The Mystery of Faith Opened Up, Part 1 · Sermon 6
SERMON III.
JOHN 3.23.
This is his Commandment, that ye ſhould believe on the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, &c.
THere are three moſt precious and cardinal graces which a Chriſtian ought mainly to purſue; there is that exalting grace of Faith, that comforting grace of Hope, and that aſpiring grace of Love: And if once a Chriſtian did take up that heavenly difference that is betwixt theſe ſiſter-graces, he might be provoked to move after them moſt ſwiftly, as the chariots of Aminadab. And there is this difference between theſe graces; Faith is a ſober and ſilent grace: Hope is a patient and ſubmiſſive grace: Love is an ambitious and impatient grace. Faith cryeth out; O my ſoul! be ſilent unto God. Hope cryeth out, I will wait patiently for the Lord, until the viſion ſhal ſpeak. But Love, it cryeth out, How long art thou a coming? And it is waiting to hear the ſound of his feet coming over the mountains of ſeparation. That is the Motto of Hope, Quod defertur, non aufertur; that which is delayed, ſaith Hope, is not altogether taken away, and made void: And that may be the divine embleme of the grace of Love. It is Sight, infolding Deſire in … arms, and it is deſire cloathed with wings, treading upon Delay and Impediments. There is this ſecond difference between theſe graces; the grace of Faith, it embraceth the truth of the promiſes: the grace of Hope, it embraceth the goodneſs of the thing that is promiſed: but that exalting grace of Love; it imbraceth the Promiſer. Faith cryeth out, Hath he ſpoken it? he will alſo do it. Hope cryeth out, Good is the word of the Lord, be it unto thy ſervant according to thy promiſe. And Love it cryeth out in an higher note, As is the apple tree amongſt the trees of the wood ſo is my well-Beloved amongſt the ſons. Thirdly, there is that difference between theſe graces; Faith, it overcometh temptations: Hope, it overcometh difficulties; but Love ſtayeth at home, and divideth the ſpoil. There is a ſweet correſpondence between thoſe graces, in this, Faith it fighteth and conquereth: and Hope, it fighteth and conquereth, but Love, it doth enjoy the trophies of the victory. And fourthly, there is this difference, the noble grace of Faith, it ſhal once evaniſh into ſight. That noble grace of Hope, it ſhall once vaniſh into poſſeſſion and enjoyment, but that conſtant grace of Love, it ſhal be the eter… companion of a Chriſtian, and ſhall walk in with him unto the ſtreets of the New Jeruſalem. And I would ask you that queſtion, What a day ſhal it be when Faith ſhal cede to Sight? What a day ſhal it be when Hope ſhal yeeld its place to Love; and Love and Sight ſhal eternally fit down and ſolace themſelves in theſe bleſſed myſteries, theſe everlaſting conſolations of heaven, world without end? And fifthly, there is this difference, leſs will ſatisfie the grace of Faith, and the grace of Hope, then will ſatisfie the grace of Love. Faith it will be content with the promiſe, and Hope will be content with the thing that is promiſed; but that ambitious grace of Love, it will be only content with the Promiſer. Love claſpeth its arms about that precious and noble object Jeſus Chriſt. Love is a ſuſpicious grace, it oftentimes cryeth forth, They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. So that Faith is oftentimes put to reſolve ſuſpicions of Love. I can compare theſe three graces to nothing ſo fitly, as to thoſe three great worthies that David had: Theſe three graces they will break thorow all difficulties, were it an hoſt of Philiſtins, that ſo they may pleaſure Chriſt, and may drink of the well of Bethlehem, that well of everlaſting conſolation that floweth from beneath the throne of God. Love is like Noahs dove, it never findeth reſt for the ſole of its foot, until once it be within that Ark, that place of repoſe Jeſus Chriſt. And ſixthly, there is this laſt difference between them, Faith taketh hold upon the faithfulneſs of Chriſt. Hope taketh hold upon the goodneſs of Chriſt; but Love it taketh hold upon the heart of Chriſt. And think ye not it muſt be a pleaſant and ſoulrefreſhing exerciſe, to be continually taken up in embracing him that is that eternal admiration of Angels? Muſt it not be an excellent life, dayly to be feeding upon the finest of the wheat, and to be ſatisfied with honey out of the rock? O, but heaven muſt be a pleaſant place! And if once we would but taſte of the firſt ripe grapes, and a cluſter of wine that groweth in that pleaſant land, might we not be conſtrained to bring up a good report of it?
