Exposition of the Apostles Creed, Part 1 · Sermon 8
That God is our Father.
Rom. 8.15.
But you have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father.
THE Schools out of Augustine subtilly distinguish between believing God, believing in God, and believing on God. To believe that God is, In. Joannem. tract. 29. Credere Deum. Credere Deo. Credere in Deum. James 2.19. Numb. 23.19.is no great matter, since the devil believes so much, and trembles: or to believe that his Word is true, because he hath spoken it who cannot lye, is not much neither, since many a Reprobate hath confess'd it. A believer then must be endued with a higher degree of Faith, and profess as his Creed hath directed, Credo foreign, or foreign, I believe in God, or on God.
1. Which assent is sometimes accompanied with feare, which the Apostle here calls the Spirit of bondage; for this Spirit sets before us the Law, tells us we are servants, and ought to keep it, and threatens blowes for the breach of it. The Command is strict, and the effect fearful, Do this, or dye.
The Spirit of God is then call'd the Spirit of bondage unto fear; not as if it made men bondmen in whom it works, but because it first makes them see the bond in which they were bound, the penalty if not perform'd; and upon conscience of the breach there follows a deadly fear; so it was in those Converts, Luke 3. What shall we do? and in those in Acts 2.Ver. 10, 12, 14. Acts 2.37. Men and Brethren, what shall we do to be saved?
This is the first operation of the Spirit; and this the Romans had receiv'd in their first conversion. A great fear for that they had not kept their bond. And in all the Elect that are of discretion, the Spirit of God works by this feare, before it begets a filial assurance that all may know they stand in need of Christ and seek him.Gal. 3.24. The Law is our Schoole-master to bring us to Christ.
2. But this assent is again accompanied with love and comfort. A love of the Commands, and a comfort in the promises of the Gospel, when we remember that he that imposed the one and made the other, is our Father; whence with confidence we profess, Credo in Deum Patrem, I believe in God the Father, or as the Apostle here, We cry Abba Pater.
Abba is Originally Hebrew; foreign, Graec. Father; Psal. 118.22. Acts 4.11.and the Apostle useth both tongues to animate both Nations, Jews and Greeks, by this honour of Filiation. For being both united in that one stone which is the Head of the Corner, there is no more distinction. Every one of both Nations who partakes of this Spirit of Adoption, may boldly approach the Throne of grace, and say Our Father.
The Apostle in the Verse before had said, that we are the Sonnes of God, Acts 19.2.and in this and the next he proves it by that fear and love that are in all those that receive the Spirit. That receive it I say; for it is a receipt; and therefore Saint Paul at Ephesus ask'd, Whether they had received the Spirit: And it is cleare, that without this Receipt we have no Seale to the Adoption.
Now with the Spirit we receive two things, which are the two several ways of working in the Sons of God.
1. The first is feare, which the Apostle here calls the spirit of bondage, which requires strict service, as I said, and exact obedience, calling to us Fac, fac vel timore poenae, Do it man, do as you are bidden, though it be meerly for feare of punishment; And this is an excellent and necessary introduction fit for beginners in the faith. It is like the base Court, which a man must pass before he enters into the Palace. And it seemes the Romanes had past through it; This againe in the Text intimates so much; They were not againe to receive this Spirit of feare, therefore they had once before receiv'd it.
2. The second is by love, which the Apostle calls the Spirit of Adoption. This speaks to them as to Sons, commands them to obey as before, but not out of a servile, but a filial feare. As if he had said, That very Spirit which taught you at first as servants for terrour to keep and do the duties of the Law, now as Sonnes leads you to performe the same obedience, and to walk in newness of life. The duties then are the same, the Spirit that enables you the same; but the reason whence they arise is not the same; for at first they sprang from fear, but now from love.
The Apostle then in this place makes not here his comparison betwixt the godly, who had submitted themselves to that easie Yoke of the Gospel, with them who yet lived under the Law of Moses; But the collation is betwixt those who had given up their names to Christ within themselves, and in them he compares a second operation of the Spirit with the first: Within them it was not as it was before. Before no more comfort they could have, than their service could assure them in doing their duties, and then feare must attend their best endeavours, as being conscious to themselves that the best work that they could do, was either polluted or imperfect. But upon their second receipt great comfort they might take, in that God was their Father, and they his Sonnes. And therefore as a father pitieth his own children, so God would be merciful to those that feare him. Psal. 103.13.This wrought upon them to do their service out of love. And that which wrought this love in their hearts, was the Spirit of Adoption which they had received.
