Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 1 · Sermon 8
The Fountain opened: Or Free Grace diſcovered,
From Zech. 13. 1.
In that day there ſhall be a Fountain opened to the Houſe of David, and to the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, for ſin and for uncleanneſs.
A Word ſpoken in due ſeaſon, is like Apples of Sermon. 8. At St. Mary's Oxon. May. 17. 1649.Gold in Pictures of Silver, Prov. 15. v. 11. My Text is ſuch a precious, ſeaſonable Word, even a Word of Comfort opportunely adminiſtred to the Mourners in Zion: For you may caſt your eyes on chap. 12. v. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. and there you may read how deeply the Children of God drank of the Cup of Mourning; they had tears plentifully given them to drink, and their ſorrow is not an ordinary, but a ſoaking, bitter ſorrow, ver. 10. And I will pour upon the houſe of David, and upon the Inhabitants of Ieruſalem, the ſpirit of grace and of ſupplications, and they ſhall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they ſhall mourn for him, as one mourn…th for his onelyonly ſonne, and ſhall be in bitterneſs for him, as one that is in bitterneſs for his firſtborn.
A midſt theſe ſorrows, this Evangelical Prophet holds forth the M…ſsias Ieſus Chriſt, the chiefeſt joy, to ſwallow up an Ocean of ſorrows.
So that the words read are a Propheſie of Jeſus Chriſt, tendring his free grace and mercy to a people broken with godly ſorrow for ſin: Whilſt tears are in their eyes, and ſorrows in their hearts, ſoulraviſhing joys and conſolations are promiſed from the preſence of God: In that day there ſhall be a fountain opened.
Wherein obſerve, Firſt a Mercy promiſed; not a ſtream, but a The Text divided.fountain.
2. The extent and greatneſs of the Mercy in hand; not a fountain ſealed, lockt up, but opened.
3. The opportunity, In that day.
4. The perſons to whom this great rich Mercy is promiſed, to the houſe of David, &c.
5. The end and benefit accruing, for ſin and for uncleanneſs.
To give a brief Paraphraſe on the Words: They are a Propheſie of the wonderful Redemption and Sanctification of ſinners by the Blood of Chriſt; It's ſaid; In that day, (i. e) a day of ſorrow and mourning for ſin, after they had been ſenſible of ſin, throughly humbled, felt the Gall and Wormwood, bewailed the bitterneſs of ſin, then joy comes after ſorrow: After the people had mourned for their ſins againſt Chriſt, then Chriſt waſheth them and cleanſeth them; when ſin hath been their greateſt ſorrow, then comes Chriſt, and is their greateſt joy. It is ſayd, A fountaine, O rich mercy! A fountaine opened, O height of mercy! Free grace is offered, juſtification, and ſanctification by the blood of Jeſus Chriſt: He is the inexhauſted fountaine; his blood is never drawn dry; neither is the Exchequer of his grace lockt up, ſo that none can come at it: but it's opened, and freely tendred for the houſe of David, & the inhabitants of Jeruſalem. This fountaine is opened for them, they are waſht and cleanſed in the meritorious laver of Chriſt's blood. But why to them? v. 10. to them is promiſed the pouring of the ſpirit, and to them is Chriſt promiſed, they are ſenſible of the bitterneſs of ſin, they know how to reliſh the ſweetneſſe of a Meſſias. The fountaine is opened to them excluſive, and to them only; To others it's a Fountaine ſealed. Chriſt came to ſave his people. There are a peculiar people, whom Chriſt loveth, waſheth, ſaveth; and theſe are the houſe of David and Ieruſalem, (i e) the Children of God in Covenant. It's ſaid for ſin & for uncleanneſſe: whatever pollutions & impurities are in the Saints, here they are invited to come & waſh & Rev: 1. 5.be cleane. This fountaine of the blood of Chriſt waſheth & cleanſeth the houſe of David and Jeruſalem from all ſinne and impurity.
This ſcripture requires a fuller Expoſition: but it's my purpoſe to draw forth the Doctrines, and in the explication of the doctrines to inſiſt on a larger expoſition of the words.
Two doctrines which are principally held forth are theſe.
1. When the children of God are ſoakt in their teares of godly ſorrow for Doctrin. 1 ſin, then in that ſeaſon divine refreſhing conſolations come from the preſence of God.
2. There's a fountaine of free grace and mercy in Jeſus Chriſt opened Doctrin. 2 to purge and cleanſe his people, from all their ſins and impurities.
I reſume the firſt doctrine, andfor the enlargment of it I propound Method of handling the firſt Doctrine.this following Method.
1. To ſelect ſcripture examples for illuſtration and Incouragement.
2. To confirme it by ſcripture reaſons for conviction and plenary probation.
3. To draw downe ſome ſcripture counſels and exhortations for the better ordering of our lives and converſations.
The former ſhall conſtitute the doctrinall part of the text: This laſt the uſe and application.
For the firſt, for ſcripture examples, time would faile mee, if 1 Scripture Examples.I ſhould enlarg my ſelfe in ſo great a Cloud of witneſſes. There's a plentifull heape, I ſhall gather ſparingly, and ſelect only ſome choice remar…ble examples.
God comforts prophane people and exiles from the Covenant, in the day of their diſtreſſes, much more will he comfort his own people. A father will not take care of a Kite and neglect his child. Hagar was comforted and Iſhmael in a neceſſary inſtant, when the bottle was ſpent, and they knew not what to doe.
Further, in temporall mercies God anſwereth his people ſeaſonably: When Aegypt's flower was ſpent, then it rained Mannah. I may inſtance in Sampſons thirſt, Elijahs faſting, &c. An Angel, a Raven, a Brook, a Widow-woman, were his Purveyers. But I'le enlarge the proofe in ſpirituall things and perſons. Daniel found divine aſſiſtance in the Lions den. Dan. chap. 6. 22. chap. 9. 21, 22. My God hath ſent his Angel, and hath ſhut the Lions mouthes, that they have not hurt mee: Foraſmuch as before him innocency was found in mee: and alſo before thee, O King, have I done noe hurt. chap. 9. Yea whiles I was ſpeaking in praier, even the man Gabriel, whom I had ſeene in the viſion at the beginning, being cauſed to fly ſwiftly touched me about the time of evening oblation. David amidſt multitudes of diſtracting thoughts found God his comfort. Pſ. 94. 19. In the multitude of my thoughts within mee, thy comforts delight my ſoule. Paul in a …ore conflict met with ſeaſonable refreſhing comforts. 2 Cor. 12. 9. And he ſaid unto mee, my grace is ſufficient for thee: for my ſtrength is made perfect in weakeneſſe: moſt gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Chriſt may reſt upon mee, ſo true is that Pſ. 126. 1. When the Lord turned againe the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dreame; then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with ſinging: Then ſaid they among the Heathen; the Lord hath done great thinges for them. Iſai. 16. 1, 2, 3. The ſpirit of the Lord God is upon mee; becauſe the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meeke; he hath ſent me to binde up the broken hearted, to proclaime liberty to the captives, and the opening of the priſon to them that are bound; to proclaime the acceptable yeare of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourne; to appoint unto them that mourne in Zion, to give unto them beauty for aſhes, the oyl of joy for mourning, the garment of praiſe, for the ſpirit of heavineſſe, that they might be called trees of righteouſneſſe, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. When there's a double tale of bricks required, Cum duplicantur lateres veni… deus.then comes God, and brings deliverance: when 430 yeares for Iſraels comming out of Aegypt, 70 for comming out of Babylon, 13 for the daughter of Abraham, 36 for the impotent cripple were expired, then came ſeaſonable deliverance. So for morning for ſin, In that day, and whilſt Mary was weeping, Chriſt came. When the Diſciples were going to Emmaus and diſcourſing of Chriſt, then comes Chriſt and cleares up their judgments.2 Scripture Reaſons. Reaſon. 1.
