Death, Sermon 2
LIFE The Sure Reward of Grace To the Penitent.
Romanes VI.23.
—But the Gift of God is Eternal Life, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
MAN a Sinner, he hath no greater Enemy than God, who has Revealed his Wrath from Heaven againſt all Ungodlineſs and Unrighteouſneſs of men: And yet 'tis as true, the Sinner has no greater Friend than God. There is none that man has more reaſon to flee from, nor any that he has more reaſon to fly unto: Adam (and we need not wonder) having diſobeyed the Command of God, he is afraid of his Preſence; be hears the voice of the Lord walking in the midſt of the Garden, he betakes himſelf to a Thicket for Defence, to ſhrow'd himſelf from the ſight of God, whoſe voice he heard: Well might he dread to ſee the Face of ſuch a Terrible Majeſty incenſed againſt him by his Rebellion: He could not but tremble to think of beholding a Conſuming Fire, as he could not think to ſee any thing in God but Fiery Indignation. The Voice of God to Adam, it was worſe than the roaring of a Lion; yea the dreadful Thunder of Mount Sinai, it was not half ſo dreadful as this voice of God in Eden. Adam could not bear to ſee the Lightning after it: therefore he ſeeks a skreen to hide himſelf, as not being able to behold the Face of God and live: Adam could expect no leſs than the full Execution of the Sentence of Death which he had ſubjected himſelf unto by his Diſobedience. He could expect no other ſight of his Maker, than of one armed with Fury and Vengeance to deſtroy him. God had ſaid, In the day thou eatest, thou ſhalt ſurely d… ; Man has Eaten If then God be a God of Truth, what muſt his next word be, but a peremptory Sentence of Death againſt the Offender; or rather the next word might be a blow, the inflicting of that Sentence of Death which was before threatned. How could Adam think, but that God who was his Law-giver, and had given him Law, would alſo be his Judge in inflicting the penalty due for the breach thereof, and that without mercy. No wonder then that Adam flees from the preſence of God. Yet conſider alſo, whom might he better go unto than that God, whom he had offended? whom might he more ſafely repair unto than his Judge? who as he is infinite in his Juſtice, ſo he is no leſs infinite in his Mercy: and thus indeed Adam found it after his Examination and Trial: Notwithſtanding he is found guilty, and could dream of no better ſentence than to be immediately ſeized upon of Death and Hell, and to be ſwallowed up by them; Then God opens the rich Treaſury of his Grace, he opens the Door, the Gate of Life to him, he Reveals a Saviour; even he that gave the threatning, gives the Promiſe alſo. The Seed of the Woman ſhall break the Serpents Head.
When we read the former part of the Text, with Adam we may be ready to flee away from God, from his Preſence; we juſtly dread this voice of God, this word, THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. But if we ſtay a little, and hear further what God the Lord will ſpeak, he ſpeaks Peace unto the Children of men, be turns that Death into Life. THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE.
In this Verſe the Apoſtle gives as the ſumme both of the Law and the Goſpel. He is a Son of Thunder, and begins with Terror; it is a dreadful Sentence he praemiſes; The Wages of Sin is Death. He is alſo a Son of Conſolation, and follows with another word as Gracious▪ The Gift of God is Eternal Life. Having had occaſion and opportunity to inſiſt much on the former part already for the Awakening & Conviction of Sinners in general, and of one in particular, who has Sinned a Sin unto Death, both by the Law of God and man.
I ſhall now ſpeak chiefly of the latter for a Reviviction and Encouragement to all that hear the Goſpel, and particularly to ſuch an one as has been ſlain by the foregoing Sentence. And as the former words was a compleat, intire Axiom or Doctrine without any Alteration, ſo are theſe.
DOCTRINE. Eternal Life it is Gods Gift to Sinners, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
Altho' Death may be the demerit of Sin; yet Life is the gift of God to the Sinner. He owes Death to him, but beſtows Life upon him. Life is a gift of God through Chriſt. Here is a bleſſed Scream, that is Life; a moſt bleſſed Spring or Fountain of it, that is, GOD. A moſt bleſſed Channel thorow which it is conveyed to the Sinner to make him bleſſed, that is CHRIST. We may take the Doctrine aſunder, and ſhall find theſe three parts in it.
1 That there is Life to be had for Sinners.
2. That this Life is Gods Gift.
3. The Gift is through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
PROPOSITION I.
That there is Life for Sinners: viz. Life Eternal. Under which general term is comprehended every good thing: All that is needful or deſirable, whatſoever makes to the well being or perfection of a man. Death is the ſumm and comprehenſe of all Evil, Life is alſo the comprehenſe of all Good. Particularly, the Life here ſpoken of is Eternal Life, and by it we may underſtand the Life of Grace and of Glory. Theſe are not diſtinct in kind, there is only a gradual and circumſtantial difference between them. The truth of the Propoſition may be ſeen both in general and particular. There is Life for Sinners▪ this is the voice of the Goſpel. The Law brings news of Death, the Goſpel brings the glad …idings of life. The Law concludes all under Death, the Goſpel excludes none from Life; ſtretching forth its Arms to all that will receive it. The Law brings Condemnation, the Goſpel Salvation. The Law caſts all into Hell, and as Abraham ſaid to Dives, between us and you there is a great Gulph fixed, ſo that there is no paſſing from one to the other. Yet now we may truly ſay, that this Gulph is paſſible, or here is a paſſage from Hell to Heaven. The Gulph is exceeding great, Heaven and Hell are far aſunder, Death and Life, there is a vaſt diſtance between them; but yet there is a paſſage from Death to Life, 1 Joh. 3.14. A Sinner may be brought out of the belly of Hell, as ſometimes Jonah out of the Whales Belly. Indeed the Law leaves us without hope or help, like Joſephs Brethren, it caſts into the Pit, & does not regard our crying: But the Goſpel lets down thoſe Cords by which we may be drawn out thence. The Pit indeed is deep, but there is an Infinite Arm of Grace that can fathom & reach to the bottom of it, and bring us out of it. A Sinners Chains and Fetters may be broken, and made to fall from him; The Priſon doors are ſet open for man to come out; yea, the door of Heaven is now open, the Gate of Life, wherein whoſoever will, may enter, and Live for ever.