Yea, but how shall it appear that they had received him? How? By feeling and experience. Of which
1. The first is the Clamamus here. That he hath poured upon us the Spirit of grace and supplication, by which with zeale and fervour of spirit, with contention of voice, and intention of heart, without intermission we call and cry to him Abba Pater, Zach. 12.10. 1 Cor. 12.3.exandi nos, O good Father heare us. No man with confidence and boldness can call God Father, but by the Holy Ghost. This you now can do. Therefore you have received the Spirit of Adoption.
foreign.2. The second experience is the foreign in the next verse. For the same Spirit beares witnesse with our Spirit, that we are the Sonnes of God. Note here, that not our Spirit, nor the Spirit of God alone gives in this Testimony, but both concurring and meeting together. Our spirit cannot alone make this Certificate, because mans heart is alwayes evil, and too too often deceitful.Gen. 6.5. Jer. 17.9. And Gods Spirit makes not this perswasion comfortably in any, without the witness of our spirit. For if our conscience condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, 1 Joh. 3.20, 21.and knows all things: But if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
Then we may be assured that we have received the Spirit of Adoption. Then we may boldly say, I believe in God the Father Almighty. Then we may with comfort approach the Throne of grace,Heb. 4.16. and pray, Our Father. Then we may lay our claime, and cry in all our distresses, Abba Pater. For if we be Sons, then are we Heirs, even Heirs of this God our Father, and co-heirs annexed with Christ, as the Apostle hath for our comfort concluded at the 17. Verse.
1. Now two sorts of men there are that make use of this Certificate; the one too much, and the other too little. There be that live after the flesh, yet boast of the Spirit; such are carnal professors, whom Solomon hath thus described to us; There is a generation that curseth their father, Prov. 30.11, 12 13.and doth not bless their mother; There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not wash'd from their filthinesse; There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes, and their eye lids are lifted up; There is a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw-teeth as Knives to devoure the poore from off the earth, and the needy from among men. And yet notwithstanding their curses, their filthiness, their pride, their cruelty, they will be, I had almost said alone, their fathers best children; for which if you ask an evidence, presumptuously they will produce this place, foreign, The Spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit. The Spirit; what Spirit? the spirit of errour, the spirit of seduction, the lying spirit, the spirit of pride; for God hath no Sonnes, but those who are like him. The Spirit of Adoption is the Spirit of Sanctification; first he makes a new creature, and then beares witness. Pretend not then the Testimony of the Holy Ghost for thy Adoption, without the Certificate of thine own conscience; nor that of thine own conscience, without that of the Holy Ghost, for these must go together. As is thy faith and repentance, such is thy Certificate; so certaine, so comfortable, and no more. Take heed then, and split not upon the Rock of presumption, for it is Pharisaism.
2. But as there be, who look upon this Certificate too boldly, so also there are, who behold it, and reade it with too weak an eye, who for the most part are yet the best children. For none so apt to complaine of themselves, and the absence of their Father, and his Spirit, as they who are most spiritual. Gods Children are like covetous rich men, who think that they have nothing, because they thirst for more. But as the Carnal Professour may not presume, so let not the weak Christian despaire, because he alwayes feels not the witness of the Spirit in the same measure. In spiritual desertions, good it will be to have recourse to the former Comforts; Let such remember their joyful Songs, their devout prayers, their sharp combates, their thirst, their hunger after …ighteousnesse, their constant desires, their sincere studyes and endeavours, and by these collect their estate: And this will keep them from the Rock of despaire. All these are evidences of the Spirit of Adoption, and therefore they may yet with comfort cry Abba Father.
And thus have I given you an accompt for the sense and connexion of these words with the former, and the subsequent. And out of these I could raise many profitable Notes. As that
First, Prayer is a Gift of the Spirit of Adoption, in that it is here said, In quo. In whom, that is, in the Power of this Spirit we cry.
Secondly, That this our prayer ought to be zealous, importunate, fervent, a clamour, a cry. Clamamus, saith the Apostle; so our Saviour,Heb. 5.7. Exod. 17.4. Cap. 14.15. Psal. 130.1. Jonah 2.2. so Moses, so David, so Jonah pray'd. Our Saviour with strong cryes in the Garden, Moses at the red Sea, David out of the deep, Jonah from the belly of the Whale.
Thirdly, That our prayer must be daily, constant, without ceasing; for Clamamus is the Present tense, which notes the present time; an action not to be delay'd or put off, but presently to be done.
Fourthly, That all good men joyn their forces, and combine in prayer. The Apostle that spoke in the second person before, Recepistis Spiritum, yet when they came to cry, then he would make One. In whom we cry altogether, Our Father.
5. In that there is Charity. But in that we reflect upon him in our petitions as a Father, and pathetically cry, Abba, Pater, this is a seale of our faith, and gives us boldnesse, and confidence to approach him. Many impediments there may be, which may deter us from coming into his presence, and which may retard our supplications. But this one word, Abba, Father, may animate us,Luke 15.18. and quicken them. Say thou be a Prodigal, remember that he is thy Father; come then to thy self, arise and go to thy Father. Thy conscience tells thee,Rom. 7.14. that God is a God of pure eyes, and that thou art carnal, and sold under sinne, and will he then look upon such a one? But again remember, that he is a Father,2 Tim. 2.13. and he cannot deny himself. Cry with the affection of a sonne, Abba, Father, and foreign, his bowels will came upon thee, he will pity thee,Luke 15.20. Psal. 103.13. he will hear thee, he will have compassion on thee, as a father pitieth his only sonne.
