Gods Love to Man and Mans Duty Towards God, Part 2 · Section 12

Gods Love to Man and Mans Duty Towards God · Part 2 · Section 12

p. 225Ezek. 18.25.

Here now, O Houſe of Iſrael, is not my Way equal?

Sect. 12. PROP. XII. The Condition of the Covenant of Grace not being required properly to Merit, and purchaſe the Bleſſings promiſed; it follows, that it is only required to make Way, and qualifie us for our Enjoying and partaking of them.

NOw after man had broke with God, one would be apt to conclude, that God would never take him into a new League, unleſs it was upon ſome higher, and harder terms; as it is uſual among men. Yet it is quite otherwiſe in the Covenant of Grace. God condeſcends to as low terms as it is poſſible for any man reaſonably to deſire. As if the Lord ſhould treat ſinners thus: Poor Creatures you have deſtroyed your ſelves; but in me is your help. You are a company of Rebels, that deſerve to die, yet I am ready to pardon, and to be reconciled to you, in and through my dear Son, (who in tender compaſſion towards you, willingly interpoſed betwixt you and Juſtice, and died to ſatisfie for, and ſave as many of you as ſhould own him for their Redeemer, and return to their Allegeance to me.) Now here I offer to be at peace with you; only I muſt ſecure the Honour of my Free-grace, and my Sons Merits, as I muſt alſo keep up the Reputation of my juſt Authority, p. 226Holineſs, hatred of ſin. (As I cannot but hate ſin, though I am willing to be Reconciled to ſinners.) And I muſt have you at ſome better paſs, not to ſin wilfully, as thoſe that neither fear to offend God, nor regard at all how they wrong their own ſouls. Now, what ſay ye? Are you ready heartily to acknowledg your ſin and wretchedneſs, to accept of a gracious pardon, and Salvation offered, ſtanding no longer in your own Juſtification, but utterly renouncing your own Righteouſneſs? And do you reſolve to be ſubject to my Authority, to obey my Commands for time to come, unfeignedly grieving and being truly humbled for your coming ſhort, and failing in any part of that duty you owe to me your Creator, Redeemer, Owner, Governour? That is, in ſhort, are you really willing to give up your ſelves to me, to be Guided and Governed by me, and ſaved in my own way?

Then I here, faithfully engage, upon the word of the ever Living God, the Faithful God that keepeth Covenant, that I will be your God, your Portion, your Exceeding great Reward. I will be, and do all that can be deſired, to make you for ever Happy.

Now is not this a fair propoſal? Is it not wonderful, that the Great God ſhould ever make ſuch a gracious offer to ſinful, provoking Creatures? Suppoſe an Earthly Prince offering a Pardon, and promiſing his Princely grace and favour to a company of condemned Traitors, and Rebels, if they would ſeriouſly confeſs their guilt, acknowledge and accept of his Princely grace and clemency, and promiſe Loyalty and ſubjection for time to come; Would p. 227you not ſay theſe were very fair, eaſie and equitable terms? And that in wiſdom and honour he could require no leſs? And what doth the Lord require more of us? O ſinner! thou that haſt been a rebellious wretch, what doth the Lord require of thee, but only to acknowledge thine Iniquity, to accept of Chriſt the only Saviour, and give up thy ſelf to be governed by him, heartily bewailing and mourning for it; when at any time thou haſt forgotten him, and that Love, Duty, Service, and Thankfulneſs, which thou for ever oweſt unto him? And is it not wonderful Grace, that on theſe terms the Lord is ready to receive thee? Doth he promiſe, that [If the wicked turn from his wickedneſs, and walk in Gods Statutes, he ſhall ſurely live;] his ſins ſhall not be mentioned unto him, (as Ezek. 33.14, 15, 16.) And will any deny this to be a gracious promiſe, becauſe conditional? Is it not plain, that what the Lord calleth for here, is of Right, and a due Debt from us? But that he promiſeth to receive ſinners opon their return; this is not of Debt, but of Gods abundant Mercy, and Free-grace.

And how ſhould he in Honour go lower than he doth, or in Faithfulneſs to the Intereſt of the ſouls of his people?

Theſe three things therefore make up the Condition of the Covenant of Grace.

1. Repentance towards God, without this no Remiſſion or Salvation: Except ye repent, ye ſhall ſurely periſh. But on the contrary, If the wicked turn, he ſhall ſurely live, he ſhall not dye, Ezek. 18.21.

2. Faith in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. If ye believe not, ye ſhall dye in your ſins, Joh. 8.24. But, Believe on the Lord Jeſus, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, Act. 16.31.

p. 2283. A reſolution to perform ſincere, and new obedience, 2 Theſ. 1.8. The Lord Jeſus ſhall be revealed from heaven, to take vengeance on them that obey not the Goſpel (that yield not evangelical obedience:) But he is the Author of Eternal ſalvation … them that obey him.

Under theſe three, (Repentance, Faith, and ſincere Obedience) is included whatſoever the Covenant of Grace requireth, and where one of theſe is, there are the other. They are inſeparable: and where one is named, the other are underſtood. As what goeth under the name of faith working by love, Gal. 5.6. is called a new creature, Gal. 6.15. and keeping the commandments of God, 1 Cor. 7.19.

Under the old Teſtament the condition of the Covenant of Grace is ordinarily expreſſed by turning to God, (Ezek. 33.11. Seeking him (Amos 5.4. Prov. 8.17.) walking uprightly, (Gen. 17.1. Pſal. 84.11. keeping his commandments, (Pſal. 103.18.)

In the New Teſtament it is more ordinarily expreſſed by faith, faith in Jeſus Chriſt, Mar. 16.16. Joh. 3.36. &c.

Not but that all that were ſaved before Chriſt came in the fleſh, were ſaved by him (who was th… Lamb ſlain from the beginning of the world, … ſome take that in Rev. 13.8.) not but that it was for his ſake, that any were accepted of God, and ſave… before: ſee Ast. 15.11. but after his coming in the fleſh, then a more explicite faith in Chriſt, was required of all that would have ſalvation by Chriſt And therefore the Goſpel was written (as the Eva… geliſt John ſayes of the writing of his Goſpel, Chap. 20.31. that we might believe that Jeſus is the Chriſt the ſon of God, and that believing we might have lif… p. 229through his Name. Not that [believing Ieſus to be the Chriſt, the Son of God] was the onelyonly thing required, or all that was neceſſary to our having life through his Name: But this added to what was before required in order to Salvation: Before his coming there was no pointing at him, ſo as John Baptiſt did, Joh. 1.29.36. Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the ſin of the world. But Chriſt being come, he could ſay, If ye believe not that I am he, ye ſhall dye in your ſins; and he ſaveth thoſe that come unto God [by him] others he will not ſave. Therefore he ſaith, Joh. 17.3. This is life eternal to know thee, the true God, and Ieſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. So Ioh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting life, he that believeth not, ſhall not ſee life. So obſerve what the Covenant of grace requireth for the honour of Chriſt as Redeemer, and of Free-grace.

