The Way to Heaven Discovered, Religious treatise · Stumbling block 21
21.
The laſt ſtumbling-block that I ſhall name is this, And, ſaith many a poor ſoul with-within it ſelf, I know not with what Society or Aſſembly to joyne with, there are ſo many opinions, viz. Presbytery, Independency, Anabaptiſt, Arminians, Antinomians, Ranters, Quakers, Seekers, I know not with whom to ſit downe. O tell me, O thou whom my ſoule loveth, where thou feedeſt thy flock, that ſo I may be able to diſcerne betweene him that ſerveth God in pretence, or in truth.
Anſ. My adviſe is, That thou wouldſt own all men and women, let them go under what name ſoever, if thou ſeeſt any thing of the appearance of Chriſt in them, and know no man after the fleſh, 2 Cor. 5. 16. that is, do not ſo much take notice of mens outward appearances, viz. kindred, quality, honour, wiſdome, or eloquency, but meerly know them after the ſpirit, that is, according to the ſpirituall power, vertue, and grace that is in them; the true Church then are a people created in Chriſt Jeſus, or begotten and born to God in the faith and knowledge of his Son by the power of the ſpirit, and ſo are become new creatures, partakers of Chriſt, a choſen Generation, a royall Prieſthood, an holy Nation, Kings and Prieſts unto God, Members of Chriſt, anoynted with the ſame holy Unction, and to the ſame glory and dignity, only in ſubordination to him, as the Members to the head, the yonger brethren to the firſt-born, for in all things Chriſt hath the preheminence, and yet they are all one in him according to the ſpirit, however different according to the fleſh one from nother; according to the ſpirit they are Sion, the beloved City, the Kingdome and temple of God, and he and his glory appertaineth to them, and is their portion, glorious things are spoken of thee, O thou City of god, the moſt high in the midſt of thee, he ſhall exalt thee and delight in thee. This is Sion that no man regardeth, the place and habitation that God hath choſen, in which he will dwell and reſt for ever, becauſe he hath loved and deſired it: yea God the Father diſdains not to count them his Sons and Daughters, the Son is not aſhamed to call them Brethren, the Holy Ghoſt is pleaſed to make them his Temples; they are called effectually, juſtified freely, ſanctified graciouſly, and ſhall be glorified eternally they are ſervants of God, not only ſervants but friends, not only friends but Sons, not only Sons but Heires to inherit his Kingdome, not only Heirs but co-heirs with Chriſt, no condemnation ſhall befall them, nothing in the world ſhall ſeparate them from the love of God in Jeſus Chriſt, all things in the world ſhall work together for their good, all the ſureſt promiſes are theirs, all the richeſt graces are theirs, all the ſweeteſt comforts are theirs, all the higheſt priviledges are theirs, all the nobleſt hopes are theirs, what ſhall we ſay? theirs is Chriſt, and in Chriſt all things: O happy! happy is that Aſſembly of Saints, that thus have the Lord to be their God.
Obj. But I cannot ſee nor heare of any ſuch pure Church upon earth as you have hinted at, and with whom to joyn I know not, therefore let me intreat you to lend me your advice, in giving me ſome clear characters of a viſible Church, that are pure in doctrine, and holy Life and Converſation, that I may ſit down there.
Anſw. The Church of God in Scripture is reſembled to a naturall body, wherein are many Members united each to other, and to one head and by one ſpirit, growing up in unity. Now as in the naturall body there may be many infirmities, and many things are lyable to offend and hurt it, ſo alſo it is in this myſticall; ſometimes it may be ſubject to diſtempers, by undigeſted humors, the want of through cloſing with, and drinking in Divine truths, or the receiving untruths, may occaſion a ſurfet; ſometimes windy humours of pride, highmindedneſſe, and lying ſpirits, getting into ſome of its Members may diſtemper it. Sometimes Feaveriſh heats of violent headineſſe, in ſtead of well-tempered zeale for God and godlineſſe, may inflame it, and ſometimes the cold anguiſh or Palſy-humours of deadneſſe in and benumedneſſe to ſpirituall motions, in its tendency to its ſpirituall and ſupream end, may ſo ſeaſe upon him, as much to impaire its ſtrength, and to outward appearance bring it nigh unto death; but God whoſe temple it is, commande thee not to judge according to outward appearance, but to judge righteous judgement. Becauſe he whoſe Temple it is, hath provided for it againſt ſuch diſtempers, both Meat and Medicine, to feed and cure it, ſo is every one that through grace is brought to beleeve in Chriſt, and gathered up in the fellowſhip with thoſe that have fellowſhip with the Father and the Son in one ſpirit, 1 Joh. 1. 3. Now this body may have many weakneſſes within, and enemies without, indangering it, yea that many parts of it may be ſorely laid open to infections from divers that ſeem to be of it, or at leaſt converſe with it, and ſo to poyſon it by the inſnarement of falſe Prophets, holding forth falſe Chriſts; theſe deſeivers in ſtead of haſtening mens growth up in Chriſt, which they pretend, doe ſecretly and ſubtilely corrupt men from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt: Theſe are thoſe hirelings that Chriſt ſpeaks of, that come to us in ſheeps clothing; but let us beware of them, and hold faſt the head ftom whence we receive the right and true Spirit, that we may grow up together by that which every joynt ſupplyeth: ſo ſhall our feet abide within the gates of new Jeruſalem, and the Lord himſelfe ſhall dwell amongſt us, judge, rule, and teach us, and in his teachings we ſhall not be vainly puſt up with a Carnall minde. Now if thou wouldſt finde out an Aſſembly of Saints, living ſtones, not only hewn and ſquared, but built up together, a Spirituall houſe, Eph. 2. 20, 21. and are built upon the foundation of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe being the chiefe corner-ſtone, in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord, in whom the true Church of Chriſt is built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit; this holy City, this Spouſe, this Kings Daughter, Wiſe of the Lambe, this Virgin, this garden incloſed may be known.