Further to illuſtrate this, Conſider two things.
1. Life is tendered unto all. The Goſpel is univerſal in its offers: Whoſoever believeth▪ and is baptized ſhall be ſaved; according to our Saviours Commiſſion to the Preachers of it, Matt. 28.19. Mark 16.15. Ye…, both the Word and the Spirit ſays, Whoſoever will let him come & take of the waters of Life freely. Rev. 22.17.
2 Life is actually beſtowed and conferred upon many, even on all that embrace the Goſpel. There is Grace enough for all in the Goſpel, but all will not accept of it. There are thoſe that will not come unto Chriſt that they might have li…e; But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God; and Heirs of his Kingdom; Hei…s of Life and Glory. So Paul to the Epheſians, You hath he quickned who were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins. Though Death has paſſed upon all becauſe all have ſinned; yet many are already paſſed from Death to Life.
If any ask, What Life is?
They muſt tarry till they come to Heaven for a full Anſwer of …his Queſtion. No man living can here tell what Life is. Angels know it, but can't impart the knowledge of it to us.
It is all that Glory, begun in this World and perfected in Heaven, which the Saints ſhall enjoy to all Eternity. 'Tis the happineſs and perfection of the Reaſonable Creature in the full enjoyment of God for ever. There is This Life for Sinners.
Man though a Sinner may yet be united to God. Tis moſt true, that God is a holy God, and of purer Eyes then to behold iniquity. He cannot approve Sin, yet he can love the Sinner: He hates Sin with a perfect hatred, infinitely; and yet he loves the Sinner with an infinite love. His heart loaths Sin; he is an Enemy to all Sin, and that irreconcileably; yet he can be reconciled to the Sinner, and become his Friend. They call'd our Saviour Chriſt a friend to Publicans and Sinners. God is a friend of Publicans and Sinners, and as it were Courts their Friendſhip. He is ſo far from being implacable to his greateſt Enemies, that he is firſt in moving for Peace, and by his Ambaſſadors beſeeches them to be reconciled.
Thus in general, There is Life for the Children of Death. More particularly, There is a removal of Death, and Life that is recovered.
1. There is a removal of Death here implyed; or Death is taken away. That is, All evil of Sin, and Suffering. As to the evil of Sin.
1. There is a freedom from the Guiltineſs.
2. From the power of it.
1. There is a freedom from the Guiltineſs of Sin. And Goſpel Miniſters are directed by Chriſt, To give knowledge of Salvation to his People by the Remiſſion of their Sins, Luke 1.77. Not that the Faſt or Action it ſelf can be remitted; becauſe that which is done is done, and cannot be ſaid not to be done. Factum infectum reddi n…quit. Ye… the Guilt of that evil Act, which is an obligation to puniſhment may be remitted: and this is properly, Pardon of Sin. Neither does Remiſſion change the nature of Sin, that that which is Sin ſhould be counted no ſin: or that Evil ſhould be called Good, Iſa. 5.20. Sin is as really ſin after pardon, as before: only Pardon frees from the Guilt of ſin, takes away, Meritum Paenae, the deſerved Puniſhment, which is a taking away, not from the ſin, but from the Sinner only. Still, The wages of ſin is Death; that is, deſerves it. Though this Death is not actually inflicted on him to whom Sin is pardoned. Neither again, is the Rigour of the Law relaxed by the pardon …f ſin: only it does not exert its conde…ing Power over the perſons of B…lieve…s, becauſe Chriſt has already ſuffer…d for their Si…s. But ſtill the Law remains, and ever will remain a Sin Condemning, and Sin Avenging Law. It has as much power as ever to ſl…y the Sinner; but it ca… ſl…y him but once, and the ſtroke of the Law is ſo heavy in that caſe, … …ed not ſmite him a ſecond tim… … Chriſt indeed being God as well as man, recovered from that deadly blow which the Law gave him for our ſi…s, and ſo Saved himſelf and us. Yet here is no Relaxation of the Law, but a full Execution of it, full ſatisfaction given to it. The whole Debt is paid to the utmoſt farthing, by Chriſt our Surety; whence all the Life, Glory and Happineſs that follows hereupon comes in by Grace. But then,
2. There is the freedom from the Power and Dominion of ſin; alſo from the filth and pollution, as well as Guilt and Obligation to puniſhment. The former is expreſt in the Sinners Juſtification, by the imputed Righteouſneſs of Chriſt. The latter in his Sanctification by infuſed Holineſs from the Spirit of Chriſt. Man fallen from God is become a Captive to ſin, and is forced to ſerve divers Luſts, of which is true, what Solinus ſays of the ſeveral kind of Serpents in Africa; Quantus nominum, tantus mortium numerus But the Goſpel preaches Deliverance to theſe Cap…ives: there is a Releaſe from the bondage of Corruption, from the T…nny o… Sin and▪ Satan in part begun here, an opening the Priſon Doors to them that are bound. Then, as to the Evil of Suffering, or conſequents of ſin, there is a perfect freedom to be obtained. The cauſe being removed, the effect