The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the Sight of God, Sermon 8
The Exactneſs of Chriſts ſufferings.
THE EIGHTH SERMON
ON
Rom. 3.24, 25.
Through the Redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt.
WEE have already in part, applyed this Doctrin, That the Redemption of ſinners, was wrought, by Chriſts ſuffering, the utmost and full puniſhment due to ſin. Wee are yet farther to proceed in our application.
Uſe 5. Exhortation and direction. The refuge of greateſt ſinners.And firſt to the vileſt ſinners. For this Doctrin darts forth a little light, to thoſe poor ſouls, in the dark dungeon of their natural, yea, moſt ſinful eſtate. It ſhews a poſſibility of eſcape from the wrath to come. 'Tis true, none but a ſanctified man can have any comfort in Chriſts death, or conclude his ſalvation by the death and ſufferings of Chriſt: Yet there is hope of ſalvation a far off, Pſal. 89.19. There is help laid upon one that is mighty. Col. 1.19. It pleaſed the Father, that in him all fulneſs dwells. Eph. 2.13. You that were a far off. Pſal. 119.155. Salvation is far from the wicked, becauſe they ſeek not thy Statutes. There is corn in Egypt, it is beſt for the vile ſinner to go thither. Though ſalvation bee ſo nigh, tis not ſafe to ſtand ſtill. Wee may ſafely preach this doctrin, for the Text gives Commiſſion; and preſs it, for the Text will bear it. 'Tis ſaid, ver. 23, 24. All have ſinned, and come ſhort of the glory of God, being juſtified, &c. This infers not, that All the ſinners in the world, are thus freely juſtified. This would infer univerſal juſtification: but that is not here intended: The meaning is, That all ſinners, whether Jews or Gentiles, are in themſelves, excluded from eternal life: and all that are juſtified, are juſtified by free grace. So that, though thou knoweſt thy ſelf to be a vile ſinner, yet ſome ſinners, (you may ſee) are juſtified. In truth, none are juſtified but ſinners, and therefore thou mayeſt ſee thy ſelf capable of juſtification: of the ſame juſtification that the beſt Saints ever partook of. Chriſt was ſent into the World, on purpoſe to pay the Ranſome for Sinners: and the revealing, and offering this truth, was to ſave thee, whatſoever thou art, that heareſt it. Joh. 3.17. God ſent not his Son into the World, to condemn the World, but that the World through him might be ſaved.
Queſt. How then comes any to be damned?
Anſw. Hee Anſwers: None is condemned, but they that love darkneſs rather than light. Now ſuch exclude themſelves from the benefit of Chriſts ſufferings, Joh. 3.19. Doth thy conſcience therefore bear witneſs to thy guilt? Love not thy ſin inſeparably, and thy ſalvation is probable.
Object. True, if I were a ſinner as other men, and women, there is encouragement enough to look out: but my ſins exceed for number, weight, and meaſure, and therefore my Condition is yet miſerable?
Anſw. Thou canſt not name any ſin in the World, but final impenitency, but have many examples of their pardon; and the ſalvation of ſome that committed them, in the word of God. Paul was a Blaſphemer, a Perſecutor, and yet found mercy, 1 Tim. 1.13-17. Manaſſeh pardoned his murther, witchcraft, Idolatry, and doing worſe than the Amorites, 2 King. 21.1.—12. yea, the very murther of the Son of God was pardonable, Act. 2.37, 38. And what ſin can bee greater? Yea, pardon is promiſed beyond the very thought, and hope of man, Iſa. 55.7, 8. Rebellion againſt God cannot exclude from pardon, Pſal. 68.18. Hee received gifts for the rebellious, that the Lord may dwell among them. God indeed gives a Caution, to take heed, that there bee no root among you that beareth gaul and wormwood, to bleſs himſelf in ſin, Deut. 29.19, 20. It will coſt that ſoul dear, that harbours ſuch thoughts againſt God.
There is no mercy in Scripture, nor in Heaven neither, for ſuch a ſoul as this is, Hee muſt have another word that will maintain this hope, the Scripture will not bear it. God will not bee merciful to any ſuch, as go on in their ſinful courſes. Pſal. 68.21. But for the ſinner, that is weary of his ſins, Rom. 5.17. There is abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteouſneſs in Chriſt. Luther was a man much terrified with his ſin, yet hee confeſſed, this was the balſome of his ſoul, Rom. 11.32. God hath ſhut up all under ſin, that hee might have mercy upon all. Therefore let none ſuch deſpair of Salvation, that are in the priſon of ſin. Yea, wee may adde a word more, but let not the Swine turn about and rend it: That the more vile thou haſt been in ſin, if thou beeſt the more vile in thine own eies, thou art more fit for Mercy, than a Civil man, that hath pleaſed himſelf in his own honeſty and civility. Matth. 21.31, 32. ſaies Chriſt, Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, that Publicans and Harlots ſhall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, before you. Chriſt was a door, by which Publicans and Harlots, exceeding vile ſinners, entered; and this door is open this day to poor ſinners; his ſufferings are offered, his blood, even the blood of God, is provided, and what are thy ſins to his blood? what then remains, but that thou ſhouldeſt haſten to thy ſanctuary, to that precious ranſome? that is paid for ſinners, Iſa. 8.14. Chriſt is a Phyſitian, the whole have no need of him, Matth. 9.12, 13. but the ſick. And there is no diſeaſe incurable to him: and indeed to look at thy diſeaſe as incurable, is to ſhame thy Phyſitian, and that will be a worſe ſin than all the reſt.
