The Glory of Christ Set Forth in Sermons on John 3:34-36, Sermon 4
SERMON IV.
Hebrews XI. 6. The beginning of the Verſe.
But without Faith it is Impoſſible to pleaſe him.
HAving ſpoken ſomewhat largely concerning the Doctrine of Faith, from another Scripture, I ſhall deſire a little to go on to back it. And Oh that the Lord would back it by his Spirit; and therefore I have choſen this portion of Scripture.
Briefly a little for the Coherence.
The Apoſtle Paul (for moſt probably he was the Pen-man of this Epiſtle) having in the former Chapter exhorted theſe Jews, or Hebrews, to whom he wrote, to perſevere, and to be conſtant in the Faith, taking an Argument from the danger of the contrary, in the latter end of the Chapter, If any man draw back, or do not perſevere, my Soul ſhall have no pleaſure in him. Now I ſay, having exhorted them to perſevere in the Faith, both in the Doctrine of Faith, and in the Grace of Faith, he comes in this Chapter to commend the Grace of Faith to them. And that,
Firſt, By laying down a deſcription of it; for ſays he, This grace of Faith doth make thoſe things that are abſent (whether paſt or future) as if they were preſent; if we look by faith back upon the creation of the World, and ſee how the World was made out of nothing, Faith will help us to look upon it as preſent; and ſo we may look upon thoſe things that are to come; and faith is the ſubſtance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not ſeen, whether paſt or to come.
But then, Secondly, he commends Faith by the excellent effects of it, that have been found in the Faithful in all Ages, from the beginning of the World until the coming of Chriſt; for if you obſerve it, look upon the Chapter, and you will find that he gives inſtances and examples, both of thoſe faithful that were before the Flood, and alſo of ſuch as were after the Flood, to the giving of the Law; and then alſo of thoſe faithful ones that lived after the Law until the Capivity; and then of thoſe that lived after the Captivity until the coming of Chriſt: all theſe he inſtances in this Chapter. Now firſt, for theſe Faithful ones that lived before the Flood, and the effects of Faith in them; here he does lay down and mention three examples eſpecially:
Firſt, He does inſtance in the example of Abel, and of the effects of Faith in him.
Secondly, He doth inſtance alſo in faithful Enoch, and the Effects of his Faith.
And Thirdly, The example of Noah, and the effects of his Faith. And what was the general effect of their Faith? Why, the great and General effect of all their Faith was, that by their Faith they pleaſed God. Says he, firſt for Abel, at the 4th Verſe, Abel he offered up a Sacrifice by Faith that pleaſed God; by Faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent ſacrifice than Cain, or a more pleaſing Sacrifice than Cain; it was by Faith that his offering was pleaſing unto God. And again, he inſtances in Enoch, By Faith Enoch walked with God; and pleaſed God: for ſo he ſays expreſly at the latter end of the 5th Verſe, that he had this Teſtimony, that he pleaſed God. And then for Noah, he alſo by his Faith pleaſed God. How does that appear? why, he found Grace and Favour with God; God inſtructed him to build an Ark, whereby he and his Family might be preſerved in the time of the General Flood. He found Favour with God, and that was by Faith; for ſo the Apoſtle expreſſes it, verſe 7. By faith Noah being warned of God of things not ſeen, as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark, &c.
But now this Scripture that I have read unto you, it is from the commendation of the Faith of Enoch, Enoch by Faith he pleaſed God; for ſo ſaies the Apoſtle at the latter end of the 5. Verſe, juſt before the Text, before his tranſlation he had this Teſtimony, that he pleaſed God. He had this Teſtimony, where had he this Teſtimony? And where ſhall we find this Teſtimony concerning Enoch? The place to which the Apoſtle does here refer and relate to, is that in the 5 of Geneſis, the 22, 23, 24. Verſes. If you conſult the place, you will find never a word ſpoken that Enoch pleaſed God, not expreſly; it is ſaid Enoch walked with God, after he begat Methuſalah, three Hundred Years, and begat Sons and Daughters: and all the days of Enoch were three hundred Sixty and Five Years; and Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Where is here any word expreſſed that Enoch pleaſed God? Yet ſaies the Apoſtle in this place, He had this Teſtimony, that he pleaſed God? why, it muſt be in this place or no where; therefore it is no where expreſly ſaid that he pleaſed God. How then could the Apoſtle ſay here, that he had a Teſtimony that he pleaſed God? For anſwer, though it be not ſaid in expreſs terms that Enoch pleaſed God, yet here is that ſpoken for the ſubſtance of it, that is equivolent to it; for in that it is ſaid, He walked with God, it holds forth that he pleaſed God; for can two walk together if they be not agreed, if they be not pleaſing one to another? can Enoch walk with God, if God was not pleaſed with him? the very expreſſing of it again and again, that Enoch walked with God, it holds forth this Teſtimony, that Enoch pleaſed God. And again, the Lords taking of him to himſelf, in a more than ordinary way and manner, is a plain Teſtimony that he pleaſed God. Now ſaies the Apoſtle, He had this Teſtimony before his Tranſlation, that he pleaſed God; he walked with God, and God took him. Here was a plain Teſtimony that he pleaſed God: Now this was by Faith, that Enoch pleaſed God; ſo the Apoſtle ſays, By faith Enoch was tranſlated that he ſhould not ſee Death; and He had this Teſtimony, that he pleaſed God. And ſaies the Apoſtle, This Faith is that whereby a Soul comes to pleaſe God; and not only ſo, but is that whereby God is only pleaſed; by Faith only God is pleaſed with a perſon, and without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. The Apoſtle does not ſay here, that no man ever did yet pleaſe God without Faith; he does not only ſay, that no man alive does pleaſe God without Faith, nor no man that ever ſhall live in the World ſhall pleaſe God without Faith; no, but he ſpeaks a greater word, It is impoſſible that ever any man or Woman in the World ſhould pleaſe God without Faith; without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe him.
