Christ Crucified, Sermon 3
SERMON III.
ISAIAH LIII.I.
Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
THe moſt part of Men and Women think not much of the preached Goſpel, yet if it were conſidered what is the Lord's end in it, it would be the moſt refreſhful News that ever People heard, to hear the Report of a Saviour; that is, and ſhould be, great and glad Tydings of great Joy to all Nations; and we ſhould be ſo compoſed to hear ſuch News from God, and concerning His Will and our own well, as to be ſutably affected with them; It's a wonder that God hath ſent ſuch a Report to People, and in it hath laid Chriſt ſo near them, that He puts Him home to them, and lays Him before them, even at their Feet as it were; and as great a wonder, that when the Lord hath condeſcended to give ſuch a Saviour, and b…ought Him ſo near, that all He calleth for is Faith, to believe the Report, or rather Faith in Him of whom the Report is, which is the ſecond thing in the words.
The ſecond thing then, is, The Duty that lyes on People to whom the Lord ſends the Goſpel, or this Report concerning Chriſt, and ye may take it in this general; That it lyes on all that hear the Goſpel to believe the Report that it brings concerning Chriſt, and by Faith to receive Him who is holden out to them in it; this is clearly implyed, Iſaiah and all Miniſters are ſent to report concerning Him, and to bear witneſs of Him, and its the duty of all Hearers to believe it, and this is the ground of his and their complaint when People do not believe it: By comparing this Text with Rom. 10.16. and John 12.38. we ſhew that it is ſaving Faith that is here to be underſtood.
I ſhall take up this Doctrine in three Branches, which we will find in the words, and which will make way for the Uſe. 1. That a People to whom Chriſt is offered in the Goſpel, may warrantably accept of Chriſt, or, the offering of Chriſt in the Goſpel is warrand enough to believe on Him; otherwiſe there had been no juſt ground of expoſtulation and complaint for not believing; for though the complaint will not infer that they had ability to Believe, yet it will infer they had a warrand to Believe; for the complaint is for the neglect of the Duty they were called to. 2. That they to whom Chriſt is offered in the Goſpel are called to Believe, it's their Duty to do it, thus, Believing, in all that hear this Goſpel, is neceſſary, by neceſſity of command, even as Holineſs, Repentance, &c. are. 3. That ſaving Faith is the way and mean by which theſe that have Chriſt offered to them in the Goſpel, come to get a Right to Him, and to obtain the Benefites that are reported of to be had from Him; thus Believing is neceſſary as a mids to the end of getting Chriſt, and all that is i… Him: This is alſo here implyed in the regrate made of the want of Faith, which prejudgeth Men of Chriſt, and of the Benefites of the Goſpel.
We ſhall ſhortly put by the firſt of theſe, which is, That all that hear the Goſpel preached, have Warrand to believe and receive Chriſt for their eternal Peace, and for making up of the breach betwixt God and them; this preached Goſpel gives you all Warrand to accept of Jeſus Chriſt, and ye would not ſeek after, nor call for another. I ſhall firſt premit two diſtinctions to clear this, and then ſecondly confirm it. As for the firſt of the two diſtinctions that ſerve to clear it, We may take up the Goſpel more largely and complexly, in a Covenant-form, holding out Chriſt and His Benefites on condition of Believing; or we may take it up as it holds out a Promiſe, without particular mentioning of a Condition: Now, when we ſay that the Goſpel commands and warrands all that hear it to accept the Offer, we do not mean the laſt, that all that hear the Goſpel have Warrand to accept the Promiſe without a Condition; but the firſt, that is, that all the Hearers of the Goſpel are commanded to accept of Chriſt offered; there is by the preaching of it, a Warrand to cloſe with the Report, and then to meddle with, and take hold of the Promiſes, and the things promiſed; ſo that it's the Goſpel conditionally propoſed that gives warrand to Believe, as Believing reſts on Chriſt for obtaining Life in Him. The ſecond Diſtinction is, That we would conſider Faith, as it reſts on Chriſt for obtaining Union with Him, and Right to the Promiſes; or, as it applyes and makes uſe of the Benefites to be gotten in and by Chriſt; the Offer of the Goſpel gives not to all a Warrand to apply the Benefites to be gotten by Chriſt inſtantly, but it warrands them to cloſe with Him firſt, and then to apply His Benefites.
