Works, Sermon · Verse 11

Works · Sermon · Verse 11

p. 387Verſ. 43. To him give all the Prophets witneſſe, that through his name, all that beleeve in him, ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins.

THe Apoſtle Peter although he hath ſufficiently proved whatſoever he hath form…rly delivered concerning the Doctrin, and Miracles, Life and Death, Reſurrection and Aſcenſion, and the coming of Chriſt again unto Judgement: yet as though no proof could be too much; or as if he could not ſatisfie himſelf in enforcing this holy doctrin, and binding it upon the conſciences of his Hearers; he ſhutteth up his Sermon in this verſe with another aſſured teſtim…ny above all exception, drawn from all the Prophets; who all conſent and conſpire with the Apoſtles in all their doctrin concerning him: the ſum and main end of all which is, that through beleeving in his name, the elect ſhould receive remiſſion of ſins: which is the ſum and effect of this verſe.

Where firſt may be asked, Why the Apoſtle inferreth ſo many teſtimonies concerning Chriſt. Reaſons.why doth the Apoſtle induce ſo many teſtimonies one in the ne…k of another? In the anſwer whereof we ſhall ſee, that none of them are needleſſe or ſuperfluous. For,

1 All the points of Chriſtian religion are above and againſt corrupt nature; as appeareth in the Heathen, wh… ſtill eſteemed the preaching of Chriſt fooliſhneſſe, 2 Corin. 2.23. and in the Athenians, who when they heard Paul preaching of the Judgement Day, and Chriſts Reſurrection from the dead, they mocked him, Acts 17.32. The hardened Jews at this day, on whom the Wrath of God is … me to the uttermoſt, doe the like: and well it were for many, if profeſſed Chriſtians in the midſt of ſuch a light, made more reckoning of our painful preaching▪ of Chriſt, who teach the ſame points, than ſome of the former: which were they ſo ſlight matters as moſt account them, what need they be ſo enforced? We are therefore hence fitly enformed, both to make more high account of ſuch great Myſteries, which the Spirit of God is ſo careful t… commend unto us, as alſo to bewayl the infidelity of our hearts, that need ſo much working upon them to entertain ſuch neceſſary truths as theſe be.

2 Becauſe (although he was an Apoſtle) yet would he ſhew his care, that in all his Sermon he taught nothing of his own which the Prophets had not formerly taught. Which teacheth all Miniſters much more to beware, leſt in any of their Sermons they broach ſuch doctrin, or bring in ſuch ſtuff, of which they cannot prove the Prophets and Apoſtles to bee Patrons and Publiſhers: For this was the commandement of the Apoſtles, that wee teach no other doctrin, 1 Tim. 1.3. neither contrary, nor diverſe from it; no private opinions, which are the cauſes of Schiſms and Hereſies; nor vain conceits or jangling, which breed queſtions, but no godly edifying.

3 It was not only their precept, but practiſe alſo: as, Act. 26.22. Paul ſpake no other things than thoſe which the Prophets and Moſes did ſay ſhould come: to wit that Chriſt ſhould ſuffer, and that he ſhould bee the firſt that ſhould riſe from the dead: Nay, the Lord of the holy Apoſtles, Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, preached no other Doctrin; of whom it is ſaid, Luk. 24.27. that be began at Moſes, and all the Prophets, and interpreted unto them in all the Scriptures, the things which were written of him: ſhall the Son of God, who might have made every word hee ſpake Scripture, tye himſelf to the Scriptures, and make them the ground of all his Sermons; and ſhall not weak men who cannot without error depart an hair breadth from them, be careful to contain all their doctrin within the limits of them? eſpecially ſeeing nothing elſe bindeth the conſcience of the hearer.

p. 3883 The Apoſtle knew that this was a convincing argument, if he could perſwade his hearers that hee did deliver nothing but prophetical Doctrine: for all men, Jews and Gentiles, were eaſily perſwaded, that Moſes, and the Prophets ſpake directly from God: yea, and the moſt blinded and wilful Jews at this day profeſs, that if wee can prove Chriſt the Meſſiah, from Moſes and the Prophets, they will beleeve in him: ſo as in great wiſdome did the Apoſtle adde this teſtimony to all the former, knowing, that that is the onelyonly ſound ground of teaching, when men can bee perſwaded that what they hear is uttered from the mouth of God, as by this teſtimony his hearers were.

Now in the verſe we have three thing to conſider of.

1 The generality of this teſtimony; That all the Prophets bear witneſſe unto him.

2 The ſcope and end of their witneſs; that men might beleeve in his Name.

3 The fruit of this beleef; that beleevers might receive remiſſion of ſin.

A proof that all the Prophets witneſs unto Chriſt.For the firſt, wee will by a brief induction make it appear, that all the Prophets bare witneſs unto Chriſt: and then gather ſome obſervations from it. To begin with Moſes, who by Chriſt his own confeſſion writ of him, Joh. 5.46. In Geneſis the firſt thing after the creation and fall is the main promiſe that the ſeed of the woman ſhould break the Serpents head: Exodus ſetteth out Chriſt our Paſſeover: Leviticus in all thoſe ſacrifices pointeth out Chriſt our Sacrifice: Numbers ſetteth before our eyes, Chriſt our braſen Serpent, lifted up upon the Croſs: Deuteronomy deſcribeth Chriſt our chief Prophet, whom whoſoever will not hear, he muſt dye the death, Deut. 8.18, 19. Act. 3.21. Joſhuah, beareth his name, and moſt lively reſembleth him in ſlaying the enemies of Gods people, and bringing them into the promiſed land. The Judges were all Saviours and types of him. The book of Ruth ſheweth he family whence hee ſprung. Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, his Genealogy, and the very perſons of whom hee deſcended: eſpecially, David and Solomon, both eminent types of him. Ezrah and Nehemiah built the ſecond Temple into which hee was to enter, and ſo to become the glory of it, as both Haggai and Malachy foretold.

Job knew that his Redeemer lived, and that he ſhould ſee him at laſt on the earth. David in the Pſalms acknowledged, that the ſtone which the builders refuſed was become the chief ſtone of the corner; and expreſſeth the peircing of his hands and feet. Solomon in the Proverbs deſcribeth his wiſdome and eternity. In the Canticles his contract and eſpouſals with the Church.

Iſay is called the Evangelical Prophet, than whom no Evangeliſt could more lively expreſs his Perſon, his Doctrin, his Life, Death, Burial, Reſurrection, and Aſcenſion: that hee rather ſeemed to write an Hiſtory of ſomething paſt, than a Prophecy of things to come. Jeremy plainly ſtileth him the Lord of Righteouſneſſe, Jer. 23. Ezekiel in all his dark ſhadows figureth out the government of Chriſt from point to point.

Daniel reckoneth the very year and time when the Meſſiah ſhall be ſlain; at the end of whoſe ſeventy weeks Chriſt was put to death.

The ſmall Prophets teſtify of him alſo with as joint conſent. 1 Malachy mentioneth with him his forerunner John Baptiſt. 2 Micha deſcribeth the place of his birth. Micah 5.2. And thou Bethlem of Ephrata art little among the thouſands of Judah, yet out of thee ſhall hee come forth that ſhall be ruler in Iſrael; whoſe goings forth have been from the beginning, and from everlaſting. 3 Zachary nameth the place of his education, which was Nazaret, Zach. 6.12. There muſt hee grow that muſt build the Temple of the Lord. 4 Haggai prophecyeth of his comming into his Temple and purging it. 5 Nahum wiſheth Judah to behold on the mountains the feet of him that declareth and publiſheth p. 389peace, Nahum. 1.15. which tydings none can bring but through Jeſus Chriſt the prince of peace. 6 Obadiah promiſeth to Judah and Jeruſalem ſuch Saviours as ſhould advance and ſet up the Kingdome of the Meſſiah, Obad. v. 21. and ſo the Kingdome ſhall bee the Lords: that is, Chriſts, who ſhall reign in his Church for ever; and of whoſe Kingdome there ſhall bee no end. 7 Jonas, in his own perſon preached his Death, Burial, and Reſurrection, in that hee was ſwallowed of the Whale, and lay three daies in the belly of it; and in the third day was caſt alive on dry Land. 8 Hoſea recordeth his triumph and victory over death, Hoſ. 13.14. O death, I will bee thy death; O Grave, I will bee thy deſtruction. 9 Habakkuk the ſending out of his bleſſed Goſpel into all the World by his Apoſtles; ſo as all the earth ſhould bee filled with the knowledge of God, as the Waters cover the Sea. 10 Joel foretelleth of his aſcenſion, and the pouring out of his Spirit upon all fleſh, Joel 2.28. 11 Amos of the calling of the Gentiles, a fruit of that aſcenſion, which hee calleth the …ſing of the Tabernacle of David, Amos 9.11. as James notably applyeth it, Act. 15.16. 12 Zephany ſhadoweth his ſecond coming to judgement, and ſheweth what a fearful and terrible day it ſhall bee to all the wicked of the earth. Thus have wee ſhortly ſeen all the Prophets witneſſing unto the doctrine taught in this Sermon by our holy Apoſtle. And that the chief aim and drift of all theſe Maſter builders was to lay this, the main foundation of all our Religion; that Jeſus Chriſt the Son of Mary, was the Son of God, the true Meſſias, the Lord of all, and the onelyonly Saviour and Redeemer of the World.

Firſt note hence, Conſent of the Church to any doctrin to be received with theſe cautions.what is the true conſent which all Teachers muſt aim at in the delivery of any Doctrin unto the people of God; namely, the conſent of the Prophets and Apoſtles: it forceth not a Doctrin to bee Orthodox, or Ancient, for a man to ſay, all the Fathers are of this mind; which is the Popiſh cry for all their Hereſies: but to this Doctrin give all the Prophets, and all the Apoſtles witneſſe, and therefore it is ſound and perſwaſive. Yet wee refuſe not, but challenge to the Doctrin which wee teach, the conſent of the ancient Church; but with theſe cautions.

1 With the Primitive and Apoſtolical Churches, which as they were moſt ancient, ſo were they the pureſt.

2 With the Churches which were after them five or ſix hundred years; ſo far forth as they conſented in doctrin and diſcipline with the former: for many Popiſh errors are ancient, and the Apoſtle telleth us, that Antichriſt begun to work in a myſtery even in their daies. And ſome of the Fathers were carried into ſome ſuperſtitions and errors, and ſo, not eſpying the myſtery, helped up Antichriſt, whom they intended to hold down.

3 The Holy Ghoſt hath revealed every Doctrin neceſſary to ſalvation, more holily, more clearly, and more eloquently than all the Fathers put together, who if they had any true wiſdome, had it from the Scriptures; to which wee muſt ſtill hold our ſelves, both as the ground, as alſo the judge of conſent.

4 If any Father or Fathers, ſhall by a common error, by word or writing, condemn any point of our doctrin without the authority of the Scriptures, we will willingly diſſent; neither do wee give credence to any Doctrin, becauſe the Fathers have taught it, but becauſe that which they teach is founded in the writings of the Prophets and Apoſtles.

5 Wee cannot hold conſent to bee a note of the true Church, unleſs it be in the true doctrin: and therefore wee juſtly blame ſundry of the learned Papiſts, who make unity a note of the Church, but make no mention of verity at all: for the ſtrong man may hold all at peace and unity, whileſt Paul and Barnabas having the truth may bee at oddes between themſelves. On which conditions, as wee are able to juſtify our whole Religion by antiquity, p. 390and conſent of the moſt ancient Churches and Fathers, ſo alſo hath it been, and may bee made as clear as the light, that the Doctrin of the Church of Rome, wherein they diſſent from us, is a ſtranger, and novelty, never known to the Prophets and Apoſtles, nor the pureſt Churches after them: neither had it ever that which they brag of, the conſent of the ancient Fathers neither do they conſent in it among themſelves.

The force of conſent wherein it ſta…dethSecondly, Note hence what is the force and work of conſent of the Church in Doctrin, it is not to work Faith, for that is in the next words tyed to the word and witneſs of the Prophets and Apoſtles, which is called the word of Faith, becauſe it is by Gods Ordinance a means to work that Faith by which it ſelf is beleeved: but to move the heart, and prepare the way to Faith, For it cannot bee that any ſpiritual grace, ſuch as faith is, can bee wrought by any but ſuper-natural means: of which kind no outward …eſtimony, if it come backed with the voice of all the Churches in the world, can bee, for all this is but an humane witneſs, ſimply, and in it ſelf conſider…. If they ſay the Churches teſtimony is a Divine teſtimony: I anſwer, ſo far as it carrieth with it the agreement of the Scriptures, and Holy Ghoſt ſpeaking therein, it may bee ſaid to witneſſe a Divine truth. And thus in no other reſpect can the voice of the Church bee called a divine teſtimony, than the preaching and writing of ſome other teacher in the Church, who delivereth nothing but what is agreeable to the Scriptures. From this ground it followeth that the doctrin of the Church of Rome is wicked and derogatory to the Glory and Majeſty of the Scriptures, in that they ſtifly after conviction avouch and maintain, that the authority of the Scriptures, depend upon the teſtimony of the Church, ſome of them blaſphemouſly ſaying, that they have no more credit than Eſops Fables, further than the Church giveth it unto them: which is to ſay, that God muſt not bee beleeved for himſelf: and as if the Kings word ſhould have no credit or command, but from his guard.

In reading the prophets thou muſt be led ſtill nearer unto Chriſt.3 Hence note, That in our reading of the Prophets, wee muſt ſtill bee led further unto Christ; for as all the Scriptures, ſo the writings of the Prophets, were reſerved for this purpoſe, and ſet apart by God to bee the ordinary outward ſtay and foundation of the faith of the Church. And if our Lord Jeſus himſelf, whileſt hee was yet in the fleſh preſent with his Diſciples, did for the confirmation of their Faith in his Doctrin, Life, Death, and Reſurrection, interpret unto them the writings of the Prophets; how much more need have we now in his bodily abſence, to read with diligence theſe ſame writings, to help us forward being ſo wavering and ſtaggering in our faith, and the attendent graces of it? And hereunto anſwereth that commandement, Joh. 5.39. Search the Scriptures, namely, Moſes, and the Prophets: that is, do not onelyonly procure theſe writings to your ſelves, nor onelyonly read perfunctorily; but diligently and ſtudiouſly ſearch to finde out the chief ſcope and matter contained therein; which lyeth not in the cruſt or ſhell, but within, in the very bowels of them: and this kernel himſelf in the next words ſheweth to bee himſelf, and life eternal through him. And why muſt wee thus ſearch the Scriptures of the Prophets? himſelf rendereth the reaſon, the very ground of our exhortation; becauſe they teſtify of mee. This is the natural ſcope of them, to bring men to the acknowledgement of the perſons, offices, and benefits of Chriſt.