1. By her keeping up the garment of Chriſts righteouſneſſe within, viz. pure diſtinct in the doctrinall part. Secondly, by her keeping up or putting on the garment of Chriſts holineſſe without, viz. holy in life and converſation, and ſo I ſhall proceed to lay down ſome characters of both, by which this true Church may be diſcerned.
1. That Church that is pure in doctrine, doth hold the Scriptures known by the names of the Old and new Teſtament, are the holy Word of God, and the rule of knowing and living unto God, whoſoever betakes himſelfe to any other way cannot be ſaved, ſee and well conſider theſe Scriptures, 2 Theſ. 2. 10, 11, 12. and 2 Cor. 15. 1, 2, 3. and 2 Cor. 1. 13. Act. 26. 22. and John 5. 39. John 4. 22. and 2 Pet. 2. 1. and 2 Pet. 3. 12.
A true Church holdeth that all men by nature are dead in Treſpaſſes and ſins, nay that all perſons by nature, are children of wrath, being guilty of Adams ſinne, and ſinfull in their owne nature, deſerving thereby eternall damnation, from which no perſon, no not by the death of Chriſt, who is not regenerated and borne againe, or made a new creature is freed from, Acts 17. 30, 31. and Acts 26. 17, 18, 19, 20. and Luke 24. 47. and Acts 20. 20, 21. and John 5. 24, 25.
3. A true Church holdeth, that there is an Almighty God, filling Heaven and Earth with his preſence, who is the Creatour, and Governour, and Judge of the world, Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 1. 19, 20, 21. and 1 Cor. 1. 21. and 2 Theſ, 1. 8. Rom. 1. 18. 25. and 1 Cor. 8. 5, 6. and that this God is one Lord, and yet there is a Trinity in Ʋnity, and a Ʋnity in Trinity, viz. Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, 1 John 5. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 18, 19, 21. Mat. 28. 19. Epheſ. 4. 4, 5, 6. and 1 John 2. 22, 23. and 2 John 9. 10. and 1 Tim. 2. 4, 5, 6. and 2 Tim. 3. 15. 1 John 2. 22. Acts 4. 10. 12. and 1 Cor. 3. 10, 11. Iſaiah 45. 21, 22, 23.
4. A true Church may be known by this alſo, I ſay a true Church that is perfectly joyned together; for of ſuch a Church I am now ſpeaking, 1 Cor. 1. 10. I ſay that this Church doth hold that Jeſus Chriſt is very God and very Man, of the very Subſtance of the Virgin Mary, begotten by the ſpirit of God, 1 Joh. 4. 23. 2 Joh. 7. and 1 John 4. 3. That Jeſus Chriſt is God and Man doth further appeare in theſe Scriptures, Mat. 16. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Iſaiah 53. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 24, 25. 1 Corinth. 15. 2, 3. 2 Timoth. 2. 4, 5, 6.
5. That the ſame Lord Jeſus Chriſt dyed for the ſinnes of the people, being crucified at Jeruſalem, and roſe againe, and aſcended into Heaven, whereby there is a way opened for all ſinners, whom God ſhall draw and make willing, freely to come to God, and their duty ſo to doe, and whoſoever doth come and none elſe, he doth waſh away their ſinnes in his owne bloud, and preſent them to his Father pure in his owne purity, John 8. 24. Acts 4. 10, 11, 12. Acts 10. 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43. and 1 Cor. 15. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Act. 22. 8. Acts 2. 36, 37, 38. Rev. 22. 17. Iſa. 55. 1, 2. Col. 1. 22. 28. Epheſ. 5. 27. 2 Peter 3. 14. Coloſ. 2. 10.
6. A true Church, ſound in the Faith, and holy in Converſation, doth hold that this ſame Jeſus Chriſt, being the onelyonly God and Man in one perſon, remaines for ever a diſtinct Being from the Saints and Angels, notwithſtanding their Ʋnion and Communion with him, Col. 2. 8, 9. 19. and 1 Tim. 3. 16.
7. A true Church doth hold that precious faith, or comming to God is a ſpirituall and peculiar gift of God, and that there is no freeneſſe or willingneſſe in any naturall man to that which is ſpiritually good, but an abſolute enmity thereto; ſo that no naturall man can by any thing that he can doe, bring himſelfe into a ſtate of grace or holineſſe, or ſit himſelfe thereto.
8. A true Church ſound in the Faith, doth hold, that we are juſtified and ſaved by grace and ſaith in Chriſt and not by workes, Rom. 1. 16, 17. 31. Rom. 8. 13. Rom. 9. 31, 32, 33. and 10. 3, 4. Act. 15. 24. Gal. 1. 6, 7, 8, 9. Gal. 5. 2. 4, 5. Epheſ. 2. 8, 9, 10. and 1 John 1. 6. 8. 1 John 3. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. and 2 Pet. 2. 19, 20.
9. A true Church doth hold, that God meerly of his good pleaſure, without the fore-ſight of any good in the creature, elected a certaine number by name unto eternall ſalvation, and hath decreed alſo to effect all the wayes for them, and in them, to bring them thereto, Epheſ. 1. 4. Mat. 24. 22. 24. 31. Rom. 8. 33. and 9. 11. and 1 Tim. 5. 21. and 2. 2. 10. and 1 Pet. 1. 2. and 2 Pet. 1. 10. and 2 Theſ. 2. 13.
