The Efficacy of the Fear of Hell to Restrain Men from Sin, Sermon 6
The Sixth Sermon.
Luke 4.18.
To ſet at Liberty them that are Bruiſed.
HERE is another Metaphor, whereby the Service of Chriſt is ſet forth. Where note, 1. Whom he is to help. viz. Them that are Bruiſed. In Iſaiah, it is them that are Bound. Men that are Bound with Fetters, are many times hurt and galled with them. Pſal. 105.18. Speaking of Joſeph, the Pſalmiſt ſays, Whoſe Feet they hurt with Fetters, he was laid in Iron.
2. How he is to help them. viz. By ſetting them at Liberty. In Iſaiah it is, the opening of the Priſon. He is to free them from their Bonds; to give Liberty and Enlargement unto them. In Iſaiah he is ſaid, to Preach the opening of the Priſon; but here he is ſaid to ſet at Liberty. So that he doth not only offer Liberty, but by the Goſpel effect the Liberty of them that are Bruiſed.
DOCTRINE. The Goſpel doth ſet many at Liberty that were in the Condition of Priſoners. Many Men are not the better for the Goſpel, but the worſe; but it is very Profitable unto ſome. They are naturally in a very ſorrowful Condition; they are like Priſoners: But by the Goſpel they are ſet at Liberty. Such ungodly Men as are Dead, are in Priſon. 1 Pet. 3.19. And ſuch ungodly Men as are Living, are in Priſon alſo. But God by the Goſpel, has ſet many of this latter ſort at Liberty. Some that are ſenſible that they are in ſuch a Condition, take other ways to get their Liberty, but they will miſs their Expectation. But by the Goſpel, many Priſoners have been ſet at Liberty. Iſai. 42.6. I will give thee for a Covenant of the People, for a Light of the Gentiles; to open the blind Eyes, to bring out the Priſoners from the Priſon, and them that ſit in Darkneſs, out of the Priſon-Houſe.
Q. How are Sinners in the Condition of Priſoners?
A. They are Guilty of many Crimes.
When Men are ſhut up in Priſon, it is generally either for Debts or for Crimes; ſo ungodly Men are very Criminal: They are Tranſgreſſors of the Law; they came Sinners into the World. Pſal. 51.5. Behold I was ſhapen in Iniquity, and in Sin did my Mother conceive me. And as they grow up, they become more Guilty. They are Guilty of Sins of Omiſſion, and Commiſſion: Of Sins in Thought, Word and Deed. They are Guilty of Sins by Perpetration, and by Participation with others: Sins againſt the Law, and againſt the Goſpel. They are very Guilty, and liable to the Condemnation of the Law. They have been led away with Temptation. The Corruptions of their Hearts work very Powerfully in them. Rom. 7.5. When we were in the Fleſh, the Motions of Sins which were by the Law, did work in our Members to bring forth Fruit unto Death. And tho' ſome of them are under great Reſtraints, yet their Hearts are Fountains of Iniquity. Job 15.16. How much more Filthy and Abominable is Man, who Drinketh in Iniquity like Water? Jer. 6.7. As a Fountain caſteth out its Waters, ſo ſhe caſteth out her Wickedneſs. Mens Sins are more than the Hairs of their Heads. The moſt moral Man is far from being Innocent. God hath a great deal to charge upon them. They Sin daily, and their Iniquities are infinite.
2. They are reſerved to Judgment. The Evil Angels are reſerved in the Chains of God's Providence to the Judgment of the great Day. Jud. 6. As Priſoners are kept in Durance, that they may be forth coming at the Aſſizes, ſo theſe Men are bound over unto Judgment, and preſerved that they may appear when God calls for them. They are preſerved from Annihilation, and kept by God unto that time. They are not diſcharged from their Guilt, but God has them in hold, that they may be brought forth when he calls for them. Some of them could be glad to be turned into their firſt nothing, but that will not be allowed. They are kept by the Providence of God, ready to appear at God's Tribunal at the firſt Call. Men that are kept in Priſon, are ready to be brought forth at any time when the Judge calls for them. They are not ſuffered to wander about that they can't be found; ſo theſe Men are kept in a readineſs to make their Appearance. There is an appointed Time to them, Job 7.1. God calls for ſome of them in younger Days, Job 36.14. They Die in Youth, and their Life is among the Unclean. And ſome in elder Days, they are never to ſeek, God has them always in hold.