Thou loſeſt all thy labour in ſearching the Scriptures, if thou ſearcheſt any thing but Chriſt; if thou haſt not and holdeſt him not in thine eye; if thou giveſt over ſearching before thou haſt met with him: and then thou haſt met with him in the Scriptures, not when thou Hiſtorically knoweſt ſomething of him, which thou didſt not know before; nor when thou art able to diſcourſe, or di…pute of deep points of Divinity: but when thou commeſt p. 391unto him, as the context ſheweth, when by the quickening of thy faith and repentance, thou layeſt faſter hold upon him for life everlaſting. Alas, how few ſearchers of the Scriptures thus ſearch them? to ſay nothing of them who ſearch them not at all, but caſt them aſide as refuſe waters; of whom wee may renew the woful complaint of Chriſt againſt the Jews, who when hee had exhotted them to ſearch the Scriptures, preſently addeth, But ye will not come to me that ye might have life, Joh. 5.40.

The ſecond point, is, The ſcope of all the Prophets witneſſe: and this is, to bring men to beleeve in the name of the Son of God; which is by faith to receive Chriſt, as hee hath deſcribed and propounded himſelf in the Word and Promiſes of the Goſpel. For although the Apoſtle might ſooner have ſaid, that whoſoever beleeve in him, yet hee uſeth this phraſe rather of beleeving in his Name, thereby ſecretly to refer us unto the word of the Prophets and Apoſtles which teſtify of no other name to bee ſaved by but onelyonly the name of the Lord Jeſus. For our better clearing of this point, wee will conſider, 1 What this ſaith is. 2 The benefit of it. 3 The marks and ſigns of it. 4 The uſe.

Firſt, What this Faith is, It is a ſupernatural gift whereby every beleever apprehendeth and applyeth unto himſelf Christ and all his merits unto ſalvation. Faith, what it is.I ſay, it is a gift: nay the Scripture ſaith, that it is the gift of God, Phil. 1.29. and it is given you to beleeve, as alſo to ſuffer: And that it is ſupernatural, all the commandements wee have to beleeve plainly evince; for were it natural we ſhould need no commandement to do it.

Further, it is ſuch a gift, Opera naturalia non indigent p…aecepto.as whereby wee apprehend and apply unto our ſelves Chriſt and all his merits: for the very nature of juſtifying and ſaving Faith ſtandeth in theſe two degrees. 1 In apprehenſion and receiving of Chriſt: for to beleeve and receive Christ are all one, Joh. 1.13. 2 In applying to ones ſelf Chriſt and his merits particularly, which is not only to know that Chriſt is God in himſelf, and all other parts of truth neceſſary to bee beleeved; but a full perſwaſion of the mercy of God through Chriſt to belong unto himſelf in particular: ſo as hee bee able with Thomas to ſay, My Lord, and my God: not onelyonly confeſſing that Chriſt dyed for ſinners (which the very Devils beleeve) but as Paul deſcribeth the true Faith in the Son of God by the proper ſpeech and voice of it, Gal. 2.20. Who dyed for mee, and gave himſelf for mee. Further, the deſcription reſtraining this grace to beleevers, giveth us to underſtand, that faith is not of all, 2 Theſſ. 3. Faith is not of all.nor ſo common as men take it to bee: not every one that can ſay, I beleeve in God, hath faith; nor every one that will boldly ſay, Chriſt is his Saviour, hath preſently ſaving Faith. For.

1 The Prophet Eſay, ſpeaketh of a number that beleeved not the Prophets report, and to whom the arm of God was not revealed, Iſa. 53.1. The Evangeliſts and the Apoſtles alſo complain in their times how this prophecy was accompliſhed, notwithſtanding they heard the bleſſed word of truth from the mouth of truth it ſelf, and ſaw the wonderful Miracles in the hands of Chriſt himſelf, and his Apoſtles, for the confirmation of that truth.

2 The end of Faith, which is ſalvation, belongeth not to the moſt, and therefore not faith it ſelf the means: for there are few which ſhall bee ſaved.

3 The Word, the parent of faith, is wanting to many people; and where it is, ſo neglected by the moſt as grace and Gods bleſſing is withdrawn from it: beſides, that the unfaithfulneſſe of Teachers, and abundance of iniquity in all ſorts of men provoketh the Lord to revenge with his fearful ſtroak of ſlowneſſe of heart to beleeve; that in the midſt of means men ſhould wilfully periſh: now if there be no ſeed-time, what fruit or harveſt of faith can be expected?

p. 3924 The Scriptures not only deny true and ſaving faith to the reprobate, whoſe eyes the Lord blindeth, and whoſe hearts he hardneth, leſt they ſhould ſee and beleeve, Iſa. 6.9. but impropriateth it to the elect, whence it is called the faith of the elect, Tit. 1.1. To them whom God hath predeſtinated to life: for ſo many as were ordained to life everlaſting, beleeved, Acts 13:48. to the ſheep of Chriſt, Joh. 10.16. But yee beleeve not, for yee are not of my ſheep: to them that are regenerate by the Holy Ghoſt, as 1 Joh. 5.1. Whoſoever beleeveth that Jeſus is the Chriſt, is born of God.

Laſtly, the deſcription addeth the final cauſe of faith to bee Salvation, namely, in regard of beleevers: for the main end of all graces is the glory of God: and ſo Abraham by beleeving is ſaid to give glory to God, Rom. 4.20. but the ſubordinate end of faith, is the ſalvation of the elect, and therefore is it called ſaving faith, foreign. In ſalutem animae. Be… Faith never quite loſt.Heb. 10.39. we are not they which with-draw our ſelves unto perdition, but we follow faith to the conſervation of the ſoul, 1 Pet. 1.9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the ſalvation of your ſouls. And from hence followeth it, that ſaving faith can never be quite ſhaken out of the heart of him that once hath it; being, 1 but once given to the Saints, Jude 3. and a gift of which God never repenteth him. 2 A gift flowing from Gods eternal election, as we have ſhewed out of Acts 13.48. 3 A ſeed of God perpetually preſerved in the regenerate, who ſin not becauſe this ſeed of God remaineth in them, 1 Joh. 4.4. 4 It hath the promiſe of the Father, to be the victory that overcometh the world: the interceſſion of the Son of God, that it fail not, Luke 22.32. and the confirmation of the holy Spirit, who by it ſealeth up, and giveth his earnest into the hearts of beleevers, 2 Cor. 1.22. ſo as unleſs the mighty power of the Father, Son, and holy Spirit upholding it, can bee ſhaken, it can never be by all the gates of Hell ſo ſhaken out of the heart, but that the end of it ſhall be ſalvation, which could not be, if the elect did not ever abide in communion and fellowship with Chriſt.

Popiſh doctrin teacheth not true faith to this day.From which deſcription of true juſtifying faith, it is evident that Popish Doctrin knoweth not, teacheth not, nor ſuffereth men to be taught the true Doctrin of ſaving faith, becauſe it utterly diſclaimeth the very eſſential form of it, which is ſpecial application of Chriſt and his merits, with affiance and reſting only on them unto ſalvation; yea and more, they condemn this glorious work of faith as a mortal ſin, and ſtile it by the name of preſumption: and ſo, by Gods juſt judgement, they take up ſuch a faith in ſtead of it, as is common, not only to Hereticks and Reprobates, but to the very Devils themſelves, who beleeve as much as Popiſh doctrin requireth to ſalvation, yea and more, they tremble alſo. For doe not they know and aſſent that there is one God; that all that is in the Word of God is true and certain; that all the Articles of the Creed are the true grounds of Chriſtian religion? and if you goe any further (excepting the thruſting in of general Councils and Traditions which every good Catholick muſt take in with the former) Popiſh faith leaveth you, and biddeth you farewell: and even thoſe things which are abſolutely neceſſary to ſalvation to bee beleeved by ſaving faith (as that the Scriptures are Gods Word, that the Articles of faith compriſed in the Creed of the Apoſtles are of undoubted truth) they embrace only by Hiſtorical faith; by which yet was never man ſaved: for if ever man were, then might the Devils alſo by the ſame faith. But juſtifying faith is another manner of thing; it ſeateth not it ſelf in the underſtanding only, as the former, but takeeth up the whole ſoul, even the heart, will, and affections alſo, all which lay hold and cleave unto Chriſt for ſalvation. Neither is it a common and general work of the Spirit upon good and bad, as the former illumination and aſſent is; but a ſpecial favour and extraordinary grace proper to the elect, as wee have heard, and the ſtranger entreth not into this their joy.

The ſecond point to be conſidered, is the benefit or excellent fruit of this grace.

p. 3931 It is the firſt ſtone to be laid in the building of a Chriſtian, Five excellent fruits of ſaving faith.and therefore called a ſubſtance and foundation, Heb. 11.1. and the Coloſſians are ſaid to be rooted, and built, and ſtabliſhed in the faith, Coloſ. 2.7. this is that rocky foundation which ſhall bear up the houſe againſt all winds and weathers. It is the firſt work of change in the heart, and the firſt difference between man and man, when God by faith purifieth the heart, Acts 15. It is the foundation of all obedience; for whatſoevee is not of faith, is ſin. It is the root of all Gods worſhip; for till we beleeve in God, we can neither truſt, nor hope, nor love, nor pray, nor perform any other part of his ſervice truly or acceptably. It is the mother of all good works: the word is the ſeed of them, which faith conceiveth and digeſteth, and ſo bringeth forth commanded and commended actions. General faith knoweth the work to bee good in the kind of it, and ſpecial juſtifying faith beginneth it, and maketh it good in the perſon, and endeavour of the doer; and layeth hold upon Chriſt to cover the defects of it. Hence is it, that often in the Scriptures we read it to bee the firſt Commandement given by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, to ſuch as were deſirous to know the way of life, and how they might pleaſe God. The Jews come to our Saviour, and ask him, what they might doe to work the works of God? and Chriſt beginning here, telleth them, that this is the work of God, that they beleeve in him whom he hath ſent, Joh. 6.28, 29. And, 1 Joh. 3.23. This is his Commandement, that we beleeve in the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and love one another: for we cannot perform any work of love before we beleeve. In one word, faith is the very ſoul of all obedience, without which, the moſt fightly and glorious actions, be it of alms, prayer, preaching, hearing, worſhip, or miracles themſelves, all are but very Corpſes and Carcaſes of good works, dead and liveleſs.

Secondly, faith exalteth it ſelf above all other graces, not only in the excellent object of it, which is Chriſt and Salvation; but alſo in the excellent work of it above them all, notwithſtanding they all have their ſpecial excellencies: it eſpouſeth us unto Jeſus Chriſt, and in theſe eſpouſals and contract for the preſent, it aſſureth us of our marriage with him hereafter. And being the condition of the New Covenant of life, Joh. 3.16. it tyeth God himſelf unto us; who is not further bound to any man, than he is a beleever. True it is, that Love placeth it ſelf upon Chriſt, but it is after faith: for hee muſt bee apprehended before he be loved. Hope waiteth for ſalvation: but faith firſt beleeveth it. Truſt leaneth upon the promiſes: but faith firſt layeth hold on Chriſt the Author and accompliſher of them. And though the Apoſtle ſay, that of Faith, Hope, and Love, Love is the chiefeſt, 1 Cor. 13. himſelf interpreteth it to be in reſpect of durance and continuance, but not in reſpect of our juſtification, or acceptation with God. Love indeed ſurviveth and laſteth longeſt; for our ſight of God as he is ſhall vaniſh faith; but yet faith is before it, and the mother of it.

Thirdly, ſaving faith is a living thing, and maketh a man to live by it: It purgeth his own dwelling by purifying the heart and conſcience, it reneweth the ſpirit and mind, it quickneth to all good duties: for it being an inſtrument to unite unto Chriſt, by it, as by a bond of union, wee receive from him our Head, life, and power to move and ſtirre in Chriſtian duties: yea, it ſo governeth the whole life, that we henceforth live not, but Chriſt liveth in us. In our buſineſs and labour, it maketh men diligent in the work, but leave the ſucceſſe to God. In temporal wants, it faith with Abraham, God will provide, at leaſt in the mountain: it careth not ſo much for bread, as the ſtaff of it: if it have means, it bleſſeth God, and uſeth them; but truſteth not in them: if it have them not, it reſteth on God, but uſeth no unlawful courſes for them. In afflictions it ſtabliſheth the heart with aſſurance of a good iſſue, and ſtill waiteth the Lords leaſure without making haſte. In temptations it goeth againſt ſence and feeling, and reſteth upon the naked promiſe: yea, when it can ſcarce apprehend p. 394any thing but wrath, it will uphold the heart, and rear it, even when God ſeemeth to …id him, to truſt in his mercy. In the uſe of things Spiritual… as the Words Sacraments, Prayer, and other holy means, only faith draweth vertue from Chriſt; and all of them are unprofitable, further than they are mingled with faith. In the uſe of Temporal, it is faith that weaneth the …ea…, and k…epeth it that earthly cares choak it not, earthly pleaſures poſſeſs it not, and ear…hly comforts oppr…ſs it not: but it holdeth the mind heavenly in the midſt of earthly buſineſs, and ſuffereth it not to love pleaſures more than God, not to enjoy any comfort of the Creature above, or againſt the comforts of God and his Word, whom they acknowledge the very life of their lives, and the ſoul of their ſouls and bodies here and for ever. Thus is faith every where diffuſed; if we walk, we walk by faith: if we live, we live by faith in the Son of God: if we ſtand, we stand by faith: if we dye, we muſt dye in faith, as the Patriarks did, Heb. 11.13.