ceaſeth. Sin is the cauſe of Death, it gives life unto Death; therefore if Sin be killed, Death dyes wi…h it; The ſame ſtroke deſtroys them both; Sin and Death are contemporary they live and dy together. So that if once a man be gotten free from the guilt and power of Sin, he is alſo looſed from the bonds of Death, and from the Pains of Hell for ever. For, though it be appointed for all once to dy, and experience confirms the truth hereof, that as by one man Sin entred into the world, and Death by Sin, ſo Death paſſeth on all ſorts of men, and will do upon all of every ſort, becauſe all have Sinned; and exceſs of Sin, procures untimely Death to many an one; yet 'tis as t…ue, where ſin is taken away, there the Second Death ſhall have no power, Rev. 20.6. And even the former is ſwallowed up in Victory: That the Repenting Believing Sinner may triumph with the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15.55, 56, 57. O Death where is thy Sting! the sting of Death is ſin, the ſtrength of Sin is the Law: But thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Then further,
2. As there is a Removal of D…h, that is all Evil of Sin and Suffering; ſo there is a Reſtoring unto … that is all manner of Good, of Grace …, and Glory hereafter. The vileſt of Sinners may be made holy and righteous now, happy and bleſſed for evermore. Indeed we ſhould not too nicely diſtinguiſh between theſe: Freedom from Death, and a right to Eternal Life; as if one could be obtained without the other, which is impoſſible: For certainly not to dy, is to live; not to Dy Eternally, is to Live Eternally. But though theſe be not diſtinct in themſelves, yet may we ſpeak diſtinctly of them. As
1. The Sinner may become Holy and Righteous, not only guiltleſs (as we Saw before) but righteous in the ſight of God. A Believing Sinner is not only free from ſin, but full of Righteouſneſs: In ſome ſence as righteous as Chriſt himſelf, for he is righteous in the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, which is every way perfect and compleat; that the Law or Juſtice it ſelf can find no …ault or fl…w therein; and is relatively, im…atively theirs that by Faith are united to Chriſt.
Again, There is alſo a real inherent Holineſs and Righteouſneſs by a Reſtoration of the Image of God in the Soul Man that is born a Sinner may be born again. He may be Regenerate, he may be a New Creature; as David prays for himſelf, Pſal 51.11. Create in me a clean heart, &c. In Juſtification the Sinner is eſteem'd as Righteous; but in Sanctification he is made Righteous. Then,
2. The Sinner alſo may be Happy. This neceſſarily follows on the former. A man cannot but be happy, if he become holy: Sin and Miſery, Holineſs and Happineſs are Twins, and will never admit of any ſeparation. Thoſe that are Juſtified are Sanctified, and they that are Sanctifi…d are Glorifi…d Happineſs is inchoate in this life, and conſummate in the next.
Thus▪ much for the Doctrinal handling of the firſt Propoſition.
PROPOSITION II.
That this Life is Gods Gift▪
Two things are implyed herein.
1. That Life is from God originally.
2. That it is beſtowed on the Sinner freely.
1. That Life, whether of Juſtification, Sanctification or Glory, is from God originally. Juſtification in the Acq…ittance from Sin, Guilt, and imputation of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs, is Gods gift: Hence he is ſaid to be the Juſtifier of him that believeth in Jeſus, Rom. 3 26. And Bleſſed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not ſin, Pſal. 22.1, 2. This is Gods Name, to be a God forgiving iniquity, tranſgreſſion and Sin; and if it be God that Justifies, who ſhall Condemn: Rom. 8.30. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? It's God that juſtifies? It's God that is offended; Againſt thee thee only have I Sinned. It's he that is wronged by ſin, therefore he muſt give the diſcharge. He is the great Creditor that alone can releaſe his Debtor. He ſealeth the Sinners Pardon▪ & acquits him of his Guilt and Puniſhment.
2. This Justification is Free, and thus it is a Gift. Rom. 5.15. Tis again and again called, The Free-Gift of Righteouſneſs to Juſtification of Life; and we are ſaid to be juſtified freely by his Grace through the Redemption. But you will ask? Queſt. How can this be free, ſince Jeſus Chriſt has paid and performed all? Has fulfilled all Righteouſneſs; done and ſuffered all that the Law requires for our Juſtification: Does not therefore the compleatneſs of Chriſt's Satisfaction leſſen the Freeneſs and Greatneſs of Gods Love in pardoning Sinners? Anſ. Not a whit, but theſe conſiſt well together. Life is by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and yet a free Gift; This is the admirableneſs of it, that Juſtice and Grace meet thus; that Juſtice and Truth ſhould be fully ſatisfied, and yet Mercy and Grace highly exalted Neither is Grace in Scripture ever oppoſed to Chriſt's merit, but to ours. If we our ſelves had made the Satisfaction, Juſtice it ſelf had abſolved us; but the R…ches of Free Grace will appear to them that ſhall conſider theſe things.
