The Mystery of Faith Opened Up, Part 2 · Sermon 2
SERMON II.
Heb. 2.3.
How ſhal we eſcape if we neglect ſo great ſalvation, which at the firſt began to be ſpoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?
THere are two great and moſt ordinarie complaints in theſe days. Firſt, there are many who complain, that their eſtats and perſons are in bondage, and that they are ſold for ſlaves to the hands of ſtrangers: But, O that we could turn over the complaint to this, that our ſouls are in bondage, and that we are yet in the gall of bitterneſs, and in the bond of iniquity, that ſo we might be provoked to long for the great Salvation that is in our offer! 2. There are many complaining, and not without much cauſe, that there is now ſuch a toleration of errors; But, O wilt thou complain alſo of this, that within thine heart there is a toleration of luſts: is there not an act of toleration concluded in thy breaſt, that the devil & all his company may reign in thee …t pleaſure? Oh! have ye not need of great ſalvation? Shal I tell you, that Chriſt is courting you to embrace it; and that he putteth on all his moſt glorious robes, and manifeſteth himſelf unto you, as a ſuiter, making offer of himſelf, and of his great ſalvation? O! tell me, have ye ſeen him? Or do you think to ſee him this day? What robes hath he on? There are five glorious robes wherewith he cloaths himſelf, when he condeſcendeth to manifeſt himſelf to his people.
Firſt, he cometh to his own with the garments of ſalvation, according to that word, Zach. 9.9. Rejoyce, O daughter of Sion, greatly: ſhout, O daughter of Jeruſalem; for behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is juſt, and having ſalvation. Ay, your King is come here to day, and will ye not fall in love with him, when he is cloathed with the garments of Salvation? Can ye ever have a more conquering fight of Chriſt, then when he is cloathed with ſuch an excellent robe, and offering you ſalvation?
Secondly, he appeareth to his own ſometimes in garments dyed in blood, according to that word, Iſai. 63. verſ 1.2 Who is this that cometh up from Edom, with dyed garments in blood, as one that treadeth the wine fat? And now I ſay to you … will not look to Chriſt when he appears in the garments of ſalvation, have ye a heart to refuſe him who hath fought ſuch a combat for you, who hath trod the Wine-preſs alone, and hath ſtained all his garments with the blood of thy enemies? Or, is there any here, who dare refuſe his ſalvation, when they ſee how he treadeth his enemies in anger, and trampleth them in his fury, and thus, ſprinkleth their blood upon his garments. O! tremble at this ſight, and ſeek quarter from him in time, or he ſhal dye his garments with the blood of thine immortal foul.
Thirdly, Chriſt appeareth unto his own, being cloathed with theſe humble robes of condeſcendency, when he came in the ſimilitude of ſinful fleſh. O! what a ſight was that, to behold the Prince of heaven cloathed with our nature? What a ſight was that, to behold him that was cloathed with light, as with a garment, to be cloathed with our infitmities; yet he condeſcended to cloath himſelf thus, that we might have acceſs unto him, and be partakers of his gifts? O! can we refuſe him, when love hath thus preſſed him to put on the beggers weed, that he might ſay to worms, ye are my brethren, and my ſiſters?
Fourthly, Chriſt ſometimes manifeſteth himſelf, being cloathed with the garments of beauty and raviſhing majeſty ſuch was the ſight that the Spouſe got of Chriſt, Song 2.3. As the Apple-tree amongſt the trees of the wood, ſo is my Beloved amongſt the ſons. And Song 5. when ſhe ſaw him … and ruddy, and the ſtandard-bearer of ten thouſand. And ſuch was that joyful ſight of him, when his garments was as the light, and white as the ſnow, which he had at the Transfiguration, when theſe glorified ones did come, as it were, Ambaſſadors from that higher Houſe, to make him a viſit.
And fifthly, Chriſt he ſometimes appeareth to his own in robes of dreadful majeſty, and terrible highneſs and loftineſs, when the foul upon the firſt ſight of him remains dead, and there remaineth no more life in them: ſuch was the ſight Daniel got, in the tenth chapter: and ſuch was the ſight that John got of Chriſt, Rev. 1.17. And I would ask of all that are here, What a ſight have ye gotten of Chriſt to day? In which of all theſe robes have ye ſeen him? It is true, we are not to look to the extraordinary ſights of him; but yet if ever thou haſt ſeen him in any of his wooing robes, ſure he hath appeared matchleſs; and how then ſhal ye then refuſe him?
