Three Sermons Preached at Boston, Sermon 3

Three Sermons Preached at Boston · Sermon 3

p. 65SERMON, III. That the Goſpel is the Means of Converſion.

I. Corinthians, IV. 15. laſt part.

— For in Chriſt Jeſus I have begotten you through the Goſpel.

THE Apoſtle is endeavouring that they may not put an hard conſtruction on his Diſcourſe: This he doth by minding them that they were his Children, and he was their Father, & ſo had a Fatherly love to them. He allows that they had ſeveral inſtructors, but aſſerts that he was their Father; for he had planted the Goſpel among them. In the words we have,

(1) The work wrought in them: They were begotten. This is that which is called Regeneration: He doth not ſpeak of a Natural but Spiritual begetting; that work whereby they were made New Creatures. New p. 66Men: this is the ſame that is intended by Converſion. In Chriſt they are begotten; they were brought to receive the Faith of Chriſt; this begetting did not make them Men, but Chriſtians.

(2) The living inſtrument in this work; that was Paul himſelf. God was the principal Agent. Regeneration is a divine Work. But Paul was active in order to it: He uſed proper means to that end, and God bleſſed his labours among them.

(3) The doctrinal inſtrument; The Goſpel. The Goſpel is the doctrine of Salvation by Chriſt, which contains the Revelation of the way of Life, and encouragements to believe: it contains the doctrine of the Perſon and Offices of Chriſt, his Humiliation and Exaltation, and the Covenant of Grace which God makes through him.

DOCTRINE.

The Goſpel is the Means of Converſion.

GOD created the World without any inſtrument, but in Converſion he make uſe of the Goſpel as his inſtrument. The Goſpel is but an inſtrument, for many that enjoy the Goſpel never are Converted: but the Goſpel is the inſtrument in this work; the Goſpel is not a Phyſical inſtrument, but it is a Moral inſtrument of Converſion. There is no expectation that Men ſhould be Converted p. 67that do not enjoy the Goſpel; there may be Reformation without the Goſpel, but not Converſion, for the Goſpel is the inſtrument of Converſion. The Goſpel is not the Means only to bring Nations to the Profeſſion of the faith, but alſo to bring Men into a ſtate of Grace. Converſion prepares Men for pardon of Sin, and heavenly Glory, and the Goſpel is the inſtrument of this work. The Goſpel is very ſerviceable to Men after they are Converted: it is very uſeful for the increaſe of Grace and Conſolation; but it is alſo the inſtrument of Converſion. God don't deal with Men as ſtocks and ſtones by meer force; but he deals with them as with reaſonable Creatures. He convinces them and ſo prevails on them: and the Goſpel is the inſtrument whereby he works. Pſal. 110.2. The Lord ſhall ſend the rod of his ſtrength out of Zion. The Goſpel is there called the Rod of his ſtrength, becauſe he Converts Men by it. Jam. 1.18. Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth. The Goſpel is called the word of Truth by way of excellency: And when God ſent Paul to Preach the Goſpel, he ſent him to Convert Men. Acts 26.18. To turn men from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan to God.

Conſider, 1. That other things beſide the Goſpel are Means to prepare Men for Converſion.

As,

1. The works of Creation. The works of Creation are a ſtanding Monument of the power, p. 68and wiſdom, and goodneſs of God. Pſal. 19 1. The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament ſhew his handy work. Rom. 1.20. The inviſible things of him are already ſeen by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead. The conſideration of them is many ways uſeful to promote Converſion. Theſe works inſtruct Men that God is worthy to be feared and glorifyed. They may ſee thereby that they owe their Being and their Comforts to God, and that they are his Servants. Theſe works ſhew that Sin is rebellion againſt the Author of their lives; that it is unreaſonable to neglect him. Dan. 5.23. The God in whoſe hand thy breath is, and whoſe are all thy ways, thou hast not glorified. And that God muſt take Sin very heinouſly. Iſai. 1.2. I have nouriſhed and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me. Theſe works are a Conviction that God is able to avenge himſelf on Man for their rebellion; that there is no defence againſt the mighty power of God: that he is able to perform all his threatnings and his promiſes. Such conſiderations work upon the Conſciences of Men, and make them ſenſible of their ſin & danger.

