A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 226 (Question 89 cont.)
SERMON CCXXVI.
(2.) THE next thing obſervable, in which the Spirit makes uſe of the Word, in order to the ſinners Salvation, is his Converſion: By Converſion we are to underſtand the great Change which is wrought in the Sinner, in Regeneration, by vertue whereof he is renewed in the whole Man, and there is an Univerſal Change wrought in him; a general account whereof is given us in, 2 Cor. 5.17. The neceſſity of which Converſion, if ever a ſinner be ſaved, is fully aſſerted in the word of God, Hence that, Joh. 3.3. Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto him, Verily verily I ſay unto thee, Except a man be born again, be cannot ſee the kingdom of God. Matt. 18.3. Verily I ſay unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye ſhall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. And that the Spirit is the Author of this work is certain, for it is a work of the Almighty power, which none but He who is God can exert: ſuch therefore are ſaid to be born of God, Joh. 1.13. But how, or after what manner he makes uſe of the word, in the bringing of this about to effect, will call for a more diſtinct Conſideration. And here we may obſerve, that Divines take notice of a double Converſion, or of Two ſteps that there are in this work, one whereof in order of Nature goes before the other, and makes way for it, viz. P…ſſive, and Active: And there is a vaſtly different reſpect which the word of God bears to the one & the other, us will evidently appear by the Conſideration of them ſeverally.
1. AS to P…ſſive Converſion; it properly conſiſts in the great Change, which is wrought on all the Powers of the Man; by which all the Sanctifying Graces of the Spirit are infuſed into him; and ſo a new Nature is put into him, whereby he is furniſhed for a Life of Grace; and this is that which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of in, Eph. 4.22, 24. Now this, being a creating work, is wrought by the Spirit Immediately, and indiſcernably …n it ſelf; nor is the Word properly an Inſtrument of it, but he alone doth it: it is therefore ſaid, I zek. 36.26. A new heart alſo will I give you, and a new ſpirit will I put within you, & I will take away the ſtony heart out of your fleſh, and I will give you an heart of fleſh. Nevertheleſs, there is a Con…omitancy of the Word in the production of this, James 1.18. Of his own will bega… …e us with the word of truth. And we may take this ſummary account of it:
THE Word of God being a Moral Inſtrument, the Spirit, when He applies Himſelf to Sinner… in the Goſpel treaty, doth make uſe of it, as accommodated to the Rational Powers; in which He ſets before them their Miſerable State, and ſhews them how they may obtain Deliverance, and invites them to accept of the offered Salvation, ſetting before them the Promiſe of Life to thoſe that ſo do; and whilſt He is thus doing, He ſteals in His Grace, by which He puts … Power into them, enabling them to comply with this Invitation of His. At what inſtant this is done, is hard for …s to define, He being Arbitrary in it. Chriſt therefore tells us, Jo…. 3.8. The wind bloweth where it liſteth, and thou heareſt the ſound thereof, but canſt not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: ſo is every one that is born of the ſpirit: But in His ordinary diſpenſation of His Grace to Men, He is not wont to produce this Change, but together with the offer of the Word, and the impreſſion that He leaves by it, on their minds; and it is certain, till this Change be wrought, none of the Natural Powers in the Man, can give him a gracious entertainment; but whilſt the Word is ſet before the Man, and all Moral endeavours are uſed with him, …e on a ſudden finds a mighty turn on his Soul, whereby he knows, that the Finger of God hath been there.
2. AS to Active Converſion, which properly conſiſts in the …erting of this new Principle thus infuſed, (which is produced by the Spirit's ſetting a ſecond hand to his own work; for we are told in Phil. 2.13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will & to do: Heb. 12.2. He is the author and finiſher of our faith.) There is a manifold uſe of the Word for this purpoſe, it being every way adapted to be ſerviceable to this end. We are told of the Divine drawing, Cant. 1.4. Jo…. 6.44. and theſe drawings are not Compulſive, but ſuch as work upon the Rational Powers in Man, which attract his Voluntary … to, … compl…an… with the Spirit in His evil; …, Pſal. 27.8. When thou …, Seek ye myſ…ce; my heart ſail unto th…e, … Lord, will I ſeek. And here, tho' the … ſtill depends on the Operation of the Spirit, yet there is the ſpontaneous Operation of the Man, which is drawn forth by the application of the Word to his renewed Faculties; and how He uſeth the Word in this we may obſerve in ſeveral particulars;
1. BY it H… diſcovers to him, that there is Hope of Salvation for him. We here ſuppoſe the previous work of Conviction wrought on the Man, which tho' of its own Nature tends to Deſpair, yet is by the Operation of the Spirit, made ſerviceable in his Active Converſion; having therefore ſtol…en into him a gracious Principle. He thus draws it forth after a Rational manner: and whilſt the ſinner was under T…rs, and ſaying. Muſt I needs periſh? He ſets a good Hope before him, and gives Activity to this Grace in him: and hereby he is encouraged to wait upon God for His rich Mercy to appear to him, in delivering him from the Curſe: and this He doth by revealing to him the Now-Covenant, in which proviſion is made for the Salvation of ſinful Men: the Truth whereof is abundantly revealed in the Goſpel. Hence that, Job 33.24. Then he is gracious unto him, and ſaith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have f…nd a ranſom. And therefore we are told, Pſal. 25.14. The ſecret of the Lord is with them that …ear him: and be will ſhew them his covenant.
