The Riches of Grace Displayed, Table of contents
THE CONTENTS.
Serm. 1.
THe parts of the text. pag. 1
The Explication of the words. 3
Where is unfolded,
1. What door is in this place meant, Ibid
2. What is meant by Chriſt ſtanding at this door and knocking. 4
3. What Chriſts knocking at the door implies. 5
How many wayes Chriſt knocks. 6
4. What is meant by hearing his voice and opening the door. 8
Two ſcruples reſolved.
1. Whether theſe words do not ſet up the liberty and power of a natural will. p. 9
2. Whether there be a univerſal and ſufficient grace afforded to all. 11
Doct. That Jeſus Chriſt is exceeding ready and willing to come in to ſinners, and to ſave them. 13
Proved, 1. By five things in the text and context. ib.
1. By the quality of the perſons at whoſe doors he knocks. ib.
2. By the motions of Chriſt towards ſinners. 15
3. By the eaſineſſe of the termes upon which he would be theirs. 16
4. By the indefiniteneſſe of his deſire. 17
5. By the ſweetneſſe of his perſwading and alluring arguments. ib.
2. By divers things in Chriſt which teſtifie his willingneſs to ſave ſinners. 18
As 1. His actions and paſſions for ſinners. ib.
2. His profeſſions. 3. His invitations. 4. His expoſtulations. 5. His acceptations. 19
6. His compaſſions towards ſinners. 20
7. His frequent knockings. 21
8. His patient expectations. 22
9. His rhetorical and ſoul-drawing Arguments. 22, 23
10. His gracious Articles. 23
11. His ſingular joy and thankfulneſſe upon a ſinners opening to him. 25
The Reaſons of the Doctrine. 26
Uſe. Reproof of thoſe who ſhut the door againſt Jeſus Chriſt. 28
Uſe 2. Exhortation to ſenſible ſinners to beleeve that Jeſus Chriſt is willing to enter into their hearts. 30
Helps to beleeve this; by conſidering,
1. The doore of a broken heart is the great door at which Chriſt knocks. 31
2. Jeſus Chriſt hath broken through many of your doors already. 32
3. The more able you are to beleeve that Chriſt is willing, the more willing your hearts will be to open to him. 33
4. Chriſts greateſt diſpleaſure is againſt unbeleevers. 34
How we may get ſtrength to open the doo… to Chriſt. 34, 35
Serm. 2.
Doct. Jeſus Chriſt waits long upon ſinners, and earneſtly labours with them for entrance or admiſſion. 37
Demonſtrated in ſeveral particulars.
1. Chriſt gives not ſinners over, though they have given him no anſwer at all. 39
2. Chriſt continues knocking, though ſinners have made light of his invitations. 39, 40
3. Chriſt hath continued at the doore of ſinners, when they have made dilatory Anſwers. 40
4. Chriſt hath not gone away from the door, though they have given him harſh and churliſh anſwers. 40, 41
5. He hath not given over ſinners, though they have opened their mouths, and lift up their hands againſt him; 41
6. Yea, though they have imbrued their hands in the blood of his meſſengers and of himſelfe. 42
7. The multiplicity of his calls without, a…d motions within. 43
8. Chriſt strongly follows his ſuit. 45
9 He never gives over knocking till he have forced a ſoule to yeild and open to him. 47
Reaſons why Chriſt waits and knocks thus long.
1. On Chriſts part.
1. Chriſt is God. 49
2. Chriſt knows the price of a ſoul: 50
3. He knows the ſad conſequence of not opening to him. p. 50
Expreſſed in three particulars. 51
4. He knows our neceſſity, and the excellency of his own ſalvation. 51, 52
5. He knows whereof man is made. 52
2. On the ſinners part.
1. The deep ſleep into which he is fallen.
2. The thick ignorance and blindneſs in him.
3 The ſtrange reſiſtance in a ſinful heart. 53
Uſe 1. Information of, 1. The pride and ſtoubourneſſe, and rebellion of the will of ſinful man. 54