3. They are ſecured from making their Eſcape. Priſoners are wont to be in Chains, Pſal. 105.18. He was laid in Iron. So Peter, Act. 12.6, 7. Peter was Sleeping between two Soldiers, bound with two Chains.— And his Chains fell off his Hands. So Paul and Silas were ſecured, their Feet were made faſt in the Stocks, Act. 16.24. So Sinners are under ſuch Bonds, that they cannot make their Eſcape. The Law binds them over to Puniſhment. 1 Cor. 15.56. The Sting of Death is Sin, and the ſtrength of Sin is the Law. And they can't free themſelves from that Obligation. If they could ſatisfy the Law, they might be at Liberty, but they cannot. Wealth will not do it. Math. 16.26. What ſhall be given in Exchange for the Soul? Their Works will not do it. Rom. 3.20. By the Works of the Law ſhall no Fleſh living be juſtified in the ſight of God. Calamities and Sufferings will not do it. They are but the beginning of Sorrws. Rom. 6.23. The Wages of Sin is Death. And they are fettered with their own Corruptions. There is a way to eſcape, if they could believe in Chriſt they ſhould be delivered; but they are ſhut up in Unbelief, Rom. 11.32. They are like a Man bound down, that he cannot ſtir Hand or Foot. They are not able to make uſe of their Opportunity. They are wholly under the Power of their Corruption. Joh. 5.44. How can you Believe?
4. They are committed to a Jailor. Priſoners are committed to the Cuſtody of the Keeper of the Priſon. Gen. 39.21. And the Jailor many times keeps the Priſoners at Work. Judg. 16.21. Samſon did Grind in the Priſon-Houſe. And many times he uſes them hardly, Act. 16.24. So ungodly Men are committed to Satan as their Jailor, and he is ſuffered to Tyrannize over them. He keeps them hard at Work, and Rules over them. He is a Prince over them. Eph. 2.2. They are Servants to him. He makes ſome of them to walk in ways of Debauchery. They Lye, and Steal, and commit Whoredom. He makes others Drudges to the World and their Pride. He keeps them buſie at Work, and many times Afflicts them, and Frights them with Imaginations of Poverty and Diſgrace, and Loſſes, and Calamities; and if they are labouring after their Eſcape, he Torments them. Sometimes he Terrifies them that their Day is paſt; that they have committed the unpardonable Sin; that God has given them up to hardneſs; that if they entertain Convictions, and mind eternal Things, they will be Diſtracted, or ſo Diſtreſſed, that they will be forced to lay violent Hands on themſelves.
Q. How doth the Goſpel ſet them at Liberty?
A. 1. The Diſcoveries of the Goſpel do encourage Sinners to accept of the Liberty that is offered. God is offering Liberty in the Goſpel; and theſe offers by the Bleſſing of God, do prevail upon many Souls. 1 Cor. 4.15. I have Begotten you through the Goſpel. Jam. 1.18. Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth. Men are wont to make many Objections againſt the Calls of God; but when they have the ſpiritual Diſcovery of the Goſpel, it prevails upon the Heart, and conquers all the Oppoſition of the Soul, and the Men come to Chriſt. Whenever Men are convinced of the Glory of Chriſt, and of the Truth of the Goſpel, their Will is gained, and they are not afraid to come to Chriſt. Joh. 6.45. Every one that hath heard and learned of the Father, cometh unto me. There is Encouragement enough in the Goſpel, and when their Eyes are opened to ſee it, they cannot tarry away from Chriſt. They will come without any delay. They ſee that they may ſafely come. The Goſpel baniſhes the Fears that they were under. When they ſee the Goſpel, they prize Chriſt; they love to come; it pleaſeth them to depend upon him. Then they are afraid to ſtay away, and neglect their Opportunity any longer, they ſhould be Enemies to their own Souls if they ſhould. Rom. 1.16. The Goſpel is the power of God unto Salvation, to every one that believeth.
