Milk for Babes in Christ, Sermon 2

Milk for Babes in Christ · Sermon 2

p. 121ELECTION Before the FOVNDATION of the WORLD.

Sermon II.

Act. 13.48.

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord, and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

YOu have in this chapter, Paul preaching forgiveness of sins by Jesus Christ, assuring the people, that whosoever believe on him shall be justified from all that they could not be justified by the Law of Moses; all that believe, p. 122Jew and Gentile; here he holdeth forth the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ to be unto all and upon all them that believe, and sheweth them that Christ is set to be a light of the Gentiles, that he should be for salvation to the ends of the earth; now many of the Jews spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming, and put away this Doctrine of Grace; but when the Gentiles heard this, they glorifyed the word of the Lord; and though so many despised, rejected, and set Christ at naught, yet saith he, as many as were ordained to eternal life believed; those among them that belonged to the election of Grace, the Lord gave them Faith, overcame their hearts to believe on his dear son; the word that is translated ordained, is foreign, it signifieth chosen, appointed, ordained; some would translate the words, as many as were fitted and disposed in themselves for eternal life, believed; but what an absurd things is this? for then it would follow, that men were fitted for eternal life before they believed, when as Christ faith, He that believeth on the son, hath everlasting life.

Doctrine 1. That the God of all Grace, whose counsel shall stand, and who will do all his pleasure out of meer Grace, hath absolutely ordained, chosen, and appointed a certain number of poor sinners unto eternal life and glory.

p. 123Doct. 2. That though so many despise and slight Christ; yet those who are ordained, chosen, and appointed unto eternal life, shall certainly believe through Grace; the Lord will give them Faith.

We begin with the first of these Doctrines; for the opening of which, according to the measure of the gift of Christ we shall

I. Shew you how this ordaining and chosing unto eternal life is held forth in the Scriptures.

1. Its held forth to be from all eternity; this choosing is not in time; we love him because he first loved us, Ephes. 1.4. Deus nihil cognoscit, vel vult, jam, quod etiam ah aeterno non noverit atque voluerit. Piscators Theses. p. 309.Who hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that is to say, we who now believe in Christ, were chosen in him from all eternity; so Rom. 9.11, 12, 13. Before the children were yet born, neither had done good or evil, that the purpose of God according to Election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated; let not Christians think that God did not ordain them to eternal life before they believed; O he loved you with a Jacob. love from all eternity, as 2 Tim. 1.9. before the world began; And saith Job concerning God, he is of one minde, and who can turn him? and, saith he, performeth p. 124the thing that is appointed for me; God is not of one minde in time, and in another from eternity, but of one minde. (Job 23. 14.)

2. The Lords ordaining a certain number to eternal life, was not out of a foresight of their faith and good works, Ephes. 4.4. he chose us that we should be holy, not that he foresaw we of our selves would be more holy and better then others; but that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; and therefore this is no Doctrine that will make men despair, as the Papists imagine, and the By-shops of iniquity in former times, who therefore forbad any to preach Election from all eternity; but I say its no Doctrine to make men despair; for though they at present be wicked and prophane yet seeing the Lord hath not elected any for any deserts in themselves, but hath loved them freely, they have no cause to despair that they belong not to the Election of Grace; therefore Ephes. 1.5. saith the Apostle, Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Iesus Christ according to the good pleasure of his will; I, thats the reason why the Lord hath ordained any of you to eternal life; not for any desert in you above others, but it was the fathers pleasure to give you a kingdom; the Lord was free either to ordain you to eternal life, or to damn you; but it was his pleasure, the good pleasure of his will; when the Lord from all eternity had all p. 125the sons of men in his eye, he had mercy upon whom he would have mercy, and ordered our eternal conditions according to the counsel of his own will.

3. God hath ordained Jesus Christ his dear son to be the way and means by which those whom he hath ordained to eternal life shall be saved, and by no other means; therefore a certain number are said in the Text to be ordained unto eternal life; so the Lord Jesus, the Apostle saith, 1 Pet. 1. 20. was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world; hence in that place named before, we are said to be chosen in him who hath suffered for our sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God; he was ordained to bring us to that eternal life, unto which we were ordained by the father; hence also doth the Apostle say the gift of God is eternal life through Iesus Christ our Lord, (Rom. 6. ult.) and saith he in another place, In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lye promised before the world began, (Tit. 1.2. 2 Tim. 19.) this eternal life was promised to Christ as the head of that body the Church, for whom he was to die; and in another place saith he Who hath saved and called us, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; and further, He hath not appointed us unto wrath, p. 126but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus; that eternal life, that the Lord hath ordained or appointed any of us to, he hath ordained and appointed us to obtain by Jesus Christ; therefore the Scripture telleth us how he hath laid help upon one that is mighty, and laid our iniquities upon Christ, and that by his stripes we are healed.