The ſcripture reaſons are, 1. Becauſe God hath prefixed and limited a peculiar time for deliverance. When the fit ſeaſon is come, the appointed time of God, then deliverance will come and will not tarry. Heb. 10. 36, 37. For yee have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promiſe, for yet a little while and he that ſhall come, will come and will not tarry.
2. God would have a people prepared for him. Mat. 3. 3. This Reaſon. 2 is he that was ſpoken of by the Prophet Eſaias, ſaying, The voice of one crying in the wilderneſſe, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths ſtraight.
3. The price of the mercy will be the more eſteemed. O how Reaſon. 3 welcome was a deliverance to Iſrael in the brick-Kilne? miſery will make us priz… mercy at the higheſt rate.
4. The greater glory will redound to God, when he helpes at a Reaſon. 4 time of need. Pſ. 46. 1. God is our refuge and ſtrength, a very preſent help in trouble.
5. It's uſuall with God to looke upon a people in a low eſtate that Reaſon. 5 it may appeare that none but a God can bring deliverance. Iſai. 33. 9. 10. The earth mourneth and languiſheth, Lebanon is aſhamed and h…wen downe; Sharon is like a wilderneſſe; and Baſhan and Carmel ſhake off their fruits, Now will I riſe, ſaith the Lord, now will I be exalted, now will I lift up my ſelfe. Deut. 32. 36. For the Lord ſhall judge his people, and repent himſelfe for his ſervants, when he ſeeth that their power is gone, and there is none ſhut up or left. 2 Kings. 14. 26. For the Lord ſaw the affliction of Iſrael, that it was very bitter, for there was not any ſhut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Iſrael. Thus was the poore woman healed by Ieſus Chriſt, when ſhe loſt all upon Phyſitians. And joy came after a great mourning in my text.
6. All the gifts and graces of the ſpirit will be ſet a working; viz. Reaſon. 6 of prayer, faith, love, hope, patience, and when joy comes as the birth and iſſue of all theſe, O how welcome will deliverance be!
Now Ile caſt the ſcripture counſells into an uſe of exhortation. Ʋſe. 1
1. Be exhorted to poſſeſſe your ſoules with patience. Luke. 21. …9. In your patience poſſeſſe ye your ſoules. Heb. 10. 36. For yee have need of patience, that after yee have done the will of God, yee might receive the promiſe. Be patient, waite quietly upon God.
2. Encourage your ſelves in God. ſo did David. 1 Sam: 30. 6.
3. Learn to live by faith. Heb. 2. 4. The juſt ſhall live by faith.
4. Be much in prayer. Aſke, and ye ſhall receive.
5. Limit not the holy one of Iſrael to times or meanes. It was the Iſraelites great fault, in Limiting the holy one of Iſrael.
6. Take heed of omitting duties, or of abating of love, zeale, meditation, &c. Adde to thy duties. If God ſend not comfort at one time, it may come at another, and that may be a more convenient time. Knock harder, cry lowder, wreſtle, tug harder at the oare.
But the other doctrine is the Principall (which I intend) and I Doctrine. 2 ſhall handle it more largly: That there's a fountaine &c.
The invitations are many Iſai. 55. 1. Ho, every one that thirſteth, come yee to the waters, and he that hath no mon…y: come ye, bye and eat, yea come, buy wine and milke without money and without price. Iohn. 7. 37. If any man thirſt, let him come unto me and drinke. Rev. 22. 17. And the ſpirit and the bride ſay, Come; and let him that heareth ſay, come, And let him that is athirſt come, And whoſoever will, let him come and take of the waters of life freely. Rev. 21. 6. I will give unto him that is athirſt of the fountaine of the water of life freely. And the vertues of this fountaine are ſet forth, John. 4. 14. Whoſoever drinketh of the water that I ſhall give him, ſhall never thirſt; but the water that I ſhall give him, ſhall be in him a well of water ſpringing up into everlaſting life. This fountaine was opened for Manaſſeh, a bloody ſinner. 2 Chron. 33. 12, 13. And when he was in affliction he befought the Lord his God, and humbled himſelfe greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto him, and he was intreated of him, and heard his ſupplication, and brought him againe unto Jeruſalem into his Kingdome. Then Manaſſeh knew that the Lord he was God. This fountain was opened for Saul, a cruel perſecutor. Act. 9. 3, 4. And as he journyed he came neere Damaſcus, and ſuddenly there ſhined round about him a light from Heaven. And he fell to the earth and heard a voice ſaying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? This fountaine was opened for the poore woman, a grievous ſinner. Luk. 7. 47. Wherefore I ſay un to thee, Her ſins, which are many, are forgiven, for ſhee loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the ſame loveth little. The woman with the bloody iſſue believed it, and ſhee will make triall. Mat. 9. 20, 21. And behold a woman which was diſeaſed with an iſſue of blood 12 yeares came behinde him, and touched the hem of his garment. For ſhe ſaid within her ſelfe, if I may touch his garment, I ſhall be whole. The woman when ſhe had ſpent all upon Phyſitians, which were of no value, was cured by Chriſt both in body and ſoul. Luke. 8. 48. And he ſaid unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
And what's the reaſon? why is there ſuch a fountaine opened? No other but free love and bowels opened. Sinne endeavours to lock up this fountaine: free grace, love, & mercy opens this fountaine.
But how comes ſuch vertue in this fountaine?
A. This is the fountaine and originall of all vertue.
Q. But who are to waſh in this fountaine?
A. All are invited, none excluded, but ſuch as exclude themſelves, ſuch as are not ſenſible of their ſins, who apprehend not their pollutions, will never take the paines to come hither and waſh.
My text is free grace exalted, bowels opened, mercy heightned, goſpell enlarged. Here's the Goſpel Exchequer full of riches and pretious thinges. Here's the brazen ſerpent erected, the golden ſcepter held forth; If we come not to this exchequer, look not up to this ſerpent, take not hold of this ſcepter, the fault is our own. O Iſrael thou haſt deſtroyed thy ſelfe, but in mee is thine help. Hoſ. 13. 9.
Q. But who are waſht and cleanſed?
A. The houſe of David and Ieruſalem, the children of God, that are ſenſible of their miſery, mourners for ſin: ſuch as apprehend themſelves ſtunge looke to the brazen ſerpent. Such as are humbled for ſin are in a capacity of receiving Chriſt: ſuch as are mourners in Zion ſhall have beauty for aſhes, the oyle of joy for mourning. And thoſe that have thus mourned as for an only ſon ſhall have the benefit of this fountaine.