Secondly, For confirmation of this Truth, That the general preaching of the Goſpel is a Warrand for believing and exerciſing Faith on Jeſus Chriſt, for making our Peace with God: It's clear from theſe Gr…nds. 1. From the nature of the Goſpel, it's the Word of God, as really invitng to do that which it calls for, as if God were ſpeaking from Heaven; it's the Word of God, and not the word of Man, and hath as reall Authority to call for Obedience, as if God ſpake it immediatly from Heaven; and the Word of Promiſe is as really His Word, as the Word of Command, and therefore to be reſted on and improven, as well as we are to endeavour obedience to the Command; and if we think that God's Teſtimony is true, and if we lay any juſt weight on theſe three Witneſſes teſtifying from Heaven, and on theſe other three teſtifying from Earth, 1 Joh. 5.7. then we may reſt on Jeſus Chriſt offered in this Goſpel, and believe, that theſe who reſt on Him ſhall have Life; for it is, as we ſaid, as really God's Word, as if He were ſpeaking it audibly from Heaven. 2. It may be confirmed from theſe ſolemn things, the Word and Oath of God, whereby He hath mightily confirmed the external Offer of the Goſpel, even the two immutable things wherein it is impoſſible for Him to lie, that theſe who are fled for refuge, to lay hold on the Hope ſet before them, may have ſtrong Conſolation, as it is Heb. 6.18. And God having thus ſaid and ſworn anent this external Covenant, for this very end, that the Hearers of the Goſpel may know, that they who receive Chriſt offered therein, ſhall have Life, it is Warrand ſufficient to believe on Him for Life: It's alſo for this end that He ha…h put Seal… to the Covenant, Circumciſion and the Paſſover in the Old, and Baptiſm and the Lords Supper in the New Teſtament; which are extended, not only to the Elect, but to Profeſſors in the viſible Church, that every one who is baptized and admitted to the Communion, may have confirmation of this, that the Offer that God maketh of Life through Chriſt, is a true and real Offer, and will be made good to the Perſons that ſhall receive it, and ſo perform the Condition. 3. It may be confirmed from the End for which God hath appointed the Word and Miniſtry in His Church, even to make the Offer of Chriſt and Life through Him, John 20.31. Theſe things are written, that ye might believe that Jeſus Chriſt is the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through his Name; the Word is both written and preached for this very End. 4. And laſtly, It's confirmed from the experience of all the Saints, and from the ground on which they believed, which was the ſame that we have; they had no other ground but the ſame Goſpel and Word that we have; it was not the ſecret operation or inſtinct of the Spirit, it's that indeed which works Faith, but it was the Word which was the ground of their Faith, for there is no warrand for Faith but in the Word; and as many Believers as have gone before us, are as ſo many inſtances and experiences to confirm this Truth to us.
