The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths, Commentary · Verse 36
Verſ 36.
FUlneſs of water in the fountain is unuſefull, unleſs wee drink thereof; fulneſs of light in the ſun yieldeth no comfort, unleſs the eie bee opened to receive it; the beſt apparel giveth no warmth, unleſs the body bee covered with it: ſo the fulneſs, goodneſs and all ſufficiency that is in Chriſt Jeſus is no way beneficial, unleſs wee get aſſured intereſt therein; therefore the Baptiſt doth not only acquaint his diſciples with Chriſts fulneſs, authority, ſovereignty and all ſufficiency; hee doth not only let them ſee how hee is a compleat Saviour in himſelf, but doth alſo move, perſwade, exhort and ſtir them up by faith to get intereſt in him; and this hee doth by a double argument; the one drawn from the ſingle felicity and benefit attending a lively faith in Chriſt; hee that beleeveth in the Son hath everlasting life: the other drawn from the danger of not believing; but, hee that believeth not in the Son ſhall not ſee life, but the wrath of God remaineth on him: wherein wee have, 1. The felicity and bleſſed eſtate of all true beleevers; hee that beleeveth, &c. 2. The infelicity and miſerable condition of all unbeleevers; hee that beleeveth not, &c. Firſt, of the felicity of true believers; hee that, whoſoëver hee bee, of what nation, of what eſtate or condition ſoever, rich or poor, bond or free, that beleeveth in Chriſt, that imbraceth, buildeth, reſteth and relieth ſincerely, firmly and fully upon the Lord Jeſus, that man hath life everlaſting, hath already the life of peace inchoated and begun in him, that life of God wrought, that immortal ſeed of grace ſown in his heart which never ſhall die: ſo that herein wee may have, 1. The neceſſity of faith; hee that beleeveth in the Son of God: it is true, that in the Son of God there is all fulneſs, all things are in his hands; but wee muſt beleeve in him, or his fulneſs will no waies help us. 2. The gain of faith; hath everlasting life: 1. Of the neceſſity of faith; wherein wee have the nature of faith, the object of faith, and the extent. 1. The nature of faith, beleeveth in Chriſt; that is, doth not only beleeve that Chriſt is, or that what hee hath ſaid or done is true, but beleeveth in Chriſt, pitcheth and reſteth fully upon Chriſt. 2. The object of faith; Chriſt. 3. The extent; hee that, whoſoëver. 1. Of the nature of faith; beleeveth in: to beleeve ſometime ſignifieth, and ſpeculatively to know the Scriptures to bee true; and thus the devils do, and all wicked men may beleeve. 2. Sometime it ſignifieth to aſſent willingly and uſe ſome kinde of joy to the word of God for the glad tidings which it bringeth; thus hypocrits beleeve. 3. It ſignifieth to put confidence in that which wee know and aſſent unto, and to make application thereof unto our ſelvs; to depend and build thereupon; and thus the regenerate beleeve. Whence learn,
Doctr. That the hearts of all true beleevers do relie and reſt upon the Lord Jeſus for everlaſting life and happineſs: for faith is a leaning or reſting of the heart in and upon God, as the author of everlaſting life and ſalvation; this is evident by the phraſes uſed by the Holy Ghoſt, to explain the nature of faith. Pro. 3.5. Iſa. 50.10. Pſal. 37.3. Pſal. 71.5. Iſa. 31.1. Pſal. 62.7. Rom. 10.11. for to beleeve in God, or in Chriſt, is to cleav unto God, to lean upon God, to reſt in God, as on him who is all-ſufficient to keep us here, and to bring us to glory hereafter. 2. It is evident by the titles given in ſcripture to ſaving faith, 2 Cor. 3.4. 2 Cor. 5.6, 7, 8. Epheſ. 3.12. 1 Pet. 1.13. 1 Joh. 5.13, 14. foreign. Rom. 4 21. Col. 2.2. foreign. Heb. 11.1. 3. By the ſimilitudes uſed to expreſs it; it is likened to an houſe builded on a rock: as the houſe reſteth on the foundation, ſo doth the true beleever reſt on God: to a tree rooted in the ground, whereby it is ſtayed againſt the force of ſtrong and violent winds: to a branch ingraffed into a vine, to a ſhip faſtned by a ſtrong anchor, to a ſure rock, to the betrothing or joining of a woman in wedlock; all theſe expreſs a ſtrong and affectionate reliance of the heart upon the Lord. 4. By the charge given by our Saviour, Joh. 14 1. reſt, rely and quiet your ſouls in God and in mee; by the exhortation of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 62.8. and of the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 5.7.
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe faith is not ſo much an act of the underſtanding, diſcerning and aſſenting to the promiſe of life of Chriſt, as it is an act of the will, whereby the will is moved to extend it ſelf to embrace that good which it doth approve; and therefore faith is called a receiving of Chriſt, which is much more then to know Chriſt; it is one thing for a woman to know a man, it is another thing to receive him as her husband; faith is not only an action of approbation, but alſo of election, John 1.17. an action of the whole man, making the good whereunto it is carried to become ours, John 6.35. The wiſe merchant ſaw the pearl, approved of it, and, beyond that, choſe it for his own, ſold all to buy it, Math. 13.45. though faith doth alwayes preſuppoſe the knowledg of the Goſpel, yet there is no man that attaineth ſaving knowledg unleſs this act and choice go before it, Rom. 10.10. and the other bee dependant upon it; therefore the Apoſtle ſaith, With the heart man believeth, John 7.17. John 8.31, 32. 1 John 23.
2. Becauſe true and ſaving faith doth alwaies chooſ, apprehend, and imbrace Chriſt, and build upon him as a ſufficient and fit means to deliver us from evil, to purchaſe and procure for us all manner of good, they ſee and apprehend in him all manner of fulneſs, and compleat abilities, ſuch as are no where to bee found, Cant. 5.10. they look on him, and ſee more beauty in him than in all other creatures; they behold in him fulneſs of wiſdom, to make them wiſe; fulneſs of power, to make them free; fulneſs of life, to make them live; fulneſs of all grace, to fill the empty veſſels of their ſouls, John 22.5. John 6, 28. and therefore to him do their hearts cleave, & from him they will not depart, as the Shunamitiſh woman, apprehending the ability of the Prophet to help her, caught the Prophet by the feet, and would not let him go, though Gehazi thruſt her, 2 Kings 4.17. ſo true faith cauſeth the believers heart to cleav to Chriſt, and ſo to imbrace him, that it will not let him go.