4. Those who are thus ordained unto eternal life, are through the blood of Christ which cleanseth them from all sin, as righteous before God as if they had never sinned; having all their sins forgiven them for his names sake, who hath born the chastisement of their peace; hence saith the Apostle, Who can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? that is, those whom he hath ordained unto eternal life; for saith he, Its God that justifieth; its Christ that hath died, yea rather that is risen again, (Rom. 8.33, 34.) Though your sins are more then the hairs of your head, yet you are justified freely by Grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ; the Law can lay nothing to your charge; for Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness; and hath taken away the curse of the Law by being made a curse for you.

5. Its impossible for the Elect and those that are ordained unto eternal life, to be totally and finally deceived in those things that are necessary to salvation; but they are preserved to the p. 127heavenly kingdom, unto which they were ordained, and are kept by the mighty power of God through Faith unto salvation, (1 Pet. 1.5.) and therefore in that 24 of Matthew, Christ having told them v. 5. that many should come in his name, and say I am Christ, and deceive many, saith, v. 24. that the false Christs and false Prophets shall shew great signs and wonders, in so much that if it were possible, they should deceive even the very Elect; Mark, if it were possible; but as if Christ had said, though many shall be deceived by these false Prophets, and shall follow their pernicious ways, yet it is impossible for the Elect, those whom my Father hath ordained to eternal life, to be deceived by them; for though the Elect may err in things of less concernment, yet the Spirit of Christ will lead them into all truth that is necessary, that is essential to a Christian; and we have a notable Text to cleer this further, in 2 Tim. 2.17, 18, 19. The Apostle having spoken of Hymeneus and Philetas, how their words did eat as a Canker, and that had overthrown the Faith of some, perswading them that the Resurrection was past already; Nevertheless saith he the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his; as if the Apostle had said, Hymeneus and Philetas may deceive many, and may draw many Disciples after them; but the foundation of God standeth sure, p. 128the Lord knoweth them that are his, he knoweth whom he hath chosen and ordained unto eternal life; and let Hymeneus and Philetas, and all the devils in hell do what they can, they cannot pluck any of them out of his hands: all the policy of the devil, and all the wit of the greatest Scholars in the world cannot deceive the weakest Christian totally and finally in any point necessary to salvation.

6. Those whom the Lord hath ordained unto eternal life, he hath as well ordained them to the means as to the end; that is to say, To faith in the Lord Jesus, effectual calling and perseverance; hence the Apostle speaketh of our being called according to his purpose, Rom. 8.28. So that it was not onelyonly the purpose of God to give us eternal life, but also it was his purpose also to give us faith in his son to call us out of darkness into marveilous light, and so to make us meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light, Ier. 31.3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with my loving-kindness have I drawn thee; no m…n comes to Christ but he whom the Father draweth; and he draweth all those to Christ whom he hath thus loved with an everlasting love, and thus ordained unto eternal life; and therefore saith the Apostle, whom he hath predestinated, them he hath also called.

7. All things shall work together for good to p. 129them that love God who are the called according to his purpose (Rom 8.28. 2 Cor. 4. ult.) all things, all their sufferings and afflictions, as the Apostle saith, Our light afflictions that are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory; all their temptations, poverty, sickness, disgrace in this world, all work together for their good; all their losses, crosses; that when they shall see another day how the Lord turned those evils to good, they shall see and say, they could not have been without any of them; and though they dare not sin that Grace may abound, yet they see that their sins make them walk more humbly with God, make Christ more precious to them, and death it self worketh good to them; for thereby they come to that eternal life and glory, unto which the Lord hath chosen them, and ordained them, they come to that rest, for the people of God to stand before his face for ever.