But now to come to the words I was ſpeaking unto you of; The firſt thing in the words; to wit, that there are many who live under the offer of this great Salvation, that do ſlight it, and do not embrace it. And now I ſhall only adde a few things further unto you. 1. Let me propoſe a few conſiderations, to perſwade you to embrace this great Salvation. God forbid we go away before we embrace this Goſpel-ſalvation: and therefore I charge you in his Name, go not away before ye embrace it. And to preſs it home upon you, there are theſe eight or nine properties … this great Salvation that is offered unto you th… day.
And firſt, it is a free ſalvation; ye have n… more ado but to put forth you hand and take it O! come and take it. Chriſt hath foughten for this Salvation, and there is no more required o… you, but to come & reap the fruits of his victory Whoever will, let him come; there is nothing that ſhould move you to ſtay away. O captives, bondſlaves to ſatan! O priſoners of hope! will ye come and partake of the great Salvation? What holds you from coming away, and partaking of it? It is freely offered unto you. Ay, believe it: Chriſt requires no more of you, but that ye ſhould come and take it out of his hand: If ye conſent to obey, the bargain is ended; ye ſhal eat the good of the land, Iſai. 1.
Secondly, this great ſalvation is a compleat ſalvation that is offered unto you to day: this is clear, Luke 1.71. That we might be ſaved from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate us. There is not an enemy that is in the way; but if thou wilt come and partake of the great ſalvation, thou mayeſt have victory over it; ſo compleat a ſalvation is it that is in your offer this day. O! ſhall we paſs away, and not embrace it? O! ſhall our curſed hearts undervalue this compleat ſalvation, that is come to our door? Believe it, ſalvation is near unto you, if ye will take it.
Thirdly, it is a wonderful ſalvation: it is ſuch a ſalvation as the Angels deſire do pry into it: and it is ſuch a ſalvation, that all the Prophets deſired to pry into it. It is almoſt ſix thouſand years, ſince all the Angels of heaven fell into a ſea of wonder at this great ſalvation. It is almoſt ſix thouſand years ſince Abel fell into a ſea of wonder at this great ſalvation. And what think you is his exerciſe this day? He is even wondering at this great ſalvation. Would ye ask at all the Angels in heaven, would they not all ſay, O! embrace the great ſalvation? Would ye ask all the Saints that are above, would they not adviſe you to embrace the great ſalvation? Should ye ask at Adam, would he not ſay, O! embrace this great ſalvation? Could ye ask at Abel, would he not ſay, O! embrace the great ſalvation? And would not all the Patriarchs ſay unto you, O! embrace the great ſalvation? And do not all that have taſted of the ſweetneſs of it, cry out unto you, Come and embrace the great ſalvation?
The fourth property of this ſalvation is, that it was bought at an exceeding dear rate: it is a dear ſalvation. Would you know the difference between Chriſts coming to this ſalvation, and your coming to it? It is this: Chriſt was forced to travel through all the armies of the Juſtice of God. He was forced to drink of the cup of the wrath of God, before he could come to purchaſe this great Salvation; and now what is required of you to obtain this? We may ſay no more, but put out our hands and take it. Will ye look to the price that was laid down for this Salvation? There is not a wound in the body of Chriſt, but it ſaith, This is a dear ſalvation. There is not a reproach Chriſt met with, but it ſaith, O! is not this a dear ſalvation? There was not a neceſſity that he was put into, but it ſaith, Is not this a great and dear ſalvation? O Sirs! will ye not come and take this great ſalvation, this dear ſalvation? What muſt I give for it, ſay ye? I ſay, ye muſt give nothing for it: come, and take it without money, and without price. It was dear to Chriſt, but it ſhal be cheap unto you. O! is it not cheap unto you? I aſſure you, if ye will come to the market to buy the great ſalvation, there is none of you that needeth to ſtand for the price of it. O! come and take it, and have it, and there ſhall be no more pricing.
Fifthly, it is an everlaſting ſalvation, that ye ſhal enjoy the fruits of throughout eternity, as is clear, Heb. 9.13. He became the author of eternal redemption unto us. It is a ſalvation that the devil can never be able to get out of your hand: if ye take it, ye ſhal never be robbed of it again. O come, and partake of this great ſalvation, whereby the gates of hell ſhal never prevail againſt you.
