The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Sermon 2
EPHES. 3. 8.
Ʋnto me who am leſſe then the leaſt of all Saints, is this Grace given, &c.
WEE ſhall ſpeak now to the word Grace. The foreignGreek word (Caris) that's here rendred Grace, hath a two-fold ſignification. Somtimes it's taken for the gracious favour and good will of God, whereby he is pleaſed of his owne free love to accept and owne poor ſinners in the Son of his love, for his owne. This is called the firſt Grace, becauſe 'tis the fountaine of all other graces, and the Spring from whence they flow. And it's therefore called Grace, becauſe it makes a man gracious with God.
Secondly, This word Caris, that's here rendred Grace, is taken for the gifts of Grace, and they are of two ſorts. Speciall; or Common: Common grace is that which Hypocrites may have, and in which they may excell and goe beyond the choyceſt Saints: As in a gift of knowledge, a gift of utterance, a gift of prayer, a gift of tongues, &c. A Mat. 7. 21, 22, 23, 25. Ch. 1. 13.man may have theſe, and many other excellent gifts, and yet miſcarry; yea, fall as low as hell; witneſſe Judas, Demas, the Scribes and Phariſees, &c.
Secondly, There is ſpeciall Grace, as Faith, Love, Humility, Meekneſſe, which the Apoſtle reckons up, Gal. 5. 22, 23. Now here by Grace you may either underſtand the gracious favour of God, (Ʋnto me who am leſſe then the leaſt of all Saints is this choyce favour given, that I ſhould preach among the Gentiles, the unſearchable riches of Chriſt) or elſe you may take it for the gifts of grace, both ſaving and common, which the Apoſtle had given him, in order to the diſcharge of his Miniſteriall Office, which by the ſpeciall favour of God he was advanced to.
The word Grace being thus opened, we may from thence Obſerve. Firſt,
That the Lord gives his beſt Gifts, to his beſt Beloved ones.
Ʋnto me (ſaith the Apoſtle) who am leſſe then the leaſt of all Saints, is this Grace given.
For the opening and clearing of this point, I ſhall premiſe theſe foure things.
1 To ſhew you what thoſe beſt gifts are, that God beſtowes upon his beſt beloved ones.
2 I ſhall ſhew you the manner of his giving the beſt gifts to his beloved ones: Or the difference there is between Chriſts giving, and the worlds giving.
3 And then the excellency of thoſe gifts that Chriſt gives, above all other gifts that the world gives.
4 And laſtly, The Reaſon why Chriſt gives his beſt gifts to his beſt beloved ones.
For the firſt, What are thoſe beſt gifts that Chriſt beſtowes upon his beſt beloved ones?
I ſhall not inſtance in thoſe Common gifts that they have in common with others: But rather ſhew unto you thoſe ſpeciall gifts that he beſtowes upon them; and of thoſe I ſhall ſingle out them that are moſt choyce, and that carry moſt in them, of the glory, favour, and good will of him that dwelt in the Buſh.
And the firſt is this,
He gives Light to his beloved ones; and Light is a pleaſant Eccleſ. 11. 7.thing to behold, as the wiſe man ſpeaks. He gives ſpirituall light, which is a mercy of mercies. Epheſ. 5. 14. Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and ariſe from the dead, and Chriſt ſhall *foreign Some upon thee. Life …h…u…ligh…s but a lifeleſſe life.give thee light. So John 1. 7, 8, 9. He was not that light, but was ſent to bear witneſſe of that light that was the true light that lightneth every man that cometh into the world. Vide Cameron, and Auguſtine, on the words. When Telemachus ſaw a great light that guided him and his father▪ in a dark Ro…me, Surely (ſed he) there is ſome God in it. Mal. 4. 2.He gives that light whereby his people are inabled to ſee ſin to be the greateſt evill, and himſelfe to be the chiefeſt good. He gives that light that melts the ſoule, that humbles the ſoule, that warmes the ſoule, that quickens the ſoule, that quiets the ſoule, and that glads the ſoule Man is not borne with heavenly light in his heart, as he is borne with a tongue in his mouth. Till Chriſt comes and ſets up a light in the ſoule, the ſoule lives in darkneſſe, and lyes in darkneſſe, yea, is darkneſſe in the very abſtract. Epheſ. 5. 8. Ye were ſometimes darkneſſe, but now are ye light in the Lord. Saints are alwayes in the Sun-ſhine, therefore they ſhould be like a Chriſtall glaſſe, with a light in the midſt, which appeareth in every part.
A Chriſtian ſhould be like the Lamp in the ſtory, that never 2 Cor. 3. 5. If there be ſuch a power in fallen man to repent, and believe, &c. to what purpoſe was the coming of Chriſt into the world? 1 John 2. 9 1 John 3. 8. And why doe naturall men when their conſciences are awaken'd, ſo cry out, That they ar… as able to ſtop the Sun in his courſe▪ to raiſe the dead, and to make a world, as they are able of themſelves to repent, &c.went out. Were it not for the Sun, it would be perpetuall night in the world, notwithſtanding all Star-light, and Torch-light, and Moon-light. 'Tis not the Torch-light of Naturall parts, and Creature-comforts, nor the Star-light of Civill honeſty, and Common gifts: Nor yet the Moon-light of temporary faith, and formall profeſſion,, that can make day in the ſoule, till the Son of righteouſneſſe riſe, and ſhine upon it. And that's the firſt thing he gives, Light.
Now the ſecond thing he gives, is,
Repentance. Repentance is not a Flower that growes in Natures Garden. Acts 5. 31. Him hath God the father exalted, to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſſe of ſins. So in 2 Tim. 2. 25. The ſervant of the Lord muſt in meekneſſe inſtruct thoſe that oppoſe themſelves, if God peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. By theſe Scriptures 'tis clear that Repentance is no flower that growes in Natures Garden, though Arminians teach and Print, That if men will but put out their power and their ſtrength, they may repent, &c. But ſeverall that have been of this Opinion, have experienced the falſeneſſe of it, when it ha's been too late. The Ethiopian cannot change his skin, nor the Leopard his ſpots, Jer. 13. 23. And certainly, if there were ſuch a power in man to repent, as ſome would make the world believe, man would never miſcarry everlaſtingly, for his not repenting. Oh! is it good dwelling with everlaſting burnings? with a devouring fire? Is it good being for ever ſhut out from the preſence of the Aut paenitendum out pereundum.Lord, and the glory of his power? Certainly if there were ſuch a power in vaine man to repent, no man would goe to hell for not repenting. And many that have boaſted much of their abilities to repent, when they have been upon a dying bed, would have given a thouſand worlds (were there ſo many in their power) that they could but repent.
Luther confeſſes, That before his Converſion he met not Homo ipſius paenitentiae paenitere deb…t. Salv. Paenitens de peccato dolet, & de dolore gaude…. Luther.with a more diſpleaſing word in all the ſtudy of Divinity, then this word Repent: But after the Lord had converted him, and manifeſted himſelfe to him, he delighted in this worke. Then he could ſorrow for his ſins, and rejoyce in his ſorrow.
Repentance ſtrips the ſoule ſtark naked of all the Garments of the old Adam, and leaves not ſo much as the ſhirt behind. In this rotten building there is not one ſtone left upon another: As the Flood drowned Noah's owne friends and ſervants, as well as ſtrangers, ſo true Repentance drownes all darling luſts. True Repentance is the cutting off the right hand, and the pulling out of the right eye, and is this ſuch an eaſie thing? ſurely no. True Repentance is a gift that is from above, and if the Lord does not give it, man will eternally periſh for the want of it. You may read much more of this, in my Treatiſe call'd HEAVEN ON EARTH.
Thirdly, Chriſt gives his Spirit, Rom. 5. 5. The love of Spiritus ſanctus eſtres delicata.God is ſhed abroad in our hearts, by the holy Ghoſt which is given unto us. So in 1 John 3. ult. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, (how?) by the ſpirit which he hath given John 14. 26.us. So in Chap. 4. 13. The ſpirit that the Lord Chriſt gives, is an inlightning ſpirit, 'tis the Candle of the Lord ſet up in the hearts of the Saints, to guide them in the way everlaſting. 'Tis a ſanctifying ſpirit, a ſpirit of burning, Iſa. 4. 4. He is a fire to inlighten the ſoule, and a fire to inliven the ſoule, and Nil niſi ſanctum a ſancto ſpiritu prediere poteſt.a fire to warme the ſoule, &c. Whatſoever is of the ſpirit is ſpirit. It is nimble, and lively, and active, and full of life, and motion, as the Spirit is. A man without the ſpirit of the Lord is a dull, dromiſh Creature, as the Latines call a dull, dromiſh man, A fire-leſſe man; ſo we may call a man that hath not the ſpirit, a ſpiritleſſe man. The ſpirit that Chriſt gives, is A ſealing ſpirit, Epheſ. 1. 13. and a Leading ſpirit, Rom. 8. He leads from ſin, he leads from wrath, he leads from the curſe; he leads to God, he leads to Chriſt, he leads to the Promiſes, he leads to glory, &c.There is no gain-ſayingt Demo…hene… words, ſaid one: So …her… is no ga…la… ing of the pleadings of the Spirit.