Queſt. How may a ſinner come to the benefit of this ſatisfaction of Chriſt?
Anſw. 1 Reſt not till thou haſt an inlightned, Get an awakned conſcience.and an awakned Conſcience. It is certain, a ſinner is put in Priſon, in hold (Rom. 11.32. God hath ſhut up, or put in hold) before hee hath deliverance by Chriſt. For the Conſcience is a lock, which muſt bee opened by Gods key, before this Gaol-delivery can bee perfected. Gal. 3.23. Before Faith come, wee were kept under the Law, ſhut up unto the Faith, which ſhould afterward bee revealed. A light goes with the Word, draw not the curtain to keep it out.
2 Take heed, When God arreſts thy conſcience break not away.when God arreſts thy Conſcience, thou make not an eſcape; As ſome Malefactors, that when Law and Juſtice have taken hold of them, they creep out at ſome hole, or break Priſon. So ſome Sinners, when terrified in Conſcience, dawb with untempered Mortar, healing the hurt ſlightly, by ſpeaking a falſe peace to their own hearts: which was Herods Caſe, Luke 3.19. who being ſtoutly reproved by John Baptist, of his incontinence towards Herodias his brothers wife, and many other ſins; Hee made his eſcape, by putting John Baptiſt in Priſon. So did Jeroboam, 1 King. 13.5, 6. when the man of God reproved him, and the Altar rent, his hand was withered, and healed, his Conſcience was awakened: but when the Prophet was ſlain by a Lyon, his Conſcience fell aſleep again. This was Judas overthrow, he was often terrified by Chriſt, but hee caſt himſelf into a dead ſleep again, by that opinion the Diſciples had concerning him, and ſo loſt all.
3 Let a ſinner obſerve diligently, Obſerve the working of Chriſts death on thy heart.and yeeld to the working of the death of Chriſt upon his heart, when he comes to apply his death and ſatisfaction, to his ſoul. Let this bee minded with trembling, for there is a drawing power in Chriſts blood, that teacheth to ſinners, Joh. 12.32, 33. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men after mee. This he ſpeaks, ſignifying by what death hee ſhould dye. 1 Hee ſpeaks of his death, and lifting up from the earth: 2 Hee ſaith, then hee would draw all men unto him, and that muſt needs be meant of them that were out of Chriſt: and (the truth is) there was never any brought home to Chriſt, but it was by the vertue, and efficacy of his death drawing. Chriſt lifted up on the Croſs, hath purchaſed the Spirit, for us, Gal. 3.13, 14. and that laies hold on poor ſinners to draw them. Again, Chriſt was lifted from the Croſs to Heaven, where hee intercedes, and applies his ſatisfaction, as it pleaſes him, giving gifts to men, for the gathering of ſinners to himſelf. Gifts given to the Miniſtry to gather the rebellious. Be wiſe, and mind it.
Queſt. How ſhall a Sinner obſerve this, that hee may yeeld to it?
Anſw. 1. See and obſerve it in the Miniſtry. Directions to benefit by Gods drawings.There are none that attend a faithful Miniſtry, but have many a pull from Chriſt. He lets down his Cords into the deep Dungeon, haling a ſoul to himſelf; ſometimes by convincing him of ſin, through his Law; commanding by his terror, Minde Gods drawings by the Miniſtry.inticing by ſweet invitations, and ſweeter promiſes; ſo that the ſinner hath ſometimes thoughts, That all is nought with him, and he reſolves amendment. And ſometimes Chriſt hampers a ſoul, that he cannot get away, nor reſt, whither ſoever hee goes: Chriſt tuggs at him, and the man wonders at himſelf, why it is thus with him! O Sinners, take notice, that Miniſters are but throwing Chriſts Caſting-net, and laying his Toyls. Take heed how you carry your ſelves; ſay not, with the Heathen, Pſal. 2.3. Let us break his bonds in ſunder, and caſt away his cords from us, for he that ſits in Heaven will take cognizance of it, and vexe you in his ſore diſpleaſure. Yeeld rather to Chriſt, to be drawn by him.
