Great and Precious Promises, Sermon 6
SERMON VI.
Acts 26.18.
To open their eyes, an… to turn them from darkneſſe to ligh… and from the power of Satan un… God, that they may receive for giveneſse of ſins, and inheritan… among them which are ſanctified … faith that is in me.
WHen firſt we did begin our … courſe upon the precious … excellent grace of Faith; … told you that we intended … ſpeak of it under a twofold notion and conſideration. Firſt, As it layeth hold up… Chriſt for Juſtification; and of this we h… ſpoken to you at ſome length, as ye h… heard. Secondly, As it cloſeth with Ch… for Sanctification; and of this we are … ſpeak at this time; and have choſen th… words to ſpeak of it, which are a part … that excellent Oration and Diſcourſe th… Paul had before Agrippa in his own defen… In which Oration and Diſcourſe of his, … may be hold theſe four things eminently … ing: 1. That Godlineſſe and good man… are not inconſiſtent, nor contrary one to … ther: Therefore ye will ſee in the ſecon… third verſes of this Chapter, Paul acti… part of a Courtly Oratour: and belie… there is more good manners to be learned by being ſeven dayes in the School of Chriſt, then by being ſeven years in all the Courts of France. This, ſecondly, that innocent Policy that he made uſe of in the deliverance of this Oration, which likewiſe doth appear in the ſecond and third verſe of this Chapter, where he endeavours to inſinuate and ingratiate himſelf in the favours of the perſon before whom he had ſtood; I confeſſe, piety is the beſt policy that is taken up in intertaining piety, howbeit true policy may move in one orb and ſphere with piety, and the one is not contrary to the other in ſome caſe: 3. This ſhineth in that diſcourſe, even the ſpiritual boldneſſe Paul had in giving an excellent confeſſion of his faith, and the declaring him to be God, even Jeſus Chriſt in whom he did believe; Chriſt witneſsed a glorious confeſſion before Pontius Pilat for him, and he would witneſſe a glorious confeſſion before Agrippa for Chriſt, that ſince Chriſt had not denied him in that notable day, he would not now deny precious Chriſt in this day: and this is from the beginning and all alongs▪ Laſtly, This ſhineth in the words that Paul doth ſet forth, the matchleſſe freedom and unſpeakable riches of Chriſt, not only toward himſelf in that he did caſt the lot of everlaſting love toward him; but likewiſe toward the Gentiles to whom he was ſent as a Preacher, and that he did gloriouſly condeſcend to viſit the dark places of the earth, and to have the morning ſtar, and the day spring from on high ariſing on the habitations of cruelty. And in this verſe which we have read, you … behold theſe five glorious ends of the pre… ing of this everlaſting Goſpel, for at… ing of which, Miniſters are made inſtments under God. The firſt is, to open … eyes of the blind, which in ſhort is even th… to give thoſe that are ignorant of God, … ſpiritual knowledge of the deep myſteries the Father, and of the Son: So that fro… this, ye may ſee that the Goſpel hath a ki… of omnipotency in producing effects abo… the power of nature. The ſecond, we ma… ſee in theſe words, to remove them from dar… neſse to light: Which importeth theſe two… 1. The removing of perſons from an eſtate of excellent joy. 2. The removing of perſons from an eſtate of iniquity, unto an eſt… of holineſſe, darkneſse in Scripture pointing out ſin, and light in Scripture pointing out holineſſe. 3. The bringing us from under the power of Satan unto God, the making a bleſſed exchange of captivity and bondage, that theſe who were under the captivity of Satan, may be under the captivity of Love, that thoſe who were under the bondage of ſin, may be under the ſweet obedience of Chriſt, whoſe yoke is eaſie, and whoſe burden is light, Marth. 11.30.4. That perſons may receive the remiſſion of ſins, and the for giveneſſe of their iniquity; This is the gre… voice of the Goſpel, come to a crucifi… Chriſt, come to a pardoning Chriſt, com… to a glorified Chriſt, Chriſt hath the pardo… of iniquity in his one hand, and riches … himſelf in the other, and theſe are the gre… motives by which he ſtudieth to perſwa…e us to come. And the laſt is in the cloſe of the verſe, that perſons may receive foregiveneſſe of ſins, and inheritance among them which are ſanctified by faith that is in me, that is, that they may have a ſhare of that glorious manſion, of that excellent Kingdome that Chriſt hath purchaſed, and hath gone before to prepare. And withall, in this verſe as the words are ſet down, ye may ſee the excellent and orderly methode that the Goſpel keepeth in conquering ſouls, and you may ſee theſe excellent allurements, theſe perſwaſive arguments that Chriſt holdeth forth to conquer you, as it were, Chriſt cometh not unto us cloathed with the robes of Majeſty, but clothed with the robes of Love and advantage, knowing that in this poſture he ſhall moſt gain upon our hearts.
