Balm from Gilead, Sermon 16
After-noone Sermon.
AS yet we hauehave not gathered all the Propositions which are in this last prescript. Our next Is, Doct. when the Lord sendeth the Pestilence amongst a people, he calleth vponupon them that are turned vntounto the Lord, to turne vntounto him more and more, and that as a meanes disposing to hearing, &c. and healing of the Land. This ariseth from Gods sending the pestilence amongst those that are truely his, and calling vponupon them to turne vntounto GOD: that is, Reason 1 they must turne more and more.
1 And this in the first place is the Precept of the Lord, Gods word and his rodd ayme at one and the same thing. It is Gods Commandement in all those places, wherein they that hauehave grace are called for it in a farther measure, 2. Pet. 3.18.to growe in grace, to perfect sanctification, to abound in the workes of the Lord. 1. Cor. 15. vlt.Not to fal vponupon particular graces which I might be large in. Reu. 22.Let him that is righteous be so still; and hee that is holy, let him be holy still, grow in knowledge &c. To the meeke of the earth, Gods precept is, seeke meekenesse; to them that hauehave wrought Gods iudgements, Ephes. 3.2.3.seeke righteousnesse.
In all those places wherein hee threatneth and executeth his Iudgements, chastning his owne: this of the Plague which is as a fire and a furnace to purifie and refine Gods people, to extract drosse, the pruning hooke of GOD. Christ is the vine, wee the branches; God the Husbandman, Iam. 15.2.eueryevery branch that beareth fruit in me, my Father purgeth, that it may bring foorth more fruit. They are as a dogge vntounto vnruely beasts, the meanes whereby hee intendeth to reduce vsus straying, and to keepe vsus foorth right, and forward in the way.
2 Because thats it which hath the promise of the Lord. Reason 2 The Lords Promise is made to returning simply; it doth hold more strongly, where there is turning more and more. In this place if we consider the subiect already turned, the promise of healing is made to turning more and more. It is cleare in the Prophesie of Zephanie, Zeph. 2.3.Seeke yee the Lord all yee meeke of the earth, which hauehave wrought his iudgements, seeke meekenesse, seeke righteousnesse: and then the promise followeth, It may be you shall bee hidd in the day of the Lords wrath. Wherein by the day of Gods wrath (as the plague is) the promise of God of hiding is made vntounto a farther seeking of meekenesse and righteousnesse.
3 Because, Reason 3 not onelyonly the want of grace, or turning to the Lord, but of degrees, is sinne. The Lord in his Law commandeth perfection of parts and degrees; whosoeuer commeth short in degrees of the Law, Continueth not in all the Commandements, and he is accursed. GOD may for want of degrees of the power or habit of garce: I, for defect or want of acts it vse or exercise, take aduantage against his owne. And hath, as on Zachary, for the want of an act of Faith, Luke 1. As on Moses and Aaron for want of a particular sanctification of the Lord, in that place at that time; as vponupon the Corinthians, Who for that cause were some sicke, some weake, some asleepe. We cannot conceiue them, simply vnworthy, altogether without quallity and complement. If God cause such in that case to sleep, and they shall neuer awake, such as shal not be condemned in the world to come, must bee vnderstood, of failing in degree, or measure, or some acts. The want of it being a cause of the plague, it must be remooued; indeauour for grace and acts more and more must be put for the healing of the plague.
4 Because turning is a meanes, Reason. as we hauehave heard before, the more grace the stronger the meanes, the speedier the effect. Where there are many hands there is light work, forces vnited are strongest, the greater faith is, &c. the more feruent prayer; the greater the supply of the spirit of prayer is to vsus, the more may it be powred out; the more humility, the greater humiliation: and therefore
It may bee sayd, Obiect. the promise is made to grace, the least measure whereof is so Therefore it seemeth impertinent to stand vponupon degrees.
First I answer, Answer. the consequence is lame, it is pertinent, and that which followeth is, the promise is made much more vntounto a great measure, as we hauehave heard.