3. Becauſe true and ſaving faith doth inable us to look on God as on our father, on Chriſt as on our husband; on the word, as on food well agreeing with our palate; on the ſun, as on a light much affecting the eye; on the promiſes of God, as on a reconciled Soveraign; on Chriſt, as on our advocate; on the Word, as on an embaſſage of peace; this aſſureth the heart of the pardon of ſin; this cauſeth God's words to bee to our ſouls as the words of Chriſt were to the Palſie man, Math. 9.2. ſon, bee of good cheer, therefore the Apoſtle ſaith, after wee believ, wee are ſealed; as, in mutuall contracts, men ſet to ſeals; and when we have a man's word in writing, and a ſeal to it, wee reſt upon it, wee are confident it ſhall bee verified: ſo, when wee believ, wee put to our ſeal that God is true, Epheſ. 1.13. that hee will fulfill what hee hath promiſed, and God doth ſeal to the believer the ſalvation believed; a ſeal diſtinguiſheth things, ſo God's people ſee themſelves many wayes diſtinguiſhed from others; as a ſeal maketh things authentical, ſo true believers are fully aſſured of God's goodneſs, and their future happineſs, and thereby their hearts do reſt on God.
3. Becauſe true faith bringeth us unto a holy communion, and gracious fellowſhip, and comfortable and bleſſed acquaintance with Chriſt: hereby Chriſt cometh into their hearts, reſideth, revealeth himſelf, Eph. 3.17. and ruleth there as a dweller in his houſ, Gal. 6.10. hereby they have fellowſhip with him, as the members with the head, Rom. 12.5. as the wife with the husband; by this they behold Chriſt revealing himſelf graciouſly, ſpeaking unto them comfortably and hereby they are wrought upon to reſt on Chriſt ſtrongly.
5. Becauſe true faith inableth the true believer to finde much peace, and ſweet conſolation in Chriſt, Rom. 5.1. it ſtrengtheneth him to conquer Satan, to ſubdue the enemies of their ſalvation, Rom. 15.14 to rejoyce in the midſt of trouble, to overcom all worldly oppoſition, Rom. 8.35. 1 John 5.4. hee feeleth faith in Chriſt to bee to him as a ſhield in the day of battel, as the Ark in the Deluge, a ſhining ſtar in the darkeſt night of trouble, as the hony comb to Sampſon in the belly of the lion; and finding this in Chriſt, his ſoul faſteneth on him, as on a ſure rock; and leaneth upon him as upon a never-failing ſtaff.
6. Becauſe true believers clearly ſee, and infallibly know the variety and inſufficiency of the world, they know there is a foundation whereon to build, no other bow wherein to truſt, no other ſhield for their defence, no other fountain whence to draw the water of ſalvation, they know that Pſal. 33.16, 17. that Pſal 62.9, 10. that Prov. 11.4. that Pſal. 44.6. they know that all outward abilities like Job's friends are phyſicians of no value, miſerable comforters, and therefore their hearts do reſt upon Chriſt Jeſus, as the Dove finding no footing returned to the Ark.
7. Becauſe true believers do make Chriſt their portion, their joy, their crown, their riches, and their glory, hee is to them inſtead of all, they will leav all to enjoy him, Mark 10.28. they eſteem all to bee dung in compariſon of him, Phil. 3.3. all to bee thorns in reſpect of this vine, Cant. 2.2. to bee barren in reſpect of this fruitfull tree, as the wiſe men rejoiced more in the ſtar which lead unto Chriſt, then in all other ſtars in the firmament, Mat. 2.10. ſo true believers rejoyce in Chriſt more than in all the world, and therefore their hearts cleav to him and reſt upon him.
8. Becauſe true faith in Chriſt is alwaies attended with a ſingular love to Chriſt Jeſus: according to the ſtrength of our faith is the fervency of our love; the more wee apprehend the height, depth, and length of Chriſt's love to us, the more do our hearts burn with love again to him, Epheſ. 3.19. the nigher wee ſtand to a great burning fire, the more wee are heated with it: ſo the ſenſe of Chriſt's love, apprehended by ſaith, breedeth love again unto the Lord, Galat. 6.5.
Ʋſe. This ſerveth to ſhew us that a general conſent to the word of God as true, is not enough to bring us unto life; but beſides this there muſt bee a peculiar reſting, ſtaying, and confidence of the heart thereupon: If an earthly man, of ability and truth, promiſe us this or that help, to beſtow upon us this or that gift, wee do not only know, and think, and perſwade our ſelvs that hee ſaith true, but beſides, wee ſay, that wee truſt hereunto, rely hereupon, quiet our ſelvs, and ſeek no further; the like reſting of the heart muſt wee find upon the promiſe of God in Chriſt; by this particular confidence, and reſting of the heart upon Chriſt, do true believers go beyond reprobates, by this do they receiv nouriſhment from Chriſt as the ſions from the ſtock; by this have they claim and intereſt in Chriſt, as the wife in the husband. John 15.2. Cant. 6.3. by this have they claim to the promiſes of God, 2 Pet. 1.4. as the tenant in lands granted him under hand and ſeal: by this is Chriſt very pleaſant and delightful to them, as the ſun to the opened eye, Mal. 4.2. pure and precious liquor to the thirſty, Iſa. 55.1. by this are they diſtinguiſhed from others, as children from ſtrangers, John 1.12. by this they have maay ſweet relations to Chriſt, which others have not, as the members to the head, the branches to the vine: by this they ſtand in the time of trouble, as a ſhip faſt anchored, when others are toſſed like a ſhip without an anchor, Heb. 6.19. by this Satan's darts are expelled, Epheſ. 6.16. when others are wounded, like men that are naked: by this believers are bold and confident, as the lion when others fly like a hare before the the hounds, Eph. 3.12. Prov. 28.1. by this wee have acceſs to the throne of grace, Rom. 5.1. when others, like the fooliſh Virgins, having no oyl in their lamps, were ſhut out: by this our ſervices are acceptable unto God, Heb. 11.6. when others, like him that wanted a wedding garment, are caſt into utter darkneſs, Mat. 22.12. by this the Word of God becometh ſweet and ſavory to our palates, Jerem. 15.16. when as it is like gall to others, Heb. 4.2. by this it is to us as good ſeed to good ground, and good meat to a healthy ſtomach.
