The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered, Sermon · Proposition 2

The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered · Sermon · Proposition 2

p. 43PROPOSITION II. THERE is a way of Salvation revealed and propoſed to Men in and by the Goſpel.

NOW the way of Salvation herein revealed is ſuch as is ſuited to the neceſſitous ſtate of miſerable Man. The Goſpel reveals a way for Mans recovery and compleat happineſs; how he may be delivered from the guilt and power of his ſins; reſtored to Gods Image and favour; prepared for the enjoyment of God and communion with him, wherein his happineſs doth conſiſt. Tit. 2.3. The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men. By the Grace of God, here is meant, the Doctrine of Grace delivered by the Goſpel, that reveals a way of Salvation to all Men, that is, to all ſorts of Men. It is not now appropriated to a particular Nation, but tender'd to Men univerſally: on which account its p. 44called, The common Salvation. This Doctrin… of Salvation was firſt clearly Preach'd by th… Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, and afterwards … his Apoſtles, as our Text informs us; and th… great benefit that it brought Mankind w… one thing that encouraged the Apoſtle i… Preaching notwithſtanding the difficulty h… met with. Rom. 1.16. I am not aſhamed … the goſpel of Chriſt, for it is the power of God … to ſalvation, to every one that believeth: (i. e.) a powerful inſtrument which God uſeth … And in, 2 Tit. 1.10. Life and immortalit… are ſaid to be brought to light by the Goſpe… The way leading to it is thereby laid down It may be hereby enquired.

Queſt. HOW the Goſpel reveals a way … Salvation?

1. IT reveals the gracious and eternal purpoſe and counſel of God concerning Mans Salvation. That Man ſo deeply ſinful, ſo juſtly miſerable may be ſaved: natural light could not reveal how this ſhould be; though much of the glory of God is diſplayed in his Works But the wiſeſt of Men in the Heathen World were at a loſs both wherein Mans happineſ… conſiſted, and how he ſhould arrive at it The World by wiſdom knew not God, 1 Cor 1.21. The way of Mans reconciliation to God was a thing hidden from them. I… p. 45ſaid to be a myſtery hid in God, Eph. 3.9. In his own breaſt, in the ſecret purpoſe of his own will; and to be kept ſecret ſince the world began, Rom. 16.25. It was gradually revealed firſt to Adam in that promiſe of the Seed of the Woman, Gen. 3.15. which was the Goſpel of the Antediluvian Patriarchs, and of thoſe that ſucceeded till Abraham: it was further revealed to him and to ſucceeding Prophets. But the clear and full revelation of God's gracious purpoſe in the matter was reſerved for the Days of the Goſpel. Hence it is ſaid, Joh. 1.17. Grace and truth came by Jeſus Chriſt. He who came from the Boſom of the Father was able to lay open the purpoſes of his heart concerning Man's reſtoration by the Goſpel; this matter is revealed in ſuch a meaſure as the wiſdom of God hath ſeen fit.

2. THE Goſpel reveals that God hath provided a SAVIOUR for periſhing Sinners; and ſhews us who and what he is. One great deſign of the Goſpel is to deſcribe the Perſon, and ſhew forth the Glory of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. It tells us, Joh. 3.16. God ſo loved the world that he give his only begotton ſon, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. It informs us that Jeſus of Nazareth who is the Son of God, is the Perſon deſign'd for this work; that p. 46it is he of whom Moſes and the Prophets di… write. Joh. 1.45. It is he whoſe Birth w… celebrated by a multitude of bright and heave… ly Spirits; teſtifying to the Shepherds, L… 2.10. Unto you is born this day in the city … David a Saviour which is Chriſt the Lord. … is he who hath therefore the Name JESU… given him, becauſe he ſhould ſave his people fr… their ſins, Mat. 1.21. He came to take o… the load of ſin from wounded and burden… Conſciences, & in the days for his Humiliatio… invited ſuch to come to him for this bleſſin… GOD the Father hath many ways teſtified concerning him, that he is the Perſon appointe… by him for this work, and accepted of him eſpecially by his Exaltation, Act. 3.31. Hi… hath God exalted with his own right hand to be prince and a ſaviour. It was the miſery … well as ſin of the Heathen World, that they ha… Gods many, and Lords many. Many Mediators of interceſſion between thoſe the… thought Superiour Gods. But it is the priviledge of thoſe to whom the Goſpel is afforded, that they are aſſured that there is but o… God and one Mediator between God and Men, t… Man Chriſt Jeſus, 1 Tim. 2.5. They ar… plainly directed whom to apply themſelve… to, to tranſact with God for them.

