The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Sermon 1

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ · Sermon 1

p. 182On Jeremiah 50. verſ. 4, 5.

In thoſe dayes, and in that time, ſaith the Lord, the Children of Iſrael shall come, they and the Children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and ſee the Lord their God.

p. 183Verſ. 5. They shal ask the way to Zion with their faces thither-ward, Saying, come and let us Joyn our ſelves to the Lord, in a perpetuall Covenant that shall not b… forgotten.

SERMON I.

THe repairing and making up of a breach betwixt God and a People, is a matter of greateſt moment and Concern, and when men are ſerious in it, O how uptaking is it to them! Which is holden out to the life in theſe words; that lay forth before us very clearly the frame and carriage of a people, which formerly have dealt looſly and deceitfully in the matter of their Covenant with God, when they come through his Grace to be ſerious and in good earneſt in the upmaking of it again.

As for the people ſpoken of here, they are Iſrael and Judah, the Lo…ds own Covenanted People, who had dealt falſly and foully in the Covenant, and had thereby Procured ſad ſtrokes to themſelves, and had divided and ſeparated themſelves from God, and one of them from another, Which diviſion and ſeparation continued lamentably long? They are both here repreſented as coming home together, Seriouſly endeavouring to amend and make up the breach betwixt God and them, and among themſelves.

As for the time that this relates to (In thoſe dayes and in that time ſaith the Lord) It looks, literally and according to the Coheſion, to Babylons Deſtruction, and … Lords bringing down that Babylonish Monarchy by the Perſian King Cyrus; In which time the People of God had ſome liberty to return to their own land: Yet p. 184conſidering the great ſcope of the Words, and that this liberty of the Jews is in a great part fulfilled in Chriſt; and that the union ſpoken of here is ſuch as hath in it the gathering together of all the Tribes; and withall, that the Covenant which they enter into with the Lord Chriſt, is ſuch as shall never be forgotten: We muſt extend the words to their Ingraffing again into their own Olive: when all Iſrael shall be ſaved, and they ſhall be graffed into their own root and Stock from off which they were broken. As for the Scope, it's partly off encourage the Jews; This being not only a Promiſe of their return, but alſo and mainly of their Repentance, and of their Friendſhip & Reconciliation with God and with one another; In thoſe dayes they that had been far from him, and buſie vexing one another, shall come, and come together: Their work and buſineſs in coming, is to ſeek the Lord; and the manner of it, is going and weeping: Praying and repenting: and although the way be ſomewhat dark, and not ſo diſcernible to them: yet they go on, asking the way to Zion with their faces thitherward: They ask how they may come to Him, worſhip God again aright and perform the duties of a people inchurched to, and in Covenant with him; And (as it were) from one Poſt or Town to another, they ask the way, and get Direction from one day to another, and from one duty to another: And their deſigne in all is, Come, ſay they on the matter, we were once in Covenant with God and with one another, but we have been unfaithfull in both, now let us amend and make up the breach in both: Let us Joyn our ſelves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant never to be forgotten: Let us renew our Covenant with God, and let it be done firmly and ſurely, ſo as it may not be broken again: this looks and hath reſpect to Jeremiah 31.31, &c. and 32.49. p. 18540. Where the Lord Promiſeth To make a new Covenant with the Houſe of Iſrael and with the houſe of Judah: Cited by the Apoſtle, Heb. 8. And it's called Chap. 32. An everlaſting Covenant: Which is not ſo much to be underſtood of meer externall Covenanting, as of ſaving ſharing in and partaking of Chriſts Righteouſneſs for the Pardon of ſin: and of their engaging to God in his own ſtrength to be forth-coming in the fruits of ſaving Grace and Holineſs in their practice: This is in Sum, the way and courſe which they take; and is a ſhort directory for what ſhould be a peoples carriage, when they would make up the breach of a broken Covenant with God.

As for the Particular Scope of this place, as it relateth to Iſrael and Judah, their returning together, we ſhall not inſiſt in it: yet from theſe words we may ſee. Firſt, That There is good ground for us to expect the Lords bringing back his ſcattered People the Jews, and their ingraffing again into their own Olive: The ſame God that perſwaded Japhet to dwel in the Tents of Shem, can perſwade Shem to dwell in the tents of Japhet: As they minded us Gentiles, as a litle Siſter, and were Holily Solicitous what they might do for us, we ought in gratitude to mind them as the elder Siſter, that they may turn again to the Lord: who hath given us his faithful Word for it, which cannot fail but muſt be fulfilled.

