The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the Sight of God, Sermon 7
The Extremity and exactneſs of Chriſts Sufferings.
THE SEVENTH SERMON
ON
Romans 3.24, 25.
Through the redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt.
Doct. WEE have already proved, and in part applied this Doctrin, That the Redemption of Sinners was wrought, by Christs ſuffering the utmoſt, and full puniſhment du… to ſin. Wee are now to proceed to the ſecond uſe
Vſe 2. This informs, that no puniſhment (properly ſo called) belongs to the Members of Chriſt, nor are any of their Afflictions to bee deemed puniſhments for ſin. For if Chriſt hath ſuffered to the full, All the puniſhment due to his Members; then there is no puniſhment left to them to ſuffer: but Chriſt hath ſuffered to the utmoſt, whatſoever puniſhment was due to his Members, for their ſin; therefore there is none remaining to be ſuffered by them. The Propoſition is thus proved: If any of the Members of Chriſt, ſhould bee puniſhed for their ſins, then God the Father ſhould inflict a double puniſhment for the ſame ſins; but it cannot ſtand with the Juſtice of God, to puniſh the ſame ſins twice. So that the bittereſt afflictions Gods children ſuffer in this life, are of a farre differing nature from puniſhments. Simile.For as the Sea-waters, though they are in themſelves ſalt, brackiſh, and briniſh, and very fretful; yet running through the many veins, turnings, and windings in the earth, loſe their ſaltneſſe, and only retain refreſhing, cooling, and clenſing ſweetneſſe, and moyſture in them: ſo the afflictions falling on Gods children, in themſelves ſharp and briniſh, yet running through the Merits, and Bowels of the Lord Jeſus; only retain a cleanſing, cooling, and refreſhing nature in them.
Obj. But Gods children ſuffer as many, and the ſame material evils with other men; as poverty, ſickneſſe, loſſes, croſſes, and death it ſelf, Eccleſ. 9.1. There is one event to all; yea the godly have oft the worst of it, Pſal. 73.14. All the day long have I been plagued, and chaſtened every morning: while the wicked, verſ. 5. Are not in trouble like other men. How then doth it appear, that Chriſt hath ſuffered all the puniſhment of the elect?
Sol A carnal eye indeed ſeeth things in this eſtate, but a righteous judgement ſees them farre otherwiſe. Moſes could ſee the Buſh all on fire, and yet not conſumed, Exod. 3.2. Daniels companions met with a fiery Furnace, whoſe flame burned not thoſe that were in it; but thoſe that ſtood by, Dan. 3.22, 25. Theſe were ſeemingly ſcorching fiery flames, but were not ſo in reality. But you will ſay, wherein is the difference?
1 In regard of the Principle from whence they come, Difference between afflictions of godly and the wickedthey much differ. The judgements laid on the wicked come from an angry Judge: the afflictions of the godly from a loving Father. God puniſheth the wicked, as part of their payment, in indignation and wrath, whence they are called children of wrath, Epheſ. 2.3. And when he is about to fill his belly, God ſhall caſt the fury of his wrath upon him, and ſhall rain on him while he is eating, Job 20.23. All comes to the wicked from a Sin-revenging God: but to the godly from a careful Father, Heb. 12.6. Whom the Lord loveth he chaſtneth, and ſcourgeth every Son whom he receiveth. So God ſpeaks of David, Pſal. 89.30-34. If his children forſake my Laws, and walk not in my judgements; I will viſit their offences. Nevertheleſſe my loving kindneſſe will I not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my faithfulneſſe to fail.
2 They differ in their nature. They have not the venome, nor poyſon in them, 1 Cor. 15.55, 56. that Achitophels had; who being but rejected once in his counſel, had ſo much venome of ſin in that ſmall affliction, that hee hanged himſelf.
