Of the Day of Grace, Sermons on Psalm 81 · Sermon 1
The Firſt Sermon.
Pſal. LXXXI. 11, 12.
But my People would not hearken to my Voice, and Iſrael would none of me, ſo I gave them up to their own Hearts luſts: and they walked in their own Counſels.
THE Jews have a Tradition, that at ſtated times of the year God doth lament and complaine over their ruined Temple at Jeruſalem; that Temple that was once the Seat of his Glory, and the Place of his ſpecial Reſidence for ſo long a time. Their own Value, and affection for it, made them fondly imagine, that God himſelf could not behold its Aſhes and Diſſolution without Reſentment: Not conſidering that the Wickedneſs of the People called by his Name, and entruſted with the Priviledges of his Houſe, had provoked his moſt righteous ſeverity to lay it waſte. This was a weak and groundleſs Fancy of the carnal Jews: We have other Meaſures whereby to Judge of the bleſſed God. We are fully aſſured that his Thoughts are not as ours in ſuch matters; That it is a far ſadder ſpectacle in his Eye, to behold the Hypocriſy and Carnality of thoſe that worſhip in his Temple, than to ſee it laid in Ruines; a far more diſmal ſight, to behold the offers of his Grace refuſed, and ſlighted; to have the Invitations of the Goſpel, and the glad Tidings of Peace rejected, by thoſe who can be ſaved no other Way; and who muſt periſh if they neglect this great Salvation: To ſee Multitudes of ſuch continue under the Power of ſin, willfully chooſing the way of Deſtruction, and hardning their own Hearts againſt all the gracious Methods of their Recovery; This in the Judgment of God, who Judgeth Righteous Judgment, is by far the more aſtoniſhing, and deplorable Object.
For we never read of God's complaining of any Thing ſo much as of this. And how often, and in what paſſionate Expreſſions doth he complain of the Obſtinacy, Unteachableneſs, and Wilfulneſs of the Jews, his ancient People, Oh that they were wiſe! O that they would conſider! how long will you not be purged? when ſhall it once be? why will ye dye▪ &c. And the Prophet Iſaiah introduceth Chriſt, and his Apoſtles, complaining to the like Purpoſe, Who hath believed our Report and to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed? Iſa. 53.1.This was that which our compaſſionate Redeemer reſented even unto Tears, concerning Jeruſalem in the Dayes of his Fleſh, when he beheld the City and wept over it ſaying. O that thou hadſt known, even thou, in this thy day, the Things that belong to thy Peace, &c. And in the verſe following the Text, Luk. 19.41.O that my People had hearkened to my Voice, and walked in my Ways. This is the Subject Matter of the complaint of theſe Words, which is attended with a Threatning, of one of the heavieſt Judgments that can be inflicted: My People would not hearken to my Voice, and Iſrael would none of me: So I gave them up, &c.
Here is, Firſt, A moſt Reproaching Complaint. Secondly, A moſt Terrible Threatning. The Complaint is in the 11th verſe, My People would not hearken to my Voice, &c.
The moſt ſignificant Words are uſed to awaken Shame, and Indignation in the guilty Perſons againſt themſelves, for refuſing to hearken to the Voice of God.
First, Their Fault is aggravated from their near Relation to God, My People. Iſrael, the beloved Nation, my peculiar People, favoured above the Reſt of the World with many ſpecial advantages, They did not hearken to me.
Secondly, From their Wilfulneſs, They would not hearken to me. They would none of me. For though the firſt Expreſſion in the Hebrew, be only thus, My People did not hearken to me, yet the latter Words, They would none of me, doth lay the Blame upon their own Wilfulneſs, and does ſufficiently Juſtify our Tranſlation of it.
It is aggravated, Thirdly, From what their not hearkening to Gods Voice did imply, and carry in it, That they would none of God; they refuſed to have God for their God. They cared not for any Relation to him, or Acquaintance with him, or Inſtruction from him, or Happineſs by him; They would none of me.
Secondly, unto this Complaint in the 11th verſe is Subjoyned a terrible Threatning, ver. 12th, So I gave them up to their Hearts Luſts, to walk in their own Councels.
In the Hebrew both Expreſſions are in the Future, that for their former Provocations God would do ſo, and the latter is the Conſequence of the former. The walking in their own Councels, is the Fruit of their being given up to their own Hearts Luſts.
There are two Things may be collected as the Sum of both Verſes, to be diſcourſed of from them.
First, That it is Matter of Juſt Complaint and Reproach, when a People, or Perſon, will not hearken to the Voice of God.