I am not ignorant, how ſome have argued, an explicit knowledge and belief of Chriſts death and ſatisfaction, not to have been abſolutely neceſſary to the ſalvation of thoſe, that lived before Chriſts coming

And yet methinks, it is plain, that the faithfull, that lived and died before Chriſts coming in the fleſh, as they had ſome means of attaining to the knowledge of a Redeemer, ſo they had ſome knowledge of a Redeemer, though it was more general and confuſed, not ſo clear and diſtinct, as what Chriſtians now have: But the doctrine of mans Redemption was preached to Adam immediatly after his fall [The ſeed of the woman ſhall break the Serpents head] And Iob could ſpeak of his Redeemer, Iob 29.25, 26, 27. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he ſhall ſtand at the latter day upon the earth. And faithfull Abraham, Chriſt teſtifieth of him, Ioh. 8.56. Your p. 230Father Abraham rejoyced to ſee my day: and he ſaw it, and was glad. And Iacob invocates the Angel of the Covenant, Gen. 48.15, 16. God before whom my fathers, Abraham, and Iſaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day: [The Angel which redeemed me from all evil] bleſs the lads. This Angel was his Redeemer, (And ſo the Meſſiah is called, Iſa. 59.20.) Again, the ſame Patriarch, when he lay a dying, breaks forth into this ſweet note, Gen. 49.18. I have waited for thy ſalvation, O Lord: which the two Chaldee Pharaphraſts explain thus, (as Ainſworth noteth) our father Iacob ſaid, I expect not the ſalvation of Gideon ſon of Ioaſh, which is a temporal ſalvation; nor the ſalvation of Samſon ſon of Manoah, but the ſalvation of Chriſt the ſon of David, who ſhall come to bring to himſelf the ſons of Iſrael, whoſe ſalvation my ſoul deſireth. The Patriarks that dyed in the faith, ſaw ſomething in the promiſe, which they did not live to ſee fulfilled, Heb. 11.13. Though it was a far off, yet by faith they ſaw it, and dyed in the Faith, and confident expectation of it, as Iacob that ſaid, I have waited for thy ſalvation, O Lord. As Chriſt told his diſciples, that many Prophets, and righteous men, and Kings have deſired to ſee the things that ye ſee, and have not ſeen them, Mat. 13.17. Luk. 10.24. So he ſayes, that the Scriptures of the old Teſtament teſtified of him, Ioh. 5.39. and ver. 46. Had ye believed Moſes, ye would have believed me, for he wrote of me, Luke 24.44, &c. And to him gave all the Prophets witneſs, Act. 3.18.20, 22. & 10.43. Luk. 1.69, 70, 72, Act. 7.52. 1 Pet. 1.10, 11. As the Sacrifices under the Law pointed at Chriſt the Lamb of God, the true Sacrifice, that takes away the p. 231ſins of the world. So it was foretold, that he ſhould make his ſoul an offering for ſin, and bear the iniquity of his people, Iſa. 53.10, 11, 12. And Dan. 9.26. After ſixty two weeks ſhall Meſſiah be cut off. Thus it was revealed, that he ſhould be put to Death; yea, and that he ſhould riſe again, Pſal. 16.9. Thou wilt not ſuffer thine holy One to ſee corruption. And Pſal. 110.1. Setteth forth his glorious Exaltation, The Lord ſaid unto my Lord, ſit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footſtool. Now when ſo much of him was revealed before, methinks it is ſtrange, if the Faithful then ſhould know nothing of him. VVas the Spirit of the Lord ſo ſtraightned then, as not at all to own and bleſs his own means here?

But though I confeſs, it is not in me to determine, how much Knowledge of, and Faith in the Meſſiah was neceſſary then; and though I grant the generallity of the Faithful then might know very little, (if any thing at all) of the way and manner of the Meſſiahs procuring Redemption and Salvation; of which the Prophets themſelves were put to enquire, and ſearch diligently, 1 Pet. 1.10. Yet methinks, this is very clear.

That Pardoning Grace was not a thing unknown to them, but plainly declared, that they might know, Salvation was not of Works, but of Grace. As the Lord had proclaimed his Name to be The Lord, the Lord God, Merciful and Gracious, forgiving Iniquity, and Trangreſſion, and Sin; and that will by no means clear, foreign.Mundando non mundabit, h. c. neminem per ſe pro mundo & Innocente habet, ſed quos mundat & Justificat, mundat ex ſolâ p. 232ſuâ gratiâ. (F. co.) Omnes egent Dei miſericordi… (Menock.) apud M. Pol. in Synopſ. Exod. 34. 5, 6, 7. ſo Pſal. 130.3.4. If thou (Lord) ſhouldſt mark iniquities; O Lord, who ſhall ſtand? But there i… forgiveneſs with thee, that thou mayst be feared Iſa. 55.7. Let the wicked for ſake his way, and return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and will abundantly pardon. That the Faithful of old had a ſenſe of their need of pardoning Grace, is evident. As David deſcribeth Bleſſedneſs, Pſal. 32.1, 2. Bleſſed is he, whoſe Tranſgreſſion is forgiven, whoſe ſin is covered. Bleſſed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whoſe Spirit there is no guile. (i. e.) No guile allowed, but lamented and abhorred. So this was plainly taught, that the true Iſraelite, the guiltleſs perſon, the upright man could not attain to Bleſſedneſs, but by the way of pardoning Grace. So they that offered the Sacrifices of Righteouſneſs, might not truſt in their own ſervices and ſacrifices, but in the Lord, Pſal. 4.5. And David (a man after Gods own heart) acknowledgeth Gods Forgiving-mercy, Pſal. 103.3. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities. And Solomon prayeth for them that ſhould return to God with all their beart— that he would forgive, 2 Chron. 6.38.39. And Hezekiah, that the good Lord would pardon every one that prepareth his heart to ſeek God, 2 Chron. 30.18, 19.

And thus far the condition of the Covenant of Grace was all one under both Teſtaments, to ſecure the Honour of Free-grace. (And they are utterly unworthy of any Grace and Favour from God, that will not acknowledg it.) O! How is Gods Freegrace, and Infinite mercy magnified in the Pardon p. 233and Salvation of a ſinful Creature? Free-grace is …he Attribute that God delights to Honour, and …oth Honour eſpecially in a ſinners Salvation. And …e will have this right done unto it, by all, that would attain to Salvation; he will have them ſee …nd acknowledge, that if ever they be ſaved, it muſt …e by Gods Infinite Free-grace. **Quod & ſi nos puerili animoſitate gratis ſalvari nolumus, merito non ſalvamur. Excludit miſeriae diſſimulatio miſerationem: Nec dignatio locum habet, ubi fuerit praeſumptio dignitatis. Bernard. In Dedic. Eccl. Ser. 5.(I am ſpeaking of the Adult.) As ever any of us would be ſaved, we muſt be ſenſible of our own unworthineſs (as Jacob, that acknowledged himſelf leſs than the leaſt of mercies, Gen. 32.10.) We muſt renounce our own Righteouſneſs, (as Job 9.20. If I juſtifie my ſelf, my own mouth ſhall condemn me. As the Church confeſſeth in Iſa. 64.6. We are all as an un…lean thing, and our righteouſneſs as filthy rags.)