10. A true Church holds, that no perſon that is ſo elected and regenerated, ſhall fall away out of that ſtate and be damned, but ſhall be undoubtedly kept by the power of God in that ſtate of regeneration unto ſalvation, 2 Tim. 2. 19. Titus 1. 2. and Mat. 24. 24. Phil. 1. 6. 1 Per. 1. 5. Rom. 8. 1. and 6. 22. and 8. 30. Epheſ. 4. 30. and 5. 27. Heb. 12. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 23. Prov. 24. 1…. 1 John 3. 9. Jude 24. Mat. 7. 24, 25. Beſides, the Lord hath engaged by way of promiſe, that none of his ſhall fall finally, John 10. 27, 28, 29. and 4. 14. and 3. 36. and 5. 24. and 6. 40. 47. 54. and 14. 16. and 1 Cor. 1. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 6. and 2. 1. 10. 1 Sam. 12. 22. Pſal. 94. 14. Prov. 10. 30.
A true Church doth hold, that God is to be worſhipped according to his owne will, but thoſe that ſlight his Ordinances, and despiſe the duties of his worſhip, doe manifeſtly declare that they are none of thoſe that ſhall be ſaved, Jer. 10. 15. Pſal. 14. 4. Jude, 18, 19, 20, 21.
12. That Church that is perfectly joyned one to another in one ſpirit, doth hold, that the dead ſhall riſe, and that there is a day of Judgement, Acts 17. 30, 31. 1 Cor. 15. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Heb. 9. 27. 1 Pet. 4. 17. Jude 6. Rev. 20. 12, 13. Rom. 2. 16. In a word, to ſay no more; a true Communion of Saints according to a Goſpel-inſtitution, is a Communion of Saints ariſing from a clear apprehenſion of their Union with Saints: 1 Cor. 12. 13, 14. for by one ſpirit we are all baptiſed into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, bond or free, … have been all made to drink into one ſpirit, for the body is not one member, but many, ver. 20. for now are they many members, but one body. Now when a Saint comes to ſee that every one in whom the Lord Jeſus appeareth, is a member together with him in the ſame body whereof Chriſt is the head, then his heart longeth to joyne himſelfe in fellowſhip with ſuch who have fellowſhip with the Father and the Son. 1 John 1. 3.
Obj. But I am a little unſatisfied in this, ſaith ſome ſoule, I heare that thoſe Churches that walk neareſt to thoſe Rules, before laid downe, doe ſuffer ſome to speake and teach amongst them that are not Miniſters, but private Members: pray Sir how is that exerciſe proved?
Anſw. Their exerciſing their gifts may be proved by theſe four demonſtrations:
1. By examples in the Jewiſh Church, where men, though in no Office, either in Temple or Synagogue, had liberty publiquely to uſe their gifts, as doth clearly appeare by theſe Scriptures, Luke 2. 42. 46, 47. Luke 4. 16, 17, 18. Acts 8. 4. and 11. 19, 20, 21. and Chapt. 13, 14, 15, 16. chap. 18. 24, 25, 26.
2. By the Commandement of Chriſt and his Apoſtles, Luke 9 10. chap. 10. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 10, 11. 1 Cor. 14. 1. 5. 30, 31.
3. It will appeare plainly by the prohibiting of women to teach in the Church; hereby liberty being given unto men, their husbands or others. 1 Tim. 2. 11, 12. 1 Cor. 14. 34, 35.
4. This will yet more fully appeare, by thoſe moſt excellent ends which by this meanes are to be obtained: As
1. The glory of God, in the manifeſtation of his manifold graces. See 1 Pet. 4. 10, 11.
2. That the gifts of the Spirit in men be not quenched. 1 Theſ. 5. 19, 20. Quench not the Spirit, despiſe not propheſying, that is, Stop not the motion of the Spirit in your ſelves, nor reſtraine the gift thereof in others. Deſpiſe not propheſying, that is, Contemne not the Word, how meane ſoever the ſpeakers gifts ſeeme unto thee. Set not lightly by the declarations and applications of the Scriptures, either by ſuch as have the extraordinary gifts of propheſying, ſee 1 Cor. 14. 15. or by the ordinary gifts.
3. For the fitting and tryall of men for the Miniſtery.
4. For the preſerving pure the doctrine of the Church, which is more indangered, if ſome one or two alone may onelyonly be heard and ſpeak. Act. 2. 42.
5. For the debating and ſatisfying of doubts, if any doe ariſe. Act. 13. 15.
6. For the edifying of the Church, and converſion of others, alwayes provided that he have the gift of the Spirit, to ſpeak unto edification, exhortation and comfort, 1 Cor. 14. 3. Now to ſay no more in order to the removing of this laſt ſtumbling block, let me exhort thee in the name and fear of the Lord, to inquire and make diligent ſearch amongſt all ſorts of Aſſemblyes, propheſying and pretending to Chriſt; for ſuch a Congregation, that of lively ſtones have built up a ſpirituall houſe, and ſet down therewith many at the feet of Chriſt; hear his words, and endeavour to be ſerviceable to his Lambs, thy fellow Members; ſo ſhalt thou dwell in his houſe, and behold his glory, and inquire in his Temple; Pſal. 27. 4. and thou being thus planted in his houſe ſhall flouriſh in his Courts, Pſal. 29.
And this is all I ſhall lay before thee, or commend unto thee; as touching the removing thoſe ſtumbling-blocks that lye in a Chriſtians way to Heaven, and the maine end next to the glory of God, that put me upon removing theſe ſtumbling blocks, is that we might keep up faith in our ſoules, which will be of ſingular uſe unto us, viz.