Secondly, That for ſuch wilful Perſons to be given up to their own Hearts Luſts, ſo as to be left of God to walk in their own Councels, is one of the moſt fearful Judgments that can be threatned, or inflicted in this World.
Something I would ſpeak to the former though in order to the latter, which is principally deſigned. And what Subject more ſeaſonable, or more likely to be uſeful, unto thoſe who have the Voice of God repeated to them Week after Week, with ſuch Frequency, and Variety, as you have it in this City.
Firſt, That it is Matter of Juſt Complaint, and Reproach, for any People, or Perſon not to hearken to the Voice of God. And here it will be proper to ſhew, 1. What it is, not to hearken to the Voice of God 2. How this appears to be ſuch Juſt Matter of Complaint from God, and Reproach unto us, who are guilty of it.
Firſt, What it is not to hearken to the Voice of God. By the Voice of God here, we are to Underſtand, that of his Word; as is manifeſt from Jer. 7.23, 28. Verſes. This thing commanded I them, ſaying, Obey my Voice, and I will be your God. But they hearkned not, …or inclined their Ear, but walked in the Councels and Imaginations of their own evil Hearts; therefore ſhalt thou ſay unto them, this is a Nation that Obeyeth not the Voice of the Lord their God. His inſtructing and informing Voice, is here meant, That which diſcovers the Nature of God, and our Duty, the wretched ſtate of our Caſe by the firſt Apoſtacy, and the Method of our Recovery to the Image and Life of God, and Communion with him. It is alſo his commanding Voice, unto the Authority whereof, we all owe utmoſt Obedience and ſubjection. It is that Voice of God which warns us of our Danger; invites us to Terms of Peace and Reconciliation; directs us what we ought to do, that we may be ſaved, &c. And have we not all the Obligation in the World, to hearken to this Voice? carefully to attend to it? to conſider its Authority? to make a Judgment about its Neceſſity, and Importance, about the Reaſonableneſs and advantages of our Obedience? &c.
Now there be many that Openly, and Expreſly refuſe to hearken to thi… Voice. But the Number is greater of ſuch, who do it Vertually, and in Effect: either by their groundleſs Cavils and Objections againſt the Word of God; or by their frivolous Excuſes, and tooliſh Delays of complying with it; or by Obeying the contrary Dictates of the Fleſh and the World, and hearkening to the Voice of Satan; by all which they manifeſt their Unwillingneſs to hearken to the Voice of God.
But, Secondly, How does this appear to be ſuch a Matter of Juſt Complaint and Reproach? To this Purpoſe we may conſider, 1. Whoſe Voice it is you… refuſe to hearken to: Heb. 1.2.the Voice of God by his Son, Whom he hath appointed Heir of all Things, and by whom he made the World, the Brightneſs of his Fathers Glory, the Expreſs Image of nis Perſon. Heb. 2.2.If Diſobedience to the Word ſpoken by Angels, received a Juſt Recompence of Reward, How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect, and ſlight, and will not hearken to that Word of Salvation which began to be ſpoken by our Lord himſelf. See therefore (ſayes the Apoſtle) that you refuſe not him that ſpeaketh; Heb 12.25. ver.for if they Eſcaped not who refuſed him that ſpake on Earth, Much more ſhall not we Eſcape if we turn away from him that ſpeaketh from Heaven. I might amplify this by Conſidering the Authority, the Veracity, the Wiſdom, the Kindneſs and Condeſcention, of him that ſpeaketh; and to whom we are called, and Obliged to hearken.
I might aggravate it, by Conſidering how all our Senſes, and our Reaſon, our Power of Hearing, and Underſtanding are all from Him: And how often he hath heard our Voice when we have cryed to him in our Diſtreſs. And how ready he is to hear us in every time of need, when none elſe can help or ſave us: And how ſeverely he can puniſh our Refuſal: For in his hand is our Life and Breath, and all our Ways. It is he who hath Power to ſave or to Deſtroy and ſhall we refuſe to hearken to his Voice? Yea further, he deſignes our Good, and intends our Happineſs, by what he ſpeaks. He can have no Acceſſion to his own by our Felicity, but might glorify himſelf in our Ruine, if we decline the Invitations of his Mercy, and refuſe to hearken to his Voice.
