A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 70 (Question 20)
SERMON LXX.
QUESTION XX.
DID GOD leave all Mankind to peri…h is the eſtate of Sin and Miſery?
ANSWER.
GOD having out of his meer good Pleaſure from all Eternity, elected ſome to Everlaſting Life, did enter into a Covenant of Grace to deliver them out of the ſtate of Sin and Miſery, and to bring them into an eſtate of Salvation by a Redeemer.
IN the conſideration of God's ſpecial Government, we have taken notice of the firſt Covenant, which he indented with Man, and Man's woful apoſtacy enſuing thereupon; together with the miſerable effects of it; in all of which we have been entertained with a fearful roll written within, and without, with nothing but lamentation, mourning and wo; and if this were all the news that were to be heard, what but horror and deſpair would abide us? But the Holy God, whoſe ſpotleſs providence was not idle, in the permiſſion of man's fall, had glorious ends in his ſo permitting it; intending it to be a foil on which he would draw in moſt lively col…urs the portraiture of his rich grace. We are therefore here led by the hand, from the ſorrowful and heart breaking conſideration of man's inexpreſſible infelicity by his ap…ſt…y, to the pleaſant and ſoul refreſhing contemplation of his Anaſtaſy, or reſtitution, which is the other thing obſervable in this ſpecial Government. In this Anſwer then we have, 1. This Doctrine of man's reſtitution aſſerted. 2. A full deſcription of it laid down. In which we have, 1. The ſubjects of it, ſome. 2. The firſt original or leading cauſe of it, His meer good pleaſure. 3. The foundation of it, His electing of them from all eternity to everlaſting life. 4. The ratification or eſtabliſhment of it, He entred into a Covenant of grace. 5. The reſtitution itſelf with the terms of it, to deliver them from a state of ſin and miſery. 6. The way in which it is brought about, by a Redeemer. We may take theſe ſeverally and briefly into conſideration;
1. THAT there is a reſtitution provided by God for ſallen Man. It is vain for us to enquire what it is, till we are aſſured that it is. Now the evidence of this is a matter of meer revelation. The light of nature cannot diſcover the leaſt tracts or prints of it, in all its reaſonings. It hath indeed ſome footſteps by which to diſcover that man is miſerable; reaſon will ſay that he could not be made ſuch as he is now become, conſiſtent with the wiſdom and goodneſs of his maker. But on the ſuppoſition of his fall, and preſent ſtate, by vertue of the ſanctions of the firſt covenant; it could neither tell that ſuch a thing ſhould be (it having it's abſolute dependance on the free will of the lawgiver, into whoſe hands the ſinner was fallen, and againſt whom juſtice was arr…ed with revenge; nor could any of his attributes of goodneſs mercy, or the like, infer it; the works of creation and common providence had not any Goſpel written on them, holineſs and juſtice ſtood in the way; nor yet if it had been aſſured that ſuch a thing ſhould be, could it tell how it could poſſibly be brought about, ſo as that mercy and truth righteouſneſs and peace, might entirely meet in one; that God might be both juſt and yet juſtify a ſinner, an ungodly man. This therefore is purely a matter of faith but is ſo fully and clearly his down in the word of God, that there is as doubt left to be made about it. And truly, the main dri…e or deſign of the whole book of God, in the old and new Teſtament, is … give us an account of this affair. The hiſtory of man's fall is ſet down for an introduction unto this, and immediately upon it, this happy news is publiſhed, Gen. 3.15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy ſeed and her ſeed: it ſhall … thy bead; and thou ſhalt braiſe his heel. And God is throughout ſhewing us the way how to obtain it; there is in it the hope of eternal life, and that not a vain one, but that which is built on a promiſe of it. Tit. 1.2. In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, as miſed before the world began. Likewiſe that, 2 Tim. 1.10. But is now made manifeſt by the appearing of our Saviour Jeſus Christ, who b… ab…liſhed death, and hath brought life and imortality to light, through the Goſpel. This was the deſign of the incarnation of the Son of God, and of the whole