8. Those whom the Lord hath ordained unto eternal life can never fall away, shall never be left, nor finally and totally forsaken of God; for he is the Father of lights, and with him there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning, (Jam. 1.17.) as he loved them from all eternity, so he loveth them to all eternity; the gifts and calling of this unchangeable God, are without repentance, he changeth not: therefore we sons of Jacob, notwithstanding p. 130our many weaknesses and failings, are not consumed; Semelelectus, semper dilectus.once chosen in Christ, we are always beloved; the Lord knew from all eternity, all the sins that ever we should commit; and yet he set his heart and love upon us, and ordained us unto eternal life, unto which all the Elect are as sure to be brought, as if they were there already: I know this doctrine is very much distasted by the world; and it was one of the Articles which the bloody Papists laid to that famous Martyr John Hus, Book of Martyrs pag. 226.whom they put to death, That the predestinate cannot fal from grace; for they have a certain radical grace rooted in them, although they may be deprived of the abundance of Grace, and the vigour and comfort of Grace for a time; perseverance in Grace is the fruit of electing love; and whom the Lord hath ordained unto eternal life, he will give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither any be able to pluck them out of his hands; they shall not totally and finally depart from him, and so perish, (Joh. 10.28. Jer. 31.) but he will put his fear into their hearts, that they shall never depart from him; and all the devils in hell shall not be able to pull them out of the hands of the Father, who is greater then all, and holds them fast in the arms of free-grace, so that the gates of hell shall not prevail against them; so that this Mount-Sion, this chosen p. 131generation shall not be moved, but are preserved to the heavenly kingdom.

Object. 1. This Doctrine, will some say, will make men licencious, and live as they list.

Answ. The Lords absolute ordaining of a certain number to eternal life, can no way make any of them who are so ordained, to take liberty for sin; for all the chosen generation are led by the spirit of God, which is the Spirit of holiness, and they know they were created in Christ Jesus unto good works, (Eph. 2.10.) which God before ordained they should walk in them; when the Lord ordained them to eternal life, he ordained them to holiness and good works, and did predestinate them, as to eternal life, so also to be conformable to the image of his son, that as they have born the image of the earthly, … they may bear the image of the heavenly; and therefore all that are thus ordained unto eternal life, shall put on the new man, which after the image of God is created in righteousness and true holiness: and therefore Arguments from hell & wrath, do not work so much upon this chosen generation, to keep them from sinning, but their being under the comforts, under the power and teachings of free-grace.

Obj. 2. But seeing all were lost in Adam, why did God ordain some to eternal life, and not all?

Answ. He hath mercy upon whom he will have mercy; and I may answer with the Apostle, p. 132Who art thou that repliest against God? shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? (Rom. 9.) Is there any unrighteousness with God? God forbid: we allow the sons of men to make choice of whom they will for their servants, and refuse others: and to make choice of whom they will for their friends, heirs; and yet vain man will scarce allow the great God of Heaven and earth liberty to choose whom he will for his servants, friends, heirs, and to refuse others: but he doth whatsoever he will, and giveth no account of his matters.

The use that may be made of this Doctrine.

1. Its of use to the Saints to keep them humble, and to exclude boasting: O let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord. When a Saint shall consider, I was in the Lords hands, as clay in …e hand of the Potter: I was at his dispose to all eternity, whether I should be for ever sent to Hell, where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, or enjoy his presence for ever, where is fulness of joy: I was as sinful as any, as rebellious as any; the Lord saw no more worth in me then any other: and therefore, O what cause have I to lie low before him; I have not made my self to differ, nothing but his free love hath made a difference between me and others; it was not because I was more towardly then others in the day of grace: no, I was as a Bullock unaccustomed to the yoak; only the Lord by p. 133an Almighty power of free-grace, turned me and I was turned, O the unsearchable riches of his Grace! as Christ said to his Disciples to keep them humble, ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you; and may a believer say, though now I am made a partaker of the divine nature, and have Christ formed in me, and have much of God in me: yet the Lord loved me freely, even when I was in my blood and filthiness, and had no beauty in me; and all the graces that I have, are the comeliness which he hath put upon me; it was not my willing or running, but God that shewed mercy.

Ʋse 2. It may be of use to the Saints under weaknesses and corruptions, Lord thou knowest when thou ordainedst me unto eternal life, all the sins that ever I should commit; thou knewest how little glory thou shouldst have by me, and yet thou didst chose me to life and glory; O my God, thou hast loved me freely, and though I have so many weaknesses and failings, yet thou wilt not cast me off.

Ʋse. 3. This Doctrine lets us see the freeness of Grace. O that when God had all the sons of men in his view, and saw them all in a lost and undone condition, that he should ordain this or that poor soul unto eternal life! O what ravishing, inamouring, astonishing grace was this! I believe its that which the Saints to all eternity shall admire and wonder at, saying, O that ever p. 134God should remember me in my low estate, and bring me unto this glory! What, ordain such a sinful creature as I am to eternal life, to stand before his face for ever, and be ever with the Lord? O that we could now see this chosinglove in the heights, and depths, and breadths, and lengths of it; it would appear wonderful to us, it would make us cry out, O that God who might justly have ordained me to hell, wrath, and eternal death, that ever he should ordain me to eternal life.

