The Mystery of Faith Opened Up, Part 1 · Sermon 3
SERMON III.
JOHN 3.23.
This is his Commandment, that ye ſhould believe on the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, &c.
IT was a command that Solomon gave unto his ſon, Prov. 22.26. That he ſhould not be ſurety for debt, nor be one of thoſe that ſtriketh hands. But, O! what ſpotleſs breaches of that command hath our bleſſed Lord Jeſus committed, when he did condeſcend to be ſurety for our debt, and to pay that which was impoſſible for us to ſatisfy? Hath not Chriſt made a precious exchange with ſinners? He wreathed about his own precious neck, that bond and yoke of our iniquities, and hath given to us that unweariable, eaſie and portable yoke of his commandments, amongſt which this is one, That we ſhould believe on him: ſpotleſs Chriſt was made ſin for us; that ſinful, we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in him. And is not this the condemnation of the World, that we will not believe on him? That we will not delight our ſelves in loving of him? And I would ſay this to you, that though ye ſhould weep the one half of your dayes, and pray the other half, yet if ye want this noble grace of Faith, your righteouſneſs ſhall be but like a monſtruous cloath, and filthy rags before him. For what is praying without believing, but a taking of his bleſſed Name in vain? What is our conferring upon the moſt divine and precious truths of God without believing? it is not a lying to the Holy Ghoſt, and a flattering of God with our mouth? And we would have you knowing this, that there is a ſweet harmony that is now made up betwixt Moſes and Chriſt, betwixt the Law and the Goſpel. The Law bringeth us to Chriſt as a Savior, and Chriſt bringeth us back again to the Law, to be a rule of our walk, to which we muſt ſubject our ſelves. So then, would ye know the compend of a Chriſtians walk? It is a ſweet travelling betwixt Mount Sinai, and Mount Sion, betwixt Moſes and Chriſt, betwixt the Law and the Gospel. And we conceive, that the more deep that the exerciſe of the Law be in a Chriſtians conſcience, before his cloſing with Chriſt, there is ſo much the more precious and excellent advantages waiting for him.
I. There is this advantage that waiteth on the deep exerciſe of the Law, that it is the way to win to much eſtabliſhment in Faith, when once we begin to cloſe with Chriſt. O Chriſtians! would ye know that which maketh the ſuperſtructure and building of grace to be within you, as a bowing wall, and as a tottering ſence? (of that oftentimes ye are in hazard to raze the foundation) it is this, ye were not under the exerciſe of the Law before your believing in Jeſus Chriſt. There are ſome who do not abide three days at Mount Sinai, and theſe ſhall not dwell many days at Mount Sion.
II. There is this advantage that waiteth on the deep exerciſe of the Law, it maketh Chriſt precious to a mans ſoul. What is that which filleth the ſoul of a Chriſtian with many high and excellent thoughts of Chriſt? Is it not this, to have the Law regiſtrating our Bond, and putting us (as we uſe to ſpeak) to the Horn? That is, to have the Law curſing us, and uſing the ſentence of condemnation againſt us. That which maketh us have ſuch low and undervaluing thoughts of precious Chriſt, is, becauſe the moſt part of us are not acquainted with the deep and ſerious exerciſe of the Law; that is a myſtery to the moſt part of a Chriſtians practiſe. Ye know that there were four ſtreams which went out from the Paradiſe of God, into which man was firſt placed; and ſo may we ſay, that there are four golden ſtreams, by which loſt and deſtroyed, man is brought back again to this Eden and Paradiſe of everlaſting delights. Firſt, there is the precious ſtream of Chriſts righteouſneſs, by which we muſt be juſtified. And ſecondly, there is that ſtream of his Sanctification, by which we muſt be purified. Thirdly, there is that ſtream of the wiſdom of Chriſt, by which we muſt be conducted through this wilderneſs wherein we have loſt our way. And fourthly, there is that ſtream of Chriſts Redemption, by which we muſt be delivered from the power of our enemies; and muſt turn the battel in the gate, it is by the Redemption of Chriſt, that we ſhall once ſing that triumphant ſong: O Death! where is thy ſting? O Grave! where is thy victory? O, but all theſe ſtreams will be ſweet and refreſhing to a ſoul that is hotly purſued by the Law; So long as we ſee not the uglineſs of our leproſie in that glaſs of the Law, we have our own Abana and Parpher, that we think may do our turn; but when once our caſe is truly laid open to us, then will we be content to waſh our ſelves in Jordan ſeven times.