You see what a plentiful harvest I have of a little seed; but I cannot now stand to gather and thresh out every sheaf, and shall only then make choyce of of the last, Abba, Father; Because it will serve me to make bread of that Notion of the Creed upon which I am fallen, I beleeve in God the Father.
The Father.
This word is foreign. A word of Relation, and must then upon necessity carry our thoughts to its Correlative a Son. For Relatorum est mutuum iter. Relative termes are always reciprocal, and terminate are the other. He is no father, that hath no son, nor he no sonne, that hath no father. So many wayes then God may be said to be a Father, as he may have sons, which being doub…e, either by Nature or Grace, such must his children be also.
1. One son only he hath by Nature, upon whom he hath set a note of distinction.Psal. 2.7. Matth. 3.17. John 1.14. Heb. 1.3. I have said, Thou art my Son. And again, This is my beloved Sonne. Thou art, that is, in such a manner as no other is, foreign, my only begotten Sonne, foreign, The brightnesse of my glory, and the expresse image of my person. His essence being the same with his, though his existence be diverse. And this Son is our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.
2. That the whole world besides are his children by indulgence and favour; For as the Apostle tells the Athenians out of Aratus, foreign, We are all his off-spring.
Naz. foreign. ex Orpheo.foreign.
foreign.
The meaning of the point is, that the power of the glorious and great God is effectual to the production of all things.
It is usual to call him the Father of the family, from whom all that family is derived, and by whose counsel and power it is guided and protected. And in this sense we call God the Father of the Universe,Deut. 32.6. in that he makes, governs, and by his providence orders the whole. Hence is that question proposed by Moses, Mal. 2.10.Is not he thy Father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? But shorter in Malachi, Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?
This is a favour imparted at large, even to the least flye, much more to the worst man;Matth. 5.45. for he feeds, preserves, maintains, adorns, even Publicans and sinners; to him, those that every day blaspheme him, are more beholding for the expression of these paternal acts, than to their parents that begat them. Besides then this common favour, there must be one more peculiar, by which all the acts of a Father are performed unto sons, but in a farre higher and more excellent degree than unto other creatures, or unto other men. And such there be.
For to some he gives that power and honour to be, and to be called the sons of God: He is well pleased that some lay their claime, and call him Abba, John 1.12.Father: He hath ordained some to be Heirs, even Co-heirs annexed with Christ. These he begets by his Word and Spirit, which are the Principles of their New and Celestial life. These he assists with his Grace,1 Cor. 4.15. John 1.13. which is able to continue and preserve what he hath begotten. No father can be more carefull of his sons education, than he is of their breeding; and to that purpose he guids their feet, where the way is dangerous, and opens their eyes, where the path is dark; and prevents a temptation, when it is too powerful; and quickens them up, when they are heavie and dull, and have no mind to learn.1 Pet. 1.3, 4. But this is not all neither, when they are past their minority, which lasts as long as his life lasts; he hath provided an inheritance for them, not by the death of the Father, but by the Purchase of the Son, of which he hath given these his children an assurance of his Spirit, and will put them into possession in another world.
Me thinks it cannot satisfie to huddle up so many acts of Grace, and such inestimable indulgences, and to present them thus in grosse. It will not then I hope seeme tedious unto you, that I sort these particulars, and offer them to your view one by one, it must needs chear up the heart of every gracious child, to hear that he hath so good and munificent a Father.
1. I passe by here how out of a lump of red earth,Gen. 1.27. & 2.7. and Virgin-clay he framed man to no other likenesse, than that of himself. Out of which pattern for succeeding posterity, when our enemy by temptation had prevail'd to blot Gods image, our gracious Father began to think how it might be restored as at first. And no other way being found to effect it, he that was the expresse image of his person, offered himself to become like man, that so man again might become like God.
2. And when He again left the world, and departed to his Father, He sent down his Spirit to dwell with us, to abide with us, to renew us, to reform us,Joh. 14.16, 17. Tit. 3.5. Heb. 9.10. 1 Thes. 5.23. to work all manner of sanctity in our hearts. The secret preventions, the inward and quick excitations, those sobs and throbs of heart, those powerful assistances, those calls and motions to good, are to no other end, but that you put off the old man, with his deeds, and that you put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him. Colos. 3.9, 10.The Holy Ghost then does but the same work for which the Son of God was born, viz. That we might be reborn, and have the holy image of our Father once more stamped upon us, and look like our Fathers children.