1. It will purifie the heart, Acts 15. 9.
2. It will enable us to heare the word with profit, Heb. 4. 2.
3. It will inable us to overcome the world, 1 John 5. 4.
4. It will inable us to overcome the Devill, Epheſ. 6. 16.
5. It will make mercies preſent that are abſent, Heb. 11. 1. 13.
6. It will fill the Soule with joy unspeakable, 1 Pet. 1. 8.
7. It will multiply peace in the Soule, Rom. 5. 1, 2.
8. It will aſſure a Soule that God will anſwer his prayers, James 1. 5, 6.
9. It will inable us to be fruitfull in well-doing, even to ſhew forth our faith by our workes: James 2. 18. it will inable us not only to do the thing commanded, but as it is commanded, Rom. 14. 23.
10. It will not only give us the title of honour of being called the children of Abraham, but it will furniſh us with a heart and principle to walke in the ſteps of our Father Abraham: to come forth of our own Countrey as he did, if God call us; and to truſt upon God, although he had but a bare word for it, and to give God as he did his own time, to make God his owne promiſe, and to part with the neareſt and deareſt thing for God at firſt word, and to look through all difficulties and impoſſibilities unto the fulneſſe of God, and ſo to believe in hope againſt hope, and ſo to wait upon God as not to neglect the meanes, Faith, Prayer, Hope, &c. for the accompliſhment of the mercy promiſed; yea, this faith will help the ſoule to act in Spirituall duties, from Spirituall ends, as from the ſence of Divine love, that doth as it were conſtraine the ſoule to waite upon God, and to waite upon God, and to act for God, in love to God, the choice and pretious diſcoveries that the ſoul hath formerly had of the beauty and glory of God, whilſt it hath been in the ſervice of God, the bleſſed love-letters, the glorious kiſſes, and the ſweet imbraces that a believing ſoul hath had from Chriſt in his ſervice; this doth provoke and move the ſoule to wait upon him in the way of his Ordinances, but an unbeliever doth put himſelfe upon religious duties, only from externall motives, as the Eare of the creature, the Eye of the creature, the reward of the creature, and the keeping up of a name amongſt the creatures, and a thouſand ſuch l…ke conſiderations, and as we may ſee in Jehu, Saul, Judas, Demas, and the Scribes and Phariſees, &c.
It would much heighten our Faith if we did ſeriouſly conſider the ſweet condeſcentions of our tender Lord God to all ſtaggering, miſgiving, weak Chriſtians, viz. Luke 9. 56. but The Son of Man is not come to deſtroy mens lives but to ſave them. 1 Tim. 2. 5. I am ſaith Chriſt, willing that all ſhould be ſaved and come to knowledge of the truth. Mat. 9. 13. I came not to call the Righteous, but Sinners to repentance. Heb. 2. 15. I am ſaith Chriſt, to deliver thoſe that were all their life time ſubject to bondage. Jer. 3. 12. Heb. 8. 12. I am very mercifull, and will be mercifull, and will pardon thy Sins. Iſa. 43. 25. Though thou deſerveſt nothing of me, yet I will pardon thy Sins for my owne name ſake, and though it doth ſeeme impoſſible to thee, that I ſhould be ſo mercifull, Mark 9. 23. Conſider, all things are poſſible to him that believeth.
Obj. O but I am the child of wicked Parents, and the Lord hath ſaid he will viſit the ſinnes of the Fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation.
Anſw. If a wicked Father and Mother beget a Son, that ſeeth all his Parents ſinnes, and conſidereth and doth not ſuch like, that Sonne ſhall not bear the iniquity of his Father, Ezek. 18. 14. 20. Ezek. 16. 3. to the 13. beſides we finde in Scripture that wicked Parents had good Children, 2 Kings 16. 20. wicked Ahab had good Hezekiah, Idolatrous Ammon zealous Joſiah, 2 Kings 22. 2. ſee 2 Kings 21. 21, 22. and ungodly Saul had a godly Jonathan; nay, if thou be a Baſtard, the child of a Whore, that doth not hinder thee neither to be ſaved, for Gods ſervant Jeptha was a Baſtard, ſo was his ſervant Phares, who is reckoned in Chriſts owne Genealogie, compare Judges 11. 1. with Heb. 11. 32. compare Gen. 38. 18. and 29. and Ruth. 4. 12. with Mat. 1. 3. in a word, he that is borne a Baſtard, if he be borne againe of the Spirit, he is reckoned among the Sonns of God.
Obj. But I am an old Sinner, and have one foot already in the grave, ſaith another trembling Soule.
Anſw. Chriſt doth call ſome at the ninth houre, yea ſome at the eleventh houre, and ſaith, Jer. 3. 5. returne unto me and I will not cauſe mine anger to fall upon thee, I will multiply pardons for thee, Iſa. 55. 7. Nay, if thou haſt been an Idolater, an Adulterer, a Thief, a Drunkard, yet we finde in Scripture, ſuch were many of the Lords deare ones that are now in Heaven; 1 Cor. 9. 6. 9, 10, 11. Tit. 3. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. What ſhall we ſay, Chriſt left his own glory, and came into the world to ſave Sinners. Joh. 17. 5. 1. Tim. 1. 15. though he was the only Son of his Father, yet he took upon him the form of a Servant. Joh. 1. 14. Phil. 2. 6, 7, 8. yea though he was Heyr of all things, and poſſeſſor of Heaven and Earth, yet he became poore and hungry, that we might be made rich, 2 Cor. 8. 9. Though he had no ſinne, yet he was made ſinne, that we poor ſinners might eſcape ſinne, 1 Pet. 1. 19. and 2. 22. and 2 Cor. 1. 21. and though he was a Law giver, and a Law maker, yet he became under the curſe of his owne Law, to redeeme us from that curſe, Iſay 33. 22. Gal. 3. 13. though he was his Fathers delight, and an object of his love from everlaſting, yet he became an object of his wrath, for his love to us, who were yet in our ſins, Pſal. 88. 16. and 102 Pſ. 10.