Now in ſpeaking unto that laſt end of the preaching the Goſpel, we ſhall only according to our preſent purpoſe, take notice of this one thing from it, (not intending to proſecute it as it is an end of the Goſpel) but as a property of Faith, and it is that. Faith in Jeſus Chriſt hath a noble and excellent influence upon the growth of Sanctification, and the attaining of holineſſe, they are ſanctified ſaith he, through faith in me. We ſhall no… ſtand long to clear this unto you, it is evident from Act. 15.9. where the Apoſt… telleth us of purifying their hearts by faith And likewiſe, 1 Tim. 1.5. where a pur… heart and faith unfeigned, they are ioyne and linked together: As likewiſe, 1 Jo… 3.3. Every man that hath this hope in him, … purifieth himſelf. All the Graces of the G… ſpel they are linked together by a golden … unſeparable chain, ſo that he that obtaine… one, he ſhall obtain all; yea, more, all th… graces of the Goſpel, they have a mutual in… fluence upon one anothers growth, ſo tha… we may compare them unto Hypocrates twi… of whom it was reported, that they di… laugh and weep together, and they did grow together: even ſo when one grace doth rejoyce, the reſt doth rejoyce with it, and when one grace doth mourn, the reſt doth alſo mourn with it, and when one grace doth grow, the reſt of the graces of the ſpirit they do likewiſe grow apace.
There are only three particulars that we ſhall inſiſt a little upon: Firſt, We ſhall ſhew you how faith hath influence upon the attaining of Sanctification, and this we make clear unto you in theſe reſpects.
1. In that it diſcovereth to the ſoul that matchleſs excellency, that tranſcendent beauty, and that ſurpaſſing comelineſſe that is in Chriſt, which ſight doth exceedingly perſwade the ſoul to draw that concluſion, What have I to do any more with idols? A glorious ſight of Chriſt, and acquaintance with him, maketh us loſe our acquaintance with our idols, and when once we are united unto Chriſt by faith, we break that union we had with them. And indeed, the want of the knowledge of that excellent comelineſſe that …s in Chriſt, and of love to him, is the great occaſion that the pooreſt dieries and idols in the world taketh up your hearts: did ye but once ſee him who is that glorious Son of righteouſneſſe, ye would be forced to put in your Amen unto that excellent confeſſion of Faith, Eccleſ. 1.2. Vanity of vanities, and all is but vanity and vexation of spirit.
2. In that it is the grace that diſcovers unto a Chriſtian the ſpotleſſe holineſſe of Chriſt, Faith doth not onelyonly diſcover the beauty of Chriſt, but likewiſe his holineſſe, and this doth make the ſoul fall in love with that excellent thing Sanctification. It is recorded amongſt the firſt ſteps to ſin and miſery, that we deſired to be as Gods, knowing good and evil; but certainly it is among the firſt ſteps to life and happineſſe, when the ſoul deſireth to be holy as he is holy: And I ſuppoſe, this is the great ground that ye are not much endeavouring a bleſſed conformity to God, and to be partakers of the bleſſed Image of Chriſt, ye know not the beauty of holineſſe.
3. aith layeth hold upon Jeſus Chriſt, and draweth ſtrength and vertue from him for the conquering of luſts, and in raiſing us up into a bleſſed conformity unto himſelf: when the Chriſtian is weak; Faith is that noble corre…pondent between that emptineſs that is in us, and the fulneſs that is in Chriſt. Faith is that noble correſpondent between that weakneſſe that is in us, and that e…erlaſting ſtrength that is in him: Therefore there are two noble and excellent counſels of Faith: Firſt, It counſels us not to lean to our own ſtrength: And, ſecondly, to have our recourſe unto him whoſe Name is Jehovah that everlaſting ſtrength; An… doubt, if we were more taken up in imp… ing Chriſt by faith, that propheſie ſhould accompliſhed, I will make the feeble one David, and David as the Angel of God: … when a Chriſtiian is moſt diffident in him… then God ſhould prove himſelf to be Almi… ty, and All-ſufficient.
And, 4. Faiths influence may be clea… in this, that it layeth hold upon the p… miſes, and doth believe them: and believ… ing of the promiſe bringeth forth that no… birth, conformity to God, according to th… word upon which we were ſpeaking, 2 P… 1.4. by believing the promiſes, (that is the advantage of it) We are by them made part… kers of the divine nature.
5. Faith alſo believeth the threatnings that are paſt in Scripture againſt ſin, and the believing them hath an undoubted and ſtrong influence upon the attaining and growth of Sanctification; Faith ſtrengtheneth a Chriſtian againſt the committing of iniquity with theſe two words: that word, Rom. 6.20. O ſoul (ſaith faith) commit not iniquity, for the wages of ſin is death: and that word, Rev. 21. laſt, There ſhall in no way enter into that City, any thing that is unclean, or that committeth iniquity. And be perſwaded of it that the faith of the threatnings and of the promiſes that are in Scripture, would be as a threefold cord not eaſily broken, to reſtra… you from the acting of iniquity: And ſhall I sell you briefly the ground why theſe curſ… hearts of ours doth commit iniquity wi… ſo little fear, and with ſo much delight, it is even this, becauſe we believe not the threatnings of God, which ſhall be accompliſhed in their own ſeaſon: for is it poſſible that if ye believed that word, Rev. 21. laſt. That nothing ſhall enter into the New Jeruſalem that defileth or worketh abominations; or that maketh a lie; that ye durſt for a world adventure upon the committing of iniquity as ye do. And I ſhall onelyonly ſay to ſuch that do undervalue the threatnings of God, the day is coming when they ſhall be conſtrained to cry out. He hath ſpoken it, and he hath done it, and faithfull is he, there is not one jot nor title in the Word of the Lord that ſhall fal to the ground: And believe it, God will be faithfull in the accompliſhment of his threatnings, as he is faithfull in the accompliſhment of his promiſes.
