The Morning Exercise Methodized, Sermon 9
THE MISERY OF MANS ESTATE BY NATURE.
EPHES. 2.3.
And were by nature the children of wrath even as others.
YE have heard the Doctrine of Mans fall, and of Original ſin opened and applied: This Text genuinely leads to ſpeak of Mans miſery through ſin. As to the Coherence briefly, The Apoſtles ſcope is, to diſplay the glory of the Lords grace, by comparing the ſinful and curſed eſtate of the Epheſians and others by nature, with the dignity and priviledges conferred on them in Chriſt. He inſiſts mainly on three heads.
1. He deſcribes the natural eſtate and courſe of the Epheſians and all other Gentiles in them; their eſtate, ver. 1. You were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins; their courſe, ver. 2. Ye walked wholly in ſin, pricked forward by corrupt cuſtomes, which in ſeveral Ages had taken place, and were effectual to hold and hearten you in the ſame Tracts; and the Devil, that eminently bore ſway in others, ruled and acted you likewiſe at his very will; this was yours, and the Gentiles eſtate and courſe.
2. He applies the whole equally and indifferently, to himſelf, and to the whole body of the Jewiſh Nation, ver. 3. among whom alſo we all had our Converſation, &c. q. d. ſuch children of diſobedience were we all to; as deep in ſin, and open to wrath as you Gentiles were. He would by no means have any think that ſpeaking ſo of the Gentiles, he exempted the Jews from the ſame ground of ſhame and deſpair in themſelves; though he knew full well that this point went exceeding croſſe to the grain of that people, who greatlyaEzra 9.2. John 8.33. Gal. 2.15. Rom. 10.3. chap. 11.24. boaſted themſelves to be the holy ſeed, and children of Abraham, and deſpiſed the Gentiles as an idolatrous, unclean, baſtard brood; and especially of the Phariſees, of whichbActs 26.5. Phil. 3.5. leaven himſelf once was, who not only diſdained the Gentiles, but thought and ſpake contemptibly of Gods heritage, viz. the common people of their own Nation as a baſe and curſed crew, John 7.49. & chap. 9.34. He pricks this bladder, affirming roundly of himſelf and all the Jews without exception, that as to their courſe, whileſt unregenerate, they did whatſoever their ſenſual and carnal man willed, liked and inclined to; And as to eſtat…; were children of wrath as much as others, even as the very despiſed Gentiles themſelves were. The great temporary difference flowing from grace, Pſal. 147.19, 20. hindered not their being the very ſame with the Gentiles by nature; this and no other was the eſtate and courſe of the Jews likewiſe.
3. He ſets over againſt all this, in them both, the quickning and recovering grace of Chriſt; in the Gentile, ver. 1. and in the Jew, ver. 4.
The words read, contain a brief comprehenſive deſcription of the miſery that Jews, and conſequently Gentiles with them, are under by nature. And in the words obſerve theſe two particulars.
1. The Caſe of all men, Jews and Gentiles alike deſcribed, children of wrath; Do not underſtand this actively, as children of diſobedience, ver. 2. are diſobedient children, ſo that children of wrath ſhould be angry and wrathful people; but paſſively, that are obnoxious unto wrath indefinitely, which though it principally relates to that chiefeſt preſſing inſupportable burden; viz. the Lords wrath; yet includes conſequently the wrath and power of Satan, the terrours and rage of conſcience, the vengeance and aſſaults of every creature, &c. The Hebraiſme, children of wrath, implies
1. Deſert. Deut. 25.2. It ſhall be, foreignif the wicked man be a child of beating, that the Judge ſhall cauſe him to lye down, and to be beaten before his face, &c. which the Sept. ſolidly renders, foreign, worthy of ſtripes. And ſo the Targums in like manner concurrently with our Bibles, a ſonne guilty and worthy to be beaten; ſo Mat. 23.15. Ye make him twofold more the childe of hell; that is, more worthy of hell-fire, than your ſelves.
2. Tendency, bent and addictneſſe to involve themſelves under wrath, John 17.12. But the ſonne of perdition, which poured out himſelf in ways of ſelf-deſtruction. He had many and excellent means to the contrary, but nothing would hold him back; ſelf-damnation is not proper to Judas, but a very common ſin; and men ordinarily, Rom. 2.5. treaſure up to themſelves wrath, Prov. 8.36. love death.
3. The event and iſſue which ſhall befall them, if they do abide ſuch; viz. that they ſhall be deſtroyed, and the eternal wrath of God abide upon them; ſo Judas gave up himſelf to thoſe ſins, that not only deſerved and tended to deſtruction, but would certainly deſtroy him; ſo 1 Sam. 20.31. he is the ſon of death; viz. deſerves to dye, and ſhall ſurely dye.
Now gather all theſe things together, our eſtate and courſe is ſuch by nature as deſerves deſtruction, tends and leads to deſtruction, and will end and the Lord hath peremptorily fixed and ordained without a change, ſhall end in Eternal deſtruction.
2. The riſe of this caſe expreſſed, by nature, which implies
1. The term from which this commences; viz. the very firſt receiving of our natures and beings from our Parents; from the firſt original, and moment of our being, we received with all a liliableneſſe to the wrath and curſe of God, Pſalme 51.5. Behold I was ſhapen in iniquity, and in ſin did my mother conceive me!
2. The ground for which this wrath impends and hovers; viz. nature, not firſt created, for that was upright after God; but the corrupted nature which is conveyed and derived with our beings:Eccleſ. 7.29. Gen. 1.27. This very nature leads to, deſerves, and will lodge under eternal wrath, every mothers child in whom regeneration and tranſplantation into Chriſt are not found.
The Doctrine then compriſing the ſumme of the Text, is this.
Doctr. Every man and woman from their very firſt conception, through a corrupted nature, are under the Lords wrath, and continuing ſuch, not new-born and engraffed into Chriſt, that wrath ſhall abide upon them for ever. We may not mince and extenuate here with the Pelagian, as if this only were by imitation. Flatterers of nature may leſſen the wound, but Heires of grace ſhould and will rather magnifie their Phyſitian. Nor may we limit and confine this truth as if it concern'd native Turks,Mat. 23.15. canker'd Papiſts, and the Proſelytes of the Phariſees only to be children of hell, when it knocks at every of our doors, Jew and Gentile promiſcuouſly: Neither people nor Miniſters, not Apoſtles can exempt themſelves; great and ſmall, rich and poor, thoſe which the Lord hath not appointed unto wrath, but to obtain ſalvation by their Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Theſ. 5.9. yet by nature are children of wrath, even as others.
This wrath in the Scriptures hath ſeveral Names; reſpectively to the Law-giver, it is called wrath; reſpectively to the Law it ſelf, the curſe; reſpectively to the effects of both, it is tranſlated vengeance, Rom. 3.5. Man by nature is expoſed unto all theſe.
1. He is expoſed to the wrath of the Law-giver: Here,
1. Take ſome Cautions, that we may duly conceive of wrath, the root of all penal afflictions on Gods part, as ſin is the meritori…us root on mans part. All wars with men begin in wrath; Animoſities firſt boyle within, and then wars break out. James 4.1. From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, from your lusts which war in your memb rs? and in ſpecial, this of wrath; ſo there is ſomewhat proportionable in God, if underſtood ſutably to his glorious Being; namely, wrath perfectly clean from all dregs of, 1. Folly; the fool never more peeps out than in paſſion. Prov. 14.29. He that is haſty of ſpirit, exalteth folly; that is, ſets it aloft that every body may diſcern, and take notice of it; but the Lord is, 1 Sam. 2.3. A God of knowledge by whom actions are weighed. 2. Injuſtice; Gods wrath is a clear fire without any ſmoke of unrighteouſneſſe. Rom. 3.5. Is God unrighteous that inferreth wrath? he cannot be. We plough with an Oxe and an Aſſe; foreign.mingle droſſe with our zeal, &c. 3. Perturbation; the wrath of men is the rage of men, who disjoint and diſcompoſe themſelves as well as others; but the Lord acts, and ſuffers not in his wrath;Prov. 11.17. he ſtrikes, wounds, deſtroys from the infinite holineſſe and juſtice of his nature, declaring it ſelf againſt all ſin with the exacteſt ſerenity and oneneſs of minde and frame within himſelf from everlaſting to everlaſting. This is the root of all wars with ſinful men; Moſes ſaw the plague growing up out of this root. Num. 16.46. Wrath is gone out from the Lord, and the plague is begun. Job 21.17. He diſtributeth ſorrows in his anger.
