A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 116 (Question 31 cont.)
SERMON CXVI.
WE have taken a ſummary Acco… if the Work of Effectual Calling, or … Converſion, in which the Soul is put … poſture, for the Embracing of Chriſt with … ſaving Faith. We have alſo taken Notice …f the ſeveral things that are done by the Spirit in the bringing of this about, whether it be in a common and preparatory, or in a ſaving Work. It now follows that we … a more particular enquiry into theſe things; and conſider what is done in each of the…, and how this bleſſed effect is prod…d by them. And here,
THERE is ſomething that is done Exte…ly, and in common to them that are effectually …d, and them that are never ſo, who yet are … treaty of Peace; and that is, He offers … them in the Goſpel. He opens to them … of Life, and makes overtures with them … it. Here two or three things … be obſerved,
1. THAT the Goſpel is a medium made uſe of by God, for the bringing of Sinners to … in Chriſt, and ſo to Salvation. For this … we have that encomium put upon it, … 1.16. For I am not aſhamed of the goſ… … Chriſt: for it is the power of God unto ſ… to every one that believeth, to the Jew firſt, and alſo to the Greek. Becauſe the power of God inſinuates itſelf in and with it, into the Souls of all thoſe that are made Believers by it. By the Goſpel we are to underſtand, the whole diſcovery of the way in which father … may come to obtain Salvation by Chriſt; and all the means that are uſed by it to bring this …. Which, what they are, will follow to be taken notice of. And here let us conſider. (1.) THAT God in treating with Sinners d… with them as reaſonable Creatures: i.e. … applies himſelf to thoſe Faculties Which … put into them, whereby they may be led as Couſ… by Counſel in their accepting of Chriſt. It … true, he doth that in them by an immedive and creating efficacy, which reſtores to the… a gracious power of ſo doing; but this is done while he is outwardly treating them with the means, and inwardly moving upon their minds and Conſciences. He therefore offers that to them, which may convince their reaſon, and more upon their affections; which is the way in which man is rationally drawn to the exerting of humane actions. And on this account he is ſaid to perſwade men. Gen. 9.26. God ſhall enlarge Japheth, and he ſhall dwell in the tents of Shem. See, 2 Cor 5.11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we perſwade are. (2.) THAT hence, Faith in Christ muſt be bath upon the Knowledge of him. If ever a Sinner be perſuaded to venture himſelf upon Chriſt for Life, it muſt be upon a diſcovery that is made to and in him, and that Chriſt is ſuch an object as is every way ſit for him ſo to do. The Act of the Will cannot be called an humane Act, any further then as it follows are dictares and directions of the Underſtanding. Faith indeed is a Confidence, but it is ever built upon Knowledge, ſo that till there be a diſcovery made of Chriſt to the Man, by which he apprehends him to be able to ſave him to the uttermoſt, he will not caſt himſelf upon him for Eternity. Paul therefore hath ſuch an expreſſion, 2 Tim. 1.12. For I know whom I have believed, and I am perſuaded that be as able to keep that which I have committed unto him againſt that day. (3.) THAT this Knowledge muſt be by Revelation. There are but two ways in which … can come by the Knowlege of any thing, viz. by the Improvement of natural Reaſon, as by Revelation from God; the former can … no further then to ſuch Rules or Principles as are rooted in the nature of things, are there to be diſcerned by the light of made; ſuch therefore as have no rooting …, but depend upon the Divine Pleaſure, … be no otherwiſe known, than as God ſees … to declare them; and ſuch is the Knowledge of Chriſt, both as to his Perſon, Natures, and Offices. Paul therefore aſcribes this Knowledge of his to this fountain, Gal. 1.15. … that, 1 Cor. 2.13. Which things alſo we Acts, not in the words which mans wiſdom …word, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing ſpiritual things with ſpiritual. (4.) THAT God hath choſen the Goſpel to be the Inſtrument in and by which this Revelation is made. If we ſpeak of the matter of the Goſpel, that is the Revelation itſelf, it being nothing elſe but thoſe Truths wherein fallen a…'s Religion is contained. But if we conſider the Goſpel as it is written and publiſhed in the Scripture, ſo it is an Inſtrument of this Revelation, and this is of God's appointment. Hence that, 2 Tim. 1.10. But is are made manifeſt by the appearing of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, who hath aboliſhed death, and brought life and immortality to light, through th…ieſpel. So that in and by it, God proclaims us Men the glad ridings