6. Faith diſcovereth unto a Chriſtian the noble excellencies, and thoſe ſpiritual dignities that are in that everlaſting eſtate that is provided for the Saints in light; Faith (as it were) carrieth up the ſoul to the top of Piſgah, off which it is admitted to behold the promiſed land, and truely the ſeeing of theſe noble things that are provided for the Saints, cannot but make them ſtudy holineſſe, ſince they know that there is an impoſſibility for one to attain to that eſtate without holineſſe, becauſe he had ſaid it, Without holineſſe no man ſhall ſee God. O then if once ye ſaw heaven, ye would be conſtrained to walk in that path of Sanctification, ſince it is the glorious way by which ye muſt walk in through the gates of that bleſſed City. Bu… ye know not the excellency that is there, i… is a fancy and notion unto you: and that … the ground that ye do not ſtudy to conform, your ſelves unto that bleſſed image of God. And I would only aſk you this one queſtion. Is it poſſible that ſuch a deluſion as this can overtake you, as to think, that ye who never ſtudied holineſſe on earth, ſhall yet enter in to heavens gates. I know there are ſome that ſay in their hearts, I ſhall have peace though I walk in the imaginations of my own heart: and many more, that ſuppoſe that they might fight and overcome, that they may quite the eſtate of nature, and be compleat in the eſtate of grace all in one day. But why will ye deceive your ſelves, Can a nation be born in one day; Or is there but one ſtep between hell and heaven? O remember, though nothing be impoſſible with God, yet there was but one thief ſaved upon the croſſe.
7. Faith hath influence upon the attaining of holineſſe in this reſpect, That it believeth the exceeding great advantages that are promiſed unto the perſon that ſtudieth holineſſ: Faith believeth that word, Matth. 5.8. Bleſſed are the poor in ſpirit, for they ſhall ſee God: Paith it layeth hold upon the truth of the excellent ſayings, and maketh the Chriſtia… endeavour to attain unto a likeneſſe and conformity with him, that ſo he may be admitted to behold his face for all eternity, and to be made like unto him.
8. Faith diſcovereth unto Chriſtians th… ſinfulneſſe of ſin, this is never done till once they be in the lively exerciſe of the grace of Faith. And I will give you theſe three grounds why faith compleatly diſcovereth the ſinfulneſſe of ſin. 1. Faith letteth us ſee the Perſon againſt whom we commit this ſin, and that doth exceedingly aggrege ſin; for, when the Chriſtian is admitted to behold God, and to ſee that matchleſſe excellency that is in him; then (ſaith he) what a beaſt was I to offend ſuch a glorious Majeſty as He? What a fool was I to kick againſt the pricks; or to enter in the liſts with ſuch an infinite God? 2. Faith letteth a Chriſtian ſee theſe excellent obligations of love that Chriſt hath impoſed upon us; Faith letteth us ſee the ancient and everlaſting love of Chriſt; Faith is that grace that letteth us ſee his ſufferings; Faith letteth us ſee all that he hath done for us, and this maketh the Chriſtian to cry out, Do I thus requite the Lord, O fooliſh one and unwiſe. And no doubt, if a Chriſtian were more taken up in the ſtudy of this duty, he would be leſſe in contracting debt, and were you but ſeriouſly taken up in the ſtudy of theſe two great Regiſters. 1. The Regiſter in which all the infinit acts of love are recorded. And, 2. That Regiſter in which all your acts of offending precious Chriſt are written, ye would be aſtoniſhed and aſhamed to ſee ſo much forgiven you; and durſt not ſin any more; there ye would ſee infinite …ency deſiring to rejoyce over judgement, and …here ye would ſee the ſpotleſſe riches of …hat tranſcendent grace that is in Chriſt. 3. Faith letteth a Chriſtian ſee the diſadv… tages of ſin, and what wofull effects doth … low upon it, and this doth exceedingly ho… forth the ſinfulneſſe of ſin.
The ſecond thing that we ſhall ſpeak concerning Faiths influence in the attain… Sanctification, ſhall be to enquire a little … to theſe things that hinder even Believ… from attaining this bleſſed effect of th… Faith; for ſome Chriſtians there are that ſome reſpects are taken up in the exerciſe▪ Faith, making uſe of Chriſt for Sanctification and yet their making uſe of Chriſt by Faith doth not weaken the ſtrength of their ido… (at leaſt) to their apprehenſions, neither … raiſe them up to a conformity with God; … that they are conſtrained ſomtimes to cry o… I ſhall once fall by the hand of one of mine … quities, and when they fight and doth … overcome, they are at laſt conſtrained to … There is no hope.
The firſt ground of ſuch a diſpenſation▪ That a Chriſtian is not conſtant in his acti… of Faith, he will be ſtrong in ſaith to … and when the morrow cometh, he will fa… in that exerciſe, and this doth exceeding interrupt the noble victory of Faith: … when faith hath gotten its advantages, … loſe them through ſecurity and neglige… that is a command that ſhould be continu… obeyed, Truſt in the Lord at all times: and doubt, if a Chriſtian were more taken … the conſtant actings of Faith, he ſhould … times ſing that ſong, I truſted in God, … was helped.