Againe, this ſpirit is A comforting ſpirit, John 14. 16. and A pleading ſpirit, Rom. 8. 26. Every Chriſtian ha's three Advocates pleading for him. The firſt is that Divine Love that is in the boſome of the father. The ſecond is the Lord Jeſus, that is at the right hand of the father. And the third is the holy Spirit, that is one with the father.
Fourthly, He gives his Blood, the blood of Chriſt, is a gift of Chriſt to his beloved ones, Mat. 20. 28. The Son of man came not to be miniſtred unto, but to miniſter, and to give his life a ranſome for many. So in John 10. 11. I am the good Sheppard, the good Sheppard giveth his life for his ſheep. His blood was the pureſt blood, his humane nature being moſt pure; his blood was the nobleſt blood, and therefore called Acts 20. 28.in Scripture, The Blood of God, by reaſon of the conjunction of the Divine Nature with the humane. It was his lifeblood, his heart-blood, that he gave; it was not the blood of his finger, but the blood of his heart; it was precious blood.Rom. 3. 25. Rom. 5. 9. Epheſ. 1. 7. Col. 1. 20. Heb. 9. 7-26. Chap. 10. 19. 1 John 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. &c.
Three things are called precious in the Scripture.
1 Faith is called Precious Faith, 2 Pet. 1. 1.
2 The Promiſes are called Precious Promiſes, ver. 4.
3 The Blood of Chriſt is called Precious Blood, 1 Pet. 1. 19.
All your precious mercies ſwim to you in precious blood, as you may ſee by comparing the Scriptures in the Margent together.
It was an excellent ſaying of Luther, ſpeaking of this blood Ʋna guttula plus valet quam coelum & terra-Luth.of Chriſt, One little drop of this blood (ſaith he) is more worth then heaven and earth. Your pardon ſwims to you in blood, your peace ſwims to you in blood, your reconciliation is made by blood, your acceptation is wrought by blood, &c. Sanguis Chriſti clavis coeli, Chriſts Blood is Heavens Key. Chriſts blood is a Preſervative againſt the greateſt evills; Chriſts blood (as Pliny ſaith of Polium) is a Preſervative againſt Serpents, &c.
Fifthly, Chriſt gives Pardon of ſin, and doe you know what a mercy that is? Ask the troubled ſoule, ask the ſoule that knowes what it means to lye under the wrath of the Almighty, and he will tell you that pardon of ſin is a gift more worth then a thouſand worlds. Now that pardon of ſin is a gift of God, you may ſee in Acts 5. 31. Him hath God exalted *foreign. To his right hand: That is, to honour and dignity, &c.with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſſe of ſins: So in Acts 26. 18. Ah ſoules! of all mercies pardoning mercy is the moſt neceſſary mercy. I may to Heaven without honours, and without riches, and without the ſmiles of creatures: But I can never to Heaven without pardoning mercy. As Ahab, Haman, Dives, &c.A man may be great and graceleſſe, he may be rich and miſerable, he may be honourable and damnable, &c. But he cannot be a pardoned ſoule, but he muſt be a very bleſſed ſoule. †foreign Bleſſedneſſes in he plurall. Pardon of ſin …cludes a plurality of mercies, a chaine of Pearles, a chain of bleſſings. Gen. 30. 11.Pſal. 32. 1, 2. It intitles ſoules to all bleſſedneſſe, it puts the Royall Crowne upon their heads. Of all mercies, pardoning mercy is the moſt ſweetning mercy, 'tis a choyce Jewel, and ſwims to the ſoule in blood, Heb. 9. 22. 'Tis a mercy that makes all other mercies to look like mercies, and taſt like mercies, and work like mercies; and the want of it takes off the glory and beauty of all a mans mercies, and makes his life a very hell. Pardon of ſin is a voluminous mercy, a mercy that ha's many precious mercies in the womb of it: You may well call it Gad, for it uſhers in Troops of mercy. When you can number the ſands of the ſea, and tell the Stars of heaven, then, and not till then ſhall you be able to recount the mercies that attend pardoning mercy. He that ha's this mercy, cannot be miſerable; he that wants it, cannot be happy; get this, and get all; miſſe this, and miſſe all; this is a gift confer'd onelyonly upon Chriſts favourites. Son be Mat. 9. 2.of good cheere, thy ſins be forgiven thee. No mercy will make a man everlaſtingly merry, below pardoning mercy. He ha's no reaſon to be ſad, that ha's his pardon in his boſome; nor he ha's no reaſon to be glad, who is upon the laſt ſtep of the Ladder, ready to be turned off without his Pardon. And this is the fifth gift that Chriſt gives to his, viz. Pardon of ſinne.
Sixthly, Chriſt gives Precious Promiſes. 2. Pet. 1. 4. The Promiſes are precious beds of ſpices, they are Ʋ …res caeleſie…, bottles filled with thoſe heavenly dews that wi…l never faile, like that of Hagars; but will che…iſh and nouriſh the ſoule to life eternall, &c.Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and Precious Promiſes, &c. The Promiſes are a precious Book, every leaf drops myrrhe, and mercy. The Promiſes are golden Veſſels that are laden with the choyceſt Jewels that heaven can afford, or the ſoule deſire. All our ſpirituall, temporall, and eternall good, is to be found in the belly of the Promiſes. Promiſes are big-bellied mercies, there's nothing you can truly call a mercy, but you will find it in the belly of a Promiſe; under all changes they are the comfort, ſupport, and relief of the ſoule, Pſal. 119. 49, 50. Remember thy word unto thy ſervant, upon which thou haſt cauſed me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for thy word hath quickned me. If the ſoule groane under the power of ſin, then that Promiſe relieves it, Rom. 6. 14. For ſin ſhall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the Law, but under grace. If the ſoule groane under the guilt of ſin, then that Promiſe relieves it, Jer. 33. 8. I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have ſinned againſt me, &c. And that Promiſe, Iſa. Anochi anochi ha m…hhe.43. 25. I, even I am he that blotteth out thy tranſgreſſions for my owne ſake, and will not remember thy ſins. I, even I am he, blotting out thy tranſgreſſion. I, even I, whom thou haſt offended; I, even I, whom thou haſt provoked; I, even I, whoſe glorious name thou haſt prophaned; I, even I, whoſe righteous Law thou haſt violated; I, even I, whoſe holy Covenant thou haſt tranſgreſſed; I, even I, whoſe mercies thou haſt diſpiſed; I, even I, whoſe Chaſtiſements thou haſt ſlighted, will blot out thy tranſgreſſions for my owne ſake. I, even I, is a paſſionate and emphaticall expreſſion; Gods goodneſſe runs over to ſinfull Creatures; and Where ſin abounds, there grace doth ſuper-abound.
If the Creditor himſelfe blot out the debt, and croſſe the Mat. 6. 12, 14, 15. & 18. 24, …7, 33. Luke 7. 41 to 4….Book, ſurely it ſhall never be remembred more. Our ſins are debts, which God who hath the power of life and death, of heaven and hell, of condemning and abſolving, hath engaged himſelfe to blot out as a thick cloud. Iſa. 44. 22. I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy tranſgreſſions, and as a cloud thy ſins. An under Officer may blot out an Indictment, and yet the offendor may be never the better for it; but if the King, who is the ſupream Judge, ſhall blot it out, then the offendor is ſafe. The Application is eaſie. If the ſoule be diſerted, then that Promiſe relives it, Mich. 7. 18, 19. He will turne againe, he will have compaſſion upon us, &c. If the ſoule be ſliding, and ready to fall, then that Promiſe ſupports and upholds it, Pſal. 37. 24. Though he fall, he ſhall not be utterly caſt downe, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand: …i Jeh…vah ſomech j…do.Or as the Hebrew ha's it, The Lord upholding him with his hand. The Hebrew Participle (Somech) notes a continued act of God (God ha's ſtill his everlaſting armes under his Deut. 33. 26. 22.people, ſo that they ſhall never totally nor finally fall.) And the root (Samuch) from whence this word is derived. foreignſignifies to ſuſtaine, or uphold, as the tender Mother doth the little Babe. The ſafety and ſecurity of the Child lyes not ſo much in the Childs hanging about the Mothers neck, as in the Mothers holding it faſt in her armes: So our ſafety and ſecurity lyes not ſo much in our weak holding upon Chriſt, but in Chriſts holding of us faſt in his everlaſting armes. This is our glory, and our ſafety, that Chriſts left hand is alwayes under us, and his right hand does alwayes embrace us, Cant. 2. 6. If the ſoule be forſaken by friends, then that Promiſe relieves it, Heb. 13. 5, 6. I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee.