AND again, The Goſpel ſhews us what … is, what manner of Perſon; One who… p. 47Name is Wonderful, and is eminently ſo in his Perſon, having the Natures of God & Man, myſteriouſly united in One Perſon: in which work the glorious condeſcention, wiſdom and grace of God eminently ſhines forth: we needed ſuch a Days Man as might lay his hand upon both; a meet Perſon to tranſact with an offended God, and to perſonate and be a ſurety for Man. Now that he is ſuch a One our Apoſtle particularly ſhews in the Two Firſt Chapters of this Epiſtle, as you may read at leiſure. The realliy of both Natures in the Perſon of Chriſt the Scriptures take care particularly to inform us. The Goſpel declares him to be truly Man; it gives us the Hiſtory of his Birth, of his Childhood and Manhood, and that by degrees he arriv'd at it, as is common for all Men. He grew in wiſdom and ſtature, Luk. 2.52. He did the actions, and had the properties of a real Body: he eat, he drank, he ſlept, he walk'd, he diſcourſed. He had not the meer appearance of a Body, (as ſome Hereticks formerly have taught,) but a true and real Body, that was prepared for him. This is undeniably evident by his SUFFERRINGS; his Sufferings were real which procured groans and tears, as they are wont to do from humane Bodies; and his Death was real, He became obedient unto death even the death of the croſs; and he therefore p. 48took our Nature that he might be a Redeemer for us and not for Angels, Heb. 2.16.

AND the Scripture ſhews that he was truly God. This is plain from expreſs Scripture Teſtimonies. Heb. 1.3. The expreſs image of hi… Perſon: and, Joh. 1.14. We beheld his glory a… the glory of the only begotten Son. Joh. 10.30 … and my Father are one, (i.e.) One in Eſſence His God-Head appeared by the many miraculous operations that he wrought. The incredulity of the Jews, notwithſtanding theſe Chriſt ſhews to be inexcuſable. The Miracle which Chriſt wrought were done by his ow… power: not as thoſe which were done by Moſes, Elijah and Eliſha, and others, which wer… not done by their own power, but thro' th… extraordinary preſence of God with them But Chriſt wrought his by the power of hi… own God-Head. Hence he aſcribes them t… himſelf, Joh. 14.12. The works that I do: and Joh. 11.11. The Apoſtles were careful to diſclaim their own power and ſufficiency in the miracles that they wrought; but they aſcribe them to the power of Chriſt co-working with them, Acts 3.16. Now he that had power to work miracles himſelf, and could enable others to work them is truly GOD.

IT might alſo be argued from his Authority to forgive ſins, His clear knowledge of Me… hearts; from the Properties aſcribed to him, p. 49the Titles given him. But I deſign only ſome hints at theſe Great Truths, which are among the Fundamentals of our Faith, and on which ſo much of our Comfort by Chriſt doth depend.

THE neceſſity of his being ſuch a Wonderful Perſon, is ſhewn in the Goſpel, that he might be qualified for the Offices he ſuſtains, Prophetical, Prieſtly and Kingly; that he might reveal Divine Truths clearly, convincingly and effectually to the hearts and conſciences of Men, and yet in ſuch a way as Men might be able to bear them: that he might perform perfect Obedience to the Law for us, to purchaſe a right to Life according to the Firſt Covenant, and to ſuffer the Curſe and Penalty of the Law for us, that ſatisfaction might be given to offended Juſtice in our name and ſtead, & that theſe Sufferings might be acceptable and meritorious. As God he could not ſuffer, as Man he could not ſatisfy by ſuffering, but as God-Man he could do both. And that he might render his Government amiable to us he appears in our nature, and that his power in the execution of his Authority might be ſufficient to reſtrain and deſtroy all his and our enemies, he exerciſes it in his Divine Nature. Some of theſe things may be hereafter further enlarged upon.

p. 503. THE Goſpel makes an Offer of Salvation to thoſe that are priviledged with it. By the Goſpel Salvation is as it were brought and laid before Men. Act. 13.26. To y… is the word of this Salvation ſent. The Apoſtl… doth not ſay, we have brought it you, bu… God hath ſent it. And in, 1 Tim. 1.15. It ſaid, This is a faithful ſaying and worthy of a… acceptation, that Chriſt Jeſus came into the wor… to ſave ſinners. God in the Goſpel not onl… declares that there is Salvation to be had, tha… it is a thing attainable, but he invites on… and another to put in for a ſhare: in a feelin… ſenſe of their miſery, to accept the remed… that is offered: under the ſenſe of their So… Sickneſs and Diſtempers to apply themſelve… to a Soul Phyſician It ſhews that it is n… preſumption for them but their duty to d… ſo: yea God doth not barely propoſe i… but backs the propoſal with moſt proper an… preſſing arguments, ſuch as in themſelves an… ſuited to work upon the hearts of Men▪ from the Excellency of the bleſſing itſelf; and from the danger and miſery that Sinners wi… bring upon themſelves, by the refuſal: by which God's ſerious regard to Man's welfare is plainly diſcovered.

