The Abuse of Gods Grace, Chapter 3 · Section 13
SECT. 13.
13. GLoryfying grace in the hopes and confidences thereof is 13 Gloryfying grace is turned into Wantonneſs.turned into wantonneſſe. It is called the grace of life, 1 Pet. 3. 7. and eternal life is the gift of God. Rom. 6. 23. The crown of Glory is a crown of Free Grace, adorned with that moſt orient Pearl, the imputed Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and the Jewels of the graces of the Spirit, in their moſt perfect ſplendour and exerciſe, that ſtand with the full fruition of God. It is Grace that rewards Grace with Glory: It is Grace that beginneth, increaſeth, and conſummates Grace: Now many hope for gloryfying grace, who almoſt but hope for heaven? Who that have moſt juſt cauſe to feare, yet are afraid in the ſerious and ſad dwelling thoughts of their condition, they are in eminent danger of Hell? Inſtead of the bleſſed hope, or hope of bleſſedneſſe, the regular and warrantable expectation of glorifying grace, there is a common hope and a curſed hope of Satans ſuggeſtion, and corruptions entertainment, though men continue in their ſinnes they ſhall have heaven at length. This hope never purifyed the heart and life, 1 Joh. 3. 3. but will prove to them that truſt in it, like the thin and weak webb to the ſpider, be ſwept away with the beſom of deſtruction: An evill conſcience Peſſima ſpei contubernalis mala conſcientia. Granat.is the moſt dangerous companion of Hope. Becauſe many hope to be ſaved in the way of ruin, their diſeaſes become incurable, like fooliſh patients that conclude health from that which increaſeth their diſeaſe, and haſtneth their death. Carnal hopes might have been cured by conditionall deſpair, that ever ſoules ſhould be ſaved, while falſe hopes are reſted in. An hope of life in the paths of death, is deſtruction to the ſoul. A deſpair of ever getting good by ſuch an hope, might make men looke out for better hopes, and more ſaving ſecurities. There are doubtleſſe many that will in the other world curſe their irrationall, unſcripturall, and groundleſſe hopes of Heaven. A Prince hopes to wear his Fathers Crown, How doth he abuſe his hopes by living like a ſcullion, and conſorting with beggars: Diſhonourable imployments are below Royal ſtate. Many hope to wear the white robes of glory, Rev. 3. 4, 5. and yet embrace dunghill luſts and courſes, live diſhonourably and abuſively under their high expectations. Theſe reſemble the Lapwing (accounted an Emblem of infelicity) which feeds on dung, though it weares a Coronet on its head. In the common abuſed hope of glory, Hope is put out of office; the ſprings of Hope are not regarded; the work of hope is not done; the properties of Hope are not to be found.
1. Hope is put out of office.
It hath the office of a ſetling Anchor in heaven, in tempeſtuous and troubleſome times. But the vulgar hope, though it pretend heaven for its hold, caſts Anchor only among the creatures of which is worſe, among the Devils, ſtaying and ſtrengthning it ſelf in their counſels and luſts.
It hath the office of a ſaving refuge, againſt Afflictions, Deſertions, Temptations, Corruptions, Heb. 6. 18. The carnal hope of glory hath no City of Refuge but below, viz. Wits, Riches, Friends, Honours, &c.
It hath the office of purging water, which makes inſide and Job 31. 24. 1 John 3. 3.outſide clean: The falſe hope of heaven, wallows Swine-like in the filthineſſe of fleſh and ſpirit, layes in the mire of wickedneſs, but riſeth not out.
It hath the office of a diligent ſervant; It looks for an heavenly reward, and it ſerves God day and night, Act. 26. 6, 7. But the bare fancy of the hope of glory, is content to ſerve the world, fleſh, and devill. It looks for an heavenly harveſt, and yet follows Satans Plow, and ſoweth to the fleſh. Gal. 6. 8.
It hath the office of a comforting cordial: Good hope through Grace is the hearts comforter: But the feigned hope of glory gives no more real comfort than the dream of a cordial doth a ſleeping or dying man. Carnal hopes never drinks out of the cup of heavenly conſolations; no draughts really pleaſe them but of earthly ſolaces. Thus doe unregenerate men, what ever they think, put the hope of glory out of office; ſo in the common abuſed hope of glory.
2. The ſprings of hope are not regarded.
The Free grace of God is a Spring of Hope. Good hope through Grace, 2 Theſ. 2. 16. But looſe ſpirits are as much ſtrangers to the glory, puritie, and power of Free grace, as true Hope. They have not good hope through grace, but ill hope, through preſumption. The holy Ghoſt is a ſpring of hope, that ye may abound in hope by the holy Ghoſt, Rom. 15. 13. But un-Goſpel wantons have their hopes from the evil ſpirits ſuggeſtion, not the good ſpirits inſpiration.