2. The Law or Covenant of Works, is a Means to prepare Men. The Covenant of Works conſiſts of Precepts and Sanctions, and is very ſerviceable to promote Mens Converſion. Gal 3.24. The Law was our School-maſter to bring us to Chriſt. The Precepts of the Law ſhew Men their Sins, by comparing their p. 69Actions with the Commands they are convinced of their iniquity. Rom. 3.20. By the Law is the knowledge of ſin. Heb 4.12. The word of God is quick and powerful, ſharper than any two edged ſword, piercing even to the dividing aſunder of ſoul and ſpirit, of the joints and marrow, and is a diſcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The Law has alſo an exaſperating power, is an occaſion of the workings of Corruption, as the dam makes the warers ſwell; and ſo Men become acquainted with their own hearts. Rom. 7.3 Sin taking occaſion by the Commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiſcence. The Law alſo condemns Men for Sin, ſhews them their miſery, what deſtruction they are in danger of, terrifies the Conſcience: the Law ſays, The wages of ſin is death, Rom. 6.23. The Law convinces Men that vengeance muſt be executed for ſin. Math. 5.18. No jot or title ſhall paſs from the law but all muſt be fullfilled. The Law doth alſo diſcover the Righteouſneſs of Mans condemnation: Rom. 3.19. What things the law ſaith, it ſaith to them that are under the law, that every mouth may be ſtopped, and all the World become guilty before God.

3. The Works of Providence do alſo prepare Men for Converſion. Gods works of Providence are various, and contribute much towards Mens Converſion. Mercies are a Means to draw Men to ſeek the favour of God, and Afflictions are Means to awaken Mens Conſciences. Sometimes Men have particular p. 70Afflictions, and they are very ſerviceable. Job 33.22, 3, 4. His ſoul draws near to the grave, and his life to the deſtroyers; if there be a meſſenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thouſand, to ſhew to man his uprightneſs; then he is gracious to him, and ſaith, deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ranſom. So, Job 36.8, 9, 10. If they be bound in fetters, and held in cords of affliction, then he ſheweth them their work and their tranſgreſſions that they have exceeded; he openeth alſo their ear to diſcipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. Thus it was with Manaſſeh. Sometimes Publick Judgments are very ſerviceable to them. Hoſ. 5.15. I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence and ſeek my face: in their affliction they will ſeek me early. Some Perſons are ſmitten in Conſcience at ſuch times, and ſtirred up to be ſeeking Peace with God. So the great Works of God in the World are uſeful to this end. Storms and Thunder and Lightning and Earthquakes. 1 Sam. 12.18, 19. The Lord ſent Thunder and Rain that day, and all the People greatly feared the Lord and Samuel; and all the People ſaid unto Samuel, Pray for thy ſervants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not.

Conſider, 2. That if God would open the eyes of Men to ſee his Glory in the works of Creation, or in the Law, or in Providences, that would make Men holy. There is a great deal of convincing light in theſe things, and they p. 71diſcover the glory of God. Pſal. 8.1. O Lord Our Lord, how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth? And if there were but inward diſcoveries made to the Heathens thereby, they would love and fear God. There is abundant cauſe to love God from the diſcoveries of his glory in theſe; the power of God, and wiſdom and goodneſs of God manifeſted in the works of Creation, are lovely: and the holineſs wiſdom of God appearing in his Law, are lovely: and the glorious Properties of God appearing in the works of Providence, are lovely; and give ſufficient cauſe to Men to love and ſerve God: and upon this account it is that the Heathens are guilty for their not loving & ſerving God; this makes them without Excuſe, Rom. 1.20. They have Conviction enough ſet before them to draw their hearts to God.

This is further evident from theſe two things.

1. If Men know God they will be holy. Where God is truly known, he will be loved and ſerved uprightly. Pſal. 36.10. Stretch out thy loving kindneſs to them that know thee, and thy righteouſneſs to the upright in heart. Pſal. 91.14. Becauſe he hath ſet his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will ſet him on high, becauſe he hath known my Name. The Nature of Man is ſuch, that the Will always follows the laſt dictates of the Underſtanding; the Will it ſelf is a blind facility, and it follows the direction of the Underſtanding. When p. 72once Men have a Spiritual Sight of the glory of God, they can do no other but ſerve him. Light and Life go together. Before Men know God it is impoſſible that they ſhould love him, for they are ſtrangers to the reaſon and foundation of love: if they have never ſo many arguments ſet before them, to perſwade yet they cannot do it, if they ſtrive very much with their own hearts to love God, from a fear that they ſhall be damned if they do not, yet they cannot do it. But when their eyes are opened and they ſee the glory of God, they would act againſt their Nature if they did it not. The excellency of the object is the foundation of the duty, and when that reaſon is ſeen, they are under a neceſſity to do it. Becauſe Man is capable to know God, therefore he is capable to love and ſerve him: and when he doth know God he is under a neceſſity to ſerve him.