Secondly, We ſee, that Heart-melting towards God and ſeriouſneſs to make up the breach of a broken Covenant betwixt a People and him, conduce natively to make the hearts of thoſe that have been divided and ſet at variance from one another, in much warmneſs of love to unite and ſweetly to join together: It's from this, that Iſrael and Judah become one Stick in the Lords hand, Ezek. 37. This makes them as melted mettall to run cloſe p. 186together, as it were, into one Lump: though it was a long continued Schiſme, and had much bitterneſs attending it: yet when their hearts are touched with a Senſe of ſin and of a broken Covenant, their former differences and animoſities evaniſh: ſoftneſs of heart in the ſenſe of by gone ſin, would ſilence many things among us; that all diſputings, writings and Printings will not be able to do: Pray for this to the Land, as the moſt effectuall mean and way of curing out diviſions, and of uniting us in the Lord: It Joins Judah and Iſrael together, whoſe breach was much greater, and of far longer continuance then ours.

Thirdly, We ſee here, that A peoples joining and running together in ſerious ſeeking of the Lord is very Commendable and lovely, and a good token and evidence to them of their turning to God and of Gods accepting of them: even as bitterneſs and diviſion is exceeding diſpleaſing to God and prejudiciall to themſelves and to the Work of Grace in them: This is an happy-like, hopeful and promiſing day of Repentance and turning to God, that bodeth much, unſpeakably much good to a land and People.

But we come to conſider the words as they do direct unto, and chalk out the way for a people returning, to make up a broken Covenant with God, which is the Scope. And we may take it up in theſe Three, Firſt As it reſpects the frame of their hearts: And O what a tender, humble, warm and mournfull frame are they repreſented to be in! They shall come, and go together, exciting one another, going and weeping with their faces towards Zion. Secondly, As it reſpects and holds forth the great deſigne they have, and that is, to renew and make ſure the Covenant betwixt God & them: Though p. 187it was now broken and they want not challenges for it: Yet they do not ſay, we will never enter in it again, Becauſe we brake it the laſt time we made it: But come (ſay they) let us make it the more firm and ſtable. Thirdly, As it reſpects and hold out their poſture, and the way which they take in purſuing this deſigne; There is a going and weeping, a praying to and ſeeking of the Lord; in a word they ſeek, and endeavour to renew their Covenant with God, ſeriouſly, diligently and humbly; and thus they purſue their deſigne.

Firſt then, If we look to their frame, we will find implyed in it, 1. A guilty condition. 2. A challenging and convinced condition. 3. A repenting condition; they are kindly affected with the wrongs done to God, and deſire and uſe means to have them righted.

We ſhall name Two or Three generall Doctrines from this Firſt Conſideration of the word, though in effect it will fall in with the Laſt. The Firſt whereof is this, That Gods Covenanted People may deal foully and falſly in his Covenant; For their coming to renew the Covenant ſuppoſeth that they had broken it; and it's alſo implyed in their mourning and weeping, and ſaying, Come and let us join our ſelves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant never to be forgotten. This needs no further proof then the Hiſtory of Gods People, their dealing with him; which holds out clearly and convincingly the ſtrong Propenſion and bent of heart that is naturally in them to back-ſlide, and like a deceitfull bow to turn aſide and to prove unſtedfaſt in his Covenant.

Secondly, There is here implyed A diſtance betwixt God and them following on the breach of Covenant; Their going to ſeek the Lord ſaith, that he is a ſeeking; this is very ſad, yet moſt true, that Sin and unfaithfull dealing in Gods Covenant will make a ſeparation betwixt p. 188him and a People in Covenant with him: Thus it's ſaid, Iſai. 59.1. The Lords hand is not shortened, that it cannot ſave, nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have ſeparated betwixt you and your God: It's very like, that many believe not this, that ſin hath ſuch influence in making ſeparation betwixt God and ſinners; but in that day when an eternall ſeparation ſhall be made betwixt God and them, It will be undenyably made known and manifeſt, when many of you that now …rong to the Ordinances will, if Grace prevent not, meet with that ſentence (O dreadfull ſentence!) depart from me ye workers of iniquitie, I never knew you.

