The Truly Blessed Man, Part 8 · Section 6
Every true believer is compaſſed with mercy.
DOCTRINE. V.
EVery true believer is compaſſed about with the mercy of God. We now come to take notice of the greatneſs of that mercy which is entailed upon him. The Antitheſis is obſervable: he had ſaid the Sorrows of the wicked are great and many; yet for the preſent they enjoy much mixture of mercy: … he doth not ſay great and many are the mercies of the Godly, but they compaſs him about: q. d. There is nothing but mercy that he ſhares in: ſeveral things may here be enquired into:
1. What mercy it is that compaſſeth them?
A. It was obſerved under the former Doctrine that Mercy is of two ſorts, Common and Special: the former are called common becauſe good and bad indifferently ſhare in them, Matth. 5. 45. Godly men therefore have their ſhare in theſe ſo far as infinite wiſdom ſees convenient. God will not be…tch to his friends that which he can afford to … enemies; he will not deny that to a Child, if he needs it, which he gives to a Stranger: they are alſo called common, becauſe they are ordinary inferiour things compared with the other; and ſo Godly men may well cxpect that he will not deny to favour them therewithal, as they have occaſion for them; he who counts it not too much to beſtow the greateſt, cannot withold the leaſt, if they want them, Rom. 8. 32. He that ſpared not his Son, &c. Common alſo they are called from the principle whence they proceed: there is a Common Benevolence which we aſcribe to God, who in the day of his forbearance, allows ſuch things to the vileſt of men, though ſtill they are the hated of the Lord: but then there is a peculiar love which he bears to his choſen, which never had beginning, Jer. 31. 3. And ſhall never ceaſe, Joh. 13. 1. And thus no mercy is common to a believer, but all that he enjoys proceeds from that fountain of love which hath deſigned his Salvation, and cauſeth all to work for good to him, Rom. 8. 28 Whereas all that wicked men enjoy works to their hurt, Pſal. 92. 6. This then is the mercy that compaſſeth the true believer, viz That love of God whereby, pitying them in their miſerable ſtate which ſin had brought them into, he doth freely, and for his own name ſake, beſtow grace and glory on them, and all that is good, Pſal. 84 11. 103 17. So that all the providences that befall them in their way, as well as the glory they are brought to in the end of it, belong to this mercy, and a Child of God may read love in every paſſage he meets withal, whatſoever the outward face of it may be.
2 In what reſpect it compaſſeth them?
A. Mercy is here compared, either to a Watch that are continually walking the rounds, ſo taking all care for the ſecurity of the place they are charged with; or to a Guard allowed unto a Prince, who are to ſtand round him, to keep off all that would attempt againſt him. Mercy then compaſſeth them about in preventing all that would hinder them from, and ſupplying of them with all that is needful to bring them to Glory. Mercy lies about the believer, he is entrenched in mercy; & it gives him all ſecurity. But for a more particular account of this affair, let theſe things be obſerved.
1. That there is an eternal life to which God hath appointed them. That God hath Ordained ſome of miſerable men to everlaſting glory, is of Revelation. Now, though who theſe are be a ſecret, till he makes it known, yet he always lays a foundation for the diſcovery of it in thoſe whom he makes believers, inaſmuch as this faith hath the aſſured promiſe of life made to it. Joh. 3. 36. All that believe are in a ſtate of Salvation, and ſo far as they know themſelves to be ſuch, they may conclude this concerning themſelves.
2. There is a way in which they are to be brought to the Enjoyment of this life. This life is conſidered as an end, 1 Pet. 1. 9. There is then a medium by which we are to come to the obtaining of it. Though there be a certain connexion between E…ion and Glorification, yet there are ſeveral links between them, by which they are ſo connected. The Word of God is frequent in ſpeaking of the way of life and ſalvation; and we have an account of it, Rom. 8. 29, 30. This life is firſt inchoated when we are Regenerated, and conſummated when Grace is perfected, when our race is run, and our warfare accompliſhed. We are firſt entituled to it in Vocation, made meet for it in progreſſive Sanctification, and at length poſſeſſed of it.
