The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Sermon 6
A Preparation SERMON, for the Communion.
On ISAIAH. 55.1, 2, 3. — I will make an Everlaſting Covenant with you, even the ſure mercies of David.
IT is hard to conceive or expreſs, whether the things which the Goſpel offereth be the moſt large, or the terms on which they are offered be the moſt free. There is that, no doubt, in both together, which may make the beholder ſtay and wonder. Among many excellent offers of the Goſpel, that which is here is one very full and free: would to God we could look on it ſuitably. But Alace! we may fear, that we ſhall rather leave theſe ſweet words with a vail caſt over the Beauty, Splendour and Luſtre of them, then lay them forth and unfold them as we ought, and as they call for; we would therefore look to himſelf whoſe words they are, and beſeech him to explain and make them out to us.
That this Text ſpeaks of the Goſpel, of the times of the Goſpel, and of Goſpel-mercies, we take for granted and have good reaſon to do ſo, as on other accounts, ſo from Acts 13.34. Which clearly holds out to us that theſe Promiſes are not to be underſtood of Temporal things: the fifth verſ. with all telling us, that the offer of this Grace Promiſed ſhall be made to the Nations.
We may take up the Words in theſe Four: or there is here a Goſpel-cryed fair or Market ſet out in Four things: Firſt in the Wares, Wine and Milk, that which Satisfies and is good and fatneſs verſ. 2. Soul, life, and the ſure mercies of David, verſ. 3. Theſe are the Wares, which do all come to the ſame amount: if ye would know what that is: ye may conſider David two wayes, one is properly and perſonally, as he is the Son of Jeſſe and King of Iſrael: It's the Covenant which was made with him, a main Article whereof was, that out of his loine the…e ſhould one ſpring, who should ſit upon his Throne for ever: and thus the ſure mercies of David, are Chriſt and his benefits: The other way that ye would look on David is, as he was a Type of Chriſt the Anti-type & Principal Covenanter or confederating Party with God: and ſo in effect it turns to the ſame thing: only this latter way is more clear: So then we look on David here: as it is not unuſuall for the Scriptures to hold him forth, viz. As a Type of Jeſus Chriſt; and indeed the words following do abundantly clear it: for David Perſonally conſidered was now long ſince dead and gone, and was not the witneſs nor the leader of the people: Therefore it muſt needs be Jeſus Chriſt that here is meant, mainly and Principally at leaſt: As is very clear Acts 13.34. Chriſt then being looked on as here underſtood, The ſure mercies of David, are the ſure Mercies Covenanted and bargained (to ſpeak ſo) to Chriſt before the World was: and it plainly implies, that there was a Covenant or bargain betwixt the Father and the Son about the Elect before the beginning of the World, whereof as to the benefits therein Covenanted to the Mediator, the Goſpel maketh an aſſignation to Believers in time. 2. We have the Chap-man (to ſay ſo) or the Merchant to whom the wares are offered: It is he that thriſts, he that wants and would have: and if any ſerious Poor ſouls ſhould think, that they are not ſuitably ſenſible of their wants: then, ſaith the Lord, Let him that hath no money come, that is, plain dyvours (as we ſpeak) or bankrupts that have nothing. 3. We have the terms on which all are offered to ſale, and they indeed ſuit wondrouſly well with the Merchant: Come (ſaith the Lord) Buy without Money and without price, Hear and your Soul shal live, and I will make an everlaſting Covenant with you: There is (to ſpeak ſo with reverence) not a Purſe opened in, nor a penny payed for the Aſſignation of this bargain: though by Chriſt's ſatisfaction there was a very great, a very coſtly and dear price payed: when Chriſt came to buy and make a purchaſe of all theſe Mercies for the Elect, the Market was very high and the prices were up: but when Believers come, by the Covenant of Grace to receive them, the Market is come down, and the prices are fallen wonderfully low: that which ſtood him very dear is to be had by them Gratis very freely, even for nothing: It's good that Chriſt was at the Market before us, He hath cheapened the Prices admirably: & leſt any ſhould think, that though there be no Merit, yet ſomething muſt be to Mollifie the ſeller, and to commend the Merchant to him: It's ſaid, Let him come without Money and without price, without money or money-worth, he that hath no commending qualification is bid come. 4. We have the Proclamation of this Market, as Grace hath choice wares and ſets them out very freely to ſale, ſo it keeps them not cloſe ſhut up; but brings them forth to publick view: and to every one, Ho Come to the waters, it inviteth all to Come (as it were) to the ſhore, as if ſome fleet were come in with rare and rich Commodities, for which men were to pay nothing: the Proclamation is, Come and buy without Money: and becauſe Grace will not eaſily take a nay ſay, there is O Ho, an Oyes Prefixed, Ho come and buy: But becauſe there is dulneſs and ſlowneſs on our part. Notwithſtanding all this, there is an expoſtulation added, verſ. 2. Wherefore ſpend ye your money for that which is not Bread, and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not? The Aſſignation of the Bargain and the offer of the wares, are again urged, Come, and I will make an everlaſting Covenant with you: And to let us know that this is ſure, He ſubjoines, verſ. 4. I have given him for a witneſs and leader to the people: That all who are ſenſible of their own inability to come, may be heartned to it in hope of his help to enable them.
