A Scripture-Map of the Wilderness of Sin, Treatise · Part 4 · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI. Containes Exhortation and direction how to Improve Chriſt as the onelyonly may out of the Wilderneſſe of Sin.
THE ſecond advantage that comes by leaning is this, as it brings bewildred ſinners to the Guide, ſo it ſets them in the way.
And therefore my ſecond Exhortation to loſt ſoules is this.2d. If Chriſt be a way walk in him.
Is ſin a Wilderneſſe? Chriſt is the Way. Wherefore Walk in him, And you ſhall find REST to your ſoules.
This is certain, that the ſaving Recumbency whereof we have ſpoken doth import the walking in Chriſt as well as walking with him: ſince it is manifeſt (as you ſhall perceive) that this Beloved is a Way as well as a Guide, and to be walked in as a Way, as well as walked with as a Guide; For if it be evident in Scripture as it is, that we are both to go with him and in him, 'tis a plain caſe that he is both a Guide and a Way; and if we muſt lean upon him under each Notion, it is as plaine that we muſt walk in him as well as with him. Hence it is that the Saints are ſaid ſometimes to follow Chriſt, (viz. as their Guide) as Rev. 14.4. hence thoſe Apoſtates are taxed for walking no more with him. Joh. 6.66. And hence alſo it is, that (as I exhorted you in the firſt part of this diſcourſe to labour to finde your ſoules as a Garden of walks unto Chriſt, as himſelf hath ſaid, I will walk in them. 2 Cor. 6.16.) we are called here to walke in him: As ye have received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, ſo walk in him. Col. 2.6. (viz. as your way.)
Chriſt though a Guide is alſo the way.And this is no novell notion, no paradox to a ſpiritulized underſtanding, that the ſame ſhould bee both the Guide and the way. For thus it is with the Spirit, and thus with the word of the Lord. David calls the Word a light to his feet, a Lanthorn to his paths. Pſa. 119.105. this is that counſell of God which the Pſalmiſt makes his Guide. Pſ. 73.24. and the ſame word David calls his way. Pſ. 119.32. I will run the way of thy Commandements, and Verſe 33. Teach me the way of thy Statutes.
Thus it is alſo with the Spirit. Ioh. 16.13. When the Spirit is come, he will guide you into all truth: there is hee expreſſed to be a Guide. Gal. 5.16. Walk in the Spirit: there he is ſuppoſed to be a way.
In the ſame manner that Chriſt whom you have heard the Scriptures declaring to be a Guide, calls himſelfe (as you ſhall hear) a way. That is, the Word of truth ſhews us both where and how to walk: The ſpirit of truth ſhews us both in what way and according to what Rule we ought to walk. Chriſt finally (who is the truth) leads us by himſelf as he is the Guide, to walk in himſelf as he is the way that brings us to the Father.
Where I ſhall obſerve unto you: That as Iſraels Guides, ſo their way to Canaan was a type of Chriſt; as our way out of this Wilderneſſe of ſinne, to out ſoules reſt.
2. That Chriſt the guide is alſo the way.
3. How Jeſus the guide came to be the way, And laſtly, What manner of way Chriſt is unto the ſoul.
1.1. Iſraels way out of the wilderneſſe, a type of Chriſt. Then Iſraels way out of that Wilderneſs to that Canaan, was a figure to ſhadow forth Chriſt unto them and Us, as the onelyonly true, way unto true Reſt. wherefore when the Apoſtle to the Hebrews, had largely been diſcourſing of Iſrael in the Wilderneſſe, Chap. 3. to the end; from thence he takes occaſion to urge cloſely on the Hebrews, the poſterity of that old Iſrael, that they neglect not to believe on Chriſt, as being that ſinne by which they would indeed loſe their way to the ſpirituall Canaan, and reſt of the people of God, as their Fathers had done, who could not enter in becauſe of unbeliefe, chap. 3.19. In the next words, (viz. ch. 4.1.) Let us therefore, ſaith he, fear leſt we alſo come ſhort: and how are we ſaid at any time to come ſhort of our journey, but when we come ſhort of our way? and why were they charged to come ſhort of the way, but becauſe they came ſhort of the faith? read verſes 2, 6. And what doth he preſſe theſe Hebrews to doe, to the intent they come not ſhort of that Reſt, but to believe on that Jeſus (the great high Prieſt) who is paſſed into the heavens, and ſo is become our way to the throne of Grace, in whom we may come (for that is the language of the Text) and that with boldneſſe, that we may obtain grace and merciemercy to help in time of need, Heb. 4.3, 11, 14, 16. Nay be plainly tells them, that if any of their Fathers ever reached that Reſt which remaines for the people of God, it was not Jeſus (the ſonne of Nun) verſe 8. but Jeſus the Son of God, verſe 14.15, 16. through whom their way was to come and appeare before God, or that gave them that Reſt.
