The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Sermon 4
A SERMON Preached after the Communion,
On PHILIP. 1.27. Only let your converſation be, as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt.
THere are two great works that the Miniſters of the Goſpel have to do; one is to engage People to Chriſt, and to perſwade them to receive him and cloſe with him; The other is to induce them to walk worthy of him: Col. 2.6. As ye have (ſaith the Apoſtle) received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, ſo walk ye in Him. Paul through the hand of the Lord with him, had engaged the Philippians to cloſe with Chriſt, and as it were to conclude the Contract betwixt him and them: and now being aged and in Priſon, and not knowing certainly if ever he ſhall ſee them again, He commends this to them in a ſpeciall manner, whether he ſee them or be abſent from them; that only they would let their Converſation be, as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt: As if he had ſaid, ye are priviledged with the Goſpel, and have embraced it, and are eminent in the Profeſſion thereof; let me therefore beg this of you; that your Converſation may be anſwerable to it. The adverb only, intimats to them, that this was ſo neceſſary and of ſo great concernment, that in a manner it was their one thing they had to do, In compariſon of which, in a manner, they had no other thing elſe to do, whether he were Preſent or abſent; This in ſome reſpect, is all that he requires of them: And the Argument whereby he preſſeth it is, that whether he come to them or not, he may hear of their affairs; And that he deſires and expects, whether he be at Liberty, or in Priſon and bonds; that they will thus eſpecially teſtifie their reſpect to him; which would be more refreſhing and acceptable to him, then their Communicating to him in his affliction, beyond all the reſt of the Churches, was, and for which he commends them, Chap. 4. And in the cloſe of the verſe he inſtanceth Two Particulars, wherein he would have their Converſation ſuiting the Goſpel; or Two qualifications of a Goſpel-Converſation and walk: one is, Unity that they ſtand faſt in one Spirit, Another is, Purity in the Faith; that with one mind they ſtrive together for the Faith of the Goſpel.
The Firſt Qualification is, joint and united ſtayedneſs and ſtedfaſtneſs, that they be not fleeting and wavering to and fro, eaſily disjointed and divided one from another, as many light Profeſſors are: And the Second is, that they be ſtudious in and ſtriving for the Purity of the Doctrine of Faith, and ſerious in the Practice and exerciſe of Faith; Deſireable and excellent Qualifications of a Chriſtian, viz. Purity, Solidity, and ſeriouſneſs in Religion.
We ſhall at this time ſpeak of the exhortation, Only let your Converſation be, as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt: Where, by Converſation, we underſtand the whole of a mans carriage and walk towards and before God and men; and by the Goſpel, the whole Doctrine thereof, as it reſpects Faith and manners or Practice, but here more eſpecially, as it reſpects Faith in Chr…ſt, both as it is oppoſed to Heatheniſme, and as it's oppoſed to the Law or Covenant of Works: To walk then as becometh the Goſpel, is to walk anſwerably and ſuitably to it, and in the whole of their carriage and Depo…tment, to make a manifeſt difference to appear betwixt themſelves and all other Perſons; as they are dignified, and as the Goſpel requireth.
The point of Doctrine, to which we would ſpeak from theſe words, and which lyeth obviouſly in them is; That, they who are Priviledged with the Goſpel, ought ſeriouſly to endeavour, and to make it their great buſineſs, to have their Converſation ſuitable to, and becoming the ſame. This is ſome way the one thing required of all the hearers of the Goſpel, of all that are Baptized in the name of Chriſt: We need not ſtay on the Proof and reaſons of it, and the leſſe, that none will dare down-right to denie it, and that the reaſon… a…e ſo obvious.
There a…e three Uſes of it, that we would ſpeak a little to; The Firſt is for inſtruction, to teach us our dutie: The Second is of Regra…e and expoſtulation, that the Profeſſors of the Goſpel, and of the Name of Chriſt ſhould be ſo unlike and u…anſwerable to it: The Third is of Exhortation to this ſo verie neceſſarie and ſo muc… called for a dutie, as the Compend of all duties, whic… we would preſſe and ſet home by ſome conſideration drawn from the neceſſitie and advantage of it.
As for the Firſt, I think I may ſay, that if ye had the Apoſtle Paul Preaching to you who have been Communicants yeſter-day, this would be the great dutie which he would enforce upon you: Only let your Converſation be, as it becomes the Goſpel of Chriſt. Ye will readilie ſay, what is that? I confeſs it's hard to tell, it's ſo verie Marrowie and comprehenſive, but it will be as hard to practiſe it, and a great deal harder: O that we were all Breathing and Preſſing ſeriouſlie and hard after it! However, we ſhall in the firſt Place, and in the generall deſire you to conſider theſe few Scriptures that hold it out, as namelie, Luke 1.74, 75. 2 Cor. 7.1. Tit. 2.10, 11, 12 1 Pet. 1.15. Philip. 3 20.
More Particularlie, from other Scriptures ye may take it up in theſe: or if we read and conſider the Goſpel aright, we will find theſe Five things in it, which require a walk ſuitable, or a walk with reſpect to them: and ſuch a walk becomes the Goſpel. 1. In the Subſtance of it, Our bleſſed Lord Jeſus is (as it were) the Text on whom the Goſpel is a notable Commentarie, and what he did and how he ſuffered, is propoſed as a fair Copie for us to write after in all things wherein he is ſet forth to us as a pattern for our Imitation. 2. That from whence the Goſpel comes, and which gives it it's riſe, even the Love of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holie Ghoſt, in whoſe bleſſed breaſt it bred; and To walk as it becomes the Goſpel, is to walk ſuitablie to that love. 3. To walk as becomes the Goſpel, is to walk ſuitablie to the great offers of it, and to the Promiſes contained in it, The exceeding great and Precious Promiſes, whereby we are made Partakers of the Divine nature: To walk ſuitablie to all the excellent things, the ſublimelie Spirituall and divine things Promiſed. 4. It is to walk ſuitablie to the Commands and directions of the Goſpel, in reference to all duties: having therefore (ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 7.1.) Theſe Promiſes let us cleanſe our ſelves from all filthineſs of the flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holineſs in the fear of God. 5. It is to walk anſwerablie to the obligations which the Goſpel lays on us, and to the conſolations that flow from it to us: If then we would walk as becomes the Goſpel of Chriſt, we muſt have a due reſpect unto all theſe.