2. The juſt cauſe of a ſinners damnation. 55
Uſe 2. For humiliation of thoſe who have not opened to Chriſt knocking. 56
1. The evidence that may be given in againſt us for this. 57
1. By the Goſpel. 2. By the Miniſters of the Goſpel. 3. By our own conſcience. p. 57, 58
2. The cauſes of our not opening to Chriſt.
1. Ignorance and ſelf-confidence. 59
2. The judgement of the ſinner likes not the conditions. 60
3. The proud and irrational perverſneſſe of the will. 62
3. The humbling aggravations hereof, from
1. The incomparable abſurdity and indignity of it. 64
2. The deſperate hazard ſuch do run. 65
3. Holding out Christ thus long will coſt us dear, though at length we open to him. 66
Uſe 3. Think it not ſtrange if we wait long, and knock often at heaven door before God opens to us. 67
Uſe 4. Exhortation to let in Chriſt. 69
Three conſiderations to enforce it. 69, 70
Uſe 5. Encouragement to diſtreſſed ſouls to open to Jeſus Chriſt. 71
Serm. 3.
Doct. The door of a ſinners heart ought to open to Chriſt calling and knocking. 78
2. Diſtinctions premiſed. ib.
3. Queſtions diſcuſſed.
1. What doore of a ſinner that is which muſt be opened to Chriſt knocking. 79
In the general it is the whole ſoul of man ib.
Principally, the judgement and will of a ſinner. 80
2. What the opening of the door is, and how far it extends. 81
1. In reſpect of the judgement, where three things are wro…ght.
1. An evang…lical apprehenſion both of the neceſſity and excellency … Jeſus Chriſt; in which the key is put into the door. 81
2. A ſingular appreciation of Jeſus Chriſt, in which the door is unl…cked to Chriſt. 82
3. A comfortable ſubjection to the authority of Chriſt, in which the hand is upon the door, ready to ſet it open. 83
2. In reſpect of the will, and ſo the will opens to Chriſt.
1. When it comes off to Chriſt determinately or compleatly. 85
2. When it comes off freely and … lectively. 87
3. When it comes off with indefinite cloſure, both in reſpect of it ſelf, and in reſpect of Chriſt. 89
4. When it comes off with the concomitant attendance of the whole ſoul. 90
3. Why this door muſt be opened to Christ, when Chriſt by his omnipotency is able to enter in. 92
In anſwer to it three things premiſed.
1. It is not ſafe to inſiſt on the abſolute power, but rather to reſpect his ordinate power. 93.
2. Though the door muſt be opened, yet by an omnipotent act from Chriſt. ib.
3. Chriſt will not ſo act his omnipotency, but he will make the heart willing to open to him. p. 94
Reaſons of it.
1. Chriſt intends in this work a conjugal union, to which a mutual conſent of will is required. 94
2. Chriſt in this converting work aims at the glorifying of his grace and rich love. 95
3. Chriſt will have the ſinner to eſteem him a moſt valuable object. 96
4. The work is done, if this door be opened. 96, 97
Uſe 1. To reflect upon our ſelves whether our hearts be ſet open to Chriſt, or no. 98
1. You have had many callings and knookings from Chriſt. ib.
2. Chriſt is worthy of admiſſion. 99
3. Many hearts are as yet ſhut againſt Chriſt. 100
4. It is a difficult thing to make a ſinner willing to open his heart to Chriſt. 101
5. Many think their wills are opened to receive Chriſt, yet they are ſhut or not truly opened. 102
Queſt. How we may know that our hearts are rightly opened to let in Jeſus Chriſt. 103
Anſw. 1. By the cauſes. The right opening of the heart is from the word. 104
This the word doth three ways. 105
2. The right opening of the heart ariſeth from faith. 106
2. By the concomitants, as 1. The whole will is opened to Chriſt. 107
Five acts of the will according to to the Schoolmen ib.
According to theſe, the will makes choiſe of Chriſt and conſents to him. 108
And extends the ſoul to all the means of attaining Christ, and commands all the man to give up to Chriſt, and the fruition of him is moſt ſweet and pleaſant. 109
2. A whole Chriſt is opened to. 110
3. The heart is opened unto Chriſt only. 111
3. By the conſequents, as in the following Sermon. 112
Serm. 4.
Doct. Whatſoever the former condition of any ſinner hath been, and whatſoever his preſent condition is, yet if he will open to Chriſt, he will be his 114.