3. And we, who are his Embassadours, make all our addresses to you for the same purpose. We employ all our studies, art, industry, we spend our spirits,2 Cor. 5, 20. and torture our braines, only to make you again look like God your Father. It hath pleased the great Lord that sent us,1 Cor. 4.15. Gal. 4.19. to honour us with the title of spiritual fathers; and what is now our desire? but to beget you again by the Gospel, that so Christ might be once again formed in you.
For I must tell you, you are by nature the children of wrath: Or,Ehpes. 2.3. John 8.44. as Christ told the Pharisees, Of your Father the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye did: If it be now better with you, blesse the Spirit of God, who hath regenerated you by the Ministry of the Church. Among the chaffe you lay,Matth. 3.12. Matth. 13.30. 'tis the fan in our hand as under-workmen that hath purg'd you. You sometimes grew among the Tares, that you escape the fire, thank God who hath sent forth skilful Labourers to gather you: Rough, knotty, and unpolished timber you were, our axe, our plaine, point and edge hath gone upon you, and fitted you for the building. Of this God, by Hosee minds the Jews, and I you. Dedolavi per prophetas. I have hew'd you by the Prophets, Ego, per: Hos. 6.5.The work then is Gods,1 Thes. 3.2. he hews, shapes, fashions, smooths you for his Temple, to dwell in; but yet it is by us, we are fellow-labourers, we are instrumental; the axe, the saw, the plaine, which it pleaseth God to make use of, is put into our hand; and I pray let it not offend, that as we see occasion, we use the one and the other; for till the knots and ruggednesse be chipt off, and the proud risings be taken down, you are not capable of your Fathers face, that image of righteousnesse and holinesse, the which to the life our desire and labour is to set upon you.
3. And because want is oftentimes an hinderance to the undertaking of many worthy actions, that neither we be discouraged in the execution of our Embassay, nor you deterred from your filial obedience, like a good Father he hath furnished us with all temporal necessaries. We may mistake our corne and wine, our cloaths and meat, and take it for our own, and of our own provision: But I know whose it is, and who hath provided it for us. The property is our Fathers, the use only ours; like an indulgent and wise father, he may passe over a Lease during pleasure of these temporals; but the right he still retains in his own hand.Ezek. 16.18. His Title you shall hear him plead; Thy Oyle is mine, thy Incense is mine, thy meat is mine, thy flower is mine, thy gold is mine, thy silver is mine, thy sons are mine, and thy daughters are mine. And upon the disobedience of his children, he threatens to make a re-entry. Because she knew not that I gave her corne, Hos. 2.8, 9.and wine, and oyle, and multiplyed her silver and gold, therefore I will returne, and take away my corne in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and I will recover my wooll and my flax given to cover her nakednesse.
Lord how much mistaken was the Churle Nabal, and so are all other Churles with him,1 Sam. 25.11. when they cry out My meat and my bread, and my water, and my shearers; for these things our bountiful Father in heaven hath only set out to his children on earth, and when they are behind with him for their rent of thanks, or else commit waste in his possessions, he may lawfully revoke his grant, and does often find another Tenant.
Matth. 5.45.The Sunne that ripens our corne is his, the aire that we breath is his; not a shower that comes from heaven but he begets it, for he is Pater pluviae, the Father of the raine:Job 38.28. Matth. 6, 11. Ezek. 4.16. The bread also which we eate is his, ours only when we have begg'd it of him; and when we have it, it will not be the staffe of bread to prop up these tabernacles of our bodies, till he hath given the power of nutrition to. Your heavenly Father feedeth you, Mat. 6.26.
And if this courtesie seeme too common, because all creatures share in it, (for even the Ravens eate of our Fathers meat as well as we) then behold a farther honour. Every one of us are beholding to him for our preferment. After he had laid the foundation of the earth, watred it with rivers and springs, erected the walls of the elements, clapped on the roof of heaven, and furnished it with lights from above; at last he brought in man, not to be a vassal or utensile,Gen. 1, 26. as the rest of the creatures, but to be a great Lord, to be a Superintendent, and to master all. Dominari, To have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fouls of the aire, and over the cattel, and over all the earth; was there ever the like Patent! David is so amaz'd at it, that he cries out, O Lord our Governours, how excellent is thy name in all the world! So he begins,Psal. 8.1. ult. so he ends the Psalm.
4. But I presse these temporals no farther, though I might do well in it; for most of us are too too earthly-minded, and think those our farhers white sons that have the largest portion assigned them on earth. But the Apostle calls me to a far higher contemplation: It being not so much his providence, by which God hath shewed himself a Father unto us, as in that he hath given us
1. The Spirit of Adoption.
Adoption is an act of Grace, found out for the comfort of those who have no children, or if they have, yet out of some deep dislike have cast them off. By this the person so chosen, is put in the place, and honoured with the title of a sonne, and intended to be the heire. This is the indulgence of men; but we finde the God of heaven far more indulgent in this act. For this spiritual Adoption far exceeds that which is civil, and with us usual.