4 This excellent grace only fenceth againſt temptation, quieteth the diſtreſſed ſoul, and keepeth it from ſinking, as once it did Peter, Matth. 14.20. This is the only ſhield which quencheth all the fiery darts of the Devils Epheſ. 6.16. and 1 Pet. 5.9. Your adverſary the Devil goeth about like a roaring Lion, whom reſiſt ſtedfaſt in the faith. This is the victory alſo that overcometh the world, even our faith, 1 Joh. 5.4. This is the conqueſt over the luſts of our own fleſh, 1 Theſſ. 5.8. Be ſober, and put on the breaſt-pla…e of faith. Again, as it moun…eth and fenceth, ſo it ſtilleth the heart diſquieted and diſtreſſed, when it ſeeth it ſelf beſet with ſpiritual wickedneſſes, and luſts, and even almoſt drowned in the gulfs of ſinful and earthly courſes. Therefore the poor Jav…or that could not tell what to doe with himſelf, that of an unhappy man now ready to kill himſelf, he might become happy, and an heir of Salvation, was ſent n… where elſe by the Apoſtle, but to the doctrin and practiſe of this grac of faith. This only reſolveth fully the queſtion, Oh, what ſhall I doe to be ſaved? Beleeve in the Lord Jeſus, and thou ſhalt be ſaved: he getteth no other anſwer of Paul, becauſe he well knew, that no other would have anſwered his queſtion, nor ſetled his conſcience now touched with ſence of his ſin. If he had ſent him to the Word, that could have done him no good, if he did … mingle it with faith. If to his prayers, only the prayer of faith is available, Jam. 5.15. If to the Sacraments, they muſt be ſeals of faith, Rom. 4.11. or elſe d…e no more good than ſeals ſet to blanks. If to a good life, it muſt bee the life of faith, which the juſt must live by. If to the Church to joyn himſelf to that, he muſt himſelf be firſt of the houſhold of faith, Gal. 6.10. Nay more, if to Chriſt himſelf, if he carry not faith with him, he is after a ſort diſabled from doing him any good. As he could doe no great works in Capernaum, becauſe of their unbelief, Mar. 6. only thy faith in the Son of God, is the beginning, and a…compliſhment of thy happineſs. Adde hereunto, that it nor only removeth diſcomfort, but bringeth with it all the ſound joy and comfort of our lives; whence it is that Chriſtian joy is called, joy of faith, Philip. 1.25. and all the Sons of faithful Abraham tread in their Fathers ſteps, who ſaw the day of Chriſt and rejoyced, Joh. 8.56. becauſe God hath not only reſerved mercy for us, but by the faith which his Spirit worketh in our hearts, hee letteth us know, yea and taſte what he hath done for us: ſo as hence have we peace with God, and with our own hearts, boldneſſe in prayer, and not patience only, but joy in ſorrow: thus give a man once faith, and ſin flieth before him, bands of temptations are diſcomfited, afflictions diſmay him not, death and deadly things are diſarmed unto him: faith hath gotten, and holdeth Chriſt his victory, his ſtrength, his life; yea, whileſt he walketh in a thouſand deaths, the faith of his heart hath filled his ſoule with that heavenly and ſpiritual joy which all the world cannot give, neither can it take away.

Laſtly, By this worthy grace of Faith, wee are not onelyonly brought into thee p. 395grace by which wee ſtand, Rom. 5 2 Col. 2.12Rom 5:2Col 2:12receive increaſe of it through the communion of Chriſt his Death and Reſurrection, as alſo the inhabitation of the Spirit in our hearts; but alſo wee are fitted unto our glory: for Faith aſſureth every beleever of his ſalvation, 2 Theſſ. 2.13. and every beleever is kept by the power of God through Faith unto ſalvation, which is prepared to be ſhewed in the laſt time, 1 Pet. 1.5.

Thirdly, A beleever may know hee hath faith by ſoul marks or notes.Seeing that this is ſo ſpecial a grace of God beſtowed but on a few, it is worth inquiry, by what touch-ſtone a man may know the ſ…undneſs of his Faith, and that it is much more precious than Gold: And therefore that a man may not bee deceived in a matter of ſuch moment as this is the Scriptures have furniſhed us with ſuch marks and notes, as ſuch, who will uſe diligence in laying their Faith thereunto, ſhall certainly know the truth or unſoundneſs of it: for elſe why ſhould wee bee commanded to prove our ſelves whether wee bee in the faith or no, 2 Cor. 13.5. unleſſe the beleever know that hee doth beleeve? Again, who bee they that know not that Chriſt is in them, but Reprobates? and can Chriſt live in any man… and hee not know it at one time or other, and bee able to ſay with Paul, I live not henceforth, but Christ liveth in mee? and, I know whom I have beleeved? 2 Tim. 1.12. Which if any ſay Paul might know, being an Apoſtle, and having a Revelation, which ordinary men have not, the ſame Apoſtle anſwereth it, 1 Cor. 2.12. when hee joyneth with himſelf all beleevers, wee have not received the ſpirit of the world, but the ſpirit which is of God, that wee might know the things that are given us of God. Now whoſoever have received this ſpirit, want not this revelation: who if hee reveal unto us any thing that is given us of God, then would hee not neglect the greateſt gift that … given us, even Chriſt himſelf, and life eternal through his name.

The firſt mark of ſound Faith, is the ſeat and dwelling of it: and … an humbled ſoul that longeth and almoſt fainteth for Gods mercy i… … that not feeling Faith, can bitterly complain for want of it: that ſtriveth againſt doubting becauſe God hath commanded to beleeve: that endeavoureth to aſſent to the promiſe touching forgiveneſs of ſin, with purpoſe to ſin no more; this holy ſeed is fown in no other ground but this.

The ſecond Mark, are the eſſential properties of ſound Faith: II The eſſenti…l properties of it.and they are three in number.

1 It is moſt pliable to the Word, of which it is begotten: the Jayler as ſoon as hee was converted, would but know of the Apoſtles what hee might do: it will except againſt nothing that the word enjoyneth; it will pick no quarrels; but with Abraham riſeth early to obey God, when if hee had reaſoned with fleſh and blood, hee could have excepted many things, which all the wiſdome of fleſh could never have anſwered. This is that the Apoſtle aſcribeth unto it, that it eſtabli…heth the whole Law, Rom. 4.19. yea, the whole Word of God, the Law and Goſpel, by provoking to cheerful indeavour in the obedience of them both.

2 Sound Faith being a ſubſiſtence, ….it inableth a man to ſtand under a great burden, and not bee cruſht, Pſal. 46.2. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth bee moved, Job will not let his hold go, if the Lord ſhould ſmite off his hand; yea, if hee kill him, hee will truſt ſtill: it reſteth upon Gods arm, and truth in all eſtates; in Life and Death: whereas every croſs puff of winde of temptation or affliction, unſetleth, yea, and ſinketh the unbeleever.

3 It being a ſubſiſtence of things not ſeen, it careth not how little it ſee, the leſs it ſeeth, the more it beleeveth, and the leſs it ſeeth of men and means, the more it ſeeth of God. It ſeeth an Almighty promiſer, who can do what hee will. It ſeeth him that is true of his word, who cannot lye, 2 Cor 6.18. and who cannot but do what hee hath ſaid. It ſeeth a merciful and loving p. 396Saviour, whoſe eyes are upon them that truſt in his mercy, Pſal. 33.18. and ſeeing theſe, it ſeeth enough. Beſides, it eſtrangeth the heart from the World which it ſeeth, and ſeeketh an unſeen Country. Heb. 11.13, 15. Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, acknowledged themſelves rather ſtrangers in this W…r…d t…an Inhabitants, and that they came into it rather to ſee it, and go through it, than dwell or ſet up their reſt in it. It weaneth the heart from the things below, as the woman at the well once meeting with Chriſt, ſhee forgeteth her water-pot. What careth Zacheus for half his goods, yea, …r all, when Chriſt once becommeth his ghoſt, and bringeth ſalvation to his …uſe? And on the contrary, it ſendeth up the heart to thoſe treaſures which the eye of fleſh cannot ſee, but are reſerved to the ſeekets of the Country where they ar…. And theſe are the three worthy properties, whereby the naturalneſſe and ſoundneſs of it may bee diſcerned of ſuch as are willing to try the ſame.

III. The honourable attendants and companions of it, four.The third mark or note of true juſtifying Faith, is by the attendants and companions of it: for this being as Queen among the vertues, goeth not alone, but with all the train of vertues, as hand-maids attending upon her. The chief of them, are theſe four.

1 A true knowledge of the Word of God, acknowledging it in part, and in wh…le to bee the truth of God, and that himſelf is ſtraightly bound to believe and embrace the ſame, and that hee hath a ſpecial part in the promiſe of grace and life by Chriſt, in which grace he reſteth himſelf, daily growing up in the certainty and aſſurance of his ſalvation.

2 A ſound …oy of the heart, which the Apoſtle Peter calleth unſpeakable, and glorious; breaking out into thankful praiſes, in that the Lord hath begun … …ineſs, by making Chriſt his Wiſdome, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification, and … …tion. The Poor, Blind, and Lame perſons of whom wee read in the … never leaped more joyfully when they had met with Chriſt, and had … …s opened, and their limbs reſtored by him, than hee that hath met with him, and received him into his heart, to enlighten him, to quicken him, and to heal him of all his infirmities. How gladly did Zacheus receive Chriſt? with what joy of heart findeth any man the hidden pearl? Mat. 13.44. how did the Eunuch converted go away rejoycing? Act. 8. And all this is, becauſe they can value ſuch a commodity as this is, which they ſee God hath made their own: for if they either knew it not, or not to bee theirs, they could not thus joy in it.

3 Chriſtian Hope is another hand-maid of Faith: for ſo the Apoſtle teacheth, Rom 5.2. Being juſtified by Faith, wee have peace— &c. wee rejoyce under the hope of the glory of God For this is the ſpecial work of hope, to wait for, and rejoyce in the expectation of the glorious appearing of the Lord Jeſu. And hence is it, that whereas unbeleevers are glewed to the earth, and cannot think of Heaven, but either with ſorrow, of a formal and falſe joy (and what marveil is it, that thoſe who have no better ſhould ſet their hearts upon the worſe) beleevers have preſerved in them a willingneſs to leave this World, and to bee with Chriſt, which is beſt of all: yea, ſo ſweet is their preſent taſt of Chriſt, through Faith and Hope, that they are unquiet till they bee filled with the fruition of his fulneſs; being often in his abſence ſick of love, and pine away till they bee with him whom their ſoul loveth.

4 An aſſured truſt relying upon God, beleeving hi… word of promiſe to raiſe and feed the heart, of threatning to ſhake it, and caſt it down, and ſubmitting it ſe…f to the counſel and good pleaſure of God: becauſe his faith hath let him ſee the truth, the wiſdome, the equity and righteouſneſſe of all theſe. Such a mans heart ſetteth nothing above God in proſperity: it diſtruſteth not, but hath God for his God in adverſity: it indeavoureth in all things to p. 397walk with God: it is a ſweet uſher and diſpoſer of the whole life, ſo as it is moſt obedient to the word, and moſt full of comfort and ſweetneſs to it ſelf.

The fourth mark or note or true Faith, is taken from the infallible fruits, IV. The infallible fruits of it, four.and effects of it, which are many, I will onelyonly note four of the principal. Firſt, it frameth and fitteth the own habitation, it purifieth the heart, Act. 15. it ſuffereth not unclean thoughts, unlawful luſts, or wandring motions to harbour there: it guideth the affections of Love, Hatred, Joy, Sorrow, and the reſt; that a man love nothing more, or ſo much, as God and his Image: hee hateth not mens perſons but their ſins, and no mans ſin ſo much as his own: hee rejoyceth in nothing ſo much as in doing the will of God; this is as his meat and drink: hee ſorroweth for nothing in the world ſo much as for offending ſo good and patient a God. This pure heart alſo guideth the words with wiſdome, and maketh it his chief ſtudy how to preſerve with faith, good conſcience in every thing, Act. 24.16.

Secondly, Faith worketh by love, Gal. 5.6. bo…h towards God, and towards man: towards him that begat, and him that is begotten, yea, and him that is ye… not begotten. This love of God expreſſeth it ſelf,

1 In much thankfulneſs unto him, who hath loved us firſt; Our love of God expreſſ…d in three things.who hath given ſo much, even his Son, and all things with him pertaining to life and godlineſs: who hath forgiven us ſo much, and to whom many ſins are forgiven, they muſt love much: who hath done ſo great things for us, by becomming our portion, our treaſure and our chief good.

2 In ſhame for our unkindneſs unto him, both before, and even ſince we knew this his love in Chriſt, and have been acquainted with his waies; taking up with ſhame in our faces, ſorrow into our hearts, for the ſins of our youth, and of our age: againſt the law the rule of righteouſneſs; but eſpecially againſt the glorious Goſpel, which of all other are leaſt of ſerved.

3 In deſire of that bleſſed fellowſhip of his, when and where wee may never ſin againſt him any more: accounting one day within his holy of holies, better than a thouſand beſides: and much more to bee ever with the Lord, and to injoy the p…eaſures at his right hand for evermore, to bee at home with him, and ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, yea, with Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, ſhould make us groan in our ſouls, and ſay with David, Oh, when ſhall I appear in this thy preſence? The Spirit ſaith, Come, and the Spouſe ſaith, Come. Even ſo, come Lord Jeſus, come quickly.

The love of men by which Faith worketh, diſcovereth it ſelf not onelyonly in juſt dealing with them as wee would bee dealt by, which many civil men, indued onelyonly with civil righteouſneſſe, have excelled in; nor onelyonly in merciful diſtribution of outward comforts for the releeving of the bodies of our brethren, yea, and of our enemies, which hardlier goeth down with the unconverted than the former: but alſo in ſhewing moſt love unto their ſouls, in helping forward their converſion and ſalvation. For ſo ſoon as any man is converted, hee will ſtrengthen the brethren. Faith, whereſoever it liveth, it loveth, and love being an hand giving out, moveth men converted to counſel, exhort, rebuke, admoniſh, comfort, pray, and wait when God will give unto others the grace of Repentance.

As ſoon as Andrew was called, hee bringeth his brother Simon to Chriſt. No ſooner had Chriſt found Philip, but Philip finding Nathaniel, hee bringeth him to …hriſt. The woman at the well no ſooner heareth that Chriſt was the Meſſiah, but ſhee bringeth all the City. In finding this treaſure, the Chriſtian cannot hide his joy; neither can any mans joy bee ſo full, unleſſe hee with others rejoyce together. For it is not here as in earthly things, which the more they are communicated, the more are they diminiſhed, and every mans ſhare is the leſs; but heavenly things are by communication p. 398the more increaſed; for wee read not of any man that laid out his Tallent, but to increaſe? and as the light of the Sun is never a whit impaired by communicating it ſelf to the whole world; or as hee that lighteth one candle of another, dimiſheth not in either, but increaſeth the light; ſo is it in the light of the Sun of Righteouſneſſe much more▪ and in the kindling of theſe heavenly ſparkles, whoſe property is to diffuſe themſelves as fire, and the further they ſpread, the greater and brighter is the flame.