Proved,
1. Though the perſon hath been very ſinful, yet if he will open his heart to Chriſt, he will be his. 118
Sinne conſidered two wayes. 118, 119
There is a double refuſal of the offer of Chriſt. 121
2. Though the ſinner be not able of himſelf to make the leaſt ſatisfaction to divine juſtice, yet if he will open to Chriſt, he will be his. 122
3. Though his humblings be very ſmall, yet if he will open to Chriſt, he will be his. 123
Humblings conſidered two wayes. 124
4. Though his worthineſſe be none at all, yet if his heart will open to Chriſt, he will be his. 126
A twofold worthineſſe. 127
5. Though holineſſe be altogether wanting, yet if the ſinner will come to Chriſt, he will be his. 128
Reaſons of it.
1. Chriſt is made ours only by beleeving. 129
2. Chriſt doth come to the ſoul in a gracious way, upon free, not upon mercenary termes. 131
3. Chriſt comes to the ſoul as an alſufficiency, and ſo looks not to find any thing in us, and needs nothing from us. 132
4. Chriſt will keep a proportion betwixt the Application of redemption, and the work of our redemption. 134
5. Chriſt indefinitely tenders himſelf, inſiſting on nothing but letletting of him in. p. 135
Uſe 1. For encouragement to every broken hearted trembling ſoul. 136
Many pleadings of men againſt themſelves anſwered. 136, 137, 138, 139, 140
Uſe 2. Exhortations to stand out no longer. 142
Conſider,
1. The amplitude of Chriſts goodneſs towards us. ib.
2. The neceſſity we have of Jeſus Chriſt. 143
3. Thy inexcuſableneſſe if thou harden thy heart and doeſt not open. 144
Uſe 3. For Direction.
1. The minde muſt be opened if you would get the will to be opened. 146
Knowledge in the minde muſt be twofold. 147
2. The judgement muſt be opened if you would have the will to be opened. 148
A double work of the judgement neceſſary to affect the will to Chriſt. 148, 149
3. Faith muſt be obtained. 151
4. The Goſpel muſt be heard. 152
5. Importunate prayer muſt be made 152, 153
Serm. 5.
Doct. Jeſus Chriſt comes into the ſoul that opens to him, or takes poſſeſſion of an opening ſoule. 157
A threefold coming of Chriſt. ibid.
A twofold Application of Chriſt. ib.
1. The Doctrine unfolded in three particulars.
1. What it is for Chriſt to take poſſeſſion of the ſoul. 159
Certain premiſes in nine particulars. 159, 160. 161
Chriſt hath a double poſſeſſion of the ſoul.
1. A poſſeſſion of right in three particular. p. 163
2. A poſſeſſion of grace, which comprehends,
1. A Sovereign ſeazure. 163
2. A diſtinguiſhing furniture. 165
3. A ſweet gubernation. 169
4. A watchful proviſion. 170
5. A ſure protection 172
2. The properties and adjuncts of this poſſeſſion.
1. The poſſeſſing is Real. 175
2. Yet it is ſpiritual. 175, 176
3. It is powerful. 176
4. It is eternal. 177
3. Why Chriſt takes poſſeſſion of the ſoule that opens to him? anſwered in five particulars. 178, 179
Uſe 1. For Tryal, who it is that hath poſſeſſion of us. 180
Chriſts poſſeſſion of the ſoul is evidenced.
1. By his affecting excellency. 183
2. By his vertual efficacy. p. 184
3. By his exceeding Authority. 186
4. By our importunate inſatiability. 187
Uſe 2. They who finde Chriſts poſſeſſing preſence, muſt bleſs God and rejoyce in their portion. 188
The bleſſed condition of ſuch a one. 189
Uſe. 3. Inſtructions.
1. Great, rich, learned perſons ſhould prize and eſteeme godly beleeving Perſons. 192
2. Chriſtians ſhould remember whoſe they are, and to whom they owe all. ib.
3. Do not part with Chriſt when he hath gotten poſſeſſion. 193
Serm. 6.