The words are a plain Propoſition, and I ſhall take them as the Apoſtle lays them down: Namely,
Doctrine, That it is impoſſible for any Man or Woman ever to pleaſe God without Faith.
It does imply, indeed, that by Faith a Man or Woman does come to pleaſe God; for when he ſaies, without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, he does imply, that by Faith a man or Woman does pleaſe him; but it is only by Faith that a Man or Woman can pleaſe God.
Friends, this point may be of greater concernment than poſſibly ſome of you are aware of; hereby the general miſtake of many (if not of moſt) Chriſtians, may be diſcovered, many, and the generality of Chriſtians are ready to think that they pleaſe God with the performance of their Duties day by day; they call upon the Name of God, and they are frequently attending upon the Word of God; and they do deſire alſo to live uprightly, and to walk conſcienciouſly in their callings, &c. And this is the way whereby they think to pleaſe God: I do not ſpeak againſt theſe things; but I ſay, if this be the way to pleaſe God, then why doth the Apoſtle ſay here, that without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe him? then it is not poſſible by my Prayers, nor by all the Duties and Services that I can perform, nor by all my upright and cloſe walking in my converſation; no ſaies he, when you have done all you can, if you fall ſhort of this Faith, you cannot pleaſe God; without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe him. Hereby, I ſay, Chriſtians may ſee their general miſtake whereby they may be miſtaken, and it is about a matter of very great concernment, about pleaſing or diſpleaſing God; and again, it is of concernment alſo to direct us and ſet us in a right way, whereby we may come to pleaſe God indeed; well then, to enter upon the point (through the Lords aſſiſtance) I ſhall deſire for the proſecution of it, to ſpeak to theſe four or five particulars:
1. To ſhew you what it is that the Apoſtle here means by pleaſing God, when he ſaies, that without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God.
2. That this pleaſing of God is a matter of very great concernment, that the Apoſtle intimates, when he ſpeaks of it ſo as he does, that it is a moſt deſirable thing for a Man or Woman to pleaſe God.
3. What is that Faith without which it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, and by which a man or woman doth come to pleaſe God? That is worth the inquiring after.
4. Shew you, that by Faith (though a Man or Woman may have many failings) yet by Faith, he comes to pleaſe God.
5. And Laſtly, To ſhew you, That without Faith it is utterly impoſſible to pleaſe God; whatever Man or Woman doth in this world beſides, yet if he fall ſhort of this Faith he cannot pleaſe God.
1ſt. Then, What is this ſame pleaſing of God that the Apoſtle here ſpeaks of?
I Anſwer, By pleaſing of God, we are not to underſtand meerly God's approving a thing; God doth approve of the Creatures that he hath made, and approves of them for good; the Creatures that came out of Gods hand, for the ſubſtance of them, they are good; when God had made the World, he looked back and did review all the creatures that he had made, and he did declare and pronounce that they were all very good; this is an approbation of the creatures that he had made: but this is not ſuch a pleaſing of God as the Apoſtle here ſpeaks of; the ſubſtance of all the creatures in themſelves are good, the very Devils in the ſubſtance of them are good in themſelves. And again, the actions and works that Men and Women do, they may ſometimes be good for the ſubſtance of them, and yet notwithſtanding God may not be pleaſed with them. He hath ſhewed thee, Oh man (Micah 6.8.) what is good, to do juſtly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. The ſubſtance of thoſe Actions, God doth approve of them, and yet notwithſtanding for the manner of doing them, God may not be pleaſed. Well, then poſitively,