We ſhall only in ſhort, Obſerve theſe Two Points of Doctrine From the words. The firſt whereof is, that, There is a moſt gracious and mercifull transaction betwixt the Father and the Son for the good and Salvation of poor Souls, even of all the elect, paſt before the World was. The…e are ſure M…rcies bargained to David; for they are firſt his; This is clear from that part of the words; Even the ſure mercies of David. The Second is, that, all thoſe mercies are put to ſale in the Goſpel to (dyvour) bankrupt ſinners upon exceeding eaſy, low and condeſcending terms.
The Firſt doctrine is implyed, viz. That the Covenant of Redemption, wherein there were ſo many given to Chriſt, whoſe Price he undertook to pay, is ſe…led and eſtabliſhed, according to that John 6.39. This is the Fathers will, that of all he hath given me I should loſe nothing, but should raiſe it up again at the laſt day. The Second looks to the Adminiſtration of this Covenant, By the covenant of grace in the Goſpel, according to Verſ. 40. And this is the will of him that ſent me, that every one that ſeeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlaſting life, and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day: So that, what is laid on the Son, verſ. 39 As the condition of this Covenant, is in the 40 verſ. made offer of to Believers by the Goſpel.
The Firſt Doctrine hath two branches; The Firſt whereof is, That there was a tranſaction concerning the Salvation of loſt Sinners, betwixt the Father and the Son before the World was? A Covenant made with David, before it is or can be declared and Preached in the Goſpel, the terms whereof were reſolved on, and all the Articles of it agreed upon; The Father propoſing, and the Son accepting the bargain from eternity; as is clear, Pſal. 40.6, 7. Where, when it is, as it were, conſul…ed what ſhall be the Price of Redemption, It is not Sacrifices nor burnt Offerings; but a bodie haſt thou Prepared me; Behold! come, in the Volume of thy book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; Which is expreſly applyed to Chriſt, Heb. 10 7. This is eaſily cleared from the conſideration of the parties contracting, and of the ends for which this Covenant was undertaken, and of the effects that follow upon it.
The Second Branch of the Doctrine is, that this as to ſinners is a moſt gracious and mercifull, a moſt kind, lowing and lovely tranſaction, exceedingly for the behove and advantage of Sinners. There are Four words in the Text, Which hold out this; 1. The Nature of this Covenant is Mercy, all the Articles of it Savour ſtrong of Mercy to ſinners; They are exempted, though Chriſt came under ſore ſtrokes: whether we conſider this Covenant as exacting of Chriſt; or promiſing to Chriſt, it is alwayes for ſinners behove. 2. It is a Covenant of Mercies, of many various mercies, So, 2 Sam. 23.5. It is ſaid to be an everlaſting Covenant ordered in all things and ſure; and, 2 Pet. 1.4. It is ſaid, according as his divine Power hath given unto us all things, that pertain to life and Godlineſs: Mercies of Juſtification, Pardon of ſin, Sanctification in all its graduall advances, of fellowſhip with God, of grace and Glory, even of every good thing or good things of all ſorts. 3. It's very gracious and mercifull in reſpect of the excellent kind of theſe Mercies, they are not common mercies, but mercies of David, beſtowed upon his anointed; Chriſt is furniſhed and filled with them, That out of his fulneſs we may receive and grace for grace: even grace in a good meaſure. 4. They are ſtable mercies, not fleeting and quickly gone; not a glance of Mercy which evaniſheth, the Covenant is everlaſting, and the mercies are the ſure mercies of David.