Sixthly, it is a noble and honorable ſalvation: it is not to be taken out of one ſlavery to another, but it is to be taken out of priſon, that we may reign, Luke 1.71. compared with verſe 74. it is, That we being ſaved, may ſerve him without fear, in holineſs and righteouſneſs all the days of our life. I ſay, …ome, come, and partake of this great ſalvation, that your glory may be increaſed, and that ye may be exalted above the Kings of the earth.
Seventhly, it is a moſt advantageous Salvation: What are the advantages of any Salvation, that are not to be found in this? Is there not peace to be found through this ſalvation? Is … not liberty to be found through this Salvation? Is there not eternal enjoyment of God to be found through this Salvation? Yea, all Salvations are in this one Salvation.
Laſtly, it is a Royal Salvation, for it cometh to us from and through the Son of God: Chriſt is the Author of it: and we conceive Chriſt may be ſaid to be the Author of this Salvation, in theſe reſpects. 1. He is the meritorious cauſe that did procure it: It was the price of his blood that was laid down for to purchaſe this great Salvation. 2. He is the fountain from whence it floweth, according to that word which we have cited, Heb. 5.9. He became the Author of eternal ſalvation. 3. He is the perſon that fitteth out ſpirits for the partaking of it: and it is he that removeth mountains out of the way, that we may have fair acceſs unto the great Salvation. 4. It is he that muſt perſwade our hearts to embrace, and to take hold of it. He ſtandeth without, and cryeth to the heart to embrace this great Salvation: and he ſtandeth within, making the heart to cry out: Content, I will embrace the great ſalvation: He is indeed the perſon that commendeth and doth point forth this great Salvation unto us. He is that noble Miniſter of it. It began firſt to be preached by him.
Now is there any of you that have fallen in love with the great Salvation, that ye may try your ſelves? I ſhall give you ſome evidences of the perſons that are near unto this great ſalvation. 1. Is thine eſtimation of the great Salvation increaſed, be what it was in the morning when thou cameſt hither? Is thine eſtimation of the great Goſpel-ſalvation a foot higher then what it was in the morning? I ſay unto thee, thou art not far from the great ſalvation; come away. 2. Is thy deſire after the great ſalvation increaſed, be what it was in the morning? Haſt thou ſtronger deſires after the great ſalvation, then before thou cameſt hither? That is an evidence thou art not far from it. 3. Is thy thoughts of the neceſſity of the great ſalvation greater then they were? Thinkeſt thou that thou haſt more need of the great ſalvation, then ever thou thoughteſt before? And is thine opinion and thoughts of ſaving thy ſelf, leſs then they were before thou cameſt hither? Art thou forced to cry out. None but Chriſt can ſave me? I ſay, thou art not far from the great ſalvation: wilt thou come away! O that you would once ſeal this concluſion with much heart-perſwaſion, I am undone without Christ, I am undone without Christ, who is the Author of this great ſalvation. Are there any of you that are ſenſible that ye are in the fetters of ſin, and in the bonds of iniquity? Are you brought to the conviction of this, that you are yee in the gall of bitterneſs? I ſay, if thou be brought to this length, to be ſenſible of thy bonds, and art crying out, O Redeemer? haſten, and come away: I ſay, If thou be ſenſible of thy bonds and impriſonments, and crying out; O thou that waſt anointed from eternity to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the priſon to them that are bound! O haſten, and come away, and redeem me, even poor me, ſinking, ſinning, periſhing, ſelf-deſtroying me? thou art not far from the great ſalvation. 4. Art thou a perſon who beginneth to weep, becauſe thou haſt been ſo long a ſtranger to Chriſt, and the great ſalvation? Old men that are here, How long have you been ſtrangers to the great ſalvation, and to the Author of it? Now will you ſhed one tear for your eſtrangement; and cry out; Wo is me, that Chriſt and I have been ſo long aſunder. I ſay, if thou haſt come that length, thou art not far from the great ſalvation: Come away. O pity yourſelves: make haſte, make haſte, and come away.
But now in the third place, let me give you ſome evidences, by which you may know more clearly, whether or no you have embraced this great ſalvation, that you may know your ſelves, and that you walk not down to your grave with a lye in your right hand.
The firſt evidence of a perſon that hath embraced the great ſalvation, is, that he will have an high eſteem of the Savior and Author of … great ſalvation. Haſt thou a matchleſs eſteem of matchleſs Chriſt the Savior of the World? Tha… is a ſpeaking evidence unto thee, thou art a partaker of the great ſalvation. Art thou come … this length, that thou crieſt out: None but Chriſt none but Chriſt; it is a ſpeaking evidence, th… thou art come to be a partaker of the great ſalvation, when thou canſt cry out that word, Exod. 15.3. The Lord is my ſtrength and my ſong, he alone is become my ſalvation. If Chriſt hath become thy ſalvation, then it is like he hath become thy long. I would ask this of you, Were you ever brought this length, that you durſt not adventure to praiſe Chriſt alone, but was forced to call in all the creatures, and ſay: O magnify the Lord with me? O that is an evidence that you have embraced his ſalvation.
