſence, and thou haſt taught in our ſtreets: but he ſhall ſay, I tell you I know you not, whence ye are, &c
3 If indeed you have a Title to Chriſt, the knowledge of it will afford you much Conſolation. And indeed, what comfort can be comparable to that of one who knows his Name to be written in Heaven, Luk. 10. 20. That man who is in ſuch a caſe, is happy indeed, beyond all danger of being ever miſerable. Surely then, he who knows this to be his condition, cannot but Rejoyce with joy unſpeakable, and full of glory. And for your help in this enquiry; obſerve;
1. If this Fountain be yours, you have come to it by a living Faith. It is offered to us in the Promiſe, and we receive it by believing. No unbeliever can lay any claim to it, but every true believer can. If you have received Chriſt, you have believed in him, and if you have believed in him, you are the Children of God, and heirs of the ſprings of Salvation, Joh. 1. 12. As many as received him, to them be gave power to become the ſons of God, even to them that believe in his name. Coming to him, and believing on him are equivalent terms in the Goſpel.
2. If you have come to him by faith aright; there are the things that have attended your ſo coming, and you muſt ſearch for them:
1. Have you been acquainted with the proper end and uſefulneſs of this fountain? True faith is diſtinguiſhed from falſe, mainly by the end of it. All that pretend to come to Chriſt have ſomething that moves them, and which they propoſe to get by coming; but that which true faith looks after is Life; others poſſibly have thought they did come to him, but it was only as one who, they hoped, would Save them from Hell: but if you have come rightly to him, it was to have your Sin and Uncleanneſs done away; and then it was your hearty cry, Hoſ. 14. 3. Take away all iniquity.
2. Have you then felt your need of this Fountain for this end? It is apprehended want that driveth Sinners to Chriſt; and that which hath been their diſtreſſing trouble, will be the diſcovery of what they went to him for. If you have gone to him to take away your Sin & Uncleanneſs, that hath been your burden, and you have been made to ſay, as he, Pſal. 38. 4. Mine iniquities are gone over mine head; as an heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. And you have therefore valued this fountain for the vertue of it.
3. What are the Fruits of your coming? Doubtleſs that is a great truth which God hath recorded of himſelf, Iſa. 45. 19. I ſaid not unto the ſeed of Jacob, ſ… ye me in vain. If you have come in faith, it hath had ſome ſucceſs. It may be you value all ſucceſs according as you experience, comforts and aſſurances coming in upon your ſeeking to God, and if you want them, you fear that you have come in vain; but this is a miſtake in your ſearch. You came to have your ſin purged, and if there be any thing of that done, you are ſo far anſwered. Are you then more beaten off from your own Righteouſneſs, and made more to depend upon that of Chriſt alone? Is ſin more vile and hateful to you, and do you more loath your ſelves for it? If it be thus, then you have your end ſo far advanced, and be thankfull.
USE. III. Let this ſerve to direct Sinners in their right coming to Chriſt, if they would have him be a fountain of ſaying good to them. Herein only will Chriſt really profit us, if we may obtain Salvation by him; & there is a ſo coming to him, if we would have grounded hopes of obtaining this benefit from him. And it is to be feared that many deceive themſelves about this, who pretend to a great reſpect for Chriſt, and talk much of their truſting in him; but were never rightly informed about him, and that for which he was manifeſted to us. Would you then come, and ſpeed, and be happy in your coming to him, take theſe Directions.
1. Take heed to your ſelves, what you come to him for. If you miſtake here, you will put a cheat upon your own Souls. Chriſt indeed is a Fountain, but of what? What was he opened for? that is it which you are encouraged by; and your ends muſt be the ſame with his, if you would not be diſappointed. Hypocrites pretend much, but they ever impoſe upon themſelves in this regard. If you come to Chriſt for Credit, and Eaſe, and Proſperity in this World, you will find your ſelves miſtaken; he hath aſſured you that you ſhall meet with trouble and reproach, and many trials in his Service, Joh. 16. ult. In this world you ſhall have tribulation; his Kingdom is not of this world If you come to him only to have your Sin pardoned, and not purged away, you will miſs of your aim; for tho he muſt apply a pardon to you, if ever you obtain it, yet his Juſtiſication and Sanctification are inſeparable; and if you ſeek not the destruction as well as the remiſſion of your ſins, you will find your ſelves diſappointed. Be ſure then to come for the purging away of your ſins; that being pardoned, you may Serve him in newneſs of life.
2. Come with an inſatiable deſire after the obtainining this of him. Labour to affect your hearts with the burden and bitterneſs of ſin, and come as thoſe that are weary and heavy laden by it, Mat. 11. 28. God directs to ſuch a ſenſe in order to ſaving good, Jer. 2. 19. Know and ſee, that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou haſt forſaken the Lord thy God. Reſolve that you can never be well till this vertue derive from him to you, and let your cries be accordingly earneſt, importunate undeniable. Reſolve that you will follow him inde…atigably, that you will never let him alone, nor give him any reſt till he hath ſavingly applied the waters of this fountain to you.
3. Come with a firm Perſwaſion of his Suitableneſs & Sufficiency. You have ſeen that there is no ſuch vertue to be found in all the worlds waters, now believe that he can do it for you; come as the Leper did, Mat. 8. 2 If thou wilt, thou canſt make me clean. Look then upon him in his Perſon, in his Offices, and in the great work of Redemption, that was wrought out by him, and ſee how every way fit and able he is for this work; and let this make you fixedly to reſolve that you will go no whither elſe, but that you will wait upon him, till he ſhall give you the experience of his love to you in this regard.
USE IV▪ For Exhortation to the Children of God, who are already made partakers of an Intereſt in this fountain; in two particulars.