If we might Particularly go through all the parts of this Covenant, MercieMercy will be found ſweetly looking out in everie article, clauſe and Circumſtance of it. Look firſt; more generally to the whole of it; it's all loving kindneſſes and mercies to ſinners; Look to Chriſts Sufferings and Death, O! what mercy ſhines conſpicuouſly there? To his qualifications for the diſcharge of all his Offices; to his anointing with the ſpirit without meaſure; There is great merciemercy there; to all the Promiſes made to him, ſuch as theſe, He shal ſee his ſeed; the Pleaſure of the Lord shall proſper in his hand; by his knowledge shall he Juſtifie many; He shall have a willing People, Eternally to reign with him, &c. Are not theſe loud ſpeaking Mercies? The grace and wiſdome that is on the Fathers ſide, and the grace and love that is on the Sons ſide, a…e all for the behove and good of ſinners; It's all wonderfully behovefull; is it not great Mercy to you believers, that you were minded in this bargain? The Lord Chriſt, as God, neither needed nor was capable of any acceſſion of Grace; he took the relation of our Redeemer and Mediator, and as ſuch in the humane nature, was filled with Grace and Bowels of Mercy and Compaſſion, that Grace and Mercy might look through that relation to us. Secondly, And more particularly, look to the riſe of it; It bred in Gods own boſome (to ſpeak ſo) John 3.16. God ſo loved the world, that He gave his only Begotten Son, that whoſoever should believe on Him, might not perish, but have Eternal life; and the Son laid down His life out of pure love; there was no neceſſity on him to do ſo, but what he voluntarily came under; there was no Motive from us to it, nor had he any adviſer to it. Thirdly, Look to the manner of his undertaking; It was very readily, Chearfully, and with ardent, vehemently ardent love; So that we may ſay of it as of that Chariot mentioned, Cant. 3.10. It is made of, and Paved with Love, for the Daughters of Jeruſalem; The Elect being under the curſe, Chriſt out of meer love undertakes to ſatisfie Juſtice for them; Sacrifices will not do it, rivers of Oyle will not do it, The firſt born of the body will not do it, nor ſatisfie for the ſin of the Soul; What will do it then? Grace ſuggeſts, that the Son ſhall become man, and do it, and the Son ſaith, Lo I come; O! What love and mercy are here? Fourthly, Look to the Contrivance of it; and there ye will find much Grace and Mercy; that it is made with a Mediator, and with a mediator that is a Surety, that the ſtock is beſtowed on him and put under his Cuſtodie, that the Promiſes are made to him and the Price exacted from himſelf. 5ly, Look to the Manner of executing it; what love, Grace and mercy ſhines forth in the Father, in taking vengeance on his only begotten Son for us? What love in the Son, in yeelding to take it on, and in his leaving his manifeſtative Glory for a time, that he might undergo the curſe, and in his doing all this with delight? Sixthly, Look to the confirmations of this Covenant; the Oath of God on the Fathers ſide, the death of the Mediator on the Sons ſide; and he hath freely bequeathed it, as a confirmed Teſtament and legacy to us Believers, and hath inſtituted Sacraments to be Seals thereof; O! What mercy upon mercy! Seventhly. Conſider the effects of it; it runs in the ſweet ſtreams of Grace, into the vaſt Gulfe and Ocean of Glory; Wonderfull mercy? Eightly, Look to the Parties Confederating and Covenanting; the Father, Son, and Spirit, all are here, And, it's Grace and mercy that they Covenant, 2. Who are the Contrivers of it? Are not even they in their deep wiſdom, and in their exuberant, Superabundant and infinit Grace and mercy? 3. What is the end of it? Even ehe Praiſe of the Glory of his Grace, Eph. 1.5. Grace bringing forth and manifeſtly ſhewing here it's great maſter-peece. 4. As infinit wiſdom and love contrive, ſo infinit Power executs it: and when all theſe concurre in this bargain: when the infinitly wiſe God, all the Perſons of the moſt Glorious Dreadful and Adorable Trinity (as it were) ſet themſelves to ſet forth the Glory of free Grace, to make Angels and Saints Behold and Admire in it infinit Wiſdom and incomprehenſible love, what a rare piece muſt it needs be? And this is the end of it, as is clear: Epheſ. 3 9. That all men might ſee what is the fellowship of this Myſtery: which from the beginning of the World, hath been hid in God, who Created all things by Jeſus Chriſt, to the intent, that now unto the Principalities and powers in the Heavenly places, might be known by the Church, the manifold wiſdom of God.
The Second Doctrine is, That this good and gracious bargain, that's paſt betwixt the Father and the Son, which is wholly merciemercy, is brought to the Market and expoſed to ſale, on exceeding eaſie and condeſcending termes, and that to bankrupt ſinners: What Proclaims the Lord here? even this; I will give you the Sure mercies of David: That which I and my Son have carved out for the glory of Grace, and for a proof of the riches of my bounty, I will make all over to you freely. Hence Epheſ. 3.8. It's called, the unſearchable riches of Chriſt; So that, whatever Chriſt hath as Mediator, It is holden forth here; That out of his fulneſs we may receive Grace for Grace, a Proportion of all the Grace that is in him.
In Proſecuting this point, we ſhall ſhew, 1. More Particularly what this bargain is, that is put to the ſale. 2. Who the Merchant is. 3. What are the termes on which, and how it is made. 4. What is the manner how the Goſpel puts home this bargain, and layes Chriſt and his fulneſs forth upon Stands in the Market-place, as it were, (to ſpeak thus with reverence of this Divine Myſtery) that there may be free acceſs, to whoſoever will come, and buy theſe rare and rich Wares and Commodities.