3 In their ſuitableneſſe. Miſeries are called the Lords cup. An expreſſion borrowed from Phyſitians, that have their ſeveral Doſes of Potions, according to the ſeveral Diſeaſes. Now the wicked hath a cup fit for him, Pſal. 11.6. Upon the wicked hee ſhall rain ſnares, fire and brimſtone, and an horrible tempeſt, this ſhall be the portion of their cup. Where could a man ſtep, when it rained fire and brimſtone in Sodome? This is a killing cup. So Pſal. 75.8. A cup full of mixture in the hand of the Lord, whoſe dreggs the wicked of the earth ſhall drink. So Jer. 25.28. and Iſa. 27.7. The godly have another cup fit for them: (who alſo have need of Phyſick) and this cup ſometimes is very bitter. Joh. 18.11. Shall I not drink of the cup that the Father hath given me? When a Father gives his dear child a potion, how exact will he bee? rather under than over, in the quantities of the ingredients. Chriſt hath drunk already the poyſonous Cup, Matth. 26.39. Father, if it be poſſible let this cup paſſe from me. None remains but the purging cup. And Gods faithfulneſſe requires, that this cup bee tempered, according to our ſtrength and ability, 1 Cor. 10.13.
4 They differ in their end. Jam. 5.11. You have heard of the patience of Job, and yee have ſeen the end of the Lord. What end? That the Lord is very pittiful, and of tender mercy. So did Abraham, Jacob, and Joſeph find an happy iſſue of all their ſorrows, Deut. 8.16. To doe thee good in the latter end. David ſaid, it was good for him, Pſal. 119. And calls the man bleſſed who endureth correction, whom God chaſtiſeth and teacheth, Pſal. 94.12. and it is ſaid, Dan. 11.35. Some of them of underſtanding ſhall fall to try them, and to purge them, and make them white. Now the calamities of wicked men doe haſten, and heighten their everlaſting deſtruction; and are at beſt, but the beginnings of ſorrows, and furtherers of their ſins: by making their hearts hard, and their eyes blind. As it fared with King Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28.22. This is that King Ahaz, that in the time of his diſtreſſe, treſpaſſed yet more againſt the Lord. This alſo was the event of Jerobeams calamities, for 1 King. 13.4, 33. after his hand was withered, and again recovered, he returned not from his evil ways. Look what good the flames of Hell doe the damned, as much and no more doe afflictions for the wicked; they curſe God, and blaſpheme more and more. God therefore ſtabs the wicked, as an enemy, with his Sword: but lances the godly, as a Surgeon his Patient, with the Launcet. Thus chaſtiſements befall the godly, but puniſhments the wicked.
Vſe 3. Of ſtrong Conſolation to all the children of God, That Jeſus Chriſt hath ſuffered all that puniſhment, Comfort to Gods children.that their poor ſouls might have bewailed here, and muſt have done, for ever hereafter. Chriſt hath drunk off that cup of trembling to the bottom, he hath left no Curſe, no Death eternal, no Hell for you to ſuffer, your condition can never be lower, than it is in this world. God bids the Miniſters take care to comfort you, O Elect and precious. Iſa. 40.1, 2. Comfort yee, comfort yee my people, &c. they are commiſſioned from Heaven to ſpeak to your very hearts; telling you, your iniquities are forgiven. Why? becauſe you have received in your head mony enough to pay your debts to the utmoſt. As God hath given us in charge to comfort you, ſo hath he given you charge to receive comfort. Let then the verieſt babe in Chriſt, come and refreſh himſelf with theſe breaſts; ſuck at this Nipple; whereſoever is the leaſt ſpark of true grace, let that ſoul rejoyce; becauſe Chriſt ſuffered, all this perplexity and amazement, that you might never ſuffer it. Heb. 2.14. Hee dyed to deliver thoſe that through fear of death, &c. he dyed to ſave you from ſlaviſh fear. He wept, that you might bee comforted. He dyed, that you might never dye eternally. Hee was curſed, that you might be bleſſed. Hee was full of ſorrow, that you might always rejoyce, Phil. 3.3. Hee was accuſed, that we might be excuſed: and condemned, that wee might bee acquitted: Hee endured the fierceneſſe of his Fathers wrath and indignation, that we might never know what belongs to it.