2. Therefore every man muſt try whether hee finde his heart thus to cleav unto and to reſt upon the Lord Jeſus, whether hee bee ſenſible of the life and operation of his affection this way; whether hee feel his heart truſting and reſting upon the Lord, as the childe upon the parent, the building upon the foundation, the wife upon the husband; and this wee muſt diſcern,
1. By the deniall of our ſelvs, and the rejection of all humane abilities, as every way inſufficient to bring us unto life; the more the heart reſteth upon the Lord, the leſs it reſteth on worldly and created powers, Prov. 3.5. the true believer knoweth the wiſdom of the fleſh to bee fooliſhneſs with God, yea enmity againſt God, Rom. 8.7. to bee a falſe prophet, a deceitfull guide, a withered feed, and therefore will not lean thereupon, will not truſt thereunto, any more then a traveller to a blinde guid, a paſſenger to an ignorant pilot, a ſick man to one that will as ſoon miniſter poiſon as good phyſick to him; but will ſearch and ſeek out for a better inſtructer, for a ſurer guide: this the Apoſtle taught 1 Cor. 3.18. this the wiſe man gave in charge, Prov. 3.7. this the prophet perſwaded, Iſa. 8.19, 20 and declareth the dolefull iſſue of the contrary, Iſa. 50.11.
2. By our conſtant abiding with God in the time of affliction, in the hour of temptation: the more true faith is aſſaulted, the more ſtrongly the heart layeth hold upon God; the more the childe is made afraid with any thing, the more earneſtly hee cryeth to his parent to keep him, the more cloſely hee applieth himſelf to him: the furious aſſault of the enemy cauſeth men to lay the faſter hold upon the ſword, to hide themſelvs in caſtles, and places of ſure defenſe: the ſeed ſown in good ground held out to the harveſt, Mat. 13 24. ſo the heart which reſteth once upon the Lord, abideth conſtant with him, as a woman joyned in wedlock abideth with her husband till death; ſo nothing can make a ſeparation between God and the true believer; hee findeth ſuch ſweetneſs, ſuch goodneſs in the Lord, that neither pleaſure nor torment, honor nor ignominy ſhall remove him, Job. 13.5. Ro. 8.35. Iſa. 50.10, Pſal. 55.22.
3. By the bleſſed apprehenſion wee have of God's goodneſs towards us: when wee believe men will do any great thing for us, then wee feel a love in our hearts ariſing towards them; ſo wee firſt apprehend love of God in Chriſt towards us, and then our hearts reſt upon him: in nature, nothing moveth in deſire to this or that but as wee ſee it lovely; no more do our ſouls move towards, or reſt on God, till wee apprehend him reconciled, the ſinfull ſoul doth ſee God forgiving many ſins, and then it loveth much again, Luke 7.48. therefore the Apoſtle having mentioned our peace with God through faith, annexeth the ſhedding of God's love abroad into our hearts, Rom. 5.1.5.
4. By our abundant delight and joy in God, and the light of his face; by our alacrity in runing the race of his commandements, Pſal. 37.3, 4. wee muſt delight our ſelvs in God with all manner of delight, as the rich man is delighted with his treaſure, the ſouldier in his victories, the wife in her husband, Rom. 15.14.
5. By our well-doing, Pſal. 37.3. wee muſt ſtrive to bee full of good works; to bee plenteous in well-doing, to bee fruitfull trees bearing much fruit; as good ſervants well imploying our talent; and ſo ſhall wee give good evidence of our faith; according to that of the Apoſtle, 2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7.
Thus of the nature of faith: the ſecond thing here noted was, the object of faith, in Chriſt; it receiveth, imbraceth, reſteth, and relieth upon Chriſt: whence obſerve,
Doctr. That the Lord Jeſus is the proper and peculiar object of the faith of all true believers. God is the object of our faith, not as hee is conſidered ſimply and abſolutely in himſelf, but as wee do live to him thorough the grace, favor, and goodneſs wee receive from him, 1 Tim. 4.10. the word and promiſes of God, by a Metonymy of the adjunct, are ſaid to the object of faith, ſo far forth as they continue in them, and exhibite unto us that which is the object of faith. Chriſt, as a mediator, is the mediate, but not the ultimate object of faith, becauſe wee believ thorough Chriſt in God, Rom. 6.11. 2 Cor. 3, 4. 1 Pet. 1.22. and in this reſpect wee are ſaid to bee in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5.17. to have put on Chriſt, Gal. 3.27. to bee betrothed to Chriſt, Eph. 5.23. this was the doctrine of the Baptiſt, as St Paul relateth it, Acts 19.9. the charge given by St Paul himſelf Acts 16.31. this is the gift of God to his choſen children, Phil. 1.29. and this is the foundation whereon the people of God have builded, John 12 11. and Chriſt muſt bee the object of our faith.
1. Becauſe hee alone is ordained of God to bee a Saviour, Mediator between us and God: him God the Father heareth, in him hee is well-pleaſed, Math. 18.5. him hath God the Father ſealed, and ſet apart for this work, John 3.35. hee is the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, Rev. 13.8. hee is the promiſed feed, Gen. 3.15. there is no other name Acts 12.1. 1 Tim. 3.5.
2. Becauſe in him alone is eternal life to bee found, God himſelf without Chriſt is a conſuming ſire, Heb. 12.29. by reaſon of our ſin; all the creatures are as a dead thing, they can do us no good; all the ordinances of God are a killing letter, God hath put all fulneſs into Chriſt, Col. 2.9. our life is hidden in him, Col. 3.3. and this was the ground of Peter's anſwer to our Saviour John 6.68. whither ſhall wee go, no creature can ſave us, they are all as Phyſicians of no value, as empty veſſels, blinde guids, thou alone haſt the words of eternal life, thou alone canſt make the doctrine of ſalvation to quicken us when wee are dead, 1 John 5.12. to comfort us when wee are dejected, to encourage us when wee are oppoſed, to make us wiſe wherein we are Ignorant: Hee that harh him, hath all; hee that hath not the Son, hath nothing, 1 John 3.24.
