Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 6
Sermon, VI. GOD, THE Free and Sovereign AUTHOR OF ALL BENEFITS.
EZEK. XXXVI ….
Not for your ſakes do … the Lord God, be it know… ….—
THis Text i… … or a gracious Declaration, which God by his Prophets Ezekiel made to his People under their Babyloniſh Captivity. Gods profeſſing People had defil'd their own Land by their Sins, therefore he caſt them out and ſcattered them among their Enemies, v. 17.—19. When the Land of Iſrael was thus emptied of Gods People, the neighbouring Heathen, and particularly the Edomites, mock'd and derided the deſolate Caſe of the Jews; and made a Prey of their Land, and appointed it for a Poſſeſſion to themſelves, v. 4, 5. But in the preceeding Part of this Chapter, God promiſeth, that he would again bring back his People into their own Land, they ſhould poſſeſs it, and be bleſſed in it: Yea, he promiſed them Spiritual Bleſſings alſo, that he would cleanſe them from their Filthineſs and Idols, give them a new heart and ſpirit, and cauſe them to walk in his ways, v. 25.—27. Having reſolv'd and promiſed to beſtow ſuch rich Bleſſings and Benefits on them, he would have them receiv'd as Streams from his own most free, ſovereign Bounty; and would not have his ſinful unworthy People think, that they themſelves were any ways deſerving of theſe Benefits. Therefore he ſays to them in our Text, Not for your ſakes do I this, he it known unto you. As if he had ſaid,
Conſider, that theſe Benefits, which according to my gracious Promiſes I'll beſtow on you, flow from my meer, free, ſovereign, undeſerved Bounty and Kindneſs; from mine own Heart, mine own good Will and Pleaſure: I'll give them freely, not for the ſake of any Worthineſs in you, for you have none; you are unworthy of the least Drop of Favour from me. Inſtead of thinking your ſelves Worthy and Deſerving of theſe Favours, you ſhould be aſhamed and confounded for your own ways, and loath your ſelves in your own ſight for your Iniquities and Abominations, v. 31, 32.
From the Words therefore we may obſerve this
DOCTRINE. It is of the free, ſovereign Bounty and Goodneſs of God, that he beſtows on the Children of Men all the Benefits they at any time receive.
There are two Propoſitions in this Doctrine.
I. God beſtows on the Children of Men, all the Benefits they at any time receive.
II. It is of his own free, ſovereign Bounty and Goodneſs that he beſtows them.
PROP. I. God bestows on the Children of Men, all the Benefits they at any time receive.
God is the ſupream efficient Cauſe and Author of all Benefits. This muſt needs be own'd by all, who believe that God made the World, and that he governs it by his Providence. God is the Father of Lights, and there is no Beam of Light or Comfort, but what darts forth from this inexhauſtible Fountain of all Goodneſs. He is the Giver of every good Gift, Jam. 1.17. There are many Receivers of Benefits, but there is but one original Giver of them, and that is God. He gives to all Life and Breath and all things: We live, move, and have our Being in him. He opens his hand, and ſatisfies the deſire of every living thing. The Lord is good to all, and his tender Mercies are over all his works, Pſal. 145.9, 16. All the Good and Benefit which Creatures receive, whether Angels, Men, or inferior Beings; they all receive it from God. It muſt needs be ſo; for his ſupream ſovereign Providence governs all things, and that continually; his Dominion is an everlaſting Dominion. His throne is prepared in the Heavens, his kingdom ruleth over all, Pſal. 103.19. He does according to his will in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth; even in Heaven, Earth, Sea, and in all deep Places, Dan. 4.35. Pſal. 135.6. Tho' Benefits may come more immediately and directly in this or that Channel, yet they all originally flow from the ſame Fountain, even from God, who is Goodneſs it ſelf. And as it is God who beſtows on the Children of Man, all the Benefits they at any time receive; So we are told in
PROP. II. It is of his own free, ſovereign Bounty and Goodneſs that he beſtows them.
