The Types Unveiled, Chapter 29
CHAP. 29. I now come to ſpeak of the Qualifications which were required in the Perſon which was to be the Peoples High Prieſt under the Law.
THe High Prieſt was to be one of the meekeſt, tendereſt, mercifulleſt men, exceeding others of his Brethren, a man brimful of bowels of tender love and compaſſion towards thoſe he was to be a Prieſt unto: And ſecondly, he was to be as faithful as merciful. Both of which Qualifications in the High Prieſt under the Law, you have the Apoſtle ſpeaking of in the Epiſtle to the Hebrews.
Firſt, That he was to be full of bowels and tender compaſſion towards thoſe for whom he was choſen a High Prieſt, Heb. 5. 1. For every High Prieſt taken from among…st men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he might offer gifts and ſacrifices for ſins, ſo Ver. 2. Who can have compaſſion of the ignorant, and them that go out of the way?
Secondly, The Prieſt was to be a faithful man, a man diſcharging his duty with all faithfulneſs and ſincerity towards his people, not ſeeking his own before their good, uſing all diligence in his place and calling, withholding no due right from the people; thus much you have from the Apoſtle in Heb 2. 17. Speaking of Chriſt ſaith, That in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a faithful High Prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation for the ſins of the people: To be made like unto his Brethren, who are theſe? Anſwer, not only all Believers (for they are called Chriſts Brethren too) but alſo, and moſt principally (with reſpect to office) by Brethren is meant all thoſe High Prieſts which were before his Incarnation, who were likewiſe the fore-running Types of him in the work of the Prieſthood, and that it was the Prieſts of old that are moſtly intended (in this Text) as the Brethren which Chriſt was to be made like unto will appear, if we conſider the end why the Apoſtle ſaith our Saviour muſt be made like unto his Brethren: It was that he might make Reconciliatien for the ſins of the people, Heb. 2. 17. A work proper to none (under the Law) but to the Prieſts. But wherein was Chriſt to be made like unto his Brethren, you may ſee in the Text, it was in point of faithfulneſs as well as in other reſpects; That he might be a faithful High Prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation for the ſins of the people: So that you ſee ſo much as this was expected to be found in and from the High Prieſt under the Law, that he ſhould be faithful.
Now both of the Qualifications in an abundant meaſure, the Apoſtle ſhews you are in Chriſt our Goſpel High Prieſt, for ſo he applies the thing for our comfort, as indeed all this was but to ſet forth the fulneſs of grace which from the Spirit of anointing the Father cauſed to run into Chriſt to fit him for this great work of the Prieſthood, read Heb. 5… 1, 2. and Chap. 2. 17. Iſa. 11, 2, 3, 4. with Iſa. 61. 1.
Uſe 1.
I ſhall firſt of all take up the firſt of the Qualifications, and labour to improve it for the encouragement of two ſorts of perſons.
Firſt, For thoſe who as yet keep themſelves off from this High Prieſt Chriſt through a ſinful fear.
Secondly, For thoſe who have made choice of Chriſt for their High Prieſt, but ſtill live in continual doubt about their conditions.
As for the firſt fort of perſons, who yet ſtand off from Chriſt, and are afraid to cloſe with him ſo as to make him their High Prieſt; Oh ſoul, how long wilt thou doubt, and by doubting keep thy ſoul off from Jeſus Chriſt, knoweſt thou not that there is a neceſſity for thee to haſten to Jeſus Chriſt, art thou not convinced that thou art a ſinner and under the Curſe, doth not the word tell thee that God is angry with thee every day, Pſal 7. 11. Doſt thou not hear the ſound of wrath that is gone out againſt thee, are not the firſt fruits of it upon thee already, which is but the fore-runner of the full Winepreſs, which like a dark ſtorm is haſtning after; and is there not great need that Reconciliation for ſin ſhould be made to God for thy poor ſoul, why then doſt thou delay thy haſtning to Chriſt the High Prieſt that he might make atonement for thee to the Lord, that ſo a ſtop may be put to that wrath which (from the Lord) is gone out againſt thee; or doſt thou know a better way of Reconciliation and Pacification then by Chriſt; doſt thou not read that the Father is only well-pleaſed in Chriſt becauſe he is his beloved Son, Math. 3. 17. Doſt thou not read that he is the way, the truth, and the life to the Father, as that there is no coming to the Father but by him, Iohn 14 6. And that there is no other Name given amongſt men whereby we can be ſaved, Act. 4. 12. And that if we believe not in him, we ſhall die in our ſins, Ioh. 8. 24. And the wrath of God ſhall abide upon us, Iohn 3. ult.