But now to come to that which I purpoſe mainly to ſpeak of at this time. The laſt thing concerning Faith that we propoſed from the words, was, the object upon which Faith exerciſeth it ſelf, which is here ſet down to be the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt. And that we may ſpeak to this more clearly, we ſhal firſt ſpeak a litle to the negative, what things are not the fit object of Faith: And then to the poſitive, ſhowing how this Name of God, and of his Son Chriſt, is that ſure ground upon which a Chriſtian may pitch his faith. For the firſt, ye muſt know that a Chriſtian is not to build his faith upon ſenſe, nor ſenſible enjoyments. Senſe may be an evidence of Faith, but it muſt not be the foundation of Faith. I know there are ſome that ofttimes cry out, Except I put my fingers into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into the hole of his ſide, I will not believe. And indeed it is a myſtery unto the moſt part of us, to be exerciſing Faith upon a naked word of promiſe, abſtracted from ſenſe: to love an abſent Chriſt, and to believe on an abſent Chriſt, are the two great myſteries of Chriſtianity. But that ſenſe is no good foundation for Faith, may appear. 1. That Faith which is builded upon fenſe, is a moſt unconſtant, a moſt fluctuating and tranſient Faith. I know ſenſe hath its fits of love, and as it were, hath its fits of faith. Sometimes ſenſe is ſick of love, and ſometimes ſenſe is ſtrong in faith; but ere ſix hours go about, ſenſe may be ſick of jealouſie, and ſick of misbelife, as ye will ſee from Pſal. 30.6.7. Senſe that bold thing, it will inſtantly cry out, My mountain standeth ſtrong, I ſhal never be moved: but behold how ſoon it changeth its note, Thou hideſt thy face, and I was troubled. At one time it will cry forth, Who is like unto him that pardoneth iniquity, and that paſſeth over tranſgreſſions? But ere many hours go about, it will ſing a long upon another key, and cry out, Why art thou become unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail? 2. That Faith which is built upon ſenſe, it wanteth the promiſe of bleſſedneſs; for this is annexed to believing, that is founded upon the word, according to that in John 20.29. Bleſſed are thoſe that have not ſeen, and yet have believed. Nor hath that Faith that is built upon ſenſe, ſuch a ſolide joy waiting on it, as Faith that is built upon the naked word of promiſe; as may be cleared from that word, 1. Pet. 1.8. where Faith exerciſing it ſelf upon Chriſt not ſeen, maketh a Chriſtian to rejoice with joy unſpeakeable, and full of glory: … joy that doth not attend believing founded upon ſenſe. 3. That Faith that is built upon ſenſe, … giveth not much glory to God: for Faith that is built upon ſenſe, it exalteth not the faithfulneſſ of God, it exalteth not the Omnipotency of God. I will tell you what is the divinity of ſenſe; Let me ſee, and then I will believe, but it knoweth not what it is to believe upon truſt, and becauſe the Lord hath ſpoken in his Holineſs. And in effect, Faith that is built upon ſenſe, is no faith; even as Rom 8. Hope that is ſeen, is no hope: and therefore when the Lord ſeeth a Chriſtian making ſenſe an Idol, that he will not believe but when he ſeeth or feeleth, this doth often provoke the Majeſty of the Lord to withdraw himſelf from that Chriſtian, and to deny him the ſweet influences of Heaven, and thoſe conſolations that are above, ſo that in an inſtant he hath both his ſenſe and his faith to ſeek.
2. A Chriſtian is not to make his graces the object of his Faith; that is, when a Chriſtian doth behold love burning within him, when he doth be hold influences to prayer increaſing, and mortification waxing ſtrong, he is not to build his faith upon them: this was condemned in the Church, Ezek. 16.14. compared with the 15. verſe: I made thee perfect with my comlineſs? but the uſe that thou didſt make of it, thou didſt put thy truſt in thy beauty, and then thou didſt play the harlot. It is certain that grace when it is the object of our Faith, it doth provoke God to blaſt the lively exerciſe thereof, and to make a Chriſtian oft times have that complaint; Wo to me, my leanneſs, my leanneſs teſtifieth to my face. I will tell you three great myſteries in Chriſtianity about grace. The firſt is, to ride marches between theſe two; not to deny what they have, and yet to be denyed to what they have: Many times there is grace-denying, and not ſelf-denying; but this is that we would preſs upon you, to be denyed to grace, according to that which is recorded of Moſes, His face did ſhine, and he knew it not: He did misken it, as it were, and was not at all puffed up with it: for ſo the words, we conceive, may run. Secondly, it is a great difficulty for a Chriſtian to be denyed to his ſelf-denyal, to be humble in his being humble: for if pride can have no other foundation, it will build it ſelf upon humility; and a Chriſtian will grow proud in this, that he is growing humble. Thirdly, it is a difficulty for a Chriſtian to examine his growing in grace, and not to be puffed up. It is certain a Chriſtian ought to examine his growth in grace humbly, according to that Pſal. 63.8. My ſoul followeth hard after thee, thy right hand upholdeth me, He doth not only take notice of this, that his ſoul did follow after God; but of the meaſure of that purſuit, my ſoul followeth hard after thee; and yet ſweetly acknowledgeth it was not his own feet which carried him, nor his own hand that kept him from falling.