2. BY this He reveals to him, the Fulneſs of ſufficiency there is in Chriſt, to ſave him to the Utterm…ſt. The covinced ſinner is at a loſs how the Juſtice of God may he ſalved in his Pardon; but the Spirit of God, reveals to him by the word, how this great matter is adjuſted, and a p…rfect harmony made between Juſtice & Grace, Pſal 85.10. Mercy & truth are met together: righteouſneſs & peace have kiſſed each other. Rom. 3.25, 26. Whom God hath ſet f…rth to be a propitiation through ſaith in his bloud, to declare his righteouſneſs for the remiſſion of ſins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I ſay, at this time his righteouſneſs▪ that he might be juſt, and the juſtifier of him which believeth in Jeſus. By this He acquaints him with the ſuretiſhip of Chriſt, and the compleat ſatisfaction which He hath made to the Law. Hence it diſcovers to him, His Perſon, His Offices, His work of Redemption; ſo that there is nothing wanting for the diſplay of Juſtice, as well as Mercy in his Salvation; and thus it aſſures him, Rom. 8.34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Chriſt That …ed; yea rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh interceſſion for us. And tells him. Heb. 7.25. Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the utter moſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he …ver liveth to make interceſſion for them. And by confirming this in him by His ſecret influence He thereby eſtabliſheth his hope, which … co…geth him to wait on God for it, and to … …m.
3. BY this He hu…b…eth him out of himſelf▪ and all ſelf dependence. In active Converſion the ſinner muſt wholly go out of himſelf to Chriſt; and this alſo the …pirit produceth in him, by applying of the Word to him. Convinced ſinners, are apt to Object againſt the Terms of the New Convenant, that the are impoſſible Conditions, which creates ſinking Diſcouragements in the Soul; but by the Word He acquaints him, that the Benefit is not only preſented to him on Terms, but that the Working of theſe Terms in him, depends on Him; and when he is moſt ſenſibly loſt, he is neareſt to be found; for Chriſt hath ſaid, Luk. 19.10. For the Son of man is come to ſeek and to ſave that which was l…ſt. And lets him know, that this alſo is the gift of God: and by this He perſwades him to look to Him, who is able to do it in him, which puts him upon crying out with Ephraim, Jer. 31.18. Turn thou me, and I ſhall be turned; for th… art the Lord my God.
4. BY this be allures him to accept of Chriſt. The New-Covenant requires this acceptance in order to Peace & Salvation: and therefore having infuſed this power into him, he drawn it out into Act, by applying of the Word to him: and this he doth by ſetting home all thoſe gracious Invitations & Promiſes, of the Goſpel, in which Chriſt offers himſelf to them, ſtands at the door & knocks, aſſures him that he is as willing as heis able to Save; and that if he comes to him, he will not reject him, Joh. 6 37. Him that cometh to me, I will in as wiſe caſt cut. But that if he embrace the Terms, he will receive him graciouſly; and ſets before him the great happineſs that ſhall accrue to him, in caſe he doth comply with him, R…v. 3.20.