Secondly, Conſider, not only who it is that ſpeaks, but what kind of Voice it is. How gentle, how obliging, how beneficent, and condeſcending. He doth not now ſpeak to us with Majeſtick Terrour, in Thunder and Lightning, with ſuch an amazing Voice as upon Mount Sinai, to the People of the Jews: When he made the Mountaine ſhake, and the People Tremble, Heb. 12.26.and even Moſes himſelf exceedingly to do ſo. But imploys Meſſengers like our ſelves, to ſpeak in his Name. He conſiders our weakneſs, and the Neceſſity of our Caſe, and promiſes to accompany the ordinary Preaching of the Goſpel, with the Power of his Spirit. That the great and neceſſary truths publiſhed, explained, and preſſed, by a ſerious Miniſtry, ſhall be the Power of God unto Salvation. He requires thoſe that are intruſted with this work, to inſtruct, to exhort, to warn and reprove, to beſeech and intreat you in the Name of Chriſt, with Earneſtneſs and Importunity, that you would not receive the Grace of God in vain; that you would be reconciled to God, praying you in Chriſt's ſtead that you would be ſo, leaſt the Things that concern your Peace ſhould be for Ever hid from your Eyes.
Thirdly, Conſider, Who They are, that are ſaid to refuſe to hearken to the Voice of God. My People Iſrael. My Firſt born, more nearly related to me, more peculiarly favoured and priviledged by me than the reſt of the World. We Chriſtians ſucceed in their Priviledges, not only as Domeſtick Servants, but as Children, viſibly related to God, as our Father, by the Covenant of Baptiſm. And ſhall not Children receive the Inſtruction of a Parent? Deut. 21.18.a ſtubborn Son that refuſed to hearken to the Voice of his natural Parent, was under the Law, to be stoned to Death: and all the Men in the City, were to have a Hand in bringing ſuch a Monſter to that deſerved Puniſhment.
Fourthly, That the Complaint and Reproach is Juſt, will appear by conſidering, what is Connected with it, in the Words that immediately follow, Iſrael would none of me, that is, if they will not hearken to my Voice, they declare they will have none of me. God offers himſelf to enter into a Covenant, and to be your God; only obey my Voice and I will be ſo But they inquire not after him. There is none that ſaith, where is God my Maker? They will none of me, i e they will not have me to be their Lord and Ruler, they will not have me to be their Portion and Chief Good. It is plain they will not, becauſe they refuſe my Teachings, and Guidance; they will not hearken to my Voice.
Now this being duely attended to, will ſufficiently Juſtify the Divine Severity, v. 12. towards ſuch who will not hearken to the Voice of God. For thereby they do in Effect bid him depart from them, they tell him, we deſire not the Knowledge of thy Ways. And if hereafter he ſhould bid them depart from him into Everlaſting Fire, with the Workers of Iniquity, the Sentence would not be more dreadful than Righteous. If he ſay, Depart from me, you unthankful deſpiſers of my Grace; I would have inſtructed, and ſanctifyed, and ſaved you, but you would not; I called, but you refuſed, and turned the deaf Ear; I exhorted, and beſeeched, and intreated you to have Pity on your ſelves in Time, but you would not hearken to my Voice. I faithfully warned you of your danger, but you made light of it. I offered to be your God, and to make you happy and bleſſed for Ever, if you would but accept my offer; but you would none of me. Therefore if he ſhould ſpeak to them hereafter in his Wrath, and vex them in his ſore Diſpleaſure: if he then be Deaf to their Crys, who now refuſe to hearken to his Voice, their Sentence will be Juſt.
And no leſs would it be if God ſhould inflict the heavy Doom mentioned in this Text: which is the Beginning of Hell, where it continues without Remedy, and timely Relief is not admitted. Such as will not hearken to the Voice of God; the Language of whoſe Heart is thereby manifeſt, that they will none of him, Such as theſe, God may Juſtly give up to their own Hearts Luſts; and leave them to walk in their own deſtructive Councels. And this brings me to conſider the Second Propoſition.
That for wilful Sinners to be given up to their own Hearts Luſts, and to be left of God to walk in their own Councels, is one of the moſt tremendous Judgments that can be threatned, or inflicted in this World.
Firſt, What is it for God to give up any to their own Hearts Luſts.
Secondly, What is his uſual Method of inflicting ſuch a Judgment.
Thirdly, Wherein does the Terrour and Dread of ſuch a Judgment appear? or what Conſiderations will manifeſt this to be ſuch a diſmal Judgment? What I ſhall ſpeak under theſe Three Heads will make way for the practical Application.