There was never any Saint, or truly Righteous perſon in the world, accepted, and ſaved for any …herent Righteouſneſs found in him: But only of Gods Free-grace, through the ſatisfaction of Jeſus Chriſt, eyed, and accepted of God for him. And we read of the Jews, Rom. 9.31, 32 which followed after the Law of Righteouſneſs, that they …tained not to the Law of Righteouſneſs: Becauſe …hey ſought it not by Faith, but as it were by the works of the Law.

This therefore is eſſential to the condition of the Covenant of Grace, that we acknowledge all that God doth for us, according to this Covenant, or all that he here promiſeth to do, to be of Grace, of Free-grace. And if men could do all, that the Covenant p. 234requireth beſides this, and then reſt in th… ſame, as a ſatisfaction to God for their ſins, and … compenſation for his Favours, as making him … mends; this were to turn the Covenant of Grace i… a Covenant of Works.

This you are to note, (and I pray you obſerve it… The condition of the Covenant of Grace, is not … ſatisfie for our breach of the Covenant of VVor… but to Intereſt us in Chriſts ſatisfaction. It be… ſo agreed betwixt, or decreed by God the Father and his Son Chriſt, that none ſhall be pardoned a… ſaved upon account of his Satisfaction, but … ſuch as come up to the Tearms of the Covenant … Grace.

And truly the Deſign of the Covenant of Gra… is ſo clear for advancing Christ, and Free-grace … that after many deliberate thoughts, I am afraid … give any more to Faith it ſelf, in the buſineſs of … ſinners Juſtification and Salvation, than our ſobe… Divines give to Repentance, and other Grace… Upon ſerious thoughts, I dare not contend for a… Cauſality, or Efficiency in Faith it ſelf; no not … the leaſt and loweſt Degree. If in any reſpect … is to be preferred to other Graces, it is in th… (to uſe the phraſe of a Learned Divine) that … is the ſinners Self-denying acknowledgment of … ſin and miſery, and inability to help himſelf. N… that Faith could of it ſelf procure our Pardon a… Juſtification: But only God hath promiſed to the… that believe, an Intereſt in Chriſt, and his Righteouſneſs. How doth Faith Intereſt us in Chriſt a… his Righteouſneſs for Juſtification, and Salvation Certainly, not by any Intrinſick virtue of its ow… but by virtue of Gods gracious promiſe. The Papiſt p. 235would have Faith to Juſtifie, as it is a Grace diſpo…g ad juſtitium, and as a part of our Inherent Righ…ouſneſs: Juſtificatio ſine dubio motus quidam eſt …peccato ad juſtitiam, ſays Bellarmine. So he un…ſtandeth that of being Juſtified freely by his …race, Rom. 3.24. Per gratiam, ideſt, per juſti…on ab illo donatam, & infuſam. But if we ad…it of their notion of Juſtification (more proper… Juſtification) then we ſhould be Juſtified naturally and neceſſarily upon the Working, or (to uſe …e common word) Infuſing of a principle of Grace, … Righteous habits. As it followeth alſo, that we … only be ſaid to be juſtified in part, till ſuch time … our Inherent Righteouſneſs be perfect. And …ſquently that in part we are all Unjuſtified; and … all ſhould be liable to Condemnation ſtill.

Others ſpeak of the Tò credere, the condition of … Covenant of Grace, Juſtifying, God taking …d accepting of it, as if it were a perfect fulfilling … the Law. Thus Faith by Acceptilation is ſuppo… to ſtand in the place, and ſtead of Perfect, Ex… Legal Righteouſneſs and Obedience. And I …ſeſs the Expreſſion of Faith being counted for righteouſneſs, Rom. 4.3, 5. would ſeem to coun…ance ſuch an Opinion, at firſt bluſh. But we …ſt not put ſuch a ſence on this Text, and expreſ… of Scripture, as would overthrow other Scrip…s. We read 1 Cor. 1.30. That Chriſt is made … God unto us Righteouſneſs. VVhere Bellarmine …ts, Non eſſet abſurdum, ſi quis diceret nobis im…ri, Chriſti juſtitiam & merita, cum nobis do…ur & applicentur, ac ſi nos ipſi Deo ſatisfeciſſe… Though it be a giving up his cauſe. But they … place Faith in the room of perfect Obedience, p. 236teaching that by Gods gracious Acceptilation … one is reputed for the other. they wreſt the Scripture, and deny the gracious Imputation of Chr… Righteouſneſs to them that believe.

So far as I am able to apprehend, that which … ſwereth to the Righteouſneſs, and Obedience, … quired in the Covenant of Works, is the Righ… ouſneſs and Satisfaction of Jeſus Chriſt alone, (… is called, The Lord our Righteouſneſs, who is … of God unto us Righteouſneſs, our Pro-le… Righteouſneſs, as one.) As alſo we are ſaid to… made the Righteouſneſs of God in him, 2 Cor. ….21.) That as man ſhould have been Juſtified, … for ever Happy by the Covenant of Works, for … own Righteouſneſs inherent in him, and wro… by him, had he obeyed perfectly: So that … man is Juſtified, and ſaved now, it is not for … imperfect Inherent righteouſneſs of his own, … for the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt alone. his comple and full ſatisfaction to Gods Law and Juſtice. … now if you ask, How the Righteouſneſs, and … tisfaction of Chriſt becomes ours, to Juſtification and ſalvation? Or how it cometh to be imputed … the Juſtifying of ſome, when it is not imputed others? The anſwer is, becauſe the Lord hath … down in the Covenant of Grace upon what tear… or in what way the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt … become ours to Juſtification, and ſalvation; and … come up to thoſe terms, others not.

And ſo the expreſſion of faith being accoun… or imputed unto righteouſneſs] muſt either be an… pallage, (as Beza, &c.) meaning that righteouſ… is imputed to them that believe, Rom. 4.11. or … muſt be put there for the object of faith, Chriſt … p. 237prehended and received by faith, or elſe the words …ay be underſtood thus, that faith is that, which in …e eye of the new Law paſſeth for righteouſneſs, ſub…dinate to Chriſts righteouſneſs. Being all (ſum…arily) which is required of a man himſelf, that he …ay be juſt in the eye of the new law of Grace, or …e Goſpel, or that he may have a right and title to …e righteouſneſs, which conſiſts in the remiſſion of … through Chriſt, (ſee Mr. Allens Diſcourſe, p. 48. …9, 50.) But the words cannot poſſibly be intended …y the Apoſtle, to exclude Chriſts Righteouſneſs im…uted to them that believe, for that would make him contradictory to himſelf.

And ſo I conclude, that faith is not inſtead of per…ect Legal righteouſneſs: but the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, which is imputed to us, (made ours) when …e believe, come up to Covenant-terms. So we …ead in Rom. 10.4. Chriſt is the end of the Law for righteouſneſs to every one that believeth, and Chap. 8.….4. what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the fleſh, God ſending his own ſon in the …keneſs of ſinfull fleſh, foreign, and a ſin-offering; or a ſacrifice for ſin, (as it ſhould have been …ranſlated, and I wonder Beza ſhould oppoſe it, when … his note upon Heb. 10.6. he is contrary to himſelf …nd readeth foreign, ſacrifice for ſin. (But God …ending his own Son, to be a ſacrifice for ſin, thus …e) condemned ſin in the fleſh; That the righteouſneſs of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk …ot after the fleſh, but after the Spirit. As if he …ad ſaid, The Law and juſtice are no Loſers by us, who are in Chriſt Jeſus. Though our obedience be …perfect and ſhort of the Rule; yet Chriſts ſatisfaction is full and perfect, which by Gods gracious p. 238promiſe and Covenant, is freely made over to … that believe.