Secondly, The moſt part of Chriſtians, they are not ſtrong and vigorous in actings of their Faith, their Faith is exceedingly weak, and ſo they cannot bring forth theſe noble fruits and effects of Faith. If we were truſting in God with all our hearts, then that promiſe, Pſal. 37.5. ſhould be accompliſhed to us, Truſt in the Lord, and he ſhall bring it to paſse. Thirdly, There is a ſtrong heart conjunction and ſoul-union between us and our idols: we are joyned to our idols, and therefore we cannot be eaſily devorced; yea, when we are in the heat of the war againſt them, there is a procuratour within that cryeth, O spare this little one, or this profitable or pleaſant one, and this is ordinarily our practice, to ſpare the choiſeſt of our luſts; ſo that our Agags may cry forth, The bitterneſſe of death is paſt. But I confeſſe, if that union were once diſſolved, we ſhould then be heard with greateſt earneſtneſſe to cry forth, O bleſſed be the Lord that teacheth my hands to fight. Fourthly, Sometimes a Chriſtian layeth too much weight upon the actings of Faith, and doth not imploy Faith, but as an inſtrument to which Chriſt muſt beſtow ſtrength to conquer. Sometimes we think that faith hath the vertue of overcoming in its own hand, but remember, Faith is but an empty thing without Chriſt: as ye may ſee, Act. 15.9. where the purifying their hearts by faith is aſcribed to the holy Ghoſt: ſo that the activity of faith is from him, and not in it ſelf. Fifthly, A Chriſtian doth not hate ſin with a perfect hatred, even in the time of hi… warfare with his luſts, and with theſe ſtrong idols that are within him, but there is a ſecret heart inclination to that very idol which he doth oppoſe: So that oftentimes there is that twofold contradiction in a Chriſtian; Sometimes his light will cry, mortifie ſuch an idol, and yet his heart will cry, O ſpare ſuch an idol; yea more, ſometime his heart will cry, mortifie ſuch an idol, and yet his heart will cry, O ſpare ſuch an idol: That is to ſay, there will be one part of our affection crying one thing, and another part of it will cry another thing. O! but there is a remarkable command for the perfect hatred of ſin, Rom. 12.9. Abhor that which is evil. The word is in the Original, hate evil, as ye would do hell, that is, have perfect hatred to ſin, O to hate iniquity as much as hell: and joyn that word, Eph. 5.11. Reprove the unfruitful works of darkneſse; or as the word may be rendered, Make out by unanſwerable arguments to your tentations, that you cannor imbrace the unfruitful works of darkneſſe, convince your tentations that ye cannot do it: As we ſuppoſe, it was a noble arguing of Joſeph when he was tempted, How ſhall I do this? he put the tentation (as it were) to it: O tentation give me on… ground why I ſhould commit ſuch an iniquity. And certainly, if we were thus reaſoning with our tentations, they ſhould fl… before us: But the truth is, we imbrac… the deſire of our tentation upon implic… faith. It is a ſad regrate; and yet I may u… ter it, O if men would but deal with God as they do by Satan, we never diſpute the promiſe of Satan, and never examine theſe allurements he ſetteth forth, and yet we conſiantly diſpute with God upon every thing. Sixthly, A Chriſtian promoveth not in the growth of Sanctification, though in ſome meaſure exerciſing faith, becauſe he hath not ſuch a heart to holineſſe. If we did diſcover more that excellent beauty, that is, in being cloathed with that glorious robe of the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and in having the ſweet draughts of the Image of Chriſt engraven upon our hearts, we would have more victory over our luſts: There is a command for a perfect love to that which is good, and holineſſe in that ſame place, Rom. 12.9. and cleave (ſaith he) to that which is good; or, as the word may be rendered, Be married and glewed to that which is good, let there be an unſpeakable and indiſſolvable knot of union between you and that which is good: And certainly, if once we believed that report which is given of holineſſe, we would endeavour more to be cloathed with it: but that is the great ground why we advance not in holineſſe, we know not the advantage nor dignity, to be made like God. O will ye think on it, What a thing is it for you who are the duſt of his feet, to be made conform to him? Seventhly, A Chriſtian is no… much in the exerciſe of other duties that ſhould go along with faith, ſuſpect that faith for preſumption, that can act, and be maintained without Prayer, certainly prayer i… keepeth in the life of Faith: Prayer, … that grace that muſt act mutually with fai… in accompliſhing that bleſſed work of San… fication, and if we prayed more, and believ… more, then we ſhould have more to ſpe… concerning the victory over our luſts. Wh… was it, O Chriſtian and expectant of heave that ye was conſtrained to put up an Eben… zer, and cry forth, Hitherto hath the Lo… helped me? When was it, O Chriſtian an… expectant of heaven, that ye was put to cr… forth, God hath ariſen, and mine enemies ar… ſcattered before my face? I will tell yo… what is your practice, ye make ſuch a cov… nant with your idols as Nahaſh did with th… men of Jabeſh Gilead, 1 Sam. 11.2, 3. yo… luſts deſire to make you pluck out you right eyes, and there is nothing your luſ… will command you, but almoſt ye will obey, but would you ſend out prayers as a meſſe… ger to tell the King of ſuch a tyrannie, y… ſhould know better what it is to bevictorious. There is ſuch a Covenant between th… graces of the Spirit, eſpecially between faith and Prayer (if ſo we may allude) as was made between Joah and Abiſhai, 2 Sam 10.11. one grace, as it were, ſaith to another, If I be weak, Come over and help me, and if ye be weak, I will come and help you. When one grace is like to fall in battel, then another grace cometh and helpeth it; when faith i… like to die, then prayer and experience come … in and ſweetly helpeth faith; when love i… …ginning to die, and waxe cold in the fight …en faith cometh in and putteth life in love, and when patience is like to fall and be overcome, then faith comes in and ſpeaks that word to patience, Wait on God, for I ſhall yet praiſe him for the health of his countenance. Oftentimes our patience and our ſenſe they joyn together, for when ſenſe ſpeaketh good things, patience is in life, but when once ſenſe preacheth hard things, it is like to die, and Faith muſt then maintain and uphold it.