3. Becauſe hee alone is a ſure foundation whereon to build; hee is a rock which will never ſink, Mat. 7.23 a friend which will never fail, a bow which will never break; he will ſave at the uttermoſt all ſuch as come unto him, Heb 7.25. no ſtorm ſhall make ſhipwrack of the ſoul which is faſtned to him by the anchor of a lively faith, Heb. 6.19. no violent and boiſterous windes ſhall overturn the trees rooted in him, Col. 2.7. nor caſt down the houſ builded upon him.
4. Becauſe in his blood alone is efficacy to waſh away our ſins: no water but Jordan could waſh away the leproſie of Naaman, 2 Kings 5. no Phyſician but Chriſt could heal the diſeaſed woman, Mark 5.29. none but hee could cl…anſ the Leper; None but hee can redeem us from iniquity, and procure remiſſionn of ſin for us, Eph. 1.7. 1 John 1.7.
5. Becauſe in his interceſſion is efficacy to procure all good things for us, at the hands of God: Jonathan may ſtrive to intercede with Saul for David, and not prevail; Solomon's mother may make ſuit for Adonijah and not bee heard; men may make ſuit with men for others, and not obtain their requeſt; good men make earneſt ſupplication to God in the behalf of others, and their petition not accompliſhed, Ezek. 14.14▪ but Chriſt doth ever prevail with God for them that beleeve, Rom. 8.34. Heb. 7.25.
6. Becauſe in him alone is righteouſs to make us juſt, hee hath robes to cover all our imperfections, hee can make us righteous in God's ſight, Gal. 2.16. Rom. 8.1.
Ʋſe. Then this will acquaint us with the vanity of their faith, who rely on any thing beſides Chriſt, who truſt to their work, to the naked obſervation of ſome religious duties, to their civil righteouſneſs; who lean on this, and make it the object of their faith, are like the fooliſh builder that builded upon the ſand, like the Babyloniſh builders, that thought to eſcape the deluge to aſcend the higheſt heavens by a building of their own making: theſe are men that go to a broken ciſtern for water, to a drie breaſt for milk, to a barren tree for fruit, to a dumb idol for counſel or comfort; and it will bee with them as with the worſhippers of Baal, 1 King. 18, 26, 27. their abilities will prove like a deceitfull man, Prov. 25.19. like a ſpiders web, Job 8.14. like the Aegyptians garments, Iſa. 20.4. for ſo Iſa. 59.5, 6. Iſa. 64.6. when they ſhall come to the trial, what is ſaid of men, will bee verified of their works, Pſal. 62.9. and when they think to finde comfort, they will go away ſorrowfull as the young man did, Mat. 19.22.
2. Therefore this muſt ſtir up every man to make Chriſt the object of his faith, to build and reſt on him with lively and ſure confidence, to bee ingraffed into him, to become a member of that body whereof Chriſt is the head, to reſt our hearts in him as the author of our ſalvation and everlaſting life; this is the commandement of God, 1 Job. 3.23. this is the pearl, for the gaining whereof wee ſhould ſell all wee have; this is the price for which wee ſhould all ſtrive, Jude v. 3. this is the riches for which wee ſhould labor; this is the bleſſing which wee ſhould unceſſantly beg; wee are cumbred with Martha about many things, but this is the thing which is moſt needfull: ſome ſell their birthrights with Eſau for a meſs of pottage for worldly and vaniſhing pleaſures; ſom with Judas ſell all the comforts they might finde in Chriſt for a little worldly lucre; the moſt part ſpend their ſtrength for that which is no bread, which yieldeth no ſound and ſolid comfort; but if you will bee rich indeed, if you will have that which ſhall bring true riches and everlaſting conſolations to your ſouls, then labor for a lively faith in the Son of God: And that you may bee able to make Chriſt the object of your faith,
1. You muſt labor clearly to ſee, & to be truely ſenſible of the vanity of all humane abilities, you muſt bee able to ſay of all humane abilities, of all earthly endowments, as Solomon did, Eccl. 2.17. Eccl. 11.8. as Agur did, Prov. 30.8. look on theſe things as on a tottering fence, and then you ſhall bee able to reſt on Chriſt. The woman came not to Chriſt till ſhee ſaw a vanity in all other Phyſitians, Mar. 5.29. no more do wee reſt on God, rely on Chriſt, till wee ſee there is no remedy elſwhere to bee found; thus Hoſ. 2.6, 7. this was that which cauſed the diſciples to reſt on Chriſt, they found not whither elſ to go, Joh. 6.68. 2 Chron. 20.11, 12. the contrary to this was the ground of Iſraëls unbelief, Iſa. 31.1.
2. You muſt ſtrive to be throughly humble, labor for a contrite and broken heart, you muſt becom vile in your own eies, bee far from all ambition and vain glory, and ſo you ſhall feel your heart to bee drawn, to reſt and rely upon Chriſt, then the doctrine of ſalvation ſhall bee ſweet, then God will reveal himſelf unto your ſouls very graciouſly, multiply his grace upon you abundantly according to his gracious promiſe, Iſa. 57.15. Pſal. 25.9.14. Jam. 4.6. and then ſhal you bee able to faſten your hearts upon Chriſt ſtrongly, then ſhall you bee able to reſt in Chriſt firmly; for Iſa. 61.1. Iſa. 29.19. Pſal. 22.26. the want of this continued the unbelief of the Phariſees, Joh. 5.44. Gal. 6.3.
3. You muſt bring your hearts to this pitch, to ſeek the praiſ and commendation which God giveth to his people, to bee approved in the ſight of God, to make it your crown, your glory and comfort to bee accepted before the Lord, to rejoice more in the inward witneſs of God's Spirit and our own conſciences, then in the applauſ of all the men of the world; you muſt with Paul 2 Cor. 1.12. and then you ſhall feel God will ſhed abroad his love abundantly into your hearts, ſeal up to your ſouls the pardon of your ſin ſtrongly, and inable you to reſt upon him firmly, Joh. 5.44.