3. The bottom deſign of this mercy is to conduct them to it. The ſpecial Mercy of God applies it ſelf to the Elect, either before faith, in making them believers; and hither belongs all that is done for them by God, till ſuch time as they are Effectually called, but I paſs this: Or after they are united to Chriſt by faith, to which are to be reckoned all thoſe things that are done for the making them ready for, and bringing them into the Kingdom of Glory; that being the Inheritance of which they are made heirs by Adoption, Heb. 2. 10. Hence all the effects of Providence are to be judged of, by the reſpect they bear to this, and their operation to bring it about.
4. There are many things which they meet with in their way, which would hinder their obtaining this life, againſt all of which this mercy ſecures them. Believers are to travel to heaven through an evil world, where they will encounter much oppoſition; many ſeek their hurt; there is corruption within, luſting againſt the ſpirit, Gal. 5. 17. Satan, a buiſy Enemy, always contriving and attempting their harm, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Many ſnares, allurements, diſcouragements afrightments which hazard them. Now the mercy of God compaſſeth them about to defend them from all theſe, and powerfully to preſerve them to Salvation; and thus it doth,
1. By watching over them continually. That is the encomium of Iſraels Keeper, that he ſlumbers not nor ſleeps, Pſal. 121. 4. What is the priviledge in this regard of the Church in general, belongs to every true member of it, Iſa. 27. 2, 3. They have not skill enough to diſcern all the dangers which they ly open to, but the all ſeeing God both ca… and doth: they can be in no danger but he knows of it, and concerns himſelf with it, Pſal. 142. ….
2. By preventing of the miſchief deſigned againſt them. He doth not look on as an idle ſpectator, but therefore obſerves that he may ſafeguard them for he is their Keeper, and hath undertaken their protection: When therefore he ſeeth any thing plotted againſt them for their harm, he defeats it powerfully; he breaks the ſnares, & daſheth in pieces all the contrivances that are laid againſt them; hence that challenge, Iſa. 8. 9, 10. Aſſociate your ſelves, &c. And the people of God have reaſon to ſing as the Church, Pſal. 129. begin. Had not the Lord been on our ſide, &c.
3. By limiting of them. God, for holy ends, will ſometimes ſuffer his people to be aſſaulted; they ſhall meet with temptations, & be vexed by them, and their hearts may be caſt down and diſquieted, & through unbelief be ready to think that God hath forgotten them; but it is a miſtake: if he had not a praiſe to gain by them, he would not ſo ſuffer them; and he ſets bounds to them that they ſhall do no more, Pſal. 76. 10. The wrath of man ſhall praiſe thee, &c. And this is true of every other thing that may threaten to hurt them.
4. By governing the event of them. He ever intends the permiſſion of them for good, though the inſtruments purpoſe harm by them; though he ſuffers the thing, yet he orders the iſſue of it, that inſtead of harming them, it ſhall do them a kindneſs: The Enemies of Gods people deſigned nothing leſs than their ruine, but God ſaith, By this ſhall the Iniquity of Jacob be purged, &c. Iſa. 27. 9. That which was intended to overturn, ſhall only try their faith, and make it the more illuſtrious, & advantageous to them, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7.
5. There are many things needful to help them to glory, which this mercy takes care to ſupply them with. The believer depends on it in every ſtep, and it fails him not; for,
1. It provides for them all that is needful both for Soul and Body. Both are concerned in glorifying God, and working out their own ſalvation, and mercy takes care of both; the promiſe graſps in both, 1 Tim. 4. 8. Hence that, Pſal 34 9, 10. And by this our Saviour encourageth us to rely on God, Mat. 6. 25.
2. It ſanctifieth every thing to them for their ſaving advantage. It gives the operation of all Ordinances and Providences to contribute to their fartherance to eternal life; it makes all to turn to their account: if they be in proſperity or adverſity, if they be full or in want, if they enjoy the light of Gods countenance, or walk in the dark, all ſhall be managed ſo as to promove their ſalvation; it ſhall not hinder, but help them to their crown, Rom. 8. 28. Phil. 1. 19.