3. Ye are not to build your faith upon your works, and upon the righteouſneſs of the Law. I need not ſtand long to refute that practical Popery that is amongſt us, that thinketh we can go to heaven through a covenant of works. I told you, not long ſince, what your going to heaven through a covenant of works ſpeaketh, even this horrible blaſphemy, that it was an act of monſtruous folly to ſend Chriſt to die for ſinners: for if you can go to heaven without him, was not then Chriſt crucified in vain? And I would tell you now, that this ſpeaketh out your damnable ignorance of the weakneſs and deceitfulneſs of your own hearts. O ye that are ſo great defenders of Salvation by the covenant of works, I beſeech you, what is the reaſon that ye break the covenant of works oftener then any? For there is none that thinketh they will go to heaven this way, but thoſe that are the greateſt breakers of the covenant of works. And is not that inconſiſtent, and contradictory Divinity, your faith contradicting your practice, and your practice telling you that your faith is a lie?
4. We muſt not mix our own righteouſneſs with Chriſts as the object of our believing: This is indeed an evil that often lodgeth in the boſom of the moſt refined hypocrite, when Satan cannot prevail to exclude Chriſt altogether, then he is content with that whoriſh Woman to divide the child; and let the object of our Faith be half of Chriſt, and half of ſelf: And the truth is, many of theſe poor unwiſe ſons, who ſtay long in the place of breaking forth of children, do willingly hearken to this overture, for fear it be preſumption for ſuch poor wretches to meddle too boldly with the riches of Chriſt, but it were good ſuch weak ones would conſider that word, Rom. ….2, where the holy Goſt calleth the making … of his righteouſneſs an act of ſubmiſſion, they … not ſubmitted, ſaith he, unto the righteouſneſs of Chriſt. O will ye not lay this to heart, that our Lord will take your believing, or your putting on his righteouſneſs for an act of great humility, and will take your misbelief as a marvelous act of the higheſt pride and preſumption?
5. We are not to make providence the object of our faith. I know there are ſome that ask the ground of their right of heaven, they will tell us that God hath been kind to them all their dayes; I would only ſay to ſuch, He may be feeding you unto the day of ſlaughter, and no man knoweth love or hatred by any thing that is before him. Thus much of the object of Faith negatively. And now to ſpeak to it poſitively, we ſee the Text holdeth out Chriſt himſelf as that excellent and compleat object of Faith, This is his Commandment, that we believe on the Name of his Son: And thus Faith cloſeth with Chriſt under a fourfold conſideration. Firſt, it cloſeth with God in Chriſt, not with God immediatly and nakedly, for he dwelleth in light inacceſſible, that no man can approach unto; He is higher than the Heaven, what can we do? and deeper than hell, what can we know? Job 11. Therefore we muſt approach unto him thorow a vail, even the vail of Chriſt his fleſh; Heb. 10. God is a conſuming fire, and of purer eyes then that he can behold iniquity, a… therefore we muſt firſt caſt our eyes upon tha… bleſſed Dayes-man that laid his hands upon us both; and look unto God as in Chriſt, reconciling … world to himſelf, and ſo draw near unto hi… through a Mediator, who is the firſt and the laſt, and he that liveth and was dead, and is alive fo… evermore, able to ſave to the uttermoſt all th… come unto God by him, ſeeing he liveth for ever to make interceſſion for them. Secondly, Faith cloſeth with Chriſt, as tendered freely in a covenant of promiſe: we would have had nothing to do with Chriſt, if he had not been given of the Father, and offered himſelf in a free covenant of promiſe; but he being thus holden forth upon terms of free Love, which doth utterly abominate hire, and ſo noble a proclamation iſſued forth under the great ſeal of Heaven, That whoſoever will, may come and drink of the water of life freely. Upon this the poor creature draweth near by vertue of a right, and ſtretching out the arm… of moſt enlarged affections, doth run upon him with that joyful ſhout, My Lord, my God: and then maketh an abſolute reſignation of it ſelf to him, which is holden out in the Scripture, by that ſweet expreſſion of kiſſing of the Son. And there are three parts of Chriſts bleſſed body that the Chriſtian muſt endeavor to kiſs and embrace; the mouth of Chriſt, the hand of Chriſt, and the feet of Chriſt. The kiſſing of his feet importeth the exerciſe of love, the kiſſing of his hands, the exerciſe of ſubjection, and the kiſſing of his mouth, the exerciſe of communion and fellowſhip with him. Thirdly, Faith cloſeth with Chriſt, as the purchaſer and meritorious cauſe of all the good we receive. He is the perſon that hath purchaſed all theſe things unto us, and there is not one blink of love, there is nor the ſmalleſt enjoyment that a Chriſtian meeteth with, but it is the price of the blood of Chriſt; Chriſts precious blood was laid down for it. Fourthly, Faith cloſeth with Chriſt as the efficient and worker of all our mercies; all our enjoyments are from him as the efficient cauſe; that is, he is the worker of all things in us, it is his preciouſs fingers that muſt accompliſh that bleſſed work of grace, and they are from Chriſt as the diſpenſer of theſe things. Chriſt is the great ſteward of heaven that doth communicate unto believers all the treaſures of the higher Houſe; For him hath God the Father ſealed. O! but that word that Chriſt once ſpake, is much verified by himſelf, It is more bleſſed to give, then to receive. Chriſt is that fountain and treaſure in whom all our gifts and graces are …reaſured up; for before the bleſſing come to believers, they come to Chriſt as the head, according to that word, 2 Tim. 1.9. Which grace was given to us in him, before the foundations of the world were laid. It was given to Chriſt before the world was made, and for that end, that it might be communicated unto all his members, and ſo out of his fulneſs we ſhal receive, and grace for grace.