2. Conſider what this wrath implies; two things.
1. That the Lord is highly diſpleaſed with men and women in their natural eſtate; though never ſo goodly a verniſh of Religion be above, yet if nothing but nature be underneath; Iſa. 10.6. an hypocritical Nation are the people of the Lords wrath.
No created underſtanding can conceive exactly what this diſpleaſure is. Pſal. 90.11. Who knoweth the power of thy anger? even according to thy fear, ſo is thy wrath. Take ſome ſhort ladders that our thoughts may a little climbe up by; and conſider ſeriouſly and deeply,
1. What a Kings wrath is. Prov. 20.2. The fear of a King is as the roaring of a Lyon; who ſo provoketh him to anger, ſinneth againſt his own ſoul; that is, acteth as an enemy to his own life; and Prov. 16.14. The wrath of a King is as the Meſſengers of death, but the wiſe man will pacifie it, as that which he cannot reſiſt. Eccleſ. 8.4. Where the Word of a King is, there is power, and who may ſay to him What do thou? that is, where not only the name, but the reality of a King is, he ſuſtains the perſon of the Common-wealth, and hath the ſtrength and power of all put into his hand; and hath power to execute his wrath, and will not be controlled nor expoſtulated with. And what can a Branch do againſt the whole Tree? The King is wroth, and Hamans face is covered. Prov. 27.3. A stone is heavy, and ſand is weighty; but a fools wrath, that is, that hath power, is heavier than them both, to cruſh a weak perſon that ſtandeth in his way. All theſe are but toyes to the power and weight of Gods wrath.
2. What an incenſed brothers wrath is, that hath a little more power. Rebecca underſtanding Eſau his wrath againſt Jacob, packs him away till that wrath be over. Gen. 27.43, 44. If a mother dare not venture a childe into an angry ſons preſence, nor a brother himſelf into an angry brothers preſence, how inſufferable will the angry preſence of the Lord be?
3. What Gods Fatherly refining wrath is againſt the droſſe that mingleth it ſelf with his Worſhip and Ordinances, and what dreadful Furnaces he hath put the Veſſels of mercy into, to take away their tin from them. Mal. 3.2. Who may abide the day of his coming? and who ſhall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a Refiners fire: If men cannot bear Chriſts coming with a refining fire, to purge out droſſe, much leſſe not his coming with flaming fire, 2 Theſ. 1.8. to conſume and burn up perſons and droſſe together. We have need of grace to ſerve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear; for our God, that is related to us in Chriſt, is a conſuming fire, Hebr. 12.28, 29.
4. What afflictions are, how very bitter, yet ſeparated from wrath, they may be born with comfort. The mingling of fire with the haile in Egypt, made it ſo very dreadful, Exod. 9.24. The fire of the Lords wrath mingled with ſtormes, renders them ſo grievous to be ſtood unde. Hell it ſelf would not be ſo dreadful, did not the breath of the Lord, that is, the wrath of the Lord, like a ſtreame of brimſtone kindle it, Iſa. 30.33.
The Prophet ſubmits to any ſtroaks, only deprecates wrath, as worſe than any ſtroaks, and more deadly than death it ſelf. Jer. 10.24. Correct me O Lord, but not in thine anger. Apprehenſions of wrath were the dregs in Jobs Cup. Job 14.13. O that thou wouldeſt hide me in the grave, and keep me in ſec et till thy wrath be paſſed over. He cannot ſtand in the face of Gods wrath, though he knew it was paſſing, and not abiding wrath; and therefore begs a hiding anywhere, and in the very grave, till that wrath be over; who then ſhall dwell with abiding wrath? John 3.36. With eve…laſting burnings? Iſa. 33.14. with fire and brimſtone, and tempeſt, that hath …atred in it? Pſa. 11.5, 6.
5. What the Lords glory is, when it is proclaimed, and paſſeth forth in a way of grace; only in a little more lustre and brightneſſe. Moſes needs putting in a clift of the Rock, and to be covered with the Lords hand, while the Lords glory paſſed by, Exodus 33.22. Peter is ſwallowed up at a glimpſe of the power of Chriſt. Luke 5.8. Depart from me, for I am a ſinful man, oh Lord; what then, when he speaketh in his wrath, and vexeth in his ſore displeaſure! Pſal. 2.5.
6. What the Lords wrath is paſſing upon others. All the children in the houſe tremble when the rod is taken down, though not with reſpect to themſelves, but their fellows only. Take a man whoſe heart is touched with the ſenſe of the Lords greatneſs, and that will be his temper. Iſa. 2.19. They ſhall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the Caves of the earth, for feare of the Lord, and for the glory of his Majesty, when he ariſeth to ſhake terribly the earth.
7. What the Lords wrath is, only hanging in the threatening. His rebukes made both the eares of Eli to tingle. 1 Sam. 3.11. 2 King. 21.12.There is a terrour when a Prince convenes and rates his Rebels for their conſpiracies, and inſurrections againſt him, though not yet brought to the barre or block. Hab. 3.16. When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips quivered at the voice, rottenneſs entered into my bones, &c. Joſiah his heart was tender, 2 King. 22.19. When he heard what the Lord spake againſt Jeruſalem, and against the inhabitants thereof.
8. What Christ himſelf did, under the ſenſe of this wrath to be poured forth,Col. 2.9. Heb. 12 2. though ſupported with all the fulneſſe of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him, and ſaw the glory beyond, and the certainty of his reſurrection, and the fruits of the travels of his ſoul that ſhould be; yet ſweats, Luke 22.44.and that clods of blood to the very ground; prayes, and that with ſtrong cries and teares, that if poſſible, Heb. 5.7. Luke 12 50.this cup might paſſe. Though other conſiderations made him drink it chearfully, yet nature droops, and cannot bear up under this burden. Thoſe pills are very bitter, that very health it ſelf do…h hardly ſweeten.
You that are yet in the mire of meer nature, ſteep your thoughts in theſe things, that ye may have a little taſte, what an evil and bitter thing it is, that Gods wrath and diſpleaſure is out againſt you. But this is not all; God may be diſpleaſed, and very highly with his own people. Iſa. 47.6. I was wroth and polluted mine inheritance, viz. dealt with it as if a polluted and unclean thing.