3 The third fruit or effect of Faith, is an undaunted confeſſion of it: Rom. 10.10. With the heart wee beleeve to juſtification, and with the mouth we confeſſe to ſalvation. For where faith is in the heart, it will bee alſo in the mouth. The ſpirit of Faith, and the ſpeech of Faith are undivided: as 2 Cor. 4.13. And becauſe wee have the ſame ſpirit of Faith, according to that which was written: I beleeved, and therefore I ſpake, even ſo wee beleeve, and therefore alſo wee ſpeak. Now there bee three actions of Faith which help forward this free confeſſion. 1 It maketh a man bold in a good cauſe, Act. 5.29. Peter being full of faith, with a bold ſpirit told the Council that had the power of Life and Death in their hands, and himſelf in their power, wee ought rather to obey God than you. 2 Faith keepeth a man in a preparedneſs to ſuffer by leading him along in the denial of himſelf; and hereof wee have a notable example in Paul, Act. 21.13. who profeſſed how ready hee was, not onelyonly to bee bound, but to dye alſo at Jeruſalem, if God called him thereunto. 3 It worketh joy, yea, much rejoycing in the heart, in the ſuffering for Chriſt and a good cauſe: Rom. 5.3. after the Apoſtle had laid down the juſtification of faith as a ground, hee ſaith, that wee then rejoyce in tribulation: and that they did ſo indeed is plain, Act. 5.41. They departed from the Council, rejoycing that they were counted worthy to ſuffer rebuke for his name: hence could they ſing Pſalm… at mid-night in the dungeon, and fetters: and hence could the Martyrs imbrace the fire, kiſs the ſtake, and teſtify ſuch joy in the flames, as all men might acknowledge the truth of the ſpeech of our Saviour, Your joy ſhall no man take away from you; no Tyrant, no tormentor, nor any kind of torment.

The fourth and laſt fruit or work of faith is, that whereſoever ſound faith is, it is moſt diligent in preſerving, yea, and increaſing of it ſelf. The moſt covetous man is not more complaining nor gathering than the beleever, who is ever complaining of want of Faith, or of the weakneſſe of it; Mar. 9.24. and knowing the want of it to bee ſo dangerous and hurtful, as without which hee wanteth Chriſt himſelf: as alſo that the weakneſſe of it depriveth him of much comfort and many goods things; for a man of weak eſtate muſt needs want many rich commoditys and ſweet comforts which the wealthy enjoy in abundance. Therefore hee uſeth all good means to increaſe his ſtock: as,

1 Hee is much in hearing, reading, and meditating in the word, becauſe he knoweth, Means to increaſe the ſtock of faith.faith commeth by hearing: and every thing is preſerved and nouriſhed by that whereof it is begotten.

2 Hee is much in godly talk and Chriſtian conference, by which as the fire by the bellows, ſo is the grace of God blown, and ſtirred up in him.

3 Becauſe hee ſeeth how without prayer, both his own, but eſpecially Chriſts, his faith is as ready to fail as Peters was, Luk. 22.32. hee is much in prayer, and with the Father of the Childe, cryeth with tears often, Lord, I beleeve, help my unbeleef, Mark. 9.24. and with the Diſciples, Lord increaſe our Faith, Luke 17.5. And theſe are the marks by which the ſoundneſs and currence of Faith; as by a touchſtone may bee tryed, and diſtinguiſhed from all that falſe and counterfeit Faith which is ſo ſtiring in the World, and wherby moſt men are lamentably deceived.

The uſe of this Doctrin is, 1 To ſtir up men to examine, and by theſe notes to prove themſelves, whether they are in the Faith or no, to try their p. 399faith of what kinde it is, leaſt in the end they find that they have leaned upon a ſtaffe of reed. By which examination, I fear it will bee too evidently ſeen, that theſe are the laſt daies wherein the Sonne of man ſhall come, and ſcarcely find faith upon the face of the earth. Sure it is, that the common faith of men is neither thus, 1 Founded, 2 Nor qualified, The moſt common faith of men is not thus qualified.3 Nor attended. 4 Nor thus fruitful: as will briefly appear in the particulars.

Firſt, Every man ſaith he hath Faith; but whence had hee it: it was never begotten by the Word; he never cared for that, that was ever as a ſixt finger and ſuperfluity unto him. It was never founded in repentance, nor dwelleth with Humility; for moſt men never ſaw change in themſelves, they have loved God and beleeved in Chriſt ever ſince they can remember. It was never cheriſhed with the duties of prayer and invocation, they could never pray in all their lives except after the Miniſter, or by ſet forms, but the ſpirit of prayer never dwelt there. It was never conflicted with unbeleef: they wonder what that ſhould bee, or that any man ſhould not ever beleeve: ſo as indeed here is no character of the faith of the Elect; and nothing all this while but a voice, and very carkaſe of Faith.

2 Others ſay they beleeve, and brag of a ſaving faith in Chriſt, but they feed a bare fancy: for they could never beleeve God for leſſer things: they want the faith of Gods providence even for meat and drink, which is apparent in that they can uſe wicked and unwarrantable means for them: their ſtrong faith they brag of, waiteth not for Gods proviſion, but will ſhift for it ſelf by hook and by crook: it holdeth not the heart to patient bearing of the Croſs, but flingeth out in diſtempers: it putteth not forth in inferiour buſineſſes, to give directions to the particular actions of life: and therefore ſeeing this faith faileth in leſſer and ſmaller things, how can it bee ſound in the greateſt of all?

3 Others boaſt of a ſound faith, which were it ſo, it would lay hold upon the promiſe, and beleeve for themſelves and their ſeed; but this it doth not: for many who for themſelves would reſt in the providence of God, upon the good and warrantable m…s, will yet indanger themſelves for their children. And hence is it that many who have lived conſcionably in ſingle eſtate, have remitted much of their care and fear in their married condition, and come ſhort of their former uprightneſſe; and why is this elſe, but that they conceive not the Lord to bee all ſufficient for them and theirs, Gen. 17.1.

4 Others there bee that challenge as ſound a faith as any, but never priſe ſuch a pearl as it is: can a man have ſuch a commodity, but hee ſhall value it according to the worth? but theſe think themſelves never the richer for it: they have more ſence and joy in the ſmalleſt, and moſt trifling earthly profit, then that Chriſt is become their gain, which although they profeſs, yet this undervaluing of him in their hearts, giveth their tongues the lye. Beſides, it they did eſteem of faith indeed, they would profeſs it boldly, and confeſs it to all the World, whereas they are aſhamed of Chriſt before men, and caſt themſelves into the night with Nicodemus, as fearing leſt if they ſhould come to Chriſt by day, men would ſee them, whoſe praiſe they love above the praiſe of God: and whoſe reproach they fear above the rebuke of the Almighty. But how unlike is this to the faith of the Saints, whereby they could eſteem the rebukes of Chriſt, above the treaſures of Egypt. And further, were it ſo they made reckoning of their faith, they would much more care for the end of it; for ſound faith carrieth the heart even in the conſtant waiting and wiſhing for Chriſts appearance; but theſe rather fear it than hope it. Now what a faith is that which never careth to come to the end of it, that fain would ſtill bee pitching upon earth, ſaying with Peter when hee wiſt not what hee ſaid, It is good being here. Is this Faith an evidence of things p. 400not ſeen? or doth it look at things within the veil?

5 Another ſort would be loath to be otherwiſe accounted, but true beleevers, and yet their faith worketh no change in them; how their hearts are purified, witneſſe the uncleanneſſe, envie, drunkenneſſe, oathes, injuſtice, covetouſneſſe, contempt of the Miniſtery, prophanations of the Sabbaths of God in themſelves and theirs: theſe and the like proceed from within; and by the Waies in the ſhop any man may know how the Warehouſe is ſtored. And as this faith purgeth not the naſty corners of the heart, no more doth it the mouth, but that venteth according to the abundant foulneſſe of the heart, and is filled with unclean, unſavoury, or unfruitful ſpeeches. Further, as they were at firſt enemies to God, and goodneſſe; ſo they abide ſtill, and are no changelings. Here is no faith working by love; neither to God; for they will doe nothing for him, will be at no coſts or pains for him: and as little will they ſuffer for his ſake, not a reproachful word; much leſſe will they rejoyce in ſuffering: neither to Gods children, theſe can they pinch and diſgrace, where as l…ved they him that begat, they would love thoſe that are begotten of him. As for helping others to Heaven, they are ſo farre from it, as that if any will caſt an eye that way, they can tell what he is preſently, and they would be loath to be ſuch an hypocrite, or preciſe tool as he is.

To conclude, although true faith is moſt induſtrious in the means of preſerving and increaſing it ſelf, theſe men hold their wont: enemies to the Word were they, and ſo are they ſtill, they neglect the means, and abſent themſelves from the Miniſtry; and can no more beleeve than Thomas, who was abſent when Chriſt came and ſh…wed himſelf to the reſt of the Diſciples, Joh. 20.24. and that which they doe hear, they mingle not with faith, and ſo it becom…th unprofitable. The Lion roareth, they fear not in their hearts, becauſe they apply not the threats of the Law againſt their own ſins. The Goſpel propoundeth promiſ s of life and ſalvation, but they truſt God no further than they ſee him; they rejoyce no more in them than they can in another mans mony or evidences; they pray not to be taught of God, nor hear to bee increaſed in faith; nor meditate nor conferre … things they hear, further to edifie themſelves and others in their moſt holy …aith. Now will theſe fruits ſtand with faith? or if they will not, is faith ſo common as men pretend? but I hope I have a little helped many a man to ſee by this application, how that his Gold is turned into Copper; and his faith but into a dream and fancy.

Labour for the truth of faith … earneſtly as for ſalvation.Vſe 2. This doctrin teacheth every man to labour for the truth of this grace as earneſtly as for ſalvation it ſelf: for this is the ſcope of all the Prophets, to bring men, not ſo much to faith, as to the end of faith through the Meſſiah, which is ſalvation. And hence is it that faith is ſaid to ſave; beleeve and thou ſhalt be ſaved: and in many places and phraſes beſides, the Lord aſcribeth that to the inſtrument which belongeth to himſelf the principal efficient.

Neceſſity of this grace to him that expecteth ſalvati…n.1 Both to ſhew the excellency of the grace in it ſelf, in that it comprehendeth ſuch an excellent object as Chriſt, Heaven, and happineſſe, which are infinite; and holdeth ſuch great things being abſent as preſent in the hand of it.

2 As alſo the n…ceſſity of it to the party that looketh for ſalvation: for hee that beleeveth not, muſt needs be damned, yea, is damned already, Rom. 4.11. For, 1. He hath not ſet his ſeal that God is true, but ſo far as he can hath made him a lyer, 1 Joh: 5.10. 2 He hath defiled all his actions, and loſt all his labour. 3 He hath diſabled God from doing him good, who cannot ſave him that lieth in the ſtate of infidelity. 4 Hee hath ſhut Heaven againſt himſelf, for without ſhall be unbeleevers: and if infirmity of faith in Moſes, the Servant of God, ſhut him out of Canaan; what ſhall the want of it in the wicked doe but p. 401ſhut them out of the heavenly Canaan, which is a r…ſt prepared only for the people of God.

3 To teach in what an high reckoning it is with God; who is the Author of it, the finiſher of it, the accepter and approver of it, yea of a grain of it; and not of it only, but of our perſons and imperf ct works, becauſe of it: and c…nſequently that every beleever ſhould make as high account of it as of ſalvation it ſelf, it leading to the very g…te of Heaven: nay, being the threſhold over which every one m…ſt ſtep that meaneth to enter into the holy City.

Vſe 3. This teacheth us, that ſeeing the Miniſtry of the Prophets, Apoſtles, Paſtors, and Teachers, was inſtituted to this purpoſe, to beget and confirm men in the faith: all ſuch as frequent the Miniſtery muſt be careful to grow up in the ſtrength of faith. For otherwiſe they fruſtrate to themſelves this holy ordinance: for the ſum of our commiſſion is this, Goe teach all Nations, hee that beleeveth hall be ſav…d, Mar. 16.16. And what is Paul, Apollos, or any other ordinary Miniſter, but the Miniſters of your faith; both for the begetting and confirming of the ſame? Grow up in the ſtrength of faith.So as whoſoever under the Miniſtry wanteth either the work of faith, or the working of it to further ſtrength and degrees; that Miniſtry is by him perverted to his own danger, and damnation, without repentan…e. And i… we ſearch further into the Scriptures, wee ſhall not want ſtore of reaſons to the ſame purpoſe. As,

1 According to the increaſe of faith is the increaſe of all graces: Reaſons. as a man beleeveth, ſo he loveth, prayeth, and obeyeth, and ſo is loved, heard, and recompenced: and no m…rvail, ſeeing not only the meaſure of graces here, but of glory hereafter, is according to the meaſure of faith, as appeareth in the Parable of the talents

2 As a child on…e born groweth daily unto the tallneſſe of it, ſo thoſe that have been born unto God, have ever encreaſed (except in temptation, and deſertion) in faith and godlineſſe, and ſo drew daily nearer their ſalvation than when they firſt beleeved: ſo muſt wee walk from faith to faith; from ſtrength to ſtrength; of weak becomming ſtrong; not ſtanding in the infancy, or childhood, but growing up to our full age and old age in Jeſus Chriſt.

3 It is true that a grain of true faith is very powerful and prevailing; but the ſtrength of faith can doe much more: and therefore the …ll ſayls wherewith Abraham was carried to the promiſe, are ſet before us, Rom. 4.5.

Again, every meaſure of faith, if true, is acc…ptable to God, and maketh us ſo; becauſe Chriſt is laid hold on unto life; but the greater meaſure is much more: a ſmoking flax ſhall not be quenched, that is, the leaſt ſparkle of true faith ſhall not be deſpiſed; but a flame of faith is of great beauty and brightneſſe. If a poor man wraſtle haltingly with Jacob, he ſhall prevail, and get a bl…ſſing to carry away; but if a man ſtand ſtoutly with the Centurion, and Syrophaenicean, Chriſt himſelf will be foyled after a ſort, he will admire it, and profeſſe hee found not ſo great faith in Iſrael; and according to this great faith ſhall it be to this party. Seeing therefore the Lord hath ſtill afforded the Miniſtry and word of faith, let this be thy chief aim to find the work of it upo… thy faith; and content not thy ſelf that Chriſt may ſay to thee, O thou of little faith: but riſe up in the degrees of it, that he may ſay as of that Woman, O man, great is thy faith: this will bear thee up in the waves of temptation and affliction: no blaſt or billow ſhall ſink thee, not all the gates of H…ll ſhall prevail againſt thee.

But alas, how is this principal end of the Miniſtery neglected of the moſt? and many come to hear a Sermon, and that is all: ſome rather to ſee a Sermon, or be ſeen at it, than hear it: ſome to know more than they did, ſome to reform ſomething, as Herod, who heard John gladly, and did many things, p. 402but few to learn to become beleevers: which till they have done, all moral precepts urged upon them are but loſt, becauſe the inſide is not yet clean: and feweſt of all do live by their faith in the Son of God: for of all ſins that the Spirit ſhall rebuke the World of, this is the chief, that they beleeve not in him. Thus much of this worthy doctrin concerning faith, which is the ſcope of all the Prophets and Apoſtles.