2 Take heed of with-drawments, and pull-backs: Take heed of pull-backs.thy heart within, and the world without; thy curſed counſels, and worldly ſnares will ſtave thee off, Heb. 10. ult. the Devil alſo will have a pluck at you; yea Chriſt never draws, but he pulls with all might and main. Now if you decline by theſe retractions, you give place to the Devil.
3 Think not to be drawn as ſtocks and ſtones, Think not to be drawn as ſtocks and ſtones.but as reaſonable Creatures, that when they fall into a pit, labour to get out again: and make uſe of what help they can get from others; and further all that they have yet received. As thoſe, Jer. 3.22. when the Lord ſaid, Turn yee back-ſliding children, they ſay, Behold we come unto thee, &c. and Pſal. 37. ult. It is good to draw near unto God; yea, the greateſt good in the world. Say therefore, now Chriſts death is bringing mee to God, 1 Pet. 3.18. It is the happineſſe of the Creature, to enjoy communion with God; and ſhall not I receive it, when it is offered? Since God works, let mee work out my Salvation.
4 Juſtifie God in all thy bitterneſſe, that he exerciſeth thee under, Juſtifie God in all thy bitterneſſe.in bringing thee home to Chriſt. Jam. 4.10. Humble your ſelves under the mighty hand of God, &c. and juſtifie his dealings with thee, when God approaches with his Word or Rod. God caſts down before he raiſes, Hoſ. 2.14. I will bring them into the Wilderneſſe, and there will I ſpeak comfortably to them. Even to a wilderneſſe-condition doth he bring his people; as he did Iſrael, amongſt fiery ſtinging Serpents, and appalling dangers. They muſt paſſe through the valley of Achor, that is, of conſternation, which is the door of hope. For man hath never a hopeful ſign on him, till he hath paſſed his perplexed eſtate. To every true Convert, God gives teſtimony of that truth, Jer. 2.19. Thine own wickedneſſe ſhall correct thee, and thine own back-ſlidings ſhall reprove thee, that thou mayeſt know what an evil, and a bitter thing it is, to forſake the living God. And it is mercy that thy wickedneſs doth but correct, though with Scorpions: ſince it hath condemned others, and might have damned thee. It is well that he lays nothing more bitter and heavie, that hath a cup of trembling at his beck, and Hell before him. Nay, it is not enough neither, that thou ſhouldeſt ſubmit, when thou art humbled of God: for thou oughteſt to humble thy ſelf under Gods hand (as the Apoſtle ſpeaks) elſe the Devils are as humble as thou art. He that fights, and flings, to ſhake off the yoke, is a fighter againſt God; hee rather juſtles with him, than juſtifies him. Say with Ephraim, Turn me, and I ſhall be turned, Jerem. 31.18, 19. For after I was turned, I repented; after I was inſtructed, I ſmote upon my thigh: I was aſhamed, and even confounded, becauſe I did bear the reproach of my youth. When God humbled Ephraim, he humbled himſelf; He was active in his humiliation as well as paſſive; God threw him low, and he threw himſelf lower. Then God ſaies, Is Ephraim my dear Son? is he my pleaſant childe? ſuch a welcome will thy ſoul find with God. Therefore when God humbles thee for ſin, goe thou, and gage thy heart, as it is in the Prophet, Ezek, 8.7. God ſhewed him a little hole, then hee ſaw a little, but God bid him digge, till he had found a door; and then he ſaw worſe and viler abominations: So when God, through ſome creviſe or peeping hole hath ſhewed thee ſome ſmall ſins; digge further into thine heart, and thou ſhalt ſee more, and greater, to bewail before the Lord. And juſtifie him in all thy ſufferings for thoſe ſins.
Thus did David, Pſal. 51.4. God ſpake to him, and afflicted him, and he juſtified the Lord in doing ſo: that is, he acknowledged, the Lord dealt graciouſly, and mercifully with him, in ſo afflicting him. He puts his mouth in the duſt, Lam. 3.29. If there may be any hope; he ſits alone, and keeps ſilence, and bethinks himſelf, ſaying, What have I done? It is a good courſe for a ſinner to take, under his affliction to cry, The Lord is righteous, and I am wicked: I have reaſon rather to wonder, the Lord hath laid no more upon me, than to murmure that he hath laid ſo much, knowing that, Ezr. 9.13. God hath puniſhed us leſſe than our iniquities deſerve.