The perfect righteouſneſs of Chriſt is a ſpring of hope: The hope of righteouſneſs, Gal. 5. 5. But the dreamers of Heavenly hopes, take the riſe of their high hopes from their opinionative righteouſneſs, their good meanings, good works, as they think, & external either moralities outward, or religious exerciſes, or both.
Juſtifying Faith is a Spring of hope. Rom. 5. 1, 2. The hope of glory grows out of it. But the vaine barren hope of Glory iſſues from ſelf-ſufficiencie. As it comes not from a juſtified eſtate, ſo neither doth it ſhew any evidence of ſanctifying Grace.
The Promiſe is a Spring of Hope. The Hope of the Promiſe, Act. 26. 6. but lying hope of glory never ſprang from any Goſpel-promiſe. For the promiſes have a cleanſing virtue. 2 Cor. 7. 1. The hope of the wicked hath none.
The Love of God ſhed abroad in the heart, is a ſpring of Hope: It makes not aſhamed from the ſweet ſenſe of divine love, Rom. 5. 5. But a ſenſual, brutiſh hope of glory never felt the ſweet pleaſures of Gods love. They that are acquainted with the Paradiſe delights of it, are not wont to run a whoring after creature ſportings, much leſſe after ſinfull joyes. The glorious feaſtings of the delicious, eternal, diſtinguiſhing Love of God in renewed ſoules, have a mortifying virtue of pleaſing vanities below.
Gracious Experience is a Spring of Hope. Experience worketh Hope. Rom. 5. 4. The Experience of Regenerating Grace, of thoſe ſweet whiſpers, Thy perſon is accepted, Fear not, I am thy God, Chriſt is made to thee Wiſdome, Righteouſneſſe, Sanctification, and Redemption, of the mighty awe of Gods preſence in the ſoul, of hating vain thoughts, of cleanſing from ſecret ſins, of ſealing of promiſes, of victory over corruption, and much more, work renewed hopes of glory, that God will both perfect and reward his own work. The filthy ſtreames of a diſſolute hope of heaven, that are ſtrangers to theſe pure ſprings, betray their impure originalls. The unclean ſpirit, the filthy heart, the worlds pollutions, are the common abuſed Hope of Glory.
3. The Work of Hope is not done.
The work of Hope is to work patient and diligent continuance in well-doing: We deſire you to ſhew diligence to the full of aſſurance of hope unto the end, Heb. 6. 11. But Hypocrites moſt heavenly hopes are both impotent and tranſient, they neither communicate ſtrength, nor will they hold out; they have ſhort breath, lame legs, and withered hands; and are a meer vapour, a fancie, and worke no diligence, nor perſeverance in the waies of Godlyneſs.
True Hope will work the ſoul out of the vanities, dependancies, inordinate rejoycings of earthly Hope. Job had the hope of glory before his eyes; hence he was aſſured, that hee ſhould ſee his Redeemer; this ſwallowed up earthly hopes; If I have made gold my hope, or have ſaid to the fine gold thou art my confidence. If I rejoyced becauſe my wealth was great, &c. Job 31. 24, 25. But the diſſembled Hopes of Glory never dead the heart to the vaine truſts and joyes of earthly Hopes, when theſe are gone, thoſe have no eſtate in the other world.
It is the work of Hope to work up the ſoul to the infinite Riches, Pleaſures, and Honours that are above: The Hope that is laid up for you in heaven, Col. 1. 5. But the adulterate hopes of heaven ſhew their falſeneſſe. Reall worldlings hopes under Goſpel pretenſions, are faſtned onelyonly to periſhing things, and muſt periſh like themſelves.
It is the work of Hope to ſuccour the hearts of fainting beleevers, to ſtrengthen the feeble knees, as a good daughter helps a ſickly mother: When Faith, the Mother Grace, is ready to faint, Hope the daughter lends it a ſupporting hand, and ſayes, hold out Faith. There is an expected end of corruptions and afflictions: Look Faith, O look within the heavenly vayl, even Holy of Holyes. Conflicts are ſharp, O Faith ſee thy Crowns: Wants are many, O Faith ſee thy Supplies. The race of obedience is tireſome, O Faith ſee thy Prize: Now there is ſowing in tears, O Faith ſee thy joyes: The ſweet countenance of God is clouded, O Faith ſee his eternal ſmiles: Beleevers are toſſed with the waves of doubtings, deſpondencies, ſometimes deſpair, O Faith ſee thine unſhaken aſſurance, and everlaſting reſt. But the eaſie, falſe-hearted hopes, of notional Chriſtians, can never ſuccour their fainting Faiths. At beſt their Faith was but fancy, their confidence preſumptuous; and when their falſe faiths expire, their groundleſs hopes are gone too. Ah miſerable ſelfdeceivers, that wrong the Faith, and Hope of Glory, In the common abuſed hopes of Glory.