You will ſay, What is this ſame pleaſing of God by what we do? or when may God be ſaid to be pleaſed with the things that a Man or Woman doth? Namely, in ſhort, for I muſt not inlarge; When as the Lord hath a Gracious reſpect unto the things that a perſon doth, when he have a gracious reſpect to his Duties and Services, and alſo doth graciouſly accept of them, and take a kind of complacency and delight in them, then is he well pleaſed with them. As now for example, you read of Abel in Geneſis 4.4, 5. He went and offered a Sacrifie unto God, and ſo did Cain too; but ſaies the Holy-Ghoſt, The Lord had reſpect to Abel and to his Offering, but he had no reſpect to Cain and to his Offering. God ſaw what Cain did too, in offering, and the offering might be good and acceptable in it ſelf, but being offered up by Cain, God had not reſpect to Cain nor to his offering; he did not accept of it as performed and done by him; ſo when God hath not only a gracious reſpect to the duties and ſervices a man perſorms, but does graciouſly accept of them, with a kind of complacency, he ſmells a ſweet ſavour in them, then he is pleaſed with them: As it it is ſaid concerning Noah's Offering, in Geneſis 7.21. Noah, after he came out of the Ark, he offered a Sacrifice to God of the clean Beaſts that he had in the Ark with him; and its ſaid, God ſmelled a ſweet ſavour of reſt in his Noſtrils from that Sacrifice; God had not only a gracious reſpect to it, and looked with a gracious aſpect upon it, but God did take a kind of delight, and ſavour, and reliſh in it; as a man doth delight in that he ſmells a ſweet ſavour in; it is ſaid, the Lord ſmell'd a ſweet ſavour of Reſt, a ſweet ſmell came up into his Noſtrils from Noah's ſacrifice; The Truth is (Brethren) a Man or Woman may ſometimes do thoſe very things that God requires, (I pray mark it) I ſay, a Man or Woman may perform thoſe very duties that God requires, and yet God may not ſmell a ſweet ſavour in them, take no delight nor complacency in them, nor have no reſpect to them: As now for example, you know the Lord anointed Jehu to be King over Iſrael, 2 Kings 9. You ſhall find when the Lord anointed him by his Prophet, it was for this very end and purpoſe, that he ſhould go and Deſtroy all the Houſe of Ahab, and cut them all off; well, Jehu went and performed the work; one would think this was pleaſing to God…, for he did the very thing that God required; and yet I pray look into Hoſea 1.4. You ſhall ſee what a Teſtimony the Holy Ghoſt gives of Jehu concerning the Work he did, And the Lord ſaid unto the Prophet, call his Name Jezreel: for yet a little while, and I will avenge the Blood of Jezreel upon the Houſe of Jehu, &c. I will be avenged, ſaies God, for that Blood; why, did not Jehu do that which God did expreſly require of him, in cutting off the Houſe of Ahab? And yet ſaies the Lord, I will be avenged for that Murder that Jehu Committed. Why ſo? Truly Jehu did not do it in that manner that was pleaſing unto God, for Jehu had his own ends in what he did; he made account of cutting off the Houſe of Ahab, that his own Kingdom might be better eſtabliſhed, and therefore he ſtill maintained the Calves that Jeroboam had ſet up; and therefore ſaith the Lord, I will avenge the Blood of Jezreel upon the Houſe of Jehu. And ſaies the Lord, in Iſaiah 1.13, 14. When he ſpeaks concerning the Sacrifices, Offerings, and Services which he himſelf had apppointed, Bring no more vain Oblations; Incenſe is an Abomination to me; your new Mo…is and Sabbaths, and ſolemn Aſſemblies I cannot away with. Why, had not God expreſly appointed theſe things? yes; yet ſaies God, Your new Moons and appointed Feaſts my Soul hateth, they are a trouble to me, I am weary to bear them; and when you ſpread forth your hands, ſaies God, I will hide my Eyes; and when you make many prayers, I will not hear you. Why, were not theſe the things that God had required and commanded? yet you ſee God was not pleaſed with them; but now when the Lord doth look with a gracious reſpect upon a mans Services and performances, and alſo doth graciouſly accept them with complacency and delight, this is now to pleaſe the Lord by what we do. Well, this is the firſt thing; you ſee what is meant by pleaſing of God.
2. Now then to come to the ſecond, That this pleaſing of God is a very deſirable thing; it is of great concernment for a Man or Woman to pleaſe God.