The third point in the verſe, is the fruit of faith, namely, That all that beleeve in his name ſhould receive remiſſion of ſins. Where for the meaning muſt bee known, 1 What is Remiſſion of ſins. 2 Wh…t it is to receive it. 3 The perſons receiving it, namely, thoſe that beleeve in the name of Chriſt: even all they, and none but they.

Firſt, Remiſſion of ſins in a grace of God, whereby for the merit of Chriſt, hee accounteth the ſits of beleevers as no ſins, and acquitteth th…m from the guilt and puniſhment of them all. Where I ſay, it is a grace or favour of God, this rem ſſion of ſin is diſt…nguiſh…d from all other: for man hath alſo from God power and commandement to remit ſins; and that either publikely or privately.

Offence …s either, 1 againſt God, which he alone can for give. 2 Againſt publike peace, which belongeth to the law. Or 3 perſonal againſt our ſelves which muſt be to g…ven of us.The former, when the Miniſter by authority from God, remitteth the ſins of Beleevers, and repentant ſinners, by publiſhing the grace of the Goſpel, and applying it unto ſuch. And ſuch as are thus miniſterially looſed in earth, are looſed alſo in heaven.

The latter, is of every private man, who hath alſo received a commandement of God to forgive the ſins and offences which his brother hath committed againſt him: not that any man can properly forgive the ſin of his Brother, ſo far as it is a breach of Gods Commandement, but as it is wrong and injury againſt himſelf: and even this private remiſſi…n of a mans Brother, if repenting, confeſſing, and asking pardon, is ratified and confirmed in heaven alſo: but if they ſeek not forgiveneſſe at us, wee muſt ſtill not only our ſelves forgive, but ſeek it for them of God, ſaving, Father forgive them: yea, and forgive us as wee forgive them, But this remiſſion of ſins is proper unto God, to whom it belonge…h to ſay, I will forgive.

The Lord only properly forgiveth ſins.1 Becauſe it is hee againſt whom all ſin is committed. Pſal. 51. Against thee, againſt thee, have I ſi…ned: and who can forgive the debt but the creditor? If any man ſhall offer to forgive another mans debt; what doth hee but deceive the debto…, who thinketh himſelf free from that which lyeth as heavy upon him as before; as alſo abuſe and wrong the Creditor, whoſe right without his knowledge hee hath enchroached upon, 2 The Lord challengeth it as his prerogative, proclaiming himſelf, Exod. 34.6, 7. The Lord, the Lord, ſtrong, merciful, gratious, ſlow to anger, abundant in goodneſſe and truth, reſerving mercy for thouſands, forgiving iniquity, and tranſgreſſion, and ſin: and Eſay 43.25. I, even I am hee that putteth away thine iniquity, for mine own ſake, and will not remember thy ſins. 3 Our Saviour in his Prayer taught us to beg the forgiveneſs of our debts, onelyonly from our Father which is in heaven. 4 The Church of God hath ever aſcribed unto the Lord alone this honour of mercy, which is a part of his gl…ry which hee will not impart to any other, Micah 7.18. Who is a God l…ke unto thee, that taketh away iniquity, and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſion of the remnant of his heritage? hee retaineth not his wrath for eve…, becauſe mercy pleaſeth him: Pſal. 130. ult. Hee will redeem Iſrael from all his iniquities. 5 The very Jews themſelves accounted it an high blaſphemy for any man to take upon him to remit ſins, Luke ….21. Who is this that ſpeaketh blaſphemies, who can forgive ſins but God onelyonly? Whence it plainly appeareth, that the Pope or any other of his ſhavelings, whileſt they challenge (though a ſubordinate) power properly to forgive ſins, and do not content t emſelves with the miniſterial publiſhing in the name and authority of God alone, and pronouncing forgiveneſſe to all repentant ſinners, become p. 403open blaſphemers againſt God, and not without an high wickedneſſe ſet themſelves in the room of God.

2 I ſay in the deſcription, that the Lord doth account the ſins of his Elect as no ſins, and that for the merit of Chriſt: both which appear in the former reſembla…ce, which compareth ſins to debts: wherein God is compar…d to a Creditor, man to a debtor, the Law to the bill or bond which bindeth man to G…d, 1 to obedience, 2 in default of that to puniſhment; ſo as her… is nothing but either ſatisfaction, or to go to priſon. Now wee being banq… rupts by our fall, and of ſuch broken eſtate, as wee are not able to pay on… farthing, neither of the principal, n…r the for…eiture▪ the m…rcy of our …reditor ſteppe…h in, who himſelf procureth us a ſurety both able and w…lling to diſcharge our whole debt, and the forfeit as well as the principal: that …s, Jeſus Chriſt, who by his obedience active, and paſſive hath made a …d …ſcharge, and ſufficient ſa…isfaction for the ſins of all the beleev…rs in the wo…ld; the which being accepted of his Father in full p…ym…t, are f…ther imputeth not to us our ſi…s, but covereth them, caſt …h them all … his back Iſa. 38 17. and into the bott…me of the ſea, M…. 7.9. as th…gs which he will never remember more.

Th…s they …ecome as though they had never been and wee accounted as innocent, as if wee had never fallen from our firſt ſtate of innocenc…. From th…s wee learn how to co…ceive that place and the li…e, where it is ſaid, that the blood of J…us Chriſt cleanſ…th us from all ſin, 1 Joh. 1. wherein not th… …ti…n of remiſſi…n, wh ch is proper to the Deity is aſ…ribed to the bl…od of C…riſt; but onelyonly the cauſe of remiſſion is ſignified, f…r which God the Fat…er remitteth ſins; and that is the blood of Chriſt, in…luding his wh…le obedien e, and the merit of it, which is a juſt price, and pac ficati…n of his Father; Eph. 1.7. In whom wee have redemption through his blood even he remiſſion o… ſins.

3 I a…de, that the Lord doth acquit Beleevers from the guilt and puni hment of all their ſins: for as where the debt is once paid, As the Lord ſo g…veth properly … o… pe f …ctly …th … puniſhment.the wh…le obligation is void, and there remaineth no more ſatisfa tion to bee made, ſo where the L…d forgiv th a debt once, hee thenceforth acq…itteth the debt…, and is far from requiring any new ſatisfaction. This will not ſta… w… th… juſtice of God, to exact the ſatisfaction of one debt twice, … in … ſurety, another tim… in our ſelves. It will not ſtan… with the gl…ry of God▪ wi h wh…m is plentiful redemption: It will not ſtand with the hon…ur of … to work out with all his obedience, but an …all red…mption, wh ch w…uld argue but a hal… ſatisfaction. Ch iſtus comm… … no…i… … & culp m … & … … g…ſt S…m. de temp 141It will not ſtand with the price of his blood nor wo thineſs of his death not fully to ſatisfy the whole …uſt ce of his Fat…er. I wil not ſtand with the faith of our prayer for remiſſion of ſins; … whole debt be not f…rgiven, but ſome ſatisfaction remaineth f…r us to perf rm, to beleeve remiſſion of ſins were no faith, but a vain opinion and fancy: … r with our peace wi…h God, if his wrath bee not yet fully ſatisfied.

Nay it will not ſtand with right reaſon: for is it reaſon, that hee that oweth n thing to a man, ſhould be forced to make a ſatisfaction where nothing is due? but where the debt is remitted, nothing is due nothing is …wing, the deb…or is freed, and th… whole obligation cancelled. Who ſeeth not therefore by all this, what a w cked and deteſtable deviſe it is of the School-m…n, and defended by all the Papiſts …t this day? to affirm, C…ncil. … d n… ſſ. 4 Can. 4.that only the fault of mortal ſins is rem…tted by Chriſt but not the p…niſhment or ſatisfaction; the which being as they ſay by the grace of God, changed from eternal to temp…rary, rem…in…th to bee born either here in this life, or in purgatory, till Gods juſtice be fully ſatisfied, and the uttermoſt farthing be paid.

VponUpon this ſtring hang their indulgences, pardons, maſſes, pilgrimages, and the whole body of their trumpery, deviſed to make a prey of the p. 404World a great part of which (being the cunningeſt theeves in all the world) they have by ſuch craftie and fraudulent conveyances gotten into their hands. And leſt they ſhould want all colour, they alledge the example of David, 2 Sam. 12.13. Davids ſin and puniſhment both for…iven notwi hſtanding the child muſt dye.Whoſe ſin the Lord put away, and yet the child born to him muſt ſurely dye: and again, though the ſins of the godly bee pardoned, yet death which is the puniſhment of original ſin remaineth.

I anſwer, 1 That Davids ſin and puniſhment were both remitted, for ſo ſaid the Prophet, Thou ſhalt not dye.

2 Wee muſt diſtinguiſh between puniſhment of ſin, whereby Gods juſtice is ſatisfied, and chaſtening of ſin with a fatherly rod. The former are alwaies remitted with the ſin, not alwaies the latter: by the former, the Lord revengeth the ſi…s of men, by the latter, hee correcteth. The former can onelyonly bee born away …y Chriſt: the latter cannot bee born off by any maſſes or indulgences; but are wholeſomely diſpenſed and diſpoſed by God to his deareſt children for their good. Of this latter kind was the death of Davids child, not properly for his ſin, but that in the deed doing hee had cauſed the enemies of God to blaſpheme. Of this kinde was the ſentence againſt Moſes and Aaron, whoſe ſin of not glorifying God at the waters of strife, Numb. 20.12. was pardoned, and yet they muſt not enter into the land of promiſe: they were corrected with rodds of men (not puniſhed in proper ſpeech) both that others with themſelves might bee more careful not to offend in the like kind, as alſo, that being deprived of the earthly Canaan, they might more ſtudiouſly ſeek for the heavenly;

Bellarm. lib. 4. de p…nit. cap. 2.The like is to bee ſaid of the Corinths, of whom Bellarmine ſaith, that they were reconciled to God, and yet diverſe of them were ſtricken with death for unworthy receiving of the Sacrament. As for the example of the Iſraeli es, Numb. 14.20. whoſe ſin of murmuring God is ſaid to forgive at Moſes prayer, yet they muſt all for this ſin dye in the wilderneſs,

Note well this anſwer.The anſwer is, that Moſes did not pray that God would abſolutely and for ever pardon their ſin; nor that the Lord would abſtain from all judgement and puniſhment of that ſin: but that now at this preſent time hee would bee pleaſed to appeaſe his great anger ſo juſtly conceived, and deſiſt from that great judgement of the utter deſtroying of them, threatned v. 12. as may appear, both by the arguments uſed by him, as by that hee expreſly noteth the manner of this fo…giveneſs. verſ. 19. as thou haſt forgiven this people, even from Egypt till now: and forgive them, even according as thou haſt ſpoken, v. 17. but how the Lord had after they came out of Egypt forgiven them, appeareth Exod. 32.35. when they had made a calf, and the Lord wiſhed Moſes to let him alone that hee might conſume them, yet by Moſes interceſſion, the Lord did not conſume them, but plagued them with a great plague and deſtruction; and yet the holy man prayeth, hee would forgive them as hee had done from Egypt till now. And what was it the Lord had ſaid which Moſes taketh hold on? namely, in verſe 34. of that 32. of Exod. Go now, bring the people unto the place which I commanded thee, behold mine Angel ſhall go before thee: but yet in the day of my v ſitation, I will viſit their ſin upon them. So as this place rightly interpreted, yeeldeth no patronage to any ſuch Popiſh and wicked collection.

Further for the ſecond objection, That death remaineth, though the ſin be pardone;

Though death remain after ſin is pardoned, both the fault and pun ſhment is removedI Anſwer, it remaineth not as any ſatisfaction to the juſtice of God to beleevers; nor as a puniſhment of ſin to ſuch as have their ſins remitted; but it hath loſt his ſting▪ which is the guilt of ſin; and is become a remedy rather than a puniſhment, phyſick rather than poyſon, an end of their miſery, and an entrance into a better life. So as it ſtill abideth firm againſt all ſuch deteſtable deviſes of Popery, that remiſſion of ſins carrieth with it the removal of p. 405all the guilt and puniſhment of ſinne to ſuch as have their parts in the ſame.

And it is laſtly to bee obſerved in this deſcription, that I ſay the guilt and puniſhment of all ſin is taken away: for if any bee not remitted, they bee either greater ſins or leſſer: to remit the leſſer and not the greater, what were wee the better? how could our ſalvation bee effected or perfected? how could grace bee every way grace? or do wee pray for remiſſion of leſſer, and not of greater alſo, ſeeing our ſelves muſt forgive our Brethren, not only leſſer offences, but even the greateſt?

A…ain, to remit the greater, and retain the leſſer, were to ſay that the Lord is either not ſ… able, or ſo willing to forgive leſſer ſins as greater. Shall a ma… frankly forgive a debt of thouſands of pounds, and will he not forgive alſo to the ſame party a few pence? The Popiſh Church confidently avouch, A bundle of P…p ſh blaſphemies.that many ſins need no remiſſion; as concupiſcence, which they ſay is not prop rly a ſin, albeit indeed, it is the mother ſin of all. And all the heap of their venial ſins, which they ſay are not againſt, but beſides the commandement, becauſe they are not attended unto, or deliberately done with full conſent o… reaſon: becauſe they cannot hinder the hab… of vertue, but the act of it, and that a very little; nor turn us from our end, but hinder ſo much as it is our progreſs unto it: and becauſe they (though themſelves diſpleaſe God) yet they make not God diſpleaſed with the party committing them, for they can ſtand with grace, and have not properly and ſimply the reaſon and reſpect of ſin or offence: therefore are they not to bee puniſhed with eternal, but only temporary puniſhment.

Theſe need not the blood of Chriſt, nor Grace, nor confeſſion in particular, nor abſ…lution, nor any new habit of charity; but theſe are eaſily wiped away with a little holy water, or any meritorious work, or by the Sacraments received, or by general Confeſſion, or by a ſmall humiliation; as knocking the breſt, faſting, almes, the Lords Prayer, an ave Maria, or by entring into a conſecrated Church, or by a Biſhops bleſſing: or if all theſe help but a little, preſently after death they are all conſumed in the fire of purgatory. Oh horrible blaſphemies, derogatory to the blood of Chriſt which purgeth us from all ſin, and to the truth of the Scriptures which teach us that when wee had nothing to pay, our Maſter forgave us our whole debt, Matth. 18.32. But I have followed them too far, were it not that the diſcovery of their impieties may bring ſome profit to ſu…h as are not ſo well acquainted or exer…iſed in their writings. Thus much of the deſcription of this Grace.