As for the Firſt, that ye may know what the Bargain is, and what is in your offer in this day of the Goſpel, Take it in theſe few Particulars; 1. All that ever any Believer in the world had, is put to ſale here; if any Believer ever had fair Priviledges, ſure it was David; if any ever had a mercifull bargain, he had it; and ſuch is this Covenant; Juſtification, Adoption, peace with God, Grace and Glory; all theſe Marrowie, Materiall, maſſie and eſſentiall bleſſings that David had, it was not another Chriſt, nor another Heaven, nor Another Covenant of Grace that he had, but the ſame that's here. 2. Conſider it further, and we will find it to be, all that is made over to our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; If he had a good bargain, the ſpirit without meaſure, fulneſs of truth and Grace, great Glory and Honour, being advanced to the right hand of the Father, the ſame is Believers their bargain proportionably, a due and juſt proportion being kept betwixt the head and the members, John 1.16. Of his fulneſs have we all received and Grace for Grace: It's not another but the ſame Grace that our Lord Jeſus hath; yea it's not another Glory they are advanced to; no other Table they are ſet down to; no other Throne they are ſet on; but the ſame Glory, Table, and Throne. It's to Behold his Glory, to Sit at his Table, To ſit with him on his Throne: John 17.22.24. Luke 22.30. Rev. 3.21. In a word there are not two Covenants of Redemption betwixt Jehovah and the Mediator, one for himſelf and another for the elect: but it's one and the ſame Covenant for both, though with many vaſtly different reſpective conſiderations and circumſtances. 3. Look to the Wares and Commodities (to ſpeak ſo) that are expoſed to ſale in the Goſpel: they are not only the Promiſes made to Chriſt, but Jeſus Chriſt himſelf is brought forth to the Market, He is the great Promiſe, and far beyond all the other promiſes made in, and the Graces given by the Covenant: I have given Him (ſaith the Lord, Verſ. 4.) For a witneſs and leader to the People: He is the great gift of God, that Gift of Gifts, being the Fathers fellow: Nothing in Heaven or Earth, no Perſon, man, or Angel can by far, very far, infinitly far, equall him: to whom can you liken or compare him? To us (ſaith the Prophet Iſaiah Chap. 9.) A Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the Government shall be upon his shoulders, and his Name shall be called wonderful Counſeller, the mighty God, the Everlaſting Father, the Prince of Peace: this is David, moſt ſubſtantial Maſſie mercy: He is called Wonderful, becauſe there is no Poſſibility for Creatures adequatly to conceive, or with exact ſuitableneſs to expreſs what his Name is, or what is comprehended within his Name. 4. Look on Chriſt as Mediator, as God-man, Immanuel God with us: There is put to the Market (to ſpeak ſo with reverence) God himſelf: for thus the Covenant is expounded and Sum'd, as frequently elſewhere in the Scripture, ſo particularly, 2 Cor. 6.16. I will be their God: and Revel. 21.17. He that overcometh shal inherit all things, and I will be his God. Now conſider all theſe in a Conjunction: viz. What all believers have: what Chriſt hath, and Chriſt himſelf; what God hath, and God himſelf: O! what an incomprehenſibly rich and rare, great and Glorious bargain is this! and yet all is by the Goſpel brought forth, laid before the hearers of it, and made offer of to them, on moſt eaſie and wonderfully condeſcending terms. May we briefly and in a few words ſum up what is in it? 1. All things that may make up believers their Peace with God, and remove the quarrel. 2. All things pertaining to, or needful for life and godlineſs, as it is, 2 Pet. 1.4. 3. All things that belong to the comfort and conſolation of Believers, even ſtrong Conſolation, as it is called Heb. 6.18. There is no want ſo great, but there is a ſupplie for it here, no caſe ſo ſad, but there is a comfort for it here; there is not any thing that looks like a crack or uncertainty, but there is ſufficient ſecurity for it here, in this Covenant, (in this moſt full and wonderfully well ordered Covenant in all things and very ſure) to all who are fled to Chriſt for refuge. 4. There is in it what is needful and requiſit to full ſatisfaction, to the Solace, delight, joy and compleat happineſs of the perſons that cordially cloſe with it: So that a Soul can crave no more, nor wiſh for more; It is even all their deſire, as David ſaith of it, 2 Sam. 23.5. It's Menſura voti, nay ultra menſuram voti; it never entred into mans heart to conceive much leſs to deſire it. It makes the Soul ſay, as it is Pſal. 73.24. Whom have I in Heaven but thee? There is none on earth, whom I deſire beſides thee: It hath all things in it: as it is, Rev. 21.7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things: For if God and Chriſt, Grace and mercy be in it, is there any thing a miſſing? or can there poſſibly be any thing wanting in it? May I not very confidently ask you; Is it not a good bargain? If the Father Son and Holy Spirit, Grace, Heaven and Glory be a good bargain; this is then moſt certainly a good bargain, a wonderfully good, matchleſs, and non-ſuch bargain: and is not this Goſpel, whereby all theſe great things are brought to the market, good news? Take heed then that ye receive not this Grace in vain, that theſe wares worthy of all poſſible intertainment and welcome ſtand not before you unbought: I ſay again take heed, that ye receive not all this Grace in vain, that theſe Precious and coſtly wares go not from the Market unbought up.