Uſe. It ſerves for good uſe to ſuch as may fall to doubt and diſpute what warrand they have to Believe, we ſay, ye have as good warrand as Abraham, David, Paul, or any of the Godly that lived before you had; ye have the ſame Goſpel-Covenant and Promiſes, it was always God's Word preached which was the ground of Faith; and there needs not be much diſputing what is God's Purpoſe, for we are not called to look to that in the matter of Believing more then in the matter of our Duty; and as it were evil reaſoning to diſpute what may be God's Purpoſe in the matter of Duty when we are called to it, it's as bad reaſoning to diſpute His Purpoſe in the matter of Faith: And therefore we leave this Uſe with a word of Adver…iſement, That this Goſpel as it layes Chriſt before you, it gives you Warrand to receive Him, and reſt upon Him, and we may ſay as Paul did, Acts 13.38, 39. Be it known unto you therefore men and brethren, that through this Name is preached unto you forgiveneſs of ſins, and by him all that believe are juſtified from all things, from which they could not be juſtified by the Law of Moſes; There is the Way held out for obtaining pardon of Sin, and Peace, the Lord hath made the Offer, and laid a fair Bridge over the Gulf of Diſtance betwixt God and Sinners, though ye ſhould never get good of it, and though ye ſhould never ſet a Foot on the Bridge; none needs to fear to ſtep forward, behold our Lord Jeſus hath holden out the Golden Scepter, His Call may be Warrand enough to come; the Preaching of this Goſpel ſtops all Diſputing, and baniſheth debating of the Buſineſs; it Calls all the Hearers of it, and gives them Warrand to come forward; and it's ſuch a Warrand as they will be found Slighters of the Great Salvation offered, who had this Door opened to them and did not ſtep forward, for as the Apoſtle ſays, 2 Cor. 6. Behold now is the day of ſalvation, behold now is the accepted time; and Heb. 2.2. If the word ſpoken by Angels was ſtedfast, and every tranſgreſſion and diſobedience received a just recompence of reward, how ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great ſalvation? which at the first began to be ſpoken by the Lord, &c. It's the ſame Goſpel that from the beginning hath been preached to Sinners, and this is the reaſon why the Goſpel is called Grace, in that 2 Cor. 6.1. We beſeech you that ye receive not this grace of God in vain; and Gal. 2. at the cioſe, I do not frustrate the grace of God; for many get the Warrand and Paſs to come and receive Chriſt, who put it up in their Pocket as it were, and make no uſe of it, as the Man that hid the Talent in his Napkin; the Bonds of Marriage are proclaimed, and the Warrand given forth, and yet they halt and come not to the Wedding.
We ſhall add the ſecond Branch, which is, That this Goſpel where it comes and offers Jeſus Chriſt to Sinners. Men and Women are not only warranded to come, but required and commanded to come, the great Duty that the Goſpel calls for is Believing; it leaves it not indifferent to Believe or not, but peremptorily lays it on as a Command; ye hear many Preachings, and Chriſt often ſpoken of, now this is the great thing called for from you, even Believing in Chriſt, and while it is not performed, there is no Obedience given to the Goſpel.
We ſhall firſt confirm, and then make uſe of this Branch of the Doctrine.
1. For Confirmation, take theſe Grounds, 1. From the manner how the Coſpel propoſeth Faith, it's by way of Command in the Imperative Mood, Believe, Come ye that are weary, &c. Come to the Wedding, open, &c. wherein ſomewhat of the nature of Faith is held out, all theſe being the ſame with Believing. 2. It's not only commanded as other things are, but peculiarly commanded, and there is a greater weight laid on the obedience of this Command, then on the doing of many other commanded Duties; It's the ſum of all Chriſt's Preaching, Mar. 1. Repent and believe the Goſpel; it's the only command which Paul propoſes to the Jaylor, Acts 16. Believe in the Lord Jeſus, &c. 3. It's as it were the peculiar Command that Jeſus Chriſt hath left to His People, 1 John 3.22. This is his commandment, that we ſhould believe on the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt; and this Command of Believing on Him, is the peculiar Command left to, and laid on Miniſters to preſs. 4. It will be clear, if we conſider, that the great Diſobedience that He quarrels for, is, when there is not Believing, when Sinners will not come to Him, this is His Quarrel, John 5.40. Ye will not come to me that ye may have life, and here, Who hath believed our report? ſo Matth. 23. I would have gathered you and ye would not; and John 12.37. Though he did many mighty works among them, yet they believed not on him. 5 Look to the nature of the Offer made by Chriſt, and to the End of it, and ye will find that the great thing called for, is the receiving of it, which is nothing elſe but Believing; and all our Preachings of Chriſt, and of His Benefites, are uſeleſs without it; without this he wants the ſatisfaction he calls for, for the travel of his Soul; and without it the Hearers of this Goſpel profite not, 1 Pet. 1.9. Receiving the end of your faith, the ſalvation of your ſouls; the ſubordinate End of Preaching, to wit, the ſalvation of our Souls, cannot be attained without Faith.