2. God reckons, and will deal with men and women found in their natural eſtate, as his enemies. Gods tender-hearted ſervants, have not been able to bear the apprehenſion of this. Job 19.11. He hath kindled his wrath againſt me, and counteth me to him as his enemies; the plural number encreaſes the ſenſe; as his deadly enemy. He that takes the Bible, and carefully turns it over, and conſiders the contents thereof, and what he hath ſaid of thoſe he reckons his enemies, will have a further glimpſe of the dreadfulneſſe of this condition. Nahum. 1.2. He reſerveth wrath for his enemies; that is, he hath built and made wide the ſtorehouſes of hell, that there might be wrath enough in due ſeaſon to be drawn forth for them. Luke 19.27. Thoſe mine enemies, that would not that I ſhould reign over them, bring hither, and ſlay them before me. Iſa. 1.24. Ah, I will eaſe me of my Adverſaries, and avenge me of my enemies. Heb. 10.27. Judgement and fiery indignation ſhall devoure the Adverſaries. And this muſt be applied to both ſorts of enemies. 1. Cloſe. That go cloſely on in wayes of ſin, ſecretly correſpond with the Divel and his temptations, and their darling luſts, and will not lay the bucklers down, though they ſmile in the Lords face; and Iſa. 58.2. Seek him dayly, and d…light to know his wayes, as a Nation that doth righteouſneſs, and forſaketh not the Ordinances of their God. Flatter him with their lips, and lye to him with their tongues, Pſal. 78.36. 2. Open enemies, that proclaime and declare warre againſt heaven, that do and will do what they pleaſe, let the Lord ſay and do what he will to the contrary. As Pharaoh, Exod. 5.2. Who is the Lord that I ſhould obey his voice? Pſal. 12.4. Our lips are our own, who is Lord ov r us? Luk. 19.14. His Citizens hated him, and ſent a meſsage after him, ſaying, We will not have this man reign ver us.
And underſtand, when the Lord ſo deals with this ſort of ſinners, he takes a kind of comfort in it. Ezek. 5.13. Thus my anger ſhall be accompliſhed, and I will cauſe my fury to reſt upon them, and I will be comforted. To others, the Lord diſtributes ſorrows with ſorrow; and ſpeaks of himſelf as grieved, when he puts them to grief, Judg. 10.16. Lam. 3.33. Iſa. 63.9. But here he is comforted, in making them the reſting place of his fury, Prov. 1.26. The heat and height of his fury poured forth upon incurable ſinners, is comfortable and pleaſing to him. Iſa. 30.32. In every place where the grounded staff ſhall paſſe, which the Lord ſhall cauſe to reſt upon him, it ſhall be with Tabrets and Harps. Vengeance on ſuch, is muſick and delight to the Lord, Rev. 18.20. and to his people.
This is the firſt, and not the meaneſt part of the miſery of faln man, that he is under the Lords wrath; that is, ſuch as God is diſpleaſed with, and will reckon and deale with as his enemies.
2. Every natural man and woman is expoſed to and under the Curſe of the Law. Is this nothing to have the Word againſt thee?Job 13.…6. and to have the Lord write bitterly againſt thee in that very Book which is the ſtorehouſe of comforts and ſupports to others? Dreadful is that language of Ahab, concerning Micaiah, 1 King. 22.8. There is yet a man by whom we may enquire of the Lord, but I hate him, for he doth not propheſie good concerning me, but evil. So that language of a natural mans heart. Gods mind is in that book, but I cannot abide to read therein, or to hear it opened and applied by a lively rowzing Preacher; for it only raiſes ſtormes and tumults in my conſcience, and ſpeaks not a word of comfort to me. The Word,
1. Rings many a ſad peale in the ears of conſcience, and which he cannot abde to hear or think of; in that it doth declare,
1. His ſinne; The Word faithfully diſovers Gods ſtreightneſs, and mans crookedneſs, and ſwervings from that platforme and rule, to which he ſhould be conformed as the Counter-part to the Original. This charges omiſſions, commiſſions, and bunglings in the good which he does do,Pſal. 05.21. and ſets all in order before his eyes, if poſſible, to make him aſhamed and confounded in himſelf.
2. The due and deſert of ſinne; every breaker of the Law, the Law pronounces and dooms to be curſed. There is that neceſſary connexion, that it is impoſſible to be chargeable with ſin againſt the Law, and not liable to the Curſe of the Law. Gal. 3.10. Curſed is every one that continueth not in every thing that is written in the Book of the Law, to do it. Juſtification it ſelf takes not away the deſert of ſin; pardoned ſins are as well ſins, and as much ſins as they were; pardon makes not the Malefactour none; makes not that the fact was not committed, or not faulty, or that it deſerved not death; for then he ſhould have been legally acquitted, not graciouſly pardoned. Thoſe will never take heaven of grace, that take not hell as their proper deſert. The Lord will have his own weare this rope about their necks, the deſert of hell in their hearts to the very grave. Aſſurance, and in the very higheſt degree, takes not away the ſenſe of the deſerts of ſin, but amplifies and enlarges them. The deſerts of ſin ſhall be perfectly acknowledged in the ſtate of glory, and the Ranſomer adored and admired upon this ſcore. Nothing ſo heightens grace as this, that perſons deſerving to ſuffer, are yet freed in Chriſt from ſuffering eternal wrath, as if they had not deſerved it. This deſert, was no doubtful and dark point in the conſciences of the Hearthens themſelves, Rom. 1. ult. They know the judgement of God, that they which commit ſuch things, are worthy of death. But the Word more diſtinctly layes this home to the heart; Prov. 11.23. The expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is nothing elſe that he can juſtly and ſolidly expect in that eſtate; and expecting otherwiſe, he does but cozen himſelf.
3. The ſinners excluſion while in that eſtate, from any part in the great and precious promiſ…s of the Goſpel. The Word opens the promiſes, but knocks his fingers off from touching and eating of this Tree of life. This is none of the meaneſt heart-cutting terrors to natural men, to ſee many come from the Eaſt and Weſt, and ſit down with Abraham, and Iſaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdome of heaven, and themſelves caſt out, Mat. 8.11, 12. incorporated with the Patriarchs, into fellowſhip of the ſame grace, and title to the ſame glory, and themſelves debarred from both to view the unſearchable riches of Chriſt diſplayed, and themſelves juſtled off from any intermedling, as to preſent application or grounds of application of them as their own. I met lately with a godly woman who heard a Sermon full of choice comforting ſupporting promiſes to weary and heavy laden ſinners, which warmed her heart, but in the cloſure was ſtrucken through with the firſt arrows of God, diſcerning her ſelf excluded in her preſent eſtate, from any part in them. This makes the Goſpel a fiery Serpent to ſting them, which is the Pole holding up the brazen Serpent for healing to others.
2. The Word attaches and binds him over. Ye ſhall anſwer this at the day of Chriſt; and hangs the writ upon his door; as the man that is in Gods debt, and is to look for an Arreſt, and to be dragged into priſon till the utmoſt farthing be paid, unleſſe a ſpeedy, timely peace be made; and inforces this partly from the will and juſtice of God, that hath made indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguiſh the portion of every ſoul that goeth on to do evil, Rom. 2.8.9. and partly from the nature and circumſtances of ſin it ſelf. Debts may be ſo great, ſo long owing, ſo growing, and the negligence and boldneſſe of the debtor ſuch, that makes it neceſſary in point of wiſdome, not to keep the writ longer off from his back.
3. The Word excites terrours. A man bound in a very great ſumme, in which the forfeiture will be his undoing, the very obligation troubles. There are no debts, but where any ingenuity is, induce anſwerable cares. And the Lord knowing the frame, and tendring the peace of his people, adviſes therefore againſt all debts, eſpecially ſticking under them, and not coming timely and carefully off. Rom. 13.8. Owe nothing unto any man; much more to be over head and eares in Gods debt, and no care to agree with him, is a very dreadful condition, Mat. 5.25. If theſe terrours actually are not, yet they are very ſubject every moment to be excited. The Sea may be very calme, but the leaſt ſtorme makes it nothing but commotions; conſcience, though now quiet, hath a very wide and clamorous mouth, when the Lord commiſſions and commands it to rebuke for ſin. Theſe terrours hold the ſinner in bondage, or all his life time ſubject unto bondage, Heb. 2.15.