Obj. But methinks I hear thee reply, Oh but thou art afraid to come to Chriſt: I pray thee tell me where the ſtick lieth, what it is which hinders and keeps thee back from the greateſt of mercies; what is it? Is it the greatneſs of thy ſins, Oh then come to Jeſus Chriſt, for he is a merciful High Prieſt, filled brimful of bowels and tender compaſſion for ſuch an one as thou art, which have gone out of the way of God, mark the phraſe, Heb. 5. 2. Who can have compaſſion on them that are out of the way; Oh the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me (ſaith Chriſt) and the Lord hath anointed me to preach liberty to the captive, and to open the Priſon doors to them that are bound, Iſa. 61. 1. Soul art not thou one of theſe captives; art not thou a captive to ſin, a ſlave to Sathan, a priſoner to thy own luſtful wicked heart; as that if the Devil and Luſt bid thee to drink untill thou art dead drunk in the place, thou muſt do it; if it bid the commit Adultery, Lie, ſwear, & Blaſpheme the worthy name of God; if it bid thee Rob, Kill, thou muſt do it; if it bid thee fight againſt the Goſpel of thy Salvation, ſpeak evil of good Miniſters for their faithful dealing with thy ſoul; if it bid thee abuſe and perſecute the Lords people meerly for waiting upon him in his Ordinances; if it bid thee ſeek and hunt out their Meetings untill thou haſt tired thy ſelf with thy wicked journey, all this and more thou muſt do, thou canſt not help it, thou art not thy own but Satans and Sins ſlave: Now for thee was Chriſt anointed, and with infinite bowels of grace and tender compaſſion filled, that he might ſet thee at liberty from thy ſin and luſt, and that he might preach the acceptable year of the Lord to thy ſoul; O therefore come in, come into Chriſt, do not ſo much look upon what thou haſt been in thy ſelf, as upon what Chriſt is anointed to be, and to do for thee as a High Prieſt if thou wilt come in to him, look not ſo much upon thy ſins as upon the infinite compaſſions of Chriſt as a High Prieſt, which was ſo made for them that go out of the way, yea and for the ignorant likewiſe, that ſhould not diſcourage thee neither, for if thou comeſt to Chriſt as a High Prieſt he will teach thee the fear of the Lord, the knowledge of himſelf, and the exceeding evil of ſin, which thou didſt not know before, Iſa. 29. 24. They alſo that erred in Spirit ſhall come to underſtanding, and they that mu…mured ſhall learn Doctrine: Oh ſoul, throw thy ſelf upon him, he will not reject thee for thy ſins, but pardon thee of them, and pity thee under them; Oh remember he is the High Prieſt which is full of compaſſion, look up to him and haſten thy ſoul thither to the gate of his tender mercy, and thou ſhalt find acceptance with him, take his own word for it, live upon it as ſurer then Bill or Bond from the tendereſt, faithfulleſt man in the world, for it came from the lips of one who never ſpake an untruth in his life, John 6. 37. He that come…h unto me I will in no wiſe caſt out.
Secondly, As for thoſe who have made their choice of Chriſt, but ſtill doubts of their condition; Oh ſoul, didſt thou know how much comfort and ſatisfaction thou maiſt draw out of the Prieſtly office of Chriſt, thou wouldſt never doubt more: I do confeſs that Satan labours to fill the minds of the people of God with great fears and doubtings, but would they view this Qualification (of compaſſion) in their High Prieſt, it would abundantly fortifie them againſt all Objections whatſoever Satan could make againſt them; there be theſe five things which do ordinarily cauſe doubtings in the hearts of the Lords people,
Firſt, The guilt of ſin.
Secondly, The ſtrength of corruption.