The Uſes are three. 1. It ſerveth to be a ground for us to propoſe the main Goſpel-Duty to you, and to teach you what is the great and main thing ye are called to; it is even to Believe in Jeſus Chriſt, to exerciſe Faith on Him; it's not only that your Life ſhould be civil, and formal; that ye ſhould Read, Pray, frequent Ordinances, learn the Catechiſm, and ſuch like; but this is it, to Believe on Jeſus Chriſt for the obtaining of Life, and remiſſion of Sins through Him; and it's not a thing indiff…rent to you, but commanded, and with this certification, that if ye Believe not, ye ſhall never get Life nor pardon of Sin; and therefore, as we tell you that remiſſion of Sins is preached to you through Chriſt, ſo we command and charge you to believe on Him, and receive this Goſpel, wherein He is offered, for the remiſſion of Sins.
For clearing of this Uſe, and that we may have the more ready acceſs to Application, We ſhall ſpeak a word to theſe three. Firſt, To ſeveral kinds of true Faith, three whereof are no… ſaving; or to the ordinary diſtinctions of Faith. Secondly, To the Scripture expreſſions that hold out the nature of ſaving Faith. Thirdly, To ſome differences betwixt this ſaving Faith, and falſe and counterfite Faith, or theſe acts of true Faith more generally taken, which yet are not ſaving.
For the firſt of theſe, When we ſpeak of Faith, we ſhall draw it to theſe four kinds ordinarily ſpoken of, and ſhall no… alter nor add to the common diſtinctions of Faith, though there may be moe given. The firſt is Hiſtorical Faith, which may be called true, being it whereby we aſſent to the truth of a thing, becauſe of his ſuppoſed fidelity that telleth it; as when an Author writes a Hiſtory, we give it credit upon report that he was an honeſt Man that wrot it: So Hiſtorical Faith is, when People hearing the Word preached or read, they aſſent to the truth of it all; and do not queſtion but that Chriſt came to the World, that He was God and Man in one Perſon, that He died and roſe the third day, and aſcended to Heaven, that they that Believe on Him ſhall be ſaved, &c. and taking the Word to be God's Word, they may give to it a higher aſſent then they give to any Mans word, becauſe God is worthy, infinitly worthy of more credit than any Man, yea then all Men, and Angels too: There may be, I ſay, in this Hiſtorical Faith of Divine Truths, a higher or greater aſſent then there is in believing of any Humane Hiſtory, which may be the reaſon why many miſtake Hiſtorical Faith, and yet it is but of the ſame kind, and a thing which m…ny Reprobates have, as John 2. at the cloſe, it's ſaid, Many believed on him when they ſaw the miracles which he did, but Jeſus did not commit himſelf unto them; they were brought to believe from the Signs which they ſaw, that He was more than a meer Man, and that it was the Word of God which He ſpoke, and yet it was but a Hiſtorical Faith; yea this Faith may be, and is in Devils, who are ſaid James 2.9. to believe and tremble; there are many, who, if they believe Chriſt to be God and Man, and the Word to be true, think it enough; yet James having to do with ſuch, tells them, that the Devils believe as much as that, and more thorowly then many that h…ve that Hiſtor… cal Faith; he knows God to be true, and One that cannot lie, and he finds it to his coſt; he knows that ſuch as Believe cannot Periſh, for he cannot get one of them to Hell; he knows that there is a time ſet when Chriſt will come to judge the World, and himſelf among the reſt, and therefore he ſays often to Him, torment me not before the time; and as the Devil hath this Faith, ſo there are many in Hell that have it too, the rich Glutton had it, therefore he bids go tell his Brethren that they come not to that place of torment, and its told him, they have Moſes and the Prophets, &c. which ſays that he then felt the truth of many things he would not believe before: This I ſpeak, that ye may know, that this Hiſtorical Faith is the firſt