The Efficacy of the Fear of Hell to Restrain Men from Sin, Sermon 4
The Fourth Sermon.
Luke 4.18.
To Preach Deliverance to the Captives.
HERE is another Expreſſion of the Work that Chriſt was anointed for. Where mind, 1. The Perſons that he is to be Serviceable to. The Word Captive is from Capio, to take. They are ſuch as are taken in War. Aichmalotos is from Aichme, Spear or Sword, and Alotos, taken in War. This ſets forth the ſtate of Sinners. They are by the juſt Judgment of God, delivered into Satans Hands, & they are his Captives. 2 Tim. 2.26. They are taken Captive by him at his Will. 2. What Service Chriſt was to do for them. To Preach Deliverance, to Publiſh or Proclaim it. His Office was not meerly to Condole their Captivity, but to Proclaim Deliverance to them. He doth not Proclaim that they are delivered, but he Proclaims an Offer of Deliverance. He declares that there is a way of Deliverance, and makes a tender of it upon Terms.
DOCTRINE. God offers Deliverance to thoſe that are in ſpiritual Captivity. Deliverance to them that are in bodily Captivity is a great Priviledge; but Deliverance to them that are in ſpiritual Captivity, is a far greater Priviledge. As it is more Coſtly, ſo it is more Comfortable and Profitable; but this is freely offered by God. He doth not force their Deliverance without their Conſent, but he makes a tender of Deliverance unto them. They cannot force their Deliverance, neither can they purchaſe their own Deliverance. What ſhall a Man give in exchange for his Soul? Math. 16.26. But God doth freely offer it to them. He doth not at preſent make an offer of it to all the World. There be great Nations that have not heard of it; but where he ſends his Goſpel, he makes an offer of it. There be many in ſuch Places that are not delivered from this Captivity, and indeed never will be delivered; but it is not for want of an offer, but for want of their Acceptance. Some that are in Captivity are delivered, and Deliverance is offered unto others.
Q. Why are Sinners ſaid to be in ſpiritual Captivity?
A. Becauſe their Condition is reſembled by the Condition of Captives.
1. They are made to ſerve with Rigour. Thus the Egyptians dealt with the Iſraelites. Exod. 1.14. They made their Lives Bitter with hard Bondage, in Morter and in Brick, and in all manner of Service in the Field. All the Service wherein they made them ſerve, was with Rigour. So Satan puts his Captives to a great deal of Drudgery. He keeps them continually at Work. He hurries them from Service to Service. He makes them do a great deal of baſe Work, that is beneath the Dignity of Men. He makes them to Idolize the World, and to make Gods of their Bellies. Phil. 3.19. He makes them Lye, and Steal, and be Prophane. He makes many of them to be like the Beaſts that Periſh. He drives them ſometimes to do things that will be a Reproach to them, that they are as the Fools in Iſrael. 2 Sam. 13.13. He makes them to do ſuch things as undo them in this World. Prov. 6.33. A Wound and Diſhonour ſhall he get, and his Reproach ſhall not be wiped away. He compels them to do ſuch things as are utterly Unprofitable, and forces them to do things that diſpleaſe God, and bring down his Wrath. He hurries them on to do things that Wound their Conſciences. He will not allow them time, nor ſuffer them to ſerve God. Eph. 2.2, 3. Ye walked according to the Courſe of this World, according to the Prince of the Power of the Air, the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Diſobedience. Among whom we had our Converſation in times paſt, in the Luſts of the Fleſh, fulfilling the Deſires of the Fleſh, and of the Mind.