4. The Properties of Hope are not to be found.
The Hope of Glory is a regenerated Hope. Begotten to a lively Hope. 1 Pet. 1. 3. It is one of the new births graces: The Hope of Unregeneracie then is a ſpurious hope. New hopes never grow out of the old ſoyle. The Hope of Glory is an high born grace, its pedigree is abuſed, when a vile, ſenſual, wicked life, a baſtard iſſue is laid at its doors.
The Hope of Glory is an Active Hope. High hopes oyl the wheels of motion. Hopes of great Matches, Pardons, Liberty, ſweeteſt earthly Pleaſures, Riches, Crowns, ſhake off ſluggiſhneſs. A reall Chriſtian hath the higheſt hopes, and this makes him goe, yea run the wayes of Gods Commandements. Too many abuſe the hopes of glory: They are negligent, lazy, indifferent, yea oppoſers in the methods and unpleaſing ſervices of Goſpel Hope. What doe moſt that hope for Heaven doe to get it? Where are their wreſtlings at the Throne of Grace? Where their ſelf-denyals? Where their Fightings in Spiritual Armes againſt their corruptions? Where are their Conqueſts? Where their labours of Love? Where their zealous purſuances of their own, and others ſalvation? Where the diligent improving of their general and particular calling for the glory of God? Where their working out their ſalvation with fear and trembling? Where their giving all diligence to make their Calling and Election ſure? Where is their making Religion their buſineſſe to be found? Moſt have the hopes of heaven, but they are drowſie, idle, have no power of godlyneſs. Theſe in an eſpecial manner are the Abuſers of true Hope.
The Hope of Glory is a Rejoycing Hope: We rejoice in the Hope of Glory, Rom. 5. 2. When the Perſpective of Faith hath fetched in the farre diſtant bleſſed objects of Eternity, hath realized, and ſubſtantialized them to the ſoul, ſo that Faith ſaith to Hope, I ſee the glory of Heaven, I ſee the infinite rewards of ſound Chriſtians, I ſee the infinite pleaſures, and ſatisfactions, and raviſhing joys of thoſe bleſſed Citizens above: Then ſaies Hope, I look for them, I expect them with unſpeakable joy, I wait for their Revelations and Fruitions. A real Chriſtian will not part with the joyes of his Hopes for a thouſand worlds. He is incomparably richer in hopes than worldlings are in hand; but a deluſive hope of glory continually joyned with joyous, ſolitary, worldly hopes, is a ſtranger to the joyes of heavenly hopes. The Hypocrite hath the fancy, but never the reallitie of theſe hopes. The joyes of theſe do not in him out-joy the joyes of earthly hopes, they doe not lighten and ſweeten the loſſe of worldly expectations: Experience will prove it of unſound pretenders to their rejoycing hopes of Glory. That if their hopes and the joy of their hopes below are gone, they have no rejoycing hopes above.