But, ſecondly, the Text holdeth more part… cularly this excellent object of Faith, to be t… Name of his Son, That ye believe in the Name … his Son. And here indeed we may be at a ſtand▪ It is long ſince Agar did non plus all the wo… with that queſtion, What is his Name, and wh… is his Sons Name, if thou canſt tell? O how little a thing can be known of him? And, O how brutiſh is this generation that knoweth ſo much leſſe, then might be known of him in ſuch a day of the Goſpel. But that we may ſpeak a little according to our weak meaſure of Faith, as cloſing with the Name of Chriſt. His Name is his glorious attributes, by which he revealeth ſo much of himſelf in the Scriptures, as poor mortals can take up. We did ſhow you before, that there was three of theſe that were the main pillars … juſtifying Faith, Faithfulneſs, Omnipotency, a… his infinite Love and Mercy. And how from the… may be anſwered all the objections of ſenſe, o… carnal reaſon, and of misbelief, ariſing from convictions of unworthineſs. And certain it is, tha… faith in all its conflicts, maketh much uſe of th… Names of Chriſt. And there is not an object tha… a poor tempted ſoul can make, but faith can fram… an anſwer to it, out of ſome of theſe excelle… Names of God, or of his Son Chriſt. It woul… be a more long-ſome work, than I intend, to le… you ſee this in all; But I ſhall only inſtance tha… in One glorious Name of God, by which he proclaimeth his glory, Exod. 34. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-ſuffering, and abundant in goodneſs and truth: keeping mercy for …uſands, forgiving iniquity, tranſgreſſion and …, and that will by no means clear the guilty, &c. think there are ſeven ordinary objections which …ay be anſwered from that place. Firſt, it is an …dinary objection which misbelievers do make, …hat they are under the ſtrength of their corrup…ion: that they are black as the Tents of Kedar, and not beautiful as the Curtains of Solomon: And doth not the firſt letter of that Name an…ner this, that he is a merciful Lord, the one im…orting his ability to ſave, and to bring down every high imagination: The other importing is infinite delight to help thoſe that have no rength, and are under the power of their adver…ries, the power of God being of no larger ex…nt then this love? There is that ſecond ob…ection of misbelief, that we have nothing to com…end us to Chriſt; but all that we have to boaſt of, are infirmities and imperfections: and this …s abundantly anſwered from that ſecond letter … his name, that he is Gracious, which impor…th the freedom of the diſpenſations of his love, …hat he walketh not with us, according to that …le of merit; but according to that golden and ex…ellent rule of love. It is a great diſpute whether Mercy or Grace be the greateſt wonder, whether …he love of Chriſt, or the freedom of it, be the …reateſt myſtery, ſure both theſe put together …ake up a matchleſs wonder? Thirdly, misbelief will object that we have forſaken him dayes without number, and that we cannot trace b… our apoſtacy unto the firſt day of its riſe: and not that abundantly anſwered from that letter … his Name, that he is long-ſuffering? This be… that glorious attribute in God, the glory of wh… he defireth to magnifie above all his Name. Fourthly, misbelief doth ordinarily propoſe this objection, that we have multiplied our tranſgreſſion and have committed whoordome under every gr… tree; and have given gifts to our lovers, even … ring our idols, ſo that we may take up that … mentation, Is not our ſin great, and our tranſgreſion infinite? And is not this alſo anſwered … that letter of his Name, that he is abundant goodneſs? That though ſin abound in us, y… grace doth much more ſuperabound in him. W… confeſs indeed, that there are ſome that may w… under that condition, that if they had no oth… exerciſe throughout eternity, but to make confeſſion, they might confeſs, and never ma… any needleſs repetition. And truly in ſome … ſpect it is a mercy that we are myſteries unto … ſelves: for if we did know compleatly the ſev… abominations of our hearts, and theſe myſteri… actings of the body of death, we would be in … zard to chooſe ſtrangling and death, rather … life. Yet may not one glimpſe of that abunda… goodneſs ſatisfie us, and calm the ſtorm? Fift… ty, ſaith misbelief, we know that we have brok… our vowes and covenants with God, and that … theſe things that we have taken on, have be… but as flax before the fire of temptation; ſo t… …e have no hope that he will have mercy upon …hoſe that have broken wedlock, and have not ſeen ſtedfaſt in his covenant: But is not that …undantly anſwered from that letter of his Name, That he is abundant in truth; which ſpea…eth that, That though