2. They are miſerably provided for. Sometimes it is ſo with Captives among Men. Deut. 28.48. Thou ſhalt ſerve thine Enemies, which the Lord ſhall ſend againſt thee, in Hunger, and Thirſt, and Nakedneſs, and in the want of all things. So Iſai. 20.4. So the King of Aſſyria ſhall lead the Egyptians Priſoners, and the Ethiopians Captives; Young and Old, Naked and Barefoot. Thus theſe Mens Souls are in a ſtarved Condition; they have nothing to ſatisfy them; they are like the Prodigal, Luk. 15.16. He would fain have filled his Belly with the Huſks that the Swine did eat, but no Man gave unto him. They have no Heavenly Manna; they don't eat of the Tree of Life, ſpoken of, Rev. 2.7. They have not that which is Meat indeed, and Drink indeed. They have inſatiable Deſires after Happineſs; but they have nothing to live upon, but that which is Courſe, and Bitter, and Unſatisfying. They have Deſires after Satisfaction, but cannot find it. They are kept in an Hungry and Starved Condition. While other Men are entertained in God's Chambers, they are kept out of Doors. They come into the Meeting-houſe, but not into the Chambers of Communion; and their Souls are miſerably Cloathed, while others are Cloathed with change of Raiment, and their Beauty is Perfect through that Comlineſs which God hath put upon them, and are adorned with the Robes of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs. Theſe poor Captives have nothing but rotten Rags to cover them, while their Bodies are finely adorned, their Souls are Naked and Filthy: They are Polluted in their Blood. Ezek. 16.6. All their Righteouſneſs is as filthy Rags.
3. Satan is leading them to his own Territories. That is the manner of Conquerours when they have taken Captives, to lead them away to their own Country. So Zedekiah was dealt with. Jer. 52.11. The King of Babylon bound him with Chains, and carryed him to Babylon. Thus Satan is dealing with theſe Men. The Divel himſelf is caſt into Hell. 2 Pet. 2.4. God ſpared not the Angels that Sinned, but caſt them down to Hell. And though they be ſuffered to Ramble about the Earth, yet Hell is their Home; and thither it is that they are leading their Captives. The Divel is leading them in thoſe Paths that go down to Deſtruction. 1 Joh. 3.8. He that committeth Sin is of the Divel. He leads them on in the Practice of Iniquity, which is the very way to Hell. He leads ſome in the way of Prophaneſs, others in the way of Voluptuouſneſs, others in a way of Pride and Worldlineſs, till he brings them down to Hell. The Divel deceives them, Rev. 20.10. He deſtroys them, Rev. 9.11. And he is buſily endeavouring to hinder them from getting out of this way. When they hear the Word, he is careful to take it away. Math. 13.19. Then cometh the wicked One, and catcheth away that which was ſown in his Heart. He mightily oppoſeth their Converſion. He is ſhewing them the Glory of the World, and blinding their Eyes that they may nor believe the Goſpel. 2 Cor. 4.4. The God of this World hath blinded the Eyes of them that believe not, leſt the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt, who is the Image of God, ſhould ſhine unto them.
2 Q. What is it that is offered to theſe Captives?
A. Not a Mitigation of the Extremity of their Captivity, but Deliverance. It is a Mercy to poor Captives, to have ſome Pity ſhewed them in their Bondage. Pſal. 106.46. He made them to be pitied of all thoſe that carried them Captive. And indeed there is ſome difference among thoſe that are Satan's Captives. Some are made to do abundance more Drudgery than others: They are made to blaſt their Names, and wound their Conſciences more than others, and they go along faſter in the way to Deſtruction than others: But the thing that God offers to Men in the Goſpel, is not a Mitigation of, but Deliverance from Captivity. Chriſt Jeſus is raiſed up to be a Deliverer, to be a Saviour, and he doth deliver Men. His Work is to deliver them, who through fear of Death, were all their Life-time ſubject to Bondage Heb. 2.15. And this is that which is offered in the Goſpel. He offers to make them Happy that were Miſerable, to ſave them from the power of Satan. Act. 26.18 To turn them from Darkneſs to Light, and from the power of Satan unto God. To deliver them from the power of Darkneſs, Col. 1.13. He offers to ſet at Liberty, thoſe that were in Bondage.