of Peace. There were thoſe that were immediately inſpired to …rd theſe things, and Chriſt hath appointed an order of Men to preach them to Men, but it is the Goſpel or Word of God that is to be preached, 2 Tim. 4, 2, 3, 16, 17. (5.) HENCE ordinarily, There are none called, but thoſe to whom the Goſpel is brought, in the external Diſpenſation of it, i. e. either the written Word of God, or the publick Preaching of it. For although God's Power is not to be called into Queſtion, yet if he hath ſeen meet to reſtrain the exerting of it to ſuch a way, his declared Will ought to ſet us down, nor can we have any other Rule to judge by. The Apoſtle therefore ſpeaking of this matter, declares himſelf plumply, Rom. 10 14, 15. Nor can we name that People in the World, that ever received the Knowledge of Chriſt in any other Way. (6.) THAT God brings not the Goſpel ordinarily, to any People, but where there are ſome to be Effectually Called by it. It cannot be inſtanced, where the Goſpel offer was ever made to Men, meerly for Condemnation. God knows who are his, according to the Purpoſe of his Grace, before they are ſo called, where they live, and accordingly orders either the Goſpel to come to them, or them to come to it: And his Providence hath been very remarkable on this account. We are told, what is the direct end of it, Act. 26.18. It is therefore for the ſake of ſuch whom he intends it to have this efficacy upon, that he over-rules the diſpenſations of it.
2. THAT in the Goſpel, God makes Offers of Chriſt, and Salvation by him, to all that it comes unto. Here let us obſerve,
(1.) THAT God ſends the Goſpel to men, by Men, whom he employs for that end. The Goſpel is preſented to men in the way of an Embaſſy, and God hath made choice of men like our ſelves to be the Embaſſadors of it. This title Paul aſſumes to himſelf and the other Goſpel Miniſters, 2 Cor. 5.20. And herein he both puts a great honour upon thoſe whom he ſo employs; Paul mentions it as ſo, Eph. 3.8. and alſo greatly favours men, in that he ſends to them by ſuch, who may ſay to them as Elibu to Job, Job 33.6, 7. Behold, I am according to thy wiſh in God's flead: I alſo am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror ſhall not make thee afraid, neither ſhall my hand be heavy upon thee. God might have employed Angels, and they would have gloried in it, as an high honour put upon them. But he hath choſen this way, and it is for his own Glory too. 2 Cor. 4.7. But we have this treaſure in earthen veſſels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
(2.) THAT this Errand is to publiſh the glad tidings of Peace, and invite men to accept of it. That therefore is uſed as a periphraſis of the Goſpel Miniſtry, Iſai. 52.7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publiſhed peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publiſheth ſalvation, that ſaith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! The Goſpel is called, the Goſpel of Peace, becauſe it is an Inſtrument of making Reconciliation & Peace between God and man. Sin had made them enemies, but Chriſt came to made on the breath, 1 … ….15. And having … of the way which obſtructed this Peace, now he ſends this Meſſage to men, and the Errand is, not only to declare that there is a way opened to it, but to uſe all utmoſt entreaties with Sinners to accept of and imbrace it, ver. 20
(3.) THAT their Commiſſion it to all, thee come neither the hearing of them, without reſtr…tion…. Remember that their Errand is to declare that there is Salvation to be had by Chriſt for Sinners, who are under Condemnation; to make offers of it to men, to invite them ſeriouſly to accept of it, and to ware them on their peril, that they do not reject it. Now in all this they are to act according to their Commiſſion and Charge, and neither to go beyond, nor come ſhort of it. As to the ſecret purpoſes of God, they are not acquainted with, nor can, nor may they meddle with them. But as to God's revealed will, they muſt declare that. Now the Charge which Chriſt gave his Diſciples, which alſo extends to all the Goſpel Miniſters, in their ſtation, it comprehends all that they preach to, without exception. See, Mat. 28.19. Mar. 18.15 They are to tell every one, that there is Chriſt a Saviour who came into the World to ſave Sinners; that there are no Sinners but may be ſaved by him, if they accept of and come in to him for it. That they come in his Name, and have Orders to beſpeak them, and till every one of them, that Chriſt by them, a…s their Conſent, and offers all his Grace and Salvation to them: That nothing can hinder their being ſaved by him, but only their wilful putting him away from them. Hence the general terms that are uſed in this invitation, Iſai. 55.1. Rev. 22.17.