work of Redemption which he accompliſhed, of which we may have an account afterwards. Had it not been to recover ſinful men from miſery to felicity he had never engaged in it. Gal. 4.4, 5. But when the fulneſs of time was come, God ſent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the late, To redeem them that were under the … that we might receive the adoption of ſons. This is the end of the giving the Goſpel, and all the adminiſtrations of it, that men may be therein invited, and by the Spirit of God perſwaded to accept of a Saviour, and an eſcape from the wrath and curſe that is our againſt them. Hence that, Rom. 1.16. For it is the power of God unto ſalvation, to every o… that believeth, to the Jew firſt, and alſo to the Greek. We have therefore the ſum and ſubſtance of the Goſpel, in Joh. 3.16. For God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. Mat. 16.16. He that believeth and is baptized, ſhall be ſaved; but he that believeth not, ſhall be damned. As then there was an Adam who undid us, ſo is there one to reſtore us. 1 Cor. 15.22. For as in Adam all die, ſo in Chriſt ſhall all be made alive. In a word; God hath laid in and provided fully, whatſoever is requiſite for our recovery out of miſery, and being reſtored to bleſſedneſs, as will be made evident in the ſequel. And he would certainly never have done it, if he had not purpoſed this Salvation to be effectually apply'd to ſome, otherwiſe that proviſion had been loſt.
2. THE ſubjects of this reſtitution are, ſome. Adam's ſin and apoſtacy indeed reached unto all; but not ſo the reſtitution: the pararel therefore between the firſt and ſecond Adam doth not lie in the extent of the ſubjects, but in the efficacy of the influence to the ſubject; ſo that, as the firſt Adam was the procuring cauſe of all miſery to his children, ſo the ſecond Adam is of all bleſſedneſs to his: but, though the former extended to all mankind, the latter doth not do ſo, but only to a reſidue or …nant. This difference is clearly inti…ed or pointed to in, Rom. 5.12, 19. Wherefore as by one man ſin entred into the world, and death by ſin: and ſo death paſſed upon all …, for that all have ſinned. For as by one … diſobedience, many were made ſinners: ſo by the obedience of one, ſhall many be made righ…. For the making of this diſtinctly clear, let theſe Concluſions be obſerved,
1. THAT all mankind do not actually participate in this reſtitution. This is a clear caſe, and generally acknowledged by ſuch as profeſs them ſelves Chriſtians: and it is very evident from Scripture; where we are aſſured,
(1.) THAT there are many of Adam's poſterity th… …, and are damned for ever. We read of thoſe who are puniſhed with everlaſting destruction, 2 Theſ. 1.9. Chap. 2.11. Now damnation is directly contrary to this reſtitution; it being the execution of the with and curſe, under which they were fallen; upon them: either therefore they … never recovered, or they are again fallen into it, but that this latter cannot be, will afterwards be conſidered.
(2.) THAT there will be two ſorts of men found in the laſt day. There will be ſheep and …, the one ſtanding at the right, the other at the left hand of Chriſt; the one will be …ed to eternal life, the other to everlaſting burnings, as in Mat. 25. Surely then, if they then receive ſuch a fearful doom, they … never delivered from the curſe which …ed them.
(3.) THAT there are a great many to whom … ſavour is offered, but they reject is finally, … ſo are left to periſh in their ſins. None … actually reſtored till they do cloſe in … the terms of the new covenant: for we … poſitively told, Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting life: and he that believeth not the Son, ſhall not ſee life: but the wrath of God abideth on him. But ſome there are of whom. Chriſt ſaith, Joh. 5.40. And ye will not come to me thee ye might have life. And on whom, for their rejecting him, he hath paſt that ſentence, Joh. 8.24. I ſaid therefore unto you, that ye ſhall die in your ſins: for if ye believe not that I am be, ye ſhall die in your ſins. And for ſuch ſinners, they are already condemned. Joh. 3.18. But he that believeth not is condemned already: i. e. the law-ſentence remains in force againſt them, and muſt take place; if then they never repent and believe, they were never recovered.
