Precious Remedies Against Satans Devices, Appendix
An Appendix touching five more ſeverall Devices that Satan hath to keep poor ſoules from believing in Chriſt, from receiving of Chriſt, from embracing of Chriſt, from reſting, leaning, or relying upon Chriſt for everlaſting happineſſe, and bleſſedneſs, according to the Goſpel; and Remedies againſt thoſe Devices.
Now the firſt Device that Satan hath to keep the ſoule off from believing in Chriſt, from cloſing with Chriſt, &c. is,
BY ſuggeſting to the ſoule the1 Device. greatneſſe and vileneſſe of his ſinnes: what, ſaith Satan, doſt thou think that thou ſhalt ever obtain mercy by Chriſt, that haſt ſinned with ſo high a hand againſt Chriſt? that haſt ſlighted the tenders of grace? that haſt grieved the ſpirit of grace? that haſt deſpiſed the word of grace? that haſt trampled under feet the blood of the Covenant, by which thou might'ſt have been pardoned, purged, juſtified, and ſaved? that haſt ſpoken and done all the evill that thou couldſt? No, no, ſaith Satan, he hath mercy for others,Ierem. 3. 5. but not for thee; pardon for others, but not for thee; righteouſneſſe for others, but not for thee, &c. therefore 'tis in vaine for thee to think of beleeving in Chriſt, or reſting and leaning thy guilty ſoule upon Chriſt.
Now the remedies againſt this Device of Satan are theſe that follow.
THe firſt Remedie againſt this Device Remedy.of Satan, is, to conſider, that the greater your ſinnes are, the more you ſtand in need of a Saviour; the greater your burthen is, the more you ſtand in need of one to help to beare it: the deeper the wound is, the more need there is of the Surgeon; the more dangerous the diſeaſe is, the more need there is of the Phyſitian. Who but mad men will argue thus; my burden is great, there-I'le not call out for help; my wound isMad Logick. deepe, therefore I'le not call out for balm; my diſeaſe is dangerous, therefore I'le not goe to the Phyſitian. Ah! 'tis ſpiritua… …adneſſe; 'tis the Devills Logick to argue thus: My ſinnes are great, therefore I'le not goe to Chriſt; I dare not reſt nor leane on Chriſt, &c. whereas the ſoule ſhould reaſon thus; the greater my ſins are, the more I ſtand in need of mercy, of pardon, and therefore I will goe to Chriſt, who delightsMica. 7. 18. in mercy, who pardons ſinne for his owne name ſake; who is as able and asIſa. 43. 25. willing to forgive pounds, as pence, thouſands, as hundreds.
The ſecond Remedie againſt this Device 2 Remedie.of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that the promiſe of grace and mercy is to returning ſoules: and therefore though thou art never ſo wicked, yet if thou wilt returne, God will be thine, mercy ſhall be thine, & pardon thine, &c. 2 Chron. 30. 9. For if you turn again 2 Chron. 30. 9.unto the Lord, your brethren, and your children ſhall finde compaſſion before them that lead them captive, ſo that they ſhall come againe into this land; for the Lord your God is gracious and mercifull, and will not turne away his face from you, if ye returne unto him. So Jer. 3. 12. Goe, and proclaime Jer. 3. 12.theſe words towards the North, and ſay, returne thou back-ſliding Iſrael, ſaith the Lord, and I will not cauſe my anger to fall upon you; for I am mercifull ſaith the Lord, and I will not keepe ang… for ever. So Joel 2. 13. And rent you… …rts, and not Ioel 2. 13.your garments, and turne unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and mercifull, ſlow to anger, and of great kindneſſe, and repenteth him of the evill. So Iſa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forſake his wayes, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon; or as the Hebrew read… it, he will multiply pardons. So Ezek. Ezek. ch. 18.Chap. 18.
Ah ſinner! 'tis not thy great tranſgreſſions that ſhall exclude thee from mercy; if thou wilt break off thy ſins by repentance, and return to the fountaine of mercy. Chriſts heart, Chriſts armes are wide open to embrace the returning Prodigall. 'Tis not ſimply the greateſt of thy ſins, but thy peremptory perſiſting in ſinne that will be thy eternall overthrow.