3. THAT in the Goſpel theſe Offers are made upon Terms, which are therein opened. There is not only an offer made, but alſo a treaty propoſed in the Goſpel unto Sinners. And here,
(1.) THERE is not only Salvation to be had by Chriſt, but there is alſo a way appointed by God, in which it is to be had. God hath not only ordained Men to be ſaved, but hath likewiſe determined how they ſhall ſo be, and this is as firmly fixed as the other. And notwithſtanding the abſolute certainly that ſome ſhall be ſaved, it is true, that none ſhall be ſaved in any other way but this. We are therefore told of the way of Peace. Rom. 3.17. And Chriſt gave order to his Diſciples to preach the Goſpel on theſe terms, Mar. 16.16. He that believeth and is baptized, ſhall be ſaved; but he that believeth not ſhall be damned. If ever God brings any to eternal Life, it ſhall be through the way in which he hath deſigned it. Hence that, Tit. 3.5. Not by works of righteouſneſs which we have done, but according to his mercy he ſaved us, by the waſhing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghoſt.
(2.) IN this way there is ſomething to be complied with by them that will be ſaved. Man is not carried in this way as a ſenſitive, or a meerly ſenſitive Creature, but at a rationed Agent: And as he is endued with an … w…d, capable of making its own election, ſo God applies himſelf to it accordingly. Tho' it is he that draws us, yet are … ran …, Capt. 1.4. As God will ſave no man againſt his will, ſo he will lead no man in the way of it, by a ſore…ble compulſion, but by a ſpontaneous, or voluntary conſent. Hence that, Pſal 110.3. Thy people ſhall be willing … the day of thy power, in the beauties of be …ſiſion the wrath of the morning: thou haſt the … of thy wrath. They ſhall chuſe the good, and refuſe the evil.
(3.) THAT men may comply with this may … ſenſible Creatures, the terms of it muſt be … to them. An humane choice, though it … act of the will, yet to reader it humane, it muſt be guided by the practical underſtanding nor can it otherwiſe be denominated an election. That therefore men may be capable or making ſuch a choice, they muſt be acquainted with, that ſo they may have the knowlege of that about which it is to be made. Hence we have that expreſſion, Pſal. ….10. And they that know thy none, will put their … thee. The man muſt apprehend the thing … be good, in order to his cloſing with it; whereas, that which he knows nothing of, is can neither determine to be good nor end, and ſo cannot exert an act of his will about it. That therefore is reckoned as no … part of the natural man's miſery, Rom. 3.17. And the way of peace have they not known.