I muſt grant that there is an unſearchable Depth in the divine Judgments; eſpecially in his Methods of Severity towards the Souls of Men: And therefore when we have gone as far as Scripture and Experience will direct and lead us, we muſt yet cry out, O the bottomleſs Depths of the Divine Councels: how unſearchable are his Judgments, Rom. 11.33: Deut. 32.4.and his ways paſt finding out? However, we muſt hold to this, that all his Works are perfect: …nd that he is a God of Truth, and without Iniquity; his Ways are Judgment, Deut. 29.3, 4.and Juſt and Right is he. And it is remarkable that this is ſpoken after a terrible Expreſſion a little before concerning the Jews, that after having ſeen the Signs and Wonders and Miracles that God wrought among them, yet hath he not given you a Heart to perceive, and Eyes to ſee, and Ears to hear, unto this Day.
But whatever Obſcurity there may be in the Manner, yet ſuch a Thing as Gods leaving Men to themſelves muſt be acknowledged; yea, Iſa. 10.29. Mar. 4.12.his pouring out a ſpirit of ſlumber and deep ſleep upon Men, cloſing their Eyes in righteous Judgment, after they have wilfully ſhut them.
Never was any People ſo puniſhed in this Manner, as the Nation of the Jews. After having long reſiſted the Spirit, neither Word, nor Rod could awaken them, but the Things of their Peace, were hid from their Eyes. But we muſt not conceive of this, as an Act merely of Will and Pleaſure in God; without Reſpect to their former ſin. But conſider it as an act of Righteous Judgment, upon great Provocation. This Doom never goes before the Fault; when they will not be purged, they are left to be filthy ſtill. After long ſtriving and Reſiſtance God lets 'em Alone. We muſt view it as ſomething Judicial toward thoſe who had highly deſerved it, by former Refuſals of his Grace, and diſobeying his Voice: And therefore when God is ſaid in the 4th of Exodus to harden Pharaoh, let us conſider who he was, and what he had done: Was he not guilty of the moſt prophane contempt of God, Who is the Lord, that I ſhould obey his Voice? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Iſrael go, Exod. 5.2. And was he not guilty of the moſt barbarous Injuſtice, and Cruelty againſt the People of God? Had he not for many years oppreſt, and inſlaved them? were not He and his Subjects reſolved to deſtroy thoſe whom God reſolved to preſerve? &c. He is three times ſaid to have hardned his own heart. Exod. 8.15, 32. And chap. 9.34. Tho …e had ſufficient means of Conviction, …y Aarons Rod ſwallowing up thoſe of …e Magicians, 7 Exod. 1.2. And by the Magicians being non-pluſt in their Art; …oncerning the Judgment of Lice, Exod. ….18. And they themſelves were …mitten with Boils, Chap. 9.11, 12. And now and then Pharoah had ſome Relentings, chap. 9.27, 10. chap. 16.17.
So the Jews in our Saviour's Time, concerning whom the like Expreſſions are uſed, John 12.40. They were ſuch as hated the Light, as would not accept of Chriſt, or his Forerunner the Baptiſt, but ſaid of both, that they were poſſeſſed of a Devil. In this Caſe we may uſe the Apoſtles Expreſſion, Is God unrighteous, who taketh Vengeance? Rom. 3.5.God forbid. Here indeed is very diſmal Severity, but there is no ſhadow of unrighteouſneſs.
This being premiſed, we may conſider, First, What theſe Luſts of Mens Hearts are? Secondly, What it is to be given up Judicially to them.
The Luſts of our Hearts unto which ſome are given up by God, may Comprehend the falſe Imaginations, and undue Conceptions of Things that are framed in the Soul, concerning God, and our ſelves, Sin and Duty, Happineſs and Miſery, &c. And our Irregular Deſires, and Inclinations; with all the wicked Projects, and Contrivances of the Soul, concerning the gratifying and fulfilling the Luſts of the Fleſh, the Luſts of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life.
Now for God to give up any Men to theſe Luſts, ſo as not to hinder them from walking in their own Councels, is not to be ſuppoſed as if he gave his approving Conſent, that they ſhould obey theſe Luſts: Not that he gave them leave to ſin, or approved what they did, in ſerving divers Luſts, but that which is chiefly comprehended in it is,
Firſt, That ſuch Perſons are caſt out of Gods ſpecial Protection and Care, and ſo are expoſed to wander and go aſtray: Hoſ. 4.16.To walk as a Lamb in alarge Place, and ſo are more eaſily aſſaulted, and Overcome by the Devil, who ſeeketh whom he may deſtroy.