The invitation is large, Luke 14. 17. And he ſent his ſervant at ſupper time to ſay unto them that were bidden, Come: for now all things are ready. But read their ſhifting excuſe in the verſe following. They all with one conſent began to make excuſe, The firſt ſaid, I have bought a peice of ground and I muſt go and ſee it, have me excuſed. Jeſus Chriſt is freely tendred and offered ſermon after ſermon, and frequently in theſe goſpell diſpenſations; but how few embrace him. Heb. 2. 3. How ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great ſalvation, which at the firſt began to be ſpoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him? The fountaine is full enough, large enough, O come hither, waſh and be cleane. But you cannot come, unleſſe you be drawne by the father; neither will you come unleſs you be ſenſible of your owne vileneſſe, pollutions, impurities, and of the wonderſull vertue Ca…. 1. 4. John. 6. 44.that is in this fountaine to waſh and cleanſe you. Of this more anon.
You heare my text is pure goſpell: It holds forth the pearle of the Goſpell Jeſus Chriſt. My meſſage from God to you is to perſwade you to imitate the wiſe Merchant, To fell all for the purchaſe of the Pearle of great price, Its a fountaine, and theres no fcarcity at Math. 13. 46.the fountaine. Its a fountaine opened, and there's riches of mercy. My invitation from God this day is to humble ſinners ſuch as are ſenſible of their loſt condition, to come and waſh in this fountaine. Be thou never ſo much polluted: yet this fountaine can cleanſe thee. Let not thy ſins hinder and diſcourage thy comming; but come quicklier, and haſten thy pace. This Exchequer will pay all thy debts; This Fountaine will make thee cleane: I doe not, I dare not open a gap to Licentiouſneſſe: But I enlarge the riches of free grace and mercy. Doſt thou thirſt? Here's an invitation. Art thou a godly mourner this day? Here's a fountaine opened. Be thy ſinnes crimſon ſinnes, double dyed? O now come in to Jeſus Chriſt. Here's a plaiſter every way as broad as the ſore. Be they as ſcarlet? Chriſt's blood will make them as white as wooll. This fountaine doth miracles, which none other can doe. For it waſheth the Aethiopian, & cleanſeth the Leopard. Will you then periſh for want of water, and there's a fountaine? Will you lie and die in your ſinnes, notwithſtanding ſalvation is tendred, and thewater of life offered freely? O! deſperate, ſottiſh ſinners, though God would heale them; yet they wil not be healed: though God would enrich them; yet they looke not after his riches, nor value them at all: Though he would cleanſe them, yet they will not come to the fountaine. It's ſaid Gen. 21. 19. God opened Hagars eyes to ſee a well: It is God alone that can open thine eyes to ſee this fountaine. The fountaine may be hard by us, Chriſt may be tendered, and yet we may not ſee nor heare him. Let God be true and every man a Liar.
More I ſhall ſpeak in this Kind, when I come to the Application.Meth…d propounded.
For a more full and profitable handling of this precious Doctrine, I ſhall propound this Method.
1. I ſhall diſcover the Analogie and Reſemblance between Chriſt and a Fountaine.
2. How Chriſt may be ſaid to be a Fountaine opened.
3. For whom this fountaine is opened.
4. The wonderfull benefits that flow from this fountaine to the Children of God.
Fiftly, and Laſtly, I ſhall ſet all home unto your Conſciences by particular application.1. What Analogy there is betweene Chriſt and a fountain….
Firſt, What Analogie and reſemblance there is between Chriſt and a fountaine.
The Analogie holds good in theſe enſuing particular reſpects.
1. There's fullneſſe of water in a fountaine; No want at the well ſpring, the well head: There's the confluence of waters, there's water in abundance; bring never ſo many veſſells, yet there's water enough to fill them. So there's fulneſſe in Jeſus Chriſt, of mercy to pardon, wiſedome to counſell, righteouſneſſe to juſtifie, holineſs to ſanctifie; fulneſſe of grace and fulneſſe of glory. Col. 1. 19. For it pleaſed the father that in him ſhould all fuln…ſſe dwell.
2. There's a communication of the water of a fountaine to the ſtreams: So there's a communication of grace from Chriſt to his members, John. 1. 16. Of his fulneſſe we receive, and grace for grace. The Head hath influence upon the members: From Chriſt we receive Union. John. 17. 21. So runs Chriſt's prayer, That they all may be one as thou fath…r art in me, and I in thee, that they alſo may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou haſt ſent me. And from Chriſt we receive Communion. 1 John. 1. 3. That which we have ſeen… and heard that declare we unto you, that ye alſo may have fellowſhip with us, and truly our fellowſhip is with the father and his ſon Jeſus Chriſt. Now Chriſt derives vertue upon his members. Vertue flowes from him to cure his peoples maladies. Chriſt is the tree Rev. 22. 2. In the mid'ſt of the ſtreet of it, and on either ſide of the river was the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yeelded her fruit every monethmonth, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Chriſt's blood is diffuſive, and takes in all his people, not one member can be wanting. Look upon the fountaine and acknowledg Chriſt: whatever grace thou receiveſt is derivative from Jeſus Chriſt.
3. A fountaine is ſaid to have liveing waters. Waters in a Pond are dead in a metaphoricall ſenſe: they ſtir not, they run not, they purge not: But waters in a fountaine are called liveing waters; they convey waters to the ſtreames, they are continually running from it: So in a peculiar manner Jeſus Chriſt is a fountaine of liveing waters. The Lord complaines, Jer. 2. 13. My people have committed two evills; th…y have forſaken me the fountaine of liveing waters, and hewed to themſelves ciſterns, broken ciſterns that can hold no water. God is cald the fountaine of life. Pſ. 36. 9. For with thee is the fountaine of life, in thy light ſhall we ſee light.
The Lord Chriſt alone can give life unto his people. His blood is not dried up, it ſtands not ſtill, but is continually running and flowing to his members.
4. A fountaine ſendeth forth pure waters. James 3. 11, 12. Doth a fountaine ſend forth at the ſame place ſweet water and bitter? Can the fig-tree (my Brethren) beare olive berries? either a vine, figs: ſo can no fountaine both yeeld ſalt water and freſh. A fountaine entertaines no Garbidge nor Carrion. And moſt properly is Chriſt compared to a fountaine in regard of purity. Hee is purity it ſelfe, and purifieth his people: Ther's no Impurity in him: yet ſome impurity cleaves to his people as long as they are in this world. Theres fulneſſe of purity in him, in us only a meaſure; in him abſolute perſection, in us a mixture of ſinne, Rev. 22. 1. And hee ſhewed mee a pure river of water of life, cleare as Chriſtall, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. Such ſhall bee the Saints condition in Heaven.
5ly and laſtly. Chriſt is compared to a fountaine for perpetuity. A ſountaine continually ſupplieth the ſtreames, and is never drawn dry. Now Chriſt is a fountaine inexhauſted. Many goe with Pitchers and returne, and wee meet with many men in the way going to fill their Pitchers: yet ther's enough for thee too. Bee ſenſible of thy want of Chriſt, entertaine a ſpiritual thirſt of him; and ther's an invitation for thee too. Though a thouſand come unto him with Pitchers, and goe away repleniſhed: yet ther's enough in the fountaine for millions more: Therefore goe not to creatures, broken empty ciſternes, ſtreames quite dried up, or running very low. But to Jeſus Chriſt the inexhauſted fountaine; Millions of Pitchers fild cannot draw him dry: by communicating to them the fountaine looſeth not one drop of water.