5. BY it he opens to him the Terms of the New-Covenant, and works him to a compliance with them. The Treaty he holds with Men, is on Terms, with which the promiſe of Grace is connected; and theſe are Arbitrary with him, and muſt therefore be revealed to us, in order to our comporting with them: Now theſe are laid down in the Word, & with the offers of them, he enlightens our Minds to diſcern them, for the are Spiritually diſcerned, 2 Cor. 2.14. And it is he who perſwades us to embrace them cordially; for which he ſhews us the excellency, the ſuitableneſs, the deſirableneſs of them; and hereby he draws forth our cordial conſent to them, which is nothing elſe but the exertion of that Grace which he hath infuſed into us in Regeneration. Hence we are told in Pſal. 110.3. Thy people ſhall be willing in the day of thy power. Now to all theſe the Word is adapted; and where it is made effectual, the Spirit ſets in to reader it ſo: for in this Active Converſion, we act as Cauſes by Counſel, and are able to give a reaſon of our hope; and can ſay, That we know whom we have truſted; the Revelation whereof is made to us by the Goſpel, tho' it works efficaciouſly on none but ſuch as he applies it unto, whilſt others who enjoy the ſame outward diſcoveries, neglect and deſpiſe it. And …s the W…d cannot do it without him, ſo either …he w…'t to do it without the Word, … is for that reaſon compared to a Seed that … in us, and produceth ſeen fruit as this. …. WE are now to conſider the Uſefulneſs … the Word, …r the improvement the …pirit makes … to carry on the … of Grace in us to …. We are aſſured that both of theſe …o b…long to him, …. 1.6. Heb 1….2. And great deal is to be done between the laying foundation of Grace in the Heart, and the ſaying of the topſtone in Glory; and for this alſo are the Word and Ordinances appointed …nd made uſe of by him. And for th…s reaſon, …s the Word is compared to Seed in Conver…ion, ſo to Food and Nouriſhment in regard of Edification. 1 Pet. ….…. Grace at firſt is ſmall, Sanctification is therefore progreſſive; and though it is a Divine Work to carry it o…, yet there are the means which God makes …eſe of for this end, the principal whereof is the Word: In which there is provided, both Milk for new-born Chriſtians, and ſtrong Meat for ſuch as have attained to a greater statu…e in Grace. It is certain, that God hath appointed all true Converts unto Perfection, which as they are to arrive unto, when they paſs into Glory, ſo they are to be carried to it gradually in this Life, and for this is the Word and Ordinances deſigned, E…h. 4.11, 12. And though, as we before obſerved, Providences are made to ſubſerve … this, yet it is by and with the application of the Word to them; and therefore they are put together, Pſal 94.12. Bleſſed is the man whom thou …haſteneſt, O Lord, and teacher him out of thy law. Now there are Three Things which are here attributed to the Word, as it is an I…ſtrument in the hand of the Spirit on this account, v…z.
1. Their Increaſe in Holineſs.
2. Their Eſtabliſhment in Comfort.
3. Their Perſeverance in Faith to Salvation.
Now all of theſe things, the Spirit of G…d works in the Believer: And in doing of them he applies the Word to effect. And we may take a brief account of theſe ſeverally.
1. HE makes the Word ſerviceable to their Increaſe in Holineſs. By Holineſs we are here to underſtand the Grace of Sanctification, which is wrought in us in Regeneration, by which we are helped to ſerve to the great end that we were made for: And it is made the Duty of all that are Converted to endeavour to increaſe in it, to be adding to every Grace, 2 Pet. 1.4, 5. to grow in it, Chap. 3.18. For which end there is the Nutriment ſuitable for it, which is to be made uſe of; and this is preſented to us in the Word, and we are to wait upon it to that end. Now as Sanctification hath two eſſential parts in it, viz. Mortification of Sin, and the giving Life unto Grace; ſo is the Word adapted for the promoving of both theſe in it.
1. IN reſpect of Mortification of Sin. Though Original Sin hath received a mortal …ound in Converſion, yet it abides in the Man, and hath …ot a little ſtrength and influence; as he experienced, Rom. 7. And no ſmall part of a Chriſtians growth conſiſts in the exerciſe of the Spiritual Warfare againſt it. And for this the Word is made very ſerviceable. And that,
(1.) BY acquainting him with the Vileneſ… and …ouſneſs of it. …er. 2.19. In that … is, that he is acquainted how contrary it is to his new Nature, how ſoul and loathſome a thing it is, how inimical to his own Soul. How it obſtructs him in purſuing the great end of his Regeneration; what Guilt it contracts, and how much it expoſeth him to God's diſpleaſure, and lays him open to th… reflections of his Conſcience, which ſerves to kindle his hatred of it. Pſal. 119.104. Through thy precepts I get underſtanding: therefore I hate every falſe way.