There are five Negatives in the Greek, to aſſure Gods people that he will never forſake them. Five times this precious Promiſe is renewed in the Scripture, that we might have the ſtronger Conſolation, and that we may preſſe and oppreſſe it, till we have gotten all the ſweetneſſe out of it; and verily many precious ſoules have ſuckt much ſweetneſſe out of the breaſts of this Promiſe, when their neareſt relations, and their deareſt friends have forſaken them, and forgotten them. God loves that his people ſhould put his Bonds, his Promiſes in ſuite; and he that does, ſhall find God near him, though friends ſhould leave him, and the world be in armes againſt him, &c. If the ſoule be tempted, then that word of Promiſe relieves it, 1 Cor. 10. 13. But God is faithfull, who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above that you are able, &c. The Promiſes are a Chriſtians Magna Charta, they are his chief Evidences for heaven. Men highly prize their Charters and Priviledges, and carefully keep the Conveyances and Aſſurances of their Lands: Oh! how ſhould Saints then treaſure up and keep theſe Precious Promiſes which the Lord ha's given them, and which are to them inſtead of all Aſſurances, for their protection, maintenance, deliverance, comfort, and everlaſting happineſſe? And thus much for the ſixth gift the Lord gives, viz. The Promiſes.
Seventhly, The Lord gives Grace. Of his fullneſſe we all John 1. 16.have received Grace for Grace. The Lord gives that grace, the leaſt dram of which is more worth then Heaven and Earth.
It was an excellent ſaying of one of the Ancients, I had Hierom.rather have St. Pauls Coat with his heavenly Graces, then the Purple of Kings, with their Kingdomes. Grace is that A good ſymbole was at…buted to Emilian, the Roman Emperour (Non gens ſed mens, non genus ſed genius.) Not race, or place, but grace truly ſets forth a man.which truly ennobles the ſoule, it raiſes the ſoule up to converſe with the higheſt and with the nobleſt objects; and every man is as the objects are, with which he converſes; if the objects are noble, the man is ſo; if the objects are baſe with which a man converſes, the man is baſe. A man may better know what he is by eying the objects with which his ſoule does moſtly converſe, then by obſerving his moſt glorious and pompious ſervices. The righteous is more excellent then his neighbour. Abraham was a Prince of God among the Hittites. The Jewes ſay, That thoſe ſeventy perſons that went downe with Jacob into Aegypt, were more Pro. 12. 26. Gen. 23. 6.worth then the ſeventy Nations of the world. Indeed, it's onelyonly grace that makes a man truly noble.
When one heard the King of Perſia ſtil'd, The Great King; ſaith he, I acknowledge none more excellent then my ſelfe, unleſſe more righteous; nor none greater, unleſſe better. Grace, as it's bred by the nobleſt means, ſo 'tis preſerved and maintained in the ſoule, by the choyceſt means, viz. Ʋnion, and Communion with God, &c. Grace is glory in the bud, and glory is grace at the full. Grace makes a man all glorious Pſal. 45. 13.within and without. Grace is a ring of gold, and Chriſt is the ſparkling Diamond in that ring.
Eighthly, He gives Peace. John 14. 27. My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world Rom. 5. 1. Hoſ. 2. 21, 22, 23. Job 5. 19 to 25.giveth, give I unto you. Chriſt gives peace with God, and peace with Conſcience, and peace with the Creatures. (Dulce nomen pacis) The very name of Peace is ſweet.
The Hebrews when they wiſhed all happineſſe to any, uſed but this one word, Peace be with you. And the Ancients Martimus the Emperours Motto was (Pax bello potior) Give me peace and let others quarrell.were wont to paint Peace in the forme of a Woman, with a Horne of Plenty in her hand, all bleſſings. Ask a ſoule that ha's been under terrors of conſcience, and he will tell you, that of all gifts, inward Peace is the moſt Princely gift, &c.
Ninthly, He gives Glory. John 10. 28. My ſheep heare my voyce, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternall life. Rom. 7. The wages of ſin is death, but the gift of God is eternall life.
Now the glory that Chriſt gives, is Reall glory. 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. Henceforth is laid up for me a Crowne of Glory. The Greek word (Apokeitai) ſignifies two things. 1 A deſignation foreign.of a Crowne. And 2 A reſervation and ſafe keeping of it for him untill the Coronation day.
Againe, the glory he gives the ſoule, is Soule-filling glory; glory that fills the underſtanding with the cleereſt and the Pſal. 16. ult Pſal. 17. ult. 2 Co…. 12. 1 to 6. Pericula non reſpicit Martyr, coronas reſpicit, ſaith Baſil.brighteſt light; glory that fills the will with the greateſt freedome; glory that fills the affections with the choyceſt joy and delight.
Againe, the glory he gives is Incomparable glory. Rom. 8. 18. I reckon that the ſufferings of this preſent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that ſhall be revealed in us. The Greek word (Logizomai) that is here rendred I reckon, is not a word of doubting, but a word of concluding: foreign. ready to be foreign on us.I conclude by Arguments, that our preſent ſufferings are not worthy to be compared to that illuſtrious and glorious glory that is ready to be revealed on us, as 'tis in the Greek▪ I have caſt up the account, ſaith the Apoſtle, as wiſe Merchants uſe to caſt up theirs, and I find in the ballancing of the account, that there's nothing to be compared with this glory that ſhall be revealed.
Againe, the glory he gives is Ʋnmoveable glory; all worldly glory is tottering and ſhaking. Princes Crownes hang now but upon one ſide of their heads. The Lord of Hoſts hath Iſa. 23. 9.purpoſed it, to ſtaine (or pollute) the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. The Lord foreign Jegn…ſah.hath purpoſed it, or as 'tis in the Hebrew, The Lord hath conſulted it; And the councell of the Lord ſhall ſtand. It is agreed upon in heaven, that the pride of all glory ſhall be ſtained, and polluted, or throwne downe as ſome polluted filthy thing, that is trampled upon, and trodden under foot. Oh! but this glory that Chriſt gives, is unmoveable glory, Heb. 12. 28'tis permanent glory, 'tis glory that cannot be changed, ſtain'd, nor polluted.
Againe, the glory he gives, is ſuited glory; 'tis glory that Jo: 14. 1, 2, 3.is ſuited to the backs, hearts, hopes, deſires, and capacities of his ſervants.
Againe, the glory he gives, is never fading glory; 'tis glory that fadeth not away. When a man hath been in heaven 1 Pet. 1. 3, 4. foreign is the proper name of a Flower, which is ſtill …eſh and green. Iſa 40. 6, 7, 8.as many millions of years as there be Starres in heaven, his glory ſhall be as freſh, and as greene, as it was at his firſt entrance into heaven. All worldly glory is like the Flowers of the field, but the glory that Chriſt gives is laſting and durable like himſelfe, &c.
Tenthly, and laſtly, He gives Himſelfe, and verily this is a gift of gifts indeed, John 6. 51. 63. So in Epheſ. 5. 20. A Saint may ſay, me thinks I hear Chriſt ſaying to me, as Auſtin prayes, Lord (ſaith he) what ever thou haſt given, take all away, onelyonly give me thy ſelfe.Eſchines ſaid to Socrates, Others (ſaid he) give thee ſilver and gold, and precious Jewels, but I give thee my ſelfe. So the ſoule may ſay, One friend gives me bread, and another gives me cloaths, and another gives me houſe-roome, &c. Oh! but thou giveſt me thy ſelfe. Chriſt put into the ballance, will out-weigh all other gifts, that he beſtowes upon the ſons of men: Chriſt is the richeſt gift; Oh! there are Unſearchable Riches in Chriſt, as hereafter I ſhall ſhew you. He is the choyceſt and the rareſt gift; he is a gift given but to a few; rich and rare Jewels are not commonly, but more rarely given, ſo is Chriſt. Though Iſrael be as the ſand of the ſea, yet a Rom. 9. 27.remnant onelyonly ſhall be ſaved. A garden incloſed, a ſpring Ca…t. 4. 12. Luke 12. 32.ſhut up, a fountaine ſealed, is my well-beloved. Feare not little little fl…cke, it is your fathers pleaſure to give you a Kingdome. Chriſt is a drawing gift, a gift that drawes all other gifts along with him. If he have given us his Son, how ſhall Rom. 8. 32.he not with him freely give us all things? Chriſt is a drawing gift. When God the father hath caſt this incomparable Jewel into a mans boſome, he can't deny him any thing: Such a ſoule may well ſay, Hath he given me a Chriſt? and will he not give me a crum? Hath he given me his Sonne, which is the greateſt mercy? and will he ſtand with me for leſſer mercies? ſurely no. In a word, Chriſt is of all gifts the ſweeteſt gift: As the Tree, Exod. 15. 25. ſweetned the bitter waters, ſo this gift, the Lord Jeſus (of whom that Tree was a Type) ſweetens all other gifts that are beſtowed upon the ſons of men; he turnes every bitter into ſweet, and makes every ſweet more ſweet.
And ſo I come to the ſecond thing propounded, and that was
The Difference between Chriſts giving, The Difference between Chriſts, & the world… giving.and the Worlds giving.
And this I ſhall ſhew you in the following Particulars.