6. They ſtand in need of this defence and ſuccour as long as they live, and this mercy never fails them in it. There is no time wherein it withdraws its influence: Sometimes indeed they are not ſo apprehenſive of it, for want of skill in judging things, but it is always ſo: The Pſalmist ſettled here after much ſhaking, Pſal 73. 24. Thou ſhalt guide me by Counſel, &c. and follow every providence to the end, and they ſhall find peace there, Pſal 37. 37. This mercy guards them through all changes of time, and ceaſeth not till it hath freed them from all trouble, and ſettled them in Eternal reſt.
3. What ſecurity they have for it?
A. The Apoſtle tells us of two immutable things on which this is grounded, Heb. 6 17, 18. And theſe are,
1. The firm and unchangeable purpoſe of God. He hath from Eternity Ordained them to this mercy, and this Counſel of his muſt ſtand; yea he hath promiſed it for them before the world was, Tit. 1. 2. which was done in the Eternal compact. Now in this purpoſe of his, he contrived the way of bringing them to felicity, and this was ſo laid out as might illuſtrate the Riches of mercy in the ſubjects of it: And this purpoſe muſt ſtand, for he is not a God of change, But the thoughts of his heart …fixt and immutable, Jam. 1. 17. he had nothing to oblige him to this purpoſe but his own meer pleaſure. Nor can the ſin of the Creature alter this purpoſe, for he deſigned to Glorify his Name by the Creatures unworthineſs; and becauſe God hath appointed them to be the monuments of his mercy in whom it is to ſhine forth Eternally, this mercy of his cannot ly ſtill, or ceaſe to be working for them, becauſe without it they could never reach the Glory Ordained for them: mercy therefore muſt do all of this, and the ſecurity of this is ſufficient againſt all Temptations that can offer to diſcourage the Child of God in his way, ſince the power and policy of Death and Hell cannot force an alteration of this purpoſe, or hinder the execution of it, Rom. 8. 38, 39.
2. The unrepentable promiſe that is made to them of it. All the Elect are under the ſafety of a promiſe made unto Chriſt, but as long as they are in their Natural eſtate they have none of the Conſolation of this, ſince they have no notice of this purpoſe given to them, and may well be afraid of the wrath of God; and he uſeth this fear to drive them to Chriſt for ſhelter. But when once men are made Believers, they are ſo brought within the Compa… of the New Covenant, and it is ratified to them, this Mercy now appears, Tit. 3. 5. This evidenceth that they were comprehended in the purpoſe o… mercy, and God hath Sealed them to the day of Redemption; his Word is paſt for it, and there is a compleat ſecurity in it, Joh. 3. 16. He is faithful to his Promiſes, and ſo the performance is indubitable, 1 Theſ. 5. 23. Mercy hath the management of this, ſo that all the ſins and follies of his Children ſhall not cut off the entail, though mercy will humble them, &c. Pſal. 89. 30. &c. He cannot be provoked to repeal this promiſe of his. This double ſecurity muſt needs be more firm, than the foundation… of the world, Pſal. 125. 1.
4. What is their happineſs by vertue of this priviledge?
A. This is contained in two things.
1. The mercy that thus Compoſſeth them hath all i… it that is needful to make them perfectly bleſſed. There is nothing wanting either for the way or for the end. What is ſufficient to carry them through an evil world, to deliver them from all the evil of it… ſupply them with all the good in it, which ſhal… ſerve to their everlaſting well-being, is enwrap… in it; and all the glorious entertainment that i… prepared for them in another life belongs to it… It is an encompaſſing mercy, it anſwers all caſes and concerns; they who are under the proviſion and protection of it are fully laid in; there is help in every duty, ſupply in every want, ſuccour in the greateſt dangers, Grace for their whole work, comfort in every condition; and all this always at hand.