The third Remedie againſt this Device 3 Remedie.of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that the greateſt ſinners have obtained mercy, and therefore all the Angells in heaven, all the men on earth, and all the Devils in hell, cannot tell to the contrary, but that thou mayeſt obtain mercy. Manaſſeh was a notorious ſinner,2 King. Chap. 21. he erected Altars for Baal, he worſhipped and ſerved all the hoaſt of Heaven; He cauſed his ſonnes to paſſe through the fire; he gave himſelfe to witchcraft and ſorcerie; he made Judah to ſinn more wickedly then the heathen did, whom the Lord deſtroyed before the children of Iſrael; hee The Hebrew Doctors write that he ſlew Iſaiah the Prophet, who was his father in law.cauſed the ſtreets of Jeruſalem to run downe with innocent blood, &c. Ah! what a devill incarnate was he in his actings; and yet when he humbled himſelfe, and ſought the Lord, the Lord was intreated of him, and heard his ſupplication, and brought him to Jeruſalem, and made himſelfe known unto him, and crowned him with mercy and loving kindneſſe, as you may ſee in 2 Chron. 2 Chron. chap. 33.chap. 33. So Paul was once a blaſphemer, a perſecutor, and injurious, yet he obtained 1 Tim. 1. 13.mercy. So Mary Magdalen was aLuke 7. notorious ſtrumpet, a common whore, one out of whom Chriſt caſt ſeaven Devills, yet ſhe is pardoned by Chriſt, and dearly beloved of Chriſt, Luke 7. SoMar. 16. 9. in Mar. 16. v. 9. Now when Jeſus was riſen early, the firſt day of the week, he appeared firſt to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had caſt ſeaven Devills. Janſenius on the place ſaith, 'tis very obſervable that our Saviour after his reſurrection firſt appeared to Mary Magdalen, and Peter, that had been grievous ſinners; that even the worſt of ſinners may be comforted and encouraged to come to Chriſt, to believe in Chriſt, to reſt and ſtay their ſoules upon Chriſt for mercy here, and glory hereafter; that is a very precious word for the worſt of ſinners, to hang upon Pſal. 68. v. 18. ThePſal. 68. 18. Pſalmiſt ſpeaking of Chriſt, ſaith, 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.
What though thou art a rebellious child, or a rebellious ſervant? what though thou art a rebellious ſwearer, a rebellious drunkard, a rebellious Sabbath-breaker, &c. yet Chriſt hath received gifts for thee, even for the rebellious. He hath received the gift of pardon, the gift of righteouſneſſe; yea all the gifts of the ſpirit for thee, that thy heart may be made a delightfull houſe for God to dwell in.
Bodin hath a ſtory concerning a great Rebell that had made a great ſtrong party againſt a Roman Emperour; the Emperour makes Proclamation, that who-ever could bring the Rebell dead or alive, he ſhould have ſuch a great ſumme of money; The Rebell hearing of this, comes and preſents himſelf before the Emperour, and demands the ſumm of money; now ſaith the Emperour, if I ſhould put him to death, the world would ſay, I did it to ſave my money, and ſo he pardons the Rebell, and gives him the money. Ah ſinners! ſhall a Heathen do this, that had but a drop of mercy and compaſſion in him? and will not Chriſt do much more,Coloſſ. 1. 19. Chap. 2, 3, 4. that hath all fulneſſe of grace, mercy, and glory in himſelfe? Surely his bowels doe yerne towards the worſt of Rebels. Ah! if you will but come in, you will find him ready to pardon, yea oneNehem. 9. 17. Heb. but thou a god of pardons. made up of pardoning mercy: Oh! the readineſſe and willingneſſe of Jeſus Chriſt to receive to favour the greateſt Rebels.
The father of mercies did meet, embrace, and kiſſe that prodigall mouth which came from feeding with ſwine, and kiſſing of Harlots. Ephraim hadHoſ. 4. 17. 5. 3. 6. 8. 11, 12. 12. 14. 13. 12. vide. committed Idolatry, and was backſliden from God; he was guilty of lukewarmneſſe and unbelief, &c. yet ſaith God, Ephraim is my deare ſonne, hee is a Jer. 31. 20.pleaſant child, my bowels are troubled for him; I will have mercy (or rather as 'tis in the Originall, I will have mercy, mercy) upon him ſaith the Lord. Well ſaith God, Though Ephraim be guilty of crimſon ſinnes, yet he is a ſonne, a deare ſonne, a precious ſonne, a pleaſant childe: Though he be blacke with filth, and red with guilt, yet my bowels are troubled for him, I will have mercy, mercy upon him. Ah ſinners! if theſe bowels of mercy doe not melt, win, and draw you, Juſtice will be a ſwift witneſſe againſt you, and make you lye downe in eternall miſery, for kicking againſt the bowels of mercy.