If it ſhould be enquired what is it to have a reſpect to theſe in our walk? We anſwer, it ſuppoſeth and includeth theſe things. 1. A likeneſs and conformitie, that what is called for in the matter of dutie, or offered in the Promiſe, we ſtudie to be like it, We all (ſaith the Apoſtle 2 Cor. 3 18.) Beholding, as in a Glaſs, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame Image, from Glory to Glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2. Our ſuffering none of theſe things to ly by us unimproved, & our endevouring to make the right uſe of them: to ſuffer none of the Promiſes relating to Juſtification, Sanctification, or any other Spiritual priviledge and benefit to be uſeleſs, but to be laying due weight on each of them: and more eſpeciallie to be making right uſe of Chriſt the Mediator, in whom all the Promiſes are yea and amen: (for certainlie they neither walk as it becomes the Goſpel, nor are worthie of it, who make not uſe of him) to be making right uſe of the Ordinances, word and Sacraments, and of all appointed means of edification, Publick, Privat and ſecret, and to be making right uſe of the comforts of the Goſpel, whereof there is through Chriſt a verie large and liberal allowance on Chriſtians. 3. It includes our delighting our ſelves in the Goſpel, our endeavouring to be cheerfull, to be cheered and made glad by the good things in it: A heartleſs drooping & diſcouraged life and walk is verie unbecoming the Goſpel of Chriſt.
We may in a word, briefly ſum up a Chriſtians Converſation as becometh the Goſpel, in theſe Three; 1. That he ſhine in his Converſation, ſo as he may adorne the Goſpel, 2. That he improve, by the exerciſe of Faith, the Promiſes of it. 3. That he endeavour to live on the comforts of it, and to live in the hope and expectation of the comfort & refreſhing, from the Preſence of the Lord, and the fulneſs of joyes therein, that are coming: ſome-what of all theſe Three is couched in thoſe Words, Acts. 9.31. Then the Churches had rest, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghoſt, were multiplied: They walked in the fear of God in reſpect of their Practice: and in reſpect of their Faith, they walked in the comfort of the Holy Ghost; and they were Edified, grew and increaſed, not only in reſpect of their number, but as to their Spiritual ſtate and ſtature; And thus, the Peace of God which paſſ…th underſtanding, guarded their minds and hearts through Chriſt Jeſus.
Or ye may look on the Goſpel as calling for theſe Two things, in our external and viſible converſation; 1. That none get any occaſion by our walk to reproach the Goſpel: that none may have it, on any juſt ground given by us, to ſay, take up ſuch a profeſſor of the Goſpel; O! What prejudice to the profeſſion of the Goſpel, is done this way, by the untender walk of many of it's Profeſſors. 2. It is to walk ſo, as our Carriage may be a Commendation to the Goſpel, & an Ornament to the Profeſſion of it, that, not only, reproachers may be aſhamed, who falſly accuſe our good Converſation; but by beholding of it, they may be made to glorifie God: that we may ſhine as lights by our blameleſs walk; ſo holding forth the word of Life (being practicall Preachers) by our convincing and edifieing carriage, in our ſeverall Capacities, Callings, Stations and Relations, that they who are not won by the word, may be won to the love of Chriſt, and of Holineſs by our examplary converſation, and by the humble, tender and conſcientious diſcharge of the duties of thoſe callings and relations; the Husband being kind and the wife Tractable, Child and Servant obedient, &c. Excellent directions to this purpoſe are given by the Apoſtles, and particularly by Paul and Peter in their Epiſtles.
More Particularly (which yet will be but ſomewhat generall) We may conſider the Goſpel. 1. As it holds forth and calls for Holineſs, and ſo, for a Holy and Goſpel-becoming Converſation. And 2. We would take a view of the nature of this Holineſs.
Firſt The Goſpel calls for Holineſs in a ſixfold extent; a failing or defect in any of which, makes a Converſation in ſo far to be unbecoming the Goſpel. 1. It calls for Holineſs in reſpect of all ſorts of duties, be ye Holy (ſaith Peter, 1 Pet. 1.15.) in all manner of Converſation, as God is Holy: in Proſperitie and Adverſity: in Religious, in Morall, and in Natural Actions; for it is written, be ye Holy for I am Holy. 2. It is extended univerſally to all Particular and individuall duties and actions of all thoſe ſorts; it reacheth all manner of Converſation; The Divinely inſpired Scriptures inſtruct the man of God, how he may be made Perfect in every good work, as it is, 2 Tim. 3. And a failing in thought, word or deed is unbecoming the Goſpel. 3. It is extended in reſpect of the ſubject, viz. the whole man, and Preſſeth that he be Sanctified throughout, So 1 Theſſ. 5.23. The Apoſtle Prays, the God of peace Sanctifie you wholly, and I pray God your whole Spirit Soul and Body, be Preſerved blameleſs; And 2 Cor. 7.1. It puts to cleanſe from all filth of the Fleſh and Spirit: It requires that the Judgements be keeped ſound, and that no error or untruth be admitted by it, that the Mind be ſober, and free from any ſinfull diſtemper; that the affections be Sanctifiedly regular, and that they debord not: That the will be ſtraight and brought up to the ſtraight rule of obedience; and that the Conſcience be keeped tender, that it be neither darkned nor impure; That the members of the Body be yeelded as inſtruments unto righteouſneſs. 4. It is extended to holineſs, in reſpect of all capacities, Callings, Stations and Relations, of Husbands and Wives, of Maſters and Servants, of Parents and Children, as the Apoſtle Paul Heartily and frequently doth in his Epiſtles, namely, Col. 3. and 4. Eph. 5. and 6. Tit. 2. Where he preſſes it upon Servants by this Argument, That the Doctrine of God may be adorned: and on wives by this, that the Doct ine of God may not be blaſphemed, and on all thus, That the grace of God hath appeared in the Goſpel (for that very end. 5. It's extended in reſpect of all times and Places, 1 Cor. 15. ult. We are Commanded alwayes to abound in the work of the Lord: in the whole tract of our converſation, at home and abroad, in ſecret and publick, in proſperity and adverſitie. 6. It's extended to and requireth Perfect Holineſs, Holineſs at the higheſt pitch, So Matth. 5. Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect, And 1 Pet. …1.15. Be ye Holy in all manner of Converſation, as God that calleth you is Holy: to be at exact Holineſs, even to have it perfect in reſpect of degree in our deſigne, deſire and endeavour, To be Purifieing our ſelves, even as He is pure (as it is 1 John 3.3.) Having Him for our Pattern.
