Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 12
Sermon, XII. Truſting in GOD, Yields Perfect PEACE.
ISAIAH XXVI. 3.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace, whoſe mind is ſtayed on thee, becauſe he truſteth in thee.
WE live in a changible, uncertain World; if we rightly conſider the Nature and Courſe of the Affairs of it, we can't have our Minds ſteady and eaſy, unleſs we have ſomething better to truſt in, than any outward Enjoyments whatſoever. But our Text now read, ſhows us, how Perſons may come to have great Peace and Quiet in their own Souls, even in this changible World, and in the next World too. To have the Mind fixed staying on God, truſting in him, relying on him, according to the Diſcoveries he has made of himſelf in his gracious Promiſes: This, even this is the Way to have Eaſe and Reſt, Peace and Quiet in the Soul, in this World and in the next alſo.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace, &c. Thou, that is God. God is the Keeper of thoſe that truſt in him. Happy they that have ſuch a Keeper, the beſt Keeper that can be; a Keeper that never ſlumbers nor ſleeps, Pſal. 121.4. Yea, he'll keep them in perfect Peace; the Hebrew is, Peace, Peace. The Repetition of the Word may intimate, the Firmneſs, Greatneſs, Certainty of the Peace of thoſe who have God for their Keeper: Peace, Peace, they have Peace with God, often Peace and Quiet in their own Conſciences; Peace in this World and in the next. And who are they that are thus favour'd? Why, ſuch as have their Minds ſtayed on God. There's Variety among Interpreters, about the Meaning and Application of theſe Words. Some are for reading thus, With a firm Purpoſe (or eſtabliſhed Decree or Reſolve) thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace, becauſe he truſteth in thee. Some thus, Thou wilt keep the Mind (or Thought) of him that truſteth in thee, in perfect Peace.
But without further inſiſting on theſe Things, the Words may afford us this following Obſervation, viz.
DOCTRINE. God will keep thoſe in perfect Peace, whoſe Hearts are stayed on him, and do trust in him.
Here we may Enquire,
I. What's implyed in Perſons having their Hearts ſtayed on God, truſting in him?
II. What's meant by God's keeping of ſuch in perfect Peace?
QUESTION I. What's implyed in Perſon having their Hearts ſtayed on God, truſting in him?
For Anſwer, this muſt needs imply,
1. That they are acquainted with the Revelations of Gods Will, with his gracious Promiſes. All Men are Sinners, as ſuch they deſerve no Peace with God; but Wrath and Vengeance from him. But God is in Chriſt reconciling the World unto himſelf, 2 Cor. 5.19. God can be juſt, and the Juſtifyer of him that believeth in Jeſus, Rom. 3.26. Therefore Perſons muſt be more or leſs acquainted with the Revelations of His Will, with his gracious Promiſes through Chriſt, elſe they have no Bottom, no Foundation for hoping and truſting in God for Peace, for Pardon, for Eternal Bleſſedneſs. The Scheme and Method of Sinners Reconciliation with God, was laid in Gods own eternal purpoſe (Eph. 3.11.) and this Purpoſe of his can't be known to Men, any further than he reveals and diſcovers it. Therefore the Mercy of God through Chriſt, revealed in the Promiſes, is the Foundation of Faith, the Ground and Encouragement Perſons have to hope and truſt in him. Rom. 10.14, 17. — How ſhall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how ſhall they hear without a Preacher? — So then, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
2. That they actually truſt in God, upon the Encouragement of his Promiſes. Though ſuch as cover their Sins, ſhall not proſper; yet thoſe who confeſs and forſake them, ſhall have Mercy. There's an Abundance of Pardoning Mercy with God, for penitent, returning Sinners, Iſai. 55.7. Therefore Perſons cannot be ſaid, rightly to ſtay on God, or lean on the Lord (as the Phraſe is, Mic. 3.11.) unleſs they heartily Repent of their Sins, grieve and mourn for them, hate and turn from them; and heartily truſt in God's Mercy through Chriſt, as Revealed in the Promiſes. And when they do thus truſt in his Mercy, caſt all their Cares and Burdens upon him; rely and depend on him for Pardon, for Grace, for the good Things laid up in the Promiſes: I ſay, when they do thus, they may be ſaid to have their Minds and Hearts ſtayed on God, truſting in him. And where there is ſuch a truſting in God as this, it purifies the Heart, works by Love, (Act. 15.9. Gal. 5.6.) and brings forth Fruits of ſincere, holy Obedience to God; for Faith without Works is dead, Jam. 2.26. By Faith Abraham — obeyed, Heb. 11.8.