The third thing that we ſhall ſpeak as to faiths influence upon Sanctification, ſhall be to draw theſe four concluſions from … point.
The firſt is, That ye may know from this, …he riſe and original of your little ſucceſſe …ver corruption: There are many that are …roubled with this queſtion; O! what is …he ground that I get not victory over …ny luſts, and they propoſe that queſtion …o Chriſt that once the Diſciples propoſed …o him, Why was it that I could not cast out …ch a devil? And I can give no other an…ver nor Chriſt gave to them, it is, becauſe … have not faith; For if ye had faith as a …ain of muſtard ſeed, ye might ſay unto our idols, depart from us, and they ſhould …bey you, and there ſhould not be a moun…in in the way between you and heaven, but … ye had faith, it ſhould be rolled away and …ecome a plain. And the ground why many …e groaning under the captivity of their …ols, is, That they are not much in the ex…ciſe of faith; ſometimes ye enter in the …s with your luſts in your own ſtrength, then ye are carried captives, and if ye … ter in the liſts having ſome faith, yet ye … tain not the war, if faith get but one ſtro…
I will tell you ſix things which if … overcome, it keepeth the fields, and mak… the Chriſtian ſing a ſong of triumph, eve… … fore a compleat victory.
Firſt, Faith helpeth a Chriſtian to o… come that idol of impatience and diſcont… ſome never met with a diſcouragement, … they cry out, This evil is of the Lord, … ſhould I wait any longer, they are ſoon pu… … the end of their patience: Now faith … overcome ſuch an idol, and I will tell … three excellent things that faith perform … to the ſoul under impatience, or when … in hazard of it. 1. Faith telleth the C… ſtian there is an end, and their expectation … not be cut off; Faith telleth that there … morning as well as night, and this keep … the ſoul from being overcome with diſ… ragement, when they are brought to … midnight of trouble; Faith can tell … hour of the night it is, and how near the … proaching of the morning, when day … break and all their clouds flee away. 2. … helpeth the Chriſtian to ſee there is muc… Chriſt to make up any loſſe or diſadvan… that they have; if ye loſſe your ſon, or y… choiſeſt contentment in the world, Faith … ſay ſuch a word as Elkana ſaid to … 1 Sam. 1.8. Is not Chriſt better to the… ten ſons? The choiſeſt contentments … loſe, (that is faiths divinity) Chriſt … an hundred of them: and ſo this … …oul be aſhamed of their impatiency, and to give over their fretting at the excellent and wiſe diſpenſations of God. 3. Faith letteth a Chriſtian ſee, that there is not a diſpenſation that he meeteth with, but it hath theſe two excellent ends, it hath our advantage as one end, and the glory of the Lord as another end: and there is not a diſpenſation that a Chriſtian meeteth with, but theſe are the glorious ends propoſed in it. And therefore I would only give you this advice, evermore when ye meet with a dark diſpenſation, let faith interpret it, for it is only the beſt interpreter of dark diſpenſations; for if ye meet with ſenſe, this is its interpretation, he is not chaſtening me in love, but puniſhing me with the wound of an enemy, but faith will propheſie good things to you in the darkeſt night.