What can a man or woman deſire to do more in this World, than to pleaſe God? this indeed is implyed here in the Text, he ſpeaks of it as a thing very deſirable, Without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. To do that which is ſo deſirable; if it were not deſirable, what ſhould a man or woman need to care whether he pleaſe God or no? but the Apoſtle ſpeaks of it as a great thing, without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. Brethren, when a man or woman doth perform a Duty or Service, when he hath done it, if he do not pleaſe God in it, this is matter of very great ſadneſs to ſuch a Soul, or it ſhould be ſo; you know how Cain took it, he brought an Offering, Geneſis 4. of the fruits of the Ground, unto God, but God was not pleaſed with it; God had reſpect to Abel, and to his Offering; but to Cain and his Offering God had not reſpect. Well how did Cain take it? He was not able to bear it, his countenance fell: Gods accepting of Abels offering and not Cains, it went to the Heart of him, his Countenance fell, and thereupon he grew malicious againſt his Brother, and at laſt he ſlew him; it was ſuch a dreadful thing to him, that God ſhould not accept of his Sacrifice as well as his Brothers. And you ſhall ſee King Saul, though but a wicked man, yet when God did refuſe to hear his Prayers, and was not pleaſed with them, ſaies he, I am ſore diſtreſſed, in 1 Sam. 28.15. And he goes to a Witch, who raiſed up (as he thought) Samuel to him, and Saul anſwered, I am ſorely diſtreſſed, the Philiſtines make War againſt me, and God is departed from me; and he anſwereth me no more, neither by Prophets, nor by Dreams, &c. I am ſorely diſtreſſed. And Brethren, what is that which the people of God do ſo much deſire in this world, that they are Ambitious of it, as the main thing of their deſire in the World? It is, that they may pleaſe God, ſee the Apoſtles expreſſion, 2 Cor. 5.9. Wherefore we Labour, ſaies he, the word ſignifies we are Ambitious, it is an emphatical word, we deſire ambitiouſly, we do earneſtly endeavour, as an ambitious man doth after Honour; wherefore we Labour: But the word is a ſtronger word, we labour with might and main, we make it our very ambition that we may be accepted of him, or that we may pleaſe God; it is the higheſt degree of the deſire of our Souls, we are ambitious for that, that we may pleaſe God, and that God may be pleaſed with us, and accept of our ſervices.
But more particularly, to ſhew you in ſome particulars what a deſirable thing it is to be found pleaſing of God; and to have our ſervices accepted of him. As
1. Is it not a deſirable thing for a Man or Woman to be reconciled to God, and to have God reconciled to them, and ſo to have peace with God? Now, when God comes to accept of a mans duties and ſervices, it is an Argument that God is reconciled to him, and at peace with him; for before reconciliation, every Man and Woman in the World is an enemy unto God. Now, if any one ſhould come and offer Service to you, and you know he hath enmity in his mind againſt you, you will not accept of any thing he does, though he pretend never ſo fairly. Now when God comes really to accept of a Mans ſervices and performances, it is an Argument God is at peace with him, and is not that a moſt deſirabe thing?
2. Is it not a deſirable thing for a man or woman to have libetty to make uſe of the creatures that God gives him, with joyfulneſs of Heart, that he may rejoice in what he doth make uſe of, and partake of? Now, when a Man or Woman comes to know that his Services are accepted of God, and that he hath pleaſed God in what he hath done, truly then he may go his way, as I remember Solomon ſpeaks to that purpoſe, Eccleſ. 9.7. Go thy way, eat thy Bread with joy, and Drink thy drink with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy Work, God is pleaſed with what you do. Ay, now you have cauſe to go and rejoyce in what you do enjoy, now you may go and eat and drink with gladneſs, with a merry heart; it's true, the men of the World can be jovial in their Cups, eating and drinking, and carouſing, and none ſeem to be ſo merry and jovial as they are, but they have no cauſe for it; it is juſt like a Condemned perſon, that may be jovial, and eating and drinking, and he know not how ſoon he may be called to Execution, this is the caſe of every Man and Woman in the World, if God do not accept of their Works: But now ſaies Solomon, Go thy way, eat thy Bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy works.
3. Is it not a deſirable thing to have the Creatures ready to be ſerviceable and officious to a man or woman? that there is never a Creature in the World but is ready to be Officious and Serviceable to him; though poſſiby they may ſeem to be averſe, and contrary, and croſs to him, yet they are all Serviceable and Officious to him; to have every thing turn to good to a Man or Woman, whatever any Creature do to him, it turns all to his good, though the Creature may intend otherwiſe. The wicked men may intend to perſecute, and perſecute them as Enemies, but when a man or woman pleaſe God, and his ways pleaſe God, all his Enemies ſhall be made his Friends, Proverbs 16.7. When a Mans ways pleaſe the Lord, he maketh his Enemies to be at peace with him. They ſhall be Friends to him, they ſhall do Offices and ſervices of Friendſhip and kindneſs to him, though poſſibly againſt their wills; all the creatures ſhall be officious and ſerviceable to them, and they ſhall not be able to do them any hurt: what a deſirable thing is this?
4. Is it not a deſirable thing for a man or woman to have an audience of all their prayers in Heaven? for God to be ready to hear our requeſts and petitions that we put up to him? is not this a deſirable thing? You will ſay, Oh that I were but ſure that God did but hear any one Prayer that ever I made, what a deſirable thing is this! now thoſe whoſe ways are pleaſing to the Lord God, do hear their prayers, They have acceſs to the Throne of Grace with boldneſs, to find grace and mercy to help in the time of need, Heb. 4.16. and mark the Apoſtles expreſſion, in 1 John 3.22. And whatſoever we ask, we receive of him. Why ſo? becauſe we keep his Commandments, and do thoſe things that are pleaſing in his ſight. If we be ſure we do thoſe things that are pleaſing to God; Now, ſaies the Apoſtle, we know that whatſoever we ask, we receive of him, we have now an audience of our prayers and petitions in Heaven; Oh! what a deſirable thing is this!