2. THAT God never intended or laid in proviſion for the reſtitution of all. It is true,
(1.) THAT there is a ſufficiency of value and vertue in the proviſion that God hath made, for the compleat recovery of all mankind. And indeed, ſuch was the caſe with, and ſtate of fallen man, that nothing elſe would ſuffice for the reſtoring of one, than what was enough in its intrinſick worth for all. Juſtice could not to be ſatisfied, or the condemnation removed without a price of an infinite value, for the acquittance of any one of its priſoners: and ſuch a price can never be out-ſet. Hence that, Heb. 7.25. Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him.
(2.) THAT offers of this reſtitution are made to a great many more than accept of, or ever partake in it. There are a great many whom Chriſt comes to, but they do not receive him, and ſo they go without him. Job. 1.12. He invites them, but they reject his invitation, and thereby judge themſelves unworthy of everlaſting life, Act. 1346. they refuſe him, and he doth relinguiſh them. Pſal. 81.11, 12. But my people would not hearken to my voice: and Iſrael would none of me. So I gave them up to their own hearts lust: and they walked in their own counſels. Hence that expoſtulation and threatning. Mat. 23.37, 38. and Luk. 19.41, 42. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadſt known, even thou, at leaſt in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. But that he either intended or provided for the ſalvation of all, is not true; and this will be manifeſt if we conſider, [1.] THAT all are not actually ſaved. It is not rational to think, that God ſhould deſign their ſalvation, and make proviſion for it, and yet they eventually fall ſhort of it: for ſo, not only muſt the divine purpoſe be fruſtrated, which would be a great reflection upon his wiſdom, power and unchangeableneſs; but alſo muſt the proviſion it ſelf ſo far be loſt, for that is a medium for an end, and it is certain that the means are loſt, as to the deſign of him that uſeth them, where the end is not attained; it is therefore a full diſjunction, viz. either that all are ſaved, or that God never intended nor provided for their ſalvation, or elſe that he is put by either for want of power, or by altering his mind. [2] THaT I ſ…s …riſt did not come to ſave …. It is …, there are ſome general words uſed in the Goſpel, mentioning the word a…, wh… …me would interpret that way, as 1 Tim. 2. …. Who gives himſelf a ranſom for all; and elſewhere. But this cannot intend all univerſally, but only all that were given him, elſe it would contradict the limitations given in the Goſpel: what ſaith he of himſelf, Luk. 3.32. and that paſſage is of weight, (however ſome ſeek to evade it,) Joh. 17.9. I pray for them, I pray not for the world, but for them which thou haſt given me, for they are thine. Surely he would not ſhut them out of his prayers for whom he ſhed his blood: or how comes he to make a diſtinction between the world, and thoſe whom his father had given to him out of it [3.] THAT all have n…t the means of this reſtitution offer did to them. We ſhall afterwards have occaſion to obſerve, that to the compleating of this recovery, there is requiſite, not only that a purchaſe be made, but that it be alſo applied; in order to which application, there are the means appointed, and made neceſſary by God's inſtitution; where therefore God intends this end, he will afford theſe means. The Apoſtle could infer mens perdition, from their not having the Goſpel, 2 Cor. 4.3. But if our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt. And makes ſuch a demand, which carries a negative in it, Rom, 10.14. How then ſhall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how ſhall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how ſhall they hear without a preacher? But nothing is more certain than that the ſangreater part of mankind have hitherto been ſtrangers to the means of grace, and ſo out of the way in which the Spirit of God, is won't to apply Chriſt's redemption to men: and the condition of ſuch is clearly expreſt, Eph. 2.12. That at that time ye were without Chriſt, being aliens from the common wealth of Iſrael, and ſtrangers from the covenants of promiſe, having no hope, and without God in the world. [4.] THAT God hath prepared a place to exalt his juſtice in, by the everlaſting puniſhment of many. We read in, Iſai. 30. ult. For Tophet is ordained of old, yea, for the king it is prepared, he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood, the breath of the Lord like a ſtream of brimſtone doth kindle it. And Mat. 25.41. Depart from me, ye curſed, into everlaſting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Now to prepare ſuch a place for ſuch an end, together with a deſign. …o deliver all mankind from it, is to provide it for no uſe as all; except we ſhould ſuppoſe, that when he hath done all that lies in him for their recovery, they may damn and deſtroy themſelves, whether he will or no; which is directly contrary to what the Scripture aſſerts concerning him, and to the properties of the divine nature. We are therefore aſſured that they were ordained to this. Jude 4 Who were before ordained to this condemnation …ng…dly men. And there is an efficacious judicial influence of God's in bringing them to it. 2 Theſ…. 9.10.