III. There is this advantage that waiteth on the deep exerciſe of the Law, that it maketh a Chriſtian live conſtantly under the impreſſion of the ſinfulneſs of ſin. What is it that maketh ſin exceeding ſinful to a Chriſtian? Is it not this, he hath been fourty dayes in Moſes School? And we conceive that the ground why ſuch fools as we make a mock of ſin, is, becauſe we know not what it is to be under the power of his wrath, and the apprehenſions of the indignation of God.
But now to come to that which we intend to ſpeak of, we told you at the firſt occaſion that we ſpake upon theſe words, that there were many excellent things concerning the grace of Faith holden forth in them: The firſt thing which was holden forth concerning this radical grace of Faith, was the infinite advantage that redoundeth to a Chriſtian through the exerciſe of Faith, and giving obedience to this command; which we cleared, to be holden forth not only from the ſcope, but alſo from the nature of this command. And now to ſpeak a little to the point, we ſhall propoſe theſe coſiderations that may abundantly ſhow how advantagious a thing this excellent grace of Faith is.
I. The firſt conſideration that ſpeaketh it, is this, that Faith maketh Chriſt precious to a ſoul, according to that word, 1 Pet. 2.7. To you that believe, Chriſt is precious. And we would have you knowing this, that Faith maketh Chriſt more precious to a ſoul, then ſenſe, or any other thing can make him. And firſt, Faith maketh Chriſt more precious then ſenſe, becauſe the eſtimation which the grace of Faith hath of Chriſt, it is builded upon the excellency of his Perſon; but the eſtimation of ſenſe, it is builded upon the excellency of his actings; ſo that becauſe he is ſuch to them, therefore they love and eſteem him: But that heroick grace of Faith, it taketh up the excellency of Chriſts perſon, and that maketh him precious to them. Secondly, Faith makes Chriſt more precious then ſenſe, becauſe ſenſe looketh to that love which Chriſt manifeſteth in his face, and in his hands, and in his feet: But Faith looketh to that love which is in his heart. Sence will cry forth: Who is like to thee, whoſe countinance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedar; whoſe hands are as gold rings ſet with beril, and whoſe legs are like pillars of marble, ſet in ſockets of gold? Senſe will look to the ſmilings of Chriſt, and will wonder; it will look to his diſpenſations and actings, and will be conſtrained to cry out, Who is like unto thee? But the grace of Faith ſolaceth it ſelf in the fountain from whence all theſe ſprings and ſweet inundations of love do flow. Thirdly, Faith maketh Chriſt more precious then ſenſe; becauſe Faith looketh not only to what Chriſt is preſently, but unto what Chriſt is from eternity before time, and what Chriſt ſhall be unto eternity after time; but ſenſe only doth look to what Chriſt is preſently. And ye muſt conceive that the ſweet travelling of Faith betwixt infinite love from eternity before, and infinite love unto eternity after; muſt make Faith to fall in a ſea of wondering, & raiſeth the thoughts to the higheſt pitch of deſire and eſtimation. Fourthly, we may likewiſe add, that the impreſſion of the preciouſneſs of Chriſt, which ſenſe maketh upon the ſoul, is not ſo conſtant, nor ſo ſingle, as that which Faith doth make. O, but the grace of Faith giveth the Chriſtian a broad look of Chriſt, and letteth him ſee Chriſt cloathed with ornaments of glory and divine Majeſty. Senſe followeth Chriſt, rather that it may ſee his miracles and love, that it may be fed with loaves; but Faith follows Chriſt, for himſelf, above all.