(4.) FOR this end, God in the Goſpel, … theſe terms in the way of a Covenant. … Goſpel treaty is frequently in the Scriptures, called a Covenant; and the reaſon is, becauſe in it God deals with men in a way analogous … Covenant among men God therefore, … with making offers of eternal Life by Chriſt, declares to men the way in which it is … had. And in the Goſpel he ſhews to … what is required of them if ever they hope to be ſaved, and would not be aſhamed … have thoſe hopes to periſh. Hence that, Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son, hath our laſting life: and he that believeth not at the Son, ſhall not ſee life: but the wrath of God abideth on him. And in this regard it is, that the Promiſes of the New-Covenant are … nected with thoſe Procepts which requires conformity to them, in order to our parenting of the good promiſed; as is every where … be obſerved.
4. THAT in the Goſpel, God uſeth all … ſuitable to perſwade men to accept of this … on theſe terms. He not only propoſeth the terms, but he urgeth them with earneſtneſs, and accommodates the pleas uſed to more upon them. And here,
(1.) THE natural man knows not the and he hath of Chirſt or Salvation by him. Man under the power of Unregeneracy, is ignorant of his own miſery. He is poor, and wretched, & …. &c. and knows it not. He thinks, &c, Rev. 3…. … was ſayed. I am … and t…er…eſed and goods, … need of nothing: and know … that th… … w…e…d and miſerable, and …, and maked. He labours under … gr…e…ous error, which makes him mil call good …d, and evil, good; and being in a deep …eep of ſecurity, he can hear of Chriſt, and his glor… us bucol…cy, and the Salvation th… he is Author of, and not at all con… himſelf about it. Let theſe that need it, …ed …, as for him, be hopes to do well with… …. Our Saviour Chriſt tells us. Mat. 9.11. They th… be whole need not a phyſician, but they …. And ſuch an one is he: and for th… reaſon he concerns not himſelf to ſeek an intereſt in this precious Saviour, but he … …ry his Salvation to whom he pleaſeth ….
(2.) NAY. There is in law a natural averſe… … with the way of Salvation by …. Not only doth he not know his need of …, but the terms or propoſals of it are … to him. The way of life opened in the Goſpel, being ſuited on purpoſe for the …tion of the tree Grace of God, is directly … to the inclinations of the proud nature … …en man: ſo that the very offers of it do … up this malignity to give oppoſition …. We are told, Rom. 8.7. Becauſe the … mend is enmity againſt God: for it is … ſubject it the … God, neither indeed can be. And by that law we may underſtand, the … of life which is re…led to fallen man. … indeed, cone but an humbled Soul can … …port with it. Man would have a … …freſs of his own, and cannot tell how … to go to Chriſt to be covered under … …e muſt find and know himſelf miſera… …deed, before he will give his conſent to … alow was it with the Jens. Rom. 9.31, 32. … which followed after the law of righ…, both … attained to the law of righteouſneſs. Wherefore? Becauſe they ſo…ght it, … faith, but as it were by the W…rk of the … for they ſtumbled at that ſtumbling it me.
(3.) HENCE be muſt be perſuaded to this … to his compliance. And there muſt … perſuaſions uſed, to pre…ail with … who hath no inclination to, but hath I …ly rooted ave…ſion and prejudice againſt a thing; for if he do make cho…ce of it, his … muſt be gained; and for that he … change his mind, which cannot be an … of force, but muſt be done by perſwaſion. … which it is abſolutely neceſſary that he … …do to take up other ſentiments about … things, than he before had of them. …, while he not only deſpiſeth, but hates …, be will never cordially imbrace them. … the heart of the natural man is exceeding … of the way that it is in. According … J…. 8.5.
(4.) GOD to this end in the Goſpel, uſeth all Ar…s ſuitable for this perſwaſion. A ſuitable pe…ſion is bullt upon ſuch rational conſi…ons offered to the perſon, as may convi… his Judgment or Conſcience, that the thing propoſed to him is good, or neceſſary, or ſome way propo…able … him; and the neglect of it will be hurtful to him: ſo as thereby to work upon his affections, by which the whole man is ſet on go…. And ſuch a courſe as this the Spirit of God uſeth in his treating of Sonnets by the Goſpel, in which he urgeth h…s I vitations upon them.