Secondly, Who are the Chap-men or Merchants? You would have readily thought that ſuch wares would have required mighty Monarchs, great States-men, learned Philoſophers, or holy Kings, Prophets, Apoſtles and great men; And yet the Proclamation is (for grace cometh ordinarily in the lower way) Ho, every one that thirſts, and he that hath no money: theſe are the merchants who are meet for this rich Ware: Are there any that want what may make them happy, and would fain have? Are there any that have their peace to make with God, any that have not their intereſt clear, and made ſure? any that are wreſtling with a bodie of death, and g…oaning under it? Any that fain would have ſin pardoned and ſubdued? Any that would have Grace, heaven and Glory, and have nothing to give for all theſe or any of them, and who have ſpent many years labour in vain and to no purpoſe, to come by them? It's to you, even to you that all theſe rich Wares and rare commodities are in a ſpeciall manner offered in this cryed Fair of free grace. And to clear this a litle, I ſuppoſe, there are none of you but you are ſome way under one of theſe Three, though the externall call and offer comes indifferently to you all. Ye are either, 1. Senſeleſs and ſecure; and to you the Goſpel ſays, How long ye fools will ye love ſimplicity? And how long will ye ſleep, O ſluggards? As there is a Challenge and regrate here, So there is a condition all offer made to you, in as far as it is here implyed, that the Offer is made to them. Who have no bread and have been beſtowing their labour on that which ſatisfies not: glutting themſelves with the world, or wrapping themſelves up in the groundleſs conceit of their own righteouſneſs; To ſuch it ſaith, How long will ye ſpend your labour for that which is not bread: Or, 2. Ye are ſome way affected with ſin, lying under Convictions, ſtinged, ſome way burnt up, and conſumed with the apprehenſions of the wrath and terrours of God; The word which this Offer hath to ſuch is, the very firſt in the Proclamation, Ho, every one that thirſts, Come: and as we expoſtulated with the firſt ſort, viz ſenſeleſs ſecure unconcerned, proud and con eity ſtanders aloof, ſo we bid you earneſtly come: and if ye ſhall ſay, your conviction hath no edge with it, it is not deep enough: We Anſwer, let him that hath no money come: if ye have quite given over all Hope of your Prayers and other Performances, as to making your peace with God by them, and have in that reſpect utterly renounced your own righteouſneſs, and ſo, have no money, no price: though ye be not pinched and pricked at the heart under the ſenſe of ſin and deſerved wrath, as ye would: yet come, O come. Or, 3. Ye are ſuch as have taken with your ſin and loſt ſtate, and are in ſome meaſure, though but faintly (at leaſt to your own apprehenſion) ſtirring towardſt Chriſt, and would fain be at him: up, for to you the offer moſt kindly ſayes; Hear and your ſouls shal live, eat and be ſatisfied. The wares are not brought forth and laid before you, that ye ſhould only (to ſay ſo) block or cheapen, and ask the price; but alſo and mainly, that ye ſhould buy, eat and feed on them; The Goſpel doth not, as it were, ſo much offer to make with you a bargain, as it offers you the benefit of a bargain already made, viz. With Chriſt: and thus theſe Three take in every perſon that wants, and is not, it may be, ſo ſenſible of it, and every one that wants and would have.
For the Third, viz. The Terms on which the cloſing of the bargain depends: they are holden forth in Four words in the Text, with Two qualifications: which make up the terms. The firſt Word is, Come; and that ſuppoſeth peoples leaving of their preſent ſtanding-place and poſture, and their moving towards the Market-place, where the rich Ware is expoſed to ſale. The Second Word is, Buy; which imports a Price put on the Market-Ware, a valuing of it, and a ſort of treating to make it ours. The Third Word is, Hearken, incline the ear, to wit, to God, and to his word, to believe and receive it, and your ſouls shall live. And the Fourth Word is, I will make an everlaſting Covenant with you; which implies an engagement by Covenant to the Lord, after hearing and inclining the ear to his word, a ſtriking of hands and cloſing with the bargain. Add to theſe the qualifications, viz. Coming, buying, ſtriking hands (as it were) and cloſing the bargain, and that without offering Money or Price, Money or money-worth, without offering or giving any thing leſs or more in compenſation.
Fourthly, Let us ſee how the Goſpel puts all this to the Market; ſo that, where it comes, thoſe that are called muſt either cloſe the bargain, or it will be their own fault. Firſt, it Proclaimes the Fair (as it were) to all round about, that there are ſuch wares to be had, and at ſuch a Price, the rareſt and richeſt wares and Commodities, and at the cheapeſt rates that ever the world heard tell of. 2. It doth not only Proclaim, but invite and double the invitation to come. 3. It not only invites, but puts the invitation ſo home, that People muſt either make the price, (to ſay ſo, though it may be ſoon made, there being in effect no price) and buy, or refuſe the Bargain: If they will not be at the Paines to come in to the ſhop, as it were, It brings forth the wares and lays them down in the Market-place, and (as it were) on Stands in the ſtreet: and cryes, Come, buy, come and enter the Covenant freely: and this it doth by a frank offer, by earneſt and perſwaſive inviting, and by the eaſie Conditions that it propoſeth the bargain on: It ſtands in a manner with armes ſtretched out, ready to receive all comers very freely, whatever their Poverty, wants and neceſſities be: It craves no more but that we willingly take what he offers to put in our hand: The righteouſneſs of Faith ſaith not, who shall aſcend to Heaven, or shall deſcend to the depth? there is nothing now to be ſuffered, nor to be Purchaſed by any more ſuffering: But the word is near thee in thy heart and in thy mouth: It layes the ware at our very door (as it were) So that we have no more to do, but to ſtoop down and take it up: but heartily to ſay the word, and it is a bargain.