This is the ſecond branch of the miſery of a natural eſtate, to be in all theſe reſpects under the Curſe of the Law, and to have the Lord fight againſt him with the ſword of his mouth, Revel. 2.16. Here is patience, that the Lord will fight with this ſword firſt, that he may reclaime and lead to repentance, rather than deſtroy him; and if this prevaile, then is the curſe turned into a bleſſing, and the bondage ends in liberty indeed; but if this do not prevaile, then there remains nothing elſe but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which ſhall devoure the adverſaries, Heb. 10.27.
3. Every natural man and woman is obnoxious to all the effects of the wrath of God, and of the curſes denounced in his Word.
1. There are manifold effects of Gods wrath that are upon him, or are apt every moment to be ruſhing in upon him in this life.
1. Upon the body: Look upon all the breaches, flawes, defects, monſtroſities in the body, and ſet them upon the ſcore of ſin. Every man elſe had been like Abſalom and much more. 2 Sam. 14.25. From the ſole of his foot even to the Crown of his head there was no blemiſh in him; theſe argue not ſpecial ſin, Joh. 9.2. yet had never been without ſin; look upon all diſeaſes natural or adventitious, John 5.14. Sin no more, leſt a worſe thing come unto thee; there had never been a ſtone in the reins, or in the bladder, if not firſt in the heart. Theſe crumblings by degrees into the duſt, flow in by ſin. We pity the ruines which War hath made in goodly Palaces, but thoſe are nothing to the havock which ſin hath made in the more noble Fabricks of our own bodies. Look upon the difficulties, cares, turmoyles for proviſion of us and ours. Gen. 3.17. Labour is with toyle, wearineſſe, vexation, diſappointment: We plough and ſowe, and reap not; earne and put in a bag with holes. Hag. 1.6. Look upon ſhameful nakedneſſe: We have loſt our Robes of glory, and need now the ſpoiles of beaſts to cover our ſhame with. How many trades are there, and what toile in them, meerly for this end, that the diſhonour of the body may be hidden! Look upon the ſorrows of the female ſex, Gen. 3.16. which though mitigated and mingled with promiſes, yet ſtill are arrows which ſin hath ſhot into their ſides, and grace doth not quite pluck them forth. 1 Tim. 2.15. Look upon the aſſaults made even to our ruine, by thoſe things that otherwiſe were under our feet, Pſal. 8.6. But now withdraw from the yoke, ſerve with groans, remiſsneſſe and much unſerviceableneſſe, and often lift up their heel, and turn and tear us; theſe are a very ſmall part, and only bare hints of thoſe confuſions, and effects of the Lords wrath, which ſin hath let into the body, which elſe had been invulnerable in the very heel.
2. Upon the ſoul; Conſider,
1. The minde: O what blindneſs, ignorance, thick darkneſſe in the apprehenſions of God, his very being, moſt ſelf-evidencing Attributes, in the very myſteries of the firſt magnitude, which are the rules of our duty, and the grounds of our hope! incapableneſs, dulneſſe, ſlowneſſe to believe; lothneſs to inquire or receive the light which ſhineth forth from heaven; doubts, diſtruſt, miſtakes, wandrings after that which is not light, and into wayes that ſeem right, but the end of them are the ways of death, Prov. 14.12. The hereſies of the whole earth are ſeminally in the blindneſſe of the minde, and would grow up from thence, though there were none of our many ſowers to ſcatter them, being nothing elſe but corrupt imaginations formed into a ſyſteme. Ʋnprofitableneſſe in the knowledge of truths, which we moſt clearly and diſtinctly conceive: Unſteadineſſe, that we cannot fix and cloſe upon holy thoughts, till the impreſſions thence be powerful, and work a real change. There is no Spaniel more wilde and running after every Lark and Butter-flye that riſes in his way, than our thoughts are gadding after every thing that comes in our way. Yea, our minde gathers vanity to it ſelf, when the eyes are ſhut, and no objects to divert and inveigle us with. Theſe are ſins, and yet are ruſhing in further, as the recompences of former ſins, which are meet, Rom. 1.27.
2. The memory: Things ſtick there that a man would gladly learn, and count it a ſingular mercy to attain the art of forgetfulneſſe of; and others leak and ſlip away though taught ofen plainly; repeated, muſed upon, and we felt the power of them in a degree upon our hearts; what Indiſpoſitions to the uſe of means in order to a cure? what Proneneſs to cumber our ſelves with by-matters, till they talk with us ſleeping, and crowd in and ſuck away Lords-days themſelves, and leave nothing but ſcraps of prayer and preaching to us; ſin firſt brought in theſe plagues, and wrath binds them on, and leaves judicially, the reins looſe to them.
3. Conſcience. The directing part is out of tune; and either gives no directions, as a Maſter that is no body in his Family; or gives wrong directions, as falſe lights on the ſhore lead the ſhips upon the Rocks and quickſands; forbids where the Lord commands, and urges to that which he forbids. John 16.2. Tit. 1.15. or gives right directions, and hath no authority. And the judging part of conſcience is out of tune, and gives no judgement of what is done; like a Bell whoſe clapper is out, or a dumb dog that cannot bark; or gives perverſe judgement, and excuſes where it ſhould accuſe; makes ſin no ſin, or very little; and ſtayes the heart with empty comforts; or accuſes for having done that which he is bound to do, and diſquiets with undue fears; or accuſes rightly for the matter, yet with exceſſe, and ſo ſinks the ſoul under deſpaire; ſo that there is as much need for conſcience to be overſeen as to overſee, to b… guided as to guide. Theſe arrows abide in, and the venome of them invades more and more, and that is a very dreadful effect of the wrath of God.
4. The Will. There are ſad ſtrokes there. Averſeneſſe and impotence unto that which is spiritually good, Phil. 2.13. Pſal. 110.4. Inclinations and byaſſes, to drink in the very firſt, and the very worſt motions and ſuggeſtions unto ſin. Luſtings after evil things, Job 15.16. and againſt the Spirit, Gal. 5.17. ſtubbornneſſe, Rom. 8.3. Contempt of the offers of reconciliation, Joh. 5.40. Ezek. 33.11. incompliance with the counſels of the Holy Ghoſt, Act. 7.51. Theſe are cords of mans twiſting, and the Lord in dreadful wrath ſayes, Be it ſo; and pinions him with them to the laſt judgement.
5. The affections fly upon unmeet objects, headlongly inclining to them, and C l spe, and cleave there, and cannot be gotten off. Recoile from that which is good, are ſtirred in reſpect of evil to embrace it; and in reſpect of good to eſchew and be weary of it. Ahab impriſons the true Prophets, and ſets the falſe at his own Table, and gives them his ear and heart. Are full of diſorders; more offended with our injuries than Gods: merry,Eccleſ. 2.2. and the Holy Ghoſt calleth it madneſſe; mourn and ſwallowed up. Cannot be raiſed to things above, and ſettled on them.2 Cor. 2.7. We complain, and juſtly, of ſervants that are nimble and expert in any piece of knavery, and lozels at their work; this is the very temper of our hearts, nimble and wiſe to do evil; but in the things and wayes of God, and which are of greateſt neceſſitie and advantage, we have no knowledge. And a ſharper wrath is not, than the Lord to leave us to our ſelves. Pſal 81.12. Pſal. 78.30.Theſe are hints, and no more of the Lords wrath upon the ſoul.
3. Upon the eſtate. Look upon the general estate of the whole Creation, impaired, groaning, and ſubject unto vanity; into the Publick ſtate, Confuſions, ſtumbling-blocks, underminings of civil and ſpiritual liberties, &c. into the particular estates of men, ſnarles, damages, wrongs, powlings; men taken and carried whither they would not, build, and dwell not therein, gather, and it melts as butter againſt the Sun, &c.