2. The Glory of God ſeen in theſe works doth make Men more holy. When Men are once Converted, they grow in Grace by theſe diſcoveries; they ſee the glory of God in the works of Creation, and that has a gracious Effect on them. Rev. 4.11. Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory, and honour and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleaſure, they are and were created. The conſideration of thoſe mighty works have a great influence into their holy walk. We find the Saints in Scripture graciouſly affected many times with the works of Creation. The p. 73Thoughts thereof ſtirred up a Spirit of Religion in them. Pſal. 33.6. David magnifies God on that account: By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the hoſts of them with the breath of his mouth. They often glorify God as the Creator of the ends of the earth, Iſai. 40.28. So Godly Men ſee the glory of God in his Commandments, and that draws forth the Exerciſes of Grace: they often admire … …ection and purity of the Law. Pſal. 19. …. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the ſoul, the testimony of the Lord is ſure making wiſe the ſimple. Gods glory ſeen in his Law draws forth Love, and Repentance, and Obedience. So likewiſe the glory of God appearing in Mercies and Judgments have a gracious Effect on the hearts of Saints. Hoſ. 3.5. They ſhall fear the Lord and his goodneſs. Mercies ſtir up Thankfulneſs. Pſal. 103.1, 2. Bleſs the Lord, O my ſoul, and all that is within me, bleſs his holy name: Bleſs the Lord, O my ſoul, and forget not all his benefits. So Afflictions make the heart better, more humble, penitent, and watchful. Pſal. 119.71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn thy ſtatutes. And the great works of God in the World are great helps to the growth of Grace: Saints are often Meditating on them, and ſo ſtirring up their hearts in holineſs. Pſal. 107.8. Oh that men would praiſe the Lord for his goodneſs; and for his wonderful works to the children of men. Pſal. 145.5, 6. I will ſpeak of the glorious honour of thy p. 74majeſty, and of thy wondrous works. And men ſhall ſpeak of the might of thy terrible acts, and I will declare thy greatneſs. The ſight of the glory of God will neceſſarily draw forth holy Actions: If Men be under never ſo much indiſpoſition to love and fear God, theſe diſcoveries prevail and work effectually, no oppoſition or temptation can ſtand before them.

3. Conſider, How doth God … Men by the Goſpel?

…. It is by, the Goſpel as ſpiritually under…. The Goſpel works this change Morally not Phyſically, the Goſpel only works in way of perſwaſion, as it diſcovers to Men that there is abundant reaſon to turn to God. Men ſee that the Goſpel is a faithful ſaying and worthy of all acceptation, as it is called, 1 Tim. 1.15. The Word can have no operation but as it is underſtood by the underſtanding, it works upon the Will; there muſt be a diſciplinary underſtanding, but that is not ſufficient: Multitudes underſtand the letter of the Goſpel that are not Converted. Men that have not the ſpiritual underſtanding of it may be affected with it, and be perſwaded to an outward conformity to it, but when they underſtand it ſpiritually, then it works effectually upon them. There is no prevailing with Men to turn to God ſo long as they are in the dark about the Truth of the Goſpel, about the divine Glory of Chriſt, and the freeneſs of the Grace of God; but when the p. 75Goſpel is ſpiritually underſtood immediately it works upon the heart. 1 Theſ. 2.13. Ye received the word not as the word of man, but as it is indeed the word of God, which worketh effectually in you that believe. Joh. 6.40. That every one that ſeeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlaſting life. v. 45. Every one that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me.