1. The civil was found out by man. This proceeded from God.Ephes. 1.5. God the Father destinated us unto the adoption of children, &c. 2. The civil was brought in for the comfort of a father that wants children and heires; this for the comfort of a child, that wants a father. 3. In the civil no man adopts, that hath a son and heire, or that hath not for some enormity judged him unworthy of his inheritance: but in this, the father had a son and heire, and there was no dislike, nor no reason for it, and yet he adopts strangers to be coheires with his son. 4. The civil often hath its rise from some outward motive, either nearnesse of blood, or consideration of some rare parts in the person adopted, or blind affection: But this had no such cause, it was not from faith or works foreseene, nor for any mans righteousnesse, nor uprightnesse of heart,Deut. 9.5. nor for any proximity; for we were aliens and strangers to him; It proceeded meerly ex motu proprio; he adopted us according to the good pleasure of his will. 5. Lastly, in the civil,Ephes. 1.5. the manners and conditions of the adopted is not chang'd; make choice of an Ethiop, and adopt him for your son, and he remains as black as before; whereas in this adoption the man becomes a new man, his life is bettered, his ways of another fashion; he is so sanctified, so cleansed, that should you compare him with what he was, and what he is, you would scarce take him to be the same man. And that you wonder nothing at it, at the instant of the Adoption, they
2. Receive the Spirit.
Do not think it in vain, that the Apostle phraseth it thus. He might have said Adoption barely, but that he doth not, but puts us in mind of the Spirit that comes to our Adoption, and that for weighty reasons.
1. Because this Spirit transforms the man,Rom. 8.1. and makes him walk not according to the flesh, but by the conduct of the Spirit. No sooner shall you finde a man admitted into this catalogue of sons, but you shall find him a new man.Acts 9. Luke 7. Luke 10.39. Saul is made a Paul; Mary the City sinner, or as Ambrose hath it, the Cities sinne, is turned into Mary the devout. Are thy wayes foul, vitious, sottish, profane, whorish? The foul spirit is yet in thee. Art thou humble, penitent, meek, circumspect? thy own spirit brought thee not to that; it was this Spirit of Adoption.
2. Or secondly, because till he comes, there is none of our Fathers work done in any child of God; The natural man perceives not the things of God, 1 Cor. 2.9. to 16the understanding is dark, the will perverse, the affections bent to evil. He, and He alone makes us partakers of the divine nature; Illuminates, renewes,2 Pet. 1.4. teacheth, incites, confirms, prayes in us, and makes us do all the duties of sons;Rom. 8.27. Ephes. 4.30. in one word, seals us to the day of redemption.
3. And that Sealing is to us the Spirit of Adoption. For Adoption hath to us no Spirit, life or heart in it, till it come to that. The name of a Father, and the inheritance made over unto us, are but like an Indenture fairly drawn, from which we have no assurance that we shall receive any benefit, till the seale be set. That being once done, then we may be confident that what is contain'd in the Deed, is made over to us. Very precious promises our gracious Father hath made to all his Adopted children; and that they nothing doubt of the enjoyment of them, he hath given them his Spirit to be a Witnesse, Rom. 8.16. Eph. 4.30. Eph. 1.14.a Seale, a Pledge, an Earnest to secure the Inheritance. And all who are his Sonnes have receiv'd this Spirit; not Adoption only, but the comfort of Adoption, which at one time or other is brought home, and laid up in their bosome.
When David was offer'd Sauls daughter to Wife, he thought himself too mean for that Honour; in humility he disparages his birth, and blood; he labours to put it off with,1 Sam. 18.18. Who am I, that I should be a Sonne in law to a King? And I pray what are all we? from what Race are we sprung? are we not potsheards of the earth? Isa. 45.9.how comes then this about that we should not only be sons in law, but adopted sons? not to an earthly father, but to the King of all the earth? It had been a great favour to have been reckoned in the number of his menial servants; David boasted of that Title,Psalm 116.16. James 2.23. 1 Kings 20.33. John 1.3, 7. I am thy servant; a greater to have been the friend of God, as was Abraham; To be a Brother so great an honour, that one King greedily catcht at it from another, Thy Brother Benhadad. Qualem ergo charitatem, I ask you what kinde of love this was? teach me I pray, for I know not of what quality it is, or how to expresse it; I ask againe, what kinde of love is this,Rom. 5.6.8.10. Ephes. 2.12. Gen. 18.27. John 15.15. John 20.17. that we who were Enemies, Sinners, Ungodly, Impotent, Aliens and Strangers, the highest that can be said of us but men; and men are but dust and ashes; That we I say, should be admitted, not for servants, but friends; not only servants and friends, but brethren, nay Sons, Sons and Heirs to our Father in heaven!