2. The Sentence of the Goſpel doth diſcharge them from their Bonds. When the Sinner has accepted the offer, he hath performed the Terms of the Covenant, and now the Sentence of Condemnation is taken off. Rom. 8.1. There is no Condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus. The Debt is cancelled, and all his Sins are pardoned. Act. 10.43. And to him give all the Prophets Witneſs, that through his Name, whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall receive Remiſſion of Sins. The Law looks on him as Innocent; the Man is brought into an eſtate of Juſtification and Adoption. Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by Faith, we have Peace who God. Joh. 1.12. To as many as received him, gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name. They are declared Heirs of Life, Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting Life. Now the Man has Security under God's Hand, that he ſhall be ſaved. His Obligation to ſuffer the Wrath of God is taken off. The Word of God gives Judgment for him, that he is not Guilty. God don't deny to Pardon him. God don't leave the Matter in Suſpence whether he ſhall be pardoned or not. He don't defer to do it, but in the ſame Minute gives him an Acquittance from all his Guilt. Act. 13.39. All that believe are juſtified from all things, from which they could not be juſtified by the Law of Moſes. And then God delivers them from the power of Satan, they are no longer under his Cuſtody; he is not their Jailor; he Tempts them ſtill, but they are not in his power as they were. Satan is laid under greater Reſtraints than formerly, and not ſuffered to Tyrannize as he did. They are committed to the Guardianſhip of the holy Angels. Hebr. 1.14. Are they not all Miniſtring Spirits, ſent forth to Miniſter to them that ſhall be Heirs of Salvation?
1 USE. Of Reproof to thoſe that don't make this Uſe of the Goſpel, that they may be ſet at Liberty. Some take Notice of their Opportunity, and are beſtirring of themſelves that they may be ſet at Liberty. They are not diſcouraged, though they find Difficulties in the way, and are ſenſible of the uncertainty of the Event, but take a great deal of Pains. If they ſhould obtain it, they will be happy Men; but this is not the Caſe with all: Some don't regard to make Improvement of their Time: They are very much to blame. It is a great Priviledg to be ſet at Liberty. This was Purchaſed with a great Price, as he ſays, Act. 22.28. With a great Sum obtained I this Freedom. Chriſt Jeſus was Anointed of God to Preach this. Iſai. 61.1. But ſome Men don't make Uſe of the Goſpel to get Liberty, but make a very contrary Uſe of it.
1. Some make Uſe of it only to get Notional Knowledge. Some read the Scriptures, hearken to the Preaching of the Goſpel, ſtudy the Controverſies that are in the World about Matters of Religion, that they may get Notional Knowledge; and they are puffed up with that. 1 Cor. 8.1. Knowledge puffeth up. They take delight to know what Men ſay, to be able to Diſcourſe about thoſe Things, and to diſpute againſt Errors. They love to be able to give an Account what one Party and the other has to ſay for their Opinions. They are like the Greeks that ſought after Wiſdom. 1 Cor. 1.22. They are not willing to be Ignorant of the Scriptures: They are willing to ſee the Reaſon of what is taught, and to be able to vindicate their Profeſſion, but don't regard to get this Liberty. They neglect the great deſign of the Goſpel: They don't anſwer God's end in ſending the Goſpel. Can they imagine that God's deſign was to fill the Heads of Men with Notions, and to gratify an inquiſitive Humour? Surely God's deſign was to deliver Men from Miſery. Theſe Men neglect that which makes the Goſpel Profitable: They caſt off the care of the Wellfare of their Souls, and neglect bleſſed Advantages to be Happy. It is juſt as if a ſick Man ſhould diſpute about the Compoſition of a Medicine that will Cure him, and neglect to take it and ſo die. Or as if a Man ſhould Labour to ſatisfy his Curioſity about the Dimenſions and Materials of a Caſtle, and neglect to put himſelf into it, and ſo Periſh. All thoſe that dont receive the Goſpel will ſurely Periſh. Heb. 2.3. How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great Salvation?