2. Hence it follows, that by vertue of it they are ſure to obtain Eternal Life. The ſecurity of this mercy is the ſecurity of the fruit of it: What mercy undertakes to do, it will accompliſh: So that the believer is as certain of coming to Glory, as if he were already in the full fruition of it, nor is he in more danger of miſſing it, than the Glorified are of loſing it; they may be ſometimes in the dark about it, and queſtion either their title, or their ſafety from hazards, through darkneſs and unbelief, but the thing it ſelf is certain, 2 Tim. 2. 13. For if mercy be able to accompliſh it, it ſhall not fail, and what was ever too hard for that to do? This will give them Victory in their Warfare, make them bold in the fight, renew their ſtrength when they faint, hold them up when ready to fall, bring them ſafe through an evil world, and preſent them before Chriſt, and lodge them in his everlaſting arms: and what more can be deſired to denominate the man bleſſed, than to be under ſuch ſafe conduct?
USE I. Let it be to invite Sinners to forſake their wickedneſs, and put their truſt in the Lord. And one would think here is enough to rouſe up all ſuch; here therefore Conſider,
1. You ſee the difference between thoſe, aſſerted by the Spirit of God; and it is not to be ſlighted. Let your own reaſon tell you whether is better, to be the Subjects of all ſorrows and miſeries, as to be compaſſed about with all the mercies that are enough to make you happy, now and for ever; and this is the very caſe: Surely then there is no room for any demur. Behold God ſets life and death before you, and ſhall it be hard to determine the Choiſe? What ſhould hinder you from avoiding that which will certainly procure your ruine, and purſuing that which will aſſure your happineſs?
2. Hence it is a woful cheat put upon you, when you are perſwaded that you ſhall change for the worſe. It is hells policy, and the cry of corrupt nature to prejudice men againſt the fair offers of the Goſpel. They would fain inſinuate, that you muſt loſe all pleaſure and delight, and expoſe your ſelves to all troubles and ſorrows, if you deſert Satans Camp, and come over to Chriſt; but ſee how unreaſonable this is. Shall God or the Devil be believed in this caſe? Will you be put off with appearances, and put away realities? They are none but Enemies to the Salvation of your Souls who thus impoſe upon you.
3. If you will have theſe mercies, you must forſake your wickedneſs, and take up under the wings of Chriſt… God will not compound with wickedneſs, nor ca… there be any peace to the wicked, Iſa. 57. ult. Theſe mercies are the peculiar priviledge of Believers … they may be yours, though you have been wicked, but you muſt then renounce it, Iſa. 55. 7. L… the wicked forſake his way, &c. Nor is it conſiſtent with Gods Holineſs that you ſhould have it on any other terms; if you cannot comply with this, you renounce Gods mercies, and do what in you lies to cut off their hope of ever enjoying them.
4. If you make not haſt, theſe mercies will be withdrawn, and thoſe ſorrows will make a prey of you. Sorrows are your birthright, and you have reaſon to expect them every moment, the only benefit is, you now enjoy a day of grace, and are under a treaty of peace, in which mercy is offered you, if whiles this laſts, you comply, all ſhall be well; but if you neglect it, you provoke him to put an end to it, and then your … is gone, mercy will be no more to be had, Iſa. 27. 11. And when the time of it is paſt, there is no recovery.
5. And you will repent of it ſooner or later. Whiles patience reſtrains the execution of theſe Sorrows on you, you may pleaſe your ſelves in your unhappy choice, and think you have done beſt for your ſelves; but when the Comedy is at an end, & it will be at an end, Iſa. 50. 11. You will then bitterly bemoan your ſelves, and ſay, How have we hated inſtruction? When you are ſhut out from mercy, then will you knock, and call, and cry, and ſay, Lord, open to us; but theſe will be fruitleſs cries and repentances, and but aggravate your endleſs ſorrows. Be then adviſed, and for that end,
1. Often affect your hearts with the conſideration both of theſe ſorrows and mercies. If you would think more of theſe things, they would promove your Repentance, Ezek. 18. 28. Only in your meditation realize theſe things to your ſelves, and look not upon them as Romances; argue from them the miſery of thoſe that muſt loſe the one and ſuffer the other, and the unſpeakable felicity of thoſe that are eſcaped the one, and entituled to the other.