2. … underſtand the Glory of God in the Goſpel, that makes them actually turn to God and leave a diſpoſition in the heart that way: Before it was underſtood they deſpiſed the Goſpel. Iſai. 53.2. When we ſhall ſee him, there is no beauty in him, that we ſhould deſire him. Though they be never ſo importunately urged they will not hearken, ſome objection or other will lye upon their hearts, if Men think that they cannot withſtand the calls, yet they do: but as ſoon as they ſee the glory of Chriſt, they are incouraged to come to him: before they underſtand the Goſpel they withſtand it, and no arguments will prevail upon them; they were overcome with a ſpirit of fear, they were not able to maſter a fearful ſpirit; they heard ſo much about the ſufficiency of Chriſt that they wiſhed that they could come, but they were not able to conquer a ſpirit of fear, but were reſtrained by it, as it were bound hand and foot and could not ſtir. Joh. 6.44. No man can come unto me, except the Father that ſent me draw him. And they had an enmity in their ſpirit unto p. 76him. Joh. 5.40. Ye will not come unto me that you may have life. But when they ſee things as they are, immediately they come; that delivers them from their enmity to Chriſt, and that delivers them from their fear. When they ſee the glory of God in the face of Chriſt, they make no more reſiſtance; when they are turned from darkneſs to light, they turn from Satan unto God. And this diſcovery leaves an abiding … on the heart: as the Man doth ejoyce in Chriſt, ſo there is an inclination to rejoyce in him for the time to come: the heart is bent that way and it ſtands bent that way. Joh. 5.25. The dead ſhall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear ſhall live. 2 Cor. 3.18. We all with open face, behold as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord, and are changed into the ſame image from glory to glory, even as by the ſpirit of the Lord.

4 Conſider, Why God doth this by the Goſpel?

Aoſ. Here take notice of theſe four particulars,

1. Faith in Chriſt is the condition of Pardon and Salvation. Perfect righteouſneſs was the condition of the Covenant of Works Gal, 3.12. He that doth them ſhall live in them. Perfect Obedience fell under a double conſideration in the Covenant of Works: it was the matter of Juſtification, and ſo it is ſtill, for we are now Juſtifyed by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt. Therefore he is ſaid to bring in ever lasting Righteouſneſs, Dan. 9.24. And by p. 77the Obedience of One ſhall many be made Righteous, Rom. 5.13. And perfect Obedience was alſo the condition of Juſtification. But now under the Goſpel Faith is the condition of Juſtification. Joh. 5.24. He that heareth my words and believeth on him that ſent me, hath everlasting life, and ſhall not enter into condemnation, but is paſſed from death to life. It is by Faith that we are accepted: The terms of Juſtification are, Believe on the Lord Jeſus and thou ſhalt be ſaved, Act. 15.31. It is Faith that gives a Man an intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt. It is moſt ſuitable that among the Graces of the Spirit Faith only ſhould be the condition of Juſtification. Love to God is as holy an action as Faith: Yet it is moſt ſuitable that Faith ſhould be the condition, becauſe it doth accept of the Grace of God offered in the Goſpel, and is an acknowledgement of the ſufficiency of Jeſus Chriſt: and God has made it to be the condition of our Juſtification. Act 10.43. To him give all the Prophets witneſs that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall receive the remiſſon of ſins. Hence Faith is called our Evangelical Righteouſneſs: it is called the Righteouſneſs of Faith, Heb. 11.7. God has made a law concerning our Juſtification, which is called the Law of Faith, Rom. 3.27. And when we believe we have fulfilled the condition of the Covenant.

2. Therefore it is meet that Faith ſhould be first wrought. The firſt good thing that is wrought in any Man is Faith in Jeſus Chriſt, p. 78this being the condition of Juſtification, it is no ways fit that Men ſhould have other good things wrought in them before Faith: for it is not fit that Love and Repentance ſhould be wrought in him, and yet he remain in an Eſtate of condemnation. Every Man is in an Eſtate of condemnation until he believes in Chriſt. He that believeth not is condemned already, Joh. 3.18. And it is altogether unſuitable that a Man ſhould have the Exerciſe of Love and Repentance given to him, and yet be ſuffered to lie in an Eſtate of condemnation. But if they were wrought before Faith, then the Man would have a gracious Spirit, and be Sanctifyed, yet remain a Child of wrath and be under the curſe of God, and in a periſhing condition, then Love and Repentance would be no ſigns of Juſtification, and theſe Sins which were mortifyed would be imputed, but this would be utterly unſuitable: but ſeeing Faith is the condition of Reconciliation, it is meet that Faith ſhould be the firſt good thing that is wrought in the Man. And ſo it is, God never gives Men Love or Repentance before Faith; whatever appearances there may be of thoſe things, all is in hypocriſy that goes before Faith; there is no godly Sorrow, no regard to the glory of God, until Men believe in Chriſt.