2. Some make Uſe of it to harden their Hearts in Sin. This is the way of many Men; they hear that God hath a deſign of Grace; that he hath ſent Chriſt to ſuffer for our Sins; that great Sinners may be pardoned; that the Threatnings are only Conditional in caſe of final Impenitency; and they take occaſion to harden their Hearts in Sin, Jud. 4. They turn the Grace of God into Laſciviouſneſs. They think there is no great danger; they are not afraid of the Juſtice and Jealouſy of God, becauſe he offers Pardon to them; they think that he loves them, becauſe he freely offers Pardon to them; they think there is not much Evil in Sin, becauſe God offers Pardon, they think he will continue ſo to do, and he will wait upon them, and ſo they harden their Hearts, and are bold to indulge themſelves in Sin, and in no haſt to turn to God. This is unreaſonable. David ſays, There is forgiveneſs with God, that he may be feared. Pſal. 130.4. But theſe Men ſay, There is forgivneſs with God, therefore he is not to be feared. But though there is a way of Salvation, yet many that hear it, are never the better for it. Multitudes go from under the Light of the Goſpel to the Blackneſs of Darkneſs. 2 Cor. 4.3. If our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt. It is a Savour of Death unto Death to many Men. 2 Cor. 2.16. The Mercy of God will not Affront his Juſtice. Men ſhall have no occaſion to Reproach that, Exod. 34.7. Though he is Gracious and Merciful, yet he will by no means clear the Guilty. Theſe Men turn the Goſpel into Poyſon to them; and if they continue to harden their Hearts in Sin, they will as ſurely Periſh, as if there were no Goſpel, as if Chriſt had never come into the World. What will the Goſpel ſignify to them that reject it? The Blood of Chriſt will not Heal, where it is not applied.
2 USE. See how great a benefit the Goſpel is to many Men. Indeed there be a great many Men that are not the better for it; they have bought Bibles, and have Read often in them, and heard the Goſpel preached, but they are not the better, but the worſe for it. It had been better for them, if they had never heard a Sermon, never ſeen one Leaf of the Bible, if they had lived in Turkey. Math. 11.22. It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the Day of Judgment, than for them. But it is very beneficial to others: It is more advantage to them, than all the Wealth of the World would be. They are ſet at Liberty thereby. Luk. 4.18. It ſets at Liberty thoſe that were Bruiſed. Such as were in the Condition of Priſoners.
1. They are delivered from the danger of Condemnation. Wo to thoſe Men that ſhall be condemned at the laſt Day. They ſhall be curſed with a Witneſs. You have the Sentence, Math. 25.41. Depart ye curſed into everlaſting Fire, prepared for the Devil and, his Angels. But theſe Men are out of the reach of that Curſe. They are in danger of ſome ſmaller Calamities, Pains, Sickneſs, Reproaches, Loſſes, but not of Condemnation. The Day of Judgment will be a Glorious and Comfortable Day to them. That is a time of Refreſhing from the Preſence of the Lord. There ſhall not be one Hair of their Head ſinged, nor the ſmell of Fire paſs upon them. There is abundant Security that they ſhall not be Condemned. They are made meet for Heaven; they are become the Children of God: They are intereſted in the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt: They have the Covenant of Grace to ſecure them: Death will do them no hurt; they ſhall be abſolved in the Day of Judgment. Joh. 5.24. They ſhall not enter into Condemnation, but are paſſed from Death to Life.