II. The ſecond conſideration, to ſpeak the advantage of it, is, that the grace of Faith, it hath, as it were, an arbitrary power with God; ſo that whatſoever a Christian ſhall ſeek in Faith, he ſhall receive it. It was the noble gift that was once given to Faith, that it never ſhould ſeek any thing and be denied, according to that word in Matt. 21.22. And all things whatſoever ye ſhall ask in prayer believing, ye ſhall receive it. And that word in John 15.7. Abide in me, that is, believe; and the promiſe, is annexed to this: Whatſoever ye ſhall ask ye ſhall receive. And it is clear likewiſe from the preceeding verſe to our Text, that if we obey this command of Faith, Whatſoever we ſhal ask of God, we ſhal receive it. And I would ſpeak theſe two things to you from this. Firſt, that oftentimes Chriſt putteth a blank in a Chriſtians hand, who is much in the exerciſe of Faith, according to that in Matth 20.32. Is there not an ample blank put into that mans hand? What wilt thou that I ſhould do unto thee? Chriſt deſireth him to fill up the blank with what he would. And ſecondly, there is this, which is one of the greateſt ſteps of Chriſts matchleſs condeſcendency, that oftentimes when his own have ſought in their preſumption a blank to be put in their hand, Chriſt condeſcendeth to give it, according to that ſtrange paſſage in Mark 10.35.36. the two Diſciples who preſent this deſire to Chriſt, We deſire, ſay they, that whatſoever we ask, thou ſhouldeſt give it unto us. And preſently that is anſwered: What will ye that I ſhal do for you? Chriſt hath an infinit good will to ſatisfie the deſires of his own: and that which yet more ſpeaketh out Chriſts boundleſs good will to ſatisfie the deſires of all that belong to him, it may be decared in that word, John 16.24. where he chargeth his Diſciples with this: Hither to, ſaith he, have ye asked me nothing: ye muſt not ſuppoſe that Peter, James, and John, never ſought a ſuite of Chriſt…; but the meaning of that expreſſion is this: Ye ſought nothing in compariſon of that which I was willing to give, and which your neceſſity did call for at my hands, which ye ſhould have ſought.
III. There is this third conſideration, to poin… out the advantage of Faith: it is that grace tha… keepeth all the graces of the Spirit in life, & exerciſe. Faith is that higher wheel, at the motion o… which, all the lower wheels do move: if ſo we may ſpeak, Faith is that Primum mobile, that firſt moves and turns about all theſe lower graces of the Spirit, according to that, 2 Pet. 1.5. Add to your faith, vertue, and to your vertue, patience, and to your patience, brotherly kindneſs. Firſt, the grace of Faith keepeth in exrciſe the grace of love, as is clear, Eph. 3.17. where theſe two graces are conjoined. As likewiſe from Rom. 5.1. compared with verſe 5. Being juſtified by faith. Then this leffect followeth upon it, the love of God is ſhed abroad in our hearts. And ſo it is certain, that Faith keepeth love in life. Faith being the ſpy of the ſoul, and that intelligencer and precious meſſenger: it goeth out and bringeth in objects unto love. Faith draweth and bringeth in objects unto love. Faith draweth aſide the vail, and love ſitteth down and ſolaceth it ſelf in the diſcoveries of Faith. Secondly, the grace of Faith likewiſe it keepeth the grace of mortification in exerciſe, as is clear, not only from Eph. 6.9. but from 1 John 5.4. This is our victory whereby we overcome the world, even our faith. And it is certain that Faith keepeth mortification in exerciſe, and advanceth holineſs, not only becauſe of this, that Faith is that grace that preſenteth to a Chriſtian the abſolute purity and ſpotleſs holineſs of Jeſus Chriſt; but alſo becauſe it maketh them eſteem their idols taſte leſs as the white of an egg, and they become unto them as their ſorrowful meat. The beſt principle of mortification is