If any ſhould here Object. And ſay: to look on the Goſpel thus, as carving out a Chriſtians duty and walk ſo very exactly, in this extent and at this pitch, makes it appear to be very ſtrict, and to differ litle or nothing from the Law; for what more doth that call for? So that this Doctrine ſeems to be legal. I Anſwer, This Objection ſeems to Imply a great miſtake; for the difference betwixt the Law and the Goſpel, is not ſo much, if at all, in this; that the Law requires more then the Goſpel; but that it requires what it calls for, on another Certification: The Law and the Goſpel agree in theſe Three. 1. The Goſpel requires Holineſs in as large an extent as the Law, ſo that whatever is a ſin againſt the Law, is alſo a ſin againſt the Goſpel; For Chriſt came not to aboli…h but to fulfill the Law. 2. It requires Holineſs at the ſame Pitch or in the ſame degree; for the Goſpel commands us to be holy as God is Holy, and to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect: It diſpenſeth with no ſin, nor with any degree of any ſin, nor with the leaſt Omisſion of any dutie, more then doth the Law. 3. The Authority and obligation, that lyes on and binds to Holineſs, is no leſs in the Goſpel, then it is in the Law: yea, we may ſay, that the obligation is in ſome reſpect greater.
But they deffer in theſe Three, 1. That the Goſpel taketh in the Penitent, though he hath not been perfect and exact, and gives him pardon through Chriſt: which the Law doth not. 2. The Goſpel calleth for dutie in the ſtrength of Chriſt, and furniſheth ſtrength for dutie: but the Law now furniſheth no ſtrength, but only ſuppoſeth it; It only giveth out the word of Command, requiring of men that they walk in the ſtrength which they had once in Adam; ſo that, though the Authority and Obligation be the ſame: yet the manner and Certification is not the ſame; if there be any breach or failing, the law ſayes, Thou shalt certainly die: But the Goſpel (as I ſaid; admits of Repentance and fleeing to Jeſus Chriſt, Who took on him the curſe of the Law. 3. The law accepts of no dutie, if it be not exactly perfect in the degree: But the Goſpel accepts of duty, though imperfect, if there be ſincerity: It accepts on Chriſts account of a man, according to that which he hath, if there be a willing mind. So then, when ye are called to walk as becomes the Goſpel: ye would know that ye are not to diſpenſe with your ſelves, in the leaſt, in any duty that the law calleth for: though the Goſpel doth indeed more ſweetly call for it, Its Exactors and officers being peace and righteouſneſs: It's the ſame Holineſs in the matter, extent and degree, which the Goſpel calleth for, with that of the Law; though it much differeth, as to the Manner of calling for it.
Secondly. That we may know, what is called for in the Goſpel, as a walk or Converſation becoming the ſame: and ſo may yet further know the nature of Goſpel-holineſs, (which was the Second thing we propoſed to ſpeak to) Ye would conſider the Goſpel, as it's diſtinguiſhed from the law, and as it holds our Grace: Where we would ſpeak, 1. Of ſome qualifications, that the Goſpel addeth, as to the Performance of the ſame duties, which t… Law requires. 2. Of ſome particular duties which it doth more eſpecially call for, and which were not, (ſeverals of them, at leaſt) ſo proper to the law.
As for the qualifications of dutie, which the Goſpel addeth, they are theſe. 1. A new end; for our end in duty now is, not to gain life by it, but ſimply to glorifie God, as we may ſee. 1 Cor. 10.31. I will not ſay, but this end was in the Covenant of works, but in the Goſpel this is not only the main end, but ſome way the only end, and the other quite excluded and thruſt out; and when we ſpeak of the glory of God, we take in the glory of Grace and the glory of the Redeemer, who furniſheth Grace. 2. It adds a ſweet Motive, viz. love to Jeſus Chriſt: The love of Ch iſt (ſaith the Apoſtle 2 Cor. 5.14.) Conſtraineth us: It is no more meer awe, that is the Motive, but love and love to God in Chriſt, who hath redeemed and bought us. 3. The Goſpel qualifies our obedience and walk, as to our undertaking thereof: that it be not in our own ſtrength, but in the ſtrength of Jeſus Chriſt: it teacheth us to go through the wilderneſs leaning on the Beloved, and leaving the burden of the work on him; truſting more to him, then to our own feet or ſtrength, as knowing that we cannot criple out the way, nor do any thing without him, as it is. John 15.5, 4. There is a Qualification, required in reſpect of the frame of our own heart, with reſpect to a twofold fear, one is a filial and reverentiall fear, that proceeds from Faith, in which we are to work out the work of our Salvation. The other is, that it be without the fear that is oppoſite to the former as the word is. Luke 1.74. The Goſpel calleth us in our walk, to have a fear without fear, a reverentiall fear, without ſlaviſh fear: it would have us neither to be altogether afraid becauſe of the Law, which hath terror, nor to be without filial fear, for that is preſumption, but to have faith and fear mixed together. 5. The Goſpel qualifies our walk in ſpiritual duties, in reſpect of our cheerfulneſs in going about them, which are to us (in ſo far as we have corruption in us) Heavy and grievous; but the Goſpel maketh them eaſy and light, as it is ſaid, Matth. 11. ult. His yoke is eaſie and His burden light. Though it be a Yoke, yet it is portable and light, when Chriſt and the Believer are yoked together: nor are any of His Commands grievous, as it is 1 John 5.3. 6. Though the Goſpel call for Holineſs, yet it makes the perſon to be denyed to it, It's a Goſpel-walk to be Holy, but it takes in that with it which we have Philip. 3. To forget thoſe things that are behind: to be denyed and dead to all our attainments; and to count all but loſs and dung for Chriſt: It was indeed a law-walk to be blameleſs, but it is a Goſpel walk to ſtudy to be blameleſs, and preſſing hard after perfect Holineſs: and yet to foget it, and to be denyed to all conceit of it: and to be deſirous to be found in Chriſt Jeſus, not having our own righteouſneſs, which is by the Law, but the righteouſneſs which is by Faith.