Secondly, But the scope of the Lord in this is to decipher, true Conuerts, whose propertie is to turne vntounto God more and more by his meanes and working, and exclude others from that number who doe not so; and withall, to stirre vsus vp to co-worke with him, to that ende, in perfecting our Sanctification; and to iustifie him when as he shall at any time in any chastisment take aduantage of vsus, as wee by wants giuegive him often times cause.
1 Learne hence: Vse 1 first, that our graces, and so conuersion vntounto God who are regenerate, are not in regard of degrees perfect: were they perfect, we needed no precepts, nor spurre, nor rodde; this violent meanes of purging, that wee might bring forth more fruit. And hence we may argue,
1 I argue, That inherent righteousnesse, (being imperfect) cannot be the formall cause, or that by which wee stand iustified before GOD, which Romanists teach, and that there is another righteousnesse to be sought after, by which that may be done; the perfect righteousnesse of Christ imputed and giuen vntounto vsus, put on by faith, which Papists denie and call putatiue.
2 Secondly, I argue, that so long a regenerate man cannot perfectly in regard of degrees, and doth not fulfill Gods law against the same Romanists. Were the question of perfection of parts, It were none: they fought against their shadow in that controuersie, it must be vnderstood of degrees which are imperfect.
3 I argue, that good work cannot bee condigne and meritorious causes of eternall life, against Romanists, especially those that teach it, without relation to Gods gracious couenant and promises in Iesus Christ, there is lesse then is commaunded, which is sinne, whose condigne stipend is eternall death.
And what will become of the doctrine of supererogation, which teacheth doing of more. If wee did all, it were but perfection required: we are seruants, wee did what wee ought, and were to be punished, if wee did not so much. Let vsus disclaime our owne righteousnesse; all our righteousnesse is as a polluted cloath: Let vsus looke that we be sound, not hauing or trusting vntounto that, but the righteousnesse of Christ liue by faith in it in him, because our righteousnesse is imperfect. Woe be vntounto the most commendable life of any (if GOD setting aside merciemercy) should enter into iudgement with it.
2 It may bee a ground of our iustification of the Lord in these times, Vse 2 wherein hee maketh such a breach vponupon his owne people: it is a truth, many other causes may moue the Lord, and this cannot preiudice their eternall saluation, and yet this must bee acknowledged a cause: It may make eueryevery mouth dumbe, seeing it is his righteous doing.
3 It may serue for reproofe, Vse 3 instruction, and exhortation, reproofe, euen of the Lords, who answer not Gods call, who vse not his meanes; which of vsus are not open vntounto it? Who can put it off? Which of vsus hauehave searched and tried our wayes, and turned vntounto the Lord?
Finding our selues many degrees short of the perfect holinesse and righteousnes, required by the Lord, hauehave enforced our selues in the bent and purpose of our soules, to a neerer proportion vntounto his Commandements? What hath beene added to our faith, hope, charity, prayer, peaceablenesse, especially if wee consider the meanes, this hand and scourge of the Lord? Wee must all confesse, it hath beene the merciemercy of the Lord, that wee hauehave not beene consumed. Let vsus submit vntounto this reproofe, humble our selues vnderunder it, and all things threatned and deserued, and bee stirred vp by it yet to reformation, in the vse of good meanes.
Grow by this in faith, in hope, in charity, &c. in the grace most opposed to thy preuailing sinne: if it bee lust in chastity, if pride in humility, if it be couetousnesse in bounty and liberality: if it bee anger in patience, a meeke and a quiet spirit: if it be malice or enuie in charity; as the Apostle saith, vponupon this ground let vsus aboue all, as an vpper garment, put on charity, Let the peace of God rule in our hearts, as the Elect of God, holy and beloued, put on bowels of merciemercy, &c. Adde vntounto vertue and knowledge: grow in eueryevery grace and perfect sanctification, in the feare of GOD.
1 To this end be wee more frequent in the word: reade it, heare it, meditate in it, chewe it, (a despised practise of some) as new borne Babes let vsus desire the sincere milke of the word of GOD, that wee may grow thereby. Shew that in it wee hauehave tasted how gracious the Lord is. The Ministrie is for the gathering and perfecting of the Saints, obay it. Let the word dwell plenteously, to all spirituall wisedome and vnderstanding. In it are lapt vp all the causes, motiues, and arguments whatsoeuer.