5. Is it not a deſirable thing for a man or woman to be a Favourite in the Court of Heaven? to be in ſpecial favour with the King of Heaven? you count it no ſmall matter to be a Favourite in the Kings Court, to be in favour with the King; you count it a very deſirable thing; Truly to be a favourite in the Court of Heaven is much more deſirable; to be in favour with the great King of kings; I tell you the favour of God in Heaven, is as Life to a mans Soul; David could ſay it, that knew it by experience, in Pſalm. 30.5. In thy favour is Life; nay, he adds a greater word than that, in Pſalm. 63.3. Thy loving kindneſs is better than life. There is nothing in the world to a Man better than life; but to know that a man or Woman is in favour with God, he hath that which is better than life. Brethren and Friends, there are but two great things that a Man or Woman ſhould deſire in this World, which are the general and comprehenſive of all things to be deſired; one is, to enjoy peace with God, and the favour of God here; and the other is to enjoy the favour, and ſee the face of God in Heaven hereafter: What can a man deſire more than to be at peace with God, and have the favour of God whilſt he live, and then to know that he ſhall ſee and enjoy the face and preſence of God for ever in Glory? Here is as much as can be deſired; and theſe two things we ſhould look after: Now here is one of them, To know that God is well pleaſed with a poor Creature; now ſuch a perſon is a Favourite of Heaven, and he may be ſure of it; if he be in favour with God here, then he ſhall ſee the face of God, and enjoy the preſence of God hereafter: That is the 5th.
6. And Laſtly, to add but that, Is it not a deſirable thing for a Man or Woman to be able to look Death in the face with comfort, when Death comes to ſtare him in the face? when he ſhall have a ſentence of Death paſt upon him? What would you then deſire above all the things in this World? what? not a great Eſtate; not this and that that you can think of in the World; but Oh that I might have the Favour of God! and that I might know that God is well pleaſed with me, &c. Then a Man or Woman may look Death in the face, and may draw near to God with a holy Boldneſs; as I remember Hezekiah, when he had the ſentence of death upon him, in Iſa. 38.3. Lord, ſaies he, Remember how I have walked before thee in Truth, and with a perfect heart. He could appeal to God, that his ways were pleaſing to him, and now he could reſign up his Soul to him, though he was troubled that he had not finiſhed the Work that he had to do in the World; and ſo he could have deſired to live longer; and upon his prayer the Lord did reverſe the ſentence of Death that was upon him; yet when he had the Sentence, ſee how he took it, Lord, ſaies he, remember how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart; that is, the things that he had been doing, had been pleaſing to the Lord: So a Man or Woman whoſe ways pleaſed God whilſt he lived in the World, when he comes to die he may look Death in the face with comfort. What a deſirable thing then is it for a man or woman to pleaſe God in what he doth? That is the Second thing propounded, That to pleaſe God is a moſt Deſirable thing.
3. But in the Third place, you will, ſay, what is that Faith whereby a man or woman comes to pleaſe God?
Truly it is Faith that is the principle, and ground, and Foundation, whence a man, and his Works, and Services, and Performances come to be pleaſing to God. A Man or Woman may be diligent in the performance of Duties and Services, and yet God may not be pleaſed with them: As for example, take two perſons that come and joyn together in prayer, they pray the ſame Prayer, or two Perſons that give Alms, they perform the very ſame Duty, the one gives as much alms as the other, and yet what the one doth may be accepted with God, and pleaſing to him, and the other not; whence comes the difference? One doth it in Faith, and the other not. Abel and Cain brought their offerings to God, God had reſpect to Abel and his Offering, and God had not reſpect to Cain and his Offering; what was the ground of the difference? ſaies the Apoſtle, By Faith Abel offered a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain. Well, but what Faith is it then whereby a Soul, and his Duties, and Services come to be pleaſing unto God?
Anſw. Brethren, do not miſtake your ſelves, it is not that Faith whereby a man or Woman gives his conſent to, and believes all that is written in the Scriptures, all that is revealed in the Goſpel concerning Chriſt; a man or woman may believe all this, and yet this is not the Faith whereby he comes to be accepted; as you know, the Devils believe all this, and yet are not accepted; So a man or Woman may believe all that is revealed in the Goſpel, and yet never pleaſe God. But what Faith is it whereby a Man, and his Duties and performances come to pleaſe God? and without which it is impoſſible to pleaſe God? Briefly, there is a three-fold Faith required, for the acceptance of a mans ſervices and performances with God, that God may be pleaſed with them. Mind it, I pray, for it is a thing of great concernment, and poſſibly that which very few have conſidered.