The hope of Glory is a Luſt denying hope. The grace of God teacheth us the deniall of worldly luſts, looking for that bleſſed hope. 11. 12, 13. As pilgrims and ſtrangers here (and therefore looking for your heavenly countrey) abſtain from fleſhly luſts. 1 Pet. 2. 11. Ye ſhall appear with Chriſt in glory: Mortifie therefore your fleſhly luſts, fornication, uncleanneſs, covetouſneſs, your inordinate affections, the root of all evill concupiſcence. Col. 3. 4, 5. They then that obey ſin in the luſts thereof, Rom. 6. 12. that walk after their own luſts, their ungodly luſts, as theſe wantons in Jude did. Epiſt. Jud. v. 16, 18. and live and die in them, and yet hope for heaven, they clearly contradict Scripture, that the ſervants of carnall luſts ſhall not inherit the kingdome of God, 1 Cor. 6. 9. That the wicked ſhall be turned into hell, Pſal. 9. That the wrath of God comes on the children of diſobedience, Col. 3. 6. That Libertines, that count it pleaſure to riot in the day time of Goſpel light, The Churches ſpots and blemiſhes, not jewels, ſporting themſelves with their own deceivings, in their feareleſſe feaſtings, adulterous infectious examples, covetous, impenitent, ſhall periſh in their corruption, and receive the reward of unrighteouſneſs, 2 Pet. 2. 12, 13, 14. That what a man ſoweth, that ſhall he reap, if to fleſhly luſts, an harveſt of eternall torments; if to the ſpirit, a rich crop of eternall life. Gal. 6. 7, 8. All theſe eternal Truths that divine Juſtice will infallibly make good, Luſt-pleaſers, not denyers, nouriſhers, not crucifiers, doe blot out by their unchanged hearts, diſſolute lives, and reall unbelief. The ſlaves of their abſurd, unreaſonable, ungodly luſts, doe in effect and interpretation ſpeak theſe blaſphemies, God is an holy and righteous God, and he will reward our unrighteouſneſs and unholyneſſe with eternall life. When we play the wantons with our luſts, we think God and our ſelves alike: Thou thoughteſt that I was altogether ſuch a one as thy ſelf, Pſal. 50. 21. That God hath not ſo pure a nature, and pure eies. Hab. 1. 13. but when hee ſeeth ſin, he likes it well enough, he delights in wickedneſs: Ye ſay every one that doth evill is good in the ſight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them, or where is the God of judgment? Mal. 2. 17. That the Word of God is falſe, that godlineſs is true gain, that the righteous onelyonly go into eternal life, that there is danger in ſin, that the wanton abuſes of Gods grace periſh in their corruption, that the blackneſs of darkneſs for ever is reſerved for them: Thus doth Luſt-favouring and pampering Hope, abuſe the Hope of Glory.
The Hope of Glory is a well living Hope. The ſaving grace of God teacheth us to live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world; looking for the bleſſed hope, &c. Tit. 2. 12, 13. I have hope towards God, that there ſhall be a reſurrection of the dead, both of the juſt and the unjuſt, and herein doe I exerciſe my ſelf, to have alwaies a conſcience void of offence towards God and towards men. Act. 24. 15, 16. He that hopes for the full ſumme, is glad of the aſſuring earneſt; hee that would have the full harveſt, is pleaſed with the firſt fruits. The hope of glory that rejoyceth to thinke of the eternal ſumme and harveſt of holyneſs, is carefull to get, and joyfull to obtain the earneſt and firſt fruits of the Spirit of grace. But the common, abſurd, fooliſh hope of glory, expects an heavenly, eternal ſumme, when it hath no earneſt here; looks for an eternal harveſt, when the firſt fruits are neglected and deſpiſed; it pleaſingly dreams to live happily with God in glory, when it never lived holily with God in grace.
The hope of Glory is an Affliction-enduring, and ſanctifying Hope. For this Hope the Apoſtle Paul was called in question, Act. 23. 6. Judged, Act. 26. 6. Accuſed, v. 7. Impriſoned, chained, Act. 28. 20. ſuffered any perſecution with patience, contentment and joy: For the hope of the Reſurrection, he took pleaſure in his infirmities. As the hope of Riches makes the Merchant Cum eſt propoſitum cum hoſte certamen, eſuriendum, ſitiendum, vigilandum, periclitandum, ut omnibus pacis, & victoriae bonis per frui poſſis …prius laborandum ut ſis poſtmodum in otio. Lact. l. 6. c. 4.croſſe the Seas at any hazard, even to the utmoſt Indies, and of victory, which makes the Souldier endure, hunger, cold, watching, blows, and wounds. It's hope of gain maketh the induſtrious Tradeſman to be up early, encounter all Highway ſtorms. It's hope of a good crop maketh the painfull Husbandman to endure Winters cold, and Summers heat. It's hopes of Crowns which maketh the ambitious run the hazard of loſing their liberties and lives, and undoing their families, to hew out their way to Soveraignty by bloody deaths, that ſtare them in the faces: So the heavenly expectations of immortall Riches, Victories, Pleaſures, Crownes, are Affliction-enduring hopes: But the Imaginary hopes of Glory, are cowardly, effeminate, ſoft, laſcivious, and are founded in pollicy, not in piety; meaſured by the intereſts of the body, not the ſoul, are pleaſed with the fair, not the foul weather in heavens way. They engage in the Chriſtian Warfare no further th…n the fleſh may be pleaſed, a ſafe retreat to the world may be obtained; and this counterfeit hope in trying hardſhips, is ever offended in Chriſt, Mat. 13. 57. One hard ſaying or another, and unpleaſing religious ſeverities, make Chriſtianity a ſcandal: The voluptuous profeſſor turns from the power of it, and in time of temptation falleth away.