4. You muſt meditate and acquaint your ſelvs with the all ſufficiency of Chriſt, bee perſwaded of his love, goodneſs, readineſs to help you, ſee in him more beauty, more peace, more joy, more honor, more comfort, more power than in all the world; look upon him as on a glorious ſun, and let all the world bee a glowworm in compariſon, as an empty cloud to a full fountain, as a withered arm to a ſtrong man, and this will work, frame and draw your hearts to beleeve in him. John 12.11. Joh. 10.28. John 7.31.
Proceed wee now to the gain of Faith; namely everlaſting life: whence learn,
Doctr. That everlaſting life is the fruit of a true and ſaving faith.
Everlaſting life is God's gift in regard of the free donation of it, Rom. 6.23.
It is Chriſt's purchaſe in regard of the price paid for it, in regard of the meritorious cauſe thereof, in regard of the head whence it is derived.
It is the work of the Spirit, in regard of the principal cauſe efficient.
It is the fruit of the Word, in regard of the external ſeed whence it ſpringeth, and inſtrument which worketh it.
It is the fruit of Righteouſneſs, in regard of the way which tendeth to Chriſt, in whom this life is hidden.
Therefore our Saviour in earneſt aſſeveration to perſwade his diſciples, hereof John 5.24. And the Evangeliſt ſheweth this to bee the principal purpoſe of God in inditeing the Scriptures, Joh. 20.31. hence Paul, Gal. 2.20. and plainly S. Peter ſpeak's to this purpoſe, 1 Pet. 2.8, 9.
And that everlaſting life is in this manner, a fruit of faith is apparent,
Reaſon 1. By the union which faith worketh between us and Chriſt; it joineth us in wedlock with him, it intereſteth us in all the riches of Chriſt as Mediator, it maketh us living members of that body, whereof Chriſt is the head; it build's us upon Chriſt, as the reſidue of the building upon the head-corner ſtone; it ingraffeth us into Chriſt, as as the branches into the vine; it maketh Chriſt to bee ours, it fills us with fulneſs, it cauſeth him to rule within us, and to repleniſh us with all good things, Epheſ. 3.17. John 2.16.
Reaſon 2. By the intereſt which it giveth us God's promiſes; this is the foundation whereupon our faith is builded; and faith is the condition which God requireth to make us capable of what hee hath promised, Gal. 3.13, 14. this is the hand by which wee receiv all good things of God; this is the key by which wee open the ſtore-houſe of God's bounty, without which all the good things of God are to us as the Sun under an eclipſ, as water in a ſealed fountain, riches in a treaſury locked up, as the tree of Life to Adam, when the Angel kept the way with a flaming ſword; it is faith doth give us claim and entrance into all the great and glorious promiſes of Chriſt, 2 Pet. 1.1, 3, 4.
3. By the application it make's of the righteouſneſs of Chriſt; it covereth us with this, as with a roial robe; it healeth all our ſins herewith, and maketh us juſt in the ſight of God: for what elſ is our juſtification, but the gracious ſentence of God, whereby, for Chriſt apprehended by faith, hee doth abſolve the beleever from ſin and death, and accounteth him juſt unto life, Rom. 3.22, 24. Rom. 9.30. Rom 8.1.
4. By the victory which it getteth over whatſoëver is adverſe or repugnant to this everlaſting life; it conquereth ſin, it purifieth the heart, Acts 15.9. it giveth an overthrow to Satan, as David by his ſling to Goliah, 1 Sam. 17. therefore 1 Pet. 5.8, 9. overcometh the world, all the allurements, and all the oppoſitions of it; it trampleth them all under foot, 1. John 5.4. Like David's Worthies, it breaketh through an hoaſt of dangers to drink of the waters which are in the wells of Life, 2 Sam. 23.16. it will follow the Lord whereſoëver hee goeth, it will leave him in no eſtate, it will endure any hardneſs, ſuſtain any loſs, bear any reproach, encounter with any danger, it will leave all rather then leave the Lord; the power of faith is invincible, nothing is too hard for it.
5. By the gracious acceptation and ſpiritual adoption which it procureth for us with God, whereby wee are become the ſons of God, 1 John 12. 1 John 3.1. made heirs and co-heirs with Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 8.17. for as Chriſt in juſtification is applied as a garment to cover our ſins: ſo in adoption, hee is applyed as our brother, and Prince of our ſalvation, Heb. 2.10, 11, 12, 13. and by virtue of this adoption and communion with Chriſt, all true beleevers are called the firſt begotten of God, Hebr. 12.23. and this ſonſhip of theirs remaineth unalterable, the dignity and happineſs of their condition is unchangeable, John 8.35.
6. By the uſe which it maketh of all the Ordinances of God, the Word, Sacrament, praier, &c. which otherwiſe would bee as unſavoury meat without taſte, as a ſhell without a kernel, as a deaf ear of corn, as a cloud without rain, without comfort, without any benefit at all; yea, many times a trouble, a terror, a great diſquietment, the very ſavour of death, 2 Cor. 2. ver. 16.
Now a lively faith make's the Word of God as comfortable tidings to the ſorrowfull, Rom. 20.15. as a word of Reconciliation to them with whom God is at variance, 2 Cor. 5.19. as a healing medicine to the diſeaſed, Iſa. 61.2. as food to the hungry, as a light to the traveller, as dew to the weary ground, as good ſeed to good land, Job 23.12. It maketh the Sacrament to bee as a ſeal to the King's pardon, Rom, 4.11. to confirm them in the aſſurance of the forgiveneſs of all their offences, it maketh prayer ſtrong as wings, to carry the ſoul aloft to God, Jam. 5.16. it maketh meditation of God and his promiſes very ſweet, Pſal. 104.34. ſo that to him that beleeveth God's ordinances prove an effectual means to to draw him from ſin, to turn him from every evil way, to bring him home to God, to enable him to grow up in all holineſs, and to walk before the Lord in all well-pleaſing; this the Apoſtle intimateth, Heb. 4.2. and out of all this it appeareth, That everlaſting life muſt need's bee a fruit of faith.