1ſt, There is required ſaving Faith in Chriſt, that which we call juſtifying Faith; ſuch a believing in Chriſt whereby a Soul comes to be in Chriſt, and Chriſt in the Soul; whereby Chriſt becomes the life of the Soul, the very principle of Life in the Soul; a juſtifying ſaving Faith in the habit, the principle of Faith, the grace of Faith infuſed into the heart, whereby a Soul comes really to be united to Chriſt, and have an Intereſt in him; to be in Chriſt, as you know the Scripture frequently ſpeaks; I ſhall not ſtand to give you Scriptures for that; you ſee, Brethren, here, how Abel and how Enoch came to pleaſe God, it was by Faith. What Faith? It was this true Juſtifying Faith, this Faith in Chriſt that was to come; for it was by their Faith in Chriſt that they came to be accepted, and their Offering was accepted and pleaſing unto God; by Faith Abel was accepted, and his Offering and Sacrifice was accepted: Cain he offered his Sacrifice, but it was not accepted, becauſe he had not this juſtifying Faith. Enoch he pleaſed God, and whence was it? It was by his Faith; and ſaies the Apoſtle thereupon, he had his Teſtimony that he pleaſed God; it was by his Faith, his juſtifying Faith in Chriſt, whereby he came to be accepted; his perſon was accepted of God, and conſequently his ſervices came to be accepted of God; a man or woman muſt firſt have a principle of Life, before he can live a Spiritual Life; now Chriſt is a Chriſtians life, and how comes Chriſt to be the Life of a Chriſtian? Namely, by his Faith, when he comes to believe in Chriſt, then Chriſt is his Life, the principle of his life; the Spirit of Chriſt now is in the Soul: that is a plain word, which the Apoſtle hath, in Rom. 8.9. If any man have not the ſpirit of Chriſt, he is none of his. And ſaies Chriſt, in John 15.5. As the branch cannot bring forth Fruit of it ſelf except it abide in the Vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me. And without me (mark) without me ye can do nothing. Nothing that is pleaſing to God; the word without me, holds forth, not ſo much without Strength from Chriſt, though that is true too; but the word ſignifies properly in the Original, without me, that is ſeparated from me, not united to me; that is the word in the Greek, juſt as when a Branch is cut off from the Vine, the Branch cannot bring forth Fruit without page missing ful diſputations; for one believeth that he may eat all things, another who is weak eateth Herbs, Let not him that eateth deſpiſe him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not, judge him that eateth, for God hath received him. And again, at verſe 5. One man eſteemeth one day above another, another eſteemeth every day alike. What then? Let every Man be fully perſwaded in his own mind, if he do venture to eat any kind of Meats, let him be fully and clearly perſwaded in his own mind that he may do it, and then he eats in Faith; and if he do not obſerve thoſe days, if he be fully perſwaded in his own mind, then he doth it in Faith; in the two laſt Verſes he calls this Faith. Haſt thou Faith? Have it to thy ſelf before God. Haſt thou Faith? that is, haſt thou a perſwaſion that it is lawful for thee to eat any kind of meats, or it is Lawful for thee to forbear the Obſervation of thoſe Days? Haſt thou Faith? have it to thy ſelf. But mark, Happy is he that condemneth not himſelf in that thing that he alloweth, and he that doubteth is damned if he eat, becauſe he eateth not of Faith. He that doubteth, that is, he that queſtioneth whether it be lawful for him to eat this kind of meat or no; he that doubteth whether he ſhall do well to obſerve this day or no; He that doubteth is damned if he eat, becauſe he eateth not of Faith. That is, he is not fully perſwaded in his own mind; for whatſoever is not of Faith is Sin, whatſoever is not of that perſwaſio… that it is according to the Will of God▪ o… not contrary to the Will of God, if he do it without that perſwaſion, then it is not of Faith, and ſo is a damnable ſin; though the thing be Lawful in it ſelf, yet if he doth the ſame thing doubtingly, it is a damnable ſin that he commits; without this Faith, this perſwaſion in his Mind, that what he doth is according to the Will of God: and this Faith is requiſite to the pleaſing of God. So here in the inſtance before us in Abel, and alſo in Enoch; Abel pleaſed God by offering up a Sacrifice, he had this Faith, not only a Juſtifying Faith, but he had this Faith, he was perſwaded that what he did offer up in Sacrifice, was according to the Will of God; and ſo Enoch he walked with God, and had this Teſtimony, that he pleaſed God; that in the courſe of his Liſe, the ſteps of his Life was according to the Will of God; he walked with God; the actions that he did he was perſwaded was according to the Will of God, and thus he pleaſed God, and this is a Second Faith that is required to the pleaſing of God.