1. That 'tis God himſelf finds out and accepts the way of our Reconci…iation. Men or Angels could never have invented it. Beſides, God might have refuſed to accept of a Surety: This was free, and in this ſence, the life of Believers are ſ…id to be given unto Chriſt; he has bought them, purchaſed them with a great price, redeemed them with his own Blood; as they are given him, Joh. 17. Thine t… were, that is, in the hands of Gods Juſtice, and he has given them to the Lord Jeſus to be redeemed. Hence, its truly ſaid of the Apoſtle, Rom 3 24 We are juſtified freely by his Grace, yet or tho' through the Redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt.
2. Chriſt himſelf is Gods gift. Joh. 3.16. God ſo loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, &c. God has given his firſt born for our Tranſgreſſi…n: He ſpared not his own Son, but freely gave him up for us all, Rom. 8 32. To us a Son is given, Iſai. 9 6. I…s true, Chriſt …ave himſelf, he was willing, Gal. 1.4 2.20. He came freely and readily, but God the Father ſent him, he makes a Preſent of his Son unto the wo…ld; Giving power alſo to as many as ſhall receive him, to become the Sons of God, Joh. 1 12.
3. Saving Faith is the gift of God alſo Eph. 2…8. By Grace ye are ſaved through Faith, and that not of your ſelves, it is the gift of God. Is by virtue of our Union to Chriſt, that we have any benefit by him, by Faith only we are United, and this Faith is Gods gift. Our Righteouſneſs is by Faith in Chriſt▪ and it's God that gives us to believe on him. Thus we ſee our Juſtification is of God originally, and freely, that it is his Gift; and ſo may be ſaid of our Sanctification & the principle of an Holy Life wrought in the Regenerate. This new Life is given and breathed forth of God: 'Tis the inſpiration of his Spirit, a… Job 3… … ſays, The breath of the Almighty has given me life, that in Spiritual as well as Natural.
Then, as the Spiritual Life of Righteouſneſs and Holineſs on the Earth, ſo Eternal Life of Happineſs and Bleſſ…dneſs in …he Kingdom o… Heaven is the free gift of God to Sinners; and … he has given Grace, he will give Glory alſo.
PROPOSITION III.
That this Life is through Jeſus Ch… our Lord
1. It is by him as he has bought and purchaſed it. He paid down the full and exact price of our Redemption: So, though it was free to the Sinner, yet it coſt our Saviour dear: He laid down his own life a Ranſom for ours. He ſuffered Death, and went into Hell himſelf, to ſave us from Death and Hell; and by the Red…ndancy of his merit and ſatisfaction procured Life and Salvation for us.
2. It's by vertue of our Union to him, that we partake of the benefit of this purchaſe, Freedom from Sin and Miſery, and Participation of Holineſs and Happineſs. Our life is derived to us, by being One with him. 1 Joh. … 12. He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son has not life.
3. It's by his good Spirit, that we are quickned, ſtrengthened, and directed in the way of Righteouſneſs and Holineſs, and by his Grace are enabled to perſevere unto Eternal Life.
And then,
4. Its by him at laſt that we come to the Poſſeſſion and Enjoyment of Life and Happi…s …verlaſting. He as ou… Head is already riſen, and entred into the Heaven…; in due time all the members follow after. Its he alone, who having purchaſed this inheritance of life for us, that can give us a Title to it, and put us in actual Poſſeſſion of it.
The Doctrine which is contained in theſe Propoſitions require a much more larger Application, than can be made within the limi…s of time ordinarily …et for theſe Exerciſes: Beſides the Solemn Occaſion before us, call for a particular as well as general Application of theſe Truths.
In General
1. How may this be a Reviving word to the Dead World, to every dead Soul, that by nature is dead in Sin; and dead by the Sentence of the Law; that by the Grace of the Goſpel there is life, even Eternal life to be had for Sinners: what a joyful ſound ſhould this be in every ear that hears it. As it concerns all, this ſhould be a quickning Word to beget ſo much life at leaſt in every one, as to ſtir them up to ſeek after this life in the way that God is pleaſed …o beſtow it, thro…h Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Tis alſo a comforting Word to all men: though comforts are uſually appropriated to the Saints: the Subjects of com…orts are wont to be more ſpecial and particular. But yet this Truth like the Sun conveys its comforts to all, to every Son and Daughter of Adam. The voice, the ſound of the Goſpel is a joyful ſound to all men, Luk. 2 10. Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which ſhall be to all People. Is there life for Sinners, even ſuch as are condemned to dy? What more grateful news, than to hear of a poſſible Reverſion of the Sentence of Death; this may be a cordial to ſupport the Sinking dying heart of any Sinner, That there is pard…n to be had, a poſſibility of eſcaping Death, and inheriting Life Eternal; that though in Juſtice he might dy, ye by Grace he may live, and that for ever.
2. This leads us to the contemplation of the Divine Philanthropy, or Admirable Love of God to mankind. Job. 3 16▪ There are ſeveral Conſiderations which might help to heighte… our Eſteem, and Admiration hereof; which I ſhall but juſt hi… at.
As, The Special…y of the Subject. Not Angel, but men. The quality of men, as Sinners. The Eminency of the Gift or Benefit, that is Life The principal mean of obtaining it, Viz The Death of his own Son, 1 Joh. 4 9 In this was manifeſted the love of God towards us, becauſe God ſent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him.