2. THAT hence there are but ſome for when this restitution is provided; and the rest are left out, and not thus …red for. Who they are, and how they come to be thus ſet aport for this benefit, when others are left out and not thought of for mercy, will be after conſidered in the things that follow. Here only to make a few general remarks upon this, let us obſerve,
(1.) THAT they are but a few compared with the rest of mankind. If we compare thoſe that are reſtored with thoſe that are left, they are but a ſmall number. The Scripture compares them to a reſidue, or remnant, a ſ… piece that is left, when the garment is taken out of it; to a gleaning, or a few ſcattered grapes upon the vine, when the vintage is gathered. Chriſt, ſpeaking of that life which is the thing to which they are reſtored, tells us that but few …ind it, Math. 7.14. Luk, is the epithet which he puts upon his own flock, Luk. 12.32. Theſe are ſome that are taken out of the world, when the whole world lies in wickedneſs: in this regard they are not many.
(2.) THEY are but few, if reckoned with thoſe who enjoy the means of grace, and are not ſa… thereby. If we go no farther than where the Goſpel hath come, and men have been t… ed with the things that concern their peace, yet there it will be found a truth that thoſe that miſs of this recovery, and go to pe…dition after all, are vaſtly the bigger number. It is our Saviour's obſervation, Math. 20.26. For many are called, but few choſen. And the Apoſtle ſpeaking of Iſrael, or God's vi… covenanted people, hath that concluſion, Rom. 9.27. A remnant ſhall be ſaved. There are multitudes that openly deſpiſe the offers of Salvation, and live in a manifeſt contempt of the things of their peace: there are many that make a ſhew, and but a ſhew, p…ted to a profeſſion, but deceive their own hearts, and no more than pretend. Where Chriſt is exhibited, He is a foundation, and corner ſtone but to a few; to the multitude, he is a ſtumbling ſtone and a rock of offence; the Goſpel is a ſavour of life to but a little number, in regard of thoſe to whom it is a ſavour of death.
(3.) THAT yet, conſidered in & by themſelves, they are a very great many. Had God ſaved but one of Adam's poſterity, his grace had therein wonderfully appeared; but he hath ſeen meet to extend this reſtitution to a multitude: though we cannot tell how many they be, who ſhall partake in this bleſſed priviledge, it being a ſecret reſerved in his own boſom, not to be known to us, till the great Day of accounts; yet we are given to underſtand that there will then be a very great congregation of them. As to the opinion of thoſe, who think there ſhall be ſo many as to make up the number, and ſupply the place of the fallen Angels, it is without any Scripture foundation, and therefore not to be concluded upon: but we have ſufficient warrant to believe that they are very many: there have been of them in all ages of the Church, though in ſome more than other. We find that in a very ſcanty t…me, God had, in the kingdom of the Ten Tribes, notwithſtanding the apoſtacy and perſecutions, ſeven Thouſand, Rom. 11.3, 4. And we read, Jud. 14. Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thouſands of his ſaints. The word ſignifies, many ten Thouſands. And beſides all that have been hitherto ſaved; we are aſſured, that there is ſtill a time to be looked for, of the plentiful pouring out of the Spirit, and of the bringing in of the fulneſs of the nations: and therefore the Goſpel-ſtate is called a kingdom, which ſuppoſeth a great number of ſubjects.