4. THE Goſpel propounds the Terms upo… which Salvation may be had. What Man mu… do on his pare that the Righteouſneſs an… p. 51Merit of Chriſt may be graciouſly applied to him: though the Salvation revealed in the Goſpel is a Doctrine of Grace, yet it is not promiſcuouſly thurſt upon Men whether they will or no: but God diſpenſes it in a way ſuitable to his own Honour and the Sinners Comfort. God expects not from the ſinner a valuable compenſation for it, or any perſonal worthineſs to recommend the ſinner to his acceptance. Salvation is for the miſerable; Pardon for the Guilty. But yet there are Duties to be done by thoſe that expect to be the ſubjects of it, and it hinders not their being our duties, though it is by his Grace efficaciouſly working in us that we are enabled to do them: they may not unfitly be called parts of the Salvation which the Goſpel offers, or the Inchoation of it. Now theſe are,

(1.) FAITH in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Which is a Grace variouſly expreſſed and deſcribed in the Scripture, ſuitably to the ſtate of a ſinner: it's ſaid to be a Coming to Chriſt. Joh. 6.37. Him that comes to me I will in no wiſe caſt out. Which implies the loſt ſtate of a Soul wandring up and down for ſuccour and finding none, upon Chriſt's call comes to him. It's expreſs'd by receiving Chirſt. Joh. 1.12. As many as received him. &c. This implies the gracious offer that God makes of him to needy p. 52famiſhing Souls as the Bread of God that gives life to the World. It's expreſs'd by fleeing to Chriſt for refuge to lay hold of the hope ſet before us, Heb. 6.18. Becauſe the Soul concern'd for ſafety and life by Chriſt is driven by the terrors of the Law, is purſued by revenging Juſtice, and unable to deliver itſelf: it's expreſs'd by Leaning upon Chriſt. Cant. 8.5. Who is this that cometh out of the wilderneſs, leaning on her beloved. This implies that ſuch a Soul is ſinking under the burden of guilt and wrath, and betakes itſelf to Chriſt for ſupport. Again, it is expreſs'd by ſitting under Chriſt's ſhadow, Cant. 2.3. Becauſe ſuch Souls are as it were ſcorched with a ſenſe of God's wrath. The wrath of a provoked God is a terrible thing to a ſenſible ſinner, which none can ſcreen and defend the Soul from. Chriſt Jeſus is the only ſhelter. The Holy Ghoſt makes uſe of ſuch Metaphors from things ſo plain and familiar, that the nature of this neceſſary Grace may be the better underſtood. That Faith which juſtifies a ſinner is not meerly an aſſent to a Propoſition, but is an act of the will, as well as of the underſtanding, whereby a ſenſible and law-condemned ſinner, convinced of the truth of the Goſpel, and of the ſufficiency of Chriſt to anſwer the neceſſities of his Soul, accepts the offer of him that God p. 53makes, conſents to take him as a compleat Saviour, intirely depends and relies upon him for Righteouſneſs, Grace and Life. This Faith is God's Gift, Eph. 2.8. and the effect of the Fathers drawing, Joh. 6.44.

(2.) REPENTANCE is another duty which the Goſpel requires, and which Chriſt as a Saviour beſtows, Act. 5.31. That Faith which is true is ever accompanied with Evangelical mourning and brokenneſs of heart for ſin, Zech. 12.10. This is neceſſarily required to our participation in the comforts of the Goſpel. It is a part of Chriſt's Office to bind up the broken hearted, Iſai. 61.1. Accordingly Repentance is a duty often preſs'd in the Goſpel, and hath promiſes annexed to it. It was the command of Chriſt to his Apoſtles when he ſent them forth, Luk. 24.47. That Repentance and remiſſion of Sins, ſhould be Preached in his Name, and accordingly they did ſo, Acts 2.38. Repent and be baptized every one of you, for the remiſſion of ſins. And, Act. 3.19. Repent and be converted, that your ſins may be blotted out. In vain do impenitent Sinners promiſe themſelves Salvation by Chriſt: while Men love their ſins, and live in them, or don't relent for them, or unaffected with the diſhonour and wrong done to God by them, they have the hearts p. 54of Enemies toward God, and muſt expect to be dealt with accordingly.