3. This Faith in Chriſt can be wrought only by the Goſpel. Faith in Chriſt is an accepting the offer of the Goſpel: Faith is an acknowledgment of the Grace of God held forth in p. 79the Goſpel, and of the faithfulneſs of God in Goſpel-promiſes, and of the Righteouſueſs of Jeſus Chriſt; Faith is a coming to Chriſt as a Mighty Saviour, and it is impoſſible for Men to come to Chriſt and know nothing of him. Rom. 10.14. How can they believe in him, of whom they have not heard? Can a Man admire the excellency of Chriſt, and take encouragement from him, and venture his Soul on him, and yet know nothing of him? Can a Man that is an utter ſtranger to Jeſus Chriſt glory in him, and prefer his Righteouſneſs before all his own works, and build the hopes of his Soul for another World upon him, as a ſure foundation, before he is made acquainted with the ſuſliciency of Chriſt? Let a Man know never ſo much of the works of Creation, of the Mighty Power of God in making all things out of nothing: and of the Wiſdom of God in making ſuch variety of Creatures, in divers Forms, with great diverſity of faculties and vertues; in giving ſuch perfection to the World, that there is nothing wanting to the integrity of it, this will never prevail upon him to depend upon an unknown Chriſt. If a Man be terribly frighted with his Sins and under the awful apprehenſions of the wrath of God, ſo that his fleſh and his heart trembles, that will not prevail upon him to come to an unknown Chriſt. Let Men be never ſo much affected with Mercies or Afflictions, yet he will neglect. If he don't know him, there can be p. 80no act of Faith without the knowledge of the object of Faith, there can be no act of Faith without the knowledge of the incouragements to believe. Faith is a rational underſtanding action: In order to the act of faith, there muſt be a knowledge of the Goſpel, and the actual conſideration of it, at the very time.

4. The Goſpel is not only proper to work Faith, but alſo to work every other Grace. The Goſpel doth not only work the heart to believe, but it draws the heart to other gracious Exerciſes; when Men ſee the love of God in the Goſpel, that draws forth love. 1 Joh. 4.19. We love him, becauſe he loved us firſt. The knowledge of the Goſpel makes Men fear God. Pſal. 130.4. There is forgiveneſs with thee, that thou mayſt be feared. The Goſpel is a proper Means to work a Spirit of Repentance, and break the heart for Sin. Luk. 7.38. She stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to waſh his feet with tears. This was the fruit of her receiving the Goſpel, for her ſins were forgiven, v. 47. By the Goſpel Mens hearts are brought into a preparedneſs for all holy carriages; the Goſpel is an effectual Means not only to draw Men to Chriſt, but to work univerſal holineſs. Tit. 2.11, 12. The Grace of God that bringeth ſalvation, teacheth us to deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, and to live ſoberly, righteouſly and godly in this preſent world. This makes Men New Creatures. If any man be in Jeſus Chriſt, p. 81he is a new creature, old things are paſſed away … all things are become new, 2 Cor. 5.17.

USE, I.

Hence learn, That where the Goſpel is not known there is no Converſion. There be many People in the World that are ignorant of it. so the Heathens, and the Turks, and the generality of the Papists, accordingly they are not Converted. Knowledge is the Key that opens the door of life. Luke 11.52. Ye have taken away the key of knowledge. There is no Silvation but in the Church of God; among them that have the Oracles of God. Joh. 4.22. Salvation is of the Jews. For it is by the Goſpel that Men are Converted. Jam. 1.18. He hath begotten us by the word of Truth.

1. Though there be Morality. Some of the Heathens were noted for their Morality: they were juſt, chaſte and temperate. The light of Nature teacheth Men Morality: the Law written in the heart is the Moral Law. But Morally differs very much from Converſion. Moral vertues and graces differ in, … Moral vertues are acquired by practice, … cuſtoming themſelves that way, will beget an habit. But Grace is obtained by infuſion. Moral vertues don't render Men acceptable to God, for thought they look like Graces, yet they are Luſts. Moral vertues do give an external honour to God, but they don't diſpoſe Men to aim at the Glory of God. p. 82Moral vertues may be loſt. A Man that is juſt and temperate, and a Man of Truth, may deſerve a contrary character before he goes out of the World. A Man may be an honeſt Man but not a good Man: Conſcientiouſneſs is not Holineſs. Generally by the common workings of Gods Spirit, Men are Moral Men before they are Converted. Paul was a Moral Man when he was a Phariſee. Phil. 3.6. Touching the righteouſneſs that is in the law blameleſs. Morality is ſome preparation for Converſion, but it is not Converſion: Morality intitles no Man to the Kingdom of God.