Thirdly, The violence of Temptation.
Fourthly, The weakneſs of Grace.
Fifthly, Their backwardneſs in duty.
Firſt, If it be the guilt of ſin which cometh in upon thee under all this look up to Chriſt, let it not drive thee from but to Chriſt; for he, full of bowels and tender compaſſion on purpoſe to deal with thee under this diſtemper, take his own words for it, Art thou laden with thy ſin as that thou canſt not hold up thy head, ſaith Chriſt, then come to me and I will freely pardon it for my name ſake, though your ſin be as red as Crimſon and as Scarlet, yet I will make them as white as ſnow and as wooll; Iſa. 1. 18. Is it the power of ſin troubles thee, Oh then look up to Chriſt thy High Prieſt, who is full of compaſſion filled up with it to out-vie thy corruption, the Father was reſolved to bring his elected ones to glory through the Prieſthood of Chriſt, therefore filled Chriſt with infinite affection towards his people, that ſo he might pitty them and have compaſſion on them in all their diſtempers, the people were in an ill caſe in the wilderneſs for want of greater meaſures of this in Moſes who had undertaken the conduct of them. Numb. 11. 11, 12 13, 14, 15. Moſes crys out, I am not able to bear all this people alone becauſe it is too heavy for me; Oh but its otherwiſe with Chriſt, for the Father was reſolved to fill Chriſt with ſo much compaſſion as that he ſhould never complain of his burthen in having to do with ſuch corrupted ones as thou art, Heb. 2. 17 18. For he was made a merciful High Prieſt in things pertaining to God, that he might be able to ſuccour thoſe that are tempted, (mark that) to ſuccour the tempted or burthened, not to reject them under it: Oh then come to Chriſt, bring thy corruption with thee, lie down with it at the feet of Chriſt and he will unlade thy burthen for thee, Math. 11. 28, 29. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Oh burthened ſoul! here is thy call, what canſt expect more at Chriſts hands then to be bid under this weight of corruption to come away to him.
But it may be thou wilt ſay, but I am afraid, ſhould I come my corruption would ſtir up fury in my Lord? Soul, Chriſt gives anſwer to it (what wilt thou have more) and bids thee put him upon the trial, for ſaith Chriſt, I am meek and towly in heart, therefore come unto me, Math. 11. 29. And alſo tells thee that fury is not in him, Iſa. 27. 4. He means towards ſuch as are burthened with corruption, there is no fury in him againſt ſuch, but rather wounderful love, and tender pity and compaſſion, yea ſo much that Chriſt could and will bear the burthen himſelf rather then it ſhould ſink his poor people, therefore if there be no other help or remedy to be had againſt the burthen of corruption, we are by Chriſts word exhorted to caſt the burthen upon his ſhoulders, Pſal. 55. 23. Caſt thy burthen upon the Lord and he ſhall ſuſtain thee, he ſhall never ſuffer the righteous to be moved. Is it the violence of temptation makes thee to doubt, come to Chriſt, look up to him, he is merciful and full of compaſſion, its not thy temptations ſhall alienate Chriſts heart from thee, but rather work his heart to compaſſionate thy condition, Chriſt is ſo merciful as to diſtinguiſh between thy temptation and thy allowing of it and delighting in it, as a tender-hearted Husband would do in the like caſe about his wife; ſuppoſe a woman ſhould be violently ſet upon by ſome wicked perſon and he ſhould be too ſtrong for her and get her under him, and ſhould abuſe her body, her Husband coming in the mean time and finds her in the act, yet when he beholds her ſtrugling and ſtriving with the man to get from him, and when he ſees the tears which dropt from her eyes about it, do you think that this Husband will put her away from him; no, no, but rather embrace her in his arms with all tenderneſs and affection imaginable: Take one comfortable inſtance for this in our Saviours carriage of old in the like caſe, and aſſure thy ſelf what he was in his carriage then he is the ſame ever ſince, and ever will be to his people under their temptations; For he is the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8.