we deny our ſelves, yet he abideth faithful, and doth not alter the words that hath gone out of his mouth. It is the infini…e bleſſedneſs of man, that though he be changeable, yet they have to do with one that is an unchangeable being. Sixthly, there is that objection, That notwithſtanding all theſe things are matters of encouragement to ſome, yet they know …ot whether or not the lot of everlaſting love hath fallen upon them, and whether their names …e in the ancient records of heaven. But this is anſwered from that letter of his Name, He kee…eth mercy for thouſands; which ſhoweth us that great number of thoſe upon whom the lot of ever…aſting love ſhal fall. And if there were no other …entence in all the Scripture, this might be a ſuf…icient matter of a ſong, and might make us cry …ut, Who is like unto him, whoſe compaſſions have …o end? And who deſires to magnifie his mercy …ove all his works. And laſtly, misbelief maketh his objection, They have ſinned not only againſt …ight, not only againſt vows, not only after much …njoyment of God, but even after the application … threatnings, ſo that they conceive, that their …aker will not have mercy upon ſuch. Yet this is …ally anſwered likewiſe from that letter of his Name, He forgiveth tranſgreſſion, iniquity and ſin which three words do abundantly ſpeak forth that there is no tranſgreſſion which he will no… pardon; there being but one particular among… all that innumerable number of ſins which lo… geth in the heart of fallen men, that he declared unpardonable: and there is none of our diſeaſe … that is above the infinite art of love; and concerning which, we can take up that complaint, There is no balm in Gilead, and there is no I hyſician there. And though providence may muſter up many impoſſibilities; yet let Faith take the promiſe in the one hand, and impoſſibilities in the other, and deſire God to reconcile them; That if we cannot ſee any connexion between providence and the word, yet may we reflect upon the Omnipotency of God, that can make things that are ſeeming contrary, ſweetly agree together: the Commentary will never deſtroy the Text, no… providence will never deſtroy the faithfulneſs of God. And let me give you this advice, that thoſe objections of misbelief which you cannot anſwer, and in a manner putteth you to a non plus; and when ye have looked over all the Names of God, ye cannot find an anſwer to them: ſlight them and cover them, as we have often told you, w… the practice of believing Abraham, Rom. 4.19. where that ſtrong objection of misbelief appearing before his eyes, the deadneſs of his body, a… the barrenneſs of Sarahs womb; it is recorded … him, he confidered not theſe things; as it were, … had a divine tranſition from the objections … misbelief to the acting of faith: and this is cle… from Matth. 15.25.26. where that ſtrong objection of misbelief being propoſed againſt that woman, that ſhe was not within the compaſs of Chriſts commiſſion, ſhe hath a noble way of anſwering with this; Lord, have mercy upon me. And (if ſo we may ſpeak) Faith hath a kind of divine impertinency in anſwering the objections of miſbelief; or rather a holy ſlighting of them that gaineth the victory, when cavelling with temptations will not do it. The like alſo may be inſtanced in his Sons Name: O how glorious titles are given to that Prince of the Kings of the earth, and to that Plant of renown, upon which the weakeſt faith may caſt anchor, and ride out the greateſt ſtorm. I ſhal not detain you long on this ſubject; but this we would have you know, that there is no ſtraint or difficulty that a Chriſtian can be expoſed unto, but there is ſome name or attribute of Chriſt that may ſweetly anſwer that difficulty, and make up that diſadvantage. Is a Chriſtian expoſed unto afflictions and troubles in a preſent world, let him comfort himſelf in this, that Chriſt is the ſhadow of a great rock in a wearied land. Is a Chriſtian under inward anxiety and vexation of mind, let him comfort himſelf in this, that Chriſt is the God of peace, and of all conſolation. Is a Chriſtian under darkneſs and confuſion of ſpirit, let him comfort himſelf in this, that Chriſt is the Father of lights, and is the eternal wiſdom of God. Is a Chriſtian under the convictions of this, that he is under the power and dominion of his luſts. let him comfort himſelf in this, that Chriſt is redemption; yea (that I ſtay no longer) if it were poſſible that a Chriſtian could have a neceſſity that he could not find a Name in Chriſt to anſwer it, he may lawfully frame a Name to Chriſt out of any promiſe in all the book of God, and he ſhould find it forth-coming for the relieving and making up of that neceſſity, God would not diſappoint his expectation.