2. Though there be much Devotion. Some of the Papiſts are very devout, they Pray a great many times in a day. So ſome of the Turks are very devout Men: So were ſome of the Heathens. Acts 17.23. I paſſed by and beheld your devotions. So many of the Jews that were ignorant of Chriſt: they did inſtantly ſerve God Day and Night: the Scribes and Phariſees for a pretence made long Prayers, Mat. 23.14. but this may be … is no Converſion; great devotion may be great hypocriſy: many Men that are very devout are very Superſtitious, they are devout in a way of Will worſhip. The revolters are profound to make ſlaughter, Hoſ. 5.2. They offered a great many Sacrifices to the Calves at Dan & Bethel. Mens devotion may riſe only from terrour. Pſal. 78.34. When he ſlew them then they ſought him, they returned p. 83and enquired after God. Many devout Men are frighted into their Religion: Fear force them to be devout. And many Men are devout upon carnal deſigns; they have worldly profit or honour in their Eye; they make an engine of their Devotion to advance ſome ſecular intereſt. They ſeem to put much reſpect on God, but their devotion is abominable to Him; their devotion ſometimes is a cloke to cover their wickedneſs, and prevent Mens ſuſpecting them.

USE, II.

Of Reproof, To thoſe that have lived all their days under the Preaching of the Goſpel, yet are not Converted. Some Men that are not Converted do imagine that they are Converted, they will not take this reproof to themſelves but there be many Men among us that have lived Thirty Years under the Preaching of the Goſpel; they have had a great deal of Teaching, yet they are conſcious to themſelves that they are not yet Converted: their own hearts tell them that they are in that Eſtate wherein they were born. Some of them lead a rude life, & addict themſelves to practices that are contrary to the dictates of their Conſciences; and others of them are rejecting Chriſt, under one pretence or other, they are turning off the Invitations of the Goſpel. If the Goſpel be the Means of Converſion, it might have been expected that you ſhould p. 84have been Converted many Years ago; but this is a matter of lamentation, that you are not Converted to this day.

1. This is a great provocation. If God had not uſed Means with you, you would have had no Sin in compariſon. Others that han't lived ſo long under Means as you have done, have been Converted. The Means are very proper, and ſuch as have prevailed with other Men; but you have ſhewed a rebellious Spirit, and have withſtood all the calls of God. God may complain of you and ſay, as Prov. 1.24. I have called and they refuſed, I have ſtretched out my hand and they have not regarded. You have been under ſpecial advantages to be Converted, you have had proper Warnings and Encouragements, but yet you ſtand out. It may be your Conſcience has many times troubled you becauſe of it, but yet you make a ſhift to hold on your way; you have deſigned many times to turn to God, but your heart has deceived you; you have promiſed that you would turn to God, but have dealt falſely with Him. There is no better Means to effect Mens Converſion than the Goſpel, & this you have had plainly & powerfully Preached to you, yet all has been in vain. It may be you plead in excuſe for your ſelves, that you have many Temptations, but the great reaſon of it is the hardneſs and the ſtubborneſs of your own heart; that is the account that Chriſt gives of it. Joh. 6.40. Ye will not come unto me that you may have life.

p. 852. This is a dark ſign. It is very much to be feared what will become of you. We hope concerning young Children that when they grow to Years of Underſtanding, they will be wrought upon by the Goſpel, but there is leſs hope by far of thoſe that have withſtood it for many Years: the Goſpel is the proper Means, but God has not bleſſed it to you; there has been a blaſt upon the appointed Means. God has given you his Word, but denyed his Spirit. He has made the Goſpel powerful to convert Others. Some that have been your Companions; ſome that have been in Relation to you; ſome Younger than you. It has been a ſavour of life to many, but you are ſuffered to lie in a periſhing condition. God knows what the meaning of it is, that the Goſpel is hid from you. He gives you Corn as well as others, and Health and other outward bleſſings; but you have not a bleſſing upon the Means of Converſion: If this do not determine the caſe againſt, yet it is a threaning Providence. Deut. 29.4. God hath not given you eyes to ſee, nor ears to bear unto this day.

USE, III.