The inſtance you have in Zach. 3. 1, 2. Where you have Joſhua the High Prieſt (who perſonates the whole Church of Chriſt) violently ſet upon by the tempter, who was ſaid to reſiſt Joſhua, that is, tempted him and ſtrugled and ſtrived with Joſhua to have his pleaſure of him to make him, ſin and tranſgreſs againſt Chriſt; but did Chriſt reject Joſhua for this and caſt him off, no ſure, but it rather wrought forth his heart towards him with the greateſt pity and tenderneſs, the bowels of Chriſt wrought toward Joſhua all the while of the temptation, and pray obſerve where and upon whom did our Saviour charge the guilt of the temptation, was it not upon Satan the tempter, or Joſhua the tempted, not a word ſpoken againſt Joſhua, but all the blows fell upon Satan, ver. 2. And the Lord ſaid unto Satan, the Lord rebuke thee Satan, even the Lord which hath choſen Ieruſalem rebuke thee, is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire.
But it may be you will ſay, when Chriſt ſtood up ſo much for Ioſhua, it was at a time when Chriſt had nothing to accuſe him withall, he had kept his garments pure and unſpotted, but this is not my caſe, I have my filth publickly upon me, my temptations have made me very black and uncomely in his preſence? I anſwer, its true, Chriſt did not accuſe him wi…h any thing that was the effect of his compaſſion as a High Prieſt, but that he had nothing to accuſe Ioſhua withall, you may read the contrary Verſe 2 3. For firſt our Saviour was forced to confeſs that his temptations had made him as black as a brand pluckt out of the fire, and you know when a brand is newly pluckt out of the fire its then a ſad thing to look upon, its then full of ſmoak and filth, apt to ſtain any thing it toucheth. Secondly, he had then at the ſame time very filthy garments upon him, a great deal of pollution, enough to render him as bad in Chriſts ſight as bad may be, yet all this was buried up in the bowels of his Prieſthood, and then why ſhouldſt thou not expect the ſame grace upon coming for it, for all this was to ſhew the carriage of Chriſt to his Church, for Ioſhua was but a Figure of the Church then as it was newly come out of Babylon, which came up to Ieruſalem with abundance of pollution cleaving to her; yet Chriſt undertakes with the Father, that in time he will preſent it a more glorious Church, For he w…uld cauſe her iniquity to paſs from her, and give change of garment to her, and he would put a fair M…ter on her head, ver. 5.
Again, is it the weakneſs of thy grace makes thee to doubt, Oh look up to thy High Prieſt Jeſus, there is infinite compaſſion for thee under all this: Was Dav…ds Faith weak, which ſometime made him to cry out, Pſal. 73. 26. My fleſh and my heart fails me, and at another time, I ſhall one day periſh by the hand of Saul; and again when it drove him to feign himſelf mad to eſcape the danger which he feared might come upon him amongſt the Philistians, yet Chriſt had bowels for theſe weakneſſes, and this David could ſet to his ſeal, that nothing of this nature had made a ſeparation between him and Chriſt, for Chriſt continued the ſame in bowels toward him as aforetime: Pſ. 103. 2, 3, 4. Bleſs the Lord oh my ſoul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diſeaſes, who redeemeth thy life from deſtruction, and crowneth thee with loving kindneſs and tender mercies, who ſatisfieth thy ſoul with good things, ſo that thy youth is renewed like the Eagles: Was St. Peters grace of faith weak when he began to ſink down in the water, and had it not a compaſſionating hand held out to ſuccour and help it, Math 14 29, 30, 31. Was it weak when he denied his Maſter, but was his Maſters bowels ſo cloſe ſhut up againſt him for it as to renounce him; Oh the care that our Saviour takes to remove out of the way all the diſcouragements which Satan might throw in St. Peters way, to the making any farther uſe of Chriſt as High Prieſt. Firſt, before ever he came amongſt his Diſciples, when after his Reſurrection he ſent them word of his riſing, he ſends not the leaſt hint to Saint Peter of his Apoſtaſie, or as if ever ſuch a thing had been, Iohn 20. 17. Again, when he appeared in perſon amongſt the Diſciples, what care did our Saviour take to prevent Saint Peters fears, not one ill word could St. Peter hear from him, or ill look could St. Peter diſcern in him, but all his weakneſſes forgotten becauſe all forgiven, infinite compaſſion at work for a weak Peter, I have prayed that thy faith fail not, Luke 22. 32. No, no, Chriſt cannot part with his people upon ſlight terms, its not weakneſs in grace will out a ſoul of Chriſts favour, he is called a ſhepherd, Pſal. 23. 1. Now you know a ſhepherd doth not throw away his weak Lambs, but rather takes up ſuch as are weak and cannot go and carry them in his arms, and lodgeth them in his boſom; Oh ſo doth Chriſt make much of weak Lambs, ſuch as cannot go of themſelves Chriſt will carry, Iſa. 40. 11. He ſhall feed his flock like a ſhepherd, he ſhall gather the Lambs with his arms and carry them in his boſom, and ſhall gently lead thoſe which are with young.