As for the Particular duties, at leaſt ſome of the duties, that are more particularly called for in this walk and Converſation becoming the Goſpel: Ye may take theſe ſhortly. The Firſt whereof is, a living by Faith: and that is, when a Chriſtian hath Faith, and the exerciſe of it on Chriſt, as it were, another life to him, for though there was a life of faith or of dependance on God in Adam before the fall, yet not the life of Faith in a Redeemer: I live (ſaith the Apoſtle Gal. 2.20) Yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me, and the life that now I live in the flesh, is by faith on the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himſelf for me. And this is to be taken along the Chriſtians walk, even a Continued application to and of Chriſt: This is that which he firſt betakes himſelf to, for Righteouſneſs: yea, when right, he employs him conſtantly, as He is made of God to him Wiſdome Righteouſneſs, Sanctification and Redemption: As he is ſaid to be made to believers, 1 Cor. 1.30. The ſecond is, the exerciſe of Repentance, which was not called for as a duty by the Law, though much ruine followed the breach of it: This was the ſum of Johns and of Chriſts preaching: Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand: Though it be, Alace! a very much ſlighted exerciſe: yet dayly Repentance notably ſuiteth a Converſation becoming the Goſpel. 3. A Goſpel-Converſation would be in, and with the exerciſe of Hope: there was love to God under the Law, but not ſo properly the exerciſe of hope; There was, it's true, hope in reſpect of the thing promiſed, in caſe there had been no violation of the Law; but not as reſpecting Chriſt Jeſus, who is the believers hope, Col. 1.27. Chriſt in you the hope of Glory: I doubt much if the exerciſe of hope be well known to Chriſtians in this Generation, few know what it is to Hope to the end, as Peter exhorts, 1 Pet. 1.13. A Fourth Is, the denyall of our ſelves, and the exerciſe of Humility; for as the Goſpel calleth for the denying of our own righteouſneſs, So for the denying of our own wills, affections, luſts, appetits, and deſires; There is another ſort of love-ſingleneſs and denyedneſs called for now, then under the Law; becauſe we are bought with a price, and are not our own, as it is, 1 Cor. 6.20. If any man will follow me, let him deny himſelf, ſaith our Lord Matth. 16. A Fifth is, much Mortification, That we be crucified to the World, to our ſelf, and to our ſinfull luſts; I am Crucified (ſaith Paul, Gal. 2.) with Chriſt, yet I live, ſo Chap. 6. He tells us that he was crucified to the world, and the World to him: And he exhorts Chriſtians, Col. 3.5. To Mortifie their members which are upon the Earth: Fornication, Uncleanneſs, Inordinat Affection, Covetouſneſs, &c. A Sixth is, Much Patience, Meekneſs, Forbearance, Long-ſuffering; wherein our Lord hath given and left himſelf for a non ſuch Pattern: Matth. 11.29 Learn (ſaith He) of me for I am meek and lowly in heart So, 1 Pet. 2.21, 22. And hence, Meekneſs, Patience and forbearance are ſo much and ſo frequently called for in the Goſpel, and on Goſpel grounds, as great duties becoming the Goſpel, or as ſpecial pieces of a Goſpel-converſation. The Seventh, Is, a heavenlineſs in our converſation, a denyedneſs, a holy abſtractedneſs from earthly things, and living in Heaven, while on earth, and a living more where we love, then where we live: If ye be riſen with Chriſt, (ſaith the Apoſtle. Col. 3.1.) Set your affections on things above; not on things on the earth; Which is alſo called for, Philip. 3.20. By his own example propoſed for our Pattern, our Converſation, (ſaith he) is in Heaven, whence we look for the Saviour; To be much in our affections ſet on the things that are on the Earth, to be earthly minded is unbecoming the Goſpel. An… Eighth is, a great eye on Eternity, an eye, whoſe looks are not bounded within time; but pierce thorow time, and all the Fogs, Miſts, and Clouds that are in it: It's much unbecoming the Goſpel to have our hope much; not to ſay, only, in this life, or to be much taken up about the driving of Earthly deſignes and projects: but it's a good qualification of a Goſpel converſation, to have an eye before us on Eternal life, 2 Cor. 4. ult: While (ſaith the Apoſtle) We look not on the things that are ſeen; but on the things that are not ſeen, and Eternal. A Ninth is, Much joy in God, much cheerfulneſs and heartſomeneſs; therefore believers are willed, to Rejoyce alway and evermore. So, 1 Theſſ. 5. Rejoyce evermore, and Philip. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord alway, and again I ſay rejoyce; which he ſo much preſſes on them becauſe (as it's like) he knew, that they were given to walk droopingly and heavily, which did not ſo become the Goſpel, as rejoycing in God, ſinging and making melody in their hearts to him, Cheering themſelves in him; and delighting themſelves in the Almighty. A Tenth is, Spiritual contentment, a contented converſation is a Converſation becoming the Goſpel: Be careful for nothing (ſaith the Apoſtle Philip. 4.6.) But in every thing let your requeſts be made known unto God by Prayer and Supplication with Thanks giving, and then follows downward a litle, I have learned, in every State or caſe to be content: I know how to ſuffer want, and how to abound, &c. This converſation was very becoming the Goſpel; he propoſes himſelf as a pattern herein to them: There are many profeſſors of Religion, who cannot have, but they a…e vain; and when they want, they are anxious and diſcouraged; It's hard to carry the Cup even: But a Goſpel-Converſation is equall, ſober and compoſed, and not much up with having, nor much down with want, nor is it eaſily outwitted and non pluſſed by the viciſſitudes of thoſe externall things. An Eleventh is, Watchfulneſs; a Goſpel-Converſation is a watchfull converſation, and never much Surpriſed or moved: or thus, watching (eſpecially over the heart) joyned with Prayer, is a peculiar duty, that a walk becoming the Goſpel calls for, that we be not found like the ſlothful ſervant, when his Lord cometh; This is a duty well becoming us who live under the Goſpel, becauſe we have readily ſtronger Corruptions, and are at leaſt under more temptations, then thoſe who lived under the Law. A Twelfth is, much Self-examination or ſelf-ſearching becauſe of much corruption in us, and much guilt lying on us, is a duty which the Goſpel calls for; that we may ſee what comes of it; how it is mortified and done away; and there being many Promiſes in our offer, we ſhould ſee what acception they get, and how they are embraced, there is hazard of miſtaking our Spirituall ſtate, &c. All which calls us to be much in this duty, Examine your ſelves prove your own ſelves, as ſays the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 13.5. 