Of Examination, Whether you be Converted. It is a pain to a Man to be between hopes and fears about his Converſion, for his eternal Salvation doth depend upon his Convenſion. Except a man be born again, he cannot p. 86ſee the Kingdom of God, Joh. 3.5. And if a Man begins to rejoyce in the apprehenſion of his Converſion, he is preſently caſt down with fears, whether he be not miſtaken: He reads the promiſes that are made to Converted Men, and they are ſweet and precious to him, he would fain take the comfort of them, but he ſtands quivering, but dare not apply them to himſelf. He thinks of thoſe words, If a man thinks himſelf ſomething when he is nothing, he deceiveth himſelf. And when he reads threatnings to Unconverted Men, he has an awful ſence of the doleful condition of ſuch Men, and he pities them with all his heart; he can't conceive how they will do to bear thoſe miſeries; he thinks their worldly ſelicities will be utterly forgotten after a while, and they will mourn at the laſt: but then it turns in his thoughts, that may be he is one of them, and he is frighted leaſt they ſhould be executed upon him; he ſays, that has been the portion of many Men, that have promiſed great things to themſelves; many Mens hopes do utterly fail, when God takes away their Souls, and he ſays, if that ſhould be his portion he ſhould be undone. When his Neighbours know nothing of it, he is in anguiſh of Spirit, becauſe he is in ſuſpence, whether he ſhall hear thoſe words, Come you bleſſed, or, Go you curſed. Some will be bleſſed, and ſome will be curſed, but he doth not know which number he doth belong unto. Therefore examine your ſelves; this doctrine gives p. 87light into it: The Goſpel is the inſtrument of Converſion, no body elſe can tell, how they were Converted; but if it were true Converſion, it was by the Goſpel.

1. It may be wrought by Goſpel promiſes. There be many great and precious promiſes. Joh 6.37. He that cometh unto me, I will in no wiſe caſt out. Math. 11.28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. Rev. 3.20. If any man open unto me, I will come in and ſup with him and he with me. Theſe promiſes are a great ſecurity to all that come to Chriſt, they give an aſſurance that Men ſhall be accepted. The faithfulneſs of God ſtands engaged for their Salvation. A Man may Pray, & Read, & Confeſs Sin, & Faſt, yet have no ſecurity for his Salvation; but if he receives Chriſt, God has paſſed his word, and that is the beſt ſecurity in the World for his Salvation. He has left himſelf at liberty whether he will give Health, or Riches, or Honour, but he has promiſed Eternal Life. And if in theſe promiſes, or any ſuch like. God has made a diſcovery of his Grace and Faithfulneſs, and the ſufficiency of Jeſus Chriſt, ſo that you have been bold to caſt your ſelf on him, then you are Converted. It may be you may have many ſcruples riſing in your hearts, becauſe you find a great deal of corruption remaining, and the diſcoveries are not repeated ſo often as you hear it is with ſome others; or Prayers are not anſwered; but you are certainly Converted. p. 88Theſe diſcoveries do beget Faith and Love and Repentance, which will be preſerved and renewed in the heart, and will end in eternal Life.

2. It may be wrought by Goſpel Invitations and Commands. There by ſeveral gracious Invitations in the Goſpel. Rev. 22.17. The ſpirit and the bride ſay come, and let him that is athirſt come: and whoever will, let him take the waters of life freely. Rev. 3.18. I counſel thee it buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayſt be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayst be clothed. In theſe Invitations God deals truly and uprightly: God doth not make vain & fallacious pretentions of kindneſs, but tells his very heart to Men; He don't go about to lead them into a ſnare, and make appearances as if he were more kind and gracious than he is. There be alſo poſitive commands. 1 Joh. 3.2. This is his commandment that we ſhould believe on the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt. Joh. 6.29. This is the work of God, that ye believe on him, whom he hath ſent. God has put forth his divine authority; He don't only allow us but requires us to believe on Jeſus Chriſt: and he will not command to truſt in a broken reed; he will not enjoyn us to truſt in a lie. And if you have ſeen the Grace of God in theſe Invitations, ſo that notwithſtanding your great unworthineſs, and your provocations, you have been bold to accept his offers, and if you have ſeen the truth of the Goſpel in thoſe commands, that p. 89it muſt needs be a ſafe thing to truſt in Chriſt, and from the incouragement of Gods Word, venture on Chriſt, you are Converted.