Chriſt hangs out ſtill, as once that warlike Seythian did, a white flag of grace and mercy to returning ſinners that humble themſelves at his feete for favour; but if ſinners ſtand out, Chriſt will put forth his red flag, his bloody flag, and then they ſhall dye for ever by a hand of Juſtice. Sinners, there is no way to avoid periſhing by Chriſts iron rod, but by kiſſing his golden Scepter.
The fourth Remedie againſt this Device 4 Remedie.of Satan i…, to conſider, that Ieſus Chriſt has no where in all the Scripture excepted againſt the worſt of ſinners that are willing to receive him, to belive in him, and to reſt upon him, for happineſſe, and bleſſedneſs: Ah ſinners! why ſhould you be more cruell and unmercifull to your own ſoules, then Chriſt is. Chriſt hath not excluded you from mercy, why ſhould you exclude your owne ſoules from mercy? Oh that you would dwell often upon that choiſe Scripture, John 6. 37. All Iohn 6. 37.that the Father giveth me, ſhall come to me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out (or as the Originall hath it) I will not caſt out. Well ſaith Chriſt, if any man will come, or is coming to me, let him be more ſinfull, or leſſe; more unworthy, or leſſe; let him be never ſo guilty, never ſo filthy, never ſo rebellious, never ſo leprous, &c. yet if hee will but come, I will not, not, not caſt him off. So much is held forth in that 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10, 11. Know ye not that the unrighteous 1 Cor! 6. 9. 10, 11.ſhall not inherite the Kingdome of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abuſers of themſelves with man-kinde. Nor theeves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, ſhall inherite the Kingdome of God. And ſuch were ſome of you: but ye are waſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are juſtified in the name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the ſpirit of our God.
Ah ſinners! do not thinke that hee that hath received ſuch notorious ſinners to mercy, will reject you; Hee is Heb. 13. 8.yeſterday, and to day, and the ſame for ever.
Chriſt was borne in an Inne, to ſhew that he receives all commers; his garments were divided into four parts, to ſhew, that out of what part of the world ſoever we come, we ſhall be received; If we be naked, Chriſt hath Robes to cloth us; if we be harbourleſs, Chriſt hath room to lodg us. That is a choiſe Scripture, Acts 10. 34, 35.Acts 10. 34, 35. Then Peter opened his mouth, and ſaid, of a truth I perceive that God is no reſpecter of perſons. But in every Nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteouſneſſe, is accepted with him.
The three Tongues that were written upon the Croſſe in Greeke, Latine, and Hebrew, to witneſſe Chriſt to beIohn 19. 19, 20. the King of the Jewes, do each of them in their ſeverall Idiom avouch this ſingular Axiome, that Chriſt is an all ſufficient Saviour, and a three-fold cord is not eaſily broken. The Apoſtle puts this out of doubt in that Heb. 7. v. 25.Heb. 7. 25. Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the vttermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them. Now he were not an Al-ſufficient Saviour, if he were not as able to ſave the greateſt, as the leaſt of ſinners. Ah ſinners, tell Jeſus Chriſt that he hath not excluded you from mercy, and therefore you are reſolved that you will ſit, waite, weep, and knock at the doore of mercy, til he ſhall ſay, ſouls be of good cheer, your ſins are forgiven, your perſons are juſtified, and your ſoules ſhall be ſaved.
The fifth Remedie againſt this Device 5 Remedy.of Satan, is, to conſider, that the greater ſinner thou art, the dearer thou wil… be to Chriſt, when he ſhall behold thee as the travel of his ſoule. Iſa 53. 11.Iſa. 53. 11. He ſhall ſee of the travell of his ſoule, and be ſatisfied. The dearer we pay for any thing, the dearer that thing is to us; Chriſt hath paid moſt, and prayed moſt, and ſighed moſt, and wept moſt, and bled moſt for the greateſt ſinners, and therefore they are dearer to Chriſt then others that are leſſe ſinful. Rachel wasGen. 29. 30. dearer to Jacob then Leah, becauſe ſhee coſt him more; he obeyed, endured, and ſuffered more by day and by night for her, then for Leah. Ah ſinners! the greatneſſe of your ſinns does but ſet off the freeneſſe and riches of Chriſts grace, and the freeneſſe of his love, this maketh Heaven and Earth to ring of his praiſe, that he loves thoſe that are moſt unlovely; that hee ſhewes moſt favour to them that hath ſinned moſt highly againſt him, as might be ſhewed by ſeverall inſtances in Scripture, as Paul, Mary Magdalene, and others, who ſinned more againſt Chriſt then theſe? and who had ſweeter, and choicer manifeſtations of divine love and favour then theſe?