1 Be comforted then in the ſharpeſt brunt of diſtreſſe, Thou ſhalt be pittied in ſorrows.whether through terror of heart within, or trouble without; for the Lord will pitty thee in thy worſt eſtate, for Chriſts ſake, Pſal. 103.13. As a father pittieth his children, ſo the Lord pittieth all, &c. And Deut. 8.5. Thou ſhalt conſider in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his Son, ſo the Lord thy God chaſteneth thee. And though Chriſt bee in Heaven, yet his bowels and compaſſions do yern toward thee. For Heb. 4.15. Wee have not an High Prieſt, that cannot be moved, with the feeling of our infirmities, but he was, in all points, tempted, &c. Ah how ſweet is it to conſider, that our High Prieſt is no ſtranger, to ſoul-troubles, or to body-diſquietments; but being tempted as wee are, hath a ſympathie, and fellow-feeling with us. All our croſſes and trials reach to him, as well as us, Iſa. 63.9. He is afflicted in our afflictions. Hee eſcapes not when wee are perſecuted. Heb. 2.17, 18. Hee was made like unto us on purpoſe, that he might be ſenſible of our calamities. It is a lamentable condition a poor ſoul is in, when it hath none to pitty, Lam. 1.12. It is their ſad complaint, that all paſt by, and minded not the Church. Shee looks for commiſeration and finds none, that is a doleful eſtate. But here is our rejoycing, that we have a tender-hearted Saviour, both able, and willing to ſuccour his poor ſervants. And no wonder that he is ſo willing; for who would purchaſe at ſo dear a rate, and not uphold? Who would beat ſo much coſt, and at laſt loſe all for a trifle? Hath Chriſt (as Paul ſpeaks of the Galathians, 3.4, 5.) ſuffered ſo many things in vain? Surely, as poor Creatures are not willing to loſe their coſt and pains; ſo Chriſt will not loſe the travail of his ſoul; his bitter Death, and bloudy Sufferings, for nought. It is the greateſt abſurdity in Chriſtian Religion to ſuppoſe it. Gal. 2. ult. If righteouſneſſe be by the Law, Chriſt is dead in vain. But Chriſts death is in vain, and his grace is in vain, if it may not comfort a poor ſoul in diſtreſſe. Turn therefore to thy Beloved in thy diſtreſſe, and ask him, whether hee hath not been in the ſtate of humiliation, a man of ſorrows, and one that drunk deep of the gall and wormwood of Gods indignation; that hath felt the wrath of an angry Judge, and knows what it is to be in a forlorn ſtate; and hath paid dear to undergoe the chaſtiſement of our peace: And can hee forget his poor Members in their ſorrows, and have no compaſſion? Can hee forget his anoynting? how he was appointed of the Father, to bind up the broken-hearted, to impart the oyl of gladneſſe to his fellows? Hath he ſpent ſo much bloud in vain? try, thus, if he can turn his back, and leave thee comfort leſſe.
2 Thou ſhalt alſo be freed from thy ſorrows in due ſeaſon. Thou ſhalt bee freed from ſorrows.God will not only give thee fair words, but thou ſhalt have real help, and deliverance. Help is promiſed in due ſeaſon, 1 Pet. 5.6. and the condition of the purchaſe is for ſeaſonable help, or help in the beſt ſeaſon, Heb. 4. ult. What that ſeaſon is, is dark to us, many times. But who taught the Stork, the Turtle, and the Crane, in the Heavens, to know their appointed time? Jer. 8.7. Was it not the Lord our Creator? and ſhall not he that taught them, know himſelf? Shall he not relieve you in your ſeaſons? Now, what is it that gauls? if we may lay our hands upon the ſore, and touch it, it is ſin that pricks, that diſquiets: but you know, Heb. 12.18-24. Yee are not come to the mount, that might not be touch'd, that burned with fire, nor unto blackneſſe, and darkneſſe, and tempeſts, &c. but to Jeſus the Mediator, and to the bloud of ſprinkling, &c. whoſe bloud ſpeaks better things than that of Abel, Gen. 4.9.10. which cried loud for vengeance. All ſins ſpeak, but his cried aloud for vengeance: but Chriſts bloud muſt needs cry louder for mercy. For the ſhedding of Chriſts bloud was a greater ſin, than the ſhedding of Abels; for the Jews ſin in Crucifying Chriſt, was greater than Cains in killing his brother, yet Chriſts bloud prevailed to ſave them, Act. 2.36. Againſt ſuch as theſe is no Law, Gal. 5.22. for they are filled with joy and peace in beleeving.