Thirdly, There is here their ſenſibleneſs of both theſe, 1. That they had broken Covenant. 2. That God bad ſeparated himſelf and withdrawn his Preſence from them for their breach of Covenant; though ſin be very evil, and the want of Gods Preſence very ſad; yet they had this good, that they were kindly ſenſible of both: whence we may Obſerve, That Conviction of by gone wrongs done to God, and kindly reſenting of his abſence, are the firſt riſes and ſprings of Repentance and turning to God; or they are the firſt ſteps of Converſion: What is it, I pray, that all this buſineſs and ſtir among this People flows from? Here it is, Firſt, They apprehend a quarrell betwixt God and them, And next they apprehend a diſtance: & this puts them ſeriouſly to mind turning to God with weeping and ſupplications, and to renew their Covenant for recovering of Gods preſence: this ſame is the Spirits Method, John 16 I will (ſaith the Lord Chriſt) ſend the ſpirit, and the firſt thing he doth is this; He convinceth the world of ſin: ſo Acts 2.37. the firſt thing that ever (to ſpeak ſo) turned the chaſe in Peters hearers was, that they were pricked in their hearts for ſin; and this did put them to an adviſement, p. 189and to cry out, Men and brethren what shall we do? And indeed there is a neceſſitie of this, Conſidering the Lords way of adminiſtring his Grace; for ſo long as perſons are not convinced of their ſin, they are not apprehenſive of a quarrell; but conviction of ſin makes them apprehenſive of it, and to think, that they would be oblidged to any who would relieve them out of that ſad Condition: and while God is abſent and not miſſed, they ſleep on; and though he be abſent, yet they know it not, as Samſon knew not that God had left him, till he went out to shake himſelf: But when Gods departure becometh ſenſible, it will make a wicked Saul to howl, and will make a gracious tender Soul to take the Alarme hot; and we ſee, Cant. 3. and 5. Where the Bride miſſing Chriſt, is put to ſeeking, and ſtill miſſing him, her heart is keeped fluttering and on wing in Purſuing after his preſence, till ſhe recover and find it.