this, the diſcoveries of the inviſible vertues of Jeſus Chriſt: that mortification which ariſeth from the lovely diſcoveries of the excellency of Jeſus Chriſt, is moſt real and abiding; as thoſe waters which riſe from the higheſt ſprings, are not only conſtant, but likewiſe moſt deep and excellent. Thirdly, Faith likewiſe hath influence upon mortification as it doth take hold of that infinite ſtrength that is in Chriſt, by which a Chriſtian is inabled to mortifie his coruptions. Fourthly, Faith likewiſe maketh application of the blood of ſprinkling, by which we are purified from dead works. Fifthly, likewiſe the grace of Faith keepeth in exerciſe the grace of Humility, as is clear, Rom. 3.27. By what law, ſaith he, is boaſting excluded? It is not by the law of works, but by the law of faith. Sixthly, Faith keepeth in exerciſe the grace of joy, as is clear, Rom. 15.13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing So that ye ſee the proper fruit of Faith, is joy in the holy Ghoſt. And certainly, did we believe more, we ſhould rejoice more. Seventhly, and laſtly, Faith keepeth in exerciſe the grace of Hope, for it is impoſſible for hope to be in lively exerciſes, except Faith once be exerciſed, which may be a ſhame unto you; for how can we hope to attain the thing that is promiſed, except our Faith firſt cloſe with the promiſe? So there is this difference betwixt the grace of Faith, and the grace of Hope? the grace of Faith cloſeth with the promiſes; but the grace of Hope, it cloſe… with the thing that is promiſed.
IV. There is this fourth conſideration, th… may ſpeak out the excellency of the grace … Faith. It is that grace by which a Chriſtian doth attain to moſt divine fellowſhip, and conſtant correſpondency with heaven. Would y… have that queſtion reſolved and determined What is the beſt way not to ſtir up our Beloved nor awake him until he pleaſe? It is this, be much in the grace of Faith; this is clear from Epheſ. 3.17. That Chriſt may dwel in our hearts by faith▪ By the exerciſe of all other graces, Chriſt is bu… a ſojourner, that turneth aſide to tarry but for … night: but by the exerciſe of this grace, he cometh to take up houſe with us. I will tell you what Faith is, it is a ladder that reacheth betwixt heaven and earth, by the ſteps of which, a Chriſtian doth dayly go up to heaven, and converſe with the higher Houſe. Faith is that grace, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, by which we have acceſs to the Throne of his grace. Faith uſhers in the believer to the Throne; and without it, he can have no acceſs there, nor joy when he is there.
V. Here is this advantage that attendeth the exerciſe of Faith, a believing Chriſtian is a praying Chriſtian according to that word in Mark 9.24. where theſe two are conjoined together Lord, I believe; and then he falleth to his prayer preſently, after that confeſſion, Help thou our unbelief. And it is clear from Pſal. 63.1. O God thou art my God, early will I ſeek thee: my ſoul Chriſteth for thee. And ſometimes Faith is a moſt impatient grace; but we may alwayes ſay of it that it is a moſt diligent grace. Oh! is not the neglect of this precious exerciſe of Faith, and of the duty of ſecret prayer, that makes our lean…neſs teſtifie to our face, and maketh our ſouls as a barren wilderneſs? I am perſwaded of this, that ſinc0e Ch iſt had any followers, and ſince ever this everlaſting Goſpel was preached in Paradiſe, the exerciſe of ſecret prayer was never ſo much neglected; we have turned over all our prayers into complements with God. We know not what it is to riſe at mid-night, and call upon God, and to enquire after our Maker under the ſilent watches of the night. O, but it is a ſweet diverſion from ſleep, to retire our ſelves, in the ſilent ſeaſons of the night, from all thoughts about worldly matters, and to converſe with that inviſible Majeſty.