Obj. But if Chriſt hath thus perfectly ſatisfied for my ſoul, and ſin, how is it that I feel ſuch horror in my ſoul? Why is it thus with me? the Lord ſeems quite to reject me?
Sol. Beleevers may be deferted, but not utterly forſaken.Chriſts deſertion hath ſo qualified all thy deſertions, that thou ſhalt not utterly and finally forſake God: nor hee utterly, much leſſe finally forſake thee. Joh. 119.30. none of Gods children are ſecured, from being forſaken by him: Job was, David was, and Aſa was, and not without need; For,
1 Elſe how could they learn to live by Faith, Reaſons of deſertion.more than ſenſe? whereas God is much more honoured by a life of faith than a life of ſenſe and feeling.
2 Our condition here is, that of Strangers and ſojourners, yea, of Pilgrims; now if all went well with us, and that wee had new ſupplies of joy daily, wee ſhould take this for our Country, and ſo diſpleaſe God.
3 Sometimes Gods people cleave to the Creature, and forſake him; and then no wonder if hee forſakes them. 2 Chron. 15.2. Jer. 50. ult. They compaſs themſelves about with ſparks, and ſhall therefore lye down in ſorrow.
4 They muſt in ſome meaſure bee conformable unto Chriſt, that they may the better judge, what Chriſt hath ſuffered for them. But none of Gods children are ſo forſaken as Chriſt was: for Chriſt was forſaken in a way of revenge, by God as a juſt Judge; but ours comes from another Principle. Again, Chriſt drunk the Cup of Gods wrath to the bottome; wee do but ſip, and taſte of the Cup, ſweetened through Chriſt. This is (in ſhort) the main God intends about it.
1 So to forſake, that hee may never totally nor finally forſake thee. Hee forſakes for a while, that hee may receive thee for ever. And that thou mayeſt love him the more, and ſeek him with earneſtneſs; and to infer a mutual increaſe of love, between God and a Chriſtian. Iſa. 54.7, 8. For a ſmall moment have I forſaken thee, but with great mercy, &c. In a little wrath have I hid my face from thee, for a moment, but with eternal kindneſs will I have mercy on thee. So was it with the Church, Cant. 3.4. I found him whom my ſoul loveth, &c.
2 The Lord intends to make us more watchful, for future times: that wee may more rigidly ſeparate, and bee divorced from the Creature. Adulterous hearts have their ſtoln waters which God hates, and therefore imbitters them, and ſhews us thereby, our careleſsneſs about the main. As the Mother hides her ſelf behind ſome tree, or wall, to make the Childe watchful, and to cry after her, and ſearch, and hang upon her armes: ſo doth God.
3 The Lord intends by it, to make Chriſtians ranſack the right ground of Faith and Hope: to dive into the Scriptures, and to ſearch the experiences of other Chriſtians, Pſa. 77.56. ſaying, have you any word of comfort, for ſuch a ſoul as mine? It will make him to regard a gracious man, as one of thouſand. It will make him Catechiſe himſelf, whether hee hath any evidence of Gods love; or whether hee lives not in ſome ſin or other; or whether hee bee willing to part with all for Chriſt; or whether hee maintains any Communion with God; which are quickning queſtions.
Now then if any man be under this calamity to think himſelf forſaken of God.
1 Let him conſider, That the extream ſufferings of Chriſt, were to reconcile God and man, to bring God back again to man, and man to his God, 1 Pet. 3.18, 19. which hee muſt wait for.
2 Let him not paſs the ſentence of reprobation upon himſelf; or ſay hee is an Hypocrite, becauſe for the preſent he is under trouble of Spirit. It had been a dreadful Concluſion, for Chriſt to have queſtioned, whether hee was the Son of God, becauſe of his deſertion. Say rather, wee may have the preſence of his Grace and Spirit, when wee want the preſence of his comfort. As a man in a ſwoon may have a living ſoul, though hee wants the operation of it; and a man may injoy ſome light of the Sun, in the firmament, though the Sun be eclipſed: So may a Saint have life, and direction from God, when hee finds not its comfortable actings.