3. Their Steadineſs and Continuance in ſo doing. Their trusting in God, and ſo their other Duties the Fruits thereof, ſhould not be like the morning Cloud, and the early Dew, which ſoon paſs away. They ſhould truſt in the Lord for ever; their Hearts ſhould be fix'd in doing it, Iſai. 26.4. Pſal. 112.7. When the Jews ask'd our Saviour, What ſhall we do that we may work the Works of God? He replyed, This is the Work of God, that ye believe in him whom he hath ſent, Joh. 6.28, 29. The Work of Faith, is the Work of God, that which he requires of us, and we ſhould be doing of it as long as we live. 1 Cor. 15.58. Be ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, always abounding in the Work of the Lord. We ſhould conſtantly and firmly truſt in God through Jeſus Chriſt, for all the Bleſſings, Temporal, Spiritual, Eternal, which his Promiſes give us Encouragement to hope for. And this Faith ſhould quicken us to obey God, to walk in his Ways, to ſubmit and reſign our ſelves and all our Concerns, to his holy, wiſe and gracious Diſpoſe. When we thus do, we may be ſaid to have our Minds and Hearts ſtayed on God, truſting in him.
QUESTION II. What's meant by Gods keeping of ſuch in perfect Peace?
ANSWER.
It may imply,
1. That God is at Peace with them. As for the unregenerate, impenitent Sinners, they are in a State of Enmity to God, and are under his terrible Wrath and Curſe. He that believeth not, is condemned already, — the Wrath of God abideth on him, Joh. 3.18, 36. The Wages of Sin is Death: The Law of God condemns impenitent Sinners. Gal. 3.10. Curſed is every one, that continueth not in all things written in the Book of the Law to do them. But when a Perſon heartily Repents of his Sins, and truſteth in the Mercy of God through Chriſt for Pardon; then the Great GOD, his Maker, Lawgiver and Judge, is Reconciled to him, and at Peace with him. Being justified by Faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. ——There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, Rom. 5.1. & 8.1. If any one's Sins have been never ſo many or great, yet if he heartily Repents and turns from them, and believes in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; then God Pardons all his Iniquities, and is at Peace with his Soul. 1 Joh. 1.7. The Blood of Jeſus cleanſeth from all Sin, Acts 10.43. — Whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall receive the Remiſſion of Sins.
2. God will always be at Peace with ſuch. He will keep them in Peace, or keep Peace with them for ever. Being once Reconciled to them through Chriſt, he'll never caſt them out of Favour: Whom he loves, he loves to the end. It's true, ſincere Saints are liable to grievous Falls; ſome of them are ſometimes actually chargeable with very groſs Tranſgreſſions, as Noah, Lot, and ſome others have been; and ſuch Tranſgreſſions are very provoking to God. Such Offences may poſſibly provoke God to bring heavy Troubles and Afflictions on them. Becauſe David by his hainous Crimes, had given great Occaſion to the Enemy to blaſpheme; therefore God took away his Child by Death, 2 Sam. 12.4. But though God may be thus highly provoked with the Offences of his adopted Children; yet he'll ſo Renew them by the Exerciſe of Repentance, as that they ſhall not be utterly Rejected by him, nor Conquered by their Spiritual Enemies. He will reſtore their Souls, and lead them in paths of Righteouſneſs for his Name ſake, Pſal. 23.3. The Foundation of God ſtands ſure, having this Seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. God has both threaten'd and promis'd concerning the Spiritual Seed of David, of Chriſt, Pſal. 89.30,— 33. If his Children forſake my Law, and walk not in my Judgments; if they break my Statutes, and keep not my Commandments, then will I viſit their Tranſgreſſion with the Rod, and their Iniquity with Stripes. Nevertheleſs, my loving kindneſs I will not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my faithfulneſs to fail. When God has once accepted a penitent, believing Sinner, and pardoned him for Chriſt's ſake; though after this he may poſſibly chaſtiſe him very ſorely for great Offences, yet he'll never utterly caſt him off, nor ſuffer him finally to periſh; but by his Grace he will Humble him, Reſtore him, and Save him for ever. He will bring him to Heaven, though it be by Weeping Croſs; he'll ſave him, though it be as by Fire. For whom he juſtified, them he alſo glorified, Rom. 8.30.