[1.] BY ſ…ng them their …bſolute neceſſary of Chriſt to be a Saviour to them: That they are undone, & muſt needs periſh everlaſtingly without him. He, by clear evidence, & irretragible demonſtration lays before them the truth of that, Act. … 12. Neither is there ſalvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we muſt be ſaved. That it God had not ſent his Son into the World to work out Redemption for us, we had been loſt for ever; and that if we now do not cloſe with him upon the terms propoſed, we remain hopeleſs. And there can be no Argument more forcible, than what is urged from neceſſity. When the man's condition is reduced to one way of help, and if that fail, there is none other left, all objections are hereby anſwered, all doubts ſilenced. What courſe he uſeth to evidence this will afterwards be confidered when we come to conſider the Internal work of the Spirit. But the truth of this is aſſerted and proved in the Goſpel.
[2.] BY diſcovering the fulneſs of ſufficlency, and ſuitableneſs there is in Chriſt, to be a compleat Saviour. He makes it to appear that he is every way furniſhed for this work, and that there is nothing wanting in him, for the delivering of us from all miſery, and crowning us with perfect bleſſedneſs; and ſo demonſtrates the truth of that, Heb. 7.25. Wherefore he is a…le alſo to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them. He lays open the fulneſs of Chriſt, and the inexhauſtable treaſures that are ſtored in him, fit to anſwer all the ends of fallen man. So that all they muſt needs be bleſſed, that put their trust in him, Pſal. 2.12. Which how he doth will alſo in its place come to a diſtinct Conſideration.
[3.] BY ſetting before them the readineſs there is in Christ to ſave them on theſe terms, not only that he is able to ſave, but that …e is willing to receive all that thus accept of him. Hence in the Goſpel, he ſets before them, all the precious Covenant promiſes, that are made to all that ſo do; all the earneſt Invitations that are given to Sinners to come to him; all the Complaints that he makes of their obſtinacy in refuſing to come; and how infinitely he is pleaſed with thoſe that hearken to his Call and come in upon it; together with the Welcome that all ſuch do find with him. And what can be more urgent or perſwaſive?
5. THAT all to whom the Goſpel is ſent, do not come up to, and accept of theſe Terms. That this is ſo practically is undeniable. And would we know whence it is, obſerve,
(1) THERE are none that will cor…ty. ſoling as they hope to do well enough without …rift. That is the language of ſecure Sinners. Job 21.14, 15. Therefore they ſay unto God, Depart from us: for us at fire not the knowledge of thy way. It but is the a…mighty, that to ſhall ſerve him? and what pr…fit ſhall us have if we pr… unto him? No e…ver came to him till neceſſity drove them. Not is it to be wondred at, if we conſider the ſecurity, pride, a…d enmity, that is in the natural man.
(2.) THE Goſpel Ambaſſadors can but Offer and Entreat. This they muſt d… elſe they will i… cur guilt, and be called to anſwer for blood, … …, 17, 18. But though they are faithful and skillful, and ſpare for no pains, yet ſinners may die in their fies. Only they ſave their own Souls. God will never charge them with the death of ſuch. We ſee how it is in this reſpect, Iſal. 49.3.4. And ſad unto me, Thou a… my ſervant, O…ly r…ei…n whom I will be gl…rſied. Then I ſad, I have laboured in vain, I have ſpent my ſtrength for naught, and in vain, yet ſare y…cy ſadgu…nt as with the Lord, and my work wi… my God.
(3.) That the G…ſpel it ſelf proves to ſome eventually a favour of Death. It is not effectual on all unto Life. And hence the preaching of it, is an occaſion of the hardning of ſome, as well as the ſ…fining of others. What ſaith the Ap…ſile? a Cor. 2 15, 16 For we are unto God a ſweet ſavour of Chriſt, in them that are ſaved, and in them that periſh. To the one me are the ſavour of death unto death, and to the other, ib. ſavour of life unto life. Yea, ſuch was the etrand of the Prophet, Iſal. 6 9, 10 And he ſaid, Go and tell this people, Hear, ye indeed, but underſtand not, and ſee ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people ſat, and make their ears heavy, and ſhut their ey…s: left they ſee with their eyes, and hear with their care, and underſtand with their heart, and c…nvert and be bealed. Many deſpiſe theſe offers and many preſume and abuſe the Grace of it to their own utter undoing.