He beſtows on Men all the Benefits they have, and he beſtows them freely; 'tis not for your ſakes, as our Text declares. And this is true, not only of the Benefits beſtow'd on the Jews, who had ſo highly provok'd God by their heinous Tranſgreſſions; but it's true likewiſe of all or any of the Children of Men, at one time or other, in this World or in the next. 'Tis of Gods own Heart that he beſtows them, the ſole Motive is primarily and originally from himſelf; 'tis not from any Worth, Merit, or good Deſerving in them. Indeed God may be ſaid to be under Bonds and Engagements to beſtow Benefits, and very great ones too, on ſome ſorts of Perſons, even the Bonds of his own Word, Promiſe, Oath; but 'twas of his own moſt free, ſovereign Bounty and Goodneſs, that he laid himſelf under ſuch Bonds. So that all the Benefits Men ever receive, flow originally from the free Bounty and Goodneſs of God. This Truth may in ſome Meaſure be cleared and demonſtrated, by conſidering theſe following Particulars, viz.
1. 'Twas of Gods Soveraign Goodneſs, that He purpos'd to make Men, to beſtow Benefits on them, and that He did give being to them. It is the Lord that hath made us, and not we our ſelves. He has of one Blood made all Nations of Men to dwell on the face of the Earth, Act. 17.26. Tho' Divine Wiſdom directed in, and Divine Power effected, the Creation of the World; yet Divine Goodneſs was the firſt mover in the matter. God did not make the World from any neceſſity of Nature, nor from any need He had of Creatures (for He's Infinitely, Unchangeably Self-ſufficient and All-ſufficient) but from a voluntary purpoſe to exert and diſplay His Glorious Perfections, and communicate of His Goodneſs. For his Pleaſure all things are and were created, Rev. 4.11. Therefore Thanks are rendred to God, for His Mercy, (His Goodneſs) in the Work of Creation, in making the Heavens, Earth, &c, Pſal. 136.1.5, — 9. Now God being an Infinitely wiſe Agent, had laid the Plan or Scheme of His Work, before he ſet upon doing it: all his Works ad extra, in Creating and Governing the World, are but the Execution of His Antecedent Eternal Purpoſes. For, known unto him are all his Works from the Foundation of the World, Act. 15.18. He works all things according to the Counſel of his own will, Eph. 1.11. He's of one Mind and none can turn him: his Counſel ſhall ſtand, and he will do all his pleaſure. Inaſmuch therefore as all his Works referring to his Creatures, are but the Executions of his Antecedent Eternal Purpoſes, it thence follows, that his making of Men, and his beſtowing Benefits on them; are but the product or execution of his Eternal Counſels. And ſince before Men had a being, God purpos'd to give them being and to beſtow benefits on them; it muſt needs be, that thoſe purpoſes did flow from his moſt Free Soveraign bounty. Thoſe purpoſes of Goodneſs, could not poſſibly have any other Spring or Fountain. For Men not being yet made, could not poſſibly act, and ſo, could not poſſibly deſerve either good or evil. Gods purpoſes, did preceed Mens beings and actions, as the Apoſtle tells us in the particular Inſtance of Jacob and Eſau. The Children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpoſe of God according to Election might stand, &c. Rom. 9.11. All thoſe benefits Men ever receive, are the fruit and product of thoſe Eternal Purpoſes which God purpoſed in Himſelf, before Men ever had any being; therefore they muſt neceſſarily flow Originally from the Soveraign Bounty and Goodneſs of God. It's of Soveraign Divine Bounty and Goodneſs,
2. That God has given His Son Chriſt Jeſus, to Die for the Salvation of Sinful Men. All Men by Sinning againſt God, by breaking his holy Law; became juſtly obnoxious to Everlaſting Vengence, Wrath and Miſery. God might (if he had ſeen meet) have greatly Glorified his Vindictive Juſtice to all Eternity, in making all ſinful Men (as well as all ſinful Angels) inconcievably and everlaſtingly miſerable. But inſtead of this, he gave his Only Begotten Eternal Son, to Die a ſhameful and an accurſed Death in the room and ſtead of ſinful Men, to purchaſe Pardon, Grace and Eternal Bleſſedneſs for them. And it could not poſſibly be any thing elſe, but moſt Free, Soveraign Bounty and Goodneſs in God, that put him upon ſuch a Method as this. That he ſhould in ſuch an expenſive way as this (even at the expence of the Blood of his Only Begotten Eternal Son) bring thoſe who deſerved endleſs Plagues and Torments in Hell, to injoy endleſs inconceiveable Glories in Heaven, could not poſſibly proceed from any thing but moſt Free Soveraign Grace and Goodneſs. God ſo loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth on him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting Life, Joh. 3.16. God commendeth his love to us, in that while we were yet ſinners Christ died for us, Rom. 5.8. He is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us — by Grace are ye ſaved, Eph. 2.4, 8. It's of God's Soveraign Goodneſs,