There is yet one thing further, in reference to the object of Faith, which we ſhal deſire you to take notice of; and it is the way of Faiths cloſing with its noble object, and its reſting on him; and this we conceive may be excellently taken up by our conſidering of the many ſeveral Names that Faith getteth in Scripture, beyond any other of the graces of the Spirit. It is called looking, Iſai. 45.22. Looking unto me. It is called, abiding in Chriſt, John 15.4. Abide in me. It is called, a keeping ſilence unto God, Pſal. 37.7. My ſoul, truſt in God: or as the word is in the original, My ſoul, be ſilent unto God: and that in Pſal. 62.1. My ſoul waiteth: or as the word is, Truly my ſoul is ſilent unto God. Likewiſe Faith is called a leaning, Pſal. 7.15. I have leaned upon thee from my mothers womb. Faith it is called, an eating of Chriſts fleſh, John. 6.53. Faith it is called, a caſting of our burden upon God, Pſal. 55.22. Caſt your burden upon God. And Faith it is called, a coming unto God, Matth. 11.28. And according to theſe different names, there are ſeven noble properties and matchleſs differences of this grace of Faith. The firſt is, that this is the grace by which a Chriſtian doth enjoy much communion with God: hence it is called a looking, which importeth that Faith is a continual contemplation of the immortal ſoul upon that precious and excellent object Jeſus Chriſt. There is that ſecond property of Faith, that it is that grace by which a communion with God is maintained; hence it is called, an abiding in God. It is that grace which maketh Chriſt and the believer to dwel together. The third property of Faith is, that it is a moſt ſubmiſſive grace; hence it is called, a keeping ſilence unto God. Faith as it were, knoweth not what it is to repine. It is the noble excellency of Faith, it never knew what it was to miſconſtruct Chriſt. It is the noble excellency of Faith, it never knew what it was to paſs an evil report upon Chriſt. Faith it will promiſe good things to a Chriſtian in the darkeſt night: for when Love asketh Faith that queſtion, Iſai 21.11.12. Watch-men, what of the night? Watch-men, what of the night? Or, when ſhal the morning break? Faith anſwereth it with the words that follow (only a little inverting the order) The night cometh and alſo the morning. The morning is approaching that admitteth of no following night. There is that fourth property of Faith, it is the grace that keepeth a Chriſtian in perſeverance, by its building upon the Rock: hence it is called, a leaning upon God: for a Chriſtian by faith, doth perpetually join himſelf to Chriſt, ſo that whatever trouble he be caſt into, by Faith he cometh up out of that wilderneſs, leaning upon his Beloved: and by Faith he is led up to the Rock that is higher then he, where he may ſit in ſaftey, and even laugh at death and deſtruction, when aſſailing him. There is that fifth property of Faith, that it is the grace that bringeth ſatisfaction: to the ſpiritual ſenſes of a Chriſtian, by a cloſe and particular application of Chriſt, as the nowriſhment of the ſoul: hence it is called, an eating of the fleſh of Chriſt. There are three ſenſes that Faith ſatisfieth; Faith ſatisfreth the ſenſe of ſight, it ſatisfieth the ſenſe of taſte, and it ſatisfieth the ſenſe of touch. Faith will make a Chriſtian handle that eternal Word of life. Faith will make a Chriſtian ſee that noble plant of renown: and Faith will make a Chriſtian taſte and ſee how gracious the Lord is. And, no doubt, thoſe that have once ſatisfied their ſight, they will be longing to ſatisfie their taſte. There is that ſixth property of Faith, it is that grace which giveth reſt unto a Chriſtian: hence it is called, a caſting of our burden upon him. It is, as it were, the ſoul giving unto Chriſt that unſupportable yoke of our iniquities, and taking from Chriſt that eaſie and portable yoke of his commandments. And ſeventhly, there is that laſt property of Faith, it is that grace by which ſanctification is promoved: hence it is called, a coming to Chriſt. It is the ſoul in a divine motion, and travelling from the land of Egypt, unto th… land of Canaan. Faith, it is the ſoul in a pleaſant motion from the land of the North, the land o… our captivity, unto the land of perfect liberty, all along going out by the footſteps of the flock, and walking in that new and living way, even in him who is the way, the truth, and the life.