The ſixth Remedy againſt this Device 6 Remedie.of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that the longer you keepe off from Chriſt, the greater and ſtronger your ſinnes wil grow. All divine power and ſtrength againſt ſin flowes from the ſouls unionRom. 8. 10. 1 Iohn 1. 6, 7. and communion with Chriſt; while you keepe off from Chriſt, you keep off from that ſtrength and power which is only able to make you trample downe ſtrength, lead captivity captive, and ſlay the Goliah's that bids defiance to Chriſt. 'Tis only faith in Chriſt that makes a1 Iohn 5. 4. man triumph over ſin, Satan, Hell, and the world. 'Tis onelyonly faith in ChriſtMar. 5. 25-35. that binds the ſtrong man hand and foot; that ſtops the iſſue of blood; that makes a man ſtrong in reſiſting, and happy in conquering. Sin always dies moſt, where faith lives moſt; the moſt believing ſoule, is the moſt mortifyed ſoule. Ah ſinner! remember this, there is no way on earth, effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of ſinne, but by believing in a Saviour. 'Tis not reſolving, 'tis not complaining, 'tis not mourning, but believing that will make thee divinely victorious over that bodie of ſinne that to this day is too ſtrong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruine, if it be not ruin'd by a hand of faith.
The ſeventh Remedie againſt this Device 7 Remedie.of Satans, is, wiſely to conſider, that as there is nothing in Chriſt to diſcourage the greateſt ſinners from believing in him, ſo there is every thing in Chriſt that may encourage the greateſt ſinners to believe in him, to reſt and leane upon him for all happineſſe, and bleſſedneſſe: If you look upon his nature, his diſpoſition, his names, his titles, his offices, as King, Prieſt, andCant. 1. 3. Prophet, you ſhall finde nothing to diſcourage the greateſt ſinners to receiveColoſſ. 1. 19. Chap. 2. 3. Cant. 5. 10. him, to believe on him. Chriſt is the greateſt good, the choiſeſt good, the chiefeſt good, the moſt ſutable good, the moſt neceſſary good; he is a pure good, a reall good, a totall good, an eternall good, and a ſoul-ſatisfying good. Sinners, are you poor? ChriſtRev. 3. 17▪ 18. hath gold to enrich you; are you naked? Chriſt hath royall robes, hee hath white rayment to cloath you; are you blind? Chriſt hath eye-ſalve to enlighten you; are you hungry? Chriſt will be Manna to feed you; are you thirſty?Iohn 6. 48. Iohn 7. 38. he will be a Well of living water to refreſh you; are you wounded? hee hath balm under his wings to heale you; areMal. 4. 2. Mat. 4. 23. Mat. 20. 28. you ſick? he is a Phyſitian to cure you; are you priſoners? he hath laid downe a ran ſome for you. Ah ſinners! tell me, tell me, is there any thing in Chriſt to keep you off from believing? No, is there not every thing in Chriſt that may incourage you to believe in him? Yes: O then believe in him, and then though your ſinnes be as ſearlet, they be as Iſa. 1. 18.white as ſnow; though they be red like crimſon, they ſhall be as wool. Nay then your iniquities ſhall be forgotten, as well asIſa. 43. 25. Iſa. 38. 17. Micha 1. 19. forgiven, they ſhall be remembred no more; God will caſt them behinde his back, he will hurle them into the bottome of the Sea.