Ʋſe. This muſt ſtir up every man to labor for a lively faith in Chriſt, to reſt and rely wholly upon him, to get aſſured intereſt in him: it is not favor with men, places of eminency in the world, abundance of riches, nor any of theſe external endowments can make a man's daies everlaſting; this is a fruit growing upon none of the trees in this garden; this is a ſtream flowing from none of theſe muddy fountains; a treaſure to bee found in none of theſe ſtore-houſes: it is not the valor of the ſtrong, the wiſedom of the politick, the act of the learned, the honor of the mighty, the pleasures of the wanton, the wealth and great abundance of the rich can make their eſtate everlaſting, Pſal. 33.16, 17. Pſal. 49.6, 7, 8, 9. The high cedars are caſt down as well as the little ſhrubs; the flowers are plucked as well as the common graſs: it is onelyonly a lively faith will bring us to everlaſting life.
Therefore uſe all means to bee made partakers of it; with the wiſe Merchant, ſell all to buy this pearl, Mat. 13. caſt away all your ſins, that you enjoy this gift; with the diſciples, leave the world, that you may win Chriſt, Mat. 4.22. with Paul, eſteem all but dung and droſs, that you may bee found in Chriſt, cloathed with that righteouſneſs, which is by faith, Phil. 3.8, 9. wait with all diligence at the poſt of God's houſe; let the Word bee as your dayly food, as your guid and counſeller, let it ſink into your ſouls, let it work upon your hearts, let it dwell and rule within you, that ſo you at length have the fruition of this faith; pray for it, deſire it, long after it, as earneſtly as ever Rachel or Anna did for children, Gen. 30. 1 Sam. 1. go to God in his houſe, in thy family, in thy cloſet, morning, evening, at noon-day, at mid-night, and beg for a lively faith; ſay unto the Lord, Thou art undone, thou art but a dead man, if God give not this faith unto thee; ſay that all riches, pleaſures, worldly endowments, are but hay and ſtubble as long as this is abſent: Oh! think of this, go about this, as about a matter of moſt need, of greateſt importance, of chiefeſt uſe, of ſweeteſt conſolation; and as Naomi ſaid to Ruth of Boaz, Ruth 3.18. ſo take thou no reſt till thou haſt finiſhed this thing, till thou haſt by a lively faith joyned thy ſelf in wedlock with the Lord Jeſus; make a covenant with thy ſoul in this, as David did in another caſe, Pſal. 132.4. and when you feel your hearts beginning affectionately to lean upon and cleave unto the Lord Jeſus; pray with the men in the Goſpel, Mar. 9.24. you ſhall never have juſt cauſe to repent of your labor in this behalf; nothing can bring you ſo nigh to God as a lively faith; nothing can give you ſuch acceſs to God; nothing can inable you ſo to prevail with God, and to gain ſo many good things from the hands of God; nothing can ſtand you in ſuch ſtead, and afford you ſo much comfort; the owner of this will not give it for the rich man's gold, the noble man's honor, the King's renown, and the time will come wherein ſuch as now want, would give ten thouſand worlds, if they had them, to bee partakers of it, therefore while God giveth time and means, ſeek it.
2. This ſerveth for the ſingular comfort of all true believers, if they have nothing but their faith, their condition is infinitely more happy than the worlds choiceſt darling, as Prov. 7.1. ſo the pooreſt condition of life with patience & faith is better than a ſtalled oxe with unbelief: this will ſupply all wants; as the preſence of the ſun ſupplieth the want of all lights: as David ſaid of Goliah's ſword, 1 Sam. 21.9. ſo I may ſay of a lively faith, there is none like that; neither riches, honors, nor pleaſures; for this maketh both our perſons and actions acceptable to God, which no worldly furniture can do: this in corporateth us into Chriſt; this giveth us the fruition of all the good things which are in Chriſt; this diſtinguiſheth us from all God's enemies; bringeth us within God's Covenant; breedeth many ſweet and glorious relations betwixt God and us; and at laſt bringeth us to peace and everlaſting happineſs.
The gain of faith thus unfolded, the comforts thereof thus opened, and propoſed; the danger and dammage ariſing from unbelief preſenteth it ſelf, in the next place to bee conſidered; which wee ſhall find to bee a root bearing as many uncomfortable branches, loaden with as many ſower grapes, as the other with ſweet; a ſpring as full of bitter, as the other of pleaſant water; for hee that believeth not, ſhall not ſee life; hee that believeth not, whoſe ſoul cleaveth not unto, whoſe heart reſteth not upon the Lord Jeſus; who buildeth not upon him, as on a ſure foundation; who cometh not to him, as to the fountain of living water; who getteth not aſſured intereſt in him; who joyneth not himſelf in wedlock to him; who becometh not to him as the wife to the husband, in ſubjection, in affection, in uſe, in dependance, and in intire union, hee that believeth not, ſhall not ſee life, ſhall not enjoy, no nor have the leaſt apprehenſion or comfortable feeling of the felicity, peace, glory, and fulneſs of all goodneſs, which true believers ſhall enjoy in the heavens; but the wrath of God, diſeaſes, uncomelineſs, ſhame, ſorrow, torment, all manner of miſery, all kinde of calamity, all the teſtimonies of God's diſpleaſure abideth on him; abideth, not cometh, for wee are born the children of wrath, Epheſ. 2.3. and ſo continue thorough unbelief; therefore this wrath abideth, it will not wear with time like a garment, it will not overflow the body and ſoul for an hundred and fifty dayes, as the Deluge of old did overflow the earth, and then abode, Geneſ. 7.24. but this is a fire that ever burneth, a ſtinging worm, which without any ceſſation gnaweth; a cloudy day, whoſe darkneſs is never diſpelled: ſo that here wee have our loſs ariſing from unbelief ſet before us privatively and poſitively; privatively inferring a denial, a removeal or abſence of all good, of all peace, of all comfort; poſitively, an impoſition, inflicting, and preſence of whatſoever may make man miſerable. From the privative loſs, wee gather;
Doctrine. That unbelief doth for ever exclude men from everlaſting happineſs, and all the joy of the next life: the fooliſh Virgins were ſhut out from entring in with the bridegrome, for want of oyl in their lamps, Mat. 25. Iſraël of old entered not into the reſt of God becauſe of unbelief, Heb. 3.19. Heb. 4.6. the publicans and harlots believed, and found entrance into God's kingdom; the Phariſes believed not, and therefore could not finde any admiſſion, Mat. 21.31, 32. this was the general ſcope and ſum of the doctrine which our Saviour would have the Apoſtles to deliver to the people, Mark. 16.16. and no wonder that unbelievers are excluded from everlaſting happineſs: for,
Reaſ. 1. Where there is no true faith, there is no union with Chriſt, no participation of the benefits which come unto us from the Lord Jeſus: but men are as withered branches, dead members, Rom. 11.20. whatſoever profeſſion wee make of love to Chriſt, of fellowſhip with Chriſt, whatſoëver ſhews of goodneſs do appear, yet if wee bee deſtitute of a lively faith, wee build upon the ſand, our building will fall, Matth. 7.24.