FIrſt, The world gives, but they give grudgingly: But 2 Cor. 9. 7.when Chriſt gives, he gives freely. Iſa. 55. 1. Ho every … Pe…. 4. 9. No Offrings to free will Offrings.one that thirſteth let him come, and buy wine and milke without money, and without price. So in Rev. 21. 6. I will give to every one that is athirſt, of the water of life freely. To doe good, and not to doe it freely, handſomely, is nothing. A benefit given with grudging, is a ſtony loaf, onelyonly taken for neceſſity.
Secondly, The world they give, but they give poorly, Saul had bu… five pence to give the Seer; the Seer after much good cheer gives him no leſſe then the Kingdome, 1 Sam. 9 8. 10. So God deales with his.nigardly; but Chriſt gives plenteouſly, richly, 1 Tim. 6. 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor truſt in uncertaine riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
When Caeſar gave one a great Reward, This, ſaith he, is too great a gift for me to receive; but ſaith Caeſar, 'Tis not too great a gift for me to give. So though the leaſt gift that Chriſt gives (in ſome ſence) is too much for us to receive, yet the greateſt gifts are not too great for Chriſt to give.
'Tis ſaid of Araunahs, that Noble Jebuſite, renowned for his bounty, That he had but a ſubjects purſe, but a Kings heart: But the Lord Jeſus hath not onelyonly a Kings heart, but he hath alſo a Kings purſe, and gives accordingly.
Thirdly, The world give, but they give tauntingly, they give upbraidingly; they hit men in the teeth with the gifts they give: I, but the Lord Jeſus Chriſt gives, and he gives willingly, he upbraids none with the gifts he gives, Jam. 1. 5. If any man lack wiſedome, let him aske it of God, that gives liberally, and upbraideth no man. Where Chriſt gives, there he won't upbraid, neither with preſent failings, nor former infirmities. Chriſt is not won't to reproach thoſe to whom he gives the beſt gifts: He will not caſt it in their diſh, that he ha's been thus and thus kind unto them; but will Jer. 32. 40, 41 Prov. 1. 20. to 25. Ch. 8. 1. to 13. & Ch. 9. 1. to …. Auguſtus in his ſolemne Feaſts, gave gold to ſome, and trifles to others. The Lord gives the gold, the beſt things to his owne, but the trifles of this world, to the men of the world.alwayes rejoyce over them to doe them good. But the world gives, and then reproaches the receiver for receiving, and this turnes all into gall and wormwood, &c.
Fourthly, The world gives, but they give more rarely; but Chriſt gives, and he gives frequently; he is every day, every houre, yea, every moment a giving of Royall favours to his people. Here is Peace for you that are in trouble, ſayes Chriſt; and here is Pardon for you that groan under guilt, ſayes Chriſt; and here is Comfort for you that are Mourners in Zion, ſayes Chriſt, &c. His hand is ever in his purſe, he is ſtill a ſcattering Pearles of glory, I, the very Jewels of his Crowne, among the beloved of his ſoule.
Fifthly, The world gives, but they give the worſt, and keepe the beſt: I, but Chriſt gives the beſt, he gives the beſt of the beſt; he gives the beſt joy, the beſt comfort, the beſt 2 Cor. 9. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Phil. 4. 7. Pſal. 88. 10, 11.peace, the beſt love, the beſt aſſiſtance, &c. he gives Adoption, Remiſſion, Juſtification, Sanctification, Acceptation, Reconciliation, and Glorification, &c. He gives the beſt: As that King in Plutarch ſaid of a Groat, It is no Kingly Gift: And of a Talent, 'Tis no baſe Bribe. The world gives Groats, I, but Chriſt gives Talents.
Sixthly, The world gives a little, that they may give no more: I, but Chriſt gives that he may give. He gives a little Grace, that he may give Grace upon Grace. He gives a little John 1. 16.comfort, that he may give fullneſſe of comfort: He gives ſome ſips, that he may give full draughts; he gives pence, that he may give pounds; and he gives pounds, that he may give hundreds.
The third particular that I am to ſhew you, is
The Excellency of thoſe Gifts that The Excellency of Chriſts gifts, above all other gifts.Chriſt gives, above all other Gifts that the World gives.
In this I ſhall mind brevity: And
FIrſt, The Gifts that Chriſt gives to his, are Spirituall, and Heavenly Gifts: As is moſt clear by what ha's been already ſaid; and the ſpirituality of them, do's demonſtrate the excellency of them. And doubtleſſe the more ſpirituall any gift, any promiſe, any truth, any prayer, or any ſervice is, the more excellent is that Gift, &c. All Chriſts Gifts are like himſelfe, ſpirituall and heavenly.
Secondly, They are Pure Gifts; Chriſt gives wine without Rev. 22. 1. Jam. 3. 17.water; light without darkneſſe; gold without droſſe; and ſweet without bitter. There's much droſſe and poyſon in the Gifts that the world gives, but there's none in the Gifts that Chriſt gives. The ſtreames are as the fountaine is; the fountaine is pure, and ſo are the ſtreames; the branches are as the root is, the root is pure, and ſo are the branches.John 15.
Thirdly, The Gifts that Chriſt gives, are Soule-ſatisfying Gifts: They are ſuch as are ſutable to the ſoule, and therefore they ſatisfie the ſoule. Things ſatisfie as they ſuite; there is a Good, and there is a ſutable Good, now 'tis onelyonly the ſutable Good that ſatisfies the ſoule of man. A Pardon is moſt ſutable to a condemned man, and therefore it beſt ſatisfies him. Health is moſt ſutable to the ſick, and therefore it ſatisfies when 'tis attain'd, &c. As bread ſatisfies the hungry ſoule, and drink the thirſty ſoule, and cloathing the naked ſoule: So does the Precious Gifts that Chriſt beſtowes upon the ſoule, ſatisfie the ſoule: The light, the love, the Jer. 31. 25. Pſal. 90. 14. Pſal. 36. 8. Pſal. 63. 5. Pſ. 65. 4, &c.joy, the peace, the fellowſhip, &c. that Chriſt gives, does abundantly ſatisfie the ſoule. Oh! but Gifts that this world gives, can never ſatisfie the ſoule. Eccl. 5. 10. He that loveth ſilver, ſhall not be ſatisfied with ſilver; nor he that loveth The Creature is all ſhadow and vanity, 'tis filia noctis, like Jonah's Gou…d, 'tis now flouriſhing, and now dying, &c. 1 John 3. 9. Rom. 2. 7. 2 Pet. 1. 11.abundance, with increaſe. A man may as ſoone fill a Cheſt with Grace, or a quart-pot with virtue, as a heart with wealth. If Alexander Conquer one World, he will wiſh for another to Conquer.
Fourthly, The Gifts that Chriſt gives, are Moſt permanent and laſting Gifts. The Grace he gives, is call'd An immortall ſeed; and the Glory he gives, is call'd Everlaſting Glory. The Gifts of the world, are fading; a falſe Oath, a ſpark of fire, a ſtorme at ſea, a treacherous friend, brings all to nothing in a moment. Sad experience do's every day confirme this.
Fifthly, and laſtly, The Gifts that Chriſt gives, are the moſt Ʋſefull Gifts. They are uſefull to the ſtrengthning of the ſoule againſt Temptations, and to the ſupporting of the The golden Crown can't cure the headach, nor the chain of pearl can't cure the tooth-ach.ſoule under Afflictions, and to the ſweetning of all changes; health and ſickneſſe, ſtrength and weakneſſe, plenty and poverty, honour or diſgrace, life or death. Oh but worldly Gifts can't bear up the ſpirits of men from fainting and ſinking, when Tryals come, when troubles come.
Our Moderne Stories relate of Queen Mary, that ſhe ſhould ſay, If they did open her when ſhe was dead, they ſhould find Callis lying at her heart. The loſſe of which it ſeems, haſtned her end.
The Prior in Melancthon, rowl'd his hands up and downe in a Baſon full of Angels, thinking to have Charmed his Gowt, but it would not doe. The precious Gifts that Chriſt gives his, will bear up their heads above all waters, &c. Of all gifts, they are the moſt uſefull for the producing of the moſt nobleſt effects; there are no gifts produce ſuch effects, as the precious Gifts that Chriſt gives; they raiſe men up to much life and activity, they make ſoules ſtrong to doe for God, to bear for God, to ſuffer for God, to be any thing, to be nothing, that God may be all in all. They raiſe the ſtrongeſt joy, the moſt laſting comfort, and the pureſt peace. There's no Gifts draw out that Thankfullneſſe, and raiſes up to that Fruitfullneſſe, as the Gifts that Jeſus Chriſt gives. And ſo much for that third Head, viz. The Excellency of thoſe Gifts that Chriſt gives, above all other Gifts whatſoever.
I come now to the fourth Head, and that is
The Reaſons why God gives his b…ſt Gifts to his Deareſt ones.
I ſhall onelyonly give you theſe ſix.
FIrſt, Becauſe he loves them with the deareſt, with the choyceſt, and with the ſtrongeſt love; therefore he gives them the beſt Gifts.