Ʋse. 4. This is matter of strong conlolation unto the Saints, as Christ said to his Disciples, Rejoyce that your names are written in the Book of life, (Luke 10.20.) One that hath tasted and experienc't the strong consolation that cometh from the knowledge of chosing love, would not for 10000 worlds be one of those that have no part nor interest in that choice; and however many slight this ordaining to eternal life from all eternity, and the Lords writing our names in the book of life from all eternity, as John, Mary, Thomas; yet the time is coming, when whoever is not found written in the book of life, shall be cast into the lake of fire, Rev. 20.15. And for that holy City, the new Jerusalem, there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lye, but they which are written in the Lambs book of life, Rev. 21.27.

p. 135Ʋse. 5. You that know you are of this blessed number, O that you may walk answerable to the great love of God towards you, O how should this make you lay out your selves for God, and be willing to spend and be spent for him; O say, hath the Lord ordained me unto eternal life, and shall not I be willing if his glory call for it, be willing to part with this temporal life for him? as the Martyr said, Welcome the Cross of Christ, welcome eternal life; and for holiness, you who are the chosen generation, and the royal Priesthood, (1 Pet. 2.9.) you must be a peculiar people, you must deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, that you may shine as lights in the world, being holy and harmless, as sons of God.

Ʋse. 6. If it be so that there are a certain number of poor sinners ordained to eternal life and glory; why then as the Apostle saith, 2 Pet. 1.11. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure, that is to say, make sure that you are elected by your being called out of darkness into marvellous light; thus we know our Election; for whom he hath predestinated, saith the Apostle, them he hath also called; O how many are there here amongst us, that live without God in the world, and without Christ in the world! but if you belong to the number of the chosen generation, the Lord will call you into the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ.

p. 136Quaere. Why doth the Lord suffer some chosen vessels, such as Paul was to go on 20, 30, it may be 40 yeers sometimes before he call them?

Ans. 1. If I should give no other answer to this, then that the Lord suffereth them to go on in their natural condition thus for a great while, because it seemeth good in his sight, it were sufficient.

Ans. 2. But secondly, the Lord hereby lets poor creatures see the freeness and fulness of grace.

1. The freeness of Grace, that the Lord should save and call poor sinners that went on many yeers in their ignorance, prophaness, sins and rebellions against him; and the freeness of Grace, that the Lord should call a sinner that hath been a rebel against him so long.

2. The fulness of Grace; Hence saith the Apossle Paul, I who was a blasphemer, an injurious person, I obtained mercy, and the Grace of God was exceeding abundant, (1 Tim. 1.13, 14) Mark, the Grace of God was not onelyonly abundant, but exceeding abundant; Paul was an elect vessel, and yet went on many yeers in his sins and rebellions against God; and now for God to call such a great sinner, here was Grace exceeding abundant; this sheweth a free Christ, and a full Christ.

Ans. 3. God hath appointed a certain time for the calling of those whom he hath ordained unto eternal life, which time and season will be p. 137most for the glory of his free love to them, and in that time they shall certainly be converted; for he that hath determined at such a time to call us, is able to do it.

Answ. 4. That others may have encouragement to come to Christ, such a one as Paul, and Nicodemus, and many others, though they lived many years in a natural condition, yet were called, though at the ninth, tenth or eleventh hour: and Lord, I wait upon thee to call me; and speak Lord, for I desire to hear thy voice; and Paul saith, that Jesus Christ shewed forth all long-suffering in him for a pattern to them who should afterwards believe on him unto life everlasting. 1 Tim. 1.16.

Now to make an end of this first point, I still press home this exhortation, to make your calling and Election sure; O consider this day whether you be effectually called; hath the sound of the everlasting Gospel awakened you? have you heard the voice of the son of God? see 2 Thes. 1.4, 5. Knowing brethren, Beloved, your Election of God, for our Gospel came not unto you in word onelyonly, but also in power and in the Holy-Ghost, and in much assurance; this is an evidence of your Election of God, that he hath ordained you unto eternal life; when as the Gospel of Christ cometh in the power of the spirit of Christ into your hearts, that the preaching of the Gospel openeth the everlasting p. 138doors of your hearts for the Lord Jesus the King of Glory to enter in, and to dwell in your hearts by Faith; this I say is a certain evidence of your being ordained unto eternal life; but if our Gospel be hid, its hid to them that are lost.