2ly, Now that Jeſus is the WAY,2ly, Ieſus the Guide, is alſo the way. the One and OnelyOnly WAY to the Father, in whoſe preſence is the fulneſſe of joy, and from whoſe preſence are the times of refreſhing whereof you have heard, and ſo conſequently that Jeſus Chriſt is the onelyonly way for bewildred ſinners to come to the Saints Reſt; take, I pray you, his own witneſſe concerning himſelfe (whom we know to be the faithfull and true witneſs, Rev. 1.5, 3, 15.) When Thomas asks the ſelfe-ſame Queſtion, which (I am perſwaded) the poor loſt ſouls of you would faine be ſatisfied in: Lord, ſaith Thomas, How ſhall we know the way? Joh. 14. verſe 5. (that is, the way to the Manſions (or Reſt) ſpoken of verſe 2.) Chriſt anſwers his Queſtion fully, and ſo fully makes good our preſent Diſcourſe, ands fully (I am perſwaded) ſatisfieth your ſolicitous deſires, and ſoul-enquiries, verſe 6. I am the way, no man cometh to the Father but by me.
3ly, How Chriſt the Guide comes to be the way.3ly, But and if thou demand how Chriſt the Guide comes to be the Way, underſtand it thus.
The are two things to be conſidered in Chriſt (which were alſo both in Moſes) enabling him (as was Moſes) to be a Guide.
1. That he be a Prophet; that is, One able to direct the Way, ſo was Moſes.
2. That he be a Prince; that is, One having power to command into that way ſo directed, and ſo was Moſes.
In both theſe Moſes was a Type of Chriſt as a Guide. Chriſts Office being Propheticall to Direct, and Princely to Command ſoules to walke in the wayes that hee ſhewes them. Thus Moſes was a fit Guide, and ſo is Chriſt.
But then there is another requiſite to make Chriſt the guide, to be the way alſo, (and in this Moſes came ſhort of typifying Chriſt, but Aaron by whom they were alſo led, Pſal. 77.20. Though ſhort before, makes up that defect now) and that is,Note. that he be a Prieſt. The people were not to offer ſacrifices immediatly, or by themſelves; but they were to bring them to the Prieſts, and the Prieſts were to be their way unto the Lord, and all as cleare Types of Chriſt our way to the Father. Now then had Chriſt been onelyonly Prince and Prophet, he might have been an able guide; but he could not have been a waie, but Chriſt being King, Prieſt, and Prophet, the chiefe of Kings, the chiefe of Prophets, and the chiefe of Prieſts, muſt needs be the chiefe of Guides, and the chiefe of Waies. I thinke the Scripture's very plaine, Jo. 14.6. Jeſus ſaith, I am the way, the truth, and the life: I will expound, or paraphraſe it thus, I am the King, the Prieſt, and the Prophet; for I thinke thoſe three words in the Text, anſwer the Threefold office conſiderable in Chriſt. I am the truth, (that's) I am the Prophet: I am the life, (thats) I am the Prince: I am the waie, that's, I am the Prieſt. That Chriſt as he ſtiles himſelfe the Truth, relateth unto his Propheticall Office, none (I thinke) will deny: that Chriſt as he ſtiles himſelfe the life, that is, one giving life to his people, ſpeakes of his Kingly Office, may as well be granted: for this is the peculiar prerogative of Chriſt, as King above all other Kings; other Kings can bid people goe, &c. but Chriſt by bidding them, can them goe; and this is, without all contradiction, Chriſts very Kingly Office, to give ſuch commands in the new Creation, as God the Lord did in the Old, he ſaid, let there be light, and there was ſo: ſo Chriſt to Lazarus, Come forth, and he did ſo: ſo to the Diſeaſed, Take up your bed and walk, and they did ſo: and ſo Chriſt to the Spouſe, Come with me from the Lyons den, &c. Cant. 4.8. and ſhe doth ſo, as in our Text. Therefore is the ſoveraignty of Jeſus Chriſt, (as Truth and Prophet, he ſhews the way, as Prince he gives life (the fountaine of motion) to walke in that way. Otherwiſe he might call and command ten thouſand times, and we ſtirre no more then dead Carkaſſes. Other Kings can onelyonly ſpare, or take away life where it is, but Chriſt can give life where it is not.