2. From the Expectation of Condemnation. Many Men are in a dreadful Condition, becauſe of the Expectation of Condemnation. They are a Terrour to themſelves. Job 15.21. A dreadful Sound is in their Ears. They are under an Expectation to hear Chriſt ſaying, Depart from me, I know you not. They are afraid by Day and by Night; afraid when they Work and when they Eat. This takes away the ſweetneſs of all their Enjoyments: Nothing that they have is any great Comfort to them. But thoſe Men that are ſet at Liberty by the Goſpel, are delivered from theſe Expectations: They have their Hours of Temptation, and long for more Aſſurance, but their Conſciences are healed. Rom. 5.1, 2. Being juſtified by Faith, we have Peace with God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: By whom alſo we have acceſs by Faith into this Grace wherein we ſtand, and Rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God. They have a great deal of Comfort under their Afflictions, under this Conſideration, that God hath delivered them from Wrath to come. And ſometimes they can ſay as Job, Job 19.25, 26, 27. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that though Worms deſtroy this Body, yet in my Fleſh I ſhall ſee God, whom I ſhall ſee for my ſelf, and mine Eyes ſhall behold, &c.
3. They are delivered from Satan's Government. He is permitted to Afflict them, and Tempt them, and caſt in fiery Darts, yet his Government is taken away, he is caſt out. They are reſcued out of his Hands, turned from the power of Satan, Act. 26.18. They are delivered out of the Kingdom of Darkneſs, that is Satan's Kingdom. Col. 1.13. And God will tread Satan under their Feet ſhortly. Satan is under greater Reſtraints than he was, and they are fortified againſt his Temptations more than they were; and they are committed to the care of the holy Angels, who are doing many good Offices for them. Heb. 1.14. They are miniſtring Spirits to them.
3 USE. Of Examination, whether you be ſet at Liberty by the Goſpel. Some Men need not trouble themſelves to make any narrow ſearch, for it is a plain Caſe that they are not ſet at Liberty; but there are two ſorts that need to examine this Matter. Some Men have ſome Fears and Jealouſies of themſelves, yet have preponderating Hopes: And ſome Men are not without Hopes, yet have preponderating Fears. It concerns both theſe ſorts accurately to examine the Thing. Men may hear the Goſpel, yet not be ſet at Liberty by it. Many that hear the Word deceive themſelves. They may have a large underſtanding of the Goſpel, yet not be ſet at Liberty by it. Men may be affected with it, yet not be ſet at Liberty by it. Men may be ſtirred up to reform their Lives, yet not be ſet at Liberty. There be but a few comparatively that are ſet at Liberty by it, therefore examine.
Signs, 1. Have you ſeen the Divine Authority of the Goſpel? God is ſaid to be the Authour of the Goſpel, and therefore it is called the Goſpel of God. Rom. 1.1. Separated unto the Goſpel of God. It is eſtabliſhed by the Faithfulneſs of God. The Declarations of it are Gods, and the Promiſes of it are Gods; and you are able to evince it by ſeveral Arguments that God is the Authour of it; but have you ſeen the Divine Authority of it? Men never ſee it to be infallibly true and certain, until they ſee the Divine Authority of it. They can't indeed believe it, whatever Perſwaſion they have of it, till they hear the Voice of God in it; then they ſee the Divine Authority of it, when they receive it not as the Judgment of Wiſe and Good Men, but as it is indeed the Word of God; and they are convinced that it is the Word of the Faithful God. 1 Theſ. 2.13. Ye received it as it is indeed the Word of God, which worketh effectually in you that believe. Joh. 5.25. The Dead ſhall hear the Voice of the Son of God and Live. When the Authority of God in the Goſpel is ſeen, then Chriſt appears Glorious and promiſes Certain.