13ly. The making of our calling and election ſure becomes the Goſpel; when we are hovering, and at an uncertainty as to our ſouls eſtate, we are not only to try it, but to endeavour to put it out of queſtion; I write theſe things to you (ſayes John, 1 Joh. 5.13.) That Believe; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, ye would not only believe, but ſtudy to know that ye believe, that ye may comfort your ſelves in it; and it is a piece of a converſation and walk unbecoming the Goſpel, to hang looſe, in ſuſpenſe, and at an uncertainty, in that greateſt and graveſt buſineſs. 14ly. Truſting in God, becomes the Goſpel, and unbelief and diſtruſt of God is unbecoming the Goſpel; Said I not unto thee; (ſaith the Lord to Martha John 11.) That if thou wouldeſt believe, thou shouldſt ſee the glory of God? To have a gracious offer from God, and to ſcare at it, as if he were not in earneſt, is very unbecoming the Goſpel; when ever he Pipeth, it becomes us well to dance; and to Believe and Credit him, when he ſpeaks fair and comfortably. 15ly. A Goſpel-Converſation takes in and calls for, not only Holineſs, but a ſhining examplary Holineſs, Holineſs with a divine Luſtre and ſplendor on it; meerly legal holineſs is dim and dark; and hath litle or no luſter; Therefore Believers are called Children of the light and of the day; and they are ſaid to shine as lights, in the midſt of a crooked Generation: it is not only a Converſation not ſpotted, or that is ſomething welfavoured; but ſuch a Converſation, that is well lyned (to ſpeak ſo) within, with the imputed righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and much inherent Grace and Holineſs, and with outward ſelf-denyed, viſible Splendor and glory; Let your light (ſaith the Lord, Matth. 5.) So shine before men, &c. Even as the glory of his body, when he was transfigured on the Mount, made his Clothes to ſhine, So there is ſomething of Grace within, that makes the external actions and carriage of Believers to ſhine: and words that will be very taſteleſs and ſapleſs from others, though for the matter good, will have another ſort of rel…ſh and weight from them; and Prayer from their mouth will have another ſort of refreſhful ſweetneſs. 16ly. A Goſpel converſation takes in and calls for much joy in affliction and tribulation; We rejoyce in tribulation, ſaith the Apoſtle; It will make the Chriſtian take joyfully the ſpoiling of his goods, as they did, Heb. 10.34. It will make men come from the preſence of Councils rejoycing, that they are accounted worthy to ſuffer for the name of Chriſt, as it did the Apoſtles, Acts 5. laſt. My brethren (ſayes James) Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, or tribulations: It makes pleaſant and heartſome bearing of Croſſes from God, and of injuries from men; It makes the Chriſtian ſtoop humbly and very low to theſe; It will not ſuffer him to render evil for evil, but will put him to do good for evil, and it makes him do it on a Goſpel ground and account; becauſe Chriſt frankly forgave the Chriſtian ten thouſand Talents of his debt: he is ready to forgive, an hundred pence of petty and inconſiderable injuries done againſt him. 17ly. A Goſpel converſation is a ſweet, quiet, peaceable, well humoured Converſation, it makes men and women good to live with, It hath much love and pity to them that are without, it's a good neighbour, it's a great friend to unity and a great enemy to diviſion: it preſſes hard after ſtanding faſt in on Spirit.. 18ly. A Goſpel-converſation implyes a ſetled, fixed condition, that is not fleeting and wavering: It ſuffers not Chriſtians to be one thing to day and another thing to morrow, very unbecoming the Goſpel: a Goſpel-converſation will not ſuffer a man to be a temporizer, or one that cometh and goeth with every turn of the tyde, to be of any Party that is upmoſt: but puts to ſtand faſt in the liberty wherewith Chriſt hath made him free: the Believers heart is fixed, and his converſation is ſtable, when it is, as it becometh the Goſpel. 19ly. It's a bold Converſation, that will ſcare at no tryal for Chriſt, but will hazard and venture far, ere it expoſe the Goſpel to contempt and reproach; Therefore it is ſaid, Philip. 1. In nothing being terrified by your adverſaries: It is very loth to do or to forbear any thing, that may make the Goſpel to be evil ſpoken of. 20ly. It is a Spiritual converſation, or a walking in the Spirit, as the word is, Gal. 5. Walk in the ſpirit (ſaith the Apoſtle) And ye shall not fulfill the luſts of the flesh, and Verſ. 25. If we live in the Spirit let us walk in the Spirit: It makes us to pray in the Spirit, to praiſe in the Spirit: and by aſſiſtance of the Spirit, it puts upon endeavours to do every thing that is called for. 21ly. A Goſpel converſation is a wreſtling and fighting converſation, ſtriving and warring againſt temptations without, and a body of death within: a lazie ſecure, whole-hearted converſation, when a perſon is lying by, and is not ſetting himſelf againſt, nor purifieing himſelf from all filthineſs of the fleſh and ſpirit, but at truce with corruption, is not ſure, becoming the Goſpel: Hence the Apoſtle, Rom. 7. hath ſuch a combate with the remainder of indwelling corruption, Sometimes complaining of: ſometimes Proteſting againſt it, and ſometimes bitterly bemoaning and crying out under its captivating power: There being in the Believer two contrary parties, one of Grace and another of corrupt nature, which are contrary one to another, as it is, Gal. 5.17. A Believer in a Goſpel Converſation is like Jacobs and Eſaus Strugling in the womb: It is for this cauſe that, Epheſ. 6. All the pieces of the Spirituall armour are particularly deſcribed, and Chriſtians, as Chriſts ſouldiers, commanded to put them on: and to have a Goſpel-converſation is to be improving all the pieces of that compleat Armour of God aright, to their ſeveral ends.