3. God will give them all that outward temporary Proſperity, which he ſees beſt for them. The Hebrew Word Shalom, which we render Peace, is of a large, extenſive Signification, ſometimes comprehending all manner of outward Welfare and Proſperity in it. Thus God ſaid to the Jewiſh Captives at Babylon; Jer. 29.7. Seek the peace of the City whether I have cauſed you to be carryed away Captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof ye ſhall have peace. So, Pſal. 122.6. Seek the peace of Jeruſalem; they ſhall proſper that love thee. Well, God will give to ſuch as have their Minds ſtayed on him, all that outward Proſperity which he ſees beſt for them. Godlineſs hath the promiſe of the Life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. It's true, God won't give to the Saints an uninterrupted Courſe of preſent, outward Proſperity; they have no Ground to expect that he will, but abundant Ground to expect the contrary: Yet he'll give them all that outward Proſperity, which in infinite Wiſdom and Love he ſees beſt for them, or which he ſees will be moſt for his Glory, and their Spiritual, Eternal Good. It cannot be, but that God ſhould deal thus with them. He that has ſo lov'd them, as to give his only begotten, Eternal Son to die for their Salvation, cannot but beſtow on them what he ſees beſt for them. Rom. 8.32. He that ſpared not his own Son▪ but delivered him up for us all; how ſhall … not with him alſo freely give us all thing… … And the Apoſtle plainly ſays there, v. 28. All things ſhall work together for good, to them that love God, and are called according to his purpoſe. Thoſe whom God has effectually called home to Chriſt, and enabled to ſtay their Minds on him, and truſt in him; as for ſuch, he'll make all things work together for their greateſt Good, and everlaſting Welfare. Therefore he muſt needs beſtow on them, all that outward Good, and Proſperity, he ſees will be moſt for their true and greateſt Welfare.
4. God often gives them great inward Peace and Joy in their own Souls. Peace with God is one thing, Peace and Quiet in the Conſcience is another. A Perſon may poſſibly be a true, penitent Believer, and be Pardoned, Reconciled to God, and at Peace with him; and yet not know, or be fully aſſured in his own Mind, that he is in ſo ſafe a State. Even Zion her ſelf is ſometimes ready to ſay, The Lord hath forſaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me, Iſai. 49.14. Thoſe that fear the Lord, and obey the voice of his Servants, yet ſometimes walk in the Dark, and have no Light, Iſai. 50.10. That ſincere Saints are ſometimes under Clouds, Doubts, Fears, Jealouſys about their own Spiritual Safety, is a thing too plain to be diſputed or denyed. Notwithſtanding all this, yet a ſteady Courſe of having the Mind ſtayed on God, and trusting in him, tends directly to the inward Peace, Joy and Satisfaction of the Soul. The ways of wiſdom are ways of pleaſantneſs, and all her paths are peace, Prov. 3.17. Great peace have they that love thy Law, and nothing ſhall offend them, Pſal. 119.165. So the Apoſtle ſays, Rom. 15.13. Now the God of hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghoſt. Believing in Chriſt, lays a Foundation for fullneſs of Joy and Peace: And tho' ſome who have true Faith, are not at preſent fill'd with ſuch Joy and Peace; yet this proceeds from the Weakneſs of their Faith. For if they did ſuitably and firmly Realize the Truths of God, and ſtedfastly truſt in him through Chriſt, for the Accompliſhment of his gracious and faithful Promiſes; then on good Grounds they might infer, that God is at Peace with them, and ſo they might well rejoyce in him as their Portion, and exceeding great Reward. Therefore, as they are bid to truſt in the Lord for ever; (Iſai. 26.4.) ſo they are bid to rejoyce in the Lord always, Phil. 3.1. So, Phil. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord always; and again I ſay rejoyce.