5 Take with thee a word of confeſſion, and ſupplication, Pray for abilities to come.and acknowledge thy ſelf a ſtranger to private Communion, and ſecret Duties with thy God; and then ſet thy ſelf about the performance of them, though thou beeſt unskilful in them. Thou needeſt but take words, Hoſ. 14.2. for God will put them into thy heart and mouth, and thine own neceſſity will ſuggeſt much unto thee. Solomon ſaies, Prov. 18.23. The poor man ſpeaks ſupplications. Hee that never knew what beging meant, yet when hee is pinched with poverty, will be able to pray: The little childe that can but ſtammer, will tell his Father where the pain is, and begge ſome help of him: ſo it will be with thee. Thus could Paul doe it preſently, Acts 9.11. Behold he praies. The word ſignifies continuance in prayer, he prays and prays again, three daies together. Jacob meeting with the Lord as an enemy, wraſtled with him in prayer, Hoſ. 12.4. doe thou likewiſe. It is in vain to ſtand poring on thine afflicted condition, but run for help, and as the poor Widow ſerved the unjuſt Judge, Luke 18.4, 5. weary God with thy complaints, never let him reſt, till hee give thee a yeelding anſwer; according to that promiſe, Iſa. 56.6, 7.
6 Adventure upon the grace of God in Chriſt, Caſt thy ſelf on his mercy.caſt thy ſelf on his mercy, as did the Prodigal, Luke 15.18. ſaying, I will ariſe and goe to my Father, &c. what hope could ſuch a Vagabond wretch have, of his Fathers acceptance? yet he thought it beſt to adventure upon this courſe. Thinks hee, if I muſt periſh, I will periſh at my Fathers door; you know how hee ſped. Juſt like thoſe Lepers in the gate of Samaria, 2 King. 7.4. Mind their ſucceſſe.
1 Conſider the large extent of the vertue of Chriſts death, Motives. Conſider the extent of his death.unto all ſorts, both Jewes and Gentiles, 1 Tim. 2, 6. God will have all to be ſaved, Joh. 6.37. Him that comes unto him, hee will in no wiſe caſt out. It is no matter who, nor what manner of perſon he be, or hath been, ſo he come at laſt, he may aſſure himſelf he ſhall not be caſt out; whatſoever villany hee hath lain in, ſuppoſe him a Drunkard, Murtherer, Perſecuter, &c. So 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. and Gal. 3.28. Chriſt ſaid to the polluted child, lying in his bloud, live, Ezek. 16. Chriſt calls not righteous, but ſinners, great and foul ſinners, Matth. 9.13. yea his bitter enemies, Rom. 5.6, 8, 10. When wee were enemies, &c. Chriſt hath opened a door to the vileſt ſinner.
2 Conſider the large offer of Chriſt by the Miniſtry, Conſider the large offer.Mat. 22.9. All ſorts are invited to the feaſt, Luke 14.21. He (that is Chriſt) ſhall ſtand for an Enſign to the people, an erected ſtandard, Iſa. 11.10. to gather whole Armies to him; under Chriſt their General and Commander. This ſtandard no oppoſite rage of the wicked can ever pluck down; but it ſhall be reſt to them that gather unto it, though ſinners have no reſt in themſelves. Moſes lifted up the Serpent, that all might look unto it for cure of their ſtingings: ſo is Chriſt lifted on the Croſſe, that all may ſee a Redeemer, Joh. 3.14, 15. and ſo lifted up in the Word, that every wounded ſoul in the world, may hear him ſpeaking peace to them that are near, and to them that are afarre off; and if Chriſt hath appointed himſelf to bee lifted up to all poor undone Sinners, then ſee that you ſlight not your remedy, but come, lifting up your heads with joy, for your redemption draws nigh.
3 Conſider how ſerious an offer the Lord makes of Chriſt Crucified, Conſider how ſeriouſly the offer is made.to all to whom the Goſpel is preached, Iſa. 9.6. The zeal of the Lord of Hoſts will perform this. Giving a ſtrict command that it be carefully preached to every Creature, Mark 16.15. annexing a promiſe of his preſence with it. He keeps the fountain open, Zach. 13.1. not ſhut up, nor ſealed, but open for all commers. Say not, God doth but mock us, for hee knows ſinners cannot come, and receive him: for they rather will not come, nor receive Chriſt. Joh. 5.40. You will not come unto me, that you might have life. And you may ſee God is in good earneſt, for you are like to be damned for not obeying, 2 Theſſ. 2.12. Therefore Chriſt is ſerious, and no man periſheth but by his own fault, that hears theſe truths preached to him.
4 Though it be true, Receive Chriſt and that witneſſeth he is ſent to thee.That Jeſus Chriſt did not lay down his life, for every particular man or woman, to whom this Goſpel is preached: yet this is the only ſure way, to put it out of queſtion, that he dyed for thee in particular; that is, to receive and embrace the Lord Jeſus and him crucified, John 1.12. Acts 10.12. Iſa. 56.3, 7. Beleeve in the Lord Jeſus, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, Acts 16.31. Hee certainly dyed for all them that doe beleeve.