But thus you have heard how the deſign of the … venant of Grace is to advance Gods free grace, and … merits of Jeſus Chriſt, and accordingly it is a main… ſential part of the condition of the Covenant, that … acknowledge free grace the moving, & Chriſts t… teouſneſs the meritorious procuring cauſe of all … good, and bleſſedneſs propoſed, and promiſed in … Covenant. As they are altogether unmeet to … take of ſuch benefits, as will not acknowledge fr… whom they receive, and how they come by them.

Now to apply this, before I proceed to that … of the condition, which is a recognizing of Go… Authority, and ſwearing fealty to him.

Let me ask, what ſpirit you are of? Have y… high thoughts of your ſelves, and would you … ſomething in your ſelves? or have you learnt to d… ny your ſelves, and to have admiring thoughts … Chriſt, and free Grace? Luk. 18.9. &c. The… our Saviour put forth a parable to certain that tr… ed in themſelves that they were righteous. Two … went up into the temple to pray, the one a Phariſe the other a Publican. The Phariſee ſtood and pra… ed thus, God I thank thee, that I am not as oth… men, extortioners, unjuſt, adulterers, or even this Publican. I faſt twice in the week, &c. … he truſted in this, thought this enough to comm… him to Gods acceptance, and to procure his ſalva… on. He looked no further. The poor Publican… ſtood afar off, and would not lift up ſo much as … eyes to heaven, but ſmote upon his breaſt, ſaying God be mercifull to me a ſinner. He ſaw himſelf lost undone creature, unleſs it would pleaſe th… p. 239Lord to ſhew forth his wonderfull free mercy. He …d a deep ſenſe of his own wretchedneſs, and un…orthineſs. Now ſaith our Saviour, ver. 14. I tell …ou, this man went away juſtified, rather than the …her. For every one that exalteth himſelf ſhall be …baſed, and he that humbleth himſelf ſhall be exal…ed. Now Sirs, how is it? Are we for exalting our …elves, or for exalting Chriſt, and grace? It is true, …aturally we are all for eſtabliſhing, and ſetting up …ur own righteouſneſs; and are loth to own our …overty and wretchedneſs, to be ſo great, as indeed …is; are loth to think of being ſo much beholden to …s Chriſt, and free Grace, as indeed we muſt be, if … we be ſaved. But know this, it is as certainly …ning for men to truſt in their own righteouſneſs, … to go on impenitently in ſin and wickedneſs. It may … becauſe thou art not ſo bad as others, thou thinkeſt …y ſelf too good to go to hell: that thy ſins do not de…ive hel; or it may be thou haſt been humbled after a …, & haſt reformed many things, haſt left thy ſwear…g, curſing, lying, thy drunkenneſs, thy open Sabbath …of a nation; & now thou liveſt after another faſhion, …ou art a diligent hearer, haſt ſet up the worſhip of …d in thy family, art juſt in thy dealings, &c. and …refore now thou thinkeſt, thou deſerveſt well at …ods hand. But alas, one thing thou lackeſt, thou muſt … all, and come to Chriſt. Thou muſt count all …ings dung, thine own righteouſneſs filthy rags, and …tre only to be found cloathed in the righteouſneſs … Chriſt. Alas, alas, while thou truſteſt in thy …, as having ſuch a righteouſneſs of thine own, …ou art upon a falſe bottom, thou art but a proud …iriſee, and many Publicans are more likely to enter … heaven, than ſuch ſelf-righteous ones. If when p. 240we cannot deny, but we are ſinners; inſtead … humbling our ſelves before God, and ſuing to … for Grace and pardon, in and through Chriſt (… way that he hath ſet forth, wherein alone ſinne… may be reconciled to him.) VVe will go our … way (as if Gods way were too low) ſo we … think to make God amends ſome other way; what this, but to deny Pardoning, Goſpel-grace, … (as one ſays) to ſpit in Chriſts face? VVhat this, but to make the Death and ſatisfaction Chriſt needleſs? As what needed Jeſus Chriſt Die for ſinners, to ſatisfie Gods Juſtice, if any thi… that ſinners can do, may ſatisfie? VVell ſirs, … to it: Chriſts ſatisfaction was never intended, provided for ſuch, as think themſelves ſufficient ſatisfie, and make God amends; ſuch as hope th… ſins are not ſo great, but they may be Expiated their good prayers, works of Charity, or Right ouſneſs, that they have done. VVere it ſo inde… then Jeſus Chriſt might very well have ſpared … great pains taken, and undergone about it.

The truth is, there are very groſs and danger… miſtakes both ways: Too many that would … Chriſts work out of his Hands, as Self-juſticiari… others again would caſt that, which is their o… proper work, upon Chriſt, as Antinomians. … ſound Chriſtian muſt warily avoid both theſe Ro… both Extreams.

Indeed Chriſt hath ſatisfied for us, for our bre… of the Covenant of VVorks, if we perform … condition of the Covenant of Grace. But he … not performed the condition of the Covenant Grace for any (though he hath purchaſed that G… for ſome, whereby they ſhall perform it.) … p. 241Chriſt was made under the Law, to fulfil the Law: Not under the Goſpel, to perform the condition of the Goſpel. He hath not repented for us, believed for us. Had he done theſe, then there were nothing at all for us to do; but he ſhould ſave us altogether without us.

Chriſt's ſatisfying for mans breach of the Covenant of works, will not exempt us from a neceſſity of performing the condition of the Covenant of Grace. As our performing the condition of the Covenant of Grace, is not that which ſatisfieth for our breach of the Covenant of Works. Sirs, be very clear in theſe points: Certainly, they are of very great weight. Suppoſe I am queſtioned, as being a ſinner; what have I to plead here, but the ſatisfaction of Chriſt? But then ſuppoſe my Intereſt in Chriſts ſatisfaction queſtioned; in this caſe I have nothing to plead, but the condition of the Covenant of Grace. If I truly repent, and believe, then by Gods promiſe, and Covenant, I am aſſured of Remiſſion and ſalvation by Chriſt. But for us to place any Act, Grace, or Duty of ours in the …oom of Chriſt, is a moſt dreadful preſumption, …nd an undoing miſtake. They that here would turn Chriſt out of Office may indeed expect, that he will turn them off to ſhift for themſelves. They that are …ot willing to be ſaved by him, and ſaved in his way, cannot be ſaved. So neceſſary it is, that we all come to a deep ſenſe of our own wretchedneſs, …nd unworthineſs, and to be heartily willing that Chriſt and Free-grace ſhould have all the Honour of our Juſtification, and ſalvation. As a perſonal wor…hineſs, ſo a conceit of ſuch worthineſs in our ſelves, will not ſtand with a Covenant of Grace, or with ſalvation by Grace.