3. That He has put ſuch a connexion as He has, between Mens Duties, and the benefits which will thence accrue to them. Inaſmuch as God is the Soveraign Maker of all Men, does hold their Souls in Life, and preſerve their Spirits and all their powers of Operation; inaſmuch as they thus intirely depend on the Soveraign pleaſure of God, it neceſſarily follows, that 'tis their indiſpenſable duty to imploy themſelves and all their Powers for God, conformably to the diſcoveries of his preceptive Will unto them. They're indiſpenſably obliged to this, from the Relation there is between them and their Creator, and from the dependence they have on him for their Being and Operation; whether he had promis'd any Reward to their Obedience or not. 'Twas therefore an effect of Soveraign Bounty, rather than of proper and ſtrict Juſtice, that God promis'd an endleſs happy Life to innocent Man (as is plainly implied in the firſt Threatning, Gen. 2.17.) if he had continued perfectly obedient. For if innocent Man had long continued perfectly Obedient to his Maſters Will; this would have been no more than what he was indiſpenſably oblig'd to, from his relation to God as his bountiful Creator and Preſerver: nor could God have thence been oblig'd to continue him longer in being, or beſtow further Benefits on him, unleſs by his own free ſoveraign promiſe he had ſo oblig'd Himſelf. Surely then, ſince Man is faln, it muſt needs be of Gods Free, Soveraign Grace and Bounty, that in and thro' the Mediation of Jeſus Chriſt, he puts a connexion between Man's Duty and the Benefits which will thence accrue to Him. If we judge rightly, we muſt needs own, 'tis Soveraign Goodneſs in God that he'll ſtoop to treat with Rebels, through a Mediator of his own appointing; and that when he might glorify himſelf in their deſerved Deſtruction, he promiſeth to receive them to favour and make 'em Eternally happy, if they'll return and ſubmit to the moſt reaſonable and gracious Terms which he offers to them. Yet he does ſo. For thro' Chriſt he is reconciling the World to himſelf. He does not bid any to ſeek him in vain; but declares, there's Forgiveneſs with him that he may be feared, Pſal. 130.4. He's a rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him, Heb. 11.6. Whatſoever good thing any Man doth, the ſame ſhall be receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free, Eph. 6.8. It's of God's Soveraign Bounty and Goodneſs,
4. That he beſtows many Outward Benefits, on thoſe who continue obſtinately wicked and diſobedient to him. God left not himſelf without Witneſs to the Heathen World, but gave them Rain from Heaven and Fruitful Seaſons, filling their hearts with food and gladneſs, Act. 14.17. The Wicked are often fat and flouriſhing, ſwiming in ſtreams of Pleaſure, they are not in trouble like other Men, neither plagued like other Men; their eyes ſtand out with fatneſs, they have more than heart can wiſh: the ungodly often proſper in the World, and increaſe in riches, Pſal. 73.5,—13. How many Heathen Monarchs are there, cloth'd with Royal Robes, crown'd with Diadems, poſſeſs'd of vaſt Power and Wealth, injoying all the fulneſs that outward things can give them; who yet are unmindful of, and rebellious againſt, God their Soveraign Maker and Benefactor? God often extends riches of his Goodneſs and forbearance to ſome, who do nothing elſe but treaſure up wrath againſt the day of wrath (by their abominable and continued Wickedneſs,) Rom. 2.4, 5. Many who deſerve to burn in Hell forever for their Wickedneſs, and will get thither at laſt; yet often enjoy numberleſs and great Outward benefits here in this World; and that for many Years together. Surely, every one who believes the Bible, muſt think; that this flows from the meer, ſoveraign, undeſerved bounty and kindneſs of God. For tho' thro' their own folly and ſin, ſuch Proſperity often leads to, and fattens 'em for, Deſtruction; yet this does not hinder, but that the beſtowment of ſuch Proſperity in it ſelf conſidered, is a fruit of Soveraign Divine Goodneſs. The Light of the Sun is a great Bleſſing (Mat. 5.45.) tho' many abuſe it to the practiſing of Wickedneſs, Mic. 2.1. It's of God's Sovereign Bounty and Goodneſs,