2. There is no purity, no ſanctification, no ſaving grace: where the root is not, there are no branches; where there is no ſpring, there are no ſtreams: it is faith that ſetteth the whole man a work in God's buſineſs, it is the apprehenſion of God's promiſes which cauſeth us to cleanſ our ſelvs from ſin, 2 Cor. 7.1. it is the perſwaſion of God's goodneſs that leadeth us to repentance, Rom. 2.4. it is our intereſt in Chriſt, it is Chriſt's dwelling in us by faith, Eph. 3.18. it is our participation of his fulneſs which giveth us victory of our corruption, 1 John 5.4. it is the meditation and perſwaſion of what God hath done, of what hee hath beſtowed already, of what hee hath provided to beſtow; this is that which cauſeth us to depart from every evil way, 1 John 1, 2, 3. hence, Acts 15.9. hence faith without works is ſaid to bee dead, James 2.17. not that the life of faith commeth from works, but becauſe works are ſecond acts flowing from the life of faith, and faith is ſaid to bee made perfect by works, James 2.22. not by eſſentiall perfection, as the effect is perfected by the cauſe, but by a complemental or filling perfection, as the cauſ is perfected or made compleat in the production of its effect; as the tree is made perfect in the bringing of fruit, man in the generation of his like: it is the nature of the perfection and excellency of faith to bee fruitfull and where this faith is not, the ſoul is like a barren woman, at beſt but like the tree in the Goſpel.
3. There is no love to God, his word, or people; it is faith which joyneth us in wedlock with Chriſt, that breedeth communion between us and God, that maketh his word ſweet and ſavory, that maketh us delight in them that excell in virtue, therefore Gal. 5.6. not that the efficacy of faith dependeth upon charity as the cauſe, ground, life, and being to faith, but that faith doth put forth and manifeſt its efficacy in the excitation and ſtirring up of love to God, and his wayes; ſo that where faith is not, there …s no love.
4. There is no promiſs of life, for all the promiſes of God are to us thorough faith in Chriſt; 2 Cor. 1.20. Acts 2.39. without this wee are aliens, ſtrangers, and enemies Epheſ. 2.12. and wee have nothing to do with God's Covenant, Pſalm 50.16. wee have nothing to do with the fruit growing within the pale of this garden, nothing to do with the bread on this table, it belongeth not to the dogs but to the children.
5. There is no ſweetneſs, no benefit, no conſolation to bee drawn from the Ordinances of God: without faith they are as muſick to a deaf ear, as water to a veſſel whole mouth is ſtopt, as rain to the hard rock, it doth not profit, Heb. 4.2.
6. Becauſe without faith there is no ſhield to defend us from the darts of Satan, no fence to keep us from the wild boar of the forreſt, no weapon to overcom the Prince of darkneſs, no ſtone to beat down this great Goliah: but wee are as a field without fence, a city without wells, a ſouldier without armor, Epheſ. 6.16. 1 Pet. 5.9. without this wee can do nothing; ſo that unbelief ſeparating us from Chriſt, filling our hearts with uncleanneſs, diſabling us to love God, excluding us from intereſt in God's promiſes, making the Ordinances of God fruitleſs, expoſing us to all Satan's ſuggeſtions, leaving us to bee led captive by him, at his will; it muſt needs follow, that all unbelievers are hereby excluded from everlaſting happineſs.