2. Think on what fair terms this priviledge is offered you. If there were ſome great thing required of us in order hereto, we could not think it too much to comply withal, for the enjoyment of ſo rich a benefit; if it were to be purchaſed with a whole world, it were a rich bargain, but behold it is already bought and paid for, the great Mediator hath ſecured it for all his Redeemed, and he now offereth it without mony or price; it is but believing in him, and it is all yours; and will you for all go without it?
3. Look to Chriſt for his Spirit to put this trust into you. It is above the power of your natural abilities, but he that offers the benefit, and makes the condition, withal tendereth the help and the Grace whereby you may be enabled to comply with it. When therefore he invites you thus to come, turn it into ſupplication, and ſay, Draw me… when he bids you to believe, ſay, Help mine unbelief; and wait on him in diligent uſing the mean… in which he is wont to come and bleſs.
USE II. Let it put us upon trying our ſelves … which of theſe companies we belong: Here are two ſorts of men, and we ſhall be numbred to one o… them, and it concerns us to know which, for,
1. The matter it ſelf is of Infinite moment. If it were a point of indifferency, this enquiry would be ſuperfluous; theſe two put the difference between the ſubjects of eternal miſery, & everlaſting bleſſedneſs; the difference is as much as is between light and darkneſs, heaven and hell; ſurely then it cannot be ſafe to be ignorant of this matter.
2. Many are deceived. It is a common cheat under the Goſpel, for men to pleaſe themſelves with a good opinion of their ſafe eſtate; the deceitful heart is willing to take up with a ly: and Satan doth all he can to farther the deluſion.
3. This mistake may be rectified. If now we diſcover it, there is an opportunity to mend it, whiles God waits to be gracious; but if we miſs this, it may be too late.
4. All our ſolid comfort flows from this intereſt we have in theſe mercies. What can any thing elſe avail us, or what true conſolation can it afford us, whiles we know not but theſe ſorrows are our portion, and may fall on us the next moment?
USE III. Let this ſerve to confirm believers in their trust in God. Are you compaſſed with mercies? ſtrengthen your faith, keep this hold, and for your help herein.
1. Remember mercy is your tenure. You hold on that, why then ſhould unworthineſs diſcourage you? If it be mercy it will ſhow it ſelf to be ſo, in doing freely, and ſhining ſorth through your unworthineſs; this is faiths hold, and here is its ſtrength.
2. This mercy compaſſeth you. It is ſuited to all your caſes: it accommodates it ſelf to our outward and inward condition, and will be ready to help you in them; you can look to nothing that would hurt you, but you may ſee mercy guarding you againſt it.
3. Think what mercies they are that thus compaſs you, and this will be enough to eſtabliſh your faith and fix it unmoveably: Conſider whoſe mercies they are, viz. Gods, and then,
1. They are ſufficient to anſwer all your ends. Gods mercies are like himſelf, Infinite, and ſo cannot be outbid by any miſery that you can be aſſaulted by. You may ſafely ſet Infinite mercy againſt all temptations, adverſities, difficulties that are in your way, and they will vanquiſh all, & keep you ſafe.
2. They are ſure mercies. If once yours, they will not fail you, Iſa. 55. 3. They are ratified in the Covenant to the people of God by a promiſe that cannot be repealed, and a God who cannot ly; they will never deſert you.
3. They are everlaſting mercies. They cannot wear out, or grow old; they are new every morning, they endure for ever, this is the burden of that ſong, Pſal. 136. ſee Pſal. 103. 17. They are not like thoſe beſtowed on the wicked which are but for a while.
4. Hence they ſhall both preſerve you here, & conduct you to everlaſting felicity. It was in reliance on theſe, that he ſo preſumed, Pſal. 73. 24. Thou ſhalt guide me by counſel, & afterward receive me to glory. Truſt then, and be not afraid: mercy that hath undertaken for you, will be your ſafe conduct to the haven of Eternal Reſt.