5. That He often makes uſe of Means and Inſtruments, to convey Benefits to Men. Some are apt to take ſo much Notice of Means and Inſtruments, which more immediately and directly hand forth benefits to them; as too much to neglect the Original Fountain of them. But God is no leſs the Giver and Author of all Benefits, becauſe he uſeth Means and Inſtruments in conveying of any of them. God fed Jacob all his Life long, tho' his Labour and Money ſupplyed him one while, and his Son Joſeph furniſh'd his Table afterwards. God was as really the Feeder of Elijah, when the Ravens brought him Fleſh and Bread; as he was of Iſrael in the Wilderneſs when he daily ſupplied them with Manna. All Second Cauſes, are under the Influence and Government of the Firſt Cauſe. God hears the Heavens, they hear the Earth, that ſo Corn, Wine, Oyl may be produced for God's People, Hoſ 2.22, 23. All Moral Agents whether good or bad, are under the Government of the Firſt Supream Cauſe, even God: he can make them Inſtrumental (if he will) of conveying benefits. God made his People to be pitied, even of their wicked Enemies who carried them Captive, Pſal. 106.46. The barbarous People of Malta, ſhewed no ſmall kindneſs to Ship-wreck'd Paul and his Company, Act. 28.1, 2. Sometimes Men of great Abilities, of Publick Spirits, inPublick Stations and Capacities, are inſtrumental of abundance of Good to the People among whom they are, in encouraging Vertue, and indeavouring to promote their Wel…are; but 'tis the God of the Spirits of all Fleſh, that does raiſe up, qualify, aſſiſt and ſucceed ſuch Inſtruments. Sometimes abundance of good comes to particular Perſons, yea to an whole People, in anſwer to the Prayers of ſome godly ones. The Prayers of the Righteous avail much. But 'tis of Soveraign Grace that God helps ſuch to Pray, that by his Promiſes he has incourag'd ſuch to Pray, and that he gives an Anſwer to their Prayers. So that all Benefits are as really, truly and originally from God; as if no Means or Inſtruments were made uſe of to convey them. Means could never be Inſtrumental of any good to us, if God did not make them ſo. Whoever Plants or Waters, none but God can give the Increaſe. Would not Men be more thankful to God for every Meals Meat (as well as for other benefits) if they ſaw Gods Hand as viſibly reaching it to them; as Belſhazzar ſaw the Hand when it wrote on the Wall? And yet every Benefit really comes from God, whatever are the Means or Inſtruments of conveying it; nay 'tis of his meer undeſerved bounty, that he does Honour any Means with the Service or Inſtrumentality of conveying any of his Benefits. So 'tis of Gods Soveraign bounty.
6. That he enables Men to comply with thoſe Terms, on which he's pleas'd to beſtow further Benefits. As 'tis of his Soveraign bounty (as we ſhewed before) to make the connection he has between Mens Duties and Benefits; ſo 'tis, that he inclines and enables Men to perform Duty. 'Tis the God of the Spirits of all Fleſh, the Fountain of all Good, that often beſtows on Unregenerate Men, thoſe common gifts and reſtraints of Grace; which frequently prove conducive to many outward temporary Benefits, both to themſelves and others. But further, 'tis moſt free and ſoveraign, as well as moſt powerful Grace, that enables any heartily to receive Chriſt as offered in the Goſpel, and to walk in him till they come to Glory. It's God's Prerogative to take away the Heart of Stone and give an Heart of Fleſh: to create a new Heart and a right Spirit in any. Of his own will be begets them by his Word of Truth, Jam. 1.18. He calls them according to his purpoſe, (Rom. 8.28.) for no Man can come to Chriſt, except the Father draws him, Job. 6.44. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that ſheweth Mercy. As the Wind blows where it will, without Mans appointing or power to obſtruct it; ſo is every one that is born of the Spirit. And as 'tis of Gods Soveraign Grace, that he firſt works a ſaving change in the Soul; ſo 'tis, that he carries on the work when thus begun. He works both to will and …o do of his own good pleaſure, Phil. 2.13. 'Tis he that helps, ſtrengthens, upholds by the right Hand of his Righteouſneſs. If any Man draw back, God's Soul will have no pleaſure in him; yet thoſe who hold out to the end, are kept by the power of God thro' Faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. So that 'tis indeed moſt free, ſoveraign Grace, that enables Perſons to do thoſe things, that have a firm connexion with Eternal Happineſs. This Grace is moſt free, and undeſerved by thoſethat receive it: for tho' tis purchas'd, dearly bought and paid for by Jeſus Chriſt for them; yet 'twas of free Grace that God appointed this Method for purchaſing it, and that thereupon he does beſtow it. It's of ſoveraign Grace and Goodneſs,