The ſecond next great idol that faith will bring low, is that idol of covetouſneſſe and deſire to the things of the world. I think that word, Eccleſ. 3.11. was never ſo much accompliſhed as it is in thoſe dayes, and amongſt you, He hath ſet the world in your hearts, that is the idol that dwelleth and lodgeth within you: yea, the world it hath your firſt thoughts in the morning, and your laſt thoughts at night; yea more, it hath your thoughts when ye are at Prayer, and when ye are at Preaching; yea, it hath ſuch a dominion over you, that it giveth you, as it were, a new Bible, and in all the ten Commands ſcrapeth out the Name of God, and ſetteth down the world. And whereas God ſaith, Thou ſhalt have no other Gods but me, the world ſaith, Thou ſhalt have no … Gods but me, &c. But faith will bring … idol low, and ſoon let you ſee the vanity … emptineſſe of it; yea, faith would let … ſee a more noble object, and withall, diſco… unto you how ſhort your time is, and h… few hours ye have to ſpend in following … ter lies: And I am perſwaded of this, t… if ye could win to ſhake hands with … death every day, and ſay, thou at laſt ſhall … my prince, and ſhall be the king to whom … ſhall be a ſubject, and if ye believed that t… day of Eternity were approaching, it wo… be a mean to mortifie theſe purſuits a… the world: And I ſhall ſay, he is a ble… Chriſtian that can maintain alwayes ſu… thoughts of the world, as he ſhall have w… he is ſtanding upon the outmoſt line betwe… Time and Eternity. I ſhall ſay it, and … lieve it, O worldling, and O thou that … the Moon upon thy head, and in thy hea… the day ſhall once come, that thou … preach as much of the vanity of the wor… as thoſe that undervalued it never ſo much.
The third great idol that faith will bri… low, is that idol of ſelf-love and ſelf-in… gence, that which is the great mother of … other Idols. I think, if there were no m… to be ſaid againſt that idol of ſelf-love a… ſelf-indulgence, that which is in 2 Tim. 3.…. were ſufficient, that amongſt all the g… idols of the latter times, this is put in … firſt place, They ſhall belovers of themſel… we cannot take pains for Chriſt, we ca… go about the exerciſe of any duty, bec… … ido …f … forbiddeth us. I will tell you its counſel and great advice it giveth you, O perſon, pity thy ſelf, that ſame counſel Peter gave his Maſter, it biddeth you pity your ſelf: But if we could rightly interpret that language, it would be this, deſtroy your ſelf, for ſelf indulgence, and ſelf love is that which will ruine you. O what bleſſed attainments of God; what bleſſed fruitions of Jeſus Chriſt, what advancement in mortification, what conformity to God hath that idol of ſelf indulgence obſtructed, and only not utterly ruined, even in the beſt? I think, if once ye could ſet your foot upon that idol, the reſt ſhould fall apace; that is the general of all the forces of your luſts, and it is as Saul, the head higher then the reſt of all your idols within you.
The fourth idol that faith will ſubdue, is ſelf righteouſneſſe, this is a great thing we maintain, we will never renounce our own righteouſneſs and ſubmit to the righteouſneſs of Chriſt: and the great ground of it is, That there is this principle within us all, we love to go to heaven through a Covenant of Works, and we never deſire to be much oblieged to any other, we cannot ſubmit our ſelves to the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt.
The fifth great idol that faith can ſubdue, is that of pleaſure, the world, and the contentments of it: Pleaſure is the great idol that many worſhip and adore, there are ſome that love the gain of the world, and there are others that love the pleaſures of the world; but faith hath a noble influence upon the … faith diſcovereth to a ſoul more … pleaſures, more ſweet delights nor … found under the Sun; Faith maketh a … ſtian loſe his ſtate unto all things tha… here below; Faith is that grace that ma… us grow blind, and not much to behold … paſſing vanities, thoſe tranſient delights … preſent evil world.
Our ſecond concluſion is this, Th… Faith helpeth Sanctification, ſo Sanctific… on helpeth Faith. I will tell you three … advantages Faith hath by the growth an… erciſe of Sanctification. 1. It is a nobl… dence of faith, and maketh a Chriſtian … perſwaded that he is ſettled upon the … and that his intereſt in God is made ſure, … ctification is that which will help a Ch… an dayly to read his intereſt in God: T… clear from Jam. 2.18. I will ſhew the … faith by my works, where this is clearly … den forth, That a Chriſtian much in the … of Sanctification, he can upon all times an extract of his Faith, and, as it were, … cover it and ſhew it to the world. 2. S… fication maketh faith perfect, accordin… that remarkable word, Jam. 2.22. A… works was faith made perfect. There is a … perfection that redoundeth to faith th… the exerciſe of the work of Sanctifica… for not only is it thereby made manifeſ… receiveth ſuch a ſhining luſter and ſp… as that ſometimes the eves of carnal m… even dazled to behold a Believer, but i… receiveth ſtrength and power: Faith … … the nature of there things that ſpend them…ves in bringing forth, but on the contrary … faith bring forth a hundred children (I mean works of holineſſe) in one day, it groweth ſtronger: and this is further clear, 2 Pet. 1.8. For if theſe things be in you, and abound, ye ſhal neither be barren nor unfruitful. And from that other word, Jam. 2. where it is ſaid, That faith without works is dead, being alone: If faith be alone, it wants its ſpiritual life and vigour; but if ye were much in the exerciſe of the work of Sanctification, ye would, no doubt, attain to a noble and lively acting of that grace of Faith. And, laſtly, if a Chriſtian be much in this work of Sanctification, there will be a comfortable exerciſe of faith, Sometimes Faith is exerciſed with much anxiety, and ſometimes with much doubting, but faith and a pure conſcience joyned together, they make an excellent feaſt, and maketh a Chriſtian rejoyce with joy unſpeakable and full of glory.