Secondly, That they are left of God under the Dominion, and Power, and Tyranny of their own Luſts; He that … filthy let him be filthy ſtill. Rom. 22.…1. He that heareth let him hear; and he …at forbeareth let him forbear, for …hey are a Rebellious Houſe. Ezek. 3.27.So …hat the Reſtraints and Checks …hat they were formerly under, by the Motions of his Spirit; or by External Providence, ſhould no …onger hinder them in the Proſecution of their Luſts. Mar. 4.11. Joh. 12.34. Eze. 24, 13.16, 4. Hoſ 4.14.They ſhall not be ſmitten any more, nor their way hedged up with Thorns. The Spirit of God ſhall not ſtrive with them any more; at leaſt not to ſuch a Degree as formerly.
Nay further, we read of Mens being given up, after ſins againſt Light, unto a *Rom. 1.28, 29, 30, 31.Reprobate unteachable Mind, to vile affecti…ons, to unnatural Luſts. Yea, delivered up to *2 Theſ. 2.11.ſtrong Deluſions of Satan, that they may believe Lyes, that they may be damned. But remember this is an Act of Juſtice and Righteouſneſs in God; for the Perſons thus given up are deſcrib…d to be ſuch as would not receive the Truth in the Love of it.
That there is ſuch a Judgment as this, beſides the Expreſs Teſtimoni… of Scripture, is manifeſt by ſad Experience. For what tolerable account can be otherwiſe given of the Generality of profeſſing Chriſtians, with whom the ſence of Duty, the Honour … Chriſt, the Intereſt of his Kingdom have ſo little Influence, to a conſcientious governing their Hearts an… Lives? Yea how elſe is it? That notwithſtanding Mercies and Judgments notwithſtanding providential warning and gracious Calls, notwithſtanding many Convictions and Reſolutions and good Beginnings, notwithſtanding many ſevere Rebukes for paſ… Backſlidings, and ſome Experience how evil and bitter a Thing it is… and hath been, to forſake God that yet in Deſpite of God, and Conſcience, and all theſe Obſtacles in their way, many have forſaken the Way of Righteouſneſs, and wallowed againe in the Pollutions of the World, after they had eſcaped it. And whatever Hazard they run by it, whatever Difficulties they meet in their way, whatever Methods have been uſed to recover and ſave them, yet on they will go: and from a ſeeming Zeal for God and Godlineſs, and conſtant day… Exerciſe of the principal Duties of Religion in their Families, and Cloſets, …hey come at laſt to live without any …f theſe; in the total Neglect of ſuch Duties, and in allowed Practiſes of Drunkeneſs, Uncleaneſs, and Unrighteouſneſs, with the Contempt of the Means of their Converſion, and a ſecret Enmity againſt the true Intereſt of Chriſt in the World, and againſt the ſerious Profeſſion and Power of Godlineſs.
My Friends, The Caſe of ſuch Apoſtates, and the more common Degeneracy of many Others, after good and hopeful Beginnings, who have ſinned themſelves into a quiet peaceful Conſcience, or rather into ſtupidity and Hardneſs of Heart, notwithſtanding the Dayly Commiſſion of great Abominations; the deplorable Caſe, I ſay, of ſuch Perſons, and the Frequency of ſuch Caſes, makes it manifeſt that there is ſuch a Thing as mens being left of God, and given up to their own Hearts Luſts.
But remember, I call it a deplorable Caſe, not an irrecoverable one. For I do not think, as to all ſuch Perſons, that their Day of Grace is paſt; that the Things of their Peace are ſo hid from their Eyes, that it is impoſſible for them to be renewed to Repentance. There are Degrees of Gods forſaking Men; there is a total and there is a partial Obduracy and Hardneſs of Heart But I ſhall ſpeak more of this afterwards.
We ſhould Secondly, Conſider by what Method God does for the moſt part proceed, to inflict and Execute ſuch a Judgment as this. But
Thirdly, For the preſent let us briefly conſider the Severity and Terrour of this Judgment. According to the Degrees of this Puniſhment inflicted on any, ſo is the Wretchedneſs of their Caſe in Proportion to be eſtimated. For a Man to be totally left to the Hardneſs and Obduracy of his own Heart, there is no Judgment in this World ſo ſevere: and therefore ſayes *Owens Dominion of Sin, Page 73.Dr. Owen, it is never Executed, but towards thoſe that are habitually and obſtinately wicked, and do out of choice harden themſelves in their ſins.