As the Uſe of the Point, we would Exhort you to let this truth ſink in your hearts: there is a neceſſity of the conviction of theſe Two, 1. Of wrongs done to God. 2. Of Gods abſence, ere ye can be ſerious in the exerciſe of repentance and turning to God: what is the cauſe that many ly ſtill in deep ſecurity with much debt upon their ſcore, and ly down and riſe up without Gods company? Even this, that they never had it, and were never troubled for the want of it; they were never convinced and made ſenſible of their Sin: now this conviction is not, ſimply to know that we have ſin, as many take it to be, who think it enough that they know that they are ſinners: but It's ſuch a Conviction as arreſts the ſinner before God, and puts him to anſwer for his Sin: It's like an officer coming with an order to put a man in Priſon for debt: be may go confidently and ſtoutly enough up and down the ſtreet under the knowledge p. 190of his debt: But when He is arreſted for it by the officer, it affects him, and toucheth him in the quick: ſo is it with a Soul throughly convinced of ſin: Men may know that they are ſinners, but the Conſcience for a time may, not much trouble them, and they may take on more to a long day, and ſhift challenges and Convictions: but when the Conſcience awaketh and the law arreſteth them, the matter ſinks deeper on them: would ye then know what is a ſuitable frame for Faſting and Communicating? We would Commend this to you, even to Study a thorowneſs of the Conviction of ſin, and to be ſenſible of the diſtance that is betwixt God and you, and narrowly to obſerve whether he be preſent or abſent: It's very ſad and much to be Lamented, that many who are ignorant of the way of God ſhould be ſo ſtrongly perſwaded of the goodneſs of their Condition, that there is no acceſs for any word ſo much as once to bear upon them: If we ſhould a…k many of you, whether are ye throughly convinced of your wrongs done to God, and ſenſible of the diſtance betwixt him and you? ye would readily anſwer, that ye never wanted nor miſſed him: he hath been always your God, and ye have been always his people: not from any ſtrength of Faith, but from ignorance, ſtupidity and carnall Preſumption; yea many of you have not ſo much knowledge as to cover your ignorance and Hypocriſie, neither can any gain the leaſt ground of you, to make you ſenſible that your faith and Communion with God are unſound and deluſory, becauſe they have not had a right riſe from conviction of ſin and of diſtance from God, putting you on to repentance and covenanting with him. But becauſe ſeverall perſons will be ready to think and ſay, that they have convictions of ſin: as indeed there is much ground and reaſon for them: I ſhall point at ſome p. 191convictions, for which there is Juſt ground, and whereby ye may know if your Convictions have been thorow and ſound: moſt whereof, if not all of them may be gathered from the words. 1. There is a Conviction of the want of Faith: The holy Spirits firſt work, John 16.9. Is to convince the world of ſin, becauſe they believe not on him: Were ye ever convinced of your unbelief: Many will be convinced of Sabbath-breaking, of curſing, Swearing, lying. Drunkenneſs, &c. to be ſins, who were never convinced of the ſin of their want of Faith, for they always had it, as they think: and what, I pray, can ſuch as ye do at a faſt or humiliation for ſin, when this is your great ſin, and ye cannot by any means be brought to take with it, though you take with other ſins; but can come boldly to the Table of the Lord as Believers, and ſuch as have no juſt reaſon to doubt of the ſoundneſs of your Faith, while in the mean time, all the Faith that ye have, is but rotten preſumption: This is a moſt fearfull condition: for ſo long as ye think that ye have Faith, ye cannot think your ſelves to be loſt: neither can ye caſt your ſelves down with a ſtopped mouth before God: nor is there acceſs for any word from him to do you good. A 2d. Conviction or challenge is of or for the want of a new nature? were ye ever convinced of this? not only, of this and that and the other particular ſin, but that ye were in a ſinfull and unrenewed ſtate? Nicodemus John 3. comes to Chriſt and ſpeaks him fair; but the Lord lets him know that fair words, a great Profeſſion, and ſome, yea much knowledge will not do the turn, he muſt neceſſarily have ſomewhat elſe, even a new nature, He muſt be born again, elſe he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: He is very unwilling and loth to digeſt that Doctrine; but the Lord tells him, that, that which is born p. 192of the flesh is flesh: It were good that many of you had that word from your heart in your Mouth, which is Jere. 31.18. Turn thou me, and I shal be turned: Convictions of a naturall ſtate, Alace! are very rare; If any of you have had ſuch Convictions, try what became of them, and what followed on them. A Third Conviction or challenge is, of or for former breaches of Covenant, For Goſpel ſins and the ſin of dealing unfaithfully in Gods Covenant: and can any of you ſhift this Challenge, conſidering what ye were tyed to in Baptiſme, and by other vows and engagements which ye have come under ſince that time, eſpecially at the Lords Supper? How few of thoſe have been kept? or rather have they not been as ſo many ropes of Sand? And who are ſuitably challenged for and convinced of ſuch breaches, as it is implyed here, that theſe People are? A Fourth Conviction is, of want of Gods preſence, inſinuated in their Going to ſeek the Lord, which imports an abſence of God, and that ſinfully procured by them, for which they weep and are kindly affected: the abſence of God ſimply conſidered is no ground of challenge, it being an act of Soveraignty; but abſence procured through our ſin is a great ground of challenge: Alace! the moſt part know not, neither are acquainted with any ſuch Challenge: they think God is always with them: However, the Lord is abſent, and it would well become us to ſearch out diligently that which hath procured his abſence; for whatever may be Gods end in it, there is abundant ground of Juſt challenge that we may get againſt our ſelves in it. A Fifth Ground of challenge is, in reſpect of their own ſtupidity and ignorance, which have incapacitated them to take up the way how to come to God for making up the breach, therefore They ask the way to Zion: And this may be another ſad challenge to p. 193many; who though their ignorance, ſenſleſneſs and ſtupidity have utterly indiſpoſed and unfitted themſelves to make their peace with God, and are without knowledge of the way how to vent their deſires to him. A Sixth Challenge implied is, the want of love to one another, and a Challenge for ſeen diſtance betwixt God and them helps to bear in on them this Challenge for diſtance betwixt one another: Therefore now they ſay, Come and let us join our ſelves: this is another challenge, which we ſhould not ſhift: it is too evident, what ever our profeſſions be, that we are much cooled and fallen behind in our Love to one another. A Seventh Challenge is, lying long under a ſeen evil condition without being ſuitably affected with it: therefore theſe People go now with the more tenderneſs about the work of turning to God, and of their renewing Covenant with him, that they were ſo long a falling to it: I ſuppoſe many of you, who never knew what Repentance was, and others alſo who have been more ſerious then now they are, may have this challenge: It is no Strange nor uncouth thing that is called for from us, to fit and prepare us for Faſts and Communions, it is even ſeriouſneſs in theſe moſt plain, Common and Obvious things: and if ye can hold up your faces and ſay, that theſe concern you not nor the Preſent occaſion, ye may wave and lay them aſide: but if they be ſuch things as your Conſciences convince you of: it is moſt neceſſarie, that ye take time to think upon them and lay them to Heart: and that ye ſtudy through Grace to be Humbled for them before the Lord.