3 Let him take Chriſts courſe, to ſet faith and praiſe awork. When Chriſt was in his agony, he prayed the more earneſtly, Luk. 22.41. and uſed his faith eminently; crying, My God, my God, &c. Joh. 12.27. Now is my ſoul troubled; here is your caſe: Father ſave mee from this hour: here is your duty: of faith, crying [Father] of prayer [ſave mee from this hour.]
4 Plead for the Fruit of Chriſts deſertion; which was, that thou maieſt not bee utterly forſaken, ply him hard, and thou wilt find him nighter thee, than thou waſt aware of.
3 And be upheld in death it ſelf; Thou ſhalt bee upheld in death it ſelf.for Chriſt hath triumphed over death, Hell and the Devil, in the croſs, Col. 2.15. And not only triumphed over them as overcome; but hath taken great ſpoiles, even all their armour: deaths ſting is plucked out, the bonds of the Grave are broken, Death is vanquiſhed by Chriſts death, Heb. 2.14. which reſolves Sampſons knotty riddle, Judg. 14.14. Out of the eater commeth forth meat, and out of the ſtrong comes ſweetneſs. Paul keeps the thankſgiving day, for that happy victory, 1 Cor. 15.57. Thanks bee to God, &c. For the whole Conqueſt is perfected, Heb. 10.14. and that for ever: And the Teſtament is for ever confirmed, Heb. 9.17. by the death of the Teſtator. Nothing is wanting to carry us happily to glory, through death it ſelf. There needs no more ſacrifices, nor no ſecond offering for ſin; All is finiſhed.
Queſt. This is good news, but how ſhall I know that I have a right to this comfort?
Anſw. Its a weighty Queſtion, and needs a ſolid reſolution, which wee ſhall hereafter more fully give. At preſent, take that rule, Heb. 10.14. Hee hath perfected for ever, them that are ſanctified. So Heb. 5.9. Hee became the Author of Salvation, unto them that obey him. No Prophane, no nor unſanctified man (however civilized) hath any part or portion in this conſolation.
Such therefore as think there cannot bee a Saint on Earth, or think it too ſoon to be holy, or make a mock at a preciſe Goſpel-Converſation, may in no wiſe apply this comfort to themſelves. It is not enough to bee Church-members, or viſible Saints; but wee muſt bee ſanctified in truth and reallity. Chriſt ſhould loſe a great part of the effects of his ſufferings, if wee ſhould not bee ſanctified. Eph. 5.25, 26. Christ gave himſelf for his Church, that hee might ſanctify it, and cleanſe it: and can any man think hee will loſe his end? and miſs his main intent? ſurely no. There is none but the Church myſtical (who are truely ſanctified, and cleanſed) that have any fellowſhip in this buſineſſe. Let the upright in heart therefore take this Conſolation, as a diſh prepared for none other, but their refreſhing, Pſalm 32. ult. Deut. 33.1.
Uſe 4. Of Refutation of that ignorant diſcourſe of fooliſh People, who affirm, That the leaſt drop of Chriſts blood is ſufficient to ſave the world. The leaſt drop of Chriſts blood will not ſave.Why ſay they ſo? becauſe of the dignity of the perſon of Chriſt. If this were true, then the Circumciſion of Chriſt was enough, for there was a drop of blood ſhed: or his Crown of thornes was enough, for (tis like) they drew blood. Then all Chriſts ſufferings beſides were ſuperfluous, and vain. Then God were unjuſt to take more than was his due. Then Chriſt was fooliſh and imprudent, to pay more than hee needed. But Chriſt himſelf ſaies, theſe many things were neceſſary, Mark. 8.3. The Son of man muſt ſuffer many things. Luk. 24.26. Ought not Chriſt to ſuffer theſe things, and to enter into his Glory? There was a Neceſſity of ſuffering; and of ſuffering theſe things. There was a neceſſity in reſpect of the end, that the Elect might have the bleſſing: and therefore Chriſt is made a Curſe, that hee might bear the Curſe due to their ſin, Gal. 3.13.