A Realizing the Revealed Truths of God, and a firm truſting in him through Chriſt for promiſed Bleſſings; gives good Ground for inward Peace, and true Spiritual Joy and Comfort, even in the midſt of outward Dangers, Troubles and Afflictions.
This may appear if we conſider the following Particulars, viz.
1. Men are made for Eternity. Indeed their Time and Life in this World, are very ſhort and uncertain; but there is an endleſs State of Miſery or Glory, after this preſent Life is ended. The Scripture plainly aſſures us of the Immortality of the Soul, and of an endleſs, future Eternity. And though when the Body and Soul part at Death, the Body Conſumes, Rots, returns to Duſt, as it was originally; yet there ſhall be a Reſurrection of the Dead, both of the Juſt and Unjuſt, Acts 24.15. And as all the Dead ſhall be Raiſed, ſo all particular perſon ſhall be Judged to a State of endleſs Glory or Miſery, according to what their Carriage and Behaviour was here in this Word. 2 Cor 5.10. We must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Chriſt, that every one may receive the things done in the Body; according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. God will …ender to every Man according to his Deeds, Rom. 2.6. And when all perſons both Good and Bad, ſhall be thus Judged, then the Wicked ſhall go away into everlaſting puniſhment, and the Righteous into Life eternal, Mat. 25.46. So that every particular, individual perſon, that ever has lived, or ever ſhall live in the World, ſhall be Eternally and Inconceivably Happy or Miſerable in the future State and World.
2. That's really beſt for Perſons, which moſt promotes their Spiritual and Everlasting Welfare. If Men had no other State and Being but in this preſent Life and World, like the Beaſts that periſh; then preſent, outward Eaſe and Proſperity, might be reckoned their Chief Good and Happineſs; and the contrary hereto their Greateſt Miſery. But ſince they are made for an Eternal State, that muſt needs be moſt for their Good, which moſtly promotes their Eternal Good and Welfare, how croſs ſoever it may ſeem to their preſent Eaſe or Inclination. When perſons are Sick or Wounded, that Phyſick, thoſe Applications which cauſe more preſent Uneaſineſs, are yet reckoned good and advantagious, if they are uſeful to procure Health and Soundneſs of Body. Though in it ſelf conſidered, it's irkſome and troubleſome, to have deep Inciſions made in the Fleſh, or to have a Leg or Arm cut off from the Body; yet theſe Methods are reckoned good, when they are needful to preſerve Life. So, though Sickneſs, Pain, Poverty, Contempt, Perſecution, and the like, in themſelves conſidered, are very undeſirable, uneaſy, uncomfortable and diſtreſſing; yet if they become inſtrumental to promote our Spiritual and Eternal Welfare; ſo far they are to be look'd on as Good and Beneficial. The Apoſtle ſpeaks plainly to the ſame purpoſe, Heb. 12.11. Now no chaſtening for the preſent ſeemeth joyous but grievous; nevertheleſs, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of Righteouſneſs, to them that are exerciſed thereby.