But the Obſervation, that we intended mainly to ſpeak a word to at this time, is this, that There is no amending or righting of an ill condition, but by making p. 194ſure and faſt the Covenant betwixt God and us. What is the remedie of this Peoples ill condition here, when they find themſelves ſo far wrong? Come (ſay they) and let us join our ſelves to the Lord in a Perpetuall Covenant, never to be forgotten: when I ſpeak here of Covenanting, as that on which the quieting of our Conſciences, and the remedie of things wrong in our Condition doth ſo much depend: It is not to be underſtood of a bare Promiſe only to right and amend things that are wrong and amiſs; but it is to be underſtood of a reall Covenanting with God, of a reall and cordiall accepting of the offer of Jeſus Chriſt made to us in the Goſpel, whereby an union betwixt God and us through him as Mediator is made up: wherein there is Gods offer and Promiſe, on the one ſide: and our Faith accepting of and ſubmitting to the terms and Conditions on which the offer is made, on the other ſide: whereupon there followeth a mutuall cloſed bargain betwixt God and us: or the very bargain is thus made up: And ſo, whatever way we look upon and conſider our condition as evil or ſad, whether in reſpect of challenges for and convictions of ſin and of wrongs done to God: or in reſpect of darkneſs, uncleanneſs & confuſion: or in reſpect of Croſſes and afflictions, this is the way to win at the remedy thereof: thus David, 2 Sam. 23 5. When he is drawing near to Death, and hath many challenges for things that had been wrong in his Perſonall walk and in his houſe, which had brought on it much affliction and trouble, and when he finds himſelf very infirm, and under the want of much of that lively ſenſe he had won to have, he betakes himſelf to this, Though (ſaith he) My houſe be not ſo with God, yet he hath made with m… an everlaſting Covenant ordered in all things and ſure… and this is all my Salvation and all my deſire, though h… p. 195make it not to grow: And if we look on the Prodigal, Luke 15. When he is under a conviction of his Sin and miſery, what reſolves he upon as a remedy? I will go (ſaith he) to my Father, and I will ſay; Father, I have ſinned, &c. The firſt thing he betakes himſelf to and reſolves upon, is, to catch hold of the Covenant relation betwixt his Father and him. And there is a neceſſity of this on a Threefold account, 1. Becauſe there can be no ſolid ground for extricating and bringing one out of an evil condition, but by Covenanting with God; for what elſe, I pray, can ſilence a challenge, or quiet and calme the Conſcience in reſpect of guilt, when it ſaith to the perſon, thou haſt ſinned and art liable to the Curſe? There is no way to get ſin and the Curſe removed, but by fleeing to Jeſus Chriſt, and cloſing with Gods offer of Pardon upon the account of His Satisfaction reſted on by Faith: Therefore is faith compared to a shield, whereby we may quench the fierie darts of the devil; It's true, ſaith the Soul accuſed of enmitie againſt and wrongs done to God, I was an enemie to him and g…eatly wronged him, I was liable to his curſe and wra…h for ſin; but he offered me Pardon and reconciliation through the Mediator, and I have accepted of his offer, and do reſt upon Chriſts ſatisfaction for pardon, therefore I am Juſtified and ſhall not come into condemnation. 2. Becauſe there can be no peace to the Soul, till there be ſome thorow evidence that the Covenant is fixed and made ſure; for this is the way that God hath laid down for making Peace; as the quarrell and curſe are founded on the breach of one Covenant, ſo our peace ariſeth upon our engaging with God in another Covenant: Hence are all thoſe promiſes, Jer. 30.31, 32, 33. and Heb. 8. which are ſo often repeated, I will Pardon their iniquities, I will remember p. 196their ſins no more, &c. All which Promiſes being priviledges of a Covenanter with God, whoever would look for the Performance of the Promiſes, there is a neceſſitie of their being in Covenant with him, ere they can expect the performance of them and attain to Peace. 3. Becauſe, all that are without the Covenant of Grace are under the curſe, being lyable to the breach of the firſt Covenant: Therefore Epheſ. 2. Theſe two are put together, Strangers from the Covenant of Promiſe; and having no Hope, being without God and Chriſt in the World; and ſo to be without the Covenant, is to be without Hope, and without God and without Chriſt.