Had this been the first houre that these Titles had been sounded in your eares, I feare that would have befallen me, which happened to Paul at Athens, Acts 17.18.I should have been taken for foreign for some vaine babler; It so far passeth Humane reason, that a sinful man should be thus dignified. Admired it would be, that Tantus tantillos, tantum, that so great a Majesty should ever love such Minims as we were, so much, as of enemies to entertaine us for servants, of servants to make us brethren, from brethren to adopt us sonnes, and of sonnes to make us Heires, yea while his own only Sonne the Heire of all was yet alive. But this is now become the common Report of every Evangelist, of every Apostle; there is not a Book extant, in which we finde not the Original Indenture betwixt God and man running in these termes of Relation: The Inheritance being passed in a Fathers Name to his adopted Sonnes: Which because it is stale News, we slight, undervalue, and little regard.
Uses.Well then, be the esteem what it will, yet I will be bold to minde you of your duty; and teach you what obedience the Name of a Father imposes upon you, and what comfort you may reap from it. It may be you may grow wiser by it, and value this Inestimable Indulgence at a higher Rate.
Mal. 1.6.1. If I be a Father, saith God by the Prophet Malachi, where's my honour? as if it were not possible for any man to acknowledge God for his Father,Ephes. 6.2. who doth not yield him the obedience of a Sonne. Honour thy father and mother, is the first Commandment with promise; the Law of nature bindes to that duty; and therefore if we will be accounted the Sonnes of our Father who is in Heaven, like good Sonnes that would alwayes please, we must do what we can to honour him.Luke 15. Rom. 2.24. Isa. 52.5. Nothing so much grieved the Prodigal, as that he had offended his father; this also must be our grief, that our Fathers Name should be blasphemed by us▪ and for us, that he who hath adopted us for his Sonnes, should be so vi…ified by us. No dishonour then for a Fathers sake.
2. But rather affection and imitation; for it behoves children out of love, to tread in their fathers steps. foreign,Isoc. ad Dem. For it is absurd for Painters to set out to the life the fairest proportions of common creatures, and for children not to imitate their fathers vertues. Are you persecuted? pray for them who despitefully use you, that y…u may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. Have you abilities? be pitiful, be merciful, Mat. 5.45.be a father to the fatherlesse, a husband to the widow, eyes to the blinde, Job 29.15, 16.feet to the lame, a father to the poor. For these distressed people are your Brethren; and to a Brother you owe Consilium & auxilium, Alms and counsel. In all things labour to be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.
foreign
foreign.Q Calaber.
A more evident sign of a Bastard Brood there cannot be, than to degenerate from, and shame the blood of our Progenitours. If therefore you be Sons of so great a Father as God is, dishonour not your Royal descent by a base and vitious life.
3. Lastly, If God be your Father, then you must learn to suffer patiently under his hand, if it please him at any time to afflict and cross you. For he hath not a Sonne whom one way or other, at some time or other, he doth not chastise; so it must be; for should it fall out otherwise,Heb. 12.6, 7, 8. we were Bastards and not Sonnes.Origen. Hieron. Hos. 4.14. Ezek. 16.42. Bern. Ser. 4. in Cant. Will you heare the most terrible words that ever fell from the mouth of God? it is that in Hosea, I will not punish your Daughters when they commit whoredome: Or that in Ezekiel, My jealousie shall depart from thee, I will be quiet, I will be angry no more. Bernard confesseth that he could never reade this Text without extream horrour. Contremisco solo auditu, I shiver, saith he, to heare that God will not be angry, that he will not punish, that he will not visit; I will none of this mercy; supra omnem iram est haec miseratio, this pity is beyond all anger: For how can I ever be assured that I am his Childe, if I never receive any correction from him? What father can you name, that gave not, or caused correction to be given to his childe? I never read of any but one who scaped the Rod, and he proved a Traytour. Adoniah was the childe that David never displeased at any time, or said so much to him as Why hast thou done so? 1 Kings 1.5.and he would needs be in his fathers Throne, before his fathers head was laid up in his grave. A dangerous indulgence then it is in a father not to frown, and miserable mercy in God not to punish. Sometimes to shew his anger, is a greater evidence of his love; which when this our kinde Father doth toward his untoward children, if they beare it patiently, no surer Argument of their adoption. For whom he loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every Son that he receiveth. 1 Pet. 2.21. Heb. 12.6.Frown and fight he may, but cast off and hate he will not. And therefore it becomes us to be patient. In regard then of your adoption, and his Fatherhood, do the duties of Sonnes. Take all things in good part that come from his hands; tread in his steps, and readily and heartily obey his commands (which three are the true properties of good children) and upon the performance of these, there will arise to you divers consolations and solid comforts. For as a fathers name is a memento for duty, so is it also a stay and ground-work of hope.