And now for a more full application of this, we ſhal ſpeak but two things further. 1. We would have it conſidered, that there are ſome that come unto the covenant of promiſe with leſs difficulty, and after a more divine and Evangelick way; and there are ſome that cloſe with Chriſt in a more difficult and legal way: There are ſome that before they can come to Mount Sion, they muſt dwel fourty dayes at Mount Sinai: There are ſome before the decree of heaven ſhal be given to them, they muſt roar as an ox, and muſt cover themſelves with ſackcloath, having aſhes upon their heads: We muſt be a Benoni, before we be a Benjamin; that is, we muſt be a ſon of ſorrow, before we can be a ſon of conſolation. But this is certain, that Chriſt leadeth ſometimes ſome to himſelf through a valley of roſes. And I would only have you take notice of theſe two, which though we conceive they be not infallible in the rule, yet oftentimes experience maketh them out to be truth. 1. That there are three ſorts of perſons who are moſt ordinarily brought under great terror ere they cloſe with Chriſt. Firſt, thoſe who have committed ſome groſs and abominable ſin that is moſt contradicting unto the light of nature. Secondly, that perſon that ſinneth much againſt light before converſion: Hence it is obſerved in all the Books of the Goſpel, and in the Book of the Acts, there was a more Goſpel and love-way of converting the Gentils, then was of converting the Jews: See Acts 2.37. there is a ſharp law exerciſed amongſt them who had crucified the Lord of life: and Acts 9. Paul that had been a grievous perſecuter, at his converſion, he is firſt ſtricken dead to the ground, before he be made a captive of the love of Chriſt, and conſtrained to cry out, What wilt thou have me to do? But look to Acts 8. and chap. 19. and there ye will find a more fair and ſmooth way of begetting ſons to Chriſt. And thirdly, that perſon that is much in conceit of his own righteouſneſes, he uſeth to be brought to Chriſt through much terror and exerciſe of the Law; that is clear in Paul, his condition alſo, Phil. 3. and Asts 9. compared: and certainly whoever thinketh to come that length in ſelf-abaſement, and will count, as the Apoſtle doth in that Chapter, muſt dwel many days at Mount Sinai, and learn his Arithmetick there. 2. We would have you take notice of this, that though the perſon that is brought to Chriſt in a more ſmooth and Evangelical way, may have the preeminency of the perſon that is brought to Chriſt, after a more legal and terrible way in ſome thing; yet we conceive that a Chriſtian that is brought to Chriſt through much of the exerciſe of the Law, and through many of the thunderings of Mount Sinai, after he hath won to ſee his righ… in Chriſt, he is more conſtant in the exerciſe of Faith; and the reaſon of it is, becauſe that a… ordinary ground of misbelief, is our not diſtinct …ptaking either of the time of our converſion, which is oftimes hid from thoſe perſons that are converted in a more Evangelick way; as likewiſe this, that thoſe perſons that are brought to Chirſt in a more Goſpel chariot, are ſometimes put to debates whether ever they were under the exerciſe of the Law; and this maketh them often (as it were) to raze the foundation, and to cry forth, My hope and my ſtrength is periſhed from the Lord. And now to ſhut up our diſcourſe; we ſhal add this one word of exhortation, that ye would carefully lay hold upon that noble object, and exerciſe your faith upon him; and I ſhal ſay but this, that all theſe that have this noble grace of Faith, and that are heirs of that everlaſting inheritance, there is a fourfold crown prepared for you: there is a crown of life that is prepared for him that ſhal fight that good fight of Faith: but what may you ſay is a crown of life, except we have joy waiting upon that life? For what is life without joy, but a bitterneſs and a burden to it ſelf? therefore ye ſhal have a crown of joy; but what were a crown of life, and a joy, except we had the grace of holineſs, and were compleat in that? therefore ye ſhal have alſo a crown of righteouſneſs: but what were life, joy …and righteouſneſs without glory? therefore ye ſhal have likewiſe a crown of glory: but what of all theſe, if that crown ſhould once fall from our head, and we ſhould be deprived of our Kingdom? therefore take this to make up the reſt, it is an eternal crown of glory. That word in Prov. 27. near the cloſe, the crown (ſaith Solomon) doth not endure for ever; but this precious crown that the hands of Chriſt ſhal fix upon the head of an overcoming Chriſtian, this is the motto that is engraven upon it, Unchangeable and Eternal, Eternal and Unchangeable. And, O what a day ſuppoſe ye that ſhal be, when that precious crown ſhal be put upon our heads? What think you will be the difference betwixt Chriſt and believers in heaven? They ſhal have theſe four crowns, which are indeed one; but Chriſt ſhal have upon his head many crowns, according to that word, Rev. 19.12. But let me ſay one word alſo to you who are ſtrangers from God, and are deſtitute of the grace of Chriſt, and will not by faith cloſe with this excellent object, there is a four-fold crown that once ſhal be put upon your heads: but do not miſ-interprete the viſion, there is a difference betwixt the Butler and the Baker: ye may propheſie good things to your ſelves, but there is a crown of death which ye ſhal once have put upon your heads, ye ſhal be always dying, and never able to die: There is a crown of ſorrow that ye ſhal have put upon your heads, when ye ſhal eternally ſigh forth that ſad lamentation; O to be annihilate and reduced unto nothing! When the reduction of you unto nothing would be a heaven, when ye ſhal be tormented in thoſe everlaſting flames. And