You may Conſider the Dread and Horrour of ſuch a Judgment by reading Prov. 1.23. Heb. 10.26, &c. Very much may be gathered from Luke 19.41, 42. Where we have … moſt ſignificant Repreſentation of ſuch a diſmal Caſe, in our Lords affectionate Bewailing of the Miſery of Jeruſalem, as forſaken and left of God. He beheld the City, and mingled his Lamentations over it with his Tears. Saying, O! Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, if thou hadſt known, even thou, at leaſt, in this thy Day, the Things which belong unto thy Peace! but now they are hid from thine Eyes. He knew how deplorable the Condition of ſuch Perſons muſt needs be, and what was due to ſo great a Calamity, or he would not have lamented it with Tears. He knew the aggravation of their Guilt, and the Severity of the Divine Juſtice, and the Value of Immortal Souls, and the Depth of Miſery, into which ſuch guilty ſinners are ſinking; he perfectly knew theſe Things, or he would not have beſtowed Tears upon this Occaſion.
And which yet is moſt *See Mr. How's Redeemers Tears. Pag. 149.Dreadful to conſider, when Perſons are becom… incurably Obſtinate, and Impeniten… unto Perdition, the Redeemers Tea… may Expreſs his Compaſſion, but wil… not abate their Miſery, or aſſwag… their Torment. They that have rejected and diſpiſed his Mercy, and trampled upon his Blood, ſhall ye… have his Tears of Compaſſion. Th… former would have ſaved them, bu… the latter only bewails their Folly, and their Miſery, what they have loſ… becauſe they would not be ſaved. They neglected God's ſeaſon and he departed, Hoſea 5.6. They ſhall go with their flocks and with their herds to ſeek the Lord: But they ſhall not find him: He hath withdrawn himſelf from them. So John 8.21. The… ſaid Jeſus again unto them, I go my way, and ye ſhall ſeek me, and ſhall dy in your ſins: Whither I go, ye cannot come.
It is impoſſible for me to deſcribe the Horrour of their Caſe, with whom Matters are come to this Iſſue: That God reſolves to let them alone, to give them up into the Hands of their own Counſels, to leave them to their own Hearts Luſts, to the Dominion and Tyranny of their vile Affections and Inclinations, that they ſhall be holden in the Cords of their own Iniquity, and without further Inſtruction, or Reſtraint, Prov. 5.22, 23.in the midst of their Folly, be left of God to go aſtray. When becauſe they would not be purged, they ſhall not be purged, till the Divine Fury be made to reſt upon them. God will let them Alone, and ſay, if they will go on to treaſure up Wrath againſt a Day of Wrath, e'ne let them do it; If they will harden their Hearts, if they will dye, if they are ſo intent upon their own Ruin, as that they refuſe my counſel, and ſlight my Reproofs, and reſiſt my Spirit, and hate to be Reform'd; let them take their Courſe, let them walk in the Ways of their own Heart, and in the Sight of their Eyes, let them proſecute their own fooliſh Choice; I will do nothing to hinder it: My Goſpel ſhall not inſtruct and heal them; My Spirit ſhall not to any good purpoſe longer ſtrive with them; that which is the Savour of Life, and the Power of God unto ſalvation unto Others, ſhall have a deadly Savour unto them.
No words can expreſs the Horrour of ſuch a Caſe. And ſuch a Caſe is poſſible, but we have no certaine Rule given us whereby to determine our Judgment concerning any particular Perſon, ſo as to enable us to ſay poſitively, This is the ſad condition of ſuch a Man, or ſuch a Woman: But becauſe many fear it is their own Caſe, and the Perſon, who by a Letter deſired me to preach on this Subject, is afraid leſt Things may already be come to this Iſſue, I will not now cloſe without ſome Application.
And Paſſing over ſeveral Uſes that may be made of this, I ſhall hence take Occaſion to Exhort to three Things.
Firſt, To take heed not to paſs a definitive Sentence againſt your ſelves, concerning the ſtate of your own Souls, as to this Judgment. Secondly, However to apprehend the Danger of approaching to it, if you are under any ill Symptoms of that kind, and beware of thoſe Things that have a Tendency to ſo ſad a Doom Thirdly, Diligently to improve the Means you are yet under, by the Warnings of the Word, convictions of Conſcience, and the Motions of the Divine Spirit, that you may Effectually prevent it. That as it is not your Caſe for the preſent, it never may be ſo.
Firſt, Take heed of paſſing a definitive Sentence againſt your ſelves in this matter. There is a Time even with the Impenitent and Unconverted, when God may move their Hearts more ſtrongly unto Converſion, than afterwards. And when ſuch a Time is over with thee, thou mayeſt be apt to think that God hath utterly Abandon'd, and Forſaken thee; and be ready to conclude Thy Day of Grace is paſt. In this Senſe it may be paſt with many long before their Death, and yet their ſtate not be irrecoverable. This is like enough to be the Caſe of many of you preſent; but you need not thereupon queſtion but you ſhall be accepted of God, if you are now willing to return to him. You have no ground to queſtion whether Chriſt will receive you, if you are willing to come to him; or whether pardoning Mercy may be had if you penitently forſake your wicked ways, and turn to the Lord with all your heart.