First, Upon the endeavour to walk in your fathers steps, his love will beare with, and pass by many wants and imperfections in a childe. For as a father spares his own Son, so will God spare them that feare him; Psalm 103.13.and againe you may reade in Malachi, Mal. 3.16.17.That a Book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his Name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my Jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own Son that serveth him. It is not for nothing that we reade of a distinction of spots; the spots of the Leopard,Jer. 13.23. Deut. 32.5. and the spots of Sonnes; those are the spots of a beast, these of a childe. 'Tis not the Herb Borith, nor Fullers sope can purge the first, for their spot is not the spot of children; but our brothers blood will purge the last,Numb. 23.21. so that God will not see iniquity in Jacob, not see it to impute it, not see it to punish it; no more than a father will the distorted Characters and blots in his childs Copy, when he is fully perswaded of his utmost endeavour.
Secondly, Farther yet, a strong hope we have from this name that we shall not lose our reward. It cannot be denyed, that for our untowardness we deserve to lose our Inheritance; but the comfort is, that if we returne, our Father will not disinherit us. For the childe he loves once, he loves for ever. Though Absolom were an ungracious childe,Jer. 31.3. 2 Sam. 18.5. yet in the very height of his Treason, David his father loved him still, he commanded the Captaines to use him kindly for his sake; and upon the Relation of his unlucky death, betook him to his Chamber,33. and wept, and cry'd, O Absolom my sonne! So it is with our gracious Father even at the instant of our Rebellions, though our Treasons make him pursue us, yet he loves when he strikes, and sighs when he punisheth any of his. Ah, I will be avenged. And his work then is to purge away thr drosse, Isa. 1.24, 25.and take away the tinne.
Isa. 49.13, 14, 15.16.Sing O heaven, and be joyful O earth, and break forth into singing O Mountaines, for God hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on his afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. So pusillanimous and diffident a childe of God sometimes is. To which our Father might have answered, I have not forgotten thee, I have not forsaken thee; but he returns his answer in more powerful and effectual words,1 King. 2.26. Can a woman forget her sucking childe, that she should not have compassion on the sonne of her womb? Let one of the Harlots that pleaded before Solomon decide that doubt. But put case such a thing happen. Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee. His love to us is wonderful, passing the love of women.2 Sam. 1.26. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me.
The comfort of this place is beyond expression. Thou cryest sometimes perhaps, The Lord hath forgotten me, my fa…her hath forsaken me; but it cannot be, for the memorials engraven, not barely written, in his hands; the memorial in his eyes, the love of a mother which containes all loves in it, are against it. Lay to heart this his fatherly affection in the greatest of thy temptations, when the world, the devil, and thy own heart shall endeavour to perswade thee, that thou art cast out of the eyes of thy Heavenly Father, Say yet with Job, Job 13.15.Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him; for I know he can no more forsake me, than a mother her sucking childe. When my father and mother forsake me, Psalm 27.10.yet t…e Lord taketh me up; as if he had said, Though Parents here sometimes do, yet my Father in Heaven will never put off that Fatherly and Motherly affection he beares me. Into his displeasure his children may fall, but Totally and Finally they never shall lose his Love.
Thirdly, This name brings them home when they are gone astray, this name animates their petitions, this name conveys their soules to Heaven. God is a Name of Majesty, Lord of power, both may deter us in our approaches to him; but Father is a Name of mercy, that calls us into the Mount. The Kings children may come into his presence, when others in contemplation of his Majesty and greatness, must stand without.
When you petition, Our Father is to be the first word;Mat. 6.9. Luke 15.21. Luke 23.34. Mat. 6 12. Luke 23.46. when you confess your sinnes, Pater, peccavi, is a good forme to begin with; in your intercessions, Pater ignosce, Father forgive, hath authority from our Saviours lips. When you part with the world, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit, is an excellent ejaculation to end with: So that Praying, Confessing, Repenting, Interceding, Dying, we finde comfort in this Name.
I shall repeat it over againe while we are here; if we cry Abba Father, he is ready to receive our prayers while we are here; if we acknowledge, Father I have sinn'd against heaven, and against thee, he is ready to receive our confession: While we are here, if at any time we repent, and say with the Prodigal, I will arise, and go to my father, he is ready to receive us to grace; and when we go hence, can we but say with our Saviour,John 16.10. Col. 1.2. John 2.3. Gal. 1.3. Ephes. 1.17. James 1.17. I go to my Father, he is ready to receive us to glory. Grace is from God the Father, and mercy is from God the Father, and peace is from God the Father, and glory is from God the Father. There is no gift, or perfect gift, but comes down from this Father of lights.