When we were ſlaves to the Devill, and firebrands of Hell, even then did Chriſt reſcue us from the power of one, and redeeme us from the plague and puniſhment of the other. 1 Theſ. 1. 10. Amos 4. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 25. Heb. 2. 14.
Obj. But is there nothing in the way that hinders men and women that are willing to come to Chriſt? are all the ſtumbling blocks removed?
Anſw. There is nothing on Gods part, for he hath taken all things out of the way, that hindred thee to be ſaved, Col. 2. 14.
Nay further, we are to doe nothing at all towards our own ſalvation, for Chriſt hath freely purchaſed us life and Salvation, 1 Cor. 6. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19. Epheſ. 1. 14.
Even thus doth the Lord doe for us, that we might acknowledge we are nothing, but what we are in him, and that we have nothing but what we have received from him, that ſo all the glory might be to him; Firſt, he will have us to ſee our ſelves to be the greateſt and vileſt ſinners, and againe to ſee all our owne righteouſneſſe and performances to be as filthy and monſtrous rags, that ſo we might deny our own righteouſneſſe wholly, and look to be found in the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt only.
Obj. But, ſaith another timerous weak ſoule, I am a lyar, and the Lord ſaith in the Revelation, that lyars ſhall not enter into Heaven, but have their portion in the lake that burneth with fire and Brimſtone.
Anſw. The houſe of Iſrael and the houſe of Judah dealt treacherouſly againſt the Lord, and belyed him, &c.
So that the Lord ſaith, Ephraim my deare ſon compaſſeth me about with lies, yet was I gracious to them, and forgave them, as thou mayſt ſee, Jer. 5. 11, 12. Hoſ. 11. 12. Jer. 23. 6. & 31. 20. ſo that it is he that loveth and maketh a lye that ſhall be caſt out and forſaken of God; even he that delights in ſin, not he that complains and mourns under ſin.
Obj. But I am a very great ſinner, and I goe many times to Prayer, and to heare Sermons, and I finde no more working or relenting upon my Soule, then if I were a dead Stock or Stone, nay for there I have laine long under the meanes of grace, and yet I am altogether fruitleſſe, and like the barren Fig-tree.
Anſ. If thou didſt ſee all thy ſins with their nature, number and aggravations, thou couldſt never look upon them but with deſpaire, as Caine and Judas; but if thou wilt look upon them as they were layd upon the Scape-goat, thou wilt ſee them carryed into the land of forgetfulneſſe, Levit. 16. 22.
Againe, theſe ſinns ſo numerous were laid upon Chriſt, Iſa. 53. 6. and he was bruiſed for our iniquities, verſe 5. he ſhall ſee the travell of his ſoule and ſhall be ſatisfied, ver. 11.
Againe the Lord ſaith, he will blot them out as a thick cloud, and freely forgive them, and remember them no more.
Againe he tells us, that in him is our fruit found, and he is our rightouſneſſe, and he will purge us, and then we ſhall bring forth fruit abundanly: See John 15. 2. 5. Pſal. 92. 12, 13, 14.
And now to draw towards a concluſion, let us ſeriouſly conſider where the fault lyeth, that there is ſo much weakneſs, bondage, feares, affrightments, timerouſneſs, and weakneſs in the profeſſing men and women of our times; the fault or defect herein, muſt be either on Gods part or on our part, and that it is not on Gods, it is moſt cleare, for he hath left us a remedy in his Word for every Malady, Pſal. 103. 3. 1 John 1. 9. and doth aſſure us we are not ſtraitned in him, but in our own bowels, 2 Cor. 6. 12. he bids us open our mouths wide and he will fill it. Pſal 81. 10. Are not my wayes equall, and yours unequall, ſaith the Lord, Ezek. 18. 25. 29. and 33. 17. 20. 29. What could I have done more for my Vineyard, Iſaiah 5. 4. then I have done? wherefore when I expected Grapes it brought forth wild Grapes: Iſaiah 1. 2. Hear, O Heavens, and give eare O Earth, for the Lord hath ſpoken, ſaying, I have nouriſhed and brought up Children, and they have rebelled againſt me, Jerem. 2. 13. my people have committed two evils, they have forſaken me, the Fountain of living waters, and hewed them out Ciſterns, broken Ciſterns, that can hold no water, &c. By which it doth appear, that the defect doth lye on our parts, and not on Gods. And now let us a little conſider what is the reaſon we ſpend much time in reading, hearing, conferring, meditating, day after day, week after week, year after year, yet little or no growth, we are at the ſame place as we were four or five or ſix years ago. Surely, dear friend, whoſoever thou art, that readeſt theſe few lines, there is a ſpirituall art or skill if thee and I could hit upon it, that we might profit more in one day then before in ſeven year, that ſo we might read and underſtand, effect and keep, believe and apply the precious promiſes to our own ſoules, and then we might underſtand what we heare preached, and apply what we underſtand, and practiſe what we apply. O there is a ſpirituall skill, if we could hit upon it, that would be of exeeding great advantage to us; we may yet break forth and ſay, as in Iſa. 49. 4. I have laboured in vaine, I have spent my ſtrength for nought; or elſe we may all ſay with Peter, Luk. 5. 5. Maſter we have toyled all the night, and have taken nothing: Oh how do we ſtudy, and inquire, and ſearch, and ſtrive, and pump, and act fleſh, and grope in the dark? how doe the Miniſters turn their preaching into labors, forme, or elſe boaſt in another mans line, of things made ready to their hands, or vent their own naturall wiſdome, and ſo befoole themſelves, confeſſing that in Doctrine they deny in Reaſon, and acknowledge that in Reaſon that they deny in Uſe, and hold forth that in Uſe that they deny in Practiſe? And then for the Hearers, how is hearing turned into a forme, and ſo Satan deceives us? if Satan can he will keep the Goſpel from being preached; if he cannot do that, he will labour to poyſon the doctrine; if he cannot do that, he will endeavour to keep the people from hearing; if he cannot prevaile in that, he will endeavour to have them hear negligently; if he cannot do that, he will endevour to hinder them in receiving thoſe things that doe moſt concern them; if he cannot do that, then he will do what he can to hinder them in the practiſe of what they have heard, learned, received, and treaſured up; and if ſo, no mervail that there is ſo much preaching and hearing, and ſo little good done, that we might even ſay, the converting power of the Ordinances are gone, we ſee not God in them, it is even dark, and profeſſors themſelves walk in the dark, and are ſo beſet with temptations that they have much adoe to hold up.