7. That God makes the Afflictions of the Saints, Inſtrumental of great advantage to them. God has promis'd, That all things ſhall work together for their good, Rom. 8.28. That their Chaſtiſements ſhall be for their profit, to make them partakers of his holineſs, Heb. 12.10. Indeed their Sins deſerve and procure their Afflictions, yea they deſerve inconcievably greater evils than ever they meet with. Now when God is whipping them for their offences, that he ſhould reſolve and effect their great benefit and advantage thereby; muſt needs be a fruit of moſt ſoveraign Goodneſs. He turns their Maladies into Remedies, their heavy Burdens into healing Medicines: when if he dealt with them according as they deſerve, he might juſtly make them Eternally and Inconcievably miſerable. Soveraign Goodneſs, muſt needs be the Spring and Fountain of ſuch a Method as this▪ God's Soveraign bounty and goodneſs appears,
8. In the greatneſs and duration of the Benefits, promis'd to thoſe that ſincerely ſeek and ſerve him. As 'tis of Grace, that God has put any connexion between Mens Duties, and their obtaining further and future benefits; ſo 'tis yet an higher evidence of ſuch Grace, that the benefits promiſed are ſo great and durable. Thoſe who heartily ſubmit to God in Chriſt Jeſus, and obey his holy Goſpel; ſhall certainly obtain endleſs inconceivable Glory and Happineſs. This is called the Recompence of Reward, Heb. 11.26. But alas, there's no proportion between the ſhort imperfect Duties of the Saints on Earth, and their endleſs Glories in Heaven. Therefore tho' their future happineſs is called a Reward, yet 'tis a Reward of Grace; and is indeed a Free-Gift. Rom. 6.23. The gift of God is Eternal Life. Luk. 12.32. It is your Fathers good pleaſure to give you the Kingdom. Now that ſo great and durable benefits, ſhould be annexed to the ſincere duties of the Saints in this World, notwithſtanding all their imperfections; can flow from nothing elſe, than the ſoveraign amazing Goodneſs of that God who delighteth in Mercy. Thus theſe Heads that have been mention'd, tho' few and brief compar'd to what might have been ſaid; may help to ſet forth this great Truth to us, viz. That 'tis of Gods free ſoveraign Bounty and Goodneſs, that he beſtows on the Children of Men, all the benefits or good things they at any time receive.
The USE of theſe things may be in the following Inferences, viz.
1. We ought to contemplate on and admire at, the free ſoveraign bounty of God. There cannot be a more noble Subject of our moſt frequent and ſerious Contemplation. When here and there a few among Mortals, exceed their Neighbours in Ability, Vertue, Goodneſs, Uſefulneſs; they're often much ſpoken of and commended by thoſe, whoſe good Opinion is of any worth; I ſay, 'tis often tho' not always thus. But all the communicative Goodneſs in any Creatures, is not ſo much compar'd to the Goodneſs manifeſted by God; as the glittering of a glow-worm, compar'd to the diffuſive extenſive Light of the Sun. Surely our Souls ſhould ſtand, look, gaze and wonder at the free extenſive, tho' Incomprehenſible Goodneſs of the Eternal Jehovah. Who can tell the Number, or the ten thouſandth part, of thoſe Benefits which he freely beſtows? Surely, no Mans Arithmetick can reach to this. His wonderful works of Goodneſs can't be reckon'd up in order, they're more than can be numbred. Pſal. 40.5. But tho' we can't meaſure the heigth or depth, length or breadth of thoſe ſtreams iſſuing from Soveraign Divine Goodneſs, and to the moſt unworthy too; yet we ſhould greatly contemplate on them, and admire the Immenſe Fountain and Original from whence they flow. This work, the bright Spirits above imploy themſelves in; the more we abound in it the more we ſhall be like them, and the fitter for their Company.