Chriſt doth not love Believers with a low, flat, dull, common love, with ſuch a love as moſt men love one another with, but with a love that is like himſelfe. Now men will give as they love, 1 Sam. 1. 4, 5. And Elkanah gave to Penninah his wife, and to all her ſonnes and daughters, Portions, but unto Hannah he gave a worthy Portion, for he loved her. Ji…en manah ahhath appaiim.In the Hebrew it is, He gave her a Gift of the face: That is, a great, an honourable Gift. Men look upon great and honourable Gifts, with a ſweet and cheerfull countenance: So the Gifts that Jeſus Chriſt gives to Believers, are Gifts of the face; that is, they are the greateſt Gifts, the honourableſt Gifts, the choyceſt Gifts, Gifts fit for none but a King to Mundus cadaver eſt, & petentis cum ſunt Canis. The world is a Carcaſſe, and thoſe that hunt after it are Doggs, is an Arabick Proverb.give.
Augustus in his ſolemne Feaſts, gave trifles to ſome, but gold to others. The Lord Jeſus ſcatters the trifles of this world up and downe, as Luther well ſpeaks, The whole Turkiſh Empire is but a cruſt that God throwes to a Dogge. God ſcatters giftleſſe Gifts, viz. the honours, riches, and favours of this world, up and downe among the worſt of men; but as for his gold, his ſpirit, his grace, his Son, his favour, theſe are Jewels that he onelyonly caſts into the boſome of Saints, and that becauſe he dearly loves them.
Secondly, Chriſt gives the beſt Gifts to his people, Beeauſe Wicked men are onelyonly principled to abuſe mercy, which occaſions God ſo often to raine hell out of heaven upon them, as he did once up on Sodome & Gomorrah, for abuſing of mercy. Gen. 25. 5.they are beſt principled and fitted to make a Divine improvement of them.
There's no men on earth that are principled and fitted for the improvement of the ſpeciall Gifts that Chriſt gives, but his owne people: None have ſuch principles of wiſdome, love, holineſſe, and faithfullneſſe, to make an improvement of the joy, the peace, the comfort, that the Lord gives, as his people. Ergo. Abraham gave unto the Sons of the Concubines Gifts, and ſent them away, but unto Iſaac he gave all that he had. As Iſaac was better beloved then the Concubines Sons, ſo Iſaac was better principled to improve love, then they were. The application is eaſie.
Thirdly, He doth it upon this account, That he may the more indeere the hearts of his people to him.
The greateſt deſigne of Chriſt in this world, is mightily to indeere the hearts of his people; and indeed it was that which was in his eye, and upon his heart from all eternity. It was this deſigne that cauſed him to lay downe his Crowne, and to take up our Croſſe; to put off his Robes, and to put on our Raggs; to be condemned, that we might be juſtified; to undergo the wrath of the Almighty, that we might for ever be in the armes of his mercy. He gives his Spirit, his Grace, yea, and his very ſelfe and all, to indeere the hearts of his people to himſelfe. When Iſaac would indeere the heart of Rebeckah, then the Bracelets, the Jewels, and the Earrings are caſt into her boſome: So the Lord Jeſus caſts his Gen. 24. 53.heavenly Bracelets, Jewels, and Ear-rings, into the boſomes, into the laps of his people, out of a deſigne to indeere himſelfe unto them. Prov. 17. 8. A Gift is a precious ſtone in the eyes of him that hath it, whither ſoever it turneth, it proſpereth. In the Hebrew 'tis thus, A Gift is as a ſtone of grace: foreignThat is, it makes a man very acceptable and gracious, in the eyes of others. A Gift is like that precious ſtone Pantarbe, that hath a marvellous conſiliating property in it: Or like the wonder-working Load-ſtone, that as ſome Writers obſerve, hath among other Properties this, That it makes thoſe that have it, well-ſpoken men, and well accepted of Princes. Certainly the Gifts that Jeſus Chriſt gives to his, doe render him very acceptable and precious in their eyes. Chriſt to them is the Crowne of Crownes; the Heaven of Heaven; the Glory of Glories; he is the moſt ſparkling Diamond in the Ring of Glory, Prov. 18. 16. A mans Gift maketh roome for him, and bringeth him before great men. The Gifts that Jeſus Chriſt gives, widen the heart, and inlarge the ſoule of a Believer, to take in more of himſelfe. Naturally we are narrow-mouthed Heaven-ward, and wide-mouthed earth-ward: But the Lord Jeſus by caſting in his Jewels, his Pearles, his precious Gifts into the ſoule, doth widen the ſoule, and inlarge the ſoule, and make it more capacious to entertaine Pſal. 24. 7, 8, 9, 10.himſelfe. Chriſt by his Gifts cauſes all doores to ſtand open, that the King of glory may enter in.
Now the fourth Reaſon of the Point, is, Becauſe Chriſt expects more from his people, then he doth from all the world beſides; therefore he gives them the beſt Gifts.
Where the Lord expects and looks for moſt, there he gives 'Twas a good ſaying of Juſt: Ma…tyr, Non in verbis ſed infactis res noſtrae religionis conſiſlunt. God loves (ſaith Luther) curriſtas, not quariſtas, the …unner, not the queſtion or▪ &c.moſt. Though Believers are but A little little flock; though they are but A remnant; though they are A fountaine ſealed, A ſpring ſhut up, A Garden incloſed; yet Chriſt looks for more from them, then from all the world beſides: He looks for more love from them, then from all the world beſides; and he expects more ſervice from them, then from all the world beſides; and he looks for more honour from them, then from all the world beſides, Mal. 1. 6. A Son honoureth his father, and a ſervant his Maſter; if I am your father, where is my honour? And if I am your maſter, where is my feare? He looks for more fear from them, then from all the world beſides; and for more honour from them, then from all the world beſides; and for more prayers and praiſes Some ſay, that the Panther wil leap three times after his prey, but if he miſſe it the 3d time, he will leap no more. 'Twere well for Saints, if Satan would doe ſo, &c. 1 Chr. 21. 1. Job 2. 9. Mat. 26. 2 Cor. 12. 7. Mat. 4. 1▪ 12.from them, then from all the world beſides.
Fifthly, The Lord Jeſus gives the beſt gifts to his owne people, That he may fence and ſtrengthen them againſt the worſt Temptations.
There are no men on earth that lye open to temptations, as Saints; the beſt men have been alwayes the moſt tempted. The more excellent any man is in grace and holineſſe, the more ſhall that man be followed with temptations; as you may ſee in David, who was tempted by Satan to number the people; and Joh, to curſe God, and dye; and Peter, to deny Chriſt; and ſo Paul was buffeted; yea, and Chriſt himſelfe moſt grievouſly aſſaulted. The Lord knowes well enough, that Satan hath a cruell eye, an envious eye, a malicious eye upon his beloved ones, and therefore he is pleaſed by his precious Gifts, to ſtrengthen them againſt his aſſaults. What Paul once ſaid concerning bonds, and afflictions, that Acts 20. 23.they attended him in every place; that may Believers ſay concerning temptations, that they attend them in every place, in every calling, in every condition, in every company in every ſervice, &c. As now, that the hearts of his people, and temptations Vigilat diabolus & tu dormis. The Devil watcheth, and doeſt thou ſleep?may not meet, the Lord is pleaſed to give them the beſt and choyceſt Gifts.
Austin thankt God for this, That his heart and the temptations did not meet. The Lord hath on purpoſe given theſe glorious Gifts into the hearts of his Saints, that their ſoules and temptations may be kept aſunder; that though they be tempted, yet they may not be conquered; though they be aſſaulted, yet they may not be vanquiſhed. Baſil, Luther, Ego non ſum ego, ſaid that noble Convert, when he met with a temptation.Vincentius, and that famous Marqueſs Galiaſius, &c. met with very ſtrange and ſtrong temptations, but the precious Gifts that the Lord had caſt into their boſomes, made them triumph over all. Oh that grace, that peace, that life, that love, that communion with which the Lord had crowned them, made them too great, too noble, and too glorious, to yield to any temptations with which they were beſet. 'Twas their pleaſure, to overcome offered pleaſure; their honour, to overcome offered honour; their greatneſſe, to overcome offered greatneſſe.Pecuniam daquae permaneat ac con…i…o duret, glor…a… que ſemper floreat. Baſil.
When one of them was tempted with money and preferment, he ſcorned the offers, ſaying, Give me money that may laſt for ever, and glory that may eternally flouriſh.
Jerom tells a ſtory Of a Chriſtian Souldier, whom when the Pretor could not by any torments remove from Chriſtianity, he commanded to be laid on a bed in a pleaſant Garden, among H…eronimus in vita Pauli.the flouriſhing and fragrant flowers; which done, all others withdrawing, a moſt beautifull Harlot came to him, and uſed all Art to deſtroy his ſoule; but the Chriſtian Souldier being filled with the royall Gifts of the ſpirit, bit off his tongue with his teeth, and ſpat it in her face as ſhe was tempting him, and ſo got victory over all her temptations.