It alſo leads into the Dep…hs of Gods Wiſdom, that has contrived the way of life for Sinners, after a poſitive Sentence of Death was declared. This would not only have ſet the Wiſdom of man, but poſed quite the Heavenly Intelligences, Angels themſelves, to have found out a Way; wherein the Truth of God might be Eſtabliſhed, his Juſtice ſatisfyed, the Rights and Honour of Holineſs Vindicated, and maintained, and yet the Guilty, polluted and condemned C…inal be pardoned, juſtifyed and ſaved Everlaſtingly. Many other things might be added for the Ex…l…ation of Divine Power, as well as Wiſdom and Grace, in Saving man a Sinner; to quicken and raiſe the Dead is a work of Omnipotence is …. But,
3 Is there life for Sinners, then very great is the Priviledge & Happineſs of thoſe that have the way of Life made known to them: that enjoy the light of the Goſpel. Next unto life it ſelf, to live under the means of life, is the greateſt bleſſing. We cannot be born under a more happy Star than that which leadeth unto Chriſt a Saviour, by whom this life and immortality is brought to light.
Conſequently,
This ſhows the extreem miſery of thoſe that periſh under the Goſpel. Death will be more deadly to ſuch than others. There are none ſo miſerable as thoſe who either have, or might have been happy. The thoughts of former advantages neglected, will add to their preſent and future ſufferings. Time was when they might have had pardon and Eternal Life …or asking, or accepting; but now they muſt periſh without remedy, and that more dreadfully than other Sinners Goſpel Sinners have the worſt Death; For Neceſſary Death would not be nigh ſo dreadful as a Voluntary. Now Death to thoſe that live under the Goſpel is of choice; they will Death rather than Life; wherefore their Condemnation is not only moſt certain and juſt, but moſt fearful of all. Thus the danger is proportionable to the Priviledge. But, I haſten to an Uſe of Exhortation in two words, principally.
1. To a firm and fixed Believing of this Truth, that Eternal Life is Gods Gift through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
2. To a ſpeedy and earneſt Addreſſing God in Chriſt, for the beſtowing this Gift, or obtaining the benefits therein included.
1. Is there Life for Sinners? Then its the Duty of Sinners to Believe there is Life for them. I…s the Duty of every Sinner to Believe there is life for him. Its the Duty of all in general, and the Duty of every one in particular to Believe this for himſelf, that he may live, that he may be Saved, that he may be free from Wrath to come, Eſcape Hell and Death, and be an Heir of Life and Heaven for evermore. Its our Debt to give God Credit for this Word. All Sinners believing may be Saved; th…fore, Let All Believe. The Goſpel is propounded limittedly in reſpect to the Condition, Believing, but Univerſally, in reſpect of the Subject, Whoſoever Believeth, ſhall not periſh, but have Everlaſting Life. I don't ſay, I…s every mans Duty to believe he ſhall be Saved; but to believe that he may be Saved if he will: Whoſoever will let him take of the Water of life freely: If any go without and periſh for want, it is his own fault. Its true, Many are called, but Few are choſen All ſhall not obtain life, that live under the means of life: All ſhall not receive life that have the offer and tender of it. All ſhall not Will to have life. God who is to give the Will and the Deed of his own good pleaſure, Phil. 2.13 Does not give all to Will life. But this is the Truth aſſ…rted, God gives life to all that Will: to all that will receive and imbrace it; that is, to all that will Believe and Accept of his Grace in Chriſt. If any periſh, 'tis not becauſe there is no life to be had, but becauſe they will not have life, Job. 5.40. Nay, tis becauſe they Will Death Ezek. 18.31, 32. Let a mans Sins be what they …ill, yet there is life for him There is no mins ſo many, or great, a… that they make him uncapable of entering into li…. Its ſaid, Strait is the gate, &c but they make the Gate of Heaven ſtreighter or na…rower than it is, that don't have it wids enough for the greateſt Sinner to paſs through. Neither the Magnitude nor Multitude of Sins can hinder. Nay further I ſay; Were there any one man guilty of all the Sins in the World from the firſt of Adam to this Day, yet he might be capable of Grace & Salvation. Its impoſſible that any Number or Degrees of Sin ſhould make the way to Heaven unpaſſable. Infinite is the Grace of the Goſpel. Tis impoſſible that ever ſin ſhould ſwell to an infinitum in i… …; therefore impoſſible it ſhould ever be too big for Grace. There is Forgiveneſ… of All Sin through Jeſus Chriſt, and the Chief of Sinners have obtained it … Inſtances;
M…naſſah, a Monſter in Nature, a Murderer of man▪ a Conſulter with Devils, a Defier of God himſelf, and yet could we imagine the Sins of Manaſſah ten thouſand tim…s greater and more then they were, yet there is pardon for them; and though he ſo often made himſelf a Child of Death, yet he became …n Heir of Life.
Seven Devils were caſt out of Mary Magdalen; but if every one of thoſe Devils had been a Legion, yet they might have all been caſt out as well as one. There is Juſtification, Sanctification and Glorification for the moſt-Guilty, moſt Unholy, moſt Miſerable of the Sons or Daughters of men.
Are they not the worſt of Sinners that the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, 1 Cor. 6.9. Hell it ſelf can't afford a worſe Rabble then we find there, and yet ſays the Apoſtle, Such were ſome of you, but ye are waſhed, but ye are juſtified &c. And now are Glorified.