2. But in the next place it comes to bee enquired; How 2. How may Chriſt be ſaid to be a fountaine opened?may Chriſt bee ſaid to bee a Fountaine opened? wee read the contrary, Cant. 4. 12. A garden encloſ'd is my Siſter, my Spouſe, a ſpring ſhut up, a fountaine ſealed. By a fountaine opened Diodate. underſtands the grace of God in remiſſion of ſinnes and ſanctification of ſpirit ſhall be proferred to all believers in Chriſt. The fountaine is ſealed to Unbelievers and Reprobates: Yet becauſe wee know not the ſecret decrees of God concerning election and Reprobation, wee are to make an Invitation to all to come in, and to make a Proclamation to all thirſty ſoules, Iſai. 55. 1. Ho, every one that thirſteth, come to the waters, and hee that hath no money come buy and eat, yea come buy wine and milke without money and without price. Our duty is to invite all ſinners to repentance, And wee have a warrant to tell all true penitent ſinners, that mourne for ſinne, that the fountaine is open for them. In this ſenſe Chriſt is ſaid to open the kingdome of Heaven to all Believers. Opening doth imply a ſhutting. Sinne ſhuts us out of Heaven, and bolts the doore againſt us. Every ſinne thou committeſt ponit obicem, hinders thy acceſs unto Chriſt. But Jeſus Chriſt opens the doore and takes away the bolt. Jeſus Chriſt is ſaid to bee a fountaine opened in theſe particular Reſpects.
1. When hee opens his bowels of Love and compaſſion, and 1. God opens his bowels of compaſſion.tenders himſelfe, his virtue, his holineſſe to ſanctifie, and his righteouſneſs to juſtifie. The free offer of himſelfe in his Goſpel diſpenſations is a cleare manifeſtation of a Fountaine opened.
2. When hee takes off the barres and bolts from the doore, remooves obſtacles and Impediments that lye in the paſſage. Wee cannot 2. God takes off barres and bolts from the dore.find the dore; the Lord opens our eyes and directs us to it. When wee have found it, ſinne puts barres and bolts and locks on it; Chriſt removes them. Sinne lyes in the way as ſo many ſtumbling blockes: But Chriſt removes theſe ſtumbling blockes, and admits us into the preſence chamber. By him wee have acceſs unto the Throne of grace, Rom. 5. 2. The partition wall is taken away and diſtances are removed.
3. It appeares the fountaine is opened, becauſe ſo many come 3. Many come with Pitchers to the Fountaine.with Pitchers to bee filled at the Fountaine. Ther's ſuch a great concourſe of thirſty perſons to the waters. When the Fountaine is lockt, you ſhall ſee none, but when it is opened, many are there ready to fill their empty Tankards. Iſai. 55. 1. Whoſoever is thirſty is invited there to come and draw water. When the Fountaine is opened and men apprehend their thirſt they will haſten to the waters.
4. The fountaine is opened, becauſe God ſends meſſengers to 4. God ſends Meſſengers to invite.invite, and guides to direct to it. The miniſters Embaſſ…e is to invite men and women to come unto this Fountaine, to perſwade them to reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now then wee are Embaſſadours for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech you by us, wee pray you in Chriſts ſtead to bee reconciled unto God. It's our maine buſineſs to beſeech and intreat men to take Chriſt, and to come unto this fountaine.
5. Now is the day of grace, the opportunity & ſeaſon offered from 5. Now is the day of grace.God, a price put into our hands. Now Chriſt tenders himſelfe and his benefits; Now the counſel is a word in due ſeaſon, Iſai: 55. 6, 7. Seek yee the Lord while hee may bee found, and call upon him while hee is near. Let the wicked forſake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne unto the Lord, and hee will have mercy 6. The Lord opens to us.upon him, and to our God, for hee will abundantly pardon.
6. The Lord himſelfe now opens to us; and this is evident, becauſe hee knocks for us to open to him, Rev. 3. 20. Behold, I ſtand 6. The Lord opens to us.at the dore and knock, if any man heare my voice and open the dore, I will come in unto him, and I will ſup with him and he with mee. And the Lord affords us ſeverall Hammers to knock at his dore withall, viz. eſpecially,
4. Hammers God uſeth to knock withall.
1. The Hammer of his word. Every ſermon you heare is a 1. Hammer of the word.knocking at the do…res of your hearts. God makes uſe of his Meſſengers as his mouth, Jer. 15. 19. Thou ſhalt ſtand before mee, and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou ſhalt bee as my mouth. However the Miniſters of God be deſpiſed and evill intreated, Chriſt accounts the affronts offered to them, equall to thoſe hee met withall immediately offered unto himſelfe, Luk 10. 10. But into whatſoever City you enter and they receive you not, goe out into the ſtreets of the ſame, and ſay, even the very duſt of your City that cleaveth on us, wee ſhak off againſt you. By the ſermons you heare God knocks at your hearts, Ezek. 25. and Ezek. 33. 30, 31, 32, 33. They ſpeak each one to another, ſaying, Come and heare what is the word that commeth forth from the Lord, they ſit before thee as my people and heare thy wordes, but will not doe them.
2. The hammer of his ſpirit. The ſpirit breatheth upon the waters. 2. Hammer of the ſpirit.How many ſtrivinges, waitings, whiſpers of the ſpirit are there to draw us unto God. Wee are exhorted not to quench the ſpirit, nor grieve the ſpirit. The Lord will once ſay as Gen. 6. 3. My ſpirit ſhall not alwayes ſtrive with man.
3. The Hammer of mercies. God knocks at our hearts by mercies, peace, proſperity. Ther's a prevalent exhortation, Rom. 12. 1. 3. Hammer of mercies.I beſeech you brethren by the mercies of God, that yee preſent your bodies a living ſacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reaſonable ſervice. To us he ſpeakes by mercies. Wee are brands pluckt out of the burning, and have our lives for a prey. 'Tis mercy wee enjoy peace in our Borders, wee are free as yet from the Plague, Famine, and the ſword; wee enjoy the peace of the Goſpell, and the Goſpel of peace.
4. God knockes ſometimes by the Hammers of judgment, ſometimes 4. The Hammer of Judgments.by the Sword, Plague, and other Calamities (though at preſent we are free) our duty is, Jer. 6. 8. Bee thou inſtructed, O Jeruſalem, leſt my ſoule depart from thee, leſt I make thee deſolate and a land not inhabited. Wee ſhould learne righteouſneſs at all times, eſpecially when judgments are amongſt us, Iſai. 26. 9. With my ſoule have I deſired thee in the night, yea with my ſpirit within mee will I ſe…k thee earely: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learne righteouſneſs, Micah. 6. 9. Heare yee th… rod, who hath appointed it.
It appeares, farther that the fountaine is opened, becauſe God God affords the right key. One falſe key is Free-will.hath afforded us the right keys to open it. There are three falſe keyes, and foure true keyes.
The firſt falſe Key is free-will. O ſaith the ſinner, Ile repent hereafter: I ſhall have time enough.
But is repentance in thy power? Velle naturae, malè velle corruptae naturae, b…ne velle gratiae, Phil. 2. 13. For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to doe of his own good pleaſure, Jam. 1. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that wee ſhould bee a kind of firſt fruites of his Creatures. Free-will is an Aegyptian reed, it will deceive us. Jer. 10. 23. O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himſelfe; it is not in man that walk…th to direct his ſteps. Samſ…ns caſe is very obſervable, Judg. 16. 20. And ſhee ſaid, the Philiſtines be upon thee Samſon, and hee awoke out of ſleep, and ſaid, I will goe out as at other times before and ſhake my ſelfe, and he wiſt not that the Lord was departed from him. Man can undoe himſelfe, and marre himſelfe, but cannot ſave himſelfe, Hoſ. 13. 9. O Iſrael, thou haſt deſtroyed thy ſelfe, but in me is thy help.