4. Upon Relations. Unequal marriages, yokefellows diſloyal, waſtful, idle, with-holding more than is meet; troubling their own fleſh, dampers in the wayes of God, ſuddenly ſtrucken, and the greateſt comforts leave the ſmarteſt wounds after them, &c. Ʋnfaithful ſervants looking only to the Maſters eye, invading that which is not theirs, imbezeling or ſuffering to go to wrack, that which by care they might and ought to preſerve. Children ſickly, unnatural, taking to no Callings, or not diligent and faithful in them, diſpoſe themſelves without conſent, run themſelves into bryers, and ſee their errour when too late to retreat. This is wrath in Domeſtique relations. And wrath as terribly mixeth in Publick Relations. Miniſters preach not, overſee not, are not enſamples to the flock, have not experience, nor ability, or care, rightly to divide the Word of truth, and muzzle the gain-ſayer. Miſled themſelves, and miſlead others, &c. Magiſtrates mind not the things of Chriſt, are tight and vigilant over the good, indulgent to the evil. Beare the ſword in vaine, &c. Such vials there is much wrath poured through.
5. Upon the holy things of God, and of his people. Ours come not with acceptance to God. The Lords, not with ſavour, cloſeneſſe, authority, &c. to us. The very book of the Covenant needs ſprinkling, Heb. 9.19. The Law which is pure and clean, Pſal. 19.8, 9. is made a killing letter, 2 Cor. 3.7. The Goſpel which is the grace of God bringing ſalvation, Tit. 2.11. is made a ſavour of death unto death, 2 Cor. 2.16. the Lords Supper an eating and drinking judgmsnt to our ſelves, 1 Cor. 11.29. and Chriſt himſelf is made for falling, Luke 2.34. and a stone of ſtumbling, and rock of offence, 1 Pet. 2.8. without Chriſts blood taking away ſin, the very book of grace had never been opened, Rev. 5.4. and though the choiceſt in it ſelf, being opened, would never have been uſeful unto us; and ſorer wrath cannot be, than to curſe our very bleſſings, Mal. 2.2. and the very means of grace that they ſhall be uſeleſſe, and for judgment.
6. Upon the whole man; the perſon is under the effects of wrath.
1. Inſlaved to the Divel. This is plain, 1. From the Scriptures. Elſe converting grac… could notaCol. 1.13. deliver from the power of darkneſſe; nor men be ſaid whenb2 Tim. 2.26. God gives repentance, to recover themſelves out of the ſnare of the Divel that were taken captive by him at his will. 2. From the likeneſſe of mans work with Satans; foreign; Men of a Trade are ordinarily of a company together; but here the rule failes not; 1 Joh. 3.8. He that committeth ſin is of the Divel; that is, by doing the ſame work diſcovers himſelf of communion with, and in thraldome to him. The firſt finders of a Craft, are Fathers; and Succeſſors and Imitators in the Craft are called children, Gen. 4.20. we naturally and freely do the Divels work; John 8.44. The luſts of your Father ye will do, and have no minde to the Lords work, nor can brook the ſame to be done circumspectly and exactly by others; Acts 13.10. Thou child of the Divel, enemy of all righteouſneſs. 3. From the community of principles; the very mind and will of Satan is engraven upon our ſpirits, and expreſſe themſelves inefficacy and obſtinacy of ſinning. Theſe principles are Satans image inſtead of Gods. 4. From the natural mans ſubjection to the guidance of Satan; regenerate perſons are led by the Spirit, but Satan filleth the hearts of natural men. He had poſſeſſion of Judas his heart, and by a piece of mony rides deeper into him, and prevails to engage him to betray Chriſt. This is a lamentable branch of the natural mans miſery.
2. He is baniſhed and ſeparated from God, both from conformity to, and communion with him, and doth electively baniſh and caſt himſelf forth of the Lords preſence: This appears,
1. From the former point; viz. mans fellowſhip with Satan; there cannot be fellowſhip with God and with Satan together. Theſe communions are inconſiſtent, in the ſame Spirit, at the ſame time, in a reigning intenſe degree.
2. From Gods end, and his Apoſtles and Miniſters, in the writing, explanation and application of the Scripture. 1 John 1.3. That which we have ſeen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye may have fellowſhip with us; and truly our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Christ. Were this fellowſhip already in the ſtate of nature, there needed not this means of rebringing into fellowſhip with God. Defiers of the evil one with their mouths, are not the leſſe in league with him in their hearts.
3. From the language of the carnal heart; Job 21.14. Depart from us, we deſire not the knowledge of thee. This they ſpeak internally, and the deſire of their ſouls is to be rid of God; notions of God are a ſapleſſe and burdenſome piece of knowledge. Rom. 1.18. They did not like to retain God in their knowledge. To baniſh our ſelves is the heighth of mans ſin and folly; and to be baniſhed, the heighth of the Lords wrath, and of mans miſery.
Now do we know what a man loſeth in the loſſe of God? that is impoſſible for any created underſtanding to conceive!
The world is a Dunge…n without the Sun; the body a carrion without the ſoul; but neither ſo neceſſary as God is to the ſoul. A taſte of the goodneſſe of God, made the world and the lives of the Martyrs nothing to them. Pſal. 30.5. In thy favour is life; & Pſal. 63.3. Thy loving kindneſſe is better than life.
The very heaven of heaven lies in the enjoyment of God, and the hell of hell in the loſſe of him. The loſſe of him is the loſſe of the Fountain from which all kinde of good doth or can come. The loſſe of the cauſe, is the loſſe of all the effects, of all the bleſſed affections, influences, and promiſes of God; The loſſe of all thoſe bleſſed hopes that fill the ſoul with joy unſpeakable, and full of glory. No prayer, praiſes, faith, love, fear, or any ſpark of other grace, are to be found in truth upon the hearth of that heart. Now the perſon in league with the Devil, and baniſhed from, and without God in the world, muſt needs be miſerable and accurſed.
3. He is diſcontented and unprofitable in every condition. Rom. 3.12. They are altogether become unprofitable. The Holy Ghoſt makes a natural man of no more uſe, than rotten things, which we caſt forth to the dunghill for their unprofitableneſſe; This is a dreadful ruine, that a creature ſo excellent, ſhould become unprofitable to others; and very far from comfort to himſelf in any condition. The wife having all for uſe, and the huſbands heart; hath nothing, becauſe not the authority, dominion, and dispoſition, which is proper to the husband. Iſrael have bread and quailes from heaven, and water from the Rock that followed them; a table everywiſe furniſhed for need, and for delight, and yet grumble becauſe not meat for their luſts. Many have all things very good, and the wiſdome of heaven could not carve fitter and better things, and yet all not good enough. Let ſin creep in, and Adam will not be content in Paradiſe, or the Apoſtate Angels in heaven, but leave their own habitation. Go from God, and take thy leave and farewell of contentment and ſatisfaction.
4. He is grown a Wolf and Devil to his brethren. Biting and devouring, Gal. 5.15. tearing, pulling, catching at advantage, flying upon the necks of the weaker. Men execute much of the wrath of God in theſe feuds among themſelves; ſo that the Caution is very neceſſary, Matth. 10.17. Beware of men; in a ſort, as of any wild beaſt, or the very Devils themſelves. This is a glimpſe of that wrath which the Lord draweth forth againſt natural men, in this life before the ſons of men.
2. There are further degrees of this wrath that ruſh in at the end of this life. Rom. 6.23. The wages of ſin is death. The bodies of the very heirs of glory, and which are Temples of the holy Ghoſt, lie trampled upon under rottenneſſe, and ſuffer loſſe of their appointed glory till the laſt day. The Lord batters them, till the houſe tumble about their eares. He layes on load till the heart-ſtrings crack; and to whom Hell is remitted, death is not remitted; thoſe muſt dye, that ſhall not be damned for their ſins, and death ſhall have dominion over them till the morning of the reſurrection. There is a progreſs in Gods wrath, which will not ſtop in the midway, but goes on till it ſhall be accompliſhed, Ezek. 5.13.