1. He doth not offer Deliverance hereafter only, but preſent Deliverance. God offers the Glory of Heaven to Sinners in the Goſpel; but this is not to be enjoyed at preſent, but they muſt go through ſeveral Calamities before they come thither. 1 Pet. 5.10. God has called you to his Eternal Kingdom and Glory after ye have ſuffered a while. They may have ſome fore-taſts of it now, but they muſt not enjoy it till they Die. But there is a preſent Deliverance offered, he that is effectually called, is the Lord's Free-Man. 1 Cor. 7.22. Satan's Dominion is immediately taken away. The Man is delivered from ſervitude to Satan. 1 Joh. 5.18. He that is begotten of God, keepeth himſelf, and that wicked One toucheth him not. The Divel may hurry him into ſome Tranſgreſſions, but his Lordſhip is taken away, and the Man walks in a way of Holineſs, and has a right to the Tree of Life. Satan is caſt out, and the Man is made an Heir of Heaven, and God is leading him in the way to Glory. Rom. 6.22. Ye have your Fruit unto Holineſs, and the End everlaſting Life.
2. He don't offer Deliverance for the preſent only, but Eternal Deliverance. Men that are delivered out of Captivity here, may after a while go into Captivity again, and be in as ſad a Condition as before; but this Deliverance is Eternal. When once they are delivered, they are never brought into ſuch a Captivity again. Paul ſays indeed, that the Law in his Members brought him into Captivity. Rom. 7.23. The meaning is, That Sin did get ſome Advantage, and Tyrannize over him a while, that he was at times like a Captive; but not as he was before in his natural Condition. He never was a Servant to Sin any more. The Divel may try to recover his Dominion; he acts Craftily, and makes many Aſſaults, and brings the Heart into bad Frames, and leads it into actual Tranſgreſſions, but he has no power over him to make him walk in the way of Deſtruction. Such Perſons being the Sons of God, are led by the Spirit of God. Rom. 8.14. Satan is very much reſtrained by God, and all ſuch Perſons are kept by the power of God, through Faith unto Salvation. 1 Pet. 1.5.
3 Q. On what Terms doth God offer Deliverance from this Captivity?
A. 1. Not upon the Condition of their laying down the Price of their Deliverance. We can't lay down any Price of our Redemption. Money will not Redeem us, if it ſhould be laid out in Works of Piety or Charity. Math. 16.26. What ſhall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul? Men have no Works to Redeem them; all the Works that they do before their Deliverance, are Sins. They run in Debt, and don't pay their Debts thereby, until they are delivered. They are by all that they do, purchaſing Damnation, and not Salvation. They are ſaid to have no Money, Iſai. 55.1. Nothing that will paſs in Heaven, as Money doth upon the Earth.
2. Nor upon Condition of their Recompencing God for it afterwards. When he delivers Men, he expects that they ſhould ſerve God in Holineſs and Righteouſneſs all the Days of their Lives. Luk. 1.74, 75. But this is not the Condition, but part of the Mercy that is offered. Men that are ſenſible of their Captivity, are ready to promiſe, That if God will deliver them, they will be very Obedient, and ſhew forth his Praiſe: But God don't regard their Promiſes, nor deliver them becauſe they promiſe fairly. He expects no Reward from them, as in that Caſe. Iſai. 45.13. He ſhall let go my Captives, net for Price nor Reward, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. God requires Obedience as a natural Debt, and likewiſe in a way of Thankfullneſs for their Deliverance, but not in a way of Recompence.
3. But on Condition of accepting it as a free Gift through Chriſt. Deliverance is a free Gift as to us, but Chriſt hath purchaſed it. Rom. 6.23. The Gift of God is Eternal Life, through Chriſt Jeſus our Lord. And we muſt accept it as ſuch. The Invitation is, to come and take the Water of Life freely. Rev. 22.17. And we muſt take as it is offered; we muſt make no Alteration in the Terms: God will have his own way: He will not ſell Deliverance to us but he will give it; but he will not give it abſolutely without reſpect to any Price, but with reſpect to the Death and Righteouſneſs of Chriſt. And we muſt receive it as he offers it. 1 Pet. 1.21. Who by him do believe in God. Heb. 7.25. He is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt, who come unto God by him. We muſt depend on the Grace of God, as the moving Cauſe, but on the Blood and Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, as the meritorious Cauſe of our Salvation.