2. A ſecond falſe key is univerſal grace and redemption. Chriſt died A 2d falſe key is univerſal Redemption.for all, (ſay ſome) taſted death for every man, for Cain and Judas, as well as David and Paul, many plead and think by this key to open the Fountaine: but it's a falſe key and will not unlock the fountain Dore. The latter part of the Text which they urge expounds the former: they urge, Joh. 316. God ſo loved the world that hee gave his only begotten-Son, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have life everlaſting. And that in 2 Cor. 5. 15. And that hee died for all: But what followeth? that they which live ſhould not h…nceforth live unto themſelves, but unto him who died for them and roſe againe. They urge likewiſe, Heb. 2. 9. But wee ſee Jeſus who was made a little lower than the Angels, for the ſuffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that hee by the grace of God ſhould taſt death for every man. The grace and free love of God moved him to beſtow this tranſcendent benefit on his people, only, not for the whole world. Rom. 5. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation: even ſo by the righteouſneſs of one, the free gift came upon all men to juſtification of life. Here is hended the univerſality of Chriſt's body. Adam was a common Root, and brought death unto all his Poſterity. And Chriſt was a common Root and brought life unto all his Poſterity. They urge likewiſe Joh. 1. 29. Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the ſins of the world. A. Thoſe in the world whom he loveth, waſheth and juſtifieth, it's not univerſall, not ſingula gen…rum, but genera ſingulorum. Compare this with Mat. 1. 21. And ſhee ſhall bring forth a ſon, and thou ſhalt call his name Jeſus: for hee ſhall ſave his people from their ſinnes.
The third falſe key is preſumption of long life and mercy. Neither A third falſe key, Preſumption of long life.ſpace nor grace are in thine own power. God gave Jezabel ſpace, but denyed her grace, Rev. 2. 21. And I gave her ſpace to repent of her fornication, and ſhee repented not. This preſumption hath ruined many a ſoule. Many neglect their opportunities, run their ſwinge and career in ſinne and preſume of mercy; but the dore of mercy is ſhut againſt them, and this key cannot unlock it.
Now God affords foure true keyes.
1. Knowledge. The eyes are opened to ſee the fountaine, to 1. True key, knowledge.look up to the braſen ſerpent. The knowledge of the worth of Chriſt provokes us to come to him. God's people have inlightned judgements, they are renewed in the ſpirit of their minds, Eph. 4. 23.
2. Faith to believe that ther's virtue enough in Chriſt to cure all 2. True key, Faith.our diſeaſes, both of body and ſoule, Matth 9. 21. For ſhee ſaid within her ſelfe, if I may but touch his garment, I ſhall be whole.
3. Love. And this will make us take many journies, long and dangerous, through fowle weather, and it will ſweeten all. The 3. True key Love.beloved object when enjoyed will make amends for all the waiting for it.
4. Repentance, mourning for ſinne. Repentance in us cauſeth 4. True key, Repentance.God to repent and make his bowels like the ſounding of an Harp, Jer. 31. 18 19, 20. I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himſelfe thus; Thou haſt chaſtiſed mee, and I was chaſtiſed as a Bullock unaccuſtomed to the yoake; turne thou mee and I ſhall be turned: for thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned I repented; and after that I was inſtructed I ſmote upon my thigh; I was aſhamed, even confounded, I did b…are the reproach of my youth. Is Ephraim my deare ſon? Is he a pleaſant child? for ſince I ſpake againſt him, I doe earneſtly remember him ſtill: therefore my bowels are troubled for him, I will ſurely have mercy upon him, ſaith the Lord. You muſt underſtand theſe clave non errante, not as if the fountaine was merited for any of theſe duties: for when wee have done all wee can, we muſt acknowledge that wee are unprofitable ſervants. But God hath afforded theſe meanes, keyes, and helpes, we muſt make uſe of them, but may not make them our Chriſts, and our Saviours.
5. I will adde a 5th, Praier. This is a key to open and ſhut 5th True key prayer.Heaven, James 5. 17, 18. Elias was a man ſubject to like paſſions as we are, and hee prayed earneſtly that it might not raine, and it rained not upon the earth by the ſpace of three yeares and ſix months. And he prayed againe, and the h…aven gave raine and the earth brought forth her fruit. Pray that God would waſh thee and cleanſe thee, Pſal. 51. 10. Create in mee, O Lord, a cleane heart, and ren…w a right ſpirit within mee.
3. I proceed to the third head propounded. For whom is this 3. For whom is this Fountaine opened.fountaine opened? To give in my anſwer, 'Ile lay down this truth by way of corollary inferred from the premiſes. That the fountaine of free grace is only opened to the adopted children of God.
This I ſhall open and apply briefly, for opening whereof I ſhall propound theſe enſuing conſiderations.
1. God from all eternity hath elected a peculiar people unto himſelfe Conſid. 1. God from all eternity hath elected a peculiar people unto himſelfe.according to his owngood pleaſure and purpoſe of his will.
Now election is of here and there one. It's an act of choice, taking ſome, and paſsing by others, Jer. 3. 14. Turne, O backſliding children ſaith the Lord: for I am married unto you, and I will take you, one of a City and two of a familie and I will bring you unto Zion. Like gleaning grapes. Iſai. 17. 6. Yet gleaning grapes ſhall be left in it, as the ſhak…ing of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermoſt bough: foure or five in the utmoſt fruitfull branches thereof, ſaith the Lord God of Iſrael. This election hath no other motive but free love and grace. Wee were in our blood, Ezek. 16. 5: When I paſſed by thee, and ſaw thee polluted in thy own blood; I ſaid unto thee when thou waſt in thy blood live; yea I ſaid unto thee, when thou waſt in thy blood, live. No proviſion of faith, or Repentance mooved God to ſet his heart upon us, as appeares, Rom. 9. 11. For the children being not yet borne, neither haveing done any good or evill, that the purpoſe of God according to election might ſtand, not of work…s: but of him that calleth, &c. This Poſtulatum being laid down for undeniable, God from all eternity hath elected a peculiar people; Hence I frame this ſyllogiſme; only the elect have intereſt in the fountaine of free grace and mercy. But only God's adopted children are elect, ergo, they only have intereſt in it.
2. There are a peculiar people who alone are juſtified by the free grace of God in Chriſt, Rom. 5. 1. Being juſtified by faith wee have Conſid. 2. There are a peculiar poople juſtified by free grace.p…ace with God, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 3. 24. Being juſtified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt. Now thus I argue. Only juſtified perſons have intereſt in the fountaine of Chriſt's blood: But the ſons of God by grace and adoption are only juſtified perſons, Ergo, they alone have intereſt in the fountaine of Chriſt's blood, Pſal. 32. 1, 2. Bleſſed is hee whoſe trangreſſion is forgiven, whoſe ſinne is covered: Bleſſed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whoſe ſpirit there is no guil…. Iuſtification is a forenſicall terme took from an earthly Tribunal, where a perſon arraign'd and condemned, is afterward by virtue of a pardon acquitted.