Theſe are things (and ſuch others) that are particularly called for in a Goſpel-walk and converſation: and if we would take a litle view of them all together, and gather the meaning of this uſe of Inſtruction, from the exhortation, Let your converſation be, as it becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt: the Sum of it may be briefly given in theſe Four, 1. To be exactly ſtudying Holineſs. 2. To be denyed to our Holineſs, as Paul was Philip. 3. 3. To be eſpecially taken up with thoſe particular duties, of living by Faith, of exerciſing Repentance, of aiming at and cloſely purſuing after Communion with God in Chriſt Jeſus; (which is, though a much abuſed duty and unworthily proſtituted in the mouths of many, a moſt precious both duty and priviledge,) exerciſing Hope, Self-denyall, &c: So that we may be in caſe warrantably to ſay with the Apoſtle, 1 John 1.4. Truly our fellowſhip is with the Father and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt. 4. To be much in the Exerciſe of all theſe, heartſomely and chearfully, and to be comforted and refreſhed in doing duty, and yet denyed to all our doing: A Chriſtian, having a ſuitable Converſation to the Goſpel, Sees his ills and is humbled, obſerves Gods goodneſs and Comforts himſelf, and bleſſes God heartily for his goodneſs in reſpect of both, and becauſe there is hope of an outgate from all his evils, and a day coming, when he ſhall be finally and fully Redeemed from all his iniquities.
The Second Uſe Leads us to Regrate and Expoſtulat with hearers and Profeſſors of the Goſpel, of this time; Though this be the thing and the only thing that they are called to, yet if we ſhould go through and view the Converſation of the moſt part; O! how very unſuitable and unbecoming is it to the Goſpel, even ſo very unſuitable, that if our hearts were tender, they would break and bleed within us to behold it; but Alace! it is a part of our unſuitableneſs, that we cannot ſuitably lament it: Litle zeal for God, and ſorrow for what dishonours him and reflects on the Profeſſion of his Name, are much gone from this generation: Oh! whither ſhall we go, into the City or Countrey, to find a Converſation becoming the Goſpel? We cannot be without ſome conviction, that we ought to be zealous for the glory of God, and ſerious in the ſtudy of Holineſs in all manner of Converſation, that the Goſpel be not reproached and blaſphemed: if we be ſo, and if ſuch a Converſation be a duty and a very reaſonable duty; how comes it to be ſo little minded and made conſcience of? If we profeſs Chriſt to be our Husband and head, our Captain and leader, ought we not to be like him, and follow him? I take it for granted, that this will be generally aſſented to, as being very juſt and Reaſonable; and yet without accompliſhing a very diligent ſearch into our own way, may we not find at the firſt view much, very Lamentably much unſuitableneſs in our walk to the Goſpel? Need we deſcend to particulars? is not our unſuitableneſs obvious, palpable and undenyable? Let me but ask our ſelves a few queſtions: are we making ſuitable uſe of the promiſes and often meditating on them? Are we taken up with delighting our ſelves in God, and in the great and excellent things contained in the promiſes? Do we ſtudy to be like them, and ſuitably to improve them! Do we ſtudy to have thoſe poor performances of duty that we go about, ſo qualified as the Goſpel calls for? the lifeleſneſs and whole heartedneſs, that manifeſtly diſcover themſelves, in our very hearing of theſe things, declare much what we are; your Miniſters are ſome way perplexed and puzled how to deal with you: and know not well whether to ſpeak or to be ſilent, whether to pipe or to mourn; what ſuitableneſs is there to the Goſpel, when the converſation of many is ſo ſpotted? So far, Alace! are we from ſhining, that we are rather like blind lanthorns without light. I ſhall only for whetting an edge on this ſad regrate and expoſtulation, inſtance in a few of theſe Particulars touched on before, as to our unſuitableneſs to the Goſpel. 1. Do we live by faith? Alace! is there ſuch a life as this known by moſt of us? we are readily either living ſecurely, careleſly and unconcernedly, without troubling our ſelves with ſuch matters: or elſe on the other hand we give way to unbelief and will hardly admit of any thing, that may ſettle and make us foot a ſtand: we are found often running from one extremity to another, we are either carnally vain, light and frothy, or we are anxious, heartleſs and dejected, and are very ſeldome found ſteering a ſtraight courſe betwixt extremes and ſtemming the port. 2. We may inſtance it in the exerciſe of Repentance, which well becomes the Goſpel: Our Lord Chriſt, John the Baptiſt and the Apoſtles preached it, and it is commended to all: It is an exerciſe very ſuitable and proper for ſinners, and more eſpecially