4 Q. To what purpoſe is this offer made to Sinners, ſeeing they have not Power to accept of it? Joh. 6.44. No Man can come unto me, except the Father that ſent me draw him.
A. 1. It is no ways fit that Salvation ſhould be forced on them without their acceptance. In this way they put a great deal of Honour upon God: They Honour the Grace of God, and his Faithfullneſs, and his Authority. Rom. 4.20. Abraham was ſtrong in Faith, giving Glory to God. It is a Teſtimony for God, and a practical Acknowledgment of his Attributes; and in this way they put a great deal of Honour upon Chriſt. It is a Confeſſion that he is the Son of God, and the only Mediatour between God and Man; of the Sufficiency and ſaving Virtue of his Death and Obedience: It manifeſts that the Man prizeth Chriſt. 1 Pet. 2.7. To them that believe Chriſt is Precious. And in this way there is a Foundation for a great deal of Comfort. God is bound now by Covenant to beſtow Salvation, and they are ſecured from Apoſtacy: That they ſhall never fall into a ſtate of Condemnation. Joh. 5.24. He that ſeeth the Son, and believeth on him that ſent him, hath Eternal Life, and ſhall not enter into Condemnation. The Heirs of Promiſe hereby have ſtrong Conſolation.
2. They can do a great deal in order to their accepting of Deliverance. They can Pray earneſtly for it. Prov. 2.3. They can cry for Wiſdom, and lift up their Voices for Underſtanding. God ſaith concerning Paul, Behold he Prayeth. Act. 9.11. They can Reform their Lives, and leave off the Evil Practices that they have been addicted unto. So they are directed to forſake their ways, Iſai. 55.7. They can addict themſelves to ways of Obedience, duties of Piety, and Charity, and Juſtice. They can reſiſt Diſcouragements, and diſcern that there is no ſufficient Foundation for them; they are able to examine their Hearts, and to diſcern the Falſeneſs of thoſe Pretences that they make to Godly Sorrow, Love and Faith; they are capable to diſcern their Carnal Confidence, and to find out the Pride and Stubbornneſs of their Hearts: They are able alſo to juſtify God, and under a ſenſe of their own Inſufficiency, wait upon God for his Mercy.
3. When they do what they can, God generally makes the offers Powerful. When they are prepared, God's manner is to open their Eyes. When they have gone as far as they can, God's manner is to put Strength in them, and he will accompany the Goſpel with a Divine Power. The Goſpel doth become his Power unto Salvation, Rom. 1.16. He teaches them in that way, and makes them to come to Chriſt. Joh. 6.45. Every one that heareth and learneth of the Father, cometh unto me. In this way God is Breathing into ſome the Breath of Life. Theſe offers of the Goſpel are not in vain, for God doth perſwade many thereby. I Cor. 4.15. I have Begotten you through the Goſpel.
1 USE. See here the great Mercy of God to many Sinners. He offers Deliverance to them from Spiritual Captivity. Bodily Captivity, eſpecially among barbarous People, Indians or Turks, is a great Miſery; but this Spiritual Captivity is much greater. Their Wants are very great; they live a miſerable Famiſhed Life, they are deſtitute of thoſe Spiritual Comforts that the Nature of Man craves. They are very much Debaſed, they live in ſuch a way as is beneath the Dignity of Mankind. They indure abundance of Sorrows, and Wounds in their Conſciences. They are expoſed unto great Dangers: God pities them in this Condition, and offers Deliverance to them, when none elſe could do it. He is making a gracious Offer unto them. You are utterly uncapable to deliver yourſelves; you have no ſufficiency to procure your own Liberty. Some that have been Captives to Men, have got their Liberty by Running; ſome by being Victorious over them; ſome by promiſing Money for their Redemption, but you are under an utter Incapacity to procure your own Liberty. You muſt continue for ever in a miſerable Condition, if God do not ſet you at Liberty: And in this Extremity God offers Deliverance to you. It would not be ſo ſtrange, if your Deliverance would be any Advantage to God, but he gains nothing by it. It is indeed for his Honour to Deliver you; and ſo it would be for his Honour if he ſhould refuſe to Deliver you: But it is no profit to him, he is Bleſſed for ever, whatever becomes of you. Yet he is freely offering Deliverance to you.