3. God has promiſed, that all the Afflictions of the Saints ſhall he for their Good and Benefit. He has plainly declar'd, Rom. 8.28. All things ſhall work together for good, to them that love God. But how can this be? What Good can they have by Pain, Poverty, Contempt, and other heavy Afflictions? How can ſuch things as theſe be ſaid to be for their Good? Why, theſe things may be ſaid to be for their Good, ſo far as they are inſtrumental to make them more fit and meet for Heaven. We Read of a Meetneſs (or Fitneſs;) for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, Col. 1.12. And what is it makes Perſons fit or meet for Heaven, for the Enjoyment of God and Chriſt in the future State? Why the more Holy they are, ſo much the more fit for the Heavenly State. Without Holineſs no Man ſhall ſee the Lord: But the pure in Heart ſhall ſee God, Heb. 12.14. Mat. 5.8. Thoſe that have clean Hands and a pure Heart, are moſt fit to ſtand in God's holy Place, Pſal. 24.3, 4. Well, the Afflictions of the Saints ſhall be made inſtrumental to promote their Holineſs. When the Apoſtle gives the Reaſon why God afflicts the Saints, he ſays, it is for our profit, that we might be partakers of his Holineſs, Heb. 12.10. The Fruit is, to purge away Iniquity, and take away Sin, Iſai. 27.9. We are always profited by our Afflictions, of what Nature or Degree ſoever they are; if thereby we are made more Holy, Humble, Prayerful, Patient, Thankful, more purg'd from Sin, and wean'd from the World. If our Pride, Envy, Covetuouſneſs, Revenge, or any other Luſt whatſoever, is more ſubdued and mortifyed by this or the other Affliction; then we are profited and benefited by it. Sometimes Afflictions are ſent to humble and chaſten for paſt Sins, ſometimes to prevent thoſe Sins there is great Danger of. Thus, the Apoſtle Paul had a Thorn in the Fleſh, a Meſſenger of Satan ſent to buffet him, lest he ſhould be exalted above Meaſure, a Cor. 12.7. It was to prevent that Pride and Self-conceit which God ſaw he was in Danger of. Poſſibly the Saints meet with Loſſes and Diſappointments in Buſineſs. they can but juſt rub along in the Word; or they loſe Children or other dear Relatives; and poſſibly God may order theſe things, to prevent the Sins he ſees them in Danger of; ſuch as Pride, Worldly-Mindedneſs, Inordinate Love to Creatures. Yea, at the ſame time he may deſign both to abaſe and humble them for paſt Sins, and alſo to prevent thoſe further Miſcarriages they are in Danger of. He chaſtens them, that they may not be condemned with the World, 1 Cor. 11.32. God declares his End in afflicting them, 'tis to make them more Holy; and therefore, tho' he may do it in juſt Anger against their Sins, yet 'tis in tender Love to their Souls. Their light Afflictions which are but for a moment, ſhall work for them a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of Glory, 2 Cor. 4.17. The holy Pſalmiſt found, that his Afflictions had been for his Spiritual Good and Advantage; Pſal. 119.67, 71, 75. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy Word. —It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy Statutes. — I know, O Lord, that all thy Judgments are right; and that thou in faithfulneſs hast afflicted me.
4. God will certainly fulfil all his Promiſes. God is infinitely Wiſe and Knowing, infinitely Strong and Mighty, infinitely True and Faithful; and therefore all his Promiſes ſhall moſt certainly be accompliſhed. He cannot lye, Tit. 1.2. It is impoſſible for God to lye, Heb. 6.18. God knows how to fulfil his Promiſes, for his Underſtanding is infinite. He's able to fulfil them all, for he's the Lord God Omnipotent, (Rev. 19.6.) and can do exceeding abundantly, above all that we aſk or think, Eph. 3.20. Many things may poſſibly diſable Men from fulfilling their Promiſes, but nothing can hinder GOD from fulfilling his. God has Power ſufficient to break through, break over, and utterly to remove all Difficulties that lye in his way. That which is impoſſible with Men, is yet poſſible and eaſy with God. He can baring Good out of Evil, Light out of Darkneſs, and call things that are not as though they were. Gods Providence actually governs the World; he does according to his Will in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth. As he is the Giver of every good Gift, beſtows all the Benefits any receive; ſo he alſo diſpenſeth all the Troubles and Afflictions which any meet with. The Saints meet with no Tryals but what is of Gods ſending; 'tis the Chaſtiſement of the Lord, Heb. 12.5. The Lord creates Darkneſs and Evil, Iſai. 45.7. And he never brings Tryals on the Saints, but he ſees the ſame are proper for them. 1 Pet. 1.6. If need be ye are in Heavineſs, through manifold Temptations. God never ſends Afflictions on the Saints, but when he ſees them ſome way or other needful to promote their Spiritual and Eternal Good. So that God orders all their Afflictions as to the Kind or Sort, as to the Meaſure, Degree, Duration, and all the Circumstances of them; and has promiſed, that all things ſhall work together for their Good; and is true and faithful to his Promiſes.