(3.) A Life of ſincere Obedience is alſo required of thoſe that would be the heirs of Salvation. You read, Heb. 5.9. He became the author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. It was one end of Chriſt's Sufferings, that he might purify to himſelf a peculiar people zealous of good works, Tit. 2.13. And it is the property of a true Faith to purify the heart, Act. 15.9. The more it is exerciſed the more the work of Sanctification is carried on: it not only ſhews the reaſonableneſs of Obedience, for the honour of the Redeemer, but it directs the Soul to Chriſt as the Fountain of all Grace and ſpiritual Life: it realizes the truth of the Promiſes, encourages and enables the Soul to ſubmit to Chriſt's Government, to chooſe his Laws, to follow the conduct of his Word and Spirit, to have a reſpect to all his Commands, knowing that none but the pure in heart ſhall ſee God, Mat. 5.8. I ſhall add,

5. THE Goſpel is the great Means or Inſtrument God makes uſe of for the Application of the Salvation that it reveals, to the Souls of Men. Hence the Apoſtle, Rom. 1.6. calls it, the power of God unto Salvation. Inaſmuch as God in and by it is wont to exert the power of his Grace in gaining the p. 55hearts of Men to a thankful acceptance of the Salvation therein offered unto them. The Goſpel doth not barely bring a report to us, that Salvation is attainable, but it is a Doctrine propounded in God's Name, cloathed with his Authority, and accompanied with his Preſence, ſo far (as to ſome at leaſt) that it becomes effectual to convey the priviledges purchaſed by Chriſt and contained in it. Hence St. Paul commits Believers unto God and the word of his Grace, as that which is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among them that are ſanctified, Acts 20.32. And it is called, Jam. 1.24. The ingrafted word which is able to ſave our Souls. This may more fully appear by looking upon ſome ſpecial benefits that are aſcribed to it.

1. IT is the ſpecial means made uſe of by the Spirit in the work of Regeneration. For this reaſon as well as others, it may be that it is called the Word of Life. The conveying of ſpiritual Life to a Soul dead in ſins and treſpaſſes is the firſt thing that prepares a Soul for an actual intereſt in the Salvation purchaſed by Chriſt. Till there be a ſpirit of Life, there can be no acts of Life in Faith, Repentance, or any other Graces. Now this is wrought by the Word. 1 Pet. 1.23. We are born again, not of corruptible ſeed, but of incorruptible by the word of God. And, Jam. 1.18. p. 56Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth. As God created all things at firſt by his Almighty Word, he ſpake and it was done, he commanded and it flood faſt. So when any Soul is created again in righteouſneſs and true holineſs, it is done by his Almighty power accompanying his Word; this power is not inherent in the Word itſelf, but it is mighty thro' God whenever he pleaſes to give efficacy to it.

(2.) IT is the ſpecial means of begetting of Faith, that Faith whereby Men are united to Chriſt, and made partakers of his Righteouſneſs. This is declared, Rom. 10.17. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. In order to believing, it is neceſſary that there be a Revelation of a ſuitable object of Faith, that there be an offer of this to the ſinner, that this revelation and offer be credibly atteſted to be from God. Now God doth all this by the Goſpel: Chriſt is there revealed as the end of the Law for righteouſneſs, to every one that believeth. There is an offer made and plentiful aſſurance given to the truth of its being from God. What Paul ſaid to the convinced Jaylor is the voice of the Goſpel to every Sinner. Acts 16.31. Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved. It is the Promiſe of the Goſpel that is the Warrant for Faith.

p. 57(3.) THE Word is the great means of Sanctification, of purging out ſin and perfecting holineſs in the heart. Chriſt prays for his Diſciples. Joh. 17.17. Sanctify them by thy truth, thy word is truth. Sanctification is a work that is carried on progreſſively, the New Creature gradually arrives to its Perfection. Now as a means of advancing this we are directed, 1 Pet. 2.2. As new born babes to deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. God in the Goſpel preſcribes us rules of holineſs, tells us how we ſhould walk and pleaſe God; how we ſhould walk in every Relation and Condition: it teacheth us to deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, and to live ſoberly, righteouſly and godly in the World, Tit. 2.12. And it gives the moſt proper encouragements to holineſs, and the moſt weighty and preſſing dehortations from ſin. Now when theſe are believed they become greatly ſerviceable to promote holineſs both in heart and life.