Men that formerly had ſome Motions and Helps to Repentance, which they neglected and miſimproved, and obſtinately reſiſted, may be ſo given up to their Obſtinacy, as never to have ſuch Motions more; and ſo on that Account the Day of Grace may be paſt with divers. But ſuch Perſons are hardened in Sin, and hate an Holy Life, oppoſe ſerious Godlineſs, and the Means of their Recovery, &c. But the Day of Grace is never ſo paſt in this Life with any Man, as that he ſhall not be accepted and pardoned, if he do truly repent. Therefore for a penitent returning Sinner to fear his Day of Grace is utterly paſt, or that his Repentance, if it be true, does now come too late; This is to contradict the whole Tenour and Scope of the Goſpel. Your Caſe may be more dangerous than that of moſt others, and yet not Irrecoverable. Be ſure it is not, if you have not ſinn'd that Sin which can't be pardon'd; which in the general, I firmly believe no man is guilty of, who is afraid leſt he hath been, or is ſo guilty.
Our Obſtinate continued forſaking of God, is the great ſign of our being forſaken of him: And where that is not the Caſe, you ſhould not Judg ſo concerning your ſelves, or others. And even where it is ſo, for the preſent, the Grace of God may be rejected for many years; and yet we may hope that ſome Perſons may afterwards be converted by that Grace, which before they rejected. So that we cannot tell what God will do as to particular Perſons. Neither would it be any advantage for us to know if ſuch and ſuch, be ſo far forſaken of God, as that they ſhall never be recovered, but continue in their Obſtinacy and Impentiency to the End of their Days. God hath *Mr. How's Redeemers Tears, pag. 82.not made it any Man's Duty to believe this concerning himſelf, nor to beleive it concerning any other particular Perſon.
Some of thoſe whoſe Hearts were once as hard as yours, who ſlighted Chriſt as much, and as long, as you have done, who diſpiſed many awakening Warnings, who refuſed and turn'd their Backs upon many Invitations and Calls of the Goſpel, and reſiſted the Spirit of Grace for a long Time, have afterwards been made the Triumph of the Power, Love and Grace of God. Therefore don't paſs a definitive Sentence againſt your ſelves.
To paſs a Judgment upon our State, and to believe it concerning our ſelves, is to nullity the Goſpel, and to make it impoſſible for us to Repent and Believe, which God hath made to be our Duty. It is a ſinful preſcribing limits to the Grace of God, to ſay, It hath waited on me ſo long, it will, it can wait no longer.
Secondly, However Apprehend the Danger of the preſent Caſe, if you are under any ſuch Symptoms as have a Tendency to ſo ſevere a Judgment as this is. It may be you have ſinned your ſelves into hardneſs of Heart; that you are not affected with the Word Preached as formerly; that you do not find ſuch Impreſſions by it; that the Operations of the Spirit, with the Word, that were formerly ſtrong, do now ſeem to ceaſe. You are not ſo affected with the Evil of Sin, with ſuch hearty Sorrow, and bitter Repentance as formerly, tho thy ſins be moſt highly aggravated; And are little affected with the ſins of others; you are more ſenceleſs, ſtupid, and ſecure under the Guilt of great Provocations, than formerly: And this, notwithſtanding ſome Tokens of God's Diſpleaſure by afflictive Rebukes of Providence. It may be you have taken up with a fruitleſs, barren, empty Profeſſion of Religion, for a long Time; joyn'd with the Neglect of the inward Spiritual Part of Godlineſs, Mortification of Sin, Watchfulneſs over your Hearts, Government of your Thoughts, Paſſions, and Sences, &c. And have gone on in a formal Courſe and Round, of ſome external Duties; without Heart, or Life, or Quickning; and this contrary to your Convictions, Reſolutions, and repeated Promiſes, &c. This caſe is exceeding ſad, and ſinful, and God only knows where it will Iſſue, if deep and timely Repentance do not awaken you. You ought to apprehend it to be indeed a very provoking, and dangerous Caſe, but not quite deſperate.