2. Have you felt a divine Power with the Goſpel? There is a divine Power going with the Goſpel to ſome Men. 1 Cor. 1.23. Chirſt is the Power of God, and the Wiſdom of God. Rom. 1.16. I am not aſhamed of the Goſpel of Chriſt, for it is the power of God unto Salvation. The Goſpel where it ſets Men at Liberty, has a Power to draw Men to Chriſt. Some Men complain that they are not able to come to Chriſt; they would do it but they have not Liberty; but indeed there is a Power to draw the Heart: It has a prevailing Power over all Fears and Objections. Joh. 6.45. Every one that hath heard and learned of the Father, cometh unto me. If the Arm of the Lord be revealed Men will believe. Iſai. 53.1. When Men's Eyes are opened to underſtand Chriſt and his Death and Reſurrection, thoſe Doctrines come with Power upon the Heart. Phil. 3.10. That I may know him, and the Power of his Reſurrection. 1 Pet. 1.3. He hath begotten us to a lively Hope, by the Reſurrection of Chriſt from the Dead. So there is a regenerating Power in the Goſpel, it doth powerfully diſpoſe their Hearts to love and fear God; and they will hate their Sins, and caſt off the Works of Darkneſs, and live all their Days in a way of Obedience.
4 USE Of Exhortation. Labour in it, that you may be ſet at Liberty by the Goſpel. If there were no Hope of being ſet at Liberty, it would be a vain Thing to ſtrive in it; but though it be Hopeleſs for Men that are damned, yet it is not Hopeleſs for you. It is uncertain whether you will ever attain Liberty, but yet there is Hope of it. Sometimes the Thing appears very Dark to you; but whatever Difficulty there be in it, yet it is poſſible. You have taken ſeveral Methods that you might be ſet at Liberty, but hitherto you have been diſappointed; and indeed you muſt never expect it by any other Means but only by the Goſpel. Labour therefore that you may be ſet at Liberty by that. You ſay your preſent Condition is Doleful, and you dread to continue in it, but there is Hope of Deliverance by the Goſpel. Chriſt Jeſus has purchaſed Deliverance; he has paid a ſufficient Price for your Redemption. He gave his Life a Ranſom for many. 1 Cor. 6.20. Ye are bought with a Price. And God offers Deliverance to you through him. Iſai. 61.1. He Proclaims the opening of the Priſon to them that are Bound. And God has promiſed that ſome ſhall be ſet at Liberty by him. His Work is, To bring out the Priſoners from Priſon, and them that ſit in Darkneſs out of the Priſon-Houſe. Iſai. 42.7. Yea, many Perſons have been ſet at Liberty Formerly and Laterly by the Goſpel. There has been a great deal or Experience of the Efficacy of the Goſpel this way. Col. 1.13. He hath delivered us from the power of Darkneſs, and tranſlated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. Let then this be your Care, that you may be ſet at Liberty by the Goſpel.
DIRECTIONS, 1. Don't ſeek ſlightily. This is the fault of many Perſons, intimated, Luk. 13.24. Many ſeek, and are not able to enter. That is complained of, Iſai. 64.7. There is none that ſtirreth up himſelf to take hold of thee. Some Men ſeek, but it is with too much indifferency of Spirit. The Violent take the Kingdom of Heaven by force. Math. 11.12. But many Men are dull in their Prayers; they are not Earneſt and Importunate with God; they are not Diligent in Reading and Hearing, that they may learn Advantages and take them; that they learn their Diſadvantages and avoid them. They don't watch againſt Temptations; they comply with ſome Practices that are an hindrance to them: They excuſe themſelves many times from that which might promote their Converſion. Though they deſire Converſion, yet their Hearts are much upon the World; they lay too much weight on worldly Things; their Hearts are divided between God and Mammon. It is no great Wonder that ſuch Men don't obtain; lazy Seekings iſſue in Diſappointments: Lazy Seeking will not conquer Difficulties. Yea, when they ſeek ſlightly, they provoke God to deny them. God may ſay, It will not break their Hearts if they be denied. The Reaſon why many People ſeek after a ſlight Manner, is becauſe they are not much afraid of going to Hell. Either they want a ſenſe of the Dreadfullneſs of Damnation, or flatter themſelves as if they were in no eminent Danger of it. If they were thoroughly ſcared, they would be more earneſt in their Endeavours; Senſeleſſneſs begets Slightlineſs. If their Conſciences were ſo wounded that they could not bear it, they would be more violent in their Endeavours. The Pretence that thay make for their Dullneſs, is, that they are afraid there is no Hope for them; they fear their Caſe is deſparate, and that weakens their Hearts, and makes them to be diſpirited; but the true Reaſon is not that they want Hope, but they want Fears. If the Terrours of Death did compaſs them about, and the Pains of Hell get hold upon them, they would not ſay, There was a Lyon in the Way, but would be forcing their Way through all Diſcouragements and dark Appearances.