3dly. There is another Faith that is required further to the pleaſing of God, without which, though I be a Believer, and have a juſtifying Faith, and though I be perſwaded that what I do is according to the Will of God, yet I may not pleaſe God in what I do, except there be another Faith, which is this, Namely, an actual Exerciſe of the principle and habit of Faith in the Duties that we perform; all our Duties muſt be done with an act of Faith; it is not ſufficient that a man or woman be a believer, and do go about this thing and that thing, and run away with this Notion, that he pleaſes God in what he doth; but it is required that he muſt actually exerciſe Faith in what he doth. As for example, for Prayer, a man or woman that is a believer goes to prayer, and he is perſwaded in his conſcience that what he prays for is according to the Will of God, but this is not enough; but if his prayer pleaſe God, he muſt put forth a freſh act of Faith in his Prayer; what he asks for he muſt ask in Faith; Whatſoever ye ſhall ask in Prayer, believing, ſaies Chriſt, ye ſhall receive, Tho' a man be a believer yet he muſt believe ſtil and in Jam. 1.5, 6. If any man lack Wiſdom, let him ask it of God, &c. But let him ask it in Faith; though he be a believer, yet let him ask in Faith, for if he ask without acting his Faith it is nothing, it is not pleaſing to God; he muſt act Faith in his Prayer: and ſo for hearing the Word, a believer comes to hear the Word, and what he hears he is perſwaded it is according to the Will of God; well, but is this enough? no, he muſt act Faith in hearing the Word, or elſe it will be unprofitable to him; ſaies the Apoſtle, in Hebrews 4.2. The word Preached did not profit them, not being mixt with Faith in them that heard it. There muſt be an act of Faith in hearing the Word; we muſt mix Faith in hearing the Word, we muſt act Faith in all our duties & performances. So far as we are wanting in acting & exerciſing of Faith in what we do (the Lord help us to mind theſe things) ſo far forth our Services are defective in pleaſing of God; and ſo I might inſtance in other things, as in giving of Alms, and other things; and ſo, if you obſerve it, Abel was not only a Believer, and had the Faith alſo of perſwaſion that what he did offer was according to the Will of God, ay, but Abel went further alſo, when he pleaſed God in his Sacrifices; in all his Sacrifices that he offered up, he did act Faith; and ſo by his acting of Faith, being a believer, his Offerings and Sacrifices were acceptable to God; and Enoch, our preſent example before us, he was a believer, and was perſwaded that what he did was according to to the mind of God; but he walked with God, that is, he did act Faith in all his ſervices that he did, in the ſteps of his Walking. He pleaſed God in his Walking, which muſt be by Faith, by acting of Faith in his Duties and Services, and walking with God, by that means he came to pleaſe God. It is not enough, Brethren, that I have a principle of Faith in me, that I do believe in Chriſt, and that what I do I am perſwaded is according to the Will of God, this is not enough to pleaſe God in the Duties and Services that I perform; but I muſt exerciſe Faith in the duties and ſervices that God requires of me. Says the Apoſtle Paul, in Gal. 7.2, 20. I am crucified with Chriſt. How did he know that? ſaies he, Chriſt lives in me: there was a principle of Life; and ſaies he, the life that I live in the Fleſh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God. Paul had not only Chriſt in him as a principle of Life, but Paul did alſo act from that principle of Life; The Life that I now live in the Fleſh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God. As for example, a natural man that hath a Soul in his Body, hath a principle of natural Life; but this is not enough; but now to every natural action of Life that he puts forth, there muſt be an influence from that principle of Life, or elſe he cannot act; ſo though Chriſt be a principle of ſpiritual life in us, yet notwithſtanding a Man or Woman muſt act ſpiritually, he muſt derive Strength, and Vertue, and influence from Chriſt, to every duty and ſervice that he performs, to make it acceptable to God; it is not elſe a Spiritual Action.
This is now the Faith that is required in every Man and Woman in the World that would pleaſe God; and without this Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. I pray mind it, though I cannot come to the Application now, yet remember it, and obſerve it, poſſibly you may think your ſelves what may be reduced from it; I ſay, without this Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God: but now with this Faith, though our performances and ſervices be defective, yet we come to pleaſe God in doing of them.
Queſt. You will ſay, how ſhall we be ſure of that, that whatſoever I do, being a believer, and acting Faith in it; how may I be ſure that I pleaſe God in what I do? poſſibly here may be a great Temptation that ſome may be exerciſed with; Whether may I venture upon it, and be perſwaded in my Soul that I pleaſe God in what I do, acting and exerciſing Faith in it? ſhall I ſpeak briefly to that which is the 4th. thing propounded, Namely,
Anſw. 4th. That by Faith (though a Man or Woman have many failings) yet by Faith they do pleaſe God, though it be impoſſible without Faith to pleaſe him. How doth this appear? briefly in three or four words:
1. From the example of all the believers that ever have been in the World; all the faithful that have been in the World have pleaſed God by their Faith; there was never any one Believer in the World that did act Faith, but did pleaſe God in it; and if ſo, then we may be confident of it, that it is a ſure and certain thing, that by Faith we come to pleaſe God. Look into the Catalogue of Believers, the Faithful in all Ages, read over the 11th of the Hebrews at your leaſure, and you ſhall ſee that all of them did pleaſe God by their Faith. Abel he pleaſed God by his Faith, Enoch pleaſed God by Faith, and Noah pleaſed God by Faith, theſe were before the flood; afterward Abraham by Faith pleaſed God, for he was the Friend of God; Iſaac and Jacob were faithful, and they pleaſed God; they might have their failings, and infirmities, and weakneſſes, as Noah had, he was overtaken with drinking of Wine; and ſo the reſt had their weakneſſes; but for all that, they pleaſed God by their Faith, God overlook't their infirmities; and Abraham though he was a faithful Man, yet he had ſometimes a tang of unbelief; as when he went a great while without a Son; but yet God overlookt that, and he was pleaſed with Abraham ſtill. So by Faith Sarah conceived, it pleaſed God to give her conception when ſhe was 90 Years old; ſhe had her infirmities and weakneſſes, ſhe told a Lye in the hearing of the Angel; but yet for all that ſhe pleaſed God; and ſo I might inſtance in others David pleaſed God; by Faith; David had his failings, and did ſometimes diſpleaſe God; but yet by his Faith he did pleaſe God: And ſo look upon all thoſe that have been believers, by their acting and exerciſing of of Faith, they have all of them come to pleaſe God; and therefore we may take it up for a general concluſion, and may be confident of it, that by Faith we ſhall pleaſe God.