The precious favours God confers upon his, make them temptation-proof, they make believers trample upon the moſt amiable baits, How can I doe this great wickedneſſe, and Gen. 39.ſin againſt God? ſayes Joſeph: Joſephs ſenſe of Potiphars favours heaped upon him, ſtrengthned him againſt the impudent ſollicitations of his wanton Miſtreſs; and ſhall not the ſingular favours that God confers upon his deareſt ones, ſtrengthen them againſt Satans aſſaults? Surely gracious hearts are wrought more upon, and bettered and ſtrengthned more by ſpiritualls, then by temporalls; by eternalls, then by externalls, and if Satan don't find it ſo, I am much miſtaken. Well, remember this, Satans overcoming the Saints gives him the greateſt advantage to boaſt and triumph over Chriſt.
Ambroſe brings in the Devil boaſting againſt Chriſt, and The Devill ma…chethwell armed, and in good array, ſaith Luther.challenging Judas as his owne, He is not thine, Lord Jeſus (ſaith he) he is mine, his thoughts beat for me; he eats with thee, but is fed by me; he takes bread from thee, but money from me; he drinks with thee, but ſells thy blood to me. So when Satan prevailes over the Saints, Looke, Oh Chriſt! (ſayes he) Are theſe the price of thy blood? are theſe the objects of thy love? are theſe the delight of thy ſoule? what, are theſe thy Jewels? are theſe the apple of thy eye? are theſe thy pleaſant portion? Why, Lo how I lead them? Lo how I triumph over them! they ſeem rather to be mine, then thine. Ah Chriſtians! reſiſt as for life, that Satan may never have occaſion thus to inſult and triumph over Chriſt, &c.
Sixthly, and laſtly, Chriſt gives the beſt gifts to his deereſt ones, That they may be an honour and a praiſe unto him in the glorious day of his owning of them, and marriage to them before all the world.
Believers in this life are but betrothed to Chriſt, I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto Hoſ. 2. 19, …0.me in righteouſneſſe, and in judgement, and in loving-kindneſſe. Their Marriage-day is put off till the glorious day of Chriſts appearing; the great day of his glory, will be the day of ſolemnity, Rev. 21. 2. 9, 10 compared, It would not be for The good things of eternall life, are ſo many, that they exceed number; ſo great, that they exceed meaſure; ſo precious, that they are above all eſtimation. Aug. de Triplici habitu. c. 4.the honour and glory of Chriſt, that his Spouſe in that day ſhould be cloathed with raggs; therefore he hath given them the Bracelets, the Ear-rings, and the Jewels before hand, that they may be a praiſe and an honour to him, in the Marriageday. Oh! when the Saints ſhall appear with all thoſe glorious Jewels about them, that Chriſt hath bequeathed to them, how will their ſplendant glory darken all other glory, and make the very Sun to hide its face? This is our betrothing day, that will be our Marriage-day.
Biſhop Ridley, the night before he ſuffered, invited his Hoſteſs, and the reſt, at Table to his Marriage, For, ſaid he, to morrow I muſt be married. So ſeverall other Martyrs went as merrily to dye, as to dine; knowing that their dying day did but make way for their Marriage-day. The Lord doth by his rich and royall favours, trick and trim up his Bride before hand, that ſhe may be an honour and a praiſe to him in the day of Coronation, in the day of Marriage, in the day of ſolemnity, when he will owne her before Devils, Angels, and all Reprobates; when he will ſay, Loe here am I, and the Bride, Oh father! that thou haſt given me.
And thus you have a brief account of the Reaſons of the Point, Why the Lord gives the beſt Gifts to his owne people.
We ſhall make ſome ſhort, but ſweet Uſes of this Point. And firſt,
Doth the Lord give the beſt and greateſt Gifts to his people? Then you that are his people ſit downe and wonder at this condiſcending love of God
Oh! what's in thy ſoule, or in my ſoule that ſhould cauſe Ezek. 16.the Lord to give ſuch Gifts to us, as he hath given? We were all equall in ſin, and miſery; nay doubtleſſe, we have actually out-ſinned thouſands to whom theſe precious Gifts are denyed. Let us therefore ſit downe and wonder at this O Lord Jeſus, ſaith Bernard, (breaking ſorth into an admiration of Chriſts love) I love thee (pluſquam mea, pluſquam ineos, pluſquam me) more then all my goods, more then all my friends, ye…, more then my very ſelfe, &c.condiſcending love of God. Oh! we were once poore wretches, ſiting upon the dunghill, yea, wallowing in our blood; and yet behold the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords ha's ſo far condiſcended in his love, as to beſtow himſelfe, his ſpirit, his grace, and all the Jewels of his Royal Crowne upon us. Oh! what heart can conceive, what tongue can expreſſe this matchleſſe love? I will be thine for ever, ſayes Chriſt, and my ſpirit ſhall be thine for ever, and my grace thine for ever, and my glory thine for ever, and my righteouſneſſe thine for ever; all I am, and all I have, ſhall be thine for ever. Oh Sirs! what condiſcending love is this? Oh! what a Chriſt is this?
But then ſecondly, Be greatly thankefull, O be greatly thankefull for the great Gifts that Chriſt hath beſtowed upon you.
It's not a little thankfullneſſe that will anſwer and ſuite to the great Gifts that the Lord Jeſus hath beſtowed upon you. Pſal. 103.O ſay with the Pſalmiſt, What ſhall I render to the Lord for all his favours, and great benefits: I will take the cup of ſalvation, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Yea ſay againe Pſal. 71. 14. Injuries ſhall be writ in the duſt, but our mercies on M…rble, that our hearts may be the better provokt to praiſe and thankfulneſſe.with the ſame Pſalmiſt, I will yet praiſe thee more and more: Or as 'tis in the Hebrew, I will add to thy praiſe. Oh when thou lookeſt upon the Jewels, the Pearles that Chriſt hath given thee, ſay, Lord I will praiſe thee more and more▪ I will riſe higher and higher in thy praiſes, I will be ſtill a adding to thy praiſe. The very Law of Nature beſpeaks great thankfullneſſe, where great favours are given; and the Law of Cuſtome beſpeaks it, and doth not the Law of grace beſpeak it much more?
When Tamerlin had taken Bajazet, among other Queſtions, he askt him If ever he had given God thanks for making him ſo great an Emperour? He confeſt immediately, That he never thought of that: To whom Tamerlin replied, Turk. Hiſt. 220, &c.'Tis no wonder ſo ungratefull a man ſhould be made a ſpectacle of miſery. Oh! what doe they then deſerve, that are unthankfull for ſpirituall favours? Tell me, O Chriſtians! are not the Gifts that Chriſt ha's confer'd upon you, peculiar Gifts? And will you not be thankfull for them? Were they There are but few upon whom God beſtoweth his love. 'Twas alwayes a principle in morality, that ſweet and intimate friendſhip cannot be extended to many, friends uſually goe by paires.but common Gifts, you ought to be thankfull for them, how much more then for peculiar Gifts, for right-handed favours? Tell me, are not the Gifts that Chriſt ha's given thee, rare Gifts? What hadſt thou been if Chriſt had not made a difference between thee, and others, by thoſe glorious Gifts that he ha's confer'd upon thee? Thou lookeſt upon ſome, and ſeeſt they are very ignorant; Oh! what hadſt thou been, if God had not beſtowed the Grace of knowledge upon thee? Thou lookeſt upon other perſons that are unclean, prophane, and filthy, why, ſuch a wretch wouldſt thou have been, if the Lord had not made a difference between thee and them, by beſtowing himſelfe, his grace, and ſpirit upon thee.
It was long ſince determined in the Schools, That penitents had more reaſon to be thankefull, then innocents. Sin giving an advantage to mercy to be doubly free in giving, and in pardoning: And ſo the greater obligation is left upon us to thankfullneſſe.
Luther hath a very famous ſtory, in his writing upon the fourth Commandement, in the time of the Councel of Constance; he tells you Of two Cardinalls, that as they were riding to the Councel, they ſaw a Shepheard in the field weeping, one of them being affected with his weeping, rode to him to comfort him; and coming near to him, he deſired to know the reaſon of his weeping; the Shepheard was unwilling to tell him at firſt, but at laſt he told him, ſaying, I looking upon this Toad conſidered that I never praiſed God as I ought, for making me ſuch an excellent Creature as a man comely and reaſonable. I have not bleſſed him that he made me not ſuch a deformed Toad as this. The Cardinall hearing this, and conſidering that God had done far greater things for him, then for this poore Shepheard, he fell downe dead from his Mule; his ſervants lifting him up, and bringing him to the City, he came to life againe, and then cryed out, Oh Saint Auſtine! how truly didſt thou ſay, The unlearned riſe and take heaven by force, and we with all our learning wallow in fleſh and blood. The application is eaſie.
Thirdly, The next Uſe is this,
If the Lord hath given the beſt Gifts to his people, then Oh that his people would not give God the worſt, but the beſt of every thing!'Tis the moſt wicked a…a…ice, to defraud God of the oblation of our ſelves, ſaith Chryſoſt.