Oh ſee with what heart burnings Chriſt parts with any of his weak ones, Ephraim was a weak lamb and Ephraim would be gone from Chriſt, but obſerve how Chriſt parts with Ephraim, Hoſea 11. 8. How ſhall I give thee up Ephraim, how ſhall I deliver thee Iſrael, how ſhall I make thee as Admah, how ſhall I ſe… thee as Zebaim, my heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together: And Chriſt is the ſame to thee that ever he was to Ephraim, his arm of mercy is not ſhortned, Oh therefore come to him with joy and comfort, for he will never leave thee nor forſake thee.
Laſtly, Art thou weak in duty, O look up to him as thy High Prieſt, full of compaſſion, and love, and pity toward weak ſouls; Oh do not deſpair, Chriſt cannot caſt thee off becauſe of thy infirmities in duty, for then he would have carried but very few home to heaven, for the beſt that ever were have been very infirm in duty, and have had cauſe to cry out with the Church, All our Righteouſneſſes are but as m…nſtruous cloths, and as filthy rags in thy preſence, O Lord, Iſa. 64. 6. But Chriſt is called a Father, yea an everlaſting Father, Iſa. 9. 6. Doth a Father in the fleſh reject or deſpiſe the work a weak child doth, becauſe it is not done with ſo much ſtrength as he expects, or rather doth he not pity him under his weakneſs, and favour him in his work, and conſidering he ſeeth the child doth what he can, the Father likes it as well as if it were a great deal more. O… ſo it is with this High Prieſt, oh he is ſo full of compaſſion that he will not reject thee for thy weakneſs in performance of duty, though the duty be done with little ſtrength or a weak hand, yet if it be right for ſincerity and truth Chriſt will accept it kindly, hear what he ſaith about it, Zach. 4. 10. For the whole hath deſpiſed the day of ſmall things: Therefore labour for ſincerity of heart that thoſe things thou doſt for Chriſt may be done in truth and fear not, Chriſt hath great compaſſions, he will rather help thee in the work then reject thee for it, read Rom. 8. 26. Thus you ſee what that Qualification in the Prieſt, if well improved, will afford us in a doubting ſeaſon, I now come to the ſecond Qualification, in the High Prieſt, and that is his Faithfulneſs.
This will afford us comfort three manner of ways.
Firſt, In point of ſupply as to grace.
Secondly, Againſt falling off from grace.
Thirdly, Againſt the evil of affliction and perſecution.
Firſt, In point of ſupply with grace, I know the Lords people do find the want of that many a time, Cant. 2 5. Supporting grace under affliction, ſtrengthning grace againſt weariſomneſs in duty; mortifying grace to ſin and corruption, and comforting grace in the hour of temptation: now here is a fulneſs of this laid into Chriſt, …. 1. 19. chap. 2. 9. And he made the ſteward of it; Oh go to Chriſt for it.
Obj. But ſome may ſay if we ſhould he may deny it to us and keep it to himſelf, as many Stewards have done who have been intruſted with a treaſure in the behalf of others, yet they have been defrauded of it through the unfaithfulneſs of the Steward: Oh ſoul, be not diſcouraged as to that, but put him upon the trial there is not one jot of grace that the Father hath given Christ for thee which he can keep from thee; I must confeſs, all the ſupplies of grace which the Father hath given forth for the uſe and benefit of his Elect, he hath intrusted Christ with it, and hath made him the diſpoſer of it, Iohn 1. 14. with 16. But to be ſure of it, he will not, yea he cannot diminiſh one jot or mite of it, and that for theſe two reaſons.