I know you cannot all believe and receive this Doctrine which I have preacht to you this day; but as Christ said, he that is able to receive it, let him receive it, & lay up these sayings in his heart.

Obs. 2. THat though many despise and reject the Lord Jesus Christ; yet those whom the Lord hath ordained to eternal life, shall certainly believe on Christ; the Lord will give them Faith.

Methinks the naming of this Doctrine from the Text taketh away that passionate objection of some against Election of a certain number to life and glory from all eternity; their Objection is, If there be such an absolute ordination of a certain number to eternal life, what need the Gospel be preach'd? they shall certainly be saved. This Text furnisheth us with a full answer to it: for this is cleer from it, that those whom the Lord hath ordained to eternal life, that he hath also appointed them to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; now the preaching of the Gospel is the ordinary way that God taketh to work Faith; or take it thus, The Lord hath chosen and ordained a certain number of poor p. 139creatures to eternal life; He hath appointed that these shall believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and Faith cometh by hearing, as the Apostle saith, How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher? Rom. 10.

Two considerations mightily establish the spirits of those that preach the Gospel.

1. That though many despise and reject the Lord Jesus Christ, yet as the Prophet Isaiah said, Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord; and saith he, My Judgement is with the Lord, and my work is with my God.

2. That as many as are ordained to eternal life, shall believe on Christ; for as it was here, so will it be unto the end of the world, that in every Family, Town, City, Nation, as many as are ordained to eternal life, the Lord will give them Faith; and although the precious word to many of you, is as water spilt upon the ground, and you profit no more then the seats you sit on; yet this beareth up my spirit, Rom. 11.7. The Election hath obtained, though the rest are blinded and hardned; and therefore saith Christ to the Pharises, Joh. 10.25, 26. ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep; but saith he, My sheep hear my voice; and because they only believe on Christ, therefore true Faith is called the Faith of Gods Elect, 1 Pet. 1.1.

Now we come to shew you what it is to believe on Christ.

p. 140Its to receive the Lord Jesus Christ the King of Glory into our hearts, and to rest and relye upon him, and upon him onelyonly; for life and for salvation.

Explanation. Its to receive the Lord Jesus Christ] Thus Christ describeth Faith, Joh. 1.11, 12. To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believed on his Name: so that to believe on his Name is to receive him; its not a receiving of this or that opinion or Notion of Christ, but there is in believing a receiving of Christ himself; the everlasting doors which were bolted and lockt against Christ, are set open, that he the King of Glory may come and enter in; hence saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith or no; know ye not your selves how that Iesus Christ is in you, except ye be rebrobates? there the Apostle maketh being in the Faith, and Iesus Christs being in us, all one.

2. Further, its a receiving of the Lord Iesus Christ, the King of Glory] At Conversion a soul receiveth Iesus Christ as a King, to rule, reign, and govern in him, desiring that Christ may subdue all things unto himself in the heart; and though other Lords have had dominion over him, yet now he desireth that all high thoughts and imaginations should be cast down, and the Lord Iesus Christ onelyonly command and rule in him.

p. 1413. Further, its a receiving of the Lord Iesus Christ the King of glory into our hearts; many receive notions of Christ into their heads, and think they are some body, they can hold an Argument, and can say, that Jesus Christ died for all Adams posterity, and so for them, and think they have attained a great matter; Alas, the bed is too short, this covering is too scant; O doth Jesus Christ live in your hearts! Is Christ in you the hope of glory! If Christ be not in you whilst you live, there is no hope of glory for you when you die; doth the Lord Jesus dwell in your hearts by Faith? as the Apostles phrase is, Eph. 3.17. Can you say with the Apostle Paul, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; that you do not so much live and act, as Christ lives and acts in you, and that the life that you live in the flesh, is by the Faith of the son of God.