2. The Holy-Ghoſt doth teſtifie in the Scripture again and again, that a man or woman by Faith doth live; What Life? not a natural, but a Spiritual life. Now to live, is not only to have the life of Juſtification, and the life of Sanctification; but to live, is to have the favour of God, to have God pleaſed with a perſon, that is to live; ſaies Abraham to God in the 17th of Geneſis, Oh that Iſhmael might live in thy Sight; what did he mean by that? what, that his Life might be lengthned out? No, but that he might find favour in thy Sight; and ſaies the Prophet, in Pſal. 30.5. In thy favour is life. And ſo in Iſaiah 6.55. Hearken unto me, and your Soul ſhall live; that is, you ſhall pleaſe God, and be accepted of God. Now then, this is frequent in Scripture, that all that are Believers do live: The juſt ſhall live by Faith, both the Old Teſtament and New-Teſtament bear witneſs to it; the ſame thing is in the Old-Teſtament, Habakkuk 2.4. and repeated again in the new, Hebrews 10.38. The juſt ſhall live by Faith; therefore it is out of doubt and Queſtion.
3dly, By Faith a Soul comes to have the guilt of ſin taken away; I pray, what is that whereby a Man or Woman doth diſpleaſe God? Namely, by his Sin; guilt doth diſpleaſe God. Now then, Faith is a means and inſtrument to take away that which is diſpleaſing to God, to take away the guilt of Sin. In Acts 10.43. ſaies Peter there to Cornelius, To him give all the Prophets witneſs, that through his name, whoſoever beleiveth on him ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins. And ſo in Chapter 13.38, 39. Be it known unto you, therefore, men and Brethren, that through this man is preached unto you forgiveneſs of ſins, and by him all that beleived are juſtified from all things from which ye could not be juſtified by the Law of Moſes. By believing on him, we come to receive remiſſion of ſins. And ſo in Acts 26.18. That they might receive forgiveneſs of ſins, and an inheritance among them which are ſanctified through Faith which is in me. Now then, if ſo be that all believers, all that have Faith in Chriſt, and do exerciſe their Faith in Chriſt, be juſtified from the guilt of ſin, then they are freed from all that makes them diſpleaſing to God; then by Faith they come to pleaſe God, becauſe by Faith the guilt of ſin is removed, which is the matter of Gods diſpleaſure.
4thly and Laſtly, to have done: By Faith a Man or Woman comes to pleaſe God, becauſe by Faith, now, the very heart, which is a fountain of uncleanneſs, comes to be made clean; this is the only way to have our hearts purified and cleanſed: Purifying their hearts by Faith, ſaies the Apoſtle, Acts 15.9. ſo in 1 Timothy 1.5. ſaies the Apoſtle there, Out of a pure Heart, and a good Conſcience, and Faith unfeigned. Faith unfeigned is the means whereby the Conſcience and the Heart is purified; and truly hence it is that believers are called clean; all that have Faith in Chriſt, and do exerciſe their Faith in Chriſt, they are all pure, and every thing is clean to them, Titus 1.15. To the pure all things are pure; Who doth he mean by pure? mark now by the contrary, But unto them that are defiled and unbelieving, is nothing pure, but their very conſcince is defiled. By Faith now, a mans heart comes to be pure, which is the Fountain of all his actions, all that he performs and does, it muſt come from the Heart; if the heart be clean, if the Fountain be clean, then the water that flows from the Fountain is clean: ſo now, the Heart being purified by Faith, now the Actions come to be pure in the ſight of God, through Chriſt. To a believer every thing is pure, all that he meddles with and undertakes, if he doth act Faith in it, he pleaſeth God: So now, you have ſeen the 4th thing opened, how we may be ſure that by Faith we come to pleaſe God.
Now there is a further queſtion remaining, But may not a Man or Woman pleaſe God without Faith, by doing the thing that God hath commanded? as now to pray, and perform duties, to walk uprightly, &c? As the generality of the World do think that this is the way and means to pleaſe God. I do not deny but we ſhould do thoſe things, and the things themſelves as to the ſubſtance of them, are pleaſing to God; but yet ſtill, without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. How that appears, follows to be ſpoken to in the next place, and then come to the Application.
But thus much ſhall ſuffice for the preſent.