First, Becauſe in his own nature he is faithful, its abundantly more eaſie for the Sun to ceaſe ſhining then it is for Christ to ceaſe being faithful, therefore in the Revelations the holy Ghost gives him this name, Rev. 3. 14. The faithful and true witneſs: Therefore ſoul, what ever ſupply of the grace of the Spirit thou wantest, aſſure thy ſelf thou ſhalt have it if thou makest uſe of Christ for it, he will not withhold one drop of it from thy ſoul, Oh therefore come with boldneſs to the Throne of grace to ask grace and mercy to help in time of need, plead with Christ for it, tell him that thou hast heard that the Father hath laid in a stock of justifying, pardoning, and ſanctifying grace into his hands for poor, naked, ſinful, unclean, miſerable ſinners, and hath made him the Lord Treaſurer of it, and tell him that thou art come to him as a miſerable poor ſinner for a portion of it, for a portion of pardoning grace and ſanctifying grace, then ſee whether Christ will deny it thee; Oh he is ſo far from withholding from a ſinner what is his due by gift from the Father, that he hath taken great care and pains to poſſeſſe the ſoul of it upon every occaſion read that place in Proverbs which relates to Christ as a Steward intrusted in this great work of giving out grace to the Lords people, Prov. 9. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Wiſdom hath bu…l…ed her houſe, ſhe hath hewen out her ſeven pillars, ſhe hath killed her beaſts, ſhe hath mingled her wine, ſhe hath furniſhed her table, ſhe hath ſent forth her maidens, ſhe crieth upon the higheſt places of the City, who ſo is ſimple let him turn in hither, as for him that wanteth underſtanding, ſhe ſaith to him, Come eat of my bread and drink of my wine which I have mingled, for ſake the foolſh, and live and go in the way of understanding: Farther, you may ſee how intent Jeſus Christ was in this work of distributing (freely and faithfully to men) the portion given them (as ſinners) by and from the Father, Iohn 7 37. In the last day of the Feast which was their great day, Jeſus stood and cryed, If any man thirſt let him come to me and drink. Mark, he choſe the great day of the Feast when the company were greatest, he did not take a time to proclaim what treaſure he had received from the Father for poor ſinners, when there were but few in place to hear him, but when the most of the people were met together, beſides he did not whiſper the matter but cryed aloud that all men might hear him touching what he had received from the Father for them if they would come to him for it.
2. Reaſon, why Christ cannot withheld any ſupply of grace from the Lords people, is becauſe of theſe relations he stands in to the Saints.
1. He is their friend, Iohn 15. 15. Now a friend is ſo far from withholding what is due, that he will rather add ſomething of his own to what was given.
2. He is their Husband, J…r 3. 14. Now is it uſual for the Husband not to ſeek the good of his Wife.
3. He is their head and they his body Eph. 5. 23. Can the head withhold any thing from any one of the members of the body, doth he not give down his ſupplies to every part of the body freely, truly no more can Christ withhold any ſupply of grace and mercy from his members which as their head he hath received for them.