p. 242Pardon, and peace with God, and Heavens ever-laſting Happineſs, are too precious Priviledges and Bleſſings, to be caſt away on ſuch, as have no ſenſe what it coſt Jeſus Chriſt to purchaſe them, and ſuch as make light matters of them; and ſuch as are ſo well conceited of themſelves, as to look upon al… as Deſerved, and Due to them. The Water of Life is for ſouls that are a thirſt. And Chriſts Wine and Milk for them that have no Money to buy. They that come with the Prodigal, Give me the portion of Goods that falleth to me; that think they may lay claim to Heaven, as their own, as a due Debt, ſhall go without it: They have no part, nor lot in it. Rather it is meet to come to God with the returning Prodigal, heartily confeſſing; Father, I have ſinn… againſt Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy ſon, or to have any portion, or Inheritance among the children. Job 33.27, 28. He looketh upon men, and if any ſay I have ſinned and perverted that which was right, and it profit… me not: He will deliver his ſoul from going into th… pit, and his life ſhall ſee the Light. Now,

2. I come to ſpeak of the condition of the C… venant of Grace, to ſhew what it requireth, … keep up Gods Authority; and evidence his … rity, Holineſs, and Hatred of ſin. (As I ha… told you, though he is willing to be Reconciled … ſinners, yet he can never be Reconciled to ſin. … I alſo told you in my Diſcourſe of the Covenant… Works, that God in entering into Covenant wi… man, did not lay aſide his Authority, and co… manding Power over man.)

I confeſs I meet with one of very great wor… p. 243that makes faith the onelyonly condition. Faith, Mr. Obad. Sedgw. of Covenant, pag. 183.185.and no other thing.

Yea, faith conſidered only as uniting us to Chriſt; (which he ſayes is a point as difficult, and weighty as any that he meets with) Faith as justifying, doth not bring us into Covenant, (ſayes he) for our juſtifying follows our being in the Covenant, &c. where by being in Covenant, (as all along in his Treatiſe) he meaneth, being internally in Covenant, or keeping, and ſtanding to the Covenant, ſo that one may lay claim to the bleſſings promiſed in the Covenant.

But I would fain know, whether ſouls are united to Chriſt by any other faith, than ſuch a faith, as juſtifieth, and ſanctifieth too?

And elſewhere the ſame Authour telleth us, All-though forgiveneſs of ſin be not the effect of mans repentance, (for then we ſhould forgive our ſelves, yet repentance is required to the obtaining of forgiveneſs; citing thoſe texts, Iſa. 55.7. Ezek. 18.21. If the wicked will turn—where it is plainly made the condition: And, if faith be any more, if remiſſion and juſtification be the effect of mans faith, (then as he ſaith) we ſhould forgive our ſelves, and juſtifie our ſelves.

Again, where he is proving a condition, expreſly determined in Scripture, (as agreeing to the Covenant of Grace,) amongſt other texts, requiring faith, he citeth theſe, Act. 2.38, 43, 19. Repent and be converted, that your ſins may be blotted out, 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. Come out from among them—and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye ſhall be my p. 244ons and daughters, ſaith the Lord Almighty;] which Scriptures make repentance, and converſion, as well the condition of the Covenant.

If now you ſhould ſay, that you know not what to think of the Condition of the Covenant of grace. And Miniſters diſtract your minds, ſaying ſometimes it is this thing onelyonly, and ſometimes it conſiſteth of other things, as well as that.

Yet know, we are all agreed thus far, that where one grace is in truth, there are other graces with it. Where ſaving Faith is, there is repentance, and a diſpoſition and reſolution to perform ſincere obedience. They are inſeparable. As Moraliſts ſpeak of a concatenation of virtues **So the Stoicks, foreign. Diog. Laert. in Zeno. l. 7. p. 513., there muſt needs be… concatenation of ſaving graces.

Indeed the ſeed of God includes all graces in it. And all graces make one new creature. The new heart is both a believing heart, and an humble; a penitent heart, and a pure; and a loving heart, and a thankful heart; &c. And ſo he that will have Faith, and no other thing, the condition of the Covenant of Grace; yet afterwards telleth you what it is, to wit, "the bringing of the heart into Chriſt.

Becauſe I have long had the ſame apprehenſion touching this matter, I will recite his words at large, thinking them very well worthy of your obſervation when he is ſpeaking of the principle of grace, renewing, ſaving grace; ſays he, According to the ſeveral wayes of working, it hath ſeveral names (e. g.) As it is the turning of the heart; it is called converſion. As it is the humbling of the heart; p. 245it is called godly ſorrow. As it is the the turning of us from ſin, it is called Repentance. As it is the bringing of the heart into Chriſt, it is called Faith, &c. As it is the abaſing of the heart, it is called Humility. As it is the gentle tempering of the heart, it is called meekneſs. As it is a ſubmitting of the heart to God in ſufferings, it is called patience, &c.

Now if you attend to this; that all grace is radically, or virtually in that ſeed of God, you will know what to ſay to thoſe nice queſtions, whether faith or repentance be firſt? And whether we are firſt united to Chriſt by; and then receive ſanctifying graces from him? It quite cutteth off ſuch queſtions as theſe. As that faith, which uniteth unto Chriſt, ſuppoſeth the underſtanding enlightned, and the will ſet right; that is, the ſoul renewed. So that queſtion, whether faith be ſeated in the underſtanding, or in the will? would appear to be an impertinent queſtion. As many Philoſophers of late can ſee no reaſon to ſuppoſe thoſe faculties really diſtinct from the ſoul.

Methinks, this may eaſe your minds of any perplexity, that the ſeeming difference among ſober Divines, about the condition of the Covenant, may occaſion. Take notice of this I pray; they that make faith the onelyonly condition, yet are far from ſuppoſing that faith goes alone; No, it hath the whole train of graces attending on it. The new heart, that which the Apoſtle Peter calleth, a divine, or Godlike Nature, hath them all.

Another ſound Divine I meet with, Bulkley of Covenant, p. 334. &c.makes faith the whole condition of the Covenant of grace, p. 246but there he takes Faith in ſo large a ſence, as to include ſincere Obedience. And ſo he telleth us, when God ſaith in the Covenant [I will be your God,] the meaning is not only, that he will be a God of Mercy to us, to pardon and bleſs us; but a God over us, to Rule and Govern us: And that Faith cloſeth with him in both reſpects.

He grants, The Covenant betwixt God and us, is, like that between a King and his People. Faith ſets God upon the Throne, and ſaith, Reign thou over me.

And again, If he do at all make a Covenant with us, he will be a God to us, as well to Rule us, as to ſave us; to ſay, Live as ye will, yet you ſhall be ſaved, is the Devils covenant, not Gods.

Now I would not take ſuch for Adverſaries, who agree in the thing, only they differ in words, in the manner of expreſſing themſelves.