Now for Application: may we not reſume, and ſay, that there is a good and excellent bargain to be had in the Goſpel, and on very good and eaſie terms? It's a Market day, and indeed it were a pity that ſuch wares ſhould be brought to the Market, and that few or none ſhould buy: that Chriſt ſhould (to ſpeak ſo) open his pa…k and ſell no wares. Therefore let me ſay a few words to you for perſwading you readily and preſently to embrace the Offer of this richeſt Bargain. And in the Firſt Pla…e, we pray you believe this truth: Alace! there is litle or no faith given to it: Souls come ſtraitned, not throughly believing, that God is putting Chriſt, Grace and Glory, Heaven and Happineſs and all to Sale: Theſe are dayes of The Son of man, in a ſpecial manner, wherein Chriſts fleet (to ſpeak ſo with Reverence) is come home, the Shops are now well furniſhed with Rich Commodities, all his Stands are ſet out and full of Grace. Secondly, Wonder that God hath condeſcended to make offer of ſuch a bargain to us: that, that which coſt Chriſt ſo very dear, is offered ſo exceeding cheap to us. Thirdly, We exhort and obteſt you, that while theſe choiſeſt wares are ſet to ſale, ye receive not this offer in vain: Are there any Merchants here for ſuch wares? Here is the Market, the wares are good and ſufficient, and the terms very eaſie, and the Price wondrouſly low, even ſo low, that it comes to no Money, no Price: can ye Poſſibly wiſh a better bargain or more eaſie terms? Are there any chap men that want Money, any that are Thirſty, then Come; yea be the frame and diſpoſition of your heart what it may be, if you would have it righted, come; there is here that which will make you Rich & Happie here and hereafter: are there none of you that will ſeriouſly ask, what the Lord will ſay, what Chriſt will take (as it were) for theſe wares, or what are his terms; with a ſincere reſolution to take them on theſe very terms? Will ye not be Prevailed with to make experimental tryal, what it is to have Chriſt Made of God to you wiſdome, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification and Redemption? Are there none among you all that have ſins to be pardoned, wants to be ſupplied, ſtrong and ſtirring Corruptions to be ſubdued and mortified? Is it Poſſible that ſo many are come hither for the faſhion? Are there none living at diſtance from God, nor under his curſe really or to their own apprehenſion, that would have the diſtance and curſe removed? Are there no weak Graces to be ſtrengthened? If there be any ſuch merchants that have a mind and heart to the wares: I ſay to them from the Lord, as his Herauld: Ho every one that Thirſts, and he that hath no money come: This is the ſcope of the Goſpel, and the preparation for Chriſt, and alſo for the Communion, that it calleth for from poor Souls, that would fain cloſe the bargain, and ſet their Seal to it, and would have Gods Seal ſet to it to morrow by taking the Sacrament. Speak, what ſay ye? Poſe and put your hearts to it to declare, if they be indeed willing and well content to make and hold the bargain on his own terms; if they be ſo, (as there is all the reaſon in the world they ſhould;) then I ſay, ye have a good bargain: I ſay again ſpeak, poſe your hearts, if ye will make and hold the bargain on theſe terms or not.
There are theſe things that do ſingularly commend this bargain. Firſt, the excellencie of it; ye will go through all the Markets in the World, ere ye get ſuch ri…h Mercies, of ſo rare a kind, ſo ſure and ſo cheap; ye would, belike, think much to have ſo much land, gold or money; but what are thoſe to this bargain? Thoſe will evaniſh and turn to aſhes, when this will endure and abide with you for ever: What are ye doing? Who are like ſo many Horſe-leaches, ſucking up, and glutting your ſelves with the world, or living ſecurely and careleſly, or pu…ching up your own righteouſneſs; is there any of thoſe bargains like this? we appeal to your own conſciences, and nothing doubt, but they will one day bear witneſs againſt you, that ye heard of ſuch a bargain and had it in your offer, and yet wilfully refuſed to accept of it. Secondly, Is there any bargain more ſuitable for you, who have your peace to make with God; for you who have corruption lively in you, then to have a King, Captain and conqueror to bring it down and to trample on it, after he hath as a Prieſt reconciled you to God? Is there any more ſuitable bargain for you, who have your own pinches and ſtraits, and your Comforts at a very low ebb, for you who have wants which cannot be numbred, and who cannot of your ſelves command one ſtayed ſpirituall thought? If ye were perfectly righteous and fairly landed in Eternity, ye might poſſibly think the leſs of it (though even Glorified Saints put a great value on it, and glorious Angels admire it) but that ſinners dwelling on earth in cottages of clay, whoſe habitation is in the duſt, ſhould think litle of it, it's ſtrange and even ſtupendious: Is there or can there be a more ſuitable bargain for you that want money? Is it not exactly calculated for your caſe and ſhapen out for you; ſo as in every thing it may meet with your wants, difficulties and Objections? Thirdly, Are