Uſe, 1. Lay this for an unqueſtionable ground, that if ever ye be well, it muſt be by this Covenant with God: is there any conviction of ſin, of violating by gone engagements to God, and of wrongs done to him? take it for a certain truth, that things muſt be thus adjuſted and thus ſecured betwixt God and you; that ye muſt have pardon & peace by entring into, & making ſure the new Covenant with God on the Grounds of his own grace; That is, when God is treating with you & declaring that he is content to cloſe with you, on Condition, that ye will take with your ſin, renounce your own righteouſneſs and ſubmit to Chriſts, and be content to live to him all the days of your life that are behind; ſtep to & cloſ… with him on his own terms: for the hearts yeelding its conſent to God, is the making of the Covenant; & tha… intitleth to all the good that is in the Bible; In Sum it's this, if ye, (ſaith the Lord) accept of my offering my ſelf to be your God, and conſent to give up you… ſelves to me, if ye will quit your own righteouſneſs an… embrace Chriſts, I will Pardon your ſin, I will b… forth coming to you for happineſs, and will ſanctifi… p. 197you and make you fit to be Partakers of it; and your making of the Covenant ſure, is your yeelding to be happie on theſe termes, even to be content to take Juſtification & Pardon of ſin freely by vertue of Chriſts ſatisfaction, and to give up your ſelves to be his, to be for him and to live to him and not to your ſelves; as ye get God engaged to be yours, ſo ye engage and ſubſcribe to be Gods, and to walk ſuitably, according to your engagement, in his ſtrength, to be for him and for no other, as the word is, Hoſ. 3. or as it is, Iſaiah 44.5. One shall ſay, I am the Lords, and another shall call himſelf by the name of Jacob, and another shal ſubſcribe with his hand unto the Lord and ſurname himſelf by the name of Iſrael; He ſhall, as it were, write down his Name, I am Gods: This, in ſhort, is Covenanting with God; which may be done in hearing the word, in Praying, in meditating, and in Communi…ating; when Faith is diſtinctly, at leaſt, really and truly exerciſed on Gods offer and Promiſe; and when upon deliberation, there is a ſincere reſolving with the perſons ſelf, I will take God as be offers himſelf to me, and will give up and away my ſelf to him: and when, according to the reſolution, there is actually a yeelding to God.

Uſe Second, Seeing this is the only way to right and unravel an evil and ravelled condition, let me Exhort you to pitch on this as your great work, and to aim at it as your great ſcope, theſe days that are before you; that a good underſtanding may be begotten betwixt God and you, and all quarrels removed and taken away, by declaring and acknowledging your iniquities before him, and by Covenanting with him on his own terms; This would make much kindly heart-melting, and would make the Communion to be cheering and refreſhful; p. 198when after a ſecretly cloſed bargain with God, we ſhould come to receive his Seal, and to append and put to ours: and whatever toſſings and difficulties there may be to get our ſelves made right here, yet we would ſeriouſly endeavour to get our hearts brought up ſincerely to ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 16. My Soul hath ſaid unto the Lord, thou art my Lord: And to win at a ſettled deliberat yeelding to God, ſo as there may be quietneſs in it for the time to come.