Secondly, thoſe who have embraced the great ſalvation, will ſtudy to maintain and keep their grips of it; they will ſtudy to hold faſt ſo precious a jewel: this is preſt, Gal. 5.1. Stand faſt in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free: Yea, they will ſtudy to walk ſutably to this noble mercy; at leaſt, they will ſtrive and endeavor to do it, as is alſo preſt in that ſame verſe. I ſay, if thou haſt been made a partaker of the Goſpel of Salvation, thou wilt ſtrive to keep thy ſelf from the power of thoſe things that once triumphed over thee.
Thirdly, a perſon that is a partaker of the great ſalvation, he will have a high eſteem of this mercy and ſalvation: So Paul, when he ſpeaketh of it here, he cannot but put ſome note of excellency to it, calling it, the great Salvation; therefore, I ſay, if thou haſt embraced the great ſalvation, thou wilt have ſo high eſteem of it, that not to be ſo ſubjected to it as thou ſhouldeſt, or to be in ſubjection to the power of thy luſt in any meaſure, will be thy burden and affliction: The man will be ſory when he is brought forth from the Houſe of his bondage unto the red Sea: He will be ſory, that when he ſhould have ſongs of triumph over his idols put in his mouth, that they ſhould ſing ſongs of triumph over him.
Fourthly, a perſon that hath embraced the great Salvation, he will be longing ſometimes for the day when this Salvation ſhall be compleat, when he ſhall ſing that ſong with that numerous multitude which cannot be numbred, Revel. 7.9. O what a day ſhall it be, when thou ſhalt begin to ſing that ſong? After this, ſaith he, I beheld, and lo a great multitude of all people which no man could number, of all people, nations and languages, ſtood before the Throne, and before the Lamb, cloathed with white robes, and palms in their hands, and they cryed: And how cryed they? They cryed with a loud voice. They would not mutter the ſong, not ſing ſilently; but cryed with a loud voice: And what did they cry? They cryed with a loud voice, ſalvation unto our God who ſitteth upon the Throne and to the Lamb. I would only ask of you … partakers of the great Salvation, what ſongs ſhall be put into thy mouth, when the waters of Jordan ſhal divide themſelves, that the ranſomed o… the Lord muſt paſs thorow? When thou ſhalt ſin that ſong, Pſalm 115.1. Not unto us; not unto … but unto thee belongs the glory of our ſalvation▪ O what a day ſhal that be, when that excellen… ſong ſhal be put into thy mouth! Yea, what a day ſhal it be, when thou ſhalt be cloathed with theſe excellent garments that are made mention of, Iſai. 6.10. ſo he hath cloathed thee with the garments of ſalvation; and he hath covered thee with the robe of righteouſneſs. O what robes are theſe! Did you ever ſee ſuch excellent robes as theſe muſt be? I think, we will misken our ſelves. O do you not think, we will misken our ſelves, when we ſhal put on theſe excellent robes! Now therefore is the bargain cloſed, or will ye go away before ye take this great ſalvation? Dare ye go out at theſe doors, and neglect the great Salvation? I would ask this of you, think ye it will not be moſt ſad, that Chriſt ſhould tell this in Heaven of you to night; I was preached to a pack of ſtones; that none of them would love me? Will ye not be feared that this report ſhall be carried back to Heaven of you? For what report can Chriſt carry back but this? Now is the cord of this great ſalvation let down unto you: is there none of you that will take a grip of it? Will ye flighter after it: Will ye make this a rejoycing day in Heaven, that is a faſting day unto you: and the way to make it ſo, is, to embrace the great ſalvation. Now what ſay ye to it, old men? Let me ſpeak to you, and ask your thoughts of the great ſalvation, Gray hairs ſhould be a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſs, Old men, ſpeak your minds, that young men may not have your bad examples: What ſay ye of this ſalvation? Is it not a moſt glorious ſalvation? Is it not a moſt excellent ſalvation that is in your offer? I intreat you, ſpeak your minds: tell Chriſt ye are content to take the great ſalvation; otherwiſe, whoever he be that will not partake of this Goſpel-Salvation, I in the Name and authority of Chriſt our Maſter, denounce eternal and irrevocable war againſt him: Put on your harneſs, ye ſhal not boaſt when ye put it off again: The wrath and fury of God ſhal come upon you to the uttermoſt, if ye embrace