for ſuch ſinners, as have had many offers of Grace, and have much ſlighted them: but where is it? Ah! where is it? Converts are rare in theſe dayes, and among Converts the kindly exerciſe of Repentance is rare: we are generally as wholehearted, as if we were living under the Covenant, where there is no promiſe of pa…don to a penitent ſinner: I mean not every ſort of repentance, for there is a worldly ſorrow that works death, there is a legal Repen…ance ariſing mainly, if not only from the fear of puniſhment: But I mean of ſerious and hearty Goſpel-repentance ariſing from the conſideration of Gods holineſs, and of his Mercy and grace in Jeſus Chriſt, that is accompanied with holy zeal, fear, indignation and revenge, as it is deſcribed, 2 Cor. 7.3. Where is ſelf-denyall? Is not that a rare thing? Many of us cannot bear a word reflecting on ſelf, neither can we quit a word once uttered by us (though it may be ſomewhat raſhly and unadviſedly) wherein ſelf is Concerned, but will needs maintain and defend it: O! what reeling and whirling about with the time is there among us? What hard purſuing after and even chaſing of ſelf-intereſts and deſignes? 4. Where is ſpirituall joy and rejoicing in the Lord? who delight themſelves in the Almighty? who bleſs themſelves on earth, in the God of truth? Who do really and humbly boaſt in Him all the day-long? who bleſs themſelves in, and think themſelves well come to, with Precious Jeſus Chriſt as their Mediator and Redeemer, as their Lord, head, and Husband? who rejoyce and glory in the midſt of tribulation in the hope of the glory of God? joy in externall things is much withered away from us, and it is juſt with God that it ſhould be ſo, ſince we live ſo great ſtrangers to the joy of the Lord, which is our ſtrength; upon but a very overly tryall, we will eaſily diſcover that there is amongſt us none, or but very little ſpirituall joy in God; I mean not only, nor ſo much of ſenſible joy, as of our litle active ſtirring up of our ſelves to give obedience to that Command concerning rejoycing in God alway and evermore. May I not conclude then, that there is great ground of expoſtulation with us all, both believers and others, who may be convinced, that this lyeth indiſpenſibly on them, even to have a converſation as it becomes the Goſpel of Chriſt? Ah! how litle conſcience is made of it: O! mourn for and Lament our ſhort-comings, as to this: and fall to the work, fall about it more then ever, as your main buſineſs, to have a converſation becoming the Goſpel: many already are a reproach and a ſhame to the Goſpel, (and it will diſclaim them) and who ſhall live to ſee it, a great many moe will be ſo; Alace! few or none of us all have a Converſation as becomes the Goſpel, which is a Lamentation and ſhould be for a Lamentation.
The Third Uſe is, of Exhortation, that ſeeing ſuch a converſation is ſo much, and with ſuch ſpeciality called for, and yet ſo litle ſeriouſly endeavoured by moſt; let me turn over to you the Apoſtle… exhortation to the Philippians: if ye would know how to behave at home and abroad, in the duties of Worſhip, and in the duties of your particular callings, ſtations and relations, even in all Commanded Duties; then, Only let your Converſation be, as it becomes the Goſpel of Chriſt: And beware of doing any thing that is unbecoming the Goſpel: or that may give ground to ſpeak any ill of it; beware of letting the precious Promiſes ly by you unimproved; but ſtudy to be like them: O ſtudy Holineſs in all manner of Converſation; which is, not only and ſimply to be Holy or to have Holineſs, but a Holineſs influenced by the Goſpel-promiſes in Chriſt, believingly improved, as the Apoſtle exhorts, 2 Cor. 7.1. Not only to be externally holy, but to be in the exerciſe of the graces of the Spirit within; to cleanſe from all filthineſs of the Spirit, as well as of the fleſh, eſpecially to purify the heart the fountain of Pollution, even to ſtudy to be pure as he is pure, to aime at Holineſs in the ſtrength of Chriſt, in the largeſt extent and in the Higheſt pitch, and yet to be denyed to it and all vain conceit of it, even to account it but loſs, in the point of Juſtification before God; to be in the Practice of all the duties of Religion Sweetly, Pleaſantly, Heartſomely and cheerfully, walking under all ſorts of lots with a Goſpel contentedneſs: This, O! this would be a converſation worthy of, and becoming the Goſpel, nay it would make a litle Heaven on earth. And we deſire to to be as preſſing and peremptory in calling for this from you, as ever we urgently preſſed you by any call or invitation to receive the offer of the Goſpel and of Chriſt therein; and if we were to ſpeak to you all, O Men and women, one by one, by name and Sirname, this would be our Exhortation to you; Only let your Converſation be as it becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt.