Oh! give the Lord the beſt of your ſtrength, the beſt of your time, the beſt of your mercies, and the beſt of your ſervices, who hath given to your ſoules the beſt of Gifts. Num. 18. 29. Out of all your Gifts ye ſhall offer every heave Offring of the Lord, of all the beſt thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. So I ſay, of all thy Offrings offer God the beſt, who hath given to thee the beſt and greateſt Gifts. So in Exod. 35. 22. For the ſervice of the Tabernacle they brought bracelets, and ear-rings, and rings, and tables, all Jewels of If a man ſhould ſerve the Lord a thouſand years (ſaith Auſtin) … would net deſerve an …oure of the reward in Heaven, no not a moment, much leſſe an Eternity: And therefore (ſayes he) we had need doe as much as we can, and doe all that we doe as well as we can, &c.gold: and every man that Offered, Offered an Offering of Gold unto the Lord. They gave the beſt of the beſt, and ſo muſt we. O doe not offer to God, the worſt of your time, the worſt of your ſtrength, the worſt of your mercies, the worſt of your ſervices. That ſame is a very dreadfull Text, Mal. 1. 8. 13, 14. compared. And if ye offer the blind for ſacrifice, is it not evill? And if ye offer the lame and the ſick, is it not evill? Offer it now unto thy Governour, will he be pleaſed with it, and accept thy perſon? ſaith the Lord of hoſts. Saith God, will men be put off thus? No, I know they won't, and why then ſhould you deale worſe with me, then with men? Thy Governours will have the beſt, I, the beſt of the beſt, and will you deale worſe with me, ſaith God, then with your Governours? Will you thus requite me for all my ſavours, O fooliſh people, and unwiſe, is this your kindneſſe to your friend? Verſ. 13, 14. Ye ſaid alſo, behold what a wearineſſe is it? and ye have ſnuffed at it, ſaith the Lord of hoſts; and ye have brought that which was torne, and the lame, and the ſicke, thus ye brought an Offering, ſhould I accept this of your hands, ſaith the Lord. (Oh! that God had not cauſe to complaine thus of many of your ſoules, to whom he hath ſhowne much love.) But mark what followes, verſ. 14. But curſed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and ſacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing; for I am a great King, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, and my name is dreadfull among the Heathen. If you have better in your hands, and yet ſhall goe to put off God with the worſt, the curſe will follow. Think of it and tremble, all you that deale fraudulently and falſe-heartedly with God. Ah Chriſtians! you muſt ſay, world ſtand behind, ſin and Satan get you behind us, for the beſt Gifts, the choyceſt favours that ever were given, we have received from the father of light; and therefore by his Gifts he hath obliged our ſoules to give him the beſt of our time, ſtrength, and ſervices; and therefore we will not be at your call or beck any longer. Oh ſay! the Lord hath given us the beſt Gifts, and curſed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and ſacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing?
Fourthly,
This ſhould beſpeake the people of God to truſt and leane 2 Tim. 4. 8.upon God for leſſer Gifts.
Hath God given thee a Crowne, and wilt thou not truſt Heb. 11. 10. Chap. 12. 28.him for a crum? Hath he given thee a houſe that hath foundations, whoſe builder and maker is God? Hath he given thee a Kingdome that ſhakes not, and wilt thou not truſt him for a Cottage, for a little houſe-roome in this world? Hath he Rom. 8. 32.given thee Himſelfe, his Son, his Spirit, his Grace, and wilt thou not truſt him to give thee bread, and friends, and Mat. 6. 32.cloaths, and other neceſſary mercies that he knowes thou needeſt? Ha's he given thee the greater, and will he ſtand with thee for the leſſer? Surely no. Wilt thou truſt that man for much, that ha's given thee but a little? And wilt thou not truſt that God for a little, that ha's given thee much? Wilt thou not truſt him for pence, that ha's given thee pounds. Oh Sirs! hath the Lord given you himſelfe, the beſt of favours, and will not you truſt him for the leaſt favours? Hath he given you Pearls, and will not you truſt him for pins? &c. Does not the Apoſtle argue ſweetly? Rom. 8. 32. He that ſpared not his owne Son, but delivered him up for us all, how ſhall he not with him alſo, freely give us Prov. 8. 23. to …2 Vide M…t. 3. u….all things? What? ſayes the Apoſtle, hath he given us his Son, his onelyonly Son, his boſome Son, his beloved Son; the Son of his joy, the Son of his delight? Oh how can he then Ta…um poſſ… mus, qu…tum credimus. Cyp.but caſt in all other things, as paper and pack-threed, into the bargaine? Oh that Chriſtians would learne to reaſon themſelves out of their feares, and out of their diſtruſts, as the Apoſtle doth! Oh! that Chriſtians would no longer rend and wrack their precious ſoules, with feares and cares? but reſt ſatisfied in this, That he that ha's been ſo kind to them in ſpiritualls, will not be wanting to them in temporalls.
Fifthly,
If the Lord hath given the beſt Gifts to his people, this ſhould then beſpeake his people, not to envy the men of the world, for thoſe leſſer favours that God ha's confer'd upon them.David three ſeverall times g…ves himſelfe this counſell, Not to envy at others. Pſal. 37. 1, 7, 8. comp: So Pſal. 73. 21.
It was horrid wickedneſſe in Ahab, to envy poor Naboth, becauſe of his Vineyard: And is it a virtue in you that are Chriſtians, to envy others, becauſe their outward mercies are greater or ſweeter then yours? Should the Prince, upon whoſe head the Royall Crowne is ſet, and about whoſe neck the golden Chaine is put, envy thoſe whoſe hands are full of Sugarplums, & whoſe laps are full of Roſemary? &c. Hath not God, Oh Chriſtians! put a Royall Crowne of glory upon your heads, and a golden Chaine of grace about your necks; and his Sons glorious Robe upon your backs, and why then ſhould your hearts riſe againſt others mercies? Oh! reaſon your ſelves out of this ſinfull temper. I would have every Chriſtian thus to argue, Hath not the Lord given me himſelfe? is not one dram of that grace that God hath given me, more worth then ten thouſand worlds? and why then ſhould I envy at others mercies?
There was a Souldier, which for breaking his rank, in reaching after a bunch of Grapes, was condemned to dye (by Martiall Law) and as he went to execution, he went eating of his Grapes: Upon which, ſome of his fellow Souldiers were ſomewhat troubled, ſaying, He ought then to minde ſomewhat elſe: To whom he ſaid, I beſeech you Sirs doe not envy me my Grapes, they will coſt me deer; you would be loath to have them at the rate that I muſt pay for them. So ſay I, Oh Saints! doe not envy the men of this world, becauſe of their honours, riches, &c. for you would be loath to have them at the rate that they muſt pay for them. Oh! there is a day of reckoning a coming, a day wherein all the Nobles and brave Gallants in the world, muſt be brought to the Bar, and give an account how they have improved and imployed all the favours that God ha's confer'd upon them; therefore envy them not. Is it madneſſe and folly in a great favourite at Court, to envy thoſe that feaſt themſelves with the ſcrapps that come from the Princes Table? O then what madneſſe and folly is it, that the favourites of heaven ſhould envy the men of the world, who at beſt doe but feed upon the ſcraps that come from Gods Tables? Spiritualls are the choyce meat; temporalls are but the ſcraps: Temporalls are the bones, ſpiritualls are the marrow. Is it below a man to envy the dogs, becauſe of the bones? And is it not much more below a Chriſtian, to envy others for temporalls, when himſelfe injoyes ſpiritualls?
Sixthly,
Be not troubled for the want of leſſer Gifts.John 14. 1, 2, 3.
It is to me a ſad thing to ſee gracious ſoules (that have ſome comfortable ſatisfaction in their owne hearts, that the Lord hath given Chriſt and grace to them, &c.) goe up and downe whining and weeping, becauſe they have not health, or wealth, or Child, or Trade, &c. when the Lord ha's beſtowed upon them ſuch choyce, ſpirituall bleſſings, the leaſt of which will out-weigh all temporall bleſſings. Well Chriſtians, remember this, you act below your ſpirituall birth, your holy calling, when you ſuffer your hearts to be troubled and perplexed for the want of temporall things. Can you read ſpeciall love in theſe? Does your happineſſe lye in the injoyment of them? Are not the Angels happy without them? Was not Lazarus more happy then Dives? Yes, O then let not the want of thoſe things trouble thee, the injoyment of which can never make thee happy. Should the Child be troubled for want of a Rattle, or a Babie, that is proclaimed Heire of a Crowne? And why then ſhould a Chriſtian, that is Heire apparent to a Heavenly Crowne, be troubled upon the want of worldly toyes? &c.