3. It may be by Goſpel declarations. There be many declarations of the truth of the Goſpel. As, 1 Tim. 10 15. This is a faithful ſaying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jeſus came into the world to ſave ſinners. 1 Cor. 15.3. Chriſt died for our ſins, according to the Scriptures. 1 Pet. 2.24. Himſelf bore our ſins in his own body on the tree. Sometimes God lets light into the Soul, by one of theſe, or ſome other word to like purpoſe, or by the general doctrine of the Goſpel though you had no particular word. God has ſhewed you the truth and glory of the Goſpel, it is a ſure ſign that you are Converted. There be indeed ſome common illuminations, that do for the preſent affect the hearts of Men, that many have had and yet they remain Unconverted; but when the ſpirit of God convinces Men of the divine and ſaving vertue that is in the blood of Chriſt, they do immediately turn to God. If the Father that is in Heaven doth reveal Jeſus to be the Chriſt, the Son of the living God: If the Comforter doth convince Men of the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt; that is a ſufficient evidence of Converſion, and that evidence will not go alone. 1 Theſ. 5.13. Ye heard the word not as the word of man, but as it is indeed the word of God, which worketh effectually in you that believe.

p. 90USE, IV.

Of Conviction, That there is ſufficient ground in the Goſpel to make Men turn to God. This is the Inſtrument that God works by; and when it is indeed underſtood it always prevails. Many Men hear the Goſpel, but the light don't ſhine into them; the Goſpel is hid to them, and they remain in their Natural condition. But every Man whoſe eyes are opened to ſee the Truth and Glory of the things therein revealed, doth turn to God. The Goſpel will then have prevailing Efficacy. Some things the more they are underſtood, the more they are deſpiſed; but if the Goſpel be indeed underſtood it is evermore ſuccesful; there is not a Man in the World, that ever failed of being Converted in this caſe. And we may conclude from thence, that there is reaſon for Men to do ſo; for ignorance of the Goſpel hinders Mens Converſion, but the knowledge of it doth effect it.

And it muſt needs be ſo:

1. Conſidering that there is great good offered. That is offered in the Goſpel that will ſatisfy the Soul. Men take a great deal of pains for ſmall things; but the good offered in the Goſpel, comprehends all that Men need. The good he offers there is better than Lordſhips, and Principalities and Kingdoms; he offers that which is better than Long-Life, that which Men ſtand in neceſſity of, and p. 91indeed all that is neceſſary. He offers more good than we can comprehend; Peace with God paſſes all Underſtanding. The Apoſtle ſays, Becauſe God could ſwear by no greater, he ſwear by himſelf. So I may ſay, becauſe he could offer nothing greater, he has offered himſelf. 1 Pet. 5.10. He hath called us to his Eternal Glory by Chriſt Jeſus.

2. This good can be attained in no other way. There have been many other ways thought of: They generally center in Mens own righteouſneſs, but that will not ſerve their turn. No Man ever did proſper in that way. The Jews did not attain to the Law of righteouſneſs, becauſe they ſought it, as it were by the works of the Law, Rom. 9.31, 32. That way is inconſiſtent with Juſtice, but God will offer no violence to his law. No jot or tittle of the Law ſhall paſs, but all ſhall be fulfilled, Mat. 5.18. God will not vary one hairs breadth from the Law. He had rather that his own Son ſhould die, than caſt the leaſt contempt on the Law: and if the Law ſtand in force, the works of the Law can't juſtify. Rom. 3.20. By the deeds of the Law ſhall no fleſh living be justifyed in the ſight of God.

3. There is great ſecurity, that the good offered in the Goſpel ſhall be obtained in that way. We have foundation enough to depend upon. God ſent Chriſt for this end, Joh. 3.16. He is appointed of God to be the foundation of the Church, Iſai 28.16. and God never had a repenting thought of this contrivance. p. 92Pſal. 110.4. God has ſworn and will not repent, thou art a Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchizedeck. There is a divine vertue in the ſufferings of Chriſt. God has purchaſed the Church with his own blood, Act. 20.28. And the word of God is a full ſecurity. God has promiſed bleſſedneſs in this way: He has promiſed it upon record under his hand: He has promiſed it on Oath, and has appointed Seals to his Covenant; this is not a foundation of uncertain hope, but of ſtrong conſolation, Heb. 6.17, 18. This is enough to give Men boldneſs in a dying day. The words of the Lord are pure words as ſilver tried in a furnace of earth, purifyed ſeven times, Pſal. 12.6.