Ʋſe. This preſenteth before us the uncomfortable condition of all ſuch as live in unbelief, are not incorporated into Chriſt, in whom the nature and life of true faith cannot bee found, whoſe ſouls cleave not to God, as the heart of a childe to his father, as the heart of a wife cleaveth to her husband, the heart of one brother or friend to another, the heart of Jonathan to David, 1 Sam. 18.2. for this is the nature and property of faith, to cleav to God ſtrongly, affectionately, feelingly, with the full power of the ſoul, Joſhua 23.6. Acts 11.23. 1 Cor. 6.17. to chooſe and reſt upon the Teſtimonies of the Lord, Pſal. 119.30, 31. and ſuch as do not in this manner believ, they ſhall never ſee life; whatſoever great and glorious things are revealed, proffered, promiſed, they ſhall never enjoy them; they are as fruit upon a high tree, which they have no hand to reach; as water in a deep well, which they for want of a bucket cannot draw; as the glorious ſun to the blinde, which for want of an eye they cannot behold; to them there is no help of reſt, no promiſs of bliſs: though the light of God's face bee better than life, the preſence of Chriſt bee delighfull as the ſhadow of a great tree, though the Ordinances of God bee as marrow and fatneſs now, Pſalm 63.5. Iſa. 32.2. Cant. 2.3. Pſal. 65.5. and the enſuing comforts of Gods people a thouſand fold more glorious, yet unbelievers ſhall never taſte hereof; they are in bondage from whence is no freedom, in a darkneſs where there ſhall never bee no any ſunriſing, in a ſickneſs out of which they ſhall never ſee a recovery, for the Lord hath denied them all good things, as, 2 Kings 7.1, 2. ſo whatſoëver Gods plenty or fulneſs bee to others, yet his hand ſhall bee empty to unbelievers; all his gooneſs ſhall bee to them as a ſealed letter which they ſhall never read, as a light under a buſhel, which they ſhall never ſee, Deut. 1.35. yea this ſhall bee the leaſt part of their miſery, to bee exiles from God's face, ſhut as ſtrangers out of God's kingdom, this is a loſs infinitely ſurpaſſing the loſs of the whole world: yet this is little to the damage of unbelief; for beſides this, the wrath of God abideth on them. From whence learn,
Doctr. That unchangeable miſeries and torments are the portion of all unbelievers: hee that had not a wedding garment, was not onelyonly excluded the feaſt, but alſo caſt into utter darkneſs: Matth. 22.12, the ſervant which made no uſe of his talent, had not only his talent took from him, but hee was beſides caſt out, where was weeping, and gnaſhing of teeth, Matth. 25.29. God doth not only puniſh unbelievers with a deprivation of all good, but alſo with an impoſition of all evil; hee doth not only leave them as chaff and tares without the door, but hee alſo burneth them with unquenchable fire, Mat. 3.12. Mat. 13.40. John 15.6. Therefore the Apoſtle ſaith, that all that believe not the truth ſhall be damned, 1 Theſ. 2.12. the ſentence of condemnation and deſtruction ſhall be executed upon them: they ſhall not onelyonly be excluded from drinking of the cup of Gods mercy, but they ſhall alſo be conſtrained to drink up the dregs of the cup of Gods indignation and fury: and the ſentence at the laſt day will not bee onelyonly from Gods gracious preſence, but to everlaſting burnings, 2 Theſ. 1.8, 9. this was the judgment befalling, the portion given to unbelievers of old, Jude 5. and for this there is great reaſon.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe it robbeth God of his glory, taketh from him the praiſe of his truth, goodneſs, power, mercy, and conſtancy; which in effect, is to make him no God at all, but an idol, Pſal. 78.41.
2. Becauſe it is a great reproach to God: it maketh God a liar, which is an intolerable injury, 1 John 5.10. there is nothing more eſſential, nor more dear to God, than his truth: he that believeth not what God hath ſpoken, eſteemeth of God but as of a vaine and light man.
3. Becauſe it breedeth a baſe contempt of all the good things which God hath promiſed to us, it judgeth them to be but an empty veſſel, a painted fire, a withered tree, Pſal. 106.24, 25, 26.
4. Becauſe hereby men do continue, live, and die in their ſins; unbelief, like a girdle, bindeth on ſin as a ſuit of apparel, how much ſoever it be ſhaken and weakened, yet infidelity will be to it as bands of braſſe and iron to the roots of that tree, Dan. 4.15. there is neither removal nor remiſſion, while we live in unbeliefe, John 8.24. Job 20.11. and this is that whereof the Spirit of God by the mouth of his Miniſters doth now convince the world, the obſtinate, the refractory, John 16.8, 9. 1. That they ſin in not believing, imbracing, and entertaining Chriſt. 2. Of righteouſneſſe, that whereas they condemned him of guilty, they are now convinced of his innocency. 3. Whereas they run on in ſin, as if there were no day of judgement, yet they are convinced in their conſciences, that Chriſt whom they deſpiſed ſhall be the Judge.
5. Becauſe unbelief is the mother of all evil; hence it is that we run into all manner of ſin, even becauſe we believe not his word.
6. Becauſe unbelief doth violate the whole doctrine of the Goſpel; whereas other ſins are committed onelyonly againſt ſome part or parcel of the Word of God, but this maketh the whole Goſpel of God to be of none effect.
Vſe. This therefore ſetteth before us what a dangerous and fearful thing it is to live in unbelief: ſuch are every moment under the wrath of God, expoſed to everlaſting deſtruction every hour; no aſſurance of freedome from everlaſting burnings, no, not for a monethmonth, without refuge, without ſtay, without comfort; if God once begin to ſet himſelf againſt them, they are like a ſhip in the ſtormy ſea, without anchor, like a tree in the midſt of a violent winde, without roots, there is no ſafety, no deliverance, no ſalvation, Rom. 2.8. Rev. 21.8.
2 Therefore let us all beware of an unbelieving heart; if this be removed, no other ſin ſhall deſtroy us; if this ſway in our ſouls, there is no entrance into Gods Kingdome: therefore take heed, let not this weed grow in the garden of your hearts, let not this diſeaſe raigne in your ſouls, let not this viper finde any reſting place in your boſomes: this will diſable the Miniſtry of the Goſpel to work upon us, it will make it as phyſick to a dead man, as muſick to a deaf man; it will work no change, no repentance, no reconciliation, no life of godlineſſe; it will do little or nothing with us, Mark 6.5. it will diſable us to overcome any ſin, to withſtand any corruption; it will give every baſe luſt liberty to rule over us, Mark 9.18, 19. it will ſpoil us of the comforts which the word affordeth, make us fear when we ſhould rejoyce, make us goe empty from the word of God, when we might depart repleniſhed with ſweet refreſhment, Luke 24.25. it will make us like Pharaoh's lean kine, notwithſtanding the fat which they eat, Gen. 41. notwithſtanding all the means which God uſeth, yet we ſhall be poor in knowledge, in love, in peace, in joy, for it is faith maketh rich in'grace: this fetcheth plenteouſly out of the ſtore-houſe, James 2.5. it will make us weary of the wayes of God, it will open our ears to hearken to any ſeducing allurement, Heb. 3.12. it will give God occaſion to withdraw the meanes of ſalvation from us, Acts 19.9. to leave us to our ſelves, to give us over to vile affections; and therefore ſtrive againſt it, as againſt a moſt mortal enemy; labour to be healed of it, as of a moſt dangerous diſeaſe; keep from it, as from a ſwallowing gulf, a killing arrow, an intangling ſnare; and ſtrive by a lively faith to draw nearer to God, to build more ſtrongly upon God, to taſte more ſweetneſs in the promiſes of God, to finde more delight in your communion with God, and reſt and peace everlaſting in the heaven, that not the wrath, but the love of God may abide upon you for ever.
FINIS.
End of the text · Alexander Grosse, The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths (1656)