IV. There is this ſixth conſideration, to point out the advantage of Faith, that Faith is that grace that doth facilitate a Chriſtians obedience, and maketh it moſt pleaſant and eaſie: this is clear from Heb. 11.8, By faith Abraham when he was commanded to go to a ſtrange land, obeyed, and went out, not knowing whether he went. The word may be rendered, he did chearfully obey. And verſ. 17. By faith he offered up his only ſon. Would ye know the reaſon why his commands are your burden? And why his preceps are your creſſes? It is becauſe of this ye do not believe. And ſo it is moſt certain, that it is impoſſible for a Chriſtian to attain to a pleaſant way of obedience without the exerciſe of faith. Faith holdeth up the crown to a Chriſtian, and this crown maketh him to obey. Faith gathereth ſtrength from Chriſt, and that ſtrength maketh obedience very eaſie. Faith taketh up the excellency of Chriſt, and this maketh a Chriſtian to look upon his duty, more as his dignity, then his duty. And we are perſwaded of this, that our chariot-wheel ſhould move more ſwiftly (like the chariots of Aminadab) if we were more in the exerciſe of the grace of Faith. Would ye know an anſwer to that queſtion, what is firſt more requiſite for a Chriſtian while here below? Faith. And what ſecondly, is moſt requiſite? Faith. And what thirdly, is moſt requiſite for a Chriſtian? Even Faith. Faith above all things, and above all things, Faith.
VII. There is another advantage of it, that by Faith our ſervices and prayers are accepted of God. Would ye know what is the prayer of a Chriſtian that is not in Faith? It is a ſmoak in his noſtrils, and a fire that burneth all the day. The unbelivers ſacrifice is an abomination to the Lord. This is clear from Heb. 11.4. By faith Abel offered up unto God a more acceptable ſacrifice then Cain. And we conceive, that there are many unanſwered prayers which we do put up, becauſe we want that noble exerciſe of Faith.
VIII. And laſtly, we ſhal likewiſe add this, that faith is the grace by which a Chriſtian hath that pefect and immediate ſight, as is were, of great things that are promiſed to him. Faith bringeth a Chriſtian within ſight of Heaven, and Faith bringeth a Chriſtian within ſight of God, according to that word, Heb. 11.1. Faith is the evidence of things not ſeen. And that noble Paradox that is ſaid of Faith, Heb. 11.27. By faith Moſes ſaw him that is inviſible. Is it not an impoſſible thing to ſee that which cannot be ſeen? But the meaning of it is this, that Faiths diſcoveries of God are as certain and ſure as the diſcoveries of our bodily eyes are. Faith is an intelligent grace, yea, it is a moſt ſure and infallible grace. What will Faith not do? And what can you do who want Faith?
Now to enforce the advantages and excellencies of Faith a little more, we ſhal propoſe to you the diſadvantages of that woful ſin of unbelief.
1. There is this diſadvantage of the ſin of unbelief, that all the actions that proceed from an unbeliever, they are impure and defiled, according to that in Tit. 1.15. But unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conſcience is defiled, their prayer is unclean; yea, as Solomon ſpeaketh, their plowing in ſin; yea, their going about the moſt excellent duties (for matter) is an abomination to God, according to that word, Rom. 14.23. What ever is not of faith, is ſin. So the want of Faith is the great polluter of all our actions, and of all our performances.
2. There is this ſecond diſadvantage of misbelief, that it is impoſſible for one in the exerciſe of unbelief, to mortifie a luſt or idol; and we may allude unto thoſe words in Matth. 17.20. when his Diſciples came to him, & asked him this queſtion, Why could not we caſt out this devil? Tha… was given as an anſwer, Becauſe of your unbelief. Unbelief is that which taketh up arms for out idols, and doth moſt ſtrongly defend them; for there is nothing that will kill corruption ſo much as the exerciſe of Faith: and when that is laid aſide, we have laid by our weapons, and have in a manner, concluded a treaty of peace with our idols that we ſhal not offend them, if they do not offend us.
3. There is this diſadvantage that waiteth upon the ſin of unbelief, that ſuch an one cannot win to attain to the grace of eſtabliſhment, but is alwayes as the waves of the ſea toſſed to and fro, until once he win to the exerciſe of Faith, as is clear from Iſai. 7.9. Except ye believe, ye ſhal not be establiſhed.
4. There is this diſadvantage that waiteth on it, is the mother of hardneſs and ſtupidity of heart, according to that word in Mark 16.14, where he upbraideth them becauſe of their unbelief; and then that danger followeth, to with hardneſs of heart, this is clear alſo from Acts 19 9. where theſe two ſiſter-devils are conjoined and locked together, unbelief and hardneſs of heart; becauſe it is unblief indeed that hindereth all the graces, by which the grace of Tenderneſs muſt be maintained.