1. Acknowledge the rich Grace of God to you, in that he hath not only opened this fountain before you, but in you. The former indeed is a great favour, and ſo to be confeſſed by all that partake in it; thoſe that have it are highly advantaged, had they but an heart to make a right improvement of it; and if they do not ſo, they will bring great Guilt upon themſelves by their contempt. How great a kindneſs then is this that you ſhare in? and do you endeavour to entertain it with ſuitable reſentments: and there are among others, theſe two conſiderations which will greatly help you in your gratitude.
1. Had not God thus done for you, you had periſhed in your Sins. You were under the efficacy of ſin and uncleanneſs in your natural Eſtate, and that held you under Guilt and Defilement, and theſe would have wrought out your certain deſtruction, if they had not been remedied. There muſt be a fountain for this▪ elſe it could never have been taken away, … fountain of blood for the removal of your Guil…, and a fountain of grace for the purging away of yo…r pollution. None elſe but Chriſt could poſſibly be ſuch a fountain to you; there is an infinite value and vertue requiſite to be found in that which can do this for you, which no meerly created being could ever attain unto. If this Fountain had not been revealed to you, you could not have partaken in the ſaving vertue of it, becauſe it is applied by faith: they that live out of the reach of the Goſpel Diſpenſation, die without knowledge; and if it had not been opened in you, yo… had ſtill died in your ſins; there are multitudes that do ſo who have heard of it with the hearing of the ear, becauſe they have not cordially embraced it: if he had not ſavingly applied it to you, you had refuſed it as well as others, for you had as great a natural malignity in you againſt it as any in the world.
2. What are you better than others who are not thus favoured? The difference that is put between you and them is very great, but who hath made it? When he brought this grace of his unto you, you were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins, Eph. 2. 1. When he offered it to you, you regarded it not, but bad him to depart from you; you ſought it not of him, but he …ought you up that he might beſtow it upon you; you gave him all the reſiſtance that an heart full of enmity could do. It was Almighty power that brought you unto it, yea poſſibly you more diſhonoured God, by peculiar wickedneſs, and ſcandalous provocations, before ſuch time as he thus appeared to you, than a great many have done, whom he yet hath not ſo favoured. Can you then ſufficiciently celebrate his praiſe?
2. Be ſure to make continual uſe of it. You will always ſtand in need of it, and it ever ſtands open for you to repair unto, and there is a double uſefulneſs which it ſerves unto.
1. Repair conſtantly to it for renewed pardon▪ It was not ſufficient that you did ſo apply to it in your firſt Converſion; for, though it was then applied to you for the Juſtification of your perſons, yet.
1. You Sin daily. Though luſt be mortified as to the Dominion of it, yet it is not aboliſhed in you, but hath its dayly breakings out: there is a contrary part in you, that is ever and anon bringing you into captivity. We are told, in Eccleſ. 7. 20. There is not a juſt man upon earth, that doeth good, and ſinneth not; and the reaſon of it is, becauſe there is a Fleſh in us that is always luſting against the Spirit, Gal. 5. 17.
2. Every Sin offers matter of provo…atinn to God. It is a Tranſgreſſion of his holy Law; it is an abominable thing to him, Jer. 44. 4. It is that which he cannot endure, Hab. 1. 13. And though he knows our frame, and will not be always contending with us, or▪ break out in his ſeverity for every frailty of ours; yet there is occaſion offered him for his anger, and we muſt confeſs with him, Pſalm 130. 3. If thou Lord, ſhouldſt mark iniquities; Oh Lord, who ſhould ſtand?
3. Hence it calls on you to ſeek of him Forgiveneſs. And this is at leaſt, one main reaſon, why we are daily and on all occaſions to renew that petition, Mat. 6. 12. Forgive us o… debts: And hence how often have we David asking pardon of God, though he was in a ſtate of Juſtification?
4. Here only can you obtain it. You muſt come to the fountain for it. Whenſoever Gods ancient people fell into any ſin, there was a Sacrifice preſently to be offered for Atonement, in order to its being forgiven: and if we ſin, we muſt go to this Advocate, and make uſe of him as our Propitiation, 1 John 2. 1, 2.
2. Addreſs him continually for the waſhing of Sanctification. They that are Sanctified, muſt be Sanctified again; they were ſo for whom the Apoſtle prays, 1 Theſ. 5. 23. The very God of peace Sanctifie you wholly, &c. There is yet a body of death in you, a fountain of uncleanneſs: and there are the eruptions of it in your actions, which de…ile you, and you want waſhing. Hence,
1. Come hither by the Repentance of faith, upon every notable defilement. Are you overtaken with any Temptation which draws you into the mire? let this drive you to the fountain for cleanſing: and this muſt be by the renewal of Repentance: thus did David, Pſal. 51. 7. And this is the only way to purifie your ſelves, which is the care of every believer, 1 Joh 3. 3. He that hath this hope in him, puri…ieth himſelf, as he is pure.
2. Waſh in it dayly for your daily pollution. There is a defilement that cleaves to every thing we do: when we are never ſo careful to our ſelves, Sin in us will pollute our beſt Services. Paul complains, Rom. 7. 21. I find a l…w, that when I would do good, evil is preſent with me. This therefore ſhould bring you to Chriſt continually for cleanſing.
3. Be evermore fetching from hence all the Grace you need to perfect you in Holineſs. Let the ſenſe of remaining corruption, put you upon the exerciſe of renewed and progreſſive Sanctification; for which you muſt repair to this fountain of Grace, and apply the promiſes by which you partake in it, to this end, according to, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having theſe promiſes, let us cleanſe our ſelves from all filthineſs of the fleſh and ſpirit, perfecting holineſs in the fear of God. And never ceaſe from the purſuit of this work, till ſin be no more in you, and grace be arrived at its full degree of perfection.