Faith indeed is the only Receptive condition. As in its own Nature it is an Accepting or Receiving of Chriſt offered in the Goſpel, in which reſpect it is choſen and appointed by God, and is the great Summary condition of the Goſpel: But then beſides Faith, (the Receptive condition) there are other Diſpoſitive conditions, which are either neceſſarily implied, and included in Faith, or are neceſſary Attendants on it. For which ſee what the Lord required of Abraham, Gen. 17.1. I am the Almighty, or All-ſufficient God, walk before me, and be thou perfect. Or be ſincere, upright. Or [be thou perfect] though thou art not already perfect, yet be preſſing on towards Perfection. As it is a conſtant Note of Sincerity and Uprightneſs, to ſtrive after Perfection. And no leſs is required of us, p. 2472 Cor. 7.1. Having therefore theſe Promiſes, (wha Promiſes? Thoſe Covenant promiſes mentioned, Chap. 6.16, 17, 18.) let us cleanſe our ſelves from all Filthineſs, and be perfecting Holineſs, foreign in the fear of God. Though we are not perfect in Holineſs, while here, yet we muſt be perfecting Holineſs: This is required of all Gods Covenant People. And who are they that deal not falſly in his Covenant, but ſuch as walk uprightly, whoſe hearts depart not from him, Pſal. 44.17, 18. Who are they that keep his Covenant, but ſuch as give themſelves to keep his Teſtimonies, Pſal. 25.10. Keep them, as Zacharias, and Elizabeth his Wife, Luke 1.6. As David, who deſired to have a reſpect to all Gods Commands, would lay all Gods Judgments before them: Though they cannot yield ſinleſs Obedience to any one Command, yet their deſire is to Obey all Gods Commands. They Obey his Laws Impartially, though but Imperfectly, Pſal. 15.1, 2. Lord, who ſhall dwell in thy holy Hill? VVho ſhall go to Heaven? The Anſwer is, He that walketh uprightly.

And what can be more plain, than that this is part of the condition of the Covenant of Grace; even from thoſe very Texts. which may plead and urge againſt all conditions. They who have God for their God, whom he owneth for his People, have his Law put into their Inward parts, and written in their hearts. View over again, Jer. 31.33. &c. with the other Texts, Para…lel to it, which I had occaſion to ſpeak of before, under the Ninth Propoſition.

So Mich. 6.6, 7, 8. VVherewithal ſhall I come before the Lord, will the Lord be placated, appeaſed p. 248with thouſands of Rams, or with ten thouſands of Rivers of Oyl? Shall I give my Firſt-born for my Tranſgreſſion, the Fruit of my body, for the … of my ſoul? He hath ſhewed thee, O man, whe… is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do Juſtly, and to love Mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.

And ſurely, it is meet to be ſaid unto God, I will not offend any more: That which I ſee not, teach thou me; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more, as it is Job 34.31, 32. Is it not meet, that when a ſinner cometh to God, deſiring conditions of peace, be unfeignedly ſorry for ſin paſt, and reſolved againſt ſin for time to come, fully purpoſing not to perſiſt i… any way of ſin: Surely it is meet to be ſaid unto God, Lord be at peace with me, and by thy Grace I will now break my former League with ſin; O! I would no more return to Folly. I would not that other Lords ſhould any more have dominion over me.

Thus now you have heard, what are the tearm… of the Covenant of Grace, as to ſecure the Honour of Gods Free-grace, and of Chriſts Merits, ſo to aſſert Gods Authority over us, and evidence his Love to Holineſs, and hatred of ſin. And as ever you would enjoy the Bleſſings therein promiſed, as ever you would have the pardon of ſin, and an Intereſt in God, and Eternal happineſs, you muſt come up to theſe Tearms: And be it known unto you all, that if you do not like well of theſe Tearms, you may ſtick to the Covenant of Works, and from thence receive your Doom: But certainly, you cannot claim any part in that Happineſs, held forth in the Covenant of Grace. God cannot in Honour condeſcend to any lower tearms. Should he pardon p. 249Offenders, who had a purpoſe to Tranſgreſs again, to go on in ſin? would not this be an emboldening of ſinners? Would not it be a ſtain to his Righteous Government? A great blemiſh to his Infinite Wiſdom, and Goodneſs too? Moſt true it is, his Grace is Diſpenſed freely, yet not promiſcuouſly. Though the Pope is prodigal of his pardons which coſt him nothing, and indeed are nothing worth; though he grant out Pardons and Diſpenſations for ſins to come, Sins to be committed, yet the Wiſe and Holy God ſetteth more ſtore by his Pardons. He cannot but account highly, of what was purchaſed at no lower Rate, than the moſt precious Blood of his dear Son. Of all things in the world, he cannot endure to have his Grace in Chriſt abuſed. Though he is a God that pardoneth Iniquity, Tranſgreſſion and Sin, yet he will by no means clear the Guilty, or acquit the VVicked, as it is, Nah. 1.3. Ita miſericors, ut maneat juſtus, & Sanctus. They ſhall not have a pardon from him, who would not care how they abuſed it. But only ſuch as would ſay with Ezra: Should we again break his Commandments? He healeth their Back-ſlidings, whom he freely loves, and graciouſly receives.

O ſirs, we (as we are Gods Meſſengers) ſhould ſear to conceale any part of our Meſſage: As we are his Ambaſ…adors, we ſhould fear to hide from you any part of our Ambaſſie. Would it not be unſaithfulneſs to God and to your ſouls, did we ſhun to declare all the Counſel of God concerning you? Well, I muſt tell you what you are every one of you to truſt to, God hath Sworn by his Holineſs, and he will not Lye, he will never alter this thing p. 250that is gone out of his Lips; he hath given you Propoſitions of peace in writing, you have the Tables of his Covenant, ſigned with his own Hand; Sealed in the Blood of his Son: You have heard the Contents what it is that the Lord requireth of you. Now what ſay you? Are not his Ways equal? Are not the Tearms very fair? Are not his Offers exceeding gracious? If you are not pleaſed with them, you may take your courſe; yet I muſt ſay, refuſe them at your peril. As I muſt warn you, and in the Name of the Lord, I warn you this day, that you never look that he ſhould offer Mercy to you upon other Tearms than theſe. I call Heaven and Earth to record againſt you this day, that you have had Life and Death ſet before you, and I warn you every one, that you do not preſume of any part in Chriſt or Salvation purchaſed by him; or that any of the ſaving Benefits, and Bleſſings held forth in the Covenant of Grace, are yours, if you are not indeed ſenſible of the evil of ſin, and truly humbled for ſin if you do not truly renounce your own righteouſneſs, and really reſolve to forſake all known ſin, to practiſe all known Duty, to walk before God, and be upright.

How is it poſſible, that they ſhould be true to their League with God, faithful in his Covenant, who yet continue in League with any Luſt, any known ſin, Gods declared enemie; and who refuſe to come under any known Law of his?

Know this, that as a Phariſaical righteouſneſs cannot, ſo neither can an Antinomian faith ſave any of you. The Apoſtle James would tell the Libertines of his dayes, that the Devil had a faith as well as they. Indeed Libertines have another Goſpel, p. 251not the true Goſpel of Chriſt. Therefore they muſt …eeds have another faith, not the true Faith of Chriſt.