The 8. and laſt Remedie againſt this8 Remedie. Device of Satan is, ſeriouſly to conſider the abſolute neceſſity of beleeving in Chriſt. Heaven is too holy, and too hot to hold unbelievers, their lodging is prepared in hell Revel. 21. 8. But Revel. 21. 8.the fear full and unbelieving, &c. ſhall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire & brimſtone, which is the ſecond death. If ye believe not that I am he (ſaith Chriſt)Iohn 8. 24. you ſhall die in your ſins: And he that dyes in his ſins, muſt to judgment, and to hell in his ſins. Every unbeliever is a condemned man: He that beleeveth not (ſaith John) is condemned already, becauſe Iohn 3. 18.he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten ſonne of God. And hee that Verſ. 36.beleeveth not the Son, ſhall not ſee life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Ah ſinners! the Law, the Goſpel, and your owne Conſciences has paſs'd the ſentence of condemnation upon you, and there is no way to reverſe the ſentence but by believing in Chriſt; and therefore my counſell is this: Stir up yourIſa. 64. 7. ſelves to lay hold on the Lord Jeſus, and look up to him, and wait on him from whom every good and perfectJames 1. 17. Iſa. 62. 7. gift comes, and give him no reſt till he hath given thee that Jewell Faith, that is more worth then Heaven and Earth; and that will make thee happy in life, joyfull in death, and glorious in the day of Chriſt. And thus much for the Remedies againſt this firſt Device of Satans, whereby he keeps off thouſands from believing in Chriſt.
The ſecond Device that Satan hath to keepe poor ſinners from believing, from cloſing with a Saviour, is,
BY ſuggeſting to them their unworthineſſe.2 Device. Ah ſaith Satan! as thou art worthy of the greateſt miſery, ſo thou art unworthy of the leaſt crum of mercy; what, doſt thou thinke ſaith Satan, that ever Chriſt will owne, receive, or embrace ſuch an unworthy wretch as thou art? no, no, if there were any worthineſſe in thee, then indeed Chriſt might be willing to be entertained by thee; thou art unworthy to entertain Chriſt into thy houſe, how much more unworthy art thou to entertaine Chriſt into thy heart, &c.
Now the Remedies againſt this device of Satan are theſe that follow.
THe firſt Remedie againſt this Device 1 Remedy.of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that God hath no where in the Scripture required any worthineſſe in the creature before believing in Chriſt. If you make a diligent ſearch through all the Scripture, you ſhall not find fromIohn 5. 29. the firſt line in Geneſis, to the laſt line in the Revelation, one word that ſpeaksMat. 19. 8. out Gods requiring any worthineſſe in the creature before the ſoules believing in Chriſt, before the ſouls leaning and reſting upon Chriſt for happineſſe, and bleſſedneſſe; and why then ſhould that be a bar and hinderance to thy faith, which God doth no where require of thee before thou comeſt to Chriſt, that thou maiſt have life. Ah ſinners! remember Satan objects your unworthineſſe againſt you, only out of a Deſigne to keep Chriſt and your ſoules aſunder for ever; and therefore in the face of all your unworthineſs reſt upon Chriſt, come to Chriſt, believe inIohn 6. 40. 47. Chriſt, and you are happy for ever.
The ſecond Remedie againſt this Device 2 Remedie.of Satans is, wiſely to conſider, that none never received Chriſt, embraced Chriſt, obtained mercy and pardon from Chriſt, but unworthy ſoules. Pray what worthineſſe was in Matthew, Zacheus, Mary Magdalen, Manaſſeh, Paul and Sydia, before their coming to Chriſt? before their faith in Chriſt? ſurely none. Ah ſinners! you ſhould reaſon thus, Chriſt hath beſtowed the choiſeſt mercies, the greateſt favours, the higheſt dignities, the ſweeteſt priviledges upon unworthy ſinners; and therefore O our ſouls doe not you faint, do not you deſpair, but patiently and quietly wait for the ſalvation of the Lord; who can tell but that free grace and mercy may ſhine forth upon us, though we are unworthy, and give us a portion among thoſe Worthies that are now triumphing in Heaven.
The third Remedie againſt this Device 3 Remedie.of Satans is, that if the ſoule will keep off from Chriſt till it be worthy, it wil never cloſe with Chriſt, it will never embrace Chriſt, 'twill never be one with Chriſt, it muſt lie down in everlaſtingIſa. 50. ult. ſorrow. God hath laid up all worthineſſe in Chriſt, that the creature may know where to finde it, and may make out after it. There is no way on earth to make unworthy ſoules worthy, but by believing in Chriſt: Believing in Chriſt, of ſlaves, 'twill make… 1. 12. you worthy ſons; of enemies, 'twillJames 2. 23. make you worthy friends, &c. God wil count none worthy, nor call none worthy, nor carry it towards none as worthy but Believers, who are madeReuel. 3. 4. worthy by the worthineſſe of Chriſts perſon, righteouſneſſe, ſatisfaction, and interceſſion, &c.