The ſecond thing propounded, is what it is to receive remiſſion of ſinnes? which becauſe it implyeth a gift or oblation, therefore we muſt know that pardon of ſin is offered generally to all, in the word of grace publikely preached, and conferred unto beleevers, not onelyonly in the beginning of their converſion, but through their whole life. Now to receive this remiſſion, How remiſſion of ſin is received.is when a capable, that is, a contrite heart by Faith (which is an hand taking in) receiveth Chriſt and all his benefits (among which remiſſion of ſins is the chief) Preached and publiſhed in the Goſpel. And this it doth on this manner.

1 Upon a touch of ſin, and ſence, that without this gracious pardon there is nothing b… … p…rdition: the heart beaten down beginneth ſeriouſly to meditate of the promiſe of m rcy in Chriſt, and of the means of deliverance from this woful eſtate.

2 It deſireth to beleeve, and wiſheth that mercy to belong to it ſelf, it ſendeth groans to God, it hopeth for pardon, and weakly applyeth the general promiſes of grace.

3 After ſuch deſires and groans of the heart, the Lord moſt gratiouſly anſwereth by his Spirit, and by little and little ſettleth, and quieteth the p. 406heart, perſwading it that Chriſt himſelf, and conſequently reconciliation with God doth indeed belong unto him, ſo as he reſteth in that aſſurance. Thus the Lord will not only give us mercy, but letteth us know that he doth ſo, that our joy, and peace, and boldneſs in him might be more full.

Thirdly▪ the perſons receiving this remiſſion, are all beleevers. Whoſoever beleeve in his name: whoſe faith intitles them to the main promiſe of life, and all other depending thereupon: Beleeve in the name of Chriſt, why.they muſt beleeve in his name. For, 1 There is no other name to be ſaved by: In him alone is the matter of our ſalvation, ſeeing remiſſion is obtained by his bloud, Epheſ. 1.7. 2 Hee alone is God and man, both which natures are neceſſary to our Surety: by the former, he hath power; by the latter, a right to us, not only more general of propriety, as the Father and Holy Ghoſt alſo have; but more ſpecial of propinquity, being our brother, and firſt-born of our Family; the next of our Kindred, and therefore of right belongeth to him to recover our weak eſtate, as was figured in that Law, Levit. 25.25. If thy brother be impoveriſhed, and ſell his poſſeſſion; then his redeemer ſhall come, even his near kinſman, and buy out that which his brother ſold. 3 He only was deputed of God to derive life and grace into us, as the head into the members: and therefore moſt meet it is, that whoſoever would ſuck and draw of his fulneſſe, ſhould beleeve in his name.

Now from theſe words we learn two inſtructions.

1 What is the chief thing which every Chriſtian muſt ſtrive to obtain while hee liveth in his world; namely, remiſſion of ſins.

2 What a his eſtate and condition that hath attained it.

The chief duty of every Chriſtian while he is in this world.For the firſt, it is grounded in the text, becauſe howſoever rem…ſſion of ſins is here only named, yet in it are included all the other gracious mercies of God: not only all deliverances, and freedom from the evils and puniſhments that attend upon ſin, but even all our redemption and ſalvation with the means of it, and bleſſings accompanying the ſame. And indeed, this is the ſum or epitome of all Gods mercy, in which the Lord crowneth his Saints with compaſſion; a mercy which reacheth up to heaven, and draweth them out of the moſt miſerable thing in all the world; which is to lye under the curſe and danger of ſin, and conſequently, under the endleſſe diſpleaſure of the Almighty. Which point being even as the one thing neceſſary to be known and attained. I will ſtand a little longer upon it, hoping to ſpend my time well in ſetting down theſe five points. 1 The neceſſity of remiſſion of ſins. 2 The benefits of it. 3 The Letters of it. 4 The helpes to it. 5 The companions of it, by which as by ſo many notes we may know we have it: and ſo we will adde the uſe of the whole doctrin.

1 Neceſſity of remiſſion of ſins in three points.Firſt, the neceſſity of it will appear, if wee conſider, 1 The multitude and abundance of our ſins, which are to bee remitted, being for number as our hairs, and as the ſand of the Sea which is numberleſſe; which cannot bee other, ſeeing we drink in ſin as the Fiſh doth water, Job 15.16. that is, inceſſantly, for the Fiſh ceaſing to drink in water, ceaſeth to live; neither can we ceaſe to ſin, till we ceaſe to live. Nay, ſeeing our very beſt actions hold no correſpondence with the Law of God; and in ſtrict juſtice are no better than ſo many ſins: this conſideration exceedingly multiplieth our ſins; in that not only in fayling in, but in doing of our duties wee ſin inceſſantly againſt our God.

2 If we look upon the danger of ſin, we ſhall better ſee the neceſſity of remiſſion. It is a filthy Leproſie which infecteth the body and ſoul, the thoughts, ſpeeches, and actions: it maketh a man a loathſome creature in the eyes of God; it maketh God our enemy, who is the fountain of life, and whoſe lightſome countenance is better than life: yea, it maketh God depart from his Creature, and deſtroy the works of his own fingers: it layeth the ſinner open and naked to all the wrath of God, to all the Curſes of the Law in this life, and p. 407in the life to come. It ſetteth him as a butt againſt whom the Lord in anger ſhooteth out of his quiver all the arrows of his diſpleaſure. It is the only thing which unremitted, maketh the ſinner abſolutely unhappy, and every way moſt accurſed. Neither doth the whole heap of ſin only make the ſinner ſo miſerable, but any one ſin even the leaſt unpardoned, would for ever hold the ſinner under perdition. And more, all the men that ever were or ſhall be in the world, were never able to riſe from under the burthen of one ſin, if it were imputed unto them: and yet the moſt of the world ſee no part of this danger of ſin, and therefore no ſuch neceſſity of the remiſſion of it.

3 Conſider thy own inſufficiency, if thou hadſt the ſtrength and power of all men and Angels, to ſatisfie for the leaſt ſin: and if we: cannot ſatisfie for any, what remaineth but a fearful perdition from the Lord, and from the glory of his power, if all be not remitted. In one word, the ſinner who hath not got his diſcharge ſealed, is without all ſafety in his life, all ſound comfort in his death, and at the Judgement Day, ſhall have the ſentence of everlaſting torment with the Devil and his Angels awarded him, before men and Angels.

The ſecond point, is the benefits iſſuing from it, and theſe are: Benefits flowing from remiſſion of ſin four.1 Peace of conſcience, an immediat fruit of our juſtification by faith, and reconciliation with God, Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by faith, we have peace with God: and it was ordinary with our Saviour to joyn them together, as Luk 7.47. Thy ſins are forgiven thee, goe in peace. This benefit the moſt know not what it meaneth, but he that hath the feeling of the wrath of God againſt his ſin; and ſeeth nothing but an angry face of God burning like a conſuming fire; hee that is ſo ſtraitned as hee can think no other thing but that the Lord in his juſt judgement hath caſt him quite away: this man, as of all other torments that can be ſuffered in the world he lyeth under the greateſt, ſo nothing in the earth can content or comfort him, but only the ſence, and perſwaſion of Gods favour. Now the conditions of peace with his God, are the moſt joyful tidings in all the world, as is the unexpected news of a Pardon to a Malefactor ready to execution for high Treaſon againſt his Prince.

2 The right and poſſeſsion alſo of life everlaſting: For if wee bee eſtated unto life eternal by our juſtification and righteouſneſſe before God; then are we ſo alſo by remiſſion of ſins; becauſe theſe two are confounded in the Scriptures, and are the ſame. Whence it is that the Apoſtle, Rom. 4.7. being to prove the point of juſtification of a ſinner before God, without the works of the Law, citeth the text, Pſal. 32.1. Bleſſed are they whoſe iniquities are forgiven, and whoſe ſins are covered.

And further, If our whole redemption put us in poſſeſſion of everlaſting happineſſe; ſo doth alſo remiſſion of ſin, ſeeing the Apoſtle in ſundry places confoundeth theſe two, and expoundeth one by the other, Epheſ. 1.7. By whom we have redemption through his bloud, even the forgiveneſſe of our ſins, Col. 1.14. In whom we have redemption through his bloud, that is, the forgiveneſſe of ſins. And it muſt needs follow, that if they who are juſtified, and ſanctified, are alſo glorified, then they have attained the beginnings of their glory, who have attained remiſſion of ſins.

3 The benefit of Chriſts interceſſion, which meriteth all our good; for hee prayeth not for the world, but thoſe that are given him out of the world, Joh. 17.19. and this is no ſmall benefit, ſeeing no part in the prayer of Chriſt, no part in his death: he will not endure death for him for whom he will not vouchſafe to pray.

4 Conſolation in affliction, ſtrength in temptations, and aſſured comfort in life and death, are the ſweet fruits ariſing from remiſſion of ſin. For,

1 Although afflictions entred with death into the world by ſin, and in their p. 408nature are teſtimonies of Gods wrath; yet ſin being remitted, they proceed no further from God, as a juſt Judge revenging ſin, but from a merciful Father, either for trial of us and our graces, or for chaſtiſement, to keep us from periſhing with the world; to make us hate ſin the more, to draw us nearer him in invocation and prayer, to force our affections out of this preſent world, to fray others from ſin by our example, to conform us to the image of his Son, and to ſhew his mighty power in our weakneſſe, by turning them to our beſt. And thus from the former conſideration ariſeth to the beleever even in darkneſſe a great light.

Satans temptations foyled by this aſſurance.2 From hence obtaineth the beleever notable ſtrength and ſence againſt the fiery darts of Satans temptations. For Satan urgeth the poor ſinner ſundry ways, as 1 By the multitude and vileneſſe of his ſins, with which his conſcience telleth him he is covered: and thence inferreth, that becauſe the wages of every ſin is death, and becauſe he hath deſerved eternal death, he muſt needs periſh, he can expect no other. But now can the beleever ſtop his mouth, and ſay, I grant Satan all thy premiſes; no ſinner is worthy of, or can expect ſalvation in or by himſelf or ſo long as he continueth in ſin: but my ſins are remitted by means of Chriſts ſatisfaction; and though in my ſelf I am worthy to periſh, yet in Chriſt I have a worthineſſe to bring me to ſalvation. I continue not in my ſinful eſtate, but am drawn out of the guiltineſſe, the filthineſſe, the ſervice, the love and liking of my ſins, through the grace wherein I ſtand: and therefore thy conſequent is falſe, I fear it not being ſo forceleſſe.

2 From the Juſtice of God, who cannot but reject whatſoever and whoſoever is not fully conformable to his righteouſneſſe: but here the beleeving heart is quieted, in that through remiſſion of ſins, the Juſtice of God is fully ſatisfied, though not by the perſon offending, yet in his pledge and ſurety Jeſus Chriſt, who being juſt, dyed for the un…ust, that we might be the righteouſneſſe of God in him. And hence the juſtice of God is a matter of moſt comfort to the poor ſinner, in that this righteouſneſſe cannot ſuffer him to demand ſatisfaction twice for one and the ſame ſin; for this directly fighteth with juſtice and equity.

And if Satan be ſtill inſtant, and ſay, But what ſhall anothers righteouſneſſe avail thee, if thy ſelf bee not a keeper of the Law? for the ſoul that ſinneth, that ſoul ſhall dye: the beleeving heart will readily anſwer:

That although the Law require proper and perſonal obedience, yet the Goſpel tranſlateth it to the perſon of ou… Surety, who being God and man, not only paid the whole debt, but performed all righteouſneſſe, abſolutely fulfilling the whole Law: whence it is that his obedience is called the fulfilling of the Law for righteouſneſſe to every one that beleeveth, Rom. 10.4. and himſelf was made under the Law, that hee might redeem from it thoſe that were under it, Gal. 4.4.

And whereas the Tempter will alleadge, But for all thy righteouſneſſe thou haſt innumerable ſins, original and actual, which the Lord hateth, and every day addeſt to the huge heap of them; The heart which holdeth this article of remiſſion of ſins, abideth undaunted: for though it feel a body of ſin dwelling with it, yet is it not reigning ſin, it is not ſin at quiet, but daily battail is maintained againſt it; it is ſin weakned, and in daily conſumption; and therefore ſhall never be laid to the charge of him that is in Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 8.1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Jeſus Chriſt: for the law of the ſpirit of life which was in Jeſus Chriſt hath freed me (though not from all moleſtation and preſence▪ yet) from the Law, that is the ſervice and ſlavery of ſin and of death, verſ. 2. But numbers (will he ſay) who make account to partake in the death and righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, are damned, and have no benefit by it: and numbers have revolted and fallen away, and why maiſt not thou? to which the beleever will readily anſwer, that thoſe that were thus plucked up, p. 409were never of the Fathers planting; only infidels and unbeleevers have fallen away, and withered for want of rooting and moyſture; but I beleeve the remiſſion of ſins, not by any ungrounded perſwaſion, but with a ſound, laſting, and unfayling faith, reſting it ſelf wholly upon Chriſt; ſo as I am perſwaded neither death nor life can ſeparate me from his love, the work of whoſe ſpirit maketh me bold to call upon God as my tender Father; and produceth the fruits of true faith and converſion into my whole life, whereby I know as infallibly the truth of my faith, as I know the preſence of the Sun by his light, or of Fire by his heat. Finally, he that hath begun to make mee good, will make mee alſo perſevere in goodneſs.

3 This aſſurance of remiſſion of ſins, yeeldeth moſt aſſured comfort in life, The ſound comfort of this article.and in death: the goodneſſe of Pauls conſcience, was his comfort when hee ſtood at the barre, Acts 23.1. and 2 Cor. 1.12. This is our rejoycing, even the teſtimony of our conſcience: and in the agony of death, this is the Chriſtians comfort, that his ſin being remitted, the ſting of death is gone; the locks of this ſtrong Sampſon wherein his great ſtrength ſay, are clipped off, and hee is diſarmed of his weapons which are our own ſins. So as a Chriſtian may challenge him into the field, and ſay, O death where is thy ſting? which becauſe he is bereaved of, when he intendeth to kill, he cureth; when hee doth his worſt, which is to ſeparate ſoul and body, he can ſever neither from Chriſt; nay rather he ſendeth the member of Chriſt, and ſetteth him nearer to his head, which is best of all.

The third point propounded, Three lets which hinder men from ſeeking ſo precious a grace.is to conſider of the Le…s which hinder men from ſeeking the aſſurance of the remiſſion of their ſins, which is indeed their true happineſſe, if they could ſo eſteem of it: ſome of which I will ſet down.

1 An erroneous judgement, that no man can attain certainly to beleeve the pardon of his ſins: for the common Proteſtant is a very Papiſt in this opinion, who hold that to doubt of this point is a vertue, and to beleeve it, is preſumption, becauſe no man can certainly know it without a ſpecial revelation: ſo ask ordinary Chriſtians, doe yee beleeve the pardon of your ſins, they will ſay yea, for God is merciful, and they be not ſo many or great but they may be pardoned. Hereby we have brought the party to confeſſe that his ſins bee pardonable; but urge him, are you ſure they are pardoned; Beleevers may and muſt know the pardon of their own ſins.and here hee is ſet up, he ſtammers out a careleſſe anſwer; he cannot ſurely tell, but hee hopeth well, and this is all you can wring out of him: hee knows not whether Chriſt be in him or no, whether hee bee in the faith or no, hee beleeves hee knoweth not what.