ſtep of Faith, but it may be in Hell, and ſo in many in whom ſaving Faith is not; its really a wonder that Folks that are called Chriſtians ſhould own this to be ſaving Faith, and think they are well come too, when they are only come the Devils length in Believing, yea, there are many that never came his length, elſe they would tremble more. The ſecond ſort of Faith, is, the Faith of Miracles, which is often ſpoken of in the New Teſtament, as when the Lord ſayeth, If ye had ſaith as a grain of muſtard-ſeed, ye ſhould ſay to this mountain, be thou removed and cast into the ſea, and it ſhould be done; there was an active Faith to work Miracles, and a paſſi…e Faith to receive the particular effect the M…racle did produce; ſome had the Faith of Miracles to heal, and others to be healed; this is an extraordinary thing, and Folks may go to Heave… without it, and go to Hell with it, though they cannot go to Heaven without Hiſtorical Faith; hence it's ſaid, Many ſhall come to me in that day, and ſhall ſay, we have caſten out devils in thy Name, to whom he will ſay, depart from me ye workers of iniquity: And the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Cor. 13.2. If I had all faith, and could remove mountains, if I want charity, it avails me nothing; this Faith of Miracles availeth not alone to Salvation, becauſe it acts not on Chriſt holden out in the Promiſes, as a Saviour to ſave from Sin, but on Chriſt, as having power and ability to produce ſuch an Effect; which may be where there is no quiting of a Man's own Righteouſneſs, and if there be not Grace in the Perſon that hath it, it is an occaſion of Pride: We call you then to Hiſtorical Faith, as neceſſary, though not ſufficient, but not to this Faith of Miracles, it being neither neceſſary nor ſufficient. A third ſort of Faith is Temporary Faith, ſpoken of Matth. 13. and ſet out under the Parable of the Seed ſowen on ſtony Ground, which ſoon ſprings up, but withers; ſo ſome Hearers of the Goſpel receive the Word with joy, and are affected with it, but endure not: The difference betwixt this and Hiſtorical Faith, is, that Hiſtorical Faith as ſuch, conſiſts in the Judgement, and reaches not the Affections, at beſt it reaches not the affection of Joy, for though the Devils tremble, yet they are never glad; Temporary Faith reaches the Affections, and will make a Man, as to tremble at the Threatnings, as Felix did; ſo, ſome way to delight himſelf in the Promiſes of the Goſpel, and to ſmack then as it were from the apprehenſion of the ſweet taſte and reliſh he finds in them: It is even here (as it were) told a whole Man, that a Phyſician is come to Town, he is neither up nor down with it, but tell it to a ſick Man, and he is fain, from an apprehended poſſibility of a Cure, yet the apprehended poſſibility of the Cure, never ſends him to the Phyſician, nor puts him to apply the Cure. The fourth ſort is Saving Faith, which goeth beyond all the reſt, and brings the ſick Man to the Phyſician, and to make uſe of the Cure; there may be ſome meaſure of true Saving Faith, where there is not much Temporary Faith, or moving of the Affections, and there may be a conſiderable meaſure of Temporary Faith, where there is no Saving Faith at all, even as a fallen-Star may ſeem to glance more then a fixed one that is over-clouded, yet it hath no ſolid Light. Know then, that Faith is called for, but take not every ſort of Faith for Saving Faith; it would make tender Hearts bleed to ſee ſo many miſtake in the matter of their Faith; there are ſome who ſay, they had Faith all their days; O that ye were convinced of the lamentable deceit and deluſion that ye are under, and that ye could diſtinguiſh betwixt Faith and Preſumption, betwixt Hiſtorical and Temporary Faith, and true Saving Faith, though the two former be not Deluſions, but in ſo far as ye reſt on the ſame, and take them for Saving Faith, ye are deluded, for Saving Faith puts you out of your ſelves to reſt on Jeſus Chriſt.