(4.) THE Goſpel is the means of conveying, Comfort, Joy and Peace, to the Souls of Believers. They ſtand in need of Comfort upon many accounts; partly, in regard of the various troubles, trials and ſufferings that they are expoſed to in the World. The World hates them becauſe of their love to Chriſt: partly, in reſpect to the temptations p. 58and accuſations of Satan, he envies them their happineſs and their hopes of it, doth what in him lies to weaken it, & ſuggeſts many diſcouragements to their hearts, that they are ſometimes ready to ſink under: & partly, in reſpect to thoſe guilty fears that ariſe in their own Conſciences. Man being a guilty is thereby become a very jealous ſuſpicious Creature, and needs ſome powerful ſupports againſt theſe accuſations and fears. Now the way of Comfort which God hath provided is not by Viſions and Voices from Heaven, but by the Word of promiſe in the Goſpel; by this he gives ſtrong Conſolation unto the heirs of ſalvation, Heb. 6.17, 18. Applying of them according to the various conditions and neceſſities of his People. I paſs to ſome APPLICATION of this.

USE I. HOW exceeding thankful ought we to be for the Goſpel upon this account, that it lays open and reveals a way of Salvation for guilty Man. A thing ſo great that all the wiſdom of the World could never have diſcovered. A perpetual night of darkneſs had for ever overſpread the face of the World, and the whole race of Mankind had been involv'd in guilt and deſpair, and under a fearful expectation of God's fiery indignation, if God hath not ſcattered it, by the p. 59breaking forth of the Light of the Goſpel. We that are priviledged with it are under ſpecial Obligations to be thankful for it.

(1.) IN that it is an Act of ſpecial Grace and Mercy. God was under no obligation to Man to do this for him. Men have no moral excellencies to commend them to God. Sin had diſtroyed him of his native beauty, made him loathſome before God, Who is of purer Eyes then to behold iniquities. There was no ſuch thing due to Man in a way of Juſtice. Yea, Juſtice was engaged againſt him, and with its flaming Sword, kept the way to the tree of Life. God ſtood in no need of Man's Friendſhip and Salvation: he could otherways have provided for his own honour; or had he ſeen meet, contented himſelf to have glorified his Mercy upon the holy Angels, and his Juſtice upon fallen Angels and Men. God's manifeſtation of his Glorious Perfections is purely Arbitrary. He might have conceal'd them as through a vaſt Eternity he had done. Further God was in no fear of Man, to move him to it. Men ſpare Offenders ſometimes thro' fear, but God fears no Man's anger. All nations are counted to him lighter than nothing and vanity. Had God executed upon Adam, and all his ſinful progeny, the threatning of the firſt Covenant, there could have been no injuſtice p. 60or unreaſonable ſeverity imputed to him. I know that the carnal minds of Men are prone to cavil at the Juſtice of God in the imputation of Adam's Sin, to them who had no actual being at that time, and never gave their perſonal conſent to the Covenant tranſaction between God and him: but the Equity of this might be evinc'd, partly, from the unſpotted purity of God, who is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works, Pſal. 147.17. is ſubject to no error or partiallity in any of his Adminiſtrations: partly, from the common reaſon of Mankind, which allows it to be both juſt and neceſſary in many caſes for Children to act by their Parents, and People by their Repreſentatives, and count themſelves bound by their Act. Beſides, had all Mankind been in being at that time, and called to put in their Suffrage for a fit Perſon to repreſent them, no doubt they would with one conſent have pitched upon their common Father; eſpecially conſidering how he was qualified for the truſt repoſed in him. The execution therefore of the threatning being a thing in it ſelf juſt, the Revelation of it muſt be an act of Grace; The Scripture aſcribes our Salvation here unto, Eph. 2.8. By Grace are ye ſaved. Yea ſo illuſtrious is the grace and good-will of God herein, that our moſt enlarged praiſes cannot duly celebrate p. 61it; nor our higheſt thoughts ſufficiently comprehend it.

(2.) IT is ſuch Grace as is not the common lot of Mankind. Though the Divine Mercy hath enlarged itſelf in theſe latter Ages of the World beyond what it did in elder Times, yet there are many vaſt Nations of the World who are covered with droſs darkneſs, and in the region of the ſhadow of Death. The curſe of God lies upon them from Generation to Generation. God who is the ſovereign Lord of his own Grace ſhews his liberty in this matter, and it is free Mercy that is to be acknowledged in the manifeſtations of it to ſome, while he denies it to others. Our Saviour attributes it hereunto, Mat. 11.25, 26. What did God ſee in you more than in them? You are not leſs defiled by nature than they, nor leſs obnoxious to Juſtice; Children of wrath by nature as well as they; have no greater propenſions to any thing that is good than they. The Apoſtle ſpeaking of himſelf and others, before the Grace of God appeared in Converſion, ſaith, Tit. 3.3. We our ſelves were ſometime fooliſh, diſobedient, deceived, ſerving divers luſts and pleaſures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. You are as unworthy as they, and they as capable as you of a ſhare in this Salvation; had the ſovereign pleaſure of God p. 62ſo determined. Now to be the Subjects … ſuch diſtinguiſhing Mercy, deſerved calls fo… your Praiſes to God.