Jerous tells us of one Didymus, a godly Preacher, who was Socrates Scho. l. 4. c. 20.blind; Alexander a godly man coming to him, askt him, Whether he was not ſore troubled and afflicted for want of his ſight? O yes, ſaid didymus, It's a great affliction and trouble to me: Then Alexander chid him, ſaying, Hath God given you the excellency of an Angel, of an Apoſtle, and are you troubled for that which Rats and Mice, and bruit-beaſts have? 'Tis great folly, 'tis double iniquity, for a Chriſtian to be troubled for the want of thoſe things, that God ordinarily beſtowes upon the worſt of men. Oh the mercies that a Chriſtian ha's in hand! Oh the mercies that a Chriſtian ha's in the Promiſes! Oh the mercies that a Chriſtian ha's in hope! are ſo many, ſo precious, and ſo glorious, that they ſhould bear up his head and heart from fainting, and ſinking, under all outward wants.
There goes a Story among Scholars, Of Aeſops deceiving Mercury, He having promiſed him one part of his Nuts, keepes all the meat to himſelfe, and gives the other the ſhells. Cyprian in his Sermon, De lapſis, reporteth of divers, who forſaking the Lord, were given over to evi…l ſpirits, and died fearfully. A backſl…der may ſay▪ Opera & impenſa pe…it. All my paines and charge is loſt.Ah Chriſtians! God ha's given you the meat, but the world the ſhells; why then ſhould you be troubled for want of the ſhells, when God ha's given you the kernell? &c.
Seventhly,
If the Lord hath given his people the beſt of Gifts, Oh then let not them leave off that God that hath beſtowed ſuch choyce and noble favours on them.
Jerem. 2. 11, 12, 13. Hath a Nation changed their Gods, which are yet no Gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be aſtoniſhed O ye Heavens at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very deſolate, ſaith the Lord. (Why?) For my people have committed two evills, they have forſaken me the fountaine of living waters, &c. This was that that aggravated the Iſraelites ſin, Pſal. 105. & 106. That They forſooke that God that had confer'd upon them many rich and royall favours. But O then what madneſſe and folly is it in you, that you ſhould forſake that God that hath done ſuch mighty things for your ſoules? I may ſay to keep you cloſe to God, as Saul ſaid to his ſervants, to keep them cloſe to him, 1 Sam. 22. 7. Then Saul ſaid unto his ſervants that ſtood about him, heare now ye Benjamites, will the Son of Jeſſe give every one of you fields, and Vineyards, and make you all Captaines of thouſands, and Captaines of hundreds? Ah Chriſtians! can the world give you ſpirituall life? Can the world give you peace of conſcience, pardon of ſin, the favour of God, the hopes of glory? No, O then never leave nor forſake that God that ha's given you all theſe royall favours, which none can give nor take, but himſelfe. He that forſakes Diis proximu… ille eſt, quem ratio non ira movet. Sen. He is next to God, whom re…ſon, and not anger moveth. Did an impatient ſoul bu… ſee himſelf i… a glaſſe, he would loath himſelfe, for, ſaith Homer, his eyes ſparkle like ſire, his heart ſwels his pulſ beats, &c. In a word. a… impatiem ſoul is a bed lam, a monſter, a devil, &c.God, forſakes his owne mercies, he forſakes his life, his joy, his Crowne, his all in all. No evill to this, of forſaking the greateſt good. It makes a mans life a very hell, Such ſhall be written in the duſt. Jer. 17. 13.
Eighthly, and laſtly.
Be not impatient nor froward, when God ſhall take away ſome leſſer mercies from you.
Hath God given you the beſt, and the greateſt gifts that your ſoules can begg, or himſelfe can give? And will you be froward or impatient when he ſhall come to take away leſſer mercies? What? wilt thou be an impatient ſoule, when God comes and writes death upon ſuch a neere mercy, and paſſes the ſentence of death upon ſuch and ſuch deſirable mercies? Verily this is the way to provoke God to ſtrip thee naked of thy choyceſt ornaments, and to put thee in Chaines, or elſe to turne thee a graſing among the beaſts of the field, as he did Nebuchadnezzar. God gives the beſt, and takes away the worſt; he gives the greateſt, and takes away the leaſt; the ſenſe of which made Job bleſſe God, when ſtript of all. If a man ſhould give you a Pearle, and take away a pin; if he ſhould give you a bagge of gold, and take away a bagge of Counters, would it not be madneſſe in you to be impatient, and froward? Does God take away a pin, and ha's he not given you a Pearle for it? He ha's given thee a pound, O Chriſtian, for every penny that he ha's taken from thee; therefore be not froward, nor impatient. Remember Chriſtians, how many in the world there be, that ſit ſithing and mourning under the want of thoſe very favours that you doe enjoy. Why does the living man complaine? What, out of the grave, and complaine? What, out of hell, and complaine? This is mans ſin, and Gods wonder.
But now ſome poor ſinners may ſay, Here's good Newes for Saints, but what's all this …o us all this while.Read alſo Pro. 1. 20. to 29. Ch. 8. 1. to 8. & Chap. 9. 1. to 7. Iſa. 43. 22, 23, 24, 25. Jer. 51. 5.
Why, I'le tell you, I have ſomething to ſay for the comfort and incouragement of poor ſinners. Ah ſinners! Chriſt is willing to beſtow the beſt Gifts upon the worſt ſinners; take one Text for all, 'tis a ſweet one, and full to the point in hand, Pſal. 68. 18. Thou haſt aſcended on high, thou haſt led Captivity Captive, thou haſt received Gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious alſo, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
Chriſt hath received Gifts as a Steward from the hand of None ſo faith …ull as Chriſt, Heb. 3. 5, 6.the father, to diſpence them among men, yea among the rebellious, the worſt of men. If there be here at this time any rebellious ſinner, or rebellious Sabboth-breaker, or rebellious Rev 3. 20. 2 Cor. 6. 16. I will dwell in them. The words are very ſignificant in the Or…ginall foreign. I will indwell in their. There are two in's in the Originall, as if God could never have enough communion with them.drunkard, or rebellious curſer, &c. let ſuch rebellious ſinners know, that Chriſt hath received Gifts, even for the rebellious.
That the Lord God might dwell amongſt them. That is, that the Lord God might have ſweet fellowſhip and communion with them. Behold I ſtand at the doore, and knocke, if any man heare my voyce, and open the doore, I will come in to him, and will ſup with him, and he with me.
Behold I ſtand at the doore and knocke. I, that have Heaven to give, and Peace to give, and Pardon to give, and Grace to give, and my Selfe to give. I that have tryed gold, to inrich you; and white rayment to cloath you; and eye-ſalve, to anoint you. I ſtand at the doore and knocke, if any man will open the doore, let him be never ſo guilty, never ſo filthy, never ſo unworthy, &c. I will come in, and ſup with him, and he with me.
Lord, at whoſe doore doeſt thou ſtand knocking? Is it at the rich mans doore? Or at the righteous mans doore? Or at the humbled mans doore? Or at the weary and heavy laden mans doore? Or at the mourners doore? Or at the qualified or prepared mans doore? No, ſayes Chriſt, 'tis at none of theſe doores. At whoſe then, O bleſſed Lord? At the Luke-warm Laodiceans doore. At their doore that are neither hot, nor cold, that are wretched, and miſerable, and poore, and blind, and naked. Theſe, ſayes Chriſt, are the worſt of the worſt; and yet if any of theſe wretches, theſe Monſters of mankind, will open the doore, I will come in, and will ſup with them, and they with me, &c.
I have read a remarkeable ſtory of a great Rebell, that had Bodin relates this ſtory.raiſed a mighty party againſt a Roman Emperour: The Emperour upon this being much provok't and ſtirr'd in ſpirit, made a Proclamation, That whoſoever brought in the Rebell dead or alive, ſhould have a great ſum of money. The Rebell hearing of this, comes and preſents himſelfe unto the Emperour, and demanded of him the ſum of money. Whereupon the Emperour reaſons thus, If I ſhould now cut him off, the world would ſay, I did it to ſave my money; and ſo he pardoned him, and gave him the great ſum of money, notwithſtanding all his former Rebellion.
Oh! ſhall a Heathen Emperour doe thus to a Rebell that was in Armes againſt him? And will not God doe as much for poore rebellious ſinners? Surely he will. What though thou haſt been in Armes againſt God? and Muſtered Rom. 5. 10. Col. 1. 21. Rom. 6. 13, 16, 19, 20.up all the ſtrength and force thou couldeſt, even all the members of thy body, and faculties of thy ſoule, againſt God, and Chriſt, and Holineſſe? Yet know, that the King of Iſrael is a mercifull King, he is a God of Pardons, he delights to make his Grace glorious, and therefore is very willing to ſhew mercy to the greateſt Rebels, to the worſt of ſinners: witneſſe Manaſſes, Mary Magdalen, the Thief, Paul, and others. The greatneſſe of mans ſins, doe but ſet off the riches of free grace. Sins are debts, and God can as eaſily blot out a debt of many thouſands, as he can a leſſer debt▪ therefore let not the greateſt Rebell deſpaire, but believe, and he ſhall find, that where ſin ha's abounded, there Grace ſhall ſuper-abound, &c.
And thus much for this Obſervation, we ſhall now proceed to the next words. Viz.