1. This is offered to you, though you brought your ſelf into this Condition by your Rebellion. Many Men that are in Captivity, are to be pityed under that Conſideration, That it was not their fault that they are Captives: It was not from any Perverſneſs or Indiſcretion of theirs, that they are in ſuch a Condition, but your Captivity is the fruit of your Rebellion. Man was made in an eſtate of Freedom, but we caſt our ſelves into this Bondage by breaking God's Law. We might have lived happily if we would have obeyed, but ventured for the ſake of the Forbidden Fruit, to go abreaſt againſt God's Law, and plunged our ſelves into this Miſery. Rom. 3.23. Man has Sinned, and fallen ſhort of the Glory of God. God might have ſaid, Seeing they would be Miſerable, let them be Miſerable: They ſhould have known when they were well; their Miſery is no more than they deſerve. Seeing they would ſerve the Divel, let them be his Bond-Men, let them find by Experience, the fruit of their own Folly. But ſuch is his Mercy, that he has overlooked the Provocation, and ſays, as Hoſ. 13.9. Thou haſt deſtroyed thy ſelf, but in me is thy Help.
2. Though it has coſt him much to make this Offer. The generality of the great Works of God have not been coſtly to him. When he was to make the World, he ſpake and they were Created; he Commanded and they ſtood faſt; but our Deliverance was coſtly. 1 Cor. 6.20. We are bought with a Price. Men are willing to Redeem others out of Captivity, if they can have it for a moderate Sum; but this Deliverance coſt the Blood of the Son of God. In order to it, the Son of God muſt take our Nature: That was great Condeſcention; he ſtooped very low, to take a Nature made out of the Duſt; and in this Nature he ſuffered the Curſe of the Law. It would have been a great Miſery for us to have ſuffered the Curſe of the Law; and it was a great kindneſs for the Son of God to ſuffer that Curſe for us. Though the Divine Nature did not ſuffer, yet it was God that ſuffered. Act. 20.28. God hath purchaſed the Church with his own Blood. If that Nature had not been taken into Union with the Son of God, it would not have been ſuch love for God to inflict Sufferings on it; but being United to the Son of God, it was unſpeakable Love for God to deliver it to Death. Rom. 5.8. God commendeth his Love towards us, in that while we were yet Sinners Chriſt died for us. God was at great Expence for our Deliverance.
3. He offered this to you before you aſked him. Some Men would think it time enough to offer Men Liberty when they are ſought to, and would make that an Objection, that Men never asked them for ſuch a Favour; but he has prevented you, he did not wait to ſee whether you would fall before him upon your Knees, and with Tears in your Eyes beg Deliverance of him; but he laid the Foundation of this Deliverance before you were Born; ſent his Son to Die for you, many Ages before you came into the World, and in early Days offered Deliverance to you, before you had any Thoughts about it. He called on you, before ever you called on him. It would have been an exceeding Mercy to have hearkned to you, and made you ſuch an Offer, after you had with Prayers and Supplications, with ſtrong Crying and Tears ſought unto him for it. But God has been beforehand with you, and before you ever thought of any ſuch thing, hath ſent the Goſpel to you▪ you have no Occaſion to ſay, Who ſhall aſcend into Heaven (to bring Chriſt down from above) or who ſhall deſcend into the Deep? But the Word is nigh thee, in thy Mouth, and in thy Heart. Rom. 10.6, 7, 8. God has brought the Goſpel to your Doors.