Thirdly, We may draw this concluſion, If faith have influence upon the work of Sanctification, and helpeth the producing of a noble conformity to God, then I ſay, there are many that their faith is a deluſion, and their hope ſhall be cut off as a spiders web. There are ſome that have faith, that have not Sanctification, nor knows not what it is, and ſhall not that faith unqueſtionably periſh as a dream, and evaniſh as the viſion of the night? and therefore if ye would teſtifie the reality of your faith, then ſtudy more the work of Sanctification. I ſhall but from Joh. 8.14, 15. give you theſe eight properties of … pocrites faith and hope, which may … you try and examine your ſelf. 1. … hope and their faith is but an act of … yea, there is not ſuch an act of fooliſh… under heaven, as a hypocrites hope; … cauſe it is but a caſtle in the aire, and writing to himſelf a charter on the ſa… ſo that word ye have rendered, whoſe … ſhall be cut off; is in the Original, whoſe … ſhall be cut off; ſhewing this, that they b… without a foundation, and ſo their faith … be moſt unſure and uncertain. 2. … thing they hope for ſhall at laſt loath the… O hypocrites, ye hope for enjoyment Chriſt, but be perſwaded of it, Chriſt ſ… eternally loath you, and ye ſhall eterna… loath Ohriſt: that is clear in that ſame w… Whoſe hope ſhall be cut off, or as the w… may be read, Whoſe hope ſhall loath the… the thing he hoped for ſhall loath him, … Chriſt ſhall ſay, Depart, I know you … 3. And though ye have now much deſ… and pleaſure in the actings of your preſu… tuous hope, yet at the laſt, ye ſhall loath … hope: The word will carry that, not … the thing ye hoped for ſhall loath you, … ye likewiſe ſhall loath your hope. The … is coming, that ye ſhall cry forth, curſe… the day that ever I believed that I ſho… get heaven. 3. It ſhall at laſt be the … ter of his vexation, from that word, w… hope ſhall be cut off; or as the word ma… rendered, whoſe hope ſhall vex him. O … the hypocrites ſhall meet with that anx… … dreadfull diſappointment one day, they …all then put their hand on their head, being … ſhamed becauſe of their confidence. 4. He … ſtudieth by all means to keep his hope, though it be but falſe, therefore have ye that word in the 15. verſe, he holdeth it faſt, or as the word is, he keepeth it with hand and arm, with all his strength he keepeth his hope: ſo that if Chriſt would come from heaven and ſay, man, thou art a hypocrite, and thy hope ſhall be cut off, they would ſay, I will keep my hope Sir, and maintain it, and that is an evidence your hope is not built upon the foundation; I love never a faith that in this ſide of time is unchangeable, and never knoweth what it is to have ups nor downs. 5. It is built alwayes upon a wrong foundation, which is imported in that word, He ſhall lean upon his houſe, which we ſuppoſe may interpret thus, he ſhall lean upon his worldly enjoyments, or upon theſe ſpiritual like enjoyments he met with. The hope of a hypocrite is never built upon Chriſt, and ſo unqueſtionably that hope ſhall be cut off and evaniſh. 6. Let hypocrites hold faſt their hope with both their arms, I will ſay theſe three words to them: Firſt, If all the Miniſters ſhould preach to you, and deſire you to quite your hope, and ye will not, yet both your hope and you ſhall be ſeperate: as it is in that word, Your hope ſhall depart from you, and ye ſhall quite …it. Secondly, Your hope will bring you to death, and no further: according to that word, Joh. 18.14. Whoſe hope ſhall bring them to the King of terrors: Will it bri… no further ſay you, O no, The King … rors ſhall ſeparate you and your hope. Th… The day is coming when the foundati… it ſhall be diſcovered, and there ſhall … be a deluſion but it ſhall be unfolded. … day is approaching when Chriſt ſhall … how you got your faith, and how you … tained it. 7. The hypocrites hope … poor building, it is as a spiders web; … I conceive (without being critick) is … The hope of hypocrites they ſpin it o… their own bowels, they have it not … Chriſt, but as yee ſee a ſpider ſpin o… its own bowels, ſo do they out of th… ſelves, it is no better ſtuff then their … rotten righteouſneſſe, Chriſt …ever b… thoſe unto a lively hope. Let me be… you therefore, that by all means ye wo… ſtudy to make fure your intereſt in God, … to build your faith on him, whoſe nam… that munition of rocks; For believe it, I … ſay it with much perſwaſion, I know th… are many that ſhall once meet (if God … vent it not) with a dreadful diſappo… ment: And therefore as ye would not in… that eternal hazard that is attending … that preſumptuouſly take hold of a h… before Chriſt take hold of them, ſtudy … ſearch your hope what it is: I deſire no… raze any foundation of their hope th… laid by the hand of Chriſt, but would d… and charge you to raze the foundatio… that hope which ye have laid from th… ginning by your own hands, and he … …. I would preſſe theſe three things upon you. Firſt, O ye that are ſtrangers to Chriſt, and that know not what it is to im…race the offers of the everlaſting Goſpel, …ey that excellent counſel, 2 Chron. 