3. The full vials and very dregs of this wrath,Pſal. 78.38. ſhall be poured out in the world to come, which now God reins in, and lets not get looſe, and break over the banks; or if it do, calls it back and turneth it away, but then all his wrath ſhall be ſtirred up and let forth to the full.
1. There ſhall be the general judgement of the great day; in which the Lord himſelf ſhall deſcend from heaven in a ſhout, 1 Theſ. 4.16.with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God, and ſhall be revealed. 2 Theſ. 1.7. with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, terribly to execute the curſes of that Law which was ſo terrible in the promulgation. Then ſhall the ſinner be forced from his grave, dragged to the barre, arraigned, the books opened, all the ſecrets of darkneſſe, and of the heart made manifeſt; and the Goats put on the left hand, and have that diſmal ſentence, Go ye curſed, &c. Mat. 25.41.
2. There ſhall be dreadful and final execution, and this ſtands in two things.
1. In loſſe; expulſion from the Lords face, and preſence, and glory. As incurable lepers, from the Camp and fellowſhip of the Saints. For the good things which they never cared for, and from the good things of the world which they graſped, and were their portion; from all hopes of grace, all preachings of peace, all ſtrivings of the Spirit; never a friend to comfort, a ſun to ſhine, a drop of water to cool the tongue, or any bleſſing to come near them any more for ever.
2. In ſenſe; which is ſometimes termed, ſuffering the vengeance of eternal fire, Jude ver. 7. Wrath to come, 1 Theſ. 1.10. where there ſhall be with the damned Angels, ſubjection to the eternal wrath of God, the worm of a guilty conſcience that never dies; where the Lord will beare up the creature with one hand, that it continue in being, and beat it with the other, that it ſhall be ever dying; in death alwayes, and never dead.
Uſe 1. Inform. We may clearly gather divers Corollaries hence.
1. This may inform us of the vast and woful change that ſin hath made. Men could not come, poſſibly, ſuch out of the hands of God. Gen. 1.31. God ſaw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good, and therefore bleſſed; but ſin hath taken him from Mount Gerizim, Deut. 27.12, 13and ſet him upon Ebal; and the miſery now is ſuch, that if the Lord ſhould open the ſame to the conſcience fully, the very view would drive men out of their wits, and men could not tarry in their beds, or relliſh a morſel of bread till delivered, and bleſſed with ſome evidence of deliverance out of that condition.
This may infome us of the cauſleſsneſſe of the offence taken at Miniſters for preaching this point.
Now conſider ſeriouſly,
1. Is there a parallel to the offence, taken here in any other caſe in the whole earth? Who is angry with a watchman for giving notice that the houſe is beſet, and ready to be broken up, or on fire; though all be diſturbed, ſome half-frighted out of their wits, or wholly with the tydings; and very great pudder follows till the houſe be ſecured, and the fire quenched? men migh… otherwiſe have been undone and deſtroyed in their beds. Who flies out againſt a Centinel that gives a true Alarme, and rowzeth the Souldiers at the deadeſt time of the night? he prevents their ſurprizal, or throats being cut in their beds, and the Town from being ſacked. Who ſtorms at a paſſenger that ſticks up a bough in a Quagmire, that other Travellers going ſecurely on, may not be laid faſt ere they think of any danger? Who takes it ill of a friend, that ſeeing a bearded arrow coming that would ſtrike the ſtander next him mortally, puls him aſide with that force poſſibly as to draw his arme out of joint, and the arrow goes not through his heart? Who thinks amiſſe of a Lawyer that opens the badneſſe of his Clients cauſe to him, that he may not inſiſt on a wrong point, in which neceſſarily he muſt be caſt?
2. Should we to avoide your diſpl…aſure, not give you warning, and ſo draw Gods diſpleaſure, Ezek. 3.18, 19. Videſis Greenhil, in loc.and the blood of you periſhing upon our heads? is this good for you or us?
3. Do you well to provoke poor Miniſters to bauke that part of their office which fleſh and blood makes us too willing to have our edge taken off in? Deſire we to be meſſengers of ſad tydings, or rather to come in the abundance of the comforts of the Goſpel? A pettiſh Patient makes the Chyrurgion ſearch the wound leſſe than is neceſſary to a through cure. Ye tempt us to ſtop from ſpeaking needfully of your danger, by your lothneſſe to hear on that ear, and by your rage and regret againſt the teller. Thoſe which have moſt need of faithful intellig…ce of the Lords wrath, have leaſt upon this very ſcore. Job 21.31. Who ſhall declare his way to his face, viz. that is reſpited, and proſpers, and tramples the doctrine under foot, and turns again, and tears the Preacher?
4. This is no other than what the Scripture ſpeaks, and conſcience upon retirements will ſpeak; and Satan will lay in your diſh, and the Lord will pay into your boſome. Will thoſe flye in the Lords face, and of conſcience, telling this ſtory to them, and pronouncing the ſentence againſt them? Oh profane partial ſpirits that cannot endure ſuch Preachers as themſelves ſhall be unto themſelves; that cannot bear the hearing of thoſe terrours that themſelves ſhall be relators and inflicters of upon themſelves! Ye had better have the commodity at the firſt hand; conſcience will preach in another note and loudneſſe than we do, and the more, becauſe your ears have been ſtopped againſt our words.
5. There cannot be a greater madneſſe than not to be able to live under the noiſe and news of this wrath, and yet ſtick under the wrath it ſelf; the hearing makes the ears tingle, but the wrath does not make the heart quake. Ye had better hear the Heralds in the Princes name denouncing the war, and ſend out for peace, than have the Prince himſelf come with fire and ſword into your bowels upon the contempt.
3. This may informe us of the righteouſneſs and wiſdome of the Lord in this wrath annexed and declared againſt ſinne.
1. Conſider the high rewards the Lord hath propounded: The Law is not ſo fiery in comminations againſt ſin, but the Goſpel is as full of a1 Cor. 2.9. 2 Cor. 12.4.grace and promiſes to wayes of duty. Now bring things to the bar of reaſon it ſelf, and may not the Lord annex this dreadful wrath to ſin, that doth annex ſuch glorious incomprehenſible promiſes to the duties and weak ſervices of his people? ſin ſtrictly deſerves; theſe not. May not he puniſh ſeverely, that rewards eminently? how juſt is it that perſons invited to the Supper,Luke 14, 24. and making excuſes, ſhould not taſte thereof? that deſpiſers of the recompences of God ſhould ſuffer eternal loſſe of them, and be ſcourged with the contrary to them?
2. Conſider the Ends the Lord hath deſigned to reach.
1. In the Elect. 1. To startle. Luke 12.5. I will forewarn you whom ye ſhall fear: Fear him which after he hath killed, hath power to caſt into hell; yea, I ſay unto you fear him: Faith in the threatning engenders fear, as faith in the promiſe genders hope; faith and fear were conjoyned in Noah, Heb. 11.7. and wrought together in his obedience and preſervation. 2. To make all things elſe little that meet them in the world, to ſhoulder them off from the truth and homage of Chriſt. A Merchant in a Storme throws his goods over-board; the wrath of God makes the ſtartled ſinner part with any thing, and incur any thing rather than incur that: Moſes had rather incur the wrath of a thouſand Pharaohs, than the wrath of God, becauſe he knew the power of his wrath. As Gods people have rewards promiſed that out-weigh all that they are called to part with; ſo terrours propounded that all other terrours may be over-looked, and incurred rather than theſe. 3. To worme out the eſteems of the world, and the ſenſual pleaſures, honours and profits thereof, the fewel of luſt; there is need of violence to pull out of this fire. Now he that propounds an end, pitches upon means fitted to compaſſe that end. A Cleaver of knotty timber, muſt have a wedge that will go through. The mother that will mean the childe, muſt lay ſuch bitter things on the breſt, as will make the childe loath the milk: So the Lord hath declared thoſe wages to ſin, that ſhall turn the edge of love and liking to ſin. That had need be very bitter, that ſhall make thoſe very ſweets bitter to us: No leſſer evils would work the ſenſe of that evil of ſin into the conſcience. And thoſe ſecretly grudge and complain of the pains as too great, to whom they are too little to awaken and lead them to repentance.