Now, theſe things laid together and duely conſidered, plainly ſhow, that when the Saints realize the Truths of God, and firmly trust in him through Chriſt for promiſed Bleſſings; this gives them good Ground for inward Peace, Joy, Serenity of Mind, even in the midſt of alt the Uncertainties, Dangers, Troubles, Afflictions they are liable to in this preſent evil World.
For they may know, that things don't come to paſs by Chance or Accident as to God, but are all ordered by his wiſe, ſovereign, unerring Providence; even by the Hand of that God, who has promiſed, that all things ſhall work together for their Good. They may know, that their Life, their Time, all their Affairs and Circumstances, are intirely at the Diſpoſe of that faithful, omnipotent God, who has promiſed, that he will never leave them nor forſake them, that he will give them Grace and Glory, and no good thing will he withold from them.
Therefore in their firm Relying on God for the Accompliſhment of his Promiſes, they may glory in Tribulation, rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God. They may boldly ſay, The Lord is mine Helper, I will not fear what Man ſhall do unto me, Heb. 13.5, 6. If all outward Means of Help and Relief fail them, they may yet rejoyce in the Lord, and joy in the God of their Salvation, Heb. 3.17, 18. He ſhall not be afraid of evil Tidings, his Heart is fixed truſting in the Lord, Pſal. 112.7. In the midſt of outward, threatening Dangers and Confuſions, they may yet have inward Peace, Calm and Serenity of Soul. Pſal. 46.1, 2. God is our refuge and ſtrength, a very preſent help in time of Trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the Mountains be carryed into the midſt of the Sea.
Thoſe who rightly trust in the Almighty God, as their Help, Strength and Refuge, have enough to ſupport them, though the Mountains ſhould be carryed into the midſt of the Sea. Though Heaven and Earth ſhould ſeem ready to crack and break, as if all things were approaching to a ſudden Diſolution; yet there is no Occaſion for them to be frighted or terrifyed; for the Alſufficient, Unchangible GOD, who orders all Changes that happen, is the unchangible Portion of their Souls for ever. He'll guide them by Counſel, till he brings them to Glory, Pſal. 73.24. In the due Exerciſe of Faith, the Saints may triumph and ſay, Who ſhall ſeparate us from the Love of Chriſt? Shall tribulation, or diſtreſs, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword? — Nay, in all theſe things, we are more than Conquerors thro' Christ that has loved us. For I am perſwaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor heighth, nor depth, nor any other creature, ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the Love of God, which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, Rom. 8.35,—39.
USE. We may now proceed to ſome Application; Inferring from what has been ſaid,
1. That God has made plentiful Proviſion for the Comfort of his Saints, even while they abide in this preſent evil World. It's true, this is not their Home nor Reſting Place, they are Strangers, Sojourners, Pilgrims upon Earth; yet God has made ſuch Diſcoveries of his Mind to them, as gives them abundant Ground even for preſent Comfort. If they meet with great and ſudden Afflictions, they need not be ſurpriz'd nor frighted; for God has forewarn'd them, that ſuch is the State and Courſe of this preſent Life, and that in the World they ſhall have Tribulation. He has told them alſo, that they ſhould commit the keeping of their Souls to him; caſt all their Cares and Burdens upon him, for he'll care for them and ſuſtain them; and will make all things work for their Good, and guide them by Counſel, till he brings them to Glory. Theſe & ſuch like gracious Promiſes, give them abundant Ground for preſent Peace, Joy, Comfort in their own Souls, whatever outward Troubles they meet with. Therefore when they are bid to rejoyce in the Lord always, 'tis no Mockery, no Jeſt, nor hard Saying; its no more than what the faithful, gracious Promiſes of God, give them ſufficient Ground for. 1 Pet. 1.8. Whom having not ſeen ye love; in whom, tho' now you ſee him not, yet believing, ye rejoyce with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory.