not the terms moſt reaſonable? No great thing is ſought for from you; if a Lordſhip or a Kingdom were offered to a poor man for a Penny, that hath no money at all, it would ſignifie nothing at all to him; But behold here peace and Pardon, Grace and Glory, even all good things are offered to you freely. Fourthly, Is not your neceſſity ſuch, that ye cannot be well without it? For tho ye ſhould ſpend your money, and beſtow much labour, and even wear out your very eyes with weeping and your hearts with grief and ſorrow, if ye take not this courſe, all will only have this Moto written thereon, Vanity of vanities, all is but vanity and vexation of ſpirit: when ye come to feed on it, ye will find it to be but wind: if peace with God, if God and Chriſt, if grace and Glory be neceſſary, then this bargain is neceſſary; but if ye will continue lazie, indifferent, Luk-warme and unconcerned in the matter; ye ſhall find that ye have ſitten in your own light greatly, and ſuffered the opportunity of the Market to ſlip, which ye will never poſſibly recover: And therefore for the Lords ſake, let neither legall weeping, carnal fear or ſorrow, hypocriſie, ſelf-conceit, nor miſtakes of Chriſt and of free Grace divert you from making this bargain: but ſeek Grace, come over theſe and all other obſtructions, and while the Market laſts, Come and buy without money and without Price. It is hard to know how long your day ſhall laſt: There are many Countrieſides and Cities, in the ſtreets whereof theſe Packs (to ſay ſo) of rich wares were opened up, Laid forth and expoſed to ſale, that now for many years, yea for ſeveral ages have not heard of them, nor the Goſpel preached: what (at leaſt in Purity and Power) is now in Jeruſalem, and in the ſeven famous Churches of Aſia, But the voice of Terrour, and as it were, the Scriching of Owls? and ſeeing God is not ſlack, as men count ſlackneſs, what know ye, when the Kingdom of God may be taken from you, and given to others? And when he will cry (to ſpeak ſo) Pack and go? Every day is not a Market day, every Lords day is not a Communion day: many Congregations in Ireland and elſe where have ſadly found this, wherein it hath come to paſs, that great ſcarcity and want are come where there was once great plenty. And to preſs this a little further, We may in the Firſt Place Ask, whereat it ſticks and halts? I tell you, that there either muſt be a bargain, or it muſt (and will ſometime) be known where the blame lyes: were it but the bare reading of theſe very words, they bring the invitation and offer to you, and will ye dare to caſt at the wares, or the terms on which they are offered? Grace brings a good bargain to you and ſtoops very low with it. For 1. It will not ſtand with you on bygones, if now you deal honeſtly, The ſure Mercies of David will cover and blot out thoſe: and if any of you think, that ye have much debt on your head, as who ha…h not? It will not upbraid you: the iniquity of Jacob shall be ſought for, and shall not be found. There ſhall be, as it were, Scores drawn through them, your accounts ſhall be all daſhed out by free graces Pen: This is a cryed Fair and Proclaimed Market of free grace, from which no honeſt comer ſhall be ſecluded, thruſt back or ſent away empty; for here an empty pur…e needs not make a (blate o) baſhful Merchant. 2. Grace ſtands not preciſely on fore-prepa ations (whe…e Souls honeſtly and ſincerely come) as that ye have not been ſo and ſo humbled, and have not ſuch and ſuch previous qualifications, as ye would be at; Nay ſomeway it excludes theſe, as offering to bring money and ſome price, which would quite ſpoile the nature of the Market of free grace; nay yet me ſay further, if it were poſſible that a ſoul would come without ſenſe of ſin, Grace would embrace it: ſenſe of ſin being no condition of the Covenant, but a Phyſicall (to ſpeak ſo) qualification of the Covenanter, and grace is free to them that want it: and let it be ſuppoſed to be in a perſon void of Grace and ſtill in unrenewed black nature, it's there but a ſplendid ſin, as thoſe ſhadows of Morall vertues in all meerly natural men, are; Grace can, at the inſtant of coming, creat qualifications: there could readily be no qualifications in Zacheus when he was on the tree: Yet Chriſt tells him, Salvation this day is come to thy houſe. 3. Grace ſtands not on the want of any effect of Faith, where it calls to believing: it will not ſtand on darkneſs of intereſt, nor on want of progreſs in Sanctification, nor on things being out of order: for where it comes, it puts things in order; It will be no relevant exception for a perſon that hath no… cloſed with the bargain and hath not embraced Chriſt, to ſay, alace! I have no love to God, to the Godly and to his intereſt: becauſe Grace can ſay, thou haſt not cloſed with Chriſt, and ſo canſt not have the effect before the cauſe: come and cloſe, and theſe and other effects ſhall follow. 