3.8. …ive Chriſt your hand; for that word which … have rendered, Yeeld your ſelf to the Lord, … is in the Original, Give your hand to God; which is in ſhort, Marry him, and be content …o contract your ſelf to him; for believe it, the day is coming, that either that contract between you and Chriſt, ſhall be eternally confirmed, or that contract between the de…il and you, ſhall be eternally ratified. And, I ſuppoſe, there is ſo much ſpoken to the commendation of that noble Plant of re…own, that ye may take Chriſt (if ſo we …ay ſpeak) blindly, ye may cloſe your eyes …nd take him, for he ſhall never diſappoint your hope; for let you think of him to …eternity, he ſhall alwayes be above your …houghts. Secondly, I would earneſtly deſire you once to ſearch and try, what was …he firſt riſe of your faith in Jeſus Chriſt: I …m perſwaded of it, there are many that …ake up their faith at their foot, they never …avelled in pain, and yet faith is brought forth. Is not this a myſtery? ſhall it be …aid, before they travelled, they brought forth: … do nor queſtion but there may be leſſe and greater pangs of the new birth, but this is moſt certain, there is alwayes ſome either …eſſer troubles or greater, till that childe be …rought forth: and yet I may condemn theſe …hat ſtay too long in the place of the breaking forth of children, Chriſt will never … you when ye do really come, becauſe have not been ſo many years and dayes in… ſon to the Law. Thirdly, Let me d… you to go and aſk, is there a grave betw… you and heaven, in all that way thro… which the Saints have travelled, upon w… this is written, here lyeth a man that ſin… ly ſought life from Chriſt, and he de… him. I think without encroaching … much upon the ſearching forth of the … erciſe of the Saints in heaven, I think … may ſuppoſe, there may be in heaven ſo… Queries and Interrogations: Chriſt ſhall … O beloved, Did ye want any thing here bel… when ye was ſent forth to travel in … world? and ye ſhall be conſtrained to … ſwer, No: Chriſt ſhall aſk that queſtion you, Did I not all things well? and … ſhall be conſtrained to anſwer, Yes: Ch… ſhall propoſe that queſtion, Are ye not w… rewarded for all your pains? and you … be conſtrained to anſwer, Yes: O but … take him, he is the bleſſed and moſt excell… One in heaven and in earth, it is the beſt … gain ever ye made: O ye Merchants … have made many excellent bargains to y… own apprehenſion, will ye come and … one excellent bargain yet, that will m… you eternally up: And what is that? C… and buy Chriſt and take him for nothing, … is not your ordinary bargaining: the… few comes to you, and biddeth you bu… cellent things without money; but con… the Goſpel, and ye ſhall get Chriſt wi… money; …niggards that are loath to ſpend your money in the world, will ye … to Chriſt and believe on him, take him freely: O ſay ye, if I could get three things of Chriſt, … would come. 1. I would have much gold and ſilver; I ſay, come to Chriſt, and ye ſhall get much gold and ſilver: Is that true? it is abundantly true: See Job 22.25, 26. where preſſing that exhortation, Acquaint thy felf with God, and uſing many arguments, he ſaith, Thou ſhall lay up gold as duſt, and the gold of Ophir as the ſtones of the brooks. Is not that gold enough? yea, ye ſhall have ſilver likewiſe, Thou ſhalt have plenty of ſilver. In the 26. verſe, ye ſhall not only have gold and ſilver, but ſhall have plenty of it, and ſhall have the moſt excellent and refined gold. But O ſay ve, will that promiſe be literally accompliſhed to me if I come to Chriſt: I would only ſay theſe three things to thee: 1. Come to Chriſt, and if gold and ſilver be for thy advantage, thou ſhall have it literally accompliſhed. 2. I ſay, ye ſhall have as much contentment in Jeſus Chriſt, as if ye had this houſe full of gold. 3. I will ſay this to thee, Chriſt ſhal be thy gold and thy ſilver: according to that word in the 26. verſe, which is moſt remarkable; yea, the Almighty ſhall be thy defence; or as it is in the Original, ſhall be thy gold, ſpeaking of the promiſe of gold before. Secondly, Ye ſay, I would have this, that what I purpoſe might be accompliſhed: I ſay, come to Chriſt and ye ſhall have that likewiſe, Job 22.28. Thou ſhalt decree a thing, and it ſhall be eſtabliſhed unto thee; which I conceive, doth not only take in theſe ſpiri…all decrees; but likewiſe theſe that rel… temporal enjoyments. But there is a … thing I would have (ſay ye) and I w… come to Chriſt, and it is, that I might … all the deſires of my heart: I ſay, O … and O woman, come to Chriſt, and thou … have what thou deſireſt: This is clear … Pſal. 37.4. Delight thy ſelf in God, an… ſhall give thee the deſires of thy heart: … can ye have man but it is there? Would have any thing of Chriſt? He putteth blank in your hand, and ſaith that … which he ſaid to Solomon, Ask; What … ye have, and I ſhall give you, Chriſt, … were, putteth his name to the foot of a cle… ſheet of paper, and he deſireth you to … what ye would have, And is not this an … cellent bargan? O niggard, what would … have which ye will not get in Chriſt? … be perſwaded, that ye that refuſe and … not take him, the eternal curſe of all th… in heaven will return upon thy head, … eternal curſe of all the expectants … heaven and heirs of life will return upon … head of that perſon that will not take Chri… And curſed, curſed ſhall that perſon be … will not take Chriſt, and one day all … Congregation in heaven and earth ſhall … Amen.