2. Don't imagine that you muſt get ſome Excellency to prepare you for Chriſt. Men among us are principled in that, that Faith is the Condition of Salvation, and the Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, is the meritorious Cauſe of it: But they imagine that they muſt get ſome Excellency to prepare them for Chriſt. They think they may not come to him till they have make their Hearts better. They muſt love God, and be ſorry for their Sins, and make the Glory of God their End. They muſt delight in Sabbaths, and ſo they are ſtriving to make their Hearts better, and if that were attained, they hope that God would not be ſo Angry with them; he would be more inclinable to pity them, and ſave them through Chriſt; and they labour to dreſs up their Hearts, and to get lovely Qualifications to draw God's Heart towards them. They think it would be a preſumptious Thing for them to thruſt themſelves on Chriſt, and on the Grace of God until they be better, and ſo they ſtrive to make themſelves better. They hear that there muſt be Preparation for Chriſt, and that there muſt be a Work of Humiliation before Faith, and they ſtrive after ſuch an Humiliation as has an Excellency in it to commend them to God. They quite miſtake Humiliation; but if ever you would obtain Chriſt, you muſt ſee the badneſs of your own Hearts. As long as you are reaching after any Excellency in your ſelves, you will reject Chriſt. You muſt ſee your ſelf Poor, Rev. 3.17. Before ever Paul came to Chriſt, Sin revived and he died. Rom. 7.9.
3. Don't give way to an objecting Spirit againſt the Goſpel. We Read of ſome that the Goſpel was hid unto: That the God of this World had blinded their Minds. 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4. And we Read, that Chriſt Crucified, was to the Jews a Stumbling-block, and to the Greeks Fooliſhneſs. 1 Cor. 1.22. One great Thing that keeps Men from Chriſt is, that Satan and their own Hearts are filling of them with Objections againſt the Goſpel. Sometimes they argue as if God had not Mercy enough to Pardon their Sins. Sometimes they are arguing as if it were uncertain whether the Scriptures were the Word of God. Sometimes they argue from the differing Opinions that are in the World about the way of Salvation. Sometimes they are ſtumbled at the Afflictions of thoſe that believe on Chriſt. Sometimes from the Falls of thoſe that make a great Profeſſion. Sometimes from the outward Meaneſs and Sufferings of Jeſus Chriſt. Such Reaſonings of Heart, are a great hindrance to Mens receiving of the Goſpel. While Men entertain ſuch Objections, they ſtrengthen their Unbelief, and keep themſelves from a preparedneſs to entertain the Goſpel. Men that do indulge themſelves in a Luſt of objecting againſt the Goſpel, do hinder themſelves from receiving it. Paul deſcribes Unbelievers, that they are Contentious, and obey not the Truth. Rom. 2.8. Unbelief is naturally Blindneſs, but if Men give way to an objecting Spirit, they thereby contract further degrees of Blindneſs, and are more oppoſite to the entertaining of the Goſpel.