There wants yet another word to ſpeake Chriſts Prieſtly Office, and that's the firſt, I am the way; for Chriſt being Prieſt, is as truly his peoples way unto the Father, as being Prophet, he doth bring truth; or being Prince, life from God unto them.
How Chriſt as Prieſt, comes to be the ſouls way.You'l aske, how Chriſt as Prieſt comes to be the ſouls way? Ile tell you. Chriſt as Prieſt hath made a Sacrifice of himſelfe before the Lord, which was the onelyonly means to make a way out of the Wilderneſſe, I meane to bring ſinners unto God: So that I may be bold to ſay unto you, here is a way out of the Wilderneſſe, paved with the very fleſh, and cemented with the very blood of Jeſus Chriſt. And therefore whatever ſoule refuſeth to walke in this way, ſhall be found guilty of treading under foot the Son of God, and of counting the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing, Heb. 10.29. We muſt by faith walke in him, elſe by neglect, we trample on him: Oh! how great a difference will there be betwixt thoſe that walke in him, and thoſe that trample upon him in the end? That Jeſus Chriſt as Prieſt, hath by his owne fleſh and blood, made his way to the Father in our behalfe, ſee Heb. 8.12. By his own blood he entred into the holy place, having obtained eternall redemption for us. That Chriſt as Prieſt, hath by his own fleſh and blood, made a way for us unto the Lord, ſee Heb. 10.19, 20. Having therefore boldneſſe, Brethren, to enter into the holieſt through his blood, by a new and living way, conſecrated to us through the vail, that is to ſay, his fleſh. Here's a way, a new and living way, and conſecrated, (that is) by Chriſt the Prieſt, made (as I ſaid) of his fleſh and blood, who dyed that wee might have life; who came into the Wilderneſs, that we might come out of it: This is the way, walke in it.
5ly, What kind of way Chriſt is.Laſtly, for your encouragement, I ſhall endeavour to recommend this way unto you, which I have thus laid before you; yea, the Lord himſelfe hath chalked out unto you.
Tell me what way, poor ſoule, wouldſt thou chuſe to walke in? A right way, ſay all: the high-way, ſay ſome: a broad way, ſay others: a pleaſant way, ſay others: a clean way, ſay others: a well proviſion'd way, ſay others: a profitable way, ſay others: a ſecure way, ſay others: the way home, ſay others. Is all this enough to commend a way unto you, if it be not, call for more. You ſhall find all theſe in this way.