4. He offers this to you, after many Refuſals. You have been greatly Guilty, in blowing on the offers of the Goſpel. You have been like the Deaf Adder. God has called and ſet many Arguments before you, and after time of Conſideration, has renewed his offers; but you have rejected them. Prov. 1.24. I have called, and they have refuſed: I ſtretched out my Hand, and they have not regarded. You have delayed him, you have denyed him, you have affronted him; yet he perſiſts to make the offer ſtill. He ſtands at the Door and Knocks. Rev. 3.20. He might have ſaid, They ſhould have known when they were well offered; let them learn by their Sufferings, what it is to deſpiſe ſuch Grace. This is not a Mercy to be trampled on, ſeeing they won't have Life, let them have Death. He might have been diſcouraged from making any more offers to you. He might have ſaid, It is in vain to call upon them; they are in love with their Servitude and won't. What could I ſay more than I have ſaid? They are ſtubborn willful Creatures, I'll wait no longer on them, the Kingdom ſhall be taken from them. But notwithſtanding all Provocations, he is ſtill offering Deliverance. After ſo long a time he is ſaying, To Day while it is called to day, harden not your Hearts.
2 USE. Of Reproof to thoſe that don't accept the offer of Deliverance. Accepting the offer is a ſecret Thing, and I don't pretend to know who hath not accepted; but if we be not better than the Jews, few have accepted. Chriſt Complains of this, Joh. 5.40. Ye will not come to me, that you may have Life. Luk. 14.18. They all with one Conſent began to make Excuſe. And there be many Evidences againſt ſome Men, that Affront to God, that you don't accept. He might well expect that you ſhould accept it with Thankfullneſs. Chriſt makes great Complaint of them, Mat 23.37. I would have gathered thy Children together, as an Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings, and ye would not.
1. In ſome, it is becauſe they are not afraid of the Miſery that Satan is leading them unto. Some Men are not much afraid of Damnation. They have cauſe to be afraid; multitudes of ſuch as they, are gone to Hell. The Sinners of the Old World are there; they were Diſobedient in the Days of Noah, and now their Spirits are in Priſon. 1 Pet. 3.19.20. God threatens them with Damnation. The Chaff ſhall be burnt up with unquenchable Fire. Math. 3.12. Many others have been afraid. Iſai. 33.14. Sinners in Zion are afraid, Trembling takes hold of Hypocrites. The Divels are afraid. Jam. 2.19. The Divels believe and Tremble. It is a dreadful Thing to looſe Heaven, and all the Good of that, and endure the Pains of Hell. It is ſtrange that Men that can't bear the Aking of a tooth, make light of going to Hell: But many through Atheiſm and Flattery, are not afraid, and ſo they don't regard the offers of Deliverance, but are caſting horrible Contempt upon the Grace of God.
2. In ſome, it is from love to that Drudgery that Satan puts them to. They love their Sins; they love to ſerve the World; they love to indulge their Luſts: Their Luſts are like a Right Eye: They ſay as they, Jer. 2.25. I have loved Strangers, and after them I will go. They have little Reaſon to be fond of their Service; 'tis baſe and low, beneath Rational Creatures. They do bereave their Souls of Comfort: It Wounds their Conſciences; it expoſes them to Wrath. They might live Pleaſantly, and Honourably, and ſo as is agreeable to Conſcience. The benefit of ſerving God is very great. Pſal. 19.11. In keeping thy Commandments is great Reward. But they don't know how to part with their Sins; they are bewitched with the World, and their Life is bound up in Carnal Enjoyments, and they are not willing to be delivered: they are naturalized to their Sins, and it is like Death to part with them.