(3.) IN that it is a Mercy we had ſuch gr… and abſolute need of. The more neceſſar… any mercy is the more it is wont to be valued among Men. Hence food and cloathing which are neceſſary for the preſervation o… life, are valued above all things elſe; b… the Eternal Salvation of the Soul is more neceſſary than theſe. We are undone witho… a Saviour. View the doleful ſtate of the H… then who periſh thro' lack of Viſion: eſp… cially the deſperate ſtate of Devils who n… ver had a Saviour provided for them; an… ſay, if it ben't a Mercy you have need o… Look over your paſt Lives and conſider a li… tle with your Conſciences, and ſay, if yo… don't need Salvation: can you bear a lo… of Heaven, undergo the pains of Hell▪ Dwell with devouring fire, inhabit everlaſting burnings? In the Goſpel God doth not treat with you about trifles; your Eternal welfare depends upon it, and ten thouſand woes are ſeizing upon you if you go without it: a Mercy ſo infinitely neceſſary is deſervedly to be valued. All other mercies may be better ſpared than the Salvation of your Souls. It were better never to have ſeen the light of the Sun, than not to have enjoyed p. 63the light of the Goſpel that brings Salvation.

(4.) IT further inhances the Mercy and calls for Thankfulneſs that it is continued after it hath been ſo much neglected and diſregarded. How often have you received the Grace of God in vain? though you have ſo much need of Salvation, yet you han't had a heart to ſeek after it: tho' it hath been brought to your doors, and laid before you in the Promiſes of the Goſpel, yet you han't had a heart to accept it. May not God complain of you as of them, Prov. 1.24. I have called and ye have refuſed, I have ſtretched out my hands, and no man regarded. Or as Chriſt of them, Mat. 23.37. How often would I have gathered you? and ye would not. With what coldneſs and indifferency, with what careleſs and unperſwadable hearts have you heard the moſt earneſt wooings of Grace in the Goſpel? And yet Goſpel Salvation is ſtill tender'd to you. Is there not cauſe to wonder that Divine patience hath not been as weary of waiting upon you, as it hath been of waiting upon others? that God hath not enter'd that proteſt againſt you, as he did againſt them, Luk. 14.24. None of theſe men that were bidden ſhall taſte of my ſupper. Or as, Acts 13.46. The wonderful patience of God in this matter can be aſcribed to nothing but his undeſerved Mercy, and juſtly p. 64calls for your grateful acknowledgments▪ Oh that the long-ſuffering of God, might be Salvation to you!

USE II. IS there a way of Salvation lai… before you, and propounded to you in th… Goſpel, Let it put you upon the Trial of your ſelves, what are you the better for it? God takes notice, where he gives this priviledge t… Men, what improvement they make of i… As in that Parable of the Fig-tree in the Vineyard, is evident, Luk. 13.7. He obſerve whether his Ends be obtained, whether th… offers of Grace he makes to Men, be duly prized and received; or whether they ar… neglected and ſlighted. Our Saviour call thoſe to account that ſometime flock'd to John Baptiſts Miniſtry, Mat. 11.7. Wha… went ye out into the wilderneſs to ſee? Wha… aim they had and what profit they got by his Miniſtry? And be ſure at the Great Day of Account when the ſecret of Mens hearts ſhall be judg'd according to the Goſpel; this will be enquired into: What improvement they made of, and what entertainment they gave to the offers of Goſpel Grace. Therefore it concerns every one in particular to enquire into his own caſe, what real ſaving benefit and advantage you have got by it? It may be you have got more Knowing p. 65Heads then others, but have you got better Hearts? Hath the Goſpel been the power of God to Salvation to you? This is that you have need to ſearch into; if it is not ſo, it had been as good you had never heard of the Goſpel. Nay, as to your own comfort (if you continue thus,) it had been better never to have heard of it? 'Tis ſome excuſe for Men's ſin and ſecurity that live in places of Ignorance; but to live ſo in the clear Light of the Goſpel cuts off all plea and excuſe, Joh. 15.22. To have frequent calls to Repentance, and yet be impenitent and hard-hearted! to be perſwaded to accept tenders of Grace by Chriſt, and yet reject them, and live in unbelief! to be called into Fellowſhip with Chriſt in Eternal Glory, and yet at laſt to fall into Eternal Miſery! How diſmal and withal how inexcuſable will this be? Here Conſider,