1. Every one that journey'th, is ſolicitous (or ſhould be) to finde, and ſo to keep the Right Way. Oh! that my waies were directed, ſaith David, Pſal. 119.5. Now Jeſus Chriſt is the onelyonly right way for bewildred and loſt ſouls to walke in: for what is true of the Type, (viz. Iſraels way from the old Wilderneſſe) is certainly moſt true (and muſt needs be ſo) of Chriſt the Antitype, 107.7. He led them forth by a right way. And the truth is, Jeſus Chriſt is ſo the right way, that ſo nothing of Whoredome, Swearing, Sabbath-breaking, Drunkenneſs, Hypocriſie, &c. I ſay, Hearing, Reading, Praying, Almſgiving, are all but wrong wayes, wilderneſſe wayes without Chriſt, and this is evident in the ninety nine perſons, juſt (according to the righteouſneſſe of Scribes and Phariſees (which you know was of that kind) left in the wilderneſs, Luk. 15.4, 7. But what ſhall I then doe, may the Caviller ſay, I wonder what theſe Miniſters would have us doe? ſometimes they bid, and otherwile they forbid; I had thought theſe had beene right waies indeed, and if I might continue in the Wilderneſſe for all theſe, why ſhould I walk in them any more. Say not ſo, we forbid not theſe waies, but in theſe we preſſe to make towards this way. Travellers are wont when they are at a muſe, to take the waies that are moſt hopefull and probable, and in them (as ſoon as may be) to enquire the way: goe thou and doe likewiſe, Jer. 6.16. Stand ye in the waies (that is the wayes of the Ordinances) and ſee and ask for the old paths (that is to ſay, of holy duties that holy men of old have walked in) and ask where is the good way (that way is Chriſt) and you ſhall find reſt to your ſouls. It ſeems there is in all thoſe Wayes, one peculiar way to be ſought out and walked in, and that way is Chriſt, for we have juſt now proved that Chriſt is the onelyonly way to that ſoul-reſt, whereof the way to Canaan was but a type. So that this truth is not only Goſpell, but according to the Law and the Prophets. Wherefore never tell me of thy prayers unleſſe Chriſt be in thy prayers, or of thine Alms, unleſſe Chriſt be in them; they are the waies, but Chriſt it the way; and in them you muſt ſeek him. Thus did the ſpouſe; ſhe had loſt her Beloved, and ſeeks him in the Ordinances which the Spirit thus expreſſeth. Cant. 3.1. In the broad waies ſhe ſought him whom her ſoul loved (that it, as Divines underſtand it, in the Ordinances) ver. 2. Take heed of reſting ſatisfied in any duty, but onelyonly then, and ſo far forth as you find Chriſt in that duty: Thy comforts will be like the Dove fluttering upon the waters; if they flutter upon thy duties thou never wilt find reſt unto thy ſoul, untill thou findeſt Chriſt, and walkeſt in him: Chriſt is the onelyonly right way.
2d. Chriſt is the High-way.Secondly, Chriſt is the high way out of this Wilderneſſe. You ſee Ghriſt is the performance of that promiſe to the Wilderneſſe. Iſa. 55.8. an high way ſhall be there, an high way? oh heres encouragement. An high way is free to all: the poor may go on foot in it, as well as Nobles ride in Chariots. The poor may receive the Goſpell. and walk in Chriſt, for he is the high way. An high way? none may interrupt in it. If men walk in private paths they are treſpaſſers, and may be arreſted; and verily whilſt the ſoul is void of Chriſt, it commits daily treſpaſſes, what ever it doth, even when its eats its daily bread. I need not tell you men are treſpaſſers who walke in the waies mentioned before, in the way of the wicked, the way of lying, the way of Baalam, the way of the Adulterous, &c. the purblind Conſcience may ſpy that: but know friends that, even your waies of duty, prayer, hearing, &c. are treſpaſſes, and you walk (as it's ſaid aggravating the miſery of thoſe times, Judg. 5.6.) through by-paths whilſt you go Chriſtleſe in them. Now when a man walks in a by path, another comes, & interrupts him, what haſt thou to do to walk here, in this ground? I need not tel you that when one whore's, ſwears, &c. that God, Law and Conſcience will interrupt him, what doſt thou? whither goeſt thou? but this i'le ſay, when he reads and praies, and hears, &c. which are, without Chriſt, but by-paths; that even then God, Law, and Conſcience will arreſt thee ſooner or later. Pſ. 50.16. What haſt thou to do to declare my ſtatutes, or to take my Covenant into thy mouth, ſeeing thou hateſt to be reformed (to be ſet right in the way) and caſteſt my word, (my Chriſt) behind thy back? But as for you, that walk in this way (viz. Chriſt) if Satan interrupt you in your duties, in your walking, in your believing, go and complain to God, the King, and hee will right you, for this is the King of glory his high-way. And the way faring man, though a fool is not ſhut out of it. Iſa. 35.8.