Again, What more Execrable Wretches can be under Heaven, than thoſe who were guilty of the Blood of the Son of God, that Crucified the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, both the Lord & Saviour of the World? yet even thoſe whoſe hands were imbrued in the Blood of God, may be cleanſed from their blood guiltineſs. They may be as pure, ſ…tle's & innocent as if they had had no ſin. The Goſpel proclaims life to them; yea Ch…i… himſelf gives them life, that were inſtruments of his owne Death: He fetches them out of Hell that were inſtrumental to ſend him thi…her. There is SALVATION for thoſe that kill'd and deſtroyed the Saviour of the World, Act. 2 36. Who then ſhall Deſpair of life, if they may live that have put to Death the Lord of Life? We may hence Conclude, there is no ſuch Sinner, but he may have life.
The Duty of believing this might be further preſſed from the miſchief and miſery of Deſpair, which is moſt injurious to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, injurious to the Truth, Power, Goodneſs and Grace of God; alſo moſt pernicious to our ſelves; which is not only adding Sin to Sin, but a ſealing up the Guilt of all other ſins. Hereby we looſe an Infinite Bleſſing, and incur an infinite Curſe in the room. Wherefore, It is both the Duty and Intereſt of every one to get a f…m and fixed Belief of this Truth.
And in particular,
I would commend it unto thee, O poor Condemned Malefactor, now ſtanding before the Lord, to hear and receive the words of this Life: Not only thou mayeſt, but thou oughteſt to believe this; viz that there is Life to be had for ſuch an one as thou art; yea even for thee there is Li…e. Though yo… ſins …e as ſcarlet, they may be made white as ſnow, though they be red like crimſon, th… may become as wool; they are indeed of a deep and double dye, yet may b… throughly pu…g'd and done away in that Blood of the Lamb of God which clea… ſeth from all ſin. Although Death is thy Deſert in all is kinds and degrees, Corporal, Spiritual, and Eternal: and tho' ſuch is the Nature of thy particular Crimes, that Divine Vengeance rarely ſuffers to go long undetected or unpuniſhed; but Untimely Death is ordinarily the portion of ſuch as are found guilty thereof: therefore muſt thou acknowledge the Righteouſneſs of God and man too in ordering this puniſhment unto thee; who ſtandeſt here guilty of a repeated Murder, and that attended with many heinous aggravations, in deſtroying the … of thine own Body: Thou haſt no… only been ſo unhappy as to bring forth Children for the Murtherer, but haſt been ſo ungodly, as to be the Mother and Murtherer of them thy ſelf. O cruel monſter in Nature! who ſhall deliver thee from ſuch Uncleanneſs and …ood guiltineſs? Or, who will ſtay thee from going down to the Pit? Certainly that in Job 36.4. will be verified up-thee; Thou ſhalt dy in youth, and thy life will be reckoned among the Unclean and Cruel. The firſt Law of God was a Law of Retaliation. Gen. 9 6. Whoſo …eddeth mans blood, by man ſhall his blood to ſhed. So that 'tis not in the power of man to ſave from the Firſt or Second Death: But yet I ſay, though by the Sentence of the Law, thou muſt Dy once, yet by the Grace of the Goſpel, thou mayſt Live again; yea, thou mayſt live for ever. Bleſſed be God; who has laid help on O…e that is mighty, able and willing to ſave thee to the uttermoſt. This is a true and fai…hful ſaying, that Jeſus Chriſt came into the world to ſave Sinners: And our obſervation may tell us, that God does often make the chiefeſt of …inners, Objects of his choiceſt Mercy, viz. Pardoning and Sa…i…g Mercy. Be…des the Examples inſtanced in before, The Stock whereof Chriſt came ſeems …o intimate this. God might have kept the Stock whence Chriſt deſcended according to the Fleſh, pure & free from being tainted with any notorious Crim… but we find ſins of a crimſon dy eve… among them If we examine our S… viours Geneology as reckoned in th… Scripture, we ſhall find a company o… looſe and lewd women, as Tamar, wh… played the Harlot with Judah b… Father in law, Rahab the Harlot … Jericho, Ruth a Moabiteſs, the root … whoſe Generation was Lots Son b… Inceſt with his own Daughters; Bat… ſheba, Davids Adultereſs, &c. God choſ… theſe Repenting Sinners out of who… loins Chriſt was to come, that th… greateſt of Sinners might not be afra… to come unto him: and David hi… ſelf (whoſe Son our Saviour is calle… was notorious for the Acts of Mu… der and A…ul…ery. Now in the O… nion of the Wiſe and Learned, Chriſt own Stock being thus tainted ſeen an evidence, that Penitents, ho…gh… the greateſt Pollutions might be we come to him, and that as he pi… out ſuch out of whoſe loins to pr… ceed, ſo he would pick out ſuch … in whoſe hearts to reſide. This we certainly find, that great Sins are often made preparations to Converſion; not in their own nature, that's impoſſible; but by the wiſe and gracious Diſpoſal of God; and ſome Reaſons of this Diſpenſation might be gueſſed at. To ſhew the inſufficiency of Nature to ſach a work (as Converſion is) ſo the more to Glorify himſelf, his Patience, Power and Mercy; 1 Tim. 1.16 For this cauſe (ſays Paul) I obtained mercy, that in me Jeſus Christ might ſhew forth all-long-ſuffering. Herein alſo is the exceeding Greatneſs of Gods Power Exerted: the ſame as in Raiſing up our Lord Jeſus from the Dead; and the Riches of his Grace to ſuch Sinners is glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe. Particularly, the fulneſs, freeneſs, tenderneſs, and compaſſionateneſs of his mercy to ſuch as are moſt deeply involved in ſin and miſery, are made gloriouſly c…n…picuous.