Surely there is a way, if we could light on it, there is a ſpirituall skill if we could attain it, if we could find it, we ſhould take a Bible and read, and underſtand what we read, and effect it, believe it, and apply it, and enjoy it; O Lord poure out thy ſpirit and open thoſe Seals wherewith our Bible is ſealed; the Key of Logick cannot open the Seales, the Key of Rhetorick and Phyloſophy cannot open it; it is that golden Key, the ſpirit of the Lord, that can do it; that ſpirit will ſhew us how much of the Scripture is already fulfilled, what is now fulfilling, and what is yet to be fulfilled; yea this is the way to know what Scriptures are to be underſtood litterally, and what ſpiritually; this will help us how to know when Chriſt ſpeaks Myſterially, and when he ſpeaks Regally; when he ſpeaks to us as a Prieſt, or as a Pprophet, &c. Now is not this bleſſed Key of the Bible, the Spirit of the Lord, worth an asking? Luke 11. 13. If ye then being evill know how to give good gifts unto your Children, how much more ſhall your heavenly Father give the holy ſpirit to them that ask him? Oh let us ask then that we may receive, that our joy may be full, it is no …eſſe then the mighty work of God to give us underſtanding in his Word. Luke 24. 25. Then opened he their underſtanding, that they might underſtand the Scriptures, by his holy ſpirit, giving them underſtanding; it is true, the Word of God ſhineth as a true light, yet as the cloudy pillar was darkneſs to the Egyptians, ſo are the Scripures to carnall and corrupt mindes, becauſe it is ſpiritually diſcerned, 1 Cor. 2. 14. untill the Holy Ghoſt open the underſtanding it cannot apprehend, there is no worſe cloud to obſcure the light of the ſpirit then confidence in our own wiſdome: 2 Cor. 2. 3, 4. Pſal. 119. 18. 1 Cor. 3. 7.
So that where God who hath the key of David, opens not, there the Goſpel, though never ſo powerfully preached, is hid, and nothing affecteth the ſtupid, the drowſie hearer: See 2 Cor. 2. 4. Therefore let every Chriſtian have a recourſe to thoſe promiſes in Scripture, wherein he hath promiſed to open our blinde eyes, and ſoften our hard hearts, and fill us with the knowledge of his will, and write his Law in our hearts, and manifeſt himſelf to our ſoules; our heavenly Father hath made his will and given us great wealth, rich poſſeſſions, and large legacies, ſo that all his children are great heires, wherefore we ought to come to him with an unſhaken expectation, and a frequent ſuing for all that is promiſed, and not to ſuffer our heavenly Father to purſe or keepe one penny that is due to us by promiſe, but he ſhall be ſure to heare of it, and if he do not preſently give in according to his covenant, then let us draw a Petition and prefer it in the Court of Heaven, where we have an Advocate pregared, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous, to plead our caſe without a fee: 1 Joh. 2. 1. Now this ſpirituall skill before ſpoken of, which here I do endeavor to point at, doth lye much in theſe three things,
1. Conſider whoſe Word it is, and by whom it was ſpoken.
2. Conſider what he is that hath thus ſpoken to us by the Prophets.
3. Conſider what are the particular things or promiſes in it.
1. Conſider whoſe and by whom it was ſpoken, and how it hath relation to us of theſe things, or at leaſt of ſome of them, I have ſpoken ſomthing to in another Treatiſe; but for two reaſons I do write them here;
Firſt, becauſe they are ſuitable, and will fall in in order to what I have been writing in this Book: Secondly, becauſe the Lord hath enlarged them upon my own heart, well to return to the buſineſle in hand, whoſe Word it is. My friends, that book which we call the Bible, is the Word of God, as we have proved at large, in removing the firſt ſtumbling block, the Prophets and Apoſtles were the mouth of God to the people, as doth appeare in and by theſe Scriptures which I ſhall onelyonly quote, and leave the Reader to conſider them, Acts 3. 21. Heb. 1. 1. Acts 2. 4. Luke 10. 16. Mat. 10. 20. Now if theſe be the ſayings of God, they ſhall be undoubtedly made good, ſo that every tittle of them ſhall be fulfilled. Mat. 5. 18. Luke 16. 17. Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 10. 23.
Obj. I grant this, that it is the ſaying of God, but what is that to me? ſaith a miſgiving heart: Alas, theſe precious promiſes that you lay before me are not mine, they were made to the people then in being.