5. There is this diſadvantage in the ſin of unbelief, that it is big with child of apoſtaſie from God, and of defection from him according to that word, Heb. 3.12. Beware leſt their be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (and there the fruit of it) to depart from the living God. And certainly it is no wonder that unbelief travels in birth, till that curſed child of apoſtaſie be brought forth; not only becauſe of this, that an unbeliever looſeth the thought of the excellency of Chriſt, but alſo becauſe he increaſeth in his thoughts of love towards his Idols; for Chriſt doth decreaſe in thoſe who misbeſieve, and their Idols do increaſe in their love, and in their deſires, and in their eſtimation.
6. There is this ſixth diſadvantage in the ſin of unbelief, it hindereth the communication of many ſingle workings and tokens of the love and favor of the moſt High, according to that ſad word that is in Matth. 13.58. at the cloſe, He could not do many mighty works there, becauſe of their unbelief. Unbelief, as it were, laid a reſtraint on Chriſt, that he could not effectuat thoſe things which he was willing to perform. And to ſhut up our diſcourſe at this time, I would only add theſe two aggravations which may ſomewhat enforce what we have ſpoken. I ſay, there are theſe two aggravations in the ſin of unbelief, even in his own who have a right (& alſo his call) to believe. 1. That after that Chriſt hath given moſt ſenſible diſcoveries of himſelf (Wherein we have ſeen him, as it were, face to face) yet ye will not believe. This is clear from John 6.36. Though ye have ſeen me, ſaith Chriſt, yet ye do not belive in me. There is not a manifeſtation of Chriſts preſence, but it i… a witneſs againſt you of your unbelief: Woul… you hear the voyce of ſenſe that is rectified? It i… this, believe on the Son of God. 2. That notwithſtanding of the ſignal demonſtrations of the power of Chriſt, yet though it were the mortifying of ſome luſt and Idol within them, yet they will not believe, but upon new temptations will doubt of his love to them. Chriſt preacheth Faith by his Word; he preacheth Faith by his ſufferings; he preacheth Faith by his diſpenſations; he preacheth Faith by his promiſes; he preacheth Faith by his rods: and if theſe five inſtruments will not ingage your hearts to believe, who can move them? Doth not his two wounds in his precious hands, preach out this point of Faith, Believe him? Doth not that hole opened in his ſide, preach this doctrine, That we ſhould believe in him? And theſe two wounds that he received in his precious feet, do they not preach this, That we ſhould believe on a crucified Saviour? And we would only ſay this, that ſometimes it is the ca…e of his own, that after the convictions of this, that it is their duty to believe, and alſo after ſome deſires to cloſe with Chriſt, yet they find inability to cloſe with him. Is it not certain, that to will (to believe) is ſometime preſent with you; but how to perform, you know not? And I would have a Chriſtian making this fourfold uſe of ſuch a diſpenſation as that (which is moſt ordinarily) when convictions of our duty to believe, and ſome deſires to cloſe with Chriſt, is not followed with actual performances.
1. To ſtudy to have your convictions more …eeply rooted within you, for it doth ſometimes …llow, that reſolutions and mints to believe, are …ot bleſt with actual believing, becauſe the con…iction of our duty to believe, is not deeply im…rinted upon our conſcience.
2. Be convinced of that deſperate enmity (and …hat myſtery of iniquity) that is within you, that …e can have ſome will to do, without ability to …erform. We confeſſe, it is not an ordinary diſ…aſe in theſe dayes, to have ſuch a contrariety betwixt a Chriſtians will and his practice, our will …or the moſt part being no better than our praſtice, but ſomtimes it is, which may make you …ry forth, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall de…iver me from this body of death?
3. That ye would be much in the imploying of Chriſt, that as he hath given you to will, ſo alſo he might make you to do. Chriſt is about to convince his own in ſuch a diſpenſation as that, That Faith is the gift of God; Faith is ſo noble a grace that it cannot be ſpinned out from our reſolutions, not from our endeavors, Faith is ſuch a divine plant, as the Fathers right hand muſt plant in our ſouls.