Thirdly, Chriſt is a broad way.3. Chriſt is a broad way. What makes men ſo mad of going to Hell, but that it is a Broad way? As ſure as can be (whatever you fancy friends) you miſtake your ſelves, and Satan guls you: For Chriſt is the onelyonly truly broad way. You'l ſay our Saviour calls ſin a broad way. … a broad way, Mat. 7.13.Note. but I would have you know, that Chriſt onelyonly ſpeaks your mind in it, not his own: the way that you count broad, hee calls broad, (there's elbow-room for all ſin, and nature with eaſe moves in it, therefore ha calls it the broad way) and there calls his own way narrow, not becauſe it is ſo, as you ſhall ſee, but becauſe your baſe carnall hearts think it ſo; It ſtreigtheneth you in your luſts, and therefore you call it narrow; yet ſpeaking of the ſame thing in other language, he ſaith, his Yoak is eaſie. Eaſie in it ſelf, though hard to fleſh and blood. My meaning is this, there is all ſpirituall and true enlargement in the waies of Chriſt: what ever perfection you deſire, it's ſtreight, it's narrow, poor, and ſcanty, untill you come to the waies of Chriſt. Pſa. 119.96. I have ſeen an end of all perfection, but thy Commandement is exceeding broad. Go thou as faſt as thou canſt, and as far as thou canſt, in the waies of Chriſt, the more way thou goeſt, the more lies before thee; the more enlargement thou meets with, the more thou yet diſcovereſt, therefore then onelyonly can we run in this way, when God hath enlarged our heart. Pſa. 119.32. Surely there's need of a broad way for the heart (which is wider then the world to ſtand in) but now for a heart enlarged to run, what breadth and latitude muſt be there? And verily to bring up a good report of this way out of the Wilderneſſe unto Canaan; let me challenge all the world what ſtreightnings can you (with truth) object unto the waies of Jeſus? Doth Chriſt forbid you to eat, when you are hungry? or to drink, when you are thirſty; to reſt when you are weary; or to marry, when you have not continence, or to rejoyce in the wife of your youth; or to feaſt upon occaſion; or to provide for our family; or to labour for the things that are honeſt; or to rejoyce in all your labour under the Sun; Or what is't that Chriſt ſtreightneth you in; that you ſhould 'count yours the broad way? Truly ſirs, there's nothing more ſtreightning then of the Child which the mother will … …hruſt its finger inno the flame; Chriſt would not have you hurt your ſelves, What reaſon is here to complain of ſtreightning? let carnall ones think or ſpeak what they pleaſe of the waies of Chriſt, (oh then farewel our liberty!) yet wil the waies of Wiſdom be juſtified of her Children, and thoſe that are ſons will bear witneſſe to the glorious liberty of the ſons of God. Rom. 8.21. indeed Chriſts waies are like the Temple windowes, narrow without, but within (that's when your ſoules are once in them) exceeding broad; if you find them not alwaies ſo, 'tis want of largneſſe in your hearts, but not in them.
4. Chriſt is a pleaſant way.Fourthly, Chriſt is a pleaſant way; pleaſant waies doe much delight, and ſuite with noſt mens phanſies. And pray what is it, endears men to the waies of dark Aegypt, but onelyonly the pleaſures of ſin which are but for a ſeaſon? Now friends, the waies of Chriſt are pleaſant all, and pleaſant ever. Solomon therefore preaching Chriſt under the name of Wiſdom, tells you, Pro. 3.17. Her waies (take them all) are waies of pleaſantnes; in the abſtract: there is a Fountain (it ſeems) of pleaſures in them (which is the very nature of them, and) which can never bee drawn dry. You know Summer waies are pleaſant waies; now Chriſts are all Summer waies. Cant. 2.11. Riſe up my love and come away. ver. 12. the Winter is paſt, the rain is over and gone (ſtorms of wrath, ſpirits of bondage, terrors of the Lord are over and gone) the Flowers appeare on the Earth, heres delight for the eye; thy ſoule gathers ſweetneſſe from the word, the promiſes: the time of the ſinging of birds is come (here's delight for the eare,) and the voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land (the Holy Ghost, the Turtle, ſpeaks peace to thy ſoul, and thou haſt communion with the Saints) ver. 13. The figtree puts forth her green figgs, the Vines with their tender grapes give a good ſmell. The ground thou goeſt on makes thee alſo to bud and bloſſome pleaſantly, wherefore ſaith Chriſt, Ariſe my love, my fair one, and come away. ver. 14. And who would not delight to walk by the beds of ſpices? ſince the Roſe of Sharon (Cant. 2.1.) is the way to Sion, and the lillie of the Vallies to the Lords holy mountain.