USE I. IS there a reſtitution provided for miſerable men? Let it then be thought of and improved,
1. TO prevent ſinking deſpair, and put hope i… us all. When you look upon, and are …ihed with all thoſe amazing miſeries which are lying upon all mankind in the wiſe, and ſee how wofully you your ſelves … involved in it, and are thereupon beginning to ſink into deſpondency, and be filled with a …rful expectation of this vengeance falling upon you; and begin to ſay: if the caſe be …out hope is gone, and we are cut off for our op…; now look forward, and ſee what good … the Goſpel hath brought to a company of …orn periſhing finners, See here, that there is a poſſibility of your eſcaping the domi…tion of hell, nay that there is a fair po…ibility of it, ſince there is a new and living way opened, and diſcovered to you: ſay that for all that hath befallen me, I may yet be ſaved; this is the hope that is ſet before you, labour to run into it.
2. TO improve this hope in ſeeking to obtain it. Hope is the very life of endeavour; what … deſpair of they will never attempt to …paſs; but where there are any ſparklings of hope, they will puſh men on to ſeek their help: and hope can gather ſpirits from the appearance of a meer poſſibility, a Who knows? Say then to your own Souls, is there a way found out by the merciful God, in which ſinners may be delivered from the wrath to come? I will enquire after it, and ſeek to be found in it: may an undone ſinner be ſaved? hath God told and aſſured me of it in his word? and ſhall I ſit ſtill, and periſh through my own neglect? ſhall I die when life is ſet before me, and offered to me, and, as it were thruſt upon me? One would think the proclamation of liberty to captives, and the opening of the priſon doors to them that … bound, ſhould be a faithful ſaying, and …by of all acceptation, to every one, who knows himſelf to be a priſoner of divine juſtice, and lying open to the miſeries of this life, to death it ſelf, and to the pains of hell for ever.
USE II. ARE there but ſome for whom this reſtitution is appointed, and thoſe but a few in compariſon, though a great many in themſelves? Learn hence,
1. WHAT reaſon there is for every one of us to give the more diligent beed to make ſure that we be found among this number. It is a duty that we are called upon to attend, 2 Pet. 1.10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election ſure: for if ye do theſe things ye ſhall never fall. And what more potent argument to move us to be very ſolemn and ſerious in it, than the conſideration of the paucity of thoſe who are ſharers in this benefit? When one had ask'd our Saviour that queſtion, Are there few ſaved? He, inſtead of anſwering, falls to adviſing; and what was his advice? See, Luk. 13.23, 24. And be ſaid unto them, Strive to enter in at the ſtrait gate; for many I ſay unto you, will ſeek to enter in, and ſhall not be able. Certainly, the thing it ſelf is a matter of the higheſt importance that can be: who, that believes that there is an everlaſting ſtate of weal or wo, to which all mankind are poſting, and in which they ſhall be fixed, as ſoon as this life ends; would not be anxious to know, when, and after what manner he ſhall ſpend that eternity? how much more then, when he is acquainted that the greater number by far, are like to take up their dwelling with everlaſting burnings? Let this thought then put us all, Young and Old, from our carnal ſecurity, and make us importunately inquiſitive in this affair.
2. NOT to deſpond or ſink in your ſpirits, becauſe they are but few. If among a thouſand capital offenders, it were publiſhed that one of them ſhould have a pardon, would not every one hope to be the man? but I can aſſure you that there ſhall be many millions of miſerable men delivered from the curſe, and made heirs of eternal life. What faith Chriſt? Luk. 13.29. And they ſhall come from the eaſt, and from the weſt, and from the north, and from the ſouth, and ſhall ſit down in the kingdom of God. And among theſe there ſhall be thoſe who have been chiefeſt ſinners, and have contaminated themſelves, with the vileſt abominations. What ſaith the Apoſtle? 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11. Know ye not that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abuſers of themſelve, with mankind, Nor th…ves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners ſhall inherit the kingdom of God. And ſuch were ſome of you, but ye are waſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are juſtified in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God. There is a Manaſſeb of that number, who was an idolater, and a conjurer, and a murderer: there is a Thief there, that had alſo ſhed innocent blood. If then, you find your hearts moved with the apprehenſion of your great miſery, and wrought to a willingneſs to comply with the only remedy, in the Goſpel way; be not diſcouraged, you are in a fair way to be one of that little flock; Chriſt hath ſaid, if you come to him, he will not caſt you off.
[FEBRUARY 20. 1692.]