4. Let it convince you of the excllency of the grace of Faith (for the difficulty of the attaining to any thing may ſpeak out the excellency of that thing) there is no ſin but it may be eaſily win at, there is an eaſineſſe and facility to overtake the paths of our Idols, but the graces of the Spirit are ſo excellent things, that we muſt figh… before we attain them. And you who are ſtra… gers to Chriſt Jeſus (and have never know what it is to cloſe with him) we would reque… you in Chriſts name to be reconciled to him. What know ye, O men (or rather Atheiſts) be this ſhall be the laſt ſummons that ye ſhal get … believe? And that becauſe ye diſobey this precious ſummons, there ſhal be one preſented t… you, that ye cannot ſit. I remember of one ma… who looking upon many thouſands that we… under his command, weeped over them whe… he conſidered, how that within a few years all theſe ſhould be laid in their graves, and ſhould be in eternity. O but it were much of our concernment to be trying our ſelves how it is with us; we are not afraid that it is a breach of charit, to wiſh, that but one of each ten that are within theſe doors, were heirs of the grace of life, and had the ſolide and ſpiritual expectation of heaven. I think, if Chriſt were to come preſently to ſpeak to us, He might not only ſay to each twelve that are here, One of you ſhal betray me, but we are afraid that he ſhould ſay to each twelve that are here Eleven of you ſhal betray me, and but one only ſhall paſſe free. O doth it not concern you to enquire where you ſhal reſt at night; when the long ſhadows of everlaſting evening ſhal be ſtretched out upon you? I think there are ſome that are ſo ſetled upon their lees, that if they were one day in hell, and ſaw all the torments that are there, and were brought from it the next day to live on earth, they would …ot repent: And more, there are ſome that take …hem up on day to ſee the joyes of Heaven, and bring them back again, they would not purſue after theſe bleſſed and everlaſting enjoyments. O is not Chriſt much undervalued by us? But I muſt tell you this, One wo is paſt, but behold another wo is coming. O the ſearchings of thoſe ſpirits who are entered into their everlaſting pri…on houſe, out of which their is no redemption. What ſhal be your choiſe, when Chriſt ſhall come in the clouds? I am preſwaded there are many, to whom at that day, this Doctrine would be raviſhing, viz. That there were not a death, that there were not a God, and that there were not an eternity. O! will you believe, That the ſword of the juſtice of God is bathed in heaven, and ſhall come down to make a ſacrifice, not in the land of Idumea nor in the land of Bezra; but he is to make a ſacrifice amongſt his people, who ſeemed to make a Covenant with him by ſacrifice. Ah, ah, ſhall we ſay that if that argument were uſed to many; that within fourty dayes they ſhould be at their long and everlaſting home, they would yet ſpend thirty nine of thoſe dayes in taking pleaſure upon their luſts. I am perſwaded of this; that there are many who think that the way betwixt heaven and earth, is but one dayes journey; they think they can believe in one day, and triumphant night. But, O it ſhal be ſhort triumphing that ſuch Believers as thoſe ſhal have. Therefore, O dy to cloſe with a crucified Saviour; reſt on hi… by Faith, delight your ſelves in him with lo… and let your ſouls be longing for the day whe… that voyce ſhall be heard in Heaven, O ho… ſweetly will it be ſung! Ariſe, ariſe, ariſe, my lov… my dove, my fair one and come away; for beh… your Winter is paſt your everlasting Summer is com… and the time of the ſinging of the birds is ne… When Chriſt ſhall come over theſe Mountains … Bether, he ſhall cry, Behold, I come, and the ſow ſhall ſweetly anſwer, Come bleſſed Lord Jeſu… come. O what a life ſhall it be, that with thoſe two arms you ſhould eternally incircle Chriſt, an… hold him in your arms, or rather be incircled by him? Wait for him for he ſhall come, and his reware is with him, and he ſhal once take home the we… ried travellers of hope.