2. In the Reprobate. 1. That he may diſcover his perfect and infinite displeaſure againſt ſin; and in theſe great letters, that all the world may read his full hatred of it. Eli his faint checks, proclaimed his faint diſlikes of his ſons ſins. High diſlikes produce anſwerable checks. Affections in men, are the feet the ſoul goes forth upon; and ſ rong affections goe a very nimble eager pace. The Lord much more, becauſe of his infinite contrariety to ſin. 2. That he may diſcover the power of his juſtice and wrath. Rom. 9.17. For this ſame purpoſe have I raiſed thee up, that I might ſhew my power in thee, and that my Name might be declared throughout all the earth. Thoſe which glorifie not God in that manner which he would, he will glorifie himſelf in the manner that they would not. Pharaoh ſaid, Who is the Lord? and trampled his authority and commands under foot. Now as he did ſometimes bring light out of darkneſſe; and the Apothecary doth Preſervatives out of rank poyſons; ſo the Lord not actively glorified, doth fetch the glory of his power and vindictive juſtice out of ſin it ſelf. The walkers in greateſt pride and ſcorne of God, the Lord will have everlaſting glory in their everlaſting ſmart; and he will ſo puniſh, that heaven and hell ſhall ring of his juſtice and power, and diſplicence againſt ſin, and that his threatnings to the utmoſt are made good, and were not ſcare-crowes.
3. Conſider the dreadful aggravations of ſin. It is,
1. A confederacy with the devil. A ſworn ſervant about the Princes perſon, to contract amity, and hold correſpondence with the worſt of his enemies, makes the ſin riſe, and his judgement without pity. Should a Chriſtian fall from a mild and gracious Prince without a cauſe, and ſide with the Turk, or worſhipper of the devil, againſt him, we ſhould think no puniſhment too much for him.
2. A defection from, and inſurrection againſt God, and ateaſing the Lord into the liſts and field. 1 Cor. 10.22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealouſie? are we ſtronger than he? Goliah challenges and defies the Hoſt of Iſrael, till David comes forth, and ſends a ſtone into his braines, and cuts his head off with his own ſword, and gives his fleſh to the fouls of heaven; ſo ſinners, till they draw the Lord, and the weight of his infinite and eternal diſpleaſure forth againſt themſelves, even that weight which ſinks them, and they are never able to riſe from under it again. Now ſins riſe, as the quality of the perſon that they are done againſt. He that flies in my face, and gives me blows and wounds thereby, there is an Action of battery and damages to be had againſt him; He that doth the ſame againſt the Judge of Aſſize, or the King upon the Throne, that is Treaſon, and his life and eſtate are hardly enough to make amends for it. The infinity of God, makes the infinity of the evil and meritoriouſneſs of wrath in ſin. The Majeſty riſes, and ſo the guilt and demerit riſes infinitely.
3. The contempt of all means uſed for fetching the Rebel in. How often would I have gathered you? Mat. 23.37.— and ye would not. Men ſtand out, and if they could have ſtood, would have ſtood out, and continued hoſtility againſt heaven for ever. How equal is it, that a creature nigh to God, falling off to the devil without a cauſe, and which chooſes to have God his enemy, and that no means can reduce, though the danger and evil of ſin be evidenced, and his inability to ſtand, an act of oblivion offered, and higheſt preferment, and yet will not come in: How juſt is it, that he reap the fruit of his continuing at a diſtance from his Soveraign, and in diſobedience againſt him?
4. This may inform us of the distemper and pride of mans heart, that will charge his miſery anywhere rather than upon himſelf. 1. Upon inſtruments forreign that do inflict, rather than ſin within, for which the ſame is inflicted. The Lord ſcourges ſin by that which is the inflicters ſin too. They have no Warrant to do, and yet we juſtly ſuffer from them as Organs of wrath in Gods hand. 2. Upon God himſelf. Prov. 19.3. The fooliſhneſſe of man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth againſt the Lord. The Malefactour blames the Judge, when it was himſelf that delivered himſelf over into the Judges power, and Armed the Law with power of doing all that is done againſt him.
5. This may informe us of the gr…unds and advantages the Lord hath given us to humility, and ſelf-abaſement. Wipe the ſweat off from thy brows, and ſay, This is the fruit of ſin. See the cloaths on thy back, and theſe are the coverings of that ſhame which came in by ſin; look into thy body, ſoul, estat…, relations, perſon, whatſoever is crooked and afflictive, pertains to this account, and is to be ſet at the foot of ſin. When beaten, conſider the fault that thou art beaten for, and accept of the puniſhment of thy iniquity, Lev. 26.41. Thy eye cannot turn, but there are remembrances of ſin, and provocations to lay thy ſelf in the duſt before the Lord.
6. This may informe us of their folly, that kindle this wrath yet more. The Princes ſpake well to the two Tribes and a half, Joſh. 22.17. Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleanſed untill this day? &c. So are thoſe wrath-provoking pollutions of nature too little for us, by which we are ſo far defiled and troubled unto this day, that by increaſes of ſin we ſhould augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord? Num. 32.14. while abiding in this eſtate, ye do this more and more continually.
Uſe 2. Exhort. and this is double.
1. To carnal and unregenerate perſons: Ariſe ye and depart, for this is not your reſt, Micah 2.10. This is not an eſtate to be quietly abode one moment in.
Motive 1. Who can dwell with this wrath which God deſcribes to be 1. Burning wrath; Job 19.11. He hath kindled his wrath againſt me. 2. Tearing wrath; this ſet the Bears awork, 2 Kings 2.23. Conſider this yet that forget God, lest he tear you in pieces. Pſal. 50.22.3. Piercing wrath, that goeth down into the very inwards of the conſcience, when all viſible bleſſings ſtand intire round about, and not a haire of the head is ruffled. This curſe often works in the middle of bleſſings, and ripens by them inſenſibly for hell it ſelf. 4. Abiding wrath; the priſoners of which are bound hand and foot, and there is no ſtarting, Zach. 5.4. 5. Surpriſing wrath; Job 20.23. When he is about to fill his belly, God ſhall caſt the fury of his wrath upon him, and ſhall raine it upon him while he is eating, and ſo of all other times, is moſt chearful. 6. Reſerved wrath; Job 21.30. 2 Pet. 2.9. which like a woman with childe will travel, till it have brought forth judgment againſt all the enemies of the Lord though upon Thrones, and having Nations under their feet, Pſal. 78.30, 31. Was Sodom a City fit to be dwelt in, eſpecially for Lot, when the Lord had given him notice of the cloud of fire and brimſtone hovering, and ready to come down upon the ſame? This Climate is too hot for any that have ſpiritual ſenſes, to dwell a minute in.
2. Shall all our warnings be loſt, that tell you of the ſtorme, meerly to drive you under covert; and that ye may underſtand and favour that glorious name,1 Theſ. 1.10. Jeſus that delivers from wrath to come! The Avenger of blood is in your necks, to quicken your haſte into this City of Refuge. Why ſhould ye make the Furnace-hotter, and to the Fathers wrath which is quenchable in the blood of Chriſt, ſuperadde the wrath of the Lambe, which is abſolutely unquenchable? Shall we only ſtand forth to clear the juſtice of the Lord againſt you in the laſt day?