(2.) BY giving him ſeaſonable Warnings against it. The Pſalmiſt tells us, Pſal. 19.11. Moreover: by them is thy ſervant warned. When we are tempted to Sin, the Spirit often brings ſome Word home to us and ſets it home with power, which gives a check to luſt within us, and arms us to reſiſtance. Hence that in Iſai. 30.21. And thine ears ſhall hear a word behind thee, ſaying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Gen. 39.9. And by this, Grace that is in him, is excited to a reſolute fortifying againſt the Temptation, which otherwiſe would have been too hard for him.
(3.) BY ſhewing him how much, and how juſtly; Sin is diſpleaſing to God. Grace in the Believer hath e…gaged him to ſeek the Glory of God, and to avoid every thing that will grieve the Holy Spirit. Now by the Word he is ma…e to ſee how contrary this Sin is to God, how odious it is to his Holineſs; and repreſents God ſo expoſtulating with him, Jer. 44 4. Howbeit I ſent unto you all my ſervants the pr…phets, riſing early & ſending them, ſaying. O do not this ab…minable thing that I hate. And this is made a powerful Caveat to him. It tells him, that God loves Righteouſneſs, and hates Iniquity. It ſaith as, Hab. 1.13. Thou … of purer eyes th…n to beb…d e…il, and can … not look on iniquity: wherefore look eſt thou upon them that deal treacherouſly, and bodeſt thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he. And Pſal. 5.4, 5. and 2 Sam 11. ult. And by this means it excites in him an holy fear, leſt if he do this, he ſhall procure his Father's Anger. And makes him to ſay, as Pſal 119.120. My fleſh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgment.
(4.) BY ſhewing him where to get help against it. It tells him where his relief is, viz. in Chriſt, who only can ſubdue his luſt in and for him; and by whoſe Croſs he may get it crucified, Gal 6.14. The conſideration of what it coſt him to ſatisfy for Sin, is laid forth by the Word, and is made ſerviceable to imbitter Sin to us.
2. FOR the giving Life and Vigour to Grace. Infant-Grace is very weak, and ſtands in need of being ſtrengthned in us; and i… is he who ſtrengthens us with might in our inward Man: whereby we may with more vigour and reſolution, purſue the work of our Generation, and grow in every Grace of the Spirit, and …e more in love with Holineſs, & delighted in the work of our Generation. And this alſo he promoves in us by the Word. And that,
(1.) BY diſcovering to us more of the Beauty of Holineſs. It is by our love of it, that we are quickned to purſue it with earneſt deſires after it. Love is the prime cloſing affection, and that which fortifies this love, is the diſcovery we have of t…e Excellency and A…ableneſs of the Object of it. The way to increaſe in Holineſs, is to exerciſe it continually, and that which excites us to vigour in this, is the great value that we have for it. And it is the Word which ſets forth the character of it, and imprints it on us. Hence it tells us, Prov. 3.13, &c. Happy is the man that …indeth wiſdom, and the man that getteth underſtanding.
(2.) BY …ff…rding us the proper Directions for the pr…ſecution of our Work. If we would increaſe in Grace, we muſt proſecu…e it; and that we may do it aright, we muſt …e guided to it by the Holy Spirit, for it belongs to him to lead us into all truth, Joh 16.13. And it is by applying the Word to us, that he ſo doth: in which are all the Rules of holy Living given to us to direct us. We are therefore directed hither, for the right ordering of all our Courſe, Iſai. 8.20. And it belongs to the uſefulneſs of the Word, to ſerve to all the ends of this direction.
(3.) BY offering us ſuitable Motives to excite us hereto. Man as a Reaſonable Creature is prompted to his work by Arguments ſuited to his inclinations. Now in the Word, the Spirit offers all the obliging Arguments to raiſe our affections to Holineſs, by ſhewing us the great Good that will accrue to us by it; and aſſuring us of the help of God to ſucceed & proſper us in all Work, and to bear down before us all that would offer to withſtand us in it; aſſuring us, 1 Cor. 15. ult. Tour labour ſhall not be in vain in the Lord.