Anſw. They do belong to us as well as unto them, and were written for our learning as well as theirs, as doth appeare by theſe, John 17. 20. Rom. 15. 4. 1 Cor. 9. 10. Rom. 4. 23, 24. 1 Cor. 10. 11. By all which it doth fully appear, that the promiſes and threatnings doe reach and relate to us as well as the people then in being, to whom it was ſpoken, 2 Pet. 1. 20. for no propheſie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation, that is, we muſt not analiſe or interpret them ſo, as if the Propheſies thereof did relate only to the particular Times, Places, and Perſons, in, by, and to whom they were at firſt uttered, &c.
2. Let us conſider what he is that hath thus ſpoken to us in the Old and New Teſtament, by the Prophets and Apoſtles, for it is of exceeding great advantage to us to know him: They that know thee, will put their truſt in thee: And the reaſon wherefore we have ſo little faith in him, is, becauſe we have ſo little knowledge of him, &c.
1. He is one that waiteth to ſhew mercy, and doth not afflict willingly, Mch. 7. 18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, becauſe thou doſt delight in mercy, therefore verſe 19. he will have compaſſion upon us, he will ſubdue our iniquity, and caſt all our ſinnes in the deepe of the Sea.
2. He is one that hath made many promiſes unto us, viz. that he will withhold no good thing from us, that he will never faile us, nor forſake us, yea we may find in the Old and New Teſtament, whole cloudes of promiſes ſuitable to every condition, that a man or woman is ſubject to be in.
3. He is one that is alwayes mindfull of his promiſe, Pſalm 111. 5. Iſaiah 49. 15, 16.
4. He is able and willing to make good his promiſes, Rom. 4. 20, 21. See Micha 7. 18, 19.
5. He is ſo faithfull he cannot lye, Heb. 10. 23. Let us hold faſt the profeſſion of our Faith without wavering, for he is faithfull that hath promiſed, 1 Cor. 1. 9. and 2 Theſ. 5. 24. and 2 Theſ. 3. 7. Tit. 1. 2.
6. Conſider that he is one hath entred into covenant to make good every tittle promiſed. Iſa. 54. 10. The mountaines ſhall depart, and the hills ſhall be removed, but my kindneſſe ſhall not depart from thee, neither ſhall the covenant of my peace be removed, Jer. 33. 20. If you can break my Covenant of the day, and my Covenant of the night, that there ſhall not be day and night in their ſeaſon, then may alſo my Covenant be broken; it is true, we may fall and loſe degrees of Faith, and recover them againe, we may fall off and be reſtored, and backſlide, and be recovered, but God hath ſaid, Jer. 32. 40. I will write my Lawes in their hearts, and they ſhall not depart from me.
7. He is one that hath ſworne to us, that he will make good his Covenant with us, Heb. 6. 17, 18. Ezek. 33. 11.
8. He hath ſealed his Promiſe, Oath, and Covenant, with the blood of his Son, Heb. 9. 23. and Revel. 1. 5. by all which we may ſee he is immutable, unchangeable, the ſame yeſterday, to day and for ever, and whoſoever doth thus know his name, cannot but truſt in him, &c.
3. Conſider what are the particular promiſes in it, we have ſpoaken already to the two firſt, namely, Firſt, whoſe word it is. Secondly, what he is that ſpake it; now the next thing to be conſidered is, what are the particular promiſes in it? to which I anſwer as before, there are promiſes of all ſorts, viz. there are promiſes Abſolute or Conditionall, Evangelicall or Legall, Generall or Particular, Common or Speciall, Direct or by Conſequence, Spirituall, Temporall or Eternall, or promiſes for the life that now is, or that which is to come, there are informing and aſſuring promiſes, promiſes to one ſenſible of Sin, promiſes to a Child newly begotten to the Faith, promiſes for the young man, promiſes for an old man; in a word, I know no State, Nation or People, but in one ſence or other have promiſes relating to them, unleſſe thoſe people that have ſinned againſt the Holy Ghoſt, and the nature of that ſinne is diſcovered in removing the 15. ſtumbling block: Now me thinks a Spirituall ſoule ſhould ſtand upon his guard, and when Satan comes with his temptations, he ſhould reſiſt him with the promiſes, as our Saviour did, Mat. 4. 4. 7. 10. the only way to conquer is ſtill to plead tis written, therefore when a ſoule is tempted to uncleanneſſe plead, 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. It is written, be ye holy, as I am holy, and let us clenſe our ſelves from all filthineſſe of fleſh and Spirit, perfecting holineſſe in the feare of the Lord, as in 2 Cor. 7. 1, 2. and when he tempts us to diſtruſt Gods providence and Fatherly care of us, let us plead it is written, they that feare the Lord ſhall want nothing that is good, Pſal. 34. 9. Againe, Pſal. 84. it is written, the Lord will give us grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke uprightly. If we feare we ſhall faint on our way, then plead it is written, Job 17. 9. the righteous ſhall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands ſhall waxe ſtronger and ſtronger, Jer. 32. 40. It is written I will make an everlaſting Covenant with them, I will not turne away from them, to doe them good, I will put my feare in their hearts that they ſhall not depart from me, Iſa. 40. 31. It is written, they that wait upon the Lord, they ſhall renew their ſtrength, they ſhall mount up with wings as Eagles, they ſhall run, and not be weary, and they ſhall walk and not be faint. It is written, Micha 7. 19. He will turne againe, he will have compaſſion upon us, and caſt all our ſinns into the depths of the Sea: Iſa. 54. 7. Tis written, For a ſmall moment have I forſaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee, ver. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlaſting kindneſſe will I have compaſſion on thee, ſaith the Lord thy Redeemer, verſe 10. Tis written, the mountains ſhall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindneſſe ſhall not depart from thee, neither ſhall the Covenant of my peace be removed, ſaith the Lord that hath mercy on thee, Iſay 49. 15, 16. It is written, Can a woman forget her child, that ſhe ſhould not have compaſſion on the Son of her wombe? Yea, they may forget, yet will not I forget thee, for I have graven thee upon the palmes of my hands, thy walls are ever in my ſight.