Secondly, How ſhould this Qualification of faithfulneſs in Christ ſecure our hope and comfort against falling away totally from grace; Oh how many poor ſouls are there in the world which are under tremblings about this thing, Oh but I fear I may be cast totally out of the grace and favour of God, Oh ſoul, look up to Christ under this doubt, if there be any Interest in heaven to be made against thy falling away from a state of grace, thou maist be ſure not to want it: Soul remember, will a poor mortal man (when his Wife stands upon the trial of her life strive, and tug, and labour, by Purſe and Petition, to make an Interest for his Wife, both w…th Judge and Jury to ſave her life, and dost thou think that Christ will fall ſhort in this to thee, who hast given up thy ſelf to him as his Wife, behold his interceding and advocating work in heaven for thee at this hour, on purpoſe to preſerve thee from this evil, thou ſo much fearest, and doth not the Apostle tell thee that he is heard in all he prayed for, read theſe two places of Scripture, Zach. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4. 5. with Heb. 5. 7. And doth not our Saviour ſay that he is alwayes heard in heaven, John 11. 42. Therefore ſaith the Apostle Heb. 13. 5, 6. So that we may boldly ſay that the Lord is our helper, and I will not fear what man can do unto me, for he hath ſaid I will never leave thee nor for ſake thee: Fear it not, it can never be, if ever he took thee into Covenant, all the Devils in hell can never out thee more, for he takes none into Covenant but ſuch whom he loves, and thoſe whom he begins to love he loves to the end, John 13. 1. And its with an everlaſting love, Jer. 31. 3. Its true, a Chriſtian may loſe the ſenſe and ſight of the love of God, many days if not years, But he can never loſe the being of the love of Chriſt to his ſoul; and as much as ſome talk of falling away from grace, thou needſt not trouble thy ſelf much about that point, but leave it to others that can better judge of the thing then thou canſt; beſides, if the notion were rightly underſtood by weak Chriſtians, (viz.) about falling from grace, I think there would not be ſo many vain Diſputations, Doubts, and Fears amongſt them about it as there is.
Grace in Scripture is taken four manner of ways.
Firſt, For the ſtate of grace into which a ſoul is placed (through his believing in Chriſt) by an indiſſolvable Covenant which is never to be violated, or broken, or altered more, Pſal 89. 34. This is the thing the Apoſtle is ſpeaking of, Rom. 3. 24. When he ſaith, We are juſtified by his grace, that is, Believers are put into a juſtified ſtate by the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, which we call a ſtate of grace, Rom. 5. 2.
Secondly, There is the means of grace, that is all that proviſion which God hath provided in his word for the calling home of poor loſt creatures to himſelf, of this the Apoſtle ſpeaks likewiſe, 2 Cor. 6 1.
Thirdly, There are the habits of grace, which are thoſe divine diſpoſitions or qualities of ſanctifying grace, placed in the heart at the time of our Converſion, of which Iames ſpeaks, Iam. 4. 6
Fourthly, There is the exerciſe or actings of this habitual grace, which St. Peter ſpeaks of, 2 Pet. 3. Laſtly, now if by falling from grace men do intend by it grace in the ſecond ſenſe, (viz.) from the means of grace, ſo I ſay too, and am ſo far an Arminian, for our Saviour was of this Judgement, Math. 13. 19, 20, 21, 22. with Luke 14. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Of this judgment was St. Paul, 2 Cor. 6. 1. with Heb. 2. 3. That men and women may enjoy the means of grace in common with others, and yet have no benefit by it. Again, they may go farther with that in Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6. To have great enlightnings and great taſts of it, and by the powerful convictions of it, made (with Herod) to do many good things, but our Saviour tells you that they were ſuch as were never truly rooted, hence it is that the word was never truly rooted in their hearts, Math. 13. 21. Now to be truly rooted, is elſewhere expounded a rooting in Chriſt by Election, Math. 24. 24. Luke 18. 7. Rom. 9. 11. Rom. 11. 5. Peter 1. 1, 2.
Again, There are the actings, or there is the exerciſe of grace; now in this ſenſe a Child of God may fall from grace, that is, he may go downd the win for a time, he may abate in the degree of his love to, and zele for; and faith in Jeſus Chriſt; Thus it was with David, and St. Peter, and the Spouſe, Cant. 5. 2, 3. And with Epheſus, Rev 2 4. 5.
Again, Take grace in the habits of it, now in this ſenſe an Elected, called ſoul can never fall from grace, that is, he can never loſe the roots of his grace more; they may be buried up with corruption as the fire is with its aſhes ſometimes, but it can never be extinguiſht or put out in the ſoul more, but it will now and then appear, as roots may lie many moneths in the Earth unſeen in a Winter ſeaſon, but when the heat of the Sun draws near the Earth they will Spring again, ſo though grace in the heart may have its Winter ſeaſon, and ſo lie hid under the clods of corruption for a time, when Chriſt the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſhall draw near the heart with his heating beams, grace will then ſpring again, Cant. 1. 12. When the King ſitteth at his Table my ſpicknard ſendeth forth the ſmell thereof.