2 Let vsus bee frequent in the vse of the Sacraments. Looke backe to Baptisme, the signe and seale of God, 1. Pet. 3.21.I, pledge of compleat saluation; come vntounto the Supper of the Lord as often as the table is prepared. In these there is fellowship with Christ, God himselfe, and all his treasures, a supply of the spirit, and so of eueryevery grace, ocasion is administred of enriching our selues in eueryevery grace; of perfecting what is lacking; of nourishing vp to eternall life.
3 Let vsus often vse the fellowship of the Saints, in it we shall bee reproued, conuinced, admonished, taught by precepts and examples, encouraged, wee shall hauehave companions; such as will call vponupon vsus, goe and runne with vsus. Come let vsus returne vntounto the Lord, hee hath smitten vsus, &c. Theres not a grace, but occasion shall be here giuen of it exercise and groath: the force of fellowship is great; wee see it in all the congregations of euill doers, contrary fellowship hath contrary effects, it is terrible vntounto a wicked man? how doth it restraine them? In the presence of graue pious sober men, many that are openly lewd, are for the time restrained and curbed: The very sight of vertue and godlinesse, worketh awe and reuerence in loose and dissolute mindes. It really worketh by Gods blessing vponupon the godly.
4 Examine thy selfe of thy groath, compare thy selfe now with what thou hast beene, either thou shalt finde encrease or not: if not, thou lackest an euidence of thine eternall estate, and must giuegive diligence by this to make it sure. If I, thou hast an encourgement to goe on: searching and trying our wayes, accompany and dispose vsus to turning vntounto the Lord.
5 Inure thy selfe to reformation, let not a day passe without a line, without some ground gotten: vse maketh perfect in any thing: it is so in omission, as of prayer in the morning, &c. how easily will a man discontinue? for commission, lying, swearing, idle speaking, repeated oathes, dispose vntounto an habite. It is so in grace on the contrary, repetition of actions, maketh a man merry in its vse: To him that hath and vseth, shall be giuen, that man shall abound.
Aboue all, vse faith, liue by it, in God thine, and in our Lord lesus Christ. When God entred into couenant with thee, and became thine, he promised to giuegive a new heart; to make thee to walke in his Commandements, and to doe them, to perfect the good worke begun in thee, the iust shall flourish, &c. those that are planted, &c shall bring forth more fruit in their age, &c. He said it, he swore it, hee hath giuen the sacraments, signes, and seales of it. I, the spirit an earnest (Christ himselfe purchasing, vndertaking, exalted to giuegive it) and engaged himselfe, by all his names, by all his attributes. Liue now by faith in Christ for all these: Walke in him rooted and grounded, with full purpose of heart cleaue vntounto the Lord, keepe close vntounto him for accomplishment, suck and draw from him by faith in all ordinances, exercise faith in prayer: so Christ taught his Disciples; Lord encrease our faith: Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done in carth as it is in heauen. As the Lord now calleth vponupon thee to grow, call vponupon him, for power, for will and deede: put him in minde of his names and attributes, by which hee appeareth in his word: of his promises, of his oath, of his sacramen…s: Conuert mee, and I shall bee conuerted.
Thus hauehave Gods people, and wee ought. And surely brethren, what God saith, he is able to, and will doe, and yet will bee sought vntounto in the vse of meanes, to which hee promiseth it. Theres no degree of grace any hungry soule needeth, but it is (as it were in his hand to giuegive.) If wee doe aske, hee will giuegive vsus the holy Ghost, a supply of his spirit. Therefore vpbraydingly he saith; Hithervnto you hauehave asked nothing: aske, and your ioy shall bee full. Exercise of faith; of faith in prayer, is a meanes of fulnesse of ioy; of the perfection of all graces whatsoeuer.