2. HE improves it alſo for their Establiſhment in Comfort. God hath provided Conſolation for his People in this Life, and therefore Joy in the Holy Ghoſt, is o…e of the Benefits which do flow from Chriſt to his Children, during their abode in this Pilgrimage in the World, to ſupport them under, and carry them comfortably through the fatigues which they encounter in their warfare. Hence we have … in, 1 P…t. 1.8. Whom having not ſeen, ye love: in whom though now ye ſee him not, yet believing, ye rejoyce with joy unſpeakable & fall of glory. Theſe therefore are the Wells of Salvation, our of which the People of God are made to draw Waters, Iſai. 12.3. And we read of the Comfort of the Scriptures, Rom. 15.4. And hence we are told, Heb. 6.18. That by two immutable things, in which it was impoſſible for God to lie, we night have a …trong conſolation, who l…ve …, to lay hold upon the hope ſet before as. And here,
1. IN it be diſcovereth to them, what are the Glorious things that are laid up for them in the Promiſes. There is a joy of Hope. We are therefore told, Rom. 8.24. For we are ſaved by …pe: but hope that is ſeen, is not hope▪ for what a man ſeeth, why d…th he yet hope for? And Chap. 5.2. A Believers great happineſs is in Reverſion, from the expectation whereof there reſults Conſolation to him; and the more full diſcovery he hath of the greatneſs of this f…licity, the more exuberent muſt this joy of his needs be. Now though it is but a little of this, which he is now acquainted withal, in compariſon of what it ſhall be when he is put in poſſeſſion; for we are told, 1 Joh. 3.2. Beloved, now are we the ſons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we ſhall … but we know, that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him: for we ſhall ſee him as be is. Yet there is ſo much as carries rapture in it, and aſſures him that it ſhall unconceivably ſurpaſs all that hath been now told him; and that what is acquainted with it, hath ſuch a dazling Splendour in it, as makes all the delights of time ſhrink up and diſappear. And how many deſcriptions of this, doth the Word of God abound withal!
2. BY it …e beſtows what Security there is … in for their unfailing receiving of the Promiſes. The meer relation of what excellent things they are, though it may raiſe the deſire after them, yet it cannot quicken joy in them, farther than they are ours. Joy flows from …ui…ion; but that conſiſts either in actual Poſſeſſion, or in an undeceiving Expectation, which leaves no room to doubt or having it in due time. And this latter is the Believers preſent Priviledge, the aſſurance whereof is made over to him, and he is confirmed in it, by the ſtability of the Promiſes, which are given to him through the Word: and that he gives him the evidences of his title to them; and by that he affords him the teſtimony of the immutability of them; and that from the immutability of the Promiſer, who cannot repent of his Word, or fail of performance. Hence that, in Tit. 1.2. In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promiſed before the world began. Heb. 6.18. Rom. 11.29.
3. BY is he fortifies them againſt all that offers to diſcourage them in their way. There are many dark things that occur in their Paſſage, which do ſometimes bring them to a ſtand, but by the Word he corroborates their Faith, and affords them all the comfort that is needful. David ſaith, Pſal. 27.13. I had fainted, unleſs I had believed. Now the Word is called the Word of Faith, becauſe by it the Spirit revives it when it languiſheth, and enables it to bear down all that would undermine it. By this it aſſureth him, that God will never fail him, and thereby encourageth him under all his hardſhips: Saith to him, as Iſai. 41.10. Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be no… diſmayed, for I are thy God: I will … then …, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will up…ld thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſs. If ſecures to him the Divine help, and makes him to deſpiſe all the things that would fright him from his Work, or drive him into deſpondency; ſo that he can rejoyce in tribulation, and triumph over all that ſtands is his way, and beat a Challenge to every thing that looks menacing on him. Hence that. Rom. 8.…, 37. And this the Spirit doth in and with the Ordinances, by ſetting home the Word with power, and rendring of his Faith by it Invincible▪ ſo that he can believe in H…pe againſt Hope.
3. HE applies the Word to them, to perſevere through Faith unto Salvation. There is a Connection made in the Goſpel between final Perſeverance, and Eternal Life; and that both Affirmatively and Negatively, Rev. 2.10. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Heb. 10.38. If any man draw back, my ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in him. Now it is here to be remarked, that notwithſtanding this Connection, and the Precept given us of Perſeverance, and the warning againſt Apoſtaſy, nevertheleſs in the ſame Covenant wherein Salvation is promiſed to Faith, there is a ſecurity given of Perſeverance; otherwiſe that Promiſe might fail: for Perſeverance as well as Salvation depends on the Power of God, who alone can keep us from falling. And therefore we have that promiſe, 1 Pet. 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation. And the neceſſary dependance of this on the Spirit of God is very evident, whether we conſider the Nature of Grace that is in them, which is a Creature, and needs Suſtentation▪ or the Weakneſs of it, together with the Oppoſition it meets withal, from the Carnal part within, which ever wars againſt it, and leads him Captive; as he complains, Rom. 7.2…. Or the Adverſaries form abroad, who ſeek his ruin. We are therefore told, 1 Pet. 5.8. Your Adverſary the devil, is as a roaring …ion walking about ſeeking whom he may devour. And of his Power, in Eph. 6.12. And this is witneſſed by the many wounds, and decays which we ſuffer in our Pilgrimage, which evidence that we are not our own keepers; and therefore we are told, Pſal. 37.24. Though he fall, he ſhall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. And hence ſuch are ſaid to be preſerved ones, Jude 1. Now he makes uſe of the Word for this end, and in its Order it is very proper and ſerviceable thereto.