3. In ſome, it is from their not believing that God will deliver them. Some cry for Deliverance, but don't accept the Offers. They are Fearful and Unbelieving. Rev. 21.8. They ſcare themſelves, becauſe of the Anger of God; they ſcare themſelves, becauſe of the Threatnings of the Word, and becauſe of the badneſs of their Hearts. They hear that Chriſt has ſatisfied Juſtice for Sin; that God is willing to be reconciled to Sinners, but they dare not adventure themſelves on Chriſt; they think if their Hearts were better, and they could Bleed freely for their Sins, and had a more fervent Spirit of Love to God, his Heart would be mollified towards them, and he would be more inclinable to give Salvation to them: But as they are, they dare not accept, they think it would be Preſumption; without all Reaſon, they call in Queſtion the Word of God. One would think God's Word ſhould ſatisfy them. Pſal. 12.6. The Words of the Lord are pure Words. But they dare not depend upon Gods Word: They doubt that we don't underſtand the Meaning of it, and that it is to be underſtood with ſome Limitations that we are not aware of.
3 USE. Of Exhortation to thoſe that have accepted this Offer, Rejoice in this Deliverance that God has beſtowed on you. You have received and do receive the Offer, and God hath done according to what he offered, and you are delivered: Rejoice in this.
1. You are delivered from ſervitude to Satan. He is Tempting of you ſtill, and leads you into a great deal of Tranſgreſſion, as he Tempted David to Number the People of Iſrael. Yet you are not his Servants, his Dominion is taken away, and he is under Reſtraint, and cannot Govern you as he did. It is a dreadful Thing to be a Slave to Satan. Thus it is with all Ungodly Men; they are the Seed of the Serpent; they are the Children of the wicked One. Math 13.38. The Tares are the Children of the wicked One; they are of their Father the Divel, and his Luſts they will do. Joh. 8.44. But you have changed Maſters, and now ſerve the living God. You are now delivered from the power of Darkneſs, and turned from Satan unto God. Act. 26.18. And do maintain a Warfare againſt the power of Darkneſs. Eph. 6.12. We wreſtle not againſt Fleſh and Blood, but againſt Principalities, againſt Powers, againſt the Rulers of the Darkneſs of this World, againſt Spiritual Wickedneſs in High Places.
2. You are well provided for. Many Men having nothing to Refreſh their Hearts but Carnal Things, they are in a ſtarved Condition; they are Pining for want of Satisfaction; but the Caſe is altered with you. You draw Water out of the Wells of Salvation, Iſai. 12.3. You can ſit under the ſhadow of Chriſt with Delight, and his Fruit is Sweet to your Taſte. As Cant. 2.3. God has made ſatisfying Proviſion, and you are at times feeding on that. The Fleſh of Chriſt is Meat indeed, and his Blood is Drink indeed; and you have a great deal of Comfort in that. And while other Men have nothing to cover them but the rotten Rags of their own Righteouſneſs, your Souls are beautified and adorned with the Robes of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs; and Chriſt Jeſus ſays of you, as Cant. 4.7. Thou art all Fair my Love, there is no Spot in thee. And God ſays of you, Ezek. 16.14. Thy Beauty is perfect through my Comlineſs which I have put upon thee, ſaith the Lord God.
3. God is leading you unto Glory. You are on this ſide Heaven, and have many Temptations, but your Salvation is ſecured. God is conducting you to Glory, and will without fail bring you thither. The Glory of Heaven is very great; it will bring Satisfaction; it exceeds all the Glory of the World, more than the Light of the Sun doth the Light of Rotten Wood: And God will not ſuffer you to fail of this. Your Expectations as to ſome Worldly Enjoyments may fail, but God will lead you in the very way to Glory. Pſal. 73.24. Thou wilt guide me by thy Counſel, and afterward receive me to Glory. Chriſt Jeſus has prepared a Place for you, and he reſerves it for you. 1 Pet. 1.4. You are Begotten unto an Inheritance Incorruptible, Undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerved in Heaven for you. Abundance of People are Dying continually, and they all need to go to Heaven, but they ſhall not prevent you: There is a Place prepared, and it is reſerved for you.