That every Age is furniſht with ſome remarkable inſtances hereof, may be …o keep up the credit of Chriſt's Death in the world; or to ſhew that the value and efficacy of his Sacrifice remains for ever.
The Converſion of ſome of extraordinary Guilt now and then, proclaims to the World that this Fountain of his Blood is inexhauſtible; that the vertue of it is not ſpent or drained, tho' ſo much has been drawn out of it for above Five thouſand years already.
And doubtleſs, the greater Fruits of this Grace is expected from ſuch Converts in ways of Thankfulneſs, Love and Obedience.
Perſons ordinarily admire more when they are pulled out of Danger, than when they are prevent…d fr…m running into it. Hence, we find that no Apoſtle gives ſuch Epi…hets to the Grace of God as Paul; …or any …o Seraphi…al in admiring Ex…r…ſſions of it. Again,
The Re…urns of L…ve and Affection will be propo…tiona…le, Luk 7.47 To whom little is forgiven, the ſame loves little. B…t Mary Magdal…n having her many ſins forgiven, therefore ſhe loved much. And ſo for other Service and Obedience: Paul l…b…ured more abundan… ly than they all; becauſe he was one born out of due time, having been ſo and ſo before. I might add, for others ſake, Eph. 2.5, 6, 7. That the Ages to come might ſhew forth the tranſcendant Riches of his Grace. Very great Judgment on a grand Sinner (as one ſays) is like the Hanging a m… up in Chains to deter others from the like practice; and this is the improvement which the Holy Spirit of God in his Word does direct ſhould be made of ſuch Examples; viz. That all Iſrael ſhould hear and fear and do no more preſumptuouſly, Deut. 17.13. So every ſuch Converſion (as we have been ſpeaking of) is not only an Act of Gods mercy to the Convert, but an invitation to all Spectator… or Hearers of it to return to him. Tis natural to men not to believe, till they ſee miracles,, Joh▪ 4 48. Except ye ſee ſigns and wonders, ye will not believe. Now of all the ſtanding miracles which God has left in the World, theſe are none of the leaſt, Viz. The Extraordinary Converſions of the vileſt of Sinners. And I hope by this time, there has been enough ſpoken to beget in ſuch an one a firm and fixed Belief of this great Truth: that there is Life to be had for Sinners, even the Chief of them.
The Second Br…ch of the EXHORTATION is to a Serious and Speedy Addreſſing of God in Christ for this Benefit. Is it a Divine Gift; then (for ought we know) Thou ſtandeſt as fair for it as any Sinner on this ſide the Pit. Is it Gods Gift? Then ask it, Beg it of him. Tis not an Angel or any Creature can confer or continue Life. Is it a Gift? Then expect not to merit it by thy Prayers, Tears, Humiliations, or Repentings; but from free Grace alone.
Again, Is this Gift of God through Jeſus Chriſt? Then come for it in this way, Joh. 14.1. If ye believe in God, believe alſo in Me, ſaith our Saviour Chriſt. For I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: the only way unto the Father. Out of Chriſt, He is a conſuming Fire to the workers of iniquity. There is no Approaching to him wi…h Safety, but through JESUS the Mediator and Advocate. God never had a thought from all E…ernity of Pardoning or Saving one Sinner, but only in and through Chriſt. In whom we have Redemption through his Blood, even the forgiveneſs of our Sins, and aſſurance of Life Eternal. Well then, Embolden thy ſelf to Draw near to God in Chriſt Jeſus, and humbly Beg mercy on his Account, and for his ſake. Haſt thou obtained any grounded Hope hereof already? Then Glorify God all that thou canſt. Labour to poſſeſs thy heart with great Admirations of Divine Grace. Admiration is all the Glory you can give to God for his Grace: ſeeing you can add nothing to his Eſſential Glory. O Admire his Diſtinguiſhing mercy to thee above Multitudes that never Sinned at ſuch a ra…e! who has made thee thus to differ from the many Pillars of Salt of whom thou haſt heard and read? was it not God alone? O let him have the Glory, and t…y Soul ſh…ll have the Comfort thereof for ever. I conclude with a Word of Caution & Counſil to the whole Aſſembly.
Here are ſome perhaps in this great Auditory that have never heard me before, or ever may again. God Forbid, that any ſhould abuſe his Grace either in the Doctrine, or Example thereof now before them. Deſpair is exceeding dangerous; but Preſumption is more natural and no leſs Fatal. Yea, (as Divines account) where That has ſlain its Thouſands, This has ſlain its Ten Thouſands.
1. Think not your Sins are pardoned therefore, becauſe they are …ot ſo great as thoſe which God has pa…oned in others: but remember, God caſt off Saul for leſs Sins than David committed.
2. Nor that you may ſafely go on in Sin without Fear of Death, or Sin the more that Grace may abound, Rom. 6.1. Thus to do were moſt diſingenuous, Fooliſh and Dangerous. God never intended mercy as a Sanctuary to perfect Sin, much leſs to promote it. Beſides, if you looſe the preſent time▪ you are in greateſt Danger to looſe Eternity alſo. There are many in Hell already, who never Sinned at ſuch a preſumptuous rate. God is now merciful to the Penitent; yet will be faithful to his threatnings as well as Promiſes: and all Deſpiſers of his Goodneſs and Forbearance will be found to have treaſured up wrath againſt the day of wrath, and the Revelation of his righteous Judgment.