4. Further, its to rest, relie, and trust unto the Lord Jesus, and to him onelyonly for salvation; not trusting to Christ and your works together; but looking upon our selves as the greatest of sinners, and all our own righteousness but menstruous rags, and so count all things but loss and dung, that we may win Christ, and be found in him, not having on us our own righteousness, according to the Law, but that which is by the Faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by Faith, (Philip. 3.8, 9.) so that those who go about to establish their own righteousness, p. 142believe not on Christ, submitting not to the righteousness which is of God by Faith; and yet these will needs be called Christians, like that Isai. 4.1. In that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel, onelyonly let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach; so many would be named by Christs name, to take away their reproach; but they will eat their own bread, live upon their own righteousness; and wear their own apparel; they will be found in their own righteousness; but these are not the Spouses of Iesus Christ, these are not true believers; there must be an uncloathing and stripping of our selves naked, that we may be cloathed upon with the Robes of Christs righteousness; a true believer is nothing in himself, and all in Christ. Now of this Faith there are several degrees.

1. Little Faith, as Christ said to his Disciples, O ye of little Faith; indeed it may be said to most of us that are Christians, O ye of little Faith, and little love, and little strength; we are but as the smoaking flax, and as the bruised Reed (Rom. 4.19.) yet if our Faith be true, though it be little, our condition is safe; for he with whom we have to do will not quench the smoaking flax, nor break the bruised Reed; a little Faith is better then ten thousand worlds: such Christians lie under many doubtings, and often go p. 143mourning without the Son; and when at the best, cry out, Lord I believe, help my unbelief; and though such have not so much comfort as others, yet their condition is as safe; Iesus Christ saith, He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life, (Joh. 3. ult.) He doth not say, he onelyonly that knoweth, he that believeth and hath a strong Faith, hath eternal life; but he that believeth; thou that hast true Faith in the Lord Iesus, though it be little, thou art as sure of eternal life, as Paul, or the highest scholars in the school of Christ, though thou dost not know it.

2. Great Faith, as Christ said to the woman, O woman, great is thy Faith; we are said to have great Faith, when we are able not to question the love of God towards us in afflictions, temptations, chastisements; yea in our slips and backslidings, (Luk. 7.9.) that even then, though we abhor our selves in dust and ashes for our backslidings, that yet we question not the love of God to us, this sheweth us to have great Faith, and strong Faith.

3. Degree of Faith is, when a soul attaineth to that which the Scripture calleth full assurance of Faith, Heb. 10.22. A soul that hath attained to this degree of Faith, is more holy then other Christians, more dead to the world, and seldom is troubled with doubtings; all Christians are to press after this; the Lord sometimes gives the Saints this full assurance of Faith, when they p. 144are to walk in the valley of the shadow of death and this maketh them fear no evil, but fortifieth their hearts against death, which is the King of terrours; O how welcome and easie is death to such! they are desirous to be dissolved to be with Christ.

I would speak something further to you concerning Faith.

As first, That it is the gift of God, its not a thing in our own power; if without Christ we can do nothing, then not believe on Christ; men talk great swelling words of the power of the creature; but what saith the Scripture, Eph. 1.19, 20. and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who do believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead; you that have had true Faith wrought in you, you know there was mighty power put forth indeed; that false vain Faith which many have, is wrought without this mighty power; but saith the Scripture, They shall be a willing people in the day of my power, (Psal. 110.3.) When the day of Christs power cometh, then we are made of unwilling, willing to come to Christ; and saith the Lord, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with my loving kindness have I drawn thee, (Ier. 31.3.) as if he had said, Thou wast backward, and stubborn, untoward in the day of Grace, but I had infinite unspeakable p. 145love to thee, and therefore with my loving kindness have I drawn thee, as a dead man, call him, yet he stirreth not, he cometh not to you, we are naturally dead in trespasses and sins; but a dead man may be drawn whither you will; the Lord cometh, and with his Almighty power plucks us, and draweth us as firebrands out of the fire; Faith therefore is called the work of God, not onelyonly because its the work that is most pleasing, without which its impossible to please God; but likewise because it is of his working in us, and therefore called Faith of the operation of God, Col. 2.12. Its as hard a thing for us to believe the Gospel as to keep the Law.

2. Those to whom the Lord hath given true Faith, its impossible for them totally and finally to lose that Faith; for as Jesus Christ is the Author, so is he the finisher of our Faith, (Heb. 12 2.) perfecting that which concerneth us. Jesus Christ payed for Peter, that his Faith might not fail, Luke 22, 32. and the father alwayes hears him; and for this cause they can never come to be unbelievers again; and indeed Faith is kept as a spark in the midst of the Se…. O what a wonder is it, that notwithstanding all the sins and backslidings of Saints; that yet all the devils in Hell cannot make us let go our hold on Christ, but they will say in dark days and sad hours, as Job did, though he kill me, yet will I p. 146put my trust in him, thus we are kept by the mighty power of God, thorow Faith, unto salvation, that the Lord keeps them in a way of believing and dependance upon Christ. He that hath begun a good work in them, will perform it to the day of Christ, Philip. 1.6.