Fifthly, Chriſt is a clean way:5. Chriſt is a clean way. hadſt thou the pleaſures of ten thouſands Saints, yet if thou find thine heart polluted (and be indeed a Chriſtian) and canſt not get rid of thy corruptions, theſe pleaſures will but little cheare thee. Oh! ſaiſt thou, wherewithall ſhall a poor ſould cleanſe his way? Oh! who will lead me into clean paths? why? Jeſus Chriſt is a clean way: and the onelyonly way to walk cleane, is to walk in him and with him. They ſhall walk with me in white. Rev. 3.4. I confeſſe we muſt wait for the perfecting of this in glorification, but this is wrought true in ſanctification. You are waſhed, you are ſanctified. This is the accompliſhment of that promiſe to the Wilderneſſe, Iſa. 35.8. This high way ſhall be called a way of holineſſe, and the unclean ſhall not paſſe over it. Ceaſe not to improve that promiſe, till grace bee ſwallowed up of glory.
6. Chriſts is a well-proviſion'd way.Sixthly, Chriſt is a well-accommodated and proviſion'd way. Say you, I do not like ſuch a way, for when a man's hungry, there's no good entertainment to be found; when weary, no good lodging to be had; no good accommodations, no good way. And truly this, I do believe, is the great ſcruple of many a ſoul, Oh! I would willingly go to Heaven, but it is a great way thither; and I fear if I ſhould ſet foot in the way, I ſhould bee never be able to hold out, I ſhould faint by the way, and I have never heard of any good entertainment in the way. Alas friend! thou judgeſt ſure of this way by thy Wilderneſſe; But I tell thee thou judgeſt unrighteous judgement. Go but with me to one knows the way well, and hear what he ſaith of the entertainment. Pſ. 84.5. Bleſſed is the man whoſe ſtrength is in thee, in whoſe heart are the waies of them: ver 6. who paſſe thorough the vale of of Baca (oh that's a bitter vale, the vale of tears; how comes it then to be a bleſſed way?) why, they make it a well, the rain alſo fills their pooles (what's that? hee tells you, ver. 11. that is, no good thing is withheld from them. What of this? why?) ver. 7. they go from ſtrength to ſtrength, every one of that appears before God in Sion. You that travell to London, weary your ſelves haply, and grow faintiſh before you come to ſuch an Inne: there you bait, and get freſh ſtrength; from thence you travail to your lodging Inne; there you lie, by morning you are as freſh haply, as when you ſet out firſt; at length riding from Inne to Inne, and from refreſhment to refreſhment, you keep your ſtrength, and ſo come to your journies end. You travail Chriſtians; towards Canaan, towards Sion; you fear fainting? Bait at Chriſts: Iodge at Chriſt: go from Inne to Inne, from Ordinance to Ordinance, & you ſhall go from ſtrength to ſtrength: you ſhall renue your ſtrength, you ſhall run and not be weary, you ſhall walk and not faint. Iſa. 40.31. at length you ſhall come to your journeyes end, that is, appeare before the Lord in Sion.
Seventhly, Chriſt is a profitable way. 7ly, Chriſt is profitable way.The world ſtirres upon that now: Let one tell you never ſo much of a pleaſant, cleane, proviſion'd, broad, high-way; but ſay you, What is there to be gotten in it?? why? this way anſwers theſe deſires, the beſt, the greateſt, ſureſt wealth is to be traded for in this way, Pſal. 119.14. I have rejoyced in the way (marke what he calls it) of thy Commandements, as much as in all riches. This is the way to the rich Pearle, more worth then all thou haſt, if thou hadſt ten thouſand times as much, Mat. 13.44.
Eighthly, Chriſt is a peaceable way. If you trade,8ly, Chriſt, a peaceable way. and get by your journey neare ſo much, and though Robbert are afraid of loſing it all in the bringing home: be the way never ſo cleane, ſo broad, ſo pleaſant, this damps all: but Jeſus Chriſt is a ſecure way, Prov. 3.17. all her paths are peace, this way is the living waie, Heb. 10.20. This is the waie of peace, Luk. 1.79. In all this Chriſt is the accompliſhment of that promiſe made to the Wilderneſſe, Iſai. 35. Of a way, verſe 8. No Lyon ſhall be there, nor any ravenous Beaſt goe thereupon, verſe 9.
Laſtly, Chriſt is the way home.
And ſo I draw to a