Fourthly, I see I must break from this point, or else I shall never get from it. For I confess I have found an honey-comb, and I could be content to suck it for ever. But I have one Use more to make of this Name, and so I will end. To shut up all then, is God a Father? then without question he will provide for his children; for the children lay not up for the fathers, 2 Cor. 12.14.but the fathers for the children. Many things are necessary for our bodies, many things for our souls; but our Father provides his of both; food and cloathing the two principles for the body; his Word and the Sacrament the nourishments for the soul; When we profess to believe in God the Father, we also believe his providence.
Our Saviour would not have his followers over careful what they should eat, or what they should drink, or wherewith they should be cloathed; Mat. 6.30, 31, 32.fortifying his counsel with this reason, For your heavenly Father knoweth whereof you stand in need; and therefore foreign, be not anxious, distract, divide not the minde about it; for this is a shrewd signe that we do not believe as we ought, that God our Father who gives us life and bodies, wi… allow us means to sustaine the one, and cloath the other; or at least that we do foreign, hang betwixt two opinions,Luke 12.29. not knowing on which to resolve, whether our Father will do this for us or no, which our Saviour calls want or littleness, or defect of faith. To remove then this little Infidelity, let every good childe use prayer, labour, and thirst, as his Father in Heaven hath directed, and then never doubt but he shall be provided for. That God who fed Eliah with Ravens, will never starve a childe, that greatr Povider who cloaths the Lillies, will never suffer a son to go naked.1 Kings 17.6. If men will yet be solicitous and careful, a matter there is of more weight; and he puts Gods children to be careful of that, viz. Mat. 6.33.That they be careful to seek the Kingdome of God, and its righteousnesse; which either they must gaine, or be unhappy for ever. This is that same one necessary thing, without the purchase of which all other things are but loss. First seek that then, and other things foreign, shall be cast in over and above.
Now such is the love of our Heavenly Father, that he hath provided us sufficient meanes to attaine this Kingdome, to gaine this righteousness.Luke 16.29. They have Moses and the Prophets, said Abraham once from Heaven, let them heare them. But you have, say I, Moses and the Prophets, and over and above, the Evangelists and Apostles, let all these be heard; for this is the provision your Heavenly Father hath made for you. Parata sunt omnia, All things are ready;Luk. 14.17, 18. invited you are; make no, excuses upon pretence of the Wife, the Oxen, and the Farme; come to your fathers great Supper, Eat, O friends, Cant. 5.1.drink, yea, drink abundantly, O Beloved.
To care for the world I need not exhort you, for that you are so solicitous already, as if you did distrust your Fathers providence. It shall be then my Petition at this time to you, that you would depose some of these worldly thoughts,Col. 3.1. and instead thereof entertaine Heavenly; that you would set your affections on things above, where Christ your Elder Brother sits on the right hand of God. There your Heavenly Father hath provided for you also, yea, and far better things than these transitory vanities, a Crown, a Kingdome, a Throne,1 Pet. 1.3, 4. an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you; For if we be Sonnes, then are we Heires, and co-heires to such an Inheritance which earth cannot afford. Ours here, the greatest are subject to three foule inconveniences, Corruption, Soyle, and Fading. They corrupt in the substance; are defiled and full of soyle in the quality; and fade in the beauty. Whatsoever we can inherit here below, is subject to one, nay to all these. It corrupts, takes soyle, fades. But that Inheritance which our Father hath prepared for us, is in danger of none of these. It is uncorrupt, and will hold its being, none ever shall disherit or disseize us of it. Undefiled, and shall hold the test, none ever shall embase it with any mixture.Jonah 4.7. Fade or decay it will not; Jonahs worme shall not bite it, but it shall hold out its prime perfection and beauty.
Now blessed be God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy,1 Pet. 1.3, 4. hath begotten us (which is the act of a father) to a lively hope of this Inheritance: And blessed be our Elder Brother Jesus Christ, who hath purchased this Inheritance for us: And blessed be the Spirit of God, who hath set to the Seale, and given us security, that this Inheritance is reserved for us in Heaven.
Kept for us it is, and kept in Heaven, which is well for us; for had it been kept on earth, it might have gone the same way that Paradise did. Now since that is kept for us, let us also keep our selves for it, keep from all disobedience, keep from all wilfull contempts of our Father, as little as we can transgress any of his Commands; and when that falls out, fall down at his feet, and cry, Pater peccavi, Father I have sinned. For upon our submission,Luke 15.18, 20 confession, and amendment, still the Inheritance shall be ours. While we are yet a great way off, our Father will see us on the way, he will have compassion on us, runne and make haste to meet us, fall on our neck and embrace us, and give us a kiss, a sure Token of our Reconciliation. He will call together his friends and neighbours, Saints and Angels, and say unto them, Verse 6. Verse 32.It is meet that we should be merry, and be glad; for this my son your brother was dead in trespasses and sinnes, but he is alive againe; he was lost, but is found.