4. It ſtands not on degrees of Faith, nor on the ſtrength firmneſs and height of it; it will take little, even a look, or a glance of the ſouls eye that ſees not clearly, according to that memorable word, Pſal. 34.5. They looked to him and were lightened: the more that ſouls look to Chriſt, their eye grows the clearer: it will take an honeſtly willing mind and hearty conſent, though the ability be very litle, a receiving or a ſincere minting at receiving of the offer: Him that comes, or is really a coming, though he be not yet come, at leaſt, as he thinks, but is, with the Prodigal, ſtill (as he apprehends) afar off, Will Chriſt and Grace in no caſe caſt-out: for no ſooner doth ſpiritual life ſtir in Faiths weakeſt acting and moving towards Chriſt, but Grace meets it. 5. It ſtands on no concomitants, though there ſhould be many Idols and luſts raging in the perſon, if there be a reall conſenting by Faith to the bargain, with a ſincere reſolution to abandon all theſe, grace will not ſend him away empty: or if the man ſay, Lord I believe help my unbelief, that is a done bargain: nay, were it to come with many ſpiritual iſſues and ſores running, and with fear to preſume, and as it were, to ſteal a hint of Chriſt; not to ſpeak a word to him, but to touch him: He will not be angry nor upbraid, but will ſay, go in peace, thy Faith hath made the whole. We may Ask yet, further to the recommendation of Grace. 1. Was there ever a Merchant that came to the market with that purpoſe, to buy on its own terms, that went away empty and without wares? If all the Congregation of the firſt born were put to it, they would be ready to bear witneſs, that Grace never ſtood with them on any qualification in them, when they came honeſtly. 2. I Would Ask, was there ever any that adventured honeſtly on it, whom it miſ-gave? That hazarded (to ſpeak ſo) and yet fell by the way, or that ever repented themſelves that they hazarded and entruſted their Souls to this bargain? 3. Let me Ask, was there eve… any that took hold on and griped it, in whoſe hand i… brake? The bargain and Covenant is everlaſting? th… mercies are ſure mercies, once ſure and alwayes ſure, once rich and for ever ſo; It was and is a Covenan… well ordered in all things and ſure: bleſſed for ever b… the contriver and ſuretie thereof. Some may poſſibly think, that this doctrine looks to be ſomewhat lax… (or loſe): But ſure Grace is not laxe; for as we ma… ſay of Gods power; Is any thing to hard for him? S… we may ſay of his Grace, Is any thing too free for it Only abuſe not Grace, Proſtitute it not, turn not you… back on it, neither turn it into wantonneſs; It ye loo… on grace, and cheapen only and do not buy; or if ye bid for one piece of it only, and not for all; Wo unto you, that ever is was offered unto you: what would y… be at? Is it Holineſs, Heaven and happineſs, and tha… freely? They are here; Is it Chriſt and Chriſt freely and all that is his? He is here in your offer; wha… means then this whining (to ſpeak ſo) and ſtanding ſo much on terms, as if the way of grace were a hard untoward unpaſſable way, and as if God were a …ar… maſter? Nay, it's a good ſoft, ſweet, eaſie way, and plain to them that walk in it, and God the beſt Maſte… that ever Rich or Poor ſerved, and the eaſieſt to ſerv… and the beſt to pleaſe, where there is ſincerity and willingneſs to live honeſtly; he pities and ſpares all up right hearted ſervants, As a Father pitieth his Children and a man ſpareth his ſon that ſerveth him: And if any think they find it otherwiſe, it's moſt certainly their ow… fault. Therefore, I beſeech you, ſtudy Firſt, To be i… caſe to take Graces wares home with you, Repentance Faith, Hope, Love, Mortification, Meekneſs, Patience, &c. Theſe things are in the Covenant betwix… Chriſt and you and ſet to Sale in the Market. 2. Be making ready, for the Market is ready: many ſhops, (as it were) are opened and much precious ware laid out: bring empty veſſels and not a few, that ye may carry them away full, that ye may take a Rich loading home with you: though you take up never ſo much of this ware, it will never be miſſed nor grow the leſs; and indeed it is a part and a conſiderable part of our preparation for the Communion, to be rooted in the Faith of theſe great things and to get our affections ſtretched, dilated and widened to receive them: To get the everlaſting doores caſt up, that the King of Glory may come in, That when he calls for entrie, the doors may be opened at the very firſt knock. 3. If ſo be your deſires be ſtirred up, and your appetites quickened in any meaſure: there is nothing that will more effectually and powerfully ſtir them up, provoke and ſharpen them, then grace believingly looked to, and improved: longing to ſee his Power and Glory, as they have been ſeen by his people in the Sanctuary, would notably make way for him: pleading and working with your own hearts alone, will not do the buſineſs, but grace imployed and made uſe of will do it effectually and to purpoſe: and the more Grace you draw forth out of Chriſts fulneſs and drink, ſo much the better: It will be (to ſpeak ſo) no foreſtalling of the market: neither will the ſweet ſavour of the perfume be the weaker or leſs to morrow, that ye break the Box of this Precious oyntment to night. Now God himſelf who proclaimes the Fair: ſets the Market: and expoſeth the Rich ware to ſale, give you wiſdom to Prove wiſe merchants to your Eternal advantage and up making.