Nay, let me go further, Secret Prayer, it may be, hath been neglected for a Time, or performed with ſo much coldneſs, that you now Tremble to think how low you are ſunk: Or which is much worſe, it may be you do not Tremble. The Power of Conſcience is in a great meaſure loſt, both in reſtraining from Sin, and in checking for it. You can now more eaſily ſtifle Convictions, rebel againſt Light, and venture upon a known ſin, indulge a ſecret Luſt, and allow your ſelves thoſe Things from day to day, which formerly you could not without ſharp Rebukes of Conſcience: And ſuch Preaching, and ſuch Helps as did once ſtartle, awaken, and quicken you, have now little or no ſuch Effect; This is indeed unſpeakably diſmal. O! how low are ſuch fallen? how difficult, how ſorrowful muſt be the awakening and Recovery of ſuch Backſliders? What can be ſaid to ſuch Perſons? and why ſhould they not fear the Judgment of this Text? leſt God give them up to their own Hearts Luſts. I am ſo far from diſcouraging ſuch a Fear, that I would by all Means awaken it. Therefore I ſay it would be Juſt with God, to caſt thee off, and God would be Righteous, if he reject thee utterly, if he forſake thee for Ever, if he never ſtrive with thy Heart more, if Never Providence or Sermon do thee good more. This would be Juſt. But at the ſame Time let Hope be intermingled with Fear; there is much Cauſe to Fear, but there is none to Deſpair, the one is a Duty, and the other a Sin: And if the Conſideration of your ſin and Danger, begin to melt and mollify your Heart, then know that Chriſt came not to call the Righteous, but Sinners, to Repentance; and mercy may yet be had; he takes pleaſure in them that hope in his Mercy; it is by hope we are ſaved. Therefore aggravate your ſins, and the grounds of your Fear, and the Danger of your periſhing to Eternity: But don't ſit down in Deſpondency; don't yeild your ſelves to periſh, without ſtriving to prevent it. Fall down before his Mercy-Seat, ſtudy the Nature, and Promiſes of the Covenant of Grace, and fly to Chriſt, according to the general Invitation, and Call of the Goſpel to that End.
Thirdly, if your Hearts begin to melt, and move within you, who have apprehended your ſelves in Danger of this Judgment, if you are yet under the ſtrivings of the Spirit, (as your very Sollicitude and Fear about it, and Deſire of Aſſiſtance, doth Imply,) then I would beſeech you to ſet preſently to work out your Salvation with all Diligence. Let not the Dictates of an awakened Conſcience be huſh'd, and ſilenc'd: Cheriſh and obey the holy Motions of the Spirit: Let not your preſent Convictions and Reſolutions become abortive, for want of Meditation, and Prayer, and adviſing with your Miniſters, and Judicious, Faithful Friends. Eſpecially take heed of extinguiſhing the Sentiments of an awakened Conſcience by new Guilt, and freſh Tranſgreſſions. While Conſcience is thus at Work, your Converſion is more probable, and hopeful now than formerly: If you quench not the Motions of the Spirit, and provoke him to leave you. If you will but hearken to his Voice and follow his Counſel, and not again harden your Hearts: If you would now earneſtly implore, and thankfully entertaine, and carefully improve his holy Influences.
Is it not of higheſt Importance, that you do ſo without Delay? When your Breath is in your Noſtrils, and the Day of your Life, and your Day of Grace, may both be ended before to morrow Morning. Should not the Kindneſs of God overcome you? That Mercy is offered …o ſuch returning Backſliders? ſhould … not be a melting, tranſporting Thought, for ſuch as you to conſider, …hat Chriſt invites you to come to him, …f you are weary and heavy laden, and …romiſes Reſt. Read Judges, 10th the …atter End, for your Encouragment, where God having delivered his People, and they yet forſook him, it is ſaid, …hat he would deliver them no more, but …id them go to the Gods they had …hoſen: But they cryed to him, and …urned from their evil Ways, and his …oul was greived for them, and he did …eliver them. They cryed heartily, Lord, …o unto us what ſeemeth thee good, only de…ver us, ſo do you in like Manner, and …here is yet Hope; Go in …ecret, and …ell him, that it is the Deſire of your Souls, now to return to him, beg his …anctifying Spirit with utmoſt impor…unity, plead the Vertue of the Blood of Chriſt, ſay unto him, Lord do with …ne what thou wilt; afflict me how thou pleaſeſt, ſtrip me of all my pleaſant Things, if that may ſerve the Ends of thy Glory; only let not thy holy Spirit forſake me; only deliver me out of …he hands of my Luſts; break theſe my Chains, knock off theſe Fetters; ſave me from my ſins, and from th… Wrath; accept me for thy Covenan… ſervant, write thy Law upon my Heart, that I may walk in thy Ways. And whatever thou give me, or whatever thou deny me, Lord, for Jeſu… Chriſt's ſake, never give me up to my ow… Hearts Lusts, that I ſhould be left to wa… in my own Counſels. Amen.