3ly. Conſider there are a peculiar people effectually called. Many Conſid. 3. There are a peculiar people effectually called.have an outward calling, and take upon them an outward profeſſion few are inwardly and effectually called. This the Apoſtle preſſeth, 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election ſure: for if you doe theſe things you ſhall never fall. There are a few, and but a very few, called out of the world, partakers of a holy calling, called to bee Saints. Theſe alone have intereſt in this fountaine.
4. Conſider there are a peculiar people for whome alone Chriſt Conſid. 4. There are a peculiar people for whom Chriſt prayeth…prayeth, Joh. 17. 9. I Pray for them, I pray not for the world, but for them which thou haſt given mee, for they are thine. Thoſe for whom Chriſt prayeth have alone intereſt in this fountaine. But the adopted children of God are thoſe for whomalone Chriſt prayeth, ergo, &c.
5. There are a peculiar people whom Chriſt waſheth and ſanctifieth, Conſid. 5. There are a peculiar people whom Chriſt waſheth.Revel. 1. 5. And from Jeſus Chriſt who is the faithfull witneſs and the firſt begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kinges of the earth, unto him that loved us and waſhed us from our ſinnes in his own blood, Joh. 13. 8. Peter ſaith unto him, thou ſhalt never waſh my feet, Jeſus ſaid unto him, If I waſh thee not, thou haſt no part with mee, Eph. 5. 26. That hee might ſanctify and cleanſe it with the waſhing of water by the word,
6ly, and laſtly; There are a peculiar people whom Chriſt will Conſid. 6. There are a…peculiar people whom Chriſt juſtifieth.glorifie and ſave. Hee came to ſave his people. The Climax is on this wiſe, whom hee elects, thoſe hee cals, and whom he cals, thoſe hee juſtifieth, and whom hee juſtifieth, thoſe hee ſanctifieth, for them hee prayeth, and them hee glorifieth: and theſe are his adopted children. They that are outcaſts from the covenant of grace: even all Unbelievers & Reprobates have no intereſt in this fountaine, They have the falſe Key and cannot open it.
1. Now to apply this briefly (before I come to the larger Application,) Inf. 1.The firſt inference will bee to juſtifie the wayes and proceedings of God. On whom hee will, hee hath mercy, and the Potter hath power over the clay; and who dare make reſponſations againſt his maker? God chooſeth poore, meane, contemptible; paſſeth by great, wiſe, rich men. All comes from his foreign, his decrees of election and reprobation are juſt and righteous altogether; they ſtand not, nor fall to our Conſciences and determinations. God chuſeth a David, paſſeth by an Eliab; chuſeth a Jac…b, paſſeth by an Eſau: chuſeth an Iſack, and paſſeth by an Iſhmael; and all according to the counſell of his will, without previſion of workes in the creature.
2. Bee informed how few come to Heaven; few have intereſt in Chriſt, few ſhall bee ſaved, foreign, the houſe of David and Inf. 2.inhabitants of Jeruſalem.
3. Make haſt to this fountaine: Labour to bee of this number: Cleare up your evidences for Chriſt: But this ſhall further bee applied in it's peculiar place.
I come to the 4th Head propounded, what are the virtues of this Inf. 3.fountaine?4. What are the virtues of this fountaine. 1.
Amongſt many I ſhall inſtance in five.
1. Her's a cleanſing virtue in this fountaine to waſh the Aethiopian, to make crimſon ſinnes as white as wooll, to purifie thy nature, to waſh filth and guilt from off thy ſoule.
2. Ther's an healing virtue. Many wells among us cure diſeaſes: But this well of ſalvation cures both kinds of diſeaſes, Pſal. 103. 3. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diſeaſes.
3. Ther's a cooling virtue. Water cooles thy body: This cooles thy ſpirit, allayes thy paſſions, takes away thy heat. God's children in their ſufferings are oft like to breake forth into paſſions; but if they ſeriouſly conſider the meekneſs of Chriſt, it will much coole and allay their ſpirits. A fountaine abates heat: waſh in this fountaine and it will allay thy heat of paſſion.
4. A fountaine hath a filling, ſufficing virtue; it quencheth the thirſt, Joh. 4. 14. Whoſoever drinketh of the water that I ſhall give him, ſhall never thirſt: but the water that I ſhall give him, ſhall bee in him a well of water ſpringing up unto everlaſting life,
When wee thirſt after Creatures, our thirſt is the more enraged: wee are never ſatisfied with broken Ciſternes, empty pleaſures, profits of the world. But ther's a fulneſs in Chriſt to ſatisfie our deſires. Doe wee deſire wiſdome? In him are treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge. Doe wee deſire riches? his riches are unſearcheable. All our freſh ſpringes are in him. Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. Hee hath fulneſs of righteouſneſs, holyneſs, mercy, ſalvation; Thou ſhalt have as much as thy veſſell can hold. According to a meaſure hee will derive of his fulneſs to thee.
5ly, and laſtly. This fountaine is perpetually running. The virtue of many medicines laſt but for a monethmonth, a yeare, &c: but the virtue of Chriſt's blood laſts to all eternity. This fountaine can never bee drawn dry: you can never empty this fountaine.
Now then to draw all home unto particular Application, (the larger part I promiſed) I ſhall make 4. uſes. viz. For conſolation, examination, exhortation, direction.
1. For a bundance of conſolation unto the children of God; Ʋſe 1. For Conſolation.the houſe of David and Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, who have intereſt in this fountaine. To them it is wide open to cleanſe them from all ſortes of ſinnes and impurities.
Bee they ſcarlet ſinnes? yet by the blood of Chriſt they are made as white as wooll. Bee they double dyed? yet Chriſt's blood waſheth them away. Manaſſeh, David, Paul, Peter, Mary Magdalen found benefit by this fountaine to waſh and cleanſe them from all their ſinnes and impurities. This I ſpeak, not for wicked men to ſnatch at, to encourage them in their preſumption: but to encourage the children of God to come and waſh in this fountain, which is full enough, broad enough, never drawn dry. Come then, make ſpeed, waſh and bee cleane. The bloud of Jeſus Chriſt waſheth us from all ſins, of all ſorts and ſizes, 1 Joh. 1. 7. But if wee walke in the light, as hee is in the light, wee have fellowſhip one with an other, and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son cleanſeth us from all ſin. It's uſuall with the wicked of the world to reproach and caſt into the teeth of the godly their former faylings. I remember (ſaith one) whatever hee profeſſeth now, this man was a ſwearer, a drunkard, &c. Let this rule bee our monitour where God forgiveth and forgetteth, wee muſt forgive and forget. 'Tis true peradventure a Saint now, was before his converſion ſcandalous in his life: Bleſſed bee God that hath now opened his eyes that hee ſeeth, that hee's pul'd out of Satan's ſnare from darkneſs, &c. And if thy eyes were open too, thou durſt not caſt into his teeth his former failings. The child of God ſaith, Ego non ſum Ego—Quantum mutatus ab illo! Ther's a reall change for the better, a worke of grace wrought on the ſoule. Take heed of ſcandalizing and ſcorning the generation of the righteous, 1 Cor. 6. 11. And ſuch were ſome of you, but yee are waſhed, but yee are ſanctified; but yee are juſtifyd in the name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the ſpirit of our God.