2. Unbelief is the greateſt Plague and Miſchief the Saints have in the World. There may be Truth of Faith, where there is Weakneſs of Faith. Our Saviour once ſaid to the great Apoſtle Peter, Mat. 14.31. O thou of little Faith, wherefore didſt thou doubt? The beſt Believers in the World, have ſome Unbelief in them; and it prevails more at ſome times than at others. And this Unbelief is their greateſt Plague and Miſchief. The lively Exerciſe of Faith, does as it were feelingly unite the Soul to God in Chriſt, as the Alſufficient Fountain of Light, Life, Love, Grace, and all Good; and how profitable and comfortable muſt this needs be? The lively Exerciſe of Faith may ſhow the Saint, that all things are his, whether Life, Death, things preſent, or things to come; & he is Chriſt's, & Chriſt is God's, 1 Cor. 3.21, 23. But Unbelief, ſo far as that prevails, it ſeparates the Soul from God the Fountain of all Good. Heb 3.12. Take heed leſt there be in any of you an evil Heart of Unbelief, in departing from the living God. An unbelieving Heart, is an evil Heart. Why ſo? Why, becauſe it departs from the living God: That muſt needs be very Evil, which departs from the Fountain of all Good and Grace. Therefore the Saints ſhould take heed at ſuch an Heart, to avoid it: Be not faithleſs but believing.
3. We ſhould all of us believe and truſt in God, in Jeſus Chriſt. It's our Duty, our Intereſt to do ſo. 1 Joh. 3.23. This is his Commandment, that we ſhould believe in the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt. Sinners, the Unregenerate, ſhould forthwith Repent of all their Sins, and truſt in Jeſus Chriſt for Salvation; they Provoke God and Ruin their own Souls, if they neglect it. Oh Dreadful Evils! 1 Joh. 5.10. He that believeth not God, hath made him a Lyar, becauſe he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son. Mark 16.16. He that believeth not ſhall be damned. On the other hand, Sinners cannot poſſibly pleaſe God, or profit themſelves, in any thing, like penitently truſting in his Mercy in Chriſt for Salvation. Pſal. 147.11. The Lord takes pleaſure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his Mercy. Joh. 3.16. Whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall not periſh, but ſhall have Everlaſting Life. The Saints alſo ſhould be in the conſtant Exerciſe of lively Faith; firmly Realizing Gods Revealed Truths, and firmly Truſting in him for promiſed Bleſſings. Iſai. 26.4. Truſt in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlaſting strength. Such Faith Glorifies God. Abraham was strong in Faith, giving glory to God, Rom 4.20. It is profitable to us. Jer. 17.7. Bleſſed is the Man that trusteth in the Lord, and whoſe hope the Lord is. There is joy and peace in believing, Rom. 15.13. We ſhould therefore check and rebuke our doubting, unbelieving Hearts; and ſhould ſtir up our ſelves to take hold on God. Pſal. 42.11. Why art thou caſt down, O my ſoul? And why art thou diſquieted within me? Hope thou in God. Pſal. 27.14. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he ſhall ſtrengthen thine Heart; wait I ſay on the Lord. Lam. 3.25, 26. The Lord is good to them that wait for him, to the ſoul that ſeeketh him. It is good that a Man ſhould both hope, and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord.
FINIS.
End of the text · Benjamin Wadsworth, Twelve Single Sermons (1717)