1. HAVE YOU been made ſenſible of your undone and periſhing Condition, till intereſted in this Salvation which the Goſpel offers? That you are Sinners there's no doubt you will acknowledge; but have your eyes been opened to ſee the numerous ſins of your Lives, and to ſee them in their horrid and heinous aggravations of them? Have you ſeen and been brought to ſay, with the ſenſible Prodigal, Luk. 15.21. Father I have p. 66ſinned againſt heaven and in thy ſight. Have you ſeen it to be an evil thing and bitter that you have forſaken the Lord? Have your excuſes and apologies for ſin been beaten dow… and taken away? Hath ſin been made a… inſupportable burden to you? that you have ſighed for the bondage you have been under to Satan and to your own luſts? Have yo… ſeen and trembled under the terror of D… vine wrath due to your ſins, and impendi… over you for them? Have you been led … your own hearts, to ſee the manifold ſinf… neſs of them, to cry out in good earne… under your heavy load? and in the ſenſe … your pinching wants ſaying with the Prodig… I periſh with hunger? It is only Sin-f… Souls that will truly prize a Saviour. Till ſi… ners ſee themſelves periſhing, and all hop… of ſaving themſelves are taken away, th… will not in earneſt apply themſelves to a S… viour. They who think, their ſins are few o… ſmall, or hope they can attone for the… will live upon themſelves, and not prize … Saviour.

2. HAVE you gotten a Spiritual knowledg… of Chriſt's Excellency and Sufficiency by the Go… pel, for thoſe ends for which he is offered … you? In believing the Soul acts und… ſtandingly, is perſwaded of the ſufficien… of Chriſt who is propounded in the Goſpe… p. 67as the object of his truſt: ſees it to be a ſafe thing to venture his Soul in his hands, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have believed and I …n perſwaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him againſt that day. An awakened ſinner hath a deep ſenſe of the preciouſneſs of his Soul, hath a high value for it, but yet he is willing to truſt Chriſt for the Salvation of it, and he is made to ſee an excellency, ſuitableneſs, and preciouſneſs in him: and this becauſe God hath given him a ſpirit of wiſdom and revelation in the knowledge of Chriſt, Eph. 1.17. He is inlightened by the Spirit of God to ſee him to be a Divine Perſon; a Saviour able to ſave to the uttermoſt them that come to God by him, Heb. 7.27. One whom the wiſdom and love of God hath provided, whom divine Juſtice hath accepted; One that hath juſtly vindicated the honour of the …; hath brought in everlaſting Righteo…neſs, and compleatly ſatisfyed the penalty and curſe of it. One in whom a Divine fulneſs dwells. As ſuch a one the Goſpel reveals him, as ſuch, a Soul taught of God ſees him to be; and therefore worthy of all acceptation: willingly truſts in him, and conſents to take him for a compleat Saviour, when he hath nothing elſe to truſt to. He hath a high eſteem of Chriſt. Chriſt is precious to him, 1 Pet. 2.7. Yea ſuch p. 68a tranſcendent valuation of him, as that all … ther things are leſſened in his opinion & e… mation of them, and reſpect unto them, … compariſon of Chriſt. Phil. 3.8. I count … things but loſs, for the excellency of the knowle… of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord, for whom I have ſuff… ed the loſs of all things, and do count them … dung that I might win Chriſt. Where there ſuch an underſtanding and eſteem of Chri… Excellency there the Goſpel hath had ſo… ſaving effect upon the Soul.

3. HATH the Goſpel come with po… to your hearts, to ſubdue your Corruptions … Luſts? This is a part of the Salvation t… Chriſt hath deſigned for his People, and … preparatory to the compleating of it. Th… is a Spirit of life and power accompany … the Goſpel, where it works effectually, as … doth in them that believe: it diſcovers ſin … the exceeding ſinfulneſs of … …nd carries t… ſtrongeſt obligations and en…uragements … mortify it. Partly, as it ſhews us that it w… Chriſt's deſign to deſtroy the works of the D… vil: Now Sin is eminently his Work, he w… the firſt author and actor of it; the firſt tem… ter to it, and the great promoter of it, and i… ſtigator to it in the World. Now it becom… thoſe that are Chriſt's to fail in with his d… ſign, to make it their ſerious buſineſs an… concern; that they may, thro the pow… p. 69if his Grace, mortify ſin in themſelves; that ſin might no longer live and reign, which Chriſt came to deſtroy: and partly, as it repreſents the exceeding evil of ſin, in the Sufferings of the Lord Jeſus. That infinite weight of Divine wrath which lay upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, was the effect of vindictive Juſtice for ſin, and is the moſt forcible argument in the World to induce to Repentance for ſin, and the Mortification of it. If you hope you have an intereſt in the Death of Chriſt, how can you live any longer in ſin? How incongruous and unſuitable will it be? Sin will be burdenſome if a Saviour be precious to you. The weakneſs of your love to him, the coldneſs of your hearts in his ſervice will be a burden; and much more the averſion and oppoſition of your hearts againſt him; and thoſe corrupt affections that incline and excite you to do that which is offenſive and diſhonourable to him. Conſider therefore, Hath the Goſpel ſuch an effect upon you? Doth it teach you to deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, Tit. 2.12. Doth it ſubdue the oppoſition that is in your hearts to the Kingdom of Chriſt? Doth it humble you for Sin, excite Repentance, engage to Watchfulneſs againſt it? that its intereſt and influence may daily be growing weaker in you?