You then that are waſht in this fountaine, rejoyce and bee glad that your names are written in the book of life, that you have received a white ſtone, a new name, the hidden Mannah. Stand then admiring and praiſing God that hath done ſo graciouſly for you, that when many even the greateſt part of the world, are ſhut out, cannot find the Dore, are denyed the right key, and the fountaine is lockt and barr'd againſt them: yet it's opened wide to thee, thou art waſht and cleanſed in this fountaine: Not any goodneſs in thee; but free grace and mercy makes the difference. Whatever aſperſions, calumnies, reproaches thou meeteſt withall in the world from ungodly men, bee of good comfort, all is waſht away by the bloud of Jeſus Chriſt.
The world caſts dirt on thee: Chriſt waſheth thee cleane. O then doe not deſponde, doe not droop as without hope by reaſon of hardſhips, ſufferings, evill entreaties in and from the world. Drinke of the waters of this fountaine, They are the Reſtorative to revive and refreſh thy ſpirit. Thou meeteſt with diſeaſes, corporall, ſpirituall, oh come to this fountaine. Its a medicine made up of the blood of Jeſus Chriſt: It will cure both diſeaſes, of ſoule and body.
Thou ſeeſt by experience, that the Ciſternes of the creatures are dried up. Honours, Pleaſures, Profits decay and faile: tarry not at theſe ciſternes, goe to the fountaine, it's inexhauſted. Thy manifold ſinnes trouble and torment thee; ſinne is a havy burden upon the conſcience; thou art afraid to come. O! bee not afraid to do good unto thy own ſoule. This fountaine workes miracles, cleanſeth the Aethiopian and the Leopards ſpots, even a perſecuting Paul, a perjur'd Peter, an adulterous David, and it is not ſhut againſt thee, unleſs thou ſhut out thy ſelſe. Bee then of good comſort you that are God's children; amidſt your fainting fits you have this Aqua vitae. In your diſeaſes and ſores, you have this ſoveraigne plaiſter. Amidſt your pollutions and defilements, you have a fountaine opened wide to waſh and cleanſe you in. In diſeaſes, afflictions, pollutions and all conditions whatſoever repaire to this fountaine: the ſtreames are healing, reviving, refreſhing ſtreames; O but my ſins are a barre againſt mee! Anſ: Art thou ſenſible of ſinnes? thou art the fitter to goe: bewaile thy ſinnes, allow not thy ſelfe in them. Though ſinne lockes the Fountaine dore yet, free grace will open it wide againe.
O! But I have been there and have not found any virtue!
Anſ: Goe againe. The virtues of medicines are not preſently diſcerned. Medicines may worke when thou leaſt thinkeſt of them.
A ſermon preacht now, if the Lord work by it, may doe good many a yeare after. Imitate Eliah's ſervant, who went over and over againe; at laſt a cloud was ſeen which maſkt the whole Heaven. O but I queſtion whether I have any right to come, it's opened only to the houſe of David.
Anſ: Doe not ſhut out thy ſelfe, doe not deſtroy thy ſelfe; the Invitation is very large, Iſai 55. 1. Ho every one that thirſteth let let him come, &c. If thou doſt but thirſt thou haſt an invitation. To this purpoſe I proceed to a ſecond uſe which is forVſe 2. for Examination.
Examination Let's ſearch andtry whether wee have right to come, whether wee are ſo qualified as to receive benefit and virtue by this fountaine.
I ſhall therefore propound 7 Qualifications.
1. Wee muſt ſee fully and diſcerne the emptineſs of all creature Qualif. 1. Wee may ſee the emptineſs of creature Ciſternes.ciſterns. Jer. 2. 13. My people have committed two evils, they have forſaken mee the fountaine of living waters, and hewed them out ciſternes, broken ciſternes that can hold no water. Creature ciſternes are broken, they run through (as a ſive lets water fall to the ground) or are quite drawne dry. Honour could not ſatisfie Haman. Riches could not ſatisfie Solomon. Luther would not ſo bee ſatisfied valdè proteſtatus ſum me n…lle ſatiari ab co.
2. Diſcerne their vanitie and emptineſs, wee muſt forſake them, Qualif. 2. We emuſt forſake Ciſterne Comforts.Iſai. 55. 2. Wherefore doe doe you ſpend mony for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not, hearken diligently unto mee and eat yee that which is good and let your ſoule delight it ſelfe in fatneſs. Wee muſt forſake theſe lying vanities, wee muſt not ſtay by them, wee muſt relinquiſh them, and leane no more to broken ſtaves: but value the world at it's own rate, and breake off all carnall confidences; wee muſt bid honours, riches, profits, pleaſures adieu, ſo farre forth as they ſtand in competition with or oppoſition unto Chriſt.
3. Wee muſt bee ſenſible of the want and neceſſitie wee have of Qualif. 3. Wee muſt bee ſenſible of the neceſſity of Chriſt.Chriſt, that wee are poore, blind, miſerable and naked. Wee muſt apprehend our ſelves ſtung with the fierie Serpent.
4. Wee muſt diſcerne fulneſs and Excellency in Jeſus Chriſt, Qualif. 4. Wee muſt diſcerne fulneſſe in Chriſt.beauty, wiſdome, holineſs, abundance of virtue flowing from him. There are cleanſing and healing ſtreames in this fountaine. Emptineſs diſcerned in our ſelves will enhance Chriſt's wroth. Scarcity raiſeth the market.
5. Wee muſt come with faith to bee healed. In the whole diſpenſation Qualif. 5. Wee muſt come with faith to be healed.of Chriſt's miracles, ther's a queſtion premiſed, believeſt thou? or a condition interpoſed, be it unto thee as thou believeſt.
6. Mourne for ſinne, like the mourning of Hadadrimm…n, in the valley of Megiddo. They who mourne for ſin are prepared to waſh Qualif 6. Wee muſt mourne for ſin.in this fountaine. Their eyes are blubbered for ſinne, and they come and waſh themſelves in this fountaine.
7ly, and laſtly. Wee muſt come in the ſtrength of Chriſt. Wee Qualif. 7. Wee muſt come in the ſtrength of Chriſt.can doe nothing without him, Cant. 1. 4. Draw mee, wee will run after thee. Noe man commeth unto mee, except the father draw him. Wee muſt performe our duties in the ſtrength of God, foreign, through Chriſt that ſtrengthneth us.
The third uſe ſhall bee for exhortation. This hath two parts. Ʋſe 3. For Exhortation.Generall and ſpeciall.