The fourth and laſt Remedie againſt4 Remedie. this Device of Satans is, ſolemnly to conſider, that if you make a diligent ſearch into your own hearts, you ſhall find that 'tis the pride & folly of your own hearts that puts you upon bringing of a worthineſſe to Chriſt. Oh you would faine bring ſomething to Chriſt that might render you acceptable to him, you are loft to come empty handed. The Lord cries out, Ho Iſa 55. 1, 2.every one that thirſteth, come yee to the waters, and he that hath no money: come yee, buy, and eate, come buy wine and milke without money, and without price.
Wherefore doe you ſpend your money upon Verſe 2.that which is not bread? and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not?
Here the Lord calls upon money leſſe ſoules, upon penni-leſſe ſoules, upon unworthy ſoules, to come and partake of his precious favours freely: but ſinners are proud and fooliſh, and becauſe they have no money, no worthineſs to bring, they'l not come, though he ſweetly invites them. Ah ſinners! what is more juſt then that you ſhould periſh for ever, that preferre huskes among ſwine before the milke and wine, the ſweet and precious things of the Goſpel that are freely and ſweetly offered to you, &c. Well ſinners, remember this; 'tis not ſo much the ſenſe of thy unworthineſſe, as thy pride that keeps thee off from a bleſſed cloſing with the Lord Jeſus.
The third Device that Satan hath to keep poor ſinners from believing in Chriſt, from cloſing with Chriſt, from reſting on Chriſt, &c. is,
BY ſuggeſting to them the want of3 Device. ſuch and ſuch preparations, and qualifications: ſaith Satan, thou art not prepared to entertain Chriſt; thou art not thus and thus humbled and juſtified; thou art not heart-ſick of ſin▪ thou haſt not been under horrors and terrours as ſuch and ſuch, thou muſt ſtay till thou art prepared, and qu…lified to receive the Lord Jeſus, &c.
Now the remedies againſt this Device of Satan are theſe that follow.
THe firſt Remedie againſt this Device 1 Remedy.of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that ſuch as have not been ſo and ſo prepared and qualified, as Satan ſuggeſts have received Chriſt, believed in Chriſt, and being ſaved by Chriſt. Mathew Mat. 9. 9.was called, ſitting at the receipt of cuſtome, and there was ſuch power went along with Chriſts call, that made him to follow. We read not of any horrors or terrours, &c. that hee was under before his being called by Chriſt. Pray what preparations and qualifications were found in Zacheus, Paul, theLuke 19. 9. Acts 16. chap. Jaylor, and Lydia, before their converſion. God brings in ſome by the ſweet and ſtill voyce of the Goſpel, and uſually ſuch that are thus brought in to Chriſt, are the ſweeteſt, humbleſt, … iſeſt, and fruitfulleſt Chriſtians. God is a free agent to worke by Law or Goſpel; by ſmiles or frownes; by preſenting hell or heaven to ſinners ſoules God thunders from Mount-Sinai upon ſome ſouls, & conquers them by thundering God ſpeaks to others in a ſtill voyce, and by that conquers them. You that are brought to Chriſt by the Law, do not you judge and condemn them that are brought to Chriſt by theRom. 14. Goſpell: and you that are brought to Chriſt by the Goſpel, do not you deſpiſe thoſe that are brought to Chriſt by the Law. Some are brought to Chriſt by fire, ſtorms, and tempeſts, others by more eaſie and gentle gales of the Spirit. The Spirit is free in the works ofIohn 3. 8. converſion, and as the wind, it blows when, where, & how it pleaſes. Thrice happy are thoſe ſouls that are brought to Chriſt, whether it be in a winters night, or in a ſummers day.