Adde hereunto comparison of thy selfe with others, not as the Pharisie did himselfe, with men notoriously euill; nor yet with eueryevery godly man; set the best, him that is most eminent before thee; and that in the grace thou doest chiefely stand in neede of. Moyses the meekest man, Zacharie, Elizabeth, Abraham, Sarah: rich men saile not for riches, by the compasse and card of poore men; their eye is vponupon rich men, vponupon the richest. HaueHave an eye vntounto Christ, learne of him: Let the same minde be in thee that was in him: follow him. I, God himselfe: Be perfect as your heauenly Father, holy as he is: S…t before thee Gods Law, ayme at it as at a mark, mind it, will and affect it. O that mine heart were so direct to keepe all thy Comanedments.
And to moue thee: Consider thou that hast the greatest measure of grace, art short of Gods law, thou knowest in part, thy faith is little, and weake: a strong faith is weake in regard of whats required: a great faith little in that respect; our faith is mingled with infidelity: our righteousnesse like a polluted cloath, thou must not heare rest or sit downe.
Consider, the Lord requireth perfection. Hee aymeth at it in his meanes, his Word, Sacraments, Ministery, Sabbaths, all which are ordained and continued for the sanctification of thee. Not to profit by his meanes, is to take his name in vaiue: Which who so doth, shall not be held guitlesse. It is the ende of the places and times wee hauehave, with the means; all these are as Talents, they must not bee hid, thou must put them to vse, what the Vsurer doth with his money, thou must with these in kind. According to what the Lord soweth, hee doth expect he shall reape; concerning the time, Yee ought to hauehave beene teachers, saith the Apostle to the Hebrewes. And yet yee hauehave need to be taught principles. The Lord doth not complaine for nothing, nor smite for nothing.
I might vrge vponupon you the mercies of GOD, the good you hauehave, and hauehave had, and by all these moue you to returne, the Lord is gracious and mercifull, you hauehave found it by experience, therefore turne vntounto the Lord. I might beseech you by all the mercies of God: As the Elect of God holy and beloued. I may now cry, behold the patience and long suffering of God towards thee: especially now in this contagious time when as so many dye. I might vrge the mercies of God to come; the high price thou art called vntounto may make thee presse forward; I might bid thee eye the recompence of the reward, the ende will giuegive louelinesse to all the meanes, and carry thee through thicke and thinne. Abound in the workes of the Lord, thou knowest thy labour is not in vaine.
Consider Gods glory, bringing forth much fruit doth glorifie the Lord: It shall giuegive him the glory of his meanes, his Word, Sacraments, Fasting, Prayer, and other ordinances; of Christ Iesus, of all his attributes, Iustice, Anger, Zeale, Power, Mercy, Goodnesse, Truth, all these shall be really acknowledged and credited by vsus; we shall glorifie God our selues, shew that the Lord is true, and prouoke all others.
In a word, by this thine answere of Gods call, thou art put to triall for coristianitie. Psal. 92.The iust shall flourish like a Palme tree, &c. They shall bring foorth fruit in age, Prou. 4.18.&c. The path of the iust is as the shining light, which shineth more and more vntill perfect day. Though the kingdome of heauen be as a graine of Mustardseed, the least of all other, if it bee sowne it becommeth a tall tree. It is as a little leauen hidd in the lumpe, it leaueneth the whole; It is as a naturall motion, most swift neere the ende, Bern.that man was neuer good, that laboureth not to be better. Deny this; far well thy euidence is of Christiai…ie: thou art made naked of these and opened to Gods plague for the present, not answering Gods call, norvsing his meanes. And if such as hauehave grace are vnderunder reproofe, for not going forward, what are those, whose backes are still vponupon the Lord; Who reuolt more and more, who waxe worse and worse, who stand at a stay, are dwarfes, euer learning neuer comming to the knowledge of the truth: on whom that curse seemeth to be executed, neuer grow fruite on thee more, of such as growe onelyonly in head or tongue on part, of those that goe backward, retrogrades, renegadoes, apostates, such as begin in the spirit, and ende in the flesh; such as returne with the Sowe to her wallow, and with the Dogge to his vomit? These answere the call much lesse, are much more open to reproofe, and vnderunder the danger of Gods hand, the plague, in this infectious time. If it goe ill with green trees, which hauehave sappe, and leaues, and fruit, what will it doe with the drie? If the righteouse now scaresely be saued, where shall the vngodly and the sinners appeare? It is more then time for these to answere, and thorowly to repent.