But to let men ſee their error herein. 1 Doth not our text ſay, that men muſt receive the remiſſion of ſins: and can any man receive ſo precious a gift from God, and not know when, and how be came by it? 2 What is the meaning of that Article in our Creed which we profeſſe, I beleeve the remiſſion of ſins: what beleeve we more than the Devils, if we beleeve no more than that God forgiveth the ſins of the elect, and not our own; and then, how is this one of the priviledges of the Church? 3 To beleeve in the name of Jeſus Chriſt in particular for remiſſion of ſins, is his commandement, 1 Joh. 3.23. and therefore no preſumption, but a neceſſary obedience ſo to doe. 4 Doubting is forbidden, and therefore no vertue, but a vice, Matth. 14. O thou of little faith, why doubteſt thou?

Object. But experience teacheth that every man is full of doubting, Objection, anſwered.and therefore no faithful man can beleeve it.

Anſw. The conſequent is falſe, ſeeing this doubting exerciſeth, but deſtroyeth not faith; and that they goe together, not only the ſpeech of our Saviour formerly alleadged, but the prayer of the Father of the Child proveth, Lord, I beleeve, help my unbelief: as alſo the two natures of which every p. 410Chriſtian conſiſteth, fleſh and ſpirit, which are in continual combate.

Object. But no man can know Gods minde, and ſo cannot bee aſſured, Rom. 11.34.

Anſw. By his minde is there meant his ſecret will: but his minde revealed wee may, and muſt; a part of which is, that whoſoever beleeveth in his Name ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins: which general promiſe while we ſpecially apply to our ſelves, the Spirit begetteth this aſſurance.

Object. but wee are commanded ſtill to fear, Bleſſed is hee that feareth alwaies.

Anſ. Wee muſt not fear the mercy of God concerning ſalvation, but carry a reverent fear in regard of Gods judgements. 2 Wee are to fear in regard of our ſelves, and ſins, by which wee deſerve the judgements of God as well as others; but this is not contrary to aſſurance of forgiveneſs of ſins; for mercy is with thee that thou maiest bee feared: which the holy Prophet would never have ſaid, it fear could not ſtand with aſſurance of mercy. 3 Such a fear is commanded as may ſhake our ſecurity, but not to drive away the boldneſſe of Faith: a fear of falling into ſin, not a falling away from grace: a fear leſt wee offend a merciful God, but not leſt he take away his mercy from us.

A ſecond Let, is the want of judgement to diſcern aright of the beſt things, and of reſolution to purchaſe or practice that which a truely informed judgement concludeth to bee the beſt. This was the ſin taxed in Martha, who ſaw not the greateſt good neer her, as Mary did. And the world is full of Marthaes, who willingly hurried with many earthly diſtractions, utterly neglect the one thing neceſſary; namely, their Reconciliation with God, and the things which ſerve to uphold and maintain the Chriſtian life, whereby Chriſt ſhould live in them, and they in him.

What elſe is it that maketh men run over Sea and Land to provide for the body and bodily life, and in the mean time caſt off all the care, and means of the knowledge of God, and conſcience of their waies, but that they ſee no profit in ſerving God? they taſte a little ſweetneſs of the creature, but not of the Creator himſelf; a ſmall peice of earth hath more ſavour to them, than the God of Heaven. This is it that cauſeth men to walk painfully all the week in their perſonal and particular Calling, but all the week and Sabbath too neglect the general Calling of a Chriſtian: whereas had they any judgement in the things of God, reaſon would teach them that the particular muſt yeeld to the general, as the inferiour give place to the ſuperiour.

Learn to eſteem every thing in the meaſure and degree of its goodneſs.Yea, this is it which ſtrongly forceth men to chooſe the profits and pleaſures of this life, which altogether croſs and hinder this chief and principal care of gaining the favour of God; becauſe they do not follow the rules of wiſdome, which eſteemeth of things according to their degree and meaſure of goodneſſe, and not above. Which if men would give themſelves to bee ruled by, they would with the Saints of God in this compariſon, account but meanly of the things in the higheſt account with earthly minded men. The Apoſtle Paul comparing his gain of Chriſt with the gain of the World, hee eſteemed this as loſs, yea as dung, which indeed is the right eſtimate of it in this compariſon.

Holy David would rather bee a door-keeper where Gods face may ſhine upon him, than enjoy the honours and pleaſures of the World in the Palaces of Princes without it. Solomon himſelf, the wiſeſt and wealthieſt of all men, after good tryal, pronounced of all earthly indowments, abſtracted from the fear and favour of God, that they were vanity and vexation of ſpirit: and determineth this to bee the ſum of all, to fear God, and keep his Commandements. Thus are the wiſe mans eyes in his head, and his heart is p. 411at his right hand, Eccl. 2. both for deliberating and executing of things moſt neceſſary to bee done; whereas the heart of the fool is at his left hand, he doth all as it were with a left hand for want of this judgement.

A Third and main Let, are frivolous and fleſhly conceits which dead and quench any ſuch motions as otherwiſe might provoke men to this care of remiſſion of ſins. As

1 What need I bee ſo fooliſh, and preciſe, I have lived well hitherto without all this adoe; if God loved mee not, he would never have bleſſed me as he hath done.

Anſw. But look to thy ſelf who thus reaſoneſt; Say not God loveth thee unleſs thou have ſuch ſure grounds as follow.It is not enough to ſay God loveth mee; but to have ſure evidence of it, yea, ſurer evidences than any thou yet ſpeakeſt of, I mean common and outward bleſſings; which like the Sun, or the rain are generally diſpoſed to the good and bad; and by which no man can know love or hatred, Eccl. 9.

Again, Gods love goeth with Election, Juſtification, Sanctification, effectual Calling, Faith, Love, Hope, Patience, Repentance, Mortification. Examine thy ſelf by theſe notes: for if God love thee as his Child, thou loveſt him, and keepeſt his Commandements; thou loveſt not ſin, but hateſt it, even thy deareſt ſins, and preſerveſt a care to pleaſe him in all things: Joh. 14.23. If any man love mee, hee will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him.

2 Whereas they ſay that others which nouriſh this care, are as much croſſed as any other, and therefore they ſee no reaſon that they ſhould make their Life ſo uncomfortable to no purpoſe: let them know, that all the croſſes Gods Children, whoſe care is to make up their peace with God, Godly life not to be feared for the croſſes attending it. Reaſons.are exerciſed with, 1 Proceed from the Love of God, and not from hatred. 2 They are tryals of Graces, not puniſhments of ſins. 3 Their end is not rejection from God, but through their purging and amendment to draw them nearer unto God. 4 By this Reaſon, Chriſt and his Apoſtles might have been refuſed, and all the Saints of God, who through many afflictions are paſſed into Heaven. 5 The way to avoid Croſſes and Puniſhments is, to intend this one care of getting ſin remitted. And 6 If the way to Heaven bee ſo ſtrawed with Croſſes, what is the way to Hell: If the righteous ſcarcely be ſaved, where ſhall the wicked and ſinner appear?

3 Whereas they object further againſt this care, that men of good note, and perhaps Preachers too, account it but fantaſtical, and more than needs; and onelyonly a few, and thoſe deſpiſed ones in the World, do thus diſquiet themſelves, who make their lives more uncomfortable than they need.

I Anſwer, this is indeed one of Satans greateſt holds, Better going to heaven alone, then to Hell with company.but ſuch a ſnare as God leadeth his Children out of in ſafety: whom hee teacheth that it is their happineſſe to go to Heaven, though alone, rather than to Hell with company. Mary will ſit her down, though alone, at Chriſts feet, if ſhee cannot get her ſiſters company: ſhee knoweth it is the good part that ſhall never bee taken from her. And for thoſe (eſpecially if they bee Miniſters, who ſhould moſt advance this care) but diſgrace it as a needleſſe vexation of the Spirit, let them know, that the Lord Jeſus was of another minde, who pronounced bleſſedneſſe on thoſe that mourn now, and promiſed that they ſhould be comforted: and far are they from the guidance of that ſpirit who hath taught us, that of all Sacrifices none is comparable to that of a broken ſpirit and contrite heart which the Lord never diſpiſeth.

IV. Now follow the helps to the obtaining of remiſſion of ſins. As, Helps to attain this grace of remiſſion.1 Thou muſt become a member of the Church, Iſa. 33.24. The people that dwell there ſhall have their ſins forgiven: And Chap. 62.12. They ſhall call them the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. Now to know a mans ſelf a true member of the Church, the Prophet David giveth two infallible notes, Pſal. 15.2. p. 412The former in regard of God, to walk uprightly and ſincerely as in Gods preſence, and under his eye: and the latter in regard of men, to exerciſe righteouſneſſe, both in word and deed.

2 Conſider ſeriouſly of the nature of ſin, how odious it is in it ſelf, how vile it maketh thy ſelf in the ſight of God; how it keepeth away all good things, how it procureth all evil; how proan thy ſelf art unto it, yea, even after grace received: this will bring thee to the judging and accuſing of thy ſelf, to the confeſſion and forſaking of thy ſin, which is the high-way to finde mercy, Prov. 28.13. for the former. Pſal. 32. I ſaid I will confeſſe my ſin, and thou forgaveſt mee the iniquity of my ſin. And for the latter, it is plainly implyed in Chriſts reaſon, Joh. 5.14. Go thy waies, …ow thou art whole; but ſin no more, leſt a worſe thing follow. The fellon that hath been in priſon, endured the miſery of his Irons, hath been condemned, and with the …ope about his neck in fear of preſent death, if he have eſcaped hee will take heed of coming into the like miſery again: and hee that hath found this grace in truth, cannot by turning again to his ſin, turn it unto wantonneſſe.

3 Carefully uſe the means which the wiſdome of God hath left to beleevers for the attaining and aſſuring of this grace of Remiſſion. As namely,

1 The Miniſtery of the word, which in the right uſe of it is the Miniſtry of Reconciliation, in which the Lord offereth conditions of peace, remiſſion of ſins, and life everlaſting, 2 As alſo of the holy Sacram nts which are the ſeals of rem ſſion of ſins to all beleevers, worthily receiving the ſame, Matth. 26.28. and 3 another ſpecial means is fervent prayer for pardon of ſin above all things in the World. Drowſy Proteſtants eſteemeth ſlightly of pardon of ſin, even as they do of ſin it ſelf, which they think eaſily blown off with a Lord of mercy. But the tender and diſtreſſed Conſcience, that ſeeeth and combateth with the danger, ſueth for pardon as one that would ſpeed. A poor fellon on the gallows ready to bee turned off would think a pardon the welcomeſt thing in all the World: but the hardneſs and drowſineſs of mens hearts, every where argue that they bee a very few that find this rare grace, unleſſe wee will ſay that the greateſt bleſſedneſs that living man is capable of, can be given to him that ſleepeth on both ſides, that never thinketh of it, and never maketh means after it.

Companions of remiſſion of ſins.V. The companions of remiſſion of ſins whereby it may eaſily bee diſcerned, are five.

1 The daily exerciſe of true repentance in all the parts of it: as,

Firſt, In judging ones ſelf for ſin paſt and preſent: and this was apparent in Paul himſelf, who looking back to his former eſtate, reckoned himſelf a Captain ſinner, and the chief of all ſinners, hee ſaw in himſelf many ſinn…s, and great ſins, which needed great mercy and much forgiveneſſe: the which one conſideration kept him under continually, and foſtered in him the grace of Humility, when as otherwiſe through his abundance of gifts and revelations, he might have exalted himſelf out of meaſure.

Secondly, in watchfulneſſe and fear of ſin in time to come, according to our Saviours holy Counſel, Thou art now made whole, go thy way, and ſin no more.

Thirdly, In daily purging and cleanſing from known and ſecret corruptions: many are the places wherein the pardoning and purging of ſins are joyned as inſeparable: Jer. 33.8. I will cleanſe all their iniquity, yea, I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have ſinned againſt mee: 1 Joh. 1.9. If wee confeſs our ſins, faithful is hee to forgive us our ſins, and to cleanſe us from all our unrighteouſneſſe. This was the ſumme of the Baptiſme, that is, the doctrin which John preached, even amendment of life for the remiſſion of ſins, Mark 1.4. never hope for remiſſion, unleſſe thou hungreſt after this grac… p. 413of Repentance: for the Lord will not bee merciful to that man that bleſſeth himſelf in his ſins, Deut. 29.19. but if the wicked return from his ſins, he ſhall live, and not dye, Ezek. 18.21.

2 The ſecond Companion, is Gladneſs and cheerfulneſs of heart, yea, an unſpeakable joy that the Lord hath done ſo great things for his ſoul, and made him ſo happy as to bring him from ſuch extremitie of miſery to partake in the Wiſdome, Righteouſneſs, Holineſs, and Redemption of Chriſt: for can a man have a gift beſtowed upon him of more price and uſe than all the Kingdomes of the world, and never find his heart made glad in it? or is it poſſible that he that findeth the pearl, can go away without joy? The Eunuch being converted, went away rejoycing: and if every beleever muſt rejoyce in another mans converſion, much more muſt hee in his own.

3 The Third is Love and Thankfulneſs to God, which are enforced by this excellent grace, Luke 7.47. The poor woman that ſtood weeping behind Chriſt loved much, becauſe much was forgiven her: Pſal. 116.1. I love the Lord, becauſe hee hath heard my voice: and wherein the Lord had thus gratiouſly dealt with him, the whole Pſalm teacheth, eſpecially, v. 8. Becauſe thou hast delivered my ſoul from death, mine eyes from tears, my feet from falling. Now if David for a temporal deliverance from Saul in the Wilderneſſe, did thus provoke his heart to the love of God; how ſhould the conſideration of our ſpiritual deliverance from Sin, Death, and all helliſh powers, blow up theſe Heavenly ſparkles in us? And what can ſo liberal a love beget in a good heart, but much thankfulneſs for apprehenſion of much mercy? how David in the ſence of mercy reaching to the pardon of his ſins, melteth into the praiſes of God, ſee Pſal. 103.1, 2, 3. &c. And the Apoſtle Paul conſidering what a weight of corruption did ſtill oppreſs him, whereof hee expected to bee fully eaſed, concludeth his comfort with thanks unto God in Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 7.2…. And remembring what a bloody perſecutor, and an extream waſter of the Church hee had been formerly, 1 Tim. 1.12. yea, what an Enemy unto God, what a blaſphemer of his Name; hee breaketh with vehemence into the praiſes of God for his happy change, But I thank him who hath counted mee faithful, and put mee in his ſervice, verſ. 14. and, the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant towards me.