Uſe Third, There is here ſad ground of Expoſtulation with and Reproof to many: I know not what many of you are doing: moſt part, I ſuppoſe, are taken up about the outward ordinances: but as to the main thing of making up a Covenant with God, as it is holden forth in the Goſpel, I fear, that is much neglected and misken'd: yet let me ſay it, though ye ſhould P…ay and weep all theſe dayes, without this it is impoſſible that ye can have Peace, or win to have a good underſtanding betwixt God and you: Put your ſelves therefore to the tryall, and ſee if the frame of your Spirits be ſuch as holds any tolerable Proportion to the frame and poſture that Iſrael and Judah are repreſen…ed to be in here: they a…e going, we are ſitting ſtill: they are weeping, our eyes are dry and our hearts hard: the humble mournfull way of Religion, Alace! is much gone from amongſt us: again, they are renewing the Covenant: but Ah! what can we ſay, as to the ſecuring of things betwixt God and us? Are not the moſt part as well ſatisfied with their ſtate and Condition, as if there were nothing wrong nor amiſſe in it? Alace! ſhall we ſlubber and ſcurf over Religion, and va…lour ſelves from our ſelves and from o…hers, when in the mean time our hearts and Conſciences might, if awake, tell us that we p. 199are not in Covenant with God? I know, many of you will be ready to ſay, ye are friends with God: but let me ask ſuch, did ye ever know and believe the enmity? did ye ever apprehend your ſelves to be ſtra…gers to God and without the Covenant? Did ye ever experimentally know any good that his word did to you, as to the bringing of you under the bond of the Covenant? Hath any gracious Change followed upon it? The truth is, many of you think that ye may go to Heaven without the word, and the ſaving effects of it on your hearts: ye found them (as ye fancy) always inclined to love God: ye ſuppoſe that ye were alwayes in friendſhip with him: which, though there were nothing elſe to prove it, is a manifeſt evidence, that ye were never really in friendſhip with him. But let me ask yet further, did ye ever know what it was, to make uſe of Chriſts mediation, in the making up of a Covenant betwixt God and you? It's like, ye will ſay, ye prayed: but ye might have done that, though Chriſt had never come into the World, and though there had been no ground for your acceptance on his account: but I ſay again, what uſe made ye of his mediation and ſufferings? I fear ye know little or nothing at all of this; but ye come to him, becauſe ye imagine that he bears a goodwill to all ſinners, and is very eaſie to be dealt with, and that God the Father is more inexorrable and a harder partie to deal with then he; as if Jeſus Chriſt the Son were not as Juſt as the Father; Or as if God the Father were not as ready, through a mediator, to accept of ſinners, as the Son is: I would ask you yet further, do ye think, or can ye with any Juſt reaſon think, that your Covenant is ſure, when ye know neither what it is, nor how ye have entered into it? In the Covenant, as there is an offer on Gods ſide; ſo there muſt be a p. 200receiving on yours; though I grant that oftentime… this, to ſerious Souls will be unclear, and it will b… their burden that they have not ſtrong enough deſires t… have it thorough and clear; ſuch Poo Souls would pu… their darkneſs, unbelief and undexterouſneſs in Chriſt hand to be helped. But it's a ſad matter, that when w… ſhould be praying you to cloſe with Chriſt in the Covenant? I muſt be our work, and the hardeſt peece of it to ſhake many of you out of your preſumption: It's unpleaſure to us, God knoweth, to preach you out of th… Covenant; but your Preſumption Layeth a neceſſit… on us, to lance you to the quick and to ſearch down t… the bottom of your ſores; becauſe theſe muſt be di… covered and laid open, before there can be any Ju… ground for the application of conſolation: if once … could get you brought under a thorough conviction, th… ye have been deluding your ſelves, we might yet ha… ſweet, lively, comfortable and refreſhfull ſayes: if … were in this Poſture, Going and weeping for perverti… your wayes, with your faces towards Zion, towards G… through the Mediator; ye might expect Gods bleſſi… on theſe Solemne Ordinances, and that there ſhould … a Covenant made up with him never to be forgotten. … be Serious in the buſineſs, and let not this opportuni… go by you unimproved to the beſt & utmoſt advantag… and himſelf graciouſly help you hereunto.