1. In generall. My invitation from God is for all to come in and waſh in this fountaine. Chriſt is here offered and tendered to all. The Braſen Serpent is erected upon a pole. The free grace of the Goſpel is enlarged; mercy is exalted O come come in quickly and accept of Chriſt. O! that God would worke upon your hearts this day to imbrace the free tenders of the Goſpel of Ieſus Chriſt. Now the fountaine is open, come unto it: but you muſt bee thirſty, have a ſpiritual appetite; elſe you will never come. It is not a bare comming. Take heed leaſt you come without a wedding garment. You muſt bee qualified as I mentioned before. I call upon the young ones this day; O bewaile your miſpent time, your trading in the vanitie of the world. Tis too too much, that you have given ſo much of your freſh green yeares unto Satan: Now come; and O that God would draw you, elſe you can never come: Give up your ſtrength and marrow to God. You have tried the fleſh, the Divell the world, they cannot help nor comfort you. You have gone to King Jareb, Hoſ. 5. 13. When Ephraim ſaw his ſickneſs, and Judah ſaw his wound: then went Ephraim to the Aſſyrian, and ſent to King Jar…b yet could hee not heale you, nor cure you of your wound. Youthfull pleaſures and vanities cannot afford any reall ſatisfaction. O! that God would perſwade you to make a better choice, to goe to Chriſt for Phyſick, to make him your Phyſitian. You have ſpent all upon Phyſitians of no value, imitate the poore woman and come unto Jeſus Chriſt, let not the Devil ſteale this precious truth out of your hearts, that the preſent time is the time of repentance, and tempt you to put off Repentance 'till your ſpectacle dayes, Eccleſ. 12. 1. Remember now thy Creatour in the dayes of thy youth, while the evill dayes come not, nor the yeeres draw nigh, when thou ſhalt ſay, I have no pleaſure in them.
I call alſo upon old ones, you that have lived ſo many yeeres, ſpent ſo much time as is not worthy of reckoning in the ſacred Chronologies. Though I dare not flatter, or give the leaſt advantage to any to put off repentance 'till old age: yet I dare not ſet a barre againſt you. If now God open your eyes, and give you a hungring and thirſting after Chriſt, and diſcover to you more of Chriſt in your old age, than in your young, happy is it for you. Some God cals at the eleventh houre and they receive their peny; Now then though you begin late: yet ſet upon the worke ſeriouſly. Commend God in your old age, that now hee hath opened your eyes to ſee this fountaine, and becauſe you have ſet out late, therefore you muſt worke the harder.
To every one young and old, to all ſorts of ſinners, ſingle, double died, I addreſs my invitation, come, come unto this fountaine, Iſai. 55. 1. Ho every one that thirſteth, come to the water, and hee that hath noe money: come yee, buy and eat, yea come buy wine and milke without money and without price, Joh. 7. 37. In the laſt day, the great day of the feaſt, Jeſus ſtood and cryed, ſaying if any man thirſt, let him come unto mee and drinke, Rev. 22. 17. And the ſpirit and the bride ſay, come; And let him that heareth ſay, Come; and let him that is a thirſt come, and whoſoever will let hiw take of the water of life freely. Neither doe I proclaime univerſall grace: but free grace. Come and take Chriſt upon the Goſpel termes and conditions. Caſt downe your rebellious weapons, try concluſions noe longer with God. Iſai. 55. 6, 7. Seek yee the Lord, while hee may bee found, call yee upon him while hee is neare: Let the wicked forſake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne unto the Lord, and hee will have mercy upon him, and unto our God for h…e will abundantly pardon, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now then wee are Embaſſadours for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech you by us, wee pray you in Chriſt's ſtead, bee yee reconciled unto God, Rom. 12. 1. I beſeech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that yee preſent your bodies a living ſacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reaſonable ſervice. O! that God would move ſome ſoule this day, open ſome heart this day. O! that God would plucke ſome ſoule out of the Devil's ſnare, waſh ſome Aethiopian, ſome polluted ſinner in this fountaine. My Errand and Embaſſie this day is to proclaime free grace, to offer Jeſus Chriſt; what meſſage ſhall I returne to him that ſent mee? I have the office of a Barnabas to bee a ſon of Conſolation, to tender the riches of Chriſt; What will you not accept of Chriſt? Will you undervalue the glorious excellencies of the Goſpel? Will you not have this man to raigne over you? Your blood bee upon your own heads, you are left without all excuſe.
2. My exhortation is ſpeciall, to the houſe of David and inhabitants of Ieruſalem, to thoſe that have received virtue from this fountaine. Goe, goe often to this fountaine, waſh and waſh againe, take heed of thinking you have enough of grace, enough of Chriſt already. The oftner you have been at the fountaine; the more your deſires will bee enlarged—Quo plus ſunt potae, plus ſitiuntur aquae. This is a holy warrantable covetouſneſs, to covet grace, never to think you have enough of Chriſt: ſtill labour for more of him. Cry with the Horſe-leech's daughter, give, give, Lord give mee more of Chriſt. I want grace, more grace, more grace. Thou that haſt taſted of Chriſt, wilt deſire to drink a full draught. Thou that haſt a ſparkle of true grace, wilt deſire it may increaſe into a flame, Phil. 3. 13, 14, 15. Brethren, I count not my ſelfe to have apprehended: but this one thing I doe, forgetting thoſe things which are behind, and reaching forth unto thoſe things that are before. I preſs toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Chriſt Jeſus. Let therefore as many as bee perfect, bee thus minded, and if in any thing yee bee otherwiſe minded, God ſhall reveale even this unto you. Then goe againe and againe to the fountaine, never leave going. Whileſt thou haſt pollutions, thou canſt never get rid of the body of ſin in the Church militant, thou haſt need of dayiy waſhing and cleanſing in the fountaine. None other can cure thee; none can cleanſe thee but this fountaine, but this laver of Chriſt's blood.
The 4th and laſt uſe ſhall bee for direction.Ʋſe. 4. For Direction.
1. Bee broken of all thoſe ciſternes that are broken and can hold no water. Say not with Naaman, are not Abana and Pharphar, &c. No other ſtreames are healing: but thoſe that are from this fountaine.
2. Neglect not the due ſeaſon of comming to the fountaine. The five fooliſh Virgins miſt their opportunities: and ſo did Eſau, Heb. 12. 17. For yee know how that afterward, when hee would have inherited the bleſſing hee was rejected; for hee found no place of repentance, though hee ſought it carefully with teares.
3. Make uſe of all the right keyes, knowledge, faith, love, repentance, prayer.
4. Waite patiently upon God, who will open the fountaine. Tarry at the poole of Betheſda, wait at the poſts of wiſdome's gates. Continue knocking, never give over, 'till God open the fountaine. Bee not impatient of delayes, but ſtill tarry at thy Father's dore; reſolve to take no repulſe, no put off, with Eſther reſolve, If I periſh, I periſh.
5. VVaſh in this fountaine continually. The ſtreames are clenſing. Beſeech God to waſh and make thee cleane. The ſtreames are healing; Here's a medicine made up of Chriſt's blood. Apply this to thy ſores: It cures all diſeaſes of body and ſoul. Never leave this fountaine. Take heed of going to Abana and Pharphar: Preferre not them before the waters of this Fountaine. If thou wilt bee a taſting of all waters, thou muſt never look to bee cured. If thou wilt goe from creature to creature, and hew out their broken ciſternes, and depart from the fountaine, to thy perill bee it. If thou deſireſt to bee made whole, ſinne no more in truſting to Creature Ciſternes, leſt a worſe thing come upon thee. Goe to Chriſt, waſh in the fountaine of his blood keep cloſe to him, never goe from him, nor let him goe, and thou ſhalt bee healed.
6ly and laſtly. When thou art healed, returne thankes for thy healing (as the Samaritan did) Bleſs God that hee hath loved thee, given his Sonne for thee, and waſht thee. And doe not ſpeake only, but act thankfullneſs by thy Obedience to God all thy dayes: Then is thankfulneſs beſt performed, when we praiſe God with an holy life. 'Ile conclude all with Pſal. 50. 23. Who ſo offereth praiſe glorifieth mee, and to him that ordereth his Converſation aright, will I ſhew the ſalvation of God.