I will give you one reaſon why grace in the heart can never be wholly extinguiſhed, becauſe its a branch of the Covenant of grace which God hath made with the Elect in Chriſt, Ier. 31. 33. But this ſhall be the Covenant that I will make with the houſe of Iſrael, after thoſe days, ſaith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it upon their hearts, and will be their God, and they ſhall be my people. Now by that Law in the heart, what can it be but the conveying of the ſanctifying grace of the Covenant into the Souls of the Lords people at the hour and time of their Converſion.
Laſtly, There is grace in the ſtate, or that which we call a ſtate of grace, which is a ſouls being planted into Jeſus Chriſt by faith, from this men and women can never poſſibly fall away; And for theſe three grounds.
Firſt, Becauſe thoſe that have been really planted into Jeſus Chriſt, they all receive from him eternal life, and Chriſt ſaith, that thoſe which have received from him eternal life, they ſhall never periſh, Iohn 10. 28. Now if ſome will aſſert ſuch ſhall periſh or may periſh, and Chriſt ſaith they ſhall not, ſoul I leave thee to believe which of theſe two thou pleaſeſt.
Secondly, It cannot be they can fall from grace, becauſe they have Chriſts hand to defend them; now Chriſt is God as well as man, and all power in Heaven and Earth is given into his hand, Math. 28. 18, Iohn 10 28.
Thirdly, It cannot be ſo becauſe they are in the Fathers hand, Iohn 10 29. They are in the Fathers hand by Electon, and in the Sons by Redemption and Interceſſion, and none can pluck them out of theſe infinite Divine hands; how is it then that ſuch a Doctrine can be true, which ſays that true believers may fall from grace totally and finally.
But laſtly, this Qualification of faithfulneſs in Chriſt may afford a great deal of comfort in afflicting and perſecuting ſeaſons, let the ſoul meet with never ſo great diſtreſs, he may be ſure to comfort himſelf in the faithfulneſs of Chriſt, though friends may leave him, and an eſtate may leave him, ſaith Chriſt, Iſa. 43 2. When thou paſſeſt thorow the waters I will be with thee, and thorow the Rivers they ſhall not overflow thee, when thou walkeſt thorow the fire thou ſhalt not be burnt, neither ſhall the flame kindle upon thee: This the Prophet David could experience to be true at ſundry times, who ſaith that Chriſt had been with him in ſix, yea in ſeven troubles, who doth inſtance in ſome of his troubles, how he had found Chriſt with him in theſe troubles one was this, when his Father and Mother left hm, then the Lord took him up, Pſal. 27. 10. Another was this, when his friends and acquaintance had withdrawn from him and did look ſtrange upon him, the Lord ſtood by him, Pſal. 31. 11. So St. Paul could ſay likewiſe, when all men forſook him, yet the Lord ſtood by him, 2 Tim. 4. 16, 17. And therefore would comfort the diſtreſſed Corinthians, 1 Cor. 10 13. That though no temptation had hapned to them, but what was common to Saints, yet Chriſt was faithful, who would not ſuffer them to be tempted above what they were able to bear, and would with the temptation make away for their eſcape.
Now St. Paul could ſpeak this by experience, for he had found it ſo; Oh therefore live upon the faithfulneſs of Chriſt in a Gaol, in a Dungeon, any where, for he hath ſaid he will never leave thee nor forſake thee; if thou art ſick he will make thy bed in thy ſickneſs, Pſal. 41. 3. If thou art poor he will ſtick cloſer to thee then a Brother, Prov. 18 24. If thou art tempted, it ſhall be in his arms, Heb. 2. 18. For in that he himſelf hath ſuffered being tempted, he is able to ſuccour thoſe which are tempted: In a word, he is ſo faithful as to bear a part with thee in all thy afflictions let them be what they will, Iſa. 63. 9. In all their afflictions he is afflicted, and the Angel of his preſence ſaved them: Oh therefore make him thy High Prieſt, live upon him for thee and thine in all conditions whatſoever, intruſt him with thy ſoul, with thy body, with thy relations, with thy eſtate, with thy all, for he is the faithful and true witneſs, Rev. 3. 14.