not this great ſalvation. Other wars are but for a time: the greateſt Captains that ever the earth did carry; are now laid down in the ſides of the pit, and their ſwords broken under their head. Armies of ten hundred thouſand, an hundred years time have laid them all in their graves, and ended all their conteſts; but there is no diſcharge of this war that ſhal be concluded betwixt Chriſt and you: It ſhal become an eternal and moſt terrible war, which ſhal be but beginning when time is ended. Now peace or war, which of them will ye chooſe? Dare ye ſend a charge to Chriſt, and ſay, Ye will defie him? I am afraid there will be two things that many of us will report to day. Firſt, I am afraid there be many that will give Pharaohs report to the offer of the great ſalvation, and ſay: Who is the Lord that I ſhould obey him? I tell you who he is, He is glorious in holineſs, fearfull in praiſes, doing wonders. O embrace him before he go hence, and give not Pharaohs report, leſt ye be drowned in the ſea of his wrath, whence there ſhall be no recovery. Secondly, I fear there will be many here to day, that will give Demas report to his precious offer: I will go and forſake Chriſt, and embrace this preſent World. O bad exchange! Curſed be he that ſhall make it: will ye be of Demas humor. I fear there hath been many of that humor of a long time: but, I intreat you, once be wiſe before you dye. I confeſs that Proverb, Old fools, are twice fools. I think, old men that will not embrace the great ſalvation, I think ye are triple fools. What wait ye for? Is there any thing can afford you any ſatisfaction but this great ſalvation? Now are ye convinced, old men, that Chriſt is waiting for your anſwer. I intreat you, before ye go hence, ſpeak your minds what ye think of the great Salvation. Is it not a lovely Salvation? Is it not lovely now? What ſay ye to it? I am to go away, and the offer is to be taken up at this time; and it is hard to ſay, if ever ye ſhal have an offer again. I would only ſay this to you, and be ſure of it; though I ſhould never be a partaker of this great ſalvation, yet I ſhal be a witneſs againſt you that are not partakers of it. I tell and declare unto you, I ſhal be a witneſs againſt …; if ye embrace not the great Salvation. Now, old men, are ye perſwaded to embrace it? Let me obteſt you by the beauty of Chriſt, come and partake of the great ſalvation, ye that are travalling upon the borders of eternity. Now, if ye will give no more, give this, will ye go home and think upon it? I ſhall not be uncharitable, nor enter to judge your thoughts. I fear there ſhal be many declared and found guilty amongſt us, t… we have declared unto Heaven, we will not c… brace the great Salvation, but have troden t… blood of the Son of God under foot. Now I i… treat you, every one of you, ask of your ſelves ye be the perſons that will preſume in your hea… to do ſo. Now I ſhal leave it with you, let it b… witneſs againſt you. I ſhal leave it with this; … come away, old men, young men, old women a… maids, come and embrace this precious Goſpe… Salvation. Ye may ſay, ye bid us come, but w… cannot come: I deſire no more of you, but w… come with this, Lord, I am content to come, but cannot come. Come once to that; for if once … be content to receive it, it will not be long before ye be able to receive it. Now ſhal Chriſt d… part, and will none of you ſay, ye are content … take him? Will ye charge your own conſcienc… with this: am I content to take Chriſt and th… great Salvation! O bleſt, bleſt, bleſt be he that … the Author of this great Salvation, and bleſt b… he that gets any of the ends of the cord of th… great Salvation, that we ſink not under the wra… and fury of the Lord! Come and embrace th… great Salvation: and again, I ſay, come, and … brace it: for what can ye have, if ye want it▪ And what can you want, if you have it? I ſh… ſay no more, but cloſe with that word, Iſai. 6… verſe 21. Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed to … ends of the World, to thoſe that are far off. W… hath he proclaimed? Say ye to the daughter Sion: Behold thy ſalvation cometh behold it com… I ſay to you that are the ends of the World, Salva…ion is brought near to you: Stout-hearted, and …ar from righteouſneſs, the great Salvation is …rought near unto you, and will ye ſend it away? Oh! conſider what ye are doing. And to him …hat can perſwade you to embrace the great Salvation, we deſire to give praiſe.