2. We ſhould never murmur, though poſſibly we may want ſome Comforts which we are deſirous of. God is the Author, yea, the free, ſovereign Giver of all Benefits; And do we indeed deſerve any good thing at his hand? No truly, we are ſo far from that, that by our Sins we juſtly deſerve his inſupportable Wrath forever. When Afflictions are moſt and heavieſt upon us, even then 'tis much better with us than we deſerve. When God takes away our Health, our Eaſe, our deareſt Friends and Relatives, or any other Comforts; he does but recall what he freely lent us during his Pleaſure, ſo he can do us no wrong herein; and therefore we never have any cauſe to repine or murmur. Nay, we are ſo far from having any real cauſe of Murmuring, that when we meet with the moſt grievous Emptyings and Loſſes, there are yet freely continued to us, ſo many and great Benefits, as loudly call for our Praiſing and Adoring the ſovereign Author of them. It is of the Lords Mercy we are not conſumed. Therefore,
3. We ſhould be conſtantly Thankful to God, for the diffuſive Streams of his free Bounty to us. We can't reckon up the Number or deſcribe the Greatneſs of theſe Benefits, God freely beſtows on each of us every Day. Every Breath we draw, is a renew'd Inſtance of his amazing Power, Patience, and undeſerved Goodneſs. If it be not our own Fault, we may daily truſt in God for, and delight our ſelves with the Thoughts of, thoſe matchleſs, endleſs Joys, which his faithful Promiſe ſecures to thoſe that rightly ſeek after them. Then ſure I am, we ſhould be daily and heartily Thankful to that God, who thus freely ſhowers down his Benefits on the Unworthy. In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Chriſt Jeſus concerning you, 1 Theſ. 5.18. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jeſus Christ, Eph. 5.20. Bleſs the Lord, O my ſoul, & all that is within me, bleſs his holy name: Bleſs the Lord, O my ſoul, and forget not all his benefits, Pſal. 103.1, 2. What can be more Vile, Criminal, abominably Sordid, than for ſuch as we are, to be unthankful to that God, who freely and conſtantly beſtows great and numberleſs Benefits on us!
4. We ſhould never envy to others the good Things they enjoy. Whence come thoſe good Thing? Why from God the Fountain of all good, and he may ſurely do what he will with his own. He is the ſovereign Potter, Creatures are the Clay; he may faſhion this or that Lump into what Figure he pleaſeth, and can be accountable to none for doing ſo. If others have more Health, Eaſe, Honour, Power, Wealth, greater inward Gifts and Abilities or Endowments, more deſirable Friends and Relatives, greater Meaſures of Sanctifying Grace and Divine Conſolations than we have; yet we ſhould by no means Grudge or Envy them. Our Eye ſhould not be evil becauſe God is good. The loweſt Shrub ſhould not envy the talleſt Cedar; nor the ſmalleſt Stars thoſe of the firſt Magnitude, for all the Stars have that Meaſure of Light, and keep the Orb and Sphere their wiſe, bountiful Maker aſſign'd them. Men in the loweſt Form ſhould not envy thoſe, whom their ſovereign Maker and Benefactor makes Superior to them, in one regard or other. Thoſe who receive feweſt Talents, have unſpeakable cauſe of Gratitude, but none of Envy.
5. Thoſe who excel others, ſhould never be Proud of it. Who maketh thee to differ? If we have more Health, Wealth, Honour, Power than others; yet here's no juſt Foundation for Self-conceit. Sovereign Divine Bounty makes the Difference. God might have made us the loweſt & meaneſt, and thoſe who now are ſo, he might have advanced much higher than we are; and yet done us not the leaſt Wrong therein. If we have greater Natural Abilities than others, God freely gave them, without any Means of our uſing. In this Caſe, there is no Reaſon for the Inferior to be deſpiſed, nor the Superior to be Self-conceited. If we have greater Acquir'd Endowments of Mind than others, yet God freely gave Opportunity for Endeavours to get them, and he alſo gave Succeſs to ſuch Endeavours; ſo that ſtill here's no cauſe for Pride, though much for Thankfulneſs. Nay, If we are ſincerely Pious and Godly, and have done much greater Service, and many more good Deeds than others; yet here's nothing to be Proud of. God freely gave the Opportunities for doing good, Qualifications for it, Inclinations to it, Aſſiſtances in it, and all the Succeſs that did attend our Endeavours. Indeed in a ſtrict Senſe, the more Holy any are, the more they do for God; ſo much the more they are Indebted to him. Though by his free and gracious Promiſes, he has oblig'd himſelf to Reward their ſincere Performances, yet 'tis of his ſovereign Goodneſs that he has given theſe Encouragements, that he has given them Hearts to take and improve the Encouragements, and to abound in doing what he requires. As we love God, becauſe he firſt loved us; ſo if we do more for God than others, 'tis becauſe he firſt did more for us, working in us to will and to do of his own good pleaſure: For without him we could do nothing. If we have ſincerely Serv'd God in any Matter, we may juſtly ſay as David in that Caſe of contributing towards building the Temple: 1 Chron. 29.14. Who am I, and what is my People, that we ſhould be able to offer ſo willingly after this ſort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. That God ſhould by his gracious Promiſes give Encouragement to Duty, give Opportunity, Inclination, Aſſiſtance to do Duty, and after all give a gracious Reward too (as he will in the other World) here's Grace upon Grace indeed: Grace from the Foundation to the Top-ſtone. And ſince 'tis ſuch ſovereign Grace, ſurely thoſe favour'd with it, have no cauſe for Pride, Boaſting or Self-conceit; though unſpeakable cauſe for the moſt lively Gratitude.