(4.) THE Elect of God are mixed with others, for whoſe ſake the Goſpel comes among them, God will call his own whom he knows. They dwell in the midſt of wicked men. It is by the Goſpel that he will bring them home to himſelf. He ſends this Goſpel by ſuch as know not who they are, but are to invite all. And Chriſt hath ſaid of his own, Jon. 6.37. All that the Father hath given me ſhall come to me. Though of others he makes that complaint, …. And ye will not come to me, that ye … ve…
(5.) THAT God will be as well glorifyed in them that reſiſt Chriſt, as in them that imbrace him. Though the primary deſign of the Goſpel was not men's damnation, yet, if men that enjoy it, do not hearken to the Call given, but refuſe to entertain the Salvation ſet before them, God will recover honour upon them in this reſpect. And for that reaſon we have Chriſt himſelf ſo menacing, Mar. 11.21, 22. Wo unto thee Chorazin, we unto thee Bethſaids: for if the mighey works whith were done in you, had been done in Tyre & Sidom, they … repented long again ſ…c…t … to a…bes. But I ſay uni… you, it ſ…, be must t…able for Tye and S… of the day of of j…dgment, them for you.
6. THAT he…e, there is a farther … regafite, to make the Goſpel po…rjulis He… Calling For,
(1.) THE reaſon a…y men are an perſ…d by the Goſp…l, is not for we… of ſeffciemy in the argements aſ…d in it. Troy are the f… by which ſome are perſwaded, which … not others, but harden them to this own deſtruction. The ſame Text of Scrip … the ſame Sermon, hath this contrary even …
(2.) THE reaſon of this a…f…erence is … in the different natures of the ſua…ds to whom the Goſpel is effered. They are all of one kind, have the ſame ſort of faculties, and … in them: the ſame diſplitions & iedin…tion to fin; the ſame averſation from good; there is not one letter than another, Rom. 7.5.
(2.) HENCE the making the Goſpel eff…d to Converſion depends on a… Om…ipotect A… The Goſpel is an leſtrumeat or this but … can uſe it to effect but the Spirit. Man … hath rational powers in him, and muſt therefore be ſo treated; but all gracious … are loſt: and theſe muſt be retiored, before he can uſe theſe powers graci…uſly; which none but God is able to do in and for … Phil 2.13. Eph 2.6. And there is … tradiction between God's treating … rational agents, and yet ſupplying their … and impote…er… acting gracicuſly, by … newing … Grace in thoſe powers. And the brings us to the Confideration, of the … Operations of the Spirit.
USE LET this then adviſe as, … very thankful for the Goſpel, ſo to be ending cor…ful what Entertainment … it. God is to be praiſed for this favour. All … it not. And they that are without it … But by it, we have advan…ge to be … in the way of life, and treated with … the things of our peace. Not have … deſerved it than thoſe who enjoy it not … let us rejoyce with trembling; con… that if we deſpiſe the Offer made, and … to comply with the Terms of the T…. that are proponed to us, we ſhall … miſs of Eternal Salvation, as all thoſe … never heard the Goſpel ſhall do, but it … be a moſt aſtoniſhing Article, in the Indi… that ſhall be brought in againſt us, that … ſent his Ambaſſadors of Peace to us, and by them proclaimed the Goſpel of Peace … and with much Entreaty, and long … waited upon us; but we would not … his Call, but wilfully withſtood him. … at the thoughts of having this … accuſed for, before his great and … Tribunal.
[DECEMBER 21. 1697.]