Obj. Now who is this that hath made theſe, and a thouſand ſuch like promiſes?
Anſw. We have proved before that it was God. Thoſe holy men ſpake as they were moved by the Spirit of God. To whom he did make theſe pretious promiſes, that we have alſo anſwered before, that theſe were made to us now in being, as well as to thoſe then in being, as we have fully proved.
Queſt. But what is this God that hath thus covenanted with us?
Anſw. 1. He is one that delighteth in mercy.
2. He is one that is mindfull of his promiſes.
3. He is one that is able to make good what he hath promiſed.
4. He is faithfull, he cannot lye.
5. He hath ſworne that he will make good every tittle by him promiſed.
6. He is one that ſealeth all with the Blood of his Son, and giveth us the reaſon of all this, Heb. 6. 18. That we might have ſtrong conſolation, which have our refuge to lay hold upon that hope that is ſet before us. This alſo made our Father Abraham to live in hope againſt hope: The ſtability of a Promiſe, Covenant or Oath, ſtandeth much upon the qualifications of the promiſer; as to inſtance, if a man make me a promiſe to do ſuch and ſuch things for me, and yet I queſtion whether he will make it good, it muſt be from a doubt of the want of one of theſe enſuing things in him that maketh the promiſe; (as Maſter Owen in his book called, [The ſtedfaſtneſſe of promiſes] very well obſerveth.)
Our ſtaggering or doubting then doth ariſe,
1. Either from the truth of him that maketh the promiſe.
2. Or, from his ability to make good his word.
3. Or, of his ſincerity to intend me really, what he ſpeaketh.
4. Or, of his conſtant memory of taking the opportunity of doing the thing promiſed or intended.
5. Or, of his ſtableneſs to be ſtill of the ſame mind.
Now, if there be no want of any of theſe in him, whoſe promiſe we ſpeak of; there is then certainly no ground of doubting, or ſtaggering, or miſgiving, but rather a firm ground of confidence and aſſurance.
The ſerious conſideration of this will skrew up a Chriſtian to a holy boldneſſe, and ſpirituall confidence: where is that boldneſs as there was in David? I will not, ſaid he, fear, though ten thouſand ſhould hem me in: if warre ſhould riſe againſt me, in this will I be confident: Pſal. 27. 1, 2, 3. The Lord is my light, and my ſalvation, whom ſhall I feare? The Lord is the ſtrength of my life, of whom ſhall I be afraid? ver. 2. When the wicked, even mine enemies and foes come upon me to eat up my fleſh, they ſtumbled and fell, &c.
Where is ſuch boldneſſe and ſtrength as was in Jacob, when he wreſtled with the Angel, and prevailed with God, to put him in mind of his promiſe made to him? Where is ſuch a ſpirit of prevailing with God, as there was in Moſes, when the Lord ſaid, Let me alone Moſes, &c.
Where is ſuch joy in ſuffrings as there was in Paul, and the reſt of the Saints? Rom. 5. 3. We rejoice in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. Where are thoſe noble overcomming Saints, that would not be afraid of a man that ſhould dye? What, have we the ſame Father, and ſo unlike our Brethren? do we not diſparage our Fathers houſe, by looking ſo like Pharaoh's lean Kine? and in ſtead of holy boldneſſe, and ſpirituall confidence, one is whining, another piping, ſome ſighing, and all doubting, and complaining.
Surely, this fearfulneſſe and timerouſneſſe doth ariſe from weakneſs and feebleneſs, and weakneſs and feebleneſs doth ariſe from imbecillity or incredulity: In a word, it ſpringeth from our ignorance of the riches, freeneſs, fulneſs, and everlaſtingneſs of Gods love; and from our ignorance of the power, glory, ſufficiency, and efficacy of the death and ſufferings of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and from our ignorance of the worth, glory, fulneſs, largeneſs, and compleatneſs of the righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt; and from our ignorance of that reall, cloſe, ſpirituall, glorious, and inſeparable union that there is between Chriſt and our pretious ſoules: here lyeth the defect, and how ſhall this be removed, and the ſoule revived, and the heart cheared, and the whole man quickned, but by the ſpirit of God in the applying of theſe promiſes?
Oh then! oh then! conſider there are many promiſes, and they do belong to us, and he that made them is the mighty God, he is able to make them good, he is faithfull and willing to accompliſh them, he is unchangeable in his love to us, and alwayes mindfull of us, and waiting to be gracious unto us.
Oh! How earneſtly doth he knock? how powerfully doth he ſtrive? how long doth he wait upon us to make known himſelf unto us? Our Fathers truſted in him and were ſaved.
Surely, the Lord is never worſe, but many times better then his promiſe. He promiſed the children of Iſrael only the Land of Canaan, but beſides that he gave them two other Kingdomes which he never promiſed; and to Zacharias he promiſed to give him his Speech at the Birth of the Child, but beſides that he gave him the gift of propheſie.
And hence it is, that the Apoſtle in Epheſ. 3. 20. ſaith, That, God is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we can either aske or thinke. In the Name of the Lord then let us ariſe, and take the Bible and read, and underſtand, and effect, and believe, and apply, that ſo the word of God may dwell plentifully in us, ſo ſhall the Word be our rule, the Spirit our guide, and the Glory of God our ayme; ſo ſhall an entrance be adminiſtred unto us abundantly, into the everlaſting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, the Rock of Ages, the light of the World, and King of Saints, to whom be Glory for ever, Amen.