We come now, (as we promiſed) to preſs this on you by ſome few Conſiderations: And Firſt Conſider the authority that enjoins it and lays it on you; and if ye truſt him, and expect the accompliſhment of any promiſe of the Goſpel from him, then take this as proceeding from the ſame Authority; preſume not under the pain of Gods diſpleaſure, and of cheating your own ſouls to their ruine, to take or medle with the promiſe, if ye mind not ſincerely to ſtudy a ſuitableneſs in your converſation to the Goſpel. 2. Conſider, not only the reaſonableneſs of the thing, but alſo the ſweet eaſineſs of it; for taking it in a Goſpel ſenſe, it's an eaſy yoke and a light burden: and it's withall very ſuitable and congruous to all profeſſors of the Goſpel: ought not a Miniſter to be like his calling, a Merchant to be like his calling, a Tradesman to be like his trade and calling? ought not alſo a Chriſtian to be like his Chriſtian calling, like the Goſpel which he profeſſeth? 3. Conſider the tyes and obligations, that all who profeſſe to have received the Goſpel, are under: are ye not obliged to ſuch a Converſation, by your Baptiſmal Vow? which obligation, though many of you forget, yet God will require it; Think ye that ye are free to live as ye liſt, to live like the Goſpel or not, or to take one Piece of a Goſpel walk, and leave another? Ye are Profeſſedly reſigned to God in Baptiſme, and are by it oblidged to live every way as it becometh the Goſpel; and ye muſt either on the matter renounce your Baptiſme and deny Chriſt, and ſo deal treacherouſly with him, or ye muſt make it your buſineſs to live like the Goſpel. 4. Conſider, that this Goſpel will be the rule whereby ye ſhal be judged, whether ye have indeed received the Mediator, The promiſes and priviledges, the duties and directions, and the graces of it, and improved them or not; in the day (ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 2.) That God shall judge the ſecrets of hearts by my Goſpel: If ye would have boldneſs when death and Judgement come, endeavour a converſation becoming this Goſpel: though your converſation were very much becoming the law (as it is impoſſible now without Goſpel grace) yet will not that ſatisfie the Judge; for ye will be Judged both by the law and Goſpel. 5. Conſider, that though the Lord had required many hard things of you; you would moſt certainly have been oblidged to have performed them; and now when he requires only this, ought ye not ſo much the more to aim at it, and endeavour it? Otherwiſe ye bring up an ill report on this Goſpel, as if it were an unſupportable heavy burden, and moſt uneaſiy yoke; for which ye muſt anſwer at your peril; conſider the dreadful doom and ſentence of the ſlothful Servant, Who ſaid, He is a hard Maſter. 6. Conſider the great prejudice that a walk unbecoming the Goſpel hath with it; I cannot eaſily, nay not at all to the full, tell you the prejudice it will bring to you; Only this I will ſay, that it had been better for you, that ye had never heard the Goſpel; It had been better that ye never had been piped to by the Goſpel, and that ye had never heard any of its ſweeteſt muſick-ſprings, if (to follow the Lords own ſimilitude ſo far) ye endeavour not to keep all the meaſures thereof in your dancing after it, in your walking conforme to it: Tell me, if we may be in earneſt with you: what if ye were called even now or before night to give an account of your improving of and profiting by the Goſpel, whereof ye have ſo very much, and from which ye have been ſo often piped unto, how utterly unanſwerable would many of you be found to be? your triffling way of walking alone and in your families, your neglecting of Prayer in them, with the chiding and bitterneſs betwixt husbands and wives, and with and amongſt ſervants; your omitting to inſtruct children and Servants in the principles of Religion; your tipling and miſ-ſpending your time, declare ſufficiently what your Converſation is. If any of you ſhall ſay, the converſation that you preſs, is a harder work and a more difficult taske then we can win at; Is it any thing elſe, then what the Holy Ghoſt by the Apoſtle preſſeth on all the hearers of the Goſpel? Q! take heed of branding a walk becoming the Goſpel with ſo black a note, as if it were an unſupportable yoke of intolerable hard bondage, leſt it be ſaid to you, evil and ſlothfull Servants, &c. if ye had been Serious and diligent in making uſe of the Goſpel in a Goſpel way, by improving Chriſt and the Promiſes, this work would have gone better with you, and ye had been in much better caſe then ye are in now: If ye had been more in the practiſe of Goſpel duties and in the exerciſe of Goſpel-graces in ſecre…, your viſible converſation might and would have been much more as it becometh the Goſpel.
As for you that have Communicat, there is a peculiar tye upon you, you have renewed your Covenant with God: and is there any covenanting with God but it hath this in it, That if there be thereafter a falling back ſuch back ſliders come under the guilt of treacherous dealing with him? Let me, for a concluſion of this Diſcourſe, ſay theſe few things to you; Firſt, Is it ſuitable, think ye, to faſt the one day for your not walking as it becometh the Goſpel, and to take unjuſt liberty to your ſelves the next day? on a faſt day to ſpue out your foul and abominable ſins, and to return with the dog to the vomit in a few dyes thereafter? will ye be ſo unſuitable to your profeſſions and confeſſions? beware of that, for the Lords ſake: better ye had never faſted nor confeſſed, then thus to mock the Lord. 2. Many of you have been at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and in it ye have profeſſed that ye have taken Chriſt for your husband, which implies the tye and obligation of a dutiful wife: what, I pray, is That, but to have a Converſation as becomes the Goſpel, and to walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called? As the Apoſtle Exhorts, Epheſ. 4.1. And is there any ſtraiter bond on earth whereby men can be bound? If, after thus Covenanting with Chriſt, ye ſhall foully fail or fall back, will it not exceedingly aggrege your guilt? 3. Are there not of you who have come under ſome private engagements to the Lord? I take it for granted, if ye have not been ſcorning God in your humiliation, and in your Communicating: I take it (I ſay) for granted, that ſeverals of you have come under particular and perſonall engagements to God: If ſo, ye would beware of looſing thoſe tyes, and of violating thoſe ſo Solemn engagements: and the rather, that it is to be feared, if ye keep not promiſe to God now, ye may never get a Communion again to renew it. 4. I would have ſome of you remembering of thoſe particular obligations ye came under, and promiſes that you made to us, when you received your tokens, to amend thoſe faults whereof ye were well known to be guilty: moſt certainly thoſe Promiſes, eſpecially ſo explici…ly made, will bear witneſs againſt you, if thoſe evils be continued in, or relapſed into: and we ſhall bear witneſs for Chriſt againſt you, if ye ſhall not be anſwerable to your engagements: for the Lords ſake, put us not to it.
Eſſay in good earneſt and ſet about the ſtudy of this Goſpel-becoming Converſation: I ſhall forbear to ſpeak of encouragements to this. It will be one good encouragment, to conſider ſeriouſly, that it is a walk becoming the Goſpel and Chriſt in it: that it hath ſuch promiſes made to it: and ſuch a ſuretie for every promiſe: that the certification of the Law is not at it: that ye have pa…don of ſin promiſed to you on your Repentance: and furniture at hand for every thing called for from you. Take it in ſhort, what ever your calling, ſtation or relation be: Only let your Converſation be, as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt, and remember the tyes and obligations that ye are under, whether more generall or more Particular, Otherwiſe they ſhall be remembred, to, and againſt you. Now the Lord himſelf enable you by His al-ſufficient Grace, to ſuit all your obligations, to pay all your Vowes, and to make all your honeſt reſolutions Practicable, relating to this Converſation becoming the Goſpel of CHRIST.