The ſecond Remedie againſt this Device 2 Remedie.of Satan, is, ſolemnly to dwel upon theſe following Scriptures which do clearly evidence, that poor ſinners which are not ſo and ſo prepared, and qualified to meet with Chriſt, to receive and embrace the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, may notwithſtanding that believe in Chriſt, and reſt and lean upon him for happineſſe and bleſſedneſſe, according to the Goſpel. Read the firſt of the Proverbs, from verſ. 20. to the end, and the 11. firſt verſes of the 8. of the Proverbs, and the ſix firſt verſes of the 9. of the Proverbs, and the 14. firſt verſes of Ezek. chap. 16. and the 3. of John 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. 36. verſes, and the 3. of the Revelations, verſ. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Here the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſtands knocking at the Laodiceans door, he would faine have them to ſup with him, and that he might ſup with them; that is, that they might have intimate communion and fellowſhip one with another.
Now pray tell me, what preparations or qualifications had theſe Laodiceans to entertain Chriſt? ſurely none; for they were luke-warm, they were neither cold nor hot; they were wretched, and miſerable, and poore, and blind, and naked; and yet Chriſt to ſhew his free grace, and his condeſcending love, invites the very worſt of ſinners to open to him, though they were no wayes ſo or ſo prepared or qualified to entertain him, &c.
The third Remedie againſt this Device 3 Remedie.of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that the Lord does not in all the Scripture require ſuch and ſuch preparationsRom. 4. 5. God juſtifies the ungodly. & qualifications before men come to Chriſt, before they believe in Chriſt, or entertaine, or embrace the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Believing, believing in Chriſt is the great thing that God preſſes upon ſinners throughout the Scripture, as all know, that know any thing of Scripture.
Obj. But does not Chriſt ſay, Come Mat. 11. 28.unto me all yee that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt? To this I ſhall give theſe three Anſwers.
1. That though the invitation be to ſuch that labour and are heavy laden, yet the promiſe of giving reſt, its made over to coming to believing.
2. I anſwer, that all that this Scripture proves and ſhews, is, that ſuch as labour under ſin as under a heavy burden,Math. 11. 28. opened and cleared. and that are laden with the guilt of ſin, and ſenſe of Gods diſpleaſure, ought to come to Chriſt for reſt; but it doth not prove that only ſuch muſt come to Chriſt, nor that all men muſt be thus burthened, and laden with the ſenſe of their ſinnes, and the wrath of God before they come to Chriſt. Poor ſinners, when they are under the ſenſe of ſinne, and wrath of God, they are prone to run from creature to creature, and from duty to duty, and from Ordinance to Ordinance, to find reſt; and if they could finde it in any thing, or creature, Chriſt ſhould never heare of them. But here the Lord ſweetly invites them, and to encourage them, he engages himſelf to give them reſt. Come (ſaith Chriſt) and I will give you reſt. I'le not ſhew you reſt, nor barely tell you of reſt, but I will give you reſt. I am faithfulneſſe it ſelfe, and cannot lye, I will give you reſt. I that have the greateſt power to give it, the greateſt will to give it, the greateſt right to give it, come laden ſinners, and I will give you reſt. Reſt is the moſt deſireable good, the moſt ſutable good, & to you the greateſt good. Come ſaith Chriſt, that is, Believe in me & I wil give you reſt. I wil give you peace with God, and peace with conſcience, I will turn your ſtorme into an everlaſting calme: I will give you ſuch reſt, that the world can neither give to you, nor take from you.
3. I anſwer, no one Scripture ſpeaks out the whole minde of Chriſt; therefore do but compare this one Scripture with thoſe ſeverall Scriptures that are laid downe in the ſecond Remedie laſt mentioned, and it will clearly appear, that though men are not thus and thus burdened and laden with their ſins, and filled with horror and terrour, if they may come to Chriſt, they may receive and embrace the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
The 4. and laſt Remedie againſt this4 Remedie. Device of Satan is, to conſider, that all that trouble for him, all that ſorrow, ſhame, and mourning, &c. which is acceptable to God, and delightfull to God, & prevalent with God, flows from faith in Chriſt, as the ſtream doth from the fountain, as the branch doth from the root, as the effect doth from the cauſe. Zech. 12. 10. They ſhall looke on Zach. 12. 10.him whom they have pierced, and they ſhall mourn for him. All Goſpel-mourningRom. 14. 23. flows from believing; they ſhall firſt look, and then mourn. All that know any thing, knows this, that what ever is not of faith is ſinne. Till men have faith in Chriſt, their beſt ſervices are but glorious ſins.