The Counſil alſo is twofold.
1. To a Thankful Acknowledgment of …
2. To a Faithful Improvement of it.
Be Thankful for the Poſſibility of Life…s and careful to improve the Opportunity of it. If there be Life and Salvation to be had, then All men are called upon to make ſure of it. Life is generally tendred to all, therefore it behoves all to make ſure of it to themſelves.
It were better there were no Offer of Grace, if there be no Acceptance of it. I… avails not that there is a general Exhibition, if there be not a ſpecial and particular Appplication of it. What tho' the Wells of Salvation are ſet open, if we draw not Water out of thoſe Wells, we periſh notwithſtanding. Here is Water of Life running by us, but if we refuſe to drink, we may dy of our thirſt. Manna falls in all quarters of Iſraels Camp, the people may gather it, yea are commanded ſo to do: But they may pine to Death if they look not after it, and gather it in the ſeaſon: Naaman is Leporous, the Prophet tells him of a Cure, of a Bath that will reſtore his Fleſh; but if he will not vouchſafe to take the pains, he may remain a Leper ſtill. The Prodigal whiles he remains in a far Country is never the better that there is bread enough in his Fathers houſe: He muſt come and ſubmit himſelf to his Father, take the Dole from his hand, or elſe it were all one to him, as if there were nothing to be had: There is Wine and Milk enough to be had without mony & without price; but what benefit can this be, if we come not where it is to be had, and buy it on the Terms? Who is the Richer for the Pearl, that has not made it his own by the purchaſe of it? Tho' Life & Salvation is graciouſly offered in the Goſpel to every man; y… there is no man will be the better for it, that does not hearken to this gracious tender, and apply himſelf to the way of obtaining benefit by it. It is not the opportunity, but the improvement of it that will make us happy.
Many Arguments might be uſed as Motives to quicken and ſtrengthen our Deſires and Endeavours after Life. I ſhall hint at theſe two only. The N… ceſſity and Excellency of this Life.
1. Life is neceſſary, and a neceſſity is laid in our endeavours after it. There is no way, but one of theſe two; either Life or Death; if we Live not, we muſt dye: There is no middle between Life and Death; nothing between Heaven and Hell. It's true, now there is a kind of medium between theſe: But the time is coming when there will be no other places but theſe two; the only Receptacles of all mankind. If therefore we cannot bear to think of Eternal Death, of an Everlaſting Separation and Secluſion from the Face and Favour of God, unleſs we are willing to be ſhut out of Heaven, deprived of all the joyes and pleaſures of it, to be for ever excommunicated from the bleſſed Company of God, Angels and Saints: And unleſs we can endure to be ſhut up in Hell, to be unto all Eternity, incarcerated in the Dungeon of Darkneſs, Cohabiting with Devils and Damned Spirits, to be ſubject unto all thoſe miſeries, which the Infinite Wiſdom of God can invent, and the Hand of his Infinite Power can inf…ict: O let us be earneſt, inſtant and conſtant in our Endeavours for Life; for there is no other Choice. One of theſe muſt, and will be the portion of every Son and Daughter of Adam, either to be happy in life, or miſerable in Death, and that for ever. Now God ſets Life and Death before us, and we have our choice: If we do not chooſe the one, we ſhall never be able to refuſe the other. We muſt needs get life then, becauſe the miſchiefs of the want of it are inſufferable. If there could be an Annihilation, if we might be reduced to our firſt principle of nothing again, if we might again not be, and ſo not be miſerable, the matter were leſs, tho' we were not the Subjects of this Life and Bleſſedneſs: Better never to have been born, than being ſo, to fall ſhort of Eternal Glory: for then endleſs miſery will be our portion.
2. The Excellency of this Life well thought upon, may invigorate all our deſires and endeavours after it. Natural Life of all natural good, is the moſt excellent; nothing bears ſo high a price as Life, nothing is to be valued with it; its called the precious Life, and life puts a price on all other things; they are therefore good and precious as they are means of the being, continuance and comfort of it, and they are valued according to their conducement hereunto: Such is the rate, the degree of their Excellency; but the means are ever inferiour to the end; ſo that Life Temporal is incomparably above all other things; but Life Eternal is more worth than a thouſand Lives: It is infinitely better both in the nature or kind, and in the duration of it. In reſpect of the nature, it includes all other kinds, and all poſſible perfection of the reaſonable Creature. It conſiſts in the removal of all Evil, Sin and Miſery: and the poſition of all Good, H…lineſs and Happineſs in Soul and Body for ever. It were as eaſy to open Heaven it ſel…, and ſhow you that, as to open this Life, or tell the Contents of it. Eye has not ſeen … Ear heard, neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive, much leſs fully comprehend what this Life … In reſpect of duration▪ …. This is Life indeed, and …i…e without an end. We have frequent experience of the momentanious of th…ſe natural lives of …urs: yea, the longeſt li…e on Earth is not a moment to that Eternity which it ſets into either of Woal or Woe. Death is appointed for all Living, and we find even ſuch as are called Gods, to dy like men: Nor do the Prophets live for ever? may therefore ſay with the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15.19. If in this life only there were hope, we were indeed miſerable: But bleſſed be God who giveth to all this good hope through Grace, of an Eternal Life by Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
The End of the Second SERMON.