Some would perſwade themſelves, and others too, that Chriſt hath done all: That they muſt ſee their Repentance in Chriſt, and Goſpel-obedience in Chriſt, which is a very ſhort cut to Heaven. But how ſmooth and ſpecious ſoever this Doctrine may ſeem to ſome, yet it is moſt falſe, corrupt, and dangerous Doctrine. Chriſt never ſatisfied for our full and final breach of the Covenant of Grace, though he did for our breach of the Covenant of VVorks. Not but that ſins againſt the Goſpel are pardoned for the ſake of Chriſt. Not but that Chriſt ſatisfied for ſins againſt the preceptive part of the Goſpel, and Non-performance of the condition for a time; but theſe are pardoned to none, but thoſe that come to perform the Goſpel condition, that is, Believe and Repent in time.

Shew me one Text, that will prove, there was ever any ſinner in the world, pardoned and ſaved in a ſtate of impenitency and diſobedience. Chriſt hath told us, what is the portion of Hypocrites and Unbelievers, Mat. 24.51. Luke 12.46. And if any of you continue ſuch, there you may read your Doom. Look what ſentence he gives forth now in his word, he will not contradict, but fully ratifie in the laſt and great day.

And ſee what he ſaith, Mat. 7.21. Not every one that ſaith unto me, Lord, Lord, ſhall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. And Luke 19.27. Thoſe mine enemies which would not, that I ſhould Reign over them, bring hither, and ſlay them before …e. As Jeptha ſaid to the men of Gilead, Did ye p. 252not hate me, and expel me? and why do ye come to me when you are in diſtreſs? Such as reject Chriſt now, will find ſuch welcome to him another day, that they ſhall be rejected of him. [If I deliver you, ſhall I be your Head?] Chriſt will not be our Saviour upon other tearms. He will certainly refuſe to be our Saviour, if we refuſe him as Lord. Hi… God hath exalted to be a Prince, as well as a Saviour. Him God hath appointed not only to be a Deliverer, but alſo a Leader and Commander, Iſa. 55.4.

And thus I have ſpoken of the condition, of the Covenant of Grace. 1. As ſecuring the honour of Chriſt, and free-grace. 2. As ſecuring the honour of Gods Authority and Holineſs, Now

Thirdly, I will add a few words concerning the condition, as it reſpects the Intereſt and benefit of ſouls, Are not his wayes equal, when he requires nothing, but what is for our advantage? See Deut. 10.12, 13. And now Iſrael what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in his wayes and to love him, to keep the Conmandments, which I command thee this day for thy good, So Deut. 6.24.

Is it not good, that ſuch weak imperfect creatures as we are, have our help laid on Chriſt, who is mighty to ſave? Is it not better that we have ſuch an Alſufficient Saviour to lean upon, than to ſtand on our own Leggs? Tutiſſimum eſt, (As Bellarmi… was forced to ſay at laſt, after a great conteſt againſt it) propter incertitudinem propriae juſtitiae, & periculu… inanis gloriae, fiduciam totam in ſolâ Dei miſericordi… & benignitate reponere; would not any enlightened conſcience chuſe and think it ſafer to abide by the perfect righteouſneſs and ſatisfaction of Chriſt our p. 253ſurety before Gods barre; would not ſuch an one much rather deſire to be found in that long white robe, than to be found in the ſhort covering of his own imperfect righteouſneſs? That to deſpiſe, ſlight, and reject Chriſt, is exceedingly to wrong our own ſouls?

Again, is it not good that the heart be humbled for ſin, broken for ſin, the more to looſen it from Sin, and to engage it the more againſt ſin for time to come? And though worldly ſorrow is a burthen cauſing the heart to ſtoop; yet certainly you that know what Godly ſorrow is, you find much more hearts eaſe in it: Have you not many times gone awy with lighter hearts, hearts more at eaſe, from prayer, from the word, from a Sacrament, when you have had them kindly melted into Gods ſorrows?

And is it not good to be divorc'd from ſin? what are ye the better for any luſt, you have harboured in your boſomes? Have they not been Delilah's to you? What fruit, what fruit of thoſe baſe luſts? Oh how may you be aſhamed! All that kindneſs you have ſhewn to your luſts, hath it not been great cruelty to your own ſouls? How have they robbed you of your ſtrength, of your peace, true peace and comfort, of ſweet communion that you might have had with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and with the Holy Spirit the Comforter! O what have you loſt, to enjoy your baſe luſts? when the Prophet ſaith [his ſoul is not right in him] Non eſt recta anima, Hab. 2.4. The Apoſtle hath it thus, Heb. 10.38. My ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in him, yet to the ſame ſence, quia rectitudo animae, in ſemet…ſâ conſiſtit in eo, quod placeat Deo, & è contra, to ipſo quod placeat Deo, in ſe eſt recta. Lud. Tenu. in Heb. 10. dip. 7. Sect. 2. pag. 473. b. And after all ſin p. 254would rob you of your ſouls and ruine them ſo… ever.

Would you have Chriſt and your Luſts together? Heaven and your luſts together? But that is impoſſible, Abſtracting Gods decree, and poſitive conſtitution, it is impoſſible in the very nature of the thing [What communion hath light with darkneſs?] If it be good for ſouls to contract with Chriſt, to receive Chriſt, it is then good to break with ſin, and part with ſin. As Chriſt cannot endure his greateſt enemy to be his corrival; ſo neither can one heart be i… League, in love with two, ſo contrary; while you love the one, you will deſpiſe, yea hate and be at Enmity with the other.

And what ſhould you do with your Luſts in Heaven? You would find no company there, fit for you, no Objects there, no entertainment there fit for you. How miſerable is Dives in Hell, with his perpetual ſcorching, parching thirſt, while he cannot obtain a drop of water there, to cool his Tongue? And would it not be a Torment to ſinners to be in Heaven, with their craving Luſts, where is nothing ſuitable to ſatisfie them? No fuel for Luſt i… Heaven; no VVork, no Employment in Heave… fit for you. O ſirs, without new hearts, What ſhould you do in the new Jeruſalem? Without clea… hands, and pure, holy hearts, What ſhould you do in Gods holy Hill? If the enjoyment of Heaven be a thing deſirable, then alſo it is deſirable that w… be ſanctified, made meet for that Inheritance of th… Saints in Light. It is impoſſible in the Nature o… the thing, that we ſhould be happy in the Fruiti… of God, till firſt we are made Holy, and conforme to him.

p. 255And you that have no delight in the Service of God, in holy Duties, to whom the word is a burthen, and Prayer a burthen, and Sabbaths weariſome days: Alas, what ſhould you do in Heaven? Would thoſe Carnal hearts of yours like well to keep an everlaſting Sabbath there, that are ſo weary of theſe ſhort Sabbaths here; ſaying, When will the Sabbath be ended? How would you like to be continually admiring, and adoring, and extolling God and his Infinite glorious Perfections, Chriſt and his Incomparable, Matchleſs Love and Grace; as thoſe that think Eternity too little to take the Height and Length, and Breadth and Depth thereof. Thus it may appear that what God requires in the Covenant of Grace, is plainly neceſſary in order to the Rectifying and Healing of mans corrupted Nature, to make it capable of true Bleſſedneſs; to make it capable of what the Covenant of Grace doth hold forth and promiſe.