3. Faith is given to us upon Christs account and for his sake; as Philip. 1.29. its given to you on the behalf of Christ to believe; its that which Jesus Christ hath purchased for all those for whom he died, as well as remission and forgiveness of sins.

4. Faith its an excellent Grace; some call it the mother Grace; our joy and peace cometh in by believing, (Rom. 15.13.) we draw waters out of the wells of salvation with the Bucket of Faith; by faith also we have access to God with a holy boldness; we come to him, (Eph. 3.12) as a child to his Father, yea we live by the Faith of the son of God; yea, we do wonderful things by faith, as we read in Heb. 11. of those who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, out of weakness were made strong, by faith we obey God and follow his leadings in straights, difficulties, and hard things to flesh and blood, as we read in that chapter, how Abraham by faith, when he was called out by the Lord from his own Country and acquaintance, obeyed and went out, not knowing whither he went; yea by faith we p. 147honour God as much, if not more, then by our Prayers and other performances; as it was said, Abraham believed and gave glory to God. And the reason why God honoureth Faith so much, is because faith honoureth him so much.

Ʋse 1. Is it so that as many as are ordained unto eternal life, though others reject Christ, yet they believe on him unto life everlasting? then O examine whether you believe on Christ, prove your selves whether you be in the faith or no.

1. The Faith of Gods elect worketh by love, Gal. 5.6. Its no notional thing, but it worketh in the heart dear love and affections unto Christ; can a man believe on Christ, and yet have no love to Christ? it worketh also love in our hearts unto all Saints, as the Apostle, Philem. 5. puts them together, Faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all Saints; yea and this faith is said to work by love, because those who truly believe on Christ are not put upon good works, by legal terrors and feare of hell, but the love of Christ constraineth them to holiness, and restrains them from sin.

2. To them who truely believe, Jesus Christ is precious, 1 Pet. 2.7. Men may have a not onal knowledge of Jesus Christ, and say with the Spouse, that he is the chiefest of ten thousand, and that he is altogether lovely; but yet still Christ is not precious to them; its but those that have an experimental knowledge of the excellency p. 148of Christ, they have precious thoughts of Christ; therefore saith David, Thou art fairer then the children of men; Grace is poured into thy lips. O consider, Is Jesus Christ precious to you? is he the Pearl of great price in your eye? surely you cannot lay the whole weight of your souls upon Christ, but you must have precious thoughts of him.

3. True faith is lively and active in holiness; therefore the Apostle saith that faith without works is dead (Jam. 2.20.) True Faith quickens us to holiness and walking with God, and doth not make us loose and licencious, but it purifieth the heart and life, (Act. 15.9.) The more we believe on Christ, the more abounding in good works; the more we believe on Christ, the more power against temptation, and the more power against corruption.

Ʋse. 2. To you that believe on Christ; let me beseech you to be careful to maintain good works, as Tit. 3.8. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works; these things are good and profitable unto men. Mark, The Apostle would have Believers be constantly put upon good works, yet not as to think to be saved by them in whole or in part; that is freely by grace; but saith he, these things are profitable unto men; to live convincing lives, to be holy p. 149and harmless, as sons of God, doth adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour, doth also convince men that God is in us of a truth. O how careful should believers be in their walkings! how circumspect! the Apostle biddeth them Philip. 4.1. that whatsoever things are honest, just, lovely, of good report, and if there be any vertue, and if there be any praise, think on those things: I pray observe that Scripture; believers must not onelyonly be careful that they do nothing but what is honest and just; to say such a thing is just for me to do; but what followeth? whatsoever things are lovely and of good report; so that a believer must consider further, will such an action present Religion lovely in the eyes of those that are without? is such a thing of good report? will it not cause the way of truth to be ev…l spoken of? O we should rather deny our selves in many things, which it may be we might do lawfully, then that Religion should suffer by us, and the Doctrine of God and our Saviour be blasphemed. In a word, a believer in his walkings should not consider onelyonly whether it be lawful for him to do this or that, but also whether it be expedient.