3. The great and ſwaying care of all Gods people aſſoon as ever they ſaw themſelves in the glaſſe of the Law of liberty, Jam. 1.15.was to be found in Chriſt, Phil. 3.9. This was Pauls prevailing care, when ſought for, and to be ſet to Gods bar, to be found cloathed with Chriſts righteouſneſſe, and to have his Image legibly ingraven upon him; the like care ſhould be ours.
Directions.1. Stir up ſhame, and ſorrow, and fear, and indignation againſt your ſelves; no ſins are heavier than thoſe we count light of; Ezek. 8.17. Is it a light thing to the houſe of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? Take this oppoſitely to a double evil. 1. Men pare and leſſen their ſins, and make a very ſmall matter of them, and conſider not, that leſſening their own indignation, they increaſe Gods. Prov. 14.9. Fools make a mock at ſin; chap. 10.23. It is a ſport to a fool to do miſchief: So thoſe, Iſa. 57.4. Againſt whom do you ſport your ſelves? Againſt whom do ye make a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? They fell to other gods, and laughed the Prophet to ſcorne, that made ſuch a buſineſſe of it; ſo when Chriſt and grace, and life were offered, Mat. 22.5. they made light of it, and went their ways; that is, made light of grace, and of the ſin of contempt of grace. 2. Men ſtick in vile practiſes, and think their ſacrifices and prayers will ſalve all up again, which the Lord ſo earneſtly declares againſt, Iſa. 1.14. But ſtir ye up ſorrow,2 Cor. 7.11. ſhame, diſpleaſure; repentance hath theſe adjuncts, and proceeds to, and deals with, and chiefly, with this firſt bottome-ſinne.
2. Lie down meekly at the Lords feet; this follows upon the practice of the firſt direction. 1. In ſubmiſſion to any the ſharpeſt diſpenſations. As paſſions ſtir up paſſions, and one Coale kindles another; ſo our frettings, the Lords wrath. There are tangs of this ſin in the godly themſelves;2 Sam. 6.8. Jonah 4.5. but grace takes it by the throat. Pſal. 51.4. 2. In ſupplication.Jer. 10.24. Pſal. 6.1. The Lords ſervants have humbly and earneſtly deprecated wrath.
3. Embrace the Lord Jeſus in the force of all his bleſſed offices, and then go flie to, and lift up thy face without spot before the Father in him. Know 1. That it is a dreadful thing to have a ſettled Warre and plague in a Nation; much more to be in the Jews caſe, that rejected, and would not be under the bleſſing of Chriſt, and are under the curſe of God, and wrath is come upon them to the uttermoſt; and hath reſted already theſe One thouſand ſix hundred years.1 Theſ. 2.16. 2. That there is no other remedy propounded to remove this wrath, which we came into the world children and heires of, but only Christ. He hath the keyes of hell and death, Acts 4.12. Rev. 1.18.to let the ſoul out of the body, and into hell when he will; to inferre and remove wrath. If any receive not him, this wrath tarries ſtill, and will cleave to, and abide upon him for ever. John 3.36.He ſpeaks with authority. Luke 19.27. Thoſe mine enemies— bring them and ſlay them before me; and it ſhall be done. 3. That the Pſalmiſt makes it (as it is) a point of wiſdome in the greateſt, to kiſſe the Son with a kiſſe of homage and ſubjection,Pſal. 2, 11, 12. leaſt he be angry; what is the danger of that? and ye periſh in the war; of your hopes and purpoſes, and never compaſſe grace nor glory. If his wrath be kindled but a little, bleſſed are all thoſe which put their truſt in him. 4. That then ye may plead with the Lord with humble boldneſſe. Pſal. 74.1. Why doth thine anger ſmoak againſt the Sheep of thy Paſture? remember thy Congregation which thou haſt purchaſed of old, the rod of thine inheritance which thou haſt redeemed, &c. 5. And aſſure your hearts of welcome. Prov. 21.14. A gift in ſecret pacifieth wrath, and a reward in the boſome ſtrong wrath. Mark their policy, Acts 12.10. and be aſſured the relations of Chriſt, are beloved of the Father. Job 33.24. Then he is gracious to him, and ſaith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ranſome.
2. To thoſe which the Lord hath tranſlated out of their natural condition.
1. Bring the work often to the touchſtone, that you may not boaſt in a falſe gift; gold will endure the teſt, and be more fully manifeſted to be gold indeed; and finding the work to be right, live with an enlarged heart to the praiſe of that grace which hath made this change.
2. Deal ſeriouſly in the mortification of ſin, which God only ſtrikes at; and in order thereto, count ſin the worſt of evils; if this were done; and throughly, and fixedly done in our ſpirits, there is nothing of any other directions would be left undone. To ſet up this judgement, there needs,
1. Ploughing carefully with the Lords heifer, viz. ſearch into the Oracles of God; there, and there only are lively portraitures of ſin, and the genuine products and traine of ſin.
2. The eye-ſalve of the Spirit. We are blinder than Batts in this matter; and are indiſpoſed very much, or rather wholly, to let this truth ſink down into our hearts.
3. Applications to the Throne of grace. None but thoſe which deal in good earneſt in heaven, will ſee the hell and myſtery of ſin in themſelves. He gives the Holy Ghoſt to them which ask him.
4. Excuſſions and communings with your ſelves. Prov. 20.27. The ſpirit of man is the candle of the Lord, ſearching all the inward parts of the belly; and duly made uſe of, will tell many ſtories correſpondent to the Word of truth; uſe conſcience, and uſe therewith another and bigger candle, to rummage the dark room of thy heart with. Superadde to conſcience, the ſuccours of the Word and Spirit, and thou ſhalt do ſomething in the ſearch; and finde out convictively, the ſwarms of evil in thine own heart.
5. The work of grace. There will be elſe a beam in the eye, and plaine things will not be plaine to us; Gods work holds intelligence, and is of amicable affinity with his Word; grace hath the only excellent faculty in looking through ſin.
6. Attendance to the Lords adminiſtrations againſt ſin; God writes in great letters in the world, what he had firſt written in the Scriptures; every breach by ſin, ſhould lead down into more hatred, brokenneſſe of ſpirit, and ſhame before the Lord for ſinne. This is the engaging evil; this engages God and the holy Angels, and Devils, and the very man againſt himſelf. Nothing can be his friend, to whom ſin hath made God an enemy. Wo to the man that is in this ſenſe alone, and hath heaven and earth, and hell, and all within the Continent of them, againſt him; it is impoſſible for that mans heart and hands to ſtand ſtrong. This is the mighty prevailing evil. Never was man ſo ſtout, as to ſtand before the face of ſin, but he ſhivered, and was like a garment eaten up of moths. This hath fretted the joynts of Kingdomes in pieces,Pſal. 39.11. and made the goodlieſt houſes in the world a heap of rubbiſh;Zech. 5.4. will make Bab lon that ſits as a Queen, an habitation of Divels, Rev. 18.2.and the hold of every foule ſpirit, and a Cage of every unclean and hateful birds; made the Angels Divels, and heaven it ſelf too hot for them. Never were the like changes made as by ſinne; grace makes not changes of richer comfort, than ſin doth of diſmal conſequence; it is made by the Holy Ghoſt an argument of the infinity of the power of God to pardon and ſubdue ſinne, Micah 7.18.
3. Bear all afflictions incident to an holy courſe chearfully. The Martyrs went joyfully into the fire, becauſe the flames of hell were quenched to them; bore their Croſſe eaſily, becauſe no curſe and damnation to them in Chriſt Jeſus, Gal. 3.13.
4. Reduce your anger to the ſimilitude of Gods, which is very ſlowly kindled, and is an intenſe holy diſplicence only againſt ſin;Pſal. 103.8. and is cleanſ'd from all dregs of raſhneſſe, injuſtice and diſcompoſure; ſuch zeal ſhould eat us up.John 2.17.