p. 704. DO the hopes of the Goſpel animate… excite you to a life of holineſs? and to a lo… to the duties of it, to perform them with wi… lingneſs and chearfulneſs? The Grace … God that brings Salvation, teaches us, not … ly to deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, but live ſoberly, righteouſly and godly in this preſ… world, Tit. 2.12. Thus to live is to anſw… the deſign of Chriſt, ver. 14. Who gave hi… ſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all i… quity, and purify to himſelf a peculiar people … lous of good works. And a well groun… hope of the bleſſings of the Death of Ch… is wont to have this effect. 1 Joh. 3.3. T… Goſpel is not only the great means of co… veying the Spirit, who is the glorious A… thor of holineſs; but it preſents the ſtronge… Arguments to further holineſs, it gives t… moſt excellent Pattern of it, the moſt ſuit… ble Rules for it; makes the moſt precio… Promiſes to it, the richeſt and moſt amp… Rewards of it. Both our preſent benefits … Chriſt, and future hopes from him ſhoul… conſtrain and engage unto it. 2 Cor. 5.1… Therefore one ſpecial trial of our pro… ting by it, is the obſerving what efficacy … hath to promote holineſs: Doth the ſen… of Divine Grace in the gift of Chriſt, fo… ſuch glorious ends, ſtir up a grateful ſpiri… towards God? to be willing to put hono… p. 71upon God the utmoſt you are capable of? Do you ſee the excellency, wiſdom & goodneſs of divine Commands? This will make you not to account them grievous, but worthy of your choice. Can you be deſirous to meet Chriſt in the Day of his Glorious Appearing as your Bridegroom, and not deſire to be as a Bride adorned for her Husband? Do you hope ſhortly to be with the Lord, to ſee him as he is, to be made like him, and not love and labour to be like him now? Surely if the Promiſes of the Goſpel be believed, they will excite you to purge your ſelves from all filthineſs of fleſh and ſpirit, and to perfect holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1.

5. WHAT ſupport doth the Goſpel afford you againſt the Troubles of Life or the Fears of Death? They who have taken the Teſtimonies and Promiſes of Divine Grace as their heritage for ever, do doubtleſs make them their Songs in the houſe of their Pilgrimage. Thus to do is one way whereby God will have his People be witneſſes to his Covenant truth and faithfulneſs. Our bleſſed Lord hath foretold his Diſciples, Joh. 16.33. In the world they ſhall have trouble, but in him they ſhall have peace. Here they meet with Afflictions of various ſorts, ſickneſs, pains, loſſes, reproaches, hatred and perſecution from the World; temptations from Satan, manifold p. 72miſeries and infelicities: ſo that they groan being burdened, Now do the Conſolations of God bear up and revive your Spirits under theſe Sorrows? enable you to patience, meekneſs, and a quiet ſubmiſſion to the Divine Will in theſe exerciſes? Can you live upon Spiritual comforts, when Outward fail? See enough in Chriſt and the New Covenant, when other Streams are dried up? With David encourage your ſelves in the Lor… your God, (1 Sam. 30.6.) when other thin… fail? This is one great end for which D… vine comforts are promiſed, Joh. 15.1… Though I grant, Chriſtians need the aſſiſtanc… of the Holy Spirit to apply them to their ſupport in times of need. And again, Do the … comfort you againſt the Fears of Death? Ca… you by Faith ſee and hope for a better Inh… ritance then any that the World affords … you? It is the ſpecial priviledge of Believers that they are begotten to a lively hope of … inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, reſerved in heaven for them, 1 Pet. 1.3, 4. And the hope of this enables them not only with a compoſedneſs of ſpirit, and ſubmiſſion; but ſometimes with joyfulneſs to reſign their Spirits into the Hands of God when Death comes to ſummons them to pay the laſt debt to Nature.