Doct. There is a ſweet and excellent communion betwixt Chriſt and the ſoul poſſeſſed by Chriſt. 196
What communion is in general, and how it is diſtinguiſhed. 196, 197
Spiritual communion reſpect either the Angels and glorified ſouls in heaven, or thoſe that walk by faith on earth. 197
That there is a communion betwixt Chriſt and beleevers, appears in four particulars. 198, 199
1. Wherein this communion doth conſiſt.
It conſiſts in a reciprocal expreſſion betwixt Chriſt and beleevers. 199
Which includes.
1. An exceeding mutual love. 200
2. A ſingularly mutual complacency or delight. 202
Chriſt delights in beleevers, their Perſons, Graces, Services. 202, 203
Beleevers delight in Chriſt, the glories of his perſon, the wonder of his Redemption, and the methods of his preſence. p. 204
3. A mutual benevolence. 205
4. A mutual beneficence. 206
The good Chriſt communicates to beleevers. 207
1. Congruous good reſpecting this life.
1. Fundamental, in Juſtification, Adoption, Sanctification, Preſervation. 208, 209, 210
2. Accidental. 210
2. Glorious good, reſpecting another life. 210, 211
2. The extent of this communion: It is,
1. Ʋniverſal with all beleevers. 211. 212
2. Radically and ſubſtantially, equal for quantity. 212
3. In reſpect of duration it is eternal. 214
3. Why Chriſt hath ſuch a communion with Beleevers. 214
1. Communication is the principal end of his union, offices and works. 215, 216
2. Jeſus Chriſt is ordained to inveſt beleevers with as good, nay with a better eſtate then men had in Adam. 216
3. All the promiſes of God are Yea and Amen in Chriſt. 217
4. Jeſus Chriſt is filled with goodneſſe in himſelfe, and with love alſo to his members. 218
5. What elſe ſhould Chriſt do with himſelf, and with all his benefits. 219
6. Beleevers have much work lying upon them for Chriſt. 220
7. All the good we do is done by the ſtrength of communion. 221
8. Chriſt glorifies himſelf in it. ib Uſe 1. For Conſolation to all beleevers. 222
This communion ſurpaſſeth all communions.
1. For dignity. p. 223
2. For commodity. 224
3. For priviledge. 225
4. For pleaſure. 226
5. For ſufficiency. 228
6. For duration. 230
Serm. 7.
Uſe 2. For Inſtruction to ſuch as have communion with Chriſt, and Chriſt with them, in ſeveral duties. 234
1. Walk with cheerful thankfulneſs. ibid.
Some Objections anſwered. 235, 236
Three conſiderations to provoke thoſe that complaine they have but a little from Chriſt in communion, to be thankful and cheerful. 237, 238
2. Live like thoſe who have communion with Chriſt. 239
3. Improve your communion with Chriſt. 243
Conſiderations to perſwade us to make uſe of Chriſt, and to improve him.
1. Though our relation be excellent, yet our condition is indigent. 244
2. There is a fulneſs in Chriſt with reſpect to our wants. ib.
Chriſts fulneſs hath in it three qualities. 244, 245
Chriſts willingneſs to impart himſelf according to his fulneſs expreſſed in four particulars. 245, 246
3. You your ſelves have all the kinds of improving Chriſt attending you, as improving intereſts, improving principles, and improving Ordinances. 246, 247
Uſe 3. Search whether you have a ſhare in this communion. 248
Queſt. How this may be diſcerned?
1. By preparations. 249
Four things precede the ſtate of communion.
1. Contrition of heart. 230
2. Poverty of Spirit. 251
3. Diſcommunion with ſin. 252
4. Inſition or implantation into Chriſt. 255
2. By the formal concomitants. 256
Four properties of a Chriſt and ſoul communion.
1. It is ſpiritual and holy. 256 257
2. It is a cloſe and immediate communion. 258
3. It is a full and ſatisfying communion. 259
4. It is an inflaming communion 261
3. By the effects reſulting upon this communion. 263, 264
Uſe 4. Exhortation to all out of communion with Chriſt, not to reſt in ſuch a ſtate. 264
Two things to move to this.
1. The unſpeakable miſery of a perſon out of communion with Chriſt. p. 264.
Three things make ſuch a condition ſad. 266
1. His beſt portion is but poore and curſed. ib.
2. All the Good in Christ is ſealed from him. 267
3. He ſtands alone in all his ſoul accounts. 268
2. There is yet a poſſibility of attaining of this communion. 269