O my Friends, how eaſie were it Expatiating here, and to ſhew what enemies they are to their own ſouls, and what Bruitiſh, unreaſonable Creatures they are, that think what God requireth in the Covenant of Grace, is very hard. Surely they know not what is good for themſelves. Conſider once again, what it is the Lord requireth of us, and is it not, as if he ſhould beſpeak us after this manner.

Poor Creatures, though there is cauſe as you are Degenerated, and Apoſtatiſed from me, juſt cauſe indeed that I ſhould ſentence you to Hell, to depart from me, as accurſed for ever; yet for my ſon's ſake, and to manifeſt my Rich Grace and Mercy; I do here declare, I am ready to receive p. 256you again into favour, that your ſouls ſhould live for ever in my Sight, and that upon as good Terms, as ever you could poſſibly wiſh for your ſelves. You have ſeen when I had put Righteouſneſs into mans own hand, he ſoon loſt it, to his undoing; well now it is in a ſafer hand, my Son Jeſus Chriſt hath brought in everlaſting Righteouſneſs; and though you have no Inherent Righteouſneſs of your own that can juſtifie you in my ſight, yet come to my Son Chriſt, and he hath that for you, wherein I cannot but be ſatisfied, and well-pleaſed.

Your ſins have been very Injurious to you, defacing my Image in you, and expoſing you to my Wrath, ſeparating betwixt you and your God depriving you of my Gracious preſence; but now heartily acknowledge and bewail them, watch and ſtrive, and reſolve againſt them; and though you cannot Live abſolutely free from ſin while here yet your ſins ſhall be pardoned, and ſin ſhall not have Dominion over you, nor hinder your communion with me. Do but continue Fighting and you ſhall have the Victory, and Triumph a… laſt in Glory.

You have been walking contrary to me, wearying your ſelves for very Vanity: O! but now a laſt bethink your ſelves, conſider your Wayes and return to me; O! forſake not your ow… Mercy. As averſe as you have been from hear… ening to my Commands, yet if now at length you would encline your ear to me, you ſhall find the my Commandments are not grievous; no, m… Yoak is eaſie, my Ways are Paths of Pleaſantneſs Not one that ever ſerved me in Truth, that w… p. 257ſay they have ſerved an hard Maſter. O ſinners; as ever you wiſh well to your ſelves, either here or hereafter, ſhake off your ſins, that have corrupted and would ruine you, and take up my Yoke, and and ye ſhall find reſt for your ſouls.

And now, Sirs, what can you ſay why you ſhould not accept of Gods Tearms? What can you ſay, but that If here you turn a deaf ear to him, you indeed forſake your own Mercy to follow lying Vanities, and chuſe Death rather than Life?

It may be ſome will think I have uſed more words than needed, in a caſe ſo plain: But this is a Matter of as great Concernment as any thing I can poſſibly ſpeak of, and therefore not to be ſleightly paſſed over.

Till you come to apprehend and accept of the Tearms of the Covenant of Grace, there is no peace …etwixt God and your Souls. Do you ask: Is it Peace? I muſt tell you: No. What Peace, ſo long as you ſleight Chriſt, the only Peace-Maker? What …eace, ſo long as you will not lay down your Arms, …andon your Luſts, and ſubmit to Gods Righte…s Scepter, will not be governed by his Laws, …at is, ſo long as ye will continue Rebels? Alas, …hile it is thus, there is no peace. And hitherto … Treaties and Offers of Grace, all Gods gracious Parleys with thee, all the Beſeechings, Pleadings, …arnings of Gods Meſſengers and Ambaſſadors …ave been in vain, as to thee, who art not yet per…aded to quit all thy Carnal confidences, to forſake …, and come in to God.

Yea, there is no poſſibility of thy Salvation upon …ther Tearms than theſe, except the Lord Jeſus …riſt would come again into the World, and Die p. 258once more, to ſave thee in and with thy ſins, as he hath dyed to ſave his from their ſins. But that can never be, Chriſt being raiſed from the dead, dyeth no more; and there remaineth no other ſacrifice for ſins, or wouldeſt thou have God ſet forth a new Goſpel, and ſome other Covenant, but that he will never do for any ſinner in the world. No: this is the everlasting Goſpel. This is the new Covenant (the terms whereof you have heard opened to you) the new Covenant, that ſhall never wax old, to give place to another. Oh that ſelf-confident, ſecure, and preſumptuous ſinners might be convinced and awakne… by what hath been ſaid.

As on the other hand, the poor in Spirit, the humble, and contrite ones ſhould be encouraged and comforted.

Thou that art ſo much, ſo oft diſcouraged at th… thoughts of thy own ſinfull vileneſs and unworthyneſs; rather be encouraged, that thou ſeeſt thy o… vileneſs, a thing which the moſt neither do, n… have any mind to take notice of. It is not a ſinne… unworthyneſs that barrs him from Chriſt, but one preſuming on his own worthineſs. If now thou he ſuch a ſenſe of thine own unworthineſs, as hu… bleth thee, and heighteneth thy eſteem of Jeſ… Chriſt, and raiſeth thy heart, and deſires up to h… that it is the conſtant cry of thy ſoul to God, O gi… me Chriſt, or I dye, and am undone for ever; T… is a good hearing, this is comfortable, and be … good chear, the Maſter calleth thee, Ho! every … that is athirst, come; And come all ye that are w… ry and heavy laden. Are thy ſins now a burthen thee? But come to Chriſt, and he will eaſe the…

And though thou canſt not ſay, I have made … p. 259heart clean, I am pure from my ſin; yet it is thine earneſt ſuit unto God, that he would creat a clean heart within thee. And thou art ſo farre from indulging and allowing of any luſt, that thou crieſt out, O wretched man, or woman, when ſhall I be delivered! O that this thorn in the fleſh were once pluckt out! Is there no member of the old man, that thou wouldeſt have ſpared? No, not the right eye, not the right hand?

And though thou falleſt ſhort in thy obedience, yet thy will and deſire is to follow God fully, and his commands are not grievous. Thou doſt not account it a grievance, that God requires ſo much but this is the grief of thy ſoul, that thou doſt no more. And how would it rejoyce thy heart, couldſt thou ſerve him more, & ſerve him better? well, thy unworthineſs, thy wants, and weakneſſes ſhould not ſo much diſcourage thee, as the riches of Gods free grace in Chriſt ought to encourage thee. Is thy heart right with God? Then ſurely he will give thee his hand, his gracious helping hand; yea as thy heart is for God, and is now againſt ſin, God will alſo be for thee, yea, his heart is towards every one, that offereth himſelf willingly. And ſo, as much as thou art wont to complain of unworthineſs, and weakneſs, yet ſurely thou mayeſt ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſeneſs and ſtrength; poor troubled heart, now encourage thy ſelf in the Lord and in his gracious Covenant. This is all thy ſalvation, and here is all that thou canſt deſire, ſurely thou ſhalt be ſatisfied with favour, and full of the bleſſing of the Lord. To thee belongeth all the good and happineſs included, and promiſed in the Covenant of grace, of which thou mayeſt hear ſomething in the next propoſition.