Thirdly, Let me speak a word to them that believe, that ye may believe as the Apostle saith, 1 Ioh 5.15. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and p. 150that ye may believe on the name of the son of God; that is to say, that their faith might be stronger; and the Apostle writing to the Believers, 2 Thes. 1.3. saith he, we are bound to thank God always for you, as it is meet, because your faith groweth exceedingly. O tis an excellent thing when faith groweth exceedingly; when little faith groweth great faith, and weak faith strong faith; Now those things by which our faith groweth are.

1. By our union with Christ; as the branches of a tree grow by their union with the tree, and fetching sap from the root, so doth our faith grow by union with Christ, partaking of the sap and fatness of the Lord Jesus that green fir-tree in whom is all our fruit found.

2. Our faith groweth by afflictions, and persecutions; its with the faith of the Saints as with Camomile; the more its trodden upon, the more it groweth; and saith the Lord by the Prophet, I will leave a poor and an afflicted people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord; when the people of God are an afflicted people, then doth their faith and dependance upon God grow strong, and as Mount-Sion which cannot be moved; and therefore some Christians have found this by experience, that when they have gone on in a prosperous condition in the world, they have not had so much faith and dependance upon God, as he hath been p. 151pleased to give them in straights and difficulties.

3. Our faith groweth by promises; they are indeed but dry breasts when the Lord doth not speak to us by them; but the Lord giving in such a promise to the soul, as Hos. 14.4. I will heal thy backslidings, I will love thee freely: O how doth it encrease our faith, and strengthen our faith, and as faith at first conversion in Gods ordinary way of dispensation cometh by hearing! so 1 Pet. 2 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby, and likewise Eph. 4. He hath given gifts unto men, for the perfecting till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God unto perfect men.

4. Praying in the Holy-Ghost is a means of the growth and increase of faith Jude 20. Building up your selves in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy-Ghost; therefore, O that you who are believers, might pray much in the Holy-Ghost, saying with the Disciples; Lord, increase our Faith; our Faith is but little Faith; Lord increase it; O give us the full assurance of Faith.

O that thus you might grow in Faith; where faith groweth and increaseth, there holiness increaseth, love to Jesus Christ increaseth, true Repentance increaseth, as a man of God saith, All the tears of true repentance come trickling down from the eye of faith. Thus if you grow in the grace of faith, you will also grow in the grace of love, and you will grow in the grace p. 152of Repentance, self-denial, patience and every good work.

Ʋse 4. A word to you who are unbelievers. O that you may believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that you may be saved! he that believeth not on the Lord Jesus, the wrath of God abideth on him. O you little think what it is to lie under the wrath of God.

Obj. 1. But its presumption for me to believe; I am not humbled enough to believe; I must tarry till I be so and so qualified.

Answ. Jesus Christ faith, whosoever cometh to him, he will in no wife cast our, (Joh. 6.) and saith by the Prophet, Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, buy wine and milk without mony and without price, (Isa. 55.1.)

Obj. 2. But I am a great sinner.

Answ. But Jesus Christ is a great Saviour, mighty to save; Christ is as mighty to save as sin is to damn; his blood cleanseth from all sin; (1 Joh. 1.7.) and whosoever believeth on him shall be justified from all things, from which they cannot be justified by the Law of Moses; he is able to save to the utmost all them that come to God by him; and is not here encouragement enough for the worst of sinners to come to Christ? there are some who think they doe much when they tell men that Jesus Christ died for all Adams posterity, and think that this will make men believe on Christ: I cannot but p. 153wonder that men should make that the subject of all their preaching, to perswade men that Jesus Christ died for every one of them. Alas, go into a Town, and talk with men and women, and you shall scarce finde a man or woman that doth not believe that, unless it be two or three Christians in the Town; but the rest are ignorant, and prophane that which they believe; and its that which maketh them think their condition is good; for they will say God is merciful, and Jesus Christ died for me, and for all mankind, as their old Catechism taught them; what is this but to nourish men in their ignorance of Christ, giving them a broken reed to lean upon? but I say, is not here encouragement enough for sinners to come to Christ, that he is able to save to the utmost, and casts out none that come to him, but the arms of love and free grace embrace them! O you that are most rebellious and sinful, come to Christ, you shall be welcom to him; though thou art sinful, yet Jesus Christ is righteous; though thou hast sinned, yet he hath suffered; believe on him, and thou shalt escape the damnation of hell, and there will be no condemnation to you; and Jesus Christ doth not only accept of those who are less sinners, when they come to him, but he accepts of Matthew a Publican, Paul a Blasphemer, Mary Magdalen a harlot; O therefore that the Lord would put into your hearts this day to come to Christ; O, he will in no wise cast you out.