4 The fourth is a ſound and ſincere heart, hating and ſtriving againſt all ſin, even ſecret and ſmall, as well as open and greater: David in Pſal. 32.1. pronouncing him a bleſſed man whoſe iniquity is covered, and whoſe ſin is pardoned: true, but it might bee asked; how ſhall I know ſuch a bleſſed man, or my ſelf to have attained that bleſſedneſs? The Prophet giveth us this note to know him by, in the next words: and in whoſe ſpirit is no guile: namely, to hide and foſter any ſin, of which guile hee there directly ſpeaketh.

5 The fifth note or Companion is a tender affection to forgive our Brethren private wrongs and injuries, even great as well as ſmall: hee that hath ten thouſand talents forgiven him, will not eaſily take his brother by the throat for two pence. The Commandement is to forgive one another, Eph. 4.32. even as God for Chriſts ſake forgave us. The Example is ſet down, Luke 6.36. Bee merciful, as your Heavenly Father is merciful, but hee forgiveth all, and freely, is the firſt in forgiveneſs; and perfectly, hee forgiveth and forgetteth too. The form of our petition of mercy is; forgive us, as wee forgive, &c. Thou wouldeſt have God to forgive thee all, and forget all, and to make thy wrongs againſt him as though they had never been, go then and do ſo to thy brother, otherwiſe the threatning will meet thee, Jam. 2.13. Judgement mercileſſe to him that ſhoweth no mercy.

Uſe 1. All this Doctrin concerning this article ſheweth, that there is no other p. 414means in the world to be free from ſi…, but by Gods … remiſſion of it. Whence it is, that remiſſion of ſin is called the covering of ſin, Pſal. 32.2. in that the faith of the heart layeth hold on Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe, who is our Propitiatory, covering us and our ſins againſt the two Tables, as the Propitiatory covered the Ark in which thoſe Tables we…: without which cover, every Sinner is next to the Devil and his Angels, the m…ſt vile, and loathſome creature in the eyes of God. This uſe muſt the rather be thought …f; becauſe neither the Papiſts, not yet the common and carnal Proteſtant yeeld con…ent unto it.

Neither Papiſt nor comm…n Proteſtant yee… deth to this d… ctrin of free remiſſion of ſinThe Papiſt, he beleeveth that many ſi…s are venial, and prop…rly no ſins: am…ng which he reckoneth Concupiſcence (which indeed is the mo her … of all) and theſe need no remiſſion. Hee h…l…eth alſo, that men redeem… by Ch…iſ…, and having received the firſt grace of God, a… …w … to m…it by their works, rem ſſion of their ſin…. Are further, be thinketh, that beca…e no man knoweth whether hee have w…rks …n…ugh … ple… Go…, n… man can know that his ſins are remitted. All wh ch, wi…h m…ny … to th…, ar… moſt blaſphemous Hereſies agai…ſt th… … A…ticle of free rem…ſſion of ſins through belief i… … S…n …: w… …h (ſo l…g as … us they hold t…em) … in the r…m ſſion of their ſins by Chr ſt, and conſequently … the gr…ce …f life.

But the comm…n Proteſtant alſo … with ſimple def…nc…s againſt his ſin, …he A…ams cover and▪ arm… … …aves, which wi… …ar…e hold the ſewing. S…m… w…ll … their … in mens eyes, and then all is ſafe: others ſtrive to f …g… them, and having …ked … their conſcience, they lye them d w… ſe…mely, and … of them any more. Others …ve… …oſſe a…d ſoul ſins, ſu… … of God, contempt of his W…rd, …neſſe of heart, …atr…d …f … and all irreligion, with an outward civil life and an h…neſt converſation as it ſeemeth to bee; not thinking that God ſeeth many a wi…ked hear… th…ugh a civil life.

Lutum l…vi… …to, …gn… extinguunt lign… rum ſtruc.O…hers will goe beyond the former in a…kn…wl…dgi… th…mſ…lv… … is, a d will make ſome ſh…w of …a…ing up their peace; but it is with ſo… c…rem ny, or bodily exerciſe, they will faſt, and pra…, a…d … ſom …, o… ſome M…ny to good uſes when they dye: … as for th… grace of faith, which ſhould bee as a ſoul to quicken theſe acti…ns, they … know what that meant. But h wſoever m…ſt men are carried … wit ſuch ſ…on… …uſions as theſe; let no man that would not deceive him … w…lf…lly, … in any ſuch courſe to meet with ſound peace: n…thing but the blo…d … Jeſu… his Son, that cleanſeth from al ſin. In the garment of … elder … wee can carry away the bleſſing: and … text teacheth …s, … of …ns ſtandeth n t in the doing of any thing, but in the rec…ng of … the hands of Chriſt, by ſo many as be…eeve in his name.

All diligence muſt be given to … p…d … ſin … to our ſelves.Vſe 2. I… this ſo wort…y a grace of ſo excellent uſe and ſw…etneſſe thr…ugh the wh…le life? then it ſtandeth every man in hand … lab…u…, and …ive all d… ligence to make ſure unto himſelf, the pardon of his …. But lam…table it is to … the general care… ſn…ſſe of men in a matt… … and conſequ…n… as this is An… ſurely it will prov… t… … the world, that whereas the whole lives of men are th…ug…t too … and all their …ime t…o li… to be eaten up in worldly cares, which br…ak their ſleep, their ſtrength, and often their brains, yea and th…ir v…ry … …nly the laſt day of all, and their dying-day, is ſcarcely devoted to this … of ſeeking remiſſi n of ſin, and the way to life everlaſting. See wee … h…w buſy and … rneſt m ſt men are in the infin…te incumbrances of the world whileſt this one thing is the only thing neglected? May wee not obſerve how ſure m…n deviſ… by learned counſel at their great charge, to make to themſelves their Deed…, p. 415Leaſes, Bonds and other inſtruments and aſſurances of the things of this life, who in all their lives ſcarce ever dreamed of this aſſurance? Oh how wilfully herein doe men forſake their own mercy, how careleſly doe they caſt out of their hands, the only comfort of their life and death?

Whoſoever therefore thou art that haſt hitherto deſpiſed ſo great ſalvation, that haſt ſet light by Gods gracious invitings to repentance, and that haſt frowardly rejected his kindeſt offers of mercy, now at length begin to take up ſhame in thy face, and ſorrow into thy heart: in earneſt accuſe the ſecurity of thy ſoul, the deadneſſe of thy ſpirit, the hardneſſe of thy heart, the unthankfulneſſe of thy whole life: ſay with thy ſelf, Ah my folly, that have neglected my mercy ſo long: alas, how have I hated inſtruction? how unkindly have I dealt with ſo loving and patient a God: I ſee now that it is high time to look to the main buſineſſe of my life, to make up my peace with God, to get my pardon ſealed: I will live me to the Throne of Grace. I will henceforth lay hold of eternal life: I ſee now that there is one thing neceſſary, and that is the good part which I will chuſe, and which ſhall never bee taken from me.

Now we come to the ſecond point propounded (which is the laſt of this worthy Sermon) namely, what is the condition of every one that hath attained this excellent grace of remiſſion of ſins: Whoſoever hath attained remiſſion of his ſins is an happy man.and that is to bee a bleſſed and happy man: for ſuch a one hath part in Chriſt, and with him of forgiveneſſe of ſins; in which David, Pſal. 32.1. placeth bleſſedneſſe.

Queſt. But how can this man be a bleſſed man, ſeeing hee is compaſſed with a body of ſin and death, and ſubject unto infinite afflictions, than whom no man is in this life more miſerable, no ſort of men more perplexed inwardly with ſence of ſin, none more outwardly diſgraced for well-doing.

Anſw. There be three degrees of bleſſedneſſe. 1 In this life, Degrees of bleſſedneſſe.when God bringeth his children into the kingdom of grace, and giveth them his Son, and with him their whole juſtification▪ and ſanctification in part. 2 The ſecond degree is in the end of this life: when God brings the ſouls of the faithful to Heaven, and their bodies to the earth, ſafely to be kept until the laſt day. 3 The third in and after the Day of Judgement, when he bringeth both ſoul and body into the glory prepared for the elect: Of this laſt which is happineſſe by way of eminency, the two former are certain fore-runners, and hee that hath attained the firſt, hath alſo aſſurance of the laſt, and muſt needs bee a bleſſed man, not only in time to come, but even for the preſent, whether wee reſpect his outward eſtate or inward.

For his outward eſtate, Gods bleſſing never faileth him, but affordeth him all good things, and that in due ſeaſon, and in due meaſure: his riches are often not great, but ever precious: and his little ſhall nouriſh him, and make him as well liking as the water and pulſe did the Jewiſh children in Chaldea. The ſame providence which watcheth to ſupply all his good, keepeth him from all evil; it pitcheth the Angels round about him to guard his life; let him be perſecuted, he is not forſaken; his loſſes become his gain; his ſickneſs is his phiſick; his heart is cheared even in trouble, which maketh that part of his life comfortable; his ſoul is bound up in the bundle of life with God; death ſhall not come before hee can bid it heartily welcome: yea, let violent death come, it ſhall not be to him deadly: ſlain he may be, but not overcome: victory attendeth him, and bleſſedneſſe every where abideth him.

But all this is the leaſt part of his bleſſedneſſe: for if we look yet a little more inwardly into him, we ſhall ſee the boundleſſe extent of his happineſſe farre more large: whether we reſpect the ſpiritual miſery hee hath eſcaped; or elſe the ſpiritual good which with the pardon of his ſins hee hath attained: for on the one hand, he hath eſcaped the heavie wrath of God due to ſin; and ſo is diſcharged of an infinite debt, healed of a moſt deadly poyſon, and pardoned p. 416from a fearful ſentence of eternal death and perdition ready to bee executed upon him: and on the other, hee hath obtained a plentiful redemption; hee hath purchaſed the pearl, received Chriſt with his merits and graces; ſuch as are Wiſdome, Faith, Hope: whence iſſue our peace, and joy of heart which is Heaven before heaven (for in theſe ſtand the Kingdome of God) and the comfort of a good conſcience, which is a continual feaſt. By all which it appeareth, that hee is no ſmall gainer that hath got his part in Gods mercy reaching to the remiſſion of his ſins.

Open thine eyes and ſee the happineſs of the Saints.Vſe. 1 Wee are here admoniſhed to open our eyes that wee may more clearly ſee and grow in love with the felicity of the Saints, which the moſt ſee not, becauſe 1 It is inward; the glory of the Spouſe is like her Head and Husbands glory, ſhee is all glorious within. 2 Becauſe of their infirmities and frailties, which wicked eyes altogether gaze upon. 3 Becauſe of their Afflictions wherewith they are continually exerciſed. If the Tower of Siloam fall on any of them, they are thenceforth greater ſinners than all other men: holy Job, becauſe hee was afflicted, cannot avoid the note of an Hypocrite, even among his own Friends and Viſiters. And no marvail if the members look thus black when the Sun looketh upon them; ſeeing their Head Chriſt himſelf was rejected, becauſe they ſaw and judged him to bee plagued and ſmitten of God, Iſa. 53.4. But wee muſt look beyond all theſe, as the Lord himſelf doth, who in his judgement goeth beyond the out-ſide, and pronounceth ſentence according to the grace which himſelf worketh within.

Let us imitate our Lord Jeſus, who notwithſtanding all the infirmities, yea and deformities of his Church, pronounceth of her, that ſhee is all fair, and no ſpot is in her, not becauſe there are none, but, becauſe all are covered, and none are reckoned and imputed unto her: yea, let us remember that the pure and holy Spirit of God is contented, notwithſtanding much blackneſs, to take up his lodging in thoſe hearts where hee findeth reigning ſin diſpoſſeſſed. Now how far are they from the mind and judgement of this bleſſed Father, Son, and Spirit, who have nimble eyes to ſpy out every infirmity of Gods Children to blaze them; nay, rather than they will not accuſe and ſlander them, can of themſelves coin, raiſe up, and impute unto them that, whereof they are moſt innocent? Aſſuredly theſe are of neer kindred to the Devil, who is the accuſer of the brethren.

The glory of God in his children turned into ſhame.And ſurely were Chriſt on earth again, even this moſt innocent Lamb of God ſhould not want accuſers, wherein are ſo many of Cains conſtitution, who hate their brethren, becauſe their works are good; and ſo many Sons of men, who ſeek to turn the glory of God in his Children into ſhame. Alas, religion is at a low ebbe already, and not ſo reckoned of as it ſhould bee by the forwardeſt, and yet ſo malitious is the Devil in his inſtruments, as unleſs this ſmoaking flax alſo bee quenched, wee can ſee nor hear of any hope or treaty of peace: the beauty of Gods people goeth diſgraced under titles of niceneſs, preciſeneſs, purity, holy brotherhood, and the like. To go ordinarily to Sermons, is to bee a Sermon-munger: not to ſwear, is the next way for a man not to bee truſted: and except a man bee as black and deformed as either the Devil is, or can make him, by Drinking, Swearing, Gaming, Sabbath-breaking, and caſting off all care of Civil Honeſty, as well as godlineſs, hee may ſit alone well enough, hee hath a great many Neighbours that care but a little for his company. What can make it more evidently appear, that numbers there are in this age who never knew, and without Gods infinite mercy in their timely converſion, are never like to know what the bleſſedneſſe of remiſſion of ſin meaneth, neither in others, nor yet in themſelves?

Vſe 2. Let no man bee diſcouraged in the pure waies of God, but walk p. 417on without wearineſs or faintneſs: A ſtrong motive to hold on in well-doing.ſeeing that (whatſoever the blinde world may deem to the contrary) thou, who art a beleever in the name of Chriſt, haſt bleſſedneſs between thy hands, for thy ſins are remitted, thou muſt go in peace. And this happineſſe by the grace wherein thou ſtandeſt, is ſurer than that of nature which Adam had in his innocency: that was loſt becauſe it was in his own keeping, this is ſeated in the unchangeable favour of God, by whoſe mighty power thou ſhalt bee preſerved to the full fruition of it. Get faith in thy heart, and thou ſhalt dea…ly behold thy happineſs, if all the World ſhould ſet it ſelf to make thee miſerable. Get faith into thy ſoul, and thou ſhalt think him only happy whom God ſo eſteemeth, although it be the miſery of the world to place happineſs only in miſery. Get aſſurance of faith, to claſp the ſure promiſe and word of God, and thou ſhalt poſſeſs in miſery felicity, in ſorrow joy, in trouble peace, in nothing all things, and in death it ſelf, life eternal.