6. Though we are never ſo unworthy in our ſelves, yet we ſhould truſt in God for the beſt of Bleſſings and Benefits. It is of Gods own Heart, of his free, ſovereign Bounty, that he beſtows on Men all the Benefits they ever receive; and ſince he gives ſo freely, our Unworthineſs ſhould not diſcourage us from ſeeking to him, and truſting in him for the beſt of Bleſſings which we need. Indeed God does, and ever will▪ maintain his own ſovereign Lordſhip and Dominion over his Creatures, and will give forth his own Favours in his own Way; therefore we may not expect Pardon of Sin, Peace with God, a Title to future Happineſs, unleſs we heartily Repent of Sin, hate and turn from it, and receive Chriſt as Prince and Saviour. 'Tis grand Preſumption for any to expect Peace with God, and Happineſs in his Favour, and yet continue loving and practicing known Wickedneſs, known Rebellion againſt him. Yet on the other hand, notwithſtanding our many and great Tranſgreſſions, by which we are moſt unworthy, undeſerving of Gods Favour; yet if we heartily Repent of our Sins, and rely on Gods Favour as offered through Chriſt in the Promiſes, we ſhall then be freely Welcome to it. If we thus do, our unworthineſs of Divine Favour, ſhall be no Bar to our obtaining it. For Gods Offers of ſaving Mercy, are moſt free, gracious, ſovereign; and his Promiſes which contain them are infallibly true. Therefore, together with utmoſt loathing of our Sins, we ſhould all of us be encourag'd ſpeedily, fully, firmly to truſt in the Sovereign Grace of God thro' Jeſus Chriſt, for all that Pardon, Grace and Salvation which we need. God is ſuch a Soveraign Fountain of Good, and ſo delights in Mercy; that we can't poſſibly pleaſe him more, than by thus truſting in him for promiſed benefits, Pſal. 147.11. The Lord taketh pleaſure in them that fear him, in thoſe that hope in his mercy, Abraham was ſtrong in Faith giving glory to God, Rom. 4.20. His Strong Faith, hope and truſt in the Divine promiſes, did pleaſe and glorify God.
7. We ſhould freely and readily do as much Good as ever we can. The more we do ſo, ſo much the more like we are to God. Chriſtians are bidden to be Followers (it ſignifies, Imitators) of God as dear Children, Eph. 5.1. Surely then, they ſhould endeavour to be as diffuſive and extenſive as ever they can in doing of Good. Our bleſſed Lord Jeſus ſaid, Luk. 6.36. Be ye therefore merciful as your Father alſo is merciful. Our Lord Jeſus went about doing good, Act. 10.38. And we ſhould walk as he alſo walked, 1 Joh. 2.6. We ſhould be as ready to forgive thoſe that have wrong'd us, as we are deſirous that God ſhould forgive us. Forgiving one another, even as God for Chriſt ſake hath forgiven you, Eph. 4.32. Yea, as we have opportunity we ſhould do good to all men, eſpecially to thoſe of the houſhold of Faith, Gal. 6.10.
8. Thoſe muſt needs be happy, who have God for their God and Portion. This is the caſe, of all ſincere Believers in Chriſt Jeſus. They have the Unchangeable, Inexhauſtable Fountain of all Good for their Portion; there is in God, infinitely more than enough to ſupply all their wants, and that to all Eternity. Nor is this Good God more able than he is willing, to beſtow matchleſs endleſs Felicity, on all his ſincere Saints. Therefore we may well conclude with that, Pſal. 146.5. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help; and whoſe hope is in the Lord his God.