I would ſay this by the way, ye will be all miſerable and comfortleſs one to another: there will be no ground of conſolation that ye ſhal reap, for the community of your ſorrow ſhal increaſe the degrees of that ſorrow. And there is another crown alſo that ye ſhall put on, and that is a crown of ſin, in ſtead of that crown of righteouſneſs. Would ye know your exerciſe, O ye that are predeſtinate unto theſe everlaſting pains? would ye know your exerciſe? It is this, ye ſhal eternally blaſpheme and curſe the God that made you. I am perſwaded of this, that the terrots of hell will afflict you more, and doth, then that of the ſinning prepetually in hell. You would think nothing, many of you, to be in hell, if there were no pain there; for the exerciſe of ſin, it would be your delight and life: but be perſwaded of it, that when your conſcience is awaked, the exerciſe of ſinning ſhal exceedingly aggravate your pain. And there is this crown, laſtly, that ye ſhal put on, and that is, the crown of ſhame: The Prophet Iſaiah maketh mention of a crown of pride; but you that have put on that crown of pride, you ſhal once put on that crown of everlaſting confuſion and ſhame, when you ſhal not be able to lift up your eyes to him whom you have pierced. I would fain deſire you to know what would be your exerciſe at theſe three days, what will be your exerciſe when death ſhal be ſummoning you to remove, and you ſhal firſt be entered heirs unto thoſe everlaſting pains. I am perſwaded you will reflect much: Will ye not reflect upon many Sermons that you have heard, wherein you have been invited to partake of the ſweet offers of ſalvation? I remember of one that upon his death bed cryed forth, A world for time, a world for one inch of time! Onethat perhaps did hold his head high, and no doubt was greater then the greateſt here: His crown would not purchaſe one inch of time, but dying with this, Call time again, call time again, that petition was denyed: and ſo ſhall it be, I fear, to the moſt part that are here. I think it was a pretty Hieroglyphick of the Egyptians, they painted Time with three heads: the firſt head that painted out Time that was paſt, was a greedy wolf gaping; which imported this, that our Time paſt was miſpent, & there was nothing left, but like a wolf to gape for it again. And there was that ſecond head of a roaring lyon round, which imports the Time preſent, and for this end was ſo painted, that people might lay hold upon their preſent opportunities, otherwiſe it would be the matter of their ruine, and their eternal undoing. And there was that laſt head, which was of a deceitful dog fawning, which ſignified that people they deceive themſelves with the Time to come, thinking they will be religious at their death; and that they will overcome at their death. But this is a flattery no better then the fawning of a mad dog. I think we may learn much of this, even to be provoked to lay hold upon our golden opportunities, that we ſell not our Time, but that we buy it. There are two things that a Chriſtian muſt not ſell; that is, ſell not the Truth, but buy it; and ſell not your Time, but buy it. I am perſwaded of this, that one moment of time is worth ten thouſand worlds, if improved. And I would ask you, What advantage ſhal you have of all things that you have tormented your ſelves about, when Time ſhal be no more? I ſuppoſe indeed this is an ordinary evil amongſt the people of this age, of which we have our own ſhare and portion. There are many that envy godlineſs and the godly, the excellent ones that are in the earth, and think it is pleaſure to vent their malice againſt ſuch. I know that ordinary practice it is older, by a thouſand years, then themſelves, that they preſecute godlineſs under the name of hypocriſie: They call godlineſs hypocriſie, and upon that account, they begin to ſpeak maliciouſly againſt it. Only I would ask you this queſtion, What will you ſay in that day when Chriſt will ask that queſtion of you, that Gideon asked of Zeba and Zalmunna, Who are thoſe that you killed with your tongue? Muſt it not be anſwered, Every one did reſemble the perſon of a King? O! will you not believe? Will you not cloſe with Chriſt? I know it is ordinary that we run upon theſe two extreams; ſometimes we do not believe the threatnings of the Law, & ſometimes we will believe the promiſes of the Goſpel. But I would only deſire to know, what if it had been ſo ordered in the infinite wiſdom of God, and that all the letters of this book ſhould have been threatnings, what ſhould have been our lot, if all the promiſes ſhould have been ſcraped out of it? But certainly this muſt be your lot, all the promiſes of the book of this covenant ſhall be taken from you, and all the curſes thereof ſhall be a fleeing roll that ſhal enter within your houſes, and there ſhal eternally remain. Know this, O you that are enemies to Chriſt, know it, and think upon it: Every battle of the warriour is with confuſed noiſe, and with garments rowled in blood: but that war which Chriſt ſhal have againſt the hypocrites in Zion, and thoſe that are ignorant of him, and will not cloſe with him, it ſhal be with fewel of fire, and eternal indignation. O! what will be your thoughts, ſuppoſe you, when Chriſt ſhal come with that two-edged ſword of the fury of the Lord, to enter to fight with you? It is no delightſome exerciſe. O that you were not almoſt, but altogether perſwaded to be Chriſtians; and that once Chriſt might conquer you with that two-edged ſword that proceedeth out of his mouth, that ſo you might ſubject your ſelves to him, and make him the object of your faith. Now to him that hath engraven upon his veſture, and on his thigh, that he is the King … Kings; and the Lord of Lords, we deſire to give praiſe.