FOR,
1. BY it He Corroborates their Faith. We are told. Heb. 10.38. Now the juſt ſhall live by faith. While therefore Faith is maintained in its Vigour, it preſerves the Believer from Apoſtaſy; nor will he go back unleſs his Faith fails. Now it is the Word that is the Food of Faith, and from thence are we to fetch all the ſupports of it: and a Believers Faith, can go no farther than it hath a Word: And there is is nothing about which we have … ſion to exerciſe out Faith, but there is ſufficiently laid in for it in the Word of God … is the rule of Faith: And he that believes the Word, will never want matter to … and ſtrengthen his Faith. Hence that, Pſal. 17.4 Concerning the works of men, by the to … of thy lips, I have kept me from the …hs of the deſtroyer.
2. BY it he rouſeth them out of their dead frames, and recovers them when fallen. They too often grow remiſs and heedleſs to themſelves, and ſometimes they fall and wound themſelves; and did not he quicken & recover them again, there they again, and gives both reviving and Repentance. And though he often ſends Afflictions to rouſe them, nevertheleſs he with them brings the Word, by which he ſhews them their ſin, & danger, and this quickens them to purpoſe, and will ſuffer them to lye no longer in that Condition. Thus he ſent a Word by the Prophet to David, 2 Sam. 12. begin. And when he ſets in with it, and applieth it, it produceth this effect.
3. BY it he Animates their Conſtancy, by aſſuring them of his help. Their Warfare is ſharp, their Enemies formidable, and they are ſometimes ready to reſolve, that they ſhall fall by their hand: But then he brings a ſeaſonable Word, and by reviving their Faith helps them in the fight, and makes them reſolute. Hence that, 1 Joh. 5.4. For whatſoever is born of God, overcometh the world, even our faith. By that he aſſures them that the Cauſe is not theirs but Chriſt's, and that he is the Captain of their Salvation, and bids them to go forth in his ſtrength and Conquer. Hence we have that of the Pſalmiſt, in Pſal. 56.3, 4. What time I am afraid, I will truſt in thee. And, ver. 10, 11. And while he hath the ſecurity of his preſence and protection, he cannot be daunted.
4. BY this he revives their Courage, by preſenting them with the Crown which is ſecured in the Promiſe. Hence that, Rev. 2.1…. Moſes perſeverance was by this Corr…barated, Heb. 11.26. And doubtleſs Paul ſignifies what influence this had upon his, 2 Tim. 4.7, 8. And while he is confirmed in expectation of ſuch a Crown, he recruits his ſtrength, and renews the fight with freſh Spirits: reſolving with him, Rom. 8.18. For I reckon that the ſufferings of this preſent time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which ſhall be revealed in us. While he looks on the Glory to come, which is hung out in the Goſpel before him, and remembers that it is for this that he is engaged, he deſpiſeth all difficulties, and reſolveth that he will take Heaven by force.
USE. LET this make us exceeding thankful to God for his Word and Ordinances. And take heed that we do not deſpiſe or neglect them. It was once rated as a ſingular & diſtinguiſhing favour beſtowed on Iſrael, Pſal. 147 … He ſhewed his …rd unto J…b, his ſtatutes and his judgments unto Iſrael, He hath not dealt ſo with any nation; and … his judgments they have not known them: Praiſe ye the Lord. And doubtleſs it is no leſs a kindneſs afforded to us; and it becomes us to prize it accordingly: and if we put a ſlight upon it, we highly affro…t him, who hath given us the advantage of it above Multitudes in the World. And that we may have the ſaving benefit by it, let us remember, that this depends upon the Spirit, who only can re…der it effectual to this purpoſe: And he ſure to ſeek to God for it, that ſo the Word may become ſaving unto us. And let us take that for our encouragement to be importunate in it, Luk. 11.1…. If ye then being evil, know low … give good gifts unto your children: how much were will your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him?