The fourth Device that Satan hath to keep Chriſt & a ſinner aſunder, to keep a poore ſinner from believing in Chriſt, from embracing of Christ, &c. is,
BY ſuggeſting to the ſinner Chriſts4 Device. unwillingneſſe to ſave; 'tis true, ſaith Satan; Chriſt is able to ſave thee, but is he willing ſurely? though hee be able, yet he is not willing to ſave ſuch a wretch as thou art, that haſt trampled his blood under thy feet, and that haſt been in open rebellion againſt him all thy daye…, &c.
The Remedie againſt this Device of Satans is briefly to conſider theſe few things.
1. THe great journey that he hath1 Remedie. taken from heaven to earth, on purpoſe to ſave ſinners, doth ſtrongly demonſtrate his willingneſſe to ſave them. Math. 9. 13. I came not to call the Mat. 9. 13.righteous, but ſinners to repentance. 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a faithfull ſaying, and worthy 1 Tim. 1. 15.of all acceptation, that Jeſus Chriſt came into the world to ſave ſinners, of whom I am chiefe.
2. His diveſting himſelf of his glory in order to ſinners ſalvation, ſpeaks out his willingneſſe to ſave them; he leaves his Fathers boſome, he puts off his glorious robes, and layes aſide his glorious Crown, and bids adie… to his gliſtering Courtiers the Angels, and all this he doth, that hee may accompliſh ſinners ſalvation.
3. That ſea of ſin, that ſea of wrath, that ſea of trouble, that ſea of bloodFrom the Cradle to the Croſſe, his whole life was a life of ſufferings. that Jeſus Chriſt waded through, that ſinners might be pardoned, juſtified, reconciled, and ſaved, doth ſtrongly evidence his willingneſſe to ſave ſinners.
4. His ſending his Ambaſſadors early and late to wooe and intreat ſinners2 Cor. 5. 19, 20. to be reconciled to him, doth with open mouth ſhew his readineſſe, and willingneſſe to ſave ſinners.
5. His complaints againſt ſuch as refuſe him, and that turn their backs upon him, and that will not be ſaved by him, doth ſtrongly declare his willingneſſe to ſave them. He came to his owne, 1 John 11.and his owne received him not. So in that 5. of John, v. 40. But yee will not come Iohn 5. 40.to me, that ye may have life.
6. The joy and delight that he takes at the converſion of ſinners, doth demonſtrate his willingneſſe, that they ſhould be ſaved. Luk. 15. 7. I ſay unto Luke 15. 7.you, that likewiſe joy ſhall be in heaven over one ſinner that repenteth, more then over ninety and nine juſt perſons which need no repentance. God the Father rejoyceth at the return of his prodigall Sonne. Chriſt rejoyces to ſee the travell ofIſa. 53. 11. his ſoule: the Spirit rejoyces that he hath another Temple to dwell in, and the Angels rejoyce that they have another Brother to delight in, &c.
The fifth Device that Satan hath to keepe a ſinner and Chriſt aſunder, is,
BY working a ſinner to mind more5 Device. the ſecret decreaſe and counſels of God, then his own duty. What needeſt thou to buſie thy ſelfe about receiving, embracing, and entertaining of Chriſt? Saith Satan, if thou art elected, thou ſhalt be ſaved; if not, all that thou canſt doe will do thee no good. Nay, he will worke the ſoule not onelyonly to doubt of its election, but to conclude that he is not elected, and therefore let him doe what he can he ſhall never be ſaved.
Now the Remedies againſt this Device of Satan are theſe.
THe firſt Remedie is, ſeriouſly to conſider,1 Remedy that all the Angels in heaven, nor all the men on earth, nor all the Devills in hell cannot tell to the contrary, but that thou maiſt be an elect perſon, a choſen veſſel. Thou mayeſt be confident of this, that God never made Satan one of his Privie Councel, God never acquainted him with the names or perſons of ſuch that he hath ſet his love upon to eternity, &c.
The ſecond Remedie againſt this Device 2 Remedie.of Satan, is, to meddle with that which thou haſt to doe; ſecret things belongs to the Lord, but revealedDeut. 29. 29. things belongs to thee; thy worke ſinner, is to be peremptory in believing, and in returning to the Lord; thy worke is to caſt thy ſelfe upon Chriſt, lye at his feete, to waite on him in his wayes, and to give him no reſt till he ſhall ſay, Sinner, I am thy portion, I am thy ſalvation, and nothing ſhall ſeparate between thee and me.
FINIS.